WO2008114301A1

WO2008114301A1 - Nozzle unit with variable geometry for vacuum cleaners in general

Info

Publication number: WO2008114301A1
Application number: PCT/IT2008/000167
Authority: WO
Inventors: Pierantonio Milanese
Original assignee: Euroflex SRL
Current assignee: Euroflex SRL
Priority date: 2007-03-16
Filing date: 2008-03-13
Publication date: 2008-09-25
Anticipated expiration: 2009-09-16
Also published as: ITPD20070096A1; WO2008114301B1; CN101677729B; CN101677729A

Abstract

It is a new nozzle unit (B) formed by a main rotating body (C) with a generically triangular shape on which three radial spokes (R) are pivotally attached that can rotate around said main body while remaining always in contact with the floor. Each spoke (R) has one or more elastic elements (E) suitable to keep the spokes (R) in a generically y-shaped configuration. The main body (C) is provided with a coupling (A) on its upper part to both connect the suction pipe and to enable the main body (C) to make a full rotation horizontally with reference to the coupling (A). Each spoke (R) is hinged to said main body (C) and the rotation of the main body (C) around the coupling (A) enables the new nozzle unit (B) to adjust to the various operational situations and to various possible obstacles so as to avoid that the user makes any manoeuvre with the pipe with handle.

Description

TITLE

NOZZLE UNIT WITH VARIABLE GEOMETRY FOR VACUUM CLEANERS IN GENERAL

DESCRIPTION

This patent concerns cleaning household appliances and in particular it concerns accessories for vacuum cleaners.

^"Household vacuύrh: cleaners. gerierically comprise aff exterisibleror modular pipe with a handle at the end of which various accessories, a hose connected to said handle and the vacuum cleaner body are applied. A suction fan and a bin to collect the dirt are located inside the body of the vacuum cleaner.

The known vacuum cleaners are usually provided with an accessory for floor and rug or carpet cleaning, which is said nozzle unit. The nozzle unit consists of a substantially rectangular and flat structure provided with a coupling on its upper part in which the suction pipe with the vacuum cleaner handle is fastened by means of a suitable fitting. The lower part of the nozzle unit hosts some brushes, usually at the front and on the back, to clean smooth floors such as wood or tiles. Such brushes can be retracted so as to disappear into the structure of the nozzle unit to allow a better cleaning of rough surfaces such as rugs and carpets. Several known nozzle units are coupled to the pipe with handle of the vacuum cleaner through an articulated joint formed by two pivotally attached parts: the first part allows tilting the entire articulated joint by a few dozen degrees along the vertical front-rear plan while the other corner- shaped part allows tilting the pipe with handle sideways - left and right - with reference to the first part of the articulated joint. The known nozzle units have the disadvantage that they cannot get into narrow spaces or between two obstacles too close to each other, such as the legs of two pieces of furniture positioned side by side. To clean narrow spaces like between two legs of a piece of furniture, the ^"user Tnust^~tilF and ^"rotate ^"the^" suction pipe to position the nozzle unit transversally and let it get into the narrow space sideways. In addition to complex and annoying manoeuvres that the user has to carry out, this operation does not allow the cleaning of those narrow spaces that are beyond the lateral overall dimensions of the nozzle unit, i.e. the distance between the side edge of the nozzle unit and the suction pipe. , In order to clean around single obstacles, such as table legs or vases or umbrella stands, the known nozzle units force the user to make various manoeuvres with the pipe with handle of the vacuum cleaner and the nozzle unit to reach the entire area around the leg.

Equally, when cleaning along the walls and in the corners, the user has to make several manoeuvres to properly orient the nozzle unit and move it to the area, the point or the strip to clean.

Several patents like GB2402329 and similarly GB2407259 describe a nozzle unit in which the front part is formed by two elements hinged to the median-front part of the nozzle unit that can be rotated by about 45 degrees each towards the nozzle unit rear. This nozzle unit allows cleaning the room corners but it does not allow easy cleaning around the obstacles in the room, such as table legs and does not allow the nozzle unit to get into narrow spaces.

Patent US3608126 describes a nozzle unit with two side wings that can be rotated backwards to get into narrower spaces. Such nozzle unit, however, requires several manoeuvres to clean around the fixed obstacles in the room.

Td^~overcome all these^~disadvantages, aHew nozzle unit for vacuum cleaners has been designed and constructed.

One purpose of the new nozzle unit is to allow accurate cleaning also along the baseboard and in the corners.

Another purpose of the new nozzle unit is to have the possibility to get it into narrower spaces without forcing the user to particular manoeuvres.

Another purpose of the new nozzle unit is to clean around the obstacles on the floor without requiring the user to make particular manoeuvres.

These and other purposes, both direct and complementary ones, are attained by the new nozzle unit consisting of a main rotating body on which three radial spokes are hinged.

The main body has a generically triangular shape, either equilateral or isosceles, and it is provided with a coupling on its upper part for the suction pipe with handle of the vacuum cleaner. Such coupling, in addition to mechanically connect and put in communication the internal part of the main body with the suction pipe, also allows the complete horizontal rotation of the main body with reference to the coupling and tilting the suction pipe with reference to the entire new nozzle unit. The main body of the new nozzle unit has openings and ducts that connect each spoke with the coupling and therefore with the suction pipe of the vacuum cleaner too.

Each spoke has a substantially linear shape with an opening on the upper part, one closed end and one open end.

Said open end of each spoke is hinged on said main body at the vertexes of its triangular ^~shape^~so^~ as^" to ^"rotate

namely ^"around the main body while remaining always in contact with the floor.

Preferably, the lower opening of each spoke has a linear rectangular shape oriented along the length of the spoke and it can be provided with one or more brushes or other devices to collect the dirt.

Moreover, each spoke has one or more elastic elements to keep the spoke in its normal position. As an alternative, one single elastic element connected to the spokes and the main body keeps said spokes in their normal positions.

When in their normal positions, the spokes are oriented along the bisecting line of the corners of the triangular shape of the main body of the new nozzle unit.

The preferred embodiment foresees that the main body has the shape of an equilateral triangle, that the spokes are arranged at 120 degrees between each other and that the coupling is in the middle of the main body at the crossing of the three directions of the three spokes. _

The rotation of the spokes on the mam body and the rotation of the main body around the coupling enable the new nozzle unit to adjust to the various operational situations and to the various possible obstacles without requiring the user to make manoeuvres with the pipe with handle. When the new nozzle unit adheres to a continuous linear obstacle like a wall, the front spokes pull apart by rotating towards the rear spoke until they get substantially aligned to each other and with the edge of the main body between them. In this position, the two spokes and the main body can clean -the -floor up to the walhora continuousDbstacle.

When the new nozzle unit has to get into a narrow space, it is moved forward with a spoke looking forward and the other two looking generically sideways and backwards. The front spoke gets into the narrow space while both generically lateral spokes bend backwards thus reducing the advancing front to the minimum. The minimum necessary width for the new nozzle unit is the distance between the ends hinged to the main body of two spokes. When the new nozzle unit moves forward and meets an obstacle that is not in the middle of it, like a table leg, the new nozzle unit rotates and if necessary it also turns the spoke that meets the obstacle and makes a rotation around said obstacle until the obstacle is generically behind the nozzle unit. Afterwards, as soon as the nozzle unit is sufficiently far from the obstacle, the turned spoke is called back to its normal position by said elastic elements. An element or mechanism is foreseen to lock the mutual rotation between the main body and the coupling that can be operated by the user, for example directly from the handle or by means of a lever located on the main body of the nozzle unit so as to prevent or allow the free rotation of the nozzle unit and bind it into a specific position chosen by the user. Two main positions are preferred: one position in which the new nozzle unit has a spoke looking towards the directions in which the new nozzle unit moves and one position in which the two spokes look generically sideways and forwanhand^~theT third^"spoke^~is^"oπente^"d in the opposite direction of tHe one in which the new nozzle unit moves.

A baffle element is foreseen that is hosted inside the main body and is connected through the coupling or is fastened to it or is part of it so as to shut the connection between said main body and the spoke that looks backwards. In this way, the suction power is concentrated on the two spokes looking sideways and partially forward while leaving unused or inefficient the spoke being dragged that is less useful in this position.

It is also possible to foresee that one of the spokes has a different length - greater or smaller - than the others.

The characteristics of the new nozzle unit will be better clarified by the following description that makes reference to the drawings, which are enclosed as non-restrictive examples.

Figures Ia and Ib show a horizontal section 0-0 and a vertical section V-V of the new nozzle unit (B) in which the main body (C) and the three spokes _n

(Rl, R2, R3) are clearly identifiable. The same figure also shows the preferred advancing direction of the new nozzle unit (B).

The main body (C) basically has the shape of an equilateral triangle and at the vertexes (Cl, C2, C3) there are housings and rotation seats (Cr) for the spoke ends (Rl, R2, R3).

Said main body (C) is basically hollow with a central compartment (Cc) connected through openings or ducts (Ca) to the housings and rotation seats

(Cr) of the spokes (Rl, R2, R3).

OfTthe ύpper^~parT of the rnaiiFbddy^~(C), the coupling (A) with the suction pipe of the vacuum cleaner is fastened and hinged.

Each spoke (Rl, R2, R3) is formed by a generically linear and hollow element open at the bottom having one closed end (Re) and one open end

(Ra) that can be hosted and rotate in the housings and seats (Cr) of the main body (C).

In particular, each spoke (Rl, R2, R3) has internal baffles, walls (Rt) or slots that are provided at the bottom with brushes or other devices to collect the dirt, which define a central area (Rc) enclosed by its external walls, connected to the open end (Ra).

This central area (Rc) is the suction area of the spoke (Rl, R2, R3).

The connection between the main body (C) and the spokes (Rl, R2, R3) enables each spoke (Rl, R2, R3) to rotate on an axis that is parallel to the vertical axis of the main body (C). Practically, when the main body (C) of the new nozzle unit (B) lies on the floor, each spoke rotates around its end (Rc) that is hosted in the main body (C) towards one spoke or the other (Rl,

R2, R3), while always remaining in contact with the floor.

The amplitude of the motion of each spoke (Rl, R2, R3) is at least 120 degrees so as to enable two spokes (Rl, R2, R3) to approach each other until they are parallel to each other and to the third spoke (R3) that has remained in its normal position, as it can be seen in figure 3.

Suitable elastic elements such as extension springs, spiral springs, elements of flexible plastic material (E) bring each spoke (Rl, R2, R3) back to said normal position, namely along the bisecting line of the triangular shape of the main body (C).

The coupling (A) between the main body and the suction pipe of the vacuum cleaner is preferably formed by two parts (Al, A2) articulated between them, of which:

- one part (Al) can rotate on the main body (C) on the axis (Z) that is orthogonal to the triangular shape of the main body (C) (vertical axis), so as to allow the complete rotation of the main body (C) and the spokes (Rl, R2, R3) around the coupling;

- and the other part (A2) can rotate on said first part (Al) on the axis (X) that is orthogonal to the rotation axis of the first part (Al) (horizontal axis), so as to allow the tilting of the suction pipe with reference to the main body (C) and the floor. It is foreseen thai said coupling (A) is provided with a wall or a baffle (A3), generically vertical and located inside the central compartment (Cc) of the main body (C).

The shape, size and position of said wall or baffle (A3) shut the open end

(Ra) of the spoke (R3) that is dragged and looks in the opposite direction of the one in which the new nozzle unit (B) moves. In this way, the suction depression is generated only by the two spokes (Rl, R2) looking sideways and forward, thus increasing the suction action.

An element or mechanism is foreseen to prevent the mutual rotation between the main body (C) and the coupling (A) that can be operated by the user, for example directly from the handle or through a lever located on the main body (C) of the nozzle unit (B) so as to prevent or allow the free rotation of the nozzle unit (B) and bind it into a specific position chosen by the user.

Two main locking positions are preferred between the coupling (A) and the main body: one position in which two spokes (Rl, R2) are generically looking sideways and forward and the third spoke (R3) is oriented in the opposite direction of the one in which the new nozzle unit (B) moves (figure

1), and one position in which the new nozzle unit (B) has a spoke (R3) looking in the same direction as the one in which the new nozzle unit (B) moves (figure 3).

Figures 2 and 3 show two situations in which the new nozzle unit (B) is used. Figure 2 shows the use of the new nozzle unit (B) along a wall (M).

The rotation of the two front spokes (Rl, R2) enables the main body (C) of the new nozzle unit (B) to lie against the wall (M). In this position both the front spokes (Rl , R2) and the main body (C) moving along the wall allow cleaning the floor along the baseboard and in the corners by simply pushing the main body of the new nozzle unit (B) against each wall (M).

Figure 3 shows the use of the new nozzle unit (B) in a narrow space, in this example between two furniture legs (G) close to each other.

The new nozzle unit (B) is rotated by orienting one spoke (Ki) m me direction of insertion in the narrow space and by inserting the new nozzle unit (B) into said space. The two spokes (Rl, R2), which at the beginning were looking sideways and backwards, are rotated backwards when the new nozzle unit (B) gets into the narrow space, until they are parallel to each other and to the spoke (R3) looking forward. In this way, the advancing front is reduced to the minimum up to the maximum overall dimensions of the main body (C).

Figures 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e show the sequences of adaptation and rotation of the new nozzle unit (B), when it meets a non-central obstacle like the leg

(G) of a chair or a table or another object: initially the spoke (R2) that meets the obstacle (G) bends in the opposite direction of the one in which the new nozzle unit (B) moves (figures 4a, 4b); - when the spoke (R2) has reached its maximum possible rotation around the main body (C), together with the obstacle (G), it acts as a pivot and makes the main body (C) and the other spokes (Rl, R3) rotate (figures 4c, 4d); as soon as the new nozzle unit (B) has sufficiently overcome the obstacle (G), the rotated spoke (R2) that has caused the rotation is called back to its normal position by the elastic elements (figure 4e). Figures 5 a, 5 b and 5 c show the sequences of adaptation and rotation of the new nozzle unit (B), when it meets an almost central obstacle, which actually meets the main body (C) instead of a spoke (Rl, R2, R3). The new nozzle unit (B) for vacuum cleaners made as described above has remarkable advantages.

The new nozzle unit (B) allows accurate cleaning even along the baseboards and in the corners without requiring the user to make particular operations or move to reorient the nozzle unit (B).

The new nozzle unit (B) can easily get into narrow spaces, even in depth, without requiring the user to make particular operations or move to reorient the nozzle unit (B).

The new nozzle unit (B) can be used very simply around obstacles of various types like legs of chairs or tables or around vases or umbrella stands and can accurately clean around such obstacles without requiring the user to make particular manoeuvres or operations. This is a brief explanation that is sufficient for an expert to make up the invention and, as a consequence, when practically doing it, changes can be made without prejudice to the substance of the innovative idea. Therefore, with reference to the description hereinbefore and the enclosed figures the following claims are stated.

Claims

1. A nozzle unit (B) with a coupling (A) for the connection to the suction pipe of the vacuum cleaner, characterised by the fact that it comprises a hollow main body (C) connected to said coupling (A) to which at least three spokes are hinged (Rl, R2, R3) generically linear, hollow, open at the bottom, connected to the internal compartment (Cc) of the main body (C) and rotating on the coplanar plane to said main body (C), and where said spokes (Rl, R2, R3) are usually arranged to form a Y around said main body (C), and where said coupling (A) and said main body (C) mutually rotate around a vertical axis central to the coupling (A).

2. A nozzle unit (B) as in the previous claims, characterised in that each spoke (Rl, R2, R3) has one closed end (Re) and one open end (Ra) and the latter is suitable to be hosted and rotate in the housings and seats (Cr) of the main body (C).

3. A nozzle unit (B) as in the previous claims, characterised in that said main body (C) has a generically triangular shape, and where said spokes (Rl, R2, R3) are hinged in special seats (Cr) located at the vertexes of the triangular shape of said main body (C).

4. A nozzle unit (B) as in the previous claim, characterised in that said spokes (Rl, R2, R3) are usually oriented along the generic directions of the bisecting lines of the triangular shape of said main body (C).

5. A nozzle unit (B) as in the previous claims, characterised in lhal each spoke (Rl, R2, R3) has one closed end (Re) and one open end (Ra) that can be hosted and rotate in the housings and seats (Cr) of the main body (C) and can communicate with the internal compartment (Cc) of said main body (C), and where each spoke (Rl, R2, R3) has inner baffles, walls (Rt) or slots provided at the bottom with brushes or other devices to collect dirt that define a central area (Rc) enclosed between its external walls, connected with the open end (Ra).

6. A nozzle unit (B) as in the previous claims, characterised in that each of said spokes (Rl, R2, R3) has an amplitude of movement of ±60 degrees in its own seat (Cr) of said main body (C).

7. A nozzle unit (B) as in the previous claims, characterised in that said seats (Cr) of said main body (C) are arranged so as to form an equilateral triangle.

8. A nozzle unit (B) as in the previous claim, characterised in that said seats (Cr) of said main body (C) are arranged to form an isosceles triangle.

9. A nozzle unit (B) as in the previous claims, characterised in that one or more elastic elements (E) keep and bring back said spokes (Rl, R2, R3) to a generically radial arrangement with reference to the coupling (A).

10. A nozzle unit (B) as in the previous claim, characterised in that said one or more elastic elements (E) keep and bring back said spokes (Rl, R2, R3) to a position of 120 degrees between each other.

11. A nozzle unit (B) as in the previous claims, characterised in that said spokes (Rl, R2, R3) have the same length.

12. A nozzle unit (B) as in one or more claims from 1 to 10, characterised

in that at least one of said spokes (Rl, R2, R3) has a different length.

13. A nozzle unit (B) as in the previous claims, characterised in that said coupling (A) is in the middle of the triangular shape of said main body (C).

14. A nozzle unit (B) as in the previous claims, characterised in that said coupling (A) is not in the middle of the triangular shape of said main

body (C).

15. A nozzle unit (B) as in the previous claims, characterised in that said coupling (A) is provided with a wall or baffle (A3) generically vertical and located inside the central compartment (Cc) of the main body (C), and where the shape, dimensions and position of said wall or baffle (A3) completely or partially shut the open end (Ra) of one spoke (R).

16. A nozzle unit (B) as in the previous claims, characterised in that said

wall or baffle (A3) completely or partially shuts the open end (Ra) of

» the spoke (R3) that is dragged and looks into the opposite direction of

the one in which the new nozzle unit (B) moves.

17. A nozzle unit (B) as in the previous claims, characterised in that said main body (C) and said coupling (A) are provided with an element or mechanism to prevent their mutual rotation.

18. A nozzle unit (B) as in the previous claim, characterised in that said element or mechanism that prevents the mutual rotation between the main body (C) and the coupling (A) can be operated by the user by means of levers or controls.

19. A nozzle unit (B) as in claims 17, 18, characterised in that said element or mechanism that prevents the rotation allows the locking between the main body (C) and the coupling (A) in a position in which two spokes (Rl, R2) are generically looking sideways and forward and the third spoke (R3) is oriented in the opposite direction of the one in which the new nozzle unit (B) moves.

20. A nozzle unit (B) as in claims 17, 18, characterised in that said element or mechanism that prevents the rotation allows the locking between the main body (C) and the coupling (A) in a position in which the new nozzle unit (B) has a spoke (R3) looking in the direction in which the new nozzle unit (B) moves.