Upright vacuum cleaner equipped with electrified stretch hose and wand

Abstract

An upright vacuum cleaner includes a nozzle assembly having an intake opening. A handle assembly is pivotally connected to the nozzle assembly. The vacuum cleaner also includes a suction generator and a dirt collection vessel. In addition, the vacuum cleaner includes a flexible, electrified hose such as a stretch hose.

Description

[0001] This application is a continuation of (1) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 817,561 filed on Apr. 2, 2004, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 460,700 filed on Apr. 4, 2003 and (2) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 870,193 filed on Jun. 17, 2004, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 479,131 filed on Jun. 17, 2003.TECHNICAL FIELD AND INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to the floor care equipment field and, more particularly, to a floor cleaning apparatus having a nozzle assembly for cleaning a floor, a handle assembly with control handle pivotally connected to the nozzle assembly and an electrified hose for powering a separate cleaning attachment. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Upright vacuum cleaners of various shapes and designs have long been known in the art. Upright vacuum cleaners generally include a nozzle assembly having an intake...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention is an upright vacuum cleaner with a nozzle assembly and a handle assembly pivotally connected to the nozzle assembly. The vacuum cleaner also includes a suction generator and a dirt collection vessel. A flexible, electrified hose may be connected to either the nozzle assembly or the handle assembly. The invention also includes an electrified cleaning wand with three insulated electrical conductors and a reinforcing wire for strength and structural integrity. The cleaning attachment includes an electrical motor, a rotary agitator, a booster fan, and a light. The vacuum cleaner may also include a second connector for securing the wand to the hose. The invention provides increased cleaning versatility and performance with a flexible hose and a powered cleaning attachment tool. The powered cleaning attachment includes a rotary agitator, a drive motor, and a light source for better illumination."

Problems solved by technology

While particularly useful and convenient for cleaning open floor areas, the dimensions of the nozzle assembly and / or the weight and structure of the overall vacuum cleaner prevent its effective use in certain applications.

For example, the nozzle assembly may be too wide to fit in a narrow space between a wall and a heavy piece of furniture.

Further, it should be appreciated that the nozzle assembly of the upright vacuum cleaner is not particularly adapted for cleaning the treads of a stairway, the cushions of a couch, along the top of baseboards, windowsills and draperies or for other above floor applications.

While such a design is useful for some applications, it should be appreciated that the airflow energy utilized to turn the impeller and drive the agitator is no longer available to carry entrained dirt and debris toward the dirt collection vessel of the vacuum cleaner.

Accordingly, cleaning efficiency is compromised when the airflow is also used to drive a rotary agitator.

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