Blocker door for an agitator duct of a vacuum cleaner

• US 20040205927A1
• Filed: 04/17/2003
• Published: 10/21/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Healthy Gain Investments Limited
• Original Assignee: Hoover Company (Whirlpool Corporation)
• Inventors: Tucker, Richard R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,055,211 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/334
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/32 with means for connecting a hose hose couplings for suction cleaners A47L9/24

Abstract

A blocker door assembly is disclosed. The blocker door assembly includes a carpet engaging nozzle base and a nozzle opening positioned in the base. The blocker door assembly further includes a rotating agitator positioned in the nozzle opening and an outlet duct in fluid communication with the nozzle opening. The blocker door assembly yet further includes a motor/fan assembly in fluid communication with the duct. The blocker door assembly further includes a blocker door adapted to slide between a open position which places the nozzle opening in fluid communication with the motor fan unit and a closed position which blocks fluid communication between the nozzle opening and the motor fan unit. A method of operating a vacuum cleaner is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A blocker door assembly, comprising:

a carpet engaging nozzle base;

a nozzle opening positioned in the base;

a rotating agitator positioned in the nozzle opening;

an outlet duct in fluid communication with the nozzle opening;

a motor/fan assembly in fluid communication with the duct; and

a blocker door adapted to slide between a open position which places the nozzle opening in fluid communication with the motor fan unit and a closed position which blocks fluid communication between the nozzle opening and the motor fan unit.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a spring which biases the blocker door into the closed position.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

an arcuate track defined in the base; and

an arcuate blocker door surface adapted to engage the arcuate track, wherein;

the blocker door follows an arcuate path as the blocker door is moved between the open position and the closed position.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising:

a tab extending beneath the arcuate blocker door surface; and

a slot defined in the arcuate track, wherein;

the tab is positioned within the slot to align the blocker door relative to the base; and

the tab slides within the slot as the blocker door moves between the open position and the closed position.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a flexible hose adapted to engage the duct.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the flexible hose may be placed on the duct when the blocker door is in the open position.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein placing the flexible hose on the duct moves the blocker door to the open position.

8. A blocker door assembly, comprising:

a housing;

a nozzle opening positioned in the housing;

a rotating agitator positioned in the nozzle opening;

an outlet duct in fluid communication with the nozzle opening;

a motor/fan assembly in fluid communication with the nozzle; and

a blocker door adapted to rotate between a open position which places the nozzle opening in fluid communication with the motor fan unit and a closed position which blocks fluid communication between the nozzle opening and the motor fan unit, wherein;

rotating the blocker door between the open and closed position causes the blocker door to side along a track defined in the housing.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a spring which biases the blocker door into the closed position.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising:

a tab extending beneath the blocker track; and

a slot defined in the track, wherein;

the tab is positioned within the slot to align the blocker door relative to the base; and

the tab slides within the slot as the blocker door rotates between the open and the closed position.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a flexible hose adapted to engage the duct.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the flexible hose may be placed on the duct when the blocker door is in the open position.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein placing the flexible hose on the duct rotates the blocker door to the open position.

14. A method of operating a vacuum cleaner having a duct in fluid communication with an nozzle, comprising the steps of:

sliding the blocker door in a first direction to place the blocker door in the open position and place the duct in fluid communication with a motor/fan unit; and

sliding the blocker door in a second direction to place the blocker door in a closed position which prevents fluid communication between the duct and the motor fan unit.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of biasing the blocker door into the closed position with a spring.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the steps of:

moving the blocker door in a first direction along an arcuate track during the sliding the blocker door in a first direction step; and

moving the blocker door in a second direction along the arcuate track during the sliding the blocker door in a first direction step.

17. The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of engaging a tab of the arcuate blocker door to a track.

18. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of moves the blocker door to the open position with a flexible hose.