GB2058016A - Cable storage device for attachment to vacuum cleaners - Google Patents

Abstract

A cable winding and storage device for the power cable of a vacuum cleaner is constructed in the form of a cassette (8) for attachment to the vacuum cleaner casing (1), in particular to the bottom surface (5) thereof between the supporting wheels (7). The cassette (8) contains a winding drum (9) for the cable (15) which drum (9) is rotatable against the action of a coil spring (10) to allow withdrawal of the cable (15) from the cassette (8). A releasable locking device (12) is provided for retaining withdrawn the desired length of cable (15). A socket (14) is provided on the cassette casing (8) for receiving a plug attached to a lead (13) which is connected to the fan motor of the vacuum cleaner. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Cable storage device for vacuum cleaners, in particular cylinder vacuum cleaners The invention relates to a cable-winding and storage device for a vacuum cleaner in particular a cylinder vacuum cleaner.

Cable storage devices for the power cable of vacuum cleaners are known. In vacuum cleaners of known construction, a cable storage chamber is provided inside the appliance casing, connected firmly thereto and preferably produced in one piece with the casing. This cable storage chamber normally comprises a cable storage drum, which is connected to a return feed spring. This device is constructed such that when the power cable is withdrawn, the latter unwinds from the storage drum and the spring is thus tensioned.

The drawback of these devices consists in that when the appliance is built, the automatic winding device must be provided therewith, which is naturally reflected in the production costs. On the other hand, some vacuum cleaner owners would be quite prepared to spend extra money for subsequent conversion in order to dispense with the troublesome task of winding and storing the power supply cable, especially if they have to untangle the generally very long power cable in the course of a days work with the vacuum cleaner and if they wish to treat the cable carefully in order to prevent damage thereto.

A further drawback of the power supply cable located inside the appliance casing consists in that when the power supply cable is not completely withdrawn, the latter is subjected to the general heat of the appliance, caused by heat lost from the motor and the ventilation heat of the appliance, added to which is the inherent heating of the power supply cable caused by the operating current, so that there is frequent damage to the cable which may require that the entire cable be replaced for reasons of operating reliability and also safety.

The object of the invention is to obviate these drawbacks and to provide a cable storage device which can be attached, at a later date, without great expense, to a vacuum cleaner, in particular a cylinder vacuum cleaner. Since these vacuum cleaners are used predominantly where there are large amounts of dust and dirt, such as industrially or in large households, hitherto there has been no desire to reduce the dust-holding capacity by incorporating a storage chamber, which has a very large volume for the frequently very long power supply cable, for locating the power supply cable at the expense of the space available for holding dust.

The invention consists in that the device provided for storing the power supply cable is constructed as a cassette which is closed on all sides, which is provided with a winding drum for the power cable, which drum is mounted to rotate inside the cassette and is connected to a return feed spring and which comprises attachment means for mounting on the vacuum cleaner casing, in particular on the bottom surface of the vacuum cleaner casing. In particular it is provided that the cassette is attached from outside to the bottom surface of the cylindrical dust-holding container of a cylinder vacuum cleaner, so that it is located between the wheels on which the cylinder vacuum cleaner travels, of which there are generally three wheels.When using very small wheels, which provide very little free space on the bottom surface of the dustholding container, it is quite possible to provide the necessary free space by incorporating intermediate members between the supports for the wheels and the bottom surface of the dust container.

The supply of current from the power supply cable cassette to the vacuum cleaner motor is by way of the power supply cable belonging to the appliance, which is shortened in an appropriate manner and attached by a plug to the socket of the power supply cable cassette. The large diameter of the dustholding container of the vacuum cleaner allows the provision of a winding drum of large diameter, so that the normal long length of power supply cable can be stored without difficulty.

In the drawing, one embodiment of the invention, namely of a cylinder vacuum cleaner, is illustrated partly in perspective, partly in section. In its dust-holding container 1, the cylinder vacuum cleaner contains a dust filter 2. Located at the upper end of the dust container 1 is the lid part 3, which receives the motor fan unit which is not shown and by means of closure members 4 closes off the upper open dust-holding container 1 (removable). The dust-holding con tainer 1 is mounted by its base part 5 on a support ring 6 and is supported by the latter.

The diameter of the support ring 6 with the attached wheels 7 projects beyond the diameter of the dust-holding container 1, in order to give the appliance stability so that it does not tip over during operation, since the person operating the appliance pulls on the hose attached to the dust-collecting container, when the appliance is in use.

The storage cassette 8 for the power supply cable 15 is attached to the bottom surface 5 of the dust-collecting container 1, inside the support ring 6 and between the wheels 7.

Located inside the cassette 8 is the rotary winding drum 9, which is connected in a nonrotary manner to the coil spring 1 0. The transmission of mains current from the power cable 15 to the socket 1 4 of the cassette 8 takes place by way of contacts which are not shown. The person using the appliance may pull out the power supply cable 1 5 to the desired length through an opening 16 in the cassette casing and an opening 11 provided in the support ring 6 and connect the latter to the socket of the domestic installation.

The supply cable which is withdrawn can be retained by a double-armed locking device 12, which projects from the casing of the cassette 8 with one of its two lever arms and can be brought to bear against the winding drum 9 by its second lever arm remaining inside the cassette casing.

For rewinding the cable 15 which has been withdrawn, the locking device 12 is preferably released by the foot, due to which the cable which has been withdrawn is returned to the cassette 8 under the action of the tensioned coil spring 10. The connecting cable 13 serves for supplying mains current from the cassette 8 to the drive motor, in which case a socket 14 is provided on the outer surface of the cassette casing, for the connection of the connecting lead 1 3.

By means of the cassette 8 according to the invention, the appliance can be equipped with the very advantageous cable storage device at a later date. Furthermore, the use of the cable storage cassette has the advantage that without expensive special construction, the appliance can be supplied new both with as well as without the cassette, without causing additional expenditure of long delivery times. Furthermore, it is possible to attach the cassette at a later date to other manufacturers appliances, which are constructed without a storage device for the power supply cable, since this cassette can be fitted to virtually all cylinder vacuum cleaners on their bottom surface.

Claims (13)

1. A cable-winding and storage device for a vacuum cleaner, characterised by the fact that the device is constructed as a cassette having a casing and which is provided with a winding drum for the power cable, which drum is mounted to rotate inside the cassette and is connected to a return feed spring, which device comprises attachment means for mounting said device on a casing of a vacuum cleaner.

2. A device according to claim 1, characterised by the fact that the casing of the cassette is provided with an outlet opening for the power supply cable which serves for guidance of the cable as the latter is pulled in and out.

3. A device according to claim 2, characterised by the fact that the return feed spring is constructed as a coil spring, which is placed under tension when the power cable is drawn out, and returns the cable to the cassette when the power cable is released.

4. A device according to claim 2 or claim 3, characterised by the fact that a locking device is provided which retains the power cable withdrawn from the cassette at any withdrawn length.

5. A device according to claim 4, characterised by the fact that the locking device is constructed as a double-armed rocking lever projecting from the cassette, which lever bears by a lever arm located inside the cassette against the winding drum under the action of a spring.

6. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised by the fact that for producing the electrical connection between a stationary and a rotary part of the cassette, electrical contacts are provided.

7. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 characterised by the fact that, for taking electrical current supplied by way of the power supply cable, a socket is provided on the casing and adapted to receive a plug.

8. A cable-winding and storage device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

9. A vacuum cleaner having attached thereto a cable-winding and storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 9 having a casing, said cable-winding and storage device being attached to a bottom surface of said casing.

11. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 10 having a plurality of wheels attached to said casing, said cable-winding and storage device being disposed within a space bounded by said wheels.

12. A vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 9 to 11 having a fan motor, an electrical lead connected to said fan motor, a plug attached to said lead, and a socket mounted on said cassette casing connected to said power cable and adapted to receive said plug.

13. A vacuum cleaner substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.