WHEEL ASSEMBLY FOR A VACUUM CLEANER

• US 20130117961A1
• Filed: 12/01/2011
• Published: 05/16/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited (Techtronic Industries Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited (Techtronic Industries Company Limited)
• Inventors: Doerfler, Matthew J.
• Application Number:
  US13/696,105
• Publication Number:
  US 20130117961A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/323
• 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 9/00 Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/009 Carrying-vehicles; Arrangements of trollies or wheels; Means for avoiding mechanical obstacles
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/10 Filters in general B01D; cyclones B04C; Dust separators; Dust removal; Automatic exchange of filters for machines for cleaning floors A47L11/40
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/22 Mountings for motor fan assemblies
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/26 Incorporation of winding devices for electric cables devices specially adapted for repeatedly paying-out or re-storing cables B65H75/34; arrangements of electrical cables or lines between relatively-movable parts H02G11/00
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/28 Installation of the electric equipment, e.g. adaptation or attachment to the suction cleaner; Controlling suction cleaners by electric means

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner having a specific ratio of wheel diameter to wheel separation distance in addition to a u-shaped yoke operably coupled to an axle, thus giving the vacuum cleaner a zero turn radius allowing the user to more easily and efficiently operate and maneuver the vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner may also include one or more vacuum cleaner components disposed between the wheels.

Claims

4-1. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1 wherein the first wheel and the second wheel are coupled to the axle.

11. A vacuum cleaner comprising:

a first wheel having a diameter and a second wheel, the first wheel and second wheel being disposed on an axle and being capable of independent rotation;

an electrical cord for providing electrical power to the vacuum cleaner, the electrical cord having a stored position in which the cord is wrapped around the axle.

12. The vacuum cleaner of claim 11 further comprising:

an upper housing;

a motor disposed in the upper housing; and

an electrical lead electrically coupled to the motor and the electrical cord, wherein the electrical lead passes through at least one aperture in the axle.

13. The vacuum cleaner of claim 12 further comprising:

a drum for storing the electrical cord; and

a spring coupled to a drum for providing a force causing the drum to rotate causing the electrical cord to be wrapped around the axle.

14. The vacuum cleaner of claim 13 wherein the second wheel is set apart a wheel separation distance from the first wheel and further wherein the ratio of first wheel diameter to wheel separation distance is between 1.15 and 1.35.

15. The vacuum cleaner of claim 11 wherein the second wheel is set apart a wheel separation distance from the first wheel and further wherein the ratio of first wheel diameter to wheel separation distance is between 0.85 and 2.

16. A vacuum cleaner comprising:

a base having a suction nozzle wherein the suction nozzle has a nozzle width;

an upper housing having a motor, a dirt collection chamber and a yoke having an open interior portion;

a first wheel having a diameter and a second wheel set apart a wheel separation distance from the first wheel, the first wheel and second wheel being disposed in the open interior portion of the yoke;

a housing disposed in the open interior portion of the yoke; and

an axle coupled to the base, the yoke, the first wheel, the second wheel and the housing.

17. The vacuum cleaner of claim 16 further comprising an electrical cord having a stored position, wherein the electrical cord is wrapped around the axle in the stored position.

18. The vacuum cleaner of claim 17 further comprising an electrical lead 50 electrically coupled to the motor and the electrical cord, wherein the electrical lead passes through at least one aperture in the axle.

19. The vacuum cleaner of claim 18 wherein the ratio of first wheel diameter to wheel separation distance is between 1.15 and 1.35.

20. The vacuum cleaner of claim 16 wherein the ratio of first wheel diameter to wheel separation distance is between 0.85 and 2.