Combined vacuum cleaner and torch
First Claim
1. A vacuum cleaner assembly comprising:
- a cleaner housing having a front portion and a rear portion, the cleaner housing having the capacity to accept vacuum cleaner components including a motor, an impeller, and a filter, and having the capacity to accept a flashlight;
a flashlight having a housing, and a light producing element and a contained power source operatively coupled together and generally disposed in the housing, wherein the flashlight is releasably engagable with the cleaner housing and separately operable therefrom; and
connector means for coupling the contained power source with vacuum cleaner components to permit passage of current from the contained power source to the vacuum cleaner components.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A portable vacuum cleaner with removable flashlight is disclosed. The invention is broadly characterized as a vacuum cleaner housing having a front portion and a rear portion with vacuum cleaner components such as an impeller, motor, and filter disposed therein; a stand-alone flashlight housing of conventional design having a contained power source disposed therein; and a connector electrically coupling the contained power source of the flashlight to the vacuum cleaner components so that the vacuum cleaner is operable by utilizing power from the flashlight power source. In an alternative embodiment, the vacuum cleaner has its own dedicated contained power source so that the vacuum cleaner may be operated independently of the flashlight. In preferred form, the flashlight is disposed in the cleaner housing and removably engaged therewith by way of a latch. External contacts on the flashlight beneficially connect with cleaner housing contacts to deliver power to the vacuum cleaner components. All contained power sources are preferably batteries rechargeable by application of an external power source either directly through an interface in the cleaner housing, or through a support assembly having electrical contacts which electrically couple the support to corresponding cleaner housing contacts.
32 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A vacuum cleaner assembly comprising:
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a cleaner housing having a front portion and a rear portion, the cleaner housing having the capacity to accept vacuum cleaner components including a motor, an impeller, and a filter, and having the capacity to accept a flashlight; a flashlight having a housing, and a light producing element and a contained power source operatively coupled together and generally disposed in the housing, wherein the flashlight is releasably engagable with the cleaner housing and separately operable therefrom; and connector means for coupling the contained power source with vacuum cleaner components to permit passage of current from the contained power source to the vacuum cleaner components. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A vacuum cleaner assembly comprising:
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a cleaner housing having a front portion and a rear portion, the front portion of the housing having the capacity to accept vacuum cleaner components including a motor, an impeller, and a filter, and the rear portion of the housing defining a void and opening; a flashlight having a housing with securing means, and a light producing element and a contained power source operatively coupled together and generally disposed in the housing, wherein the flashlight is releasably engagable with the cleaner housing using the securing means and separately operable therefrom; and connector means for coupling the contained power source of the flashlight with vacuum cleaner components to permit passage of current from the contained power source to the vacuum cleaner components. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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Specification