U.S. patent application number 10/694896 was filed with the patent office on 2004-11-25 for handle tube and cyclone vacuum cleaner equipped with the same.
This patent application is currently assigned to SAMSUNG GWANGJU ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Oh, Jang-Keun.
Application Number | 20040231093 10/694896 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36829499 |
Filed Date | 2004-11-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040231093 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Oh, Jang-Keun |
November 25, 2004 |
Handle tube and cyclone vacuum cleaner equipped with the same
Abstract
A handle tube and a vacuum cleaner equipped with the handle. The
vacuum cleaner includes a brush capable of inhaling air that
contains external dust, and a cleaner body for supplying suction
force to the brush. The vacuum cleaner further includes a handle
tube interposed between the brush and the cleaner body to
interconnect the brush and the cleaner body to allow air to flow
through the handle tube, wherein a predetermined part of the handle
tube is formed as a handle to be gripped by a user. A cyclone
cleaner is provided that is structured in such a manner that the
flow passage of the handle tube is formed to take a handle shape
and thus a separate handle is not needed.
Inventors: |
Oh, Jang-Keun;
(Gwangju-city, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BLANK ROME LLP
600 NEW HAMPSHIRE AVENUE, N.W.
WASHINGTON
DC
20037
US
|
Assignee: |
SAMSUNG GWANGJU ELECTRONICS CO.,
LTD.
|
Family ID: |
36829499 |
Appl. No.: |
10/694896 |
Filed: |
October 29, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/353 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 9/165 20130101;
A47L 9/104 20130101; A47L 9/248 20130101; A47L 9/327 20130101; A47L
9/1691 20130101; A47L 9/1666 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
015/353 |
International
Class: |
A47L 009/16 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 24, 2003 |
KR |
10-2003-0033186 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A vacuum cleaner including a brush capable of inhaling air that
contains external dusts, and a cleaner body for supplying suction
force to the brush, wherein the vacuum cleaner further comprises a
handle tube interposed between the brush and the cleaner body, to
interconnect the brush and the cleaner body so that air is capable
of flowing through the handle tube, wherein a predetermined part of
the handle tube is formed as a handle to be gripped by a user.
2. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the handle is
double-bent between a distal end to be connected with the brush,
and a proximal end to be connected with the air cleaner.
3. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein a knurled part
is formed in the external surface of the handle.
4. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 2, wherein a knurled part
is formed in the external surface of the handle.
5. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, further comprising a
cyclone dust collector installed on the handle tube.
6. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 5, wherein the cyclone
dust collector comprises: a cyclone body that renders air flowing
within the handle tube to swirl, centrifugally separates, and
discharges dust; and a soil collection receptacle for collecting
centrifugally separated dusts, the receptacle being removably
attached to the cyclone body.
7. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 6, wherein the cyclone
body comprises: a suction port through which air that contains dust
and flows into the handle tube, is caused to swirl; a discharge
port for discharging dust-separated air; and a grill joined to the
discharge port for removing soils.
8. A handle tube for a vacuum cleaner, interposed between a brush
capable of inhaling air that contains external dust and a cleaner
body for supplying suction force to the brush, wherein an air flow
passage for interconnecting the brush and the cleaner body is
formed as a handle capable of being gripped by a user.
9. The handle tube according to claim 8, further comprising a
cyclone dust collector.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a handle tube and a vacuum
cleaner equipped with the handle tube, and in particular, to a
handle tube installed with a cyclone dust collector and a vacuum
cleaner equipped with the handle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A vacuum cleaner is an appliance for clearing away dust and
soil on a surface to be cleaned, wherein air is forcibly circulated
by rotating a motor, so that the interior of the cleaner body is
turned into the vacuum state, and the dust and soil are inhaled
into the appliance together with the suctioned air due to intense
wind run caused by the pressure difference generated between the
inner side and outer side of the body of the appliance, whereby the
dust and soil are cleared away.
[0003] Further, a cyclone dust collector is an apparatus for
separating particles from a fluid with centrifugal force. Due to
the advantage of simple construction and endurability against high
temperature and pressure, such a cyclone dust collector has been
widely used from long ago in industrial field and is also employed
in a vacuum cleaner.
[0004] A representative example of a cyclone provided with a
cyclone dust collector is disclosed in Korean patent application
No. 1999-20704 entitled "Cyclone Dust Collector for Vacuum
Cleaner," which is pending in the name of the assignee of the
present application.
[0005] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a vacuum cleaner with a
cyclone dust collector disclosed in the above-mentioned patent
application.
[0006] As can be seen from the drawing, the conventional vacuum
cleaner 1 equipped with a cyclone dust collector 21 comprises: a
cleaner body 3, a flexible hose 9 connected to the cleaner body 3,
an extension tube 8, a handle tube 7 connected between the flexible
hose 9 and the extension tube 8, and a cyclone dust collector 21
joined between the handle tube 7 and the extension tube 8.
[0007] The cleaner body 3 is divided into a dust collection chamber
(not shown), within which a dust bag (not shown) is received, and a
load driven chamber (not shown), within which a suction motor (not
shown) for inhaling air that contains external dusts into the dust
collection chamber is received.
[0008] The distal end of the extension tube 8 is joined with a
brush 10 and the brush 10 is constructed to contact a
to-be-cleaned-surface as a floor covered with laminated paper, and
a carpet in which the bottom side of the brush 10 is formed with an
inflow opening.
[0009] The cyclone dust collector 21 is joined between the handle
tube 7 and the extension tube 8 and separates soil such as dust
contained in air with centrifugal force.
[0010] The handle tube 7 is provided with a handle 9 in a side
thereof so that a user can easily grip the handle tube 7.
[0011] With the above-mentioned construction, when the source of
electric power is applied, air that contains soil such as dust is
inhaled through the inflow opening of the brush 10 due to the
suction force produced by driving the suction motor. Air flows
along the extension tube 8 and into the cyclone dust collector 21.
Soil with a large grain size or paper scraps are separated from air
by centrifugal force, while air flowing into the cyclone dust
collector 21 is forming swirling air streams and moving toward the
closed end of the cyclone dust collector. The separated soil and
the like, descends along the internal wall of a soil collection
receptacle 25 and are collected in the lower part of the
receptacle.
[0012] The purified air moves along the handle tube 7 and the
flexible hose 9 connected between the handle tube 7 and the cleaner
body 3 and then flows into the cleaner body.
[0013] The processes for entraining and collecting dusts performed
in the dust collection chamber (not shown) of the cleaner body are
the same with those performed in the conventional air cleaner
1.
[0014] However, in such a conventional vacuum cleaner, it is
required to separately provide a handle to the handle tube, and in
particular, when a cyclone dust collector is provided, the load of
the handle tube is unevenly concentrated toward the cyclone dust
collector. Therefore, it is difficult to smoothly move the vacuum
cleaner, including the handle tube.
[0015] In addition, in such a conventional cleaner, the suction
driving force of the cleaner body follows a long transfer route
including the brush, the extension tube connected to the brush, the
cyclone dust collector, the handle tube connected to the cyclone
dust collector, and the flexible hose connected between the handle
and the cleaner body, whereby the driving force partially vanishes.
Therefore, there is a problem in that the dust collection
capability of the cyclone dust collector is reduced.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0016] Accordingly, the present invention solves the
above-mentioned problems occurring in the prior art, and an object
of the present invention is to provide a handle tube for a vacuum
cleaner, which is simple in construction and easy for a user to
grip when cleaning is performed, and, to provide a vacuum cleaner
equipped with the handle tube.
[0017] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
light-weighted handle tube for a vacuum cleaner, which is provided
with a handle-shaped air flow passage, whereby, a separate handle
is not needed, and to provide a vacuum cleaner equipped with the
handle tube.
[0018] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
handle tube for a vacuum cleaner provided with a handle-shaped air
flow passage which is in turn provided with a cyclone dust
collector, and to provide a vacuum cleaner equipped with the handle
tube.
[0019] In order to achieve the above objects, according to the
present invention, there is provided a vacuum cleaner including a
brush capable of inhaling air that contains external dusts, and a
cleaner body for supplying suction force to the brush, wherein the
vacuum cleaner further comprises a handle tube interposed between
the brush and the cleaner body to interconnect the brush and the
cleaner body so that air is capable of flowing through the handle
tube, wherein, a predetermined part of the handle tube is formed as
a handle to be gripped by a user.
[0020] In addition, it is advantageous that the handle is
double-bent between a distal end to be connected to the brush and a
proximal end to be connected to the air cleaner, wherein, a knurled
part is preferably formed on the external surface of the
handle.
[0021] The vacuum cleaner may further comprise a cyclone dust
collector installed in the handle tube.
[0022] In addition, the cyclone dust collector preferably
comprises: a cyclone body that renders air flowing within the
handle tube to swirl, centrifugally separate and discharge dusts;
and, a soil collection receptacle for collecting centrifugally
separated dusts, the receptacle being removably joined to the
cyclone body.
[0023] It is preferable that the cyclone body comprises: a suction
port, through which air that contains dusts and flows into the
handle tube, is caused to swirl; a discharge port for discharging
dusts-separated air; and, a grill joined to the discharge port for
removing soils.
[0024] In addition, in order to achieve the above objects,
according to the present invention, there is provided a handle tube
for a vacuum cleaner, interposed between a brush capable of
inhaling air that contains external dusts and a cleaner body for
supplying suction force to the brush, wherein an air flow passage
for interconnecting the brush and the cleaner body is formed as a
handle capable of being gripped by a user.
[0025] It is preferable that the handle tube for a vacuum cleaner
further comprises a cyclone dust collector.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the
present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed
description taken with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0027] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional vacuum
cleaner provided with a cyclone dust collector according to the
prior art;
[0028] FIG. 2 is a side view of a handle tube for a vacuum cleaner
according to the present invention, wherein the handle tube is
equipped with a cyclone dust collector; and
[0029] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the handle tube shown in
FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0030] As described below, the preferred embodiments will be
described in more detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings. In the following description of the embodiment of the
present invention, like reference numerals will be provided for the
elements having same constructions and functions as the
conventional image-forming device as described above.
[0031] FIG. 2 is a side view of a handle tube for a vacuum cleaner,
wherein the handle tube is equipped with a cyclone dust collector.
In particular, the handle tube shown in FIG. 2 has a construction
improved in such a manner that a flow passage of the handle tube is
shaped to take a form of handle, whereby a separate handle is not
needed and the handle tube is light-weighted.
[0032] The cleaner equipped with the handle tube that includes the
cyclone dust collector comprises: a brush 10; a cleaner body 3; a
flexible hose 9 interconnecting the brush 10 and the cleaner body
3; the handle tube 7 installed between flexible hose 9 and the
brush 10; and, an extension tube 8 having a distal end connected to
the brush 10 and a proximal end connected to the handle tube 7.
Because the cleaner body 3, the flexible hose 9, the extension tube
8, and the brush 10 are similar to those indicated in FIG. 1, they
are not shown in FIG. 2.
[0033] The cleaner body 3 is divided into a dust collection chamber
(not shown) provided within the cleaner body 3 and receiving a dust
bag (not shown), and a load driven chamber (not shown) housing a
suction motor (not shown) for inhaling air that contains external
dusts into the dust collection chamber.
[0034] The distal end of the extension tube 8 is joined with the
brush 10 and the brush 10 contacts with a to-be-cleaned-surface
such as a floor covered with laminated paper or a carpet, in which
the bottom side of the brush 10 is formed with an inflow
opening.
[0035] A predetermined part of the handle tube 7 is formed with a
handle 60 to be gripped by a user, so that the user can easily grip
the handle tube 7.
[0036] The handle tube equipped with the cyclone dust collector is
described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional
view showing the mounting construction of the cyclone dust
collector. In the drawing, reference symbol I indicates the front
side of the handle tube.
[0037] The handle tube 7 comprises a cyclone dust collector 21
mounted on the handle tube 7, and a handle tube body 30.
[0038] The handle tube body 30 comprises a first flow conduit 39
and a second flow conduit 41, wherein the first and second flow
conduits 39, 41 are located in an upper part and a lower part in
reference to a block wall 53 in the handle tube body 30.
[0039] The first flow conduit 39 is provided with an air inlet 35
communicating with the brush 10 in the front of the handle tube 7,
and a suction port 37 connected to a side of the cyclone dust
collector 21 in the rear of the handle tube 7.
[0040] The second flow conduit 41 is provided with an air outlet 47
communicating with the flexible hose in the rear of the handle tube
7, the air outlet 9, and a discharge port 43 connected to the
cyclone dust collector 21 in the front of the handle tube 7.
[0041] The second flow conduit 41 is formed in a double-bent
construction so that a handle space 65 is formed entirely under the
handle tube 7 to allow a user to easily grip the handle tube 7.
[0042] Furthermore, the second flow conduit 41 is backwardly spaced
from a soil collection receptacle 25 so that the soil collection
receptacle 25 can be removably attached to the cyclone body 55. The
distance `d` between the rear end of the soil collection receptacle
25 and the second flow conduit 41 is determined so that the soil
collection receptacle 25 is easily attached to or detached from the
handle tube 7.
[0043] A knurling may be formed on the outer surface of the handle
60 so that the user can securely hold the handle tube 7 without
having the handle tube 7 slip. Alternatively, a series of folds or
ridges may be partially formed on the outer surface of the handle
60 in various shapes.
[0044] The cyclone dust collector 21 includes a cyclone body 55 as
well as the soil collection receptacle 25 removably attached to the
cyclone body 55.
[0045] The cyclone body 55 comprises a suction port 37 for inhaling
the air, through which air that contains dusts and flows into the
handle tube 7, is caused to swirl; a discharge port 43 for
discharging air after the dusts are centrifugally separated; and, a
soil separation grill attached to the discharge port 43 and formed
with a plurality of fine passage holes 44.
[0046] It is preferable that the cyclone body 55 takes a
cylindrical shape corresponding to the shape of the soil collection
receptacle 25.
[0047] The soil separation grill 70 has a cylindrical shape with
the plural fine passage holes 44 formed in the circumference, and
an opening 45 formed in an end of the grill. The opening 45 serves
to discharge air flowing into the soil separation grill 70 through
the fine passage holes 44.
[0048] In addition, an anti-backflow member 50 is extended from the
soil separation grill 70 toward the bottom of the soil collection
receptacle 25.
[0049] When a source of electric power is applied to the handle
tube with the above-mentioned construction, air that contains soils
such as dusts are inhaled through the air inlet formed in the brush
10 by suction force generated by the driven suction motor.
Thereafter, air flows into the inside of the cyclone dust collector
21 via the extension tube 8 connected with the brush 10.
[0050] Air flowing into the inside of the cyclone dust collector 21
flows into the inside of the cyclone dust collector 21 in the
oblique direction through the suction port 37 formed in the cyclone
body 55. Thereby, air that contains soils such as dust, forms
whirling air streams and starts to move toward the closed end of
the cyclone dust collector 21.
[0051] During this process, the soils of large grain sizes or paper
scraps contained in air are separated from air by centrifugal
force. The separated soils descend along the inner wall of the soil
collection receptacle 25 of the cyclone dust collector 21 and are
collected in the lower part of the cyclone receptacle 25. The
processes for entraining and collecting dusts performed in the duct
collection chamber (not shown) in the cleaner body 3 are similar to
those performed in the conventional vacuum cleaner 1.
[0052] In the embodiments described above, description is made in
connection with a handle tube provided with a cyclone dust
collector and a vacuum cleaner equipped with the handle tube.
However, there is no doubt that the present invention can be
variantly embodied as a handle tube only having a handle without a
cyclone dust collector and a vacuum equipped with such a handle
tube.
[0053] According to the present invention as described above, it is
not needed to provide a separate handle to the handle tube, and
thus it is possible to use a simple and light-weighted handle tube.
Therefore, the vacuum cleaner can be conveniently used.
[0054] Furthermore, the route for transferring the suction driving
force from the suction motor in the cleaner body can be reduced.
Therefore, the dust collection capability of the vacuum cleaner can
be enhanced.
[0055] While the preferred embodiments of the present invention has
been shown and described with reference to the preferred
embodiments thereof, the present invention is not limited to the
embodiments. It will be understood that various modifications and
changes can be made by those skilled in the art without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the
appended claims. It shall be considered that such modifications,
changes and equivalents thereof are all included within the scope
of the present invention.
* * * * *