Reconfigurable airflow wand

A wand, such as for a surface cleaning apparatus, comprises at least an upstream rigid tube and a downstream rigid tube releasably pivotally connected to the upstream rigid tube. A flexible fluid flow conduit connects the downstream, tube in fluid flow communication with the upstream tube.

FIELD

This application relates to an air or fluid flow tube, such as a wand for a surface cleaning apparatus, which is bendable. In one particular embodiment, this application relates to surface cleaning apparatus which utilize a wand extending between a surface cleaning head or tool and a cleaning unit, such as may be used in a canister vacuum cleaner or in an above floor cleaning wand.

BACKGROUND

Canister vacuum cleaners typically comprise a main canister body, which is connected in fluid flow communication with a surface cleaning head by means of a rigid wand and a flexible hose extending between the wand and the canister body. The rigid wand comprises the handle for directing a surface cleaning head over a floor to be cleaned. In addition, the wand comprises the airflow conduit from the surface cleaning head to the canister body. The surface cleaning head may have a dirty air outlet nozzle, which is pivotally mounted to the rigid wand. Accordingly, in order to permit a user to clean under, e.g., a sofa, bed or the like, a user may bend down or crouch down so as to extend the wand generally horizontally. In this orientation, the cleaning head may be maneuvered under furniture.

One disadvantage of this design is that the user must have sufficient maneuverability so as to position the wand generally parallel to, and proximate, the floor so as to enable the cleaning head to be maneuvered under furniture having a low ground clearance. However, not all users may have this maneuverability. Accordingly, it has been proposed to provide a wand or extension tube which is bendable. See for example U.S. Pat. No. 6,695,352 (Park et al.). Park et al. discloses an extension tube for a vacuum cleaner which utilizes first and second tubes, each of which has a coupling part provided thereon. The coupling parts inter-engage to define a rotatable joint which defines the airflow passage from one tube to the next. Other designs which have been developed include U.S. Pat. No. 5,927,758 (Carlsson) and U.S. Pat. No. 6,209,925 (Edin). Each of these patents also discloses a reconfigurable extension tube wherein the rotatable joint also comprises part of the airflow passage.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the instant invention, a simplified construction for a moveable coupling for an extension wand for, e.g., a vacuum cleaner, which is bendable, is provided. A bendable wand has at least two operation modes. In a first mode, the wand has at least two sections that are held in a fixed position such that the sections may be used to guide a surface cleaning head or other tool across a surface to be cleaned. In a second mode, at least two sections are moved relative to each other such that the wand may be used to guide a surface cleaning head or other cleaning tool under furniture having a low ground clearance. In the first mode, the two sections, or tubes, may extend generally in a straight line (linearly). In the second mode, the first section may pivot freely with respect to a second section. Optionally, the sections may be lockable in any orientation achieved in the second mode.

In accordance with this construction, an upstream tube and a downstream tube are connected in fluid flow communication by a flexible conduit. Instead of utilizing the airflow passage between the tubes as the pivotable joint or connector that provides the or at least some of the structural strength such that movement of the downstream wand controls movement of the upstream wand as in the prior art, separate members are utilized to permit the tubes to provide at least some of, and preferably all of, this structural strength. For example, each of the tubes may have provided thereon, or incorporated as part thereof, structure members which, when joined together, permit one tube to move (e.g. pivot), with respect to the other tube and also provide structural strength such that the tubes may be used to guide a surface cleaning tool over a floor in either the first mode and the second mode. Therefore, in a locked or first mode, the upstream and downstream tubes are rigidly connected together such that the tubes may function as a single elongate tube. In the second mode, the tubes may be at an angle to each other and used to guide a surface cleaning tool under furniture having a low ground clearance with the user being able to remain optionally upright, if the downstream tube is sufficiently long.

One advantage of this design is that the pivot joint itself is defined by structural members that do not have a moveable seal. In the design of Park et al., the joint is defined by inter-engaged, rotatable connectors. Accordingly, in order to maintain an airtight fluid flow passage a rotatable seal must be utilized. In other words, when the upstream tube is rotated with respect to the downstream tube, one coupling member slides within the other coupling member. The seals which are utilized in this design must maintain a relatively airtight seal during this rotational movement. Such seals may wear out over time. In contrast, in accordance with the instant invention, a flexible conduit, which need not be a load bearing member (e.g. may be a flexible hose), is utilized to connect the upstream and downstream tubes in fluid flow communication but not to define the construction which is utilized to control the rotation of the upstream tube with respect to the downstream tube and to permit the downstream tube to be used to steer the upstream tube. Accordingly, no moveable seal need be utilized in accordance with this design.

It will be appreciated that this wand design may be used with any surface cleaning apparatus. Alternately, this design may be used with any appliance that uses an air or fluid flow tube that can bend. For example, this wand design may be used with a blower.

In accordance with one aspect of this invention, there is provided a wand, preferably for a surface cleaning apparatus, comprising:(a) an upstream rigid tube having an upstream end and a downstream end;(b) a downstream rigid tube releasably pivotally connected to the upstream rigid tube and having an upstream end and a downstream end; and,(c) a flexible fluid flow conduit connecting the upstream end of the downstream tube in fluid flow communication with the downstream end of the upstream tube.

In one embodiment, the wand further comprises a lock securing the upstream and the downstream rigid tubes in a fixed orientation. In any such embodiment, the wand may further comprise a lock release actuator positioned remote to the lock. For example, the wand may further comprise a handle associated with the downstream rigid tube and the lock release actuator is positioned proximate the handle. If a handle is provided, then, preferably, the handle is positioned proximate the downstream end of the downstream rigid tube.

In some embodiments, the upstream rigid tube is pivotally connected to the downstream rigid tube at a position proximate the upstream end of the downstream rigid tube.

In some embodiments, the downstream end of the upstream rigid tube has a first connector associated therewith and the upstream end of the downstream rigid tube has a second connector associated therewith and the first and second connectors are pivotally connected together. In some embodiments, the first connector is secured to the upstream rigid tube and the second connector is secured to the downstream rigid tube. Alternately, or in addition, the wand may further comprise a lock securing the upstream and the downstream rigid tubes in a fixed orientation, the lock comprising a member extending from at least one of the downstream rigid tube and the second connector and releasably engageable with at least one of the upstream rigid tube and the first connector. In any such embodiment, the wand may further comprise a lock release actuator positioned remote to the lock. For example, the wand may further comprise a handle associated with the downstream rigid tube and the lock release actuator is positioned proximate the handle. If a handle is provided, then, preferably, the handle is positioned proximate the downstream end of the downstream rigid tube.

In accordance with another aspect of this invention, there is provided a wand, preferably for a surface cleaning apparatus, comprising:(a) an upstream rigid tube having a fluid flow passage having an upstream end and a downstream end;(b) a downstream rigid tube having a fluid flow passage having an upstream end and a downstream end;(c) the downstream rigid tube being moveably connected to the upstream rigid tube between a first position in which the upstream rigid tube is positioned in a fixed orientation with respect to the downstream rigid tube and a second position in which the upstream rigid tube is at an angle to the downstream rigid tube; and,(d) a flexible fluid flow conduit extending between the upstream end of the fluid flow passage of the downstream tube and the downstream end of the fluid flow passage of the upstream tube.

In one embodiment, the upstream rigid tube is pivotally connected to the downstream rigid tube.

In some embodiments, the wand further comprises a lock releasably securing the upstream and the downstream rigid tubes in the first position. Preferably, the lock release actuator is positioned remote to the lock.

In some of these embodiments, the wand further comprises a handle associated with the downstream rigid tube and the lock release actuator is positioned proximate the handle. Preferably, the handle is positioned proximate the downstream end of the fluid flow passage of the downstream rigid tube.

In some of these embodiments, the upstream rigid tube is pivotally connected to the downstream rigid tube at a position proximate the upstream end of the fluid flow passage of the downstream rigid tube.

In some of these embodiments, the upstream rigid tube has a downstream end having a first connector associated therewith and the downstream rigid tube has an upstream end having a second connector associated therewith and the first and second connectors are pivotally connected together. Preferably, the first connector is secured to the upstream rigid tube and the second connector is secured to the downstream rigid tube.

In some of these embodiments, the wand further comprises a lock securing the upstream and the downstream rigid tubes in the first position, the lock comprising a member extending from at least one of the downstream rigid tube and the second connector and releasably engageable with at least one of the upstream rigid tube and the first connector. Preferably, a lock release actuator positioned remote to the lock. Preferably, a handle associated with the downstream rigid tube and the lock release actuator is positioned proximate the handle.

DESCRIPTION

Referring to the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-5, wand10comprises upstream tube12, having upstream end14and downstream end16, and downstream tube18, having upstream end20and downstream end22. Upstream tube12and downstream tube18are moveably connected together by means of a rotatable joint24. Upstream tube12and downstream tube18are connected in fluid flow communication by a flexible fluid flow conduit30. A handle26for maneuvering wand10is preferably provided. Preferably, a lock release actuator28is positioned adjacent handle26.

Each of upstream and downstream tubes12and18may be of any particular length and may be made of any rigid material (e.g. plastic or metal). Upstream end14of upstream tube12may be a nozzle for cleaning a surface. Alternately, or in addition, it may be adapted to receive a surface cleaning tool, such as a surface cleaning head, additional extension tube, crevice cleaning tool or the like. Downstream end22of downstream tube18may be connected directly with a cleaner body or may be connected thereto via a flexible hose32.

Flexible hose32may be any flexible hose or conduit known in the surface cleaning arts. For example, flexible hose32may be a plastic hose with a reinforcing member secured thereto in a spiral pattern.

As exemplified inFIG. 2, the upstream end34of flexible tube32may have a handle26affixed thereto. Accordingly, handle26comprises an intermediary component between downstream tube18and flexible hose32. It will be appreciated that, in an alternate construction, flexible hose32may be connected directly with downstream end22of tube18. It will be appreciated that in such a construction, handle26may be incorporated as part of tube18, tube18may be used as the handle or the handle may be a separate component mounted thereto.

Flexible fluid flow conduit30(which is preferably a flexible hose) connects downstream end26of upstream tube12in fluid flow communication with upstream end20of downstream tube18. Accordingly, in operation, air is drawn into wand10via upstream end14and travels through upstream tube12(which define am upstream passage) through flexible fluid flow conduit30, through downstream tube18(which define am downstream passage) through flexible hose32to the cleaning unit of a surface cleaning apparatus. Additional intermediary members may be provided in the fluid flow path from the dirty fluid inlet (e.g., the inlet of a surface cleaning head) to the cleaning unit.

It will be appreciated that the surface cleaning apparatus may be any surface cleaning apparatus known in the art, such as an upright vacuum cleaner, canister vacuum cleaner, backpack vacuum cleaner, wet-dry vacuum cleaner or the like. If, for example, wand10is utilized with a canister or backpack vacuum cleaner, then it will be appreciated that wand10may be utilized as the extension tube that is steeringly connected to the surface cleaning head as is known in the art. Alternately, if the surface cleaning apparatus is an upright vacuum cleaner, then wand10may comprise an above floor cleaning wand. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that hose32may be secured to a surface cleaning apparatus by any means known in the art and wand10may optionally be removably mounted to the surface cleaning apparatus.

Flexible fluid flow conduit30may be secured to tubes12and18by any means known in the art. For example, upstream end36of conduit30may be secured to downstream end16of tube12by a flexible cuff provided on end36, which is slipped over end16. Alternately, or in addition, upstream end36may be secured to tube12by an adhesive, an O-ring clamp, a friction fit or any other means known in the art. Similarly, downstream end38of conduit30may be secured to upstream end20of tube18. Alternately, or in addition, a collar or cuff40may be provided on downstream end16of tube12and/or a collar or cuff42may be provided on upstream end20of tube18. In such a case, collar40may be used to secure upstream end36to tube12and collar42may be used to secure downstream end38to tube18. Collars40,42may be separately molded elements which are affixed to tubes12,18by a friction fit, an adhesive, a set screw or the like. Conduit30may be slipped over end16of tube12and collar40mounted thereover so as to secure conduit30to tube12. Alternately, collar40may have a mounting member for receiving upstream end36. Accordingly, collar40could include an airflow passage there through. Similarly, collar42may be used to secure downstream end38to tube18. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various mounting means may be used and that this invention is not limited by the particular mounting means which is selected.

As exemplified inFIG. 1, rotatable joint24comprises a first connector44which is associated with downstream end16of tube12and the second connector46associated with upstream end20of tube18. First and second connectors44,46may be secured to tubes12and18by any means known in the art and may be moveably mounted with respect to each other by any means known in the art. Preferably, as exemplified inFIGS. 2-5, first and second connectors44,46are pivotably mounted together.

As exemplified inFIG. 2, tube12is provided with a flange48having openings50. Flange48may be secured to tube12by any means known in the art. For example, flange50may be secured to tube12by means of an adhesive, welding, screws or it may be formed integrally as part as tube12. Connector44comprises first and second halves52,54, which may be secured together by screws56, rivets, an adhesive, welding or other means. Screw56passes through opening58in second half54, through opening50and is received in screw mount60, which is provided on the inner surface of first half52of first connector44. Accordingly, flange48is used to secure first connector44to tube12. It will be appreciated that first and second halves52,54may be secured to tube12by any other means such as by an adhesive, welding, mechanical attachment or other means directly connecting first and second halves52,54directly to tube12.

Second connector46may be similarly mounted to tube18. For example, tube18may be provided with two flanges62each of which may be provided with one or more openings64. Second connector46may accordingly comprise first and second halves66,68and be secured together by means of one or more screws70extending through opening72in second half68, through openings64in flanges62, into screw mount74provided on the inner surface of first half66.

First and second connectors44,46may be pivotally secured together by means of pivot screw76. For example, each of first of second halves52,54may have a recessed surface78having an opening80therein. First and second halves66,68may also be provided with an opening82in mounting portion84thereof. Mounting portions84are spaced apart when first and second halves66,68are secured together on tube18. Accordingly, once first and second halves52,54have been secured to tube12, recessed surfaces78may be inserted into the gap between mounting portions84and openings80and82aligned so that pivot screw76may extend through opening82in second half68, through opening80in second half54, through opening80in first half52and into screw mount86. Accordingly, when assembled, first and second connectors44,46are secured to tubes12and18essentially as part of an exoskeleton, and provide the pivot mount for pivotally connecting tubes12and18together.

It will be appreciated that other methods of pivotally connecting first and second connectors44,46may be used and that first and second connectors44,46may be of varying designs.

Optionally, wand10includes a lock to secure wand10in at least one orientation. For example, as shown inFIG. 1, tubes12and18extend linearly in accordance with a first mode or orientation such that the upstream and downstream flow passages provided therein extend essentially linearly (e.g. along the same longitudinal axis). Preferably, a lock is provided to secure tubes12and18in this fixed orientation, which is particularly useful for moving a surface cleaning head over a floor to be cleaned. Any locking means known in the art may be used.

Ax exemplified lock is shown inFIG. 2. As exemplified therein, first half52is provided with a C-shaped flange88on inner surface90. A similar C-shaped flange may be provided on the inner surface of second half54. Accordingly, when assembled, the C-shaped flanges88define a pocket92for receiving spring94. Lock member96is moveably mounted in first connector44and is provided with extension98and locking portion100. As shown in particular inFIGS. 3 and 4, lock member96has an oblong internal opening102which seats on outer surface104of mount106. It will be appreciated that a mount106may be provided on the inner surface of recessed surface78of second half54. Extension98is preferably tubular in shape and is seated within one end of spring94. Accordingly, spring94is positioned on extension98and then inserted into pocket92thereby securing spring94in position. In order to accommodate locking member96, a slot108may be provided in the downstream side of first and second halves52. First and second halves66,68have a pocket112for receiving locking portion100. Pocket112may be formed, for example, by a C-shaped flange110provided on inner surface116of each of first and second halves66,68.

As shown inFIG. 3, the locking member is in the locked position. Accordingly, spring94presses against extension98forcing locking member96in the downstream direction thereby maintaining lock member96in pocket112. Accordingly, locking portion100prevents first connector44from rotating with respect to the second connector46. When locking portion100is removed from pocket112(to the position shown inFIG. 4), then first connector44may rotate with respect to second connector46(see for exampleFIG. 5).

Locking member96may be moved between the locked position shown inFIG. 3and the unlock position shown inFIG. 4by any means known in the art, such as a lock release actuator. Preferably, lock release actuator28is positioned distal to rotatable joint24and, more preferably, adjacent to handle26. Accordingly, a linkage116may be provided such that lock release actuator28may remotely actuate the lock. As exemplified, linkage116has lock release actuator28provided at one end thereof and driving member118provided at an opposed end thereof. Actuator28and driving member118may be integrally formed as part of linkage116or may be separate elements. If tube18is provided with two flanges62, then flanges62may be spaced apart to define a channel within which linkage116is slideably mounted. Accordingly, when linkage116is moved in the direction of arrow A inFIGS. 4 and 5, then driving member118will drive locking portion to the unlocked position shown inFIG. 4. It will be appreciated that only one flange62may alternately be used and, for example, linkage116may have a channel in its tube side in which flange62is slideably received.

Preferably, linkage116is biased to the locked position shown inFIG. 3. Accordingly, a biasing member may be provided to urge actuator28into the locked position. For example, inner surface114of first and/or second half66,68may be provided with an abutment member120. Similarly, linkage116may be provided with a spring mount or abutment member122. Spring124may be positioned between abutment members120,122. Accordingly, when a user desires to rotate upstream tube12, the user may press actuator28moving linkage116in the direction of arrow A thereby compressing spring124and moving locking portion100into the unlocked position thereby permitting upstream tube12to rotate. When a user releases actuator12, spring124will drive linkage116into the locked position. Concurrently, spring94will move locking member into the locked position (i.e. driving locking portion100into pocket112).

A cap126or other cover may be provided for covering linkage112. Cap126may be secured to tube18by any means known in the art and may be of any desired shape. For example, as exemplified inFIG. 2, cap126is designed to seat on flanges62, such as by having members128removably receivable in openings130. Accordingly, cap126may be secured in place by positioning cap126over flanges62and pressing downwardly such that members128are received in openings130. It will be appreciated that cap126may extend around all or a portion of tube18and may be secured thereto by any means known in the art, such as by means of an adhesive, welding, screws, clamps or the like.

FIGS. 7 and 8exemplify an alternate embodiment. Having similar function are referred to using the same reference number inFIGS. 7 and 8.

In this alternate embodiment, first and second connectors44,46are pivotably mounted together by pivot pin132. First and second connectors are configured as collars which are provided on downstream end16of upstream tube12and on upstream end20of downstream tube18. Actuator28comprises a trigger-like member which has an opening134for receiving a finger of a user. Locking member96is pivotably mounted about pivot pin136and has a hook138provided at distal end140of locking member96. Hook138is removably received in recess142of first connector44. Arm144has a first end146secured to linkage116and a second end148that is pivotably mounted to locking member96by pivot pin150. A channel152is provided in tube18in which a portion of linkage116is seated so as to permit longitudinal movement in the direction of arrow A ofFIG. 5. In operation, a user may use actuator28to move linkage116longitudinally along tube18in the direction of arrow B shown inFIG. 8. Movement of linkage116in the downstream fluid flow direction causes arm144to apply a force to locking member96causing locking member96to pivot around pivot pin116thereby rotating hook138out of recess142. This permits tube12to rotate about pivot pin132relative to tube18.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that linkage116may, for example, be a boden cable or any other member known in the art, which will provide a pulling force on locking member96. In addition, linkage116may be secured to tube18by any means known in the art. Similarly, locking member96may engage first connector44by any other means known in the art.

A further alternate embodiment is shown inFIG. 9. As shown therein, first connector44is secured to downstream end16of tube12and is generally Y-shaped, having two opposed flanges154. Similarly, second connector46is secured to upstream end20of tube18and has a Y-shaped end having opposed flanges156which, when assembled, overlies flanges154. Each pair of flanges154,156may be secured together by a pivot pin158.

It will be appreciated that various different constructions may be utilized for first and second connectors44,46. In particular, connectors44,46may be formed as part of tubes12and18or may be separate members that are manufactured separately and then attached thereto. In any such case, connectors44,46are associated with tubes12and18and provide the movable joint. Accordingly, when connectors44,46move with respect to each other, tubes12and18move with respect to each other. It will be appreciated that movements other than pivotal may be utilized. For example, one member44,46may translate as well as rotate with respect to the other connector44,46.

In addition, an actuator may be provided adjacent the lock or distal thereto. If the actuator is provided distal to the lock, then it is preferably positioned proximate the handle. Preferably, the actuator is positioned such that a user may release the lock while holding the handle.

It will be appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments or separate aspects, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment or aspect, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

Although the invention has been described in conjunction with the specific embodiments hereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims. In addition, citation or identification of any reference in this application shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is available to the present invention.