U.S. patent application number 10/829510 was filed with the patent office on 2005-06-02 for bendable extension pipe for vacuum cleaner.
Invention is credited to Jeon, Kyong-Hui.
Application Number | 20050115018 10/829510 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34464792 |
Filed Date | 2005-06-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050115018 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jeon, Kyong-Hui |
June 2, 2005 |
Bendable extension pipe for vacuum cleaner
Abstract
A bendable extension pipe for a vacuum cleaner that comprise at
least two sections capable of being bent relative to each other
according to user's selection comprising a first extension pipe
section; a second extension pipe section pivotably connected to the
first extension pipe section; and a release handle selectively for
locking the first and second extension pipe sections in a
predetermined configuration, wherein the first and second extension
pipe sections are released from the locking configuration when a
user depresses the release handle.
Inventors: |
Jeon, Kyong-Hui;
(Seosan-city, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LADAS & PARRY LLP
224 SOUTH MICHIGAN AVENUE
SUITE 1200
CHICAGO
IL
60604
US
|
Family ID: |
34464792 |
Appl. No.: |
10/829510 |
Filed: |
April 22, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/414 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 9/242 20130101;
F16L 27/0849 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
015/414 |
International
Class: |
A47L 009/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 2, 2003 |
KR |
2003-86626 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A bendable extension pipe for a vacuum cleaner, in which the
extension pipe forms an enclosed flow passage between a vacuum
cleaner body and a suction brush, wherein the bendable extension
pipe is capable of being selectively bent, wherein the extension
pipe comprises: a first extension pipe section; a second extension
pipe section pivotably connected to the first extension pipe
section; and a release handle selectively locking the first and
second extension pipe sections into a first or second orientation,
wherein the locking of the first and second extension pipe sections
in the first orientation is released when a user depresses the
release handle.
2. The bendable extension pipe according to claim 1, wherein the
first extension pipe section further comprises: a tubular body; a
cylindrical joint formed at one end of the tubular body and
providing a connection to the second extension pipe section; and
hinge projections formed on the tubular body that project outwardly
from a surface of the tubular body so as to provide a mount for the
release handle.
3. The bendable extension pipe according to claim 2, wherein the
cylindrical joint as an axis of rotation that intersects a virtual
axis of the flow passage formed in the tubular body in a
perpendicular orientation.
4. The bendable extension pipe according to claim 2, wherein the
hinge projections further comprise a pair of cylindrical
projections formed on the opposite sides of the tubular body to
project coaxially outwardly from the surface of the tubular
body.
5. The bendable extension pipe according to claim 2, wherein the
release handle further comprises: hinge slots providing for a
sliding interference fit onto the corresponding one of the hinge
projections, so that the release handle covers at least a part of
the circumference of the first extension pipe section; and a lever
for restraining the pivotal movement of the second extension pipe
section.
6. The bendable extension pipe according to claim 5, wherein each
of the hinge slots further comprise a slot opening end that opens
outwardly from the release handle and a closed end formed to
correspond to the diameter of a hinge projection, and a bottleneck
section formed between the opening end and the closed end.
7. The bendable extension pipe according to claim 5, wherein the
lever is formed integrally with the release handle.
8. The bendable extension pipe according to claim 5, further
comprising: an articulated cover that covers the cylindrical joint
between the first and second extension pipe sections, the lever
engaging a stop for providing the capability of selectively locking
the connection joint from further rotation in the second
orientation as the articulated cover is pivoted along with the
second extension pipe section; and an elastic member installed in
the inner periphery of the articulated cover for elastically
supporting the lever.
9. The bendable extension pipe according to claim 8, wherein the
articulated cover further comprises: at least one seat projection
on which the elastic member is seated; and a guide ridge having a
stepped part, the stepped part providing the stop, so that when the
tip end of the lever being engages the stepped part, the connection
joint is selectively locked from further rotation in the second
orientation.
10. The bendable extension pipe according to claim 9, wherein the
tip end of the lever is supported by one of the seat projections,
thereby restraining the angle from further rotation between the
first and second extension pipe sections.
11. The bendable extension pipe according to claim 9, wherein the
guide ridge is formed on the inner surface of the articulated cover
to project inwardly from the inner surface, and having the form of
spiral track, and the stepped part being formed at the junction of
the starting point and the ending point of the spiral track
comprising the guide ridge.
12. The bendable extension pipe according to claim 8, wherein the
elastic member is a leaf spring.
13. A bendable extension pipe for a vacuum cleaner, in which the
extension pipe forms an enclosed flow passage between a vacuum
cleaner body and a suction brush and the body of the extension pipe
is selectively bendable, wherein the extension pipe comprises: a
first extension pipe section; a second extension pipe section
pivotably connected to the first extension pipe section to define a
joint connection therebetween; and a release handle slidingly
fitted onto a plurality of hinge projections projecting outwardly
from the surface of the first extension pipe section, the release
section covering at least a part of the circumference of the first
extension pipe section while allowing a user to selectively depress
the release handle, the release handle having at least one lever
integrally formed at one end thereof; at least one articulated
cover that closes the joint connection between the first and second
extension pipe sections, the lever being selectively locked as the
second extension pipe section is pivoted; and a resilient member
disposed on the inner surface of the articulated cover capable of
resiliently supporting the lever, and such that the locking of the
first and second extension pipe sections is released when the user
depresses the release handle, whereby the first and second
extension pipe sections become capable of bending relative to each
other.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to a vacuum cleaner
and in particular to a bendable extension pipe for a vacuum
cleaner, the bendable extension pipe having a joint foldably
connected to the vacuum cleaner, thereby permitting convenient
cleaning of spaces under pieces of furniture, such as bed or
sofa.
[0003] 2. Description of the Background Art
[0004] In general, a vacuum cleaner draws in contaminants on a
surface to be cleaned which are entrained in air drawn in to the
vacuum cleaner with the aid of a vacuum suction force generated by
a vacuum suction motor provided in a cleaner body. Generally, a
flow passage is formed so as to connect the cleaner body and a
suction brush used for performing the cleaning operation in and
airtight connection.
[0005] Such a flow passage may be variously provided depending on
the types of vacuum cleaners being used. For example, a canister
vacuum cleaner is provided with a flexible hose connecting a
cleaner body and a manipulation handle, and an extension pipe is
provided for connecting the manipulation handle and the suction
brush. Such an extension pipe may be provided as an extendible type
that can be adjusted in length, as required, or as a combination
type that comprises a plurality of segmented extension tubes
capable of being individually disassembled or assembled for use
depending on the desired length of the pipe.
[0006] However, in the case of a suction brush connected by a
conventional extension pipe, the angle between the extension tube
and the suction brush is typically fixed, that is, having a
straight connection between the segments of the extension pipe.
Therefore, in order to clean areas under furniture, such as a bed,
sofa, etc., it is necessary for a user to perform the cleaning
operation while rotating the extension pipe after lowering his/her
posture and orienting the suction brush so it is in close contact
with the floor surface. In addition, even if the angle between the
extension pipe and the suction brush is adjustable, inconvenience
results in that the user must lower his/her body in order to insert
the suction brush into an area under the furniture. An improved
system for cleaning under furniture is demanded.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Accordingly, the present invention has been conceived to
solve the above-mentioned problems occurring in the conventional
vacuum cleaners, and an aspect of the present invention is to
provide a bendable extension pipe for a vacuum cleaner having an
improved construction that permits a user to conveniently perform
cleaning operations by simple manipulation of a button without
needing to bend the body or lower his or her posture.
[0008] In order to achieve the above aspect according to the
present invention, a bendable extension pipe for a vacuum cleaner
comprises first and second extension pipe sections connected so
that they can be selectively bent with respect to one another in a
bent configuration, and a release handle that releases the bent
configuration of the first and second extension pipe sections when
a user depresses the release handle. For smoother operation, it is
preferable that the connection joint between the first and second
extension pipe sections is enclosed by an articulated cover, and a
resilient member is provided within the articulated cover to
resiliently support the release handle.
[0009] According to a first embodiment of the present invention,
the first extension pipe section comprises: a tubular body, a
cylindrical joint formed at an end of the tubular body and
connected to the second extension pipe section to thereby form the
joint connection, and hinge projections formed on the body to
project outwardly from a surface thereof so provide a mount for the
release handle.
[0010] The cylindrical joint may have an axis of rotation
intersecting a virtual axis of the flow passage formed in the
tubular body in a perpendicular orientation.
[0011] The hinge projections preferably comprise a pair of
cylindrical projections formed on opposite sides of the tubular
body to project coaxially outwardly from the surface of the tubular
body, and the release handle preferably comprises hinge slots
providing for a sliding interference fit onto one of the
cylindrical hinge projections so that the release handle covers at
least a part of the circumference of the first extension pipe
section, wherein each hinge slot comprises a slot opening end that
opens outwardly from the release handle and a closed end. The
closed end is preferably formed to correspond to the diameter of
the corresponding hinge projection, and a bottleneck is preferably
formed between the opening end and the closed end so as to prevent
the hinge projections from breaking away from the hinge slots.
[0012] The lever may be formed integral with the release
handle.
[0013] The articulated cover may comprise one or more seat
projections on which an elastic member is seated, and a guide ridge
having a stepped part, the tip end of the lever being engaged with
the stepped part, in which the tip end of the lever is supported by
any of the seat projections, thereby restraining the folding angle
between the first and second extension pipe sections. In addition,
it is also preferable that the guide ridge is projectedly formed on
the inner surface of the articulated cover in a form of spiral
track and the elastic member is formed from a leaf spring.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The above described and other aspects, features and
advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from an
understanding of the following detailed description taken with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bendable extension pipe
for a vacuum cleaner according to the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the bendable
extension pipe for a vacuum cleaner according to the present
invention;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a detailed, perspective view showing the bendable
extension pipe for a vacuum cleaner according to the present
invention with a closure cover removed; and
[0018] FIGS. 4 and 5 are partially cut-away side views showing the
initial state and the folded state, respectively, of the bendable
extension pipe for a vacuum cleaner according to the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0019] Hereinbelow, a bendable extension pipe for a vacuum cleaner
according to the present invention will be described in detail with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0020] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a bendable extension pipe 100
comprises a first extension pipe section 110, a second extension
pipe section 120, a release handle 130, and an articulated cover
140.
[0021] The first extension pipe section 110 comprises a tubular
body 111, a cylindrical joint 112 formed at one end of the body
111, for providing a joint connection of tubular body 111 to the
second extension pipe section 120, and hinge projections 113 formed
on the body 111 to project outwardly from a surface so as to
provide an installation mount for the release handle.
[0022] The cylindrical joint 112 is preferably arranged in such a
way that its axis, shown as broken line A in FIG. 2,
perpendicularly intersects the virtual central axis, shown as
broken line B, of a flow passage formed within the body 111.
Protrusions 112a are formed substantially at the centers of the
opposite lateral sides to project outwardly therefrom, so as to be
in engaging contact with the inner peripheries of guide ridges 143
(see FIG. 3) as will be described below.
[0023] The hinge projections 113 are formed on the opposite sides
of the body 111, preferably as a pair of coaxial cylindrical
projections, to extend laterally from the surface of body 111.
[0024] The second extension pipe section 120 is connected at a
distal end to a suction brush (not shown) that draws in dirt and
dust from a surface to be cleaned, and the second pipe section 120
is pivotably joined to the first extension tube 110 at a proximal
end of the second extension pipe 120. A joint section 121,
connected to the cylindrical joint 112, is formed having a
complementary shape to cover the circumferential surface of the
cylindrical joint 112. The joint section 121 allows the second
extension pipe section 120 o be freely pivotable and the second
extension pipe section 120 serves to prevent the loss f suction
force despite folding of the joint connection between the extension
pipe sections.
[0025] The release handle 130 is attached by a hinge to the first
extension pipe 110 and has a semicylindrical shape so as to enclose
a part of the circumferential surface of the first extension pipe
110. In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the release handle 130
preferably comprises projected levers 131, which more preferably
are integrally formed with the body of the release handle 130, and
hinge recesses 134, each having a recess opening 132 provided to
face outwardly along axial edges of the release handle 130. Each of
the recesses 132 may slidingly fit onto and around one
corresponding hinge projection 113 and a closed end 133 of each
recess opening end 132 being configured to engage a corresponding
hinge projection 113. The closed end 133 is formed in such a way
that its inner periphery corresponds to the diameter of the
corresponding hinge projection 113, thereby providing an
interference fit therebetween. Meanwhile, each hinge recess 134
preferably has a bottleneck part h disposed between the recess
opening 132 and the closed end 133 for providing the interference
fit.
[0026] In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the levers
131 are formed integrally with the release handle 130. However, the
invention is not limited to this arrangement and it is possible to
form the levers as separate members and to connect them to the
release handle 130 using an appropriate means. However, in order to
reduce the processing steps during manufacturing and to easily
manufacture the levers, it is preferable that they are produced in
an integrally formed mold together with the release handle 130, as
shown.
[0027] The articulated cover 140 serves to close a connection part
J (see FIG. 2) formed by joining the cylindrical joint 112 and the
joint section 121 and is provided with oppositely disposed left and
right articulated cover parts 140a, 140b. In addition, as shown in
FIG. 3, the inner side of each articulated cover part 140a, 140b
comprises at least one seat projection 141 on which a resilient
member S is seated, and the guide ridge 143 having a discontinuous
stepped part 142, which the tip end 131a of a corresponding one of
the levers 131 engages.
[0028] The guide ridge 143 is formed to project from the inner side
of the articulated cover 140 and preferably has the form of a
slightly spiral track. Therefore, it is preferable that the stepped
part 142 is formed at the junction area of the starting point and
ending point of the spiral track of the guide ridge 143, as shown
in FIG. 3, and one of the end points face the tip end 131 a of the
corresponding lever 131 at the basic or normal position of the
corresponding lever 131. In the basic position, the first and
second extension pipe sections 110, 120 are aligned in a straight
relationship with respect to each other.
[0029] Hereinbelow, operation of the preferred embodiment of the
present invention is described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.
[0030] As shown in the drawings, in a bendable extension pipe 100
for a vacuum cleaner according to the present invention, a first
extension pipe section 110 is connected to the cleaner body (not
shown) and a second extension pipe section 120 is connected to a
suction brush (not shown), which draws in air and entrained dirt
and dust from a surface to be cleaned. The first and second
extension pipe sections 110, 120 are arranged to be foldable
relative to a joint connecting one to the other, so a folded or
bent configuration may be effected, according to user's selection,
and as shown in FIG. 5.
[0031] That is, the user may wish to utilize the bendable extension
pipe 100 in the bent position, so that the suction brush, to which
the pipe 100 is connected, can be in closest contact with a surface
to be cleaned, such as when it is desired to clean a floor surface
below a bed or a piece of furniture. The user then grasps the
release handle 130 that covers the first extension pipe section 110
and exerts a downward force in the direction indicated by the arrow
in FIG. 4.
[0032] When the user grasps and depresses the release handle 130, a
lever 131, preferably formed integrally with the release handle
130, is pivoted along with the release handle 130, so that pivoting
the release handle 130 about the hinge projections 113 causes the
end 131a of lever 131 to break away from engagement with the
stepped part 142 formed on an inner side of an articulated cover
140. At that time, the elastic member S provided in the articulated
cover 140 applies resilient restoring force to the lever 131, so
that the lever 131 that has broken away from engagement with the
stepped part 142 makes face-to-face contact with the guide ridge
141 and pivot along the guide ridge 141.
[0033] The seat projection 141 preferably comprises first to third
pairs of seat projections 141a, 141b, 141c, (FIG. 3), within which
the elastic member S is installed. The third seat projection 141c
is formed to be projected at a position for blocking the movement
of the tip end 131a as it slides along the guide ridge 143, thereby
restraining the further rotational movement of the lever 131.
Accordingly, when the user grasps and depresses the release handle,
the first and second extension pipe sections 110, 120, that are
initially aligned in a straight line, rotate relative to each other
until the tip ends of the levers 131 come into contact with the
third seat projections 141c. Preferably, the folding angle between
the first and second extension pipe sections is retained at about
45 degrees, but an angle of between 40 and 50 degrees is considered
appropriate.
[0034] In order to return the first and second extension pipe
sections to their initial position of being aligned in a straight
line, where the folding angle between the extension pipe sections
is zero degrees, the user may grasp the first extension pipe
section 110 and lift up the second extension pipe section 120
connected to the suction brush (not shown), without requiring any
operation or separate instrument. The second extension pipe 120 is
forced to pivot about the connection joint as a result of its own
weight and the weight of the suction brush (not shown), which are
forced downwardly by gravity. As the relationship between the
extension pipe sections reach a straight line orientation, the
lever 131 engages and becomes seated on the stepped part 142 while
being compressed by the elastic member S, so that the first and
second extension pipe sections return to the initial straight-line
orientation and are fixed thereto by the engagement of the tip end
131a with stepped part 142. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the
user's inconvenience of having to operate a separate button or
lever so as to unbend the folded extension pipe to the original
straight line orientation.
[0035] As described above, according to the inventive bendable
extension tube for a vacuum cleaner, since the user can provide for
a bend in the extension pipe with a simple operation of a lever
depression, without needing to bend his or her body or become lower
in posture, it is possible to conveniently clean an area below a
piece of furniture, such as a bed or sofa. In addition, since it is
possible to return the extension pipe from the bent orientation to
its initial straight line orientation merely by lifting the
extension pipe, the user's convenience can be enhanced.
[0036] While the embodiments of the present invention have been
shown and described with reference to the preferred embodiments
thereof in order to exemplify the principle of the present
invention, the present invention is not limited to the above
described and illustrated 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. Therefore, it shall be considered that such
modifications, changes and equivalents thereof are all included
within the scope of the present invention as defined by the
appended claims.
* * * * *