Floor care appliance with tool caddy

• US 7,350,262 B2
• Filed: 12/21/2004
• Issued: 04/01/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Healthy Gain Investments Limited
• Original Assignee: Hoover Company (Whirlpool Corporation)
• Inventors: Scheifele, Kevin E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Snider; Theresa T
• Application Number:
  US11/018,190
• Publication Number:
  US 20060101607A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,197 Days
• Field of Search: 153/23, 152/463
• US Class Current: 15/323
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/34 Machines for treating carpets in position by liquid, foam, or vapour, e.g. by steam
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4011 Regulation of the cleaning machine by electric means; Control systems and remote control systems therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/225 Convertible suction cleaners, i.e. convertible between different types thereof, e.g. from upright suction cleaners to sledge-type suction cleaners
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/30 with driven dust-loosening tools, e.g. rotating brushes
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/32 with means for connecting a hose hose couplings for suction cleaners A47L9/24
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/34 with height adjustment of nozzles or dust-loosening tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0027 specially adapted for holding the suction cleaning tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0494 Height adjustment of dust-loosening tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0653 with mechanical actuation, e.g. using a lever
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2842 Suction motors or blowers
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2847 Surface treating elements
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2857 User input or output elements for control, e.g. buttons, switches or displays

Abstract

A floor care appliance is provided for cleaning bare surfaces such as tile, marble, linoleum and wood. The floor care appliance includes an accessory caddy for storing an accessory hose, telescoping wand, cleaning implements and cleaning supplies. The accessory caddy is placed over the suction nozzle in front of the cleaner housing for storage. A pair of arcuate cutouts on the caddy are provided for placement over the suction nozzle. A handle is provided for transporting the accessory caddy.

Claims

1. A floor care appliance, comprising:

a movable base assembly carrying a suction nozzle, said suction nozzle having at least one dog ear portion extending therefrom;

an upright portion in operative communication with said base assembly, said upright portion having a handle to control the movement of said suction nozzle; and

an accessory caddy configured to receive said at least one dog ear portion, wherein said caddy is carried upon said suction nozzle.

2. The floor care appliance of claim 1, wherein said accessory caddy has at least one arcuate cutout to receive said at least one dog ear portion.

3. The floor care appliance of claim 1, wherein said accessory caddy has one or more pockets.

4. The floor care appliance of claim 1, wherein said accessory caddy has a handle for carrying said accessory caddy.

5. The floor care appliance of claim 1, wherein said accessory caddy is removable from said suction nozzle.

6. The floor care appliance of claim 1, wherein said accessory caddy further comprises a pair of spaced channels that are dimensioned to retain an accessory hose.

7. The floor care appliance of claim 6, wherein said accessory caddy further comprises a curved rack disposed below said channels, said rack retaining said accessory hose against said accessory caddy.

8. The floor care appliance of claim 6, wherein said accessory caddy further comprises a pair of pockets that are dimensioned to retain the ends of said accessory hose.

9. A caddy for retaining various accessories and tools for a floor care appliance having a suction nozzle, the caddy comprising:

a main body portion having one or more cavities configured to retain the various accessories and tools therein;

wherein said caddy is configured to be placed in a storage position upon the suction nozzle.

10. The caddy of claim 9, wherein said main body portion has at least one arcuate cutout for placement over the suction nozzle.

11. The caddy of claim 9, wherein said main body portion has a loop handle.

12. The caddy of claim 9, wherein said main body portion includes a pair of spaced channels that are dimensioned to retain an accessory hose.

13. The caddy of claim 12, wherein said main body portion further comprises a curved rack disposed below said channels, said rack retaining said accessory hose against said main body.

14. The caddy of claim 12, wherein said main body portion further comprises a pair of pockets that are dimensioned to retain the ends of said accessory hose.

15. The caddy of claim 9, wherein the floor care appliance has a handle, wherein said caddy is placed in front of said handle.