Patent Application
20130263404
Not Applicable
Not Applicable.
Not Applicable.
1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains to a handheld vacuum cleaner tool of the type that is attachable to the end of a flexible vacuum hose. More particularly, the invention pertains to a handheld vacuum cleaning tool having a vacuum driven motorized brush.
2. General Background
Vacuum cleaner hoses are typically provided with handheld vacuum cleaning tools at their vacuum inlets. Such vacuum tools are typically configured to serve specific purposes. For example, crevice or corner vacuum tools are typically long and thin wands and hardwood floor vacuum tools typically comprise a brush. Additionally, some vacuum tools comprise motorized brushes that facilitate the cleaning of carpets, rugs, and upholstery. Such motorized brushes are often driven by an electric motor. A drawback to providing an electrically driven brush in a handheld vacuum tool is that electric motors tend to weigh an appreciable amount, which can lead to user fatigue. Additionally, the electric motors typically require a relative large amount of power and are therefore typically electrically connected to the main vacuum unit that is at the opposite end of the flexible vacuum hose.
In view of the forgoing, some handheld vacuum cleaner tools comprise vacuum driven motors to drive a motorized brush. For example, Dyson, Inc. manufactures and sells a handheld vacuum cleaner tool that comprises a vacuum driven motor that rotationally drives a motorized brush, which Dyson, Inc. refers to as the “Mini turbine head.” The Mini turbine head includes a secondary vacuum inlet that allows bleed air (i.e., air from an inlet other than the primary vacuum inlet) to drive a turbine/rotor. The rotor rotationally drives a brush that extends slightly from the primary vacuum inlet. In use, the brush revolves as non-bleed air is drawn in through the primary vacuum inlet in a manner such that the brush beats the surface of whatever fabric is being vacuumed. Unfortunately, the brush of the Mini turbine head tool is relatively underpowered and therefore frequently stops revolving. Additionally, the brush of the Mini turbine head only operates when air is also allowed to be sucked into the primary inlet. While this is advantageous for removing debris from fabric, it can be a disadvantage as explained herein below.
A handheld vacuum cleaner tool in accordance with the invention is configured to be attached to a flexible vacuum hose and is particularly suited for scrubbing carpet and upholstery that has been dampened with cleaning solution and thereafter for sucking the cleaning solution from the carpet or upholstery.
In one aspect of the invention, a vacuum cleaner device comprises a main body, a brush device, and a vacuum driven motor. The main body has a primary vacuum inlet, a secondary vacuum inlet, and a vacuum outlet. The secondary vacuum inlet is operatively connected to the vacuum outlet. The brush device is configured and adapted to reciprocate relative to the main body. The vacuum driven motor is adapted and configured to be rotationally driven by air passing through the secondary vacuum inlet to the vacuum outlet. The vacuum driven motor is operatively connected to the brush device in a manner such that rotation of the vacuum driven motor causes the brush device to reciprocate relative to the main body.
In another aspect of the invention, a vacuum cleaner device comprises a main body, a brush device, a vacuum driven motor, and a valve gate. The main body has a primary vacuum inlet, a secondary vacuum inlet, and a vacuum outlet. The secondary vacuum inlet is operatively connected to the vacuum outlet. The brush device is configured and adapted to move relative to the main body. The vacuum driven motor is adapted and configured to be driven by air passing through the secondary vacuum inlet to the vacuum outlet. The vacuum driven motor is operatively connected to the brush device in a manner such that the vacuum driven motor causes the brush device to move relative to the main body when the vacuum driven motor is driven. The valve gate is moveable between a first position and a second position relative to the main body. The valve gate allows more air to flow through the primary vacuum inlet than through the secondary vacuum inlet when the valve gate is in the first position. Conversely, the valve gate allows more air to flow through the secondary vacuum inlet than through the primary vacuum inlet when the valve gate is in the second position. More preferably, the valve gate completely prevents air from flowing into the tool from the secondary vacuum inlet when the valve gate is in the first position, and completely prevents air from flowing into the tool from the primary vacuum inlet when the valve gate is in the second position.
Further features and advantages of the present invention, as well as the operation of the invention, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Reference numerals in the written specification and in the drawing figures indicate corresponding items.
Perspective views of the preferred embodiment of a vacuum cleaner device in accordance with the invention are shown in
The main body 12 comprises a primary vacuum inlet 18, a secondary vacuum inlet 20, and a vacuum outlet 22. The main body 12 also comprises a moveable valve gate 24 that is linearly moveable between first and second positions. When the valve gate 24 is in the first position (as shown in
The drive mechanism 14 is shown attached to the brush device 16 in
The vacuum cleaner device 10 is attached to a flexible vacuum hose 62 (as shown in
After dampening and scrubbing the carpet or upholstery, the person operating the vacuum cleaner device 10 can activate the slide switch 26 to move the valve gate 24 to its first position. Doing so closes the secondary vacuum inlet 20, thereby shutting off the vacuum driven motor 46, and allows suction to reach the primary vacuum inlet 18. The suction at the primary vacuum inlet 18 sucks the liquid cleaning solution out of the fabric and draws air through the fabric to facilitate drying.
In view of the foregoing, it should be appreciated that the invention achieves the several advantages over the prior art.
As various modifications could be made in the constructions and methods herein described and illustrated without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims appended hereto and their equivalents.
It should also be understood that when introducing elements of the present invention in the claims or in the above description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, the terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be open-ended and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Additionally, the term “portion” should be construed as meaning some or all of the item or element that it qualifies. Moreover, use of identifiers such as first, second, and third should not be construed in a manner imposing any relative position or time sequence between limitations. Still further, the order in which the steps of any method claim that follows are presented should not be construed in a manner limiting the order in which such steps must be performed.
