GB2533145A

GB2533145A - Surface cleaning apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2533145A
Application number: GB1422073.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Harries Thomas; William Carter Daniel; David Holmes Darren; McGovern Francis; Matthew Pougher Simon; Wilson May
Original assignee: Techtronic Industries Co Ltd
Current assignee: Techtronic Industries Co Ltd
Priority date: 2014-12-11
Filing date: 2014-12-11
Publication date: 2016-06-15
Also published as: WO2016092256A1

Abstract

A surface cleaning apparatus such as a vacuum cleaner comprises a main body 12, a first wheel 14, a second wheel 16 and a primary air inlet 18. The apparatus includes a rotatable or rolling member 20a, 20b, such as a wheel, caster or barrel-shaped member positioned adjacent or near the primary air inlet 18. Preferably the first wheel 14 is positioned at or near a first end of the main body 12, the second wheel 16 being positioned at or near a second end of the main body 12 and the air inlet 15 is positioned substantially midway between the first 14 and second 16 wheels. Preferably a pair of rotatable members 20a, 20b are provided, with the first rotatable member 20a limiting rotation of the main body 12 about its axis A in a first rotational direction and the second rotatable member 20b limiting the amount of rotation of the main body 12 about its axis A in a second rotational direction.

Description

Title: Surface Cleaning Apparatus

Description of Invention

This invention relates to a surface cleaning apparatus. In particular, this invention relates to a surface cleaning apparatus which utilises a source of suction to draw dirt etc. from a surface being cleaned and to store said dirt in a chamber which can be emptied by a user. Such surface cleaning apparatus are often referred to a "vacuum cleaners".

According to a first aspect of the invention we provide a surface cleaning apparatus having: a main body; a first wheel, preferably the first wheel being positioned at or near a first end of the main body; a second wheel, preferably the second wheel being positioned at or near a second end of the main body; and a primary air inlet, preferably wherein said air inlet is positioned substantially midway between the first and second wheels, wherein the apparatus includes a rotatable member positioned adjacent or near the primary air inlet.

Further features of the invention are set out in the claims appended hereto.

Embodiments of the various aspects of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of the apparatus of figure 1; Figure 3 is a side view of the apparatus of figure 1; Figure 4 is an end view of the apparatus of figure 1; Figure 5 is a further plan view of the apparatus of figure 1; and Figure 6 is a yet further plan view of the apparatus of figure 1.

Referring to figure 1 this shows a surface cleaning apparatus 10 in accordance with the present invention. The apparatus includes a main body 12 which in this particular example (as can be seen from the figures), is generally cylindrical. The apparatus 10 has a pair of wheels 14, 16. The first wheel 14 is positioned at or near the first end of the main body 12, whilst the second wheel 16 is positioned at or near the second, opposite, end of the main body 12. In this example the first and second wheels 14, 16 each include an annular member which is supported for rotation by an exterior surface of a part of the main body. It can also be seen from the figures that the main body is generally symmetrical, about a plane which extends midway between the first and second wheels 14, 16, perpendicular to their common rotational axis A. The apparatus 10 includes a primary air inlet 18 which in this example is positioned substantially midway between the first and second wheels 14, 16.

The primary air inlet 18 is positioned such that it extends generally upwardly away from a floor surface F supporting the wheels 14, 16. The primary air inlet 18 is connectable to a hose/wand (50) or the like for drawing dirt off of a floor surface. The primary air inlet 18 communicates with a separation device positioned within the main body 12. In this particular embodiment the apparatus includes a cyclonic separation device. Embodiments are envisaged where first and second cyclonic separator devices are used which are provided in series in fluid communication with each other. The apparatus 10 includes a suction motor positioned within the main body 12 which draws dirt entraining air through the primary air inlet and into the separation device. As an alternative to a cyclonic separator, a filter bag or the like could be used to collect dirt separated from the air flow. However, where a cyclonic separation device is used the apparatus includes a dirt collection chamber for collecting separated dirt, which can be emptied as desired.

As mentioned above, the main body 12 is generally elongate and has an elongate axis which is coaxial with the rotational axis A of the wheels 14, 16.

Thus, the axis A of the main body extends lengthwise of the apparatus between the wheels 14, 16. Advantageously, the apparatus 10 in accordance with the present invention includes a pair of rotatable members 20a, 20b which are positioned adjacent / near the primary air inlet 18. In the present example two rotatable members are provided. It should be appreciated, however, that embodiments are envisaged where only one (or more than two) of the rotatable members 20a, 20b is provided.

The rotatable members 20a, 20b are positioned adjacent/near either side of the primary air inlet 18 and are connected to an upwardly facing exterior surface of the main body 18. The rotatable member 20a, 20b are positioned transversely either side of the inlet 18 relative to the axis A. The rotatable members 20a, 20b are rotatable about axes B which are substantially parallel with each other. The axes B are also substantially parallel with the rotational axis A of the first and second wheels 14, 16. Thus, the rotational axes B of the rotatable members 20a, 20b are substantially parallel with the elongate axis of the apparatus and the elongate axis of the main body 12.

Each rotatable member 20a, 20b is supported by a support frame 23 which includes a pair of radially extending (relative to axis A) support member 21a, 22a which are substantially triangular in side view (see figure 4). The support members 21a, 22a each include an aperture 24 through which an axle (not shown) is passed to support rotation of the rotatable member 20a, 20b.

Advantageously the first rotatable member 20a limits the amount of rotation of the main body 12 about the axis A and in first rotational direction R1. This is shown in figure 5. In addition, the second rotatable member 20b limits the amount of rotation of the main body 12 about the axis A in a second, opposite, rotational direction R2 (see figure 6). Thus, the first and second rotatable members 20a, 20b prevent the primary air inlet 18 from touching the ground surface F when the first and second wheels 14, 16 are both engaged with the ground surface F. This ensures that the primary air inlet 18 and any connecting end of a wand/hose connected thereto, is prevented from being damaged, upon engagement with a ground surface F, during use. This advantage is achieved not only by the positioning of the rotatable members 20a, 20b either side of the primary air inlet 18 (and close thereto), but also by virtue of the fact that the rotatable members, preferably their axes B of rotation are positioned further from the ground surface F than the rotational axis of the first and second wheels 14, 16, when the primary air inlet 18 is positioned in a neutral condition, pointing substantially upwardly.

Whilst in the present embodiment the first and second rotatable members 20a, 20b are barrel-shaped (see figures 2 and 3), they could be provided as other shapes. For example they could be cylindrical, part-cylindrical or spherical. Indeed, embodiments are envisaged where two or more rotatable members are provided at each side of the primary air inlet.

Whilst in the above described embodiment the apparatus includes first and second wheels, it should be appreciated that embodiments are envisaged having three or more wheels which are positioned for rotation about respective axes (which could be a common axis). Furthermore, whilst in the present embodiment the first and second wheels 14, 16 have annular members which are rotatable about respective exterior surfaces of the main body 12, this need not be the case. For example, the first and second wheels 14, 16 could take the form of separate wheel members which are connectable by way of suitable axles to the main body 12.

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.

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.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A surface cleaning apparatus having: a main body; a first wheel, preferably the first wheel being positioned at or near a first end of the main body; a second wheel, preferably the second wheel being positioned at or near a second end of the main body; and a primary air inlet, preferably wherein said air inlet is positioned substantially midway between the first and second wheels, wherein the apparatus includes a rotatable member positioned adjacent or near the primary air inlet.
2. A surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 1 including two (first and second) rotatable members, one positioned adjacent or near either side of the primary air inlet.
3. A surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the first and/or second rotatable members are positioned on or connected to an upwardly facing exterior surface of the main body.
4. A surface cleaning apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the first and/or second rotatable members are rotatable about axes which are substantially parallel with each other.
5. A surface cleaning apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the first and/or second rotatable members are rotatable about axes which are substantially parallel with the rotational axes of the first and second wheels.
6. A surface cleaning apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the first and/or second rotatable members are rotatable about axes which are substantially parallel with an elongate axis of the apparatus and/or an elongate axis of the main body.
7. A surface cleaning apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the first rotatable member limits the amount of rotation of the main body about its axis in a first rotational direction.
8. A surface cleaning apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the second rotatable member limits the amount of rotation of the main body about its axis in a second rotational direction.
9. A surface cleaning apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the first and/or second rotatable members are positioned substantially midway between the first and second wheels.
10. A surface cleaning apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the first rotatable member prevents the primary air inlet from touching a ground surface when the first and second wheels are both engaged with said ground surface.
11. A surface cleaning apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the second rotatable member prevents the primary air inlet from touching a ground surface when the first and second wheels are both engaged with said ground surface.
12. A surface cleaning apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the first rotatable member, preferably at least its axis of rotation, is positioned further from a ground surface than the rotational axes of the first and second wheels.
13. A surface cleaning apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the second rotatable member, preferably at least its axis of rotation, is positioned further from a ground surface than the rotational axes of the first and second wheels.
14. A surface cleaning apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the first and/or second rotatable members are positioned close to the primary air inlet.
15. A surface cleaning apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the main body is generally cylindrical.
16. A surface cleaning apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the first and/or second rotatable members are spaced from the primary inlet circumferentially about an axis of the main body.
17 A surface cleaning apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the main body houses a chamber for receiving dirt.
18. A surface cleaning apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the chamber for receiving dirt is removably connected to the main body.
19. A surface cleaning apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein each wheel includes an annular member which is supported for rotation by an exterior surface of a part of the main body.
20. A surface cleaning apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the main body is generally symmetrical.
21. A surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 21 wherein the main body is generally symmetrical about a plane which extends midway between the first and second wheels perpendicularly to their rotational axis.
22. A surface cleaning apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the first and/or second rotatable members are positioned in/across said plane.
23. A surface cleaning apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the main body houses a suction motor.
24. A surface cleaning apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the main body houses a first cyclonic separator device.
25. A surface cleaning apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein 15 the main body houses a second cyclonic separator device which is in fluid communication with the first cyclonic separator device.
26. A surface cleaning apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the first and/or second rotatable members is/are biased away from the main 20 body.
27. A surface cleaning apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the rotational axes of the first and second wheels are coaxial with each other.
28. A surface cleaning apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the first cyclonic separator device is a throw-off separator.
29. A surface cleaning apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the apparatus includes a suction fan drivable by the suction motor.
30. A surface cleaning apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the axis of the main body is a generally elongate axis thereof.
31. A surface cleaning apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the axis of the main body extends lengthwise of the apparatus.
32. A surface cleaning apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the axis of the main body extends between the first and second wheels.
33. A surface cleaning apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the first and/or second rotatable member is/are barrel-shaped.
34. A surface cleaning apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein an exterior surface of the first and/or second rotatable member is/are 15 concaved.
35. A surface cleaning apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
36. Any novel feature or novel combination of features described herein and/or in the accompanying drawings.