GB2554930A

GB2554930A - Surface cleaning apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2554930A
Application number: GB1617515.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Ward Matthew; David Waters Richard; James Rogers Steven; Lawrence Newsome Guy; David Holmes Darren
Original assignee: TTI Macao Commercial Offshore Ltd
Current assignee: TTI Macao Commercial Offshore Ltd
Priority date: 2016-10-14
Filing date: 2016-10-14
Publication date: 2018-04-18
Anticipated expiration: 2036-10-14
Also published as: GB2554930B; GB2554930A8; GB201617515D0; CN107951445A

Abstract

A surface cleaning apparatus including a floor head, a housing supporting a suction source and a dirt collection container and an elongate member connecting the floor head to the housing, said elongate member 14 including a passage for carrying dirt-laden air from the floor head to the dirt collection container, and said elongate member 14 including a further passage 40 through which electrical cables 41 may extend to provide an electric connection between the housing and an electrical component in the floor head, wherein the further passage 40 is substantially trapezoidal in cross section or wherein the further passage 40 is enclosed by first 51, second 52, third 53 and fourth 54 walls, with the first wall 51 being an exterior wall of the elongate member 14 and the second wall 52 connecting the third 53 and fourth walls 54 to each other, with the third 53 and fourth 54 walls being inclined at an angle to the second wall 52. The further passage 40 is preferably positioned internally of the passage.

Description

(54) Title of the Invention: Surface cleaning apparatus Abstract Title: Surface cleaning apparatus (57) A surface cleaning apparatus including a floor head, a housing supporting a suction source and a dirt collection container and an elongate member connecting the floor head to the housing, said elongate member 14 including a passage for carrying dirt-laden air from the floor head to the dirt collection container, and said elongate member 14 including a further passage 40 through which electrical cables 41 may extend to provide an electric connection between the housing and an electrical component in the floor head, wherein the further passage 40 is substantially trapezoidal in cross-section or wherein the further passage 40 is enclosed by first 51, second 52, third 53 and fourth 54 walls, with the first wall 51 being an exterior wall of the elongate member 14 and the second wall 52 connecting the third 53 and fourth walls 54 to each other, with the third 53 and fourth 54 walls being inclined at an angle to the second wall 52. The further passage 40 is preferably positioned internally of the passage.

At least one drawing originally filed was informal and the print reproduced here is taken from a later filed formal copy.

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Title: Surface Cleaning Apparatus

Description of Invention

This invention relates to a surface cleaning apparatus.

According to a first aspect of the invention we provide a surface cleaning apparatus including:

a floor head; a housing supporting:

a suction source; and a dirt collection container; and an elongate member connecting the floor head to the housing, said elongate member including a passage for carrying dirt-laden air from the floor head to the dirt collection container, and said elongate member including a further passage through which electrical cables may extend to provide an electric connection between the housing and an electrical component in the floor head, wherein the further passage is substantially trapezoidal in cross-section.

According to a second aspect of the invention we provide a surface cleaning apparatus including:

a floor head; a housing supporting:

a suction source; and a dirt collection container; and an elongate member connecting the floor head to the housing, said elongate member including a passage for carrying dirt-laden air from the floor head to the dirt collection container, and said elongate member including a further passage through which electrical cables may extend to provide an electric connection between the housing and an electrical component in the floor head, wherein the further passage is enclosed by first, second, third and fourth walls, wherein the first wall is an exterior wall of the elongate member and wherein the second wall connects the third and further walls to each other, wherein the third and fourth walls are inclined at an angle to the second wall.

Further features of the first and second aspects of the invention are set out in the appended claims.

Embodiments of the invention will be set out below by way of example only with reference to the accompanying figures, of which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a surface cleaning apparatus;

Figure 2 is a front view of the apparatus of figure 1;

Figure 3 is a side view of the apparatus figure 1;

Figure 4 is an opposite side view of the apparatus figure 1;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a housing of the apparatus of figure 1, which housing is operable as a handheld surface cleaning apparatus;

Figure 6 is a side view of the housing of figure 5;

Figure 7 is an opposite side view of the housing of figure 5;

Figure 8 is a rear view of the apparatus showing some internal components;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of an elongate member of the apparatus; and

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the elongate member of figure 9.

Referring to the figures, these show a surface cleaning apparatus 10 in accordance with the present invention. The apparatus 10 includes a floor head 12, a housing 16 and an elongate member 14 connecting the floor head 12 to the housing 16. The housing 16 in this example is operable as a handheld surface cleaning apparatus, commonly known as a hand vac, when the elongate member 14 and floor head 12 are not connected thereto. The housing 16 supports a suction source, a dirt container 18 and a cyclonic separator. In this example the suction source is an electric motor driving a rotatable fan, but any appropriate suction source may be used. All that is necessary is for the suction source to be able to draw air through the floor head 12 and elongate member 14 towards the dirt collection container.

In this example the housing 16 supports or contains a battery to provide electrical power to the suction motor and other components of the apparatus

10. In alternative embodiments, the apparatus 10 may be mains powered.

Whilst in the present embodiment the apparatus 10 includes a cyclonic separator to separate dirt from the air flowing through the apparatus 10, this is not essential. Indeed, embodiments are envisaged where the apparatus 10 includes a filter bag which collects dirt, or any other appropriate device to separate the dirt from the air. The apparatus 10 includes a pivotally moveable door 18a which enables a user to empty dirt collected within the container 18.

The elongate member 14 is preferably extruded metal (although it could be made from plastic) and includes a passage for carrying dirt-laden air from the floor head 12 to the dirt collection container 18. In this example the floor head includes a motor for driving a rotatable floor agitating member or brush, so the elongate member 14 includes a further passage 40 through which electrical cables 41 may extend to provide an electric connection between the housing 16 and the motor in the floor head 12.

The floor head 12 is disconnectable from the elongate member 14, so that, for example, another tool can be connected to the free end of the elongate member 14. The elongate member 14 is also disconnectable from the housing 16, by way of a manually operated switch 17. This enables the housing 16 to be used as handheld surface cleaning apparatus, with the option of being able to connect another tool to the location from where the elongate member 16 is removed.

The housing 16 includes a handle for holding the apparatus 10, said handle including first 20 and second 21 user-graspable portions which are connected to each other substantially at right-angles. A first end of the first usergraspable portion 20 is connected to the housing 16 and extends generally rearwardly away therefrom and from the elongate member 14. A first end of the second user-graspable portion 21 is connected to the housing 16 and extends generally upwardly therefrom. Respective second ends of the first 20 and second 21 user-graspable portions are connected to each other. Essentially, the first 20 and second 21 user-graspable portions form a handle which is L-shaped and which provides two locations each of which is sized such that it can be grasped fully by a hand of a user. A device 22, e.g. a switch, for turning the apparatus “on” is positioned at the connection of the second ends of the first 20 and second 21 user-graspable portions to each other.

Figures 8 to 10 focus on more specific details of the elongate member 14 and in particular the further passage 40 carrying electrical cables 41 between the housing 16 and the floor head 12. As can be seen from the figures, the further passage 40 extends along the length of the elongate member 12 underneath and within the passage for dirt-laden air. The passage 40 is substantially trapezoidal in cross-section. In the present example, three of the walls making up the trapezoidal outline are slightly curved, but the overall appearance is still that of a trapezoid. In envisaged embodiments, all or more than one of the walls may be straight. Alternatively, all of the walls making up the further passage 40 may be curved, either convexly or concavely.

In other words, the further passage 40 is bound by four walls 51, 52, 53, 54 which are connected to each other. In more detail, the first wall 51 is, in this example, an exterior wall of the elongate member 12. The second wall 52 is positioned opposite the first wall 51 and within the interior of the elongate member 14. The second wall 52 is substantially parallel with the first wall 51, but this need not be the case. Third 53 and fourth 54 walls are provided opposite each other which connected to the second wall 52 to the first wall 51. The walls 53, 54 are inclined relative to the walls 51, 52, thus providing the trapezoidal shape. Thus, the further passage 40 is positioned internally adjacent a wall of the elongate member. This internal positioning, and the shape, of the further passage 40, aim to reduce, as much as possible, turbulent flow within the elongate member 14 thus maintaining efficiency of the apparatus during operation. The trapezoidal shape also achieves the desired space for accommodation of electrical cables, whilst also maintaining a large enough cross-sectional area within the elongate member 14 for the passage of air.

As can be seen from the figures, the elongate member 14 is, in cross-section, substantially rectangular I square albeit with outwardly curved walls. In more detail, the elongate member 14 is, in cross-section, substantially a superellipse or a superellipse, with four walls 51, 55, 56, 57. Such a shape provides for improved airflow therethrough and also reduces the likelihood of blockage. The shape also provides strength which is beneficial given the length of the elongate member 14 and that, at its end remote from the housing 16, it supports the floor head 12. The outwardly curved walls provide increased cross-sectional area for the flow of air to mitigate against the area lost by the inclusion of the internal further passage 40.

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 including: a floor head;

a housing supporting:

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the further passage is enclosed by first, second, third and fourth walls, wherein the first wall is an exterior wall of the elongate member and wherein the second wall connects the third and further walls to each other, wherein the third and fourth walls are inclined at an angle to the second wall.

3. A surface cleaning apparatus including: a floor head;

a housing supporting:

4. An apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 3 wherein the first, third and/or fourth walls are, in cross-section, curved.

5. An apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein the second wall is, in cross-section, curved.

6. An apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 5 wherein the first and second walls are substantially parallel with each other.

7. An apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 6 wherein the further passage extends along the elongate member underneath the passage for dirtladen air.

8. An apparatus according to member is extruded.

any preceding claim wherein the elongate

9. An apparatus according to member is metallic.

any preceding claim wherein the elongate

10. An apparatus according to member is plastic.

any preceding claim wherein the elongate

11. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the elongate member is, in cross-section, substantially rectangular, preferably substantially square.

12. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the elongate member is, in cross-section, substantially a superellipse or a superellipse.

13. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the elongate member, in cross-section, has four side walls each of which is curved, and wherein the further passage is positioned internally adjacent one of said side walls.

14. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the floor head includes having a floor surface agitator member rotatable by an electric motor

15. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein an elongate axis of the dirt collection container is substantially horizontal in normal use.

16. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein an elongate axis of the cyclonic separation device is substantially horizontal in normal use.

17. An apparatus according to claim 16 wherein the elongate axes of the dirt collection container and the cyclonic separation device are parallel with each other, preferably coaxial or substantially coaxial.

18. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the housing includes or is connected to a handle for holding the apparatus.

19. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the elongate member is disconnectable from the floor head.

20. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the elongate member is disconnectable from the housing.

21. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the housing is 5 operable as a handheld surface cleaning apparatus when the elongate member and floor head are disconnected therefrom.

22. A surface cleaning apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

23. Any novel feature or novel combination of features described herein and/or in the accompanying drawings.

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1617515.0 Examiner: Mr Rhodri Evans