BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a cleaning and tool storage assembly which includes a vacuum cleaner disposed within a housing.
During various jobs, tools and/or parts may be required at a job site. Dust and debris may be created at the job site when drilling holes, sawing materials, or performing other functions. Before a job can be considered as being finished, this dust and debris must be cleaned up.
When the job involves a complicated machine, such as a copy machine, access may be provided to dust and debris. Because the dust and debris is not always readily accessible, it may be necessary to dislodge and relocate the dust and debris to a more accessible location for cleaning. In addition, tools and/or parts may be required to perform maintenance on the machine.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a new and improved cleaning and tool storage assembly which may be utilized to move tools and/or parts to a job site. The cleaning and tool storage assembly includes a housing in which a vacuum cleaner is disposed. The housing may include a lid. A tray may be provided to hold items in the base. If desired, the tray may be removable from the base to provide access to storage space in the housing.
It is contemplated that various articles, such as a hose and/or brush, may be used with the vacuum cleaner. These articles may advantageously be retained on a lid of the housing by retainers.
A handle may be provided on the lid to facilitate carrying of the cleaning and tool storage assembly. The handle may be utilized to store an electrical power cord which conducts electrical energy to the vacuum cleaner.
The vacuum cleaner may include a dust bin having a cover which is movable from a closed condition to an open condition to provide access to the interior of the dust bin. The cover for the dust bin may be disposed at a location within the housing where the cover can be moved to the open condition while the tray is disposed within the housing. An inlet, through which a flow of air with debris entrained in the air, is conducted into the dust bin, may be provided on the cover of the dust bin.
It should be understood that the present invention provides a cleaning and tool storage assembly having many different features. It is contemplated that the various features of the assembly may be used separately or in combination with each other. It should be understood that various combinations of the features other than the specific combinations disclosed herein may advantageously be utilized. Of course, features of the cleaning and tool storage assembly disclosed herein may be used with features of other known devices.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing and other features of the present invention will become more apparent upon a consideration of the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a pictorial illustration of a cleaning and tool storage assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged pictorial illustration of a handle which may be utilized with the cleaning and tool storage assembly of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a pictorial illustration, generally similar to FIG. 2, illustrating the handle with the retainer members in a retracted condition;
FIG. 4 is a pictorial illustration, taken generally along the line 4—4 of FIG. 1, of the cleaning and tool storage assembly with the handle of FIGS. 2 and 3 stored in a recess in a lid of a housing for the assembly;
FIG. 5 is a simplified schematic sectional view, taken generally along the line 5—5 of FIG. 4, of the cleaning and tool storage assembly with the lid of the housing in an open condition;
FIG. 6 is a partially broken away schematic illustration, taken generally along the line 6—6 of FIG. 5, illustrating the interior of a base of the housing;
FIG. 7 is a pictorial illustration of the housing with a motor, impeller, and dust bin installed in the base of the housing;
FIG. 8 is an enlarged illustration of a cover for the dust bin of FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a partially broken away schematic illustration depicting the manner in which the cover of the dust bin is movable to an open condition and in which a pre-filter for a motor of the vacuum cleaner and a dust bag or other filter are installed in the dust bin;
FIG. 10 is a partially broken away schematic illustration of the base of the housing prior to installation of vacuum cleaner components in the base;
FIG. 11 is a schematic illustration of a second embodiment of the cleaning and tool storage assembly;
FIG. 12 is a pictorial illustration of the cleaning and tool storage assembly of FIG. 11; and
FIG. 13 is an elevational view, taken generally along the line FIG. 13—13 of FIG. 12.
DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Cleaning and Tool Storage Assembly
A cleaning and tool storage assembly 20 (FIG. 1) includes a housing 22 having a base 24 and a lid 26 hingedly connected with the base. Latches 28 and 30 (FIG. 4) are engageable to hold the lid 26 in the closed condition illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4.
A handle 34 (FIGS. 1-4) is mounted on the lid 26. The handle 34 may have retainer members 36 and 38 which are movable relative to a manually engageable grip section 40 of the handle. When the retainer members 36 and 38 are in the extended condition illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the retainer members are effective to hold a coiled electrical power cord 44 (FIG. 1) on the handle 34.
The handle 34 is pivotally connected with the lid 26 of the housing 22 by a pair of mounting sections 48 and 50 (FIGS. 2, 3 and 4). Once the retainer members 36 and 38 have been moved to the retracted condition of FIG. 3 and the electrical power cord 44 (FIG. 1) removed from the handle 34, the handle can be pivoted relative to the lid 26 to a storage position illustrated in FIG. 4. When the handle 34 is in the storage position illustrated in FIG. 4, the grip section 40 of the handle is disposed in a recess 54 in the lid 26 so that the lid has a relatively smooth upper surface.
When the latches 28 and 30 are in the release condition, the lid 26 can be pivoted at a hinge 58 (FIGS. 1 and 5) interconnecting the lid 26 and base 24 of the housing 22. As the lid 26 is pivoted at the hinge 58, the handle 34 may pivot relative to the lid 26. This enables the handle 34 to move from the storage position shown in FIG. 4 to the extended position shown in FIG. 5, in the manner indicated by an arrow 60 in FIG. 5.
As the lid 26 moves to its open position, an outer surface 64 (FIG. 3) on the handle 34 moves into engagement with a support surface 66 (FIG. 5). The handle 34 is then effective to support the lid 26 in a generally horizontal orientation extending outward, that is, toward the left as viewed in FIG. 5, from the base 24 of the housing 22. It should be understood that the handle 34 could have a different construction and cooperate with the lid 26 in a different manner if desired.
The base 24 of the housing 22 encloses a vacuum cleaner 70 and a tray 72 (FIG. 6). The tray 72 may be utilized to hold hand tools, such as screwdrivers and/or hammers. The tray 72 may also be utilized to hold parts, such as nails, screws, washers, etc.
Although the tray 72 has been illustrated in FIG. 6 as having a single large compartment, it should be understood that a number of compartments could be formed by partitions disposed in the tray. The tray 72 may be divided into a plurality of relatively small compartments to hold and separate fasteners, small parts, and/or other small items.
The illustrated tray 72 is removable from the base 24 of the housing 22. Therefore, the tray 72 is provided with a handle 74 connected with a central portion of the tray. However, if desired, the tray 72 could be fixedly mounted in the base 24 of the housing 22. Alternatively, a portion of the tray 72 could be removable from the housing and another portion of the tray could be fixedly mounted in the housing. The tray 72 has a lip 76 (FIG. 5) which engages a projection 78 molded into the side walls 82 of the base 24 to support the tray above a bottom wall 80 of the base.
The tray 72 cooperates with the bottom wall 80 and sidewalls 82 of the generally rectangular base 24 to form a storage space or compartment 86 (FIGS. 5 and 6). Access is obtained to the storage space 86 by removing the tray 72 from the base 24 (FIG. 7). If desired, the storage space 86 could be compartmentalized by partitions disposed in the base 24. However, it is believed that it may be desired to leave the storage space uncompartmentalized so that relatively large items, such as a machine component, a hand tool, and/or a measuring tool, such as a volt meter, could be held in the storage space 86.
When the lid 26 is in the open position illustrated in FIG. 6, access is obtained to the interior of the lid. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 6, articles used with the vacuum cleaner 70 are retained within the lid 26. The articles which are retained in the lid 26 are known articles which are commonly used with a vacuum cleaner. These articles may includes a hose 90, a brush 92 which can be connected with the hose, and a crevice tool or nozzle 94 which can be connected with the hose. It should be understood that articles other than the specific articles illustrated in FIG. 6 could be mounted on the inside of the lid 26. For example, the electrical power cord 44 and/or a hand tool could be stored inside the lid 26.
Suitable retainers 98 are connected with an upper wall 102 of the lid 26 to hold the hose 90, brush 92 and nozzle 94 and/or any other desired articles on the lid 26. Although the articles 90, 92 and 94 have been illustrated in FIG. 6 as being disposed on the inside of the lid 26, it is contemplated that the articles could be retained on the outside of the lid. This would provide access to the articles when the lid 26 is In the closed condition of FIG. 1 rather than the open condition of FIG. 6.
When the vacuum cleaner 70 is to be utilized to clean dust and/or debris, the hose 90 is disconnected from the retainers 98 on the lid 26. The hose 90 is then connected with an inlet 106 for the vacuum cleaner 70. The electrical power cord 44 (FIG. 1) is connected with a source of power and with the vacuum cleaner 70 to provide electrical energy for operation of the vacuum cleaner.
During operation of the vacuum cleaner 70, a flow of air with dust and/or debris entrained therein is conducted through the hose 90 to the vacuum cleaner 70. An on-off switch 108 (FIGS. 6 and 7) on the outside of the base 24 is actuated to effect operation of the vacuum cleaner 70. Although it is preferred to mount the switch 108 on the outside of housing 22, the switch could be mounted inside the housing if desired.
The vacuum cleaner 70 can advantageously be operated with the tray 72 in the base 24. Although the lid 26 may be in the open condition of FIG. 6 during operation of the vacuum cleaner 70, a rim portion 112 (FIG. 4) of the lid 26 is provided with an opening 114 which enables the lid to be closed when the hose 90 (FIG. 6) is connected with the vacuum cleaner 70. The hose 90 may be connected with the inlet 106 to the vacuum cleaner 70 and utilized to perform vacuum cleaning functions while the lid 26 is in the closed condition of FIGS. 1 and 4.
It is contemplated that it may be desired to utilized the vacuum cleaner 70 as a blower rather than as a source of suction. When this is to be done, the hose 90 is connected with an outlet 120 (FIGS. 7 and 10) from the vacuum cleaner 70. When the hose 90 is connected with the outlet 120 from the vacuum cleaner 70, a flow of air is conducted from the vacuum cleaner through the hose 90. This flow of air may be utilized to dislodge dust and/or debris which may be inaccessible and relocate the dust and debris to a more accessible location.
Housing
Although the housing 22 (FIGS. 6 and 7) could be formed in many different ways, it is believed that it may be desired to mold the housing of a suitable polymeric material. When this is done, the base 24 of the housing may be molded as one-piece of polymeric material and the lid 26 of the housing molded as a second piece of polymeric material. The lid 26 and base 24 are pivotally connected at the hinge 58.
Of course, the housing 22 could be formed of a different material if desired. For example, the housing could be formed of metal. If the housing 22 is formed of metal, it may be formed of stamped sheet metal or molded metal. It is contemplated that the housing 22 could be formed of a combination of metal and polymeric materials if desired.
The base 24 of the housing 22 (FIG. 7) has a generally rectangular configuration. The sidewalls 82 of the base of the housing cooperate with the bottom wall 80 to define a generally rectangular chamber 126. It should be understood that the housing 22 and chamber 126 could have a configuration other than the illustrated rectangular configuration. For example, the housing 22 and/or chamber 126 could have a cylindrical configuration.
The vacuum cleaner 70 (FIG. 7) is disposed at one end portion, that is the right end portion, as viewed in FIG. 7, of the chamber 126. Of course, the vacuum cleaner 70 could be disposed in a different portion of the chamber 126. For example, the vacuum cleaner 70 could be disposed in a central portion of the chamber 126.
Components of the vacuum cleaner 70 may be integrally molded as one-piece with the bottom wall 80 of the base 24. Thus, the bottom wall 80 includes a lower motor support structure 130 (FIG. 10) which is integrally molded as one-piece with the bottom wall 80 and sidewalls 82 of the base 24. The lower motor support structure 130 includes a lower portion 132 of a motor housing and a lower portion 134 of an impeller housing. In addition, a lower portion 136 of a dust bin is integrally molded with the base 24. If desired, all of the components of the vacuum cleaner 70 could be formed separately from the base 24.
An electric motor 140 (FIGS. 7 and 9) is mounted on the lower portion 132 (FIG. 10) of the motor housing. A circular impeller 142 (FIG. 7) is mounted in the lower portion 134 (FIG. 10) of the impeller housing in a coaxial relationship with the motor 140. Sidewalls 146 (FIG. 9) of a dust bin 150 are fixedly connected with the lower portion 136 (FIG. 10) of the dust bin. A circular opening 154 (FIG. 9) in a wall 146 of the dust bin 150 connects the dust bin 150 in fluid communication with the impeller 142 (FIG. 7).
The dust bin 150 is disposed in a corner portion 154 (FIG. 10) of the chamber 126 and base 24. Similarly, the motor 140 and impeller 142 (FIG. 7) are disposed in a corner portion 156 (FIG. 10) of the chamber 126 and base 24. However, if desired, the dust bin 150, motor 140 and impeller 142 could be mounted in a central portion of the chamber 126 in the base 24.
A dust bin cover 160 (FIG. 8) has a pair of hinge arms 162 and 164 which are used to connect the cover 160 with hinge pins 166 and 168 (FIG. 9) on the dust bin 150. The cover 160 is pivotal relative to the hinge pins 166 and 168 between the closed condition illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 and the open condition illustrated in FIG. 9. Although the dust bin 150 and dust bin cover 160 are molded of polymeric material, they could be formed in a different manner.
When the dust bin cover 160 is in the closed position of FIGS. 6 and 7, the dust bin cover is offset to one side of the tray 72. However, when the dust bin cover 160 is pivoted to the open position (FIG. 9), the dust bin cover overlies a portion of the tray 72. Of course, the dust bin cover 160 could be moved between open and closed positions in a different manner if desired. For example, the dust bin cover 160 could be pulled straight upward from the closed position of FIGS. 6 and 7 and moved to an open position spaced from the base 24.
A motor pre-filter holder 172 (FIG. 9) may be disposed in the dust bin 150 in alignment with the opening 154 to the impeller 142 and motor 140. A filter 174 is movable into the motor pre-filter holder 172 while the dust bin cover 160 is in the open position. In addition, a dust bag or other filter 180 is positioned in the dust bin 150 when the dust bin cover 160 is in the open condition illustrated in FIG. 9. Rather than the using the dust bag 180 as a filter for a flow of air into the dust bin 150, a dirt cup could be positioned in the dust bin 150. It is contemplated than any known type of filter or filters could be utilized in the dust bin 150.
An inlet fitting 184 (FIG. 8) is disposed on the dust bin cover 160. The inlet fitting 184 has a tubular construction with a passage 186. The passage 186 extends from the inlet 106 to the interior of the dust bin 150 through an opening 188 (FIG. 9) formed in the cover 160. An end portion of the hose 90 is telescopically inserted into the inlet fitting 184 to connect the hose 90 in fluid communication with filters in the dust bin 150 through the passage 186. It should be understood that the dust bin cover 160 could have any desired construction.
An upper portion 192 (FIG. 9) of the motor housing may be integrally molded as one piece with the dust bin sidewalls 156. An upper portion 194 of an impeller housing cooperates with the lower portion 134 (FIG. 10) of the impeller housing to enclose the impeller 142 (FIG. 7).
A plug-type electrical connector 198 (FIG. 9) is accessible through an opening in the base 24 (FIGS. 1, 4 and 7). The electrical connector 198 is fixedly connected with the base 24.
Tray
The tray 72 (FIG. 6) is effective to divide a portion of the chamber 126 (FIG. 8), which is not occupied by the vacuum cleaner 70, into upper and lower storage locations. The storage space 86 (FIG. 6) is disposed below the tray 72. The tray 72 may be compartmentalized to separate stored items. It is contemplated that relatively small items will be stored in the tray 72 and that larger items will be stored in the storage space 86.
When the tray 72 is positioned in the base 22, in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 6, an arm portion 204 (FIG. 7) of the tray 72 overlies the upper portion 192 (FIG. 9) of the motor housing and is disposed adjacent to the dust bin 150. The arm portion 204 (FIG. 7) and a generally rectangular main portion 206 of the tray 72 cooperate to form a generally rectangular recess 210 which receives the dust bin 150.
Although the arm portion 204 (FIG. 7) of the tray 72 overlies the upper portion 192 (FIG. 9) of the motor housing, the tray 72 does not overlie the dust bin 150. This enables the dust bin cover 160 to be pivoted between the closed condition of FIGS. 6 and 7 and the open condition of FIG. 9 when the tray 72 is disposed in the base 24. This enables the filters 174 and 180 in the dust bin 150 to be changed while the tray 72 is disposed in the base 24.
Second Embodiment
A second embodiment of the cleaning and tool storage assembly 20 is illustrated in FIGS. 11-13. Since the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 11-13 is generally similar to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1-10, similar components will be designated by similar numerals, the suffix letter “a” being added to the numerals of FIGS. 11-13 to avoid confusion.
A cleaning and tool storage assembly 20a (FIG. 11) includes a housing 22a having a generally rectangular base 24a and a lid 26a. The lid 26a is illustrated in an open condition in FIG. 11 and in a closed condition in FIGS. 12 and 13. Releasable latches 28a and 30a are provided to retain the lid 26a in the closed condition illustrated in FIG. 13.
When the lid 26a is in the open condition illustrated in FIG. 11, access is provided to a tray 72a in the base 24a of the housing 22a. Although the tray 72a may be fixedly mounted within the base 24a, the tray is removable from the base. When the tray 72a is removed from the base 24a, access is provided to a storage space disposed beneath the tray.
In addition to the tray and storage space, a vacuum cleaner 70a is disposed in a chamber 126a in the base 24a. The vacuum cleaner 70a includes a dust bin, electric motor and impeller in a manner previously explained in conjunction with the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1-10. An inlet 106a (FIG. 12) to the vacuum cleaner 70a is disposed in a sidewall 82a of the base 24a. An outlet 120a (FIG. 13) is provided in a sidewall 82a of the base 24a.
In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 12, treads 242 and 244 are provided on the lid 26a to facilitate standing on the cleaning and tool storage assembly 20. The handle 34a is disposed between the treads 242 and 244. The treads 242 and 244 have a pattern of ridges and/or grooves which provide a slip retarding surface on the lid 26a. Of course, a person standing on the cleaning and tool storage assembly 20a should use care when stepping onto, standing on, and stepping off of the treads 242 and 244.
A linear, generally V-shaped groove 248 (FIG. 12) is provided in the lid 26a. The groove 248 may be utilized to hold a cylindrical member, such as a pipe, during cutting of the member. Although the treads 242 and 244 and groove 248 are not included in the lid 26 of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1-10, it is contemplated that the treads and grooves could be provided in the lid 26 of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-10, if desired. Alternatively, the treads 242 and 244 and groove 248 could be omitted from the embodiment of FIGS. 11-13.
Patent Grant
6883202
