U.S. patent application number 10/347361 was filed with the patent office on 2003-07-31 for multifunctional terminal for external suction tubes of vacuum-operated electrical domestic appliances.
Invention is credited to Pineschi, Massimiliano.
Application Number | 20030140450 10/347361 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 11450962 |
Filed Date | 2003-07-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030140450 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pineschi, Massimiliano |
July 31, 2003 |
Multifunctional terminal for external suction tubes of
vacuum-operated electrical domestic appliances
Abstract
The multifunctional terminal for external suction tubes of
vacuum-operated electrical domestic appliances comprises a tubular
body forming a spear-shaped mouth at a distal end and a cylindrical
mouth at the opposite, proximal end capable of being coupled by
pressure-fitting to the head of the said external suction tube, at
least one pair of parallel guides formed in diametrically opposite
positions on the external surface of the said tubular body, at
least one cleaning accessory comprising an active end and, opposite
to the latter, a tubular base provided with means for
twist-and-slide coupling to the said parallel guide for
longitudinal sliding therein between the said proximal end and
distal end, and vice versa, of the said tubular body and the
rotation of the said accessory at the distal end for the coaxial
fitting of the said base on the said distal end of the said tubular
body, and means for retaining the said cleaning accessory in the
substantially proximal position of non-use of the said guides.
Inventors: |
Pineschi, Massimiliano;
(Villanova, IT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LARSON & TAYLOR, PLC
1199 NORTH FAIRFAX STREET
SUITE 900
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22314
US
|
Family ID: |
11450962 |
Appl. No.: |
10/347361 |
Filed: |
January 21, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/416 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 9/06 20130101; A47L
9/02 20130101; A47L 9/068 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/416 |
International
Class: |
A47L 009/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 25, 2002 |
IT |
M02002A000018 |
Claims
I claim:
1. Multifunctional terminal for external suction tubes of
vacuum-operated electrical domestic appliances, comprising a
tubular body forming a spear-shaped mouth at a distal end and a
cylindrical mouth at the opposite, proximal end capable of being
coupled by pressure-fitting to the head of the said external
suction tube, at least one pair of parallel guides formed in
diametrically opposite positions on the external surface of the
said tubular body, at least one cleaning accessory comprising an
active end and, opposite to the latter, a tubular base provided
with means for twist-and-slide coupling to the said parallel guides
for longitudinal sliding therein between the said proximal end and
distal end, and vice versa, of the said tubular body and the
rotation of the said accessory at the distal end of the said guides
for the coaxial fitting of the said base on the said distal end of
the said tubular body, and means for retaining the said cleaning
accessory in the substantially proximal position of non-use of the
said guides.
2. Multifunctional terminal according to claim 1, in which the said
guides are formed by respective parallel projecting ribs
diametrically opposite to the external surface of the said tubular
body, joined at the ends by respective curved closure sections and
forming, together with the said outer surface, blind holes.
3. Multifunctional terminal according to claim 1, in which the said
means for the twist-and-slide coupling of the said base of the said
cleaning accessory comprise a pair of parallel and mutually spaced
brackets projecting from the said base and susceptible of
encompassing the said diametrically opposed guides, a pair of
respective cylindrical buttons projecting transversely and
orthogonally from the said brackets and facing one another
coaxially for clamping engagement in the said guides.
4. Multifunctional terminal according to claim 3, in which the said
brackets exhibit, in plan view, substantially the shape of a
scalene triangle with uniform vertices coinciding with the
respective ends opposite to the said base and from within which the
said cylindrical buttons project.
5. Multifunctional terminal according to claim 4, in which the said
vertices and cylindrical buttons are disposed eccentrically
relative to a theoretical perpendicular plan of symmetry of the
said base of the said cleaning accessory.
6. Multifunctional terminal according to claim 1, in which the said
retention means for retaining the said accessory in the proximal
position of non-use comprise at least one pawl solidly fixed to and
projecting from the external surface of the said tubular body in
proximity of the said proximal end, a hollow seating for
accommodating the said pawl made in at least one of the said
brackets and forming an entry provided with a flared guide and a
spring-latched hook-over retaining tooth.
7. Multifunctional terminal according to claim 1, in which the said
pairs of guides are two in number and the said cleaning accessories
are two in number, each being mounted to slide along a respective
pair of the said guides.
8. Multifunctional terminal according to claim 7, in which the said
cleaning accessories have, in the position of use where they are
fitted onto the said distal end of the said tubular body, their
respective active ends uniformly folded back relative to the
respective tubular bases at an obtuse angle relative to the
longitudinal axis of the said tubular body.
9. Multifunctional terminal according to claim 1, in which the
cross section of the said tubular body is, apart from the said
proximal end for pressure-fitting engagement with the head of the
said external suction tube, of ellipsoidal form having at least two
sections diametrically opposite and perpendicular to the minor
diameter which are rectilinear and mutually parallel and on which
the said parallel guides are made.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a multifunctional terminal
for external suction tubes of vacuum-operated electrical domestic
appliances.
[0002] It is known that the electrical domestic appliances used for
cleaning are provided with tubes which connect the suction body to
a number of accessories that have been appropriately designed and
produced for various uses.
[0003] These accessories essentially comprise at least one nozzle
having a narrow opening and a brush provided with a hollow central
body and with a mouthpiece to be used on fabrics and "quilted"
materials.
[0004] Other, even more specialized accessories may of course be
provided, but the basic equipment is substantially as described
above.
[0005] These accessories are used alternatively, being
pressure-fitted from time to time on the free end of the external
suction tube; when they are not in use, they are normally put away
by the user in an appropriate compartment provided in the suction
body of the electrical domestic appliance or, in the absence of
such a compartment, are kept within the box constituting the
packaging of the electrical domestic appliance; in other cases,
they are placed on shelves or the like normally used for
storage.
[0006] In all cases described above, the accessories are
inconvenient to use because the user must, on each occasion, find
the accessory to be used, remove the one previously used and put it
away and fit the one now selected.
[0007] In the event that the accessories are put away in a place
dedicated to the purpose, finding the accessory or accessories to
be used is a very easy task, but, in the event that the accessories
are put away in temporary and unexpected places, time is wasted on
finding them and this added to the time required for the various
removal and assembly manoeuvres.
[0008] Even in the event that the accessories are put away in
places intended for that purpose, they are not in any event
immediately available and the user has to discontinue the operation
of the electrical domestic appliance on each occasion until he has
been able to replace the accessory.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] It is an object of the present invention to eliminate the
disadvantages of the prior art complained of above by selecting a
multifunctional terminal for external suction tubes of
vacuum-operated electrical domestic appliances which permits users
to have immediate manual access to the basic accessories normally
provided with the abovementioned vacuum-operated electrical
domestic appliances.
[0010] These objects are all achieved by the present
multifunctional terminal for external suction tubes of
vacuum-operated electrical domestic appliances, in which it
comprises a tubular body forming a nozzle-type mouth at a distal
end and a cylindrical mouth at the opposite, proximal end capable
of being coupled by pressure-fitting to the head of the said
external suction tube, at least one pair of parallel guides formed
in diametrically opposite positions on the external surface of the
said tubular body, at least one cleaning accessory comprising an
active end and, opposite to the latter, a tubular base provided
with means for twist-and-slide coupling to the said parallel guides
for longitudinal sliding therein between the said proximal end and
distal end, and vice versa, of the said tubular body and the
rotation of the said accessory at the distal end of the said guides
for the coaxial fitting of the said base on the said distal end of
the said tubular body, and means for retaining the said cleaning
accessory in the substantially proximal position of non-use of the
said guides.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] Further features and advantages of the present invention
will be more apparent from the detailed description of a preferred,
though not exclusive, form of embodiment of a multifunctional
terminal for external suction tubes of vacuum-operated electrical
domestic appliances illustrated by way of indication, but without
implying any limitation, in the attached pages of drawings, in
which:
[0012] FIG. 1 is an overall lateral view of the multifunctional
terminal according to the invention, provided with two accessories
shown in the position of non-use;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a cross section through the multifunctional
terminal in the plane marked II-II in FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a cross section of the multifunctional terminal in
a plane marked III-III in FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a detail of a longitudinal section of the
multifunctional terminal in a plane marked IV-IV in FIG. 3;
[0016] FIG. 5 shows the multifunctional terminal with a first
brush-type accessory fitted in the position of use;
[0017] FIG. 6 shows the multifunctional terminal in partial section
at the distal end, the movement for fitting the brush-type
accessory according to FIG. 5 being shown in broken lines; and
[0018] FIG. 7 again shows the multifunctional terminal in partial
section at the distal end, on which is fitted a second
mouthpiece-type cleaning accessory for quilted materials and
fabrics together with, in broken lines, the movement for the
fitting thereof.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0019] With particular reference to the said figures, 1 globally
designates a multifunctional terminal for external suction tubes 2
with which vacuum-operated electrical domestic appliances are
normally equipped, such as vacuum cleaners and electrical brooms,
these not being illustrated because they are known.
[0020] The terminal 1 essentially comprises a tubular body 3 which
is preferably rectilinear and forms a nozzle-type mouth 4 at one,
distal end 5 and a cylindrical mouth 6 at the opposite, proximal
end 7, susceptible of allowing the coupling by pressure-fitting of
the abovementioned distal end 5 to the head of the external suction
tube 2.
[0021] Along the flanks of the tubular body 3, whilst specifically
on the external surface thereof, are made two pairs of guides 8
which are parallel and diametrically opposite one another.
[0022] The terminal 1, in the preferred form of embodiment, is
provided with two cleaning accessories, a brush-type accessory 9
and a mouthpiece-type accessory 10 that can be used on "quilted"
materials and fabrics.
[0023] Each of the accessories 9 and 10 comprises an active end 11
and, opposite thereto, a base 12 which is likewise tubular and
provided with means 13 for twist-and-slide coupling to the two
pairs of parallel guides 8; the means 13 permit the longitudinal
sliding of the accessories 9 and 10 along the abovementioned pairs
of parallel guides 8 between the said proximal end 7 and distal end
5 and vice versa.
[0024] When one of the accessories 9 and 10 reaches the distal end
5 of the pairs of guides 8, it can rotate in order to be fitted by
its base 12 onto the nozzle-type distal end 5 of the tubular body
3.
[0025] Provided at the distal end 7 of the latter are means 14 for
securing both, or alternatively one, of the cleaning accessories 9
and 10 when these are not in use by the user.
[0026] The two pairs of guides 8 are formed by respective parallel
ribs 15 projecting outwards from the perimetral surface of the body
3, diametrically opposite to one another and joined at their ends
by a curved closure section: the said perimetral surface forms,
together with the said guides 8, blind holes.
[0027] The twist-and-side coupling means 13 of the bases 12 of the
cleaning accessories 9 and 10 comprise, for each accessory, a pair
of parallel brackets 16 which project from the bases 12, with no
substantial break in continuity, and are susceptible of
encompassing the diametrically opposed guides 8.
[0028] From the internal surfaces of the brackets 16 there project,
orthogonally thereto, two respective cylindrical buttons 17
coaxially facing one another and capable of engagement in the
guides 8 or blind holes.
[0029] The brackets 16 exhibit, in plan view, substantially the
shape of a scaling triangle with uniform vertices 18 coinciding
with the respective ends opposite to the base 12; the said vertices
18 and the cylindrical buttons are disposed eccentrically relative
to a theoretical perpendicular plan of symmetry of the base 12,
designated "P".
[0030] The retention means 14 for retaining each accessory 9 and 10
in the proximal position when they are not in use comprise two
pairs of pawls 20 projecting from, solidly fixed to and
diametrically opposite to the external surface of the tubular body
3, in the position of the proximal ends of the guides 8.
[0031] The above mentioned means 14 further comprise,
correspondingly, hollow seatings 21 for accommodating the pawls 30,
which are made in both the brackets 16 of each accessory 9 and 10
and form entries provided with a flare portion 22 having the
function of guiding the fitting and forming, at the point of
junction with the hollow seatings 21, retention teeth 23 over which
the abovementioned pawls 20 can hook by resilient latching.
[0032] In the preferred form of embodiment of the multifunctional
terminal 1, the cross section of the tubular body 3 is, with the
exception of the section which defines the said proximal end 7 for
pressure-fitting to the head of the external suction tube 2, of
helixoidal form with at least two rectilinear and mutually parallel
sections opposite and perpendicular to the minor diameter, on which
the parallel guides 8 are made.
[0033] The functioning of the multifunction cap 1 is as follows: it
is fitted in a conventional manner, specifically by
pressure-fitting on the end of an external tube 2 provided for an
electrical domestic appliance, for example a vacuum cleaner, which
is connected to the suction body thereof.
[0034] When the user has to employ the nozzle-type mouth 4 alone,
he withdraws the cleaning accessories 9 and 10 towards the proximal
end of the guides 8, causing the buttons 17 with which they are
provided at the ends of the brackets 16 to slide in the said guides
until the hollow seatings 21 made therein engage by latching onto
the pawls 20, hooking over the retention teeth 23 with which the
abovementioned hollow seatings 21 are provided.
[0035] In this configuration, the cleaning accessories 9 and 10,
although remaining at a distance from the active zone of the
nozzle-type mouth 4, are nevertheless within reach when it is
necessary to make use thereof.
[0036] In this case, the user extracts, by exerting light pressure
on the accessory to be used, the seatings 21 from the pawls 30,
causing the said accessory to slide along the longitudinal guides 8
until the buttons 17 come into abutment against the end closure
sections of the ribs 15 which constitute the said guides 8; in that
position, the buttons 17 act as a fulcrum for the rotation of the
preselected accessory, until the mouth of the tubular base 12
thereof is coaxially aligned with the said nozzle-type mouth 4.
[0037] Once the above mentioned alignment has been completed, the
accessory is again caused to move back along the guides 8 for a
short distance until the tubular base 12 engages on the distal end
of the multifunction cap 1.
[0038] The eccentricity of the buttons 17 relative to the normal
plane of symmetry "P" of the base 12 permits the free rotation of
the accessory, before its final fitting, there being no
interference between the corners of the nozzle-type mouth 4 and the
perimetral edges of the base 12.
[0039] The accessory fitted on the distal end 5 is removed by
following the opposite procedure: in practice, by pulling the
accessory gently outwards, in other words causing the buttons 17 to
slide until they again come into abutment against the closure
sections of the ribs 15, the tubular base 12 is first disengaged
from the nozzle-type mouth 4; the accessory is then rotated
outwards and is withdrawn along the guides 8 until the hollowing
seatings 21 of the brackets 16 once again engage onto respective
pins 20, locking the accessory previously used in that retracted
position.
[0040] By acting upon the other in the same manner as described, it
is rapidly replaced in the fitted position of use.
[0041] It has been found in practice that the invention described
achieves the proposed objects, in other words makes it possible to
replace the accessories rapidly on the terminal 1 and have them
constantly within reach.
[0042] The invention is capable of numerous modifications and
variations, all of which fall within the scope of protection as
defined by the wording of the claims that follow.
[0043] Moreover, any detail may be replaced by another technically
equivalent detail.
[0044] In practice, the materials used, and the shapes and
dimensions, may be of any type dictated by requirements, without
thereby departing from the scope of protection of the present
invention.
* * * * *