Abstract:
An upright steerable vacuum cleaner is provided, which includes the use of a pivotable cylindrical motor housing, as well as a universal joint which is attached to the motor housing, such that twisting at the upper body of the vacuum cleaner clockwise causes the base of the unit to turn right, twisting in the opposite direction causes if to turn left.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates in general to vacuum cleaners, and particularly relates to vacuum cleaners which have an improved &#34;steering&#34; feature. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In the field of vacuum cleaners, a need has been recognized to provide vacuum cleaners which have improved maneuverability features. The prior art is replete with powered upright vacuum cleaners and vacuum cleaners which include L-shaped nozzles which allow the operator to vacuum around objects such as chair legs. 
     However, a need still exists for an upright vacuum cleaner which has improved maneuverability features not provided by the prior art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides an improved upright vacuum cleaner which has improved maneuverability features, and which is cost-effective to produce, operate, and maintain. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved vacuum cleaner. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a vacuum cleaner which has improved cleaning features. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a vacuum cleaner which has improved maneuverability features. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a vacuum cleaner which is easy to operate. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a vacuum cleaner which is cost-effective to produce. 
     Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention when taken in conjunction with the drawing and the appended claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a front, right, pictorial view of a first embodiment of an upright vacuum cleaner according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a rear, right view of the upright vacuum cleaner illustrated in FIG. 1. 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded view illustrating some elements of the base of the vacuum cleaner shown in FIG. 1. 
     FIGS. 4 and 5 are additional embodiments of a base of the vacuum cleaner according to the present invention, including an alternate preferred universal joint assembly. 
     FIG. 6 is a side illustrative view of that shown in FIG. 4. 
     FIG. 7 is an upper right pictorial view of the universal joint being part of the present invention. 
     FIG. 8 is right side exploded view of that shown in FIG. 7. 
     FIG. 9 is a front exploded view of that shown in FIG. 7. 
     FIG. 10 is an illustrative view of an alternate joint member not including the use of an intermediate collar. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the Figures, in which like numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1 illustrates an upright vacuum cleaner 10 including a lower base 12 and an upright body 14. The base 12 includes a height adjustment switch 16, and a pair of rear wheels 18. The base 12 also includes a cylindrically-shaped motor housing 20. The upright body 14 may include a light 22, and an upright handle portion 24. 
     Referring now also to FIG. 2, hose assembly 26, tools 28, cord wrap flanges 30, 32, and upper and lower universal joint subassembly 34 are shown. 
     Referring now to FIG. 3, some of the previously discussed elements are illustrated, along with a front roller 
     Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, various base configurations are shown. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 6-9, a side view of one embodiment of the universal joint assembly 34 is illustrated. Operation of this assembly 34 is now discussed. As may be understood, an upper universal joint member 44 is rotatably mounted relative to lower universal joint member 40 along a pivoting axis P. These members are joined by an intermediate collar 42 such that air can be transferred from member 40 to member 44. The upper universal joint member 44 is rigidly attached relative to body member 14 and facilitates the transfer of air into the body through an internal air channel. Lower universal joint member 42 is likewise rigidly affixed relative to cylindrically-shaped motor housing 20 and receives air from a motor within the housing 20. The motor housing 20 is pivotably mounted relative to the base 12 of the vacuum cleaner, along substantially horizontal axis X. Intermediate collar 42, in the embodiment shown is composed of two joined together by fasteners such as is known in the art. 
     As may be understood, the lower universal joint member 40 has an annular tapered &#34;male&#34; portion 50 8) which fits within an annular tapered &#34;female&#34; (see FIG. 9) of the upper universal joint member 44. The intermediate collar 42 locks these two elements 40, 44, together such that they may rotate relative to each other axis P (see FIG. 6) described above, and at the same time air may be transferred from member 40 to member 44. 
     The intermediate linking collar 42, when in place, is rotatably mounted to the lower universal joint member by means of outwardly-directed annular ribs 54 (see FIG. 8) of the lower universal member mating with a single annular ring (not shown) inside the collar 42, allowing the collar to rotate along axis P relative to the universal joint member 40, but limiting movement of the two members along axis P. By a similar interlocking relationship provided by outwardly-directed annular ribs 56 of the upper universal member mating with mating with a single rib (not shown) in the collar, the collar 42 is rotatably mounted relative to the upper universal joint member 44, with the two elements allowed to rotate relative to each other axis L. 
     Other universal joint configurations are also contemplated under the present invention. For example, as shown in FIG. 10 an alternate universal joint configuration is contemplated in which, for example, a lower universal member 62 (which is assembled from two halves and attached by fasteners as known in the art) interlocks with an upper universal joint member 60 without the use of a collar. The upper and lower members would be rotatably interlocked by the use of interlocking annular ribs on the two members providing interlocking of the members as described above. The lower universal joint member, being a &#34;female&#34;  62, accepts and surrounds the lower end of the upper joint member, being a &#34;male&#34; member, providing for rotational or relative pivoting movement of the two members about an axis such as &#34;P&#34;, described above, with travel the axis being limited by the interference of the annular Member 62 is attached to the pivoting motor housing and member 60 is attached to the upper body in a manner similar to that described above. 
     As may be understood, when the operator operates the upright vacuum cleaner, the operator first pivots the upright body 14 from its relatively vertical position illustrated in FIG. 6 to a more inclined position. As the vacuum cleaner is operated, if the operator is pushing the vacuum cleaner generally forward, the operator may &#34;twist&#34; the handle cause the handle and body to turn in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction substantially along their longitudinal axes. In the instance of the configuration illustrated in FIG. 6, if the operator twists the body 12 in a clockwise direction along its longitudinal axis, the base 12 tend to turn to the right as it is being pushed forwardly. Likewise, if the body 14 is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction along their longitudinal axis, the base 12 will tend turn leftwardly as it is being pushed in a forward direction. As may be understood, such a configuration is an improvement over the prior art in that by a continuation of pushing and twisting the handle of the vacuum cleaner, the base may be simply and easily maneuvered in a novel manner. 
     The air flow throughout the unit is as follows. A motor within the motor housing 20 is energized, such that air is drawn from beneath the base 12, into the motor housing through a suitable connection, into the lower universal member, into the upper universal member, and into the body and into a filtration bag or canister. 
     While this invention has been described in specific detail with reference to the disclosed embodiments, it will be understood that many variations and modifications may be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention as described in the appended claims.