GB2157157A

GB2157157A - Vacuum cleaner nozzle

Info

Publication number: GB2157157A
Application number: GB08409292A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hans Wessel
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1984-04-10
Filing date: 1984-04-10
Publication date: 1985-10-23
Also published as: FR2562410B1; FR2562410A1; CH662934A5; NL8401059A

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner nozzle (1) has a base (3) with a generally rectangular suction orifice (4). At least one of the long sides is fitted with a thread pickup (7) having bristles inclined towards the suction orifice (4). The thread pickup (7) carries one or more coloured strips (10) whose position indicates to the user the correct orientation of the pickup as he fits it in a recess (5,6) in the base. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Vacuum cleaner nozzle This invention relates to vacuum cleaner nozzles. It is concerned with a nozzle whose suction orifice has an adjacent thread pickup with bristles inclined towards the orifice.

When a new or replacement pickup has to be fitted to the basic nozzle, the problem is to orient it so that the bristles slope in the right direction.

The simplest way to check this is by running a finger over the bristles, but this can be deceptive and lead to faulty insertion.

One solution is to make the pickup asymmetrical, so that it can only be fitted one way into a matching recess. However, they can be time wasting to fit if the asymmetricality is not readily apparent, and there are production difficulties compared with uniform pickups.

According to the present invention, there is provided a vacuum cleaner nozzle, with an elongate suction orifice having a bristle thread pickup fitted along at least one of its longer sides, the bristles inclining towards the orifice and the orientation of the pickup being indicated by a visible sign.

Thus the correct way to fit the thread pickup can be ascertained at a glance and acted upon immediately.

For better understanding of the invention some embodiments will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 is an underneath plan view of a vacuum cleaner nozzle without a thread pickup; and Figures 2 to 4 show thread pickups which can be fitted to such a nozzle.

In figure 1 a vacuum cleaner nozzle 1 of the simple cushion type has a rigid connecting socket 2 for the suction pipe (not shown). The base 3 of the nozzle 1 defines a suction orifice 4 of generally rectangular form, and centred on the longer sides of the base there are recesses 5 and 6 for accepting thread pickups. Certain nozzles might only have one such recess.

Each thread pickup is advantageously in the form of a cylinder matched to seat in one of the recesses 5, 6 and to adhere therein by means of a self-adhesive reverse side. This side will initially be shielded by silicone paper or something similar, which can easily and rapidly be peeled off before the pickup is inserted into one of the recesses 5 and 6. A bristled fabric side of the pickup will project proud of the base 3, and if it is to fulfil its purpose efficiently it must be arranged with the bristles inclined towards the suction orifice 4. Only then can they loosen threads and pieces of fluff from a carpet pile as the nozzle is moved to and fro and present them for easy pickup by the suction orifice 4.

The operator must therefore insert the pickups the right way around, and this is aided by enabling him to recognize at a glance the correct orientation, without for example testing the incline of the bristles by feel.

To this end, the thread pickups 7, 8 and 9 of Figures 2, 3 and 4 are provided with strips 10, 11 and 12 and 13 of different colouring to the main mass of bristles. This practically guarantees faultless insertion once the significance of such strips is known.

With the thread pickup 7 of Figure 2 the coloured strip 10 is offset to lie along the side towards which the bristles incline. Thus, provided the pickup is mounted with the strip 10 adjacent or facing the edge 14 of the suction orifice 4 that mounting is correct. It will be correct whether it is the recess 5 or 6.

In Figure 3 the thread pickup 8 has its strip 11 transverse to its length and set off-centre. It will be inserted so that the strip 11 registers with a groove 15 in the base 3. There need only be one such groove, for once one thread pickup has been inserted using the groove, the operator fits the other pickup so that its strip 11 is diametrically opposite the first one. The bristles of both pickups will then incline towards the suction orifice.

In Figure 4, the thread pickup 9 has two coloured orienting strips 12 and 13, respectively forming short and long sides of a rectangle. The incline away from the long strip 13, so that the free end of the cross strip 23 can be used as a pointer and be directed towards the suction orifice 4, while the long strip 13 will necessarily lie on the side away from that orifice.

The strips will be made to contrast with the basic colour of the thread pickup by differently coloured warp or weft threads or by subsequent staining.

It will be understood that other markings than strips can be used, such as spots or stars. However, strips are easy for the manufacturer to apply and for the user to recognise.

It will be appreciated that a manufacturer can give any desired significance to a particular strip marking provided that suitable instructions are provided for the user. Thus in the Figure 2 embodiment the bristle could incline away from the strip 10 in which case the strip 10 would be positioned along the outer edge of each recess.

1. A vacuum cleaner nozzle with an elongate suction orifice having a bristle thread pickup fitted along at least one of its longer sides, the bristles inclining towards the orifice and the orientation of the pickup being indicated by a visible sign.

2. A nozzle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the visible sign is a coloured mark distinguishable from the mass of bristles.

3. A nozzle as claimed in claim 2, wherein the mark is a strip or strips asymmetrically placed.

4. A nozzle as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the pickup is fitted in an elongate recess.

5. A nozzle as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the thread pickup has a self-adhesive back.

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Vacuum cleaner nozzle This invention relates to vacuum cleaner nozzles. It is concerned with a nozzle whose suction orifice has an adjacent thread pickup with bristles inclined towards the orifice. When a new or replacement pickup has to be fitted to the basic nozzle, the problem is to orient it so that the bristles slope in the right direction. The simplest way to check this is by running a finger over the bristles, but this can be deceptive and lead to faulty insertion. One solution is to make the pickup asymmetrical, so that it can only be fitted one way into a matching recess. However, they can be time wasting to fit if the asymmetricality is not readily apparent, and there are production difficulties compared with uniform pickups. According to the present invention, there is provided a vacuum cleaner nozzle, with an elongate suction orifice having a bristle thread pickup fitted along at least one of its longer sides, the bristles inclining towards the orifice and the orientation of the pickup being indicated by a visible sign. Thus the correct way to fit the thread pickup can be ascertained at a glance and acted upon immediately. For better understanding of the invention some embodiments will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 is an underneath plan view of a vacuum cleaner nozzle without a thread pickup; and Figures 2 to 4 show thread pickups which can be fitted to such a nozzle. In figure 1 a vacuum cleaner nozzle 1 of the simple cushion type has a rigid connecting socket 2 for the suction pipe (not shown). The base 3 of the nozzle 1 defines a suction orifice 4 of generally rectangular form, and centred on the longer sides of the base there are recesses 5 and 6 for accepting thread pickups. Certain nozzles might only have one such recess. Each thread pickup is advantageously in the form of a cylinder matched to seat in one of the recesses 5, 6 and to adhere therein by means of a self-adhesive reverse side. This side will initially be shielded by silicone paper or something similar, which can easily and rapidly be peeled off before the pickup is inserted into one of the recesses 5 and 6. A bristled fabric side of the pickup will project proud of the base 3, and if it is to fulfil its purpose efficiently it must be arranged with the bristles inclined towards the suction orifice 4. Only then can they loosen threads and pieces of fluff from a carpet pile as the nozzle is moved to and fro and present them for easy pickup by the suction orifice 4. The operator must therefore insert the pickups the right way around, and this is aided by enabling him to recognize at a glance the correct orientation, without for example testing the incline of the bristles by feel. To this end, the thread pickups 7, 8 and 9 of Figures 2, 3 and 4 are provided with strips 10, 11 and 12 and 13 of different colouring to the main mass of bristles. This practically guarantees faultless insertion once the significance of such strips is known. With the thread pickup 7 of Figure 2 the coloured strip 10 is offset to lie along the side towards which the bristles incline. Thus, provided the pickup is mounted with the strip 10 adjacent or facing the edge 14 of the suction orifice 4 that mounting is correct. It will be correct whether it is the recess 5 or 6. In Figure 3 the thread pickup 8 has its strip 11 transverse to its length and set off-centre. It will be inserted so that the strip 11 registers with a groove 15 in the base 3. There need only be one such groove, for once one thread pickup has been inserted using the groove, the operator fits the other pickup so that its strip 11 is diametrically opposite the first one. The bristles of both pickups will then incline towards the suction orifice. In Figure 4, the thread pickup 9 has two coloured orienting strips 12 and 13, respectively forming short and long sides of a rectangle. The incline away from the long strip 13, so that the free end of the cross strip 23 can be used as a pointer and be directed towards the suction orifice 4, while the long strip 13 will necessarily lie on the side away from that orifice. The strips will be made to contrast with the basic colour of the thread pickup by differently coloured warp or weft threads or by subsequent staining. It will be understood that other markings than strips can be used, such as spots or stars. However, strips are easy for the manufacturer to apply and for the user to recognise. It will be appreciated that a manufacturer can give any desired significance to a particular strip marking provided that suitable instructions are provided for the user. Thus in the Figure 2 embodiment the bristle could incline away from the strip 10 in which case the strip 10 would be positioned along the outer edge of each recess. CLAIMS

6. A vacuum cleaner nozzle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1 with Figure 2, Figure 3 or Figure 4 of the accompanying drawing.