UPRIGHT VACUUM WITH FLOATING HEAD

• US 20110265282A1
• Filed: 04/30/2010
• Published: 11/03/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited (Techtronic Industries Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited (Techtronic Industries Company Limited)
• Inventors: Morgan, Charles J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,528,166 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/323
• 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 5/34 with height adjustment of nozzles or dust-loosening tools
• 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 9/2805 Parameters or conditions being sensed
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2831 Motor parameters, e.g. motor load or speed
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2842 Suction motors or blowers
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2857 User input or output elements for control, e.g. buttons, switches or displays
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2889 Safety or protection devices or systems, e.g. for prevention of motor over-heating or for protection of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2894 Details related to signal transmission in suction cleaners
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/327 for suction cleaners with hose between nozzle and casing

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner with a reduced frictional force between a vacuum base and a cleaning medium is described. The vacuum has a handle, yoke, body, and base. A handle and yoke distinct from, and behind, the base provides a moment arm anterior to the base when a force is applied. The handle and yoke assembly reduce the friction between the cleaning surface and the vacuum, allowing for larger motor and debris capturing capabilities, with easier handling and maneuverability resulting in advanced and superior cleaning capabilities.

Claims

5. The vacuum of claim 5, further comprising:

a dirt collecting device connected to the airflow duct; and

a sliding connector to connect the dirt collecting device to the handle.

6-1. The vacuum of claim 1, wherein the yoke includes a handle insert, wherein the handle receives the handle insert.

13. A method of reducing the frictional force between a vacuum base and a cleaning medium, the method providing a vacuum comprising:

providing a handle, a yoke to receive the handle, a base distinct from the yoke, an axle to connect the yoke to the base wherein the handle is disposed anterior to the axle;

disposing the yoke to provide a moment arm anterior to the base; and

applying a force to the handle which causes the yoke to be pushed towards a cleaning surface thereby reducing a frictional force of the base against a cleaning surface.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the force applied to the handle propels the base.

15. The method of claim 13, comprising expelling dirty airflow the base with an airflow duct distinct from the handle.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

providing a dirt collecting device connected to the airflow duct; and

sliding the dirt collecting device along a longitudinal axis of the handle.

17. The method of claim 13, comprising raising the base off a cleaning surface when the handle is placed in a locked position.

18. The method of claim 17, comprising:

receding a lifting device into the base when the handle is placed in an unlocked position; and

expelling the lifting device from the base when the handle is placed in a locked position.

19. A vacuum cleaner brushroll comprising:

a spindle having first and second ends and a longitudinal axis of rotation; and

bristle tufts on the spindle arranged in an angularly spaced single-helical row, wherein the bristle tufts extend from the spindle at a non-orthogonal angle.

20. The vacuum cleaner brushroll of claim 19, further comprising a belt receiver comprising grooves.

21. The vacuum cleaner brushroll of claim 19, wherein the helical row rotates about the spindle prior to the helical row reversing a direction of helix rotation.

22. The vacuum cleaner brushroll of claim 19, wherein the helical row rotates about one and a half times about the spindle prior to the helical row reversing a direction of helix rotation.

23. The vacuum cleaner brushroll of claim 19, wherein the non-orthogonal angle is from about 70 degrees to about 85 degrees.

24. The vacuum cleaner brushroll of claim 19, wherein the spindle comprises a light wood.