EP0401531A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Battery powered vacuum cleaner
Assignee: White Consolidated Industries Inc
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Filing: 1990-05-09
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2010-05-09
Abstract
Abstract A vacuum cleaner is provided having a handle assembly (200) and a floor engaging unit (100) pivotally mounted thereto, which includes a vacuum pump formed by a motor mounted to a base. One or more lamps are provided within the floor engaging unit (100) for directly light forardly of the vacuum cleaner through a horizontally elongated lens. The handle assembly (200) includes a housing (201) pivoted to the floor engaging unit (100), and a handle (202) extending from the opposite end thereof. A rigid or semirigid dirt tube extends longitudinally in one side of a recess in one side of the housing (201), and has a lower end coupled via a flexible tube to the outlet of the floor engaging unit. The dirt tube has a forwardly extending port in its other end to receive a disposable dust bag adapted to be removably assembled in the front recess. A further recess is provided in the rear of the housing for releasably receiving a rechargeable sealed lead acid battery assembly box, which includes the battery, a recharging circuit including a recharging light, and a circuit breaker that is accessible at the rear of the vacuum cleaner for being manually reset. A control board is provided at the upper end of the housing (201), including a switch enabling operation of the machine either with or without use of the lights. An indicator, such as a row of LEDs is also provided on the control board, to indicate the charge condition of the battery to the user.
Inventors
- 👤 Alfred Schiazza
- 👤 Arnold L. Sepke
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 02:14
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47L; A47L9/00; A47L9/28; A47L9/2889; A47L5/00; A47L5/12; A47L5/22; A47L5/28; A47L5/30; A47L9/2857; A47L9/2868; A47L9/2884; A47L9/30; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S15/00; Y10S15/01
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 39
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
Vacuum cleaner comprising a floor engaging unit (100) and a handle assembly (200) pivotally mounted to said floor engaging unit, said floor engaging unit comprising a vacuum nozzle and a vacuum pump (106), said handle assembly (200) including a housing (201) having a removable cover (205, 206), an externally accessible recess (208), a dirt tube (220) in said housing and having a port (222) for removably receiving a porous dust bag (215), and a flexible tube arrangement (108) coupling said dirt tube (220) to said vacuum pump (106) whereby dirt-laden air is drawn by said pump from said nozzle to be directed through said port, and further comprising electrical contacts (232) in said recess 208), and means for connecting said electrical contacts (232) to said vacuum pump (106).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
Vacuum cleaner comprising a floor engaging unit (100) and a handle assembly (200) pivotally mounted to said floor engaging unit, said floor engaging unit comprising a vacuum nozzle and a vacuum pump (106), said handle assembly (200) including a housing (201) having a removable cover (205, 206), an externally accessible recess (208), a dirt tube (220) in said housing and having a port (222) for removably receiving a porous dust bag (215), and a flexible tube arrangement (108) coupling said dirt tube (220) to said vacuum pump (106) whereby dirt-laden air is drawn by said pump from said nozzle to be directed through said port, and further comprising electrical contacts (232) in said recess 208), and means for connecting said electrical contacts (232) to said vacuum pump (106).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
Vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 comprising a battery assembly (300) in said recess (208) and having battery contacts (231) releasably contacting said electrical contacts (232), and means for releasably holding said battery assembly (300) in said recess.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
Vacuum cleaner according to claim 2 wherein said electrical contacts (232) comprise spring contact fingers (232) adapted to engage said battery contacts (321) only when said battery assembly (300) is positioned within said recess (208).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
Vacuum cleaner according to claim 2 comprising means for pivotally assembling said battery assembly (300) in said recess (208).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
71 words
Vacuum cleaner according to claim 4 wherein said means for pivotally assembling comprises projections (250) within said recess (208)and adjacent one end of said recess, and guide means on said battery assembly (300) for releasably receiving said projections, said releasable holding means comprising a catch (212) mounted on said housing (201) at the end of said recess (208) opposite said one end thereof and positioned to engage said battery assembly (300).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
Vacuum cleaner according to one of the preceding claims wherein said battery assembly (300) comprises a battery housing, a rechargeable battery (312) within said housing, and a circuit connecting said battery (312) to said battery contacts (321), said circuit comprising a charging circuit and a manually operable circuit breaker (331).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
Vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 comprising a handle recess (210) in the rear of said housing (201), said handle recess having a lip (211) extending rearwardly of said housing and defining a projection for inhibiting engagement of said handle with a floor surface upon which said vacuum cleaner is positioned.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
Vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 comprising indicating means (259) on said housing (201), said indicating means comprising means coupled to said battery (312) for indicating the charge condition of said battery.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
Vacuum cleaner according to claim 8 wherein said indicating means comprising a plurality of LEDs (259) connected to be energized at different charge conditions of said battery (312).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
146 words
Vacuum cleaner having a floor engaging unit (100) with a vacuum pump (106) mounted thereon, the vacuum pump comprising a motor having a vertical axis, and further comprising lighting means (138, 160) for illuminating an area in front of the vacuum cleaner, the improvement wherein said lighting means comprises an elongated lens (160) mounted on to extend horizontally on said floor engaging unit (100), said lens having a front surface extending at an acute angle to the horizontal and a plurality of horizontally extending spaced apart grooves (168) in said front surface, said lighting means further comprising a cylindrical lamp (138) mounted to said floor engaging unit (100) to extend horizontally parallel to and behind said lens at substantially the top edge thereof, said grooves (168) being shaped to direct light in said lens (160) downwardly to a predetermined region in front of said vacuum cleaner.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
146 words
Vacuum cleaner having a floor engaging unit (100) with a vacuum pump (106) mounted thereon, the vacuum pump comprising a motor having a vertical axis, and further comprising lighting means (138, 160) for illuminating an area in front of the vacuum cleaner, the improvement wherein said lighting means comprises an elongated lens (160) mounted on to extend horizontally on said floor engaging unit (100), said lens having a front surface extending at an acute angle to the horizontal and a plurality of horizontally extending spaced apart grooves (168) in said front surface, said lighting means further comprising a cylindrical lamp (138) mounted to said floor engaging unit (100) to extend horizontally parallel to and behind said lens at substantially the top edge thereof, said grooves (168) being shaped to direct light in said lens (160) downwardly to a predetermined region in front of said vacuum cleaner.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
Vacuum cleaner according to claim 10 wherein said grooves (168) have bottom sides at an angle of substantially 15 degrees to the horizontal and upper sides at an angle of substantially 45 degrees to said bottom sides.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
96 words
Vacuum cleaner including a floor engaging unit (100) and a handle assembly (200) pivotally mounted thereto, the floor engaging unit (100) including an electrically operated vacuum pump (106), the improvement comprising a battery assembly (300) removable mounted in said handle assembly (200), said battery assembly comprising a box (310) adapted to be mounted in said housing and enclosing a battery (312) for energizing said motor and a circuit including a charging circuit connected to said battery and a manually resettably circuit breaker (331) connected to said battery and acessible from the exterior of said handle assembly.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
96 words
Vacuum cleaner including a floor engaging unit (100) and a handle assembly (200) pivotally mounted thereto, the floor engaging unit (100) including an electrically operated vacuum pump (106), the improvement comprising a battery assembly (300) removable mounted in said handle assembly (200), said battery assembly comprising a box (310) adapted to be mounted in said housing and enclosing a battery (312) for energizing said motor and a circuit including a charging circuit connected to said battery and a manually resettably circuit breaker (331) connected to said battery and acessible from the exterior of said handle assembly.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
156 words
Vacuum cleaner having a floor engaging unit (100) with a base, motor (106) mounted to said base and having a fan (143) thereon for directing dust-laden air from a nozzle to an outlet, a brush roll (131) rotatably mounted therein, a belt (142) for driving said brush roll (131) from said motor (106), and a removable access panel (125) for accessing said belt for removal and replacement, the improvement wherein said access panel has an extension (126) rearwardly of said nozzle, a pair of at least partly resilient projetions (157) extending laterally from opposite sides of said extension (126) and having vertically directed end portions (158), and posts (161A) mounted to said base adjacent said vertically directed end portions, said posts (161A) and end portions having mutually engagable latch means (159, 160) for holding said access panel (125) to said base, whereby said latch means may be released by urging said end portions toward one another.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
156 words
Vacuum cleaner having a floor engaging unit (100) with a base, motor (106) mounted to said base and having a fan (143) thereon for directing dust-laden air from a nozzle to an outlet, a brush roll (131) rotatably mounted therein, a belt (142) for driving said brush roll (131) from said motor (106), and a removable access panel (125) for accessing said belt for removal and replacement, the improvement wherein said access panel has an extension (126) rearwardly of said nozzle, a pair of at least partly resilient projetions (157) extending laterally from opposite sides of said extension (126) and having vertically directed end portions (158), and posts (161A) mounted to said base adjacent said vertically directed end portions, said posts (161A) and end portions having mutually engagable latch means (159, 160) for holding said access panel (125) to said base, whereby said latch means may be released by urging said end portions toward one another.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
117 words
Wheel assembly for a vacuum cleaner comprising a wheel (400) having a hub (402), a rim (403) and a web (404) extending between said hub and said rim, said hub (402) being recessed with respect to said web and having a hole therethrough for receiving a mounting pin or axle, said web having a channel (406) extending therein adjacent said hub, and a wheel cover (401) having a rim portion engaging said rim (420) for being held to said wheel, and a web portion adapted to cover said web, said web protion having a tab (421) hinged thereto and positioned to cover said hub (402) and hole, and means for releasably holding said tab to said web.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
117 words
Wheel assembly for a vacuum cleaner comprising a wheel (400) having a hub (402), a rim (403) and a web (404) extending between said hub and said rim, said hub (402) being recessed with respect to said web and having a hole therethrough for receiving a mounting pin or axle, said web having a channel (406) extending therein adjacent said hub, and a wheel cover (401) having a rim portion engaging said rim (420) for being held to said wheel, and a web portion adapted to cover said web, said web protion having a tab (421) hinged thereto and positioned to cover said hub (402) and hole, and means for releasably holding said tab to said web.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
106 words
Vacuum cleaner having a floor engaging unit (100) and a handle assembly (200) pivotally mounted thereto, the floor engaging unit having a vacuum pump (106) and an outlet for exhausting dirt laden-air, the improvement wherein said handle assembly (200) includes a housing (201) and a handle (202) affixed thereto, said housing having a recess enclosing a rigid or semi rigid dirt tube (220) extending longitudinally therein, flexible tube means (108) coupling one end of said dirt tube (220) to said outlet, a port (222) extending from said dirt tube for receiving a dust bag (215) within said recess, and a cover (206) removably covering said recess.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
106 words
Vacuum cleaner having a floor engaging unit (100) and a handle assembly (200) pivotally mounted thereto, the floor engaging unit having a vacuum pump (106) and an outlet for exhausting dirt laden-air, the improvement wherein said handle assembly (200) includes a housing (201) and a handle (202) affixed thereto, said housing having a recess enclosing a rigid or semi rigid dirt tube (220) extending longitudinally therein, flexible tube means (108) coupling one end of said dirt tube (220) to said outlet, a port (222) extending from said dirt tube for receiving a dust bag (215) within said recess, and a cover (206) removably covering said recess.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
Vacuum cleaner according to claim 15 wherein said port (222) extending in the direction of forward or rearward movement of said vacuum cleaner.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
Vacuum cleaner according to claim 15 or 16 wherein said port (222) extends in said forward direction.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
57 words
Vacuum cleaner according to one of the preceding claims 15 to 17 comprising control means (258, 259) on said housing, and electrical leads (235) extending longitudinally within said housing (201), said housing having a channel formed therein for receiving said leads (235), said dirt tube (220) having a flange positioned to define a cover for said channel.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
36 words
Vacuum cleaner according to one of the preceding claims 15 to 18 wherein said dirt tube (220) has a tubular extension thereon with tinner walls than the remainder thereof, said extension defining said flexible tube (108).
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
63 words
Vacuum cleaner having a vacuum pump for directing dust-laden air from a nozzle to a dust container (215) therein, said vacuum pump (106) indlucing a motor, and a recargeable battery (312) connected to energize said motor, the improvement comprising indicator means (330) connected to said battery (312), said indicator means (330) comprising means for indicating the state of charge of said battery (312).
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
63 words
Vacuum cleaner having a vacuum pump for directing dust-laden air from a nozzle to a dust container (215) therein, said vacuum pump (106) indlucing a motor, and a recargeable battery (312) connected to energize said motor, the improvement comprising indicator means (330) connected to said battery (312), said indicator means (330) comprising means for indicating the state of charge of said battery (312).
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
95 words
Vacuum cleaner having a vacuum pump (106) for directing dust-laden air from a nozzle to a dust bag (215) remov ably mounted therein, said vacuum pump including a motor, said vacuum cleaner including a housing (201), the improvement comprising a recess (208) in said housing (201) for removably receiving a battery assembly (300), a pair of resilient contact fingers (232) mounted to said housing and having button shaped first end extending into said recess (208) for contacting terminals of said battery and means for releasably connecting the other ends of said fingers to said motor.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
95 words
Vacuum cleaner having a vacuum pump (106) for directing dust-laden air from a nozzle to a dust bag (215) remov ably mounted therein, said vacuum pump including a motor, said vacuum cleaner including a housing (201), the improvement comprising a recess (208) in said housing (201) for removably receiving a battery assembly (300), a pair of resilient contact fingers (232) mounted to said housing and having button shaped first end extending into said recess (208) for contacting terminals of said battery and means for releasably connecting the other ends of said fingers to said motor.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
107 words
Vacuum cleaner according to claim 21 comprising a battery assembly (300) mounted in said recess (208), said housing having pivot projections extending into the sides of said recess at one end thereof, said battery assembly including a battery box having battery terminal thereon, said battery box having pivot recesses in the sides at one end thereof for receiving said pivot projections to permit said battery box (310) to be releasably pivotally positioned in said recess (208), whereby said terminals slidingly engage said fingers during pivoting of said box into said recess (208), and latch means (212) for releasably holding said battery box (310) in said recess (208).
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
37 words
Vacuum cleaner according to claim 22 wherein said battery box (310) has a step (320), said terminals being positioned in said step, wherein said terminals cannot contact any planar surface upon which said battery box may rest.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
120 words
Vacuum cleaner comprising a floor engaging unit (100), a handle assembly (200) pivotally mounted to said floor engaging unit, and a vacuum nozzle coupled to a vacuum pump (106), said handle assembly (200) including a housing (201) having a removable cover (205, 206) and an externally accessible recess (208), a dirt tube (220) in said housing (201) and having a port (222) for removably receiving a porous dust bag (215), and means (108) coupling said dirt tube to said vacuum pump (106) whereby dirt-laden air is drawn by said pump from said nozzle to be directed through said port (222), and further comprising electrical contacts in said recess, and means for connecting said electrical contacts to said vacuum pump (106).
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
120 words
Vacuum cleaner comprising a floor engaging unit (100), a handle assembly (200) pivotally mounted to said floor engaging unit, and a vacuum nozzle coupled to a vacuum pump (106), said handle assembly (200) including a housing (201) having a removable cover (205, 206) and an externally accessible recess (208), a dirt tube (220) in said housing (201) and having a port (222) for removably receiving a porous dust bag (215), and means (108) coupling said dirt tube to said vacuum pump (106) whereby dirt-laden air is drawn by said pump from said nozzle to be directed through said port (222), and further comprising electrical contacts in said recess, and means for connecting said electrical contacts to said vacuum pump (106).
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
140 words
Vacuum cleaner having a floor engaging unit (100) with a vacuum pump (106) mounted thereto, the vacuum pump comprising a motor, and further comprising lighting means (138) for illuminating an area in front of the vacuum cleaner, the improvement wherein said lighting means (138, 160) comprises an elongated lens (160) mounted on to extend horizontally on said floor engaging unit (100), said lens having a front surface extending at an acute angle to the horizontal and a plurality of horizontally extending spaced apart grooves (168) in said front surface, said lighting means further comprising a cylindrical lamp (138) mounted to said floor engaging unit to extend horizontally parallel to and behind said lens at substantially the top edge thereof, said grooves being shaped to direct light in said lens downwardly to a predetermined region in front of said vacuum cleaner.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
140 words
Vacuum cleaner having a floor engaging unit (100) with a vacuum pump (106) mounted thereto, the vacuum pump comprising a motor, and further comprising lighting means (138) for illuminating an area in front of the vacuum cleaner, the improvement wherein said lighting means (138, 160) comprises an elongated lens (160) mounted on to extend horizontally on said floor engaging unit (100), said lens having a front surface extending at an acute angle to the horizontal and a plurality of horizontally extending spaced apart grooves (168) in said front surface, said lighting means further comprising a cylindrical lamp (138) mounted to said floor engaging unit to extend horizontally parallel to and behind said lens at substantially the top edge thereof, said grooves being shaped to direct light in said lens downwardly to a predetermined region in front of said vacuum cleaner.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
93 words
Vacuum cleaner including a floor engaging unit and a handle assembly (200) pivotally mounted thereto the vacuum cleaner including an electrically operated vacuum pump (106), the improvement comprising a battery assembly (300) removably mounted in said handle assembly, said battery assembly comprising a box (310) adapted to be mounted in said housing and enclosing a battery (312) for energizing said motor (106) and a circuit including a charging circuit connected to said battery and manually resettably circuit breaker (331) connected to said battery and accessible from the exterior of said handle assembly (200).
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
93 words
Vacuum cleaner including a floor engaging unit and a handle assembly (200) pivotally mounted thereto the vacuum cleaner including an electrically operated vacuum pump (106), the improvement comprising a battery assembly (300) removably mounted in said handle assembly, said battery assembly comprising a box (310) adapted to be mounted in said housing and enclosing a battery (312) for energizing said motor (106) and a circuit including a charging circuit connected to said battery and manually resettably circuit breaker (331) connected to said battery and accessible from the exterior of said handle assembly (200).
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
153 words
Vacuum cleaner having a floor engaging unit with a base (100), a motor (106) having a fan (143) thereon for directing dust laden air from a nozzle to an outlet, a brush roll (131) rotatably mounted to the base, a belt (142) for driving said brush roll (131) from said motor (106), and a removeable access panel (125) for accessing said belt (142) for removal and replacement, the improvement wherein said access panel has an extension (126) rearwardly of said nozzle, a part of at least partly resilient projections (157) extending laterally from opposite sides of said extension (126) and having vertically directed end portions (158), and posts (161A) mounted to said base adjacent said vertically directed end portions, said posts and end portions having mutually engagable latch means for holding said access panel (125) to said base, whereby said latch means may be released by urging said end portions toward one another.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
153 words
Vacuum cleaner having a floor engaging unit with a base (100), a motor (106) having a fan (143) thereon for directing dust laden air from a nozzle to an outlet, a brush roll (131) rotatably mounted to the base, a belt (142) for driving said brush roll (131) from said motor (106), and a removeable access panel (125) for accessing said belt (142) for removal and replacement, the improvement wherein said access panel has an extension (126) rearwardly of said nozzle, a part of at least partly resilient projections (157) extending laterally from opposite sides of said extension (126) and having vertically directed end portions (158), and posts (161A) mounted to said base adjacent said vertically directed end portions, said posts and end portions having mutually engagable latch means for holding said access panel (125) to said base, whereby said latch means may be released by urging said end portions toward one another.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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