US20240164603A1

US20240164603A1 - Vacuum Cleaner Nozzle Provided With A Pivot Blocking Device

Info

Publication number: US20240164603A1
Application number: US18/512,657
Authority: US
Inventors: Christelle Philippe; Jean Damien VIVIER; Frédéric TANGUY
Original assignee: SEB SA
Current assignee: SEB SA
Priority date: 2022-11-18
Filing date: 2023-11-17
Publication date: 2024-05-23
Also published as: CN118056516A; FR3142076A1; JP2024074275A; KR20240073772A; EP4371454A1

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner nozzle includes a main body having a suction mouth; a connecting sleeve fluidly connected to the suction mouth; a hinge device mechanically connecting the connecting sleeve to the main body and configured to allow a tilting of the connecting sleeve forwards and backwards and about a first pivot axis and a tilting of the connecting sleeve leftwards and rightwards and about a second pivot axis; and a pivot blocking device configured to block a pivoting of the connecting sleeve about the second pivot axis at least when the connecting sleeve occupies a predetermined sleeve position.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention concerns the field of vacuum cleaners equipped with a vacuum cleaner nozzle, also called suction head, making it possible to suck up dust and waste present on a surface to be cleaned, which may for example be tiles, parquet or laminate.

STATE OF THE ART

A vacuum cleaner nozzle comprises in a known manner:

- a main body including a sole provided with a lower face configured to be oriented towards a surface to be cleaned, and a suction mouth emerging into the lower face of the sole,
- a connecting sleeve to which a suction tube of a vacuum cleaner is intended to be fastened, the connecting sleeve being fluidly connected to the suction mouth, and
- a hinge device mechanically connecting the connecting sleeve to the main body, the hinge device comprising a first pivot connection which defines a first pivot axis extending transversely to a main movement direction of the vacuum cleaner nozzle and which is configured to allow a tilting of the connecting sleeve forwards and backwards relative to the main body and about the transverse pivot axis, and a second pivot connection which defines a second pivot axis and which is configured to allow a tilting of the connecting sleeve leftwards and rightwards relative to the main body and about the second pivot axis.

Such a vacuum cleaner nozzle may for example be connected to an accessory including a suction tube which is configured to be connected to the connecting sleeve; a flexible suction pipe which is connected to a connecting endpiece provided on the suction tube; and a gripping handle hingedly mounted on the suction tube about a hinge axis which is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the suction tube and between an unfolded configuration in which the gripping handle extends substantially parallel to the suction tube, and a folded configuration in which the gripping handle and the suction tube define between them an angle of, for example, approximately 90°.
When the aforementioned vacuum cleaner nozzle is connected to such an accessory and the latter is in the folded configuration, the connecting sleeve and the suction tube extend substantially horizontally and a user may thus move the vacuum cleaner nozzle under furniture (without the suction tube hindering such a displacement), and for example under a sofa, in order to clean areas located under this furniture.
However, when a user moves the vacuum cleaner nozzle while the accessory is in the folded configuration, the vacuum cleaner nozzle is unwieldy due to the relative movements between the main body and the connecting sleeve about the second hinge axis which are likely to lead to uncontrolled lateral displacements of the vacuum cleaner nozzle. In addition, such a hinge about the second hinge axis is likely to lead, when the accessory is in the folded configuration, to unwanted lifting of the vacuum cleaner body likely to harm the cleaning effectiveness of the vacuum cleaner nozzle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks.
The technical problem underlying the invention consists in particular of providing a vacuum cleaner nozzle which is simple and economical in structure, while being ergonomic and having increased cleaning performance and maneuverability.
For this purpose, the invention relates to a vacuum cleaner nozzle comprising:

- a main body including a sole provided with a lower face configured to be oriented towards a surface to be cleaned, and a suction mouth emerging into the lower face of the sole,
- a connecting sleeve to which a suction tube of a vacuum cleaner is intended to be fastened, the connecting sleeve being fluidly connected to the suction mouth,
- a hinge device mechanically and hingedly connecting the connecting sleeve to the main body, the hinge device comprising a first pivot connection which defines a first pivot axis extending transversely to a main movement direction of the vacuum cleaner nozzle and which is configured to allow a tilting of the connecting sleeve forwards and backwards relative to the main body and about the first pivot axis, and comprising a second pivot connection which defines a second pivot axis and which is configured to allow a tilting of the connecting sleeve leftwards and rightwards relative to the main body and about the second pivot axis.

The vacuum cleaner nozzle includes a pivot blocking device provided in a rear part of the main body, the pivot blocking device including a blocking part partially delimiting a blocking area and configured to block a pivoting, i.e. to block a pivoting movement, of the connecting sleeve about of the second pivot axis at least when the connecting sleeve occupies a predetermined sleeve position in which, when the vacuum cleaner nozzle rests on a horizontal surface, a central longitudinal axis of the connecting sleeve extends substantially horizontally.
The presence of such a pivot blocking device makes it possible to avoid any relative movement between the main body and the connecting sleeve when the connecting sleeve extends substantially horizontally, and therefore, when the vacuum cleaner nozzle according to the invention is connected to an accessory and the latter occupies a folded configuration. Thus, the pivot blocking device provides increased maneuverability and cleaning performance to the vacuum cleaner nozzle of the present invention.
The vacuum cleaner nozzle may also have one or several of the following characteristics, taken alone or in combination.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the first pivot axis extends substantially perpendicular to the main movement direction of the vacuum cleaner nozzle.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the first pivot axis extends perpendicular to the median longitudinal plane of the vacuum cleaner nozzle.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the first pivot axis extends substantially horizontally when the vacuum cleaner nozzle rests on a horizontal surface.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the second pivot axis is located in the median longitudinal plane of the vacuum cleaner nozzle. Such an arrangement of the second pivot axis provides increased ergonomics to the vacuum cleaner nozzle according to the present invention.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the second pivot axis is configured to extend substantially horizontally or to be inclined, relative to the horizontal, at an angle of inclination less than 10°, and for example less than 5°, when the central longitudinal axis of the connecting sleeve extends vertically and the vacuum cleaner nozzle rests on a horizontal surface.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the blocking area is centered relative to the median longitudinal plane of the vacuum cleaner nozzle.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the pivot blocking device includes a guide part configured to guide the connecting sleeve towards the blocking area when the connecting sleeve is pivoted backwards and towards the predetermined sleeve position. The presence of the guide part ensures easy and automatic blocking of the connecting sleeve by a simple displacement of the connecting sleeve in the predetermined sleeve position, which provides increased ergonomics to the vacuum cleaner nozzle according to the present invention.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the guide part is located at least partly above the blocking part.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the guide part extends in the extension of the blocking part.
According to one embodiment of the invention, when the connecting sleeve occupies the predetermined sleeve position and the vacuum cleaner nozzle rests on a horizontal surface, the central longitudinal axis of the connecting sleeve extends horizontally or is inclined relative to the horizontal at an angle of inclination less than 10°, and for example less than 5°.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the blocking part and the connecting sleeve are configured such that, when the connecting sleeve occupies the predetermined sleeve position, the central longitudinal axis of the connecting sleeve is located in the median longitudinal plane of the vacuum cleaner nozzle.
According to one embodiment of the invention, when the central longitudinal axis of the connecting sleeve is inclined laterally relative to the median longitudinal plane of the vacuum cleaner nozzle and the connecting sleeve is pivoted backwards and towards the predetermined sleeve position, the guide part is configured to cooperate with the connecting sleeve so as to pivot it about the second pivot axis and in the direction of the median longitudinal plane of the vacuum cleaner nozzle.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the first pivot connection is configured such that the connecting sleeve is able to occupy, relative to the main body, a first sleeve position in which, when the main body rests on a horizontal surface, the central longitudinal axis of the connecting sleeve extends substantially vertically and in the median longitudinal plane of the vacuum cleaner nozzle, and a second sleeve position in which, when the main body rests on a horizontal surface, the central longitudinal axis of the connecting sleeve extends substantially horizontally and in the median longitudinal plane of the vacuum cleaner nozzle, the second sleeve position corresponding to the predetermined sleeve position.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the hinge device includes a connecting member hingedly mounted on the main body through the first pivot connection, the connecting sleeve being hingedly mounted on the connecting member through the second pivot connection.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the main body, the hinge device and the second pivot connection are configured to allow a pivoting of the connecting sleeve, about the second pivot axis and from the first sleeve position, leftwards and at a first maximum pivot angle of at least 45°, and for example at least 60°, relative to the median longitudinal plane of the vacuum cleaner nozzle, and to allow a pivoting of the connecting sleeve, about the second pivot axis and from the first sleeve position, rightwards and at a second maximum pivot angle of at least 45°, and for example at least 60°, relative to the median longitudinal plane of the vacuum cleaner nozzle.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the vacuum cleaner nozzle is configured such that the second pivot axis is located above an upper edge of the main body when the connecting sleeve occupies the first sleeve position and the vacuum cleaner nozzle rests on a horizontal surface.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the main body delimits a receiving housing which is open upwards and backwards, the connecting member being received at least partially in the receiving housing.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the connecting sleeve includes an abutment part configured to cooperate with the blocking part when the connecting sleeve occupies the predetermined sleeve position, so as to prevent a pivoting of the connecting sleeve about of the second pivot axis.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the guide part has a general V shape.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the guide part includes a first guide surface and a second guide surface which are disposed on either side of the median longitudinal plane of the vacuum cleaner nozzle, the first and second guide surfaces converging in the direction of the blocking part.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the first and second guide surfaces extend in the direction of the median longitudinal plane of the vacuum cleaner nozzle and are inclined such that, by extending in the direction of the lower face of the sole, they gradually get closer to each other.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the first and second guide surfaces are disposed facing each other.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the first and second guide surfaces are disposed symmetrically with respect to the median longitudinal plane of the vacuum cleaner nozzle.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the blocking part includes a first blocking surface and a second blocking surface which are disposed on either side of the median longitudinal plane of the vacuum cleaner nozzle and which extend substantially vertically when the vacuum cleaner nozzle rests on a horizontal surface.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the first and second blocking surfaces are spaced apart from each other by a spacing distance corresponding substantially to the width of the abutment part.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the first and second blocking surfaces are disposed symmetrically with respect to the median longitudinal plane of the vacuum cleaner nozzle.
According to one embodiment of the invention, each of the first and second blocking surfaces is planar.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the first guide surface extends in the extension of the first blocking surface, and the second guide surface extends in the extension of the second blocking surface.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the pivot blocking device includes a first lateral wall and a second lateral wall located on either side of the median longitudinal plane, the first lateral wall including the first blocking surface and the first guide surface, and the second lateral wall including the second blocking surface and the second guide surface.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the first and second blocking surfaces are disposed facing each other.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the main body includes an upper cover fastened to the sole and configured to cover at least partially the sole, the pivot blocking device being provided on the upper cover.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the pivot blocking device is provided on the sole.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the vacuum cleaner nozzle includes a rear anti-tilt abutment provided on the main body, the rear anti-tilt abutment being located at the rear of the suction mouth and at least in part at the rear of the first pivot axis.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the rear anti-tilt abutment is located vertically below a rear part of the sole.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the rear anti-tilt abutment is attached to and fastened to the main body, and for example to the sole.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the rear anti-tilt abutment projects from the lower face of the sole.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the rear anti-tilt abutment is deformable. The use of a rear anti-tilt abutment which is deformable makes it possible to significantly reduce the noise generated by the friction of the rear anti-tilt abutment when a user moves the vacuum cleaner nozzle backwards. In addition, such a configuration of the rear anti-tilt abutment makes it possible to significantly reduce the risk of scratching the floors to be cleaned, since the rear anti-tilt abutment is able to deform on contact with the floor to be cleaned, which avoids a rigid contact between the rear anti-tilt abutment and the latter.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the rear anti-tilt abutment includes a first row of bristles and a second row of bristles which are located on either side of a median longitudinal plane of the vacuum cleaner nozzle, each first and second rows of bristles extending substantially parallel to the median longitudinal plane of the vacuum cleaner nozzle. Such a configuration of the rear anti-tilt abutment limits the drag produced by the rear anti-tilt abutment, and therefore the friction generated by the latter during displacements of the vacuum cleaner nozzle on the surface to be cleaned. In addition, such a configuration of the rear anti-tilt abutment makes it possible to limit the manufacturing costs of the vacuum cleaner nozzle.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the first and second rows of bristles extend parallel to the median longitudinal plane of the vacuum cleaner nozzle.
According to another embodiment of the invention, each of the first and second rows of bristles is inclined relative to the median longitudinal plane of the vacuum cleaner nozzle at an angle of inclination less than 10°, and for example less than 5°.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the first and second rows of bristles are disposed symmetrically with respect to the median longitudinal plane of the vacuum cleaner nozzle.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the main body includes an air outlet endpiece having a central axis which is configured to be inclined, relative to the horizontal, at an angle of inclination comprised between 40° and 60°, when the vacuum cleaner nozzle rests on a horizontal surface. Such a configuration of the suction air outlet endpiece limits the deformations undergone by the flexible connecting duct during use of the vacuum cleaner nozzle. Indeed, under normal conditions of use (namely in the unfolded configuration of the gripping handle), the connecting sleeve is generally inclined relative to the horizontal at an angle of inclination which varies between 40° and 60°.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the air outlet endpiece is located at least partly above the suction mouth.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the connecting member includes:

- a first connecting part including a pair of first fastening tabs which are spaced apart from each other and located facing each other, the first fastening tabs being hingedly mounted on the main body through the pivot connection,
- a second connecting part including a pair of second fastening tabs which are spaced apart from each other and located facing each other, the connecting sleeve being hingedly mounted on the second fastening tabs through the additional pivot connection.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the first fastening tabs and the second fastening tabs are angularly offset, along a central axis of the connecting member, by an offset angle of approximately 90°.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the vacuum cleaner nozzle includes a flexible connecting duct fluidly connecting the suction mouth to the connecting sleeve.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the connecting member delimits an internal passage in which the flexible connecting duct extends.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the flexible connecting duct extends between the first fastening tabs and between the second fastening tabs.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the suction mouth is elongated and extends in a direction of extension which is transverse to the main movement direction of the vacuum cleaner nozzle, and for example perpendicular to the main movement direction.
The present invention further concerns a vacuum cleaner, such as a canister vacuum cleaner or an upright vacuum cleaner, comprising a vacuum cleaner nozzle according to the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The aims, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the description given below of a particular embodiment of the invention presented by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the drawings appended in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an accessory equipped with a vacuum cleaner nozzle according to the present invention, showing the accessory in unfolded configuration;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the accessory of FIG. 1 , showing the accessory in folded configuration;

FIG. 3 is a partial rear perspective view of the vacuum cleaner nozzle of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4 is a partial rear view of the vacuum cleaner nozzle of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 5 is a partial top view of the vacuum cleaner nozzle of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 6 is a partial side view of the vacuum cleaner nozzle of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 7 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the vacuum cleaner nozzle of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 8 is a front view of the vacuum cleaner nozzle of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view of the vacuum cleaner nozzle of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 10 is a top view of the vacuum cleaner nozzle of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 11 is a bottom perspective view of the vacuum cleaner nozzle of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 12 is a side view of the vacuum cleaner nozzle of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 13 is a longitudinal sectional view of the vacuum cleaner nozzle of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 14 is a partial top view of the vacuum cleaner nozzle of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 15 is a bottom view of the vacuum cleaner nozzle of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 16 is a rear view of the vacuum cleaner nozzle of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 17 is a side view of the vacuum cleaner nozzle of FIG. 1 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In this document, the terms “forward tilting” mean a tilting of the connecting sleeve towards the main body of the vacuum cleaner nozzle and therefore away from a user manipulating in front of him and under normal conditions of use a vacuum cleaner equipped with the vacuum cleaner nozzle, and the terms “backward tilting” mean a tilting of the connecting sleeve away from the main body of the vacuum cleaner nozzle and therefore towards a user handling under normal conditions of use the vacuum cleaner in front of him.
In this document, the terms “leftward tilting” mean a tilting of the connecting sleeve leftwards when a user manipulates in front of him and under normal conditions of use a vacuum cleaner equipped with the vacuum cleaner nozzle, and the terms “rightward tilting” mean a tilting of the connecting sleeve rightwards when a user manipulates in front of him and under normal conditions of use a vacuum cleaner equipped with the vacuum cleaner nozzle.
In the present document, the term “length” associated with the suction mouth corresponds to a dimension of said suction mouth measured in a direction transverse to the main movement direction of the vacuum cleaner nozzle.
In the present document, the terms “main movement direction” correspond to a movement direction of the vacuum cleaner nozzle which is parallel to the median longitudinal plane of the vacuum cleaner nozzle.
FIGS. 1 to 17 represent a vacuum cleaner nozzle 2 comprising a main body 3 configured to be moved on a surface to be cleaned.
The main body 3 comprises a sole 4, for example made of plastic material, provided with a lower face 5 configured to be oriented towards the surface to be cleaned, and with a suction mouth 6 emerging into the lower face 5 of the sole 4. As shown in FIG. 15 , the suction mouth 6 is elongated and extends in an extension direction D1 which is perpendicular to a main movement direction D2 of the vacuum cleaner nozzle 2.
The sole 4 further includes a suction chamber 41 into which the suction mouth 6 emerges, and an air outlet endpiece 42 which also emerges into the suction chamber 41. According to the embodiment represented on the figures, the air outlet endpiece 42 is located at least partly above the suction mouth 6 (see in particular FIGS. 7 and 13 ), and is oriented backwards of the vacuum cleaner nozzle 2. Advantageously, the air outlet endpiece 42 has a central axis which is configured to be inclined, relative to the horizontal, at an angle of inclination comprised between 40° and 60°, when the nozzle vacuum cleaner 2 rests on a horizontal surface.
The main body 3 also comprises an upper cover 10 fastened to the sole 4 and configured to cover at least partially the sole 4.
The vacuum cleaner nozzle 2 further comprises a connecting sleeve 7 fluidly connected to the suction mouth 6, and more particularly to the air outlet endpiece 42. The connecting sleeve 7 is intended to be connected to an accessory 8, itself connected to a suction system of a vacuum cleaner (not illustrated). Various variants of vacuum cleaners already exist on the market and can be used with the vacuum cleaner nozzle 2 according to the invention; these variants being known to those skilled in the art, they are not detailed in the present document.
According to the embodiment represented in the figures, the accessory 8 includes:

- a suction tube 9 including a first end 9.1 which is connected, for example in a removable manner, to the connecting sleeve 7, and a second end 9.2 which is opposite the first end portion 9.1 and which is advantageously provided with a connecting endpiece,
- a suction pipe 11 which is at least partly flexible and which is connected, for example in a removable manner, to the second end 9.2 of the suction tube 9, and
- a gripping handle 12 comprising a main handle part 12.1 which is elongated and a handle grip 12.2 configured to be grasped by a user so as to allow the latter to manipulate the gripping handle 12 and therefore the suction tube 9.

The main handle part 12.1 is hingedly mounted on the second end portion 9.2 of the suction tube 9 about a hinge axis which is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the suction tube 9 and between an unfolded configuration (see FIG. 1 ) in which the main handle part 12.1 extends substantially parallel to the suction tube 9, and a folded configuration (see FIG. 2 ), in which the main handle part 12.1 and the suction tube 9 define between them an angle less than 180°, and for example approximately 90°.
The vacuum cleaner nozzle 2 further comprises a hinge device 13 mechanically and hingedly connecting the connecting sleeve 7 to the main body 3, and more particularly to the upper cover 10.
The hinge device 13 comprises a first pivot connection P1, also called transverse pivot connection, defining a first pivot axis X1, also called transverse pivot axis, extending transversely to the main movement direction D2 of the vacuum cleaner nozzle 2. The first pivot connection P1 is configured to allow a tilting of the connecting sleeve 7 forwards and backwards relative to the main body 3 about the first pivot axis X1. Advantageously, the first pivot axis X1 extends perpendicularly to a median longitudinal plane P of the vacuum cleaner nozzle 2, and therefore perpendicular to the main movement direction D2 of the vacuum cleaner nozzle 2, and extends horizontally when the vacuum cleaner nozzle 2 rests on a horizontal surface.
The first pivot connection P1 is more particularly configured such that the connecting sleeve 7 may occupy, relative to the main body 3, in particular a first sleeve position (see FIG. 17 ) in which, when the main body 3 rests on a horizontal surface, a central longitudinal axis B of the connecting sleeve 7 extends vertically and in the median longitudinal plane P of the vacuum cleaner nozzle 2, and a second sleeve position (see in particular FIGS. 2 and 13 ) in which, when the main body 3 rests on a horizontal surface, the central longitudinal axis B of the connecting sleeve 7 extends horizontally and in the median longitudinal plane P of the vacuum cleaner nozzle 2. However, according to one variant of the invention, when the connecting sleeve 7 occupies the second sleeve position and the vacuum cleaner nozzle 2 rests on a horizontal surface, the central longitudinal axis B of the connecting sleeve 7 could be inclined relative to the horizontal at an angle of inclination less than 10°, and for example less than 5°. According to another variant of the invention, when the connecting sleeve 7 occupies the first sleeve position and the vacuum cleaner nozzle 2 rests on a horizontal surface, the central longitudinal axis B of the connecting sleeve 7 could be inclined relative to the vertical at an angle of inclination less than 45°, and advantageously less than 20°.
The first sleeve position, in which the central longitudinal axis B of the connecting sleeve 7 extends vertically or substantially vertically with an angle of inclination relative to the vertical which is less than 20°, may for example correspond to a storage position of the vacuum cleaner nozzle 2, also called parking position. The second sleeve position, in which the central longitudinal axis B of the connecting sleeve 7 extends horizontally or substantially horizontally with an angle of inclination relative to the horizontal which is less than 10°, may for example correspond to a cleaning position under a low piece of furniture.
The first pivot connection P1 is also configured such that the connecting sleeve 7 is capable of occupying, relative to the main body 3, a plurality of intermediate sleeve positions located between the first and second sleeve positions and in each of which the central longitudinal axis B of the connecting sleeve 7 extends in the median longitudinal plane P of the vacuum cleaner nozzle 2 and is inclined relative to the vertical and relative to the horizontal (see in particular FIG. 1 ).
The hinge device 13 further comprises a second pivot connection P2, also called longitudinal pivot connection, defining a second pivot axis X2, also called longitudinal pivot axis, and configured to allow a tilting of the connecting sleeve 7 leftwards and rightwards relative to the main body 3 and about the second pivot axis X2, in particular from the first sleeve position. Advantageously, the second pivot axis X2 is located in the median longitudinal plane P of the vacuum cleaner nozzle 2, and the vacuum cleaner nozzle 2 is configured such that the second pivot axis X2 is located above an upper edge of the main body 3, and more particularly of the upper cover 10, when the connecting sleeve 7 occupies the first sleeve position and the vacuum cleaner nozzle 2 rests on a horizontal surface.
The second pivot connection P2 is more particularly configured to allow a pivoting of the connecting sleeve 7, about the second pivot axis X2 and from the first sleeve position, leftwards and at a first maximum pivot angle of at least 45°, and for example at least 60°, relative to the median longitudinal plane P of the vacuum cleaner nozzle 2, and to allow a pivoting of the connecting sleeve 7, about the second pivot axis X2 and from the first sleeve position, rightwards and at a second maximum pivot angle of at least 45°, and for example at least 60°, relative to the median longitudinal plane P of the vacuum cleaner nozzle 2.
According to the embodiment represented in the figures, the second pivot axis X2 extends horizontally when the central longitudinal axis B of the connecting sleeve 7 extends vertically and the vacuum cleaner nozzle 2 rests on a horizontal surface. However, according to one variant of the invention, the second pivot axis X2 could be inclined relative to the horizontal, and for example be inclined forwards and upwards at an angle of inclination less than 10°, and for example less than 5°, when the central longitudinal axis B of the connecting sleeve 7 extends vertically and the vacuum cleaner nozzle 2 rests on a horizontal surface.
According to the embodiment represented in the figures, the hinge device 13 includes a connecting member 14 mechanically connecting the connecting sleeve 7 to the main body 3. The connecting member 14 is hingedly mounted on the main body 3, and more particularly on the upper cover 10, through the first pivot connection P1, and the connecting sleeve 7 is hingedly mounted on the connecting member 14 through the second pivot connection P2.
The upper cover 10 more particularly delimits a receiving housing 10.1 which is open upwards and rearwards and in which the connecting member 14 is partially received. Such a configuration of the vacuum cleaner nozzle 2 makes it possible to limit the overall height of the vacuum cleaner nozzle 2, while allowing a significant amplitude of pivoting of the connecting sleeve 7 about the second positioning axis X2.
According to the embodiment represented in the figures, the connecting member 14 includes:

- a first connecting part 15 including a pair of first fastening tabs 15.1 (see FIG. 10 ) which are spaced apart from each other and located facing each other, the first fastening tabs 15.1 being hingedly mounted on the main body 3 through the first pivot connection P1, and
- a second connecting part 16 including a pair of second fastening tabs 16.1 which are spaced apart from each other and located facing each other, the connecting sleeve 7 being hingedly mounted on the second fastening tabs 16.1 through the second pivot connection P2.

Advantageously, the first fastening tabs 15.1 and the second fastening tabs 16.1 are angularly offset, along a central axis of the connecting member 14, by an offset angle of approximately 90°.
The vacuum cleaner nozzle 2 also comprises a flexible connecting duct 17 (see FIGS. 9 and 13 ) fluidly connecting the air outlet endpiece 42 to the connecting sleeve 7. Advantageously, the connecting member 14 delimits an internal passage in which the flexible connecting duct 17 extends. Thus, the flexible connecting duct 17 extends between the first fastening tabs 15.1 and between the second fastening tabs 16.1.
The vacuum cleaner nozzle 2 further comprises a rear anti-tilt abutment 18 which is deformable and which is located at the rear of the suction mouth 6 and below a rear part of the sole 4. The rear anti-tilt abutment 18 is more particularly located at least partly at the rear of the first pivot axis X1 (see in particular FIG. 7 ). In other words, when the nozzle rests on a horizontal surface, the rear anti-tilt abutment 18 is located at least partly at the rear of a vertical plane containing the first pivot axis X1.
Advantageously, the rear anti-tilt abutment 18 is offset backwards vis-à-vis the transverse pivot axis X1, and is therefore entirely located at the rear of the first pivot axis X1.
According to the embodiment represented in the figures, the rear anti-tilt abutment 18 includes a first row of bristles 19 and a second row of bristles 21 which are located on either side of the median longitudinal plane P of the vacuum cleaner nozzle 2 and which each extend transversely relative to the first pivot axis X1. Thus, the first and second rows of bristles 19, 21 are distinct from each other and are separated from each other. Advantageously, each of the first and second rows of bristles 19, 21 extends in a rectilinear manner.
According to the embodiment represented in the figures, the first and second rows of bristles 19, 21 are disposed symmetrically with respect to the median longitudinal plane P of the vacuum cleaner nozzle 2, and extend parallel to the median longitudinal plane P of the vacuum cleaner nozzle 2. However, according to one variant of the invention, each of the first and second rows of bristles 19, 21 could be inclined laterally relative to the median longitudinal plane P of the vacuum cleaner nozzle 2 at an angle of inclination less than 10°, and for example less than 5°. In other words, the first and second rows of bristles 19, 21 could be inclined relative to each other at an angle of inclination less than 20°.
Advantageously, the first and second rows of bristles 19, 21 are spaced apart from each other by a separation distance Ds1 which is less than the length of the suction mouth 6. The separation distance Ds1 may be comprised between 50 and 150 mm, advantageously between 60 and 100 mm, and for example approximately 82 mm.
The bristles of each of the first and second row of bristles 21 are configured to interact with a surface to be cleaned, in particular to rub said surface to be cleaned, when the vacuum cleaner nozzle 2 is moved over said surface to be cleaned. Advantageously, the bristles of each of the first and second rows of bristles 19, 21 project from a plane containing a front edge of the suction mouth 6 and a rear edge of the suction mouth 6 by a projection distance Ds2 which is comprised between 2 and 6 mm, and for example approximately 4 mm. Advantageously, said plane is substantially horizontal when the vacuum cleaner nozzle 2 rests on the surface to be cleaned.
The vacuum cleaner nozzle 2 further includes a pivot blocking device provided in a rear part of the main body 3, and more particularly of the upper cover 10. However, according to one variant of the invention, the pivot blocking device could also be provided on the sole 4.
The pivot blocking device includes a blocking part 23 which partly delimits a blocking area 24 and which is configured to block a pivoting of the connecting sleeve 7 about the second pivot axis X2 in particular when the connecting sleeve 7 occupies the second sleeve position, namely when the central longitudinal axis B of the connecting sleeve 7 extends substantially horizontally and the vacuum cleaner nozzle 2 rests on a horizontal surface.
According to the embodiment represented in the figures, the blocking part 23 includes a first blocking surface 25 and a second blocking surface 26 which are disposed on either side of the median longitudinal plane P of the vacuum cleaner nozzle 2 and symmetrically with respect to the median longitudinal plane P of the vacuum cleaner nozzle 2. Advantageously, the first and second blocking surfaces 25, 26 are planar and disposed facing each other, and extend vertically when the vacuum cleaner nozzle 2 rests on a horizontal surface.
The connecting sleeve 7 more particularly includes an abutment part 27 configured to cooperate with the first and second blocking surfaces 25, 26 when the connecting sleeve 7 occupies the second sleeve position, so as to prevent a pivoting of the connecting sleeve 7 about the second pivot axis X2. Advantageously, the first and second blocking surfaces 25, 26 are spaced apart from each other by a spacing distance De (see FIG. 4 ) corresponding substantially to the width of the abutment part 27. The ratio of the spacing distance De to the width of the abutment part 27 may for example be comprised between 1 and 1.1, and for example between 1 and 1.05.
The pivot blocking device further includes a guide part 28 which is located above the blocking part 23 and which is configured to guide the connecting sleeve 7 towards the blocking area 24 when the connecting sleeve 7 is pivoted backwards and toward the second sleeve position.
The guide part 28 includes a first guide surface 29 and a second guide surface 31 which are disposed on either side of the median longitudinal plane P of the vacuum cleaner nozzle 2 and facing each other. Advantageously, the first and second guide surfaces 29, 31 are disposed symmetrically with respect to the median longitudinal plane P of the vacuum cleaner nozzle 2.
As shown more particularly in FIG. 3 , the first guide surface 29 extends in the extension of the first blocking surface 25, and the second guide surface 31 extends in the extension of the second blocking surface 26.
According to the embodiment represented in the figures, the guide part 28 has a general V shape, and the first and second guide surfaces 29, 31 converge in the direction of the blocking part 23. Advantageously, the first and second guide surfaces 29, 31 extend towards the median longitudinal plane P of the vacuum cleaner nozzle 2, and are inclined such that, by extending in the direction of the lower face 5 of the sole 4, they gradually get closer to each other.
Thus, when the central longitudinal axis B of the connecting sleeve 7 is inclined laterally relative to the median longitudinal plane P of the vacuum cleaner nozzle 2 and the connecting sleeve 7 is pivoted backwards and towards the second sleeve position, the guide part 28 is configured to cooperate with the connecting sleeve 7, and more particularly with the abutment part 27, so as to pivot the connecting sleeve 7 about the second pivot axis X2 and in the direction of the median longitudinal plane P of the vacuum cleaner nozzle 2.
According to the embodiment represented in the figures, the upper cover 10 includes a first lateral wall 32 and a second lateral wall 33 which are located on either side of the median longitudinal plane P of the vacuum cleaner nozzle 2. The first lateral wall 32 more particularly includes the first blocking surface 25 and the first guide surface 29, while the second lateral wall 33 includes the second blocking surface 26 and the second guide surface 31.
Of course, the present invention is in no way limited to the embodiment described and illustrated which has only been given by way of example. Modifications remain possible, particularly from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

1. A vacuum cleaner nozzle comprising:

a main body including a sole provided with a lower face configured to be oriented towards a surface to be cleaned, and a suction mouth emerging into the lower face of the sole,

a connecting sleeve to which a suction tube of a vacuum cleaner is configured to be fastened, the connecting sleeve being fluidly connected to the suction mouth,

a hinge device mechanically and hingedly connecting the connecting sleeve to the main body, the hinge device comprising a first pivot connection defining a first pivot axis extending transversely to a main movement direction of the vacuum cleaner nozzle and configured to allow a tilting of the connecting sleeve forwards and backwards relative to the main body and about the first pivot axis, and comprising a second pivot connection defining a second pivot axis and configured to allow a tilting of the connecting sleeve leftwards and rightwards relative to the main body and about the second pivot axis,

wherein the vacuum cleaner nozzle includes a pivot blocking device provided in a rear part of the main body, the pivot blocking device including a blocking part partly delimiting a blocking area and configured to block a pivoting of the connecting sleeve about the second pivot axis at least when the connecting sleeve occupies a predetermined sleeve position in which, when the vacuum cleaner nozzle rests on a horizontal surface, a central longitudinal axis of the connecting sleeve extends substantially horizontally.

2. The vacuum cleaner nozzle according to claim 1, wherein the blocking part and the connecting sleeve are configured such that, when the connecting sleeve occupies the predetermined sleeve position, the central longitudinal axis of the connecting sleeve is located in the median longitudinal plane of the vacuum cleaner nozzle.

3. The vacuum cleaner nozzle according to claim 1, wherein the connecting sleeve includes an abutment part configured to cooperate with the blocking part when the connecting sleeve occupies the predetermined sleeve position, so as to prevent a pivoting of the connecting sleeve about the second pivot axis.

4. The vacuum cleaner nozzle according to claim 1, wherein the pivot blocking device includes a guide part configured to guide the connecting sleeve towards the blocking area when the connecting sleeve is pivoted backwards and towards the predetermined sleeve position.

5. The vacuum cleaner nozzle according to claim 4, wherein, when the central longitudinal axis of the connecting sleeve is inclined laterally relative to the median longitudinal plane of the vacuum cleaner nozzle and the connecting sleeve is pivoted backwards and towards the predetermined sleeve position, the guide part is configured to cooperate with the connecting sleeve so as to pivot it about the second pivot axis and towards the median longitudinal plane of the vacuum cleaner nozzle.

6. The vacuum cleaner nozzle according to claim 4, wherein the guide part has a general V shape.

7. The vacuum cleaner nozzle according to claim 4, wherein the guide part includes a first guide surface and a second guide surface disposed on either side of the median longitudinal plane of the vacuum cleaner nozzle, the first and second guide surfaces converging towards the blocking part.

8. The vacuum cleaner nozzle according to claim 1, wherein the blocking part includes a first blocking surface and a second blocking surface which are disposed on either side of the median longitudinal plane of the vacuum cleaner nozzle and which extend substantially vertically when the vacuum cleaner nozzle rests on a horizontal surface.

9. The vacuum cleaner nozzle according to claim 3, wherein the first and second blocking surfaces are spaced apart from each other by a spacing distance corresponding substantially to the width of the abutment part.

10. The vacuum cleaner nozzle according to claim 8, wherein the guide part includes a first guide surface and a second guide surface disposed on either side of the median longitudinal plane of the vacuum cleaner nozzle, the first and second guide surfaces converging towards the blocking part, and wherein the pivot blocking device includes a first lateral wall and a second lateral wall located on either side of the median longitudinal plane, the first lateral wall including the first blocking surface and the first guide surface, and the second lateral wall including the second blocking surface and the second guide surface.

11. The vacuum cleaner nozzle according to claim 1, wherein the hinge device includes a connecting member hingedly mounted on the main body through the first pivot connection, the connecting sleeve being hingedly mounted on the connecting member through the second pivot connection.

12. The vacuum cleaner nozzle according to claim 1, wherein the main body includes an upper cover fastened to the sole and configured to cover at least partly the sole, the pivot blocking device being provided on the upper cover.

13. The vacuum cleaner nozzle according to claim 1, which includes a rear anti-tilt abutment provided on the main body, the rear anti-tilt abutment being located behind the suction mouth and at least partly behind the first pivot axis.

14. The vacuum cleaner nozzle according to claim 13, wherein the rear anti-tilt abutment is deformable.

15. The vacuum cleaner nozzle according to claim 1, wherein the main body includes an air outlet endpiece having a central axis which is configured to be inclined, relative to the horizontal, at an angle of inclination comprised between 40° and 60°, when the vacuum cleaner nozzle rests on a horizontal surface.

16. A vacuum cleaner comprising a vacuum cleaner nozzle according to claim 1.