Locking mechanism for dust collection module of vacuum cleaner
First Claim
1. A vacuum cleaner comprising:
- a housing;
a motor disposed with said housing for generating a vacuum air flow;
a removable dust collection module carried by said housing;
a latching mechanism for detachably securing said removable dust collection module to said housing, said latching mechanism comprising;
(i) a latch member that can move from a first position in which, in use, it can engage part of the vacuum cleaner housing to a second position in which, in use, it is free from the housing; and
(ii) a release member that is movable, in use, relative to the latch member, the movement causing the latch member to move from its said first position to said second position;
(iii) the latch member includes an elongate member having a resilient biasing portion that provides a biasing force tending to urge the latching mechanism towards said first position; and
(iv) the latch member further including two end housing engagement portions that are urged into locking engagement with said housing by said biasing force from said resilient biasing portion.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A removable dust collection module (5) for use with vacuum cleaners as well as a vacuum cleaner incorporating such modules and a method of detachably securing the dust collection module (5) to a vacuum cleaner housing. The dust collection module is slidably received within a vacuum cleaner housing and comprises a latch member (81) that can move from a first position, in which it engages with the housing of the vacuum cleaner (1) to retain the dust collection module within the vacuum cleaner, to a second position out of engagement with the vacuum cleaner to allow the dust collection module to be removed. The latch member is displaceable from its first to second position by activation of a slideable release member (7) which is actuated by an end user so as to lock or unlock the dust collection module.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A vacuum cleaner comprising:
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a housing;
a motor disposed with said housing for generating a vacuum air flow;
a removable dust collection module carried by said housing;
a latching mechanism for detachably securing said removable dust collection module to said housing, said latching mechanism comprising;
(i) a latch member that can move from a first position in which, in use, it can engage part of the vacuum cleaner housing to a second position in which, in use, it is free from the housing; and
(ii) a release member that is movable, in use, relative to the latch member, the movement causing the latch member to move from its said first position to said second position;
(iii) the latch member includes an elongate member having a resilient biasing portion that provides a biasing force tending to urge the latching mechanism towards said first position; and
(iv) the latch member further including two end housing engagement portions that are urged into locking engagement with said housing by said biasing force from said resilient biasing portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A vacuum cleaner comprising:
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a floor engaging housing;
a motor disposed within said housing for generating a vacuum air flow;
a dust collection module removably supported by the housing and forming a portion of an airflow path through the housing;
a latch member operably associated with said dust collection module for securing said dust collection module to said housing such that said dust collection module cannot be removed from said housing; and
a release member movable into a first position, wherein the release member assists in forming a first airflow path into said dust collection module and engages said latch member to move said latch member into an unlocked position, whereby said dust collection module can be removed from said housing; and
said release member being movable from said first position to a second position, wherein said release member assists in forming a second airflow path, separate from said first airflow path, into said dust collection module and causes said latch member to be urged into a locked position, thereby preventing removal of said dust collection module from said housing. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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21. For a vacuum cleaner, a dust collection module adapted to be carried by a housing of the vacuum cleaner, said dust collection module comprising:
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a dust bowl adapted to be placed in an opening in said housing;
a latch member carried by said dust bowl for engaging with a portion of said housing to hold said dust bowl secured to said housing; and
a release member carried by said housing adjacent said latch member and movable slidably between a first position, wherein said release member engages said latch member to unlatch said dust bowl from said housing, whereby said dust bowl can be removed from said housing, and a second position wherein said release member allows said latch member to engage said housing thereby preventing said dust bowl from being removed from said housing. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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25. A method for forming a vacuum cleaner, comprising:
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providing a housing having an opening;
providing a motor disposed within the housing for generating a vacuum air flow through a suction nozzle in fluid communication with the housing;
placing a dust collection module within the opening in said housing;
using a latch member to removably secure said dust collection module in said housing;
using a slidably moveable release member to automatically urge said latch member into a locked position when said release member is in a first position, and to allow said latch member to be released from locking engagement with said housing when said release member is moved into a second position; and
using said slidably moveable release member to provide a first airflow opening into said dust collection module when said release member is in said first position, and a separate, second airflow opening into said dust collection module when said release member is in said second position. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27)
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28. A vacuum cleaner comprising:
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a housing;
a motor disposed within said housing for generating a vacuum air flow;
a removable dust collection module carried by said housing;
a latching mechanism for detachably said removable dust collection module to said housing, the latching mechanism including;
a latch member that can move from a first position in which, in use, it engages part of the vacuum cleaning housing, to a second position in which, in use, it is free from the housing;
a release member that is moveable, in use, relative to the latch member, the movement causing latch member to move from its said first position to said second position;
wherein the release member is provided with at least one cam surface; and
wherein the latch member is provided with the corresponding cam surface.
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29. A vacuum cleaner comprising:
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a housing;
a motor disposed within said housing for generating a vacuum air flow;
a removable dust collection module carried by said housing;
a latching mechanism for detachable securing said removable dust collection module to said housing, the latching mechanism comprising;
a latch member that can move from a first position in which, in use, it engages part of the vacuum cleaner housing to a second position in which, in use, it is free from the housing;
a release member that is movable, in use relative to the latch member, the movement causing the latch member to move from its said first position to said second position; and
wherein the latch member of the locking mechanism is at least partially contained with the dust collection module.
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Specification