U.S. patent application number 15/112753 was filed with the patent office on 2016-12-01 for surface cleaning apparatus.
The applicant listed for this patent is TECHTRONIC FLOOR CARE TECHNOLOGY LIMITED. Invention is credited to Daragh Manning.
Application Number | 20160345795 15/112753 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50184941 |
Filed Date | 2016-12-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160345795 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Manning; Daragh |
December 1, 2016 |
SURFACE CLEANING APPARATUS
Abstract
A surface cleaning apparatus including a cleaning head and a
housing member supporting a water storage container, a steam
generator including a heating element, and a steam outlet. The
surface cleaning apparatus further includes an elongate member
connecting the cleaning head to the housing member. The elongate
member includes a fluid passage communicating with the steam outlet
for directing steam towards the cleaning head. The elongate member
is releasably connectable to the cleaning head.
Inventors: |
Manning; Daragh; (West
Midlands, GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
TECHTRONIC FLOOR CARE TECHNOLOGY LIMITED |
Tortola |
|
VG |
|
|
Family ID: |
50184941 |
Appl. No.: |
15/112753 |
Filed: |
February 7, 2014 |
PCT Filed: |
February 7, 2014 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/GB2014/050357 |
371 Date: |
July 20, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 13/225 20130101;
A47L 13/42 20130101; A47L 11/34 20130101; A47L 11/4075 20130101;
A47L 11/4086 20130101; A47L 11/4083 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47L 13/22 20060101
A47L013/22; A47L 13/42 20060101 A47L013/42 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 31, 2014 |
GB |
1401712.3 |
Claims
1. A surface cleaning apparatus comprising: a cleaning head; a
housing member supporting: a water storage container; a steam
generator including a heating element; and a steam outlet, and an
elongate member connecting the cleaning head to the housing member,
said elongate member including a fluid passage communicating with
the steam outlet for directing steam towards the cleaning head,
wherein the elongate member is releasably connectable to the
cleaning head.
2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the housing member
includes a user-graspable handle formation and a control for
operation of the apparatus.
3. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the apparatus includes
a first holding device for holding the elongate member relative to
the cleaning head.
4. An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the first holding
device includes a first locking member supported on or by one of
the elongate member or cleaning head which is moveable between
locking and unlocking positions, and which is engageable with a
first formation on or in the other of the elongate member or
cleaning head.
5. An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the first formation is
a recess or a projection.
6. An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the first locking
member is moveable to its unlocking position by a foot of a
user.
7. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the elongate member is
releasably connectable to the housing member.
8. An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the apparatus includes
a second holding device for holding the elongate member relative to
the housing member.
9. An apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the second holding
device includes a second locking member supported on or by one of
the elongate member or housing member which is moveable between
locking and unlocking positions, and which is engageable with a
second formation on or in the other of the elongate member or
housing member.
10. An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the second formation
is a recess or a projection.
11. An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the first locking
member is biased to the locking position by a spring.
12. An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the first locking
member is pivotally movable between the locking and unlocking
positions.
13. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the elongate member
includes a steam outlet which is releasably connectable to a steam
inlet of the cleaning member.
14. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the steam outlet of
the housing member is releasably connectable to a steam inlet of
the elongate member.
15. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the housing member is
useable as a handheld surface cleaning apparatus once disconnected
from the elongate member.
16. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the housing member
supports a detergent storage container.
17. An apparatus according to claim 16 wherein the housing member
includes a detergent outlet which communicates with a detergent
passage in the elongate member for directing detergent towards the
cleaning head.
18. An apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the detergent
passage and fluid passage in the elongate member are positioned
side-by-side.
19. An apparatus according to claim 17 wherein a cross-sectional
area of the fluid passage is greater than a cross-sectional area of
the detergent passage.
20. An apparatus according to claim 16 wherein detergent is mixed
with steam at or before the mixture exits the elongate member via
its steam outlet to the cleaning head.
21. An apparatus according to claim 16 wherein detergent is mixed
with steam at or before the mixture exits the housing member via
its steam outlet to the fluid passage of the elongate member.
22. An apparatus according to claim 21 wherein the fluid passage of
the elongate member is for directing the detergent/steam mixture
towards the cleaning head.
23. An apparatus according to claim 16 wherein the cleaning head
supports a detergent storage container and includes a detergent
outlet.
24. An apparatus according to claim 23 wherein detergent is mixed
with steam at or before the detergent/steam mixture exits the
cleaning head.
25. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the elongate member
is substantially circular or oval in cross-section.
26. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the steam outlet of
the housing member is releasably connectable to a steam inlet of
the cleaning member.
27. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the elongate member
includes at least two members connected in end-to-end configuration
with the members being releasably connectable to each other.
28. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the cleaning head,
elongate member and housing member are connected to each other in
that sequence, with the housing member being positioned farthest
from a floor surface to be cleaned.
29. An apparatus according to claim 1 including a tool for
cleaning, the tool having a conduit which is connectable to the
steam outlet of the housing.
30. An apparatus according to claim 1 including a pump for feeding
water from the water storage container to the steam generator.
31.-32.(canceled)
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a U.S. national phase of International
Patent Application No. PCT/GB2014/050357, filed Feb. 7, 2014, which
claims priority to UK Patent Application No. 1401712.3, filed Jan.
31, 2014, the entire contents all of which are hereby incorporated
by reference herein.
BACKGROUND
[0002] This invention relates to a surface cleaning apparatus. More
particularly, this invention relates to an apparatus for cleaning a
surface such as a floor or wall which utilises a source of
steam.
[0003] The use of steam cleaners for cleaning floor and other
surfaces is well known. For cleaning floor surfaces, a steam
cleaner typically has a cleaning head comprising a body able to be
moved, by a user, over the surface to be cleaned, the body being
adapted to carry a cleaning element of or including a
fabric/textile or other material of a steam permeable absorbent
nature. Steam (or very hot water) is emitted from the body and
passes through the cleaning head to contact the surface being
cleaned, with the effect of loosening dirt from the surface. Dirty
water from condensation of the steam on the surface is absorbed by
the cleaning element.
[0004] The cleaning head, to enable it to be manipulated over the
surface being cleaned, may be attached to a wand and steam supplied
thereto by way of a hose from a separate steam generator.
Alternatively, the wand may itself be provided with a steam
generator and supply of water, to form a self-contained steam
cleaning device, sometimes referred to as a "stick" or "mop" type
of steam cleaner.
[0005] The steam generator for such devices typically includes a
water storage container (e.g. a tank which a user fills with
water), an electric pump (which is controlled by a user operable
switch) and a heating element(s). In use, water is fed from the
tank to the heating element by the pump, where it is then heated.
The resulting steam (or very hot water) then passes from the
heating element towards the cleaning head and thus the surface to
be cleaned.
[0006] A further provision known in such a steam cleaner is the
ability to store a cleaning agent, e.g. a solution of a suitable
detergent, to assist the cleaning operation.
SUMMARY
[0007] According to an embodiment of the present invention, we
provide a surface cleaning apparatus including: [0008] a cleaning
head; [0009] a housing member supporting: [0010] a water storage
container; [0011] a steam generator including a heating element(s);
[0012] a steam outlet, and [0013] an elongate member connecting the
cleaning head to the housing member, said elongate member including
a fluid passage communicating with the steam outlet for directing
steam towards the cleaning head, [0014] wherein the elongate member
is releasably connectable to the cleaning head.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a
surface cleaning apparatus;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view the surface cleaning
apparatus;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the surface cleaning
apparatus;
[0018] FIG. 4 is further front perspective view of the surface
cleaning apparatus;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a side view of the surface cleaning apparatus;
[0020] FIG. 6 is a front view of the surface cleaning
apparatus;
[0021] FIG. 7 is a further side view of the surface cleaning
apparatus;
[0022] FIG. 8 is a rear view of the surface cleaning apparatus;
[0023] FIG. 9 is a side view of the surface cleaning apparatus with
a cleaning head thereof disconnected;
[0024] FIG. 10 is a side view of a housing member of the surface
cleaning apparatus;
[0025] FIG. 11 is a plan view of the surface cleaning apparatus;
and
[0026] FIG. 12 is an underside view of the cleaning head of the
apparatus.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] Referring to the figures, these show an embodiment of a
surface cleaning apparatus 10. The apparatus 10 has a cleaning head
12, a housing member 14 and an elongate member 16 extending
therebetween. The cleaning head 12, elongate member 16 and housing
member 14 are therefore connected to each other in this sequence,
with the housing member 14 being positioned farthest from a floor
surface to be cleaned. Whilst not shown in the figures, the
cleaning head 12 is adapted to carry a cleaning element of or
including a fabric/textile or other material of a steam permeable
absorbent nature, as is well known in the art.
[0028] The housing member 14 supports, and in this example, houses
a water storage container, a steam generator including one or more
heating elements, and a pump for feeding water from the storage
container to the steam generator (although a pump is not
essential). These components parts are not shown in the figures,
nor discussed in greater detail herein, as they are well known in
the prior art. The housing member 14 also includes a includes a
user-graspable handle formation 18 including a hand aperture 19 and
one or more controls 20a, 20b for operation of the apparatus 10,
e.g. for providing power (mains or battery, which could be
supported or housed in the housing member 14) to the pump and steam
generator. Other controls could be utilised, and their location
changed, if desired, without departing from the scope of the
invention. The housing member 14 has a steam outlet 35 which
communicates with the steam generator.
[0029] The elongate member 16, which is substantially circular in
cross-section, connects the cleaning head 12 to the housing member
14, and includes a fluid passage (not shown) which communicates
with the steam outlet 35 for directing steam towards the cleaning
head 12. Whilst in the present example the elongate member 16 is a
single component (albeit made from a number of component parts),
embodiments are envisaged where the elongate member includes two or
more members connected in end-to-end configuration, preferably with
the members being releasably connectable to each other. The
connection of the elongate member 16 to the cleaning head is by way
of a universal-type joint 9, which permits 360.degree. articulation
therebetween. Other types of hinge are envisaged, e.g. those which
permit less than 360.degree. articulation. The universal-type joint
9 has a storage condition which holds the elongate member 16
generally upright, such that a centre of gravity of the apparatus
10 sits within a footprint of the cleaning head 12. Thus, the
apparatus 10 is free-standing in this position, although it need
not be configured this way.
[0030] Advantageously, the elongate member 16 has a steam outlet 37
(see FIG. 9) which is releasably connectable to a steam inlet 11
(see FIG. 7) of the cleaning head 12 by way of a first holding
device 22. The first holding device 22 includes a first locking
member 24 supported on the cleaning head 12 which is pivotally
moveable at 25 between locking and unlocking positions. An end of
the locking member 24 is engageable with a first formation on the
elongate member 16 in the formation of a wedged-shaped projection
26. In use, a user applies downward pressure with their foot (or
hand) to an extension part 28 of the locking member 24 to cause the
member 24 to pivot out of engagement with the projection 26.
[0031] If should be appreciated that in alternative embodiments the
first locking member could be supported on or by the elongate
member 16, with the projection being provided on the cleaning
member 12. In either configuration, the first locking member 24 may
be engageable with a recess rather than a projection.
[0032] Advantageously, a steam inlet 17 (see FIG. 7) of the
elongate member 16 is releasably connectable to the steam outlet 35
of the housing member 14 by way of a second holding device 30,
which is similar in function to the first holding device 22.
[0033] The second holding device 30 includes a second locking
member 32 supported on the elongate member 16 which is pivotally
moveable at 33 between locking and unlocking positions. An end of
the locking member 32 is engageable with a second formation on the
housing member 14 in the formation of a wedged-shaped projection
34. In use, a user applies downward pressure with their hand to an
extension part 36 of the locking member 32 to cause the member 32
to pivot out of engagement with the projection 34.
[0034] It should be appreciated that in alternative embodiments the
second locking member could be supported on or by the housing
member 14, with the projection being provided on the elongate
member 16. In either configuration, the second locking member 32
may be engageable with a recess rather than a projection.
[0035] Advantageously, the first and second locking members 24, 32
are biased to their locking positions by respective springs (not
shown), although embodiments are envisaged where that is not
necessary. Embodiments are envisaged where the locking members are,
for example, slidably moveable, rather than pivotally moveable.
[0036] An advantage of the releasable connections between the
housing member 14, elongate member 16 and cleaning head 12 is that
they permit the apparatus 10 to be easily disassembled for storage.
In addition, it permits the apparatus 10 to be used in a number of
configurations, each suitable for specific types/locations of steam
cleaning. For example, it can be seen from FIG. 9 that with the
cleaning head 12 disconnected the elongate member 16 and housing
member 14 can still be utilised for steam cleaning (e.g. spot
cleaning of floors/walls or small, hard to reach, locations). In
addition, with both the cleaning head 12 and elongate member 16
disconnected (see FIG. 10), the housing member 14 can be used as a
handheld surface cleaning apparatus. In the latter example, the
cleaning head 12 can, if desired, be connected directly to the
housing member 14 (thus removing the need for the elongate member
16). In both of the configurations shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 one of a
selection of tools for cleaning may be connected to the steam
outlet 35, 37 to assist in cleaning. For example, the tool may
include a brush to assist in removing dirt from the surface being
cleaned.
[0037] Whilst not shown in the embodiment in the figures,
embodiments are envisaged where the housing member supports a
detergent storage container. In such an embodiment the housing
member may include a detergent outlet which communicates with a
separate detergent passage in the elongate member for directing
detergent towards the cleaning head. The detergent passage and
fluid passage in the elongate member may be positioned
side-by-side, e.g. either side of an axis of the elongate member,
with a cross-sectional area of the fluid passage being greater than
a cross-sectional area of the detergent passage, although this need
not be the case.
[0038] Embodiments are envisaged where the detergent is mixed with
steam at or before the mixture exits the elongate member via its
steam outlet to the cleaning head, such that entering the cleaning
head is a detergent/steam mixture. In an alternative embodiment,
detergent may be mixed with steam at or before the mixture exits
the housing member via its steam outlet to the fluid passage of the
elongate member, such that there is no need for a separate
detergent passage in the elongate member.
[0039] In a yet further envisaged embodiment, the cleaning head may
support a detergent storage container (instead of being provided in
the housing member). In such an embodiment the detergent may be
mixed with steam at or before the detergent/steam mixture exits the
cleaning head and on to the floor surface.
[0040] When used in this specification and claims, the terms
"comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the
specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are
not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features,
steps or components.
[0041] The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the
following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their
specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed
function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed
result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of
such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse
forms thereof.
* * * * *