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VacHunter Gallery - Friction
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Friction vacuum cleaners
are based on an ingenious concept conceived by James Kirby. They
utilize the driving force of the rear wheels to power the cleaner. This
style of vacuum derives its power when the operator pushes it across the
floor. The wheels contact the floor and turn the axle. This energy is
transferred to the fan via a worm gear during every forward motion of the
machine. The front wheels are connected to a brush roller to create a
sweeping action. These machines look like an early electric upright vacuum,
but do not need electrical current to run. As a result, they have no
electric motor, cord, plug, or switch. This makes them lightweight,
quiet, and cost free to use. Friction vacuums were popular well into
the 1940's in communities where electricity was not available. As a
matter of fact, we still use them in our home when the occasional "brown
out" hits our neighborhood.
I have removed the bag in this illustration to allow the viewer to see the
wheel assembly, transfer gear box, and fan from the rear of the
cleaner. You may want to take a moment to appreciate the genuine
antique dust that was picked up by this machine.
These are two fine examples of friction vacuum cleaners. The vacuum on
the left is called the Viking. It was manufactured by The Vital
Co. I purchased it at a flea market many years ago. The seller
let me have it for five dollars because he couldn't test it, since the cord
was missing! The cleaner on the right is known as the
Kwick-Kleen. It was one of the early friction vacuums sold by Sears
Roebuck in their well known mail order catalog.
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VacHunter's Bio Early Carpet Cleaning Non Electric Vacuums Pumper Early Electric Vacuums Upright Collectibles |
VacHunter
Robert
Kautzman
Copyright
©2012
vachunter@vachunter.com