Abstract:
An electric cleaning apparatus ( 10 ) having a suction body ( 11 ), which is provided at one end with a suction aperture ( 13 ) connected to a suction drive member arranged inside the suction body ( 11 ), and to which a terminal suction element ( 32 ) is able to be selectively associated. The electric cleaning apparatus ( 10 ) includes tubular members ( 16, 21 ) pivoted on the suction body ( 11 ) and able to be selectively rotated with respect to the latter in order to define a first operating configuration, wherein the tubular members ( 16, 21 ) are arranged on the opposite side with respect to the suction aperture ( 13 ) in order to function as a remote handgrip for the suction body ( 11 ), and a second operating configuration, wherein the tubular members ( 16, 21 ) cooperate with the suction aperture ( 13 ) in order to function as an extension for the terminal suction element ( 32 ).

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/IB2004/001620, filed May 19, 2004, which was published in the English language on Dec. 2, 2004, under International Publication No. WO 2004/103144 A1, and the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention concerns a multifunctional electric cleaning apparatus, able to be used as an electric brush, a vacuum cleaner and a crumb vacuumer. To be more exact, the present invention comprises a fork element which allows to direct a suction pipe to one side or the other of the central body of the apparatus, in order to selectively use the pipe as a handle for the electric brush, or as a rigid extension of the vacuum cleaner. Moreover, such fork element can be detached from the central body so that the latter can be used as a crumb vacuumer. 
     Electric cleaning apparatuses are known, such as for example vacuum cleaners, electric brushes, crumb vacuumers or suchlike, used in household cleaning. 
     Such known electric cleaning apparatuses normally have a suction body provided with an electric motor which creates the suction, and a multitude of accessories, such as suction pipes, handles, handgrips, suction brushes or otherwise, arranged according to the specific function of the electric cleaning apparatus used. 
     Known electric cleaning apparatuses, however, have rigid structures and configurations, that is, they do not offer the possibility of being widely personalized by the user according to the operations he wants to execute. For example, in the case of an electric brush, wherein the suction body is associated at one of its ends to a handle, and at the other end to a brush, operations to suck up the dirt from gaps underneath the piece of furniture are almost impossible, since the proximity of the suction body and the brush prevents the latter from being inserted in depth under the piece of furniture. 
     This shortcoming is normally solved by providing the user with a kit of auxiliary accessories, such as extensions or suchlike, but this entails the need to remove and reassemble the brush and the various accessories each time a different cleaning situation occurs. Moreover, it is evident that such an electric brush proves to be extremely awkward for cleaning crumbs or dust from a surface, such as for example that of a table, of a shelf, or suchlike. 
     These shortcomings therefore entail the need, on the part of the user, to buy different electric cleaning apparatuses, according to the type of cleaning to be done. 
     Apart from being very expensive, this is both inconvenient, as the user finds himself having to change apparatus according to what operations he has to carry out, and also bulky, as the various apparatuses, when not in use, take up large spaces in cupboards or repositories. 
     One purpose of the present invention is to achieve a multifunctional electric cleaning apparatus which will allow to carry out cleaning operations in a simple, practical and at the same time effective manner, both on elevated surfaces, free environments, and in the gaps underneath pieces of furniture or otherwise, without needing to assemble auxiliary accessories or to change the electric cleaning apparatus itself according to the different operating conditions. 
     Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain this and other purposes and advantages. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is set forth and characterized in the main claim, while the dependent claims describe other characteristics of the present invention or variants to the main inventive idea. 
     An electric cleaning apparatus according to the present invention has a suction body provided at one end with at least a suction aperture, or hole, connected to a suction drive member arranged inside the suction body itself, and at least a terminal suction element, such as a brush or suchlike, able to be selectively associated to the suction hole. 
     According to a characterizing aspect, and in accordance with the purpose as above, the electric cleaning apparatus according to the present invention has tubular means pivoted on the suction body which are selectively rotated to define at least a first operating configuration, wherein they are arranged on the opposite side with respect to the suction hole in order to function as a remote handgrip for the suction body, and at least a second operating configuration, wherein they cooperate with the suction hole in order to function as an extension of the terminal suction element. 
     The tubular means has at least a fork element connected to a tubular element; such fork element is provided with pivoting means of the removable type which allow it to be selectively coupled to the suction body, so that the tubular means can be removed and the suction body can assume a third operating position in which it can function autonomously. 
     According to the invention, the terminal suction element is selectively associated to the suction hole in the first operating configuration, or to the tubular means in the second operating configuration. 
     In this way, the electric cleaning apparatus according to the present invention can be used both as an electric brush, in the first operating configuration, and also as a vacuum cleaner, in the second operating configuration, and also as a crumb vacuumer, when the suction means are removed to define the third operating configuration. 
     With the present invention it is therefore possible, with a single electric cleaning apparatus, to carry out normal cleaning operations in free environments in the first operating configuration, and also cleaning operations in the gaps underneath pieces of furniture in the second operating configuration, and also cleaning operations on surfaces of tables, shelves or suchlike in the third operating configuration. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a three-dimensional view of an electric cleaning apparatus according to the present invention in a first operating configuration; 
         FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b  are two three-dimensional views of the electric cleaning apparatus in  FIG. 1  in a second operating configuration; 
         FIG. 3  is a three-dimensional view of the electric cleaning apparatus in  FIG. 1  in a third operating configuration; 
         FIG. 4  is a three-dimensional view of the electric cleaning apparatus in  FIG. 1  in an intermediate configuration; 
         FIG. 5  shows an exploded enlarged detail of the electric cleaning apparatus in  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 6  shows an enlarged and partially sectioned detail of the electric cleaning apparatus in  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , an electric cleaning apparatus  10  according to the present invention has a suction body  11  of a substantially oval shape, inside which an electric suction drive member is arranged, of a known type and not shown in the drawings. Externally the suction body  11  has a handle  12 , in proximity with which the commands of the internal drive member are advantageously arranged. 
     On the side opposite the handle  12 , the suction body  11  is provided with a suction aperture, or hole,  13 , connected to the internal drive member and through which it is possible to suck in dirt or dust. 
     At the sides of the suction body  11  two housing seatings  15  ( FIG. 3 ) are made, on opposite sides, by means of which it is possible to selectively associate a fork  16  to the suction body  11 . 
     The fork  16  (FIGS.  1 , 2   a ,  2   b ,  5 ) is made of partially elastic material and has two arms  17 , at the free ends of which respective pins  19  are arranged. Such pins  19  can be selectively coupled, with play with respect to the corresponding housing seatings  15 , so as to allow the fork  16  to rotate with respect to the suction body  11 . 
     Furthermore, the pins  19  are provided with a snap-in element  20 , of a known type, for example with a circumferential relief. Such snap-in element  20  guarantees a stable coupling with the housing seatings  15  and, at the same time, allows the user to easily extract the pins  19  from the housing seatings  15 , possibly to selectively detach the fork  16  from the suction body  11 . 
     A tubular element  21 , advantageously made of aluminum, is fixed to the fork  16 , in proximity with the point of connection of its two arms  17 . In correspondence with the point of connection, the tubular element  21  is provided with a coupling  22 . The latter allows to couple the tubular element  21  with the suction hole  13 , or to temporarily constrain the tubular element  21  itself to a terminal part of the handle  12 . The tubular element  21 , on the opposite side with respect to the coupling  22 , has a terminal segment  21   a  connected to a central part  21   b  by means of an articulated joint  23 . In this way the terminal segment  21   a  can be positioned straight or at an angle with respect to the central part  21   b  of the tubular element  21 . 
     When at an angle the terminal segment  21   a  may carry out the function of handgrip. 
     The coupling  22  ( FIG. 6 ) comprises an external body  25 , able to slide axially with respect to the central part  21   b  of the tubular element  21 , and attached to a terminal connection  26  arranged coaxially inside the tubular element  21 . In this way it is possible to selectively insert the terminal connection  26  in the suction hole  13 , or to selectively constrain such terminal connection  26  to an attachment element  27  arranged in proximity with the terminal part of the handle  12 . 
     The coupling  22  also comprises a helical spring  29  which allows an automatic return of the external body  25 , and consequently of the terminal connection  26 , to a position wherein it maintains the latter normally inserted in the respective suction hole  13  or constrained to the respective attachment element  27 . 
     The articulated joint  23  is substantially of the known type and consists of a rotating coupling between the end of the central part  21   b  of the tubular element  21  and the terminal segment  21   a . To be more exact, these ends are transversally cut diagonally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tubular element  21 , so that the central part  21   b  and the terminal segment  21   a  can be reciprocally rotated between a first position wherein they are substantially coaxial, and a plurality of other positions wherein they are at an angle with respect to each other. 
     The electric cleaning apparatus  10  according to the invention also has a brush  32 , for example of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,536,076, wherein said brush comprises a central body  33  provided with two suction arms  35  revolving with respect to the central body  33 , which maintain the suction surface constant for any position whatsoever thereof. 
     Such brush  32  also has a pipe  36  by means of which it is selectively connected to the suction hole  13 , or to the end of the terminal segment  21   a  of the tubular element  21 , depending on the position of the latter with respect to the suction body  11 . 
     The electric cleaning apparatus  10  also has, in proximity with the suction hole  13 , a platelet  37  with the double function of a clamp for the fork  16 , and of a conveyor for the dirt when the suction is carried out directly by the suction hole  13 . 
     The electric cleaning apparatus  10  as described heretofore can be used in three different operating configurations that will be described herebelow. 
     A first configuration of the electric cleaning apparatus  10  ( FIG. 1 ) provides to use it as an electric brush, so as to obtain maximum maneuverability and lightness of the apparatus for cleaning free environments, such as floors. 
     In this configuration, the fork  16  is rotated with respect to the suction body  11 , so that the terminal connection  26  of the coupling  22  cooperates with the attachment element  27 , while the brush  32  is directly connected to the suction hole  13 . By doing so, the terminal segment  21   a  of the tubular element  21  acts as a handgrip for the suction body  11 , which, since it is close to the ground, allows for an excellent maneuverability of the apparatus  10 , thus enabling the user not to tire himself excessively when using the apparatus  10  itself. Thanks to the articulated joint  23 , it is also possible to orientate the terminal segment  21   a  with respect to the central part  21   b  of the tubular element  21 , so as to improve the user&#39;s grip on the apparatus  10 . 
     A second configuration of the electric cleaning apparatus  10  ( FIG. 2   a ) provides to use it as a vacuum cleaner, so as to easily access gaps underneath or above pieces of furniture with the brush  32 . 
     In this configuration, the fork  16  is rotated with respect to the suction body  11 , so that the terminal connection  26  of the coupling  22  cooperates with the suction hole  13 , while the brush  32  is connected to the terminal segment  21   a  of the tubular element  21 . By doing so, the tubular element  21  acts as an extension for the brush  32 , which can thus be inserted easily and completely into the gaps underneath pieces of furniture. 
     In this second configuration, the apparatus  10  is held by the user by means of the handle  12 . 
     By rotating the terminal segment  21   a  ( FIG. 2   b ) with respect to the central part  21   b , an angled position of the brush  32  with respect to the tubular element  21  is defined, so as to facilitate cleaning operations of surfaces arranged above wardrobes, without needing to use ladders or footstools. 
     A third configuration of the electric cleaning apparatus  10  ( FIG. 3 ) provides to use it as a crumb vacuumer, so as to have maximum compactness and maneuverability in order to facilitate cleaning operations on tables, shelves, internal surfaces of cars, sofas or otherwise, where the use of an electric brush or a vacuum cleaner is awkward and bulky. 
     In this configuration, the fork  16  is widened elastically in order to remove the pins  19  from the relative housing seatings  15 . In this way, by means of the handle  12 , the user grips the suction body  11  which, due to its limited dimensions, can be easily manipulated to vacuum surfaces such as tables, shelves, internal surfaces of cars, sofas or otherwise. To further reduce the bulkiness of the apparatus  10 , during this phase the brush  32  can also be removed, so as to suck in dirt directly through the suction hole  13  using the platelet  37  as a conveyor. 
     It is clear, however, that modifications and/or additions of parts can be made to the electric cleaning apparatus  10  as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention. 
     For example, according to a variant, the tubular element  21  can be of the telescopic type, or can contain a flexible part able to be used selectively in the second configuration as a vacuum cleaner. 
     According to another variant, the suction body  11  could be provided with wheels which allow it to be dragged. The oval shape of the suction body  11  may also be changed, so that it can therefore be spherical, parallelepiped, cylindrical or otherwise. 
     According to a further variant, the coupling  22  may be provided, in the internal part of the external body  25 , with a stopping tooth which, cooperating with a mating circular seating made on the tubular element  21 , allows to temporarily stop the external body  25  bayonet-manner in a position wherein the terminal connection is released/unconstrained from the suction hole  13  or from the attachment element  27 . 
     It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to specific examples, a person of skill in the art shall certainly be able to achieve many other equivalent forms of a multifunctional electric cleaning apparatus, all of which shall come within the field and scope of the present invention. 
     It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.