Upright vacuum cleaner

US5850666A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Royal Appliance Mfg., Co. · US

Inventors

• Richard C. Farone · Wickliffe, US
• Craig M. Saunders · Rocky River, US
• Jeffrey M. Kalman · Cleveland Heights, US
• Paul D. Stephens · Twinsburg, US
• Robert A. Salo · Mentor, US
• Charles J. Thur · Mentor, US
• Michael F. Wright · Stow, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 10, 1997
• Grant date: Dec 22, 1998
• Expiry date: Jan 10, 2017

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A47L9/06
• WIPO field: Furniture, games
• WIPO sector: Other fields

Abstract

An upright vacuum cleaner is provided and includes an upper section with a handle (15) and a lower cleaning nozzle section (14, 14') having a main suction opening (18) formed in the underside (16) thereof. A suction source (M) is provided and an edge cleaning tool (60) having a suction bore (64) formed therethrough is releasably connected to the cleaning nozzle section (14'). A suction hose (20) selectively connects one of the main suction opening (18) of the nozzle (14') and the suction bore (64) of the edge cleaning tool (60) with the suction source (M). First and second laterally spaced casters (30a, 30b) extend from the underside (16) of the nozzle (14, 14') and each caster (30a, 30b) is pivotable respectively about a vertical axis (D,E). First and second laterally spaced fixed wheels (32a, 32b), each rotatable about a single rolling axis (C), are also provided and positioned forward of the first and second casters (30a, 30b). Each fixed wheel (32a, 32b) includes a rolling surface (40a, 40b) and curved inner and outer transition surfaces (42a, 42b), (44a, 44b) connecting its rolling surface (40a, 40b) to the inner and outer sides (42a, 42b), (44a, 44b) of the wheel (32a, 32b).