U.S. patent application number 12/376741 was filed with the patent office on 2010-03-25 for domestic appliance.
Invention is credited to Stuart Lloyd Genn.
Application Number | 20100071153 12/376741 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37027375 |
Filed Date | 2010-03-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100071153 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Genn; Stuart Lloyd |
March 25, 2010 |
DOMESTIC APPLIANCE
Abstract
A domestic appliance, such as a cyclonic vacuum cleaner,
includes a component such as a separating apparatus, carried by a
chassis. A catch is operable to release the component from the
chassis. The component and the chassis can move with respect to
each other. When the appliance is lifted there is relative
movement, against the force of a resilient member, between the
component and the chassis, so that the catch occupies a position
that inhibits its release. Previous catches that inhibited from
release when the appliance is lifted had a drawback in that slight
relative movement between the component and the chassis when the
appliance was resting on a surface tended to put the catch into the
unreleasable position. The resilient member provides resistance to
the catch moving into the locked position, thereby ensuring that
the catch is inhibited from release only when the appliance is
lifted from a surface.
Inventors: |
Genn; Stuart Lloyd;
(Malmesbury, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MORRISON & FOERSTER LLP
1650 TYSONS BOULEVARD, SUITE 400
MCLEAN
VA
22102
US
|
Family ID: |
37027375 |
Appl. No.: |
12/376741 |
Filed: |
July 16, 2007 |
PCT Filed: |
July 16, 2007 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/GB07/02674 |
371 Date: |
July 29, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/353 ;
15/354 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 5/28 20130101; A47L
9/1691 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/353 ;
15/354 |
International
Class: |
A47L 9/10 20060101
A47L009/10; A47L 5/34 20060101 A47L005/34 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 8, 2006 |
GB |
0615681.4 |
Claims
1. An appliance comprising a chassis, a component carried by the
chassis, a catch operable to releasably hold the component to the
chassis, and a resilient member, wherein the component, the
chassis, the catch and the resilient member are configured in
combination such that there is relative movement, against a force
exerted by the resilient member, between the component and the
chassis when the appliance is lifted, so that the catch occupies a
position that inhibits its release.
2. An appliance as claimed in claim 1, wherein the catch is
releasable when the appliance is placed on a surface.
3. An appliance as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which a portion of
the catch is arranged to urge the component away from the chassis
when the catch is released.
4. An appliance as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the resilient
member is arranged to bias the catch into a position whereby the
component is held to the chassis.
5. An appliance as claimed in claim 1 or 2, further comprising a
user-operable actuator for releasing the catch.
6. An appliance as claimed in claim 5, wherein the actuator is
located on the chassis.
7. An appliance as claimed in claim 5, wherein the actuator is
located adjacent a handle for carrying the component.
8. An appliance as claimed in claim 7, wherein the actuator is
configured to be movable between a first position, in which the
catch is arranged to hold the component to the chassis and a second
position, in which the catch is released, and the resilient member
is arranged to bias the actuator into the first position.
9. An appliance as claimed in claim 5, wherein the actuator is
pivotably moveable against the force of the resilient member.
10. An appliance as claimed in claim 1 or 2, further comprising a
stop arranged to prevent the catch from moving out of a position
that inhibits its release when the appliance is lifted.
11. An appliance as claimed in claim 1 or 2, further comprising a
carrying handle.
12. (canceled)
13. A vacuum cleaner comprising the domestic appliance as claimed
in claim 1 or 2.
14. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 13, in which the component
comprises a separating apparatus for separating dirt and dust from
an airflow.
15. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 14, wherein the separating
apparatus further comprises a chamber for collecting the dirt and
dust.
16. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 15, further comprising a
handle for carrying the appliance when the separating apparatus is
attached to the chassis and for carrying the separating apparatus
when it is released from the chassis.
17. (canceled)
18. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 15, wherein the separating
apparatus is a cyclonic separating apparatus.
19. An appliance as claimed in claim 8, wherein the actuator is
pivotably moveable against the force of the resilient member.
Description
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a national stage application under 35
USC 371 of International Application No. PCT/GB2007/002674, filed
Jul. 16, 2007, which claims the priority of United Kingdom
Application No. 0615681.4, filed Aug. 8, 2006, the contents of
which prior applications are incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to a domestic appliance, such as a
vacuum cleaner.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Vacuum cleaners which separate dirt and dust from an airflow
without the use of a filter bag, so-called bagless vacuum cleaners,
are becoming increasingly popular. Most bagless cleaners use
cyclonic or centrifugal separation to spin dirt and dust from the
airflow. By avoiding the use of a filter bag as the primary form of
separation, it has been found possible to maintain a consistently
high level of suction, even as the collecting chamber fills with
dirt and dust.
[0004] In a typical cyclonic vacuum cleaner, an airflow in which
dirt and dust is entrained enters a first cyclonic separator via a
tangential inlet. The inlet causes the airflow to follow a spiral
or helical path within a collection chamber so that dirt and dust
is separated from the airflow. Relatively clean air passes out of
the chamber whilst the separated dirt and dust is collected
therein. In some cyclonic vacuum cleaners, the airflow is then
passed to a second cyclone separator which is capable of separating
finer dirt and dust than the upstream cyclone. The airflow is
thereby cleaned to a greater degree so that, by the time the
airflow exits the cyclonic separating apparatus, the airflow is
almost completely free of dirt and dust particles. The dirt and
dust is left behind inside the collecting chamber.
[0005] When the collecting chamber becomes full, a user typically
removes the collecting chamber from the chassis of the machine,
carries the chamber to a dust bin or refuse sack and empties the
contents of the chamber into the bin or sack. The chamber may be
emptied by inverting it. Alternatively, a manually operable catch
may release the base portion of the chamber so that the dirt and
dust falls out of the chamber into the bin or sack.
[0006] Typically, a handle is provided to enable the user easily to
carry the collecting chamber to the bin or sack for emptying.
Conveniently, the same handle may be employed by the user for
lifting the vacuum cleaner in its entirety when the collecting
chamber is attached to the chassis, to facilitate carrying the
cleaner between different locations.
[0007] A problem which may be encountered with such appliances is
that, when the user is carrying the appliance by means of the
handle, he may accidentally release the catch that holds the
collecting chamber to the chassis. Thus, the chassis may be
released completely from the chamber and fall to the ground. This
may cause damage to the chassis as well as being an inconvenience
and potential safety hazard to the user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The invention provides a domestic appliance comprising a
component carried by a chassis and a catch operable to releasably
hold the component to the chassis arranged such that there is
relative movement, against the force of resilient means, between
the component and the chassis when the appliance is lifted, so that
the catch occupies a position that inhibits its release.
[0009] The provision of a catch that is not releasable when the
appliance is lifted against resilient means prevents the chassis
and the component from being released accidentally from each other.
Previous proposals for catches inhibited from release when the
appliance is lifted had a drawback in that slight relative movement
between the component and the chassis when the appliance was
resting on a surface tended to put the catch into the unreleasable
position. For example, it was found that the action of grabbing the
handle on the collecting chamber of a vacuum cleaner was sometimes
sufficient to urge the catch accidentally into the locked position.
This was inconvenient and confusing to the user, especially when
trying to release the collecting chamber for emptying. The
provision of resilient means provides some resistance to the catch
moving into the locked position, thereby ensuring that the catch is
inhibited from release only when the appliance is lifted from a
surface.
[0010] Advantageously, a member is provided that is arranged to
push the component away from the chassis when the catch is
released, so as to assist the user in releasing the component.
Preferably, a user-operable actuator is provided. For the
convenience of the user, this may be provided adjacent a handle
used to carry the component when it is released.
[0011] Advantageously, the resilient means may also be employed to
urge the catch into its latched position and to return the actuator
to its original position when released.
[0012] A stop may be provided so that, when the catch is in the
unreleasable position, the stop prevents release of the catch if
the appliance is subjected to a sudden vertical movement. This
feature prevents the catch from returning to a releasable position
even if the appliance is shaken.
[0013] The invention is particularly applicable to vacuum cleaners.
The invention prevents a user from releasing the separating
apparatus comprising a collecting chamber employed for collecting
dirt and dust from the chassis when the user is carrying the vacuum
cleaner.
[0014] A handle may be provided to enable the user to carry the
appliance. When the invention is applied to a vacuum cleaner having
separating apparatus, this handle may also be the handle provided
for carrying the separating apparatus when it is removed from the
chassis.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The invention will now be described, by way of example, with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a side view of a domestic appliance constructed
according to the invention in the form of an upright vacuum
cleaner;
[0017] FIG. 2 is perspective view of the cleaner of FIG. 2, showing
release of the separation apparatus;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a side view of the cleaner of FIGS. 1 and 2 being
carried by a user;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional side view of part of a
domestic appliance constructed according to the invention in a
first position;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional side view of part of the
appliance of FIG. 4 in a second position;
[0021] FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional side view of part of the
appliance of FIG. 4 in a third position; and
[0022] FIG. 7 is a magnified view of part of FIG. 6.
[0023] Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the
specification.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] Referring to FIG. 1, an upright vacuum cleaner indicated
generally by the reference numeral 1 comprises a main chassis 2
which supports dirt and dust separation apparatus 3 incorporating a
collecting chamber 4. The lower part of the vacuum cleaner 1
comprises a cleaner head 5 for engaging with the floor surface. The
cleaner head 5 has a downwardly facing suction inlet and a brush
bar (not shown), mounted in the mouth of the inlet, for agitating
the floor surface. The cleaner head 5 is pivotably mounted to a
motor housing 6, which houses the motor and fan of the cleaner 1.
Support wheels 7 are mounted to either side of the motor housing 6
for supporting the cleaner 1 and allowing movement across a floor
surface.
[0025] A spine 8 of the chassis 2 extends upwardly from the motor
housing 6 to provide support for the components of the cleaner 1. A
cleaning wand 9 having a second dirty air inlet 10 is connected by
way of a hose (not shown) to the chassis 2 at the base of the spine
8. The wand 9 is releasable from the spine 8 so as to allow a user
to carry out above-the-floor cleaning and cleaning in places which
are inaccessible by the main cleaning head 5. When the wand 9 is
fixed to the spine 8, the wand forms the handle of the cleaner 1. A
hand grip 9' at the remote end of the wand 9 allows a user to
manoeuvre the cleaner 1.
[0026] In the embodiment shown, the dirt- and dust-separating
apparatus 3 comprises a cyclonic arrangement but this could readily
be replaced by a filter, a bag or a combination of different known
separation devices.
[0027] In normal upright use, the vacuum cleaner 1 is manoeuvred
over the floor surface to be cleaned whilst the motor causes dirty
air to be sucked into the cleaner 1 via the cleaner head 5. The
dirty air is passed to the dirt- and dust-separating apparatus 3
where the dirt and dust is extracted and clean air is expelled to
the atmosphere.
[0028] Dirt and dust is collected in the collecting chamber 4 of
the separating apparatus 3 and needs to be emptied periodically
when it is full. Thus, the separating apparatus 3 is releasable
from the main chassis 2. A manually releasable catch 11 is provided
on the spine 8 of the chassis 2 and is arranged to locate the
separating apparatus 3, including the collection chamber 4, on the
appliance. The user of the vacuum cleaner 1 releases the catch 11
and removes the separating apparatus 3 by means of a handle 12
provided on the upper portion of the separating apparatus. The user
then carries the separating apparatus 3 by means of the handle 12
to a refuse bin or sack for emptying. The collection chamber 4 may
be emptied by releasing it from the separating apparatus 3 and
inverting it over the bin or sack. Alternatively, the collection
chamber 4 may have a moveable base portion that can be released, by
means of a further manually releasable catch, to allow dirt and
dust to fall from the bottom of the collection chamber.
[0029] The handle 12 on the separating apparatus 3 also serves to
allow the user to lift and carry the appliance as a whole, as shown
in FIG. 3. When the user does this, his hand is close to the catch
11 for releasing the separating apparatus 3 from the chassis 2.
With conventional vacuum cleaners, there has been a risk that the
user may accidentally release the catch whilst carrying the
appliance 1.
[0030] The catch 11 of the vacuum cleaner constructed according to
the invention is shown schematically in FIGS. 4 to 7 inclusive. The
catch 11 comprises a main catch member 13 having a pivot 14 on its
lower portion to enable it to be pivotably connected to the spine
8. The centre portion 15 of the main catch member projects
outwardly away from the spine and has a downwardly depending lip 16
at its free end. The upper portion of the main catch member 13
comprises an actuator for the catch 11 in the form of a
user-operable button 17. The button 17 is conveniently located
adjacent the carrying handle 12. When the user pushes the button
17, the main catch member 13 pivots away from the user, towards the
spine 8, and the projecting portion 15 of the main catch member is
elevated. Resilient means in the form of a helical spring 18 is
provided between the centre portion 15 of the main catch member and
a projecting lip 19 on the spine 8 of the chassis.
[0031] FIG. 4 shows the catch in its closed or latched position,
with the separating apparatus 3 being attached to the chassis 2.
The lip 16 on the projecting centre portion 15 of the main catch
member 13 is arranged to engage with a shoulder 20 on the
separating apparatus 3. When the user wishes to release the
separating apparatus 3, he pushes against the button 17 against the
force of the spring 18. This causes the main catch member 13 to
move pivotably towards the spine 8 and the rear surface 23 of the
catch member moves into a cavity 21 on the spine. This is shown in
FIG. 5. The central projecting portion 15 pivots upwardly until the
lip 16 clears the top of the shoulder 20 on the separating
apparatus. The spine 8 itself acts as a stop to limit rearward
motion of the rear surface 23 of the catch member 13. The lower
portion 22 of the main catch member 13 is arranged so that, as the
catch member pivots towards the spine 8, the lower portion is urged
against the separating apparatus 3, thereby pushing it away from
the chassis 2 as the catch 11 is released. This feature assists the
user in removing the component.
[0032] When the separating apparatus 3 or other component is
released, the actuator 17 remains on the chassis 2. If the actuator
were to be located on the component itself, this might be confusing
to the user when trying to discern another catch or mechanism on
the component for operation, such as an actuator for releasing a
catch for emptying the collection chamber.
[0033] When the user wishes to re-attach the separating apparatus
3, he simply pushes the separating apparatus 3 back into position
on the chassis 2. As he does so, the pivotable member 13 is pushed
backwards until it clears the shoulder 20 on the separating
apparatus 3. The spring 18 returns the main catch member 13 to its
upright position, with the lip 16 of the projecting portion 15
engaging in the shoulder 20 associated with the separating
apparatus 3. Thus, the separating apparatus 3 is secured to the
chassis 2.
[0034] The catch is arranged so as to allow relative movement
between the separating apparatus 3 and the chassis 2 in such a
manner that, when the appliance 1 is lifted by the user by means of
the handle 12, the catch 11 occupies a position that inhibits its
release. With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the separating apparatus
3 and chassis 2 are arranged so as to permit a limited amount of
relative movement between them, typically less than 0.5 cm. When
the user applies a lifting force to the appliance 1 by lifting the
handle 12, the separating apparatus 3 is able to move slightly
upwardly with respect to the chassis 2 as the appliance is lifted
off the ground. The lower portion 22 of the catch member 13 is
arranged to support the separating apparatus 3 in the elevated
position.
[0035] In accordance with the invention, when the appliance 1 is
elevated, the separating apparatus 3 moves with respect to the
chassis 2, and the entire catch 11 moves with the separating
apparatus against the force of the helical spring 18. In this
embodiment, both the separating apparatus 3 and the catch 11 move
upwardly with respect to the spine 8 of the chassis 2. The main
catch member 13 occupies a position where at least part of its rear
surface 23 is adjacent the spine 8 and is clear of the cavity 21 in
the spine. Thus, if the user accidentally pushes the button 17, the
main catch member 13 cannot pivot rearwardly, because its rear
surface 23 abuts the spine 8 of the chassis. The prevention of
movement of the main catch member 13, and hence the button 17
provides an indication to the user that the catch 11 is inoperable
while the appliance 1 is lifted.
[0036] FIG. 7 shows the catch in more detail. A catch stop in the
form of a lip 24 is provided on the chassis 2 to prevent the catch
member 13 from moving into a position where the catch 11 can
released while the appliance 1 is lifted, even if the appliance is
shaken or receives some other sudden force. The lip 24 engages with
a ledge or notch in the rear surface 23 of the catch member 13. If
the user attempts to release the catch 11 whilst shaking the
appliance 1, the catch member 13 may move vertically against the
spine 8, but the lip 24 prevents the catch member from moving
vertically downwardly into a position adjacent the cavity 21, where
it may pivot into the released position.
[0037] The spring 18 in FIGS. 6 and 7 is compressed and is biased
so as to urge the catch member 13 and the separating apparatus 3,
in the absence of external forces, downwardly into the position
where the catch 11 may be released. However, the spring force is
not sufficient to do so while the appliance 1 is lifted because of
the weight of the chassis 2 reacting against the spring 18. The
provision of a spring 18 or other resilient means provides a
reaction force that prevents the separating apparatus 3 from being
inadvertently lifted into a position that inhibits release of the
catch 11. For example, if the user grabs the handle 12 and attempts
to lift the separating apparatus 3 away from the chassis 2 whilst
trying to activate the catch 11, the user may inadvertently apply a
vertically upwardly-directed force. In the absence of the resilient
spring 18 pushing the catch member 13, and hence the separating
apparatus 3, downwards, the lifting force may be sufficient to urge
the catch 11 from the configuration shown in FIG. 4 to that shown
in FIG. 6, thereby accidentally preventing release.
[0038] The spring 18 or other resilient means is multi-functional:
it returns the actuator 17 to its original position after it is
pressed, it returns the catch member 13 to a latched position, so
that the separating apparatus is secured to the chassis 2 and, as
described above, it prevents the catch 11 from being moved
accidentally into a position that inhibits release. By using one
spring 18 to perform a plurality of functions, the number of
components employed in manufacturing the catch 11 can be
reduced.
[0039] When the user puts the appliance 1 back down on a floor
surface, the catch member 13 and separating apparatus move back
downwardly with respect to the chassis 2 and occupy their normal
positions as shown in FIG. 4, so that the separating apparatus is
once again releasable from the chassis.
[0040] Of course, variations may be made without departing from the
scope of the invention. For example, the resilient means may be
provided between the component and the spine. Separate resilient
means may be provided to return the catch member into the latched
position and to return the actuator to its original position when
the catch has been released.
[0041] The handle for lifting the appliance need not be the same as
that provided for carrying the separating apparatus. A separate
handle or hand-grip may be provided. The handle for lifting the
appliance may be provided on the chassis, in which case the catch
would need to be reconfigured so that relative downward movement of
the catch and component with respect to the chassis causes the
catch to occupy a position where its release is inhibited.
[0042] The catch of the invention may be provided to locate other
components on the chassis, so that those components are not
releasable whilst the appliance is being carried.
[0043] Although the invention has been described with reference to
an upright vacuum cleaner, it is equally applicable to cylinder
cleaners and other appliances that may be carried by a user. For
example, a lawn mower may be provided with a chassis and a chamber
for collecting grass clippings produced by the mower. The invention
may be employed to prevent the collecting chamber from being
released when the user is carrying the lawn mower. The invention
may also be applied to, for example, other surface-treating
appliances, such as those that apply polish or paint to a
surface.
* * * * *