Air Cooling By Other Than Main Air Stream Patents (Class 15/413)
  • Patent number: 6308374
    Abstract: Disclosed is a unique and novel air filtering, self-propelled upright vacuum cleaner. The filtration system utilizes a HEPA-rated air filter as a final filtering element. The disclosed vacuum cleaner contains numerous other features including a self-propelled drive mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: White Consolidated Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent L. Bobrosky, Richard J. Eisenmenger, John A. Huebsch, Christer T. Kontio, Joseph L. Mulcahy, William R. Reimer, Timothy P. Toohill
  • Patent number: 6305048
    Abstract: An enclosure is constructed as a back pack so that it may be worn. Air is conducted into an air intake chamber, then to an air intake plenum by air impeller. An electric motor is coupled with an air impeller, with motor cooling accomplished by the positioning of the electric motor adjacent to a motor cooling intake aperture. A sound absorbing layer lines the enclosure. Air exits through an air exhaust orifice for application in blowing leaves etc. A rotational transmission, terminating with a coupling is adapted for receiving an accessory for operation of the accessory so that a wide range of garden, carpentry and farming accessories may be utilized with the power take-off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Inventor: Harold Salisian
  • Publication number: 20010005919
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a tank assembly having an open end, a cap assembly removably connected to and generally closing off the open end, an inlet assembly disposed on one of the tank and cap assemblies, an exit opening disposed on one of the tank and cap assemblies, a vacuum source connected to one of the tank and cap assemblies for drawing process air through the inlet assembly, a filter assembly disposed between the inlet assembly and the exit opening, the filter assembly comprising a filter, and a filter bag assembly covering at least part of the filter, wherein the filter bag assembly comprises a filter bag and a drain tube connected to the filter bag. Preferably, the drain tube is integrally built into the filter bag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Publication date: July 5, 2001
    Applicant: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Worden, Curt J. Schulze, Jon Brigner, Jack P. Christen
  • Patent number: 6192551
    Abstract: A wet cleaning apparatus having at least one outlet is provided. The apparatus has an intake fitting, for a suction air stream, which opens out into a liquid container. An upper housing part is disposed on the liquid container and has disposed therein a motor about which at least part of which flows a coolant air flow. At least one turbulence chamber is provided in which the suction air stream and the coolant air flow meet one another at an angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: PROAIR GmbH Gerätebau
    Inventor: Paul Roth
  • Patent number: 6175988
    Abstract: An electric motor driven bypass type vacuum cleaner apparatus, particularly adapted for wet/dry debris collection includes an open top debris collection tank having opposed integrally formed cup-shaped feet for supporting said apparatus in a stable position on a support surface. The tank includes a recess in a sidewall and a bottom wall for receiving a conduit member which may be interchangeably used as a connector for connecting a flexible vacuum hose to the tank and as a blower discharge nozzle. A flexible vacuum pickup hose is connected to the conduit member generally at the bottom side of the debris collection tank and, in a stored position on the apparatus, is trained through a recess in the bottom wall of the tank and over the top of a motor housing and shroud assembly to a connection point in one of the support feet adjacent the conduit member. The vacuum hose, when stored, is retained in a recess in the shroud which also serves as a carrying handle for the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Overhead Door Corporation
    Inventors: James A. White, Aaron J. Potts, Thomas J. DeBlasis, Dino A. Mariano
  • Patent number: 6052862
    Abstract: A cord rewinder assembly for a wet filter type vacuum cleaner with a moist air discharge outlet includes a conventional cord rewinder and a deflector plate. The deflector plate not only shields the cord rewinder from direct contact with the moist airflow discharge but also functions to remove moisture from the airflow so that it can be utilized to cool the electrical components of the cord rewinder. Incoming air carrying dirt and dust is cleaned by passing the air stream through a canister of water and a series of secondary filters. The clean discharge air, which contains moisture and water vapor, impinges on the deflector plate and is redirected downwardly at a high velocity toward a cavity. The airflow enters the cavity at a lower velocity, passes beneath the deflector plate and reverses direction. The decrease in airflow velocity and the redirection of the airflow allows the moisture and water vapor to drop out of the airflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Multicraft International
    Inventor: Vernon Lowery
  • Patent number: 6003200
    Abstract: Vacuum cleaning apparatus, particularly adapted for wet/dry cleaning operations includes a powerhead housing assembly formed by an impeller housing for supporting an electric motor which drives a working air impeller and a motor cooling air fan and a cover member removably secured to the impeller housing. The impeller housing and the cover member define flow passages and chambers for diffusing and expanding working air flow to reduce noise emissions therefrom and for directing motor cooling air through the housing assembly without mixing with working air flow and while minimizing the ingestion of working air into the motor cooling air flowpath. An alternate embodiment of the housing assembly includes separable, opposed impeller housing members and a shroud member, all secured together by common fasteners and cooperating to form the working air diffusing and expansion chambers together with the cooling air flow passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Overhead Door Corporation
    Inventors: Aaron J. Potts, Jerome G. Kitska, David B. Finley
  • Patent number: 5974623
    Abstract: A motor housing for a vacuum cleaner includes a motor chamber supported within a main housing wall. A first airway defined between the motor chamber and the main housing wall provides a pathway for the working air flow within the vacuum cleaner. A second airway is defined through the motor chamber by an inlet opening and a venting outlet. The airway through the motor chamber allows air to flow along and directly encounter the motor during vacuum operation. The air flow through the first airway not only serves as the working air flow, but also as a secondary cooling air flow because the air passes along the exterior surface of the motor chamber and provides a cooling effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Rexair, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Richard Cummins, Dean Robert Rohn
  • Patent number: 5797163
    Abstract: An extraction machine of this invention comprises a main housing. A vacuum pump in the main housing operates to create a vacuum to extract liquid from the surface. A motor in the main housing drives the vacuum pump, the vacuum pump having an exhaust. An exhaust duct conducts exhaust air from the exhaust of the vacuum pump to an opening in the main housing for exhaust to the environment. A constriction in the exhaust duct reduces the pressure of exhaust air flowing through the exhaust duct from a first pressure upstream from the constriction to a second lower pressure in a low pressure zone adjacent the constriction. A compartment has an inlet for entry of ambient air into the compartment and an outlet for exit of air from the compartment. A second motor is located within the compartment. A cooling duct has an inlet communicating with the outlet of the compartment and an outlet communicating with the low pressure zone in the exhaust duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: Clarke Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Emert Robert Whitaker, Lenard Keith Deiterman, Michael Gerald Kramer
  • Patent number: 5737798
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a suction nozzle and a dust bag (12) which is connected to the nozzle, for instance, by a tube connection, and a turbo-fan unit (27) driven by an electric motor and placed after the dust bag seen in the flow direction. The impeller (29) of the turbo-fan unit is driven at a speed above 50,000 rpm. A primary air stream created by the turbo-fan unit (27) leaves the unit via an outlet (30) to atmosphere. The vacuum cleaner also creates a secondary air stream which at least partially cools the electric motor (32) and which flows into the electric motor via one or several cooling air inlets (44) which are separated from the primary air stream. The secondary air stream can be created by a cooling fan which is separate or integral with the impeller, by a venturi-type nozzle, or by suction created by the impeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget Electrolux
    Inventors: Lars Gunnar Moren, Christer Caleb Ingemar Wiss, Magnus Carl Wilhelm Lindmark
  • Patent number: 5737797
    Abstract: A central vacuum unit having an acoustic damping system is provided. The central vacuum unit includes a canister having a sidewall forming a hollow interior and a lid closing an end of the sidewall, a vacuum motor within the canister which emits noise during operation, at least one cooling air inlet for admitting cooling air into the hollow interior, and at least one cooling air outlet in the sidewall for exhausting the cooling air from the hollow interior. Additionally, the sidewall has an exhaust port and the motor has an exhaust pipe extending through the exhaust port. The acoustic damping system includes an acoustic damping tunnel, an acoustic damping canopy, and an exhaust port seal. The acoustic damping tunnel is within the hollow interior and forms a pathway between the hollow interior and the cooling air outlet. The pathway is lined with a sound absorbing material so that the tunnel reduces noise emitted from the hollow interior through the cooling outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignees: Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc., White Consolidated Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen P. Rittmueller, Douglas E. Johnson, Steven D. Lauritsen, J. Adin Mann, III, David K. Holger
  • Patent number: 5701631
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a housing (10) in which is disposed an electric circuit, a motor-fan unit (14), and a dust container (12). The dust container is received in a chamber (11). The chamber is provided with an opening (16) through which the dust container can be removed from the chamber. The opening is normally closed by a cover (17). The cover (17) is provided with a heat-transmitting surface which is thermally connected to at least one heat-generating power component (42) disposed in the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget Electrolux
    Inventor: Tommy Lindquist
  • Patent number: 5638575
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes an electric motor which drives a suction fan to draw air and debris into the cleaner via an inlet. The air and debris pass along a passageway and creates a suction at a bleed way to draw air through the motor and out of a compartment. Air enters the compartment through vents (not shown) in a side of an outer housing. The arrangement enhances the cooling of the motor and uses air uncontaminated with debris.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Techtronic Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Timmy Hok Yin Sin
  • Patent number: 5592716
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a suction nozzle and a dust bag (12) which is connected to the nozzle, for instance, by a tube connection, and a turbo-fan unit (27) driven by an electric motor and placed after the dust bag seen in the flow direction. The impeller (29) of the turbo-fan unit is driven at a speed above 50,000 rpm. A primary air stream created by the turbo-fan unit (27) leaves the unit via an outlet (30) to atmosphere. The vacuum cleaner also creates a secondary air stream which at least partially cools the electric motor (32) and which flows into the electric motor via one or several cooling air inlets (44) which are separated from the primary air stream. The secondary air stream can be created by a cooling fan which is separate or integral with the impeller, by a venturi-type nozzle, or by suction created by the impeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget Electrolux
    Inventors: Lars G. Moren, Christer C. I. Wiss, Magnus C. W. Lindmark
  • Patent number: 5551122
    Abstract: A handheld vacuum cleaner is provided that has a motor mounted with the rotational axis of its shaft parallel to the rotational axis of the rotating brush. The vacuum cleaner motor has an end bell, which is attached to the motor stator, and which holds a motor shaft bearing. The end bell is secured to the vacuum housing with an elastomeric mounting ring to dampen motor vibrations. The need for most motor mounting hardware is eliminated, because the housing supports the motor stator directly. The intake orifice of the vacuum is shaped to lie in two distinct planes, so that flat cleaning surfaces do not obstruct the orifice. The shape of the intake also allows one to clean immediately adjacent to a vertical wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Electrolux Corporation
    Inventors: Robert W. Burkhardt, John W. Walch, Ricky A. Owens, Dennis J. Mancl
  • Patent number: 5421058
    Abstract: A hand-held vacuum cleaner is disclosed including first and second air intake chambers to accommodate cooling air intake to the vacuum cleaner motor, and an exhaust chamber to accommodate exhausted cooling air from the motor. The motor has a cooling fan which draws cooling air in from both ends of the motor and exhausts it from a middle portion thereof. First and second peripheral baffle walls in a motor mount portion of the vacuum cleaner housing extend towards contiguous engagement with the motor to define air intake and exhaust chambers. A motor mounting plate is fastened to the motor and is secured in the housing by a wedging and binding reception in a slot within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1995
    Assignee: Royal Appliance Mfg. Co.
    Inventors: Terry L. Zahuranec, David M. Wert
  • Patent number: 5400463
    Abstract: A canister vacuum cleaner improved by noise dampening means interposed between the outlets of its internal vacuum pump and the air outlet from the canister. The noise dampening means may comprise a baffle interposed between the pump outlets and air outlet of the canister in a manner which provides little resistance to a flow of air from the pump outlets to the air outlets of the canister. Further means which may comprise further baffles may be provided to dampen noise from the pump driving electric motor and motor cooling fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Assignee: Beam of Canada, Inc.
    Inventors: Carmel P. Attard, Byron Hacopian, Muc Dang
  • Patent number: 5386613
    Abstract: A water/air separating mechanism receives dirty water, and separates the air from the dirty water before discharging the air. The mechanism includes a housing in which there is disposed a motor which sucks the dirty water and air along a passage which includes an interruption located above a water chamber. The interruption includes a water outlet spaced horizontally from an air inlet. Water leaving the outlet gravitates into the water chamber, and the air travels to the air inlet. That air passes through the motor and then travels through a zig-zag passage before being discharged from the body. A floating valve in the water chamber is arranged to close the air inlet when the water reaches a certain level. A wave dissipation device in the chamber resists the creation of waves in the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1995
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Han-Jin Woo
  • Patent number: 5311640
    Abstract: A dry vacuum apparatus for a dental operatory features an in-line configuration wherein a power unit subassembly is directly mounted upon a collection tank with a pair of brushless DC vacuum motor fan units in axially aligned, vertically stacked reverse relation with air inlets of the motors confronting one another and with a vacuum air outlet of one blower connected in series relation to a vacuum air inlet of the other blower, an air cooling circuit being provided for supplying cooling air to a common sealed plenum chamber servicing the confronting motor air inlets and also to the vacuum air inlets of the blowers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Inventor: Robert S. Holland
  • Patent number: 5129128
    Abstract: A hand-held corded vacuum cleaner having a housing with a motor compartment containing a motor mounted on partitions defining inlet, cooling and outlet chambers for efficient motor cooling by air which enters inlet and exits outlet vents in the inlet and outlet chambers, respectively. A dirt channel extends from a fan chamber having a fan mounted by being swaged on a motor shaft. A nozzle chamber is disposed at one end of the housing and a bag assembly is removably detached from the rear of the housing by means of a collar having a side hole through which a detent extends and which may be depressed to remove the bag assembly. The nozzle is in communication with the fan chamber and the fan pushes dirt through a dirt channel over the motor compartment into the bag of the bag assembly. The motor shaft has a pulley at the end thereof which is connected to a brush which is releasably retained in the nozzle compartment. A belt extends around the brush and the pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Assignee: TRC Acquisition Corporation
    Inventors: Leonard E. Bowerman, Eugene K. Chumley, Raymond D. Owens, William E. Bartasevich, Robert L. Waldow, John R. Caterinacci
  • Patent number: 5074006
    Abstract: This vacuum comb is designed to quickly remove fleas, ticks, other insects, loose hair, and debris from a pet's coat. The device utilizes a housing having spaced apart tines on the front open end for loosening the fleas, ticks, other insects, loose hair and other debris, so as to enable the vacuum produced by the device to pull same into a debris collecting compartment in a removable canister of the device. The housing further includes a motor with a fan blade on its interior for producing the vacuum and an air cooling tube is attached to one end of the motor and extends through the handle grip of the device to a filter, for drawing in atmospheric air to efficiently cool the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1991
    Inventor: Nunzio Eremita
  • Patent number: 4934017
    Abstract: A multiple function, modular vacuum cleaning system is described having a vacuum head which is releasably mounted on a waste recovery tank to form a first, portable wet/dry vacuum cleaning machine. The wet/dry vacuum cleaning machine in turn can be mounted on a cleaning solution tank to provide a second portable machine having wet extraction as well as wet and dry vacuum capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1990
    Assignee: Rug Doctor, Inc.
    Inventor: Willie D. Kent
  • Patent number: 4924039
    Abstract: A cooled cord reel is provided for use with an electrical appliance. The cord reel includes a hub, a pair of cord retaining flanges mounted on the hub, a terminal block mounted in the hub and an electrical cord coiled on the hub and between the retaining flanges. Apertures are provided on the cord retaining flanges to permit cooling air flowing inwardly into the coiled cord and outwardly through it. The cord reel, additionally, has apertures in the cylindrical surface of its hub and slots through the terminal block to permit cooling air from within the hub to flow outwardly through the slots of the terminal block and the apertures of the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1990
    Assignee: The Hoover Company
    Inventors: Gregg A. McAllise, Thomas L. Ingersoll
  • Patent number: 4891861
    Abstract: A hand vacuum cleaner is provided comprising a lightweight motor housing containing a revolving brush. A bag assembly is selectively separable from the housing and is sealable to the housing with an elastomeric retaining ring including a sealing and retaining bead for reception in a recessed slot area of a housing bag attachment collar. A fan is mounted to the motor on a motor shaft locking surface including a wall portion tapering towards the fan. The shaft is in locking cooperation with a mating fan bore locking surface including a wall portion tapered for close reception of the motor shaft locking surface. A shaft extension is threadedly received on the motor shaft and is urged into engagement against the fan by resistance of a revolving brush operated by a belt received on the shaft extension which continually tightens the shaft extension to the motor shaft and fixes the fan to the motor shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1990
    Assignee: Royal Appliance Mfg. Co.
    Inventors: John F. Sovis, Robert M. Smith, George H. Bramhall
  • Patent number: 4884314
    Abstract: A portable rechargeable battery-operated slender tubular blower for removing relatively light debris from hard surfaces such as sidewalks, driveways, decks or workbench surfaces. The blower uses an axial flow blower fan arranged for noise minimization and energy efficient operation. Blower tube inlet and outlet portions are arranged for debris removal effectiveness by optimizing airflow volume and velocity parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1989
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan L. Miner, Vernon R. Lacher, Gerald J. Rescigno, William B. Swim, Martin P. Gierke, David A. Hahn
  • Patent number: 4783878
    Abstract: According to the invention, a canister with bottom and peripheral walls defines an accumulation space for matter picked up by the vacuum. A lid is secured to the upper edge of the canister and seals the space. The invention resides in the provision of a canister extension whose bottom edge conforms to the top edge of the canister and bears thereupon. The extension can be secured to the canister permanently or removably in any known manner, as by sonic welding or the like. The lid in turn mates with the extension in the same manner that it mates with the open canister edge. Accordingly, the canister capacity is increased. Any number of such extensions can be employed depending upon the range of capacity sought. The invention also contemplates providing a plate bounding an impeller chamber that can be inverted to selectively accommodate different capacity impellers and different capacity motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1988
    Assignee: Central Quality Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: James McCambridge
  • Patent number: 4701974
    Abstract: A cable coil support assembly installable in an appropriate seating space of a vacuum cleaner comprises a cable drum having a hollow hub rotatably supported on a bearing pin axially projecting from a fixed supporting wall of the assembly. The hub is provided with radially oriented openings in communication with a suction space of the vacuum cleaner, whereby cooling air is drawn between adjacent winding of an electrical cable on the cable drum. The supporting wall is provided with at least one opening enabling gaseous communication between the cavity in the hub and the suction space of the vacuum cleaner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1987
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gerhard Konig, Karl Fleck, Herbert Kess, Artur Weigand
  • Patent number: 4665581
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner apparatus having separate passages for outgoing air from the blower and for cooling air for the blower motor, and having a number of turns in each of said passages, each of said passages having a plurality of variations in cross-sectional area, the passages being provided with sound-absorbent linings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1987
    Assignee: Guido Oberdorfer WAP-Maschinen
    Inventor: Guido Oberdorfer
  • Patent number: 4654926
    Abstract: According to the invention, a canister with bottom and peripheral walls defines an accumulation space for matter picked up by the vacuum. A lid is secured to the upper edge of the canister and seals the space. The invention resides in the provision of a canister extension whose bottom edge conforms to the top edge of the canister and bears thereupon. The extension can be secured to the canister permanently or removably in any known manner, as by sonic welding or the like. The lid in turn mates with the extension in the same manner that it mates with the open canister edge. Accordingly, the canister capacity is increased. Any number of such extensions can be employed depending upon the range of capacity sought. The invention also contemplates providing a plate bounding an impeller chamber that can be inverted to selectively accommodate different capacity impellers and different capacity motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1987
    Assignee: Central Quality Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: James McCambridge
  • Patent number: 4655694
    Abstract: A bypass type vacuum includes a casing constructed of a cover and a motor housing disposed within the cover. A first circular partition of the motor housing defines a main expansion chamber which receives working air that is driven radially through side openings in a fan housing that surrounds a fan impeller and is disposed within the main chamber in a decidedly off-center position. A second circular partition of the cover surrounds the first partition and cooperates therewith to define a ring-like auxiliary chamber having an entrance opening in the first partition and an outlet in the second partition. Diametrically opposed constrictions provided by hand grip formations divide the auxiliary chamber into first and second sections of generally equal length, with the entrance being at the center of the first section and the outlet being at the center of the second section, the entrance also being at the portion of the first partition that is closest to the fan housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1987
    Assignee: Shop-Vac Corporation
    Inventor: Robert C. Berfield
  • Patent number: 4651380
    Abstract: A self-contained portable vacuum cleaning machine provides vacuum, hydro-extraction and pressure washing capability and incorporates a vacuum blower head which contains two blowers and (1) is adapted for serial or parallel vacuum blower operation and (2) incorporates a double wall construction which provides cooling air flow for the vacuum motors and defines an exhaust channel for the vacuum blowers which suppresses exhaust noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1987
    Assignee: Rug Doctor, Inc.
    Inventor: Stanley D. Ogden
  • Patent number: 4633543
    Abstract: A hand vacuum cleaner is provided comprising a lightweight motor housing containing a revolving brush. A bag assembly is selectively separable from the housing and is sealable to the housing with an elastomeric retaining ring including a sealing and retaining bead for reception in a recessed slot area of a housing bag attachment collar. A fan is mounted to the motor on a motor shaft locking surface including a wall portion tapering towards the fan. The shaft is in locking cooperation with a mating fan bore locking surface including a wall portion tapered for close reception of the motor shaft locking surface. A shaft extension is threadedly received on the motor shaft and is urged into engagement against the fan by resistance of a revolving brush operated by a belt received on the shaft extension which continually tightens the shaft extension to the motor shaft and fixes the fan to the motor shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1987
    Assignee: Royal Appliance Mfg. Co.
    Inventors: John F. Sovis, Robert M. Smith, George H. Bramhall
  • Patent number: 4586214
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is constructed of relatively rigid, molded plastic main structural elements including a direct collecting tank and a motor housing releaseably secured to each other by a buckle. The main structural plastic elements also include a fan housing wherein a centrifugal fan rotates, a mounting plate to which the motor is secured; and a baffle member having a cup formation which receives the rear of the motor. A common fastening means mechanically secures the fan housing, the plate, and the baffle members to the motor housing. A releaseable latch is at one end of the buckle and a hook at the other end thereof. The latch holds the tank and motor housing together, and the hook is for engaging a wall bracket to mount the cleaner in a vertical position. The buckle also includes a skid portion, located between the latch and hook, to facilitate movement of the cleaner along a horizontal supporting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1986
    Assignee: Shop Vac Corporation
    Inventor: Robert C. Berfield
  • Patent number: 4538971
    Abstract: A by-pass type wet/dry vacuum is provided with a removable lid assembly that includes an electric motor having a lower insulating housing, a cover for the upper end of the motor, a blower housing including vanes for regulating flow of main blower air, a fan having a pancake type impeller, a fan cover and a tank lid having an integrally formed float cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1985
    Assignee: Shop-Vac Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan Miller, Rudolph W. Wacek, Robert C. Berfield, Ronald F. Meland, Robert L. Crevling, Jr., Lonnie B. Lawson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4512057
    Abstract: A floor care appliance having a main housing with a handle extending from an upper portion thereof, and having a motor blower assembly affixed thereto with an inlet tube extending from a lower portion thereof. The main housing is fashioned with a rearwardly open cavity portion for receiving a filter arrangement including a paper filter bag having connection to an outlet tube of the motor blower assembly, and a second stage of filtration implemented by an air permeable closure covering the rearwardly open cavity portion. A floor unit carries a brush actuated by a reversible motor, a dry chemical carpet cleaning powder receptacle and dispensing arrangement for selectively dispensing the powder adjacent the brush, and a plenum chamber extending from adjacent the brush to a swivel having an outlet tube connected and affixed to the inlet tube of the motor blower assembly. A switch assembly is carried by a cover for the main housing and provides for operator selection of one of several modes of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1985
    Assignee: The Singer Company
    Inventors: Gordon E. Laing, Martin E. Harbeck, John E. Jones, William R. Sumerau, William K. Glenn, III
  • Patent number: 4512713
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is provided with a subassembly including an electric motor, a fan driven by the motor and a housing which supports the fan and motor. This assembly is supported on the upper surface of the lid of the dirt collecting drum, with the fan housing being clamped between a motor housing and the lid. First and second thin ring-shaped gaskets mounted in face-to-face relationship are cemented to the fan housing and lid, respectively. A lightly compressed third relatively thick ring-shaped gasket is interposed between the motor housing and fan housing. This three gasket combination serves to effectively isolate the lid and motor housing, as well as other elements of the vacuum cleaner from motor and fan vibrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1985
    Assignee: Shop-Vac Corporation
    Inventor: Robert C. Berfield
  • Patent number: 4463473
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner in which an alarm sound is generated by introducing air from the exterior in bypassing relation to a filter 8 when a suction load imposed on a fan motor 3 exceeds a predetermined value. The alarm sound can be emitted or stopped without adversely affecting the introduction of bypassing air toward the fan motor 3. With such an arrangement, the vacuum cleaner can be used conveniently, and the fan motor 3 is prevented from being burned out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1984
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiichi Nakada, Hiromi Yoshikawa, Hiroshi Ohno, Tsuneo Nishijima, Hiroshi Kawakami
  • Patent number: 4462137
    Abstract: The electric vacuum cleaner here disclosed includes a main motor housing supporting a bypass type motor within it. The motor housing is separably connected to and swingable about the materials collecting tank beneath it. A tube projecting above the cover of the tank and extending laterally over the cover defines the air flow communication between the tank and depending side sections of the motor housing which meet and are releasably attached to the ends of the tube. The tube also defines the swing axis of the motor housing. Detents control this swinging. A resilient cuff over the motor in the housing separates the fan motor bypass cooling air inlet and outlet from each other and from the main suction fan outlet and also separates all of these from the main suction fan inlet, while also defining respective flow paths communicating with inlets and outlets from the motor housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1984
    Assignee: Shop-Vac Corporation
    Inventors: Robert C. Berfield, Richard M. Fegan
  • Patent number: 4454627
    Abstract: A cleaning device operated in conjunction with a vacuum cleaner includes a housing which is composed of a motor housing accommodating a drive motor, a removable nozzle plate formed with a first individual nozzle and a second surface nozzle and enclosing a working tool with a brush, and an air-duct housing forming a suction duct connectable to the vacuum cleaner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1984
    Assignee: Vorwerk & Co. Interholding GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Peter Simm, Wieland Guhne, Christoph Hoesch, Renate Friedrichs
  • Patent number: 4361928
    Abstract: A unitary tubular exhaust duct directs exhaust air from a scroll type outlet for a vacuum pump mounted within a hot water vacuum extraction machine into a baffled exhaust expansion chamber. Noise reduction is accomplished by mixing the exhaust air with the motor cooling air aspirated into the expansion chamber by an exhaust duct branch terminating at its end remote from the exhaust expansion chamber in a cylindrical shroud which surrounds the vacuum pump electrical drive motor casing and the area of the cooling air exhaust holes within that motor casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1982
    Assignee: Parise & Sons, Inc.
    Inventor: Rainer R. Schulz
  • Patent number: 4334337
    Abstract: The disclosure concerns a compact wet-dry vacuum cleaner adapted for collecting both wet and dry materials. The vacuum cleaner is powered by a by-pass type blow motor which is supported in a housing. The housing includes a baffle for separating the inflowing cooling air to the motor from the outflowing air which has cooled the motor. The placement of inlets and outlets to the motor housing prevents debris and liquid from splashing on the motor. A materials collection tank is separably attached to the motor housing to enable the tank to be removed for cleaning. The tank includes a nozzle at its front wall, which nozzle has an exit near the top of the tank. A curved air flow redirector at the top of the tank separates collected material from the air. The outlet from the tank is laterally spaced from the flow redirector. The motor housing is attached to a swivelable cover that extends over the motor. The cover extends over a duct that communicates between the materials collection tank and the blow motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1982
    Assignee: Shop-Vac Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan Miller, Richard Fegan, Robert C. Berfield, Kenneth R. Hiester, Rudolph W. Wacek
  • Patent number: 4330899
    Abstract: The disclosure concerns a housing for reducing the noise and exhaust air velocity of a bypass type blower motor, particularly a motor used for a tank type vacuum cleaner. The entire housing sits atop the lid of the tank of the vacuum cleaner. The bypass type blower motor has a main, suction generating, centrifugal blower fan and a separate motor cooling fan. Outlet from the main blower fan is into a first expansion chamber above the lid. A spiral pathway baffle in the first expansion chamber defines a gradually increasing cross-section plenum which communicates from the fan to the outlet from the first expansion chamber. There is a tubular outlet from the first expansion chamber which is surrounded by a sound baffling cuff of foamed plastic material. A cooling air inlet to the motor cooling fan and a separate cooling air outlet from the casing for the motor cooling fan are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1982
    Assignee: Shop-Vac Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan Miller, Richard Fegan, Robert C. Berfield, Kenneth R. Hiester, Rudolph W. Wacek
  • Patent number: 4288885
    Abstract: A vacuum pump assembly, axially mounted within a hot water vacuum extraction machine enclosed housing, includes an enclosed cylindrical casing. A vertical axis shaft mounted fan at the lower end of the vacuum pump assembly casing rotates within an annular shroud bearing radial ports and which closely surrounds the fan blading with minimal air gap between the tips of the fan blades and the shroud annular sidewall to improve cooling air flow through the fan and over the pump assembly motor coils and reducing the hot water vacuum extraction machine housing interior temperature and that within the vacuum pump assembly. By cooling air flow discharge from the bottom of the extraction machine housing, water entry to the vacuum pump assembly interior is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1981
    Assignee: Parise & Sons, Inc.
    Inventor: Carl Parise
  • Patent number: 4280245
    Abstract: The disclosure concerns a sound dome which is positioned over the motor housing of a bypass type vacuum cleaner. The main housing outlet for the main blower fan of the vacuum cleaner opens under the sound dome. The dome outlet from the sound dome is spaced away from the main housing outlet, causing the air from the main housing outlet to be redirected to the dome outlet. The motor housing has a tower portion that extends up into the sound dome. The housing has a cooling air inlet for cooling air to the motor, which is located higher up on the tower, and has a cooling air outlet for air that has cooled the motor, which is located lower on the tower. A baffle in the sound dome separates the cooling air inlet and the cooling air outlet. The enlarged plenum defined by the sound dome and the indirect pathway between the main housing outlet and the exit from the sound dome tend to reduce the noise generated by the vacuum cleaner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1981
    Assignee: Shop-Vac Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth R. Hiester
  • Patent number: 4266581
    Abstract: A vacuum treatment unit for removing excess water from newly poured concrete. The unit comprises a vacuum pump connectable to at least two suction mats or the like via separate suction pipes. So that the pump will always obtain sufficient cooling, the suction pipes are readily disconnectably connected to the suction mats and said pipes are connected at their other ends to the vacuum pump via a settable valve device so constructed that at least one of the pipes is always connected to the suction side of the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1981
    Assignee: Tremix AB
    Inventor: Harald S. Wenander
  • Patent number: 4231133
    Abstract: A suction power unit for a wet vacuum machine includes a dome-shaped housing closed off by a bottom wall with an inlet defined in the bottom wall and a centrifugal blower aligned with the inlet. A second wall is parallel to the bottom wall and spaced therefrom defining an exhaust chamber about the centrifugal blower and hermetically separating the motor on the centrifugal blower from the exhaust chamber. An inlet opening in the second wall and a third wall spaced from the second wall and parallel thereto define a chamber, and a second centrifugal blower is provided in the so-formed chamber between the second and third walls with the motor beyond the third wall hermetically sealed from the chamber formed between the second and third walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1980
    Assignee: Deep Steam Extraction (1974) Ltd.
    Inventor: Miroslav Probost
  • Patent number: 4213224
    Abstract: A portable vacuum cleaner with a bypass fan arrangement: the main fan draws air into the vacuum cleaner housing axially and discharges it radially from the housing; a plenum chamber receives the air from the housing outlet and redirects the outlet air in a direction away from the housing inlet; the motor for the main fan is cooled by a motor cooling fan drawing air over the motor from the end of the motor housing opposite its inlet end; the main air flow and cooling air flows being separate; the housing is shaped internally to assure the separation of air flows just described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1980
    Assignee: Shop-Vac Corporation
    Inventor: Jonathan Miller
  • Patent number: 4114231
    Abstract: This invention relates to an air flow system for a vacuum cleaner which, because of the nature of the machine, must be able to operate in wet or damp environments without the ingestion of water into the motor. The housing for the motor is of a bulbous shape manufactured of an insulating material and is arranged to have a bulbous shaped insulating cap fitted on the housing in a spaced apart relationship, such that two air flow channels are produced between the housing and cap by a pair of rib structures integrally cast in said housing structure. Air is drawn into the bottom of the cap and moves upwardly between housing and cap, passes through the housing and through the motor fan, through the motor to provide the necessary cooling and thence is expelled to atmosphere by passage out of ports in the housing to pass into another section of the housing-cap structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1978
    Inventor: Jelle G. Nauta
  • Patent number: 4088424
    Abstract: A wet pick-up type vacuum motor fan unit with a separately ventilated motor section and a motor end bracket serving also as a support for, and part of a discharge end housing wall for, the working air fan section, has on the bracket fanward face a centrally apertured metal disk plate defining a flow space or path for bearing sealing air flow from ambient air inlets external of the motor section to a central discharge into the inlet eye of an auxiliary fan clamped on the shaft back-to-back with a larger diameter working air centrifugal fan adjacent the end bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1978
    Assignee: Ametek, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Hyatt, Norbert H. Niessner
  • Patent number: RE32027
    Abstract: A wet pick-up type vacuum motor fan unit with a separately ventilated motor section and a motor end bracket serving also as a support for, and part of a discharge end housing wall for, the working air fan section, has on the bracket fanward face a centrally apertured metal disk plate defining a flow space or path for bearing sealing air flow from ambient air inlets external of the motor section to a central discharge into the inlet eye of an auxiliary fan clamped on the shaft back-to-back with a larger diameter working air centrifugal fan adjacent the end bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1985
    Assignee: Ametek, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Hyatt, Norbert H. Niessner