US1900692A - Vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Description

Maj-ch 7, 1933.

Filed April 26, 19 0 '2 Sheets-Sheet 1 JCZemenziS March 7, 1933. w fi-s 1,900,692

VACUUM CLEANER Filed April 26 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I Inveniar 77Zlaa7ra JT CZevzeres Patented Mar. 7, 1933 UNITED STATES WILLIAM J. CLEMENTS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO GLEMENTS MFG. CO., OF.

PATENT OFFICE CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS VACUUM CLEANER Application filed April 26,

My invention relates to an improvement in vacuum cleaners and particularly to an improvement in that type of vacuum cleaner in which a motor and housing therefor are associated with a fan chamber and a fan, there being a suction inlet to said fan chamber and an exhaust outlet therefrom. One object of my invention is the provision of means for securing in rotation a plurality of quickly removable suction inlet nozzles to said fan chamber, the nozzles being of different form and for different purposes, all being readily removable from and detachable in operative relation with the fan chamber. Another object is the provision of a removable nozzle for such asuction cleaner, said nozzle being adapted to receive a supplemental suction inlet, the suction nozzle structure, with or without said supplemental inlet, being removable as a unit from the suction cleaner. Another object is the provision of means for securing selectively to the suction cleaner, a nozzle having a beating or sweeping brush, or a nozzle without such brush. Another object is the provision of means for adjusting the height of the vacuum cleaner to position a floor engaging nozzle adjacent the floor surface, or at any .desired height above such surface, within a reasonable range of adjustment. Other objects will appear from time to time in the course of the specification and claims.

I illustrate my invention more or less diagrammatically in the accompanying drawlngs, wherein Figure 1 is a side elevation, with parts in section, illustrating a suction cleaner having secured thereto one of the removable nozzle members;

Figure 2 is a section along the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a View similar to Figure 1 showing a different form of nozzle;

Figure 4 is a side elevation with parts" in section showing the same nozzle as in Figure 1 with a different fitting inserted in the nozzle and the nozzle in position to be connected to the fan housing; and

Figure 5 is a view illustrating the nozzle 1980. Serial No. 447,579.

removed with a hose connection fitting in place in the nozzle.-

Like parts are indicated by like symbols throughout the specification and drawings.

Referring to the drawings, and initially to Figure 1, A generally indicates any suitable vacuum cleaner member or housing, which may include the motor housing A in which is indicated any suitable motor means shown in Figure 1 in dotted lines as A The motor is provided with a motor shaft A lying preferably but not necessarily along the central axis of the motor housing A The motor housing is herein shown as terminating at one end in the circular flange A, the diameter of which is shown as somewhat exceeding the normal diameter of the housing A Aligned with it is a partition member A through a central aperture in which extends the inner end of the motor shaft A Secured in anysuitable manner to the flange A is the fan housing or fan chamber member generally indicated as B. It is shown as generally helical in cross-section with an edge B opposed to the flange A Said flange A may be provided with screws B whereby the motor and fan casings may be secured to each other to form an effective operating unit. B indicates a peripheral and tangential exhaust passage which may terminate as at B with any suitable looking flange or member B whereby the exhaust receiving pervious bag B may be secured thereto. B indicates an axial air inlet, herein indicated as having the bevel edge B adapted to receive one of the suction nozzle members later described. B is a securing lug structure which includes a pin having the ends B B is another locking lug having pivoted thereto the locking lever B with the wedging locking surface B the purpose of which will later appear.

In order to support the fan and motor housing in any desired normal relation to the floor or surface to be cleaned, I illustrate a rear bracket C formed with a securing extension C which conforms to and may be screwed or otherwise secured to the end of the motor housing A as by the screws C Pivoted to the bracket C is any suitable roller or rollers C C C indicate roller abutment lugs mounted upon or formed upon the exterior surface of the fan housing B. Mounted therein is the rotatable shaft or member C upon which are the arms C to which are pivoted the supporting rollers C C is another arm upon the shaft C the arms C and C forming together in effect a bell crank lever. C is an additional lug upon the exterior of the fan housing B, which is screwthreaded to receive the adjusting screw C with its manual control member 0. The inner end of the member C is reduced as at C to penetrate a portion of the arm C whereby, in response to rotation of the member C said arm may be adjusted to control the angular relation of the arms C. For example a clockwise rotation of the member C may depress the outer ends of the arms C and thus lift the fan housing from the floor. A reverse rotation has the opposite effect, lowering the fan housing in relation to the floor.

D indicates any suitable fan within the fan housing B, and mounted upon the motor shaft A It may include the central hub D the lateral extension D therefrom, anda plurality of vanes D The result of the rotation of the fan is the expulsion of the exhaust from the passage B and a consequent suction through the aperture B D indicates a screwthreaded extension of the fan and motor shaft'beyond the forward face of the fan hub. It may be screw-threaded to receive a removable shaft extension generally indicated as D and provided with a belt engaging portion D properly curved or arcuate in cross-section, in order to hold a belt thereupon.

In order to permit an employment of the power plant and suction device thus employed which shall be of maximum flexibility and variability in use, Iprefer to employ a plurality of separate and individually usable suction nozzles. Since an important feature of my invention is the selective employment of suction nozzles of different type wish it to be understood that although the suction nozzles in Figure 1 and some of the other figures may differ in detail, I am not illustrating alternative forms of my invention, but rather parts of a single set or unit which includes the main power plant and a plurality of selectively employable suction inlet members.

Referring to the particular member shown in Figure 1, E generally indicates a suction nozzle structure terminating at its lower edge in the laterally extended portion E adapted to be opposed to the surface to be cleaned, and terminating in a lower edge E E are suitable yielding buffers to prevent damage to articles of furniture and the like by contact with the nozzle. The nozzle E is expanded at its upper end into the generally cylindrical connector member E which may include the forward wall E and a rear wall E. These two walls are apertured in alignment as at E E Extending inwardly beyond the wall E is a generally cylindrical flange E with a bevel or champfered exterior surface E adapted to engage and conform to the opposed inclined surface B upon the forward wall of the fan chamber B. In order to lock the nozzle in place in relation to the fan housing I provide. the lower lugs E formed with a hook or terminal portion E conforming to and adapted to hook over the pins 13 The upper lug or extension E is adapted to approach the locking lug B and may be engaged by the wedge surface B of the lever B.

In order to render the nozzle structure E adaptable both for employment upon a floor or for the cleaning of draperies and the like I provide the supplemental hose connecting member generally indicated at G. It includes an extension of reduced diameter, G adapted to be inserted into the end of a hose G It is provided with a circumferential flange G, with a packing G", and a cylindrical extension Gr adapted to penetrate the aperture E and snugly engage the edge of the aperture E, as shown in Figure 5. Any suitable means may be employed for holding the hose inlet G in position, for example the wedging member Gr opposed to corresponding wedging members G upon the nozzle structure. It will be seen from Figure 5 that when the hose inlet is in position the normal air inlet through the floor nozzle E is entirely out off. It will be further observed, from Figure 5 that the nozzle structure may be removed as a unit from the fan housing, regardless of whether or not the hose connection is in position. When the hose connection is not employed the closure H may be used, which includes the flange H corresponding to the flange G of the hose inlet, the packing H the generally cylindrical portion H adapted to penetrate the aperture E and any suitable securing means, for example the locking members H. It will be noted that the size of the parts is such that even though the removable shaft extension D" is in position, the nozzle structure may be freely applied and removed and the hose inlet may also be freely inserted or removed.

When it is desired to employ a different type of nozzle, for example when it is desired to employ a nozzle having a beating brush or sweeping brush or a floor polishing or treating member of any kind, such a nozzle may readily be applied to the fan housing. Referring for example to Figure 4 I generally indicates an elective form of nozzle, with the enlarged lower portion I in which is pivoted any suitable rotary memher I having any suitable bristles or floor engaging means 1 which preferably project below the lower edge I of the portion I. I indicates any suitable driving pulley mounted upon the rotary member and adapted to receive any suitable driving belt I which is applicable to the removable shaft extension D Note that the closure H may be employed with the nozzle I and that it is so aligned with the removable shaft extension as to permit ready access to the shaft for insertion or removal, or for the application of the belt I. Note also that the hose connection G may be applied with equal readiness to the nozzle E or to the nozzle I. The adjustment above described permits the raising or lowering of the fan shaft to adjust either form of nozzle in any desired relationship to the surface to be worked upon. Y A

It will be realized that whereas I have described and shown a practical and operative device, nevertheless many changes might be made in the size, shape, number and disposition of parts without departing from the spirit of my invention. I therefore wish my description and drawings to be taken as in a broad sense illustrative and diagrammatic rather than as limiting me to my specific showing.

In particular I may employ my invention either with a vacuum cleaner of the horizontal axis type, or of the vertical axis type.

In actual operation of the device it will be understood that a vacuum cleaner may be supplied having alternative nozzles. Each nozzle may be secured to the fan chamber,

as for example by the locking means shown in Figures 1 and 2, including' the wedging arm B, the pins B etc. The device can thus almost instantaneously be converted from a simple suction device, as shown in Figure 1, to a beater brush type as shown in Figure 4. It will be understood that other types of nozzles may be supplied for a given set, nozzles varying in shape or in size. All of these nozzles are provided for the ready insertion, without removal of the nozzle, of the suction hose inlet as shown in Figure 5. This inlet member may be applied to the nozzle either when the nozzle is in place, or when it is removed, and for quick substitution of nozzles it is not necessary to remove the hose connection, if it happens to be in the nozzle which is to be removed. Preferably the pulley D is removably mounted plied to the pulley D through the aperture closed by the closure H.

I claim:

1. In a suction cleaner,a pump chamber, having integral front and rear walls, the front wall of said chamber being formed with an air inlet passage therethrough, a nozzle and means for removably securing it in operative relation with said air passage, said nozzle including an inlet port'on adapted to be opposed to a surface beifi cleaned and a connecting portion extending thence for operative connection with the air passage, said connecting portion having aligned openings receiving a connecting inlet tube, one of said openings being in the line of flow of air from the inlet portion to the air passage of the pump chamber, whereby a connection of the tube closes the opening to the inlet portion of the nozzle.

2. In a suction cleaner, a pump chamber, having integral front and rear walls, the front wall of said chamber being formed with an air inlet passage therethrough and being beveled, a nozzle structure and means for removably securing it in operative relation with said air passage, said nozzle structure including an inlet portion adapted to be opposed to a surface being cleaned, an abutment member having a beveled portion adapted to engage and to conform to the beveled opening of said air passage and a connecting portion extending between the inlet portion and the abutment member, said connecting portion having aligned .openings receiving a connecting inlet tube,

said openings being generally aligned with the. said air inlet passage, one of said openings being in the line of flow of air from the inlet portion of'the nozzle to the pump chamber, whereby a connection of the tube closes said opening to the inlet portion of the nozzle. v

3. In a vacuum cleaner nozzle for removable attachment to a fan housing having integral walls, one of which is provided with an inlet opening, an air inlet portion adapted to be opposed to. the surface being cleaned and a connecting portion, said connecting portion having aligned openings therein, and a connecting inlet tube disposed in said openings, one of said openings being defined by an annular rib within the connecting portion forming a bearing for one end of the connecting tube.

4. In a vacuum cleaner nozzle for removable attachment to a fan housing having integral walls, one of which is provided with an inlet opening, an air inlet portion adapt: ed to be opposed to the surface being cleaned and a connecting portion, said connecting portion having aligned openings therein, a connecting inlet tube disposed in said openings, one of said openings being defined by an annular rib within the connecting portion forming a bearing for one end of the connecting tube, the other opening being bounded by a cam surface, and means on the inlet tube engageable with said surface to lock the tube to the nozzle.

Signed at Chicago, county of Cook, and State of Illinois, this 22nd day of April WILLIAM J. CLEMENTS.

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