Accessory wand storage assembly for use with vacuum appliances, and vacuums using the same

• US 8,631,539 B2
• Filed: 06/29/2011
• Issued: 01/21/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Emerson Electric Company
• Original Assignee: Emerson Electric Company
• Inventors: Williams, Matthew A., Ritterling, Douglas K., Glasgow, Shane
• Primary Examiner(s): REDDING, DAVID A
• Application Number:
  US13/172,805
• Publication Number:
  US 20110314628A1
• Time in Patent Office: 937 Days
• Field of Search: 153/23, 153/272
• US Class Current: 15/323
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0045 specially adapted for holding the suction tube
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A vacuum extension wand accessory storage assembly for use with a wet/dry vacuum that improves user access to the wands while simultaneously preventing accidental loss or dislodgement of the wands when the vacuum is not in use. The wand storage design includes the combination of a channeled, shaped surface formed in the bottom of the vacuum collection drum and an accessory attachment system on the bottom of the vacuum appliance having both front and rear securement assemblies which in combination secure the extension wands in place below the collection drum of the vacuum appliance in the event of vacuum transportation, lifting, or storage.

Claims

1. A wet/dry vacuum appliance comprising:

a collection drum having a bottom and an outside wall, the bottom of the drum having at least one channel with a shaped surface being formed into the bottom face thereof;

a lid mounted to the collection drum;

a motor impeller unit mounted in the lid; and

a vacuum extension wand storage assembly attached to the bottom face of the collection drum, the wand storage assembly comprising a front securement assembly and a rear securement assembly spaced longitudinally apart and opposite from the front securement assembly.

2. The wet/dry vacuum appliance of claim 1, further comprising a tool caddy receptacle formed within the rear wand securement assembly and which aligns with an outward wall of the collection drum, wherein the caddy further includes a bottom wall from which a continuous side wall upwardly extends.

3. A vacuum extension wand storage assembly for use with a vacuum appliance having a collection drum with a bottom and upwardly extending sides, the assembly comprising:

a front vacuum extension wand securement assembly attached to the bottom of the collection drum;

a rear vacuum extension wand securement assembly attached to the bottom of the collection drum, and spaced longitudinally apart from the front securement assembly;

at least one channeled, arched surface formed in the bottom face of the collection drum and sized to receive a vacuum extension wand; and

a tool caddy receptacle formed with the rear wand securement assembly and which aligns with an outward wall of the collection drum, wherein the caddy further includes a bottom wall from which a continuous side wall upwardly extends.

4. The vacuum wand extension assembly of claim 3, wherein the front wand securement assembly includes a wand positioning and retaining stop.

5. The vacuum wand extension assembly of claim 3, wherein the rear wand securement assembly includes wand centering ribs formed in a retaining ring, one or more springing means to elevate the extension wands into the arched channel formed in the bottom face of the vacuum drum and guide them towards the front securement assembly, or both.

6. A method of attaching vacuum extension wands into a vacuum wand securement assembly attached to a wet-dry vacuum cleaner, the method comprising:

mounting a vacuum wand securement assembly onto the bottom face of a collection drum of a wet-dry vacuum cleaner,

wherein the bottom face of the collection drum includes shaped channels formed in the bottom face of the drum, and

wherein the wand securement assembly includes a front wand securement assembly having at least one wand-positioning and retaining tabbed stop means, and, a longitudinally spaced apart rear wand securement assembly having at least one aperture formed therein,

the aperture including plurality of wand-centering ribs circumscribing the inner face, such that the front retaining means, shaped channels, and circular apertures are substantially in a planar alignment;

inserting a vacuum extension wand into the securement assembly by inserting the front of the extension wand through the circular aperture in the rear assembly, along a shaped channel, and towards the front securement assembly; and

positively connecting the front of the extension wand with the front securement assembly by engaging the wand with the tabbed stop means.