Patent Publication Number: US-6904640-B2

Title: Joint assembly of vacuum cleaner and vacuum cleaner having the same

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner, and more particularly, to a joint assembly disposed between an extension pipe and a handle in order to help a user feel less fatigued when using a vacuum cleaner. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a conventional vacuum cleaner  100  includes a vacuum cleaner body  110  having a suction motor  111 , a dust-collecting chamber  113 , a suction assembly  120  to draw in dust and air on a cleaning surface, an extension pipe  130  installed between the suction assembly  120  and the vacuum cleaner body  110  in order to form an air passage, a handle  140 , and an extension hose  150 . 
   The air drawn through the suction assembly  120  flows to the dust-collecting chamber  113  of the vacuum cleaner body  110  after passing through the extension pipe  130 , the handle  140 , and the extension hose  150  as shown by the arrow in FIG.  2 . Filth contained in the air drawn into the dust-collecting chamber  113  is filtered by a dust-collecting filter  115 . The air cleaned by the dust-collecting filter  115  is discharged to the outside through an exhausting port  117  formed at a predetermined position of the vacuum cleaner body  110  after passing through the suction motor  111 . 
   The user grips the handle  140  with one hand in order to clean the surface, and moves the suction assembly  120  thereon to draw in dust. However, when the conventional vacuum cleaner  100  is used to clean under a bed or a desk, the user has to bend his/her back so that the extension pipe  130  is parallel to the cleaning surface. When the user performs this cleaning operation for a long period of time, the user may feel tired and hurt his/her back. In addition, when the vacuum cleaner  100  is used while gripping the handle  140  with only one hand, the load of the suction assembly  120  is concentrated in that hand, thus, increasing the user&#39;s fatigue. 
   To solve the above problems, some users grip the extension pipe  130  with the hand that is not gripping the handle  140 . However, this requires the user to bend his/her back to grip the extension pipe  130 , causing fatigue after using the vacuum cleaner  100  for long periods of time. 
     FIG. 2  shows a vacuum cleaner  100  having a cyclone dust-collecting apparatus  160  installed between the extension pipe  130  and the handle  140  in order to improve the cleaning efficiency of the vacuum cleaner  100 . 
   The cyclone dust-collecting apparatus  160  is used to separate filth from the drawn air passing through the extension pipe  130 . The filth is separated from the drawn air in the cyclone dust-collecting apparatus  160  by centrifugal force, and falls by its own weight to be collected at the bottom of the cyclone dust-collecting apparatus  160 . Accordingly, the cyclone dust-collecting apparatus  160  should be maintained at a predetermined angle with respect to the floor in order to effectively maintain the filth separation efficiency. 
   However, when the conventional vacuum cleaner  100  is used to clean under a desk or a bed, as shown in  FIG. 2  with a solid line, the extension pipe  130  and the cyclone dust-collecting apparatus  160  are angled downward. Accordingly, cyclone air current generated in the cyclone dust-collecting apparatus  160  is destroyed, and the separated dust is collected at a side of the cyclone dust-collecting apparatus  160 , lowering the dust separation efficiency. 
   SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention has been made to overcome the above-mentioned problems of the prior art. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a vacuum cleaner and a joint assembly disposed between an extension pipe and a handle in order prevent user fatigue when cleaning under a bed or desk. 
   Moreover, according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is a second object of the present invention to provide a joint assembly having a supplemental handle to allow the user to grip the supplemental handle in order to lessen fatigue. 
   In addition, according to another aspect of the present invention, it is a third object of the present invention to provide a joint assembly disposed between an extension pipe and a cyclone dust-collecting apparatus, installed at a lower part of the handle, so that the filth separation efficiency is not lessened even though the user lowers the extension pipe to a generally horizontal position. 
   A vacuum cleaner according to the present invention to accomplish the above objects includes a vacuum cleaner body, a suction port assembly to draw in filth on a cleaning surface, a handle connected to the vacuum cleaner body, an extension pipe connecting the handle with the suction port assembly, and a joint assembly removably installed between the extension pipe and the handle to allow the extension pipe and the handle to rotate with respect to each other within a predetermined range. 
   Additionally, the angle between the extension pipe and the handle is adjustable, preventing user fatigue when the user bends his/her back to clean under a bed or a desk. 
   According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the joint assembly includes a joint body removably installed between an extension pipe and a handle, and disposed to form an air passage from the suction port assembly to the vacuum cleaner body. The joint body connects the extension pipe to the handle and allows the extension pipe to rotate with respect to the handle within a predetermined range. In addition, a supplemental handle is provided that protrudes from an outer surface of the joint body allowing the user to use both hands to move the suction port assembly, thereby reducing user fatigue. 
   The joint body includes a first joint pipe having a first pivot portion at one end, while the other end is removably connected with the extension pipe, and a second joint pipe having a second pivot portion formed at one end to be rotatably connected with the first pivot portion, while the other end is removably connected with the handle. Moreover, it is preferable that a housing cover the connection area of the first pivot portion and the second pivot portion, and that the supplemental handle protrude from an outer surface of the housing. 
   The invention also includes a locking device to lock the rotational position of the first and second joint pipes in order to maintain their position, when the first joint pipe is rotated with respect to the second joint pipe to a predetermined angle. 
   The locking device comprises locking recessions respectively formed at the first pivot portion and the second pivot portion. The locking recessions overlap each other when the first joint pipe and the second joint pipe are rotated to a predetermined angle and a locking lever is rotatably disposed at one side of the housing with a locking protrusion locking the locking recessions after passing through the housing. A spring member disposed inside of the housing flexibly presses one side of the locking lever to direct the locking protrusion into the locking recession. In particular, the locking device locks the rotational movement of the extension pipe and the handle when the two are linearly aligned. 
   The vacuum cleaner according to the another aspect of the present invention comprises a cyclone dust-collecting apparatus removably installed between the joint assembly and the handle in order to discharge clean air to the handle after using centrifugal force to separate dust from the dust-laden air passing through the joint assembly. 
   Here, the joint assembly includes a curved side dented towards the inside of the joint assembly and corresponding to an outer contour of the cyclone dust-collecting apparatus. The curved side covers some outer part of the cyclone dust-collecting apparatus when the cyclone dust-collecting apparatus is installed. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The above-mentioned object and the feature of the present invention will be more apparent by describing the preferred embodiment of the present invention by referring to the appended drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view drawing showing a conventional vacuum cleaner; 
       FIG. 2  is a side view drawing showing another conventional vacuum cleaner; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view drawing showing a joint assembly installed on a vacuum cleaner according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view drawing showing the joint assembly of  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a partial view drawing showing a part of the joint assembly taken along the A—A line of  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a side view drawing showing the vacuum cleaner according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 7  is a side view drawing showing the vacuum cleaner according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Hereinbelow, the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in greater detail by referring to the appended drawings. For the description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, elements having the same function and structure with the elements of the conventional vacuum cleaner described and shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , will be given the same reference numerals and the description of the same elements will be omitted. 
   Referring to  FIG. 3 , a vacuum cleaner  100  according to the present invention has a joint assembly  200  removably installed between an extension pipe  130  and a handle  140 . The joint assembly  200  includes a joint body  210  whose ends are respectively connected with the extension pipe  130  and the handle  140 , and a supplementary handle  230  protruding from an outer surface of the joint assembly  200 . The extension pipe  130  is connected to be rotated within a predetermined range with respect to the handle  140  by the joint assembly  200 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 4 , the joint body  210  includes a first joint pipe  211  and a second joint pipe  215  connected for rotation. One end of the first joint pipe  211  is removably connected with an end portion of the extension pipe  130  and a first pivot portion  213  is formed at the other end of the first joint pipe  211 . The first pivot portion  213  has closed ends having a pair of pivot holes  214  formed therein. A barrel of the first pivot portion  213  has circular shaped openings facing each other for the passage of air. One of the openings is connected with an end portion of the first joint pipe  211 , and the other end is in communication with a second air passage  215   a  of second joint pipe  215  when assembled. Thus, a first air passage  211   a  having open ends is formed inside of the first joint pipe  211  and the first pivot portion  213 . The first air passage  211   a  is arranged on the same line with the extension pipe  130  when the first joint pipe  211  and the extension pipe  130  are connected with each other. 
   One end of the second joint pipe  215  is removably connected with the handle  140 , and a second pivot portion  217  is formed at the other end of the second joint pipe  215 . The second pivot portion  217  is connected with the first pivot portion  213  for rotation when the first joint pipe  211  and the second joint pipe  215  are connected with each other. The second pivot portion  217  is cylindrically shaped, having a closed end with a pin  219  therein. The other end of the second pivot portion  217  forms a rotation guide hole  216 , which is open to accommodate the first pivot portion  213  when the first joint pipe  211  and the second joint pipe  215  are connected with each other. The second air passage  215   a , which is identical with the first air passage  211   a , is formed inside of the second joint pipe  215  and the second pivot portion  217 . 
   The first pivot portion  213  and the second pivot portion  217  having the above structure are connected with each other for rotation as the first pivot portion  213  is inserted into the second pivot portion  217 , and the pins  219  are inserted into the pivot holes  214 . When assembled, the inner circumference of the second pivot portion  217  covers the outer circumference of the first pivot portion  213 . 
   The rotation guide hole  216  is formed as an oval shape in the wall of the second pivot portion  217 . Accordingly, when the first joint pipe  211  is rotated more than a predetermined angle with respect to the second joint pipe  215 , the outer circumference of the first joint pipe  211  contacts the edge of the rotation guide hole  216 , thereby preventing further rotational movement. In other words, the rotational range of the first joint pipe  211  with respect to the second joint pipe  215  is determined by the shape of the rotation guide hole  216 . 
   In the meantime, the second pivot portion  217  includes a settlement cover  218  having a separated end to be easily connected with the first pivot portion  213 . The settlement cover  218  includes a pin  219  that is inserted into the pivot hole  214  for securing the first pivot portion  213  between the settlement cover  218  and the second pivot portion  217 . Accordingly, the first and the second joint pipes  211  and  215  are completely connected with each other as the settlement cover  218  is installed after the first pivot portion  213  is inserted into the second pivot portion  217 . 
   The connection area of the first and the second joint pipes  211  and  215  are covered by a housing  220  (refer to FIG.  3 ). The housing  220  includes a first housing  221  and a second housing  222  connected to each other by a connection means S, such as a screw. The first housing  221  includes a first settlement hole  223  formed in the same shape as the rotation guide hole  216 . Therefore, the first housing  221  covers the first joint pipe  211  around the connection area when the first joint pipe  211  is inserted through the first settlement hole  223 . The first housing  221  also includes a supplemental handle  230  which protrudes from an outer surface of the first housing  221 . 
   The second housing  222  includes a second settlement hole  224  formed at the center to have the same inner diameter as the outer diameter of the second joint pipe  215 . Thus, the second housing  222  covers the second joint pipe  215  around the connection area when the second joint pipe  215  is inserted through the second settlement hole  224 . When the first housing  221  installed at the first joint pipe  211 , and the second housing  222  installed at the second joint pipe  215 , are connected with each other, the joint assembly  200  becomes the shape of FIG.  3 . 
   The supplemental handle  230  is disposed to allow the user to easily grip the supplemental handle  230  with the hand that is not gripping the handle  140  (refer to FIG.  1 ). The supplemental handle  230  is installed to reduce user fatigue when bending his/her back to use the vacuum cleaner  100 . Without the supplemental handle  230 , the user must grip the extension pipe  130  after gripping the handle  140  or grip only the handle  140 . Therefore, with the supplemental handle  230 , the user does not have to bend his/her back when using the vacuum cleaner  100  because the user can grip the supplemental handle  230  rather than the extension pipe  130 . Accordingly, user fatigue is reduced when compared to using the conventional vacuum cleaner  100 . It should be noted that the supplementary handle  230  of the preferred embodiment protrudes from an upper outer surface of the first housing  221  at a predetermined height and may have a variety of shapes to accommodate different users. 
   The joint assembly  200  further includes a locking device  240  to hold the first joint pipe  211  in position while the first joint pipe  211  is rotated with respect to the second joint pipe  215  within a predetermined range. The locking device  240  prevents the extension pipe  130  from rotating with respect to the handle  140  when using the vacuum cleaner. To secure the above function, the locking device  240  includes a locking lever  241  rotatably disposed at a slot-shaped settlement portion  232  along the outer wall of the housing  221 , two locking recessions  213   a  and  217   a  formed at an outer side of the first and the second pivot portion  213  and  215 , and a spring member  249  flexibly pressing the locking lever  241  in a direction so that the rotation of the first joint pipe  211  is locked. 
   As shown in  FIG. 5 , the locking lever  241  includes a lever body  242  protruding from a side of the supplementary handle  230 , a manipulation portion  243  formed at an upper part of the lever body  242 , and a locking protrusion  245  protruding at a lower part of the lever body  242 . The locking protrusion  245  is inserted into the first locking recession  213   a  and the second locking recession  217   a  after passing through the inside of the settlement portion  232  when the first and the second locking recessions  213   a  and  217   a  are overlapped, so that the first joint pipe  211  and the second joint pipe  215  form a predetermined angle. When the locking protrusion  245  is inserted into the first locking recession  213   a  and the second locking recession  217   a , the rotation of the first joint pipe  211  and the second joint pipe  215  are locked. To separate the locking protrusion  245  from the locking recessions  213   a  and  217   a , the user presses the manipulation portion  243  formed at the upper part of the lever body  242  and rotates the lever body  242 . 
   The lever body  242  of the preferred embodiment is installed at the settlement portion  232  to allow the manipulation portion  243  to protrude from a side of the supplemental handle  230 . Pressing the manipulation portion  243  rotates the lever body  242 , in particular the locking protrusion  245 , out of engagement with the first and second locking recessions  213   a  and  217   a , thereby releasing first and second joint pipes  211  and  215  from their locked positions. 
   The spring member  249  is installed at an upper part of the settlement portion  232  and biases the manipulation portion  243  to cause the locking protrusion  245  to be inserted into the locking recessions  213   a  and  217   a . Accordingly, the locking protrusion  245  is biased to the inside of the settlement portion  232 , and is inserted into the locking recessions  213   a  and  217   a  when the first and the second locking recessions  213   a  and  217   a  are overlapped. 
   The rotation angle of the first and second joint pipes  211  and  215  for locking the locking recessions  213   a  and  217   a  is established when the joint assembly  200  is manufactured. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the locked position of the first and the second joint pipes  211  and  215  is when the first and second joint pipes  211  and  215  are arranged in a linear fashion, i.e., when the extension pipe  130  and the end portion of the handle  140  are on the same line. 
   When the joint assembly  200  having the above structure is installed between the extension pipe  130  and the handle  140 , the rotation angle can be changed freely as shown in FIG.  6 . Thus, the user does not have to bend his/her back too much when cleaning under a desk or bed. To rotate the extension pipe  130  with respect to the handle  140 , the user presses the manipulation portion  243  protruding from the side of the supplementary handle  230  and releases the lock of the joint assembly  200 . Then, the user pushes the handle  140  downwardly in the direction of the dotted arrow, and rotates the first joint pipe  211  and the second joint pipe  215  about the rotation axis of the first and the second pivot portion  213  and  217 . Moreover, when no change of the rotation angle is required, the user can use the vacuum cleaner  100  where the extension pipe  130  and the handle  140  are linearly aligned. 
     FIG. 7  shows another preferred embodiment of the present invention. In the second preferred embodiment, the vacuum cleaner  100  has a cyclone dust-collecting apparatus  160  disposed between the joint assembly  200  and the handle  140 . 
   The cyclone dust-collecting apparatus  160  separates dust from dust-laden air passing through the suction port assembly  120 , the extension pipe  130 , and the joint assembly  200  by using centrifugal force to separate the filth included in the air. The cleaned air is then discharged to the handle  140  and the separated filth falls by its own weight and is collected at the bottom of the cyclone dust-collecting apparatus  160 . The cleaning efficiency of the cyclone dust-collecting apparatus  160  is dependent upon its angle with respect to the floor, with its efficiency increasing as the cyclone dust-collecting apparatus  160  becomes more perpendicular to the floor. 
   A further advantage of a vacuum cleaner  100  using the joint assembly  200  is that the angle of the cyclone dust-collecting apparatus  160  can be constantly maintained even when the extension pipe  130  is almost horizontal with the floor. Therefore, the cleaning efficiency of the cyclone dust-collecting apparatus  160  is not lowered when a user cleans under a desk or a bed. 
   When the cyclone dust-collecting apparatus  160  is installed between the joint assembly  200  and the handle  140 , a curved side  228  is formed on the side of the housing  220  adjacent the cyclone dust-collecting apparatus  160  in order to minimize the installation space of the cyclone dust-collecting apparatus  160 . The curved side  228  is formed to be dented to the inside of the housing  220  so that the housing  220  covers some part of the cyclone dust-collecting apparatus  160 . 
   However, it should be understood that the joint assembly  200  is not limited to the above described preferred embodiments. As long as the joint assembly  200  is removably installed between the handle  140  and the extension pipe  130  for rotation, and the rotation can be selectively locked and released, the joint assembly  200  can be modified and still be within the scope of the invention. 
   Accordingly, the present invention having the above structure allows the user to freely change the angle of the extension pipe  130  and the handle  140 , reducing the need to bend his/her back when cleaning under a desk or bed. In this way, the user is not easily fatigued. 
   In addition, the supplemental handle  130  allows the user to use both his/her hands to grip the vacuum cleaner. Thus, the user feels less fatigued when compared to a user who does not have a supplemental handle and must grip the vacuum cleaner with one hand. 
   Moreover, as there is a locking device  240  to lock the rotation of the joint body  210  at a predetermined angle, the extension pipe  130  is rotated with respect to the handle  140  only when desired, and the joint assembly  200  is prevented from being rotated by external forces. 
   Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention should not be limited to the described preferred embodiments, but various changes and modifications can be made within the spirit and the scope of the present invention.