Portable suction cleaner

May 14, 1935.

A. A. BREUER

PORTABLE SUCTION CLEANER Filed Aug. 30, 1934

2,001,121

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Patented May 14, 1935

2,001,121

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE

2,001,121 PORTABLE SUCTION CLEANER Adam A. Breuer, Chicago, Hl. Application August 30, 1934, Serial No. 742,055

Claims.

The present invention relates to a portable suction cleaner, and more particularly to a wheelsupported apparatus utilized for cleaning furnaces and the like, wherein the heavy solid mat5 ter is precipitated in the tank of the apparatus.

An object of the present invention is to provide a portable suction cleaner of sufficient capacity, yet which is light enough to be manipulated by one operator, so that it may be readily 1 <> moved from place to place for use/

Another object of the invention is to provide a portable suction cleaner for cleaning furnaces and the like, of large capacity, which includes a wheel-supported tank, and suction producing 15 mechanism so associated with the tank that the suction stream passes through the tank to the suction producing mechanism, whereby the heavy particles contained in the suction stream are precipitated in the tank and kept away from the 20 suction producing mechanism, and also kept out of the usual dust bag employed with such mechanisms.

A further object of the invention is to provide a hand portable suction cleaning device for fur' -,25 naces and the like with means for imparting a • swirling motion to the suction stream within the tank whereby increased precipitation is accomplished, and whereby nothing but the finest of dust passes to the dust bag and through the suc;!0 tion mechanism.

A further object of the present invention has to do with a novel method of suction cleaning furnaces and the like.

The above, other, and further objects of the .·;.-) invention will be apparent from the following description, accompanying drawing, and appended claims.

Generally speaking, the invention contemplates a wheel-supported tank of large call) pacity, say twelve gallon capacity, a removable cover on which is carried the suction producing mechanism, in the form of an electrically driven suction fan. There is a pipe opening through the cover and connected to the inlet opening 45 of the fan for creating suction through the tank, and there is an inlet opening to the tank formed in the cover so disposed as to discharge into the tank in a direction substantially horizontally, and in addition means are provided on the •^J° under side of the cover for imparting a swirling action to the stream entering the tank through the inlet, whereby the length of travel between the inlet to the tank and the outlet therefrom to the suction producing mechanism is length⁵⁵ ened and precipitation enhanced.

(CL 183—90)

The accompanying drawing illustrates an apparatus constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention, capable of carrying out the method of the present invention, and the views thereof are as follows: 5

Figure 1 is a fragmental side elevational view of a portable suction cleaner constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus of 10 Fig. 1.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line ΠΙ—ΠΙ of Figure 4.

Figure 4 is a bottom plan view of the cover of the apparatus. 15

The drawing will now be explained.

A cylindrical tank I, of large capacity, such for instance as twelve gallon capacity, is supported by a band 2, suitably secured about the body of the tank, and to which band are secured a plu- 20 rality of rollers or casters 3 arranged to have swivel action with the band. Brackets 4 are riveted or otherwise secured to the can I near the top thereof, and these brackets carry hooks 5 adapted to engage slotted lugs 6 on the lid or 25 cover 7. Suitable wing nuts 8 have threaded engagement with the bolts 5 for tightly clamping the lid to the can.

Preferably the upper end of the can is provided with a reinforcing rib or protuberance 9 for 30 strengthening this end of the can.

The under side of the cover 7 is provided with an annular recess 10 in which is inserted a gasket for engaging against the upper margin of the can body, to seal the connection between the lid 35 and the can and make such connection airtight.

Suction producing mechanism, A, comprising in the present instance, a motor ί II driving a suction fan within the fan casing ί 2 is‘secured to the outside of the lid 7 by means of straps 13 or other 40 suitable means. A single strap i3 is illustrated, although it is understood that more may be used if necessary. The ends of the strap 13 are fastened to the lid 7 by means of bolts 14 set into the lid 7 and passing through suitable apertures 45 in the ends of the strap with wing nuts 15 engaging the threaded ends of the bolts 14 to secure the extremities of the strap 13 against the lid so that the suction producing mechanism A is firmly secured in place on the lid. ⁵⁰

To the outlet ί 6 of the fan casing is removably secured the usual dust bag Π.

A pipe 18 is connected to the intake inlet of the fan casing 12 and communicates through the lid 7 with the interior of the tank for creating

2,001,121 suction within the tank and a hose connected to it.

The lid 7 has formed as an integral part thereof, a suction inlet 19 so disposed and fashioned as to discharge a suction stream into the tank in 6 substantially horizontal direction. The inlet 19 has a part 20 which normally extends beyond the adjacent margin of the cover, to which a hose, not shown, may be suitably attached.

The inlet 19 is provided with an opening 21 10 with which may be associated a glass cup 22 whereby the operator may observe the character of the suction stream passing into the tank through the hose connected to the inlet 19.

Secured to the under side of the lid 7, and 15 preferably formed as an integral part thereof, is a curved wall 23 against which the incoming suction stream strikes to divert the direction of said stream and impart a swirling motion to the same. A bottom or floor 24 is secured to or formed as a 20 part of the curved wall or baffle 23 to. cooperate therewith and form a pocket, which tends to confine the incoming suction stream and aid in separating the solid matter from such stream. The curved baffle 23 is so shaped as to direct the in25 coming suction stream away from the outlet to the suction producing mechanism, and thus lengthen the travel of such stream within the tank. The outlet to the suction producing mechanism is indicated at 25 in Figure 4. The pro30 vision of the bottom or floor 24 is important in that it tends to maintain a swirling action in substantially horizontal plane, and thereby aids in precipitating solid matter from the stream.

The creation of the swirling action, described, ⁸⁵ has proved very beneficial in actual experience with machines of the character herein described. It may be mentioned, by way of example, that one demonstration precipitated ninety-six ounces of solid matter, and there were found in the dust 4® bag only two ounces of fine dust.

Repeated experiences with devices of this character have all evidenced the fact that solid matter, except for the finest dust, is precipitated in the tank, and that only the very finest dust passes ⁴⁵ through the suction producing mechanism to the dust bag. This is a very important feature, as it prevents damage to the suction producing mechanism and at the same time offers no injury to the dust bag. Were particles of solid matter allowed ⁶⁰ to enter the fan casing, such particles would damage, if not utterly destroy, the fan and thus render inoperative the whole structure. The present apparatus overcomes any such disadvantage as this, as the precipitation of the solid ⁵⁵ matter is complete in the tank, with no solid matter of such character as would damage the suction fan one whit ever reaching the suction mechanism.

The apparatus of the present invention removes more dust from the suction stream and precipitates it in the tank, than is possible with 5 similar cleaners. This results in less fine dust reaching the bag and filling it, so that the present cleaner may be operated for a longer period of time, without emptying the dust bag.