Hover Vacuum Cleaner

Abstract

A self-propulsion hovering vacuum cleaner for domestic or industrial application has air outlets predisposed symmetrically along the longitudinal axis of the underside of the casing for directing more air to the front and back directions of the vacuum cleaner to achieve even distribution of air underneath the vacuum cleaner, thereby reducing juddering or rocking effects. The underside of the casing has a curved surface predisposed symmetrically along the longitudinal axis of the underside of the casing for better retention of air to enhance the hovering effect. In another embodiment of the present invention, air distribution channels are predisposed symmetrically on both sides of the underside of the casing along the longitudinal axis. The air distribution channels are in communication with the air outlets for directing more air to the front and back of the vacuum cleaner. The improved hovering vacuum machine also has self-propulsion features and self-cooling features.

Description

PRIORITY

This non-provisional application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) on Patent Application No. PI 20054860 filed in Malaysia on Oct. 17, 2005, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to an improved vacuum cleaner and more specifically a self-propulsion hovering vacuum cleaner generally used for domestic or industrial application.

BACKGROUND

Hovering vacuum cleaners are available in the market. Patents for hovering vacuum cleaners include U.S. Pat. No. 2,751,038 issued to L. K. Acheson, Korean patent No. KR184980Y issued to Bae Suk Wan, Canadian Patent No. 2,247,721 and Canadian Patent No. 2,301 400 issued to Michael Rooney.

Although the vacuum cleaners have hovering features, but they nevertheless require improvement to reduce juddering or rocking due to unequal distribution of air underneath the vacuum cleaners. Furthermore, these prior art vacuum cleaners do not have self-propelling and self-cooling features as contemplated by this invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a hovering vacuum cleaner comprising a casing enclosing a filter chamber and a exhaust chamber, a suction inlet, a filter in the filter chamber, an impeller and a motor for driving the impeller, air outlets predisposed symmetrically at both sides of the underside of the casing, a pathway for air to flow from the inlet through the dust filter, the impeller, the motor and emit through the air outlet, a skirting disposed along the perimeter of the underside of the casing to entrap air emitted through the air outlet and to create a cushion of air at the bottom of the casing to have a hovering effect, and the underside of the casing has a curve up surface predisposed symmetrically along the longitudinal axis of the underside of the casing for better retention of air to enhance the hovering effect.

The primary object of the invention is to provide an improved hovering vacuum cleaner specially designed to achieve a more even distribution of air underneath the vacuum cleaner to reduce juddering or rocking effects.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved hovering vacuum cleaner with self-propulsion features when the vacuum is energized.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved hovering vacuum cleaner with built in self-cooling features

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.

FIG. 1 shows the bottom view of a preferred embodiment of the vacuum cleaner of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows the bottom view of another embodiment of the vacuum cleaner of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows the top view of the vacuum cleaner of the present invention of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows the cross section view of the vacuum cleaner of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows the cross section view of the underside of casing of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows the arrangement of the vanes at the air outlets on the underside of the casing of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows the shell shaped structure covering the impelling motor and the air outlets of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows the jet outlet predisposed at the back of vacuum cleaner with lid installed thereon FIG. 9 shows the position of the wheel and air return holes according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENT EMBODIMENTS

Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.

The salient features of the present invention described by reference to FIGS. 1-9 below.

FIG. 1 shows a self-propulsion hovering vacuum cleaner according to the present invention which encompasses the embodiments of the normal vacuum cleaner via a suction inlet, a casing (20) enclosing a filter chamber, a filter in the filter chamber, a motor chamber, an impelling motor in the motor chamber, a shell-shaped structure enclosing the motor and covering the air outlets (1) which are predisposed symmetrically at both sides of the underside of the casing, a pathway for air to flow from the inlet through the dust filter, the impelling motor and directed by the shell-shaped structure to emit through the air outlet, a skirting (3) predisposed along the perimeter of the underside of the casing to entrap air emitted through the air outlet and to create a cushion of air at the bottom of the casing to have a hovering effect. The underside of the casing has a curve up surface predisposed symmetrically along the longitudinal axis of the underside of the casing for better retention of air to enhance the hovering effect.

FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of the present invention the air outlet with the air distribution channels (2) which are in direct communication with the air outlets (1). The suctioned air from the conventional vacuum cleaner is emitted via the air outlet (1) to the air distribution channels (2) which are predisposed symmetrically on both sides of the underside of the casing along the longitudinal axis of the underside of the casing. The said air distribution channels (2) are in communication with the air outlets for directing more air to the front and back directions of the vacuum cleaner.

To deliver the function properly, the air distribution channels (2) are predisposed symmetrically on both sides of the underside of the casing along the longitudinal axis of the underside of the casing. It is also important that the air distribution channels (2) are in communication with the air outlets (1) for directing more air to the front and back directions of the vacuum cleaner.

FIG. 3 shows the top view of the vacuum cleaner of the present invention of the present invention which encompasses a casing (20) enclosing a filter chamber (24) and a motor chamber (26), a suction inlet (22), a filter in the filter chamber (24), an impelling motor in the motor chamber (26), and a shell shaped structure enclosing the impelling motor (26) and covering the air outlets (1). The shell shaped structure directs the air downwards to the air outlets (1) predisposed symmetrically at both sides of the underside of the casing, providing a pathway for air to flow from the inlet through the filter, the impelling motor and to be emitted through the air outlet (1).

FIG. 4 shows the cross section view of the vacuum cleaner of the present invention. Air will flow from the suction inlet (22) through the filter (25) in the filter chamber (24) to the impelling motor in the motor chamber (26). The air flow is directed downwards by the shell shaped structure (28) covering the impelling motor to the bottom of the casing and emitted through the air outlet located at the underside of the casing. A skirting predisposed along the perimeter of the underside of the casing entraps air emitted through the air outlets and thereby creates a cushion of air at the bottom of the casing to create a hovering effect.

FIG. 5 shows the cross section view of the underside of casing of the present invention. The skirting (3) functions to trap the air emitted from the air outlets (1) to within the space underneath the vacuum cleaner to create a cushion of air underneath the underside of the casing. The skirting (3) functions to stop the air jet from going outside and to cause air turbulence in the reflected air flow underneath the vacuum cleaner to assist in he hovering effect of the vacuum cleaner. The curve up surface on the underside of the casing is designed to achieve better retention of air to enhance the hovering effect.

FIG. 6 shows the arrangement of the vanes (11) at the air outlets on the underside of the casing of the present invention. There are forward directional vanes (12) and backward directional vanes (14) installed at the air outlets at predetermined angles to direct air flow emitted through the air outlets (1) to the front and back directions of the vacuum cleaner and/or to the air distribution channels.

The forward directional vanes (12) are designed to direct the air flow to the forward direction. For the backward direction, the backward directional vane 14 is used. The vanes position will determine the direction of the air flow to achieve a balanced floating effect for the vacuum cleaners.

If more air flow is required in the forward direction then more forward directional vanes (12) covering a larger surface area is used. If more air flow is required in the backward direction then the backward directional vanes (12) covering a larger surface area is used.

Even and balanced distribution of the air flow to the front and back direction of the underside of the casing is important to the hovering actions of the vacuum cleaner, especially to balance its weight and to prevent juddering.

The arrangement of the air outlets (1) which are predisposed symmetrically at both sides of the underside of the casing and the control of air flow through the forward downwards and backward directional vanes (12, 13, 14) play an important role to an even and balanced distribution of the air flow to the front and back direction of the underside of the casing and thereby to balance its center of gravity and to prevent juddering of the vacuum cleaner.

Pointer A shows air flow leaving the air outlets (1) through forward directional vanes (12) at predetermined angles. The high velocity air flow hits and reflects from the ground at predetermined angles and with the skirting (3) to create turbulence air underneath the vacuum cleaner. This turbulent pocket of air creates a floating action at the front portion of the vacuum cleaner.

Pointer B shows air flow leaving the air outlets (1) through downwards directional vanes (13). The high velocity air flow hits and reflects from the ground at 90 degrees and creates turbulent air underneath the vacuum cleaner. This turbulent pocket of air creates a floating action at the central portion of the vacuum cleaner.

Pointer C shows air flow leaving the air outlets (1) through back directional vanes (14) at predetermined angles. The high velocity air flow hits and reflects from the ground at predetermined degrees and with the skirting (3) to create turbulent air underneath the vacuum cleaner. This turbulent pocket of air creates a floating action at the back portion of the vacuum cleaner.

The relative arrangement of the forward, downwards and backward directional vanes (12, 13, 14) causes an even and balanced distribution of the air flow to the front and back direction of the underside of the casing to balance its center of gravity and to prevent juddering of the vacuum cleaner.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the arrangement of the air outlets (1) which are predisposed symmetrically at both sides of the underside of the casing and the control of air flow through the forward and backward directional vanes (12,14) to the air distribution channels which are predisposed symmetrically on both sides of the underside of the casing along the longitudinal axis of the underside of the casing to achieve an even and balanced distribution of the air flow to the front and back direction of the underside of the casing to balance its center of gravity and to prevent juddering of the vacuum cleaner.

FIG. 7 shows the shell shaped structure (28) covering the impelling motor (27) in the motor chamber (26). The shell shaped structure (28) covering the impelling motor (27) and in communication with the air outlets for directing the air flow air flow emitted from the impelling motor (27) to the bottom of the vacuum cleaner through the air outlets. The shell shaped structure (28) shall channel the air flow with little turbulence directly to the bottom of the casing through the air outlets.

FIG. 8 shows jet outlet (5) predisposed at the back of vacuum cleaner with jet outlet lid (15) installed thereon. The jet outlet (5) will enable the entrapped air at the underside of the casing to flow through for self-propelling the vacuum cleaner for ease of maneuvering by the user when the vacuum cleaner is energized. The jet outlet allows the entrapped air to flow through and hence to self-propel the vacuum cleaner forward such that the user only need to guide it to the direction intended.

The jet outlet can be partially or fully closed by a jet outlet lid (15). If the self-propulsion is too strong or if the hovering is required at one spot, then the user can partially or fully close the jet outlet (15) by activating the jet outlet lid 9.

FIG. 9 shows the position of the wheel vacuum cleaner according to one embodiment of the present invention. The wheel(s) (6) will only function when the vacuum cleaner is not operating or energized. The idle vacuum cleaner will be resting on the wheel(s) (6) and can be pushed about. When the vacuum cleaner is functioning or energized, the hovering effect will lift the vacuum cleaner up together with the wheel(s) (6) rendering it wheel-less. The cleaner is suspended on a cushion of air and the wheels (6) are not touching the ground/floor.

FIG. 9 also shows air return holes (7) on the underside of the casing for a portion of the entrapped air to return to the exhaust chamber for cooling the exhaust chamber of the vacuum cleaner where the electrical cable are stored. The air return holes (7) are further fitted with filtering means to filter the dust resulting from the hovering action of the vacuum cleaner.

While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A hovering vacuum cleaner comprising: a suction inlet, a filter in a filter chamber, a casing enclosing the filter chamber an impelling motor, a shell shaped structure enclosing the impelling motor, air outlets predisposed symmetrically at both sides of the underside of the casing, said shell shaped structure covering the air outlets at both sides of the casing, a pathway for air to flow from the inlet through the dust filter, the impelling motor and emit through the air outlet, a skirting predisposed along the perimeter of the underside of the casing to entrap air emitted through the air outlet and to create a cushion of air at the bottom of the casing to have a hovering effect, and the underside of the casing has a curve up surface predisposed symmetrically along the longitudinal axis of the underside of the casing for better retention of air to enhance the hovering effect.

2. The hovering vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 further comprising forward and backward directional vanes installed at the air outlets at predetermined angles to direct air flow emitted through the outlet to the front and back directions of the vacuum cleaner.

3. The hovering vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 further comprising air distribution channels which are predisposed symmetrically on both sides of the underside of the casing along the longitudinal axis of the underside of the casing, said air distribution channels are in communication with the air outlets for directing more air to the front and back directions of the vacuum cleaner.

4. The hovering vacuum cleaner according to claim 2 further comprising air distribution channels which are predisposed symmetrically on both sides of the underside of the casing along the longitudinal axis of the underside of the casing, said

5. The hovering vacuum cleaner according to claim 4 further comprising a jet outlet predisposed at the back of vacuum cleaner enable the entrapped air to flow through for self-propelling the vacuum cleaner for ease of maneuvering by the user when the vacuum cleaner is energized.

6. The hovering vacuum cleaner according to claim 5 wherein the jet outlet can be partially or fully closed by a jet outlet lid.

7. The hovering vacuum cleaner according to claim 6 further comprising a combination of wheels for ease of maneuvering by the user when the vacuum cleaner is not energized.

8. The hovering vacuum cleaner according to claim 7 further comprising a shell shaped structure covering the impelling motor and in communication with the air outlets for directing the air flow emitted from the impelling motor to the bottom of the vacuum cleaner through the air outlet.

9. The hovering vacuum cleaner according to claim 8 further comprising air return holes on the underside of the casing for portion of the entrapped air to return to the exhaust chamber for cooling down the vacuum cleaner.

10. The hovering vacuum cleaner according to claim 3 further comprising air distribution channels which are predisposed symmetrically on both sides of the underside of the casing along the longitudinal axis of the underside of the casing, said

11. The hovering vacuum cleaner according to claim 10 further comprising a jet outlet predisposed at the back of vacuum cleaner enable the entrapped air to flow through for self-propelling the vacuum cleaner for ease of maneuvering by the user when the vacuum cleaner is energized.

12. The hovering vacuum cleaner according to claim 11 wherein the jet outlet can be partially or fully closed by a jet outlet lid.

13. The hovering vacuum cleaner according to claim 12 further comprising a combination of wheels for ease of maneuvering by the user when the vacuum cleaner is not energized.

14. The hovering vacuum cleaner according to claim 13 further comprising a shell shaped structure covering the impelling motor and in communication with the air outlets for directing the air flow emitted from the impelling motor to the bottom of the vacuum cleaner through the air outlet.

15. The hovering vacuum cleaner according to claim 14 further comprising air return holes on the underside of the casing for portion of the entrapped air to return to the exhaust chamber for cooling down the vacuum cleaner. The hovering vacuum cleaner according to claim 2 further comprising air distribution channels which are predisposed symmetrically on both sides of the underside of the casing along the longitudinal axis of the underside of the casing, said

16. The hovering vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 further comprising a jet outlet predisposed at the back of vacuum cleaner enable the entrapped air to flow through for self-propelling the vacuum cleaner for ease of maneuvering by the user when the vacuum cleaner is energized.

17. The hovering vacuum cleaner according to claim 16 wherein the jet outlet can be partially or fully closed by a jet outlet lid.

18. The hovering vacuum cleaner according to claim 15 further comprising a combination of wheels for ease of maneuvering by the user when the vacuum cleaner is not energized.

19. The hovering vacuum cleaner according to claim 18 further comprising a shell shaped structure covering the impelling motor and in communication with the air outlets for directing the air flow emitted from the impelling motor to the bottom of the vacuum cleaner through the air outlet.

20. The hovering vacuum cleaner according to claim 19 further comprising air return holes on the underside of the casing for portion of the entrapped air to return to the exhaust chamber for cooling down the vacuum cleaner.