Patent Description:
Cleaners are widely used for cleaning in daily life and can be used to clean regions such as floors, areas under beds and sofas, and cabinet tops. A cleaner generally includes a main body, a cleaning head, and a connection rod capable of connecting the main body and the cleaning head.

In order to make it convenient for users to clean regions such as cabinet tops, areas under sofas and beds by cleaners, the cleaners are equipped with bendable joints or bendable extension tubes.

In the related art, locks of the bendable joints or the bendable extension tubes are complex in operation and are not user-friendly; or the locks are not firm enough and the bendable joints have low strength, which cannot be stably maintained in a horizontal straight state or at a predetermined bending angle during use and leads to poor user experience.

<CIT> provides an articulative extension pipe for a vacuum cleaner has a first extension pipe having a joint, a second extension pipe having a joint receiving part in which a joint of the first extension pipe is inserted, a sealing cover enclosing the first and the second extension pipes, and a locking button disposed between the sealing cover and the first extension pipe, and having at least one coupling protrusion on the outer circumference. One of the sealing cover, and the first and the second extension pipes has at least one coupling recess in which the coupling protrusion of the locking button is selectively inserted so that the first extension pipe can rotate with respect to the second extension pipe. The sealing cover further includes a wheel, which rolls in contact with the surface being cleaned, and a cotton flannel is disposed on the outer circumference of the wheel.

The present invention aims to solve at least one of the technical problems in the related art to a certain extent. Accordingly, the present invention propose a bendable joint that has high strength and can be stably maintained in a horizontal straight state or at a predetermined bending angle during use.

The present invention further proposes a cleaner connecting pipe having the bendable joint.

The present invention further proposes a cleaner having the cleaner connecting pipe.

A bendable joint according to a first aspect of the present invention includes: a first articulation pipe, a second articulation pipe, and a lock. The first articulation pipe includes a first articulation portion at an end of the first articulation pipe. The second articulation pipe includes a second articulation portion at an end of the second articulation pipe. The first articulation portion is articulated with the second articulation portion, and the first articulation pipe is rotatable relative to the second articulation pipe. The lock is on the first articulation pipe and is configured to lock and adjust relative positions of the first articulation pipe and the second articulation pipe and includes a latch. The lock further includes an unlocking button and a transmission member, the unlocking button driving the latch to switch between a first position and a second position through the transmission member.

For the bendable joint according to the present invention, the relative positions of the first articulation pipe and the second articulation pipe can be accurately locked, and the relative positions of the first articulation pipe and the second articulation pipe can be adjusted, avoiding a problem that the bendable joint cannot be stably maintained in a predetermined state and improving user experience.

In some examples, the second articulation portion includes at least one limiting recess. In the first position, the latch is inserted into one of the at least one limiting recess and locks the relative positions of the first articulation pipe and the second articulation pipe. The latch in the second position is removed from the limiting recess and enables the first articulation pipe to rotate relative to the second articulation pipe.

In some examples, the first articulation pipe includes a housing and an inner bush within the housing. The housing includes a button mounting hole, the unlocking button passing through the button mounting hole. The inner bush includes a latch mounting position and a transmission member mounting position, the latch being at the latch mounting position and slidable along a direction toward the second articulation portion, and the transmission member being at the transmission member mounting position and slidably fitted with the latch.

Further, the bendable joint includes a first elastic member between the transmission member and the inner bush, and/or a second elastic member between the latch and the inner bush.

Further, the transmission member includes a support leg, the support leg having a sliding slope; and the latch includes a sliding groove, the support leg being inserted into the sliding groove, and the sliding slope being pressed against an inner wall of the sliding groove.

For the bendable joint according to the present invention, since the latch is driven by the transmission member to move, the bendable joint can be easily locked and unlocked, the operation is simple, and the locking is reliable.

In some examples, the bendable joint includes a plurality of limiting recesses spaced apart from each other around an edge of the second articulation portion. When the latch is inserted into one of the limiting recesses, the first articulation pipe is coaxial with the second articulation pipe.

Further, the second articulation portion is disk-shaped; the edge of the second articulation portion is an arc surface; and the plurality of limiting recesses are on the arc surface.

Further, the plurality of limiting recesses include a straight limiting recess and a plurality of curved limiting recesses. When the latch is inserted into the straight limiting recess, the first articulation pipe is coaxial with the second articulation pipe; and when the latch is inserted into the curved limiting recess, the first articulation pipe forms a predetermined angle with the second articulation pipe.

Further, the plurality of curved limiting recesses are on a first side of the straight limiting recess, and a second side of the straight limiting recess is an arc surface.

For the bendable joint according to the present invention, the first articulation pipe and the second articulation pipe can be stably bent at a plurality of angles by the plurality of limiting recesses.

In some examples, a pressing direction of the unlocking button is along a radial direction of the first articulation pipe; and a direction in which the latch moves between the first position and the second position is parallel to an axial direction of the first articulation pipe.

A cleaner connecting pipe according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a first pipe body, a second pipe body, and the above bendable joint, the first pipe body being coupled to the first articulation pipe, and the second pipe body being coupled to the second articulation pipe.

For the cleaner connecting pipe according to the present invention, the first pipe body and the second pipe body are coupled to the bendable j oint, so that the first pipe body and the second pipe body are stably locked in current positions, preventing a situation that the cleaner connecting pipe cannot be stably maintained in a horizontal state or at a predetermined bending angle, which may degrade the user experience.

A cleaner according to a third aspect of the present invention includes a main body, a cleaning head, and the cleaner connecting pipe, the cleaner connecting pipe having a first end coupled to the main body and a second end coupled to the cleaning head.

For the cleaner according to the present invention, the main body and the cleaning head are coupled to the bendable joint, so that the cleaning head can be easily extended to positions such as cabinet tops, and areas under sofas and beds, improving the user experience.

Additional aspects and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will be given in part in the following descriptions, become apparent in part from the following descriptions, or be learned from the practice of the embodiments of the present invention.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate examples consistent with the present invention and, together with the specification, serve to explain principles of the present invention.

Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below, and examples of the described embodiments are shown in accompanying drawings. The following embodiments described with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are intended to explain the present invention rather than limit the present invention.

A bendable joint according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown in <FIG>, the bendable joint according to the present invention includes a first articulation pipe <NUM>, a second articulation pipe <NUM>, and a lock <NUM>.

The first articulation pipe <NUM> has a first articulation portion <NUM> at an end of the first articulation pipe. The second articulation pipe <NUM> has a second articulation portion <NUM> at an end of the second articulation pipe. The first articulation portion <NUM> is articulated with the second articulation portion <NUM> so that the first articulation pipe <NUM> is rotatable relative to the second articulation pipe <NUM>. The lock <NUM> is on the first articulation pipe <NUM> and is configured to lock and adjust relative positions of the first articulation pipe <NUM> and the second articulation pipe <NUM>. With the lock, the relative positions of the first articulation pipe <NUM> and the second articulation pipe <NUM> can be accurately locked, and the relative positions of the first articulation pipe <NUM> and the second articulation pipe <NUM> can be adjusted, avoiding a problem that the bendable joint cannot be stably maintained in a predetermined state and improving user experience.

The lock <NUM> can realize the above functions in a variety of manners. For example, the lock <NUM> can lock and adjust the relative positions of the first articulation pipe <NUM> and the second articulation pipe <NUM> by a gear mechanism, a ratchet mechanism, or a pin-slot fit.

The pin-slot fit will be introduced in detail below.

The lock <NUM> includes a latch <NUM> that is switchable between a first position and a second position. The second articulation portion <NUM> includes at least one limiting recess <NUM>. In the first position, the latch <NUM> is inserted into one of the limiting recesses <NUM> to lock the relative positions of the first articulation pipe <NUM> and the second articulation pipe <NUM>. In the second position, the latch <NUM> is removed from the limiting recess <NUM> to enable the first articulation pipe <NUM> to rotate relative to the second articulation pipe <NUM>.

The lock <NUM> further includes an unlocking button <NUM> and a transmission member <NUM>, and the unlocking button <NUM> drives the latch <NUM> to switch between the first position and the second position through the transmission member <NUM>.

It should be noted that, when an angle between the first articulation pipe <NUM> and the second articulation pipe <NUM> is adjusted, the unlocking button <NUM> is pressed and drives the latch <NUM> to move from the first position to the second position through the transmission member <NUM>, the latch <NUM> is separated from the limiting recess <NUM> to unlock the first articulation pipe <NUM> and the second articulation pipe <NUM>, and the first articulation pipe <NUM> and the second articulation pipe <NUM> rotate relative to each other. When the first articulation pipe <NUM> and the second articulation pipe <NUM> rotate to a corresponding angle, the unlocking button <NUM> is released, the transmission member <NUM> drives the latch <NUM> to move from the second position to the first position to cause the latch <NUM>, and the latch <NUM> is inserted into the limiting recess <NUM>, realizing the locking between the first articulation pipe <NUM> and the second articulation pipe <NUM>.

For the bendable joint according to the present invention, with the lock <NUM>, after the first articulation pipe <NUM> rotates to a corresponding angle relative to the second articulation pipe <NUM>, the latch <NUM> is inserted into one limiting recess <NUM>, and the first articulation pipe <NUM> and the second articulation pipe <NUM> are stably locked in current positions, avoiding the problem that the bendable joint cannot be stably maintained in a horizontal state or at a predetermined bending angle, and improving the user experience.

As shown in <FIG>, optionally, the bendable joint further includes two protective covers <NUM>. The two protective covers <NUM> are coaxial with the first articulation portion, and the two protective covers <NUM> are oppositely arranged at two axial ends of the first articulation portion. The two protective covers <NUM> are coupled to the first articulation pipe <NUM> or the second articulation pipe <NUM>. For the bendable joint according to the present invention, with the protective covers <NUM>, an appearance of the bendable joint can be beautified, interference of external debris with movement of parts at the first articulation portion <NUM> and the second articulation portion <NUM> can be avoided, and the service life of the parts at the first articulation portion <NUM> and the second articulation portion <NUM> can be prolonged.

As shown in <FIG>, in some examples, the first articulation pipe <NUM> includes a housing <NUM> and an inner bush <NUM> within the housing <NUM>. The housing <NUM> includes a button mounting hole <NUM>, and the unlocking button <NUM> passes through the button mounting hole <NUM>. The inner bush <NUM> has a latch mounting position <NUM> and a transmission member mounting position <NUM>. The latch <NUM> is at the latch mounting position <NUM> and is slidable along a direction toward the second articulation portion <NUM>. The transmission member <NUM> is at the transmission member mounting position <NUM> and is slidably fitted with the latch <NUM>.

Further, a first elastic member <NUM> is between the transmission member <NUM> and the inner bush <NUM>, and/or a second elastic member <NUM> is between the latch <NUM> and the inner bush <NUM>.

Optionally, the first elastic member <NUM> and the second elastic member <NUM> are both springs.

Further, the transmission member <NUM> has a support leg <NUM>, and the support leg <NUM> has a sliding slope <NUM>. The latch <NUM> has a sliding groove <NUM>, the support leg <NUM> is inserted into the sliding groove <NUM>, and the sliding slope <NUM> is pressed against an inner wall of the sliding groove <NUM>.

For the bendable joint according to the present invention, with the transmission member <NUM>, the latch <NUM>, the first elastic member <NUM>, and the second elastic member <NUM>, a user can unlock the first articulation pipe <NUM> and the second articulation pipe <NUM> simply by pressing the unlocking button <NUM>; moreover, after the unlocking button <NUM> is released, automatic reset can be realized under elastic force of the first elastic member <NUM> and/or the second elastic member <NUM>, and the locking of the first articulation pipe <NUM> and the second articulation pipe <NUM> is completed. The operation is simple, the locking is firm, and the user experience is improved.

As shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, specifically, an axis of the first articulation pipe <NUM> and an axis of the second articulation pipe <NUM> are in a front-rear direction, and an axis of an articulated member between the first articulation portion <NUM> and the second articulation portion <NUM> is in a left-right direction. There are two latches <NUM>, and the two latches <NUM> are oppositely arranged on left and right sides of the inner bush <NUM>. There are two first elastic members <NUM>, and the two first elastic members <NUM> are in one-to-one correspondence with the two latches <NUM>. An axis of the first elastic member <NUM> is in the front-rear direction, a backward thrust is imposed on the latch <NUM>, and the latch <NUM> abuts against the second articulation portion <NUM>. When the second articulation portion <NUM> drives the limiting recess <NUM> to be flush with a right end of the latch <NUM>, the latch <NUM> moves toward the limiting recess <NUM> and enters the limiting recess <NUM> under the elastic force of the first elastic member <NUM>.

The transmission member <NUM> is above the latch <NUM>. An axis of the second elastic member <NUM> is in an up-down direction, and an upward thrust is imposed on the transmission member <NUM>. There are two support legs <NUM>, and the two support legs <NUM> are oppositely arranged on left and right sides of the transmission member <NUM>. A lower part of the support leg <NUM> is inserted into the sliding groove <NUM>. An inner wall of the sliding groove <NUM> abutting against the sliding slope <NUM> is wedged. Moreover, the wedged wall of the sliding groove <NUM> faces backward, and the sliding slope <NUM> faces forward, so that the sliding slope <NUM> and the wedged wall are opposite to each other. When the unlocking button <NUM> is pressed downward, the unlocking button <NUM> drives the transmission member <NUM> to move downward; the transmission member <NUM> drives the support leg <NUM> to move downward; and the support leg <NUM> drives the latch <NUM> to move forward under the action of the sliding slope <NUM> and the sliding groove <NUM>, until the latch <NUM> is separated from the limiting recess <NUM>. When the unlocking button <NUM> is released, the transmission member <NUM> moves upward under an upward electric force of the first elastic member <NUM> until it is reset. At the same time, the latch <NUM> abuts against the second articulation portion <NUM> under the elastic force of the first elastic member <NUM>.

In some examples, there are a plurality of limiting recesses <NUM>, and the plurality of limiting recesses <NUM> are spaced apart from each other around an edge of the second articulation portion <NUM>. When the latch <NUM> is inserted into one of the plurality of limiting recesses <NUM>, the first articulation pipe <NUM> is coaxial with the second articulation pipe <NUM>. For the bendable joint according to the examples of the present invention, with a plurality of limiting recesses <NUM>, the user can selectively adjust an angle between the first articulation pipe <NUM> and the second articulation pipe <NUM> as required.

Further, the second articulation portion <NUM> is disk-shaped, the edge of the second articulation portion <NUM> is an arc surface, and the plurality of limiting recesses <NUM> are on the arc surface. For the bendable joint according to the present invention, the arc surface can avoid motion interference with parts in the bendable joint and even damages to the parts in the bendable joint when the first articulation portion <NUM> and the second articulation portion <NUM> rotate relative to each other.

Further, the plurality of limiting recesses <NUM> include a straight limiting recess and a plurality of curved limiting recesses. When the latch <NUM> is inserted into the straight limiting recess, the first articulation pipe <NUM> is coaxial with the second articulation pipe <NUM>. When the latch <NUM> is inserted into the curved limiting recess, the first articulation pipe <NUM> forms a predetermined angle with the second articulation pipe <NUM>.

Further, the plurality of curved limiting recesses are on a first side of the straight limiting recess, and a second side of the straight limiting recess is an arc surface. For the bendable joint according to the present invention, since the plurality of curved limiting recesses are on the first side of the straight limiting recess, the user can rapidly adjust the first articulation pipe <NUM> to be coaxial with the second articulation pipe <NUM>; moreover, since the second side of the straight limiting recess is an arc surface, reverse rotation of the first articulation pipe <NUM> and the second articulation pipe <NUM> by the user can be prevented.

In some examples, a pressing direction of the unlocking button <NUM> is along a radial direction of the first articulation pipe <NUM>, and a direction in which the latch <NUM> moves between the first position and the second position is parallel to an axial direction of the first articulation pipe <NUM>.

A cleaner connecting pipe according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a first pipe body, a second pipe body, and the above bendable j oint. The first pipe body is coupled to the first articulation pipe <NUM>, and the second pipe body is coupled to the second articulation pipe <NUM>.

For the cleaner connecting pipe according to the present invention, by using the bendable joint, the user can easily and quickly adjust an angle between the first pipe body and the second pipe body, and stably maintain the first pipe body and the second pipe body in a horizontal state or at a predetermined bending angle, improving the user experience.

A cleaner according to a third aspect of the present invention includes a main body, a cleaning head, and the above cleaner connecting pipe. The cleaner connecting pipe has a first end coupled to the main body and a second end coupled to the cleaning head.

Claim 1:
A bendable joint, comprising:
a first articulation pipe (<NUM>) comprising a first articulation portion (<NUM>) at an end of the first articulation pipe (<NUM>);
a second articulation pipe (<NUM>) comprising a second articulation portion (<NUM>) at an end of the second articulation pipe (<NUM>), the first articulation portion (<NUM>) being articulated with the second articulation portion (<NUM>) and the first articulation pipe (<NUM>) being rotatable relative to the second articulation pipe (<NUM>); and
a lock (<NUM>) on the first articulation pipe (<NUM>) and being configured to lock and adjust relative positions of the first articulation pipe (<NUM>) and the second articulation pipe (<NUM>), the lock (<NUM>) comprising a latch (<NUM>), wherein the lock (<NUM>) comprises an unlocking button (<NUM>),
characterized in that the lock (<NUM>) further comprises a transmission member (<NUM>), and the unlocking button (<NUM>) drives the latch (<NUM>) to switch between a first position and a second position through the transmission member (<NUM>).