CLEANING APPARATUS
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a cleaning apparatus comprising a handheld vacuum cleaner
and a cleaning implement.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are several different types of vacuum cleaner including upright, cylinder, robotic
and handheld vacuum cleaners. Each type of vacuum cleaner fulfils a particular set of
requirements and consequently has its own distinctive characteristics.
Handheld vacuum cleaners are generally characterised by being compact, lightweight,
portable and typically supported by one hand during use. Some handhelds can be
connected to wands, thereby forming a cleaning apparatus that can be used to clean
floors or ceilings without the user having to bend down or reach up. Consequently,
handheld vacuum cleaners provide a versatile type of vacuum cleaner which can be
used in many different circumstances.
GB2497944A discloses an example of a handheld vacuum cleaner comprising a main
body 4, grip 6, separator 12 and inlet nozzle 14. The inlet nozzle 14 is configured to
receive a brush tool and is provided with a catch 16 which secures the brush tool to the
inlet nozzle 14. The catch 16 is operable by pressing the catch 16 to release the brush
tool so that the brush tool can be removed from the inlet nozzle 14 and, for example,
replaced with an alternative tool.
In order to remove the brush tool, an operator typically grips the inlet nozzle 14 and
presses the catch using the thumb of the hand gripping the inlet nozzle 14. The
operator's other hand can then remove the brush tool from the inlet nozzle 14. The
difficulty with this arrangement is that the user must let go of the grip 6 in order to
remove the brush tool making removal of the brush tool awkward.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a cleaning
apparatus comprising: a handheld vacuum cleaner comprising a separator, an airflow
generator, a handle for manoeuvring the handheld vacuum cleaner during use and a first
connector; and a cleaning implement comprising a second connector which engages
with the first connector such that the cleaning implement is in fluid communication with
the separator, the second connector comprises a catch, wherein the catch has a first
configuration in which disengagement of the second connector from the first connector
is prevented, and a second configuration in which the second connector can be
disengaged from the first connector.
The catch may be arranged such that the catch is moved from the first configuration into
the second configuration by pressing the catch.
The cleaning implement may have a gripping portion which can be gripped by the user,
and the catch may be arranged such that the catch is moved from the first configuration
into the second configuration by pressing the catch with the thumb of the hand gripping
the gripping portion.
The cleaning implement may comprise a biasing device which biases the catch into the
first configuration.
The second connector may be a male connector having an engagement portion, and the
first connector is a female connector having a receiving portion which is configured to
receive the engagement portion of the second connector.
The catch may be arranged such that at least part of the catch is received by the
receiving portion when the second connector is engaged with the first connector.
The catch may have a pressing portion that is arranged such that the pressing portion is
exposed when the second connector is engaged with the first connector.
The catch may be connected to the engagement portion. The catch may be elongate.
The catch may extend along an outer surface of the engagement portion. The catch may
be pivotally connected to the engagement portion such that the catch pivots between the
first and second configurations.
At least a portion of the catch may be disposed within a channel provided along the
engagement portion. The catch may further be configured such that the profile of an
outer surface of the catch corresponds with the profile of an adjacent outer surface of
the engagement portion.
The cleaning implement may comprise a wand and/or cleaner head.
The first connector may be disposed towards the front of the handheld vacuum cleaner.
The handle may be disposed towards the rear of the handheld vacuum cleaner. The
separator may be disposed between the handle and the first connector.
According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a cleaning apparatus
comprising: a vacuum cleaner comprising a separator and a first connector; a cleaning
implement comprising a second connector which engages with the first connector such
that the cleaning implement is in fluid communication with the separator, the second
connector has a catch comprising a latching element and a pressing portion, the catch
has a first configuration in which disengagement of the second connector from the first
connector is prevented, and a second configuration in which the second connector can
be disengaged from the first connector, wherein an alignment slot is provided in the first
connector, the alignment slot is arranged to receive at least part of the pressing portion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In order to better understand the present invention, and to show more clearly how the
invention may be put into effect, the invention will now be described, by way of
example, with reference to the following drawings:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cleaning apparatus;
Figure 2 is a partial sectional view of the cleaning apparatus shown in Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of part of the cleaning apparatus shown in Figure 1;
Figure 4 is an exploded view of part of the cleaning apparatus shown in Figure 1; and
Figure 5 is a perspective view of part of the cleaning apparatus shown in Figure 1 in a
disengaged configuration.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Figure 1 shows a vacuum cleaning apparatus 2 comprising a handheld vacuum cleaner
4 and a cleaning implement 6 comprising a tubular wand 8 and a cleaner head 10.
The handheld vacuum cleaner 4 comprises an elongate handle 12, an airflow generator
14 disposed at one end of the handle 12 and a power source 16 disposed at the other end
of the handle 12. The handle 12 is arranged such that a user gripping the handle
supports the vacuum cleaning apparatus 2 while manoeuvring the cleaner head 10
across a surface being cleaned. The handle 12 is located towards the rear of the
handheld vacuum cleaner 4 so that the vacuum cleaner 4 can be supported in front of the
user.
The handheld vacuum cleaner 4 further comprises a separator 18, in the form of a
cyclonic separator, and a first connector 20. The first connector 20 is positioned
towards the front of the handheld vacuum cleaner 4 . The separator 18 is arranged
between the first connector 20 and the handle 12.
The wand 8 comprises a second connector 22 at one end of the wand 8 . The second
connector 22 connects to the first connector 20 thereby securing the wand 8 to the
handheld vacuum cleaner 4 such that the handheld vacuum cleaner 4 is in fluid
communication with the wand 8 . The wand 8 comprises a third connector 24 at the end
of the wand 8 opposite the second connector 20. The third connector 24 is connected to
a fourth connector 26 provided on the cleaner head 10. The fourth connector 26 is
substantially identical to the second connector 22, as described below. The fourth
connector 26 can therefore be connected to the first connector 22 so that the cleaner
head 10 can be secured directly to the handheld vacuum cleaner 4 .
Figure 2 shows the first and second connectors 20, 22 connected to each other. Figure
3 shows part of the cleaning apparatus 2 comprising the first connector 20. Figure 4
shows part of the cleaning apparatus 2 comprising the second connector 22.
The first connector 20 is a female connector having a cylindrical receiving portion 28.
The receiving portion 28 has a longitudinal axis which defines an engagement axis Ei of
the first connector 20. A recess 30 is formed in a inner surface of the receiving portion
28. The recess 30 has a flat forward surface 32 that extends in a plane that it
substantially orthogonal to the engagement axis Ei and a rearward surface 34, that is
inclined from the base of the recess 30 towards the engagement axis Ei (i.e. the surface
extends radially inwardly and rearwardly). The first connector 20 has a slot 36 formed
at the end of the first connector 20.
The second connector 22 is a male connector having a cylindrical engagement portion
38 and a collar 40. The engagement portion 38 is configured such that it can be inserted
into the receiving portion 28 of the first connector 20. The engagement portion 38 has a
longitudinal axis which defines an engagement axis E2 of the second connector 22.
The engagement axes Ei, E2 are aligned when the second connector 22 is connected to
the first connector 20. The engagement axes Ei, E2 correspond to the direction along
which second connector 22 is inserted into the first connector 20.
A channel 42 extends along the engagement portion 38 in a direction which is parallel
with the engagement axis E2. An elongate catch 44 is located within the channel 42
such that part of the outer surface of the catch 44 lies substantially within the same
circumferential plane as the outer surface of the engagement portion 38. Figure 2
shows the catch 44 in a first configuration in which disengagement of the second
connector 22 from the first connector 20 is prevented.
The catch 44 is pivotally connected at one end to the engagement portion 38 by
trunnions 46 (only one of which is visible in Figure 4) provided on opposite lateral
sides of the catch 44, which engage respective bores 48 provided in the sides of the
channel 42. The pivot axis X of the catch 44 extends in a direction which is
substantially orthogonal to the engagement axis E2 of the second connector 22.
The catch 44 comprises a latching element 50 and a pressing portion 52. The pressing
portion 52 is located towards the end of the catch 44 opposite the pivotal connection.
The latching element 50 is located closer to the pivot axis X than the pressing portion
52. In the embodiment shown, the latching element 50 is located approximately
midway between the pressing portion 52 and the pivot axis X (it will be appreciated
that the latching element need not lie in the same plane as a plane passing through the
pressing portion 52 and the pivot axis X). The latching element 50 is spaced at a
distance from the engagement axis E2 which is greater than the distance by which the
pivot axis X is spaced from the engagement axis E2.
The latching element 50 comprises a protrusion 54 that corresponds to the shape of the
recess 30 provided on the first connector 20. The protrusion 54 has a leading surface 56
that is inclined with respect to the engagement axis E2 of the second connector 22 and a
trailing surface 58 that extends around the rear of the protrusion. The rearmost part of
the trailing surface 58 extends in a plane that is substantially orthogonal to the
engagement axis E2. The trailing surface 58 abuts the flat forward surface 32 of the
recess 30 such that the catch 44 prevents withdrawal of the engagement portion 38 from
the receiving portion 28.
The channel 42 extends into the collar 40 such that it defines a slot 60 into which the
portion of the catch 44 comprising the pressing portion 52 extends. At least part of the
pressing portion 52 extends forward of the slot 60, and hence forward of the collar 40.
A flange portion 62 surrounds at least part of the periphery of the pressing portion 52.
The flange portion 62 abuts the underside of a lip 64 provided at the end of the channel
42.
A biasing member in the form of a spring 66 is disposed between the catch 44 and the
bottom of the channel 42. The spring 66 is disposed beneath the pressing portion 52
and is arranged to bias the pressing portion 52 away from the engagement axis E2 such
that the catch 44 is held in the first configuration in which the latching element 50 is
locates in the recess 30 and the flange portion 62 is pressed against the lip 64.
A user disconnects the wand 8 from the handheld vacuum cleaner 4 by gripping the
collar 40 of the second connector 22, and pressing down on the pressing portion 52 with
the thumb or a finger of the hand gripping the wand 8 . While doing so, the user can
keep hold of the handle 12 of the vacuum cleaner 4 with their other hand. It will be
appreciated that the user may grip the end of the wand 8 adjacent the collar 40 as well
as, or instead of, the collar 40 itself.
Pressing down on the pressing portion 52 pushes the catch 44 against the spring 66 into
the channel 42 thereby rotating the pressing portion 52 towards the engagement axis E2
and disengaging the latching element 50 from the recess 30. The catch 44 is then in a
second configuration in which the user can slide the engagement portion 38 out from
the receiving portion 28 and so disconnect the wand 8 from the vacuum cleaner 4 .
Because the user can simultaneously grip the end of the wand 8 and operate the catch
with the same hand, the user is able to quickly and easily remove the wand 8 without
having to let go of the handle 12 of the handheld vacuum cleaner 4 . This greatly
enhances the usability of the vacuum cleaner 4 because cleaning implements can be
removed and replaced quickly and easily. The spring 66 urges the catch 44 back into
the first configuration in which the flange portion 62 is pressed against the lip 64.
It will be appreciated that, because the latching element 50 is closer to the pivot axis X
than the pressing portion 52, the force required to release the catch 44 by pressing on
the latching element 50 is much less than the force that would be required should the
pressing portion 52 be arranged at the latching element 50. Consequently, the latching
element 50 is held in engagement with the recess 30 securely, while being relatively
easy to release by pressing on the pressing portion 52.
In addition, should the wand 8 be pulled away from the vacuum cleaner 4 along the
engagement axes Ei, E2, for example, as a consequence of a user pulling against the
cleaner head 10 when trapped by an item of furniture), the trailing surface 58 of the
latching element 50 is pressed against the flat forward surface 32 of the recess 30.
Consequently, a moment (which in Figure 2, is an anti-clockwise moment) is exerted
on the catch 44 about the pivot axis X which presses the latching element 50 into the
recess 28. It will be appreciated that the harder a user pulls on the vacuum cleaner 4,
the harder the latching element 50 is forced into engagement with the recess 28 and the
harder it becomes to release the catch 44. The arrangement therefore provides a
particularly secure connection between the wand 8 and the vacuum cleaner 4 which
helps prevent accidental disconnection of the wand 8 from the vacuum cleaner 4 . It
will, however, be appreciated that it may be desirable to configure the arrangement so
that the wand 8 and the vacuum cleaner 4 can be separated when a large force is
applied, for example, in circumstances in which the arrangement is handled abusively,
so as to avoid breaking of the apparatus.
Figure 5 shows the first and second connectors 20, 22 separated from each other. The
connectors 20, 22 are engaged with each other by aligning the alignment axis E2 of the
second connector 22 with the alignment axis Ei of the first connector 20, and inserting
the engagement portion 38 of the second connector 22 into the receiving portion 28 of
the first connector 20. In addition, the pressing portion 52 is aligned with the slot 36 so
that, as the engagement portion 38 is inserted into the receiving portion 28, the pressing
portion 52 is received by the slot 36. The slot 36 therefore acts as a guide for ensuring
correct alignment of the connectors 20, 22. As the engagement portion 38 is inserted
into the receiving portion 28, the leading surface 56 of the protrusion 54 rides over the
front edge of the slot 36 thereby pressing the catch 44 against the spring 66 until the
protrusion latches in the recess 30.
The third connector 24 is the same as the first connector 20 and the fourth connector 26
is the same as the second connector 22. It will be appreciated that the cleaner head 10
can be removed from the wand 8 by gripping the fourth connecter 26, and pressing the
catch located on the fourth connector 26, in the same manner as the wand 8 is removed
from the handheld vacuum cleaner 4 . Furthermore, the cleaner head 10 can be used as a
cleaning implement itself by connecting the fourth connector 26 with the first connector
20 so that the cleaner head 10 is directly connected to the handheld vacuum cleaner 4 .
Although the cleaning implement described above comprises a wand 8 and a cleaner
head 10, it will be appreciated that the wand 8 could also be used as a cleaning
implement by itself (for example to clean dirt/cobwebs from elevated areas). Other
cleaning implements, such as a flexible hose, or specialised cleaning implements for
cleaning hard floors, soft furnishings, specific types of carpets or crevices could
comprise a connector which is the same as the second and fourth connectors 22, 26 and
so could be connected to the wand 8 or the vacuum cleaner 4 respectively.
Although the connector arrangement is particularly advantageous for handheld vacuum
cleaners, it will be appreciated that the connector arrangement would be suitable for
other types of vacuum cleaner including, but not limited to, cylinder vacuum cleaners
and upright vacuum cleaners, including lightweight stick vacuum cleaners, in which
cleaning implements, such as cleaner heads, are interchanged.

CLAIMS
1. A cleaning apparatus comprising:
a handheld vacuum cleaner comprising a separator, an airflow generator,
a handle for manoeuvring the handheld vacuum cleaner during use and a first
connector; and
a cleaning implement comprising a second connector which engages
with the first connector such that the cleaning implement is in fluid
communication with the separator, the second connector comprises a catch,
wherein the catch has a first configuration in which disengagement of the second
connector from the first connector is prevented, and a second configuration in
which the second connector can be disengaged from the first connector.
2 . A cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the catch is moved from the
first configuration into the second configuration by pressing the catch.
3 . A cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the cleaning implement has
a gripping portion which can be gripped by the user, and the catch is arranged
such that the catch is moved from the first configuration into the second
configuration by pressing the catch with the thumb of the hand gripping the
gripping portion.
4 . A cleaning apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the
cleaning implement comprises a biasing device which biases the catch into the
first configuration.
5 . A cleaning apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the
second connector is a male connector having an engagement portion, and the
first connector is a female connector having a receiving portion which is
configured to receive the engagement portion of the second connector.
6 . A cleaning apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the
catch is arranged such that at least part of the catch is received by the receiving
portion when the second connector is engaged with the first connector.
7 . A cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the catch has a pressing
portion that is arranged such that the pressing portion is exposed when the
second connector is engaged with the first connector.
8 . A cleaning apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the catch is
connected to the engagement portion.
9 . A cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the catch is elongate and
the catch extends along an outer surface of the engagement portion.
10. A cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 8 or 9, wherein the catch is pivotally
connected to the engagement portion such that the catch pivots between the first
and second configurations.
11. A cleaning apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 10, wherein at least a
portion of the catch is disposed within a channel provided along the engagement
portion such that the profile of an outer surface of the catch corresponds with the
profile of an adjacent outer surface of the engagement portion.
12. A cleaning apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the
cleaning implement comprises a wand and/or cleaner head.
13. A cleaning apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the
first connector is disposed towards the front of the handheld vacuum cleaner and
the handle is disposed towards the rear of the handheld vacuum cleaner.
14. A cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the separator is disposed
between the handle and the first connector.
15. A cleaning apparatus comprising:
a vacuum cleaner comprising a separator and a first connector;
a cleaning implement comprising a second connector which engages
with the first connector such that the cleaning implement is in fluid
communication with the separator, the second connector has a catch
comprising a latching element and a pressing portion, the catch has a first
configuration in which disengagement of the second connector from the first
connector is prevented, and a second configuration in which the second
connector can be disengaged from the first connector, wherein an alignment
slot is provided in the first connector, the alignment slot is arranged to
receive at least part of the pressing portion.
16. A cleaning apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to, and as
shown in, the accompanying drawings.