GB2621333A - Vacuum cleaner wand tube assembly - Google Patents
Vacuum cleaner wand tube assembly Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2621333A GB2621333A GB2211520.8A GB202211520A GB2621333A GB 2621333 A GB2621333 A GB 2621333A GB 202211520 A GB202211520 A GB 202211520A GB 2621333 A GB2621333 A GB 2621333A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- vacuum cleaner
- collar portion
- sleeve
- tube
- region
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Pending
Links
- 125000006850 spacer group Chemical group 0.000 claims abstract description 13
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 3
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 4
- 229920006351 engineering plastic Polymers 0.000 claims description 4
- 229920001684 low density polyethylene Polymers 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000004702 low-density polyethylene Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000010935 stainless steel Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000004743 Polypropylene Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 229910045601 alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000000956 alloy Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- -1 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920001155 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 229910001220 stainless steel Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000004411 aluminium Substances 0.000 claims 1
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims 1
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims 1
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 5
- 239000000428 dust Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910000838 Al alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229910000851 Alloy steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- VGGSQFUCUMXWEO-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethene Chemical compound C=C VGGSQFUCUMXWEO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000005054 agglomeration Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002776 aggregation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000007797 corrosion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005260 corrosion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000002035 prolonged effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910001256 stainless steel alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/24—Hoses or pipes; Hose or pipe couplings
- A47L9/242—Hose or pipe couplings
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/24—Hoses or pipes; Hose or pipe couplings
Abstract
A wand assembly (10, fig.1) for conveying air-entrained detritus into a base unit of a vacuum cleaner with a suction drive, wherein the wand assembly comprises a collar portion 20, such as one end of an elbow bend (13, fig.1), for receiving one end of an elongate rigid tube (11, fig.1), wherein the collar portion includes an internal spacer layer 15, preferably a tubular sleeve, interposed between an inner surface of the collar portion and an outer surface of the tube. The sleeve may include an outside waist region providing a gap between it and the collar portion, and a flared shoulder 16 at a distal region 25 seated in a throat of the collar portion. The leading region 26 of the sleeve may include ribs 19 and a tapered nose 18 allowing an interference fit in the collar portion, and it may be retained in the collar portion by engagement of a block 22 with a cut-out 21. The tube may include a tapered nose region 14.
Description
Vacuum cleaner wand tube assembly The present invention concerns the field of vacuum cleaners and relates in particular to vacuum cleaners for floors or carpets. This includes scrubber drier machines and carpet cleaning machines, as well as simple suction vacuum cleaners.
The cleaner may be provided with a wand assembly which can be manipulated by a user to collect detritus from the floor or other surfaces by use of a suitable tool. Such cleaners typically have a base unit which may be configured as a drum, canister or an upright cleaner. The wand assembly is usually connected to the base unit by a flexible concertina tube. The wand assembly has a rigid tubular portion which has a distal end which carries a suction nozzle or work head, equipped vvith a brush bar or some other floor agitator. Detritus entrained in the air sucked into the nozzle or tool is conveyed within the wand assembly to an interior collection chamber in the base unit. The base unit may feed the chamber, or a filter bag disposed in the chamber.
The wand assembly is typically made to be easily disassembled so that alternative nozzles or work heads can be used, or so that internal blockages can be cleared. The rigid wand tube can be provided in different lengths to suit different size operators, or to permit cleaning of distant objects such as ceilings or curtains.
It has been found that when the wand assembly has been kept assembled for a large number of cleaning episodes, the rigid wand assembly may become stuck in a receptor collar for a work head, nozzle or elbow region of the wand assembly. This may be caused by local corrosion of metal tubing, or relaxation of the plastics material from which the collar is made, or by a build-up and agglomeration of dust particles, especially when damp.
The present inventors have sought to provide a simple solution to this problem which prevents inconvenient jamming of the wand assembly, and subsequent loss of valuable cleaning time.
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a vacuum cleaner comprising a base unit with a suction drive and a wand assembly for conveying air-entrained detritus into the base unit for collection, wherein the wand assembly comprises a first elongate rigid tube and a collar portion for receiving one end of the first tube, wherein the collar portion includes an internal spacer layer which is interposed between an inner surface of the collar portion and an outer surface of the first tube.
The said one end of the first tube is preferably received as a sliding fit in the spacer layer. The spacer layer typically comprises a tubular sleeve, The tubular sleeve is preferably a self-supporting structure, which is to say it does not collapse or deform under its own weight, The tubular sleeve is preferably fixed with respect to the said inner surface of the collar portion.
The sleeve may have an outside waist region which provides a circumferential gap between the sleeve outer surface and the collar portion inner surface. The gap may be defined between distal arid leading end regions of the sleeve.
The tubular sleeve may be made of an engineering plastics material, such as low density polyethylene. A distal region of the sleeve may be provided with a flared shoulder portion which is seated in a corresponding throat in the inner surface of the collar portion so as to prevent inward travel of the sleeve in the collar portion, The flared portion may be an annular rim of the sleeve.
A leading region of the sleeve may have an outer circumference with tolerances configured to provide an interference fit in the collar portion. The circumferential configuration may comprise one or more circumferential rib or tapered nose. There may be a plurality of axially spaced apart circumferential ribs.
The sleeve may be retained in the collar portion by a engagement of a block with a cutout or inset region. H one configuration, the cut out may be provided in the collar portion wall and the block may be accommodated in the cut-out, The first elongate rigid tube may comprise an alloy, such as steel, stainless steel, or aluminium alloy.
A nose region of the first tube which is received in the collar portion is formed with a tapered profile. The collar portion may comprise one end of an elbow bend in the wand assembly. The collar portion may be made of engineering plastics material, such as polypropylene.
In another aspect of the invention there is provided a wand assembly for use in a vacuum cleaner as hereinbefore described. In this case the wand assembly may be provided in the form of a kit for assembly and use with a vacuum cleaner. The wand assembly includes at least a first elongate rigid tube, a collar portion with an internal spacer layer for receiving one end of the rigid tube. The spacer layer (or sleeve) may be provided pre-installed in the collar portion.
Follovving is a description by way of example only and vvith reference to the accompanying drawings of one mode for putting the present invention into effect. In the drawings:-Figure 1 is a side view of the wand assembly in accordance with the present invention.
Figure 2 is an enlarged view, partially in section, of an elbow region of the vvand assembly.
Figure 3 is an enlarged view sectional view of the elbow region.
In figure 1 a wand assembly in accordance with the invention is shown generally as 10. The assembly includes an elongate straight rigid stainless steel tube 11. An upper end region of the tube is formed with a cylindrical collar 12 which, in use, will be attached to a flexible concertina hose from a vacuum cleaner base unit (not shown), or a further rigid tube (also not shown). The opposite end of the tube is accommodated in a collar portion 20 of an elbow region 13. The typically elbow provides a bend of about 30 degrees from the longitudinal axis of the steel tube. The collar portion is sized to accommodate the end of the steel tube, with a tapered nose 14 of the tube facilitating entry of the tube into the collar, as shown in figure 2. The tube is seated in a tubular sleeve 15 of moulded LDPE polymer, which serves as a spacer layer. The sleeve is best seen in figure 3.
A distal region 25 of the sleeve is formed with a flared annular shoulder region 16, which is accommodated in a correspondingly inset circular feature, A leading region 26 of the sleeve is formed vvith a tapered nose 18 and three axially spaced-apart annular rib features 19.The nose and rib features are slightly oversized in outside diameter so as to form an interference fit with the inner surface of the collar portion.
The sleeve has a generally cylindrical sidewall 17. The outer surface 23 of the side wall 17 is slightly waisted to provide a gap between the sleeve sidewall and the inner surface of the collar portion. The gap comprises a cylindrical space which extends between the distal end 25 and the nose (or leading) region 26 of the sleeve. This separation helps prevent the sleeve becoming stuck in the collar by prolonged contact with the collar inner surface.
The collar portion has a cylindrical sidewall 20 which is formed with a circular cut-out 21. This accommodates a generally circular block 22 which protrudes radially from the sleeve sidewall. The cut-out and block 22 provide a 'Dutton' by which the sleeve may be anchored in position, or pushed inwardly to permit dislodging and replacement of the entire sleeve.
The collar 20 in the embodiment is part of the elbow of the wand assembly. This will typically be attached to a vacuum cleaner suction nozzle or work head, or another tubular member. These are known in the art and are not therefore shown in the figures or described herein.
The sleeve stops direct contact of the collar portion and the rigid tube. This prevents adhesion of one to the other over time, even if there is a build-up of compacted dust or dirt. The sleeve only touches the collar inner wall at the shoulder region 16 and the ribs/nose 18,19. This makes the sleeve unlikely to get stuck in position. In the event that the sleeve does get stuck to the tube, the sleeve itself can be simply pulled out of the collar portion along with the steel tube, and then pulled off, or cut off, the tube and replaced with a new sleeve.
In summary, the present invention concerns the field of vacuum cleaners and relates in particular to vacuum cleaners for floors or carpets. This includes scrubber drier machines and carpet cleaning machines, as well as simple suction vacuum cleaners. According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a vacuum cleaner comprising a base unit with a suction drive and a wand assembly for conveying air-entrained detritus into the base unit for collection, wherein the wand assembly comprises a first elongate rigid tube and a collar portion for receiving one end of the first tube, wherein the collar portion includes an internal spacer layer which is inte-posed between an inner surface of the collar portion and an outer surface of the first tube. The said one end of the first tube may be received as a sliding fit in the spacer layer. The spacer layer preferably comprises a tubular sleeve which is a self-supporting structure. The tubular sleeve is preferably fixed with respect to the said inner surface of the collar portion.
Claims (19)
- Claims 1. A vacuum cleaner comprising a base unit with a suction drive arid a wand assembly for conveying air-entrained detritus into the base unit for collection, wherein the wand assembly comprises a first elongate rigid tube and a collar portion for receiving one end of the first tube, wherein the collar portion includes an internal spacer layer which is interposed between an inner surface of the collar portion and an outer surface of the first tube.
- 2. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 1 wherein the said one end of the first tube is received as a sliding fit in the spacer layer.
- 3. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the spacer layer comprises a tubular sleeve.
- 4. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 3 wherein the tubular sleeve is a self-supporting structure.
- 5. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 3 or 4 wherein the tubular sleeve is fixed with respect to the said inner surface of the collar portion.
- 6. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in any of claims 3 to 5 wherein the sleeve has an outside waist region which provides a circumferential gap between the sleeve outer surface and the collar portion inner surface.
- 7. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 6 wherein the gap is defined betvveen distal and leading end regions of the sleeve.
- 8. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in any of claims 3 to 7wherein the tubular sleeve is made of an engineering plastics material, sucn as low density polyethylene.
- 9. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in any claims 3 to 8 wherein a distal region of the sleeve is provided with a flared shoulder portion which is seated in a corresponding throat in the inner surface of the collar portion so as to prevent inward travel of the sleeve in the collar portion.
- 10. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein a leading region of the sleeve has an outer circumference configured to provide an interference fit in the collar portion.
- 11.A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 10 wherein the circumferential configuration comprises one or more circumferential rib or tapered nose.
- 12, A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 11 wherein there is a plurality of axially spaced apart circumferential ribs,
- 13. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in any of claims 3 to 20 wherein the sleeve is retained in the collar portion by engagement of a block with a cut-out or inset region.
- 14. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 13 wherein the cut out is provided in the collar portion wall and the block is accommodated in the cut-out.
- 15. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the first elongate tube comprises an alloy, such as steel, stainless steel, or aluminium a loy.
- 16. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein a nose region of the first tube which is received in the collar portion is formed with a tapered profile.
- 17. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the collar portion comprises one end of an elbovv bend in the wand assembly.
- 18. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the collar portion is made of engineering plastics material, such as polypropylene.
- 19. A wand assembly for use in a vacuum cleaner in accordance with any of the preceding claims.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB2211520.8A GB2621333A (en) | 2022-08-08 | 2022-08-08 | Vacuum cleaner wand tube assembly |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB2211520.8A GB2621333A (en) | 2022-08-08 | 2022-08-08 | Vacuum cleaner wand tube assembly |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB202211520D0 GB202211520D0 (en) | 2022-09-21 |
| GB2621333A true GB2621333A (en) | 2024-02-14 |
Family
ID=84546327
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB2211520.8A Pending GB2621333A (en) | 2022-08-08 | 2022-08-08 | Vacuum cleaner wand tube assembly |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2621333A (en) |
Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2028945A (en) * | 1978-07-07 | 1980-03-12 | Mauz & Pfeiffer Progress | A Socket Connection |
| US4747179A (en) * | 1987-05-29 | 1988-05-31 | Shop-Vac Corporation | Nozzle with improved coupling for a vacuum device |
| US5039133A (en) * | 1989-01-11 | 1991-08-13 | Dupro Ag | Suction nozzle coupling having rotatably mounted therein a connector for a suction hose |
| US5462311A (en) * | 1992-11-13 | 1995-10-31 | Royal Appliance Mfg. Co. | Telescoping wand for vacuum cleaners |
| US20190167057A1 (en) * | 2016-03-12 | 2019-06-06 | Fischer Rohrtechnik Gmbh | Vacuum-cleaner suction tube |
-
2022
- 2022-08-08 GB GB2211520.8A patent/GB2621333A/en active Pending
Patent Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2028945A (en) * | 1978-07-07 | 1980-03-12 | Mauz & Pfeiffer Progress | A Socket Connection |
| US4747179A (en) * | 1987-05-29 | 1988-05-31 | Shop-Vac Corporation | Nozzle with improved coupling for a vacuum device |
| US5039133A (en) * | 1989-01-11 | 1991-08-13 | Dupro Ag | Suction nozzle coupling having rotatably mounted therein a connector for a suction hose |
| US5462311A (en) * | 1992-11-13 | 1995-10-31 | Royal Appliance Mfg. Co. | Telescoping wand for vacuum cleaners |
| US20190167057A1 (en) * | 2016-03-12 | 2019-06-06 | Fischer Rohrtechnik Gmbh | Vacuum-cleaner suction tube |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB202211520D0 (en) | 2022-09-21 |
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