Filter and accessory mount for upright vacuum cleaner exhaust port
AssigneeAB Electrolux
InventorsLeonard E. Bowerman, Jeffrey P. Chandler, Peter Hoekstra, Michael J. Kowalski, Carla B. Rogers
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A secondary air filter assembly that can be attached to the exhaust port of an upright vacuum cleaner is provided. The assembly includes an adapter plate that is adhered, clipped or otherwise affixed to the exhaust port, and a filter carrier that is removably attached to the base. The filter is preferably affixed as a unit to the filter carrier so that the entire filter/carrier unit can be replaced at once. The adapter base can also be used as an attachment for other accessories.
Claims34
A secondary air filter assembly for an upright vacuum cleaner, said upright vacuum cleaner comprising a body having an exhaust port for exit of air with which dirt is drawn into said vacuum cleaner, said air passing through a primary filter and depositing said dirt prior to exiting said exhaust port, said secondary air filter assembly comprising:
- a filter;
- a substantially rigid filter carrier;
- and
- a base for mounting on said body over said exhaust port;
- wherein:
- said base has:
- a double-sided adhesive closed-cell foam tape for attaching said assembly to said exhaust port, said foam tape surrounding said exhaust port and forming a seal between said exhaust port and said base for preventing air passing through said exhaust port from bypassing said secondary air filter assembly,
- at least one opening therein for the passage of exhaust air from said exhaust port through said base, and
- a first rib extending substantially continuously around said at least one opening therein and protruding toward said filter carrier;
- and
- said filter carrier has:
- at least one opening therein for the passage of exhaust air therethrough, and
- a second rib extending substantially continuously around said at least one opening therein and protruding toward said base;
- wherein:
- each of said base and said filter carrier has complementary releasable engagement structure, for releasably attaching said filter carrier to said base;
- and
- when said filter carrier is attached to said base:
- said first and second ribs extend substantially parallel to one another, separated by a separation distance, creating a separation space,
- said filter is captured between said base and said filter carrier, and
- edges of said filter are captured between said first and second ribs and are deformed into a tortuous path thereby for creating a seal in said separation space against passage of air through said separation space.
An upright vacuum cleaner comprising:
- a suction base;
- and
- a body, said body having therein a suction motor and a filter bag for filtering dirt from air drawn in by said suction motor, said body further having an exhaust port for exhausting air exiting from said filter bag, said upright vacuum cleaner further comprising a secondary air filter assembly affixed to said exhaust port, said secondary air filter assembly comprising:
- a filter;
- a substantially rigid filter carrier;
- and
- a base for mounting on said body over said exhaust port;
- wherein:
- said base has:
- a double-sided adhesive closed-cell foam tape for attaching said assembly to said exhaust port, said foam tape surrounding said exhaust port and forming a seal between said exhaust port and said base for preventing air passing through said exhaust port from bypassing said secondary air filter assembly,
- at least one opening therein for the passage of exhaust air from said exhaust port through said base, and
- a first rib extending substantially continuously around said at least one opening therein and protruding toward said filter carrier;
- and
- said filter carrier has:
- at least one opening therein for the passage of exhaust air therethrough, and
- a second rib extending substantially continuously around said at least one opening therein and protruding toward said base;
- wherein:
- each of said base and said filter carrier has complementary releasable engagement structure, for releasably attaching said filter carrier to said base;
- and
- when said filter carrier is attached to said base:
- said first and second ribs extend substantially parallel to one another, separated by a separation distance, creating a separation space,
- said filter is captured between said base and said filter carrier, and
- edges of said filter are captured between said first and second ribs and are deformed into a tortuous path thereby for creating a seal in said separation space against passage of air through said separation space.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.