US1689089A - Vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Description

A. C. TEVES VACUUM CLEANER Oct. 23, 192s-. 1,689,089

File July s, 1923 a Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEY- W INVENTOR i A. C. TEVES VACUUM CLEANER Oct. 23, 1928,

Filed July 3, 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR L TTORNEY,

Oct. 23, 1928. 1,689,089

A. c. TEVES VACUUM CLEANER Filed July 5, 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 2% v 2] W INVENTOR L; ATTORNEY.

Patented Oct. 23, 1 928. I

' PATENT OFFICE.

ALFRED C. TEVES, 0F RICHMOND HILL, NEW YORK.

vacuum CLEANER.

Application filed July 3,

My invention relates to vacuum cleaners, and more particularly to cleaners of this type in which the action of the subatmospheric ressure at the suction nozzle is supplemented y the bristles of a brush.

At the present time three types of comb ned suction and brush vacuum cleaners are in general use. In one of these types the bristles are arranged in parallel, substantially straight lines forwardly and rearwardly of the suction nozzle, extending to below the base of the nozzle a fixed distance so as to be constantly engaged with uniform pressure with the surface to be cleaned. In another type a rotary brush driven from the motor is mounted within the nozzle, this brush being so set as to have bristles project below the nozzle to a fixed extent. In this type the brush is drivenby the motor at high speed. In the third type a rotary brush is mounted in the nozzle as in the second type above referred to, and is rotated through the medium of traction wheels serving to support the forward portion of the cleaner adjacent the nozzle, and a belt and pulley construction connccting the shaft of said traction wheels with the brush. In this type, as in the second type above referred to, the bristles of the brush extend to a fixed extent beyond the nozzle and constantly engage the surface to be cleaned with uniform pressure.

In the combined suction and brush type of vacuum cleaners, the bristles of the brush are used for displacing threads, small particles of paper and other small articles which have a tendency to cohere with the nap of a carpet with suflicient tenacity to resist the action of the suction at the nozzle, the bristles of the brush, however, serving to displace such'articles so as to loosen them in relation to the carpet and bring them within the effective range of the suction and cause them to be removed to the dust receiving bag, or be conveyed from the surface being cleaned as a result of the suction at the nozzle of the cleaner. Such brushes have proven highly effective in use, but have been subject to the criticism that they operate constantly and to the same extent upon all surfaces being cleaned, whether or not the con- 1923. Serial No. 649,192.

dition of the surface is utilization of the brushes in order to remove heavierarticles, or articles cohering to the nap of the carpet, and-thus causing unnecessary wear upon the carpet. In fact with power' driven brushes, the action of the bristles of the brush and their relation to the nozzle is such that if through inadvertence the cleaner be allowed to remain stationary for any considerable time while power is being applied thereto, the nap of the carpet will be removed to an extent to prove injurious to the carpet.

With the above conditions in mind, the obect of my invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner 0f the brush type wherein the bristles of the brush under normal conditions may either be maintained out of engaging relation with the carpet being cleaned, or have such light engagement therewith as to not be operative to an extent to materially modify the action of the suction, but which bristles, when it is desired to loosen or displace objects which resist the action of the suction at the nozzle, may be brought into the desired pressure exerting relation to the carpet or other surface being cleaned, to be momentarily eflective for displacing such objects.

The construction and arrangement of a cleaner embodying my invention is such that the desired pressure engaging relation between the bristles of the brush and the surface being cleaned, will result from the instinctive such as to require tendency of the housewife to exert greater pressure upon the handle of the cleaner when it is seen that a more thorough cleaning action is required than is normally the case, this construction at the same time being such that immediatel when the pressure against the handle is re eased, the bristles of the brush Will automatically assume their normal position out of, or in only light, engaging relation withlthe surface of the carpet or othcrmateria of vacuum cleaners in which the bristles of the brush'are arranged forwardly and rear- Wardly of the nozzle, and have no movement except travel coincident with the movements My invention is equally applicable to types of thta cleaner itself, and in which rotar brushes are mounted within the nozzle itsel whether the same be motor driven or driven from traction wheels, the essential characteristics and operative effect being the same 11'- respective of the type of brush used, or to the method of imparting movement thereto, the adaptation of the invention to these different types requiring merely changes 1n the structure of the head of the vacuum cleaner ad acent the nozzle b reason of varying structural conditions 1n these different types of heads.

The invention consists primarily 1n a vacuum cleaner embodying the-rein a casing, suction creating means therein, a nozzle communicatin therewith and normally positioned above t e surface to be cleaned, a handle attached to said casing, a roller support for said casing rearwardly of said handle, oscillatory frame means pivotally sup-ported on said casing with the front portion thereof adjacent said nozzle and the rear portion thereofadj acent said handle, a brush carried by the front portion of said frame means, a roller carried by the rear portion of said frame means,

and a spring acting normally toraise the front portion of said frame means carrying said brush and cause said rollers to support the cleaner adjacent said nozzle, whereby the bristles of said brush are normally held away from said surface and increased pressure applied through said handle Will impart movement to said oscillatory frame means to ensure a desired pressure engagement of the bristles of said brush with said surface; and in such other novel features of construct-ion and combination of parts as are hereinafter set forth and described, and more particularly pointed out in the claims hereto appended.

Referring to the drawings,

Fig. I is a side view of a vacuum cleaner embodying one embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a side View of a different embodiment of the invention, with portions thereof adjacent the nozzle shown in section;

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view thereof adjacent one endof the suction nozzle;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of still another embodiment of the invention, with a portion of the casing adjacent the nozzle shown in section; and

Fig. 6 is a view of still another embodiment with a portion of the casing adjacent the nozzle and the suction creating device broken away. I

Like letters refer to like parts throughout the several views.

' In the embodiments of my invention shown in the various views of the drawings, I have illustrated it as applied to different well known forms of vacuum cleaners in each of which 0 indicates an electric motor for actuating a suction creatin device I), the casing of which has a forwar y and downwardly presented suction nozzle 0. The discharge of said'casing communicates with the usual dust bag d. The main load of the motor a, fan or suction creating device 6, and nozzle c, is supported by a wheel 6. s

The nozzle 0 is reciprocated with relation to the car et or other surface, through the medium 0 a handle 7 of the usual form.

The mechanisms heretofore described are all old and well known'in this art, and may take a wide diversity of different forms, my invention relating more particularly to the combination with the essential parts of vacuum cleaners having the above characteristics, of a particular brush construction cooperating with the nozzle 0 for loosening dirt, threads, or other similar articles which may cohere to the nap of the carpet, so that the suction at said nozzle will be effective in removing them to the dust bag (1.

This brush, while varying in its details of construction, and in its relation to .the nozzle, has the characteristic common to all embodiments of the inventionshown, of being so supported that under normal conditions the bristles thereof will either just escape contact with the nap ofthe carpet, or come only into light engagement therewith, so as to be inoperative in a large measure when the suction at the nozzle will ordinarily raise dust and other matter from the carpet or other surface, but which may be brought into a desired pressure engagement with said surface .so as Ill to effectively disturb or loosen such matter lifted to its normal position where it is practically inoperative with relation to said surface without requiring the change of any adju'stments in the machine.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1 and i 2 of the drawings, I have illustrated the invention as applied to a type of vacuum cleaner in which a brush 9 is used, which has parallel rows of bristles positioned one forwardly, and the other rearwardly, of the nozzle 0 and extending substantially for the full length of this nozzle. The bristles 'of the brush 9 are carried by a frame h which is pivoted by means of the shaft 2' and lugs 11' rearwardly of the nozzle 0.

Mounted between the nozzle 0 and the suction creating device 6 in suitable bearin s in saidframe, is a shaft 7' carrying rollers c.

Acting upon the frame It is a spring m havmg a normal tendency to force the traction rollers Ir: downwardly, thus oscillating the frame it about its point of pivotal support, to to slightly elevate the portion of said frame carrying the brush g, the upward movement of said frame adjacent said brush being limited by a stop or stops n. While the spring m is shown as acting directly against the shaft 7', it is apparent that the normal ele vation of the brush gmay be secured by the application of the lift of said spring to said brush in any other desired manner than through said shaft.

Referring now to the form of the invention shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the brush is shown as being a rotary, power driven brush 9, the opposite ends of which are mounted in oscillatory frames 7b., one positioned on each side of the nozzle. In this form of the invention, each frame has a roller lc connected by a belt 0 to the pulley 0 upon the shaft 0 of said brush 9'. The shafts of said rollers is are acted upon springs m with the same operative effect as to the brush, as described in connection with the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

To prevent a material loss of the effective suction at the nozzle, and at the same time protect the frames h and their appurtenances from possible injury, I provide an extension 0 at one side of the nozzle 0 communicating therewith only through a segmental slot indicated at 0 which slot, if desired, may be closed by means of the plate or washer 0 carried by and movable. with the shaft 0 of the brush g. The constant engagement of the rollers 70 and the surface being cleaned, will result in the rotation of the brush in accordance with, and as a result of, the reciprocatory movement of the cleaner in its entirety. In this fonn of the invention, the shafts upon which the frame 71. oscillate, are indicated at 2' and the axle for the traction wheels is, at 9'.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 5 the construction is practically the same as that shown in Figs. 3 and 4, with the exception that the rollers k corresponding with the wheel it, serve merely as rollers and not as a source of power for rotating the brush, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. A different form of spring m differently applied, is also used in this form of the invention, a coiled spring being employed, which acts upon the pivotal frame 72. ad acent the brush, instead of adjacent the traction wheel 70 In this form of the invention, the brush is driven from the motor a by a pulley upon an extension of the shaft of the fan or other suction device I) acting directly on the brush through a belt. This construction is indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 5. Reference letters are not applied to these parts, as the specific means for applying power for rotating the fan used, forms no part of the present invention. In this form of the invention the frame is indicated at h, the point of pivotal support of the frame at 2' the shaft of the traction wheel 70 at 9' the shaft for the brush 9 at 0 and the extension or housing at each side of the nozzle at 0'. I

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 6, the construction of the brush and its appurtenances are the same as shown in Fig. 5, and are hence indicated by corresponding reference letters. This form of the invention differs from the form shown in Fig. 5 merely in the detailed arrangement of the motor a, the fan or other suction device I) and the resultant change of the application of power from said motor to the rotating brush 9.

' In the forms of the invention shown in both Figs. 5 and 6, each frame If is mounted in an extension 0 corresponding in construction and arrangement with the extensions 0 shown in Figs. 3 ande, and the same segmental slots, and closure plates or washers 0 and o are employed for the same purpose, being indicated, however, only in dotted lines in these figures.

I The operation of the herein described mechanism is substantially as follows Under normal conditions the brush g, g or 9 will, while the cleaner is in use, have, at the most, only a light sweeping engagement with the nap of the carpet or other surface being cleaned, so as to have little or no tendencytoward the removal of the nap, or a material wear thereof.

Since the suction nozzle 0 will be effective to remove all dust, dirt, or other matter which does not cohere, to the surface being cleaned sufliciently to resist lifting power of this suction, the action of the bristles is not required under normal conditions.

The conditions above specified, that is the substantially inoperative, or only slightly operative, relation of the bristles of the brush to the surface being cleaned, results from the oscillation of the frame carrying the brush by the spring acting thereon, or by the use of an equivalent construction having a nor mal tendency to engage the rollers 7.:7c 7s carried by said frame, with the surface being cleaned.

When, however, it is found that the action at the nozzle'c alone, or the suction nozzle and the action of the brush, under normal conditions will not suffice to remove threads, particles of dirt or other substances from the nap of the carpet or other surface, the housewife will instinctively apply greater pressure downwardly of the handle 7", which downward pressure will have the effect of increas- I tional pressure exerted through the handle,

the rollers will, through their tendency to move downwardly, im art a return oscillatory movement to the rame with a resultant elevation of the brush to its substantially inoperative, or slightly operative, normal position.

While the oscillation of the brush and roller oscillatory frame, may in its operation result in movement of the nozzle toward and from the surface being cleaned, the leverage of this frame is such that the brush will have relativel much greater movement than the nozzle, t e maximum movement of the brush being but a fraction of an inch, even when wear has occurred upon the bristles. This movement of the nozzle, however, would probably not be sufiicientl great to have any appreciable modifying e ect of the suction applied about same, but if there were any such effect, it would be to bring the nozzle into close relation to the surface being cleaned, while the brush'was active, which would be an advantageous result. ThlS. condition 'probably exists to a certain extent in the cleaner embodying my invention. i.

In the form of the invention shown In Figs.

1 and 2, the use of parallel rows of bristles in the brush, will result in the row positioned rearwardly of the nozzle throwing the loosened dust or other material toward or below the nozzle upon the forward movement of the cleaner, the forward row of bristles having the same effect uponthe return or rearward movement of the cleaner.

Where a rotary brush is used, as in Figs. 3 to 6 of the drawings, the operative conditions will be as above described, with the exception that the brush always acts within the nozzle, in said figures. The side extensions 0' in the forms of the invention shown, are employed so as to conceal and protect the oscillatory frames, since the length of the lever arms of such frames and the width of the frames, would preclude their being brought within the nozzle in their entirety. These side extensions would also permit a better control, or less likelihood of a loss, of the efi'ectii e suction. at the nozzle.

I believe it to be broadly new to employ in a vacuum cleaner, a brush mounted upon an oscillatory frame, which frame is acted upon by means having a normal tendency to support the brush in the desired relation to the suction nozzle and the surface being cleaned, whereby an operative relation of the bristles of the brush to the surface being cleaned may be controlled b the varying pressure exerted upon the hand e.

It is apparent that when a power driven brush is used, even if through neglect the cleaner is allowed to remain in one spot without interrupting the power to the motor a, no wear will occur upon the nap" of the carpct as a result of the continued action of the rlst-les of the brush thereon, and yet while in use said brush may at any time, and in fact will almost automatically, be brought into the desired pressure-engagement with the surface wheneve r the conditions of said surface re uire.

t is not my intention to limit the invention to the precise details of construction shown in the accompanying drawings, it being apparent that such may be varied without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention as described in the following claims.

Having described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to have protected by Letters Patent, is

'1 A vacuum cleaner embodying therein a casing, suction creating means therein, a nozzle communicatin therewith and normally positioned above t e surface to be. cleaned,

a handle attached to said casing, a roller support for said casing rearwardly of said handle, oscillatory frame means pivotally supported on said nozzle with the front portion thereof adjacent said nozzle, and the rear portion thereof adj aoent said handle, a brush carried by the front "portion of said frame means. rollers carried b the rear portion of said frame means, an a spring acting normally to raise the portion of said frame means carrying said brush and cause said rollers to sup ort the cleaner adjacent said nozzle, wherey the bristles of said brush are normally held awayfrom said surface, and increasedpressure applied through said handle will impart movement to said oscillatory frame means to ensure a desired pressure engagement of the bristles of said brush with said surface. i

2. A vacuum cleaner embodying therein a casing, suction creating means therein, a nozzle'communicating therewith and normally positioned above the surface to be cleaned, a handle attached to said casing, a roller support for said casing rearwardly of said handle, an oscillatory frame pivotally supported on said nozzle with the forward portion thereof inclosing said nozzle, and the rear portion thereof adjacent said handle, brushes consisting of parallel rows of bristles carried by the forward portion of said frame and arranged respectively forwardly and rearwardly of said nozzle, rollers carried by the end of said frame adjacent said handle, and sure applied through saidhandle will.'im-. a spring acting normally to raise the forpart movement to said frame to ensure a deward portion of said frame carrying said sired pressure engagement of the bristles f 10 brushes and cause said rollers to support/the said brushes with said surface.

5 cleaner adjacent said nozzle, whereby the In witness whereof Ihave hereuntoaflixed bristles of said brushes are normally held my signature this 30th da of June, 1-923. away from said surface, and increased pres- ALFR D C. TEVES.

Images