AU2021204750A1

AU2021204750A1 - Cleaner holder

Info

Publication number: AU2021204750A1
Application number: AU2021204750A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Sehwan Bae; Jungbae Hwang; Jinju Kim; Namhee Kim; Bohyun Nam
Original assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Current assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Priority date: 2016-05-09
Filing date: 2021-07-07
Publication date: 2021-08-05
Anticipated expiration: 2037-04-25
Also published as: WO2017196004A1; EP3456234A1; EP3456234B1; JP2020108820A; JP6880276B2; EP4101360A1; CN207768302U; AU2020201842A1; AU2021204750B2; TWI725176B; AU2017262306B2; AU2017262306A1; JP2019514592A; AU2020201842B2; EP3456234A4; JP6686177B2; TW201739408A

Abstract

Described is a cleaner holder that comprises a first body configured to support a cleaner in a vertical orientation, a second body that protrudes from a front surface of the first body, and that includes a cleaner guide configured to support at least a portion of the cleaner in the vertical orientation, a battery accommodating space that is defined in the second body, the battery accommodating space being recessed downward from an upper surface of the second body and configured to receive a cleaner battery that has been detached from the cleaner, a base configured to rest on ground, and a support that extends from the first body to the base, wherein the cleaner comprises a dust container configured to receive dust suctioned from an outside of the cleaner, and an extension tube communicated with the dust container; and wherein the cleaner guide is positioned between the first body and the extension tube, based on the second body supporting at least the portion of the cleaner. 93150355.1

Description

CLEANER HOLDER TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a cleaner holder.

BACKGROUND

[0002] A cleaner is a device that performs cleaning by sucking and wiping dust or foreign substances on a surface to be cleaned.

[0003] Such a cleaner may be classified into a manual cleaner that performs cleaning while a user directly moves the cleaner and an automatic cleaner that performs cleaning while the cleaner is driven by itself. The manual cleaner may be classified into a canister cleaner, an upright cleaner, a handheld cleaner, a stick cleaner and the like depending on types of the cleaner.

[0004] The above-described cleaner may have a rechargeable battery embedded therein, and the rechargeable battery may supply electric power for operating the cleaner only when being frequently charged. Thus, the cleaner requires a holder that may simultaneously charge the rechargeable battery and hold the cleaner.

[0005] The vacuum cleaner holder according to the prior art includes a pedestal for holding a head of a vacuum cleaner to simultaneously charge and hold the vacuum cleaner and a support having charging pins for charging the vacuum cleaner.

[0006] Meanwhile, the vacuum cleaner holder according to the prior art, which holds a vacuum cleaner having a center on a lower side thereof, is inserted into support pieces on a lower side of the vacuum cleaner to support the vacuum cleaner. However, in case of a cleaner having a center on an upper side thereof, because a charging terminal should be provided on an upper side, the cleaner holder according to the prior art may not hold the cleaner.

[0007] The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or

93150355.1 information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

[0008] It is desired to address or ameliorate one or more disadvantages or limitations associated with the prior art, provide a cleaner holder, or to at least provide the public with a useful alternative.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Described is a cleaner holder which may simultaneously charge a cleaner and a battery, and which be used in a stand type or a wall-mounted type, as needed.

[0010] Described is a cleaner holder which may be used while being supported by a floor.

[0011] According to a first embodiment the present disclosure may provide a cleaner holder comprising: a first body configured to support a cleaner in a vertical orientation, a second body that protrudes from a front surface of the first body, and that includes a cleaner guide configured to support at least a portion of the cleaner in the vertical orientation, a battery accommodating space that is defined in the second body, the battery accommodating space being recessed downward from an upper surface of the second body and configured to receive a cleaner battery that has been detached from the cleaner, a base configured to rest on ground, and a support that extends from the first body to the base, wherein the cleaner comprises a dust container configured to receive dust suctioned from an outside of the cleaner, and an extension tube communicated with the dust container; and

93150355.1 wherein the cleaner guide is positioned between the first body and the extension tube, based on the second body supporting at least the portion of the cleaner.

[0012] In one embodiment the first body may include a coupling part located at a lower portion of the first body and configured to couple to an upper portion of the support.

[0013] In one embodiment the coupling part may be recessed from a bottom surface of the first body and configured to receive the upper portion of the support.

[0014]

[0015] In one embodiment the cleaner may comprise a battery housing configured to receive the cleaner battery, wherein the dust container that is located vertically below the battery housing based on the second body supporting at least the portion of the cleaner in the vertical orientation.

[0016] In one embodiment the cleaner may further comprise: a suction motor that is located forward of the dust container vertically below the battery housing based on the second body supporting at least the portion of the cleaner in the vertical orientation; and a suction nozzle connected to the extension tube and configured to rest on the base.

[0017] In one embodiment the extension tube may extend from an interface between the suction motor and the dust container.

[0018] In one embodiment the interface between the suction motor and the dust container may be located forward of a front end of the second body, and wherein the extension tube is spaced apart from the front end of the second body.

[0019] In one embodiment the detached cleaner battery may be received in the battery accommodating space, the cleaner guide may be located vertically above an upper end of the detached cleaner battery received in the battery accommodating space.

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[0020] In one embodiment the cleaner guide may be located at an upper end of the second body.

[0021] In one embodiment the first body may include a first charging port configured to charge a cleaner battery in the cleaner.

[0022] In one embodiment the second body may include a second charging port located within the battery accommodating space and configured to charge the cleaner battery that has been detached from the cleaner.

[0023] In one embodiment the first body may include a first charging port configured to charge a cleaner battery in the cleaner, and wherein the second body includes a second charging port located within the battery accommodating space and configured to charge the cleaner battery that has been detached from the cleaner.

[0024] In one embodiment the first charging port may be located vertically above the second charging port.

[0025] In one embodiment the cleaner guide may be located between the first charging port and the second charging port.

[0026] In one embodiment the detached cleaner battery may be received in the battery accommodating space, and an upper end of the detached cleaner battery may be received in the battery accommodating space located between the first charging port and the second charging port.

[0027] The term "comprising" as used in the specification and claims means "consisting at least in part of." When interpreting each statement in this specification that includes the term "comprising," features other than that or those prefaced by the term may also be present. Related terms "comprise" and "comprises" are to be interpreted in the same manner.

[0028] The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification

93150355.1 relates.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a cleaner holder according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0030] FIG. 2 is a front view of the cleaner holder of FIG. 1;

[0031] FIG. 3 is a rear view of the cleaner holder of FIG. 1;

[0032] FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a state in which a cleaner is held on the cleaner holder;

[0033] FIG. 5A is a view illustrating a state in which the cleaner is coupled to a support part;

[0034] FIG. 5B is a view illustrating a state in which a locking part is coupled to the cleaner;

[0035] FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a state in which an extra battery is separated from the cleaner holder;

[0036] FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a state in which a nozzle is separated from a charging stand;

[0037] FIG. 8 is a view illustrating a state in which the charging stand is separated from the support;

[0038] FIG. 9 is a view illustrating a state in which the charging stand on which the cleaner is held is mounted on a wall surface;

[0039] FIG. 10 is a view illustrating a state in which a charging stand is supported by a floor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that when components in the drawings are designated by reference numerals, the same components have the same reference numerals as far as possible even though the components are illustrated in different drawings. Further,

93150355.1 in description of embodiments of the present disclosure, when it is determined that detailed descriptions of well-known configurations or functions disturb understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the detailed descriptions will be omitted.

[0041] Also, in the description of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the terms such as first, second, A, B, (a) and (b) may be used. Each of the terms is merely used to distinguish the corresponding component from other components, and does not delimit an essence, an order or a sequence of the corresponding component. It should be understood that when one component is "connected", "coupled" or "joined" to another component, the former may be directly connected or jointed to the latter or may be "connected", coupled" or "joined" to the latter with a third component interposed therebetween.

[0042] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a cleaner holder according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 2 is a front view of the cleaner holder of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a rear view of the cleaner holder of FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a state in which a cleaner is held on the cleaner holder.

[0043] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, a cleaner holder 10 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure includes a charging stand 100 for charging a battery of the cleaner 300. The charging stand 100 may simultaneously support the cleaner 300 and charge the battery provided in the cleaner 300.

[0044] The cleaner 300 may include a cleaner body 310 having a suction motor, a battery housing 320 in which the battery is accommodated, an extension tube 330 and a suction nozzle 340. The cleaner body 310 may include a dust separator 312 for separating dust and a dust container 314 in which the dust separated by the dust separator 312 are stored. External air may be introduced by suction force generated in the cleaner body 310 through the suction nozzle 340 and the extension tube 330 and may be moved to the dust container 314 provided in the cleaner body 310. Hereinafter, detailed descriptions of the cleaner 300 will be omitted.

[0045] The charging stand 100 includes a first body 110 and a second body

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110a.

[0046] The first body 110 includes a charging port 113 (or a first charging port). The charging port 113 may be in contact with terminals of the cleaner 300 to charge the battery provided in the cleaner 300.

[0047] An extra battery 302 may be accommodated in the second body 110a. The second body 110a may additionally include a charging port (117d) (see Fig. 6) (or a second charging port) for charging the extra battery 302.

[0048] Extra nozzles 303 and 304 may be coupled to the charging stand 100. The nozzles 303 and 304 may be attached/detached to/from the cleaner 300 or the like. In general, a cleaner may include a plurality of replaceable suction nozzles according to usage. Thus, it is inconvenient to store the suction nozzle that is not used. However, in this way, when the suction nozzles 303 and 304 are stored while being coupled to the charging stand 100, the risk of loss is reduced, and a user may easily use the same. The extra nozzles 303 and 304 may be named accessories.

[0049] Fixing parts 115a and 115b for fixing the charging stand 100 to a wall surface may be provided on a rear surface 111 of the first body 110. Accordingly, the charging stand 100 may be fixed to the wall surface. For example, the fixing parts 115a and 115b may have a hole or groove shape. Accordingly, nails or the like, which are installed on the wall surface, are inserted into the fixing parts 115a and 115b, so that the first body 110 may be fixed to the wall surface.

[0050] A support part 112 for supporting the cleaner body 310 may be provided in the second body 11Oa. The support part 112 may support the cleaner body 310 from below.

[0051] The charging stand 100 may further include a locking part 120 provided in the first body 110. The locking part 120 may be coupled to the cleaner 300 to stably fix the cleaner 300.

[0052] In detail, the locking part 120 may be coupled to the battery housing 320 to support the cleaner 300. An inner peripheral surface of the locking part 120 may have a shape corresponding to an outer peripheral surface of the battery

93150355.1 housing 320 to surround the outer peripheral surface of the battery housing 320.

[0053] The user may selectively rotate the locking part 120 forward/rearward such that the locking part 120 may be coupled to the battery housing 320. The locking part 120 may include an anti-slide part 122 for providing friction force such that the user may easily grip the locking part 120. The anti-slide part 122 may include a plurality of bosses on an outer peripheral surface of the locking part 120.

[0054] The cleaner holder 10 may further include a stand 200 for supporting the charging stand 100.

[0055] The stand 200 may include a base 210 supported on a floor and a support 220 provided in the base 210. The support 220 may be detachably coupled to the charging stand 100.

[0056] The support 220 may extend from the base 210 in a vertical direction. The support 220 may be coupled to an electric wire 114 provided in the charging stand 100. The electric wire 114 may extend from the rear surface 111 of the first body 110 to be connected to an external power source.

[0057] The base 210 may include an inclined surface 213 on which the suction nozzle 340 of the cleaner 300 is held and a stopper 215 for preventing the suction nozzle 340 of the cleaner 300 from being separated therefrom.

[0058] The stopper 215 may protrude from an end of the inclined surface 213. The stopper 215 serves to support the suction nozzle 340 such that a state in which the suction nozzle 340 is stably seated on the base 210 may be maintained.

[0059] Hereinafter, a method for coupling the cleaner 300 to the holder 10 will be described.

[0060] FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a state in which a cleaner is held on the cleaner holder. In detail, FIG. 5A illustrates a state in which the cleaner is coupled to a support part, and FIG. 5B illustrates a state in which the locking part is coupled to the cleaner.

[0061] Referring to FIG. 5, a cleaner guide 116 for guiding movement of the cleaner body 310 may be provided in the second body 110a.

[0062] The cleaner guide 116 may be provided inside the support part 112.

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Accordingly, the cleaner body 310 may be moved forward/rearward along the cleaner guide 116 while being supported by the support part 112. As illustrated, the cleaner body 310 is moved along the cleaner guide 116 to come into contact with the charging port 113.

[0063] The locking part 120 may be rotatably connected to the first body 110 within a predetermined angle. FIG. 5A illustrates a state in which the locking part 120 is maximally rotated rearward (in a clockwise direction in FIG. 5A).

[0064] The first body 110 may include an elastic member (not illustrated) for applying elastic force to the locking part 120. In a state in which the locking part 120 is rotated rearward, the elastic member (not illustrated) may apply elastic force to a rear side thereof such that a state in which the locking part 120 is rotated rearward is maintained.

[0065] The locking part 120 may include a push part 123. The push part 123 may be provided inside the locking part 120. The push part 123 may be pressed by the battery housing 320 while the cleaner body 310 is moved along the cleaner guide 116.

[0066] When the push part 123 is pressed by the battery housing 320, the locking part 120 may be operated.

[0067] In detail, when the locking part 120 is operated, the locking part 120 may be rotated forward (in a counterclockwise direction in FIG. 5B) to be coupled to the outer peripheral surface of the battery housing 320. Accordingly, the locking part 120 may cover at least a portion of the battery housing 320.

[0068] When the locking part 120 is rotated forward, the elastic member (not illustrated) may apply elastic force such that a state in which the locking part 120 is rotated forward is maintained. Accordingly, the locking part 120 may serve to fix the battery housing 320 to the first body 110.

[0069] FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a state in which an extra battery is separated from the cleaner holder.

[0070] Referring to FIG. 6, the charging stand 100 includes the second body for accommodating the extra battery 302.

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[0071] The second body 11Oa may protrude from the first body 110. A battery accommodating space 117a in which an extra battery 302 is to be accommodated may be formed in the second body 110a. The battery accommodating space 117a may be recessed rearward from one surface of the second body 110a. Further, the battery accommodating space 117a may be provided inside the support part 112 and the cleaner guide 116.

[0072] A charging port 117d for charging the extra battery 302 is provided inside the battery accommodating space 117a.

[0073] The first and second bodies 110 and 110a may include grooves 117b and 117c for allowing the extra battery 302 accommodated in the battery accommodating space 117a to be easily gripped.

[0074] The grooves 117b and 117c may include a first groove 117b provided in front of the battery accommodating space 117a and a second groove 117c provided on a rear side of the battery accommodating space 117a.

[0075] FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a state in which a nozzle is separated from a charging stand.

[0076] Referring to FIG. 7, the charging stand 100 may include connectors 118a and 118b to which the extra nozzles 303 and 304 are selectively coupled. The connectors 118a and 118b may extend from one side of the charging stand 100. The connectors 118a and 118b may be provided in, for example, the first body 110 or the second body 110a.

[0077] The user may attach/detach the nozzles 303 and 304 to the connectors 118a and 118b as needed. Accordingly, because the extra nozzles 303 and 304 are easily stored and used, user convenience may be improved.

[0078] Here, in a state in which the stand 200 is coupled to a stand coupling part 119 of the charging stand 100, the connectors 118a and 118b may be located in front of the stand 200.

[0079] FIG. 8 is a view illustrating a state in which the charging stand is separated from the support, and FIG. 9 is a view illustrating a state in which the charging stand on which the cleaner is held is mounted on a wall surface.

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[0080] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the first body 110 may include a coupling part 119 to which the support 220 is coupled. The support 220 may be detachably coupled to the coupling part 119. Accordingly, the user may easily separate the charging stand 100 and the support 220 from each other.

[0081] As needed, the user may fix the charging stand 100 from which the support 220 is separated to a wall surface 2 using the fixing parts 115a and 115b.

[0082] When the cleaner holder according to the present disclosure is a wall mounted type, the charging stand may be fixed to a wall surface in close contact with the wall surface in a state in which the stand is separated from the charging stand, so that space utilization is excellent.

[0083] FIG. 10 is a view illustrating a state in which the charging stand is supported by the floor.

[0084] Referring to FIG. 10, the rear surface 111 of the first body 110 may be supported by the floor. To achieve this, the rear surface 111 of the first body 110 may have a planar shape. In this way, because the charging stand 100 may be held in various schemes according to a usage situation, user convenience may be improved.

[0085] When the cleaner holder according to the present disclosure is a floor mounted type, unlike a stand type or a wall-mounted type, a separate member for installation of the charging stand is not required, so that a danger of overturning is minimized as the center of gravity is located on a lower side.

[0086] Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Therefore, the preferred embodiments should be considered in a descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, and also the technical scope of the invention is not limited to the embodiments. Furthermore, the present invention is defined not by the detailed description of the invention but by the appended claims, and all differences within the scope will be construed as being

93150355.1 comprised in the present disclosure.

[0087] Many modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

93150355.1

Claims

WE CLAIM:

1. A cleaner holder comprising: a first body configured to support a cleaner in a vertical orientation, a second body that protrudes from a front surface of the first body, and that includes a cleaner guide configured to support at least a portion of the cleaner in the vertical orientation, a battery accommodating space that is defined in the second body, the battery accommodating space being recessed downward from an upper surface of the second body and configured to receive a cleaner battery that has been detached from the cleaner, a base configured to rest on ground, and a support that extends from the first body to the base, wherein the cleaner comprises a dust container configured to receive dust suctioned from an outside of the cleaner, and an extension tube communicated with the dust container; and wherein the cleaner guide is positioned between the first body and the extension tube, based on the second body supporting at least the portion of the cleaner.

2. The cleaner holder of claim 1, wherein the first body includes a coupling part located at a lower portion of the first body and configured to couple to an upper portion of the support.

3. The cleaner holder of claim 2, wherein the coupling part is recessed from a bottom surface of the first body and configured to receive the upper portion of the support.

4. The cleaner holder of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cleaner further comprises a battery housing configured to receive the cleaner battery, wherein the dust container that is located vertically below the battery

93150355.1 housing based on the second body supporting at least the portion of the cleaner in the vertical orientation.

5. The cleaner holder of claim 4, wherein the cleaner further comprises: a suction motor that is located forward of the dust container vertically below the battery housing based on the second body supporting at least the portion of the cleaner in the vertical orientation; and a suction nozzle connected to the extension tube and configured to rest on the base.

6. The cleaner holder of claim 5, wherein the extension tube extends from an interface between the suction motor and the dust container.

7. The cleaner holder of claim 6, wherein the interface between the suction motor and the dust container is located forward of a front end of the second body, and wherein the extension tube is spaced apart from the front end of the second body.

8. The cleaner holder of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the cleaner battery is received in the battery accommodating space and the cleaner guide is located vertically above an upper end of the cleaner battery.

9. The cleaner holder any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the cleaner guide is located at an upper end of the second body.

10. The cleaner holder any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first body includes a first charging port configured to charge a cleaner battery in the cleaner.

11. The cleaner holder any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the second body includes a second charging port located within the battery accommodating space and configured to charge the cleaner battery that has been detached from the cleaner.

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12. The cleaner holder of claim 11 wherein the first charging port is located vertically above the second charging port.

13. The cleaner holder of claim 11 or 12, wherein the cleaner guide is located between the first charging port and the second charging port.

14. The cleaner holder of any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the cleaner battery is received in the battery accommodating space and an upper end of the cleaner battery is located between the first charging port and the second charging port.

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