EP1388318A1

EP1388318A1 - Support for vacuum cleaner tube

Info

Publication number: EP1388318A1
Application number: EP03077487A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Dirk Van Der Steen; Robert Van Der Steen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-08-08
Filing date: 2003-08-08
Publication date: 2004-02-11
Also published as: NL1021234C2

Abstract

The invention relates to a device allowing a vacuum cleaner tube to stand freely and independently in the usual suction position, wherein the device comprises a fixing part (2) for fastening to the vacuum cleaner tube and two legs (3,4) which are connected pivotally to the fixing part (2) and which can be carried during use from a rest position running along the vacuum cleaner tube to an active position supporting the vacuum cleaner tube, wherein the legs (3,4) lie practically parallel to each other in the rest position and enclose a mutual angle in the active position. There is provided a operating handle (6) pivotable relative to the fixing part (2) for carrying the legs (3,4) from the rest position to the active position, and vice versa. Such a operating handle (6) can be placed ergonomically and is user-friendly. It is possible to suffice with relatively little actuating force, which is increased as a result of the distance between the handle and the pivot point between the operating handle (6) and the fixing part (2).

Description

The invention relates to a device allowing a vacuum cleaner tube to stand freely and independently in the usual suction position, wherein the device comprises a fixing part for fastening to the vacuum cleaner tube and two legs which are connected pivotally to the fixing part and which can be carried during use from a rest position running along the vacuum cleaner tube to an active position supporting the vacuum cleaner tube, wherein the legs lie substantially parallel to each other in the rest position and enclose a mutual angle in the active position.

Such a device is known for instance from DE 195 20 236 A1 and FR 2 516 372.

Using the device from DE 195 20 236 it is only possible by using draw springs to hold the legs folded against the vacuum cleaner tube and to hold them spread in the extreme unfolded position. The legs are operated by means of pushing the legs manually forward and backward, wherein the spring tension of the draw springs must be overcome. Because of this spring tension the legs, as they pass the dead centre, can fold rapidly in or out in uncontrolled manner, whereby the legs may eventually break off due to metal fatigue. In order to operate the two legs simultaneously, they are mutually connected by means of a metal construction with a groove which is arranged fixedly on one of the legs. Owing to the accessibility of the construction a person can be injured by the fingers being caught between the end stops of the legs and the legs themselves. Injury and damage to furniture and interior are possible due to the protruding parts of the construction, combined with the forward and backward movements to be made that are characteristic of vacuum-cleaning.

FR 2 516 372 shows a device for supporting a vacuum cleaner tube in the usual suction position, wherein the legs are folded in and out by sliding a slide block over a rod arranged parallel to the vacuum cleaner tube. Spacing arms are arranged hingedly between the slide block and the legs so that the translation movement of the slide block is converted into a rotation movement of the legs. Because the slide block is situated on the underside of the vacuum cleaner tube between the vacuum cleaner tube and the legs, the construction is difficult to operate.

The invention has for its object to obtain a device of the type stated in the introduction, using which the operation for folding in and out of the legs becomes possible in simple manner. A further object of the present invention is to provide a device with which a locking of the legs is obtained in relatively simple manner, thereby ensuring a secure positioning of the whole unit. Finally, the invention has for its object to provide a device which reduces the risk of injury or damage to person and/or environment.

This can be achieved according to the invention in that the device is provided with a operating handle pivotable relative to the fixing part for carrying the legs from the rest position to the active position, and vice versa. Such a operating handle can be placed ergonomically and is user-friendly. It is possible to suffice with relatively little actuating force, which is increased as a result of the distance between the handle and the pivot point between the operating handle and the fixing part. With application of a device according to the invention the legs can be moved in and out by rotating the operating handle, wherein locking takes place by the operating handle engaging behind the locking protrusion. Safety during use of the device will increase through the use of plastics, by rounding off sides and corners of the different structural components and a construction such that the legs and the end stops are built in and accessibility is reduced.

The invention will be further elucidated hereinbelow with reference to an embodiment shown in the figures of the construction according to the invention. In the drawings:

Figure 1 shows a part of a vacuum cleaner provided with a device according to the invention in a rest position;

Figure 2 shows the vacuum cleaner of figure 1 in an active position;

Figure 3 shows an enlarged side view of a part of the device of figure 1;

Figure 4 shows an enlarged side view of a part of the device of figure 2;

Figure 5 shows a front view of the device according to the invention;

Figure 6 shows a cross-section of the device along line A-A in figure 5; and

Figure 7 shows an exploded perspective view of the device and plastic sleeve.

Fig. 1 shows schematically a device according to the invention mounted on the vacuum cleaner tube of a vacuum cleaner, with legs folded against the vacuum cleaner tube, whereby the tube is in the position of use for vacuum-cleaning. Fig. 1 also shows the position when the vacuum cleaner or vacuum cleaner tube is stowed away. In Fig. 1 the device is in the rest position.

Fig. 2 shows schematically a device according to the invention mounted on the vacuum cleaner tube of a vacuum cleaner, with legs folded out when vacuum-cleaning is interrupted. In Fig. 2 the device is in the active position.

Fig. 3 shows schematically the position of a operating handle 6 relative to a locking protrusion 19 in the position of use during vacuum-cleaning.

Fig. 4 shows schematically the position of operating handle 6 relative to locking protrusion 19 with legs folded-out when vacuum-cleaning is interrupted.

Fig. 5 shows a schematic front view of the device. In fixing part 2 there are arranged in lengthwise direction of the tube two

recesses

14,15 running parallel to each other and the tube.

Recesses

14, 15 are arranged at a determined angle relative to each other.

Legs

3,4 are arranged in

recesses

14, 15 with a hinge pin 5. Legs 3,4 run from pivot point 5 with fixing part 2 through

slots

16 and 17 in operating handle 6 and then extend freely. Operating handle 6 consists of flexible plastic and can be deformed to some extent, whereafter it once again returns of its own accord to the original shape. So as to release operating handle 6 from behind locking protrusion 19, the handle has to be forced slightly in the line of pivot pin 5 so as to be then displaced over locking protrusion 19 and to hook of its own accord in the opposite direction on the other side of locking protrusion 19. By pulling operating handle 6 rearward parallel to the tube the

legs

3,4 will move gradually to the tube and to each other via rotation over hinge pin 5 and be situated in the end position parallel to each other and the tube. By then pushing operating handle 6 forward the

legs

3,4 will move gradually away from the tube and away from each other via rotation over hinge pin 5 until they enclose a determined angle. The angle is sufficiently large to provide a stable support of the vacuum cleaner tube.

Fig. 6 shows cross-section A-A of fig. 5. Shown here is an end stop surface 18 which bounds the extreme position of

legs

3,4 in the folded-out position. The recess 15 on the other side can likewise be provided with such an end stop surface.

Fig. 7 shows schematically in broad outline the assembly of the different structural components. The device in Fig. 7 comprises a fastening element consisting of two fixing parts 1,2. Fixing part 1 is arranged together with fixing part 2 around the vacuum cleaner tube. Fixing parts 1,2 are screwed together so that the fastening element is fastened clampingly around the tube. If the diameter of the vacuum cleaner tube is less than the presupposed diameter, this difference in diameter can be absorbed in the first instance by the space available between fixing parts 1,2 and by means of arranging one or more layers of plastic sleeve 13 around the vacuum cleaner tube if this space is insufficient. Fixing part 2 is assembled with

legs

3,4 which are first placed through the

slots

16 and 17 intended for the purpose in operating handle 6 and then arranged in

holes

9 and 10 by means of pivot pin 5. By making use of the flexibility of the material of operating handle 6, pivot points 7,8 are bent slightly apart and then arranged under some tension over fixing part 2 in pin hole 9, whereafter operating handle 6 once again regains its original shape. Pivot pin 5 is in this way enclosed in pin hole 9.

Caps

11,12 are subsequently arranged on

legs

3,4.

Legs

3,4 consist of round and rectangular parts which are pressed into each other and provided with a pin hole 10.

The drawings show a left-hand embodiment of the operating handle which is specifically intended for right-handed people. It is of course also possible to provide a right-hand embodiment suitable for left-handed people, or a two-handed embodiment.

Claims

Device allowing a vacuum cleaner tube to stand freely and independently in the usual suction position, wherein the device comprises a fixing part for fastening to the vacuum cleaner tube and two legs which are connected pivotally to the fixing part and which can be carried during use from a rest position running along the vacuum cleaner tube to an active position supporting the vacuum cleaner tube, wherein the legs lie substantially parallel to each other in the rest position and enclose a mutual angle in the active position, characterized by a operating handle pivotable relative to the fixing part for carrying the legs from the rest position to the active position, and vice versa.
Device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the operating handle is provided with slots for passage of the legs.
Device as claimed in claim 2, wherein two channels are arranged in the fixing part said channels running during use in the lengthwise direction of the vacuum cleaner tube, and wherein the outer ends of the legs are pivotally mounted in the channels.
Device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the channels in the fixing part are provided with a stop surface for forming an end stop of the legs in the active position.
Device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the fixing part is provided with a locking protrusion which co-acts with the operating handle.
Device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the different components are manufactured from plastic materials and are provided with roundings.
Assembly of a vacuum cleaner tube and a device allowing the vacuum cleaner tube to stand freely and independently in the usual suction position, wherein the device comprises a fixing part fastened to the vacuum cleaner tube and two legs which are connected pivotally to the fixing part and which can be carried from a rest position running along the vacuum cleaner tube to an active position supporting the vacuum cleaner tube, wherein in the rest position the legs lie substantially parallel to each other and the vacuum cleaner tube and in the active position enclose an angle with each other and the vacuum cleaner tube, characterized by a operating handle pivotable relative to the fixing part for carrying the legs from the rest position to the active position, and vice versa.
Assembly of a vacuum cleaner provided with a vacuum cleaner tube and a device allowing a vacuum cleaner tube to stand freely and independently in the usual suction position, wherein the device comprises a fixing part fastened to the vacuum cleaner tube and two legs which are connected pivotally to the fixing part and which can be carried from a rest position running along the vacuum cleaner tube to an active position supporting the vacuum cleaner tube, wherein in the rest position the legs lie substantially parallel to each other and the vacuum cleaner tube and in the active position enclose an angle with each other and with the vacuum cleaner tube, characterized by a operating handle pivotable relative to the fixing part for carrying the legs from the rest position to the active position, and vice versa.