MULTI-PURPOSE SUCTION CLEANER NOZZLE

• US 3,660,864 A
• Filed: 02/02/1970
• Issued: 05/09/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/1969
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Osten Schwartz
• Original Assignee: Osten Schwartz
• Inventors: Schwartz, Osten
• Primary Examiner(s): Scheel, Walter A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Moore, C. K.
• Application Number:
  US05/007,704
• Time in Patent Office: 827 Days
• Field of Search: 15/419,382,365,368,319
• US Class Current: 15/319
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/06 with fixed, e.g. adjustably fixed brushes or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0646 with pneumatic actuation

Abstract

This invention relates to a multi-purpose suction cleaner nozzle having a suction inlet which is movable over a rug to remove dirt therefrom. A brush for removing dirt from a floor is mounted on a diaphragm for movement between upper and lower positions at the vicinity of the suction inlet, the diaphragm forming a wall of a space in communication with a passageway leading to the suction inlet and in which a partial vacuum is developed during operation of the nozzle. A spring acting on the diaphragm tends to bias the brush to its lower position below the suction inlet responsive to a first partial vacuum developed in the space when a floor is cleaned by the nozzle and the air flow therethrough exceeds a predetermined speed. A second higher partial vacuum is developed in the space when a rug is cleaned by the nozzle and the air flow therethrough is at or less than the predetermined speed, such higher vacuum overcoming the biasing action of the spring and moving the brush to its upper position at or above the suction inlet. In order to insure that the brush will always move downward from its upper to its lower position, a vertical toggle joint is pivotally connected at its opposite ends to a wall of the space and to the diaphragm and the bend of the toggle is moved horizontally responsive to vertical movement of the diaphragm. When the diaphragm moves upward it causes the toggle bend to move in one direction through dead center to promote movement of the brush to its upper position; and when the diaphragm moves downward with the aid of the spring, it causes the toggle bend to move in the opposite direction to a stable position near dead center. At such stable position the toggle and brush function to support the nozzle when a floor is cleaned, thus eliminating the need for a separate support for the nozzle.

Claims

1. A multi-purpose suction nozzle comprising structure including first and second operating surfaces for performing different types of cleaning, means for mounting said second operating surface on said structure to reciprocate between upper and lower positions with respect to said first operating surface, pneumatically operable shifting means, said structure including a stationary part, means comprising a toggle joint operatively connecting said stationary part and said second operating surface, means for applying force to the bend of said toggle joint responsive to movement of said shifting means to move said second operating surface to its upper position, said toggle joint having at least one stable position, and means including said toggle joint in said stable position and said second operating surface for supporting the nozzle when said second operating surface is in its lower position and functioning to clean an object with which it is in contact.

2. A suction nozzle as set forth in claim 1 in which said toggle joint is vertically disposed in said stable position.

3. A suction nozzle as set forth in claim 2 in which said toggle joint comprises two links and means pivotally connecting the inner ends of said links, and said means for applying force to the bend of said toggle joint responsive to movement of said shifting means comprising an element operatively associated with one of said links.

4. A suction nozzle as set forth in claim 3 in which said element comprises an elongated member in which the part thereof most removed from the bend of said toggle joint is in the path of movement of said shifting means at least in said stable position of said toggle joint.

5. A suction nozzle as set forth in claim 4 in which said shifting means comprises a flexible diaphragm movable back and forth, means providing a passageway having an inlet at said first operating surface and an outlet adapted to be connected to a source of supply of air at a partial vacuum, said diaphragm being operable pneumatically By a body of air in a space in communication with said passageway and having a partial vacuum whose magnitude is dependent upon the physical characteristics of the object to be cleaned to move said second operating surface to its upper and lower positions, said means for mounting said second operating surface on said structure to reciprocate between its upper and lower positions with respect to said first operating member including provisions for connecting said first operating surface to said diaphragm, and said diaphragm and said elongated member and said toggle joint being so constructed and formed that, when said diaphragm flexes in one direction to impart upward movement to said second operating surface, movement is imparted to said elongated member to effect horizontal movement of the bend of said toggle joint through dead center to shift the links thereof from a stable position to enable said diaphragm to continue flexing in said one direction and raise said second operating surface to its upper position.

6. A suction nozzle as set forth in claim 5 in which said part of said elongated member most removed from the bend of said toggle joint comprises a flat part which, in the stable position of said toggle joint, bears against a region of said diaphragm.

7. A suction nozzle as set forth in claim 6 in which said region of said diaphragm is corrugated.