July 14, 1953
2, 4,976
R. c. OSBORN
CONVERSION ARRANGEMENT FOR suc'rxou CLEANERS
Filed March 19, 1947
'
2 ‘Sheets-Sheet l
INVENTOR.
RALPH C. O SBORN
BY6’% W
A TTORNEY
July 14, 1953
R. c. OSBORN
CONVERSION ARRANGEMENT FOR SUCTION CLEANERS
Filed March 19, 1947
2 Sheets-Sheet 2
204
204 /
.
INVENTOR.
RALPH C. OSBORN
BY
éTOR/VEV
Patented July 14, 953
2,644,976
UNITED STATES PATENT
*
2,644,976
CONVERSION ARRANGEMENT FOR
' ‘
:SUCTION CLEANERS
Ralph C. Osborn, Bloomlngton, Ill., assignor to by
Eureka Williams Corporation, Detroit, Mich.,
v a corporation of Michigan
Application March 19', 1947, Serial No. 735,592
43 Claims. (01.15433)
1
'
.
This invention relates ‘to suction cleaners an
has particular reference ,to certain new and use
ful improvements by means of which a suction
cleaner of the ?oor type may be converted for
oif-the-?oor cleaning operations.
Conversion arrangements for converting floor}
cleaners of the vertical motor type for oiI-the
floor cleaning operations heretofore suggested
»
,
2
.
,
operative position relative to the surface cover—
ing
.
,
‘
~
.
'A‘new and improved conversion, arrangement
for ?oor cleaners of the vertical motor type in
which means are provided in addition to the nor
mal floor wheels of the ‘cleaner for elevating the
nozzle and the agitator to an inoperative posi- I
tion relativeto the surface covering.
.
A new and simpli?ed ‘conversion arrangement
have been and are unsatisfactory because such
arrangements do not permit the ‘floor cleaner to 10 particularly adapted for floor cleaners of the
vertical motor type in which a converter port
be pulled around on the floor- by means of the
cover and a nozzle and agitator elevating means
hose attached thereto when the cleaner is a'r-1
are arranged to be actuated by a foot operated ,
ranged for off-the-?oor cleaning operations and .
‘ pedal.
also because such arrangements have not effec
tively shut off the flow of air from the floor noz 15. Other and further objects of the invention
will be apparent by reference to the accompany!
zle to the fan.
7
According to the present invention a floor 4 ing drawings of which. thereare two sheets
cleaner of the vertical motor type is provided
which, by way 'of illustration, show .the'embodi
' ment and the principles thereofvand what I now
with a centrally located converter .port above
the nozzle at the front of the cleaner, such port 20 consider to be the best 'mode in. which I have
contemplated applying these principles. Other
being connected to the suction air ‘passageway
embodiments of the invention embodying the
between the nozzle and the fan for receiving a
same or equivalent principles maybe used and
converter element to convert the cleaner for off
structural changes may be made as desired'by
the-?oor cleaning operations.
. .
~
A converter element (not shown) .is insertable 25 those skilled in the art without departing from
the present invention and the purview of the
through the port into the suction air passage;
appended claims. I also contemplate that of the
way so as to shut off the communication between
several different features ‘of my invention, cere
the nozzle and the fan and has provisions .to
accommodate the belt which extends'through ' t'ain ones thereof may be advantageously era-,
the passageway and interconnects the agitator 30 ployed in some applications separate and apart
from the ‘remainder of the features.
.
arranged in the nozzle and the motor for driv
In the drawings: .
ing the agitator during the operation of the mo
Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a cleaner embody
tor. Nozzle elevating means are movably mount
ed on the cleaner body for movement between
ing the invention;
'
',
a retracted position above the bottom edge of 35 ‘Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal
sectional view of the cleaner'with parts broken
the front wheels and a projected position below
the lower edge of the front wheels, such nozzle
Fig. 3 ,is an enlarged fragmentary View taken
elevating means being operable to elevate the
along the staggered line 3——3 of Fig. 2 and with
nozzle and agitator to an inoperative position
away;
relative to the surface covering.
cover and nozzle elevating means are intercon
nected in such manner that the cover may be
opened without effecting movement of the ele
vating means, and so that closing of the cover,
with the elevating means in the projected posi
tion, will move the elevating ‘means to its re
tracted position.
Principal objects of the invention therefore
to
provide:
'
V
v
.
.
‘the cleaner arranged for ‘on-theefloorcleaning
‘
In the form of the invention illustrated the
converter port is provided with a‘cover and a
foot operated pedal isconnected to the nozzle
elevating means and the converter port cover
‘for actuating the same, The converter port
are
.
'
"
A new and improved conversion arrangement
for ?oor cleaners which is arranged tokelevate the
nozzle and the agitator of ‘the cleaner to ‘an in
operations;
‘
.
.
Fig. 4 is a fragmentary viewlsimilar to Fig 2
‘showing one step in the process of converting
the cleaner for oif-the-iioor cleaning'operations;
and
.
p
.
.
Fig. 5 is another fragmentary view similar to
Fig 4 showing the nozzle and agitator elevated
and the converter port cover in its open posi
tion for receiving a converter element.
'
A suction cleaner embodying the invention has
a body indicated generally at 30. with a nozzle
3| at the forward end thereof, an agitator 29v
operatively associated-with the nozzle, and front
and rear, wheels 34 and 32 supporting the bodyv
for movement on a surface covering indicated
by the line 35 with the nozzle and agitatoropera
tively positioned relative to the surface'covering.
2,644,976
3
The cleaner further includes a handle 36 pivotally
mounted on the cleaner body for maneuvering
the cleaner and a bag 38 arranged to collect the
dirt picked up by the cleaner and to separate
such dirt from the air which flows through the
cleaner.
7
4
the pin 234 reacting on the edge of the slot in the
plate 2 l 2 will shift the plate 2 I 2 from the position
illustrated in Fig. 2 to that illustrated in Fig. 4,
thereby shifting the nozzle elevating wheel 204
to its projected position below the front wheels
34 to elevate the nozzle to an inoperative position
relative to the surface covering.
A suction creating fan 40 is provided with an
The spring 2l6 initially resists and is com
air inlet 42 connected by a suction air passage
pressed by this rotary movement of the plate
way 44 with the interior of the nozzle 3|. An
electric motor 46 is arranged for driving the fan 10 2|2, but after the pin 220 crosses the line be
tween the pin 2l8 and the axle 2l4 the spring
and has a shaft 48 which extends through the
2l6 will expand and react on the rotary plate
fan chamber and the inlet 42 thereto. A pulley
50 is secured to the motor shaft 48 and a ?exible
elastic belt 52 drivingly connects the pulley 50
2 i2 to shift and position it as illustrated in Figs.
4 and 5.
A projection 240 on the plate 2 l2 forms a stop
and the agitator 29 for rotating the same about 15
which is arranged to engage the wall 242 forming
its horizontal axis during the operation of the
the under side of the fan chamber so as to limit
motor. The nozzle 31 is provided with an elon
rotation of the plate M2 in a counterclockwise
gated horizontally disposed nozzle mouth 54 pre
direction. The spring 2|6 however normally
sented toward the surface covering 35 and ar
ranged so that during operation of the fan 40 20 maintains the plate 2 l2 and the wheel 204 in the
position as shown in Figs. 4 and 5 after the plate
air will flow into the nozzle through the mouth
212 is rotated a su?icient amount. The plate
54 thereof and lift the surface covering 35 up
H2 is provided with a slot 244 through which
against the mouth 54 of the nozzle where it is
one end 246 of a link 248 extends, the other end
acted on by the agitator 29. The agitator is
of the link 248 having an articulated connection
rotatable about its horizontal axis and arranged
at 250 with an arm 252 of the cover 200. A
so that brush elements 56 thereon will beat and/
spring 254 coiled around the upper end of the
or sweep the surface covering suspended against
link 248 and reacting against the arm 252 biases
the nozzle mouth 54.
the link 248 in a counterclockwise direction about
The body is provided with a centrally located
its pivotal connection with the arm 252. The
converter port 60 above the nozzle 3| and at the
end 246 of the link is free to slide lengthwise in
front of the cleaner, such port being connected
to the suction air passageway 44 for receiving a
converter element not shown. The converter
port 60 may be rectangular in cross section and
shaped to receive the inserted end of the con 35
verter element, the end of the converter having
a cross section the same as that of the port 6!!
and having a sliding ?t in the port.
The converter element may be similar in con
struction and operation to that shown in the
application of Harry B. White for suction clean
ers, Serial No. 486,633 ?led May 12, 1943, now
Patent No. 2,416,786, issued March 4, 1947. The
converter element forms an air conducting mem
the arcuate slot 244 so that the cover 200 may
be opened when the nozzle elevating means is
arranged as shown in Fig. 2. The hood 260 may
be relieved adjacent the edge of the cover 200
so that the edge of the cover may be engaged by
a ?nger for shifting it to its open position, if
desired, independently of shifting of the nozzle
elevating wheel to its projected position as shown
in Figs. 4 and 5.
The pin 234 also extends through a slot 262
in a lever 264 which is rotatable on the shaft
2M and arranged between the plate 212 and the
lever 228. Upon operation of the pedal 226 to
shift the plate 2| 2 from the position shown in
Fig. 2 to that shown in Fig. 4, the lever 264 will
her and at its outer end is adapted to detachably
receive a flexible hose.
be shifted from the dotted line position as shown
The converter port 60 is normally closed when
in Fig. 2 to that as shown in Fig. 4. The lever
the cleaner is arranged for on-the-?oor cleaning
264 includes a ?nger 266 which projects beyond
operations by a cover 200 pivoted to the cleaner
body at 202 and arranged for opening and closing 50 the slot 244 in the plate 2| 2 and is arranged to
engage the end 246 of the link 248 which extends
the port 60.
through the slot 244 whereby upon further de
The cleaner is provided with a nozzle elevating
pression of the pedal 226, that is, movement
means including a floor engaging wheel 204 which
thereof from the position as illustrated in Fig.
is normally positioned above the lower edge of
the front floor wheels 34 as shown in Fig. 2. The 55 4 to that illustrated in Fig. 5, the lever 264 will
wheel 204 is rotatable on an axle 206 carried by
a fork 208 which in turn is carried on an arm
a
2 [0stationary
of a plateshaft
2l2 which
H4. The
is rotatably
shaft 2 I4mounted
is suitably
on '
be shifted so that the ?nger 266 thereof will
engage the end 246 of the link 248 and shift the
same so as to open the cover 200 as shown in
Fig. 5.
When the cover 200 is closed and the nozzle
elevating means is in its retracted position the
spring 254 is arranged to bias the end 246 of the
2 !8 to the rear wall of the nozzle 3| and by a pin
220 to the edge of the plate 2I2 normally posi
link 248 into a notch 280 formed in the plate
tions the plate 2|2 and the wheel 204 in its re- “" 2l2 on one side of the slot 244. However, start
tracted position as shown in Fig. 2.
65 ing with the parts positioned as shown in Fig. 2,
A foot operated pedal 226 positioned at the
when the pedal 226 is depressed the end 246 of
side of the cleaner toward the rear thereof is
the link 248 will ride out of the notch 280, since
mounted upon one end of a lever 228 which is
the notch 280 is so arranged, when the plate H2
pivoted on a lug 230 on the under side of the
is in the position of Fig. 2, that the upper edge
cleaner by means of a pin 232. The other end 70 thereof will cam the end 246 out of the notch
of the lever 228 has a cross pin 234 secured there
upon rotation of the plate 2 [2 in a counterclock
to. This pin 234 projects through slot 236 in
wise direction. This will permit the nozzle ele
vating means to be shifted to its projected posi
the plate 212. The slot 236 as arranged in Fig.
tion as shown in Fig. 4 without opening the cover
2 extends somewhat horizontally so that when
the pedal 226 is depressed as by stepping on it, 76 200 or, conversely, permits the cover 200 to be
mounted in a ?xed position on the cleaner.
A 60
compression coil spring 2l6 connected by a pin
5
opened
6
without shifting the nozzle
elevating , .
means to its projected position. Upon further
depression of the foot pedal the arm 266 will by
engagement with the end 246 of» the link 248
move the link 248 to the position shown in, Fig. 5
whereupon the end 246 when it arrives opposite
the notch 280 will drop into the notch and hold
the cover 200 in its open position.
associated with said nozzle for operation on said
surface covering, a suction creating fan, a motor
for driving said fan, a suction air passageway
betweensaid fan and nozzle, a belt in said suction
air passageway between said motor and agitator ‘
to operate the latter, said body having a con
verter port above said nozzle and connected to
,
said suction air passageway for receiving a con
A torsion spring 284 reacting on the lug 230
verter element to convert the cleaner for off-the
and the lever 228 biases the. pedal 226 towards 10 floor cleaning, a cover movably mounted on said
its position as shown in Fig. 2, so that'when the
body and arranged for closing or opening said
pedal 226 is released it will return to its posi
port, nozzle elevating means movably mounted
tion as shown in Fig. 4. This however will not
retract the nozzle elevating means or close the
cover as the pin 234 will merely move to‘the
lower end of the slot 236. Such movement how
ever will shift the lever 264 back to its position as
shown in Fig. 4.
.
on said cleaner relative to said wheels and opera
able for elevating said nozzle and agitator to an
inoperative position relative to said surface cover
ing and foot pedal means connected to said vcon
verter port cover and to said elevating means for
operating said elevating means to elevate said
With the converter port 60 open the converter
nozzle and agitator and to move said‘converter
may be inserted therein and the cleaner is ready‘ 20 port cover to its open position.
for oiT-the-?oor cleaning operations. Upon re
2. A suction cleaner having a body with a noz
moval of the converter from the port 60, closing
zle
at the forward end thereof, an agitator op
of the converter port cover 200 by pushing it
downwardly against the edge of the port will
eratively associated with said nozzle, front and
rear “wheels supporting said body for movement
cause the nozzle elevating means to be shifted 25 on a surface covering with said nozzle and agita
to its retracted position, since the end 246 of the
tor operatively positioned relative to said sur
link 248 is in the slot 280 and since with the
face covering, a suction creating fan, a motor
slot 280 arranged as shown in Fig. 5, the end
for driving said fan, a suction air passageway
246 of the link 248 will not slip out of the notch
between said fan and nozzle, a belt in said suc
280 until after the plate 2|2 has been rotated in 30 tion air passageway between said motor and
a clockwise direction to a point where the pin
agitator to operate the latter, said body having a
220 is above the line between the pin H8 and
, converter port above said nozzle and connected
the shaft 214 whereupon the spring 216 will shift
to said suction air passageway for receiving a
the plate 212 and the wheel 204 to the position as
converter element to convert the cleaner for off
shown in Fig. 2.
the-?oor cleaning, a cover movably mounted on
From the foregoing it will be evident that I
said body and arranged for closing or opening
have provided an arrangement wherein the con
said port, means movably mounted on said
verter port cover may be opened and the nozzle
cleaner
body and movable relative to said front
elevated by a single operation of depressing the
wheels between a retracted position above the
pedal 226, whereby upon insertion of the con 40 bottom of said front wheels and a projected po
verter the cleaner is ready for off-the-?oor clean
sition below a line extending between the bottom
ing operations. It will also be apparent that
of said front wheels, said means upon movement
upon removal of the converter from the port 60 I
the cleaner may be arranged for on-the-floor
cleaning operations merely by closing the con
verter port cover 200 which will shift the nozzle
elevating means to its retracted position.
to said projectedposition elevating said nozzle
and agitator to an inoperative position relative
to said surface covering and foot operated 'pedal
means‘mounted at the side of said body and con
nected to said converter port cover and to said
The arrangement also permits the converter
elevating means for shifting, said elevating means
port cover 200 to be opened without shifting the
to said'projected position and said converter port
nozzle elevating means to its projected position 50 cover to its open position.
‘
merely by manually engagingthe cover 200 and
3. A suction cleaner according to claim 2' in
shifting it to its open position whereupon the
cluding means interconnecting said , converter
converter may be inserted into the port and the
cleaner is then ready for off-the-?oor cleaner
port cover and said elevating means, said means
being constructed and arranged in such manner
operations. When the cleaner is arranged on a 55 that said converter port cover may be opened
hard surface such as a wood flooror linoleum
without effecting movement of said elevating
there is no necessity of raising the nozzle and
the agitator since their proximity to the hard
means, and closing of said cover, when said ele
vating means is in said projected position, ef
?oor will not make any difference as the agitator
fects movement of said elevating means to said
is spaced above the floor when the cleaner is 60 retracted ‘position. .
setting on a hard surface.
While I have illustrated and described a pre
RALPH C‘. OSBORN.
ferred embodiment of my invention, it is under
stood that this is capable of modi?cation, and I
therefore do not wish to be limited to the precise 65
details set forth, but desire to avail myself of
such changes and alterations as fall within the
References Cited in the ?le of this patent
UNITED STATES PATENTS
Number
purview of the following claims.
2,024,260
I claim:
1. A suction cleaner having a body with a noz 70
zle at the forward end thereof, front and rear
2,024,261
2,174,595
wheels normally supporting said body for move
2,257,555
2,259,386
ment on a surface covering with said nozzle
2 ,41 6,786
operatively positioned relative to said surface
2,509,964
covering, a surface covering agitator operativelyv 76 2,51 7,670
Name
Date
White ____________ __ Dec. 17, 1935
White _____ __‘_____ Dec. 17, 1935
Pierce ____________ __ Oct. 3, 1939
Troxler ________ __ Sept. 30, 1941
Luse ____________ __ Oct. 14, 1941
White __________ ___ Mar. 4,‘ 1947
Coss ____________ __ May 30, 1950
Humphrey ________ __ Aug. 8, 1950
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