GB2140673A

GB2140673A - Vacuum cleaner nozzles

Info

Publication number: GB2140673A
Application number: GB08333172A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hans Wessel
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1983-05-30
Filing date: 1983-12-13
Publication date: 1984-12-05
Also published as: ATA201483A; CH661197A5; BE897232A; NL192428C; AT377906B; DE3319628C2; GB2140673B; NL8301938A; FR2547190B1; IT8321486A0; NL192428B; DE3319628A1; GB8333172D0; IT8321486A1; FR2547190A1; IT1194258B

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner nozzle (1) has its rear end connected to a suction pipe (5, 6) by a joint which allows mutual rotation about the pipe axis and tilting about another axis (10) perpendicular thereto. The joint comprises a ring (3) with a part spherical outer surface, journalled in a matching socket in the nozzle body (2), while the suction pipe snap fits into the bore (4) of the ring. A pedal (12) operated brush assembly (11, 15), which can be withdrawn or projected below the underside of the nozzle may also be mounted on the nozzle. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements relating to vacuum cleaner nozzles This invention relates to vacuum cleaner nozzles. It is concerned with those having a rotary tilting joint for connecting to a suction pipe, and a pedal for moving brushes in and out.

Vacuum cleaner nozzles of this type are fairly common and in a competitive market their operation should be simple and their manufacture straightforward, with as few parts as possible to make and assemble. The aim of this invention is to approach this ideal.

According to the present invention there is provided a vacuum cleaner nozzle with a joint for connection to a suction pipe, the joint comprising a ring which co-axially receives the end of the suction pipe, there being means allowing mutual rotation about the common axis but providing restraint against relative axial movement, and means journalling the ring in the body of the nozzle to allow mutual tilting about a second axis intersecting and perpendicular to the rotational axis.

Preferably, the ring has a part spherical outer surface and has journals integrally moulded thereon, at opposite ends of a diameter. The means allowing mutual rotation but providing restraint against axial movement may comprise an annular groove and a rib which engages therewith, the ring and pipe being of materials which allow snap engagement of the ring and groove.

The nozzle will also preferably have pedal operated brush means on the underside which can be moved between projecting and withdrawn positions. The pedal may be arranged to rotate a shaft with a projection, and the brush means may be carried by a member with which the projection co-operates to be depressed or released thereby.

The pedal, shaft and projection are conveniently integrally moulded.

The brush means preferably includes at least one brush strip, whost bristles incline downwardly and forwardly at 2 5--35 0 to the vertical when the nozzle is co-operating with a horizontal surface.

The movement of the brush means when the pedal is depressed or released can be arranged to be generally parallel to the bristle inclination, and by this means the entry to the nozzle can be extended forwards, which is advantageous for certain cleaning jobs.

For a better understanding of the invention, one embodiment will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 is a vertical section of a vacuum cleaner nozzle, and Figure 2 is a partial front view of the nozzle of Figure 1.

A vacuum cleaner nozzle 1 has a hollow body 2 at the back of which is centrally located a rotatingtilting joint. This is provided by a ring 3 with a part-spherical outer surface which closely engages a matching socket integrally formed with the body 2. The cylindrical bore 4 of the ring 3 closely receives the end portion 6 of an elbowed suction pipe 5, an integrally moulded rib 16 on the portion 6 engaging in an annular groove 17 in the bore 4 to hold the parts axially but allowing mutual rotation about the common axis. The pipe 5 and ring 3 can be pressed into mutual engagement if suitable materials are selected, the rib 16 snapping into the groove 17 as this is completed.The outside of the ring 3 has two integrally moulded jounals 7 on opposite sides with a common horizontal axis 10 along a diameter of the ring, parallel to the axis 8 of a wheel or roller 9 on which the nozzle can run.

The journals 7 engage in recesses in the sides of the socket which receives the ring 3 and confine the tilting of the ring in the housing 2 to movement about the axis 10. The tilting and rotating axes intersect at right angles at the centre of the ring 3.

The ring 3 need not have a spherical outer surface, since it is only required to tilt about a single fixed axis. It could be cylindrical, for example. However, for compactness, economy, ease of fitting, good sealing and minimal interference with air flow when there is mutual tilting, a spherical form is preferred.

The nozzle has forward and rear brush inserts 11 on its underside and their bristles are inclined downwardly and forwardly at between 250 and 350 to the vertical (preferably 300). They can be withdrawn or extended by actuation of a pedal 12.

The latter is moulded onto, or otherwise fixed to, a tube 13 which is mounted in the body 2 parallel to the axis 8, and it can turn this tube through about 600 when operated. At least one arm 14, but preferably two at or near opposite ends, projects from the tube 13, and this also may be integrally moulded with it. The or each arm acts upon a support plate 15 by which the brush inserts 11 are carried.

The plate 15 surrounds a downwardly open nozzle mouth or inlet 18 in the form of a transverse slot generally parallel to the axes 8 and 10, and a mouthpiece and slider 19 is pivoted to the forward edge of that slot. The plate 15 has a correspondingly shaped opening to accommodate the inlet and mouthpiece, and is not in two separate pieces as might appear from the Figure.

It is urged upwardly and rearwardly, parallel to the brush angle, by springs (not shown).

A downward press on the pedal 12 rotates the tube 13 and produces via the arm(s) 14, a downward and forward projecting movement of the brush inserts 1 as indicated by chain dotted lines. The arms 14 have an over-centre action so that the plate 15 stays in the lowered position when the operator's foot is removed from the pedal. Kicking the pedal up allows the springs to return the plate 15 to the withdrawn position, shown in full.

1. A vacuum cleaner nozzle with a joint for connection to a suction pipe, the joint comprising

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvements relating to vacuum cleaner nozzles This invention relates to vacuum cleaner nozzles. It is concerned with those having a rotary tilting joint for connecting to a suction pipe, and a pedal for moving brushes in and out. Vacuum cleaner nozzles of this type are fairly common and in a competitive market their operation should be simple and their manufacture straightforward, with as few parts as possible to make and assemble. The aim of this invention is to approach this ideal. According to the present invention there is provided a vacuum cleaner nozzle with a joint for connection to a suction pipe, the joint comprising a ring which co-axially receives the end of the suction pipe, there being means allowing mutual rotation about the common axis but providing restraint against relative axial movement, and means journalling the ring in the body of the nozzle to allow mutual tilting about a second axis intersecting and perpendicular to the rotational axis. Preferably, the ring has a part spherical outer surface and has journals integrally moulded thereon, at opposite ends of a diameter. The means allowing mutual rotation but providing restraint against axial movement may comprise an annular groove and a rib which engages therewith, the ring and pipe being of materials which allow snap engagement of the ring and groove. The nozzle will also preferably have pedal operated brush means on the underside which can be moved between projecting and withdrawn positions. The pedal may be arranged to rotate a shaft with a projection, and the brush means may be carried by a member with which the projection co-operates to be depressed or released thereby. The pedal, shaft and projection are conveniently integrally moulded. The brush means preferably includes at least one brush strip, whost bristles incline downwardly and forwardly at 2 5--35 0 to the vertical when the nozzle is co-operating with a horizontal surface. The movement of the brush means when the pedal is depressed or released can be arranged to be generally parallel to the bristle inclination, and by this means the entry to the nozzle can be extended forwards, which is advantageous for certain cleaning jobs. For a better understanding of the invention, one embodiment will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 is a vertical section of a vacuum cleaner nozzle, and Figure 2 is a partial front view of the nozzle of Figure 1. A vacuum cleaner nozzle 1 has a hollow body 2 at the back of which is centrally located a rotatingtilting joint. This is provided by a ring 3 with a part-spherical outer surface which closely engages a matching socket integrally formed with the body 2. The cylindrical bore 4 of the ring 3 closely receives the end portion 6 of an elbowed suction pipe 5, an integrally moulded rib 16 on the portion 6 engaging in an annular groove 17 in the bore 4 to hold the parts axially but allowing mutual rotation about the common axis. The pipe 5 and ring 3 can be pressed into mutual engagement if suitable materials are selected, the rib 16 snapping into the groove 17 as this is completed.The outside of the ring 3 has two integrally moulded jounals 7 on opposite sides with a common horizontal axis 10 along a diameter of the ring, parallel to the axis 8 of a wheel or roller 9 on which the nozzle can run. The journals 7 engage in recesses in the sides of the socket which receives the ring 3 and confine the tilting of the ring in the housing 2 to movement about the axis 10. The tilting and rotating axes intersect at right angles at the centre of the ring 3. The ring 3 need not have a spherical outer surface, since it is only required to tilt about a single fixed axis. It could be cylindrical, for example. However, for compactness, economy, ease of fitting, good sealing and minimal interference with air flow when there is mutual tilting, a spherical form is preferred. The nozzle has forward and rear brush inserts 11 on its underside and their bristles are inclined downwardly and forwardly at between 250 and 350 to the vertical (preferably 300). They can be withdrawn or extended by actuation of a pedal 12. The latter is moulded onto, or otherwise fixed to, a tube 13 which is mounted in the body 2 parallel to the axis 8, and it can turn this tube through about 600 when operated. At least one arm 14, but preferably two at or near opposite ends, projects from the tube 13, and this also may be integrally moulded with it. The or each arm acts upon a support plate 15 by which the brush inserts 11 are carried. The plate 15 surrounds a downwardly open nozzle mouth or inlet 18 in the form of a transverse slot generally parallel to the axes 8 and 10, and a mouthpiece and slider 19 is pivoted to the forward edge of that slot. The plate 15 has a correspondingly shaped opening to accommodate the inlet and mouthpiece, and is not in two separate pieces as might appear from the Figure. It is urged upwardly and rearwardly, parallel to the brush angle, by springs (not shown). A downward press on the pedal 12 rotates the tube 13 and produces via the arm(s) 14, a downward and forward projecting movement of the brush inserts 1 as indicated by chain dotted lines. The arms 14 have an over-centre action so that the plate 15 stays in the lowered position when the operator's foot is removed from the pedal. Kicking the pedal up allows the springs to return the plate 15 to the withdrawn position, shown in full. CLAIMS

1. A vacuum cleaner nozzle with a joint for connection to a suction pipe, the joint comprising a ring which co-axially receives the end of the suction pipe, there being means allowing mutual rotation about the common axis but providing restraint against relative axial movement, and means journalling the ring in the body of the nozzle to allow mutual tilting about a second axis intersecting and perpendicular to the rotational axis.

2. A nozzle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ring has a part-spherical outer surface and has journals integrally moulded thereon at opposite ends of a diameter.

3. A nozzle as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the means allowing mutual rotation but providing restraint against relative axial movement comprise an annular groove and a matching rib which engages therewith, the ring and pipe being of materials which allow snap engagement of the rib and groove.

4. A nozzle as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, and further comprising pedal-operated brush means on the underside which can be moved between projecting and withdrawn positions.

5. A nozzle as claimed in claim 4, wherein the pedal is arranged to rotate a shaft with a projection, and the brush means are carried by a member with which the projection co-operates to be depressed or released thereby.

6. A nozzle as claimed in claim 5, wherein the pedal, shaft and projection are integrally moulded.

7. A nozzle as claimed in claim 5, 6 or 7, wherein the brush means includes at least one brush strip whose bristles incline downwardly and forwardly at between 250 to 350 to the vertical when the nozzle is co-operating with a horizontal surface.

8. A nozzle as claimed in claim 7, wherein the movement of the brush means is generally parallel to the bristle inclination.

9. A vacuum cleaner nozzle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.