U.S. patent application number 13/734502 was filed with the patent office on 2013-07-11 for floor tool for a vacuum cleaning appliance.
This patent application is currently assigned to Dyson Technology Limited. The applicant listed for this patent is Dyson Technology Limited. Invention is credited to Peter David GAMMACK, Christian GUDER, Andrew James WILLS.
Application Number | 20130174374 13/734502 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45788558 |
Filed Date | 2013-07-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130174374 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
GUDER; Christian ; et
al. |
July 11, 2013 |
FLOOR TOOL FOR A VACUUM CLEANING APPLIANCE
Abstract
A floor tool for a vacuum cleaning appliance, comprising a main
body connected to a conduit, the main body comprising, a supporting
member adapted to support a cleaning element and a suction nozzle
adjacent an edge of the supporting member, wherein the suction
nozzle defines a suction chamber, and wherein the suction chamber
includes a first fluid outlet and a second fluid outlet in
communication with the conduit.
Inventors: |
GUDER; Christian;
(Malmesbury, GB) ; WILLS; Andrew James;
(Malmesbury, GB) ; GAMMACK; Peter David;
(Malmesbury, GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Dyson Technology Limited; |
Wiltshire |
|
GB |
|
|
Assignee: |
Dyson Technology Limited
Wiltshire
GB
|
Family ID: |
45788558 |
Appl. No.: |
13/734502 |
Filed: |
January 4, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/415.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 9/02 20130101; A47L
9/0613 20130101; A47L 9/0686 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/415.1 |
International
Class: |
A47L 9/02 20060101
A47L009/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 6, 2012 |
GB |
1200174.9 |
Apr 13, 2012 |
GB |
1206545.4 |
Claims
1. A floor tool for a vacuum cleaning appliance comprising a main
body connected to a conduit, the main body comprising a supporting
member adapted to support a cleaning element and a suction nozzle
adjacent an edge of the supporting member, wherein the suction
nozzle defines a suction chamber, and wherein the suction chamber
includes a first fluid outlet and a second fluid outlet in
communication with the conduit.
2. The floor tool of claim 1, wherein the suction nozzle includes a
surface engaging skirt member that depends from a surface of the
suction nozzle and defines an outer periphery of the suction
chamber.
3. The floor tool of claim 2, wherein the surface engaging skirt
member is flexible.
4. The floor tool of claim 2, wherein the surface engaging skirt
member is defined by at least one of a plurality of bristles, a
plurality of filaments and at least one strip of flexible
material.
5. The floor tool of claim 2, where a first portion of the surface
engaging skirt member has a substantially uniform linear edge along
its length.
6. The floor tool of claim 5, wherein the surface engaging skirt
member includes a second portion provided with openings along at
least a portion of its length.
7. The floor tool of claim 6, wherein the openings are regularly
spaced in the form of castellations.
8. The floor tool of claim 6, wherein the first portion is located
directly adjacent the edge of the support member and wherein the
second portion is located on an edge of the suction nozzle remote
from the edge of the support member.
9. The floor tool of claim 1, including a second suction nozzle
adjacent a second edge of the supporting member.
10. The floor tool of claim 9, wherein the second suction nozzle
has a suction chamber of the same configuration as the first
suction nozzle.
11. A floor tool for a vacuum cleaning appliance comprising a main
body connected to a conduit, the main body comprising a supporting
member adapted to support a cleaning element and a suction nozzle
adjacent an edge of the supporting member, wherein the suction
nozzle includes a surface engaging skirt member that depends from a
surface of the suction nozzle and defines an outer periphery of a
suction chamber, the suction chamber including a first fluid outlet
in communication with the conduit, and wherein the surface engaging
skirt member includes a first portion having a substantially
uniform linear edge along its length, wherein a second portion of
the surface engaging skirt member opposing the first portion is
provided with one or more openings along at least a portion of its
length.
12. The floor tool of claim 11, wherein the first portion is
located directly adjacent the edge of the support member and
wherein the second portion is located on an edge of the suction
nozzle remote from the edge of the support member.
13. The floor tool of claim 11, wherein the surface engaging skirt
member is flexible.
14. The floor tool of claim 11, wherein the surface engaging skirt
member is defined by at least one of a plurality of bristles, a
plurality of filaments and at least one strip of flexible material,
or a combination thereof.
15. The floor tool of claim 11, wherein the suction chamber
includes a second fluid outlet in communication with the
conduit.
16. The floor tool of claim 15, wherein the first and the second
fluid outlets are spaced an equal distance from respective ends of
the suction chamber.
17. The floor tool of claim 15, wherein the suction chamber
includes a dividing wall so as to define a first and a second
suction chamber, each of the first and the second suction chambers
including one of the first and second fluid outlets.
18. A vacuum cleaner including a floor tool as claimed in claim
1.
19. A stick type vacuum cleaner comprising a handheld vacuum
cleaner including a motor and fan unit and a separating apparatus
having an air inlet, a wand attachable to the air inlet and a floor
tool in accordance with claim 1 attachable to a remote end of the
wand.
20. A stick type vacuum cleaner comprising a handheld vacuum
cleaner including a motor and fan unit and a separating apparatus
having an air inlet, a wand attachable to the air inlet and a floor
tool attachable to a remote end of the wand, wherein the floor tool
includes a supporting member adapted to support a cleaning element
and a suction nozzle adjacent an edge of the supporting member.
21. The vacuum cleaner of claim 20, wherein the suction nozzle
includes a suction chamber including a first fluid outlet and a
second fluid outlet in communication with a conduit.
22. The vacuum cleaner of claim 21 wherein the first fluid outlet
and the second fluid outlets are associated with separate suction
chambers of the suction nozzle.
23. The vacuum cleaner of claim 20, wherein a second suction nozzle
is located against a second edge of the supporting member.
Description
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the priority of United Kingdom
Application No. 1200174.9, filed Jan. 6, 2012, and United Kingdom
Application No. 1206545.4, filed Apr. 13, 2012, the entire contents
of which are incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a floor tool for a vacuum
cleaning appliance.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Vacuum cleaners are generally supplied with a range of tools
for dealing with different cleaning tasks. For example, such a tool
may be a general purpose floor tool for on-the-floor cleaning of
both hard and textile surface coverings. Typically, a floor tool
comprises a main body which engages with a floor surface. The main
body has a lower surface comprising a suction opening through which
dirt and dust may be drawn into the floor tool due to a suction
force generated by a vacuum cleaner to which the tool is attached.
Although floor tools are adept at removing loose dirt and debris
from a floor surface, they are less accomplished at removing other
forms of dirt, for example stains, which may be left behind from
liquid that is spilt on a hard floor covering. Of course, there are
implements available for cleaning such stains. One example is shown
in US2002/0184726, in which a long handled cleaning implement
includes a cleaning head to which a cleaning sheet is removably
attached. Such an implement can then be used by a user to scrub or
mop a hard floor surface to remove stubborn stains.
[0004] It also is known to combine the functionality of a vacuum
cleaner floor tool with a cleaning sheet in order to provide the
floor tool with the facility to wipe dirt and stains from a floor
surface in addition to the usual function of sucking up loose dirt
and debris. By way of example, JP9028638 discloses in which
combines a mop with a vacuum cleaner floor tool by arranging an
elongate nozzle adjacent a mop holder to which a mop is attached.
The floor tool therefore carries out floor wiping and suctioning
functions. As an extension to the floor tool disclosed in
JP9028638, EP1608253 discloses a floor tool for a vacuum cleaner in
which a rectangular supporting element carries a disposable wipe
and wherein elongate suction nozzles are positioned adjacent the
fore and aft long edges of the support element.
[0005] Although such combined mop and suction floor tools have
their advantages, the pick-up performance of such tools on hard
floors tends to be compromised. It is to this end that the
invention has been devised.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In a first aspect, the invention provides a floor tool for a
vacuum cleaning appliance, the floor tool comprising a main body
connected to a conduit, the main body including a supporting member
adapted to support a cleaning element and a suction nozzle along an
edge of the supporting member, wherein the suction nozzle defines a
suction chamber, and wherein the suction chamber includes a first
fluid outlet and a second fluid outlet in communication with the
conduit.
[0007] By virtue of this configuration, the invention provides a
floor tool which combines a hard floor wiping function with dirt
and debris vacuuming capability having improved pickup performance
since suction is distributed more evenly across the suction
chamber.
[0008] The suction nozzle may include a surface engaging skirt
member that depends from a surface of the suction nozzle and
defines the outer periphery of the suction chamber.
[0009] In order to further increase the pickup performance, the
skirt may further include a partition which extends between front
and rear edge portions of the skirt thereby dividing the suction
chamber into first and second sub-chambers.
[0010] Preferably, the skirt and dividing wall are a flexible
material such as a strip of rubber, although it should be
appreciated that a row of bristles of filaments, such as nylon
bristles, is also acceptable.
[0011] The first suction chamber and the second suction chamber may
each comprise an interior wall which partitions the suction chamber
into a first suction channel and a second suction channel, wherein
a dirt-bearing fluid flow is able to travel from the first suction
channel into the second suction channel via at least one
intermediate channel.
[0012] Such a configuration of flexible surface engaging means
located about the suction chambers and within the suction chamber
defines multiple flow channels that maintain the pressure levels
within the suction channels as the tool is maneuvered over a
surface. This improves the debris pickup performance of the floor
tool, whilst protecting the cleaning sheet from accumulating loose
debris.
[0013] Preferably, the surface engaging skirt member includes a
first portion provided with openings along at least a portion of
its length. In one embodiment, the openings are evenly spaced and
take the form of a series of castellations, although the openings
may be spaced unevenly and may be different sizes.
[0014] The first portion may be located on an edge of the suction
nozzle remote from the edge of the support member and wherein the
second portion may be located directly adjacent the edge of the
support member.
[0015] To further improve pickup performance, a second suction
nozzle may be positioned adjacent another edge of the support
member. The second suction nozzle may be configured in the same way
as the first suction nozzle, although the layout of the suction
channels may be different.
[0016] This configuration of the surface engaging skirt member it
provides the floor tool with a high pick up performance. In
particular, a partially opened, or slotted/castellated, outboard
edge/strip portion of the skirt member permits dirt and debris to
enter the suction chamber at multiple points along the length of
the suction nozzle, whilst a non-slotted inboard strip portion of
the skirt member, that strip portion having a linear, uniform edge
to create a seal with an adjacent floor surface, in use, prevents
dirt and debris from escaping from the suction nozzle and fouling
the wipe sheet carried by the support member. In a further aspect,
therefore, the invention resides in a floor tool for a vacuum
cleaning appliance, comprising a main body connected to a conduit,
the main body comprising a supporting member adapted to support a
cleaning element and a suction nozzle adjacent an edge of the
supporting member, wherein the suction nozzle includes a surface
engaging skirt member that depends from a surface of the suction
nozzle and defines an outer periphery of a suction chamber, the
suction chamber including a first fluid outlet in communication
with the conduit, and wherein the surface engaging skirt member
includes a first portion provided with one or more openings along
at least a portion of its length, where a second portion of the
surface engaging skirt member opposing the first portion has a
substantially uniform linear edge along its length.
[0017] The first portion may be located on an edge of the suction
nozzle remote from the edge of the support member and wherein the
second portion may be located directly adjacent the edge of the
support member.
[0018] Although the surface engaging skirt member may be rigid, a
better contact with the floor surface is achieved if the skirt
member is flexible. This flexibility can be achieved by forming the
skirt member from a resilient material such as a rubber or other
polymer, or from a densely packed row of bristles/filaments.
[0019] The openings in the first portion may be regularly spaced,
and of even dimension, for example in the form of castellations, or
the openings may be formed irregularly. What is important is that
dirt and debris can be admitted into the suction chamber along a
significant portion of the length of the suction nozzle (for
example, over half of its length).
[0020] In the context of this aspect of the invention, the suction
chamber is provided with at least one suction outlet for air to be
drawn out of the suction chamber. Preferably, two outlets are
provided to result in a higher flow rate which improves pickup
capability, and these may be positioned an equal distance from
respective ends of the suction chamber.
[0021] In a further aspect the invention provides a floor tool for
a surface treating appliance, comprising a main body connected to a
conduit, the main body comprising a supporting member adapted to
support a cleaning element, a suction nozzle adjacent an edge of
the support member, wherein the suction nozzle defines a first
suction chamber and a second suction chamber located adjacent the
first second chamber, and wherein each suction chamber includes a
respective fluid outlet in communication with the conduit.
[0022] Beneficially, the side-by-side location of the two suction
chambers improves the debris pickup performance of the floor tool
across its entire width.
[0023] To enable the main body to be widely manoeuvrable over a
surface, the conduit preferably comprises a front section and a
rear section. The front section is pivotably connected to the main
body for movement about a first axis to allow the rear section of
the conduit to be raised and lowered relative to the main body,
which allows the main body to be manoeuvred easily beneath
furniture, and into gaps between furniture and walls as required.
The range of articulation of the sections of the conduit about the
first and second axes preferably enables the main body to be
oriented both substantially perpendicular to a wand used to
manoeuvre the tool over a floor surface, and substantially parallel
to the wand.
[0024] Whilst the front section is pivotable to the main body in a
substantially vertical plane, the rear section is pivotably
connected to the front section for movement relative thereto about
a second axis which is spaced from the first axis. This allows the
rear section to be angled relative to the front section to assist
in the pushing, or pulling, of the main body over a surface, such
as a floor surface, in a variety of orientations of the main body
relative to, for example, a wand connected to the rear section of
the conduit. The pivoting connection between the front section and
the rear section enables the rear section to be connected to the
front section so that it is located at least partially beneath the
front section. This can allow the tool to have a low profile when
the front section of the conduit is in its lowered position.
[0025] The suction nozzle may include a surface engaging skirt
member that depends from a surface of the suction nozzle and
defines the outer periphery of each of the first and second suction
chambers. Further, a dividing wall may extend between sides of the
surface engaging skirt member and may depend downwardly to the same
extent as the surface engaging skirt member. Preferably, the skirt
and dividing wall are a flexible material such as a strip of
rubber, although it should be appreciated that a row of bristles of
filaments, such as nylon bristles, is also acceptable.
[0026] The first suction chamber and the second suction chamber may
each comprise an interior wall which partitions the suction chamber
into a first suction channel and a second suction channel, wherein
a dirt-bearing fluid flow is able to travel from the first suction
channel into the second suction channel via at least one
intermediate channel.
[0027] Such a configuration of flexible surface engaging means
located about the suction chambers and within the suction chamber
defines multiple flow channels that maintains the pressure levels
within the suction channels as the tool is maneuvered over a
surface. This improves the debris pickup performance of the floor
tool, whilst protecting the cleaning sheet from accumulating loose
debris.
[0028] In one embodiment, the interior wall is v-shaped such that
one of the first or second suction channels is tapered. Preferably,
the tapered suction channel has a narrowed middle region adjacent a
castellated edge of the skirt such that fluid can flow through the
apertures, or notches, in the skirt and into the suction channel.
The second suction channel may communicate with a fluid outlet to
which suction is applied, in use, such that fluid, in this case
dirt-bearing air, is drawn from the first suction channel into the
second suction channel.
[0029] This "division" of each suction chamber into two
interconnected suction channels by the flexible surface engaging
means establishes two different pressure regions within the main
body. A relatively high vacuum is set up in the second suction
channel which optimizes the performance of the tool for capturing
dirt and dust located within crevices in a floor surface.
Simultaneously, a relatively low vacuum may be established in the
first suction channel, which can improve the performance of the
tool for capturing debris located on the surface without
significantly impairing the capture of dirt and dust within
crevices.
[0030] Each fluid outlet of each nozzle may communicate with an
intermediate conduit which is coupled to a manifold and preferably,
each intermediate conduit is pivotably coupled to the manifold in
order to allow the nozzles to be raised and lowered relative the
supporting member. Such a configuration permits a cleaning sheet to
be wrapped about the supporting member when the nozzles are in an
elevated position and to be secured to the supporting member when
the nozzles are placed into the lowered position. For this purpose,
securing means may be provided which in one embodiment comprises a
protruding formation, such as a knob, that depends from the
intermediate conduit and which is engageable with a complementary
shaped recess defined in the supporting member such that when the
suction nozzles are put in the lowered position, the knob is
received in to the recess and so secures the cleaning sheet to the
supporting member.
[0031] Although the suction nozzle described above is particularly
beneficial when used in combination with a supporting plate that is
suitable for carrying a cleaning member, it is envisaged that such
a suction nozzle would also confer a benefit in pick-up performance
in a floor tool that does not have a wipe supporting member.
Therefore, from a still further aspect, the invention resides in a
floor tool for a vacuum cleaning appliance, comprising a main body
connected to a conduit, the main body comprising a suction nozzle
including a first suction chamber and a second suction chamber
adjacent to the first suction chamber, and wherein each suction
chamber includes a respective fluid outlet in communication with
the conduit, wherein the first suction chamber and the second
suction chamber each comprise an interior wall which partitions the
suction chamber into a first suction channel and a second suction
channel, wherein a dirt bearing fluid flow is able to travel from
the first suction channel into the second suction channel via at
least one intermediate channel.
[0032] In order to avoid debris being trapped in certain regions of
the suction channels, the interior wall may be shaped such that one
of the first or second suction channels is tapered. As a further
optional enhancement, a further floor engaging member may be
provided transversely across the first or the second suction
channels between the interior wall and an adjacent portion of the
surface engaging skirt, preferably in a mid region of the channel.
This helps to avoid debris `hesitating` when it enters the
first/second channel and therefore improves pick up
performance.
[0033] The suction nozzle may include a surface engaging skirt
member that depends from a surface of the suction nozzle and
defines the outer periphery of each of the first and second suction
chambers. Sections of the skirt member may be notched or
crenellated to allow debris to pass through.
[0034] To define the first and second suction chamber, a dividing
wall may depend from a housing of the suction nozzle to the same
extent as the skirt and extend between sides of the skirt. The
skirt and the dividing wall preferably are flexible, and may be
formed from a resilient strip (e.g. rubber) or alternatively may be
a plurality of tightly packed bristles or filaments.
[0035] It should be appreciated that preferred and/or optional
features of first, second third and fourth aspects of the invention
may be combined with each other as appropriate.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0036] An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way
of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0037] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a floor tool according
to the invention;
[0038] FIG. 2 is a side view of the floor tool in FIG. 1;
[0039] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the floor tool in FIG.
1, but with its suction nozzles in a raised position;
[0040] FIG. 4 is a side view of the floor tool of FIG. 3, partly in
section, the section taken along the intermediate conduit;
[0041] FIG. 5 is a side view in the manner of FIG. 4, but with the
suction nozzles in a lowered position;
[0042] FIG. 6 is a plan view from below of the floor tool in FIG.
1, with a portion enlarged for clarity;
[0043] FIG. 7 is a simplified plan view, from below, of a floor
tool of an alternative embodiment of the invention;
[0044] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a floor tool of an
alternative embodiment of the invention;
[0045] FIG. 9 is an underside view of the floor tool in FIG. 8;
and
[0046] FIG. 10 is a stick-vacuum cleaner incorporating the floor
tool of FIGS. 8 and 9.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0047] With reference in general to FIGS. 1 to 6, a floor tool 2
comprises a main body 4 and a conduit 6 associated with the main
body 4 which serves to connect the floor tool 2 to a wand of a
vacuum cleaner (not shown) and enables a user to manoeuvre the
floor tool 2 across a surface to be cleaned.
[0048] The main body 4 comprises a generally oblong support member
8 on which can be carried a sheet-like cleaning element (shown in
FIGS. 4 and 5), and first and second suction nozzles 10, 12
arranged adjacent respective long edges 14, 16 of the support
member 8. Each of the suction nozzles 10, 12 is pivotably
associated with an air manifold 20 that is mounted to an upper
surface 22 of the support member 8. In the figures, the floor tool
2 is oriented such that its `front` is facing towards the right
hand side of the drawing. Therefore, the first and second suction
nozzles 10, 12 can be considered to be a front suction nozzle 10
and a rear suction nozzle 12, respectively, and shall be referred
to as such from now on.
[0049] In a general sense, the floor tool 2 has a dual function.
Firstly, the support member 8 is adapted to carry a moisture
bearing sheet of material, such as a commonly available poly-based
disposable wipe, so that the floor tool 2 can be used to scrub
stubborn stains and dirt from the floor surface. Secondly, the
suction nozzles 10, 12 remove loose dirt and debris from the floor
surface for conveyance to the associated vacuum cleaner in a
dirt-bearing airflow that is drawn through the floor tool.
[0050] The front suction nozzle 10 is pivotably connected to the
manifold 20 by respective first and second front intermediate
conduits 24 and the rear suction nozzle 12 is connected to the
manifold 20 by respective first and second rear intermediate
conduits 26. Such a configuration enables the front and rear
suction nozzles 10, 12 to be moved between a first position (the
lowered position) in which each suction nozzle 10, 12 lies next to
an adjacent long edge 14, 16 of the supporting member 8 so as to
engage the floor surface for cleaning, and a second position (the
raised position) in which the front and rear suction nozzles 10, 12
are pivoted with respect to the supporting member 8 so as to be
elevated out of engagement with the floor surface. In this
position, a cleaning sheet may be wrapped around the support member
8 to be secured when the suction nozzles 10, 12 are returned to the
lowered position. The suction nozzles 10, 12 are shown in the
lowered position in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, and are shown in the raised
position in FIGS. 3 and 4.
[0051] The floor tool 2 interfaces with an associated vacuum
cleaner by way of the connecting conduit 6 that is coupled to the
manifold 20 in a portion between the front and rear intermediate
conduits 24, 26, in effect forming a knuckle joint through which
fluid may flow.
[0052] The conduit 6 is constructed in two parts--a front section
28 and a rear section 30--that are fluidly connected and pivotable
with respect to each other. The front section 28 has a head portion
28a that is connected to the main body 4, via the manifold 20, so
that it can pivot about a first axis A.sub.1. A neck portion 28b
extends from the head portion 28a to the rear section 30 of the
conduit, which includes a fluid outlet 30a which is adapted for
connection to a wand, hose or other such ducting part of a cleaning
appliance which includes a dirt and dust separating apparatus and a
motor-driven fan unit for drawing dirt-bearing fluid (in this case
air) into the floor tool.
[0053] In more detail, the head portion 28a has a substantially
cylindrical outer surface 32 which extends along a longitudinal
axis that is substantially co-linear with the first axis A.sub.1,
and is open at each end to define first and second circular
connecting ports 34 which are journalled between respective
arch-shaped stanchions 36 of the manifold 20. The head portion 28a
is therefore free to rotate about its longitudinal axis about the
stanchions 36.
[0054] A sealing member 38 is provided between each outwardly
facing port 34 of the head portion and its adjoining portion of the
manifold 20, (stanchions 36) to form a substantially air-tight seal
between them. Each port 34 of the head portion 28a therefore
provides a respective entry point through which fluid can enter the
conduit 6 from the main body 4. Each port 34 is thus substantially
circular, and is substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis
of the head portion 28a, and therefore the first axis A.sub.1,
which passes centrally through each port 34. As a result, in use
fluid passes into the head portion 28a through the ports 34 in
opposing directions. The neck portion 28b extends away in a
direction substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the
head portion 28b at a position substantially midway between the
ports 34 and, in this embodiment, is integral with the head portion
28a. Consequently, as fluid passes through the head portion 28a
from one of the ports 34 and into the neck portion 28b, the fluid
flow changes direction by around 90.degree..
[0055] The rear section 30 of the conduit 6 is connected to the
neck portion 28b of the front section 28 for pivotal movement
relative thereto about a second axis A.sub.2 which is angled to the
first axis A.sub.1. In this embodiment the second axis A.sub.2 is
orthogonal to the first axis A.sub.1, and is inclined to the
longitudinal axis L of the rear section 30, illustrated in FIG. 2,
in this embodiment by an angle of around 65.degree..
[0056] The connection between the front and rear sections 28, 30 of
the conduit 6 is achieved by connecting a fluid outlet 40 of the
front section 28 to a fluid inlet 42 of the rear section 30 of the
conduit 6. The fluid outlet 40 of the front section 28 is
substantially cylindrical, and is angled downwardly (as illustrated
in FIG. 2) towards a floor surface when the conduit is in the
reclined position illustrated in FIG. 2. The fluid inlet 42 of the
rear section 30 is also substantially cylindrical and is received
within the fluid outlet 40 of the front section 28 so that their
longitudinal axes are substantially co-linear with the second axis
A.sub.2. Furthermore, the engagement between the fluid outlet 40
and the fluid inlet 42 is such that and the fluid inlet 42 is
rotatable relative to the fluid outlet 40 about the second axis
A.sub.2. It should be appreciated that although not shown in the
Figures, a sealing member is located between the inner surface of
the fluid inlet and the outer surface of the fluid outlet to guard
against fluid loss from the interface.
[0057] By virtue of this conduit configuration, rotational movement
of the rear section 30 about its longitudinal axis L causes the
floor tool 20 to swing angularly in a plane that is parallel to the
surface to be cleaned. The floor tool 2 is therefore particularly
manoeuvrable since it can readily be rotated through 90.degree.,
for example, in order to be slid into narrow passages.
[0058] FIGS. 4 and 5 show cut away views of the floor tool along
two of the intermediate conduits 24, 26 and it can be seen that
inner ends of the intermediate conduits cooperate in such a way to
define a transverse fluid flow channel 41 that carries air flow
from the suction nozzles 10, 12 to the connecting conduit 6 along a
respect interior flow passage 27. Although only one of the front
intermediate conduits 24 and one of the rear intermediate conduits
26 on the left hand side of the floor tool 2 (when viewing the
floor tool from the front) are shown in these Figures, it should be
noted that the structural details of the right hand intermediate
conduits 24, 26 are identical so they will not be described
here.
[0059] The front intermediate conduit 24 or `arm` extends upwardly
from a surface of an upper housing 44 of the front suction nozzle
10, turns through substantially 90.degree. and runs parallel with
the plane of the supporting member 8 towards the manifold 20. At
its end distal from the suction nozzle 10, the connecting arm 24
terminates in a cylindrical portion 46 that extends transversely to
the arm 24.
[0060] The cylindrical portion 46 has a closed outer end (not shown
in FIGS. 4 and 5) and an open inner rim portion 48 that engages
with the stanchion 36 of the supporting member 8 sandwiching a
further sealing ring member 49 therebetween. The other connecting
arm 24 of the front suction nozzle includes an identical
cylindrical portion, also having a rim portion such that the two
rim portions effectively `clamp` against the stanchions 36 of the
supporting member in the manner of a knuckle joint thus enabling
the connecting arms 24, 26 to pivot with respect to the
stanchions.
[0061] Turning to the rear intermediate conduit 26 or `arm` that
connects between the rear suction nozzle 12 and the manifold 20,
this also includes an inner end that defines a generally
semi-circular sleeve portion 50 which is shaped to complement the
outer surface of the cylindrical portion 46 of the front arm 24 so
that the sleeve portion 50 is able to ride over the surface of the
cylindrical portion 46. A sealing layer 51 is provided on its inner
surface to guard against leakage from the interface. The inner end
52 of the sleeve portion 50 includes a shallow lip (not shown)
which fits in a complementary annular groove (also not shown)
provided on the rim 48 of the cylindrical portion 46 which acts to
hold the sleeve portion 50 securely on the manifold 20. An outer
part of the sleeve portion 50 includes a circular end cap 53 (shown
in FIGS. 1 to 3) which engages with the outer end part of the
cylindrical portion 46 of the first connecting arm 24. In this way,
the rear arm 26 is able to pivot with respect to the front arm
24.
[0062] It will be appreciated from the above explanation that the
inner ends of the front and rear intermediate conduits, or arms,
cooperate to define the manifold 20, at least in part. In
particular, the cylindrical portion of the front arm 24 defines the
majority of the fluid flow passageway of the manifold 20 but is
provided with a port 54 which registers with the interior
passageway of the rear arm 26 when the arms are in the lowered
position in order to allow air to flow through the cylindrical
portion 46 and into the intermediate conduit 26. Such a
configuration enables a particularly elegant construction of the
pivoting intermediate conduits 24, 26 with respect to the support
member 8, although the skilled person will appreciate that other
configurations could achieve the same pivoting movement. For
example each of the front and rear conduits 24, 26 could each be
provided with a cylindrical inner section which are positionable
side-by-side in order to create a fluid manifold, one section
having a face seal against the other section.
[0063] Alternatively, although in this embodiment it has been
described that the connecting arms define the manifold itself, it
should be appreciated that this need not be the case and the front
and rear connecting arms 24, 26 may be separate components from the
parts that define the manifold.
[0064] As has been mentioned above, the pivoting action of the
front and rear arms 24, 26 enables a cleaning sheet to be secured
to the supporting member 8. As is shown clearly in FIGS. 4 and 5,
each of the front and rear arms 24, 26 includes a protuberance in
the form of a knob 60 that depends from the underside of a
respective arm 24, 26. Each knob 60 is shaped so as to be received
in a corresponding circular recess 62 on the upper surface 22 of
the supporting member 8 when the arms 24, 26 are in the lowered
position. In this way, a cleaning sheet is able to be wrapped
around the supporting member 8 and, with the arms in the raised
position, ends of the cleaning sheet may be held against the upper
surface 22 of the supporting member 8. Lowering the arms forces the
knobs 60 to protrude into their respective recesses 62 so that the
cleaning sheet is held securely in position and this action also
holds the cleaning sheet taught against the underside of the
supporting member 8 to guard against wrinkling or puckering which
facilitates the cleaning of the floor surface. In FIGS. 4 and 5, a
cleaning sheet 63 is depicted as a dotted line and is shown wrapped
around the supporting plate 8 with portions pushed into the
recesses. In FIG. 5, the knobs 60 are shown pushed into the
recesses 62 thereby securing the cleaning sheet 63.
[0065] In addition to the wiping facility provided by the
supporting member, the suction nozzles 10, 12 remove loose debris
from the floor surface, and the configuration of the suction
nozzles 10, 12 provides particularly strong debris pickup
performance, as will now be explained.
[0066] FIG. 6 shows the underside of the suction nozzles in
general, and the front suction nozzle 12 enlarged. It will be
appreciated that the configuration of each of the front and rear
suction nozzles 10, 12 is substantially identical and so, although
only the front suction nozzle 10 will be described in detail here,
the description also applies to the rear suction nozzle 12.
[0067] The housing 44 of the suction nozzle 10 is rectangular and
includes a downwardly depending strip-like floor engaging member 70
that defines a substantially continuous rectangular skirt around
the outer periphery of the housing 44. A further floor engaging
member or `dividing wall` 72 extends transversely between long
edges of the skirt 70 approximately mid-way between the two ends of
the housing 44 and therefore divides the suction nozzle 10 into
first suction chamber 74 and a second suction chamber 76, located
side by side.
[0068] The outer peripheral skirt/wall 70 of the suction chambers
74, 76, and also the dividing wall 72 are, in this embodiment, thin
strips of flexible material, for example rubber, that extend about
the suction chambers and between the suction chambers. For
convenience of manufacture, the outer peripheral skirt 70 is made
of separate strip sections: two strip sections 70a, 70b for the
respective front and rear parts of the skirt 70 and two side
sections 70c, 70d. As can be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the strips 70,
are held in recesses 77 on the underside of the housing 44.
However, the entire skirt could be made from a single strip, such
as a continuous band of material or, alternatively, it should be
appreciated that the surface engaging members may also take the
form of a continuous row of bristles. At this point it should be
noted that the rear section, or `portion`, 70b of the skirt is
positioned so as to be directly adjacent a long edge of the support
member 8. The front portion 70a of the skirt is positioned so as to
oppose the rear portion 70b of the skirt, and so can be considered
to be remote from the long edge of the support member 8.
[0069] Each of the adjacent suction chambers 74, 76 is further
provided with an additional floor engaging member 80, also in the
form of a rubber strip, that defines an interior wall extending
longitudinally within the respective chamber 74, 76 but which
terminates short of each end of the chamber, thereby defining a gap
81 each end. In this way, the longitudinal strip 80 divides the
interior of the first and second suction chambers 74, 76 into first
and second longitudinal suction channels 82, 84 which are fluidly
linked by the gaps or `connecting channels` at either end of the
suction chamber. Following the convention used so far, the first
suction channel 82 will now be referred to as the front suction
channel and the second suction channel 84 will now be referred to
as the rear suction channel.
[0070] The strip section 70a adjacent the front suction channel 82
is provided with a series of castellations or notches 86 which
permits air to flow through these castellations 86 and into the
front suction channel 82. Air is able to flow out of the suction
chamber 74, 76 through a fluid outlet opening 88 that communicates
with the second suction channel and leads to the connecting conduit
6 via the interior passage 27 of a respective intermediate conduit
24, 26.
[0071] The strip section 70b adjacent the rear suction channels 84
is continuous in the sense that it is not provided with
castellations and so defines an unbroken edge that is uniform and
linear and so is engageable with the floor surface to guard against
debris accumulating on the cleaning sheet. Beneficially, this
avoids the floor surface being marked as well as extending the life
of the cleaning sheet.
[0072] In use, with the floor tool 2 located on a floor surface so
that all of the strip sections 70a-70d engage the floor surface,
the application of suction to the conduit 6 by an associated vacuum
cleaner generates two different pressure regions within each
suction chamber 74, 76 of each suction nozzle 10, 12. Due to the
relatively tight seal formed around the rear suction channels 84 by
the rear and side strip sections 70b, 70c, 70d, a relatively high
vacuum can be established in the rear suction channels 84. This
promotes a relatively high-speed air flow which benefits the
entrainment of debris located within crevices in the floor surface
into the airflow through the rear suction channels 84. Furthermore,
since the rear strip section 70b has a straight and uniform edge,
this reduces the likelihood of debris passing under the rear strip
section 70b which protects the supporting member 8, and therefore
the cleaning sheet, from debris pickup.
[0073] The provision of the connecting channels 81 establishes a
relatively low vacuum in the front suction channels 82 to enable
dust and relatively large debris located on the floor surface to be
entrained within a fluid flow drawn into the front suction channels
82 through the relatively large castellations 86. This dirt-bearing
fluid flow is then conveyed from the front suction channels 82
through the connecting channels 81, at the sides of the suction
chambers 74, 76, to the rear suction channel 84 and then into the
opening 88 of the housing 44. From there, the flow is conveyed
along the intermediate conduits 24, 26 to the manifold 20 and
through the ports 54 into the head portion 28a of the front section
28 of the conduit 6. Optionally, guide surfaces may be provided in
the head portion 28a to encourage the fluid to flow into the neck
with minimal turbulence. From the front section 28, the fluid flow
passes into the rear section 30 of the conduit 6 and into a wand
(not shown) of a vacuum cleaner connected to the fluid outlet 30a
of the rear section 30.
[0074] As the floor tool is manoeuvred over the floor surface, the
flexibility of the strip sections enables the contact with the
floor surface, and thus the two different pressure regions within
the suction chambers 74, 76, to be maintained over a wide range of
orientations of the wand relative to the main body 4. Furthermore,
by dividing the suction nozzles 10, 12 into two separate chambers
74, 76, with each of the chambers having respective front and rear
suction channels 82, 84, it can be ensured that a high speed fluid
flow through the suction chambers is experienced across the whole
width of the floor tool 2 which greatly promotes debris entrainment
and pickup.
[0075] Within the broad concept of the floor tool 2 of the
invention, some alternatives have already been explained. Others
will now be described below.
[0076] A variant of the floor tool 2 is shown in FIG. 7 in
simplified form. It should be noted that the floor tool 2 is
substantially identical to that described with reference to FIGS. 1
to 6, so the same reference numerals are used to refer to common
parts.
[0077] In this embodiment each suction chamber 74, 76 is divided
into front and rear suction channels 82, 84 as in the previous
embodiment by a longitudinal strip portion 100. However, it should
be noted that the strip portion 100 in this embodiment defines a
shallow V-shape or "chevron", having a vertex that is directly
adjacent the front castellated strip section 70a of the suction
chamber.
[0078] The V-shape of the strip portion 100 provides a tapered
front channel 82 which is narrowest at substantially its mid-point,
and which widens towards either end. The effect of this is to
increase the speed of fluid flow that passes through the
castellated front strip section 70a into the centre region of the
front suction channel 82 thereby promoting the entrainment of
debris into the airflow within the front suction channel 82. Such
shaping of the strip portion 100 therefore makes the most of the
vacuum that is applied to the suction channels via the opening 88
by manipulating the speed of the airflow through the suction
channels, thus improving debris pickup.
[0079] Preferably, the V-shaped strip section 100 defines a
relatively shallow interior vertex angle of approximately
170.degree., although a range of vertex angles of between
150.degree. and 175.degree. would also provide the necessary
airflow benefits. Although the V-shaped strip section is shown here
with a sharp vertex, it should be appreciated that this need not be
the case and that the two angles portions of the strip section 100
could be blended together to form of curved vertex, or be separated
by a flattened portion. The key consideration is to narrow the
channel 82 in its mid-region in order to increase air flow speed in
that region.
[0080] As a further enhancement, an additional sealing strip may be
provided to extend transversely across the front suction channel 82
between the strip section 70a and the mid-point of the longitudinal
strip 80, 100. The additional strip is shown in dotted lines on
FIG. 7 by reference numeral 101. The effect of this is to guard
against debris `hesitating` in the middle region of the front
suction channel, and so this provides a further improvement to
pickup performance.
[0081] In the embodiments described above, the suction nozzles 10,
12 are separate and distinct elements from the support member 4 and
are carried on the ends of the intermediate conduits 24, 26.
Advantageously, this permits the nozzles to be pivotably mounted to
enable a sheet to be attached to the wipe. The pivotable mounting
is not essential, however, and a similar mounting arrangement could
be achieved by releasably securing the support member to the
suction nozzles.
[0082] Furthermore, within the broad concept of the invention as
defined by the claims, it is not essential for the suction nozzles
to be separate and distinct components from the support member.
Instead, a wipe support member could be defined by a block like
body, side portions of which define suction nozzles. By way of
explanation, FIGS. 8 and 9 show perspective and underside views,
respectively, of an example of such a floor tool.
[0083] Referring to FIG. 8, a floor tool 200 similar in
configuration to the previous embodiments is shown and includes a
main body 202 and a connecting conduit 204 which is pivotably
attached to the main body 202. The connecting conduit 204 is the
same form as the previous embodiment so will not be described
further here.
[0084] The main body 202 is block-like in form and includes a wipe
support section 205 and a first suction nozzle 206 and a second
suction nozzle 208 located along each of the long edges 205a, 205b
of the wipe support section. Upper ends 206a, 208a of each of the
first and second suction nozzles 206, 208 includes fluid outlets
210 that lead to respective suction channels/conduits 212 that
branch off the suction nozzles 206, 208 at an oblique angle and
converge at a centrally positioned manifold 214. The connecting
conduit 204 is mechanically and fluidly connected to the manifold
214 so that air flow is drawn through the suction nozzles 206, 208,
along the suction channels 212 and into the connecting conduit 204,
in use.
[0085] Recessed sections 216 between the ends of the suction
nozzles 206, 208 provide a platform on which ends of a wipe element
may be secured by suitable attachment means, such as a clip or plug
(not shown), so that the wipe element is stretched along the
underside of the support member in the same manner of the previous
embodiments.
[0086] Turning to FIG. 9, which shows the underside of the floor
tool of this embodiment, each suction nozzle 206, 208 includes a
respective surface engaging member 220, 222 that extends about the
nozzle and defines a respective suction chamber 224, 226. As in
previous embodiments, the surface engaging members 220, 222 are
preferably flexible and may therefore be formed from densely packed
bristles or a strip of polymeric material. A strip of polymeric
material, for example rubber or PVC, is currently preferred.
[0087] In this embodiment, the surface engaging skirt member 220,
222 defines a single suction chamber, as opposed to defining two
suction chambers in previous embodiments. However, since each
suction chamber is provided with first and second fluid outlets
210, debris pickup is still improved in comparison to a single
fluid outlet.
[0088] Each of the surface engaging skirt members 220, 222 includes
a first portion 220a, 222a which is positioned directly adjacent
the support member 205 and a second portion 220b, 222b which is
opposed to the first portion 220a, 222a. In other words, it is
positioned remotely from the support member 205. In this
embodiment, the second portion 220b, 222b is provided with openings
along at least a portion of its length, and preferably all of it,
as is illustrated in FIG. 9, which helps dirt and debris to
transition past the front portion of the surface engaging skirt
member and into the suction chamber. In contrast, the first portion
of the surface engaging skirt member that does not have any
openings, and so defines an unbroken edge that is uniform and
linear being engageable with the floor surface to guard against
debris accumulating on the cleaning sheet.
[0089] It should be appreciated that although the openings on the
second portion of the surface engaging skirt member are regularly
spaced in the form of castellations 223, although this is not
essential and the openings may take various forms. What is
important is that some way of promoting the admittance of dirt and
debris into the suction chamber 224, 226 is provided along the
front edge 220b, 222b skirt member, whilst the rear edge of the
surface engaging skirt member is formed to prevent dirt and debris
passing under it either entering or exiting the suction chamber
224, 226.
[0090] The skilled reader will appreciate that the suction chamber
configuration explained with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9 also
applies to the floor tool embodiments described in FIGS. 1 to
7.
[0091] FIGS. 1 to 9 show embodiments of a floor tool in accordance
with the invention. However, FIG. 10 illustrates the embodiment of
the floor tool in FIGS. 8 and 9 in its preferred use as forming
part of a "stick-vac cleaner" 240, comprising a handheld vacuum
cleaner 242 which is carryable in the hand of a user, as shown. An
elongate wand 244 is attached to the handheld cleaner 242 which
reaches down to the floor tool 200 provided at the end of the wand
244, the floor tool 200 resting on a floor surface in normal use.
Note that the floor itself is not explicitly shown in FIG. 10, but
its presence is implicit.
[0092] The handheld vacuum cleaner 242 comprises a motor-driven fan
unit (not shown) which is arranged inside a motor casing 246 for
drawing air in through an inlet nozzle 248 positioned at the front
of the hand held vacuum cleaner 240. The elongate wand 246 is
connected to the inlet nozzle 248, and the floor tool 200 is in
turn connected to the lower end of the wand 246. In use, dirty air
is drawn in through the suction nozzles 206, 208 on the underside
of the floor tool 200 and is ducted to the air inlet 248 on the
handheld vacuum cleaner 242, through the wand 244. Dirty air that
enters the air inlet nozzle 248 passes through a cyclonic
separation system 250, where dirt is separated from the air, before
the relatively clean air is then exhausted back to the ambient
environment via an exhaust 251. The dirt which is separated from
the airflow inside the cyclonic separating system 250 is collected
in a bin 252 for disposal. The hand held vacuum cleaner 242 is
powered by a multi-cell rechargeable battery which is housed in a
battery pack 254.
[0093] The floor tool 200 is detachable from the wand 244 by means
of a catch 256. The wand 244 is in turn detachable from the
handheld cleaner 242 by means of a further catch 258. The handheld
cleaner 242 can thus be used in isolation as a standalone handheld
vacuum cleaner by detaching the wand 244 or, alternatively, the
handheld vacuum cleaner 242, wand 244 and floor tool 200 can be
used in combination as a hard floor cleaning tool with a suction
functionality. The floor tool 200 may also be configured so that it
may not be released from the wand 244.
[0094] Although the stick-vac of FIG. 10 incorporates the floor
tool 200 described above with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, it should
be noted that the floor tool of the previous embodiments may also
be incorporated into the stick-vac of FIG. 10.
[0095] Although the embodiments described above include two suction
nozzles, one positioned against each long side of the supporting
member, it should be noted that this is not essential and that
improved pickup will also be obtained with a single dual chambered
suction nozzle located on one side of the supporting member.
Alternatively, the second suction nozzle could be a simplified
nozzle having a single suction chamber having no dividing walls
therein, which would still serve the purpose of protecting its
respective side of the cleaning sheet.
[0096] The supporting member has been described above as
rectangular. However, the skilled person will appreciate that other
shapes are also viable. For example the supporting member could
also be triangular, diamond-shaped, or even oval, with
appropriately modified suction nozzles. Also, although the
supporting member has been described as being particularly suitable
for use with a non poly-based non-woven cleaning sheet, it should
be appreciated that this is not essentially to the invention and it
may also be used with other types of wiping members such as woven
cleaning cloths. Still alternatively, the supporting member may
carry a porous cleaning member such as a sponge pad that is secured
on its underside, by a hook-and-loop type fastening system for
example, or formed integrally with it.
[0097] The skilled person will also appreciate that the form of
connecting conduit described with respect to this floor tool is
merely optional and, although it confers manoeuvrability benefits,
other types of conduit arrangements could be used with the main
body of the floor tool.
* * * * *