Electricity: circuit makers and breakers – Electric switch details – Actuators
Utility Patent
1998-08-27
2001-01-02
Luebke, Renee (Department: 2833)
Electricity: circuit makers and breakers
Electric switch details
Actuators
C200S321000, C200S522000
Utility Patent
active
06169258
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to the vacuum cleaner art and, more particularly, to a unique three position control switch assembly for a vacuum cleaner providing greater versatility and control convenience to the vacuum cleaner operator.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Vacuum cleaners have long utilized snap action on/off switches in order to control the operational state of the motor or motors that drive the fan to produce the vacuum suction and drive the agitator brush that beats and scrubs dirt and debris from the nap of the carpet being cleaned. Such control switches have been provided at various locations. For example, many designs incorporate an on/off control switch on the lowermost portion of the housing adjacent the floor. Others incorporate an on/off control switch in the area of the hand grip of the handle. Still others incorporate an on/off control switch at an intermediate position, either along the handle below the hand grip or on the canister body which holds the dust bag.
While an on/off control switch on the housing adjacent the floor may usually be conveniently accessed for manipulation by means of the foot of the operator, it should be appreciated that many operators prefer to manipulate the on/off switch by hand. Thus, a switch mounted in such a low position inconveniently requires such an operator to stoop or squat in order to reach the switch which is a significant annoyance.
It should further be appreciated that an on/off control switch mounted on the lowermost housing portion of the vacuum cleaner is often difficult to reach. Specifically, as the vacuum cleaner is manipulated by the operator, the handle pivots relative to the lowermost portion of the housing covering the nozzle assembly. At certain pivot angles, an operator holding the hand grip cannot reach an on/off control switch on the nozzle housing with his/her foot or other means. Further, the nozzle body in some circumstances may be underneath a chair, table or other furniture which blocks the line of sight of the operator to the on/off control switch thereby preventing, for example, deactivation of the vacuum cleaner at a time when the fringe of a throw rug or other object is inadvertently drawn into the agitator brush. Of course, at such times rapid degenerization of the vacuum cleaner motor is desired and any delay may result in damage to the throw rug or even the vacuum cleaner.
Of course, it should also be appreciated that at certain pivot angles of the handle a switch along the intermediate portion of the handle or canister body may also be difficult to see and/or access readily in this type of emergency. Thus, at first it appears that the mounting of the control switch on the operator hand grip is the solution. Upon further consideration, however, it should be appreciated that such a hand grip mounted control switch is often inadvertently triggered as the operator applies the necessary force to manipulate the vacuum cleaner along the floor. This can be inconvenient and frustrating for the operator. Further, it should be appreciated that such a switch may make the hand grip uncomfortable to the operator as the vacuum cleaner is guided across the floor first pushing and then pulling in a reciprocating forward and backward motion. Accordingly, a need exists for a better solution and the development of a more versatile control switch which meets all the needs of the vacuum cleaner operator.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a vacuum cleaner incorporating a novel three position control switch assembly overcoming the above described limitations and disadvantages of the prior art.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a control switch assembly for a vacuum cleaner that provides greater versatility and ease of operation.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner control switch assembly providing three distinct operating modes including an off position, a continuously on position and an automatic on/off touch control position whereby the motor of the vacuum cleaner is activated by squeezing the control switch assembly and deactivated by releasing the control switch assembly formed in the hand grip of the vacuum cleaner. Accordingly, sure positive control of the vacuum cleaner is provided at all times in accordance with the desire of the operator.
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, a vacuum cleaner is provided incorporating a novel three position control switch assembly convenience feature. The vacuum cleaner includes a housing having a nozzle assembly and a handle. An agitator brush is mounted for relative rotation on the nozzle assembly. A motor and fan subassembly are mounted in the housing. Either one or two motors may be provided for driving the fan and producing a vacuum suction and driving the agitator brush which beats and brushes dirt and debris from the nap of the carpet being cleaned.
The vacuum cleaner also includes the novel three position control switch assembly. This control switch assembly is mounted on the handle and includes an off position, a continuously on position and an automatic on/off touch control position. In this latter position, the motor(s) of the motor and fan subassembly is activated by squeezing the control switch assembly, located in the hand grip of the handle, and deactivated by releasing the control switch assembly. Thus, in this position when the hand grip assembly is grasped by the vacuum cleaner operator, the switch is closed and the motor is energized to allow vacuuming. In contrast, immediately upon release of the hand grip, the motor is deenergized. Hence, the vacuum cleaner is essentially made immediately responsive to the operator with the motor(s) being energized with a squeeze of the hand grip and deenergized with the release of pressure on the hand grip.
Preferably, the control switch assembly includes a switch lever and a cooperating switch lever lock for engaging the switch lever. The switch lever is mounted for pivotal movement relative to the hand grip of the handle and the switch lever lock is mounted to provide relative sliding movement along the handle. The control switch assembly further includes a microswitch and a linkage connecting the switch lever to the microswitch. In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, the switch lever includes a notch providing two stops and the switch lever lock includes a cooperating camming lug received in that notch. When the control switch assembly is in the off position the camming lever engages the first of those stops. When the control switch assembly is in the continuously on position, the camming lug engages the second of those stops. Cooperating cam faces on the switch lever and switch lever lock function to allow the switch lever lock to displace the switch lever into the off and continuously on positions from the intermediate, automatic on/off control position.
Advantageously, the control switch assembly incorporated into the vacuum cleaner of the present invention provides versatile operation that may be tailored to the needs of the vacuum cleaner operator. For example, in a first position, the switch lever lock functions to lock the switch lever in order to insure that the vacuum cleaner remains in an off position. This is true whether or not the hand grip is grasped and squeezed by the operator. Thus, the vacuum cleaner may be manipulated and moved by means of the hand grip without energizing the vacuum c
Baker Bradley T.
Roney Jeffrey T.
King & Schickli
Luebke Renee
Matsushita Electric Corporation of America
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