GB2545725A

GB2545725A - A steam cleaner

Info

Publication number: GB2545725A
Application number: GB1522789.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Manning Daragh
Original assignee: TTI Macao Commercial Offshore Ltd
Current assignee: TTI Macao Commercial Offshore Ltd
Priority date: 2015-12-23
Filing date: 2015-12-23
Publication date: 2017-06-28
Anticipated expiration: 2035-12-23
Also published as: GB2545725B; GB201522789D0

Abstract

A surface cleaning apparatus comprises a cleaning head (12, fig 1), an elongate member 16 and a securing mechanism for releasably securing the elongate member 16 such as a wand or handle to the cleaning head (12, fig 1), wherein the apparatus includes a biasing mechanism 46 for biasing the elongate member 16 and the cleaning head (12, fig 1) away from one another. Preferably one of the elongate member 16 and the cleaning head (12, fig 1) includes a visual indicator (55, fig 9), such that when the elongate member 16 and the cleaning head (12, fig 1) are secured together the visual indicator (55, fig 9) is obscured from view, and when the elongate member 16 and the cleaning head (12, fig 1) are unsecured at least a portion of the visual indicator (55, fig 9) is visible. One of a receiving portion 42 or an engagement portion 40 may obscure the visual indicator (55, fig 9) from view when the receiving portion 42 and the engagement portion 40 are secured together, and when the receiving portion 42 and engagement portion 40 are unsecured at least a portion of the visual indicator (55, fig 9) is visible.

Description

Title: A steam cleaner Description of Invention

This invention relates to a surface cleaning apparatus. More particularly, this invention relates to an apparatus for cleaning a surface such as a floor or wall which uses a source of steam.

The use of steam cleaners for cleaning floor and other surfaces is well known. For cleaning floor surfaces, a steam cleaner typically has a cleaning head comprising a body able to be moved, by a user, over the surface to be cleaned, the body being adapted to carry a cleaning element of or including a fabric/textile or other material of a steam permeable absorbent nature. Steam (or very hot water) is emitted from the body and passes through the cleaning head to contact the surface being cleaned, with the effect of loosening dirt from the surface. Dirty water from condensation of the steam on the surface is absorbed by the cleaning element.

The cleaning head, to enable it to be manipulated over the surface being cleaned, may be attached to a wand and steam supplied thereto by way of a hose from a separate steam generator. Alternatively, the wand may itself be provided with a steam generator and supply of water, to form a self-contained steam cleaning device, sometimes referred to as a “stick” or “mop” type of steam cleaner.

The steam generator for such devices typically includes a water storage container (e.g. a tank which a user fills with water), an electric pump (which is controlled by a user operable switch) and a heating element(s). In use, water is fed from the tank to the heating element by the pump, where it is then heated. The resulting steam (or very hot water) then passes from the heating element towards the cleaning head and thus the surface to be cleaned. A further provision known in such a steam cleaner is the ability to store a cleaning agent, e.g. a solution of a suitable detergent, to assist the cleaning operation.

According to an aspect of the invention, we provide a surface cleaning apparatus comprising: a cleaning head; an elongate member; and a securing mechanism for releasably securing the elongate member to the cleaning head, wherein the apparatus includes a biasing mechanism for biasing the elongate member and the cleaning head away from one another.

Further features of the invention are set out in the claims appended hereto.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying figures, of which:

Figure 1 is a view of a surface cleaning apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a view of a surface cleaning apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 3 is a view of a surface cleaning apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 4 is a partial view of a surface cleaning apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 5 is a partial view of a surface cleaning apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a securing mechanism in a secured position in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of a securing mechanism in an unsecured position in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of part of a securing mechanism in a secured position in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 9 is a perspective view of part of a surface cleaning apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the figures, these show an embodiment of a surface cleaning apparatus 10 in accordance with the present invention. The apparatus 10 has a cleaning head 12, a main body 14 and an elongate member 16 extending therebetween. The cleaning head 12, elongate member 16 and main body 14 are therefore connected to each other in this sequence, with the main body 14 being positioned farthest from a floor surface to be cleaned. Whilst not shown in the figures, the cleaning head 12 is adapted to carry a cleaning element of or including a fabric/textile or other material of a steam permeable absorbent nature, as is well known in the art.

The main body 14 supports, and in this example, houses a water storage container, a steam generator including one or more heating elements, and a pump for feeding water from the storage container to the steam generator (although a pump is not essential). These component parts are not shown in the figures, nor discussed in greater detail herein, as they are well known in the prior art. The main body 14 also includes a user-graspable handle formation 18 including a hand aperture 19 and one or more controls 20a, 20b for operation of the apparatus 10, e.g. for providing power (mains or battery, which could be supported or housed in the main body 14) to the pump and steam generator. Other controls could be used, and their location changed, if desired, without departing from the scope of the invention. The main body 14 has a steam outlet 35 which communicates with the steam generator.

The elongate member 16, which is substantially circular in cross-section, connects the cleaning head 12 to the main body 14, and includes a fluid passage (not shown) which communicates with the steam outlet 35 for directing steam towards the cleaning head 12. Whilst in the present example the elongate member 16 is a single component (albeit made from a number of component parts), embodiments are envisaged where the elongate member includes two or more members connected in end-to-end configuration, preferably with the members being releasably connectable to each other. The connection of the elongate member 16 to the cleaning head is by way of a universal-type joint 9, which permits 360° articulation therebetween. Other types of hinge are envisaged, e.g. those which permit less than 360° articulation. The universal-type joint 9 has a storage condition which holds the elongate member 16 generally upright, such that a centre of gravity of the apparatus 10 sits within a footprint of the cleaning head 12. Thus, the apparatus 10 is free-standing in this position, although it need not be configured this way.

Advantageously, the elongate member 16 has a steam outlet 37 (see figure 4) which is releasably connectable to a steam inlet 11 (see figure 2) of the cleaning head 12 by way of a securing mechanism 22. The elongate member 16 has an engagement portion 40 which is inserted into a receiving portion 42 of the cleaning head 12. The securing mechanism 22 includes a first locking member 24 supported on the receiving portion 42 of the cleaning head 12 which is pivotally moveable at 25 between locking and unlocking positions. An end of the locking member 24 is engageable with a corresponding formation 44 on the engagement portion 40 of the elongate member 16. The corresponding formation 44 is an aperture which receives the first locking member 24 to secure the elongate member 16 with respect to the cleaning head 12.

The receiving portion 42 also includes a biasing mechanism 46 which biases the engagement portion 40 and the receiving portion 42 away from one another, when the engagement portion 40 is inserted into the receiving portion 42. The biasing mechanism 46 includes an engagement surface in the form of a platform 48 which is biased upwards (i.e. away from the cleaning head 12) by a biasing means (referred to hereinafter as a spring 49). The receiving portion 42 includes a substantially cylindrical part 52 which has an opening 56 at the “top end” into which the engagement portion 40 is inserted and a substantially closed “bottom end”. The steam inlet 11 is formed in the central part of the bottom end of the cylindrical part 52 and receives the steam outlet 37 of the elongate member 16. The steam inlet 11 includes a substantially circular opening defined by a generally upstanding wall portion 53. The platform 48 is generally annular in shape and extends around an outer rim of the upstanding wall 53 of the steam inlet 11. The spring 49 (when compressed) is located in a cavity 57 formed between the cylindrical part 52 of the receiving portion 42, and the upstanding wall 53 of the steam inlet 11, and the platform 48. When the spring 49 is in its neutral (uncompressed) condition, the platform 48 is supported closer to the opening 56 of the cylindrical part 52 of the receiving portion 42 (i.e. above the steam inlet 11 - as shown in figure 7).

It is envisaged that the engagement portion 40 and the receiving portion 42 need not be on the elongate member 16 and cleaning head 12, respectively. In that case, the cleaning head 12 may support the engagement portion and the elongate member 16 may include the receiving portion. It should be appreciated that there may be other ways of securing the elongate member 16 to the cleaning head 12, which do not require the provision of an engagement portion 40 and receiving portion 42. It should also be appreciated that other suitable biasing means could be used in the biasing mechanism and it could still perform the same function.

In use, in order to connect the elongate member 16 to the cleaning head 12, the user inserts the engagement portion 40 into the receiving portion 42. When the engagement portion 40 is substantially fully inserted into the receiving portion 42 the securing mechanism secures the elongate member 16 to the cleaning head 12. By “substantially fully inserted” we mean that the engagement portion 40 is inserted far enough into the receiving portion 42 so that the first locking member 24 pivots into engagement with the aperture 44.

In order to reach the substantially fully inserted (i.e. secured) position, the user is required to apply enough axially directed pressure to the elongate member 16 (towards the cleaning head 12) to overcome the biasing force of the spring 49 (i.e. enough pressure to compress the spring 49 under the platform 48), such that the locking member 24 can pivot into the aperture 44. The locking member 24 then holds the elongate member 16 to the cleaning head 12 against the action of the spring 49.

When a user wants to disconnect the elongate member 16 from the cleaning head 12, they apply downward pressure with their foot (or hand) to an extension part 28 of the locking member 24 to cause the locking member 24 to pivot out of engagement with the aperture 44. When the locking member 24 is no longer engaged with the aperture 44, the spring 49 biases the platform 48 upwards, away from the cleaning head 12. This in turn moves the engagement portion 40 (and the elongate member 16) away from the cleaning head 12.

In this position, the engagement portion 40 is still in (unsecured) engagement with the receiving portion 40; however, the biasing mechanism 46 supports the engagement portion 42 away from the fully inserted, secured position. In other words, the biasing mechanism 46 acts to prevent the engagement portion 42 from moving further into the receiving portion 42, such that the locking member 24 can be received by the aperture 44.

The engagement portion 40 of the elongate member 16 includes a visual indicator 55 (see figure 9) which indicates to the user when the elongate member 16 and the cleaning head 12 are not secured together. The visual indicator is formed by an area of the elongate member 16 which is differently coloured (hereinafter referred to as a coloured portion 55) to the remainder of the elongate member 16. The coloured portion 55 extends to cover substantially the entire engagement portion 40, such that when the engagement portion 40 is fully inserted and secured to the cleaning head 12, the coloured portion 55 is obscured from view. However, when the engagement portion 40 is supported on the platform 48 of the receiving portion 42 and not fully inserted (i.e. the engagement portion 40 is supported on the platform 48 by the spring 49, away from the cleaning head 12) the coloured portion 55 is visible to the user. This means that the user can see when the steam inlet 11 of the cleaning head 12 and the steam outlet 37 of the elongate member 16 are not sealed, and they know not to turn the apparatus on, which prevents hot water or steam being emitted from the “unsealed” junction between the steam inlet 11 and steam outlet 37, and injuring the user or other persons who may be in the vicinity of the cleaning apparatus 10.

In this case, the coloured portion 55 is a solid area of colour which covers the engagement portion 40. However, it should be appreciated that the visual indicator could be in a number of different forms. For example, a differently coloured ring which is appropriately positioned to be obscured when the engagement portion 40 is fully inserted and/or an easily viewable textured portion which is obscured when the elongate member 16 is secured to the cleaning head 12. A ‘textured’ indicator may also have the benefit of aiding users with sight impairments, as they could also feel when the elongate member 16 is not secured to the cleaning head 12.

Additionally, a steam inlet 17 (see figure 4) of the elongate member 16 is releasably connectable to the steam outlet 35 of the main body 14 by way of a holding device 30.

The holding device 30 includes a second locking member 32 supported on the elongate member 16 which is pivotally moveable at 33 between locking and unlocking positions. An end of the locking member 32 is engageable with a second formation on the main body 14 in the formation of a wedge-shaped projection 34. In use, a user applies downward pressure with their hand to an extension part 36 of the locking member 32 to cause the member 32 to pivot out of engagement with the projection 34.

It should be appreciated that in alternative embodiments the second locking member could be supported on or by the main body 14, with the projection being provided on the elongate member 16. In either configuration, the second locking member 32 may be engageable with a recess rather than a projection (as described above in relation to the securing mechanism 22).

Advantageously, both the first and second locking members 24, 32 of the securing mechanism 22 and the holding device 30, respectively, are biased to their locking positions by respective springs (not shown), although embodiments are envisaged where that is not necessary. Embodiments are envisaged where the locking members are, for example, slidably moveable, rather than pivotally moveable.

An advantage of the releasable connections between the main body 14, elongate member 16 and cleaning head 12 is that they permit the apparatus 10 to be easily disassembled for storage. In addition, it permits the apparatus 10 to be used in a number of configurations, each suitable for specific types / locations of steam cleaning. For example, it can be seen from figure 4 that with the cleaning head 12 disconnected the elongate member 16 and main body 14 can still be utilised for steam cleaning (e.g. spot cleaning of floors / walls or small, hard to reach, locations). In addition, with both the cleaning head 12 and elongate member 16 disconnected (see figure 5), the main body 14 can be used as a handheld surface cleaning apparatus. In the latter example, the cleaning head 12 can, if desired, be connected directly to the main body 14 (thus removing the need for the elongate member 16). In both of the configurations shown in figures 4 and 5 one of a selection of tools for cleaning may be connected to the steam outlet 35, 37 to assist in cleaning. For example, the tool may include a brush to assist in removing dirt from the surface being cleaned.

Whilst not shown in the embodiment in the figures, embodiments are envisaged where the main body supports a detergent storage container. In such an embodiment the main body may include a detergent outlet which communicates with a separate detergent passage in the elongate member for directing detergent towards the cleaning head. The detergent passage and fluid passage in the elongate member may be positioned side-by-side, e.g. either side of an axis of the elongate member, with a cross-sectional area of the fluid passage being greater than a cross-sectional area of the detergent passage, although this need not be the case.

Embodiments are envisaged where the detergent is mixed with steam at or before the mixture exits the elongate member via its steam outlet to the cleaning head, such that entering the cleaning head is a detergent / steam mixture. In an alternative embodiment, detergent may be mixed with steam at or before the mixture exits the main body via its steam outlet to the fluid passage of the elongate member, such that there is no need for a separate detergent passage in the elongate member.

In a yet further envisaged embodiment, the cleaning head may support a detergent storage container (instead of being provided in the main body). In such an embodiment the detergent may be mixed with steam at or before the detergent / steam mixture exits the cleaning head and on to the floor surface.

When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

1. A surface cleaning apparatus comprising: a cleaning head; an elongate member; and a securing mechanism for releasably securing the elongate member to the cleaning head, wherein the apparatus includes a biasing mechanism for biasing the elongate member and the cleaning head away from one another.

2. A surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the securing mechanism further comprises a receiving portion on one of the elongate member and the cleaning head, and an engagement portion on the other of the cleaning head and elongate member.

3. A surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein one of the elongate member and the cleaning head includes a visual indicator, such that when the elongate member and the cleaning head are secured together the visual indicator is obscured from view, and when the elongate member and the cleaning head are unsecured at least a portion of the visual indicator is visible.

4. A surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 3 wherein one of the receiving portion or engagement portion obscures the visual indicator from view when the receiving portion and the engagement portion are secured together, and when the receiving portion and engagement portion are unsecured at least a portion of the visual indicator is visible.

5. A surface cleaning apparatus according to any of claims 2 to 4 wherein one of the elongate member and cleaning head includes a cover which obscures the visual indicator from view when the receiving portion and engagement portion are secured together.

6. A surface cleaning apparatus according to claims 2 to 5 wherein the visual indicator includes a coloured portion.

7. A surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the coloured portion covers substantially all of the engagement portion.

8. A surface cleaning apparatus according to any of claims 2 to 7 wherein the biasing mechanism includes a moveable engagement surface on which the engagement portion is supported when the latter is inserted into the receiving portion.

9. A surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the engagement surface is slidably moveable.

10. A surface cleaning apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the biasing action of the biasing mechanism is includes a spring, preferably a coil spring.

11. A surface cleaning apparatus according to any of claims 2 to 10 wherein the securing mechanism includes a first locking member which engages a corresponding formation of the engagement portion.

12. A surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the corresponding formation which engages the locking member is an aperture or detent which receives the locking member.

13. A surface cleaning apparatus according to any of claims 2 to 12 wherein the receiving portion comprises a substantially cylindrical part into which the engagement portion is insertable.

14. A surface cleaning apparatus according to any of claims 2 to 13 wherein an end of the elongate member includes the engagement portion and the cleaning head includes the receiving portion.

15. A surface cleaning apparatus according to any of claims 2 to 14 wherein the surface cleaning apparatus further includes a main body including a water storage container, a boiler and a steam outlet, which main body is connectable to an end of the elongate member remote from the cleaning head.

16. A surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the main body includes a holding portion for a user to hold when the apparatus is in operation.

17. A surface cleaning apparatus substantially as described herein and/or with reference to the accompanying drawings.

18. Any novel feature of novel combination of features as described herein and/or with reference to the accompanying drawings.