Whirlpool Corporation

Ennis L Tillman

Kurt Werner

Wilbur C Bewley

Leo G Krieger

Richard D Riesberg

Gregg A Greulich

James R Caldwell

A vacuum cleaner is provided that is alternatively operable as a stand alone, upright vacuum cleaner and as a canister vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner includes a nozzle assembly having a beater brush, a suction fan and a motor that drives both the beater brush and suction fan. A dirt tube assembly includes a first air flow passageway that directs dirt from the nozzle assembly to a dirt box and also includes a second air flow passageway that directs dirt from the nozzle assembly to a handle. The handle includes an air flow passageway that is coupled to the second air flow passageway in the dirt tube assembly. The handle is alternatively interconnectable with a cap for sealing the handle air flow passageway to operate the vacuum cleaner as a stand alone, upright vacuum cleaner wherein dirt is directed from the nozzle by the nozzle suction fan through the first air flow passageway to the dirt box. The handle is also interconnectable with a hose assembly coupled to a canister unit having a suction fan driven by a motor such that dirt is directed by canister suction fan from the nozzle assembly through the second air flow passageway to the hose assembly and a canister dirt receptacle to operate the vacuum cleaner as a canister vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner may also be operated in a clean out mode to automatically clean out the dirt box. Further, when operated as a canister vacuum cleaner, the nozzle suction fan and canister suction fan operate together to provide improved cleaning action.

Combination stand alone and canister vacuum cleaner

A wand seal assembly for a vacuum cleaner wand provides an improved seal between the telescopic connecting elements of the wand. The seal comprises a two-piece, dual durometer seal having a rigid portion with locking tabs for securing to the wand portion, and a flexible sealing portion.

Vacuum cleaner wand seal

A dirt receptacle for a vacuum cleaner includes a rigid body for collecting dirt. The body includes an aperture formed in an upper surface thereof through which dirt may flow. One or more apertures are further formed in the sidewall of the rigid body with a filter disposed in each of the apertures through which air may be exhausted from the dirt receptacle. The rigid body further includes one or more air inlet valves that allow air to enter the dirt receptacle for automatic clean out thereof.

Vacuum cleaner dirt receptacle

A vacuum cleaner structure wherein a force transfer structure is provided for facilitated positioning of a locking post provided for resiliently releasably locking a pair of flow passage elements in the vacuum cleaner structure. The force transfer structure defines a large area for facilitated fingertip manipulation and indication to the user of the location of the locking structure. The force transfer structure may be selectively mounted to other structure carried by the flow passage element. In one form, the force transfer structure is mounted to the flow passage element by an annular collar and, in another form, the force transfer structure is mounted directly to the flow passage element by a securing element, such as a rivet.

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Danville, KY, United States of America

Ennis L Tillman