CN212438463U

CN212438463U - Cleaning nozzle for a pad tool used in combination with a surface cleaning device

Info

Publication number: CN212438463U
Application number: CN201890000541.6U
Authority: CN
Inventors: 克洛伊·斯科特; 托尼·埃尔金顿; 爱德华·巴雷特
Original assignee: TTI Macao Commercial Offshore Ltd
Current assignee: TTI Macao Commercial Offshore Ltd
Priority date: 2017-02-23
Filing date: 2018-02-09
Publication date: 2021-02-02
Anticipated expiration: 2028-02-09
Also published as: WO2018154274A1; GB2559993A; GB201702960D0; GB2559993B; US20190380555A1; EP3585229B1; EP3585229A1

Abstract

A pad tool for use in combination with a surface cleaning apparatus, the apparatus comprising a source of suction gas, wherein the tool comprises a body including a dirty air inlet in a surface of the tool, the surface of the tool facing, in use, a surface to be cleaned, wherein the dirty air inlet comprises a first inlet portion extending across the surface terminating in a peripheral bleed air inlet; a second inlet portion extending across the surface terminating in a peripheral bleed air inlet; and a third inlet portion fluidly connecting the first inlet portion and the second inlet portion; and an outlet for fluid communication with an inspiratory source, the inspiratory source fluidly connected to the dirty air inlet.

Description

Cleaning nozzle for a pad tool used in combination with a surface cleaning device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a pad tool for use with a surface cleaning apparatus including a suction source.

Background

Tools for use in combination with surface cleaning devices to clean surfaces are known.

For example, pad tools and surface cleaning devices including a suction source for cleaning pads are known. Generally, a cushion tool is provided with: a main body having a dirty air inlet and a neck connected to the main body, the neck having an outlet connected to a vacuum cleaner suction source so that dust can be drawn from a pad to be cleaned.

The pad tool as a whole is designed for cleaning pads, such as fabrics on armchairs and sofas. Such fabrics may not be easily cleaned because they are relatively soft and can move relative to the product to which they are attached, so that during cleaning, portions of the fabric can move under suction into the pad tool. This phenomenon is commonly referred to as snapping. Other problems include the need to clean in confined spaces and crevices.

Another type of tool is known as a floor tool. Because floor tools are designed for cleaning large flat surfaces, i.e., have a relatively large flat floor, floor tools are typically larger than pad tools. This makes the floor tool unsuitable for cleaning the pad.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

There is a need to expand the effective cleaning area of a pad tool without significantly increasing the size of the tool. There is also a need to prevent or ameliorate engine burn-out when tool plugging occurs. It is a non-exclusive object herein to provide such desiderata.

There is provided herein a pad tool for use in combination with a surface cleaning apparatus, the apparatus including a source of suction, the tool comprising:

a body comprising a dirty air inlet in a tool surface which, in use, faces a surface to be cleaned, wherein the dirty air inlet comprises:

a first inlet portion extending across the surface terminating in a peripheral bleed air inlet;

a second inlet portion extending across the surface terminating in a peripheral bleed air inlet; and

a third inlet portion fluidly connecting the first inlet portion and the second inlet portion; and

an outlet for fluid communication with the suction source, the suction source fluidly connected to the dirty air inlet.

Also provided herein is a pad tool for use in combination with a surface cleaning apparatus, the apparatus including a source of suction, the tool comprising:

a body comprising a dirty air inlet in a tool surface, the tool surface facing, in use, a surface to be cleaned, wherein the tool surface comprises a front edge, a rear edge, a left edge and a right edge, and the dirty air inlet comprises:

a first inlet portion extending across the surface terminating in a peripheral bleed air inlet at the left and right edges;

a second inlet portion extending across the surface terminating in a peripheral bleed air inlet at the left and right edges; and

The tool surface may comprise a front portion located in front of the dirty air inlet to define part of the first inlet portion.

The tool face may comprise a rear portion located rearwardly of the dirty air inlet to define part of the second inlet portion.

The tool surface may include first and second sides between the front and rear portions to define respective portions of the first and second inlet portions.

The first and second sides may define portions of the third inlet portion.

The first and second side portions may be located approximately midway between the front and rear portions.

At least one or both of the front portion and the rear portion may be substantially curved.

The first and second side portions may be substantially planar.

The leading edge of the front portion may be curved.

The rear edge of the rear portion may be curved.

The first inlet portion and the second inlet portion may each have a larger surface area than the third inlet portion.

The first inlet portion may be substantially linear.

The second inlet portion may be substantially linear.

The first inlet portion may have a substantially uniform depth.

The second inlet portion may have a substantially uniform depth.

Brief description of the drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a bottom side view of a lining tool according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the lining tool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the lining tool of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are bottom side views of the lining tool of FIG. 1 with different labels;

FIG. 6 is a front side view of the lining tool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a front side view of an alternative brush attachment for use in combination with the pad tool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the brush attachment of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a bottom side view of the brush attachment attached to the bedding tool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a front side view of a brush attachment attached to the bedding tool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a side view of the brush attachment on the bedding tool of FIG. 1.

Detailed Description

Referring to the drawings, there is shown an embodiment of a lining tool 1. The pad tool 1 is for use in combination with a surface cleaning apparatus comprising a source of suction.

The pad tool 1 comprises a body 10, the body 10 comprising a dirty air inlet 12 in a tool surface 14, the tool surface 14 facing, in use, a surface to be cleaned. The tool 1 has an outlet 18 for fluid communication with an inhalation source which is fluidly connected to the dirty air inlet 12. A neck 16 may be provided which is attached to the upper face of the body, i.e. a face which may be generally opposite to the tool face, the neck 16 extending away from the body. An outlet 18 may be provided in the neck 16.

The tool surface 14 may have a front edge 42, a rear edge 44, a left edge 46, and a right edge 48.

The neck 16 may have a substantially axis of extension, which may form an angle β with (a portion of) the tool surface 14. The angle β may be between 30 ° and 60 °. The angle β may be between 40 ° and 50 °. The angle β may be 45 °.

The angle β may be located towards the rear edge 44 of the tool 1.

In use, the neck 16 may be used as a handle.

The combination of the angle β and the neck 16 serving as a handle in the above-mentioned range means that the tool 1 can be easily used. In particular, it is possible to present the tool surface 14 and the dirty air inlet 12 naturally at an angle that makes operation convenient.

The dirty air inlet 12 is provided in three parts: a first inlet portion 20; a second inlet portion 22 and a third inlet portion 24. The dirty air inlet 12 may be provided in four or more sections without departing from the scope hereof.

The first inlet portion 20 extends across the tool face 14. The first inlet portion 20 terminates in peripheral

bleed air inlets

26, 28. The peripheral

bleed air inlets

26, 28 may be provided at left and

right edges

46, 48 of the main body 10 respectively.

The second inlet portion 22 extends across the tool face 14. The second inlet portion 22 terminates in peripheral

bleed air inlets

30, 32. The peripheral

bleed air inlets

30, 32 may be provided at the left and

right edges

46, 48.

Such a spacer means may be of great benefit. In particular, such a construction may provide a particularly effective tool. For example, the four

bleed air inlets

26, 28, 30, 32 may help to reduce jamming while still providing good air flow over the surface being cleaned.

The first inlet portion 20 may be substantially linear. The first inlet portion 20 may have a substantially uniform depth. The first inlet portion 20 may be curved.

The depth of the first inlet portion 20 may vary. In particular, the depth of the first inlet portion 20 may decrease as the first inlet portion 20 extends towards the peripheral

bleed air inlets

26, 28.

Such an arrangement has been found to suitably distribute the source of suction air across the dirty air inlet 12 within the first inlet 20 to effectively carry dirt and dust away from the surface to be cleaned.

The second inlet portion 22 may be substantially linear. The second inlet portion 22 may have a substantially uniform depth. The second inlet portion 22 may be curved.

The depth of the second inlet portion 22 may vary. In particular, the depth of the second inlet portion 22 may decrease as the second inlet portion 22 extends towards the peripheral

bleed air inlets

30, 32.

As such, such an arrangement has been found to suitably distribute the source of suction air across the dirty air inlet 12 within the first inlet 20 to effectively carry dirt and dust away from the surface to be cleaned.

The third inlet portion 24 fluidly connects the first and

second inlet portions

20, 22. As shown in fig. 1, a third inlet portion 24 may be provided between the first and second inlet portions, in a substantially central region of the tool face 14.

The implement face 14 may comprise a front portion 34, the front portion 34 being located forward of the dirty air inlet 12 to define part of the first inlet portion 20.

The tool face may comprise a rear portion 36, the rear portion 36 being located rearwardly of the dirty air inlet 12 to define part of the second inlet portion 22.

The tool face 14 may include first and

second side portions

38, 40 located between the front portion 34 and the rear portion 36 to define respective portions of the first and

second inlet portions

20, 22.

The first and

second sides

38, 40 may be located in a peripheral region of the dirty air inlet 12. For example, they may be located at the left and

right edges

46, 48 of the tool, respectively.

The front portion 34 may be provided with a thread take-up material. The rear portion 36 may be provided with a wire pickup material. The first side 38 may be provided with a wire pickup material. The second side 40 may be provided with a wire pickup material.

As described in more detail below, the wire pickup material (if any) may be oriented in a particular direction.

The first and

second sides

38, 40 may define portions of the third inlet portion 24. In particular, with reference to fig. 1, the third inlet portion may be partially defined by lines a and B, which are imaginary lines showing how portions of the first and second inlet portions extend across the tool, and may also be defined by the first and second side portions.

The dirty air inlet may extend a distance X1 between the front and rear. X1 may be between 15 mm and 35 mm. X1 may be between 20 mm and 30 mm. X1 may be about 25 mm.

The first inlet portion may extend a distance X2 between the front portion and the first and second sides. X2 may be between 5 mm and 13 mm. X2 may be between 7 mm and 11 mm. X2 may be about 9 mm.

The second inlet portion may extend a distance X3 between the rear portion and the first and second sides. X3 may be between 5 mm and 13 mm. X3 may be between 7 mm and 11 mm. X3 may be about 9 mm.

The third inlet portion may extend a distance Y1 between the first and second sides. Y1 may be between 57 mm and 65 mm. Y1 may be between 59 mm and 63 mm. Y1 may be about 61 mm.

The first and

second side portions

38, 40 may be located approximately midway between the front and

rear portions

34, 36. The first and

second sides

38, 40 may be located at the periphery of the surface 14. The first and second side portions may extend a distance X4 between the front and back portions. X4 may be between 2 mm and 10 mm. X4 may be between 4 mm and 8 mm. X4 may be about 6 mm.

The front and

rear portions

34, 36 may be generally curved. In particular, in a side cross-section as shown in fig. 2, the front and rear portions may be on a curve having a radius of curvature defined by a circle C, wherein the circle C has a radius R and the radius R is between 40 mm and 50 mm. The radius R may be between 43 mm and 48 mm. The radius R may be about 46 mm. The use of such curved front and rear portions in embodiments facilitates cleaning of the pad product by reducing the contact area between the tool surface 14 and the pad depending on the shape of the pad. This also helps to clean curved pad surfaces.

The rear edge 44 of the rear portion 36 may be located a distance L above the first and

second side portions

38, 40. The front edge 42 of the front portion 34 may be located a distance L above the first and

second side portions

38, 40. The distance L may be between 5 mm and 9 mm. The distance L may be about 7 mm.

The first and

second sides

38, 40 may be substantially planar. Alternatively, they may be substantially curved. In particular, in the side cross-section as shown in fig. 2, the first and

second side portions

38, 40 may be on a curve having a radius of curvature defined by a circle C, wherein the circle C has a radius R and the radius R is between 40 mm and 50 mm. The radius R may be between 43 mm and 48 mm. The radius R may be about 46 mm.

The leading or front edge of the front portion 34 may be curved. Alternatively, the shape may be substantially linear. The front portion may extend a distance X5 forward of the dirty air inlet. X5 may be between 6 mm and 14 mm. X5 may be between 8 mm and 12 mm. X5 may be about 10 mm.

The rear edge 44 of the rear portion 36 may be curved. Alternatively, the rear edge 44 may be substantially linear. The rear portion may extend a distance X6 rearward of the dirty air inlet. X6 may be between 6 mm and 14 mm. X6 may be between 8 mm and 12 mm. X6 may be about 10 mm.

The first inlet portion may have a larger surface area than the third inlet portion. The second inlet portion may have a larger surface area than the third inlet portion. The first and

second inlet portions

20, 22 may each have a larger surface area than the third inlet portion 24.

The one or more peripheral

bleed air inlets

26, 28, 30, 32 may have a substantially rectangular cross-sectional area. Alternatively, they may (alone or in combination) have a circular cross-sectional area. They may have a generally circular cross-sectional area with portions of the circle defining the cross-sectional area removed.

The peripheral

bleed air inlets

26, 28, 30, 32 may have a bottom edge which, in use, faces the surface to be cleaned. That is, the peripheral

bleed air inlets

26, 28, 30, 32 may extend the dirty air inlet 12 from the tool surface 14 into the

side walls

46, 48.

The body 10 may have a width Y2 from the left edge 46 to the right edge 48. Y2 may be between 80 mm and 120 mm. Y2 may be between 90 mm and 110 mm. Y2 may be about 105 mm.

Referring to fig. 7-11, an optional brush attachment 50 for attachment to the bedding tool 1 may be provided. The brush attachment 50 can be provided with bristles 52, the bristles 52 providing a substantially planar cleaning surface by providing bristles of different lengths. Bristles 52 may be located around the periphery of the tool. The accessory 50 may be provided with

faces

56, 58 which in use cover the front and

rear portions

34, 36. A clip 54 may be provided to enable the brush attachment 50 to be attached to the tool 1.

It has been found that the peripheral

bleed air inlets

26, 28, 30, 32 provide the advantageous effect of being able to draw in dust located on the side of the tool in use. This can increase the effective cleaning area of the pad tool 1 without enlarging its size. This arrangement is advantageous because it enables a larger effective surface area to be cleaned, whilst the pad tool 1 can also be adapted for use in small spaces where other tools are not suitable. This also effectively removes any dust trapped in the folds of the pad.

The thread take-up material on the front portion 34 can extend across 90% (or more) of the width of the front portion 34 and/or the rear portion 36, if any. Such as 95% or more of the width of the front 34 and/or back 36 portions.

The thread take-up material on the rear portion 36 may extend across 90% of the width of the front and/or

rear portions

34, 36, if any. Such as 95% or more of the width of the front 34 and/or back 36 portions.

Such a setting of the width of the thread picking material may help to increase the usable width of the tool.

The thread picking material on each of the front and

back portions

34, 36 and the first and

second side portions

38, 40, if any, may be provided as a lint collection strip.

The wire pickup material on each of the front and

back portions

34, 36 and the first and

second side portions

38, 40 can include bristles.

In some embodiments, the front portion 34 may include bristles. The rear portion 36 may include bristles. The first and

second side portions

38, 40 may include bristles.

The bristles may be oriented in a first direction a' on the front 34. The bristles may be oriented in a second direction B' on the rear portion 36. The bristles may be oriented in a third direction C' on the first and

second sides

38, 40.

The first direction a 'and the second direction B' may be the same. The second direction B 'and the third direction C' may be the same. The first direction a 'and the third direction C' may be the same. The first direction a ', the second direction B ', and the third direction C ' may be the same.

Nevertheless, the first direction a 'and the second direction B' may be different. The second direction B 'and the third direction C' may be different. The first direction a 'and the third direction C' may be different. The first direction a ', the second direction B ', and the third direction C ' may be different. The first direction a ', the second direction B ', and the third direction C ' may be substantially opposite to each other.

In some embodiments, the first direction a ', the second direction B' may be substantially opposite, while the first direction a 'and the third direction C' may be substantially the same.

For example, in some embodiments, the first direction a' is generally toward the rear of the tool. The second direction B' is generally towards the front of the tool. The third direction C' is generally towards the rear of the tool.

Such a combination has been found to be particularly effective. In particular, the combination achieves efficient pick-up of threads (e.g., lint) from the surface being cleaned.

When used in the specification and claims hereof, "comprise," "include," and variations thereof mean that a particular feature, step, or integer is included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

The features disclosed in the specification or the claims or the drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

1. A pad tool for use in combination with a surface cleaning apparatus, the apparatus including a source of suction, the tool comprising:

a body comprising a dirty air inlet in a tool surface, the tool surface facing, in use, a surface to be cleaned, wherein the tool surface comprises a front edge, a rear edge, a left edge and a right edge, the dirty air inlet comprising:

a first inlet portion extending across the surface and terminating in a peripheral bleed air inlet in the left and right edges;

a second inlet portion extending across the surface and terminating in a peripheral bleed air inlet in the left and right edges; and

an outlet for fluid communication with the suction source, the suction source being fluidly connected to the dirty air inlet;

the tool surface includes:

a front portion located forward of the dirty air inlet to define a portion of the first inlet portion; and

a rear portion located rearward of the dirty air inlet to define part of a second inlet portion;

at least one or both of the front portion and the back portion is substantially curved.

2. The cushion tool of claim 1, wherein the tool surface comprises:

first and second side portions between the front portion and the rear portion to define respective portions of the first inlet portion and the second inlet portion.

3. The cushion tool of claim 2, wherein the first and second sides define portions of the third inlet portion.

4. A lining tool according to claim 2 or 3, wherein said first and second side portions are located substantially midway between said front portion and said rear portion.

5. The cushion tool of claim 2, wherein the first and second sides are substantially planar.

6. The cushion tool of claim 1, wherein a leading edge of the forward portion is curved.

7. The cushion tool of claim 1, wherein a rear edge of the rear portion is curved.

8. The lining tool of claim 1, wherein the first inlet portion and the second inlet portion each have a larger surface area than the third inlet portion.

9. The cushion tool of claim 1, wherein the first inlet portion is substantially linear.

10. The cushion tool of claim 1, wherein the second inlet portion is substantially linear.

11. The lining tool of claim 1, wherein said first inlet portion has a substantially uniform depth.

12. The lining tool of claim 1, wherein said second inlet portion has a substantially uniform depth.

13. The cushion tool of claim 1, wherein the neck is positioned at an angle β toward the rear edge.

14. The lining tool of claim 13 wherein said angle β is between 30 ° and 60 °.

15. The lining tool of claim 14 wherein said angle β is between 40 ° and 50 °.

16. The lining tool of claim 15 wherein said angle β is 45 °.