DEVICE FOR SIGNALLING NEED FOR CLEANING OR REPLACING SUCTION CLEANER DUST BAG

• US 3,853,086 A
• Filed: 02/09/1973
• Issued: 12/10/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ivar Asplund
• Original Assignee: Ivar Asplund
• Inventors: Asplund, Ivar
• Primary Examiner(s): Capozi, Louis J.
• Application Number:
  US05/331,116
• Time in Patent Office: 669 Days
• Field of Search: 116/114R,114AD,70,117 15/339 210/90
• US Class Current: 116/268
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/1427 Means for mounting or attaching bags or filtering receptacles in suction cleaners; Adapters
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/19 Means for monitoring filtering operation

Abstract

In a vacuum cleaner employing a removable dust collector, a device for signalling or indicating when such dust collector should be removed to be cleaned or replaced by a new dust collector. The device is operable to produce such a signal or indication when the vacuum cleaner is not being used to perform cleaning. When the vacuum cleaner is being prepared to start a cleaning operation by connecting appropriate cleaning tools thereto, the signalling device can be observed at such time to determine the need to clean or replace the dust collector before the vacuum cleaner is connected to a source of electrical supply.

Claims

1. A signal device for a vacuum cleaner having a motor-fan unit, a suction opening and a dust collector adjacent thereto operatively connected to said motor-fan unit comprising:

a passageway having a transparent portion, means connecting one end of said passageway to the inlet side of said dust collector and means connecting the other end of said passageway to the outlet side of said dust collector, a piston movable at least in the transparent portion of said passageway in dependance upon the pressure difference between said inlet and outlet sides of said dust collector to indicate the amount of accumulation of material in said dust collector, a blocking device co-acting with said piston to retain the piston in the position reached after movement in one direction in said passageway, and means connected to said blocking device for automatically releasing the latter from said piston when the dust collector is made acceSsible for exchange.

2. A signal device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said piston is provided with a series of grooves extending transverse to the longitudinal axis of said piston, and said blocking device includes a wire spring coacting with a selected groove upon the movement of the piston to a position in said passageway.

3. A signal device as set forth in claim 2 further comprising a bracket having said wire spring thereon, and an openable cover closing the dust collector of the apparatus, said bracket being pivotally arranged on said cover whereby when said cover is opened said wire spring is moved out of said selected groove.

4. A signal device as set forth in claim 3 further comprising another spring which urges said wire spring to a position away from said piston when said cover is opened and to a position abutting said piston when said cover is closed.

5. A signal device as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a resilient means operatively connected to said piston which normally urges said piston to its initial position, but subject to the action of said blocking device.

6. A signal device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the connection means between one end of said passageway and the inlet side of the dust collector is provided with a channel having a filter for the passage of air to said piston.

7. A signal device as set forth in claim 6 wherein the side of said filter which is adjacent to the inlet side of said dust collector constitutes a chamber, a passageway connecting said chamber to said inlet side, and a leakage opening from the chamber to the outside of the device thereby communicating with the ambient.

8. A signal device as set forth in claim 1 further comprising indicia on an outer surface of said piston which is visible through said transparent passageway of the device.