Royal Appliance Mfg., Co.

Craig J Barbeck

Mark Edward Cipolla

Paul Dana Stephens

Charles J Thur

Michael F Wright

Brett A Latimer

Craig M Saunders

Jeffrey M Kalman

Robert A Salo

David J Boll

Steven J Paliobeis

Robert A Vystrcil

Ruskan Iskaliev

A vacuum cleaner includes a first housing defining a cyclonic airflow chamber and a second housing defining a main suction opening that is in communication with an inlet of the cyclonic chamber. A suction source has a suction airstream inlet in communication with an outlet of the cyclonic chamber, and establishes a suction airstream that enters the main suction opening, passes through the cyclonic chamber, and passes to an outlet of the suction source. Particulates entrained in the suction airstream are separated therefrom when said suction airstream moves in a cyclonic fashion through the cyclonic chamber. A main filter assembly is located in the cyclonic chamber so that a suction airstream moving from the main suction opening to the inlet of the suction source by way of the cyclonic airflow chamber passes through the filter medium thereof after the airstream moves in a cyclonic fashion within the cyclonic airflow chamber to remove residual particulates from the suction airstream before it leaves the cyclonic chamber.

Upright vacuum cleaner with cyclonic airflow

A vacuum cleaner includes a first housing defining a cyclonic airflow chamber and a second housing defining a main suction opening that is in communication with an inlet of the cyclonic chamber. A suction source has a suction airstream inlet in communication with an outlet of the cyclonic chamber, and establishes a suction airstream that enters said main suction opening, passes through said cyclonic chamber, and passes to an outlet of said suction source. A substantial portion of particulates entrained in the suction airstream are separated therefrom when said suction airstream moves in a cyclonic fashion through the cyclonic chamber. A main filter assembly, preferably including filter medium comprising polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), is located in the cyclonic chamber so that a suction airstream moving from the main suction opening to the inlet of said suction source by way of the cyclonic airflow chamber passes through the filter medium thereof after said airstream moves in a cyclonic fashion within the cyclonic airflow chamber to remove residual particulates from the suction airstream before it leaves the cyclonic chamber. A HEPA filter can be provided to filter the suction airstream exhausted through the outlet of the suction source prior to the airstream being discharged from the vacuum.

An airflow indicator for a vacuum cleaner is provided. The airflow indicator comprises a housing mounted to a casing of the vacuum cleaner. A piston chamber is defined within the housing. A piston is received in the piston chamber and is movable therein between a first position and a second position. A first port is formed in the housing and communicates with the piston chamber. The first port is open to ambient. A second port is formed in the housing and communicates with the piston chamber. The second port is spaced from the first port and is open to the filter chamber of the vacuum cleaner. A valve is mounted to the housing for obstructing air passage into the piston chamber. The valve includes a diaphragm having a slit that opens in response to a predetermined pressure differential between the first port and the second port.

Airflow indicator

Front handle for vacuum cleaner

Grill construction for vacuum cleaner

An upright vacuum cleaner ( ) includes an upper housing ( ) and a nozzle base ( ). An underside ( ) of the nozzle base includes a main suction opening ( ) formed therein which is in fluid communication with the upper housing via a hose assembly ( ). The hose assembly is coupled to the nozzle suction opening via a coupling member ( ). The coupling member is substantially cylindrical in shape and is dimensioned to be inserted into a receiving portion ( ) of the nozzle base. The coupling member includes a first tapered end ( ) dimensioned to be frictionally fit within a suction inlet ( ) of the receiving portion. A second end ( ) of the coupling member is configured to be supported on a rear wall ( ) of the receiving portion. A quarter turn thread segment ( ) is disposed on the coupling member's peripheral surface. Upon rotation of the coupling member, the thread segment threadingly cooperates with the rear wall of the receiving portion so that the coupling member is urged into a friction fit seal with inlet opening ( ). A finger ( ) is provided on the peripheral surface of the coupling member to assist in rotating the coupling member.

Method of linkage and locking of connecting coupling member to nozzle base of a vacuum cleaner

Growing community of inventors

North Royalton, OH, United States of America

Craig J Barbeck