US5054157A — Combination stand alone and canister vacuum clean…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 184 words

A vacuum cleaner system operable alternatively as a stand alone vacuum cleaner or as a canister vacuum cleaner comprising: a nozzle assembly for directing dirt into said vacuum cleaner system; first receptable means for collecting dirt when said vacuum cleaner system is operated as a stand alone vacuum cleaner; second receptacle means for collecting dirt when said vacuum cleaner system is operated as a canister vacuum cleaner; and alternate directing means for alternatively directing dirt from said nozzle assembly to said first receptacle means when said vacuum cleaner system is operated as a stand alone vacuum cleaner or to said second receptacle means when said vacuum cleaner system is operated as a canister vacuum cleaner, said alternate directing means including an outlet port, and a tube assembly, said tube assembly extending from said nozzle assembly to said outlet port, said tube assembly defining a first air flow passageway extending to said outlet port for directing dirt to said second receptacle means through said outlet port and a second air flow passageway for directing dirt away from said outlet port to said first receptacle means.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 184 words

A vacuum cleaner system operable alternatively as a stand alone vacuum cleaner or as a canister vacuum cleaner comprising: a nozzle assembly for directing dirt into said vacuum cleaner system; first receptable means for collecting dirt when said vacuum cleaner system is operated as a stand alone vacuum cleaner; second receptacle means for collecting dirt when said vacuum cleaner system is operated as a canister vacuum cleaner; and alternate directing means for alternatively directing dirt from said nozzle assembly to said first receptacle means when said vacuum cleaner system is operated as a stand alone vacuum cleaner or to said second receptacle means when said vacuum cleaner system is operated as a canister vacuum cleaner, said alternate directing means including an outlet port, and a tube assembly, said tube assembly extending from said nozzle assembly to said outlet port, said tube assembly defining a first air flow passageway extending to said outlet port for directing dirt to said second receptacle means through said outlet port and a second air flow passageway for directing dirt away from said outlet port to said first receptacle means.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 24 words

A vacuum cleaner system as recited in claim 1 wherein said nozzle assembly includes a motor and a suction fan driven by said motor.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 24 words

A vacuum cleaner system as recited in claim 1 wherein said nozzle assembly includes a motor and a beater brush driven by said motor.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 27 words

A vacuum cleaner system as recited in claim 1 wherein said nozzle assembly includes a motor, a suction fan and a beater brush driven by said motor.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 142 words

A vacuum cleaner system for cleaning floor surfaces comprising: a stand alone vacuum cleaner including a floor-contacting nozzle assembly having a swivel, dirt receptacle means for collecting dirt, an outlet port and alternate directing means for alternatively directing dirt from said nozzle assembly to said dirt receptacle means or from said nozzle assembly to said outlet port, said alternate directing means including a tube assembly which is coupled directly to said swivel; an external container including an inlet port disposed on said external container, a motor, a fan driven by said motor for generating suction within said container and a dirt-collecting receptacle for receiving dirt through said inlet port; and means for pneumatically interconnecting said outlet port on said stand alone vacuum cleaner to said inlet port on said external container to direct dirt from said outlet port to said inlet port.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 142 words

A vacuum cleaner system for cleaning floor surfaces comprising: a stand alone vacuum cleaner including a floor-contacting nozzle assembly having a swivel, dirt receptacle means for collecting dirt, an outlet port and alternate directing means for alternatively directing dirt from said nozzle assembly to said dirt receptacle means or from said nozzle assembly to said outlet port, said alternate directing means including a tube assembly which is coupled directly to said swivel; an external container including an inlet port disposed on said external container, a motor, a fan driven by said motor for generating suction within said container and a dirt-collecting receptacle for receiving dirt through said inlet port; and means for pneumatically interconnecting said outlet port on said stand alone vacuum cleaner to said inlet port on said external container to direct dirt from said outlet port to said inlet port.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 25 words

A vacuum cleaner system as recited in claim 5 wherein said floor-contacting nozzle assembly includes a motor and a suction fan driven by said motor.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 25 words

A vacuum cleaner system as recited in claim 5 wherein said floor-contacting nozzle assembly includes a motor, and a beater brush driven by said motor.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 32 words

A vacuum cleaner system as recited in claim 5 wherein said floor-contacting nozzle assembly includes a motor, a suction fan driven by said motor, and a beater brush driven by said motor.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 17 words

A vacuum cleaner system as recited in claim 5 wherein said external container is a canister unit.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 176 words

A vacuum cleaner system for cleaning floor surfaces comprising: a stand alone vacuum cleaner including a floor-contacting nozzle assembly, dirt receptacle means for collecting dirt, an outlet port and air flow passageway means for alternatively directing dirt from said nozzle assembly to said dirt receptacle means or from said nozzle assembly to said outlet port, said air flow passageway means including a tube assembly for receiving dirt from said nozzle assembly; a first outlet in said tube assembly for directing dirt to said dirt receptacle means an external container including an inlet port disposed on said external container, a motor, a fan driven by said motor for generating suction within said container and a dirt-collecting receptacle for receiving dirt through said inlet port; means for pneumatically interconnecting said outlet port on said stand alone vacuum cleaner to said inlet port on said external container to direct dirt from said outlet port to said inlet port; and a second outlet in said tube assembly for directing dirt outwardly from said outlet port to said pneumatically interconnecting means.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 176 words

A vacuum cleaner system for cleaning floor surfaces comprising: a stand alone vacuum cleaner including a floor-contacting nozzle assembly, dirt receptacle means for collecting dirt, an outlet port and air flow passageway means for alternatively directing dirt from said nozzle assembly to said dirt receptacle means or from said nozzle assembly to said outlet port, said air flow passageway means including a tube assembly for receiving dirt from said nozzle assembly; a first outlet in said tube assembly for directing dirt to said dirt receptacle means an external container including an inlet port disposed on said external container, a motor, a fan driven by said motor for generating suction within said container and a dirt-collecting receptacle for receiving dirt through said inlet port; means for pneumatically interconnecting said outlet port on said stand alone vacuum cleaner to said inlet port on said external container to direct dirt from said outlet port to said inlet port; and a second outlet in said tube assembly for directing dirt outwardly from said outlet port to said pneumatically interconnecting means.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 26 words

A vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 10 wherein said stand alone vacuum cleaner includes means for closing off said nozzle assembly from said tube assembly.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 25 words

A vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 11 wherein said means for closing off said nozzle assembly from said tube assembly is a flapper vavle.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 58 words

A vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 12 wherein said tube assembly is movable to a plurality of positions including an upright position relative to said nozzle assembly and said flapper valve operates inside said tube assembly adjacent said nozzle assembly to block off said air flow passageway when said tube assembly is placed in said upright position.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 39 words

A vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 11 wherein said dirt receptacle means includes means for directing dirt outwardly from said dirt receptacle means to said second outlet when said nozzle assembly is closed off from said tube assembly.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 62 words

A vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 11 wherein said dirt receptacle means includes means for automatically directing dirt outwardly from said dirt receptacle to said second outlet when said nozzle assembly is closed off from said tube assembly and when said means for pneumatically interconnecting said outlet port to said inlet port is interconnecting said outlet port to said inlet port.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 15 words

A vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 10 wherein said tube assembly includes rigid sidewalls.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 24 words

A vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 16 wherein a portion of said tube assembly forms a handle for said stand alone vacuum cleaner.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 28 words

A vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 17 wherein said second outlet of said tube assembly forms a portion of said handle for said stand alone vacuum cleaner.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 26 words

A vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 10 wherein said stand alone vacuum cleaner includes means for sealing off said second outlet of said tube assembly.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 33 words

A vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 19 wherein said means for sealing off said second outlet of said tube assembly further seals off said outlet port of said stand alone vacuum cleaner.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 26 words

A vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 20 wherein said means for sealing off said outlet port of said stand alone vacuum cleaner includes a cap.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 23 words

A vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 21 wherein said cap includes power lines for supplying power to said stand alone vacuum cleaner.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 30 words

A vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 10 wherein said means for pneumatically interconnecting said stand alone vacuum cleaner to said inlet port on said external container is a hose.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 23 words

A vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 23 wherein said hose includes power lines for providing power to said stand alone vacuum cleaner.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 212 words

A vacuum cleaner operable alternatively as a stand alone vacuum cleaner and as a canister vacuum cleaner with a hose assembly coupled to a canister having a suction fan driven by a motor to collect dirt in a receptacle, comprising: a nozzle assembly for directing dirt into said vacuum cleaner; receptacle means for collecting dirt when said vacuum cleaner is operated as a stand alone vacuum cleaner; a tube assembly having a first air flow passageway for directing dirt from said nozzle assembly to said receptacle means and having a second air flow passageway for directing dirt from said nozzle along a second path; and a handle having an air flow passageway coupled to said second air flow passageway, said handle being alternatively interconnectable with a means for sealing said handle air flow passageway such that dirt is directed from said nozzle assembly through said first air flow passageway to said receptacle means to operate said vacuum cleaner as a stand alone vacuum cleaner and with said hose assembly such that dirt is directed by said cannister suction fan from said nozzle assembly through said second air flow passageway and said handle air flow passageway to said hose assembly and canister receptacle to operate said vacuum cleaner as a canister vacuum cleaner.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 212 words

A vacuum cleaner operable alternatively as a stand alone vacuum cleaner and as a canister vacuum cleaner with a hose assembly coupled to a canister having a suction fan driven by a motor to collect dirt in a receptacle, comprising: a nozzle assembly for directing dirt into said vacuum cleaner; receptacle means for collecting dirt when said vacuum cleaner is operated as a stand alone vacuum cleaner; a tube assembly having a first air flow passageway for directing dirt from said nozzle assembly to said receptacle means and having a second air flow passageway for directing dirt from said nozzle along a second path; and a handle having an air flow passageway coupled to said second air flow passageway, said handle being alternatively interconnectable with a means for sealing said handle air flow passageway such that dirt is directed from said nozzle assembly through said first air flow passageway to said receptacle means to operate said vacuum cleaner as a stand alone vacuum cleaner and with said hose assembly such that dirt is directed by said cannister suction fan from said nozzle assembly through said second air flow passageway and said handle air flow passageway to said hose assembly and canister receptacle to operate said vacuum cleaner as a canister vacuum cleaner.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 56 words

A vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 25 wherein said nozzle assembly includes a suction fan and a motor for driving said suction fan, said nozzle motor being coupled to power lines extending to said handle wherein said sealing means includes a power cord connectable with said power lines for coupling power to said nozzle motor.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 61 words

A vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 25 wherein said nozzle assembly includes a beater brush and a motor for driving said beater brush, said nozzle motor being coupled to power lines extending to said handle wherein said hose assembly includes a second set of power lines connectable with said nozzle motor power lines for applying power to said nozzle motor.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 54 words

A vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 25 wherein said receptacle means includes means for exhausting air therethrough when said vacuum cleaner is operated as a stand alone vacuum cleaner and means for closing said exhaust means to prevent air from passing therethrough when said vacuum cleaner is operated as a canister vacuum cleaner.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 15 words

A vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 28 wherein said receptacle means includes rigid sidewalls.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 27 words

A vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 29 wherein said exhaust means includes a filter disposed in an aperture formed in a sidewall of said receptacle means.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 23 words

A vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 30 wherein said closing means includes a door and means for biasing said door is closed.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 92 words

A vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 25 including means operable in a clean out mode for sealing off said nozzle assembly to prevent air flow therefrom to said receptacle means, said receptacle means including an air inlet means having an open state for allowing air external to said vacuum cleaner to enter said receptacle means such that said canister suction fan is operable to direct dirt collected in said receptacle means through said hose assembly to said canister receptacle when said nozzle sealing mean is operable in said clean out mode.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 45 words

A vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 32 wherein the state of said air inlet means is changed from a closed state to said open state by pressure from said canister suction fan when said nozzle sealing means is operable in said clean out mode.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 248 words

A vacuum cleaner operable alternatively as a stand alone vacuum cleaner or as a canister vacuum cleaner with a hose assembly coupled to a canister having a suction fan driven by a motor to collect dirt in a receptacle, comprising: a nozzle assembly having a beater brush, a suction fan and a motor for driving said beater brush and suction fan; receptacle means for collecting dirt when said vacuum cleaner is operated as a stand alone vacuum cleaner; a dirt tube assesmbly having a first air flow passageway coupled to said nozzle assembly and having a second air flow passageway coupled between said first air flow passageway and said receptacle means; a wand assembly having an air passageway therein coupled to said first air flow passageway; and a handle having an air flow passageway coupled to said wand air flow passageway, said handle being interconnectable with a means for sealing said handle air flow passageway such that dirt is directed from said nozzle assembly by said nozzle suction fan through said first and second air flow passageways to said receptacle means to operate said vacuum cleaner as a stand alone vacuum cleaner and alternatively interconnectable with said hose assembly such that dirt is directed by said canister suction fan from said nozzle assembly through said first air flow passageway, said wand air flow passageway and said handle air flow passageway through said hose assembly to said canister receptacle to operate said vacuum cleaner as a canister vacuum cleaner.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 248 words

A vacuum cleaner operable alternatively as a stand alone vacuum cleaner or as a canister vacuum cleaner with a hose assembly coupled to a canister having a suction fan driven by a motor to collect dirt in a receptacle, comprising: a nozzle assembly having a beater brush, a suction fan and a motor for driving said beater brush and suction fan; receptacle means for collecting dirt when said vacuum cleaner is operated as a stand alone vacuum cleaner; a dirt tube assesmbly having a first air flow passageway coupled to said nozzle assembly and having a second air flow passageway coupled between said first air flow passageway and said receptacle means; a wand assembly having an air passageway therein coupled to said first air flow passageway; and a handle having an air flow passageway coupled to said wand air flow passageway, said handle being interconnectable with a means for sealing said handle air flow passageway such that dirt is directed from said nozzle assembly by said nozzle suction fan through said first and second air flow passageways to said receptacle means to operate said vacuum cleaner as a stand alone vacuum cleaner and alternatively interconnectable with said hose assembly such that dirt is directed by said canister suction fan from said nozzle assembly through said first air flow passageway, said wand air flow passageway and said handle air flow passageway through said hose assembly to said canister receptacle to operate said vacuum cleaner as a canister vacuum cleaner.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 44 words

A vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 34 wherein said nozzle motor is coupled to a plurality of power lines extending to said handle wherein said sealing means includes a power cord connectable with said power lines to couple power to said nozzle motor.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 32 words

A vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 35 wherein said hose assembly includes a second set of power lines connectable with said nozzle power lines for coupling power to said nozzle motor.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 54 words

A vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 34 wherein said receptacle means includes means for exhausting air therethrough when said vacuum cleaner is operated as a stand alone vacuum cleaner and means for closing said exhaust means to prevent air from passing therethrough when said vacuum cleaner is operated as a canister vacuum cleaner.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 15 words

A vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 37 wherein said receptacle means includes rigid sidewalls.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 27 words

A vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 38 wherein said exhaust means includes a filter disposed in an aperture formed in a sidewall of said receptacle means.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 22 words

A vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 39 wherein said closing means includes a door and means for biasing said door closed.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 92 words

A vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 34 including means operable in a clean out mode for sealing off said nozzle assembly to prevent air flow therefrom to said receptacle means, said receptacle means including an air inlet means having an open state for allowing air external to said vacuum cleaner to enter said receptacle means such that said canister suction fan is operable to direct dirt collected in said receptacle means through said hose assembly to said canister receptacle when said nozzle sealing means is operable in said clean out mode.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 45 words

A vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 41 wherein the state of said air inlet means is changed from a closed state to an open state by suction from said canister suction fan when said nozzle sealing means is operable in said clean out mode.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 38 words

A vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 34 wherein said nozzle suction fan and said canister suction fan operate together to direct dirt to said canister receptacle when said vacuum cleaner is operated as a canister vacuum cleaner.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 59 words

A vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 34 wherein the top of said receptqacle means is open forming an aperture through which dirt may flow and said dirt tube assembly includes a cover with an aperture therein for cooperating with said second air flow passageway, said cover engaging the top of said receptacle means to seal said receptacle means.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 232 words

A vacuum cleaner system for cleaning floor surfaces comprising: a stand alone vacuum cleaner including a floor-contacting nozzle assembly, dirt receptacle means for collecting dirt, said dirt receptacle means including an air inlet means having an open state to permit air external to said vacuum cleaner to enter said dirt receptacle means when said vacuum cleaner system is operated in a clean out mode, an outlet port and air flow passageway means for alternatively directing dirt from said nozzle assembly to said dirt receptacle means or from said nozzle assembly to said outlet port; an external container including an inlet port disposed on said external container, suction means for generating suction within said container and a dirt-collecting receptacle for receiving dirt through said inlet port; means for pneumatically interconnecting said outlet port on said stand alone vacuum cleaner to said inlet port on said external container to direct dirt from said outlet port to said inlet port; and clean out mode means for preventing air flow from said nozzle assembly to said air flow passageway means when said vacuum cleaner system is operated in said clean out mode so that said suction means is operable to cause air to flow into said inlet means and direct dirt collected in said dirt receptacle means to said outlet port through said pneumatically interconnecting means to said inlet port for collection in said dirt-collecting receptacle.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 232 words

A vacuum cleaner system for cleaning floor surfaces comprising: a stand alone vacuum cleaner including a floor-contacting nozzle assembly, dirt receptacle means for collecting dirt, said dirt receptacle means including an air inlet means having an open state to permit air external to said vacuum cleaner to enter said dirt receptacle means when said vacuum cleaner system is operated in a clean out mode, an outlet port and air flow passageway means for alternatively directing dirt from said nozzle assembly to said dirt receptacle means or from said nozzle assembly to said outlet port; an external container including an inlet port disposed on said external container, suction means for generating suction within said container and a dirt-collecting receptacle for receiving dirt through said inlet port; means for pneumatically interconnecting said outlet port on said stand alone vacuum cleaner to said inlet port on said external container to direct dirt from said outlet port to said inlet port; and clean out mode means for preventing air flow from said nozzle assembly to said air flow passageway means when said vacuum cleaner system is operated in said clean out mode so that said suction means is operable to cause air to flow into said inlet means and direct dirt collected in said dirt receptacle means to said outlet port through said pneumatically interconnecting means to said inlet port for collection in said dirt-collecting receptacle.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 35 words

The vacuum cleaner system as defined in claim 1 and including a closure means for selectively closing said outlet port when said vacuum cleaner system is to be operated as a stand alone vacuum cleaner.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1994-10-07	1995-04-08	1995-10-08	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1998-10-07	1999-04-08	1999-10-08	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2002-10-07	2003-04-08	2003-10-08	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Combination stand alone and canister vacuum cleaner

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