GB2346076A

GB2346076A - Vacuum cleaner where the swivelling connection between the work head and the body portion comprises a detachable conduit

Info

Publication number: GB2346076A
Application number: GB9901909A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christopher Robert Duncan; Michael Edward Gailes
Original assignee: Numatic International Ltd
Current assignee: Numatic International Ltd
Priority date: 1999-01-28
Filing date: 1999-01-28
Publication date: 2000-08-02
Anticipated expiration: 2019-01-28
Also published as: GB9901909D0; GB2346076B

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner work head 10 that swivels relative to a body portion or handle wand wherein the portion of passage corresponding to the swivelling connection comprises a flexible conduit 21 which is releasably attached to the rigid portion of the passage 25 so that the interior of the passage 21 may be accessed for unblocking. The releasable engagement may be provided by a clip 23, 24. The brush roller 15 may be releasably mounted in the work head 10 so that the brush may be removed for unblocking the flexible conduit 21.

Description

Vacuum Cleaner Nozzle The present invention concerns the field of vacuum cleaners and relates particularly to nozzles and wands used to pick up and convey dirt and dust and/or fluid from a floor surface to a collection bin or bag.

Vacuum cleaners typically come in one of two configurations; upright and wand and bin type. In both cases they comprise a work head which is placed on a floor surface, vacuum means for creating a reduction in pressure in the work head and collection means for collecting dirt, dust and/or fluid lifted from the floor surface by the work head. The work head may comprise a brush or other agitation means for lifting matter from the floor surface so that it can be entrained in the air flow drawn into the work head by the reduction in pressure. In other embodiments the work head comprises a simple nozzle, the open end of which is of a size which causes an air flow rate sufficient to entrain dirt without agitation of the floor surface.

It is known to provide a flexible conduit between the nozzle and the collection means. Such flexible conduits permit the nozzle to swivel relative to the wand or body of the vacuum cleaner. The conduit typically turns though a corner in order to convey air and air-entrained matter drawn horizontally through the work head upwardly into the wand or vacuum cleaner body. A common problem with vacuum cleaners is the blockage of the conduit by matter drawn through the corner but which becomes stuck in the corner due to constriction or turbulence at that point. The blockages may be removed by poking a bent wire through to the blockage point in order to dislodge the caught matter, or by disconnection of the conduit from the work head or wand/body. Needless to say, this is an inconvenient and time-consuming process for the operator of the cleaner.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a vacuum cleaner which is easier to unblock in the event that a blockage occurs in the work head, flexible conduit or wand/cleaner body.

According of the present invention there is provided A vacuum cleaner provided with a work head which swivels relative to a body portion or handle wand, which vacuum cleaner is provided with vacuum means for reducing air pressure in the work head and in a passage from the work head to dirt collection means whereby matter to be cleaned may be lifted from a floor surface into the work head and conveyed to the collection means, wherein a portion of the passage corresponding to the swivelling connection between the work head and body portion or wand comprises a flexible conduit, which flexible conduit releasably engages with a rigid portion of the passage whereby the interior of the flexible conduit may be accessed for unblocking.

In this way the flexible conduit may be accessed and laid flat to facilitate unblocking by the use of the operators fingers or a rod.

The releasable engagement may be provided by a clip, such as for example a spring clip.

Preferably a finger tab is provided for facilitating unclipping of the conduit from the rigid passage portion.

The conduit releasably engage$ a rigid portion formed in the handle wand or body portion of the cleaner. The connection could be between a rigid portion in the work head, but a connection at the junction with the body portion or wand will typically be more accessible. According to another aspect of the invention the work head comprises a roller brush located at an open lead end of the passage and drivable to lift matter from the surface into the lead end, wherein the brush is releasably mounted in the work head so that the brush may be removed thereby permitting access to the lead end for unblocking of the passage including the flexible conduit.

Following is a description by way of example only and with reference to the drawings of one method of putting the present invention into effect.

In the drawings: Figure 1A shows a vacuum cleaner work head and wand embodying the present invention.

Figure 1B shows the same work head blocked.

Figure 1C shows a flexible conduit in the work head in the process of being un-clipped.

Figure 1D shows the work head with the conduit unclipped.

Figure lE shoes the work head with the flexible conduit re-attached.

A vacuum work head 10 is shown in figure 1. The work head comprises a generally rectilinear enclosure having a sloping top wall 11. A underside of the enclosure carries a front and rear rollers 12,13 respectively. A leading edge region of the underside is formed with an elongate slot 14 extending from side to side of the enclosure.

Directly over the slot is rotatably mounted a roller brush member 15. The roller is releasably engaged with side walls of the enclosure, thereby permitting removal of the roller.

Immediately behind the roller is mounted the lead end 20 of a flexible conduit 21. the flexible conduit is formed from concertina tubing which permits bending without loss of the circular cross section. A distal end 22 of the flexible conduit is formed with a collar 23. The collar is provided with a finger tab 24. The collar is resiliently expandable in the radial direction, whereby it may be clipped over an end of rigid tubing 25 forming a handle wand. The handle wand is connected to the rear end 26 of the work head at a swivelling joint (not shown).

In use, when a blockage is discovered as indicated schematically in figure 1B, the flexible conduit may be detached at the collar (figure 1C) and brought down to a horizontal orientation in which the previously bent portion is straightened out (figure 1D). The Blockage may easily be removed by use of a rod 30 as indicated in figure 1D. when the roller brush is removed the blockage material may be pushed forward in the work head an expelled through the front of the conduit. Once the blockage has been cleared the conduit may be reconnected to the wand and vacuuming may recommence, as shown in figure lE.

Claims

Claims 1. A vacuum cleaner provided with a work head which swivels relative to a body portion or handle wand, which vacuum cleaner is provided with vacuum means for reducing air pressure in the work head and in a passage from the work head to dirt collection means whereby matter to be cleaned may be lifted from a floor surface into the work head and conveyed to the collection means, wherein a portion of the passage corresponding to the swivelling connection between the work head and body portion or wand comprises a flexible conduit, which flexible conduit releasably engages with a rigid portion of the passage whereby the interior of the flexible conduit may be accessed for unblocking.
2. A cleaner as claimed in claim 1 wherein the releasable engagement is provided by a clip.
3. A cleaner as claimed in claim 2 wherein a finger tab is provided for facilitating un-clipping of the conduit from the rigid passage portion.
4. A cleaner as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the conduit releasably engages a rigid portion formed in the handle wand or body portion of the cleaner.
5. A cleaner as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the work head comprises a roller brush located at an open lead end of the passage and driven to lift matter from the surface into the lead end, wherein the brush is releasably mounted in the work head so that the brush may be removed thereby permitting access to the lead end for unblocking of the passage including the flexible conduit.