Abstract:
An extension pipe for a vacuum cleaner, for providing a sealed channel between a cleaner body and a suction brush and having a joint that includes a bendable part in accordance with a user&#39;s desire, comprising a first extension pipe, a second extension pipe pivotably connected to the first extension pipe, and a resilient locking member disposed adjacent the first extension pipe to be resiliently deformed by sliding movement thereof and having a locking protrusion to selectively engage one of a plurality of locking recesses formed in the first extension pipe, thereby selectively restraining pivotal movement of the first and the second extension pipes relative to each other. A joint cover connected to one side of the second extension pipe may pivot together with the second extension pipe to seal the connection joint. In a second embodiment, a release handle is connected to a pair of locking members, each having a locking protrusion to selectively engage one of a plurality of locking recesses.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates generally to a vacuum cleaner, and more particularly, to an extension pipe for a vacuum cleaner that has a bendable connection part to enable convenient cleaning of the spaces under pieces of furniture, such as a bed or sofa.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Background Art  
         [0004]     Generally, a vacuum cleaner draws in dirt and dust from a surface to be cleaned together with ambient air using a vacuum suction force generated by a vacuum suction motor provided in a cleaner body. The vacuum cleaner has a channel connecting the cleaner body and a suction brush having an air in flow port sealed to the channel.  
         [0005]     The channel may take various forms according to the kind of vacuum cleaner being operated, and in general, it may include a flexible hose for connecting to the cleaner body, a handle and an extension pipe for connecting from the handle to the suction brush. The extension pipe is expandable and contractible, that is, it is adjustable in length, and in general, a plurality of extension pipes may be provided for modular assembly and disassembly, depending on the length of the extension pipe desired.  
         [0006]     However, a suction brush connected to a conventional extension pipe has a disadvantage in that in order to clean spaces under a bed, sofa, or other furniture, a user has to bend over to reach a low posture to enable the suction brush to be brought into close contact with the surface to be cleaned because the angle between the extension pipe and the suction brush is usually not adjustable. Also, even in the cases in which the angle between the extension pipe and the suction brush is adjustable, the user still has to bend his/her back to push the suction brush into the spaces under the furniture. An improvement to overcome these problems is thus demanded.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     The present invention has been developed in order to overcome the above-described problems. An aspect of the present invention is to provide an extension pipe providing a joint for a vacuum cleaner which enables bending of the extension pipe by means of a simple button manipulation and without requiring a user to bend his/her back, and provides for a convenient cleaning operation.  
         [0008]     The above aspect is achieved by providing an extension pipe arrangement having a connection joint for a vacuum cleaner comprising a first extension pipe, a second extension pipe pivotably connected to the first extension pipe, a resilient locking member to selectively restrain pivotal movement of the first and the second extension pipes relative to each other, and a joint cover for sealing the connection joint of the first and the second extension pipes.  
         [0009]     The first extension pipe may be connected to a cleaner body, and the second extension pipe may be connected to a suction brush for cleaning a surface.  
         [0010]     The resilient locking member may be disposed in the first extension pipe to be resiliently and temporarily deformed by the sliding movement of the locking member and preferably has a locking protrusion selectively engaging a plurality of locking recesses formed in the second extension pipe to restrain pivotal movement in relative positions between the first and the second extension pipes.  
         [0011]     The joint cover is preferably connected to the second extension pipe to seal the connection portion between the first and the second extension pipes, and may pivots with the movement of the second extension pipe.  
         [0012]     The first extension pipe comprises a tubular body, a cylindrical joint formed at one end of the body for providing a connection to the second extension pipe, a locking receiver formed within the cylindrical joint to receive the resilient locking member, and a locking recess formed on an outer circumference of the cylindrical joint for receiving a part of the resilient locking member when it is positioned for insertion into the recess. In a preferred embodiment, the recess penetrates through the wall of the outer circumference of the cylindrical joint to permit the part to be inserted into the penetrating recess and through the wall.  
         [0013]     According to a first embodiment of the present invention, the resilient locking member comprises a locking member body shaped to correspond in form with the locking receiver and the part of the resilient locking member further comprising a locking protrusion formed on an outer circumference of the resilient locking member to permit selective insertion into and engagement with the plurality of locking recesses, a sliding plate connected to the locking member body, and an operation handle connected to the sliding plate.  
         [0014]     The second extension pipe is connected to the joint cover to support an opposite side of the cylindrical joint, and the joint part of the second extension pipe has at least one slot element allowing the operation handle to be exposed to the outside through a wall of the joint housing, while permitting reciprocal movement of the operation handle along the slot element. The slot element preferably comprises a first slot extending along a line parallel with the first extension pipe when the first and the second extension pipes are connected to each other so as to extend in a straight line relative to each other, and a second slot element preferably extending along a line parallel with the first extension pipe when the first and the second extension pipes are in a bent relationship relative to each other.  
         [0015]     The locking recesses may comprise a first locking recess for securing the first and the second extension pipes in a first position, in which the first and the second extension pipes may extend in a straight line relative to each other, and a second locking recess for securing the first and the second extension pipes in a second position, in which the first and the second extension pipes may be bent with a predetermined angle between each other. The first and the second locking recesses each may have a chamfered surface adjacent an inner surface of the locking receiver facing the locking protrusion.  
         [0016]     An angle may be provided in which the orientation between the first and the second extension pipes ranges essentially from 40° to 50°, and is preferably about 45°. The angle of the bend is determined according to the locations of the first and the second locking recesses.  
         [0017]     According to a second embodiment of the present invention, the resilient locking member may be temporarily resiliently deformed by the sliding movement of the release handle, which covers a part of outer circumference of the first extension pipe. The locking member has a locking protrusion for selective engagement in one of the plurality of locking recesses formed in the second extension pipe to restrict the pivotal movement of the first and the second extension pipes. The resilient locking member may comprise a locking member body having a shape to correspond in form to the locking member receiver and the locking protrusion protruding therefrom, and a sliding plate having one end connected to the locking member body and the other end connected to the release handle formed in the locking member body to provide for reciprocal movement depending on the position of the release handle. A pair of resilient locking members may be symmetrically disposed at one each of both sides of the cylindrical joint.  
         [0018]     The release handle has a guide hole formed at a location corresponding to the guide protrusion, and reciprocates in a lengthwise direction of the first extension pipe. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES  
       [0019]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing in detail an extension pipe joint for a vacuum cleaner according to a first embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0020]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the extension pipe joint shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0021]      FIG. 3  is a partial sectional side view showing the extension pipe joint of the first embodiment of the present invention when the extension pipes extend in a straight line;  
         [0022]      FIG. 4  is a partial sectional side view showing the extension pipe joint of the first embodiment of the present invention when the extension pipes are angled relative to each other;  
         [0023]      FIG. 5  is a perspective detail view showing an extension pipe joint for a vacuum cleaner according to a second embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0024]      FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of the extension pipe joint shown in  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0025]      FIG. 7  is a partial sectional side view showing the extension pipe joint of the second embodiment of the present invention when the extension pipes extend in a straight line; and  
         [0026]      FIG. 8  is a partial sectional side view showing the extension pipe joint of the second embodiment of the present invention when the extension pipes are angled relative to each other. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0027]     Hereinafter, an extension pipe arrangement  100  for a vacuum cleaner according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.  1  to  4 .  
         [0028]     An extension pipe arrangement  100  having a joint for a vacuum cleaner according to the first embodiment of the present invention comprises a first extension pipe  110 , a second extension pipe  120 , a resilient locking member  130  and a joint housing  140 .  
         [0029]     The first extension pipe  110  comprises a tubular body  111 , a cylindrical joint  112  being connected to one side of the body  111  and also being connected to the second extension pipe  120 , a locking member receiver  113  formed within the cylindrical joint  112  and configured and arranged to receive the resilient locking member  130 , and a recess  123  formed on an inner circumference of the locking member receiver  113  for engagement with a locking protrusion  132 , as will be explained below. In a preferred embodiment, the recess  123  is formed to extend from the inner circumference to the outer circumference of the locking member receiver  113  so as to extend through and penetrate a wall of the cylindrical joint  112 , as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 .  
         [0030]     The tubular body  111  is connected to a cleaner body (not shown), and is shaped in tubular form to allow air, in which dirt is entrained, to enter into the cleaner body therethrough.  
         [0031]     The cylindrical joint  112  is pivotably connected to the second extension pipe  120  and acts as a center portion about which the first and the second extension pipes  110  and  120  can be pivoted. The cylindrical joint  112  is arranged with the locking member receiver  113 , defined in an inner circumference thereof, which is configured to receive the resilient locking member  130 . A guide recess  113   a  extends across a central portion of the locking member receiver  113  for guiding reciprocal movement of one or more sliding plates  133 , which will be described below.  
         [0032]     The second extension pipe  120  comprises a preferably tubular second extension pipe body  121  connected to a suction brush (not shown) through which air, in which dirt is entrained, can be drawn in from a surface to be cleaned, and a joint enclosure  122  for engaging connection with the joint housing  140  around the joint  112 . Preferably, the joint enclosure  122  may be formed by a molding process to decrease costs of production, and may be, formed integrally with the second extension pipe  120 . The joint enclosure  122  is provided with first and second locking recesses  123 ,  124 , respectively, to selectively engage and lock the resilient locking member  130  at different positions and first and second slots  125  and  126  penetrating through the wall of the joint enclosure  122  to allow an operation handle  134  to extend therethrough to the outside for manipulation by user, when desired. In a preferred embodiment, as shown, the recesses  123 ,  124  extend through the wall of the locking member receiver  113 , as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 .  
         [0033]     The resilient locking member  130  comprises a semicircular locking member body  131 , a locking protrusion  132  protruding radially outwardly from the locking member body  131 , the sliding plate  133  being connected to and extending radially inwardly from the locking member body  131 , and the operation handle  134  connected to the sliding plate  133 .  
         [0034]     The locking member body  131  may be a semi-circular plate spring having a suitable resilience, and the locking protrusion  132  may protrude from an outer circumference of the locking member body. In one example, the locking member body  131  may be made of a metal material to prevent damage to the mechanism from repeated operation thereof.  
         [0035]     The sliding plate  133  can be slid reciprocally along the guide recess  113   a , thereby permitting the locking member  131  to move reciprocally within the locking member receiver  113 . Accordingly, by moving the locking member body  131  in relation to the reciprocal movement of the operation handle  134  connected to the sliding plate  133 , the locking protrusion  132  is selectively locked into the first or the second locking recesses  123 ,  124 , respectively. An angle of bend orients between the first and the second extension pipe bodies  111  and  121 , the position of which depends on the locations of the first and the second locking recesses  123  and  124 . The angle of the bend may range substantially from 40° to 50°, and more preferably, is about 45°.  
         [0036]     Hereinafter, the operation of the extension pipe for the vacuum cleaner according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 .  
         [0037]      FIG. 3  shows a normally extended condition of the extension pipe arrangement  100  according to the first embodiment, in which the first and the second extension pipe bodies  111  and  121  are maintained relative to each other in a straight line. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the locking protrusion  132  is inserted into the first locking recess  123  so that the first and the second extension pipe bodies  111  and  121  do not pivot about the joint  112 .  
         [0038]     When a user transposes the operation handle  134  in the direction of the arrow, as shown in  FIG. 3 , when it is desirable to clean spaces under a bed or other furniture, the locking protrusion  132  disengages from the first locking recess  123 , so that the first and the second extension pipe bodies  111  and  121  are released from the locked condition shown in  FIG. 3 . At this time, the pipe extensions  111 ,  121  can pivot about the joint  112 , and the user can bend the first extension pipe body  111  with respect to the second extension pipe body  121 .  
         [0039]     The user transposes the operation handle  134  until the locking protrusion  132  disengages from the first locking recess  123 . Once disengaged, the pivoting operation of the second extension pipe body  121  does not require a user&#39;s further manipulation of the operation handle  134 . That is, the locking protrusion  132  slides in contact with the adjacent inner circumference of the joint part  122  due to the resilient recovering force of the locking member body  131  as the joint part  122  rotates. The pivoting is free to proceed until the locking protrusion  132  reaches the second locking recess  124 .  
         [0040]     Since the locking protrusion  132  has a rounded end, as shown in  FIG. 4 , it is brought into a point contact with the inner circumference of the joint part  122 , and thus is enabled to slide without generating much friction. Also, the first and the second locking recesses  123 ,  124  have chamfered surfaces  128  formed on the inner surface portion facing the locking protrusion  132  to thereby facilitate insertion of the locking protrusion  132  into the locking recesses  123 ,  124 , as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 .  
         [0041]     Accordingly, when a user withdraws the operation handle  134  in the direction of the arrow, as shown in  FIG. 3 , to disengage the locking protrusion  132  from the first locking recess  123 , and pivots the second extension pipe body  121 , the locking protrusion  132  slidably moves along the inner circumference of the joint part  122  due to the resilient recovering force of the locking member body  131 . When the locking protrusion  132  reaches the second locking recess  124 , the resilient recovering force of the locking body  131  forces the locking protrusion  132  into engagement with the second locking recess  124  so that the first and the second extension pipe bodies  111  and  121  are secured in a position in which they are angled relative to each other, as shown in  FIG. 4 .  
         [0042]     When the cleaning operation of the space under the bed or other furniture is completed, the first and the second extension pipe bodies  111  and  121  can be reoriented in a straight direction relative to each other by performing the above described procedure in a reverse order. That is, the user disengages the locking protrusion  132  from the second locking recess  124  by withdrawing the operation handle  134  and then pivoting the second extension pipe body  121  until the locking protrusion  132  reaches and engages the first locking recess  123 . This can be done as the user lifts the second extension pipe body  121 , connected to the suction brush (not shown) by gripping the first extension pipe body  111 , so as to cause the second extension pipe body  121  to pivot due to its own weight, and thereby the first and the second extension pipe bodies  111  and  121  reach a desired straight configuration. The first slot  125  of the joint part  122  guides the reciprocal movement of the operation handle  134  when the first and the second extension pipe bodies  111  and  121  are secured in a straight orientation, and the second slot  126  guides the reciprocal movement of the operation handle  134  when the first and the second extension pipe bodies  111  and  121  are at an angle relative to each other. The angle between the first and the second slots  125  and  126  corresponds to the angle of pivot desired between the first and the second extension pipe bodies  111  and  121 , so the user can use the extension pipe more conveniently for cleaning spaces under furniture.  
         [0043]     Referring now to FIGS.  5  to  8 , an extension pipe having a joint connection for a vacuum cleaner according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described below.  
         [0044]     As shown in  FIG. 5 , an extension pipe arrangement  200  having a joint connection according to the second embodiment comprises a first extension pipe  210 , a second extension pipe  220 , a resilient locking member  230  ( FIG. 6 ), and a joint connection housing  240 .  
         [0045]      FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view showing the extension pipe arrangement  200  for the vacuum cleaner according to the second embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0046]     The first extension pipe  210  comprises a tubular body  211  having a sliding protrusion  212  extending outwardly from the surface of tubular body  211 , a cylindrical joint  213  formed at one end of the body  211  and being connected to the second extension pipe  220 , locking receivers  214  symmetrically formed on opposite sides of the joint  213  configured to receive the resilient locking members  230 , and a locking recess  224  formed in an inner circumference of each locking receiver  214  and extending through the wall of the cylindrical joint  213 , into which the locking protrusions  232  may penetrate and with which they engage.  
         [0047]     The second extension pipe  220  comprises a second extension pipe body  221  connected at one end to a suction brush (not shown), through which air and entrained dirt and dust are drawn in from a surface to be cleaned, and a joint part  222  for engaging with the joint housing  240 . The joint part  222  may be fabricated by molding to reduce expenses and may be preferably integrally formed as a unitary member with the second extension pipe  220 , as shown. The joint part  222  is provided with a first set of first and second locking recesses  223 ,  224 , respectively, for selectively locking the locking protrusion  232  at different angle positions. It should be noted that two pairs of locking recesses  223 ,  224  are provided in the symmetrical locking receivers  214 , to accommodate the two separate locking protrusions  232 , as will be explained below.  
         [0048]     The resilient locking member  230  comprises a locking body  231 , a longitudinal sliding plate  233 , and a release handle  234 .  
         [0049]     Each locking body  231  is shaped to correspond in shape to the locking receivers  214  and includes the locking protrusion  232  formed on and extending outwardly from an outer circumference of each locking body  231 .  
         [0050]     The sliding plate  233  has one end connected to the locking body  231  and the other end connected to the release handle  234 . It is positioned and oriented to permit longitudinal reciprocal movement within the short length defined by a guide recess  213   b  formed in a body of the sliding plate  233 .  
         [0051]     The release handle  234  is designed to cover an end part of the outer circumference of the first extension pipe  210 , and reciprocal movement of the release handle  234  is restricted to longitudinal movement within the length defined by guide holes  235  formed in opposite sides of the release handle  234  and remaining in engagement with the guide protrusion  212 .  
         [0052]     The joint housing  240  is connected to the joint part  222  to seal the connection between the first and the second extension pipes  210 ,  220 , respectively, and is connected to pivot in relation to the movement of the second extension pipe  220 . Although not shown, the joint cover  240  may have locking holes formed at corresponding positions relative to the first and the second locking recesses  223  and  224  formed in the joint part  222 , so that the resilient locking member  230  can be used in tandem therewith. In such a case, it is preferable that the locking recesses  223 ,  224  extend through the wall of the cylindrical joint  213 .  
         [0053]     Hereinafter, the operation of the extension pipe arrangement for the vacuum cleaner according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to  FIGS. 7 and 8 .  
         [0054]     Since the locking and releasing operations are essentially similar to or the same as those of the first embodiment, only the distinguishing elements will be described for brevity. The operation handle  134  of the first embodiment finds a corresponding element in the release handle  234  of the second embodiment. Accordingly, when the release handle  234  is pulled out in the direction of the arrow shown in  FIG. 7 , it functions in the same manner as the operation handle  134  of the first embodiment, so that the locking protrusions  232  are withdrawn from the first locking recesses  223  and the first and the second extension pipe  210  and  220  are released from the locked condition. After the releasing operation, a user can freely bend the first and the second extension pipes  210  and  220  relative to each other, and it does not require a user&#39;s further manipulation of the release handle  234 . The first and the second extension pipes  210  and  220  pivot and bend until the locking protrusions  232  are seated in and engage the second locking recesses  224 . As in the first embodiment, the positions of the first and the second locking recesses  224  may have a predetermined angle of bend between the first and the second extension pipes  210  and  220  of approximately 45°, although a range of from about 40° to about 50° may be permitted. Also, according to the second embodiment, a pair of resilient locking members  230  may be provided on the opposite sides of the cylindrical joint  213 , as shown. Therefore, if any one of them is locked, the first and the second extension pipes  210  and  220  can be fixed in the bent position. Alternatively, only a single resilient locking member may be provided, as in the first embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-4  above. In a preferred embodiment, the recesses  223  are  224  are formed to extend from the inner circumference to the outer circumference of the cylindrical joint  213  so as to extend through and penetrate the wall of the cylindrical joint  213 , as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 .  
         [0055]     As described above, since the extension pipe arrangements  100  and  200  according to the present invention can be bent by simply withdrawing the operation handle  134  or the release handle  234 , the user is able to easily clean the spaces under a bed or sofa without requiring a user to bend his/her back or adopt a low posture, thereby increasing convenience to the user.