ADAPTER RING FOR VACUUM CLEANER FILTERS

A filter adapter for engaging a filter to fit the filter into a vacuum cleaner chamber. The filter adapter includes an adapter ring having an inner ring perimeter and an outer ring perimeter, and a number of protrusions extending from the outer perimeter of the ring. Alternatively, there is provided an adapter ring and filter assembly for use in a vacuum cleaner chamber. The assembly includes a filter having an outer filter perimeter, and an adapter ring having an inner ring perimeter configured to surround the outer filter perimeter and an outer ring perimeter configured to contact an inner surface of the vacuum cleaner chamber.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It has been found that the process of designing and manufacturing vacuum cleaner filters can be expedited and simplified by modifying vacuum cleaner filters to operate in multiple different vacuum cleaners. The following embodiments describe unique exemplary arrangements for providing adapter rings for vacuum cleaner filters. It will be appreciated that embodiments may be used upright, canister, robotic, stick, central, and other kinds of vacuum cleaner, and also that embodiments may be used for pre-motor or post-motor filters.

FIG. 1illustrates an exemplary adapter ring100. The adapter ring100is configured to engage a filter that removes dirt and other debris suctioned by a vacuum cleaner. In an exemplary embodiment, adapter ring100will engage with a filter to enlarge the effective circumference of the frame of the filter. By enlarging the circumference of the filter, the filter may be adapted to properly fit into a particular vacuum cleaner, other than the vacuum cleaner in which the filter was originally designed to fit. For example, a filter having a diameter that is otherwise too small for a particular vacuum cleaner filter chamber may be adapted by the adapter ring100to properly fit within the chamber. The shown embodiment increases the effective circumference of a circular filter to fit into a larger circular chamber, but other embodiments may change the effective perimeter shape, such as by converting a circular filter to fit into a square chamber.

As depicted inFIG. 1, adapter ring100includes an outer perimeter102and an inner perimeter104. The inner perimeter104is configured to engage a filter having a similar outer surface shape. In the embodiment ofFIG. 1, the inner perimeter104is annular, to engage a filter also having an annular outer surface. However, an adapter ring10may be shaped (and sized) in any manner necessary to engage a particular filter. For example, alternative embodiments of the present invention may include a ring that is rectangular (FIG. 6), square, polygon, oval, etc. Further, an adapter ring100may be sized to engage with a filter of various sizes to fit within particular vacuum cleaners and may be formed of any material that suitably engages with a filter. For instance, inner perimeter104may be formed of plastic, metal, rubber, etc., to engage with outer perimeter202of filter200(FIG. 2). It will be appreciated that inner perimeter104need not exactly match the entire outer perimeter202of the filter200, but it should match enough of the outer perimeter202to engaged the filter200to remain in place during installation into the vacuum cleaner and during use.

In an exemplary embodiment, at least one rib extends outwardly from outer perimeter102of adapter ring100. In a preferred embodiment, at least three ribs, e.g., ribs106,108,110extend outwardly from adapter ring100. Ribs106,108,110may be spaced about the adapter ring100equidistantly from each other. In other embodiments, ribs may be spaced from each other in varying distances. Ribs106,108,110may extend perpendicularly from the outer perimeter102of adapter ring100. However, ribs may extend in any direction or formation, e.g., horizontally, diagonally, cross-wise, etc. Ribs106,108,110are intended to enlarge the circumferential size of filter200to adapt filter200to properly fit into a particular vacuum cleaner. In one embodiment, ribs106,108,110are a plastic material. However, adapter ring100may be made of any other suitable material, such as metal, rubber, etc.

The ribs may have any size or shape to adapt a filter to a particular chamber of a vacuum cleaner. In the embodiment ofFIG. 1, the ribs106,108extend between an upper edge112and a lower edge114of the adapter ring110, and have rounded corners116at each end where the ribs106,108,110terminate ad the upper and lower edges112,114. Other ribs, however, may be have different shapes, and may include straight lines, jagged edges, curves, angles, etc. The ribs also may not extend entirely from the upper edge112to the lower edge114, or may extend beyond one or both edges112,114. The ribs also may be angled or perpendicular to the shown ribs (e.g., a rib may be provided as an annular wall that extends from the outer perimeter102around all or some of the outer perimeter102). One of ordinary skill in the art will understand the sizes and shapes that the ribs may take to adapt a filter for properly fitting the filter into a particular vacuum cleaner.

Inner perimeter104of adapter ring100, and outer perimeter102of adapter ring100, may be shaped and sized similarly. For instance, both inner perimeter104and outer perimeter102may be shaped annularly. However, in alternative embodiments, inner perimeter of ring and outer perimeter of ring may take on shapes and sizes that are different from one another. Such difference in size between inner perimeter104and outer perimeter102may result in various thicknesses of the ring (and the adapted filter). This thickness between outer perimeter102and inner perimeter104may be configured to vary according to the particular vacuum cleaner that the filter is being adapted to fit. For example, if a large spacing is present between filter200and a wall of the vacuum cleaner chamber, the thickness of adapter ring100may be increased accordingly.

Adapter ring100engages filter200when inner perimeter104of adapter ring100contacts outer perimeter202of filter200(FIG. 2). In an exemplary embodiment, outer perimeter202of filter200defines the circumferential size of filter200. The circumferential size of outer perimeter202may be used to determine the sizing of filter200with respect to a particular vacuum cleaner. If the circumference of outer perimeter202is too large, for example, filter200will not be placeable into the chamber of the vacuum cleaner. Conversely, if the circumference of outer perimeter202is too small for a particular vacuum cleaner, filter200will jostle, rattle, or otherwise move laterally or vertically within the vacuum cleaner. As it does so, it may no longer seal properly with the airflow passages that direct air to or from the filter200.

In the shown embodiment, the filter's outer perimeter202is defined by the filter's frame206. Frame206may be formed of any material typically used for frames of a filter, such as plastic. The frame206may extend the full height of the filter200, and may include other features, such as a cross-shaped structure at the top of the filter200having a handle208that may be used to insert and remove the filter200from the filter chamber. The handle208also may be used to orient the filter200or for other purposes as known in the art.

The filter200also includes a filter element204. Filter element204may be formed of any material typically used for filtering dust or other debris. For example, filter element204may be paper, fiberglass, foam, etc. As depicted inFIG. 2, filter element204is located within frame206. The performance of a particular filter is typically defined by the filter grade of filter element204. A foam filter element204, for example, may be graded to filter relatively large particles, whereas a filter element204conforming to High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) or an Ultra-Low Penetration Air (ULPA) standards, may be graded to filter relatively small particles. The filter element204may include multiple layers of similar or dissimilar filter material, as known in the art. In some cases, the filter element204may have sufficient structural properties that a frame206is not necessary or used.

In the example ifFIG. 2, the filter200also includes a bottom portion210made from an extension of the frame206. The bottom portion210may be provided to seal against a chamber wall, and may include a lower seal212that seals around an exhaust or inlet passage of a vacuum fan. In an exemplary embodiment, depicted onFIG. 2, bottom portion210may flare away from filter200. In such an embodiment, bottom portion210will have a circumference larger than the circumference of outer perimeter202.

As shown inFIG. 3, adapter ring100engages with filter200. In particular, inner perimeter104of adapter ring100engages with outer perimeter202of filter200. The circumference of inner perimeter104is configured to be slightly larger than the circumference of outer perimeter202so that adapter ring100slides into place around outer perimeter202. The sizes of the parts may be selected to provide a removable connection (e.g., a slight friction fit or deformable snaps), or to provide a permanent connection (e.g., a tight friction fit or snaps that do not permit removal). In an exemplary embodiment, adapter ring100is engaged with filter200by lightly pressing adapter ring100upon and about outer perimeter202of filter200. When adapter ring100is engaged to filter200, adapter ring100preferably fits snugly upon filter200so that it does not jostle, rattle, or otherwise be displaced from filter200during normal use and handling. When inner perimeter104of adapter ring100is fit upon outer perimeter202of filter200, the lower edge114of adapter ring100abuts against the upper part of bottom portion210of filter200.

As noted above, the exemplary adapter ring100includes a plurality of ribs106,108,110that extend outwardly from adapter ring100to enlarge the effective circumference of adapter ring100. When adapter ring100is engaged with filter200, filter200will also have a larger effective circumference. Where it is desired to fit the filter200to a larger circular chamber, the use of three or more ribs106,108,110is preferred, as making three contact points to the inner surface of the circular chamber will effectively resist movement in any direction in the plane of the filter200. However, two diametrically-opposed ribs alternatively may be used, which may provide good support, but also may be more subject to forces applied perpendicular to the line formed between the two ribs. The use of more than three ribs may be used in any event, and may be helpful to hold the filter200in a chamber that has an irregular or non-circular shape. Other variations and modifications will be apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art in view of the present disclosure.

In alternative embodiments, such as the example ofFIG. 4, an adapter ring may have no ribs. Adapter ring400is sized and shaped such that it expands the circumference of filter200without one or more ribs extending from the adapter ring400. Rather, the thickness of adapter ring400determines whether a filter200will be adapted to properly fit into a vacuum cleaner. In such cases, the circumference of outer perimeter402of adapter ring400is sized such that filter200will properly fit inside a particular vacuum cleaner chamber. In this case, the outer perimeter402may be a smooth shape (i.e., uninterrupted by ribs or the like) that continuously contacts a correspondingly-shaped vacuum cleaner chamber, and may also provide an air seal. As a result, the filter will not jostle, rattle, or otherwise move in an undesired way. Adapter ring400may be formed of foam, although other materials may be used for the ring.

In the embodiment ofFIG. 4, adapter ring400engages filter200by wrapping around the enlarged bottom portion210of filter200. In this embodiment, the adapter ring400has a bottom portion406that extends around the lower edge of the filter's bottom portion210, and an inner surface404that overlies the vertical side of the filter's bottom portion210, and an upper portion408that extends around an upper side of the filter's bottom portion210. Thus, adapter ring400engages with filter200to that they will not separate during handling or use. Instead, ring400will only disengage when the user pulls top portion408and/or bottom portion406of ring400far enough to allow the filter200to be removed. The top and/or bottom portion408,406may be formed of a pliable material, such as foam, rubber or soft plastic, to allow installation and removal.

In another embodiment, the adapter ring400may comprises a simple ring that fits over the upper part of the filter200. For example, the adapter ring400may comprise a circular foam block with a hole sized to fit over filter200. Other variations and modifications will be apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art in view of the present disclosure.

Another alternative embodiment of an adapter ring500is depicted inFIG. 5. Adapter ring500includes at least one clamp for attaching adapter ring500to filter200. In a preferred embodiment, adapter ring500will have at least three clamps506,508,510for engaging adapter ring500to filter200. Clamps506,508,510attach to bottom portion210of filter200. Clamps506,508,510are used to securely affix adapter ring500to filter200. Clamps506,508,510are also used to enlarge the effective circumference of filter200. To securely affix each clamp506,508,510to filter200, adapter ring500includes, on clamp inner surface518, a flange or other member for affixing adapter ring500to filter200. For example, as depicted onFIG. 5, clamp508includes a horizontally extending coupling member516for engaging adapter ring500to bottom portion210of filter200. However, coupling member516may affix to the side, bottom, or any other surface of filter200.

Clamps506,508,510also include clamp outer surface520. In an exemplary embodiment, clamp outer surface520includes at least one rib extending outwardly from clamp outer surface520(e.g., vertically extending ribs512,514of clamp510). Ribs512,514may be used to enlarge the effective circumferential size of adapter ring500. Thus, when adapter ring500is engaged with filter200, the effective circumference of filter200is enlarged by way of the outwardly extending ribs. As discussed above, by enlarging the effective circumference of filter200, adapter ring500permits filter200to be properly sized for a particular vacuum cleaner, e.g., adapter ring500prevents filter200from jostling, rattling, or otherwise moving when the vacuum cleaner is in operation.

In some embodiments, inner perimeter504of adapter ring500may assist in coupling adapter ring500to filter200. In particular, inner perimeter504will fit over, and engage with, outer perimeter202of filter200. To ensure a snug fit of adapter ring500, inner perimeter504of adapter ring500should be slightly larger than outer perimeter202of filter200, as discussed above for adapter ring100. Thus, inner perimeter504, in combination with clamps506,508,510, will ensure adapter ring500is snugly fit upon filter200. Thus, adapter ring500will not disengage from filter200during normal operation of the vacuum cleaner. To release adapter ring500from filter200, clamps506,508,510may be pulled away from bottom portion210of filter. This movement of clamp will separate coupling member516from bottom portion210of filter.

Although FIGS.1and3-5have depicted rings having an annular shape, alternative embodiments for a ring of the present invention should not be so limited. Alternative embodiments of the ring of present invention may include, for example, many different shapes and sizes for adapting a filter to a particular vacuum cleaner. For example, a ring may be shaped as a parallelogram, oval, rhombus, etc. As depicted onFIG. 6, an adapter ring600may be rectangular (i.e., approximately the shape of a geometric rectangle). Thus, in this embodiment, adapter ring600may be used to engage with a filter (not shown) that is rectangular.

FIG. 6depicts adapter ring600having an inner perimeter604and outer perimeter602. Inner perimeter604engages the outer perimeter of a rectangular filter. An embodiment of adapter ring600will be sized and shaped such that it will snugly engage the rectangular filter, e.g., ring will be sized and shaped so that it will not jostle, rattle, or otherwise move during use of the vacuum cleaner. In one embodiment, inner perimeter604of adapter ring600should be substantially the same size as its corresponding filter, although adapter ring600should be a predetermined size larger than the outer perimeter of a corresponding rectangular filter. Such sizing of adapter ring600will ensure that adapter ring600is properly engaged with the filter.

Adapter ring600also includes a plurality of ribs, e.g.,604,606,608,610, attached to outer perimeter602. In an exemplary embodiment, at least four ribs will extend outwardly from adapter ring600. Ribs604,606,608,610are sized to ensure that the filter engaged with adapter ring600properly fits into a chamber of a particular vacuum cleaner. As such, the filter will be snugly held into place within a vacuum cleaner. The outwardly extending ribs604,606,608,610will contact the housing within the vacuum cleaner to ensure the filter provides a proper fit for a particular vacuum cleaner.

The present disclosure describes a number of new, useful, and nonobvious features and/or combinations of features that may be used alone or together. The embodiments described herein are all exemplary, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Persons of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate and understand that the inventions described herein can be modified and adapted in various and equivalent ways, and such modifications and adaptations are intended to be included in the scope of this disclosure and the appended claims.