U.S. patent application number 13/645715 was filed with the patent office on 2013-02-07 for cleaning appliance.
This patent application is currently assigned to Alfred Karcher GmbH & Co. KG. The applicant listed for this patent is Alfred Karcher GmbH & Co. KG. Invention is credited to Denis Dammkohler, Stefan Hess.
Application Number | 20130031732 13/645715 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44140857 |
Filed Date | 2013-02-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130031732 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hess; Stefan ; et
al. |
February 7, 2013 |
CLEANING APPLIANCE
Abstract
A cleaning appliance is provided having a housing which has a
placement surface for setting down a container, and having travel
wheels for moving the cleaning appliance. To improve the cleaning
appliance in such a way that a container may be easily fixed to the
placement surface, it is proposed that at least one retaining
element which protrudes from the placement surface is situated at a
first edge of the placement surface, the retaining element having,
on its front face that faces away from the placement surface, a
concave receptacle for a carrying handle which is hinged on a side
of the container that is set down on the placement surface.
Inventors: |
Hess; Stefan; (Leutenbach,
DE) ; Dammkohler; Denis; (Backnang, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Alfred Karcher GmbH & Co. KG; |
Winnenden |
|
DE |
|
|
Assignee: |
Alfred Karcher GmbH & Co.
KG
Winnenden
DE
|
Family ID: |
44140857 |
Appl. No.: |
13/645715 |
Filed: |
October 5, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
PCT/EP2011/005516 |
Apr 1, 2011 |
|
|
|
13645715 |
|
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|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
15/4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 9/0018 20130101;
B25H 3/02 20130101; A47L 11/4091 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/4 |
International
Class: |
A47L 11/00 20060101
A47L011/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 8, 2010 |
DE |
10 2010 003 756.7 |
Claims
1. A cleaning appliance having a housing which has a placement
surface for setting down a container, and having travel wheels for
moving the cleaning appliance, wherein at least one retaining
element which protrudes from the placement surface is situated at a
first edge of the placement surface, the retaining element having,
on its front face that faces away from the placement surface, a
concave receptacle for a carrying handle, which is hinged on a side
of the container that is set down on the placement surface.
2. The cleaning appliance according to claim 1, wherein two
retaining elements are situated at a distance from one another on
the first edge of the placement surface.
3. The cleaning appliance according to claim 1, wherein the at
least one retaining element has a hooked shape.
4. The cleaning appliance according to claim 1, wherein the at
least one retaining element is elastically deformable.
5. The cleaning appliance according to claim 1, wherein the at
least one retaining element forms a detent element by means of
which the carrying handle of the container is latchable.
6. The cleaning appliance according to claim 1, wherein at least
one first stop element, which protrudes from the placement surface
and has a first stop surface, is situated at a second edge of the
placement surface, which edge faces away from the first edge.
7. The cleaning appliance according to claim 6, wherein at least
one second stop element which protrudes from the placement surface
and has a second stop surface facing toward the first stop surface
is situated at the first edge of the placement surface.
8. The cleaning appliance according to claim 7, wherein the at
least one second stop element has an outer side which faces away
from the second stop surface, and the at least one retaining
element has a retaining portion which protrudes beyond the outer
side of the second stop element.
9. The cleaning appliance according to claim 8, wherein the
retaining portion protrudes beyond the second stop element in the
direction of the surface normal of the placement surface.
10. The cleaning appliance according to claim 7, wherein the at
least one second stop element is fixedly connected to a retaining
element.
11. The cleaning appliance according to claim 7, wherein two
retaining elements are situated at a distance from one another at
the first edge of the placement surface, and in each case a second
stop element is positioned at the sides of the retaining elements
that face away from one another.
12. The cleaning appliance according to claim 1, wherein a lateral
surface into which at least one opening region of a storage space
opens adjoins the first edge of the placement surface, wherein, in
a storage position, at least one tensioning element which is
adapted to be at least partially withdrawn from the storage space
through the opening region and which is adapted to be transferred
into a working position for fixing the container to the placement
surface, is situated in the storage space.
13. The cleaning appliance according to claim 12, wherein the
tensioning element has a first end which is fixed in the storage
space and a second, loose end which is accessible from outside the
storage space via the opening region.
14. The cleaning appliance according to claim 12, wherein the
tensioning element is elastically extendable.
15. The cleaning appliance according to claim 12, wherein the
opening region is situated adjacent to a retaining element.
16. The cleaning appliance according to claim 12, wherein the
opening region is positioned beneath a second stop element which is
situated at the first edge of the placement surface, and which
protrudes from the placement surface and has a second stop surface.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of international
application number PCT/EP2011/055126, filed on Apr. 1, 2011, and
claims the benefit of German application number 10 2010 003 756.7,
filed on Apr. 8, 2010, which are incorporated herein by reference
in their entirety and for all purposes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to a cleaning appliance having a
housing which has a placement surface for setting down a container,
and having travel wheels for moving the cleaning appliance.
[0003] These types of cleaning appliances are used, for example, in
the form of vacuum cleaners or also in the form of high-pressure
cleaning appliances. They are used, for example, on construction
sites and at other work locations. The cleaning appliances are
equipped with travel wheels, and may thus be moved along a
floor.
[0004] For transport to a work location, the cleaning appliances
are often positioned in a transport vehicle. The available stowage
space in the transport vehicle is frequently limited. Therefore, in
many cases, containers, for example tool boxes or other containers
holding utensils or accessories, are set down on the cleaning
appliances which are positioned in the stowage space. When the
transport vehicle reaches its destination, the containers as well
as the cleaning appliance are removed from the transport vehicle
and then transported to the actual work location.
[0005] A cleaning appliance in the form of a vacuum cleaner is
known from EP 0 916 302 B1, the top side of the housing of the
vacuum cleaner having a placement surface with an indentation. The
container may be inserted into the indentation, and is thus secured
against shifting on the placement surface. In addition, the
container may be locked in the indentation with the aid of locking
elements. The locking elements are designed as displaceable bolts
which may be pushed into corresponding recesses in the container.
Locking the container to the placement surface has the advantage
that the user may move the vacuum cleaner together with the
container in the form of a single transport unit. However, the
proportions of the container must conform to the indentation, and
the container must have recesses into which the displaceable bolts
can be pushed.
[0006] It is an object of the present invention to improve a
cleaning appliance of the type stated at the outset in such a way
that a container may be easily fixed to the placement surface.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] For a cleaning appliance of the generic kind, this object is
achieved according to the invention in that at least one retaining
element which protrudes from the placement surface is situated at a
first edge of the placement surface, the retaining element having,
on its front face that faces away from the placement surface, a
concave receptacle for a carrying handle, which is hinged on a side
of the container that is set down on the placement surface.
[0008] The invention incorporates the idea that tool boxes as well
as other containers for utensils or accessories in most instances
have, on one side, a carrying handle, which is pivotably mounted.
For the cleaning appliance according to the invention, the carrying
handle of the container is used to fix the container. For this
purpose, at least one retaining element which protrudes from the
placement surface is situated at a first edge of the placement
surface, on which surface the container may be set down. The
retaining element has a concave receptacle on its front face facing
away from the placement surface. The container having the pivotable
carrying handle may be set down on the placement surface in an
orientation in which the pivotable carrying handle assumes a
position at the first edge of the placement surface. The carrying
handle may then be pivoted about its pivot axis until it enters
into the concave receptacle of the at least one retaining element.
The retaining element then engages over the carrying handle, so
that the container is fixed to the retaining element via the
carrying handle of the container.
[0009] It is advantageous if two retaining elements are situated at
a distance from one another on the first edge of the placement
surface. The retaining elements in each case have a concave
receptacle on their front face that faces away from the placement
surface. This provides the possibility of inserting the pivotable
carrying handle of the container into both receptacles, thus fixing
it in a particularly reliable manner.
[0010] The pivotable carrying handle of the container usually has a
U-shaped configuration, and includes two support legs which are
hinged on one side of the container, and which at their free ends
are connected to one another via a support bar. The distance
between two retaining elements, which elements may be situated at
the first edge of the placement surface, may be such that each of
the support legs of the carrying handle may be placed against an
outer side of a retaining element. The outer sides of the retaining
elements are formed by the sides of the retaining elements that
face away from one another. The U-shaped carrying handle thus
receives the two retaining elements between it, thus securing the
container against shifting in the longitudinal direction of the
carrying handle.
[0011] The at least one retaining element preferably has a hooked
shape. The curved end region of the retaining element may then
engage over the carrying handle.
[0012] The at least one retaining element is preferably elastically
deformable.
[0013] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the cleaning
appliance according to the invention, the at least one retaining
element is formed as a detent element via which the carrying handle
of the container which is set down on the placement surface can be
latched. A releasable detent connection to the container which is
set down on the placement surface is thus established by means of
the detent element. The container may thus be fixed to the
placement surface, using a simple design.
[0014] It is advantageous if at least one first stop element, which
protrudes from the placement surface and has a first stop surface,
is situated at a second edge of the placement surface, which edge
faces away from the first edge. The stop element forms a lateral
support for the container which is set down on the placement
surface. The container may be positioned between the at least one
retaining element which is situated at the first edge of the
placement surface and the first stop element which is situated at
the second edge of the placement surface, whereby the container
engages against the first stop surface, and the carrying handle may
subsequently be pivoted into a holding position in which it engages
with the concave receptacle of the at least one retaining
element.
[0015] It is advantageous if at least one second stop element which
protrudes from the placement surface and has a second stop surface
facing toward the first stop surface is situated at the first edge
of the placement surface. This provides the possibility for the
container to be supported at the first edge of the placement
surface, not only at the at least one retaining element, but also
at the second stop element.
[0016] In this respect, it is advantageous if the at least one
second stop element has an outer side which faces away from the
second stop surface, and the at least one retaining element has a
retaining portion which protrudes beyond the outer side of the
second stop element. The retaining portion may engage over the
carrying handle of the container, which may be placed against the
outer side of the at least one second stop element, the carrying
handle entering into the concave receptacle of the retaining
element.
[0017] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the
retaining element protrudes beyond the second stop element in the
direction of the surface normal of the placement surface. The
retaining portion can thus protrude beyond the second stop element
in the direction of the surface normal of the outer side of the
second stop element, and also in the direction of the surface
normal of the placement surface, thus reliably gripping the
carrying handle of the container.
[0018] It is advantageous if the at least one second stop element
is fixedly connected to a retaining element. This increases the
mechanical load capacity of the retaining element and of the stop
element.
[0019] Two retaining elements are preferably situated at a distance
from one another at the first edge of the placement surface, and in
each case a second stop element is positioned at the outer sides of
the retaining elements that face away from one another.
[0020] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the
container is fixed to the placement surface with particularly good
mechanical load capacity, in that a lateral surface into which at
least one opening region of a storage space opens adjoins the first
edge of the placement surface, and, in a storage position, a
tensioning element which can be at least partially withdrawn from
the storage space through the opening region and can be transferred
into a working position for fixing the container to the placement
surface, is situated in the storage space. In such an embodiment of
the cleaning appliance according to the invention, in addition to
the at least one retaining element which cooperates with the
carrying handle of the container, at least one tensioning element
is used for fixing the container, with the aid of which the
container may be fixed to the placement surface. For fixing the
container, the tensioning element may be at least partially
withdrawn from the storage space. The storage space has an opening
region situated in the lateral surface which adjoins the first edge
of the placement surface. The tensioning element can be at least
partially withdrawn from the storage space through the opening
region. The tensioning element may be guided around the container
which is set down on the placement surface. Since the opening
region of the storage space is situated at the lateral surface
which adjoins the first edge of the placement surface, in order to
secure the container, the tensioning element may also be guided
around, among other things, the container carrying handle which
enters into the concave receptacle of the retaining element
situated at the first edge. The tensioning element thus acts on the
carrying handle with a tensioning force in the direction of the
concave receptacle, which force fixes the carrying handle to the
concave receptacle.
[0021] The tensioning element travels with the cleaning appliance,
in the storage space, and therefore is available to a user at any
time for securing a container. After use, the tensioning element
may be returned to the storage space, in which it may be
stored.
[0022] It may be provided that the cleaning appliance has only one
storage space, which opens into the lateral surface that adjoins
the first edge of the placement surface, and in which only one
tensioning element is situated. However, it may also be provided
that the cleaning appliance includes a plurality of storage spaces
which open into the lateral surface adjacent to the first edge of
the placement surface and which in each case accommodate one
tensioning element. It may be further provided that in at least one
storage space of the cleaning appliance, a plurality of tensioning
elements is arranged in a storage position, from which they may be
transferred into a working position.
[0023] It is advantageous if the at least one storage space is
situated beneath the placement surface. This provides the option of
fixing the container, which is set down on the placement surface,
to the placement surface in a structurally simple manner by means
of the at least one tensioning element, the container being
additionally fixed via the pivotable carrying handle by means of
the at least one retaining element. The tensioning element may be
withdrawn, through the opening region, from the storage space
situated beneath the placement surface, at least far enough for the
container to be fixed to the placement surface by means of the
tensioning element. For example, the tensioning element can engage,
at least partially, around the container, including its carrying
handle, in the peripheral direction.
[0024] The placement surface is preferably situated on the top side
of the housing. This simplifies the positioning of the container on
the placement surface.
[0025] In an advantageous embodiment, the tensioning element may be
pulled, at least partially, from the storage space. This simplifies
the handling of the tensioning element.
[0026] It is advantageous if the tensioning element may be at least
partially pulled from the storage space against the action of a
restoring force.
[0027] In an advantageous embodiment, particularly simple handling
results when a container is fixed to the placement surface of the
housing, in that the tensioning element has a first end which is
fixed in the storage space and a second, loose end which is
accessible from outside the storage space via the opening region.
The tensioning element may be grasped at its loose end by the user
and then at least partially withdrawn from the storage space. The
end of the tensioning element remote from the loose end is fixed in
the storage space. The user may guide the loose end around the
container which is set down on the placement surface, and in
particular around the carrying handle thereof, and fix the loose
end to the cleaning appliance or to the container.
[0028] In particular when two tensioning elements are used, it has
proven advantageous if the tensioning elements in each case are
fixed by one end in a storage space, and, at their other end, may
be grasped by the user and pulled from the storage space.
[0029] A securing element, for example a securing hook, is
preferably situated at the loose end of the at least one tensioning
element. With the aid of the securing element, in a working
position, the tensioning element may be easily secured to the
cleaning appliance or to the container in order to fix the
container to the placement surface.
[0030] The tensioning element is advantageously elastically
extendable. The tensioning element is preferably extendable by at
least 50%, i.e., may be elongated by at least 50% by a tensile
stress. It is particularly advantageous if the tensioning element
is extendable by 100%, i.e., may be elongated to twice its length,
by a tensile stress.
[0031] The tensioning element may be provided in the manner of a
tensioning strap or a tensioning cord.
[0032] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the at least
one tensioning element is disposed, in the form of an elongated
component, in the storage space.
[0033] Alternatively, it may be provided that the at least one
tensioning element in the storage space is wound up on a reel.
[0034] The at least one storage space preferably has a
channel-shaped configuration.
[0035] It may be provided, for example, that the housing of the
cleaning appliance has a cover plate which on its top side forms
the placement surface, and at the first edge of the placement
surface includes the at least one retaining part, which, for fixing
the container to the placement surface, cooperates with the
carrying handle of the container, the at least one storage space
being integrated into the cover plate.
[0036] The cover plate is advantageously situated on an upper
housing part of the cleaning appliance. The cover plate is
preferably releasably connectable to the upper housing part.
[0037] It is particularly advantageous if the cover plate has an
underside, facing away from the placement surface, in which the at
least one storage space is formed.
[0038] It may be provided, for example, that the at least one
storage space forms a receiving channel which is provided in the
underside of the cover plate. In a bottom view of the cover plate,
the receiving channel may have a U- or C-shaped course, for
example. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the tensioning
element may be at least partially pulled from the receiving channel
in the longitudinal direction of the channel.
[0039] It is advantageous if the cleaning appliance has securing
elements to which the tensioning element is fixable in its working
position. The securing elements may be provided, for example, in
the form of securing eyes or securing hooks to which the tensioning
element in each case may be secured at one end after it has been
guided around one or also a plurality of containers, which has been
set down on the placement surface.
[0040] The cleaning appliance preferably has a handle bar, since
this simplifies moving the cleaning appliance along a floor. In
this regard, it is advantageous if at least one securing element
for the at least one tensioning element is situated on the handle
bar. The handle bar may preferably assume a position perpendicular
to the placement surface, and thus laterally support the container
which is set down on the placement surface. A plurality of securing
elements to which a tensioning element may in each case be secured
at one end is advantageously situated on the handle bar. The
securing elements, for example securing eyes or securing hooks, are
advantageously situated at different distances from the placement
surface. This simplifies the fixing of containers of different
sizes by means of the tensioning element.
[0041] As previously described, the at least one receiving space
opens into a lateral surface of the cleaning appliance which
adjoins the first edge of the placement surface. At least one
retaining element, which cooperates with a carrying handle of the
container, is situated at the first edge of the placement surface.
It is advantageous if the opening region of the storage space is
situated adjacent to a retaining element, since this provides the
possibility of guiding the tensioning element, which can be at
least partially withdrawn from the storage space through the
opening region, directly along the retaining element, whereby the
carrying handle of the container may assume a position between the
tensioning element and the retaining element. In particular, it may
be provided that the tensioning element may act on the carrying
handle of the container with a tensioning force in the direction of
the concave receptacle of the retaining element. This ensures
fixing of the container to the placement surface with particularly
good load capacity.
[0042] The opening region of the at least one storage space is
preferably positioned beneath a second stop element which is
situated at the first edge of the placement surface, and which
protrudes from the placement surface and has a second stop surface.
Beneath the second stop element, a tensioning element may thus be
withdrawn far enough from the storage space through the opening
region that the tensioning element is able to engage around the
container, including its carrying handle, in order to fix the
container to the placement surface.
[0043] It is particularly advantageous if the cleaning appliance
together with a container situated on the placement surface is
pivotable about a common rotational axis of two travel wheels. The
cleaning appliance together with the container may then be moved in
the manner of a hand cart. By means of the at least one retaining
element which cooperates with the carrying handle of the container
in the sense of a detent connection, the container is reliably
fixable to the placement surface, and may be moved together with
the cleaning appliance.
[0044] It is advantageous if the cleaning appliance can be carried.
This simplifies the transport of the cleaning appliance on an
uneven floor or even over steps.
[0045] It is advantageous if the cleaning appliance has an
appliance handle which may be swiveled into the placement surface.
In an inoperative position, the appliance handle may be swiveled
into the placement surface, in which case it no longer protrudes
from the placement surface, and a container may be set down on the
placement surface without interference from the appliance handle.
If a container is not positioned on the placement surface, the
appliance handle may be swiveled out from the placement surface
into an operating position in which it may be grasped by the user,
for example to carry the cleaning appliance over a step.
[0046] As previously mentioned, the cleaning appliance is
preferably formed as a vacuum cleaner or a high-pressure cleaning
appliance.
[0047] The following description of a preferred embodiment of the
invention serves for explanation in greater detail in conjunction
with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0048] FIG. 1 shows a perspective illustration of a cleaning
appliance, having a cover plate which forms a placement surface for
a container or for a plurality of containers;
[0049] FIG. 2 shows a perspective illustration of the cover plate
from FIG. 1, in an oblique view from the top;
[0050] FIG. 3 shows a bottom view of the cover plate from FIG.
1;
[0051] FIG. 4 shows a perspective illustration of the cleaning
appliance from FIG. 1 when a container having a pivotable carrying
handle is set down on a placement surface of the cover plate;
[0052] FIG. 5 shows a side view of the cleaning appliance from FIG.
1 when the container is set down on the placement surface of the
cover plate;
[0053] FIG. 6 shows a perspective illustration of a cleaning
appliance from FIG. 1 with the container set down on the placement
surface, detent hooks of the cover plate engaging over the carrying
handle of the container;
[0054] FIG. 7 shows an enlarged illustration of detail A from FIG.
6; and
[0055] FIG. 8 shows a perspective illustration of the cleaning
appliance from FIG. 1, two containers being situated one on top of
the other on the placement surface and two tensioning elements
engaging over the containers.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0056] The drawing schematically illustrates a cleaning appliance
according to the invention in the form of a vacuum cleaner 10. The
vacuum cleaner 10 includes a base 12 on which two travel wheels are
mounted so as to be rotatable about a common rotational axis 16.
For the sake of clarity, only a first travel wheel 14 is
illustrated in the drawing. In addition, two support wheels are
rotatably mounted on the base 12, only a first support wheel 18
being discernible in the drawing. The vacuum cleaner 10 may be
moved along on a floor surface by means of the travel wheels 14 and
the support wheels 18.
[0057] A suction unit 20 having a lower housing part 22 and an
upper housing part 24 is mounted on the base 12. The lower housing
part 22 forms a dirt collection container of the vacuum cleaner 10
in a customary manner. Intake air together with suctioned material
may be drawn into the dirt collection container via a suction inlet
26. A suction hose bearing a suction nozzle at its free end may be
connected to the suction inlet 26 in a customary manner. These
types of suction hoses and suction nozzles are known to those
skilled in the art, and therefore are not illustrated in the
drawing for the sake of clarity.
[0058] The upper housing part 24 encloses a suction turbine, driven
by an electric motor, in a customary manner. The dirt collection
container of the lower housing part 22 may be acted on by negative
pressure by means of the suction turbine.
[0059] Situated on the upper housing part 24 is a cover plate 30
which is releasably connected to the upper housing part 24, and
which has a substantially rectangular shape and a first edge 31 on
its front side and a second edge 32 on its rear side as well as a
third edge 33 and a fourth edge 34 which extend along the
longitudinal sides of the cover plate 30. An indentation 35 which
is substantially U-shaped in the top view is centrally formed in
the front first edge 31.
[0060] The cover plate 30 has a top side which forms a placement
surface 38 for setting down one or more containers on the vacuum
cleaner 10. This is apparent in particular from FIGS. 6 and 8. In
addition, the cover plate 30 has an underside 40, facing away from
the placement surface 38, by means of which the cover plate rests
on the upper housing part 24.
[0061] A first stop element 42 protrudes from the placement surface
38 at the rear second edge 32 of the placement surface 38, and has
a first stop surface 43 which is oriented substantially
perpendicularly with respect to the placement surface 38 and which
faces toward the placement surface 38 and the front first edge
31.
[0062] At the front first edge 31, a second stop element 45 which
protrudes from the placement surface 38 is situated at a first side
of the indentation 35, and has a second stop surface 46 which is
oriented substantially perpendicularly with respect to the
placement surface 38. The second stop surface 46 faces toward the
first stop surface 43.
[0063] At the front first edge 31, a third stop element 48 which
protrudes from the placement surface 38 is situated at a second
side of the indentation 35, and forms a third stop surface 49 which
is oriented substantially perpendicularly with respect to the
placement surface 38. The third stop surface 49, the same as the
second stop surface 46, faces toward the first stop surface 43.
[0064] A first retaining element in the form of a first detent hook
51 is situated at the front first edge 31, between the second stop
element 46 and the central indentation 35, the first detent hook
having a shank 52 which protrudes substantially perpendicularly
from the placement surface 38. At its free end, the shank 52 has a
curved retaining portion 53. On its end face facing away from the
placement surface 38, the retaining portion 53 defines a concave
receptacle 54 and protrudes beyond the second stop element 45
upwardly, i.e., in the direction of the surface normal of the
placement surface 38, as well as forwardly, i.e., in the direction
of the surface normal of an outer side 56 of the second stop
element 45.
[0065] A second retaining element in the form of a second detent
hook 58 is situated at the front first edge, between the central
indentation 35 and the third stop element 48. The second detent
hook 58 includes a shank 59 which protrudes substantially
perpendicularly from the placement surface 38, and which has a
retaining portion 60 that is curved in the shape of an arc. On its
end face facing away from the placement surface 38, the retaining
portion 60 defines a concave receptacle 61 and protrudes beyond the
third stop element 48 upwardly, i.e., in the direction of the
surface normal to the placement surface 38, as well as forwardly,
i.e., in the direction of the surface normal of an outer side 63 of
the third stop element 48 facing away from the placement surface
38.
[0066] The shape of the second detent hook 58 is identical to that
of the first detent hook 51. Both detent hooks 51, 58 are
elastically deformable, and, the same as the stop elements 42, 45,
and 48, are integrally joined to the cover plate 30.
[0067] An appliance handle 65 is mounted in the placement surface
38 so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis 66. The appliance
handle 65 has a substantially U-shaped design, and in its
inoperative position illustrated in FIG. 2 is accommodated by a
handle recess 68, formed in the top side of the placement surface
38, from which it may be swiveled out into an operating position
perpendicular to the placement surface 38. In its operating
position, the appliance handle 65 may be grasped by the user of the
vacuum cleaner 10 in order to carry the vacuum cleaner 10.
[0068] A first storage space in the form of a first receiving
channel 71 and a second storage space in the form of a second
receiving channel 72 are formed in the underside 40 of the cover
plate 30. Beneath the second stop element 45, the first receiving
channel 71 opens into a front side 74 of the cover plate 30. At the
front first edge 31 the front side 74 adjoins the placement surface
38. The central indentation 35 is formed in the front side 74.
[0069] In the region of the front side 74, the first receiving
channel 71 forms a first opening aperture 76 beneath the second
stop element 45. Starting from the first opening aperture 76, the
first receiving channel 71 extends via a first channel portion 78
in the direction of the rear second edge 32. The first channel
portion 78 is connected to a second channel portion 79, extending
parallel to the rear second edge 32, which is connected to a third
channel portion 80 which extends parallel to the lengthwise fourth
edge 34 and terminates at a channel end 81 approximately midway
along the fourth edge 34.
[0070] The second receiving channel 72 opens into the front side 74
of the cover plate 30, beneath the third stop element 48, and in
this region forms a second opening aperture 84. Starting from the
second opening aperture 84, the second receiving channel 72 extends
via a first channel portion 85 in the direction of the rear second
edge 32. The first channel portion 85 is connected to a second
channel portion 86, extending parallel to the rear second edge 32,
and is connected to a third channel portion 87 which extends
parallel to the lengthwise third edge 33 and terminates at a
channel end 88 approximately midway along the third edge 33.
[0071] The first receiving channel 71 accommodates a first
elastically extendable tensioning element 90, which at a first end
91 is fixed to the channel end 81 of the first receiving channel
71, and which at a second end 92 enters into the first opening
aperture 76. A securing element in the form of a first securing
hook 93 is fixed to the second end 92.
[0072] The second receiving channel 72 accommodates a second
tensioning element 95, which at a first end 96 is fixed to the
channel end 88 of the second receiving channel 72, and whose second
end 97 enters into the second opening aperture 84. A securing
element in the form of a second securing hook 98 is fixed to the
second end 97.
[0073] In a rear region, a handle bar 100 is mounted on the upper
housing part 24 so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis 101. The
handle bar 100 includes a first leg 102 and a second leg 103 which
are joined together by a grip bar 104. The handle bar 100 may be
pivoted back and forth between a swiveled-out or upright position,
illustrated in FIGS. 1, 4, 5, 6, and 8, and a swiveled-in position,
not illustrated in the drawing. In the swiveled-in position, the
handle bar 100 is oriented parallel to the placement surface 38.
The handle bar 100 may be locked in its swiveled-out position by
means of a fixing device 106 situated at the free end of at least
one leg of the handle bar 100.
[0074] A first securing element in the form of a first securing eye
108 is molded to the first leg 102 in the transition region between
the first leg 102 and the grip bar 104. A second securing element
in the form of a second securing eye 109 is molded to the second
leg 103 in the transition region between the second leg 103 and the
handle bar 101. In addition to the securing eyes 108, 109, two
further securing eyes 111, 112 and 113, 114 are molded to the two
legs 102, 103, respectively, at different distances from the
placement surface 38.
[0075] In their storage position, the two tensioning elements 90
and 95 are completely accommodated by the receiving channel 71 and
72, respectively. The tensioning elements 90, 95 are accessible to
the user at the front side 74 of the cover plate 30 via their
second ends 92 and 97, respectively. The first securing hook 93 and
the second securing hook 98 may be grasped by the user at the front
side 74. The tensioning elements 90, 95 may then be stretched in
the longitudinal direction, being extendable by 100% in each case,
i.e., doubling their length. This provides the option for the
tensioning elements 90, 95 to engage over, at least partially, in
the peripheral direction, one or more containers that have been set
down on the placement surface 38, as explained in greater detail
below. The securing hooks 93 and 98 may then be hooked into a
securing eye 108 and 109, respectively, or also into one of the
securing eyes 111, 112, 113, 114. The tensioning elements 90, 95
may thus be fixed via their securing hooks 93, 98 to the handle bar
100 at different distances from the placement surface 38. In this
way, containers of different sizes can be easily fixed to the
placement surface 38 by means of the elastically extendable
tensioning elements 90, 95.
[0076] As described above, containers may be set down on the
placement surface 38 and then moved together with the vacuum
cleaner 10 along a floor surface. FIGS. 4 to 7 illustrate a first
container 120 which is set down on the placement surface 38. The
first container 120 has a substantially rectangulate shape, and
includes a lower container part 121 on which an upper container
part 122 is pivotably mounted. A U-shaped carrying handle 125 is
hinged to a front face 123 of the lower container part 121. The
carrying handle 125 has a first support leg 126 and a second
support leg 127 which are integrally joined together via a support
bar 128. The carrying handle 125 may be grasped on the support bar
128 by a user in order to carry the first container 120.
[0077] The first container 120 may be set down on the placement
surface 38 between the first stop element 42 and the second and
third stop elements 45, 48, respectively, whereby the front face
123 may be placed against the second stop surface 46 and the third
stop surface 49, and the carrying handle 125 initially assumes a
position above the detent hooks 51, 58. At the rear, the container
120 is supported at the first stop element 42, and at the front is
supported at the second stop element 45 and the third stop element
48. The carrying handle 125 may be subsequently pivoted downward
toward the outer sides 56 and 63 of the stop elements 45 and 48,
respectively, until the support bar 128, after elastic deformation
of the first detent hook 51 and of the second detent hook 58, locks
into the concave receptacles 54 and 61 of the two detent hooks 51,
58, respectively. In this detent position, the retaining portions
53 and 60 of the two detent hooks 51, 58, respectively, engage over
the support bar 128. The distance between the outer sides of the
two detent hooks 51, 58 that face away from one another corresponds
to the distance between the two support legs 126, 127. The first
support leg 126 thus rests against the outer side of the first
detent hook 51 facing away from the second detent hook 58, and the
second support leg 127 rests against the outer side of the second
detent hook 58 facing away from the first detent hook 51. This is
particularly apparent from FIG. 7.
[0078] The first container 120 which is set down on the placement
surface 38 is held immovably on the placement surface 38 due to the
cooperation of the carrying handle 125 with the two detent hooks
51, 58. The two detent hooks 51, 58 together with the pivotable
carrying handle 125 of the first container 120 form a releasable
detent connection.
[0079] In addition to the releasable detent connection via the two
detent hooks 51, 58 and the carrying handle 125, the first
container 120 may be fixed to the placement surface 38 by means of
the two tensioning elements 90, 95. For this purpose, the two
tensioning elements may be pulled from the receiving channels 71,
72 via the securing hooks 93, 98, respectively, in order to engage
around the first container 120 in a working position. The
tensioning elements 90, 95 may then be fixed to one of the securing
eyes 108, 109, 111 to 114 of the handle bar 100. The tensioning
elements 90, 95 may engage around not only the first container 120,
but also the carrying handle 125 which is latched to the detent
hooks 51, 58, the tensioning elements exerting a tensioning force
on the carrying handle 125 in the direction of the concave
receptacles 54, 61, so that the carrying handle 125 is fixed to the
detent hooks 51, 58 in a particularly effective manner.
[0080] A second container 130 having an identical shape to the
first container 120 may be placed on the first container 120, as is
apparent from FIG. 8. Both containers 120, 130 may then be jointly
engaged by the two tensioning elements 90, 95, which act with a
tensioning force on the carrying handle 125 of the first container
120 in the direction of the concave receptacles 54 and 61. The two
containers 120, 130 are thus fixed to the placement surface 38, and
together with the vacuum cleaner 10, may be tilted backward, in the
form of a single transport unit, about the rotational axis 16 of
the two travel wheels 14, so that the containers 120, 130 together
with the vacuum cleaner 10 may be moved along a floor in the manner
of a hand cart.
[0081] After the securing hooks 93, 98 are released from the
securing eyes 108, 109, respectively, the two tensioning elements
90, 95 may be stowed back in the receiving channels 71, 72. After
being released from the securing eyes 108, 109, the tensioning
elements automatically return to their storage position due to the
elastic restoring force of the tensioning elements 90, 95. The
second container 130 may then be taken off the first container 120,
and the carrying handle 125 may be subsequently swiveled out from
the concave receptacles 54, 61 with elastic deformation of the
detent hooks 51, 58, thus releasing the detent connection between
the first container 120 and the cover plate 30. The first container
120 may then also be taken off the placement surface 38.
* * * * *