Motor housing construction for a vacuum cleaner with strain-relief for motor leads

Claim 2

In an electrical motor having electrically energizeable windings, and an insulated wire lead for providing electrical power to said windings, a housing enclosing the motor having separate portions fixedly juxtaposed to define a tortuous path with said lead extending therethrough, said lead being crimped by said housing portions to define a strain relief mechanical securing of the lead to the housing, said motor housing portions cooperatively definIng an outer pair of shoulders spaced apart a distance approximately equal to the unconstricted thickness of said wire lead, and an inner pair of shoulders spaced apart a distance approximately equal to the unconstricted thickness of said wire lead and offset laterally from said outer pair of shoulders, said shoulders cooperatively clamping said wire lead in a zig-zag configuration.

Claim 3

The electrical motor structure of claim 1 wherein one of said shoulders comprises a thin projection for engaging the outer insulation of the wire lead to define a mechanical interlock against longitudinal movement of the wire therepast.

Claim 4

The electrical motor structure of claim 1 wherein one of said shoulders of each pair comprises a thin projection for deformably engaging the outer insulation of the wire lead to define a mechanical interlock against longitudinal movement of the wire therepast.

Claim 5

The electrical motor structure of claim 1 wherein said shoulders comprise the distal ends of pairs of wall portions of the housing extending flatwise toward each other.

Claim 6

The electrical motor structure of claim 4 wherein said housing is formed of electrically insulating material and further includes an integral portion defining an insulative brush holder socket, said motor further including a commutator brush removably received directly in said insulative socket.

Claim 7

The electrical motor structure of claim 5 wherein a clip is secured to the housing and retains said brush in said socket, said clip further defining an electrical connection to said brush.

Claim 8

The electrical motor structure of claim 5 wherein said electrical insulating material comprises synthetic plastic material.

Claim 9

In an electrical motor having electrically energizeably windings, and an insulated wire lead for providing electrical power to said windings, a housing enclosing the motor having separate portions fixedly juxtaposed to define a tortuous path with said lead extending therethrough, said lead being crimped by said housing portions to define a strain relief mechanical securing of the lead to the housing, said motor housing portions cooperatively defining an outer pair of shoulders spaced apart a distance approximately equal to the unconstricted thickness of said wire lead, and an inner pair of shoulders spaced apart a distance approximately equal to the unconstricted thickness of said wire lead and offset laterally from said outer pair of shoulders, said shoulders cooperatively clamping said wire lead in a zig-zag configuration, said motor having an armature assembly and a field assembly and said housing further defining second portions defining means for supporting at least one of said assemblies of said motor.

Claim 10

In an electrical motor having electrically energizeably windings, and an insulated wire lead for providing electrical power to said windings, a housing enclosing the motor having separate portions fixedly juxtaposed to define a tortuous path with said lead extending therethrough, said lead being crimped by said housing portions to define a strain relief mechanical securing of the lead to the housing, said motor housing portions cooperatively defining an outer pair of shoulders spaced apart a distance approximately equal to the unconstricted thickness of said wire lead, and an inner pair of shoulders spaced apart a distance approximately equal to the unconstricted thickness of said wire lead and offset laterally from said outer pair of shoulders, said shoulders cooperatively clamping said wire lead in a zig-zag configuration, said motor having an armature assembly and a field assembly and said housing further defining second portions defining means for supporting at least one of said assemblies of said motor.

Claim 11

The electrical motor structure of claim 8 wherein said supporting means comprises means for supporting said field assembly.

Claim 12

The electrical motor structure of claim 8 wherein said supporting means comprises inwardly projecting ribs formed integrally with said housing.

Claim 13

The electrical motor structure of claim 8 wherein said supporting means comprises inwardly projecting ribs formed of an electrically insulating material.