Abstract
A caddy is provided for mounting a vacuum cleaner for transport and use. The caddy comprises a lower support assembly mounted on a plurality of wheels, a vertical support assembly comprising at least two members vertically extending from the lower support assembly, and an intermediate support mounted on the vertical mounting assembly a vertical distance up from the lower support assembly. The lower support assembly includes centrally-located mounting guides for receiving and holding the vacuum cleaner. The intermediate support comprises a generally circular-shaped member having an opening for facilitating the insertion and removal of the vacuum cleaner from the caddy. A lead is attached to the lower support assembly and may be connected to an intermediate location on a hose of the vacuum cleaner for redistributing a pulling force applied to the hose between the top of the vacuum cleaner and the lower support assembly of the caddy during use.
Claims
1. A mobile caddy for receiving and mounting a portable vacuum cleaner and permitting use of the vacuum cleaner when mounted in the caddy without inhibiting use of the vacuum cleaner separate from the caddy, said caddy comprising: a lower support assembly comprising a outer support member mounted on a plurality of wheels, and an inner mounting guide adapted to receive and support the lower end of the vacuum cleaner; a vertical support assembly extending upwardly from the lower support assembly and comprising two vertical support members laterally spaced apart from one another and between which the vacuum cleaner may be positioned when mounted in the caddy; and a lead connected at a first end to the lower support assembly and adapted to be connected at an opposing second end to a hose of the vacuum cleaner when mounted in the caddy and in use of said vacuum collectively with the caddy.
2. The mobile caddy according to claim 1, further comprising an intermediate support mounted on the vertical support assembly a vertical distance up from the lower support assembly, said intermediate support being adapted to surround an upper portion of the vacuum cleaner when mounted in the caddy.
3. The mobile caddy according to claim 2, wherein the intermediate support has a generally circular shape and includes an opening space to facilitate removal of the vacuum cleaner from the caddy for use of the vacuum cleaner separate therefrom.
4. The mobile caddy according to claim 2, further comprising at least one storage unit adapted to be mounted to one of the vertical support assembly and the intermediate support.
5. The mobile caddy according to claim 4, wherein the at least one storage unit is removably connected to the caddy.
6. The mobile caddy according to claim 1, wherein the vertical support assembly further defines a handle for moving the caddy around on a floor surface using the plurality of wheels.
7. The mobile caddy according to claim 6, wherein the handle is defined by a horizontal member of the vertical support assembly extending between the two vertical support members.
8. The mobile caddy according to claim 1, wherein the vacuum cleaner with which the mobile caddy can be used includes a power cord, which power cord can be wrapped around the two vertical support members when the vacuum cleaner is not in use.
9. The mobile caddy according to claim 1, wherein the inner mounting guide is centrally located on the caddy and comprises: an upper ring having a shape and diameter generally complementing the outer diameter of the lower end of the vacuum cleaner; and a lower ring having smaller diameter than the lower end of the vacuum cleaner and being adapted to support the bottom of said vacuum cleaner.
10. The mobile caddy according to claim 1, wherein the lead is elastic.
11. The mobile caddy according to claim 1, further including means for holding components of the vacuum cleaner when mounted to the caddy but not in use.
12. The mobile caddy according to claim 11, wherein said means includes a projection extending from the lower support assembly for receiving at least one of a hose, hose extension, or nozzle attachment of the vacuum cleaner.
13. A combination vacuum cleaner and caddy comprising: a vacuum cleaner comprising: a vacuum canister defining an inner collection receptacle; a hose extending from a top portion of the vacuum canister and in communication with the inner collection receptacle thereof; a motor for generating a suction within the canister so as to draw a vacuum force through the hose; a power cord; and a harness mounted to the outer surface of the vacuum canister permitting the vacuum to be worn by a user; and a caddy for receiving and mounting the vacuum cleaner and permitting use of the vacuum cleaner when mounted in the caddy without inhibiting use of the vacuum cleaner separate from the caddy, said caddy comprising: a lower support assembly comprising an outer support member mounted on a plurality of wheels, and an inner mounting guide adapted to receive and support the lower end of the vacuum canister; a vertical support assembly extending upwardly from the lower support assembly and comprising two vertical support members laterally spaced apart from one another and between which the vacuum canister may be positioned when mounted in the caddy; and a lead connected at a first end to the lower support assembly and at an opposing second end to the hose of the vacuum cleaner; wherein the vacuum canister is centrally axially positioned on the caddy.
14. The combination vacuum cleaner and caddy according to claim 13, further comprising an intermediate support mounted on the vertical support assembly a vertical distance up from the lower support assembly, said intermediate support being adapted to surround an upper portion of the vacuum canister when mounted in the caddy.
15. The combination vacuum cleaner and caddy according to claim 14, wherein the intermediate support has a generally circular shape and includes an opening space to facilitate removal of the vacuum cleaner from the caddy for use of the vacuum cleaner separate therefrom.
16. The combination vacuum cleaner and caddy according to claim 14, further comprising at least one storage unit adapted to be removably mounted to one of the vertical support assembly and the intermediate support.
17. The combination vacuum cleaner and caddy according to claim 13, wherein the power cord can be wrapped around the two vertical support members when the vacuum cleaner is not in use.
18. The combination vacuum cleaner and caddy according to claim 13, wherein the inner mounting guide is centrally located on the caddy and comprises: an upper ring having a shape and diameter generally complementing the outer diameter of the lower end of the vacuum canister; and a lower ring having smaller diameter than the lower end of the vacuum canister and being adapted to support the bottom of said vacuum canister.
19. The combination vacuum cleaner and caddy according to claim 13, wherein the lead is elastic.
20. The combination vacuum cleaner and caddy according to claim 13, wherein the caddy further includes a projection extending from the lower support assembly for receiving and holding an end of the hose not connected to the canister when the vacuum cleaner is not in use.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) FIG. 1 shows a prior art harness or backpack style vacuum cleaner.
(2) FIG. 2 shows a prior art wheel-rolled canister vacuum cleaner.
(3) FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a combined vacuum cleaner and caddy in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
(4) FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a caddy in accordance with the present invention.
(5) FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of a caddy in accordance with the present invention.
(6) FIG. 6 shows a front perspective view of the caddy of FIG. 5.
(7) FIG. 7 shows a top perspective view of the caddy of FIG. 5.
(8) FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the combined vacuum cleaner and caddy of FIG. 3 in simulated use.
(9) FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a third embodiment of a caddy in accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(10) A combination vacuum cleaner and caddy in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 3, and generally designated as reference numeral 100. As illustrated, a vacuum cleaner 102 is a canister-style vacuum cleaner that more preferably can be used as a harness or backpack vacuum cleaner apart from the caddy 104. In accordance with the present invention, the caddy 104 is designed for easy and efficient transport and use of the canister vacuum 102 that improves on the portability and versatility of prior art vacuum cleaners, such as those designs generally illustrated in FIGS. 1-2.
(11) Referring to FIG. 3, a canister vacuum 102 comprises a vertical canister 106 with a top-mounted hose 108 extending upwardly and outwardly therefrom. In use, a collection bag, as is generally known in the art, may be provided inside the canister 106 for collecting dirt, dust, debris, and the like, drawn via the hose 108 in by a vacuum force generated by a motor (not shown) mounted within the vacuum 102. Various nozzles and attachments, such as the rigid hose extension and nozzle illustrated in FIG. 3 and generally designated as reference numeral 110, may be mounted on the end of the hose 108 as necessary for performing a variety of cleaning tasks or using the vacuum 102 on a variety of surfaces. Such attachments 110 are typically provided with the vacuum 102 and optimally kept with the vacuum 102 for use as needed. With the caddy 104, in accordance with the present invention, the attachments 110 are easily stored on the caddy 104, freeing up the user's hands for carrying other objects or performing other tasks.
(12) Referring again to FIG. 3, the canister 106 includes a harness 112 so that it can be worn backpack-style for use of the vacuum 102, as is known in the art. Such harness or backpack vacuums are useful for cleaning in tight spaces, on stairs and ramps, and for cleaning under certain types of furniture, including rows of seats in a theater. As illustrated, the harness 112 includes a horizontally extending waist belt 114 and two vertically extending shoulder straps 116 each mounted to and extending from a backing plate 118 mounted on the canister 106.
(13) In accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention, a caddy for mounting, transporting, storing and using the vacuum cleaner 102 is illustrated in more detail in FIGS. 4-7 and generally designated as reference numeral 104. In accordance with the present invention, the caddy 104 permits the canister vacuum 102 to be used in an efficient and portable manner without needing to be worn on the user's back. Indeed, the caddy 104 is specifically designed for use with preexisting commercial models of harness or backpack vacuum cleaners, and provides the user with the option of using the vacuum cleaner 102 as mounted on the caddy 104 or by wearing the vacuum cleaner 102 on one's back using the waist belt 114 and shoulder straps 116 and apart from the caddy 104, as desired. Such variability increases the portability and versatility of the vacuum cleaner 102 because, as noted in further detail below, a user of the combined vacuum cleaner and caddy 100 can transport and use the vacuum 102 without needing to always hold the hose 108, all attachments 110 and the power cord 120 together, and also transport other cleaning products with the caddy 104, and can take breaks at any time without needing to take off the vacuum cleaner 102 or worrying about the vacuum cleaner 102 tipping over.
(14) Referring to FIG. 4, the caddy 104 includes a lower support assembly 122 upon which the canister 106 of the vacuum 102 can be mounted and preferably centrally located. A plurality of wheels or casters 124 is mounted to the bottom surface of the lower support assembly 122 for engagement with the floor. In preferred embodiments, the wheels 124 can swivel for optimal movement across the floor surface and regardless of the type of surface (e.g., hardwood, concrete or carpeted), and further be locked as desired. As shown in FIG. 4, the caddy 104 includes five wheels 124 equally distributed about the perimeter of the lower support assembly 122 and generally evenly arranged relative to a central axis of the caddy 104 which generally correlates to the central axis of the canister 106 when properly mounted on the caddy 104, and, as a result, the general center of mass of the combined vacuum and caddy 100.
(15) As illustrated, the lower support assembly includes an outer support member 123 having a generally circular shape, though other shapes may be used without departing from the spirit and principles of the present invention. A circular shape is preferred to match the shape of the canister 106 of the vacuum 102 mounted therein. The general overall circular shape of the caddy 104, as depicted in the illustrated embodiments, also minimizes edges that can get caught on furniture or walls.
(16) The canister 106 is received by mounting guides 126 centrally located within to the lower support assembly 122 and generally complementing the shape and size of the canister 106 so that there is minimal shifting of the canister 106 during operation of the vacuum 102 as mounted to the caddy 104. Referring more particularly to FIG. 4, the central mounting guides 126 in accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention, form a basket adapted to receive the lower end of the canister 106, and more preferably, snugly receive the lower end of the canister 106 to secure the vacuum 102 to the caddy 104. As illustrated, the basket 126 comprises an upper ring 128 and a lower ring 130. The upper ring 128 has a circular shape and diameter generally complementing the outer diameter of the canister 106. The lower ring 130 has a smaller diameter and is adapted to support the bottom surface of the canister 106. The canister 106 can further be secured and stabilized on the caddy 104 using fasteners, such as braces or straps 162, that can be connected to the canister 106, or wrapped around the canister 106 and clasped together, for example, using a buckle, as illustrated in FIG. 9. These additional fasteners are useful in situations where the vacuum canister 106 does not snugly fit within the basket 126, owing to the fact that the caddy 104 of the present invention can ideally be used with portable vacuum cleaners of varying designs, sizes and shapes. As further illustrated, the basket 126 is itself secured to the outer support member 123 of the lower support assembly 122 by support braces 132.
(17) As an alternate to the basket 126, the caddy can use an upper ring 128, to receive the lower end of the vacuum canister 106, mounted atop support braces 132 that extend across the lower support member 123 in crisscross fashion to form a lower support adapted to support the bottom surface of the canister 106.
(18) Such stabilization of the caddy 104 is assisted by an intermediate support 134 vertically located a distance up from the lower support assembly 122 that essentially braces a middle- to upper-portion of the canister 106. The intermediate support 134 has a generally circular shape so as to complement the shape and size of the canister 106. However, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the intermediate support 134 is not a completely closed shape and instead includes an opening space 136 so as to facilitate insertion and removal of the canister 106 relative to the caddy 104. In this regard, a user, if desiring to use the vacuum 102 as a harness or backpack vacuum cleaner, can easily remove the vacuum canister 106 from the caddy 104 and mount it on her back using the waist belt 114 and the shoulder straps 116 and in accordance with known operation of backpack vacuum cleaners. When the canister 106 is mounted on the caddy 104, the backing plate 118 and harness components 114, 116 are generally aligned with the opening space 136 of the intermediate support 134, as illustrated in FIG. 3.
(19) While the intermediate support 134 generally complements the size and shape of the vacuum canister 106, it does not need to contact or fit snugly around the canister 106. Indeed, as illustrated in FIG. 3, there is some space between the canister 106 and the intermediate support 134, which can permit some slight side-to-side movement of the canister 106 during use to assist the movement of the combination vacuum and caddy 100 when being pulled around via the hose 108, as discussed below in connection with a lead 158 to prevent tipping of the unit 100). In alternate embodiments, the intermediate support could contact and directly brace the canister 106, if desired, without departing from the spirits and principles of the present invention.
(20) The intermediate support 134 is attached to the caddy 104 and maintained a vertical distance up from the lower support assembly 122, as illustrated in FIG. 6, by a vertical support assembly 138 that generally protects the mounted vacuum 102 and stabilizes the caddy 104 during use and movement, while also providing a support structure for hose attachments and nozzles 110, additional cleaning products, and the power cord 120. In general, the vertical support assembly 138 comprises at least two generally vertical support members 140a, 140b extending upwardly from the outer support member 123 and horizontally spaced apart from one another. In preferred embodiments, the vertical support members 140a, 140b are connected at their upper ends by a horizontal member 142, more preferably an arced member as illustrated, that can act as a handle for moving the caddy 104 around.
(21) Referring to FIG. 5, the horizontal member 142 of the vertical support assembly 138 can also be used to support a secondary storage unit 144, including individual storage containers 146, as illustrated, for example, to hold attachments for the vacuum, or cleaning accessories, such as rags, sponges, cleanser, spray bottles or the like. The support storage unit 144 can form a hand-held sub-caddy that can be removed from the caddy 104 and carried separately. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the sub-caddy 144 includes a separate handle slot 148 to facilitate carrying apart from the caddy 104. When the sub-caddy 144 is mounted on the caddy 104, as shown, the handle slot 148 can be used to move the entire caddy 104 around.
(22) Additional storage units 150 are illustrated in FIG. 5 and attached to the intermediate support 134. These units 150 can include multiple storage containers 152 for cleaning products and the like, or alternatively, can include pass-through holes for receiving and holding longer objects, such as nozzles and attachments for the vacuum cleaner hose 108, dusters, brooms, mops, spray bottles, and the like. In embodiments of the present invention, the intermediate-level storage units 150 can be removed from the caddy 104 as desired. Additionally, such units 150 can be modular and various combinations of shapes and sizes, enclosed or opened, can be used so that the user can customize the arrangement that may be needed for best personalized use of the caddy 104. Such units 150 can also be mounted on the interior circumference of the intermediate support 134, and as so mounted, can be used to brace, support and hold the canister in place. Alternatively, the storage units 150 can be mounted on the outer circumference of the intermediate support 134.
(23) In accordance with known designs of a canister vacuum 102, a power cord 120 in operative communication with the motor (not shown) extends out from the canister 106 for connection with a standard power outlet. In commercial cleaning uses of the vacuum 102, the power cord 120 is usually very longfor example, about 50 feet long. For home uses, the power cord 120 is usually smaller due to the smaller size of the area being cleaned. Regardless of the use or length of the power cord 120, standard canister vacuums 102 typically do not have a means for collecting and storing the power cord 120 when not in use. Often, users will simply wrap the cord 120 around the canister 106 when not in use; however, this is not helpful when the vacuum 102 is being worn on the user's back, so when transporting the vacuum 102 from room to room, the user typically needs to carry the cord 120 in one hand and the hose 108 and any attachments 110 in the other hand. In accordance with the present invention, means are provided on the caddy 104 for storing the power cord 120 when not in use or during transit of the caddy 104 from room to room. Referring to FIG. 3, the vertical support assembly 138 provides a means for storing the power cord 120 when not in use.
(24) As noted, the vertical members 140a, 140b of the vertical support assembly 138 are horizontally spaced apart. When the vacuum 102 is not in use, the power cord 120 can be wrapped for storage and/or transport between the vertical members 140a, 140b. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the power cord 120 can be wrapped around the two vertical members 140a, 140b. In alternate embodiments, projections or pawls can be added to a side of each of the vertical members 140a, 140b and provide means on which the power cord 120 can be wrapped for storage and/or transport. When the power cord 120 is wrapped on the caddy 104 in such a manner as shown in FIG. 3, it can easily be slid off the caddy 104 when it is needed for use. In this manner, the cord 120 is neatly organized in a circularly wrapped manner so as to eliminate the risk of any kinks or knots in the cord 120 as it is stretched out. When the user is done with the vacuum 102, it is a simple act of wrapping the cord 120 around and around the vertical support assembly 138, either around the vertical members 140a, 140b, as shown, or around provided projections, to store the power cord 120 in a simple but efficient manner.
(25) The lower support assembly 122 also provides two projections 154, 156 generally upwardly extending therefrom. These projections are used to store the hose 108 and attachments 110 therefor when the vacuum 102 is not in use, such as generally illustrated in FIG. 3. In accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention, the open end of the hose 108 can be slid over a first projection 154 when the hose 108 is not in usefor example, when the caddy 104 is being moved from room to room. The hose 108 remains on the caddy 104 as it is rolled around, which frees up the user's hands so that other objectsfor example, a trash can or cleaning cartcan be transported along with the combination caddy and vacuum cleaner 100. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, additional clips, projections, or straps can be used to secure the middle portion of the hose 108 in place on the caddy 104 in combination with the lower end first projection 154. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the intermediate support 134 can also be used to brace middle of the hose 108.
(26) As suggested, a second projection 156 can be used to mount an attachment 110 for the hose 108, such as a nozzle or a rigid hose extension, as illustrated. In a similar manner as with storage of the hose 108, an open end of the attachment 110 can be slid over the second projection 156 to hold the attachment 110 in place. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, additional clips, projections, or straps can be used to secure the attachment 110 in place in combination with the lower end second projection 156. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the intermediate support 134 can also be used to brace the hose attachment 110, here comprising a rigid hose extension with a nozzle attachment on the end thereof. Additional projections can be included, preferably disposed around the lower support member 123, for holding a variety of components relevant for cleaning services and use of the combination vacuum and caddy 100 described and shown herein.
(27) Referring to FIGS. 5-8, the caddy 104 includes a lead 158 attached between the hose 108 and the lower support assembly 122 of the caddy 104. For example, the lead 158 could be attached to the lower support member 123 or one of the support braces 132. The lead 158 is provided to stabilize the combined vacuum cleaner and caddy 100 when it is being used to vacuum a space. More particularly, the lead 158 is attached to the hose 108 at an intermediate location thereof between the nozzle end and the end of the hose connected at the top of the canister 106. In the illustrated embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the lead 158 is attached to the hose 108 using a collar 160. It is preferred that the collar 160 can be easily removed from the hose 108 as desired, for example, by using a hook-and-loop fastening means on the collar 160. Additionally, it is preferred that the lead 158 be constructed from a flexible and more preferably elastic material, such as a bungee cord. This added flex helps distribute the pulling force applied to the hose 108 by the user, which in turn helps prevent the caddy 104 from tipping over as the user pulls on the hose 108.
(28) In accordance with common operation of wheel-rolled vacuum cleaners, the user commonly pulls on the entire unit 100 via the hose 108, such as illustrated in FIG. 8. In the present invention, as the user pulls on the hose 108, as simulated in FIG. 8, the pulling force is distributed between the hose 108 upwardly towards the end of the hose 108 mounted to the top of the canister 106, and downwardly via the lead 158 to the lower support assembly 122 of the caddy 104. This redistributed pulling force complements the center of gravity of the combined vacuum cleaner and caddy 100, but more importantly keeps the entire unit 100 from tipping over. Moreover, the pulling force on the hose 108 also pulls up on the lead 158, which helps assist the caddy 104 from easily rolling over obstacles on the floor surface, such as the power cord 120, as shown spread out on the floor in FIG. 8.
(29) The foregoing description of embodiments of the present invention has been presented for the purpose of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the form disclosed. Obvious modifications and variations are possible in light of the above disclosure. The embodiments described were chosen to best illustrate the principles of the invention and practical applications thereof to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as suited to the particular use contemplated.
