Handheld Vacuum Unit Retention Features
First Claim
1. A vacuum cleaner comprising:
- a base having a base inlet positioned to face a surface to be cleaned;
a handle pivotally connected to the base;
an air passage connecting the base inlet to the handle;
a removable handheld unit selectively connectable to the handle, the handheld unit comprising a handheld inlet nozzle, a dirt separator, a vacuum fan adapted to selectively generate a working airflow into the handheld inlet nozzle and through the dirt separator, and a housing joining the handheld inlet nozzle, the dirt separator and the vacuum fan;
a docking latch having a first latch position in which the docking latch holds the handheld unit in an operating position on the handle, and a second latch position in which the docking latch permits removal of the handheld unit from the operating position, wherein the handheld inlet nozzle is in fluid communication with the air passage when the handheld unit is in the operating position; and
a safety catch comprising a first catch member on the handle and a second catch member on the handheld unit, the first catch member and the second catch member being configured to resiliently hold the handheld unit on the handle in a partially-removed position.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A vacuum cleaner having a base with an inlet facing a surface, a handle connected to the base, an air passage connecting the base inlet to the handle, and a removable handheld unit. The handheld has an inlet nozzle, a dirt separator, a vacuum fan to generate a working airflow into the inlet nozzle and through the dirt separator, and a housing joining the handheld, the dirt separator and the vacuum fan. The vacuum has a docking latch with a first latch position in which the latch holds the handheld in an operating position on the handle, and a second position in which the latch permits removal of the handheld from the operating position. The vacuum also has a safety catch with a catch member on the handle and a second member on the handheld. The catch members resiliently hold the handheld unit on the handle in a partially-removed position.
41 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A vacuum cleaner comprising:
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a base having a base inlet positioned to face a surface to be cleaned; a handle pivotally connected to the base; an air passage connecting the base inlet to the handle; a removable handheld unit selectively connectable to the handle, the handheld unit comprising a handheld inlet nozzle, a dirt separator, a vacuum fan adapted to selectively generate a working airflow into the handheld inlet nozzle and through the dirt separator, and a housing joining the handheld inlet nozzle, the dirt separator and the vacuum fan; a docking latch having a first latch position in which the docking latch holds the handheld unit in an operating position on the handle, and a second latch position in which the docking latch permits removal of the handheld unit from the operating position, wherein the handheld inlet nozzle is in fluid communication with the air passage when the handheld unit is in the operating position; and a safety catch comprising a first catch member on the handle and a second catch member on the handheld unit, the first catch member and the second catch member being configured to resiliently hold the handheld unit on the handle in a partially-removed position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A vacuum cleaner comprising:
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a base having a base inlet positioned to face a surface to be cleaned; a handle pivotally connected to the base; an air passage connecting the base inlet to the handle; a removable handheld unit selectively connectable to the handle, the handheld unit comprising a handheld inlet nozzle, a dirt separator, a vacuum fan adapted to selectively generate a working airflow into the handheld inlet nozzle and through the dirt separator, and a housing joining the handheld inlet nozzle, the dirt separator and the vacuum fan; docking means for selectively holding the handheld unit in an operating position on the handle, wherein the handheld inlet nozzle is in fluid communication with the air passage when the handheld unit is in the operating position; and safety catch means for holding the handheld unit on the handle in a partially-removed position. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. A vacuum cleaner comprising:
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a base having a base inlet positioned to face a surface to be cleaned; a handle pivotally connected to the base; an air passage connecting the base inlet to the handle; a removable handheld unit selectively connectable to the handle, the handheld unit comprising a handheld inlet nozzle, a dirt separator, a vacuum fan adapted to selectively generate a working airflow into the handheld inlet nozzle and through the dirt separator, and a housing joining the handheld inlet nozzle, the dirt separator and the vacuum fan; a docking latch comprising a hook on one of the handle and handheld unit, and a latch on the other of the handle and the handheld unit, at least one of the hook and the latch being movable into engagement with the other to hold the handheld unit in a first position on the handle; and a safety catch comprising a first catch member on the handle and a second catch member on the handheld, the first catch member and the second catch member being configured to resiliently hold the handheld unit on the handle in a partially-removed position. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification