Vacuum cleaner/extractor accessory caddy

• US 5,071,012 A
• Filed: 05/02/1991
• Issued: 12/10/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bissell Homecare, Inc. (Bissell Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bissell Inc.
• Inventors: Jailor, John J.
• Primary Examiner(s): GIBSON, ROBERT W
• Application Number:
  US07/694,909
• Time in Patent Office: 222 Days
• Field of Search: 211/13, 211/70.6, 211/87, 211/88, 211/65, 211/66, D 6/570, D 6/571, D 6/573, D 6/574
• US Class Current: 211/13.1
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0009 Storing devices winding devices for electric cables A47L9/26; Supports, stands or holders
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0027 specially adapted for holding the suction cleaning tools

Abstract

A wall mountable vacuum accessories caddy has a generally planar front surface with a rearwardly projecting perimeter flange and forwardly projecting arms for releasably receiving and supporting vacuum accessories. In one aspect of the invention, the caddy is a one-piece injection molding, moldable in a simple two-piece mold.

Claims

1. A vacuum and extractor accessories caddy which is moldable in a two-piece mold comprising:

a generally planar face panel;

a perimeter flange circumscribing said face panel, said flange extending to one side of said face panel and having a terminal edge away from said face panel;

a plurality of support arms for supporting at least one cleaning accessory, said arms extending from said face panel in a direction generally opposite to the direction to which said flange extends;

mounting means for mounting said caddy upon a vertical surface;

means defining a slot in said face panel, said slot extending between and defining an upper panel and a lower panel and extending between said perimeter flange on one side of said caddy and said perimeter flange on the opposing side of said caddy; and

said lower panel and said perimeter flange adjacent said lower panel defining a tray which is open and accessible through said slot;

said tray being open at its back, opposite said front panel, whereby said caddy can be molded in a two-piece mold and whereby the wall on which said caddy is eventually mounted serves as a back wall for said tray.

2. The caddy defined in claim 1 wherein said support arms project from said upper panel.

3. The caddy defined in claim 2 wherein at least one of said support arms extends from said upper panel to a terminal end of said arm and an upward extending stud for receiving and supporting a cleaning tool projects upward from said first arm near said terminal end.

4. The caddy defined in claim 3 wherein said stud is generally W-shaped in top plan view defining two openings facing to one side of said stud and one opening facing opposite thereto, said stud being oriented so that at least one of said openings opens toward said face panel.

5. The caddy defined in claim 3 wherein said mounting means comprises a mounting plate;

said plate extends between said perimeter flange on one side of said caddy and said perimeter flange on the opposing side of said caddy;

said plate is connected with said perimeter flange at said terminal edge of said perimeter flange;

said plate is sized no larger than said slot; and

said plate is aligned with and spaced behind said slot.

6. The caddy defined in claim 5 further including a web member connected between said upper panel, said mounting panel, said perimeter flange on one side of said caddy and said perimeter flange on the opposing side of said caddy.

7. The caddy defined in claim 1 wherein at least one of said support arms extends from said upper panel to a terminal end of said arm and an upward extending stud for receiving and supporting a cleaning tool projects upward from said first arm near said terminal end.

8. The caddy defined in claim 7 wherein said stud is generally W-shaped in top plan view defining two openings facing to one side of said stud and one opening facing opposite thereto, said stud being oriented so that at least one of said openings opens toward said face panel.

9. The caddy defined in claim 8 wherein said mounting means comprises a mounting panel;

said panel extends between said perimeter flange on one side of said caddy and said perimeter flange on the other side of said caddy;

said panel connected with said perimeter flange at said terminal edge of said perimeter flange;

said panel is sized no larger than said slot; and

said panel is aligned with and spaced behind said slot.

10. The caddy defined in claim 9 further including a web member connected between said upper panel, said mounting panel, said perimeter flange on one side of said caddy and said perimeter flange on the opposing side of said caddy.

11. A vacuum and extractor accessories caddy comprising:

a generally planar face panel;

a perimeter flange circumscribing said face panel and extending to one side of said face panel;

mounting means for mounting said caddy upon a vertical surface;

at least one pair of upwardly opening channel members extending from said face panel in a direction generally opposite to said perimeter flange, defining a pair of support arms for supporting a cleaning accessory;

at least one support member projecting from said face panel in a direction generally opposite to said perimeter flange and having a terminal end away from said face panel; and

a stud projecting generally upward from said support member for receiving and supporting a cleaning tool.

12. The caddy defined in claim 11 wherein each said channel member has a terminal end away from said face panel and a flange portion projecting generally upward at said terminal end for retaining a cleaning accessory on said channel members.

13. The caddy defined in claim 12 wherein an aperture is defined in said face panel, interior to each said channel member, for receiving a projecting portion of a mold therethrough so that said caddy may be molded in a two-piece mold.

14. The caddy defined in claim 13 wherein said stud is generally W-shaped in top plan view defining two openings facing to one side of said stud and one opening facing opposite thereto, said stud being oriented so that at least one of said openings opens toward said face panel.

15. The caddy defined in claim 14 wherein an aperture is defined in said face panel adjacent to and above said support member for receiving a projecting portion of a two-piece mold therethrough so that said stud may be molded in a two-piece mold.

16. The caddy defined in claim 15 further including means defining a slot in said face panel, said slot extending between and defining an upper panel and a lower panel and extending between said perimeter flange on one side of said caddy and said perimeter flange on the opposing side of said caddy.

17. The caddy defined in claim 11 wherein said stud is generally W-shaped in top plan view defining two openings facing to one side of said stud and one opening facing opposite thereto, said stud being oriented so that at least one of said openings opens toward said face panel.

18. The caddy defined in claim 17 wherein an aperture is defined in said face panel adjacent to and above said support member for receiving a portion of a two-piece mold therethrough so that said stud may be molded in a two-piece mold.

19. The caddy defined in claim 18 wherein said mounting means comprises a mounting plate;

said plate extends between said perimeter flange on one side of said caddy and said perimeter flange on the opposing side of said caddy;

said plate is connected with said perimeter flange at said terminal edge of said perimeter flange;

said plate is sized no larger than said slot; and

said plate is aligned with and spaced behind said slot.