EP2727509A2

EP2727509A2 - Canister vacuum cleaner

Info

Publication number: EP2727509A2
Application number: EP13187601.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ben Edmonds; Benjeman Morse
Original assignee: Dyson Technology Ltd
Current assignee: Dyson Technology Ltd
Priority date: 2012-11-01
Filing date: 2013-10-07
Publication date: 2014-05-07
Also published as: JP5767678B2; GB201219628D0; EP2727509A3; JP2014091050A; GB2507518A; GB2507518B

Abstract

A canister vacuum cleaner comprising a main body and a wand that telescopes between retracted and extended positions. The wand and the main body comprise mounting features that engage to mount the wand to the main body when the wand is retracted, whilst preventing the wand mounting to the main body when the wand is extended.

Description

The present invention relates to a canister vacuum cleaner.
Figure 1 illustrates a canister vacuum cleaner 1 having a main body 2 to which a cleaner head 3 is coupled by means of a hose-and-wand assembly 4. The main body 2 and the cleaner head 3 each comprise features for mounting the cleaner head 3 to the main body 2 when the vacuum cleaner 1 is not in use. When the cleaner head 3 is mounted to the main body 2, the hose-and-wand assembly 4 extends upwards from the main body 2. As a result, the centre-of-mass of the assembly 4 is higher than that of the main body 2. Consequently, should a user inadvertently knock the assembly 4, a torque is exerted on the main body 2. When the wand of the assembly 4 is retracted, the centre-of-mass of the assembly 4 is sufficiently low that, should the assembly 4 be knocked, the vacuum cleaner 1 remains righted. However, when the wand is extended, the centre-of-mass of the assembly 4 is raised. Consequently, when the assembly 4 is knocked, the resulting torque may cause the vacuum cleaner 1 to topple over.
The present invention provides a canister vacuum cleaner comprising a main body and a wand that telescopes between retracted and extended positions, wherein the wand comprises an inner tube moveable relative to an outer tube, a first mounting feature provided on the inner tube, and a second mounting feature provided on the outer tube, the main body comprises a third mounting feature, the wand is mountable to the main body by engagement of both the first and second mounting features with the third mounting feature, the first and second mounting features engage the third mounting feature when the wand is retracted, and only one of the first and second mounting features engage the third mounting feature when the wand is extended so that the wand is prevented from mounting to the main body when the wand is extended.
It not therefore possible to mount the wand to the main body when the wand is extended. As a result, a more stable vacuum cleaner is achieved.
The wand has different mounting features located on different tubes. By ensuring that the mounting features on the tubes engage with the mounting feature on the main body only when the wand is retracted, the wand is prevented from mounting to the main body when the wand is extended. Additionally, by providing mounting features on different tubes, the wand may be mounted to the main body over a longer length, thereby improving stability.
The first and third mounting features may engage to permit movement of the wand relative to the main body in a first direction and prevent movement in a second direction. The second and third mounting features may then engage to prevent movement in the first direction and permit movement in the second direction. Accordingly, when mounted to the main body, the wand is prevented from moving in both the first and second directions. A user is then provided with an indication that the wand is not retracted when attempting to mount the wand to the main body since movement of the wand in either the first or second direction continues to be possible.
The first and third mounting features may engage to permit sliding movement along an axis and prevent movement in a direction normal to the axis. The second and third mounting features may then engage to prevent sliding movement along the axis and permit movement in the direction normal to the axis. A user is then able to mount the wand to the main body by sliding the wand relative to the main body. Sliding of the wand is then halted when the second and third mounting features engage. This then provides a convenient method of mounting the wand to the main body.
One of the first and third mounting features may comprise a runner, and the other of the first and third mounting features may comprise a guide channel. The first and third mounting features then engage such that the runner is slidably received within the guide channel. The second and third mounting features engage such that the runner is prevented from sliding beyond the guide channel when the wand is retracted and the runner is permitted to slide beyond the guide channel when the wand is extended. A user is then able to mount the wand to the main body by inserting the runner into the guide channel, and then moving the wand relative to the main body such that the runner slides along the guide channel. Movement of the wand is then halted when the second and third mounting features engage. If the wand is retracted, the second and third mounting features engage at a time when the runner is held within the guide channel. However, if the wand is extended, the second and third mounting features engage at a time when the runner has passed beyond the guide channel. A user is then provided with an indication that the wand is not retracted since, when attempting to mount the wand to the main body, the runner slides all the way through the guide channel on the main body.
In order that the present invention may be more readily understood, an embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of a known type of vacuum cleaner;
Figure 2 is a side view of a vacuum cleaner in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 3 is an axonometric view from above of part of the wand of the vacuum cleaner of Figure 2;
Figure 4 is an axonometric view from below of part of the wand;
Figure 5 is an axonometric view from one side of part of the wand;
Figure 6 is an axonometric view of the main body of the vacuum cleaner of Figure 2;
Figure 7 is a rear view of part of the main body;
Figure 8 is a sectional view through the wand when mounted to the main body, the section extending through a mounting feature of the wand and a mounting feature of the main body;
Figure 9 is a side view of the wand in a retracted position when mounted to the main body, wherein part of the main body is shown in section taken along the line X---X of Figure 8;
Figure 10 is a side view of the wand in the retracted position when mounted to the main body, wherein part of the main body is shown in section taken along the line Y---Y of Figure 8;
Figure 11 is a view of the wand in a partially extended position when attempting to mount the wand to the main body, wherein part of the main body is shown in section taken along the line X---X of Figure 8; and
Figure 12 is a view of the wand in the partially extended position when attempting to mount the wand to the main body, wherein part of the main body is shown in section taken along the line Y---Y of Figure 8.

The vacuum cleaner 10 of Figures 2 to 12 is of a canister type and comprises a main body 11 to which a cleaner head 12 is fluidly coupled by means of a hose-and-wand assembly 13.
The hose-and-wand assembly 13 comprises a wand 14, a handle 15, and a hose 16.
The wand 14 is telescopic and comprises an inner tube 17 that moves relative to an outer tube 18. At the two extremes, the wand 14 telescopes between a retracted position and an extended position. The outer tube 18 comprises a catch 19 that engages notches 20 in the inner tube 17, so that a user may lock the wand 14 at positions between the two extremes.
The wand 14 is attached at one end to the cleaner head 12 and at the opposite end to the handle 15. The hose 16 is then attached at one end to the handle 15 and at the opposite end to the main body 11.
The main body 11 and the wand 14 each comprise mounting features 21-23 that engage so that the wand 14 may be mounted to the main body 11, as illustrated in Figure 2. As explained below, the mounting features 21-23 engage in such a way that the wand 14 may be mounted to the main body 11 only when the wand 14 is retracted. Mounting the wand 14 to the main body 11 is then prevented when the wand 14 is extended or partially extended.
The wand 14 comprises a first mounting feature 21 provided on the inner tube 17, and a second mounting feature 22 provided on the outer tube 18.
The first mounting feature 21 takes the form of a projection that extends outwardly from the inner tube 17. The projection 21 comprises a stem 24 and a pair of runners 25. The stem 24 extends along the inner tube 17 in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube 17. The runners 25 extend along opposite sides of the stem 24. The stem 24 is not of a constant height but is instead slanted. As a result, the runners 25 extend along an axis that is tilted slightly relative to the longitudinal axis of the inner tube 17. Consequently, when the wand 14 is mounted to the main body 11 (as described below in more detail), the wand 14 is angled further backwards relative to the main body 11. As a result, the centre-of-mass of the hose-and-wand assembly 13 is lowered. This then has the benefit that, should the assembly 13 be knocked, a smaller torque is exerted on the main body 11 and thus the stability of the vacuum cleaner 1 is improved.
The second mounting feature 22 takes the form of a planar flange that extends outwardly from the outer tube 18. The flange 22 lies in a plane normal to the longitudinal axis of the outer tube 18.
When the wand 14 is in the retracted position, the first and second mounting features 21,22 are proximal one another. Conversely, when the wand 14 is extended, the first and second mounting features 21,22 are distal one another.
The main body 11 comprises a third mounting feature 23 in the form of a bracket. The bracket 23 comprises a base 26 and a pair of curved arms 27 that extend along opposite sides of the base 26. The arms 27 curve towards one another such that a central slot 28 is defined between the two arms 27. Additionally, a guide channel 29 is defined between each arm 27 and the base 26.
In order to mount the wand 14 to the main body 11, the first mounting feature 21 is first made to engage with the third mounting feature 23. This is achieved by inserting the stem 24 of the projection 21 into the slot 28 of the bracket 23. The wand 14 is then pushed downward relative to the main body 11, causing the runners 25 of the projection 21 to slide along the guide channels 29 of the bracket 23. The runners 25 slide along the guide channels 29 until such time as the second mounting feature 22 engages with the third mounting feature 23. This is achieved when the flange 22 abuts the arms 27 of the bracket 23. The abutment of the flange 22 and the bracket 23 prevents further sliding of the projection 21 along the sliding axis of the bracket 23 (i.e. the longitudinal axis of the slot 28 and guide channels 29). At this stage, movement of the wand 14 relative to the main body 11 in a direction parallel to the sliding axis is prevented by the flange 22 and the arms 27. Additionally, movement of the wand 14 relative to the main body 11 in a direction normal to the sliding axis is prevented by the runners 25 and the arms 27. As a result, the wand 14 is mounted securely to the main body 11.
The first and third mounting features 21,23 engage to permit movement of the wand 14 relative to the main body 11 in a first direction (i.e. in a direction parallel to the sliding axis) but prevent movement in a second direction (i.e. in a direction normal to the sliding axis). The second and third mounting features 22,23 then engage to permit movement of the wand 14 relative to the main body 11 in the second direction, but prevent movement in the first direction. Movement of the wand 14 relative to the main body 11 is therefore prevented only when both the first and second mounting features 21,22 engage the third mounting feature 23. This occurs only when the wand 14 is retracted. When retracted, the first and second mounting features 21,22 are proximal one another. As a result, the first and second mounting features 21,22 are able to engage the third mounting feature 23 simultaneously. In contrast, when the wand 14 is extended or partially extended, the first and second mounting features 21,22 are distal one another. As a result, only one of the first and second mounting features 21,22 is able to engage the third mounting feature 23 at any one time. As a result, the wand 14 is prevented from mounting to the main body 11, as will now be explained.
As already noted, in order to mount the wand 14 to the main body 11, the first mounting feature 21 is first made to engage with the third mounting feature 23. This is achieved by inserting the stem 24 of the projection 21 into the slot 28 of the bracket 23. The runners 25 then slide along the guide channels 29 until such time as the second mounting feature 22 engages with the third mounting feature 23. The slot 28 and the guide channels 29 are open at both ends. Consequently, in the absence of the second mounting feature 22, the stem 24 and runners 25 slide through the slot 28 and channels 29 and exit the bracket 23. The wand 14 cannot therefore be mounted to the main body 11 using just the first and third mounting features 21,23. Equally, the wand 14 cannot be mounted to the main body 11 using just the second and third mounting features 22,23. When the wand 14 is in the retracted position, the flange 22 abuts the arms 27 of the bracket 23 at a time when the runners 25 are still located within the guide channels 29. As a result, the flange 22 and arms 27 engage to prevent movement of the wand 14 in a direction parallel to the sliding axis, and the runners 25 and arms 27 engage to prevent movement of the wand 14 in a direction normal to the sliding axis. However, when the wand 14 is extended or partially extended, the flange 22 abuts the arms 27 of the bracket 23 at a time when the runners 25 have passed beyond the guide channels 29. Consequently, although the flange 22 and arms 27 engage to prevent movement of the wand 14 in a direction parallel to the sliding axis, the wand 14 is free to move in a direction normal to the sliding axis. As a result, the wand 14 is not mounted to the main body 11.
Figures 9 and 10 illustrate the engagement of the mounting features 21-23 when the wand 14 is retracted, and Figures 11 and 12 illustrate the engagement of the features 21-23 when the wand 14 is partially extended. In all four Figures, part of the main body 11 is shown in section so as to better illustrate the mounting features 21-23. In Figures 9 and 11, the section through the main body 11 is taken along the line X---X of Figure 8. In Figures 10 and 12, the section through the main body 11 is taken along the line Y---Y.
Turning first to the situation in which the wand 14 is retracted, it can be seen in Figure 9 that the runners 25 are located within the guide channels 29. The runners 25 therefore abut the arms 27 of the bracket 23 to prevent movement of the wand 14 relative to the main body 11 in a direction normal to the sliding axis. In Figure 10, the flange 22 can be seen to abut the arms 27 of the bracket 23. As a result, movement of the wand 14 relative to the main body 11 is prevented in a direction parallel to the sliding axis. The wand 14 is therefore prevented from moving in directions normal and parallel to the sliding axis, and thus the wand 14 is mounted securely to the main body 11.
Turning now to the situation in which the wand 14 is partially extended, Figure 11 illustrates a first position of the wand 14 in which the runners 25 are located within the guide channels 29. The runners 25 abut the arms 27 of the bracket 23 to prevent movement of the wand 14 in a direction normal to the sliding axis. However, it can be seen that, owing to the partial extension of the wand 14, the flange 22 is distanced from the bracket 23. Consequently, the wand 14 is free to move in a direction parallel to the sliding axis, i.e. the runners 25 are free to slide within the guide channels 29. Figure 12 illustrates a second position of the wand 14 in which the flange 22 abuts the arms 27 of the bracket 23. As can be seen in Figure 12, the runners 25 have now passed beyond and are clear of the guide channels 29. Consequently, although the abutment of the flange 22 and the arms 27 now prevents movement of the wand 14 in a direction parallel to the sliding axis, the wand 14 is now free to move in a direction normal to the sliding axis. As a result, the wand 14 is not mounted securely to the main body 11. Indeed, since only the runners 25 or the flange 22 engage the arms 27 of the bracket 23 at any one time, it is not possible to mount the wand 14 to the main body 11.
The mounting features 21-23 of the wand 14 and the main body 11 thus engage in such a way as to permit mounting of the wand 14 to the main body 11 when the wand 14 is retracted, and prevent mounting of the wand 14 to the main body 11 when the wand 14 is extended. Since it is not possible to mount the wand 14 to the main body 11 when the wand 14 is extended, a more stable vacuum cleaner 1 is achieved.
By having mounting features 21,22 on both the inner and outer tubes 17,18 of the wand 14, the wand 14 may be mounted to the main body 11 over a longer length. That is to say that the wand 14 may be mounted at points that are spaced apart. As a result, the stability of the wand 14, when mounted to the main body 11, is improved.
In the embodiment described above, a particular arrangement or configuration has been described for each of the mounting features 21-23. However, other arrangements or configurations may be employed so long as the mounting features 21-23 engage in such a way as to permit mounting of the wand 14 to the main body 11 when the wand 14 is retracted and prevent mounting of the wand 14 to the main body 11 when the wand 14 is extended.
Although each mounting feature 21-23 has thus far been described as a single unitary component, a mounting feature could conceivably comprise two or more distinct components. This is particularly true of the third mounting feature 23 provided on the main body 11. For example, the third mounting feature 23 may comprise a first component provided on one part of the main body 11 that engages with the first mounting feature 21 of the wand 14, and a second component provided on a different part of the main body 11 that engages with the second mounting feature 22 of the wand 14. Indeed, in the embodiment described above and illustrated in the Figures, the main body 11 comprises a handle 30 for carrying the main body 11. When the wand 14 is mounted to the main body 11, the flange 22 on the outer tube 14 engages not only the bracket 23 but also the handle 30 of the main body 11. As can be seen in Figure 8, the handle 30 has a generally u-shaped cross-section. Consequently, when the face of the flange 22 abuts the bracket 23 to prevent movement of the wand 14 in a direction parallel to the sliding axis, the sides of the flange 22 abut the handle 30 to prevent lateral movement of the wand 14 in directions normal to the sliding axis. As a result, the stability of the wand 14, when mounted to the main body 11, is improved.

Claims

A canister vacuum cleaner comprising a main body and a wand that telescopes between retracted and extended positions, wherein the wand comprises an inner tube moveable relative to an outer tube, a first mounting feature provided on the inner tube, and a second mounting feature provided on the outer tube, the main body comprises a third mounting feature, the wand is mountable to the main body by engagement of both the first and second mounting features with the third mounting feature, the first and second mounting features engage the third mounting feature when the wand is retracted, and only one of the first and second mounting features engage the third mounting feature when the wand is extended so that the wand is prevented from mounting to the main body when the wand is extended.
A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and third mounting features engage to permit movement of the wand relative to the main body in a first direction and prevent movement in a second direction, and the second and third mounting features engage to prevent movement in the first direction and permit movement in the second direction.
A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first and third mounting features engage to permit sliding movement of the wand relative to the main body along an axis and prevent movement in a direction normal to the axis, and the second and third mounting features engage to prevent sliding movement along the axis and permit movement in the direction normal to the axis.
A vacuum cleaner as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein one of the first and third mounting features comprises a runner, the other of the first and third mounting features comprises a guide channel, the first and third mounting features engage such that the runner is slidably received within the guide channel, and the second and third mounting features engage such that the runner is prevented from sliding beyond the guide channel when the wand is retracted and the runner is permitted to slide beyond the guide channel when the wand is extended.