Brushing – scrubbing – and general cleaning – Machines – With air blast or suction
Reexamination Certificate
2000-07-27
2001-10-02
Moore, Chris K. (Department: 1744)
Brushing, scrubbing, and general cleaning
Machines
With air blast or suction
C015S335000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06295694
ABSTRACT:
The invention relates to apparatus for carrying a fluid flow. More particularly, the invention relates to apparatus for carrying a fluid flow having at least one fluid inlet, at least one fluid outlet and a plurality of alternative fluid flow paths therebetween. The apparatus can be adapted for carrying any fluid, i.e. liquid or gas, but is particularly suitable for carrying an airflow. The invention is particularly suitable for use in vacuum cleaners.
Known apparatus for carrying a fluid flow having a plurality of alternative fluid flow paths between the at least one fluid inlet and the at least one fluid outlet incorporates a valve for selecting one of the said fluid flow paths to carry a fluid flow from the or a fluid inlet to the or a fluid outlet. An example of a known vacuum cleaner incorporating a valve of this type is shown and fully described in European patent No. 0134654B. This known prior art automatically selects the appropriate air inlet of the vacuum cleaner and directs air from either the ground-engaging cleaning head or the hose and wand to the inlet of the dust separating apparatus of the vacuum cleaner. The selection of the appropriate air inlet is carried out automatically by the relative positioning of the body of the cleaner and the cleaner head during normal floor cleaning or above-floor cleaning. Other prior art vacuum cleaners incorporate manual switches which must be operated by the user of the vacuum cleaner in order to selectively direction the airflow from either the cleaner head or the hose and wand.
In the known prior art, air is directed from one of two possible air inlets to a single air outlet via dust separating apparatus. Inevitably, at least one of these alternative airflow paths includes a significant bend to bring the airflow into the correct orientation to enter the dust separating apparatus before exiting via the fluid outlet. Whenever the airflow path of a vacuum cleaner incorporates a significant bend, there is an increased risk of blockages occurring. Also, in selecting one of the alternative fluid flow paths, the or each of the remaining fluid flow paths must be sealed against the incoming airflow. Therefore, a number of seals must be provided in the area of the valve in order to prevent loss of suction. These seals are vulnerable to wear and must be replaced at relatively frequent intervals in order to maintain optimum performance of the vacuum cleaner.
In prior art vacuum cleaners, it has been found to be somewhat awkward to gain access to the portions of the relevant airflow paths in the region of the valve in which blockages can occur. It has also been found awkward to gain access to the relevant seals to effect replacement at appropriate times. It is therefore perceived that there is a need to improve the construction of apparatus of this type, particularly when forming part of a vacuum cleaner, in order to facilitate maintenance and repair.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide apparatus for carrying a fluid flow in which access to areas requiring maintenance is enhanced. It is a further object of the present invention to provide apparatus for carrying a fluid flow in which blockages occurring in the fluid flow paths can be easily and quickly cleared. A further object of the invention is to provide apparatus for carrying a fluid flow in which seals which are prone to wear can be accessed easily for rapid replacement. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a vacuum cleaner having a flow direction selector valve in which blockages occurring at or near the valve can be easily and quickly removed. It is a further object of the invention to provide a vacuum cleaner in which a significant proportion of the seals which are prone to wear can be easily and quickly accessed for replacement.
The invention provides apparatus for carrying a fluid flow as claimed in claim
1
. Further and advantageous features are set out in the subsidiary claims.
The provision of a removable portion in which the valve for opening the said alternative fluid flow paths and closing the or each remaining fluid flow path is housed allows the user of the apparatus to remove the removable portion should any blockages occur in the fluid flow paths. The removal of the removable portion gives the user of the apparatus easy access to the alternative fluid flow paths which allows removal of any blockages quickly and easily. Any seals provided between the removable portion and the remainder of the apparatus are advantageously either carried by the removable portion or exposed by its removal so that, in the event of any of these seals requiring replacement, easy access is provided by the removal of the removable portion. The removable portion is preferably retained in an operational position with respect to the remainder of the apparatus by quick release clips, e.g. resilient push-button snaps, to enable an unskilled user of the apparatus to carry out basic maintenance and removal of blockages. This reduces the amount of profession time required to maintain the apparatus and keeps the apparatus operational for longer periods thus increasing user satisfaction and decreasing the amount of time required for maintenance and repair.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3300806 (1967-01-01), Ripple
patent: 4376322 (1983-03-01), Lockhart et al.
patent: 4573236 (1986-03-01), Dyson
patent: 5355549 (1994-10-01), Steinberg et al.
patent: 5551120 (1996-09-01), Cipolla et al.
patent: 6079077 (2000-06-01), Kajihara et al.
patent: 0 134 654 (1985-03-01), None
patent: 2 325 399 (1998-11-01), None
Dyson James
Ganderton Michael David
Knox Alexander Stuart
Moore Chris K.
Morrison & Foerster / LLP
Notetry Limited
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