US20070271727A1 - Attachment for a Cleaning Appliance - Google Patents
Attachment for a Cleaning Appliance Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20070271727A1 US20070271727A1 US10/590,365 US59036505A US2007271727A1 US 20070271727 A1 US20070271727 A1 US 20070271727A1 US 59036505 A US59036505 A US 59036505A US 2007271727 A1 US2007271727 A1 US 2007271727A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- attachment
- neck
- wand
- hose
- mouth
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/0009—Storing devices ; Supports, stands or holders
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/0009—Storing devices ; Supports, stands or holders
- A47L9/0018—Storing devices ; Supports, stands or holders integrated in or removably mounted upon the suction cleaner for storing parts of said suction cleaner
- A47L9/0027—Storing devices ; Supports, stands or holders integrated in or removably mounted upon the suction cleaner for storing parts of said suction cleaner specially adapted for holding the suction cleaning tools
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/02—Nozzles
Definitions
- the invention relates to an attachment for a cleaning appliance particularly, but not exclusively, for a vacuum cleaner.
- the invention also provides a combination of an attachment holder and at least one attachment.
- the invention further provides a vacuum cleaner having at least one attachment.
- Attachments for vacuum cleaners are well known and are commonly provided by vacuum cleaner manufacturers to allow their products to be used for a wide variety of uses. For example, many vacuum cleaners are provided with stair tools for cleaning staircases, brush tools for dusting surfaces without scratching, and crevice tools for cleaning in small areas which are inaccessible using larger tools. These tools or attachments are normally connected to either a hose end or a wand of the vacuum cleaner with which they are to be used by means of a simple friction fit between the cylindrical hose end or wand and the cylindrical neck of the tool. Occasionally, catches or bayonet fittings are provided to increase the reliability of the connection.
- the invention provides an attachment for a cleaning appliance having a head and a neck, the neck being adapted to be connected to the mouth of a wand or hose of the cleaning appliance and the neck having a first portion which, in use, lies alongside the mouth of the wand or hose and forms a first air passageway, characterised in that the neck has a second portion which, in use, is spaced away from the mouth of the wand or hose so that a second air passageway separate from the first air passageway is formed between the second portion of the neck and the mouth of the wand or hose.
- the provision of the second portion of the neck which, in use, is spaced away from the mouth of the wand or hose allows air to be bled into the wand or hose without passing through the attachment. This permanently reduces the suction developed at the mouth of the attachment and reduces the risk of the attachment sticking to a surface on which the attachment is used.
- the arrangement is simple and easy to manufacture and thus the costs involved in manufacture are reduced in comparison to other tools.
- the second portion of the neck projects inwardly from the neck, which is preferably cylindrical. This reduces the minimum diameter of the neck which provides an advantage with regard to storage of the attachment, particularly when the attachment is stored on the hose or wand, since the attachment can be stored closer to the hose or wand than prior art attachments.
- the invention also provides a combination of an attachment holder for a cleaning appliance, the cleaning appliance having a wand or hose, and at least one attachment according to the invention.
- the invention further provides a vacuum cleaner having a wand or hose and at least one attachment according to the invention.
- FIG. 1 a is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an attachment for a cleaning appliance according to the invention
- FIG. 1 b is an alternative perspective view of the attachment of FIG. 1 a;
- FIG. 2 is a sectional view illustrating the connection between the attachment of FIGS. 1 a and 1 b and a hose or wand of a cleaning appliance;
- FIGS. 3 a and 3 b are different perspective views of a first alternative attachment similar to that shown in FIGS. 1 a and 1 b;
- FIGS. 4 a and 4 b are different perspective views of a second alternative attachment similar to that shown in FIGS. 1 a and 1 b;
- FIG. 5 a is a perspective view of an attachment holder and three attachments according to the invention located on the wand of a cleaning appliance;
- FIG. 5 b is a sectional view of the attachment holder, attachments and wand of FIG. 5 a;
- FIG. 6 is a side view showing the location of an attachment holder according to the invention on the hose of a vacuum cleaner
- FIG. 7 a is a sectional view of the neck of a second embodiment of an attachment according to the invention attached to the hose or wand of a cleaning appliance;
- FIG. 7 b is a sectional view of the neck of a third embodiment of an attachment according to the invention attached to the hose or wand of a cleaning appliance;
- FIG. 7 c is a sectional view of the neck of a fourth embodiment of an attachment according to the invention attached to the hose or wand of a cleaning appliance.
- FIGS. 1 a and 1 b A first embodiment of an attachment according to the invention is shown in FIGS. 1 a and 1 b .
- the attachment takes the form of a crevice tool 10 which has a head 20 and a neck 30 .
- the head 20 has an elongate body 22 with a suction opening 24 at the end remote from the neck 30 .
- the elongate body 22 is relatively long and slender to allow access to areas of floor which are otherwise difficult to access, and the suction opening 24 lies in a plane which is inclined to the longitudinal axis of the elongate body 22 .
- the neck 30 is manufactured integrally with the head 20 and is adapted to cooperate with the end of a wand or hose of a cleaning appliance (not shown).
- the head 30 has a first portion 32 which comprises a part-cylindrical wall 34 extending axially away from the head 20 .
- the outer surface of the part-cylindrical wall 34 is dimensioned so as to be capable of being inserted into the end of the wand or hose and retained therein by means of a friction fit.
- the part-cylindrical wall 34 extends circumferentially over approximately 250°.
- the head 30 also has a second portion 36 which comprises a part-cylindrical wall 38 .
- the part-cylindrical wall 38 projects inwardly with respect to the first portion 32 .
- the first and second portions 32 , 36 together delimit an air passageway 40 through the neck 30 of the crevice tool 10 .
- This air passageway 40 communicates with the interior of the body 20 of the crevice tool 10 to define an air passageway which extends the entire length of the crevice tool 10 .
- FIG. 2 illustrates the manner in which the crevice tool 10 is connected to the cylindrical end or mouth 50 of a hose or wand of a cleaning appliance.
- the neck 30 of the crevice tool 10 is inserted into the end 50 of the hose or wand so that the first portion 32 lies directly adjacent the inner wall 52 of the mouth 50 .
- the dimensions of the first portion 32 ensure that the crevice tool 10 is held reliably in the mouth 50 by friction.
- the second portion 36 is spaced away from the wall 52 of the mouth 50 as shown in FIG. 2 .
- a second air passageway 42 separate from the air passageway 40 , is formed between the second portion 36 and the mouth 50 .
- both the air passageway 40 and the second air passageway 42 are in communication with the hose or wand which, in turn, is in communication with a suction fan (not shown). Air is thus drawn into the hose or wand via both air passageways 40 , 42 .
- the air passageway 40 draws air into the crevice tool 10 via the suction opening 24 which will be manoeuvred by the user of the vacuum cleaner across the surface to be cleaned.
- air will be drawn into the second air passageway 42 from the atmosphere at a location spaced away from the surface to be cleaned. This has the effect of reducing the suction developed at the suction opening 24 so that the likelihood of the crevice tool 10 becoming stuck to the surface is reduced in comparison to that which would prevail had the second air passageway 42 not been provided.
- FIGS. 3 a , 3 b , 4 a and 4 b The attachment shown in FIGS. 3 a and 3 b is a stair tool 60 having a head 62 and a neck 64 .
- the head 62 of the stair tool 60 has a suction opening 62 a formed in a generally planar lower face 62 b .
- the neck 64 like the neck 30 of the crevice tool 10 described above, has a first part-cylindrical portion 66 and a second part-cylindrical portion 68 which projects inwardly from the first portion 66 .
- the first portion 66 and the second portion 68 together define an air passageway 70 which communicates with the interior of the head 62 .
- the interior of the head 64 and the air passageway 70 together provide an air passageway which extends from the suction opening 62 a through the entire length of the stair tool 60 .
- the attachment shown in FIGS. 4 a and 4 b is a brush tool 80 .
- the brush tool 80 has a head 82 and a neck 84 .
- the head 82 consists of a support ring 82 a carrying an arrangement of bristles 82 b arranged about an opening in the support ring, and a tapered portion 82 c extending between the support ring 82 a and the neck 84 .
- the ends of the bristles 82 b remote from the neck 84 define a suction opening 82 d .
- the neck 84 as in the previous embodiments, has a first part-cylindrical portion 86 and a second part-cylindrical portion 88 .
- the second portion 88 projects inwardly from the first portion 86 and, together with the first portion 86 , delimits an air passageway 90 through the neck 84 .
- the air passageway 90 communicates with the interior of the head 82 and the suction opening 82 d to form an air passageway which extends the entire length of the brush tool 80 .
- Each of the stair tool 60 and the brush tool 80 can be attached to the mouth 50 of a hose or wand in exactly the same way as the crevice tool 10 can be attached thereto.
- the neck 64 , 84 is inserted into the mouth 50 of the hose or wand of a vacuum cleaner or other cleaning appliance so that the first portion 66 , 86 fits tightly against the inner wall 52 of the mouth 50 .
- the second portion 68 , 88 of the neck 64 , 84 is spaced apart from the mouth 50 so that a second air passageway is formed alongside the air passageway 70 , 90 but separate therefrom.
- FIGS. 5 a and 5 b show a wand 100 of a vacuum cleaner on which is carried an attachment holder 110 carrying a crevice tool 10 , a stair tool 60 and a brush tool 80 as described above.
- the attachment holder 110 essentially comprises a part-cylindrical central wall 112 which is manufactured from a sufficiently resilient material to allow the holder 110 to be snapped onto or off the wand 100 .
- locating means (not shown) can be provided to reduce the risk of the holder 110 sliding along the wand 100 unintentionally.
- the central wall 112 of the holder 110 carries three tongues 114 which are integrally moulded therewith. These tongues 114 are shaped to lie inside the air passageway 40 , 70 , 90 alongside the second portion 36 , 68 , 98 of the neck of each respective tool 10 , 60 , 80 . They are also resiliently biased towards the central wall 112 to provide a small amount of retaining force so as to hold the respective tool in place on the holder 110 .
- the surface of each tongue 114 can be textured or coated with a material which will enhance the gripping capability of the tongues 114 if desired.
- Interengaging parts can also be provided on the second portions 36 , 68 , 98 of the attachments 10 , 60 , 80 and on either the tongues 114 or the central wall 112 of the holder 110 in order to assist with the retaining of the attachments 10 , 60 80 on the holder 110 .
- FIG. 5 b The advantage of the arrangement of the invention is illustrated most clearly in FIG. 5 b .
- the provision of the part-cylindrical second portions 36 , 68 , 98 as part of the necks 30 , 64 , 84 of the attachments 10 , 60 , 80 allows the attachments 10 , 60 , 80 to be held on the wand or hose in a position which is closer to the wand or hose than would be the case if the necks 30 , 64 , 84 had been cylindrical. This provides for a more compact storage solution than has previously been possible.
- the normal design of the head 20 , 60 does not project beyond the second portion 36 , 68 .
- the head 82 includes a part-cylindrical portion 82 e which continues the line of the second portion 88 into the tapered portion 82 c and the support ring 82 a .
- the part-cylindrical portion 82 e forms a continuous surface with the second portion 88 .
- FIG. 6 shows a vacuum cleaner 120 having a main body 122 containing separating apparatus 124 which, in the embodiment shown, takes the form of cyclonic separating apparatus.
- the vacuum cleaner 120 has a floor tool 126 which is connected to the main body 122 via a wand 128 and a hose 130 .
- An attachment holder 110 of the sort shown in FIGS. 5 a and 5 b is releasably secured to the hose 130 as shown.
- the holder 110 can also be snap-fitted onto the wand 128 if desired.
- Attachments 10 , 60 80 are held on the holder 110 whilst not in use but can be removed and secured to the distal end 128 a of the wand 128 in place of the floor tool 126 when required.
- the attachments can be secured to the distal end 130 a of the hose 130 .
- FIGS. 7 a , 7 b and 7 c The configuration of the neck of each of the tools described above, in which the second portion is part-cylindrical in shape and extends inwardly from the first portion, offers an attractive storage benefit.
- alternative configurations are equally possible and three alternative embodiments are illustrated in FIGS. 7 a , 7 b and 7 c .
- the neck 150 has a part-cylindrical first portion 152 , as in the previously described embodiments.
- the second portion 154 is angular instead of part-cylindrical.
- the second portion 154 projects inwardly from the first portion 152 so that, when the neck 150 is inserted into the mouth 156 of a hose or wand of a vacuum cleaner, a second air passageway 158 is formed between the mouth 156 and the second portion 154 .
- the neck 160 has a part-cylindrical first portion 162 and a planar second portion 164 which forms a chord between the ends of the first portion 162 .
- a second air passageway 168 is formed between the mouth 156 and the second portion 164 .
- the neck 170 has a part-cylindrical first portion 172 and a part-cylindrical second portion 174 .
- the second portion extends outwardly from the first portion 172 .
- the attachment of which the neck 170 forms part must be attached to the mouth 176 of a hose or wand by being fitted around the outer surface of the mouth 176 , again by means of a friction fit.
- a second air passageway 178 is then formed between the mouth 176 and the second portion 174 .
- Air is bled into the hose or wand along the second air passageway 178 at the same time that air is drawn into the hose or wand via the suction opening forming part of the attachment, thus reducing the suction which would otherwise be developed at the suction opening.
- attachments and attachment holder described above can conveniently be manufactured by moulding from a plastics material.
- the precise shape of the second portion of the neck can be varied beyond the shapes shown in the drawings.
- the invention is not limited to crevice tools, brush tools and stair tools and other types of attachment can have a neck of the type described.
- the tools can also be stored on the main body of the cleaning appliance or elsewhere and storage on an attachment holder of the type described is not essential.
- the attachments can be provided for cleaning appliances other than vacuum cleaners, for example, carpet shampooers, steam cleaners, etc.
Abstract
An attachment for a cleaning appliance includes a head and a neck, the neck being adapted to be connected to the mouth of a wand or hose of the cleaning appliance. The neck has a first portion which, in use, lies alongside the mouth of the wand or hose and a second portion which, in use, is spaced away from the mouth of the wand or hose. This arrangement provides a bleed air passageway which allows atmospheric air to be bled into the hose or wand so as to reduce the suction at the main suction opening of the attachment. It also provides an advantageous storage solution for the attachments of the cleaning appliance.
Description
- The invention relates to an attachment for a cleaning appliance particularly, but not exclusively, for a vacuum cleaner. The invention also provides a combination of an attachment holder and at least one attachment. The invention further provides a vacuum cleaner having at least one attachment.
- Attachments for vacuum cleaners are well known and are commonly provided by vacuum cleaner manufacturers to allow their products to be used for a wide variety of uses. For example, many vacuum cleaners are provided with stair tools for cleaning staircases, brush tools for dusting surfaces without scratching, and crevice tools for cleaning in small areas which are inaccessible using larger tools. These tools or attachments are normally connected to either a hose end or a wand of the vacuum cleaner with which they are to be used by means of a simple friction fit between the cylindrical hose end or wand and the cylindrical neck of the tool. Occasionally, catches or bayonet fittings are provided to increase the reliability of the connection. However, the friction fit between the cylindrical neck of the tool and the cylindrical part to which it is to be connected is intended to provide a seal in the area of the connection. It is also known to provide attachments which have permanent bleed holes provided therein in order to prevent the attachment from developing too much suction at its mouth and thus becoming stuck to particular surfaces. These can be expensive to manufacture and the bleed holes can also become blocked.
- If tools or attachments are provided with a vacuum cleaner, the manufacturer faces the issue of storage of those tools. Consumers appear to prefer to have tools stored on board the vacuum cleaner but they also prefer smaller, lighter vacuum cleaners. Storage of tools on board vacuum cleaners and other cleaning appliances thus presents the manufacturer with some challenges.
- It is an object of the present invention to provide an attachment for a cleaning appliance which is economical to manufacture and which is unlikely to become stuck to any surface on which the tool or attachment is used. It is a further object of the invention to provide an attachment for a cleaning appliance which is efficient to store on a vacuum cleaner.
- The invention provides an attachment for a cleaning appliance having a head and a neck, the neck being adapted to be connected to the mouth of a wand or hose of the cleaning appliance and the neck having a first portion which, in use, lies alongside the mouth of the wand or hose and forms a first air passageway, characterised in that the neck has a second portion which, in use, is spaced away from the mouth of the wand or hose so that a second air passageway separate from the first air passageway is formed between the second portion of the neck and the mouth of the wand or hose.
- The provision of the second portion of the neck which, in use, is spaced away from the mouth of the wand or hose allows air to be bled into the wand or hose without passing through the attachment. This permanently reduces the suction developed at the mouth of the attachment and reduces the risk of the attachment sticking to a surface on which the attachment is used. The arrangement is simple and easy to manufacture and thus the costs involved in manufacture are reduced in comparison to other tools.
- In a preferred embodiment, the second portion of the neck projects inwardly from the neck, which is preferably cylindrical. This reduces the minimum diameter of the neck which provides an advantage with regard to storage of the attachment, particularly when the attachment is stored on the hose or wand, since the attachment can be stored closer to the hose or wand than prior art attachments.
- The invention also provides a combination of an attachment holder for a cleaning appliance, the cleaning appliance having a wand or hose, and at least one attachment according to the invention. The invention further provides a vacuum cleaner having a wand or hose and at least one attachment according to the invention.
- Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
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FIG. 1 a is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an attachment for a cleaning appliance according to the invention; -
FIG. 1 b is an alternative perspective view of the attachment ofFIG. 1 a; -
FIG. 2 is a sectional view illustrating the connection between the attachment ofFIGS. 1 a and 1 b and a hose or wand of a cleaning appliance; -
FIGS. 3 a and 3 b are different perspective views of a first alternative attachment similar to that shown inFIGS. 1 a and 1 b; -
FIGS. 4 a and 4 b are different perspective views of a second alternative attachment similar to that shown inFIGS. 1 a and 1 b; -
FIG. 5 a is a perspective view of an attachment holder and three attachments according to the invention located on the wand of a cleaning appliance; -
FIG. 5 b is a sectional view of the attachment holder, attachments and wand ofFIG. 5 a; -
FIG. 6 is a side view showing the location of an attachment holder according to the invention on the hose of a vacuum cleaner; -
FIG. 7 a is a sectional view of the neck of a second embodiment of an attachment according to the invention attached to the hose or wand of a cleaning appliance; -
FIG. 7 b is a sectional view of the neck of a third embodiment of an attachment according to the invention attached to the hose or wand of a cleaning appliance; and -
FIG. 7 c is a sectional view of the neck of a fourth embodiment of an attachment according to the invention attached to the hose or wand of a cleaning appliance. - A first embodiment of an attachment according to the invention is shown in
FIGS. 1 a and 1 b. The attachment takes the form of acrevice tool 10 which has ahead 20 and aneck 30. Thehead 20 has anelongate body 22 with a suction opening 24 at the end remote from theneck 30. In the manner of known crevice tools, theelongate body 22 is relatively long and slender to allow access to areas of floor which are otherwise difficult to access, and the suction opening 24 lies in a plane which is inclined to the longitudinal axis of theelongate body 22. - The
neck 30 is manufactured integrally with thehead 20 and is adapted to cooperate with the end of a wand or hose of a cleaning appliance (not shown). Thehead 30 has afirst portion 32 which comprises a part-cylindrical wall 34 extending axially away from thehead 20. The outer surface of the part-cylindrical wall 34 is dimensioned so as to be capable of being inserted into the end of the wand or hose and retained therein by means of a friction fit. In this embodiment, the part-cylindrical wall 34 extends circumferentially over approximately 250°. Thehead 30 also has asecond portion 36 which comprises a part-cylindrical wall 38. The part-cylindrical wall 38 projects inwardly with respect to thefirst portion 32. - The first and
second portions air passageway 40 through theneck 30 of thecrevice tool 10. Thisair passageway 40 communicates with the interior of thebody 20 of thecrevice tool 10 to define an air passageway which extends the entire length of thecrevice tool 10. -
FIG. 2 illustrates the manner in which thecrevice tool 10 is connected to the cylindrical end ormouth 50 of a hose or wand of a cleaning appliance. Theneck 30 of thecrevice tool 10 is inserted into theend 50 of the hose or wand so that thefirst portion 32 lies directly adjacent theinner wall 52 of themouth 50. The dimensions of thefirst portion 32 ensure that thecrevice tool 10 is held reliably in themouth 50 by friction. However, thesecond portion 36 is spaced away from thewall 52 of themouth 50 as shown inFIG. 2 . Asecond air passageway 42, separate from theair passageway 40, is formed between thesecond portion 36 and themouth 50. - In use, when the
crevice tool 10 is attached to themouth 50 of a hose or wand of a vacuum cleaner, both theair passageway 40 and thesecond air passageway 42 are in communication with the hose or wand which, in turn, is in communication with a suction fan (not shown). Air is thus drawn into the hose or wand via bothair passageways air passageway 40 draws air into thecrevice tool 10 via the suction opening 24 which will be manoeuvred by the user of the vacuum cleaner across the surface to be cleaned. Simultaneously, air will be drawn into thesecond air passageway 42 from the atmosphere at a location spaced away from the surface to be cleaned. This has the effect of reducing the suction developed at the suction opening 24 so that the likelihood of thecrevice tool 10 becoming stuck to the surface is reduced in comparison to that which would prevail had thesecond air passageway 42 not been provided. - It will be appreciated from the foregoing description that the invention resides primarily in the shape and construction of the
neck 30 of thecrevice tool 10. The invention is therefore applicable to other types of attachment for cleaning appliances and two alternative attachments are illustrated inFIGS. 3 a, 3 b, 4 a and 4 b. The attachment shown inFIGS. 3 a and 3 b is astair tool 60 having ahead 62 and aneck 64. Thehead 62 of thestair tool 60 has a suction opening 62 a formed in a generally planarlower face 62 b. Theneck 64, like theneck 30 of thecrevice tool 10 described above, has a first part-cylindrical portion 66 and a second part-cylindrical portion 68 which projects inwardly from thefirst portion 66. Thefirst portion 66 and thesecond portion 68 together define anair passageway 70 which communicates with the interior of thehead 62. The interior of thehead 64 and theair passageway 70 together provide an air passageway which extends from the suction opening 62 a through the entire length of thestair tool 60. - The attachment shown in
FIGS. 4 a and 4 b is abrush tool 80. Thebrush tool 80 has ahead 82 and aneck 84. Thehead 82 consists of asupport ring 82 a carrying an arrangement ofbristles 82 b arranged about an opening in the support ring, and a taperedportion 82 c extending between thesupport ring 82 a and theneck 84. The ends of thebristles 82 b remote from theneck 84 define asuction opening 82 d. Theneck 84, as in the previous embodiments, has a first part-cylindrical portion 86 and a second part-cylindrical portion 88. Thesecond portion 88 projects inwardly from thefirst portion 86 and, together with thefirst portion 86, delimits anair passageway 90 through theneck 84. Theair passageway 90 communicates with the interior of thehead 82 and thesuction opening 82 d to form an air passageway which extends the entire length of thebrush tool 80. - Each of the
stair tool 60 and thebrush tool 80 can be attached to themouth 50 of a hose or wand in exactly the same way as thecrevice tool 10 can be attached thereto. In each case, theneck mouth 50 of the hose or wand of a vacuum cleaner or other cleaning appliance so that thefirst portion inner wall 52 of themouth 50. Thesecond portion neck mouth 50 so that a second air passageway is formed alongside theair passageway stair tool 60 orbrush tool 80 attached to the hose or wand thereof, air is drawn into theattachment - A further advantage of the arrangement of the neck of the attachments described above is that they can be stored more compactly than tools having a cylindrical neck. This point is illustrated in
FIGS. 5 a and 5 b.FIGS. 5 a and 5 b show awand 100 of a vacuum cleaner on which is carried anattachment holder 110 carrying acrevice tool 10, astair tool 60 and abrush tool 80 as described above. Theattachment holder 110 essentially comprises a part-cylindricalcentral wall 112 which is manufactured from a sufficiently resilient material to allow theholder 110 to be snapped onto or off thewand 100. If desired, locating means (not shown) can be provided to reduce the risk of theholder 110 sliding along thewand 100 unintentionally. Thecentral wall 112 of theholder 110 carries threetongues 114 which are integrally moulded therewith. Thesetongues 114 are shaped to lie inside theair passageway second portion respective tool central wall 112 to provide a small amount of retaining force so as to hold the respective tool in place on theholder 110. The surface of eachtongue 114 can be textured or coated with a material which will enhance the gripping capability of thetongues 114 if desired. Interengaging parts (not shown), such as notches and grooves, can also be provided on thesecond portions attachments tongues 114 or thecentral wall 112 of theholder 110 in order to assist with the retaining of theattachments holder 110. - The advantage of the arrangement of the invention is illustrated most clearly in
FIG. 5 b. As can be seen from this drawing, the provision of the part-cylindricalsecond portions necks attachments attachments necks - It will be appreciated that, in the cases of the
crevice tool 10 and thestair tool 60 shown inFIGS. 1 a, 1 b, 3 a and 3 b, the normal design of thehead second portion brush tool 80 shown inFIGS. 4 a and 4 b, thehead 82 includes a part-cylindrical portion 82 e which continues the line of thesecond portion 88 into the taperedportion 82 c and thesupport ring 82 a. The part-cylindrical portion 82 e forms a continuous surface with thesecond portion 88. This ensures that, when thebrush tool 80 is attached to theholder 110 shown inFIG. 5 a, the shape of thehead 82 of thebrush tool 80 does not prevent thebrush tool 80 from being reliably and securely attached to theholder 110 and also that thebrush tool 80 is held against theholder 110 in as compact a way as possible. -
FIG. 6 shows avacuum cleaner 120 having amain body 122 containing separatingapparatus 124 which, in the embodiment shown, takes the form of cyclonic separating apparatus. Thevacuum cleaner 120 has afloor tool 126 which is connected to themain body 122 via awand 128 and ahose 130. Anattachment holder 110 of the sort shown inFIGS. 5 a and 5 b is releasably secured to thehose 130 as shown. Theholder 110 can also be snap-fitted onto thewand 128 if desired.Attachments holder 110 whilst not in use but can be removed and secured to thedistal end 128 a of thewand 128 in place of thefloor tool 126 when required. Alternatively, the attachments can be secured to thedistal end 130 a of thehose 130. - The configuration of the neck of each of the tools described above, in which the second portion is part-cylindrical in shape and extends inwardly from the first portion, offers an attractive storage benefit. However, alternative configurations are equally possible and three alternative embodiments are illustrated in
FIGS. 7 a, 7 b and 7 c. In the configuration shown inFIG. 7 a, theneck 150 has a part-cylindricalfirst portion 152, as in the previously described embodiments. However, thesecond portion 154 is angular instead of part-cylindrical. Thesecond portion 154 projects inwardly from thefirst portion 152 so that, when theneck 150 is inserted into themouth 156 of a hose or wand of a vacuum cleaner, asecond air passageway 158 is formed between themouth 156 and thesecond portion 154. - In
FIG. 7 b, theneck 160 has a part-cylindricalfirst portion 162 and a planarsecond portion 164 which forms a chord between the ends of thefirst portion 162. When theneck 160 is inserted into themouth 166 of the hose or wand, asecond air passageway 168 is formed between themouth 156 and thesecond portion 164. - In a further alternative arrangement, the
neck 170 has a part-cylindricalfirst portion 172 and a part-cylindricalsecond portion 174. However, the second portion extends outwardly from thefirst portion 172. In this arrangement, the attachment of which theneck 170 forms part must be attached to themouth 176 of a hose or wand by being fitted around the outer surface of themouth 176, again by means of a friction fit. Asecond air passageway 178 is then formed between themouth 176 and thesecond portion 174. Air is bled into the hose or wand along thesecond air passageway 178 at the same time that air is drawn into the hose or wand via the suction opening forming part of the attachment, thus reducing the suction which would otherwise be developed at the suction opening. - The attachments and attachment holder described above can conveniently be manufactured by moulding from a plastics material.
- Various modifications to the embodiments described above will be apparent to a skilled reader. For example, the precise shape of the second portion of the neck can be varied beyond the shapes shown in the drawings. Also, the invention is not limited to crevice tools, brush tools and stair tools and other types of attachment can have a neck of the type described. The tools can also be stored on the main body of the cleaning appliance or elsewhere and storage on an attachment holder of the type described is not essential. The attachments can be provided for cleaning appliances other than vacuum cleaners, for example, carpet shampooers, steam cleaners, etc.
Claims (15)
1. An attachment for a cleaning appliance comprising a head and a neck, the neck being configured for connection to the mouth of a wand or hose of the cleaning appliance,
the neck having a first portion which, in use, lies alongside the mouth of the wand or hose and forms a first air passageway, and a second portion which, in use, is spaced away from the mouth of the wand or hose so that a second air passageway separate from the first air passageway is formed between the second portion of the neck and the mouth of the wand or hose.
2. The attachment of claim 1 , wherein, in use, the attachment further comprises a suction opening and the first air passageway extends from the suction opening to the mouth of the wand or hose.
3. The attachment of claim 2 , wherein, in use, the second air passageway is open to the atmosphere at a location spaced from the suction opening.
4. The attachment of claim 1 or 2 , wherein the first portion of the neck is part-cylindrical in shape.
5. The attachment of claim 1 or 2 , wherein the second portion of the neck is part-cylindrical in shape.
6. The attachment of claim 1 or 2 , wherein the second portion of the neck projects outwardly from the first portion of the neck.
7. The attachment of claim 1 or 2 , wherein the second portion of the neck projects inwardly from the first portion of the neck.
8. The attachment of claim 7 , wherein the second portion of the neck is planar.
9. The attachment of claim 1 or 2 , wherein the head has a portion which forms a continuous surface with the second portion of the neck.
10. The attachment of claim 1 or 2 , wherein the attachment is of a brush tool, a stair tool or a crevice tool.
11. (canceled)
12. A cleaning appliance combination comprising an attachment holder for a cleaning appliance, a wand or hose, and at least one attachment comprising a head and a neck, the neck being configured for connection to the mouth of a wand or hose of the cleaning appliance,
the neck having a first portion which, in use, lies alongside the mouth of the wand or hose and forms a first air passageway and a second portion which, in use, is spaced away from the mouth of the wand or hose so that a second air passageway separate from the first air passageway is formed between the second portion of the neck and the mouth of the wand or hose.
13. The combination of claim 12 , wherein the attachment holder is adapted to be attached to the wand or hose of the cleaning appliance.
14. The combination of claim 12 or 13 , wherein the attachment holder has a central wall and a plurality of tongues adapted and arranged to hold the second portions of the attachments against the central wall.
15-16. (canceled)
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB0405591.9 | 2004-03-12 | ||
GB0405591A GB2401310A (en) | 2004-03-12 | 2004-03-12 | Vacuum cleaner nozzle attachment |
PCT/GB2005/000677 WO2005087072A1 (en) | 2004-03-12 | 2005-02-23 | An attachment for a cleaning appliance |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20070271727A1 true US20070271727A1 (en) | 2007-11-29 |
Family
ID=32117553
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/590,365 Abandoned US20070271727A1 (en) | 2004-03-12 | 2005-02-23 | Attachment for a Cleaning Appliance |
Country Status (10)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20070271727A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1722666A1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2007525298A (en) |
KR (1) | KR20060130718A (en) |
CN (1) | CN101018497A (en) |
AU (1) | AU2005221373B2 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2559327A1 (en) |
GB (1) | GB2401310A (en) |
MY (1) | MY140452A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2005087072A1 (en) |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20100170060A1 (en) * | 2009-01-06 | 2010-07-08 | Emerson Electric Co. | Flexible Crevice Tool Attachment for Vacuum Appliances |
US20100325831A1 (en) * | 2009-06-25 | 2010-12-30 | Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd. | Hose and accessory holder for an upright vacuum cleaner |
US20110005028A1 (en) * | 2009-07-08 | 2011-01-13 | Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd. | Vacuum cleaner having safety apparatus of auxiliary brush assembly |
US20170224179A1 (en) * | 2010-03-12 | 2017-08-10 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Surface cleaning apparatus with enhanced operability |
Families Citing this family (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB0615684D0 (en) * | 2006-08-08 | 2006-09-13 | Dyson Technology Ltd | An attachment for a cleaning appliance |
GB2468514B (en) | 2009-03-12 | 2012-07-11 | Dyson Technology Ltd | A surface-treating head |
WO2010146382A1 (en) * | 2009-06-17 | 2010-12-23 | Dyson Technology Limited | A tool for a surface treating appliance |
GB0912356D0 (en) | 2009-07-16 | 2009-08-26 | Dyson Technology Ltd | A surface treating head |
AU2010272318B2 (en) | 2009-07-16 | 2013-09-12 | Dyson Technology Limited | A surface treating head |
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DE1628562A1 (en) * | 1966-04-13 | 1971-02-18 | Determann Hermann Dr Ing | Suction head for vacuum cleaner |
KR19980018887U (en) * | 1996-09-30 | 1998-07-06 | 배순훈 | Brush for storing auxiliary brush of vacuum cleaner |
KR19980054304A (en) * | 1996-12-27 | 1998-09-25 | 배순훈 | Auxiliary Brush for Vacuum Cleaner |
GB9809837D0 (en) * | 1998-05-07 | 1998-07-08 | Notetry Ltd | A tool holder for a vacuum cleaner or other cleaning appliance |
SE9902447L (en) * | 1999-06-29 | 2001-01-08 | Mats Wager | Nozzle |
BR0002857B1 (en) * | 2000-06-23 | 2008-11-18 | mop nozzle for vacuum cleaner. | |
GB0104675D0 (en) * | 2001-02-24 | 2001-04-11 | Dyson Ltd | A tool for a vacuum cleaner |
US20040002006A1 (en) * | 2002-06-28 | 2004-01-01 | Caterpillar Inc. | Battery including carbon foam current collectors |
-
2004
- 2004-03-12 GB GB0405591A patent/GB2401310A/en not_active Withdrawn
-
2005
- 2005-02-23 US US10/590,365 patent/US20070271727A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2005-02-23 AU AU2005221373A patent/AU2005221373B2/en not_active Ceased
- 2005-02-23 CN CNA2005800074979A patent/CN101018497A/en active Pending
- 2005-02-23 KR KR1020067020863A patent/KR20060130718A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2005-02-23 EP EP05717771A patent/EP1722666A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2005-02-23 WO PCT/GB2005/000677 patent/WO2005087072A1/en active Application Filing
- 2005-02-23 JP JP2007501336A patent/JP2007525298A/en active Pending
- 2005-02-23 CA CA002559327A patent/CA2559327A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2005-03-04 MY MYPI20050901A patent/MY140452A/en unknown
Cited By (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20100170060A1 (en) * | 2009-01-06 | 2010-07-08 | Emerson Electric Co. | Flexible Crevice Tool Attachment for Vacuum Appliances |
US8533907B2 (en) | 2009-01-06 | 2013-09-17 | Emerson Electric Co. | Flexible crevice tool attachment for vacuum appliances |
US20100325831A1 (en) * | 2009-06-25 | 2010-12-30 | Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd. | Hose and accessory holder for an upright vacuum cleaner |
US8522394B2 (en) | 2009-06-25 | 2013-09-03 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Hose and accessory holder for an upright vacuum cleaner |
US20110005028A1 (en) * | 2009-07-08 | 2011-01-13 | Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd. | Vacuum cleaner having safety apparatus of auxiliary brush assembly |
US8424151B2 (en) | 2009-07-08 | 2013-04-23 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Vacuum cleaner having safety apparatus of auxiliary brush assembly |
US20170224179A1 (en) * | 2010-03-12 | 2017-08-10 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Surface cleaning apparatus with enhanced operability |
US11771275B2 (en) | 2010-03-12 | 2023-10-03 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Surface cleaning apparatus with enhanced operability |
US11839342B2 (en) | 2010-03-12 | 2023-12-12 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Surface cleaning apparatus with enhanced operability |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
MY140452A (en) | 2009-12-31 |
EP1722666A1 (en) | 2006-11-22 |
CN101018497A (en) | 2007-08-15 |
GB0405591D0 (en) | 2004-04-21 |
AU2005221373A1 (en) | 2005-09-22 |
WO2005087072A1 (en) | 2005-09-22 |
JP2007525298A (en) | 2007-09-06 |
AU2005221373B2 (en) | 2008-09-11 |
KR20060130718A (en) | 2006-12-19 |
GB2401310A (en) | 2004-11-10 |
CA2559327A1 (en) | 2005-09-22 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: DYSON TECHNOLOGY LIMITED, UNITED KINGDOM Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:ADAMS, PAUL MICHAEL;REEL/FRAME:019368/0568 Effective date: 20060919 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |