JP2014030729A - Floor tool for vacuum cleaning appliance - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the cleaning function of a floor tool for a vacuum cleaning appliance on a hard floor.SOLUTION: A floor tool, suitable for a vacuum cleaning appliance, comprises a support member adapted to support a cleaning sheet and at least one suction nozzle adjacent to the support member. The support member includes a carrier plate and a floor engaging pad. The carrier plate and the floor engaging pad are releasably held together by a clamping arrangement so that the edges of the cleaning sheet can be clamped between the carrier plate and the floor pad.

Description

  The present invention relates to floor tools for vacuum cleaners, as well as vacuum cleaners incorporating such floor tools as removable components or integral parts.

  Vacuum cleaners are generally supplied with a range of tools to deal with different cleaning tasks. For example, such a tool can be a universal floor tool for floor cleaning of both hard and textile floors. Typically, a floor tool comprises a main body that engages the floor surface. The main body has a lower side surface including a suction aperture portion, and dirt and dust can be drawn into the floor tool through the lower side surface by a suction force generated by a vacuum cleaner to which the tool is attached. Floor tools are adept at removing loose dirt and debris from the floor, but removing other forms of dirt, such as stains that may be left behind by spilled liquid on hard floor coverings Cannot be achieved completely. Of course, there are instruments that can be used to clean such stains. One example is shown in U.S. Published Application No. 2002/0184726, where a long handle cleaning implement includes a cleaning head with a cleaning sheet removably attached thereto. Such appliances can then be used by the user to remove stains that are difficult to remove by rubbing or wiping the hard floor surface.

  Moreover, in addition to the normal function of sucking out dirt and stains that have been released, the floor tool function of the vacuum cleaner is combined with the cleaning sheet to provide a floor tool having a mechanism for wiping dirt and stains from the floor surface. Is also known. By way of example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-028638 describes an apparatus that combines a mop with a vacuum cleaner floor tool by placing an elongated nozzle adjacent to a mop holder to which the mop is attached. Accordingly, the floor tool performs a floor wiping function and a vacuum cleaning function. EP 1608253 also discloses a vacuum cleaner floor tool in which a rectangular support element carries a disposable wipe and elongated suction nozzles are arranged close to the front and back long sides of the support element. Yes.

US Published Application No. 2002/0184726 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 9-028638 European Patent Publication No. 1608253

  While such a combined mop and suction floor tool has advantages, the cleaning function tends to be impaired when such a floor tool is on a hard floor surface, limiting their versatility. The present invention has been devised for the purpose of addressing such drawbacks.

  In a first aspect, the present invention provides a floor tool that can be integrated with or removably connected to a vacuum cleaner, the floor tool being adapted to support a cleaning sheet. And at least one suction nozzle in communication with a conduit coupled to the vacuum cleaner in use, the support member being coupled with a neck for controlling the floor tool, the at least one suction nozzle being against the neck It is configured to float.

  Accordingly, the present invention provides a floor tool associated with a vacuum cleaner having a dual function. First, the floor tool provides a suction cleaning function, and second, the floor tool has a function of vacuuming the floor surface and carrying a cleaning sheet for wiping the floor surface. The suction nozzle is configured to float relative to the connection neck of the floor tool, which provides several advantages. First, the downward force applied to the user through the neck is transmitted directly to the support member, but not transmitted to the suction nozzle, and the wipe sheet carried on the support member is cleaned by this downward pressure. Performance is improved. Secondly, since the suction nozzle is subjected to a very small downward force, the suction nozzle can be placed lightly across the floor, which provides an advantage in the capture performance of the suction nozzle.

  While the floor tool of the present invention can include a single suction nozzle disposed adjacent to the leading or trailing edge of the support member, alternative embodiments include first and second suction nozzles. Each nozzle is disposed adjacent to each of the front and rear edges of the support member.

  In a preferred embodiment, the suction nozzles communicate with a manifold that can be centrally located with respect to the support member, and each of the suction nozzles is connected to the manifold by a fluid carrying arm. Thus, the fluid carrying arm is configured with an “overhead” structure on the support member. The manifold can extend through a portion of the floor tool neck and is dimensioned to allow the manifold to move relative to the neck and provide a “floating” function to the suction nozzle. it can. In order to allow the user to steer the floor tool, the neck may define a first portion that is pivotally attached to the support member about a first axis. The first portion may be cylindrical in shape defining a rail device that is at least partially arranged around the circumference, the rail device engaging a complementary runner structure on the support member; The rail device will be able to rest / slide along the runner. Since only the periphery of the cylindrical base portion engages the support member, there is substantially no obstruction in the central volume of the cylindrical base portion so that the manifold can be passed through and coupled to the support member. become.

  To further improve the degree of maneuverability, the neck can include a second portion pivotally connected to the base portion about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. This allows the floor tool to pivot in a plane parallel to the floor surface by rotating the neck, providing “steering” performance to the floor tool.

  In the illustrated embodiment, the manifold communicates with a flexible hose that extends through the second portion of the neck to the connecting portion and serves to duct air from the manifold through the neck to the associated vacuum cleaner. doing.

  In a second aspect, the present invention provides a floor tool for a vacuum cleaner, including a body including a suction nozzle, and a neck coupled to the body to pivot relative to the body about an axis “A”. The neck includes a base portion defining a rail structure disposed at least partially around the periphery, and the body includes a runner structure engaged with a separate portion of the rail structure, the rail structure The body is slidable relative to the runner structure, thereby coupling the base portion to the body, but allowing the base portion to pivot relative to the body. More specifically, the rail structure can include a rim of the base portion, and the runner structure on the body can include a protrusion that overlaps the rim and is relatively slidable. In this way, the body holds the base of the neck at discrete points on the rim, which means that the center of the base part can remain open. Thus, the open central area of the base portion can receive the floor tool conduit. By selecting the dimensions of the conduit relative to the base portion, the conduit can be configured to be flat relative to the base portion.

  The pivoting motion of the neck can be limited by the flange extending inwardly from the rim around the limited portion, the end point of the flange defining the critical stop for the pivoting motion of the base portion.

  The floor tool described above provides a dual function tool for aspirating debris from the floor and cleaning the floor with a wet or dry cleaning wipe. However, the user may wish to suck the floor without having to wipe the floor. Accordingly, in a third aspect, the present invention provides a floor tool for a vacuum cleaner comprising a support member adapted to support a cleaning sheet and at least one suction nozzle in communication with a conduit; The support member includes a removable pad separable from the support member and a rolling structure depending from the support member.

  The present invention allows the floor tool to be used in “suction and wipe” mode where the suction nozzle is functionally combined with a removable pad and in “suction only” mode where only the suction nozzle is involved in cleaning the floor surface. Improve tool versatility. In fact, such a configuration is often recalled by the user as a hard floor cleaner, as it is recalled that the floor requires vacuum more frequently than it requires a wipe with a moisture disposable wipe sheet. can do. Thus, the floor tool is not limited to the use of a floor pad in combination with a vacuum mechanism.

  The support member can include a carrier plate in which the removable pad is separable, and a rolling structure is provided on the lower surface of the carrier plate.

  The rolling structure can be embodied by a roller, sphere, caster, or low friction skid, but one option is that the rolling structure hangs down from the support member and has a contact plane parallel to the floor. Including a plurality of defining wheels or rollers.

  The wheel or roller can extend at least partially to an aperture defined in the removable pad when the removable pad is coupled to the carrier plate.

  In floor tools such as those described above, there is a risk that debris will be trapped in the fluid flow path of the tool due to the rather tortuous geometry of the suction nozzle and fluid flow conduit. This risk needs to be mitigated and, therefore, in a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a vacuum cleaner comprising a support member adapted to support a cleaning sheet and at least one suction nozzle in communication with the conduit. Providing a floor tool for a machine, wherein the conduit includes one or more plug elements engageable with respective sockets provided in the conduit, the plugs being removed from the socket for access to the interior of the conduit. Is possible. Accordingly, the present invention provides a floor tool that combines suction and wipe cleaning functions with improved user serviceability.

  The plug elements can be fixed to the respective sockets by press fitting or screw fitting so that they are firmly attached. Optionally, the plug element includes a tether that holds the plug element in place proximate to the socket when the socket is removed and reduces the possibility of the plug element being misplaced. Can do. Alternatively, the plug element can be hinged to the conduit so that the plug element hinges away from the socket and remains attached to the conduit.

  In a preferred embodiment, the manifold is configured at the center position of the support member, and the first and second suction nozzles are disposed in contact with the front and rear edges of the support member in the moving direction. In this embodiment, one or more plug elements that provide a central access point for the conduit can be provided on the manifold, improving the ease with which obstructions can be removed. In one embodiment, first and second plug elements are provided at opposite ends of the substantially tubular manifold. Thus, access is possible at each end of the manifold and the cleaning implement can be pushed through the manifold.

  One advantage of the floor tool of the present invention is that it improves the ability of the floor tool to take in dust, fluff and other debris from the floor surface. Part of this benefit is achieved by arranging the first and second suction chambers on either side of the wipe support member, but improved performance is also achieved by the configuration of the suction nozzle itself. Thus, according to a fifth aspect, the present invention provides a floor tool for a vacuum cleaner, the floor tool having a surface engaging skirt depending to define an outer periphery of a suction chamber having a suction chamber outlet. A main engagement body including a suction nozzle, wherein the surface engaging skirt includes a leading edge, a trailing edge, and a side edge extending between the leading and trailing edges, the trailing edge being a first distance from the suction nozzle. It hangs down, the leading edge hangs down a second distance from the suction nozzle, the second distance being smaller than the first distance and defining a predetermined gap with the floor surface in use. .

  Thus, in practice, the suction nozzle configuration provides a narrow gap across substantially the entire width of the nozzle, but the full width gap is not essential, and this gap draws a large amount of debris into the suction nozzle and thus into the associated vacuum cleaner. It becomes possible. Theoretically, the skirt member provides a strip-like member for engaging the floor surface, and is anything that forms a seal with the floor surface so that the air flow reaches the suction nozzle primarily through the leading edge gap. It can be formed from a material. For example, a Bristol wall can provide a suitable strip. However, the surface engaging skirt is flexible so that it can fit the floor and is preferably a strip of plastic material, preferably rubber.

  The skirt is formed from a plurality of elements, each of which can form a substantially unbroken skirt, but may be formed from a single strip of material. Preferably, the strip of material is overmolded onto the main body of the suction nozzle, thereby allowing more complex techniques such as requiring one or more flexible strips to be attached to the underside of the suction nozzle. Avoided.

  The exact size of the gap depends in part on the suction force of the vacuum cleaning device in which the floor tool is used. However, it is currently recalled that a gap width of 1 mm to 4 mm provides a suitable high velocity air flow through the gap while allowing a wide range of debris to flow through the gap into the floor tool. Most preferred is a gap width of about 3 mm, with the leading edge depending downwardly from the suction nozzle by a distance between 3 mm smaller than the distance of the trailing edge to define a 3 mm gap with the floor. I can say that.

  In one embodiment, a longitudinal wall extends longitudinally along the suction chamber, dividing the suction chamber into front and rear suction channels. One or more openings can be provided in the longitudinal wall or at the end thereof to allow fluid to flow through the openings between the front and rear suction channels.

  The skirt also extends between the trailing edge and the leading edge or between the trailing edge and the longitudinal wall to divide the suction chamber into first and second sub-chambers each having an associated suction chamber outlet. Lateral walls can be included. The lateral wall can hang down by the same amount as the trailing edge of the skirt or by the same amount as the leading edge of the skirt.

  As mentioned above, the suction nozzle configuration improves the ability of the floor tool to capture small debris, and more importantly, dirt and debris present in floor gaps such as floor gaps. However, the fourth aspect of the invention is particularly useful with dual function floor tools that combine a suction function and a hard floor wipe function. Thus, the main body can include a support member adapted to support the cleaning sheet, and the suction nozzle is located adjacent to the first edge of the support member.

  Such a floor tool may suffice with a single suction nozzle, but with a separate suction nozzle located adjacent to the second edge of the support member parallel to the first edge. Is preferred.

  When two suction nozzles are provided, the opening in the longitudinal wall of the first suction nozzle has a flow area different from the flow area of the opening in the longitudinal wall of the second suction nozzle. be able to. This action is to apply more “suction force” generated by the vacuum cleaner to the front suction nozzle or the rear suction nozzle.

  As described above, the floor tool of the present invention combines the function of a suction type tool with the function of a hard floor wipe device. A wipe sheet around the base plate so that the wipe can be attached to the base plate by a Velcro type fastening system and the edge of the wipe sheet can be pushed into a slit structure defined at the top of the wipe sheet Is known. However, such an attachment mechanism may not be able to hold the wipe sheet firmly, and the wipe sheet may tend to be pulled away from the attachment mechanism during back and forth movement of the floor tool. For the purpose of improving the means enabling a wipe sheet to be attached to a suction floor tool, the present invention, in a sixth aspect, comprises a support member adapted to support a cleaning sheet and adjacent to the support member. A vacuum cleaner floor tool with at least one suction nozzle is provided, the support member including a carrier plate and a floor engagement pad, which are releasably held together by a clamp structure to provide a cleaning sheet. The edges of the cleaning plate are clamped between the carrier plate and the floor pad to hold the cleaning sheet firmly on the pad.

  Such a configuration provides a particularly useful mechanism for the user to attach the cleaning sheet to the floor tool and securely tightens the cleaning sheet so that it cannot be loosened during use. In one embodiment, when the cleaning sheet is wrapped around the floor pad, the clamping means operates to automatically lock the floor pad to the carrier plate when the floor pad is pressed against the carrier plate. In this way, the user can simply press the carrier plate onto the pad to lock the two parts together and form an upright position. This is particularly advantageous from the user's point of view.

  The clamping means can include at least one button that can be actuated by a user to release the floor pad from the carrier plate. The button is mounted on the top surface of the floor pad around the pivot point and can define a latch surface that cooperates with a catch surface provided on the carrier plate. The automatic latch of the button structure can be embodied by a catch surface that includes an upper surface and an inclined lower surface that impacts the surface of the button when the floor pad contacts the plate, and the floor pad contacts the plate, Inclined bottom surface biases the button and pivots away from the catch, allowing the floor pad to fully engage the carrier plate, pivoting the button back into place, locking the floor pad to the carrier plate To come.

  Although a single button is provided that allows one side of the pad to be released, in a preferred embodiment, first and second user actuated buttons are disposed at each end of the top surface of the floor pad to provide a carrier plate. Engage with each of the above catches.

  By sandwiching the cleaning sheet between the carrier plate and the floor pad, sufficient force can be provided to firmly capture the cleaning sheet between the carrier plate and the floor pad. However, in order to improve the holding force that the floor tool has on the sheet, the carrier plate / floor pad also has the edge of the cleaning sheet at the outer periphery when the cleaning sheet is engaged between the floor pad and the carrier plate. A gripping structure configured to grip can be included. The gripping structure can be defined by at least one rib provided on the floor pad, the rib being engageable with a respective channel provided on the carrier plate.

  It should be understood that the preferred and / or optional features of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth aspects of the invention can be combined with one another as desired.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner and associated floor tool according to the present invention. FIG. It is the front side perspective view of the floor tool of FIG. 1 cut away from the vacuum cleaner main body. FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the floor tool of FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 with the floor tool neck partially removed to show the internal flow path. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the floor tool of FIGS. 2 and 3 with the suction nozzle assembly removed to show how to connect the neck to the support member of the floor tool. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the floor tool of FIGS. 2 and 3 with the suction nozzle assembly removed to show how to connect the neck to the support member of the floor tool. Fig. 5b is a view similar to Figs. 5a and 5b, with the neck in the reclined position. Fig. 5b is a view similar to Figs. 5a and 5b, with the neck in the reclined position. It is a side view of the floor tool which shows the support member in a raise position. FIG. 7b is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 7a. FIG. 7b is a view similar to FIG. 7a, with the support member in the lowered position. FIG. 8b is a cross-sectional view along line AA in FIG. 8a. It is a perspective view of the decomposition | disassembly state of a floor tool. FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the floor tool with the floor pad removed to show the wheel structure of the floor tool. It is a side view of the floor tool of FIG. FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the floor tool of FIGS. 10 and 11. It is a bottom view of the modification of the floor tool of FIG.

  Referring first to FIG. 1, a so-called “stick vacuum cleaner” type vacuum cleaner 2 includes a hand-held vacuum cleaner 4 that can be carried by a user's hand.

  The elongate wand 6 is attached to the hand-held vacuum cleaner 4 that reaches down to the floor tool 8 provided at the end of the wand 6, and the floor tool 8 is placed on the floor surface during normal use. Note that the floor itself is not explicitly shown in FIG. 1, but its presence is suggested.

  The hand-held vacuum cleaner 4 includes a motor-driven fan unit (not shown). The fan unit is disposed inside the motor case 10 and is positioned at the front of the hand-held vacuum cleaner 4. Air is drawn through 12. The elongated wand 6 is connected to the air inlet nozzle 12 and the floor tool 8 is connected to the lower end of the wand 6. In use, dirty air is drawn through the floor tool 8 and ducted through the wand 8 to the air inlet 12. Dirty air entering the inlet nozzle 12 passes through a cyclone separation system 14 that separates the dirt from the air, and then relatively clean air is discharged from the exhaust 16 located at the rear to the atmospheric environment. Dirt separated from the air stream in the cyclone separation system 14 is collected in a container 18 and discarded. The handheld vacuum cleaner 4 is supplied with power from a multi-cell rechargeable battery housed in the battery pack 20.

  The floor tool 8 can be removed from the wand 6 by a catch 21. The wand 6 can be detached from the hand-held vacuum cleaner 4 by another catch 23. Therefore, the hand-held vacuum cleaner 4 can be used alone as an independent unit by removing the wand, or alternatively, the hand-held vacuum cleaner 4, the wand 6 and the floor tool 8 are combined to have a suction function. It can be used as a hard floor cleaning device.

  It should be noted that the vacuum cleaner 2 of FIG. 1 illustrates one possible structure in which the floor tool 8 of the present invention can be used. In the context of stick vacuum cleaners, the floor tool 8 provides a portable method that is particularly convenient for cleaning hard floors. However, the floor tool 4 can also be used with other types of vacuum cleaners connected to, for example, a cylinder or an upright vacuum cleaner wand and hose assembly. Although it is desirable that the floor tool be connectable to an associated vacuum cleaner, this is not essential to the present invention and the floor tool may be an integral component, for example, integral with the wand of the handheld vacuum cleaner of FIG. Can be

  3 and 4 which show the floor tool 8 in more detail, the floor tool 8 comprises a main body 22 and a pivotable neck 24 which can be used to vacuum the floor tool 8. To allow the user to steer the floor tool over the floor surface to be cleaned.

  The main body 22 includes a suction nozzle assembly 26 and a substantially horizontally long support member 28 capable of carrying a sheet-like cleaning element (not shown). The suction nozzle assembly 26 includes first and second elongate suction nozzles 30, 32 that are disposed adjacent to the respective long sides of the support member 28.

  In FIG. 2, the floor tool 8 is oriented such that its “front” faces the left side of the drawing. Accordingly, the first and second suction nozzles 30 and 32 can be considered as the front suction nozzle 30 and the rear suction nozzle 32, respectively, and will be referred to as such hereinafter.

  The suction nozzle assembly 26 includes a central air manifold 34 mounted on the upper surface of the support member 28. Each of the first and second suction nozzles 30, 32 is supported relative to the manifold 34 by first and second connection arms 36 that extend in opposite directions at both ends of the manifold 34. Each of the connecting arms 36 is hollow and thus functions as a fluid passage through which air is ducted from the nozzles 30, 32 to the manifold 34.

  The manifold 34 is coupled to the neck 24 such that the neck 24 pivots about the central portion of the manifold 34, which is disposed between the connecting portions 38 where both connecting arms 36 contact the manifold 34. However, as will become apparent below, the neck can pivot around the manifold, but the manifold can float up and down relative to the neck. The neck 24 pivots about axis A as marked in FIG.

  The neck 24 has an open structure that accommodates a flexible hose 40 that extends from the manifold 34 to the upper connection portion 42 of the neck 24. The neck 24 thus serves to duct air from the suction nozzles 30, 32 via the connection part 42 to the associated vacuum cleaner. As clearly shown in FIG. 4 with a portion of the neck 24 removed for clarity, the flexible hose 40 extends from the neck connecting portion 42 to a T-shaped connecting pipe 44, It is connected to both sides of the manifold 34 and thus functions to merge the air flowing through the manifold 34 into the flexible hose 40. The T-shaped pipe 44 is connected to the manifold 34 so as to be movable around the axis A in the angular direction.

  In FIGS. 5 a and 5 b, the suction nozzle assembly 26 has been removed to clearly show the manner in which the neck 24 is pivotally connected to the support member 28. In general, the neck 24 includes a first neck section 46 and a second neck section 48 that cooperate with each other to define a universal joint. Thus, the first (lower) neck section 46 allows the neck to swing up and down around the axis A relative to the main body 22 and the second (upper) neck section 48. This allows the connecting portion 42 to pivot about an axis B perpendicular to the axis A relative to the first section 46. This allows the user to easily maneuver the floor tool 8 so that the floor tool rotates in a plane parallel to the floor over a wide angular range between the neck and the floor tool as a result of the rotational movement of the wand. Become.

  Considering this, the first neck section 46 is substantially cylindrical in shape and can be engaged with the support member 28 and rotated about the axis A. The first neck section 46 also includes a linear or box-like extension 50 that extends vertically apart and defines an aperture 52 through which the flexible hose 40 is connected to the interior of the neck 24. Extends upward through. The second neck section 48 includes two parallel forks 54 that are pivotally supported by a box-like extension 50 and are swingable in the left-right direction about an axis B that is orthogonal to the axis A.

  The first neck section 46, and more specifically the cylindrical portion thereof, is engaged with the support member 28 by the rail structure 56. Each outer end or “rim” of the first neck section 46 includes a rail portion 58 around a portion of its circumference in the middle of the inwardly projecting flange 60, the flange surrounding the remaining portion of the circumference. It extends to. The rail portion 58 is held under a protrusion 62 in the form of a tab or tooth defined by the support member 28. The protrusions 62 engage the individual portions of the rail portion 58 and operate along the rail portion 58 when the neck 24 is tilted up and down relative to the support member 28. Thus, the protrusion 62 functions as a “runner structure” that engages and cooperates with the rail portion 58 to allow the neck 24 to pivot. The term “individual portion” is used to mean that the rail portion 58 engages only at a subsection of the rail portion 58, and this arrangement substantially opens the neck section 46 through which the manifold can pass. It is possible to remain.

  FIGS. 5a and 5b show the neck in an inclined position, which is limited by the protrusion / runner 62 engaging the tip of the flange 60, while FIGS. 6a and 6b are in the reclining position. Note that this position is limited by the runner 62 engaging the other end of the flange 60.

  A rail device 56 between the neck 24 and the support member 28 allows a direct connection between these two components so that the neck can apply a downward force against the support member 28 during cleaning. To. However, this connection also envelops and holds the manifold 34 so that the manifold can float relative to the support member 28 and hence the neck 24. In this regard, the diameter of the first neck section 46 is larger than the diameter of the manifold 34 so that the manifold 34 can move relative to the first neck section. This is particularly advantageous because a downward force can be applied to the support member 28 through the neck, which facilitates the wiping action of the support member 28 while at the same time the suction nozzle associated with the manifold 34 is too strong. It becomes possible to place lightly on the floor without being pressed. Because the suction nozzle is in physical light contact with the floor surface, the ability of the floor tool to remove dirt from the floor space is improved.

  In this embodiment, the manifold 34 is allowed to move linearly in the vertical direction of about 5 mm with respect to the support member 28, and the amount of movement depends on the difference in diameter between the manifold 34 and the neck 24, but this 5 mm It should be noted that the value of is given here merely as an example and is not intended to be limiting. Thus, those skilled in the art will appreciate that different floats are possible by appropriate selection of the relative dimensions of the manifold and neck.

  The operation of the floating suction nozzles 30, 32 is shown in the following figures: FIGS. 7 a and 7 b show the suction nozzles 30, 32 in a lowered position relative to the support member 28, and FIGS. 8 a and 8 b The suction nozzles 30, 32 are shown in the raised position with respect to the support member 28. The movement of the manifold 34 with respect to the support member 28 is guided by a post 64 formed on the lower side of the manifold 34, and the post is slidably engaged with a complementary-shaped guide aperture 34 provided on the upper surface of the support member 28. Match. Therefore, the suction nozzle and the manifold can move up and down in the vertical direction, that is, in the direction perpendicular to the floor surface. Therefore, in use, the suction nozzle always rests lightly on the floor regardless of the thickness of the cleaning sheet used on the tool. Thus, the support member 28 can be applied to cleaning sheets having different thicknesses without changing the minimum ride height of the suction nozzle. In this way, the capture performance of the floor tool 8 is maintained regardless of the type of wipe secured to the support member.

  Referring now to FIG. 9, the “overhead” structure of the suction nozzle assembly in this embodiment constitutes an air flow passage having a relatively abrupt change in direction. It will be understood that debris may be trapped in some of the. This problem occurs especially for long debris such as hair and fluff that can be caught around the angled passage of the tool. In order to provide a solution to this, the manifold 34 includes access means having first and second caps 68 at the distal end opposite the manifold 34. The cap 68 is circular and can be engaged by the lug 70 at the open end 69 of the manifold 34, which lug 70 mates with the complementary channel 72 at the open end 69 of the manifold 34. Form an engagement. Currently, such a twist-fit engagement is preferred because it relies on the aggressive action of the user removing the cap. An alternative is a simple press fit, possibly including a rubber O-ring to ensure a sliding fit, but there is a risk that the cap 68 may be accidentally removed from the manifold 34. As another alternative, the cap 68 can be coupled to the manifold 34 by suitable retaining means so that it cannot be completely removed by the user. One way to accomplish this is to mount the cap so that the cap 68 pivots with respect to the manifold 34, thus, the user simply pivots the cap away from the manifold. With this, the internal passage can be accessed. Another alternative would be to hold the cap with some type of tether, allowing a limited degree of separation between the manifold 34 and the cap 68.

  Of course, as long as a single cap is provided at one end of the manifold 34, the user can remove debris from the manifold. However, by having a cap at either end of the manifold, the suction nozzle assembly 26 can be easily maintained because it can be accessed within each end of the manifold and within the connection arm 36 for reasons of their location. . In addition, since the manifold 34 is tubular and generally straight, removing both caps 68 allows visual inspection along the length of the manifold 34 and forces a cleaning tool such as a brush through the manifold. It helps to remove debris that may stick to the inner surface of the manifold.

  As explained so far, in general, the floor tool 8 has a dual function, i.e., first, the support member 28 carries a moisture-containing sheet material such as a commercially available polymer-based disposable wipe. As a result, the floor tool 8 can be used to scrub stubborn stains and dirt from the floor, and secondly, the suction nozzles 30, 32 are free of dirt from the floor. And the debris is removed and transported to the associated vacuum cleaner on a dirt-containing air stream sucked through the floor tool. To carry the wipe element, the support member 28 comprises a floor pad 74 and a pad carrier plate 76 that are releasably held together when the wipe sheet is engaged in two parts as will be described below. So that you can fix between them.

  FIG. 9 shows the floor pad 74 and pad carrier plate 76 separated from each other. The floor pad 74 has a substantially horizontally long shape, and has a horizontally long recess 78 that is defined on the upper side thereof and can receive the carrier plate 76. In use, the cleaning sheet can be wrapped around the floor pad 74 so that the end of the cleaning sheet extends upward and rests in the recess 78 beyond the long edge 80 of the floor pad 74. The floor pad 74 then engages and is secured to the carrier plate 76, which clamps the cleaning sheet in place.

  The floor pad 74 is fixed to the carrier plate 76 by a clamp structure 82. The clamp structure 82 includes a first latch 84 and a second latch 86 disposed at respective ends of the floor pad 74. The latches 84 and 86 are engageable with respective first catches 88 and second catches 90 defined by recesses on each short side of the carrier plate.

  Each latch 84, 86 comprises a user-operable button having a generally oval top surface 92, which is defined by a shallow circular recess 94 that acts as a contact point for the user's finger. Buttons 84, 86 are preferably engineering plastics such as a polycarbonate / polybutylene terephthalate blend (PC + PBT), have excellent strength properties and chemical inertness, and provide contrast to surrounding components Colored so that it is visually noticeable to the user. The buttons will operate repeatedly and, when used, will be exposed to cleaning chemicals commonly found on household cleaning sheets, the excellent strength properties and chemical inertness of PC + PBT are preferred for buttons, but these properties Is not required.

  The buttons 84, 86 are clearly shown in FIG. 7b, where the left button 86 in the figure is in the depressed position and the right button 86 in the figure is in the rest position. Since both buttons are identical in this embodiment, reference is made to a single button for the sake of brevity. Each button 84, 86 is pivotable about a pivot point 96 defined on the floor pad 74 and defines a latching surface 98 that extends toward the center of the floor pad 74. In order to bias the button to the rest position, a biasing means 100 in the form of a spring is provided. The latch surface 98 is engageable with a cooperating catch surface 102 provided on the upstanding ledge 104 defined by the floor pad 74, and the latch surface 98 of the button and the catch surface 102 on the floor pad 74 are both configurations. When the elements are firmly pressed together, they cooperate to lock the carrier plate 76 to the floor pad 74.

  One benefit of the clamp structure 82 is that the buttons 84, 86 automatically lock with the catches 88, 90, which makes it easier for the user to assemble the component. To this end, the catches 88, 90 include a lower side 106 that defines a cam surface by tilting upward. When the floor pad 74 contacts the carrier plate 76, the catch cam surface 106 contacts the top surface 92 of the button. This contact causes the buttons 84, 86 to move angularly about their pivot point. As the floor pad 74 moves further toward the carrier plate 76, the button is pushed out of the catch surface 106 and then the latch surface 98 locks onto the upper catch surface 102, which causes the floor pad 74 to move into the carrier. It is fixed to the plate 76.

  The carrier plate 76 and the floor pad 74 are integrated to secure the wipe therebetween, and although not required, an engagement means is provided between the pad and the carrier plate to enhance the clamping effect on the wipe element. It is preferable. In this embodiment, the engagement means comprises two elongated wands 108 provided adjacent to the respective long sides of the recess 78 on the floor pad 74, which are provided on the underside of the carrier plate 76. Project into the corresponding channel 110. Thus, in use, the wipe element is effectively clamped to a position that reduces the likelihood of loosening of the wipe due to the reciprocating motion of the floor tool.

  In addition to combining the functionality of a hard floor wipe cleaner and a hard floor vacuum tool, the floor tool 8 of the present invention has the function used in a pure vacuum mode. This can be useful when the user wants to vacuum the floor, but thinks that it is not necessary until the floor is wiped. For this purpose, the carrier plate 76 includes a rolling structure 112 that supports the support member 28 on the floor surface when the floor pad 74 is not present.

  In this embodiment, as clearly shown in FIG. 10, the rolling structure 112 includes two pairs of wheels 114, which can also be embodied as rollers or skids. Each wheel 114 is held in a respective wheel cup 116 and extends parallel to the longitudinal axis (axis A) of the floor tool 8 so that in use, the rolling axis is such that the wheel 114 is oriented in the direction of travel of the floor tool. Have. As shown, the wheels 114 are arranged in pairs and each pair is aligned in a plane orthogonal to the floor tool axis A, thus providing a stable rolling contact point for the carrier plate 76. And carries the force applied to the floor tool 8 via the neck 24.

  This is particularly clearly shown in FIG. 11, in which the carrier plate 76 is in the lowered position due to the force F applied through the neck, and the wheel 114 carries the carrier plate 76 on the floor surface S. On the other hand, the suction nozzles 30, 32 can float freely with respect to the carrier plate 76. The point of this mechanism is that the wheel 114 serves as a bearing point for the carrier plate, so in this context, a suitable skid and rail set also performs the same function and is therefore encompassed by the term “rolling structure”. Note that it is considered.

  In practice, it is often recalled that such tools often require vacuum rather than requiring a wipe with a wet disposable wipe sheet, so often as a hard floor cleaner by the user. Can be used. Thus, the floor tool is not limited to the use of a floor pad in combination with a vacuum cleaning mechanism that enhances the versatility of the floor tool.

  As shown in FIG. 12, in the situation where the floor pad 74 is attached to the carrier plate 76, the wheel cap is received in a respective aperture 118 provided in the floor pad 74.

  A further advantageous feature of the floor tool 8 of the present invention is the structure of the suction nozzles 30, 32 that provide the floor tool 8 with particularly good debris capture performance for hard floors, as will be described below.

  With particular reference to FIGS. 10-12, each of the front and rear suction nozzles 30, 32 has a generally rectangular floor engaging skirt 120 depending from the rigid upper portion or “spine” 122 of the suction nozzle. Including. Another member or “partition wall” 124 extends across the long side of the skirt 120 approximately in the middle between the two ends of the suction nozzle and is therefore arranged side by side with the first suction chamber. 126 and a second suction chamber 128.

  In this embodiment, the peripheral skirt / wall 120 and the dividing wall 124 of the suction chambers 126, 128 are a unitary body made of plastic material, but the skirt 120 may be formed from a plurality of individual strips. Good things are recalled. In a preferred embodiment, the skirt 120 is a thermoplastic elastomer and is overmolded onto the suction nozzle spine 122, but this is not required and the skirt can also be inserted into a slot defined in the suction nozzle. Note that As another alternative, the skirt 120 can also be formed from Bristol, but is currently flexible for reasons of durability and because it does not tend to capture debris that may occur in Bristol. A preferred plastic or rubber strip is preferred.

  Each skirt 120 is considered to include a trailing edge 130 disposed directly adjacent to the respective long side 80 of the floor pad 74 and a leading edge 132 remote from the floor pad 74. In addition, the side edges 134 extend between the leading edge 132 and the trailing edge 130, thereby completing the landscape seal skirt 120.

  To promote superior debris capture performance, substantially the entire leading edge 132 of the skirt 120 is shorter than the trailing edge 130 so that the leading edge is spaced from the floor surface “S” in use. This is clearly shown in FIG. 11 which shows the space as dimension “L”. In this embodiment, the space or gap “L” is 3 mm, but larger or smaller gaps will also have an effect. The main consideration is that the space L maximizes the flow rate through the suction nozzles 30, 32 considering the suction applied to the floor tool 8 while allowing debris of an effective size range to still enter the suction chambers 126, 128. Is to be selected.

  By constructing the suction nozzle leading edge 132 away from the floor surface S in this manner, this occurs with known floor tools having an apertured or “chest walled” leading edge often found on existing hard floors. “Snow removal” debris at the front of the suction nozzle during the cleaning is eliminated. Furthermore, by configuring both the front and rear suction nozzles in this way, the same advantages are obtained in the front and rear strokes of the floor tool, but this is not essential.

  Conversely, the trailing edge 130 of the suction nozzles 30, 32 engages the floor like a lip seal or "squeegee" and defines a straight edge that protects debris that accumulates on the cleaning sheet. Advantageously, this avoids leaving marks on the floor and extending the life of the cleaning sheet.

  Each of the adjacent suction chambers 126, 128 further comprises an additional floor engaging member 136, also in the form of a rubber strip, defining an inner wall extending longitudinally within the respective suction chamber 126, 128. Inner walls or “longitudinal strips” are formed in the first and second suction chambers 126, 128 through a first longitudinal suction channel 138 and a second longitudinal suction channel 140 (front and rear suction, respectively). The suction channels are fluidly connected by apertures or notches 142, 144 formed in the strip 136, thereby defining "connection channels". As clearly seen in FIG. 12, each suction nozzle 30, 32 includes two suction outlets 146 leading to the connecting arm 36, with one outlet 146 appearing behind the suction channel 140 within each suction chamber 126, 128. .

  In use, when suction is applied to the floor tool 8 by an associated vacuum cleaner with the floor tool placed on the floor surface, two different pressures are placed in each suction chamber 126, 128 of each suction nozzle 30, 32. A region occurs. A relatively high vacuum is obtained in the rear suction channel 140 due to the relatively tight seal formed around the rear suction channel 140 by the trailing edge 130 and the side edge 136. This creates a relatively high velocity air flow, with the advantage that debris in the gap in the floor is entrained in the air flow through the rear suction channel 140. In addition, because the trailing edge 130 is straight and uniform, this reduces the likelihood that debris will pass under the trailing edge and protects the wipe element and floor pad from debris capture.

  By providing the connecting channels 142, 144, a relatively low vacuum is obtained in the front suction channel 138 and dust and relatively large debris on the floor surface are passed through the front edge gap L into the front suction channel. It becomes possible to be trapped in the fluid stream being sucked. This dirt-containing fluid stream is then conveyed from the front suction channel 138 through the connection channels 142, 144 to the rear suction channel 140 and then to the connection arm 36 of the suction nozzle assembly. From here, the air flow then proceeds to the manifold and flexible hose.

Note that the apertures 142, 144 defined in the longitudinal strip 136 of the front suction nozzle 30 and the rear suction nozzle 32 are not equal in size. More specifically, the aperture 142 of the front suction nozzle 30 has a semicircular shape and has a larger flow area than the aperture 144 in the rectangular rear suction nozzle 32. In this particular embodiment, the aperture 142 of the front suction nozzle 30 is semicircular with a radius of 5 mm and the center of the radius is located at the lower edge of the strip 136 so that the flow area is about 40 mm ² while the other The size of the aperture 144 of the rear suction channel 32 is 9 mm × 3 mm, resulting in a flow area of about 27 mm ² . Note that these values are merely illustrative.

  The lower flow area defined by the aperture 144 of the rear suction nozzle 32 has the effect of increasing the resistance of the rear suction nozzle 32 to the air flow and relatively increasing the flow through the front suction nozzle 30. Thus, the suction “power” applied to the floor tool is pushed toward the front suction nozzle 30 which improves the capture performance at the front nozzle 30 when the user pushes the tool along the floor surface. This is advantageous because it is a front suction nozzle leading to the above.

  The suction nozzle is divided into two separate chambers 126, 128, each having a respective front and rear suction channel 138, 140 to ensure high velocity fluid flow through the suction chamber across the entire width of the floor tool. This greatly facilitates entrainment and capture of debris. Furthermore, the concave leading edge 132 reduces snow-like debris, thus further improving floor tool capture performance.

  Additional advantages can be realized by removing certain sections of the dividing wall 148 of the embodiment of FIG. FIG. 13 illustrates this and it can be seen that the anterior section of the dividing wall 148 of FIG. 12 has been removed, leaving only the posterior section 150 of the dividing wall extending between the longitudinal strip 163 and the skirt 120. Accordingly, a single front suction channel 138 extends across substantially the entire width of the suction nozzle. By removing the front section of the dividing wall, the “dead space” in the front suction channel where debris stays or sticks is eliminated.

  Alternatively, the front section of the dividing wall 124 of FIG. 10 need not be completely removed as in the embodiment of FIG. In one embodiment, the front section of the dividing wall 124 can be configured to be shallower than the rear section. This leaves a small gap between the lower edge of the front section of the dividing wall and the floor, which can cause the air flow to bleed through the gap between the two front chambers 126,128. Means you can. This improves debris capture by preventing any dead spots in the front chambers 126, 128, but still provides structural support for the longitudinal wall 136.

  Various modifications to the specific embodiments described above are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. For example, although the support member has been described as rectangular above, other shapes can be implemented by those skilled in the art, and the support member may be triangular, diamond-shaped, or if the suction nozzle is appropriately modified It will be understood that an oval may be used.

  Also, although the support member has been described as being particularly suitable for use with non-polymer based nonwoven cleaning sheets, this is not essential to the present invention and other types such as woven cleaning cloths. It should be understood that it may be used with a wipe member. As a further alternative, the support member can carry a porous cleaning member, such as a sponge pad, which is fixed to the lower surface by, for example, a Velcro type fastening system or integrally formed. .

  Floor tools can in principle be made from a wide range of materials, but currently, for example, injection molding can form parts into almost any desired shape, so plastics are cost effective and easy to manufacture. Is preferred. In the context of the floor tool of the present invention, the choice of plastic due to being designed for use with wipes containing a variety of chemicals that may have a detrimental effect on some plastics Affects the effectiveness of the floor tool as well as long-term durability.

  Preferably, the first and second neck portions are made from an injection mold PC-PBT for reasons of resistance to chemical action as well as strength. The neck connector is preferably talc-filled polypropylene (PP) because it improves the strength of this component to withstand the forces applied through the wand and is more cost effective than PC-PBT.

  The suction nozzle assembly is formed from polypropylene as the main component, but alternatively, the skirt is a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) that is preferably overmolded on the respective spine of the suction nozzle.

  Moving to the support member, at present, the carrier is talc-filled polypropylene that is injection molded to increase strength, and the floor pad provides contact between the upper surface polypropylene and the floor surface to provide strength. In order to provide improved elasticity, the floor pad body is a combination of a thermoplastic elastomer and a foaming agent.

8 Floor tool 24 Neck 30 First (front) suction nozzle 32 Second (rear) suction nozzle 34 (center) air manifold 36 Connection arm 40 Flexible hose 42 Connection portion 44 T-shaped connection pipe

Claims (17)

  A floor tool for a vacuum cleaner comprising: a support member adapted to support a cleaning sheet; and at least one suction nozzle adjacent to the support member, wherein the support member is a carrier plate and a floor engagement The carrier plate and the floor engaging pad are releasably held together by a clamp structure, and the cleaning sheet is clamped between the carrier plate and the floor engaging pad to perform the cleaning. A floor tool that allows a sheet to be secured to the floor engagement pad.   The floor tool according to claim 1, wherein the clamping means is operable to automatically lock the floor pad to the carrier plate when the floor pad is pressed against the carrier plate.   The floor tool according to claim 1, wherein the clamping means comprises at least one button that can be actuated by a user to release the floor pad from the carrier plate.   4. A floor tool according to claim 3, wherein the button is mounted on the top surface of the floor pad about a pivot point and defines a latching surface that cooperates with a catch surface provided on the carrier plate.   The catch surface includes an upper surface and an inclined lower surface that collides with the button surface when the floor pad contacts the plate, and the inclined lower surface attaches a button when the floor pad contacts the plate. Pivots away from the catch, allowing the floor pad to fully engage the carrier plate, the button pivots back into position, and locks the floor pad to the carrier plate The floor tool according to claim 4, wherein:   6. The method of any of claims 3-5, wherein the clamping means includes first and second user actuated buttons disposed at each end of the top surface of the floor pad and engaged with respective catches on the carrier plate. Floor tool as described in.   The carrier plate further includes a gripping structure configured to grip an edge of the cleaning sheet on an outer periphery when the cleaning sheet is engaged between the floor pad and the carrier plate. The floor tool according to any one of -6.   The floor tool according to claim 7, wherein the gripping structure includes at least one rib provided on the floor pad, the rib being engageable with a respective channel provided on the carrier plate. .   The vacuum cleaner containing the floor tool of any one of Claims 1-8.   A floor tool including a support member adapted to support a cleaning sheet, the support member including a carrier plate and a floor engagement pad releasably retained on the carrier plate by a clamp structure; A floor tool, wherein an edge of the cleaning sheet can be clamped between the carrier plate and the floor engagement pad to secure the cleaning sheet to the floor engagement pad.   The floor tool according to claim 10, wherein the clamping means is operable to automatically lock the floor pad to the carrier plate when the floor pad is pressed against the carrier plate.   The floor tool according to claim 10, wherein the clamping means includes at least one button that can be actuated by a user to release the floor pad from the carrier plate.   13. A floor tool according to claim 12, wherein the button is mounted on an upper surface of the floor pad about a pivot point and defines a latching surface that cooperates with a catch surface provided on the carrier plate.   The catch surface includes an upper surface and an inclined lower surface that collides with the button surface when the floor pad contacts the plate, and the inclined lower surface attaches a button when the floor pad contacts the plate. Pivots away from the catch, allowing the floor pad to fully engage the carrier plate, the button pivots back into position, and locks the floor pad to the carrier plate The floor tool according to claim 13, wherein   15. The any one of claims 12-14, wherein the clamping means includes first and second user actuated buttons disposed at each end of the top surface of the floor pad and engaged with respective catches on the carrier plate. Floor tool as described in.   The carrier plate further includes a gripping structure configured to grip an edge of the cleaning sheet on an outer periphery when the cleaning sheet is engaged between the floor pad and the carrier plate. The floor tool according to any one of -15.   The gripping structure includes at least one rib provided on the floor pad, the rib being engageable with a respective channel provided on the carrier plate, the carrier plate and the floor pad 8. A floor tool according to claim 7, wherein the engagement between the cleaning sheet causes hearing to be applied to the cleaning sheet on the floor pad.