Patent ID: 6553611
Filing Date: 2003-04-29
Classification: A47L

Abstract:
A vacuum cleaner comprising:a lower base unit; an upper enclosure being pivotable with respect to the lower base unit; a motor disposed within the lower base unit; a power cord having a first end affixed to at least one of said upper portion and said base unit, and a second end adapted for connecting to an electrical power source; electrical conductors extending between said first end of said power cord and said motor, said electrical conductors defining an electrical power circuit to said motor; and a thermal cutoff assembly including a temperature sensor disposed proximate to said motor for measuring the temperature of said motor, said thermal cutoff assembly further including a switching element in electrical association with said electrical conductors, wherein upon the temperature sensor sensing a temperature greater than a predetermined temperature setpoint, said switching element opens said electrical power circuit; wherein once said switching element has opened said electrical power circuit, said switching element closes said electrical power circuit only upon the temperature sensor sensing a temperature less than the predetermined temperature setpoint and after said thermal cutoff assembly has been disconnected from said electrical power source.