Combination stand alone and canister vacuum cleaner

• US 5,054,157 A
• Filed: 05/19/1989
• Issued: 10/08/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Panasonic Corporation Of North America (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: Riesberg, Richard D., Krieger, Leo G., Werner, Kurt, Bewley, Wilbur C., Tillman, Ennis L.
• Primary Examiner(s): MOORE, CHRISTOPHER K
• Application Number:
  US07/354,443
• Time in Patent Office: 872 Days
• Field of Search: 15/300 A, 15/331, 15/332, 15/333, 15/328, 15/377
• US Class Current: 15/328
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/32 with means for connecting a hose hose couplings for suction cleaners A47L9/24
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/362 of the horizontal type, e.g. canister or sledge type
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/1409 Rigid filtering receptacles dust collecting receptacles for cyclones A47L9/1683
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/20 Means for cleaning filters
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/242 Hose or pipe couplings

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner is provided that is alternatively operable as a stand alone, upright vacuum cleaner and as a canister vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner includes a nozzle assembly having a beater brush, a suction fan and a motor that drives both the beater brush and suction fan. A dirt tube assembly includes a first air flow passageway that directs dirt from the nozzle assembly to a dirt box and also includes a second air flow passageway that directs dirt from the nozzle assembly to a handle. The handle includes an air flow passageway that is coupled to the second air flow passageway in the dirt tube assembly. The handle is alternatively interconnectable with a cap for sealing the handle air flow passageway to operate the vacuum cleaner as a stand alone, upright vacuum cleaner wherein dirt is directed from the nozzle by the nozzle suction fan through the first air flow passageway to the dirt box. The handle is also interconnectable with a hose assembly coupled to a canister unit having a suction fan driven by a motor such that dirt is directed by canister suction fan from the nozzle assembly through the second air flow passageway to the hose assembly and a canister dirt receptacle to operate the vacuum cleaner as a canister vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner may also be operated in a clean out mode to automatically clean out the dirt box. Further, when operated as a canister vacuum cleaner, the nozzle suction fan and canister suction fan operate together to provide improved cleaning action.

Claims

1. A vacuum cleaner system operable alternatively as a stand alone vacuum cleaner or as a canister vacuum cleaner comprising:

a nozzle assembly for directing dirt into said vacuum cleaner system;

first receptable means for collecting dirt when said vacuum cleaner system is operated as a stand alone vacuum cleaner;

second receptacle means for collecting dirt when said vacuum cleaner system is operated as a canister vacuum cleaner; and

alternate directing means for alternatively directing dirt from said nozzle assembly to said first receptacle means when said vacuum cleaner system is operated as a stand alone vacuum cleaner or to said second receptacle means when said vacuum cleaner system is operated as a canister vacuum cleaner, said alternate directing means including an outlet port, and a tube assembly, said tube assembly extending from said nozzle assembly to said outlet port, said tube assembly defining a first air flow passageway extending to said outlet port for directing dirt to said second receptacle means through said outlet port and a second air flow passageway for directing dirt away from said outlet port to said first receptacle means.

2. A vacuum cleaner system as recited in claim 1 wherein said nozzle assembly includes a motor and a suction fan driven by said motor.

3. A vacuum cleaner system as recited in claim 1 wherein said nozzle assembly includes a motor and a beater brush driven by said motor.

4. A vacuum cleaner system as recited in claim 1 wherein said nozzle assembly includes a motor, a suction fan and a beater brush driven by said motor.

46. The vacuum cleaner system as defined in claim 1 and including a closure means for selectively closing said outlet port when said vacuum cleaner system is to be operated as a stand alone vacuum cleaner.

5. A vacuum cleaner system for cleaning floor surfaces comprising:

a stand alone vacuum cleaner including

a floor-contacting nozzle assembly having a swivel,

dirt receptacle means for collecting dirt,

an outlet port and

alternate directing means for alternatively directing dirt from said nozzle assembly to said dirt receptacle means or from said nozzle assembly to said outlet port, said alternate directing means including a tube assembly which is coupled directly to said swivel;

an external container including

an inlet port disposed on said external container,

a motor,

a fan driven by said motor for generating suction within said container and

a dirt-collecting receptacle for receiving dirt through said inlet port; and

means for pneumatically interconnecting said outlet port on said stand alone vacuum cleaner to said inlet port on said external container to direct dirt from said outlet port to said inlet port.

6. A vacuum cleaner system as recited in claim 5 wherein said floor-contacting nozzle assembly includes a motor and a suction fan driven by said motor.

7. A vacuum cleaner system as recited in claim 5 wherein said floor-contacting nozzle assembly includes a motor, and a beater brush driven by said motor.

8. A vacuum cleaner system as recited in claim 5 wherein said floor-contacting nozzle assembly includes a motor, a suction fan driven by said motor, and a beater brush driven by said motor.

9. A vacuum cleaner system as recited in claim 5 wherein said external container is a canister unit.

10. A vacuum cleaner system for cleaning floor surfaces comprising:

a stand alone vacuum cleaner including

a floor-contacting nozzle assembly,

dirt receptacle means for collecting dirt,

an outlet port and

air flow passageway means for alternatively directing dirt from said nozzle assembly to said dirt receptacle means or from said nozzle assembly to said outlet port, said air flow passageway means including a tube assembly for receiving dirt from said nozzle assembly;

a first outlet in said tube assembly for directing dirt to said dirt receptacle means

an external container including

an inlet port disposed on said external container,

a motor,

a fan driven by said motor for generating suction within said container and

a dirt-collecting receptacle for receiving dirt through said inlet port;

means for pneumatically interconnecting said outlet port on said stand alone vacuum cleaner to said inlet port on said external container to direct dirt from said outlet port to said inlet port; and

a second outlet in said tube assembly for directing dirt outwardly from said outlet port to said pneumatically interconnecting means.

11. A vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 10 wherein said stand alone vacuum cleaner includes means for closing off said nozzle assembly from said tube assembly.

12. A vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 11 wherein said means for closing off said nozzle assembly from said tube assembly is a flapper vavle.

13. A vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 12 wherein said tube assembly is movable to a plurality of positions including an upright position relative to said nozzle assembly and said flapper valve operates inside said tube assembly adjacent said nozzle assembly to block off said air flow passageway when said tube assembly is placed in said upright position.

14. A vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 11 wherein said dirt receptacle means includes means for directing dirt outwardly from said dirt receptacle means to said second outlet when said nozzle assembly is closed off from said tube assembly.

15. A vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 11 wherein said dirt receptacle means includes means for automatically directing dirt outwardly from said dirt receptacle to said second outlet when said nozzle assembly is closed off from said tube assembly and when said means for pneumatically interconnecting said outlet port to said inlet port is interconnecting said outlet port to said inlet port.

16. A vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 10 wherein said tube assembly includes rigid sidewalls.

17. A vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 16 wherein a portion of said tube assembly forms a handle for said stand alone vacuum cleaner.

18. A vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 17 wherein said second outlet of said tube assembly forms a portion of said handle for said stand alone vacuum cleaner.

19. A vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 10 wherein said stand alone vacuum cleaner includes means for sealing off said second outlet of said tube assembly.

20. A vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 19 wherein said means for sealing off said second outlet of said tube assembly further seals off said outlet port of said stand alone vacuum cleaner.

21. A vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 20 wherein said means for sealing off said outlet port of said stand alone vacuum cleaner includes a cap.

22. A vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 21 wherein said cap includes power lines for supplying power to said stand alone vacuum cleaner.

23. A vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 10 wherein said means for pneumatically interconnecting said stand alone vacuum cleaner to said inlet port on said external container is a hose.

24. A vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 23 wherein said hose includes power lines for providing power to said stand alone vacuum cleaner.

25. A vacuum cleaner operable alternatively as a stand alone vacuum cleaner and as a canister vacuum cleaner with a hose assembly coupled to a canister having a suction fan driven by a motor to collect dirt in a receptacle, comprising:

a nozzle assembly for directing dirt into said vacuum cleaner;

receptacle means for collecting dirt when said vacuum cleaner is operated as a stand alone vacuum cleaner;

a tube assembly having a first air flow passageway for directing dirt from said nozzle assembly to said receptacle means and having a second air flow passageway for directing dirt from said nozzle along a second path; and

a handle having an air flow passageway coupled to said second air flow passageway, said handle being alternatively interconnectable with a means for sealing said handle air flow passageway such that dirt is directed from said nozzle assembly through said first air flow passageway to said receptacle means to operate said vacuum cleaner as a stand alone vacuum cleaner and with said hose assembly such that dirt is directed by said cannister suction fan from said nozzle assembly through said second air flow passageway and said handle air flow passageway to said hose assembly and canister receptacle to operate said vacuum cleaner as a canister vacuum cleaner.

26. A vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 25 wherein said nozzle assembly includes a suction fan and a motor for driving said suction fan, said nozzle motor being coupled to power lines extending to said handle wherein said sealing means includes a power cord connectable with said power lines for coupling power to said nozzle motor.

27. A vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 25 wherein said nozzle assembly includes a beater brush and a motor for driving said beater brush, said nozzle motor being coupled to power lines extending to said handle wherein said hose assembly includes a second set of power lines connectable with said nozzle motor power lines for applying power to said nozzle motor.

28. A vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 25 wherein said receptacle means includes means for exhausting air therethrough when said vacuum cleaner is operated as a stand alone vacuum cleaner and means for closing said exhaust means to prevent air from passing therethrough when said vacuum cleaner is operated as a canister vacuum cleaner.

29. A vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 28 wherein said receptacle means includes rigid sidewalls.

30. A vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 29 wherein said exhaust means includes a filter disposed in an aperture formed in a sidewall of said receptacle means.

31. A vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 30 wherein said closing means includes a door and means for biasing said door is closed.

32. A vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 25 including means operable in a clean out mode for sealing off said nozzle assembly to prevent air flow therefrom to said receptacle means, said receptacle means including an air inlet means having an open state for allowing air external to said vacuum cleaner to enter said receptacle means such that said canister suction fan is operable to direct dirt collected in said receptacle means through said hose assembly to said canister receptacle when said nozzle sealing mean is operable in said clean out mode.

33. A vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 32 wherein the state of said air inlet means is changed from a closed state to said open state by pressure from said canister suction fan when said nozzle sealing means is operable in said clean out mode.

34. A vacuum cleaner operable alternatively as a stand alone vacuum cleaner or as a canister vacuum cleaner with a hose assembly coupled to a canister having a suction fan driven by a motor to collect dirt in a receptacle, comprising:

a nozzle assembly having a beater brush, a suction fan and a motor for driving said beater brush and suction fan;

receptacle means for collecting dirt when said vacuum cleaner is operated as a stand alone vacuum cleaner;

a dirt tube assesmbly having a first air flow passageway coupled to said nozzle assembly and having a second air flow passageway coupled between said first air flow passageway and said receptacle means;

a wand assembly having an air passageway therein coupled to said first air flow passageway; and

a handle having an air flow passageway coupled to said wand air flow passageway, said handle being interconnectable with a means for sealing said handle air flow passageway such that dirt is directed from said nozzle assembly by said nozzle suction fan through said first and second air flow passageways to said receptacle means to operate said vacuum cleaner as a stand alone vacuum cleaner and alternatively interconnectable with said hose assembly such that dirt is directed by said canister suction fan from said nozzle assembly through said first air flow passageway, said wand air flow passageway and said handle air flow passageway through said hose assembly to said canister receptacle to operate said vacuum cleaner as a canister vacuum cleaner.

35. A vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 34 wherein said nozzle motor is coupled to a plurality of power lines extending to said handle wherein said sealing means includes a power cord connectable with said power lines to couple power to said nozzle motor.

36. A vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 35 wherein said hose assembly includes a second set of power lines connectable with said nozzle power lines for coupling power to said nozzle motor.

37. A vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 34 wherein said receptacle means includes means for exhausting air therethrough when said vacuum cleaner is operated as a stand alone vacuum cleaner and means for closing said exhaust means to prevent air from passing therethrough when said vacuum cleaner is operated as a canister vacuum cleaner.

38. A vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 37 wherein said receptacle means includes rigid sidewalls.

39. A vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 38 wherein said exhaust means includes a filter disposed in an aperture formed in a sidewall of said receptacle means.

40. A vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 39 wherein said closing means includes a door and means for biasing said door closed.

41. A vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 34 including means operable in a clean out mode for sealing off said nozzle assembly to prevent air flow therefrom to said receptacle means, said receptacle means including an air inlet means having an open state for allowing air external to said vacuum cleaner to enter said receptacle means such that said canister suction fan is operable to direct dirt collected in said receptacle means through said hose assembly to said canister receptacle when said nozzle sealing means is operable in said clean out mode.

42. A vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 41 wherein the state of said air inlet means is changed from a closed state to an open state by suction from said canister suction fan when said nozzle sealing means is operable in said clean out mode.

43. A vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 34 wherein said nozzle suction fan and said canister suction fan operate together to direct dirt to said canister receptacle when said vacuum cleaner is operated as a canister vacuum cleaner.

44. A vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 34 wherein the top of said receptqacle means is open forming an aperture through which dirt may flow and said dirt tube assembly includes a cover with an aperture therein for cooperating with said second air flow passageway, said cover engaging the top of said receptacle means to seal said receptacle means.

45. A vacuum cleaner system for cleaning floor surfaces comprising:

a stand alone vacuum cleaner including

a floor-contacting nozzle assembly,

dirt receptacle means for collecting dirt, said dirt receptacle means including an air inlet means having an open state to permit air external to said vacuum cleaner to enter said dirt receptacle means when said vacuum cleaner system is operated in a clean out mode,

an outlet port and

air flow passageway means for alternatively directing dirt from said nozzle assembly to said dirt receptacle means or from said nozzle assembly to said outlet port;

an external container including

an inlet port disposed on said external container,

suction means for generating suction within said container and

a dirt-collecting receptacle for receiving dirt through said inlet port;

means for pneumatically interconnecting said outlet port on said stand alone vacuum cleaner to said inlet port on said external container to direct dirt from said outlet port to said inlet port; and

clean out mode means for preventing air flow from said nozzle assembly to said air flow passageway means when said vacuum cleaner system is operated in said clean out mode so that said suction means is operable to cause air to flow into said inlet means and direct dirt collected in said dirt receptacle means to said outlet port through said pneumatically interconnecting means to said inlet port for collection in said dirt-collecting receptacle.