US2296234A - Suction cleaner - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 15, 1942. P1 E. FRANTZ SUCTION CLEANER Filed Jul 5, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet -1 INVENTOR.

. PAUL EFRANTZ,

ATTORNEY.

Sept. 15', 1942. P. FRANTZ SUCT-ION CLEANER Filed July 5, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 k MN NR. R

INVENTOR. PAUL E. FEANTZ. .BY M u a i Q w w mmw ATTORNEY.

' Sept. 15, 1942. p, E, FRA-m-z 2,296,234

SUQTION CLEANER Q Filed July 5, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. FAUL E. FRANTZ ATTORNEY Patented a 194i.

v UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE l p i r 2,296,234;

SUCTION CLEANER Paul E. Frantz, Euclid, Ohio, assignor to The Apex Electrical Manufacturing Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio e .i ncauonm 5, 1940, Serial noealaszi 3 Claims. (Cl. 285-167) This invention relates to suction cleaners and more particularly to the tank or cylinder type of suction cleaner, wherein a portable suctionproducing unit is provided with a flexible hose be connected to dusting and cleaning adapted to tools. v n l 1 t It is among the objects of my invention to provide a suction cleaner of the type referred to, in which the suction-producing unit and the dust-collecting receptacle are enclosed within an oblong tank or shell which may be easily moved about over a supporting surface.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a suction cleaner according to the preceding object, wherein a carrying handle for the cleaner is constructed and arranged so as to comprise a control for the switch for the motor in the suction-producing unit.

It;is a further object of my invention to provide a suction cleaner or the type referred to wherein the flexible hose leading from the cleaner to the dusting tools is fitted with a coupling which will-effectively seal the joint between the hose and the cleaner and which will facilitate the attachment and detachment of the hose.

It is a further object of rriy invention to pro.- vide'a cleaner of the character described, wherein a replaceable filter is arranged inxthe air stream between. the dust-collecting bag and the suction-producing unit. v It is also anobject of my invention to provide asuction cleaner according to the preceding objects wherein the tank or shell is supported by runners having a simple and efficient means for attaching the runners to the cleaner body.

Further objects and advantages relating to simplicity in construction and efficiency in use will appear from the following description and appended drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is an elevation partly insection of a section cleaner made according to my invention;

Figure 2 is an elevation partly in section showing the attachment of the flexible hose to the suctioncleaner by means of a coupling made according tomy invention; n t

Figure 3 is a plan view of the suction cleaner with parts broken away; i

Figure 4 is a plan view with parts in section of the flexible hoseand coupling device forming a part of my suction cleaner; t

Figure 5'is a front elevation showing the runner mounting employed in my suction cleaner;

dust bag I3, thence through the germ trap or ing the handle and switch mounting made according to my invention;

form of handle and switch assembly.

Referring to the drawings, the suction cleaner which I have provided comprises a casing which in the preferred form consists of a cylindrical shell 6 having end bells or caps 'l and 8. A suction-producing unit is indicated in its entirety at 9; comprising a motor In and a fan chamber H, said unit being mounted at the rear end of the casing 6, adjacent the end bell 8. The unit 8 is designed to draw all through the inlet opening l2, thence through the pores of the fabric filter M, around the motor i0 and exhaust the air through the outlet opening i5.

To dampen the noise occasioned by the motor and fan uni-t, andsto facilitate the assembly, the unit 9 is preferably supported within the casing 6 by the annular rubber rings l1 and id. The rubber ring I! is shaped in cross-section as shown in Figure 1 so that the forward face thereof bears against a shoulder on the metal ring l9 which is spot-welded or otherwise secured to the casing 6. The rubber ring l8 bears against'a metal ring 2| carried withinan annular recess in the open end of the end hell 8 so that uponassembly of the end bell 8 with the casing 5, the metal I ring 2| is drawn against the rubber ringll Figuret is an elevation with parts in'section showing the runner mounting;

Figure 'l'is an enlarged sectional view showwhich in turn urges the entire fan and motor Longitudinally extending tie rods 22 are carried by the end bell 8 and the threaded nuts 23 may be drawn up sons to clampsecurely the unitfi in position through the medium of the end bell 8. The rods 22 are preferably provided with tubes or sleeves of insulating material 22a in that portion of their length adjacent the fan and motor unit 9. This it will be observed that I have provided a construction wherein the entire motor and fan unit and the end hell 8 are efiectively secured in their assembled positionvby longitudinally extending tie rods 22. The motor and fan unit are insulated both electrically and with respect to noise in the unit by the rubber ring mounting I'|i8 sothat the unit is safe and quiet in operation. The fan is preferably of the multi stage or progressive type, although the specific construction employed in fan and motor does the runner.

to-the casing 5 by means of the toggle clamps 25 and between the abutting edges of the casing 6 and the end bell I is carried the annular rubber ring 26 which not only seals the 'joint between the end hell 1 and the casing 6, but also carries a metal ring 21 to which is secured the open end of the fabric dust bag l3.

By means of the dust bag mounting which I have provided, the releasing of the clamps25 facilitates the removal of the dust bag l3 through the forward open end of the casing 6 for the purpose of emptying the bag.

Tests have shown that the exhaust from some of the cleaners of the cylinder type carry fine particles of dust and germs which have been drawn through the pores of the dust bag. To eliminate the danger to health associated with exhaust air of this character I have inserted in the air stream between the dust bag and the unit 8, a germ trap or filter i4 which comprises a felted or fibrous pad which may be impregnated with antiseptic solutions. The filter unit I4 may be easily removed through the open front end of the casing 5 after the dust bag is re- 29 of rigid material having a channel cross section, a pair of spaced metal screen members 30 to retain the pad 3| in position and a handle 32 integrally formed with the ring 29.

According to my invention the casing 6 is supported on the floor and spaced therefrom by a runner assembly comprising spaced runners 40 and '4I- secured to longitudinally-spaced saddle brackets 42 and 43. The saddle brackets are secured to the casing as shown in Figure 5 by are secured to the brackets and retained therein against rotation with respect to the bracket by means of the screw and pin connection best shown in Figure 6. The inturned ends of the runners are axially bored and threaded to receive the screws 45 and 46, respectively. Removable pins 41 and 48 extend transversely of the end of To remove the runner from the bracket as shown in Figure 6, the screw 46 is removed and the runner section 42a is pulled rearwardly by springing said section sufficiently to expose the transverse pin 48, which normally sets in a socket in the rear face of the bracket 43. The pin 48 may then be removed. Thereafter the screw at the forward end of the runner maybe removed and by sliding the entire runner forwardly, the inturned front end of the runner may be moved axially so as to free the same from the bracket 42. Thereafter the entire runner assembly may be slid rearwardly with respect to the bracket 43 so as to free the inturned rearward end of the runner. 7

When the runners are in their supporting position as shown in Figure 6, the transverse pins 41 and 48 insure that there will be no rotating movement of the runner with respect to. the brackets 42-43. The runner mounting means I have provided thus renders the runner removable for purposes of repair and assembly.

The carrying handle and switch arrangement which I have provided comprises a longitudinally extending, rigid handle 50 which is preferably of metal or molded plastic and is pivoted as at 5| on its forward end and is mounted for movement within the bracket 52 at it rearward end. Enclosed within the bracket 52 is the motor switch 53 having push button operating means 54 bearing against an integrally-formed lug 55 on the carrying handle. The carrying handle is normally urged upwardly within the bracket 52 by means of the coil spring 58 which surrounds a bolt 54a anchored in the top wall of the end bell 8.

The upper end of the coil spring 56 bears against a washer 51 which in turn bears against the under side of the lower face of the end of the handle 50 and thus the said end of the bandle 50 is normally urged upwardly to the limits defined by the length of the bolt 54a, To restrain the handle from upward movement beyond the side walls of the bracket 52, the end of the handle adjacent the switch portion 54 is provided with a pair of spaced, depending apertured portions 59.

The lower end of the spring 58 bears against a U-shaped cilp 58 having outwardly turned ends 60 which extend through the apertures in the members 59. The apertures in the member 59 permit the handle to be moved downwardly against the action of the spring 58 so that the boss 55 on the handle will actuate the push button 54 on the switch 53. Upon release f the handle, the spring 55 will restore the handle to its position shown in Figures 7 and 8, whereby the handle may serve its carrying function with respect to the suction cleaner.

The switch 53 is of the conventional pushbutton type, wherein successive depressing movements of the button 54 establish or interrupt theelectrical circuit through the switch.

My cleaner is provided with a flexible exten-.

thereto various forms of dusting tools or cleaning brushes. In cleaners of the type referred to, the flexible hose in addition to serving as a conduit for the device is often employed to pull the entire suction cleaner about the floor. To accomplish this double function, it is important that the coupling connection between the hose and the cleaner not only seal the joint between the hose and the cleaner, but that a connection maintained .be strong enough to sustain the pull occasioned by pulling the cleaner about the floor.

It is also advantageous that the coupling include a swivel joint between the hose and the cleaner so that the frequent turning movements occasioned by manipulation of the dusting tools will not twist or kink the flexible hose.

To achieve the functions above outlined, I have provided a coupling indicated in its entirety at 66, which comprises a tubular element 51 which is cemented or otherwise secured to the flexible hose as at 58 at one end and which is rolled outwardly as at 69 at its other end to overhang a portion of the coupling member 10. A bead H is rolled intermediate the length of the tube 81 to provide a restraining shoulder for ring 12 which abuts the inner end of the coupling member 10. The ring 12 and the outwardly turned portion 69 of the tube have a free-turning fit with the coupling member 10 so as to provide the swivel joint connection between the flexible tube 65 and the suctioncleaner casing. The coupling member 10 is in threaded engagement end of the cleaner.

over the outer wall or the coupling member 10 and between said portion'l3 and the end portion I4 oi the member 10 is arranged an annular rubber ring 10. Washers I and I1 are arranged on each side of the rubberring II. A coil spring I0 is also arranged in the annular space between the portion 13. and I4 with the inner periphery of the coil spring I0 bearing against an inclined shoulder 19 so that movement of the coil spring toward the open end of the coupling will cause the coil spring to increase in diameter.

, As shown in Figure 2, the coil spring I0 has been urged axially up the incline by turning the member 12a so that a portion of the coil spring is moved outwardly into a groove 00 formed in the opening of the end bell. As soon as the coiled spring has moved into a groove 80, as shown in Figure 2, further axial movement of the rubber ring 15 is restrained and the continued turning of the outer coupling member 12 causes the rubber ring to increase its diameter end bell.

To insure that there will be relative rotational movement between the .inner and outer coupling members 10 and I2, I have provided the inner coupling member I0 with axially extending pins 82 which are adapted to engage lugs 83 on the radial wall 84 at the inner end of the end bell opening.

and seal the joint between the coupling member l0 and the annular wall of the opening in the 5 The outer coupling member 12a. is suitably grooved or knurled as shown at 85, so that the userofthe cleaner may with one simple movement insert the coupling 66 within the opening in the end bell I and by a slight turning motion expand the coil spring I8 into its locking position and also expand the rubber ring 15into sealing position.

From the foregoing description of the flexible invention first described. In the form oi my invention illustrated in Figure 9, the carrying handle I00 comprises a molded rubber section which is anchored as at'IM to the cleaner casing on its forward end. The rear end of the handle is proportioned to overhang. a section or the end bellabove the motor switch I00. -The' extreme end oi. the handle. as at I06 is arranged within a metal handle bracket I01. The rear end ot-the handle I0! is secured to the end bell I M through the medium of the transverse pin H2. The pin I I2 is mounted to have a limited axial movement in slot IIZa formed in the side walls of the handle bracket I01. The bracket I0! is secured to the end bell by means. of cap screws or the like I08. An integrally-formed, contact portion I00 of the handle is arranged to bear against push button IIO of the switch and the flexibility inherent in the rubber of the handle permits the end portion thereof to be flexed so as to eiIect actuation of the push button III! To insure that the portion I09 will be restored to its raised position, as shown in Figure 9. a leaf spring III is arranged between the handle portion I09 and the end bell IOI. Theleaf spring is preferably held in assembled position'by a loop surrounding the transverse pin H2, The pin and slot arrangement II2-I I2a permits a sliding and flexing oi the handle which facilitates the switch actuation described and the moveniient of the handle to convenient carrying posit on. a a

The operation of the handle and switch construction shown in the modification of Figure 9 is substantially like that in the embodiment first described, except that in the modified. form, the

entire handle does not have a bodily movement I the handle and handle bracket and is actuated hose and coupling therefor, it will be understood that I have provided a coupling wherein an expansible locking means and an expansible sealing ring'are jointly acted upon and cooperate with each other to effect the functions for which they are designed by a simple, turning movement of one portion of the coupling.

A suction cleaner made according to my invention is also suited'for use with paint s'praying and demothing devices which utilize the exhaust or blowing force of the cleaner rather than the suction. To adapt my cleaner to such uses, I have provided the rear end bell exhaust opening I5 with an annular wall 90 having a groove 9|, which wall and groove are adapted to receive the hose coupling 65 in the manner heretofore described in connection with the inlet or suction The nozzle portion 61 of the flexible hose may then be fitted with demothing or paint-spraying devices which are operated by the pressure developed. by the motor and fan unit 9.

In the use of the.last-named devices, the dust bag and filter may be removed from the cleaner so as to reduce the resistance to air flow through this portion of the cleanerand effect a consequent raising of the, pressure by the unit 9.

In Figure 9 I have shown a modified form of my suction cleaner, wherein the casing I00 is tapered from'the forward end toward the rear end bell I0 I. The fanand motor unit I02 is mounted within the casing I00 substantially in the same manner as in the embodiment of my claim is:

-1. A suction cleaner having an inlet opening provided with a smooth, cylindrical portion having an annular groove, a hose, a coupling on the end of said hose provided'with an expansible member adapted to be expanded within the said smooth, cylindrical portion'of the inlet opening to form a seal therewith, an expansible member in engagement with said first-named expansible member adapted to be outwardly expanded into said groove to restrain the coupling against longitudinal movement with respect to the cleaner and means movable longitudinally of the coupling to expand both of said members.

3 2. A suction cleaner having an inlet opening provided with a smooth cylindrical portion hav- .ing an annular groove, ahose, a coupling on the end of said hose provided with an outwardly expansible resilient sleeve adapted to be expanded within the said smooth cylindrical portion of the inlet opening to form a seal therewith, an expansible annular metallic member coaxially arranged in contact with said sleeve and adapted to be outwardly expanded into said groove to restrain the coupling against longitudinal movement with respect to the cleaner and means movable longitudinally of the coupling to expand said sleeve and member.

3. In combination a fitting having a smooth cylindrical bore provided with an annular groove, a. hose, 9, coupling on the end of said hose adapted to fit within said bore, a flange on the end of said coupling, means on said flange and on said fitting to prevent relative rotation between the flange, an annular outwardly expansible ring abutting said cam portion, an outwardly expansible sleeve coaxially arranged on the coupling adjacent saidring, means on said coupling in engagement with said sleeve to move the sleeve and ring longitudinall oi. the coupling whereby the cam portion eflects outward expansion of said ring into said groove and the sleeve is outwardly expanded into sealing engagement with 10 the fitting.

PAUL E. FRANTZ.

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