EFFICIENT LIGHTWEIGHT VACUUM
A vacuum cleaner base having a volute air outlet and a beater bar housing that are substantially collinear is described. In some embodiments, the beater bar housing includes an air outlet, the volute includes a volute air inlet disposed parallel to the beater bar housing, and a volute air outlet disposed orthogonal to the beater bar housing, and an air duct connecting the volute air inlet and the air outlet of the beater bar housing; wherein the air outlet of the beater bar housing and the volute air outlet are substantially collinear. Additionally a vacuum cleaner comprising a unibody mount bracket is described. In some embodiments, the unibody mount bracket includes one or more handle receptacles, a dirty air outlet configured to receive a dirty air conduit, and a pivot joint disposed adjacent the dirty air outlet, wherein the pivot joint is configured to receive a bag mounting member.
1 . A vacuum cleaner base comprising:
a beater bar housing including an air outlet;
a volute including:
a volute air inlet disposed parallel to the beater bar housing; and
a volute air outlet disposed orthogonal to the beater bar housing; and
an air duct connecting the volute air inlet and the air outlet of the beater bar housing;
wherein the air outlet of the beater bar housing and the volute air outlet are substantially collinear.
2 . The vacuum cleaner base of claim 1 , wherein a center of the volute air outlet and a center of the air outlet of the beater bar housing are substantially collinear.
3 . The vacuum cleaner base of claim 1 , wherein the air duct flairs as the air duct approaches the beater bar housing.
4 . The vacuum cleaner base of claim 1 , further comprising anti-ingestion bars disposed on an air inlet of the beater bar housing.
5 . The vacuum cleaner base of claim 1 , further comprising an impeller disposed within the volute and driven by a motor.
6 . A vacuum cleaner comprising:
a multipurpose bracket comprising
one or more handle receptacles;
a dirty air outlet that is configured to receive a dirty air conduit; and
a pivot joint disposed adjacent the dirty air outlet, wherein the pivot joint is configured to receive a bag mounting member.
7 . The vacuum cleaner of claim 6 , further comprising a retainer member disposed on the multipurpose bracket for engaging a retainer opening in the collar.
8 . The vacuum cleaner of claim 6 , further comprising at least one protrusion disposed on the multipurpose bracket for engaging a collar.
9 . The vacuum cleaner of claim 6 , further comprising a switch receptacle disposed on the multipurpose bracket for receiving a switch.
10 . The vacuum cleaner of claim 6 , further comprising a baffle over the dirty air outlet disposed on the multipurpose bracket.
11 . The vacuum cleaner of claim 6 , further comprising a bag mounting member releasably connected to the pivot joint and movable between a loading position in which a vacuum bag is inserted into or removed from the mounting member and a fully closed position in which the dirty air nozzle engages a dirty air opening in a collar of the vacuum bag.
12 . The vacuum cleaner of claim 6 , further comprising a hook latch disposed on the multipurpose bracket adjacent to the dirty air nozzle, wherein the hook latch is operable to releasably retain a top edge of a collar.
13 . A vacuum cleaner comprising:
a multipurpose bracket comprising
one or more handle receptacles;
a dirty air outlet that is configured to receive a dirty air conduit;
a pivot joint disposed adjacent the dirty air outlet, wherein the pivot joint is configured to receive a bag mounting member;
at least one protrusion for engaging a collar; and
a hook latch operable to releasably retain a top edge of the collar.
14 . The vacuum cleaner of claim 13 , further comprising a retainer member disposed on the multipurpose bracket for engaging a retainer opening in the collar.
15 . The vacuum cleaner of claim 13 , further comprising a switch receptacle disposed on the multipurpose bracket for receiving a micro-switch.
16 . The vacuum cleaner of claim 13 , further comprising a baffle over the dirty air outlet disposed on the multipurpose bracket.
17 . The vacuum cleaner of claim 13 , wherein the multipurpose bracket includes a fastening point to support a hook to carry a cord.
18 . The vacuum cleaner of claim 13 , wherein the multipurpose bracket transfers force from a handle disposed in the one or more handle receptacles to the dirty air conduit.
19 . The vacuum cleaner of claim 13 , wherein the hook latch is adapted and arranged on the vacuum cleaner in a position to have a top of a vacuum bag mounted to the vacuum cleaner and the remainder of the bag rests below the hook latch.