Vacuum cleaner having hose detachable at nozzle

• US 6,951,045 B2
• Filed: 08/20/2002
• Issued: 10/04/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Royal Appliance Manufacturing Company (Techtronic Industries Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: Royal Appliance Manufacturing Company (Techtronic Industries Company Limited)
• Inventors: Paliobeis, Steven J., Thur, Charles J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Snider, Theresa T.
• Application Number:
  US10/224,483
• Publication Number:
  US 20040034962A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,141 Days
• Field of Search: 153/50, 153/51, 153/52, 153/53, 153/34, 55D/IG.3, 553/37, 554/29, 554/591
• US Class Current: 15/334
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/32 with means for connecting a hose hose couplings for suction cleaners A47L9/24
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0036 specially adapted for holding the suction hose
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/127 tube- or sleeve-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/1666 with filtering means
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/1691 Mounting or coupling means for cyclonic chamber or dust receptacles

Abstract

An upright vacuum cleaner is provided. The upright vacuum cleaner includes a nozzle base section including a main suction opening formed in an underside thereof. An upright housing section is hingedly connected with the nozzle base section. The housing section includes a cyclonic airflow chamber and a dirt cup for receiving dirt and dust separated by the cyclonic airflow chamber. A hose connects the nozzle base section to the upright section and is selectively detachable from the nozzle base section. The hose communicates an airstream that flows from the main suction opening to airflow chamber. A suction source is located in one of the upright housing section and the nozzle base section and is in fluid communication with the cyclonic airflow chamber. A filter assembly is located in an airflow chamber upstream from the suction source.

Claims

1. An upright vacuum cleaner comprising:

a nozzle base section including a main suction opening formed in an underside thereof;

an upright housing section hingedly connected with said nozzle base section, said housing section including a dirt separation chamber and a dirt receptacle for receiving dirt and dust separated by said dirt separation chamber;

a hose connecting said nozzle base section to said housing section, said hose communicating an air stream that flows from said main suction opening to said dirt separation chamber;

a suction source located in one of said housing section and said nozzle base section and in fluid communication with said dirt separation chamber;

a filter assembly located in the dirt separation chamber and in fluid communication with said suction source; and

,

a hose connector disposed on and extending away from an upper surface of said nozzle base section, said hose connector being in fluid communication with said main suction opening, said hose being selectively detachable from said hose connector to enable use of the vacuum cleaner for above floor cleaning.

2. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 1 wherein said hose connector includes protrusions and said hose includes slots for receiving said protrusions to releasably connect said hose and said hose connector together.

3. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 2 further including an auxiliary hose having protrusions capable of being received in said slots of said hose for connecting said hose to said auxiliary hose.

4. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 1 wherein said filter assembly includes a generally frustoconical filter element.

5. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 1 wherein said filter assembly includes a tapered filter element.

6. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 1 wherein said hose includes a connector member to allow the hose to be connected to an above-floor tool, when it is disconnected from said hose connector on said nozzle base section.

7. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 1 wherein said dirt separation chamber is defined by the dirt receptacle and a cap that is removably connected to the dirt receptacle.

8. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1 wherein said hose connector extends at an acute angle in relation to a horizontal plane.

9. A vacuum cleaner comprising:

a housing defining a cyclonic airflow chamber for separating contaminants from a suction airstream, said housing further comprising an inlet for said cyclonic airflow chamber and an outlet for said cyclonic airflow chamber;

a dirt container selectively mounted in said housing for receiving and retaining dirt and dust separated from said suction airstream;

an airstream suction source in fluid communication with said cyclonic airflow chamber and having an inlet disposed downstream from said cyclonic airflow chamber outlet; and

a generally conical-shaped filter assembly positioned between said cyclonic airflow chamber and said suction source for filtering contaminants from said suction airstream;

wherein said filter assembly has a first end and a second end opposite said first end, wherein said second end has a diameter larger than said first end and wherein said first end includes a rigid end cap which prevents a flow of air therethrough.

10. The vacuum cleaner of claim 9 wherein said filter assembly includes a generally cylindrical filter having tapered walls.

11. The vacuum cleaner of claim 10 wherein said filter includes a pleated filter medium.

12. The vacuum cleaner of claim 9 wherein said filter assembly further includes a support member on which said filter is mounted.

13. A vacuum cleaner comprising:

a first housing member comprising a cyclonic airflow chamber adapted for separating entrained dirt and dust from a circulating airstream;

a tapered filter mounted in said cyclonic chamber;

a second housing member defining a main suction opening;

a first conduit fluidly connecting said main suction opening to an inlet of said cyclonic airflow chamber, at least a portion of said first conduit being selectively releasable from said second housing member; and

an airstream source mounted to one of said first and second housing members and positioned downstream from said cyclonic airflow chamber, said airstream source being located beneath said cyclonic airflow chamber and being adapted for generating and maintaining an airstream flowing through said cyclonic airflow chamber.

14. The vacuum cleaner of claim 13 wherein said at least a portion of said first conduit is selectively releasable from a top surface of said second housing member.

15. The vacuum cleaner of claim 14 wherein said top surface includes a hose connector extending upward therefrom that defines a hose connector opening that is in fluid communication with said main suction opening.

16. The vacuum cleaner of claim 13 further comprising a dust cup releasably mounted to one of said first and second members, said dust cup holding dirt and dust separated by said cyclonic airflow chamber.

17. The vacuum cleaner of claim 13 further comprising:

an exit opening of said cyclonic airflow chamber, said exit opening being located adjacent a lower end of said cyclonic airflow chamber.

18. A vacuum cleaner comprising:

a nozzle section;

a housing section connected to said nozzle section and in fluid communication with said nozzle section;

a dirt separation chamber located in said housing section for separating dirt and dust from a suction airstream flowing into said housing section between an inlet of said housing section and an outlet;

a suction source in fluid communication with said dirt separation chamber; and

a tapered filter assembly located in said dirt separation chamber for further separating dirt and dust from said suction airstream;

said filter assembly comprising a first end and a second end;

wherein said first end is larger in diameter than said second end; and

wherein said first end is positioned adjacent a lower end of the dirt separation chamber.

19. The vacuum cleaner of claim 18 wherein said filter assembly includes a frustoconical frame and a frustoconical filter media annularly positioned on said frame.

20. The vacuum cleaner of claim 19 wherein said filter media comprises a pleated material.

21. The vacuum cleaner of claim 18 wherein said fluid communication between said nozzle section and said housing section is through a hose that is detachable from one of said nozzle and said housing.

22. The vacuum cleaner of claim 21 wherein said hose is detachable from said nozzle section.

23. A vacuum cleaner comprising:

a housing including a suction opening thereon;

a dust cup removably mounted in said housing in fluid communication with said suction opening;

a tapered filter mounted in said dust cup such that a larger diameter end is located adjacent a base wall of said dust cup; and

a suction source in fluid communication with said dust cup and located downstream of said dust cup for generating and maintaining a suction airstream from said suction opening through said tapered filter.

24. The vacuum cleaner of claim 23 wherein said dust cup includes an outlet located in said base wall, said outlet in fluid communication with said suction source.

25. The vacuum cleaner of claim 23 wherein said suction source is positioned below said dust cup.

26. The vacuum cleaner of claim 23 wherein said dust cup includes a handle thereon for facilitating handling of said dust cup.

27. The vacuum cleaner of claim 26 wherein said handle is positioned on said dust cup such that when said dust cup is mounted in said housing said handle is adjacent said housing and does not conspicuously protrude therefrom.

28. The vacuum cleaner of claim 23 further including a dust cup cap connected to said dust cup to close an open side of said dust cup, said cap including an aperture therethrough.

29. The vacuum cleaner of claim 28 wherein said cap includes a handle thereon for facilitating handling of said cap.

30. The vacuum cleaner of claim 28 wherein said cup includes a wall section that directs air entering the cap aperture in a generally tangential orientation relative to the dust cup.

31. The vacuum cleaner of claim 28 further including a locking means for connecting and securing said cap to said dust cup.

32. The vacuum cleaner of claim 31 wherein said locking means is a bayonet-type locking mechanism.

33. The vacuum cleaner of claim 28 wherein said dust cup cap includes an opening and said housing includes a tab receivable in said cap opening, said tab movable between a locked position wherein said tab is capable of retaining said dust cup and cap within said housing and an unlocked position wherein said dust cup and cap are removable from said housing without interference from said tab.

34. The vacuum cleaner of claim 23 wherein said dust cup includes a protrusion and said housing includes a protrusion pocket for receiving said protrusion to align said dust cup relative to said housing, said protrusion pivotable within said protrusion pocket.

35. An upright vacuum cleaner comprising:

a nozzle base section including a top surface, a bottom surface, a main suction opening formed in said bottom surface, and a hose connector extending away from said top surface at an acute angle to a horizontal plane;

an upright housing section hingedly connected with said nozzle base section, said housing section including a filter chamber for separating dirt and dust from an airstream flowing through said filter chamber;

a hose connecting said nozzle base section to said upright housing section, said hose being selectively detachable from said hose connector, said hose, when connected to said hose connector, communicating the air stream that flows from said main suction opening to said filter chamber, wherein said hose extends from said nozzle base top surface to said upright housing section; and

,

a suction source located in one of said upright housing section and said nozzle base section and in fluid communication with said filter chamber.

36. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 35 wherein said nozzle base section top surface includes a side edge and said hose connector is located adjacent said side edge.

37. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 35 wherein one of said hose connector and said hose includes protrusions and another of said hose connector and said hose includes slots for receiving said protrusions to releasably connect said hose and said hose connector together.

38. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 35 wherein the upright vacuum cleaner includes a central longitudinal axis extending through said upright housing section and wherein a first end of said hose, which is selectively detachable from said nozzle base section, is spaced from said central longitudinal axis.

39. An upright vacuum cleaner comprising:

a nozzle base section including a main suction opening formed in an underside thereof;

an upright housing section hingedly connected with said nozzle base section, said upright housing section including a filter chamber for separating dirt and dust from an airstream flowing through said filter chamber;

a filter element mounted to said filter chamber, a dust cup selectively connected to said upright housing section and fluidly connected to said filter chamber;

a hose having a first end connected to said nozzle base section and a second end connected to said upright housing section, said hose communicating an air stream that flows from said main suction opening to said filter chamber;

a suction source located in one of said upright housing section and said nozzle base section and in fluid communication with said filter chamber; and

,

a longitudinal axis extending from said nozzle base section through said upright housing section, wherein said hose first end is spaced from said longitudinal axis and is located adjacent a side edge of said nozzle base section for ease of disconnection when the vacuum cleaner is used for above floor cleaning.

40. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 39 wherein the nozzle base section includes an upper surface having a hose connector defining a hose connector opening for connecting said hose first end to said nozzle base section, said hose connector opening being in fluid communication with said main suction opening.

41. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 40 wherein one of said hose connector and said hose includes protrusions and another of said hose connector and said hose includes slots for receiving said protrusions to releasably connect said hose and said hose connector together.

42. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 39, wherein a filter chamber outlet is oriented parallel to said longitudinal axis.

43. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 39 wherein said hose second end is located adjacent said longitudinal axis.

44. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 39 wherein said hose second end is connected to a rear side of upright housing section.

45. A vacuum cleaner comprising:

a nozzle base including a pair of opposed side edges and a hose connector located adjacent one of said pair of opposed side edges;

a housing defining a filter chamber for separating contaminants from a suction airstream, wherein said housing is pivotally mounted on said nozzle base, said housing further comprising an inlet for said filter chamber and an outlet for said filter chamber;

a dirt container selectively mounted in said housing for receiving and retaining dirt and dust separated from said suction airstream;

a filter mounted in said dirt container;

an airstream suction source in fluid communication with said filter chamber and having an inlet disposed downstream from said filter chamber outlet; and

a hose extending from said nozzle base to said housing, wherein said hose is mounted to said hose connector.

46. The vacuum cleaner of claim 45 wherein said hose is selectively detachable from said hose connector.

47. The vacuum cleaner of claim 45 further comprising a support member on which said filter is mounted.

48. A vacuum cleaner comprising:

a first housing member comprising a filter chamber adapted for separating entrained dirt and dust from a circulating airstream, said filter chamber including an inlet and an outlet;

a second housing member defining a main suction opening, wherein said first housing member is pivotally mounted on said second housing member;

a dust cup releasably mounted to one of said first and second housing members, said dust cup holding dirt and dust separated by said filter chamber;

said dust cup including a base wall;

a filter member mounted to said dust cup adjacent said base wall;

a first conduit fluidly connecting said main suction opening to said inlet of said filter chamber, wherein said first conduit is selectively releasable from said second housing member; and

,

an airstream source mounted to one of said first and second housing members and positioned downstream from said outlet of said filter chamber, said airstream source being adapted for generating and maintaining an airstream flowing through said filter chamber.

49. The vacuum cleaner of claim 48 wherein said first conduit is selectively releasable from a top surface of said second housing member.

50. The vacuum cleaner of claim 49 wherein said top surface includes a hose connector extending upward therefrom that defines a hose connector opening which is in fluid communication with said main suction opening.

51. The vacuum cleaner of claim 50 wherein said hose connector is located adjacent a side edge of said second housing member.

52. The vacuum cleaner of claim 48 wherein said filter member comprises a pleated filter medium.

53. The vacuum cleaner of claim 48, wherein said dust cup comprises a flange, wherein said filter member is seated on said flange.