Abstract:
A surface treating appliance includes a main body, a head and a connector. The connector is adapted and arranged to connect the head to the main body while allowing relative rotation therebetween. The connector includes a connecting member which is removable from the remainder of the connector to allow the head to be released from the main body. At least a part of the connecting member forms a part of the external surface of the surface treating appliance. By providing such an arrangement, the connecting member is immediately visible to the user and can be accessed easily. Further, only the connecting member needs to be removed in order to release the head from the main body, making removal of the head a simple and straightforward process.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the priority of United Kingdom Application No. 0723014.7, filed Nov. 23, 2007, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a surface treating appliance. Particularly, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Upright vacuum cleaners are well known and generally comprise a cleaner head and a main body. The cleaner head is pivotably attached to the main body which is supported on a pair of wheels and has a handle to allow the vacuum cleaner to be manipulated by a user. An example of such a cleaner is sold by Dyson™ under the trade name DC07™. 
         [0004]    An alternative arrangement is disclosed in WO 2004/014211, which describes an upright vacuum cleaner having a cleaner head and a main body which is supported and steered on a ball-type rolling member to improve maneuverability. A rotatable connection is provided between the cleaner head and the main body to ensure that the cleaner head remains on the floor surface when the vacuum cleaner is turned. 
         [0005]    In both of the above cases, it is useful for the cleaner head to be removable from the main body of the vacuum cleaner for storage and packaging purposes. A removable cleaner head can be either stored separately from the main body or placed in a more compact arrangement with respect to the main body, reducing the storage space needed for the vacuum cleaner and the size of the box required for transportation. Further, a cleaner head is more convenient to clean when separated from the main body of the vacuum cleaner. 
         [0006]    Examples of removable cleaner heads are shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,619,671 and U.S. Pat. No. 2,734,215. Each of the cleaner heads shown therein has a rotatable connection which allows the cleaner head to be rotated with respect to the remainder of the vacuum cleaner. The cleaner head is removable by first releasing a lower part of the cleaner head, before removing a U-shaped clip to release the cleaner head from the remainder of the vacuum cleaner. Therefore, a number of steps must be undertaken in order to remove the cleaner head. This is inconvenient and time consuming for a user. 
         [0007]    An alternative arrangement is used on a range of vacuum cleaners sold by Dyson™ under the trade name DC18™. These vacuum cleaners comprise a removable cleaner head which is rotatable with respect to a main body of the vacuum cleaner. A rotatable connector is provided on the main body, the cleaner head being attached to a part of the connector which is rotatable with respect to the main body. However, although robust, such a connector is relatively large and so is unsuitable for use in a small vacuum cleaner due to size constraints. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a surface treating appliance having a removable cleaner head which is rotatably connectable to the remainder of the surface treating appliance, but which is more straightforward to remove and more compact than known arrangements. 
         [0009]    According to the invention, there is provided a surface treating appliance comprising a main body, a head and a connector adapted and arranged to secure the head to the main body while allowing relative rotation therebetween, the connector including a connecting member which is removable from the remainder of the connector to allow the head to be released from the main body, wherein at least a part of the connecting member forms a part of the external surface of the surface treating appliance. 
         [0010]    By providing a connecting member which forms a part of the external surface of the surface treating appliance, the connecting member is immediately visible to the user and can be accessed easily. Further, only the connecting member needs to be removed in order to release the head from the main body, making removal of the head a simple and straightforward process. 
         [0011]    Preferably, the connector further includes a first part located on the main body and a second part located on the head, the first and second parts being connectable and rotatable with respect to one another about a common axis. More preferably, the first and second parts are rotatably secured to one another by the connecting member. The removable connecting member can be used to secure easily the first and second parts of the connector to one another, facilitating easy removal of the head from the main body. 
         [0012]    Preferably, the connecting member is snap-fitted to one of the first and second parts. A snap-fitting connecting member is easy to attach and remove, and is cost-effective to produce. 
         [0013]    Preferably, one of the first and second parts includes at least one groove for receiving a part of the connecting member. More preferably, the connecting member includes at least one flange which is resiliently biased into the at least one groove. By providing such an arrangement, the first and second portions are able to rotate with respect to one another about a common axis, but are prevented from being moved apart along the axis. Therefore, the flange and groove arrangement secures the cleaner head to the main body while allowing free rotation therebetween. 
         [0014]    Preferably, two grooves are provided on either side of one of the first and second parts to secure more reliably the head to the main body. By providing such an arrangement, the head is better secured to the main body, while also providing space between the two grooves to accommodate additional parts of the surface treating appliance. 
         [0015]    Preferably, the first and second parts are adapted and arranged to carry a fluid flow from the cleaner head to the main body. By providing such an arrangement, only the connector also acts as a fluid conduit, reducing the number of components required, and simplifying the removal of the head from the main body. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0016]    An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  shows an upright vacuum cleaner according to the invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of parts of the vacuum cleaner of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a side view of a cleaner head forming part of the vacuum cleaner of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a section through the cleaner head of  FIG. 3  taken along the line A-A of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a side section through the cleaner head of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a rear view of the cleaner head of  FIG. 3 ; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a section through the cleaner head of  FIG. 3  taken along the line B-B of  FIG. 3 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0024]    An upright vacuum cleaner  10  according to the invention is illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The vacuum cleaner  10  has a main body  12  and a cleaner head  14 . The main body  12  includes a spine  16  which extends upwards and merges into a handle  18 . The handle  18  can be manipulated by a user to maneuvere the vacuum cleaner  10  across a floor surface. 
         [0025]    Separating apparatus  20  is releasably attached to the spine  16 . The interior of the separating apparatus  20  is in communication with the main body  12  by way of ducting  22  located on the spine  16 . The ducting  22  carries an airflow leaving the separating apparatus  20 . In the embodiment shown, the separating apparatus  20  comprises a cyclonic separator but this could be replaced by a filter, a bag or a combination of different known separation devices. The nature of the separating apparatus  20  is not material to the present invention. 
         [0026]    A rotatable support member  24  is located at the base of the main body  12  and supports the main body  12  on the floor surface. The support member  24  is rotatably connected to two support arms  26 ,  28  forming part of the main body  12 . The support member  24  has an arcuate outer surface  30  when viewed in a lateral direction. The shape of the outer surface  30  allows the vacuum cleaner  10  to be maneuvered more easily across the floor surface than traditional vacuum cleaners having a pair of wheels. 
         [0027]    A motor and fan unit (not shown) for drawing an airflow into the vacuum cleaner  10  is mounted inside the support member  24 . The motor and fan unit is mounted so that the outer surface  30  of the support member  24  rotates around the motor and fan unit. The inlet to the motor and fan unit is formed in the support arm  28  which is in communication with the ducting  22 . The support arm  28  and the ducting  22  define an airflow path from the separating apparatus  20  to the motor and fan unit. 
         [0028]    In order to support the vacuum cleaner  10  when in an upright, stored position (as shown in  FIG. 1 ), the main body  12  is provided with a stand  32 . The stand  32  comprises a frame and a pair of wheels, and is shown in an extended position in  FIG. 1 . The stand  32  is retractable so that the vacuum cleaner  10  can be maneuvered in use. An example of a suitable stand is shown and described in EP 1 838 195. 
         [0029]    The main body  12  further includes a yoke  34 . The yoke  34  comprises two arms  36 ,  38  which are pivotably connected to the support arms  26 ,  28  on either side of the support member  24 . The arms  36 ,  38 , support arms  26 ,  28  and support member  24  are all connected about a common axis X-X. A duct is formed in the left-hand arm  36  of the yoke  34  and provides an airflow path between the cleaner head  14  and the separating apparatus  20 . 
         [0030]    The cleaner head  14  is rotatably connected to the yoke  34  by a connector  40 . The cleaner head  14  has an upper surface  42  and a lower surface  44 . The lower surface  44 , which can be seen in  FIG. 5 , is arranged to face towards the floor surface and has a suction opening  46  formed therein. The suction opening  46  extends across substantially the entire width of the cleaner head  14 . A suction conduit  48  is formed within the cleaner head  14  and is delimited by the upper and lower surfaces  42 ,  44 . The suction conduit  48  forms a communication path between the suction opening  46  and the duct in the arm  36  of the yoke  34 . 
         [0031]    The cleaner head  14  and the connector  40  are shown in more detail in  FIGS. 2 to 7 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the cleaner head  14  is removable from the main body  12 . The connector  40  comprises a first part  50  located on the main body  12 , a second part  52  located on the cleaner head  14  and a removable connecting member  54 . The removal of the connecting member  54  from the remainder of the connector  40  enables the cleaner head  14  and the main body  12  to be separated from one another as described below. 
         [0032]    The first part  50  is located on the main body  12  and comprises a cylindrical portion  56  which is hollow and forms an inlet to the duct located in the left-hand arm  36  of the yoke  34 . Four walls  58  are located on the cylindrical portion  56  and extend around a part of the outer circumference thereof. The four walls  58  are arranged in two groups of two diametrically-opposed parallel walls  58 , each group defining a groove  60  therebetween. The grooves  60  extend around a part of the outer circumference of the cylindrical portion  56 . This is best shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0033]    The second part  52  is located on the cleaner head  14  and comprises a cylindrical portion  62  located at one end of the suction conduit  48 . The cylindrical portion  62  is dimensioned to receive the cylindrical portion  56  of the first part  50 . Two elongate openings  64  are formed in the sides of the cylindrical portion  62 . This can be seen most clearly in  FIGS. 2 and 4 . 
         [0034]    The connecting member  54  is U-shaped and has inner and outer surfaces  66 ,  68 . The inner surface  66  has two flanges  70  projecting therefrom. The flanges  70  project inwardly, perpendicular to the inner surface  66 . The outer surface  68  is curved and is shaped to conform to the external surface of the vacuum cleaner  10 . In other words, the outer surface  68  of the connecting member  54  forms a part of the external surface of the vacuum cleaner  10  when the connecting member  54  is located on the cleaner head  14 . This can be seen in  FIG. 3 , which shows the connecting member  54  in place on the cleaner head  14 . The connecting member  54  is resilient and is able to flex such that the separation between the flanges  70  can be increased or decreased. This allows the connecting member  54  to be snap fitted to the cleaner head  14 . 
         [0035]      FIGS. 4 and 5  show cross sections through parts of the main body  12  and the cleaner head  14  showing the connector  40  in more detail. The first part  50  is received in the second part  52  such that the cylindrical portion  56  is located within the cylindrical portion  62 . When the first and second parts  50 ,  52  are correctly located with respect to one another, each elongate opening  64  is aligned with a respective groove  60 . 
         [0036]    The connecting member  54  connects and secures the first and second parts  50 ,  52  to one another. Each flange  70  located on the connecting member  54  extends through a respective elongate opening  64  and into a respective groove  60 . This is shown in  FIG. 4 . Due to the resilience of the connecting member  54 , the flanges  70  are biased into the grooves  60  in a snap-fit arrangement. In this configuration, the first and second parts  50 ,  52  are able to rotate freely about an axis Y-Y ( FIGS. 4 and 5 ), but cannot be disconnected due to the engagement between the flanges  70  and the grooves  60 . In other words, the first and second parts  50 ,  52  are prevented from moving relative to one another along the axis Y-Y when the connecting member  54  connects the first and second portions  50 ,  52 . 
         [0037]    The provision of two grooves  60  which each cooperate with a flange  70  means that space is available between the grooves  60  around the circumference of the cylindrical portions  56 ,  62  for additional components of the vacuum cleaner  10 , as will be described later. 
         [0038]    The upper surface  42  has a notch  72  located adjacent the connecting member  54 . This is shown most clearly in  FIGS. 2 and 5 . The notch  72  is provided so that the user can remove the connecting member  54  from the cleaner head  14  by inserting a suitable implement, such as a coin or screwdriver into the notch  72  and levering the connecting member  54  away from the cleaner head  14 . Due to the resilience of the connecting member  54 , the connecting member  54  is arranged to flex and snap out of position when levered away from the cleaner head  14 . 
         [0039]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , a rotatable brush bar  74  is located in the suction conduit  48 . The brush bar  74  is driven by a brush bar motor (not shown) which has an electrical connection to the main body  12  of the vacuum cleaner  10 . The electrical connection comprises a first electrical connector  76  located on the yoke  34 , and a second electrical connector  78  located on the cleaner head  14 . The first and second electrical connectors  76 ,  78  are shown in  FIG. 5  and are located below the first and second parts  50 ,  52  of the connector  40  respectively. The first electrical connector  76  is fixed with respect to the first part  50  and is located between the grooves  60  around the circumference of the first part  50 . The first and second electrical connectors  76 ,  78  connect to one another in a standard male/female arrangement which is well known. 
         [0040]      FIGS. 6 and 7  show rear views of the cleaner head  14 . The second electrical connector  78  is located in a curved channel  80  and is free to move therein. The curved channel  80  is located on the circumference of the cylindrical portion  62  between the two elongate openings  64 . The channel  80  is arcuate and, along the length of the channel  80 , is spaced at a substantially constant distance from the axis Y-Y. This means that, when the cleaner head  14  is rotated with respect to the main body  12  about the axis Y-Y, the second electrical connector  78  is able to slide smoothly within the channel  80 . The second electrical connector  78  is able to move within the channel  80  with respect to the remainder of the cleaner head  14 . The second electrical connector  78  is connected electrically to the brush bar motor by an electrical wire  82 . The electrical wire  82  is able to move with the second electrical connector  78  and is sufficiently long so that it does not impede the movement of the second electrical connector  78 . 
         [0041]    When the cleaner head  14  is attached to the main body  12  (as shown in  FIG. 5 ), the second electrical connector  78  is connected to, and remains fixed with respect to, the first electrical connector  76 . Therefore, when the cleaner head  14  is rotated with respect to the main body  12  about the axis Y-Y, the second electrical connector  78  moves along the curved channel  80  relative to the cleaner head  14  but remains fixed relative to the main body  12 . 
         [0042]    The arrangement described above is particularly suited to a small upright vacuum cleaner, commonly known as a stick-vacuum. Stick-vacuums are generally much smaller in size that conventional upright vacuum cleaners. The above arrangement allows the connector to be small, yet to be robust and easy to disconnect. Consequently, the provision of a smaller connector allows the vacuum cleaner to be reduced in size. 
         [0043]    In use, the user starts with the vacuum cleaner  10  in the stored configuration shown in  FIG. 1 . In the stored configuration, the cleaner head  14  is attached to the main body  12 , the spine  16  is upright and the stand  32  is in the extended position. To use the vacuum cleaner  10 , the user switches the vacuum cleaner  10  on so that the motor and fan unit draws a dirty airflow into the vacuum cleaner  10  via the suction opening  46  and the brush bar motor rotates the brush bar  74 . 
         [0044]    The brush bar  74  agitates the floor surface and dislodges dirt and dust from the floor surface. This dirt and dust is carried in the dirty airflow from the suction opening  46 , through the suction conduit  48 , along the duct  36  and into the separating apparatus  20 . Dirt and dust is separated from the airflow by the separating apparatus  20  and retained therein. The cleaned air then passes from the separating apparatus  20  along the ducting  22 , through a pre-motor filter (not shown), across the motor and fan unit for cooling and through a post-motor filter (not shown) before being exhausted from the vacuum cleaner  10 . 
         [0045]    In order to move the vacuum cleaner  10  from the stored position to an in-use position, the user must retract the stand  32 . The user can then manipulate the handle  18  to maneuvre the vacuum cleaner  10  across the floor surface to be cleaned. In order to turn the vacuum cleaner  10  in a new direction (for example, to clean around furniture or walls), the user twists the handle  18 , which causes the main body  12  to rotate. When the main body  12  is rotated, the first and second parts  50 ,  52  rotate with respect to one another about the axis Y-Y so that the cleaner head  14  remains on the floor surface when the user twists the handle  18 . 
         [0046]    When the first and second parts  50 ,  52  are rotated with respect to one another, the cylindrical portion  56  rotates inside the cylindrical portion  62 . Each of the flanges  70  formed on the connecting member  54  slides within a respective groove  60 , allowing rotational movement while preventing the first and second parts  50 ,  52  from becoming separated. In other words, the connecting member  54  connects and secures the cleaner head  14  to the main body  12 , preventing the cleaner head  14  from becoming detached, but allowing free rotation therebetween. The flanges  70  run smoothly inside the grooves  60  so that there is little frictional resistance to rotation between the first and second parts  50 ,  52 . This makes the vacuum cleaner  10  easy to turn in a new direction. 
         [0047]    The brush bar motor located in the cleaner head  14  is electrically connected to the main body  12  by the connection between the first and second electrical connectors  76 ,  78  and the electrical wire  82 . Further, when the cleaner head  14  is rotated with respect to the main body  12 , the second electrical connector  78  will move within the channel  80 . Since the electrical wire  82  is able to move with the second electrical connector  78 , the electrical connection between the main body  12  and the brush bar motor is maintained even when the main body  12  is rotated with respect to the cleaner head  14 . This arrangement is small in size, simple to implement and requires fewer components than known arrangements which use, for example, slip rings to transfer electric current across a rotatable connection. 
         [0048]    When the user has finished the cleaning operation, the vacuum cleaner  10  is switched off. In order to return the vacuum cleaner  10  to a storage configuration as shown in  FIG. 1 , the user pushes the handle  18  and spine  16  back into the vertical position. This action extends the stand  32 . The vacuum cleaner  10  is now back in the configuration shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0049]    It may be desired to remove the cleaner head  14  for cleaning, storage or transportation. In order to do this, the user inserts a suitable tool (such as a coin or screwdriver) into the notch  72  and levers the connecting member  54  upwards. Since the connecting member  54  and notch  72  are located on the external surface of the vacuum cleaner  10 , they are immediately visible and easy to access. As the connecting member  54  is moved upwards, the outer surface  68  of the connecting member  54  is no longer flush with the upper surface  42  of the cleaner head  14  and the yoke  34 . Therefore, it can easily be grabbed by the user and removed. Further, due to the resilience of the connecting member  54 , the connecting member  54  flexes and snaps out of position when levered away from the cleaner head  14 . 
         [0050]    When the connecting member  54  is removed, the flanges  70  are removed from the grooves  60 . Therefore, the first and second parts  50 ,  52  can be separated, and the cleaner head  14  can be removed from the main body  12 . 
         [0051]    When the cleaner head  14  is removed in this manner, the first and second electrical connectors  76 ,  78  are pulled apart. This breaks the electrical connection between the cleaner head  14  and the main body  12 , preventing electrical shocks and allowing the cleaner head  14  to be cleaned, stored or packed separately from the remainder of the vacuum cleaner  10 . 
         [0052]    The invention is not limited to the detailed description given above. Variations will be apparent to the person skilled in the art. For example, other forms and arrangements of the connector may be used. There need not be first and second parts which are connectable and, instead, the connecting member may directly attach the cleaner head to the main body. 
         [0053]    The connecting member need not be snap fitted. Other arrangements could be used, for example, clamped or press-fitted connecting members. Additionally, other securing arrangements other than a flange and groove may be provided. For example, locking pins or screws may be used. If a flange and groove arrangement is used, then a single groove may be provided. 
         [0054]    The connector need not be adapted to carry a fluid flow. A separate fluid conduit, such as a hose, may be provided separate from the connector. 
         [0055]    The main body need not be supported on a rolling support member. Other support arrangements could be used, for example a pair of wheels. Further, the head may be rotatable in a different plane from that described above, or may be rotatable about more than one axis; for example, if the cleaner head is connected to the main body by a universal joint. 
         [0056]    The term “surface treating appliance” is intended to have a broad meaning, and includes a wide range of machines having a head for travelling over a surface to clean or treat the surface in some manner. It includes, inter alia, machines which apply suction to the surface so as to draw material from it, such as vacuum cleaners (dry, wet and wet/dry), as well as machines which apply material to the surface, such as polishing/waxing machines, pressure washing machines, ground marking machines and shampooing machines. It also includes lawn mowers and other cutting machines.