EP4712828A1

EP4712828A1 - Cordless vacuum cleaning apparatus

Info

Publication number: EP4712828A1
Application number: EP24732393.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Paul Bagwell
Original assignee: Halo Appliances Ltd
Current assignee: Halo Appliances Ltd
Priority date: 2023-05-19
Filing date: 2024-05-20
Publication date: 2026-03-25
Also published as: GB202307518D0; GB2632391B; CN121889071A; WO2024240722A1; GB2632391A

Abstract

A vacuum cleaning apparatus (10) includes: a body housing (12) defining a dirt receiving space (14) in which, in use, dirt is received; a motor/battery housing (16); a motor (18) and a battery (20) located in the motor/battery housing; and a gripping part (22) for gripping, in use, by a user. The body housing (12) extends along a longitudinal body housing axis (26) from a forward end (28) to a rearward end (30). The motor/battery housing (16) is elongate and has a length. The length extends substantially in parallel with the body housing axis (26). The motor (18) and the battery (20) are located alongside each other along the length of the motor/battery housing (16), with the motor (18) being located forward of the battery (20). The gripping part (22) is located rearward of the body housing (12), above the motor (18) and forward of the battery (20).

Description

Cordless Vacuum Cleaning Apparatus

Technical field

The present invention relates to cordless vacuum cleaning apparatus.

Background

Conventionally, cordless vacuum cleaning apparatus include components such as a body housing, a gripping part for gripping, in use, by a user, a motor and a battery. Typically, the apparatus defines an air inlet, a receiving space for dirt, and an air outlet. The apparatus may be bagged, in which case, a removable dirt bag is located in the receiving space, or may be bagless, in which case, a cyclone arrangement is located in the receiving space.

Conventionally, the three main objectives in designing cordless vacuum cleaning apparatus are: firstly, to reduce weight; secondly, to maximise power; and thirdly, to maximise operating time. With the advent of relatively light, power dense lithium batteries which can be easily exchanged to prolong operating time, the latest models of cordless vacuum cleaning apparatus are now lighter, more powerful and with longer operating times than previously.

While these three objectives remain important, other objectives are now being addressed, such as ergonomic considerations, handling and accessibility.

In this specification, the terms “forward” and “rearward” are used with reference to the apparatus being held by a user with “forward” being relatively distal (away from the user) and “rearward” being relatively proximal (towards the user). “Side” refers to the apparatus being viewed from the side (or laterally) to a longitudinal axis.

Statements of invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided vacuum cleaning apparatus, the apparatus including: a body housing defining a dirt receiving space in which, in use, dirt is received; a motor/battery housing; a motor and a battery located in the motor/battery housing; a gripping part for gripping, in use, by a user; wherein: the body housing extends along a longitudinal body housing axis from a forward end to a rearward end; the motor/battery housing is elongate and has a length, and the length extends substantially in parallel with the body housing axis; the motor and the battery are located alongside each other along the length of the motor/battery housing, with the motor being located forward of the battery; and the gripping part is located rearward of the body housing, above the motor and forward of the battery.

Possibly, the gripping part is a part of the apparatus which is designed primarily to be gripped by a hand of the user, such that the user’s fingers and thumb wrap around the gripping part in opposite directions.

Possibly, the motor is located in a motor part of the motor/battery housing, which may be at or towards a motor end of the motor/battery housing. Possibly, the motor end of the motor/battery housing is a forward end of the motor/battery housing.

Possibly, the motor end of the motor/battery housing is mounted or attached to the body housing and may be formed integrally therewith.

Possibly, the battery is located in a battery part of the motor/battery housing, which may be at or towards a battery end of the motor/battery housing. Possibly, the battery end of the motor/battery housing is a rearward end of the motor/battery housing.

Possibly, the battery end of the motor/battery housing is a free end of the motor/battery housing.

Possibly, the battery part of the motor/battery housing is detachable from the motor part.

Possibly, the apparatus includes a mounting which mounts the gripping part to the body housing. Possibly, the gripping part mounting comprises a projection, which may extend rearwardly from a rear face of the body housing, possibly to an end of the gripping part.

Possibly, the gripping part extends from the mounting projection towards the motor/battery housing, possibly towards the motor part of the motor/battery housing.

Possibly, the gripping part extends from the mounting projection to the motor part of the motor/battery housing and may be directly mounted or attached to the motor/battery housing, possibly to the motor part of the motor/battery housing.

Possibly, the body housing has a cross-sectional profile shape, when viewed along the body housing axis. Possibly, no part of the gripping part extends laterally outwardly beyond the cross-sectional profile shape, when viewed along the body housing axis.

Possibly, no part of the gripping part extends laterally outwardly beyond a notional rearwardly axially extended body housing volume.

Possibly, the gripping part has a plurality of design reference lines.

Possibly, the gripping part has a gripping part axis. In this specification, the gripping part axis is an axis around which the mass of the gripping part would be in balance in rotation. Possibly, the gripping part axis comprises one of the design reference lines.

Possibly, the gripping part includes a forward surface average side profile line, which may be a straight line which extends along an average of the profile of a forward surface of the gripping part when viewed from the side. Possibly, the forward surface average side profile line comprises one of the design reference lines.

Possibly, the gripping part has a width at each extremity, possibly when viewed laterally. Possibly, a straight midpoint reference line extends through a midpoint of each lateral extremity width. Possibly, the straight midpoint reference line comprises one of the design reference lines. Possibly, the gripping part includes a rearward surface average side profile line, which may be a straight line which extends along an average of the profile of a rearward surface of the gripping part when viewed from the side. Possibly, the rearward surface average side profile line comprises one of the design reference lines.

Possibly, each design reference line extends at an inclination angle to the body housing axis. Possibly, the inclination angle is an oblique angle and may be at least 73°, possibly at least 76°, desirably at least 78°, and may be no more than 85°, possibly no more than 82° and desirably no more than 80°.

Possibly, in a reference condition, the body housing axis is horizontal, the gripping part is vertical when viewed along the body housing axis, and the gripping part is located vertically (or substantially vertically) above the motor.

Possibly, the motor has a centre of gravity.

Possibly, in the reference condition, the motor centre of gravity is located vertically (or approximately vertically) below the gripping part.

Possibly, the motor centre of gravity is located forward of the forward surface average side profile line.

Possibly, the motor centre of gravity is located forward of all of the design reference lines.

Possibly, the battery has a centre of gravity.

Possibly, in the reference condition, the battery centre of gravity is located rearward and below the gripping part.

Possibly, the battery centre of gravity is located rearward of the rearward surface average side profile line.

Possibly, the battery centre of gravity is located rearward of all of the design reference lines. Possibly, the motor centre of gravity is located forward of the gripping part axis, the forward surface average side profile line, the straight midpoint reference line, and the rearward surface average side profile line, and the battery centre of gravity may be located rearward of the gripping part axis, the forward surface average side profile line, the straight midpoint reference line and the rearward surface average side profile line.

Possibly, the body housing has a centre of gravity.

Possibly, the body housing centre of gravity is located on the same side of the design reference lines as the motor centre of gravity and may be located forward of the design reference lines and may be located on the opposite side of the design reference lines to the battery centre of gravity and may be located rearward of the design reference lines.

The wrist fulcrum location is the approximate location of the user’s wrist. The user’s wrist joint provides a fulcrum or pivot around which the user’s hand pivots relative to the user’s forearm. The wrist fulcrum location comprises the axis of radial/ulnar deviation of the user’s wrist joint.

Possibly, the wrist fulcrum location is located within a notional rearwardly axially extended body housing volume.

Possibly, the wrist fulcrum location is close to the body housing axis and may lie along a gripping part midline which extends parallel to the body housing axis and bisects the length of the gripping part.

Possibly, in a main operating condition, the body housing axis is at an approximate operating angle of 42° to the horizontal.

Possibly, in the main operating condition, the motor centre of gravity, the battery centre of gravity and the body housing centre of gravity are all located below the wrist fulcrum location.

Possibly, in the main operating condition, the motor centre of gravity is located vertically (or substantially vertically) below the wrist fulcrum location. Possibly, in the main operating condition, the battery centre of gravity is located on one side of the wrist fulcrum location and the body housing centre of gravity is located on an opposite side of the wrist fulcrum location.

Possibly, the body housing defines an air inlet and an air outlet.

Possibly, the apparatus includes a removable dirt bag, which is located in the receiving space.

Alternatively, the apparatus includes a cyclone arrangement, which is located in the receiving space.

Possibly, the body housing is cylindrical in shape.

Possibly, the apparatus includes a flow impellor, which may be driven by the motor, and may be located in line with the motor and may be located at the motor end of the motor/battery housing.

Possibly, the apparatus defines a connecting passage which may connect the dirt receiving space to the impellor. Possibly, the connecting passage includes one or more curved portions. Possibly, the curved portions may form an S-shape.

Possibly, the apparatus includes a pre-motor filter, which may be located in the body housing and may located concentrically on the body housing longitudinal axis. Possibly, the pre-motor filter is located between the dirt receiving space and the connecting passage.

Possibly, the apparatus includes a finger guard, which may extend around the impellor.

Possibly, the apparatus includes an exhaust (or post-motor) filter radially around the motor.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of cleaning a surface such as a floor, the method including providing vacuum cleaning apparatus, the apparatus including: a body housing defining a dirt receiving space in which, in use, dirt is received; a motor/battery housing; a motor and a battery located in the motor/battery housing; a gripping part for gripping, in use, by a user; wherein: the body housing extends along a longitudinal body housing axis from a forward end to a rearward end; the motor/battery housing is elongate and has a length, and the length extends substantially in parallel with the body housing axis; the motor and the battery are located alongside each other along the length of the motor/battery housing, with the motor being located forward of the battery; and the gripping part is located rearward of the body housing, above the motor and forward of the battery. Possibly, the apparatus includes any of the features described in any of the preceding statements or following description. Possibly, the method includes any of the steps described in any of the preceding statements or following description.

Figures

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

Fig. 1 is a perspective view from the rear, one side and above of a vacuum cleaning apparatus;

Fig. 2 is a side cross sectional view of the apparatus in a reference condition;

Fig. 3 is a side view of the apparatus in a main operating condition, with an accessory comprising a stick or wand extension tube and a floor tool;

Fig. 4A is a side view of the apparatus in the reference condition; Fig. 4B is a side view of the apparatus in the main operating condition;

Fig. 5 is a relatively enlarged detail side view of a gripping part of the apparatus;

Figs. 6A to 6D are views similar to Fig. 5 of alternative gripping part design options; and Fig. 7 is a side cross sectional view similar to Fig. 2 of another embodiment. In the drawings, where multiple instances of the same or similar features exist, only a representative one or some of the instances of the features have been provided with numeric references for clarity.

Figs. 1 to 5 show a first embodiment of a vacuum cleaning apparatus 10, the apparatus including: a body housing 12 defining a dirt receiving space 14 in which, in use, dirt is received; a motor/battery housing 16; a motor 18 and a battery 20 located in the motor/battery housing; a gripping part 22 for gripping, in use, by a user.

The body housing 12 extends along a longitudinal body housing axis 26 from a forward end 28 to a rearward end 30.

The motor/battery housing 16 is elongate and has a length. The length extends substantially in parallel with the body housing axis 26.

The motor 18 and the battery 20 are located alongside each other along the length of the motor/battery housing 16, with the motor 18 being located forward of the battery 20.

The gripping part 22 is located rearward of the body housing 12, above the motor 18 and forward of the battery 20.

The gripping part 22 is a part of the apparatus 10 which is designed primarily to be gripped by a hand of the user, such that the user’s fingers and thumb wrap around the gripping part 22 in opposite directions.

The motor 18 is located in a motor part 32 of the motor/battery housing 16, which is at or towards a motor end 34 of the motor/battery housing 16. The motor end 34 of the motor/battery housing 16 is a forward end of the motor/battery housing 16.

The motor end 34 of the motor/battery housing 16 is mounted or attached to the body housing and could be formed integrally therewith.

The battery 20 is located in a battery part 36 of the motor/battery housing 16, which is at or towards a battery end 38 of the motor/battery housing 16. The battery end 38 of the motor/battery housing 16 is a rearward end of the motor/battery housing 16. The battery end 38 of the motor/battery housing 16 is a free end of the motor/battery housing 16.

The battery part 36 of the motor/battery housing 16 is detachable from the motor part 32, permitting the battery part 36 to be easily exchanged for a fresh replacement battery part when depleted in charge, allowing the depleted battery 20 of the battery part to be recharged.

In the example shown, the apparatus 10 includes a mounting 24 which mounts the gripping part 22 to the body housing 12. The gripping part mounting 24 comprises a projection 40, which extends rearwardly from a rear face 42 of the body housing 12, to an end 44 of the gripping part 22.

The gripping part 22 extends from the mounting projection 40 towards the motor part 32 of the motor/battery housing 16.

In the example shown, the gripping part 22 extends from the mounting projection 40 to the motor part 32 of the motor/battery housing 16 and is directly mounted or attached to the motor part 32 of the motor/battery housing 16.

The body housing 12 has a cross-sectional profile shape, when viewed along the body housing axis 26. No part of the gripping part 22 extends laterally outwardly beyond the cross- sectional profile shape, when viewed along the body housing axis 26.

No part of the gripping part 22 extends laterally outwardly beyond a notional rearwardly axially extended body housing volume 70, indicated in dashed lines in Figs. 2, 3 and 7.

The gripping part 22 has a plurality of design reference lines 50, which are shown in relatively enlarged detail in Fig 5. In this example, the design reference lines 50 comprise first, second, third and fourth design reference lines 50A, 50B, 50C, 50D.

The gripping part 22 has a gripping part axis 46. In this specification, the gripping part axis 46 is a longitudinal axis around which the mass of the gripping part 22 would be in balance in rotation. The gripping part axis 46 comprises the first design reference line 50A, shown as a chain line (alternate long and short dashes) in the drawings. The gripping part 22 includes a forward surface 47 which has a forward surface average side profile line 48, which is a straight line which extends along an average of the profile of the forward surface 47 of the gripping part 22 when viewed from the side. The forward surface average side profile line 48 comprises the second design reference line 50B, shown as a long- dashed line in the drawings.

The gripping part 22 has a width 52A, 52B at each extremity respectively when viewed laterally. A straight midpoint reference line 54 extends through a midpoint of each extremity width 52A, 52B (indicated with short, dashed lines in the drawings). The straight midpoint reference line 54 comprises the third design reference line 50C, shown as a short-dashed line in the drawings.

The gripping part 22 includes a rearward surface 55 which has a rearward surface average side profile line 56, which is a straight line which extends along an average of the profile of the rearward surface 55 of the gripping part 22 when viewed from the side. The rearward surface average side profile line 56 comprises the fourth design reference line 50D, shown as a long- dashed line in the drawings.

The design reference lines 50A, 50B, 50C, 50D extend at inclination angles 58A, 58B, 58C, 58D respectively to the body housing axis 26. Each inclination angle 58A, 58B, 58C, 58D is an oblique angle and, in one example, could be at least 73°, possibly at least 76°, and more desirably at least 78° and could be no more than 85°, possibly no more than 82° and desirably no more than 80°.

In a reference condition, the body housing axis 26 is horizontal, the gripping part 22 is vertical when viewed along the body housing axis 26, and the gripping part 22 is located vertically (or substantially vertically) above the motor 18.

Referring to Figs. 4A and 4B, the motor 18 has a centre of gravity 60.

In the reference condition, the motor centre of gravity 60 is located vertically (or approximately vertically) below the gripping part 22.

The motor centre of gravity 60 is located forward of one or some or all of the design reference lines 50A, 50B, 50C, 50D. In the example shown, the motor centre of gravity 60 is located forward of the forward surface average side profile line 48.

In the example shown, the motor centre of gravity is located forward of all of the design reference lines 50A, 50B, 50C, 50D.

The battery 20 has a centre of gravity 62.

In the reference condition, the battery centre of gravity 62 is located rearward and below the gripping part 22.

In the example shown, the battery centre of gravity 62 is located rearward of the rearward surface average side profile line 56.

The battery centre of gravity 62 is located rearward of one or some or all of the design reference lines 50A, 50B, 50C, 50D. In the example shown, the battery centre of gravity 62 is located rearward of all of the design reference lines 50A, 50B, 50C, 50D.

Thus, in the example shown, the motor centre of gravity 60 is located forward of the gripping part axis 46, the forward surface average side profile line 48, the straight midpoint reference line 54, and the rearward surface average side profile line 56, and the battery centre of gravity 62 is located rearward of the gripping part axis 46, the forward surface average side profile line 48, the straight midpoint reference line 54, and the rearward surface average side profile line 56.

The body housing 12 has a centre of gravity 64.

The body housing centre of gravity 64 is located on the same side of the design reference lines 50A, 50B, 50C, 50D as the motor centre of gravity 60, forward of the design reference lines 50A, 50B, 50C, 50D and on the opposite side of the design reference lines 50A, 50B, 50C, 50D to the battery centre of gravity 62 and rearward of the design reference lines 50A, 50B, 50C, 50D.

The body housing 12 defines an air inlet 66. The motor/battery housing 16 defines an air outlet 68. In this embodiment, the apparatus 10 includes a removable dirt bag (not shown), which is located in the receiving space 14.

The body housing 12 is cylindrical in shape.

The apparatus 10 includes a flow impellor 74, which is driven by the motor 18. The flow impellor 74 is located in line with the motor 18, at the motor end 34 of the motor/battery housing 16.

The apparatus 10 defines a connecting passage 76 which connects the dirt receiving space 14 to the impellor 74. The connecting passage 76 includes a pair of curved portions which form an S-shape 84.

The apparatus 10 includes a pre-motor filter 78, which is located in the body housing 12, concentrically on the body housing axis 26, between the dirt receiving space 14 and the connecting passage 76.

The apparatus 10 includes a finger guard 80, which extends around the impellor 74.

The apparatus 10 includes an exhaust (or post-motor) filter 82 radially around the motor 18.

The apparatus 10 could include an accessory 86 which attaches to the body housing 12.

In the example shown, the apparatus 10 is a stick type handheld cordless vacuum cleaning apparatus. The accessory 86 includes a stick (or wand or pole) extension tube 88 and a floor tool 90.

The body housing 12 and the motor/battery housing 16 could be formed of a hard and light-weight material such as a plastics material so as to prevent breakage thereof in case of an accidental fall on the ground or the like, while minimizing the overall weight of the vacuum cleaning apparatus 10 for better portability and manoeuvrability.

In one example, the body housing 12 and the motor/battery housing 16 could be made of a hard plastics material, for example, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or the like. In one example, the body housing 12 and the motor/battery housing 16, or at least a part thereof, could be formed of carbon fibre to provide light weight and high strength.

In use

In use, the motor 18 is operated to drive the impellor 74 and draw air flow through the air inlet 66 (via the accessory 86 if fitted) of the body housing 12 into the dirt bag in the dirt receiving space 14, through the pre-motor filter 78, along the connecting passage 76, through the impellor 74 in the motor/battery housing 16, through the exhaust filter 82 and out of the motor/battery housing 16 through the air outlet 68.

Derivation and advantages of the invention

In devising the invention, the Applicant considered the locations of the principal masses of the motor, the battery and the body housing relative to the gripping part.

The Applicant realised that there would be an advantage in placing each of the principal masses as close as possible to the gripping part to minimise the rotational lever forces on the user’s hand. Such forces, particularly in the context of vibration during operation, can lead to strain in the user’s fingers, hand, wrist and forearm.

The Applicant also realised that there would be an advantage in balancing the principal masses. However, balancing the masses is not straightforward as there are a number of locations around which the masses can be balanced and a number of different operational conditions in which the balance of the masses can change. For example, in some operating conditions the apparatus can be used with a floor tool (see Fig. 3) at an operating angle 98 of around 42°; the user’s arm may flex and change the operating angle; in other operating conditions the apparatus may be used for close-up vacuuming without the long extension tube.

In investigating the problem of balancing the masses, the Applicant considered balancing the masses around a point just forward of an upper part of the gripping part, approximately where the user’s index finger would be located in use. This is an obvious location and is often where a user “tests” the balance of a handheld tool. However, the Applicant has surprisingly found that this is not the best place to balance the masses.

Surprisingly, the Applicant found that the optimum location to balance the masses is around a wrist fulcrum location lying to the rear of the gripping part 22, indicated approximately by the letters WF, which is the approximate location of the user’s wrist. The user’s wrist joint provides a fulcrum or pivot around which the user’s hand pivots relative to the user’s forearm.

The apparatus 10 is arranged so that the wrist fulcrum location WF is located within the notional rearwardly axially extended body housing volume 70.

The wrist fulcrum location WF is close to the body housing axis 26 and in the example shown lies along a gripping part midline 94 which extends parallel to the body housing axis 26 and bisects the length of the gripping part 22.

It will be realised that this is an approximation for design purposes and in practice the wrist fulcrum location WF may vary depending on the anatomy and grip of the user.

Referring to Fig. 3, for design purposes, the main operating condition of the apparatus 10 is with the extension tube 88 and the floor tool 90 connected, in which the body housing axis 26 is at an approximate operating angle 98 of 42° to the horizontal.

In Fig. 3, a user’s hand, wrist and forearm are indicated in dashed lines.

In the main operating condition, the motor centre of gravity 60, the battery centre of gravity 62 and the body housing centre of gravity 64 are all located below the wrist fulcrum location WF.

In the main operating condition, the arrangement of the principal masses means that the motor centre of gravity 60 is located vertically (or substantially vertically) below the wrist fulcrum location WF, the battery centre of gravity 62 is located on one side of the wrist fulcrum location WF and the body housing centre of gravity 64 is located on an opposite side of the wrist fulcrum location WF, so that the principal masses are optimally balanced around the wrist fulcrum location WF in the main operational condition.

Surprisingly, the Applicant has found that this arrangement of the principal masses also provides a good balance in the reference condition, in which the body housing axis 26 is horizontal.

To achieve this balance in practice, the Applicant located the motor 18 and the battery 20 in the motor/battery housing 16, which is a separate housing to the body housing 12, extending below and rearwardly from the body housing 12, with the motor 18 forward of the battery 20 and with the gripping part 22 located to the rear of the body housing 12. All of the design reference lines 50A, 50B, 50C, 50D extend as dividing lines to divide between the motor centre of gravity 60 and the battery centre of gravity 62. The impellor 74 is located forward of the motor 18.

In practice, the arrangement of the principal masses in the apparatus 10 relative to the gripping part 22 has been found to reduce strain on the user’s fingers, hands, wrists and forearms.

The arrangement of the invention provides a number of other advantages, apart from optimising the balance around the wrist fulcrum location WF. The battery part 36 is located at the free end of the motor/battery housing 16, allowing easy detachment and replacement. The air flow distance from the dirt receiving space 14 to the impellor 74 is minimised.

The S-shaped curved portions 84 of the connecting passage 76 minimise frictional losses in the airflow, maximising efficiency.

The compact arrangement of the principal masses and the location of the gripping part above the motor/battery housing provides the ability to dip under furniture, while the user keeps hold of the gripping part allowing better reach under furniture, since the handle is accessible from above and behind.

The principal masses of the motor and the battery being under the gripping part provide a form of ballast to the apparatus so that it feels stable in use, rather than feeling as if it wants to topple over.

The finger guard is located on the motor axis, directly in front of the motor so that it is as small as possible and interferes with the airflow as little as possible.

The cross-sectional area of the dirt receiving space 14 is relatively large. The S-shaped curved portion 84 of the passage 76 reduces the cross-sectional flow area smoothly to a relatively smaller cross-sectional area at the impellor 74. It is advantageous to have the pre-motor filter 78 located concentrically on the body housing axis in the body housing to maximise the size of the pre-motor filter 78. Design considerations: anatomical wrist axes

Anatomically, the wrist complex (radiocarpal and midcarpal joints) permits flexionextension in the sagittal plane around a medial-lateral axis and radial-ulnar deviation in the frontal plane around an anterior-posterior axis. Both joints contribute to these motions.

Radial/ulnar deviation refers to the movement of the wrist from side to side. This movement is indicated by arrow A in Fig. 3. These movements flex the hand toward either the radial or ulnar bone in the arm. The action is a flexion movement reducing the angle of the joint of the wrist and the respective bone of the arm. Work duties that require repetitive radial/ulnar deviation, particularly under pressure, increase the risk of work-related injury. Radial/ulnar deviation is also called radial/ulnar flexion or abduction/adduction of the wrist.

The wrist fulcrum location WF referred to above may be said more precisely to comprise the axis of radial/ulnar deviation of the user’s wrist joint.

The Applicant has thus found that it is advantageous in reducing wrist strain to balance the masses of the motor 18, the battery 20 and the body housing 12 relative to the anatomical axis of radial/ulnar deviation of the user’s wrist in the main operating condition, with the centres of gravity of the masses located below the anatomical axis of radial/ulnar deviation of the user’s wrist and, in the main operating condition, the centre of gravity 60 of the motor being located substantially vertically below the anatomical axis of radial/ulnar deviation of the user’s wrist.

Gripping part: design options and methodology

The Applicant realised that various options exist for the shape of the gripping part 22 eg angled, straight, curved, with profiled forward and/or rear surfaces, extending outwardly of the body housing profile etc. The Applicant realised that, having identified the location of the principal masses relative to the user’s wrist fulcrum, the design of the gripping part needed to be such that the user was constrained to hold the gripping part in a correct way so that the location of the user’s wrist fulcrum was correct relative to the principal masses. The design reference lines 50A, 50B, 50C, 50D are intended to the address the issue of different design options and to guide designers seeking to utilise different gripping part shapes.

Fig. 5 shows in enlarged detail the gripping part 22 with the design reference lines 50A, 50B, 50C, 50D. This design has been found to be effective in constraining the user to hold the gripping part 22 in the correct way. The criteria for this design are as follows: 1. All of the design reference lines 50A, 50B, 50C, 50D extend as dividing lines to divide between the motor centre of gravity 60 and the battery centre of gravity 62, so that the motor centre of gravity 60 is located on one side of all of the design reference lines 50A, 50B, 50C, 50D and the battery centre of gravity 62 is located on an opposite side;

2. All of the design reference lines 50A, 50B, 50C, 50D are at respective inclination angles 58A, 58B, 58C 58D to the horizontal in the reference condition which all fall in the range 78° to 80°.

In Figs. 6A to 6D, alternative design options for the gripping part 22 are shown, which show how the locations of the design reference lines 50A, 50B, 50C, 50D can change relative to each other with different designs.

In Figs. 6A and 6B, the gripping part 22 has curved side forward and rearward surfaces 47, 55 but the locations of the gripping part extremity widths 52A, 52B are as previous.

In Fig. 6A, although the location of the design reference lines 50A, 50B, 50C, 50D has shifted rearwardly relative to those of Fig. 5, but all of the design reference lines 50A, 50B, 50C, 50D still extend as dividing lines to divide between the motor centre of gravity 60 and the battery centre of gravity 62, and the inclination angles of all of the design reference lines 50A, 50B, 50C, 50D fall in the range 78° to 80°. Clearly, therefore, these alternative options for the design of the gripping part 22 will enable the invention to be carried out by providing a balanced arrangement of the principal masses relative to the gripping part 22.

In Figs. 6C and 6D, the gripping part 22 has been amended to curve rearwardly outwardly, extending directly from the rear face 42 of the body housing 12. In both cases the lower extremity width 52B is the same as previous.

In Fig. 6C, the inclination angles of the design reference lines 50A, 50B, 50C, 50D are now in the range 54° to 66°. The design reference line 50D (the rearward surface average side profile line 56) has an inclination angle of 54° and just extends as a dividing line to divide between the motor centre of gravity 60 and the battery centre of gravity 62. According to this design methodology, this design of gripping part would be suitable to constrain the user to hold the gripping part in a correct way, but it is near to the design limit. The reason for this is that the angle of the gripping part is relatively unsatisfactory in that it allows the user’s wrist and forearm to angle upwardly away from the body housing axis and thus alter the location of the wrist fulcrum location WF relative to the principal masses, in particular, moving it upward in the reference condition. From this design methodology, the Applicant realised that a curved gripping part such as that shown in Fig. 6C allows the user more freedom in gripping the gripping part, which (counter intuitively) allows incorrect positioning of the user’s wrist relative to the principal masses. For that reason, this design is not preferred.

In Fig. 6D, the inclination angles of the design reference lines 50A, 50B, 50C, 50D are now in the range 59° to 70°. The design reference line 50D (the rearward surface average side profile line 56) is rearmost and has an inclination angle of 63° and does not extend as a dividing line to divide between the motor centre of gravity 60 and the battery centre of gravity 62, as it extends just rearward of the battery centre of gravity 62. According to the design methodology, this design would not be suitable to constrain the user to hold the gripping part in a correct way, for similar reasons to those given above, but even more so as the curve of the gripping part is more pronounced.

In analysing the results of this analysis, the Applicant surprisingly realised that, in every case (Fig 5 and Figs. 6A-6D) the location of the design reference line 50D (the rearward surface average side profile line 56) was the worst case for the reference lines in being closest to the battery centre of gravity 62. This is explained by the fact that this design reference line 50D more than the others defines the location of the wrist fulcrum location WF. However, there may be designs in which this is not the case and locations of all of the design reference lines 50A, 50B, 50C, 50D should therefore be taken into account in the design methodology.

It should also be noted that while the design of Fig. 6C fell within the design methodology criteria, this design was sub optimal and the designs of Figs. 5, 6A and 6B are preferred, having inclination angles falling in the range of 78° to 82°.

This design methodology provides a useful way of guiding the design of the gripping part to achieve optimal results from the invention by identifying suitable designs which constrain the user to hold the gripping part in a correct way so that the user’s wrist is correctly positioned relative to the principal masses.

In this design methodology the Applicant has realised that differences of anatomy, operating angles etc will affect the achievement of correct positioning, but these have been found to be relative minor and the design methodology has produced good results in enabling gripping part designs to be evaluated.

Other embodiments

Fig. 7 shows a second embodiment of the invention, apparatus 210, many features of which are similar to those already described in relation to the embodiment of Figs 1 to 5. Therefore, for the sake of brevity, the following embodiment will only be described in so far as it differs from the embodiment already described. Where features are the same or similar, the same reference numerals have been used and the features will not be described again.

Like parts previously described have been assigned the same reference numerals.

Apparatus 210 includes a cyclone arrangement 72, which is located in the receiving space 14. The apparatus 210 includes an inlet tube 92 which extends along the side of the body housing 12 and is arranged to provide a circumferential airflow into the dirt receiving space 14.

In this example, the location of the body housing centre of gravity 64 has been amended to include the effect of the inlet tube 92. The motor centre of gravity 60 and the battery centre of gravity 62 are substantially in the same locations as previously. The design of the gripping part 22 is the same as in the previous embodiment. The Applicant has found that overall, the apparatus 210 has a similar balance of masses to that described in relation to the previous embodiment.

It is a considerable advantage of the invention that the same design methodology has been found successful for both bagged and bagless embodiments.

Other modifications

Various other modifications could be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The apparatus and the various components thereof could be of any suitable size and shape and could be formed of any suitable material (within the scope of the specific definitions herein).

The apparatus 10, 210 could include different types of accessories 86 in addition to the stick extension tube 88, for example, a shorter extension tube for closer work, a cleaning head that fits directly on to the housing, a crevice tool, an upholstery tool, etc. Final remarks

There is thus provided vacuum cleaning apparatus with a number of advantages over conventional arrangements. In particular, the location of the masses of the motor, the battery and the body housing relative to the gripping part are arranged to optimise the balance of the apparatus when being held by the user in the main operating condition relative to the user’s wrist fulcrum location WF.

Claims

1. Vacuum cleaning apparatus, the apparatus including: a body housing defining a dirt receiving space in which, in use, dirt is received; a motor/battery housing; a motor and a battery located in the motor/battery housing; a gripping part for gripping, in use, by a user; wherein: the body housing extends along a longitudinal body housing axis from a forward end to a rearward end; the motor/battery housing is elongate and has a length, and the length extends substantially in parallel with the body housing axis; the motor and the battery are located alongside each other along the length of the motor/battery housing, with the motor being located forward of the battery; and the gripping part is located rearward of the body housing, above the motor and forward of the battery.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 , in which the motor is located in a motor part of the motor/battery housing, which is at or towards a motor end of the motor/battery housing; the motor end of the motor/battery housing is a forward end of the motor/battery housing; the battery is located in a battery part of the motor/battery housing, which is at or towards a battery end of the motor/battery housing; the battery end of the motor/battery housing is a rearward end of the motor/battery housing.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, in which the motor end of the motor/battery housing is mounted or attached to the body housing and may be formed integrally therewith; and the battery end of the motor/battery housing is a free end of the motor/battery housing.

4. Apparatus according to claims 2 or 3, in which the battery part of the motor/battery housing is detachable from the motor part.

5. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which, in a reference condition, the body housing axis is horizontal, the gripping part is vertical when viewed along the body housing axis, and the gripping part is located vertically (or substantially vertically) above the motor.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, in which the motor has a centre of gravity; in the reference condition, the motor centre of gravity is located vertically (or approximately vertically) below the gripping part.

7. Apparatus according to claims 5 or 6, in which the battery has a centre of gravity; in the reference condition, the battery centre of gravity is located rearward and below the gripping part.

8. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the apparatus includes a mounting which mounts the gripping part to the body housing; the gripping part mounting comprises a projection, which extends rearwardly from a rear face of the body housing to an end of the gripping part; the gripping part extends from the mounting projection towards the motor/battery housing, and desirably towards the motor part of the motor/battery housing; the gripping part extends from the mounting projection to the motor part of the motor/battery housing and may be directly mounted or attached to the motor/battery housing, desirably to the motor part of the motor/battery housing.

9. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the body housing has a cross- sectional profile shape, when viewed along the body housing axis and no part of the gripping part extends laterally outwardly beyond the cross-sectional profile shape, when viewed along the body housing axis.

10. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the gripping part has a plurality of design reference lines.

11 . Apparatus according to claim 10, in which the gripping part has a gripping part axis, which is an axis around which the mass of the gripping part would be in balance in rotation; the gripping part axis comprises one of the design reference lines.

12. Apparatus according to claims 10 or 11 , in which the gripping part includes a forward surface average side profile line, which is a straight line which extends along an average of the profile of a forward surface of the gripping part when viewed from the side; the forward surface average side profile line comprises one of the design reference lines.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12 when dependent on claim 6 or any claim dependent thereon, in which the motor centre of gravity is located forward of the forward surface average side profile line.

14. Apparatus according to any of claims 10 to 13, in which the gripping part has a width at each extremity, when viewed laterally; a straight midpoint reference line extends through a midpoint of each lateral extremity width; the straight midpoint reference line comprises one of the design reference lines.

15. Apparatus according to any of claims 10 to 14, in which the gripping part includes a rearward surface average side profile line, which is a straight line which extends along an average of the profile of a rearward surface of the gripping part when viewed from the side; the rearward surface average side profile line comprises one of the design reference lines.

16. Apparatus according to claim 15 when dependent on claim 7 or any claim dependent thereon, in which the battery centre of gravity is located rearward of the rearward surface average side profile line.

17. Apparatus according to any of claims 10 to 16, in which the or each design reference line extends at an inclination angle to the body housing axis; the inclination angle is an oblique angle and may be at least 73°, possibly at least 76°, desirably at least 78°, and may be no more than 85°, possibly no more than 82° and desirably no more than 80°.

18. Apparatus according to claim 16 when dependent on claim 13, in which the motor centre of gravity is located forward of all of the design reference lines; and the battery centre of gravity is located rearward of all of the design reference lines.

19. Apparatus according to claim 18, in which the body housing has a centre of gravity; the body housing centre of gravity is located on the same side of the design reference lines as the motor centre of gravity, which is located forward of the design reference lines; and the body housing centre of gravity is located on the opposite side of the design reference lines to the battery centre of gravity which is located rearward of the design reference lines.

20. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which, in use, with a user gripping the gripping part, the user’s wrist joint provides a wrist fulcrum or pivot around which the user’s hand pivots relative to the user’s forearm which is located at a wrist fulcrum location; the wrist fulcrum location lies along a gripping part midline which extends parallel to the body housing axis and bisects the length of the gripping part.

21. Apparatus according to claim 20, in which, in a main operating condition, the body housing axis is at an approximate operating angle of 42° to the horizontal; in the main operating condition, the motor centre of gravity, the battery centre of gravity and the body housing centre of gravity are all located below the wrist fulcrum location.

22. Apparatus according to claims 20 or 21 when dependent on claim 6 or any claim dependent thereon, in which in the main operating condition, the motor centre of gravity is located vertically (or substantially vertically) below the wrist fulcrum location.

23. Apparatus according to any of claims 20 to 22 when dependent on claim 7 or any claim dependent thereon, in which the body housing has a centre of gravity; in the main operating condition, the battery centre of gravity is located on one side of the wrist fulcrum location and the body housing centre of gravity is located on an opposite side of the wrist fulcrum location.

24. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the apparatus includes a flow impellor, which is driven by the motor, and which may be located in line with the motor and may be located at the motor end of the motor/battery housing.

25. Apparatus according to claim 24, in which the apparatus defines a connecting passage which connects the dirt receiving space to the impellor; the connecting passage includes one or more curved portions; the curved portions may form an S-shape.