Abstract:
A tool caddy selectively connectable to a surface cleaner, the tool caddy including a base having a first accessory attachment feature, and a stem extending substantially perpendicular from the base and disposed substantially central to the base, the stem having a second accessory attachment feature. A combination surface cleaner and a removable tool caddy including a surface cleaner having a handle, a cord, an upper cord hook, and a lower cord hook, and a removable tool caddy having a base and a stem extending substantially perpendicular from the base and disposed substantially central to the base, the stem including a first opening and a flange for receiving the upper cord hook and a second opening for receiving the lower cord hook.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. 62/009,645, filed on Jun. 9, 2014, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    Various exemplary embodiments of the invention relate to a removable tool caddy for a floor cleaning device. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Surface cleaners, for example, upright vacuum cleaners and canister vacuum cleaners are used for cleaning dirt and other debris. Upright vacuum cleaners are typically suited for cleaning floors or similar horizontal surfaces, while canister vacuum cleaners, having a flexible hose, are typically suited to clean other surfaces. Upright vacuum cleaners can be provided with a flexible hose, similar to a canister vacuum, to increase their functionality. To make upright vacuum cleaners with flexible hoses even more versatile, they often come with additional cleaning attachments, for example wand extensions, crevice tools, and cleaning brushes. 
       SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    It is an aspect of the present invention to provide a detachable tool caddy having accessory tools to be removable stored on a surface cleaner such as an upright vacuum. 
         [0005]    The foregoing and/or other aspects of the present invention can be achieved by providing a tool caddy selectively connectable to a surface cleaner, the tool caddy comprising a base having a first accessory attachment feature, and a stem extending substantially perpendicular from the base and disposed substantially central to the base, the stem having a second accessory attachment feature. 
         [0006]    The foregoing and/or other aspects of the present invention can be also achieved by providing a tool caddy selectively connectable to a surface cleaner, the tool caddy comprising a base having a first accessory attachment feature, and a stem extending substantially perpendicular from the base and disposed substantially central to the base, the stem having a first mounting slot, a second mounting slot, and second accessory attachment feature. 
         [0007]    The foregoing and/or other aspects of the present invention can additionally be achieved by providing a tool caddy selectively connectable to a surface cleaner, the tool caddy comprising a base having a hose slot and a wand aperture, and a stem extending substantially perpendicular from the base and disposed substantially central to the base, the stem having a bottom opening, a top opening, a first arm, a second arm, a first clip, and a second clip. 
         [0008]    The foregoing and/or other aspects of the present invention can further be achieved by providing a tool caddy selectively connectable to a surface cleaner, the tool caddy comprising a base having a hose slot and a wand aperture, and a stem extending substantially perpendicular from the base and disposed substantially central to the base, the stem having a bottom opening, a top opening, a first arm, a second arm, a first clip, a second clip, and flange extending proximate the top opening, wherein the top and bottom openings removably connect the tool caddy to a surface cleaner. 
         [0009]    The foregoing and/or other aspects of the present invention can also be achieved by providing a combination surface cleaner and a removable tool caddy comprising a surface cleaner having a handle, a cord, an upper cord hook, and a lower cord hook, and a removable tool caddy having a base and a stem extending substantially perpendicular from the base and disposed substantially central to the base, the stem including a first opening and a flange for receiving the upper cord hook and a second opening for receiving the lower cord hook. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The aspects and features of various exemplary embodiments will be more apparent from the description of those exemplary embodiments taken with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a tool caddy according to a first exemplary embodiment; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of a tool caddy connected to an upright vacuum according to a second exemplary embodiment; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a rear elevational view of the tool caddy connected to the upright vacuum of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is another rear perspective view of the tool caddy connected to the upright vacuum of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a front elevational view of the tool caddy connected to the upright vacuum of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a left side elevational view of the tool caddy connected to the upright vacuum of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a right side elevational view of the tool caddy connected to the upright vacuum of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a rear perspective view of the tool caddy connected to the upright vacuum of  FIG. 2 , with the vacuum cord removed; 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a rear perspective view of the tool caddy and the upright vacuum of  FIG. 2 , with the vacuum cord and tool caddy removed; 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is a rear perspective view of the upright vacuum of  FIG. 2  with the tool caddy removed and the vacuum cord connected to upper and lower cord hooks; 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is a rear elevational view of a tool caddy according to a third exemplary embodiment; 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  is a front elevational view of the tool caddy of  FIG. 11 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 13  is a left side elevational view of the tool caddy of  FIG. 11 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 14  is a rear perspective view of the tool caddy of  FIG. 11  connected to an upright vacuum; 
           [0025]      FIG. 14A  is an enlarged, left side elevational view of the tool caddy and upright vacuum of  FIG. 14 , showing the upper cord hook connection; 
           [0026]      FIG. 15  is an enlarged, exploded, rear perspective view of the tool caddy and upright vacuum of  FIG. 14 , showing the lower cord hook connection; 
           [0027]      FIG. 16  is an enlarged, exploded, left side elevational view of the tool caddy and upright vacuum of  FIG. 14 , showing the lower cord hook connection; 
           [0028]      FIG. 17  is a rear perspective view of the tool caddy and upright vacuum of  FIG. 14 , with the upper hook rotated; 
           [0029]      FIG. 18  is a rear perspective view of the tool caddy and upright vacuum of  FIG. 14  with the upper hook rotated and the tool caddy disengaged from the upright vacuum; 
           [0030]      FIG. 18A  is an enlarged, left side elevational view of the tool caddy and upright vacuum of  FIG. 18 , showing the disengagement of the upper cord hook; 
           [0031]      FIG. 18B  is an enlarged, left side elevational view of the tool caddy and upright vacuum of  FIG. 18 , showing the disengagement of the lower cord hook; and 
           [0032]      FIG. 19  is a rear perspective view of the tool caddy and upright vacuum of  FIG. 14 , with the tool caddy removed from the upright vacuum. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       [0033]    Although additional cleaning accessories provide greater versatility for surface cleaners, they also increase the overall weight and bulkiness of the surface cleaners, making them difficult to lift and maneuver. In accordance with various exemplary embodiments, a detachable tool caddy  20  allows accessory tools  22 , such as cleaning tools, to be removably stored on a surface cleaner, for example an upright vacuum  24 . 
         [0034]      FIGS. 1-10  show first and second exemplary embodiments of a tool caddy  20  that removably connects to a surface cleaner, for example an upright vacuum cleaner  24 . As best shown in  FIGS. 2-10 , and according to various exemplary embodiments, the upright vacuum cleaner  24  includes a vacuum head  26 , a bag housing  28 , a handle  30 , and a handle grip  32 . A power cord  34  connects to the handle  30  and an upper cord hook  36  and a lower cord hook  38  extend from the handle  30  to support the cord  34  when not in use. It is understood by one of ordinary skill in the art in view of this disclosure to combine the tool caddy  20  with other configurations of upright vacuum cleaners  24  and surface cleaners. 
         [0035]    The tool caddy  20  includes a base  40  and a stem  42  extending from the base  40 . The base  40  and the stem  42  may be unitarily formed or separately formed and connected. In various exemplary embodiments, the base  40  and stem  42  may be made from a plastic, metal, ceramic, or composite material, or any combination thereof. In various exemplary embodiments, the base  40  and stem  42  are made from a polymer, or any other stiff, lightweight material. 
         [0036]    The base  40  includes a substantially planar top surface extending orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the stem  42 . The base  40  has one or more accessory attachment features for receiving accessory tools  22 . In the exemplary embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1-10 , the attachment features include a vacuum hose slot or hose pocket  44 , an upholstery tool aperture or upholstery tool cradle  46 , a crevice tool protrusion or crevice tool cradle  48 , and a vacuum wand aperture or wand pocket  50 . In various alternative embodiments, the base  40  may include greater or fewer accessory attachment features as well as different attachment features depending on the type of accessory tools  22  associated with a particular vacuum  24 . 
         [0037]    The stem  42  extends substantially perpendicular from the base  40 . Substantially perpendicular is defined as 90°±10°. The stem  42  is also disposed substantially central relative to the base  40 . Substantially central relative to the base  40  is defined as within ±10% from the center point of the base  40  based on the total length of the base  40 . The stem  42  extends upwardly from the base  40  from a first end and includes a bottom portion  52  and a top portion  54 . In various exemplary embodiments, the bottom portion  52  extends substantially vertically and the top portion  54  has one or more angled and/or curved sections to contour to the handle  30  of the vacuum  24 . 
         [0038]    The bottom and top portions  52 ,  54  are substantially semi-tubular in shape. For example, the bottom and top portions  52 ,  54  are rendered semi-tubular by being formed from a columnar, hollow tube that is longitudinally split at its circumference, as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  13  and  14 A to create a curved recess to receive the cylindrical vacuum handle  30 . As a simplified example, in a hollow column, a cross-sectional arc is absent or missing along the height or length of the column to form a semi-tubular shape. The splitting of the hollow tube to form the semi-tubular shape can occur at a plane offset from the longitudinal central axis so that the arc of the resulting semi-tubular shape extends beyond 180 degrees relative to the centerline. Preferably, the remaining arc of material is approximately 180-270 degrees. The semi-tubular shape, however, does not have to be columnar throughout, and can be nonlinear along various portions of its length. A substantially semi-tubular shape is defined to include a surface curvature within ±10% of a curvature of an ideal circular shape as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The shape, configuration and relative location of the top and bottom portions  52 ,  54 , as well as the shape, configuration and relative location of the curved recess can vary depending on the associated vacuum handle  30 . 
         [0039]    The stem  42  includes one or more mounting features and one or more accessory attachment features. In the exemplary embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1-10 , the mounting features include a top mounting slot  56 , a bottom mounting slot  58 , a top opening  60 , and a bottom opening  62 . The top and bottom mounting slots  56 ,  58  engage protrusions extending from the vacuum handle  24 . The top and bottom mounting slots  56 ,  58  are keyhole slots, although other types of mounting slots or apertures may also be used. The top and bottom openings  60 ,  62  provide a clearance to receive the upper and lower cord hooks  36 ,  38 , respectively. 
         [0040]    According to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the accessory attachment features include a first arm  64 , a second arm  66 , and a third arm  68  extending from the stem  42 . The first arm  64  extends from the stem  42  in a first direction and includes a first clip  70 , for example a semi-circular hose-receiving clip or hose rest, where the hose can rest. The second arm  66  extends from the stem  42  in a second direction substantially opposite the first arm  64  and includes a second clip or wand rest  72 , for example a wand-receiving clip where the wand can rest. The third arm  68  extends from the stem  42  in a direction substantially orthogonal to the first and second arms  64 ,  66 . A protrusion or brush tool cradle  74  extends upwardly from the third arm  68  to receive an accessory tool  22 , for example a brush tool. A hose cradle  76  extends from the top of the stem  42 . In various alternative embodiments, the stem  42  may include greater or fewer accessory attachment features as well as different attachment features depending on the type of accessory tools  22  associated with a particular vacuum  24 . 
         [0041]    The exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2-10  omits the third arm  68  illustrated in the embodiment previously described and illustrated in  FIG. 1 . As best shown in  FIGS. 2-7 , when a user mounts the tool caddy  20  to the vacuum cleaner  24 , the upper and lower cord hooks  36 ,  38  extend through the top and bottom openings  60 ,  62 , respectively, and the vacuum cord  34  wraps around the upper and lower cord hooks  36 ,  38 . The user can attach a vacuum hose  78 , extension wand  80 , and one or more additional accessory tools  22  to the tool caddy  20 . 
         [0042]    As best shown in  FIGS. 8-10 , to remove the tool caddy  20 , a user removes the vacuum cord  34  from the upper and lower cord hooks  36 ,  38 , the user rotates the upper cord hook  136 , for example by 180 degrees (as explained subsequently in further detail), and then disengages the tool caddy  20  from the vacuum handle  30 . Subsequently, the user can reattach the vacuum cord  34  to the upper and lower cord hooks  36 ,  38 , or the vacuum  24  can be used as desired. After removal, the user can attach the hose  78 , wand  80 , and accessory tools  22  to the base  40  and/or stem  42 . In various exemplary embodiments, the user can store or hang the tool caddy  20  in a closet, for example by a hook or hangar. 
         [0043]      FIGS. 11-19  illustrate a third exemplary embodiment of a tool caddy  120  that removably connects to a surface cleaner, for example an upright vacuum cleaner  24 . The tool caddy  120  includes a base  140  and a stem  142  extending upwardly from the base  140 . 
         [0044]    The base  140  includes a substantially planar top surface extending orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the stem  142 . The base  140  has one or more accessory attachment features for receiving cleaning accessories. In the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS. 11-19 , the attachment features include a slot  144  and an aperture  150 , for example a vacuum hose slot  144  and a vacuum wand aperture  150 . In various alternative embodiments, the base  140  can include greater or fewer accessory attachment features, as well as different attachment features depending on the type of accessory tools  22  associated with a particular vacuum  24 . 
         [0045]    The stem  142  extends upwardly from the base  140  from a first end, and includes a bottom portion  152  and a top portion  154 . The bottom portion  152  extends substantially vertically and the top portion  154  has one or more angled and/or curved sections to contour to the handle  30  of the vacuum  24 . In various exemplary embodiments, the bottom and top portions  152 , 154  are substantially semi-tubular in shape. Specifically, the bottom and top portions  152 ,  154  are formed from a tube that is split at its longitudinal axis to create a curved recess to receive the cylindrical vacuum handle  30 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  13  and  14 A, for example. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, the shape and configuration of the top and bottom portions  152 ,  154 , as well as the shape and configuration of the recess of the stem  142  can vary depending on the associated vacuum handle  30  without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
         [0046]    The stem  142  includes one or more mounting features and one or more accessory attachment features. In the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS. 11-19 , the mounting features include a top opening  160  and a bottom opening  162  receiving the upper and lower cord hooks  36 ,  38 , respectively. As best shown in  FIGS. 14-14A , and according to various exemplary embodiments, a semi-circular flange  163  extends proximate the top opening  160  and receives a portion of the upper cord hook  36 . The top portion of the tool caddy is secured at the upper cord hook  36 . A notch in the lower cord hook  38  mates with an upper edge of the bottom opening  162  of the tool caddy to secure the bottom of the tool caddy. As best shown in  FIGS. 15-16 , and according to various exemplary embodiments, the lower cord hook  138  includes a slot  139  for receiving an upper edge of the bottom opening  162  in the tool caddy. The flange  163  secures the tool caddy  120  at the upper cord hook  36  and the slot  139  secures the tool caddy  120  at the lower cord hook  38 . 
         [0047]    According to the exemplary embodiment, the accessory attachment features include a first arm  164  and a second arm  166 . The first arm  164  extends from the stem  142  in a first direction and includes a first clip  170 , for example a semi-circular hose receiving clip. The second arm  166  extends from the stem  142  in a second direction substantially opposite the first arm  164  and includes a second clip  172 , for example semi-circular wand receiving clip  172 . In various alternative embodiments, the stem  142  can include additional accessory attachment features as well as different attachment features depending on the type of accessory tools  22  associated with a particular vacuum  24 . 
         [0048]    As best shown in  FIGS. 17-19 , to remove the tool caddy  120 , the user rotates the upper cord hook  136 , for example by 180 degrees, and lifts the tool caddy  120  up and away from the upper and lower cord hooks  36 ,  38 . After removal, the user can store the tool caddy  120  with the hose  78 , wand  80 , and accessory tools  22  attached to the base  140  and/or stem  142 . In various exemplary embodiments, a user can hang the tool caddy  120  in a closet, for example by a hook or hangar. 
         [0049]    The foregoing detailed description of the certain exemplary embodiments has been provided for the purpose of explaining the principles of the invention and its practical application, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. This description is not necessarily intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the exemplary embodiments disclosed. Any of the embodiments and/or elements disclosed herein may be combined with one another to form various additional embodiments not specifically disclosed. For example, the size, shape and configuration of the tool caddies  20 ,  120  may be varied to accommodate different surface cleaners, and the size, shape, configuration, and type of mounting features and accessory attachment features may be varied to accommodate different surface cleaners and accessory tools  22 . Accordingly, additional embodiments are possible and are intended to be encompassed within this specification and the scope of the appended claims. The specification describes specific examples to accomplish a more general goal that may be accomplished in another way. 
         [0050]    As used in this application, the terms “front,” “rear,” “upper,” “lower,” “upwardly,” “downwardly,” and other orientational descriptors are intended to facilitate the description of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the structure of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention to any particular position or orientation. Terms of degree, such as “substantially” or “approximately” are understood by those of ordinary skill to refer to reasonable ranges outside of the given value, for example, general tolerances associated with manufacturing, assembly, and use of the described embodiments.