The present invention relates to the field of suction and cleaning systems, more specifically to a system for coupling a hose to a vacuum cleaner handle and a vacuum cleaner handle equipped with such a system.
The vacuum cleaner is a particular household appliance intended for cleaning floors and other surfaces. Its internal mechanism allows it to suck dust and other particles mixed with air, and to hold them inside its body by means of a filter element, so as to release clean air. The motor, in particular, which is typically and electric one, allows sucking external air by creating a sort of a vacuum, by means of a fan, inside the vacuum cleaner.
A vacuum cleaner typically consists of a body enclosing the internal mechanism, possibly fitted with castors for ease of movement, to which a flexible and/or at least partly rigid extension tube is connected, which in its turn is connected to cleaning tools such as brushes or nozzles; cleaning tools are characterized by different shapes, each one suitable for a particular application.
A vacuum cleaner with the body separated from the cleaning tool is normally equipped with a rigid handle, much like a broom, with a grip at one end; the tool is integrally pivoted to the other end, so that the handle can at least rotate relative to the tool through at least one rotary joint.
The rigid handle may consist of two parts connected to each other by means of a central joint, so that the two parts can at least partially rotate relative to each other. The handle has a coupling for a hose to be connected to the vacuum cleaner body, as for example described in
In some known embodiments, the hose can be fitted in the lower region of the handle, in the vicinity of the cleaning tool connection. A problem arises in this case, since when moving the handle backwards, e.g. in order to insert the tool into small spaces such as under beds or other pieces of furniture, the hose coupling will get in touch with the floor, thus hindering movement; in addition, the hose will be subject to excessive bending, and may thus be cut or choked, hence stopping the air flow.
In other known embodiments, the hose is applied to the upper region of the handle, near the grip, as described, for example, in
It is therefore the object of the present invention to propose a system for coupling a hose to a vacuum cleaner handle, as well as a vacuum cleaner handle equipped with such a coupling, which can overcome the above-mentioned problems.
According to the invention, the hose coupling is provided in the region of the central joint, extending in a direction substantially parallel to the lower part of the handle, thereby creating a straight line between the lower part of the handle and the hose.
In this manner, the handle becomes independent of the intake region, thus solving the mutual interference problem. At the same time, also the cleaning tool turns out to be independent of the intake region, thus solving the problem of the excessive bending of the hose when the handle is tilted backwards, which might choke the hose. In fact, in any case the hose will bend moderately and naturally, thus also facilitating the pulling function exerted by the hose on the body of the vacuum cleaner.
The present invention particularly relates to a system for coupling a hose to a vacuum cleaner handle and to a vacuum cleaner handle equipped with such a system, as set out in the claims, which are an integral part of the present description.
Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment (and variants) thereof and from the annexed drawings, which are only supplied by way of non-limiting example, wherein:
In the drawings, the same reference numerals and letters identify the same items or components.
With reference to the drawings, 1 designates the body of the vacuum cleaner, 2 designates the hose, 3 designates the central joint, 6 designates the hose coupling, 7 designates the grip, 8 designates the cleaning tool, e.g. a suction brush, 4 designates the lower part of the handle to be connected to the cleaning tool, and 5 designates the upper part of the handle to be connected to the grip.
The air being sucked enters the tool 8, flows through the lower part of the handle 4, the coupling 6 and the hose 2, and then enters the body 1 of the vacuum cleaner.
The coupling 6 has a shape suitable for firmly but removably receiving the end portion of the hose.
As can be seen, the hose coupling 6 is provided in the region of the central joint 3, extending in a direction substantially parallel to the lower part of the handle. In this manner, in the most adverse condition, i.e. when the lower part of the handle is fully folded backwards and parallel to the ground, the lower part of the handle 4 and the hose 2 will arrange themselves in parallel directions. Also in normal conditions, with the lower part of the handle tilted backwards at an average angle, the hose will be subject to a slight bending, which will not however be detrimental.
The grip 7 and the tool 8 are connected to the handle through respective joints that allow the respective angles to be adjusted.
The joint 3 is so designed as to offer some resistance to the rotary folding of the two parts of the handle, e.g. by means of a stepped contact or clutch between the two parts. For example, the stepped contact or clutch is controlled through a button fitted to the joint: when pressed, the handle can be folded; when released, the handle locks into the upright or folded position. The joints at the grip and at the tool are designed in a known manner.
The upper part of the handle is shaped like a fork with two spaced parallel arms 5' and 5" extending from both sides of the joint, with an empty space at the center. The fork-shaped part with the empty central area allows the upper part of the handle to be fully folded against the lower part without interfering with the joint, resulting in improved storage and transport conditions due to the fact that the handle needs not be disassembled, and halved outer dimensions. Also the grip 7 can be folded towards the central empty area, thereby further reducing the outer dimensions of the handle.
Therefore, the maximum tilting angle of both parts of the handle is approx. 180°C forwards relative to the straight alignment in idle conditions, and approx. 90°C forwards in operation.
The above-described example of embodiment may be subject to variations without departing from the protection scope of the present invention, including all equivalent designs known to a man skilled in the art.
The elements and features shown in the various preferred embodiments may be combined together without however departing from the protection scope of the present invention. From the above description, those skilled in the art will be able to produce the object of the invention without introducing any further construction details.
This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.