Cordless vacuum brush

• US 4,956,892 A
• Filed: 05/03/1989
• Issued: 09/18/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Donald G. Fawkes
• Original Assignee: Donald G. Fawkes
• Inventors: Fawkes, Donald G.
• Primary Examiner(s): MOORE, CHRISTOPHER K
• Application Number:
  US07/346,691
• Time in Patent Office: 503 Days
• Field of Search: 15/339, 15/344, 15/410, 15/398, 15/400, 15/415 R, 15/416, 15/417
• US Class Current: 15/339
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/24 Hand-supported suction cleaners

Abstract

A cordless vacuum brush includes a forward vacuum assembly containing a motor, fan, a dust trap and a rearward elongated hollow handle assembly containing a plurality of battery cells connected in series for operating the motor and a built-in battery charger. The rear or free end of the handle assembly is equipped with an endcap having a fold-out connector or plug for plugging into an 120 volt AC outlet. The handle assembly is detachably secured to the vacuum assembly so that it can be removed for charging the batteries and when attached to an electrical wall outlet will hang straight down therefrom. A generally rectangular flat elongated brush head with a hollow interior and peripheral depending soft, pliable bristles includes means for flexibility of movement relative to the vacuum assembly so that it does not have to be held or operated at any fixed angular orientation relative to the surface being dusted and is also designed for orientation either transverse to the longitudinal axis of this device for general use or endwise in alignment with such axis for insertion into confined areas. The swing joint component is spring loaded and biased to restore the brush to longitudinal alignment. A switch is provided to allow momentary or continuous operation and with the availability of a spare handle assembly, the operating time for this device can be indefinite by interchanging such assemblies when necessary. The batteries are easily replaceable to provide indefinite running time with a single handle assembly.

Claims

1. A cordless battery operated electric portable vacuum brush, comprising:

a vacuum assembly including a dust trap, a motor operated fan and a brush head for picking up dust particles of the approximate consistency of talcum powder,

a handle assembly containing one or more rechargeable batteries and a battery charger operably connected thereto,

said handle assembly being detachably secured to said vacuum assembly so that it can be removed therefrom for charging said battery,

switch means for controlling connection of said battery to said motor,

said brush head being of an elongated configuration with a hollow interior, open bottom and peripheral soft, depending bristles, and

means to selectively mount said brush head to said vacuum assembly in a broadside orientation therewith for general use and in an endwise orientation therewith to facilitate insertion into confined areas.

2. A device as defined in claim 1 including a connector plug for attachment to an electrical outlet mounted in said handle assembly in operable connection to said charger.

3. A device as defined in claim 2, including:

said connector plug being normally disposed within the confines of said handle assembly, and

means for folding out said connector plug for operable engagement with an electrical outlet.

4. A device as defined in claim 1 including means for movably attaching said brush head to said vacuum assembly for angular freedom of movement relative thereto.

5. A device as defined in claim 1, including:

said vacuum assembly defining a dust receiving chamber with an air port in communication with said dust trap, and

a flexible flat disposed to close said air port to prevent back flow of dust from said dust trap but which flexes to an open position from pressure from said fan when operating to permit the free flow of dust laden air into said dust trap.

6. A device as defined in claim 5 including said dust trap being of a foraminous fabric weave adapted to prevent the escape of dust but allowing the passage of air to the atmosphere.

7. A device as defined in claim 1, including:

said handle assembly having an elongated hollow configuration adapted to receive a plurality of batteries in linear orientation for connection without clamps or retainers, and

a handgrip portion located at or near the center of gravity of the entire device to minimize the muscular effort needed to use said device.

8. A device as defined in claim 1 including said switch means being constructed to provide for selective momentary and continuous operation of said motor.

16. A device as defined in claim 1, including:

complementary bayonet joint components on said vacuum assembly and said handle assembly for detachably connecting the same, and

said bayonet joint components constructed and adapted to effect the connection of said switch means with said battery and said motor.

9. A cordless battery operated electric portable vacuum brush, comprising:

a vacuum assembly including a dust receiving chamber, a dust pickup end, a foraminous dust trap sleeve for preventing the escape of dust but allowing the passage of air to the atmosphere, and an electrical switch means,

a movable joint mounting detachably secured to said pickup end,

a brush head with soft bristles detachable secured to said movable joint mounting,

an elongated hollow handle for containing a plurality of rechargeable batteries in linear orientation for connection without clamps and retainers, and a battery charger,

said handle being detachably secured to said vacuum assembly so that it can be removed therefrom for charging said batteries,

means in the attachment of said handle to said vacuum assembly for connecting said switch means to said batteries and said motor, and

an endcap on said handle carrying a connector plug for attachment to an electrical outlet.

10. A device as defined in claim 9, including:

said connector plug being normally disposed within the confines of said endcap, and

means for folding out said connector plug for operable engagement with an electrical outlet.

11. A device as defined in claim 9, including:

said brush head being generally and elongated housing with a hollow interior and open bottom, and

means to selectively mount said brush head to said movable joint mount in a broadside orientation therewith for general use and in an endwise orientation therewith to facilitate insertion into confined areas.

12. A device as defined in claim 11 wherein the means for mounting said brush head to said movable joint mounting includes:

one end of said brush head being provided with an opening adapted for a slip fit connection to said movable joint mounting and a like opening provided at the longitudinal central portion on one side of said brush head, and

a removable plug closure for insertion into whichever of said openings is not engaged with said movable joint mounting to avoid loss of suction in operation of said device.

13. A device as defined in claim 9, including:

air flow communication means between said dust chamber and said dust trap sleeve, and

a flexible flap disposed to close said air flow communication means to prevent back flow of dust from said dust trap sleeve but which flexes to open position from pressure from said fan when operating to permit the free flow of dust laden air into said dust trap sleeve.

14. A device as defined in claim 9, including said switch means being constructed to provide for selective momentary and continuous operation of said motor.

15. A device as defined in claim 9 including a handgrip portion on said handle located at or near the center of gravity of the entire device to minimize the muscular effort needed to use said device.

17. A device as defined in claim 9 wherein said means in the attachment of said handle to said vacuum assembly for connecting said switch means to said batteries and said motor includes complementary bayonet joint components on said vacuum assembly and said handle for connecting the same.

18. A cordless battery operated electric portable vacuum brush, comprising:

a vacuum assembly including a dust trap, a motor operated fan and a brush head for picking up dust particles of the approximate consistency of talcum powder,

a handle assembly containing one or more rechargeable batteries and a battery charger operably connected thereto,

said handle assembly being detachably secured to said vacuum assembly so that it can be removed therefrom for charging said battery,

switch means for controlling connection of said battery to said motor,

said handle assembly having an elongated hollow configuration adapted to receive a plurality of batteries in linear orientation for connection without clamps or retainers, and

a handgrip portion located at or near the center of gravity of the entire device to minimize the muscular effort needed to use said device.

19. A device as defined in claim 18 including means for movably attaching said brush head to said vacuum assembly for augular freedom of movement relative thereto.

20. A device as defined in claim 18 including a connector plug for attachment to an electrical outlet mounted in said handle assembly in operable connection to said charger.

21. A device as defined in claim 20, including:

said connector plug being normally disposed within the confines of said handle assembly, and

means for folding out said connector plug for operable engagement with an electrical outlet.

22. A cordless battery operated electric portable vacuum brush, comprising:

a vacuum assembly including a dust trap, a motor operated fan and a brush head for picking up dust particles of the approximately consistency of talcum powder,

a handle assembly containing one or more rechargeable batteries and a battery charger operably connected thereto,

said handle assembly being detachably secured to said vacuum assembly so that it can be removed therefrom for charging said battery,

switch means for controlling connection of said battery to said motor,

a connector plug for attachment to an electrical outlet mounted in said handle assembly in operable connection to said charger,

said connector plug being normally disposed within the confines of said handle assembly, and

means for folding out said connector plug for operable engagement with an electrical outlet.

23. A device as defined in claim 22, including:

and endcap on said handle assembly, and

said connector plug being disposed within the confines of said encap.