KR102174352B1 - Surface cleaning apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The upper part mounted on the surface cleaning head, the portable surface cleaning unit mounted on the upper part, an on-floor cleaning wand removable within the upper part, and a locked position where the wand is fixed to the upper part and the wand removed from the upper part A surface cleaning device is disclosed having a wand lock with a possible unlocked position. The upper portion can stabilize the wand when it is driveably connected to the cleaning head. An energized flexible air flow conduit can electrically connect the surface cleaning head to the cleaning unit.

Description

Surface cleaning device {SURFACE CLEANING APPARATUS}

Cross-reference to related applications

This application is a publicly-pending US patent application No. 14/290,844, filed on May 29, 2014, entitled "SURFACE CLEANING APPARATUS", filed on May 29, 2014 The invention has been named "Surface Cleaning Apparatus", the co-pending US Patent Application No. 14/290,817, and filed May 29, 2014, entitled "Surface Cleaning Apparatus." (SURFACE CLEANING APPARATUS) claims benefit under 35 USC 119 of the priority of the co-pending U.S. Patent Application No. 14/290,859, filed on Feb. 28, 2013, each of which is a co-pending US Patent Application No. 13/781,441 pending, and Canadian Patent Application No. 2,658,402 filed March 13, 2009, entitled "SURFACE CLEANING APPARATUS", as of July 28, 2009 Filed March 9, 2010 from Canadian Patent Application No. 2,674,056 filed, and Canadian Patent Application No. 2,678,220 filed September 8, 2009, itself claiming the benefit of priority under 35 USC 119, The divisional applicant of co-pending U.S. patent application No. 12/720,570, filed on July 4, 2012, as a continuation in part of co-pending U.S. patent application No. 13/541,745, claiming benefit under 35 USC 120, Each of these applications is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Field

The present specification relates to an upper section that is movably mounted to a surface cleaning head, such as pivotally, an above floor cleaning wand that is removably mounted to the upper section, and an upper It relates to a surface cleaning device which may be a portable cleaning unit that is removably mounted on a section, for example a pod or an upright vacuum cleaner with a hand vacuum cleaner. The on-floor cleaning wand and the portable cleaning unit may each be removable alone or in conjunction with the other of the on-floor cleaning wand and the portable surface cleaning unit.

It is not admitted that anything discussed below is part of the common general knowledge of those skilled in the art or part of the prior art.

Various types of surface cleaning devices are known. Typically, an upright vacuum cleaner comprises an upper portion or upper section that is driveably mounted to a surface cleaning head comprising one or more cyclones and/or air treatment members such as filters. An up flow conduit is typically provided between the surface cleaning head and the upper portion. In some such vacuum cleaners, a spine, casing, or backbone extends between the surface cleaning head and the upper portion to support the air treatment member. A suction motor may be provided in the upper portion or in the surface cleaning head.

Surface cleaning devices are known having a portable cleaning module that is removably mounted on an upright vacuum cleaner. See, for example, U.S. Patent No. 5,309,600, U.S. Patent No. 4,635,315, and U.S. Publication No. 2011/0314629. US Publication No. 2011/0314629 discloses an upright vibrating cleaner having a surface cleaning head and an upright section pivotably mounted thereon. A hand-type vacuum cleaner or pod is removably mounted on the upper part, and is connected in airflow communication with the surface cleaning head through a flexible hose. A portion of the upper portion is bendable to allow the surface cleaning head to extend under the furniture. This bendable part is outside the airflow path. In use, the hand-held vacuum cleaner is locked on the upper part. The user can manually unlock the hand vacuum cleaner so that the hand vacuum cleaner can be removed for use as a hand vacuum cleaner and/or to empty the cyclone bin assembly. In addition, an on-floor cleaning wand may be provided and may be removable with the pod.

This summary is intended to introduce the reader to a more detailed description that follows and does not limit or limit any claimed or not yet claimed invention. One or more inventions may exist in any combination or sub-combination of elements or process steps disclosed in any part of this specification, including the claims and drawings of this specification.

In a first aspect, there is provided an upright surface cleaning device comprising a surface cleaning head and an upper section movably mounted thereon, and each of the on-floor cleaning wand and the portable cleaning unit is removable. The cleaning wand on the floor may be accommodated within the upper portion. The portable cleaning unit is removably mounted on the upper part and the cleaning wand on the floor. Optionally, a wand lock mechanism comprising a wand release actuator and optionally a locking member is removable with the wand. In one embodiment, the upper portion preferably comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a tube or cowling having an upper opening into which the cleaning wand on the floor can be received. do. The advantage of this design is that by using the wand to provide an upper mount for the portable cleaning unit, the upper part where the wand can be mounted on or within it has a lower vertical size, allowing the user to hold the wand. The reinsertion process can be simplified. For example, the user may have a lower target for aligning and installing the wand, providing a more favorable position to observe the required motion, and allowing the user to handle the wand at a more comfortable height during the installation operation. .

In a second aspect, an upper portion mounted on the surface cleaning head movably between a storage position and a floor cleaning position, an on-floor cleaning wand removably receivable within the upper portion, a removably mounted on the upper portion and optionally also a wand A portable surface cleaning unit mounted on and forming at least a part of the air flow path from the on-floor cleaning wand to the surface cleaning unit and electrically attaching the surface cleaning head to the surface cleaning unit at a position on the inside when the wand is received in the upper portion. An upright surface cleaning device is provided comprising a connecting electrified flexible air flow conduit. An advantage of this design is that the wand can electrically connect the surface cleaning head to a power source provided within the portable surface cleaning unit (eg, a battery or an AC cord provided on the portable surface cleaning unit).

In a third aspect, a surface cleaning device is provided in which the cleaning wand on the floor is removable from the upper portion with the wand release actuator and the wand lock mechanism optionally including a locking member is removable with the wand. The wand may be removably mounted within the upper portion. The advantage of this design is that the upper part, in which the wand can be mounted on or within it, can have a lower vertical size, but the wand release actuator can be positioned at approximately waist level, for example, allowing the operator to operate the wand release actuator. You don't have to bend over to get it working.

In a fourth aspect, there is provided an upright surface cleaning device in which a portable surface cleaning unit such as a pod or a handheld vacuum cleaner is selectively detachable from an upper portion. Upper and lower mounting members are provided, and one or both can be configured to inhibit both lateral movement and forward rotation of the surface cleaning unit. The lower mounting member may be provided on the upper section, and the upper mounting member may be provided on the wand. Therefore, the surface cleaning device can be used as an upright vacuum cleaner in the floor cleaning mode with the portable surface cleaning unit mounted on the upper part, and the portable cleaning unit stably mounted in place as a handle drives the surface cleaning head and is preferable. Hagi is used to manipulate. For example, the upper part may be provided with two laterally extending wings. The surface cleaning unit may have arms surrounding the upper portion and having recesses for receiving the wings. The wings can have a height sufficient to prevent both lateral movement and forward rotation of the surface cleaning unit. This allows the portable unit to be held in place while the portable unit is in the unlocked mode. To assist or prevent the surface cleaning unit from rotating forward when the surface cleaning unit is unlocked, a second set of upper arms can be provided, for example on the removable wand.

In a fifth aspect, a surface cleaning device having an upper portion is provided, wherein the cleaning wand on the floor is removably receptably accommodated in the upper portion, and the upper portion and the wand are attached to the surface cleaning head when the wand is installed in the upper portion. It is configured to allow a driven connection. A portable surface cleaning unit can be mounted removably, for example on the outer surface of the upper part.

For example, the upper portion may surround the up flow duct from the surface cleaning head, and may be non-circular, such as egg-shaped, and the inlet end of the wand may have a mating shape. I can. Thus, the wand can be dynamically and stably mounted when inserted into the upper portion. For example, the upper portion provides lateral support for the wand as it is inserted into the upper portion. It supports the mechanical stress imparted when the wand is used to manipulate the surface cleaning head. In addition, a keyed slot may also be provided in the upper housing to assist in aligning the wand during insertion.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that a surface cleaning device may implement any one or more of the features included herein and that such features may be used in any particular combination or sub-combination.

In particular, the first aspect may be used alone or in combination with one or more of the second, third, fourth and fifth aspects.

The second aspect may be used alone or in combination with one or more of the first, third, fourth and fifth aspects.

The third aspect may be used alone or in combination with one or more of the first, second, fourth and fifth aspects.

The fourth aspect may be used alone or in combination with one or more of the first, second, third and fifth aspects.

The fifth aspect may be used alone or in combination with one or more of the first, second, third and fourth aspects.

The drawings included herein are intended to illustrate various examples of articles, methods, and devices of the teachings herein, and are not intended to limit the scope of the teachings in any way.

1 is a front perspective view of a surface cleaning device in a storage position.
Fig. 2 is a rear perspective view of the surface cleaning device of Fig. 1 in a storage position;
3 is a front perspective view of the surface cleaning device of FIG. 1 in a floor cleaning position.
Fig. 3a is a side view of the surface cleaning device of Fig. 1 in a storage position;
4 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1;
Fig. 5 is a rear perspective view of the surface cleaning device of Fig. 1 in a partially exploded configuration.
6 is a front perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus of FIG. 1 with the pod removed but still in air flow communication with the surface cleaning head.
7 is a front perspective view of the surface cleaning device of FIG. 1 in an on-floor cleaning configuration.
8 is a rear perspective view of an on-floor cleaning wand separated from an upper portion for use in cleaning on the floor, with the remaining parts removed for clarity.
9 is a plan view of an upper portion of FIG. 8 and a surface cleaning head.
Fig. 10 is a plan view of the surface cleaning device of Fig. 1 with the cleaning wand on the floor removed from the upper portion.
11 is a rear perspective view of the cleaning wand on the floor partially removed from the upper portion.
12 is a rear perspective view of the portable surface cleaning unit.
Fig. 13 is a bottom view of the surface cleaning unit of Fig. 12;
14 is a front view of the upper portion and the surface cleaning head of FIG. 8;
15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 15-15 of FIG. 8;
16 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 16-16 in FIG. 4;
Fig. 17 is a rear view of the surface cleaning unit of Fig. 12;
18A-18D are rear perspective views of the surface cleaning unit of FIG. 12 with the rear wall removed and the locking mechanism in a different position.
Figure 19 is a partial rear cross-sectional perspective view of the wand of Figure 11;
20A to 20D are partial rear perspective views of the wand of FIG. 8 with the outer wall removed.
Fig. 21 is a front perspective view of the surface cleaning device of Fig. 1 with the surface cleaning unit and hose removed.
22 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1;
23 to 25 are front perspective views of the surface cleaning unit being mounted on the upper portion.

Various apparatus or processes will be described below to provide examples of embodiments of each claimed invention. None of the examples described below limit any claimed invention, and any claimed invention may encompass different processes or apparatus than those described below. The claimed invention is not limited to a device or process having all the features of any one device or process described below, or to features common to a number or all of the devices described below. It is possible that the apparatus or process described below is not an embodiment of any claimed invention. Any invention disclosed in an apparatus or process described below, not claimed herein, may be the subject of another protected document, e.g., a continuing patent application, and the applicant, inventor or owner may be subject to its disclosure in this specification. No waiver, waiver or public use of any such invention is intended.

Overview of the upright vacuum cleaner

1 to 3, a first embodiment of a surface cleaning apparatus 100 is shown. In the illustrated embodiment, the surface cleaning device 100 is an upright vacuum cleaner. In an alternative embodiment, the surface cleaning device may be another suitable type of upright surface cleaning device such as a stick vac, a wet-dry type vacuum cleaner or a carpet extractor. have.

In the illustrated example, the surface cleaning device 100 includes an upper portion or support structure 104 that is movably and driveably connected to the surface cleaning head 108. The surface cleaning unit 112 is mounted on the upper portion 104. The surface cleaning device 100 also defines at least one dirty air inlet 116, at least one clean air outlet 120, and an air flow path or passage extending therebetween. Equipped. In the illustrated example, the air flow path includes at least one flexible air flow conduit member (eg, hose 124 or other flexible conduit). Alternatively, the air flow path can be formed from a rigid member.

Preferably, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the portable surface cleaning unit 112 is a suction motor 128 that may be in the motor housing 132, and an air treatment member that may be in the form of a cyclone bin assembly 136. Includes both. The air treatment member may be any suitable air treatment member comprising, for example, one or more cyclones, filters, and bags, preferably at least one air treatment member is provided upstream from the suction motor. Accordingly, the surface cleaning unit 112 may be a hand-type vacuum cleaner, a pod, or the like. The cyclone bin assembly 136 includes a cyclone chamber 144 and a dirt collection chamber 148.

In the illustrated embodiment, the surface cleaning head 108 includes a contaminated air inlet 116 in the form of a slot or opening 152 (FIG. 4) formed in the generally downwardly facing surface of the surface cleaning head 108. From the polluted air inlet 116, an air flow path extends through the surface cleaning head 108 and through an upward flow conduit 156 (FIG. 2) in the upper portion 104 to the surface cleaning unit 112.

A handle 160 is provided on the wand removable from the upper portion 104 to allow a user to operate the surface cleaning device 100. 2, 3, and 3A, the upper portion extends along the upper axis 164 and is movably mounted to the surface cleaning head 108. In the illustrated example, the upper portion 104 is pivotally mounted to the surface cleaning head via a pivot joint 168. The swivel joint 168 can be any suitable swivel joint. In this embodiment, the upper portion 104 is movable with respect to the surface cleaning head 108 between a storage position (FIG. 1) and a use or floor cleaning position (FIG. 3). In the floor cleaning position, the top portion 104 can be tilted relative to the surface being cleaned, and the angle 172 between the top axis 164 and the plane 176 parallel to the surface is between about 20° and about 85°. I can. In the storage position (FIG. 3A ), the upper portion 104 can be tilted relative to the surface being cleaned, and the angle 172 between the upper axis 164 and the plane 176 parallel to the surface is about 85° to 135. Can be °.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing discussion is exemplary, and that upright vacuum cleaners may use surface cleaning heads and top portions of any design and that they may be movably connected together by any means known in the art.

In one aspect, the upright vacuum cleaner 100 may be operable in a variety of different functional configurations or modes of operation. The versatility of operating in different modes of operation can be achieved by allowing each of the surface cleaning unit 112 and the on-floor cleaning wand to be individually detachable from the upper portion 104.

In the illustrated example, mounting the surface cleaning unit 112 on the upper portion 104 increases the weight of the upper portion 104 and may affect the maneuverability and ease of use of the surface cleaning device 100. . With the surface cleaning unit 112 attached, the vacuum cleaner 100 can be operated like a traditional upright style vacuum cleaner as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3.

In order to enable the vacuum suction generated by the surface cleaning unit 112 to be maintained in airflow communication with the surface cleaning head 108 when the surface cleaning unit 112 is detached from the support structure 104, the surface cleaning head The airflow connection between 108 and cleaning unit 112 is formed at least in part by a flexible conduit, such as flexible hose 124, which may preferably be an electrified hose. Preferably, the hose 124 is extendable, more preferably elastically or resiliently extendable. The use of flexible conduit allows the user to detach the surface cleaning unit 112 without the need to reconfigure or reconnect any part of the airflow conduit 184 (Fig. 6) and the portable surface cleaning unit 112 and the surface cleaning head ( 108) allows to maintain the flow connection.

In the illustrated example, the airflow path between the surface cleaning head 108 and the cleaning unit 112 also includes a cleaning wand 180 on the floor. Wand 180 may be located upstream of hose 124 and downstream of surface cleaning head 108. Desirably, the wand 180 may be driveably connected to the upper portion 104 so that the wand 108 may be used to direct the surface cleaning head 108 (eg, forward or backward). Thus, the wand 180 comprises a rigid airflow conduit having any suitable shape. For example, wand 180 may be straight as shown, or it may be curved or bent. In some embodiments, wand 180 may be reconfigurable. For example, the wand 108 may have upper and lower sections that are movably mounted (e.g., pivotably connected) relative to each other such that the wand 180 can be converted from a straight configuration to a curved configuration. . Further, the wand 180 may have a circular cross-section as shown, or any other cross-sectional shape, such as a square, triangular, or other regular or irregular shape, such as a “egg shape”.

Wand 180 may be telescopic so that it is extendable.

To allow a user to remotely control the surface cleaning head 108 using the wand 180, the wand 180 may be provided with a handle assembly. Preferably, the handle assembly or handle 160 is positioned proximate the upper (ie, downstream) end 188 of the wand 180. For example, the handle 160 may be connected to one or both of the wand 180 and the hose 124. Optionally, the handle 160 may form part of an air flow path between the wand 180 and the hose 124. Alternatively, the handle 160 may be attached to the periphery of one or both of the wand 180 and the hose 124 without engaging in airflow communication between the wand 180 and the hose 124.

A user may manipulate the wand 180 by grasping the hand grip portion 182 of the handle 160 (eg, to move the upper portion 104 and manipulate the surface cleaning head 108). In an alternative embodiment, the surface cleaning device 100 may not include a handle 160, and instead a user may directly grip the wand 180.

Reference is now made to FIG. 5. As shown, the upper portion 104 is mounted movably relative to the surface cleaning head 108. The upper portion 104 can be connected to the surface cleaning head 108 by any means known in the art (eg, it can be pivotally mounted, rotatably mounted, etc.). As illustrated, the pivot joint 168 allows the upper portion 104 to tilt and/or pivot relative to the surface cleaning head 108.

As illustrated, each of the wand 180 and the surface cleaning unit 112 is optionally attachable to or detachable from the upper portion 104. An advantage of this design is that the user can convert the vacuum cleaner to the surface cleaning mode by removing the wand without having to remove the surface cleaning unit 112. Preferably, each of the wand 180 and the surface cleaning unit 112 may be selectively connected to or separated from the upper portion 104 independently of the other. For example, wand 180 and surface cleaning unit 112 may be connected to or disconnected from upper portion 104 in any order, sequentially or simultaneously. This can simplify the reconfiguration of the surface cleaning device 100 to a different cleaning mode without requiring interruption of the operation of the surface cleaning device 100.

As illustrated, when the upstream end 192 of the wand 180 is connected to the upper portion 104, the surface cleaning head 108 is involved in the airflow path in a floor cleaning mode for cleaning floors, stairs, etc. do. In such a case, the surface cleaning unit 112 may be mounted on the upper portion 104 to support the weight of the surface cleaning unit on the upper portion 104 (e.g., a traditional floor cleaning mode for an upright vacuum cleaner. As shown in Figure 3 to illustrate). Alternatively, for example, with the wand 180 connected to the surface cleaning head 108, the surface cleaning unit 112 is dismounted from the upper portion 104 and carried by hand or worn as a backpack or Can be placed on top (eg, as shown in FIG. 6 illustrating an alternative floor cleaning mode for an upright vacuum cleaner).

As illustrated, the wand 180 can be separated from the upper portion 104 for use in an on-floor cleaning mode. In one embodiment, the surface cleaning unit 112 will be mounted on the upper portion 104 to support the weight of the surface cleaning unit on the upper portion 104 while the wand 180 is used in the on-floor cleaning mode. Can (eg, as shown in FIG. 7). Alternatively, in another alternative embodiment, the surface cleaning unit 112 is also dismounted from the upper portion 104 and carried by hand or as a backpack, for example while the wand 180 is used in the on-floor cleaning mode. It can be worn or placed on the floor.

Wand 180 and surface cleaning unit 112 may be connected to upper portion 104 in any suitable manner. In the illustrated example, the wand 180 is inserted into the upper portion 104 and a surface cleaning unit 112 is mounted outside the upper portion 104. In such cases, the upper portion 104 may provide some or all of the air flow path from the surface cleaning head 108 to the wand 180. In other embodiments, the upper portion 104 need not be part of the air flow path. For example, the wand 180 may be mounted outside of the upper portion 104 and the inlet end may be seated on the outlet end of the duct provided on the outer surface of the upper portion 104.

Referring to FIG. 6, when the surface cleaning device 100 is in use, the user may move the surface cleaning unit 112 to the upper part without stopping the airflow communication between the cleaning unit 112 and the surface cleaning head 108. It can be detached from (104). This allows the user to stop and selectively detach and reattach the cleaning unit 112 from the support structure 104 during use without the need to stop and reconfigure other parts of the connecting hose 124 or airflow conduit 184. As illustrated, the wand 180 is attached to the upper portion 104 and the surface cleaning unit 112 is detached from the upper portion 104.

In this configuration, the upper portion 104 may provide a connection between the wand 180 and the surface cleaning head 108, which may allow the surface cleaning head 108 to be driven by manipulating the wand 180. .

In addition to being operable to clean the floor or surface, the vacuum cleaner can be operated in a variety of cleaning modes that do not involve the use of a surface cleaning head and can generally be described as an on-floor cleaning mode. This may include cleaning of furniture, walls, drapes and other objects as opposed to cleaning of generally large flat surfaces.

In an example of the on-floor cleaning mode, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the surface cleaning unit 112 may be mounted and maintained on the upper portion 104. This eliminates the need for the user to separately support the weight of the surface cleaning unit 112 in the floor cleaning mode. In the illustrated configuration, the surface cleaning unit 112 may be mounted and maintained on the upper portion 104, and the wand 180 is detached from the upper portion 104 to provide an extended reach for cleaning on the floor. Can provide. Also, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the upstream end 200 of the handle 160 may be separated from the downstream end 188 of the wand 180. In this configuration, the upstream end 200 of the handle 160 may function as a contaminated air inlet for the vacuum cleaner 100. Optionally, an accessory tool such as a wand, crevasse tool, turbo brush, hose or other instrument may be coupled to the upstream end 200 of the handle 160.

In another example of the floor cleaning mode, as shown in FIG. 5, both the surface cleaning unit 112 and the wand 180 may be detached from the upper portion 104. The upstream end 200 of the handle 160 may optionally be connected to or separate from the downstream end 188 of the wand 180 as desired. This configuration may be advantageous when the surface cleaning unit 112 is to be kept above the floor (eg, while the user is standing on a ladder). In this case, the upper portion 104 and the surface cleaning head 108 may add unnecessary weight to the surface cleaning unit 112. Optionally, wand 180 and upper portion 104 may be configured to provide support and/or positioning or alignment of wand 180 relative to upper portion 104.

In the illustrated example, upper portion 104 may be configured to receive an upstream end of wand 180 and connect wand 180 to upper portion 104. When inserted, the outer wall of the wand 180 and the outer wall of the wand 180 over a length sufficient to stabilize the wand 180 so that the upper portion 104 provides a driveable connection between the wand 180 and the surface cleaning head 108. The inner walls of the upper portion 104 may contact each other. This transfers the force applied by the upper portion 104 to the wand 180 (e.g., via the handle 160 or directly to the wand 180) to the surface cleaning head 108, for example by means of a pivot joint 168. Can be allowed to do.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, wand 180 includes an upstream portion 1002 that is bordered by an upstream end 192. The upstream end 192 may define a wand air inlet for receiving contaminated air to be delivered to the downstream end 188 (FIG. 5) downstream through the wand 180. In addition, the upper portion 104 is shown including a downstream portion 1006 bounded by a downstream end 1010. As shown, the downstream portion 1006 may include or surround an air outlet for discharging air received from the surface cleaning head 108 downstream (eg, to the wand 180). For example, the downstream portion 1006 may include a cowl that surrounds and extends upwardly from the outlet of the air flow path extending through the surface cleaning head 108. Thus, the upstream portion 1002 of the wand 180 may be removably receptively within the downstream portion 1006 of the upper portion 104. The downstream end 1010 of the upper portion 104 can define an opening 1014 for receiving the upstream end 192 of the wand 180.

Referring now to FIGS. 8-10, the downstream portion 1006 will include an inner wall 1018 having a transverse profile corresponding to the transverse profile of the outer wall 1022 of the upstream portion 1002 of the wand 180. I can. For example, the transverse profile of the inner wall 1018 may have a size and shape substantially similar to the transverse profile of the outer wall 1022. Preferably, the transverse profile of the outer wall 1022 is to provide a gap sufficient to allow the insertion and removal of the wand 180 without play when the wand 180 is inserted into the upper portion 104. It is slightly smaller than the transverse profile of the inner wall 1018. This may allow the upstream portion 1002 to be easily inserted into the downstream portion 1006.

The transverse profile of the inner wall 1018 and the outer wall 1022 can have any suitable shape. For example, the transverse profile can be circular, triangular, square or other regular or irregular shape. Preferably, the transverse profile has a non-circular or irregular shape such that the outer wall 1022 can fit between the inner walls 1018 in only one orientation. This may cause the wand 180 to be specifically oriented relative to the upper portion 104 (eg, to provide an intended orientation of the handle 160 relative to the surface cleaning head 108). In the illustrated example, the transverse profile of the inner wall 1018 and outer wall 1022 may be described as “egg shape”. That is, the transverse profile is generally round, and the width is tapered from one side to the other side.

Alternatively or in addition to the correspondence of the transverse profile of the inner wall 1018 and the outer wall 1022, the wand 180 and the upper portion 104 may have an upstream portion 1002 received within the downstream portion 1006. It may include a mating element that limits the number of orientations that are present. For example, wand 180 and upper portion 104 may collectively include one or more mating protrusions and recesses.

In the illustrated example, wand 180 includes a protrusion (or key) 1026 in upstream portion 1002 that protrudes outwardly along outer wall 1022. The protrusion 1026 is to mate with a recess (or slot) 1030 formed in the lip 1034 of the inner wall 1018 when the upstream portion 1002 is received within the downstream portion 1006 (e.g., To be inserted inside). When the wand 180 is correctly oriented relative to the upper portion 104, the key 1026 will align with the slot 1030 to allow the upstream portion 1002 to be inserted into the downstream portion 1006. However, if the wand 180 is incorrectly oriented with respect to the upper portion 104 and the key 1026 is misaligned with the slot 1030 and attempts to insert the upstream portion 1002 into the downstream portion 1006, the downstream portion The lip 1034 of 1006 will interfere with the key 1026.

In the illustrated example, the hose 124 is energized and includes a portion of a circuit that extends from the surface cleaning unit 112 to the surface cleaning head. Thus, the surface cleaning unit 112 may be provided with an electrical cord or built-in power source (e.g., one or more batteries), and the electrical components in the surface cleaning head 108 are powered through the hose 124 and the wand 180. Can be supplied. Accordingly, the wand 180 may provide an energized air flow conduit for conducting electricity along the length of the wand 180. As illustrated, the upstream portion 1002 of the wand 180 includes an electrical connector 1038 and the downstream portion 1006 of the upper portion 104 includes a mating electrical connector 1042. The electrical connectors 1038, 1042 can be any suitable mating electrical connectors, such as, for example, a male connector (or plug) and a female connector (or jack). Further, the electrical connectors 1038 and 1042 may connect any number of electrical conductors (eg, 1 to 100 conductors). As illustrated, each connector 1038, 1042 connects three electrical conductors 1046. The upstream and downstream portions 1002 and 1006 may each include any number of mating electrical connectors, each capable of connecting a different electrical conductor.

In some cases, electrical connectors 1038 and 1042 may be somewhat fragile. For example, the electrical connectors 1038 and 1042 may be damaged when subjected to a predetermined stress. In one aspect, the stability provided to the wand 180 by the upper portion 104 can advantageously reduce the stress on the electrical connectors 1038 and 1042. For example, different from electrical connectors 1038, 1042, mating elements of upper portion 104 and wand 180 (e.g., keys 1026 and slots 1030, and/or of walls 1018, 1022). The corresponding transverse profile) can provide the safety (e.g., resistance to relative rotational motion between the wand 180 and the upper portion 104) that the electrical connectors 1042 and 1046 can otherwise bear. have.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the downstream portion 1006 of the upper portion 104 surrounds the upstream portion 1002 of the wand 180 when the upstream portion 1002 is received within the downstream portion 1006. Preferably, the upper portion 104 surrounds a height of the wand 180 sufficient to provide support for the wand 180 so that it is in an upright position. For example, the upper portion 104 can surround any portion of the wand, and can surround the entire wand. As illustrated, the upper portion is between 10 percent and 30 percent of the total height of the wand 180 (measured from the upstream end 192 to the downstream end 188), more preferably of the total height of the wand 180. It can cover about 20 percent. Also as illustrated, the upstream end 192 is located proximate the lower end 1062 of the surface cleaning unit 112 and well below the upper end 1066 of the surface cleaning unit 112 (surface cleaning unit ( 112) and wand 180 when both are connected to upper portion 104). It will be appreciated that the upstream end 192 may be seated against or within the outlet end of the pivot joint 168.

The wand 180 may form an airflow passage and an airtight seal when connected to the upper portion 104. As illustrated, the upstream end 192 of the wand 180 is a seal 1070 (e.g., a seal 1070) that surrounds the air outlet 1074 of the upper portion 104 when the wand 180 is connected to the upper portion 104. O-ring). The seal 1070 may prevent inflow or outflow of air through the interface between the wand 180 and the upper portion 104.

In the illustrated example, the upstream portion 1002 of the wand 180 includes a lower section 1078 and an upper section 1082. The lower section 1078 is bounded by an upstream end 192 and the upper section 1082 is downstream of the lower section 1078. The cross section of the upper section 1082 can be sized and shaped to provide a tight fit with the downstream portion 1006 of the upper portion 104. At the same time, the lower section 1078 can have a significantly smaller cross-section, which can provide a greater margin for alignment errors when first inserting the lower section 1078 into the opening 1014. Thus, the user can insert the upstream end 192 into the upper portion 104. This is facilitated by the gap between the upstream end 192 and the opposing walls of the upper portion 104. Then, some or all of the weight of the wand 180 may be supported by the upper portion 104. The user may then rotate the wand 180 to the desired insertion orientation, and may complete the insertion of the wand 180 into the upper portion 104 by inserting some or all of the upper section 1082. The stepwise insertion of the wider upper section 1082 following the narrower lower section 1078 into the upper portion 104 may make it easier for the user to insert the upstream portion 1002 into the upper portion 104 . Once the lower section 1078 is inserted into the opening 1014, the lateral movement of the wand 180 is caused by the interaction of the lower section 1078 with the inner wall 1018, causing the upper section 1082 to open 1014. ) Is substantially constrained to a location in close proximity to a relatively narrower range of locations that would allow passage into the downstream portion 1006 through. Such a constraint can make it faster and easier for the user to find the correct location, as this constraint increases the percentage of available locations that will allow the upper section 1082 to enter the downstream portion 1006.

Alternatively or in addition to the narrower lower section 1078, the downstream end 1010 of the upper portion 104 may be inclined (or “tilted”) transversely at the opening 1014. As shown, the front side 1086 of the opening 1014 extends higher (ie, further downstream) than the rear side 1090. This may allow a user to more easily locate the upstream portion 1002 within the opening 1014. In use, the user simply moves the front side 1094 of the upstream portion 1002 against the front side 1086 of the opening 1014 to align the upstream portion 1002 with the opening 1014, then the upstream portion ( 1002) can be moved downward through the rest of the opening 1014. In this way, the front side 1086 of the opening 1014 can serve as a guide for directing the upstream portion 1002 downward into the rest of the opening 1014. This may be easier to perform than having to steer the upstream portion 1002 through an opening that is not inclined in the transverse direction (i.e., horizontal), since such an opening forms a complete perimeter at its top edge. . If the upstream portion 1002 comprises a narrower lower section 1078, preferably, the upstream portion 1002 opens the opening 1014, as described above, without interference by the protruding lip of the upper section 1082. The lower and upper sections 1078 and 1082 may be coplanar along the front side 1094 to allow sliding downwards through.

Reference is now made to FIG. 11. Alternatively or additionally, the angled opening 1014 may help correct rotational misalignment of the wand 180 relative to the upper portion 104. After at least partially inserting the lower section 1078 of the upstream portion 1002 of the wand 180 through the opening 1014 of the upper portion 104, the wand 180 is properly oriented rotationally with the opening 1014. If not (ie, rotationally misaligned), the lip 1098 of the upper section 1082 may contact the downstream end 1010 at the opening 1014. In this case, the downward force F _w of the wand 180 applied to the point of contact between the lip 1098 and the downstream end 1010, whether applied by gravity or by the user, is the inclined downstream end 1010 Reactionary force F _N is received by As shown, the reaction force F _N includes a vertical component of force F _V opposite to the downward force F _W in addition to the horizontal component of force F _H. The horizontal component F _H causes the wand 180 to rotate to re-align. For example, when the wand 180 is rotated in a clockwise direction 1102 so as not to be aligned, the horizontal component force F _H causes the wand 180 to rotate in a counterclockwise direction so that it is aligned. In this manner, the angled opening 1014 interacts with the upper section 1082 of the upstream portion 1002 to ensure that the wand 180 is properly aligned for insertion into the opening 1014.

Wand locking mechanism

The following is a description of a wand locking mechanism that can be used alone in any surface cleaning device or in any combination or sub-combination with any other feature or features disclosed herein.

Reference is now made to FIG. 8. Preferably, once the wand 180 is connected to the upper part 104, the wand 180 remains connected to the upper part 104 until the wand 180 is selectively separated from the upper part 104. do. The connection between the wand 180 and the upper portion 104 may be maintained by one or more retaining elements of the locking mechanism, which may be selectively disengaged. When the locking mechanism is engaged, the upstream portion 1002 cannot be disengaged from the downstream portion 1006 unless the locking mechanism is unlocked. This may prevent the wand 180 from separating from the upper portion 104, for example while the wand 180 is being used to manipulate the surface cleaning head 108.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 8 and 19. FIG. 19 shows a partial view of wand 180 including an upstream portion 1002 with outer wall 1022 removed to expose an inner locking mechanism (or “wand lock”) 1106. Wand lock 1106 may include a locking member that releasably engages with upper portion 104 to selectively secure wand 180 to upper portion 104 in a locked position. As illustrated, the wand lock 1106 has a plunger 1050 that may extend through the opening 1054 of the downstream portion 1006 to prevent removal of the upstream portion 1002 from the downstream portion 1006. ). Further, the plunger 1050 may be retractable to stop being removed from the opening 1054 and preventing removal of the upstream portion 1002 from the downstream portion 1006.

As illustrated, plunger 1050 is positioned within slot 1110 for translation between an extended position (shown) and a retracted position. An elastic member such as spring 1114 (FIG. 20A) may act on plunger 1050 to bias plunger 1050 towards an extended or locked position. In the extended position, the end portion 1118 of the plunger 1050 protrudes from the slot 1110 through the opening 1122 in the outer wall 1022. In the retracted position, the end portion 1118 of the plunger 1050 is at least partially retracted back into the slot 1110.

Preferably, the wand lock 1106 is configured to automatically lock the wand 180 to the upper portion 104 upon insertion of the wand 180 into the upper portion 104. For example, the locking member of the wand lock 1106 will automatically engage the upper portion 104 upon insertion of the upstream portion 1002 into the downstream portion 1006 to secure the wand 180 to the upper portion 104. I can. In some cases, the locking member may be translatable laterally (ie, substantially perpendicular to the airflow path) to releasably engage the upper portion 104. As illustrated, the plunger 1050 is laterally oriented through the opening 1054 in the downstream portion 1006 upon insertion of the upstream portion 1002 into the downstream portion 1006 without requiring additional user action. It can be automatically translated (or "extended") outward.

In the illustrated example, the end portion 1118 of the plunger 1050 includes a lower side 1126 and an opposite upper side 1130. The lower side 1126 includes an inclined surface 1134. First, the plunger 1050 may be in an extended position with the upstream portion 1002 removed from the downstream portion 1006. In the extended position, the end portion 1118 including the inclined surface 1134 of the lower side 1126 may protrude through the opening 1122. When inserting the upstream portion 1002 into the downstream portion 1006, the inclined surface 1134 of the lower side 1126 may contact the downstream end 1010 at the opening 1014 during insertion. For example, a space may exist between the outer wall 1022 and the inner wall 1018 than the distance at which the end portion 1118 protrudes through the opening 1122 in the extended position. The plunger 1050 is against deflection of the spring 1114 until the downstream end 1010 cams along the slope 1134 so that the tip 1138 of the plunger 1050 meets the inner wall 1018. You can make it retreat. Upon further insertion, the plunger 1050 is aligned with the opening 1054 and is capable of translating laterally through the opening 1054 under deflection of the spring 1114.

When the plunger 1050 is in the extended position and extends through the opening 1054, the wand 180 may not be removed from the upper portion 104 without first at least partially retracting the plunger 1050. As illustrated, plunger 1050 includes an upper side 1130. The upper side 1130 includes an inclined outer surface 1142 bounded by a tip 1138, and an uninclined (or less inclined) inner side 1146 inside the outer surface 1142. Is shown. Preferably, at least a portion of the inner surface 1146 protrudes through the opening 1054 in the extended position. In this case, the inner side 1146 may first contact the upper wall of the opening 1054 if the upstream portion 1002 attempts to be removed from the downstream portion 1006 without retracting the plunger 1050. As a result, the slope (or lack thereof) of the inner surface 1146 may be insufficient for the upper wall of the opening 1054 to cam along the inner surface 1146 and retract the plunger 1050. Thus, the upstream portion 1002 cannot be removed from the downstream portion 1006; Wand lock 1106 is in a locked (or “engaged”) position.

The wand lock 1106 may be unlocked by a mechanical, electrical, or electromechanical mechanism in response to a user action. For example, the wand lock 1106 may include a wand release actuator that operates to unlock the wand lock 1106. When the wand lock 1106 is in an unlocked position, the wand 180 may be freely removable from the upper portion 104.

As illustrated, the upper portion 104 may terminate well below waist level. For example, the top portion can be 12 to 14 inches in height. The advantage of the shorter top member is that it facilitates insertion of the wand 180 into the top portion 104. To avoid having to bend the user's back to release the wand 180 while allowing the wand 180 to be locked to the upper portion 104, it is at a height that can be operated by the user while standing upright. An actuator 1058 may be provided. An actuator such as button 1058 may be operably connected to lock 1106 by a longitudinally extending member such as shaft 1150. The actuator and shaft and connection member may be provided as part of the wand 180 and be removable with the wand. Thus, by integrating the lock and actuator into the wand 180, the upper portion 104 can be shorter.

For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 19, the wand lock 1106 includes a longitudinally extending transmission member that driveably connects the wand release actuator and the locking member. For example, the transfer member may be translatable downwards to move the wand lock 1106 to an unlocked position. Moving the transfer member downward may cause the locking member to move laterally to the disengaged position and place the wand lock 1106 in the unlocked position.

In the illustrated example, a button 1058 that drives the shaft 1150 to translate toward the plunger 1050 is mounted on the wand 180. A biasing member such as a spring 1152 may bias the shaft 1150 to a retracted position upward. The shaft 1150 moves the plunger 1050 to a retracted position so that the upper wall of the opening 1054 does not touch at least the inner side 1146 (i.e., instead engages the inclined outer surface 1142, or as a whole. It may interact with plunger 1050 to allow it to not touch plunger 1050. As illustrated, the plunger 1050 includes an upwardly-facing face 1154, and the shaft 1150 is a lower portion including a downwardly-facing face 1162 (1158). The faces 1154 and 1162 meet when the shaft 1150 is translated downward toward the plunger 1050 (as shown in FIG. 20B, when the button is partially pressed to move the lock to the unlocked position). Can be located. Faces 1154 and 1162 can be shaped to provide a camming action that retracts the plunger 1050 against deflection of the spring 1114 as the shaft 1150 is further translated towards the plunger 1050. In the example shown, each face 1154, 1162 is correspondingly inclined. As the shaft 1150 is translated downward, the face 1158 of the shaft 1150 cams along the face 1154 of the plunger 1050 to cause the plunger 1050 to retract to a retracted position. In the retracted position, the upstream portion 1002 can be removed from the downstream portion 1006; The wand lock is unlocked (or "disengaged"). The upper wall of the opening 1054 may not come into contact with the inner surface 1146, which has prevented removal in at least a locked state.

Desirably, the wand lock 1106 may be held in the unlocked (or “disengaged”) position after button 1058 is released. This may allow a user to use the same hand to operate button 1058 (unlocking wand 180) and then remove wand 180 from upper portion 104. In the example shown, shaft 1150 may be biased upward (eg, by an elastic element such as spring 1152). When the plunger 1050 is in the retracted position, the shaft 1150 can prevent the plunger 1050 from extending under the deflection of the spring 1114, and the plunger 1050 allows the shaft 1150 to retract upwardly. Can be prevented. As illustrated, plunger 1050 includes lip 1166 below face 1154 and shaft 1150 includes lip 1170 above face 1162. Also, the lower surface 1162 may move past the upper surface 1154 during downward translation of the shaft 1150. When this occurs, the plunger 1050 translates laterally outward by a short distance that moves the lips 1166, 1170 into contact. Contact between the lips 1166 and 1170 prevents the shaft 1150 from retracting upwards. Further, the position of the lower portion 1158 in front of the plunger 1050 prevents the plunger 1050 from further translating toward the extended position (as shown in FIG. 20C). Thus, the lock is maintained in the unlocked position.

Desirably, the wand lock 1106 can be released from maintaining the unlocked position when removing the wand 180 from the upper portion 104 and/or reinserting the wand into the upper portion. For example, the shaft 1150 and plunger 1050 may be released upon removal of the upstream portion 1002 from the downstream portion 1006 or reinsertion of the upstream portion into the downstream portion. As illustrated, when the plunger 1050 is in the retracted position, a portion of the inclined outer surface 1142 and the inclined lower surface 1134 of the plunger 1050 is the opening 1122 in the upstream portion 1002. It can protrude outward through. This may allow the upper wall of the opening 1054 to cam the sloped outer surface 1142 during removal of the upstream portion 1002 from the downstream portion 1006 to further retract the plunger 1050. This moves the lip 1166 of the plunger 1050 out of contact with the lip 1170 of the shaft 1150 (as shown in FIG. 20D), allowing the shaft 1150 to retract upward. After the plunger 1050 has passed the downstream end 1010 of the upper portion 104, the plunger 1050 may be extended to an extended position under deflection of the spring 1114.

The wand lock 1106 may also be held in the unlocked position with the wand 180 removed from the upper portion 104. For example, with the wand 180 removed from the upper portion 104, the button 1058 may be pressed to retract the plunger 1050 and cause the shaft 1150 to engage the plunger 1050. In this case, reinserting the wand 180 into the upper portion 104 may release the wand lock from the unlocked position. As illustrated, when the plunger 1050 is in the retracted position, a portion of the inclined lower surface 1134 of the plunger 1050 may protrude outward through the opening 1122 in the upstream portion 1002. . This may allow the downstream end 1010 at the opening 1014 to cam the inclined lower surface 1134 during insertion of the upstream portion 1002 into the downstream portion 1006 to further retract the plunger 1050. have. This moves the lip 1166 of the plunger 1050 out of contact with the lip 1170 of the shaft 1150 (as shown in FIG. 20D), allowing the shaft 1150 to retract upward. Once plunger 1050 is aligned with opening 1054 in downstream portion 1006, plunger 1050 can translate laterally outward to an extended position under deflection of spring 1114.

Wand unlock actuator

The following is in any surface cleaning device alone or in any other feature or features disclosed herein, for example in any combination or sub- with one or more of the first, second, fourth and fifth aspects. This is a description of a wand unlocking actuator that can be used in combination.

In some embodiments, a locking mechanism (e.g., wand lock 1106) that prevents the wand 180 from separating from the upper portion 104 after the wand and the upper portion are connected may be released by a wand unlock actuator. . The actuator may have a mechanical, electrical, or electromechanical connection to the wand lock. Preferably, the actuator can be positioned towards the handle 160 (FIG. 5) away from the upper portion 104 in a position above the upper portion 104. For example, the actuator may be positioned on the wand 180 over the upper portion 104 or on the handle 160. In some cases, the actuator may be positioned between the user's knee level and chest level, more preferably the user's thigh level and waist level. This can reduce or eliminate the need for the user to bend the waist to activate the actuator to release the wand lock and separate the wand 180 from the upper portion 104 (e.g., cleaning the surface cleaning device 100 on the floor. To use as a mod).

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 19, as illustrated, the button 1058 may be positioned at an approximately midpoint along the length of the wand 180. The button 1058 is an example of a lock release actuator. This may generally correspond to the height of the user's thigh. As shown, the button 1058 may be substantially parallel to the upper end 1066 of the surface cleaning unit 112. Button 1058 is driveably connected to plunger 1050 by shaft 1150.

The unlocking actuator may be connected to the wand 180 and when the wand 180 is separated from the upper portion 104 and the surface cleaning unit 112 (e.g., for use in an on-floor cleaning mode), the upper portion 104 ) And the surface cleaning unit 112 may be removable. Similarly, a longitudinally extending transmission member that driveably connects the unlocking actuator to the locking member of the wand lock 1106 may be mounted on the wand 180, and the wand 180 cleans the upper portion 104 and the surface. It may be removable from the upper portion 104 and the surface cleaning unit 112 when separated from the unit 112. For example, the wand lock 1106 may be mounted on the wand 180 as a whole, and the upper portion 104 and the surface are cleaned when the wand 180 is separated from the upper portion 104 and the surface cleaning unit 112 It may be removable from unit 112. This can advantageously allow the surface cleaning device 100 to be easily reconfigured to different modes of operation. For example, when the surface cleaning unit 112 is dismounted (removed) from the upper portion 104, the wand lock 1106 is held with the wand 180 so that the wand 180 is moved to the upper portion 104. Can be allowed to remain releasably connected to.

In the example shown, the wand locks 1106, including the button 1058, the shaft 1150, and the plunger 1050 are all attached to the wand 180 regardless of the surface cleaning unit 112 and upper portion 104. Is connected, and remains so connected after the surface cleaning unit 112 and the upper portion 104 are separated from the wand 180.

Surface cleaning unit mounting structure

The following is in any surface cleaning device alone or in any combination with any other feature or features disclosed herein, such as one or more of the first, second, third, fourth and fifth aspects. Or a description of a surface cleaning unit mounting structure that can be used in sub-combination.

Reference is now made to FIG. 5. The surface cleaning unit 112 may be removably mountable to one or more of the upper portion 104 and the wand 180. Preferably, the surface cleaning unit 112 may be mounted on the upper part 104 regardless of the wand 180, and thus the surface cleaning unit without adjusting the position of the wand 180 or removing the wand 180 112 can be mounted to and dismounted from the upper portion 104. Thus, for example, the wand 180 can be held on the upper portion 104 with the surface cleaning unit 112 mounted on or removed from the upper portion 104.

Alternatively or additionally, when the surface cleaning unit 112 is mounted on the upper portion 104, the upper portion 104 may stabilize the surface cleaning unit 112 (e.g., the surface cleaning unit 112 is The upper portion 104 can be held in a fixed position on the upper portion 104 when manipulated to manipulate the surface cleaning head 108). For example, the upper portion 104 may inhibit the translational movement of the surface cleaning unit 112 along the upper axis 164 (FIG. 2) towards the surface cleaning head 108 and/or the upper axis 164 ) It is possible to suppress the rotational movement of the surface cleaning unit 112 centered on.

Thus, the surface cleaning unit 112 can be mounted on the outside of the upper portion 112 by two mounting members, where the mounting members are spaced apart in two longitudinal directions (e.g., along axis 164). Provided in position, wherein at least one of the two mounting members provides lateral stability when the upper portion 104 is manipulated to manipulate the surface cleaning head 108. It will be appreciated that more than two mounting members may be provided.

The surface cleaning unit 112 may be slidably receivable on one or both of the mounting members. For example, the surface cleaning unit 112 may have one or more recesses for receiving one of the mounting members therein. Thus, one of the mounting members is provided with a pair of laterally extending portions (e.g., left and right laterally extending wings extending outwardly from opposite sides of the upper portion, or left and right laterally extending wings). Including a mounting member provided on the front or rear of the outside of the portion), the surface cleaning unit 112 may have one or two grooves in which the lateral extension position can be accommodated therein.

One of the mounting members may have a sufficient height so that the surface cleaning unit remains in a fixed position when the wand 180 is removed and/or the surface cleaning unit 112 is unlocked for removal from the upper portion. For example, if the mounting member includes a laterally extending portion that is received in a recess, groove, etc., the engagement between the lateral extending portion and the abutting surfaces such as the recess, groove, etc. is at a position in the unlocked position. And in the state where the wand is removed, the surface cleaning unit 112 can be dimensionally stabilized.

12-15 and 21-25, the surface cleaning unit 112 and the upper portion 104 are one or more mounting elements or members for connecting the surface cleaning unit 112 to the upper portion 104. It may include. For example, the mounting element may include outwardly projecting mounting members or wings and corresponding mounting recesses for receiving those mounting members.

As illustrated, the upper portion 104 includes outwardly projecting wings 1174a, 1174b. Wing 1174 is an example of a mounting member. As shown, wing 1174 can extend laterally from front side 1178 of upper portion 104. Although the upper portion 104 is shown including two mounting members, in an alternative embodiment, the upper portion 104 may include any suitable number of mounting members. For example, the upper portion 104 can include one wing 1174 to ten wings 1174 that can extend in any number of directions. Further, the wings 1174 may each be a separate element, or they may be integrally formed, such as 1174a and 1174b in the illustrated example.

As illustrated, the surface cleaning unit 112 includes recesses 1182a, 1182b. Each recess 1182 may include an opening 1188 in the bottom surface 1190 of the surface cleaning unit 112. Recess 1182 can be sized and positioned to receive wing 1174. For example, the surface cleaning unit 112 may be positioned above the upper portion 104 and lowered to slide the wing 1174 into the recess 1182. Thereafter, the surface cleaning unit 112 may be separated from the upper portion 104 by moving the surface cleaning unit 112 vertically away from the upper portion 104 to remove the wing 1174 from the recess 1182. I can.

Although the surface cleaning unit 112 is shown including two recesses 1182, in an alternative embodiment, the surface cleaning unit 112 is for receiving some or all of the mounting members of the upper portion 104. It can include any suitable number of recesses. Further, the arrangement of the recess and protruding mounting member can be reversed. Each of the surface cleaning device 112 and the upper portion 104 may include one or more recesses and mounting members sized and positioned to mate with each other.

Optionally, the opening 1188 to the recess 1182 can be shaped to make it easier for a user to insert the wing 1174 into the recess 1182. In some cases, mating the recess 1182 over the wing 1174 may include lowering the surface cleaning unit 112 onto the upper portion 104. The opening 1188 for the recess 1182 on the bottom surface 1190 of the surface cleaning unit 112 is well below the user's eye-level and may be obscured. This may make it more difficult to align the opening 1188 with the recess 1182.

As illustrated, each recess 1182 may provide an enlarged opening 1188 in the lower portion 1194 of the recess 1182. The enlarged opening 1188 may make it less difficult to align the opening 1188 over the wing 1174. Once the wing 1174 enters the enlarged opening 1188, the surface cleaning unit 112 is further lowered and the surface is cleaned as the wing 1174 enters the narrower upper portion 1198 of the recess 1182. Unit 112 may be self-aligned.

In the illustrated example, at least the upper portion 1198 of each recess 1182 has a cross-sectional profile that approximately corresponds to the cross-sectional profile of each mating wing 1174. This can provide a tight interface between the recess 1182 and the wing 1174 to stabilize the surface cleaning unit 112 on the upper portion 104.

The fit between the wing 1174 and the recess 1182 can stabilize the surface cleaning unit 112 from rotation in all directions. This can prevent the surface cleaning unit 112 from tipping, for example when the upper portion 104 is manipulated to manipulate the surface cleaning head 108. In addition, the wing 1174 may support the surface cleaning unit 112 to prevent translation toward the surface cleaning head 108. For example, one or more of the recesses 1182 may include an end wall 1202 delimiting the upper portion 1198. The wing 1174 may be inserted into the recess 1182 far enough so that the top surface 1204 of the at least one wing 1174 contacts the end wall 1202. This contact may inhibit further translation of the surface cleaning unit 112 towards the surface cleaning head 108. Thus, for example, when the wand 180 is removed and/or the surface cleaning unit 112 is unlocked for removal from the upper portion, the surface cleaning unit 112 remains in place on the upper portion 104. Can be.

In an alternative embodiment, different mounting element(s) inhibit movement of the surface cleaning unit 112 toward the surface cleaning head 108. In this case, the recess 1182 may be open ended (i.e., no end wall 1202), or the wing 1174 may not reach the end wall 1202, or both. It can be all. Instead, different mounting element(s) may inhibit movement of the surface cleaning unit 112 towards the surface cleaning head 108.

Reference is now made to Figs. 12, 14, and 17. In addition to or instead of the wing 1174 and recess 1182, the surface cleaning unit 112 may include a different mounting member that engages the downstream end 1010 of the upper portion 104. As illustrated, the surface cleaning unit 112 includes a clip 1206. Clip 1206 is an example of a mounting member. The clip 1206 extends downwardly in a spaced relationship from the rear surface 1210 of the surface cleaning unit 112, forming a slot 1214 for receiving a portion of the downstream end 1010 of the upper portion 104 can do.

In use, the surface cleaning unit 112 will be lowered onto the upper portion 104 so that the front side 1178 of the downstream portion 1006 enters the slot 1214 and the clip 1206 enters the upper portion 104. I can. The clip 1206 can grip the front side 1178 of the upper portion 104 to prevent the surface cleaning unit 112 from rotating forward, over the surface cleaning head 108, or rearward. In some cases, the upper portion 104 may abut the upper end 1218 of the slot 1214 so that the weight of the surface cleaning unit 112 can be supported on the downstream end 1010 of the upper portion 104. have. The clip 1206 can be separated from the upper portion 104 by lifting the surface cleaning unit 112 vertically away from the upper portion 104. Thus, the upper portion 104 provides a support that rests upon the surface cleaning unit 112 (clip 1206) when mounted on the upper portion 104.

15, when the wand 180 is inserted into the upper portion 104, toward the front side 1178 of the upper portion 104, the inner wall 1018 of the upper portion 104 and the wand ( A gap 1222 may be provided between the outer walls 1022 of 180. The gap 1222 may provide a space in which the clip 1206 is accommodated in the upper portion 104 at the same time as the wand 180. In addition, either clip 1206 or wand 180 can be removed from upper portion 104 with the other inserted and held within upper portion 104. This can make it quick and easy to reconfigure the surface cleaning device 100 to a different cleaning mode.

Reference is now made to Figs. 8, 10, 12, and 17. Alternatively or in addition to the wing 1174, recess 1182, and clip 1206, the wand 180 supports the surface cleaning unit 112 and/or supports the surface cleaning unit 112 in the upper portion. It may include a mounting member to dynamically stabilize or assist in dynamically stabilizing on 104. Thus, for example, the mounting member of the wand 180 improves the stability of the surface cleaning unit 112 when both the wand 180 and the surface cleaning unit 112 are connected to the upper portion 104. For example, the mounting member of the wand 180 can be rotated forward and the surface cleaning unit 112 is rotated, for example, when the upper portion 104 and/or the wand 180 is manipulated to manipulate the surface cleaning head 108 /Or can suppress translation.

As illustrated, the wand 180 may include wings 1226a and 1226b. Wing 1226 is an example of a mounting member. Further, the surface cleaning unit 112 may include arms 1230a and 1230b for at least partially surrounding the wing 1226. As shown, each arm 1230 may define a slot 1234 for receiving a wing 1226. Preferably, slot 1234 is open ended. This may allow the wing 1226 to be received from above or below the slot 1234. For example, if the surface cleaning unit 112 is connected to the upper portion 104, as the wand 180 is lowered into the upper portion 104 or lifted away from the upper portion 104, the wing 1226 It is possible to enter and exit slot 1234 through the open upper end 1238 of slot 1234. In addition, when the wand 180 is connected to the upper portion 104, as the surface cleaning unit 112 is lowered onto the upper portion 104 or lifted away from the upper portion 104, the wing 1226 is It is possible to enter and exit slot 1234 through open bottom end 1242 of slot 1234.

Slot 1234 may be shaped to make it easier to align wing 1226 with slot 1234. As illustrated, each end 1238, 1242 of the slot 1234 can be flared to provide an expanded opening for easier alignment with the wing 1226. In addition, each slot 1234 may include a narrow area 1246 between the upper end 1238 and the lower end 1242. Desirably, narrow area 1246 may contact wing 1226 when wing 1226 is received within slot 1234. As illustrated, each wing 1226 faces forward toward the surface cleaning unit 112 (when the surface cleaning unit 112 and wand 180 are connected to the upper portion 104) the front surface 1250 And an opposite rear surface 1254. In use, when wing 1226 is received within slot 1234, slot 1234 can contact at least a portion of rear surface 1254 of wing 1226. This may allow the arm 1230 to inhibit the surface cleaning unit 112 from tilting forward over the surface cleaning head 108.

Alternatively or in addition to providing support for the surface cleaning unit 112, the interaction between the wing 1226 and the arm 1230 may help support the wand 180 in an upright position. have. The wand 180 may be releasably secured to the upper portion 104. For example, a wand lock may releasably engage to secure wand 180 to upper portion 104. However, in some embodiments, after the wand lock is disengaged, the upper portion 104 may not provide good enough support to hold the wand 180 in place. For example, if no additional support is provided, the wand 180 may fall over after the wand lock is disengaged. This can be exacerbated if the wand lock remains disengaged after the user stops interacting with the wand unlock actuator. In this case, when the user activates the wand unlocking actuator, the user can release control of the wand 180, so if no additional support is provided to hold the wand 180 in place, the wand ( 180) can fall. Such additional support may be provided, for example, by an arm 1230 capable of receiving the wing 1226 to support the wand 180 in an upright position when the wand lock is unlocked. This may provide the user with time to generate an appropriate grip for the wand 180 after unlocking the wand lock.

In operation, a user may position the surface cleaning unit 112 adjacent to the upper portion 104 and above the upper wing 1226 and above the lower wing 1174. Slot 1234 may be generally aligned with upper wing 1226 and recess 1182 may be generally aligned with lower wing 1174. This is the position shown in FIG. 23. Subsequently, the surface cleaning unit 112 may be lowered. As the surface cleaning unit 112 is lowered, the arm 1230 extends to surround the upper wing 1226, and the lower wing 1174 begins to be received within the recess 1182. This is the position shown in FIG. 24. The continuous lowering of the surface cleaning unit to the mounted position shown in FIG. 25 ensures that the surface cleaning unit is seated on the lower wing 1174 and the clip 1206 is received within the upper portion 104 and the arm 1230 of the surface cleaning unit. ) Results in surrounding the upper wing 1226 of the wand 180.

Surface cleaning unit locking mechanism

The following is in any surface cleaning device alone or in any combination with any other feature or features disclosed herein, such as one or more of the first, second, third, fourth and fifth aspects. Or a description of a surface cleaning unit locking mechanism that can be used in sub-combination.

Preferably, once the surface cleaning unit 112 is connected to the upper portion 104, the surface cleaning unit 112 is used until the surface cleaning unit 112 is selectively separated from the upper portion 104. 104). The connection between the surface cleaning unit 112 and the upper portion 104 may be maintained by one or more retaining elements of the locking mechanism, which may be selectively disengaged. When the locking mechanism is engaged, the surface cleaning unit 112 may not be detachable from the upper portion 104 unless the locking mechanism is unlocked. This is for example, while the upper part 104 is used to manipulate the surface cleaning head 108 or when the surface cleaning device 100 is carried by gripping the surface cleaning unit 112, the upper part 104 Separation from portion 104 can be prevented.

As previously discussed, the upper portion 104 may terminate well below waist level. The advantage of the shorter top member is that it facilitates insertion of the wand 180 into the top portion 104. To avoid having to bend the user to release the surface cleaning unit 112 while allowing the surface cleaning unit 112 to be locked to the upper portion 104, it is to be operated by the user in an upright standing state. The actuator may be provided at a possible height. The actuator can be driveably connected to the lock by a longitudinally extending member such as a shaft. The actuator and shaft and any connecting members may be provided as part of the surface cleaning unit 112 and may be removable with the surface cleaning unit. Thus, by integrating the lock and actuator into the surface cleaning unit 112, the upper portion 104 can be shorter.

Reference is made to Figs. 14, 17, and 18A to 18D in which the same part number shows the same parts in different drawings. As illustrated, the surface cleaning unit 112 may include a locking mechanism 1258 substantially similar to the wand lock 1106 described above. Accordingly, the following description of the locking mechanism 1258 is simplified so as not to unnecessarily repeat the details and modifications already described above.

In the illustrated example, the locking mechanism 1258 may include an unlocking actuator 1058 that is operably connected to the locking member 1050 by a longitudinally extending transmission member 1150. The locking member 1050 may translate laterally outwardly and engage the upper portion 104 to place the locking mechanism 1258 in a locked position (FIG. 18A ). Vertical translation of the longitudinally extending transmission member 1150 towards the locking member 1050 (e.g., by interaction with the unlocking actuator 1058) causes the locking member 1050 to translate laterally inward (FIG. 18B ). By disengaging the upper portion 104, the locking mechanism 1258 can be placed in the unlocked position (FIG. 18C). Once in the unlocked position, the locking mechanism 1258 may remain unlocked until the surface cleaning unit 112 is removed from the upper portion 104 or re-engaged with the upper portion 104. The action of removing or re-engaging the surface cleaning unit 112 from the upper portion 104 releases the locking mechanism 1258 from the unlocked position (Figure 18D), so that the locking mechanism 1258 is locked when appropriate. You can allow it to move to a location.

As illustrated, the locking mechanism 1258 may be connected to the surface cleaning unit 112 as a whole. When the surface cleaning unit 112 is removed from the upper portion 104, so can the locking mechanism 1258 which can be connected and maintained to the surface cleaning unit 112 as well. In the illustrated example, the locking mechanism 1258 is located behind the rear surface 1210 of the surface cleaning unit 112. The locking member 1050 of the locking mechanism 1258 is illustrated as a plunger extendable through an opening 1262 in the rear surface 1210 of the surface cleaning unit 112. The locking member 1050 of the locking mechanism 1258 may engage the front side 1178 of the upper portion 104. As illustrated, the front side 1178 includes an opening 1266. The opening 1266 can be sized and positioned to receive the locking member 1050 when the locking mechanism 1258 is in a locked position.

The unlock actuator 1058 can be positioned in any suitable position. Preferably, the unlock actuator 1058 is located proximate the upper end 1066 of the surface cleaning device 112. This may allow a user to operate the unlock actuator 1058 (eg, press a button actuator) with little or no lower back bending. Further, the unlocking actuator 1058 is preferably positioned proximate the handle 160. In some embodiments, this may allow a user to simultaneously grip the handle 160 and actuate the unlock actuator 1058. In the illustrated example, the unlock actuator 1058 is located on the openable lid 228 of the cyclone bin assembly 136. As shown in FIG. 18C, the unlock actuator 1058 can extend through an opening 1270 in the inner surface of the lid 228 to interact with the transmission member 1150. When the lid 228 is in the open position, the unlocking actuator 1058 may disengage (eg, separate from) the transfer member 1150. When the lid 228 is in the closed position, the unlock actuator 1058 will re-engage (e.g., re-establish contact with) the transfer member 1150 to drive the translation of the transfer member 1150. I can.

Advantageously, the locking mechanism 1258 inhibits vertical translation of the surface cleaning unit 112 away from the upper portion 104 (eg, in a downstream direction) when the locking mechanism 1258 is in a locked state. However, in some embodiments, the locking mechanism 1258 may not inhibit the forward rotation of the locking mechanism 1258 (i.e., rotation over the surface cleaning head 108), which in some situations may cause the locking member 1050 May be removed from the opening 1266 to disable the locking mechanism 1258. Accordingly, the surface cleaning device 100 may comprise an additional holding element for inhibiting the forward rotation of the surface cleaning unit 112 at least when connected to the upper portion 104. For example, to mount the surface cleaning unit 112 on the upper portion 104 and at least suppress the forward rotation of the surface cleaning unit 112, one or two of the surface cleaning unit 112 and the upper portion 104 All may include one or more mounting members such as wings 1174 and/or clips 1206.

The foregoing is intended to illustrate the invention and to be non-limiting, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that other variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims appended hereto. . The scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments and examples, and should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with this description as a whole.

Claims (56)

As a surface cleaning apparatus,
(a) a surface cleaning head with a dirty air inlet;
(b) an upper portion mounted on the surface cleaning head to be movable between a storage position and a floor cleaning position;
(c) an above floor cleaning wand that is removably receivable within the upper portion and has a longitudinal extension axis;
(d) a flexible air flow conduit forming at least part of an air flow path from the above-floor cleaning wand to the surface cleaning unit;
(e) a lower mounting member provided on the outer surface of the upper portion;
(f) an upper mounting member provided on at least one of the wand and the outer surface of the upper portion; And
(g) a portable surface cleaning unit comprising a suction motor and an air treatment member, which is removably mounted on the upper part.
Including,
The lower mounting member comprises a pair of lower wings extending laterally outward from the upper portion, the portable surface cleaning unit having mating recesses provided on its lower surface, Surface cleaning device. The surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the upper and lower mounting members suppresses the rotational motion of the portable surface cleaning unit about the axis of the wand. The surface cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the portable surface cleaning unit is slidably mountable to the upper and lower mounting members. The surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the portable surface cleaning unit is vertically removable from the upper and lower mounting members. The wand lock according to claim 1, further comprising a wand lock having a locked position in which the wand is fixed to the upper portion and an unlocked position in which the wand is removable from the upper portion. And the upper mounting member is provided on the wand. The surface cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the upper portion is steeringly coupled to the surface cleaning head. The wand lock of claim 1, further comprising a wand lock having a locked position in which the wand is fixed to the upper portion and an unlocked position in which the wand is removable from the upper portion, and the upper mounting member is on the wand. Provided in the surface cleaning device. The method of claim 7, wherein the wand lock is operable to be maintained in the unlocked position once moved to the unlocked position, and the upper mounting member is a pair of upper wings extending laterally outward from the wand Wherein the portable surface cleaning device includes a pair of arms at least partially surrounding the upper wings to keep the wand in place when the wand lock is moved to the unlocked position. Being, surface cleaning device. The method of claim 7, wherein the wand lock is operable to be maintained in the unlocked position once it is moved to the unlocked position, and the upper mounting member includes a pair of wings extending laterally outward from the wand. Wherein each wing has a first surface and an opposite side facing the portable surface cleaning unit, and the portable surface cleaning device includes a pair of arms, each arm of the opposite side of one of the wings. In contact with a portion, wherein the wand is held in place when the wand lock is moved to the unlocked position. The surface cleaning device of claim 1, further comprising a turbo brush connectable to the floor cleaning wand when the floor cleaning wand is removed from the upper portion. As a surface cleaning device,
(a) a surface cleaning head having a contaminated air inlet;
(b) an upper portion mounted on the surface cleaning head to be movable between a storage position and a floor cleaning position;
(c) a cleaning wand on the floor that is removably receivable within the upper portion and has a longitudinally extending axis;
(d) a flexible air flow conduit forming at least a portion of an air flow path from the above-floor cleaning wand to the surface cleaning unit;
(e) a lower mounting member provided on the outer surface of the upper portion;
(f) an upper mounting member provided on at least one of the wand and the outer surface of the upper portion;
(g) a portable surface cleaning unit including a suction motor and an air treatment member, removably mounted on the upper portion; And
(h) a wand lock having a locked position in which the wand is fixed to the upper portion and an unlocked position in which the wand is removable from the upper portion, wherein the upper mounting member is provided on the wand
Including,
The wand lock is operable to be maintained in the unlocked position once it is moved to the unlocked position, and the upper mounting member includes a pair of upper wings extending laterally outward from the wand, and the portable The surface cleaning device comprises a pair of arms at least partially surrounding the upper wings so that the wand is held in place when the wand lock is moved to the unlocked position. As a surface cleaning device,
(a) a surface cleaning head having a contaminated air inlet;
(b) an upper portion mounted on the surface cleaning head to be movable between a storage position and a floor cleaning position;
(c) an on-floor cleaning wand having a longitudinally extending axis and removably receivable within said upper portion;
(d) a flexible air flow conduit forming at least a portion of an air flow path from the above-floor cleaning wand to the surface cleaning unit;
(e) a lower mounting member provided on the outer surface of the upper portion;
(f) an upper mounting member provided on at least one of the wand and the outer surface of the upper portion;
(g) a portable surface cleaning unit including a suction motor and an air treatment member, removably mounted on the upper portion; And
(h) a wand lock having a locked position in which the wand is fixed to the upper portion and an unlocked position in which the wand is removable from the upper portion, wherein the upper mounting member is provided on the wand
Including,
The wand lock is operable to be maintained in the unlocked position once it is moved to the unlocked position, and the upper mounting member includes a pair of wings extending laterally outward from the wand, and each wing Has a first surface and an opposite side facing the portable surface cleaning unit, the portable surface cleaning device comprising a pair of arms, each arm in contact with a portion of the opposite side of one of the wings, the The surface cleaning device, wherein the wand is held in place when the wand lock is moved to the unlocked position. As a surface cleaning device,
(a) a surface cleaning head having a contaminated air inlet;
(b) an upper portion mounted on the surface cleaning head to be movable between a storage position and a floor cleaning position;
(c) a cleaning wand on the floor that is removably mounted on the upper part;
(d) a flexible air flow conduit forming at least a portion of an air flow path from the above-floor cleaning wand to the surface cleaning unit;
(e) a lower mounting member provided on an outer surface of the upper portion and including a pair of lower wings extending laterally outward from the upper portion, wherein the portable surface cleaning unit is provided on the lower surface thereof. The lower mounting member having recesses;
(f) an upper mounting member provided on at least one of the wand and the outer surface of the upper portion;
(g) a portable surface cleaning unit comprising a suction motor and an air treatment member, removably mounted on the outer surface of the upper portion.
Including,
The portable surface cleaning unit is slidably mountable to the upper and lower mounting members. The surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 13, wherein at least one of the upper and lower mounting members suppresses the rotational motion of the portable surface cleaning unit about an axis of the wand. The surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the portable surface cleaning unit is vertically removable from the upper and lower mounting members. 15. The surface cleaning device of claim 14, further comprising a steering coupling, the upper portion being steerably coupled to the surface cleaning head. delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete

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