Filter bag indicator and lock-out safety system

A filter bag indicator and lock-out safety apparatus for a vacuum cleaner having a closeable shell for a filter bag, comprising:

• a filter bag collar mount;
• and
• a locking mechanism movably connected to the filter bag collar mount having a front side, a back side, a top side, and a bottom side, wherein the front side includes one or more protrusions having a first projection with a first width, and a second projection with a second width,
• wherein the locking mechanism is able to be in one of an engaged position or a disengaged position relative to the filter bag collar mount;
• wherein the locking mechanism in the disengaged position protrudes from the closeable shell and prevents the closeable shell from closing.

A filter bag indicator and lock-out safety system for a vacuum cleaner having a closeable shell for a filter bag, comprising:

• a filter bag collar mount;
• a generally U-shaped locking mechanism movably connected to the filter bag collar mount;
• and
• a filter bag,
• wherein the locking mechanism is able to be in one of an engaged position or in a disengaged position relative to the filter bag collar mount,
• wherein the locking mechanism is able to be in the engaged position when the filter bag is properly in the filter bag collar mount, and
• wherein the locking mechanism is not able to be in the engaged position when the filter bag is not properly in the filter bag collar mount.

A lock-out safety apparatus for a vacuum cleaner having a closeable shell for a filter bag, comprising:

• a filter bag collar mount;
• and
• a locking mechanism movably connected to the filter bag collar mount, wherein the locking mechanism is able to be in one of an engaged position or in a disengaged position relative to the filter bag collar mount;
• wherein the locking mechanism in the disengaged position prevents the closeable shell from closing, wherein the locking mechanism comprises:
• a front side,
• a back side,
• a top side, and
• a bottom side,
• wherein the front side includes one or more protrusions, each protrusion having a first projection with a first width, and a second projection with a second width,
• wherein the filter bag collar mount comprises one or more slots each including a channel, wherein the first projection width is greater than the channel width, and
• wherein the second projection width is less than or equal to the channel width.

A method of indicating the presence of a filter bag in a vacuum cleaner, comprising the steps of:

• providing a filter bag collar mount;
• and
• providing a locking mechanism movably connected to the filter bag collar mount having a back side and a front side including one or more protrusions depressible toward the back side,
• wherein the locking mechanism is able to be in one of an engaged position or in a disengaged position relative to the filter bag collar mount;
• wherein the locking mechanism in the disengaged position protrudes from a closeable shell and prevents the closeable shell from closing.