Surface cleaning apparatus

• US 10,624,511 B2
• Filed: 07/26/2017
• Issued: 04/21/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Omachron Intellectual Property Inc.
• Original Assignee: Omachron Intellectual Property Inc.
• Inventors: Conrad, Wayne Ernest
• Primary Examiner(s): Muller, Bryan R
• Application Number:
  US15/660,807
• Publication Number:
  US 20180055300A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,000 Days
• Field of Search: 15328, 15329, 15331, 15334, 15335
• 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 5/24 Hand-supported suction cleaners
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/28 Suction cleaners with handles and nozzles fixed on the casings, e.g. wheeled suction cleaners with steering handle A47L5/24 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/30 with driven dust-loosening tools, e.g. rotating brushes
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/32 with means for connecting a hose hose couplings for suction cleaners A47L9/24
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 7/0095 Suction cleaners or attachments adapted to collect dust or waste from power tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/00 Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0018 integrated in or removably mounted upon the suction cleaner for storing parts of said suction cleaner
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0081 Means for exhaust-air diffusion; Means for sound or vibration damping
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/02 Nozzles suction nozzles for fluid transport B65G51/00
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/122 flat
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/16 Arrangement or disposition of cyclones or other devices with centrifugal action
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/1691 Mounting or coupling means for cyclonic chamber or dust receptacles
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/22 Mountings for motor fan assemblies
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/246 with electrical connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/248 Parts, details or accessories of hoses or pipes nozzles A47L9/02
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2857 User input or output elements for control, e.g. buttons, switches or displays
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/30 Arrangement of illuminating devices
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/325 for wheeled suction cleaners with steering handle
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/327 for suction cleaners with hose between nozzle and casing

Abstract

A reconfigurable upright vacuum cleaner has a surface cleaning head with a pedestal member pivotally mounted thereto. An upper portion, which comprises a portable surface cleaning unit removably mounted thereto, is mounted to the pedestal member. An above floor cleaning wand is removably mounted to the pedestal member. The portable surface cleaning unit is securable to the pedestal member by a portable surface cleaning unit lock.

Claims

1. A surface cleaning apparatus comprising:

(a) a surface cleaning head having a front face, a dirty air inlet and a pedestal member directly pivotally coupled to the surface cleaning head about a rotational axis, the front face facing a forward direction;

(b) an upper portion mounted to the pedestal member whereby the upper portion is moveable between a storage position and a floor cleaning position, the upper portion including an above floor cleaning wand and a portable surface cleaning unit, the above floor cleaning wand having a longitudinal axis;

(c) the portable surface cleaning unit comprising a suction motor and an air treatment member, the portable surface cleaning unit is removably mounted to the pedestal member wherein, when the portable cleaning unit is mounted to the pedestal member, the surface cleaning apparatus is in an upright surface cleaning apparatus configuration and, when the portable cleaning unit is mounted to the pedestal member and the upper portion extends upwardly from the pedestal member;

(d) the above floor cleaning wand is removably mounted to the pedestal member and a flexible air flow conduit forms at least part of an air flow path from the above floor cleaning wand to the portable surface cleaning unit;

(e) a portable surface cleaning unit lock having a first engagement member and a second engagement member wherein the portable surface cleaning unit lock is operable between a locked position in which the portable surface cleaning unit is secured in position on the pedestal member and an unlocked position in which the portable surface cleaning unit is removable from the position on the pedestal member,

wherein one of the first and second engagement members is provided on the portable surface cleaning unit and another of the first and second engagement members is provided on the pedestal member whereby the portable surface cleaning unit lock secures the portable surface cleaning unit to the pedestal member, and, wherein the only engagement member locking the portable cleaning unit in the upright configuration is on the pedestal member, and,

wherein when the portable surface cleaning unit is secured in position on the pedestal portion, the orientation of the front face of the portable surface cleaning unit with respect to the front face of the surface cleaning head is adjustable about the rotational axis and the orientation of the front face of the portable surface cleaning unit is also adjustable to face a different direction angularly positioned around the longitudinal axis from the forward direction while the front face of the surface cleaning head faces the front direction,

wherein, when the portable surface cleaning unit is secured in position on the pedestal member and the upper portion extends upwardly from the surface cleaning head, a lower end of the above floor cleaning wand is positioned below an upper end of the portable cleaning unit, and

wherein, when the portable surface cleaning unit is secured in position on the pedestal member and the upper portion extends upwardly from the surface cleaning head, an upper end of the pedestal member is positioned adjacent to a lower portion of the portable surface cleaning unit.

2. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the portable surface cleaning unit lock further comprises a pivotally mounted locking member.

3. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the portable surface cleaning unit is removably mounted on an outer surface of the pedestal member.

4. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the portable surface cleaning unit is removably mounted on an outer surface of the pedestal member and the outer surface is provided with an alignment member and the portable surface cleaning unit is mountable to the outer surface in a particular alignment.

5. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 4 wherein the alignment member inhibits lateral movement of the portable surface cleaning unit when the portable surface cleaning unit is mounted to the outer surface.

6. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 5 wherein the portable surface cleaning unit release actuator is positioned above the alignment member.

7. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pedestal member is in air flow communication with the dirty air inlet and, when the wand is mounted to the pedestal member, the wand is in air flow communication with the dirty air inlet.

8. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an air flow passage from the dirty air inlet to the pedestal member and an air inlet end of the wand is aligned with an outlet end of the air flow passage when the wand is mounted to the pedestal member.

9. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the wand comprises a lower end that is mounted to the pedestal member and an upper end, the lower end comprises a wand air inlet and the upper end comprises a wand air outlet, a handle is provided proximate the upper end of the wand, whereby, when the wand is mounted to the pedestal member, the wand is drivingly connected to the surface cleaning head.