Abstract:
In one aspect, a swivel assembly connects a wand to a nozzle assembly of a vacuum cleaner. The assembly includes a connector for pivotally connecting to the nozzle assembly and having an oversized opening formed in an outer sidewall thereof. A receiver is provided for receiving the wand at a first end and for connecting with the connector at the second end. A locking clip includes a lug movably received in the opening formed in the sidewall of the connector. Consequently, movement of the lug within the opening permits limited rotation of the receiver relative to the connector while restraining separation of the receiver from the connector. A related method of connecting a wand to a nozzle assembly is also described.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to the floor care equipment field and, more particularly, to a swivel assembly for connecting a wand to a nozzle assembly of a vacuum cleaner. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]    Vacuum cleaners and, in particular, those of the canister type typically include a nozzle assembly for coupling with a wand that, in turn, connects to the canister. Since it is advantageous to manipulate the wand relative to the nozzle assembly for various reasons, many in the art have proposed different types of specialized connectors for this purpose. An example of one such arrangement is found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,700,429 to Martin et al., which shows a swivel-type connector for enabling rotational movement of a handle associated with the wand. 
         [0003]    While the arrangement shown in the &#39;429 patent does indeed permit the desired rotational movement, it is not without limitations. For one, the swivel connector itself includes the electrical coupling for the wand and, thus, requires a tubular piece intermediate the wand and the swivel connector to provide the desired ability to rotate. This type of arrangement also includes many parts to achieve the coupling, and thus would be not only complicated to use, but also expensive to produce and maintain. 
         [0004]    Accordingly, a need is identified for an improved swivel assembly for connecting a wand to a nozzle assembly of a vacuum cleaner. The assembly would couple the nozzle assembly with the wand using a minimum number of parts, but without in any way sacrificing the security of the connection or foreclosing the desired relative rotation. The assembly would also be relatively easy and inexpensive to manufacture, requiring a minimum amount of assembly time and effort. Overall, the swivel assembly would be a significant improvement over the complicated and less reliable designs of the prior art. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]    In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a swivel assembly for connecting a wand to a nozzle assembly of a vacuum cleaner is disclosed. The assembly comprises a connector for pivotally connecting to the nozzle assembly and including an oversized opening formed in an outer sidewall thereof. A receiver is provided for receiving the wand at a first end and for connecting with the connector at a second end. A locking clip connects to the receiver and includes a lug movably received in the opening. As a result, movement of the lug within the opening permits the receiver to rotate relative to the connector while restraining separation of the receiver from the connector. 
         [0006]    In one embodiment, the first end of the connector surrounds a portion of the receiver, and the opening comprises an arcuate slot. The connector further includes a channel generally opposite the opening, and the receiver includes a lug for positioning in the channel. Limited movement of the lug within the channel also restrains to a certain extent the relative rotational movement between the two structures. 
         [0007]    The receiver preferably includes a groove for receiving the locking clip. This groove includes a rib and a pair of mounting shoulders, one on either side of the rib. The locking clip also includes a notch for receiving the rib, as well as resilient tabs for engaging the mounting shoulders. Together, these structures prevent the locking clip from rotating relative to the receiver in the mounted condition. 
         [0008]    In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a swivel assembly for connecting a wand to a nozzle assembly of a vacuum cleaner is disclosed. The swivel connector in this aspect comprises a tubular connector for pivotally connecting to the nozzle assembly. The connector includes a slot formed in an outer sidewall thereof and a channel generally opposite the slot. A tubular receiver is provided for receiving the wand and includes a first lug movably received within the channel. A locking clip includes a second lug movably received in the slot. As a result, movement of the first lug within the channel and the second lug within the slot permits limited rotation of the receiver relative to the connector while restraining separation of the receiver from the connector. 
         [0009]    In one embodiment, the slot and channel are arcuate and have generally matching degrees of curvature. The receiver may further include a groove for receiving the locking clip. Preferably, the groove includes a rib and a pair of mounting shoulders, one on either side of the rib, and the locking clip includes a notch for receiving the rib. The locking clip may further include resilient tabs for engaging the mounting shoulders. 
         [0010]    In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, a swivel assembly for connecting a wand to a nozzle assembly of a vacuum cleaner is disclosed. The assembly comprises a tubular connector for connecting to the nozzle assembly and including a slot formed in an outer sidewall thereof. A locking clip includes a lug movably received in the slot. A tubular receiver is also provided for receiving the wand and including a groove for receiving the locking clip. Movement of the lug within the slot permits limited rotation of the receiver relative to the connector while the locking clip when positioned in the groove resists separation of the receiver from the connector. 
         [0011]    In one embodiment, the tubular connector includes a transverse head for creating a pivot point for pivotally connecting to the nozzle assembly. Preferably, the groove of the receiver includes a rib and a pair of mounting shoulders, one on either side of the rib. The locking clip includes a notch for receiving the rib, as well as resilient tabs for engaging the mounting shoulders. 
         [0012]    In accordance with still another aspect of the invention, a method of connecting a wand to a nozzle assembly of a vacuum cleaner is described. The method comprises the steps of pivotally connecting a connector including an oversized opening formed in an outer sidewall thereof to the nozzle assembly, as well as connecting the wand at a first end of a receiver. The connector is connected to a second end of the receiver. The method further includes the step of associating a locking clip with the assembled connector and receiver (preferably by inserting it through the opening). The locking clip includes a lug movably received in the oversized opening formed in the connector. Consequently, movement of the lug within the oversized opening permits limited rotation of the receiver relative to the connector while restraining separation of the receiver from the connector. The method may further include inserting a lug or the receiver in a channel formed in the connector. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING  
         [0013]    The accompanying drawing incorporated in and forming a part of the specification, illustrates several aspects of the present invention and together with the description serves to explain certain principles of the invention. In the drawing: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is an overall perspective view of part of a vacuum cleaner, including the nozzle assembly and wand with which the swivel assembly forming one aspect of the invention may have utility; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the swivel assembly forming one aspect of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a front elevational view of the assembled swivel assembly of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3   a  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  3   a - 3   a  of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3   b  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  3   b - 3   b  of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a side elevational view of the completed swivel assembly of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a top view of the assembled swivel assembly of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5   a  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  5   a - 5   a  of  FIG. 5 ; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 5   b  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  5   b - 5   b  of  FIG. 5 . 
       
    
    
       [0023]    Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0024]    Reference is now made to  FIG. 1  showing a partial view of one possible type of vacuum cleaner with which the swivel assembly  10  of present invention may have utility. The vacuum cleaner includes a nozzle assembly, generally designated by reference character N, adapted for engaging and being moved along a surface to be cleaned, such as the floor. The nozzle assembly N via the swivel assembly  10  connects with a wand W, which in turn connects via a hose (not shown) to a canister (not shown) including a suction generator. The suction generated thus travels through the wand W and swivel assembly  10  to the nozzle assembly N to lift dirt and dust from the adjacent surface. 
         [0025]    To drive an agitator associated with the nozzle assembly N, the swivel assembly  10  may optionally provide power to an associated motor (not shown), such as through a connector for interfacing with the wand W. The necessary power may be delivered from the canister through the wand W to the nozzle assembly N via a cable (not shown) attached at one end to the swivel assembly  10  and, in particular, to the receiver  14  (which may include an electrical socket for coupling with corresponding prongs on the wand W). However, this arrangement is considered entirely optional. 
         [0026]    Turning now to the exploded view of  FIG. 2 , the swivel assembly  10  in the most preferred embodiment comprises three distinct parts adapted to interface and provide the desired secure connection with relative movement between the nozzle assembly N and the wand W. The first part for interfacing with one end with the wand W is a tubular receiver  14 , which in the illustrated embodiment includes a male end  14   a  and a circumferential groove  16  formed just upstream thereof. The second part is a connector  18  having a distal end arranged for being pivotally mounted to the nozzle assembly  12 . This connector  18  includes a female end  18   a  adapted to receive the male end  14   a  of the receiver  14  (note action arrow A), as well as an opening in the form of a slot  20  formed in an outer wall thereof. Interconnecting these two structures is a locking clip  22 , which forms the third part of the swivel assembly  10 . As outlined in further detail in the description that follows, the locking clip  22  attaches to the receiver  14  and semi-permanently couples it to the connector  18  while permitting the two to rotate freely relative to each other to at least a limited extent. 
         [0027]    Turning first to the tubular receiver  14  and, in particular, the groove  16 , it includes a center rib  16   a . The groove  16  further comprises a pair of mounting shoulders  16   b ,  16   c , one positioned on either side of the rib  16   a  and preferably evenly spaced therefrom (see  FIG. 3   a ). Aside from the groove  16 , the receiver  14  also includes a projecting lug  14   b , which is illustrated as being positioned generally opposite the center rib  16   a  and extending in a generally longitudinal direction. As perhaps best understood with combined reference to  FIGS. 3 ,  3   a , and  3   b , the lug  14   b  and center rib  16   a  are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the receiver  14 , as well as in the circumferential direction. The receiver  14  may also include various external brackets K, including for supporting a pivotally mounted latch L for engaging and locking the wand W in place (see  FIG. 1 ) such that any desired electrical connection may be maintained. 
         [0028]    The swivel connector  18  and locking clip  22  are adapted for mating with the projecting lug  14   b  and groove  16 , respectively. Taking first the swivel connector  18 , and with reference again to  FIG. 3   a , it includes a channel  18   b  positioned generally opposite the slot  20 . This channel  18   b  partially circumscribes the tubular female end  18   a  of the connector  18  for receiving the receiver  14 , and thus is also generally arcuate in shape. Preferably, the channel  18   b  has a degree of curvature generally matching that of the slot  20 , which is relatively easy to accomplish in the situation where the connector  18  is generally cylindrical. In the illustrated embodiment, the slot  20  extends in the circumferential direction approximately 90°, and the channel  18   b  about 70°. The channel  18   b  also extends in the longitudinal direction a distance exceeding the length of the lug  14   b  of the receiver  14 , thus ensuring that it may be fully received therein. The distal end of the connector  18  also includes a generally transverse mounting head  18   c  for forming a pivot point with the nozzle assembly N, such that the wand W when connected may pivot or swivel (note action arrow P in  FIG. 1 ). To achieve such a pivotal mounting, this head  18   c  may include a pair of opposed receivers  18   d  (only one shown in  FIG. 2 ) for receiving mounting structures, such as opposed pivot pins (not shown) carried by the nozzle assembly N and projecting inwardly from a cavity formed therein. The end  18   e  of the connector  18  is also open to provide a path for the suction to reach the nozzle assembly N when the two structures are connected. 
         [0029]    With combined reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3   b , the locking clip  22  is generally arcuate or C-shaped for matching the outer surface of the receiver  14  in which the groove  16  is formed. To hold the locking clip  22  against rotational movement relative to the receiver  14  in the assembled condition, a notch  22   a  is provided for receiving the center rib  16   a , and a pair of resilient tabs  22   b    22   c , engage the mounting shoulders  16   b ,  16   c . Furthermore, the locking clip  22  includes a projecting lug  24  adapted for positioning within the slot  20 . This projecting lug  24  is sized so as to occupy substantially the entirety of the slot  20  in the longitudinal direction. However, the slot  20  is oversized or elongated in the circumferential direction so as to permit movement of the lug  24  to and fro when positioned therein. 
         [0030]    Assembly of the components to create the swivel assembly  10  forming one aspect of the invention, and establish the desirable secure connection between the wand W and the nozzle assembly N with relative movement about at least two axes, may be accomplished in the following manner. The male end  14   a  of the receiver  14  is inserted in the female end  18   a  of the connector  18 , with the lug  14   b  being positioned in the oversized channel  18   b . Insertion is completed until the lug  14   b  bottoms out in the oversized channel  18   b , which is usually contemporaneous with an annular seating surface  18   f  on the proximal end of the connector  18  engaging a corresponding annular seating ledge  14   c  on the receiver  14  (and most preferably such that a substantially airtight connection is established to prevent any loss of suction and/or the escape of dirt or dust flowing through the tubular passageway thus formed). An annular lip  14   d  at the distal end of the receiver  14  may also seat in a cavity  18   g  formed in the interior of the connector  18  to also provide an airtight seal (see  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b ). In both cases, the engagement of the various surfaces of the nested receiver  14  and connector  18  is such that relative rotation is in no way hampered. 
         [0031]    In this mated condition, the positioning of the groove  16  is such that it is at least partially exposed to view by the slot  20 , as is the associated center rib  16   a . Preferably, the positioning is such that the rib  16   a  is centered within the slot  20 . If such is initially not the case, then it is of course possible to rotate the receiver  14  and connector  16  relative to each other, with the lug  14   b  freely moving to and fro within the channel  18   b  (see action arrow B in  FIG. 3   a ) as necessary to center the rib  16   a  generally within the slot  20 . 
         [0032]    With the center rib  16   a  exposed and generally centered, the locking clip  22  may then be inserted through the oversized slot  20  to engage the groove  16 . In particular, the resilient mounting tabs  22   b ,  22   c  may be pinched together for insertion into the slot  20  and then released in a generally tangential direction to occupy the space at least partially created by the groove  16  and lying between the inner surface of connector  18  and the outer surface of the receiver  14  (see  FIG. 5   b ). Gentle finger pressure on the lug  24  causes the resilient tabs  22   b ,  22   c  to flex and engage the mounting shoulders  16   b ,  16   c , thereby capturing the clip  22  against rotational movement relative to the receiver  14 . In this mounted position, the extension of the lug  24  in the radial direction is preferably such that it has a low profile and thus does not project beyond the outer surface of the connector  18  (see  FIGS. 4 and 5   a ). 
         [0033]    Positioning of the lug  24  in the slot  20  and the capturing of the clip  22  in the groove  16  restrains movement of the receiver  14  relative to the connector  18  to one direction (i.e., rotation). Specifically, the receiver  14  is permitted to rotate relative to the connector  18  about a longitudinal center axis thereof by virtue of the confinement of the lug  14   b  within the channel  18   b  and the lug  24  within the slot  24  (note action arrow C in  FIG. 3 ). However, relative movement in a different direction, such as the longitudinal or transverse direction, is precluded by the secure locking engagement of the clip  22  in the groove  16 . This ensures that the desired engagement and corresponding seals formed between the mating surfaces of the receiver  14  and connector  18  are maintained, and that suction leaks and escaping dust are advantageously avoided. Of course, aside from rotation, pivoting movement of the wand W when connected is afforded by the pivot point created between the transverse head  18   c  at the distal end of the connector  18  and the nozzle assembly N. 
         [0034]    In the event it becomes necessary to release the coupling thus formed, this can be accomplished using a tool, such as a pair of pliers or grips, to remove the locking clip  22 . Specifically, applying a tangential force to the resilient tabs  22   b ,  22   c  will release them from the engagement with the mounting shoulders  16   b ,  16   c . The clip  22  can then simply be removed from the slot  20  by applying a force on the lug  24  in the radial direction away from the assembly  10 , and the receiver  14  withdrawn from the connector  18 . 
         [0035]    In summary, numerous benefits result from employing the concepts of the present invention. Advantageously, through the use of the swivel assembly  10  and particularly the separate locking clip  22 , it is possible to easily and efficiently couple the swivel connector  18  to the wand W via a receiver  14  while permitting limited relative rotational movement, but without the possibility of the user inadvertently decoupling the structures and causing an undesirable loss of suction. The simplicity of construction of the locking clip  22  and the manner in which in interfaces with the receiver  14  and swivel connector  18  minimizes the manufacturing expense and effort, without sacrificing the quality of the connection thus formed (and without losing the ability for relative rotation). Accordingly, a vacuum cleaner incorporating the swivel assembly  10  is less expensive to produce and maintain, and yet provides the desirable enhanced reliability and versatility in operation. 
         [0036]    The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. For example, while the vacuum cleaner illustrated and described in this document is a canister vacuum cleaner, it should be appreciated that the vacuum cleaner may just as easily be a hand-held or an upright vacuum cleaner and the present invention and claims are considered to be broad enough to be drawn thereto. 
         [0037]    The embodiment was chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally and equitably entitled. The drawings and preferred embodiment do not and are not intended to limit the ordinary meaning of the claims and their fair and broad interpretation in any way.