US1763397A - Vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Description

June 10,1930. J. HUTCHINSON 5 VACUUM CLEANER Filed June 3, 1924 7 Sheets-Sheet l as 2% 156 41$ 87 z ATTOR 5.

June 10, 1930. J. HIUTCHINSON 1,763,397

- vacuum CLEANER 7 Filed June 3, .1924 I 7 Sheets- Sheet 2 m: u mi w Fl-[IL 4 lllllllllIlllllllllllllllll llllllllll Illlllllllllllllllllll INVENTOR ATTO EYS.

INV'NTOR J. HUTCHINSON,

VACUUM CLEANER Filed June 3, 1924 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 June-10, 1930.

I Ju/ ATI'OR EYS.

June 10, 1930. J. HUT CHl NSON VACUUM CLEANER '7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June '5, 1924 June 10, 1930. J. HUTCHINSON VACUUM CLEANER 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filgd June 5, 1924 n. I I 1 I l I I I ll nul h 1: v Ki III I 1%. 3 R v H %N m R N 0 w a 8 m1$ m, w M 1 F 21 4 4 4 4 9 6 ,n 1 I 1 1 I 1 I I 3 4 H I I H 1 I I 5 June 10, 1930.

J. HUTCHINSON VACUUM CLEANER 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed June 3, 1924 INVENTOR J lz 9 f' F719. [0 l ATTOR EYS.'

June 10, 1936.

J. HUTCHINSON VACUUM CLEANER Filed June 3, 1924 7 Sheets-Sheet l Ill/l III Ill

7/ III III-E d/Illlv u 7.

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Patented dune 10,

JOB HUTCEINSON, 01B BA'UG-ER'IIES, NEW YUEJK vacuum ennarmn application filed. June 3, 19%. Serial No. viva-ea.

This invention relates to a portable machine for cleaning carpets, rugs and the like,

by means of air currents, and more pa'rtiou-' larly toa machine in which air jets and suction are combined in a circulation system.

lit has heretofore been proposed to create at the nozzle of a vacuum cleaner 2. suficient suction to lift the carpet from the floor and draw air through it. It has been found, however, that when suction strong enough to flex the carpet and produce the desired cleaning effect is employed, the carpet is drawn so tightly against the nozzle that it tends to cling, and thus prevent the free movement of the device over the floor.

lit has also been proposed to employ a revolving brush in connection with such a suction nozzle, so that the brush beats against the raised or flexed portion of the carpet Within the nozzle. The presence of the brush, however, necessitates the use of a very wide open nozzle, and the area'is so great that the vacuum must be kept inadequately low to prevent undue clinging of the carpet, as otherwise too much effort would be require to ropel the nozzle over the floor.

l vacuum of three or four inches of mercury will clean the average carpet thoroughly,

by raising the same from the floor under the nozzle, as describedabove, thus causingthe slight bend to break up the layer of dirt and grit embedded at the bottom of the nap, provided a means can be found to prevent objectionable clinging of the carpet to the nozzle when such a .de' ree of vacuum is used.

@ne of the 'o jects of the present invention is, therefore, to rovide means for preventing an effective y high vacuum from causing excessive clinging or sticking of the carpet to the nozzle.

A further object is to accomplish this by means of air jets,'which shall, at the same time, enter or blow into the carpet at the bend and assist in loosening up and dislodging the dirt. A subsidiary ob ect is to make possible, by the above means, the use of a revolving brush in the nozzle, if desired, to still further aid in removing-the dirt from the carpet.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved motor driven pump hav ing means by which its stroke may be varied at will to regulate the vacuum, without Waste of energy.

Another object is to provide an improved dust collector or filter screen, and means for efi ectively cleaning the same automatically While in use.

A further object is to devise improved means for storing and carrying suction hose on the portable cleaning machine.

A still further object of the invention is to rovide improved means for su porting an$ propelling the machine over t e floor, and for adjusting the height of that part thereof to which the nozzle is attached.

The general object is to provide a complete portable machine or unit especially designed to meet the needs of hotels, ofice buildings, theaters, and other public institutions, and other specific objects and advantages will further appear from the following description.

In order that the invention may be readily understood, reference is had to the accompanying drawings, formingv part of this specification, and in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the complete machine;

Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a rear elevation thereof on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 4 is a front elevation thereof on similar scale;

Fig. 5 is an inverted plan view of the-clean ing nozzle, which is attached to the front of the machine; 1

Fig. 6 is a central, longitudinal, vertical section through the complete machine, substantially on the line 6-6 of Fig. 2-;

Fig. if is a transverse'section substantially on the line 7-7 of Fig; 6;

F i 8 is a similar transverse section substantially on the line 8-8 ofFig. 6;

Fig. 9 is an elevation of the end of one of the castings forming part of the body or casing of the machine, parts being broken away and parts being shown in section;

Fig. 10 is an elevatibn of another one of the complete machine, substantially on the line 1414 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 15 is an enlarged view, partly in section and partly in elevation, of one of the differential mechanisms;

Fig. 16 is atransverse section on the line 1616 of Fig. 15;

Fig. 17 is a horizontal section on the line 1717 of Fig. 18, showing one of thecontact sleeves and brushes associated with the electrical conductor reel;

Fig. 18 is a vertical section on an enlarged scale through the central part of such reel, showing the contact sleeves and brushes com plete; and

Fig. 19 to Fig. 6, but showin I tion of cleaning nozzfie the machine.

General organization My improved portable cleaning unit comprises a substantially rectangular, elongated casing or body, which is made up of three castings bolted together. These castings comprise a chamber or compartment 1, shown at the left in Fig. 6, a central plate or partition 2, shown in detail in Figs. 10 and 12, and a casting or compartment 3, shown at the right in Fig. 6. The left hand end of the'compartment 1 is closed by means of a is a vertical sectional view similar a modified construcat the front end of head or plate 1", secured by suitable bolts and the right hand end of the casting or compartment 3 is closed by means of a head or end plate 4. An auxiliary hood or cover 5 is mounted at the center of the plate 4, to enclose certain working parts hereinafter referred to.

The machine, as a whole, is mounted on a pair of relatively large main wheels 6, which are preferably formed of pressed sheet metal, and provided with solid rubber tires. As shown in Fig. 7 ,these wheels are 'ournaled by" means of ball bearings 7 on em s or stub axles 8, set into the side wall of the castecured to the rear end plate 1 of the ma: chine is a powerful electric motor 9, having a drum-shaped or cylindrical frame, one end of which is secured to the machine by bolts 9*, with the axis or shaft of the motorin a horizontal position 'and with the motor itself projecting rearwardly from the body of the machine. The motor shaft 10 is connected by .means of a coupling 11, with another shaft 12, connected 1n turn at its end by a coupling 14, with a third shaft 13, the three shaft sections 10, 12 and 13 constituting a continuous line of shafting which extends centrally and longitudinally through the body of the machine from one end to the other. The shaft 12 is supported at one end in ball bearin s 15, carried by a dish-sha ed portion 1 of t e end wall 1, and at the ot er end by ball bearings 16, supported in the central plate or casting 2. The shaft sec tion 13 is 'ournaled at its outer end in ball bearings 1i, supported by the end plate 4. The shaft 13 extends centrally through a dust collecting drum or air filter, hereinafter 'described, and a cleaning nozzle is attached to thefront end of the machine adjacent the dust collector.

It will be particularly noted at this point, that the axis of the main supporting wheels 6 is located near the center of ravity of the machine as a whole. Although this axis is considerably to the left of the geometrical 'center of the machine, as viewed in Fig. 6, it will be noted that the motor 9 is relatively heavy, while the dust collector is relatively light, and thus the total weight of the unit is almost balanced about the axis of the main wheels 6. This makes it very easy to tilt the machine about such axis as is necessary in steering. 1

Within the compartment or castin 1 is mounted a pump mechanism, now to fie described, and it may be pointed out that packing washers of felt or the like, as indicated at 18 in Fig. 6,-are provided to prevent leakage of air around the shaft sections 12 and 13.

T he pumping mechanism As stated in the reamble, I contemplate producing a comp etc circulation of air through the machine, and to this end, I have devised an improved nozzle and efficient pumping mechanism so designed as to draw air in at one side, to create a partial vacuum, and to deliver the same air under pressure, at the other side. This improved pump operates entirely without valves of any kind,

and is therefore exceptionally free fromv trouble.

Referring to Fig. 6, the pump comprises a drum or cylinder 19, having a. circular series of parallel open ended'cylinders 20, eight of such cylinders being shown (see Fig. 7). The drum 19 is rigidly keyed to and rotates with the shaft 12, and is mounted on said shaft in such a position that its right hand end, as viewed in Fig. 6, works veryclose to the faceof the plate or casting 2. Both of these parts are carefully machined so that the necessary clearance between them is reduced to a minimum. Furthermore, the face of the plate 2 is provided with an upstanding flange or rim 44, which closely surrounds the drum- 19. Ineach cylinder reci rocates a piston 21,"these pistonsbeing 0 special construction. As shown in Figure 6, each piston is substantially spherical in form, being formed of two sections held-together by the threaded end of the piston rod 23, and each piston is provided with a packing ring 22, at its point of contact with the cylinder, such packing ring preferably being cylindrical in cross section, as shown. By virtue of the special shape of the pistons and packing rings, such pistons are capable of slight rocking or angular movement, relative to the axes of the cylinders, without causing binding or cramping.

' The rear or outer ends of the piston rods 23 are provided with balls 24 which are received in spherical sockets tormedin 'a disc constructed of a pair of pressed sheet metal members 25,the sockets bein tormed partly in each member, and the mem ers being fitted together as shown in Figs. 6 and it. This disc is also driven by the shaft 12, but is capable of angular movement relative thereto. To this end, the disc is secured to the shaft by means ota universal joint comprising a pair of pivots 26, one end oi which is secured to the disc and the other end 0t which is mounted in a ring or trame 27. A. second pair ofpivots 28, at right anglesto the first, engages the ring 27? and projects rigidly iirom diametrically opposite sides ot a hub 29, attached to the shaft 12. Thus, the disc is driven through the pivot pins 26 and 23, but by virtue of the angularrelation of these pins, it is permitted to wobble ilreely, relative to the shaft. I

The outer edges of the members 25, form ing the above described disc, are spread apart, as indicated at 30, to receive between them the central flange or melnloer 3]., ct a ring 32, "l -shaped incross section, as clearly shown in Fig. 6, suitable ball bearings 33 being interposed between each side oi the llange 3i and the respective disc portion 30.

The ring 32 is pivotally mounted by means or pins 35 (see lfiig. ll) to swing about a horizontal axis and projecting from the lower side thereof is an arm or lever 3t terminating in a bifurcated portion provided with alined slots 36, which. slots loosely engage a pair ot pins 3'3, projecting lrom the .opposite'sides till cl a nut 33, working on a horizontal screw 33. This screw asses through a suitable journal tl, carried y the rear'end wall oi" the casting it, and is provided at its outer end with a hand wheel lO. The inner end of the screw is journaled at l2 in a suitable boss and a stop sleeve l3 surrounds the screw 39', and is interposed between such boss and the nut 38, in order to limit the inward movement of such nut. The nut is shown in its extreme position in Fig. 6, and when in this position, it will be noted that the stroke at the pump pistons is a mammalian.

It will be observed that as the drum l9 and disc 25 revolve together with the shaft 12, each piston is caused to execute a comgete reciprocation once in every revolution.

y turning the hand wheel 40, the nut 38 may be moved toward the left, as viewed in Fig. 3, bringing the disc 25 more and more nearly into a position at right angles to the shaft 12, and thus gradually decreasing the stroke of the pistons. When the disc 25 oocupiesa position exactly at right angles to the shaft 12, it is obvious that the pistons will not reciprocate 'at all, and that the only load on the motor will be that due to triction'. Tf the movement of the .nut 38 is continued from this point, still further to the left, the disc will be inclined in the opposite direction and the action of the pistons will bereversed. That is to say, that-portion of the revolution of the pump drum which for-- of the cylinders 20, is provided with a pair of arc-shaped slots or ports 45, t6, and that a similar pair oi" ports ll and i8, registering therewith, is provided in the adjacent face of the casting 3. Disregarding, for a moment, thequestion of what these slots or ports communicate with, it will be observed that, with the normal setting of the disc 25, as the cylinders revolve in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figs. 7, 9 and 10, the pistons will operate to successively suck air into each cylinder during the time that it is traveling over the ports l5 and a7, and will operate to successively torce air out 0t each cylinder during the time it is traveling over the orts i3 and 4-3. Thus, the ports tfiand l are the intalreor suction ports, while the ports ion 7 t6 and d8 are the discharge or compression ports.

The lace oi the casting 3, adjacent the casting 2, is provided with an annular shoulder i9, see Fig. 3) within which a correspondllt ing oss til (see Fig. l2) on the casting 2 fits. That portion ot the casting 3, adjacent the orts til and 4L3, is provided with suitable wal s and partitions for the purpose of forming conduits establishing communication between the respective ports and the dust collector and cleaning nozzle, as will be hereinboa having a'horiaontal upperwall 52, a

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lltll collector or separator.

horizontal bottom wall 53, and side walls 54. Below the partition 51 is a horizontal partition 55, and spaced from this a suitable distance is a second horizontal partition 56. A vertical partition 57 ,at right angles to and 51, and spaced back from the face of the casting 3, is provided as shown in Fig. 6, and a similar wall 58 in the same plane there with, extends across the upper part of the saidgear box. The partitions 50 and 51 terminate in a transverse wall 59, which eX tends across the casting parallel with the face in which the slots 47 and 48 are formed.

These various walls and partitions give rise to the formation of a conduit 60, which opens out through the wall 59 at one end and which communicates at its other end with the port 47, and a conduit 61, lying between the walls .55 and 56, which communicates with the port 48. A pair of pipes 62, arranged one at each side of the machine, extend from the conduit 61 forwardly to the front end plat 4, of the machine (see Figs. 6 and 8).

The dust collector or air filter Mounted in the compartment 3 between the Wall 59 and end Wall 4, is my improved dust This, in general, is drum-shaped and is concentric with the shaft 13. It comprises a central sleeve 63, journaled on the shaft 13, and on this sleeve 63 are fitted a series of discs 64, held in spaced parallel relation by means of spacing sleeves or collars 67. The outer peripheries of the disc 64am preferably provided with enlarged rounded rims 65, and the central portion of the discs is cut away to form supporting spiders 66, as clearly shown in Fig. 8, thus leaving a free airpassage through the center of the structure.

Alternating with the discs 64, is a series of rings 68, which may be wires or cords, and a suitable filter cloth 70 is stretched over the rims 65 and thence under the rings 68, back and forth, in and out, throughout the length of the drum. Preferably a tubular fabric, capable of fitting over the discs 64 is employed, such fabric being then drawn in between the discs by means of the rings 68. The extreme ends of the fabric or cloth are secured to channel-shaped end rings, 69 preferably formed of sheet metal.

The above construction gives rise to a filter having porous walls of very large area, the cloth extending in substantially radial planes from the rings 68 to the rims of the disc 64. \Vhile these surfaces are substantially plain radial surfaces, they are in fact, very obtuse cones In any event, however, they are straight line surfaces of single curvature. In operation, dust laden air is drawn through the screen or filter from the outside toward the inside thereof,'so that dust tends to accumulate on the above described surfaces. In order to effectively and continuously remove this dust I provide a series of,

mounted and effectively engage both adjacent screen surfaces throughout substantially their whole radius.

Means are provided for rotating the filter while the brushes remain stationary, and therefore, as the filter cloth is moved past the brushes, the accumulated dust is scraped off and falls into a dust pan 86, located below the filter. Means for rotating the filter comprise a gear wheel 7 4 secured to the channel ring 69, at the rear or inner end of the drum, and having a central opening 75, which registers with the open end of conduit 60, extending to the suction'port 47 of the pumpin mechanism. A felt ring 76 is interposed etween the face of the wheel 74 and the plate 59 of the casting 3, in order to prevent leakage of air.

Referring to Fig. 11, it will be seen that this gear wheel 7 1 meshes with a small pinion 77, carried by a stub shaft 78, journaled in the plate 59, and carrying at its outer end a beveled pinion 79, to which rotation is imparted by means hereinafter described.

The cleaning nozzle mouth, which is relatively long and narrow,

as shown in Fig. 5, and extends substantially across the width of the machine. The vacuum or suction compartment 81 is provided With a nipple or connection 82, controlled by a rotary plug valve 83, and adapted to be attached by means of lugs and nuts 84, to the front wall 85 of the dirt pan 86, already referred to. This pan rests upon the bottom or floor of the casting 3, and underlies the entire dust collector or filter. Thus, when the pumping device is running, a partial vacuum is produced at the ports 45 and 47, which causes air to flow irl'through the suc- .tion mouth, and compartment 81, through a as this produces a very eiiicient cleaning ac of upstandingpipes 88, see

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tion. It is particularly effective in cleaning carpets and the like, and even with a suction mouth as narrow as that illustrated, it is suficient to lift the carpet from the door, as indicated at a in Fig. 6, andthus produce a bend or flexure in the carpet which tends to break up and loosen any dirt which may be embedded in the lower part of the nap. It is sure compartment 94. These pressure compartments are connected by means of a 'pair 4 ig. 4:, and nipples 99, with the ends of the pipes 62 extending forwardly from the pressure conduit 61, con-' nected with the delivery side of the pump. ll/lounted at the top of each pipe 88 is a safety or relief valve 90, held to its seat by a spring 91, the tension of which may be adjusted lo a nut 92, the housing surrounding each va ve heing provided with openings 93, to permitthe escape of air. By adjusting the nuts 92, the valves 96 may be set to blow ed at any desired pressure, and in this way, the maximum pressure developed may he regulated as till tilt

desired.

The lower. walls of the pressure compartments 9d of the nozzle are provided adjacent the suction mouth, with a series of jet orifices 95, (see Figs. 5 and 6), these orifices being so positioned as to direct jets of compressed air downwardly and inwardly toward each other and across the suction mouth. The eii ect oi these jets is to practically eliminate the lriction between the carpet and the edges of the suction mouth, and thus substantially prevent clinging oi the carpet. At the same time, these jets impinge upon and enter the carpet at this point of flexure, thus materially assisting in dislodging any embedded dirt or grit. The dirt loosened or dislodged by these jets is immediatel sucked up into the suction mouth and through the compartment 61 and valve 63, into the dirt pan 66, while the finer particles lodge against the dust collector or filter, and are eventually removed hy the brushes 71.

ldy virtue oil the ahovecombination oi" suction and pressure jets, l am enahled to employ a relatively high vacuum necessary for ehicient cleanin and at the same time, prevent objections le clinging of the carpet. Moreover, the jets materially aid in removing lorei r: matter lrom the car et nap.

t ile, in most cases, it is elieved thatgthe form of nozzle shownin Figs. 4, 5 and 6 will efficiently and satisfactorily clean any ordinary carpet, it may, in some cases, be desirable to employ a brush in connection with the pneumatic means. This is shown in Fig. 19, in which a somewhat different form of nozzle 80 is illustrated. This nozzle, however, is provided with a suction compartment 81 and with a pair of pressure compartments 9d, and also with the jet orifices 95, as above described. The suction mouth is, however, made much wider and in such mouth ismounted a rotary brush 163, geared by means of a belt 164, to a pulley 165, carried at the extreme end of the shaft 13. Instead of the housing 5, shown in the other figures, the front wall of the nozzle itself is extended upwardly, so

as to enclose the belt and pulley, as shown at With the arrangement shown in Fig. 19, the mechanical efiect of the rotary brush, beating against the carpet at the point oil flexure, is added to "that of the suction and air jets, and even though the carpetis lifted from the floor, and the mouth oithe nozzle is relatively wide, the air jets will prevent excessive sticking orclinging of the carpet to the nozzle.

The suction hose extending through registering openings 98 and 99, formed in the castings 2 and 3, respectively (see Figs. 9 and 16). communicate with a passageway 97, which opens into the dust collector chamber. Therefore, when the pump is running, a partial vacuum is produced through the dust collector or air filter in the pipe or pipes 96.

To the'outer or rear end ot'one of these pipes 96 is attached a hose connection or cou pling 100, (see Fig. 3) to which is secured a suitable length of suction hose 161, the other These pipes llll lit"

end of which, when not in use, is convenient ly attached to a coupling 102, at the other side of the machine. lit will be observed that this hose 101, when not in use, is conveniently stored by being wound around the drumshaped motor frame 9. This is a feature of considerable practical im ortance, since in a portable unit in the kin under discussion,

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the question of storing and carrying suction hose is quite a problem.

In order to carry an additional length of hose, ll provide a guiding handle for steering in cross section, and affords a channel in which a piece of hose 108 maylie, the hose being held in osition by means of a clip or the like 103*. xtending forwardly from the ends 104 of the handle 103, are a pair of storage compartments or chambers, cylindrical in cross section, and comprising alined openings 105, 106 and 107, formed in the castings 1, 2 and 3, respectively. In other words, the arrangement is such that the end portions of the hose 108, supported by the handle 103, may extend into and be housed within these alined openings or chambers, so that quite a length of hose may be thus stored. In prac-' tice, and when required, the hose 108 ma be removed and connected to the free end 0 the hose 101, the latter being of course uncoiled from the motor, and these two pieces, when coupled, providing hose of suflicient length for ractically any ordinary purposes. Suita le nozzles or vacuum tools for attachment to the end of the hose may be supported in clips 109 (see Fig. 3) and the nozzles themselves may also be stored within a compart-.

ment 110, formed'at one side of the lower part of the casting 1. At the opposite side of this casting may be formed a sLmilar-compartment or kit for containing ordinary tools or other supplies.

Supporting and propelling mans One of the important objects of the invention is to provide means whereby the machine may be propelled over the floor by the same motor which operates the pump, in order to li ten the work of the operator. To this end, point within the gear box 5254, with a worm 112, and arranged to mesh with this worm is a worm wheel 113, secured to a'short shaft 114. This is journaled in suitable bear- .ings 115, one on each side of the worm wheel .113, (see Fig. 9 Each end of the shaft 114 projects into t e housing of a differential mechanism 116. Each of.these housin s is formed of two halves or sections hel together by screws 116" (see Fig. 15) and to the end of the shaft 114 is secured a beveled gear 117. A similar beveled gear 118 is also mounted within the housin 116, and ri 'd with each gear 118, is a sha 121, extending out through the side walls of the casting 3.

Planet gears 119 mesh with the two gears 117 and 118 and are carried on stub shafts 1 20,

' journaled in the housing 116.

. Secured'to one of the shafts 121 is a beveled-pinion 122, which meshes with the bev- I provide the shaft 113, at a' to an arm 124. This is attached b means ofa pin and slot connection to the rec end of an arm or lever 125, secured to a rock shaft 126, journaled in the side walls 54 of the gear box, and carrying a pair of short arms 127, spaced apart a distance corresponding with that between the two differential houslngs "116. Pivotally connected with each arm 127 is a sliding bolt 128, the lower end of which is adapted to engage in notches 129, formed on the periphery of the differential housings.

Secured to the outer end-of the sleeve 123 isa lever arm 130, connected by a link 131, to the lower end of a control lever 132, pivotally mounted at the rear end of the machine within easy reach of the operator. It is therefore obvious that by manipulating the lever-'132, the differential housings 116 ma be locked against rotation when desire and that when so locked, power will be transmitted from the worm wheel 113 to the shafts 121. In other words, the mechanism just described serves the double function of a clutch and diflerential.

, Secured to the outer ends of each shaft 121 I 'when transporting it from place to place. In

this way, the operator is relieved from the frictional drag which would otherwise result from the engagement of the earing.

To support the front end 0 the machine, I provide a pair of relatively small wheels 136, and in order to adjust the height of the cleaning nozzle relative to the carpet it is necessary that these wheels be made adjustable. I accomplish this by mounting vthe wheels 136 on cranks 137 (see Fig. 8) cariried at the ends of a crank' shaft 138, extending under the machine. To one end of this crank shaft is secured a worm wheel 139, which meshes with a worm 140 (see Fig. 4) carried at the lower end of a vertical shaft 141, journaled in brackets 142, and provided at its upper end with a hand wheel 143, by means 0 which it may be turned. Thrust collars 141 are secured to the shaft 141 adjacent the bearings 142 toprevent endwise movement means? thereof, and when this shaft is turned, it will be obvious that the crank shaft 138' is correspondingly rocked in its bearings and that, owing to the cranks 137, the front end of the machine and the nozzle will be accordingly raised or lowered.

Tn order to supply current to the motor, and at the same time permit the machine to 0p crate at any desired distance from an electric receptacle or socket without danger of the cord becoming damaged or tangled, T equip the machine with a reel for holding the conductor cord. The cord itself containing the usual two conductors is indicated at 144 and is provided at its end with the usual plug 1 15. The cord is preferably led through a guide 146, so as to insure its winding properly on the reel.

The reel itself preferably comprises a pair of spaced discs 14 (see Fig. 18) into the interior of which,

through an insulating bushing 14:7 the inner end of the conductor cord is led. The reel is provided with a central journal box or sleeve 149, which turns freely upon a spindle consisting of a bolt'latl, set vertically into the top of the casting 3, so that the reel itself is horizontal.

The inner ends of the electrical conductors contained in the cord are soldered or otherwise secured to a pair of concentric conduct ing sleeves or rings 150 and 151, insulated from the journal box 149 and from each other by insulating bushings 152, the inner sleeve 150 preferably being longer than the outer one. These sleeves, of course, turn with the reel.

Tn order to establish electrical connection with the sleeves 150, 151,1 provide a pair of brushes 15 1-, 155, each in the nature of a split ring, adapted to embrace its respective sleeve,

as shown in Fig. 17. These brushes or s lit rings are carried by'shanks 156, supports by a block of insulation lfi'i', mounted on'a suitable bracket, 159, and a cover or housing 158 of insulating material fits over and encloses all .of themetallic current carrying parts above described, so as to avoid the possibility of shock or short circuit.

' From the shanks 156 of the contact brushes extend suitable conductors, (not shown) through aswitch 160, and through the usual rheostat or starting box 161 to the motor 9.

0pemtz'o'n It will, of course, be understood that when suction hose attached to the pipe 96, is being employed, the valve 83 at the cleaning nozzle is closed, so as to create a partial vacuum in thedust collector chamber. 1

Furthermore, since the cleaning nozzle is'held in position by lugs or screws 84 and 87, (see Figs. 1 and 4), it can be readily detached and removed when not in use, the nipples 82 and 89 slipping readily outof their having a central hub 14'? respective pipe connections. When this cleaning nozzle is removed, a hose may be connected to the opening in the dirt pan in which the nipple 82 formerly fitted. Thus, I have provided means for connectingahose'to either the front or rear or both of the machines, as may be desired.

Although the brushes 71 will eflectively prevent undue accumulation of dust upon the porous walls of the filter or dust collector, as the latter is rotated, it maybe sometimes desirable to blow air back through the dust collector in a direction reverse to that of the normal flow. To accomplish this, it is only necessary to manipulate the hand wheel 40 so as to swing the disc 25 to the opposite side of the perpendicular from that shown in Fig. 6. When this is done, air is delivered from the cylinders 20,-through the ports 45 and 47, and conduit 60, into the interior of the dust collector, thus blowing through the porous walls and serving to clean and dislg dge the dust from theouter surface therethe gear wheels 13f, thedust collector may be caused to rotate even is standing still.

' What 1 claim is 2- V 1. A vacuum cleaner comprising an elongated body, a motor at one end of said body, a suction nozzle at the other end thereof, a dust collector adjacent said nozale, a hori zontal motor-driven shaft extending longitudinally of said body, pump mechanism lo cated adjacent the motor and driven by said shaft, supporting Wheels and gearing driven by said shaft for propelling the cleaner over the fioor,said gearing being located between said dust collector and pumping mechanism. 2. lin a vacuum cleaner, the combination with a casing having a closed chamber, a suction producing means within said casing,

when the machine a dust collector located between said chamher and said suction producing means, a suction nozzle communicating directly with said chamber and mounted at one end of the cas ing, and means at the other end of said casing for connecting a suction hose also with said chamber.

3. In a vacuum cleaner, the combination with an. elongated casing, of pumping means and a dust separator therein, a removable dirt pant arranged below said separator, a cleaning nozzle detachably connected with the forward end of said dirt pan to deliver into the same, a valve in said nozzle, and. a suction hose adapted to be connected through .the rear end portion of said. casing with the JOB HUTC T SON.

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