U.S. patent application number 10/539023 was filed with the patent office on 2006-06-29 for vacuum cleaner comprising an elastic bumper strip.
This patent application is currently assigned to BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgerate GmbH. Invention is credited to Erich Bott, Roland Illig.
Application Number | 20060137131 10/539023 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32403883 |
Filed Date | 2006-06-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060137131 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bott; Erich ; et
al. |
June 29, 2006 |
Vacuum cleaner comprising an elastic bumper strip
Abstract
A vacuum cleaner comprising a housing having an outer surface. A
bumper strip projects outwardly from the housing and extends along
the outer surface of the housing. A retaining element projects
outwardly from the housing and extends along the outer surface of
the housing adjacent the bumper strip. The retaining element
overlaps the bumper strip. The bumper strip contacts the retaining
element and is elastically deformable to slide with respect to the
retaining element. The bumper strip forms a convex curved structure
that bulges outwardly from the housing.
Inventors: |
Bott; Erich; (Hollstadt,
DE) ; Illig; Roland; (Heustreu, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JOHN T. WINBURN
100 BOSCH BOULEVARD
NEW BERN
NC
28562
US
|
Assignee: |
BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgerate
GmbH
Munich
DE
81739
|
Family ID: |
32403883 |
Appl. No.: |
10/539023 |
Filed: |
November 26, 2003 |
PCT Filed: |
November 26, 2003 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP03/13316 |
371 Date: |
February 21, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/325 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 9/009 20130101;
A47L 5/362 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
015/325 |
International
Class: |
A47L 9/00 20060101
A47L009/00; A47L 5/00 20060101 A47L005/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 17, 2002 |
DE |
102 59 064.8 |
Claims
1-12. (canceled)
13. A vacuum cleaner comprising: a housing and an elastic impact
bumper strip with two longitudinal sides, said strip being located
on at least some sections of the periphery of the housing, the
first longitudinal side being retained against the housing and the
second longitudinal side projecting from the external surface of
the housing under no tension, wherein the housing has a retaining
element which holds the second longitudinal side of the impact
bumper strip under elastic pre-tension against the housing.
14. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 13, wherein the housing
is constructed in two parts having a first housing part and a
second housing part, the elastic impact bumper strip being
positioned on the first housing part and the second housing part
having the retaining element.
15. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 13, wherein the elastic
impact bumper strip is constructed on a lower part of the vacuum
cleaner and the retaining element is constructed on an upper part
of the vacuum cleaner.
16. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 13, wherein the elastic
impact bumper strip is molded on the housing.
17. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 13, wherein the impact
bumper strip has a point of weakening disposed near an intersection
of the bumper strip and the housing in which the cross-sectional
width of the bumper strip at the point of weakening is reduced
compared with the cross-sectional width of the remaining portion of
the bumper strip.
18. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 13, wherein the impact
bumper strip is convexly curved outwardly in its elastically
pre-stressed position.
19. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 13, wherein the impact
bumper strip running around the periphery of the housing has at
least one gap interruption which divides the impact bumper strip
into a plurality of sections.
20. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 13, wherein the retaining
element is constructed as a retaining strip which projects from the
surface of the housing and is angled toward the impact bumper
strip.
21. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 13, wherein the retaining
element is molded on the housing.
22. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 13, wherein the retaining
element and the housing define a receiving space in which the
second longitudinal side of the impact bumper strip is held.
23. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 22, wherein the receiving
space is constructed as notch-shaped and is defined by an inner
wall of the retaining element and an outer wall of the housing.
24. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 22, wherein the second
longitudinal side of the impact bumper strip is held in an elastic
pre-stressed position where the end of the second longitudinal side
is located at a distance from the receiving space.
25. A vacuum cleaner comprising: a housing having an outer surface;
a bumper strip projecting outwardly from the housing and extending
along the outer surface of the housing; and a retaining element
projecting outwardly from the housing and extending along the outer
surface of the housing adjacent the bumper strip, the retaining
element overlapping the bumper strip, the bumper strip contacting
the retaining element and being elastically deformable to slide
with respect to the retaining element, the bumper strip forming a
convex curved structure that bulges outwardly from the housing.
26. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 25, wherein the bumper
strip and the retaining element are formed integral with the
housing.
27. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 25, wherein the bumper
strip is formed from a first material and the retaining element is
formed from a second material, the first material being more
elastic than the second material.
28. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 25, wherein the housing
includes a first housing part and a second housing part, the bumper
strip projecting from the first housing part and the retaining
element projecting from the second housing part.
29. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 28, wherein the second
housing part is disposed above the first housing part and the
retaining element is disposed above the bumper strip.
30. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 28, wherein the bumper
strip is formed integral with the first housing part and the
retaining element is formed integral with the second housing
part.
31. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 30, wherein the bumper
strip is formed from a first material and the retaining element is
formed from a second material, the first material being more
elastic than the second material.
32. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 25, wherein the bumper
strip includes a plurality of sections separated from one another
by gaps between the corresponding sections.
33. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 25, wherein the bumper
strip has a point of weakening disposed near an intersection of the
bumper strip and the housing in which the cross-sectional width of
the bumper strip at the point of weakening is reduced compared with
the cross-sectional width of the remaining portion of the bumper
strip to permit flexing of the bumper strip.
34. A vacuum cleaner comprising: a housing having an outer surface;
a bumper means projecting outwardly from the housing and extending
along the outer surface of the housing to cushion the vacuum
cleaner when contacting other objects; and a retaining means
projecting outwardly from the housing and extending along the outer
surface of the housing adjacent the bumper means and retaining at
least a portion of the bumper means between the retaining means and
the housing, the retaining means permitting the bumper strip to
slide with respect to the retaining means while remaining in
contact with the retaining means.
35. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 34, wherein the housing
includes a first housing part and a second housing part, the bumper
means being formed integral with the first housing part and the
retaining means being formed integral with the second housing part,
the bumper means being more flexible than the retaining means.
36. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 34, wherein the bumper
strip includes a plurality of sections separated from one another
by gaps between the corresponding sections.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a vacuum cleaner according to the
preamble of claim 1.
[0002] A vacuum cleaner for floors comprising a vacuum cleaner
housing having a external circumferential elastic impact bumper
strip is known from DE 87 11 960. The impact bumper strip comprises
a strip which is affixed to the vacuum cleaner housing. The strip
has one longitudinal side projecting obliquely outwards with
respect to the vacuum cleaner housing. An increasing distance
exists between the strip and the vacuum cleaner housing from the
fixing point of the strip as far as its free longitudinal side. The
impact bumper strip can consist of a very solid material since the
elasticity required to cushion impacts is achieved by the geometric
arrangement of the strip on the vacuum cleaner housing. The
elasticity and the spring path of the strip can be influenced by
selecting the material for the strip, by suitably dimensioning its
wall thickness, as well as the position of the connection and the
angle at which the strip projects from the lower half of the
housing. A disadvantage with this impact bumper strip however is
the circumstance that a different type of geometrical shape or
arrangement of the impact bumper strip is required depending on the
desired elasticity. However, with regard to the overall appearance
of the vacuum cleaner it is disadvantageous if the overall
appearance of the vacuum cleaner is changed by defining the
required elasticity of the impact bumper strip.
[0003] Another disadvantage with impact bumper strips according to
the prior art is that a sharp edge is predefined by the projecting
free longitudinal side of the impact bumper strip which causes
scratches, for example, when it impacts against furniture.
[0004] The object of the invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner
comprising a housing and an impact bumper strip where the aforesaid
disadvantages are eliminated. In particular, an impact bumper strip
is to be provided whose elasticity can be defined without
substantially influencing the external appearance of the vacuum
cleaner.
[0005] The object according to the invention is solved for a
generic vacuum cleaner in that the housing has a retaining element
which holds the second longitudinal side of the impact bumper strip
under elastic pre-tension against the housing. The retaining
element makes it possible to hold the longitudinal side which
stands proud from the outer surface of the housing under no
tension, against the housing under elastic pre-tension. The impact
bumper strip obtains softer or harder spring properties according
to the magnitude of the elastic pre-stress. These spring properties
are determined by the choice of material for the impact bumper
strip and by the geometry, especially by the cross-section, i.e.,
the width and height of the impact bumper strip as well as by the
distance between the fixing point of the impact bumper strip and
the fixing point of the retaining element. The external appearance
of the vacuum cleaner remains substantially unchanged despite the
variation in these parameters.
[0006] Since the outer circumference of the vacuum cleaner is no
longer formed by a projecting sharp edge but by a flat side section
of the impact bumper strip, the additional advantage is obtained
that scratching of pieces of furniture is largely avoided. The
vacuum cleaner can thus be operated so that it protects the
furniture.
[0007] If the housing of the vacuum cleaner is constructed in two
parts, the elastic impact bumper strip can be held on the first
housing part and the second housing part can have the retaining
element. Since the impact bumper strip and the retaining element
are constructed on different housing parts, the impact bumper strip
can be held by the retaining element as soon as the two housing
parts of the vacuum cleaners are assembled. Assembly of the vacuum
cleaner is thereby simplified since both the assembly of the vacuum
cleaner housing and also the assembly of the impact bumper strip
can be accomplished on the retaining element in one assembly
step.
[0008] In an advantageous embodiment the elastic impact bumper
strip is constructed on a lower part of the vacuum cleaner and the
retaining element is constructed on an upper part of the vacuum
cleaner. The housing or the first housing part is preferably made
of plastic and the impact bumper strip is moulded thereon. The
number of different parts is thereby reduced. This has the
advantage that the logistics of the assembly parts and the assembly
of the vacuum cleaner is simplified since the impact bumper strip
does not appear as a separate component.
[0009] The arrangement of the impact bumper strip on a lower part
of the vacuum cleaner and the arrangement of the retaining element
on an upper part of the vacuum cleaner is especially advantageous
if the lower part and the upper part are made of different
plastics. If the lower part of the vacuum cleaner is made of a
partially crystalline plastic such as polypropylene (PP) for
example, it is especially appropriate to mould the impact bumper
strip on this part since such plastics are very viscous and have a
high elasticity.
[0010] The appearance of the vacuum cleaner is usually
substantially determined by the upper part. These design parts
should frequently have a high gloss and are thus made of an
amorphous plastic such as acetyl butadiene styrene (ABS) or
polycarbonate (PC). These plastics are very brittle and exhibit
only low elasticity. It is especially appropriate to mould the
retaining element on these hard and barely flexible components. In
general, it is necessary to construct the retaining element as
largely stiff to prevent the elastically pre-stressed free end of
the impact bumper strip from sliding out. On the other hand, it is
advantageous to use the high elasticity of the lower part to obtain
an impact bumper strip of high elasticity moulded thereon.
[0011] In addition to or as a replacement for the internal
elasticity of the impact bumper strip, it can be appropriate if the
elastic impact bumper strip has a cross-section which has a reduced
width compared with the remaining width at least at one point of
weakening. Such a point of weakening is preferably provided at a
point which lies at least near the transition of the housing part
to the impact bumper strip.
[0012] This alternative provides the possibility for giving the
impact bumper strip a high elasticity even if the housing part
itself on which the impact bumper strip is moulded only has a low
elasticity. The required elasticity of the impact bumper strip is
then substantially achieved by suitably dimensioning the point of
weakening. In this case, the point of weakening forms a film hinge
by which means the impact bumper strip is movably moulded on the
housing part. The elasticity of the impact bumper strip can be
defined by such a point of weakening largely independently of the
material of the housing part.
[0013] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the impact
bumper strip is convexly outwardly curved in its elastically
pre-stressed position. As a result of the convex curvature,
improved protection against scratching is provided since, when the
vacuum cleaner impacts against furniture, for example, the impact
bumper strip impacts flat against the piece of furniture and no
sharp edge is present which could cause scratches in the furniture.
Another advantage of the curvature is that as the forces of impact
increase, the curvature at the impact point is flattened and a
larger impact surface on the impact bumper strip is thus obtained.
In this way, the forces produced in the event of a violent impact
of the vacuum cleaner on the respective furniture are distributed
over a large impact surface. This additional measure prevents
scratches from forming. The convex shape of the impact bumper strip
can be obtained by elastically pre-stressing a flat impact bumper
strip so that it bends in a groove shape. Alternatively, the impact
bumper strip can already be pre-formed in a groove shape or with a
circular-segment-shaped cross-section.
[0014] If the impact bumper strip runs at least around part of the
periphery of the housing, the impact bumper strip can have at least
one gap-like interruption which divides the impact bumper strip
into a number of a plurality of sections. The elasticity of the
impact bumper strip is improved by dividing the impact bumper strip
into a number of a plurality of sections. Especially when the
impact bumper strip runs around a corner on the periphery of the
vacuum cleaner housing, it can be appropriate to divide the impact
bumper strip into a number of a plurality of sections at this
point. This prevents the elastic properties from being impaired as
a result of the highly curved profile of the impact bumper
strip.
[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the retaining element is
constructed as a retaining strip which stands proud of the surface
of the housing or the second housing part, and is inclined towards
the impact bumper strip. If the retaining element is constructed as
a retaining strip, the impact bumper strip can simply be snapped in
behind the retaining strip which projects from the surface of the
housing. An inexpensive fixing of the retaining element on the
housing or on the second housing part is thus obtained and it is
simpler to assemble the impact bumper strip in its elastically
pre-stressed position.
[0016] The retaining element is preferably made of plastic and is
moulded on the housing or on the second housing part. By analogy
with the moulded-on construction of the impact bumper strip on the
first housing part, the retaining element or the retaining strip
can be moulded on the second housing part. A simple and inexpensive
fixing of the retaining element or the retaining strip on the
housing or the second housing part is thereby achieved. Separate
fixing means for the retaining element can thus be dispensed
with.
[0017] The retaining element is preferably constructed so that with
the housing or the second housing part, it defines a receiving
space in which the second longitudinal side of the impact bumper
strip is held. This receiving space is preferably constructed as
notch-shaped and is defined by an inner wall of the retaining
element and an outer wall of the housing or the second housing
part. As a result of the notch-shaped construction of the receiving
space, improved fixing of the free longitudinal side of the impact
bumper strip is achieved.
[0018] The second longitudinal side of the impact bumper strip is
preferably held under elastic pre-stress in a position in the
receiving space where the end of the second longitudinal side is
located at a distance from the notch base of the receiving space.
If the impact bumper strip is constructed as convexly outwardly
curved, it allows additional deformation in the event of an impact.
As a result of the distance of the second longitudinal side from
the notch base, the convexly curved impact bumper strip has
sufficient space to become deformed inside the receiving space. The
impact bumper strip can still be deformed even when the second
longitudinal side of the impact bumper strip is already abutting
against the surface of the housing. Further deformation is made
possible by the second longitudinal side being pushed further into
the receiving space in the direction of the notch base with
increasing impact forces. As a result of this construction, the
impact bumper strip is held reliably by the retaining element in
its elastically pre-stressed position and despite this has a very
high elasticity.
[0019] The invention is explained in detail subsequently with
reference to an exemplary embodiment.
[0020] In the figures:
[0021] FIG. 1 is a vacuum cleaner with an impact bumper strip
according to the invention;
[0022] FIG. 2 is a cross-section through the impact bumper strip
along the line of intersection I-I in FIG. 1;
[0023] FIG. 3 is a cross-section through the impact bumper strip
along the line of intersection II-II in FIG. 2.
[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner 1. The
vacuum cleaner 1 has a housing 2 which is formed by a first housing
part 3 and a second housing part 4. The first housing part 3 is a
lower shell and the second housing part 4 is an upper shell. A
cover 5 is pivotally mounted on the upper shell (housing part 4).
The cover 5 closes a dust compartment arranged in the housing 2
which contains a dust separator which is not shown. A fan unit, not
shown, is accommodated underneath the upper shell (housing part
4).
[0025] A front end of the vacuum cleaner 1 has a first handle 6a.
The handle 6a is curved in an arc shape and is connected to the
first housing part 3 at both ends. A second handle 6b is affixed to
the outer surface of the upper shell (housing part 4) in the area
of the rear end of the vacuum cleaner 1. The first housing part 3
and the second housing part 4 are constructed as shell-shaped and
are joined to one another along a separating line.
[0026] An impact bumper strip 7 runs along the separating line over
the periphery of the housing 2. On the two opposite sides of the
vacuum cleaner 1 the impact bumper strip 7 runs along an arc-shaped
curve whose highest point is located approximately at the centre
between the front and rear ends of the vacuum cleaner 1. In the
area of the rear end of the vacuum cleaner 1 the impact bumper
strip 7 runs at a low level near the bottom surface of the lower
shell (housing part 3).
[0027] FIG. 2 shows a section of the cross-section through the
impact bumper strip along the line of intersection I-I from FIG. 1.
The section from the housing 2 is shown in the area of the
separating line where the lower first housing part 3 and the upper
second housing part 4 meet one another. The impact bumper strip 7
has a first longitudinal side 8. The first longitudinal side 8 of
the impact bumper strip 7 is moulded on the first housing part
3.
[0028] In its tension-free state the impact bumper strip 7 is
already slightly pre-formed in an arched groove shape. At the
junction between the impact bumper strip 7 and the first housing
part 3, a point of weakening 9 is applied in the vicinity of the
first longitudinal side 8. The point of weakening 9 is formed by a
thinning of the width of the impact bumper strip 7. The point of
weakening 9 forms a film hinge by which means the impact bumper
strip 7 can be pivoted with respect to the first housing part
3.
[0029] Alternatively, the impact bumper strip 7 can be made of a
very soft and elastic material. In this case, the impact bumper
strip 7 can be constructed as flat under no tension. The convexly
outwardly curved shape of the impact bumper strip is then obtained
if a second longitudinal side 10 of the impact bumper strip 7 is
held in an elastically pre-stressed position 12 by a retaining
element 11.
[0030] The retaining element 11 has its fixed end moulded on the
second housing part 4. It projects outwards from the outer surface
of the second housing part 4. In the exemplary embodiment shown the
retaining element 11 projects diagonally downwards in a gable-roof
shape. A notch-shaped receiving space 13 is defined between the
outer wall of the second housing part 4 and the inner wall of the
retaining element 11. In the elastically pre-stressed position 12
of the impact bumper strip 7, the second longitudinal side 10 of
the impact bumper strip 7 is located inside the receiving space 13.
As a result of the elastic pre-stressing, the end region of the
impact bumper strip 7 abuts against the inner wall of the retaining
element 11 near to the second longitudinal side 10.
[0031] The impact bumper strip 7 and the retaining element 11 are
dimensioned and their mutual position is positioned so that a
distance A is maintained between the notch base of the receiving
space 13 and the second longitudinal side 10 of the impact bumper
strip 7. With this construction of the elastic impact bumper strip
7 and the retaining element 11 the second longitudinal side 10 of
the impact bumper strip 7 can be pushed in the direction of the
elastically pre-stressed position 12 towards the notch base of the
receiving space 13 as the impact forces increase.
[0032] In the exemplary embodiment shown the second housing part 4
is constructed as a fixedly mounted hood of the fan compartment of
the vacuum cleaner 1. Alternatively or additionally, the second
housing part 4 can also form the cover 5. If the second housing
part 4 forms the cover 5, the retaining element 11 is constructed
such that the second longitudinal side 10 of the impact bumper
strip 7 is also surrounded by the inner wall of the retaining
element 11 in the tension-free state of the impact bumper strip 7.
The impact bumper strip 7 is then bent into its elastically
pre-stressed position 12 by closing the cover 5.
[0033] FIG. 3 shows a longitudinal section through the impact
bumper strip along the line of intersection II-II in FIG. 2. In the
exemplary embodiment shown the impact bumper strip 7 is divided
into a number of a plurality of sections. FIG. 3 shows a first
section 7a and a second section 7b of the impact bumper strip 7.
The sections 7a and 7b are separated by a gap-shaped interruption
15. Both sections 7a and 7b are moulded on the first housing part
3. A plurality of gap-shaped interruptions 15, as shown in FIG. 3,
can be provided distributed over the periphery of the vacuum
cleaner 1. As shown in FIG. 3, these gap-shaped interruptions 15
are especially arranged in an area where the impact bumper strip 7
runs around the periphery of the vacuum cleaner 1 with a relatively
small radius of curvature.
* * * * *