Convertible vacuum cleaner

• US 7,594,296 B2
• Filed: 04/07/2005
• Issued: 09/29/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Park, Sang Jun
• Primary Examiner(s): Redding; David A
• Application Number:
  US11/100,538
• Publication Number:
  US 20060130268A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,636 Days
• Field of Search: 153/31, 153/28, 153/34, 153/29
• US Class Current: 15/328
• 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 5/32 with means for connecting a hose hose couplings for suction cleaners A47L9/24
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0009 Storing devices winding devices for electric cables A47L9/26; Supports, stands or holders
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0027 specially adapted for holding the suction cleaning tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/009 Carrying-vehicles; Arrangements of trollies or wheels; Means for avoiding mechanical obstacles
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/26 Incorporation of winding devices for electric cables devices specially adapted for repeatedly paying-out or re-storing cables B65H75/34; arrangements of electrical cables or lines between relatively-movable parts H02G11/00
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2868 Arrangements for power supply of vacuum cleaners or the accessories thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/327 for suction cleaners with hose between nozzle and casing

Abstract

A convertible vacuum cleaner is provided. The vacuum cleaner includes a support base extending in a vertical direction, a main body selectively installed on the support base, a power generating unit disposed in the main body to generate a suction force, a suction nozzle unit that uses the suction force to draw in external air, a dust collection unit disposed in the main body to filter and collect dust and dirt contained in the external air, a flexible connection hose transmitting the suction force to the suction nozzle unit, a hose coupling portion formed on the main body to receive a first end of the connection hose, and a hook unit for supporting the main body on the support base.

Claims

1. A convertible vacuum cleaner, comprising:

a support base extending in a vertical direction;

a main body selectively installed on the support base;

a pair of main body wheels provided on opposite side ends of the main body;

a power generator provided in the main body to generate an external air suction force;

a suction nozzle that draws in external air using the suction force transmitted from the main body by the power generator;

a dust collection assembly provided in the main body to filter and collect dust and dirt from the external air drawn in by the suction force;

a flexible connection hose transmitting the suction force from the main body to the suction nozzle body;

a hose coupling portion to which a first end of the connection hose is coupled, the hose coupling portion being formed on the main body; and

a hook assembly that supports the main body on the support base, wherein the hook assembly is provided with a pair of terminals for transmitting electric power.

2. The convertible vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the hook assembly is formed on facing surfaces of the support base and the main body.

3. The convertible vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the hook assembly comprises:

a hook projection formed on a front surface of the support base; and

a hook groove formed on a rear surface of the main body, the hook projection being inserted in the hook groove when the main body is installed on the support base.

4. The convertible vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the hook assembly controls the operation of the main body using a self-gravity of the main body.

5. The convertible vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein a directional roller assembly is formed on a rear surface of the main body to guide the movement of the main body.

6. The convertible vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein a top handle is formed on a top of the main body , wherein the top handle provides for coupling and decoupling of the main body with the support base.

7. The convertible vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein a front handle is formed on a front surface of the main body ,wherein the front handle provides a grasping surface for movement of the main body the main body.

8. The convertible vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein an installation position of the main body on the support base is fixed by the hook assembly.

9. The convertible vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein a cord fixing member, around which a power cord is wound, is formed on a portion of the main body.

10. A convertible vacuum cleaner, comprising:

a support base extending in a vertical direction;

a main body selectively installed on the support base;

a pair of main body wheels provided on opposite side ends of the main body;

a power generating generator in the main body to generate an external air suction force;

a suction nozzle that draws in external air using the suction force transmitted from the main body by the power generator;

a dust collection assembly provided in the main body to filter and collect dust and dirt from the external air drawn in by the suction force;

a flexible connection hose transmitting the suction force from the main body to the suction nozzle;

a hose coupling portion to which a first end of the connection hose is coupled, the hose coupling portion being formed on the main body;

a first hook member formed on a rear surface of the main body, wherein the first hook member is provided with a first terminal; and

a second hook member formed on the support base, the second hook member being engaged with the first hook member so as to support the main body on the support base, wherein the second hook member is provided with a second terminal that contacts the first terminal so as to transmit power from the main body toe the support base.

11. The convertible vacuum cleaner according to claim 10, wherein each of the first and second hook members is provided with at least one bent portion.

12. The convertible vacuum cleaner according to claim 10, wherein one of the first and second hook members is formed as a recess, and the other is formed as a projection that is selectively received in the recess.

13. The convertible vacuum cleaner according to claim 10, wherein the main body is provided with a top handle that controls engagement of the first and second hook members.

14. The convertible vacuum cleaner according to claim 10, wherein one of the first and second terminals is biased toward the other by an elastic spring.

15. The convertible vacuum cleaner according to claim 10, wherein a directional roller is formed on a rear surface of the main body and the support base is provided at a corresponding front surface thereof with a groove that receives the directional roller.

16. A convertible vacuum cleaner, comprising:

a support base provided at a top with a handle;

a main body selectively installed on the support base;

a power generator provided in the main body to generate a suction force;

a suction nozzle that draws in external air using the suction force transmitted from the main body;

a dust collection assembly provided in the main body to filter and collect dust and dirt contained in the external air drawn in by the suction force;

a flexible connection hose transmitting the suction force to the suction nozzle;

a hose coupling portion to which a first end of the connection hose is coupled, the hose coupling portion being formed on the main body;

a direction roller formed on a rear surface of the main body; and

a receiving groove formed on the support base to receive the directional roller of the main body when the main body is installed on the support base.

17. A convertible vacuum cleaner, comprising:

a support base used when the vacuum cleaner is in an upright mode;

a main body selectively installed on a front surface of the support base;

a pair of main body wheels provided on opposite side ends of the main body;

a power generator provided in the main body to generate a suction force;

a suction nozzle that draws in external air using the suction force transmitted from the main body;

a dust collection assembly provided in the main body to filter and collect dust and dirt contained in the external air drawn in by the suction force;

a flexible connection hose transmitting the suction force to the suction nozzle;

a hose coupling portion to which a first end of the connection hose is coupled, the hose coupling portion being formed on the main body;

a first handle formed on a top of the main body, wherein the first handle provides for release of the main body from the support base;

a second handle formed on a front surface of the main body, wherein the second handle provides a grasping surface for movement of the main body when the vacuum cleaner is in a canister mode; and

a hook assembly that supports the main body on the support base, wherein the hook assembly is provided with a pair of terminals for transmitting electric power.