TW201536237A - Pivoting handle for a surface cleaning device - Google Patents

Abstract

A surface cleaning device generally includes a nozzle, a cleaner housing connected to the nozzle, and a handle coupled to the cleaner housing at a pivot joint. The cleaner housing defines a longitudinal axis. The pivot joint is configured to rotatably store the handle at a position offset from the longitudinal axis.

Description

Pivot handle for surface cleaning device

The present invention relates to a pivoting handle for a surface cleaning apparatus.

The vacuum cleaner generally includes a nozzle, a cleaner housing connected to the nozzle, a suction generator disposed in the cleaner housing, and dirt disposed in the cleaner housing. Collect containers. In an upright vacuum cleaner, a handle is coupled to the cleaner housing. The handle is pivotable such that the handle can extend vertically for operating the vacuum cleaner and can be rotated downward for storage or stowage.

In one embodiment, the surface cleaning apparatus typically includes a nozzle, a vacuum cleaner housing coupled to the nozzle, and a handle coupled to the cleaner housing by a pivot joint. The cleaner housing defines a longitudinal axis. The pivot joint is configured to rotatably store the handle at a position offset from the longitudinal axis.

In another embodiment, a surface cleaning apparatus generally includes a nozzle, a vacuum cleaner housing coupled to the nozzle, and a handle coupled to the cleaner housing by a pivot joint. The cleaner housing defines a longitudinal axis. The pivot joint is configured to surround the handle about a direction that is not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis The pivot axis rotates.

In yet another embodiment, the surface cleaning apparatus typically includes a nozzle, a vacuum cleaner housing coupled to the nozzle, and a handle coupled to the cleaner housing by a pivot joint. The cleaner housing defines a longitudinal axis. The pivot joint is configured to rotate the handle about a pivot axis and is configured to translate the handle in a direction of a pivot axis.

Other aspects of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings.

10,110‧‧‧handle

20‧‧‧Cleaning equipment/vacuum cleaner/cleaning device

30‧‧‧vacuum housing

40‧‧‧ pivot joint

50,150‧‧‧ center line

60,160‧‧‧ pivot axis

100‧‧‧Vacuum cleaner

120‧‧‧ nozzle

130‧‧‧vacuum cleaner body/vacuum cleaner housing

140‧‧‧ pivot joint / articulated joint

150‧‧‧ longitudinal axis

164‧‧‧ direction of pivot axis 160

170,220‧‧ ‧ parent

180, 230 ‧ ‧ male

190‧‧ ‧ sales

200‧‧‧Lock unit

204‧‧‧Brakes

208‧‧‧ brake structure

210‧‧‧ release parts

240‧‧‧protrusion/thread

250‧‧‧ slots

1 is an enlarged partial perspective view of a conventional handle for a vacuum cleaner.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the conventional handle of Figure 1 rotated to a storage position.

3 is a rear elevational view of a vacuum cleaner having the conventional handle of FIG. 1.

4 is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner having a handle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 is an end elevational view of the display handle of the vacuum cleaner of Figure 4 rotated to a storage position.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the pivot joint of the vacuum cleaner of Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a side elevational view of the vacuum cleaner of Figure 4.

Figure 8 is a rear elevational view of a vacuum cleaner having a handle in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 9 is a rear elevational view of the display handle of the vacuum cleaner of Figure 8 rotated to a storage position.

Figure 10 is an enlarged partial perspective view of the handle of Figure 8.

Figure 11 is an enlarged partial perspective view of the handle of Figure 8.

It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the application structural details and component arrangement illustrated in the following description or illustrated in the above drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of various embodiments. Also, it is understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description

1 is an enlarged partial perspective view of a conventional handle 10 for a cleaning device or an upright vacuum cleaner 20. The handle 10 is coupled to the cleaner housing 30 by a pivot joint 40. As used herein, "handle" encompasses a variety of well-known definitions in the mechanical arts and may include a handle. For example, the handle 10 includes any structure that extends generally upwardly from the cleaner housing 30, which transmits the force generated by the operator to the cleaning device 20 to move the cleaning device 20 over the floor to be cleaned. Referring also to Figures 2 and 3, the cleaner housing 30 defines a centerline 50. The pivot joint 40 is configured to rotate the handle 10 about a pivot axis 60 that is perpendicular to the centerline 50. In the operative position (see Figure 1) and the storage position (see Figures 2 and 3), the handle 10 extends generally parallel to the centerline 50. To operate the vacuum cleaner 20, the handle 10 is rotated upward about the pivot axis 60 such that the handle 10 extends upwardly and away from the cleaner housing 30. The terms "top", "bottom", "front", "back", "side", "upward", "downward" and other terms used herein are not used to specify any particular direction, only Used for the purpose of description. The handle 10 is rotated downward to store or stow. In this configuration, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the center line 50 (see FIG. 2), the handle 10 protrudes from the outside of the cleaner housing 30, requiring additional space for storing the vacuum cleaner 20. Therefore, there is a need for a structure that enables a vacuum cleaner to be stored in a compact footprint.

FIG. 4 shows a vacuum cleaner 100 having an elongated handle 110. Referring also to FIG. 5, the vacuum cleaner 100 includes a nozzle 120, a cleaner housing or a cleaner body 130 connected to the nozzle 120, a suction generator (not shown) disposed in the cleaner housing 130, and a setting A dirt collection container (not shown) in the cleaner housing 130. The handle 110 is coupled to the cleaner housing 130 by a pivot joint or hinge joint 140. The cleaner housing 130 defines a central longitudinal axis or centerline 150. The pivot joint 140 is configured to rotate the handle 110 about a pivot axis 160 that is not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 150. Referring also to Figure 6, the handle 110 does not extend perpendicular to the pivot axis 160. That is, the handle 110 is offset from the direction 164 perpendicular to the pivot axis 160 by an acute angle θ. As such, when the handle 110 is folded down, the handle 110 rotates generally conically about the pivot axis 160. In some embodiments, the pivot axis 160 is offset from the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 150 by about 5° to 7°. However, in other embodiments, the pivot axis 160 can extend at other angles that are not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 150.

Referring also to FIG. 7, when the handle 110 is rotated or folded down for storage or transport, the handle 110 is moved to a position adjacent to and offset from the vacuum cleaner housing 130 of the vacuum cleaner 100. Compared to the prior art structure, when the handle 110 is rotated downward, the handle 110 is substantially not outside the vacuum cleaner housing 130. The side or contour extends. in this way. The vacuum cleaner 100 can be transported or stored in a compact package when the handle 100 is in the folded state, without significantly increasing the footprint compared to prior art constructions.

In the illustrated embodiment, the pivot joint 140 includes a female member 170 coupled to the cleaner housing 130 and a male member 180 coupled to the handle 110. However, in other embodiments, the female member 170 can be coupled to the handle 110 and the male member 180 can be coupled to the cleaner housing 130. The male member 180 is disposed adjacent to the female member 170, and the pin 190 can be inserted through the female member 170 and the male member 180 to connect the cleaner housing 130 and the handle 110. The female member 170 and the male member 180 are designed to have a generally smooth spherical appearance after the pin 190 is inserted through the female member 170 and the male member 180.

Although only one male member 180 on the handle 110 and one female member 170 on the cleaner housing 130 are shown in the illustrated embodiment, in other embodiments, the handle 110 may include one or more male members. 180, one or more parent members 170, or a combination of both. Similarly, the cleaner housing 130 can also include one or more female members 170, one or more male members 180, or a combination of the two. The pivot joint 140 accordingly includes one or more of the female member 170 and the male member 180. Further, although the female member 170 and the male member 180 shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 are integrally formed with the cleaner housing 130 and the handle 110, respectively, in other embodiments, the female member 170 and the male member 180 may be separately formed and One of the cleaner housing 130 and the handle 110 is attached by glue or fastener, respectively.

In some embodiments, the vacuum cleaner 100 includes a locking unit 200 and a release member 210, the locking unit 200 being included in a vacuum cleaner housing A detent 204 between the body 130 and the handle 110 and a corresponding catch mechanism 208 (not shown in FIGS. 4-7, see FIG. 11), the release member 210 being coupled to the brake member 204 . The locking unit 200 is configured to releasably lock the handle 110 only at a position that is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis 150 (ie, the operative position). The release member 210 can be resiliently supported or biased by any other suitable structure. The brake member is selectively movable between a locked position in which the brake member 204 contacts the corresponding brake structure 208 and an unlocked position in which the brake member 204 is released from the locked position. When the consumer rotates the handle 110 upward from the storage position toward the operational position, the detent 204 contacts the brake structure 208 and locks the handle 110 such that the handle 110 extends securely upwardly away from the cleaner housing 130. When the consumer presses the release member 210 against the bias toward the handle 110, the brake member 204 is released from the locked position, thereby enabling the handle 110 to be rotated or folded down to the storage position.

The surface cleaning apparatus 100 is a vacuum cleaner suitable for cleaning a variety of surfaces such as carpets, solid wood floors, tiles, and the like. More specifically, the illustrated surface cleaning apparatus 100 is an upright wet vacuum cleaner capable of drawing in air or dirt such as liquid or debris. In another embodiment, the surface cleaning device 100 may not be a wet vacuum cleaner. Conversely, the surface cleaning apparatus 100 can be a dry vacuum cleaner capable of drawing in air or dirt, such as dry debris. Alternatively, surface cleaning device 100 can be an aspirator capable of dispensing liquid and capable of drawing in air and dirt (eg, liquid or debris). In other embodiments, the surface cleaning apparatus 100 can be a steam cleaner that is capable of dispensing liquid or steam but does not include a source of suction. In other embodiments, the surface cleaning device 100 may be a brush roller that does not include other conventional upright vacuum cleaners. Rod vacuum cleaner. In other embodiments, the surface cleaning apparatus 100 can be a sweeper that includes a handle and a pivot base that supports a wet or dry fabric under the base. These cleaners do not dispense liquid and do not include a source of suction.

8 through 11 show a vacuum cleaner 100 including a pivot joint 140 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Similar components are identified using similar drawing representations. In this embodiment the pivot joint 140 is configured to rotate the handle 110 about the pivot axis 160 and is configured to translate the handle 110 along the pivot axis 160. In the illustrated embodiment, the pivot axis 160 is not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 150 to store or stow the handle 110 in a direction that is offset from the longitudinal axis 150. However, in other embodiments, the pivot axis 160 can be perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 150. As such, the handle 110 can be stored or loaded at a position that is linearly and non-angularly offset from the longitudinal axis 150.

The pivot joint 140 includes a female member 220 coupled to the handle 110 and a male member 230 coupled to the cleaner housing 130. The male member 230 is received in the female member 220 to connect the cleaner housing 130 and the handle 110 together. In the illustrated embodiment, the male member 230 includes a protrusion or thread 240, and the female member 220 includes a slot 250 corresponding to the protrusion 240. In some embodiments, the protrusion 240 extends helically along the pivot axis 160. The protrusion 240 and the groove cooperate to translate the handle 110 along the pivot axis 160. In other words, viewed from the rear in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 150, when the handle 110 is rotated from the operating position (see Figures 8 and 10) to the storage position (see Figures 9 and 11), the handle 110 is generally along the pivot axis Line 160 translates from right to left. In other embodiments, public The piece 230 can include a slot 250 and the female member 220 can include a protrusion 240. In other embodiments, the female member 220 can be coupled to the cleaner housing 130 and the male member 230 can be coupled to the handle 110.

Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, various modifications and modifications are possible in the scope and spirit of the invention.

110‧‧‧handle

130‧‧‧vacuum cleaner body/vacuum cleaner housing

140‧‧‧ pivot joint / articulated joint

150‧‧‧ center line

160‧‧‧ pivot axis

170‧‧‧Female parts

180‧‧‧Male

190‧‧ ‧ sales

210‧‧‧ release parts

Claims (19)

A surface cleaning device defining a longitudinal axis, the surface cleaning device comprising: a nozzle; a cleaner housing coupled to the nozzle; and a handle coupled to the cleaner housing by a pivot joint, wherein The pivot joint is configured to rotatably store the handle at a position offset from the longitudinal axis. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pivot joint is configured to rotate the handle about a pivot axis that is not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pivot joint is configured to rotate the handle about a pivot axis and configured to translate the handle in a direction of the pivot axis. A surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, the surface cleaning apparatus further comprising a suction generator and a dirt collection container located in the cleaner housing. A surface cleaning device defining a longitudinal axis, the surface cleaning device comprising: a nozzle; a cleaner housing coupled to the nozzle; and a handle coupled to the cleaner housing by a pivot joint, wherein The pivot joint is configured such that the handle surrounds not perpendicular to the The pivot axis of the longitudinal axis rotates. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 5, wherein the pivot joint includes a female member coupled to one of the cleaner housing and the handle, coupled to the cleaner housing and the handle The other is adjacent to the male member of the female member, and a pin that can be inserted through the female member and the male member to connect the cleaner housing and the handle together. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 5, wherein the pivot axis is offset from the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis by about 5° to 7°. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 5, the surface cleaning apparatus further comprising a locking unit configured to releasably lock the handle only at a position substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. A surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the locking unit includes a stopper between the cleaner housing and the handle and a release member connected to the stopper. A surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a suction generator located in the cleaner housing and a dirt collection container located in the cleaner housing. A surface cleaning device defining a longitudinal axis, the surface cleaning device comprising: a nozzle; a cleaner housing coupled to the nozzle; and a handle coupled to the cleaner housing by a pivot joint, wherein The pivot joint is configured to rotate the handle about the pivot axis and is configured to translate the handle in a direction of the pivot axis. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 11, wherein the pivot joint includes a female member coupled to one of the cleaner housing and the handle and is coupled to the cleaner housing and the handle The other of the male members, the male member being received in the female member to connect the vacuum cleaner housing and the handle together. A surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 12, wherein one of the female member and the male member includes a protrusion, and the other of the female member and the male member includes a corresponding one of the protrusions a slot and the protrusion and the slot cooperate to translate the handle. A surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 13, wherein at least one of the protrusion and the groove extend helically around the pivot axis. A surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the pivot axis is not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 11, wherein the pivot axis is offset from the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis by about 5° to 7°. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 11, the surface cleaning apparatus further comprising a locking unit configured to releasably lock the handle only at a position substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. A surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the locking unit includes a stopper between the cleaner housing and the handle and a release member connected to the stopper. A surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 11, the surface cleaning apparatus further comprising a suction generator and a dirt collection container located in the cleaner housing.