US2656009A - Suction cleaner - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 20, 1953 M. A. KENT 2,656,009

SUCTION CLEANER Filed Jan. 29, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR Mp5s AKENT B A TORNEY Oct. 20, 1953 M. A. KENT 2,656,009

SUCTION CLEANER Filed Jan. 29, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR M055 A.KEN T BY ATTORIVEY Patented Oct. 20, 1953 es e ce SUGTIQN CLEANER Me s al ens t-clin cs .Y- Applicatipn 1] anuary '29, 195 1, fieriaLNO. 208,304

.3 Shims- 1 fi his invention relates to new and useful -:lm provements in cleaners and has particular -rel-a tion to suction type cleaners.

An object of the invention is to provide a suction type cleaner including a dust =bag andwherethe dust may, while remaiming in place in the cleaner, readily "be exposed to he grasped and agitated by the operator to shake dust and dirt therefrom into the dust and dirt receptacle of the cleaner.

Another object is to provide a suction type cleaner of simple and inexpensive construction and yet adapted for heavy use, as in office bui'ldings, apartment houses, hotels and the like, and which is also suitable for use in largeghomes.

A further object is to provide a suction cleaner comprising, essentially, a, receptacle and a cover device secured to the receptacle 'by ready releasable means and when in place serving to clamp in proper position -a dust bag supporting trame and divider and when removed -from position on the receptacle, ex-posing said parts tor removal and cleaning.

Yet another object is to provide a suction cleaner of the character indicated and wherein suction creating means is mounted in a removable cover device and the latter also mounts a miller.

An additional eobject is to provide a suction Receptacle L is a rigid structure, preferably of metal, and is open through its upper end at such and terminates in a continuous, as annular, H.

In a side wall receptacle Ml is provided an inlet opening or port generally designated '13 equipped with .a fitting 14 to which one end of a'flexihle hose or the like (not shown) is read-.- ily attachable. On the other end of such or like there will be attached any or the usual suction cleaning tools (not shown). As shown, fitting 14 includes an outer element 4%) having its inner .end spun over edges of the opening is and within such element I5 is a swivel bushing J 6 held in place :by a retaining 4r].

inwardly of the port 13, but secured to there- !ceptacle wall as :by bolts 18, is a deflector shield ge'nenallydesignated .19. As such shield is herein disclosed, the same comprises a transversely arcuate or semi-cylindrical body portion 2119f rigid material, such as metal, and within each per.- tion is a deflector shield lining 24, preferably .of rubber. While the described deflector-shield wiil :be horeinafter turther considered, it-isnoted that the same extends across the inlet .port or open.- ing 13, is closed at one end as lay an angular bent portion 22 in cooperation with a, wall receptacle ill), :but is .open through its other end +23.

"Resting .on the upper end or head 4-2 of recen- .cleaner embodying manyimprovements all 'lookmole 441 is a frame generally designated 24 and sing toward aimore eilicient useful and economical structurelof long, useful lite.

Other objects and advantages-of the invention will become apparent irom -a consideration of the :following detailed description taken in .connection with the accompanying drawings wherein e. satisfactory embodiment of the invention :is shown. However, it is to he understood :that the {intention not limited to the details disclosed hut includes all such yalziaticns and modifica- (tions as fall within the spirit .of the invention and {the scope of the appended claims.

drawings:

Fig. :1 i a #top :plan view of a con:- structed according i120 theainvention;

Fig. .2 a side elevational view thereof;

.3 is an enlarged yertical .central sectional i w ihrough the upper portion of the cleaner;

and

Fig. 4 -is a detail sectional wiew taken as along rtherplane of the=line ll- 4 OfFig S.

Referring "in detail to the drawings, my improved suction cleaner, as herein disclosed, cemprises :a-receptacle generally designated 10, shown comprising a continuous, as an annular, member 2 5 of rubber ror other compressible material and also a continuous, as annular, .metal member -26 comprising, in -.-transverse section, a horizontal portion embedded ;in the rubber member 25 and then .a downwardly and outwardly curved or ancuate portion 21.

*Resting on the metal member 25 and centered by an inner edge portion of the compressible member 25 is \a continuous ,metal ring -28, as an annulus. Ring is supports and has depending therefrom .a ioraminous atruncated .coneeshaped member 29:9 shown ns-iormedcfa relatively hearty wire. A wire or other means 30 is disposedabout the upper :end :portion of a dust hag, generally designated 3:1, and anchors such portion and therehy the dust bag to the curred portion :22!

of the f-rame +24. "-I his dust bag is generally *in and then-up-intosuchmember.

. the ,ba i shpwn e nqs i a ies wh I u ported for "mobility on four casters H. the cleaner isin operation and there it is noted there is no suction on the dust bag, its portion within the member 29 will fall from the position of Fig. 3 but nevertheless such portion will note fall through the smaller diameter lower end portion of the member. In addition to the described structure, the cleaner includes a cover device generally designated 34. Such device comprises a hollow metal shell having an interlining 36 Shell 35 is open through its lower end but includes a top wall 31 having a central opening 36 thereof felt or other sound absorbing material.

through and the lining 36 of the shell has an opening 39 registering with said opening 38.

'Mounted in the lower end portion of the shell 35 is a motor supporting plate 40 of a diameter to'span the open end of the shell and provided with a depending wall portion 4| located against the inner surface of the lower end portion of the smell and secured to the shell as by screws 42. Then extending outwardly from the wall portion 41 is a horizontal flange 43 from the outer periphery of which depends a skirt-like portion 44. The parts are of such diameter that when the cover device is in place, as in Fig. 3, the flange 43 is disposed on the upper side of the compressible member 25 of frame 24 and the depending skirt 44 is about the outer periphery of the bead 12 of the receptacle. Thus, the skirt 44 serves to insure a centering of the frame 24 on the bead I2.

On the upper side of the motor supporting plate 40 is a sponge rubber pad 45 against the upper side of which suction creating units, generally designated 46, are secured as by clamping bolts 41 having hook-like portions 48 engaged over the upper edges of the walls of the units 46 and having their lower ends passing through the pad 45 and the motor supporting plate 40 and anchored as by nuts 49. The desired number of theunits 46 may be employed, i. e., one or more such units, depending upon the size cleaner being made. I These units are those described in my co-pending application Ser. No. 172,758, filed July 8, 1950. Mounted on a unit 46 is a thermally operated switch 50, the purpose of which is that set forth in. the co-pending application of Moss A. Kent, Ser. No. 199,429, filed December 6, 1950.

Through the motor supporting plate 40 and the pad 45 are registering openings 5| and 52, respectively, such openings placing the interior of the receptacle [0 in communication with the cover device 34 through the respective motor units when the cover device is positioned on the receptacle.

Onthe upper side of the cover device 34 and mounted thereon to form part thereof is a mufiler generally designated 53. This mufiier includes an outer metal shell 54 and upper and lower felt structures 55 and 56 separated as by a disc 51 and having radially extending passages 58 therethrough all communicating at the center of the device. This mufiler 53 is more particularly disclosed in my above mentioned co-pending application.

Extending upwardly through the mufiler device is a rod or post 59 at its upper end provided with a head 66 normally located under a latch device 6] pivoted for swinging movement as at 62. To the lower end of the post 59 there is attached a valve structure generally designated 63. A bracket piece 64 serves as a guide limiting movements of the post 59 to vertical movements.

At the upper side of the mufller shell 54 is a handle 65 shown as formed of a piece of hollow tubing. A pair of bolts 66 have their heads located at the inner side of the shell 36 of the cover device and then these bolts pass upwardly through tubular spacer elements 67 and at their upper ends are threaded into nuts 66 fixed within the end portions of the handle 65. In this way, the mufiler device 53 is secured to the shell 35 so as to with the latter form part of the cover device 34 and at the same time the handle 65 is secured in place. The spacers 61 prevent excessive tightening of the bolts in the nuts and thereby prevent collapse or compression of the sound absorbing materials 55 and 56 in the mufiier.

In a side wall of the shell 35 of the cover device is an opening 69 about which is secured a radially extending nipple 19 normally closed as by a plug H fixed to a handle device 12. When the present machine is being used as a suction unit, the plug II will be in place completely closing the outlet 69. However, at certain'times, the machine may be used as a blower when a hose (not shown) may be attached to the nipple 10, the plug II and its handle 12 having been removed.

At such time, or when the machine is being set up for such use, the latch device 6| is swung on its pivot 62 so as to clear the head 60. Then, as the units 46 are operated, the flow of air toward and through the openings 38 and 39 results in the valve 63 being drawn upwardly to seat about the edges of the opening 39. This prevents movement of air from the interior of the cover device to the muffler and causes the air to blow out through the outlet 69, the plug H having been removed.

A hose or the like on the nipple conducts the air as desired for the operation of a cleaning tool or otherwise. Instantly the units 46 are stopped, there is no longer any pressure of air within the shell 35 and the valve 63 drops to the position shown in Fig. 3 when the latch 6| is swung back to the position of that figure. At this time, the plug II will be returned to a position closing off passage through the nipple 10.

In assembling the machine for use, the frame 24 carrying the dust bag 3| is disposed on the upper end of the receptacle I0, the dust bag depending into such receptacle. Then the ring 28 carrying the foraminous member 29 is dropped into place and thereafter the operator reaches through the lower end of the member 29, grasps the lower portion or bottom wall 32 of the dust bag and draws the lower portion of the same upwardly into said member. Now, the operator positions the cover device 34 and, as above noted, the flange 43 of such cover device is located against the upper side of the compressible member 25 of frame 24 and the skirt 44 for the cover device centers said member with respect to the receptacle.

At this time, it is noted that on the underside of the motor plate 46 there is secured a cupped screen 13. This screen closes the registering openings 5| and 52 through the motor plate 40 and the pad 45 whereby there is no possibility of any portion of the dust bag being drawn up aesa-ooo through any of the units 46 or of any article getting into the units through such registering openings. In fact, when the cover-device is separated from the receptacle, this screen will prevent the operator or user from getting his lingers into the fan or fans of the suction unit or units.

' The cover device having been positioned, drawpull catch devices 14 are operated and draw the cover device tight down onto the receptacle slightly compressing the compressible member whereby the upper end of the receptacle is closed in an air-tight fashion. Now, the machine is ready .fornse and it is merely necessary that the operator attach the'desired tool to the'nipp'le l4 and start the units 46.

If the machine is being used for picking up dust and dirt, the dust and dirt is carried into the machine along with the flow of air created through the machine by the units 46 and as the dust and dirt laden air enters the inlet or intake [3, it engages the deflector shell l9 and is deflected laterally losing some of its momentum. All the air and dirt or dust is deflected in the same direction through the open end 23 of the deflector shell. The dirt and dust laden air then tends to travel about the vertical wall of the receptacle losing its momentum and dropping the dust and dirt to the bottom of the receptacle ID. The air passes through the dust bag and is screened by the latter and then through the registering openings 5| and 52, through the suction creating units 46 and out through the eXhaust or discharge openings 38 and 39 of the shell and liner 36 into the mufiier device 33. Dirt laden water may be somewhat similarly taken up by the machine and z the water collects in the bottom of the receptacle When using the device for taking up dirt and dust in an air stream, should the dust bag become substantially clogged with dust, a temporary job of increasing the efiiciency of the machine may be accomplished by releasing the drawpull catch device 14 and lifting off the cover device 34 and then reaching in through the open upper end of the receptacle and grasping a portion of the dustbag within the member 29 and shaking the dust bag. A substantial part of the loose dirt and dust is shaken from the bag and will settle at the bottom of the receptacle ill, the bag having been shaken, the operator replaces the .cover device and resets the draw-pull catches 14 and proceeds to use the machine.

When the dust bag is to be more thoroughly cleaned, the cover device is removed as above described and the operator then lifts out the ring 28 with the truncated cone-shaped foraminous member 29 and then lifts out the frame 24 with the dust bag 3| attached thereto. Alternatively, he may simply lift out the frame 24 and the dust bag and this same operation will result in a lifting out of the ring 28 and the member 29. The parts being out of the receptacle, the ring 28 and member 29 are separated from the dust bag. Thereafter, the dust bag may be thoroughly beaten or swept and cleaned before the cleaner is reassembled. At such times, that is, when the cover device is removed and the dust bag and member 29 are dismounted, the receptacle l0 may be emptied.

The machine is adapted for use with a variety of tools such as are well-known in the art, and where these tools are suction operated, they are placed in communication with the interior of the receptacle l0 through the attaching device l4. With the tools operated by air under slight pres- :sure or by blowing :action, the tools are attached to the nipple Iii and catch .51 is moved on its pivot to permit closingof the valve $3.

In any event, air is taken through the inlet opening in a side wall of the receptacle .andthen -moves into the cover deviceonly through the .dust bag '31, the interior of the :cover device being otherwise sealed off from the interior of the receptacle. The .castors 1| :are shown as perms :nently secured to the receptacle, and when the machine is :asembled, the handle 55 provides a 'eonvenient means for rolling .the machine from one place to another. The whole machine is of comparatively light weight and may readily be made more or less powerful in its action, depending upon thenumber of units 46 employed there- Having thus set forth the nature of my invention. whatlplaim is:

1. In a suction cleaner, a receptacle hav'ingan annular side wall open at its upper end, an annular frame seated on the upper end of said receptacle and forming an annularly continuous air-tight seal therewith, an annular rigid screen member of truncated cone-shape with its larger end being the upper end, said screen member being open at its upper and lower ends and supported at its upper end by said frame and depending into said receptacle, a flexible dust bag having an open end and a closed end and of generally hourglass shape when extended, said open end being engaged and secured about said annular frame outwardly of said screen member. said bag extending in downwardly convergent relation about the outer side of said screen member. in folded relation about the lower end of said screen member, and in upwardly divergent relation within said screen member with its closed end facing upwardly and freely disposed within the open upper end of said screen member. said closed end being of less diameter than the diameter of the upper end of said screen member and of greater diameter than the diameter of the lower end of said screen member, a cover device normally closing the upper end of said receptacle in air-tight fashion and removable therefrom to expose the upper open end of said screen member supported within said receptacle, a suction unit in said cover device for creating a suction upwardly through said dust bag to draw the closed end of said dust bag upwardly within said screen. an inlet in a wall of said receptacle, an outlet in said cover device, means for detachably securing said cover device to said receptacle in air-tight relation with said open upper end thereof, and said dust bag adapted upon removal of said cover to have its closed end exposed for shaking purposes and being free to be grasped and moved downwardly through the open lower end of said screen member.

2. In a suction cleaner, a housing having a lower receptacle part and an upper cover part including a top wall and a side wall, said lower. receptacle part having an air inlet and said upper cover part having an exhaust outlet in said top wall and a blower outlet in said side wall. a suction unit within said housing having a lower inlet end and an upper outlet end for creating a suction through said air inlet of said receptacle part, a removable means for normally closing said blower outlet, valve means for opening and clos-- ing said exhaust outlet comprising a vertically movable post within said exhaust outlet, guide means for said post, a valve head upon the lower end of said post adapted in a relatively raised Number said suction unit and movable thereby to close said exhaust outlet by the pressure of said air,

'a movable means normally in the path of upward -movement of said post for maintaining said valve head in open position, and said movable means 10 shiftable to release said post for movement of said .valve head to closed relation with said exhaust outlet.

MOSS A. KENT.

, References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date 1,198,968 Stevens Sept. 19, 1916 Number Number Name Date Adams June 23, 1936 Paine July 14, 1936 Baker July 31, 1945 McAllister May 11, 1948 Kirby .Mar. 14, 1950 McAllister May 16, 1950 Lewyt et a1 July 25, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date 7 Great Britain Aug. 12, 1926 Great Britain Sept. 1. 1932 France Oct. 1, 1945

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