US20090064450A1 - Surface treating appliance - Google Patents

Abstract

A surface-treating appliance includes a main body, a surface-treating head, and a stand. The stand is located on a rear portion of the appliance and is moveable between a supporting position, in which it supports the main body in an upright position, and a stored position. The stand is moveable between the supporting and stored positions in response to movement of the main body between its upright position and an inclined position.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• This application claims the priority of United Kingdom Application No. 0717487.3, filed Sep. 8, 2007, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• This invention relates to a surface treating appliance, such as a vacuum cleaner.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• Surface treating appliances such as vacuum cleaners and floor polishers are well known. The majority of vacuum cleaners are either of the ‘upright’ type or of the ‘cylinder’ type, called canister or barrel cleaners in some countries. A typical upright vacuum cleaner comprises a main body which houses the main components of the vacuum cleaner, such as a motor and fan for drawing dirty air into the machine and some form of separating apparatus for separating dirt, dust and other debris from a dirty airflow drawn in by the fan. The main body also houses filters for trapping fine particles in the cleaned airflow. A cleaner head is rotatably mounted to the lower end of the main body. A supporting wheel is mounted on each side of the lower part of the main body, in a fixed relationship to the main body. In use, a user reclines the main body of the vacuum cleaner and then pushes and pulls a handle which is fixed to the main body of the cleaner. The vacuum cleaner rolls along the floor surface on the supporting wheels.
• A dirty-air inlet is located on the underside of the cleaner head. Dirty air is drawn into the dust separating apparatus via the dirty-air inlet by means of the motor-driven fan. When the dirt and dust entrained within the air has been separated from the airflow in the separating apparatus, air is conducted to the clean air outlet by a second air flow duct, and via one or more filters, and expelled into the atmosphere.
• Conventional upright vacuum cleaners have a disadvantage in that they can be difficult to manoeuvre about an area in which they are used. They can be pushed and pulled easily enough, but pointing the cleaner in a new direction is more difficult. It has been proposed to make an upright vacuum cleaner more manoeuvrable by substituting a wide rolling support for the supporting wheels, such as is described in our patent application GB2391459. However, such an appliance requires further support when in the upright or vertical position, which can prove cumbersome and unwieldy during use.
• It has been proposed to use a support assembly which may be actuated by raising the main body into its upright position and deactivated by pressing an actuator pedal, such as is described in our patent application GB0500992. However, such a support structure may not be intuitive for a user and may therefore be difficult to use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• Accordingly the present invention provides a surface-treating appliance comprising a main body, a surface-treating head, and a stand, the stand being located on a rear portion of the appliance and being moveable between a supporting position, in which it supports the main body in an upright position and a stored position, the stand being moveable between the supporting and stored positions in response to a force being applied to the main body.
• In a preferred embodiment the force is movement of the main body between its upright position and an inclined position.
• Additionally or alternatively the force may comprise a downwards force applied to the main body.
• In a preferred embodiment the main body comprises a handle and/or wand and the force is applied to the handle and/or wand. The handle and/or wand may be located at the top of the main body.
• In general, surface-treating appliances are stored with the main body in an upright configuration and used with the body in an inclined position. Therefore the provision of a stand which is movable between the supporting and stored positions automatically in response to a force being applied to the main body, for example movement of the main body between its upright position and an inclined position is more intuitive. The appliance advantageously requires no direct action by a user in order to raise and lower the stand. A user simply applies a downward pressure to the main body and/or tips the main body ready for use and the stand automatically moves into its stored position.
• In particular the stand is pedaless or actuatorless and therefore a user does not have to find and compress a pedal or other actuator, for example a leaver or button, in order to move the stand into the stored position. In this way, the stand is operated without any physical manipulation of the stand, any part of the surface treating head or other direct intervention by the user and as such is “automatic” within the meaning of this invention.
• Preferably the stand is pivotably moveable between the supporting and stored positions.
• To move the stand into the stored position the stand may be movable either in a forward direction or in a rearward direction. If the stand is arranged to move in a forward direction it may be located generally underneath the appliance or alongside a part of the surface treating head in the stored position. If it is arranged to move in a rearward direction it may be folded generally upwardly against the rear of the appliance in the stored position.
• In a particular embodiment the stand may be arranged to be moveable from the supporting position to the stored position in response to the main body of the appliance being tipped rearwardly until its weight is over centre of the stand. In a preferred embodiment the stand does not have a balance point. In a particular embodiment this is achieved by ensuring that the centre of gravity of the main body is behind the stand when the stand is at substantially 90 degrees to a floor surface on which the appliance is placed. This is advantageous since a common problem with existing support assemblies is that they may have a balance point at which the support assembly is neither up nor down. This may be dangerous, since if the appliance is left standing at this balance point a small knock to the appliance could result in it falling over, which could damage the appliance and/or cause an injury to a user.
• The appliance may further comprise resilient biasing means, for example one or more over-centre spring mechanisms to assist in moving the stand between the stored and supporting positions.
• At least one cam mechanism may additionally or alternatively be provided. In a preferred embodiment, the cam mechanism may be arranged such that when the main body of the appliance is raised from an inclined position to its upright position, the cam mechanism urges the stand into the supporting position. The cam mechanism may for example comprise an actuator, for example an actuator located on the surface treating head, or a yoke associated with the surface treating head. When the main body of the appliance is raised from an inclined position to its upright position by a user, the actuator may be arranged to engage with and push against a portion of the stand to urge the stand into the supporting position.
• In an embodiment, the appliance may further comprise a wheel or roller which may be rotatably mounted to the main body for allowing the main body to be moved along a surface. The wheel or roller may comprise one or more rotatable members having an outer surface which define a substantially continuous rolling support surface in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the main body, the support surface preferably being symmetrical about the longitudinal axis of the main body. The wheel or roller may house a component of the appliance, for example a motor and/or fan arrangement arranged, in use, to generate a fluid flow. The appliance may also further comprise a wand.
• Additionally the appliance may further comprise an upright lock for locking the surface-treating head in a fixed position with respect to the main body when the stand is in the supporting position. This advantageously may allow the entire appliance to be lifted of the floor and carried without the surface treating head falling towards the floor. The upright lock may be arranged to be automatically released when the main body is tipped into an inclined position for use.
• Although it is desirable to have a stand which will be automatically released when the main body is tipped into an inclined position for use it may also be desirable in certain situations to be able to transport the appliance on wheels of the stand. This may be achieved in several ways whilst still providing an appliance where the stand may be moveable between the supporting and stored positions in response to a force being applied to the main body.
• For example in a particular embodiment the upright lock or a portion of the upright lock may also function both to prevent the stand activating accidentally and as the cam for urging the stand into the supporting position. In such an embodiment the upright lock may be associated with an upright lock resilient biasing means, for example an over centre spring. The upright lock and the upright lock biasing means may help to ensure that the stand does not move into its stored position by accident. In a preferred embodiment a downward force may be applied to a wand or handle of the main body. Preferably this force is applied as the appliance is reclined. This downward force may help to overcome the force of the upright lock biasing means. Once the upright lock has been released a stand activating resilient biasing means can act on the stand to move it into the stored position.
• In such an embodiment it may be possible to recline the appliance whilst applying no downward force onto the wand or handle, therefore allowing the appliance to be transported on wheels of the stand.
• In an alternative embodiment the stand may comprise a pair of legs and at least one lever arm. In a preferred embodiment there is a single lever arm. The lever arm may be arranged to extend alongside one of the legs for example alongside the inner surface of one of the legs. In use the lever arm may be arranged such that it can move the stand into the stored position in response to a user reclining the appliance. The lever arm is preferably pivotally attached at a first end to the main body of the appliance. Preferably the second end of the lever arm further comprises an outwardly facing pin arranged to engage with a groove on the surface of the leg which it is alongside. The stand is preferably arranged such that when it is in the supporting position the pin is arranged at the furthest end of the groove away from the main body of the appliance. In this embodiment the leg of the stand which comprises the groove may also further comprises a cam which is resiliently biased to project into the groove. Therefore when a user reclines the appliance the pin on the lever arm has to move past the cam against the force of the resilient biasing means. Once the pin has passed the cam, it continues to move along the groove as the user continues to recline the appliance further. In this embodiment a stand activating resilient biasing means, for example an over centre spring mechanism may be provided to assist in moving the stand between the stored and supporting positions once the pin has reached a certain point along the groove.
• In this embodiment, because the pin has to move past a cam which is resiliently biased to project into the groove, a certain amount of force is required. Advantageously this means that it may be possible to recline the appliance whilst applying no downward force onto the wand or handle, therefore allowing the appliance to be transported on wheels of the stand. Only when enough pressure is applied to the wand or handle, will the pin be able to move past the cam by compressing or distorting the resilient biasing means which are acting on the cam.
• In this embodiment at least one return cam mechanism may additionally be provided. In a preferred embodiment, the return cam mechanism may be arranged such that when the main body of the appliance is raised from an inclined position to its upright position, the return cam mechanism urges the stand into the supporting position. The return cam mechanism may for example comprise an actuator, for example an actuator located on the surface treating head. When the main body of the appliance is raised from an inclined position to its upright position by a user, the actuator may be arranged to engage with and push against a portion of the stand to urge the stand into the supporting position. However in this embodiment the pin needs to pass the resiliently biased cam before the stand can reach its supporting position. In order to reduce the force needed to move past the resiliently biased cam the resiliently biased cam may be pivotally mounted to the leg. Having a pivotally mounted cam helps to ensures that the force required to reset the stand into its supporting position is considerably less than the force required to move the stand into the stored position. It may also advantageously help to reduce the risk of the stand being left at a position between the stored and supporting positions. Preferably the leg also further comprises a cam block which is arranged to allow the resiliently biased cam to pivot when the pin moves towards the end of the groove furthest away from the main body of the appliance but not when the pin is moving in the other direction.
• The appliance may also further comprise a hose. In such an embodiment, the appliance may also further comprise a hose lock. In a preferred embodiment the hose lock may be arranged to lock the stand in the supporting position during use of the hose, such that if a user applies a rearward pulling force to the hose, the stand does not move into the stored position. This is advantageous as it helps to ensure that the appliance does not fall over whilst the hose is in use. In a particular embodiment the hose lock comprises an abutment member which in use presses against the stand, locking it in the supporting position when the hose is pulled away from the appliance during use. The hose lock is preferably arranged to be automatically released when the hose is stored on the main body.
• The appliance may also further comprise a change over valve lock for locking the stand in the supporting position when the wand is in use. In a preferred embodiment the change over valve lock may be arranged to lock the stand in the supporting position on removal of the wand from its storage position on the main body. This is advantageous as it helps to ensure that the appliance does not fall over whilst the wand is in use. In a particular embodiment the change over valve lock comprises an abutment member which in use presses against the stand, locking it in the supporting position, when the wand is removed from its storage position on the appliance. The change over valve lock is preferably arranged to be automatically released when the wand is stored on the main body.
• This invention is particularly suitable for inclusion in upright vacuum cleaners, for example upright vacuum cleaners having a wide, ball-like rolling support assembly, but may be applied to more conventional upright cleaners and other domestic appliances. In a particular embodiment the vacuum cleaner may further comprising cyclonic dirt and dust separating means.
• The term “surface treating appliance” is intended to have a broad meaning, and includes a wide range of appliances having a surface treating head for traveling over a surface to clean or treat the surface in some manner. It includes, inter alia, appliances which apply suction to the surface so as to draw material from it, such as vacuum cleaners (dry, wet and wet/dry), as well as appliances which apply material to the surface, such as polishing/waxing machines, pressure washing machines, ground marking machines and shampooing machines. It also includes lawn mowers and other cutting machines.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
• FIG. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of a surface-treating appliance constructed according to the invention with the stand in the supporting position;
• FIG. 2 shows the appliance ofFIG. 1 at the point of stand collapse;
• FIG. 3 shows the appliance ofFIGS. 1 and 2 at the point of stand activation;
• FIG. 4 shows the appliance ofFIGS. 1,2 and3 with the stand in the storage position;
• FIG. 5ashows a partial perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention comprising a hose and hose lock, with the hose lock in the unlocked position;
• FIG. 5bshows the appliance ofFIG. 5awith the hose lock in the locked position;
• FIG. 6 shows a partial perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention comprising a wand and change over valve lock, with the changeover valve lock shown in the locked (dotted lines) and unlocked positions (solid lines);
• FIG. 7 shows a schematic view of the hose lock of the present invention in both the locked and unlocked positions;
• FIG. 8ashows a partial side view of an embodiment of vacuum cleaner according to the present invention showing the stand in the storage position and the upright lock in its unlocked configuration;
• FIG. 8bshows the appliance ofFIG. 8ashowing the stand in its supporting position and the upright lock in the locked configuration;
• FIG. 9 shows an exploded view of the yoke of an embodiment of the present invention;
• FIG. 10 shows a side view of an embodiment of the present invention;
• FIG. 11 shows a side view of an embodiment of the present invention;
• FIG. 12 shows a side view of an embodiment of the present invention;
• FIGS. 13ato13cshow side views of an embodiment of the present invention;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• All figures are schematic.
• With reference toFIGS. 1 to 4, the surface treating appliance is shown in the form of a vacuum cleaner and is indicated generally by thereference numeral1. Thevacuum cleaner1 comprises amain body2, a user-operable handle3 and alarge roller4 for rolling thecleaner1 along afloor surface5. Theroller4 houses a motor and fan for generating a suction airflow (not visible in these drawings). Themain body2houses separating apparatus6 for separating dirt, dust and other debris from a dirty airflow drawn into thecleaner1 by the fan and motor.
• In this embodiment, the separatingapparatus6 is cyclonic, in which the dirt and dust is spun from the airflow. Thecyclonic separating apparatus6 comprises two stages of cyclone separation arranged in series with one another. The first stage is a cylindrically-walled chamber7 and the second stage comprises a set of tapering, substantially frusto-conically shapedchambers8 arranged in parallel with one another. Airflow is directed tangentially into the upper part of thechamber7 by aduct9. Larger debris and particles are removed and collected in thiscyclonic chamber7. The airflow then passes through a shroud (not shown) to the set ofcyclonic chambers8. Finer dust is separated by thesechambers8 and collected in a common collecting region. The second set ofseparators8 can be upright, i.e. with their fluid inlets and outlets at the top and their dirt outlets at the bottom, or inverted, i.e. with their fluid inlets and outlets at the bottom and their dirt outlets at the top. The nature of theseparating apparatus6 is not material to the present invention.
• Themain body2 also houses filters (not visible in these drawings) for trapping fine particles in the cleaned airflow. These filters remove any fine particles of dust which have not already been removed from the airflow by the separatingapparatus6. A first filter, called a pre-motor filter, is provided before the motor and fan. A second filter, called a post-motor filter, is provided after the motor and fan. Where the motor for driving the suction fan has carbon brushes, the post-motor filter also serves to trap any carbon particles emitted by the brushes. Clean air is then expelled to the atmosphere.
• Acleaner head10 is pivotably mounted to the lower end of themain body2, and serves, in use, to treat thefloor surface5. The lower, floor-facing side of thecleaner head10 has anair inlet slot11.
• Theroller4 permits thecleaner1 to be manoeuvered easily along afloor surface5. However, theroller4 may not provide sufficient support for thecleaner1 when themain body2 is in the upright i.e. vertical or substantially vertical position. To this end, a stand indicated generally at12 is provided.
• With reference toFIGS. 1 to 4,5a,5band6 it can be seen that thestand12 comprises twolegs13,14, with a reinforcingstrut15 extending between theirtop end portions13a,14a.Thebottom end portions13b,14bof thelegs13,14 nearest thefloor surface5, in the embodiments shown, further comprisewheels16. Thesewheels16 may however not be present. Thewheels16 are rotatably mounted to eachend13b,and14bof thelegs13,14. Thewheels16 are arranged inside thelegs13,14 of thestand12.
• Thetop end portions13aand14aof thelegs13,14 are pivotably mounted to themain body2 of thecleaner1. In the embodiment shown theleft leg14 is pivotably mounted to afirst protrusion17 extending from theoutlet duct18 which transports air which has passed through the separatingapparatus6 to an exhaust (not shown). Theright leg13 is pivotably mounted to asecond protrusion19 extending fromduct9 which transports air from theair inlet slot11 to theseparating apparatus6. This arrangement ensures that themain body2 bears against the top of thestand12 when it is in the supporting position as shown inFIG. 1. Thestand12 is arranged such that the bottom ends13b,14bof thelegs13,14 protrude rearwardly of the cleaner for better stability. Thelegs13,14 therefore bear at least a part of the load of thecleaner1 when in the upright position. As can be seen inFIG. 1, themain body2 is inclined backwards slightly in the upright position shown in this embodiment. Of course themain body2 could be vertical or inclined forwards slightly in the “upright position”.
• Thestand12 also comprises an overcentre spring mechanism20 which assists in moving thestand12 between the supporting position as shown inFIG. 1 and the stored position as shown inFIG. 4.
• When thecleaner1 is to be used in conventional floor cleaning mode, the user reclines themain body2. Reclining themain body2 moves thecleaner1 towards the position shown inFIG. 2. At the point shown inFIG. 2, the centre of gravity of thecleaner1 is behind the pivot points of thelegs13,14 and thespring mechanism20 forces thestand12 to move into the stored position shown inFIG. 4. This arrangement is advantageous since it ensures that thestand12 cannot rest at the balance point shown inFIG. 2 where thestand12 is neither up nor down. Once thespring mechanism20 has activated, thestand12 will move into the position shown inFIG. 4, where thelegs13,14 andwheels16 are held off thefloor5 and are preferably tucked under or inside a channel or aperture in ayoke21, which provides the connection between themain body2 and thecleaner head10. When thestand12 is in the storage position, themain body2 no longer bears against thearms13,14 of thestand12, but is instead supported by a user holding thehandle3. Thecleaner1 is now able to be used for cleaning afloor surface5, via thesurface treating head10.
• When the user wishes to return thecleaner1 to the upright position, he pivotally moves themain body2 back towards the position shown inFIG. 1 via the position shown inFIG. 3.FIG. 3 shows thestand12 about to be activated into the supporting position. As themain body2 is moved towards the upright position, a region22 (seeFIG. 2 andFIG. 8b) of theyoke21 bears against aprotrusion23 extending from an inner surface of thetop end13a,14aof one of thelegs13,14, urging thestand12, away from theyoke21 towards the supporting position. At the point shown inFIG. 3, thespring mechanism20 forces thestand12 to move into the support position shown inFIG. 1. Thisspring mechanism20 therefore ensures that thestand12 cannot rest at the balance point shown inFIG. 2 where thestand12 is neither up nor down. Once thespring mechanism20 has activated thestand12 will move into the position shown inFIG. 1, where thelegs13,14 andwheels16 are in contact with thefloor5 behind thecleaner1. Thus, the user may release thehandle3, leaving themain body2 to be supported by thestand12. Thecleaner1 is then supported in its upright position. Thehandle3 extends upwardly from the rear part of themain body2. When thecleaner1 is in the position shown inFIG. 1, it can be used in a so called “cylinder mode”, for above-floor cleaning in which case thehandle3 may be released and used as a hose andwand assembly24.
• In a preferred embodiment theregion22 may be moveably mounted on theyoke21. This may be achieved by forming achannel34, for example an arcuate channel in theyoke21, or a region near theyoke21. Theregion22 may form part of a C or O shapedring38 which may be moveably mounted within thechannel34. In a preferred embodiment thering38 may additionally be rotateably mounted on a part of a motor bucket (not shown) to which theyoke21 is attached. In such an embodiment thering38 can slide within thechannel34 and around a portion of the motor bucket.FIG. 9 shows an exploded view with an O-shapedring comprising region22 removed from thechannel34. However in use the O-shapedring38 may sit within thechannel34. Preferably aspring36 may be fixed at one end to the motor bucket and at the other end to thering38 such that theregion22 is biased towards a top end of thechannel34.
• This arrangement may advantageously help to prevent theregion22 trying to pass under theducting9,18 during reclining of thevacuum cleaner1. It may also advantageously prevent thecleaner head10 from being lifted off thefloor5 once theregion22 has abutted against theducting9,18 during reclining of thevacuum cleaner1. As thevacuum cleaner1 is moved from the upright position to the inclined position theregion22 may, rather than attempting to pass underneath theducting9,18 will abut against it. As thevacuum cleaner1 is increasingly reclined, theregion22 may be caused to slide along thechannel34 by a part of theducting9,18 against the biasing force of thespring36. When thevacuum cleaner1 is returned to the upright position, the biasing force of thespring36 causes theregion22 to gradually return to its original position. In returning to the original position, theregion22 abuts against protrusion23 (shown inFIGS. 1 and 2) extending from an inner surface of thetop end13a,14aof one of thelegs13,14. The biasing force of thespring mechanism20 is then large enough to push out the stand.
• As can be seen inFIG. 6 thevacuum cleaner1 may comprise achangeover valve25 which is arranged to open the air inlet at the distal end of thewand24aand connect it to theseparating apparatus6 in response to thewand24abeing released from its storage position on themain body2 for above ground cleaning. Thechangeover valve25 is also arranged to automatically shut off the air inlet at the distal end of thewand24aand connect theseparating apparatus6 to theinlet11 in thecleaner head10 in response to thewand24abeing placed in its storage position on the cleanermain body2.
• Thechangeover valve25 is pivotably attached to themain body2 and further comprises a change overvalve lock26. When thechangeover valve25 swivels to open the air inlet at the distal end of thewand24a,the change overvalve lock26 is brought into contact with arecess27 on the reinforcingstrut15 which extends between thetop end portions13a,14aof thelegs13,14. This engagement of the change overvalve lock26 with therecess27 locks thestand12 in the supporting position and therefore advantageously prevents thestand12 from moving into its storage position accidentally if a user pulls on thewand24aor ahose28 attached thereto.
• In an alternative embodiment, for example as shown inFIGS. 5aand5bwhere thevacuum cleaner1 comprises ahose28 and no wand, ahose lock29 may be provided. Thehose28 is pivotably mounted to themain body2. When thehose28 is being used for above the ground cleaning thehose lock29 contacts the reinforcingstrut15 which extends between thetop end portions13a,14aof thelegs13,14. Thishose lock29 is shown in more detail inFIG. 7 where it can be seen that thestand12 can move freely between its supporting and storage positions when thehose28 is secured to the main body2 (the upright position shown inFIG. 7) but is prevented from moving into its storage configuration when thehose28 is pulled away from the main body2 (the horizontal position shown inFIG. 7), for example during use for above ground cleaning. Thishose lock29 can be described as self tightening since the harder thehose28 is pulled the tighter thehose lock29 gets, thus preventing accidental deactivation of thestand12.
• As can be seen inFIGS. 8aand8b,when thecleaner1 is in its upright position, with thestand12 in the supporting position (FIG. 8b), theupright lock projection23 is caught on thelatch30 and is therefore latched with respect to themain body2. This enables the user to lift thewhole cleaner1 off thefloor5 without thecleaner head10 drooping and obstructing manoeuvrability. Tilting themain body2 rearwardly will release thecleaner head10 from thelatch30 so that, as themain body2 of thecleaner1 is reclined, thehead10 remains in contact with thefloor surface5 to be treated.
• In a particular embodiment as shown inFIG. 10, thelatch30 and theupright lock projection23 may be sized such that they can move past each other, or “bump off” one another if a sufficient force is applied to them. Advantageously this may prevent damage to thevacuum cleaner1. During use thelatch30 andprojection23 will remain in contact when challenged with the weight of thecleaner head10 acting under gravity. However if a larger force is applied theprojection23 can move past thelatch30 allowing thecleaner head10 to droop downwards and preventing any damage to thevacuum cleaner1.
• In addition thelatch30 may preferably be shaped such that whilst theprojection23 can move past it when necessary, theprojection23 cannot get trapped behind thelatch30 once it has moved past it. This may be achieved by having a low profileelongate latch30.
• In one embodiment thelatch30 andprojection23 are provided only to act as a lock to prevent thecleaner head10 drooping when thewhole vacuum cleaner1 is lifted off thefloor5. Thelatch30 andprojection23 may be provided on any suitable part of thecleaner head10. In an alternative embodiment the function of preventing thecleaner head10 drooping when thewhole vacuum cleaner1 is lifted off thefloor5, may be performed by theregion22 and theprotrusion23 taking on this function as well as the function of activating and/or deactivating thestand12.
• Themain body2 is rotatably connected to theroller4, which lies at the base of themain body2. Theroller4 allows the apparatus to be easily pushed or pulled along asurface5. The shape of theroller4 and the connections between themain body2 and theroller4, and theroller4 and thecleaner head10, allow the cleaner1 to be more easily manoeuvred than traditional vacuum cleaners.
• The overall shape of theroller4 resembles a barrel. Looking at the shape of the outer surface in the direction along the longitudinal axis, there is a generally flat central region and an arcuate region at each end where the diameter, or width, of the shell decreases. A flat central region aids a user in steering thecleaner1 along a straight line, since it will naturally run straight and is less likely to wobble during backwards movements.Ridges31 are provided on the outer surface of theroller4 to improve grip over surfaces.
• Thecleaner head10 is connected to themain body2 of thevacuum cleaner1 in such a manner that thecleaner head10 remains in contact with afloor surface5 as themain body2 is manoeuvred through a wide range of operating positions, e.g. when moved from side-to-side or when themain body2 is twisted about its longitudinal axis. Theyoke21 connects themain body2 to thecleaner head10. Theyoke21 is mounted to each end of the rotational axis of theroller4. Theyoke21 can rotate independently of themain body2. At the forward, central part of theyoke21 there is a joint32, which connects to thecleaner head10.
• The arrangement of the pivotal mounting of theyoke21 and joint32, allows themain body2 together with theroller4 to be rotated about its longitudinal axis, in the manner of a corkscrew, while thecleaner head10 remains in contact with thefloor surface5. This arrangement also causes thecleaner head10 to point in a new direction as themain body2 is rotated about its longitudinal axis.
• Thesupport assembly12 remains neatly tucked up against theyoke21 during the cleaner's1 range of motions. This permits the user easily to manoeuvre thecleaner1, even when cleaning under furniture and other low obstructions.
• FIGS. 11 and 12 show schematic views of an alternative embodiment of the present invention. It can be seen inFIG. 11 that the stand indicated generally at38 may comprise at least one lever arm (indicated as40 inFIG. 11, inFIG. 12 thelever arm40 has been removed). Thelever arm40 is arranged to extend along the inside of one of thelegs42 of thestand38. In use thelever arm40 may be arranged such that it can move thestand38 into the stored position in response to a user reclining thevacuum cleaner1. Thelever arm40 is preferably pivotally attached to apivot point43 at afirst end44 of thelever arm40 to themain body46 of thevacuum cleaner1. Preferably thesecond end48 of thelever arm40 further comprises an outwardly facing pin orprojection50 which is arranged to engage with agroove52 on the surface of theleg42 which it is alongside. Thestand38 is preferably arranged such that when it is in the supporting position (as shown inFIGS. 11 and 12) thepin50 is arranged at the furthest end of thegroove52 away from themain body46. In this embodiment theleg42 of thestand38 which comprises thegroove52 may also further comprises acam54 which is resiliently biased by aspring56 to project into thegroove52. Therefore when a user reclines thevacuum cleaner1 thepin50 on thelever arm40 has to move past thecam54 against the force of thespring56. Once thepin50 has passed thecam54, it continues to move along thegroove52 as the user continues to recline thevacuum cleaner1 further. In this embodiment further resilient biasing means, for example an overcentre spring mechanism58 may be provided to assist in moving thestand38 between the stored and supporting positions once thepin50 has reached a certain point along thegrove52.
• In this embodiment, because thepin50 has to move past acam54 which is resiliently biased to project into thegroove52, a certain amount of force is required. Advantageously this means that it may be possible to recline thevacuum cleaner1 whilst applying no downward force onto the wand or handle62, therefore allowing thevacuum cleaner1 to be transported onwheels60 of thestand38. Only when enough downward force is applied to the wand or handle62, will thepin50 be able to move past thecam54 by compressing or distorting thespring56.
• In this embodiment at least one return cam mechanism may additionally be provided. This return cam mechanism may be as described above in the previous embodiment. However in this embodiment thepin50 needs to pass thecam54 before thestand38 will be in its supporting position. In order to reduce the force needed to move past thecam54 thecam54 may be pivotally mounted at apivot point64 to theleg38. Preferably theleg42 also further comprises acam block66 which is arranged to allow thecam54 to pivot when thepin50 moves towards the end of thegrove52 furthest away from themain body46 but not when thepin50 is moving in the other direction towards themain body46.
• FIGS. 13ato13cshow schematic views of an alternative embodiment of the present invention. InFIGS. 13ato13conly oneleg67 of thestand68 can be seen. In this embodiment an upright lock indicated generally at70 is operated by a resilient biasing means, in this case an overcentre spring72. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 13ait can be seen that theupright lock70 is in contact with acam74 on theleg68. In such an embodiment it may also be possible to recline the machine onto thewheels82 of thestand68 whilst applying no downward force onto the wand or handle, therefore allowing the vacuum cleaner to be transported on thewheels82 of thestand68.
• In a preferred embodiment when the vacuum cleaner is reclined and a downward force is applied to the wand handle the force being applied to theupright lock70 by thespring72 is overcome. This causes thespring72 to over centre and release thecam74 from theupright lock70. Once theupright lock70 has been released a further overcentre spring80 can act on thestand68 to move it into the stored position as shown inFIG. 13c.When a user tries to stand the vacuum cleaner up to move the stand into the supporting position theprojection76 on theyoke78 moves back into theaperture84 on theupright lock70 and drives theupright lock70 back into the position shown inFIG. 13awhere the stand is in the supporting position.
• While the illustrated embodiments shows avacuum cleaner1 in whichducts9,18 carry airflow, it will be appreciated that the invention can be applied tocleaners1 which carry other fluids, such as water and detergents.
• Separation of dust from the airflow could equally be carried out using other means such as a conventional bag-type filter, a porous box filter, an electrostatic separator or some other form of separating apparatus. For embodiments of the apparatus which are not vacuum cleaners, the main body can house equipment which is appropriate to the task performed by the machine. For example, for a floor polishing machine the main body can house a tank for storing liquid wax
• Thehead10 may also carry a brush bar (not shown) which may be connected to and driven by a motor (not shown). The brush bar can alternatively or additionally be driven in other ways, such as by a turbine which is driven by incoming or exhaust airflow, or by a coupling to the motor which is also used to drive the suction fan. The coupling between the motor and brush bar can alternatively be via a geared coupling. In alternative embodiments the brush bar can be removed entirely so that the machine relies entirely on suction or by some other form of agitation of the surface. For other types of surface treating machines, the cleaner head can include appropriate means for treating the floor surface, such as a polishing pad, a liquid or wax dispensing nozzle etc. The lower face of the cleaner head can include small rollers to ease movement across a surface.

Claims (27)

1. A surface-treating appliance comprising:

a main body,

a surface-treating head, and

a stand,

the stand being located on a rear portion of the appliance and being moveable between a supporting position, in which the stand supports the main body in an upright position and a stored position, the stand being moveable between the supporting and stored positions in response to a force being applied to the main body.

2. A surface-treating appliance according toclaim 1 wherein the force is movement of the main body between its upright position and an inclined position.

3. A surface-treating appliance according toclaim 2 wherein the force further comprises a downwards force.

4. A surface-treating appliance according toclaim 1 wherein the main body comprises a handle or wand and the force is applied through the handle or wand.

5. A surface-treating appliance according toclaim 4 wherein the handle or wand is located at the top of the main body.

6. An appliance according toclaim 1 or4 wherein the stand is arranged to be moveable from the supporting position to the stored position in response to the main body of the appliance being tipped rearwardly until its weight is over centre of the stand.

7. An appliance according toclaim 1 or4 further comprising a resilient biasing member to assist in moving the stand between the stored and supporting positions.

8. An appliance according toclaim 7 wherein the resilient biasing member comprises one or more over-centre spring mechanisms.

9. An appliance according toclaim 1 or4 wherein the stand further comprises at least one cam mechanism which is arranged such that when the main body of the appliance is raised from an inclined position to its upright position the cam mechanism urges the stand into the supporting position.

10. An appliance according toclaim 9 wherein the cam mechanism comprises an abutment member located on the surface treating head which engages with and pushes against a portion of the stand when the main body of the appliance is raised from an inclined position to its upright position, urging the stand into the supporting position.

11. An appliance according toclaim 1 or4, further comprising a wheel or roller which is rotatably mounted to the main body for allowing the main body to be moved along a surface.

12. An appliance according toclaim 11 wherein the wheel or roller comprises one or more rotatable members having an outer surface which defines a substantially continuous rolling support surface in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the main body, the support surface being symmetrical about the longitudinal axis of the main body.

13. An appliance as claimed inclaim 12, wherein the wheel or roller houses a component of the appliance.

14. An appliance as claimed inclaim 13, wherein the component comprises a motor and fan arrangement arranged, in use, to generate a fluid flow.

15. An appliance as claimed inclaim 1 or4, further comprising an upright lock for locking the surface-treating head in a fixed position with respect to the main body when the stand is in the supporting position.

16. An appliance according toclaim 15 wherein the upright lock comprises a projection on the stand and a latch on the surface treating head.

17. An appliance as claimed inclaim 16 wherein the projection is able to move past the latch to prevent damage to the appliance.

18. An appliance according toclaim 15 wherein the upright lock or resilient biasing member associated with the upright lock prevents the stand from moving into the supporting position until a force is applied to the main body.

19. An appliance according toclaim 18 wherein the force is a downwards force sufficient to overcome the resilient biasing means associated with the upright lock.

20. An appliance as claimed inclaim 1 or4 further comprising a hose.

21. An appliance according toclaim 20 further comprising a hose lock, which is arranged to lock the stand in the supporting position during use of the hose.

22. An appliance according toclaim 21 wherein the hose lock comprises an abutment member which locks against the stand when the hose is pulled away from the appliance during use.

23. An appliance according toclaim 4 further comprising a change over valve lock which locks the stand in its supporting position when the wand is in use.

24. An appliance according toclaim 1 or4 wherein the appliance is transportable on wheels of the stand.

25. A vacuum cleaner comprising the apparatus ofclaim 1 or4.

26. A vacuum cleaner as claimed inclaim 25 further comprising a cyclonic dirt and dust separator.

27. (canceled)

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