UPRIGHT VACUUM CLEANER WITH SWIVEL CONNECTION BETWEEN NOZZLE AND HANDLE ASSEMBLIES

Abstract

An upright vacuum cleaner includes a body having a nozzle assembly and a canister assembly. A suction generator and a dirt collection vessel are both carried on the body. Two wheels support the vacuum cleaner on a surface to be cleaned. Those wheels are connected to the nozzle assembly by an axle. A swivel connecting the nozzle assembly and the handle assembly is secured to the nozzle assembly by that axle.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This document relates generally to the floor care equipment field and, more particularly, to a new and improved upright vacuum cleaner incorporating a relatively simple and inexpensive swivel connection between the nozzle assembly and the handle assembly.

BACKGROUND

Upright vacuum cleaners incorporating a nozzle assembly and a handle assembly are well known in the art. In order to allow for enhanced maneuverability and operator convenience, it is also known to provide a swivel connection between the nozzle assembly and handle assembly. Generally, such swivel connections are relatively complicated structures. This document relates to a new and improved upright vacuum cleaner including a relatively simple swivel connection between the nozzle assembly and handle assembly that provides efficient and effective operation yet is less expensive to produce and assemble.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the purposes and benefits described herein, an upright vacuum cleaner is provided. That upright vacuum cleaner includes a body having a nozzle assembly and a handle assembly. Both a suction generator and a dirt collection vessel are carried on that body. Two wheels support the vacuum cleaner on a surface to be cleaned. The wheels are connected to the nozzle assembly by an axle. Further the vacuum cleaner includes a swivel connecting the nozzle assembly to the handle assembly. The swivel is secured to the nozzle assembly by the axle that forms an axis A₁ about which the swivel pivots with respect to the nozzle assembly. The swivel also includes a pivot boss that supports the handle assembly for pivotal movement about a second axis A₂. The second axis A₂ is perpendicular to and offset from the first axis A₁.

More specifically, the swivel comprises a first yoke including, a first arm and a second arm. The axle is received through aligned apertures in the first and second arms. In addition, the vacuum cleaner further includes a locking jaw pivotally connected to the nozzle assembly by the axle. In one possible embodiment, the locking jaw comprises a second yoke. The first and second yokes at least partially nest together.

The locking jaw includes a first set of teeth and the handle assembly includes a second set of teeth. The handle assembly is displaceable between (a) a storage position wherein the first and second set of teeth are engaged and the handle assembly is held in an upright and centered position and (b) a use position wherein the first and second set of teeth are disengaged so that the handle assembly may pivot with respect to the swivel.

The handle assembly also includes a support and a canister housing. In one possible embodiment, the suction generator and the dirt collection vessel are both carried by the canister housing. In one possible embodiment, the upright vacuum cleaner further includes a wand and a flexible suction hose carried on the canister housing. In one possible embodiment, the upright vacuum cleaner further includes a supplemental cleaning tool. The supplemental cleaning tool is connected to a first end of the wand and a flexible hose is connected to a second end of the wand. In addition, a receiver is carried on the canister housing. The receiver receives and holds the supplemental cleaning tool. The wand and the supplemental cleaning tool are configured for cleaning with the nozzle assembly. In this configuration, the vacuum cleaner includes an airflow path that passes serially through the nozzle assembly, the supplemental cleaning tool, the wand, the hose and the dirt collection vessel to the suction generator. A final filter may be provided and carried on the canister housing downstream from the suction generator. In one possible embodiment the final filter is positioned on the canister housing between the suction generator and the dirt collection vessel.

In one possible embodiment, the nozzle assembly includes a suction inlet in communication with an agitator cavity and a rotary agitator received in that agitator cavity. An agitator drive motor is carried on the nozzle assembly. Wiring to the agitator drive motor passes through one of the first and second arms, the pivot boss and the hub of the swivel. Further, the upright vacuum cleaner may include a releasable lock for securing the canister assembly to the support. A sliding actuator may be manipulated to release the lock thereby allowing the canister housing and connected components to be removed from the nozzle assembly for specialty cleaning tasks.

In the following description, there are shown and described several preferred embodiments of the upright vacuum cleaner. As it should be realized, the upright vacuum cleaner is capable of other, different embodiments and its several details are capable of modification in various, obvious aspects all without departing from the upright vacuum cleaner as set forth and described in the following claims. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions should be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

The accompanying drawing figures incorporated herein and forming a part of the specification, illustrate several aspects of the upright vacuum cleaner and together with the description serve to explain certain principles thereof. In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the upright vacuum cleaner in a first configuration for cleaning a surface utilizing the nozzle assembly.

FIG. 1a is a schematic block diagram of the air flow pathway through the vacuum cleaner when operated in the first configuration.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the upright vacuum cleaner in a second configuration for specialty cleaning applications using the supplemental cleaning tool.

FIG. 2a is a schematic block diagram of the air flow pathway through the vacuum cleaner when in the second configuration.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the upright vacuum cleaner in a third configuration for use in cleaning as a portable canister vacuum cleaner.

FIG. 3a is a schematic block diagram of the structure of the upright vacuum cleaner.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the support, the swivel, the locking jaw, the bottom plate of the nozzle assembly and the axle that secures the swivel and locking jaw to the bottom plate.

FIG. 5 is a detailed cross-sectional view of how the support is anchored on the pivot boss.

FIG. 6a is a cross-sectional view of the locking jaw and support when the handle assembly is in the inclined, use position wherein the first set of teeth on the locking jaw are disengaged from the second set of teeth on the housing support.

FIG. 6b is a cross-sectional view of the locking jaw and support when the handle assembly is in the upright, storage position and the two sets of teeth are fully engaged.

FIG. 7 is a cross-section illustrating wiring passing from an electrical contact down through the pivot boss.

FIG. 8 is a detailed view illustrating how that wiring runs from the pivot boss down one arm of the swivel to the cross member that receives the fixed axle about which the swivel pivots.

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiment of the upright vacuum cleaner, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference is now made to FIG. 1, illustrating the upright vacuum cleaner 10 configured for standard or normal upright vacuum cleaner cleaning. The upright vacuum cleaner 10 includes a body comprising a nozzle assembly 12, a handle assembly 14 and a swivel connection 18 between the nozzle assembly and the canister assembly. That swivel connection 18 will be described in detail later in this document.

As schematically illustrated in FIG. 1a, the nozzle assembly 12 includes an agitator cavity 26. A rotary agitator 28 is received in the agitator cavity 26. As further illustrated in FIG. 1a, dirt and debris is drawn into the agitator cavity 26 and swept by the rotary agitator 28 toward the suction inlet 30. From there the airstream entrained with dirt and debris is drawn through the supplemental cleaning tool 32, a cleaning wand 16 and a flexible hose 34 to the dirt collection vessel 36.

The dirt collection vessel 36 may comprise an ordinary dirt cup, a cyclonic dirt cup or a vacuum cleaner filter bag. Dirt and debris is removed from the airstream and collected in the dirt collection vessel 36. The relatively clean airstream is then drawn through the suction generator 38 where the airstream provides cooling for the suction generator motor before being forced through the final filter 40 and then returned to the environment.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 2 and 2a illustrating the upright vacuum cleaner 10 configured for specialty cleaning applications. More specifically, the cleaning wand 16 and attached supplemental cleaning tool 32 are removed from their mounting position on the body of the vacuum cleaner 10 and manipulated by an operator to complete the desired cleaning task in a convenient and efficient manner. In this configuration or mode of operation, dirt and debris are drawn directly into the supplemental cleaning tool 32 and then flow downstream through the cleaning wand 16 and the flexible hose 34 to the dirt collection vessel 36. From there the air stream flows through the suction generator 38, cooling the motor, before being forced through the final filter 40 and then returning to the environment.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 3 and 3a illustrating the upright vacuum cleaner in a third configuration. In this configuration, the canister assembly 42, including the dirt collection vessel 36, the suction generator 38, the cleaning wand 16, the flexible hose 34 and the supplemental cleaning tool 32, is released from the support 44 by means of the sliding actuator 46 which opens the lock 48. In this configuration, the canister assembly 42 operates like a canister vacuum cleaner and is completely separated from the nozzle assembly 12.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 4-8 which illustrate in detail the swivel connection 18 and the locking mechanism for holding the handle assembly 14 in a centered position over the nozzle assembly 12 when in an upright, storage position. As shown the swivel connection 18 includes a swivel 50 that connects the nozzle assembly 12 to the handle assembly 14. The swivel 50 comprises a first yoke having a first arm 54 and a second arm 56. A cross member 58 extends between the two arms 54, 56. The swivel 50 is connected to the nozzle assembly 12 by means of the axle 60 which rotatively connects two wheels 62 to the nozzle assembly 12. More specifically, the axle 60 extends through the wheels 62, the bottom plate 64 of the nozzle assembly 12, as well as the two arms 54, 56 and the cross member 58 of the swivel 50. The axle 60 is keyed or fixed to the nozzle assembly 12 and the swivel 50 pivots about the fixed axle 60 which forms a first axis A₁.

The swivel 50 also includes a pivot boss 68 that supports the handle assembly 14 and, more specifically, the support plate or support 44 of the handle assembly 14. As should be appreciated, the dirt collection vessel 36, suction generator 38, wand 16 and supplementary cleaning tool 32 are all carried on the canister assembly 42. Thus, in this configuration the canister assembly 42 and its associated components function like a portable canister vacuum cleaner free and clear of the nozzle assembly 12. The pivot boss 68 is tapered and sized to receive the bearing sleeve 80 molded into the support 44. A washer 82 and retaining ring 84 complete the connection. As should be appreciated, the support 44 and the entire handle assembly 14 rotate on the pivot boss 68 which forms a second axis A₂. The second axis A₂ is offset from and parallel to the first axis A₁ formed by the axle 60. Together the two pivot axis A₁ and A₂ provide a swivel connection 18 between the nozzle assembly 12 and handle assembly 14 with two degrees of freedom. The swivel connection 18 is a simple and dependable two-piece structure that is inexpensive to produce yet provides reliable service over a long service life.

As further illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5, 7 and 8, the vacuum cleaner 10 includes a locking jaw 86 that is pivotally connected to the nozzle assembly 12 by the axle 60. As illustrated, the locking jaw comprises a second yoke. The arms 54, 56 of the swivel/first yoke 50 include opposing cavities 85 and pivot bosses 87 that receive the arms 89 of the locking jaw 86 and the swivel/first yoke and locking jaw/second yoke are sized and shaped to at least partially nest together when held in position on the nozzle assembly 12 by the axle 60.

As further illustrated in FIGS. 4, 6a and 6b, the locking jaw 86 includes a first set of teeth 88 and the handle assembly (more specifically, the support 44) includes a second set of teeth 90. As illustrated the two sets of teeth 88, 90 are sized and shaped to mesh when the handle assembly 14 is positioned into an upright, storage position as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 6b. More specifically, the sets of teeth 88, 90 are tapered to fully mesh easily. As the handle assembly 14 is pivoted forwardly from an inclined use position to the upright storage position, the center of gravity of the handle assembly tends to pull the handle assembly into a centered position. In this position the teeth sets 88, 90 will fully engage to prevent any pivoting of the handle assembly 14 on the pivot boss 68. In this way, the handle assembly 14 is always stored in the storage position with the handle assembly 14 centered over the nozzle assembly 12. This is a stable position that is less likely to tip over due to any inadvertent contact with the vacuum cleaner 10.

When the handle assembly 14 is moved downwardly from the storage position illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 6b to an inclined use position illustrated in FIG. 6a, the support 44 is pivoted away from the locking jaw 86 which is always drawn downwardly into a home position by gravity. As a result, the teeth 88, 90 disengage (see FIG. 6a) so that the handle assembly 14 may be pivoted on the pivot boss 68 around the second axis A₂. Thus, full swivel action is restored so each time the handle assembly 14 is moved to the use position, the operator may smoothly and efficiently guide the vacuum cleaner 10 across the floor.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 7 and 8 which clearly show the routing of electrical wiring W from the handle assembly 14 to the nozzle assembly 12. More specifically, that wiring W runs from two contacts 92 (see also FIG. 3) carried on the support 44 down through the center 94 of the pivot boss 68 and then along the arm 54 to the cross member 58. From there the wiring W enters the lobe 64 by which it is routed to the agitator drive motor in the nozzle assembly 12.

The foregoing has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally and equitably entitled.

Claims

1. An upright vacuum cleaner, comprising:

a body including a nozzle assembly and a handle assembly;

a suction generator carried on said body;

a dirt collection vessel carried on said body;

two wheels for supporting said vacuum cleaner on a surface to be cleaned, said wheels being connected to said nozzle assembly by an axle; and

a swivel connecting said nozzle assembly to said handle assembly, said swivel being secured to said nozzle assembly by said axle whereby said swivel pivots with respect to said nozzle assembly about a first axis A1.

2. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein said swivel includes a pivot boss that supports said handle assembly for pivoting movement about a second axis A2.

3. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 2, wherein said second axis A2 is perpendicular to and offset from said first axis A1.

4. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 3, wherein said swivel comprises a first yoke including a first arm and a second arm, said axle being received through aligned apertures in said first and second arms.

5. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 4, further including a locking jaw pivotally connected to said nozzle assembly by said axle.

6. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 5, wherein said locking jaw comprises a second yoke.

7. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 6, wherein said first yoke and said second yoke at least partially nest together.

8. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 6, wherein said locking jaw includes a first set of teeth and said handle assembly includes a second set of teeth.

9. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 7, wherein said handle assembly is displaceable between (a) a storage position wherein said first and second set of teeth are engaged and said handle assembly is held in an upright and centered position and (b) a use position wherein said first and second set of teeth are disengaged.

10. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 9, wherein said handle assembly includes a support and a canister housing.

11. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 10, wherein said suction generator and said dirt collection vessel are carried by said canister housing.

12. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 11, further including a wand and a flexible suction hose carried on said canister housing.

13. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 12, further including a supplemental cleaning tool, said supplemental cleaning tool being connected to a first end of said wand and said flexible hose being connected to a second end of said wand.

14. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 13, further including a receiver carried on said canister housing, said receiver receiving and holding said supplemental cleaning tool when said wand and supplemental cleaning tool are configured for cleaning with said nozzle assembly.

15. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 14, wherein said vacuum cleaner includes an airflow path that passes serially through said nozzle assembly, said supplemental cleaning tool, said wand, said hose and said dirt collection vessel to said suction generator.

16. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 15, further including a final filter carried on said canister housing downstream from said suction generator.

17. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 16, further including a releasable locking mechanism for securing said canister assembly to said support.

18. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 17, wherein said support includes a sleeve received over said pivot boss whereby said support pivots on said pivot boss.

19. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 4, wherein said nozzle assembly includes a suction inlet in communication with an agitator cavity and a rotary agitator received in said agitator cavity.

20. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 5, further including an agitator drive motor carried on said nozzle assembly, wiring to said agitator drive motor passing through one of said first and second arms, said pivot boss and said hub.