U.S. patent application number 12/205680 was filed with the patent office on 2009-03-12 for surface treating appliance.
This patent application is currently assigned to DYSON TECHNOLOGY LIMITED. Invention is credited to Samuel James CZERPAK, Ian James MATTHEWS, Paul Andrew MCLUCKIE, David Christopher James NEWTON, William Robert James WHITE.
Application Number | 20090064450 12/205680 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38640448 |
Filed Date | 2009-03-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090064450 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
NEWTON; David Christopher James ;
et al. |
March 12, 2009 |
SURFACE TREATING APPLIANCE
Abstract
A surface-treating appliance includes a main body, a
surface-treating head, and a stand. The stand is located on a rear
portion of the appliance and is moveable between a supporting
position, in which it supports the main body in an upright
position, and a stored position. The stand is moveable between the
supporting and stored positions in response to movement of the main
body between its upright position and an inclined position.
Inventors: |
NEWTON; David Christopher
James; (Malmesbury, GB) ; WHITE; William Robert
James; (Malmesbury, GB) ; CZERPAK; Samuel James;
(Malmesbury, GB) ; MCLUCKIE; Paul Andrew;
(Malmesbury, GB) ; MATTHEWS; Ian James;
(Malmesbury, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MORRISON & FOERSTER LLP
1650 TYSONS BOULEVARD, SUITE 400
MCLEAN
VA
22102
US
|
Assignee: |
DYSON TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
Malmesbury
GB
|
Family ID: |
38640448 |
Appl. No.: |
12/205680 |
Filed: |
September 5, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/347 ;
15/300.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 5/28 20130101; A47L
9/0054 20130101; A47L 9/009 20130101; A47L 5/32 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/347 ;
15/300.1 |
International
Class: |
A47L 9/16 20060101
A47L009/16; A47L 9/00 20060101 A47L009/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 8, 2007 |
GB |
0717487.3 |
Claims
1. A surface-treating appliance comprising: a main body, a
surface-treating head, and a stand, the stand being located on a
rear portion of the appliance and being moveable between a
supporting position, in which the stand supports the main body in
an upright position and a stored position, the stand being moveable
between the supporting and stored positions in response to a force
being applied to the main body.
2. A surface-treating appliance according to claim 1 wherein the
force is movement of the main body between its upright position and
an inclined position.
3. A surface-treating appliance according to claim 2 wherein the
force further comprises a downwards force.
4. A surface-treating appliance according to claim 1 wherein the
main body comprises a handle or wand and the force is applied
through the handle or wand.
5. A surface-treating appliance according to claim 4 wherein the
handle or wand is located at the top of the main body.
6. An appliance according to claim 1 or 4 wherein the stand is
arranged to be moveable from the supporting position to the stored
position in response to the main body of the appliance being tipped
rearwardly until its weight is over centre of the stand.
7. An appliance according to claim 1 or 4 further comprising a
resilient biasing member to assist in moving the stand between the
stored and supporting positions.
8. An appliance according to claim 7 wherein the resilient biasing
member comprises one or more over-centre spring mechanisms.
9. An appliance according to claim 1 or 4 wherein the stand further
comprises at least one cam mechanism which is arranged such that
when the main body of the appliance is raised from an inclined
position to its upright position the cam mechanism urges the stand
into the supporting position.
10. An appliance according to claim 9 wherein the cam mechanism
comprises an abutment member located on the surface treating head
which engages with and pushes against a portion of the stand when
the main body of the appliance is raised from an inclined position
to its upright position, urging the stand into the supporting
position.
11. An appliance according to claim 1 or 4, further comprising a
wheel or roller which is rotatably mounted to the main body for
allowing the main body to be moved along a surface.
12. An appliance according to claim 11 wherein the wheel or roller
comprises one or more rotatable members having an outer surface
which defines a substantially continuous rolling support surface in
a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the main body,
the support surface being symmetrical about the longitudinal axis
of the main body.
13. An appliance as claimed in claim 12, wherein the wheel or
roller houses a component of the appliance.
14. An appliance as claimed in claim 13, wherein the component
comprises a motor and fan arrangement arranged, in use, to generate
a fluid flow.
15. An appliance as claimed in claim 1 or 4, further comprising an
upright lock for locking the surface-treating head in a fixed
position with respect to the main body when the stand is in the
supporting position.
16. An appliance according to claim 15 wherein the upright lock
comprises a projection on the stand and a latch on the surface
treating head.
17. An appliance as claimed in claim 16 wherein the projection is
able to move past the latch to prevent damage to the appliance.
18. An appliance according to claim 15 wherein the upright lock or
resilient biasing member associated with the upright lock prevents
the stand from moving into the supporting position until a force is
applied to the main body.
19. An appliance according to claim 18 wherein the force is a
downwards force sufficient to overcome the resilient biasing means
associated with the upright lock.
20. An appliance as claimed in claim 1 or 4 further comprising a
hose.
21. An appliance according to claim 20 further comprising a hose
lock, which is arranged to lock the stand in the supporting
position during use of the hose.
22. An appliance according to claim 21 wherein the hose lock
comprises an abutment member which locks against the stand when the
hose is pulled away from the appliance during use.
23. An appliance according to claim 4 further comprising a change
over valve lock which locks the stand in its supporting position
when the wand is in use.
24. An appliance according to claim 1 or 4 wherein the appliance is
transportable on wheels of the stand.
25. A vacuum cleaner comprising the apparatus of claim 1 or 4.
26. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 25 further comprising a
cyclonic dirt and dust separator.
27. (canceled)
Description
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the priority of United Kingdom
Application No. 0717487.3, filed Sep. 8, 2007, the contents of
which are incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to a surface treating appliance, such
as a vacuum cleaner.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Surface treating appliances such as vacuum cleaners and
floor polishers are well known. The majority of vacuum cleaners are
either of the `upright` type or of the `cylinder` type, called
canister or barrel cleaners in some countries. A typical upright
vacuum cleaner comprises a main body which houses the main
components of the vacuum cleaner, such as a motor and fan for
drawing dirty air into the machine and some form of separating
apparatus for separating dirt, dust and other debris from a dirty
airflow drawn in by the fan. The main body also houses filters for
trapping fine particles in the cleaned airflow. A cleaner head is
rotatably mounted to the lower end of the main body. A supporting
wheel is mounted on each side of the lower part of the main body,
in a fixed relationship to the main body. In use, a user reclines
the main body of the vacuum cleaner and then pushes and pulls a
handle which is fixed to the main body of the cleaner. The vacuum
cleaner rolls along the floor surface on the supporting wheels.
[0004] A dirty-air inlet is located on the underside of the cleaner
head. Dirty air is drawn into the dust separating apparatus via the
dirty-air inlet by means of the motor-driven fan. When the dirt and
dust entrained within the air has been separated from the airflow
in the separating apparatus, air is conducted to the clean air
outlet by a second air flow duct, and via one or more filters, and
expelled into the atmosphere.
[0005] Conventional upright vacuum cleaners have a disadvantage in
that they can be difficult to manoeuvre about an area in which they
are used. They can be pushed and pulled easily enough, but pointing
the cleaner in a new direction is more difficult. It has been
proposed to make an upright vacuum cleaner more manoeuvrable by
substituting a wide rolling support for the supporting wheels, such
as is described in our patent application GB2391459. However, such
an appliance requires further support when in the upright or
vertical position, which can prove cumbersome and unwieldy during
use.
[0006] It has been proposed to use a support assembly which may be
actuated by raising the main body into its upright position and
deactivated by pressing an actuator pedal, such as is described in
our patent application GB0500992. However, such a support structure
may not be intuitive for a user and may therefore be difficult to
use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Accordingly the present invention provides a
surface-treating appliance comprising a main body, a
surface-treating head, and a stand, the stand being located on a
rear portion of the appliance and being moveable between a
supporting position, in which it supports the main body in an
upright position and a stored position, the stand being moveable
between the supporting and stored positions in response to a force
being applied to the main body.
[0008] In a preferred embodiment the force is movement of the main
body between its upright position and an inclined position.
[0009] Additionally or alternatively the force may comprise a
downwards force applied to the main body.
[0010] In a preferred embodiment the main body comprises a handle
and/or wand and the force is applied to the handle and/or wand. The
handle and/or wand may be located at the top of the main body.
[0011] In general, surface-treating appliances are stored with the
main body in an upright configuration and used with the body in an
inclined position. Therefore the provision of a stand which is
movable between the supporting and stored positions automatically
in response to a force being applied to the main body, for example
movement of the main body between its upright position and an
inclined position is more intuitive. The appliance advantageously
requires no direct action by a user in order to raise and lower the
stand. A user simply applies a downward pressure to the main body
and/or tips the main body ready for use and the stand automatically
moves into its stored position.
[0012] In particular the stand is pedaless or actuatorless and
therefore a user does not have to find and compress a pedal or
other actuator, for example a leaver or button, in order to move
the stand into the stored position. In this way, the stand is
operated without any physical manipulation of the stand, any part
of the surface treating head or other direct intervention by the
user and as such is "automatic" within the meaning of this
invention.
[0013] Preferably the stand is pivotably moveable between the
supporting and stored positions.
[0014] To move the stand into the stored position the stand may be
movable either in a forward direction or in a rearward direction.
If the stand is arranged to move in a forward direction it may be
located generally underneath the appliance or alongside a part of
the surface treating head in the stored position. If it is arranged
to move in a rearward direction it may be folded generally upwardly
against the rear of the appliance in the stored position.
[0015] In a particular embodiment the stand may be arranged to be
moveable from the supporting position to the stored position in
response to the main body of the appliance being tipped rearwardly
until its weight is over centre of the stand. In a preferred
embodiment the stand does not have a balance point. In a particular
embodiment this is achieved by ensuring that the centre of gravity
of the main body is behind the stand when the stand is at
substantially 90 degrees to a floor surface on which the appliance
is placed. This is advantageous since a common problem with
existing support assemblies is that they may have a balance point
at which the support assembly is neither up nor down. This may be
dangerous, since if the appliance is left standing at this balance
point a small knock to the appliance could result in it falling
over, which could damage the appliance and/or cause an injury to a
user.
[0016] The appliance may further comprise resilient biasing means,
for example one or more over-centre spring mechanisms to assist in
moving the stand between the stored and supporting positions.
[0017] At least one cam mechanism may additionally or alternatively
be provided. In a preferred embodiment, the cam mechanism may be
arranged such that when the main body of the appliance is raised
from an inclined position to its upright position, the cam
mechanism urges the stand into the supporting position. The cam
mechanism may for example comprise an actuator, for example an
actuator located on the surface treating head, or a yoke associated
with the surface treating head. When the main body of the appliance
is raised from an inclined position to its upright position by a
user, the actuator may be arranged to engage with and push against
a portion of the stand to urge the stand into the supporting
position.
[0018] In an embodiment, the appliance may further comprise a wheel
or roller which may be rotatably mounted to the main body for
allowing the main body to be moved along a surface. The wheel or
roller may comprise one or more rotatable members having an outer
surface which define a substantially continuous rolling support
surface in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the
main body, the support surface preferably being symmetrical about
the longitudinal axis of the main body. The wheel or roller may
house a component of the appliance, for example a motor and/or fan
arrangement arranged, in use, to generate a fluid flow. The
appliance may also further comprise a wand.
[0019] Additionally the appliance may further comprise an upright
lock for locking the surface-treating head in a fixed position with
respect to the main body when the stand is in the supporting
position. This advantageously may allow the entire appliance to be
lifted of the floor and carried without the surface treating head
falling towards the floor. The upright lock may be arranged to be
automatically released when the main body is tipped into an
inclined position for use.
[0020] Although it is desirable to have a stand which will be
automatically released when the main body is tipped into an
inclined position for use it may also be desirable in certain
situations to be able to transport the appliance on wheels of the
stand. This may be achieved in several ways whilst still providing
an appliance where the stand may be moveable between the supporting
and stored positions in response to a force being applied to the
main body.
[0021] For example in a particular embodiment the upright lock or a
portion of the upright lock may also function both to prevent the
stand activating accidentally and as the cam for urging the stand
into the supporting position. In such an embodiment the upright
lock may be associated with an upright lock resilient biasing
means, for example an over centre spring. The upright lock and the
upright lock biasing means may help to ensure that the stand does
not move into its stored position by accident. In a preferred
embodiment a downward force may be applied to a wand or handle of
the main body. Preferably this force is applied as the appliance is
reclined. This downward force may help to overcome the force of the
upright lock biasing means. Once the upright lock has been released
a stand activating resilient biasing means can act on the stand to
move it into the stored position.
[0022] In such an embodiment it may be possible to recline the
appliance whilst applying no downward force onto the wand or
handle, therefore allowing the appliance to be transported on
wheels of the stand.
[0023] In an alternative embodiment the stand may comprise a pair
of legs and at least one lever arm. In a preferred embodiment there
is a single lever arm. The lever arm may be arranged to extend
alongside one of the legs for example alongside the inner surface
of one of the legs. In use the lever arm may be arranged such that
it can move the stand into the stored position in response to a
user reclining the appliance. The lever arm is preferably pivotally
attached at a first end to the main body of the appliance.
Preferably the second end of the lever arm further comprises an
outwardly facing pin arranged to engage with a groove on the
surface of the leg which it is alongside. The stand is preferably
arranged such that when it is in the supporting position the pin is
arranged at the furthest end of the groove away from the main body
of the appliance. In this embodiment the leg of the stand which
comprises the groove may also further comprises a cam which is
resiliently biased to project into the groove. Therefore when a
user reclines the appliance the pin on the lever arm has to move
past the cam against the force of the resilient biasing means. Once
the pin has passed the cam, it continues to move along the groove
as the user continues to recline the appliance further. In this
embodiment a stand activating resilient biasing means, for example
an over centre spring mechanism may be provided to assist in moving
the stand between the stored and supporting positions once the pin
has reached a certain point along the groove.
[0024] In this embodiment, because the pin has to move past a cam
which is resiliently biased to project into the groove, a certain
amount of force is required. Advantageously this means that it may
be possible to recline the appliance whilst applying no downward
force onto the wand or handle, therefore allowing the appliance to
be transported on wheels of the stand. Only when enough pressure is
applied to the wand or handle, will the pin be able to move past
the cam by compressing or distorting the resilient biasing means
which are acting on the cam.
[0025] In this embodiment at least one return cam mechanism may
additionally be provided. In a preferred embodiment, the return cam
mechanism may be arranged such that when the main body of the
appliance is raised from an inclined position to its upright
position, the return cam mechanism urges the stand into the
supporting position. The return cam mechanism may for example
comprise an actuator, for example an actuator located on the
surface treating head. When the main body of the appliance is
raised from an inclined position to its upright position by a user,
the actuator may be arranged to engage with and push against a
portion of the stand to urge the stand into the supporting
position. However in this embodiment the pin needs to pass the
resiliently biased cam before the stand can reach its supporting
position. In order to reduce the force needed to move past the
resiliently biased cam the resiliently biased cam may be pivotally
mounted to the leg. Having a pivotally mounted cam helps to ensures
that the force required to reset the stand into its supporting
position is considerably less than the force required to move the
stand into the stored position. It may also advantageously help to
reduce the risk of the stand being left at a position between the
stored and supporting positions. Preferably the leg also further
comprises a cam block which is arranged to allow the resiliently
biased cam to pivot when the pin moves towards the end of the
groove furthest away from the main body of the appliance but not
when the pin is moving in the other direction.
[0026] The appliance may also further comprise a hose. In such an
embodiment, the appliance may also further comprise a hose lock. In
a preferred embodiment the hose lock may be arranged to lock the
stand in the supporting position during use of the hose, such that
if a user applies a rearward pulling force to the hose, the stand
does not move into the stored position. This is advantageous as it
helps to ensure that the appliance does not fall over whilst the
hose is in use. In a particular embodiment the hose lock comprises
an abutment member which in use presses against the stand, locking
it in the supporting position when the hose is pulled away from the
appliance during use. The hose lock is preferably arranged to be
automatically released when the hose is stored on the main
body.
[0027] The appliance may also further comprise a change over valve
lock for locking the stand in the supporting position when the wand
is in use. In a preferred embodiment the change over valve lock may
be arranged to lock the stand in the supporting position on removal
of the wand from its storage position on the main body. This is
advantageous as it helps to ensure that the appliance does not fall
over whilst the wand is in use. In a particular embodiment the
change over valve lock comprises an abutment member which in use
presses against the stand, locking it in the supporting position,
when the wand is removed from its storage position on the
appliance. The change over valve lock is preferably arranged to be
automatically released when the wand is stored on the main
body.
[0028] This invention is particularly suitable for inclusion in
upright vacuum cleaners, for example upright vacuum cleaners having
a wide, ball-like rolling support assembly, but may be applied to
more conventional upright cleaners and other domestic appliances.
In a particular embodiment the vacuum cleaner may further
comprising cyclonic dirt and dust separating means.
[0029] The term "surface treating appliance" is intended to have a
broad meaning, and includes a wide range of appliances having a
surface treating head for traveling over a surface to clean or
treat the surface in some manner. It includes, inter alia,
appliances which apply suction to the surface so as to draw
material from it, such as vacuum cleaners (dry, wet and wet/dry),
as well as appliances which apply material to the surface, such as
polishing/waxing machines, pressure washing machines, ground
marking machines and shampooing machines. It also includes lawn
mowers and other cutting machines.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] The invention will now be described, by way of example, with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0031] FIG. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of a surface-treating
appliance constructed according to the invention with the stand in
the supporting position;
[0032] FIG. 2 shows the appliance of FIG. 1 at the point of stand
collapse;
[0033] FIG. 3 shows the appliance of FIGS. 1 and 2 at the point of
stand activation;
[0034] FIG. 4 shows the appliance of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 with the
stand in the storage position;
[0035] FIG. 5a shows a partial perspective view of an embodiment of
the present invention comprising a hose and hose lock, with the
hose lock in the unlocked position;
[0036] FIG. 5b shows the appliance of FIG. 5a with the hose lock in
the locked position;
[0037] FIG. 6 shows a partial perspective view of an embodiment of
the present invention comprising a wand and change over valve lock,
with the changeover valve lock shown in the locked (dotted lines)
and unlocked positions (solid lines);
[0038] FIG. 7 shows a schematic view of the hose lock of the
present invention in both the locked and unlocked positions;
[0039] FIG. 8a shows a partial side view of an embodiment of vacuum
cleaner according to the present invention showing the stand in the
storage position and the upright lock in its unlocked
configuration;
[0040] FIG. 8b shows the appliance of FIG. 8a showing the stand in
its supporting position and the upright lock in the locked
configuration;
[0041] FIG. 9 shows an exploded view of the yoke of an embodiment
of the present invention;
[0042] FIG. 10 shows a side view of an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0043] FIG. 11 shows a side view of an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0044] FIG. 12 shows a side view of an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0045] FIGS. 13a to 13c show side views of an embodiment of the
present invention;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0046] All figures are schematic.
[0047] With reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, the surface treating
appliance is shown in the form of a vacuum cleaner and is indicated
generally by the reference numeral 1. The vacuum cleaner 1
comprises a main body 2, a user-operable handle 3 and a large
roller 4 for rolling the cleaner 1 along a floor surface 5. The
roller 4 houses a motor and fan for generating a suction airflow
(not visible in these drawings). The main body 2 houses separating
apparatus 6 for separating dirt, dust and other debris from a dirty
airflow drawn into the cleaner 1 by the fan and motor.
[0048] In this embodiment, the separating apparatus 6 is cyclonic,
in which the dirt and dust is spun from the airflow. The cyclonic
separating apparatus 6 comprises two stages of cyclone separation
arranged in series with one another. The first stage is a
cylindrically-walled chamber 7 and the second stage comprises a set
of tapering, substantially frusto-conically shaped chambers 8
arranged in parallel with one another. Airflow is directed
tangentially into the upper part of the chamber 7 by a duct 9.
Larger debris and particles are removed and collected in this
cyclonic chamber 7. The airflow then passes through a shroud (not
shown) to the set of cyclonic chambers 8. Finer dust is separated
by these chambers 8 and collected in a common collecting region.
The second set of separators 8 can be upright, i.e. with their
fluid inlets and outlets at the top and their dirt outlets at the
bottom, or inverted, i.e. with their fluid inlets and outlets at
the bottom and their dirt outlets at the top. The nature of the
separating apparatus 6 is not material to the present
invention.
[0049] The main body 2 also houses filters (not visible in these
drawings) for trapping fine particles in the cleaned airflow. These
filters remove any fine particles of dust which have not already
been removed from the airflow by the separating apparatus 6. A
first filter, called a pre-motor filter, is provided before the
motor and fan. A second filter, called a post-motor filter, is
provided after the motor and fan. Where the motor for driving the
suction fan has carbon brushes, the post-motor filter also serves
to trap any carbon particles emitted by the brushes. Clean air is
then expelled to the atmosphere.
[0050] A cleaner head 10 is pivotably mounted to the lower end of
the main body 2, and serves, in use, to treat the floor surface 5.
The lower, floor-facing side of the cleaner head 10 has an air
inlet slot 11.
[0051] The roller 4 permits the cleaner 1 to be manoeuvered easily
along a floor surface 5. However, the roller 4 may not provide
sufficient support for the cleaner 1 when the main body 2 is in the
upright i.e. vertical or substantially vertical position. To this
end, a stand indicated generally at 12 is provided.
[0052] With reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, 5a, 5b and 6 it can be seen
that the stand 12 comprises two legs 13, 14, with a reinforcing
strut 15 extending between their top end portions 13a, 14a. The
bottom end portions 13b, 14b of the legs 13, 14 nearest the floor
surface 5, in the embodiments shown, further comprise wheels 16.
These wheels 16 may however not be present. The wheels 16 are
rotatably mounted to each end 13b, and 14b of the legs 13, 14. The
wheels 16 are arranged inside the legs 13, 14 of the stand 12.
[0053] The top end portions 13a and 14a of the legs 13, 14 are
pivotably mounted to the main body 2 of the cleaner 1. In the
embodiment shown the left leg 14 is pivotably mounted to a first
protrusion 17 extending from the outlet duct 18 which transports
air which has passed through the separating apparatus 6 to an
exhaust (not shown). The right leg 13 is pivotably mounted to a
second protrusion 19 extending from duct 9 which transports air
from the air inlet slot 11 to the separating apparatus 6. This
arrangement ensures that the main body 2 bears against the top of
the stand 12 when it is in the supporting position as shown in FIG.
1. The stand 12 is arranged such that the bottom ends 13b, 14b of
the legs 13, 14 protrude rearwardly of the cleaner for better
stability. The legs 13, 14 therefore bear at least a part of the
load of the cleaner 1 when in the upright position. As can be seen
in FIG. 1, the main body 2 is inclined backwards slightly in the
upright position shown in this embodiment. Of course the main body
2 could be vertical or inclined forwards slightly in the "upright
position".
[0054] The stand 12 also comprises an over centre spring mechanism
20 which assists in moving the stand 12 between the supporting
position as shown in FIG. 1 and the stored position as shown in
FIG. 4.
[0055] When the cleaner 1 is to be used in conventional floor
cleaning mode, the user reclines the main body 2. Reclining the
main body 2 moves the cleaner 1 towards the position shown in FIG.
2. At the point shown in FIG. 2, the centre of gravity of the
cleaner 1 is behind the pivot points of the legs 13, 14 and the
spring mechanism 20 forces the stand 12 to move into the stored
position shown in FIG. 4. This arrangement is advantageous since it
ensures that the stand 12 cannot rest at the balance point shown in
FIG. 2 where the stand 12 is neither up nor down. Once the spring
mechanism 20 has activated, the stand 12 will move into the
position shown in FIG. 4, where the legs 13, 14 and wheels 16 are
held off the floor 5 and are preferably tucked under or inside a
channel or aperture in a yoke 21, which provides the connection
between the main body 2 and the cleaner head 10. When the stand 12
is in the storage position, the main body 2 no longer bears against
the arms 13, 14 of the stand 12, but is instead supported by a user
holding the handle 3. The cleaner 1 is now able to be used for
cleaning a floor surface 5, via the surface treating head 10.
[0056] When the user wishes to return the cleaner 1 to the upright
position, he pivotally moves the main body 2 back towards the
position shown in FIG. 1 via the position shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 3
shows the stand 12 about to be activated into the supporting
position. As the main body 2 is moved towards the upright position,
a region 22 (see FIG. 2 and FIG. 8b) of the yoke 21 bears against a
protrusion 23 extending from an inner surface of the top end 13a,
14a of one of the legs 13, 14, urging the stand 12, away from the
yoke 21 towards the supporting position. At the point shown in FIG.
3, the spring mechanism 20 forces the stand 12 to move into the
support position shown in FIG. 1. This spring mechanism 20
therefore ensures that the stand 12 cannot rest at the balance
point shown in FIG. 2 where the stand 12 is neither up nor down.
Once the spring mechanism 20 has activated the stand 12 will move
into the position shown in FIG. 1, where the legs 13, 14 and wheels
16 are in contact with the floor 5 behind the cleaner 1. Thus, the
user may release the handle 3, leaving the main body 2 to be
supported by the stand 12. The cleaner 1 is then supported in its
upright position. The handle 3 extends upwardly from the rear part
of the main body 2. When the cleaner 1 is in the position shown in
FIG. 1, it can be used in a so called "cylinder mode", for
above-floor cleaning in which case the handle 3 may be released and
used as a hose and wand assembly 24.
[0057] In a preferred embodiment the region 22 may be moveably
mounted on the yoke 21. This may be achieved by forming a channel
34, for example an arcuate channel in the yoke 21, or a region near
the yoke 21. The region 22 may form part of a C or O shaped ring 38
which may be moveably mounted within the channel 34. In a preferred
embodiment the ring 38 may additionally be rotateably mounted on a
part of a motor bucket (not shown) to which the yoke 21 is
attached. In such an embodiment the ring 38 can slide within the
channel 34 and around a portion of the motor bucket. FIG. 9 shows
an exploded view with an O-shaped ring comprising region 22 removed
from the channel 34. However in use the O-shaped ring 38 may sit
within the channel 34. Preferably a spring 36 may be fixed at one
end to the motor bucket and at the other end to the ring 38 such
that the region 22 is biased towards a top end of the channel
34.
[0058] This arrangement may advantageously help to prevent the
region 22 trying to pass under the ducting 9, 18 during reclining
of the vacuum cleaner 1. It may also advantageously prevent the
cleaner head 10 from being lifted off the floor 5 once the region
22 has abutted against the ducting 9, 18 during reclining of the
vacuum cleaner 1. As the vacuum cleaner 1 is moved from the upright
position to the inclined position the region 22 may, rather than
attempting to pass underneath the ducting 9, 18 will abut against
it. As the vacuum cleaner 1 is increasingly reclined, the region 22
may be caused to slide along the channel 34 by a part of the
ducting 9, 18 against the biasing force of the spring 36. When the
vacuum cleaner 1 is returned to the upright position, the biasing
force of the spring 36 causes the region 22 to gradually return to
its original position. In returning to the original position, the
region 22 abuts against protrusion 23 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2)
extending from an inner surface of the top end 13a, 14a of one of
the legs 13, 14. The biasing force of the spring mechanism 20 is
then large enough to push out the stand.
[0059] As can be seen in FIG. 6 the vacuum cleaner 1 may comprise a
changeover valve 25 which is arranged to open the air inlet at the
distal end of the wand 24a and connect it to the separating
apparatus 6 in response to the wand 24a being released from its
storage position on the main body 2 for above ground cleaning. The
changeover valve 25 is also arranged to automatically shut off the
air inlet at the distal end of the wand 24a and connect the
separating apparatus 6 to the inlet 11 in the cleaner head 10 in
response to the wand 24a being placed in its storage position on
the cleaner main body 2.
[0060] The changeover valve 25 is pivotably attached to the main
body 2 and further comprises a change over valve lock 26. When the
changeover valve 25 swivels to open the air inlet at the distal end
of the wand 24a, the change over valve lock 26 is brought into
contact with a recess 27 on the reinforcing strut 15 which extends
between the top end portions 13a, 14a of the legs 13, 14. This
engagement of the change over valve lock 26 with the recess 27
locks the stand 12 in the supporting position and therefore
advantageously prevents the stand 12 from moving into its storage
position accidentally if a user pulls on the wand 24a or a hose 28
attached thereto.
[0061] In an alternative embodiment, for example as shown in FIGS.
5a and 5b where the vacuum cleaner 1 comprises a hose 28 and no
wand, a hose lock 29 may be provided. The hose 28 is pivotably
mounted to the main body 2. When the hose 28 is being used for
above the ground cleaning the hose lock 29 contacts the reinforcing
strut 15 which extends between the top end portions 13a, 14a of the
legs 13, 14. This hose lock 29 is shown in more detail in FIG. 7
where it can be seen that the stand 12 can move freely between its
supporting and storage positions when the hose 28 is secured to the
main body 2 (the upright position shown in FIG. 7) but is prevented
from moving into its storage configuration when the hose 28 is
pulled away from the main body 2 (the horizontal position shown in
FIG. 7), for example during use for above ground cleaning. This
hose lock 29 can be described as self tightening since the harder
the hose 28 is pulled the tighter the hose lock 29 gets, thus
preventing accidental deactivation of the stand 12.
[0062] As can be seen in FIGS. 8a and 8b, when the cleaner 1 is in
its upright position, with the stand 12 in the supporting position
(FIG. 8b), the upright lock projection 23 is caught on the latch 30
and is therefore latched with respect to the main body 2. This
enables the user to lift the whole cleaner 1 off the floor 5
without the cleaner head 10 drooping and obstructing
manoeuvrability. Tilting the main body 2 rearwardly will release
the cleaner head 10 from the latch 30 so that, as the main body 2
of the cleaner 1 is reclined, the head 10 remains in contact with
the floor surface 5 to be treated.
[0063] In a particular embodiment as shown in FIG. 10, the latch 30
and the upright lock projection 23 may be sized such that they can
move past each other, or "bump off" one another if a sufficient
force is applied to them. Advantageously this may prevent damage to
the vacuum cleaner 1. During use the latch 30 and projection 23
will remain in contact when challenged with the weight of the
cleaner head 10 acting under gravity. However if a larger force is
applied the projection 23 can move past the latch 30 allowing the
cleaner head 10 to droop downwards and preventing any damage to the
vacuum cleaner 1.
[0064] In addition the latch 30 may preferably be shaped such that
whilst the projection 23 can move past it when necessary, the
projection 23 cannot get trapped behind the latch 30 once it has
moved past it. This may be achieved by having a low profile
elongate latch 30.
[0065] In one embodiment the latch 30 and projection 23 are
provided only to act as a lock to prevent the cleaner head 10
drooping when the whole vacuum cleaner 1 is lifted off the floor 5.
The latch 30 and projection 23 may be provided on any suitable part
of the cleaner head 10. In an alternative embodiment the function
of preventing the cleaner head 10 drooping when the whole vacuum
cleaner 1 is lifted off the floor 5, may be performed by the region
22 and the protrusion 23 taking on this function as well as the
function of activating and/or deactivating the stand 12.
[0066] The main body 2 is rotatably connected to the roller 4,
which lies at the base of the main body 2. The roller 4 allows the
apparatus to be easily pushed or pulled along a surface 5. The
shape of the roller 4 and the connections between the main body 2
and the roller 4, and the roller 4 and the cleaner head 10, allow
the cleaner 1 to be more easily manoeuvred than traditional vacuum
cleaners.
[0067] The overall shape of the roller 4 resembles a barrel.
Looking at the shape of the outer surface in the direction along
the longitudinal axis, there is a generally flat central region and
an arcuate region at each end where the diameter, or width, of the
shell decreases. A flat central region aids a user in steering the
cleaner 1 along a straight line, since it will naturally run
straight and is less likely to wobble during backwards movements.
Ridges 31 are provided on the outer surface of the roller 4 to
improve grip over surfaces.
[0068] The cleaner head 10 is connected to the main body 2 of the
vacuum cleaner 1 in such a manner that the cleaner head 10 remains
in contact with a floor surface 5 as the main body 2 is manoeuvred
through a wide range of operating positions, e.g. when moved from
side-to-side or when the main body 2 is twisted about its
longitudinal axis. The yoke 21 connects the main body 2 to the
cleaner head 10. The yoke 21 is mounted to each end of the
rotational axis of the roller 4. The yoke 21 can rotate
independently of the main body 2. At the forward, central part of
the yoke 21 there is a joint 32, which connects to the cleaner head
10.
[0069] The arrangement of the pivotal mounting of the yoke 21 and
joint 32, allows the main body 2 together with the roller 4 to be
rotated about its longitudinal axis, in the manner of a corkscrew,
while the cleaner head 10 remains in contact with the floor surface
5. This arrangement also causes the cleaner head 10 to point in a
new direction as the main body 2 is rotated about its longitudinal
axis.
[0070] The support assembly 12 remains neatly tucked up against the
yoke 21 during the cleaner's 1 range of motions. This permits the
user easily to manoeuvre the cleaner 1, even when cleaning under
furniture and other low obstructions.
[0071] FIGS. 11 and 12 show schematic views of an alternative
embodiment of the present invention. It can be seen in FIG. 11 that
the stand indicated generally at 38 may comprise at least one lever
arm (indicated as 40 in FIG. 11, in FIG. 12 the lever arm 40 has
been removed). The lever arm 40 is arranged to extend along the
inside of one of the legs 42 of the stand 38. In use the lever arm
40 may be arranged such that it can move the stand 38 into the
stored position in response to a user reclining the vacuum cleaner
1. The lever arm 40 is preferably pivotally attached to a pivot
point 43 at a first end 44 of the lever arm 40 to the main body 46
of the vacuum cleaner 1. Preferably the second end 48 of the lever
arm 40 further comprises an outwardly facing pin or projection 50
which is arranged to engage with a groove 52 on the surface of the
leg 42 which it is alongside. The stand 38 is preferably arranged
such that when it is in the supporting position (as shown in FIGS.
11 and 12) the pin 50 is arranged at the furthest end of the groove
52 away from the main body 46. In this embodiment the leg 42 of the
stand 38 which comprises the groove 52 may also further comprises a
cam 54 which is resiliently biased by a spring 56 to project into
the groove 52. Therefore when a user reclines the vacuum cleaner 1
the pin 50 on the lever arm 40 has to move past the cam 54 against
the force of the spring 56. Once the pin 50 has passed the cam 54,
it continues to move along the groove 52 as the user continues to
recline the vacuum cleaner 1 further. In this embodiment further
resilient biasing means, for example an over centre spring
mechanism 58 may be provided to assist in moving the stand 38
between the stored and supporting positions once the pin 50 has
reached a certain point along the grove 52.
[0072] In this embodiment, because the pin 50 has to move past a
cam 54 which is resiliently biased to project into the groove 52, a
certain amount of force is required. Advantageously this means that
it may be possible to recline the vacuum cleaner 1 whilst applying
no downward force onto the wand or handle 62, therefore allowing
the vacuum cleaner 1 to be transported on wheels 60 of the stand
38. Only when enough downward force is applied to the wand or
handle 62, will the pin 50 be able to move past the cam 54 by
compressing or distorting the spring 56.
[0073] In this embodiment at least one return cam mechanism may
additionally be provided. This return cam mechanism may be as
described above in the previous embodiment. However in this
embodiment the pin 50 needs to pass the cam 54 before the stand 38
will be in its supporting position. In order to reduce the force
needed to move past the cam 54 the cam 54 may be pivotally mounted
at a pivot point 64 to the leg 38. Preferably the leg 42 also
further comprises a cam block 66 which is arranged to allow the cam
54 to pivot when the pin 50 moves towards the end of the grove 52
furthest away from the main body 46 but not when the pin 50 is
moving in the other direction towards the main body 46.
[0074] FIGS. 13a to 13c show schematic views of an alternative
embodiment of the present invention. In FIGS. 13a to 13c only one
leg 67 of the stand 68 can be seen. In this embodiment an upright
lock indicated generally at 70 is operated by a resilient biasing
means, in this case an over centre spring 72. In the embodiment
shown in FIG. 13a it can be seen that the upright lock 70 is in
contact with a cam 74 on the leg 68. In such an embodiment it may
also be possible to recline the machine onto the wheels 82 of the
stand 68 whilst applying no downward force onto the wand or handle,
therefore allowing the vacuum cleaner to be transported on the
wheels 82 of the stand 68.
[0075] In a preferred embodiment when the vacuum cleaner is
reclined and a downward force is applied to the wand handle the
force being applied to the upright lock 70 by the spring 72 is
overcome. This causes the spring 72 to over centre and release the
cam 74 from the upright lock 70. Once the upright lock 70 has been
released a further over centre spring 80 can act on the stand 68 to
move it into the stored position as shown in FIG. 13c. When a user
tries to stand the vacuum cleaner up to move the stand into the
supporting position the projection 76 on the yoke 78 moves back
into the aperture 84 on the upright lock 70 and drives the upright
lock 70 back into the position shown in FIG. 13a where the stand is
in the supporting position.
[0076] While the illustrated embodiments shows a vacuum cleaner 1
in which ducts 9, 18 carry airflow, it will be appreciated that the
invention can be applied to cleaners 1 which carry other fluids,
such as water and detergents.
[0077] Separation of dust from the airflow could equally be carried
out using other means such as a conventional bag-type filter, a
porous box filter, an electrostatic separator or some other form of
separating apparatus. For embodiments of the apparatus which are
not vacuum cleaners, the main body can house equipment which is
appropriate to the task performed by the machine. For example, for
a floor polishing machine the main body can house a tank for
storing liquid wax
[0078] The head 10 may also carry a brush bar (not shown) which may
be connected to and driven by a motor (not shown). The brush bar
can alternatively or additionally be driven in other ways, such as
by a turbine which is driven by incoming or exhaust airflow, or by
a coupling to the motor which is also used to drive the suction
fan. The coupling between the motor and brush bar can alternatively
be via a geared coupling. In alternative embodiments the brush bar
can be removed entirely so that the machine relies entirely on
suction or by some other form of agitation of the surface. For
other types of surface treating machines, the cleaner head can
include appropriate means for treating the floor surface, such as a
polishing pad, a liquid or wax dispensing nozzle etc. The lower
face of the cleaner head can include small rollers to ease movement
across a surface.
* * * * *