Abstract:
A locking unit of a brush assembly for use with a vacuum cleaner has a release preventing member so that if the brush assembly accidentally falls, the release preventing member conveniently keeps upper and lower housings of the assembly assembled. The brush assembly includes the upper and lower housings. A connector is secured in one of the upper and lower housings and is adapted to direct air in the upper and lower housings towards a suction force generator of the vacuum cleaner. A locking unit rotates on the connector to open and sealingly close the upper and the lower housings. The release preventing member is formed between the connector and the locking unit to prevent release of the locking unit.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application claims priority to copending Korean Patent Application No. 2003-88202 filed Dec. 5, 2003, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, which is incorporated herein in its entirety.  
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner, and more particularly, to a brush assembly of a vacuum cleaner which comprises a locking reinforcement unit that secures upper and lower housings so they do not separate upon impact.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Vacuum cleaners are generally provided with various types of auxiliary tools for more efficient cleaning. For example, an upholstery brush, which is an auxiliary tool for cleaning upholstery, such as carpet, is described in U.S. patent application Publication No. 2003/0106183A1, to Frederick et al.  
         [0004]     Frederick et al. disclose a cleaner housing that has lower housing and an upper housing releasably attached to the lower housing. More specifically, the housing can be conveniently opened and closed, wherein the upper and lower housings are engaged with each other when the housing is closed, and disengaged from each other when the housing is open. The housings are sealingly engaged with each other by a latch, which includes a first latch tap with a latching surface formed at a rear portion of either the upper or lower housing, and a second latch tap with a latching surface formed opposite the first latch tap. When the upper and lower housings are closed, the latch surface of the first latch tap catches the latch surface of the second latch tap. A pressing button is formed on the first and second latch taps for releasing the first latch tap from the second latch tap to open the housing.  
         [0005]     The conventional upholstery brush of Frederick et al. includes first and second latch taps that are locked and unlocked with each other by pressing on a pressing button. However, the first and second latch taps often separate from each other, thereby opening the housing.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a brush assembly of a vacuum cleaner, including an upper housing and a lower housing; a connector secured in one of the upper and the lower housings to direct air inside the upper and the lower housings towards a suction force generator of the vacuum cleaner; and a locking unit rotatably engaged with the connector to open and sealingly close the upper and the lower housings by rotation.  
         [0007]     A release preventing means is disposed between the connector and the locking unit, to prevent release of the locking unit. The connector is secured in the upper housing. The locking unit includes an annular rotatable knob body for interfitting with an outer circumference of the connector; an operation projection formed on one end of the annular rotative knob body. The locking guide rib extends from the outer circumference of the annular rotative knob body, and the locking guide rib is selectively engaged and disengaged with the lower housing depending on the rotation of the annular rotative knob body. The locking guide rib includes an opening at one side such that a part of the lower housing facing the locking guide rib passes through the opening and hooks in the inner circumference of the locking guide rib.  
         [0008]     The release preventing means includes a release preventing projection extended from the outer circumference of the connector; and a release preventing recess formed in the inner circumference of the annular rotative knob body, opposite to the release preventing projection. The release preventing recess includes a first release preventing recess accommodating the release preventing projection when the annular rotative knob body is in a first position locking the upper and the lower housings together; and a second release preventing recess accommodating the release preventing projection when the annular rotative knob body is in a second position releasing the upper and lower housings from locking condition. The release preventing projection has substantially the same shape as the release preventing recess, and rounded at distal ends.  
         [0009]     According to one aspect of the present invention, a brush assembly of a vacuum cleaner includes an upper housing and a lower housing; a connector secured in one of the upper and the lower housing to direct the air inside the upper and lower housings toward a suction force generator of the vacuum cleaner; a turbine assembly rotatably disposed between the upper and lower housings; a rotatable brush for agitating embedded dust of a surface being cleaned that rotates in accordance with the rotation of the turbine assembly; a locking unit rotatively disposed on the connector to releasably engage the upper and the lower housings by rotation; and a release preventing means formed between the connector and the locking unit to prevent release of the locking unit. The connector is secured in the upper housing.  
         [0010]     The locking unit includes an annular rotatable knob body for interfitting with an outer circumference of the connector; an operation projection formed on one end of the annular rotatable knob body; and a locking guide rib extended from the outer circumference of the annular rotatable knob body, and the locking guide rib is selectively engaged and disengaged with the lower housing depending on the rotation of the annular rotatable knob body.  
         [0011]     The locking guide rib includes an opening at one side such that a part of the lower housing facing the locking guide rib is passed through the opening and hooked in the inner circumference of the locking guide rib.  
         [0012]     The release preventing means includes a release preventing projection extended from the outer circumference of the connector; and a release preventing recess formed in the inner circumference of the annular rotatable knob body, opposite to the release preventing projection.  
         [0013]     The release preventing recess includes a first release preventing recess accommodating the release preventing projection when the annular rotatable knob body is in a first position locking the upper and the lower housings together; and a second release preventing recess accommodating the release preventing projection when the annular rotatable knob body is in a second position releasing the upper and lower housings from locking condition. The release preventing projection has substantially the same shape as the release preventing recess, and rounded at distal ends. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]     The above aspects and features of the present invention will be more apparent by describing certain embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.  
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective of a brush assembly of a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 2  is a perspective, exploded view of a brush assembly of a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0017]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged view of the main part indicated by circle I in  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0018]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a locking device of a brush assembly of a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0019]      FIGS. 5 and 6  are sectional views taken along line V-V of  FIG. 1 , illustrating upper and lower housings of the brush assembly of a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention, being locked and unlocked respectively. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0020]     In the following description, same drawing reference numerals are used for the same elements even in different drawings. The matters defined in the description such as a detailed construction and elements only provide assistance in understanding the invention. Thus, it is apparent that the present invention can be carried out without those defined matters. Also, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail.  
         [0021]     Additionally, while the present invention is described in the example of a turbine brush which has a rotative brush moving in accordance with a turbine assembly by the suction force of the body of the vacuum cleaner, the present invention is usable in other devices where applicable, such as in a general brush assembly.  
         [0022]     The brush assembly  100  of a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , includes upper and lower housings  101  and  102  for releasable connection with each other, a connector  110  interposed between the upper and lower housings  101  and  102 , and a locking unit  120  for securing the upper and lower housings  101  and  102  in a sealingly closed state.  
         [0023]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the upper housing  101  forms the upper part of the brush assembly  100 , and has an upwardly-extending slot  10 i a exposing the locking unit  120 .  
         [0024]     The lower housing  102 , with a suction port  102   a  located in the lower end thereof, houses a turbine assembly  130  which is rotatable by the suction force generated at the cleaner body (not shown). The turbine assembly  130  is engaged with a rotative brush  140  with a plurality of bristle tufts, and the rotative brush  140  rotates in accordance with the rotation of the turbine assembly  130  to scatter dust on the surface being cleaned.  
         [0025]     The connector  110  includes a fastening part  112  on the upper case  101  for engagement with suitable fasteners, such as screws, and connects an extension pipe (not shown) of the cleaner to the brush assembly  100 . The extension pipe (not shown) defines a suction passage through which air and dust of the surface being cleaned is suctioned.  
         [0026]     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the locking unit  120  is rotatably interfitted with the connector  110  of the extension pipe and has an annular rotative knob body  121  interfitted with the outer circumference of the connector  110 , an integrally-protruding operation part  122  formed on a predetermined part of the annular rotative knob body  121 , and a locking guide rib  123  protruding from the external circumference of the annular rotative knob body  121 .  
         [0027]     The annular rotative knob body  121  is substantially formed in the shape of a ring, with an inner circumference corresponding to the outer circumference of the connector  110 . The integrally-protruding operation part  122  on the upper side of the annular rotatable knob body  121  engages the upwardly-extending slot  101   a  of the upper housing  101 , and extends outwardly towards the brush assembly  100 . Accordingly, as the user rotates the integrally-protruding operation part  122  along the inner circumference of the upwardly-extending slot  101   a , the annular rotatable knob body  121  rotates.  
         [0028]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the locking guide rib  123  extends in the proximity of the lower housing  102 , opposite to the integrally-protruding operation part  122 , and to a predetermined height beyond the diameter of the annular rotatable knob body  121 . However, other alternatives are possible. For example, the locking guide rib  123  may extend from the side of the annular rotatable knob body  121  in alignment with a locking protrusion ( FIG. 3 ) which is formed on the lower housing  102  corresponding to the locking guide rib  123  of the lower housing  102 . The locking guide rib  123  may be open at one side so that the locking protrusion  102 b enters along the inner circumference of the locking guide rib  123  according to the rotation of the annular rotative knob body  121 .  
         [0029]     The brush assembly  100  according to one certain embodiment of the present invention may further include a release preventing means  200  ( FIG. 2 ) between the connector  110  and the locking unit  120 . The basic purpose of the release preventing means  200  prevents the upper and lower housings  101  and  102  from separating from each other due to a sudden external impact such as if the brush assembly  100  is inadvertently dropped to the floor.  
         [0030]     Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the release preventing means  200  has a release preventing projection  111  that extends from the outer circumference of the connector  110 , and first and second release preventing grooves  124  and  125  formed in the inner circumference of the annular rotative knob body  121  opposite to the release preventing projection  111 .  
         [0031]     Accordingly, when the annular rotative knob body  121  is in the first position P 1  locking the upper and lower housings  101  and  102  together, the first release preventing groove  124  accommodates the release preventing projection  111 . When the annular rotative knob body  121  is in the second position P 2  releasing the upper and lower housings  101  and  102  from the locked state, the second release preventing groove  124  accommodates the release preventing projection  111 . The release preventing projection  111  is shaped to correspond to the first and the second release preventing grooves  124  and  125 , and additionally, each of the grooves  124  and  125  can be rounded at one end.  
         [0032]     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the brush assembly  100  includes the upper and lower housings  101  and  102  which are releasably engageable to each other with the turbine assembly  130  interposed between the upper and lower housings  101  and  102 . The turbine assembly  130  is rotated by the vacuum suction force generated at the suction force generator of the cleaner body (not shown) such that the rotative brush  140  can, in accordance with the rotation of the turbine assembly  130 , agitate embedded dust of the surface being cleaned.  
         [0033]     During operation, and over time, contaminants and foreign substances, such as hair, can wrap around the turbine assembly  130  obstructing the rotation of the turbine assembly  130  and often requiring inspection and repair. Accordingly, the upper and lower housings  101  and  102  are releasably assembled with each other for convenient inspection and repair.  
         [0034]     As the user rotates the locking unit  120  in the arrowed direction of  FIG. 1 , the upper and lower housings  101  and  102  are separated from each other to open the upper and lower housings  101  and  102 .  
         [0035]     Additionally, referring to  FIG. 5 , in the first position P 1  where the upper and lower housings  101  and  102  are sealingly engaged with each other, the locking guide rib  123  locks the upper and lower housings  101  and  102  by the engagement with the locking protrusion  102   b . As the integrally-protruding operation part  122  rotates in the arrowed direction of  FIG. 1 , the locking guide rib  123  is disengaged from the locking protrusion  102   b  ( FIG. 6 ). In this situation, the locking unit  120  is engaged with the connector  110 , and the connector  110  is securely engaged with the upper housing  101 . Accordingly, as the locking protrusion  102   b  and the locking guide rib  123  are released from each other, the lower housing  102  is releasable downward, as shown in  FIG. 6 .  
         [0036]     If the brush assembly  100  is dropped to the ground, the release preventing means  202  disposed between the connector  110  and the locking unit  120  prevents the separation of the upper and lower housings  101  and  102 .  
         [0037]     The release preventing means  200  includes a release preventing protuberance  111  formed on the connector  110 , and first and second release preventing recesses  124  and  125  formed in the inner circumference of the annular rotable knob body  121  of the locking unit  120 . In the first position P 1 , the release preventing protuberance  111  is seated in the first release preventing recess  124 , and in the second position P 2 , the release preventing protuberance  111  is seated in the second release preventing recess  125 . Accordingly, the annular rotative knob body  121  is restricted from rotating by a sudden external impact, and the locking guide rib  123  is prevented from disengaging from the locking protrusion  102   b.    
         [0038]     Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the user can conveniently assemble and disassemble the upper and lower housings  101  and  102  of the brush assembly  100  by rotating the locking unit  120  between the first position P 1 , thereby locking the upper and lower housings  101  and  102  together, and the second position P 2 , thereby releasing the upper and lower housings  101  and  102  from locked state. Since the locking unit  120  is held in place by the release preventing means  200 , separation of the upper and lower housings  101  and  102  from each other can be avoided when the user inadvertently drops the brush assembly  100 .  
         [0039]     As described above, the disassembly of the upper and lower housings  101  and  102  is convenient because the upper and lower housings  101  and  102  are held securely in place even when the brush assembly  106  is accidentally dropped during use.  
         [0040]     The foregoing embodiment and advantages are merely exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention. The present teaching can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses. Also, the description of the embodiments of the present invention is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims, and many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art.