Remote control vacuum cleaner and charging system

• US 5,926,909 A
• Filed: 08/28/1996
• Issued: 07/27/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Daniel Mcgee
• Original Assignee: Daniel Mcgee
• Inventors: McGee, Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): TILL, TERRENCE R
• Application Number:
  US08/703,941
• Time in Patent Office: 1,063 Days
• Field of Search: 15/319, 15/339, 15/340.1, 15/340.2, 15/340.3
• US Class Current: 15/339
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2201/022 Recharging of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2201/04 Automatic control of the travelling movement; Automatic obstacle detection
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/24 Hand-supported suction cleaners
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/28 Suction cleaners with handles and nozzles fixed on the casings, e.g. wheeled suction cleaners with steering handle A47L5/24 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2852 Elements for displacement of the vacuum cleaner or the accessories therefor, e.g. wheels, casters or nozzles
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2873 Docking units or charging stations for autonomous or robotic vacuum cleaners A47L2201/02
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2884 Details of arrangements of batteries or their installation
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2894 Details related to signal transmission in suction cleaners
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0033 by having the operator tracking the vehicle either by direct line of sight or via one or more cameras located remotely from the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0225 involving docking at a fixed facility, e.g. base station or loading bay parking aids B62D15/027
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/028 using a RF signal
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction

Abstract

A hand-held remote control device sending signals for speed and direction to a remote control vacuum cleaner vehicle system enhancing an axle motor or motors for action of vehicle and separate motor or motors for vacuuming to suck up debris. The assembly also includes a hard plastic re-charge housing unit system co-operable with the hand-held remote controller unit system and the remote control vacuum cleaner vehicle unit system for charging the battery of the remote controller system and remote control vacuum cleaner vehicle system. The remote control vacuum cleaner vehicle system outer casing is a hard plastic housing where remote control vacuum cleaner vehicle system rechargeable battery operated axle motor is mounted for action of vehicle and when other mounted rechargeable battery operated motor or motors is activated suction from opening sucks up debris into housing and into removable debris canister. Remote control vacuum cleaner vehicle system further includes receiving antenna for receiving radio signals sent from a hand-held remote controller system which is used to remotely control the remote vacuum cleaner vehicle.

Claims

1. A remote control vacuum cleaner system comprising:

a remote control vacuum cleaner having a housing, a plurality of wheels mounted to said housing, motor means for selectively driving said plurality of wheels, a detachable canister, said detachable canister releasably securable to said housing, a blower mounted to said housing, said blower in communication with said canister for forcibly drawing air and debris into said canister through a nozzle in communication with said canister, a first power source attached to said housing, said first power source for providing electrical power to components of said remote control vacuum cleaner requiring such electrical power;

a remote controller operatively attached to said remote control vacuum cleaner, said remote controller responsive to control signals from a source remote to said remote control vacuum cleaner;

a remote controller unit having a plurality of user activated switches thereon and a second power source located within said remote controller unit providing power thereto, said remote controller unit capable of communicating said control signals to said remote controller by operation of said user activated switches thereby remotely controlling propulsion and steering of said remote control vacuum cleaner; and

a charging unit holder base cooperatively engageable with both said remote controller unit and said remote control vacuum cleaner, said charging unit holder base communicating electrical power to said first power source through cooperatively engaging electrical connections mounted on both of said charging unit holder base and on said remote control vacuum cleaner, thereby providing electrical power to recharge said first power source when said remote control vacuum cleaner is cooperatively engaged with said charging unit holder base.

2. The remote control vacuum cleaner system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said charging unit holder base communicates electrical power to recharge said second power source when said remote controller unit is cooperatively engaged therewith.

3. The remote control vacuum cleaner system and charging unit system set forth in claim 2 further comprising:

both said housing and said detachable canister having a shape complementary to an outer surface of said charging unit holder base thereby providing a storage rack for said remote control vacuum cleaner when cooperatively engaged therewith; and

said charging unit holder base having a receiving cavity therein, said receiving cavity dimensioned to hold said remote control unit therein, thereby providing a storage compartment for said remote controller.

4. The remote control vacuum cleaner system and charging unit system set forth in claim 1 further comprising:

both said housing and said detachable canister having a shape complementary to an outer surface of said charging unit holder base thereby providing a storage rack for said remote control vacuum cleaner when cooperatively engaged therewith.

5. The remote control vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 1 wherein said motor means for selectively driving said wheels is comprised of at least one electrical motor communicating rotation to said plurality of wheels.

6. The remote control vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 1 wherein said motor means for selectively driving said wheels is a plurality of electrical motors each providing rotation to one of said plurality of wheels, whereby said propulsion and said steering of said remote controlled vacuum cleaner is remotely controlled by said signals from said remote control unit activating said at least one of said plurality of electrical motors.