U.S. patent application number 11/207454 was filed with the patent office on 2006-07-20 for articulative extension pipe of vacuum cleaner.
This patent application is currently assigned to Samsung Gwangiu Electronics Co., Ltd. Invention is credited to Keon-Soo Choi, Hwa-Joong Kim, Heung-Jun Park.
Application Number | 20060156510 11/207454 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36255792 |
Filed Date | 2006-07-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060156510 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Park; Heung-Jun ; et
al. |
July 20, 2006 |
Articulative extension pipe of vacuum cleaner
Abstract
An articulative extension pipe for a vacuum cleaner has a first
extension pipe having a joint, a second extension pipe having a
joint receiving part in which a joint of the first extension pipe
is inserted, a sealing cover enclosing the first and the second
extension pipes, and a locking button disposed between the sealing
cover and the first extension pipe, and having at least one
coupling protrusion on the outer circumference. One of the sealing
cover, and the first and the second extension pipes has at least
one coupling recess in which the coupling protrusion of the locking
button is selectively inserted so that the first extension pipe can
rotate with respect to the second extension pipe. The sealing cover
further includes a wheel, which rolls in contact with the surface
being cleaned, and a cotton flannel is disposed on the outer
circumference of the wheel.
Inventors: |
Park; Heung-Jun;
(Gwangju-City, KR) ; Kim; Hwa-Joong;
(Gwangju-City, KR) ; Choi; Keon-Soo;
(Gwangju-City, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Paul D. Greeley, Esq.;Ohlandt, Greeley, Ruggiero & Perle, L.L.P.
10th Floor
One Landmark Square
Stamford
CT
06901-2682
US
|
Assignee: |
Samsung Gwangiu Electronics Co.,
Ltd
|
Family ID: |
36255792 |
Appl. No.: |
11/207454 |
Filed: |
August 19, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/414 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 9/009 20130101;
A47L 9/248 20130101; A47L 9/242 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
015/414 |
International
Class: |
A47L 9/24 20060101
A47L009/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 14, 2005 |
KR |
2005-03689 |
Feb 16, 2005 |
KR |
2005-12644 |
Claims
1. An articulative extension pipe for a vacuum cleaner, comprising:
a first extension pipe having a joint; a second extension pipe
having a joint receiving part in which the joint of the first
extension pipe is inserted; a sealing cover enclosing the first and
the second extension pipes; and a locking button disposed between
the sealing cover and the first extension pipe, and having at least
one coupling protrusion on the outer circumference, wherein one of
the sealing cover, and the first and the second extension pipes has
at least one coupling recess in which the at least one coupling
protrusion of the locking button is selectively inserted so that
the first extension pipe can rotate with respect to the second
extension pipe.
2. The articulative extension pipe of claim 1, further comprising
an elastic member disposed between the locking button and the first
extension pipe, to elastically bias the locking button to a
direction away from the first extension pipe.
3. The articulative extension pipe of claim 2, wherein the sealing
cover comprises a button hole through which a part of the locking
button can protrude.
4. The articulative extension pipe of claim 3, wherein the coupling
recess comprises a plurality of spaces defined among a plurality of
protrusions of the sealing cover and the first extension pipe.
5. The articulative extension pipe of claim 4, wherein the coupling
recess comprises: a first coupling recess formed on the
circumference of a button hole of the sealing cover; and a second
and a third coupling recesses formed on a position corresponding to
the first coupling recess on a joint of the first extension
pipe.
6. The articulative extension pipe of claim 5, wherein the third
coupling recess comprises a plurality of linear protrusions.
7. The articulative extension pipe of claim 1, wherein the sealing
cover further comprises a wheel which rolls in contact with the
surface being cleaned.
8. The articulative extension pipe of claim 7, wherein a cotton
flannel is disposed on the outer circumference of the wheel.
9. An articulative extension pipe for a vacuum cleaner, comprising:
a first extension pipe having a joint part; a second extension pipe
having a joint receiving part, said joint receiving part receiving
said joint part so that said first and second pipe extensions are
in fluid communication with one another and said first extension
pipe can rotate with respect to said second extension pipe; a
sealing cover enclosing said first and the second extension pipes;
and a locking button disposed between said sealing cover and said
first extension pipe for selectively allowing said first extension
pipe to rotate with respect to said second extension pipe.
10. The articulative extension pipe of claim 9, wherein said
locking button has at least one coupling protrusion on an outer
circumference and said sealing cover has at least one coupling
recess in which said at least one coupling protrusion of the
locking button is selectively inserted so that said first extension
pipe is locked in position with respect to the second extension
pipe.
11. The articulative extension pipe of claim 10, further comprising
a spring disposed between said locking button and said first
extension pipe to bias said locking button to a direction away from
said first extension pipe so that said spring biases said at least
one coupling protrusion in said at least one coupling recess.
12. The articulative extension pipe of claim 10, wherein said first
extension pipe further comprises at least one coupling recess
receiving said at least one coupling protrusion of the locking
button.
13. The articulative extension pipe of claim 9, further comprising
a wheel that rolls in contact with a surface being cleaned, said
wheel being disposed at said sealing cover.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.
119(a) of Korean Patent Application No. 2005-03689 filed Jan. 14,
2005 and Korean Patent Application No. 2005-12644, filed Feb. 16,
2005, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire
disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner. More
particularly, the present invention relates to an articulative
extension pipe of a vacuum cleaner with which a user can clean
limited spaces such as recess under the furniture such as bed and
couch.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Generally, a vacuum cleaner has a main body, a vacuum source
housed in the main body to generate suction force, a dust chamber
also housed in the main body to receive collected dusts, a suction
brush for moving in contact with a surface being cleaned, and an
extension passage connecting the main body with the suction brush.
The type of extension passage may vary depending on the types of
vacuum cleaner in use. For example, a flexible hose connecting the
main body with an operation handle, and an extension pipe
connecting the operation handle and the suction brush, are usually
provided for a canister vacuum cleaner.
[0006] In order to clean small spaces under the couch or bed with
the vacuum cleaner, a user first bends or lowers his body and puts
the suction brush under the furniture and operates the vacuum
cleaner. Accordingly, user fatigue is caused.
[0007] In an attempt to resolve the above-mentioned problems,
Korean Patent No. 10-0451728 has suggested an articulative
extension pipe of a vacuum cleaner, which includes a lower
extension pipe, an upper extension pipe, an articulation joint
disposed between the upper and lower extension pipes and enabling
the lower extension pipe to move within a predetermined range, and
a locking means for selectively moving the articulative joint.
[0008] When locked in a stationery position, the lower extension
pipe is held by a single locking protrusion. Therefore, the lower
extension pipe is frequently released from the stationery position
during use.
[0009] The articulative extension pipe is not easy to use,
especially because the user has to tighten and then release the
locking means to move the lower extension pipe. The lower extension
pipe is also exposed to a shock, which is generated by the locking
protrusion during articulative movement to an extended
position.
[0010] When in operation under the furniture, the projected part of
the articulative joint can hit the surface being cleaned, and when
it happens, the projected part and the cleaning surface are both
damaged due to friction. Furthermore, it is not easy for the user
to move the suction brush due to frictional force.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The present invention has been developed in order to solve
the above drawbacks and other problems associated with the
conventional arrangement. An aspect of the present invention is to
provide an extension pipe of a vacuum cleaner, which is capable of
articulatively moving with a simple structure, and maintaining
tight coupling between extension pipes when the extension pipes are
not moved.
[0012] It is another aspect of the present invention to provide an
extension pipe of a vacuum cleaner that has no friction and
subsequent damage between articulation part of the extension pipe
and a surface being cleaned especially during cleaning of small
spaces under the furniture, and a smoothly moving suction
brush.
[0013] The above aspects and/or other features of the present
invention can substantially be achieved by providing an
articulative extension pipe for a vacuum cleaner, including a first
extension pipe having a joint, a second extension pipe having a
joint receiving part in which a joint of the first extension pipe
is inserted, a sealing cover enclosing the first and the second
extension pipes, and a locking button disposed between the sealing
cover and the first extension pipe, and having at least one
coupling protrusion on the outer circumference. One of the sealing
cover, and the first and the second extension pipes has at least
one coupling recess in which the coupling protrusion of the locking
button is selectively inserted so that the first extension pipe can
rotate with respect to the second extension pipe.
[0014] An elastic member may be disposed between the locking button
and the first extension pipe, to elastically bias the locking
button to a direction away from the first extension pipe. The
sealing cover may preferably have a button hole through which a
part of the locking button can protrude.
[0015] The coupling recess may be a plurality of spaces defined
among a plurality of protrusions of the sealing cover and the first
extension pipe. The coupling recess includes a first coupling
recess formed on the circumference of a button hole of the sealing
cover, and a second and a third coupling recesses formed on a
position corresponding to the first coupling recess on a joint of
the first extension pipe. The third coupling recess may include a
plurality of linear protrusions.
[0016] The sealing cover may further include a wheel, which rolls
in contact with the surface being cleaned. A cotton flannel may
preferably be disposed on the outer circumference of the wheel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The above aspects and features of the present invention will
be more apparent by describing certain embodiments of the present
invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an articulative extension
pipe according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the articulative
extension pipe of FIG. 1;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of a first sealing cover
of FIG. 2;
[0021] FIG. 4A is a view illustrating relation between first,
second and third coupling recesses and coupling protrusions before
the articulative bending of the first extension pipe;
[0022] FIG. 4B is a partial sectional view illustrating the main
part of FIG. 4A;
[0023] FIG. 5A is a view illustrating relation between first,
second and third coupling recesses and coupling protrusions after
the articulative bending of the first extension pipe;
[0024] FIG. 5B is a partial sectional view illustrating the main
part of FIG. 5A;
[0025] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an articulative extension
pipe according to another embodiment of the present invention;
and
[0026] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner employing
therein the articulative extension pipe of FIG. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0027] Certain embodiments of the present invention will be
described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
[0028] In the following description, same drawing reference
numerals are used for the same elements even in different drawings.
The matters defined in the description such as a detailed
construction and elements are nothing but the ones provided to
assist in a comprehensive understanding of the invention. Thus, it
is apparent that the present invention can be carried out without
those defined matters. Also, well-known functions or constructions
are not described in detail since they would obscure the invention
in unnecessary detail.
[0029] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an articulative extension pipe
100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a
first extension pipe 110, a second extension pipe 120, a sealing
cover 130, a locking button 140 and an elastic member 150.
[0030] The first extension pipe 110 has a cylindrical joint J1 for
insertion into a joint receiving part J2 of the second extension
pipe 120.
[0031] The cylindrical joint J1 has an elongated hole 117 in its
front side for maintaining a fluid communication with the suction
port 121 even when the first extension pipe 110 is in bent
position.
[0032] The cylindrical joint J1 has a second coupling recess 112 in
its circumference in a position corresponding to the first coupling
recess 131c of the first cover 131. The cylindrical joint J1 has a
third coupling recess 114 in a bottom side in a position
corresponding to the first coupling recess 131c.
[0033] The second coupling recess 112 is defined by the cooperation
of a plurality of protrusions 111. A pair of protrusions 111
defines one second coupling recess 112. In the embodiment shown in
FIG. 2, a total of eight (8) protrusions 111 are used to define a
total of four (4) coupling recesses 112.
[0034] The third coupling recess 114 is defined by the cooperation
of a plurality of linear or curvilinear protrusions 113. A pair of
linear protrusions 113 define a third coupling recess 114. That is,
a pair of protrusions 113 form a third coupling recess 114, and as
shown in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, a total of four (4) linear
protrusions 113 are used to define a total of four (4) coupling
recesses 114. The cylindrical joint J1 has a first seating hole 115
at the center of the bottom, for the elastic member 150 to seat
thereon.
[0035] The second extension pipe 120 has a joint receiving part J2
corresponding to the cylindrical joint J1, so that the cylindrical
joint J1 of the first extension pipe 110 can be articulatively
coupled therewith.
[0036] The joint receiving part J2 has, in its front side, a
cutaway oval part 122 and a connection part 123. The presence of
the cutaway oval part 122 limits the angle (.theta.) of
articulative movement of the first extension pipe 110. Due to the
connection part 123, the joint part J1 of the first extension pipe
110 is enabled to insert into the joint receiving part J2 in the
direction indicated by the arrow A. A reference numeral 125
indicates a button for attaching or detaching another extension
pipe to the second extension pipe 120.
[0037] The sealing cover 130 prevents loss of suction force between
the joints J1 and J2 of the first and second extension pipes 110
and 120, and also prevents separation of the locking button 140. To
this end, the sealing cover 130 includes first and second covers
131 and 132.
[0038] The first and second covers 131 and 132 are coupled by
screws, and the first cover 131 has a first cut 131d and the second
cover 132 has a second cut 132d. When first and second covers 131
and 132 are assembled, the first and second cuts 131d and 132d
define, in an exemplary embodiment, an opening having a shape and
size that corresponds to that of the oval shape defined in cutaway
oval part 122. Accordingly, due to the presence of the first and
second cuts 131d and 132d, the first extension pipe 110 is movable
in the direction of arrow G or arrow H as shown in FIG. 5A even
when the first and second covers 131 and 132 are connected with
each other.
[0039] The first cover 131 has a button hole 131a sized to
correspond to the outer circumference of the locking button 140.
Accordingly, the locking button 140 is exposed to the outside
through the button hole 131a.
[0040] The button hole 131a has a first coupling recess 131c formed
in its circumference. The first coupling recess 131c is formed by
the cooperation of a plurality of protrusions 131b. That is, a pair
of protrusions 131b form a first coupling recess 131c, and as shown
in this embodiment, a total of four (4) protrusions 131b may be
used to form a total of four (4) first coupling recesses.
[0041] Each of the protrusions 131b is formed in a stepwise manner
to form a friction part 131bb (see FIG. 3). Accordingly, as shown
in FIG. 5A, when the locking button 140 is pushed to the direction
of arrow A, upper part 143aa (see FIG. 2) of the coupling
protrusion 141 contacts with the friction part 131bb and
slides.
[0042] Referring to FIG. 2, the locking button 140 includes a press
part 141, a anti-separation part 142 and a coupling protrusion
143.
[0043] The press part 141 is a cylindrical protrusion for insertion
into the button hole 131a in the direction indicated by an arrow B.
When pushed by the user, the press part 141 pushes the locking
button 140. The press part 141 has, on its rear side, a second
seating hole 141a for the elastic member 150 to seat thereon, and
there is a cross part 141aa provided at the center of the second
seating hole 141a to which a part of the elastic member 150 is
inserted to more firmly support the elastic member 150.
[0044] The anti-separation part 142 is an annular plate which
encloses the press part 141 so that the press part 141 can prevent
the locking button 140 from passing through the button hole 131a in
the direction of arrow B once the locking button 140 is
inserted.
[0045] The coupling protrusion 143 includes first and second
coupling protrusions 143a and 143b.
[0046] The first coupling protrusion 143a is a quadrangle, which is
formed on the circumference of the press part 141 and above the
anti-separation part 142. Referring to FIGS. 4B and 5B, the first
coupling protrusion 143a remains inserted in the first coupling
recess 131c during release of the locking button 140 (FIG. 4B), and
separates from the first coupling recess 131c when the locking
button 140 is pushed in the direction of arrow A (FIG. 5B).
[0047] The second coupling protrusion 143b is connected with the
first coupling protrusion 143a. The second coupling protrusion 143b
also is a quadrangle, but is slimmer than the first coupling
protrusion 143a. Referring again to FIGS. 4B and 5B, the second
coupling protrusion 143b remains inserted in the second coupling
recess 112 during the release of the locking button 140 (FIG. 4B),
and is inserted in both the second and third coupling recesses 112
and 114 when the locking button 140 is pushed in the direction of
arrow A (FIG. 5B).
[0048] When the locking button 140 is pushed enough to insert the
second coupling protrusion 143b in the third coupling recess 114,
the first coupling protrusion 143a can be separated from the first
coupling recess 131c, and therefore, the first extension pipe 110
is enabled to move.
[0049] The present embodiment depicts four coupling protrusions 143
arranged radially around the press part 141. However, one will
appreciate that this is only for the exemplary purpose, and
therefore, the number of coupling protrusions 143 may vary as
necessary. For example, two coupling protrusions 143 can be
provided in a symmetrical relation with each other.
[0050] Referring to FIG. 2, the elastic member 150 can be a coil
spring seated between the first and the second seating holes 115
and 141a. The elastic member 150 biases the locking button 140 to
the arrowed direction B, the direction in which the locking button
140 is moved further away from the first extension pipe 110.
Accordingly, when the force that was pushing the locking button 140
is removed, the locking button 140 can automatically be
released.
[0051] Hereinbelow, the operation of the articulative extension
pipe 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention
will be described.
[0052] FIG. 4A shows the relation between the first, second and
third coupling recesses 131c, 112, 114 and the coupling protrusion
141 before the articulative bending of the first extension pipe
110. In order to show the relation of these elements more clearly,
illustration of the sealing cover 130 is omitted except for the
area where the first coupling recess 131c is formed. FIG. 4B
particularly shows the main part of FIG. 4A in cross section.
[0053] Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, when in normal operation on
the places such as wooden floor, the angle (.theta.) of
articulative movement (FIG. 5A) is fixed at 0.degree.. In this
situation, the first coupling protrusion 143a is inserted in the
first coupling recess 131c, and the second coupling protrusion 143b
is inserted in the second coupling recess 112. Accordingly, the
first extension pipe 110 is restricted to move in the direction
indicated by arrow G, because the first coupling protrusion 143a is
inserted in the first coupling recess 131c of the first cover 131,
which is fixed with respect to the first extension pipe 110.
[0054] FIG. 5A shows the relation between the first, second and
third coupling recesses 131c, 112, 114 and the coupling protrusion
141 after the articulative movement of the first extension pipe
110. In order to show the relation of these elements more clearly,
illustration of the sealing cover 130 is omitted except for the
area where the first coupling recess 131c is formed. FIG. 5B
particularly shows the main part of FIG. 5A in cross section.
[0055] Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the user may bend the first
extension pipe 110 in the direction of arrow G so as to clean the
spaces under the bed or the couch with ease.
[0056] To have the first extension pipe 110 move in the direction
of arrow G, the user pushes the locking button 130 in the direction
of arrow A. As the locking button 130 is pushed, from the state
shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the first coupling protrusion 143a is
separated from the first coupling recess 131c, and the second
coupling protrusion 143b is inserted in both of the second and
third coupling recesses 112 and 114 (FIGS. 5A and 5B).
[0057] Referring to FIG. 5B, when the first coupling protrusion
143a is separated from the first coupling recess 131c, the upper
side 143aa of the first coupling protrusion 143a in the position as
indicated by arrow E in FIG. 4A, contacts the friction part 131bb
and moves to the position as indicated by arrow F of FIG. 5A.
Therefore, unlike in the situation as shown in FIG. 5A, the first
extension pipe 110 is no more restricted by the first cover 131,
and freely moves in the direction of arrow G.
[0058] The angle (.theta.) of articulative movement may preferably
be 45.degree. at the maximum. The angle (.theta.) of articulative
movement may be adjusted by the cutaway part 122 (FIG. 2) of the
joint receiving part J2 of the second extension pipe 120 and/or the
first and second cuts 131d and 132d of first and second covers 131
and 132, when assembled.
[0059] With the completion of cleaning on the space under the
furniture, the user un-bends the first extension pipe 110 to the
angle (.theta.) of articulative movement of 0.degree.. The user may
directly un-bend the first extension pipe 110 in the direction of
arrow H. Alternatively, the user may hold the first extension pipe
110 to a predetermined height so that the second extension pipe 120
can drop by its own weight, letting the first extension pipe 110
un-bend in the direction of arrow H.
[0060] As the first extension pipe 110 un-bends, the coupling
protrusion 143 at the position of arrow F (FIG. 5A) moves to the
position of arrow E of FIG. 4A.
[0061] At this time, the locking button 140 is exposed through the
button hole 131a (FIG. 2) due to recovery force of the elastic
member 150 (FIG. 2), and at the same time, the first coupling
protrusion 143a is re-inserted in the first coupling recess 131c.
As a result, the first extension pipe 110 unfolds.
[0062] The articulative extension pipe 200 according to the second
embodiment of the present invention will now be described with
reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. In the following description, the
elements that are similar to, or identical with those of the first
embodiment will be referenced by the same reference numerals and
the elements that are already described in the first embodiment
will not be described.
[0063] Referring to FIG. 6, the sealing cover 130 further includes
a wheel 160, which runs in contact with the surface 10 being
cleaned. A cotton flannel 170 is disposed on the outer
circumference of the wheel 160.
[0064] Referring to FIG. 7, the wheel 160 is rotatably disposed on
the lower end of the sealing cover 130. The wheel 160 may
preferably be formed of rubber or urethane so that it can roll
smoothly, without giving any damage to the surface 10 being
cleaned.
[0065] The wheel 160 rotates in the direction of arrow C when the
user pushes the suction brush 20 in the direction of arrow X with
the bent extension pipe 200 for the cleaning of the space under the
furniture. The wheel 160 rotates in the direction of arrow D when
the suction brush 20 is pulled to the direction of arrow Y. In the
present embodiment, the cotton flannel 170 are planed on the outer
circumference of the wheel 160, and therefore, the wheel 160
rotates in the direction of C or D due to the friction between the
cotton flannel 170 and the surface 10 being cleaned.
[0066] By the operation of the wheel 160 as described above, the
sealing cover 130 does not directly touch the surface 10 being
cleaned when the bent extension pipe 200 is at cleaning operation
with respect to the space under the furniture. In other words, the
articulation part does not directly contact the surface 10 being
cleaned. Accordingly, damages to the surface 10 being
cleaned--especially the carpet--or the sealing cover 130 due to the
friction therebetween. Additionally, the suction brush 20 is
smoothly moved. Because it becomes easier to push or pull the
suction brush 20, user convenience in operating the vacuum cleaner
also increases.
[0067] The cotton flannel 170 includes a plurality of bristles, and
is attached or press-fit to the outer circumference of the wheel
160. Due to the presence of the cotton flannel 170, damages to the
surface 10 being cleaned, especially the carpet, can be effectively
prevented. More specifically, because soft texture of the cotton
flannel 170 protects the surface 10 being cleaned, impact can be
reduced compared to when the wheel 160 directly contacts the
surface 10 being cleaned.
[0068] A reference numeral 30 denotes a cleaner body, 40 denotes a
flexible hose, and 50 denotes an operation part.
[0069] With the articulative extension pipe of a vacuum cleaner
according to the present invention, the following advantages are
obtained.
[0070] First, the user can have the extension pipe bend by a simple
manipulation of a locking button, and therefore, the user is freed
from the physical burden of bending or lowering his body.
Accordingly, the user convenience increases and user can clean even
the limited spaces under the furniture such as bed or couch with
ease.
[0071] Secondly, in normal operation, that is, in cleaning
operation that does not require articulative movement of the
extension pipe, the coupling protrusion of the locking button is
inserted in both of the first and second coupling recesses.
Therefore, the first and second extension pipes can be firmly
fastened with each other, and the reliability increases.
[0072] Thirdly, the first and second extension pipes can be freely
moved, or fixed in relative with each other with the simple
cooperation between the coupling protrusion and first, second and
third coupling recesses. Accordingly, the articulative extension
pipe can have simple structure, and manufacturing cost
decreases.
[0073] Fourthly, due to wheel which rolls in contact with the
surface being cleaned, and the cotton flannel which is formed on
the outer circumference of the wheel, damages to the articulation
part and the surface being cleaned can be prevented during cleaning
of limited area such as space under the furniture, and user can use
the suction brush with ease.
[0074] The foregoing embodiments and advantages are merely
exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the present
invention. The present teaching can be readily applied to other
types of apparatuses. Also, the description of the embodiments of
the present invention is intended to be illustrative, and not to
limit the scope of the claims, and many alternatives,
modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in
the art.
* * * * *