Classifications

• • 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
  • A47L5/00—Structural features of suction cleaners
  • A47L5/12—Structural features of suction cleaners with power-driven air-pumps or air-compressors, e.g. driven by motor vehicle engine vacuum
  • A47L5/22—Structural features of suction cleaners with power-driven air-pumps or air-compressors, e.g. driven by motor vehicle engine vacuum with rotary fans
  • A47L5/24—Hand-supported suction cleaners
• • 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
  • A47L9/0009—Storing devices ; Supports, stands or holders
• • 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
  • A47L9/0009—Storing devices ; Supports, stands or holders
  • A47L9/0063—External storing devices; Stands, casings or the like for the storage of suction cleaners
• • 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
  • A47L9/28—Installation of the electric equipment, e.g. adaptation or attachment to the suction cleaner; Controlling suction cleaners by electric means
  • A47L9/2868—Arrangements for power supply of vacuum cleaners or the accessories thereof
  • A47L9/2884—Details of arrangements of batteries or their installation
• • 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
  • A47L9/10—Filters; Dust separators; Dust removal; Automatic exchange of filters
  • A47L9/16—Arrangement or disposition of cyclones or other devices with centrifugal action
  • A47L9/1691—Mounting or coupling means for cyclonic chamber or dust receptacles
• • 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
  • A47L9/28—Installation of the electric equipment, e.g. adaptation or attachment to the suction cleaner; Controlling suction cleaners by electric means
  • A47L9/2868—Arrangements for power supply of vacuum cleaners or the accessories thereof
  • A47L9/2873—Docking units or charging stations

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a dock for a handheld product, in particular a modular dock for a handheld product.
• Handheld products such as vacuum cleaners are often provided with storage docks. This is particularly the case for battery powered handheld products, as the storage dock can also double as a charging dock which charges the product’s battery pack while it is not being used.
• a common format for a storage dock is a wall mounted dock, such as the dock provided with the Dyson V8TM cord-free vacuum cleaner.
• the wall mounted dock is secured to a wall by drilling holes, and then using screws and wall plugs to mount the dock to the wall.
• Free standing docks are known, such as the dock shown in JP2016039860A. However, they ideally need to be positioned in a relatively large and easily accessible area, and therefore do not provide much flexibility to a user in where in a home they could be located.
• a first aspect of the present invention provides a dock for a handheld product comprising a docking unit and a base, the docking unit and the base being separable, wherein in a first configuration the docking unit is connected directly to the base unit, and in a second configuration the docking unit is connected to a body and the body is connected to the base.
• the dock can be assembled in either the first or the second configuration, where the first configuration is substantially smaller than the second configuration, allowing for more flexibility of where the dock can be positioned.
• the dock could be positioned on a table or counter-top when assembled in the first configuration, but also allows for the dock to be more convenient for floor-standing when assembled in the second configuration.
• the body may comprise a removable case for holding accessories for a docked product.
• the docking unit may comprise an electrical connector for providing a power supply to a docked handheld product.
• the power supply may charge a battery pack of a docked handheld product.
• the dock therefore can double as a charging dock which conveniently charges the handheld product’s battery pack while it is not being used and is stored in the dock.
• At least one of the docking unit and the body may comprise connectors to which accessories for the docked handheld product can be attached. This provides even further convenient storage for accessories for the docked product which are easily accessible.
• the dock may be for a stick vacuum cleaner, the stick vacuum cleaner comprising a handheld vacuum cleaner, a wand and cleaner head, and the docking unit may receive the handheld vacuum cleaner once it is separated from the wand and cleaner head.
• the docking unit may receive the handheld vacuum cleaner once it is separated from the wand and cleaner head.
• the dock may comprise a clip for securing the wand. This provides a convenient storage place for the wand of the vacuum cleaner while the handheld part is docked.
• One of the base and the docking unit may comprise a catch, and the other of the base and the docking unit may comprise a catch-engaging formation, and when the dock is assembled in the first configuration, the catch may releasably engage with the catch- engaging formation preventing separation of the base and the docking unit.
• the body may comprise a catch at one end, and a catch-engaging formation at the other end, such that both the base and the docking unit can be releasably mounted to each end of the body when the dock is assembled in the second configuration.
• the same mechanism for mounting the docking unit to the base can be used to mount the docking unit to the body and the body to the base.
• One of the base and the docking unit may comprise a protrusion with a lip and the other of the base and the docking unit may comprise a slot with shoulder, and mounting the base to the docking unit in the first configuration may comprise inserting the flanged protrusion into the slot and moving the base relative to the docking unit until the lip engages with the shoulder, preventing separation of the base and the docking unit.
• an alternative or additional mechanism can be provided to enable a user to quickly and easily dismantle and reassemble the dock in a different configuration if desired.
• the body may comprise a protrusion with a lip at one end, and a slot with shoulder at the other end, such that both the base and the docking unit can be releasably mounted to each end of the body when the dock is assembled in the second configuration.
• the same mechanism for mounting the docking unit to the base can be used to mount the docking unit to the body and the body to the base.
• the docking unit may comprise a slot into which a handheld product can be slidably received. As a result, a handheld product can be quickly and easily docked in the docking unit.
• the docking unit may comprise a product clamp, the product clamp being slidable between a latched position in which a docked handheld product is held in the dock and an unlatched positioned in which a docked handheld product can be removed from the dock.
• the handheld product can be held firm in the dock while it is docked, and a correct docked position can be assured.
• the product clamp may be biased into the unlatched position. As a result, the product clamp can more easily released from a docked product allowing for a n easier undocking procedure. In addition, the product clamp can more easily be moved into the correct position to allow a handhald product to be clamped, and this requires only one hand.
• the product clamp may be released from the latched position by pressing down on a top surface of the product clamp and releasing, and may be moved into the latched position by pressing down on the top surface of the product clamp and sliding it into the latched position.
• a push-push clamp mechanism allows for an easy docking and undocking procedure.
• Figure 1 shows separable parts of a dock for a vacuum cleaner
• Figure 2 shows a dock for a vacuum cleaner in a first configuration
• Figure 3 shows a dock for a vacuum cleaner in a second configuration
• Figure 4 shows a bottom view of the base of the dock shown in Figures 1 to 3;
• Figure 5 shows a dock having a removable accessory case
• Figures 6A and 6B show a docking procedure for docking a vacuum cleaner in the dock of Figure 3;
• Figure 6C shows a vacuum cleaner docked in the dock of Figure 3;
• Figure 6D shows a vacuum cleaner docked in the dock of Figure 2;
• Figure 7A shows a docking procedure for docking a vacuum cleaner in an alternative embodiment of a dock
• Figure 7B shows a vacuum cleaner docked in a dock in a first configuration
• Figure 7C shows a vacuum cleaner docked in a dock in a second configuration.
• FIG 1 shows a dock 1 in separable parts.
• the dock 1 comprises a docking unit 2, a body 3, and a base 4.
• the docking unit 1 can be attached directly to the base 4, as indicated by the solid arrow labelled A, to assemble the dock 1 in a first configuration 1A.
• the dock 1 assembled in the first configuration 1A is shown in Figure 2, and may be suitable when the dock 1 is located, for example, on a table-top or counter-top.
• the docking unit 2 can also be attached to the body 3, and the body 3 can be attached to the base 4, as indicated by the dotted and dashed arrows B and C, to assemble the dock 1 in a second configuration 1 B.
• the dock 1 assembled in the second configuration 1 B is shown in Figure 3, and may be suitable when the dock 1 is floor standing. In the second configuration 1 B the docking unit is positioned higher, and so would be more comfortably accessible for a user to dock and undock a product when the dock 1 is positioned at floor-level.
• the docking unit 2 comprises a support 21 , a pillar 23, and a product clamp 25.
• the support 21 provides a surface that can support a product when it is docked in the docking unit 2.
• the pillar 23 supports the product clamp 25 which acts to hold a docked product in place. The procedure for docking a product in the dock 1 will be described later.
• a number of attachment connectors 27 are provided attached to the sides of the pillar 23. These attachment connectors 27 allow for the convenient storage of accessories for the intended docked product on the dock 1 itself.
• An electrical connector 29 is provided in the product clamp 25. The electrical connector 29 can therefore provide a power supply to a docked product. In the case of a battery powered product, such as a handheld vacuum cleaner, the dock therefore acts as a charging dock, and the battery pack can be charged while the product is docked in the dock 1.
• the body 3 comprises an outer casing 31 which houses a removable case 33.
• the removable case 33 can conveniently store further tools and accessories for the docked product within the dock 1 itself.
• the removable case 33 may contain tools such as adaptors, crevice tools, a mattress cleaning tool, and a hose connector.
• the body is also provided with an attachment connector 35.
• the attachment connector 35 could be the same as the attachment connectors 27 on the docking unit 2, but in the embodiment shown the attachment connector 35 differs slightly to allow a larger attachment such as a cleaner head to be stored on the dock 1.
• the body 3 is also provided with a clip 37 for securing a vacuum cleaner wand.
• Stick vacuum cleaners such as the Dyson V8TM cord-free vacuum cleaner, are often formed of a cleaner head and wand attached to a handheld vacuum cleaner. Therefore when docking this type of vacuum cleaner in the dock 1 , the handheld part can be separated from the wand and cleaner head and docked in the docking unit 2. The wand and cleaner head can then also be stored on the dock by securing the wand in the clip 37.
• the base 4 provides stability to the body 3 and/or docking unit 2 when they are mounted to the base 4.
• the means by which the separable parts of the dock 1 can be attached together are shown in Figure 1.
• the upper surface of the base 4, and the upper end of the outer casing 31 of the body 3 both comprise a number of slots 52 each with a shoulder 54.
• On the underside of the docking unit 2 and the bottom end of the body 3 are corresponding protrusions each comprising a lip 56.
• This catch 50 engages with a formation (not shown) on the underside of the docking unit 2 and the bottom end of the body 3 when the parts are engaged together to prevent the relative movement to disengage the lips 56 from the shoulders 54. Disengaging the catch 50 from the formation releases the catch 50, allowing the part to move relative to one another again. Disengaging the catch 50 is done by pressing a catch button on the underside of the catch 50.
• the button on the body 3 is not shown in the figures, but can be found on the inside of the outer casing 31 when the removable case 33 has been removed.
• Figure 4 shows the underside of the base 4, and the catch button 41 for the base 4 can be seen.
• Figure 5 shows the dock 1 in the second configuration 1 B, with the removable case 33 removed.
• the removable case 33 is inserted into the body 3 by sliding it into a cavity 39 formed inside the outer case 31 as indicated by arrow D.
• the removable case 33 comprises a case body 331 and a case lid 333 which is hingedly attached to the case body 331.
• An insert inside the removable case 33 comprises a number of shaped holes 335 into which tools and accessories for the vacuum cleaner will fit.
• the shaped holes 335 help to keep the tools organised even when the removable case 33 is turned on its side when inserted and stored inside the cavity 39 in the body 3.
• the case lid 333 may be transparent to help a user more easily identify what tools and accessories are stored therein.
• Figures 6A and 6B show a procedure for docking a handheld vacuum cleaner 60 onto the dock 1.
• the user must press down on the top of the product clamp 25 as indicated by arrow E. This releases a catch mechanism inside the pillar 23.
• the product clamp 25 is then free to slide relative to the pillar, and is biased in a direction away from the support 21.
• the product clamp 25 therefore moves upwards in the direction of arrow F. This then creates enough room for the handheld vacuum cleaner 60 to be positioned on the support 21 as indicated by arrow G.
• the user then presses down once again on the top of the product clamp, pushing it downwards in the direction of arrow H and pushing against the biasing force until the catch mechanism inside the pillar once again engages, holding the product clamp 25 in place.
• the vacuum cleaner 60 is then clamped between the product clamp 25 and the support 21.
• the electrical connector 29 engages with a socket on the handle of the vacuum cleaner, allowing the vacuum cleaner’s battery pack to be charged. Exactly the same procedure is carried out if the dock is in the first configuration, the table-top configuration.
• Figure 6C shows a handheld vacuum cleaner 60 docked in the dock 1 when it is in the second configuration 1 B, the floor-standing configuration.
• Figure 6D shows the vacuum cleaner 60 docked in the dock 1 when it is in the first configuration, the table-top configuration.
• FIG. 7A, 7B and 7C An alternative embodiment of a dock 70 is shown in Figures 7A, 7B and 7C.
• the dock has the same modular concept as previously described, and the body 3 and base 4 are the same as previously described in the earlier embodiment. And the separable parts of the dock 70 are assembled in the same way as previously described.
• the docking unit 72 differs from the previously described docking unit 2. There is no product clamp, but instead the docking unit 72 has a docking slot 74 formed in the upper end of the pillar 73.
• a number of attachment connectors 77 are provided attached to the sides of the pillar 73. These attachment connectors 77 allow for the convenient storage of accessories for the intended docked product on the dock 70 itself.
• An electrical connector 79 is provided at one end of the docking slot 74.
• the electrical connector 79 can therefore provide a power supply to a docked product.
• the dock can act as a charging dock, and the product’s battery pack can be charged while the product is docked in the dock 70.
• FIG. 7 A shows a procedure for docking a handheld vacuum cleaner 80 onto the dock 70.
• the vacuum cleaner 80 is positioned and lowered onto the dock 70 in the direction of arrow J such that the battery pack 82 slidably engages within the docking slot 74.
• the end of the vacuum cleaner 80 may be supported by the support 71 , or alternatively it may be held suspended above the support, provided the walls of the docking slot 74 are strong enough to bear the weight of the vacuum cleaner 80.
• the electrical connector 79 engages with a socket on the end of the battery pack 82, allowing the vacuum cleaner’s battery pack to be charged.
• Figure 7B shows the handheld vacuum cleaner 80 docked in the dock 70 when it is in the first configuration 70A, the“table-top configuration”.
• Figure 7C shows the vacuum cleaner 80 docked in the dock 70 when it is in the second configuration 70B, the“floor standing configuration”.
• the embodiments described herein show a dock for a vacuum cleaner.
• the dock could be for a different handheld product.
• the base and the upper end of the outer casing of the body have been described as comprising the slots with shoulders, whilst the underside of the docking unit and the bottom end of the body have been described as comprising the corresponding protrusions with lips.
• these features may be switched such that the base and the upper end of the outer casing of the body have protrusions with lips, and the underside of the docking unit and the bottom end of the body have slots with shoulders.
• another mechanism for preventing the separation of the separable parts may be used.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Robotics (AREA)
• Electric Suction Cleaners (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=61903683

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (7)

Families Citing this family (17)

Family Cites Families (15)

• 2018
  • 2018-03-02 GB GB1803455.3A patent/GB2571581B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2019
  • 2019-01-17 EP EP19701718.9A patent/EP3758570A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2019-01-17 US US16/976,697 patent/US20210000313A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2019-01-17 CN CN201980016761.7A patent/CN111787837A/zh active Pending
  • 2019-01-17 KR KR1020207025601A patent/KR20200116992A/ko not_active Ceased
  • 2019-01-17 JP JP2020545649A patent/JP2021514766A/ja active Pending
  • 2019-01-17 WO PCT/GB2019/050130 patent/WO2019166763A1/en not_active Ceased

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