Vacuum bag mounting assembly

Abstract

A vacuum bag housing assembly for housing a vacuum bag within a vacuum cleaner including a vacuum bag housing, a mounting plate that receives a collar of the vacuum bag, and a plurality of linking members. Each of the plurality of linking levers includes a first end that is pivotally attached to the mounting plate and a second end that is pivotally attached to a fixed portion of the vacuum bag housing. The plurality of linking levers allows the mounting plate to swing between a down and out position and an up and in position within the vacuum bag housing.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is related to vacuum cleaners, and in particular to vacuum cleaners having removable vacuum bags.

BACKGROUND

Conventional vacuum cleaners use fabric or paper bags to capture the dirt and dust picked up by the vacuum cleaner. The process of changing the filter bag is frequently rather difficult and complicated. Past attempts at simplifying the vacuum bag replacement process have included the use of a mounting plate that pivots about a hinge. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,089,038 discloses the use of a rectangular mounting plate including a channel that receives a collar of a dust bag. The mounting plate includes a pivot pin which is received within a hinge barrel attached to an inner wall of a vacuum cleaner housing. The pivot pin and hinge barrel allow the mounting plate to pivot to an open position in which the collar can be inserted into or removed from the channel and to a closed position in which the collar is disposed in contact with a vacuum hose. A latch means on the mounting plate is used to latch the mounting plate onto the side of the housing opposite the pivot pin.

The mounting assembly disclosed in the '038 patent, and other similar mounting assemblies using a hinged mounting plate, are disadvantageous in that they require the vacuum cleaner to have a larger and bulkier construction to allow room for the mounting plate to pivot. Also, the pivoting mounting plate constructions typically require that the mounting plate be latched on or snap-fit into a housing assembly after the vacuum bag is replaced, which adds to the overall complexity of the vacuum bag replacement procedure. In this regard, if the mounting plate is not properly latched on or snap-fit into the vacuum housing assembly, the mounting plate may pivot into an open position during use of the vacuum cleaner, thereby disconnecting the vacuum bag from the vacuum hose and allowing dust and dirt particles to scatter throughout the housing assembly. This is particularly problematic in that any free dust or dirt may become lodged in the vacuum cleaner motor or be released back onto the carpet. Further, prior vacuum bag replacement procedures using the hinged mounting plate structure have required the user to operate “in the blind”, in that the user does not have a full view inside the housing assembly to ensure that the mounting plate is properly placed in position.

Accordingly, there is a need for a vacuum bag mounting assembly that allows for easy replacement of vacuum bags and a more compact and light-weight overall vacuum cleaner design.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A vacuum bag housing assembly for housing a vacuum bag within a vacuum cleaner according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention includes a vacuum bag housing, a mounting plate that receives a collar of the vacuum bag, and a plurality of linking members. Each of the plurality of linking levers comprises a first end that is pivotally attached to the mounting plate and a second end that is pivotally attached to a fixed portion of the vacuum bag housing. The plurality of linking levers allows the mounting plate to swing between a down and out position and an up and in position within the vacuum bag housing.

A vacuum cleaner according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a vacuum bag housing assembly, a vacuum nozzle head disposed at a bottom portion of the vacuum bag housing assembly, and a handle for maneuvering the vacuum cleaner. The vacuum bag housing assembly includes a vacuum bag housing, a mounting plate that receives a collar of the vacuum bag, and a plurality of linking members. Each of the plurality of linking levers includes a first end that is pivotally attached to the mounting plate and a second end that is pivotally attached to a fixed portion of the vacuum bag housing. The plurality of linking levers allows the mounting plate to swing between a down and out position and an up and in position within the vacuum bag housing.

In at least one embodiment, the mounting plate includes a receptacle that receives the collar of the vacuum bag.

In at least one embodiment, at least one locking member locks the mounting plate in the down and out position.

In at least one embodiment, the at least one locking member includes a pivoting lever that is biased against the mounting plate when the mounting plate is in the down and out position.

In at least one embodiment, the pivoting lever includes a cam end, and the collar pushes the cam end aside when the collar is inserted into the receptacle to unlock the mounting plate from the down and out position.

In at least one embodiment, the vacuum bag housing includes side walls and at least one rib formed on each side wall, and the pivoting lever includes an end opposite the cam end that is pivotally attached to the at least one rib.

In at least one embodiment, the mounting plate includes an opening that receives a vacuum intake hose.

In at least one embodiment, the vacuum bag is a closable vacuum bag, and the mounting plate comprises a catch that extends through a cutout formed in the closable vacuum bag.

In at least one embodiment, at least one slot is formed in a side wall of the mounting plate, and a detent mechanism extends from at least one rib formed on a side wall of the vacuum bag housing, the detent mechanism being engaged with the at least one slot when the mounting plate is in the up and in position.

These and other features of this invention are described in, or are apparent from, the following detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of this invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various exemplary embodiments of this invention will be described in detail, with reference to the following figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a vacuum cleaner according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a vacuum bag mounting assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 3A and 3B show a vacuum bag collar being inserted into a vacuum bag mounting assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 shows a vacuum bag mounting assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention swinging between a down and out position and an up and in position;

FIGS. 5A-5C are side-views of a vacuum bag housing assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention swinging from a down and out position to an up and in position; and

FIGS. 6A and 6B show a vacuum bag collar being inserted into a vacuum bag mounting plate according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a vacuum bag mounting assembly 1 used with an upright type vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner 10 includes generally a vacuum nozzle head 12, a vertically extending housing assembly 14, and a handle 16. The housing assembly 14 includes a housing assembly opening 18 that allows for access to a vacuum bag 20. In this regard, a removable cover (not shown) may be placed over the housing assembly opening 18 to maintain the vacuum bag 20 within the housing assembly 14. The vacuum bag 20 includes a collar 21 formed at one end, with a collar opening 22 for attachment to a vacuum intake hose 26. A rubber gasket 23 is preferably disposed around the circumference of the collar opening 22, so that a tight seal is formed between the vacuum intake hose 26 and collar opening 22, as explained in further detail below.

The vacuum bag mounting assembly 1 is disposed within the housing assembly 14, as shown in FIG. 1. As best shown in FIG. 2, the mounting assembly 1 includes a mounting plate 24 that is generally a planar body having a rectangular form, or any other suitable shape. A mounting plate opening 28 is disposed at the center portion of the mounting plate 24. The mounting plate opening 28 is configured to receive an end portion of the vacuum intake hose 26.

Vertically extending base members 30 are formed at the lateral edges of the mounting plate 24. Preferably, two spaced-apart base members 30 are formed at one lateral edge of the mounting plate 24, and two spaced-apart base members 30 are formed at the opposite lateral edge of the mounting plate 24. A separate linking member 32 is pivotally attached to each one of the base members 30. In this regard, each of the linking members 32 may include a through-hole formed at one end. Corresponding through-holes may be formed in each of the base members 30, and pivot pins may be inserted through the through-holes to allow the linking members 32 to pivot around the base members 30. The opposite end portion of each of the linking members 32 is preferably pivotally linked to a fixed portion of the housing assembly 14. In this regard, the opposite end portion of each linking member 32 may include a second through-hole that accepts a pivot pin, which in turn extends through a through-hole formed in the fixed portion of the housing assembly 14.

Both lateral edges of the mounting plate 24 are bent downwards into a U-shape to form a vacuum bag collar receptacle 34. In this regard, each lateral edge is bent downwards to form a vertical sidewall 36 and a horizontal support wall 38 extending towards the center of the mounting plate 24. As explained in further detail below, the vacuum bag collar receptacle 34 accepts the collar 21 of the vacuum bag 20.

A horizontal rib 40 is formed on each inner side wall of the housing assembly 14. A locking lever 42 is pivotally attached to each of the ribs 40, by, for example, a pivot pin and through-hole arrangement. Each of the free ends of the locking levers 42 form a cam member 44. The cam member 44 has a generally U-shaped cross-section formed by an upper plate 46 that extends over the mounting plate 24 and a lower plate 48 that extends underneath the mounting plate 24 when the mounting plate 24 is in the down and out position. The locking levers 42 are biased inwards towards the center of the mounting plate 24, by, for example, torsion springs. Openings 46 are formed in the sidewalls 36 and support walls 38 to allow the lower plates 48 of the cam members 44 to extend inwards towards the center of the mounting plate 24 when the locking levers 42 are in their biased positions.

The operation of the vacuum bag mounting assembly in replacing a vacuum bag is now discussed with reference to FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4, and 5A-5C. When a vacuum bag collar 21 is not disposed in the vacuum bag collar receptacle 34, the cam members 44 of the locking levers 42 are biased in contact with the sides of the mounting plate 24 to lock the mounting plate 24 in a down and out position. At this point, the mounting plate 24 is essentially locked to the sidewalls of the housing assembly 14. When the mounting plate 24 is locked in the down and out position, the outer portion of mounting plate 24 preferably extends from the opening 18 in the housing assembly 14. As the user inserts the collar 21 of the vacuum bag 20 into the vacuum bag collar receptacle 34, the mounting assembly 1 remains locked in the down and out position until the collar 21 contacts the cam members 44 of the locking levers 42. At this point, the cam members 44 are pivoted aside by the sides of the collar 21, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, so that the cam members 44 are no longer in contact with the sides of the mounting plate 24. That is, the mounting assembly 1 remains in the locked position until the collar 21 pivots the cam members 44 away from the mounting plate 24. The locking levers 42 are preferably disposed closer to the back portion of the mounting plate 24, so that the mounting plate 24 including the vacuum bag collar receptacle 34 remains locked in the down and out position throughout most of the collar's 21 sliding movement through the vacuum bag collar receptacle 34. Thus, the user can almost completely insert the vacuum bag collar 21 into the vacuum bag collar receptacle 34 without pushing the mounting plate 24 back and up.

Once the locking levers 42 are pushed aside, the linking members 32 allow the mounting assembly 1 to begin to move up and back, as shown in FIG. 5B. The mounting assembly 1 continues to move up and back until the linking members 32 are pivoted to a point at which they are parallel to the mounting plate 24, as shown in FIG. 5C. At this point, the end portion of the vacuum intake hose 26 extends through the mounting plate opening 24 and the collar opening 22, so that the vacuum bag 20 may receive dust and dirt sucked up by the vacuum cleaner 10 and passed through the vacuum intake hose 26. The end portion of the vacuum intake hose 26 is held firmly by the rubber gasket 23 formed around the collar opening 22, thereby locking the vacuum bag 20 and mounting assembly 1 in the up and back position. At this point, the bottom of the vacuum bag 20 preferably rests on the inner bottom wall of the housing assembly 14, thereby providing further assurance that the collar 21 will not disengage from the vacuum intake hose 26. After the vacuum bag 20 and mounting assembly 1 are fully disposed in the up and back position, the user can then replace the removable cover to the housing assembly 14. The cover also blocks the mounting assembly 1 from swinging to the down and out position while the vacuum cleaner is being used.

To remove the vacuum bag 20 from the housing assembly 14, the user pulls the vacuum bag 20 or mounting plate 24 downwards away from the vacuum intake hose 26 so that the collar opening 22 disengages from the vacuum intake hose 26. The mounting assembly 1 can then swing down and out until it returns to the position shown in FIG. 5A. At this point, the user can slide the collar 21 out of the vacuum bag collar receptacle 34. Once the collar 21 is slid past the cam members 44, the cam members 44 are free to return to their original biased position so that the linking members 32 are once again locked in the down and out position. The user can then completely remove the vacuum bag 20 from the vacuum bag collar receptacle 34 for replacement or emptying.

It should be apparent from the above construction that the vacuum cleaner 10 will not function properly until the user inserts the vacuum bag 20 into the mounting assembly 1 and in contact with the vacuum intake hose 26. This is because the mounting assembly 1 protrudes from the housing assembly opening 18 when the vacuum bag 20 is not fully installed in the mounting assembly 1 and in contact with the vacuum intake hose 26, thereby preventing replacement of the housing assembly cover. In this regard, in one embodiment of the invention, the cover may include a circuit switch that prevents the vacuum cleaner motor from operating until the cover is replaced. Other embodiments of the invention may include a circuit switch that prevents the vacuum cleaner motor from operating when the locking levers 42 are in the locked position.

In at least one embodiment of the invention, the mounting assembly 1 may be configured to be useable with a closable vacuum cleaner bag, the details of which are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,725,620, incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. An example of such a closable vacuum bag is shown in FIG. 6. The closable vacuum bag 50 includes a multi-layer collar 52 composed of a base layer 54 and a sliding layer 56, with a collar opening 53 extending through both the base layer 54 and sliding layer 56. The sliding layer 56 includes a cutout 58. In this embodiment, a catch 60 is preferably formed on the bottom surface of the mounting plate 24. As the vacuum bag 50 is slid into the vacuum bag collar receptacle 34 of the mounting plate 24, the catch 60 extends through the cutout 58 in the sliding layer 56 of the vacuum bag collar 52. When the vacuum bag 50 is slid out of the vacuum bag collar receptacle 34, the sliding layer 56 is held in place by the catch 60 while the base layer 54 moves with the vacuum bag 50, so that the sliding layer 56 closes over the collar opening 53. At a certain point during its sliding movement, the sliding layer 56 engages with the base layer 54, thereby preventing the sliding layer 56 from being completely removed from the collar 52. Further application of force will then completely remove the collar 52 from the mounting assembly 1, with the sliding layer 56 moved in position to cover the collar opening 53. Thus, the vacuum bag 50 is completely sealed when it is removed from the mounting assembly 1, thereby preventing escape of dirt and dust particles.

In at least one embodiment of the invention, a spring activated detent mechanism may be used to further lock the mounting assembly 1 in the up and in position. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, a detent mechanism 70 may extend vertically from each of the ribs 40 formed on the inside walls of the housing assembly 14. Once the mounting plate 24 is pushed passed the detent mechanism 70, the detent mechanism springs back into position underneath and in contact with an area 72 of the mounting plate 24 to support the mounting plate 24 in the up and back position. With such a construction, the user will not be able to move the mounting assembly 1 into the down and out position without first applying enough force to the mounting assembly 1 to push aside the detent mechanism 70.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A vacuum bag housing assembly for housing a vacuum bag within a vacuum cleaner, comprising:

a vacuum bag housing;

a mounting plate that receives a collar of the vacuum bag; and

a plurality of linking members, each of the plurality of linking levers comprising a first end that is pivotally attached to the mounting plate and a second end that is pivotally attached to a fixed portion of the vacuum bag housing, the plurality of linking levers allowing the mounting plate to swing between a down and out position and an up and in position within the vacuum bag housing.

2. The vacuum bag mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein the mounting plate comprises a receptacle that receives the collar of the vacuum bag.

3. The vacuum bag mounting assembly of claim 2, further comprising at least one releasable locking member that locks the mounting plate in the down and out position.

4. The vacuum bag mounting assembly of claim 3, wherein the at least one locking member comprises a pivoting lever that is biased against the mounting plate when the mounting plate is in the down and out position.

5. The vacuum bag mounting assembly of claim 4, wherein the pivoting lever comprises a cam end, and the collar pushes the cam end aside when the collar is inserted into the receptacle to unlock the mounting plate from the down and out position.

6. The vacuum bag mounting assembly of claim 5, wherein the vacuum bag housing comprises side walls and at least one rib formed on each side wall, and the pivoting lever comprises an end opposite the cam end that is pivotally attached to the at least one rib.

7. The vacuum bag mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein the mounting plate comprises an opening that receives a vacuum intake hose.

8. The vacuum bag mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein the vacuum bag is a closable vacuum bag, and the mounting plate comprises a catch that extends through a cutout formed in the closable vacuum bag.

9. The vacuum bag mounting assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one slot formed in a side wall of the mounting plate; and

a detent mechanism extending from at least one rib formed on a side wall of the vacuum bag housing, the detent mechanism being engaged with the at least one slot when the mounting plate is in the up and in position.

10. A vacuum cleaner comprising the vacuum bag housing assembly of claim 1.

11. A vacuum cleaner comprising:

a vacuum bag housing assembly;

a vacuum nozzle head disposed at a bottom portion of the vacuum bag housing assembly; and

a handle for maneuvering the vacuum cleaner, wherein the vacuum bag housing assembly comprises: a vacuum bag housing; a mounting plate that receives a collar of the vacuum bag; and a plurality of linking members, each of the plurality of linking levers comprising a first end that is pivotally attached to the mounting plate and a second end that is pivotally attached to a fixed portion of the vacuum bag housing, the plurality of linking levers allowing the mounting plate to swing between a down and out position and an up and in position within the vacuum bag housing.

12. The vacuum cleaner of claim 11, wherein the mounting plate comprises a receptacle that receives the collar of the vacuum bag.

13. The vacuum cleaner of claim 12, further comprising at least one releasable locking member that locks the mounting plate in the down and out position.

14. The vacuum cleaner of claim 13, wherein the at least one locking member comprises a pivoting lever that is biased against the mounting plate when the mounting plate is in the down and out position.

15. The vacuum cleaner of claim 14, wherein the pivoting lever comprises a cam end, and the collar pushes the cam end aside when the collar is inserted into the receptacle to unlock the mounting plate from the down and out position.

16. The vacuum cleaner of claim 15, wherein the vacuum bag housing comprises side walls and at least one rib formed on each side wall, and the pivoting lever comprises an end opposite the cam end that is pivotally attached to the at least one rib.

17. The vacuum cleaner of claim 11, wherein the mounting plate comprises an opening that receives a vacuum intake hose.

18. The vacuum cleaner of claim 11, wherein the vacuum bag is a closable vacuum bag, and the mounting plate comprises a catch that extends through a cutout formed in the closable vacuum bag.

19. The vacuum cleaner of claim 11, further comprising:

at least one slot formed in a side wall of the mounting plate; and

a detent mechanism extending from at least one rib formed on a side wall of the vacuum bag housing, the detent mechanism being engaged with the at least one slot when the mounting plate is in the up and in position.