Vacuum cleaner electrical connector mount

In a vacuum cleaner having a first duct element having a first end, a second duct element having a second end selectively connected to said first duct element first end to define therewith a suction flow passage for conducting dirt laden air in the operation of the vacuum cleaner, first conductor means carried by said first duct element for conducting electrical power including a first connector, first mounting means for mounting said first connector to said first duct element adjacent said first end, and second conductor means carried by said second duct element for conducting electrical power including a second connector, the improvement comprising

• second mounting means for removably mounting said second connector to said second duct element spaced outwardly from and adjacent said second end causing electrical connection between said first and second conductor means at a joint between said connectors capable of passing static electricity outwardly from said duct to the conductors when said first duct element end is connected to said second duct element, said second mounting means comprising a one-piece element having a housing portion defining a space for removably receiving said second connector, and a barrier wall portion integral with said one-piece element defining a static shield interposed between said space and said second duct element end for effectively preventing static electricity developed by dirt laden air flowing through said flow passage from affecting said electrical conductors at said electrical connection between said conductors.

In a vacuum cleaner having metallic duct means defining a suction flow passage for conducting dirt laden air in the operation of the vacuum cleaner, and electrical circuit means for controlling operation of the vacuum cleaner including first and second electrical connectors having confronting surfaces and electrical terminals exposed at said surfaces, the improvement comprising:

• first mounting means removably mounting said first connector to said duct means;
• and
• second mounting means mounting said second connector to said duct means with said electrical terminals being spaced outwardly of said duct means and being electrically connected at a joint between said confronting surfaces capable of passing static electricity outwardly from said duct means to said terminals, said second mounting means including a static shield unitarily integral therewith interposed between said connector confronting surfaces joint and said duct means to comprise means for preventing static electricity from passing outwardly from said duct to said terminals through said joint, said second duct end defining a longitudinal extent and a longitudinally distal edge portion, and said one-piece element further including an integral locking tongue portion embracing said distal edge portion for securing said element to said distal edge portion against displacement away from said distal edge portion transverse to said longitudinal extent.

In a vacuum cleaner having a wand having an end, a suction hose having an end connector selectively connected to said wand end to define therewith a suction flow passage for conducting dirt laden air in the operation of the vacuum cleaner, a first power cord carried by said hose for conducting electrical power including a first terminal element carried by said wand end, and a second power cord carried by said hose for conducting electrical power including second terminal element, the improvement comprising

• mounting means for mounting said second terminal element to said wand to be spaced outwardly from said wand end for causing electrical connection between said first and second terminal elements at a joint between said hose end and wand end capable of passing static electricity outwardly therefrom to said terminal elements when said hose end is connected to said wand end, said mounting means comprising a one-piece support element having a housing portion defining a space for removably receiving said second terminal element, and a barrier wall portion integral with said one-piece element defining a static shield interposed between said space and said wand end for effectively preventing static electricity developed by dirt laden air flowing through said air flow passage from passing outwardly through said joint and thereby affecting said electrical terminals at said electrical connection between said terminal elements.