Vacuum Cleaner

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner includes a body having a cavity, an outlet for cleaned air, a filter removably mounted in the cavity upstream of the outlet, at least one device mounted in the body upstream of the filter for separating and collecting dirt and dust entrained in an induced airflow through the cleaner, and a closure for closing an opening in the cavity, the closure being openable for providing access to the filter and separation device through the opening. An arm extends into the cavity for engaging a formation on the filter, the latter holding the arm in a retracted position. If the filter or a component of the separation device is omitted or incorrectly inserted in the body, the arm adopts an extended position and prevents the closure from being closed. In this manner the user is immediately alerted to the fact that the filter or a component of the separation device is not correctly in-situ and remedial action can be taken.

1 . A vacuum cleaner having a body portion comprising:
 a cavity;   an outlet for cleaned air;   a filter removably mounted in the cavity upstream of the outlet;   a separation device mounted upstream of the filter for separating and collecting dirt and dust entrained in an induced airflow through the cleaner;   a closure for closing an opening in the cavity, the closure being openable for providing access to the filter through said opening; and   displaceable means extending into the cavity and arranged to engage the filter for location of the displaceable means in a first position when the filter is correctly in-situ and for location of the displaceable means in a second position when the filter is not correctly in-situ, said displaceable means comprising a portion which obstructs the closure to prevent the closing thereof when the displaceable means is in said second position, wherein said filter is mounted on or against a portion of said separation device, such that said separation device positions said filter correctly in-situ.   
     
     
         2 . A vacuum cleaner as claimed in  claim 1 , in which a portion of said separation device in said body portion is removable through said opening upon removal of said filter. 
     
     
         3 . A vacuum cleaner as claimed in  claim 1 , in which said separation device is mounted on or against a portion of a further separation device. 
     
     
         4 . A vacuum cleaner as claimed in  claim 1 , in which said displaceable means is arranged to engage a formation on said filter, said formation being arranged such that said displaceable means is only held in said first position when said filter is correctly in-situ in said cavity. 
     
     
         5 . A vacuum cleaner as claimed in  claim 1 , in which said displaceable means is biased into said second position. 
     
     
         6 . A vacuum cleaner as claimed in  claim 1 , in which said displaceable means comprises an arm having a first end arranged to engage said filter and a second end arranged to obstruct said closure when said filter is not correctly in-situ. 
     
     
         7 . A vacuum cleaner as claimed in  claim 6 , in which said arm is pivotally mounted intermediate its opposite ends. 
     
     
         8 . A vacuum cleaner as claimed in  claim 1 , in which said body portion is tubular, said cavity being disposed at one end of the body portion and said closure being provided across an opening in said one end, wherein said separation device is stacked longitudinally inside said body portion between said cavity and an opposite end of said body portion. 
     
     
         9 . A vacuum cleaner as claimed in  claim 1 , in which said separation device is at least one of a dust bag, a filter and a cyclone separator. 
     
     
         10 . A vacuum cleaner as claimed in  claim 9 , in which said cyclone separator comprises a plurality of cyclones. 
     
     
         11 . A vacuum cleaner as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the filter is biased out-of-situ. 
     
     
         12 . A vacuum cleaner as claimed in  claim 11 , in which the body portion is arranged to be substantially upright when in use, such that said filter is biased out-of-situ by gravity. 
     
     
         13 . A vacuum cleaner as claimed in  claim 1 , in which said body portion is detachably mounted to a chassis of said cleaner. 
     
     
         14 . A vacuum cleaner as claimed in  claim 13 , in which said chassis is adapted to prevent attachment of said body portion thereto when said closure is open. 
     
     
         15 . A vacuum cleaner as claimed in  claim 14 , in which said chassis defines a socket into which said body portion fits when said closure is closed.