Brushing – scrubbing – and general cleaning – Machines – With air blast or suction
Reexamination Certificate
2001-07-17
2003-02-25
Moore, Chris K. (Department: 1744)
Brushing, scrubbing, and general cleaning
Machines
With air blast or suction
Reexamination Certificate
active
06523222
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to vacuum cleaners. More particularly, it relates to an airflow shut-off mechanism for a vacuum cleaner that is convertible for on-the-floor and above-the-floor vacuuming operations.
One way of increasing the amount of suction power available at a distal end of a suction airflow pathway (such as at a floor nozzle, or at an above-the-floor cleaning tool) for a given source of suction power is to reduce the length of the suction airflow pathway.
In the case of vacuum cleaners having a single source of suction power and multiple (e.g. two) suction airflow pathways (such as vacuum cleaners that are convertible between on-the-floor and above-the-floor cleaning operations), a further way of increasing the amount of suction power available at the distal end of an airflow pathway being used (e.g. from an above-the-floor cleaning tool) is to shut-off the suction airflow through the unused pathway (e.g. from the floor nozzle).
It is known to pivot a dirt passage door around a horizontal axis extending generally lateral across a vacuum cleaner floor nozzle to shut-off suction airflow through a floor nozzle airflow passage. However, such a pivoting arrangement limits the ability to reduce the length of the suction airflow pathway.
Accordingly, it is considered desirable to develop a new and improved vacuum cleaner having a airflow shut-off mechanism that meets the above-stated needs and overcomes the foregoing difficulties and others while providing better and more advantageous results.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One aspect of the present invention relates to a floor nozzle for a vacuum cleaner including a brushroll chamber having an outlet aperture; and an airflow shut-off mechanism including an airflow passage that communicates with the outlet aperture and that extends away from the brushroll chamber at an angle in the range of about 50° to about 75° relative to a surface to be vacuumed.
Another floor nozzle arrangement according to the present invention includes a housing, a nozzle inlet defined in the housing, and an airflow passage extending from the nozzle inlet through a wall of the housing, wherein the airflow passage has an axis oriented at an angle of about 50°-75° in relation to a plane of the nozzle inlet.
Still another floor nozzle arrangement of the present invention includes a brushroll chamber having an outlet aperture, and includes an airflow shut-off mechanism having a housing with a airflow passage therethrough. A first end of the airflow passage communicates with the outlet aperture and a second end of the airflow passage communicates with an associated discharge duct. A door is connected to the housing for pivotal movement within the airflow passage. The door has an arcuate surface that conforms substantially to a contour of the airflow passage in a door open position, and the door substantially blocks the airflow passage in a door closed position.
Another aspect of the present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner including a floor nozzle having an inlet opening, a first airflow passage extending in the floor nozzle from a first end communicating with the inlet opening to a second end located at a periphery of the floor nozzle; an upper assembly mounted on said floor nozzle; and a second airflow passage extending in said upper assembly and communicating with the second end of the first airflow passage, wherein the second airflow passage is positioned along a leading edge of upper assembly.
Yet another vacuum cleaner arrangement according to the present invention includes an upper assembly, and a floor nozzle pivotally connected to the upper assembly. The floor nozzle includes a brushroll chamber and a dirty airflow shutoff mechanism. The brushroll chamber includes an outlet aperture, and the dirty air shut-off mechanism includes a housing with a airflow passage therethrough wherein a first end of the airflow passage communicates with the outlet aperture and a second end of the airflow passage communicates with a discharge duct leading to the upper assembly. The dirty air shut-off mechanism further includes a door connected to the housing for pivotal movement within the airflow passage wherein the door has an arcuate surface that conforms substantially to a contour of the airflow passage in a door open position and the door substantially blocks airflow through the passage in a door closed position.
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Paliobeis Steven J.
Thur Charles J.
Vystrcil Robert A.
Fay Sharpe Fagan Minnich & McKee LLP
Moore Chris K.
Royal Appliance Mfg. Co.
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