US3848292A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Adjustable wheel mounting means
Assignee: Panasonic Corp of North America
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Filing: 1972-03-30
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Granted: 1974-11-19
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Expires: 1992-03-30
Abstract
Abstract A vacuum cleaner structure wherein a nozzle is mounted on a wheeled carriage, the front portion of the carriage being vertically adjustably positioned relative to the subjacent surface on which the wheels are disposed. Thus, the vacuum cleaner structure is adjustable for use with different height pile carpeting, i.e., from relatively low pile carpeting to deep shag carpeting. The wheel adjusting means includes a control member adjustably carried on the nozzle and means for adjusting the relationship of the front wheels of the carriage to the carriage as a function of adjustment of the control member. The adjustment control may include means for locking the control in different preselected positions of adjustment.
Inventors
- 👤 E Nordeen
- 👤 C Olson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 03:01
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47L; A47L5/00; A47L5/12; A47L5/22; A47L5/28; A47L5/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
255 words
In a vacuum cleaner having a carriage, front wheels, rear wheels rotatably carried by the carriage, a nozzle having a front portion and a top wall, means for carrying the nozzle on the carriage, and structure for adjusting the height of the front portion of the carriage relative to a subjacent surface on which said wheels are disposed including axle means for journalling said front wheels for rotation about a borizontal wheel axis, means mounting the axle means to said carriage for pivotal movement about a horizontal pivot axis parallel to and spaced from said wheel axis, a control member adjustably carried by the nozzle, locking means for releasably retaining the control member in any one of a plurality of different preselected adjusted positions, and improved means for positioning the axle means comprising a connector having a portion pivotally mounted on said carriage and means movably connected between said connector and said control member, said connector portion having a lower force transmitting member spaced substantially below said top wall substantially at the level of said wheel axis for engaging a portion of said axle means spaced from said pivot axis defining means for effectively positively pivoting said axle means in one direction of pivoting about said pivot axis as a result of adjustment of said control member in one direction of adjustment and thereby adjustably raising said front portion of the carriage relative to the subjacent surface to provide an adjustable mounting of the vacuum cleaner suitable for use with different pile height floor coverings.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
255 words
In a vacuum cleaner having a carriage, front wheels, rear wheels rotatably carried by the carriage, a nozzle having a front portion and a top wall, means for carrying the nozzle on the carriage, and structure for adjusting the height of the front portion of the carriage relative to a subjacent surface on which said wheels are disposed including axle means for journalling said front wheels for rotation about a borizontal wheel axis, means mounting the axle means to said carriage for pivotal movement about a horizontal pivot axis parallel to and spaced from said wheel axis, a control member adjustably carried by the nozzle, locking means for releasably retaining the control member in any one of a plurality of different preselected adjusted positions, and improved means for positioning the axle means comprising a connector having a portion pivotally mounted on said carriage and means movably connected between said connector and said control member, said connector portion having a lower force transmitting member spaced substantially below said top wall substantially at the level of said wheel axis for engaging a portion of said axle means spaced from said pivot axis defining means for effectively positively pivoting said axle means in one direction of pivoting about said pivot axis as a result of adjustment of said control member in one direction of adjustment and thereby adjustably raising said front portion of the carriage relative to the subjacent surface to provide an adjustable mounting of the vacuum cleaner suitable for use with different pile height floor coverings.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The vacuum cleaner structure of claim 1 wherein said locking means defines vertically interconnecting portions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The vacuum cleaner structure of claim 1 wherein said locking means defines vertically interconnecting teeth.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
61 words
The vacuum cleaner structure of claim 1 wherein said connector portion comprises a cam pivotally carried by the carriage, said means connected to said control member comprises a link connected between said control member and said cam for adjustably pivoting the cam against said axle means, and means are proVided for limiting the pivotal movement of the cam on said carriage.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
The vacuum cleaner structure of claim 1 wherein said nozzle defines a guide extending parallel to said wheel axis and means for carrying sad control member for rectilinear movement along said guide to effect said adjustment of the carriage front portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
233 words
In a vacuum cleaner having a carriage, front wheels, rear wheels rotatably carried by the carriage, a nozzle carried on the carriage and having a front portion and a top wall, and structure for adjusting the height of the front portion of the carriage relative to a subjacent surface on which said wheels are disposed including axle means for journalling said front wheels for rotation about a horizontal wheel axis, means mounting the axle means to said carriage for pivotal movement about a horizontal pivot axis parallel to and spaced from said wheel axis, a control member adjustably carried by the nozzle, locking means for releasably retaining the control member in any one of a plurality of different preselected adjusted positions, and improved means for positioning the axle means comprising a connector having a portion pivotally mounted to said carriage and means movably connected between said connector and said control member, said connector portion defining lower cam means spaced substantially below said top wall substantially at the level of said wheel axis for engaging a portion of said axle means spaced from said pivot axis defining means for effectively positively pivoting said axle means to swing said front wheels downwardly about said pivot axis as a result of adjustment of said control member in one direction of adjustment and thereby adjustably raise said front portion of the carriage relative to the subjacent surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
233 words
In a vacuum cleaner having a carriage, front wheels, rear wheels rotatably carried by the carriage, a nozzle carried on the carriage and having a front portion and a top wall, and structure for adjusting the height of the front portion of the carriage relative to a subjacent surface on which said wheels are disposed including axle means for journalling said front wheels for rotation about a horizontal wheel axis, means mounting the axle means to said carriage for pivotal movement about a horizontal pivot axis parallel to and spaced from said wheel axis, a control member adjustably carried by the nozzle, locking means for releasably retaining the control member in any one of a plurality of different preselected adjusted positions, and improved means for positioning the axle means comprising a connector having a portion pivotally mounted to said carriage and means movably connected between said connector and said control member, said connector portion defining lower cam means spaced substantially below said top wall substantially at the level of said wheel axis for engaging a portion of said axle means spaced from said pivot axis defining means for effectively positively pivoting said axle means to swing said front wheels downwardly about said pivot axis as a result of adjustment of said control member in one direction of adjustment and thereby adjustably raise said front portion of the carriage relative to the subjacent surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
57 words
The vacuum cleaner structure of claim 6 wherein said control member comprises rectilinearly adjustable means on said nozzle, and said means connected to the control member comprises means connecting the adjustable means and force transmitting member to urge the force transmitting member adjustably against said axle means in one direction of movement of the force transmitting member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The vacuum cleaner structure of claim 6 wherein said force transmitting member comprises a cam pivotally carried by the carriage.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
95 words
The vacuum cleaner structure of claim 6 wherein said control member comprises rectilinearly adjustable means on said nozzle, and said means connected to the control member comprises means connecting the adjustable means and force transmitting member to urge the force transmitting member adjustably against said axle means in one direction of movement of the force transmitting member, and means slidably connecting the force transmitting member to the carriage along an arc spaced from the axis of pivoting of the force transmitting member for maintaining movement of the force trasnmitting member parallel to a single plane.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
71 words
The vacuum cleaner structure of claim 6 wherein said control member comprises rectilinearly adjustable means on said nozzle, and said means connected to the control member comprises a link movably connected at one end to said adjustable means and movably connected at the other end to the force transmitting member to urge the force transmitting member adjustably against said axle means in one direction of movement of the force transmitting member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
61 words
The vacuum cleaner structure of claim 7 wherein said adjustable means includes a rectilinear guide carried by the nozzle, a slide movably engaging the guide, first locking tooth means carried by the nozzle adjacent the guide, and second locking tooth means carried by the slide in engagement with said first tooth means, at least one of said tooth means being yieldable.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
52 words
The vacuum cleaner structure of claim 7 wherein said adjustable means includes a rectilinear guide carried by the nozzle, a slide movably engaging the guide, first locking tooth means carried by the nozzle adjacent the guide, and second lockinG tooth means carried by the slide in engagement with said first tooth means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The vacuum cleaner structure of claim 1 wherein said second locking tooth means carried by the slide is a toothed adjustment catch member formed of a resilient plastic material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
The vacuum cleaner structure of claim 13 wherein said adjustment catch member includes means cooperating with said first locking tooth means to provide an audible signal as said control member is adjustably moved relative to said nozzle.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-11-18 | 1978-05-20 | 1978-11-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-11-18 | 1982-05-20 | 1982-11-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-11-18 | 1986-05-20 | 1986-11-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |