ROTATABLE COUPLING FOR STEERING VACUUM CLEANER
First Claim
1. A steerable vacuum cleaner comprising:
- a base;
a handle having a longitudinal axis and including a conduit; and
a rotatable coupling pivotally attached between the base and the handle, with the coupling defining an air channel for providing a flow of air from the base to the conduit in the handle,wherein the base rotates about the longitudinal axis while pushing the vacuum by twisting the handle.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A steerable vacuum cleaner and a method to steer the vacuum is described. The vacuum cleaner include: a base; a handle having a longitudinal axis and including a conduit; and a rotatable coupling pivotally attached between the base and the handle, with the coupling defining an air channel for providing a flow of air from the base to the conduit in the handle. The base of the vacuum rotates about the longitudinal axis while pushing the vacuum by twisting the handle. The rotatable coupling of the vacuum cleaner includes: an inner conduit having an outer surface; a compressible strip disposed on the outer surface of the inner conduit, wherein the strip is disposed the outer surface of the inner conduit; an outer conduit adapted to snugly fit over the strip and the first conduit; and a non-reactive high-viscosity lubricant disposed on the outer surface of the inner conduit adjacent the strip. The outer conduit of the coupling is rotatable about the inner conduit and an interference fit is formed between the inner conduit and the outer conduit.
53 Citations
34 Claims
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1. A steerable vacuum cleaner comprising:
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a base; a handle having a longitudinal axis and including a conduit; and a rotatable coupling pivotally attached between the base and the handle, with the coupling defining an air channel for providing a flow of air from the base to the conduit in the handle, wherein the base rotates about the longitudinal axis while pushing the vacuum by twisting the handle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method to steer a vacuum cleaner comprising:
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providing a base; providing a vacuum cleaner handle having a longitudinal axis and including an conduit; and pivotally attaching a rotatable coupling between the base and the handle, with the coupling defining an air channel for providing a flow of air from the base to the conduit in the handle, wherein the base rotates about the longitudinal axis while pushing the vacuum by twisting the handle. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A rotatable coupling for conveying an airflow comprising:
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an inner conduit having an outer surface; a compressible strip disposed on the outer surface of the inner conduit, wherein the strip is disposed the outer surface of the inner conduit; an outer conduit adapted to snugly fit over the strip and the first conduit; and a non-reactive high-viscosity lubricant disposed on the outer surface of the inner conduit adjacent the strip; wherein the outer conduit is rotatable about the inner conduit and an interference fit is formed between the inner conduit and the outer conduit. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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Specification