Hand vacuum with filter indicator

Abstract

A hand-held portable vacuum having a filter indicator that is coupled to an outlet housing and in fluid communication with a portion of the outlet housing between a fan inlet and an intake. The filter indicator includes a pressure differential indicator that is configured to indicate a pressure differential between air in the portion of the outlet housing and atmospheric air pressure. The filter indicator is employed to indicate to the user of the hand-held vacuum that replacement and / or cleaning of the filter is required. The vacuum may also be used in a blower mode with a set of inflator nozzles to permit a user to inflate an article.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 787,059 entitled “Hand Vacuum With Filter Indicator” filed Feb. 25, 2004, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 449,987, filed Feb. 26, 2003. The aforementioned patent applications are incorporated by reference as if fully set forth in detail herein.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention generally relates to hand-held portable vacuum cleaners and more particularly to a hand-held portable vacuum cleaner having a filter indicator.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Bag-less, portable hand-held vacuums of the corded and cordless varieties are well known in the art and typically include a fan for producing an air flow, a dirt cup for retention of the material, such as dirt, dust and debris, that is drawn into the vacuum and a filter that prevents this material from being drawn into the fan. The filter may include a single filt...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The filter indicator extends the time between filter cleanings, improves vacuum performance, and prolongs the life of the fan motor and battery in cordless models by alerting users to filter maintenance needs.

Problems solved by technology

As is well known in the art, the users of such bag-less portable hand-held vacuums tend to be less than diligent in the maintenance of such vacuums so that such vacuums are frequently operated with clogged and / or dirty filters.

Operation of a bag-less hand-held vacuum in this manner impairs the performance of the vacuum, increases the load on the fan motor and fan (which tends to reduce the life of these components), and in the case of cordless vacuums, tends to reduce both the life of its rechargeable battery and the duration with which the vacuum may be operated on a single charge.

We have found that although the advancements in filter technology for such vacuums have generally increased the time interval that is permissible between filter cleanings, these advancements have thus far not eliminated the necessity of such cleanings.

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