EP0737437A1 - Vacuum cleaner nozzle having wheels at the rear - Google Patents

Vacuum cleaner nozzle having wheels at the rear Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0737437A1
EP0737437A1 EP96400786A EP96400786A EP0737437A1 EP 0737437 A1 EP0737437 A1 EP 0737437A1 EP 96400786 A EP96400786 A EP 96400786A EP 96400786 A EP96400786 A EP 96400786A EP 0737437 A1 EP0737437 A1 EP 0737437A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
axis
rotation
vacuum cleaner
wall
sleeve
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP96400786A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0737437B1 (en
Inventor
Pierre Varin
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Millet Marius
Original Assignee
GEORGES OLIVIER Ets SA
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Publication date
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Publication of EP0737437A1 publication Critical patent/EP0737437A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
    • A47L9/02—Nozzles
    • A47L9/06—Nozzles with fixed, e.g. adjustably fixed brushes or the like
    • A47L9/0606—Nozzles with fixed, e.g. adjustably fixed brushes or the like rigidly anchored brushes, combs, lips or pads
    • A47L9/0626—Rigidly anchored lips, e.g. nozzles adapted for picking up liquids
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
    • A47L9/02—Nozzles
    • A47L9/06—Nozzles with fixed, e.g. adjustably fixed brushes or the like

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner nozzle comprising a housing which has a top and at least one rear wall element, a sole disposed under the housing, and two rear wheels, capable of rolling on the ground, arranged at the rear of the housing and mounted on an axis of rotation arranged in the longitudinal direction of the housing.
  • This axis of rotation has a middle part and two end portions, and is supported by at least one support member cooperating with said rear wall element.
  • Each rear wheel includes a housing for one of the end portions of the axle.
  • the two wheels are mounted free in rotation relative to the axis of rotation and therefore each comprise a hub rotating relative to the axis, and fixing parts such as circlips, washers and screws.
  • the assembly is therefore a relatively complicated operation and requires many parts.
  • the present invention seeks to remedy these drawbacks by proposing a nozzle for which, in order to limit the weight and the manufacturing costs, the mounting of the rear wheels is simplified, the number of parts used for this mounting is limited and these wheels are integral with one another in rotation.
  • the support member constitutes a support bearing relative to which the axis of rotation is free to rotate.
  • the housing is constituted by a cylindrical plastic sleeve in which an end portion of the axis of rotation is capable of being force fitted.
  • each end portion of the axis of rotation has locking means inside the sleeve in which it is engaged.
  • the mounting of the rear wheels is particularly simple, since it consists in placing the axis of rotation in its bearing (s) and forcibly fitting the wheel sleeves on the two end portions of this axis. Furthermore, this arrangement constitutes a particularly simple way of securing the rotating wheels. The only parts required are the support (s) for the axis of rotation, this axis of rotation and the two wheels fitted with their respective sleeves.
  • the axis of rotation is metallic, while the wheels, which are made in one piece, are made of plastic material having a relative flexibility, so that the means for blocking each end portion of the axis of rotation inside the sleeve of each wheel can simply be constituted by means for hooking this axle in the plastic.
  • the blocking in rotation is ensured by axial grooves, while the blocking in translation is ensured by a radial hooking face.
  • Figure 1 shows a vacuum cleaner nozzle comprising a housing 10 which, using a connection tube 12 directed upwards and backwards, can be connected to a suction tube (not shown) .
  • the housing has a top 14 and at least one rear wall element.
  • a soleplate 18 disposed under the housing has a suction opening 20, connected to a suction channel 22 located inside the housing, this channel being itself connected to the suction pipe 12.
  • a scraper member is located behind the suction opening 20.
  • this scraper member could be replaced by a retractable brush, mounted on a movable plate, and capable of being lowered through marginal slots in the sole to come into contact with the ground or to be raised to be retracted.
  • the nozzle also includes rear wheels 26 and 28, only the wheel 28 being visible in FIG. 1, capable of rolling on the ground (indicated by the line l 1), and arranged at the rear of the housing 10. These wheels are mounted on an axis of rotation 30 arranged in the longitudinal direction of the housing, that is to say perpendicular to the section plane of FIG. 1.
  • the anteroposterior direction of the squeegee is that in which, in normal situation of use, one pushes forward or one pulls back the squeegee, while its longitudinal direction is perpendicular to this anteroposterior direction.
  • connection nozzle of the nozzle of FIG. 1 comprises a first part 12a cooperating with the housing and pivotally mounted around an axis whose position coincides with that of the axis of rotation 30 of the wheels, and a second part 12b fitted in the first one.
  • connection tubing being able to be pivotally mounted about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheels and distant from the latter.
  • the axis of rotation 30 has a central portion 32 and two end portions, respectively 36 and 38.
  • the end portion 36 is capable of being force-fitted into a cylindrical sleeve 27 of the wheel 26, and the end portion 38 is capable of being force-fitted into the sleeve 29 of the wheel 28.
  • the middle part 32 of the axis 30 is disposed in a support bearing, cooperating with the rear wall element of the housing, with respect to which this axis 30 is free to rotate, and which will be described more precisely below. with reference to Figure 4.
  • Each end portion 36 or 38 of the axis of rotation has locking means inside the sleeve 27 or 29 in which it is engaged.
  • These blocking means will now be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. They comprise a grooved portion 40 whose grooves are arranged axially.
  • the vertices 41 of these grooves are located at a radial distance D1 from the geometric center of the axis 30 (located on the axis of symmetry C) greater than the radius R1 of the internal periphery of the sleeve in which the end portion considered is engaged, before the insertion of this end portion.
  • the tops or the edges of the grooves are substantially situated on a circle of radius greater than that of the internal periphery of the sleeve.
  • the sleeves being made of a plastic material having a certain flexibility or a certain softness
  • the grooves of the portion 40 scratch the interior of the sleeves when the end portions of the axis are engaged in these sleeves. Due to the difference, advantageously of the order of 0.2 to 0.4 mm, between the internal radius of the sleeves and the radial distance from the tops of the grooves, the scratches thus formed are sufficiently deep for the rotation lock of the wheels relative to the axis is effective.
  • each end portion 36 or 38 inside the sleeve 27 or 29 also comprise at least one radial hooking face.
  • two radial attachment faces 42 and 44 are present. They both consist of a radial face of a shoulder, which faces the middle portion 32 of the axis 30 and which has a substantially circular external edge, 43 and 45 respectively, whose radius is substantially equal to the distance radial D1 of the tops of the grooves.
  • the end portion 38 of FIG. 3 has, successively arranged in the direction going from the end 33 of the axis 30 towards its middle portion 32, that is to say in the direction indicated by the arrow F, an extreme cylindrical portion 46, a first annular groove 48, the grooved portion 40, and a second annular groove 50.
  • the radius of the extreme cylindrical portion 46 is substantially equal to the radial distance D1 from the tops of the grooves and therefore greater than the radius R1 of the internal periphery of the sleeve 29.
  • the radii D2 and D3 of the grooves 48 and 50 are less than or , at least, substantially equal, to the radius R1.
  • the radii D2 and D3 are preferably equal.
  • the first attachment face 42 is formed by the annular edge of the groove 48 closest to the end 33. It can also be considered that this attachment face is constituted by the radial face of the cylindrical portion 46 directed towards the middle portion 32 of the axis.
  • the second attachment face 44 is formed by the substantially annular edge of the groove 50 closest to the end 33. It can also be considered that this face 44 is constituted by the radial face of the grooved portion 40 directed towards the middle part 32 of the axis.
  • the edge 43 of the first face 42 is circular, while the edge 45 of the face 44 can be serrated due to the presence of the grooves.
  • the main thing is that the current radius of each of these edges is greater than the radius R1 of the internal periphery of the sleeve in which they are engaged.
  • the radius of the middle part of the axis is equal to that of the cylindrical end portion 46, itself substantially equal to the distance D1.
  • this radius can be of the order of 2.5 mm, while the radii D2 and D3 are of the order of 2.2 to 2.3 mm.
  • the radius R1 of the internal peripheries of the sleeves that is to say their radius before the insertion of the end portions, can be of the order of 2.2 to 2.3 mm.
  • the inlet of these sleeves can be slightly wider than their current part.
  • each end portion of the axis 30 has a substantially frustoconical centering ramp flared in the direction going from the end considered towards the middle portion 32 of the axis.
  • the end 33 of the end portion 38 has the ramp 47.
  • the edge of the groove 50 further from the end 33 can also be substantially frustoconical, flared in the direction going towards the middle part 32 of the axis.
  • the two wheels, and therefore the sleeves 27 and 29, are identical, as are the two end portions of the axle.
  • the wheel 28 is shown in axial section, while the wheel 26 is shown in external view.
  • the two wheels being identical, only wheel 28 is described.
  • It has a substantially cylindrical external wall 50, which has a first side 52 open and a second side closed by a side wall 54.
  • the cylindrical sleeve 29 is disposed inside of the outer wall 50 and has a first end 29a open towards the first side 52 of the wall 50, and a second end 29b closed. The latter is capable of constituting a stop for the end 33 of the axis of rotation when the end portion 38 is engaged in the sleeve 29.
  • the hollow cylindrical sleeve 29 is provided with a connection extension 56 which extends, towards the side wall 54 of the wheel, beyond the second end 29b of the sleeve.
  • This extension connects the sleeve to the side wall 54 and is connected to the cylindrical wall 50 by connecting webs 58. It can be seen that the end 57 of the extension 56 opposite to the sleeve 29 is open on the side wall 54.
  • This arrangement makes it possible to manufacture the wheel in a simple manner, by molding in one piece.
  • the presence of the extension 56 and the connecting webs 58 ensures the desired maintenance of the sleeve 29 inside the wheel.
  • the connecting webs extend over the entire length of the extension 56, which they actually connect to the external part 50 and to the side wall 54. They also extend over a short length of the sleeve 29 au- beyond its end 29b.
  • end 29a of the sleeve is located towards the outside, slightly beyond the open side 52 of the wall 50.
  • This wall 50 of the wheel 29 has an annular tread 60 which projects radially from it and is located on the first side of this wall.
  • the free axial end of the tread 60 coincides with the open side 52 of the wall 50, and the tread extends axially towards the side wall 54 over a determined length l , for example of the order of 1 cm. , advantageously between 1 / 6th and 1 / 5th of the total length L of the external cylindrical wall 50.
  • this tread 60 has a slightly grainy surface. The same can be said for the entire outer surface of the wheel.
  • the two treads 60 determine, particularly on hard ground, privileged rolling zones, located near the axis of symmetry A which is in the antero plane -mid posterior posterior.
  • the tread can constitute a main support area, but the wheels can carry over their entire length.
  • the sleeves are advantageously made of a relatively flexible or soft plastic material.
  • the wheels are made in one piece from the same plastic.
  • the outer wall 50 of each wheel can be slightly elastically deformable in the radial direction. It can therefore be slightly crushed in contact with the ground, which has the advantage of increasing the grip surface.
  • the rear wall element 16 of the nozzle has a central opening which has two lateral edges 64 and 66, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the nozzle.
  • the opening 62 is generally rectangular and comprises, in addition to the two lateral edges 64 and 66, an upper edge 62a and a lower edge 62b which are substantially horizontal.
  • the lateral edges 64 and 66 are each provided with a circular orifice, respectively 65 and 67, the diameter of which is substantially equal to the current diameter of the axis 30, that is to say to the diameter of the middle part 32 of this axis.
  • the two orifices 65 and 67 are aligned on an axis X parallel to the longitudinal direction of the nozzle, which corresponds to line C in FIG. 3.
  • the suction pipe 12, or at least the first part 12a of this pipe has a front end 70 capable of being engaged in the central opening 62.
  • This front end is provided with a longitudinal tube 72 whose diameter internal is substantially equal to the diameter of the middle part 32 of the axis 30.
  • this tube 72 extends longitudinally between the orifices 65 and 67 of the lateral edges 64 and 66 of this opening.
  • the axle 30 When the wheels are mounted, the axle 30 is therefore engaged in the orifices 65 and 67 and in the tube 72. It is therefore both the lateral edges 64 and 66, as well as the tube 72 which play the role of the bearing support for the axis.
  • the inner surface of the tube is smooth as well as the middle part of the axis, while, as we have seen previously, at least the treads 60 are relatively rough or grainy.
  • the axial internal face of the orifices 65 and 67 is smooth. Note that the axis can be metallic, while the tube is plastic, and that these two materials do not have any affinities between them capable of causing significant friction.
  • the support bearing for these wheels can be formed in one piece with the rear wall of the housing, or be made in a room fixed on this wall.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Nozzles For Electric Vacuum Cleaners (AREA)

Abstract

The bose socket (12) is connected to the suction aperture (20) by a duct (22) whose part-cylindrical top lip rides over a correspondingly shaped skirt (12a) on the socket, allowing some relative movement. The transverse hinge-pin (30), on the common axis of these cylindrical parts, traverses a tube moulded in the socket base. Its ends, projecting through bearing holes in the duct sides, carry the wheels (28). The wheels, moulded in resilient plastic, have cylindrical rolling surfaces, slightly roughened for grip, supporting inner axle tubes on radial webs. The tubes are press-fitted over the spindle ends, which, slightly greater in diameter, have axially machined grooves, giving a toothed cross-section that bites into the tube material.

Description

La présente invention concerne un suceur d'aspirateur comportant un boîtier qui présente un dessus et au moins un élément de paroi arrière, une semelle disposée sous le boîtier, et deux roues arrières, susceptibles de rouler sur le sol, disposées à l'arrière du boîtier et montées sur un axe de rotation disposé selon la direction longitudinale du boîtier. Cet axe de rotation présente une partie médiane et deux portions d'extrémité, et est supporté par au moins un organe de support coopérant avec ledit élément de paroi arrière. Chaque roue arrière comprend un logement pour l'une des portions d'extrémité de l'axe.The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner nozzle comprising a housing which has a top and at least one rear wall element, a sole disposed under the housing, and two rear wheels, capable of rolling on the ground, arranged at the rear of the housing and mounted on an axis of rotation arranged in the longitudinal direction of the housing. This axis of rotation has a middle part and two end portions, and is supported by at least one support member cooperating with said rear wall element. Each rear wheel includes a housing for one of the end portions of the axle.

Dans les suceurs connus de ce type, les deux roues sont montées libres en rotation par rapport à l'axe de rotation et comportent donc, chacune, un moyeu tournant par rapport à l'axe, et des pièces de fixation telles que des circlips, des rondelles et des vis. Le montage est donc une opération relativement compliquée et nécessite de nombreuses pièces.In known nozzles of this type, the two wheels are mounted free in rotation relative to the axis of rotation and therefore each comprise a hub rotating relative to the axis, and fixing parts such as circlips, washers and screws. The assembly is therefore a relatively complicated operation and requires many parts.

Par ailleurs, on a découvert que le fait de permettre aux roues de tourner par rapport à l'axe, donc l'une par rapport à l'autre, ne constitue pas forcément un avantage. En effet, avec cette disposition, la trajectoire du suceur, lorsque l'utilisateur le pousse ou le tire, n'est pas naturellement rectiligne. Par conséquent, dans la mesure où, notamment pour de relativement grandes surfaces de sol, il est souhaitable de nettoyer en un seul passage, toute une bande de sol, l'utilisateur se trouve souvent contraint à fournir, en plus de l'effort initial de poussée ou de traction, un effort de guidage sur une trajectoire rectiligne, en évitant le débattement latéral du suceur.Furthermore, it has been discovered that allowing the wheels to rotate relative to the axis, therefore one relative to the other, does not necessarily constitute an advantage. Indeed, with this arrangement, the trajectory of the nozzle, when the user pushes or pulls it, is not naturally rectilinear. Consequently, insofar as, in particular for relatively large areas of floor, it is desirable to clean in a single pass, a whole strip of floor, the user is often forced to provide, in addition to the initial effort pushing or pulling, a guiding force on a straight path, avoiding the lateral movement of the squeegee.

La présente invention vise à remédier à ces inconvénients en proposant un suceur pour lequel, en vue d'en limiter le poids et les coûts de fabrication, le montage des roues arrières est simplifié, le nombre des pièces utilisées pour ce montage est limité et ces roues sont solidaires l'une de l'autre en rotation.The present invention seeks to remedy these drawbacks by proposing a nozzle for which, in order to limit the weight and the manufacturing costs, the mounting of the rear wheels is simplified, the number of parts used for this mounting is limited and these wheels are integral with one another in rotation.

Dans ce but, l'organe de support constitue un palier de support par rapport auquel l'axe de rotation est libre en rotation. Pour chaque roue arrière, le logement est constitué par un manchon cylindrique en matière plastique dans lequel une portion d'extrémité de l'axe de rotation est susceptible d'être emmanchée à force. De plus, chaque portion d'extrémité de l'axe de rotation comporte des moyens de blocage à l'intérieur du manchon dans lequel elle est engagée.For this purpose, the support member constitutes a support bearing relative to which the axis of rotation is free to rotate. For each rear wheel, the housing is constituted by a cylindrical plastic sleeve in which an end portion of the axis of rotation is capable of being force fitted. In addition, each end portion of the axis of rotation has locking means inside the sleeve in which it is engaged.

Grâce à cette conformation, le montage des roues arrières est particulièrement simple, puisqu'il consiste à disposer l'axe de rotation dans son ou ses palier(s) et à emmancher à force les manchons des roues sur les deux portions d'extrémité de cet axe. Par ailleurs, cette disposition constitue une façon particulièrement simple de solidariser les roues en rotation. Les seules pièces nécessaires sont le ou les paliers de support de l'axe de rotation, cet axe de rotation et les deux roues munies de leurs manchons respectifs.Thanks to this conformation, the mounting of the rear wheels is particularly simple, since it consists in placing the axis of rotation in its bearing (s) and forcibly fitting the wheel sleeves on the two end portions of this axis. Furthermore, this arrangement constitutes a particularly simple way of securing the rotating wheels. The only parts required are the support (s) for the axis of rotation, this axis of rotation and the two wheels fitted with their respective sleeves.

De préférence, l'axe de rotation est métallique, tandis que les roues, qui sont réalisées en une seule pièce, sont en matière plastique présentant une relative souplesse, de sorte que les moyens de blocage de chaque portion d'extrémité de l'axe de rotation à l'intérieur du manchon de chaque roue peuvent être simplement constitués par des moyens d'accrochage de cet axe dans la matière plastique.Preferably, the axis of rotation is metallic, while the wheels, which are made in one piece, are made of plastic material having a relative flexibility, so that the means for blocking each end portion of the axis of rotation inside the sleeve of each wheel can simply be constituted by means for hooking this axle in the plastic.

Ainsi, de manière avantageuse, le blocage en rotation est assuré par des cannelures axiales, tandis que le blocage en translation est assuré par une face radiale d'accrochage.Thus, advantageously, the blocking in rotation is ensured by axial grooves, while the blocking in translation is ensured by a radial hooking face.

L'invention sera bien comprise et ses avantages apparaîtront mieux à la lecture de la description détaillée qui suit, d'un mode de réalisation représenté à titre d'exemple non limitatif.The invention will be clearly understood and its advantages will appear better on reading the detailed description which follows, of an embodiment shown by way of nonlimiting example.

La description se réfère aux dessins annexés sur lesquels :

  • la figure 1 est une vue en coupe du suceur selon l'invention dans un plan de symétrie antéro-postérieur,
  • la figure 2 est une vue éclatée montrant les deux roues, l'une d'entre elles étant représentée en coupe axiale et l'autre en vue extérieure, et l'axe de rotation,
  • la figure 3 est une vue de détail d'une portion d'extrémité de l'axe de rotation, et
  • la figure 4 est une vue en coupe selon la ligne IV-IV de la figure 1, sur laquelle, pour simplifier, les roues sont schématisées en vue extérieure.
The description refers to the accompanying drawings in which:
  • FIG. 1 is a sectional view of the nozzle according to the invention in an anteroposterior plane of symmetry,
  • FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing the two wheels, one of them being shown in axial section and the other in external view, and the axis of rotation,
  • FIG. 3 is a detailed view of an end portion of the axis of rotation, and
  • Figure 4 is a sectional view along the line IV-IV of Figure 1, on which, for simplicity, the wheels are shown schematically in external view.

La figure 1 montre un suceur d'aspirateur comprenant un boîtier 10 susceptible, à l'aide d'une tubulure de raccordement 12 dirigée vers le haut et vers l'arrière, d'être raccordé à un tube d'aspiration (non représenté). Le boîtier présente un dessus 14 et au moins un élément de paroi arrière. Une semelle 18 disposée sous le boîtier comporte une ouverture d'aspiration 20, raccordée à un canal d'aspiration 22 situé à l'intérieur du boîtier, ce canal étant lui-même raccordé à la tubulure d'aspiration 12.Figure 1 shows a vacuum cleaner nozzle comprising a housing 10 which, using a connection tube 12 directed upwards and backwards, can be connected to a suction tube (not shown) . The housing has a top 14 and at least one rear wall element. A soleplate 18 disposed under the housing has a suction opening 20, connected to a suction channel 22 located inside the housing, this channel being itself connected to the suction pipe 12.

Dans l'exemple représenté, un organe racleur est situé en arrière de l'ouverture d'aspiration 20. De manière connue en soi, cet organe racleur pourrait être remplacé par une brosse escamotable, montée sur une platine mobile, et susceptible d'être descendue à travers des fentes marginales de la semelle pour entrer en contact avec le sol ou d'être remontée pour être escamotée.In the example shown, a scraper member is located behind the suction opening 20. In a manner known per se, this scraper member could be replaced by a retractable brush, mounted on a movable plate, and capable of being lowered through marginal slots in the sole to come into contact with the ground or to be raised to be retracted.

Le suceur comporte également des roues arrières 26 et 28, seule la roue 28 étant visible sur la figure 1, susceptibles de rouler sur le sol (matérialisé par la ligne l1), et disposées à l'arrière du boîtier 10. Ces roues sont montées sur un axe de rotation 30 disposé selon la direction longitudinale du boîtier, c'est-à-dire perpendiculairement au plan de coupe de la figure 1.The nozzle also includes rear wheels 26 and 28, only the wheel 28 being visible in FIG. 1, capable of rolling on the ground (indicated by the line l 1), and arranged at the rear of the housing 10. These wheels are mounted on an axis of rotation 30 arranged in the longitudinal direction of the housing, that is to say perpendicular to the section plane of FIG. 1.

De manière générale, on considère que la direction antéro-postérieure du suceur est celle dans laquelle, en situation normale d'utilisation, on pousse vers l'avant ou l'on tire vers l'arrière le suceur, tandis que sa direction longitudinale est perpendiculaire à cette direction antéro-postérieure.In general, it is considered that the anteroposterior direction of the squeegee is that in which, in normal situation of use, one pushes forward or one pulls back the squeegee, while its longitudinal direction is perpendicular to this anteroposterior direction.

La tubulure de raccordement du suceur de la figure 1 comporte une première partie 12a coopérant avec le boîtier et montée pivotante autour d'un axe dont la position coïncide avec celle de l'axe de rotation 30 des roues, et une deuxième partie 12b emmanchée dans la première.The connection nozzle of the nozzle of FIG. 1 comprises a first part 12a cooperating with the housing and pivotally mounted around an axis whose position coincides with that of the axis of rotation 30 of the wheels, and a second part 12b fitted in the first one.

Ceci n'est qu'un exemple de réalisation, la tubulure de raccordement pouvant en effet être montée pivotante autour d'un axe parallèle à l'axe de rotation des roues et distant de ce dernier.This is only an exemplary embodiment, the connection tubing being able to be pivotally mounted about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheels and distant from the latter.

Comme on le voit mieux sur la figure 2, l'axe de rotation 30 présente une partie médiane 32 et deux portions d'extrémité, respectivement 36 et 38.As can best be seen in FIG. 2, the axis of rotation 30 has a central portion 32 and two end portions, respectively 36 and 38.

La portion d'extrémité 36 est susceptible d'être engagée à force dans un manchon cylindrique 27 de la roue 26, et la portion d'extrémité 38 est susceptible d'être emmanchée à force dans le manchon 29 de la roue 28.The end portion 36 is capable of being force-fitted into a cylindrical sleeve 27 of the wheel 26, and the end portion 38 is capable of being force-fitted into the sleeve 29 of the wheel 28.

La partie médiane 32 de l'axe 30 est disposée dans un palier de support, coopérant avec l'élément de paroi arrière du boîtier, par rapport auquel cet axe 30 est libre en rotation, et que l'on décrira plus précisément dans la suite en référence à la figure 4.The middle part 32 of the axis 30 is disposed in a support bearing, cooperating with the rear wall element of the housing, with respect to which this axis 30 is free to rotate, and which will be described more precisely below. with reference to Figure 4.

Chaque portion d'extrémité 36 ou 38 de l'axe de rotation comporte des moyens de blocage à l'intérieur du manchon 27 ou 29 dans lequel elle est engagée.Each end portion 36 or 38 of the axis of rotation has locking means inside the sleeve 27 or 29 in which it is engaged.

On décrit maintenant ces moyens de blocage en détail en référence aux figures 2 et 3. Ils comprennent une portion cannelée 40 dont les cannelures sont disposées axialement. Les sommets 41 de ces cannelures se trouvent à une distance radiale D1 du centre géométrique de l'axe 30 (situé sur l'axe de symétrie C) supérieure au rayon R1 de la périphérie interne du manchon dans lequel la portion d'extrémité considérée est engagée, avant l'insertion de cette portion d'extrémité. En d'autres termes, les sommets ou les arêtes des cannelures sont sensiblement situés sur un cercle de rayon supérieur à celui de la périphérie interne du manchon.These blocking means will now be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. They comprise a grooved portion 40 whose grooves are arranged axially. The vertices 41 of these grooves are located at a radial distance D1 from the geometric center of the axis 30 (located on the axis of symmetry C) greater than the radius R1 of the internal periphery of the sleeve in which the end portion considered is engaged, before the insertion of this end portion. In other words, the tops or the edges of the grooves are substantially situated on a circle of radius greater than that of the internal periphery of the sleeve.

Les manchons étant réalisés dans une matière plastique présentant une certaine souplesse ou une certaine mollesse, les cannelures de la portion 40 rayent l'intérieur des manchons lorsque les portions d'extrémité de l'axe sont engagées dans ces manchons. Du fait de la différence, avantageusement de l'ordre de 0,2 à 0,4 mm, entre le rayon interne des manchons et la distance radiale des sommets des cannelures, les rayures ainsi pratiquées sont suffisamment profondes pour que le blocage en rotation des roues par rapport à l'axe soit effectif.The sleeves being made of a plastic material having a certain flexibility or a certain softness, the grooves of the portion 40 scratch the interior of the sleeves when the end portions of the axis are engaged in these sleeves. Due to the difference, advantageously of the order of 0.2 to 0.4 mm, between the internal radius of the sleeves and the radial distance from the tops of the grooves, the scratches thus formed are sufficiently deep for the rotation lock of the wheels relative to the axis is effective.

Les moyens de blocage de chaque portion d'extrémité 36 ou 38 à l'intérieur du manchon 27 ou 29 comportent également au moins une face radiale d'accrochage. Dans l'exemple représenté, deux faces radiales d'accrochage 42 et 44 sont présentes. Elles sont toutes deux constituées par une face radiale d'un épaulement, qui est tournée vers la portion médiane 32 de l'axe 30 et qui présente une arête externe sensiblement circulaire, respectivement 43 et 45, dont le rayon est sensiblement égal à la distance radiale D1 des sommets des cannelures.The locking means of each end portion 36 or 38 inside the sleeve 27 or 29 also comprise at least one radial hooking face. In the example shown, two radial attachment faces 42 and 44 are present. They both consist of a radial face of a shoulder, which faces the middle portion 32 of the axis 30 and which has a substantially circular external edge, 43 and 45 respectively, whose radius is substantially equal to the distance radial D1 of the tops of the grooves.

Ainsi, lorsque les portions d'extrémité sont engagées à l'intérieur des manchons, ces arêtes vives s'accrochent à l'intérieur du manchon et réalisent ainsi un blocage axial des roues par rapport au manchon.Thus, when the end portions are engaged inside the sleeves, these sharp edges catch on the inside of the sleeve and thus achieve an axial locking of the wheels relative to the sleeve.

Plus précisément, la portion d'extrémité 38 de la figure 3 présente, successivement disposées dans le sens allant de l'extrémité 33 de l'axe 30 vers sa portion médiane 32, c'est-à-dire dans le sens indiqué par la flèche F, une portion cylindrique extrême 46, une première gorge annulaire 48, la portion cannelée 40, et une deuxième gorge annulaire 50.More specifically, the end portion 38 of FIG. 3 has, successively arranged in the direction going from the end 33 of the axis 30 towards its middle portion 32, that is to say in the direction indicated by the arrow F, an extreme cylindrical portion 46, a first annular groove 48, the grooved portion 40, and a second annular groove 50.

Le rayon de la portion cylindrique extrême 46 est sensiblement égal à la distance radiale D1 des sommets des cannelures et donc supérieur au rayon R1 de la périphérie interne du manchon 29. En revanche, les rayons D2 et D3 des gorges 48 et 50 sont inférieurs ou, tout au moins, sensiblement égaux, au rayon R1. Les rayons D2 et D3 sont de préférence égaux.The radius of the extreme cylindrical portion 46 is substantially equal to the radial distance D1 from the tops of the grooves and therefore greater than the radius R1 of the internal periphery of the sleeve 29. On the other hand, the radii D2 and D3 of the grooves 48 and 50 are less than or , at least, substantially equal, to the radius R1. The radii D2 and D3 are preferably equal.

La première face d'accrochage 42 est constituée par le bord annulaire de la gorge 48 le plus proche de l'extrémité 33. On peut également considérer que cette face d'accrochage est constituée par la face radiale de la portion cylindrique 46 dirigée vers la portion médiane 32 de l'axe.The first attachment face 42 is formed by the annular edge of the groove 48 closest to the end 33. It can also be considered that this attachment face is constituted by the radial face of the cylindrical portion 46 directed towards the middle portion 32 of the axis.

De manière analogue, la deuxième face d'accrochage 44 est constituée par le bord sensiblement annulaire de la gorge 50 le plus proche de l'extrémité 33. On peut également considérer que cette face 44 est constituée par la face radiale de la portion cannelée 40 dirigée vers la partie médiane 32 de l'axe.Similarly, the second attachment face 44 is formed by the substantially annular edge of the groove 50 closest to the end 33. It can also be considered that this face 44 is constituted by the radial face of the grooved portion 40 directed towards the middle part 32 of the axis.

L'arête 43 de la première face 42 est circulaire, tandis que l'arête 45 de la face 44 peut être dentelée du fait de la présence des cannelures. L'essentiel est que le rayon courant de chacune de ces arêtes soit supérieur au rayon R1 de la périphérie interne du manchon dans lequel elles sont engagées.The edge 43 of the first face 42 is circular, while the edge 45 of the face 44 can be serrated due to the presence of the grooves. The main thing is that the current radius of each of these edges is greater than the radius R1 of the internal periphery of the sleeve in which they are engaged.

De manière avantageuse, le rayon de la partie médiane de l'axe est égal à celui de la portion extrême cylindrique 46, lui-même sensiblement égal à la distance D1. A titre d'exemple, ce rayon peut être de l'ordre de 2,5 mm, tandis que les rayons D2 et D3 sont de l'ordre de 2,2 à 2,3 mm.Advantageously, the radius of the middle part of the axis is equal to that of the cylindrical end portion 46, itself substantially equal to the distance D1. For example, this radius can be of the order of 2.5 mm, while the radii D2 and D3 are of the order of 2.2 to 2.3 mm.

Le rayon R1 des périphéries internes des manchons, c'est-à-dire leur rayon avant l'insertion des portions d'extrémité, peut être de l'ordre de 2,2 à 2,3 mm.The radius R1 of the internal peripheries of the sleeves, that is to say their radius before the insertion of the end portions, can be of the order of 2.2 to 2.3 mm.

Pour faciliter l'insertion des portions d'extrémité de l'axe dans les manchons, on peut prévoir que l'entrée de ces manchons soit légèrement plus large que leur partie courante.To facilitate the insertion of the end portions of the axis into the sleeves, provision can be made for the inlet of these sleeves to be slightly wider than their current part.

De manière avantageuse, on peut également prévoir que l'extrémité de chaque portion d'extrémité de l'axe 30 présente une rampe de centrage sensiblement tronconique évasée dans le sens allant, à partir de l'extrémité considérée, vers la portion médiane 32 de l'axe. Ainsi, l'extrémité 33 de la portion d'extrémité 38 présente la rampe 47.Advantageously, it is also possible to provide that the end of each end portion of the axis 30 has a substantially frustoconical centering ramp flared in the direction going from the end considered towards the middle portion 32 of the axis. Thus, the end 33 of the end portion 38 has the ramp 47.

De manière avantageuse, pour faciliter l'insertion de chaque portion d'extrémité dans chaque manchon au-delà de la portion cannelée 40, le rebord de la gorge 50 plus éloigné de l'extrémité 33 peut également être sensiblement tronconique, évasé dans le sens allant vers la partie médiane 32 de l'axe. Les deux roues, et donc les manchons 27 et 29, sont identiques, de même que les deux portions d'extrémité de l'axe.Advantageously, to facilitate the insertion of each end portion into each sleeve beyond the grooved portion 40, the edge of the groove 50 further from the end 33 can also be substantially frustoconical, flared in the direction going towards the middle part 32 of the axis. The two wheels, and therefore the sleeves 27 and 29, are identical, as are the two end portions of the axle.

Sur la figure 2, la roue 28 est représentée en coupe axiale, tandis que la roue 26 est représentée en vue extérieure. Les deux roues étant identiques, on décrit seulement la roue 28. Elle comporte une paroi externe 50 sensiblement cylindrique, qui présente un premier côté 52 ouvert et un deuxième côté fermé par une paroi latérale 54. Le manchon cylindrique 29 est disposé à l'intérieur de la paroi externe 50 et présente une première extrémité 29a ouverte vers le premier côté 52 de la paroi 50, et une deuxième extrémité 29b fermée. Cette dernière est susceptible de constituer une butée pour l'extrémité 33 de l'axe de rotation lorsque la portion d'extrémité 38 est engagée dans le manchon 29.In Figure 2, the wheel 28 is shown in axial section, while the wheel 26 is shown in external view. The two wheels being identical, only wheel 28 is described. It has a substantially cylindrical external wall 50, which has a first side 52 open and a second side closed by a side wall 54. The cylindrical sleeve 29 is disposed inside of the outer wall 50 and has a first end 29a open towards the first side 52 of the wall 50, and a second end 29b closed. The latter is capable of constituting a stop for the end 33 of the axis of rotation when the end portion 38 is engaged in the sleeve 29.

On voit sur la figure 2 que l'extrémité 29b se trouve, à l'intérieur de la roue, à distance de l'extrémité axiale de la paroi 50 opposée au côté 52 de cette dernière. Ceci permet de réaliser des roues relativement longues sans avoir à emmancher l'axe sur toute leur longueur. En fait, le manchon cylindrique creux 29 est muni d'un prolongement de raccordement 56 qui s'étend, vers la paroi latérale 54 de la roue, au-delà de la deuxième extrémité 29b du manchon. Ce prolongement raccorde le manchon à la paroi latérale 54 et est relié à la paroi cylindrique 50 par des voiles de liaison 58. On voit que l'extrémité 57 du prolongement 56 opposé au manchon 29 est ouverte sur la paroi latérale 54.It can be seen in FIG. 2 that the end 29b is located, inside the wheel, at a distance from the axial end of the wall 50 opposite the side 52 of the latter. This makes it possible to produce relatively long wheels without having to fit the axle over their entire length. In fact, the hollow cylindrical sleeve 29 is provided with a connection extension 56 which extends, towards the side wall 54 of the wheel, beyond the second end 29b of the sleeve. This extension connects the sleeve to the side wall 54 and is connected to the cylindrical wall 50 by connecting webs 58. It can be seen that the end 57 of the extension 56 opposite to the sleeve 29 is open on the side wall 54.

Cette disposition permet de fabriquer la roue de façon simple, par moulage en une seule pièce. La présence du prolongement 56 et les voiles de liaison 58 permet d'assurer le maintien souhaité du manchon 29 à l'intérieur de la roue. On remarque que les voiles de liaison s'étendent sur toute la longueur du prolongement 56, qu'ils relient en fait à la partie externe 50 et à la paroi latérale 54. Ils s'étendent également sur une faible longueur du manchon 29 au-delà de son extrémité 29b.This arrangement makes it possible to manufacture the wheel in a simple manner, by molding in one piece. The presence of the extension 56 and the connecting webs 58 ensures the desired maintenance of the sleeve 29 inside the wheel. Note that the connecting webs extend over the entire length of the extension 56, which they actually connect to the external part 50 and to the side wall 54. They also extend over a short length of the sleeve 29 au- beyond its end 29b.

On remarque toutefois que la majeure partie de la longueur du manchon 29 est exempte de voiles de liaison. On a vu précédemment que la portion d'extrémité 38 de l'axe est emmanché à force dans ce manchon. Le fait de prévoir qu'une portion importante de ce manchon s'étendant à partir de son extrémité libre, soit exempte de voiles de liaison permet de s'assurer que la rigidité de cette portion ne soit pas trop grande pour s'opposer à l'emmanchement à force de l'extrémité de l'axe, qui, notamment en raison des différences de rayon précédemment évoqués et de la présence des cannelures, peut déformer légèrement le manchon.However, it should be noted that most of the length of the sleeve 29 is free of connecting webs. We have previously seen that the end portion 38 of the axis is force fitted into this sleeve. Providing that a large portion of this sleeve extending from its free end is free of connecting webs ensures that that the rigidity of this portion is not too great to oppose the force fitting of the end of the axis, which, in particular due to the differences in radius previously mentioned and the presence of the grooves, can deform the sleeve slightly.

On remarque également que l'extrémité 29a du manchon, est située vers l'extérieur, légèrement au-delà du côté ouvert 52 de la paroi 50.It is also noted that the end 29a of the sleeve is located towards the outside, slightly beyond the open side 52 of the wall 50.

Cette paroi 50 de la roue 29 présente une bande annulaire de roulement 60 qui fait radialement saillie par rapport à elle et est située du premier côté de cette paroi. L'extrémité axiale libre de la bande de roulement 60 coïncide avec le côté ouvert 52 de la paroi 50, et la bande de roulement s'étend axialement vers la paroi latérale 54 sur une longueur l déterminée, par exemple de l'ordre de 1cm, avantageusement comprise entre 1/6ème et 1/5ème de la longueur totale L de la paroi cylindrique externe 50. Comme on le voit sur la figure 2, cette bande de roulement 60 présente une surface légèrement granuleuse. Il peut en aller de même pour la totalité de la surface extérieure de la roue.This wall 50 of the wheel 29 has an annular tread 60 which projects radially from it and is located on the first side of this wall. The free axial end of the tread 60 coincides with the open side 52 of the wall 50, and the tread extends axially towards the side wall 54 over a determined length l , for example of the order of 1 cm. , advantageously between 1 / 6th and 1 / 5th of the total length L of the external cylindrical wall 50. As can be seen in FIG. 2, this tread 60 has a slightly grainy surface. The same can be said for the entire outer surface of the wheel.

Lorsque les deux roues sont montées, comme le montre la figure 4, les deux bandes de roulement 60 déterminent, particulièrement sur sol dur, des zones de roulement privilégiées, situées à proximité de l'axe de symétrie A qui se trouve dans le plan antéro-postérieur médian du suceur.When the two wheels are mounted, as shown in FIG. 4, the two treads 60 determine, particularly on hard ground, privileged rolling zones, located near the axis of symmetry A which is in the antero plane -mid posterior posterior.

On a indiqué précédemment que le fait que les deux roues soient solidaires en rotation permettait de conférer au suceur une trajectoire naturellement rectiligne. Bien que ce soit la trajectoire la plus couramment utilisée, l'utilisateur est parfois conduit à rechercher une trajectoire courbe, par exemple pour contourner certains obstacles. Si les roues portaient toujours sur toute leur longueur, il serait nécessaire, pour obtenir une telle trajectoire, de soulever complètement l'une des roues en faisant tourner le suceur autour de l'axe A. Dans la mesure où les deux bandes de roulement sont proches de cet axe, il est beaucoup plus facile de faire tourner le suceur en n'imprimant qu'un léger mouvement. La surface granuleuse des bandes de roulement permet d'augmenter l'adhérence des roues notamment sur sol dur et d'éviter qu'elles ne patinent.It has been indicated above that the fact that the two wheels are integral in rotation makes it possible to give the nozzle a naturally straight path. Although this is the most commonly used trajectory, the user is sometimes led to search for a curved trajectory, for example to go around certain obstacles. If the wheels were still running over their entire length, it would be necessary, in order to obtain such a trajectory, to completely lift one of the wheels by rotating the nozzle around the axis A. Insofar as the two treads are close to this axis, it is much easier to rotate the squeegee with only a slight movement. The grainy surface of the treads increases the grip of the wheels, especially on hard ground and prevents them from slipping.

Notons que sur tapis ou moquettes, la bande de roulement peut constituer une zone d'appui principal, mais les roues peuvent porter sur toute leur longueur.Note that on carpets or rugs, the tread can constitute a main support area, but the wheels can carry over their entire length.

On a vu précédemment que les manchons étaient avantageusement réalisés dans une matière plastique relativement souple ou molle. En fait, les roues sont réalisées d'une seule pièce dans la même matière plastique. Ainsi, la paroi externe 50 de chaque roue peut être légèrement déformable élastiquement dans le sens radial. Elle peut donc légèrement s'écraser au contact du sol, ce qui présente l'avantage d'augmenter la surface d'adhérence.We have previously seen that the sleeves are advantageously made of a relatively flexible or soft plastic material. In fact, the wheels are made in one piece from the same plastic. Thus, the outer wall 50 of each wheel can be slightly elastically deformable in the radial direction. It can therefore be slightly crushed in contact with the ground, which has the advantage of increasing the grip surface.

En référence aux figures 1 et 4, on décrit maintenant plus précisément les moyens formant palier de support pour l'axe de rotation 30.With reference to FIGS. 1 and 4, the means forming a support bearing for the axis of rotation 30 will now be described more precisely.

L'élément de paroi arrière 16 du suceur comporte une ouverture centrale qui présente deux bords latéraux 64 et 66, perpendiculaires à la direction longitudinale du suceur. En fait, vue de l'arrière du suceur, l'ouverture 62 est globalement rectangulaire et comporte, outre les deux bords latéraux 64 et 66, un bord supérieur 62a et un bord inférieur 62b sensiblement horizontaux.The rear wall element 16 of the nozzle has a central opening which has two lateral edges 64 and 66, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the nozzle. In fact, seen from the rear of the nozzle, the opening 62 is generally rectangular and comprises, in addition to the two lateral edges 64 and 66, an upper edge 62a and a lower edge 62b which are substantially horizontal.

Les bords latéraux 64 et 66 sont munis, chacun d'un orifice circulaire, respectivement 65 et 67, dont le diamètre est sensiblement égal au diamètre courant de l'axe 30, c'est-à-dire au diamètre de la partie médiane 32 de cet axe. Les deux orifices 65 et 67 sont alignés sur un axe X parallèle à la direction longitudinale du suceur, qui correspond à la ligne C de la figure 3.The lateral edges 64 and 66 are each provided with a circular orifice, respectively 65 and 67, the diameter of which is substantially equal to the current diameter of the axis 30, that is to say to the diameter of the middle part 32 of this axis. The two orifices 65 and 67 are aligned on an axis X parallel to the longitudinal direction of the nozzle, which corresponds to line C in FIG. 3.

La tubulure d'aspiration 12, ou tout au moins la première partie 12a de cette tubulure, présente une extrémité avant 70 susceptible d'être engagée dans l'ouverture centrale 62. Cette extrémité avant est munie d'un tube longitudinal 72 dont le diamètre interne est sensiblement égal au diamètre de la partie médiane 32 de l'axe 30. Comme on le voit sur les figures, lorsque l'extrémité avant 70 est effectivement engagée dans l'ouverture centrale 62, ce tube 72 s'étend longitudinalement entre les orifices 65 et 67 des bords latéraux 64 et 66 de cette ouverture.The suction pipe 12, or at least the first part 12a of this pipe, has a front end 70 capable of being engaged in the central opening 62. This front end is provided with a longitudinal tube 72 whose diameter internal is substantially equal to the diameter of the middle part 32 of the axis 30. As can be seen in the figures, when the front end 70 is actually engaged in the central opening 62, this tube 72 extends longitudinally between the orifices 65 and 67 of the lateral edges 64 and 66 of this opening.

Lorsque les roues sont montées, l'axe 30 est donc engagé dans les orifices 65 et 67 et dans le tube 72. Ce sont donc à la fois les bords latéraux 64 et 66, ainsi que le tube 72 qui jouent le rôle du palier de support pour l'axe.When the wheels are mounted, the axle 30 is therefore engaged in the orifices 65 and 67 and in the tube 72. It is therefore both the lateral edges 64 and 66, as well as the tube 72 which play the role of the bearing support for the axis.

Pour que l'efficacité des roues soit assurée, il importe de faire en sorte que, quel que soit le type de sol, l'adhérence des roues sur le sol soit supérieure aux éventuelles forces de frottement qui pourraient survenir entre l'axe 30 et la paroi interne du tube 72, en prenant en compte le fait que la zone de contact entre l'axe et le tube s'étend sur une longueur relativement importante.In order for the wheels to be effective, it is important to ensure that, whatever the type of soil, the adhesion of the wheels to the ground is greater than any friction forces which could arise between the axis 30 and the inner wall of the tube 72, taking into account the fact that the contact area between the axis and the tube extends over a relatively large length.

Pour ce faire, la surface intérieure du tube est lisse de même que la partie médiane de l'axe, tandis que, comme on l'a vu précédemment, au moins les bandes de roulement 60 sont relativement rugueuses ou granuleuses. De même, la face interne axiale des orifices 65 et 67 est lisse. Notons que l'axe peut être métallique, tandis que le tube est en plastique, et que ces deux matières n'ont pas entre elles d'affinités propres à occasionner un frottement important.To do this, the inner surface of the tube is smooth as well as the middle part of the axis, while, as we have seen previously, at least the treads 60 are relatively rough or grainy. Likewise, the axial internal face of the orifices 65 and 67 is smooth. Note that the axis can be metallic, while the tube is plastic, and that these two materials do not have any affinities between them capable of causing significant friction.

Par ailleurs, pour caler axialement les roues, il importe qu'elles se trouvent pratiquement au contact des bords latéraux 64 et 66. Dans la mesure où ces bords sont évidemment fixes, il importe toutefois d'éviter que les roues ne frottent trop contre eux, ce qui nuirait à leur rotation. C'est pour cette raison que le manchon de chaque roue s'étend légèrement vers l'extérieur au-delà du bord ouvert de la roue, de sorte que seule l'extrémité axiale du manchon est susceptible d'entrer au contact du bord latéral adjacent, cette surface de contact est suffisamment faible pour que les forces de frottement soient négligeables.Furthermore, to axially wedge the wheels, it is important that they are practically in contact with the lateral edges 64 and 66. Since these edges are obviously fixed, it is however important to prevent the wheels from rubbing too much against them. , which would affect their rotation. It is for this reason that the sleeve of each wheel extends slightly outwards beyond the open edge of the wheel, so that only the axial end of the sleeve is capable of coming into contact with the lateral edge. adjacent, this contact surface is small enough that the frictional forces are negligible.

Dans le cas où l'axe de pivotement de la tubulure de raccordement ne coïncide pas avec l'axe de rotation des roues, le palier de support de ces roues peut être formé en une seule pièce avec la paroi arrière du boîtier, ou être réalisé dans une pièce fixée sur cette paroi.In the case where the pivot axis of the connecting pipe does not coincide with the axis of rotation of the wheels, the support bearing for these wheels can be formed in one piece with the rear wall of the housing, or be made in a room fixed on this wall.

Claims (9)

Suceur d'aspirateur comportant un boîtier (10) présentant un dessus (14) et au moins un élément de paroi arrière (16), une semelle (18) disposée sous le boîtier, et deux roues arrières (26, 28), susceptibles de rouler sur le sol (l1), disposées à l'arrière du boîtier et montées sur un axe de rotation (30) disposé selon la direction longitudinale du boîtier, cet axe de rotation présentant une partie médiane (32) et deux portions d'extrémité (36, 38), et étant supporté par au moins un organe de support coopérant avec ledit élément de paroi arrière, chaque roue arrière (26, 28) comprenant un logement (27, 29) pour l'une des portions d'extrémité (36, 38) de l'axe,
   caractérisé en ce que l'organe de support constitue un palier de support (64, 66, 72) par rapport auquel l'axe de rotation (30) est libre en rotation,
   en ce que, pour chaque roue arrière (26, 28), le logement est constitué par un manchon cylindrique (27, 29) en matière plastique dans lequel une portion d'extrémité (36, 38) de l'axe de rotation est susceptible d'être emmanchée à force, et
   en ce que chaque portion d'extrémité (36, 38) de l'axe de rotation (30) comporte des moyens de blocage (40, 42, 44) à l'intérieur du manchon (27, 29) dans lequel elle est engagée.Vacuum cleaner nozzle comprising a housing (10) having a top (14) and at least one rear wall element (16), a soleplate (18) disposed under the housing, and two rear wheels (26, 28), capable of roll on the ground ( l 1), arranged at the rear of the housing and mounted on an axis of rotation (30) arranged in the longitudinal direction of the housing, this axis of rotation having a middle part (32) and two portions of end (36, 38), and being supported by at least one support member cooperating with said rear wall element, each rear wheel (26, 28) comprising a housing (27, 29) for one of the end portions (36, 38) of the axis,
characterized in that the support member constitutes a support bearing (64, 66, 72) relative to which the axis of rotation (30) is free to rotate,
in that, for each rear wheel (26, 28), the housing is constituted by a cylindrical sleeve (27, 29) of plastic material in which an end portion (36, 38) of the axis of rotation is capable to be force-fitted, and
in that each end portion (36, 38) of the axis of rotation (30) comprises locking means (40, 42, 44) inside the sleeve (27, 29) in which it is engaged . Suceur d'aspirateur selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que chaque portion d'extrémité (36, 38) de l'axe de rotation (30) comporte une portion cannelée (40) munie de cannelures axiales dont les sommets (41) se trouvent à une distance radiale (D1) du centre géométrique (l) de l'axe de rotation (30) supérieure au rayon (R1) de la périphérie interne du manchon (27, 29) dans lequel la portion d'extrémité (36, 38) est engagée, avant l'insertion de cette dernière, et une face radiale d'accrochage (42, 44) cette dernière étant constituée par une face radiale d'un épaulement, tournée vers la portion médiane (32) de l'axe (30) et présentant une arête externe sensiblement circulaire de rayon sensiblement égal à la distance radiale (D1) des sommets (41) des cannelures.Vacuum cleaner nozzle according to claim 1, characterized in that each end portion (36, 38) of the axis of rotation (30) comprises a grooved portion (40) provided with axial grooves whose vertices (41) are lie at a radial distance (D1) from the geometric center ( l ) of the axis of rotation (30) greater than the radius (R1) of the internal periphery of the sleeve (27, 29) in which the end portion (36, 38) is engaged, before the insertion of the latter, and a radial attachment face (42, 44) the latter being constituted by a radial face of a shoulder, facing the middle portion (32) of the axis (30) and having a substantially circular outer edge of radius substantially equal to the radial distance (D1) of the vertices (41) of the grooves. Suceur d'aspirateur selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce que chaque portion d'extrémité (36, 38) de l'axe de rotation (30) présente, successivement disposés dans le sens allant de l'extrémité (33) vers la portion médiane (32) de l'axe, une portion cylindrique extrême (46) dont le rayon est sensiblement égal à la distance radiale (D1) des sommets (41) des cannelures, une première gorge annulaire (48) présentant une première face radiale d'accrochage (42), la portion cannelée (40), et une deuxième gorge annulaire (50) présentant une deuxième face radiale d'accrochage (44).Vacuum cleaner nozzle according to claim 2, characterized in that each end portion (36, 38) of the axis of rotation (30) has, successively arranged in the direction from the end (33) towards the portion median (32) of the axis, an extreme cylindrical portion (46) whose radius is substantially equal to the radial distance (D1) of the tops (41) of the grooves, a first annular groove (48) having a first radial hooking face (42), the grooved portion (40), and a second annular groove (50) having a second radial attachment face (44). Suceur d'aspirateur selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, caractérisé en ce que l'extrémité de chaque portion d'extrémité (36, 38) de l'axe de rotation (30) présente une rampe de centrage (47) sensiblement tronconique évasée dans le sens allant, à partir de l'extrémité (33) considérée, vers la partie médiane (32) de l'axe.Vacuum cleaner nozzle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the end of each end portion (36, 38) of the axis of rotation (30) has a centering ramp (47) substantially frustoconical flared in the direction from the end (33) considered, towards the middle part (32) of the axis. Suceur d'aspirateur selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, caractérisé en ce que chaque roue arrière (26, 28) est creuse, formée en une seule pièce et comporte une paroi externe (50) sensiblement cylindrique, présentant un premier côté (52) ouvert et un deuxième côté fermé par une paroi latérale (54), le manchon cylindrique (27, 29) étant disposé axialement à l'intérieur de la paroi externe (50) et présentant une première extrémité (29a) ouverte vers le premier côté (52) de cette paroi et une deuxième extrémité fermée (29b), susceptible de coopérer en butée avec une extrémité (33) de l'axe de rotation (30).Vacuum cleaner nozzle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that each rear wheel (26, 28) is hollow, formed in one piece and has an outer wall (50) substantially cylindrical, having a first side (52) open and a second side closed by a side wall (54), the cylindrical sleeve (27, 29) being disposed axially inside the external wall (50) and having a first end (29a) open towards the first side (52) of this wall and a second closed end (29b) capable of cooperating in abutment with one end (33) of the axis of rotation (30). Suceur d'aspirateur selon la revendication 5, caractérisé en ce que, pour chaque roue arrière (26, 28), le manchon cylindrique (29) est muni d'un prolongement de raccordement (56) s'étendant, vers la paroi latérale (54) de la roue considérée, au-delà de la deuxième extrémité (29b) du manchon, et raccordant le manchon à cette paroi latérale (54), ce prolongement de raccordement étant relié à la paroi cylindrique (50) de cette roue par des voiles de liaison (58).Vacuum cleaner nozzle according to claim 5, characterized in that, for each rear wheel (26, 28), the cylindrical sleeve (29) is provided with a connection extension (56) extending towards the side wall ( 54) of the wheel considered, beyond the second end (29b) of the sleeve, and connecting the sleeve to this side wall (54), this connection extension being connected to the cylindrical wall (50) of this wheel by connecting webs (58). Suceur d'aspirateur selon l'une quelconque des revendications 5 et 6, caractérisé en ce que la paroi externe (50) de chaque roue arrière (26, 28) présente une bande annulaire de roulement (60) faisant radialement saillie par rapport à cette paroi (50), située du premier côté (52) de cette dernière et présentant une surface granuleuse.Vacuum cleaner nozzle according to either of Claims 5 and 6, characterized in that the external wall (50) of each rear wheel (26, 28) has an annular tread (60) projecting radially from this wall (50), located on the first side (52) of the latter and having a grainy surface. Suceur d'aspirateur selon l'une quelconque des revendications 5 à 7, caractérisée en ce que la paroi externe (50) de chaque roue arrière (26, 28) est légèrement déformable élastiquement dans le sens radial.Vacuum cleaner nozzle according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the external wall (50) of each rear wheel (26, 28) is slightly elastically deformable in the radial direction. Suceur d'aspirateur selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 8, caractérisée en ce que l'élément de paroi arrière (16) comporte une ouverture centrale (62) présentant deux bords latéraux (64, 66), perpendiculaires à la direction longitudinale du suceur et munis, chacun, d'un orifice circulaire (65, 67) de diamètre sensiblement égal au diamètre courant de l'axe de rotation des roues arrières, les deux orifices étant alignés sur un axe (X) parallèle à la direction longitudinale du suceur, et en ce qu'il comporte une tubulure d'aspiration (12) présentant une extrémité avant susceptible d'être engagée dans l'ouverture centrale, ladite extrémité avant étant munie d'un tube longitudinal (72) de diamètre interne sensiblement égal au diamètre de la partie médiane (32) de l'axe de rotation (30) des roues arrières et s'étendant, lorsque l'extrémité avant (70) de la tubulure est engagée dans l'ouverture centrale (62), entre les orifices (65, 67) des bords latéraux (64, 66) de cette ouverture.Vacuum cleaner nozzle according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the rear wall element (16) has a central opening (62) having two lateral edges (64, 66), perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the squeegee and each provided with a circular orifice (65, 67) of diameter substantially equal to the current diameter of the axis of rotation of the rear wheels, the two orifices being aligned on an axis (X) parallel to the longitudinal direction of the squeegee, and in that it comprises a suction tube (12) having a front end capable of being engaged in the central opening, said front end being provided with a longitudinal tube (72) of diameter internal substantially equal to the diameter of the middle part (32) of the axis of rotation (30) of the rear wheels and extending, when the front end (70) of the tube is engaged in the central opening (62) , between the orifices (65, 67) of the lateral edges (64, 66) of this opening.
EP19960400786 1995-04-13 1996-04-12 Vacuum cleaner nozzle having wheels at the rear Expired - Lifetime EP0737437B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9504451 1995-04-13
FR9504451A FR2732884B1 (en) 1995-04-13 1995-04-13 VACUUM CLEANER WITH REAR WHEELS

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0737437A1 true EP0737437A1 (en) 1996-10-16
EP0737437B1 EP0737437B1 (en) 2001-07-04

Family

ID=9478086

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19960400786 Expired - Lifetime EP0737437B1 (en) 1995-04-13 1996-04-12 Vacuum cleaner nozzle having wheels at the rear

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0737437B1 (en)
DE (1) DE69613619T2 (en)
FR (1) FR2732884B1 (en)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1532914A1 (en) * 2003-11-20 2005-05-25 Seb S.A. Suction head for vacuum cleaner
EP1600091A1 (en) * 2004-05-28 2005-11-30 New Ermes Europe S.p.A. Suction nozzle for vacuum cleaner or the like
EP3539433A1 (en) * 2018-03-14 2019-09-18 Seb S.A. Vacuum cleaner nozzle equipped with a rib for rear scraping
USD922014S1 (en) 2018-09-18 2021-06-08 New Ermes S.r.l. Accessory for vacuum cleaners
US11224319B2 (en) 2017-12-11 2022-01-18 New Ermes Europe S.R.L. Base plate for a vacuum cleaner suction head for the suction of fine dust and large debris
USD953673S1 (en) 2020-02-17 2022-05-31 New Ermes Europe S.R.L. Head of a vacuum cleaner

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2138573A1 (en) * 1971-05-14 1973-01-05 Wessel Hans
DE3009648A1 (en) * 1980-03-13 1981-09-17 Hans 5226 Reichshof Wessel Vacuum cleaner height adjustable nozzle - consists of connecting piece and sliding part, with tilt axis
EP0235614A1 (en) * 1986-02-21 1987-09-09 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Vacuum cleaner nozzle with a swiveling jointing sleeve and a nozzle body
EP0353546A1 (en) * 1988-08-01 1990-02-07 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Suction cleaner nozzle

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2138573A1 (en) * 1971-05-14 1973-01-05 Wessel Hans
DE3009648A1 (en) * 1980-03-13 1981-09-17 Hans 5226 Reichshof Wessel Vacuum cleaner height adjustable nozzle - consists of connecting piece and sliding part, with tilt axis
EP0235614A1 (en) * 1986-02-21 1987-09-09 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Vacuum cleaner nozzle with a swiveling jointing sleeve and a nozzle body
EP0353546A1 (en) * 1988-08-01 1990-02-07 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Suction cleaner nozzle

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1532914A1 (en) * 2003-11-20 2005-05-25 Seb S.A. Suction head for vacuum cleaner
FR2862514A1 (en) * 2003-11-20 2005-05-27 Seb Sa VACUUM SUCKER
EP1600091A1 (en) * 2004-05-28 2005-11-30 New Ermes Europe S.p.A. Suction nozzle for vacuum cleaner or the like
US7757345B2 (en) 2004-05-28 2010-07-20 New Ermes Europe S.P.A. Suction nozzle for vacuum cleaner or the like with detachable suction duct
US11224319B2 (en) 2017-12-11 2022-01-18 New Ermes Europe S.R.L. Base plate for a vacuum cleaner suction head for the suction of fine dust and large debris
EP3539433A1 (en) * 2018-03-14 2019-09-18 Seb S.A. Vacuum cleaner nozzle equipped with a rib for rear scraping
FR3078877A1 (en) * 2018-03-14 2019-09-20 Seb S.A. VACUUM SQUEEGEE WITH REAR SCRATCH RIB
USD922014S1 (en) 2018-09-18 2021-06-08 New Ermes S.r.l. Accessory for vacuum cleaners
USD953673S1 (en) 2020-02-17 2022-05-31 New Ermes Europe S.R.L. Head of a vacuum cleaner

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2732884B1 (en) 1997-07-04
DE69613619T2 (en) 2002-05-08
DE69613619D1 (en) 2001-08-09
EP0737437B1 (en) 2001-07-04
FR2732884A1 (en) 1996-10-18

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