Patent Publication Number: US-2007113372-A1

Title: Airflow system for bagless vacuum cleaner

Description:
This application is a continuation of prior U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/380,604 filed 5 Sep. 2003 which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/237,832, filed Oct. 3, 2000. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD  
      The present invention relates generally to the vacuum cleaner art, and, more particularly, to a bagless vacuum cleaner incorporating a novel air flow system.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      A recent consumer products trend has resulted in a rapid increase in the popularity of bagless upright vacuum cleaners. Such vacuum cleaners are equipped for bagless operation and generally incorporate a washable and rigid dust container or cup for collecting intermediate and larger particles of dirt and debris and a second, upstream corrugated paper, porous foam or like filter or filter cartridge for collecting smaller dirt and dust particles. The intermediate and larger particles of dirt and debris are collected in the dust container or cup usually by establishing a vortex airstream therein which allows the heavier particles to be separated from the airstream and collected in the bottom of the container or cup. Generally, the container or cup is made from transparent or translucent material so that the operator may observe the “cyclonic” cleaning action. This seems to add significantly to the customer satisfaction with the product. Of course, the transparent or translucent container or cup also allows the operator to confirm when the cup or container is nearing capacity. At that time the vacuum cleaner may be switched off and the cup or container removed for emptying into a garbage can or other appropriate dirt receptacle.  
      While many available designs exist for bagless vacuum cleaners it should be appreciated that further improvements in design including improvements in air flow so as to provide more cleaning power and more efficient operation are still desired. The present invention meets this goal.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      To achieve the foregoing and other objects, and in accordance with the purposes of the present invention as described herein, an improved bagless vacuum cleaner is provided. The bagless vacuum cleaner includes a nozzle assembly having a suction nozzle for picking up dirt and debris from a surface to be cleaned and a canister assembly including a cavity. The bagless vacuum cleaner also includes a dust collection assembly. That dust collection assembly includes a filtering subassembly and a dust container. The dust container has an open top, a bottom wall and a first cylindrical sidewall. The container also includes an inlet that in at least one embodiment is directed tangentially with respect to the first cylindrical sidewall in order to establish a vortex airstream to allow efficient cleaning action. Still further, the dust container includes a downwardly directed outlet which extends through the bottom wall of the container. The bagless dust collection assembly is received and held in the cavity in the canister assembly.  
      The bagless vacuum cleaner further includes an airstream conduit for conveying a vacuum airstream between the suction nozzle and the inlet. Additionally, a suction fan and suction fan drive motor is carried on either the nozzle assembly or the canister assembly. The suction fan and cooperating suction fan drive motor function to generate the vacuum airstream for drawing dirt and debris through the suction nozzle, the airstream conduit and the dust container.  
      More specifically describing the invention, the dust container includes a second cylindrical sidewall concentrically received within the first cylindrical sidewall so that at least a portion of the dust container is annular. This second cylindrical sidewall defines an exhaust pathway which is provided in fluid communication with the outlet.  
      The filtering subassembly includes a main body and a cooperating cover defining a primary filter cavity. A primary filter is positioned in the primary filter cavity. The primary filter divides the primary filter cavity into an intake chamber and a discharge chamber. The primary filter may take the form of an annular corrugated filter made from paper or other natural and/or synthetic fiber materials appropriate for the intended purpose.  
      The main body of the filter subassembly includes a downwardly depending exhaust conduit which provides fluid communication between the discharge chamber and the exhaust pathway leading to the outlet. Additionally, the main body includes a first conical wall around the intake chamber.  
      A prefilter is carried on the main body. The prefilter extends concentrically around the exhaust conduit but is spaced therefrom so as to form an intake channel between the prefilter and the exhaust conduit. The intake channel is provided in fluid communication with the intake chamber. The prefilter may take the form of a cylindrical open-ended screen.  
      An air current guide may be carried on the main body adjacent the prefilter. The air current guide extends between the prefilter and the second cylindrical sidewall. The air current guide includes a disc-like separator and at least one downwardly depending air current guide vane.  
      Once fully assembled a first gap having a width W 1  is formed between the prefilter and the first cylindrical sidewall of the dust container. Further, the inlet includes a diameter D 1 . The diameter D 1  is ≦the width W 1 . In a typical embodiment, diameter D 1  is between about 30-35 and the width W 1  is between about 34 mm-36 mm. Additionally, a second gap having a width W 2  between about 12 mm-16 mm is provided between an outer edge of the separator and the first cylindrical sidewall.  
      The vacuum cleaner also includes a filter clicker carried on the cover of the filtering subassembly. The filter clicker includes a cleaning element having at least one projecting lug and an actuator for rotating the cleaning element relative to the primary filter. The primary filter preferably includes a frame for supporting the corrugated filter material. A series of projecting tabs extend from the frame. The projecting lug on the cleaning element engages the series of projecting tabs on the frame vibrating the frame and filter material held by the frame and thereby cleaning dirt from the primary filter when the actuator is manually manipulated.  
      In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention a method is provided for directing airflow through a bagless vacuum cleaner wherein that vacuum cleaner includes a primary filter and a dust container having an inlet and an outlet. The method includes the steps of directing the airflow from the inlet around the dust container, drawing the airflow upwardly through the primary filter and discharging the airflow downwardly through the outlet by passing the airflow through a discharge conduit extending through a bottom wall of the dust container.  
      In addition, the present invention may be broadly described as relating to a novel bagless upright vacuum cleaner also providing beltless operation. The bagless upright vacuum cleaner includes a nozzle assembly having a suction nozzle for picking up dirt and debris from a surface to be cleaned and a canister assembly pivotally mounted to the nozzle assembly and including a control handle. The upright vacuum cleaner also includes a washable dust container providing a bagless means for collecting dirt and debris cleaned from the surface. Additionally, an agitator is held in the nozzle assembly. A beltless agitator drive motor carried on the nozzle assembly or the canister assembly is provided for driving the agitator and lifting dirt and debris from the surface. A suction fan and beltless suction fan drive motor carried on the nozzle assembly or the canister assembly generates a vacuum airstream for drawing dirt and debris through the suction nozzle into the dust container.  
      Still other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the following description wherein there is shown and described a preferred embodiment of this invention simply by way of illustration of one of the modes best suited to carry out the invention. As it will be realized, the invention is capable of other different embodiments and its several details are capable of modification in various, obvious aspects all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions will be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING  
      The accompanying drawing incorporated in and forming a part of this specification, illustrates several aspects of the present invention, and together with the description serves to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawing:  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;  
       FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view through the nozzle assembly of the vacuum cleaner showing the agitator and agitator drive arrangement.  
       FIG. 2   a  is a detailed cross-sectional view through the agitator;  
       FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the dust collection assembly incorporated into the vacuum cleaner of the present invention;  
       FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the dust collection assembly; and  
       FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b  are cutaway, cross-sectional views through the canister assembly showing the latch handle in the unlatched and latched positions respectively. 
    
    
      Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawing.  
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      Reference is now made to  FIG. 1  showing the vacuum cleaner  10  of the present invention. It should be appreciated that while an upright vacuum cleaner  10  is illustrated, embodiments of the present invention also include canister vacuum cleaners incorporating a dust collection assembly  12  of the nature that will be described in detail below.  
      The upright vacuum cleaner  10  illustrated includes a nozzle assembly  16  and a canister assembly  18 . The canister assembly  18  further includes a control handle  18  and a hand grip  22 . The hand grip  22  carries a control switch  24  for turning the vacuum cleaner on and off. Of course, electrical power is supplied to the vacuum cleaner  10  from a standard electrical wall outlet through a cord (not shown).  
      At the lower portion of the canister assembly  18 , rear wheels  26  are provided to support the weight of the vacuum cleaner  10 . A second set of wheels  27  allow the operator to raise and lower the nozzle assembly  16  through selective manipulation of the height adjustment switch  28 . Such a height adjustment mechanism is well known in the art and is exemplified, for example, by the arrangement incorporated into the Kenmore Progressive Vacuum Cleaner presently in the marketplace. To allow for convenient storage of the vacuum cleaner  10 , a foot latch (not shown) functions to lock the canister assembly  18  in an upright position as shown in  FIG. 1 . When the foot latch is released, the canister assembly  18  may be pivoted relative to the nozzle assembly  16  as the vacuum cleaner  10  is manipulated to-and-fro to clean the floor.  
      The canister assembly  18  includes a cavity  32  adapted to receive and hold the dust collection assembly  12 . Additionally, the canister assembly  18  carries a suction fan  34  and suction fan drive motor  35 . Together, the suction fan  34  and its cooperating drive motor  35  function to generate a vacuum airstream for drawing dirt and debris from the surface to be cleaned. While the suction fan  34  and suction fan drive motor  35  are illustrated as being carried on the canister assembly  18 , it should be appreciated that they could likewise be carried on the nozzle assembly  16  if desired.  
      The nozzle assembly  16  includes a nozzle and agitator cavity  36  that houses a rotating agitator brush  38 . The agitator brush  38  shown is rotatably driven by a motor  40  and cooperating gear drive  42  housed within the agitator and described in greater detail below (see  FIGS. 2 and 2   a ). In the illustrated vacuum cleaner  10 , the scrubbing action of the rotary agitator brush  38  and the negative air pressure created by the suction fan  34  and drive motor  35  cooperate to brush and beat dirt and dust from the nap of the carpet being cleaned and then draw the dirt and dust laden air from the agitator cavity  36  to the dust collection assembly  12 . Specifically, the dirt and dust laden air passes serially through a suction inlet and hose and/or an integrally molded conduit in the nozzle assembly  16  and/or canister assembly  18  as is known in the art. Next, it is delivered into the cyclonic dust collection assembly  12  (described in greater detail below) which serves to trap the suspended dirt, dust and other particles inside while allowing the now clean air to pass freely through to the suction fan  34 , a final filtration cartridge  48  and ultimately to the environment through the exhaust port  50 .  
      Reference is now made to  FIGS. 2 and 2   a  which show the mounting of the agitator motor  40  and associated gear drive  42  in the agitator  38  in detail. As shown, the agitator  38  is mounted for rotation relative to the nozzle assembly  16 . Specifically, a first end of the agitator  38  includes an end cap  52  which is supported on bearings  54  on a stub shaft  55  held in mounting block  56  keyed into slot  58  in the side of the nozzle assembly  16 . An end cap  60  at the opposite end of the agitator  38  is supported on bearings  62  mounted on the housing  64  of the motor  40 . As should be appreciated, the motor  40  is fixed to the nozzle assembly  16  by means of the mounting block  66  fixed to the motor housing  64  and keyed in the slot  68  in the side of the nozzle assembly.  
      The motor  40  drives a shaft  70  including gear teeth  72 . The drive shaft  70  extends through a bearing  74  held in the hub  76  of the planetary gear set carrier  78 . In the most preferred embodiment a fan  80  is keyed or otherwise secured to the distal end of the drive shaft  70 .  
      The planetary gear set carrier  78  includes three stub shafts  82  that each carry a planetary gear  84 . Each of the planetary gears  84  include teeth that mesh with the gear teeth  72  of the drive shaft  70 . Additionally, the planetary gears  82  mesh with the teeth of an annular gear  86  that is fixed to the agitator motor housing  64  by pin or other means. Thus, it should be appreciated that as the drive shaft  70  is driven by the motor  40 , the planetary gears  84  are driven around the annular gear  86 , thereby causing the planetary gear set carrier  78  to rotate.  
      Planetary gear set carrier  78  also includes a drive ring  88  and associated rubber drive boot  87  which includes a series of spaced channels  89  that receive and engage axial ribs  91  projecting inwardly radially from the inner wall of the agitator  38 . Thus, the rotation of the planetary gear set carrier  78  is transmitted by the drive ring  88  and drive boot  87  directly to and causes like rotation of the agitator  38 . The rubber drive boot  87  provides the necessary damping to insure the smooth transmission of power to the agitator. Simultaneously with the rotation of the planetary gear set carrier  78  and agitator  38 , the drive shaft  70  also drives the fan  80  at a ratio of between 4-1 to 10-1 and most preferably 6-1 with respect to the agitator  38 . The resulting rapid rotation of the fan  80  helps to ensure proper cooling of the agitator motor  40  during its operation.  
      The dust collection assembly  12  will now be described in detail. The dust collection assembly  12  includes a filtering subassembly generally designated by reference numeral  100  and a dirt collection vessel or dust container  102 . Dust container  102  includes an open top  104 , a bottom wall  106  and a first cylindrical sidewall  108 . An inlet  110  is shown directed tangentially with respect to the cylindrical sidewall  108 . In this orientation, the inlet  110  promotes the formation of a vortex airstream as described in greater detail below. It should be appreciated, however, that substantially any other inlet orientation could be utilized.  
      A downwardly directed outlet  112  extends through the bottom wall  106 . A second or inner cylindrical sidewall  114  is concentrically received within the first cylindrical sidewall  108  so that at least a portion of the dust container  102  is annular. As best shown in  FIG. 3 , the second cylindrical sidewall  114  defines an exhaust passageway  116  provided in fluid communication with the outlet  112 .  
      The filtering subassembly  100  includes a main body  118  and a cooperating cover  120 . Together the main body  118  and cooperating cover  120  define a primary filter cavity  122 . A primary filter  124  is positioned in the primary filter cavity  122  and divides that cavity into an intake chamber  126  and a discharge chamber  128 . In one embodiment, the primary filter  124  is an annular corrugated filter made from paper or other natural and/or synthetic fiber material with each of the corrugations held by a plastic frame  130 . That frame  130  includes a series of upwardly projecting tabs  132  radially arranged about the primary filter  124 .  
      The main body  118  includes a downwardly depending exhaust conduit  134  providing fluid communication between the discharge chamber  128  and the exhaust pathway  116  leading to the outlet  112 . As also shown the main body  118  includes a frustoconical wall  136  defining the peripheral margin of the intake chamber  126 .  
      A prefilter  138  is carried on the main body  118  below the frustoconical wall  136 . The prefilter  138  is shown as comprising a cylindrical open-ended screen which extends concentrically around the exhaust conduit  134  so as to form an intake channel  140  between the prefilter  138  and the exhaust conduit  134 . Of course, other materials such as a porous plastic could be used for the prefilter. The intake channel  140  is provided in fluid communication with the intake chamber  126  through spaced openings  142  in the base  144  of the main body  118 .  
      As further shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , an air current guide, generally designated by reference numeral  146  is carried by the main body  118  adjacent the prefilter  138 . The air current guide  146  extends between the prefilter  138  and the second cylindrical sidewall  114  of the dust container  102 . As shown the air current guide  146  includes a disc shaped separator  148  and one or more downwardly depending air current guide vanes  150 . The air current guide vane is canted inwardly between 0°-30° from the vertical toward the second cylindrical sidewall  114 . The function of the separator  148  and guide vane  150  will be described in greater detail below.  
      In operation, dirt and debris lifted by the agitator brush  38  and drawn through the suction inlet and hose passes through the inlet  110 . Inlet  110  directs the air to tangentially flow in a cyclonic path (note action arrows A in  FIG. 3 ) around the dust container  102 . Specifically, the air first flows around a prefilter  138  with the heavier debris falling under the force of gravity toward the bottom of the dust container  102 . The air current guide vane  150  helps maintain smooth, uninterrupted and unturbulent cyclonic flow in order to maximize cleaning action. Further, the inward cant of the guide vane causes dirt and debris entrained in the airstream A to move toward the center of the dust container  102 . This effectively compacts the dirt and debris allowing the dust container to fill to a higher capacity. The largest and heaviest of the dirt and debris entrained in the vacuum airstream delivered into the dust container  102  through the inlet  110  settles to the bottom wall  106  of the dust container.  
      The vacuum airstream now devoid of the relatively larger and heavier dust, debris and particles is drawn through the prefilter screen  138  into the intake channel  140 . The screen includes pores having a diameter of between substantially 40 μm and 300 μm. Relatively intermediate size dust, dirt and debris too light to settle to the bottom of the dust container  102  but too large to pass through the prefilter screen  138  is removed from the vacuum airstream by the prefilter screen. There this material collects and gradually accumulates into a heavier mass which will eventually fall under the force of gravity onto the separator  148  where it will be displaced by the moving airstream and drop down into the bottom of the dust container  102 .  
      As best shown by action arrow B, the vacuum airstream moving through the prefilter screen  138  into the intake channel  140  is then drawn through one of the apertures  142  in the main body  118  into the intake chamber  126 . From the intake chamber  126  the vacuum airstream is drawn upwardly through the primary filter  124  which removes substantially all of the remaining fine dust from the airstream. Next the vacuum airstream is drawn into the discharge chamber  128 . From there the vacuum airstream is redirected downwardly through the exhaust conduit  134  and then the exhaust passageway  116  to the outlet  112 . From there the airstream passes through a foam or sponge rubber filter pad  152  carried at the bottom wall of the cavity  32  in the canister assembly  18 . That filter pad  152  covers the inlet to a passageway (not shown) leading to the suction fan  34 . From there the vacuum airstream is exhausted over the suction fan drive motor  35  to provide cooling and is delivered through a sound muffling passageway to the final filtration cartridge  48  and then it is exhausted through the exhaust port  50 .  
      The flow of the vacuum airstream is carefully shaped and controlled throughout its passage through the vacuum cleaner  10  in order to ensure the highest possible cleaning efficiency. Toward this end a first gap  154  having a width W 1  of between about 34 mm and 36 mm is provided between the prefilter screen  138  and the first cylindrical sidewall  108 . The inlet  110  is provided with a diameter D 1  of between about 30 mm and 35 mm. In the most preferred embodiment diameter D 1 ≦the width W 1 .  
      Additionally, a second gap  156  having a width W 2  between about 12 mm and 16 mm is provided between an outer edge of the separator  148  and the first cylindrical sidewall  108 . The width W 2  of the gap  156  must be carefully controlled as it allows the separator  148  to concentrate the vacuum airflow from the inlet  110  in the area of the prefilter screen  138  away from the dirt and debris collecting in the bottom of the dust container  102 . This is done while simultaneously maintaining a sufficiently large gap  156  to allow the free passage of the larger, heavier dirt and dust particles entrained in the airstream into the lower portion of the dust container  102  where they can be collected.  
      During vacuuming, the dust container  102  will gradually fill with dirt and debris which will also collect on the prefilter screen  138 . Further, fine dust particles will be collected on the primary filter  124 . By forming the dust container  102  and the cover  120  of the filtering subassembly  100  from transparent or translucent plastic material it is possible to visually monitor and inspect the condition of the dust container and primary filter  124  during vacuuming. Following vacuuming or as otherwise necessary it is easy to dispose of this dirt and debris. Specifically, the vacuum cleaner is turned off and the dust collection assembly  12  is removed from the cavity  32  in the canister assembly  18 . This may be done by lifting and releasing the latch handle  158  (the operation of which is described in greater detail below) or by simply pulling the dust collection assembly  12  from its nested position if no latch is provided. The latch handle  158  is pivotally connected to the cover  120  and serves as a simple and convenient means of handling the dust collection assembly  12 .  
      A filter clicker, generally designated by reference numeral  160 , allows easy cleaning of the primary filter  124 . More specifically, the filter clicker  160  includes a revolving cleaning element  162  shown with a pair of projecting lugs  164 . An exposed actuator  166  is carried on the top of the cover  120 . The actuator  166  includes a hub  168  which projects through an opening in the cover  120  and engages in a cooperating socket provided in the cleaning element  162 . By manually rotating the actuator  166 , the cleaning element  162  is likewise rotated and the projecting lugs  164  engage with each of the series of projecting tabs  132  on the frame  130  of the primary filter  124 . As the projecting lugs  164  resiliently snap past the projecting tabs  132 , the corrugated filter material is vibrated shaking the fine dust and dirt particles from the primary filter  124 . Since the projecting tabs  132  are provided around the outer margin of the frame, greater vibration is produced for better cleaning action. These dust and dirt particles then drop under the force of gravity and slide down the frustoconical sidewall  136  of the main body, pass through the aperture  142  and drop down into the bottom  170  of the intake channel  140  where they are captured.  
      The cover  120  is then removed from the dust container  102  by twisting. When separated the filtering subassembly  100  including the main body  118 , cover  120 , prefilter screen  138  and air current guide  146  stay together as a unit. As the filtering subassembly  100  and the dust container  102  are separated, the bottom  170  of the intake channel  140  opens and the fine dirt and debris that is collected there from the cleaning of the primary filter  124  falls under the force of gravity into the bottom of the dust container  102 . Similarly, any relatively light dirt and debris remaining on the prefilter screen  138  or the upper ledge of the separator  148  falls easily to the bottom of the container with minor shaking of the filtering subassembly  100  during its removal from the container. The dirt and debris is then dumped from the container  102  into a garbage receptacle. The filtering subassembly  100  is then rejoined with the dust container  102  by twisting the cover  120  onto the threaded upper end of the dust container  102  and the entire dust collection assembly  12  is then repositioned in the cavity  32  in the canister assembly  18  with the inlet  110  in communication with a coupling  47  in communication with the hose or other conduit leading to the nozzle and the outlet  112  in communication with the port  113  leading to the suction fan  34 .  
      As best shown in  FIGS. 3, 5   a  and  5   b,  the latch handle  158  is pivotally connected to the cover  120  by opposed stub shafts  200  received in cooperating opposed apertures in the cover. Springs  201  bias the latch handle to the latched position resting flat against the cover  120 . When disengaged or unlatched, the latch handle  158  may be utilized in the manner of a handle of a pail to conveniently hold and manipulate the dust collection assembly  12 . As the dust collection assembly  12  is being secured in the cavity  32  the latch handle  158  is utilized to provide a positive connection.  
      More specifically, the latch handle  158  includes a pair of spaced cams  202  that engage a cooperating lip or shoulder  204  on the canister assembly  18 . Thus, as the latch handle  158  is pressed downwardly toward the cover  120 , the cams  202  engage the shoulder  204  thereby forcing the dust collection assembly  12  rearwardly and downwardly. This dual action firmly seats the inlet  110  in the coupling  47  and the outlet  112  in the port  113  leading to the suction fan  34 . As a result, a good seal is provided at each connection, vacuum pressure losses are avoided and peak operating efficiency of the suction fan is insured.  
      Under certain circumstances, such as after extended heavy duty service, it may become necessary to access the primary filter  124 . This is relatively easily accomplished. More particularly, the main body  118  and the cover  120  of the filtering subassembly  100  are connected together by means of the upstanding mounting flange  170  on the main body which provides either a threaded or a fiction fit in the cooperating groove  172  of the cover  120 . Accordingly, the cover  120  may be pulled from the main body  118  to open the primary filter cavity  122 . The primary filter  124  is then replaced with a new filter. The cover  120  is then repositioned on the main body  118  by inserting the mounting flange  170  in the cooperating groove  172  and completing the reconnection.  
      The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of this invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. For example, a back light  180  could be provided behind the dust collection assembly  12  in the cavity  32  of the canister assembly  18  to visually enhance monitoring of the airflow and/or dirt level in the dust container  102 . The vacuum cleaner  10  could also include a bypass valve (not shown) in the airstream conduit upstream from the inlet  110 . The valve could be spring loaded to permit only high velocity air flow into the dust container  102 . If desired, a performance indicator of the type presently found on the Kenmore Model 38912 upright vacuum cleaner could be provided in the airstream conduit to give a true indication of vacuum cleaner performance. Further, while the vacuum cleaner is described with an agitator drive motor held in the agitator, the drive motor could be positioned outside of the agitator in either the nozzle assembly or the canister assembly in any manner desired.  
      The embodiment was chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally and equitably entitled.