Portable cleaning system

• US 8,584,308 B2
• Filed: 05/31/2011
• Issued: 11/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nilfisk-Advance A/S (Nilfisk Holding A/S)
• Original Assignee: Nilfisk-Advance A/S (Nilfisk Holding A/S)
• Inventors: Williamson, Susan J., Moore, Glen E., Wood, David W
• Primary Examiner(s): Spisich, Mark
• Assistant Examiner(s): HORTON, ANDREW ALAN
• Application Number:
  US13/149,261
• Publication Number:
  US 20110289716A1
• Time in Patent Office: 903 Days
• Field of Search: 15D/IG.1, 153/275, 153/28, 153/29, 153/402, 153/44, 153/47, 154/12, 153/20, 280/79.5, 280/79.6, 280/79.7, 320/103, 320/114, 320/115
• US Class Current: 15/329
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/34 Machines for treating carpets in position by liquid, foam, or vapour, e.g. by steam
• 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 5/36 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 9/009 Carrying-vehicles; Arrangements of trollies or wheels; Means for avoiding mechanical obstacles
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2842 Suction motors or blowers
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2857 User input or output elements for control, e.g. buttons, switches or displays
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2884 Details of arrangements of batteries or their installation

Abstract

A portable vacuum cleaning system includes a portable vacuum unit for cleaning debris. The vacuum unit is powered by a self-contained first electric power storage device and may be carried with a strap in backpack-fashion. The system also includes a cart defining a receptacle for receiving the vacuum unit. The vacuum unit may be used when supported by the cart or when carried by an operator. A second electric power storage device is supported by the cart and electrically connectable to the vacuum unit for charging the first electric power storage device when the vacuum unit is supported by the cart. Further, when disposed in the cart, the vacuum unit is disposed at an angle of about 45 degrees allowing for ease of movement of the cart.

Claims

1. A portable vacuum cleaning system comprising:

a vacuum unit including

a motor,

a first electric power storage device electrically connected to said motor for providing electrical power to run said motor,

a fan operatively connected to said motor for generating a vacuum to collect debris, and

a filter element in fluidic communication with said fan for capturing the debris;

a cart including a receptacle for receiving said vacuum unit;

a second electric power storage device supported by said cart and electrically connectable to said vacuum unit for charging said first electric power storage device when said vacuum unit is supported by said cart;

a first electric power storage device regenerating circuit for regenerating said first electric power storage device from said second electric power storage device; and

a second electric power storage device regenerating circuit for regenerating said second electric power storage device from a power source.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said first electric power storage device regenerating circuit and said second electric power storage device regenerating circuit work in conjunction to regenerate both the first electric power storage device and the second electric power storage device when said vacuum unit is supported by said cart and said second electric power storage device regenerating circuit is connected to the power source.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said vacuum unit includes a first electrical connector electrically connected to said first electric power storage device and said cart includes a second electrical connector electrically connected to said first electric power storage device regenerating circuit wherein said electrical connectors are engagable with one another for allowing electrical power to flow therebetween.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said vacuum unit further includes a housing linking together said first electric power storage device, said motor, and said filter element such that said vacuum unit may be transported as a single unit.

5. The system of claim 1, said cart further comprising:

a frame;

a plurality of wheels operatively connected to said frame;

said frame including a support element defining said receptacle for receiving said vacuum unit.

6. The system of claim 5 said cart being removable from said vacuum unit for independent operation of said vacuum unit apart from said cart.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said receptacle of said cart is defined by a support element for engaging with said vacuum unit.

8. The system of claim 7 further comprising a canister supportable by said support element.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein said canister contains a liquid solvent for application to carpeting and/or upholstery in the area.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein said cart includes a plurality of wheels for allowing movement about the area.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein at least one of said wheels is further defined as a caster.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein said first electric power storage device is selected from the group consisting of at least one battery, at least one ultra capacitor and combinations of the foregoing.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein said second electric power storage device is selected from the group consisting of at least one battery, at least one ultra capacitor, at least one fuel cell and combinations of the foregoing.

14. A portable vacuum cleaning system comprising:

a vacuum unit including

a motor,

a first electric power storage device electrically connected to said motor for providing electrical power to run said motor,

a fan operatively connected to said motor for generating a vacuum to collect debris, and

a filter element in fluidic communication with said fan for capturing the debris;

a cart including a receptacle for receiving said vacuum unit; and

a second electric power storage device supported by said cart and electrically connectable to said vacuum unit for charging said first electric power storage device when said vacuum unit is supported by said cart;

wherein said cart includes a first electric power storage device regenerating circuit electrically connected to said second electric power storage device and electrically connectable to said first electric power storage device for regenerating said first electric power storage device from said second electric power storage device, and wherein said cart includes a second electric power storage device regenerating circuit electrically connected to said second electric power storage device and electrically connectable to a power source for regenerating said second electric power storage device from the power source.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein said first electric power storage device regenerating circuit and said second electric power storage device regenerating circuit work in conjunction to regenerate both the first electric power storage device and the second electric power storage device when said vacuum unit is supported by said cart and said second electric power storage device regenerating circuit is connected to the power source.

16. A portable vacuum cleaning system comprising:

a vacuum unit including

a motor,

a vacuum hose configured for collecting debris,

a first electric power storage device electrically connected to said motor for providing electrical power to run said motor, and

a fan operatively connected to said motor for generating a vacuum to collect the debris through said vacuum hose;

a cart including a receptacle for receiving said vacuum unit, said vacuum unit operable to collect debris through said vacuum hose when said vacuum unit is received within said receptacle, said vacuum unit further operable to collect debris through said vacuum hose when said vacuum unit is removed from said receptacle for independent operation; and

a second electric power storage device supported by said cart and electrically connectable to said vacuum unit for charging said first electric power storage device when said vacuum unit is supported by said cart.