Auxiliary suction nozzle and port for vacuum cleaner

• US 8,584,309 B2
• Filed: 08/23/2012
• Issued: 11/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bissell Inc.
• Original Assignee: Bissell Homecare, Inc. (Bissell Inc.)
• Inventors: Santiago, Jose Carlito
• Primary Examiner(s): REDDING, DAVID A
• Application Number:
  US13/592,521
• Publication Number:
  US 20130047370A1
• Time in Patent Office: 453 Days
• Field of Search: 153/31, 153/34, 153/37, 154/16
• US Class Current: 15/331
• 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 9/009 Carrying-vehicles; Arrangements of trollies or wheels; Means for avoiding mechanical obstacles
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/02 Nozzles suction nozzles for fluid transport B65G51/00
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/04 with driven brushes or agitators
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0494 Height adjustment of dust-loosening tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/062 Rigidly anchored edge brushes

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner includes an auxiliary suction nozzle in fluid communication with an auxiliary port provided on the vacuum cleaner. A vacuum hose can be coupled with the auxiliary port to establish fluid communication between the auxiliary suction nozzle and a source of suction.

Claims

1. A vacuum cleaner for cleaning a surface, comprising:

a housing having a main suction nozzle and an auxiliary suction nozzle that is fluidly isolated from the main suction nozzle;

a suction source for generating a working air flow at one of the main suction nozzle and the auxiliary suction nozzle;

a vacuum hose in fluid communication with the suction source and with one of the main suction nozzle and the auxiliary suction nozzle;

a port provided in the housing in fluid communication with the auxiliary suction nozzle, wherein the vacuum hose is removably coupled to the port to fluidly communicate with the auxiliary suction nozzle; and

a moveable door provided on the housing and selectively closing the port when the vacuum hose is uncoupled from the port.

2. The vacuum cleaner from claim 1, further comprising a hose receiver conduit in fluid communication with the main suction nozzle, wherein the vacuum hose is removably coupled to the main suction nozzle for on-the-floor cleaning when the vacuum hose is in fluid communication with the main suction nozzle.

3. The vacuum cleaner from claim 2, wherein the vacuum hose comprises an accessory tool adapted to be selectively coupled to the port and the hose receiver conduit.

4. The vacuum cleaner from claim 3, wherein the accessory tool comprises a crevice tool.

5. The vacuum cleaner from claim 1, further comprising a hose duct extending between the auxiliary suction nozzle and the port.

6. The vacuum cleaner from claim 5, wherein the hose duct comprises a hose socket for selectively retaining an accessory tool in the hose duct when the vacuum hose is coupled to the port.

7. The vacuum cleaner from claim 1, wherein the door comprises a valve selectively opening and closing a fluid channel between the auxiliary suction nozzle and the port.

8. The vacuum cleaner from claim 7, wherein the valve is biased to a closed position in which the valve closes the fluid channel.

9. The vacuum cleaner from claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a plurality of bristles located adjacent the auxiliary suction nozzle and configured to guide dirt toward the auxiliary suction nozzle.

10. The vacuum cleaner from claim 1, wherein the housing comprises an upper surface, and the port is provided in the upper surface.

11. The vacuum cleaner from claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a median defined along a plane through the center of the vacuum cleaner that is parallel to a path of travel of the vacuum cleaner, and the port is located laterally of the median.

12. The vacuum cleaner from claim 11, wherein the port is located substantially rearwardly of the main suction nozzle.

13. The vacuum cleaner from claim 1, wherein the housing comprises an agitator cavity in fluid communication with the main suction nozzle, and an agitator provided within the agitator cavity.

14. The vacuum cleaner from claim 13, wherein the agitator comprises a rotatable brushroll.

15. The vacuum cleaner from claim 13, wherein the port is located substantially rearwardly of the agitator cavity.

16. The vacuum cleaner from claim 1, further comprising an upright handle assembly pivotally mounted to the housing.