KR20200116992A - Dock for handheld products - Google Patents

Abstract

In a dock for handheld products that includes a docking unit and a base, the docking unit and the base are detachable, and in the first configuration, the docking unit is directly connected to the base unit, and in the second configuration, the docking unit is connected to the body and the body is It is connected to the base.

Description

Dock for handheld products

The present invention relates to a dock for a handheld product, in particular a modular dock for a handheld product.

Handheld products such as vacuum cleaners are often provided with a storage dock. This is especially the case for handheld products that use battery power, while the storage dock can also be used as a charging dock to charge the product's battery pack while the product is not in use.

A common form of storage dock is a wall-mounted dock, such as the dock provided with the Dyson V8™ cordless vacuum cleaner. Wall-mounted docks are fixed to the wall by drilling holes in the wall and then mounting the dock to the wall using screws and wall plugs. However, it is often not convenient or impossible for users to drill holes in the walls of their homes to mount the dock.

Standalone docks are known, such as those described in JP2016039860A. However, since such a dock should ideally be located in a relatively large and easily accessible area, it does not provide a lot of flexibility to the user in a location where the dock can be located at home.

A first aspect of the present invention is a dock for a handheld product including a docking unit and a base, the docking unit and the base are detachable, the docking unit is directly connected to the base unit in the first configuration, and the docking unit in the second configuration. It provides a dock for handheld products that is connected to the body and the body is connected to the base.

Hence, the dock can be assembled in either the first configuration or the second configuration, where the first configuration is substantially smaller than the second configuration, allowing greater resilience in the position where the dock can be placed. For example, the dock can be placed on a table or counter top when assembled in a first configuration, whereas when assembled in a second configuration, the dock can be more conveniently used as a floor standing.

The body may include a removable case for storing accessories for the product being docked. As a result, the additional space added to the dock in the second configuration including the body can be used efficiently and advantageously to the user by providing storage of tools and accessories for handheld products.

The docking unit may include an electrical connector for supplying power to the docked handheld product. The power supply can charge the docked handheld product's battery pack. Therefore, the dock can also function as a charging dock that conveniently charges the battery pack of the handheld product while storing it in the dock without using the handheld product.

At least one of the docking unit and the body may include a connector to which accessories for a handheld product to be docked may be attached. This makes it much more convenient to store and easily access accessories for the product being docked.

The dock may be for a stick-type vacuum cleaner, and the stick-type vacuum cleaner includes a handheld vacuum cleaner, a rod, and a cleaner head, and the docking unit may accommodate the handheld vacuum cleaner when it is separated from the rod and the cleaner head. Having the wand and cleaner head removed from the handheld vacuum cleaner before docking the vacuum cleaner helps to minimize the overall size of the dock. By keeping the height of the dock low, you can make the dock more stable and reduce the likelihood of accidental fall.

The dock may include a clip for securing the rod. This provides a convenient storage location for the vacuum cleaner's rod while the handheld part is docked.

One of the base and docking units may include a catch, and the other of the base and docking units may include a catch-engagement formation, and when the dock is assembled in a first configuration, the catch releases with the catch-engagement formation. Combining possible prevents separation of the base and docking unit. As a result, the user can quickly and easily disassemble the dock and reassemble it into a different configuration if desired.

The body may include a catch at one end and a catch-engagement formation at the other end so that both the base and the docking unit can be releasably mounted at each end of the body when the dock is assembled in the second configuration. As a result, it is possible to mount the docking unit to the body and mount the body to the base using the same mechanism for mounting the docking unit to the base.

One of the base and the docking unit may include a protrusion with a lip, and the other of the base and the docking unit may include a slot with a shoulder, and in a first configuration, the base is attached to the docking unit. Mounting may include inserting a flange-like protrusion into the slot, and moving the base relative to the docking unit until the lip engages the shoulder so that the base and the docking unit are not separated. As a result, an alternative or additional mechanism may be provided that allows the user to quickly and easily disassemble the dock and reassemble it into a different configuration if desired.

Since the main body may include a protrusion having a lip at one end and a slot having a shoulder at the other end, the base and the docking unit may be releasably mounted to each end of the main body when the dock is assembled in the second configuration. As a result, it is possible to mount the docking unit to the body and mount the body to the base using the same mechanism as that of mounting the docking unit to the base.

The docking unit may include a slot into which the handheld product can be slidably received. As a result, the handheld product can be quickly and easily docked to the docking unit.

The docking unit may include a product clamp, the product clamp being a latched position in which the docked handheld product is secured to the dock and an unlatched position in which the docked handheld product can be removed from the dock. It is possible to slide between. As a result, the handheld product can be firmly fixed to the dock in the docked state and the correct docking position can be ensured.

The product clamp can be deflected to the unlatched position. As a result, the undock procedure is easier as the product clamp can be more easily removed from the docked product. In addition, it can more easily be moved to the correct position to clamp the handheld product, and requires only one hand to move.

When the top surface of the product clamp is pressed down and released, the product clamp can be released from the latch position, and when the top surface of the product clamp is pressed down to slide to the latch position, the product clamp can be moved to the latch position. Therefore, the docking and undocking procedure can be easily performed through the push-push clamp mechanism.

In order to more easily understand the present invention, an embodiment of the present invention will be described as an example with reference to the accompanying drawings.
1 shows the detachable parts of a dock for a vacuum cleaner;
Fig. 2 shows a dock for a vacuum cleaner in a first configuration;
Fig. 3 shows a dock for a vacuum cleaner in a second configuration;
Fig. 4 shows a bottom view of the base of the dock shown in Figs. 1 to 3;
5 shows a dock with a removable accessory case;
6A and 6B illustrate a docking procedure for docking the vacuum cleaner to the dock of FIG. 3;
Fig. 6c shows a vacuum cleaner docked to the dock of Fig. 3;
Figure 6d shows a vacuum cleaner docked to the dock of Figure 2;
7A shows a docking procedure for docking a vacuum cleaner in an alternative embodiment of the dock;
Fig. 7B shows a vacuum cleaner docked to the dock of the first configuration; And
7C shows a vacuum cleaner docked to the dock of the second configuration.

1 shows a dock 1 in separable parts. The dock 1 comprises a docking unit 2, a main body 3 and a base 4. In order to assemble the dock 1 into the first configuration 1A, the docking unit 1 can be attached directly to the base 4 as indicated by the solid arrow indicated by A. The dock 1 assembled in the first configuration 1A is shown in FIG. 2 and may be suitable when the dock 1 is positioned on a desk or counter top, for example. Further, in order to assemble the dock 1 of the second configuration 1B, the docking unit 2 is attached to the main body 3, as indicated by dotted or broken arrows B and C, and the main body 3 Can be attached to the base (4). The dock 1 assembled in the second configuration 1B is shown in FIG. 3 and may be suitable when the dock 1 is in a floor standing position. The docking unit is located higher in the second configuration 1B, so that when the dock 1 is located on the floor level, the user can more comfortably access to dock and undock the product.

The docking unit 2 includes a support 21, a column 23 and a product clamp 25. The support 21 provides a surface capable of supporting the product when it is docked to the docking unit 2. The pillar 23 supports the product clamp 25, which serves to fix the docked product in place. The procedure for docking the product to the dock 1 will be described later. A plurality of attachment connectors 27 are provided in a state attached to the side of the column 23. This attachment connector 27 allows convenient storage of the accessories of the docking product, which are defined on the dock 1 itself. An electrical connector 29 is provided in the product clamp 25. Therefore, the electrical connector 29 can supply power to the docked product. In the case of a battery-powered product such as a handheld vacuum cleaner, since the dock serves as a charging dock, the battery pack can be charged while the product is docked to the dock 1.

The body 3 includes an outer casing 31 that accommodates a detachable case 33. The removable case 33 can conveniently store other tools and accessories for products that are docked within the dock 1 itself. For example, in the case of a vacuum cleaner, the detachable case 33 may contain tools such as an adapter, a crevice tool, a mattress cleaning tool, and a hose connector. The body is also provided with an attachment connector 35. The attachment connector 35 may be the same as the attachment connector 27 on the docking unit 2, but the attachment connector 35 in the illustrated embodiment allows a larger attachment, such as a cleaner head, to be stored in the dock 1. So it is a little different. The body 3 is also provided with a clip 37 for fixing the vacuum cleaner rod.

Stick vacuum cleaners, such as the Dyson V8™ cord-free vacuum cleaner, often consist of a vacuum cleaner head and a rod attached to the handheld vacuum cleaner. Therefore, when docking this type of vacuum cleaner to the dock 1, the handheld part can be separated from the rod and the cleaner head and docked to the docking unit 2. Then, the rod and the cleaner head may be stored in the dock by fixing the rod to the clip 37.

The base 4 provides stability when the body 3 and/or the docking unit 2 is mounted to the base 4.

The means by which the detachable parts of the dock 1 can be attached together is shown in FIG. 1. The upper surface of the base 4 and the upper end of the outer casing 31 of the body 3 both comprise a plurality of slots 52 each having a shoulder 54. At the bottom of the docking unit 2 and at the bottom end of the body 3 there are corresponding protrusions each comprising a lip 56. During the assembly of the dock 1, when the docking unit 2 and the base 4 are joined, or the docking unit 2 and the body 3 are joined and the body 3 and the base 4 are joined, the protrusions are It is inserted into the corresponding slot 52. The separable parts are then slid together so that the protrusions slide within the slot 52 until the lip 56 engages the corresponding shoulder 54. This prevents the two parts from separating until the lip 56 slides back in the opposite direction until it no longer engages the shoulder 54.

Both the upper surface of the base 4 and the upper end of the outer casing 31 of the body 3 contain a catch 50. This catch 50 separates the lip 56 from the shoulder 54 by combining the formation (not shown) on the bottom of the docking unit 2 and the bottom end of the main body 3 when the detachable parts are combined. To prevent relative movement. When the catch 50 is separated from the formation, the catch 50 is released so that the separable portions can move relative to each other again. The release of the catch 50 is performed by pressing the catch button on the bottom of the catch 50. The button on the body 3 is not shown in the drawing, but can be found inside the outer casing 31 when the removable case 33 is removed. 4 shows the underside of the base 4, and the catch button 41 of the base 4 can be seen.

5 shows the dock 1 of the second configuration 1B with the detachable case 33 removed. The removable case 33 is inserted into the main body 3 by sliding into the cavity 39 formed inside the outer case 31 as indicated by the arrow D. The detachable case 33 includes a case body 331 and a case cover 333 that is hingedly attached to the case body 331. The insert inside the detachable case 33 includes a plurality of holes 335 having a shape into which tools and accessories for a vacuum cleaner can be inserted. The holes 335 having such a shape help to keep the tools in an orderly state even if the removable case 33 is turned over when the tools are inserted and stored in the cavity 39 of the body 3. The case lid 333 may be transparent to allow a user to more easily identify which tools or accessories are stored therein.

6A and 6B show a procedure for docking the handheld vacuum cleaner 60 to the dock 1. First, the user must press the top of the product clamp 25 as indicated by the arrow E. This releases the catch mechanism inside the column 23. Then, the product clamp 25 slides freely with respect to the column and is deflected in a direction away from the support 21. Therefore, the product clamp 25 moves upward in the direction of the arrow F. Then, as indicated by the arrow G, a sufficient space is created for the handheld vacuum cleaner 60 to be positioned on the support 21. When the vacuum cleaner 60 is positioned on the support 21, the user pushes the upper end of the product clamp down again and pushes it down in the direction of the arrow H, and the catch mechanism inside the column is once again with the product clamp 25 Push against the bias force until it engages and locks the product clamp (25) in place. Then, the vacuum cleaner 60 is fixed between the product clamp 25 and the support 21. The electrical connector 29 is coupled to a socket on the handle of the vacuum cleaner to charge the battery pack of the vacuum cleaner. Exactly the same procedure is performed even when the dock is of the first configuration, that is, a table-top configuration.

6C shows the handheld vacuum cleaner 60 docked to the dock 1 when in the second configuration 1B, that is, the floor standing configuration. 6D shows the vacuum cleaner 60 docked to the dock 1 when in the first configuration, which is a tabletop configuration.

An alternative embodiment of the dock 70 is shown in Figures 7a, 7b and 7c. The dock has the same modular concept as previously described, and the body 3 and base 4 are the same as previously described in the previous embodiment. Further, the detachable parts of the dock 70 are assembled in the same manner as described above. However, the docking unit 72 is different from the docking unit 2 described above. There is no product clamp, but instead the docking unit 72 has a docking slot 74 formed at the top of the post 73. A plurality of attachment connectors 77 are provided attached to the side of the pillar 73. This attachment connector 77 allows convenient storage of accessories for the docking product specified in the dock 70 itself. An electrical connector 79 is provided at one end of the docking slot 74. Accordingly, the electrical connector 79 can supply power to the docked product. In the case of a battery-powered product such as a handheld vacuum cleaner, the dock may serve as a charging dock, and may charge the battery pack of the product while the product is docked to the dock 70.

7A shows a procedure for docking the handheld vacuum cleaner 80 to the dock 70. The vacuum cleaner 80 is positioned on the dock 70 in the direction of the arrow J so that the battery pack 82 is slidably engaged in the docking slot 74 and descends. The end of the vacuum cleaner 80 may be supported by the support 71, or if the wall of the docking slot 74 is strong enough to withstand the weight of the vacuum cleaner 80, it may be held suspended on the support. have. When the battery pack 82 is fully engaged with the docking slot 74, the electrical connector 79 engages the socket on the end of the battery pack 82 to allow the battery pack of the vacuum cleaner to be charged.

Fig. 7B shows the handheld vacuum cleaner 80 docked to the dock 70 when in the first configuration 70A, ie the "tabletop configuration". 7C shows the vacuum cleaner 80 docked to the dock 70 when in the second configuration 70B, ie the "floor standing configuration".

While specific embodiments have been described so far, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

For example, the embodiment described herein represents a dock for a vacuum cleaner. However, it will be appreciated that the dock may be for other handheld products. In addition, the base and top of the outer casing of the main body are described as including slots with shoulders, while the bottom and the bottom of the main body of the docking unit are described as including corresponding protrusions with ribs. However, it will be appreciated that these features may be converted to have protrusions with ribs at the base and top of the outer casing of the body, and slots with shoulders at the bottom and bottom of the docking unit. Or, in practice, other mechanisms may be used to prevent separation of the separable parts.

Claims (15)

As a dock for handheld products that includes a docking unit and a base, the docking unit and the base are detachable, and in the first configuration, the docking unit is directly connected to the base, and in the second configuration, the docking unit is connected to the body, and the body is a base. Dock for handheld products that connects to. 2. The dock of claim 1, wherein the body comprises a removable case for securing accessories of the product to be docked. 3. The dock of claim 1 or 2, wherein the docking unit comprises an electrical connector for supplying power to the docked handheld product. 4. The dock of claim 3, wherein the power supply charges a battery pack of the docked handheld product. The dock according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the docking unit and the body comprises a connector to which an accessory of the handheld product to be docked can be attached. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the dock is for a stick-type vacuum cleaner, the stick-type vacuum cleaner comprises a handheld vacuum cleaner, a rod, and a cleaner head, and the docking unit comprises a handheld vacuum cleaner and a rod. A dock for handheld products that holds a handheld vacuum cleaner when removed from the cleaner head. 7. The dock of claim 6, wherein the dock includes a clip for securing the rod. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein one of the base and docking unit comprises a catch, and the other of the base and docking unit comprises a catch-engaging formation, and the dock is to be assembled in a first configuration. When the catch is releasably coupled with the catch-engagement forming portion to prevent separation of the base and the docking unit, a dock for a handheld product. The method of claim 8, wherein the main body includes a catch at one end and a catch-engaging portion at the other end, so that when the dock is assembled in the second configuration, both the base and the docking unit are releasably mounted on each end of the main body. The dock for handheld products, so that it can be done. 10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein one of the base and the docking unit comprises a protrusion having a lip, the other of the base and the docking unit comprises a slot with a shoulder, and the base in a first configuration The dock for a handheld product, comprising inserting the protrusion into the slot and moving the base relative to the docking unit until the lip engages the shoulder so that separation of the base and the docking unit does not occur. The method of claim 10, wherein the main body includes a protrusion having a lip at one end and a slot with a shoulder at the other end, so that when the dock is assembled in the second configuration, both the base and the docking unit are released at each end of the main body. Dock for handheld products that can be mounted possibly. 12. The dock according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the docking unit comprises a slot into which the handheld product can be slidably received. The docked handheld product according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the docking unit comprises a product clamp, wherein the product clamp is a latch position at which the docked handheld product is secured to the dock and the docked handheld product can be separated from the dock. Dock for handheld products, slidable between available latch release positions. 14. The dock of claim 13, wherein the product clamp is biased to an unlatched position. The product clamp according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the product clamp is released from the latch position by pressing down the upper surface of the product clamp, and the product clamp is moved to the latch position by pressing down the upper surface of the product clamp and sliding it into the latch position. , Dock for handheld products.

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