Vacuum cleaner with a detachable vacuum module
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A vacuum cleaner comprising;
- a foot housing;
a base pivotally mounted to said foot housing;
an elongated support member non-removably mounted at a lower portion to the base during typical use of the vacuum cleaner, the elongated support member being adapted for use in pushing and pulling the base and the foot housing along the floor; and
a portable cleaning module comprising;
a module housing;
a bag supported in the module housing for collecting dust and dirt;
a flexible conduit for conveying the collected dust and dirt from the foot housing to the bag, the conduit having a first end connected to the bag and a second end removably connected to the base; and
a motor-driven fan supported in the module housing for creating suction within the conduit through the bag to convey collected dust and dirt to the bag;
the module mounting the bag, conduit and motor-driven fan such that the bag, conduit and motor-driven fan are connected together as a unit, the module being selectively and removably mounted to the base at least through a mechanical interconnection such that the module can be separated from the foot housing, base and elongated support member and be operated as a portable vacuum cleaner and the module further is closely adjacent the elongated support member, extends upwardly along at least a portion of the length of the elongated support member and is adapted to pivot with the base and elongated support member relative the foot housing when the module is mounted to the base;
whereby the module can be operated as a portable vacuum cleaner independently of and separate from the foot housing, base and elongated support member when the module is separated from the base and the vacuum cleaner can be operated as an upright vacuum cleaner when the module is mounted to the base.
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Abstract
A multi-use vacuum capable of use as an upright vacuum or as a canister vacuum is disclosed. A detachable vacuum module is selectively mounted to the foot and support member of an upright vacuum. The vacuum module includes the vacuum motor, motor-driven fan, vacuum bag and hose. The vacuum may be operated as an upright vacuum or, alternatively, the module can be separated from the foot and support member and may be used independently of and at a great distance from the foot and support member for a wide variety of cleaning purposes.
289 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A vacuum cleaner comprising;
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a foot housing; a base pivotally mounted to said foot housing; an elongated support member non-removably mounted at a lower portion to the base during typical use of the vacuum cleaner, the elongated support member being adapted for use in pushing and pulling the base and the foot housing along the floor; and a portable cleaning module comprising; a module housing; a bag supported in the module housing for collecting dust and dirt; a flexible conduit for conveying the collected dust and dirt from the foot housing to the bag, the conduit having a first end connected to the bag and a second end removably connected to the base; and a motor-driven fan supported in the module housing for creating suction within the conduit through the bag to convey collected dust and dirt to the bag; the module mounting the bag, conduit and motor-driven fan such that the bag, conduit and motor-driven fan are connected together as a unit, the module being selectively and removably mounted to the base at least through a mechanical interconnection such that the module can be separated from the foot housing, base and elongated support member and be operated as a portable vacuum cleaner and the module further is closely adjacent the elongated support member, extends upwardly along at least a portion of the length of the elongated support member and is adapted to pivot with the base and elongated support member relative the foot housing when the module is mounted to the base; whereby the module can be operated as a portable vacuum cleaner independently of and separate from the foot housing, base and elongated support member when the module is separated from the base and the vacuum cleaner can be operated as an upright vacuum cleaner when the module is mounted to the base. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 18)
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14. A vacuum module for selectively mounting to a floor suction component, the module comprising;
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a motor, a fan coupled to the motor to draw a suction, a conduit and a bag interconnected as a single unit, the module having a housing to support the motor and bag and the conduit being mounted at one end to the bag and comprising a wand and a hose; the housing comprises an external mechanical connector for mechanically connecting the module to a floor suction component, an external coupler associated with the mechanical coupler, to couple the fan inlet to the floor suction component, a first recess formed on one side of the module housing for receiving the wand and hose, and a handle mounted to an upper portion of the housing; whereby the module is adapted to selectively engage the floor suction component and to provide the suction necessary to operate the module and floor suction component as an upright vacuum, and the module is further adapted to operate independently of and separate from the floor suction component. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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Specification