Aspirator particularly for liquids

Abstract

 An aspirator particularly for liquids, comprising a body (11) that delimits internally a liquid collection compartment (12) that is connected to the intake of a suction motor (16) that is associated with the body (11). The suction motor (16) is arranged on the bottom (17) of the body (11) and is functionally connected to the compartment (12) by means of a duct (18) that ends with an opening (19) that can be closed by floating closure means (20).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an aspirator that is particularly but not exclusively useful for aspirating liquids.

[0002] The invention is in fact conceived to be able to aspirate liquids in full safety and at the same time to be used as a vacuum cleaner.

[0003] Portable aspirators for aspirating liquids have been known for many years.

[0004] These aspirators for aspirating liquids are constituted substantially by a body (typically associated with movement means, such as ground support wheels), which forms the compartment for containing the aspirated liquids, and by an upper closure cover.

[0005] In order to reduce problems in terms of insulation from water, the suction motor (electric motor with suction impeller) is fixed on the inner side of the upper closure cover and is protected by a grille-like covering, which prevents large objects from clogging the intake.

[0006] However, a structure in which the suction motor is coupled to the closure cover has drawbacks.

[0007] For example, the suction motor is at a certain height from the ground, and accordingly the center of gravity of the aspirator is much higher than the region where the aspirator rests on the ground, consequently increasing the instability of said aspirator, which in extreme situations (for example movement along ramps) can lead to its tipping.

[0008] Another drawback is linked to the costs for manufacturing the cover that has to support the suction motor: the cover must in fact be built so as to bear the weight of the motor, and must still be easily detachable from the body in order to allow easy emptying of the aspirated liquids yet at the same time ensure stable fixing to the body in order to avoid sudden or unintended separations during use and movement.

[0009] One must also not underestimate the user's difficulty, during the emptying of the liquids, in separating the cover (which is heavy), resting it on a surface (without ruining the cover and the motor), emptying the liquid compartment and replacing the cover.

[0010] The aim of the present invention is to provide an aspirator particularly for liquids that solves the drawbacks noted in known types.

[0011] Within this aim, an object of the present invention is to provide an aspirator particularly for liquids that cannot be unbalanced easily during its movement and use.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide an aspirator particularly for liquids that is practical to empty of its aspirated contents.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide an aspirator particularly for liquids that can be assembled easily during its manufacture.

[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide an aspirator particularly for liquids that can be manufactured with known systems and technologies.

[0015] This aim and these and other objects that will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by an aspirator particularly for liquids, comprising a body that delimits internally a liquid collection compartment that is connected to the intake of a suction motor that is associated with said body, characterized in that said suction motor is arranged on the bottom of said body and is functionally connected to said compartment by means of a duct that ends with an opening that can be closed by floating closure means.

[0016] Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become better apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment thereof, illustrated by way of nonlimiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side sectional view of the aspirator according to the invention;

Figure 2 is an exploded axonometric view of the aspirator according to the invention;

Figure 3 is a perspective top view of the inside of the aspirator according to the invention;

Figures 4a and 4b are diagrams of the device for locking the cover to the corresponding body of an aspirator according to the invention in two separate positions, respectively with the cover locked and with the cover unlocked.

[0017] With reference to the figures, an aspirator particularly (but not exclusively) for liquids according to the invention is generally designated by the reference numeral 10.

[0018] The liquid aspirator 10 comprises an outer body 11, which delimits internally a liquid collection compartment 12.

[0019] An inlet 14 for accessing the aspirated liquid compartment 12 is provided on the lateral wall 13 of the body 11.

[0020] The inlet 14 comprises a connector 15, which is open toward the inside, for conveying the liquids in a preselected direction, which can be connected to an external suction hose, operated by the user and not shown in the figures.

[0021] The suction motor (which comprises the electric motor and the suction impeller) of the aspirator 10, schematically designated by the reference numeral 16 in the figures (figure 1 shows it as a single block for the sake of simplicity), is arranged on the bottom 17 of the body 11 and is functionally connected to the compartment 12 only by means of a duct 18 that ends with an opening 19, which can be closed by floating closure means 20 described hereinafter.

[0022] In particular, the suction motor 16 is arranged in a receptacle 21 that protrudes toward the inside of the liquid collection compartment 12.

[0023] The receptacle 21 is connected to the compartment 12 only by means of the duct 18.

[0024] The receptacle 21 has a ceiling 22, from which a first portion 18a of a duct 18 extends vertically, substantially in axial alignment with the rotation axis of the suction motor 16.

[0025] The duct 18, in its upper part, has a second portion 18b that bends downward, so that the opening 19 is directed toward the bottom 17 of the body 11.

[0026] The duct 18 that protrudes from the ceiling 22 is surrounded by a grille-like covering 23, which prevents large objects from obstructing the opening 19.

[0027] The floating closure means 20 cited earlier are constituted for example by a float 24, which is arranged so as to be guided vertically between the first portion 18a of the duct 18 and the lateral part 25 of the grille-like covering 23, substantially at the vertical of the opening 19.

[0028] The float 24 has larger lateral dimensions than the opening 19, so as to cover it completely and hermetically if it is moved so as to close it.

[0029] In Figure 1, the float 24 is shown (in dashed lines) also in the position for closing the opening 19.

[0030] The receptacle 21 is open downward; the suction motor 16 is therefore supported by a box-like supporting shell 26, which is open upward, is inserted in the receptacle 21 and is locked to the body 11 for example by means of threaded couplings 27.

[0031] The box-like supporting shell 26 also acts as a manifold for the aspirated air that exits from the suction motor 16; it in fact comprises, on the lower portion 28, an output grille 29 for the aspirated air.

[0032] Further, on the lower portion 28, inside the box-like supporting shell 26, there is a ventilation channel 30 for the suction motor 16, which is closed at the output by a ventilation grille 31 formed on the body 11.

[0033] Figure 1 schematically illustrates the path of the suction air by means of orientated dashed lines.

[0034] The body 11 is closed in an upper region by a cover 32, to which a carrying handle 33 of the fork type is hinged.

[0035] Means 34 for locking the cover 32 onto the body 11 are associated with the carrying handle 33.

[0036] The locking means 34 are for example of a known type and comprise two first tabs 35, which protrude from mutually opposite portions of the side wall 13 of the body 11 and engage, during locking, above respective second tabs 36 that protrude at the regions 37 where the carrying handle 33 is pivoted to the cover 32.

[0037] In particular, as shown schematically in Figure 4a (in the carrying configuration of the aspirator), the second tabs 36, when the handle is lifted and arranged vertically, engage below the first tabs 35, thus preventing the lifting of the cover 32, while when the handle is arranged horizontally (Figure 4b, cover opening configuration), the second tabs 36 (having rotated about the pivoting axis of the handle 33) are disengaged in an upper region with respect to the first tabs 35, allowing to lift the cover 32. The arrangement of the handle when the aspirator is in the operating configuration is obvious: the handle is arranged horizontally on the opposite side with respect to Figure 4b, so that the second tabs 36 are fully engaged below the first tabs 35.

[0038] Movement wheels 37 are coupled below the body 11.

[0039] The operation of the aspirator is simple.

[0040] By means of a hose (not shown in the figures), a user aspirates liquids into the compartment 12.

[0041] When the level of the liquid in the compartment 12 reaches the float 24, such float rises simultaneously to that level, until it obstructs the opening 19 of the duct 18, preventing liquids from thus reaching the motor 16.

[0042] It is obvious that said aspirator can also be used as a vacuum cleaner as well as for liquids.

[0043] In practice it has been found that the invention thus described solves the problems noted in known types of aspirator for liquids; in particular, the present invention provides an aspirator particularly for liquids that cannot be unbalanced easily during its movement and use.

[0044] Placing the suction motor on the bottom of the body (isolated from the liquid containment compartment) in fact allows to lower the center of gravity of the aspirator, making it globally more stable.

[0045] In addition, the present invention provides an aspirator particularly for liquids that is practical to empty of the aspirated contents.

[0046] Relieving the cover from the weight of the suction motor in fact makes it easier to lift said cover from the body.

[0047] In addition, the present invention provides an aspirator particularly for liquids that can be assembled easily during manufacture.

[0048] The particular structure of the receptacle for containing the suction motor with the box-like supporting shell 26 allows quick and simplified assembly with respect to previous couplings of the suction motor to the cover.

[0049] The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims; all the details may further be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.

[0050] In practice, the materials employed, so long as they are compatible with the specific use, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

[0051] The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. PD2004A000088 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

[0052] Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

1. An aspirator particularly for liquids, comprising a body (11) that delimits internally a liquid collection compartment (12) that is connected to the intake of a suction motor (16) that is associated with said body (11), characterized in that said suction motor (16) is arranged on the bottom (17) of said body (11) and is functionally connected to said compartment (12) by means of a duct (18) that ends with an opening (19) that can be closed by floating closure means (20).

2. The aspirator according to claim 1, characterized in that said floating closure means (20) comprise a float (24), which is arranged so as to be guided vertically substantially at the vertical of said opening (19), said duct having, in its upper part, a portion (18b) that is folded downward and ends with said opening (19) that leads to said bottom (17), said float (24) having lateral dimensions that are substantially larger than those of said opening (19), so as to cover it completely and hermetically if it is moved so as to close it.

3. The aspirator according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said suction motor (16) is arranged in a receptacle (21) that protrudes toward the inside of said compartment (12), said receptacle (21) being connected to said compartment (12) exclusively through said duct (18), said receptacle (21) being open downward, said suction motor (16) being supported by a box-like supporting shell (26) that is open upward, is inserted in said receptacle (21), and is reversibly locked to said body (11).

4. The aspirator according to claim 3, characterized in that said box-like supporting shell (26) comprises, on its lower portion (28), a grille (29) for the discharge of the aspirated air, a ventilation channel (30) for said suction motor (16) being further provided on said box-like supporting shell (26).

5. The aspirator according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that said receptacle (21) is provided with a ceiling (22), from which a first portion (18a) of said duct (18) protrudes vertically, said duct having, in its upper part, said portion (18b) that is bent downward (termed "second portion" in the description), said duct (18) being surrounded by a grille-like covering (23) that prevents large objects from obstructing said opening (19).

6. The aspirator according to claim 2 and 5, characterized in that said float (24) is arranged so as to be guided vertically between said first portion (18a) of the duct (18) and said lateral part (25) of said grille-like covering (23).

7. The aspirator according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that an inlet (14) for accessing said compartment (12) is provided on the side wall (13) of said body (11), a connector (15) being associated with said inlet (14), being open inward in order to convey the liquids along a preset direction, preferably downward, and being connectable to an external suction hose.

8. The aspirator according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said body (11) is closed in an upper region by a cover (32) to which a carrying handle (33) of the fork-like type is hinged, means (34) for locking said cover (32) on said body (11) being associated with said carrying handle (33).

9. The aspirator according to claim 8, characterized in that said locking means (34) comprise two first tabs (35), which protrude from mutually opposite portions of said side wall (13) of said body (11) and engage, during locking, above respective second tabs (36) that protrude at the regions (37) where said carrying handle (33) is hinged to said cover (32), said second tabs (36), when said handle (33) is raised vertically, engaging below said first tabs (35), thus preventing the lifting of said cover (32), while when said handle (33) is arranged horizontally said second tabs (36) are disengaged above said first tabs (35), allowing to lift the cover (32).

Drawing