Vacuum system

• US 7,363,679 B2
• Filed: 07/22/2005
• Issued: 04/29/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: Velarde-Chan, Jose, Starr, Todd C., Cline, Wyatt A., Zimmerle, Johnny W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Redding; David A.
• Application Number:
  US11/187,544
• Publication Number:
  US 20070017059A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,012 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 15/315
• 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 5/38 Built-in suction cleaner installations, i.e. with fixed tube system to which, at different stations, hoses can be connected
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 7/0038 with means for emptying the tanks
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 7/0042 Gaskets; Sealing means
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0027 specially adapted for holding the suction cleaning tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0063 External storing devices; Stands, casings or the like for the storage of suction cleaners
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2805 Parameters or conditions being sensed
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2842 Suction motors or blowers
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2889 Safety or protection devices or systems, e.g. for prevention of motor over-heating or for protection of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2894 Details related to signal transmission in suction cleaners
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/30 Arrangement of illuminating devices
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/327 for suction cleaners with hose between nozzle and casing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/6932 With retrieval means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/6936 Power stop or brake
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/694 Responsive to position of hose in casing

Abstract

A vacuum system has a cabinet that can be mounted to a wall. The cabinet includes a hose storage compartment with a hose drive assembly for automatically extending and retracting a vacuum hose. A portable vacuum unit can be removably docked to the cabinet and connected to the vacuum hose so that waste can be picked up the vacuum hose when the portable vacuum unit is docked. When undocked, the portable vacuum unit can be used alone.

Claims

1. A vacuum system comprising:

a cabinet adapted to be mounted to a wall;

a hose extendable from the cabinet between a retracted position and an extended position and having a proximal end fixed within the cabinet; and

a portable vacuum unit detachably mountable to the cabinet and having a tank, an inlet port in fluid communication with the tank, and a vacuum source to draw air from the inlet port into the tank, the portable vacuum unit being automatically connected to a power outlet in the cabinet for receiving power when the portable vacuum unit is docked with the cabinet, the portable vacuum having a power switch operable to actuate the vacuum source when the portable vacuum unit is detached from the cabinet and a bypass mechanism to bypass the power switch when the portable vacuum unit is docked with the cabinet;

wherein the proximal end is automatically connected with the inlet port when the portable vacuum unit is docked to the cabinet, so that the hose can be used to vacuum waste into the tank when the portable vacuum unit is docked to the cabinet with the proximal end connected to the inlet port, and the portable vacuum unit can be used to vacuum waste into the tank when the portable vacuum unit is detached from the cabinet.

2. The vacuum system according to claim 1 further comprising a hose storage compartment in the cabinet where the hose is stored when the hose is in the retracted position.

3. The vacuum system according to claim 1 further comprising a retraction stop mechanism to limit retraction of the hose.

4. The vacuum system according to claim 3 wherein the retraction stop mechanism comprises a sleeve mounted to the hose and a limit switch mounted to the cabinet whereby the sleeve will activate the limit switch to halt retraction of the hose.

5. The vacuum system according to claim 4 further comprising an extension stop mechanism to limit extension of the hose.

6. The vacuum system according to claim 5 wherein the extension stop mechanism comprises a projection on the hose and a limit switch mounted to the cabinet whereby the projection will activate the limit switch to halt extension of the hose.

7. The vacuum system according to claim 1 wherein a handle is mounted to the hose and is retained out of the cabinet when the hose is in the retracted position.

8. The vacuum system according to claim 7 wherein the handle has a light.

9. The vacuum system according to claim 7 wherein the handle has a nozzle portion and a grip portion, wherein the nozzle portion is angled relative to the grip portion.

10. The vacuum system according to claim 7 wherein the handle nests within a collar on a top wall of the cabinet.

11. The vacuum system according to claim 10 wherein the handle is canted relative to the cabinet for ease of access.

12. The vacuum system according to claim 1 further comprising a hose drive assembly wherein the hose can be selectively driven automatically between the retracted and extended positions.

13. The vacuum system according to claim 12 wherein the hose drive assembly includes a reversible drive motor.

14. The vacuum system according to claim 13 wherein the hose has a handle with switches and the reversible drive motor is operable in response to actuation of switches on the handle.

15. The vacuum system according to claim 14 wherein the switches actuate the reversible drive motor by wireless signals.

16. The vacuum system according to claim 15 wherein the hose has a transmitter and the cabinet has a controller with a receiver, the controller being electrically connected to the reversible drive motor, so that signals from the switches are transmitted to the receiver for actuation of the reversible drive motor by way of the controller.

17. The vacuum system according to claim 16 further comprising a retraction stop mechanism to limit retraction of the hose.

18. The vacuum system according to claim 17 further comprising an extension stop mechanism to limit extension of the hose.

19. The vacuum system according to claim 13 further comprising a clutch mechanism to disengage the hose from the hose drive assembly.