Vacuum cleaner actuator switch
AssigneeShop Vac Corporation
InventorRobert Lent Crevling
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A switch assembly for a wet/dry vacuum cleaner is disclosed. The switch assembly includes a switch having a movable arm to connect first and second conductive terminals with a rocker arm pivotally attached to the switch. The rocker arm is operable by an actuator button and a de-actuator button which are user engageable. Depending upon which of the de-actuator and actuator buttons are depressed, the rocker arm assumes a given position relative to the switch, which in turn results in an on or off position for the switch. An automatic shut-off assembly is operable in conjunction with the switch assembly to turn the switch to an off position in the event that the level of liquid within the tank rises beyond an acceptable level. The switch assembly enables the operator to manually override the automatic shut-off assembly.
Claims15
A wet/dry vacuum cleaner switch assembly, comprising:
- a switch, the switch having first and second spaced terminals and a momentary arm, the momentary arm adapted to move from an on position connecting the first and second spaced terminals to an off position disconnecting the first and second spaced terminals;
- a rocker arm pivotally associated with the switch, the rocker arm having an engagement surface adapted to move the momentary arm from the off position to the on position;
- an actuator operatively associated with the rocker arm, the actuator being user engageable to move the rocker arm, movement of the rocker arm by the actuator causing the engagement surface to move the momentary arm from the off position to the on position;
- a de-actuator operatively associated with the rocker arm, the de-actuator being user engageable to move the rocker arm, movement of the rocker arm by the de-actuator causing the engagement surface to disengage from the momentary arm, disengagement of the engagement surface with momentary arm causing the momentary arm to move from the on position to the off position;
- a float;
- and
- a tie rod connected between the float and the rocker arm, upward movement of the float causing the tie rod to pivot the rocker arm, pivoting of the rocker arm causing the momentary arm to move from the on position to the off position.
A wet/dry vacuum cleaner, comprising:
- a tank having an open top;
- a removable lid attached to the tank open top;
- a motor positioned within the lid, a shaft extending from the motor;
- a vacuum impeller attached to the shaft;
- a pump impeller attached to the shaft;
- a switch assembly connected to the motor, the switch assembly including a rocker arm;
- a float disposed within the tank;
- and
- a tie rod connected between the switch assembly and the float.
In a wet/dry vacuum cleaner of the type having a tank, a motor, a vacuum impeller connected to the motor, a pump impeller connected to the motor, a switch connected to the motor, and a float assembly disposed within the tank and connected to the switch, a manual override switch assembly, comprising:
- a rocker arm operatively associated with the switch, the switch having a movable element adapted to open or close the switch, the rocker arm being adapted to move the movable element, the rocker arm having first and second ends;
- an actuator button operatively associated with the rocker arm first end;
- and
- a de-actuator button operatively associated with the rocker arm second end.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.