US20070094839A1 - Cleaning apparatus with removable handle - Google Patents
Cleaning apparatus with removable handle Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20070094839A1 US20070094839A1 US11/266,165 US26616505A US2007094839A1 US 20070094839 A1 US20070094839 A1 US 20070094839A1 US 26616505 A US26616505 A US 26616505A US 2007094839 A1 US2007094839 A1 US 2007094839A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- base
- handle
- attached
- handles
- cleaning
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/32—Handles
- A47L9/325—Handles for wheeled suction cleaners with steering handle
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L5/00—Structural features of suction cleaners
- A47L5/12—Structural features of suction cleaners with power-driven air-pumps or air-compressors, e.g. driven by motor vehicle engine vacuum
- A47L5/22—Structural features of suction cleaners with power-driven air-pumps or air-compressors, e.g. driven by motor vehicle engine vacuum with rotary fans
- A47L5/28—Suction cleaners with handles and nozzles fixed on the casings, e.g. wheeled suction cleaners with steering handle
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L5/00—Structural features of suction cleaners
- A47L5/12—Structural features of suction cleaners with power-driven air-pumps or air-compressors, e.g. driven by motor vehicle engine vacuum
- A47L5/22—Structural features of suction cleaners with power-driven air-pumps or air-compressors, e.g. driven by motor vehicle engine vacuum with rotary fans
- A47L5/28—Suction cleaners with handles and nozzles fixed on the casings, e.g. wheeled suction cleaners with steering handle
- A47L5/30—Suction cleaners with handles and nozzles fixed on the casings, e.g. wheeled suction cleaners with steering handle with driven dust-loosening tools, e.g. rotating brushes
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L5/00—Structural features of suction cleaners
- A47L5/12—Structural features of suction cleaners with power-driven air-pumps or air-compressors, e.g. driven by motor vehicle engine vacuum
- A47L5/22—Structural features of suction cleaners with power-driven air-pumps or air-compressors, e.g. driven by motor vehicle engine vacuum with rotary fans
- A47L5/28—Suction cleaners with handles and nozzles fixed on the casings, e.g. wheeled suction cleaners with steering handle
- A47L5/32—Suction cleaners with handles and nozzles fixed on the casings, e.g. wheeled suction cleaners with steering handle with means for connecting a hose
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/10—Filters; Dust separators; Dust removal; Automatic exchange of filters
- A47L9/14—Bags or the like; Rigid filtering receptacles; Attachment of, or closures for, bags or receptacles
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/28—Installation of the electric equipment, e.g. adaptation or attachment to the suction cleaner; Controlling suction cleaners by electric means
- A47L9/2836—Installation of the electric equipment, e.g. adaptation or attachment to the suction cleaner; Controlling suction cleaners by electric means characterised by the parts which are controlled
- A47L9/2842—Suction motors or blowers
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/28—Installation of the electric equipment, e.g. adaptation or attachment to the suction cleaner; Controlling suction cleaners by electric means
- A47L9/2857—User input or output elements for control, e.g. buttons, switches or displays
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/28—Installation of the electric equipment, e.g. adaptation or attachment to the suction cleaner; Controlling suction cleaners by electric means
- A47L9/2857—User input or output elements for control, e.g. buttons, switches or displays
- A47L9/2863—Control elements activated by pivoting movement of the upright vacuum cleaner handle
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/32—Handles
- A47L9/322—Handles for hand-supported suction cleaners
Definitions
- This application relates to vacuum cleaners.
- a vacuum cleaner includes a base and different cleaning attachments and handles that are removably attachable to the base.
- the cleaning attachments include a vacuuming head for vacuuming a carpet, a shampooing head for shampooing the carpet, and an accessory hose for cleaning above-the-floor household surfaces.
- the handles include an upright handle for pushing the base over the carpet and a portable handle for lifting the base to above-the-floor surfaces.
- a cleaning apparatus includes a base, a cleaning head and a handle.
- the cleaning head is configured to be attached to the base and moved against a household surface to clean the surface.
- the handle is configured to be removably attached to the base for manually moving the base by the handle.
- the handle has an electronic user interface with which a user can control or monitor operation of the base.
- the user interface is a control for the user to control an operating condition of the base.
- the base is free of an electronic user interface.
- the cleaning head is a vacuuming head, and the base includes a fan for moving dirt laden air through the head into a dirt receptacle.
- the handle is configured to output a signal to the base indicating to the base which type of handle it is.
- a different handle is configured to be removably attached to the base for manually moving the base and has an electronic user interface with which the user can control or monitor operation of the base.
- the base and the handle have respective terminals that are interconnectable and through which the user interface communicates with the base.
- the terminals are configured for the terminal of the handle to be moved toward and into connection with the terminal of the base by movement of the handle toward and into an installed position removably attached to the handle.
- the base is configured to control an operating condition of the base based on which of the handles is attached.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner base and different cleaning attachments and handle assemblies that can be removably attached to the base;
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the base, showing its external parts
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the base, showing its internal parts
- FIGS. 4 and 5 are exploded views of an upright handle assembly shown in FIG. 1 , taken from two different viewpoints;
- FIG. 6 is a sectional view illustrating a procedure for attaching the upright handle assembly to the base
- FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing the upright handle assembly attached to the base to form an upright vacuum cleaner
- FIG. 8 is a sectional view illustrating operation of the upright vacuum cleaner
- FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing a blower hose attached to the upright handle assembly
- FIG. 10 is a perspective view of parts of a handle portion of a portable handle assembly shown in FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 11 is a sectional view illustrating a procedure for attaching the portable handle assembly to the base.
- FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing the portable handle assembly attached to the base.
- the apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 has parts that are examples of the elements recited in the claims.
- the apparatus thus includes examples of how a person of ordinary skill in the art can make and use the claimed invention. It is described here to meet the requirements of enablement and best mode without imposing limitations that are not recited in the claims.
- the apparatus 1 is a cleaning system used for cleaning household surfaces, such as a carpeted floor 6 .
- the system 1 includes a base 10 and different cleaning attachments and handle assemblies that can be removably attached to the base 10 .
- the cleaning attachments include a vacuuming head 12 , a power head assembly 14 , an accessory hose 16 and a shampooing head 18 .
- the handle assemblies include an upright handle assembly 20 and a portable handle assembly 22 . Any of the attachments 12 , 14 , 16 and 18 can be installed on the base 10 with any of the handle assemblies 20 and 22 .
- the base 10 has a housing 30 located on a horizontal longitudinal axis 31 .
- the housing 30 has a front face 40 with upper and lower inlet ports 46 and 48 .
- Two front wheels 50 and two rear wheels 52 are rotatable connected to the housing 30 for wheeling the base 10 over the floor 6 .
- the rear wheels 52 are fixed to a common axle 56 .
- the base 10 has two perch pins 60 and a bear claw latch 64 with a release button 66 for securing the cleaning attachments to the base 10 . It also has four electrical contacts 71 , 72 , 73 and 74 —respectively designated ground, 5VDC-out, 24VDC-out and resistance-sense.
- An attachment sensor 76 on the housing 30 in this example a pushbutton switch, senses whether the upper inlet port 46 is covered by a cleaning attachment.
- the housing 30 encases a fan 80 that has an inlet 82 and an outlet 84 and is driven by a motor 88 .
- the motor 88 also drives a drive pulley 90 through a drive train that includes shafts 93 , belts 94 , pulleys 95 , a bevel gear 96 and an electrically actuated clutch 98 .
- a drive assist motor 99 rotates the rear wheels 52 to propel the base 10 .
- a handle mounting bracket 100 is pivotally attached to the housing 30 by two prongs 102 .
- the bracket 100 has a flat top surface 104 with an outlet port 105 .
- the port 105 is connected to the fan outlet 84 by a flexible tube 106 that extends downward from a gasket 108 surrounding the port 105 .
- Two spacers 110 at the top surface 104 prevent over-compression of the gasket 108 .
- the bracket 100 has two pins 112 in respective notches 114 and a wedge surface 116 , for securing the handle assemblies to the bracket 100 .
- An electronic position sensor 120 senses whether the bracket 100 , and thus the upright handle assembly 20 , is in an upright or inclined position.
- the sensor is a contact switch that is attached to the base 10 and contacts the bracket 100 when the bracket 100 is upright.
- a multi-contact electrical base terminal 124 is located at the top surface 104 of the handle bracket 100 .
- a controller circuit 130 is electrically connected to the electrical components 71 - 74 , 76 , 88 , 98 , 99 , 120 and 124 ( FIGS. 2 and 3 ) of the base 10 to monitor and control operation of the base 10 .
- the circuit 130 receives wall current through a power cord 132 . It generates a 5VDC and 24VDC supply that is output through the 5VDC-out and 24VDC-out contacts 72 and 73 . It senses electrical resistance applied across the sense contact 73 and ground contact 71 by whichever attachment is installed on the base 10 . Since each attachment applies a unique resistance, the controller 130 can determine which attachment, if any, is installed.
- the four cleaning attachments 12 , 14 , 16 and 18 are shown in FIG. 1 . They are described individually as follows.
- the vacuuming head 12 has a brushroll 202 .
- the brushroll 202 is driven by the drive pulley 90 of the base 10 to rotate against the floor 6 to dislodge dirt from the floor 6 .
- the fan 80 generates an air flow that draws the dirt from the floor 6 through the head 12 .
- a headlight 210 is powered by electricity supplied by the base 10 through the ground and 5VDC-out contacts 71 and 72 ( FIG. 2 ).
- the power head assembly 14 has a power head 300 with a brushroll 302 driven by a motor 304 .
- the assembly 14 further has a tube structure comprising a rigid tube 374 , a flexible tube 376 and a connector 378 .
- the connector 378 can be removably attached to the base 10 .
- the user grasps the rigid tube 374 by its handgrip 380 to push and pull the power head 300 over the floor 6 .
- the flexible tube 376 enables the power head 300 to move independently of the base 10 .
- the brushroll 302 rotates against the floor 6 to dislodge dirt.
- the fan 80 generates an air flow that carries the dirt from the floor 6 , through the power head 300 and the tubes 374 and 376 into the upper inlet port 46 of the base 10 .
- a headlamp 390 on the power head 300 illuminates the floor 6 in front of the power head 300 .
- the headlamp 390 and the motor 304 are respectively powered by 5VDC and 24VDC supplied by the base 10 through the electrical contacts 71 - 73 ( FIG. 2 ).
- the accessory hose 16 includes a flexible tube 400 extending from a connector 410 that is attachable to the base 10 .
- the fan 80 draws air through the flexible tube 400 and the upper inlet port 46 of the base 10 .
- the shampooing head 18 has front and rear brushrolls 501 and 502 , both driven by the drive pulley 90 of the base 10 .
- Shampoo is deposited onto the carpet 6 by a shampoo-dispensing device 504 of the head 18 and brushed into the carpet 6 by the brushrolls 501 and 502 to entrain dirt from the carpet 6 .
- the shampoo is lifted from the carpet 6 by the rear brushroll 502 and collected in a take-up tray 506 in the head 18 .
- the head 18 blocks air from entering the inlet ports 46 and 48 .
- the upright handle assembly 20 shown in FIGS. 4-5 includes an upright handle 602 and a dirt receptacle 604 . It enables the base 10 and the vacuuming head 12 to be used together as an upright vacuum cleaner. This type of cleaner is configured for the user to stand upright while manually pushing the cleaner by its handle 602 over the floor 6 to clean the floor 6 .
- the handle 602 has a handgrip 610 configured to be grasped by a user.
- a force sensor 612 in the handgrip 602 senses the direction and magnitude of the force applied by the user to push and pull the cleaner.
- the handle 602 further has a flat bottom 620 with an inlet port 622 .
- An exhaust tube 624 extends upward from the inlet port 622 .
- a multi-contact electrical terminal 630 mates with the terminal 124 on the base 10 to enable the controller 130 to communicate with electrical components of the handle 602 .
- Two hooks 634 and a lever 638 with a wedge 639 are for attaching the handle 602 to the base 10 .
- the handle 602 has a user interface panel 640 .
- the panel 640 has user interfaces 642 comprising controls and displays with which the user communicates with the controller 130 .
- the controls are for manually selecting operating conditions of the cleaner. They include membrane switches for powering the fan motor 88 ( FIG. 3 ), selecting motor speed, engaging the clutch 98 , and activating the drive-assist motor 99 .
- the displays are for displaying operating conditions of the cleaner. They include lights for indicating fan motor speed, whether the brushroll is rotating, whether the drive-assist feature 99 is activated, and whether the dirt receptacle 602 is full.
- the base 10 is free of any operating controls and displays, because they are all on the handle 602 .
- the panel 640 also outputs a signal to the controller 130 indicating what type of handle it is—in this case identifying itself as an upright handle.
- the panel 640 is sufficiently close to the handgrip 610 to enable a finger of a user's hand to press the controls while the hand is grasping the handgrip 610 .
- the dirt receptacle 604 includes a permanent outer filter bag 650 .
- the bag 650 is suspended from a mounting tab 652 that snaps into a clip 654 on the handle 602 .
- a rigid connector 656 at the bottom of the bag 650 has a hole 657 configured to receive the handle's exhaust tube 624 .
- Bayonet slots 658 around the hole 657 receive bayonet lugs 659 on the exhaust tube 624 .
- a fill tube 660 extends upward from the inlet port 657 into the outer bag 650 .
- a disposable inner filter bag 670 is inserted into the outer bag 650 through a zippered opening 672 and press-fitted over the fill tube 660 .
- the handle 602 can be attached to the base 10 as shown in FIG. 6 .
- the hooks 634 of the handle 602 are hooked onto the pins 112 of the base bracket 100 .
- the handle 602 is pivoted (arrow 673 ) forward and downward into its installed position shown in FIG. 7 .
- the lever 638 is pivoted (arrow 674 ) and wedged under the wedge surface 116 to lock the handle 602 in place.
- the sequence of steps of 1) installing the inner bag 670 in the outer bag 650 , 2) installing the outer bag 650 on the handle 602 , and 3) installing the handle 602 on the base 10 can be performed in any order.
- the handle 602 in FIG. 7 can be removed from the base 10 by first pivoting the lever 638 out of engagement with the wedge surface 116 and then pivoting the handle 602 rearward about the pivot pins 112 .
- the hooks 634 can then removed from the pivot pins.
- a user can grasp the handgrip 610 to pivot (arrow 677 ) the handle 602 rearward and push/pull the base 10 over the floor 6 .
- the controller 130 powers the motor 88 to drive the fan 80 .
- the fan 80 generates an air flow (arrows 678 ) that carries dirt from the floor 6 through the vacuuming head 12 , the lower inlet ports 48 , the fan 80 , the outlet port 105 and the fill tube 660 into the inner bag 670 .
- the controller 130 inputs operating parameters of the cleaner from various sensors and switches of the cleaner. Specifically, from the force sensor 612 in the handgrip 610 , the controller 130 inputs the direction and magnitude of force manually applied to the handle 602 . From the position sensor 120 in the base 10 , the controller 130 determines whether the handle 602 is in the upright or inclined position. Through the control panel 640 , the controller 130 determines which switch the user presses and the type of handle installed, and displays information to the user. No signal being received through the base terminal 124 indicates that no handle 602 is installed. From the attachment sense switch 76 ( FIG. 2 ), the controller 130 determines whether the upper inlet port 46 is covered by a cleaning attachment. By sensing the electrical resistance across the ground and resistance-sense contacts 71 and 74 , the controller 130 determines if a cleaning attachment, and which cleaning attachment, is installed.
- the controller 130 controls operation of the cleaner based on the parameters input from the sensors and switches. For example, the controller 130 applies a higher default motor speed when the accessory hose 16 ( FIG. 1 ) is attached than when the vacuuming head 12 is attached.
- the controller 130 engages the clutch 98 ( FIG. 3 ), and thus engages the motor 88 to the drive pulley 90 , only when, concurrently, a handle is installed and either the vacuuming hear 12 or shampooing head 18 is installed.
- the controller 130 will not power the motor 88 if no handle is installed or no cleaning attachment is installed.
- the controller 130 powers the drive assist motor 99 ( FIG. 3 ) to rotate the rear wheels 52 in a direction and at a speed that correspond respectively to the direction and magnitude of the force manually applied to the handle 602 .
- the drive assist motor 99 thus assists the user in propelling the base 10 over the floor 6 .
- the controller 130 activates the drive-assist motor 99 ( FIG. 3 ) only when, concurrently, either the vacuuming or shampooing head 12 or 18 is installed, the upright handle 602 is installed and inclined, and a “drive-assist” switch on the control panel 640 has been pressed.
- a blower hose 680 can be friction-fitted over the exhaust tube 624 of the handle 602 for use in blowing debris or inflating things.
- a portable handle assembly 22 shown in FIG. 1 includes a portable handle 702 and a dirt receptacle 704 . It enables the base 10 and the vacuuming head to be used together as a portable vacuum cleaner. This type of cleaner is configured for the user to manually lift and move the cleaner by the handle 702 to clean vertical or above-the-floor household surfaces.
- the portable handle 702 has several parts that have the same functions as corresponding parts of the upright handle 602 . These include a handgrip 710 , a flat bottom 720 with an inlet port 722 , an exhaust tube 724 extending upward from the port 722 , an electrical terminal 730 , two hooks 734 , and a locking lever 738 with a wedge 739 .
- the dirt receptacle 704 has a permanent outer filter bag 750 .
- a rigid connector 756 at the bottom of the bag 750 is similar to the connector 656 of the upright handle assembly 20 .
- the connector 756 has an inlet port 757 and bayonet slots 758 secured to bayonet lugs 759 of the handle's exhaust tube 724 .
- a fill tube 760 extends from the inlet port 757 into the outer bag 750 .
- a disposable inner filter bag 770 is inserted into the outer bag 750 through a zippered opening in the outer bag 750 and press-fitted over the fill tube 760 .
- the portable handle 702 can be installed in a manner similar to that of the upright handle 602 .
- the hooks 734 are hooked onto the pins 112 ( FIG. 3 ) of the base bracket 100 .
- the handle 702 is pivoted (arrow 775 ) into the installed position shown in FIG. 12 , and the lever 638 is pivoted to wedge the wedge 739 against the wedge surface 116 of the bracket 100 .
- the sequence of steps of 1) installing the inner bag 770 in the outer bag 750 , 2) installing the outer bag 750 on the handle 702 , and 3) installing the handle 702 on the base 10 can be performed in any order.
- the blower hose 680 FIG. 9
- the exhaust tube 724 of the handle 702 for use in blowing debris or inflating things.
- the portable handle 702 is different than the upright handle 602 in several ways. As shown in FIG. 12 , the portable handle 702 projects forward over the base 10 instead of rearward away from the base 10 . This is to orient its handgrip 710 directly above the center of gravity of the cleaner. In place of the upright handle's control panel 640 ( FIG. 4 ), the portable handle 702 has a single rocker-type power switch 776 for powering the fan motor 88 , and no displays. Unlike the upright handle 602 , the portable handle 702 lacks a switch for activating the drive-assist, lacks a display for indicating whether the drive-assist is activated, and lacks the force sensor used for the drive-assist feature. Also unlike the upright handle 602 , the portable handle 702 has a pivot-preventing projection 780 ( FIG. 10 ) configured to be closely received in a groove (not shown) in the base 10 to prevent the handle 702 from pivoting.
- a pivot-preventing projection 780 FIG. 10
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Electric Vacuum Cleaner (AREA)
- Nozzles For Electric Vacuum Cleaners (AREA)
- Bidet-Like Cleaning Device And Other Flush Toilet Accessories (AREA)
- Dental Tools And Instruments Or Auxiliary Dental Instruments (AREA)
Abstract
A cleaning apparatus includes a base, a cleaning head and a handle. The cleaning head is configured to be attached to the base and moved against a household surface to clean the surface. The handle is configured to be removably attached to the base for manually moving the base by the handle. The handle has an electronic user interface with which a user can control or monitor operation of the base.
Description
- This application relates to vacuum cleaners.
- A vacuum cleaner includes a base and different cleaning attachments and handles that are removably attachable to the base. The cleaning attachments include a vacuuming head for vacuuming a carpet, a shampooing head for shampooing the carpet, and an accessory hose for cleaning above-the-floor household surfaces. The handles include an upright handle for pushing the base over the carpet and a portable handle for lifting the base to above-the-floor surfaces.
- A cleaning apparatus includes a base, a cleaning head and a handle. The cleaning head is configured to be attached to the base and moved against a household surface to clean the surface. The handle is configured to be removably attached to the base for manually moving the base by the handle. The handle has an electronic user interface with which a user can control or monitor operation of the base.
- Preferably, the user interface is a control for the user to control an operating condition of the base. The base is free of an electronic user interface. The cleaning head is a vacuuming head, and the base includes a fan for moving dirt laden air through the head into a dirt receptacle. The handle is configured to output a signal to the base indicating to the base which type of handle it is. A different handle is configured to be removably attached to the base for manually moving the base and has an electronic user interface with which the user can control or monitor operation of the base. The base and the handle have respective terminals that are interconnectable and through which the user interface communicates with the base. The terminals are configured for the terminal of the handle to be moved toward and into connection with the terminal of the base by movement of the handle toward and into an installed position removably attached to the handle. The base is configured to control an operating condition of the base based on which of the handles is attached.
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner base and different cleaning attachments and handle assemblies that can be removably attached to the base; -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the base, showing its external parts; -
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the base, showing its internal parts; -
FIGS. 4 and 5 are exploded views of an upright handle assembly shown inFIG. 1 , taken from two different viewpoints; -
FIG. 6 is a sectional view illustrating a procedure for attaching the upright handle assembly to the base; -
FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing the upright handle assembly attached to the base to form an upright vacuum cleaner; -
FIG. 8 is a sectional view illustrating operation of the upright vacuum cleaner; -
FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing a blower hose attached to the upright handle assembly; -
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of parts of a handle portion of a portable handle assembly shown inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 11 is a sectional view illustrating a procedure for attaching the portable handle assembly to the base; and -
FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing the portable handle assembly attached to the base. - Overview
- The apparatus 1 shown in
FIG. 1 has parts that are examples of the elements recited in the claims. The apparatus thus includes examples of how a person of ordinary skill in the art can make and use the claimed invention. It is described here to meet the requirements of enablement and best mode without imposing limitations that are not recited in the claims. - The apparatus 1 is a cleaning system used for cleaning household surfaces, such as a carpeted
floor 6. The system 1 includes abase 10 and different cleaning attachments and handle assemblies that can be removably attached to thebase 10. The cleaning attachments include avacuuming head 12, apower head assembly 14, anaccessory hose 16 and ashampooing head 18. The handle assemblies include anupright handle assembly 20 and aportable handle assembly 22. Any of theattachments base 10 with any of thehandle assemblies - Base
- As shown in
FIG. 2 , thebase 10 has ahousing 30 located on a horizontal longitudinal axis 31. Thehousing 30 has afront face 40 with upper andlower inlet ports front wheels 50 and tworear wheels 52 are rotatable connected to thehousing 30 for wheeling thebase 10 over thefloor 6. Therear wheels 52 are fixed to acommon axle 56. Thebase 10 has twoperch pins 60 and abear claw latch 64 with arelease button 66 for securing the cleaning attachments to thebase 10. It also has fourelectrical contacts attachment sensor 76 on thehousing 30, in this example a pushbutton switch, senses whether theupper inlet port 46 is covered by a cleaning attachment. - As shown in
FIG. 3 , thehousing 30 encases afan 80 that has aninlet 82 and anoutlet 84 and is driven by amotor 88. Themotor 88 also drives adrive pulley 90 through a drive train that includesshafts 93,belts 94,pulleys 95, abevel gear 96 and an electrically actuatedclutch 98. Adrive assist motor 99 rotates therear wheels 52 to propel thebase 10. - A
handle mounting bracket 100 is pivotally attached to thehousing 30 by twoprongs 102. Thebracket 100 has aflat top surface 104 with anoutlet port 105. Theport 105 is connected to thefan outlet 84 by aflexible tube 106 that extends downward from agasket 108 surrounding theport 105. Twospacers 110 at thetop surface 104 prevent over-compression of thegasket 108. Thebracket 100 has twopins 112 inrespective notches 114 and awedge surface 116, for securing the handle assemblies to thebracket 100. - An
electronic position sensor 120 senses whether thebracket 100, and thus theupright handle assembly 20, is in an upright or inclined position. In this example, the sensor is a contact switch that is attached to thebase 10 and contacts thebracket 100 when thebracket 100 is upright. A multi-contactelectrical base terminal 124 is located at thetop surface 104 of thehandle bracket 100. - A
controller circuit 130 is electrically connected to the electrical components 71-74, 76, 88, 98, 99, 120 and 124 (FIGS. 2 and 3 ) of thebase 10 to monitor and control operation of thebase 10. Thecircuit 130 receives wall current through apower cord 132. It generates a 5VDC and 24VDC supply that is output through the 5VDC-out and 24VDC-outcontacts 72 and 73. It senses electrical resistance applied across thesense contact 73 andground contact 71 by whichever attachment is installed on thebase 10. Since each attachment applies a unique resistance, thecontroller 130 can determine which attachment, if any, is installed. - Cleaning Attachments
- The four
cleaning attachments FIG. 1 . They are described individually as follows. - The vacuuming
head 12 has abrushroll 202. When thehead 12 is attached to thebase 10, thebrushroll 202 is driven by thedrive pulley 90 of the base 10 to rotate against thefloor 6 to dislodge dirt from thefloor 6. Thefan 80 generates an air flow that draws the dirt from thefloor 6 through thehead 12. Aheadlight 210 is powered by electricity supplied by the base 10 through the ground and 5VDC-outcontacts 71 and 72 (FIG. 2 ). - The
power head assembly 14 has apower head 300 with abrushroll 302 driven by amotor 304. Theassembly 14 further has a tube structure comprising arigid tube 374, aflexible tube 376 and aconnector 378. Theconnector 378 can be removably attached to thebase 10. In operation, the user grasps therigid tube 374 by itshandgrip 380 to push and pull thepower head 300 over thefloor 6. Theflexible tube 376 enables thepower head 300 to move independently of thebase 10. Thebrushroll 302 rotates against thefloor 6 to dislodge dirt. Thefan 80 generates an air flow that carries the dirt from thefloor 6, through thepower head 300 and thetubes upper inlet port 46 of thebase 10. Aheadlamp 390 on thepower head 300 illuminates thefloor 6 in front of thepower head 300. Theheadlamp 390 and themotor 304 are respectively powered by 5VDC and 24VDC supplied by the base 10 through the electrical contacts 71-73 (FIG. 2 ). - The
accessory hose 16 includes aflexible tube 400 extending from aconnector 410 that is attachable to thebase 10. In operation, thefan 80 draws air through theflexible tube 400 and theupper inlet port 46 of thebase 10. - The shampooing
head 18 has front and rear brushrolls 501 and 502, both driven by thedrive pulley 90 of thebase 10. Shampoo is deposited onto thecarpet 6 by a shampoo-dispensingdevice 504 of thehead 18 and brushed into thecarpet 6 by the brushrolls 501 and 502 to entrain dirt from thecarpet 6. The shampoo is lifted from thecarpet 6 by therear brushroll 502 and collected in a take-uptray 506 in thehead 18. Thehead 18 blocks air from entering theinlet ports - Upright Handle Assembly
- The
upright handle assembly 20 shown inFIGS. 4-5 includes anupright handle 602 and adirt receptacle 604. It enables thebase 10 and the vacuuminghead 12 to be used together as an upright vacuum cleaner. This type of cleaner is configured for the user to stand upright while manually pushing the cleaner by itshandle 602 over thefloor 6 to clean thefloor 6. - The
handle 602 has ahandgrip 610 configured to be grasped by a user. Aforce sensor 612 in thehandgrip 602 senses the direction and magnitude of the force applied by the user to push and pull the cleaner. Thehandle 602 further has aflat bottom 620 with aninlet port 622. Anexhaust tube 624 extends upward from theinlet port 622. At thehandle bottom 620, a multi-contact electrical terminal 630 mates with the terminal 124 on the base 10 to enable thecontroller 130 to communicate with electrical components of thehandle 602. Two hooks 634 and alever 638 with awedge 639 are for attaching thehandle 602 to thebase 10. - The
handle 602 has auser interface panel 640. Thepanel 640 hasuser interfaces 642 comprising controls and displays with which the user communicates with thecontroller 130. The controls are for manually selecting operating conditions of the cleaner. They include membrane switches for powering the fan motor 88 (FIG. 3 ), selecting motor speed, engaging the clutch 98, and activating the drive-assist motor 99. In contrast, the displays are for displaying operating conditions of the cleaner. They include lights for indicating fan motor speed, whether the brushroll is rotating, whether the drive-assist feature 99 is activated, and whether thedirt receptacle 602 is full. Thebase 10 is free of any operating controls and displays, because they are all on thehandle 602. Thepanel 640 also outputs a signal to thecontroller 130 indicating what type of handle it is—in this case identifying itself as an upright handle. Thepanel 640 is sufficiently close to thehandgrip 610 to enable a finger of a user's hand to press the controls while the hand is grasping thehandgrip 610. - The
dirt receptacle 604 includes a permanentouter filter bag 650. Thebag 650 is suspended from a mountingtab 652 that snaps into aclip 654 on thehandle 602. Arigid connector 656 at the bottom of thebag 650 has ahole 657 configured to receive the handle'sexhaust tube 624.Bayonet slots 658 around thehole 657 receive bayonet lugs 659 on theexhaust tube 624. Afill tube 660 extends upward from theinlet port 657 into theouter bag 650. A disposableinner filter bag 670 is inserted into theouter bag 650 through azippered opening 672 and press-fitted over thefill tube 660. - The
handle 602 can be attached to the base 10 as shown inFIG. 6 . First, thehooks 634 of thehandle 602 are hooked onto thepins 112 of thebase bracket 100. Next, thehandle 602 is pivoted (arrow 673) forward and downward into its installed position shown inFIG. 7 . Then, thelever 638 is pivoted (arrow 674) and wedged under thewedge surface 116 to lock thehandle 602 in place. - In the installation procedure illustrated in
FIG. 6 , the pivoting movement (arrow 673) of thehandle 602 toward and into its installed position moves itsbottom surface 620 toward and into sealing engagement with thegasket 108 and also toward and into engagement with thespacers 100, and also moves thehandle terminal 630 toward and into engagement with thebase terminal 124. As thehandle 602 pivots forward (arrow 673), proper alignment of the handle'sinlet port 624 with the base'soutlet port 105 is ensured by eachhook 634 being closely captured by and between therespective pin 112 and walls 675 (FIG. 3 ) of therespective notch 114. - The sequence of steps of 1) installing the
inner bag 670 in theouter bag 650, 2) installing theouter bag 650 on thehandle 602, and 3) installing thehandle 602 on the base 10 can be performed in any order. - The
handle 602 inFIG. 7 can be removed from the base 10 by first pivoting thelever 638 out of engagement with thewedge surface 116 and then pivoting thehandle 602 rearward about the pivot pins 112. Thehooks 634 can then removed from the pivot pins. - As shown in
FIG. 8 , a user can grasp thehandgrip 610 to pivot (arrow 677) thehandle 602 rearward and push/pull the base 10 over thefloor 6. When the user presses the power switch of thecontrol panel 640, thecontroller 130 powers themotor 88 to drive thefan 80. Thefan 80 generates an air flow (arrows 678) that carries dirt from thefloor 6 through the vacuuminghead 12, thelower inlet ports 48, thefan 80, theoutlet port 105 and thefill tube 660 into theinner bag 670. - The
controller 130 inputs operating parameters of the cleaner from various sensors and switches of the cleaner. Specifically, from theforce sensor 612 in thehandgrip 610, thecontroller 130 inputs the direction and magnitude of force manually applied to thehandle 602. From theposition sensor 120 in thebase 10, thecontroller 130 determines whether thehandle 602 is in the upright or inclined position. Through thecontrol panel 640, thecontroller 130 determines which switch the user presses and the type of handle installed, and displays information to the user. No signal being received through thebase terminal 124 indicates that nohandle 602 is installed. From the attachment sense switch 76 (FIG. 2 ), thecontroller 130 determines whether theupper inlet port 46 is covered by a cleaning attachment. By sensing the electrical resistance across the ground and resistance-sense contacts controller 130 determines if a cleaning attachment, and which cleaning attachment, is installed. - The
controller 130 controls operation of the cleaner based on the parameters input from the sensors and switches. For example, thecontroller 130 applies a higher default motor speed when the accessory hose 16 (FIG. 1 ) is attached than when the vacuuminghead 12 is attached. Thecontroller 130 engages the clutch 98 (FIG. 3 ), and thus engages themotor 88 to the drivepulley 90, only when, concurrently, a handle is installed and either the vacuuming hear 12 or shampooinghead 18 is installed. Thecontroller 130 will not power themotor 88 if no handle is installed or no cleaning attachment is installed. Thecontroller 130 powers the drive assist motor 99 (FIG. 3 ) to rotate therear wheels 52 in a direction and at a speed that correspond respectively to the direction and magnitude of the force manually applied to thehandle 602. Thedrive assist motor 99 thus assists the user in propelling the base 10 over thefloor 6. Thecontroller 130 activates the drive-assist motor 99 (FIG. 3 ) only when, concurrently, either the vacuuming or shampooinghead upright handle 602 is installed and inclined, and a “drive-assist” switch on thecontrol panel 640 has been pressed. - As shown in
FIG. 9 , in place of the dirt receptacle 604 (FIG. 8 ), ablower hose 680 can be friction-fitted over theexhaust tube 624 of thehandle 602 for use in blowing debris or inflating things. - Portable Handle Assembly
- A
portable handle assembly 22 shown inFIG. 1 includes aportable handle 702 and adirt receptacle 704. It enables thebase 10 and the vacuuming head to be used together as a portable vacuum cleaner. This type of cleaner is configured for the user to manually lift and move the cleaner by thehandle 702 to clean vertical or above-the-floor household surfaces. - As shown in
FIG. 10 , theportable handle 702 has several parts that have the same functions as corresponding parts of theupright handle 602. These include ahandgrip 710, aflat bottom 720 with aninlet port 722, anexhaust tube 724 extending upward from theport 722, anelectrical terminal 730, twohooks 734, and a lockinglever 738 with awedge 739. - As shown in
FIG. 11 , thedirt receptacle 704 has a permanentouter filter bag 750. Arigid connector 756 at the bottom of thebag 750 is similar to theconnector 656 of theupright handle assembly 20. Theconnector 756 has aninlet port 757 andbayonet slots 758 secured to bayonetlugs 759 of the handle'sexhaust tube 724. Afill tube 760 extends from theinlet port 757 into theouter bag 750. A disposableinner filter bag 770 is inserted into theouter bag 750 through a zippered opening in theouter bag 750 and press-fitted over thefill tube 760. - The
portable handle 702 can be installed in a manner similar to that of theupright handle 602. First, as shown inFIG. 11 , thehooks 734 are hooked onto the pins 112 (FIG. 3 ) of thebase bracket 100. Then, thehandle 702 is pivoted (arrow 775) into the installed position shown inFIG. 12 , and thelever 638 is pivoted to wedge thewedge 739 against thewedge surface 116 of thebracket 100. - The sequence of steps of 1) installing the
inner bag 770 in theouter bag 750, 2) installing theouter bag 750 on thehandle 702, and 3) installing thehandle 702 on the base 10 can be performed in any order. In place of thebag assembly 704, the blower hose 680 (FIG. 9 ) can be friction-fitted over theexhaust tube 724 of thehandle 702 for use in blowing debris or inflating things. - The
portable handle 702 is different than theupright handle 602 in several ways. As shown inFIG. 12 , theportable handle 702 projects forward over the base 10 instead of rearward away from thebase 10. This is to orient itshandgrip 710 directly above the center of gravity of the cleaner. In place of the upright handle's control panel 640 (FIG. 4 ), theportable handle 702 has a single rocker-type power switch 776 for powering thefan motor 88, and no displays. Unlike theupright handle 602, theportable handle 702 lacks a switch for activating the drive-assist, lacks a display for indicating whether the drive-assist is activated, and lacks the force sensor used for the drive-assist feature. Also unlike theupright handle 602, theportable handle 702 has a pivot-preventing projection 780 (FIG. 10 ) configured to be closely received in a groove (not shown) in the base 10 to prevent thehandle 702 from pivoting. - This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.
Claims (18)
1. A cleaning apparatus comprising:
a base;
a cleaning head configured to be attached to the base and moved against a household surface to clean the surface;
a handle configured to be removably attached to the base for manually moving the base by the handle, and having an electronic user interface with which a user can control or monitor operation of the base;
a power cord configured to conduct electricity to the base even when the handle is removed.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the user interface is a control for the user to control an operating condition of the base.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the user interface is a display for displaying an operating condition of the base.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the base is free of an electronic user interface.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cleaning head is a vacuuming head, and the base includes a fan for moving dirt laden air through the head into a dirt receptacle.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the handle is configured to output a signal to the base indicating to the base which type of handle it is.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a different handle configured to be removably attached to the base for manually moving the base and having an electronic user interface with which the user can control or monitor operation of the base.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the base is configured to sense which of the handles is attached and control an operating condition of the apparatus based on which of the handles is attached.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the base and the handle have respective terminals that are interconnectable and through which the user interface communicates with the base, the terminal of the handle being configured to be moved toward and into connection with the terminal of the base by movement of the handle toward and into an installed position removably attached to the handle.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the handle is configured to hook onto the base and pivot into an installed position removably attached to the base.
11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the base includes a pivotable bracket that connects the handle to the base and that has a terminal configured to mate with a terminal on the handle, for the interface to communicate with the base through the terminals.
12. A cleaning apparatus comprising:
a base;
a cleaning attachment configured to be attached to the base and moved against a household surface to clean the surface; and
a handle removably attachable to the base for manually moving the base by the handle;
the base being configured to operatively sense whether the handle is attached to the base and to control an operating condition of the apparatus based on whether the handle is attached.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the base has a drive assist capability, and the operating condition is activation of the drive assist capability.
14. The apparatus of claim 12 further comprising a different handle removably attachable to the base for manually moving the base, and wherein the base is configured to sense which of the handles is attached and control an operating of the apparatus based on which of the handles is attached.
15. A cleaning apparatus comprising:
a base;
a cleaning attachment configured to be attached to the base and moved against a household surface to clean the surface; and
different handles removably attachable to the base for manually moving the base by the handle;
the base being configured to sense which of the handles is attached and control an operating condition of the apparatus based on which of the handles is attached.
16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the base has a drive assist capability, and the operating condition is activation of the drive assist capability.
17. A cleaning apparatus comprising:
a base;
a cleaning attachment configured to be attached to the base and moved against a household surface to clean the surface; and
different handles removably attachable to the base for manually moving the base by the handle, each handle configured to output an electrical signal to the base when the handle is attached to the base indicating to the base which handle is attached.
18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the base is configured to receive the signal and control an operating condition of the apparatus based on which of the handles is attached.
Priority Applications (6)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/266,165 US20070094839A1 (en) | 2005-11-03 | 2005-11-03 | Cleaning apparatus with removable handle |
NZ552639A NZ552639A (en) | 2005-11-03 | 2006-09-15 | Cleaning apparatus to clean household surfaces with removable handle whereby the handle is sensed when attached to base |
NZ549896A NZ549896A (en) | 2005-11-03 | 2006-09-15 | Vacuum cleaner with detachable handle |
CA002560121A CA2560121A1 (en) | 2005-11-03 | 2006-09-15 | Cleaning apparatus with removable handle |
AU2006230721A AU2006230721B2 (en) | 2005-11-03 | 2006-10-17 | Cleaning apparatus with removable handle |
EP06021977A EP1782724A3 (en) | 2005-11-03 | 2006-10-19 | Cleaning apparatus with removable handle with electronic user interface |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/266,165 US20070094839A1 (en) | 2005-11-03 | 2005-11-03 | Cleaning apparatus with removable handle |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20070094839A1 true US20070094839A1 (en) | 2007-05-03 |
Family
ID=37682680
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/266,165 Abandoned US20070094839A1 (en) | 2005-11-03 | 2005-11-03 | Cleaning apparatus with removable handle |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20070094839A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1782724A3 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2006230721B2 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2560121A1 (en) |
NZ (1) | NZ549896A (en) |
Cited By (4)
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US20160051103A1 (en) * | 2014-08-25 | 2016-02-25 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Cleaning apparatus |
US9456726B2 (en) | 2013-11-22 | 2016-10-04 | Techtronic Industries Co. Ltd. | Battery-powered cordless cleaning system |
US20160302636A1 (en) * | 2013-12-02 | 2016-10-20 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Cleaner and method for controlling cleaner |
US20180242807A1 (en) * | 2015-02-13 | 2018-08-30 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Cleaning robot and method for controlling the same |
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WO2008074014A2 (en) | 2006-12-13 | 2008-06-19 | Ab Electrolux | Wet/dry floor cleaning device |
DE102007040958A1 (en) | 2007-08-30 | 2009-03-05 | Miele & Cie. Kg | Upright vacuum cleaner |
DE102007040959A1 (en) | 2007-08-30 | 2009-03-05 | Miele & Cie. Kg | Upright vacuum cleaner |
DE102007040955A1 (en) | 2007-08-30 | 2009-03-05 | Miele & Cie. Kg | Upright vacuum cleaner |
DE102007040949A1 (en) | 2007-08-30 | 2009-03-05 | Miele & Cie. Kg | Upright vacuum cleaner |
DE102007040961A1 (en) | 2007-08-30 | 2009-03-05 | Miele & Cie. Kg | Upright vacuum cleaner |
DE102011105370A1 (en) * | 2011-06-22 | 2012-12-27 | Agria-Werke Gmbh | Hand-operated self-propelling drive machine |
WO2015158362A1 (en) * | 2014-04-14 | 2015-10-22 | Alfred Kärcher Gmbh & Co. Kg | Hand-operated, drivable floor-cleaning device |
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
AU2006230721A1 (en) | 2007-05-17 |
EP1782724A2 (en) | 2007-05-09 |
AU2006230721B2 (en) | 2008-09-04 |
NZ549896A (en) | 2007-03-30 |
EP1782724A3 (en) | 2008-11-19 |
CA2560121A1 (en) | 2007-05-03 |
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