US3862469A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vacuum cleaner
Assignee: Cooper Industries LLC
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Filing: 1972-11-17
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Granted: 1975-01-28
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Expires: 1992-11-17
Abstract
Abstract An industrial or commercial type vacuum cleaner is provided. The vacuum cleaner has a nozzle extending from a blower housing to a point near the floor to be cleaned, with an air inlet opening near the floor. A flap is hinged to a forward edge of the nozzle adjacent the inlet opening and the flap can be moved between a first position in which a substantial portion of the inlet opening is covered and a second position in which the inlet opening is substantially unrestricted. A movable vane has a lower edge pivotally connected to the flap and an upper edge extending substantially into said nozzle toward the blower housing. The vane, in conjunction with the rear wall of the nozzle, restricts the effective area of the nozzle, particularly when the flap is in the first position, to increase the velocity of air flow through the nozzle and thereby improve pick up of small, heavier objects. The vane, particularly when the flap is in the second position, improves the pick-up of bulky objects by helping to push the objects up the nozzle when the flap is reciprocated and also by helping to crush such objects.
Inventors
- 👤 Jack L Burgoon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 08:27
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47L; A47L9/00; A47L9/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
A vacuum cleaner comprising a nozzle having an inlet opening at one end, means for establishing flow of fluid through said inlet opening and into the nozzle, a flap movably mounted adjacent said inlet opening, means for moving said flap between one position in which a substantial portion of the inlet opening is closed off and another position in which the inlet opening is substantially unrestricted, and a vane having an end movably connected to said flap and another end spaced from said flap and positioned in said nozzle beyond said inlet opening, said another end of said vane being urged under the influence of gravity toward a position to block said nozzle and to reduce the transverse cross-sectional area of said nozzle thereby tending to increase the velocity of fluid flowing therethrough.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
133 words
A vacuum cleaner comprising a nozzle having an inlet opening at one end, means for establishing flow of fluid through said inlet opening and into the nozzle, a flap movably mounted adjacent said inlet opening, means for moving said flap between one position in which a substantial portion of the inlet opening is closed off and another position in which the inlet opening is substantially unrestricted, and a vane having an end movably connected to said flap and another end spaced from said flap and positioned in said nozzle beyond said inlet opening, said another end of said vane being urged under the influence of gravity toward a position to block said nozzle and to reduce the transverse cross-sectional area of said nozzle thereby tending to increase the velocity of fluid flowing therethrough.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
A vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 characterized by said nozzle having front and rear walls of predetermined shape and said vane having a portion which is shaped similarly to that of the rear wall.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 characterized by said vane being pivotally connected to a portion of said flap which is spaced from an edge of the inlet opening.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 characterized by said flap being connected to a forward edge of said nozzle adjacent said inlet opening for pivotal movement relative thereto.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A vacuum cleaner according to claim 4 characterized by said vane being pivotally connected to a portion of said flap which is spaced from the forward edge of said nozzle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
A vacuum cleaner according to claim 5 characterized by the pivot connections being parallel to one another and transverse to the intended direction of movement of the vacuum cleaner.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
A vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 characterized by said vane having a lower, wide portion extending across the width of the inlet opening and an upper narrower portion having said another end in said nozzle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A vacuum cleaner according to claim 7 characterized by said upper portion forming an included angle with the lower portion between 120* and 160*.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
162 words
An industrial or commercial type vacuum cleaner comprising a nozzle having an inlet opening at a lower end, a blower housing above said nozzle and having an inlet communicating with an upper end of said nozzle spaced from said inlet opening, said vacuum cleaner also having a rearwardly extending handle and supporting wheels, a flap movably supported by said nozzle adjacent said inlet opening at one side thereof, a movable vane having a width sufficient to extend substantially across said inlet opening, a first edge of said vane being pivotally connected to said flap near said inlet opening, a second edge of said vane spaced from the first edge extending a substantial distance into said nozzle toward said blower inlet and positioned adjacent the inner surface of said nozzle on the side thereof opposite said flap when no air is being drawn through said nozzle, said vane being moved away from said surface as the volume of air through said nozzle increases.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
162 words
An industrial or commercial type vacuum cleaner comprising a nozzle having an inlet opening at a lower end, a blower housing above said nozzle and having an inlet communicating with an upper end of said nozzle spaced from said inlet opening, said vacuum cleaner also having a rearwardly extending handle and supporting wheels, a flap movably supported by said nozzle adjacent said inlet opening at one side thereof, a movable vane having a width sufficient to extend substantially across said inlet opening, a first edge of said vane being pivotally connected to said flap near said inlet opening, a second edge of said vane spaced from the first edge extending a substantial distance into said nozzle toward said blower inlet and positioned adjacent the inner surface of said nozzle on the side thereof opposite said flap when no air is being drawn through said nozzle, said vane being moved away from said surface as the volume of air through said nozzle increases.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
A vacuum cleaner accordinG to claim 9 characterized by means for remotely controlling the position of said flap relative to said inlet opening for changing the effective size of said inlet opening.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
A vacuum cleaner according to claim 9 characterized by said vane having a wide lower portion and a narrower upper portion, said second edge of said vane being on said upper portion.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
A vacuum cleaner according to claim 11 characterized by said upper portion lying at an angle to said lower portion.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
A vacuum cleaner according to claim 12 characterized by said angle being 120* - 160*.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-01-27 | 1978-07-29 | 1979-01-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-01-27 | 1982-07-29 | 1983-01-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-01-27 | 1986-07-29 | 1987-01-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |