CLEANING APPARATUS

Abstract

A cleaning system may include a vacuum cleaner and a docking station. The vacuum cleaner may include a dust cup including an emptying opening and an openable door configured to selectively open and close the emptying opening. The openable door may include a retention assembly having a latching end, an actuation end, and a latch disposed at the latching end and configured to move between a latched and an unlatched position. The vacuum cleaner may further include a latch actuator disposed at the actuation end of the retention assembly and configured to cooperate with the retention assembly to cause the latch to move from the latched position to the unlatched position. The docking station includes a collection bin, the docking station configured to cooperate with the vacuum cleaner to urge debris from the dust cup to the collection bin.

Claims

1. A cleaning system comprising: a vacuum cleaner, the vacuum cleaner including: a cleaner suction motor; a main body, the main body including a body inlet; a dust cup coupled to the main body and fluidly coupled to the cleaner suction motor and the body inlet, the dust cup including an emptying opening and an openable door configured to selectively open and close the emptying opening, the openable door including a retention assembly having: a latching end; an actuation end, the actuation end and the latching end being on different sides of the openable door; and a latch disposed at the latching end and configured to move between a latched and an unlatched position; and a latch actuator disposed at the actuation end of the retention assembly and configured to cooperate with the retention assembly to cause the latch to move from the latched position to the unlatched position; and a docking station having a collection bin, the docking station configured to cooperate with the vacuum cleaner to urge debris from the dust cup to the collection bin.

2. The cleaning system of claim 1, wherein the docking station includes a lockout, the lockout configured to selectively actuate the latch actuator when the vacuum cleaner is coupled to the docking station.

3. The cleaning system of claim 2, wherein the lockout includes a lockout toggle, wherein movement of the lockout toggle causes a plunger to move between an extended position and a retracted position, the plunger being configured to actuate the latch actuator when in the extended position and to not actuate the latch actuator when in the retracted position.

4. The cleaning system of claim 2, wherein the lockout is further configured to actuate a toggle position switch, wherein a position of the toggle position switch is configured to indicate whether the lockout is in an emptying cycle locked out state or an emptying cycle enabled state.

5. The cleaning system of claim 4, wherein the docking station further includes a dock suction motor and the dock suction motor is configured to be disabled when the toggle position switch indicates that the lockout is in the emptying cycle locked out state.

6. The cleaning system of claim 5, wherein, when the toggle position switch indicates that the lockout is in the emptying cycle enabled state, the dock suction motor is configured to be enabled in response to the vacuum cleaner being coupled to the docking station.

7. The cleaning system of claim 1, wherein the retention assembly further includes an actuator body configured to move along a body axis, movement of the actuator along the body axis is configured to cause a corresponding movement of the latch along a latch axis.

8. The cleaning system of claim 7, wherein the latch axis is substantially parallel to the body axis.

9. The cleaning system of claim 8, wherein the actuator body moves along the body axis in a first direction and the latch moves along the latch axis in a second direction, the first direction being opposite the second direction.

10. The cleaning system of claim 7, wherein the movement of the actuator body along the body axis causes a pivotal movement in a connector and the pivotal movement of the connector causes the latch to move along the latch axis.

11. A vacuum cleaner comprising: a cleaner suction motor; a main body, the main body including a body inlet; a dust cup coupled to the main body and fluidly coupled to the cleaner suction motor and the body inlet, the dust cup including an emptying opening and an openable door configured to selectively open and close the emptying opening, the openable door including a retention assembly having: a latching end; an actuation end, the actuation end and the latching end being on different sides of the openable door; and a latch disposed at the latching end and configured to move between a latched and an unlatched position; and a latch actuator disposed at the actuation end of the retention assembly and configured to cooperate with the retention assembly to cause the latch to move from the latched position to the unlatched position.

12. The vacuum cleaner of claim 11, wherein the retention assembly further includes an actuator body configured to move along a body axis, movement of the actuator along the body axis is configured to cause a corresponding movement of the latch along a latch axis.

13. The vacuum cleaner of claim 12, wherein the latch axis is substantially parallel to the body axis.

14. The vacuum cleaner of claim 13, wherein the actuator body moves along the body axis in a first direction and the latch moves along the latch axis in a second direction, the first direction being opposite the second direction.

15. The vacuum cleaner of claim 12, wherein the movement of the actuator body along the body axis causes a pivotal movement in a connector and the pivotal movement of the connector causes the latch to move along the latch axis.

16. A docking station configured to cooperate with a vacuum cleaner to urge debris from a dust cup of the vacuum cleaner, the docking station comprising: a base; an upstanding body extending from the base; a cleaner mount coupled to the upstanding body and configured to couple to the vacuum cleaner; a collection bin configured to collect debris from the dust cup of the vacuum cleaner, the collection bin being fluidly coupled to the cleaner mount via the upstanding body; and a lockout coupled to the cleaner mount and including a lockout toggle and a plunger, wherein movement of the lockout toggle causes the plunger to move between an extended position and a retracted position, wherein, when in the extended position, the plunger extends from the cleaner mount and, when in the retracted position, the plunger is at least partially retracted into the cleaner mount.

17. The docking station of claim 16, wherein the lockout is further configured to actuate a toggle position switch, wherein a position of the toggle position switch is configured to indicate whether the lockout is in an emptying cycle locked out state or an emptying cycle enabled state.

18. The docking station of claim 17, wherein the docking station further includes a dock suction motor and the dock suction motor is configured to be disabled when the toggle position switch indicates that the lockout is in the emptying cycle locked out state.

19. The docking station of claim 18, wherein, when the toggle position switch indicates that the lockout is in the emptying cycle enabled state, the dock suction motor is configured to be enabled in response to the vacuum cleaner being coupled to the docking station.

20. The docking station of claim 16, wherein the lockout includes a lockout frame configured to couple to the cleaner mount and a plunger shuttle coupled to the plunger and configured to slide within a shuttle channel of the lockout frame in response to movement of the lockout toggle, the lockout toggle being movably coupled to the lockout frame.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] These and other features and advantages will be better understood by reading the following detailed description, taken together with the drawings wherein:

[0005] FIG. 1 shows a schematic example of a cleaning system having a vacuum cleaner and a docking station, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0006] FIG. 2 shows a schematic example of a dust cup of the vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0007] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0008] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the vacuum cleaner of FIG. 3 having an openable door in an open position, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0009] FIG. 5 shows a perspective end view of a dust cup of the vacuum cleaner of FIG. 3, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0010] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the dust cup of FIG. 5 having the openable door in the open position, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0011] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a latch actuator and retention assembly separated from the dust cup of FIG. 5, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 8 shows another perspective view of the latch actuator and retention assembly separated from the dust cup of FIG. 5, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional perspective view of the latch actuator and retention assembly of FIG. 7, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 10 shows a cross-sectional perspective view of the latch actuator and retention assembly of FIG. 8, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of an example of an openable door, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 12 shows another perspective view of the openable door of FIG. 11, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of a docking station, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 14A shows a perspective view of a lockout of the docking station of FIG. 13, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 14B shows a cross-sectional perspective view of a cleaner mount of the docking station taken along the line XIV-XIV of FIG. 13, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 15 shows another cross-sectional perspective view of the cleaner mount of the docking station taken along the line XIV-XIV of FIG. 13, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 16 shows another cross-sectional perspective view of the cleaner mount of the docking station taken along the line XIV-XIV of FIG. 13, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0022] FIG. 17 shows a perspective view of the lockout of FIG. 14A coupled to the docking station of FIG. 13, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0023] FIG. 18 shows another perspective view of the lockout of FIG. 14A coupled to the docking station of FIG. 13, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 19 shows another perspective view of the lockout of FIG. 14A coupled to the docking station of FIG. 13, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0025] FIG. 20 shows another cross-sectional perspective view of the cleaner mount of the docking station of FIG. 13, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0026] FIG. 21 shows a perspective view of a cleaning system, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0027] FIG. 22 shows a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner of the cleaning system of FIG. 21, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 23 shows another perspective view of the cleaning system of FIG. 21, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The present disclosure is generally directed to a cleaning system that includes a vacuum cleaner and a docking station. The vacuum cleaner includes a main body, a dust cup coupled (e.g., removably or pivotally) to the main body, and a cleaner suction motor configured to draw air into the dust cup. Air drawn into the dust cup may have debris entrained therein and the dust cup is configured to separate at least a portion of the debris entrained within the air flowing through the dust cup from the air flow. Debris separated from the airflow is deposited within the dust cup for later disposal. The dust cup includes an emptying opening, an openable door configured to selectively close the emptying opening, and a door actuator configured to cause the openable door to transition from the closed position to the open position.

[0030] The docking station includes a base, a cleaner mount, and a collection bin. In some instances, the docking station may further include a dock suction motor. The cleaner mount may include a dock actuator configured to cooperate with the door actuator to cause the openable door to transition to the open position when the vacuum cleaner is coupled to the cleaner mount. After the openable door has transitioned to the open position, debris stored within the dust cup may be transferred to the collection bin using one or more of the cleaner suction motor and/or the dock suction motor.

[0031] FIG. 1 shows a schematic example of a cleaning system 100 that includes a vacuum cleaner 102 and a docking station 103 configured to cooperate with the vacuum cleaner 102. The vacuum cleaner 102 may include a main body 104, a dust cup 106 coupled to the main body 104, and a cleaner suction motor 108. The main body 104 may include (e.g., define) a body inlet 110 fluidly coupled to the dust cup 106 and the cleaner suction motor 108 such that the cleaner suction motor 108 can draw air through the body inlet 110 and into the dust cup 106. In other words, the dust cup 106 is fluidly coupled to the cleaner suction motor 108 and the body inlet 110. The body inlet 110 may be configured to removably couple to a conduit 112. The conduit 112 includes an airflow channel 114 extending from a body end 116 of the conduit 112 to an accessory end 118 of the conduit 112. The airflow channel 114 is configured to be fluidly coupled to the body inlet 110 such that the cleaner suction motor 108 can cause air to be drawn through the airflow channel 114 when the conduit 112 is coupled to the body inlet 110. The accessory end 118 of the airflow channel 114 is configured to removably couple to a cleaning accessory such as a surface cleaning head 120. The surface cleaning head 120 may include an agitator 122 (e.g., a brush roll) at least partially disposed within an agitator chamber 124, a dirty air inlet 126 within the agitator chamber 124, and one or more wheels 128. The agitator 122 is configured to agitate debris deposited on a surface to be cleaned 129 (e.g., a floor). The dirty air inlet 126 may be disposed between the agitator 122 and the one or more wheels 128. The dirty air inlet 126 is configured to fluidly couple with the airflow channel 114 when the surface cleaning head 120 is coupled to the accessory end 118 of the conduit 112.

[0032] During a surface cleaning operation, when the conduit 112 and the surface cleaning head 120 are fluidly coupled to the cleaner suction motor 108, the cleaner suction motor 108 is configured to cause air to flow along a cleaning flow path 130. The cleaning flow path 130 extends from the dirty air inlet 126, through the airflow channel 114, into the body inlet 110, through the dust cup 106, and through the cleaner suction motor 108 to be exhausted into a surrounding environment. Air flowing along the cleaning flow path 130 may have debris entrained therein. As the air flows through the dust cup 106, at least a portion of the entrained debris may be separated from the airflow and deposited within dust cup 106 for later disposal.

[0033] The docking station 103 includes a base 132, an upstanding body 136 extending from the base 132, a cleaner mount 134 coupled the upstanding body 136, and a collection bin 138 configured to collect debris from the dust cup 106. The cleaner mount 134 and the base 132 can be coupled at opposing ends of the upstanding body 136. The collection bin 138 is fluidly coupled to the cleaner mount 134 via the upstanding body 136. For example, the upstanding body 136 can include a collection channel 140 configured to fluidly couple the collection bin 138 with the cleaner mount 134. The cleaner mount 134 is configured to cooperate with the dust cup 106 to selectively fluidly couple the dust cup 106 with the collection bin 138 when the vacuum cleaner 102 is coupled to the cleaner mount 134. In some instances, the cleaner mount 134 may include a lockout 142 configured to prevent the fluid coupling of the dust cup 106 with the collection bin 138 when the vacuum cleaner 102 is coupled to the cleaner mount 134. In some instances, the docking station 103 may further include a dock suction motor 144 configured to urge debris from the dust cup 106 and into the collection bin 138. Additionally, or alternatively, the cleaner suction motor 108 may be configured to urge debris from the dust cup 106 and into the collection bin 138.

[0034] The vacuum cleaner 102 may include a cleaner controller 149 and/or the docking station 103 may include a dock controller 151. The cleaner controller 149 and/or the dock controller 151 may be configured to cause the vacuum cleaner 102 and/or the docking station 103 to carry out one or more operations. For example, the cleaner controller 149 and/or the dock controller 151 may be configured to cause the vacuum cleaner 102 and/or the docking station 103 to carry out an emptying cycle. During an emptying cycle, the dock suction motor 144 and/or the cleaner suction motor 108 are configured to cause debris to move along an emptying flow path 146. The emptying flow path 146 extends from the cleaner mount 134 and into the collection bin 138 before passing into the surrounding environment.

[0035] The docking station 103 may be further configured to charge a power source 148 (e.g., one or more batteries) of the vacuum cleaner 102. For example, the cleaner mount 134 may include one or more charging contacts 150 configured to supply power to the power source 148.

[0036] FIG. 2 shows a schematic example of the dust cup 106. As shown, the dust cup 106 includes a dust cup body 200 that includes a collection chamber 202 and an openable door 204 movably (e.g., pivotally) coupled to the dust cup body 200. The collection chamber 202 includes an emptying opening 205. The openable door 204 is configured to selectively open and close the emptying opening 205.

[0037] The openable door 204 includes a retention assembly 206 having a latching end 208 and an actuation end 210. The actuation end 210 and the latching end 208 are on different (e.g., opposite) sides of the openable door 204. The retention assembly 206 includes a latch 212 at the latching end 208. The latch 212 is configured to move between a latched position and an unlatched position. A latch actuator 214 is at the actuation end 210 of the retention assembly 206 and is configured to cooperate with the retention assembly 206 to cause the latch 212 to move from the latched position to the unlatched position. The latch actuator 214 may be configured to be selectively actuated by the docking station 103 of FIG. 1 (e.g., based on a state of the lockout 142) when the vacuum cleaner 102 (FIG. 1) is coupled to the cleaner mount 134 (FIG. 1). In other words, the lockout 142 can be configured to selectively actuate the latch actuator 214 when the vacuum cleaner 102 is coupled to the cleaner mount 134.

[0038] A connector 216 transfers movement from the latch actuator 214 to the latch 212 such that movement of the latch actuator 214 causes movement of the latch 212. For example, the connector 216 may be configured such that movement of the latch actuator 214 along an actuator axis 218 may cause movement of the latch 212 along a latch axis 220, wherein the actuator axis 218 extends transverse (e.g., at a perpendicular or non-perpendicular angle) to the latch axis 220.

[0039] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner 300, which is an example of the vacuum cleaner 102 of FIG. 1. As shown, the vacuum cleaner 300 includes a main body 302, a dust cup 304 coupled to the main body 302, a body inlet 306 coupled to (or defined by) the main body 302, a handle 308 coupled to (or defined by) the main body 302 and configured to be graspable by a user, a power source 310 (e.g., one or more batteries) coupled (e.g., removably coupled) to the main body 302, and a cleaner suction motor 312 (shown schematically in hidden lines) fluidly coupled to the body inlet 306 via the dust cup 304. The dust cup 304 is configured to collect at least a portion of any debris entrained within air flowing therethrough.

[0040] The dust cup 304 includes a dust cup body 314 and an openable door 316 pivotally coupled to the dust cup body 314. The openable door 316 is caused to transition from a closed position (FIG. 3) to an open position (FIG. 4) in response to application of an actuation force 318 on a latch actuator 320. When in the open position, an emptying opening 322 is exposed such that debris within the dust cup 304 can be emptied therefrom. The latch actuator 320 can be positioned such that a plane extending through a central portion of the latch actuator 320 extends between the emptying opening 322 and the body inlet 306. The latch actuator 320 may be separate from the openable door 316 such that the latch actuator 320 does not move (e.g., pivot) with the openable door 316 as the openable door 316 moves between the open and closed positions. For example, the latch actuator 320 may be coupled (e.g., directly coupled) to the dust cup body 314 or the main body 302.

[0041] As shown, the openable door 316 and the emptying opening 322 can be positioned at a longitudinal end 324 of the dust cup body 314. For example, and as shown, the emptying opening 322 can open in the same direction as the body inlet 306. In this example, a central inlet axis 326 of the body inlet 306 may extend substantially (e.g., within 5, within 4, within 3, within 2, or within 1 of) parallel to a central emptying axis 328 of the emptying opening 322. The central inlet axis 326 may be configured to intersect a surface to be cleaned (e.g., a floor) when the vacuum cleaner 300 is in use. As further shown, the actuation force 318, when applied to the latch actuator 320, may be applied in a direction substantially (e.g., within 5, within 4, within 3, within 2, or within 1 of) parallel to the central inlet axis 326 and the central emptying axis 328.

[0042] FIG. 5 shows a perspective end view of the dust cup 304 and the openable door 316, wherein a portion of the openable door 316 has been removed therefrom. As shown, the openable door 316 includes a door body 500 having a door cavity 502. The door cavity 502 is configured to receive a retention assembly 504. The retention assembly 504 has a latching end 506 and an actuation end 508. The latching end 506 includes a latch 510 slidably coupled to the door body 500 such that the latch 510 is configured to slide between a latched position (FIG. 5) and an unlatched position (FIG. 6). The actuation end 508 includes an actuation body 512 slidably coupled to the door body 500 such that the actuation body 512 is configured to slide between an actuated position (corresponding to the unlatched position of the latch 510) and an unactuated position (corresponding to the latched position of the latch 510). The actuation body 512 is configured to be actuated by the latch actuator 320. The retention assembly 504 further includes a connector 514 pivotally coupled to the door body 500 at a connector pivot 516. The latch 510 and the actuation body 512 are coupled to the connector 514 on opposite sides of the connector pivot 516 such that linear movement of the actuation body 512 along a body axis 518 causes a corresponding linear movement of the latch 510 along a latch axis 520. The body axis 518 and the latch axis 520 may be substantially (e.g., within 5, within 4, within 3, within 2, or within 1 of) parallel. Linear movement of the actuation body 512 along the body axis 518 in a first direction causes the connector 514 to rotate about the connector pivot 516 which causes linear movement of the latch 510 along the latch axis 520 in a second direction, the second direction being opposite the first direction.

[0043] A biasing mechanism 522 (e.g., a spring) may be configured to urge the latch 510 towards the latched position. As shown, the latch 510 includes a cut-out 524 configured to receive the biasing mechanism 522. In some instances, the cut-out 524 may be centrally positioned within the latch 510. Such a configuration may encourage an even application of a biasing force on the latch 510.

[0044] As also shown, the latch 510 can be configured to selectively engage the dust cup body 314 at a latch receptacle 526 of the dust cup body 314. The latch receptacle 526 and the latch actuator 320 are disposed on opposing sides of a central dust cup axis 528. The central dust cup axis 528 may extend transverse (e.g., at a perpendicular or non-perpendicular angle) to the latch axis 520.

[0045] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the latch actuator 320 and the retention assembly 504 disposed within the door cavity 502, wherein the door is in the closed position. FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the latch actuator 320 and the retention assembly 504 disposed within the door cavity 502, wherein the door is in the open position.

[0046] As shown, in response to application of the actuation force 318 on the latch actuator 320, the latch actuator 320 moves linearly along an actuator axis 700 between a rest position (FIG. 7, which corresponds to the latched position of the latch 510) and a depressed position (FIG. 8, which corresponds to the unlatched position of the latch 510). The latch actuator 320 may be biased towards the rest position (e.g., using a spring). Linear movement of the latch actuator 320 along the actuator axis 700 causes a corresponding movement in an actuator arm 702. For example, the actuator arm 702 can be configured such that the actuator arm 702 pivots while moving linearly with the latch actuator 320. The pivotal and linear movement of the actuator arm 702 causes the actuator arm 702 to urge the actuation body 512 to move from the unactuated to the actuated position.

[0047] FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional perspective view of the latch actuator 320 and the retention assembly 504 disposed within the door cavity 502 taken along the line IX-IX of FIG. 7. FIG. 10 shows a cross-sectional perspective view of the latch actuator 320 and the retention assembly 504 disposed within the door cavity 502 taken along the line X-X of FIG. 8.

[0048] As shown, the actuator arm 702 is pivotally coupled to the latch actuator 320 at an arm pivot 900. The actuator arm 702 includes an arm slot 902 configured to slidably and pivotally receive a pivot pin 904 coupled to the door body 500. As such, the actuator arm 702 may generally be described as being pivotally coupled to the latch actuator 320 and slidably and pivotally coupled to the door body 500.

[0049] As also shown, the actuator arm 702 may further include a receptacle 906 and an actuation surface 908. The receptacle 906 is configured to receive a portion of the actuation body 512 when the actuation body 512 is in the unactuated position. The receptacle 906 includes a sloped receptacle surface 910 and the actuation body 512 includes a sloped body surface 912. The sloped receptacle surface 910 and the sloped body surface 912 are configured to cooperate to encourage a transition of the actuation body 512 to the actuated position in response to application of the actuation force 318 on the latch actuator 320. As the actuator arm 702 pivots in response to application of the actuation force 318 on the latch actuator 320, the receptacle 906 disengages the actuation body 512 and the actuation surface 908 slides along the actuation body 512 causing the actuation body 512 move along the body axis 518.

[0050] FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of an openable door 1100, which is an example of the openable door 316 of FIG. 3. The openable door 1100 includes a door body 1101 and a retention assembly 1102. The retention assembly 1102 is an example of the retention assembly 504 of FIG. 5. As shown, the retention assembly 1102 includes a latch 1104, an actuation body 1106, and a connector 1108 configured to transfer motion of the actuation body 1106 to the latch 1104. As also shown, the retention assembly 1102 may further include a latch catch 1110. The latch catch 1110 is pivotally coupled to the door body 1101 and is configured to pivot between a retaining position and a releasing position. When in the retaining position, the latch catch 1110 is configured to retain the latch 1104 in the unlatched position. As the latch 1104 transitions from the latched position to the unlatched position, the latch catch 1110 is configured to pivot to the retaining position. For example, as the latch 1104 transitions from the latched position to the unlatched position, the latch catch 1110 can be configured to pivot from the retaining position to the releasing position and back to the retaining position. As such, when the latch 1104 reaches the latched position, the latch catch 1110 is in the retaining position. When the openable door 1100 is later transitioned from the open position to the closed position, the latch catch 1110 is caused to pivot from the retaining position to the releasing position such that the latch 1104 can transition from the unlatched position to the latched position. The latch catch 1110 may be actuated as a result of, for example, engagement with a dust cup body 1112. As shown in FIG. 12, the door body 1101 may include a pivot relief 1200 to accommodate pivotal movement of the latch catch 1110.

[0051] FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of a docking station 1300, which is an example of the docking station 103 of FIG. 1. As shown, the docking station 1300 includes a base 1302, an upstanding body 1304 extending from the base 1302, and a cleaner mount 1306 coupled to the upstanding body 1304. The cleaner mount 1306 includes an intake opening 1308 configured to fluidly couple with the dust cup 304 (FIG. 3) of the vacuum cleaner 300 (FIG. 3). The base 1302 includes a collection bin 1310 fluidly coupled to the intake opening 1308 via a collection channel 1312 extending through the upstanding body 1304. The intake opening 1308 is sized to receive at least a portion of the openable door 316 (FIG. 3) of the dust cup 304 when the openable door 316 is in the open position and the vacuum cleaner 300 is coupled to the cleaner mount 1306. Such a configuration allows the dust cup 304 to fluidly couple (e.g., selectively fluidly couple) to the collection bin 1310. In some instances, the base 1302 may further include a dock suction motor 1314 (shown schematically in hidden lines). The dock suction motor 1314 is fluidly coupled to the collection bin 1310, the collection channel 1312, and the intake opening 1308.

[0052] As shown, the cleaner mount 1306 may further include a lockout 1316 configured to selectively prevent the fluid coupling of the dust cup 304 with the intake opening 1308 and/or the commencement of a dust cup emptying cycle (e.g., preventing activation of the dock suction motor 1314). The lockout 1316 may include a lockout toggle 1318 movably (e.g., slidably) coupled to the cleaner mount 1306 and a plunger 1320. Movement of the lockout toggle 1318 causes the plunger 1320 to move between an extended position and a retracted position. For example, and as shown, the plunger 1320 may be configured to extend from and to at least partially retract into the cleaner mount 1306 in response to movement of the lockout toggle 1318. When in the extended position, plunger 1320 is configured to engage the latch actuator 320 (FIG. 3) when the vacuum cleaner 300 is coupled to the cleaner mount 1306. In other words, the plunger 1320, when in the extended position, is configured to cause the actuation force 318 (FIG. 3) to be applied to the latch actuator 320. When the plunger 1320 is in the retracted position, the plunger 1320 does not actuate (and/or engage) the latch actuator 320 when the vacuum cleaner 300 is coupled to the cleaner mount 1306. In other words, the plunger 1320, when in the retracted position, is configured not to cause the actuation force 318 to be applied to the latch actuator 320.

[0053] The cleaner mount 1306 may further include charging contacts 1322. The charging contacts are configured to provide power to the power source 310 (FIG. 3) of the vacuum cleaner 300. In some instances, the charging contacts 1322 may be configured to detect (e.g., in combination with a dock controller 1323, shown schematically in hidden lines) a presence of the vacuum cleaner 300. For example, in response to detecting a presence of the vacuum cleaner 300 using the charging contacts 1322, the dock suction motor 1314 and/or the cleaner suction motor 312 (FIG. 3) may be caused to be activated to begin a dust cup emptying cycle. The dust cup emptying cycle is configured to urge debris from the dust cup 304 to the collection bin 1310. In some instances, after detecting the presence of the vacuum cleaner 300 and before beginning a dust cup emptying cycle, a status of the lockout 1316 may be determined (e.g., whether the lockout 1316 is an emptying cycle enabled status or an emptying cycle locked out status).

[0054] FIG. 14A shows a perspective view of the lockout 1316. As shown, the lockout 1316 includes a lockout frame 1401, a retention pivot arm 1403 pivotally coupled to the lockout frame 1401, and a plunger shuttle 1412 coupled to the plunger 1320. The lockout toggle 1318 is movably (e.g., slidably) coupled to the lockout frame 1401. Movement of the lockout toggle 1318 is configured to cause corresponding movement in the retention pivot arm 1403 and the plunger shuttle 1412. For example, movement of the lockout toggle 1318 may be configured to cause a corresponding linear sliding movement of the plunger shuttle 1412 within a shuttle channel 1411 of the lockout frame 1401 and pivotal movement of the retention pivot arm 1403. The lockout frame 1401 is configured to be coupled to the cleaner mount 1306 (FIG. 13). As such, the lockout toggle 1318 may generally be described as being configured to cause the plunger 1320 to move between the extended position and the retracted position in response to movement of the lockout toggle 1318.

[0055] FIGS. 14B-16 show a cross-sectional view of a portion of the cleaner mount 1306 taken along the line XIV-XIV of FIG. 13, wherein the plunger 1320 is in the retracted position (FIG. 14B), an intermediary position (FIG. 15), and the extended position (FIG. 16). When the plunger 1320 is in the retracted position, the status of the lockout 1316 is emptying cycle locked out and the lockout toggle 1318 is in a lockout enabled position. When the plunger 1320 is in the extended position, the status of the lockout 1316 is emptying cycle enabled and the lockout toggle 1318 is in a lockout disabled position.

[0056] As shown, the lockout toggle 1318 includes an actuation channel 1400 and a retention channel 1402. The actuation channel 1400 is configured to receive an actuation pin 1404 of the lockout 1316. The actuation pin 1404 is configured to slide within the actuation channel 1400 from a first position (FIG. 14B) to a second position (FIG. 16), the first position being spaced apart (e.g., vertically spaced apart) from the second position by an elevation distance 1406. The elevation distance 1406 extends in a direction that is substantially (e.g., within 5, within 4, within 3, within 2, or within 1 of) parallel to a plunger longitudinal axis 1408 of the plunger 1320. When the actuation pin 1404 is at the first position or the second position, movement of the plunger 1320, without a corresponding movement of the lockout toggle 1318, in a direction substantially parallel the plunger longitudinal axis 1408 may be substantially prevented. In other words, movement of the plunger 1320, without a corresponding movement of the lockout toggle 1318, in a direction substantially parallel to the plunger longitudinal axis 1408, when the plunger 1320 is in the extended or retracted position, may be substantially prevented.

[0057] Movement of the actuation pin 1404 within the actuation channel 1400 is caused by movement of the lockout toggle 1318 along a toggle axis 1405. As the lockout toggle 1318 moves along the toggle axis 1405, the actuation pin 1404 is caused to move along a pin axis 1407. The pin axis 1407 extends transverse to (e.g., at a perpendicular or non-perpendicular angle) the toggle axis 1405. For example, a substantially horizontal movement of the lockout toggle 1318 along the toggle axis 1405 may cause a corresponding substantially vertical movement of the actuation pin 1404 along the pin axis 1407. In some instances, at least one end of the actuation channel 1400 may include a pin recess 1409, wherein the pin recess 1409 is configured to encourage the actuation pin 1404 to be selectively retained within the pin recess 1409. For example, and as shown, the pin recess 1409 may be configured to encourage the actuation pin 1404 to be retained at the second position within the actuation channel 1400.

[0058] Movement of the actuation pin 1404 along the actuation channel 1400 from the first position to the second position is configured to cause the plunger 1320 to move from the retracted position to the extended position. In some instances, the elevation distance 1406 may be substantially (e.g., within 10%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, or 1% of) equal to an extension distance 1410 of the plunger 1320 in the extended position.

[0059] The actuation pin 1404 is coupled to (e.g., directly or indirectly) the plunger 1320. For example, the actuation pin 1404 may be coupled to the plunger shuttle 1412, wherein the plunger 1320 is coupled to and/or extends from the plunger shuttle 1412. As such, as the actuation pin 1404 moves, the plunger shuttle 1412 and the plunger 1320 is caused to move with the actuation pin 1404.

[0060] The retention channel 1402 is configured to receive a retention pin 1414. The retention pin 1414 is configured to selectively retain the lockout toggle 1318 in the lockout enabled and lockout disabled positions. Application of a sufficient force on the lockout toggle 1318 will cause the retention pin 1414 to move within the retention channel 1402.

[0061] FIGS. 17-19 show a perspective view of the lockout 1316, with a portion the cleaner mount 1306 shown in hidden lines for purposes of clarity, when the plunger 1320 is in the retracted position (FIG. 17), the intermediary position (FIG. 18), and the extended position (FIG. 19). As shown, the retention pin 1414 extends from the retention pivot arm 1403 such that movement of the lockout toggle 1318 causes a pivoting movement of the retention pivot arm 1403. A retention biasing mechanism 1700 (e.g., a spring) may be configured to exert a biasing force on the retention pivot arm 1403 to resist a rotation of the retention pivot arm 1403 in at least one rotation direction (e.g., resist rotation caused when transitioning the plunger 1320 to the extended position).

[0062] FIG. 20 shows a cross-sectional perspective view of the cleaner mount 1306. As shown, the cleaner mount 1306 includes a toggle position switch 2000 (e.g., a mechanical switch, an optical switch, a hall-effect switch, and/or any other switch). A position of the toggle position switch 2000 is configured to indicate whether the status of the lockout 1316 is emptying cycle locked out or emptying cycle enabled based on a position of the lockout toggle 1318 (FIG. 13). For example, as the lockout toggle 1318 is moved, the plunger shuttle 1412 is caused to move and the movement of the plunger shuttle 1412 may actuate the toggle position switch 2000. The toggle position switch 2000 may be configured to, for example, enable and disable the dock suction motor 1314 (FIG. 13) and/or the cleaner suction motor 312 (FIG. 3) (e.g., by transmitting a lockout signal to a cleaner controller 350, shown schematically in hidden lines in FIG. 3, of the vacuum cleaner 300 via the charging contacts 1322) in response to detecting the vacuum cleaner 300 being received by the cleaner mount 1306. Such a configuration may allow a user to selectively disable the commencement of an emptying cycle (e.g., to avoid creating unwanted noise during an inopportune time). In other words, in response to the vacuum cleaner 300 being coupled to the docking station 1300, the dock suction motor 1314 and/or the cleaner suction motor 312 may be disabled when the toggle position switch 2000 indicates that the lockout 1316 is in the emptying cycle locked out state and the dock suction motor 1314 and/or the cleaner suction motor 312 may be enabled when the toggle position switch 2000 indicates that the lockout 1316 is in the emptying cycle enabled state.

[0063] FIG. 21 shows a perspective view of a cleaning system 2100, which is an example of the cleaning system 100 of FIG. 1. As shown, the cleaning system 2100 includes the vacuum cleaner 300 of FIG. 3 and the docking station 1300 of FIG. 13. As shown, the vacuum cleaner 300 is configured to removably couple with the docking station 1300. For example, and as shown, the vacuum cleaner 300 may be inserted into the cleaner mount 1306 along an insertion axis 2102. In some instances, and as shown, the vacuum cleaner 300 may be configured to couple with a conduit 2104 (which is an example of the conduit 112 of FIG. 1) and a surface cleaning head 2106 (which is an example of the surface cleaning head 120 of FIG. 1). As shown, the vacuum cleaner 300 may be removed from and coupled to the docking station 1300 separately from the conduit 2104 and the surface cleaning head 2106. Additionally, or alternatively, the vacuum cleaner 300 may be removed from and coupled to the docking station 1300 collectively with one or more of the conduit 2104 and/or the surface cleaning head 2106.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 22, the latch actuator 320 may be disposed within an opening 2200. The opening 2200 may be flared such that an opening width 2202 of the opening decreases with decreasing distance to the latch actuator 320. Such a configuration may encourage alignment of the plunger 1320 (FIG. 13) with the latch actuator 320. FIG. 23 shows a perspective view of an example of the cleaning system 2100 having the vacuum cleaner 300 coupled to the docking station 1300, the conduit 2104, and the surface cleaning head 2106.

[0065] An example of a cleaning system, consistent with the present disclosure, may include a vacuum cleaner and a docking station. The vacuum cleaner may include a cleaner suction motor, a main body, the main body including a body inlet, and a dust cup coupled to the main body and fluidly coupled to the cleaner suction motor and the body inlet, the dust cup including an emptying opening and an openable door configured to selectively open and close the emptying opening. The openable door may include a retention assembly having a latching end, an actuation end, the actuation end and the latching end being on different sides of the openable door, and a latch disposed at the latching end and configured to move between a latched and an unlatched position. The vacuum cleaner may further include a latch actuator disposed at the actuation end of the retention assembly and configured to cooperate with the retention assembly to cause the latch to move from the latched position to the unlatched position. The docking station includes a collection bin, the docking station configured to cooperate with the vacuum cleaner to urge debris from the dust cup to the collection bin.

[0066] In some instances, the docking station may include a lockout, the lockout configured to selectively actuate the latch actuator when the vacuum cleaner is coupled to the docking station. In some instances, the lockout may include a lockout toggle, wherein movement of the lockout toggle causes a plunger to move between an extended position and a retracted position, the plunger being configured to actuate the latch actuator when in the extended position and to not actuate the latch actuator when in the retracted position. In some instances, the lockout may be further configured to actuate a toggle position switch, wherein a position of the toggle position switch is configured to indicate whether the lockout is in an emptying cycle locked out state or an emptying cycle enabled state. In some instances, the docking station may further include a dock suction motor and the dock suction motor is configured to be disabled when the toggle position switch indicates that the lockout is in the emptying cycle locked out state. In some instances, when the toggle position switch indicates that the lockout is in the emptying cycle enabled state, the dock suction motor may be configured to be enabled in response to the vacuum cleaner being coupled to the docking station. In some instances, the retention assembly may further include an actuator body configured to move along a body axis, movement of the actuator along the body axis is configured to cause a corresponding movement of the latch along a latch axis. In some instances, the latch axis may be substantially parallel to the body axis. In some instances, the actuator body may move along the body axis in a first direction and the latch may move along the latch axis in a second direction, the first direction being opposite the second direction. In some instances, the movement of the actuator body along the body axis may cause a pivotal movement in a connector and the pivotal movement of the connector causes the latch to move along the latch axis.

[0067] An example of a vacuum cleaner, consistent with the present disclosure, may include a cleaner suction motor, a main body, the main body including a body inlet, and a dust cup coupled to the main body and fluidly coupled to the cleaner suction motor and the body inlet, the dust cup including an emptying opening and an openable door configured to selectively open and close the emptying opening, the openable door including a retention assembly. The retention assembly may include a latching end, an actuation end, the actuation end and the latching end being on different sides of the openable door, and a latch disposed at the latching end and configured to move between a latched and an unlatched position. The vacuum cleaner may further include a latch actuator disposed at the actuation end of the retention assembly and configured to cooperate with the retention assembly to cause the latch to move from the latched position to the unlatched position.

[0068] In some instances, the retention assembly may further include an actuator body configured to move along a body axis, movement of the actuator along the body axis is configured to cause a corresponding movement of the latch along a latch axis. In some instances, the latch axis may be substantially parallel to the body axis. In some instances, the actuator body may move along the body axis in a first direction and the latch may move along the latch axis in a second direction, the first direction being opposite the second direction. In some instances, the movement of the actuator body along the body axis may cause a pivotal movement in a connector and the pivotal movement of the connector causes the latch to move along the latch axis.

[0069] An example of a docking station configured to cooperate with a vacuum cleaner to urge debris from a dust cup of the vacuum cleaner, consistent with the present disclosure, may include a base, an upstanding body extending from the base, a cleaner mount coupled to the upstanding body and configured to couple to the vacuum cleaner, a collection bin configured to collect debris from the dust cup of the vacuum cleaner, the collection bin being fluidly coupled to the cleaner mount via the upstanding body, and a lockout coupled to the cleaner mount and including a lockout toggle and a plunger, wherein movement of the lockout toggle causes the plunger to move between an extended position and a retracted position, wherein, when in the extended position, the plunger extends from the cleaner mount and, when in the retracted position, the plunger is at least partially retracted into the cleaner mount.

[0070] In some instances, the lockout may be further configured to actuate a toggle position switch, wherein a position of the toggle position switch is configured to indicate whether the lockout is in an emptying cycle locked out state or an emptying cycle enabled state. In some instances, the docking station may further include a dock suction motor and the dock suction motor is configured to be disabled when the toggle position switch indicates that the lockout is in the emptying cycle locked out state. In some instances, when the toggle position switch indicates that the lockout is in the emptying cycle enabled state, the dock suction motor may be configured to be enabled in response to the vacuum cleaner being coupled to the docking station. In some instances, the lockout may include a lockout frame configured to couple to the cleaner mount and a plunger shuttle coupled to the plunger and configured to slide within a shuttle channel of the lockout frame in response to movement of the lockout toggle, the lockout toggle being movably coupled to the lockout frame.

[0071] While the principles of the invention have been described herein, it is to be understood by those skilled in the art that this description is made only by way of example and not as a limitation as to the scope of the invention. Other embodiments are contemplated within the scope of the present invention in addition to the exemplary embodiments shown and described herein. Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to be within the scope of the present invention, which is not to be limited except by the following claims.