U.S. patent application number 12/276063 was filed with the patent office on 2009-05-28 for surface treating appliance.
This patent application is currently assigned to Dyson Technology Limited. Invention is credited to Giles Ashbee, Robert Thomas Burnham, Tom Vallance Hamilton Crawford.
Application Number | 20090133209 12/276063 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38925962 |
Filed Date | 2009-05-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090133209 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ashbee; Giles ; et
al. |
May 28, 2009 |
SURFACE TREATING APPLIANCE
Abstract
A surface treating appliance includes a main body, a head and a
connector. The connector is adapted and arranged to connect the
head to the main body while allowing relative rotation
therebetween. The connector includes a connecting member which is
removable from the remainder of the connector to allow the head to
be released from the main body. At least a part of the connecting
member forms a part of the external surface of the surface treating
appliance. By providing such an arrangement, the connecting member
is immediately visible to the user and can be accessed easily.
Further, only the connecting member needs to be removed in order to
release the head from the main body, making removal of the head a
simple and straightforward process.
Inventors: |
Ashbee; Giles; (Malmesbury,
GB) ; Crawford; Tom Vallance Hamilton; (Malmesbury,
GB) ; Burnham; Robert Thomas; (Malmesbury,
GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MORRISON & FOERSTER LLP
1650 TYSONS BOULEVARD, SUITE 400
MCLEAN
VA
22102
US
|
Assignee: |
Dyson Technology Limited
Malmesbury
GB
|
Family ID: |
38925962 |
Appl. No.: |
12/276063 |
Filed: |
November 21, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/300.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 9/04 20130101; A47L
9/246 20130101; A47L 9/009 20130101; A47L 5/30 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/300.1 |
International
Class: |
A47L 9/00 20060101
A47L009/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 23, 2007 |
GB |
0723014.7 |
Claims
1. A surface treating appliance comprising a main body, a head and
a connector adapted and arranged to secure the head to the main
body while allowing relative rotation therebetween, the connector
comprising a connecting member which is removable from the
remainder of the connector to allow the head to be released from
the main body, wherein at least a part of the connecting member
forms a part of the external surface of the surface treating
appliance.
2. The surface treating appliance of claim 1, wherein the connector
further comprises a first part located on the main body and a
second part located on the head, the first and second parts being
connectable and rotatable with respect to one another about a
common axis.
3. The surface treating appliance of claim 2, wherein the first and
second parts are rotatably secured to one another by the connecting
member.
4. The surface treating appliance of claim 3, wherein the
connecting member is snap-fitted to one of the first and second
parts.
5. The surface treating appliance of claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein one
of the first and second parts comprises at least one groove for
receiving a part of the connecting member.
6. The surface treating appliance of claim 5, wherein the
connecting member comprises at least one flange which is
resiliently biased into the at least one groove.
7. The surface treating appliance of claim 5, wherein two grooves
are provided on either side of one of the first and second parts to
secure more reliably the head to the main body.
8. The surface treating appliance of claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein the
first and second parts are adapted and arranged to carry a fluid
flow from the cleaner head to the main body.
9. A vacuum cleaner comprising the surface treating appliance of
claim 8.
10. An upright vacuum cleaner comprising the surface treating
appliance of claim 8.
11. The surface treating appliance of claim 6, wherein two grooves
are provided on either side of one of the first and second parts to
secure more reliably the head to the main body.
12. The surface treating appliance of claim 6, wherein the first
and second parts are adapted and arranged to carry a fluid flow
from the cleaner head to the main body.
Description
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the priority of United Kingdom
Application No. 0723014.7, filed Nov. 23, 2007, the contents of
which are incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a surface treating
appliance. Particularly, but not exclusively, the present invention
relates to a vacuum cleaner.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Upright vacuum cleaners are well known and generally
comprise a cleaner head and a main body. The cleaner head is
pivotably attached to the main body which is supported on a pair of
wheels and has a handle to allow the vacuum cleaner to be
manipulated by a user. An example of such a cleaner is sold by
Dyson.TM. under the trade name DC07.TM..
[0004] An alternative arrangement is disclosed in WO 2004/014211,
which describes an upright vacuum cleaner having a cleaner head and
a main body which is supported and steered on a ball-type rolling
member to improve maneuverability. A rotatable connection is
provided between the cleaner head and the main body to ensure that
the cleaner head remains on the floor surface when the vacuum
cleaner is turned.
[0005] In both of the above cases, it is useful for the cleaner
head to be removable from the main body of the vacuum cleaner for
storage and packaging purposes. A removable cleaner head can be
either stored separately from the main body or placed in a more
compact arrangement with respect to the main body, reducing the
storage space needed for the vacuum cleaner and the size of the box
required for transportation. Further, a cleaner head is more
convenient to clean when separated from the main body of the vacuum
cleaner.
[0006] Examples of removable cleaner heads are shown and described
in U.S. Pat. No. 2,619,671 and U.S. Pat. No. 2,734,215. Each of the
cleaner heads shown therein has a rotatable connection which allows
the cleaner head to be rotated with respect to the remainder of the
vacuum cleaner. The cleaner head is removable by first releasing a
lower part of the cleaner head, before removing a U-shaped clip to
release the cleaner head from the remainder of the vacuum cleaner.
Therefore, a number of steps must be undertaken in order to remove
the cleaner head. This is inconvenient and time consuming for a
user.
[0007] An alternative arrangement is used on a range of vacuum
cleaners sold by Dyson.TM. under the trade name DC18.TM.. These
vacuum cleaners comprise a removable cleaner head which is
rotatable with respect to a main body of the vacuum cleaner. A
rotatable connector is provided on the main body, the cleaner head
being attached to a part of the connector which is rotatable with
respect to the main body. However, although robust, such a
connector is relatively large and so is unsuitable for use in a
small vacuum cleaner due to size constraints.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
surface treating appliance having a removable cleaner head which is
rotatably connectable to the remainder of the surface treating
appliance, but which is more straightforward to remove and more
compact than known arrangements.
[0009] According to the invention, there is provided a surface
treating appliance comprising a main body, a head and a connector
adapted and arranged to secure the head to the main body while
allowing relative rotation therebetween, the connector including a
connecting member which is removable from the remainder of the
connector to allow the head to be released from the main body,
wherein at least a part of the connecting member forms a part of
the external surface of the surface treating appliance.
[0010] By providing a connecting member which forms a part of the
external surface of the surface treating appliance, the connecting
member is immediately visible to the user and can be accessed
easily. Further, only the connecting member needs to be removed in
order to release the head from the main body, making removal of the
head a simple and straightforward process.
[0011] Preferably, the connector further includes a first part
located on the main body and a second part located on the head, the
first and second parts being connectable and rotatable with respect
to one another about a common axis. More preferably, the first and
second parts are rotatably secured to one another by the connecting
member. The removable connecting member can be used to secure
easily the first and second parts of the connector to one another,
facilitating easy removal of the head from the main body.
[0012] Preferably, the connecting member is snap-fitted to one of
the first and second parts. A snap-fitting connecting member is
easy to attach and remove, and is cost-effective to produce.
[0013] Preferably, one of the first and second parts includes at
least one groove for receiving a part of the connecting member.
More preferably, the connecting member includes at least one flange
which is resiliently biased into the at least one groove. By
providing such an arrangement, the first and second portions are
able to rotate with respect to one another about a common axis, but
are prevented from being moved apart along the axis. Therefore, the
flange and groove arrangement secures the cleaner head to the main
body while allowing free rotation therebetween.
[0014] Preferably, two grooves are provided on either side of one
of the first and second parts to secure more reliably the head to
the main body. By providing such an arrangement, the head is better
secured to the main body, while also providing space between the
two grooves to accommodate additional parts of the surface treating
appliance.
[0015] Preferably, the first and second parts are adapted and
arranged to carry a fluid flow from the cleaner head to the main
body. By providing such an arrangement, only the connector also
acts as a fluid conduit, reducing the number of components
required, and simplifying the removal of the head from the main
body.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] An embodiment of the invention will now be described with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0017] FIG. 1 shows an upright vacuum cleaner according to the
invention;
[0018] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of parts of the vacuum cleaner of
FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a side view of a cleaner head forming part of the
vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a section through the cleaner head of FIG. 3 taken
along the line A-A of FIG. 3;
[0021] FIG. 5 is a side section through the cleaner head of FIG.
3;
[0022] FIG. 6 is a rear view of the cleaner head of FIG. 3; and
[0023] FIG. 7 is a section through the cleaner head of FIG. 3 taken
along the line B-B of FIG. 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] An upright vacuum cleaner 10 according to the invention is
illustrated in FIG. 1. The vacuum cleaner 10 has a main body 12 and
a cleaner head 14. The main body 12 includes a spine 16 which
extends upwards and merges into a handle 18. The handle 18 can be
manipulated by a user to maneuvere the vacuum cleaner 10 across a
floor surface.
[0025] Separating apparatus 20 is releasably attached to the spine
16. The interior of the separating apparatus 20 is in communication
with the main body 12 by way of ducting 22 located on the spine 16.
The ducting 22 carries an airflow leaving the separating apparatus
20. In the embodiment shown, the separating apparatus 20 comprises
a cyclonic separator but this could be replaced by a filter, a bag
or a combination of different known separation devices. The nature
of the separating apparatus 20 is not material to the present
invention.
[0026] A rotatable support member 24 is located at the base of the
main body 12 and supports the main body 12 on the floor surface.
The support member 24 is rotatably connected to two support arms
26, 28 forming part of the main body 12. The support member 24 has
an arcuate outer surface 30 when viewed in a lateral direction. The
shape of the outer surface 30 allows the vacuum cleaner 10 to be
maneuvered more easily across the floor surface than traditional
vacuum cleaners having a pair of wheels.
[0027] A motor and fan unit (not shown) for drawing an airflow into
the vacuum cleaner 10 is mounted inside the support member 24. The
motor and fan unit is mounted so that the outer surface 30 of the
support member 24 rotates around the motor and fan unit. The inlet
to the motor and fan unit is formed in the support arm 28 which is
in communication with the ducting 22. The support arm 28 and the
ducting 22 define an airflow path from the separating apparatus 20
to the motor and fan unit.
[0028] In order to support the vacuum cleaner 10 when in an
upright, stored position (as shown in FIG. 1), the main body 12 is
provided with a stand 32. The stand 32 comprises a frame and a pair
of wheels, and is shown in an extended position in FIG. 1. The
stand 32 is retractable so that the vacuum cleaner 10 can be
maneuvered in use. An example of a suitable stand is shown and
described in EP 1 838 195.
[0029] The main body 12 further includes a yoke 34. The yoke 34
comprises two arms 36, 38 which are pivotably connected to the
support arms 26, 28 on either side of the support member 24. The
arms 36, 38, support arms 26, 28 and support member 24 are all
connected about a common axis X-X. A duct is formed in the
left-hand arm 36 of the yoke 34 and provides an airflow path
between the cleaner head 14 and the separating apparatus 20.
[0030] The cleaner head 14 is rotatably connected to the yoke 34 by
a connector 40. The cleaner head 14 has an upper surface 42 and a
lower surface 44. The lower surface 44, which can be seen in FIG.
5, is arranged to face towards the floor surface and has a suction
opening 46 formed therein. The suction opening 46 extends across
substantially the entire width of the cleaner head 14. A suction
conduit 48 is formed within the cleaner head 14 and is delimited by
the upper and lower surfaces 42, 44. The suction conduit 48 forms a
communication path between the suction opening 46 and the duct in
the arm 36 of the yoke 34.
[0031] The cleaner head 14 and the connector 40 are shown in more
detail in FIGS. 2 to 7. As shown in FIG. 2, the cleaner head 14 is
removable from the main body 12. The connector 40 comprises a first
part 50 located on the main body 12, a second part 52 located on
the cleaner head 14 and a removable connecting member 54. The
removal of the connecting member 54 from the remainder of the
connector 40 enables the cleaner head 14 and the main body 12 to be
separated from one another as described below.
[0032] The first part 50 is located on the main body 12 and
comprises a cylindrical portion 56 which is hollow and forms an
inlet to the duct located in the left-hand arm 36 of the yoke 34.
Four walls 58 are located on the cylindrical portion 56 and extend
around a part of the outer circumference thereof. The four walls 58
are arranged in two groups of two diametrically-opposed parallel
walls 58, each group defining a groove 60 therebetween. The grooves
60 extend around a part of the outer circumference of the
cylindrical portion 56. This is best shown in FIG. 2.
[0033] The second part 52 is located on the cleaner head 14 and
comprises a cylindrical portion 62 located at one end of the
suction conduit 48. The cylindrical portion 62 is dimensioned to
receive the cylindrical portion 56 of the first part 50. Two
elongate openings 64 are formed in the sides of the cylindrical
portion 62. This can be seen most clearly in FIGS. 2 and 4.
[0034] The connecting member 54 is U-shaped and has inner and outer
surfaces 66, 68. The inner surface 66 has two flanges 70 projecting
therefrom. The flanges 70 project inwardly, perpendicular to the
inner surface 66. The outer surface 68 is curved and is shaped to
conform to the external surface of the vacuum cleaner 10. In other
words, the outer surface 68 of the connecting member 54 forms a
part of the external surface of the vacuum cleaner 10 when the
connecting member 54 is located on the cleaner head 14. This can be
seen in FIG. 3, which shows the connecting member 54 in place on
the cleaner head 14. The connecting member 54 is resilient and is
able to flex such that the separation between the flanges 70 can be
increased or decreased. This allows the connecting member 54 to be
snap fitted to the cleaner head 14.
[0035] FIGS. 4 and 5 show cross sections through parts of the main
body 12 and the cleaner head 14 showing the connector 40 in more
detail. The first part 50 is received in the second part 52 such
that the cylindrical portion 56 is located within the cylindrical
portion 62. When the first and second parts 50, 52 are correctly
located with respect to one another, each elongate opening 64 is
aligned with a respective groove 60.
[0036] The connecting member 54 connects and secures the first and
second parts 50, 52 to one another. Each flange 70 located on the
connecting member 54 extends through a respective elongate opening
64 and into a respective groove 60. This is shown in FIG. 4. Due to
the resilience of the connecting member 54, the flanges 70 are
biased into the grooves 60 in a snap-fit arrangement. In this
configuration, the first and second parts 50, 52 are able to rotate
freely about an axis Y-Y (FIGS. 4 and 5), but cannot be
disconnected due to the engagement between the flanges 70 and the
grooves 60. In other words, the first and second parts 50, 52 are
prevented from moving relative to one another along the axis Y-Y
when the connecting member 54 connects the first and second
portions 50, 52.
[0037] The provision of two grooves 60 which each cooperate with a
flange 70 means that space is available between the grooves 60
around the circumference of the cylindrical portions 56, 62 for
additional components of the vacuum cleaner 10, as will be
described later.
[0038] The upper surface 42 has a notch 72 located adjacent the
connecting member 54. This is shown most clearly in FIGS. 2 and 5.
The notch 72 is provided so that the user can remove the connecting
member 54 from the cleaner head 14 by inserting a suitable
implement, such as a coin or screwdriver into the notch 72 and
levering the connecting member 54 away from the cleaner head 14.
Due to the resilience of the connecting member 54, the connecting
member 54 is arranged to flex and snap out of position when levered
away from the cleaner head 14.
[0039] As shown in FIG. 5, a rotatable brush bar 74 is located in
the suction conduit 48. The brush bar 74 is driven by a brush bar
motor (not shown) which has an electrical connection to the main
body 12 of the vacuum cleaner 10. The electrical connection
comprises a first electrical connector 76 located on the yoke 34,
and a second electrical connector 78 located on the cleaner head
14. The first and second electrical connectors 76, 78 are shown in
FIG. 5 and are located below the first and second parts 50, 52 of
the connector 40 respectively. The first electrical connector 76 is
fixed with respect to the first part 50 and is located between the
grooves 60 around the circumference of the first part 50. The first
and second electrical connectors 76, 78 connect to one another in a
standard male/female arrangement which is well known.
[0040] FIGS. 6 and 7 show rear views of the cleaner head 14. The
second electrical connector 78 is located in a curved channel 80
and is free to move therein. The curved channel 80 is located on
the circumference of the cylindrical portion 62 between the two
elongate openings 64. The channel 80 is arcuate and, along the
length of the channel 80, is spaced at a substantially constant
distance from the axis Y-Y. This means that, when the cleaner head
14 is rotated with respect to the main body 12 about the axis Y-Y,
the second electrical connector 78 is able to slide smoothly within
the channel 80. The second electrical connector 78 is able to move
within the channel 80 with respect to the remainder of the cleaner
head 14. The second electrical connector 78 is connected
electrically to the brush bar motor by an electrical wire 82. The
electrical wire 82 is able to move with the second electrical
connector 78 and is sufficiently long so that it does not impede
the movement of the second electrical connector 78.
[0041] When the cleaner head 14 is attached to the main body 12 (as
shown in FIG. 5), the second electrical connector 78 is connected
to, and remains fixed with respect to, the first electrical
connector 76. Therefore, when the cleaner head 14 is rotated with
respect to the main body 12 about the axis Y-Y, the second
electrical connector 78 moves along the curved channel 80 relative
to the cleaner head 14 but remains fixed relative to the main body
12.
[0042] The arrangement described above is particularly suited to a
small upright vacuum cleaner, commonly known as a stick-vacuum.
Stick-vacuums are generally much smaller in size that conventional
upright vacuum cleaners. The above arrangement allows the connector
to be small, yet to be robust and easy to disconnect. Consequently,
the provision of a smaller connector allows the vacuum cleaner to
be reduced in size.
[0043] In use, the user starts with the vacuum cleaner 10 in the
stored configuration shown in FIG. 1. In the stored configuration,
the cleaner head 14 is attached to the main body 12, the spine 16
is upright and the stand 32 is in the extended position. To use the
vacuum cleaner 10, the user switches the vacuum cleaner 10 on so
that the motor and fan unit draws a dirty airflow into the vacuum
cleaner 10 via the suction opening 46 and the brush bar motor
rotates the brush bar 74.
[0044] The brush bar 74 agitates the floor surface and dislodges
dirt and dust from the floor surface. This dirt and dust is carried
in the dirty airflow from the suction opening 46, through the
suction conduit 48, along the duct 36 and into the separating
apparatus 20. Dirt and dust is separated from the airflow by the
separating apparatus 20 and retained therein. The cleaned air then
passes from the separating apparatus 20 along the ducting 22,
through a pre-motor filter (not shown), across the motor and fan
unit for cooling and through a post-motor filter (not shown) before
being exhausted from the vacuum cleaner 10.
[0045] In order to move the vacuum cleaner 10 from the stored
position to an in-use position, the user must retract the stand 32.
The user can then manipulate the handle 18 to maneuvre the vacuum
cleaner 10 across the floor surface to be cleaned. In order to turn
the vacuum cleaner 10 in a new direction (for example, to clean
around furniture or walls), the user twists the handle 18, which
causes the main body 12 to rotate. When the main body 12 is
rotated, the first and second parts 50, 52 rotate with respect to
one another about the axis Y-Y so that the cleaner head 14 remains
on the floor surface when the user twists the handle 18.
[0046] When the first and second parts 50, 52 are rotated with
respect to one another, the cylindrical portion 56 rotates inside
the cylindrical portion 62. Each of the flanges 70 formed on the
connecting member 54 slides within a respective groove 60, allowing
rotational movement while preventing the first and second parts 50,
52 from becoming separated. In other words, the connecting member
54 connects and secures the cleaner head 14 to the main body 12,
preventing the cleaner head 14 from becoming detached, but allowing
free rotation therebetween. The flanges 70 run smoothly inside the
grooves 60 so that there is little frictional resistance to
rotation between the first and second parts 50, 52. This makes the
vacuum cleaner 10 easy to turn in a new direction.
[0047] The brush bar motor located in the cleaner head 14 is
electrically connected to the main body 12 by the connection
between the first and second electrical connectors 76, 78 and the
electrical wire 82. Further, when the cleaner head 14 is rotated
with respect to the main body 12, the second electrical connector
78 will move within the channel 80. Since the electrical wire 82 is
able to move with the second electrical connector 78, the
electrical connection between the main body 12 and the brush bar
motor is maintained even when the main body 12 is rotated with
respect to the cleaner head 14. This arrangement is small in size,
simple to implement and requires fewer components than known
arrangements which use, for example, slip rings to transfer
electric current across a rotatable connection.
[0048] When the user has finished the cleaning operation, the
vacuum cleaner 10 is switched off. In order to return the vacuum
cleaner 10 to a storage configuration as shown in FIG. 1, the user
pushes the handle 18 and spine 16 back into the vertical position.
This action extends the stand 32. The vacuum cleaner 10 is now back
in the configuration shown in FIG. 1.
[0049] It may be desired to remove the cleaner head 14 for
cleaning, storage or transportation. In order to do this, the user
inserts a suitable tool (such as a coin or screwdriver) into the
notch 72 and levers the connecting member 54 upwards. Since the
connecting member 54 and notch 72 are located on the external
surface of the vacuum cleaner 10, they are immediately visible and
easy to access. As the connecting member 54 is moved upwards, the
outer surface 68 of the connecting member 54 is no longer flush
with the upper surface 42 of the cleaner head 14 and the yoke 34.
Therefore, it can easily be grabbed by the user and removed.
Further, due to the resilience of the connecting member 54, the
connecting member 54 flexes and snaps out of position when levered
away from the cleaner head 14.
[0050] When the connecting member 54 is removed, the flanges 70 are
removed from the grooves 60. Therefore, the first and second parts
50, 52 can be separated, and the cleaner head 14 can be removed
from the main body 12.
[0051] When the cleaner head 14 is removed in this manner, the
first and second electrical connectors 76, 78 are pulled apart.
This breaks the electrical connection between the cleaner head 14
and the main body 12, preventing electrical shocks and allowing the
cleaner head 14 to be cleaned, stored or packed separately from the
remainder of the vacuum cleaner 10.
[0052] The invention is not limited to the detailed description
given above. Variations will be apparent to the person skilled in
the art. For example, other forms and arrangements of the connector
may be used. There need not be first and second parts which are
connectable and, instead, the connecting member may directly attach
the cleaner head to the main body.
[0053] The connecting member need not be snap fitted. Other
arrangements could be used, for example, clamped or press-fitted
connecting members. Additionally, other securing arrangements other
than a flange and groove may be provided. For example, locking pins
or screws may be used. If a flange and groove arrangement is used,
then a single groove may be provided.
[0054] The connector need not be adapted to carry a fluid flow. A
separate fluid conduit, such as a hose, may be provided separate
from the connector.
[0055] The main body need not be supported on a rolling support
member. Other support arrangements could be used, for example a
pair of wheels. Further, the head may be rotatable in a different
plane from that described above, or may be rotatable about more
than one axis; for example, if the cleaner head is connected to the
main body by a universal joint.
[0056] The term "surface treating appliance" is intended to have a
broad meaning, and includes a wide range of machines having a head
for travelling over a surface to clean or treat the surface in some
manner. It includes, inter alia, machines 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 machines 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.
* * * * *