Airflow Deflector For Vacuum Cleaner
A vacuum cleaner includes an intake tube through which air is passed. An airflow deflector is disposed in the intake tube. A deflection surface of the airflow deflector is disposed at an obtuse angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the intake tube passing through the deflection surface. The airflow deflector improves airflow from the intake tube into the vacuum bag, thereby improving the effectiveness of the vacuum cleaner.
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The present invention relates to an airflow deflector for a vacuum cleaner. More particularly, the present invention relates to an airflow deflector for a vacuum cleaner having a deflection surface to improve airflow from an intake tube into a vacuum bag. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to a removable upper handle for a vacuum cleaner having an airflow deflector to improve airflow from an intake tube into a vacuum bag.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONFlow-through motor-style vacuum cleaners generally include an outer housing. The housing may be a partly porous bag because the airflow is being pushed into the vacuum bag. The housing is closeable, and typically uses a zipper or other suitable fastening means to access a vacuum bag (or filter bag) housed therein for removal and replacement of the vacuum bag. The vacuum bag is typically a disposable bag that collects dust and dirt during operation of the vacuum cleaner, and is disposed of when full and replaced with a new bag.
Air, which carries the dust, dirt and other collected debris, is drawn into the vacuum cleaner through its base. The air is then drawn up through a tube connected to the base. The air is directed from the tube into the vacuum bag disposed within the outer housing. Typically, a wall is disposed within the tube substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the tube to cause the air to flow from the tube into the vacuum bag. However, such a wall creates turbulence in the tube, thereby decreasing the airflow through the tube. The decreased airflow causes reduced suction of the vacuum cleaner, which results in decreased cleaning effectiveness of the vacuum cleaner. Accordingly, a need exists for a vacuum cleaner having improved airflow from the tube into the vacuum bag.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAn airflow deflector in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention improves airflow from an intake tube to a debris collector of a vacuum cleaner. The airflow deflector directs the airflow from the intake tube to the vacuum bag. The airflow deflector has a deflection surface having an obtuse angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the intake tube passing through the deflection surface. Accordingly, turbulence is reduced such that the suction of the vacuum cleaner remains substantially constant. Accordingly, the cleaning effectiveness of the vacuum cleaner is maintained.
As used in this application, the terms “front,” “rear,” “upper,” “lower,” “upwardly,” “downwardly,” and other orientational descriptors are intended to facilitate the description of the vacuum cleaner, and are not intended to limit the structure of the vacuum cleaner to any particular position or orientation.
Other objects, advantages, and salient features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment of the invention.
The above aspects and features of the present invention will be more apparent from the description for an exemplary embodiment of the present invention taken with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Throughout the drawings, like reference numerals will be understood to refer to like parts, components and structures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTAs shown in
The vacuum cleaner 11 includes a housing 15 that receives the vacuum bag 21, as shown in
The vacuum bag 21, such as that disclosed in copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/628,840, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, includes a container portion 23 having an opening 24 therein, as shown in
A handle assembly 51 is connected to the intake tube 31, as shown in
The handle assembly 51 includes handle 53 to facilitate operation by a user, as shown in
The airflow deflector 41 is disposed within the intake tube 31 such that a deflection surface 43 of the airflow deflector 41 forms an angle β with a longitudinal axis 71 of the intake tube 31 passing through the deflection surface 43, as shown in
As shown in
Alternatively, the handle assembly 51 can be integrally formed with the intake tube 31 as a one-piece assembly. The airflow deflector 41 is formed within the intake tube 31 during the manufacturing process such that the airflow deflector 41 is unitarily formed with the intake tube as a single piece.
Assembly and OperationThe handle assembly 51 is connected to the intake tube 31 by disposing the connecting member 55 in the intake tube 31 such that the connecting member opening 56 is aligned with the intake tube opening 32. A fastener 34 is passed through the upper cord hook 33 and through the connecting member opening 56 and the intake tube opening 32, thereby securing the handle assembly 51 to the intake tube 31. When the handle assembly is integrally formed with the intake tube as a one-piece assembly, such connection is not necessary.
The airflow deflector 41 is disposed within the intake tube 31 such that the deflection surface 43 forms an angle β that is an obtuse angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the intake tube passing through the deflection surface, as shown in
A partial vacuum is generated by the vacuum cleaner to cause air to be pushed into a base 61 of the vacuum cleaner 11. The intake tube 31 is connected to and in fluid communication with the base 61, such that the air flows up through the intake tube 31 as indicated by the arrows 14 in
The foregoing embodiments and advantages are merely exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. The description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the present invention. Various modifications, alternatives and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, and are intended to fall within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims and their equivalents.
Claims
1. A vacuum cleaner, comprising:
- an intake tube through which air is passed; and
- an airflow deflector disposed in said intake tube having a deflection surface, said deflection surface being disposed at an obtuse angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of said intake tube passing through said deflection surface.
2. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein
- said angle is between about 135 and about 150 degrees, inclusive.
3. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein
- said angle is between about 140 and about 145 degrees, inclusive.
4. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein
- said deflection surface is generally concave.
5. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 4, wherein
- a radius of said deflection surface is between about 3.75 and about 5.50 inches, inclusive.
6. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein
- a handle assembly is removably connected to said intake tube.
7. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 6, wherein
- said deflection surface is disposed at an end of said handle assembly.
8. A vacuum cleaner, comprising:
- an intake tube through which air is passed having an inner surface;
- an outlet nozzle connected to said intake tube; and
- an airflow deflector disposed in said intake tube having a deflection surface, said deflection surface being disposed at an obtuse angle with respect to an inner surface of said intake tube opposite said outlet nozzle.
9. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 8, wherein
- said angle is between about 135 and about 150 degrees, inclusive.
10. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 8, wherein
- said angle is between about 140 and about 145 degrees, inclusive.
11. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 8, wherein
- said deflection surface is generally concave.
12. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 11, wherein
- a radius of said deflection surface is between about 3.75 and about 5.50 inches, inclusive.
13. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 8, wherein
- a handle assembly is removably connected to said intake tube.
14. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 13, wherein
- said deflection surface is disposed at an end of said handle assembly.
15. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 8, wherein
- said airflow deflector is unitarily formed as a one-piece member with said intake tube.
16. A vacuum cleaner, comprising:
- a vacuum bag removably connected to said vacuum cleaner;
- an intake tube connected to and in fluid communication with said vacuum bag;
- a handle assembly removably connected to said intake tube; and
- an airflow deflector disposed in said intake tube having a deflection surface, said deflection surface being disposed at an obtuse angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of said intake tube passing through said deflection surface.
17. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 16, wherein
- said angle is between about 135 and about 150 degrees, inclusive.
18. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 16, wherein
- said angle is between about 140 and about 145 degrees, inclusive.
19. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 16, wherein
- said deflection surface is generally concave.
20. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 17, wherein
- a radius of said deflection surface is between approximately 3.75 and about 5.50 inches, inclusive.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 12, 2011
Publication Date: Apr 18, 2013
Applicant: ZENITH TECHNOLOGIES, LLC (Boca Raton, FL)
Inventors: Mark D. Bosses (Boca Raton, FL), Charles Bain (El Paso, TX), David Williams (El Paso, TX)
Application Number: 13/271,955
International Classification: A47L 9/00 (20060101);