CN112006600B

CN112006600B - Vacuum cleaner nozzle equipped with locking means for locking the brush in lowered position

Info

Publication number: CN112006600B
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: 2023-06-23
Anticipated expiration: 2040-05-28
Also published as: EP3744222A1; EP3744222B1; ES2912096T3; CN112006600A; FR3096570B1; FR3096570A1

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner nozzle (2) comprising a floor, 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 to lower and set the at least one brush (13.1, 13.2, 13.3) in a lowered position when the handle (15) is moved to a first handle position, and to raise 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 brush drive mechanism further comprising a handle indexing system (16) and a locking device (26), the handle indexing system (16) being configured to hold the handle (15) in at least a first handle position and a second handle position, the locking device (26) being configured to lock the at least one brush (13.1, 13.2, 13.3) in a lowered position.

Description

Vacuum cleaner nozzle equipped with locking means for locking the brush in lowered position

Technical Field

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

Background

Dust collectors equipped with a suction nozzle for dust collectors are well known in the market, allowing cleaning of surfaces by suction in order to clean dust and small-particle-size dust falling on the surfaces. The surface to be cleaned may be, for example, a tile, parquet, laminate, carpet or blanket.

Document FR3062562 describes a vacuum cleaner nozzle comprising a floor provided with a suction chamber opening underneath and on the underside, at least one brush and a connecting sleeve configured to be in fluid communication with the suction chamber, the vacuum 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 and position the at least one brush in a lowered position when the handle is moved to the first handle position, the at least one brush protruding from underneath, the brush drive mechanism further being configured to raise and position the at least one brush in a raised position when the handle is moved to the second handle position, the brush drive mechanism further comprising a handle indexing system configured to hold the handle in at least the first handle position and the second handle position.

Such a vacuum 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 providing the vacuum cleaner nozzle with 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 applies a large supporting force to the cleaner nozzle), and in order to ensure an optimized suction performance when cleaning a hard floor, the handle indexing system is more particularly configured such that the user has to apply a relatively large force to the handle in order to allow the handle to move from the first handle position to the second handle position.

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

Further, such a configuration of the handle indexing system may cause some of the plastic components that make up the handle indexing system to fracture.

Disclosure of Invention

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

The basic technical problem of the invention is in particular to provide a suction nozzle of a vacuum cleaner which is structurally reliable and economical, while at the same time guaranteeing improved suction performance.

Accordingly, the present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner nozzle comprising: a base plate, at least one brush and a connecting sleeve, the base plate being provided with a lower face and a suction chamber opening on the lower face, the connecting sleeve being configured to be in fluid communication with the suction chamber, the suction nozzle comprising a drive mechanism for the brush, the drive mechanism for the brush comprising a handle configured to occupy at least a first handle position and a second handle position, the drive mechanism for the brush being configured to lower and position the at least one brush in a lowered position when the handle is moved to the first handle position, in a lowered position the at least one brush protruding from the lower face and being configured to raise and position the at least one brush in a raised position when the handle is moved to the second handle position, in a raised position the drive mechanism for the brush further comprising a handle indexing system configured to hold the handle in at least the first handle position and the second handle position, the drive mechanism for the brush further comprising 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 brush drive mechanism allows for the indexing of the handle and the locking of at least one brush in the lowered position to be separated. These arrangements in particular make it possible to ensure that, on the one hand, less force is required to keep the handle in the position selected by the user, thus allowing the user to move the handle, and, on the other hand, a better locking of the at least one brush in the lowered position.

The suction 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 including when the user applies a large supporting force to the suction nozzle), and that an optimized suction performance is ensured when sucking 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, alone or in combination.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the handle is pivotally 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 suction nozzle of the cleaner.

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

According to an embodiment of the invention, the locking means 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 means 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 the rotation axis 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 in the locked position and the soleplate is laid flat on the surface to be cleaned, and is oriented substantially horizontally when in the released position and the soleplate is laid flat on the surface to be cleaned.

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

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

According to an embodiment of the invention, the drive mechanism of the brush comprises a slider slidably mounted with respect to the base plate in a direction of movement and configured to occupy at least a first slider position in which the at least one brush is in a lowered position and a second slider position in which the at least one brush is in a 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 rack configured to cooperate with a toothed portion that moves integrally with the handle. These arrangements ensure 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 portion 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 sector.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the toothed sector has a section axis (axe de seceur) 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 movement of the slider from the first slider position to the second slider position drives movement of the rocker from the locking position to the releasing position and such that movement of the slider from the second slider position to the first slider position drives movement of the rocker from the releasing 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 laid flat on the surface to be cleaned.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the base plate comprises at least one brush support on which the at least one brush is mounted, the at least one brush support 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 suction nozzle comprises a bifurcation arranged between the sole plate and the connection sleeve, which bifurcation is pivotally mounted with respect to the sole plate and the connection 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 bifurcation relative to the floor when the handle is moved to the third handle position.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the drive mechanism of the brush includes an upper stop member that moves 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 bifurcation relative to the base plate.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the bifurcation comprises an upper bearing surface configured to abut against the upper stop member when the bifurcation is pivoted rearwardly relative to the floor and a lower bearing surface configured to abut against the lower stop member when the bifurcation is pivoted forwardly relative to the floor.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the upper and lower stop members are configured to be close to each other when the handle is moved from the first handle position to the third handle position and conversely to be distant 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 bifurcation relative to the floor when the handle is moved to the third handle position.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the locking means comprises a latch movable between a first latching position in which the latch blocks pivoting of the bifurcation relative to the base plate and a second latching position in which the latch permits pivoting of the bifurcation 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 axis of rotation 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 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 latched position when the slider is moved between the first slider position and the second slider position.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the drive mechanism of the brush is configured such that movement of the handle from the second handle position to the third handle position drives movement of the slider from the second slider position to the third slider position, and such that movement of the handle from the third handle position to the second handle position drives 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 brush is configured such that the at least one brush is in a raised position when the slider occupies the third slider position.

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

According to an embodiment of the invention, the suction nozzle comprises two brushes, one on each of the front and rear sides of the floor, 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 arranged near the two sides of the base plate, respectively.

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 a rack of a respective slider.

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

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

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the driving mechanism of the brush includes a pair of upper stopper members integrally moved with the handle and disposed near both side surfaces of the base plate, respectively, and a pair of lower stopper members disposed on the base plate and disposed near both side surfaces of the base plate, respectively.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the bifurcation comprises a first branch with a first support finger and a second branch with 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 bifurcation is pivoted rearwardly relative to the floor and a lower support surface configured to abut a respective lower stop member when the bifurcation is pivoted forwardly relative to the floor.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the locking means comprises a plurality of locking members, each 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 other locking members arranged perpendicular to the other respective brush.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the handle indexing system comprises an indexing member elastically deformable and movable integrally with the handle, the indexing member comprising a male pin configured to mate with a series of indexing slots 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 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, embodiments of such a suction nozzle of a vacuum cleaner, 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 suction nozzle of the cleaner of fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a partial perspective view of the suction nozzle of the cleaner of fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a partially exploded perspective view of the suction nozzle of the cleaner of fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a partial view of the suction nozzle of the cleaner of fig. 1.

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

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

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

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

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

Figure 11 is a side view of the suction cleaner nozzle of figure 1 showing the handle of the suction cleaner nozzle in a second handle position.

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

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

Figure 14 is a side view of the suction cleaner nozzle of figure 1 showing the handle of the suction cleaner nozzle in a third handle position.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 to 14 show a vacuum cleaner nozzle 2 comprising a connection sleeve 3, a rigid tube or flexible tube coupling being connected to the end of the connection sleeve 3, the tube coupling itself being connected to a suction system (not shown) of the vacuum cleaner. There are already on the market various variants of vacuum cleaners 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 this patent application.

The cleaner nozzle 2 further comprises a bifurcation 4 and two wheels 5, the two wheels 5 being arranged on both sides of the bifurcation 4 and the connecting sleeve 3. The connecting sleeve 3 is mounted in a pivoting connection with respect to the fork 4 along a transverse pivot axis X1, the transverse pivot axis X1 being advantageously 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 can be offset between the bifurcation 4 and the connecting sleeve 3 with respect to the transversal pivot axis X1.

The cleaner nozzle 2 further comprises a soleplate 6, for example made of a plastic material. The base plate 6 is provided in particular with a lower face 7 and a suction chamber 8 which opens out 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 suction nozzle 2 of the cleaner.

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

The prongs 4 are pivotally mounted in relation 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, the brushes 13.1, 13.2, 13.3 being mounted on the brush support 12.1, 12.2, 12.3. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the brushes 13.1, 13.2 are located on the front side of the base plate 6, while the brushes 13.3 are located on the rear side of the base plate 6.

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

According to an embodiment variant of the invention, the suction 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 suction cleaner nozzle 2 may comprise a front support part comprising two brush supports 12.1, 12.2 and a rear support part comprising a brush support 12.3. According to a further embodiment variant of the invention, the brushes 13.1, 13.2 can be connected to each other or formed by 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 soleplate 6 and near a side edge of the soleplate 6. The handle 15 is pivotally mounted with respect to the floor 6 about a pivot axis which advantageously extends transversely with respect 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 brush drive mechanism 14 is more specifically configured to:

when the handle 15 is moved to the first handle position, the fork 4 is permitted to pivot with respect to the base plate 6, lowering the brushes 13.1, 13.2, 13.3 and positioning them in the lowered position, in which the brushes 13.1, 13.2, 13.3 protrude from the underside 7 of the base plate 6,

when the handle 15 is moved to the second handle position, the fork 4 is permitted to pivot relative to the base plate 6, lifting the brushes 13.1, 13.2, 13.3 and positioning them in the lifted position, in which the brushes 13.1, 13.2, 13.3 are retracted from underneath the base plate 6,

when the handle 15 is moved to the third handle position, the pivot of the prongs 4 with respect to the base plate 6 is blocked and the brushes 13.1, 13.2, 13.3 are held in the raised position.

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

According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the handle indexing system 16 comprises an indexing member 17, such as an indexing finger, which indexing member 17 is elastically deformable and moves 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 includes a series of indexing slots 19 provided on the base plate 6, each indexing slot 19 being configured to receive a boss pin 18 provided on the indexing member 17 depending on the angular position of the handle 15.

The brush drive mechanism 14 includes a drive member 21 that moves integrally with the handle 15. Advantageously, the drive means 21 is arranged near the side edges of the base plate 6 and opposite the handle 15, and the drive mechanism 14 of the brush comprises a transmission member 22, which transmission member 22 connects the drive means 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 means 21.

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

The drive mechanism 14 of the brush 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 slider 23 from the first slider position to the second slider position, and such that movement of the handle 15 from the second handle position to the first handle position drives movement of each slider 23 from the second slider position to the first slider position. Thus, the brush driving mechanism 14 comprises two toothed portions 24, the two toothed portions 24 being respectively provided in the vicinity of two sides of the base plate 6 and being integrally movable with the handle 15, and each slider 23 comprises a rack 25, the rack 25 being configured to cooperate with the respective toothed portions 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 slide 23 has the general shape of a clamp 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 also includes a locking device 26, the locking device 26 being configured to lock the brushes 13.1, 13.2, 13.3 in the lowered position.

The locking means 26 comprises a plurality of locking members 27, each locking member 27 being arranged perpendicular to the 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 means 26 comprise a first pair of locking members 27 arranged perpendicular to the brushes 13.1, 13.2, respectively, and a second pair of locking members 27 arranged perpendicular 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 (as shown in fig. 5 to 7) in which it prevents the movement of the respective brush from the lowered position to the raised position, and a release position (as shown in fig. 9 to 14) in which it permits the movement of the respective brush from the lowered position to the raised position. Advantageously, the rotation axis a of each rocker extends substantially transversely to the pivoting axis of the handle 15.

Advantageously, each rocker is oriented substantially vertically when simultaneously occupying the locked position and the sole plate 6 lies flat on the surface to be cleaned, and substantially horizontally when simultaneously occupying the released position and the sole plate 6 lies flat on the surface to be cleaned.

The brush drive mechanism 14 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 lock position to the release 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 release position to the lock position. Thus, each of the front branch 23.1 and the rear branch 23.2 of each slider 23 comprises a roller 28, the rollers 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, the cam surface 31 being configured to cooperate with a support of the respective brush.

The brush drive mechanism 14 further includes two upper stop members 32 respectively provided near both sides of the base plate 6 and integrally movable with the handle 15, and two lower stop members (not visible in the drawings) respectively provided near both sides of the base plate 6 and provided 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 adjacent to a corresponding lower stop member when the handle 15 is moved from the first handle position to the third handle position, and conversely, to be remote from a 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 supporting finger 34 and a second branch 4.2 with a second supporting finger 35. Each of the first and

second support fingers

34, 35 has an upper support surface configured to abut a corresponding upper stop member 32 when the fork 4 is pivoted rearwardly relative to the floor 6 and a lower support surface configured to abut a corresponding lower stop member when the fork 4 is pivoted forwardly relative to the floor 6.

Advantageously, the upper and

lower stop members

32, 32 are configured to permit pivoting of the fork 4 relative to the floor 6 when the handle 15 is in the first and second handle positions, and to prevent pivoting of the fork 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 means 26 comprise two latches 36, the two latches 36 being arranged near two sides of the bottom plate 6, respectively. Each latch 36 is rotatably movably mounted on the base plate 6 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 latched position in which the latch 36 blocks pivoting of the fork 4 relative to the base plate 6, and a second latched position in which the latch 36 permits pivoting of the fork 4 relative to the base plate 6. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, one of the latches 36 is configured to block the first branch 4.1 of the bifurcation 4 when the handle 15 is in the third handle position, and the other of the latches 36 is configured to block the second branch 4.2 of the bifurcation 4 when the handle 15 is in the third handle position.

Advantageously, the locking device 26 includes a return mechanism (not shown) configured to return each latch 36 to the first latched position.

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

Each slider 23 is more specifically configured to move the corresponding 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, and to permit the corresponding latch 36 to move from the second latch position to the first latch 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 referred to as a ramp, configured to cooperate with a corresponding latch 36 when the slider 23 is moved from the third slider position to the second slider position.

Advantageously, each slider 23 is further configured to retain a respective latch 36 in the second latched position as the slider 23 moves 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 specific reference to figures 6 to 14.

When the handle 15 is moved into the third handle position, the upper stop member 32 abuts the first and

second support fingers

34, 35 of the fork 4, respectively, and moves the first and

second support fingers

34, 35 until they come into contact with the lower stop member provided on the floor 6.

This movement of the handle 15 to the third handle position also causes, thanks to the cooperation of the toothed portion 24 with the rack 25, the movement of the slider 23 to the third slider position and thus the latch 36 to move under the action of the corresponding return mechanism to the first latch position in which the latch 36 blocks the first branch 4.1 and the second branch 4.2 of the bifurcation 4 and thus prevents any pivoting of the bifurcation 4 with respect to the sole plate 6. Notably, when the handle 15 is in the third handle position, the brushes 13.1, 13.2, 13.3 remain in the raised 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 thereby releases the first and

second support fingers

34, 35 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 latch position under the influence of an 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, such that the pivot range of the fork 4 relative to the bottom plate 6 is further increased.

This movement of the handle 15 to the first handle position also causes the slider 23 to move to the first slider position and thus causes the roller 28 provided on the slider 23 to engage with the rolling surface 29 provided on the respective rocker to move each rocker from its release position to its locking position. This movement of each rocker causes a sliding of the brush support 12.1, 12.2, 12.3 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 protrudes from the underside of the base plate 6.

Thus, the drive mechanism 14 of the brush allows indexing of the handle 15 to a first handle position, a second handle position and a third handle position corresponding to a first operating mode, referred to as "maximum performance mode", wherein the brushes 13.1, 13.2, 13.3 are in a raised position and pivoting of the bifurcation 4 relative to the sole plate 6 is blocked, a second operating mode, referred to as "comfort mode", wherein the brushes 13.1, 13.2, 13.3 are in a raised position and pivoting of the bifurcation 4 relative to the sole plate 6 is allowed, and a third operating mode, referred to as "hard mode", wherein the brushes 13.1, 13.2, 13.3 are in a lowered position and pivoting of the bifurcation 4 relative to the sole plate 6 is allowed.

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 going beyond the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A vacuum cleaner nozzle (2) comprising a base plate (6), at least one brush (13.1, 13.2, 13.3) and a connecting sleeve (3), the base plate (6) being provided with a lower face (7) and a suction cavity (8) opening on the lower face (7), the connecting sleeve (3) being configured to be in fluid communication with the suction cavity (8), the vacuum cleaner nozzle (2) comprising a brush drive mechanism (14), the brush drive mechanism (14) comprising a handle (15) configured to occupy at least a first handle position and a second handle position, the brush drive mechanism (14) being configured to lower the at least one brush (13.1, 13.2, 13.3) and to be positioned in a lowered position, in which the at least one brush protrudes from the lower face (7) and is configured to raise the at least one brush (13.1, 13.2) and to maintain the system of brushes (16) in at least one of the handle positions, the handle (15) in the first handle position and the handle position when the handle (15) is moved to the first handle position, the brush drive mechanism (14) is configured to be positioned in the handle position and to be positioned in the at least one of the handle position (16), the handle indexing system (16) comprises an indexing member (17) extending from the handle (15) and moving integrally with the handle (15), the drive mechanism (14) of the brush further comprising a locking device (26) in addition to the handle indexing system (16), the locking device (26) being configured to lock the at least one brush (13.1, 13.2, 13.3) in a lowered position, the locking device (26) comprising a locking member (27), the locking member (27) being arranged perpendicular to the at least one brush (13.1, 13.2, 13.3) and being configured to prevent the at least one brush (13.1, 13.2, 13.3) from moving from the lowered position to the raised position.

2. A vacuum cleaner nozzle (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking member (27) is a rocker which is rotationally movable about the axis of rotation (a) between a locked position, in which the rocker prevents the at least one brush (13.1, 13.2, 13.3) from being moved from the lowered position to the raised position, and a released position, in which the rocker allows the at least one brush (13.1, 13.2, 13.3) to be moved from the lowered position to the raised position.

3. A vacuum cleaner nozzle (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the brush drive mechanism (14) comprises a slider (23), which slider (23) is slidably mounted in relation to the base plate (6) in a moving direction and is configured to occupy at least a first slider position in which the at least one brush (13.1, 13.2, 13.3) is in a lowered position and a second slider position in which the at least one brush (13.1, 13.2, 13.3) is in a raised position, the brush drive mechanism (14) being configured such that a movement of the handle (15) from the first handle position to the second handle position drives a movement of the slider (23) from the first slider position to the second slider position and such that a movement of the handle (15) from the second handle position to the first handle position drives a movement of the slider (23) from the second slider position to the first slider position.

4. A vacuum cleaner nozzle (2) according to claim 2, characterized in that the brush drive mechanism (14) comprises a slider (23), which slider (23) is slidably mounted in relation to the base plate (6) in a moving direction and is configured to occupy at least a first slider position in which the at least one brush (13.1, 13.2, 13.3) is in a lowered position and a second slider position in which the at least one brush (13.1, 13.2, 13.3) is in a raised position, the brush drive mechanism (14) being configured such that a movement of the handle (15) from the first handle position to the second handle position drives a movement of the slider (23) from the first slider position to the second slider position and such that a movement of the handle (15) from the second handle position to the first handle position drives a movement of the slider (23) from the second slider position to the first slider position.

5. A vacuum cleaner nozzle (2) according to claim 4, characterized in that the slider (23) comprises a rack (25), which rack (25) is configured to cooperate with a toothed portion (24) that moves integrally with the handle (15).

6. A vacuum cleaner nozzle (2) according to claim 5, characterized in that the toothed portion (24) comprises a toothed sector.

7. A vacuum cleaner nozzle (2) according to claim 4, characterized in that the brush drive mechanism (14) is configured such that movement of the slider (23) from the first slider position to the second slider position drives movement of the rocker from the locking position to the release position and such that movement of the slider (23) from the second slider position to the first slider position drives movement of the rocker from the release position to the locking position.

8. The vacuum cleaner nozzle (2) according to claim 4, characterized in that the slider (23) comprises a roller (28), the roller (28) being configured to cooperate with a rolling surface (29) provided on the rocker.

9. A vacuum cleaner nozzle (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the base 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 relative to the base 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. A vacuum cleaner nozzle (2) according to claim 2, characterized in that the base 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 relative to the base 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, the rocker having a cam surface (31), the cam surface (31) being configured to cooperate with the at least one brush support (12.1, 12.2, 12.3).

11. A vacuum cleaner nozzle (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the vacuum cleaner nozzle (2) comprises a bifurcation (4) arranged between the floor plate (6) and the connection sleeve (3), the bifurcation (4) being pivotally mounted in relation to the floor plate (6) and the connection sleeve (3) about a transverse pivot axis.

12. The vacuum cleaner nozzle (2) of claim 11, wherein the handle (15) is configured to occupy a third handle position, and the brush drive mechanism (14) is configured to block pivoting of the bifurcation (4) relative to the floor (6) when the handle (15) is moved to the third handle position.

13. The vacuum cleaner nozzle (2) of claim 11, characterized in that the brush drive mechanism (14) comprises an upper stop member (32) and a lower stop member, the upper stop member (32) moving integrally with the handle (15), the lower stop member being provided on the base plate (6), the upper stop member (32) and the lower stop member being configured to limit pivoting of the bifurcation (4) relative to the base plate (6).

14. A vacuum cleaner nozzle (2) according to claim 11, characterized in that the locking means (26) comprise a latch (36) movable between a first latching position, in which the latch (36) blocks pivoting of the bifurcation (4) relative to the floor (6), and a second latching position, in which the latch (36) permits pivoting of the bifurcation (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 latched position.

16. A vacuum cleaner nozzle (2) according to claim 4, characterized in that the vacuum cleaner nozzle (2) comprises a bifurcation (4) arranged between the floor (6) and the connection sleeve (3), the bifurcation (4) being pivotally mounted with respect to the floor (6) and the connection sleeve (3) about a lateral pivot axis, the locking means (26) comprising a latch (36) movable between a first latching position, in which the latch (36) blocks pivoting of the bifurcation (4) with respect to the floor (6), and a second latching position, in which the latch (36) permits pivoting of the bifurcation (4) with respect to the floor (6), the slider (23) being configured to occupy a third slider position, and to move the latch (36) from the first latching position to the second latching 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.