US20140208540A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20140208540A1
Application number: US14/160,737
Authority: US
Inventors: Matthew J. Doerfler
Original assignee: Techtronic Floor Care Technology Ltd
Current assignee: Techtronic Floor Care Technology Ltd
Priority date: 2013-01-29
Filing date: 2014-01-22
Publication date: 2014-07-31
Also published as: CN103961032A; EP2759243A1

Abstract

An upright vacuum cleaner generally includes an upright assembly including a suction generator and a floor nozzle coupled to the upright assembly. The floor nozzle is configured for movement over a floor surface and includes a nozzle inlet in fluid communication with the suction generator. An aperture is formed through the floor nozzle and configured to allow the insertion of a hand of an operator to provide a gripping area on the floor nozzle adjacent the aperture to facilitate lifting and lowering the upright vacuum cleaner.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/757,875, filed Jan. 29, 2013, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

Vacuum cleaners typically include a suction nozzle, a cleaner housing connected to the suction nozzle, a suction generator in the cleaner housing, and a dirt collection vessel in the cleaner housing. In an upright-type vacuum cleaner, an elongate handle is coupled to the cleaner housing. The handle extends generally upwardly from the cleaner housing and transfers forces caused by the operator to the vacuum cleaner to move the vacuum cleaner over a surface to be cleaned.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, an upright vacuum cleaner generally includes an upright assembly including a suction generator and a floor nozzle coupled to the upright assembly. The floor nozzle is configured for movement over a floor surface and includes a nozzle inlet in fluid communication with the suction generator. An aperture is formed through the floor nozzle and configured to allow the insertion of a hand of an operator to provide a gripping area on the floor nozzle adjacent the aperture to facilitate lifting and lowering the upright vacuum cleaner.

In another embodiment, an upright vacuum cleaner generally includes an upright assembly including a suction generator and a floor nozzle coupled to the upright assembly. The floor nozzle is configured for movement over a floor surface and includes a nozzle inlet disposed at a forward end of the floor nozzle and in fluid communication with the suction generator. An aperture is formed through the floor nozzle and disposed behind the nozzle inlet and entirely surrounded by walls of the floor nozzle. When viewed from above the floor nozzle, the aperture defines an area of approximately 20 cm²or more.

Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an upright vacuum cleaner with a floor nozzle according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating the floor nozzle ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the floor nozzle ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line4-4 ofFIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an operator gripping the upright vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 1 by the nozzle handle.

It should be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the above-described drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of anupright vacuum cleaner100, including anupright assembly110 with a suction generator and afloor nozzle130 coupled to theupright assembly110. Thefloor nozzle130 forms an opening in the bottom of the body and allows a dirty air stream to be drawn into theupright vacuum cleaner100. Theupright assembly110 and thefloor nozzle130 are pivotally connected to one another such that theupright assembly110 pivots relative to thefloor nozzle130 about an axis ofrotation115. As such, theupright assembly110 is pivotal relative to thefloor nozzle130 between an upright position (seeFIG. 1) and a number of inclined positions (see, e.g.,FIG. 5). Thefloor nozzle130 is in fluid communication with the suction generator, which is located in a motor housing between thefloor nozzle130 and theupright assembly110. In the illustrated embodiment, the suction generator is positioned below thedirt cup120.

The illustratedupright vacuum cleaner100 is a dry vacuum cleaner capable of drawing in air and dirt such as dry debris. In alternative embodiments, theupright vacuum cleaner100 may be a wet vacuum cleaner capable of drawing in air and dirt such as liquid and debris. Alternatively, theupright vacuum cleaner100 may be an extractor capable of both dispensing liquid and drawing in air and dirt such as liquid and debris. In still other embodiments, theupright vacuum cleaner100 may be a stick vacuum that does not include the brush rolls of other traditional upright cleaners.

Referring also toFIGS. 2-4, thefloor nozzle130 of theupright vacuum cleaner100 is configured for movement over a floor surface S and includes a nozzle inlet140 (seeFIG. 4) in fluid communication with thesuction generator120. In the illustrated embodiment, thefloor nozzle130 includes abrush roll housing150 defining thenozzle inlet140 at a forward end (i.e., to the left inFIG. 4) of thefloor nozzle130. In the illustrated embodiment, abrush roll160 is coupled within thebrush roll housing150 for rotation. In other embodiments, for example in a stick vacuum, thenozzle inlet140 may be disposed at a generally forward end of thefloor nozzle130 without the inclusion of a brush roll.

An aperture oropening170 is formed through thefloor nozzle130. In the illustrated embodiment, theaperture170 is entirely surrounded bywalls180 of thefloor nozzle130. In other embodiments, however, theaperture170 may be merely partially surrounded by thewalls180 of thefloor nozzle130 and partially left open. As illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3, a portion of the floor surface S is exposed at theaperture170 when thefloor nozzle130 is positioned on the floor surface S in an upright position. In the illustrated embodiment, theaperture170 is generally rectangular when viewed from above thefloor nozzle130. In other embodiments, however, theaperture170 may assume any geometric form when viewed from above thefloor nozzle130, including, but not limited to, a polygon, an oval, an ellipse, a symbol, or a combination thereof

In the illustrated embodiment, theaperture170 is disposed behind or rearward to (i.e., to the right inFIG. 4) thebrush roll housing150. The illustratedbrush roll housing150 is generally C-shaped in cross section (seeFIG. 4), and defines a curvedforward wall180 of theaperture170. Accordingly, the illustratedaperture170 tapers initially in width W in a direction from above thefloor nozzle130 toward the floor surface S. In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 4, theaperture170 abuts arearward gripping area190 so that the width W of theaperture170 gradually increases toward the floor surface S, giving the aperture170 a slightly flared profile in cross section. Other configurations are possible depending on the use requirements or preferences for the particularupright vacuum cleaner100, including configurations where theaperture170 has a substantially uniform width W in cross section.

In some embodiments, theaperture170 is disposed behind thebrush roll housing150 spaced approximately 4 cm to approximately 15 cm from the forward end of thefloor nozzle130. In other embodiments, the spacing between theaperture170 and the forward end of thefloor nozzle130 may assume other values. In still other embodiments, for example in a stick vacuum, theaperture170 may be disposed behind thenozzle inlet140 without regard to thebrush roll housing150. In some embodiments, thefloor nozzle130 defines a lateral dimension L_franging from approximately 25 cm to approximately 35 cm and theaperture170 is positioned approximately at a center of the lateral dimension L_f. In other embodiments, the lateral dimension L_fmay assume other values, and theaperture170 may be positioned approximately at the respective center of the lateral dimension L_f. In still other embodiments, theaperture170 may be positioned off-center relative to the lateral dimension L_f. In some embodiments, theaperture170 when viewed from above thefloor nozzle130 defines an area of approximately 20 cm²or more. In further embodiments, theaperture170 when viewed from above thefloor nozzle130 defines an area of approximately 20 cm²to approximately 80 cm². In still further embodiments, theaperture170 defines a lateral dimension L_aranging from approximately 5 cm to approximately 10 cm. In other embodiments, the aperture may be dimensioned to suitably facilitate lifting and lowering the upright vacuum cleaner, as explained below.

Referring also toFIGS. 4 and 5, theaperture170 is configured to allow the insertion of a hand H or fingers F of an operator to provide thegripping area190 on thefloor nozzle130 adjacent theaperture170 to facilitate lifting and lowering theupright vacuum cleaner100. In the illustrated embodiment, thegripping area190 is disposed on thefloor nozzle130 behind or rearward to the aperture170 (i.e., to the right inFIG. 4). In some embodiments, thegripping area190 may extend substantially parallel to thebrush roll housing150. In other embodiments, however, thegripping area190 may extend non-parallel (e.g., angled) to thebrush roll housing150.

As illustrated inFIG. 4, thebrush roll housing150 defines a brush rollhousing bottom surface200, and thegripping area190 defines a grippingarea bottom surface210. The brush rollhousing bottom surface200 is disposed adjacent the floor surface S, and the grippingarea bottom surface210 is disposed above the brush rollhousing bottom surface200 when thefloor nozzle130 is in an upright position. Accordingly, the brush rollhousing bottom surface200 and the grippingarea bottom surface210 define a vertical gap G therebetween. In some embodiments, the gap G ranges from approximately 2 cm to approximately 4 cm to fittingly receive the operator's fingers F for lifting and lowering theupright vacuum cleaner100. In other embodiment, the gap G may be dimensioned otherwise to fittingly receive the operator's fingers F for lifting and lowering the upright vacuum cleaner.

In operation, the operator may utilize or access theaperture170 for lifting or lowering theupright vacuum cleaner100, for example, to make stair cleaning easier. As illustrated inFIG. 5, the operator may hold a part of theupright assembly110 of theupright vacuum cleaner100 with one hand, e.g., the right hand, and then insert the other hand, e.g., the left hand, into theaperture170 formed through thefloor nozzle130, so as to grab the gripping areabottom surface210 of thefloor nozzle130 with the left finger F tips, and lift or lower theupright vacuum cleaner100 using both hands.

Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of one or more independent aspects of the invention as described.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An upright vacuum cleaner comprising:

an upright assembly including a suction generator; and

a floor nozzle coupled to the upright assembly and configured for movement over a floor surface, wherein the floor nozzle includes a nozzle inlet in fluid communication with the suction generator, and wherein the floor nozzle includes an aperture formed therethrough, the aperture configured to allow the insertion of a hand of an operator to provide a gripping area on the floor nozzle adjacent the aperture to facilitate lifting and lowering the upright vacuum cleaner.

2. The upright vacuum cleaner ofclaim 1, wherein the floor nozzle further includes a brush roll housing defining the nozzle inlet at a forward end of the floor nozzle, and a brush roll coupled for rotation within the brush roll housing, and wherein the aperture is disposed behind the brush roll housing.

3. The upright vacuum cleaner ofclaim 2, wherein the gripping area is disposed on the floor nozzle behind the aperture.

4. The upright vacuum cleaner ofclaim 2, wherein the gripping area extends substantially parallel to the brush roll housing.

5. The upright vacuum cleaner ofclaim 2, wherein the brush roll housing defines a brush roll housing bottom surface, wherein the gripping area defines a gripping area bottom surface, wherein the brush roll housing bottom surface is disposed adjacent the floor surface, and wherein the gripping area bottom surface is disposed above the brush roll housing bottom surface when the floor nozzle is in an upright position.

6. The upright vacuum cleaner ofclaim 5, wherein the brush roll housing bottom surface and the gripping area bottom surface define a vertical gap therebetween, and the gap is dimensioned to fittingly receive the operator's fingers for lifting and lowering the upright vacuum cleaner.

7. The upright vacuum cleaner ofclaim 1, wherein the floor nozzle defines a lateral dimension and wherein the aperture is positioned approximately at a center of the lateral dimension.

8. The upright vacuum cleaner ofclaim 1, wherein a portion of the floor surface is exposed at the aperture when the floor nozzle is positioned on the floor surface in an upright position.

9. The upright vacuum cleaner ofclaim 1, wherein the aperture is generally rectangular when viewed from above the floor nozzle.

10. An upright vacuum cleaner comprising:

an upright assembly including a suction generator; and

a floor nozzle coupled to the upright assembly and configured for movement over a floor surface, wherein the floor nozzle includes a nozzle inlet disposed at a forward end of the floor nozzle and in fluid communication with the suction generator, and wherein the floor nozzle includes an aperture formed therethrough, the aperture being disposed behind the nozzle inlet and entirely surrounded by walls of the floor nozzle, wherein the aperture when viewed from above the floor nozzle defines an area of approximately 20 cm²or more.

11. The upright vacuum cleaner ofclaim 10, wherein the aperture when viewed from above the floor nozzle defines an area of approximately 20 cm²to approximately 35 cm².

12. The upright vacuum cleaner ofclaim 10, wherein the aperture defines a lateral dimension ranging from approximately 5 cm to approximately 10 cm.

13. The upright vacuum cleaner ofclaim 10, wherein the floor nozzle further includes a brush roll housing defining the nozzle inlet, and a brush roll coupled for rotation within the brush roll housing, and wherein the aperture is disposed behind the brush roll housing spaced approximately 5 cm to approximately 15 cm from the forward end of the floor nozzle.

14. The upright vacuum cleaner ofclaim 13, wherein the gripping area is disposed on the floor nozzle behind the aperture.

15. The upright vacuum cleaner ofclaim 13, wherein the gripping area extends substantially parallel to the brush roll housing.

16. The upright vacuum cleaner ofclaim 13, wherein the brush roll housing defines a brush roll housing bottom surface, wherein the gripping area defines a gripping area bottom surface, wherein the brush roll housing bottom surface is disposed adjacent the floor surface, and wherein the gripping area bottom surface is disposed above the brush roll housing bottom surface when the floor nozzle is in an upright position.

17. The upright vacuum cleaner ofclaim 16, wherein the brush roll housing bottom surface and the gripping area bottom surface define a vertical gap therebetween, and the gap ranges from approximately 2 cm to approximately 4 cm to fittingly receive an operator's fingers for lifting and lowering the upright vacuum cleaner.

18. The upright vacuum cleaner ofclaim 10, wherein the floor nozzle defines a lateral dimension ranging from approximately 25 cm to approximately 35 cm and wherein the aperture is positioned approximately at a center of the lateral dimension.

19. The upright vacuum cleaner ofclaim 10, wherein a portion of the floor surface is exposed at the aperture when the floor nozzle is positioned on the floor surface in an upright position.

20. The upright vacuum cleaner ofclaim 10, wherein the aperture is generally rectangular when viewed from above the floor nozzle.