Storage bag for vacuum cleaner accessories and the like

• US 6,070,288 A
• Filed: 05/14/1998
• Issued: 06/06/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bissell Homecare, Inc. (Bissell Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bissell Homecare, Inc. (Bissell Inc.)
• Inventors: Roberts, Kenneth, Luyckx, Michael D., Umbach, Steven R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Warden, Sr., Robert J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ALDAG, ANDREW J
• Application Number:
  US09/078,936
• Time in Patent Office: 754 Days
• Field of Search: 15/323, 15/410, 15/327.1, 15/327.2, 15/351, 15/339
• US Class Current: 15/323
• 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 tool storage module adapted to be mounted to the handle of a vacuum cleaner comprising a handle pivotally mounted to a floor supported base. The accessory storage module has a support panel to which is mounted a pliable storage bag. The storage bag is preferably removably mounted to the support panel. The storage bag is also transparent, made, for example, of a mesh material, for viewing of the contents of the storage bag from outside the storage bag. The storage bag can be sized to receive multiple tools and accessories.

Claims

1. A vacuum cleaner comprising a handle rotatably mounted to a floor engaging base having a suction nozzle, a filter chamber mounted to the handle for collection of debris from the suction nozzle, and multiple tools for the physical and cleaning operations of the vacuum cleaner, the improvement comprising:

a support panel adapted to be mounted to the vacuum cleaner handle; and

a pliable tool bag, separate from the filter chamber mounted to the support panel and at least partially defining a tool storage chamber of a size to hold the multiple tools for the vacuum cleaner.

2. A tool storage module according to claim 1 wherein the support panel further comprises at least one cord wrap element adapted to receive wound plies of a vacuum cleaner cord.

3. A tool storage module according to claim 2 wherein there are two cord wrap elements and the cord wrap elements extend from the support panel and are spaced from each other.

4. A tool storage module according to claim 3 wherein the support panel is elongated with an upper and a lower end and one of the cord wrap elements is a cord wrap knob positioned near the upper end of the support panel and the other of the cord wrap elements is a depending wall extending from the lower end of the support panel.

5. A tool storage module according to claim 1 wherein the tool bag is removably mounted to the support panel.

6. A tool storage module according to claim 5 wherein the support panel has at least one hook and the tool bag has a loop corresponding to the at least one hook and the loop is received over the at least one hook to removably mount the tool bag to the support panel.

7. A tool storage module according to claim 6 wherein the support panel has a planar wall with opposite ends, and wherein the at least one hook comprises a first hook near one of the opposite ends and a second hook near the other of the opposite ends, and the tool bag has a loop corresponding to each of the hooks.

8. A tool storage module according to claim 7 wherein the support panel has a lower wall extending from the support panel near the support panel lower end and the second hook is positioned near the lower wall and the corresponding loop is mounted near a bottom portion of the tool bag.

9. A tool storage module according to claim 7 wherein the first hook is transversely oriented relative to the second hook to reduce the likelihood that the tool bag will accidentally fall off the support panel.

10. A tool storage module according to claim 1 wherein the support panel comprises a planar wall having an upper end and a lower end and a lower wall extending from the planar wall near the lower end wherein a portion of the tool bag is supported by the lower wall.

11. A tool storage module according to claim 10 wherein the support panel further comprises a cord wrap knob positioned near the upper end and a depending cord wrap wall extending from the lower wall.

12. A tool storage module according to claim 1 wherein the tool bag has an open portion that is closed by a portion of the support panel to at least partially define the tool storage chamber.

13. A tool storage module according to claim 12 wherein the tool bag open portion is an open rear portion that is closed by a portion of the support panel when the tool bag is mounted to the support panel to at least partially define the tool storage chamber.

14. A tool storage module according to claim 13 wherein the tool bag open portion further comprises an open bottom portions and the support panel further comprises a lower wall extending from the support panel and closes the tool bag open bottom portion to at least partially define the tool storage chamber.

15. A tool storage module according to claim 1 wherein the tool bag has an open top adapted to receive a vacuum cleaner tool and providing access to the tool storage chamber.

16. A tool storage module according to claim 15 wherein the tool bag has a cover for closing the open top.

17. A tool storage module according to claim 16 wherein the cover is a flap provided on the tool bag and the flap overlies the open top to close the open top.

18. A tool storage module according to claim 16 wherein the tool bag comprises a flexible material having an opening in the material that defines the open top and the cover is a drawstring provided in the flexible material.

19. A tool storage module according to claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the tool bag is transparent to permit the viewing of at least a portion of the tool chamber from outside the tool bag.

20. A tool storage module according to claim 19 wherein the tool bag is made from a mesh material and the mesh openings define the transparent portion of the tool bag.

21. A tool storage module according to claim 1 wherein the tool bag further comprises a handle for carrying the tool bag.

22. A vacuum cleaner comprising a handle rotatably mounted to a floor engaging base having a suction nozzle, a filter chamber mounted to the handle for collection of debris from the suction nozzle, and multiple tools for the physical and cleaning operations of the vacuum cleaner, the improvement comprising:

a support panel mounted to the vacuum cleaner handle; and

a pliable tool bag separate from the filter chamber, mounted to the support panel and defining a tool storage chamber, and at least a portion of the tool bag is transparent to permit the viewing of the tools inside the tool bag from the outside of the tool bag.

23. A tool storage module according to claim 22 wherein the tool bag is made from a mesh fabric having open spaces that provide the transparent portion of the tool bag.

24. A tool storage module according to claim 22 wherein the tool bag is removably mounted to the support panel.

25. A tool storage module for a vacuum cleaner comprising a handle rotatably mounted to a floor engaging base and multiple tools for the physical and cleaning operations of the vacuum cleaner, the tool storage module comprising:

a support panel adapted to be mounted to the vacuum cleaner handle;

a cord wrap on the support panel; and

a pliable tool bag removably mounted to the support panel and at least partially defining a tool storage chamber adapted to hold a tool for the vacuum cleaner.

26. A tool storage module according to claim 25 wherein the support panel includes an elongated planar portion with an upper and a lower end and the cord wrap comprises a knob positioned near the upper end of the planar portion and a wall extending from the lower end of the planar portion whereby the knob and wall are adapted to have a cord wrapped around them.

27. A tool storage module according to claim 26 wherein the wall comprises a first portion extending away from the planar portion and a second portion depending from the first portion wherein the first portion is adapted to have a cord wrapped about it and the second portion is adapted to prevent the cord from coming off the first portion.

28. A tool storage module for a vacuum cleaner comprising a handle rotatably mounted to a floor engaging base and multiple tools for the physical and cleaning operations of the vacuum cleaner, the tool storage module comprising:

a support panel adapted to be mounted to the vacuum cleaner handle and having at least one hook; and

a pliable tool bag mounted to the support panel and at least partially defining a tool storage chamber adapted in size to hold multiple tools for the vacuum cleaner and having a loop corresponding to the at least one hook wherein the loop is received over the hook to mount the tool bag to the support panel.

29. A tool storage module according to claim 28 wherein the tool bag is removably mounted to the support panel.

30. A tool storage module for a vacuum cleaner comprising a handle rotatably mounted to a floor engaging base and multiple tools for the physical and cleaning operations of the vacuum cleaner, the tool storage module comprising:

a support panel adapted to be mounted to the vacuum cleaner handle and having a cord wrap knob positioned near an upper end of the support panel and a depending cord wrap wall extending from a lower wall thereof; and

a pliable tool bag mounted to the support panel and at least partially defining a tool storage chamber adapted in size to hold multiple tools for the vacuum cleaner.

31. A tool storage module according to claim 30 wherein the support panel comprises a planar wall having an upper end and a lower end and a lower wall extending from the planar wall near the lower end wherein a portion of the tool bag is supported by the lower wall.

32. A tool storage module according to claim 30 wherein the tool bag has an open rear portion that is closed by a portion of the support panel when the tool bag is mounted to the support panel to at least partially define the tool storage chamber.

33. A vacuum cleaner comprising a handle rotatably mounted to a floor engaging base having a suction nozzle, a filter chamber mounted to the handle for collection of debris from the suction nozzle, and multiple tools for the physical and cleaning operations of the vacuum cleaner, the improvement comprising:

a support panel adapted to be mounted to the vacuum cleaner handle; and

a tool bag, separate from the filter chamber, mounted to the support panel and at least partially defining a tool storage chamber adapted in size to hold multiple tools for the vacuum cleaner, wherein the tool bag is formed from a flexible material having an opening in the material that defines an open top for access to the tool storage chamber, and wherein the tool bag has a closure in the flexible material for selectively closing the open top of the tool storage chamber.

34. A tool storage module according to claim 33 wherein the closure comprises a drawstring.

35. A tool storage module according to claim 33 wherein the closure comprises a flap on the tool bag and the flap overlies the open top to close the open top.

36. A tool storage module for a vacuum cleaner comprising a handle rotatably mounted to a floor engaging base and multiple tools for the physical and cleaning operations of the vacuum cleaner, the tool storage module comprising:

a support panel adapted to be mounted to the vacuum cleaner handle; and

a tool bag mounted to the support panel and at least partially defining a tool storage chamber adapted in size to hold multiple tools for the vacuum cleaner, wherein at least a portion of the tool bag is made from a mesh material to permit the viewing of the tools inside the tool chamber from outside the tool bag.