Vacuum cleaner agitator clutch
First Claim
1. A brushroll clutch assembly for a vacuum cleaner, the brushroll clutch assembly comprising:
- a motor;
a clutch assembly input operatively connected to and configured to be rotated by the motor;
a brushroll;
a clutch assembly output operatively connected to and configured to rotate the brushroll;
a drive clutch operatively connected to the clutch assembly output and moveable between a first drive clutch position in which the drive clutch does not directly contact the clutch assembly input and a second drive clutch position in which the drive clutch directly contacts the clutch assembly input to transmit a first torque directly from the clutch assembly input to the clutch assembly output;
a starter clutch operatively connected to the drive clutch and moveable between a first starter clutch position in which the starter clutch does not engage the clutch assembly input and a second starter clutch position in which the starter clutch engages the clutch assembly input to transmit a second torque from the clutch assembly input to the drive clutch to thereby move the drive clutch from the first drive clutch position to the second drive clutch position wherein the clutch assembly input comprises a drum and the drive clutch comprises an expanding clutch configured to expand to contact the drum to place the drive clutch in the second drive position; and
wherein the starter clutch comprises means to expand the expanding clutch when the starter clutch is in the second starter clutch position.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A vacuum cleaner brushroll clutch having a motor, clutch assembly input rotated by the motor, brushroll, clutch assembly output to rotate the brushroll, drive clutch, and starter clutch. The drive clutch is connected to the clutch assembly output and moveable between a first position in which it does not directly contact the clutch assembly input and a second position in which it directly contacts the clutch assembly input to transmit a first torque directly from the clutch assembly input to the clutch assembly output. The starter clutch is connected to the drive clutch and moveable between a first position in which it does not engage the clutch assembly input and a second position in which it engages the clutch assembly input to transmit a second torque from the clutch assembly input to the drive clutch to move the drive clutch into the second drive clutch position.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A brushroll clutch assembly for a vacuum cleaner, the brushroll clutch assembly comprising:
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a motor; a clutch assembly input operatively connected to and configured to be rotated by the motor; a brushroll; a clutch assembly output operatively connected to and configured to rotate the brushroll; a drive clutch operatively connected to the clutch assembly output and moveable between a first drive clutch position in which the drive clutch does not directly contact the clutch assembly input and a second drive clutch position in which the drive clutch directly contacts the clutch assembly input to transmit a first torque directly from the clutch assembly input to the clutch assembly output; a starter clutch operatively connected to the drive clutch and moveable between a first starter clutch position in which the starter clutch does not engage the clutch assembly input and a second starter clutch position in which the starter clutch engages the clutch assembly input to transmit a second torque from the clutch assembly input to the drive clutch to thereby move the drive clutch from the first drive clutch position to the second drive clutch position wherein the clutch assembly input comprises a drum and the drive clutch comprises an expanding clutch configured to expand to contact the drum to place the drive clutch in the second drive position; and wherein the starter clutch comprises means to expand the expanding clutch when the starter clutch is in the second starter clutch position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A brushroll clutch assembly for a vacuum cleaner, the brushroll clutch assembly comprising:
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a motor; a clutch assembly input operatively connected to and configured to be rotated by the motor; a brushroll; a clutch assembly output operatively connected to and configured to rotate the brushroll; a drive clutch operatively connected to the clutch assembly output and moveable between a first drive clutch position in which the drive clutch does not directly contact the clutch assembly input and a second drive clutch position in which the drive clutch directly contacts the clutch assembly input to transmit a first torque directly from the clutch assembly input to the clutch assembly output; a starter clutch operatively connected to the drive clutch and moveable between a first starter clutch position in which the starter clutch does not engage the clutch assembly input and a second starter clutch position in which the starter clutch engages the clutch assembly input to transmit a second torque from the clutch assembly input to the drive clutch to thereby move the drive clutch from the first drive clutch position to the second drive clutch position, wherein the drive clutch further comprises; a drive clutch mount operatively connected to the clutch assembly output; and a drive clutch engagement member movably mounted to the drive clutch mount, and movable between a first engagement member position to place the drive clutch in the first drive clutch position and a second engagement member position in which the second engagement member contacts the clutch assembly input to place the drive clutch in the second drive clutch position; wherein the starter clutch is operatively connected to the drive clutch by an actuator located on the starter clutch and a clutch lever located on the drive clutch mount to move the drive clutch engagement member to the second engagement member position when the started clutch is in the second starter clutch position; and wherein the actuator comprises a gear and the clutch lever comprises a geared track configured to be driven by rotation of the gear. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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Specification