Matsushita Electric Corporation of America

Matsushita Home Appliance Corporation of America

Whirlpool Corporation

Matsushita Appliance Corporation

Michael J McCormick

Yuichi Schimizu

A vacuum cleaner includes a housing having a handle pivotally mounted to a nozzle assembly. An agitator is received in an agitator cavity formed in the nozzle assembly. A suction fan and suction fan drive motor are carried on the housing. An edge cleaning brush is pivotally mounted to the nozzle assembly along a lateral edge of the nozzle assembly adjacent the agitator cavity. The brush includes a body having a series of apertures for receiving cleaning bristles and a pair of opposed mounting lugs. The edge cleaning brush is received in a recess with the mounting lugs held in a pair of opposed mounting openings in the nozzle assembly.

Pivotal edge cleaning brushes for vacuum cleaner

A vacuum cleaner includes a housing incorporating a handle assembly and a nozzle assembly, a suction fan and cooperating suction fan drive motor carried on the housing, a rotary agitator held in the nozzle assembly, an agitator drive motor carried on the housing and a motor control and protection circuit. The motor control and protection circuit includes a handle switch to de-energize the agitator motor when the handle is displaced to an upright storage position. The motor control and protection circuit may also include an above-floor switch and cooperating activation to de-energize the agitator drive motor when the nozzle assembly is displaced above the floor for bare floor cleaning. Additionally, the motor control and protection circuit may include a hose switch and activator, a selection switch and activator, a circuit breaker and a temperature sensor switch.

Agitator motor projection system for vacuum cleaner

A vacuum cleaner includes a housing having a nozzle that incorporates an agitator cavity. A rotary agitator is received in the agitator cavity. A light source is held in an illumination compartment carried on the housing. A first window divides the illumination compartment from the agitator cavity and a second window provides an outer facing for the illumination compartment. The light source illuminates the agitator which is viewed through the first and second windows.

Vacuum cleaner with dual agitator windows

A vacuum cleaner includes a housing having a nozzle assembly and a handle. An agitator shield is held in the nozzle assembly. An agitator is mounted for rotation relative to the nozzle assembly in an agitator chamber. A fan and motor assembly mounted to the housing drive the agitator and provide suction.

Easy maintenance vacuum cleaner

Vacuum cleaner with dust bag retention flaps

A vacuum cleaner is provided including a nozzle assembly and a handle pivotally connected to the nozzle assembly. The handle includes a cavity for holding a fan and motor assembly and a dust bag. A main door on the handle is operable to gain access to the dust bag in the cavity. A final filtration compartment is carried on the main door. The final filtration compartment includes a separate access door that is received in the front face of the main door and fits flush therewith.

Dust bag housing door with final filtration compartment

A self propelled upright vacuum cleaner drive system integral with the axle of the drive wheels including an operator controlled reversing clutch transmission incorporating a separate unidirectional AC motor for forward and reverse control of the drive system independent from the vacuum cleaner suction motor. A triac controlled variable speed adjust circuit controls the rotational speed of the motor and thus the driven wheels on the base unit, while-a separate operator controlled adjustable response mechanism sets the engagement tension of the vacuum cleaner and transmission assembly corresponding to either a quick or a slow response of the axle of the drive wheels when actuated by the operator.

Vacuum cleaner with adjustable speed power assist

A charcoal filter system for a trash comparator includes a charcoal filter snap-fit to a first face of a mounting cover and a fan snap-fit to a second, opposite face of a mounting cover. The filter system is mounted in an opening formed on a front wall of a frame of the trash compactor without requiring the use of tools. A cabinet having a front wall with an opening aligned with the opening in the frame for the filter system includes a faceplate diverter snap-fit therein to direct air to the filter system from a trash receptacle mounted in openings in the frame and cabinet below the filter system.

Growing community of inventors

Danville, KY, United States of America

Michael J McCormick