Title: VACUUM CLEANER
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaning device and, more particularly, to a vacuum cleaner having a releasable bin.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A typical upright vacuum cleaner comprises a main casing, which houses a dust separation apparatus, a cleaner head pivotally mounted to the main casing and a handle attached to the main casing for moving the device on a set of wheels over a floor. This configuration has gained wide acceptance for domestic upright vacuum cleaners irrespective of the mode of dust separation used. Vacuum cleaners of this type typically employ filter bags (and other types of physical filtration) or cyclonic filtration to remove dust and dirt particles from the airflow generated by the device.
These means of dust separation may be used either alone or in conjunction with one another.
Irrespective of the means of dust separation employed, however, the collected dirt and dust must ultimately be emptied from the device. Typically this involves removing a portion of the main casing (i.e. an access panel) to provide access to a dust collector to be emptied or replaced. In some cases, the portion of the main casing removed also functions as the dust collector itself. In all cases, though, it is typical that the access panel and/or dust collector is located close to the ground, which requires the user to stoop or bend over to operate the release mechanism.
Easy removal and replacement is also hindered by the fact that the removable portions) must be sealed and tightly secured in place while the device is in operation to ensure minimal air leakage. This design consideration typically results in a panel or collector which is difficult to remove and/or replace.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The latching mechanism of the present invention provides an easily operable and ergonomic mechanism which minimizes user time and frustration in removing and replacing a canister body on a main casing of the vacuum cleaner. The result is a device which has a removable components what are easily sealable by the manufacturer and easily operated by the user. The present invention provides an upright vacuum cleaning device comprising a main casing having a handle extending from an upper end thereof and a cleaning head pivotally mounted to a lower end thereof, a body having a dust separation apparatus and a dust collection apparatus disposed substantially therein, and a latching mechanism adapted to realisably retain the body on the main casing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a better understanding of the present invention and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example to the accompanying drawings which show articles made according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner according to the present invention;
Figure 2 is a side view of the vacuum cleaner of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the front of the main casing of the vacuum cleaner of Figure 1;
Figure 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the front of the main casing of the vacuum cleaner of Figure 1, showing the canister partially removed therefrom;
Figure 5 is an enlarged perspective view similar to Figure 4, shown from a different angle;
Figure 6 is an enlarged perspective rear view of the removable canister of the vacuum cleaner of Figure 1;
Figure 7 is a sectional view of the vacuum cleaner of Figure 1 taken along the lines 7 - 7;
Figure 8a is an enlarged sectional view of the latch assembly of Figure 7, shown in the disengaged position;
Figure 8b is an enlarged sectional view of the latch assembly of Figure 7, shown in the engaged position;
Figure 9 is an enlarged perspective view of the latch assembly of the present invention with a portion thereof broken away to show detail;
Figure 10 is an enlarged perspective view of the latch assembly from a different angle with a portion thereof broken away to show detail; and Figure 11 is an exploded view of the canister according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
A vacuum cleaner incorporating the present invention is shown generally in the figures at 10. Typically, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, an upright vacuum cleaner 10 has a main casing 12, cleaning head 14 pivotally mounted to main casing 12, a handle 16 for manually moving vacuum cleaner 10 over a surface on wheels (which preferably include front wheels, not shown, and rear wheels 18), and an optional lifting handle 20 for carrying vacuum cleaner 10. In accordance with the present invention, main casing 12 has a canister body 22 (Figure 6) mounted thereto which contains the dust separation mechanism. The dust separation mechanism, preferably includes a dust separation apparatus 24 and dust collection apparatus 26. Canister body 22 is removably retained on main casing 12 in part by a latch assembly 28. Vacuum 10 may optionally include a final filter 30, such as a HEPA filter.
The internal configuration of vacuum cleaner 10 may be typical of known devices. As will be understood by one skilled in the art, vacuum cleaner 10 has at least one dirty air inlet (not shown), positioned adjacent the floor in base 32 of cleaning head 14, and an inlet conduit leading from the dirty air inlet to dust separation apparatus 24. Likewise, one skilled in the art will understand that vacuum cleaner 10 has a clean air outlet conduit (e.g. 60 as shown in Figure 4), for removing cleaned air from dust separation apparatus 24 for expulsion from vacuum cleaner 10. A vacuum source, typically an electric fan and motor assembly, is provided to induce the air flow through the system and is typically located in cleaning head 14, although placement of the fan and motor assembly in other locations within the device is known.
Dust separation apparatus 24 may comprise any means for separating particles (e.g. dirt and dust) from a fluid flow (e.g. air), and dust collection apparatus 26 may be any dust collection means suited to the dust separation means employed. In this embodiment, dust separation apparatus 24 comprises a cyclonic separator 40 and dust collection apparatus 26 is a transparent, cylindrical bin 42. One skilled in the art will appreciate that either a single- or multi-stage cyclonic apparatus may be employed, either alone or in combination with other separation means (e.g.
physical filtration members and/or electrostatic filtration). In an alternate embodiment dust separation apparatus 24 and dust collection apparatus 26 may comprise a filter bag and housing as are known in the art.
Typically, a cyclonic separator 40 has an air inlet (e.g. 44) in communication with a dirty air stream, e.g., from cleaning head 14 via inlet duct 54 and second aperture 58 for introducing "dirty" air to separator 40 in a manner causing a cyclonic flow therein (e.g. air inlet 44 is a tangential air inlet). The cyclonic flow deposits particles in collector bin 42 and an air exit (e.g. 46) in separator 40 delivers "clean" air to an outlet conduit (e.g. 60) for expulsion from vacuum cleaner 10.
In the preferred embodiment of Figures 3 and 4, canister body 22 is generally cylindrical, with an upper end 50 and a lower end 52. Latch assembly 28 on upper end 50 securely maintains canister body in position with respect to main casing 12. Main casing 12 has an inlet duct 54 provided internally thereof which defines a dirty air passage leading upwardly from cleaning head 14 and communicating with dust separation apparatus 24 via first aperture 56 on the inner surface of main casing 12 (see Figure 4) which communicates with a second aperture 58 in canister body 22 (see Figures 5 and 6) leading to the air inlet (not shown) of cyclone separator 40 when canister body 22 is secured in position. Main casing 12 also has an outlet duct 60 provided internally thereof which defines a clean air outlet passage leading downwardly from cyclone separator 40 to the vacuum motor (not shown) in cleaning head 14. Outlet duct 60 communicates with cyclone separator 40 via a third aperture 62 in canister body 22, which is in communication with cyclone air exit 46, and a fourth aperture 64 in main casing 12 when canister body 22 is secured in position.
It will be apparent that the air flow passages and their apertures may be located in different positions.
A receiving bay 66 is defined between inlet duct 54 and outlet duct 60 for receiving canister body 22 in main casing 12, with bay 66 being adapted to receive canister body 22 in an aesthetically pleasing manner.
Receiving bay 66 is substantially concavely cylindrical, to matingly receive cylindrical canister body 22, and has a base 68 (see Figures 5 and 7) with a locating pin 70 extending therefrom. Base 68 is adapted to receive lower end 52 of canister body 22, which also has a dimple 72 for receiving at least a portion of locating pin 70 therein. Locating pin 70 and dimple 72 co-operate to secure and position lower end 52 of canister body 22 in receiving bay 66 and, together with latch assembly 28, retain canister body 22 on main casing 12. Base 68 may alternately utilize other alignment means known in the vacuum cleaner art.
Latch assembly 28 is positioned adjacent upper end 50 of canister body 22 to permit a user to actuate latch mechanism, preferably without essentially any stooping or bending. For example, latch assembly 28 may be positioned on lifting handle 20, near handle 16. However, it will be appreciated that latch mechanism 28 could be positioned elsewhere on upper end 50, e.g. top surface 48. Referring to Figures 8a and 8b, latch assembly 28 has a latch portion 80 mounted to main casing 12, and a catch portion 82 mounted to canister body 22. Latch portion 80 includes a pawl 84, having a tooth 86, which extends outwardly from the inner surface of receiving bay 66. Latch portion 80 also has a lower skirt 110, and a depending portion 112. Depending portion 112 is spaced apart from tooth 86 of pawl 84 so that a recess 114 exists therebetween. Latch portion 80 also has an upper skirt portion 116. Pawl 84 is moveable between a first position, in which it engages with latch portion 82 and a second position in which it is disengaged from latch portion 82. While pawl 84 could be designed as a rocker switch, pawl 84 is preferably biased, preferably to the first position. To this end a resiliently deformable member (e.g. an elastomeric member, a compression spring on a tension spring) may be used. Referring to Figures 8a, 8b, base 88 is provided distal to pawl 84. A
compression spring 92 extends between base 88 and lower skirt 110.
When pawl 84 is moved to the disengaged position, spring 92 is compressed. The compression in spring 92 biases base 88, and pawl 84, to the engaged position shown in Figure 8a.
Catch portion 82 has a vertically extending lip 94. Catch portion 82 further includes a release means 98 which acts on tooth 86 to move pawl 84 between its engaged and disengaged positions. Pawl 84 and tooth 86 may be of any construction which will cause pawl 84/tooth 86 to move when acted upon by a longitudinal or rotational motion. Preferably, a longitudinal motion is used. For example a release cam 100, which is movable between a disengaged position (see Figure 8a) and an engaged position (see Figure 8b) may be used. A biasing means 102 urges cam 100 to a disengaged position, e.g. upwardly. A button 106 permits manual operation of cam 100. Biasing means 102 may be an elastomeric member or a spring. Biasing means may be a tension or compression spring. As shown in Figures 8a and 8b, handle 20 is provided with a skirt 108. Spring 104 extends between skirt 108 and button 106 to urge button 106 upwardly.
When latch assembly 28 is assembled in the 'latched' position (Figure 8a), pawl 84 extends past gap 96 so that tooth 86 and depending portion 112 engage lip 94 in recess 114. Upper skirt portion 116 also abuts against button 106. Spring 104 maintains cam 100 out of contact with tooth 86. When button 106 is depressed to 'unlatch' latch assembly 28, cam 100 pushes pawl 84 downwardly (Figure 8b) so that tooth 86 is moved downwardly out of engagement with lip 94, thereby permitting pawl 84 to be withdrawn from gap 96.
Referring to Figure 11, collection apparatus 26 is separable from the remainder of canister body 22 to permit collected dust and dirt particles to be emptied therefrom such as into a garbage can located outside of a house. Dust separation apparatus 24 has a central post portion 120 which terminates at an end portion 122 which has a curvilinear slot 124 therein. Collection apparatus 26 has a central socket 126 with a pin 128 projecting internally therein. End portion 122 of central post 120 is insertable in socket 126, and pin 128 is engageable with curvilinear slot 124 to provide a bayonet-mount assembly 118 to mount collection apparatus 26 to dust separation apparatus 24. As will be understood by one skilled in the art, pin 128 and curvilinear slot 124 are adapted to permit dust collection apparatus 26 to be rotatable from a first position, in which dust collection apparatus 26 is securely attached to dust separation apparatus 24 by way of the interaction between pin 128 and curvilinear slot 124, and a second position wherein dust collection apparatus 26 is releasable from dust separation apparatus 24 by releasing pin 128 from curvilinear slot 124 by moving dust collection apparatus 26 to said second position. A locating ring 130 is provided on a lower portion of dust separation apparatus 24 to position and secure upper lip 132 of dust collection apparatus 26 against dust separation apparatus 24 when canister body 22 is assembled as described above.
Referring again to Figure 1, in use vacuum 10 is operated by energizing the motor and fan assembly to activate an air flow stream through the device. Vacuum cleaner 10 is moved over a floor surface to be cleaned and dirt and dust is entrained in the airflow drawn into the device through cleaning head 14 and provided via intake duct 54 to dust separation apparatus 24. The entrained dirt/dust is separated from the air flow by dust separation apparatus 24 and is deposited in dust collection apparatus 26.
The cleaned air is removed from the dust separation apparatus 24 and may be delivered via the outlet duct 60 to the motor to cool the motor, after which it is expelled from vacuum cleaner 10 though optional final filter 30. When the floor is satisfactorily cleaned, the vacuum motor is deactivated by the user.
Referring to Figure 8b, to empty dust collection apparatus 26, as will be periodically necessary, button 106 is manually depressed to move cam 100 downwardly to depress cam tooth 86 of pawl 84 out of engagement with lip 94. This releases pawl 84 from lip 94 and permits pawl 84 to be withdrawn from gap 96 by grasping handle 20 (while button 106 is depressed), and then tipping upper end 50 of canister body 22 away from main casing 12 to pivot canister body 22 about locating pin 70 and disengage latch assembly 28 (see Figures 4 and 5). Canister body 22 is then lifted upwardly to disengage locating pin 70 from dimple 72 and canister body 22 is thus removed it from receiving bay 66. It will be appreciated that bin 42 is still sealed. Collection bin 42 may then be moved to a desired location before it is opened by rotating bin 42 relative to the rest of canister body 22 to disengage bayonet-mount assembly 118 to release collection bin 42 from dust separation apparatus 24 (Figure 11). Collection bin 42 is then inverted and emptied, and then re-assembled with canister body 22 and re-mounted in receiving bay 66 of main casing 12 by repeating the above steps in reverse order. When canister 22 is installed on main casing 12, and latch assembly 28 is in this 'latched' position (Figure 8a), upper skirt 116, lower skirt 110 (through depending portion 112) and tooth 86 cooperate with lip 94 and button 106 to provide a secure connection between canister body 22 and main casing 12. Locating pin 70 and dimple 72 at lower end 52 of canister body 22, further secure and stabilize the connection.
The latching mechanism of the present invention is advantageously positioned on vacuum cleaner 10 and adapted to permit the easy removal of canister body 22 from main casing 12 with minimal stooping or bending by the user. The latching device provides an easily operable and ergonomic mechanism which minimizes user time and frustration in removing and replacing canister body 22 on main casing 12.
_g_ The latching mechanism permits the canister body to be easily and reliably sealed in the latched position and therefore easy to operate.
While the above description constitutes the preferred embodiment, it will be appreciated that the present invention is susceptible to modification and change without departing from the fair meaning of the accompanying claims.