Wheel assembly for a vacuum cleaner

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner having a specific ratio of wheel diameter to wheel separation distance in addition to a u-shaped yoke operably coupled to an axle, thus giving the vacuum cleaner a zero turn radius allowing the user to more easily and efficiently operate and maneuver the vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner may also include one or more vacuum cleaner components disposed between the wheels.

1 . A vacuum cleaner comprising:
 a housing;   an axle coupled to the housing;   a first wheel having a diameter and operably coupled to the axle;   a second wheel set apart a wheel separation distance from the first wheel, the first wheel and second wheel being capable of independent rotation,   wherein the ratio of first wheel diameter to wheel separation distance is between 0.85 and 2.   
     
     
         2 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 1  wherein the ratio of first wheel diameter to wheel separation distance is between 1.15 and 1.35. 
     
     
         3 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 2  further comprising:
 a drum coupled to the axle; and 
 an electrical cord coupled to the drum. 
 
     
     
         4 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 3  further comprising a spring coupled to the drum for providing a force causing the drum to rotate. 
     
     
         4 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 1  wherein the first wheel and the second wheel are coupled to the axle. 
     
     
         5 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 4  further comprising a base having a suction nozzle, said base coupled to the axle. 
     
     
         6 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 1  wherein a motor is disposed in the housing. 
     
     
         7 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 6  wherein the motor powers a fan. 
     
     
         8 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 1  further comprising a motor coupled to the axle wherein the motor selectively drives the first wheel. 
     
     
         9 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 8  wherein the motor is a pancake motor. 
     
     
         10 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a drum coupled to the axle; 
 a filter disposed in the interior of the drum. 
 
     
     
         11 . A vacuum cleaner comprising:
 a first wheel having a diameter and a second wheel, the first wheel and second wheel being disposed on an axle and being capable of independent rotation;   an electrical cord for providing electrical power to the vacuum cleaner, the electrical cord having a stored position in which the cord is wrapped around the axle.   
     
     
         12 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 11  further comprising:
 an upper housing; 
 a motor disposed in the upper housing; and 
 an electrical lead electrically coupled to the motor and the electrical cord, wherein the electrical lead passes through at least one aperture in the axle. 
 
     
     
         13 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 12  further comprising:
 a drum for storing the electrical cord; and 
 a spring coupled to a drum for providing a force causing the drum to rotate causing the electrical cord to be wrapped around the axle. 
 
     
     
         14 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 13  wherein the second wheel is set apart a wheel separation distance from the first wheel and further wherein the ratio of first wheel diameter to wheel separation distance is between 1.15 and 1.35. 
     
     
         15 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 11  wherein the second wheel is set apart a wheel separation distance from the first wheel and further wherein the ratio of first wheel diameter to wheel separation distance is between 0.85 and 2. 
     
     
         16 . A vacuum cleaner comprising:
 a base having a suction nozzle wherein the suction nozzle has a nozzle width;   an upper housing having a motor, a dirt collection chamber and a yoke having an open interior portion;   a first wheel having a diameter and a second wheel set apart a wheel separation distance from the first wheel, the first wheel and second wheel being disposed in the open interior portion of the yoke;   a housing disposed in the open interior portion of the yoke; and   an axle coupled to the base, the yoke, the first wheel, the second wheel and the housing.   
     
     
         17 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 16  further comprising an electrical cord having a stored position, wherein the electrical cord is wrapped around the axle in the stored position. 
     
     
         18 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 17  further comprising an electrical lead  50  electrically coupled to the motor and the electrical cord, wherein the electrical lead passes through at least one aperture in the axle. 
     
     
         19 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 18  wherein the ratio of first wheel diameter to wheel separation distance is between 1.15 and 1.35. 
     
     
         20 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 16  wherein the ratio of first wheel diameter to wheel separation distance is between 0.85 and 2.