Method for cleaning dirt and debris from surfaces

• US 8,287,655 B2
• Filed: 01/06/2010
• Issued: 10/16/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Stein & Co GmbH
• Original Assignee: Stein & Co GmbH
• Inventors: Stein, Thomas, Liffers, Achim
• Primary Examiner(s): Carrillo, Bibi
• Application Number:
  US12/655,751
• Publication Number:
  US 20110162677A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,014 Days
• Field of Search: 153/29, 153/31, 153/34, 153/35, 134/6, 134/10, 134/21, 134/42
• US Class Current: 134/10
• 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 9/00 Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0036 specially adapted for holding the suction hose
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0081 Means for exhaust-air diffusion; Means for sound or vibration damping
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/1436 Connecting plates, e.g. collars, end closures

Abstract

A method of cleaning dirt and debris from surfaces using a cleaning device, such as a vacuum cleaner. The cleaning device has a handle unit which is attached to the body of the cleaning device adjacent a filter compartment. The handle unit has a handle portion that is spaced from the filter compartment to allow a user to place his or her hand through the space and grasp the handle portion and thereby carry the cleaning device using only the handle unit. The handle unit can also be detached from the body of the cleaning device, and then later re-attached, via lockable mating connecting elements.

Claims

1. A method of cleaning dirt and debris from surfaces using a cleaning device, said cleaning device comprising:

a body portion comprising;

a first end portion comprising a first lockable mating connecting element;

a second end portion comprising a second lockable mating connecting element;

a filter compartment being disposed between said first end portion and said second end portion;

a motor being configured to generate a suction;

said second end portion configured to receive a floor cleaning attachment;

a steering rod being connected to said first end portion;

a handle unit comprising a first handle end, a second handle end, and an elongated handle portion;

said first handle end being lockably connected to said first lockable mating connecting element, and said second handle end being lockably connected to said second lockable mating connecting element, to lockably connect said handle unit to said body portion to permit carrying of the entire cleaning device by a user solely by grasping said elongated handle portion of said handle unit;

a hose configured and disposed to connect said first end portion of said body portion to said handle unit to permit flow of air from said handle unit to said first end portion of said body portion;

said handle ends detachable from said lockable mating connecting elements to permit a user to remove dirt and debris from a surface through said handle unit;

said handle ends, upon said handle unit being attached to said body portion, being configured to project away from said end portions of said body portion, such that a space is formed between and defined by said handle ends, said elongated handle portion, and said filter compartment, which space is sufficient to permit insertion of a hand of a user between said elongated handle portion and said filter compartment; and

said method comprising;

detaching said handle ends from said lockable mating connecting elements and thus from said end portions of said cleaning device;

activating said motor and generating a suction;

removing dirt or debris from a surface by conducting dirt or debris through an opening in said second handle end, then conducting the air with said dirt and debris through said elongated handle portion, then through said first handle end, then through said first end portion of said body portion, and then into said filter compartment;

reattaching said handle ends to said lockable mating connecting elements and thus to said end portions of said cleaning device; and

grasping solely said elongated handle portion by inserting a hand of a user through said space between said handle unit and said filter compartment, and then lifting and carrying said cleaning device solely by said handle unit.

2. The method of cleaning dirt and debris from surfaces according to claim 1, wherein:

said method further comprises passing a sheath of filter material through said space between said longated handle portion and said filter compartment, and then wrapping said filter material around an exterior of said filter compartment.

3. The method of cleaning dirt and debris from surfaces according to claim 1, wherein:

said motor is disposed in a motor compartment;

said filter compartment includes a filter bag therein;

said motor is configured to conduct air through said filter compartment and then through said motor compartment; and

said method further comprises;

(i) trapping said dirt and debris using said filter bag; and

(ii) conducting air laden with any dirt and debris not trapped in step (i) into said motor compartment.

4. The method of cleaning dirt and debris from surfaces according to claim 2, wherein:

said cleaning device comprises fastening elements configured to connect said sheath of filter material to said filter compartment.

5. The method of cleaning dirt and debris from surfaces according to claim 3, wherein:

said cleaning device comprises a sheath of filter material wrapped around an exterior surface of said filter compartment;

a plurality of openings configured and disposed to permit flow of air from said motor compartment into a space surrounding said filter compartment between said sheath of filter material and the exterior surface of said filter compartment; and

said method further comprises;

(iii) conducting air laden with any dirt and debris not trapped in step (i) from said motor compartment, through said plurality of passages, and into said space; and

(iv) trapping any dirt and debris not trapped in step (i) using said sheath of filter material.

6. The method of cleaning dirt and debris from surfaces according to claim 4, wherein said method further comprises:

(a) trapping said dirt and debris using a filter bag in said filter compartment; and

(b) trapping any dirt and debris not trapped in step (a) using said sheath of filter material.