GB2090945A

GB2090945A - Valve

Info

Publication number: GB2090945A
Application number: GB8138002A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Vorwerk and Co Interholding GmbH
Current assignee: Vorwerk and Co Interholding GmbH
Priority date: 1981-01-14
Filing date: 1981-12-16
Publication date: 1982-07-21
Also published as: ES262566Y; CH652467A5; DE8100640U1; IT1189204B; IT8235509V0; FR2497909A1; FR2497909B1; ES262566U; IT8247535A0

Abstract

A valve for changing air flow in a suction cleaner or the like from one duct (10) to another (11) includes a pivotable flap (9) coupled to an actuating part. Latching means (2, 4, 5) are arranged to bias the flap towards and maintain the flap in first and second end positions thereof, respectively, where one or other of the ducts (10, 11) is closed. The arrangement is such that no intermediate position of the flap can be maintained because of the bias always urging the flap to one or other of its end positions. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Device for changing air flow in a suction cleaner nozzle or the like from one duct to another This invention relates to a device for changing air flow in a suction cleaner nozzle or the like from one duct to another.

In suction cleaner nozzles, or even in suction cleaners themselves, it is often necessary to connect different air ducts selectively to a suction pipe. In most cases, this is effected by a type of rotatable valve in which a rotatable part is arranged in a cylindrical valve seat, which rotatable part alternatively connects one or other of the air ducts. With this type of connection, difficulties are frequently caused when trying to produce a good seal, since here the sealing is only by way of the relatively movable surfaces of the rotatable valve. Furthermore, it is known that change-over devices are used which comprise a simple pivoted flap to change the air flow.

However, disadvantages also arise in such cases, since this pivoted flap does not have any exact end position, so that air leakages occur here.

Moreover, the pivoted flap can assume any position within the pivotal range.

According to the present invention, there is provided a device for changing air flow in a suction cleaner or the like from one duct to another, the device including a pivotable flap coupled to an actuating part, there being latching means arranged to bias said flap towards and maintain said flap in first and second end positions thereof, respectively.

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a diagrammatic section through one form of device according to the invention, Figure 2 is a diagrammatic section through a second form of such device, Figure 3 is a diagrammatic section through a third form of such device, and Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view of the device of Figure 3 at 900 thereto.

Figure 1 shows a first form of device for changing air flow from one duct to another in a suction cleaner or the like and in particular in a suction cleaner nozzle, the device including latching means in the form of a pivotable latch 2, which is fixed on a pivot shaft 1 together with a pivotable flap 9. The flap 9 is disposed below the latch 2 as viewed in the drawing in the region of two branch air ducts 10, 1 1 which are separated by a wall 13 and which open into a common duct 14.

The latch 2 bears against a tiltable plate 5 which is freely held at one end of a helical compression spring 4. As a result of movement of the latch 2 from one of its end positions to the other, tilting of the plate 5 is effected, this tilting movement being limited by stops 6. Thus, the construction acts as a toggle lever mechanism.

If the latch 2 were to be swung upwardly as viewed in the plane of the drawing by an actuating part (not shown) such as a lever which can be reached from outside and coupled to the flap 9 by means of the shaft 1 , the latch 2 would have to be forced against the action of the spring as far as the middle of the plate 5, beyond which position the plate 5 would tilt and the latch 2, under the effect of the spring force, would be brought into its other end position. In this way, the pivotable flap 9 would also be swung over and the air duct 10 would be opened to the duct 14 and the duct 1 1 would be at the same time closed. Using this arrangement, an undefined intermediate position of the flap 9 is not possible so that either the duct 10 or the duct 1 1 is open.

The same principle applies to the construction shown in Figure 2, but here a substantially Z-shaped spring 7 is used, which serves the same purpose as the plate 5 and helical spring 4 in Figure 1. In this case, the latch 2 bears against one arm of the Z-shaped spring 7. As with the Figure 1 embodiment, the pivotable flap 9 is disposed beneath the latch 2 on the common pivot shaft 1.

With this form, however, no stops 6 are required.

The embodiment shown in Figure 3 is illustrated at 900 to the views shown in Figures 1 and 2. As before, the pivotable flap 9 and the latch 2 are arranged on the common pivot shaft 1.

In addition, an actuating part in the form of a lever 12 is shown, the lever 12 being accessible from outside and joined to the pivot shaft 1. The latch 2 is tensioned by a tension spring 8. As can be seen from Figure 4, which is a view at 900 to Figure 3, this spring is arranged off-centre and, as a consequence, the opposite end positions of the latch 2 are always under load so as to provide a good sealing of the flap 9 with respect to the ducts 10 and 1 1, respectively.

In all of the embodiments described, no intermediate position of the flap 9 can be maintained because of the resilient bias always urging the flap to one or other of its end positions.

1. A device for changing air flow in a suction cleaner or the like from one duct to another, the device including a pivotable flap coupled to an actuating part, there being latching means arranged to bias said flap towards and maintain said flap in first and second end positions thereof, respectively.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said latching means includes a latch and a resilient bias for the latch, the latch being connected to said pivotable flap via a pivot shaft which is common to said flap.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said actuating part is coupled to said shaft.

4. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said latching means comprises a toggle lever mechanism.

5. A device as claimed in claims 2 and 4, wherein said toggle lever mechanism is comprised by said latch which is an arm against a free end of

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Device for changing air flow in a suction cleaner nozzle or the like from one duct to another This invention relates to a device for changing air flow in a suction cleaner nozzle or the like from one duct to another. In suction cleaner nozzles, or even in suction cleaners themselves, it is often necessary to connect different air ducts selectively to a suction pipe. In most cases, this is effected by a type of rotatable valve in which a rotatable part is arranged in a cylindrical valve seat, which rotatable part alternatively connects one or other of the air ducts. With this type of connection, difficulties are frequently caused when trying to produce a good seal, since here the sealing is only by way of the relatively movable surfaces of the rotatable valve. Furthermore, it is known that change-over devices are used which comprise a simple pivoted flap to change the air flow. However, disadvantages also arise in such cases, since this pivoted flap does not have any exact end position, so that air leakages occur here. Moreover, the pivoted flap can assume any position within the pivotal range. According to the present invention, there is provided a device for changing air flow in a suction cleaner or the like from one duct to another, the device including a pivotable flap coupled to an actuating part, there being latching means arranged to bias said flap towards and maintain said flap in first and second end positions thereof, respectively. For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a diagrammatic section through one form of device according to the invention, Figure 2 is a diagrammatic section through a second form of such device, Figure 3 is a diagrammatic section through a third form of such device, and Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view of the device of Figure 3 at 900 thereto. Figure 1 shows a first form of device for changing air flow from one duct to another in a suction cleaner or the like and in particular in a suction cleaner nozzle, the device including latching means in the form of a pivotable latch 2, which is fixed on a pivot shaft 1 together with a pivotable flap 9. The flap 9 is disposed below the latch 2 as viewed in the drawing in the region of two branch air ducts 10, 1 1 which are separated by a wall 13 and which open into a common duct 14. The latch 2 bears against a tiltable plate 5 which is freely held at one end of a helical compression spring 4. As a result of movement of the latch 2 from one of its end positions to the other, tilting of the plate 5 is effected, this tilting movement being limited by stops 6. Thus, the construction acts as a toggle lever mechanism. If the latch 2 were to be swung upwardly as viewed in the plane of the drawing by an actuating part (not shown) such as a lever which can be reached from outside and coupled to the flap 9 by means of the shaft 1 , the latch 2 would have to be forced against the action of the spring as far as the middle of the plate 5, beyond which position the plate 5 would tilt and the latch 2, under the effect of the spring force, would be brought into its other end position. In this way, the pivotable flap 9 would also be swung over and the air duct 10 would be opened to the duct 14 and the duct 1 1 would be at the same time closed. Using this arrangement, an undefined intermediate position of the flap 9 is not possible so that either the duct 10 or the duct 1 1 is open. The same principle applies to the construction shown in Figure 2, but here a substantially Z-shaped spring 7 is used, which serves the same purpose as the plate 5 and helical spring 4 in Figure 1. In this case, the latch 2 bears against one arm of the Z-shaped spring 7. As with the Figure 1 embodiment, the pivotable flap 9 is disposed beneath the latch 2 on the common pivot shaft 1. With this form, however, no stops 6 are required. The embodiment shown in Figure 3 is illustrated at 900 to the views shown in Figures 1 and 2. As before, the pivotable flap 9 and the latch 2 are arranged on the common pivot shaft 1. In addition, an actuating part in the form of a lever 12 is shown, the lever 12 being accessible from outside and joined to the pivot shaft 1. The latch 2 is tensioned by a tension spring 8. As can be seen from Figure 4, which is a view at 900 to Figure 3, this spring is arranged off-centre and, as a consequence, the opposite end positions of the latch 2 are always under load so as to provide a good sealing of the flap 9 with respect to the ducts 10 and 1 1, respectively. In all of the embodiments described, no intermediate position of the flap 9 can be maintained because of the resilient bias always urging the flap to one or other of its end positions. CLAIMS

5. A device as claimed in claims 2 and 4, wherein said toggle lever mechanism is comprised by said latch which is an arm against a free end of which a tiltable plate is resiliently pressed, said plate being able to tilt between two stops to bias said arm and hence said flap towards and maintain said flap in said first and second end positions thereof, respectively.

6. A device as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein said latch is an arm against a free end of which one outer arm of a Z-shaped spring bears, said spring biasing said arm and hence said flap towards and maintaining said flap in said first and second end positions thereof, respectively.

7. A device as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein said latch is an arm which is tensioned by a spring which is arranged off-centre so as to bias said arm and hence said flap into said first and second end positions, respectively.

8. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first and second end positions of said flap are positions where respective first and second ducts are closed by said flap to a further duct to which the first and second ducts are connected.

9. A device for changing air flow in a suction cleaner or the like, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1, or Figure 2, or Figures 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.

10. A suction cleaner nozzle having a device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.