Vacuum cleaners

• US 5,345,650 A
• Filed: 03/30/1993
• Issued: 09/13/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 04/02/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Emaco Limited
• Original Assignee: Electrolux Canada Corporation (AB Electrolux)
• Inventors: Hoyte, Andrew G., Downham, David W.
• Primary Examiner(s): MOORE, CHRISTOPHER K
• Application Number:
  US08/039,835
• Time in Patent Office: 532 Days
• Field of Search: 15/387, 15/345, 15/331
• US Class Current: 15/331
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/30 with driven dust-loosening tools, e.g. rotating brushes
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/04 with driven brushes or agitators

Abstract

The present invention relates to vacuum cleaners which may be in the form of so-called upright and cylinder cleaners. In the vacuum cleaner according to the invention the functions of air movement and rotation of a rotary beater or brush are separated. This results in a more flexible product, less possibility of damage to a belt driving the beater and gives a ready means for stopping the beater when the cleaner is parked. The vacuum cleaner includes a main body, a first portion and an electric fan housing coupled to a first aperture of an air duct, the first portion including a suction opening adjacent a beating means, a turbine coupled to a second aperture of the air duct and a drive line coupling between the turbine and the beating means, whereby cleaned air is directed through the duct to the turbine.

Claims

1. A vacuum cleaner comprising a main body, a first portion angularly displaced with respect to the main body and including a suction opening adjacent a beating means, an electric fan, a housing for the electric fan, a turbine, an air duct having a first aperture connecting the duct to the housing of the electric fan and a second aperture connecting the duct to the turbine, whereby exhaust air from the fan is directed throughout the duct to the turbine, a driving connection between the turbine and the beating means, a valve disposed in the duct and means for operating the valve to redirect air away from the turbine when said angle of displacement between the main body and the first portion falls within a predetermined range.

2. A cleaner according to claim 1 wherein the suction opening is arranged, in use, to be directed generally downwardly towards a surface to be cleaned.

3. A cleaner according to claim 1 wherein the air duct is connected at least in part between an air outlet of a dust collector and the turbine.

4. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 wherein the air duct contains a valve which will, when open, divert the airflow in the air duct so that it does not operate the turbine.

5. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 4 wherein the diverted air is exhausted from the machine.

6. A cleaner according to claim 4 wherein the flow of air passes through the fan before passing through the turbine.

7. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 4 wherein the air which passes through the turbine is exhausted from the machine.

8. A cleaner according to claim 1 wherein the valve is a flap.

9. A cleaner according to claim 8 wherein the flap is pivotally mounted about fulcrum points in the upper surface of the duct.

10. A cleaner according to claim 1 wherein the valve is open when the main body is substantially upright.

11. A cleaner according to claim 1 wherein the means for operating the valve is an activating means coupled with the main body.

12. A unit for use within a vacuum cleaner comprising a main body, a first portion angularly displaceable with respect to the main body and including a suction opening, a duct connectable to a source of pressure air, and for leading the air to an air driven power source, drive means for directing drive from the power source to an impact imparting element, a valve operable selectively to divert said flow of pressure air way from the power source when an angle between the main body and the first portion falls within a predetermined range.