US20070256271A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20070256271A1
Application number: US11/381,591
Authority: US
Inventors: Steven Rhea
Original assignee: Emerson Electric Co
Current assignee: Emerson Electric Co
Priority date: 2006-05-04
Filing date: 2006-05-04
Publication date: 2007-11-08
Also published as: CA2568261A1

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a method and system to adjust the outflow of exhaust air that flows out of a nozzle outlet attached to a removable vacuum unit of a wet and dry vacuum cleaner. This adjustment allows the vacuum unit to perform at full operating capacity in a vacuum mode and yet reduce the air flow in a blower mode with the vacuum unit operating as if in the vacuum mode. The nozzle can include an air diverter that allows air in the nozzle to be diverted away from nozzle outlet. The air diverter can be adjusted to a variety of positions for controlling the amount of air diversion. The nozzle can be removably coupled with the vacuum outlet using a latch. An inlet ring on the nozzle having an enclosed portion can engage the vacuum outlet on the vacuum unit and stabilize the nozzle coupling to the vacuum unit.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO APPENDIX

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to vacuum cleaners. More specifically, the invention relates to wet and dry vacuum cleaners having detachable blower nozzles for the vacuum cleaners.

2. Description of Related Art

The use of wet and dry vacuum cleaners has become almost ubiquitous. Such devices are seen in most homes, businesses, and industrial facilities. Typically, the vacuum cleaner has a container for waste with a lid attached thereto. The lid houses the working components including the motor and vacuum impeller in a fixed orientation in the lid. A hose is attached to a vacuum inlet that allows debris to be vacuumed into the container. A port functioning as a vacuum outlet exhausts the remaining air after the waste is deposited into the container.

A more recent design of a wet and dry vacuum cleaner includes a dual use version. This version has a detachable self-contained vacuum unit that includes the motor, vacuum impeller, associated on-off switch and other controls, and housing. The vacuum unit can be detached from the lid and operated as a blower by using the vacuum outlet as a positive pressure air flow source. When attached to the lid, the vacuum unit is designed to interface with ports through the lid or the container so that the vacuum inlet provides a vacuum for debris in the typical manner and the vacuum outlet exhausts the remaining air.

While more flexible and more expensive, this version has disadvantages. To obtain the necessary vacuum negative pressure to be commercially acceptable, the vacuum unit propels the outlet exhaust air through the vacuum outlet at such a force as to be difficult to use as a blower. Reducing the motor speed results in acceptable blower performance, but unacceptable vacuum performance.

Further, the force is so great on the nozzle that the nozzle can become detached and “blown off” the vacuum unit. In contrast, a typical blower has the nozzle fixedly attached to the blower motor unit. The dual use version must have the nozzle removable to reinsert the vacuum unit into the lid and function in a vacuum mode. This challenge appears to be largely unique to the dual use wet and dry vacuum cleaners.

Thus, there remains a need for an improved wet and dry vacuum cleaner that can function as both a blower and a vacuum cleaner with more controllable air flow.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The disclosure provides a wet and dry vacuum cleaner, comprising: a container for receiving debris; a lid attachable with the container; a vacuum unit adapted to be removably coupled with the lid, the vacuum unit having a vacuum inlet and a vacuum outlet; and a nozzle adapted to be removably coupled with the vacuum outlet when the vacuum unit is detached from the lid, the nozzle comprising a nozzle inlet and a nozzle outlet and an air diverter adapted to exhaust air from the nozzle intermediate between the nozzle inlet and nozzle outlet. One exemplary method of using the wet and dry vacuum cleaner above comprises: decoupling the vacuum unit from the lid; attaching the nozzle inlet to the vacuum outlet; activating the vacuum unit; flowing a positively pressurized air through the nozzle; and diverting a portion of the air through the air diverter to reduce air flow through the nozzle outlet.

The disclosure further provides a wet and dry vacuum cleaner, comprising: a container for receiving debris; a lid attachable with the container; a vacuum unit removably coupled with the lid, the vacuum unit having a vacuum inlet and a vacuum outlet; a nozzle removably coupled with the vacuum outlet when the vacuum unit is detached from the lid; and a latch coupled to the nozzle, the vacuum unit, or a combination thereof and adapted to removably couple the nozzle with the vacuum unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the concepts provided herein are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, only a few specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are described in detail below. The figures and detailed descriptions of these specific embodiments are not intended to limit the breadth or scope of the concepts or the appended claims in any manner. Rather, the figures and detailed written descriptions are provided to illustrate the concepts to a person of ordinary skill in the art as required by 35 U.S.C. § 112.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional schematic perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the system.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the vacuum unit removably coupled with the adjustable blower nozzle.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the air adjustable nozzle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One or more illustrative embodiments of the concepts disclosed herein are presented below. Not all features of an actual implementation are described or shown in this application for the sake of clarity. It is understood that the development of an actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developer's goals, such as compliance with system-related, business-related and other constraints, which vary by implementation and from time to time. While a developer's efforts might be complex and time-consuming, such efforts would be, nevertheless, a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of this disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the system. Theexemplary system2 is a wet and dry vacuum cleaner that generally includes alid4 coupled to acollection container6. The lid is removably attachable to thecontainer6 so that the container can be emptied of debris, liquids, and other wastes that are brought into the container through the vacuuming process. Avacuum unit8 is removably coupled to thelid4. The vacuum unit generally includes the operating elements of the vacuum cleaner system. Such operating elements include a motor, vacuum impeller, on/off switch, and other controls (such elements not shown). The lid generally includes avacuum inlet10 through which debris and other waste enter the vacuum cleaner and are deposited into thecontainer6. The remaining air after depositing waste into the container is routed through the vacuum unit by first passing through afilter14 coupled to a vacuum inlet disposed inside thecontainer6 at a lower portion (not shown) of thelid4. The filtered air is generally exhausted through avacuum outlet12. Further, thecontainer6 can include adrain16 for disposing of liquid waste brought into the container. Accessories to the wet anddry vacuum system2 include aflexible hose18, one ormore hose extensions20, and/or various end attachments. The hose is sized to be attached to thevacuum inlet10 and the accessories can be attached to the hose or directly to the vacuum inlet.

In the embodiment advantageously used with the present disclosure, thevacuum unit8 can be decoupled from thelid4 when an operator desires to use thevacuum unit8 in a blower mode. After decoupling, a vacuum inlet of thevacuum unit8 is exposed and can be coupled to anadjustable blower nozzle22, as described in more detail below. When an operator desires to couple the vacuum unit back to the lid, thenozzle22 can be decoupled from the vacuum unit and thevacuum unit8 placed back into position and coupled to thelid4 to operate in a vacuum mode.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the vacuum unit removably coupled with an adjustable blower nozzle. In at least one embodiment, theremovable vacuum unit8 can be selectively coupled with theadjustable blower nozzle22 by coupling anozzle attachment portion24 on the nozzle with thevacuum outlet12 on the vacuum unit. Alatch30 can be used to secure thenozzle22 with thevacuum unit8. In general, thelatch30 is conveniently located on thenozzle22. Alternatively, the latch could be coupled to thevacuum unit8, or to a combination of the vacuum unit and the nozzle, such as having a portion of the latch on one element and another portion of the latch on another element.

Theadjustable blower nozzle22 generally includes a nozzle inlet adjacent thenozzle attachment portion24 and anozzle outlet26 distal from the nozzle inlet. Anair diverter28 is disposed between the nozzle inlet and the nozzle outlet. The air diverter generally includes an opening formed in thenozzle22 with a cover ring adapted to cover a portion of the opening, described in more detail below.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the air adjustable nozzle shown inFIG. 2. The airadjustable nozzle22 includes anozzle inlet32 disposed on an end of thenozzle attachment portion24 that is adapted to be connected to thevacuum outlet12 of thevacuum unit8, shown inFIG. 2. When the nozzle is coupled to thevacuum unit8 with itsvacuum outlet12, thenozzle inlet32 is generally sized to slide into thevacuum outlet12. Anozzle outlet26 is located distally from thenozzle inlet32. Anair diverter28 is disposed between thenozzle inlet32 andnozzle outlet26. In at least one embodiment, theair diverter28 includes anopening48 formed through thenozzle wall52 of the nozzle. The opening can be a variety of sizes and shapes depending upon the amount of air that is intended to be diverted from thenozzle outlet26. The air diverter can be advantageously located closer to thenozzle inlet32 than thenozzle outlet26. The location can help dissipate the force of the air earlier in the flow path between the nozzle inlet and the nozzle outlet.

Acover ring50 can be coupled to thenozzle22 as part of theair diverter28. Thecover ring50 can be slidably coupled, so that the cover ring can be slid over theopening48 to a variety of positions to adjust the effective size of theopening48 and the amount of air flowing therethrough. In at least one embodiment, thecover ring50 can be rotably coupled to thenozzle22, so that it can be rotated about alongitudinal axis54 passing between the nozzle inlet and the nozzle outlet. Further, one or

more flanges

44,46 can be formed on thenozzle22 on either side of thecover ring50 to help thecover ring50 stay in position. While not shown, it is to be understood that thecover ring50 could be alternatively coupled to thenozzle22 in a longitudinal manner, so that it can be moved along the length of thelongitudinal axis54. As the cover ring is moved along the longitudinal axis, it can cover various portions of theopening48 to adjust the amount of diverted air, as described above.

Thelatch30 can be coupled to thenozzle22. For example and without limitation, thelatch30 can include alatch support36 coupled to thenozzle22 that is used as a fulcrum about which thelatch30 can bend or rotate in an angular fashion to engage and disengage the vacuum unit. Thelatch30 on one end includes arelease38 that can be depressed by hand pressure to raise aclip40 formed distally from therelease38. Theclip40 further includes aclip extension42 disposed in a radially inward manner toward thelongitudinal axis54. The clip extension can function as a retainer with the vacuum unit to help secure thenozzle22 and thevacuum unit8 together.

Thenozzle attachment portion24 can also include aninlet ring34. Theinlet ring34 can extend radially outward from thewall52 of thenozzle22. Further, the inlet ring can include anenclosed portion35, such as an “L”-shaped cross-section, that has a portion directed towards thenozzle inlet32. Theinlet ring34 can be aligned longitudinally with thelatch30 or portion thereof. In general, theinlet ring34 can assist in sealing the air flow between thenozzle22 and thevacuum outlet12 and/or assist in stabilizing the coupling between the nozzle and vacuum outlet. It is to be understood that theinlet ring34, thecover ring50, the

flanges

44,46 can be continuous or segmented. Further, the actual system can include a plurality of air diverters, latches, cover rings, inlet rings, and other features described herein.

In operation, thevacuum system2, shown inFIG. 1, could be used in a vacuum mode when thevacuum unit8 is coupled to thelid4 of thevacuum system2. The vacuum mode allows the system to vacuum debris and waste into thecontainer6. If an operator desires to use thevacuum unit8 in a blower mode, the vacuum unit can be decoupled from thelid4, and the nozzle inlet of thenozzle22 coupled to thevacuum outlet12 of thevacuum unit8. As thenozzle inlet32 is slid into thevacuum outlet12, thelatch30 can engage a flange, opening, or other connection portion on thevacuum outlet12. Theclip extension42 can latch on or in such connection point on the vacuum outlet to couple thenozzle22 with thevacuum outlet12. The vacuum unit, when activated, can flow a positively pressured air through the nozzle. The nozzle can remain coupled to the blower or to thevacuum unit8 with the assistance of thelatch30. Further, the coupling of thenozzle22 with thevacuum unit8 can be stabilized by theinlet ring34 at thenozzle attachment portion24. At the operator's discretion, the air can be at least partially diverted through theair diverter28, so that the air flow through the nozzle outlet is reduced. The operator can rotate thecover ring50 to various positions over theopening48 on the nozzle to divert air. To release thenozzle22 and decouple it from thevacuum outlet12, therelease38 can be depressed, thus raising theclip40 and theclip extension42 while pulling thenozzle22 and thevacuum unit8 apart from each other. Thevacuum unit8 can be recoupled to thelid4 to operate in a vacuum mode with thecontainer6.

The invention has been described in the context of various embodiments and not every embodiment of the invention has been described. Apparent modifications and alterations to the described embodiments are available to those of ordinary skill in the art. The disclosed and undisclosed embodiments are not intended to limit or restrict the scope or applicability of the invention conceived of by the Applicant, but rather, in conformity with the patent laws, Applicant intends to protect all such modifications and improvements to the full extent that such falls within the scope or range of equivalent of the following claims.

The various methods and embodiments of the invention can be included in combination with each other to produce variations of the disclosed methods and embodiments, as would be understood by those with ordinary skill in the art, given the understanding provided herein. Also, various aspects of the embodiments could be used in conjunction with each other to accomplish the understood goals of the invention. Also, the directions such as “top,” “bottom,” “left,” “right,” “upper,” “lower,” and other directions and orientations are described herein for clarity in reference to the figures and are not to be limiting of the actual device or system or use of the device or system. Unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, should be understood to imply the inclusion of at least the stated element or step or group of elements or steps or equivalents thereof, and not the exclusion of a greater numerical quantity or any other element or step or group of elements or steps or equivalents thereof. The device or system may be used in a number of directions and orientations. The term “coupled,” “coupling,” “coupler,” and like terms are used broadly herein and can include any method or device for securing, binding, bonding, fastening, attaching, joining, inserting therein, forming thereon or therein, communicating, or otherwise associating, for example, mechanically, magnetically, electrically, chemically, directly or indirectly with intermediate elements, one or more pieces of members together and can further include without limitation integrally forming one functional member with another in a unity fashion. The coupling can occur in any direction, including rotationally. Further, the order of steps can occur in a variety of sequences unless otherwise specifically limited. The various steps described herein can be combined with other steps, interlineated with the stated steps, and/or split into multiple steps. Additionally, the headings herein are for the convenience of the reader and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

Further, any references mentioned in the application for this patent as well as all references listed in the information disclosure originally filed with the application are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety to the extent such may be deemed essential to support the enabling of the invention. However, to the extent statements might be considered inconsistent with the patenting of the invention, such statements are expressly not meant to be considered as made by the Applicant.

Claims

1. A wet and dry vacuum cleaner system comprising:

a container for receiving debris;

a lid attachable with the container;

a vacuum unit adapted to be removably coupled with the lid, the vacuum unit having a vacuum inlet and a vacuum outlet; and

a nozzle adapted to be removably coupled with the vacuum outlet when the vacuum unit is detached from the lid, the nozzle comprising a nozzle inlet and a nozzle outlet and an air diverter adapted to exhaust air from the nozzle intermediate between the nozzle inlet and nozzle outlet.

2. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the air diverter comprises an opening formed in a nozzle wall and a cover ring adapted to slidably at least partially cover the opening.

3. The system ofclaim 2, wherein the cover ring is disposed between at least two flanges to retain the cover ring longitudinally along the nozzle as the cover ring is rotated radially over the opening.

4. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the nozzle inlet further comprises a latch adapted to be removably coupled with the vacuum outlet.

5. The system ofclaim 4, wherein the nozzle inlet further comprises an inlet ring having an enclosed portion and adapted to engage the vacuum outlet.

6. The system ofclaim 5, wherein the inlet ring stabilizes the nozzle when coupled to the vacuum unit in cooperation with the latch.

7. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the vacuum inlet of the vacuum unit is fluidicly coupled to an inlet on the container, the lid, or a combination thereof when the vacuum unit is coupled with the lid.

8. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the vacuum unit is fluidicly coupled to a filter mounted to the lid when the vacuum unit is coupled with the lid.

9. A method of using the vacuum cleaner ofclaim 1 as a blower, comprising:

decoupling the vacuum unit from the lid;

attaching the nozzle inlet to the vacuum outlet;

activating the vacuum unit;

flowing a positively pressurized air through the nozzle; and

diverting a portion of the air through the air diverter to reduce air flow through the nozzle outlet.

10. The method ofclaim 9, further comprising latching the nozzle to the vacuum unit.

11. The method ofclaim 10, further comprising stabilizing the nozzle inlet coupled to the vacuum outlet with an inlet ring coupled to the nozzle.

12. A wet and dry vacuum cleaner system, comprising:

a container for receiving debris;

a lid attachable with the container;

a vacuum unit removably coupled with the lid, the vacuum unit having a vacuum inlet and a vacuum outlet;

a nozzle removably coupled with the vacuum outlet when the vacuum unit is detached from the lid; and

a latch coupled to the nozzle, the vacuum unit, or a combination thereof and adapted to removably couple the nozzle with the vacuum unit.

13. The system ofclaim 12, wherein the nozzle inlet further comprises an inlet ring having an enclosed portion and being aligned with the latch and adapted to engage the vacuum outlet.

14. The system ofclaim 13, wherein the inlet ring stabilizes the nozzle when coupled to the vacuum unit in cooperation with the latch.

15. The system ofclaim 12, wherein the nozzle further comprises an air diverter adapted to exhaust air from the nozzle intermediate between the nozzle inlet and outlet wherein the air diverter comprises an opening formed in a nozzle wall and a cover ring adapted to slidably at least partially cover the opening.