Multifunction vacuum cleaner

• US 7,377,008 B2
• Filed: 09/29/2003
• Issued: 05/27/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd. (Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd. (Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.)
• Inventors: Yang, Il-Won, Park, Jung-seon
• Primary Examiner(s): GUIDOTTI, LAURA COLE
• Application Number:
  US10/674,187
• Publication Number:
  US 20040261212A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,702 Days
• Field of Search: 153/26, 15328-329, 153/23, 15D/IG.10, 153/31, 15352-353, 153/34, 55D/IG.3
• US Class Current: 15/329
• 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 5/28 Suction cleaners with handles and nozzles fixed on the casings, e.g. wheeled suction cleaners with steering handle A47L5/24 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/1691 Mounting or coupling means for cyclonic chamber or dust receptacles

Abstract

A multifunction vacuum cleaner, in which a main body is removably connected to a frame portion, comprises a nozzle assembly for suctioning in an air including dusts or dirt on a cleaning area, a main body having a cyclone dust collector for centrifugally separating the dusts or dirt from the sucked air, a dust receptacle for collecting the separated dusts or dirt, a main body frame having an upper casing and a lower casing, a button operation portion formed on an upper part of the main body frame, and a connecting projection integrally formed with the button operation portion and moving elastically, and a frame portion which is pivotably connected with the nozzle assembly, and having a connecting groove to correspond to the connecting projection. The main body of the vacuum cleaner is removably mounted in the frame portion. As a result, the main body can be conveniently connected with or separate from the frame portion.

Claims

1. A multifunction vacuum cleaner comprising:

a nozzle assembly for drawing in air, including entrained dust or dirt, from an area to be cleaned;

a main body having a cyclone dust collector for centrifugally separating the dust or dirt from the air drawn into the cyclone dust collector, a dust receptacle for collecting the separated dust or dirt separated in the cyclone dust collector, a main body frame having an upper casing and a lower casing, a button operation portion formed on an upper part of the main body frame, and first and second connecting projections that are integrally formed with the button operation portion and which extend through corresponding first and second openings in the main body, the first and second connecting projections, moving downwardly and into the main body by depressing the button operation portion to enable the main body to be detached from a frame portion, a motor within the main body generating a suction at the nozzle assembly; and

a frame portion, sized, shaped and arranged to received said main body therein, the frame portion being pivotably connected with the nozzle assembly, and having first and second connecting grooves formed in the frame portion such that the first and second connecting grooves are spaced apart from each other and proximate to opposing sides of the frame portion, the first and second connecting moves being sized, shaped and arranged to receive the first and second connecting projections therein when the button operation portion is not depressed; and

wherein said main body is detachable from the frame portion by operation of the button operation portion, said main body being operable and capable of drawing dust and dirt into the cyclone dust collector when the main body is detached from the frame portion; and

wherein the button operation portion further comprises;

a button operation portion body which is semicircular;

a biasing member for biasing the button operation portion body toward a desired position whereat the first and second connecting projection engage the first and second connecting grooves when the main body is within the frame portion;

a pressing button integrally formed with the button operation portion body at a top part thereof; and

a guide extended from one side of the button operation portion.

2. The multifunction vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein the main body frame comprises a biasing member supporting portion for supporting the biasing member, a guide groove for guiding movement of the guide, and an opening through which the connecting projection protrudes, whereby the button operation portion moves in the main body as the pressing button of the button operation portion is depressed.

3. The multifunction vacuum cleaner of claim 1, the main body comprises a handle portion to permit a user to grab on the upper part.

4. The multifunction vacuum cleaner of claim 3, the handle portion is shaped to corresponding to the shape of the button operation portion and includes a hollow recess therein.

5. The multifunction vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein the main body further comprises on one side thereof:

a rotatable first cord holder for winding therearound and holding a power cord of the vacuum cleaner; and

a stationary second cord holder formed at a predetermined distance from the first cord holder.

6. The multifunction vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein the main body further comprises a communicating member disposed at a bottom part of the main body for fluidly communicating with the nozzle assembly.

7. The multifunction vacuum cleaner of claim 6, wherein the main body includes a rear portion, and further comprises:

a flexible hose capable of being connected to the communicating member;

a hose supporting member for supporting the flexible hose; and

a discharging grill through which clean air is discharged.

8. The multifunction vacuum cleaner of claim 7, wherein the flexible hose is removably connected to the communicating member, and when removed, capable of being connected with an auxiliary accessory on one end thereof.

9. The multifunction vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein the main body further comprises an on/off switch located at a front side of the main body.

10. The multifunction vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein the frame portion further includes at least one supporter formed on at least one side thereof to provide support for the main body when it is mounted therein.

11. The multifunction vacuum cleaner of claim 10, wherein each supporter has a mounting guide on one side of the supporter for the mounting of accessories for use with the vacuum cleaner.

12. The multifunction vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein each connecting groove further includes a slanted part for easier insertion of the main body into the frame portion.

13. The multifunction vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein the frame portion further comprises wheels on both sides of the bottom thereof to permit easier motion of the vacuum cleaner over the area to be cleaned.

14. The multifunction vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein the frame portion has a frame handle portion extending upwardly from the top of the frame portion, and a handle recess corresponding to the button operation portion of the main body.

15. A multifunction vacuum cleaner for cleaning a surface comprising:

a nozzle assembly for drawing in air, including entrained dust or dirt, from the surface;

a main body having;

a motor that draws dust and dirt into a cyclone dust collector in the main body and which centrifugally separates the dust or dirt from the air drawn into the cyclone dust collector, a dust receptacle for collecting the separated dust or dirt separated in the cyclone dust collector, a main body frame, first and second connecting projections that are integrally formed with the button operation portion and which extend through corresponding first and second openings in the main body to engage corresponding first and second connecting grooves formed in a frame portion, the first and second connecting projections, and a button operation portion; and

a frame portion, pivotably connected with the nozzle assembly, and having first and second connecting grooves, receiving the first and second connecting projections therein;

wherein the nozzle assembly includes a pair of hemispherical seating portions that engage a bottom part of the main body; and

wherein the main body is detachable from the frame portion by operating the button operation portion and is capable of drawing dirt and dust into the dust collector after the main body is detached from the frame portion; and

wherein the button operation portion further comprises;

an essentially semicircular button operation portion body;

a biasing member for biasing the button operation portion toward a desired position;

a pressing button integrally formed with the button operation portion body disposed at a top part thereof; and

a guide extended from one side of the button operation portion.