Vacuum cleaner for both upright and canister modes

• US 5,836,047 A
• Filed: 02/04/1997
• Issued: 11/17/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dongbu Daewoo Electronics Corporation (Dayou Holdings Co.,Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Dongbu Daewoo Electronics Corporation (Dayou Holdings Co.,Ltd.)
• Inventors: Jeon, Yeong Je, Choi, Byung Cheol, Hong, Seon Young, Kim, Seon Kyu, Lee, Nam Ho, Lee, Jin Bang
• Primary Examiner(s): MOORE, CHRISTOPHER K
• Application Number:
  US08/795,186
• Time in Patent Office: 651 Days
• Field of Search: 15/328, 15/335, 15/351
• US Class Current: 15/328
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/225 Convertible suction cleaners, i.e. convertible between different types thereof, e.g. from upright suction cleaners to sledge-type suction cleaners
• 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

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner has a cleaner body section having a first recess, and a second recess. The vacuum cleaner further has a first connector section, a second connector section, a suction pipe section and a brush section. First and second arc-shaped slots are provided in order for first and second protrusions of the first connector section to be slidably inserted in the slots and to be placed on the first recess. The second connector section is fixedly inserted in the second recess. The first connector section is connected to the second connector section. When the vacuum cleaner is used in the upright mode, the brush section is detachably connected to the first connector section and the suction pipe section is detachably connected to the second connector section, to thereby provide an air passageway from the brush section, the first connector section, the second connector section, and the suction pipe section, up to the cleaner body section. When the vacuum cleaner is used in the canister mode, the brush section is detachably connected to the suction pipe section directly to provide an air passageway from the brush section to the cleaner body section.

Claims

1. A vacuum cleaner for both upright and canister modes, comprising:

a cleaner body section having a first recess in which a first connector section is placed, which is formed at a first side of the cleaner body section which is defined as a bottom side thereof, and a second recess in which a second connector section is placed, which is formed at second side of the cleaner body section which is defined as a rear side thereof, wherein the first and second sides form a right angle, and a couple of fitting portions are provided at the first side adjacent to the second side, the first and second fitting portions are spaced at a predetermined distance from each other and each has first and second slots, respectively;

first and second main wheels which are rotatable mounted parallel to the surface confined by each edge of the first side and the second side, respectively, and first and second auxiliary wheels which are rotatable mounted under the second side;

a brush section being in contact with a place to be cleaned and providing an air passageway therein for the dirt-bearing air;

the first connector section having first and second protrusions which protrude in opposite directions to insert into the first and second slots, respectively, and the first connector section detachably connected to the brush section, and for providing an air passageway for the dirt-bearing air to enter from the brush section, wherein the first and second protrusions are slidably mounted in the first and second slots, respectively, while the first recess receives the first connector section to be slid along the first and second protrusions;

the second connector section fixedly inserted in the second recess and connected to the first connector section, and for providing an air passageway for the dirt-bearing air; and

a suction pipe section having a detachably connected end to the cleaner body and another free end;

wherein, in an upright mode, the brush section is connected to the first connector section, and the second connector section is connected to the free end of the suction pipe section, and tilt of the cleaner body which is placed on the first connector section and moves by the first and second main wheels is adjusted by the suction pipe section, whereas in a canister mode, the brush section is connected to the free end of the suction pipe section, and the second side of the cleaner body faces the ground, and the first and second main wheels and the first and second auxiliary wheels are utilized to move the cleaner body having the first connector section and the second connector section mounted thereon.

2. The vacuum cleaner for both upright and canister modes as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second side of the cleaner body section has first and second air exhaust portions which are separated from each other at each opposite edge of the second side parallel to the suction pipe section, the second recess is formed between the first and second air exhaust portions, and each of the first and second air exhaust portions has a plurality of air exhaust ports.

3. The vacuum cleaner for both upright and canister modes as claimed in claim 2, wherein the cleaner body section has a third side and a fourth side which are parallel and opposite to each other and each of which forms a right angle with respect to each of the first side and the second side, the third side having a third recess for accommodating the first main wheel of the clean body section, the third recess being formed in a shape corresponding to the first main wheel, the recess having an opening to receive a center shaft of the first main wheel, and the fourth side having a fourth recess and an opening similar to a configuration which the third side has.

4. The vacuum cleaner for both upright and canister modes as claimed in claim 3, wherein upper portions of the first and second air exhaust portions have first and second grooves for accommodating first and second auxiliary wheels respectively, the first and second grooves are formed on each rear side of the first and second air exhaust portions, each of which is parallel with the second recess.

5. The vacuum cleaner for both upright and canister modes as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first connector section is placed between the first and second main wheels.

6. The vacuum cleaner for both upright and canister modes as claimed in claim 2, wherein the second side of the cleaner body section has first and second openings each communicating with each air exhaust portion in order for the dirt-eliminated air to flow into the first and second air exhaust portions, and the air flowing into the first and second air exhaust portions is exhausted through a plurality of air exhaust ports.

7. The vacuum cleaner for both upright and canister mode as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first connector section has a first container and a first air guider, the first container being formed like a rectangular box, the rectangular box has an open side and a front side having a first center hole, the front side is opposite to the open side, the first and second protrusions extend in opposite directions from each other on the upper surface of the first connector section, respectively, the first air guider has a first lid having a first lid hole on the center portion thereof and a first hose, the first hose is fixedly inserted in the first lid hole, and one end portion of the first hose is also inserted in the first center hole when the first container and the first air guider are assembled together.

8. The vacuum cleaner for both upright and canister modes as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first lid covers the open side and is fixed by a plurality of first engagement members, the one end portion of the first hose protrudes through the first center hole to be detachably connected with a brush hose to provide an air passageway from the brush section to the first connector section.

9. The vacuum cleaner for both upright and canister modes as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second connector section is fixedly inserted in the second recess, and has a second container and a second air guider, the second container being formed like a rectangular box, the rectangular box has an open side and a bottom side having a second center hole, the bottom side is opposite to the open side, the second air guider has a second lid having a second lid hole, and a second hose having a flexible portion, the second hose is fixedly inserted in the second lid hole, and one end portion, including the flexible portion, of the second hose is also inserted in the second center hole when the second container and the second air guider are assembled together.

10. The vacuum cleaner for both upright and canister modes as claimed in claim 9, wherein the second lid covers the open side and is fixed by a plurality of second engagement members, the one end portion of the second hose extends through the second center hole in order for a part of the flexible portion to be connected to the other end portion of the first hose, so that an air passageway is provided from the first connector section to the second connector section.