Patent Publication Number: US-7707683-B2

Title: Sweeper vacuum cleaner assembly

Description:
This application claims filing date of provisional application: 60/594,383 Apr. 1, 2005 

   BACKGROUND 
   The present invention relates to cleaning appliances and more particularly, a combination assembly containing a sweeper for collecting debris and a vacuum cleaner for picking up the collected debris. 
   Normally, a broom is used to sweep debris into a pile and the pile of debris is then swept into a dust pan. The dustpan is then emptied into a garbage container. Sometimes all the debris is not transferred to the dustpan. It is also easy to spill the debris from the dustpan. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,617,610 issued Apr. 8, 1997 discloses a self-contained sweeper and vacuum pick-up. This device comprises a broom and a rechargeable vacuum assembly. However, the present invention provides a uniquely designed broom and vacuum assembly. 
   SUMMARY 
   One of the main objectives of the present invention is to provide a sweeper/vacuum assembly for sweeping and picking of piles of debris. 
   The present invention comprises a rechargeable battery operated combination sweeper/vacuum assembly for picking up debris that is swept into a pile. The assembly further comprises an elongated handle, a sweeper member, and a vacuum member. A compartment for housing the rechargeable battery is mounted to the upper end of the elongated handle. Mounted to the lower end of the handle is the sweeper member which further comprises a housing adapted to slidably receive the bristles of the sweeper member. Mounted to the backside of the housing is the vacuum member which further comprises a removable cover constructed in the shape of a dust pan. The removable cover of the vacuum member can be used as a conventional dust pan with the sweeper portion of the present invention. 
   Further advantages of the present invention will become apparent after reading the detailed description in conjunction with the attached drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a frontal perspective view of the sweeper/vacuum assembly of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a back perspective view of the sweeper/vacuum assembly of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a side perspective view of the sweeper/vacuum assembly of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the sweeper extended. 
       FIG. 5  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the sweeper non-extended. 
       FIG. 6  is an enlarged cross-sectional side view of the sweeper extended. 
       FIG. 7  is an enlarged cross-sectional side view with the vacuum cover removed. 
       FIG. 8B  is a top enlarged exploded view of the vacuum assembly. 
       FIG. 8A  is a side enlarged exploded view of the vacuum assembly. 
       FIG. 9  is an enlarged top view of the vacuum cover. 
       FIG. 10  is an enlarged to view of the vacuum assembly without cover. 
       FIG. 11  is an exploded enlarged view of the vacuum assembly with cover. 
       FIG. 12A  is an enlarged cross-sectional view top view of the elongated handle with the internal shaft distended. 
       FIG. 12B  is an enlarged cross-sectional view top view of the elongated handle with the internal shaft extended. 
       FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of the handle. 
       FIG. 14A  is frontal view of the battery charger. 
       FIG. 14B  is side view of the battery charger. 
       FIG. 15  is a side view of the battery charger inserted. 
   

   DETAILED SPECIFICATIONS 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4  and  6  there is shown an embodiment the present invention a combination sweeper/vacuum assembly. The invention further comprises an elongated handle ( 100 ) segmented into an upper portion ( 7 ) and a lower portion ( 6 ). Disposed at the bottom of the lower portion ( 6 ) of the elongated handle ( 100 ) is a combined assembly of sweeper member ( 1 ) and battery operated vacuum member ( 210 ). 
   Disposed at the top of the upper portion ( 7 ) of the elongated handle ( 100 ) is compartment ( 8 ) which is adapted to contain a rechargeable battery unit  36  shown in  FIG. 15 . A re-charger unit ( 50 ) can be provided to interface with the housing current. The details will be described further below. 
   Disposed at the bottom of the lower portion ( 6 ) of the elongated handle ( 100 ) is housing ( 105 ) which supports the combined assembly of sweeper member ( 1 ) and battery operated ( 210 ). Housing ( 105 ) is vertically mounted to the bottom end of the lower portion ( 6 ) of handle ( 100 ). As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , housing ( 105 ) includes a plurality of interconnected outer walls ( 14 ) forming an interior cavity therein. The interior cavity of housing  105  is further partitioned into a plurality of internal chambers therein. Housing ( 105 ) further includes lower front wall ( 2 ), upper front wall  3 , lower rear wall  9 , and upper rear wall  10  which are interconnected to form the outer wall  14 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , horizontally extending interior wall  121  partitions the internal cavity of housing  105  into a upper vacuum compartment ( 110 ) and lower compartment. As shown in  FIG. 6 , vertically extending interior wall ( 15 ) partitions the lower compartment of the interior cavity of housing  105  into first internal chamber ( 29 ) (shown in  FIG. 4 ) and a second internal chamber ( 107 ) (shown in  FIG. 6 ). 
   Sweeper member ( 1 ) comprises a plurality of bristles ( 125 ) conventionally mounted to horizontally displaced bracket ( 19 ) within first interior chamber ( 29 ). First interior chamber  29  is shaped and dimensioned to generally surround and thereby house sweeping member ( 1 ). Shaft ( 18 ) extends vertically downward internally through handle ( 100 ) and into first internal chamber ( 29 ). Bracket ( 19 ) is affixed to the lower end of shaft ( 18 ) by coupling member  20  thereby connecting the bristles ( 125 ) of sweeper member ( 1 ) to the lower end of shaft ( 18 ). Sweeper member ( 1 ) is slidably mounted to shaft ( 18 ) within first internal chamber ( 29 ) for sliding in the vertical direction between a first extended position shown in  FIG. 4  and a second retracted position shown in  FIG. 5 . Internal wall ( 15 ) prevents debris from entering first internal chamber ( 29 ) when vacuum member ( 210 ) is activated. 
   In the first extended position of sweeper member ( 1 ) the broom bristles ( 125 ) extend outwardly from first internal chamber ( 29 ) through the bottom thereof. Sweeper member ( 1 ) bristles ( 125 ) extend outwardly to the conventional broom length of at least 2 inches to allow for manual sweeping. In the second retraced position of sweeper member ( 1 ), the broom bristles ( 125 ) are retracted inwardly and confined within first internal chamber ( 29 ). 
   Protective cover ( 11 ) is vertically and removably mounted to lower rear wall ( 9 ) opposing interior wall ( 15 ). When protective cover ( 11 ) is attached to lower rear wall  9 , second interior chamber ( 107 ) is formed with an inlet ( 130 ) formed at the bottom thereof. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 8A ,  8 B,  9 , and  10 , when removed, protective cover ( 11 ) is configured and dimensioned to be used as a conventional dustpan. As a dustpan, protective cover ( 11 ) further includes a lower portion ( 51 ) with an affixed collector handle ( 12 ). Lower portion ( 51 ) is dimensioned and configured as a conventional scooper for collecting debris when sweeper member ( 1 ) is used as a conventional broom. As shown lower portion  51  has a conventional semi-circular scooper shape. 
   Collector handle ( 12 ) is hollow, has a cylindrical shape, and protrudes slightly inwardly into lower portion  51  to form a vacuum inlet  27 . On opposing sides of vacuum inlet  27 , opposing sealing members ( 26 ) are mounted onto the interior wall of lower portion  51 . Each sealing member  26  defines a flange which curves outward from vacuum inlet  27  into a corner near the lower peripheral edge of lower portion  51 . When protective cover ( 11 ) is re-attached to lower rear wall  9 , the vacuum inlet  27  can function as a debris collector during the operation of vacuum member ( 210 ) housed in vacuum compartment  110 . Sealing member can be made of a plastic material. Additionally, connection flanges  131  are formed along the outer curved peripheral edges of lower portion  51 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 10 , dust pan support bracket  132  is formed upon lower rear wall  9  to support the reattachment of protective cover ( 11 ). Dust pan support bracket  132  is configured and adapted to receive protective cover  11 . Dustpan support bracket  132  further comprises a top portion  25  and a lower portion  251 . Top portion  25  forms a receptacle configured and adapted to receive collector handle  12  shown in  FIG. 9 . Lower portion  251  has a semi-circular shape adapted to securely engage with lower portion  51  of protective cover  11 . Along interior wall  15  are mating sealing member recesses  28  which are adapted to securely engage with sealing member ( 26 ). The curved edges of lower portion  251  are adapted with connection recess  28  to securely engage with connection flanges  132  of lower portion  51  of protective cover  11 . As depicted in  FIG. 6 , reattaching protective cover  11  to lower rear wall  9  forms an air passageway through inlet  130  and into vacuum inlet  27  shown in  FIG. 9 . The air passageway through inlet  130  is fully open during the operation of vacuum  10  which allow the collection of debris into collector handle  12  shown in  FIG. 9 . Connection recesses  28  and sealing member  26  provides the means for attachment of cover  11  to lower rear wall  9 . Disposed within vacuum inlet  27  is a flap, which supports reattachment of cover  11  to rear wall  9 . Additionally, disposed within handle  12  on the end opposing vacuum inlet  27  is a rubber flap  128  which also allows dirt into the receptacle but not out. 
   Disposed upward from and above second internal chamber ( 107 ) and internal chamber ( 29 ) is completely confined vacuum compartment ( 110 ). Vacuum compartment  110  is adapted to operationally support the suction means components of (i.e. fan, filter, and motor—) of vacuum member ( 210 ). A motor  24  is internally mounted inside vacuum compartment  110  which turns on a fan (not shown) also mounted within vacuum compartment  110 . The rotation of fan creates a vacuum, which causes air to force debris through inlet ( 130 ) through vacuum inlet  27  and into collector handle ( 12 ). Air filter ( 23 ) is removably mounted within the upper end of receptacle ( 24 ) disposed between vacuum inlet  27  and vacuum compartment  110 . Disposed within the upper frontal wall  3  of housing  105  is exhaust outlet  4 . Exhaust outlet  4  further comprises a plurality of apertures extending into vacuum compartment  110 . Exhaust outlet  4  support the suction means of vacuum member  210 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 12A and 12B , handle ( 100 ) further comprises a hollow cavity with shaft ( 18 ) extending therethrough. As shown in  FIG. 4 , shaft  18  extends into first internal chamber ( 29 ) within housing ( 105 ). The lower end of shaft ( 18 ) is connected to sweeper member ( 1 ) via bracket member ( 19 ). As shown in  FIG. 12B , upper portion ( 7 ) of handle ( 100 ) is slidably connected the lower portion ( 6 ) of handle ( 100 ) with switch control mechanism ( 31 ,  32 ) incorporated therebetween. Switch mechanism ( 31 ,  32 ) is electrically connected to vacuum member  10  via wires  38  and  39 . 
   When the upper portion ( 7 ) of handle ( 100 ) is slid upward from the lower portion ( 6 ) of handle ( 100 ), shaft ( 18 ) extends upwardly thereby retracting the bristles ( 125 ) of sweeper member ( 1 ) into the first internal chamber ( 29 ). Simultaneously, switch control mechanism ( 31 ) is slid upward to align with mating electric connection ( 32 ) thereby activating vacuum member ( 210 ). Additionally, when the bristles of sweeper member ( 1 ) are pulled up the first internal chamber ( 29 ) of housing ( 105 ), inlet ( 130 ) of the vacuum member ( 210 ) is exposed allowing debris to be forced upward into collector member ( 12 ) through vacuum inlet ( 27 ). 
   When the upper portion ( 7 ) of handle ( 100 ) is slid downward toward the lower portion ( 6 ) of handle ( 100 ), shaft ( 18 ) extends downwardly thereby extending the bristles ( 125 ) of sweeper member ( 1 ) outwardly from the first internal chamber ( 29 ). Simultaneously, the electric connection between switch control mechanism ( 31 ) and mating connection ( 32 ) is broken thereby deactivating vacuum member ( 210 ). When the upper portion of handle ( 100 ) is slid downward, the present invention can be utilized as a conventional broom. 
   Switch control mechanism ( 31 ) further comprises an upper DC commutator ( 31 ) and a lower mating DC commutator ( 32 ) operationally mounted on each side of shaft ( 18 ) within the interior cavity  17  of handle ( 100 ) between the connection between the upper portion ( 6 ) and the lower portion ( 7 ) of handle ( 100 ). Electrical wires  38  electrically connect the upper DC commutator  31  to the battery  8 . Electrical wires  39  electrically connect the lower DC commutator  32  to motor  24  of vacuum member  10 . 
   When the upper portion ( 7 ) of handle ( 100 ) is slid upward from the lower portion ( 6 ) of handle ( 100 ), the upper DC commutator ( 31 ) and lower ( 32 ) DC commutator on each side of shaft ( 18 ) are aligned thereby establishing the electrical connection to activate vacuum member  10 . Alternatively, when the upper portion ( 7 ) of handle ( 100 ) is slid downward toward the lower portion ( 6 ) of handle ( 100 ), the upper ( 31 ) and lower ( 32 ) DC commutators on each side of shaft ( 18 ) are completely separated thereby breaking the electrical connection and deactivating the vacuum member ( 210 ). 
   Referring to  FIGS. 14A and 14B , there is shown respectively a frontal and side view of battery charger  50 . As depicted, battery charger  50  is mounted to the wall at a predetermined height utilizing fastening means  41  (i.e. screws). Cord  42  provides a connection (not shown) a convention electrical outlet. Hook  44  protrudes outwardly and is adapted to electrically connect with battery  36 . To initiate charging hook  35  is attached to hook  44  that creates an electrical connection with switch control  46 . Wires  37  connect charger  50  to battery  36 . As shown, switch control  46  is spring loaded type connection. Thus, as shown in  FIG. 15 , when handle  100  is mounted to charger  50 , spring  49  is depressed activating electrical connection  46  to initiate charging of battery  36 . Electrical wires  37  electrically connect batter  36  to switch control  46 .