Accessory with built-in light for vacuum cleaner

• US 5,983,443 A
• Filed: 12/30/1997
• Issued: 11/16/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Philips Electronics North America Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Philips Electronics North America Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Redding, Glenn E.
• Primary Examiner(s): MOORE, CHRISTOPHER K
• Application Number:
  US09/000,669
• Time in Patent Office: 686 Days
• Field of Search: 15/324, 15/377
• US Class Current: 15/324
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/30 Arrangement of illuminating devices

Abstract

There is provided an accessory attachment with a built-in light for attachment to a vacuum cleaner. The accessory is preferably of modular design and is detachably connected in air flow relationship to a hose of the vacuum cleaner at one part, is adapted for detachable connection to an attachment such as a crevice tool at one part, and is detachably connected to a power source at one part, preferably a portable power source such as a battery pack, or the power supply line of the vacuum cleaner.

Claims

1. An accessory for a vacuum cleaner which accessory comprises a light and is detachably connected at a first part in air flow relationship to a hose of the vacuum cleaner;

which is detachably connected in air flow relationship at a second part to an attachment for the vacuum cleaner; and

which is adapted for detachable connection at a third part to a power source.

2. An accessory as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said accessory with a light is adapted for detachable connection to a portable power source.

3. An accessory as claimed in claim 1 wherein, the power source is the power supply line of the vacuum cleaner.

4. An accessory as claimed in claim 1 which comprises a cuff portion having a light circumferentially surrounding a connecting portion adapted to receive an attachment tool.

5. An accessory as claimed in claim 4 wherein, the accessory is designed to interfit with the attachment tool.

6. An accessory as claimed in claim 4 wherein, the light comprises a snap-in lens, a reflector, a bulb, and a socket.

7. An accessory as claimed in claim 4 wherein, the light comprises connectors and an on/off switch.

8. An accessory as claimed in claim 4 wherein, the light extends fully around the opening of the accessory.

9. An accessory as claimed in claim 4 wherein, the light is a circular light lens with reflector that extends around the air path duct of the vacuum cleaner.

10. An accessory as claimed in claim 4 wherein, the light is a circular light lens with reflector that extends adjacent the air path duct of the vacuum cleaner.

11. An accessory as claimed in claim 4 wherein, the light is asymmetrical and extends around a portion of the air duct path.

12. An accessory as claimed in claim 4 wherein, the light is asymmetrical and extends adjacent a portion of the air path duct of the vacuum cleaner.

13. An accessory as claimed in claim 4 wherein, the accessory has a power cord for connection on or to the vacuum cleaner as a power source.

14. An accessory as claimed in claim 4 wherein, the accessory is connected to an extension having internal wiring as a power source.

15. An accessory as claimed in claim 4 wherein, the accessory is connected to a flexible hose with internal wiring as a power source.

16. An accessory as claimed in claim 4 wherein, the accessory is connected to a battery pack as a power source.

17. An accessory as claimed in claim 16 wherein, the accessory comprises a cuff portion having a light circumferentially surrounding a connecting portion adapted to receive the attachment.

18. A cleaning apparatus which comprises:

a housing provided with an electric motor, a body portion which comprises an air inlet and an intake hose coupled to the air inlet;

an attachment tool adapted for detachable connection to said cleaning apparatus; and

an accessory attachment which comprises at least one light and is detachably connected at a first part in air flow relationship to the intake hose of the cleaning apparatus;

which is detachably connected in air flow relationship at a second part to the attachment tool; and

which is adapted for detachable connection at a third part to a power source.

19. A cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 18 wherein, said accessory attachment with at least one light is adapted for detachable connection to a portable power source.

20. A cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 18 wherein, the power source is the power supply line of the cleaning apparatus.

21. A cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 18 wherein, the accessory attachment with at least one light comprises a cuff portion having a light circumferentially surrounding a connecting portion adapted to receive an attachment tool.

22. A cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 21 wherein, the accessory attachment with at least one light is designed to interfit with the attachment tool.

23. A cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 21 wherein, the light comprises a snap-in lens, a reflector, a bulb, and a socket.

24. A cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 21 wherein, the light comprises connectors and an on/off switch.

25. A cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 18 wherein, the light extends fully around the opening of the accessory attachment.

26. A cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 18 wherein, the light is a circular light lens with reflector that extends around the air path duct of the cleaning apparatus.

27. A cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 18 wherein, the light is a circular light lens with reflector that extends adjacent the air path duct of the cleaning apparatus.

28. A cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 18 wherein, the light is asymmetrical and extends adjacent a portion of the air path duct of the cleaning apparatus.

29. A cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 18 wherein, the cleaning apparatus is a vacuum cleaner and the accessory attachment with at least one light has a power cord for connection on or to the vacuum cleaner as a power source.

30. A cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 18 wherein, the cleaning apparatus is a vacuum cleaner and the accessory attachment with at least one light is connected to an extension having internal wiring as a power source.

31. A cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 18 wherein, the cleaning apparatus is a vacuum cleaner and the accessory attachment with at least one light is connected to a flexible hose with internal wiring as a power source.

32. A cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 18 wherein, the cleaning apparatus is a vacuum cleaner and the accessory attachment with at least one light is connected to a battery pack as a power source.