CN112006600A

CN112006600A - Vacuum cleaner nozzle equipped with a locking device for locking at least one brush in a lowered position

Info

Publication number: CN112006600A
Application number: CN202010467492.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 多纳西安·弗罗; 沃兰迪·吉威勒
Original assignee: SEB SA
Current assignee: SEB SA
Priority date: 2019-05-29
Filing date: 2020-05-28
Publication date: 2020-12-01
Anticipated expiration: 2040-05-28
Also published as: EP3744222A1; EP3744222B1; ES2912096T3; CN112006600B; FR3096570B1; FR3096570A1

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner nozzle (2) comprising a base plate, at least one brush (13.1, 13.2, 13.3) and a brush drive mechanism, the brush drive mechanism comprising a handle (15) and being configured, -lowering the at least one brush (13.1, 13.2, 13.3) and placing it in a lowered position when the handle (15) is moved to a first handle position, and is configured to lift and set the at least one brush (13.1, 13.2, 13.3) in a raised position when the handle (15) is moved to a second handle position, the drive mechanism of the brush further comprises a handle indexing system (16) and a locking device (26), the handle indexing system (16) is configured to hold the handle (15) in at least a first handle position and a second handle position, the locking device (26) is configured to lock the at least one brush (13.1, 13.2, 13.3) in the lowered position.

Description

Vacuum cleaner nozzle equipped with a locking device for locking at least one brush in a lowered position

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of suction cleaners equipped with a suction nozzle, also called suction head, which allows to suck dust and small-sized refuse present on a surface.

Background

Vacuum cleaners equipped with a suction nozzle are well known on the market, allowing to clean surfaces by suction in order to clean up dust and small-sized refuse falling on the surface. The surface to be cleaned may be, for example, tile, parquet, laminate, carpet or carpet.

Document FR3062562 describes a vacuum cleaner nozzle comprising a sole plate provided with a lower face and a suction chamber open on the lower face, at least one brush and a connecting sleeve configured to be in fluid communication with said suction chamber, said vacuum cleaner nozzle comprising a drive mechanism for the brush, said drive mechanism for the brush comprising a handle configured to occupy at least a first handle position and a second handle position, said drive mechanism for the brush being configured to, when the handle is moved to the first handle position, lower said at least one brush and position it in a lowered position in which said at least one brush projects from below, said drive mechanism for the brush being further configured to, when said handle is moved to the second handle position, raise said at least one brush and position it in a raised position in which said at least one brush is retracted from said lower face, said drive mechanism for the brush further comprising an indexing system for the handle, the handle indexing system is configured to maintain the handle in at least a first handle position and a second handle position.

Such a cleaner nozzle is configured such that the sole plate occupies a predetermined position when the at least one brush is in the lowered position, the predetermined position being such that the cleaner nozzle has an optimized suction performance for cleaning hard floors.

In order to ensure that a predetermined distance from the floor is maintained when the at least one brush is in the lowered position (also including when the user exerts a greater supporting force on the cleaner nozzle), and in order to ensure optimum suction performance when cleaning hard floors, the handle indexing system is more particularly configured such that the user has to exert a relatively greater force on the handle in order to allow the handle to be moved from the first handle position to the second handle position.

However, the large force required to be applied to the handle to allow it to move between different positions may be uncomfortable for some users and may even make it difficult for some users to use the cleaner nozzle.

Furthermore, such a configuration of the handle indexing system may result in the rupture of certain plastic components that make up the handle indexing system.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention aims to overcome all or part of these drawbacks.

The technical problem underlying the present invention is, inter alia, to provide a suction nozzle for a vacuum cleaner which is structurally reliable and economical while ensuring improved suction performance.

Accordingly, the present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner nozzle, comprising: a base plate equipped with an underside and a suction chamber opening onto the underside, at least one brush, and a connecting sleeve configured to be in fluid communication with the suction chamber, the cleaner nozzle comprising a brush drive mechanism comprising a handle configured to occupy at least a first handle position and a second handle position, the brush drive mechanism being configured to lower the at least one brush and position it in a lowered position when the handle is moved to the first handle position, the at least one brush protruding from the underside in the lowered position, and being configured to raise the at least one brush and position it in a raised position when the handle is moved to the second handle position, the at least one brush being retracted from the underside in the raised position, the brush drive mechanism further comprising a handle indexing system, the handle indexing system is configured to maintain the handle in at least a first handle position and a second handle position, and the drive mechanism of the brush includes a locking device configured to lock the at least one brush in a lowered position in addition to the handle indexing system.

This configuration of the drive mechanism of the brush allows for the indexing of the handle and the locking of the at least one brush in the lowered position to be disengaged. These arrangements make it possible in particular, on the one hand, to ensure that the handle remains in the position selected by the user with less force, thus allowing the user to move the handle, and, on the other hand, to ensure a better locking of the at least one brush in the lowered position.

The vacuum cleaner nozzle according to the invention thus ensures that a predetermined distance from the floor is maintained when the at least one brush is in the lowered position (also when the user exerts a large supporting force on the vacuum cleaner nozzle), and that an optimized suction performance is ensured when vacuuming hard floors.

Furthermore, by separating the indexing of the handle from the locking of the at least one brush in the lowered position, the kinematics of the locking of the at least one brush in the lowered position can be simplified, thus simplifying the cleaner nozzle and improving its reliability.

The vacuum cleaner nozzle may also have one or more of the following features, either alone or in combination.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the handle is pivotably mounted relative to the base plate about a pivot axis.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the pivot axis of the handle extends transversely with respect to the direction of movement of the cleaner nozzle.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the handle is arranged above the floor.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the locking device comprises a locking member arranged perpendicular to the at least one brush and configured to prevent the at least one brush from moving from the lowered position to the raised position. This arrangement of the locking member ensures a better rigidity of the locking device and thus a better retention of the at least one brush in the lowered position.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the locking member is a rocker which is rotationally movable about an axis of rotation between a locking position, in which the rocker prevents the at least one brush from moving from the lowered position to the raised position, and a release position, in which the rocker permits the at least one brush to move from the lowered position to the raised position.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the rocker is oriented substantially vertically when the rocker occupies the locking position and the sole plate lies flat on the surface to be cleaned at the same time, and is oriented substantially horizontally when the rocker occupies the release position and the sole plate lies flat on the surface to be cleaned at the same time.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the axis of rotation of the rocker extends substantially transversely to the pivot axis of the handle.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the rocker is mounted rotatably movably on the base plate.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the drive mechanism of the brush comprises a slider mounted slidably in the direction of movement with respect to the base plate and configured to occupy at least a first slider position in which the at least one brush is in the lowered position and a second slider position in which the at least one brush is in the raised position, the drive mechanism of the brush being configured such that movement of the handle from the first handle position to the second handle position drives movement of the slider from the first slider position to the second slider position and such that movement of the handle from the second handle position to the first handle position drives movement of the slider from the second slider position to the first slider position.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the slider comprises a toothed rack configured to cooperate with a toothed portion moving integrally with the handle. These arrangements ensure a smooth and gradual movement of the handle between its different positions, which ensures a better feel for the user.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the toothed section is provided on the handle.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the rack extends substantially parallel to the direction of movement of the slide.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the toothed portion comprises a toothed angular sector.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the toothed angular sector has a cross-sectional axis (axe de secteur) coaxial with the pivot axis of the handle.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the drive mechanism of the brush is configured such that a movement of the slider from the first slider position to the second slider position drives a movement of the rocker from the locking position to the release position, and such that a movement of the slider from the second slider position to the first slider position drives a movement of the rocker from the release position to the locking position.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the slider comprises a roller configured to cooperate with a rolling surface provided on the rocker.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the direction of movement of the slide is substantially vertical when the sole plate is lying flat on the surface to be cleaned.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the base plate comprises a support for at least one brush, the at least one brush being mounted on the support, the support for the at least one brush being movably mounted, e.g. slidably mounted, with respect to the base plate between a first support position in which the at least one brush is in the lowered position and a second support position in which the at least one brush is in the raised position.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the base plate comprises at least one return member, such as a compression spring, configured to return the support of the at least one brush to the second support position.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the rocker has a cam surface configured to cooperate with the support of the at least one brush.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the vacuum cleaner nozzle comprises a bifurcation arranged between the sole plate and the coupling sleeve, the bifurcation being pivotally mounted relative to the sole plate and the coupling sleeve about a transverse pivot axis.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the drive mechanism of the brush is configured to enable the handle to pivot relative to the base plate when the handle occupies the first and second handle positions.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the handle is configured to occupy a third handle position, and the drive mechanism of the brush is configured to block pivoting of the prong relative to the base plate when the handle is moved to the third handle position.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the drive mechanism of the brush comprises an upper stop member moving integrally with the handle and a lower stop member provided on the base plate, the upper and lower stop members being configured to limit pivoting of the fork with respect to the base plate.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the prong includes an upper bearing surface configured to abut the upper stop member when the prong is pivoted rearward relative to the floor and a lower bearing surface configured to abut the lower stop member when the prong is pivoted forward relative to the floor.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the upper and lower stop members are configured to approach each other when the handle is moved from the first handle position to the third handle position and to conversely move away from each other when the handle is moved from the third handle position to the handle first position.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the upper and lower stop members are configured to prevent pivoting of the prong relative to the floor when the handle is moved to the third handle position.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the locking device comprises a latch movable between a first latching position in which the latch blocks pivoting of the prong relative to the base plate and a second latching position in which the latch permits pivoting of the prong relative to the base plate.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the latch is rotatably movably mounted between a first latching position and a second latching position. Advantageously, the latch is rotatably movably mounted on the base plate.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the axis of rotation of the latch is substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the rocker.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the rotational axis of the latch extends transverse to the pivot axis of the handle.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the locking device comprises a return mechanism configured to return the latch to the first latch position.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the slider is configured to occupy a third slider position and is configured to move the latch from the first latch position to the second latch position when the slider is moved from the third slider position to the second slider position.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the slider is configured to hold the latch in the second latch position when the slider is moved between the first slider position and the second slider position.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the drive mechanism of the brush is configured such that a movement of the handle from the second handle position to the third handle position drives a movement of the slider from the second slider position to the third slider position and such that a movement of the handle from the third handle position to the second handle position drives a movement of the slider from the third slider position to the second slider position.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the drive mechanism of the brushes is configured such that the at least one brush is in the raised position when the slide occupies the third slide position.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the first and third slide positions are two extreme positions of the slide, and the second slide position is a middle position of the slide.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the cleaner nozzle comprises two brushes, which are located on the front and rear side of the sole plate, respectively, and on either side of the suction chamber.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the drive mechanism of the brush comprises two sliders, which are respectively arranged near two sides of the base plate.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the drive mechanism of the brush comprises two toothed portions moving integrally with the handle, each toothed portion being configured to cooperate with the toothed rack of the respective slider.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the drive mechanism of the brush comprises a drive member moving integrally with the handle and comprising one of the toothed portions.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the drive mechanism of the brush comprises a conducting member connecting the drive member to the handle.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the driving mechanism of the brush includes a pair of upper stopper members that move integrally with the handle and are respectively provided near both side surfaces of the bottom plate, and a pair of lower stopper members that are provided on the bottom plate and are respectively provided near both side surfaces of the bottom plate.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the prongs comprise a first branch having a first support finger and a second branch having a second support finger, each of the first and second support fingers having an upper support surface configured to abut a respective upper stop member when the prong is pivoted rearwardly relative to the floor and a lower support surface configured to abut a respective lower stop member when the prong is pivoted forwardly relative to the floor.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the locking device comprises a plurality of locking members, each locking member being arranged perpendicular to the at least one brush and configured to prevent the at least one brush from moving from the lowered position to the raised position.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the locking means comprise one or more locking members arranged perpendicular to the respective brush and one or more further locking members arranged perpendicular to another respective brush.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the handle indexing system comprises an indexing member which is elastically deformable and moves integrally with the handle, the indexing member comprising a protruding pin configured to cooperate with a series of indexing grooves provided on the base plate.

The invention also relates to a vacuum cleaner comprising a vacuum cleaner nozzle according to any of the above-mentioned technical solutions.

Drawings

The invention will be clearly understood by means of the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show, by way of non-limiting example, an embodiment of such a suction cleaner nozzle, in which:

fig. 1 is a top perspective view of a vacuum cleaner nozzle according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the vacuum cleaner nozzle of fig. 1.

Figure 3 is a partial perspective view of the suction cleaner nozzle of figure 1.

Figure 4 is a partially exploded perspective view of the suction cleaner nozzle of figure 1.

Figure 5 is a partial view of the suction cleaner nozzle of figure 1.

Fig. 6 is a partial perspective view of the cleaner nozzle of fig. 1, showing the handle of the cleaner nozzle in a first handle position.

Fig. 7 is a front view of the cleaner nozzle of fig. 1, showing the handle of the cleaner nozzle in a first handle position.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the cleaner nozzle of FIG. 1, showing the handle of the cleaner nozzle in a first handle position.

FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view of the cleaner nozzle of FIG. 1, showing the handle of the cleaner nozzle in a second handle position.

FIG. 10 is a front view of the cleaner nozzle of FIG. 1, showing the handle of the cleaner nozzle in a second handle position.

FIG. 11 is a side view of the vacuum cleaner nozzle of FIG. 1, showing the handle of the vacuum cleaner nozzle in a second handle position.

FIG. 12 is a partial perspective view of the cleaner nozzle of FIG. 1, showing the handle of the cleaner nozzle in a third handle position.

FIG. 13 is a front view of the cleaner nozzle of FIG. 1, showing the handle of the cleaner nozzle in a third handle position.

FIG. 14 is a side view of the cleaner nozzle of FIG. 1, showing the handle of the cleaner nozzle in a third handle position.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 to 14 show a suction cleaner nozzle 2 comprising a coupling sleeve 3, to the end of which a rigid or flexible pipe connection is connected, which is itself connected to the suction system (not shown) of the suction cleaner. There are already various variants of vacuum cleaners on the market, which can be used with the vacuum cleaner nozzle 2 according to the invention; these variants are well known to the person skilled in the art and are therefore not described in detail in the present patent application.

The cleaner nozzle 2 further comprises a fork 4 and two wheels 5, the two wheels 5 being arranged on both sides of the fork 4 and the connecting sleeve 3. The connecting sleeve 3 is mounted pivotally with respect to the fork 4 along a transverse pivot axis X1, the transverse pivot axis X1 advantageously being coaxial with the rotation axis of the wheel 5. According to an embodiment variant of the invention, the axis of rotation of the wheel 5 may be offset with respect to the transverse pivot axis X1 between the fork 4 and the connecting sleeve 3.

The cleaner nozzle 2 further comprises a sole plate 6, for example made of a plastic material. The floor 6 is equipped in particular with a lower face 7 and a suction chamber 8 which is open at the lower face 7. The suction chamber 8 communicates with the connection sleeve 3 via a connection conduit 9, for example a flexible tube. The suction chamber 8 advantageously extends in a main direction, which is transverse to the direction of movement D of the cleaner nozzle 2.

The lower face 7 of the sole plate 6 comprises in particular a rear sliding surface 10 and a front sliding surface 11, which are located on either side of the suction chamber 8 and are substantially flat. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the rear slide surface 10 is inclined with respect to the front slide surface 11, and the front slide surface 11 is configured to extend substantially horizontally when the soleplate 6 is lying flat on a surface to be cleaned.

The forks 4 are pivotally mounted relative to the base plate 6 along a transverse pivot axis X2. Thus, the connecting sleeve 3 can be rotated backwards or forwards relative to the prongs 4, and the prongs 4 can also be rotated backwards or forwards relative to the base plate 6.

The cleaner nozzle 2 further comprises a brush support 12.1, 12.2, 12.3, on which the brush 13.1, 13.2, 13.3 is mounted. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the brushes 13.1, 13.2 are located on the front side of the soleplate 6, whereas the brush 13.3 is located on the rear side of the soleplate 6.

The support 12.1, 12.2, 12.3 of each brush is slidably mounted on the base plate 6 in the sliding direction between a first support position (shown in figures 6 to 8), in which the respective brush is in the lowered position and is positioned to project from the underside 7 of the base plate 6, and a second support position (shown in figures 9 to 14), in which the respective brush is in the raised position and is positioned to retract from the underside 7 of the base plate 6. Advantageously, the bottom plate 6 comprises return means configured to return the supports 12.1, 12.2, 12.3 of the brushes to the second support position.

According to an embodiment variant of the invention, the cleaner nozzle 2 may comprise an integral support member comprising three brush supports 12.1, 12.2, 12.3. According to another embodiment variant of the invention, the cleaner nozzle 2 can comprise a front support comprising the supports 12.1, 12.2 of the two brushes and a rear support comprising the support 12.3 of the brushes. According to a further embodiment variant of the invention, the brushes 13.1, 13.2 can be connected to each other or formed by one and the same brush.

The cleaner nozzle 2 further comprises a brush drive mechanism 14, the brush drive mechanism 14 comprising a handle 15, the handle 15 being arranged above the sole plate 6 and near a side edge of the sole plate 6. The handle 15 is pivotally mounted relative to the sole plate 6 about a pivot axis which advantageously extends transversely to the direction of movement D of the cleaner nozzle 2. The handle 15 is more specifically configured to occupy a first handle position (as shown in fig. 6-8), a second handle position (as shown in fig. 9-11), and a third handle position (as shown in fig. 12-14).

The drive mechanism 14 of the brush is more specifically configured to:

when the handle 15 is moved to the first handle position, the fork 4 is permitted to pivot relative to the floor 6, lowering the brushes 13.1, 13.2, 13.3 and positioning them in a lowered position, in which the brushes 13.1, 13.2, 13.3 project from the underside 7 of the floor 6,

when handle 15 is moved to the second handle position, fork 4 is permitted to pivot relative to floor 6, raising brushes 13.1, 13.2, 13.3 and positioning them in a raised position in which brushes 13.1, 13.2, 13.3 are retracted from beneath floor 6,

blocking the pivoting of fork 4 with respect to floor 6 and keeping brushes 13.1, 13.2, 13.3 in the raised position when handle 15 is moved to the third handle position.

The drive mechanism 14 of the brush further includes a handle indexing system 16, the handle indexing system 16 being configured to maintain the handle 15 in the first handle position, the second handle position, and the third handle position.

According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the handle indexing system 16 comprises an indexing member 17, for example an indexing finger, the indexing member 17 being elastically deformable and moving integrally with the handle 15. Advantageously, the indexing member 17 extends from the handle 15 and comprises a protruding pin 18 provided at the free end of the indexing member 17.

The handle indexing system 16 further comprises a series of indexing slots 19 provided on the base plate 6, each indexing slot 19 being configured to receive a lug 18 provided on the indexing member 17 depending on the angular position of the handle 15.

The drive mechanism 14 of the brush includes a drive member 21 that moves integrally with the handle 15. Advantageously, the drive part 21 is arranged near a side edge of the soleplate 6 opposite the handle 15, and the drive mechanism 14 of the brush comprises a transmission member 22, which transmission member 22 connects the drive part 21 to the handle 15, such that pivoting of the handle 15 between the first and third handle positions drives a corresponding pivoting of the drive part 21.

The brush drive mechanism 14 comprises two sliders 23, which are arranged adjacent to the two sides of the base plate 6, respectively. Each slide 23 is slidably mounted in the movement direction with respect to the base plate 6 and is configured to occupy a first slide position (see fig. 6 to 8) in which the brushes 13.1, 13.2, 13.3 are in the lowered position, and a second slide position (see fig. 9 to 11) in which the brushes 13.1, 13.2, 13.3 are in the raised position.

The brush drive mechanism 14 is more specifically configured such that movement of the handle 15 from the first handle position to the second handle position drives movement of each slide 23 from the first slide position to the second slide position, and such that movement of the handle 15 from the second handle position to the first handle position drives movement of each slide 23 from the second slide position to the first slide position. Thus, the driving mechanism 14 of the brush comprises two toothed portions 24, the two toothed portions 24 being respectively arranged in proximity to the two lateral faces of the bottom plate 6 and moving integrally with the handle 15, and each slider 23 comprises a toothed rack 25, the toothed rack 25 being configured to cooperate with the respective toothed portion 24. Advantageously, one of the toothed portions 24 is provided on the handle 15, and each toothed portion 24 has a toothed angular sector.

According to the embodiment shown in the figures, each slider 23 has a substantially clip-like shape and comprises a front branch 23.1 and a rear branch 23.2.

In addition to the handle indexing system 16, the brush drive mechanism 14 comprises a locking device 26, which locking device 26 is configured to lock the brush 13.1, 13.2, 13.3 in the lowered position.

The locking device 26 includes a plurality of locking members 27, each locking member 27 being disposed perpendicular to a respective brush, and each locking member 27 being configured to prevent the respective brush from moving from the lowered position to the raised position. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the locking device 26 comprises a first pair of locking members 27 arranged perpendicularly to the brushes 13.1, 13.2, respectively, and a second pair of locking members 27 arranged perpendicularly to the brushes 13.3.

According to the embodiment shown in the figures, each locking member 27 is formed by a rocker which is movable in rotation on the base plate 6 about the rotation axis a between a locking position (shown in fig. 5 to 7), in which it prevents the respective brush from moving from the lowered position to the raised position, and a release position (shown in fig. 9 to 14), in which it permits the respective brush to move from the lowered position to the raised position. Advantageously, the axis of rotation a of each rocker extends substantially transversely to the pivoting axis of the handle 15.

Advantageously, each rocker is oriented substantially vertically when it simultaneously occupies the locking position and the sole plate 6 lies flat on the surface to be cleaned, and substantially horizontally when it simultaneously occupies the release position and the sole plate 6 lies flat on the surface to be cleaned.

The drive mechanism 14 of the brush is configured such that movement of each slider 23 from the first slider position to the second slider position drives movement of each rocker from the locking position to the releasing position, and such that movement of each slider 23 from the second slider position to the first slider position drives movement of each rocker from the releasing position to the locking position. Thus, each of the front branch 23.1 and the rear branch 23.2 of each slider 23 comprises a roller 28, the roller 28 being configured to cooperate with a rolling surface 29 provided on the respective rocker.

As shown more particularly in fig. 5, each rocker advantageously has a cam surface 31, cam surface 31 being configured to cooperate with a support of the respective brush.

The brush drive mechanism 14 further comprises two upper stop members 32, which are respectively provided near both sides of the base plate 6 and move integrally with the handle 15, and two lower stop members (not visible in the drawings), which are respectively provided near both sides of the base plate 6 and on the base plate 6. Advantageously, one upper stop 32 is fixed to the handle 15 and the other upper stop 32 is fixed to the actuation member 21.

Each upper stop member 32 is configured to be proximate to the corresponding lower stop member when the handle 15 is moved from the first handle position to the third handle position and, conversely, to be distal from the corresponding lower stop member when the handle 15 is moved from the third handle position to the first handle position.

According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the bifurcation 4 comprises a first branch 4.1 with a first support finger 34 and a second branch 4.2 with a second support finger 35. Each of the first and

second support fingers

34, 35 has an upper bearing surface configured to abut a respective upper stop member 32 when the prong 4 is pivoted rearward relative to the floor 6, and a lower bearing surface configured to abut a respective lower stop member when the prong 4 is pivoted forward relative to the floor 6.

Advantageously, the upper and

lower stop members

32, 32 are configured to permit pivoting of the prong 4 relative to the floor 6 when the handle 15 is in the first and second handle positions, and to prevent pivoting of the prong 4 relative to the floor 6 when the handle 15 is in the third handle position.

According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the locking device 26 comprises two latches 36, the two latches 36 being arranged respectively near two sides of the bottom plate 6. Each latch 36 is mounted on the floor 6 rotatably movably about an axis of rotation B, which may be transverse to the pivot axis of the handle 15, for example, and extends between a first latching position, in which the latch 36 blocks pivoting of the fork 4 relative to the floor 6, and a second latching position, in which the latch 36 permits pivoting of the fork 4 relative to the floor 6. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, when the handle 15 is in the third handle position, one of the latches 36 is configured to block the first branch 4.1 of the fork 4, and when the handle 15 is in the third handle position, the other one of the latches 36 is configured to block the second branch 4.2 of the fork 4.

Advantageously, the locking device 26 comprises a return mechanism (not shown in the figures) configured to return each latch 36 to the first latching position.

As shown in fig. 12 to 14, each slide 23 is configured to occupy a third slide position with the brushes 13.1, 13.2, 13.3 in the raised position, and the drive mechanism 14 of the brushes is configured such that movement of the handle 15 from the second handle position to the third handle position drives movement of each slide 23 from the second slide position to the third slide position, and such that movement of the handle 15 from the third handle position to the second handle position drives movement of each slide 23 from the third slide position to the second slide position.

Each slider 23 is more specifically configured to move the respective latch 36 from the first latched position to the second latched position when the slider 23 is moved from the third slider position to the second slider position, and is configured to permit the respective latch 36 to move from the second latched position to the first latched position when the slider 23 is moved from the second slider position to the third slider position. Thus, each slider 23 may advantageously comprise an inclined surface 37, also called ramp, configured to cooperate with the corresponding latch 36 when the slider 23 is moved from the third slider position to the second slider position.

Advantageously, each slider 23 is also configured to hold the respective latch 36 in the second latched position when the slider 23 is moved between the first slider position and the second slider position.

The operation of the suction cleaner nozzle 2 according to the invention will now be described with more particular reference to figures 6 to 14.

When the handle 15 is moved into the third handle position, the upper stop member 32 abuts against the first 34 and second 35 support fingers of the fork 4, respectively, and moves the first 34 and second 35 support fingers until they contact the lower stop member provided on the floor 6.

Due to the cooperation of the toothed portion 24 with the rack 25, this movement of the handle 15 to the third handle position also causes a movement of the slider 23 to the third slider position and therefore a movement of the latch 36 under the action of the respective return mechanism to the first latching position, in which the latch 36 blocks the first branch 4.1 and the second branch 4.2 of the fork 4 and thus prevents any pivoting of the fork 4 with respect to the bottom plate 6. It is noted that the brushes 13.1, 13.2, 13.3 are held in the raised position when the handle 15 is in the third handle position.

When the handle 15 is moved to the second handle position, the upper stop member 32 is moved away from the lower stop member and thus releases the first 34 and second 35 support fingers of the fork 4.

This movement of the handle 15 to the second handle position also causes movement of the slider 23 to the second slider position due to the engagement of the toothed portion 24 with the rack 25 and thus causes the latch 36 to move to the second latched position under the action of the inclined surface 37 provided on the slider 23 so as to permit pivoting of the fork 4 relative to the base plate 6. When the slider 23 is in the second slider position, the latch 36 is held in the second latch position by the slider 23.

When the handle 15 is moved to the first handle position, the upper stop member 32 is further away from the lower stop member, so that the pivoting range of the fork 4 relative to the base plate 6 is further increased.

This movement of the handle 15 to the first handle position also causes a movement of the slider 23 to the first slider position and therefore causes the engagement of the roller 28 provided on the slider 23 with the rolling surface 29 provided on the respective rocker in order to move each rocker from its release position to its locking position. This movement of each rocker causes a sliding of the support 12.1, 12.2, 12.3 of the brush towards its first support position and thus a movement of the brush 13.1, 13.2, 13.3 towards its lowered position in which the brush 13.1, 13.2, 13.3 projects from the underside of the base plate 6.

Thus, the drive mechanism 14 of the brush allows the handle 15 to be indexed to a first handle position, a second handle position and a third handle position corresponding to a first mode of operation, referred to as a "maximum performance mode", in which the brushes 13.1, 13.2, 13.3 are in a raised position and pivoting of the forks 4 relative to the base plate 6 is blocked, a second mode of operation, referred to as a "comfort mode", in which the brushes 13.1, 13.2, 13.3 are in a raised position and the forks 4 are allowed to pivot relative to the base plate 6, and a third mode of operation, referred to as a "hard mode", in which the brushes 13.1, 13.2, 13.3 are in a lowered position and the forks 4 are allowed to pivot relative to the base plate 6, respectively.

Of course, the invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described and shown, which are given by way of example only. Modifications are still possible, in particular from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without exceeding the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

1. A vacuum cleaner nozzle (2) comprising a sole plate (6), at least one brush (13.1, 13.2, 13.3) and a connecting sleeve (3), said sole plate (6) being equipped with a lower face (7) and a suction chamber (8) opening onto said lower face (7), said connecting sleeve (8) being configured to be in fluid communication with said suction chamber (8), said vacuum cleaner nozzle (2) comprising a brush drive mechanism (14), said brush drive mechanism (14) comprising a handle (15) configured to occupy at least a first handle position and a second handle position, said brush drive mechanism (14) being configured to, when said handle (15) is moved into the first handle position, lower said at least one brush (13.1, 13.2, 13.3) and position it in a lowered position, in which said at least one brush protrudes from said lower face (7) and is configured to, when said handle (15) is moved into the second handle position, -lifting said at least one brush (13.1, 13.2, 13.3) and setting it in a raised position in which it is retracted under said lower face (7), the drive mechanism (14) of said brush further comprising a handle indexing system (16), said handle indexing system (16) being configured to keep said handle (15) in at least a first and a second handle position, characterized in that, in addition to said handle indexing system (16), the drive mechanism (14) of said brush further comprises said locking means (26), said locking means (26) being configured to lock said at least one brush (13.1, 13.2, 13.3) in a lowered position.

2. The vacuum cleaner nozzle (2) according to claim 1, wherein said locking device (26) comprises a locking member (27), said locking member (27) being arranged perpendicular to said at least one brush (13.1, 13.2, 13.3) and being configured to prevent said at least one brush (13.1, 13.2, 13.3) from moving from a lowered position to a raised position.

3. The vacuum cleaner nozzle (2) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the locking member (27) is a rocker which is rotationally movable about a rotational axis (a) between a locking position, in which the rocker prevents the at least one brush (13.1, 13.2, 13.3) from moving from a lowered position to a raised position, and a releasing position, in which the rocker allows the at least one brush (13.1, 13.2, 13.3) to move from the lowered position to the raised position.

4. The vacuum cleaner nozzle (2) according to any one of claims 1-3, the drive mechanism (14) of the brush comprises a slide (23), said slide (23) being mounted slidingly in a direction of movement with respect to the base plate (6) and being configured to occupy at least a first slide position and a second slide position, in the first slide position, the at least one brush (13.1, 13.2, 13.3) is in the lowered position, and in the second slide position, the at least one brush (13.1, 13.2, 13.3) being in a raised position, the drive mechanism (14) of the brush being configured such that movement of the handle (15) from a first handle position to a second handle position drives movement of the slide (23) from a first slide position to a second slide position, and is configured such that movement of the handle (15) from the second handle position to the first handle position drives movement of the slider (23) from the second slider position to the first slider position.

5. The vacuum cleaner nozzle (2) of claim 4, wherein the slider (23) comprises a toothed rack (25), the toothed rack (25) being configured to cooperate with a toothed portion (24) that moves integrally with the handle (15).

6. The vacuum cleaner nozzle (2) of claim 5, wherein the toothed portion (24) comprises a toothed angular sector.

7. The vacuum cleaner nozzle (2) of any one of claims 4 to 6 in combination with claim 3, wherein the drive mechanism (14) of the brush is configured such that a movement of the slider (23) from the first slider position to the second slider position drives a movement of the rocker from the locking position to the release position, and such that a movement of the slider (23) from the second slider position to the first slider position drives a movement of the rocker from the release position to the locking position.

8. The vacuum cleaner nozzle (2) of any one of claims 4 to 7 in combination with claim 3, wherein the slider (23) comprises a roller (28), the roller (28) being configured to cooperate with a rolling surface (29) provided on the rocker.

9. The vacuum cleaner nozzle (2) of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the sole plate (6) comprises at least one brush support (12.1, 12.2, 12.3), the at least one brush (13.1, 13.2, 13.3) being mounted on the at least one brush support (12.1, 12.2, 12.3), the at least one brush support (12.1, 12.2, 12.3) being movably mounted with respect to the sole plate (6) between a first support position in which the at least one brush (13.1, 13.2, 13.3) is in a lowered position and a second support position in which the at least one brush (13.1, 13.2, 13.3) is in a raised position.

10. The vacuum cleaner nozzle (2) of claims 3 and 9, wherein the rocker has a cam surface (31), the cam surface (31) being configured to cooperate with a support (12.1, 12.2, 12.3) of the at least one brush.

11. The vacuum cleaner nozzle (2) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the vacuum cleaner nozzle (2) comprises a bifurcation (4) arranged between the sole plate (6) and the connecting sleeve (3), the bifurcation (4) being pivotally connectively mounted relative to the sole plate (6) and the connecting sleeve (3) about a transverse pivot axis.

12. A vacuum cleaner nozzle (2) according to claim 11, wherein said handle (15) is configured to occupy a third handle position, and said brush drive mechanism (14) is configured to block pivoting of said prong (4) relative to said sole plate (6) when said handle (15) is moved to the third handle position.

13. A vacuum cleaner nozzle (2) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein said brush drive mechanism (14) comprises an upper stop member (32) and a lower stop member, said upper stop member (32) moving integrally with said handle (15), said lower stop member being provided on said sole plate (6), said upper stop member (32) and said lower stop member being configured to limit pivoting of said fork (4) with respect to said sole plate (6).

14. The vacuum cleaner nozzle (2) of any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the locking device (26) comprises a latch (36) movable between a first latch position, in which the latch (36) blocks pivoting of the prong (4) relative to the floor (6), and a second latch position, in which the latch (36) permits pivoting of the prong (4) relative to the floor (6).

15. The vacuum cleaner nozzle (2) of claim 14, wherein the locking device (26) comprises a return mechanism configured to return the latch (36) to the first latch position.

16. The vacuum cleaner nozzle (2) of claim 14 or 15 in combination with claim 4, wherein the slider (23) is configured to occupy a third slider position and to move the latch (36) from the first latch position to the second latch position when the slider (23) is moved from the third slider position to the second slider position.

17. A vacuum cleaner comprising a vacuum cleaner nozzle (2) according to any one of the preceding claims.