US2503568A - Vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Description

April l1, 1950 o. TIMM VACUUM CLEANER Filed sept. 25, 1944v 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 JILWHL- i JNVENTo/ OTTo W. WMM

BY HHAR/.g K/icH, FOSTER ci: HARP/.5

on Frei-7pm April 11, 1950 2,503,568

O. W. TIMM VACUUM CLEANER Filed Sept. 25, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet 2' u.. I. .f.. .114,111,11.

188 17 [wi/v Tok? Arwen-'Ki April l1, 1950 Q w, MAM 2,503,568

' VACUUM CLEANER' Filed Sept. 25, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 [NVE/v Tof? OTTO N WMM By Afro/@NEYS Patented pr. ll, 195() VACUUM CLEANER Otto W. Timm, Van Nuys, Calif., assigner to Timm Aircraft Corporation, Van Nuys, Calif., a corporation of California Application September 25, 1944, Serial No. 555,645

(Cl. ISS-52) 22 Claims.

My invention relates to the vacuum cleaner art and, more particularly, to a vacuum cleaner adapted for household or hotel use or the like and having a number of improvements over standard types of such devices.

It is common in the art to provide a vacuum cleaner of the suction type with a motor and a dust collecting chamber enclosed in a housing, the device having supporting runners and adapted to be moved from place to place in operation by a suction hose connected to the suction opening of the device. Such vacuum cleaners commonly are provided with the motor and dust chamber in horizontal axial alignment, which provides a very low construction which is awkward for an operator to pick up, as must frequently be done in moving the device from room to room for operation. It is therefore an object of my present invention to provide a wholly enclosed vacuum cleaner of sufiicient height to permit the handle thereof to be grasped by an operator Without requiring a substantial stooping movement of the operator, thus relieving the physical effort required to move many of the vacuum cleaners of the prior art. I prefer to accomplish this object by providing an enclosed housing separated by a partition into a vertical motor chamber and a vertical filter chamber, a motor and fan unit being disposed in the motor chamber and a vertical filter bag being disposed in the filter chamber, and this is a further object of the invention.

Vacuum cleaners of the art commonly use a bag of filter fabric, through which dust laden air is drawn by suction, or forced by a blower, to remove the dust and dirt from the air. Such bags must normally be detached frequently from the operating part of the unit and emptied of the dust and dirt collected therein, and it is normally difficult for the ordinary operator to detach the bag from the device without spilling some of the dust therefrom. Furthermore, with enclosed vacuum cleaners in which the bag is normally disposed Within an enclosed housing, the bag must necessarily be relatively small in volume, which requires more frequent emptying and is a dirty job at best. It is therefore a further object of my invention to provide an enclosed vacuum cleaner having a dust filtering bag in an enclosed housing, which bag does not have to be removed .at frequent intervals due to the fact that the [dust filtered from the air passing through the bag is collected in a separate collecting tray which can readily and cleanly be removed independently of the bag from the vacuum cleaner for emptying. I prefer to line such a tray with a disposable liner, so that the dust collected by the tray is deposited in the liner, and so that the liner filled with dust may be disposed of as -a unit and a fresh liner substituted therefor, and this is another object of the invention. f

i' ing of the device.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner in which dust and foreign materials are filtered from incoming air on the outside of a suitable filter bag, with means provided for agitating the bag as desired to remove dust therefrom and thus clean the filtering surface.

A further object is to provide such a device in which the filter bag is agitated by agitating mechanism contained within the bag, preferably including an auxiliary electric motor for actuating thev agitating mechanism. To accomplish this purpose, the elements of the agitating mechanism, described hereinafter, are of significance.

Another object of the invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner having a filter bag disposed in an enclosed housing, air to be filtered passing through the iilter bag, with baiile means provided in the housing to deiiect the incoming ow of air which would otherwise impinge directly on the bag, to prevent such direct impingement to increase the life of the bag and to distribute more uniformly the dust laden air over the surface of the bag.

A further object of the invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner having a main motor for drawing air through the device, and an auxiliary motor for agitating a filter bag to remove dust from the filtering surface thereof, electric switch mechanism being provided such that the main and auxiliary motors may be selectively actuated as desired, but designed so that both motors cannot be energized simultaneously.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner in which the air filtered by the device, after being filtered, passes in proximity to the motor windings to cool the same.

To insure most efficient operation of a vacuum cleaner, and to prevent undue Wear on surfaces to be cleaned, it is common to provide means for varying the suction exerted by the device. Various expedients have been attempted to achieve this result, one of the commonest being to provide some sort of adjustment means, such as a screw arrangement, for adjusting and holding the suction throat of the unit at a desired predetermined height from the surface to be cleaned. Such expediente have not been satisfactory in actual use by unskilled operators, as such operators rarely take the trouble to make the proper adjustments, probably mainly because of the physical effort involved in bending over sufficiently to accomplish it. It is therefore another object of my present invention to provide a simplified and improved means of controlling the suction of a vacuum cleaner. I prefer to accomplish this by supplying an auxiliary valve member, conveniently located on the vacuum cleaner, whereby the operator may control an auxiliary opening by-passing and in parallel with the suction open- Furthermore, I prefer to provide such a mechanism with means whereby if, for any reason, -thesuction exerted by the `main suction Aopening exceeds a predetermined value, the auxiliary opening will automatically open to prevent the suction exerted by the main suction opening from rising substantially above such value or above a predetermined adjustable limit.

A further object of the .invention is to provide a novel connecting means ,for .connecting a hose or pipe with a housing so as to form a fluid seal therebetween and yet permit -substantial transverse relative movement therebetween. Iprefer to accomplish this by providing what in veiect is a ball-and-socket joint, at least one of the elements thereof being of resilient material such as rubber, the socket being retained in a suitable opening in the housing and the ball providing a tubular connection for a hose or pipe nipple.

Such .a construction is of particular utility in vacuum cleaners Vfor connecting a Vsuction hose to the vacuum cleaner, but, obviously, has other uses within thespirit of the invention.

Still another `object of the invention is to provide a novel reel constructionfor holding a power cord, or cable, such that the cord may be un- Ywound .to any desired portion of its length and such that the reel may be actuated to rewind the cord thereon. 'Such a construction, obviously, is of particular utility in connection with a vacuum cleaner such as described above, and it is also an object of the vinvention 'to lprovide such a reel device in a vacuum cleaner, but I do not desire to be limited thereto.

Other objects lie in the relative positioning of the features pointed out hereinabove for compactness, ease .of assembly and repair, and ease of operation.

Additional objects will also be evident from the following Aspeciieation and 'the drawings, which are for the purpose of illustration only, and in which:

Fig. l .is a longitudinal vertical cross-sectional view taken through my vacuum cleaner.

Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken on the 'line`2-2 of Fig.`l.

Fig. 3 is a top View of the device shown in Fig. l, with the cap member removed.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken on the line '4 4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged plan View of the control knob of the auxiliary valve mechanism of the device.

Fig. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the device shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. '7 is an `enlarged cross-sectional view of the hose connector of my invention.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary cross-sectional View taken on the'lineB-S Vof Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. '7 of an alternative embodiment of the hose connector.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional View, sim ilar to Fig. 2, 4of an alternative embodiment of `the ilter bag agitating means.

Fig. 11 isa view similar to Fig. y10 of a further alternative embodiment .of the lter bag agitating means.

Fig. l2 is an end view of the deilector baffle of the invention.

Referring to the drawings, I show a `housing I5 having side Walls I6 and I'I and .a bottom wall I8, the housing being divided by a vertical partition Wall I9 into a motor chamber .2B and a lter chamber 2l. The housing I5 also has .a front wall `23 and a back Wall 24 which round into the side walls lI6 .and :II as illustrated .in

Fig. 3, the front wall, back wall, and side walls converging as they extend upwardly to form a rounded tcp portion A:25 .of .the housing. The

rounded top portion 25 of the housing I5 is provided at its upper end with a flat flange plate 26 provided with an opening 21 communicating with the motor chamber 20 and provided with an :opening 28 communicating With the lter chamber 2:I. As will be noted, the openings 21 and 28 are .separated by the lateral partition wall I9. Secured to the ange plate 26, as by bolts 3U, is a convex cap member 3| which is sealed vrelative to the flange plate by a peripheral sealing ring 32 carried in :a suitable groove formed in the .cap member, the sealing ring 32 preferably being formed of rubber or .other resilient Amaterial. As illustrated in Figs. l and 2, the .Cap member 3l provides an external configuration which is a continuation ci the configuration of the rounded top portion `2.5 ,of the housing I5, and denes an upper Achamber 33 providing communication between vthe opening 2'! and 28 the cap member also being provided with a suitable handle V34 by which the 'housing may 'be .carried from place to place.

Formed in the `bottom wall IB of the housing I5 beneath the motor chamber' .20 isa bottom opening 35 of `only slightly Aless .crosssectional area than ythe lower ,portion of the motor `chamber, which is normally closed by a closure plate 36 fastened to the `bottom wall I8 by suitable screws or otherwise. Also secured 'to the bottom wall I8 of the housing `I5is .a pair of Vrunners .31 and 38 which `provide .a support for the housing I5 and allow ,it to be readily .slid `on a floor or other supporting surface. 'In the back wall 24 of the housing I5, adjacent vthe bottom wall I8, is vprovided a power cord opening 39, and directly thereabove is disposed a .discharge .opening 4I, the openings 39 and 4I preferablybeing vcircular in form.

Disposed in the -motor .chamber 20 isan electric motor 42, the ,motor being in vertical ,position as shown `and having a drive shaft 43 extending Vupwardly therefrom into the motor chamber. While the motor 42 is preferably vertically disposed in .the motor vchamber 20 Ato .providera compact unit-havingan external conguration which is .convenient .to handle and pleasing .to l.the eye, which are advantagesof .the invention, still .it is possible to mount such ,a motor horizontally in the ,motor chamber while obtaining the other `advantages of the invention, and consequently both types of motor mountings are within the vspirit of my invention. The motor 42 is support- .ed on a resilient supporting ,plate 44, preferably formed of rubber `or other resilient material, lwhichin lturn is supported by a 'vertical pin 45 which extends into and .is supported by a vertical sleeve member 41 provided at its lower `end with an annular .ange 48, which in :turn is suitably secured to the upper face of theclosure yplate 36, :by suitable` screws orotherwise. As illustratedin Fig. .4, the periphery 'of the `ange 48 'is provided with a pair of notches 49 and V50 engaged by dogs 5I and-52, respectivelyrformed on arcuate detent members 53 and 54, respectively, the-detent members being held iin-,engagementwith the annular fiange 48 -by tension springs 55 and 56 exerting a very light .tension between the detent members. The .detent ` members 53 and 54 are `secured by pivot vpins 58 :and 59, respectively, ,to

a circular lowerplateofa reel device .6I The reel device 6I also includes an 4upper plate `62 generally vsimilar .-in Aconguration to `the ,lower plate 50, having a depending annular coil ilange 63 suitably secured to the lower plate 60, as by screws or otherwise, to form the reel device. Provided within the reel device 6| is a iiat spiral spring 64, one end of which is riveted or otherwise secured to the inner wall of the coil flange 63 and the other end of which is riveted or otherwise suitably secured to the outer wall of the vertical sleeve member 4T. An electric cable 66 passes through the power cord opening 39 and is wound on the outer periphery of the coil flange 63 and suitably secured thereto while the spiral spring 64 is expanded to substantially its expansion limits so that by pulling the end of the cable 66 the reel device 5| will rotate on the vertical sleeve member 4l to permit withdrawal of the cable. Such rotation is in the direction of the arrow Gl, shown in Fig. 4, and, as will be understood, the dogs 5| and 52 `move out of their notches 49 and 59 and continue to pass thereover during rotation of the reel device until the cable 65 is released, at which time the spiral spring 64 reverses the direction of rotation of the reel device until the dogs fall into the nearest notches, preventing further counterclockwise rotation of the reel device relative to the vertical sleeve member 4l, as the same is shown in Fig. 4. By imparting a sudden slight jerk to the cable S6, the reel device 6| rst rotates slightly in the direction of the arrow 5l, and the spiral spring S4 almost immediately reverses the direction of movement of the reel device,'tending to reel in the cable. As the detent members 53 and 54 are eccentrically pivoted on their pins 53 and 59, the sudden rotation of the reel device 5| in a counterclockwise direction rotates the detent members on their pins, by centrifugal force and against the action of the springs 55 and 56, outwardly away from the periphery of the flange 48 so that the dogs 5| and 52 will not engage in the notches 49 and 59, which rotation continues so long as the cable is allowed to freely wind onto the reel device. If the running in of the cable is slowed down, by hand or otherwise, the springs 55 and 56 operate to draw the detent members 53 and 54 into engagement with the periphery of the flange 48 to engage the notches 49 and 50, thus stopping further winding of the reel device by the action of the spiral spring 64. This specic reel device construction is also a valuable feature of the invention. The construction just described provides a convenient location for the reel device 6| and provides a resilient seat for the electric motor 42, which are further advantages of the invention.

suitably iiXed on the upper end of the electric motor 42 is a circular bracket plate 68 provided with a plurality of openings 69 therethrough communicating with the interior of the motor so that air can pass through said openingsl and through the motor to cool the same, passing out of lower openings 'H3 formed in the Imotor housing. The bracket plate 68 is provided with a vertical annular rim 'l2 having an annular groove 13, arcuate in cross section, in its outer face which receives an annular sealing ring 14, preferably formed of rubber or other resilient material, which in turn is retained in an annular groove I5 formed in a flange T6 projecting into the motor chamber 29. It will be apparent that the sealing ring 'lll forms a fluid-tight seal between the bracket plate 68 and the flange 56 and also serves to cushion vibration of the electric motor 42, such vibration also being cushioned by the resilient supporting plate 44.

Mounted on the annular rim l2 is an enclosed cap member 'I8 provided with a central opening 19 in the top thereof, there being fan means 80 mounted within the cap member. The fan means 39 includes a plurality of rotatable fan blades 8| mounted on the drive shaft 43 of the electric motor 42, and a plurality of stationary baiiles 83 mounted by suitable brackets on the annular rim 'I2 so as to cooperate with the fan blades to cause air to pass downwardly through the fan means and the electric motor in response to rotation of the drive shaft 43. A conical filter element 84 is mounted on the top of the cap member 18,

such filter element being of any type well known in the art and lformed of fabric or other material such that it is adapted to filter air passing from the motor chamber 20 into the cap member through the central opening l9, and it is to be understood that any equivalent iilter element is within the spirit of the invention. It is desirable in most installations to provide such a filter element 84, or the equivalent thereof, to prevent any fine dust from entering the electric motor 42 or from being exhausted back into the atmosphere.

Formed in the top of the upper plate 52 of the reel device 5| is a pair of concentric annular grooves containing concentric electrical collecting rings 85 and 86, each of which is electrically connected to one of the wires of the electric cable 66, as is well known in the art, the collecting rings being electrically engaged by stationary brush contacts 8l and 88, respectively, the brush contacts being electrically connected by wires 99 and 9|', respectively. The wire 99 is electrically connected to both the electric motor 42 and an auxiliary electric motor 92, to be described hereinafter, and the wire 9| is connected to an electric switch 93 mounted on the inner wall of the rounded top portion 25 of the housing I5 and having a switch lever 94 projecting from the housing so as to be readily accessible to an operator. One throwcontact of the electric switchl 93, as is well known in the art, is connected by a wire 96 with the other side of the electric motor 42, and another throw-contact of the switch 93 is connected by a wire 91 with the other side of the auxiliary electric motor 92, as is well known in the art. As Will be understood, movement of the switch lever 94, when the electric cable 6B is connected to a power source, will alternatively energize the electric motor 42 or the auxiliary electric motor 92, depending upon the position to which the switch lever has been moved by the operator, but both motors cannot be actuated at the same time, and this is an important feature of the invention. When the switch lever 94 is in the central or neutral position shown, neither of the motors 42 or 92 is energized.

Disposed in the iilter chamber l2| is a lilter bag element 99 comprising the filtering means of the invention, the bag element being formed of a suitable filter material such as, for example, cloth or the like. The filter bag 99 is generally rectangular in horizontal cross section, although any other form' may be used as desired, and includes side walls |00 and a closed bottom wall |ll|. The filter bag element 99 is suspended in the filter chamber 2l by the top of the side walls |09 thereof being passed over a peripheral sealing ring |92, preferably formed of rubber or other resilient material, which is clamped between the inner face of the opening 28 and a depending iiange |93 -1 formed on a supporting plate |94, which in turn auxiliary electric motor 92,is suitably secured to the lower side of the supporting plate :|04 and extends downwardly into the .lter ,bag 99, thus occupying no spacein the upper chamber k33 of thecap member v3 -l land being conveniently located for assembly or replacement. 'llhe supporting plate |04 is provided with a -conduit opening |06 through which the `Wires Q and `iextend to the ,auxiliary electric motor .92, and is also provided -witha main opening `|.01 which provides communication between theinterior ,of the iilter bag 99 and the upper chamber -33 in the fcap member 3|.

Disposed within the lil-ter bag 99 adjacent the corners thereof are four vertical frame members |08, the .tops of which are connected .rigidly to the inner Wall of the ,depending flange |v03of the :supporting plate L04, as by screws-or otherwise, -adjacent vertical frame members being 'connected by horizontal frame elements |09 which serve to brace the frame membersand-for a further function vto'be describedhereinafter. As `will be noted, the frame members |08 andthe frame elements |09 4are disposed adjacent the inner Wall of the side Walls |00 lof the filter bag A99, for apurpose also to be described hereinafter.

The auxiliary motor 92 is provided lwith a `bracket arm' 4which journals for rotation a .stub shaft ||2-onwhich fis mounted a gear wheel .|.I'3 which meshes .with a pinion I I4 mounted kon `a drive shaft |.|5 of the auxiliary motor. The `gearwheel A|'|;\' is providedwith a pin |1 mounted Aeccentrica'llythereon-relative to the center yof ,rotation ofthe gear WheeLonwhich pin is mounted for relative rotational movement the upper end of anactuating arm |13, on the lower-end of which is connected aframe element I-I-S-providinga rectangularframe|.201of substantially the same configuration as the bottom ywall 0| of the'lter bag 99 andsecuredthereto by an adhesive or by other .suitable means, the frame element being connected-,to -the-actuatingarm -by a socket -|-2|. yAs will .be notedVthe actuatingarm AY| I8 is so zdimensioned .that when the gear wheel .-|.-|3 isin the position .illustrated,.in whichthe pin-H1 is Ibelow-and .ver- .ticallyaligned with theaXisofthe vstubshat I I2, the lter 4bag 99 will be wholly extended. The .auxiliary motor 92and the actuating ,arm lI |-8 and associated .partsconstitutean agitating means of ,the invention.

Removablydisposed beneath the .filter bag -99 ,y

in the .lterchamber .2| .is a removable tray i232 which isgenerally rectangularin shape and which ,fits into a rectangular opening .|23 formed in the ,front wall.23 of the housing .I5 adjacent the bottom .Wall I8 thereof, .the Itray being vsupported .by the walls. of the rectangular openingand -by-sup- .porting runners |-24 and :|25 suitably fixed, as1by screws, to the upper face of the bottom-wall Y|18 .of vthe housing I5. The tray |22 is guided -into .and out of the housing lI5 byguide flanges |25 and |21 yformed'on the -side walls I6 and -|1,respectively, as illustrated in Fig. 2,-theguide flanges being provided with longitudinal.groovesgcontain- .ing longitudinal Vsealing -strips 4|223 yand |29,r,espeCtiVeIy, preferably .formed yof rubber vor -other resilient material `adapted .to form a seal ibetween .ther-tray-I'ZZ and theside walls IG land I1. Inthe wall-of theopening |23, 'inasuitable groove -provided therein, is disposed a peripheral sealing strip 13|, also preferably -iormed .of rubber -or other resilient material, whichforms a seal .with the sides andbottomofthe movabletray |22.

.As will be noted from `Fig. l, `the .removable .tray 4|22 is .provided :with a convex front .wall r|32, of @the same general .conguration as the lower :portion of .the .front wall 23 of the housing I5, providing at its lower end a shoulder .|33 which engages the housing when the removable tray is in its inserted position as illustrated .in Fig. l, the shoulder snapping beneath a spring .clip .|34 secured to the bottom Wall I8, to retain `the removable tray in the position illustrated. The Yfront wall |32 lof the tray |22 is provided with a handle member |35 to vfacilitate insertion or removal of the tray, and the top of the :tray is provided 'with a ,transverse bar .|36

between the sides .of the tray vand provided .with a groove having a sealing strip |31 therein, also preferably formed of rubber or other resilient material. As will be understood, the ,sealing strips |23, |29, |3I, and |31 are designed to prevent leakage ,of air into the lter chamber 2| around fthe removable tray |22 and 'to zseal dust collected inthe lter chamber 2| :against'leakage from the housing |5. As illustrated in Figs -l and 2, I prefer to line the removable tray |22 with a liner |39 of the same conguration, theliner being formed of disposal ,materiaL such Ias paper or the like, so that when it is V-i'ull of dust or other waste material deposited therein, `it may be disposed of as a unit. As illustrated in lvlig. 1,the iront wall 23 oI the housing yI5 has a reentrant horizontal wall |40, the `bottom of which is engaged by the sealing strip |31, and to the top of which is secured a delector member |4| constituting a baille means .of the invention.

'Formed in the front wal123 of the housing I5 in front of the deector member |4| is a suc- `tionopening |42 having hose connector means |43 disposed therein, `which is shown in detail in Figs. 7 and 8. iThe hose connector means |43 .includes a collar element |45 and an insert 4element |45 retained in theoollar element. The collar element |45 is generally tubular in form, having a pair of annular end flanges |41 and `|48 ywhich may be expanded lto snap vthe collar `element into .the ,suction opening 142, the collar element being formed .of -rubber or other resilient material. The collar element is also pro- `vided with a bore |43 which is concave in longitudinal cross section and 'which snugly receives .a convex outer face |50 of ,the insert element |48, which is preferably formed of metal or plastic or other :non-resilientyma'terial, the outer `face |50 Vbeing Aprovided `With a longitudinal .groove 'f-I5I adapted to yreceive a portion of the -collar1element |45 squeezed into the groove. As fwill be understood, -the groove |5| provides means tending to retain the collar element |45 and insert element |146 in any relative position to which 4they maybe moved. The insert ele- 'ment |46 is also provided with a tubular bore `.|54 into which projects a round locking pin v|155 suitably retained in a radial Aopening formed in the insert element. As illustrated in Fig. '7, the ylocking pin |55 is adapted to t into a bayonet slot formed in a .conventional nipple |51 used `for connecting a ilexible hose (not shown) to the `housing |5, as is `wellknown in the art. Due .to the mating relation of the concave bore |49 .and vthe convex outer face |50, iin eiiect a ball-and-socket joint arrangement is `providedloetvveen the collar element |45 and the iinsert element |45, allowing the insert element to be rotated trans-,axially relative -to the collar element so as to accommodate different positions .of the nipple `|51 relative to the housing Vl5 as -may be desired, and due to the fact that `the collar element is formed of rubber, a duid-tight seal is provided between it and the insert element.

An alternative form of hose connector means is illustrated in Fig. 9, in which an outer element |59 and an inner element |663 perform functions similar to the collar element |45 and the insert element I 46, respectively, the construction differing somewhat from the preferred embodiment in the structural details. In this form, a front wall IBI, generally similar to the front wall 23, is provided with a suction opening |82 bounded on one side by an annular flange |53 formed on the front wall |6| and bounded on the other side by a ila-nge |54 formed on an annular clamping member |65 suitably secured to the front wall IGI. Between the flanges |83 and |64 is retained the annular outer element |59, which is generally tubular in shape but is provided With a concave bore |66 which receives a convex outer face |61 provided on the inner element |68. A groove, similar to the groove |55, may be provided between the inner and outer elements |68 and |59, respectively, if desired, and the inner element is provided with a round locking pin |68 retained in a suitable opening in the inner element and projecting into a tubular bore |69 thereof to provide means for locking a conventional nipple |18, similar to the nipple |51, relative to the inner element.

Also carried by the front wall 23 of the housing I5, as best illustrated in Figs. l, 5, and 6, is an auxiliary valve means |12. The auxiliary valve means |12 may be of any desired form providing an orice through the wall 2,3 of the housing I normally closed by a flapper plate which is spring loaded under variable tension, and I do not intend to be limited to the specific construction illustrated and described as follows. The auxiliary valve means |12 includes a valve opening |13 formed in the front wall 28 of the housing I5, the outer portion of the opening being provided with a counterbore |14. The opening |13 is normally closed by a ilapper plate |15 adapted to move out of engagement with the front wall 23, being guided in such movement by a guide pin |16 secured in a suitable opening in the front wall. The flapper plate has a square opening |18 therein aligned with the axis of the opening |13, which retains a square shank |19 of a stud |88, the head of which engages the ilapper plate, the stud being provided with a round threaded portion IBI which passes outwardly through the opening |13. Threaded on the stud |80 is a control knob |82, there being a compression spring |83 disposed between the control knob and the front plate 23 and seating in the counterbore |14. The compression spring |83 is such that when in the position illustrated in Fig. 6 there will be substantially no compression thereon, and the flapper plate |15 may move readily away from the front wall 23 to permit the passage of air through the opening |13, but being so constructed that upon screwing the control knob |82 down uponthe stud |98, the compression of the compression spring may be increased to require greater force to move the flapper plate away from the iront wall. An indicating arrow |84 may be provided on the exterior of the front wall 23, as illustrated in 5, and indicia |85 may be provided on the pe` riphery of the control knob |82 so as to register with the indicating arrow to indicate the degree of compression of the compression sprmg |83, so as to permit simple visual setting or the auxiliary valve means.

As best illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, a pair of longitudinal band elements |81 and |88 are horizontally disposed around the periphery of the housing l5, the band element |81 comprising a flat plate |89 suitably secured to the side wall I6 as by screws or otherwise, having edges |90 and |9| which are bent back toward each other 'to clamp a resilient projecting bumper strip |92 therebetween. The band element |88 is formed similarly to the band element |81, and the two band elements provide bumper means to prevent the housing |5 from being scratched by collision with walls, furniture, and the like, or vice versa.

Fig. 10 illustrates an alternative form of agitating means for use in the lter bag element 99, parts thereof corresponding to similar parts shown in Fig. 2 being identified by the same numerals with the suiiix a thereafter. In this form, an actuating arm I I8a has secured thereon intermediate its ends a sleeve |94 to which is bonded a resilient circular diaphragm |95, preferably formed of rubber or other resilient material, which in turn is retained at its outer edge by clip members |96 which are in turn secured to post members |08a. Otherwise, the construction is as illustrated in Fig. 2. In this alternative construction illustrated in Fig. 10, reciprocation of the actuating arm Ila and lateral movement of its upper end cause reciprocation and lateral movement of the lower end thereof so as to provide an exaggerated lateral shaking action to the lter bag element 99a. The form illustrated in Fig. 11 accomplishes substantially the same function as that illustrated in Fig. 10, but provides alternative mechanical means therefor, like parts being indicated by the same numeral with the suflix b thereafter. In the form shown in Fig. 11, to the socket I 2 Ib is pivoted, as by a pivot pin |91, a short link |98, the other end of which is pivoted by a pivot pin |99 to an extension 209 of one of the post members |081). This construction insures substantial lateral movement of the filter bag element 99h in response to reciprocation of the actuating arm H85.

As illustrated in Fig. 1, the discharge opening 4| is provided with hose connector means-282 generally similar to the hose connector means |43, to permit a discharge hose nipple 283 to be flexibly connected to the housing I5 in the event it is desired to use the device as a blower.

In the forms illustrated, the auxiliary motor 92 and the mechanism connected thereto for agitating the filter bag element 99 are contained within the filter bag element to conserve space, which is an object of the invention, the air to be cleaned passing from the outside of the filter bag element therethrough into the inside thereof. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art, however, that dust could be collected on the inside of a lter bag and the motor and actuating mechanism disposed on the outside thereof without departing from the spirit of the invention so far as the other features of novelty are concerned.

In operation, the preferred embodiment illus- ,trated in Fig.l 1 is assembled as illustrated. The

the deflector member I4! so that it will not imf pinge directly upon the filter 'bag element 99 as it issues from the hose connector means |43 into the lter chamber.A The action of the deflector meml ber |4| is important in the operation of the device, as it would be undesirable to'have a columnv of incoming air` travelingr at high velocity impinge directly upon the filter bagf element 99', which would tend to drive dust particles through the lter bag element and would cause an inordinate amount of wear of the fabric from which the same is formed.

As the dust laden air flows around in and upwardly in the lter chamber 2|, a large percentage of the dust suspended therein settles by gravity4 into the liner |39 of the removable tray |22, where it is collected. The air then passes through the lter bag` element 99 and upwardly through the interior thereof, passage' of' the air through the filter bag element filtering substantially allVV remaining dust particles therefrom, which dust particles collect upon the outersurface ofthe lter bag element. The air moves from the interior of the filter bag element 99' through the main opening |01 of the supporting plate |04 into the upper chamber 33,' through which it passes, passing downwardly through the' opening ZT'into the motor chamber '20"and being drawn by the fan means 80 through' the conical filter element 84 which effectively removes the last traces of' dust particles from the' air. air then ows through the fan means 80 and through the openings 69 in the circular bracket plate 58' into the electric motor 42, cooling the.f

same, and discharging therefrom through the lower openings thereof and finally passingout'- wardly through the hose'connector means 202 to exhaust into thev atmosphere.

If, for any reason, suction on the filter cham ber 2| is increased by reduction' of' the effective` available area of the opening'provided by an ap*- pliance connected tothe nipple |51, which fre'- quently occurs if a vacuum cleaner attachment is positioned against or'in very close proximity toa surface being cleaned, the increase in suction on the filter chamber operates to open the auxiliary valve means |12. Such suction on the flap-l per plate against the'action of the compression spring |83 tends to move the dapper plate |15 inwardly to open the opening |13 to the filter chamber. This permits a flow of air directly intol the filter chamber 2|= through the opening |13, which iiow of air is in parallel with the air flowing through the hose connectorl means |43, and` reduces the suction exertedby the device through the nipple |51, preventing injury or undue wear on the fabric being treated by the vacuum cleaner attachment connected to the nipple |51', as described. The auxiliary valve means` |12 thus serves as a safety feature preventing overloading and overheating ofthe motor 42', and preventing damage to ne fabrics which cannot safely be exposed to a high degree of suction. This permits use of a motor 42 and fan means 80 capable of creating a far greater suction effect than is possible with present day cleaners not equipped with such safety-feature, and isl desirable so as to' afford increased suction which isA available if desired but normally inoperative. As indicated above, by rotating the control knob |02, action of the auxiliaryvalve means |12 may be con'-v trolled within reasonably-accurate limits to' provide the desiredY degree of suction, and no more, on the'nipple |51.

Periodically the external surface of the filter bag element 99 should be cleaned ofthe layer of dust which accumulates thereon, although it is to be noted that due to the gravity separation and settling of the dust into the removable tray' The 22, by reason ofthe positioning of'theparts, thefrequency of cleaning of the lter bag element is materially reduced. Cleaning of the filter bag element 99 is-accomplished by operating the lever 94 of the electric switch 93 so as to energize the auxiliary electric motor 92. This rotates the pinion H4, which in turn rotates the gear wheel H3, causing reciprocal movement of the actuating arm I8. Reciprocal movement of the actuating arm I8 exes the side walls |00, causing dust adhering thereto to fall downwardly through,

the lter chamber 2| into the removable tray |22, thus freeing the external surface of the filter bag element 99 of dust collecting thereon. Such reciprocal movement of the actuating arm ||8 also causes the inner surface of the side walls |00 to strike against the frame members |08 and the frame elements |09 to provide a beating action further tending to remove dust from the exterior surface of the side Walls |00. This cleaning action is quite efficient, and only a few seconds of operation of the auxiliary electric motor 92 is sufficient to remove all surplus dust from the exterior of the side walls |00 of the filter bag element 99. The electric switch 93 may then again be operated to energize the electric motor 42 to continue the suction cleaning operation.

In the alternative embodiment illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11, a more violent agitation of the filter bag element than is obtained in the preferred embodiment illustrated in the preceding gures is accomplished. In the construction illustrated in Fig. 10, this increased agitation is produced by the connection of the actuating arm |8a to the frame members |08a by the circular diaphragm |95, which gives an increased lateral movement to the rectangular frame |20a upon rotation of the gear Wheel ||3a. Similarly, in the construction illustrated in Fig. 11, the connection of the actuating arm ||8b to the frame members |081) by the link |98 provides a positive and marked lateral movement to the rectangular frame |20b upon rotation of the gear ||3b. As will be apparent, the alternative embodiments illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11 provide a more violent agitation of the filter bag element than in the preferred embodiment, thus reducing the time interval required to clean the wall of the lter bag element of dust accumulated thereon. This feature is of value primarily where the time of operation of the device is an element, as in hotel use or other commercial use. As will be apparent, however, such increased agitation increases wear on the filter bag element substantially, and consequently for ordinary home use I prefer to provide the more gentle action described in connection with the preferred embodiment above.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many of the elements of my device, as illustrated and described hereinabove, may be replaced by otherelements having substantially the same modeof operation without departing from the spirit of my invention, and consequently I do notdesire to be limited to the specic forms illustrated and described, butdesirc to'be afforded thev full scope 'of' the following claims.

I' claim as my invention:

1. In a vacuumcleaner, the combination of: an

enclosed housing internally divided by partition means into a motor chamber and a filter chamber, said housing having a suction opening in said lter chamber and having a discharge openmg in said motor chamber; an electric motor disposed in said motor chamber filter means in said filter chamber adapted to filter dust from air drawn through said filter means from said suction opening, said filter means depending into alignment with said suction opening; fan means associated with said motor and adapted to be actuated thereby to draw air through said suction opening into said filter chamber, through said filter means to filter dust therefrom, and through said motor chamber and out said discharge opening; and baffle means disposed in said lter chamber between said suction opening and said filter means for defiecting air entering said filter chamber through said suction opening from direct impingement on said filter means, said deflection being lateral and upward around said filter means.

2. In a vacuum cleaner, the combination of: an enclosed housing internally divided by partition means into a motor chamber and a filter chamber, said housing having a suction opening in said filter chamber and having a discharge opening in said motor chamber; an electric motor disposed in said motor chamber; filter bag means in said filter chamber adapted to filter dust from air drawn through said filter means from said suction opening; fan means associated with said motor and adapted to be actuated thereby to draw air through said suction opening into said filter chamber, inwardly through said filter means to filter bagdust therefrom, and through said motor chamber and out said discharge opening; and a reel device in said motor chamber below said motor supporting said motor and adapted to carry on electric cord for energizing said motor.

3. In a vacuum cleaner, the combination of: an enclosed housing internally divided by partition means into a motor chamber and a filter chamber, said housing having a suction opening in said filter chamber and having a discharge opening in said motor chamber; a main electric motor disposed in said motor chamber; filter means suspended from said partition means and depending into said filter chamber and adapted to filter dust `from air drawn through said filter means from said suction opening; an auxiliary electric motor supported on said partition means and extending into said lter means; means connecting said auxiliary motor to said filter means so that energization of said auxiliary motor agitates said filter means to dislodge dust therefrom; and fan means associated with said electric motor and adapted to be acutated thereby to draw air through. said suction opening into said filter chamber, through said filter means to iilter dust therefrom, and through said motor chamber and out said discharge opening.

4. In a vacuum cleaner, the combination of: an enclosed housing internally divided by partition means into a motor chamber and a filter chamber, said housing having a suction opening in said filter chamber and having a discharge opening in said motor chamber; an electric motor disposed in said motor chamber; filter means in said nlter chamber adapted to filter dust from air drawn through said filter means from said suction opening; an auxiliary electric motor; means connecting said auxiliary motor to said filter means so that energization of said auxiliary motor agitates said filter means to dislodge dust therefrom; a single switch connected between a source of electric power and both of said motors so that either of said motors can be selectively energized but so that both of said motors cannot be energized simultaneously; and fan means associated with said motor and adapted to be actuatedA 75 motor and adapted to. be actuated thereby to thereby'to draw air through said suction open- 1 motor disposed in said motor chamber; filter.

means in said filter chamber adapted to filter dust from air drawn through said filter means from said suction opening; an auxiliary electric motor; means connecting said auxiliary motor to said filter means so that energization of said auxiliary motor agitates said filter means to dislodge dust therefrom; a single switch mounted in said housing and operable from the exterior thereof and connected between a source of electric power and both of said motors so that either of said motors can be selectively energized but so that both of said motors cannot be energized simultaneously; and fan means associated with said motor and adapted to be actuated thereby to draw air through said suction opening into said filter chamber, through said filter means to filter dust therefrom, and through said motor chamber and out said discharge opening.

6. In a vacuum-cleaner, the combination of: an enclosed housing internally divided by partition means into a motor chamber and a filter chamber, said housing having a suction opening in said filter chamber and having a discharge opening in said motor chamber; an electric motor in said motor chamber; filter means in said filter chamber adapted to filter dust from air drawn therethrough from said suction opening, said filter means including a flaccid bag of nlter material suspended loosely within said housing and depending into said filter chamber; an element connected to the lower closed end of said bag; an auxiliary electric motor in said bag; means for connecting said auxiliary motor to Y said element so that energization of said auxiliary motor agitates said element and said bag to dislodge dust from said bag; and fan means associated with said motor and adapted to be actuated thereby to draw air through said suction opening into said filter chamber, through said lter means to lter dust therefrom, and through said motor chamber and out said discharge opening.

'7. In a vacuum cleaner, the combination of:

I an enclosed housing internally divided by partil depending into said lter chamber; a plurality of vertical frame members within said bag and adjacent the inner wall of said bag; an element connected to the lower closed end of said bag; an auxiliary electric motor in said bag; means connecting said auxiliary motor to said element so that energization of said auxiliary motor agitates said element and said bag and causes said bag lto strike said frame members to dislodge dust from said bag; and fan means associated with said draw airrthrough` said suction opening 'into'A said,`r

assecond portlv communicating' with said second chamber; anfelectric motorfin said i'irstcham-Y ber and engaging'said partition; fan means connected to said'motorn and adapted torbe driven thereby for moving air between said ports; aremovable cover member closing said opening; and a'reeif devicein said-first chamber between said motor and-said cover member and adapted tov support said lmotor, said-reel device being-adapted to carry-an electric cord for energizing said motor.

95 In -a-vacuum cleaner, the combination of: a housing having an opening in one end thereof for insertinga motorthereinto; a partition inv said housing and supported thereby, said partition dividing said housing" into a rstfchamber adjacent said opening and-a second chamber remote therefrom, said partitionhaving an aperture communicating between said chambers; a rst port communicating with said rst chamber; a second port communicating with said second chamber; 4an electric motor in said irst chamber andV engaging said partition; fan means connected toY said'motor and adapted to be driven thereby for movingair between said ports; sealing means adapted to form a fluid-tight seal between said motorand said partition around saidv aperture; a removable cover member closing said opening; and a reel'device in said irst4 chamber between said motor and said cover member and adapted` to support said motor, said reel device being adapted to carryan electric cord for energizing said motor.

10. In=a vacuum cleaner; the combination of: a

housing internally divided by partition meansinto a motor chamber and a filter chamber, said housing having av suction-opening in said iilter chamber and having adischarge opening in said 2' motor chamber, andhaving an aperture in the bottom of saidmotor chamber through which an electric motor can be inserted into said motorA chamber; an electric motor vertically disposed in said-motor chamber; a removable closure member attached to-said'housing so as to close said aperture, said closure member supporting said motor; filter means depending into said iilter chamber and adapted `to lterdust from airdrawn through saidfiltermeans from saidzsuction opening; agitating means connected to saidlter means so that energizationl of said; agitating means agitates said filter means to dislodge dust therefrom; and fanmeans;associatedwith said motor for moving air between saidtsuction opening and said. discharge opening'throughv said filter means.

11. In avacuum cleaner, theV combination of: a housing internally; divided by partition means into a motor chamber'and aflter chamber, said housing havingy a suction opening insaid filter chamber and having a dischargeopeningin said' motor chamber, and4 having, an; aperture in the' bottomof'said motor chamber through whichv an electric motor can be inserted intoy said motor chamber; an. electric motor vertically disposed in said motorchamber; a removable closure mem-n ber attached to said housing so as to close said aperture and operatively connectedxto saidl electric motor so as to support the same in said motor ,v chamber; filter bag means depending into said iilter chamber and adapted to filter dust from air drawn through said iilter means from said suction opening; agitating means connected to said ilter bag means within the same so thaty energization of said agitating means agitates said over said lter` chamber and havingan aperturel therein; an electric motor and fan unit vertically disposed in said motor chamber; filter, bag means f suspended from said plate and extending intosaid iilter chamber with its upper open end aligned with said aperture; means for forming an air seal between the upper end of said ilter bag means and said plate; and agitating means disposed wholly within said nlter bag means and adapted to agitate said filter bag means so as to dislodge dust therefrom.

13. In a device of the character described, the combination of: a housing having an inlet opening and a discharge opening; iilter bag means in said housing between said openings and adaptedA to iilter solid particles from fluid passing therethrough between said openings; impelling means for drawing fluid into said housing through said inlet opening, causing such fluid to pass through said filter bag means, and'to discharge it from said housing through said discharge opening; agitating means disposed within and connected to said iilter bag means and operable to agitate said filter bag means to dislodge such particles4 therefrom; a iirst-power-operated means for actuating said impelling means; a second poweroperated means for actuating said agitating means; and manually operable means for selectively energizing said rst and second poweroperated means.

14. In a device of the character described, the combination of: a housing having an inlet opening and a discharge opening; iilter means in said housing between said openings and adapted to filter solid particles fromiluid passing therethrough between saidl openings; impelling means for drawing iiuid into said housing through said inlet opening, causing such fluid to pass through said filter means, and to discharge it from said housing through said discharge opening; a first electric motor for actuating said impelling means; agitating means connected to said filter means and operable to agitate said nlter means to dislodge such particles therefrom; a second electric motor for actuating said agitating means; and energizing means for only alternatively energizing said motors.

15. In a device of the character described, the

s combination of a housing having a rounded top; a vertical partition in said housing extending upwardly therein to define a motor chamber on one side thereof' and a filter chamber on the otherfside thereof, said rounded top providing l acurved1 air passage between said chambers; a

l 'i' motor and fan unit in said motor chamber; and filter means in said filter chamber.

16. In a device of the character described, the combination of: a housing having a rounded top; a vertical partition in said housing extending up- Wardly therein to dene a motor chamber on one side thereof and a iilter chamber on the other side thereof, said rounded top providing an airdirecting passage of substantially semicircular cross section between said chambers having a curved upper Wall adapted to guide the passage of air between said chambers; a motor and fan unit in said motor chamber; and filter means in said filter chamber.

17. In a device of the character described, the combination of: a housing; a vertical partition in said housing deiining a motor chamber on one side thereof and a filter chamber on the other side thereof; a nrst Wall disposed in said motor chamber and having a motor opening therein; an electric motor unit in said motor chamber; first resilient sealing means between said unit and said first wail; a second Wall in said filter chamber and having a filter opening therein, said second Wall being rigidly secured relative to said housing; lter bag means suspended from said second Wall with its upper open end within said filter opening, said bag means being disposed in said filter chamber; and second resilient sealing means between said filter bag means and said y second wall.

18. In a device of the character described, the combination of: a housing; a vertical partition in said housing deiining a motor chamber on one side thereof and a filter chamber on the other side thereof; a first Wall disposed in said motor chamber and having a motor opening therein; an electric motor unit in said motor chamber below said first wall; means for maintaining said motor unit in sealing engagement with said first wall; a second wall in said filter chamber and having a filter opening therein, said second Wall being rigidly secured relative to said housing; lter bag means suspended from said second wall with its upper open end concentric with said filter opening, said bag means beinfi disposed in said nlter chamber below said second Wall; and means for maintaining said upper end of said filter bag means in sealing engagement with said second wall.

19. In a device of the character described, the combination of: a housing; a vertical partition in said housing defining a motor chamber on one side thereof and a lter chamber on the other side thereof; a first Wall disposed in said motor chamber and having a motor opening therein; an electric motor unit in said motor chamber below said first Wall; a second Wall in said filter chamber and having a filter opening therein; filter means disposed in said filter chamber below said second wall; an auxiliary motor mounted on said second Wall and extending into said filter means and adapted to agitato the same; electrical connections adapted to connect said motors to a source of current; and switch means electrically connected to both of said motors and extending out of said housing so that selective operation of said motors may be controlled from the eX- terior of said housing.

20. In a device of the character described, the combination of a housing; a vertical partition in said housing dening a motor chamber on one side thereof and a filter chamber on the other side thereof; a first wall disposed in said motor chamber and having a motor opening therein: an electric motor unit in said motor chamber below said rst v/ali; a second Wall in said filter chamber and having a filter opening therein; filter means disposed in said filter chamber below said second Wall; an auxiliary motor carried by said second wall within said filter opening, said auxiliary motor extending into said `filter means and adapted to agitato the same; electrical connections adapted to connect said motors to a source of current; and switch means disposed in said motor chamber above said first wall and electrically connected to both of said motors and extending out of said housing so that selective operation of said motors may be controlled from the exterior of said housing.

2l., In a motor chamber for a vacuum cleaner, the combination of: walls forming a motor housing, said housing walls being provided with an opening in a bottom wall thereof through which an electric motor can be inserted into said housing; a removable closure member attached to said housing so as to close said opening; an electric motor disposed in said motor housing above said closure member; a reel device in said motor housing interposed between said motor and said closure member, said reel device being adapted to support said motor on said closure member, said reel device being adapted to carry an electric cord for energizing said motor; and electrical connection means in said motor chamber electrically connecting said cord to said motor.

22. In a device of the character described, the combination of: a housing having an inlet opening and a discharge opening; lter means in said housing between said openings and adapted to filter solid particles from fluid passing therethrough between said openings; impelling means for drawing duid into said housing through said inlet opening, causing such iiuid to pass through said filter means, and to discharge it from said housing through said discharge opening; agitating means disposed wholly within and connected to said nlter means and operable to agitate said filter means to dislodge such particles therefrom;

and means for selectively operating but preventing simultaneous operation of said impelling means and said agitating means.

OTTO W. TIMM.

CES GCH'EEH) The foilowing references are of record in the iie of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Date 783,301 McMillan Feb. 21, 1905 832,450 Beth Oct. 2, 1906 946,535 Craver Jan. 18, 1910 1,076,289 Jones Oct. 21, 1913 1,100,575 Kirby June 16, 1914 1,316,442 Goughnour Sept. 16, 1919 1,356,086 Plaisted Oct. 19, 1920 1,528,877 1 Hayden et al Mar, 10, 1925 1,939,705 Juelson Dec. 19, 1933 1,997,720 Emmons Apr. 16, 1935 2,094,775 Bedford Oct. 5, 1937 2,201,229 Gross May 21, 1940 2,246,862 Smellie June 24, 1941 2,247,868 Beasley July 1, 1941 2,306,212 Gerstmann Dec. 22, 1942 2,318,395 Hornbrook May 4, 1943 2,372,944 Forsberg Apr. 3, 1945 Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,503,568 April 11, 1950 OTTO W. TIMM It is hereby certified that errors appear in the printed specication of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

Column 4, line 22, for the Word opening read openings; column 5, line 72, for flange 66 read flange 76; column 13, line 30, strike out bag and insert the same after filter, second occurrence, 1 n line 29, same column; line 34, for "on read an; line 51, after said insert mam; column 18, line 19, after housing strike out Wa-lus!! and that the said Letters Patent should be read With these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case 1n the Patent Oflice.

Signed and sealed this 18th day of July, A. D. 1950.

[SEAL] JOE E. DANIELS,

Assistant ommzsszoner of Patents.

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