Brushing – scrubbing – and general cleaning – Machines – With air blast or suction
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-14
2001-01-16
Warden, Sr., Robert J. (Department: 1744)
Brushing, scrubbing, and general cleaning
Machines
With air blast or suction
C015S410000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06173474
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to upright vacuum cleaners.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Upright vacuum cleaners typically comprise an upper body portion which is pivotally mounted to a vacuum cleaner head. The upper body portion typically includes a dirt separation mechanism, such as filter bags, cyclones or the like. The vacuum cleaner head comprises a means for entraining dirty air and conveying it to the upper body portion.
Upright vacuum cleaners comprise a large segment of the vacuum cleaner market Unfortunately, they are typically difficult to store. For example, the vacuum cleaner is generally stored with the upper body portion extending generally vertically from the vacuum cleaner head. In this upper storage position, the storage space which is required for the vacuum cleaner comprises the sum of the footprint of the vacuum cleaner as well as the additional space required to accommodate the upper body portion which is positioned at the rear of the vacuum cleaner head.
It has been known to position the rear wheels of the vacuum cleaner on extensions positioned rearward of the upper body portion when the upper body portion is in the upright position. Examples of these include U.S. Pat. No. 4,129,920 (Evans et al.) and the U.S. Pat. No. 2,898,621 (Vance). In these cases, the wheels are so positioned as to prevent the vacuum cleaner from being able to lie in a generally flat position.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In order to overcome these limitations, in accordance with the instant invention, a vacuum cleaner head having a novel configuration is provided. The vacuum cleaner head has rear wheel mounts which are spaced apart a sufficient amount so as to allow the upper body portion of an upright vacuum cleaner to be positioned there between so as to enable the vacuum cleaner to lie flat. Thus, the vacuum cleaner has a very low profile and may be able to be stored, for example, under a bed. Further, by enabling the upper body portion to extend directly behind the vacuum cleaner head, the vacuum cleaner may be hung in a closet or the like with a minimum of storage space being occupied by the vacuum cleaner.
In accordance with the instant invention, there is provided an upright vacuum cleaner comprising a vacuum cleaner head for cleaning a floor having a forward portion and two spaced apart rear portions extending rearwardly from the forward portion, the spaced apart rear portions defining an open space there between, and a longitudinally extending upper body portion having a longitudinal axis, the upper body portion being pivotally mounted on the vacuum cleaner head and moveable between a raised position and a lowered position in which the longitudinal axis is generally parallel to the floor, a portion of the upper body portion being received in the open space between the rear portions when in the lowered storage position.
In accordance with the instant invention, there is also provided a vacuum cleaner head adapted for connection to a longitudinally extending upper body portion defining an upper body axis, the vacuum cleaner head comprising a main portion defining a vacuum cleaner head axis, rear wheel mount portions positioned rearward of the main portion and a passage for receiving the upper body portion, and a pivot member for pivotally mounting the upper body portion to the vacuum cleaner head for movement of the upper body portion between a raised position in which the upper body axis is at an angle to the vacuum cleaner head axis and a lowered storage position in which the upper body axis and the vacuum cleaner head axis are substantially parallel.
In one embodiment, the upper body portion is pivotally mounted on the vacuum cleaner head at a position forward of the spaced apart rear portions.
In another embodiment, the upper body portion includes a dirt separation member and a handle.
In another embodiment, the forward portion has a rearward surface and the rear portions extend rearwardly of rearward surface.
In another embodiment, each rear portion has a rearward end and rear wheels are positioned adjacent the rearward end of the rear portions.
In another embodiment, the vacuum cleaner head further comprises a front and spaced apart lateral sides extending longitudinally from the front towards the rear portions and the rear portions extend rearwardly from a position adjacent the lateral sides.
In another embodiment, a portion of the upper body portion is positioned between the rear wheels when the upper body portion is positioned in the lowered storage position. In such a case, the upper body portion may comprises an upper casing and a support member with the support member extending between the upper casing and the cleaning head and pivotally mounted to the cleaning head. The rear portions and the support member may be sized so that a portion of the upper casing is positioned between the rear wheels when the upper body portion is positioned in the lowered storage position. Alternately, the rear portions and the support member may be sized so that a portion of the upper member (and not the upper casing) is positioned between the rear wheels when the upper body portion is positioned in the lowered storage position.
In another embodiment, the pivot member is mounted on the vacuum cleaner head at a position forward of the rear wheel mount portions.
In another embodiment, the upper body portion includes a dirt separation member and a handle and the passage is sized to receive therein a portion of the upper body portion including the dirt separation member.
In another embodiment, the rear wheel mount portions are positioned on either side of the passage.
In another embodiment, the vacuum cleaner head further comprises a front and spaced apart lateral sides extending longitudinally from the front towards the rear wheel mount portions and the rear wheel mount portions extend rearwardly from a position adjacent the lateral sides.
In accordance with another embodiment of the instant invention, there is provided a vacuum cleaner head adapted for connection to a longitudinally extending upper body portion defining an upper body axis, the vacuum cleaner head comprising a main portion defining a vacuum cleaner head axis, rear wheel mount means positioned rearward of the main portion and storage means extending in the direction of the vacuum cleaner head axis for receiving the upper body portion, and pivot means for pivotally mounting the upper body portion to the vacuum cleaner head for movement of the upper body portion between a raised position in which the upper body axis is at an angle to the vacuum cleaner head axis and a lowered storage position in which the upper body portion is received in the storage means.
In another embodiment, the pivot means is mounted on the vacuum cleaner head at a position forward of the rear wheel mount means.
In another embodiment, the upper body portion includes a dirt separation member and the storage means is sized to receive therein a portion of the upper body portion including the dirt separation member.
In another embodiment, the rear wheel mount means are positioned on either side of the storage means. Each rear wheel mount means may have a rearward end and rear wheels are positioned adjacent the rearward end of rear wheel mount means.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2499330 (1950-02-01), Reeves
patent: 2633596 (1953-04-01), Turner et al.
patent: 2738538 (1956-03-01), Vance
patent: 2898621 (1959-08-01), Vance
patent: 3061858 (1962-11-01), Dostal et al.
patent: 3188681 (1965-06-01), Jepson et al.
patent: 4129920 (1978-12-01), Evans et al.
patent: 4364146 (1982-12-01), Bowerman
patent: 4621390 (1986-11-01), Hampton et al.
patent: 4670937 (1987-06-01), Sumerau et al.
patent: 5564160 (1996-10-01), Luebbering
patent: 5659919 (1997-08-01), Kajihara
The Cleaning Force of Two Cyclones Devours Dirt, 1999 Fantom Technologies Inc.
Bereskin & Parr
Fantom Technologies Inc.
Mendes da Costa Philip C.
Snider Theresa T.
Warden, Sr. Robert J.
LandOfFree
Construction of a vacuum cleaner head does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Construction of a vacuum cleaner head, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Construction of a vacuum cleaner head will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2438454