US3870491A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Means for removably connecting a dirt collecting receptacle in a vacuum cleaner
Assignee: Panasonic Corp of North America
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Filing: 1974-01-16
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Granted: 1975-03-11
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Expires: 1994-01-16
Abstract
Abstract A structure for releasably connecting a dirt collecting receptacle of a vacuum cleaner to the outer end of an air flow duct. The connecting structure includes pivotal lever structure for selectively releasing a retained association between the dirt collecting receptacle and air duct and for urging the receptacle connector element outwardly from the duct end as a concomitant of the releasing action. The lever and fulcrum therefor may be integrally formed with the dirt collecting receptacle connector portion.
Inventors
- 👤 Dale M Friesen
- 👤 Erwin E Nordeen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 15:33
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47L; A47L9/00; A47L9/10; A47L9/14; A47L9/1427
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
225 words
In a vacuum cleaner having an air flow means including a duct having an outer end, and a dirt collecting receptacle, means for releasably connecting the dirt collecting receptacle to the outer end of the duct comprising: means defining a first shoulder on said duct spaced from said duct outer end; tubular connector means on said dirt collecting receptacle removably fitted about said duct outer end to provide an air flow connection between said duct and receptacle; means carried by said tubular connector means defining a lever having a first end normally disposed in retained engagement with said first shoulder when said tubular connector means is fitted to said duct outer end, and an opposite, manipulating end; and means defining a fulcrum adjacent the mid-portion of the lever to arrange said lever as a first class lever, depression of said manipulating end of the lever causing swinging of said first lever end free of engagement with said first shoulder to permit removal of said tubular connector means and dirt collecting receptacle from said air flow duct as for disposal of collected dirt therefrom, said fulcrum being spaced relative to said first shoulder to cause a component of the force of depression of said lever manipulating portion to be directed to urge said tubular connector means away from the fitted connection with said duct outer end.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
225 words
In a vacuum cleaner having an air flow means including a duct having an outer end, and a dirt collecting receptacle, means for releasably connecting the dirt collecting receptacle to the outer end of the duct comprising: means defining a first shoulder on said duct spaced from said duct outer end; tubular connector means on said dirt collecting receptacle removably fitted about said duct outer end to provide an air flow connection between said duct and receptacle; means carried by said tubular connector means defining a lever having a first end normally disposed in retained engagement with said first shoulder when said tubular connector means is fitted to said duct outer end, and an opposite, manipulating end; and means defining a fulcrum adjacent the mid-portion of the lever to arrange said lever as a first class lever, depression of said manipulating end of the lever causing swinging of said first lever end free of engagement with said first shoulder to permit removal of said tubular connector means and dirt collecting receptacle from said air flow duct as for disposal of collected dirt therefrom, said fulcrum being spaced relative to said first shoulder to cause a component of the force of depression of said lever manipulating portion to be directed to urge said tubular connector means away from the fitted connection with said duct outer end.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
225 words
In a vacuum cleaner having an air flow means including a duct having an outer end, and a dirt collecting receptacle, means for releasably connecting the dirt collecting receptacle to the outer end of the duct comprising: means defining a first shoulder on said duct spaced from said duct outer end; tubular connector means on said dirt collecting receptacle removably fitted about said duct outer end to provide an air flow connection between said duct and receptacle; means carried by said tubular connector means defining a lever having a first end normally disposed in retained engagement with said first shoulder when said tubular connector means is fitted to said duct outer end, and an opposite, manipulating end; and means defining a fulcrum adjacent the mid-portion of the lever to arrange said lever as a first class lever, depression of said manipulating end of the lever causing swinging of said first lever end free of engagement with said first shoulder to permit removal of said tubular connector means and dirt collecting receptacle from said air flow duct as for disposal of collected dirt therefrom, said fulcrum being spaced relative to said first shoulder to cause a component of the force of depression of said lever manipulating portion to be directed to urge said tubular connector means away from the fitted connection with said duct outer end.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
225 words
In a vacuum cleaner having an air flow means including a duct having an outer end, and a dirt collecting receptacle, means for releasably connecting the dirt collecting receptacle to the outer end of the duct comprising: means defining a first shoulder on said duct spaced from said duct outer end; tubular connector means on said dirt collecting receptacle removably fitted about said duct outer end to provide an air flow connection between said duct and receptacle; means carried by said tubular connector means defining a lever having a first end normally disposed in retained engagement with said first shoulder when said tubular connector means is fitted to said duct outer end, and an opposite, manipulating end; and means defining a fulcrum adjacent the mid-portion of the lever to arrange said lever as a first class lever, depression of said manipulating end of the lever causing swinging of said first lever end free of engagement with said first shoulder to permit removal of said tubular connector means and dirt collecting receptacle from said air flow duct as for disposal of collected dirt therefrom, said fulcrum being spaced relative to said first shoulder to cause a component of the force of depression of said lever manipulating portion to be directed to urge said tubular connector means away from the fitted connection with said duct outer end.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The vacuum cleaner connecting means of claim 1 wherein said lever and fulcrum means are integral.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The vacuum cleaner connecting means of claim 1 wherein said lever and fulcrum means are integral with said tubular connector means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The vacuum cleaner connecting means of claim 1 wherein said fulcrum means is integral with said tubular connector means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The vacuum cleaner connecting means of claim 1 wherein said fulcrum means defines a rounded surface engaging said duct end.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The vacuum cleaner connecting means of claim 1 wherein said shoulder means is integral with said duct end.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
57 words
The vacuum cleaner connecting means of claim 1 further including means defining a second shoulder on said duct spaced from said first shoulder and adapted to be engaged by the tubular connector means to limit the movement thereof onto the duct outer end to a position wherein said lever first end is disposed adjacent said first shoulder.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
199 words
In a vacuum cleaner having an air flow means including a duct having an outer end and a dirt collecting receptacle, means for releasably connecting the dirt collecting receptacle to the outer end of the duct comprising: means defining a first shoulder on said duct spaced from said duct outer end; tubular connector means on said dirt collecting receptacle adapted to be removably fitted about said duct outer end to provide an air flow connection between said duct and receptacle; means carried by said tubular connector means defining a lever having a first end normally disposed in retained engagement with said first shoulder when said tubular connector means is fitted to said duct outer end, and an opposite, manipulating end; and means defining a fulcrum adjacent the mid-portion of the lever to arrange said lever as a first class lever, depression of said manipulating end of the lever causing swinging of said first end free of engagement with said first shoulder to permit removal of said tubular connector means and dirt collecting receptacle from said air flow duct as for disposal of collected dirt therefrom, said lever and fulcrum means being formed unitarily integral with said tubular connector means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
199 words
In a vacuum cleaner having an air flow means including a duct having an outer end and a dirt collecting receptacle, means for releasably connecting the dirt collecting receptacle to the outer end of the duct comprising: means defining a first shoulder on said duct spaced from said duct outer end; tubular connector means on said dirt collecting receptacle adapted to be removably fitted about said duct outer end to provide an air flow connection between said duct and receptacle; means carried by said tubular connector means defining a lever having a first end normally disposed in retained engagement with said first shoulder when said tubular connector means is fitted to said duct outer end, and an opposite, manipulating end; and means defining a fulcrum adjacent the mid-portion of the lever to arrange said lever as a first class lever, depression of said manipulating end of the lever causing swinging of said first end free of engagement with said first shoulder to permit removal of said tubular connector means and dirt collecting receptacle from said air flow duct as for disposal of collected dirt therefrom, said lever and fulcrum means being formed unitarily integral with said tubular connector means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The vacuum cleaner connecting means of claim 8 wherein said first shoulder means is integral with said duct end.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The vacuum cleaner connecting means of claim 8 wherein said tubular connector means comprises a molded synthetic resin element, said lever and fulcrum means being molded integrally therewith.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The vacuum cleaner connecting means of claim 8 wherein said dirt collecting receptacle comprises a flexible bag attached to said tubular connector.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The vacuum cleaner connecting means of claim 8 wherein said vacuum cleaner comprises an upright vacuum cleaner.
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) | 1978-03-10 | 1978-09-09 | 1979-03-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-10 | 1982-09-09 | 1983-03-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-10 | 1986-09-09 | 1987-03-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |