Vacuum cleaner having signal for indicating absence of dust bag

Claim 2

In a suction cleaner of the class described having a casing provided with an inlet and outlet for air adapted to flow therethrough and a dust bag which is normally therein for removing dirt from air, the combination of a. a device for producing a signal, and b. means for controlling the operation of said device, c. said control means including a probing element responsive to the absence of a dust bag in the casing to actuate said device to produce said signal.

Claim 3

In a suction cleaner of the class described having a casing provided with an inlet and outlet for air adapted to flow therethrough and a dust bag which is normally therein for removing dirt from air, the combination of a. a device for producing a signal, said device including a probing element movable between first and second positions, b. said device being inoperable to produce said signal when said element is in its first position and operable to produce said signal when said element is in its second position, c. means for biasing said element from its first position toward its second position, d. said element being engageable by a dust bag when the latter is disposed in the casing to retAin said element in its first position against the action of said biasing means to render said device inoperable to produce said signal, and e. said element being movable toward its second position by said biasing means in the absence of a dust bag in the casing to actuate said device to produce said signal.

Claim 4

In a suction cleaner of the class described having a casing provided with an inlet and outlet for air adapted to flow therethrough and a dust bag which is normally therein for removing dirt from air, the combination of a. a device for producing a signal, said device including a probing element movable between first and second positions, b. said device being inoperable to produce said signal when said element is in its first position and operable to produce said signal when said element is in its second position, c. means for biasing said element from its first position toward its second position, d. said element being engageable by a dust bag when the latter is disposed in the casing to retAin said element in its first position against the action of said biasing means to render said device inoperable to produce said signal, and e. said element being movable toward its second position by said biasing means in the absence of a dust bag in the casing to actuate said device to produce said signal.

Claim 5

In a suction cleaner of the class described having a casing provided with an inlet and outlet for air adapted to flow therethrough and a dust bag which is normally therein for removing dirt from air, the combination of a. a device for producing a signal with the aid of air, b. movable valve means to control flow of air for operating said device, and c. means responsive to the absence of a dust bag in the casing to actuate said valve means for effecting flow of air to operate said device and produce such a signal.

Claim 6

In a suction cleaner of the class described having a casing provided with an inlet and outlet for air adapted to flow therethrough and a dust bag which is normally therein for removing dirt from air, the combination of a. a device for producing a signal with the aid of air, b. movable valve means to control flow of air for operating said device, and c. means responsive to the absence of a dust bag in the casing to actuate said valve means for effecting flow of air to operate said device and produce such a signal.

Claim 7

Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 in which said device produces an audible sound with the aid of air which serves as said signal.

Claim 8

Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 in which a. said device produces an audible sound with the aid of air flowing through said casing and b. said means responsive to the absence of a dust bag in the casing actuates said valve means to divert a part of the air flowing through the casing and cause the diverted air to operate said device and produce such an audible sound.

Claim 9

Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 in which a. said device has a passage communicating with the atmosphere for producing such audible sound with the aid of air flowing therethrough and b. said means responsive to the absence of a dust bag in said casing actuates said valve means to establish a path of flow of air from within the casing to the passage of said device and from the latter exteriorly of said device to the atmosphere to produce such an audible sound.

Claim 10

Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 in which a. said device has an opening and said movable valve means includes a valve member for closing the opening for substantially preventing flow of air through said device, b. resilient means to bias said movable valve in one direction from the opening to cause air to flow through said device in the absence of a dust bag in said device, and c. said valve member closing the opening against the biasing action of said resilient means responsive to a dust bag positioned in the casing to effect removal of dirt from air.

Claim 11

Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 in which a. the inlet for air is defined by an opening at one side of the casing, the casing including a cover which closes the opening and is movable therefrom for the insertion and withdrawl of a dust bag, b. said device being mounted within the cover and forming a unitary part thereof, c. said device having a passage to establish communication with the interior of the casing and the atmosphere for producing the audible sound with the aid of air flowing therethrough to the atmosphere, d. said movable valve means comprising a valve member which is movable between a first position to close said passage and a second position to open said passage, said valve means including structure to urge said valve member to its second open position, and e. said means to actuate said valve means including a probing element operatively associated with said valve member (1) which is engaged by a dust bag positioned in the casing and functions to move said member to its first closed position and (2) which enables said structure to urge said valve member to its second open position when a dust bag is not positioned in the casing with the result that a part of the air flowing in the casing will be diverted and flow through said passage to the atmosphere to produce the audible sound.