Toy vacuum cleaner

• US 5,919,078 A
• Filed: 08/10/1998
• Issued: 07/06/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited (Beeswax Holdings UK Limited)
• Original Assignee: Cassidy Brothers PLC (Calder Products Ltd.)
• Inventors: Cassidy, Paul Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): MUIR, DAVID N
• Application Number:
  US09/131,297
• Time in Patent Office: 330 Days
• Field of Search: 446/479, 446/482, 446/483, 446/491, 446/176, 446/178, 446/144, 434/260, D21/526, D21/525, D32/22, D32/21, D32/24, 40/409, 40/410
• US Class Current: 446/479
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/305 Vacuum-cleaners

Abstract

A toy is intended to resemble a cyclone type vacuum cleaner. The toy vacuum cleaner includes a body comprising a cylindrical container which has a transparent cylindrical outer wall. A core extends axially into the container to define a space between itself and the outer wall. A fan assembly is mounted to close an open end of the container. A multiplicity of polystyrene beads are disposed within the space between the core and the outer wall. The fan assembly includes a fan rotor mounted substantially coaxially with the container, to be driven by a motor, whereby on activation of the motor, the fan causes a circulation of air within the container, which circulation causes the beads to move in approximately circular paths about the core.

Claims

1. A toy vacuum cleaner comprising:

a body comprising a cylindrical container, which container has a transparent cylindrical outer wall,

a core member extending axially into the container to define a space between itself and the outer wall,

a fan assembly mounted on the container,

and a multiplicity of particles within the space between the core member and the outer wall;

the fan assembly including a fan rotor and a motor mounted substantially coaxially with the container the fan rotor being carried on an output shaft of the motor to be driven by the motor, whereby on activation of the motor, the fan rotor causes a circulation of air within the container, which circulation causes the particles to move in approximately circular paths about the core member.

2. A toy vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 in which the container and the core member are formed as a one-piece moulding of plastic material.

3. A toy vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 in which at least part of the core member is coloured and opaque to provide a background against which the particles can be seen clearly.

4. A toy vacuum cleaner according to claim 3 having a coating applied to the material of the core member to render it coloured and/or opaque.

5. A toy vacuum cleaner according to claim 4 in which the coating is applied on a surface of the material of the core member which does not come into contact with the particles.

6. A toy vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 in which the particles comprise beads of expanded polystyrene.

7. A toy vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 in which the particles are provided in an assortment of colours.

8. A toy vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 further comprising a handle part secured to the body.

9. A toy vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 further comprising a base part secured to the body to resemble an upright vacuum cleaner.

10. A toy vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 further comprising a nozzle or hose part to resemble a hose of a vacuum cleaner.

11. A toy vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 further comprising a container, and a suction assembly;

in which the container is removably mountable within the body, such that an inlet of the container projects from the body, and such that an outlet of the container permits passage of air from the container into the body, the outlet being configured to block the passage of at least some solid objects from within the container; and

in which the suction assembly is disposed to eject air from the body, thereby to cause air to flow into the container through the inlet of the container, and from the container into the base through the outlet of the container.

12. A toy vacuum cleaner according to claim 11 in which the outlet comprises a multiplicity of apertures formed in a wall of the container.

13. A toy vacuum cleaner according to claim 12 in which the apertures are formed in an upper wall of the container.

14. A toy vacuum cleaner according to claim 11 characterised in that the suction assembly comprises a fan rotor driven by an electric motor.

15. A toy vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, in which the fan rotor includes means to generate a swirling air flow around the core member.

16. A toy vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, in which the space defined between the core member and the outer wall includes an annular space.