GB457394A - Improvements relating to vacuum cleaners - Google Patents

Abstract

457,394. Suction nozzles for vacuum cleaners. JONES, E., 10, Clowes Street, Withington, Manchester. May 29, 1935, No. 15611. [Class 8 (i)] A vacuum cleaner is provided with means causing automatically a variation in the width of the nozzle orifice as the nozzle is moved backwards and forwards over the material or surface being cleaned so as to provided for a concentration of the suction upon a smaller area in one direction of movement of the nozzle than in the other. The front wall a of the nozzle is hinged to the body at c, a torsion spring d maintaining it in its normal position ; a central portion of the flap a has a V-edge e, the ends of the flap edge being substantially rectangular. When the nozzle is moved to the left, the flap a moves towards the fixed side f and the rectangular portion of the edge comes in contact with said fixed side, a gap being left between the V-edge e and said side f. The air entry is thus decreased in length and in width. The outer edge g of the rectangular edge portion in this position raises the V- edge e above and clear of the surface, whereby air is drawn over the surface at high velocity and entrains and removes fluff, hair or like particles adhering to such surface. Snugs h, h<1> act as stops for the pivotal movement of the flap a and also serve to minimize air leakage around the hinge pin ; the interior of the fixed part has a ridge i which is contacted by the sloping edges of the flap a. The flap may be arranged at the opposite side of the nozzle so that it closes towards the fixed side when the nozzle is drawn towards the user. The Provisional Specification describes a modification in which the nozzle comprises two cylindrical coaxial parts capable of turning one within the other. The inner part provides one wall of the nozzle orifice and is secured to the handle ; the outer part which provides the other wall of said orifice has rubber or other rings thereon engaging the surface over which the nozzle is passed. Thus the outer part turns upon the inner as the nozzle is traversed, reducing or increasing the width of the nozzle orifice according to the direction of movement. The surfaces of the friction rings may be eccentric to the nozzle axis, so that when the nozzle is reduced in width it is also raised slightly from the surface being cleaned.