Door valve for utility vacuum cleaners

• US 5,943,732 A
• Filed: 04/18/1997
• Issued: 08/31/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 01/15/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Healthy Gain Investments Limited
• Original Assignee: Hoover Company (Whirlpool Corporation)
• Inventors: Wareham, Richard A., Vincent, Conway, Bowers, Donald R., Koukourakis, Nicholas, Bosyj, Nick M., Crouser, Darwin S.
• Primary Examiner(s): MOORE, CHRISTOPHER K
• Application Number:
  US08/844,156
• Time in Patent Office: 865 Days
• Field of Search: 15/328, 15/347, 15/327.1, 15/327.6, 15/352
• US Class Current: 15/328
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/365 of the vertical type, e.g. tank or bucket type
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 7/0028 Security means, e.g. float valves or level switches for preventing overflow
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 7/0038 with means for emptying the tanks
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 7/0042 Gaskets; Sealing means
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/00 Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0009 Storing devices winding devices for electric cables A47L9/26; Supports, stands or holders
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0027 specially adapted for holding the suction cleaning tools

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. The valve may also be in the form of a rotatable, elbow-shaped body having a single plenum. The body may be rotated between at least two positions where the outlet to the plenum is in fluid communication with a wet tank in one position and a dry tank in the other position.

Claims

1. A valve in a utility vacuum cleaner having a main body defining therein first and second debris collecting receptacles, the valve selectively directing debris laden air to said first or second receptacle, said valve comprising:

a body member defining a plenum, said plenum having an inlet port and an outlet port;

said body member rotatable between a first position and a second position;

said outlet port of said plenum in fluid communication with the first debris collecting receptacle when said body member is in said first position and said outlet port of said plenum is in fluid communication with the second debris collecting receptacle when said body member is in said second position.

2. A valve according to claim 1, wherein the vacuum cleaner includes a main body and a lid engaging the main body, said body member rotatably carried by the lid.

3. A valve according to claim 2, wherein said body member includes a portion that extends outwardly from the lid.

4. A valve according to claim 1, wherein said inlet port is configured to accept the insertion of a vacuum hose.

5. A valve according to claim 1, further comprising means for rotating said body member between said first position and said second position.

6. A valve according to claim 1, wherein one of the first and second debris collecting receptacles is telescopingly received within the other debris collecting receptacle.

7. A valve according to claim 6, wherein one of the first and second debris collecting receptacles has a dry inlet port and the other of the first and second debris collecting receptacles has a wet bypass, said plenum being in fluid communication with said dry inlet port when said body member is in said first position and said plenum being in fluid communication with said wet bypass when said body member is in said second position.

8. A valve according to claim 1, further comprising a lid that engages the main body, said lid supporting a motor/fan assembly that is operable to create a working air flow, said valve carried by said lid.

9. A valve according to claim 8, wherein said body member extends outwardly from said lid.

10. A valve according to claim 8, wherein said plenum is in fluid communication with said working air flow when said body member is in said first and second positions.

11. A valve according to claim 10, wherein said working air flow passes through both of the debris collecting receptacles when said body member is in said second position.

12. In a utility vacuum cleaner having a main body, first and second debris collecting receptacles, and a lid engaging the main body and supporting a motor/fan assembly that is capable of creating a working air flow, the improvement comprising a valve that selectively directs the working air flow through the first and second debris collecting receptacles, said valve having a first position and a second position, the working air flow passing through both of the debris collecting receptacles when said valve is in said first position and the working air flow passing through only one of the debris collecting receptacles when said valve is in said second position.

13. The vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 12 further comprising a check valve between the motor/fan assembly and one of the debris collecting receptacles.

14. The vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 12 further comprising a check valve between the debris collecting receptacles.