Surface cleaning apparatus

• US 10,624,510 B2
• Filed: 05/18/2016
• Issued: 04/21/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2014
• 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:
  US15/158,069
• Publication Number:
  US 20160256023A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,434 Days
• Field of Search: 15344, 15353
• 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 9/16 Arrangement or disposition of cyclones or other devices with centrifugal action
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/1608 Cyclonic chamber constructions
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/1625 for series flow
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/1641 for parallel flow
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/1683 Dust collecting chambers; Dust collecting receptacles
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/1691 Mounting or coupling means for cyclonic chamber or dust receptacles
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/322 for hand-supported suction cleaners
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/325 for wheeled suction cleaners with steering handle

Abstract

A hand vacuum cleaner has a main body housing a suction motor and fan assembly and, a cyclone unit comprising a cyclone and a pre-motor filter housing. The pre-motor filter housing has an openable pre-motor filter housing door. The cyclone unit is moveable mounted to the main body between a closed position in which the openable pre-motor filter housing door is not accessible and an open position in which the openable pre-motor filter housing door is exposed.

Claims

1. A hand vacuum cleaner having an upper end and a bottom, the hand vacuum cleaner comprising:

(a) a main body housing a suction motor and fan assembly, the suction motor and fan assembly having a suction motor axis of rotation; and

,

(b) a cyclone unit comprising a cyclone and a pre-motor filter housing, the cyclone having a cyclone axis of rotation, a cyclone air inlet, a cyclone air outlet and the pre-motor filter housing an openable pre-motor filter housing door;

wherein the cyclone unit is moveable mounted to the main body between a closed position in which the openable pre-motor filter housing door is not accessible and an open position in which the openable pre-motor filter housing door is exposed, and,

wherein the cyclone unit is pivotally mounted to the main body.

2. The hand vacuum cleaner of claim 1 wherein the cyclone unit is removable mounted to the main body.

3. A hand vacuum cleaner of claim 1 having an upper end and a bottom, the hand vacuum cleaner of claim 1 comprising:

(a) a main body housing a suction motor and fan assembly, the suction motor and fan assembly having a suction motor axis of rotation; and

,

(b) a cyclone unit comprising a cyclone and a pre-motor filter housing, the cyclone having a cyclone axis of rotation, a cyclone air inlet, a cyclone air outlet and the pre-motor filter housing an openable pre-motor filter housing door;

wherein the cyclone unit is moveable mounted to the main body between a closed position in which the openable pre-motor filter housing door is not accessible and an open position in which the openable pre-motor filter housing door is exposed, and

wherein air exiting the cyclone air outlet enters an upstream header that is upstream of the pre-motor filter at a first position and air enters a suction motor air inlet from a downstream header that is downstream of the pre-motor filter at a second position that is spaced in a direction transverse to the cyclone axis of rotation from the first position.

4. The hand vacuum cleaner of claim 1 wherein the openable pre-motor filter housing door has an opening that is upstream from and in air flow communication with the suction motor and fan assembly.

6. The hand vacuum cleaner of claim 1 wherein the pre-motor filter housing has a downstream header and the openable pre-motor filter housing door has an outlet opening that is upstream from and in air flow communication with the suction motor and fan assembly.

7. The hand vacuum cleaner of claim 1 wherein the pre-motor filter housing has a height in in a direction transverse to the cyclone axis of rotation that is greater than a diameter of the cyclone.

8. The hand vacuum cleaner of claim 1 wherein the main body has a handle.

9. The hand vacuum cleaner of claim 8 wherein the handle is provided at a rear end of the main body.

10. The hand vacuum cleaner of claim 9 wherein the handle extends at an angle to the cyclone axis of rotation.

11. The hand vacuum cleaner of claim 9 wherein the handle has a handle axis that extends upwardly and forwardly with respect to the cyclone axis of rotation.

12. The hand vacuum cleaner of claim 9 wherein the handle has a hand grip portion that extends upwardly and forwardly when the hand vacuum cleaner is positioned with the bottom on a horizontal surface.

13. The hand vacuum cleaner of claim 1 wherein when the hand vacuum cleaner is positioned with the upper end above the bottom, the cyclone axis of rotation is generally horizontal.

16. The hand vacuum cleaner of claim 1 wherein the cyclone has a front end wall having the cyclone air inlet and a rear end wall having the cyclone air outlet.

17. The hand vacuum cleaner of claim 1 wherein the cyclone unit is provided on a front end of the main body.

18. The hand vacuum cleaner of claim 1 wherein the downstream side of the pre-motor filter is exposed when the openable pre-motor filter housing door is opened.

5. A hand vacuum cleaner

wherein the openable pre-motor filter housing door is pivotally mounted to the cyclone unit.

14. A hand vacuum cleaner having an upper end and a bottom, the hand vacuum cleaner comprising:

(a) a main body housing a suction motor and fan assembly, the suction motor and fan assembly having a suction motor axis of rotation; and

,

(b) a cyclone unit comprising a cyclone and a pre-motor filter housing, the cyclone having a cyclone axis of rotation, a cyclone air inlet, a cyclone air outlet and the pre-motor filter housing an openable pre-motor filter housing door;

wherein the cyclone unit is moveable mounted to the main body between a closed position in which the openable pre-motor filter housing door is not accessible and an open position in which the openable pre-motor filter housing door is exposed, and

wherein when the hand vacuum cleaner is positioned with the upper end above the bottom, the suction motor axis of rotation is positioned below the cyclone axis of rotation.

15. The hand vacuum cleaner of claim 14 wherein air exiting the cyclone air outlet enters an upstream header at a first position that is upstream of the pre-motor filter and air enters a suction motor air inlet from a downstream header that is downstream of the pre-motor filter at a second position that is below the first position.