AC/DC hand portable wet/dry vacuum having improved portability and convenience

• US 8,365,350 B2
• Filed: 09/18/2009
• Issued: 02/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Black & Decker Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Black & Decker Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Inventors: Cochran, John R, Goger, Jason M, Lopano, Daniel N, Potter, Christine H, Watson, James B
• Primary Examiner(s): REDDING, DAVID A
• Application Number:
  US12/562,677
• Publication Number:
  US 20100005614A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,236 Days
• Field of Search: 153/272, 153/275, 153/276, 154/13, 15D/IG.1
• US Class Current: 15/327.2
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4019 Fill level sensors; Security means to prevent overflow, e.g. float valves
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/14 cleaning by blowing-off, also combined with suction cleaning
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/24 Hand-supported suction cleaners
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/36 Suction cleaners with hose between nozzle and casing; Suction cleaners for fixing on staircases; Suction cleaners for carrying on the back
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 7/0028 Security means, e.g. float valves or level switches for preventing overflow
• 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 9/0009 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 9/0045 specially adapted for holding the suction tube
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/22 Mountings for motor fan assemblies
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/242 Hose or pipe couplings
• 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 9/2878 Dual-powered vacuum cleaners, i.e. devices which can be operated with mains power supply or by batteries
• 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: H02J 2207/40 adapted for charging from various sources, e.g. AC, DC or multivoltage
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 15/01 Rechargeable batter

Abstract

A wet/dry vacuum that is configured to be powered by a DC power source.

Claims

1. A utility vacuum comprising:

a canister;

a powerhead assembly removably coupled to the canister, the powerhead assembly comprising a rim, a first latch, a second latch, a handle, an inlet port, an outlet port, a fan, a fan inlet, a motor for providing rotary power to the fan, a receptacle assembly and an electric circuit for distributing electrical power to the motor, the first and second latches engaging the rim and the canister to secure the powerhead assembly to the canister, the handle being spaced apart from the rim and disposed horizontally between the inlet port and the outlet port when the vacuum is an upright position, the inlet port being in fluid communication with the canister when the powerhead assembly is coupled to the canister, the canister being in fluid communication with the fan inlet when the powerhead assembly is coupled to the canister, the fan being disposed between the fan inlet and the outlet port, the receptacle assembly having a receptacle housing and a connector, the receptacle housing defining at least a portion of an exterior surface of the powerhead assembly and being adapted to receive a battery pack, the connector having a plurality of terminals that are configured to electrically detachably couple the battery pack to the electric circuit, the electric circuit being adapted to receive a source of direct current power from the battery and to provide electrical power to the motor;

a filter in fluid communication with the fan inlet; and

a shut-off device associated with the powerhead assembly, the shut-off device being configured to prevent the fan from drawing a liquid into the fan inlet when a volume of the liquid in the canister exceeds a predetermined volume,

wherein the powerhead assembly housing defines at least one cooling air intake aperture and at least one cooling air discharge aperture, the at least one cooling air discharge aperture being associated with the outlet port so that air flowing through the outlet port passes across the cooling air discharge to set up a zone of relatively low pressure that causes air to be drawn out of the cooling air discharge aperture to thereby cool the motor.

2. The utility vacuum of claim 1, wherein the powerhead assembly includes a housing, wherein the receptacle assembly includes a compartment that is defined by the housing and a lid, the lid being movable relative to the housing between a first condition, which permits ingress of the battery to the compartment and egress of the battery pack from the compartment, and a second condition, in which ingress of the battery pack to the compartment and egress of the battery pack from the compartment is inhibited.

3. The utility vacuum of claim 2, wherein the lid is hingedly coupled to the housing.

4. The utility vacuum of claim 3, wherein the receptacle assembly further comprises a third latch that can be engaged to maintain the lid in the second condition, the third latch including a first latch element that is coupled to the lid and a second latch element that is coupled to the housing, the first and second latch elements being engaged to one another to engage the third latch.

5. The utility vacuum of claim 4, wherein the third latch is an over-center camming latch.

6. The utility vacuum of claim 5, further comprising a flexible hose that is configured to be removably coupled to the inlet port.

7. The utility vacuum of claim 6, wherein the flexible hose is also configured to be removably coupled to the outlet port.

8. The utility vacuum of claim 1, wherein the filter is fixedly but removably mounted to the powerhead assembly.

9. The utility vacuum of claim 8, wherein the filter comprises locking members that lockingly engage the powerhead assembly.

10. The utility vacuum of claim 1, wherein the shut-off device is mounted to the powerhead assembly.

11. The utility vacuum of claim 10, wherein the shut-off device extends into the canister when the powerhead assembly is coupled to the canister.

12. A utility vacuum comprising:

a canister;

a powerhead assembly removably coupled to the canister, the powerhead assembly comprising a handle, an inlet port, an outlet port, a fan, a fan inlet, a motor for providing rotary power to the fan, a receptacle assembly and an electric circuit for distributing electrical power to the motor, the inlet port being in fluid communication with the canister when the powerhead assembly is coupled to the canister, the canister being in fluid communication with the fan inlet when the powerhead assembly is coupled to the canister, the fan being disposed between the fan inlet and the outlet port, the receptacle assembly having a receptacle housing and a connector, the receptacle housing defining at least a portion of an exterior surface of the powerhead assembly and being adapted to receive a battery pack, the connector having a plurality of terminals that are configured to electrically detachably couple the battery pack to the electric circuit, the electric circuit being adapted to receive a source of direct current power from the battery and to provide electrical power to the motor;

a filter in fluid communication with the fan inlet; and

a shut-off device associated with the powerhead assembly, the shut-off device being configured to prevent the fan from drawing a liquid into the fan inlet when a volume of the liquid in the canister exceeds a predetermined volume,

wherein the canister includes an upper surface and a bottom surface, the upper surface opposes the bottom surface and engages the powerhead, the bottom surface contacts a ground surface when the vacuum is resting freely in an upright position such that the powerhead is spaced apart from the ground surface,

wherein the inlet port is disposed between the upper surface and the handle in a vertical direction when the vacuum is in the upright position,

wherein the powerhead assembly housing defines at least one cooling air intake aperture and at least one cooling air discharge aperture, the at least one cooling air discharge aperture being associated with the outlet port so that air flowing through the outlet port passes across the cooling air discharge to set up a zone of relatively low pressure that causes air to be drawn out of the cooling air discharge aperture to thereby cool the motor.

13. The utility vacuum of claim 12, further comprising a flexible hose that is configured to be removably coupled to the inlet port.

14. The utility vacuum of claim 13, wherein the flexible hose is also configured to be removably coupled to the outlet port.

15. The utility vacuum of claim 12, wherein the filter is fixedly but removably mounted to the powerhead assembly.

16. The utility vacuum of claim 15, wherein the filter comprises locking members that lockingly engage the powerhead assembly.

17. A utility vacuum comprising:

a canister;

a powerhead assembly removably coupled to the canister, the powerhead assembly comprising a handle, an inlet port, an outlet port, a fan, a fan inlet, a motor for providing rotary power to the fan, a receptacle assembly and an electric circuit for distributing electrical power to the motor, the inlet port being in fluid communication with the canister when the powerhead assembly is coupled to the canister, the canister being in fluid communication with the fan inlet when the powerhead assembly is coupled to the canister, the fan being disposed between the fan inlet and the outlet port, the receptacle assembly having a receptacle housing and a connector, the receptacle housing defining at least a portion of an exterior surface of the powerhead assembly and being adapted to receive a battery pack, the connector having a plurality of terminals that are configured to electrically detachably couple the battery pack to the electric circuit, the electric circuit being adapted to receive a source of direct current power from the battery and to provide electrical power to the motor;

a filter in fluid communication with the fan inlet;

a shut-off device associated with the powerhead assembly, the shut-off device being configured to prevent the fan from drawing a liquid into the fan inlet when a volume of the liquid in the canister exceeds a predetermined volume; and

a flexible hose that is configured to be removably coupled to the inlet port

wherein the powerhead assembly includes a housing, wherein the receptacle assembly includes a compartment that is defined by the housing and a lid, the lid being movable relative to the housing between a first condition, which permits ingress of the battery to the compartment and egress of the battery pack from the compartment, and a second condition, in which ingress of the battery pack to the compartment and egress of the battery pack from the compartment is inhibited;

wherein the lid is hingedly coupled to the housing;

wherein the receptacle assembly further comprises a latch that can be engaged to maintain the lid in the second condition, the latch including a first latch element that is coupled to the lid and a second latch element that is coupled to the housing, the first and second latch elements being engaged to one another to engage the latch;

wherein the latch is an over-center camming latch;

wherein the flexible hose is also configured to be removably coupled to the outlet port;

wherein the filter is fixedly but removably mounted to the powerhead assembly;

wherein the filter comprises locking members that lockingly engage the powerhead assembly;

wherein the shut-off device is mounted to the powerhead assembly; and

wherein the shut-off device extends into the canister when the powerhead assembly is coupled to the canister,

wherein the canister includes an upper surface and a bottom surface, the upper surface opposes the bottom surface and engages the powerhead, the bottom surface contacts a ground surface when the vacuum is resting freely in an upright position such that the powerhead is spaced apart from the ground surface,

wherein the inlet port is disposed between the upper surface and the handle in a vertical direction when the vacuum is in the upright position.

18. A utility vacuum comprising:

a canister;

a powerhead assembly removably coupled to the canister, the powerhead assembly comprising an inlet port, an outlet port, a handle, a fan, a fan inlet, a motor for providing rotary power to the fan, a receptacle assembly and an electric circuit for distributing electrical power to the motor, the canister being in fluid communication with the inlet and outlet ports and the fan inlet when the powerhead assembly is coupled to the canister, the receptacle assembly including a receptacle housing and a connector, the receptacle housing defining at least a portion of an exterior surface of the powerhead assembly and being adapted to receive a battery pack, the connector having a plurality of terminals that are configured to electrically detachably couple the battery pack to the electric circuit, the electric circuit being adapted to provide electrical current to the motor, the inlet port being disposed between the handle and the canister;

a filter in fluid communication with the fan inlet; and

a shut-off device associated with the powerhead assembly, the shut-off device being configured to prevent the fan from drawing a liquid into the fan inlet when a volume of the liquid in the canister exceeds a predetermined volume,

wherein the powerhead assembly housing defines at least one cooling air intake aperture and at least one cooling air discharge aperture, the at least one cooling air discharge aperture being associated with the outlet port so that air flowing through the outlet port passes across the cooling air discharge to set up a zone of relatively low pressure that causes air to be drawn out of the cooling air discharge aperture to thereby cool the motor.