U.S. patent application number 14/160737 was filed with the patent office on 2014-07-31 for upright vacuum cleaner nozzle handle.
This patent application is currently assigned to Techtronioc Floor Care Technology Limited. The applicant listed for this patent is Techtronioc Floor Care Technology Limited. Invention is credited to Matthew J. Doerfler.
Application Number | 20140208540 14/160737 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50000823 |
Filed Date | 2014-07-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140208540 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Doerfler; Matthew J. |
July 31, 2014 |
UPRIGHT VACUUM CLEANER NOZZLE HANDLE
Abstract
An upright vacuum cleaner generally includes an upright assembly
including a suction generator and a floor nozzle coupled to the
upright assembly. The floor nozzle is configured for movement over
a floor surface and includes a nozzle inlet in fluid communication
with the suction generator. An aperture is formed through the floor
nozzle and configured to allow the insertion of a hand of an
operator to provide a gripping area on the floor nozzle adjacent
the aperture to facilitate lifting and lowering the upright vacuum
cleaner.
Inventors: |
Doerfler; Matthew J.;
(Wooster, OH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Techtronioc Floor Care Technology Limited |
Tortola |
|
VG |
|
|
Assignee: |
Techtronioc Floor Care Technology
Limited
Tortola
VG
|
Family ID: |
50000823 |
Appl. No.: |
14/160737 |
Filed: |
January 22, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61757875 |
Jan 29, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/383 ;
15/415.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 5/28 20130101; A47L
9/02 20130101; A47L 9/325 20130101; A47L 5/30 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/383 ;
15/415.1 |
International
Class: |
A47L 5/30 20060101
A47L005/30; A47L 9/32 20060101 A47L009/32 |
Claims
1. An upright vacuum cleaner comprising: an upright assembly
including a suction generator; and a floor nozzle coupled to the
upright assembly and configured for movement over a floor surface,
wherein the floor nozzle includes a nozzle inlet in fluid
communication with the suction generator, and wherein the floor
nozzle includes an aperture formed therethrough, the aperture
configured to allow the insertion of a hand of an operator to
provide a gripping area on the floor nozzle adjacent the aperture
to facilitate lifting and lowering the upright vacuum cleaner.
2. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein the floor nozzle
further includes a brush roll housing defining the nozzle inlet at
a forward end of the floor nozzle, and a brush roll coupled for
rotation within the brush roll housing, and wherein the aperture is
disposed behind the brush roll housing.
3. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 2, wherein the gripping area
is disposed on the floor nozzle behind the aperture.
4. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 2, wherein the gripping area
extends substantially parallel to the brush roll housing.
5. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 2, wherein the brush roll
housing defines a brush roll housing bottom surface, wherein the
gripping area defines a gripping area bottom surface, wherein the
brush roll housing bottom surface is disposed adjacent the floor
surface, and wherein the gripping area bottom surface is disposed
above the brush roll housing bottom surface when the floor nozzle
is in an upright position.
6. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 5, wherein the brush roll
housing bottom surface and the gripping area bottom surface define
a vertical gap therebetween, and the gap is dimensioned to
fittingly receive the operator's fingers for lifting and lowering
the upright vacuum cleaner.
7. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein the floor nozzle
defines a lateral dimension and wherein the aperture is positioned
approximately at a center of the lateral dimension.
8. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein a portion of the
floor surface is exposed at the aperture when the floor nozzle is
positioned on the floor surface in an upright position.
9. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein the aperture is
generally rectangular when viewed from above the floor nozzle.
10. An upright vacuum cleaner comprising: an upright assembly
including a suction generator; and a floor nozzle coupled to the
upright assembly and configured for movement over a floor surface,
wherein the floor nozzle includes a nozzle inlet disposed at a
forward end of the floor nozzle and in fluid communication with the
suction generator, and wherein the floor nozzle includes an
aperture formed therethrough, the aperture being disposed behind
the nozzle inlet and entirely surrounded by walls of the floor
nozzle, wherein the aperture when viewed from above the floor
nozzle defines an area of approximately 20 cm.sup.2 or more.
11. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 10, wherein the aperture
when viewed from above the floor nozzle defines an area of
approximately 20 cm.sup.2 to approximately 35 cm.sup.2.
12. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 10, wherein the aperture
defines a lateral dimension ranging from approximately 5 cm to
approximately 10 cm.
13. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 10, wherein the floor
nozzle further includes a brush roll housing defining the nozzle
inlet, and a brush roll coupled for rotation within the brush roll
housing, and wherein the aperture is disposed behind the brush roll
housing spaced approximately 5 cm to approximately 15 cm from the
forward end of the floor nozzle.
14. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 13, wherein the gripping
area is disposed on the floor nozzle behind the aperture.
15. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 13, wherein the gripping
area extends substantially parallel to the brush roll housing.
16. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 13, wherein the brush roll
housing defines a brush roll housing bottom surface, wherein the
gripping area defines a gripping area bottom surface, wherein the
brush roll housing bottom surface is disposed adjacent the floor
surface, and wherein the gripping area bottom surface is disposed
above the brush roll housing bottom surface when the floor nozzle
is in an upright position.
17. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 16, wherein the brush roll
housing bottom surface and the gripping area bottom surface define
a vertical gap therebetween, and the gap ranges from approximately
2 cm to approximately 4 cm to fittingly receive an operator's
fingers for lifting and lowering the upright vacuum cleaner.
18. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 10, wherein the floor
nozzle defines a lateral dimension ranging from approximately 25 cm
to approximately 35 cm and wherein the aperture is positioned
approximately at a center of the lateral dimension.
19. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 10, wherein a portion of
the floor surface is exposed at the aperture when the floor nozzle
is positioned on the floor surface in an upright position.
20. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 10, wherein the aperture is
generally rectangular when viewed from above the floor nozzle.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 61/757,875, filed Jan. 29, 2013, the entire
contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Vacuum cleaners typically include a suction nozzle, a
cleaner housing connected to the suction nozzle, a suction
generator in the cleaner housing, and a dirt collection vessel in
the cleaner housing. In an upright-type vacuum cleaner, an elongate
handle is coupled to the cleaner housing. The handle extends
generally upwardly from the cleaner housing and transfers forces
caused by the operator to the vacuum cleaner to move the vacuum
cleaner over a surface to be cleaned.
SUMMARY
[0003] In one embodiment, an upright vacuum cleaner generally
includes an upright assembly including a suction generator and a
floor nozzle coupled to the upright assembly. The floor nozzle is
configured for movement over a floor surface and includes a nozzle
inlet in fluid communication with the suction generator. An
aperture is formed through the floor nozzle and configured to allow
the insertion of a hand of an operator to provide a gripping area
on the floor nozzle adjacent the aperture to facilitate lifting and
lowering the upright vacuum cleaner.
[0004] In another embodiment, an upright vacuum cleaner generally
includes an upright assembly including a suction generator and a
floor nozzle coupled to the upright assembly. The floor nozzle is
configured for movement over a floor surface and includes a nozzle
inlet disposed at a forward end of the floor nozzle and in fluid
communication with the suction generator. An aperture is formed
through the floor nozzle and disposed behind the nozzle inlet and
entirely surrounded by walls of the floor nozzle. When viewed from
above the floor nozzle, the aperture defines an area of
approximately 20 cm.sup.2 or more.
[0005] Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by
consideration of the detailed description and accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an upright vacuum cleaner
with a floor nozzle according to one embodiment of the
invention.
[0007] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating the
floor nozzle of FIG. 1.
[0008] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the floor nozzle of FIG. 1.
[0009] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of
FIG. 3.
[0010] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an operator gripping the
upright vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1 by the nozzle handle.
[0011] It should be understood that the invention is not limited in
its application to the details of construction and the arrangements
of the components set forth in the following description or
illustrated in the above-described drawings. The invention is
capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being
carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the
phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of
description and should not be regarded as limiting.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an upright vacuum cleaner
100, including an upright assembly 110 with a suction generator and
a floor nozzle 130 coupled to the upright assembly 110. The floor
nozzle 130 forms an opening in the bottom of the body and allows a
dirty air stream to be drawn into the upright vacuum cleaner 100.
The upright assembly 110 and the floor nozzle 130 are pivotally
connected to one another such that the upright assembly 110 pivots
relative to the floor nozzle 130 about an axis of rotation 115. As
such, the upright assembly 110 is pivotal relative to the floor
nozzle 130 between an upright position (see FIG. 1) and a number of
inclined positions (see, e.g., FIG. 5). The floor nozzle 130 is in
fluid communication with the suction generator, which is located in
a motor housing between the floor nozzle 130 and the upright
assembly 110. In the illustrated embodiment, the suction generator
is positioned below the dirt cup 120.
[0013] The illustrated upright vacuum cleaner 100 is a dry vacuum
cleaner capable of drawing in air and dirt such as dry debris. In
alternative embodiments, the upright vacuum cleaner 100 may be a
wet vacuum cleaner capable of drawing in air and dirt such as
liquid and debris. Alternatively, the upright vacuum cleaner 100
may be an extractor capable of both dispensing liquid and drawing
in air and dirt such as liquid and debris. In still other
embodiments, the upright vacuum cleaner 100 may be a stick vacuum
that does not include the brush rolls of other traditional upright
cleaners.
[0014] Referring also to FIGS. 2-4, the floor nozzle 130 of the
upright vacuum cleaner 100 is configured for movement over a floor
surface S and includes a nozzle inlet 140 (see FIG. 4) in fluid
communication with the suction generator 120. In the illustrated
embodiment, the floor nozzle 130 includes a brush roll housing 150
defining the nozzle inlet 140 at a forward end (i.e., to the left
in FIG. 4) of the floor nozzle 130. In the illustrated embodiment,
a brush roll 160 is coupled within the brush roll housing 150 for
rotation. In other embodiments, for example in a stick vacuum, the
nozzle inlet 140 may be disposed at a generally forward end of the
floor nozzle 130 without the inclusion of a brush roll.
[0015] An aperture or opening 170 is formed through the floor
nozzle 130. In the illustrated embodiment, the aperture 170 is
entirely surrounded by walls 180 of the floor nozzle 130. In other
embodiments, however, the aperture 170 may be merely partially
surrounded by the walls 180 of the floor nozzle 130 and partially
left open. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, a portion of the floor
surface S is exposed at the aperture 170 when the floor nozzle 130
is positioned on the floor surface S in an upright position. In the
illustrated embodiment, the aperture 170 is generally rectangular
when viewed from above the floor nozzle 130. In other embodiments,
however, the aperture 170 may assume any geometric form when viewed
from above the floor nozzle 130, including, but not limited to, a
polygon, an oval, an ellipse, a symbol, or a combination
thereof
[0016] In the illustrated embodiment, the aperture 170 is disposed
behind or rearward to (i.e., to the right in FIG. 4) the brush roll
housing 150. The illustrated brush roll housing 150 is generally
C-shaped in cross section (see FIG. 4), and defines a curved
forward wall 180 of the aperture 170. Accordingly, the illustrated
aperture 170 tapers initially in width W in a direction from above
the floor nozzle 130 toward the floor surface S. In the embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 4, the aperture 170 abuts a rearward gripping
area 190 so that the width W of the aperture 170 gradually
increases toward the floor surface S, giving the aperture 170 a
slightly flared profile in cross section. Other configurations are
possible depending on the use requirements or preferences for the
particular upright vacuum cleaner 100, including configurations
where the aperture 170 has a substantially uniform width W in cross
section.
[0017] In some embodiments, the aperture 170 is disposed behind the
brush roll housing 150 spaced approximately 4 cm to approximately
15 cm from the forward end of the floor nozzle 130. In other
embodiments, the spacing between the aperture 170 and the forward
end of the floor nozzle 130 may assume other values. In still other
embodiments, for example in a stick vacuum, the aperture 170 may be
disposed behind the nozzle inlet 140 without regard to the brush
roll housing 150. In some embodiments, the floor nozzle 130 defines
a lateral dimension L.sub.f ranging from approximately 25 cm to
approximately 35 cm and the aperture 170 is positioned
approximately at a center of the lateral dimension L.sub.f. In
other embodiments, the lateral dimension L.sub.f may assume other
values, and the aperture 170 may be positioned approximately at the
respective center of the lateral dimension L.sub.f. In still other
embodiments, the aperture 170 may be positioned off-center relative
to the lateral dimension L.sub.f. In some embodiments, the aperture
170 when viewed from above the floor nozzle 130 defines an area of
approximately 20 cm.sup.2 or more. In further embodiments, the
aperture 170 when viewed from above the floor nozzle 130 defines an
area of approximately 20 cm.sup.2 to approximately 80 cm.sup.2. In
still further embodiments, the aperture 170 defines a lateral
dimension L.sub.a ranging from approximately 5 cm to approximately
10 cm. In other embodiments, the aperture may be dimensioned to
suitably facilitate lifting and lowering the upright vacuum
cleaner, as explained below.
[0018] Referring also to FIGS. 4 and 5, the aperture 170 is
configured to allow the insertion of a hand H or fingers F of an
operator to provide the gripping area 190 on the floor nozzle 130
adjacent the aperture 170 to facilitate lifting and lowering the
upright vacuum cleaner 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the
gripping area 190 is disposed on the floor nozzle 130 behind or
rearward to the aperture 170 (i.e., to the right in FIG. 4). In
some embodiments, the gripping area 190 may extend substantially
parallel to the brush roll housing 150. In other embodiments,
however, the gripping area 190 may extend non-parallel (e.g.,
angled) to the brush roll housing 150.
[0019] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the brush roll housing 150 defines
a brush roll housing bottom surface 200, and the gripping area 190
defines a gripping area bottom surface 210. The brush roll housing
bottom surface 200 is disposed adjacent the floor surface S, and
the gripping area bottom surface 210 is disposed above the brush
roll housing bottom surface 200 when the floor nozzle 130 is in an
upright position. Accordingly, the brush roll housing bottom
surface 200 and the gripping area bottom surface 210 define a
vertical gap G therebetween. In some embodiments, the gap G ranges
from approximately 2 cm to approximately 4 cm to fittingly receive
the operator's fingers F for lifting and lowering the upright
vacuum cleaner 100. In other embodiment, the gap G may be
dimensioned otherwise to fittingly receive the operator's fingers F
for lifting and lowering the upright vacuum cleaner.
[0020] In operation, the operator may utilize or access the
aperture 170 for lifting or lowering the upright vacuum cleaner
100, for example, to make stair cleaning easier. As illustrated in
FIG. 5, the operator may hold a part of the upright assembly 110 of
the upright vacuum cleaner 100 with one hand, e.g., the right hand,
and then insert the other hand, e.g., the left hand, into the
aperture 170 formed through the floor nozzle 130, so as to grab the
gripping area bottom surface 210 of the floor nozzle 130 with the
left finger F tips, and lift or lower the upright vacuum cleaner
100 using both hands.
[0021] Although the invention has been described in detail with
reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and
modifications exist within the scope and spirit of one or more
independent aspects of the invention as described.
* * * * *