US2276944A - Vacuum cleaner floor mop - Google Patents

Description

March 17, 1942. D. M. DOW

VACUUM CLEANER FLOOR MOP Filed May 26, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 /6\.""H5 l H65 4 r r 8 I I 4 I i i i l /5 gmsm DEWEY M DOW WFQ March 17, 1942. D M, Dow 2,276,944

VACUUM CLEANER FLOOR MOP Fild May 26, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 H69 F/G/O +7 6 361 may 35 ll 'lllmllfillllllfil -lll A W? [1| M v 32 [0 I lllllllflll' 'llllllI IIIIIIIIIIIIII'HIIIII DEWEY M DOW March 17, 1942. M ow 2,276,944

VACUUM CLEANER FLOOR MOP Filed May 26, 1939 3 Shets-Sheet. 3

/ 55F/ci/9 lmll F/G./7 39'" F/ .49 35 w Patented Mar. 17, 1942 NT OFFICE VACUUM CLEANER FLOOR MOP Dewey M. Dow, Toledo, Ohio, assignor to Air- Way Electric Appliance Corporation, Toledo, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Application May 26, 1939, Serial No. 275,831

4 Claims.

This invention relates to vacuum cleaners and more specifically concerns a bare floor cleaning device, more properly designated a mop, which is adapted to be used in connection with a portable vacuum cleaner.

The object of this invention is to produce a floor mop for use in connection with a portable vacuum cleaner that will definitely and completely clean a smooth hard surfaced floor or floor covering and which will prevent dust from being brushed away from the suction inlets by the brush bristles.

Another object of this invention is to provide a brush in which at least one side of a plurality of suction inlets in a floor mop has a continuous row or series of brush bristles disposed adjacent thereto.

Another object of this invention is to produce a floor mop of the push or pull type which will not only urge large and heavy particles of dirt toward a common spot or a plurality of such spots, but will remove the finer dust and dirt from the heavy particles to ease the task of removing and disposing of the large-particles of dirt.

A still further object of this invention is to so arrange the brush bristles with respect to the suction inlets in the floor mop that the normal accumulation of dust and dirt ahead of the brush, as it moves over the surface being cleaned, will be to force the accumulation underneath and closer to the mouths of the suction inlets.

Another object of this invention is to reduce the cost of manufacture of a floor mop, to increase the efficiency and increase the range of usefulness thereof.

Other and further objects will appear to those skilled in the art to which this invention appertains and any and all modifications, alterations and variations of structure of that described and disclosed coming within the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed included herein. The

'invention is limited only by the claims appended to the specification and the drawings set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention along with desirable modifications thereof in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of the floor mop; shows the nozzle and brush back in assembled relation.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational View of the floor mop. I

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the floor mop taken substantially along theline 33 of Figs. 2 and 4.

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of the brush back showing the disposition of brush bristles and suction inlets.

Fig. 5 is a vertical elevational view ofo-ne of the suction inlets.

Fig. 6 is a top plan View of one of the suction inlets.

Fig. 7 is a bottom plan View of a modification of the brush back of Figs. 1-4.

Fig. 8 is a front elevational View of the brush back of Fig. '7.

Fig. 9 is an end elevational view of the brush back of Fig. 7.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view of the brush back taken along the line Iii-I9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 11 is a bottom plan view of a further modiiication of the brush back of Figs. ll.

Fig. 12 is a front edevational view of the brush back of Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is an end elevational view of the brush back of Fig. 11.

Fig. 14 is a vertical sectional View taken along the line l4l4 of Fig. 12.

Fig. 15 is a bottom plan view of a still further modification of the brush back of Figs. 14.

Fig. 16 is a front elevational view of the modii'ication of Fig. 15.

Fig. 1'7 is an end elevational view of the ification of Fig. 15.

Fig. 18 is a vertical sectional view thereof taken substantially along the line Hll8 of Fig. 16.

Fig. 19 is a bottom plan View of still another modification of brush back of Figs. 14.

Fig. 20 is a front elevational View of the modification of Fig. 19.

Fig. 21 is an end elevational View thereof.

Fig. 22 is a vertical sectional view thereof taken substantially along the line 22-22 of Fig. 20.

The floor mop generally indicated at I of the instant invention is a two partseparable organization comprising a nozzle 2 having an outlet orexhaust 3 to which a hose or wand, or a combination thereof may be attached and thence connected to a source of suction preferably derived from a portable vacuum cleaner although any other source of suction is adaptable thereto. Removably secured to the lower portion of the nozzle is brushback 4, in which are also mounted the suction inlet tubes orconduits 5, to be more particularly described hereinafter.

The nozzle portion 2, of the floor mop has a plurality of downwardly extending walls I, I 'etc. that form the mouth of the nozzle. Attention is invited to the fact that the nozzle mouth has a length considerably greater than its Width. Secured to the longitudinal walls of nozzle i a pairmodof agitators 3, one only of which is shown, that are held in position on the walls by a, spring clip 9, which is riveted, or otherwise secured to the walls of the nozzle by means H3, iii. The agitators are similar in construction to those described and shown in U. S. Patent 1,980,438.

Mounted exteriorly on the end walls of the nozzle is a pair of U shaped brackets H, H secured thereto by screws 12, or other appropriate holding means. The function of these brackets is to assist in holding brush back 4 over the mouth of the nozzle. Mounted exteriorly of the nozzle is abumper 43, preferably of mar-proof rubber, that is intended to absorb shocks and blows as the mop comes into contact with articles of furniture or the interior trim of the home to thereby prevent damage to it or the nozzle.

Brushback portion 4, of the nozzle comprises essentially a box-like structure having a plurality of wall portions I4, I4 etc., and a bottom wall portion I5. The brush back has a dimension and shape such that walls I, 1 etc., and Walls I4, I4 etc. will coincide and, as nearly as possible, form a leak proof contact.

Arranged in appropriate apertures in the bottom wall of the brush back are a plurality ofsuction inlets 5, preferably cylindrical in form, although the two end ones in the instant case are semi-circular, although by a simple alteration or respacing of the apertures, completely cylindrical suction inlets could be employed. Thesuction inlet 5 comprises essentially a body portion [6, equipped with aflange portion 41, which is adapted to rest upon the top surface ofwall 45. The suction inlets are preferably made from a mar-proof rubber and are held in position in thebrush back 4 by means of aplate 18.

Plate [8 fits snugly within the opening provided by walls l4, I4 etc., and on its lower side is embossed so as to receive flanges ll, ofinlets 5. Plate i8 is apertured as at I9, which apertures coincide exactly withinlets 5.Plate 18 is further provided withprojection 28 that snugly fits within theinlets 5, which in combination with the embossings to receive the flanges 11, serves to hold the inlets in position, prevents their buckling and accidental removal from the brush back. Plate is is urged downwardly by reason of the agitator 8, which bears directly-upon it and is held there by means to be hereinafter described. Theprojection 20 is concentric with theaperture 29, as will be observed.

Means have been provided in thebrush back 4 to facilitate easy removal thereof, whereby the nozzle 2 may be used as a straight suction tool, or to replace with a different type of brush. To this end spring retaining means 22 are secured to ends of the brush back screws or rivets 23. Thesprings 22 are provided with a shouldered portion 24 which fits over thetop U bracket 22. By this means brush back 4 is kept firmly engaged with the mouth of nozzle 2, and agitators :3 act to prevent any relative movement laterally of the brush back 4, and nozzle 2. When the brush back 4 is in engagement with the nozzle 2, the agitators not only serve to prevent lateral motion of the brush back but the shouldered portion of the spring urges the agitators againstplate 48 to hold the suction inlets in place.

The brush back supports brush bristletufts 25 held in position in the brush back in a manner similar to that shown and described in U. S. Patent 2,130,635, or in the manner shown and described in application S. N. 275,830 concurrently filed herewith. The brush bristle tufts are supported in aprojection 26, in order that the bristles may be maintained shorter and more rigid. As will be noted from an examination of Fig. 4, the brush bristles are set in a plurality of rows 21, 21 etc., which are joined byportions 28, 28 etc., to form a plurality ofpockets 29, 29 etc. Theportions 23 form a continuous row of bristles across the face of the brush back and, while shown as made up of a plurality of arcuate portions, any other form such as a straight line could be formed with equal facility.

The mop of the invention just described is a single stroke brush. In other words, it performs its function from one side only. Dirt and dust must enterpockets 29, 29, etc., and is then constantly urged upward and into thesuction inlets 5. A much more thorough cleaning action is provided by reason of theinlets 5 being arranged in thepockets 29. Each suction inlet is completely segregated from the other and its cleaning action is confined to the small area provided by the pocket. It is a virtual impossibility for dust and dirt entering the pockets to pass the bristles or to cling to them because of the concentrated suction action in the individual pockets.

Figures 7-10 disclose a modification of the brush back 4, of Figs. 1-6. The brush back 30 is adapted to fit a nozzle similar to nozzle 2, described above and in order to retain the brush in position against such a nozzle, springs 3| are secured to the ends of brush back byscrews 32, or other appropriate securing means. Each of these springs has a shoulderedportion 33, which functions similarly to the shouldered portion 24,

described in connection withspring 22, of Figs.

Brush back 39 is provided with a plurality ofwall portions 34, 34 etc., which are adapted to engage with the lips defining the mouth of a cooperating suction nozzle. Arranged in thebottom wall 35 of the brush are a plurality ofsuction inlets 36, 36 etc., in appropriate apertures and disposed in two rows across the face of the brush back as shown. These suction inlets are substantially cylindrical in shape and similarly formed toinlets 5, previously described. A plate 3'! is provided and is adapted to fit snugly in the pocket, or opening, formed bywalls 34, 34 etc.Plate 37 is apertured as at 38, which apertures correspond identically with the apertures ininlets 36.Plate 3! is further provided with aprojection 39, concentric with theaperture 38 and withsuction inlet 35, and extends into the suction inlet a substantial distance as shown. Theplate 31 is further embossed in its lower side to receive the flanged portion of the suction inlet. It is obvious therefore that theprojection 39, and embossing of theplate 31 adapted to receive the inlet flange and act to prevent thesuction inlet 36 from buckling, to

hold it in position and to prevent an accidental disengagement of the inlet from the brush back.

Disposed upon the lower or bottom face of the back is a row of brush bristle tufts All. These tufts are held and mounted in the brush back as described above and in U. S. Patent 2,130,!135. The tufts are set in aprojection 4| in order that bristle length may be shortened. and further that the bristle tufts may be relatively stiff.

The modification just described discloses the single row of bristles. It is two-way in its function in that on either a forward or return stroke it is capable of effecting a cleaning action. The single row of bristles causes dust and dirt coming in contact therewith to be pushed along and constantly urged under the appropriate row of suction inlets. By reason of their ends being disposed closely to the floor, there will be a greater tendency to urge the dust and dirt particles up into the suction nozzles. There will also be no tendency of linty dirt to get stuck in the bristles by reason of the fact that it is not necessary for it to pass through a row of bristles to get to the suction passage. The brush merely assists the linty material and dirt in getting to the suction inlet and does not impede its passage.

A further modification of the brush back 4 of Figs. 1-4 is set forth in Figs. 11-14. The arrangement of suction inlets and the method of mounting them in the brush back is identical with that of Figs. 7-10. The corresponding parts in Figs. 11-14 and 7-10 have been similarly numbered and the description of the parts bearing the primed numbers in Figs. 11-14 is identicalwith the unprimed numbers of Figs. 7-10.

The brush arangement of Figs. 11-14 is modified from that of Figs. 7-10. This comprises a single row of bristle tufts that are set in aprojection 43, in the manner described above and for the same reasons. The single row extends nearly to the ends of the brush back at which point the row 42 flares out as at 44, 45, 46 and 41. Each of the flared ends extends slightly beyond the row of suction inlets. This arrangement in effect arranges each individual row of inlets in a large pocket defined by the single row and the flared ends, 1. e.,row 43, and flared ends thereof 44 and 41 constitute one pocket androw 43 and flared ends 45 and 46 constitutes the other pocket. The brush bristles function in exactly the manner described above in connection with Figs. 7-10 with the exception that the end suction inlets are permitted to function with the same eificiency as the others.

Figs. 15-18 set forth another modification of the brush back of Figs. 1-4 and is an extension of the disclosure of Figs. 7-11. The brush back, suction inlets, etc. in Figs. 15-18 that have double primed numbers applied thereto are identical with similar parts of Figs. 7-11, and. no additional description thereof is thought necessary.

The brush arrangement in Figs. 15-18 constitutes a single row of bristles extending across the face of the brush and set in aprojection 49 in the manner and form substantially as described above in connection with the disclosures previously described. There are also provided a plurality of transversely arranged projections and rows ofbristles 50, 50 etc. extending fromrow 48 and bristle 48 and projection48 which are set inprojections 5| etc. These, transverse short rows in connection with the long row form a plurality ofpockets 52, 52 etc., in each of which asuction inlet 35" is arranged. Each of the suction inlets and its surrounding bristles function identically as in Figs. 1-4. In this instance, however, the floor mop cleans in both directions of movement thereby reducing the amount of time necessary to clean a given area.

The modification disclosed in Figs. 19-22 shows- Arranged in the bottom wall of the brush back 53 is a plurality ofsuction inlets 59 disposed in suitable apertures provided therefor. The suction inlets are cylindrical in shape and are formed similar toinlet 5 above described.

Means are provided for holding the suction inlet in position which comprises a plate which is apertured similarly tobottom plate 55.Plate 60 is also equipped with a projection 6! concentric withinlet 59, and which extends a substantial distance in the inlet. The plate is also embossed to receive the flanged portion as shown. The function of the embossing and flanging of plate have been described of Figs. 19-22.

A single row of brush bristles 62 extends longitudinally across the face of the brush and is set in aprojection 63 in a manner and for a purpose previously described. The functioning of the row of bristles and its relationship relative to the suction inlets previously described in connection with Figs. 7-11 applies with the exception that the disclosure. of Figs. 19-22 is a single stroke brush.

It may also be desirable at times to make the brush back 53 curved in form as indicated by dotted lines 64 and 65, and the bristle row as well as the row of suction inlets would be curved to conform.

The above is considered to so fully reveal the gist of the invention that anyone by studying the same can successfully reproduce same.

That which is considered new, novel and useful and which is sought to be protected by Letters Patent of the U. S. is as follows:

1. A cleaning tool for attachment to a vacuum cleaner nozzle, com-prising a back, two parallel rows of suction inlets in said back, projecting beyond the surfacethereof, and a continuous row of brush bristles extending between said rows of inlets from end to end thereof and in proximity thereto, and projecting beyond the plane of the mouths of said inlets, whereby to sweep dust and dirt toward one row of inlets when the tool is moved in one direction, and toward the other row of inlets when the tool is moved in the reverse direction.

2. A cleaning tool as defined in claim 1, wherein said bristles are extended to form pockets partially enclosing said inlets.

3. A cleaning tool as defined in claim 1, including transverse rows of bristles forming, together with said continuous row, a plurality of pockets each embracing a single inlet.

4. A cleaning tool as defined in claim 1, wherein said row of bristles is branched at its ends to form pockets, each enclosing a. row of the inlets.

DEWEY M. DOW.

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