Patent Description:
The present disclosure relates to vacuum cleaners. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to vacuum cleaners capable of being carried by a user.

Examples of such vacuum cleaners are known, for example, from: <CIT> or <CIT>.

The disclosure provides a vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner includes a vacuum body assembly. The vacuum body assembly includes a housing having a base end, a mount hook connected to the housing, a debris container removably coupled to the housing, and a suction source. The suction source is able to draw air into the debris container. A harness assembly is removably connected to the vacuum body assembly. The vacuum cleaner is convertible between a carry mode, a stand mode, and a hang mode. The harness assembly is connected to the vacuum body assembly in the carry mode, and the harness assembly is to be worn by a user. The base end of the vacuum body assembly may rest on a support surface in the stand mode. The hook of the vacuum body assembly may hang the body assembly from a mount structure in the hang mode.

The disclosure provides a vacuum cleaner having a vacuum body assembly. The vacuum body assembly includes a housing, a mount hook connected to the housing, a debris container removably coupled to the housing, and a suction source. The mount hook may hang the vacuum body assembly from a mount structure. The suction source may draw air into the debris container. A harness assembly is removably connected to the vacuum body assembly. The mount hook is positioned between the vacuum body assembly and the harness assembly such that the mount hook is at least partially concealed by the harness assembly. Removing the harness assembly from the vacuum body assembly at least partially reveals the mount hook.

The disclosure provides a vacuum cleaner having a vacuum body assembly. The vacuum body assembly includes a housing, a debris container removably coupled to the housing, and a suction source. The suction source may draw air into the debris container. A harness assembly is removably connected to the vacuum body assembly. The harness assembly includes a base plate, at least one shoulder strap connected to the base plate, and a fastener rigidly connected to the base plate. The fastener has a shaft section and a lock section. A lock mechanism is connected to the housing of the vacuum body assembly. The lock mechanism may releasably lock the vacuum body assembly to the harness assembly. The lock mechanism is actuatable from a lock position to an unlock position. The lock mechanism traps the lock section of the fastener in the lock position.

Before any embodiments of the disclosure are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings.

Turning now to <FIG>, an embodiment of a vacuum cleaner <NUM> is shown. The vacuum cleaner <NUM> includes a vacuum body assembly <NUM> and a harness assembly <NUM>. The vacuum body assembly includes a housing <NUM> having a base end <NUM> and a top end <NUM> opposite the base end. A debris container <NUM> is removably coupled to the housing <NUM>. A suction source <NUM> may be disposed on or in the housing <NUM>. The suction source <NUM> is configured to draw air into the debris container <NUM>. In some embodiments, a filter element (or screen) <NUM> may be positioned to prevent debris from exiting the debris container <NUM>. The vacuum body assembly <NUM> further includes a debris and air intake port <NUM> in fluid communication with the debris container <NUM>. The vacuum body assembly <NUM> also includes one or more air exhaust openings <NUM> to exhaust air from the suction source <NUM>.

The harness assembly <NUM> is removably connected to the vacuum body assembly <NUM>. The harness assembly <NUM> includes a base plate <NUM>. At least one shoulder strap <NUM> is connected to the base plate <NUM>. As shown best in <FIG>, the shoulder straps may be adjustable to fit a particular user. The harness assembly <NUM> may further include a waist strap <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the waist strap <NUM> may connect to the base plate <NUM> at one or more vertical slots <NUM> to allow for vertical adjustability of the waist strap to fit a particular user.

With particular reference to <FIG>, the harness assembly <NUM> further includes a fastener <NUM> rigidly connected to the base plate <NUM>. With regard to the illustrated embodiment, the harness assembly <NUM> includes four fasteners <NUM>. The fasteners <NUM> may be identical to each other, or they may be different from each other. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper fasteners <NUM> are different from the lower fasteners <NUM>. Both the upper fasteners <NUM> and the lower fasteners <NUM> each include a shaft section <NUM> and a lock section <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper fasteners <NUM> show one example of a lock section <NUM>, which is a bar forming a T-shaped fastener with the shaft section <NUM>. The lower fasteners <NUM> show another example of a lock section <NUM>, which is a fastener hook.

Also shown in <FIG>, the vacuum body assembly <NUM> includes openings <NUM> defined in the housing <NUM>. The number of openings <NUM> corresponds to the number of fasteners <NUM> on the base plate <NUM>. The openings <NUM> may all be the same, or they may be different from each other. In the illustrated embodiment, the openings <NUM> corresponding to the upper fasteners <NUM> are slots arranged to trap the upper fasteners once the base plate <NUM> translates relative to the vacuum body assembly <NUM>. The openings <NUM> corresponding to the lower fasteners <NUM> are standard openings allowing for direct insertion of the fastener hook of each respective lower fastener.

Shown best in <FIG>, the fastener hook of each lower fastener <NUM> is received through the corresponding opening <NUM> in the housing <NUM>. A lock mechanism <NUM> movably connected to the vacuum body assembly <NUM> releasably locks the vacuum body assembly to the harness assembly <NUM> by trapping the lock section <NUM> of each respective lower fastener <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the lock mechanism <NUM> translates relative to the rest of the vacuum body assembly <NUM> from a lock position to an unlock position (and vice versa). The lock mechanism <NUM> is biased toward the lock position by one or more resilient members <NUM> (such as a spring). In the illustrated embodiment, the lock mechanism <NUM> includes a lock rail <NUM> that engages the fastener hook lock section <NUM> of the lower fasteners <NUM>. At least one of the fastener hook lock section <NUM> of the lower fastener <NUM> and the lock rail <NUM> may include a chamfer <NUM> to allow forced connection of the vacuum body assembly <NUM> to the harness assembly <NUM> without separately actuating the lock mechanism <NUM>. Stated another way, this one or more chamfers <NUM> may allow a user to "crash in" the lock section <NUM> into engagement with the lock rail <NUM> of the lock mechanism <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, both the fastener hook lock section <NUM> and the lock rail <NUM> include complementary chamfers <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, the lock mechanism <NUM> includes a user engagement portion <NUM>. The user engagement portion <NUM> of the lock mechanism <NUM> allows a user to actuate the lock mechanism to move the lock mechanism from the lock position to the unlock position. In the illustrated embodiment, the housing <NUM> includes a wall <NUM> adjacent the user engagement portion <NUM>. The wall <NUM> may prevent inadvertent engagement of the user engagement portion <NUM>. The wall <NUM> may also aid in allowing a user to purposely engage the user engagement portion <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the user engagement portion <NUM> is a lever sized and shaped to be engaged by a user's thumb or one or more fingers, and the wall <NUM> may be positioned such that the user may squeeze against the wall and the user engagement portion to actuate the lock mechanism from the lock position to the unlock position.

As such, the harness assembly <NUM> may be completely removable from the vacuum body assembly <NUM>. The harness assembly <NUM> may be connected to the vacuum body assembly <NUM> and used to wear the vacuum cleaner <NUM> on the user's back in a carry mode. The harness assembly <NUM> need not be, but may be, removed from the vacuum body assembly <NUM> in order to utilize the vacuum cleaner <NUM> in a stand mode.

Returning to <FIG>, the base end <NUM> of the housing <NUM> of the vacuum body assembly <NUM> is configured to rest on a support surface (such as the floor) in the stand mode. The base end <NUM> may include at least one foot <NUM> to engage the support surface when the vacuum cleaner <NUM> is in the stand mode. In the illustrated embodiment, the base end <NUM> includes a plurality of feet <NUM>. Alternatively, the base end <NUM> may have a flat surface, or the base end may have a concave surface.

Not only may the vacuum cleaner <NUM> be convertible between the carry mode and the stand mode, the vacuum cleaner may also be convertible to a hang mode. The conversion of the vacuum cleaner <NUM> into the hang mode and the utilization of the vacuum cleaner in the hang mode will be described further below.

As shown best in <FIG>, a mount hook <NUM> is connected to the housing <NUM> of the vacuum body assembly <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the mount hook <NUM> allows the user to hang the vacuum body assembly <NUM> of the vacuum cleaner <NUM> from a structure <NUM> (such as a beam, wall, fence, etc.) in the hang mode. In the illustrated embodiment, the mount hook <NUM> is movable relative to the housing <NUM> from a collapsed position (<FIG>) to a deployed position (<FIG>). The mount hook <NUM> is in the deployed position in the hang mode and in the collapsed position in the carry mode. As shown in <FIG>, the mount hook <NUM> moves translationally relative to the housing <NUM> to switch modes. Other embodiments may include rotating the mount hook <NUM> relative to the housing <NUM> or both rotating and translating the mount hook relative to the housing to switch modes.

Shown particularly in <FIG> of the illustrated embodiment, a majority of the mount hook <NUM> is received within the housing <NUM> when the mount hook is in the collapsed position. The vacuum body assembly <NUM> may include a recess <NUM> defined in the housing <NUM> (shown best in <FIG>). The recess <NUM> is sized and shaped such that a majority of the mount hook <NUM> is received therein when the mount hook is in the collapsed position (<FIG>). In fact, some embodiments may include the mount hook <NUM> being flush or recessed relative to the corresponding surface of the housing <NUM> when the mount hook is in the collapsed position. In the illustrated embodiment, the housing <NUM> includes a cut-out <NUM> which allows a user to more easily access the mount hook <NUM> when the mount hook is in the collapsed position. A user need only grab the mount hook <NUM> in the vicinity of the cut-out <NUM> and pull the mount hook outward from the housing <NUM> toward the deployed position. Other embodiments may additionally or alternatively include a detent mechanism or other mechanism that allows a user to quickly and easily move the mount hook <NUM> from one position to the other.

Also shown in <FIG>, the mount hook <NUM> may be positioned on the housing <NUM> such that the mount hook is between the vacuum body assembly <NUM> and the harness assembly <NUM> when the harness assembly is connected to the vacuum body assembly. The mount hook <NUM> may be at least partially concealed by the harness assembly <NUM>, and removing the harness assembly from the vacuum body assembly <NUM> at least partially reveals the mount hook. In the illustrated embodiment, the harness assembly <NUM> completely conceals the mount hook <NUM> when the harness assembly is connected to the vacuum body assembly <NUM> (see <FIG>). In such an embodiment, the mount hook <NUM> is only movable from the collapsed position to the deployed position when the harness assembly <NUM> is not connected to the vacuum body assembly <NUM>. Stated another way, the harness assembly <NUM> must be removed from the vacuum body assembly <NUM> to utilize the mount hook <NUM>. As such, the harness assembly <NUM> is not connected to the vacuum body assembly <NUM> when the vacuum cleaner <NUM> is in the hang mode.

Turning again to <FIG>, the vacuum body assembly <NUM> may further include a leash <NUM>. The leash <NUM> may be connected to the housing <NUM> and the mount hook <NUM>. The leash <NUM> may be removably connected at one or both ends, or the leash may include a connector <NUM> at some point between the ends of the leash. The leash <NUM> may be configured to releasably close a loop together with the mount hook <NUM>. Such a configuration may allow for more stable mounting of the vacuum cleaner <NUM> when the vacuum cleaner is in the hang mode. The leash <NUM> and the mount hook <NUM> trap the structure <NUM> such that removal from the structure accidentally is far less likely.

With reference to <FIG>, the vacuum body assembly <NUM> further includes a suction hose <NUM>. The suction hose <NUM> has an accessory end <NUM> and an attachment end <NUM>. The accessory end <NUM>, in the illustrated embodiment, is configured to accept one or more interchangeable accessory nozzles. The attachment end <NUM> is configured to removably attach the suction hose <NUM> to the vacuum body assembly <NUM>. In particular, the attachment end <NUM> is connected to the vacuum body assembly <NUM> at the debris and air intake port <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the suction hose <NUM> includes a pivot joint assembly <NUM>. The pivot joint assembly <NUM> allows a user to pivot the majority of the suction hose <NUM> relative to the vacuum body assembly <NUM>. As such, a user may angle the suction hose <NUM> downward relative to the vacuum body assembly <NUM> when the vacuum cleaner <NUM> is in the carry mode. Likewise, a user may angle the suction hose <NUM> upward relative to the vacuum body assembly <NUM> when the vacuum cleaner <NUM> is in the stand mode.

Referring now to <FIG>, an alternative embodiment of a vacuum cleaner <NUM> is shown. In particular, the vacuum cleaner <NUM> has a different connection between the vacuum body assembly <NUM> and the base plate <NUM> of the harness assembly <NUM>. The fasteners (not shown) are rotatable relative to the base plate <NUM>. The fasteners are connected to quarter-turn actuators <NUM>. As such, the vacuum body assembly <NUM> includes openings <NUM> in the housing <NUM> shaped to allow lateral passage of the fasteners in and out of the openings when the quarter-turn actuators <NUM> are in the unlocked position (as shown in <FIG>). The fasteners are blocked by the shape of the openings <NUM> in the housing <NUM> when the quarter-turn actuators <NUM> are turned to the locked position, thereby securing the base plate <NUM> to the vacuum body assembly <NUM> in the carry mode.

Claim 1:
A vacuum cleaner (<NUM>) comprising:
a vacuum body assembly (<NUM>) including
a housing (<NUM>) having a base end (<NUM>);
a mount hook (<NUM>) connected to the housing (<NUM>), the mount hook (<NUM>) is movable relative to the housing (<NUM>) and the mount hook (<NUM>) is movable from a collapsed position to a deployed position;
a debris container (<NUM>) removably coupled to the housing (<NUM>); and
a suction source (<NUM>) configured to draw air into the debris container (<NUM>);
a harness assembly (<NUM>) removably connected to the vacuum body assembly (<NUM>); wherein the mount hook (<NUM>) is positioned on the housing (<NUM>) such that the mount hook (<NUM>) is between the vacuum body assembly (<NUM>) and the harness assembly (<NUM>) when the harness assembly (<NUM>) is connected to the vacuum body assembly (<NUM>); and
wherein the vacuum cleaner (<NUM>) is convertible between
a carry mode, the harness assembly (<NUM>) connected to the vacuum body assembly (<NUM>) in the carry mode, the harness assembly (<NUM>) configured to be worn by a user and the harness assembly (<NUM>) completely conceals the mount hook (<NUM>);
a stand mode, the base end (<NUM>) of the vacuum body assembly (<NUM>) configured to rest on a support surface in the stand mode; and
a hang mode, the hook (<NUM>) of the vacuum body assembly (<NUM>) configured to hang the vacuum body assembly (<NUM>) from a mount structure (<NUM>) in the hang mode
wherein the harness assembly (<NUM>) must be removed from the vacuum body assembly (<NUM>) to at least partially reveal and utilize the mount hook (<NUM>), and the mount hook (<NUM>) is moveable from the collapsed position to the deployed position when the harness assembly is not connected to the vacuum body assembly (<NUM>).