Vacuum cleaner power drive
First Claim
1. In a vacuum cleaner having a nozzle, wheels rotatably mounted to the nozzle for movement of the nozzle over a surface to be vacuum cleaned, and a handle upstanding from the nozzle, the improvement comprising:
- driver means;
a variable transmission comprising a variable speed ball disc drive connected between said driver means and said wheels for adjustably driving said wheels, said transmission being selectively arranged in a first position to prevent movement of said wheels, in a second position permitting free movement of said wheels independent of said driver means, and in intermediate positions intermediate said first and second positions providing a variable speed drive of said wheels; and
manually operable control means carried by said handle for selectively adjusting said transmission.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A vacuum cleaner having an improved power drive utilizing a ball disc transmission. In one form, the transmission is self-centering for automatic return thereof to a position wherein the wheel drive is effectively locked. The transmission is arranged to permit free wheeling when desired by suitable manipulation of the control provided for controlling the transmission. In another illustrated form, the transmission is arranged to provide free wheeling when the transmission is returned to a minimum speed arrangement. The system provides a smooth, accurately controllable power drive of the vacuum cleaner.
38 Citations
19 Claims
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1. In a vacuum cleaner having a nozzle, wheels rotatably mounted to the nozzle for movement of the nozzle over a surface to be vacuum cleaned, and a handle upstanding from the nozzle, the improvement comprising:
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driver means; a variable transmission comprising a variable speed ball disc drive connected between said driver means and said wheels for adjustably driving said wheels, said transmission being selectively arranged in a first position to prevent movement of said wheels, in a second position permitting free movement of said wheels independent of said driver means, and in intermediate positions intermediate said first and second positions providing a variable speed drive of said wheels; and manually operable control means carried by said handle for selectively adjusting said transmission. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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8. In a vacuum cleaner having a nozzle, wheels rotatably mounted to the nozzle for movement of the nozzle over a surface to be vacuum cleaned, and a handle upstanding from the nozzle, the improvement comprising:
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driver means; a variable ball disc transmission connected between said driver means and said wheels for adjustably driving said wheels, said transmission being selectively arranged in a first position to prevent movement of said wheels, in a second position permitting free movement of said wheels independent of said driver means, and in intermediate positions intermediate said first and second positions providing variable speed drive of said wheels, said transmission including an input disc connected to said driver means, an output element connected to said wheels, and ball means acting therebetween; and manually operable control means carried by said handle for selectively adjusting the disposition of said ball means relative to said disc. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. In a vacuum cleaner having a nozzle, wheels rotatably mounted to the nozzle for movement of the nozzle over a surface to be vacuum cleaned, and a handle upstanding from the nozzle, the improvement comprising:
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driver means; a variable transmission connected between said driver means and said wheels for adjustably driving said wheels, said transmission being selectively arranged in a first position preventing movement of said wheels, and in adjusted positions providing variable speed drive of said wheels, said transmission including an input disc connected to said driver means, an output element connected to said wheels, and ball means acting therebetween; and manually operable control means carried by said handle for selectively adjusting said transmission.
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Specification