KR20220154854A - Floor tool unit, surface treating appliance and vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

A floor tool unit (10) for a surface treatment machine (86, 90) comprising: a coupling member (18); a floor tool 12 coupled to the coupling member 18 so as to pivot about the first axis 26; A support member (14) comprising a longitudinal support member axis (28), wherein the coupling member (18) is pivoted about a second axis (30) such that the support member axis (28) and the second axis (30) are not orthogonal. ) a support member 14 coupled to; and a tube member 16 attached to the floor tool 12 and the support member 14, the tube member 16 extending through the coupling member 18. A surface treatment machine 86 , 90 comprising the floor tool unit 10 and a vacuum cleaner 86 , 90 comprising the floor tool unit 10 are also provided.

Description

Floor tool unit, surface treatment device and vacuum cleaner {FLOOR TOOL UNIT, SURFACE TREATING APPLIANCE AND VACUUM CLEANER}

This disclosure generally relates to floor tool units. In particular, a floor tool unit including a floor tool, a support member and a tube member, a surface treatment device including the floor tool unit, and a vacuum cleaner including the floor tool unit are provided.

Various types of surface treatment devices are known. A common type of surface treatment appliance is a vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner may be, for example, a stick type, a 2-in-1 type, or a canister type.

Some prior art surface cleaning appliances include a floor tool unit with two pivots or with one pivot and a ball joint. Most of these floor tool units have poor control, especially when applied in a lowered position, eg accessing the floor under a sofa or bed. Typically, in this lowered position, the floor tool locks or bends in an uncontrolled manner.

A prior art solution to this problem is to add an angle to the pipe section (elbow shape). However, these solutions typically increase the height of the floor tool unit, and the rod assembly attached to the pipe part cannot be positioned flush with the floor without rotating both the pipe part and the floor tool. The prior art floor tool unit also has a complex design, for example, low efficiency, poor sealing and noise.

EP 2272414 B1 discloses a tool for a surface treatment machine comprising a body connected to a conduit. The conduit includes an anterior portion and a posterior portion. The front portion is pivotally coupled to the body about a first axis such that the front portion moves relative to the body to raise and lower the conduit relative to the body. The rear portion is connected to the front portion such that the rear portion moves relative to the front portion so that the rear portion is angled with respect to the front portion. The front portion includes at least one port through which fluid is conveyed from the body into the conduit, and the first shaft passes through the at least one port.

One object of the present disclosure is to provide a floor tool unit with improved maneuverability of a floor tool, such as simple, stable and/or precise maneuverability or control of the floor tool, with little effort from the user.

A more particular object of the present disclosure is to provide a floor tool unit with improved floor tool maneuverability for some or all angles between the support member and the floor tool.

A further particular object of the present disclosure is to provide a floor tool unit with improved maneuverability of the floor tool unit in the lowered position of the floor tool unit.

A further object of the present disclosure is to provide a floor tool unit with improved performance, eg more efficient suction when used with a vacuum cleaner.

A still further object of the present disclosure is to provide a floor tool unit that generates less noise.

A still further object of the present disclosure is to provide a floor tool unit having a smooth and unobstructed flow path between the support member and the floor tool for some or all angles between the support member and the floor tool.

A still further object of the present disclosure is to provide a floor tool unit with improved sealing, for example requiring less sealing.

A still further object of the present disclosure is to provide a floor tool unit with a relatively large cross-sectional area of a flow path between the floor tool and the support member, considering the size of the floor tool unit.

A still further object of the present disclosure is to provide a floor tool unit with a low height in the lowered position of the floor tool unit.

A more specific object of the present disclosure is to improve access under an object, eg furniture, so that the area under the object can be treated, eg cleaned, without moving the object. To provide a floor tool unit.

A still further object of the present disclosure is to provide a floor tool unit having a simple, reliable and/or inexpensive construction.

According to one aspect, in the floor tool unit for a surface treatment machine, a coupling member; A floor tool coupled to the coupling member to be pivoted about a first axis; A support member including a longitudinal support member axis, the support member coupled to the coupling member pivoted about the second axis such that the support member axis and the second axis are not perpendicular to each other; and a tube member attached to the floor tool and the support member, the tube member extending through the coupling member.

By arranging the tube member to extend through the coupling member, the swivel coupling between the coupling member and the support member and the swivel coupling between the coupling member and the floor tool can be arranged outside the tube member. Thereby, some or all of the interfaces between the movable parts can be arranged outside the air flow path (or fluid flow path) in the tube member. This avoids the need for additional sealing. Thus, the air flow through the tube member is less obstructed compared to the air flow between the floor tool and the support member according to the prior art.

Thus, the coupling member according to the present disclosure defines two rotation axes (a first axis and a second axis), and can constitute a universal joint between the support member and the floor tool. Thus, the tube member is arranged to pass through the universal joint. That is, all parts of the universal joint, including the hinge of the first shaft and the hinge of the second shaft, are disposed outside the tube member. However, the axis of rotation of the support member, ie the central longitudinal support member axis, is not perpendicular to the hinge between the coupling member and the support member. When the floor tool is operated in a horizontal plane, the axis of rotation of the floor tool, for example a vertical axis, may be perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the first axis.

The floor tool unit can be configured such that the side of the support member engages the floor when the floor tool unit is in its lowest position (eg for vacuuming under a sofa). This side of the support member may constitute a rear side of the support member when the floor tool unit is in an upright position and may constitute a lower side of the support member when the floor tool unit is in a lowered position. The distance between this side of the support member and the axis of the support member may correspond or substantially correspond to the distance between the first axis and the floor (when the floor tool is positioned on the floor). A floor tool unit and a floor tool according to the present disclosure may be composed of a nozzle unit and a nozzle, respectively.

The support member can be straight or can be substantially straight. The support member may have a uniform or substantially uniform external cross-sectional profile and/or internal cross-sectional profile. According to one variant, the support member has a cylindrical appearance.

Throughout this disclosure, the upright position of the floor tool unit may consist of a position where the support member axis is vertical or substantially vertical, and the lowered position of the floor tool unit is any position where the support member is lowered from the upright position. may consist of The lowest position of the floor tool unit may consist of a position where the support member axis is horizontal or substantially horizontal. The support member may be rotated about the first axis by, for example, 80 to 100 degrees, such as 90 degrees. According to one variant, the support member can be rotated about a first axis between a vertical or substantially vertical upright position and a horizontal or substantially horizontal lowest position.

Throughout this disclosure, the neutral position of the floor tool unit may consist of a position where the first axis and the second axis are perpendicular or substantially perpendicular, and the inclined position of the floor tool unit may be, for example, a support member When is tilted to the right or left, the first axis and the second axis may be configured in a non-perpendicular position. According to one variant, the support member is moved from a neutral or substantially neutral position to an inclined position on each side of the neutral position (eg, left and right about the second axis) at a 60 degree angle about the second axis. It may be inclined at 50 degrees to 70 degrees, such as degrees.

In the neutral position, the second axis is movable in a vertical plane or a substantially vertical plane. For example, if the floor tool is positioned on a horizontal plane, by rotating the support member clockwise (when viewed from above the support member) about the axis of the support member, the floor tool is rotated clockwise (when viewed from above) on the horizontal plane. rotated to Conversely, by rotating the support member counterclockwise (viewed from above) around the support member axis, the floor tool is rotated counterclockwise (viewed from above) in a horizontal plane.

In the neutral position of the floor tool unit, the axis of the support member may be orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the first axis. Alternatively or additionally, in the neutral position of the floor tool unit, the support member axis may intersect or be offset from the first axis. When the support member axis is offset from the first axis in the neutral position of the floor tool unit, the support member axis can be positioned in front of the first axis when the floor tool unit is in the upright position and when the floor tool unit is in the lowered and lowered positions. It is located above the first axis. Also, in the neutral position of the floor tool unit, the second axis may be perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the first axis.

The support member shaft and the second shaft may be arranged at a non-right angle of 110 to 155 degrees, such as 115 to 150 degrees, 120 to 145 degrees, 125 to 140 degrees, 130 to 135 degrees, or 131 degrees. For example, if the angle between the support member axis and the second axis is 131 degrees and the support member is oriented horizontally, the angle between the second axis and the vertical is 41 degrees. Accordingly, for any position of the floor tool unit between the upright position and the lowered position, rotation of the support member about the axis of the support member is translated into rotation of the floor tool in a horizontal or substantially horizontal plane. units can be formed. An angle between the support member axis and the second axis between 125 and 140 degrees provides an ergonomic relationship between rotation of the support member about the support member axis and moment of inertia of the floor tool about the vertical axis. This angular range between the support member axis and the second axis is also ergonomic for a surface treatment tool having a relatively high center of gravity (ie a long distance from the first axis), such as a stick vacuum cleaner. Also, the floor tool can be held more stably in the direction of swiping when colliding with an obstacle.

The tube member may include or consist of a flexible hose. The tube member may have an overall smooth internal profile from the floor tool (eg, from the floor tool fitting) to the support member (eg, to the support member fitting). The tubular member may be circular or substantially circular and/or may have a circular or substantially circular internal cross-sectional profile.

The floor tool may include a floor tool yoke for pivotal engagement with an engagement member about a first axis. In this case, the tube member may be disposed between the two bottom tool yoke arms of the bottom tool yoke. In this way, the engagement between the coupling member and the floor tool is entirely outside the tube member. Throughout this disclosure, a yoke may alternatively be referred to as a fork. A pivot or pin may be provided on each of the floor tool yoke arms to provide a pivotal engagement between the floor tool and the coupling member. A bearing, for example a roller bearing or needle bearing, may alternatively be employed between the floor tool yoke arm and the mating member.

Alternatively or additionally, the support member may include a support member yoke for pivoting engagement of the coupling member about the second axis. In this case, the tube member may be disposed between the two support member yoke arms of the support member yoke. In this way, the engagement between the coupling member and the support member is entirely outside the tube member. A pivot may be provided on each of the support member yoke arms to provide a pivotal engagement between the support member and the coupling member. A bearing may alternatively be employed between the support member yoke arm and the coupling member. The floor tool yoke arm and/or support member yoke arm may be configured with ears.

The floor tool unit may include a support member fitting fixedly connecting the tube member to the support member. Alternatively or additionally, the floor tool unit may include a floor tool fitting fixedly connecting the tubular member to the floor tool. The support member fitting may be integrally formed with the support member. The floor tool fitting may be integrally formed with the floor tool, such as a manifold of the floor tool.

The second axis may pass through the tube member. This may apply when the floor tool unit is in a neutral position, any pivot or tilt position, upright position, lowered position and/or lowest position. When the floor tool unit is in the lowered position and in the lowest position, the first axis can pass through the tube member. When the floor tool unit is in an upright position, the first axis can pass underneath the tube member.

The floor tool may include two wheels, and the two wheels may be rotatable about a wheel axis of rotation that coincides with or substantially coincides with the first axis. Two wheels can consist of two rear wheels. The floor tool may include additional wheels, such as two front wheels.

When the floor tool is used in a horizontal plane, the first axis may be substantially horizontal, such as level. Accordingly, by rotating the support member and the coupling member about the first axis, the support member (and the device connected to the support member) can be raised or lowered relative to the floor.

The coupling member, floor tool, support member and tube member may be oriented so that a straight line can pass through the tube member. Additionally, the coupling member, floor tool, support member and tube member can be oriented such that a straight line can pass through the tube member and the floor tool from a point inside the support member. This constitutes a “see through feature” allowing the user to know whether an object is trapped at any location between the support member and the floor tool. According to one example, if the surface treatment appliance is configured as a vacuum cleaner, the user can separate the floor tool unit from the vacuum cleaner and possibly the brush roll from the floor tool. The user can then see through the entire floor tool unit, i.e. support member, tube member and floor tool. If an object gets stuck in the flow path, the user can push it out.

The floor tool may include a tapered manifold attached to the tube member to form a fluid passageway between the tube member and the inlet of the floor tool. In this case, the manifold may include a relatively large cross-sectional area at the end adjacent to the inlet of the floor tool and a relatively small cross-sectional area at the end adjacent to the tubular member.

The support member may include a connection interface for detachably connecting the support member to the body of the surface treatment device and/or the tube of the surface treatment device. The connection interface can be standardized or tailored to different product platforms, for example.

The floor tool unit may be configured such that in the upright position of the floor tool unit the support member axis is disposed in front of the first axis (ie in the forward direction of the floor tool unit) and/or the support member axis is positioned in the floor tool unit's lowest position. The floor tool unit may be configured to be disposed above the first axis (ie in the vertical direction if the floor tool unit operates in a horizontal plane). In the upright position of the floor tool unit, in any intermediate lowered position and in the lowermost position, the offset distance between the support member axis and the first axis may be constant.

According to a further aspect, a surface treatment appliance comprising a floor tool unit according to the present disclosure is provided. Although the floor tool unit according to the present disclosure is primarily described in connection with a vacuum cleaner, the floor tool unit may be used with alternative types of surface treatment appliances. Possible alternative implementations include floor polishing appliances and wet floor cleaning appliances.

According to a further aspect, a vacuum cleaner comprising a floor tool unit according to the present disclosure is provided. Vacuum cleaners according to the present disclosure may be of various types including, but not limited to, stick type vacuum cleaners, 2-in-1 vacuum cleaners, and conventional canister vacuum cleaners. Further, a vacuum cleaner according to the present disclosure may be provided with a cord or may be battery powered.

One example of a stick cleaner is a 2-in-1 stick cleaner, i.e. it has a floor tool at the bottom and a handle at the top, thus forming a stick-type vacuum cleaner, in which the floor can be vacuumed, for example. While the vacuum cleaner includes a handheld unit that can be selectively inserted into the elongated support body to clean, the handheld unit can also be used separately, for example to vacuum tables, workbenches or narrow spaces. When the floor tool unit according to the present disclosure is used with such a 2-in-1 stick vacuum cleaner, the support member may be connected to the support body, included in the support body, constituted by the support body, or supported. It may be integrally formed with the body.

As used herein, a substantially orthogonal/parallel relationship includes a perfect orthogonal/parallel relationship and a deviation from a perfect orthogonal/parallel relationship, such as up to 2%, up to and including 5%. Also, a substantially horizontal axis as used herein includes a perfect horizontal axis and a deviation of up to 5%, such as up to 2% from a perfectly horizontal axis. Also, as used herein, a vertical direction refers to a direction aligned with the direction of gravity, and a horizontal direction refers to a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction.

Additional details, advantages and aspects of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following examples with reference to the drawings.
1 schematically shows a perspective view of a floor tool unit.
Figure 2 schematically shows a perspective view of the floor tool unit in an upright position.
Figure 3 schematically shows a perspective view of the floor tool unit in a lowered position and an inclined position.
4 schematically shows a perspective view of a coupling member.
5 schematically shows a side view of the floor tool unit in an upright position.
6 schematically shows a top view of the floor tool unit in an upright position.
7 schematically shows a bottom view of the floor tool unit in an upright position.
8 schematically shows a front view of the floor tool unit in an upright position.
Fig. 9 schematically shows a cross-sectional side view of the floor tool unit along line AA of Fig. 8;
10 schematically shows a plan view of the floor tool unit in the lowest position.
Fig. 11 schematically shows a cross-sectional side view of the floor tool unit along line BB in Fig. 10;
Fig. 12 schematically shows a perspective view of a surface treatment machine comprising the floor tool unit of Figs. 1 to 11;
13 schematically shows a perspective view of a further surface treatment machine comprising the floor tool unit of FIGS. 1 to 11 ;

Below, a floor tool unit including a floor tool, a support member and a tube member, a surface treatment device including the floor tool unit, and a vacuum cleaner including the floor tool unit will be described. Like reference numbers are used to designate the same or similar structural features.

1 schematically shows a perspective view of a floor tool unit 10 . The floor tool unit 10 includes a floor tool 12 , a support member 14 , a tube member 16 and a coupling member 18 . In FIG. 1 , the floor tool unit 10 is illustrated as a nozzle unit and the floor tool 12 is illustrated as a nozzle.

The tube member 16 establishes fluid communication between the inlet of the floor tool 12 (not shown) and the interior of the support member 14 . In this example, the tube member 16 consists of a flexible hose. However, alternative designs of the tube member 16 are possible, including designs in which the tube member 16 is only partially composed of a flexible hose.

Tube member 16 is attached to floor tool 12 and support member 14 . Also, as shown in FIG. 1 , the tube member 16 extends through the coupling member 18 .

1 further shows a first horizontal direction 20 , a second horizontal direction 22 orthogonal to the first horizontal direction 20 , and a vertical direction 24 . Therefore, in Figure 1, the floor tool 12 is operating on a horizontal plane. The second horizontal direction 22 constitutes a forward direction according to the present disclosure.

The floor tool 12 is pivotally coupled to the coupling member 18 about a first axis 26 . In this example, the first axis 26 is horizontal but need not be horizontal. In FIG. 1 , support member 14 has a generally tubular appearance and defines support member axis 28 .

1 shows the lowered position of the floor tool unit 10 in which the support member 14 is lowered, for example, from a vertical orientation. In this lowered position, the angle between the support member axis 28 and the horizontal is approximately 45 degrees.

The supporting member 14 is pivotally connected to the coupling member 18 about the second axis 30 . In this example, the coupling member 18 defines a non-perpendicular fixed angle between the support member axis 28 and the second axis 30 . More specifically, the angle between the support member axis 28 and the second axis 30 is between 125 and 140 degrees, such as approximately 131 degrees.

In Figure 1, the floor tool unit 10 is in a neutral position. The support member 14 can be rotated clockwise or counterclockwise about the support member axis 28 . Viewed along the support member axis 28, clockwise rotation of the support member 14 about the support member axis 28 from the top to the inside of the support member 14 results in a coupling member 18 ) into a clockwise rotation of the floor tool 12 in a horizontal plane (including the first horizontal direction 20 and the second horizontal direction 22) when viewed from above. Conversely, when viewed along the support member axis 28, a counterclockwise rotation of the support member 14 about the support member axis 28, from above to inward, is in a horizontal plane. is converted into a counterclockwise rotation of the coupling member 18 at .

In FIG. 1 , the floor tool unit 10 further includes two rear wheels 32 and two smaller front wheels 34 . Alternative wheel arrangements and wheelless floor tool units 10 are contemplated. In the example of FIG. 1 , the two rear wheels 32 are rotatable about a wheel axis of rotation coinciding with the first axis 26 . 1 also shows that the brush strip 36 is disposed on the underside of the floor tool 12 .

The floor tool 12 includes a floor tool yoke 38 for pivotal engagement to an engagement member 18 about a first axis 26 . The support member 14 includes a support member yoke 40 for pivotal engagement with the coupling member 18 about the second axis 30 . As can be seen in FIG. 1, the tube member 16 is interposed between the two floor tool yoke arms 42 of the floor tool yoke 38 and between the two support member yoke arms 44 of the support member yoke 40. are placed

The floor tool unit 10 further includes a connection interface 46 for detachably connecting the support member 14 to the body of the surface treatment machine and/or the tube of the surface treatment machine. By means of the connection interface 46, for example, the support member 14 can be attached to a rod assembly of a canister type vacuum cleaner or to an elongated support body of a stick or 2-in-1 type vacuum cleaner. . Alternatively, however, the support member 14 may be composed of a tube of a surface treatment device or integrally formed with an elongated support body of a stick or 2-in-1 type vacuum cleaner. In FIG. 1 , connection interface 46 is disposed at the end of support member 14 opposite support member yoke 40 along support member axis 28 . The floor tool unit 10 further comprises a button 48 for releasing attachment by the connection interface 46 .

To lock the support member 14 to the floor tool 12 so that the floor tool unit 10 maintains an upright position, the support member 14 engages a support member locking structure 50 with a floor tool locking structure (not shown). ) is further included.

2 schematically shows a perspective view of the floor tool unit 10 in an upright position. In the upright position, the support member 14 is oriented vertically.

3 schematically shows a perspective view of the floor tool unit 10 in a lowered position and an inclined position. In this lowered position of FIG. 3 , the angle between the support member axis 28 and the horizontal is approximately 45 degrees. Also, the support member axis 28 is angled about the second axis 30 at approximately 60 degrees from its neutral position. From the user's point of view, the support member 14 is angled to the left.

FIG. 4 schematically shows a perspective view of the coupling member 18 of the floor tool unit 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2 . The coupling member 18 of this example includes a body 52 having the overall appearance of two opposing C-shapes. The coupling member 18 includes a first coupling member yoke 54 comprising two first coupling member yoke arms 56 . The coupling member 18 further includes a second coupling member yoke 58 comprising two second coupling member yoke arms 60 .

A shaft 62 extends from each of the first engagement member yoke arms 56 along the first axis 26 . A pin 64 (only one is shown in FIG. 4 ) for attachment of the rear wheel 32 is provided at the end of each shaft 62 . Rear wheel 32 may be attached to pin 64 either directly or through a bearing.

An opening 66 (only one of which is shown in FIG. 4 ) is provided in each second coupling member yoke arm 60 . Opening 66 may be used to receive a pin from an associated support member yoke arm 44 .

A line between the two openings 66 of the second coupling member yoke arm 60 defines the second axis 30 . Thus, coupling member 18 defines a relative angle between first axis 26 and second axis 30 . In the example of FIG. 4 , the first axis 26 and the second axis 30 are offset and orthogonal.

The coupling member 18 further includes a through hole 68 through which the tube member 16 can pass. The inner profile (eg inner diameter) of the through hole 68 may correspond or may substantially correspond to the outer profile of the tubular member 16 . Alternatively, the inner profile of the through hole 68 may be larger than the outer profile of the tube member 16 so that there is a play between the coupling member 18 and the tube member 16 within the through hole 68 .

5 schematically shows a side view of the floor tool unit 10 in an upright position. 5 further shows a locking ring 70 that locks and unlocks the brush roll 72 of the floor tool 12 . The locking ring 70 may be sealed with an O-ring. 6 schematically shows a plan view of the floor tool unit 10 in an upright position.

7 schematically shows a bottom view of the floor tool unit 10 in an upright position. In FIG. 7 , it can be seen that the floor tool 12 includes an inlet 74 . A brush roll 72 is positioned at the inlet 74. Brush roll 72 may be motor driven by a motor (not shown) in floor tool 12 .

The floor tool 12 further includes a tapered manifold 76 having a smooth inner profile. Manifold 76 forms a fluid connection between inlet 74 and tube member 16 . The manifold 76 includes a relatively large cross-sectional area at the end near the inlet 74 and a relatively small cross-sectional area at the end near the bottom of the tube member 16 (not shown in FIG. 7 ). In this example, manifold 76 is directly attached to tube member 16 . However, the manifold 76 may be integrally formed with the tube member 16 .

8 schematically shows a front view of the floor tool unit 10 in an upright position. FIG. 9 schematically shows a cross-sectional side view of the floor tool unit 10 along line A-A in FIG. 8 .

In Fig. 9, the angle between the support member axis 28 and the second axis 30, which is between 125 and 140 degrees, such as approximately 131 degrees, is indicated by α. Also, in the upright position of the floor tool unit 10 in FIG. 9 , the support member shaft 28 is disposed in front of the first shaft 26 (on the right side in FIG. 9 ). The offset distance between the support member axis 28 and the first axis 26 is indicated by C.

In the example of FIG. 9 , the support member axis 28 is offset relative to the first axis 26 in the upright position of the floor tool unit 10 . The support member shaft 28 is disposed slightly forward of the first shaft 26 .

Also in the example of FIG. 9 , when the floor tool unit 10 is in an upright position, the first shaft 26 passes outside the tube member 16 . As can be seen in FIG. 9 , the first axis 26 is located radially outward of the center of the curved portion of the tube member 16 .

9 also shows that the floor tool unit 10 includes a support member fitting 78 and a floor tool fitting 80 . A support member fitting 78 is used to rigidly connect the upper end of the tube member 16 to the support member 14, and to rigidly connect the lower end of the tube member 16 to the floor tool 12. A tool fitting 80 is used. As can be seen in FIG. 9 , the support member fitting 78 is included in the support member 14 (formed integrally with the support member 14), and the floor tool fitting 80 is included in the manifold 76 ( integrally formed with the manifold (76).

FIG. 9 also shows that the floor tool unit 10 includes a locking protrusion 82 on the inside of the support member 14 . By pressing the button 48, the locking protrusion 82 is moved radially outward (with respect to the supporting member axis 28). When button 48 is released, locking protrusion 82 is biased radially inward, for example by a spring, to lock the inserted element to support member 14, such as a wand assembly (not shown).

9 further illustrates floor tool locking structure 84 . In the upright position of the floor tool unit 10 in FIG. 9 , the support member locking structure 50 and the floor tool locking structure 84 are engaged so that the floor tool unit 10 is held in the upright position.

10 schematically shows a plan view of the floor tool unit 10 in its lowest position. FIG. 11 schematically shows a cross-sectional side view of the floor tool unit 10 along line B-B in FIG. 10 .

In the lowest position of the floor tool unit 10 according to the example of FIG. 11 , the support member axis 28 is oriented horizontally. The lower side of the support member 14 may lie flat on the floor. The first shaft 26 passes through the tube member 16 . Also, in the lowermost position of the floor tool unit 10 in FIG. 11 , the support member shaft 28 is disposed above the first shaft 26 . The offset distance between the support member axis 28 and the first axis 26 is indicated by C.

FIG. 11 also shows that at the lowest position of the floor tool unit 10 a straight line can pass through the tube member 16 . Also, when brush roll 72 is removed, a straight line may pass through tube member 16 and floor tool 12 from a point inside support member 14 .

12 schematically shows a perspective view of a surface treatment machine comprising the floor tool unit 10 of FIGS. 1 to 11 . In Fig. 12, the surface treatment device is composed of a canister type vacuum cleaner 86 including a tube 88. The floor tool unit 10 is detachably connected to the tube 88 by means of a connection interface 46 .

13 schematically shows a perspective view of a further surface treatment machine comprising the floor tool unit 10 of FIGS. 1 to 11 . 13, the surface treatment device is composed of a stick type vacuum cleaner 90 including a body 92. The floor tool unit 10 is detachably connected to the body 92 by means of a connection interface 46 .

Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood that the present invention is not limited to the foregoing. For example, it will be appreciated that the dimensions of the parts may vary as needed. Accordingly, it is believed that the present invention may be limited only by the claims appended hereto.

Claims (16)

As a floor tool unit 10 for surface treatment machines 86, 90,
- coupling element 18;
- a floor tool (12) coupled to said engaging member (18) pivotally about a first axis (26);
- a support member (14) comprising a longitudinal support member axis (28), wherein the coupling is pivoted about a second axis (30) such that the support member axis (28) and the second axis (30) are not orthogonal. a support member 14 coupled to member 18; and
- a tube member (16) attached to the floor tool (12) and the support member (14);
The tube member 16 extends through the coupling member 18,
The floor tool 12 includes two rear wheels 32, two front wheels 34 and a brush roll 72 disposed between the two front wheels 34, the two rear wheels 32 comprising the rotatable about an axis of rotation of the wheel substantially coincident with the first axle (26), wherein the diameters of the two rear wheels (32) are greater than the diameters of the two front wheels (34);
The floor tool unit (10) is configured such that the support member shaft (28) is disposed in front of the first shaft (26) in an upright position of the floor tool unit (10);
The floor tool unit (10), wherein the first shaft (26) passes through the tube member (16) when the floor tool unit (10) is in the lowest position. According to claim 1,
The support member axis 28 and the second axis 30 are fixed at 110 degrees to 155 degrees, such as 115 degrees to 150 degrees, 120 degrees to 145 degrees, 125 degrees to 140 degrees, 130 degrees to 135 degrees, 131 degrees. Floor tool unit 10, arranged at an angle α. According to claim 1 or 2,
The floor tool unit (10), wherein the tube member (16) comprises or consists of a flexible hose. According to claim 1 or 2,
The floor tool 12 includes a floor tool yoke 38 for pivotal engagement with the coupling member 18 about the first axis 26, the tubular member 16 comprising the floor tool yoke The floor tool unit (10), disposed between the two floor tool yoke arms (42) of (38). According to claim 1 or 2,
The support member 14 includes a support member yoke 40 for pivotal coupling to the coupling member 18 about the second axis 30, and the tube member 16 comprises the support member yoke. The floor tool unit (10), disposed between the two support member yoke arms (44) of (40). According to claim 1 or 2,
The floor tool unit 10 fixedly connects the tube member 16 to the floor tool 12 and a support member fitting 78 that fixedly connects the tube member 16 to the support member 14. A floor tool unit (10) comprising at least one of the floor tool fittings (80) comprising: According to claim 1 or 2,
The floor tool unit (10), wherein the second shaft (30) passes through the tube member (16). According to claim 1 or 2,
and wherein the first axis (26) is substantially horizontal when the floor tool (12) is used in a horizontal plane. According to claim 1 or 2,
The floor tool unit (18), the floor tool (12), the support member (14) and the tube member (16) can be oriented so that a straight line can pass through the tube member (16). 10). According to claim 9,
The coupling member 18, the floor tool 12, the support member 14 so that a straight line can pass through the tube member 16 and the floor tool 12 from a point inside the support member 14 and a floor tool unit (10), wherein the tube member (16) can be oriented. According to claim 1 or 2,
The floor tool 12 includes a tapered manifold 76 attached to the tube member 16 to form a fluid passage between the tube member 16 and the inlet 74 of the floor tool 12. wherein the manifold (76) comprises a relatively large cross-sectional area at the end proximate the inlet (74) of the floor tool (12) and a relatively small cross-sectional area at the end proximate the tubular member (16). Floor tool unit (10). According to claim 1 or 2,
The support member 14 detachably connects the support member 14 to at least one of the main body 92 of the surface treatment devices 86 and 90 and the tube 88 of the surface treatment devices 86 and 90. A floor tool unit (10) comprising a connection interface (46) for According to claim 1 or 2,
The floor tool unit (10), wherein the floor tool unit (10) is configured such that the support member shaft (28) is disposed above the first shaft (26) at the lowest position of the floor tool unit (10). According to claim 1 or 2,
The floor tool unit (10), wherein the floor tool unit (10) is composed of a nozzle unit, and the floor tool (12) is composed of a nozzle. A surface treatment machine (86, 90) comprising a floor tool unit (10) according to claim 1 or 2. A vacuum cleaner (86, 90) comprising a floor tool unit (10) according to claim 1 or 2.

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