Brushing – scrubbing – and general cleaning – Machines – With air blast or suction
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-05
2001-05-08
Till, Terrence R. (Department: 1744)
Brushing, scrubbing, and general cleaning
Machines
With air blast or suction
C015S389000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06226832
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to the floor care field and, more particularly, to an upright vacuum cleaner of unique construction allowing maintenance of the headlight, agitator and the agitator drive belt without having to invert or otherwise reorient the vacuum cleaner from its normal storage position.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A vacuum cleaner is an electrically powered, mechanical appliance utilized for the dry removal of dust and loose dirt from carpets, rugs, fabrics and other surfaces. Vacuum cleaners have been widely utilized for years in domestic and industrial cleaning applications. In operation, a pressure drop is utilized to force air entrained with the dust and loose dirt into the nozzle of the vacuum cleaner. The dirt and dust laden air is then drawn through a bag which traps and retains the dust and dirt. The air is then exhausted by electric fan through an additional filter to remove relatively fine particles. It is this fan that provides the air pressure drop or vacuum that produces the cleaning action.
The present invention relates to an upright type of vacuum cleaner which allows easy in home service of the headlight, agitator and agitator belt while the vacuum cleaner is maintained in the right side up orientation. This is a significant convenience feature since it eliminates the need to lift and manipulate the vacuum cleaner to complete this maintenance service.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a primary object of the present invention to provide an upright vacuum cleaner of unique construction that is simple and economical to manufacture.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an upright vacuum cleaner providing dependable service and ease of maintenance.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide an upright vacuum cleaner allowing service of the headlight, agitator and agitator drive belt by the simple removal of one or more covers while the vacuum cleaner is maintained in its normal storage position without the need to invert the vacuum cleaner. In this way, manipulation and lifting of the vacuum cleaner is avoided and standard maintenance is simplified and made far more convenient for the satisfaction of the user.
Additional objects, advantages and other novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description that follows and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned with the practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
To achieve the foregoing and other objects, and in accordance with the purposes of the present invention as described herein, an improved vacuum cleaner is provided. That improved vacuum cleaner includes a housing having a nozzle assembly and a handle. The vacuum cleaner also includes an inner agitator shield that is held in the nozzle assembly. That inner agitator shield functions with the nozzle assembly to define an agitator chamber. An agitator is mounted for rotation relative to the nozzle assembly in the agitator chamber. Further, a motor and fan assembly are mounted to the housing for driving the agitator and providing suction.
More specifically describing the invention, the nozzle assembly includes a base and removable upper cover. The upper cover preferably includes at least one slide latch while the base includes at least one cooperating mounting boss. When the cover is positioned and locked in position on the base the slide latch engages the mounting boss.
The inner agitator shield preferably includes an elongated, substantially arcuate body and a releasable latch allowing the inner agitator shield to be selectively removed from the nozzle assembly and, more specifically, the base. Preferably, the inner agitator shield includes at least one projecting lug and the base includes at least one cooperating lug engaging shoulder. Further, the releasable latch includes at least one resilient locking clip projecting in a direction substantially opposite from the projecting lug. The base also includes a cooperating lip for engaging the locking clip. Accordingly, the agitator shield is held securely in position on the base of the nozzle assembly by engagement of the lug with the shoulder on one side and at least one resilient locking clip with the cooperating lip on the other side.
Additionally, it should be appreciated that the base includes a pair of opposed mounting channels. Each of the mounting channels is closed at one end and opens upwardly at a second, opposite end toward the removable upper cover. The agitator includes a pair of end caps. One end cap is provided at each end of the agitator. Each end cap also includes a mounting lug. Each mounting lug is received in one of the mounting channels when the agitator is carried in and mounted for rotation relative to the base.
Further describing the invention, the inner agitator shield is preferably molded from a single piece of resilient plastic. Additionally, the vacuum cleaner preferably includes a headlight mounted to the inner agitator shield adjacent a window provided in the releasable cover. Preferably, the inner agitator shield is molded from white plastic so as to act as a secondary light reflector that directs the light through the window in order to provide better illumination for vacuuming shadowy areas.
Advantageously, the structural arrangement of the vacuum cleaner of the present invention allows one to change the headlight, the agitator and/or the agitator drive belt by the opening of one or more latches and the simple removal of various parts. As an extra benefit and convenience, the disassembly and the maintenance service may be performed without inverting, tilting or otherwise manipulating the vacuum cleaner from the upright storage position. Thus, it should be appreciated that the present invention also embodies a method of changing an agitator drive belt in a vacuum cleaner. This method includes the step of removing the removable cover from the base so as to expose the agitator shield. The method also includes the removing of the agitator shield so as to expose the agitator. This is then followed by the step of removing the agitator and changing the agitator drive belt all while maintaining the vacuum cleaner in the right side up orientation.
Still other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in this art from the following description wherein there is shown and described a preferred embodiment of this invention, simply by way of illustration of one of the modes best suited to carry out the invention. As it will be realized, the invention is capable of other different embodiments and its several details are capable of modification in various, obvious aspects all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions will be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.
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King & Schickli
Matsushita Home Appliance Corporation of America
Till Terrence R.
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