Patent Application
20120247384
The present invention relates to a filter bag indicator and lock-out safety system for a vacuum cleaner.
The bag is generally well known in the art. However, a filter bag indicator and lock-out safety system and apparatus as described in the present invention is previously unknown in the prior art.
The present invention provides a filter bag indicator and lock-out safety system for a vacuum cleaner.
Flow-through motor-style vacuum cleaner systems generally use an outer shell. The outer shell may be a partly porous bag, since the air flow is being pushed into the filter bag. The filter bag is usually a disposable inner bag. Typically the flow-through motor-style vacuum cleaner uses a porous outer bag made of woven or nonwoven fabric, or a combination of the two. In any of these constructions, the outer bag is closeable and usually employs a zipper or other fastening means to gain access to the inner bag for removal and replacement. The user of this system may dispose of a full or used inner filter bag, which is the primary filter, and forget to replace it with a new inner bag. In such an event, the vacuum cleaner may still operate, but it will spew dust and debris into the outer bag and perhaps the ambient environment (depending on the quality of the outer bag), thus making a terrible mess and potentially harming the outer bag or the vacuum cleaner.
Locking mechanisms for filter bags are generally known in the art. U.S. Pat. No. 5,028,245 to Stein et al. discloses a mechanism for confirming operation of a vacuum cleaner with the proper placement of a filter bag. However, that invention requires that the filter bag is placed on a separate part from the locking mechanism. Also, that invention requires a cam-and-shaft mechanism which requires specialized parts that are hard or impossible to replace or repair. Moreover, in that invention the only indication that a filter bag is not in place occurs when the closing mechanism is operated and fails. Thus, a user of that invention may discover the issue and have to take unnecessary time and effort to get the missing bag. Among the improvements in the present invention is that there is a visual cue outside the outer shell which may be perceived from a distance that a bag is missing. Thus, the present invention provides an important warning to a user so that the user may save time and effort during installation of a filter bag.
With the present invention, the user cannot close the outer bag unless the locking mechanism is in the down or engaged position. The locking mechanism provides a readily visible visual cue to a user that the filter bag is not in place. Essentially, a portion of the locking mechanism (when in the up and disengaged position) will protrude from the top of the outer shell (or outer bag) so it cannot be zipped or otherwise closed. This protruding portion will promptly alert the user that a filter bag is needed, and thus prevent the user from operating the vacuum cleaner without a properly installed filter bag.
In addition, the present invention provides one or more tabs on the locking mechanism that prevent the locking mechanism from being pushed into the down or engaged position unless a filter bag collar is properly seated in place. Thus, the system also helps prevent a user from closing the outer shell (e.g., zipper) without a filter bag being properly installed.
A more complete understanding of the present invention, and the attendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like designations refer to like elements, and wherein:
As shown in
In one embodiment of the apparatus, each protrusion 34 includes a first projection 38 and a second projection 40. The filter bag collar mount 20 has a slot 42 and channel 44. The slot 42 is of a width and shape which corresponds with the first projection 38, and the channel 44 is of a width and shape which corresponds with the second projection 40. Thus, the protrusion 34, when depressed, fits the channel 44 of the filter bag collar mount in a moveable lockable connection within the channel 44. As shown, the first projection width is greater than the channel width, and wherein a width of the second projection width is less than or equal to the channel width. However, alternative equivalent geometries are also contemplated.
In addition, the filter bag collar mount 20 may have grooves 46 for corresponding holding elements 48 in the locking mechanism, or vice versa, so that the locking mechanism 22 and the filter bag collar mount 20 may remain in moveable engagement when the protuberance is depressed. Alternative equivalent means for moveable engagement are also contemplated.
In addition, as shown in
In addition, the locking mechanism 22 may include a handling tab 58 on the top end 30 for operation by a user. The locking mechanism 22 also includes one or more locking flanges 60 for securing a filter bag collar to the filter bag collar mount 20. As shown, the locking flange 60 may overhang the front side 26 of the locking mechanism 22.
The operation of one embodiment of the invention is as follows. The locking apparatus mechanism is installed on a vacuum cleaner and the locking mechanism is placed in the disengaged position. In the disengaged position, the top portion of the locking mechanism extends outside of the outer shell. Thus, the outer shell cannot be closed, and the user is able to see from a distance that there is no filter bag installed in the vacuum cleaner. The user then places a filter bag in the vacuum cleaner. The filter bag collar is placed on the filter bag collar mount. The filter bag collar may be guided by pivot points in the filter bag collar. Once placed on the filter bag collar mount, the filter bag collar depresses protrusions on the locking mechanism. The geometry of the locking mechanism and the filter bag collar mount allow the protuberance to recede into the slot in the filter bag collar mount and slide down a channel in the filter bag collar mount. Thus, the locking mechanism may slide from the disengaged position to the engaged position. Once in the engaged position, the top portion of the locking mechanism no longer extends outside of the outer shell, and the outer shell may be closed to enclose the filter bag.
In yet another embodiment, this invention may include a threaded connection between the filter bag and the vacuum cleaner pursuant to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/628,840, which is incorporated be reference herein.
It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. In addition, unless mention was made to the contrary, it should be noted that all of the accompanying drawings are not to scale. A variety of modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, which is limited only by the following claims.
