GB2169494A

GB2169494A - Vacuum cleaner nozzle

Info

Publication number: GB2169494A
Application number: GB08500516A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hans Wessel
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1985-01-09
Filing date: 1985-01-09
Publication date: 1986-07-16
Also published as: SE8406612L; FR2575381A1; CH664683A5; SE8406612D0; GB2169494B; SE448055B; FR2575381B1; GB8500516D0

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner nozzle has an elongated suction orifice (2) in its base (1) with flexible strips (4) bordering each longer side. Each strip has a spine (6), a flange (5) providing a skirt alongside the orifice, and press studs (7) on the opposite side of the spine from the flange. The spine seats in a groove (3) and the press studs snap through apertures (8) in the base (9) of the groove to secure the strip. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements relating to vacuum cleaner nozzles This invention relates to vacuum cleaner nozzles and is concerned with the provision of strips of flexible material alongside the suction orifice. Such strips are commonly provided since they improve the ability of the nozzle to follow a surface closely, and thus provide more efficient suction However, they do wear out after a time, and this means that they must be replaceable. There is a problem in securing them so that they do not slip out in use, and yet allowing them to be readily replaced. It is the aim of this invention to ease this problem.

According to the present invention there is provided avacuum cleaner nozzle whose suction orifice is bordered by a replaceable integrally moulded flexible strip, the strip comprising a spineforseating in a groove alongside the orifice, a relatively thin flange along one side of the spine to provide a skirt adjacent the orifice, and press studs at intervals along the opposite side of the spine to have snap engagement through corresponding apertures in the base of the groove.

Preferably the strip will be moulded in rubber, with the spine reinforced. This reinforcement may be a steel wire core, a fabric embedded in the moulding, or a material of greater Shore hardness locally incorporated in the spine.

In one preferred form the studs, in section across the strip, are generally isosceles triangular in shape, the apex being remote from the spine and the base having undercuts to engage overthe edges of said apertures.

The flanks ofthe studs may cease to slope before the undercuts, so thatthere will not be a pointed, relatively weak lip, but one with substantial backing.

Alternativelythe studs may have sidewalls parallel to the flange, orconvergenttowards it.

The suction orifice will generally be of elongated rectangularform, and there will be such a strip along both the longer sides.

Fora 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 a cut-away perspective view of part of a vacuum cleaner nozzle, Figure 2 is a cross-section of a strip for mounting alongside the orifice of such a nozzle, Figure 3 is a cross-section of an alternative strip, and Figure 4 is a cross-section of yet another strip.

The vacuum cleaner nozzle has a base 1 which will slide overthe surface to be cleaned, and in itthere is an elongated suction orifice 2. Parallel to this, and along both the longer sides (although only one is visible in Figure there are g moves3to receive strips4 of fLexil2ieraateriaiepreferabSy integrally moulded in rubber Each strip has afiange 5 forming a skirt alongsidethe orifice2 and projecting from a spine 6 which seats in the groove 3. On the opposite side of the spine there are press studs 7 which snap through corresponding apertures8 inthe base 9 of the groove.

These hold the strip securely not only against withdrawal but also againstany longitudinal movement.

The flange 5, being considerablythinnerthan the spine 6, is correspondingly more flexible and can follow contours of an uneven surface. The press studs 7 will have sufficient resilience and flexibilityto snap through the apertures 8. However, the spine 6 does not require this flexibility, and it is better to have it considerably stiffer. By virtue of its size and shape, it will naturally be less flexible than the flange 5, but it may be further reinforced, as in Figure 2, by a steel wire core 10.

As an alternative to this, a fabric may be embedded in the moulding, or a material ofgreater Shore hardness than rubber may be locally incorporated in the spine.

In Figure 1 and 2 the press studs 7 in cross-section of the strip are of generally isoscelestriangularform with the apex remote from the spine 6 and with flanks 11 and 12 sloping down to the base, which has undercuts 13 and 14. In orderto avoid a relatively weak pointed lip, the slope is not carried down right to the base, but fora short distance above the undercuts there are parallel sided flanks 15 and 1 6,thus providing those undercuts with substantial backing at 17 and 18. It is these portions which snap overthe edges ofthe apertures 8.

Alternative stud shapes are possible. In Figure 3, the stud 19 is of rectangular block-like form with flanks 20 and 21 parallel to the flange 5. In this case the elasticity ofthe studs 19 and/orthe spine 6 will actto retain the strips4inthe groove. In Figure 4,the stud 22 is trapezoidal in cross-section, with the flanks 23 and 24 converging towardstheflange 5.

1. Avacuum cleaner nozzle whose suction orifice is bordered by a replaceable integrally moulded flexible and/or elastic strip, the strip comprising a spineforseating in a groove alongside the orifice, a relativelythin flange along one side ofthe spineto provide a skirt adjacent the orifice, and press studs at intervals along the opposite side ofthespineto have snap engagement through corresponding apertures in the base of the groove.

2. A nozzle as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the strip is moulded in rubber.

3. A nozzle as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the spine has a reinforcement.

4. A nozzle as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the reinforcement is a steel wire core.

5. A nozzle as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the reinforcement is a fabric embedded in the moulding.

6. A nozzle as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the reinforcement is a material of a greater Shore hardness locally incorporated in the spine.

7. A nozzle as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the studs, in section across the strip, are generally isosceles triangular in shape, the apex being remote from the spine and the base having undercuts to engage overthe edges of said apertures.

8. A nozzle as claimed in claim 7, wherein the flanks ofthestuds cease to slope before the undercuts.

9. A nozzle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the studs have sidewalls parallel to the flange.

10. A nozzle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the studs have side walls Convergenttowards

**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 and is concerned with the provision of strips of flexible material alongside the suction orifice. Such strips are commonly provided since they improve the ability of the nozzle to follow a surface closely, and thus provide more efficient suction However, they do wear out after a time, and this means that they must be replaceable. There is a problem in securing them so that they do not slip out in use, and yet allowing them to be readily replaced. It is the aim of this invention to ease this problem. According to the present invention there is provided avacuum cleaner nozzle whose suction orifice is bordered by a replaceable integrally moulded flexible strip, the strip comprising a spineforseating in a groove alongside the orifice, a relatively thin flange along one side of the spine to provide a skirt adjacent the orifice, and press studs at intervals along the opposite side of the spine to have snap engagement through corresponding apertures in the base of the groove. Preferably the strip will be moulded in rubber, with the spine reinforced. This reinforcement may be a steel wire core, a fabric embedded in the moulding, or a material of greater Shore hardness locally incorporated in the spine. In one preferred form the studs, in section across the strip, are generally isosceles triangular in shape, the apex being remote from the spine and the base having undercuts to engage overthe edges of said apertures. The flanks ofthe studs may cease to slope before the undercuts, so thatthere will not be a pointed, relatively weak lip, but one with substantial backing. Alternativelythe studs may have sidewalls parallel to the flange, orconvergenttowards it. The suction orifice will generally be of elongated rectangularform, and there will be such a strip along both the longer sides. Fora 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 a cut-away perspective view of part of a vacuum cleaner nozzle, Figure 2 is a cross-section of a strip for mounting alongside the orifice of such a nozzle, Figure 3 is a cross-section of an alternative strip, and Figure 4 is a cross-section of yet another strip. The vacuum cleaner nozzle has a base 1 which will slide overthe surface to be cleaned, and in itthere is an elongated suction orifice 2. Parallel to this, and along both the longer sides (although only one is visible in Figure there are g moves3to receive strips4 of fLexil2ieraateriaiepreferabSy integrally moulded in rubber Each strip has afiange 5 forming a skirt alongsidethe orifice2 and projecting from a spine 6 which seats in the groove 3. On the opposite side of the spine there are press studs 7 which snap through corresponding apertures8 inthe base 9 of the groove. These hold the strip securely not only against withdrawal but also againstany longitudinal movement. The flange 5, being considerablythinnerthan the spine 6, is correspondingly more flexible and can follow contours of an uneven surface. The press studs 7 will have sufficient resilience and flexibilityto snap through the apertures 8. However, the spine 6 does not require this flexibility, and it is better to have it considerably stiffer. By virtue of its size and shape, it will naturally be less flexible than the flange 5, but it may be further reinforced, as in Figure 2, by a steel wire core 10. As an alternative to this, a fabric may be embedded in the moulding, or a material ofgreater Shore hardness than rubber may be locally incorporated in the spine. In Figure 1 and 2 the press studs 7 in cross-section of the strip are of generally isoscelestriangularform with the apex remote from the spine 6 and with flanks 11 and 12 sloping down to the base, which has undercuts 13 and 14. In orderto avoid a relatively weak pointed lip, the slope is not carried down right to the base, but fora short distance above the undercuts there are parallel sided flanks 15 and 1 6,thus providing those undercuts with substantial backing at 17 and 18. It is these portions which snap overthe edges ofthe apertures 8. Alternative stud shapes are possible. In Figure 3, the stud 19 is of rectangular block-like form with flanks 20 and 21 parallel to the flange 5. In this case the elasticity ofthe studs 19 and/orthe spine 6 will actto retain the strips4inthe groove. In Figure 4,the stud 22 is trapezoidal in cross-section, with the flanks 23 and 24 converging towardstheflange 5. CLAIMS

2. A nozzle as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the strip is moulded in rubber.

3. A nozzle as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the spine has a reinforcement.

10. A nozzle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the studs have side walls Convergenttowards The flange

11. A nozzle as claimed in any preceding claim, whereinthe orifice is of elongateform and there are strips along each ofthe longersides.

12. Avacuum cleanernozzlesubstantiallyas hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1, Figure2, Figure3 or Figure4 ofthe accompanying drawing.