Vacuum cleaner with service door for filter

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner includes a housing having a suction inlet, a dirt collection vessel receiver and a filter receiving recess opening to the receiver. Both a suction generator and dirt collection vessel are carried on the housing. A filter is received in the recess. A door closes the recess and captures the filter therein. The door includes multiple openings allowing air to flow from the receiver, through the door and filter to the suction generator.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to the vacuum cleaner art.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A vacuum cleaner is an electromechanical appliance utilized to effect the dry removal of dust, dirt and other small debris from carpets, rugs, fabrics or other surfaces in domestic, commercial and industrial locations. To achieve the desired dirt and dust removal, a pressure drop or “vacuum” is used to force air entrained with dirt and dust into the nozzle of the vacuum cleaner. The particulate-laden air is then drawn through a bag-like filter, a dirt cup and cooperating filter or a cyclonic dirt collection chamber which traps the dirt and dust, while substantially clean air is exhausted by an electrically operated fan that is driven by an onboard motor. It is this fan and motor arrangement that generates the drop in air pressure necessary to provide the desired cleaning action. Thus, the fan and motor arrangement is commonly known as the suction generator.

The present invention relates to a unique arrangement wherein a secondary filter is provided between the dirt and dust collection vessel and the suction generator. More specifically, the secondary filter is held in a recess and captured in the recess by an openable door equipped with one or more openings to allow airflow through the filter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the purposes of the present invention as described herein, an improved vacuum cleaner is provided. That vacuum cleaner includes a housing having a suction inlet, a dirt collection vessel receiver and a filter receiving recess. That filter receiving recess opens to the receiver. Additionally, the vacuum cleaner includes a suction generator and a dirt collection vessel both carried on the housing. A filter is received in the recess. Further a door closes the recess and captures the filter therein. The door includes at least one opening allowing passage of air from the receiver through the filter to the suction generator.

Further describing the invention, the door includes a hinge for pivotally mounting the door to the housing. Still further multiple openings may be provided in the door to form a grill work or lattice for free air flow. Still further the receiver is bounded by a bottom wall and a rear wall. In one possible embodiment the recess is formed in the rear wall. In another possible embodiment the recess is formed in the bottom wall.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention the housing includes a nozzle assembly and a canister assembly. The suction inlet is provided in the nozzle assembly and the receiver and recess are provided in the canister assembly. Still further the nozzle assembly includes a rotary agitator that extends at least partially across the suction inlet. Additionally, the canister assembly may be pivotally connected to the nozzle assembly so that the vacuum cleaner assumes the form of an upright vacuum cleaner.

In one possible embodiment the dirt collection vessel is a filter bag. In another possible embodiment the dirt collection vessel is a dirt cup. A primary filter may be received in the dirt cup. Further, the dirt cup may be substantially cylindrical in shape.

In the following description there is shown and described a preferred embodiment of this invention, simply by way of illustration of one of the modes best suited to carry out the invention. As it will be realized, the invention is capable of other different embodiments and its several details are capable of modification in various, obvious aspects all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions will be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying drawing incorporated in and forming a part of this specification illustrates several aspects of the present invention and together with the description serves to explain certain principles of the invention. In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an upright vacuum cleaner exemplary of the present invention;

FIGS. 2a-2c are detailed perspective views illustrating the removable access door that holds the secondary filter in the recess provided between the dirt collection vessel and the suction generator.

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is now made to FIG. 1 showing the vacuum cleaner 10 of the present invention. It should be appreciated that while an upright vacuum cleaner 10 is illustrated, canister vacuum cleaners may also be constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

The overall basic design of an upright vacuum cleaner 10 is generally well known in the art. In a typical arrangement, the upright vacuum cleaner 10 includes a housing 14 that comprises the nozzle assembly 16 and the canister assembly 18. The canister assembly 18 further includes a handle 20 and a handgrip 22. The handgrip 22 carries a control switch 24 for turning the vacuum cleaner 10 on and off. Electrical power is supplied to the vacuum cleaner 10 through a cord (not shown). Alternatively, the vacuum cleaner 10 could be powered by an onboard battery.

At the lower portion of the canister assembly 18, rear wheels 26 are provided to support the weight of the vacuum cleaner 10. These wheels 26 also provide a pivot point about which the nozzle assembly 16 pivots when adjusted by manipulation of the height adjustment switch 28. To allow for convenient storage of the vacuum cleaner 10 a foot latch (not shown) functions to lock the canister assembly in an upright position as illustrated in FIG. 1. When the foot latch is released, the canister assembly 18 may be pivoted relative to the nozzle assembly 16 as the vacuum cleaner 10 is manipulated to clean the floor.

The nozzle assembly 16 includes a suction inlet 36 that houses a rotating agitator 38. Such an agitator 36 may be equipped with a wiper, beater bar, brush, bristle tufts or the like to beat dirt and debris from the nap of an underlying rug or carpet. Further, it should also be appreciated that more than one agitator 36 may be provided. Multiple agitators 36 may be corotating or counterrotating.

The canister assembly 18 includes a dirt collection vessel receiver or receiving cavity 40 that is adapted to receive and hold a dirt collection vessel 42 which, as illustrated, may take the form of a filter bag of a type well known in the art. Alternatively, the dirt collection vessel 42 may be a dirt cup. The dirt cup may assume substantially any shape including, for example, a cylindrical shape to allow for cyclonic airflow. Further, the dirt cup may or may not include an internal primary filter.

As further shown in FIG. 2a, the housing 12 also includes a recess 44 opening into the cavity 40. The recess 44 is adapted to receive a filter such as a secondary cartridge filter 46 of a type well known in the art. A suction generator 48 is also carried on the housing. In the illustrated embodiment the suction generator 48 is provided in a compartment 49 in the canister assembly 18 beneath the recess 44. The bottom wall of the recess 44 is an open lattice allowing air to freely move into the compartment 49 housing the suction generator 48.

In operation, the rotary agitator 38 beats dirt and debris from the nap of an underlying carpet being cleaned. The suction generator 48 creates a vacuum airstream. The dirt and debris is entrained in the airstream as it is drawn through the suction inlet 36 into the dirt collection vessel 42. The dirt and debris is entrapped in the dirt collection vessel 42 and relatively clean air is then drawn from that vessel through the filter 46 before passing over the motor of the suction generator 48 to provide cooling before being exhausted into the environment.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 2a-2c, the filter 46 is held in the recess 44 by means of a door 50. As illustrated, the door 50 includes one or more openings 52 that allow for free airflow from the vessel 42 in the cavity 40 through the filter 46 to the suction generator 48. In one possible embodiment, the openings for a grill work or lattice.

In the illustrated embodiment, the door 50 includes two hinges 54 that secure one edge of the door to the canister assembly 18. A tab 56 may be engaged with a finger to swing the door 50 open and closed about the hinges 54. A fastener (not shown) may be provided to positively secure the door in the closed position if desired. Such a fastener may comprise a resilient lip on the door 50 that engages a cooperating shoulder on the housing 12, a friction fit between the door 50 and the housing 12, a screw, a snap fastener or any other appropriate structure for releasably securing the door in the closed position.

When it is necessary to clean or change the filter 46, the vessel 42 is removed from the cavity 40 in order to expose the door 50. The user then engages the tab 56 with a finger to pivot the door 50 open about the hinges 54. This exposes the filter 46 for removal from the recess 44. The filter is then cleaned and the cleaned filter (or a new filter) is then dropped back in the recess 44. The door 50 is then pivoted about the hinges 54 and closed over the recess 44 so as to trap the filter 46 therein. The vessel 42 is then reinserted into the cavity 40 and the vacuum cleaner is again ready for operation.

In the illustrated embodiment, the recess 44 is provided in the bottom wall that forms one boundary of the cavity 40. It should be appreciated that the recess 44 could just as easily be provided in any other wall such as the rear wall boundary of the cavity 40.

The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings.

The embodiment was chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally and equitably entitled. The drawings and preferred embodiments do not and are not intended to limit the ordinary meaning of the claims and their fair and broad interpretation in any way.

Claims

1. A vacuum cleaner, comprising:

a housing including a suction inlet, a dirt collection vessel receiver and a filter receiving recess opening to said receiver;

a suction generator carried on said housing;

a dirt collection vessel carried on said housing;

a filter received in said recess; and

a door closing said recess and capturing said filter therein, said door including an opening allowing passage of air from said receiver through said filter to said suction generator.

2. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, further including a hinge for pivotally mounting said door to said housing.

3. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein multiple openings are provided in said door to form a lattice.

4. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein said receiver is bounded by a bottom wall and a rear wall.

5. The vacuum cleaner of claim 4, wherein said recess is formed in said rear wall.

6. The vacuum cleaner of claim 4, wherein said recess is formed in said bottom wall.

7. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein said housing includes a nozzle assembly and a canister assembly.

8. The vacuum cleaner of claim 7, wherein said suction inlet is provided in said nozzle assembly and said receiver and said recess are provided in said canister assembly.

9. The vacuum cleaner of claim 8, wherein said nozzle assembly further includes a rotary agitator extending at least partially across said suction inlet.

10. The vacuum cleaner of claim 9, wherein said canister assembly is pivotally connected to said nozzle assembly.

11. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1 wherein said dirt collection vessel is a filter bag.

12. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein said dirt collection vessel is a dirt cup.

13. The vacuum cleaner of claim 12, further including a primary filter received in said dirt cup.

14. The vacuum cleaner of claim 13, wherein said dirt cup is substantially cylindrical in shape.

15. A vacuum cleaner, comprising:

a housing including a suction inlet, a dirt collection vessel receiver and a filter receiving holder opening to said receiver;

a suction generator carried on said housing;

a dirt collection vessel carried on said housing;

a filter received in said holder; and

a door closing said holder and capturing said filter therein, said door including an opening allowing passage of air from said receiver through said filter to said suction generator.