Surface cleaning apparatus with different cleaning configurations

• US 10,512,374 B2
• Filed: 07/26/2017
• Issued: 12/24/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Omachron Intellectual Property Inc.
• Original Assignee: Omachron Intellectual Property Inc.
• Inventors: Conrad, Wayne Ernest
• Primary Examiner(s): Redding, David
• Application Number:
  US15/660,003
• Publication Number:
  US 20170319024A1
• Time in Patent Office: 881 Days
• Field of Search: 15344, 15353
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/38 Machines, specially adapted for cleaning walls, ceilings, roofs, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/225 Convertible suction cleaners, i.e. convertible between different types thereof, e.g. from upright suction cleaners to sledge-type suction cleaners
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/24 Hand-supported suction cleaners
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/28 Suction cleaners with handles and nozzles fixed on the casings, e.g. wheeled suction cleaners with steering handle A47L5/24 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/36 Suction cleaners with hose between nozzle and casing; Suction cleaners for fixing on staircases; Suction cleaners for carrying on the back
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0018 integrated in or removably mounted upon the suction cleaner for storing parts of said suction cleaner
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0027 specially adapted for holding the suction cleaning tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0045 specially adapted for holding the suction tube
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/16 Arrangement or disposition of cyclones or other devices with centrifugal action
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/242 Hose or pipe couplings
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/248 Parts, details or accessories of hoses or pipes nozzles A47L9/02
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/325 for wheeled suction cleaners with steering handle

Abstract

A reconfigurable surface cleaning apparatus is provided.

Claims

1. A reconfigurable upright surface cleaning apparatus comprising, when configured in an upright mode:

(a) a surface cleaning head having a dirty air inlet;

(b) a support structure moveably mounted to the surface cleaning head between a storage position and a floor cleaning position;

(c) a cleaning unit mounted to the support structure, the cleaning unit comprising a suction motor and an air treatment member;

(d) a wand mounted to a portion of the support structure which supports the cleaning unit, wherein the wand is located downstream from the surface cleaning head, the wand having an inlet end that is positioned in the portion of the support structure; and

,

(e) a flexible air flow conduit positioned downstream of the wand;

wherein the wand is removably mountable to the support structure and the wand is remountable to the support structure while the cleaning unit remains in position on the support structure and,

wherein the cleaning unit is removably mountable to the support structure and the cleaning unit is removable while the wand remains in position on the portion of the support structure and the portion of the support structure remains connected to the surface cleaning head,

wherein the upright surface cleaning apparatus is convertible to a portable mode in which the cleaning unit is removed from the support structure, the wand is mounted to the support structure and the cleaning unit is in air flow communication with the surface cleaning head and,

wherein the upright surface cleaning apparatus is also convertible to an above floor cleaning mode in which the cleaning unit is mounted to the support structure, the wand has been removed from the support structure, the wand is positioned upstream of and in fluid communication with the flexible air flow conduit and the flexible air flow conduit is positioned upstream of and in fluid communication with the cleaning unit and the portion of the support structure remains mounted to the surface cleaning head when the wand is removed.

2. The upright surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein all of the wand is removed when the upright surface cleaning apparatus is converted to the above floor cleaning mode.

3. The upright surface cleaning apparatus of claim 2, wherein the cleaning unit is spaced from the surface cleaning head when mounted to the support structure.

4. The upright surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support structure further comprises an upper portion including a hand grip and a lower portion that comprises the portion of the support structure and comprises an up flow duct, the up flow duct is moveably mounted to the surface cleaning head and the upper portion and cleaning unit are mounted to the up flow duct.

5. The upright surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support structure comprises an upper portion having a handgrip and a lower portion movably mounted to the surface cleaning head, the lower portion comprises the portion of the support structure and has an upper opening in fluid flow communication with the dirty air inlet, and the wand is in air flow communication with the upper opening when mounted to the lower portion.

6. The upright surface cleaning apparatus of claim 5, wherein the wand is received within the upper opening when mounted to the support structure.

7. The upright surface cleaning apparatus of claim 5, wherein the cleaning unit is removably mounted to an exterior of the portion of the support structure and the wand is received within the upper opening when mounted to the support structure.

8. The upright surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein, the inlet end of the wand is receivable within the portion of the support structure and, when the wand is mounted to the portion of the support structure, the inlet end is located below an upper end of the cleaning unit when the cleaning unit is mounted to the portion of the support structure.

9. The upright surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inlet end of the wand is positioned in the portion of the support structure to which the cleaning unit is attached when the wand is mounted to the support structure and the cleaning unit is mounted to the portion of the support structure.

10. The upright surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein when the upright surface cleaning apparatus is converted to the portable mode, the portion of the support structure remains mounted to the surface cleaning head when the wand is removed.

11. The upright surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wand is removable while the cleaning unit remains mounted to the support structure.