GB2483695A

GB2483695A - A vacuum cleaner head

Info

Publication number: GB2483695A
Application number: GB1015552.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan James Julier
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-09-17
Filing date: 2010-09-17
Publication date: 2012-03-21
Anticipated expiration: 2030-09-17
Also published as: GB201015552D0; GB2483695B

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner head 10 comprises a port (11, fig 3) for inspection and removal of blockages from a suction path 2 within the head 10 covered by a flexible flap 17 that is held closed by the suction generated by the vacuum cleaner, in use. When the suction motor of the cleaner is switched on the flap 17 is held closed, however when the suction motor is switched off, the suction force is released from the flap 17, thus allowing the flap 17 to be opened and the suction path 2 inspected and any possible blockages removed. The flexible flap 17 is preferably plastic or nylon material and can be completely removed from the cleaner head 10. The flap 17 may be in the form of a hollow plug and tube 19.

Description

Vacuum Cleaner Head, Vacuum Cleaner and Method of Improved Suction.

This invention relates to vacuum cleaner head, a vacuum cleaner, and method of removing debris from a vacuum cleaner head to improve the suction of a vacuum cleaner.

It is common for vacuum cleaners to be provided with carpet brushes the bristles of which encircle the suction area opening of the vacuum head of the vacuum cleaner.

To spare the carpet these bristles are usually made of horse hair or similar material.

The suction opening may also be bordered by strips of velour.

Accumulated dust, debris and hair will tend to choke the suction area of the vacuum cleaner head by the bristles and velour, and also debris built up over time within the vacuum cleaner head its self, leading to loss of the suction in the suction pipe and vacuum cleaner.

GB2403893 partly solves this problem of loss of suction by having an external attachment fitted to the vacuum cleaner bead.

There is in prior art vacuum cleaner heads of the wheeled systems, the wheels are attached to a pivotable shoe chute attached to the body of the vacuum cleaner head.

The problem with these heads they have debris build up within them which results in loss of suction area and complete blockage and have to be dismantled and stripped apart for the removal of debris.

Turbo brush heads and other prior art heads also have similar problems, with resulting loss of suction.

A first aspect of the invention provides a vacuum cleaner head that has a means of visual inspection and easy access for the removal of trapped debris within the vacuum cleaner head suction area, by the use of an air suction operated flexible valve.

This is achieved by way of a flexible valve that covers an orifice port in the outer cover or body of the vacuum cleaner head which forms part of the suction area to the suction pipe and vacuum cleaner.

The flexible valve is operated and seals the orifice port in the outer shell of the suction area, by the difference of air pressure generated by the vacuum cleaner, resulting in no loss of suction through the vacuum cleaner head and no debris build up within the vacuum cleaner head.

When the vacuum cleaner is not in use the flexible valve sealing cover can be lifted and the vacuum cleaner floor head can be inspected for cleaning of any debris that has been trapped within, without dismantling and stripping the vacuum cleaner head apart by the use of various mechanical tools.

It will be appreciated that the tern "debris" means dust, hair, wool, fluff, etc., which experiences suction from the vacuum generated by the vacuum cleaner.

It will be appreciated that the term "suction area" used herein means an area within which material experiences suction from the vacuum generated by the vacuum cleaner.

It will be appreciated that the term "flexible valve" used herein covers plastics, rubber, nylon and other known flexible materials that will not allow air to pass through when applied to the vacuum cleaner head orifice port.

Preferably, a plastic material thick enough not to be sucked into the vacuum cleaner head when the vacuum cleaner is operated, but will seal the vacuum cleaner head, orifice port and releases when the vacuum cleaner ceases air suction.

Other known closures of the vacuum cleaner head orifice port could be used.

Preferably, a flexible plastic valve that seals and covers the vacuum cleaner head orifice port that can be connected and disconnected.

In an embodiment of the invention a hollow plug and tube is used to gain access to the suction area in the vacuum cleaner head if the outer body of the head dose not form part of the suction area. The surface face of the plug and tube is sealed by a flex able valve operated by the vacuum cleaner.

Preferably, the plug and tube can be disconnected and connected to the vacuum cleaner head.

In an embodiment of the invention, the valve connection is a pivotable connection.

The pivot able connection could be a hinge.

The hinge material could be hook and loop.

A pivotable connection will allow the valve to be lifted when the suction from the vacuum cleaner is disabled, to facilate the cleaning of any trapped debris within the vacuum cleaner head.

Preferably, by a hinged method.

In an embodiment of the invention the connection is adhesive.

Preferably, the adhesive is glue.

A removable connection that is re-connectable to the vacuum cleaner head allows the flexible valve to be disconnected from the improved vacuum cleaner head after a period of use, for example, so that debris may be removed from the suction area of the vacuum cleaner head, and then reconnected to the vacuum cleaner for further use, or to renew the flexible valve.

In an embodiment of the invention, the flexible valve connection is a mechanical fixing by known methods to the vacuum cleaner head, for example, one or more clamps, clips or screws.

It will be appreciated that the term "orifice port" used herein covers, any shape for example, round, square, rectangular, irregular.

Preferable, round.

A second aspect of the invention provides a vacuum cleaner to which is connected the vacuum cleaner head of the first embodiment of the invention, or a vacuum cleaner incorporating the improved vacuum cleaner head according to the first aspect of the invention.

It will be appreciated that the invention covers a vacuum cleaner which is manufactured, cylinder and upright type so that the vacuum cleaner floor head is an integral part of the vacuum cleaner.

It will be appreciated that the optional features discussed in relation to any aspect of the invention may apply to all aspects of the invention.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described in more detail by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a schematic view of a conventional vacuum cleaner.

Figure 2 is a bottom view of a suction head of the conventional vacuum cleaner.

Figure 3 is a top view of an improved vacuum cleaner head showing orifice port exposing the vacuum cleaners head suction area.

Figure 4 is a schematic view of a flexible valve.

Figure 5 is a top view of an improved vacuum cleaner head complete with a flexible valve attached by a hook and loop hinge.

Figure 6 is a cross sectional side view of the improved vacuum cleaner head taken along line A---A Fig 3, depicting a hollow plug and tube connected to the orifice port leading to the suction area of the vacuum cleaner head, when the body of the vacuum cleaner head is not part of the suction area.

Figure 7 is a side and top view of a hollow plug and tube, which connects to the suction area within the vacuum cleaner head.

With reference to FIG. 1. the conventional vacuum cleaner includes a body 1, having a motor for generating a suction force received herein, a connection hose 3, formed of a flexible material and communicating with the interior of the body 1, an extension pipe 4, connected to the connection hose 3, and allowing adjustment in length thereof, a handle 2, a power switch 6, and a vacuum cleaner head 5, detachably connected to one end of the extension pipe 4, to suction debris from the floor surface.

The body 1, is provided with a filter which separates debris from air suction into the body 1.

The extension pipe 4, is provided with a handle 2, and a power switch button 6, for operation of the cleaner.

Figure 2 is a bottom view of a conventional vacuum cleaner head 5, has an air suction area channel port 7, formed in the lower surface thereof and a sweeper brush 8, and located behind the air suction area port 7. The vacuum cleaner head 5, suctions debris from the floor through the air suction air port 7, and the sweeper brush 8, is used to dislodge debris on the floor to be sucked by the vacuum cleaner head 5.

Figure 3 is a top view of the improved vacuum cleaner head 9, has a body 10, an orifice port 11, a foot operated sweeper brush switch 12, a hinge 18, an extension pipe connection 13, a pivotable extension pipe connection chute 14, wheels 15.

Figure 4 is a top view of a flexible valve 17, attached to a hook and loop hinge 18, Figure 5 is a top view of the improved vacuum cleaner head 9, complete with a flexible valve 17, attached by a hook and loop hinge 18. Alternatively, the adhesive connection 20, comprises a Velcro®, strip for connection to a complementary Velcro® strip that that has already been stuck to the vacuuming head 9, the flex able valve 17, covering the orifice port 11.

Figure 6 is a part cross sectional view of a vacuum cleaner head (A----A), depicting a hollow plug and tube 19, connect through the body 10, to communicate with the suction area 2,of the vacuum cleaner head 9.Shown with the flexible valve 17, in situation.

Figure 7 is a side view of a hollow plug and tube 19, and a top view of a hollow plug and tube 19.

Claims

CLAIMS1. The vacuum cleaner head for a vacuum cleaner, cylinder or upright type, comprising means of improving the suction of a vacuum cleaner by incorporating an additional suction orifice port, covered and operated by a flexible valve that is controlled by the suction generated by a vacuum cleaner, in which trapped debris within the vacuum cleaner head can be inspected and removed, with out dismantling and stripping down the vacuum cleaner head by the use of mechanical tools.
2. The vacuum cleaner head of claim 1, wherein the vacuum cleaner head comprising an extra suction orifice port which connects to the suction area moulded into the top of the body therein.
3. The vacuum cleaner head of claim 1, wherein the suction orifice port is covered by a flexible valve and is operated open and shut by the difference in air pressure by the vacuum cleaner suction.
4. The flexible valve of claim 3, comprising a material that will not pass air through its material.
5. The flexible vale of claim 4, wherein the flexible valve is manufactured of a material that will seal the suction orifice port and of thickness and size, which will not be sucked into the suction orifice port of the vacuum cleaner head.
6. The flexible valve of claim 5, wherein the flexible valve is of a plastic material.
7. The flexible valve of claim 6, wherein the flexible valve is of a nylon material.
8. The flexible valve of claim 7, wherein the flexible valve is arranged for removal connection to the vacuum cleaner head.
9. The flexible valve of claim 8, wherein the flexible valve is re-connected to the vacuum cleaner head.
10. The vacuum cleaner head of any previous claim, wherein the vacuum cleaner head is connected to a vacuum cleaner.
11. The flexible valve of any previous claim, wherein the connection is a pivot able connection.
12. The flexible valve of claim 11, wherein the pivotable connection is a hinge.
13. The flexible valve of any previous claim, wherein the connection is a releasable mechanical coupling.
14. A vacuum cleaner to which is connected the vacuum cleaner head. 1 6
15. The flexible valve of any previous claim, the mechanical coupling is one or more; a clamp; a clip and a screw.
16. The flexible valve of any previous claim, 1 to 15, wherein the connection is adhesive.
17. The flexible valve of claiml5, wherein the connection is glue.
18. The flexible valve ofclaiml5, wherein the connection is hook and loop.
19. The flexible valve of any previous claim which will seal a hollow plug and tube when constructed into the vacuum cleaner head which communicates with the vacuum cleaner suction area.