Belt disengaging device for a vacuum cleaner
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A vacuum cleaner comprising:
- a base assembly having a housing, a suction nozzle, and a rotatable agitator;
a motor-driven belt drive for the rotatable agitator comprising a motor shaft and a belt coupling the motor shaft to the rotatable agitator;
a suction source in fluid communication with the suction nozzle; and
a belt drive disengaging assembly, comprising;
a bracket mounted within the housing;
a pin associated with the bracket and constrained for movement through an arc of no more than substantially less than 180°
between an engaged position, where the motor shaft is coupled to the agitator in a driving relationship with the belt, and a disengaged position, where the pin lifts the belt off the motor shaft and uncouples the agitator from a driving relationship with the motor shaft;
an actuator mounted to the bracket for movement between a first and a second position, and including a first portion positioned exterior of the housing for user access and a second portion positioned interior of the housing; and
a linkage pivotally connected to the actuator and mechanically coupled to the pin to move the pin between the engaged and disengaged positions, upon the actuator moving between the first and second positions, respectively.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A vacuum cleaner comprises a motor-driven rotatable agitator coupled with a shaft of the motor through a belt. A belt disengaging device for a vacuum cleaner comprises a pin that is movable through an arc of less than 180° between an engaged position and a disengaged position, at which the pin lifts the belt off the motor shaft. An actuator for the belt disengaging device includes a first exterior portion for user access and is moveable between a first and second position. A linkage pivotally connected to the actuator and the mechanically coupled to the pin moves the pin between the engaged and disengaged positions as the actuator moves between the first and second positions.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A vacuum cleaner comprising:
-
a base assembly having a housing, a suction nozzle, and a rotatable agitator; a motor-driven belt drive for the rotatable agitator comprising a motor shaft and a belt coupling the motor shaft to the rotatable agitator; a suction source in fluid communication with the suction nozzle; and a belt drive disengaging assembly, comprising; a bracket mounted within the housing; a pin associated with the bracket and constrained for movement through an arc of no more than substantially less than 180°
between an engaged position, where the motor shaft is coupled to the agitator in a driving relationship with the belt, and a disengaged position, where the pin lifts the belt off the motor shaft and uncouples the agitator from a driving relationship with the motor shaft;an actuator mounted to the bracket for movement between a first and a second position, and including a first portion positioned exterior of the housing for user access and a second portion positioned interior of the housing; and a linkage pivotally connected to the actuator and mechanically coupled to the pin to move the pin between the engaged and disengaged positions, upon the actuator moving between the first and second positions, respectively. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A vacuum cleaner comprising:
-
a base assembly having a housing, a suction nozzle, and a rotatable agitator; a motor-driven belt drive for the rotatable agitator comprising a motor shaft and a belt coupling the motor shaft to the rotatable agitator; a suction source in fluid communication with the suction nozzle; and a belt drive disengaging assembly, comprising; a bracket mounted within the housing; a pin associated with the bracket and moveable through an arc of substantially less than 180°
between an engaged position, where the motor shaft is coupled to the agitator through the belt, and a disengaged position, where the pin disengages the belt from the motor shaft;an actuator mounted to the bracket for movement between a first and a second position, and including a first portion positioned exterior of the housing for user access and a second portion positioned interior of the housing; and a linkage pivotally connected to the actuator and mechanically coupled to the pin to move the pin between the engaged and disengaged positions, upon the actuator moving between the first and second positions, respectively; wherein the linkage comprises a link having a first end pivotally connected to the actuator and a second end pivotally connected to a cam, the pin is mounted to the cam and the cam is pivotally connected to the bracket through a pivot axis that is offset from the rotational axis of the motor shaft. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. A vacuum cleaner comprising:
-
a base assembly having a housing, a suction nozzle, and a rotatable agitator; a motor-driven belt drive for the rotatable agitator comprising a motor shaft and a belt coupling the motor shaft to the rotatable agitator; a suction source in fluid communication with the suction nozzle; and a belt drive disengaging assembly, comprising; a bracket mounted within the housing; a pin associated with the bracket and constrained to move through an arc of no more than substantially less than 180°
between an engaged position, where the motor shaft is coupled in a driving relationship with the agitator through the belt, and a disengaged position, where the pin lifts the belt off the motor shaft and disengages the belt from a driving relationship with the motor shaft, and wherein the pin is mounted to a cam and the cam is pivotally connected to the bracket through a pivot axis that is offset from the rotational axis of the motor shaft;an actuator mounted to the bracket for movement between a first and a second position, and including a first portion positioned exterior of the housing for user access and a second portion positioned interior of the housing; and a linkage pivotally connected to the actuator and mechanically coupled to the pin to move the pin between the engaged and disengaged positions, upon the actuator moving between the first and second positions, respectively.
-
Specification