Patent ID: 8112841
Filing Date: 2012-02-14
Classification: A47L,B08B,Y10S

Abstract:
1. An apparatus having a vacuum cleaning device and ultraviolet (UV) light sterilizing device for use in combination to clean and sterilize a cleaning medium, the apparatus comprising: a vacuum assembly for vacuuming a cleaning medium, the vacuum assembly having a vacuum motor for powering the vacuum; a lower housing assembly having an UV light source, the light source positioned to direct UV light onto the cleaning medium, the UV light source emitting UV light when provided with electrical power; electrical circuitry for controlling a supply of electrical power to the vacuum motor and UV light source, the circuitry having a microprocessor and multiple safety switches, the vacuum motor and UV light source electrically connected to the electrical circuitry; an upper housing assembly pivotally attached to the lower housing assembly, the upper housing assembly movable between an in-use position, and a storage position wherein the upper housing assembly is maintained in a substantially upright position; an upper-housing position safety switch connected to the UV light source through the electrical circuitry, the upper-housing position safety switch for preventing supply of electrical power to the UV light source when the upper housing is in a substantially upright position; the upper housing having a manual on/off power switch connected to the UV light source through the electrical circuitry, the manual on/off switch for controlling supply of electrical power to the UV light source; the upper housing having a handle, a handle safety switch attached to the handle and connected to the UV light source through the electrical circuitry, the handle safety switch operable to prevent power supply to the UV light source unless the handle safety switch is activated by constant contact by a user; the lower housing having a tilt safety switch, the tilt safety switch connected to the circuitry and operable to prevent supply of electrical power to the UV light source if the tilt switch is tilted more than a pre-selected degree; the lower housing having at least one cleaning medium contact switch mounted to a portion of the lower housing, each medium contact switch connected to the UV light source through the electrical circuitry, each medium contact switch operable to prevent supply of electrical power to the UV light source when the portion of the lower housing is lifted a preselected distance from the cleaning medium.