US 4,398,316 A · Speed selector switch

Abstract

An electrical switch mechanism for energizing and varying the speed of a vacuum cleaner motor is responsive to the particular interchangeable cleaning attachment mounted on the housing of the vacuum cleaner. Fixed and movable electrical contacts of the switch mechanism are enclosed within and protected by the housing. A spring-biased linkage element connected to the movable contact passes through a wall of the housing and engages with one end of a multiposition cranklike linkage element pivotably fixed on that face of the housing supporting a cleaning attachment. Each attachment includes a switch-activating lug engageable with the other end of the cranklike element to move the movable contacts, via the linkage elements, from a normal open circuit position to one or the other of two closed circuit motor energizing positions.

Claims8

Dependent claims

In a vacuum cleaner having a housing providing an exterior face for supporting a removable work attachment operable in conjunction with an electric motor contained within the housing, an electrical switching mechanism for regulating energization of the motor comprising:

a switch means having fixed and movable contacts, the switch means being mounted within the housing and being electrically connected to the motor;
and
a linkage means connected to the movable contacts of the switch means and passing through a wall of the housing for engagement with the work attachment, the position of that portion of the work attachment engageable with the linkage means determining the position of the switch means wherein the state of energization of the motor is dependent on the position of the switch means.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Speed selector switch

Life of this patent

Speed selector switch

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims8