Brushing – scrubbing – and general cleaning – Machines – With air blast or suction
Reexamination Certificate
2002-03-04
2004-09-07
Till, Terrence R. (Department: 1744)
Brushing, scrubbing, and general cleaning
Machines
With air blast or suction
Reexamination Certificate
active
06785932
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to component parts of vacuum cleaners adapted to be able to change the air flow path through the vacuum cleaner in use, and particularly to such parts that are able to change the air flow path so as to convert the vacuum cleaner for hose attachment.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The use of hose conversion in vacuum cleaners, e.g. to adapt the cleaners to above the floor use, is well known in the cleaner art. Many adaptations use a conversion valve, which is arranged to move to provide suction at a floor nozzle, or alternatively at a hose end. Examples of such valve use include U.S. Pat. No. 1,936,761 (Hoover, 1933), U.S. Pat. No. 2,867,833 (Hoover, 1959), and U.S. Pat. No. 4,373,228 (Dyson 1983).
U.S. Pat. No. 1,936,761 describes a rotatable valve provided in a nozzle which is provided with a cut away portion so that when rotated it can seal one conduit and open another conduit or vice versa, for attachment of a dusting tool or for floor cleaning.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,867,833 describes an upright cleaner in which insertion of a hose into a converter tube pushes a valve to close the upper end of a suction tube extending from the floor nozzle of the vacuum cleaner so that suction is drawn instead through the hose attachment.
It is also known to achieve hose conversion by means other than a valve.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,373,228 conversion of a vacuum cleaner from upright to cylinder mode operation is achieved by insertion and retraction of a hose attachment. This hose movement causes a valve to move from a position in which the valve opens the inlet pipe of the appliance and closes communication to the hose attachment, to a position in which the hose attachment communication is open and the main inlet is closed.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,713,103 (Hoover, 1998) hose conversion is achieved directly adjacent the dirt cup of a dirt cup cleaner. In this reference an adapter mounting array is mounted over a conversion stub conduit that is integral with, and in communication with the suction tube of the dirt cup cleaner. In the non-converted position the conversion stub conduit is closed by a door, and in the converted position the door is lifted and a hose fitting is inserted into the stub conversion conduit. The hose fitting is shaped to close the port at the upper end of the suction tube of the vacuum cleaner, thereby sealingly closing off the suction tube. In this position there is direct flow through the hose fitting to the dirt cup entrance port.
EP-A-0783865 (Application number 97300134.0-2316, Black and Decker Inc) describes a known vacuum cleaner comprising a floor travelling head incorporating dust collection bowl, an impeller, a motor and rechargeable batteries for powering the motor. A floor nozzle leads through a single front inlet into a generally cup shaped dust collection bowl, and exits through a back face that comprises a filter extending over the length of the back face and a cover partially covering the filter. Air exits the dust collection bowl to the rear, impelled by the impeller, which is positioned to the rear of the dust collection bowl, and exits the floor travelling head through an air vent slot on the upper surface of the floor travelling head. This reference does not describe the use of hose conversion.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of all aspects of the present invention to provide arrangements for altering the air flow path into component parts of a vacuum cleaner, e.g. into a dust collection module, into a suction tube etc.
It is another object of all aspects of the present invention to provide arrangements that can be used to modify the floor travelling head of the reference EP-A-0783865 (Application number 97300134.0-2316, Black and Decker Inc) to make it suitable for hose conversion.
The first aspect of the present invention provides a kit of parts comprising:
a) a removable dust collection module for use in a vacuum cleaner, which in use forms part of the air flow path through the vacuum cleaner;
(b) a closure member arranged to be moved relative to the collection module so as simultaneously to close a first air flow path into the dust collection module and to open a second air flow path into the dust collection module that is remote from the first air flow path, or vice versa.
Thus the closure member can be moved from a first position in which a first air flow path is open and a second air flow path is closed to a second position in which the second air flow path is open and the first air flow path is closed. This change in open air flow path may conveniently be used for conversion for hose attachment use, the first air flow path being through a floor inlet in the vacuum cleaner into the dust collection module, and the second air flow path being through a separate inlet, suitable for hose attachment, and in communication with the dust collection module. The separate inlet may be positioned elsewhere in the vacuum cleaner, e.g. on an upper or side surface of the vacuum cleaner.
In contrast to the change in air flow path achieved during hose conversion in U.S. Pat. No. 5,713,103, according to the first aspect of the present invention the changed air flow path into the dust collection module is remote from the first air flow path into the dust collection module.
In a preferred embodiment the dust collection module comprises first and second air inlets, and movement of the closure member acts simultaneously to cover the first air inlet and to uncover the second air inlet or vice versa, thereby simultaneously closing the first air flow path into the dust collection module and opening the second air flow path into the dust collection module, or vice versa. Therefore the closure member moves from a first position in which it covers the first air inlet of the dust collection module but not the second air inlet of the dust collection module to a second position in which it covers the second air inlet of the dust collection module but not the first air inlet of the dust collection module.
The first and second air inlets are preferably spaced from each other. This arrangement therefore conveniently achieves two air flow paths into the dust collection module that are remote from each other according to the first aspect of the present invention.
Where the dust collection module comprises first and second air inlets these are preferably provided on a common surface of the dust collection module, e.g. on a front surface.
In a preferred embodiment the dust collection module comprises first and second air inlets and the closure member is a shuttle member that can be slid relative to the dust collection module simultaneously to cover the first air inlet and uncover the second air inlet to effect the said closure and opening of the said first and second air flow paths. Preferably the closure member and dust collection module comprise corresponding, preferably mating surfaces which can slide relative to each other to effect the air flow path changes. In this embodiment the shuttle member may, or may not comprise one or more apertures or other inlets. If it contains no inlets then it is preferably moved from a position in which one edge of the member skirts the first inlet of the dust collection module, while the remainder of the shuttle member covers the second air inlet of the dust collection module, to a position in which another edge (or another part of the same edge, e.g. curved or stepped edge) of the shuttle member skirts the second inlet, while the remainder of the shuttle member covers the first inlet of the dust collection module.
Whether or not there is sliding motion between the dust collection module and the closure member, the dust collection module preferably comprises first and second air inlets and the closure member preferably comprises a shuttle member that also comprises at least one opening. In this case, the closure member can preferably be moved relative to the said air inlets of the dust collection module so that in a first shuttle position the first, but not the second, air inlet of the dust collection module of
Black & Decker Inc.
Harness & Dickey & Pierce P.L.C.
Till Terrence R.
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