Abstract:
The disclosure provides a system having a cage mounted in an air-moving system, such as a wet and dry vacuum cleaner, which provides energy-absorbing structural ribbing for a more robust cage. The energy-absorbing ribs can tolerate impacts better than the relatively stiff, axial ribs aligned in a longitudinal direction of the cage found in prior efforts. The energy-absorbing ribs are formed in a non-aligned direction to the longitudinal axis, that is, at some non-zero angle to the axis. Circumferential ribs can be formed at some angle to the energy-absorbing ribs.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appl. No. 60/739,814, filed Nov. 23, 2005, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]     Not applicable.  
       REFERENCE TO APPENDIX  
       [0003]     Not applicable.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0005]     The disclosure relates to the field of air-moving systems. More specifically, the disclosure relates to air-moving systems having replaceable filters, such as vacuum cleaners and air-filtration devices.  
         [0006]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0007]     Vacuum cleaners are notoriously dusty and dirty, requiring some method to separate the dust and the dirt from air that is exhausted back into the surroundings. Hence, filters are commonly used to perform this separation function. There often is a need to remove and re-attach the filter, for example, when cleaning the filter or replacing it with a new filter. With the type of vacuum cleaners known as “wet/dry” vacuum cleaners, the filter is often also removed when the vacuum cleaner is suctioning liquids. Thus, special structures accompany a typical wet/dry vacuum cleaner to accommodate removing and replacing the filter.  
         [0008]     Typically, a suction system with a motor creates the vacuum and is mounted in a lid that is removably attached to a collection drum for receiving the vacuumed materials. A portion of the lid, herein termed a mounting assembly, extends at least partially downward into the drum and mounts a filter support assembly, such as commonly known as a “cage,” that generally covers a vacuum intake to the suction assembly in the lid. The cage can be made of plastic such as polypropylene, is generally a cylindrically-shaped molded part having a series of axial and circumferential ribs with a large percentage of open surface area to support the filter extended around the cage, and prevents radially inward collapse of the filter during operation. The axial ribs align with a longitudinal axis through the cage and the circumferential ribs are generally at rights angles to the axial ribs. The cage construction creates a relatively stiff component in the axial direction. In addition to supporting the filter, the cage provides a safety shield from access to the impeller, and contains a float that protects the vacuum cleaner from water being inadvertently suctioned into the impeller.  
         [0009]     The vacuum system inside the lid suctions external dirty air or water through a hose into an opening in the drum or lid so that the dirt or water is deposited into the drum. Remaining material, mainly air, then flows radially inward through the filter for removal of dirt and debris and continues through the cage into a suction impeller in the lid, and then is exhausted from the vacuum cleaner.  
         [0010]     The filter is commonly attached to the mounting assembly by a threaded stud on the end of the cage and places the filter in axial compression, utilizing the longitudinal stiffness of the axial ribs. The filter is inserted over the cage, and a mounting flange of rigid material, such as plastic, is attached to the cage or mounting assembly and used to compress or “sandwich” the filter between the flange and the mounting assembly. The compressive force on the entire filter body and its filter element is the primary force used to seal the filter to the vacuum cleaner and prevent unwanted leakage through the vacuum cleaner. Thus, a structurally sound and supportive cage is important to the overall function of the filter and in general the vacuum cleaner. The filter may also be attached in position by some other method, such as clamping one or more seals of the filter directly to the mounting assembly or lid. A structurally rigid cage is again necessary to guard against entry of unwanted objects, or fingers, into the impeller and to house the intake cutoff float.  
         [0011]     Experience has shown that the cage can become damaged in handling and operation in part due to the significant stiffness caused by the axial ribs. The damaged cage may not support the intended axial forces on the cage, the filter or both.  
         [0012]     Therefore, there remains a need for an improved cage design and system for such a vacuum cleaner and other air-moving systems.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0013]     The disclosure provides a system having a cage mounted in an air-moving system, such as a wet and dry vacuum cleaner, which provides energy-absorbing structural ribbing for a more robust cage. The energy-absorbing ribs can tolerate impacts better than the relatively stiff, axial ribs aligned in a longitudinal direction of the cage found in prior efforts. The energy-absorbing ribs are formed in a non-aligned direction to the longitudinal axis, that is, at some non-zero angle to the axis. Circumferential ribs can be formed at some angle to the energy-absorbing ribs.  
         [0014]     In at least one embodiment, the disclosure provides an air-moving system coupled with a filter, comprising: a cage adapted to be fixedly coupled to a vacuum intake portion of the air-moving system, the cage having a longitudinal axis and comprising: one or more longitudinally angled ribs disposed at an angle greater than zero degrees and less than 90 degrees to the longitudinal axis and spaced a distance from the longitudinal axis about a perimeter of the cage.  
         [0015]     The disclosure also provides an air-moving system coupled with a filter, comprising: a mounting assembly of the air-moving system; a cage adapted to be fixedly coupled to the mounting assembly adjacent a vacuum intake on the system, the cage having a longitudinal axis and comprising: one or more longitudinally angled ribs disposed at an angle greater than zero degrees and less than 90 degrees to the longitudinal axis and spaced a distance from the longitudinal axis about a perimeter of the cage; and one or more circumferential ribs disposed at an angle to the longitudinally angled ribs and coupled to the longitudinally angled ribs about the cage perimeter. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]     A more particular description, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to the embodiments illustrated in the appended drawings, forming part of the present specification and described herein. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only some embodiments described herein and are therefore not to be considered limiting of the disclosure&#39;s scope, in that there can be other equally effective embodiments.  
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a perspective bottom schematic view of an exemplary filter of the present disclosure.  
         [0018]      FIG. 2  is a perspective cross sectional schematic view of the exemplary filter, showing the filter seals, filter element, and cap.  
         [0019]      FIG. 3  is a perspective schematic view of an exemplary mounting assembly of the vacuum cleaner in a first position, having a cage upon which the filter is mounted.  
         [0020]      FIG. 4  is a perspective schematic view of an exemplary mounting assembly of the vacuum cleaner in a second position.  
         [0021]      FIG. 5  is a perspective schematic view of cam details of the exemplary mounting assembly of the vacuum cleaner.  
         [0022]      FIG. 6  is a perspective schematic bottom view of an exemplary filter clamp coupled with the mounting assembly.  
         [0023]      FIG. 7  is a cross sectional schematic view of the vacuum cleaner mounting assembly with the filter mounted thereto.  
         [0024]      FIG. 8  is a schematic perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the vacuum cleaner system. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0025]      FIG. 1  is a perspective schematic view of an exemplary filter of the present disclosure.  FIG. 2  is a perspective cross sectional schematic view of the exemplary filter, showing the filter seals, filter element, and cap. The figures will be described in conjunction with each other. The filter  2  includes a filter element  4  having a seal  6  disposed on a lower end (relative to the figure orientation) and a filter cap  8  disposed on an upper end distal from the seal  6 . The cap  8  can include a handle  10  for convenience in handling the filter. The components are disposed along a longitudinal axis  18 . The filter element  4  is generally porous material, such as cloth or paper, and can be reinforced with metal or plastic mesh. The filter seal  6  is generally formed from a non-porous material to reduce leakage therethrough and is sealed at the interface of the filter element. Advantageously, the seal can be made of a variety of flexible elastomeric materials that can be stretched and compressed and formed to various shapes, known to those with ordinary skill in the art. It is to be understood that the filter shape and configuration can vary within the scope of the claims herein with the primary goal of sealing the filter to the vacuum cleaner so as to inhibit undesired flow through the vacuum cleaner to which the filter is attached.  
         [0026]     The filter seal  6  can include a lateral seal portion  12  and a longitudinal seal portion  14  coupled thereto. The lateral seal portion  12  extends radially inward toward the longitudinal axis  18  and seals with the mounting system  24 , shown in  FIG. 3 . The lateral seal portion has a thickness and composition sufficient to be compressed between two adjacent surfaces, described below, and maintain resiliency upon release. Generally, the lateral seal portion  12  is sized smaller across its diametrical dimension  16  than a corresponding diametrical dimension of the cage, so that the lateral seal portion is stretched over the relevant cage section and then resiliently contracts when positioned into an undercut portion  34  after encompassing the cage.  
         [0027]     The longitudinal seal portion  14  can provide additional flexibility by providing a flexible moment arm for lateral movement of the lateral seal portion  12  as it is stretched and compressed into position. The longitudinal seal portion  14  can be formed with the lateral seal portion  12  to form a unitary “L” shaped member. Still further, some embodiments can include a centering flange (not shown) coupled to the filter seal  6 , such as to the lateral seal portion  12  or the longitudinal seal portion  14 , to form a “T” shaped member. The centering flange can be useful in initial alignments of the filter to the cage, or alignment of other members to the filter.  
         [0028]     While the filter seal  6  and other components are described in terms of various members, it is understood that such description is for convenience of the reader in identifying different portions, because one or more of the members can be integrally formed, in keeping with the definition of “coupling” herein. The term “coupled,” “coupling,” and like terms are used broadly herein and can include any method or device for securing, binding, bonding, fastening, attaching, joining, inserting therein, forming thereon or therein, communicating, or otherwise associating, for example, mechanically, magnetically, electrically, chemically, directly or indirectly with intermediate elements, one or more pieces of members together and can further include without limitation integrally forming one functional member with another in a unity fashion. The coupling can occur in any direction, including rotationally. Further, the term “end” is used broadly and generally includes the end of the effective filter used for filtering a media passing therethrough for purposes for which the filter was intended.  
         [0029]      FIG. 3  is a perspective schematic view of an exemplary mounting assembly of the vacuum cleaner in a first position, having a cage upon which the filter is mounted.  FIG. 4  is a perspective schematic view of an exemplary mounting assembly of the vacuum cleaner in a second position. The figures will be described in conjunction with each other.  
         [0030]     The system  22  includes an exemplary mounting assembly  24  of the vacuum cleaner having a cage  26  upon which the filter  2  is mounted. In at least some embodiments, the mounting assembly is coupled to a lid of the vacuum cleaner. The system  22  can include other components of a vacuum cleaner, such as the drum into which waste is disposed and to which the lid is generally coupled. Further the mounting assembly can include a suction system having a motor, rotatable impeller to create a suction, exhaust, controls and other components known to those with ordinary skill in the art. For clarity, the other portions of the vacuum cleaner are not illustrated in this figure.  
         [0031]     A cage  26  is generally coupled to the mounting assembly  24 . The cage includes one or more openings  28  to provide for the flow of air or other media downstream of the filter through the openings and into the mounting assembly  24  for vacuum and subsequent exhaust, as described herein. The cage can further include a centering step  62  for a corresponding recess in the filter cap  8  to slide over the centering step and assist in centering and retaining the filter to the cage.  
         [0032]     The cage  26  can be constructed with energy-absorbing structural ribbing. For example, the cage includes one or more longitudinally angled ribs  80  that are formed at a non-zero angle a, shown in  FIG. 7 , to the longitudinal axis  18 . The one or more longitudinally angled ribs  80  can form a “barber-pole” arrangement around the perimeter ofthe cage with a relatively constant rate of twist. The ribs  80  form a support for the cage, such as being coupled with an end of the cage to which the cage is coupled to the mounting assembly. An impact or other stress load applied to the cage  26 , such as in the longitudinally direction, can be at least partially absorbed by the longitudinally angled ribs  80  through a bending deflection corresponding to a stress-strain relationship and modulus of elasticity of the material used for the ribs  80  and connected structure. Essentially, the longitudinally angled ribs  80  can function with a “spring” action from the impact or other stress loads.  
         [0033]     One or more circumferential ribs  82  can be coupled to the longitudinally angled ribs  80 . The circumferential ribs are disposed at some angle to the longitudinally angled ribs and spacing to each other, as is appropriate for the particular size and use with due consideration for air flow, as would be known to those with ordinary skill in the art, given the present disclosure.  
         [0034]     The relative sizes and overlapping portions between the ribs  80 ,  82  can vary. In at least one embodiment, the inner surface  84  of the longitudinally angled ribs  80  can extend radially inward (toward the longitudinal axis) from the corresponding inner surface  88  of the circumferential ribs  82  to enable a float to slide longitudinally inside the cage without interference from the circumferential ribs. Similarly, the outer surface  86  of the longitudinally angled ribs  80  can extend radially outward from the corresponding outer surface  90  of the circumferential ribs  82  to allow the filter  2  to slide over the cage without interference from the circumferential ribs. Other relative positions between the inner and outer surfaces are contemplated, including but not limited to the inner surfaces  84 ,  88  being radially disposed at the same or nearly same distance from the longitudinal axis relative to each other. Similarly, the outer surfaces  86 ,  90  can be radially disposed at about the same distance from the longitudinal axis relative to each other.  
         [0035]     A filter clamp  30  is rotationally coupled to the mounting assembly  24 . In the embodiment shown, the filter clamp  30  includes a clamp ring  40  rotationally coupled to the mounting assembly  24  and an actuator  42  to rotate the clamp ring about an axis, such as the longitudinal axis  18 . The term “ring” is used broadly and can include a continuous or discontinuous set of components. The actuator  42  can include a lever as shown, solenoid, stepper motor, and other manual, mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, or pneumatic actuator. In the embodiment shown, an opening  66 , such as a slot, is formed in the mounting assembly  24  to conveniently allow the actuator  42  to rotate between first and second positions with built-in stops at each position. An optional floating seal  32  can be coupled to the filter clamp  30  that can be raised and lowered with the filter clamp and particularly the clamp ring  40  between different positions.  
         [0036]     The mounting assembly  24  includes an undercut portion  34 . The undercut portion is sized smaller in cross sectional dimension than an adjacent portion of the cage  26  to provide a location for the lateral seal portion  12  of the filter seal  6  to be relaxed into a reduced radial dimension after stretching over the cage. The clamp ring  40  and the optional floating seal  32  coupled thereto are disposed about the undercut portion and move longitudinally along its length between the first and second positions. The undercut portion  34  allows the seal  6  to move radially inward after stretching over the cage  26  and be compressed between opposing surfaces when the filter clamp is rotated to form a sealing engagement between the seal  6  and the mounting assembly  24 . The lateral seal portion  12  of the seal  6  in the undercut portion can be pinched between opposing surfaces to effect a sealing engagement with the filter and the mounting assembly. Further, the floating seal  32  can include a seal surface  36 , and the mounting assembly can include a mounting flange  38 , such as on a portion of the cage  26 . A change in distances between the seal surface  36  and the mounting flange  38  due to the longitudinal movement of the filter clamp causes the portion of the seal  6  in the undercut portion to be selectively compressed and released.  
         [0037]     In operation, the filter clamp  30  can be rotated to a first position, such as an open position, shown in  FIG. 3 . The filter  2  can be placed over the cage  26  by stretching the seal  6  over the cage and pushing the filter toward the undercut portion  34 . The seal  6  relaxes at least partially upon encountering the smaller cross section of the undercut portion  34  to protrude into the undercut portion. Meanwhile, the distal end of the filter with the cap  8  can engage the centering step  62  to assist in securing the filter to the mounting assembly.  
         [0038]     The filter clamp  30  can be rotated to a second position such as a closed position, as shown in  FIG. 4 . The rotational movement to the closed position causes longitudinal movement of the filter clamp  30  toward the seal  6  and the flange  38  due to cams  44  below the filter clamp, described herein. The portion of the seal  6  disposed between the filter clamp  30  and the flange  38  is compressed or “pinched” therebetween, thus effecting a sealing engagement with the filter and mounting assembly. To release the filter, the filter clamp  30  is rotated to the first position and the clamp is lowered away from the flange  38 , thus releasing the seal  6 . The filter cap handle  10  is grasped and the filter is pulled off the cage by stretching the seal  6  over the cage. If there is a floating seal  32  with a seal surface  36  coupled to the filter clamp  30 , the seal  6  is compressed between the seal surface  36  and the flange  38  when the filter clamp is rotated, so that it moves longitudinally toward the flange  38 .  
         [0039]      FIG. 5  is a perspective schematic view of cam details of the exemplary mounting assembly of the vacuum cleaner. The mounting assembly  24  includes one or more cams  44 . The quantity of cams is variable, generally more than one, and, for example and without limitation, can be five in at least one embodiment. The cam  44  extends upward in the direction of the longitudinal axis  18  to cause longitudinal movement of the filter clamp  30 . The cam  44  generally includes a sloped cam elevating surface  46 . The elevating surface  46  cooperates with the filter clamp  30 , shown in  FIGS. 3-4 , to raise and lower the filter clamp in the direction of the longitudinal axis, depending on the filter clamp position along the elevating surface. For example, as the filter clamp is rotated along the sloped elevating surface, the change in elevation causes the filter clamp to be raised along the longitudinal axis  18  to cause the clamping action on the seal  6 , described herein. The cam  44  can further include a detent  48  at or near the top of the cam. The detent can be a lowered indention or raised step to assist in maintaining the clamping and keep the filter clamp from unintentionally loosening from a desired position. The cam can further include a cam stop  50  at an end of the cam to limit the amount of travel of the filter clamp. A cam neutral surface  52  between the cam stop  50  and the elevating surface  46  can provide a transition surface that neither raises or lowers the filter clamp.  
         [0040]     The mounting assembly  24  can further include an inlet  54 . Media, such as air, flows from the outside of the filter  2 , shown in  FIG. 1 , through the filter element and then into the inlet  54  to inner components such as an impeller adjacent to the mounting assembly  24 , and then is exhausted from the vacuum cleaner.  
         [0041]      FIG. 6  is a perspective schematic bottom view of an exemplary filter clamp coupled with the mounting assembly. The filter clamp  30  includes the clamp ring  40  and the clamp actuator  42 , described above. The clamp ring  40  further includes one or more cam followers  56  dimensioned to correspond to the locations of the cams  44  on the mounting assembly  24 , shown in  FIG. 5 . In general, each cam follower  56  engages its respective cam as the actuator  42  rotates the clamp ring  40  to raise and lower the filter clamp along the longitudinal axis  18 .  
         [0042]      FIG. 7  is a cross sectional schematic view of the vacuum cleaner mounting assembly with the filter mounted thereto. The system  22  includes the mounting assembly  24  with the cage  26  coupled thereto. The cage includes one or more longitudinally angled ribs  80  that are formed at a non-zero angle α to the longitudinal axis  18 . The angle α can be from greater than zero degrees to less than 90 degrees, preferably between about 15 degrees to about 75 degrees, and more optimally from about 30 degrees to about 60 degrees.  
         [0043]     A filter  2  having a filter element  4  with a cap  8  on one end and a seal  6  on the other end is coupled to the cage  26 . The seal  6  is disposed toward the end of the cage  26  proximal to the mounting assembly, so that the lateral seal portion  12  is longitudinally disposed in the undercut portion  34 . The cage  26  can further support the cap  8  of the filter  2  by engagement of the cap recess  64  with the centering step  62  of the cage upon mounting.  
         [0044]     A seal  58  can be disposed between the cage and the mounting assembly, such as at an interface  60  between the cage and the mounting assembly. The seal  58  can further be coupled as a separate or integral unit with the mounting flange  38  described above to assist in the longitudinal compression and sealing of the seal  6  in the clamping process.  
         [0045]     The floating seal  32  can be coupled to the filter clamp  30  between the clamp ring  40  and the lateral seal portion  12  of the seal  6  to further assist in the longitudinal compression and sealing ofthe seal  6  in the clamping process. The filter clamp  30  is disposed above the cams  44 . The cam follower  56  can engage the cam  44  to cause the filter clamp to raise and lower (relative to the figure) and selectively engage the lateral seal portion  12 . While raising the filter clamp, the seal surface  36  of the optional floating seal  32  engages the lateral seal portion  12 . Raising the clamp ring  40  further clamps the lateral seal portion  12  of the seal  6  between the seal surface  36  and the mounting flange  38 .  
         [0046]      FIG. 8  is a schematic perspective view of an exemplary air-moving system  22 . The exemplary system shown in  FIG. 8  is a wet/dry vacuum cleaner  100  that includes a collection drum  112  and a lid  114  removably attached to the collection drum  112  such that the lid  114  can be removed to empty debris or liquids contained therein. As with known wet/dry vacuums, a motor is generally coupled to the mounting assembly on the inside portion of the lid  114  of the vacuum cleaner  100 , which is operable to create the vacuum inside the collection drum  112  to draw debris or liquid into the collection drum  112  through an inlet port  116 . The collection drum further includes a drain  118  so that liquid can be emptied from the collection drum  112  without removing the lid  114 . The vacuum cleaner  100  generally includes the mounting assembly  24 , cage  26 , and filter  2 , described above, coupled to the underside of the lid  114 .  
         [0047]     The various steps described or claimed herein can be combined with other steps, can occur in a variety of sequences unless otherwise specifically limited, various steps can be interlineated with the stated steps, and the stated steps can be split into multiple steps. Unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, should be understood to imply the inclusion of at least the stated element or step or group of elements or steps or equivalents thereof, and not the exclusion of any other element or step or group of elements or steps or equivalents thereof Also, any directions such as “top,” “bottom,” “left,” “right,” “upper,” “lower,” and other directions and orientations are described herein for clarity in reference to the figures and are not to be limiting of the actual device or system or use of the device or system. The device or system may be used in a number of directions and orientations.  
         [0048]     The invention has been described in the context of preferred, and other embodiments and not every embodiment of the invention has been described. Obvious modifications and alterations to the described embodiments are available to those of ordinary skill in the art. The disclosed and undisclosed embodiments are not intended to limit or restrict the scope or applicability of the invention conceived of by the Applicant(s), but rather, in conformity with the patent laws, Applicant(s) intend to protect all such modifications and improvements to the full extent that such falls within the scope or range of equivalent of the following claims.  
         [0049]     Further, any documents to which reference is made in the application for this patent as well as all references listed in any list of references filed with the application are hereby incorporated by reference. However, to the extent statements might be considered inconsistent with the patenting of this invention such statements are expressly not to be considered as made by the Applicant(s).