Emerson Electric Company

Michael F Martin

Stuart V Holsten

Jeffrey L Young

Kiyoshi Hoshino

Christopher J Steger

Mark J Tomasiak

Joseph T Gierer

John F Moody

Chris Steger

The present invention provides a multi-stepped accessory holder for an appliance having accessories that have dissimilar inner diameter connections, such as accessories with a male and/or a female ends. The female end of an accessory has a first inner diameter, and the male end of an accessory has a second inner diameter. The accessory holder includes a base having a first perimeter, and an upper portion mounted atop the base that has a second perimeter. The second perimeter of the upper portion is smaller than the first perimeter of the base. When the female end of an accessory is placed upon the accessory holder, the female end engages the first perimeter of the base. If it is desired that an accessory's male end be placed upon the holder, the male end engages the second perimeter of the accessory holder's upper portion.

Multi-stepped appliance accessory holder

Combination wet and dry vacuum appliance

A method of assembling a wet/dry vacuum and a wet/dry vacuum assembly in which each of the component parts of the assembly are placed in a fixture and attached to a unit without requiring reorienting the assembly. More specifically, the method includes attaching the various components of the wet/dry vacuum to a lid component, without requiring reorienting the assembly, simplifying the assembly process.

Wet/dry vacuum and method of assembling same

Gasketless wet/dry vacuum with switchable blowing

A device for connecting a hose to an article, such as a wet/dry vacuum, includes a first member having first and second ends, with the first end adapted to be coupled to the hose. A receptacle has first and second ends. The first end of the receptacle is adapted to be mounted to the article, and the second end is adapted to be connected to the second end of the first member. A locking member is mounted on one of the first member or the receptacle for securing the first member to the receptacle, and at least one sealing member is situated about one of the second end of the first member or the second end of the receptacle. This sealing member can be integrally mounted to one of the ends. In one embodiment, the sealing member seals against an external surface of the receptacle, and in an alternative embodiment, the sealing member seals against an internal surface of the receptacle.

Hose lock with integral seal

A multi-use floor tool, with which the same nozzle can be used in both dry and wet vacuum operation, and which allows for both wet and dry cleaning attachments to be easily attached and removed is disclosed. One such cleaning attachment for dry operation is a bristle brush which, when attached to the nozzle, is able to rotate, such that debris is collected with both the push and pull cleaning motions and such that for each motion, air flows primarily through the side of the nozzle at which debris is being gathered. The attachment for wet operation is a squeegee, which is rigidly attached to the nozzle having an insert which reduces the area of air flow into the nozzle and thereby increases the effectiveness of wet cleaning. This design increases the effectiveness of both wet and dry operation, and allows the operator to effectively clean in both wet and dry conditions while using the same nozzle.

Convertible wet/dry cleaning system

A vacuum appliance is disclosed, comprising a collection canister and a powerhead housing a motor and impeller assembly for establishing vacuum pressure within said canister. In one embodiment, the appliance is of the wet/dry variety. A filter assembly comprising a rigid filter cage around which a filter is disposed. The filter cage is supported on an underside of the powerhead and extends into the collection canister such that the bottom of the filter assembly is at or substantially near the bottom of the collection canister. As a result, deflection of the collection canister as a result of vacuum pressure built up in the canister is resisted by the rigidity of the filter cage. In one embodiment, a frame within the powerhead serves the dual functions of supporting the motor and defining one wall or surface of an impeller chamber in which an impeller rotates to create the vacuum pressure. Barbed latches projecting from the powerhead function to removably secure the powerhead over the open top of the collection canister by engaging notches formed in the side of the canister. Substantially flat surfaces are formed in the vacuum's powerhead to facilitate the actuation of the latches, which is intuitively and ergonomically accomplished by a user resting his or her palm, thumb, or fingers on the substantially flat surfaces and grasping the latches with his or her free fingers.

Wet/dry vacuum

Multi-use vacuum nozzle

A vacuum appliance is disclosed, comprising a collection canister having a lid and a powerhead housing a motor and impeller assembly for establishing vacuum pressure within said canister. The powerhead is removably secured to the lid of the collection canister, such that the powerhead can be removed from the lid and separately used as a blower. Self-actuationg latching devices are provided for removably securing the powerhead to the lid. In one embodiment, the latching device is a unitary, multi-segmented structure having a spring biasing member and a retaining member formed integrally therewith. A journal formed integrally with the latching device is adapted to be received in a bearing defined in a latch socket on the lid, such that the latching device is allowed to pivot with respect to the lid. The spring biasing member functions to bias the latching device to a home pivot position, such that the latching device automatically engages the powerhead when it is lowered onto the lid. In another embodiment, the latching device is cantilevered structure having a spring biasing member formed integrally therewith.

Growing community of inventors

Florissant, MO, United States of America

Michael F Martin