Rotating baffle for use in a vacuum cleaner

Abstract

A rotatable baffle is described that includes a frame having a first end, a second end, and a plurality of struts extending between the first end and the second end, and a plurality of rotatable structures. An opening of a plurality of openings exists between adjacent struts of the plurality of struts around an outside surface of the frame. At least one rotatable structure of the plurality of rotatable structures is arranged within the opening of the plurality of openings. The at least one rotatable structure is configured to rotate inwards towards a center of the frame.

1 . A vacuum cleaner, comprising:
 a waste receptacle;   a first air intake coupled to the waste receptacle;   a filter adjacent to the waste receptacle;   a rotatable baffle;   a motor;   a conduit coupled between the motor and the rotatable baffle; and   a second air intake coupled to the motor,   wherein, in a first state, the motor is configured to move air, in order, through the first air intake into the waste receptable, through the filter, through the rotatable baffle, and through the conduit towards the motor, and   wherein, in a second state, the motor is configured to move air, in order, through the second air intake towards the motor, through the conduit away from the motor, through the baffle, through the filter, and through the waste receptacle.   
     
     
         2 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 1 , further comprising a pistol grip. 
     
     
         3 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 1 , wherein the waste receptacle comprises a door at a distal end of the waste receptacle. 
     
     
         4 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 1 , wherein passage between the second air intake and the motor is closed when the motor is in the first state. 
     
     
         5 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 1 , wherein the motor is configured to rotate between the first state and the second state. 
     
     
         6 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 1 , wherein the filter is arranged around the rotatable baffle, and wherein the rotatable baffle is configured to rotate independently of the filter. 
     
     
         7 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 1 , wherein the rotatable baffle comprises:
 a frame having a plurality of openings around the frame; and   a plurality of rotatable structures, such that each rotatable structure is situated within a corresponding opening of the plurality of openings.   
     
     
         8 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 7 , wherein each rotatable structure is configured to rotate between at least a closed state and an open state within each corresponding opening. 
     
     
         9 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 8 , wherein, in the closed state, each rotatable structure is positioned to reduce a size of the corresponding opening, and, in the open state, each rotatable structure is positioned to increase the size of the opening compared to the closed state. 
     
     
         10 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 8 , wherein the frame has a cylindrical profile and each rotatable structure is curved such that each rotatable structure is configured to align with the cylindrical profile of the frame when in the closed position. 
     
     
         11 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 7 , wherein the frame has first end and an opposite second end, the first end comprising:
 one or more openings arranged circumferentially around a central structure; and   one or more vanes extending radially between the central structure and an outer edge of the first end.   
     
     
         12 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more vanes include curved or sloped sidewalls to cause rotation of the rotatable baffle when air is passed over the one or more vanes. 
     
     
         13 . A baffle configured for use within a vacuum cleaner, the baffle comprising:
 a frame having a first end, a second end, and a plurality of struts extending between the first end and the second end, such that an opening of a plurality of openings exists between adjacent struts of the plurality of struts around an outside surface of the frame; and   a plurality of rotatable structures, wherein at least one rotatable structure of the plurality of rotatable structures is arranged within the opening of the plurality of openings, and wherein the at least one rotatable structure is configured to rotate inwards towards a center of the frame.   
     
     
         14 . The baffle of  claim 13 , wherein the first end of the frame includes one or more openings arranged around a central structure and one or more vanes extending between the central structure and an outer edge of the first end. 
     
     
         15 . The baffle of  claim 14 , wherein the one or more vanes include curved or sloped sidewalls to cause rotation of the baffle when air is passed over the one or more vanes. 
     
     
         16 . The baffle of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of struts extend in a longitudinal direction between the first end and the second end, and the at least one rotatable structure is configured to rotate about an axis extending along one side of the at least one rotatable structure in the longitudinal direction. 
     
     
         17 . The baffle of  claim 13 , wherein the first end has a circular shape and the second end has a circular shape. 
     
     
         18 . The baffle of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one rotatable structure is configured to rotate between an open state and a closed state. 
     
     
         19 . The baffle of  claim 18 , wherein, in the closed state, the at least one rotatable structure is positioned to reduce a size of the corresponding opening, and, in the open state, the at least one rotatable structure is positioned to increase the size of the opening compared to the closed state. 
     
     
         20 . The baffle of  claim 18 , wherein the frame has a cylindrical profile and the at least one rotatable structure is curved such that the at least one rotatable structure is configured to align with the cylindrical profile of the frame when in the closed state.