Patent Publication Number: US-9414725-B2

Title: Upright vacuum cleaner with two auxiliary operating modes

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This document relates generally to the floor care equipment field and, more particularly, to an upright vacuum cleaner incorporating a wand and a supplemental cleaning tool that are easily configured for operating in two different auxiliary operating modes. 
     BACKGROUND 
     It is known in the art to equip upright vacuum cleaners with a flexible hose and a wand assembly. Typically such vacuum cleaners incorporate supplemental cleaning tools. In operation, the operator releases the wand assembly from the housing of the upright vacuum cleaner, attaches the supplemental cleaning tool to the wand assembly and then completes the specialized cleaning application such as the above floor cleaning of draperies and upholstery or cleaning under furniture or in tight openings where the necessary clearance for use of the standard nozzle assembly does not exist. After completing the specialty cleaning application, the operator disconnects the supplemental cleaning tool from the wand assembly and returns the wand assembly to its proper position in engagement with the upright vacuum cleaner housing to thereby again allow standard upright vacuum cleaner operation. 
     Significantly, it should be appreciated that prior art upright vacuum cleaners of this design require the handling of the supplemental cleaning tool when mounting it on and removing it from the wand assembly. Most operators would prefer to not have to handle this cleaning tool as it is perceived as “dirty” whether or not it actually is. This document relates to an upright vacuum cleaner that may be readily configured for operating in two different auxiliary cleaning modes. In the first auxiliary cleaning mode the wand and supplemental cleaning tool are removed together from the handle assembly and air is drawn directly into the supplemental cleaning tool which may be used for a special cleaning application. In the second auxiliary cleaning mode only the wand is removed for the cleaning application and the supplemental cleaning tool remains in its home position on the handle assembly. Either configuration may be adopted without handling the supplemental cleaning tool. This convenient and efficient approach increases the satisfaction of the vacuum cleaner operator. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with the purposes and benefits described herein, an upright vacuum cleaner is provided comprising a body, a dirt collection vessel carried on the body and a suction generator carried on the body. The upright vacuum cleaner further includes a cleaning wand releasably held in a home position on the body. A supplemental cleaning tool is attached to a distal end of the cleaning wand when the cleaning wand is in the home position. 
     In a first auxiliary operating mode the cleaning wand and supplemental cleaning tool are removed together from the home position for use in a cleaning application. In a second auxiliary operating mode the cleaning wand is removed from the home position for use in a cleaning application and the supplemental cleaning tool is retained in the home position on the body of the vacuum cleaner. 
     Further describing the vacuum cleaner, the body includes a nozzle assembly connected to a handle assembly. The nozzle assembly includes a suction inlet and in a normal operating configuration air is moved by the suction generator serially through the suction inlet, the supplemental cleaning tool, the cleaning wand and the dirt collection vessel. In contrast, in the first auxiliary operating mode air is moved by the suction generator serially through the supplemental cleaning tool, the cleaning wand and the dirt collection vessel bypassing the suction inlet and the nozzle assembly. In further contrast, in the second auxiliary operating mode air is moved by the suction generator serially through the cleaning wand and the dirt collection vessel bypassing the supplemental cleaning tool and the suction inlet in the nozzle assembly. 
     The vacuum cleaner further includes a wand release whereby triggering the wand release allows an operator to adopt either of the first auxiliary operating mode or second auxiliary operating mode. The wand release includes a first latch securing the cleaning wand to the body. The first latch includes opposed, spring-loaded latching bolts carried on the cleaning wand and cooperating opposed latching slots on the body. 
     The wand release includes a first latch release carried on the body. The first latch release includes a spring-loaded actuator and a pivoting cam. Triggering the actuator pivots the cam so as to engage the latching bolts and withdraw the latching bolts from the latching slots thereby releasing the cleaning wand from the home position. 
     The vacuum cleaner further includes a tool latch securing the supplemental cleaning tool to the distal end the wand. That tool latch includes (a) a latch element pivotally connected to the supplemental cleaning tool and (b) a latch tab on the latch element for engaging a latching notch on the cleaning wand. 
     In addition, the vacuum cleaner includes a tool latch actuator on the body that engages the latch element and releases the tool latch in the second auxiliary operating mode. In one possible embodiment, the tool latch further includes a resilient clip carried on the body that engages the supplemental cleaning tool when the supplemental cleaning tool is in the home position. 
     In addition, the body includes a cleaning tool mounting boss upon which the supplemental cleaning tool is held when in the home position. The cleaning tool mounting boss forms a conduit for directing air from the suction inlet in the nozzle assembly to the cleaning wand when the cleaning wand is in the home position. The air directed from the cleaning tool mounting boss to the cleaning wand passes through the supplemental cleaning tool. The cleaning tool mounting boss also includes an open end surrounded by a seal wherein the supplemental cleaning tool includes a suction inlet configured to seat on the open end of the cleaning tool mounting boss with the seal in engagement with the supplemental cleaning tool so as to seal an air pathway between the cleaning tool mounting boss and the supplemental cleaning tool. 
     In accordance with an additional aspect, a method is provided of selectively operating an upright vacuum cleaner in either of two different auxiliary operating modes where that vacuum cleaner includes a body, a cleaning wand releasably held in a home position on the body and a supplemental cleaning tool attached to a distal end of the cleaning wand when the cleaning wand is in the home position. That method may be broadly described as comprising the steps of triggering a wand release, moving the cleaning wand in a first manner to remove the cleaning wand and supplemental cleaning tool together from the home position for use in a cleaning application or for moving the cleaning wand in a second manner to remove the cleaning wand from the home position for use in a cleaning application while maintaining the supplemental cleaning tool in the home position on the body. 
     In the following description, there are shown and described several preferred embodiments of the upright vacuum cleaner. As it should be realized, the upright vacuum cleaner is capable of other, different embodiments and its several details are capable of modification in various, obvious aspects all without departing from the upright vacuum cleaner as set forth and described in the following claims. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions should be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
       The accompanying drawing figures incorporated herein and forming a part of the specification, illustrate several aspects of the upright vacuum cleaner and together with the description serve to explain certain principles thereof. In the drawing figures: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the upright vacuum cleaner in a standard or normal operating configuration. 
         FIG. 1 a    is a schematic block diagram of the airstream path through the vacuum cleaner when in the normal operating configuration illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the upright vacuum cleaner in a first auxiliary operating mode wherein the cleaning wand and supplemental cleaning tool are removed together from the body of the vacuum cleaner for use in a cleaning application. 
         FIG. 2 a    is a schematic block diagram of the airstream path when the vacuum cleaner is configured in the first auxiliary operating mode. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the upright vacuum cleaner configured for a second auxiliary operating mode wherein the cleaning wand is removed from the home position for use in a cleaning application and the supplemental cleaning tool is retained in the home position on the body of the vacuum cleaner. 
         FIG. 3 a    is a schematic block diagram of the airstream path through the vacuum cleaner when configured in the second auxiliary operating mode illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 4  is a detailed, exploded perspective view of the latch that secures the cleaning wand to the body of the vacuum cleaner. 
         FIG. 5  is a detailed, exploded perspective view of the latch release that is used to release the latch and remove the wand from the body of the vacuum cleaner. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates the relative positions of the latch and latch release when the wand is locked to the body of the vacuum cleaner. 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view illustrating how the spring-loaded latching bolts of the latch are received in the opposed latching slots on the body when the wand is secured to the body of the vacuum cleaner. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates the relative position of the latch and latch release when the latch release is activated to release the wand from the body of the vacuum cleaner. 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view illustrating how the pivot cams of the latch release engage the latching bolts and effectively withdraw them from the cooperating opposed latching slots to allow the removal of the wand assembly from the body of the vacuum cleaner. 
         FIG. 10 a    and is a rear perspective view illustrating the wand assembly and supplemental cleaning tool in the home position on the body the vacuum cleaner with the resilient clip engaging the supplemental cleaning tool. 
         FIG. 10 b    is a rear perspective view illustrating how the wand assembly is pivoted rearwardly to free the supplemental cleaning tool from the resilient clip. 
         FIG. 10 c    is a rear perspective view showing how the supplemental cleaning tool and wand assembly are then lifted and removed from the body of the vacuum cleaner to operate the vacuum cleaner in the first auxiliary operating mode. 
         FIGS. 11 a -11 d    are cross-sectional views illustrating how the wand assembly is moved in a different manner to remove only the cleaning wand from the body of the vacuum cleaner and maintain the supplemental cleaning tool in the home position connected by the resilient clip to the body of the vacuum cleaner to allow operation in the second auxiliary operating mode. 
         FIG. 12  is a detailed rear perspective view clearly showing the resilient clip that engages the cuff of the supplemental cleaning tool and serves to hold the supplemental cleaning tool in the home position. 
     
    
    
     Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the upright vacuum cleaner, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawing figures. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 1 and 1   a , illustrating the upright vacuum cleaner  10  configured for standard or normal upright vacuum cleaner operation. The upright vacuum cleaner  10  includes a body comprising a nozzle assembly  12 , a handle assembly  14  and a swivel connection  18  between the nozzle assembly and the canister assembly. 
     As schematically illustrated in  FIG. 1 a   , the nozzle assembly  12  includes an agitator cavity  26 . A rotary agitator  28  is received in the agitator cavity  26 . As further illustrated in  FIG. 1 a   , dirt and debris is drawn into the agitator cavity  26  and swept by the rotary agitator  28  toward the suction inlet  30 . From there the airstream entrained with dirt and debris is drawn through the supplemental cleaning tool  32 , a cleaning wand  16  and a flexible hose  34  to the dirt collection vessel  36  on the canister assembly  37 . 
     The dirt collection vessel  36  may comprise an ordinary dirt cup, a cyclonic dirt cup or a vacuum cleaner filter bag. Dirt and debris is removed from the airstream and collected in the dirt collection vessel  36 . The relatively clean airstream is then drawn through the suction generator  38  where the airstream provides cooling for the suction generator motor before being forced through the final filter  40  and then returned to the environment. 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 2 and 2   a  illustrating the upright vacuum cleaner  10  configured for a first auxiliary operating mode. More specifically, the cleaning wand  16  and attached supplemental cleaning tool  32  are removed from their home position on the body of the vacuum cleaner  10  and manipulated by an operator to complete the desired cleaning task in a convenient and efficient manner. This is accomplished without any need to handle the supplemental cleaning tool  32 . In this configuration or mode of operation, dirt and debris are drawn directly into the supplemental cleaning tool  32  and then flow downstream through the cleaning wand  16  and the flexible hose  34  to the dirt collection vessel  36 . From there the now clean air stream flows through the suction generator  38 , cooling the motor, before being forced through the final filter  40  and then returning to the environment. 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 3 and 3   a  illustrating the upright vacuum cleaner in a second auxiliary operating mode. In this configuration, only the cleaning wand  16  is removed from the home position on the body of the vacuum cleaner and manipulated by an operator to complete the desired cleaning application. The supplemental cleaning tool  32  remains connected to the body of the vacuum cleaner in the home position. Again, this is accomplished without any need to handle the supplemental cleaning tool  32 . In this configuration or mode of operation, dirt and debris are directly drawn into the open end of the cleaning wand  16  and travel by way of the flexible hose  34  to the dirt collection vessel  36 . From there the air flows through the suction generator  38  and is then exhausted through the final filter  40 . 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 4-9  illustrating the wand release which includes the latch  50  and the latch release  52 . As best illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the latch  50  includes a housing member  54  that holds opposed, spring-loaded latching bolts  58 ,  60  that are biased outwardly by the coil spring  62 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the latch release  52  includes the push button actuator  64  having an integral lever  66  and the pivoting cam  68 . Pivoting cam  68  includes two cam paddles  70  connected by the cross-member  72  and an integral lever  74  connected by the tab  76  to the lever  66  of the actuator  64 . A coil spring  78  biases the actuator  64  and the pivoting cam  68  to a home position illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . In one possible embodiment, the latch  50  is mounted on the wand  16  which extends through the opening  80 . In contrast, the latch release  52  is mounted on the body of the vacuum cleaner  10  and, more particularly, the frame  82  of the handle assembly  14 . As best illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , when in the home position, the coil spring  62  biases the latch bolts  58 ,  60  outwardly into the cooperating opposed latching slots  84  provided in the frame  82  of the canister housing  37 . Thus, in the normal position, the latch  50  secures the wand  16  to the body/frame  82  of the handle assembly  14 . 
     When the operator wishes to configure the vacuum cleaner for use in either of the first or second auxiliary operating modes, the operator depresses the actuator  64 . This causes the pivoting cam  68  to pivot so that the paddles  70  engage the latch bolts  58 ,  60  displacing them inwardly against the action of the coil spring  62  until those bolts are completely withdrawn from the cooperating latching slots  84 . Here it should be appreciated that the rounded cam surfaces of the paddles  70  and the rounded cam surfaces on the latch bolts  58 ,  60  ensure smooth, trouble-free operation. 
     Once the bolts  58 ,  60  are removed from the cooperating latching slots  84 , the operator may pivot the wand  16  downwardly away from the canister housing  37  as illustrated by action arrow A in  FIG. 10 b    so that the top end or cuff  90  of the supplemental cleaning tool  32  is removed from the resilient clip  92  anchored to the handle assembly frame  82  (compare  FIGS. 10 a  and 10 b   ). The wand  16  is then lifted upwardly as illustrated by action arrow B in  FIG. 10 c    to then remove the wand  16  with the cleaning tool  32  secured to the end of the wand. The operator is then free to utilize the vacuum cleaner  10  in the first auxiliary configuration wherein dirt and debris is sucked into the vacuum cleaner through the cleaning tool  32  on the end of the wand  16 . 
     After the operator completes the special cleaning application with the wand  16  and the supplemental cleaning tool  32 , the operator manipulates the cleaning tool  32  so as to seat it on the cleaning tool mounting boss  93 . More specifically, the seal  95  surrounding the open end of the mounting boss  93  is captured between the mounting boss and the suction inlet  97  on the cleaning tool  32 . This seals the air pathway so that air entrapped with dirt and debris may be drawn by the suction generator  38  from the agitator cavity  26 , through the suction inlet  30  and the internal conduit  99  in the mounting boss  93 , the suction inlet  97  of the cleaning tool  32  and then through the wand  16  and flexible hose  34  to the dirt collection vessel  36  during normal upright vacuum cleaner operation. As this is done it should be appreciated that the cuff  90  is simultaneously snapped into the resilient clip  92  and the latching bolts  58 ,  60  are simultaneously brought into engagement with the latching slots  84  to complete the reconnection of the wand  16  and supplemental cleaning tool  32  to the handle assembly  14 . 
     In contrast, if the operator wishes to utilize the vacuum cleaner in the second auxiliary configuration, the operator does not pivot the wand rearwardly from the vacuum cleaner as illustrated in  FIG. 10 b   . Instead, as illustrated in  FIG. 11 a   , after depressing the actuator  64 , the operator lifts the wand  16  upwardly without pivoting. As this is done, the resilient clip  92  around the cuff  90  of the cleaning tool  32  tends to bias the cleaning tool in the direction of action arrow C so that the cleaning tool will be maintained in the home position on the body of the vacuum cleaner  10  and the wand  16  is removed for the cleaning application. 
     More specifically, as best illustrated in  FIGS. 11 a -11 d   , a tool latch  94  is carried on the cleaning tool  32 . The tool latch  94  includes a latch element  96 , that is pivotally connected to the supplemental cleaning tool  32  and a latch tab  98  carried on the latch element for engaging a latching notch  100  on the cleaning wand  16 . This is the structure that secures the cleaning tool  32  to the wand  16 . 
     As further illustrated in drawing  FIGS. 11 a -11 d   , the vacuum cleaner  10  also includes a tool latch actuator  102  carried on the body and, more particularly, the frame  82  of the handle assembly  14 . In the illustrated embodiment, the latch actuator  102  is a static lug or cam. 
     As the wand assembly  34  is lifted upwardly relative to the handle assembly  14  as indicated by the action arrow D in  FIG. 11 b   , the resilient clip  92  biases the cleaning tool  32  in the direction of action arrow E so that the latch element  96  is engaged by the tool latch actuator  102 . More particularly, the inclined face  104  of the tool latch actuator  102  engages the sloped face  106  of the latch element  96  so that the latch element is pivoted against the biasing force of the spring (not shown) and the latch tab  98  is removed from the latch notch  100  in the wand  16 . This serves to disconnect the cleaning tool  32  from the wand  16  allowing the wand  16  to be removed from the handle assembly for cleaning applications while the cleaning tool  32  is simultaneously retained in the home position on the handle assembly  14  by the resilient clip  92  (see  FIGS. 11 d    and  12 ). After completing the specialty cleaning application, the wand  16  may be returned to the home position on the handle assembly  14  by simply inserting the open end of the wand  16  into the open end of the cleaning tool on the handle assembly  14 . The wand is moved downwardly until the latch tab  98  again engages in the latch notch  100  to secure the cleaning tool to the wand and the latch bolts  58 ,  60  are again received in the cooperating latching slots  84  in the frame  82  of the handle assembly to lock the wand in the home position. 
     The foregoing has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally and equitably entitled.