IP Library Granted Patent US 10,347,448
Granted Patent B2
US 10,347,448 · App. 15/695,715 · Granted Jul 9, 2019

Multifunction switch for use with cleaning device and/or other powered devices

Inventor: Lee M. Cottrell (Newton, MA)
Assignee: SharkNinja Operating LLC
H01H33/666A47L9/2857A47L11/4008G05G1/025G05G1/10H01H9/26H01H13/14H01H15/10H01H9/06H01H9/182
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,347,448
App. No.
15/695,715
Granted
Jul 9, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

A multifunctional switch may include a switch carrier. The switch carrier may include a pushbutton support and a slide switch support. The pushbutton support may be recessed relative to the slide switch support. A slide switch may be supported by the slide switch support. A pushbutton switch may be supported by the pushbutton support. A cap may be slideably coupled to the switch carrier. The cap may include a shuttle for engaging the slide switch and a plunger for engaging the pushbutton switch.

Claims (49)

1. A vacuum cleaning apparatus comprising:

a support structure;

a debris collector coupled to the support structure;

a suction motor fluidly coupled to the debris collector;

a surface cleaning head fluidly coupled to the debris collector, the surface cleaning head having a brush roll and a brush roll motor, the brush roll motor coupled to the brush roll such that the brush roll motor causes the brush roll to rotate, wherein the suction motor causes a vacuum to be generated within the surface cleaning head to draw debris through a dirty air inlet of the surface cleaning head and into the debris collector; and

a multifunctional switch to selectively connect at least one of the suction motor or the brush roll motor to a power source, wherein the multifunctional switch comprises:

a switch carrier having a pushbutton support and a slide switch support, the pushbutton support being recessed relative to the slide switch support;

a slide switch supported by the slide switch support;

a pushbutton switch supported by the pushbutton support; and

a cap slideably coupled to the switch carrier, wherein the cap comprises a shuttle for engaging the slide switch and a plunger for engaging the pushbutton switch, the plunger being slideable relative to the cap.

2. The vacuum cleaning apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the multifunctional switch further comprises at least one switch carrier sidewall extending from the pushbutton support and defining a cavity, wherein the pushbutton switch is disposed within the cavity.

3. The vacuum cleaning apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the multifunctional switch further comprises a cap opening transitioning from a first surface of the cap to a second surface of the cap, wherein the first surface is opposite the second surface.

4. The vacuum cleaning apparatus of claim 3 , wherein at least a portion of the plunger is received within the cap opening.

5. The vacuum cleaning apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the plunger has a first width at an input end and a second width at an actuation end, the first width measuring greater than the second width and, wherein, the actuation end of the plunger engages the pushbutton switch.

6. The vacuum cleaning apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the multifunctional switch further comprises a first cap sidewall extending from the first surface of the cap and surrounding at least a portion of the plunger, wherein an exterior surface of the plunger slides relative to an inner surface of the first cap sidewall.

7. The vacuum cleaning apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the multifunctional switch further comprises a second cap sidewall extending from the second surface of the cap, wherein the second cap sidewall defines at least a portion of the shuttle.

8. The vacuum cleaning apparatus of claim 7 , wherein an inner surface of the second cap sidewall causes the slide switch to change states when the cap slides from a first position to a second position.

9. The vacuum cleaning apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the slide switch electrically connects or disconnects the suction motor to the power source and the pushbutton switch electrically connects or disconnects the brush roll motor to the power source.

10. The vacuum cleaning apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the pushbutton switch electrically connects the brush roll motor to the power source only when the slide switch electrically connects the suction motor to the power source.

11. The vacuum cleaning apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the slide switch electrically connects or disconnects the brush roll motor to the power source and the pushbutton switch electrically connects or disconnects the suction motor to the power source.

12. The vacuum cleaning apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the slide switch electrically connects the brush roll motor to the power source only when the pushbutton switch electrically connects the suction motor to the power source.

13. A vacuum cleaning apparatus comprising:

a suction motor; and

a multifunctional switch to selectively connect the suction motor to a power source, wherein the multifunctional switch comprises:

a switch carrier having a pushbutton support and a slide switch support, the pushbutton support being recessed relative to the slide switch support;

a slide switch supported by the slide switch support;

a pushbutton switch supported by the pushbutton support; and

a cap slideably coupled to the switch carrier, wherein the cap comprises a shuttle for engaging the slide switch and a plunger for engaging the pushbutton switch.

14. The vacuum cleaning apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the multifunctional switch further comprises at least one switch carrier sidewall extending from the pushbutton support and defining a cavity, wherein the pushbutton switch is disposed within the cavity.

15. The vacuum cleaning apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the multifunctional switch further comprises a cap opening transitioning from a first surface of the cap to a second surface of the cap, wherein the first surface is opposite the second surface.

16. The vacuum cleaning apparatus of claim 15 , wherein at least a portion of the plunger is received within the cap opening.

17. The vacuum cleaning apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the plunger has a first width at an input end and a second width at an actuation end, the first width measuring greater than the second width and, wherein, the actuation end of the plunger engages the pushbutton switch.

18. The vacuum cleaning apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the multifunctional switch further comprises a first cap sidewall extending from the first surface of the cap and surrounding at least a portion of the plunger, wherein an exterior surface of the plunger slides relative to an inner surface of the first cap sidewall.

19. The vacuum cleaning apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the multifunctional switch further comprises a second cap sidewall extending from the second surface of the cap, wherein the second cap sidewall defines at least a portion of the shuttle.

20. The vacuum cleaning apparatus of claim 19 , wherein an inner surface of the second cap sidewall causes the slide switch to change states when the cap slides from a first position to a second position.

21. A vacuum cleaning apparatus comprising:

a suction motor; and

a multifunctional switch to selectively connect the suction motor to a power source, wherein the multifunctional switch comprises:

a switch carrier having a first switch support and a second switch support, the first switch support being recessed relative to the second switch support;

a first switch supported by the first switch support;

a second switch supported by the second switch support; and

a cap slideable relative to the switch carrier to selectively actuate at least one of the first or second switches.

22. A vacuum cleaning apparatus comprising:

a suction motor; and

a multifunctional switch to selectively connect the suction motor to a power source, wherein the multifunctional switch comprises:

a switch carrier having a first switch support and a second switch support;

a first switch supported by the first switch support;

a second switch supported by the second switch support; and

a cap configured to be moveable along at least two axes relative to the switch carrier to selectively actuate a corresponding one of the first or second switches.

Assignments (4)
NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Jul 20, 2023
From: SHARKNINJA OPERATING LLC
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 064600/0098 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 3, 2020
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: GLOBAL APPLIANCE INC.; SHARKNINJA OPERATING LLC; SHARKNINJA MANAGEMENT COMPANY; SHARKNINJA SALES COMPANY; EURO-PRO HOLDCO, LLC; GLOBAL APPLIANCE UK HOLDCO LIMITED; COMPASS CAYMAN SPV, LTD.; COMPASS CAYMAN SPV 2 LIMITED; EP MIDCO LLC
Reel/Frame 052311/0585 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 13, 2018
From: COTTRELL, LEE M.
To: SHARKNINJA OPERATING LLC
Reel/Frame 047489/0809 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 3, 2017
From: GLOBAL APPLIANCE INC.; SHARKNINJA OPERATING LLC; SHARKNINJA MANAGEMENT COMPANY; SHARKNINJA SALES COMPANY; EURO-PRO HOLDCO, LLC; GLOBAL APPLIANCE UK HOLDCO LIMITED; COMPASS CAYMAN SPV, LTD.; COMPASS CAYMAN SPV 2 LIMITED; EP MIDCO LLC
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 044321/0885 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62383087 · Sep 2, 2016
Related Publication 20180068815A1 · Mar 8, 2018