US2635279A - Vacuum cleaner tool with adjustable brush - Google Patents

Description

April 1953 G. M. KELLY 2,635,279

VACUUM CLEANER TOOL WITH ADJUSTABLE BRUSH Filed Jan. 20, 1947 Illl 5 3 5 IIIIIIIII II 'i \\\N% 'z 4 4 @Wlh'llfifiii M M HH W \WWWWIHHHMHM 40 32 30 30/6 44 z ikge "/6 4 3? lab 40b 40a 3620a 30/, iW/EHZZIP Geo/res M. KELLY Patented Apr. 21, 1953 VACUUM CLEANER TOOL WITH ADJUSTABLE BRUSH George M. Kelly, Sturgis, Mich., assignor, by

mesne assignments, to Kingston Products Corporation, Kokomo, 11111., a corporation of Indiana Application January 20, 1947, Serial No. 723,169

3 Claims.

This invention relates to a cleaning tool, and particularly to a cleaning tool wherein a surface cleaning member, such as a brush, agitator, abrader, polisher, or the like, is adjustably positioned with respect to the working face of the tool.

While not limited thereto, this invention finds particular application in floor cleaning type suction nozzles commonly utilized in connection with vacuum cleaners.

In accordance with this invention, the surface cleaning member of a cleaning tool, such as a brush of a floor nozzle, is movably mounted in a recess in the working face of such cleaning tool so that it may occupy any one of a plurality of positions of varying extents of projection relative to such working face. Suitable resilient members are'provided to urge the surface cleaning member to one of its extreme positions of projection relative to the working face of the cleaning tool.

In a communicating recess, a positioning member is disposed which is engageable with the shiftable surface cleaning member to position such member in any selected one of a plurality of positions of varying extents of projection. The posithe rotation of such screw. Such rotation is then accomplished by manual operation of a knob formed on the screw which has a peripheral portion projecting outwardly through a slot in one of the walls defining the communicating recess.

' Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved cleaning tool, particular- 1y, an improved cleaning tool of the type wherein the surface cleaning member, such as a brush, is adjustable in its extent of projection with respect to the working face of the tool.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved cleaning tool characterized by the simplicity of its components and the ease of manufacture and assembly thereof, and wherein a single detachable cover member for the working face of the cleaning tool performs the double function of securing a resilient bumper on the cleaning tool and maintaining the positioning control element for the adjustable brush or other surface cleaning member in operative assembly.

The specific nature of the invention as well as other object and advantages thereof will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the annexed sheet of drawings which, by way of a preferred example only, illustrates one specific embodiment of the invention.

On the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of an assembled cleaning tool embodying this invention.

Figure 2 is a bottom elevational view of the cleaning tool of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along the plane III-III of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view taken along the plane IV-IV of Figure 2.

As shown on the drawings:

While my invention will be described and illustrated in connection with its application to an adjustable brush suction cleaning tool, it should be distinctly understood that the principles thereof are equally applicable to any form of cleaning tool wherein it is desired to provide an adjustable mounting of a surface cleaning member with respect to the working face of the tool.

Referring to Figure 1, a nozzle casing ll) of conventional configuration is employed having a bottom working face l2 and a pair of elongated recesses 14 and I6 respectively opening in such working face, the elongated recess I4 forming a suction slot. An integral hollow tubular portion I8 is formed on the back side of nozzle casing I0 and the bore 20 of such tubular portion is in communication with the elongated recess M. The tubular member l8 permits connection of the nozzle casing It] in conventional manner to an air hose (not shown) which in turn is connected to a suitable suction source so as to produce a flow of air past the working face l2 into the recess Hi and thence into the tubular portion [8, carrying along all dust and debris loosened by the operation of the cleaning tool. To facilitate the casting of the nozzle casing H), the elongated recess I6 is preferably originally cast so as to be in communication at its central portion with recess l4 and the bore 20 of tubular portion 18. Recess I6 is thereafter isolated from the air flow through recess 14 and tubular portion l8 by the assemblage of an angle plate 22 into the interior of the casting ID, as by screws 24. One horizon tal arm 22a, of angle plate 22 separates recess Hi from communication with the passage through tubular portion [8 while the other vertical arm 22b divides recess I6 from elongated recess I4. The assemblage of angleplate 22 in the casing I then results in the two spaced parallel elongated recesses I4 and I6 opening in the working face I2 of the nozzle casing plus a transversely extending recess 26 communicating only with the central portion of elongated recess I 6.

An elongated surface cleaning member 36,

here shown as comprising a brush having a frame 30a, and bristles 30b secured thereto, is movably mounted in elongated recess I6 ,so that such cleaning member '30 may be positioned in recess I6 in any one of aplurality-of positions of different extents of projection of'the bristles 30b outwardly from the working "face I2 of the nozzle casing. Such mounting may be conveniently accomplished by the .assenflolage of a pair of support posts 32 in opposite ends .of the recess I6 which are disposed in generally'parallel relationship with the depth axis of therecess I 6. Apei-tured ears 300 are then provided on each end of the *brush'frame 30a to slida'bly mount the brush on the support post 32. A spring--34 is also mounted on each of the support posts 32 and arranged to resiliently :urgethe brush "3'0 toward one extreme position of 'projection with respect to the "working face I2. In the particular example illustrated, the springs 34 urge the brush 30 outwardly with respect to the working face -I 2. I

r "The actual vertical position of the brush 30 in "the recess I6 is oontrolled by a positioning member 36 which is loosely *insertable in the transverse recess 26. The-positioning member 36 comprises a block-like body portion 36a hav-- ing a threaded hole (not shown) 'therethrough and an integral, projecting hook portion 362), the end of which is disposed adjacent the central portion ofthe brush "frame-30a. A cooperating hook portion 3012 is formed on thecenter of the brush frame 30a and is engaged by the hook portion "36b'of the positioning member 36 to adjustably position 'the brush '30 in its recess 16in any selected one of 'a plurality of pos'itions-of varying extents of projection with respect to 'the work'ingface of the cleaning tool.

The depth position of the positioning member 36 in recess 26 -is' in turn determined by-a'screw 38 or similar threaded member. 'The screw 36 is threadably engaged in the threaded hole of the positioning members 36 and'has bearing surface end-portions'38a and 38b. The end portion 38a is receivable in bearing relationship in a hole -22c1provided in the horizontal arm 22a of the angle member -22. "The other bearing surface end portion -38b is receivable in a "hole 40a provided in the top surface of a cover member 40 which is -'detachably secured to the "working face 12 of the nozzle casing by a plurality of screws 401).

From the foregoing description, it is apparent that "all of the-elements 0f the brush-positioning mechanism are merely loosely retained within the nozzle casing III-until the assemblage of the cover member '40 thereto. The assemblage of cover member '40 effects the positioning of "adjusting'screw 38 in-a fixed axial position within the transverse recess 26, prevents axial displacement of "the screw 38, "and yet permits rotation of such 'screw. 'It is therefore apparent that rotation 'of screw 3Bwill adjust the depth position :of the positioning member 36 in the transverse recess 26 which ,in :turn effects atlin :recess A16.

A notch Illa is provided in that portion of the rear wall of nozzle casing III which defines the rear wall of the transverse recess 26. Manual rotation of adjusting screw 38 may then be conveniently accomplished by the provision of a po- 'sitioning disk 42 which maybe integrally formed with the adjusting screw 38 and has a peripheral portion thereof projecting out of nozzle casing I0 through the notch Illa. Such projecting peripheral portion of disk 42 may be readily manipulated by the fingers of the operator to effect adjustment of the extent of projection of the brush 30 with respect to the working face of the cleaning tool.

The cover plate flll is a flat sheet-like member having a peripheral configuration conforming substantially to that of the working face I2 of the cleaning tool and provided with a central aperture 400 to permit the brush bristles 30b to project therethrough and to expose the open face of recess I4 .for unimpeded .air flow therein.

In :addition'to effecting :the operative assemblage of the positioning mechanism Ion-the.

brush 3.0, :the cover plate 4.0 is also utilized to ,effect the attachment of a resilient bumper member 44 to the periphery of the nozzle casing 10. Thenozzle casing 'I 0 is provided with aperipheral flange I'Ob 'which extends substantially around the entire periphery of the :nozzle casing, terminating, however, adjacent the juncture vof tn bu-lar portion I8 with the main body portion of the nozzle. At the two termination points of flange I'Ilb notches Illc are-cut into the end face I2 of the casing to efiectivel-yextend the flange Iilb into communication with the brush .recess I6. In Figure 2, a portion of the cover member '40 has been broken :away to illustrate .one of the notches =I 0 c. The resilient .bumper member 44 is preformed to conform to the shape of the peripheraltflange I'Ilb and theends of such bumper member-are provided with integral transversely offset portions "44a which are respectively shaped to be snugly insertable in the notches .Illc. The ends 440!, of vthe resilient bumper M are thus effectively secured to the nozzle casing Ill-so :far as lateral displacement thereof is concerned. The detachable cover member II] has a peripheral edge portion 40d which overlies a portion of the width'of the bumper 44 and hence exerts a clamping action on the bumper 44 against the casing flange IIlb to adequately secure the bumper to the :nozzle casing. 7

From the foregoing descriptions-it is apparent that ;a cleaning tool embodying this invention is characterized by unusual simplicity "of its ,various components which permits such components to be economically manufactured and readily assembled. 'Such simplicity is in alarge measure attributable to the double functional employment of the cover member 40 which concurrently :eifects -:a securing of the resilient bumper to the casing :plus the maintaining of the brush position-adjlisting element in operative assembly.

It will, of :course, be understood that =var qus details of construction :may be varied through :a wide range without departing vfrom the-Principles of this invention andit is, therefore, mot the purpose to limit :thepatent granted hereon etherwise than necessitated by the .scope "of the rape pended claims.

:I claim ;as my invention:

41. 1A suction cleanin {cool compris ng anemic member :having a working :face provided with a suction slot, ssaid :nozzle member also marine an elongated recess opening in said working face and a second offset recess in said nozzle member communicating therewith, an elongated brush member, means supporting said brush member in said elongated recess for movement between positions of varying extent of projection relative to said working face, resilient means urging said brush toward one extreme position with respect to said working face, a positioning member in said second recess and engaging said brush to position said brush against the bias of said resilient means, threaded means in said second recess for adjusting the position of said positioning member, a cover detachably secured to said working face and underlying said second recess, and means on said cover for securing said threaded means in a fixed position in said second recess but permitting rotation thereof to adjust the degree of projection of said brush.

2. A suction cleaning tool comprising a nozzle member having a working face provided with a suction slot, said nozzle member also having an elongated recess opening in said working face and a second recess communicating therewith, an elongated brush member, means supporting said brush member in said elongated recess for movement between positions of varying extents of projection relative to said working face, resilient means urging said brush toward one extreme projecting position with respect to said working face, a positioning member in said second recess and engaging said brush to position the brush against the bias of said resilient means, a screw in said second recess and threadably engaging said positioning member for adjusting the position thereof, a cover detachably secured to said working face, means on said cover for securing said screw in a fixed position in said second recess but permitting rotation thereof, said casing having a slot in a wall defining said second recess, and a disk-shaped operating knob rotatable with said screw and having a peripheral portion thereof projecting out of said nozzle member through said slot, thereby permitting manual rotation of said screw to adjust the extent of projection of said brush.

3. A suction tool comprising a body member having a Working face provided with a suction slot and an elongated recess adjacent thereto, a post in each end of said elongated recess, a brush member extending across said elongated recess and slidably supported on said posts, a coil spring on each post bottomed against said body member and biasing said brush member outwardly of said working face, a positioning member engaging a medial portion of said brush member to position said brush member inwardly of said working face against the bias of said springs, a cover member underlying a portion of said elongated recess, and an adjusting screw having its opposite ends journaled in said body member and in said cover member and being threaded through said positioning member, said screw having a knob extending into an accessible location outside of said body member for manually positioning said brush member relative to said working face upon rotation of said knob.

GEORGE M. KELLY.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,091,383 Oblosser Mar. 24, 1914 1,695,246 Gammeter Dec. 11, 1928 1,772,530 Whitlock Aug. 12, 1930 2,099,172 McCabe Nov. 16, 1937 2,128,525 Dyer Aug. 30, 1938 2,153,457 Fechtenburg Apr. 4, 1939 2,421,661 Taylor June 3, 1947 2,536,443 Hammell Jan. 2, 1951

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