U.S. patent application number 17/683276 was filed with the patent office on 2022-08-18 for surface cleaning apparatus with a sideways pivoting handle.
The applicant listed for this patent is SHARKNINJA OPERATING LLC. Invention is credited to Thomas David Reid FORD, Jason Boyd THORNE.
Application Number | 20220257078 17/683276 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000006307835 |
Filed Date | 2022-08-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220257078 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
THORNE; Jason Boyd ; et
al. |
August 18, 2022 |
SURFACE CLEANING APPARATUS WITH A SIDEWAYS PIVOTING HANDLE
Abstract
An upright surface cleaning apparatus, such as an upright vacuum
cleaner, is provided wherein the upright section is moveable
sideways about a pivot axis wherein the pivot axis is angled
forwardly and downwardly. In other embodiments, a surface cleaning
head is provided which is moveable sideways and is biased to the
centered position. In other embodiments, a surface cleaning head is
moveable sideways and is provided with a detent mechanism to
inhibit sideways movement when in the storage position. In other
embodiments, a surface cleaning apparatus is also provided which
alternately uses a cleaning head adapted to receive a cloth or a
traditional surface cleaning head.
Inventors: |
THORNE; Jason Boyd; (Dover,
MA) ; FORD; Thomas David Reid; (Wellesley,
MA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SHARKNINJA OPERATING LLC |
Needham |
MA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000006307835 |
Appl. No.: |
17/683276 |
Filed: |
February 28, 2022 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14341101 |
Jul 25, 2014 |
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17683276 |
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13713728 |
Dec 13, 2012 |
10016107 |
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14341101 |
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61570573 |
Dec 14, 2011 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 5/32 20130101; A47L
9/325 20130101; A47L 9/0686 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47L 9/32 20060101
A47L009/32; A47L 5/32 20060101 A47L005/32; A47L 9/06 20060101
A47L009/06 |
Claims
1-34. (canceled)
35. A surface cleaning head comprising: a forward portion having a
dirty air inlet; a rearward portion, the rearward portion spaced
apart from the forward portion by a separation distance; a housing
connecting the forward portion to the rearward portion, the housing
defining a fluid conduit that is fluidly coupled to the dirty air
inlet; and a support movably coupled to the rearward portion, the
support including first and second detents configured to inhibit
movement of the support.
36. The surface cleaning head of claim 35, wherein the support is
movable about a first axis and a second axis.
37. The surface cleaning head of claim 36, wherein the support
pivots about the first axis between an upright position and an
in-use position.
38. The surface cleaning head of claim 37, wherein the support
pivots about the second axis between a centered position and a
sideways position.
39. The surface cleaning head of claim 38, wherein the first and
second detents inhibit movement of the support about the second
axis second when the support is in the upright position.
40. The surface cleaning head of claim 35 further comprising a
cleaning sheet removably coupled to the rearward portion.
41. The surface cleaning head of claim 40, wherein the cleaning
sheet includes at least a first tab and a second tab.
42. The surface cleaning head of claim 41, wherein the first tab is
configured to couple to the second tab.
43. The surface cleaning head of claim 42, wherein the first tab
and the second tab are configured to extend along at least a
portion of an upper surface of the rearward portion.
44. The surface cleaning head of claim 35, wherein an upper surface
of the rearward portion includes one or more engagement members
configured to releasably couple to a cleaning sheet.
45. The surface cleaning head of claim 44, wherein the one or more
engagement members form a portion of a hook and loop fastener.
46. The surface cleaning head of claim 35, wherein the forward
portion defines a nozzle having a tapering region that tapers
towards the dirty air inlet.
47. The surface cleaning head of claim 46, wherein the tapering
region includes a protrusion extending from a forward facing end of
the forward portion towards a rearward facing end of the forward
portion.
48. The surface cleaning head of claim 46, wherein the nozzle
includes a first inlet extending along a forward facing end of the
forward portion.
49. The surface cleaning head of claim 48, wherein the nozzle
includes a second inlet, the second inlet extending between the
forward facing end of the forward portion and a rearward facing
portion of the forward portion.
50. The surface cleaning head of claim 49, wherein the nozzle
includes a third inlet, the third inlet extending between the
forward facing end of the forward portion and the rearward facing
portion of the forward portion.
51. The surface cleaning head of claim 50, wherein the third inlet
and the second inlet are disposed on opposite sides of the dirty
air inlet.
52. The surface cleaning head of claim 35 further comprising a
plurality of wheels.
53. The surface cleaning head of claim 52, wherein the plurality of
wheels are coupled to the forward portion.
54. The surface cleaning head of claim 53, wherein the plurality of
wheels are disposed on opposing sides of the dirty air inlet.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation application under 37 CFR
.sctn. 1.53(b) of co-pending application Ser. No. 14/341,101 filed
Jul. 25, 2014, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser.
No. 13/713,728 filed Dec. 13, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,016,107
issued Jul. 10, 2018, which claims priority to U.S. Application
Ser. No. 61/570,573 filed Dec. 14, 2011, all of which are
incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD
[0002] This application relates to a surface cleaning apparatus,
such as a vacuum cleaner with a handle or upright section that is
pivotal sideways as well as rearwardly. In some embodiments, the
upright section is moveable sideways about a pivot axis wherein the
pivot axis is angled forwardly and downwardly. In other
embodiments, a surface cleaning head is provided which is moveable
sideways and is biased to the centered position. In other
embodiments, a surface cleaning head is moveable sideways and is
provided with a detent mechanism to inhibit sideways movement when
in the storage position. In other embodiments, a surface cleaning
apparatus is also provided which alternately uses a cleaning head
adapted to receive a cloth or a traditional surface cleaning
head.
INTRODUCTION
[0003] Upright vacuum cleaners are known. An upright vacuum cleaner
has a surface cleaning head and an upright section moveably mounted
thereto. The upright section is moveable between an upright or
storage position and a rearward or in use position.
[0004] In order to assist steering the cleaning head, it is known
to permit the upright section to rotate about the longitudinal axis
of the upright section.
SUMMARY
[0005] In accordance with a first aspect of this disclosure, there
is provided a surface cleaning apparatus, which may be an upright
vacuum cleaner or extractor, wherein the upright section is
moveable laterally or sideways and the upright section is angled
downwardly (e.g., the upright section may be pivotally mounted
about a pivot axis that extends in the direction of travel and is
angled downwardly). An advantage of this design is that the handle
of the upright section may be useable to steer the surface cleaning
head even when the upright section is reclined to a generally
horizontal position.
[0006] In accordance with this aspect, there is provided a surface
cleaning apparatus comprising: [0007] (a) a main cleaning head
having a front, a rear, two opposed sides extending between the
front and the rear, a bottom and a dirty air inlet; [0008] (b) an
airflow path extending from the dirty air inlet to a clean air
outlet; [0009] (c) a suction motor and an air treatment member
positioned in the airflow path; [0010] (d) an upright section
moveably mounted with respect to the cleaning head between a
storage position and a rearward in-use position, and, [0011] (e)
the upright section is also pivotally mounted for movement sideways
with respect to the cleaning head between a centered position and a
sideways position about a pivot axis wherein the pivot axis extends
in a forward direction of motion of the cleaning head and is angled
downwardly towards the front of the cleaning head.
[0012] In some embodiments, the pivot axis may be angled downwardly
from a horizontal plane by about 10.degree. to about 35.degree. and
preferably from by about 15.degree. to about 25.degree..
[0013] In some embodiments, the upright section may be moveably
mounted with respect to the cleaning head about a first axis of
rotation, and the pivot axis is above the first axis of
rotation.
[0014] In some embodiments, the first axis of rotation may be
generally parallel to the front and is generally horizontally
disposed when the cleaning head is positioned on a floor.
[0015] In some embodiments, the first axis of rotation may comprise
a second pivot axis.
[0016] In some embodiments, the apparatus may further comprise a
flexible hose defining at least a portion of the airflow path that
conveys dirty air past the second axis of rotation.
[0017] In some embodiments, the apparatus may further comprise a
biasing member biasing the upright section towards the centered
position.
[0018] In some embodiments, the biasing member may comprise at
least one spring. The at least one spring may comprise a torsion
spring and/or a compression spring. The at least one spring may be
a single spring, two springs or more than two springs.
[0019] In some embodiments, the apparatus may further comprise a
pivot limiter delimiting the sideways pivoting of the upright
section to a maximum sideways pivot angle from the centered
position.
[0020] In some embodiments, the apparatus may further comprise a
flexible hose usable in an above floor cleaning mode and an
alternate surface cleaning head comprising a base member having a
lower surface, a dirty air inlet, and at least one attachment
member that removably receives a cleaning sheet, wherein the
alternate surface cleaning head is a selectively connectable in air
flow communication with the flexible hose.
[0021] In some embodiments, the upright section may be removably
mounted to the main cleaning head and is connectable to the
alternate surface cleaning head when removed from the main cleaning
head.
[0022] In some embodiments, the base member may comprise a front
portion having the dirty air inlet and a rear portion having the at
least one attachment members.
[0023] In some embodiments, the front portion may have a forward
facing end and a rearward facing end, the rear portion may have a
forward facing end and a rearward facing end, and the front and
rear portions may be connected by a housing having an air flow
conduit comprising part of the air flow passage whereby parts of
the rearward facing end of the front portion are spaced from the
forward facing end of the rear portion.
[0024] In accordance with a second aspect of this disclosure, there
is provided a surface cleaning apparatus, which may be an upright
vacuum cleaner or extractor, wherein the upright section is
moveable, e.g., pivotally moveable, in a sideways or lateral
direction and the upright section may be urged or biased to a
centered or neutral position. An advantage of this design is that a
handle attached to the upright section may be used to steer the
surface cleaning head by pivoting the upright section to the left
or the right. The biasing member may move, or assist in moving, the
upright section to a centered position when a user removes a force
urging the upright section sideways.
[0025] In accordance with this aspect, there is provided a surface
cleaning head for a vacuum cleaner comprising: [0026] (a) a base
member having a lower surface, a dirty air inlet and at least one
attachment member that removably receives a cleaning sheet; [0027]
(b) a support member comprising an upper support member and a lower
support member, the lower support member is pivotally mounted to
the base member between an upright storage position and an inclined
floor cleaning position, the support member having a dirty air
outlet, the upper support member is pivotally mounted for movement
sideways with respect to the lower support member between a
centered position and a sideways position; [0028] (c) an air flow
passage extending from the dirty air inlet to the dirty air outlet;
and, [0029] (d) a biasing member biasing the support member to the
centered position.
[0030] In some embodiments, the base member may comprise a front
portion having the dirty air inlet and a rear portion having the at
least one attachment members.
[0031] In some embodiments, the front portion may have a forward
facing end and a rearward facing end, the rear portion may have a
forward facing end and a rearward facing end, and the front and
rear portions may be connected by a housing having an air flow
conduit comprising part of the air flow passage whereby parts of
the rearward facing end of the front portion are spaced from the
forward facing end of the rear portion.
[0032] In some embodiments, the base member may be provided with a
first detent member and the support member is provided with a
second detent member and, when the support member is in the upright
storage position, the first and second detent members engage and
inhibit sideways movement of the support member.
[0033] In some embodiments, the first detent member may comprise a
recess and the second detent member may comprise a flange removably
receivable in the recess.
[0034] In some embodiments, the biasing member may comprise at
least one spring. The at least one spring may comprise a torsion
spring and/or a compression spring. The at least one spring may be
a single spring, two springs or more than two springs.
[0035] In some embodiments, the lower support member may have a
first engagement member and the upper support member may have a
second engagement member, the torsion spring may have first and
second arms and the first and second engagement members may be
positioned between the first and second arms, the second support
member may be positioned to drive one of the arms in a sideways
direction when the upper support member is pivoted with respect to
the lower support member and the first support member may be
positioned to inhibit movement of the other one of the arms in the
sideways direction when the upper support member is pivoted with
respect to the lower support member.
[0036] In accordance with a third aspect of this disclosure, there
is provided a surface cleaning apparatus, which may be an upright
vacuum cleaner or extractor, wherein 15 the upright section is
moveable, e.g., pivotally moveable, in a sideways or lateral
direction and the a limiter is provided to inhibit or prevent
sideways movement of the upright section past a particular
position. An advantage of this design is that the limiter may
prevent excessive lateral movement of the surface cleaning head
which may cause some or all of the dirty inlet to lift of the floor
and thereby reduce the cleaning efficiency of the surface cleaning
apparatus.
[0037] In accordance with this aspect, there is provided a surface
cleaning head for a vacuum cleaner comprising: [0038] (a) a base
member having a lower surface, a dirty air inlet, at least one
attachment member that removably receives a cleaning sheet and a
first detent member; [0039] (b) a support member pivotally mounted
to the base member between an upright storage position and an
inclined floor cleaning position, the support member having a dirty
air outlet and a second detent member, the support member is
pivotally mounted for movement sideways with respect to the
cleaning head between a centered position and a sideways position
wherein, when the support member is in the upright storage
position, the first and second detent members engage and inhibit
sideways movement of the support member; and, [0040] (c) an air
flow passage extending from the dirty air inlet to the the dirty
air outlet.
[0041] In some embodiments, the first detent member may comprise a
recess and the second detent member comprises a flange removably
receivable in the recess.
[0042] In some embodiments, the base member may comprise a front
portion having the dirty air inlet and a rear portion having the at
least one attachment members.
[0043] In some embodiments, the front portion may have a forward
facing end and a rearward facing end, the rear portion may have a
forward facing end and a rearward facing end, and the front and
rear portions may be connected by a housing having an air flow
conduit comprising part of the air flow passage whereby parts of
the rearward facing end of the front portion are spaced from the
forward facing end of the rear portion.
[0044] In accordance with a fourth aspect of this disclosure, there
is provided a surface cleaning apparatus, which may be an upright
vacuum cleaner or extractor, wherein alternate cleaning heads are
provided. The surface cleaning apparatus may removably receive a
main cleaning head, which may be suitable for cleaning carpet
and/or a bare floor. The main cleaning head may be removed and
replaced by an alternate cleaning head which removably receives a
cleaning sheet. Accordingly, instead of providing a single cleaning
head suitable for all uses, alternate cleaning heads may be
provided which are designed for specific uses.
[0045] In accordance with this aspect, there is provided a surface
cleaning apparatus comprising: In accordance with this aspect,
there is provided a surface cleaning apparatus [0046] (a) a main
cleaning head having a dirty air inlet; [0047] (b) an alternate
surface cleaning head comprising a base member having a lower
surface, a dirty air inlet, and at least one attachment member that
removably receives a cleaning sheet; [0048] (c) an upright section
moveably selectively connectable to each of the main cleaning head
and the alternate surface cleaning head, the upright section being
moveable between a storage position and a rearward in-use position,
when mounted to each of the main cleaning head and the alternate
surface cleaning head; [0049] (d) a flexible hose usable in an
above floor cleaning mode and the alternate surface cleaning head
is a selectively connectable in air flow communication with the
flexible hose; and, [0050] (e) a suction motor and an air treatment
member positioned in an airflow path extending through the surface
cleaning apparatus.
[0051] In some embodiments, the base member may comprise a front
portion having the dirty air inlet and a rear portion having the at
least one attachment members.
[0052] In some embodiments, the front portion may have a forward
facing end and a rearward facing end, the rear portion may have a
forward facing end and a rearward facing end, and the front and
rear portions may be connected by a housing having an air flow
conduit comprising part of the air flow passage whereby parts of
the rearward facing end of the front portion are spaced from the
forward facing end of the rear portion.
[0053] In accordance with a fifth aspect of this disclosure, there
is provided a surface cleaning head for a surface cleaning
apparatus, which may be an upright vacuum cleaner or extractor,
wherein the cleaning head is moveable or pivotal sideways and uses
a torsion spring to provide a force urging or driving the upright
section to a centered position. An advantage of this design is that
the hand weight felt by a user moving the upright section to the
centered position may be reduced or eliminated thereby improving
the steerablility of the surface cleaning head.
[0054] In accordance with this aspect, there is provided a surface
cleaning head for a vacuum cleaner comprising: [0055] (a) a base
member having a lower surface, a dirty air inlet and at least one
attachment member that removably receives a cleaning sheet; [0056]
(b) a support member comprising an upper support member and a lower
support member, the lower support member is pivotally mounted to
the base member between an upright storage position and an inclined
floor cleaning position, the support member having a dirty air
outlet, the upper support member is pivotally mounted for movement
sideways with respect to the lower support member between a
centered position and a sideways position; [0057] (c) an air flow
passage extending from the dirty air inlet to the dirty air outlet;
and, [0058] (d) a torsion spring biasing the support member to the
centered position, wherein the lower support member comprises a
first engagement member and the upper support member has a second
engagement member, the torsion spring has first and second arms and
the first and second engagement members are positioned between the
first and second arms, the second support member is positioned to
drive one of the arms in a sideways direction when the upper
support member is pivoted with respect to the lower support member
and the first support member is positioned to inhibit movement of
the other one of the arms in the sideways direction when the upper
support member is pivoted with respect to the lower support
member.
[0059] It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that a
surface cleaning apparatus may embody any one or more of the
aspects or features contained herein and that the features may be
used in any particular combination or sub-combination.
DRAWINGS
[0060] The drawings included herewith are for illustrating various
examples of articles, methods, and apparatuses of the teaching of
the present specification and are not intended to limit the scope
of what is taught in any way.
[0061] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner in a
storage position;
[0062] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1
in a centered position and a rearward in use position;
[0063] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1
in a sideways pivoted position and a rearward in use position;
[0064] FIG. 4 is a cross section along line 4-4 in FIG. 1 of the
vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1 in a centered position wherein the biasing
member is a compression spring;
[0065] FIG. 4a is a schematic drawing of an alternate embodiment of
FIG. 4 in a centered position wherein the biasing member is a
torsion spring;
[0066] FIG. 5 is a cross section along line 4-4 in FIG. 1 of the
vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1 in a sideways pivoted position;
[0067] FIG. 5a is a schematic drawing of an alternate embodiment of
FIG. 4a in a sideways pivoted position;
[0068] FIG. 6 is a cross section along line 4-4 in FIG. 1 of the
vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1 in a centered position showing the
flexible hose;
[0069] FIG. 7 is a partially exploded view of area A of FIG. 1;
[0070] FIGS. 8A-8D are each a cross section along line 4-4 in FIG.
1 of the vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1 in a centered position and the
selector in a different position;
[0071] FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of an alternate embodiment
of a vacuum cleaner in a storage position;
[0072] FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of the alternate embodiment
of a vacuum cleaner in an in use position wherein the upright
section extends horizontally;
[0073] FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of an alternate floor
cleaning tool which includes a suction inlet and a hard floor
cleaning cloth;
[0074] FIG. 12 is a bottom plan view of the alternate floor
cleaning tool of FIG. 11;
[0075] FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of the alternate floor
cleaning tool of FIG. 11 with the hard floor cleaning cloth
removed;
[0076] FIG. 14 is a bottom perspective view of the alternate floor
cleaning tool of FIG. 11 with the hard floor cleaning cloth
removed;
[0077] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the cleaning surface of the
hard floor cleaning cloth
[0078] FIG. 16 is a front perspective view of an alternate floor
cleaning tool of FIG. 11 with the support member pivoted
sideways;
[0079] FIG. 17 is a rear perspective view of an alternate floor
cleaning tool of FIG. 11 with the support member pivoted
sideways;
[0080] FIG. 18 is a front perspective view of the top of a further
alternate surface cleaning head having a sideways movement
inhibiting detent mechanism wherein the alternate surface cleaning
head is in the upright storage position and the detent mechanism is
engaged; and,
[0081] FIG. 19 is a front perspective view of the alternate surface
cleaning head of FIG. 18 is an in use position and the detent
mechanism is disengaged.
DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS
[0082] Numerous embodiments are described in this application, and
are presented for illustrative purposes only. The described
embodiments are not intended to be limiting in any sense. No
embodiment described below limits any claimed apparatus or method
and any claimed apparatus or method may cover methods or
apparatuses that differ from those described herein. Those skilled
in the art will recognize that any of the embodiments may be
practiced with modification and alteration without departing from
the teachings disclosed herein. Although particular features of the
present invention may be described with reference to one or more
particular embodiments or figures, it should be understood that
such features are not limited to usage in the one or more
particular embodiments or figures with reference to which they are
described. Any embodiment described below that is not claimed in
this document may be the subject matter of another protective
instrument, for example, a continuing patent application, and the
applicants, inventors or owners do not intend to abandon, disclaim
or dedicate to the public any such invention by its disclosure in
this document
[0083] The terms "an embodiment," "embodiment," "embodiments," "the
embodiment," "the embodiments," "one or more embodiments," "some
embodiments," and "one embodiment" mean "one or more (but not all)
embodiments of the present invention(s)," unless expressly
specified otherwise.
[0084] The terms "including," "comprising" and variations thereof
mean "including but not limited to," unless expressly specified
otherwise. A listing of items does not imply that any or all of the
items are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise.
The terms "a," "an" and "the" mean "one or more," unless expressly
specified otherwise.
[0085] FIGS. 1-3 exemplify an upright surface cleaning apparatus.
In the present example the upright surface cleaning apparatus is an
upright vacuum cleaner 100 comprising an upright section 110
movably moveably mounted with respect to the main cleaning head 120
between a storage position and a rearward in-use position.
[0086] Upright section 110 may be connected to cleaning head 120
via a coupling portion 130. In alternate embodiments the upright
surface cleaning apparatus may be a shampooing carpet cleaner,
steam cleaner or other apparatus generally comprising an upright
section movably connected to a cleaning head via a coupling
portion.
[0087] The term coupling portion is used to generally describe
elements of the vacuum cleaner 100 that are associated with a
region where the upright section 110 is joined to the cleaning head
120 and is not limited to any particular embodiment or assembly of
parts. The coupling portion 130 may include multiple structural
components or portions of one or both of the upright section 110
and the cleaning head 120 as well as additional elements described
in more detail below.
[0088] As exemplified, the main cleaning head 120 comprises a dirty
air inlet 140 for sucking in air with entrained dirt from the
surface being cleaned. The cleaning head 120 has a front 160, a
rear 170, two opposed sides 180, 190 extending between front 16 and
rear 170 and a bottom 195. In the example shown, the cleaning head
120 has a generally cuboid shape with parallel opposed sides 180,
190 and parallel opposed front and rear ends 160, 170. It will be
appreciated that the cleaning head may take any suitable regular or
irregular form such as a wedge shape or the shape of an extruded
triangle which may permit the cleaning head 120 to clean in hard to
reach places. Dirty air inlet 140 may be provided in bottom 195
proximate front 160.
[0089] In the example shown, the vacuum cleaner 100 includes a pair
of rear wheels 150, for rollably engaging the surface being cleaned
(e.g., floor 102). In some examples, the vacuum cleaner 100 may
include additional support wheels (e.g., a pair of front wheels).
In other examples, the vacuum cleaner 100 may include sliding pads
instead of or in addition to wheels. In some embodiments, the
wheels may be removably attachable which may permit entangled
fibers and hair to be cleared from their axles.
[0090] An airflow path extends from the dirty air inlet 140 to the
clean air outlet 145. The clean air outlet may be located in the
upright section 110, in the cleaning head 120 or elsewhere on the
vacuum cleaner 100 as is known in the art. Preferably, the clean
air outlet is provided in upright section 110.
[0091] FIGS. 11-15 exemplify an alternate surface cleaning head
1600 and a cleaning cloth that may be removably attached to
alternate surface cleaning head 1600.This alternate cleaning head
may be useable to clean a hard or bare floor (i.e., a floor or
surface which is not covered with carpet or a rug). Alternate
surface cleaning head 1600 may be useable in place of main cleaning
head 120. For example, upright section 1209 may be removably
mounted to main cleaning head 120. Accordingly, upright section 119
may be removed from main cleaning head 120 and connected to
alternate cleaning head 1600. As such, upright section 110 is
selective connectable to main cleaning head 120 and alternate
cleaning head 1600. Alternately, or in addition, the vacuum cleaner
100 may have an above floor cleaning mode (e.g., it may be provided
with a flexible hose 112 and a wand 114 as exemplified in FIG. 9).
Wand 114 may have a lower or inlet end that is secured, e.g., to
the support member and removable therefrom. When removed, the inlet
end may have a cleaning tool provided thereon. Accordingly,
alternate cleaning head 1600 may be selectively connected to the
wand and/or hose for use in the above floor cleaning mode (e.g.,
the inlet end of wand 114).
[0092] In the example shown, surface cleaning head 1600 comprises a
base member 1602 and a support member 1606 pivotally mounted to
base member 1602. Base member 1062 has a lower surface 1604 and a
dirty air inlet 116 in air flow communication with an up flow
conduit 1608. As shown, base member 1062 may include a front
portion 1608 and a rear portion 1612. Front portion 1608 may be
provided with dirty air inlet 116. A cleaning member, that may be a
discrete cleaning sheet 1614 may be mounted, and preferably
removably mounted, preferably rearward of dirty air inlet 116, such
as on rear 20 portion 1612. Support member 1606 may be any support
member known in the art, such as lower support member 270.
[0093] As exemplified in FIG. 13, front portion 1604 may have a
forward facing end 1604a and a rearward facing end 1604b.
Similarly, rear portion 1612 may have a forward facing end 1612a
and a rearward facing end 1612b. Front and rear portions 1604, 1612
are connected by a housing 1610 having an air flow conduit
comprising part of the air flow passage from the dirty air inlet of
alternate cleaning head 1600 to the dirty air outlet 1626 of the
alternate cleaning head 1600. Accordingly parts of the rearward
facing end of the front portion are spaced from the forward facing
end of the rear portion.
[0094] Cleaning sheet 1614 may be any cleaning sheet known in the
art, such as an electrostatic cleaning sheet, and may be disposable
or reusable (e.g., washable). Cleaning sheet may be useable by
itself or with a liquid applied to the floor.
[0095] Cleaning sheet 1614 may be securable to cleaning head 1600
by any means known in the art, such as mechanical engagement
members (e.g., hook and loop fasteners) an adhesive and the like.
As exemplified, sheet 1614 and cleaning head 1600 may be provided
with engagement members such as hook and loop fasteners (e.g.,
sheet 1614 may be provided with hook fasteners 1620 and the upper
surface of sheet mounting portion 1624 of cleaning head 1600 may be
provided with loop fasteners 1622 that are engageable with hook
fasteners 1624 Alternately or in addition, sheet 1614 may be
provided with tabs 1616 and 1618, which may be securable to each
other be, e.g., mechanical engagement members (e.g., such as by
hook and loop fasteners). For example, tab 1616 may be provided
with hook fasteners and tabs 1618 may be provided with loop
fasteners engageable with the hook fasteners of tab 1616. Tabs 1616
and 1618 may be wrapped around sheet mounting portion 1624 and
secured together so as to secure, or assist in securing cleaning
sheet 1614 to cleaning 1600.
[0096] The vacuum cleaner 100 of FIGS. 1-3 includes a suction motor
(not shown) and an air treatment member (not shown) which are
positioned in the airflow path between the dirty air inlet 140 and
the clean air outlet 145. The suction motor and the air treatment
member may be located in one or both of the upright section 110,
the cleaning head 120 or elsewhere on the vacuum cleaner 100. For
example, the suction motor may be located in the cleaning head 120
which may reduce the weight of the upright section 110 or it may be
located in the upright section 110 which may reduce the bulk of the
cleaning head 120
[0097] In alternate embodiments, the vacuum cleaner 100 may use an
external source of suction. In this alternative, the vacuum cleaner
100 may not include one or more of a suction motor and an air
treatment member. This may beneficially reduce the weight and bulk
of the vacuum cleaner 100. For example, the vacuum cleaner 100 may
be configured to connect to a central vacuum system which provides
a source of suction and air treatment. In this example, the upright
section 110 may generally comprises a handle198 and a shaft 199
connected to the cleaning head 120 via the coupling portion
130.
[0098] The air treatment member may be any suitable air treatment
member. For example, the air treatment member may be a HEPA filter,
a carbon filter, one or more cyclonic separator stages, each of
which may comprise one or more cyclone separators, a foam filter, a
bag filter or a combination thereof. The air treatment member may
comprise a single unit at one position along the airflow path or it
may comprise disparate components at different positions along the
airflow path. For example, the air treatment member may include a
cyclonic separator in the upright section 110 and a filter at clean
air outlet 145.
[0099] Upright section 110 may be of any design known in the art
and preferably houses both the air treatment member or members and
the suction motor. As exemplified, upright section extends linearly
and has a longitudinal axis 155 (See FIG. 2).
[0100] The upright section 110 is movably connected to the cleaning
head 120 such that the upright section 110 can be moved between an
upright, storage position (as exemplified in FIG. 1) and a rearward
in-use or declined or floor cleaning position (as exemplified in
FIG. 2). The upright section 110 may be rotatably mounted to
cleaning head 120 by any means known in the art about a first axis
of rotation 200. Preferably, the upright section 110 is pivotally
mounted to the cleaning head 120 in which case the first axis of
rotation 200 is a pivot axis defined by, e.g. one or more pivot
axles.
[0101] In some embodiments, the vacuum cleaner 100 may include a
lock which inhibits rearward tilting of the upright section 110
when the upright section 110 is in the storage position. In the
example shown, the cleaning head 120 includes a lock release
control 204 which may be pressed to disengage the lock and permit
the upright section 110 to tilt rearwardly into the in-use
position. Alternatively, or in addition, the lock may disengage
automatically when the upright section 110 is pulled towards the
in-use position with a sufficient amount of force. For example, the
coupling portion 130 may include a detent plate which a support
member engages when moved to the storage position. A threshold
amount of force may be required to disengage the detent plate to
obtain free the rearward tilting of the upright section 110.
[0102] The upright section 110 is also pivotally mounted for
movement sideways with respect to the cleaning head 120 between a
centered position (as exemplified in FIGS. 1 and 2) and a sideways
position (as exemplified in FIG. 3). Preferably, the upright
section 110 pivots sideways with respect to the cleaning head 120
about a second axis of rotation 210, which may also be referred to
as a pivot axis. Preferably, the second axis of rotation 210 is
generally perpendicular to the first axis of rotation 200. In some
embodiments as exemplified in FIG. 9, pivot axis 210 extends in a
forward direction of motion (see arrow A in FIG. 9) of the cleaning
head and is angled downwardly towards the front of the cleaning
head. Pivot axis 210 may be angled downwardly from a horizontal
plane by an angle 212 of from about 10.degree. to about 35.degree.,
preferably from about 15.degree. to about 25.degree., more
preferably from about 18.degree. to about 22.degree. and most
preferably about 20.degree.. An advantage of this design is that
when upright section 110 is in an in use position, such as inclined
to extend about horizontally behind cleaning head 120 (see for
example FIG. 10), a user may still pivot the upright section
sideways about pivot axis 210 so as to steer cleaning head 120. As
exemplified, pivot axis 210 is located above the first axis of
rotation 200.
[0103] As exemplified, the centered position is one in which the
upright section 110 extends linearly upwardly from the cleaning
head 120. For example, if the upright section 110 is mounted to the
cleaning head along a center line of the cleaning head 120 (i.e. a
line extending between the front 160 and rear 170 midway between
sides 180, 190), then the upright section 110 preferably extends
upwardly such that the upright section 110 is centered above that
line. For example axis 155 of upright section 110 preferably is in
a plane defined by the horizontal and vertical axis in a sideways
position, the upright section is moved laterally such that axis 155
is no longer in a plane defined by the horizontal and vertical
axis, e.g., it is at an angle other than 90 degrees to axis
210.
[0104] In the example shown, the first axis of rotation 200 is
spaced apart from the second axis of rotation 210. Preferably, the
second axis of rotation 210 is above the first axis of rotation
200. In alternate embodiments, the first axis of rotation 200 may
substantially intersect the second axis of rotation 210. For
example, the coupling portion 130 may comprise a universal joint or
ball joint configured to permit the upright section 110 to pivot
only in the two axes about a central point. In another alternate
embodiment, the first axis of rotation 200 may be above the second
axis of rotation 210.
[0105] Preferably, the upright section 110 can tilt rearwardly and
pivot sideways independently. As exemplified in FIGS. 2 and 3, the
upright section 110 can pivot sideways without changing the
rearward inclination angle 220, without twisting the upright
section 110 and without turning or otherwise moving the cleaning
head 120.
[0106] Alternately, the rearward tilt and sideways pivot of the
upright section 110 may be interrelated. For example, the sideways
pivoting of the upright section 110 may be inhibited when the
upright section 110 is in the storage position (as exemplified in
FIG. 1) and uninhibited when the upright section 110 is in the
in-use position. In the example shown, the lock release control 204
may be configured to both unlock the rearward tilting and the
sideways pivoting of the upright section 110. Alternatively or in
addition, the rearward tilt of the upright section 110 may be
inhibited when the upright section 110 is in a sideways position
and uninhibited when the upright section 110 is in the centered
position.
[0107] The axis of rotation 200 may be movable with respect to the
cleaning head 120. In the example shown, the first axis of rotation
200 is fixed with respect to the cleaning head 120 and is
preferably generally parallel to the front 160. In contrast, the
exemplary second axis of rotation 210 moves rearwardly with respect
to the cleaning head 120 as the upright section 110 is reclined and
the rearward inclination angle 220 (which is the angle between the
horizontal plane and axis 155) changes.
[0108] The axis of rotation 210 may be movable with respect to the
cleaning head120. For example, in FIG. 1 the vacuum cleaner 100 is
in the storage position and the second axis of rotation 210 is
generally horizontal or parallel to a forward direction 230 of
movement. In contrast, in FIG. 3 the vacuum cleaner 100 is in the
in-use position and the second axis of rotation 210 is tilted
upwardly.
[0109] FIGS. 4 and 5 show an example of a coupling portion 130. In
the example shown, the coupling portion 130 includes a first pivot
240, a second pivot 250, an upper support member 260 and a lower
support member 270. Portions of the coupling portion 13025 may form
part of the upright section 110, the cleaning head 120 or neither.
For example, the lower support member 270 may form part of the
cleaning head 120 and the upper support member 260 may form part of
the upright section 110. Preferably, the upper support member 260
is at least connected to the upright member 110 for movement
therewith and the lower support member 270 is at least connected to
the cleaning head 120 for movement therewith.
[0110] In the example shown, the first pivot 240 of the coupling
portion 130 permits the upright section 110 to rotate about the
second axis of rotation 210 (for sideways pivoting of the upright
section 110) and the second pivot 250 permits the upright section
110 to rotate about the first axis of rotation 200 (for rearward
tilting of the upright section 110).
[0111] The lower support member 270 may be pivotally connected with
the cleaning head 120 by any suitable means. In the example shown,
the lower support member 270 includes the second pivot 250 which
includes recesses 280 (e.g. with circular cross sections) that are
configured to receive mating protrusions (not shown) from the
cleaning head 120. In an alternative example, the lower support
member 270 may instead include protrusions which mate with recesses
in the cleaning head 120. In some embodiments, the second pivot 250
may comprise an axle (not shown) which extends through both
recesses 280 and the rear wheels 150. The axle may facilitate both
the rotation of the upright section 110 and the wheels 150.
[0112] In the example shown, the upper support member 260 is
pivotally connected to the lower support member 270 at the first
pivot 240. It will be appreciated that the first pivot 240 may be
configured in any suitable way. For example, the first pivot 240
may comprise one or more protrusions from the upper support member
260 which mate with corresponding recesses in the lower support
member 270. Alternatively, the first pivot 24020 may comprise
protrusions from the lower support member 270 which mate with
corresponding recesses in the upper support member 260 or a rod
connecting the support members 260, 270 together.
[0113] The vacuum cleaner 100 may include a biasing member for
biasing the sideways tilting of the upright section 110 towards the
centered position. As exemplified in FIGS. 4 and 5, the upright
section 110 of the coupling portion 130 includes a sleeve 290 with
a compression spring 300. When upright section 110 is pivoted
sideways in one direction, sleeve 290 rotates about upper end 310
of support 270. This rotation drives sleeve 290 into support 260
thereby compressing spring 300. The compression spring 300
generates an axial force urging the sleeve 290 against the upper
edge 310 of support 270.This urges upright section towards the
centered position. It will be appreciated that by adjusting the
strength of spring 300 more or less axial force may be created.
This axial force and also offset some or all of the hand weight
that is resolved in the sideways direction.
[0114] Alternatively or in addition, the biasing member may
comprise a torsion spring 5 at the first pivot 240. The torsion
spring would provide a torsional counterforce which resists the
sideways pivoting of the upper support member 260 (along with the
upright section 110). Effectively, the torsion spring would bias
the upright section 110 to the centered position where the torque
produced by the torsion spring is null.
[0115] For example, as schematically illustrated in FIGS. 4a and 5a
a torsion spring 300a is provided. Torsion spring is provided with
a pair of arms 302, 304. Upper support 260 is provided with one or
more members that engage and are positioned between arms 302, 304,
such as one or more ribs 306. Similarly, lower support 270 is
provided with one or more members that engage and are positioned
between arms 302, 304, such as one or more ribs 308. Ribs 306 and
308 may be positioned one above the other in an aligned manner as
exemplified in FIG. 4a. Further, torsion spring may be designed to
exert an inward force on each of arms 302, 304 when they extend
generally upwardly as exemplified in FIG. 4a. In such an
embodiment, arms 302, 304 may be urged against ribs 306, 308 when
the upright section 110 is in the centered position so as to
maintain upright section 110 in the centered position when no
external force is applied to upright section 110. It will be
appreciated that if arms 302, 304 are slightly spaced from ribs
306, 308 when upright section 110 is in the centered position, they
may still provide a force to drive or urge upright section 110 to
the centered position. Accordingly, in some embodiments, arms 302,
304 need not engage ribs 306, 308 when upright section 110 is in
the centered position.
[0116] When upright section 110 is pivoted or moved sideways as
exemplified in FIG. 5a, rib 304 on upper section 260 engages arm
302 and drives arm downwardly. At the same time, rib 308 on lower
section 270 remains in position. Therefore, rib 308 inhibits arm
304 from moving with arm 302. Accordingly, the torsional force in
spring 300a increases as upright section 110 pivots sideways. When
the sideways force is withdrawn, the torsional force in spring 300a
may be sufficient to move upright section 110 to the centered
position exemplified in FIG. 4a. It will be appreciated that the
torsional force in spring 300a may not be sufficient to move
upright section 110 to the centered position. In such a case, the
torsional force in spring 300a will assist a user in moving the
upright section to the centered position.
[0117] It will be appreciated that the biasing member, such as
compression spring 300 or torsion spring 300a, may be a single
spring, two springs or any number of springs.
[0118] If the air treatment member is in upright section 110, then
the dirty air must be conveyed upwardly thereto. The airflow path
may be internal or external to the coupling portion 130. For
example, a conduit, such as a flexible hose, may extend from
cleaning 10 head 120 to the treatment member external to the
supports 260, 270. Alternately, the air flow path may extend
through one or both of supports 260, 270. In one embodiment,
supports 260, 270 may define a portion of the air flow path.
Accordingly, pivot 240 should provide an airtight seal. In another
embodiment, a separate member may extend though supports 260, 270
and define a portion of the airflow path. For example, as
exemplified in 15 FIG. 6, a flexible hose 320 defines at least a
portion of the airflow path which conveys dirty air from the dirty
air inlet past the second axis of rotation 210 towards the air
treatment member.
[0119] Accordingly, one or both of the upper and lower support
members 260, 270 may be substantially hollow. Support members may
be of any hollow design provided that they have sufficient load
strength to support upright section 110. Preferably, they comprise
a tubular conduit through which the flexible hose 320 may pass. In
the example shown, both of the upper and lower support members 260
and 270 are hollow and the flexible hose 320 passes by the second
axis of rotation 210 through the interior of both support members
260, 270.
[0120] In alternative embodiments, the flexible hose 320 may extend
around the exterior of one or more of the upper and lower support
members 260, 270. In another alternative, the upper and lower
support members 260, 270 may be hollow but only partially enclosed.
That is at least a portion of the interior of the support member
may be exposed to the outside by an opening in a sidewall of the
support member. In this alternative, the flexible hose 320 can pass
through the interior of the support members 260, 270 with a portion
of the flexible hose 320 being exposed to the exterior.
[0121] Alternatively, the portion of the airflow path which extends
past the second axis of rotation 210 may not include a flexible
hose. For example, the upper and lower support members 260, 270 may
themselves form a substantially air tight conduit for conveying
dirty air from the dirty air inlet towards the air treatment
member.
[0122] In a further alternative, the portion of the airflow path
from the dirty air inlet towards the air treatment member may not
pass by the second axis of rotation 210. For example, where the
vacuum cleaner 100 is connected to a central vacuum system, a hose
10 may extend from the cleaning head 120 along the floor towards a
connection to the central vacuum system.
[0123] The vacuum cleaner 100 may include a pivot limiter 330
delimiting the sideways pivoting of the upright section to a
maximum sideways pivot angle from the centered position.
Accordingly, when the vacuum cleaner 100 is in use, the user may
pivot the upright section 110 sideways. However, the angle to which
the upright section may be moved is preferably limited. Optionally,
the pivot limiter may be configured to provide a plurality of
different maximum sideways pivot angles.
[0124] It will be appreciated that the pivot limiter 330 may take
any suitable form. In general, any portion which is configured to
be abutted at the maximum pivot angle, preventing further sideways
pivoting, can operate as a pivot limiter. For example, as
exemplified by FIG. 5, when the upright section 110 is pivoted
sideways, the side wall 350 of the upper support member 260
approaches the sidewall 360 of the lower support member 270 (the
pivot limiter in this example) until they abut at the maximum pivot
angle 340 inhibiting further sideways pivoting in that direction.
Accordingly, any tow interacting members may be utilized.
[0125] In some embodiments, the pivot limiter 330 may be adjustable
and comprise a selector 370 for setting the maximum pivot angle.
For example, the pivot limiter 330 may comprise a plurality of
first interacting members and one of the support members 260, 270
may comprise a second interacting member, and one of the first
interacting members and the second interacting member abut when the
upright section 110 is positioned at a set variable maximum
sideways pivot angle. A selector 370 that is adjustable to select
one of the plurality of maximum sideways pivot angles may be
provided in such an embodiment. The selector 370 may be part of the
pivot limiter. For example, the pivot limiter may itself be
moveable, e.g., rotatable so as enable a user to selectively align
different first interacting members with the second interacting
member. Alternately, the selector may comprise the second
interacting member and the selector is moveable to selectively
align the second interacting member with different first
interacting members.
[0126] FIG. 7 and FIGS. SA to 80 show a partially exploded and cut
away view of part of an exemplary coupling portion 130 including a
selector 370 for selecting the 10 maximum pivot angle 340 and a
pivot limiter 330. Pivot limiter 330 comprises a plurality of
different recesses, slots or first interacting members 390.
Selector 370 includes a stop, inward protrusion or second
interacting member 380.
[0127] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 6, when the upright section 110 is
in the centered position, sliding sleeve 290 rests on the top of
support 270 and stop 380 is spaced from an aligned recess 390. When
the upright section 110 is pivoted sideways, the sleeve 290 rises
inside of the upper support member 260 as sleeve 290 cams over the
top of support 270 to the position shown in FIG. 5 in which it
abuts the stop 380 at the maximum pivot angle 340, thereby
inhibiting further sideways pivoting in that direction.
[0128] In this configuration, when the upright section 110 is
pivoted sideways, the sliding sleeve 290 is free to slide upwardly
until the interacting member 380 abuts the interacting member 390
with which it is aligned. It will be appreciated that when stop 380
engages a recess 390, the sideways movement of upright section 110
will be terminated thereby defining a maximum sideways pivot
angle
[0129] One or both of the selector 370 and pivot limiter 330, and
preferably the selector, is movable to selectively align the
interacting member 380 with one of the plurality of interacting
members 390. It will be appreciated that one of the selector 370
and pivot limiter 330 may be provided on one of supports 260 and
270 and the other of the selector 370 and pivot limiter 330 may be
provided on the other support 260, 270. As exemplified, preferably,
the selector 370 is rotatably mounted to the upper support member
260 and pivot limiter is provided on lower support 270.
[0130] It will be appreciated that the selector 370 and the
interacting members 3S0, 390 may be provided at any suitable
location in the vacuum cleaner 100. In the example shown, the
interacting members 390 are provided in the sliding sleeve 290
below the selector 370. In alternate examples, however, the
selector 370 may be integrated with the sliding sleeve 290 and the
upper support member 260, above the sliding sleeve 290, may instead
comprise the interacting members 390.
[0131] In any case, a portion of the selector 370 should preferably
be directly or indirectly accessible from the outside of the vacuum
cleaner 100 such that a user may move it to select a maximum pivot
angle 340.
[0132] FIGS. 8A to 8D exemplify the use of selector 330 to set
different maximum sideways pivot angles. In FIG. 8A, the greatest
of the selectable maximum pivot angles 340 is selected. That is,
interacting member 380 is aligned with the interacting member 390
that is the furthest away such that the sliding sleeve 290 has the
greatest range of motion before the interacting member 380 abuts
with an interacting member 390.
[0133] FIG. 8D shows the selector 370 configured as a pivot lock.
The selector 370 is positioned such that the interacting member 380
abuts an interacting member 390 when the upright section 110 is in
the centered position. Accordingly, the upright section 110 is
inhibited from pivoting sideways because any sideways pivoting
would require the sliding sleeve 290 to rise and the sliding sleeve
290 is blocked from moving by the abutment of the interacting
members 380, 390.
[0134] It will be appreciated that the pivot limiter 330 and
selector 370 may take any suitable form. For example, the selector
370 may be configured with a plurality of recesses which may be
moved to align with a singular protrusion positioned on the sliding
sleeve 290. Alternatively, the selector 370 may be configured with
a plurality of protrusions which 25 may be moved to align with a
single recess in the sliding sleeve 290. In another alternative,
the selector 370 may be configured with a plurality of protrusions
which may be moved to align with a protrusion on the sliding sleeve
290. In still another alternative, the selector 370 may be
configured with a single protrusion configured to align above a
wide continuously sloped recess (instead of the stepped
configuration of interacting members 390 as shown) which may
provide for a virtually unlimited selection of maximum pivot angles
340 within a range.
[0135] It will be appreciated that, as exemplified in FIGS. 16 and
17, alternate cleaning head 1600 may also be pivoted sideways.
Alternate cleaning head may utilize any of the features described
with respect to main cleaning head 120. Alternately, or in
addition, alternate cleaning head 1600 may be provided with first
and second detent members that engage and inhibit sideways movement
of the support member. It will be appreciated that this feature may
be used with main cleaning head 120.
[0136] As exemplified in FIGS. 18 and 19, base member 1602 has a
support member 1606 moveably mounted thereto (such as by a pivot
240). Support member 1606 may be any support member known in the
art, such as lower support member 270. Support member 1606 is
provided with a first detent member 1630 and base member 1602 is
provided with a second detent member 1632. Detent members 1630,
1632 may be of any shape that will abut or engage when upright
section 110 is in the upright storage position and a sideways force
is applied thereto. This abutment or engagement will inhibit and,
preferably, prevent sideways movement of upright section 110 with
respect to base 1602.
[0137] When upright section 110 is in the storage position as
exemplified in FIG. 18, first and second detent members 1630, 1632
engage and inhibit sideways movement of the support member. For
example, first detent member 1630 may be a flange, protrusion or
the like having first and second laterally spaced apart sides 1634,
1636. Second detent member 1632 may be a recess having first and
second laterally spaced apart sides 1638, 1640. When side 1636
engages side 1640, sideways movement of the upright section is
inhibited. Similarly, when side 1634 engages side 1638, sideways
movement of the upright section in the opposite lateral direction
is also inhibited.
[0138] When upright section 110 is moved rearwardly, first detent
member 1630 disengages from second detent member 1632 (see FIG.
19). Once this occurs, upright section may be moved sideways and
used to steer the surface cleaning head.
[0139] It will be appreciated that upright section may be
configured to steer surface cleaning head 1600 other than by
pivoting. For example, it may be rotationally mounted about an axis
extending along the length of the upright section or by any other
means known in the art. In any such embodiment, the detent
mechanism disclosed herein may be used.
[0140] While the above description provides examples of the
embodiments, it will be appreciated that some features and/or
functions of the described embodiments are 5 susceptible to
modification without departing from the spirit and principles of
operation of the described embodiments. Accordingly, what has been
described above has been intended to be illustrative of the
invention and non-limiting and it will be understood by persons
skilled in the art that other variants and modifications may be
made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined
in the claims appended hereto. The scope of the claims should not
be limited by the preferred embodiments and examples, but should be
given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description
as a whole.
* * * * *