US2416419A - Suction cleaning apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 25, 1947. HCKFQRD 2,416,419

SUCTION CLEANING APPARATUS Filed April 1'7, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR Jack HC/rfora' BY My ATTORNEY- Feb. 25, 1947.

J. PICKFORD SUCTION CLEANING APPARATUS Filed April 1'7, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 TI'ORNEY Patented Feb. 25, 1947 suc'rron CLEANINGAPPABATUS Jack Pickford, Springfield, Mass., assignor to Westinghouse Electric Corporation, East Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application April 17, 1944, Serial No. 531,314 4 Claims. (c1. 15,-14)

My invention relates toa suction cleaner which is adapted for use as an ordinary, handle-propelled cleaner in which dirt laden air is drawn through a nozzle moved 'over the surface to be cleaned, and which may be converted to tank type cleaner in which dirt laden air drawn through an attachment hose applied to the cleaner and in which filtered air may be blown through 'said hose. I

One object of my invention is to provide an improved cleaner of the type set forth.

A further object is to produce an improved converting mechanism for a cleaner of the type set forth.

A still further object of my invention is to produce an improved construction which includes means for locking the attachment hose to the cleaner, and means for insuring the return of the converting mechanism to the position it occupies when the cleaner is used for ordinary floornozzle cleaning, before the attachment hose can be disconnected from the cleaner.

These and other objects are effected by my invention as will be apparent from the following description and claims taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this application, in which:

Fig. 1 is a view, partly in section and partlyin elevation, of a suction cleaner embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view, in side elevation, of certain details of construction;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, showing other details of construction;

Fig. 4 is a section on line IV-IV of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing the suction cleaner converted from floor-nozzle cleaning to attachment suction cleaning;

' 2 compartment 22 in which is positioned a fan 24 driven by an electric motor (not shown). The nozzle l4 communicates with the dust bag through a passage 28 and a port 30, and the inlet 25 of the fan 24 communicates with the dust bag compartment 18 through a suitable passage (not shown). The fan compartment 22 is provided with an exhaust outlet 82 formed in a wall 34 of the compartment .22 The outlet 32 communicates with the atmosphere through an opening 36 formed in the cleaner casing.

When used for ordinary floor cleaning, the fan 24 draws air through the. nozzle l4, passage 28, port 30, and into dust bag 26 which filters the air. The filtered air is drawn into the inlet of the fan and is discharged into the compartment 22, as shown by the arrows in Fig. 1. With the parts set as shown in Fig. 1, the air is exhausted into the atmosphere through openings 32 and' 36. The rotary agitator i 6 is driven by the motor actuating the fan 24' by any suitable well-known means (not shown).

In order to be able to convertthe cleaner from an ordinary, handle-propelled cleaner to a tank type cleaner, in which dirt laden air may be drawn, or filtered air may be blownthrough an attachment hose, the cleaner is provided with a passage 38 extending rearwardly from the passage 28 and disposed beneath the fan compartment 22. The passage 38 is formed of a bottom wall 40 and side walls 42 and 44. A portion of I the bottom wall 46 of the fan compartment 22 Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view, partly in section v and partly in elevation, showing a modified form of construction with the cleaner adjusted for attachment blowing;

Fig. 7 is a view similar to cleaner adjusted for attachment suction cleaning; and

Fig. 8 is a'section on line VIIIVIII of Fig. 6.

.Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings, my invention is shown applied to a suction cleaner l0 supported on wheels l2 and adapted to be moved Fig. 6, showing the over a surface to be cleaned by a suitable pivoted handle (not shown). The cleaner ID is provided with a floor nozzle l4 in which may be mounted a rotary agitator I6. The cleaner is also provided with a dust bag compartment 18, in which is positioned a dust bag 20, and a fan -forms the top wall or the passage 38. A hinged valve 48 is movable selectively to connect the passage 28 or the passage 88 withthe port 38 and the dust bag 20. The valve 48 is biased by a spring 50 into the'position shown in Fig. 1 'in which it closes the passage 38 oil from the port 30. The top wall 46 i provided with an opening 52 which leads into the passage 38.

The converting mechanism includes a slide 54 which overlies the passage 38 and which is provided with an opening 56. The opening is adapted, in one position or the slide 54, to register with the opening 52 in the wall 46, to establish communication between the fan compartment 22 and the passage 38. The converting mechanism also includes an arm. 58 which is carrled'by the slide 54 and which is movable in an opening 60 in the top wall 46 of the passage 88. The arm 58 is adapted, in one position of the slide, to actuate the valve 48 into the position shown in Fig. 5 in which the nozzle I4 is shut ofl'i'rom the port 30 and in which communication is established between the port 30 and the passage 86. A portion the free 64 or the slide 54 at all'times closes the opening 68 regardless of the position of the slide. The slide '54 also carries a tab 62 which in one posiauas o tion of the slide closes thegexhaust opening 32.

An adapter. 66 is connected to one tachment hose 68. the other end of which may be provided with any desired dusting or blowing tool. I 4

I When it is desired suction cleanin through the attachment hose 68, end oi! the adapter 66 is inserted into the passage 38 and the slide 54 is moved inwardly or to the left, as viewed inFig. l. This causes the arm 58 to move the valve 48 from the position shown in Fig. 1 to that shown in Fig. 5 in which the nozzle I4 is shut off from the port 38, and in which the passage 38 communicates ,with the port 38,and the low pressure side or the fan.

- Dirt laden air is now drawn through the attachment hose 68 into the dust bag 28 and the filtered air is discharged through the exhaust openings 32 and 36.

when it is desired to convert the cleaner so as to blow filtered air through the attachment hose 68,,the slide 54 is moved outwardly,'or to the right as viewed in Fig. 1, so as to withdraw the arm 58 from contact with the valve 48 and so as to cause the tab 62 to close the outlet opening.- 32. The opening 56 in the slidenow registers with the opening 52, and the valve 48 is biased to the position shown in Fig. 1. Air is drawn end or an at- I to convertthe cleaner to provide the opposite side of the adapter 66 with another side pin 86 which is adapted to pass through a slot 88 in the opposite side wall 44 of the "passage 36. Adjacent the inner end of the slot 88 I provide another latch 98 which is' pivoted at .92gand whichjs provided'with a. square edged w lockingportion 94 adapted to engage a. corre-'- spondingly shaped recess 96 formed in the slide 54. Thelatch 88 is also provided with a cam portion 88 which overlaps the inner portion of the slot88; A spring I88 biases the latch 88 upwardly into a position in which the locking portion 94 engages the recess 86 to prevent movement.

of the slide 54 until the adapter 66 shall have been inserted into the passage 38. when. the

I adapter 66 is inserted into the passage 38, the

. pin 86.rides on the cam surface 98 to depress the latch 88 into the position shown in Fig. 2 in through the nozzle I4 into the dust bag, where Y yitis filtered, and the filtered air is drawn by the fan and discharged into the compartment 22 as above explained. The filtered air discharged by the fan into the compartment 22 is exhausted through- openings 56 and 52 into the passage 88 and out through theadapter 66 and hose 68.

In order to lock the adapter 66 in position with- I in the passageas long as the cleaner is used for suction cleaning or through the attachment hose or for blowing air through said hose, the end of 1 the adapter 66 is provided with a side pin 18, and

thecorresponding side wall 42 of-the passage 38 1 is providedwith a slot 12 through which the pin I 18 is adapted. to pass. Positioned adjacent the inner end or the slot. I2 is a latch 14 pivoted at I I6 and having a cam portion 88 which is adapt- 5 ed to seat in a. recess 82 formed in the slide 54. I The latch 14 isalso provided with a hookedend portion 84. which overlaps the. inner portion of I the slot I2. A spring 18 normally biases the latch 1 I4 upwardly. "When the slide 54 is in the position 5 shown inFig. 1, the recess 82 therein registers with the cam portion 88 of the latch 14 so that the spring 18 biases the latch 14 upwardly into a position in which the cam portion 88 seats in the recess 82 and the hooked end portion 84 of the latch 14 clears the upper edge of the slot I2 as viewed in Fig.3. Inthis position the pin I8 is not engaged by the end 84 or the latch 14.

When the slide 54 is moved inwardly or outwardly from the position shown in Fig. 1, the

. flat portions of the slide on'either side of the re-v cess 82 will ride upon the cam portion 88 of the latch 14 and depress the latter into the position shown in Fig. 3 in which the pin 18 is engaged by the hooked end 8.4 of the latch I4. The

which the locking portion 94 is disengaged irom therecess 86. The slide 54 may now be moved to either of its other positions which movement, as above stated, depresses the latch I4 to lock the pin 18 and hence the adapter 66 within the pass age 38. When the slide 54 is returned to its intermediate position to permit disengagement of the pin I8 from the hooked end 84 of the latch 14. the locking portion 84 or the latch 88 engages the 'recess- 86in the slide 54- to lock the slidein its intermediate position; The cam surface 98' of the latch 88 is provided with a recess or seat I8l which is adapted to be engaged by the pin 86, to retain the adapter 66 in position pending adjustment of the slide 54 and engagement oi the latch 14 with the pin 86.

In Figs. 6 to 8 there is showna modified or construction in which the structure and operation of the cleaner proper is the same as that I shown in Fig. 1 but in which the means for converting the cleaner is somewhat different. In this construction-a pair of slides H8 and H2 are used.

. The slide H8 is provided with anopening H4 which, in one position of said slide, is adapted to register with the opening 52 in the upperiwall 46 of the passage 38. The slide II8 also carries .the arm 58 for actuating the valve 48. The slide II2 carries the tab 62 which, in one position of the slide 2, closes the opening 32, The slide adapter 66 is now locked in position until the slide 54 is again moved to the position in which I the recess 82 registers with the cam portion 88.

It is thus clear that once the adapter 66 is inserted and the slide 54 is moved to either of its converting positions, the conduit 66 cannot be 1 withdrawn from the passage as until the slide 54 H2 is also provided with an opening II8 which, in one position of said slide, is adapted to register with the openings H4 and 52. .The end ofthe slide I I2 is provided with an upturned lip I28. which isadapted to be engaged by a similar lip I22 on the end of the slide II8 so that the slide- I2 will be moved whenever the slide H8 is moved inwardly. or to the left, as viewed in Fig. 6;.

When it is desired to use the cleaner for blowing filtered air through the attachment hose 68, the adapter 66 is inserted into the passage 38 and the slides I I8 and H2 are both moved outwardlyto the position shown in Fig. 6. In thisposition f the tab 62 closes the outlet 32, the openings II 4 and I I8 register with the opening 52 and the valve 48Ishuts the passage. of! from. the port 38 and the low-pressure side of the fan 24. Filtered air discharged by the fan 24 into the compartment 22 is now exhausted through'the openings H8;

H4, 52, the passage 88,the adapter 66 and out through the-hose 68.

when it is desired to-use the cleaner for suction cleaning through the attachment hose 68,

form

to the position shown in Fig. 7. In'this position the arm 58 moves the valve 48 into a position in which the nozzle I4 is shut oiland the passage 38 is placed in communication with the port 38. the dust bag 20 and the low pressure side of the fan 24. It will be noted that in this position. the openings H3 and III are out of registration with the opening 52 and that the tab 82 does not obstruct the outlet 32. Ian 24 through the hose 88 and adapter 88, into the dust bag 20, and the filtered air is exhausted through the open outlets 32 and 38.

when this form or construction is to be used for floor nozzle cleaning, the slide I I2 is moved inwardly totake the opening "8 out of registratlon with the openings 52 and I I4 and to move the tab 82 away from ,the outlet 32. The slide III! is moved outwardly so as to move the arm 38 away from the valve 48 which is now returned to the position shown in Fig. 6, by the spring 30. The fan 24 now draws air through the nozzle II, the passage .28, the port 30 and the dust bag 20, and

the filtered air is exhausted through the outlets 32 and 38 in the same manner as that described in connection with Fig. l.

In order to guard against unintended move- Air is now drawn by the' latch carried by the cleaner; latch-engaging means carried by said adapter, and means operable upon movement of said valve-actuating means to actuate said second latch into engagement with said latch-engaging means to lock said adaptertosaid passage.

ment oi the parts, I provide a plunger I24 which is biased downwardly by a spring I26, and I provide the slide H0 with a cam member i2! including two recesses I28 and I30. The lower end of the plunger I24, which may be rounded as at I32 is adapted to engage one of the recesses I28 or I30 to hold the slide III! in the position to which it is adjusted. The slide H2 is provided with an opening I36 so that it may be moved independently of the movement of the slide H0 and without affecting the cam member I21. The force of the spring I28 is not sufficient to lock the parts in position but is sumcient to prevent accidental or unintended movement thereof. The end of the adapter 66 may be detachably secured in position within the passage 38 in any desired manner, such as a bayonet coupling, a latch or the like. Since this connection may be conventional it is not shown.

' While I have shown my invention in several forms, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various other changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof, and I desire,

therefore, that only such limitations shall be 2. A suction cleaner comprising a casing, a suction-creating device therein, said casing having a suction nozzle and a discharge outlet, a wall structure defining a passage adjacent a wall of said casing, valve means for selectively connecting said passage or said nozzle to the low-pressure side of said suction -creating device, valve means movable into a plurality of positions for selective- 1y connecting said passage or said outlet to the high-pressure side of said suction-creating device, valve-actuating means movable into a plurality of positions for selectively actuating either of said valve means into one or the other of its positions, an adapter connectible to said passage,

a latch carried by the cleaner, a spring normally urging said latch into a position locking said valve-actuating means against movement, a pin carried by and operable upon connection of said adapter to said passage to disengage said latch from said valve-actuating means, a second latch carried by the cleaner, latch-engaging means carried by said adapter, a spring normally urging said second latch out of engagement with said latch-engaging means, and means operable upon movement of said valve-actuating means to actuate said second latch into engagement with said latch-engaging means to lock the adapter to said passage.

placed thereupon as are specifically set forth in said passage or said outlet to the high-pressure side of said suction-creating device. valve-actuating means movable into a plurality of positions for selectively actuating either of said valve means into one or the other of its respective positions. an adapter connectible to said passage. a

latch carried by the cleaner and normally'locking said valve-actuating means against movement, means operable in response to connection of said adapter to said passage to disengage said latch from said valve-actuating means, a second 3. A suction cleaner comprising a casing, a sue-- tion-creating device therein, said casing having a suction nozzle and a discharge outlet, a wall structure defining a passage adjacent a wall of said casing, valve means movable into a plurality of positions for selectively connecting said pasconnecting said passage or said outlet to the high pressure side of said suction-creating device, valve-actuating means movable into a plurality of positions for selectively actuating either'of said valve means into one or the other of their respective positions, an adapter insertable into said passage, a latch carried by a wall of said passage and normally locking said valve-actuating means against movement, and means operable in response to insertion of said adapter into said passage to disengage said latch from said valve actuating means.

4. A suction cleaner comprising a casing, a suction-creating device therein, said casing having a suction nozzle and an attachment suction inlet, valve means movable into a plurality of positions for selectively connecting said nozzle or said inlet to the low-pressure side of said suction-creating device, valve-actuating means movable into a plurality of positions'for selectively actuating said valve means into one or-the other of said positions, an adapter connectible to said inlet, a

latch carried by the casing and normally locking said valve-actuating means in the position to connect said nozzle to the low-pressure side when said adapter is not connected to said inlet, means operable in response to connection of said adapter to said inlet to actuate said latch to release said valve-actuating means, said valve actuating means being then movable into either of said positions, a second latch carried by the cleaner, latch-engaging means carried by said adapter,

and means operable in; response to movement of said valve-actuating means to the position to Iconnect said inletto the low-pressure side to actuate said second'lateh'into eng ement with said latch-engaging means to lock said adapter to said 5 inlet and operable in response to movement 01' v isaid valve-actuating means to the position to con- :nect said nozzle tothe low-pressure side to actuiate said second latch out of engagement with said latch-engaging means to release said adapter 10- from said inlet. I

' JACK PICH'ORD.

Number REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date 2,072,696 Whitaker Mar, 2, 1937 2,254,663 Osborn Sept. 2, 1941'

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