U.S. patent application number 12/070951 was filed with the patent office on 2009-02-05 for suction port assembly of vacuum cleaner.
This patent application is currently assigned to SAMSUNG GWANGJU ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Myoung-sun Choung, Il-du Jung, Yun-hee Park, Dong-hun Yoo.
Application Number | 20090031522 12/070951 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39596068 |
Filed Date | 2009-02-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090031522 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yoo; Dong-hun ; et
al. |
February 5, 2009 |
Suction port assembly of vacuum cleaner
Abstract
A vacuum cleaner operable on upright mode and canister mode is
provided. The vacuum cleaner includes a suction port assembly
comprising a suction port and a suction passage to draw in
dust-laden air, a cleaner body housing a dust separating unit and a
motor connected with the dust separating unit, an operating handle
assembly in fluid communication with the cleaner body through a
hose and in fluid communication with an extension pipe, and a
carrying handle assembly sliding along the cleaner body to increase
in length. If the vacuum cleaner is in the upright mode, the
extension pipe is in fluid communication with the suction port
assembly, is used as a passage for air to pass toward the cleaner
body, and supports the cleaner body, while if the vacuum cleaner is
in the canister mode, the extension pipe is separated from the
cleaner body.
Inventors: |
Yoo; Dong-hun;
(Gwangju-city, KR) ; Park; Yun-hee; (Gwangju-city,
KR) ; Choung; Myoung-sun; (Gwangju-city, KR) ;
Jung; Il-du; (Gwangju-city, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Paul D. Greeley;Ohlandt, Greeley, Ruggiero & Perle, L.L.P.
10th Floor, One Landmark Square
Stamford
CT
06901-2682
US
|
Assignee: |
SAMSUNG GWANGJU ELECTRONICS CO.,
LTD.
|
Family ID: |
39596068 |
Appl. No.: |
12/070951 |
Filed: |
February 22, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60964676 |
Aug 14, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/327.1 ;
15/328 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 5/36 20130101; A47L
5/28 20130101; A47L 9/327 20130101; A47L 9/325 20130101; A47L 5/32
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/327.1 ;
15/328 |
International
Class: |
A47L 9/00 20060101
A47L009/00; A47L 5/22 20060101 A47L005/22; A47L 5/28 20060101
A47L005/28; A47L 9/32 20060101 A47L009/32; A47L 5/30 20060101
A47L005/30; A47L 5/36 20060101 A47L005/36 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 2, 2007 |
KR |
2007-77662 |
Sep 14, 2007 |
KR |
2007-93884 |
Claims
1. A vacuum cleaner comprising: a suction port assembly comprising
a suction port and a suction passage to draw in dust-laden air from
an object being cleaned; a cleaner body housing a dust separating
unit and a motor that is connected with the dust separating unit;
and an extension pipe fluidly connected to the cleaner body, which
can be attached or detached lengthwise along one portion of the
cleaner body, wherein if the vacuum cleaner operates in an upright
mode, the extension pipe is connected with the suction port
assembly, the extension pipe is used as a passage for the air to
pass toward the cleaner body, and the extension pipe supports the
cleaner body, while if the vacuum cleaner operates in a canister
mode, the extension pipe is separated from the suction port
assembly.
2. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein the suction port assembly
further comprises a rotating connector which can be connected to or
disconnected from the extension pipe.
3. The vacuum cleaner of claim 2, wherein the rotating connector
comprises: a hinge shaft in which both ends are rotatably connected
to a rear portion of the suction port assembly; and an engaging
pipe engaged with the hinge shaft, connected in fluid communication
with the suction passage, and separably engaged with the extension
pipe.
4. The vacuum cleaner of claim 2, wherein, if the vacuum cleaner is
in the upright mode, the extension pipe remains connected with the
rotating connector, and rotates with respect to the suction port
assembly so as to allow the cleaner body to turn with respect to
the suction port assembly.
5. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein the cleaner body
comprises at least one snap-connector formed on one side to be
snap-engaged with the extension pipe.
6. The vacuum cleaner of claim 2, being convertible from the
upright mode to the canister mode by a two-step operation including
separating an end of the extension pipe from the rotating
connector, and connecting an accessory nozzle to the end of the
extension pipe.
7. A vacuum cleaner comprising: a suction-port assembly comprising
a suction port and a suction passage to draw in dust-laden air from
an object being cleaned; a cleaner body housing a dust separating
unit and a motor that is connected with the dust separating unit;
an operating handle assembly in which one end is connected in fluid
communication with the cleaner body through a hose, and the other
end is connected in fluid communication with an extension pipe
which is attachable to or detachable from the cleaner body; and a
carrying handle assembly sliding along the cleaner body to increase
in length, wherein, if the vacuum cleaner is in an upright mode,
the extension pipe is in fluid communication with the suction port
assembly, the extension pipe is used as a passage for air to pass
toward the cleaner body, and the extension pipe supports the
cleaner body, while, if the vacuum cleaner is in a canister mode,
the extension pipe is in fluid communication with the suction port
assembly, the extension pipe is used as a passage for air to pass
toward the cleaner body, and the extension pipe is separated from
the cleaner body.
8. The vacuum cleaner of claim 7, wherein the carrying handle
assembly comprises: a body part in which a handgrip formed, and the
operating handle assembly is docked in a rear side of the body
part; a sliding bar formed in the cleaner body to slide lengthwise
along the cleaner body; and an operating unit connected with the
sliding bar, the operating unit being formed on the body part to be
partially exposed outside of the cleaner body, wherein the
operating unit selectively locks and unlocks the sliding bar and
the operating handle assembly together.
9. The vacuum cleaner of claim 8, wherein the operating unit
unlocks the operating handle assembly by turning an exposed part of
the body part, and unlocks the sliding bar by pressing the exposed
part of the body part.
10. The vacuum cleaner of claim 9, wherein the operating unit
comprises: a bar fixing casing fixedly formed in the body part to
support the sliding bar; a rotating part rotatably formed on the
upper portion of the bar fixing casing, and comprising a latch
protruding from the rear side of the cleaner body to be inserted in
a locking hole of the operating handle assembly; a button part in
which an upper portion protrudes from an outer surface of the body
part, and a lower portion is disposed inside the rotating part to
allow the button part to individually move vertically along the
rotating part vertically; and an elastic member to elastically
support the button part to allow the button part to be twisted and
compressed with respect to the bar fixing casing.
11. The vacuum cleaner of claim 10, wherein the elastic member is a
coil spring in which one end is fixed at the bar fixing casing, and
the other end is fixed on an inner side of the button part.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/964,676, filed on Aug. 14, 2007 in the United
States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Korean Patent
Application No. 2007-0093884, filed on Sep. 14, 2007 in the Korean
Intellectual Property Office, and Korean Patent Application No.
2007-0077662, filed on Aug. 2, 2007 in the Korean Intellectual
Property Office, the entire disclosure of each of which is hereby
incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present disclosure relates to a vacuum cleaner, and more
particularly, to a vacuum cleaner capable of drawing in dust-laden
air from a surface being cleaned using a suction force generated by
a motor driven inside the cleaner body, filtering the dust from the
drawn air, and discharging clean air to the outside of the cleaner
body.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Vacuum cleaners can be broadly classified into upright type
cleaners and canister type cleaners. An upright type of vacuum
cleaner has a structure in which a suction port assembly is
directly connected to a cleaner body, without using a separate hose
or extension pipe. This upright type of vacuum cleaner uses its
weight to clean, and is thus efficient for cleaning fabrics such as
carpet. A canister type of vacuum cleaner has a different structure
from an upright type of vacuum cleaner, in which a suction port
assembly is connected in fluid communication with a cleaner body.
Because the suction port assembly is relatively free to operate, a
canister type of vacuum cleaner is more efficient when cleaning
places that are not accessible by an upright type of vacuum cleaner
such as narrow places, or stairs.
[0006] Additionally, an upright type of vacuum cleaner having a
lift-off structure has been suggested, as in U.S. Pat. No.
5,309,600 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,524,321, to combine the effects of
the canister and upright cleaners. The lift-off structure enables
the cleaner body to be separated from the suction port
assembly.
[0007] However, such a convertible vacuum cleaner has some
drawbacks. Generally, an upright type requires a separate support
frame that extends vertically from the suction port assembly, and a
canister type requires a user to stow away parts such as an
extension pipe or hose at a separate place for later use.
[0008] The convertible vacuum cleaner also requires a fluid path
converting structure to adapt the fluid path between an upright
type and a canister type, because different fluid paths are formed
between a suction port assembly and a cleaner body depending on
whether a vacuum cleaner is operating in upright or canister mode.
The requirement for a separate fluid path converting structure
causes the structure to become more complex. Furthermore, a user
experiences inconvenience when he uses a canister mode because he
has to separate the extension pipe from the cleaner body and
re-connect it to the suction port of the cleaner body.
[0009] Another drawback is that a vacuum cleaner is generally made
to be usable by someone of adult height, which hinders the user's
freedom in storing the cleaner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure overcome the
above disadvantages and other disadvantages not described above.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present disclosure to provide a
convertible upright and canister type of vacuum cleaner, which is
easy to stow away, and is capable of maximizing user
convenience.
[0011] An aspect of the present disclosure provides a vacuum
cleaner, which includes a suction port assembly comprising a
suction port and a suction passage to draw in dust-laden air from
an object being cleaned, a cleaner body housing a dust separating
unit, and a motor which is connected with the dust separating unit,
and an extension pipe fluidly connected to the cleaner body, which
can be attached or detached lengthwise along one portion of the
cleaner body. If the vacuum cleaner operates in upright mode, the
extension pipe is connected with the suction port assembly, is used
as a passage for the air to pass toward the cleaner body, and
supports the cleaner body, while if the vacuum cleaner operates in
canister mode, the extension pipe is separated from the suction
port assembly.
[0012] The suction port assembly may further include a rotating
connector, which can be connected to or disconnected from the
extension pipe. The rotating connector may include a hinge shaft in
which both ends are rotatably connected to a rear portion of the
suction port assembly, and an engaging pipe engaged with the hinge
shaft, connected in fluid communication with the suction passage,
and separably engaged with the extension pipe.
[0013] The cleaner body may include at least one snap-connector
formed on one side to be snap-engaged with the extension pipe.
[0014] If the vacuum cleaner is in upright mode, the extension pipe
remains being connected with the rotating connector, and rotates
with respect to the suction port assembly, so as to allow the
cleaner body to turn with respect to the suction port assembly.
[0015] The vacuum cleaner is convertible from the upright mode to
the canister mode by a two-step operation including separating the
extension pipe from the rotating connector, and connecting an
accessory nozzle to one end of the extension pipe.
[0016] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a vacuum
cleaner including a suction port assembly comprising a suction port
and a suction passage to draw in dust-laden air from an object
being cleaned, a cleaner body housing a dust separating unit, and a
motor which is connected with the dust separating unit, an
operating handle assembly in which one end is connected in fluid
communication with the cleaner body through a hose, and the other
end is connected in fluid communication with an extension pipe
which is attachable to or detachable from the cleaner body, and a
carrying handle assembly sliding along the cleaner body to increase
in length together with the operating handle assembly or alone. If
the vacuum cleaner is in upright mode, the extension pipe is in
fluid communication with the suction port assembly, is used as a
passage for air to pass toward the cleaner body, and supports the
cleaner body, while if the vacuum cleaner is in canister mode, the
extension pipe is separated from the suction port assembly.
[0017] The carrying handle assembly may include a body part in
which a handgrip formed, and the operating handle assembly is
docked in a rear side, a sliding bar formed in the cleaner body to
slide lengthwise along the cleaner body, and an operating unit
connected with the sliding bar, and formed on the body part to be
partially exposed outside of the cleaner body. The operating unit
locks and unlocks the sliding bar and the operating handle assembly
altogether, or selectively.
[0018] The operating unit unlocks the operating handle assembly by
turning an exposed part of the body part, and unlocks the sliding
bar by pressing the exposed part of the body part.
[0019] The operating unit may include a bar fixing casing fixedly
formed in the body part to support the sliding bar, a rotating part
rotatably formed on the upper portion of the bar fixing casing, and
comprising a latch protruding from the rear side of the cleaner
body to be inserted in a locking hole of the operating handle
assembly, a button part in which an upper portion protrudes from an
outer surface of the body part, and a lower portion is disposed
inside the rotating part to allow the button part to individually
move vertically along the rotating part vertically, and an elastic
member to elastically support the button part to allow the button
part to be twisted and compressed with respect to the bar fixing
casing.
[0020] The elastic member may be a coil spring in which one end is
fixed at the bar fixing casing, and the other end is fixed on an
inner side of the button part.
[0021] Accordingly, a convertible vacuum cleaner which has a simple
structure can be provided, in which when operating in upright mode,
an extension pipe supports the cleaner body and thereby obviating a
need for a separate frame to support the cleaner body, and in which
the same air passage is used between the suction port assembly and
the cleaner body both in upright and canister modes, thereby
obviating a need for a separate fluid passage conversion.
[0022] Furthermore, simple and fast conversion between upright and
canister modes is achieved by engaging the extension pipe to the
suction port assembly or disengaging the extension pipe from the
suction port assembly.
[0023] Furthermore, an extendable and retractable operating handle
assembly is provided, and the operating handle assembly is extended
while the vacuum cleaner is in operation, and retracted while the
vacuum cleaner is stowed away. As a result, the vacuum cleaner can
be reduced in overall height and so it is enabled to stow the
vacuum cleaner without having much concern about space limit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] The above and other aspects of the present disclosure will
be more apparent from the following detailed description of
exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings,
in which:
[0025] FIG. 1 is a side view of a vacuum cleaner operating in an
upright mode according to a first exemplary embodiment of the
present disclosure;
[0026] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the vacuum cleaner
in a separated state according to the first exemplary embodiment of
the present disclosure;
[0027] FIG. 3 is a side view of the vacuum cleaner operating in a
canister mode according to the first exemplary embodiment of the
present disclosure;
[0028] FIGS. 4 and 5 are perspective views illustrating a vacuum
cleaner operating in an upright mode according to a second
exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0029] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an operating handle assembly
illustrated in FIG. 4;
[0030] FIG. 7 is a perspective of a carrying handle assembly
illustrated in FIG. 4;
[0031] FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating an operating unit
installed inside the operating handle assembly illustrated in FIG.
7;
[0032] FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating the operating unit
illustrated in FIG. 8 connected with a sliding bar;
[0033] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the interior
of the operating unit illustrated in FIG. 8;
[0034] FIG. 11 is a view illustrating a vacuum cleaner operating in
an upright mode according to a second exemplary embodiment of the
present disclosure; and
[0035] FIG. 12 is a view illustrating a vacuum cleaner operating in
a canister mode according to the second exemplary embodiment of the
present disclosure.
[0036] Throughout the drawings, the same drawing reference numerals
will be understood to refer to the same elements, features, and
structures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0037] The matters defined in the description such as a detailed
construction and elements are provided to assist in a comprehensive
understanding of exemplary embodiments of the disclosure.
Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that
various changes and modifications of the embodiments described
herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of
the disclosure. Also, descriptions of well-known functions and
constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness.
[0038] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a vacuum cleaner according to a
first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes a
cleaning unit 10 and a suction port assembly 20. The cleaning unit
10 may be separated from the suction port assembly 20 and used
separately.
[0039] The cleaning unit 10 may include a cleaner body 11, a hose
13, an operating handle assembly 15, and an extension pipe 17.
[0040] The cleaner body 11 may include a suction motor 12a to
generate a suction force inside the cleaner body 1, and a dust
separating unit 12b to separate dust from air drawn in through the
hose 13 by the suction force of the suction motor 12a and collect
the separated dust therein. The dust separating unit 12b may
desirably have a cyclone structure to separate dust from the
incoming air using a centrifugal force. However, one will
understand that other alternatives are also possible. For example,
a dust bag may be installed to collect the dust.
[0041] The cleaner body 11 may include a pair of snap-engaging
parts 14a, 14b aligned vertically on one side of the cleaner body
11 for snap-engagement with the extension pipe 17. Herein, the
number of snap-engaging parts is not limited, but may be changed as
necessary. For example, three or more of snap-engaging parts, or
even a single snap-engaging part may be formed on the cleaner body
11 to support firm engagement of the cleaner body 11 and the
extension pipe 17.
[0042] The cleaner body 11 may also include a carrying handle 11a
formed on an upper side, to be held by a user when separating the
cleaner body 11 from the suction port assembly 20 and carries the
cleaner body 11. The cleaner body 11 includes a plurality of
supplemental wheels 19 formed on a lower surface to help the
cleaner body 11 move more smoothly along the floor.
[0043] The hose 13 may be made out of a flexible material. One end
of the hose 13 may be connected to one side of the cleaner body 11,
and the hose 13 is in fluid communication with the dust separating
unit 12b.
[0044] The operating handle assembly 15 includes a grip part 15a to
be gripped by a user. The operating handle assembly 15 is arranged
between the hose 13 and the extension pipe 17 to fluidly connect
the two.
[0045] The extension pipe 17 takes the role of a guiding passage
which guides dust from the suction port assembly 20 or an accessory
nozzle 30 (FIG. 3) toward the cleaning unit 10. The extension pipe
17 may have a telescopic structure so the length can be adjusted
for use when a vacuum cleaner operates in the canister mode. The
extension pipe 17 may be at least as long as the cleaner body 11 to
enable a user to push the suction port assembly 20 back and forth
with ease in the upright mode.
[0046] The suction port assembly 20 may have a suction port 20a
formed on the lower surface to draw in air and dust from a surface
being cleaned, a pair of main wheels 21a, 21b to facilitate the
movement of the suction port assembly 20 along the surface being
cleaned, and a hinged part 23 in the middle of the rear side.
[0047] The hinged part 23 includes a hinge shaft 23a disposed in a
vertical relation with respect to the advancing direction of the
hinged part 23 and having both ends rotatably engaged with the
suction port assembly 20, and a connecting tube 23b engaged with
the hinge shaft 23a. The connecting tube 23b is separably connected
with the extension pipe 17, and rotated within a degree (.crclbar.)
of rotation, which is approximately 90.degree..
[0048] The degree (.crclbar.) of rotation of the connecting tube
23b is set to such an angle to allow the connecting tube 23b, when
seated in parallel relation on a surface where the suction port
assembly 20 is placed, to rotate in front of the suction port
assembly 20 by approximately 110.degree.. By doing so, the cleaner
body 11 is slightly inclined with respect to a line perpendicular
to the floor in the upright mode, so that the center of gravity of
the cleaner body 11 switches from the rear part of the suction port
assembly 20 to the front, thereby allowing the cleaner body 11 to
be disposed stably on the upper side of the suction port assembly
20. This structure prevents the cleaner body 11 from flipping on
the floor and being damaged by the influence of external force such
as vibrations exerted onto the cleaner when the vacuum cleaner is
not in cleaning operation. An example of providing snap parts on a
lower end of the cleaner body 11 and an upper end of the suction
port assembly 20 for snap-engagement to fix the cleaner body 11 in
place may also be employed.
[0049] The connecting tube 23b is connected in fluid communication
with an inflow passage 20b formed inside the suction port assembly
20. The connecting tube 23b accordingly takes the role of a guiding
passage that guides dust and air from the inflow passage 20b toward
the extension pipe 17. When the vacuum cleaner is in upright mode,
the cleaner body 11 and the extension pipe 17 may be inclined
toward a user by a predetermined angle, to allow a user to use the
cleaner with increased convenience.
[0050] The operations of the vacuum cleaner in upright mode and
canister mode according to the first exemplary embodiment of the
present disclosure will be explained in greater detail below.
[0051] FIG. 2 mainly shows the vacuum cleaner in upright mode, in
which the extension tube 17 is snap-engaged with the snap-engaging
parts 14a, 14b, and one end of the extension pipe 17 is engaged
with the connecting tube 23b of the hinged part 23.
[0052] In upright mode, the cleaning unit 10 is arranged in the
upper part of the suction port assembly, in fluid communication
with the suction port assembly 20 through the extension pipe
17.
[0053] As electricity is supplied to the motor 12a and the motor
12a generates a suction force, ambient dust and air from a surface
being cleaned is drawn in through the suction port 20a and then the
suction passage 20b.
[0054] The air entrained with dust passes the connecting tube 23b,
the extension pipe 17, the operating handle 15 and the hose 13 in
turn, before flowing into the dust separating unit 12b. Dust is
separated from the air inside the dust separating unit 12b and
collected in a dust collecting area (not illustrated) provided
inside the dust separating unit 12b. The cleaned air passes through
the motor 12a, and discharged externally through discharge holes
(not illustrated) formed on an area of the cleaner body 11 which is
adjacent to the motor 12a.
[0055] A user may convert the cleaner to operate in canister mode
to clean certain places that are difficult for a relatively larger
and heavier upright cleaner to cover.
[0056] Accordingly, the user separates the extension pipe 17 from
the connecting tube 23b of the hinged part 23 as illustrated in
FIG. 2, and thus completely separates the cleaning unit 10 from the
suction port assembly 20. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the user then
separates the extension pipe 17 from the snap-engaging parts 14a,
14b of the cleaner body 11, and then, when desired, attaches an
accessory nozzle 30, which is relatively smaller and lighter than
the suction port assembly 20, to one end of the extension pipe
17.
[0057] The vacuum cleaner converted into a canister cleaner starts
drawing in air and dust from around the suction port assembly 20
through the accessory nozzle 30, using a suction force that is
generated as the suction motor 12a starts driving with the supply
of electricity.
[0058] The air entrained with dust enters the accessory nozzle 30,
and passes the extension pipe 17, the operating handle assembly 15,
and the hose 13 in sequence, and enters the dust separating unit
12b, where dust is separated from the air. The dust is then
collected in the dust collecting area (not illustrated) provided
inside the dust separating unit 12b, and the clean air passes the
suction motor 12a, and is then discharged externally through the
discharge holes (not illustrated) formed in a part of the cleaner
body 11 adjacent the suction motor 12a.
[0059] As explained above, the suction port assembly 20 can be made
in a simpler design, because the extension pipe 17 is usable as a
frame in the upright mode, obviating the need for a separate frame
to support the cleaner body 11 placed above the suction port
assembly 20.
[0060] The vacuum cleaner is also easier to use, because the
cleaner body 11 is made to rotate about the suction port assembly
20 by a predetermined degree (0) in upright mode, allowing a user
to manipulate the suction port assembly 20 with increased
convenience.
[0061] The vacuum cleaner according to the exemplary embodiment of
the present disclosure is also easy to convert between upright and
canister modes through a simple two-step manipulation, which
includes engaging or disengaging the extension pipe 17 to or from
the connecting tube 23b and engaging or disengaging the cleaner
body 11 from suction port assembly 20.
[0062] A vacuum cleaner according to a second exemplary embodiment
of the present disclosure will be explained below with reference to
FIGS. 4 to 12.
[0063] Referring to FIGS. 4 to 12, the vacuum cleaner according to
the second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes
a suction port assembly 100, a cleaner body 200, an operating
handle assembly 300, an extension pipe 320, and a carrying handle
assembly 400.
[0064] The suction port assembly 100 may have a suction port (not
illustrated) formed in the lower surface to draw in air and dust
from a surface being cleaned, and a pair of main wheels 111 and 112
to facilitate the movement of the suction port assembly 100 over
the surface being cleaned.
[0065] The suction port assembly 100 may also include a support
part 120 turnable about a rear central part of the suction port
assembly 100, to allow the cleaner body 200 to turn about the
suction port assembly 100. The support part 120 may include a
locking device (not illustrated) to lock and unlock the lower end
of the cleaner body 200. The support part 120 may also include an
extension pipe receiving part 121 which is in fluid communication
with the suction port assembly 100 and which has a penetrating hole
121a formed to receive one end of the extension pipe 320.
[0066] The suction port assembly 100 may include a first lever to
unlock the support part 120 so that the support part 120 is fixed
in the suction port assembly 100 when the suction port assembly 100
is changed to a movable state, and a second lever 140 to operate
the locking device of the support part 120 to unlock the lower part
of the cleaner body 200 from the support part 120.
[0067] The cleaner body 200 may include a motor chamber 220 formed
in front portion to house the dust separating unit 210 and the
suction motor (not illustrated), and a first and second extension
pipe supports 241 and 243 to detachably mount the extension pipe
320, and first and second hose supports 245 and 247 to detachably
mount the hose 310. The first extension pipe support 241 and the
first and second hose supports 245 and 247 each have an open
arch-shaped end to facilitate the mounting and demounting of the
extension pipe 320 or the hose 310, and elastically supports the
extension pipe 320 or the hose 310 in place. The second extension
support 243 has a hook configuration and is placed at a
predetermined location of the cleaner body 200 to correspond to the
penetrating hole 121a, to allow a user to insert the extension pipe
320 into the penetrating hole 121a of the extension pipe receiving
part 121.
[0068] The cleaner body 200 may also include on both lower sides
thereof a pair of supplementary wheels 201 and 203 rotatably
engaged. The supplementary wheels 201 and 203 are used to
facilitate the movement of the cleaner body 200 when the cleaner
body 200 is separated from the suction port assembly 100 and used
in canister mode (FIG. 12).
[0069] The dust separating unit 210 may include a cyclone unit 211
to separate dust from air incoming through the hose 310, using
centrifugal force, and a dust receptacle 213 pressed into the lower
side of the cyclone unit 211 to receive dust separated from the
cyclone unit 211.
[0070] The motor chamber 220 houses a suction motor (not
illustrated) to provide an internal suction force, and is in fluid
communication with the cyclone unit 211 to draw in air from the
cyclone unit 211 after dust has been separated therefrom.
[0071] The operating handle assembly 300 is connected to the hose
310 at one end and the extension pipe 320 at the other end.
Referring to FIG. 6, the operating handle assembly 300 includes a
projection 301 formed on the front to dock in a hole 414c (FIG. 7)
formed in the carrying handle assembly 400. The projection 301
includes a locking hole 303 formed to receive a latch 434f (FIG.
7).
[0072] The operating handle assembly 300 also includes a grip part
305 formed on a rear side to be gripped by a user, and a pair of
protrusions 307 and 309 formed on both lower sides to be inserted
into a pair of guide holes 414e and 414f (FIG. 7) that will be
explained below.
[0073] The operating handle assembly 300 allows a user to operate a
vacuum cleaner efficiently in upright mode, and also enables a user
to operate the accessory nozzle (FIG. 12) formed on the other side
of the extension pipe 320 together with the extension pipe 320 in
canister mode. A button part (not illustrated) may be provided to
the operating handle assembly 300 in order to turn the suction
motor (not illustrated) on or off.
[0074] The extension pipe 320 may be implemented as a telescopic
tube, like the extension pipe 17 in the first exemplary embodiment,
to be adjustable in its length.
[0075] Referring to FIGS. 7 to 9, the carrying handle assembly 400
may include a body part 410, a sliding bar 420, and an operating
unit 430.
[0076] The body part 410 includes a front and rear casings 411 and
413, and also includes a space defined therein to receive the
operating unit 430. The front casing 411 includes a curved grip 412
extending downward from the upper side for the grip of a user, a
pair of guiding parts 414a and 414b protruding from both sides
rearward in parallel at a predetermined distance from each other, a
recessed part 414c formed between the pair of guiding parts 414a
and 414b, and a guiding hole 414d horizontally formed in the
recessed part 414c.
[0077] The pair of guiding parts 414a and 414b includes a pair of
guiding grooves 414e and 414f to receive the pair of protrusions
307 and 309 of the operating handle assembly 300 so that the
projection 301 of the operating handle assembly 300 can be
precisely docked into the recessed part 414c. The guiding hole 414d
guides lateral movement of the latch 434f to be inserted into or
separated from the locking hole 303 when the projection 301 of the
operating handle assembly 300 is docked into or separated from the
recessed part 414c.
[0078] The sliding bar 420 is slidably engaged with a bar inserting
part 207 which is formed lengthwise along the cleaner body 200. The
sliding bar 420 includes an uneven area 421 formed on the lower
side to prevent the sliding bar 420 from completely separating from
the bar inserting part 207 while the sliding bar 420 is being
withdrawn.
[0079] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the operating unit 430 includes
a bar fixing casing 431, a rotating unit 433, a button part 435,
and a elastic member 439 (FIG. 10).
[0080] The bar fixing casing 431 is fixed to the inner side of the
body part 410, and is firmly engaged with an upper end of the
sliding bar 420. The bar fixing casing 431 includes a cylindrical
part 432a formed on the upper portion. The cylindrical part 432a
guides the rotation of the rotating part 433 and guides the
vertical sliding movement of the button part 435. The cylindrical
part 432a includes a pair of sliding protrusions 432b and 432c
formed symmetrically on the circumference thereof.
[0081] The rotating part 433 includes a pair of first long holes
434b and 434c formed along the circumference thereof to receive the
pair of first sliding protrusions 432b and 432c.
[0082] The rotating part 433 includes a pair of second symmetrical
long holes 434d and 434e extended in a length direction on the
circumference thereof. The rotating part 433 includes the latch
434f protruding from the circumference thereof, and inclining
surfaces 434g and 434h formed on one side of the latch 434f, along
which the projection 301 of the operating handle assembly 300
slides.
[0083] The button part 435 is formed substantially in a cylindrical
shape. A lower portion of the button part 435 is inserted in the
rotating part 433 and the cylindrical part 432a in turn, and an
upper portion pierces the upper portion of the body part 410
outside of the body part 410. The button part 435 includes a
rotating lever 436a extending from the upper portion to rotate the
button part 435. The button part 435 includes a flange type stopper
436b to limit the pushing movement of the button part 435 to a
predetermined depth. On a circumference of the button part 435 at a
lower portion of the stopper 436b is formed a pair of second
symmetrical sliding protrusions 436d and 436e to be slidably
inserted in the pair of second long holes 434d and 434e of the
rotating part 433.
[0084] The button part 435 includes a downwardly tapered pressing
rib 435c formed on an inner side thereof. The downwardly tapered
pressing rib 435c urges a pressing rod 437, which is pierced
through the upper portion of the bar fixing casing 431 and arranged
lengthwise on the inner side of the sliding bar 420, so that the
pressing rod 437 can cause a locking device (not illustrated)
formed near to the sliding bar 420 to lock the sliding bar 420 when
fully received by the bar inserting part 207, or unlock the sliding
bar 420. A variety of locking devices may be applied, including a
locking a locker to fix the extended handgrip on a luggage.
[0085] The elastic member 439 elastically supports the button part
435 so that the button part can be twisted and compressed with
respect to the bar fixing casing 431. One end 439a of the elastic
member 439 may desirably be fixed to a part of the bar fixing
casing 431, and the other end 439b may desirably be fixed to a part
of the downwardly tapered pressing rib 435c of the button part 435.
The elastic member 439 may desirably be implemented as a coil
spring.
[0086] The operation of a vacuum cleaner in canister mode and
upright mode according to the second exemplary embodiment of the
present disclosure will be explained below.
[0087] Referring to FIG. 11, when a vacuum cleaner is operated in
an upright mode, the lower portion of the cleaner body 200 is
locked in the support part 120 (FIG. 1). One end of the extension
pipe 320 passes through the second extension pipe support 243 (FIG.
2), and the operating handle assembly 300 is docked in the rear
casing 413 of the operating handle assembly 400.
[0088] The docking includes the pair of protrusions 307 and 309
(FIG. 6) of the operating handle assembly 300 being inserted in the
pair of guide holes 414e and 414f (FIG. 7), and the projection 301
of the operating handle assembly 300 pressing against the inclining
surfaces 434g and 434h of the latch 434f which protrudes through
the guiding hole 414d of the rear casing 413, and being seated in
the hole 414c of the rear casing 413.
[0089] The latch 434f, being elastically supported in a traversal
direction by the elastic member 439, is turned along the guiding
hole 414d to a predetermined angle, and then turned back along the
guiding hole 414d as the projection 301 is inserted in the hole
414c, to be inserted in the locking hole 303 of the projection
301.
[0090] According to the movement of the operating handle assembly
300 docking in the carrying handle assembly 400, one end of the
extension pipe 320 is inserted in the penetrating hole 121a of the
extension pipe receiving part 121.
[0091] The user then lifts the operating handle assembly 300 to his
height as illustrated in FIG. 11 to move the vacuum cleaner
conveniently along the floor. The process to change the height of
the operating handle assembly 300 will be explained below.
[0092] The user pulls the operating handle assembly 300 to extend
the extension pipe 320. That is, the user presses the button part
435 vertically along the direction of its axis to operate the
locking device (not illustrated) to release the sliding bar
420.
[0093] The user keeps pressing the button part 435 which is
elastically supported by the elastic member 439, and pulls the
operating handle assembly 300, so that the operating handle
assembly 300 is released from the upper portion of the cleaner body
200, together with the carrying handle assembly 400 which is
engaged with the operating handle assembly 300. The button part 435
then returns to the original position by the returning force of the
elastic member 439, as the user ceases pressing the button part
435.
[0094] As a result, the user can lift the operating handle assembly
300 of the vacuum cleaner to suit his height and use the vacuum
cleaner as an upright type vacuum cleaner.
[0095] The process of converting the vacuum cleaner from upright
mode to canister type will be explained below with reference to
FIG. 12.
[0096] As the user turns the rotating lever 436a of the button part
435 to a predetermined angle, the latch 434f of the rotating part
435 is turned along the guiding hole 414d and separated from the
locking hole 303.
[0097] The user keeps the rotating lever 436a in the rotated
position, and pulls the operating handle assembly 300 upward so
that the pair of protrusions 307 and 309 are separated from the
pair of guide holes 414e and 414f. In this process, the latch 434f
moves along the guiding hole 414d and returns to the initial
position as the projection 301 of the operating handle assembly 300
is separated from the hole 414c.
[0098] As explained above, the user can convert the vacuum cleaner
from upright type to canister type by simply rotating the button
part 435 and pulling or pushing the operating handle assembly
300.
[0099] In order to stow away a vacuum cleaner, referring to FIG.
12, the user locks the operating handle assembly 300 to the carry
handle assembly 400, inserts the extension pipe 320 in the
extension pipe supports 241 and 243, inserts hose 310 in the first
and second hose supports 245 and 247, and pushes the operating
handle assembly 300 to reduce the length of the extension pipe 320
and subsequently reduce the overall height of the vacuum
cleaner.
[0100] Because the suction port assembly 100 does not require a
separate frame part to support the cleaner body 200 as in the first
exemplary embodiment, a simple structure can be achieved.
[0101] The vacuum cleaner in upright mode according to the second
exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure has the same dust
and air suction path as in the first exemplary embodiment.
Accordingly, air entrained with dust enters the suction port
assembly 100, passes the extension pipe 320, the operating handle
assembly 300 and the hose 310 in sequence, and enters the cyclone
unit 211. Dust is separated and collected in the dust receptacle
213, and air is passed through the suction motor (not illustrated)
and discharged outside the cleaning body 200.
[0102] While certain exemplary embodiments of the present
disclosure have been shown and described with reference to certain
preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those
skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be
made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the
disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their
equivalents.
* * * * *