Sliding door valve for utility vacuum cleaner
First Claim
1. In a vacuum cleaner having multiple inlet ports wherein each port is configured to removably receive therein a flexible vacuum hose end and wherein each port fluidly communicates with a separate debris collecting chamber the improvement comprising a selectively positionable valve means having a single valve door for preventing fluid flow into all but one of said inlet ports.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A unique valve door mechanism is disclosed for use in a dual chambered utility type vacuum cleaner having two suction inlets whereby the inactive suction inlet may be selectively closed and sealed off from the atmosphere. The valve door is slidingly suspended between guide rails whereby the door may be selectively positioned adjacent the suction inlet to be disabled. Atmospheric pressure is utilized to urge the valve door against the selected inlet opening thereby sealing off the inlet from the atmosphere.
25 Citations
18 Claims
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1. In a vacuum cleaner having multiple inlet ports wherein each port is configured to removably receive therein a flexible vacuum hose end and wherein each port fluidly communicates with a separate debris collecting chamber the improvement comprising a selectively positionable valve means having a single valve door for preventing fluid flow into all but one of said inlet ports.
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2. In a utility vacuum cleaner having a main body defining therein first and second debris collecting receptacles, valve means for selectively directing debris laden air to said first or second receptacle, said valve means comprising:
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a) a valve body defining a plenum chamber, and first, second, and third openings thereto, said first and second openings fluidly communicating with said first and second debris collecting receptacles respectively, said third opening configured to removably receive therein a flexible vacuum hose end, b) selectively positionable door means for alternately sealing said first or second opening from fluid communication with said plenum whereby the non-selected opening and its associated debris collecting receptacle is in fluid communication with said flexible hose end through said plenum and said third opening. - View Dependent Claims (3)
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4. In a utility vacuum cleaner having an open top main body tank, a lid sealingly engaging said main body tank, a second tank positioned within said main body tank, and suction means for withdrawing air from said main body tank and said second tank creating a vacuum therein, the improvement comprising:
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a) valve means positioned within said lid, said valve means having first and second inlet ports each communicating with the atmosphere and means for selectively closing either of said ports while opening the other; b) first conduit means for fluidly communicating between said main body tank and said first inlet port and second conduit means for fluidly communicating between said second inlet port and said second tank. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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- 15. In a vacuum cleaner having a main body, said body having first and second debris receiving receptacles therein, first and second conduits fluidly communicating with said first and second debris receiving receptacles respectively, each conduit defining an inlet port at one end thereof, said inlet ports being arranged adjacent one another, the improvement comprising sliding valve door means selectively translatable between said first and second inlet ports, and wherein said inlet ports are arranged side by side and said valve door means comprises a top and bottom rail, each rail traversing said first and second inlet ports, said top rail traversing above said inlet ports and said bottom rail traversing below said inlet ports, and a valve door slidingly engaging said top and bottom rails, said door configured to alternately engage said inlet ports thereby sealing the selected inlet port from the atmosphere.
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18. In a vacuum cleaner having a main body, said body having first and second debris receiving receptacles therein, first and second conduits fluidly communicating with said first and second debris receiving receptacles respectively, each conduit defining an inlet port at one end thereof, said inlet ports being arranged adjacent one another, the improvement comprising sliding valve door means selectively translatable between said first and second inlet ports, said sliding valve door means comprising a door positionable externally of the selected inlet port whereby atmospheric pressure urges said door into sealing engagement with said selected inlet port when said vacuum cleaner is operated.
Specification