Portable surface cleaning apparatus

• US 9,420,925 B2
• Filed: 07/18/2014
• Issued: 08/23/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Omachron Intellectual Property Inc.
• Original Assignee: Omachron Intellectual Property Inc.
• Inventors: Conrad, Wayne Ernest, Thorne, Jason Boyd
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, DUNG V
• Application Number:
  US14/335,004
• Publication Number:
  US 20160015228A1
• Time in Patent Office: 767 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 9/1608 Cyclonic chamber constructions
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/1683 Dust collecting chambers; Dust collecting receptacles
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/22 Mountings for motor fan assemblies

Abstract

A hand carryable surface cleaning apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a main body housing a suction motor, and a cyclone bin assembly. The suction motor is oriented at an angle to a vertical axis and a horizontal axis.

Claims

1. A hand carryable surface cleaning apparatus comprising:

(a) a body housing a suction motor and comprising a handle, the handle having a handgrip portion having a rearmost portion and a forward most portion, wherein the upper portion of the handle is positioned above an upper portion of the suction motor;

(b) an air treatment member mounted to the body and having an air outlet; and

,

(c) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet and including the suction motor and the air treatment member wherein a center line of the suction motor is positioned rearward of the air outlet of the air treatment member,

wherein when the surface cleaning apparatus is disposed on a horizontal surface each of the suction motor and the handle is oriented at a non-zero angle to a vertical axis and a horizontal axis, the suction motor has an axis that is angled forwardly and the handgrip portion extends upwardly and forwardly from the rearmost portion of the handgrip to the forward most portion of the handgrip.

2. The hand carryable surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the suction motor is positioned forward of the handle.

3. The hand carryable surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the suction motor extends at an angle of from about 5 degrees to about 45 degrees to the vertical axis.

4. The hand carryable surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the air treatment member comprises a dirt collection chamber and at least a portion of the dirt collection chamber extends under the suction motor.

5. The hand carryable surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the air treatment member comprises a base on which the hand carryable surface cleaning apparatus can stand.

6. The hand carryable surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the air treatment member comprises a cyclone bin assembly.

7. The hand carryable surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the air treatment member has an air treatment member air inlet downstream from the dirty air inlet, and the air treatment member air inlet has an inlet axis, wherein a projection of the inlet axis extends through suction motor.

8. The hand carryable surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the air treatment member comprises a central longitudinal axis and wherein the motor axis is oriented at an angle of between 0 degrees and 90 degrees relative to the central longitudinal axis.

9. A hand carryable surface cleaning apparatus comprising:

(a) a body housing a suction motor and comprising a handle having a handgrip portion, wherein the handle and the body define a gap in which a user may place the user'"'"'s fingers while gripping the handle and wherein the gap extends upwardly and forwardly and the handgrip extends upwardly and forwardly from a rearmost portion of the handgrip to a forward most portion of the handgrip when the surface cleaning apparatus is disposed on a horizontal surface;

(b) an air treatment member mounted to the body and having a central longitudinal axis; and

,

(c) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet and including the suction motor and the air treatment member, wherein the clean air outlet is located below the gap when the surface cleaning apparatus is disposed on a horizontal surface,

wherein the suction motor has an axis of rotation that is oriented at a non-zero angle to a vertical axis and a horizontal axis when the surface cleaning apparatus is disposed on a horizontal surface

and wherein each of the suction motor axis of rotation and an axis of the handle is angled forwardly

and wherein a center line of the motor is positioned rearward of a center line of the air treatment member.

10. The hand carryable surface cleaning apparatus of claim 9 wherein the air treatment member comprises a cyclone bin assembly.

11. The hand carryable surface cleaning apparatus of claim 9 wherein the suction motor has an opposed end axially spaced from an upper end of the suction motor, wherein an upper portion of the handle is mounted to the body at a position above the upper end of the suction motor and a lower portion of the handle is mounted to the body at a position adjacent the opposed end of the suction motor.

12. The hand carryable surface cleaning apparatus of claim 9 wherein an upper portion of the handle is mounted the body at a position above an upper end of the suction motor.

13. The hand carryable surface cleaning apparatus of claim 9 wherein an upper portion of the handle is mounted the body at a position adjacent an upper end of the suction motor.

14. The hand carryable surface cleaning apparatus of claim 9 wherein the handle has an upper end that is located above an air inlet of the air treatment member.

15. The hand carryable surface cleaning apparatus of claim 9, wherein the air treatment member has an air treatment member air inlet downstream from the dirty air inlet, and the air treatment member air inlet has an inlet axis, wherein a projection of the inlet axis extends through suction motor.

16. The hand carryable surface cleaning apparatus of claim 9, wherein the axis of rotation of the suction motor is oriented at an angle of between 0 degrees and 90 degrees relative to the central longitudinal axis.

17. A hand carryable surface cleaning apparatus comprising:

(a) a body housing a suction motor and comprising a handle, wherein the handle has an axis and a handgrip portion, the suction motor has an axis of rotation, and the handle axis and the suction motor axis are generally parallel;

(b) an air treatment member mounted to the body and having a central longitudinal axis; and

,

(c) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet and including the suction motor and the air treatment member

wherein the suction motor is oriented at a non-zero angle to a vertical axis and a horizontal axis when the surface cleaning apparatus is disposed on a horizontal surface

and wherein the handgrip portion extends forwardly and upwardly from a rearmost portion of the handgrip to a forward most portion of the handgrip when the surface cleaning apparatus is disposed on a horizontal surface

and wherein a center line of the motor is positioned rearward of a center line of the air treatment member.

18. The hand carryable surface cleaning apparatus of claim 17 wherein the suction motor axis of rotation is angled forwardly from about 5 degrees to about 45 degrees from the vertical axis.

19. The hand carryable surface cleaning apparatus of claim 17 wherein the air treatment member comprises a cyclone bin assembly.

20. The hand carryable surface cleaning apparatus of claim 17, wherein the air treatment member has an air treatment member air inlet downstream from the dirty air inlet, and the air treatment member air inlet has an inlet axis, wherein a projection of the inlet axis extends through suction motor.

21. The hand carryable surface cleaning apparatus of claim 17, wherein the suction motor axis is oriented at an angle of between 0 degrees and 90 degrees relative to the central longitudinal axis.

22. A hand carryable surface cleaning apparatus comprising:

(a) a body housing a suction motor and comprising a handle wherein a gap is provided between the handle and the body in which a user may place the user'"'"'s fingers while gripping the handle and wherein the gap extends upwardly and forwardly when the surface cleaning apparatus is disposed on a horizontal surface;

(b) an air treatment member mounted to the body and having a central longitudinal axis; and

,

(c) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet and including the suction motor and the air treatment member

wherein the suction motor is oriented at a non-zero angle to a vertical axis and a horizontal axis when the surface cleaning apparatus is disposed on a horizontal surface, and

wherein the hand carryable surface cleaning apparatus has a center of gravity and the center of gravity is positioned forward of the handle and below an upper end of the air treatment member

and wherein the handle comprises a handgrip portion adjacent the gap that extends upwardly and forwardly from a rearmost portion of the handgrip to a forward most portion of the handgrip along a handle axis, the suction motor has an axis, and the handle axis and the suction motor axis are generally parallel

and wherein a center line of the motor is positioned rearward of a center line of the air treatment member.

23. The hand carryable surface cleaning apparatus of claim 22 wherein the center of gravity is positioned between an upper end and a lower end of the handle.

24. The hand carryable surface cleaning apparatus of claim 23 wherein the handle is oriented at an angle to the vertical axis and the horizontal axis.

25. The hand carryable surface cleaning apparatus of claim 22 wherein the air treatment member comprises a cyclone bin assembly.

26. The hand carryable surface cleaning apparatus of claim 22, wherein the suction motor has an opposed lower end axially spaced from an upper end of the suction motor, and wherein a lower portion of the handle is mounted to the body at a position above the lower end of the suction motor.

27. The hand carryable surface cleaning apparatus of claim 26, wherein an upper portion of the handle is mounted the body at a position above the upper end of the suction motor.

28. The hand carryable surface cleaning apparatus of claim 22, wherein the air treatment member has an air treatment member air inlet downstream from the dirty air inlet, and the air treatment member air inlet has an inlet axis, wherein a projection of the inlet axis extends through suction motor.

29. The hand carryable surface cleaning apparatus of claim 22, wherein the suction motor axis is oriented at an angle of between 0 degrees and 90 degrees relative to the central longitudinal axis.

30. A hand carryable surface cleaning apparatus comprising:

(a) a body housing a suction motor and comprising a handle having a handgrip portion having a rearmost portion and a forward most portion;

(b) an air treatment member mounted to the body;

(c) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet and including the suction motor and the air treatment member; and

,

(d) a pre-motor filter positioned above the suction motor

wherein the suction motor extends upwardly and forwardly from a rearmost portion of the suction motor to a forward most portion of the suction motor when the surface cleaning apparatus is disposed on a horizontal surface

and wherein the clean air outlet is at a lower end of the body

and wherein, when the surface cleaning apparatus is disposed on a horizontal surface, a horizontal axis positioned below the dirty air inlet intersects the air treatment member and the suction motor and the handgrip portion extends forwardly and upwardly from the rearmost portion to the forward most portion.

31. The hand carryable surface cleaning apparatus of claim 30 wherein the suction motor has a suction motor air inlet at an upper end thereof.

32. The hand carryable surface cleaning apparatus of claim 31 wherein the suction motor is positioned in a suction motor housing and air travels downwardly from the pre-motor filter to the suction motor air inlet.

33. The hand carryable surface cleaning apparatus of claim 30 wherein the clean air outlet is in a lower surface of the body.

34. The hand carryable surface cleaning apparatus of claim 30 wherein the air treatment member comprises a cyclone bin assembly.

35. The hand carryable surface cleaning apparatus of claim 30, wherein the air treatment member has an air treatment member air inlet downstream from the dirty air inlet, and the air treatment member air inlet has an inlet axis, wherein a projection of the inlet axis extends through suction motor.

36. The hand carryable surface cleaning apparatus of claim 30, wherein the air treatment member comprises a central longitudinal axis and wherein the suction motor comprises an axis of rotation that is oriented at an angle of between 0 degrees and 90 degrees relative to the central longitudinal axis.

37. A hand carryable surface cleaning apparatus comprising:

(a) a body housing a suction motor and comprising a handle having a handgrip, wherein a gap is provided between the handle and the body in which a user may place the user'"'"'s fingers while gripping the handle, the suction motor provided in a suction motor housing, the suction motor having an upper inlet end and an axially spaced apart opposed end, wherein an upper portion of the handle is mounted to the body at a position above the inlet end of the suction motor;

(b) an air treatment member mounted to the body; and

,

(c) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet and including the suction motor and the air treatment member

wherein when the surface cleaning apparatus is disposed on a horizontal surface the gap extends upwardly and forwardly, the handgrip extends upwardly and forwardly from a rearmost portion of the handgrip to a forward most portion of the handgrip and the motor extends upwardly and forwardly from a lower portion of the motor to an upper portion of the motor,

and when the surface cleaning apparatus is disposed on a horizontal surface a horizontal axis positioned below the dirty air inlet intersects the air treatment member and the suction motor.

38. The hand carryable surface cleaning apparatus of claim 37 wherein the air treatment member comprises a cyclone bin assembly.

39. The hand carryable surface cleaning apparatus of claim 37 wherein a lower portion of the handle is mounted to the body at a position adjacent the opposed end of the suction motor.

40. The hand carryable surface apparatus of claim 37 wherein a lower portion of the handle is mounted to the body at a position above the opposed end of the suction motor.

41. The hand carryable surface cleaning apparatus of claim 37, wherein the air treatment member has an air treatment member air inlet downstream from the dirty air inlet, and the air treatment member air inlet has an inlet axis, wherein a projection of the inlet axis extends through suction motor.

42. The hand carryable surface cleaning apparatus of claim 37, wherein the air treatment member comprises a central longitudinal axis and wherein the suction motor comprises an axis of rotation that is oriented at an angle of between 0 degrees and 90 degrees relative to the central longitudinal axis.

43. A hand carryable surface cleaning apparatus comprising:

(a) a body housing a suction motor and comprising a handle, the handle having a handgrip;

(b) an air treatment member mounted to the body, wherein the air treatment member has an air inlet at an upper end of the air treatment member; and

,

(c) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet and including the suction motor and the air treatment member

wherein when the surface cleaning apparatus is disposed on a horizontal surface the handgrip extends upwardly and forwardly from a rearmost portion of the handgrip to a forward most portion of the handgrip and the motor extends upwardly and forwardly from a lower end of the motor to an upper end of the motor,

and wherein the upper end of the handle is located above the air inlet of the air treatment member,

and wherein, when the surface cleaning apparatus is disposed on a horizontal surface, a horizontal axis positioned below the dirty air inlet intersects the air treatment member and the suction motor.

44. The hand carryable surface cleaning apparatus of claim 43 wherein the handle is mounted to upper and lower portions of the body.

45. The hand carryable surface cleaning apparatus of claim 43 wherein the air treatment member comprises a cyclone bin assembly.

46. The hand carryable surface apparatus of claim 43 wherein the suction motor has an opposed lower end axially spaced from an upper end of the suction motor, and wherein a lower portion of the handle is mounted to the body at a position above the lower end of the suction motor.

47. The hand carryable surface cleaning apparatus of claim 46, wherein an upper portion of the handle is mounted the body at a position above the upper end of the suction motor.

48. The hand carryable surface cleaning apparatus of claim 43, wherein the air treatment member has an air treatment member air inlet downstream from the dirty air inlet, and the air treatment member air inlet has an inlet axis, wherein a projection of the inlet axis extends through suction motor.

49. The hand carryable surface cleaning apparatus of claim 43, wherein the air treatment member comprises a central longitudinal axis and wherein the suction motor comprises an axis of rotation that is oriented at an angle of between 0 degrees and 90 degrees relative to the central longitudinal axis.