US20020042969A1 - Electric vacuum cleaner and nozzle unit therefor - Google Patents
Electric vacuum cleaner and nozzle unit therefor Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20020042969A1 US20020042969A1 US09/967,960 US96796001A US2002042969A1 US 20020042969 A1 US20020042969 A1 US 20020042969A1 US 96796001 A US96796001 A US 96796001A US 2002042969 A1 US2002042969 A1 US 2002042969A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- vacuum cleaner
- electric vacuum
- pipe
- handle
- nozzle unit
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/02—Nozzles
- A47L9/04—Nozzles with driven brushes or agitators
- A47L9/0405—Driving means for the brushes or agitators
- A47L9/0416—Driving means for the brushes or agitators driven by fluid pressure, e.g. by means of an air turbine
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/02—Nozzles
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/02—Nozzles
- A47L9/04—Nozzles with driven brushes or agitators
- A47L9/0461—Dust-loosening tools, e.g. agitators, brushes
- A47L9/0483—Reciprocating or oscillating tools, e.g. vibrators, agitators, beaters
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/24—Hoses or pipes; Hose or pipe couplings
- A47L9/242—Hose or pipe couplings
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/24—Hoses or pipes; Hose or pipe couplings
- A47L9/242—Hose or pipe couplings
- A47L9/244—Hose or pipe couplings for telescopic or extensible hoses or pipes
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/32—Handles
- A47L9/327—Handles for suction cleaners with hose between nozzle and casing
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an electric vacuum cleaner and to a nozzle unit for an electric vacuum cleaner.
- a conventional electric vacuum cleaner has a structure as shown in FIG. 48.
- a nozzle unit 8 having a nozzle (not shown) formed in its bottom surface is coupled to an extension pipe 6 .
- the extension pipe 6 is coupled through a coupling member 2 to a flexible hose 3 .
- the hose is coupled to the body 9 of the electric vacuum cleaner. The flow of air sucked in through the nozzle flows through the extension pipe 6 , the coupling member 2 , and the hose 3 , and then reaches the body 9 of the electric vacuum cleaner, thereby achieving suction of dust.
- the coupling member 2 has a handle 1 formed integrally therewith, which is held by the user during cleaning.
- the coupling member 2 also has an operation switch 10 , which is used during cleaning to control a rotary brush (not shown) provided in the nozzle unit 8 and to control the body 9 of the electric vacuum cleaner.
- the nozzle unit 8 is shown in more detail in FIG. 49.
- the nozzle unit 8 has a body case 32 , of which a coupling portion 32 a supports a first pipe 35 in such a way that the first pipe 35 is rotatable in the direction indicated by the arrow J 1 .
- the first pipe 35 supports a second pipe 36 in such a way that the second pipe 36 is rotatable in the direction indicated by the arrow J 2 .
- the above-mentioned extension pipe 6 is coupled to this second pipe 36 .
- the first pipe 35 allows the elevation (depression) angle of the extension pipe 6 to vary when the nozzle unit 8 is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow G.
- the first pipe 35 is rotated in the direction J 1 so that the extension pipe 6 becomes substantially upright, and then the second pipe 36 is rotated in the direction J 2 .
- the second pipe 36 allows the elevation (depression) angle of the extension pipe 6 to vary when the nozzle unit 8 is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow H.
- casters 39 are provided that roll on the floor so as to allow the nozzle unit 8 to move.
- the air sucked in in the direction indicated by the arrow F 1 through the nozzle (not shown) formed in the bottom surface of the body case 32 flows in the direction indicated by the arrow F 2 toward the coupling portion 32 a.
- the air then flows through the first and second pipes 35 and 36 as indicated by the arrows F 3 , F 4 , and F 5 , then flows through the extension pipe 6 , and then reaches the electric vacuum cleaner body 9 .
- the handle 1 is fixed to the coupling member 2 so as to be integral therewith. Therefore, in cleaning of an area such as a gap below a bed, the user needs to take a low position to hold the handle 1 while moving the nozzle unit 8 . This imposes an undue burden on the user, and is thus undesirable in terms of user-friendliness.
- an auxiliary nozzle such as a crevice nozzle having a flat tip or a dusting brush having a brush at its tip.
- the extension pipe 6 needs to be removed from the coupling member 2 .
- an auxiliary nozzle (not shown) stored inside the electric vacuum cleaner body 9 needs to be taken out and coupled to the coupling member 2 so as to be ready for use. This requires complicated handling, and is thus undesirable in terms of user-friendliness. There is also a possibility of loss of an auxiliary nozzle.
- auxiliary nozzle Handling of an auxiliary nozzle can be simplified if the auxiliary nozzle is removably held on the extension pipe 6 .
- this requires the auxiliary nozzle to be kept visible with dust and the like clung to the tip thereof, and thus spoils the appearance.
- the coupling portion 32 a and the first and second pipes 35 and 36 protrude in the direction (indicated by G) of the depth of the nozzle unit 8 .
- a depth means the length of the shorter sides of something perpendicular as seen in a plan view.
- the nozzle unit 8 has an unduly large depth W 1 relative to the depth W 2 of the nozzle 32 b (see FIG. 51). This makes cleaning of a gap difficult, and also, by requiring the nozzle unit 8 to be made larger and thus heavier, imposes an undue burden on the user.
- the air passage is bent in the first pipe 35 and also in the second pipe 36 , and thus the suction pressure suffers a great loss. This reduces suction efficiency and increases noise. Furthermore, the range of rotation of the first pipe 35 in the direction J 1 is so narrow that the elevation (depression) angle of the extension pipe 6 can be varied only between approximately 30 and 70°. This makes it difficult to move the nozzle unit 8 so as to reach sufficiently deep into an area such as below a bed where there is only a small gap above the floor, and is thus undesirable in terms of user-friendliness.
- an electric vacuum cleaner is provided with:
- a handle provided at an end of the extension pipe so as to be held by a user during cleaning, the handle being so formed that the angle of at least a portion thereof is variable relative to the extension pipe.
- a nozzle unit for an electric vacuum cleaner is provided with:
- a body case having a nozzle open toward a surface to be cleaned having a substantially rectangular shape as seen in a plan view:
- a first pipe that has a first air flow passage for allowing passage of a flow of air sucked in through the nozzle and that is coupled to the body case so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis parallel to the direction of the longer sides of the nozzle, the first pipe having a sliding portion that slides along the body case as the first pipe rotates, the sliding portion arranged inside the body case as seen in a plan view;
- a second pipe rotatably coupled to the first pipe, the second pipe having a second air flow passage that communicates with the first air passage.
- the sliding portion of the first pipe is arranged inside the substantially rectangular body case as seen in a plan view so as to be slidable along the body case, and thus the first pipe can be inclined in the direction of the depth (i.e. in the direction of the shorter sides) of the nozzle unit.
- the air sucked in through the nozzle achieves dust suction by flowing through the first air flow passage inside the first pipe and then through the second air flow passage inside the second pipe, of which the latter can be inclined in the direction of the longer sides of the body case.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the handle of the electric vacuum cleaner of a first embodiment of the invention
- FIG. 2 is a sectional view, as seen from the side, of the handle of the electric vacuum cleaner of the first embodiment
- FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the state of the handle of the electric vacuum cleaner of the first embodiment when it is in the reversed position;
- FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the state of the handle of the electric vacuum cleaner of the first embodiment when it is in the upright position
- FIG. 5 is a side view of the handle of the electric vacuum cleaner of the first embodiment, illustrating its lock mechanism
- FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the state of the handle of the electric vacuum cleaner of the first embodiment when the lock mechanism is unlocked;
- FIGS. 7A and 7B are side views of the handle of the electric vacuum cleaner of a second embodiment
- FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8 C are sectional views, as seen from the side, of the handle of the electric vacuum cleaner of a third embodiment
- FIGS. 9A and 9B are sectional views, as seen from the side, of the handle of the electric vacuum cleaner of a fourth embodiment
- FIG. 10 is a side view of the handle of the electric vacuum cleaner of a fifth embodiment
- FIG. 11 is a side view of the handle of the electric vacuum cleaner of a sixth embodiment
- FIGS. 12A and 12B are sectional views, as seen from the side, of the handle of the electric vacuum cleaner of a seventh embodiment
- FIG. 13 is a schematic overall view of the electric vacuum cleaner of an eighth embodiment
- FIG. 14 is a schematic perspective view of the nozzle unit of the electric vacuum cleaner of the eighth embodiment.
- FIG. 15 is a bottom view of the nozzle unit of the electric vacuum cleaner of the eighth embodiment.
- FIG. 16 is a sectional view, as seen from the front, of the nozzle unit of the electric vacuum cleaner of the eighth embodiment
- FIG. 17 is a schematic perspective view showing the state of the nozzle unit of the electric vacuum cleaner of the eighth embodiment when it is ready for cleaning in another direction;
- FIG. 18 is a side view of the nozzle unit of the electric vacuum cleaner of the eighth embodiment.
- FIG. 19 is a top view of the nozzle unit of the electric vacuum cleaner of the eighth embodiment.
- FIG. 20 is a sectional view, as seen from the side, of the nozzle unit of the electric vacuum cleaner of the eighth embodiment
- FIG. 21 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of the structure of the rotation mechanism of the nozzle unit of the electric vacuum cleaner of the eighth embodiment
- FIG. 22 is a sectional view, as seen from the side, of the nozzle unit of the electric vacuum cleaner of the eighth embodiment, showing a state of rotation of the first pipe;
- FIG. 23 is a sectional view, as seen from the side, of the nozzle unit of the electric vacuum cleaner of the eighth embodiment, showing another state of rotation of the first pipe;
- FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective view showing another example of the structure of the rotation mechanism of the nozzle unit of the electric vacuum cleaner of the eighth embodiment
- FIG. 25 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of the structure of a caster portion of the nozzle unit of the electric vacuum cleaner of the eighth embodiment
- FIG. 26 is an exploded perspective view showing another example of the structure of a caster portion of the nozzle unit of the electric vacuum cleaner of the eighth embodiment
- FIG. 27 is a schematic view showing the state of the electric vacuum cleaner of the eighth embodiment when the nozzle unit is in the longitudinal position;
- FIG. 28 is a schematic view showing the state of the electric vacuum cleaner of the eighth embodiment when the nozzle unit is in the longitudinal position and the extension pipe is rotated;
- FIG. 29 is a sectional view of the coupling portion of the electric vacuum cleaner of the eighth embodiment.
- FIG. 30 is a partial sectional view of the coupling portion of the electric vacuum cleaner of the eighth embodiment.
- FIG. 31 is a sectional view showing the state of the coupling portion of the electric vacuum cleaner of the eighth embodiment when the second projection is disengaged;
- FIG. 32 is a sectional view, as seen from the front, of the locking groove of the extension pipe of the electric vacuum cleaner of the eighth embodiment
- FIG. 33 is an enlarged partial view of FIG. 32;
- FIG. 34 is a sectional view, as seen from the front of the coupling groove of the extension pipe of the electric vacuum cleaner of the eighth embodiment
- FIG. 35 is a sectional view showing the state of the coupling portion of the electric vacuum cleaner of the eighth embodiment when the first projection is disengaged;
- FIG. 36 is a sectional view of another example of the structure of the coupling portion of the electric vacuum cleaner of the eighth embodiment:
- FIG. 37 is a partial sectional view of FIG. 36;
- FIG. 38 is a sectional view showing the state when the extension pipe is removed from the state shown in FIG. 36;
- FIG. 39 is a sectional view, as seen from the side, of the nozzle unit of the electric vacuum cleaner of a ninth embodiment
- FIG. 40 is a front view showing the state of the nozzle unit of the electric vacuum cleaner of the ninth embodiment when the second pipe is in the upright position;
- FIG. 41 is a front view showing the state of the nozzle unit of the electric vacuum cleaner of the ninth embodiment when the second pipe is in the fully inclined position;
- FIG. 42 is a detail view of the principal portion of the click mechanism of the nozzle unit of the electric vacuum cleaner of the ninth embodiment
- FIG. 43 is a sectional view, as seen from the front, of the nozzle unit of the electric vacuum cleaner of the ninth embodiment
- FIG. 44 is a sectional view, as seen from the side, of the nozzle unit of the electric vacuum cleaner of a tenth embodiment
- FIG. 45 is a bottom view of the nozzle unit of the electric vacuum cleaner of the tenth embodiment
- FIG. 46 is an exploded perspective view of the flexible member of the nozzle unit of the electric vacuum cleaner of the tenth embodiment
- FIG. 47 is a detail view of the principal portion of the front portion of the nozzle unit of the electric vacuum cleaner of the tenth embodiment
- FIG. 48 is a perspective view of a conventional electric vacuum cleaner
- FIG. 49 is a schematic perspective view of the nozzle unit of a conventional electric vacuum cleaner
- FIG. 50 is a schematic top view showing the state of the nozzle unit of a conventional electric vacuum cleaner when it is in the lateral position.
- FIG. 51 is a schematic top view showing the state of the nozzle unit of a conventional electric vacuum cleaner when it is in the longitudinal position.
- FIGS. 1 and 2 are a perspective view and a sectional view of the principal portion of the handle of the electric vacuum cleaner of a first embodiment of the invention.
- the electric vacuum cleaner as a whole has the same structure as the conventional example shown in FIG. 48.
- a coupling member 2 an extension pipe connection aperture 2 a is provided into which an extension pipe 6 is inserted.
- the extension pipe connection aperture 2 a communicates with a hose 3 that is inserted through an opening 2 d.
- a handle 1 is fitted through a mount 1 b (having a U-like shape as seen in a plan view) in such a way that the mount 1 b sandwiches the coupling member 2 from the two side surfaces thereof.
- the mount 1 b is rotatably supported on the coupling member 2 through a supporting shaft 21 .
- the handle 1 has the shape of a hollow cylinder and is open at its free-end surface 1 a.
- the handle 1 has an inner barrel 18 slidably provided inside it.
- the inner barrel 18 is loaded with a force that tends to move it toward the coupling member 2 by a compression spring 19 .
- the inner barrel 18 reaches into the opening 2 d of the coupling member 2 , and thus a stopper portion 2 e of the coupling member 2 restricts rotation of the handle 1 in the direction indicated by the arrow A.
- a base plate 2 c strikes the mount 1 b and thereby restricts rotation of the handle 1 in the direction indicated by the arrow B. In this way, the handle 1 is locked.
- the state shown in FIG. 2 is the standard position of the handle (hereafter the “standard position”) that allows a standing user to hold the handle 1 and move the nozzle unit 8 (see FIG. 48) back and forth with ease.
- an unlocking button 12 is provided integrally with the inner barrel 18 .
- the unlocking button 12 protrudes through a slot is so as to be movable along it.
- the inner barrel 18 is unlocked from the coupling member 2 , allowing rotation of the handle 1 in the direction indicated by the arrow A.
- Reference numeral 4 represents a lock mechanism for the extension pipe 6 .
- a claw portion 4 a is loaded with a force by a compression spring 4 b, with a supporting portion 4 c used as a fulcrum.
- the lock mechanism 4 engages with a hole (not shown) provided in the extension pipe 6 , and thereby the extension pipe 6 is locked to the coupling member 2 .
- a button portion 4 d is pressed, the claw portion 4 a retracts from the hole, allowing removal of the extension pipe 6 .
- the extension pipe 6 is removed, and then the handle 1 is rotated, along the imaginary line 100 , from the standard position shown in FIG. 2 to the position of the extension pipe connection aperture 2 a.
- the resulting state is shown in FIG. 3.
- the inner barrel 18 reaches into the extension pipe connection aperture 2 a, and the mount 1 b of the handle 1 strikes the base plate 2 c (see FIG. 1), thereby locking the handle 1 .
- the handle 1 communicates with the hose 3 , allowing dust suction from the aperture at the free-end surface 1 a.
- the handle 1 can be used as a crevice nozzle.
- FIG. 4 shows the state of the coupling member 2 when it is put on the floor surface F as when cleaning is suspended for a while.
- the portion 2 d 2 of the opening 2 d into which the handle 1 is inserted (when the handle 1 is in the standard position) is continuous with the portion 2 d 1 of the opening 2 d through which the hose 3 passes. Accordingly, by placing the hose 3 through the portion 2 d 2 for insertion of the handle 1 , it is possible to arrange the extension pipe 6 and the hose 3 substantially in a straight line. This makes it possible to put the coupling member 2 so low as to make contact with the floor surface F, and thereby lower the position of the extension pipe 6 . As a result, it is possible to insert the extension pipe 6 with ease into a narrow area such as a gap under a bed to perform cleaning.
- the handle 1 is in the upright position, and therefore the user can move the nozzle unit 8 (see FIG. 48) with ease, with a reduced stoop and thus with a reduced burden on the user.
- a lock mechanism for locking the handle 1 has, for example, a structure as shown in FIG. 5.
- a lever 20 is coupled to the inner barrel 18 (see FIG. 2) in such a way that a pin 20 a provided integrally with the lever 20 is movably placed in a slot 1 d provided in the handle 1 .
- a locking plate 22 having a plurality of grooves 22 a is provided on an outer wall of the coupling member 2 .
- a tip portion 20 b of the lever 20 engages with one of the grooves 22 a formed in the locking plate 22 , and thereby the handle 1 is locked.
- an unlocking button 12 is moved rightward as seen in FIG. 5, the pin 20 a moves along the slot id together with the inner barrel 18 , and thus the tip portion 20 b is unlocked from the groove 22 a, allowing rotation of the handle 1 .
- FIG. 7A is a side view of the handle of the electric vacuum cleaner of a second embodiment of the invention.
- a brush 13 is provided in the handle 1 shown in FIG. 2.
- the handle 1 has a hole 1 c formed in its mount 1 b, and, into this hole 1 c, a supporting shaft 21 is fitted so that the handle 1 is rotatable about the supporting shaft 21 .
- a brush 13 is formed at the free end of the handle 1 .
- a covering member 14 is provided so as to be slidable relative to the handle 1 .
- the covering member 14 has a lever 15 provided integrally therewith.
- the lever 15 has a flange portion 15 a, which is loaded, by a compression spring 17 , with a force that tends to move it toward the supporting shaft 21 relative to a fixed plate 16 provided on the mount 1 b.
- An end portion 15 b of the lever 15 makes contact with a cam 22 that is provided on the supporting shaft 21 so as to protrude axially.
- FIGS. 8A and 8C are sectional views, as seen from the side, of the principal portion of the handle of the electric vacuum cleaner of a third embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 8B is an enlarged view of the portion indicated by D in FIG. 8A.
- a brush 13 is provided integrally with the inner barrel 18 of the handle 1 shown in FIG. 2. More specifically, the inner barrel 18 has a nozzle 24 formed integrally therewith, and, at the tip end of this nozzle 24 , a brush 13 is provided.
- a covering member 23 is provided slidably between the nozzle 24 and the outer barrel if of the handle 1 .
- the covering member 23 has a stopper 23 a.
- the stopper 23 a slides along a slot 1 g formed in the outer barrel 1 f, and thereby restricts the movement stroke of the covering member 23 .
- the covering member 23 is loaded with a force that tends to move it so as to cover the brush 13 by a compression spring 7 .
- the inner barrel 18 has an air inlet port 18 a that permits the space between the nozzle 24 and the outer barrel if to communicate with the inside of the inner barrel 18 .
- the extension pipe 6 (see FIG. 48) is removed from the coupling member 2 , and instead the handle 1 is rotated to that position.
- the suction force acts on the covering member 23 through the air inlet port 18 a.
- the covering member 23 moves in the direction indicated by the arrow E 1 so as to uncover the brush 13 .
- the compression spring 7 causes the covering member 23 to move in the direction indicated by the arrow E 2 .
- the resulting state, in which the brush 13 is covered by the covering member 23 is shown in FIG. 8C.
- This structure serves the same purpose as that of the second embodiment.
- FIGS. 9A and 9B are sectional views, as seen from the side, of the principal portion of the handle of the electric vacuum cleaner of a fourth embodiment of the invention.
- a coupling member 2 is composed of a fixed portion 30 and a rotatable portion 31 .
- the fixed portion 30 has an extension pipe connection portion 30 a in which an extension pipe connection aperture 2 a is formed.
- the extension pipe connection portion 30 a has a lock mechanism 4 , similar to the one shown in FIG. 2, for locking an extension pipe 6 (see FIG. 48).
- the rotatable portion 31 rotates about a supporting shaft 21 while sliding along a cylindrical surface 30 c of the fixed portion 30 .
- the rotatable portion 31 and the extension pipe connection portion 30 a are coupled together by a hose 25 .
- the rotatable portion 31 has a hose connection aperture 31 a to which the hose 3 is connected.
- a handle 1 is formed integrally with the rotatable portion 31 . The hose 3 and the handle 1 rotate together, and can be locked in a desired position by a lock mechanism (not shown).
- FIG. 10 is a side view of the principal portion of the handle of the electric vacuum cleaner of a fifth embodiment of the invention.
- a handle 1 is formed integrally with a coupling member 2 , and the handle 1 is divided axially into a front portion 1 h and a rear portion 1 k.
- the rear portion 1 k is supported by a supporting member 27 so as to be rotatable relative to the front portion 1 h, and the rear portion 1 k is lockable at a desired angle. This makes it possible to change easily the angle of the handle 1 and thereby achieve the same purpose as achieved in the fourth embodiment.
- FIGS. 11A and 11B are side views of the principal portion of the handle of the electric vacuum cleaner of a sixth embodiment of the invention.
- a handle 1 is formed integrally with a coupling member 2 , and the handle 1 is divided axially into a front portion 1 h and a rear portion 1 k, with an inclined interface 1 m between them.
- the rear portion 1 k is supported by a supporting member 28 so as to be rotatable about an axis in perpendicular to the inclined interface 1 m.
- the rear portion 1 k can be rotated and locked, for example, with the handle 1 in a bent state, as shown in FIG. 11B. This makes it possible to change easily the angle of the handle 1 and thereby achieve the same purpose as achieved in the fourth embodiment.
- FIG. 12 is a sectional view, as seen from the side, of the handle of the electric vacuum cleaner of a seventh embodiment of the invention.
- a nozzle 24 slidable in the direction indicated by the arrow E is provided inside the handle 1 of the electric vacuum cleaner of the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 9, a nozzle 24 slidable in the direction indicated by the arrow E is provided.
- a brush 13 is formed at the tip end of the nozzle 24 .
- the nozzle 24 has an opening 1 p formed so as to open to a hose connection portion 31 a. Accordingly, the air sucked in through an extension pipe connection aperture 2 a flows through this opening 1 p to the hose 3 .
- This structure makes it possible to use the handle 1 as a dusting brush as in the second embodiment, and thereby eliminates the need to take a dusting brush out of the body 9 of the electric vacuum cleaner (see FIG. 48) and fit it into the extension pipe connection aperture 2 a. This enhances user-friendliness, and also helps prevent loss of a dusting brush. Moreover, since the brush 13 , with dust and the like clung thereto, is kept covered when not in use, it does not spoil the appearance.
- FIG. 13 is an external view of the electric vacuum cleaner of an eighth embodiment of the invention.
- a nozzle unit 8 having a nozzle (not shown)
- a first pipe 35 is supported so as to be rotatable in the direction indicated by the arrow J 1 .
- a second pipe 36 is supported so as to be rotatable in the direction indicated by the arrow J 2 .
- an extension pipe 6 is connected to the second pipe 36 .
- the extension pipe 6 is divided into a front portion 6 a and a rear portion 6 b.
- a hose 3 is connected to a body 9 of the electric vacuum cleaner.
- a coupling member 2 is coupled that has a handle 1 to be held by the user and an operation switch 10 to be operated to control the operation of the electric vacuum cleaner.
- the coupling member 2 is coupled to the extension pipe 6 , and thus dust suction from the nozzle is achieved.
- FIGS. 14 and 15 are a perspective view and a bottom view showing the detail of the nozzle unit 8 .
- the nozzle unit 8 has a body case 32 , which is composed of a lower case 34 having a nozzle 34 a formed in its bottom surface, an upper case 33 to which the first pipe 35 is coupled, and a bumper 38 fitted between the upper and lower cases 33 and 34 .
- the bumper 38 protects the nozzle unit 8 from scratches and cracks that may result from its collision with a wall or a piece of furniture.
- FIG. 16 which is a sectional view as seen from the front, inside the nozzle unit 8 , a rotary brush 40 is provided.
- an air inlet 33 d (see FIG. 14) is provided to allow air to be sucked in to make the rotary brush 40 rotate.
- the first pipe 35 has a sliding portion 35 a having an arc-shaped cross section that slides along the inner surface of a guide portion 33 a having an arc-shaped cross section provided in the upper case 33 .
- the second pipe 36 has a sliding portion 36 a that slides along the inner surface of a supporting portion 35 b provided in the first pipe 35 .
- the second pipe 36 is so supported as to be rotatable in the direction indicated by the arrow J 2 .
- the air sucked in through the nozzle 34 a and flowing in the direction indicated by the arrow K 1 then flows in the direction indicated by the arrow K 2 toward the first pipe 35 .
- the air then flows through the first and second pipes 35 and 36 as indicated by the arrows K 3 and K 4 , then flows through the extension pipe 6 , and then reaches the body 9 of the electric vacuum cleaner.
- the first and second pipes 35 and 36 are coupled together in such a way that the air flow passages (K 3 and K 4 ) through the first and second pipes 35 and 36 are arranged in a straight line when the nozzle unit 8 is used in the lateral position.
- the rotation axis 36 c of the second pipe 36 is kept perpendicular to the air flow passage (K 3 ) through the first pipe 35 .
- FIG. 19 is a top view of the nozzle unit 8 with the upper cover 33 removed.
- the sliding portion 35 a of the first pipe 35 is arranged inside the body case 32 , which is substantially rectangular, as seen from above.
- the first pipe 35 has a rotation axis 35 c substantially at the center of the depth W 3 (i.e. the shorter sides) of the body case 32 . Accordingly, there is no need to provide a protruding coupling portion 32 a (see FIG. 49) as is provided in the conventional example, and thus it is possible to reduce the depth W 3 of the nozzle unit 8 and thereby make the nozzle unit 8 compact and light-weight.
- the nozzle unit 8 is used in the longitudinal position, there exists no obstacle like the coupling portion 32 a, and thus it is possible to achieve enhanced user-friendliness.
- the rotation axis 36 c (see FIG. 17) of the second pipe 36 lies substantially at the center of the nozzle unit 8 in the direction of the longer sides thereof. This ensures that, when the nozzle unit 8 is used in the longitudinal position, the applied force is borne substantially at the center of the body case 32 . As a result, a proper balance is obtained when the nozzle unit 8 is moved back and force in the direction H (see FIG. 17). This helps reduce staggering motion of the nozzle unit 8 and thereby enhance user-friendliness.
- the first and second pipes 35 ′ and 36 ′ are arranged within the body case 32 in the direction of its depth. This makes it possible to perform cleaning of an area as narrow as the width W 3 of the body case 32 .
- the first pipe 35 is substantially parallel to the floor surface. This makes it possible to insert the nozzle unit 8 with ease deep into a narrow area such as a gap below a bed, and thus leads to enhanced user-friendliness.
- the first pipe 35 is rotatable from a position substantially parallel to the floor surface to a position substantially perpendicular thereto. This is achieved by a rotation mechanism having a structure as shown in FIG. 20, which is a sectional view thereof as seen from the side.
- the sliding portion 35 a of the first pipe 35 slides along the inner surface of the guide portion 33 a of the upper case 33 .
- the opening 33 b of the upper case 33 needs to be considerably large.
- the lengths L 1 and L 2 of the front and rear portions of the sliding portion 35 a have limits because of the first pipe 35 colliding with the upper and lower cases 33 and 34 . Accordingly, between the opening 33 b and the sliding portion 35 a, an opening, for example as indicated by M, is formed in an upper portion of the body case 32 . When the first pipe 35 is in the vertical position, a similar opening is formed in a rear portion (i.e. on the right in FIG. 20) of the body case 32 .
- the fixed member 42 has an arc-shaped cross section.
- a fitting portion 42 a ′ formed at one end of the fixed member 42 engages with an engagement portion 34 d (see FIG. 20) of the lower case 34 , and a fitting portion 42 a formed at the other end thereof is fitted into projections 34 c provided on the lower case 34 in such a way as to pull the fixed member 42 , which has resilience like a plate spring.
- the engagement member 41 has an arc-shaped cross section, and is so arranged as to slide along the inner surface of the sliding portion 35 a of the first pipe 35 and along the outer surface of the fixed member 42 .
- the engagement member 41 and the fixed member 42 have cylindrical surfaces 41 e and 42 e and openings 41 c and 42 c. Through these openings 41 c and 42 c, the flow of the sucked air flows to the inside of the first pipe 35 .
- the fixed member 42 has flanges 42 f formed at both sides thereof. These flanges 42 f make contact with the inner surface of the guide portion 33 a. This helps shut off the flow of air that flows from the sides of the engagement member 41 along the outer surface of the engagement member 41 to the opening 33 b as indicated by the arrows P 1 and P 2 , and thereby prevent leakage of the sucked air.
- engagement claws 41 b and 41 d (see FIG. 20) provided on the engagement member 41 engage with engagement claws 35 f and 35 g provided on the sliding portion 35 a. This allows rotation of the engagement member 41 .
- engagement claws 41 f and 41 g provided on the inner surface of the engagement member 41 engage with engagement claws 42 b and 42 d (see FIG. 20) provided on the fixed member 42 . This restricts rotation of the engagement member 41 .
- the air flow passage in the air inflow portion 35 h gradually widens.
- the inclination of the first pipe 35 becomes equal to about 45°
- the engagement claw 35 g provided on the sliding portion 35 a engages with the engagement claw 41 d provided on the engagement member 41 .
- the air flow passage in the air inflow portion 35 h has the maximum cross-sectional area.
- the structure as described above makes it possible to rotate the first pipe 35 from a position substantially parallel to the floor surface to a position substantially perpendicular thereto.
- the nozzle unit 8 is used in the lateral position, which is more frequently the case than otherwise, and in addition when the inclination of the first pipe 35 is in the range from about 45° to 60°, which is more frequently the case than otherwise, by rotating the first pipe 35 once to the position substantially parallel to the floor surface and then backward, it is possible to maximize the cross-sectional area of the air flow passage in the air inflow portion 35 h.
- the air flow passage in the air inflow portion 35 h has the maximum cross-sectional area, and thus it is possible to achieve high suction efficiency.
- the air flow passage in the air inflow portion 35 h it is also possible to provide another engagement member between the engagement member 41 and the fixed member 42 .
- a shield portion 41 a is provided that makes contact with the inner surface of the upper case 33 . If dust or the like, entering through the opening 33 b of the upper case 33 , collects in the lower front portion (indicated by N) of the fixed member 42 , it is difficult to remove it.
- the shield portion 41 a serves to shield this gap between the fixed member 42 and the upper case 33 . As a result, even if dust or the like enters through the opening 33 b, it collects on the shield portion 41 a, which is closer to the opening 33 b, and thus it is easy to remove it.
- FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective view of another example of the structure of the engagement member 41 .
- the engagement member 41 is extended in the direction of its longer sides, and has slots 41 f provided in the cylindrical surfaces 41 e ′ constituting the extended portion thereof.
- the flow of air sucked through the air inlet 33 d (see FIG. 14) of the upper case 33 into the nozzle unit 8 flows through the slots 41 f and blows on the blades 50 (see FIG. 20) of the rotary brush 40 , thereby rotating the rotary brush 40 .
- This causes rotating brushes 47 to rotate and thereby rake up dust from the floor surface.
- the dust together with the flow of the sucked air, flows toward the first pipe 35 as indicated by the arrow K 2 in FIG. 16.
- the positions of the slots 41 f vary according to the rotation direction of the first pipe 35 as the first pipe 35 rotates, but the slots 41 f remain substantially in the same positions relative to the first pipe 35 . Thus, it is possible to keep at all times the slots 41 f in such positions relative to the first pipe 35 that the sucked air efficiently blows on the blades 50 .
- FIG. 25 is an exploded perspective view of the portion around a caster 39 of the nozzle unit 8 of the embodiment under discussion.
- a caster 39 is supported by a caster mount 46 , which has a pair of supporting ribs 46 c each having a horizontally long slot 46 e.
- a caster shaft 39 a fixed to the caster 39 is loosely fitted.
- the caster shaft 39 a may be formed integrally with the caster 39 to reduce the number of components.
- the caster mount 46 has a pivot 46 a having resilience radially.
- a recessed portion 34 e is provided that has a pivot socket 45 formed integrally.
- the pivot 46 a is fitted into the pivot socket 45 .
- the pivot 46 a of the caster mount 46 has a stopper 46 b formed at the end. This stopper 46 b engages with an end surface 45 a of the pivot socket 45 so as to prevent the caster 39 from dropping out.
- the recessed portion 34 e is so formed as to have an opening in the circumferential surface 34 f of the lower case 34 . This helps prevent dust or the like from collecting in the recessed portion 34 e.
- the caster 39 and the caster mount 46 are so formed as not to protrude from the circumferential surface 34 f. This helps prevent damage to the caster 39 or scratches on a wall or a piece of furniture resulting from collision between them during cleaning.
- reinforcing ribs 46 d are provided so as to bridge between the pair of supporting ribs 46 c in order to reinforce the supporting ribs 46 c and thereby obtain higher reliability in the function of the caster.
- the caster 39 is fitted so as to be freely rotatable about the pivot 46 a. This ensures smooth change of the movement direction of the nozzle unit 8 between directions G and H (see FIG. 14). Moreover, the caster 39 does not slide but rolls, and thereby prevents scratches on the flooring or the like. Moreover, since the caster shaft 39 a is supported by the slots 46 e, the caster 39 can move translationally. This makes the caster 39 more susceptible to the moment that tends to change the movement direction and thereby ensures smoother change of the movement direction.
- the caster 39 it is preferable to form the caster 39 so as to have a smaller diameter in the edge portions 39 b ′′ of its circumferential surface than in the central portion 39 b ′ thereof, because this makes it possible to keep the caster 39 substantially in point contact with the floor surface and thereby make it even more susceptible to the moment that tends to change the movement direction.
- FIG. 26 is an exploded perspective view showing another example of the structure of the portion around a caster 39 .
- a plurality of balls 49 are arranged by being positioned by a ring 48 .
- the balls 49 are held between the bearing surface 46 f and a bearing surface (not shown) provided on the bottom surface of a fixed base 50 .
- the caster mount 46 is fixed to a recessed portion 34 e (see FIG. 25) by a pin 47 .
- This structure serves the same purpose as the previously described structure does.
- a coupling groove (a first groove) 55 is provided circumferentially.
- a plurality of locking grooves (second grooves) 56 are provided around the same circumference.
- a lock mechanism 60 for coupling the extension pipe 6 is provided on the coupling member 2 .
- the lock mechanism 60 is supported so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis 60 a.
- the lock mechanism 60 has, at one end thereof, a button 53 (a disengaging member) that protrudes through a hole 2 c provided in the coupling member 2 .
- the lock mechanism 60 has, at the other end thereof, a first and a second projection (a first and a second engagement member) 57 and 58 that can engage with the first and second grooves 55 and 56 , respectively.
- the button 53 is loaded with a force that tends to move it upward as seen in the figures by a compression spring 54 . Accordingly, the first and second projections 57 and 58 are pressed against the extension pipe 6 . With the button 53 pressed with a finger, the extension pipe 6 is inserted into the coupling member 2 . By releasing the finger from the button 53 , since the first projection 57 has a smaller rotation radius than the second projection 58 with respect to the rotation axis 60 a as shown in FIG. 31, it is possible to engage the first projection 57 with the coupling groove 55 without engaging the second projection 58 with the locking grooves 56 . In this way, the coupling member 2 and the extension pipe 6 are rotatably coupled together.
- Removal of the extension pipe 6 from the coupling member 2 is achieved in the following manner.
- the button 53 a disengaging member
- the second projection 58 is disengaged from the locking groove 56 .
- the first projection 57 is disengaged from the coupling groove 55 . In this state, by pulling out the extension pipe 6 , it is removed from the coupling member 2 .
- the locking grooves 56 are arranged at three locations, i.e. at the location indicated by solid lines where the button 53 of the lock mechanism 60 points upward (hereafter referred to as the “normal position”) and at the locations indicated by dash-and-dot lines 90° apart rightward and leftward from the normal position (hereafter referred to as the “90° positions”).
- the coupling member 2 When the nozzle unit 8 is used in the lateral position (see FIG. 13), the coupling member 2 is in the normal position. When the nozzle unit 8 is used in the longitudinal position (see FIG. 28), the coupling member 2 is in one of the 90° positions. Thus, in either case, the handle 1 , the operation switch 10 , and the button 53 can be made to point upward.
- the locking grooves 56 may be arranged at other locations than described above.
- FIG. 34 which is a detail view of the portion R shown in FIG. 33
- the locking grooves 56 have, as their circumferential wall surfaces, inclined surfaces 56 a.
- the second projection 58 runs on to the inclined surface 56 a against the load with which it is loaded by the compression spring 54 , allowing switching between the normal and 90° positions. This makes switching of the rotation position easy.
- the locking grooves 56 at the 90° positions have, as their wall surface 56 b farther from the normal position, non-inclined surfaces, so that these surfaces serve as stoppers that restrict the rotation range by being struck by the second projection 58 and thereby prevent the coupling member 2 from being rotated out of the rotation range. This makes switching to the 90 positions easier and thereby enhances user-friendliness.
- FIG. 35 is a sectional view of the portion of the extension pipe 6 at which the coupling groove 55 is formed.
- grooves 55 c deeper than the coupling groove 55 are provided.
- inclined surfaces 55 a and stopper surfaces 55 b are provided to allow easy switching of the rotation position.
- FIGS. 36 and 37 are a sectional view and a partial sectional view, respectively, of another example of the structure of the lock mechanism 60 for locking together the coupling member 2 and the extension pipe 6 .
- This lock mechanism 60 is different from the lock mechanism 60 shown in FIG. 29 in that the second projection 58 is composed of a ball 58 ′ loaded with a force by a compression spring 52 and is provided separately from the first projection 57 .
- the locking groove 56 has an inclined surface 56 c as its wall surface closer to the coupling member 2 , i.e. the wall surface that lies in the direction in which the extension pipe 6 is pulled out (along the rotation axis).
- An inclined surface is preferable here because it ensures smooth movement of the ball 58 ′ and thus easy removal of the extension pipe 6 .
- Coupling between the coupling member 2 and the extension pipe 6 does not necessarily have to be achieved by engaging a groove (the coupling groove 55 and the locking grooves 56 ) provided in the outer surface of the extension pipe 6 with an engagement member (the first and second projections 57 and 58 and the ball 58 ′) provided on the coupling member 2 , but may be achieved in any other manner.
- a groove in the coupling member 2 and provide an engagement member on the extension pipe 6 or it is possible to provide a groove in the inner surface of the extension pipe 6 .
- FIG. 39 is a sectional view, as seen from the side, of the nozzle unit 8 of the electric vacuum cleaner of a ninth embodiment of the invention.
- the nozzle unit 8 of this embodiment is intended to replace that of the eighth embodiment shown in FIG. 14, and therefore such components as are found also in the eighth embodiment are identified with the same reference numeral.
- the electric vacuum cleaner as a whole has the same structure as shown in FIG. 13.
- the nozzle unit 8 has a body case 32 , which is composed of a lower case 34 having a nozzle (not shown) formed in its bottom surface, an upper case 33 to which a first pipe 35 is coupled, and a bumper 38 fitted between the upper and lower cases 33 and 34 .
- a second pipe 36 is coupled to the first pipe 35 .
- an extension pipe 6 (see FIG. 13) is coupled, which is comparatively long.
- the first pipe 35 has a sliding portion 35 a having an arc-shaped cross section that slides along the inner surface of a guide portion 33 a having an arc-shaped cross section of the upper case 33 .
- the first pipe 35 is so supported as to be rotatable in the direction indicated by the arrow J 1 within an opening 33 b.
- a bottom surface of the first pipe 35 is fitted to the second pipe 36 with a screw 63 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis 36 c, and is covered by a cover 64 .
- a top surface of the first pipe 35 is fitted to a pipe cover 62 with a screw 65 so as to be rotatable about the rotation axis 36 c.
- the pipe cover 62 is fixed to the second pipe 36 with screws 66 .
- the elevation (depression) angle of the extension pipe 6 can be changed by means of the first pipe 35 .
- the elevation (depression) angle of the extension pipe 6 can be changed by means of the second pipe 36 .
- FIG. 40 shows how the first and second pipes 35 and 36 are coupled together.
- the first pipe 35 has an opening 35 d formed so as to extend through a range of angles ⁇ 3 .
- the flow of the sucked air flows through this opening 35 d to the second pipe 36 .
- An end surface 35 e of the opening 35 d is hit by a stopper portion 36 b of the second pipe 36 , and thereby the rotation range ⁇ 2 of the second pipe 36 in the direction J 2 is restricted.
- the second pipe is positioned substantially at the center of its rotation range ⁇ 2 .
- shutters 67 a and 67 b are provided on the inner surface of the first pipe 35 .
- the shutters 67 a and 67 b are loaded with forces that tend to move them clockwise and counter-clockwise, respectively, by a force-loading spring 69 , and are so arranged as to be slidable along the inner surface of the first pipe 35 .
- the click mechanism has a steel ball 68 and a locking plate 61 provided between the pipe cover 62 and the first pipe 35 .
- FIG. 42 shows the detail of the click mechanism.
- the first pipe 35 has a boss 35 f, into which a compression spring 70 is fitted.
- a locking plate 61 having a hole 61 a is fixed.
- a steel ball 68 is arranged between the locking plate 61 and the compression spring 70 . Engaging the steel ball 68 with the hole 61 a produces a click.
- a predetermined rotation force is required to rotate the second pipe 36 , which is integral with the pipe cover 62 . This prevents free rotation of the second pipe 36 and thereby prevents degradation of cleaning efficiency due to staggering motion of the body case 32 .
- a felt ring 71 is fitted to the boss 35 f to prevent entry of dust and thereby prevent variation over time of the clicking force produced by the steel ball 68 .
- a rotary brush 40 has, on its shaft portion 49 , blades 50 made of a flexible material such as rubber and brushes 47 .
- the blades 50 each have a plurality of through holes 50 a formed so as to extend in the direction of a radius of the rotary brush 40 and arranged in a line extending in the direction of the length of the rotary brush 40 .
- the air sucked through the air inlet 33 d provided in the upper case 33 into the body case 32 flows into the shaft portion 49 from the side of the rotary brush 40 . The air then flows through the shaft portion 49 and then blows out through the through holes 50 a.
- the rotary brush 40 is fixed inside the body case 32 in such a way as to be loaded, at one end, with a force by a compression spring 78 through an attachment/detachment button 75 .
- the attachment/detachment button 75 is, at its shaft portion 75 b, pivoted on the body case 32 so as to be rotatable in the direction indicated by the arrow V 1 , with a certain amount of play 77 secured so as to permit the shaft portion 75 b to move upward as seen in the figure within the body case 32 .
- the lower case 34 has a projecting rib 34 e.
- the projecting rib 34 e restricts rotation of the attachment/detachment button 75 and thereby prevents the rotary brush 40 from dropping out.
- a button portion 75 a of the attachment/detachment button 75 is pulled up in the direction indicated by the arrow V 2 , the shaft portion 75 b moves as much as the play 77 permits.
- the attachment/detachment button 75 can be rotated without interference with the projecting rib 34 e. This allows attachment and detachment of the rotary brush 40 .
- FIGS. 44 and 45 are a sectional view, as seen from the side, and a bottom view, respectively, of the nozzle unit of the electric vacuum cleaner of a tenth embodiment of the invention.
- the electric vacuum cleaner as a whole has the same structure as the conventional example.
- the nozzle unit 8 has an outer casing composed of an upper case 33 and a lower case 34 .
- an extension pipe 6 (see FIG. 48) is connected to a body 9 of the electric vacuum cleaner.
- a second pipe 36 is connected to the extension pipe 6 .
- a first pipe 35 is coupled.
- the first pipe 35 is held between the upper and lower cases 33 and 34 .
- the elevation (depression) angle of the extension pipe 6 can be adjusted by means of the first pipe 35 .
- a nozzle 34 a is formed so as to open toward the floor surface.
- the dust sucked in through the nozzle 34 a flows, together with the flow of the sucked air, through the air flow passage 89 in the direction indicated by the arrow K 3 to the body 9 of the electric vacuum cleaner, and thereby dust collection is achieved.
- casters 37 and 39 In front of and behind the nozzle 34 a are provided casters 37 and 39 that rotate while keeping the distance between the nozzle 34 a and the floor surface constant, allowing movement of the nozzle unit 8 .
- a bumper 38 which serves as a shock absorber when the nozzle unit 8 collides with a wall or the like.
- a brush member 51 for raking up dust clung to a carpet or the like.
- a flexible member 52 In front of the nozzle 34 a is provided a flexible member 52 .
- aid pieces 81 are fitted so as to make contact with the floor surface.
- FIG. 46 is an exploded perspective view showing the detail of the flexible member 52 .
- a sealing piece 52 b is provided so as to project therefrom.
- insertion shafts 52 e are formed, which are fitted into insertion holes 81 a of the aid pieces 81 .
- On the sealing piece 52 b are provided a plurality of conical projections 52 g.
- the projections 52 g are arranged in two rows X 1 and X 2 along the length of the sealing piece 52 b.
- engagement pieces 52 f are provided on the insertion shafts 52 e, and engagement grooves 81 b into which the engagement pieces 52 f are fitted are provided in the insertion holes 81 a of the aid pieces 81 .
- the aid pieces 81 each have three fin-like portions 81 c, 81 d, and 81 e formed so as to extend radially around the insertion holes 81 a.
- the fin-like portions 81 c, 81 d, and 81 e are made so long as to make contact with the floor surface.
- the supporting shaft 52 a, the sealing piece 52 b, and the projections 52 g are formed integrally by molding out of a hard resin material such as ABS resin, polypropylene, or polyethylene.
- the aid pieces 81 are formed out of a soft material such as hard rubber.
- FIG. 47 is a detail sectional view showing the principal portion of the front portion of the nozzle unit 8 , with the above-described flexible member 52 attached.
- the supporting shaft 52 a is held by a groove 84 formed by a curved-surface plate 82 having a substantially J-like shape provided on the lower case 34 and a curved-surface portion 83 b of a detachable engagement claw 83 .
- the supporting shaft 52 a of the flexible member 52 is fitted into this groove 84 and is held by the engagement claw 83 so as not to drop off.
- the sealing piece 52 b strikes a front stopper portion 83 a provided in the engagement claw 83 and a rear stopper portion 82 a provided in the curved-surface plate 82 , and thereby the rotation range a of the flexible member 52 is restricted.
- the sealing piece 52 b When the nozzle unit 8 is moved backward, by the friction force between the fin-like portions 81 e and 81 d, which are in contact with the floor surface, and the floor surface, the sealing piece 52 b is rotated forward so as to strike the front stopper portion 83 a. At this time, the fin-like portion 81 c makes contact with the floor surface. Thus, the sealing piece 52 b ensures that no opening is left in front of the nozzle 34 a, and thereby increases the degree of vacuum at the nozzle 34 a and thus the suction power.
- the casters 37 and 39 sink into the carpet or the like.
- the projections 52 g of the sealing piece 52 b rake up fluffy dust, hair, and the like clung to the carpet or the like so as to allow such dust to be sucked through the nozzle 34 a.
- the projections 52 g are conical, the fluffy dust, hair, and the like raked up can be removed therefrom with ease by the suction force. This helps prevent clinging of raked-up dust.
- arranging the projections in a plurality of rows X 1 and X 2 makes it possible to efficiently rake up fluffy dust, hair, and the like at different depths in a carpet or the like. Moreover, it is preferable to arrange the projections 52 g in the row X 1 and the projections 52 g in the row X 2 at different locations in the length direction, because this makes it possible to perform raking at shorter intervals and thereby increase dust collection efficiency.
- the projections may be arranged in more than two rows. Furthermore, by arranging the projections 52 g near the lower edge 52 h (see FIG. 46) of the sealing piece 52 b, it is possible to rake deep into the surface to be cleaned and thereby further increase dust collection efficiency.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Electric Vacuum Cleaner (AREA)
- Nozzles For Electric Vacuum Cleaners (AREA)
Abstract
A nozzle unit for an electric vacuum cleaner has a body case 32 with a nozzle 34 a open toward a surface to be cleaned, a first pipe 35 coupled to the body case 32 so as to be rotatable in the direction J1, and a second pipe 36 coupled to the first pipe 35 so as to be rotatable in the direction J2. A first and a second air flow passage, formed inside the first and second pipes 35 and 36 respectively, are arranged substantially in a straight line as seen in a side view. The first pipe 35 has a sliding portion 35 a that has an arc-shaped cross section and that slides along the inner surface of the body case 32, and this sliding portion 35 a is arranged inside the body case 32, which is substantially rectangular, as seen in a plan view.
Description
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The present invention relates to an electric vacuum cleaner and to a nozzle unit for an electric vacuum cleaner.
- 2. Description of the Prior Art
- A conventional electric vacuum cleaner has a structure as shown in FIG. 48. A
nozzle unit 8 having a nozzle (not shown) formed in its bottom surface is coupled to anextension pipe 6. Theextension pipe 6 is coupled through acoupling member 2 to aflexible hose 3. The hose is coupled to thebody 9 of the electric vacuum cleaner. The flow of air sucked in through the nozzle flows through theextension pipe 6, thecoupling member 2, and thehose 3, and then reaches thebody 9 of the electric vacuum cleaner, thereby achieving suction of dust. - The
coupling member 2 has ahandle 1 formed integrally therewith, which is held by the user during cleaning. Thecoupling member 2 also has anoperation switch 10, which is used during cleaning to control a rotary brush (not shown) provided in thenozzle unit 8 and to control thebody 9 of the electric vacuum cleaner. - The
nozzle unit 8 is shown in more detail in FIG. 49. Thenozzle unit 8 has abody case 32, of which acoupling portion 32 a supports afirst pipe 35 in such a way that thefirst pipe 35 is rotatable in the direction indicated by the arrow J1. Thefirst pipe 35 supports asecond pipe 36 in such a way that thesecond pipe 36 is rotatable in the direction indicated by the arrow J2. The above-mentionedextension pipe 6 is coupled to thissecond pipe 36. - Thus, the
first pipe 35 allows the elevation (depression) angle of theextension pipe 6 to vary when thenozzle unit 8 is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow G. For example, thefirst pipe 35 is rotated in the direction J1 so that theextension pipe 6 becomes substantially upright, and then thesecond pipe 36 is rotated in the direction J2. Thus, thesecond pipe 36 allows the elevation (depression) angle of theextension pipe 6 to vary when thenozzle unit 8 is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow H. - On the two side surfaces of the
coupling portion 32 a of thebody case 32,casters 39 are provided that roll on the floor so as to allow thenozzle unit 8 to move. The air sucked in in the direction indicated by the arrow F1 through the nozzle (not shown) formed in the bottom surface of thebody case 32 flows in the direction indicated by the arrow F2 toward thecoupling portion 32 a. The air then flows through the first andsecond pipes extension pipe 6, and then reaches the electricvacuum cleaner body 9. - In ordinary cleaning, as shown in FIG. 50, the first and
second pipes nozzle unit 8 is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow G. In cleaning of a narrow area such as a gap between pieces of furniture, as shown in FIG. 51, thesecond pipe 36 is rotated, and dust suction is performed as thenozzle unit 8 is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow H. - In an electric vacuum cleaner of this type, the
handle 1 is fixed to thecoupling member 2 so as to be integral therewith. Therefore, in cleaning of an area such as a gap below a bed, the user needs to take a low position to hold thehandle 1 while moving thenozzle unit 8. This imposes an undue burden on the user, and is thus undesirable in terms of user-friendliness. - In some cases, to perform dust suction in a narrow area, an auxiliary nozzle is used, such as a crevice nozzle having a flat tip or a dusting brush having a brush at its tip. In such cases, first, the
extension pipe 6 needs to be removed from thecoupling member 2. Then, an auxiliary nozzle (not shown) stored inside the electricvacuum cleaner body 9 needs to be taken out and coupled to thecoupling member 2 so as to be ready for use. This requires complicated handling, and is thus undesirable in terms of user-friendliness. There is also a possibility of loss of an auxiliary nozzle. - Handling of an auxiliary nozzle can be simplified if the auxiliary nozzle is removably held on the
extension pipe 6. However, this requires the auxiliary nozzle to be kept visible with dust and the like clung to the tip thereof, and thus spoils the appearance. There is also a possibility of loss of an auxiliary nozzle as in the cases described previously. - Moreover, from the
nozzle unit 8, thecoupling portion 32 a and the first andsecond pipes nozzle unit 8. (Note here that a depth means the length of the shorter sides of something perpendicular as seen in a plan view.) Thus, thenozzle unit 8 has an unduly large depth W1 relative to the depth W2 of thenozzle 32 b (see FIG. 51). This makes cleaning of a gap difficult, and also, by requiring thenozzle unit 8 to be made larger and thus heavier, imposes an undue burden on the user. - Moreover, the air passage is bent in the
first pipe 35 and also in thesecond pipe 36, and thus the suction pressure suffers a great loss. This reduces suction efficiency and increases noise. Furthermore, the range of rotation of thefirst pipe 35 in the direction J1 is so narrow that the elevation (depression) angle of theextension pipe 6 can be varied only between approximately 30 and 70°. This makes it difficult to move thenozzle unit 8 so as to reach sufficiently deep into an area such as below a bed where there is only a small gap above the floor, and is thus undesirable in terms of user-friendliness. - An object of the present invention is to provide an electric vacuum cleaner and a nozzle unit for an electric vacuum cleaner that offer improved user-friendliness in cleaning performed with the user taking a low position and in cleaning performed using an auxiliary nozzle. Another object of the present invention is to provide a compact and light-weight nozzle unit for an electric vacuum cleaner that offers improved suction efficiency.
- To achieve the above objects, according to one aspect of the present invention, an electric vacuum cleaner is provided with:
- a nozzle unit kept in contact with a surface to be cleaned for dust suction;
- an extension pipe coupled to the nozzle unit;
- a hose coupling the extension pipe to the body of the electric vacuum cleaner; and
- a handle provided at an end of the extension pipe so as to be held by a user during cleaning, the handle being so formed that the angle of at least a portion thereof is variable relative to the extension pipe.
- According to this arrangement, it is possible to change the angle of the handle provided at one end of the extension pipe coupled to the nozzle unit to a desired angle in accordance with the situation in which cleaning is performed, so that the user can hold the handle at the desired angle when moving the nozzle unit back and forth to do the cleaning.
- According to another aspect of the present invention, a nozzle unit for an electric vacuum cleaner is provided with:
- a body case having a nozzle open toward a surface to be cleaned, the body case having a substantially rectangular shape as seen in a plan view:
- a first pipe that has a first air flow passage for allowing passage of a flow of air sucked in through the nozzle and that is coupled to the body case so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis parallel to the direction of the longer sides of the nozzle, the first pipe having a sliding portion that slides along the body case as the first pipe rotates, the sliding portion arranged inside the body case as seen in a plan view; and
- a second pipe rotatably coupled to the first pipe, the second pipe having a second air flow passage that communicates with the first air passage.
- According to this arrangement, the sliding portion of the first pipe is arranged inside the substantially rectangular body case as seen in a plan view so as to be slidable along the body case, and thus the first pipe can be inclined in the direction of the depth (i.e. in the direction of the shorter sides) of the nozzle unit. The air sucked in through the nozzle achieves dust suction by flowing through the first air flow passage inside the first pipe and then through the second air flow passage inside the second pipe, of which the latter can be inclined in the direction of the longer sides of the body case. By rotating the first and second pipes appropriately, it is possible to reduce the depth-direction width of the nozzle unit.
- This and other objects and features of the present invention will become clear from the following description, taken in conjunction with the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the handle of the electric vacuum cleaner of a first embodiment of the invention;
- FIG. 2 is a sectional view, as seen from the side, of the handle of the electric vacuum cleaner of the first embodiment;
- FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the state of the handle of the electric vacuum cleaner of the first embodiment when it is in the reversed position;
- FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the state of the handle of the electric vacuum cleaner of the first embodiment when it is in the upright position;
- FIG. 5 is a side view of the handle of the electric vacuum cleaner of the first embodiment, illustrating its lock mechanism;
- FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the state of the handle of the electric vacuum cleaner of the first embodiment when the lock mechanism is unlocked;
- FIGS. 7A and 7B are side views of the handle of the electric vacuum cleaner of a second embodiment;
- FIGS. 8A, 8B, and8C are sectional views, as seen from the side, of the handle of the electric vacuum cleaner of a third embodiment;
- FIGS. 9A and 9B are sectional views, as seen from the side, of the handle of the electric vacuum cleaner of a fourth embodiment;
- FIG. 10 is a side view of the handle of the electric vacuum cleaner of a fifth embodiment;
- FIG. 11 is a side view of the handle of the electric vacuum cleaner of a sixth embodiment;
- FIGS. 12A and 12B are sectional views, as seen from the side, of the handle of the electric vacuum cleaner of a seventh embodiment;
- FIG. 13 is a schematic overall view of the electric vacuum cleaner of an eighth embodiment;
- FIG. 14 is a schematic perspective view of the nozzle unit of the electric vacuum cleaner of the eighth embodiment;
- FIG. 15 is a bottom view of the nozzle unit of the electric vacuum cleaner of the eighth embodiment;
- FIG. 16 is a sectional view, as seen from the front, of the nozzle unit of the electric vacuum cleaner of the eighth embodiment;
- FIG. 17 is a schematic perspective view showing the state of the nozzle unit of the electric vacuum cleaner of the eighth embodiment when it is ready for cleaning in another direction;
- FIG. 18 is a side view of the nozzle unit of the electric vacuum cleaner of the eighth embodiment;
- FIG. 19 is a top view of the nozzle unit of the electric vacuum cleaner of the eighth embodiment;
- FIG. 20 is a sectional view, as seen from the side, of the nozzle unit of the electric vacuum cleaner of the eighth embodiment;
- FIG. 21 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of the structure of the rotation mechanism of the nozzle unit of the electric vacuum cleaner of the eighth embodiment;
- FIG. 22 is a sectional view, as seen from the side, of the nozzle unit of the electric vacuum cleaner of the eighth embodiment, showing a state of rotation of the first pipe;
- FIG. 23 is a sectional view, as seen from the side, of the nozzle unit of the electric vacuum cleaner of the eighth embodiment, showing another state of rotation of the first pipe;
- FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective view showing another example of the structure of the rotation mechanism of the nozzle unit of the electric vacuum cleaner of the eighth embodiment;
- FIG. 25 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of the structure of a caster portion of the nozzle unit of the electric vacuum cleaner of the eighth embodiment;
- FIG. 26 is an exploded perspective view showing another example of the structure of a caster portion of the nozzle unit of the electric vacuum cleaner of the eighth embodiment;
- FIG. 27 is a schematic view showing the state of the electric vacuum cleaner of the eighth embodiment when the nozzle unit is in the longitudinal position;
- FIG. 28 is a schematic view showing the state of the electric vacuum cleaner of the eighth embodiment when the nozzle unit is in the longitudinal position and the extension pipe is rotated;
- FIG. 29 is a sectional view of the coupling portion of the electric vacuum cleaner of the eighth embodiment;
- FIG. 30 is a partial sectional view of the coupling portion of the electric vacuum cleaner of the eighth embodiment;
- FIG. 31 is a sectional view showing the state of the coupling portion of the electric vacuum cleaner of the eighth embodiment when the second projection is disengaged;
- FIG. 32 is a sectional view, as seen from the front, of the locking groove of the extension pipe of the electric vacuum cleaner of the eighth embodiment;
- FIG. 33 is an enlarged partial view of FIG. 32;
- FIG. 34 is a sectional view, as seen from the front of the coupling groove of the extension pipe of the electric vacuum cleaner of the eighth embodiment;
- FIG. 35 is a sectional view showing the state of the coupling portion of the electric vacuum cleaner of the eighth embodiment when the first projection is disengaged;
- FIG. 36 is a sectional view of another example of the structure of the coupling portion of the electric vacuum cleaner of the eighth embodiment:
- FIG. 37 is a partial sectional view of FIG. 36;
- FIG. 38 is a sectional view showing the state when the extension pipe is removed from the state shown in FIG. 36;
- FIG. 39 is a sectional view, as seen from the side, of the nozzle unit of the electric vacuum cleaner of a ninth embodiment;
- FIG. 40 is a front view showing the state of the nozzle unit of the electric vacuum cleaner of the ninth embodiment when the second pipe is in the upright position;
- FIG. 41 is a front view showing the state of the nozzle unit of the electric vacuum cleaner of the ninth embodiment when the second pipe is in the fully inclined position;
- FIG. 42 is a detail view of the principal portion of the click mechanism of the nozzle unit of the electric vacuum cleaner of the ninth embodiment;
- FIG. 43 is a sectional view, as seen from the front, of the nozzle unit of the electric vacuum cleaner of the ninth embodiment;
- FIG. 44 is a sectional view, as seen from the side, of the nozzle unit of the electric vacuum cleaner of a tenth embodiment;
- FIG. 45 is a bottom view of the nozzle unit of the electric vacuum cleaner of the tenth embodiment;
- FIG. 46 is an exploded perspective view of the flexible member of the nozzle unit of the electric vacuum cleaner of the tenth embodiment;
- FIG. 47 is a detail view of the principal portion of the front portion of the nozzle unit of the electric vacuum cleaner of the tenth embodiment;
- FIG. 48 is a perspective view of a conventional electric vacuum cleaner;
- FIG. 49 is a schematic perspective view of the nozzle unit of a conventional electric vacuum cleaner;
- FIG. 50 is a schematic top view showing the state of the nozzle unit of a conventional electric vacuum cleaner when it is in the lateral position; and
- FIG. 51 is a schematic top view showing the state of the nozzle unit of a conventional electric vacuum cleaner when it is in the longitudinal position.
- Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 1 and 2 are a perspective view and a sectional view of the principal portion of the handle of the electric vacuum cleaner of a first embodiment of the invention. The electric vacuum cleaner as a whole has the same structure as the conventional example shown in FIG. 48. In a
coupling member 2, an extensionpipe connection aperture 2 a is provided into which anextension pipe 6 is inserted. Inside thecoupling member 2, the extensionpipe connection aperture 2 a communicates with ahose 3 that is inserted through anopening 2 d. - To the
coupling member 2, ahandle 1 is fitted through amount 1 b (having a U-like shape as seen in a plan view) in such a way that themount 1 b sandwiches thecoupling member 2 from the two side surfaces thereof. Themount 1 b is rotatably supported on thecoupling member 2 through a supportingshaft 21. Thehandle 1 has the shape of a hollow cylinder and is open at its free-end surface 1 a. Moreover, thehandle 1 has aninner barrel 18 slidably provided inside it. - Within a
cavity 1 r formed in a double-cylinder portion 1 e formed inside thehandle 1, theinner barrel 18 is loaded with a force that tends to move it toward thecoupling member 2 by acompression spring 19. Theinner barrel 18 reaches into theopening 2 d of thecoupling member 2, and thus astopper portion 2 e of thecoupling member 2 restricts rotation of thehandle 1 in the direction indicated by the arrow A. On the other hand, abase plate 2 c strikes themount 1 b and thereby restricts rotation of thehandle 1 in the direction indicated by the arrow B. In this way, thehandle 1 is locked. - The state shown in FIG. 2 is the standard position of the handle (hereafter the “standard position”) that allows a standing user to hold the
handle 1 and move the nozzle unit 8 (see FIG. 48) back and forth with ease. In thehandle 1, an unlockingbutton 12 is provided integrally with theinner barrel 18. The unlockingbutton 12 protrudes through a slot is so as to be movable along it. When the unlockingbutton 12 is moved rightward as seen in FIG. 2, theinner barrel 18 is unlocked from thecoupling member 2, allowing rotation of thehandle 1 in the direction indicated by the arrow A. -
Reference numeral 4 represents a lock mechanism for theextension pipe 6. Aclaw portion 4 a is loaded with a force by acompression spring 4 b, with a supportingportion 4 c used as a fulcrum. Thelock mechanism 4 engages with a hole (not shown) provided in theextension pipe 6, and thereby theextension pipe 6 is locked to thecoupling member 2. When abutton portion 4 d is pressed, theclaw portion 4 a retracts from the hole, allowing removal of theextension pipe 6. - In cleaning of a narrow area, the
extension pipe 6 is removed, and then thehandle 1 is rotated, along theimaginary line 100, from the standard position shown in FIG. 2 to the position of the extensionpipe connection aperture 2 a. The resulting state is shown in FIG. 3. At this time, theinner barrel 18 reaches into the extensionpipe connection aperture 2 a, and themount 1 b of thehandle 1 strikes thebase plate 2 c (see FIG. 1), thereby locking thehandle 1. Now, thehandle 1 communicates with thehose 3, allowing dust suction from the aperture at the free-end surface 1 a. Thus, thehandle 1 can be used as a crevice nozzle. - This eliminates the need to take a crevice nozzle out of the body9 (see FIG. 48) of the electric vacuum cleaner and fit it into the extension
pipe connection aperture 2 a. Thus, it is possible to simplify the fitting of a crevice nozzle, and thereby enhance user-friendliness. Moreover, it is also possible to prevent loss of a crevice nozzle. - FIG. 4 shows the state of the
coupling member 2 when it is put on the floor surface F as when cleaning is suspended for a while. By rotating thehandle 1 along theimaginary line 100 and locking it in an upright position relative to thecoupling member 2, it is possible to increase the height H from the floor surface F to the free-end surface 1 a of thehandle 1. Thus, it is possible to reduce the stoop that the user needs to make to hold thehandle 1 when restarting cleaning, and thereby reduce the burden on the user. - Moreover, the
portion 2d 2 of theopening 2 d into which thehandle 1 is inserted (when thehandle 1 is in the standard position) is continuous with theportion 2d 1 of theopening 2 d through which thehose 3 passes. Accordingly, by placing thehose 3 through theportion 2d 2 for insertion of thehandle 1, it is possible to arrange theextension pipe 6 and thehose 3 substantially in a straight line. This makes it possible to put thecoupling member 2 so low as to make contact with the floor surface F, and thereby lower the position of theextension pipe 6. As a result, it is possible to insert theextension pipe 6 with ease into a narrow area such as a gap under a bed to perform cleaning. - At this time, the
handle 1 is in the upright position, and therefore the user can move the nozzle unit 8 (see FIG. 48) with ease, with a reduced stoop and thus with a reduced burden on the user. - It is preferable to design the
handle 1 to be lockable at a plurality of rotation positions, because this allows the user to select a suitable handle position. A lock mechanism for locking thehandle 1 has, for example, a structure as shown in FIG. 5. In this figure, alever 20 is coupled to the inner barrel 18 (see FIG. 2) in such a way that a pin 20 a provided integrally with thelever 20 is movably placed in aslot 1 d provided in thehandle 1. On an outer wall of thecoupling member 2, a lockingplate 22 having a plurality of grooves 22 a is provided. - A
tip portion 20 b of thelever 20 engages with one of the grooves 22 a formed in the lockingplate 22, and thereby thehandle 1 is locked. When an unlockingbutton 12 is moved rightward as seen in FIG. 5, the pin 20 a moves along the slot id together with theinner barrel 18, and thus thetip portion 20 b is unlocked from the groove 22 a, allowing rotation of thehandle 1. - As shown in FIG. 6, when the user, after unlocking the
handle 1, lifts theextension pipe 6 and thenozzle unit 8 while holding thehandle 1, theextension pipe 6 rotates by its own weight in the direction indicated by the arrow C. At this time, a chamferedportion 2 f provided in theinner barrel 18 strikes thecoupling member 2, and thereby theinner barrel 18 is pressed to permit thehandle 1 to return to the standard position. This structure is preferable, because it makes quick restarting of cleaning possible. - FIG. 7A is a side view of the handle of the electric vacuum cleaner of a second embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, a
brush 13 is provided in thehandle 1 shown in FIG. 2. Thehandle 1 has ahole 1 c formed in itsmount 1 b, and, into thishole 1 c, a supportingshaft 21 is fitted so that thehandle 1 is rotatable about the supportingshaft 21. At the free end of thehandle 1, abrush 13 is formed. To allow thebrush 13 to be covered, a coveringmember 14 is provided so as to be slidable relative to thehandle 1. - The covering
member 14 has alever 15 provided integrally therewith. Thelever 15 has aflange portion 15 a, which is loaded, by acompression spring 17, with a force that tends to move it toward the supportingshaft 21 relative to a fixedplate 16 provided on themount 1 b. Anend portion 15 b of thelever 15 makes contact with acam 22 that is provided on the supportingshaft 21 so as to protrude axially. - In the same manner as in the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the extension pipe6 (see FIG. 48) is removed from the
coupling member 2. Next, when thehandle 1 is rotated from the state shown in FIG. 7A in which thebrush 13 is covered by the coveringmember 14, the coveringmember 14, pressed by thecompression spring 17, retracts according to the shape of thecam 21. The resulting state, in which thebrush 13 is uncovered, is shown in FIG. 7B. - This makes it possible to use the
handle 1 as a dusting brush, and thereby eliminates the need to take a dusting brush out of thebody 9 of the electric vacuum cleaner (see FIG. 48) and fit it into the extensionpipe connection aperture 2 a. This enhances user-friendliness, and also helps prevent loss of a dusting brush. Moreover, since thebrush 13, with dust and the like clung thereto, is kept covered when not in use, it does not spoil the appearance. - FIGS. 8A and 8C are sectional views, as seen from the side, of the principal portion of the handle of the electric vacuum cleaner of a third embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 8B is an enlarged view of the portion indicated by D in FIG. 8A. In this embodiment, a
brush 13 is provided integrally with theinner barrel 18 of thehandle 1 shown in FIG. 2. More specifically, theinner barrel 18 has anozzle 24 formed integrally therewith, and, at the tip end of thisnozzle 24, abrush 13 is provided. A coveringmember 23 is provided slidably between thenozzle 24 and the outer barrel if of thehandle 1. - The covering
member 23 has astopper 23 a. Thestopper 23 a slides along aslot 1 g formed in theouter barrel 1 f, and thereby restricts the movement stroke of the coveringmember 23. Moreover, the coveringmember 23 is loaded with a force that tends to move it so as to cover thebrush 13 by acompression spring 7. As shown in FIG. 8B, theinner barrel 18 has anair inlet port 18 a that permits the space between thenozzle 24 and the outer barrel if to communicate with the inside of theinner barrel 18. - In the same manner as in the first embodiment, the extension pipe6 (see FIG. 48) is removed from the
coupling member 2, and instead thehandle 1 is rotated to that position. When the electric vacuum cleaner starts suction, the suction force acts on the coveringmember 23 through theair inlet port 18 a. As a result, the coveringmember 23 moves in the direction indicated by the arrow E1 so as to uncover thebrush 13. When the electric vacuum cleaner stops suction, thecompression spring 7 causes the coveringmember 23 to move in the direction indicated by the arrow E2. The resulting state, in which thebrush 13 is covered by the coveringmember 23, is shown in FIG. 8C. - This structure serves the same purpose as that of the second embodiment. In addition, in cleaning using the dusting brush, it is possible to keep the dusting
brush 13, with dust and the like clung thereto, covered even in temporary suspension of dust suction so that the dustingbrush 13 does not spoil the appearance. - FIGS. 9A and 9B are sectional views, as seen from the side, of the principal portion of the handle of the electric vacuum cleaner of a fourth embodiment of the invention. A
coupling member 2 is composed of a fixedportion 30 and arotatable portion 31. The fixedportion 30 has an extensionpipe connection portion 30 a in which an extensionpipe connection aperture 2 a is formed. The extensionpipe connection portion 30 a has alock mechanism 4, similar to the one shown in FIG. 2, for locking an extension pipe 6 (see FIG. 48). Therotatable portion 31 rotates about a supportingshaft 21 while sliding along acylindrical surface 30 c of the fixedportion 30. Therotatable portion 31 and the extensionpipe connection portion 30 a are coupled together by ahose 25. - Moreover, the
rotatable portion 31 has ahose connection aperture 31 a to which thehose 3 is connected. Ahandle 1 is formed integrally with therotatable portion 31. Thehose 3 and thehandle 1 rotate together, and can be locked in a desired position by a lock mechanism (not shown). - In this embodiment, connecting together the
rotatable portion 31 and the extensionpipe connection portion 30 a with aflexible hose 25 makes it possible to change easily the angle of thehandle 1, which is integral with thehose 3. Thus, as in the first embodiment, by rotating thehandle 1 to keep it in an upright position relative to the fixedportion 30 when, for example, cleaning is suspended for a while, it is possible to increase the height from the floor surface to the free-end surface (not shown) of thehandle 1. This reduces the stoop that the user needs to make to hold thehandle 1 when restarting cleaning, and thereby reduces the burden on the user. - Moreover, in cleaning of a gap below a bed or the like, it is possible to set the
handle 1 at a desired angle and thereby allow the user to move the nozzle unit 8 (see FIG. 48) with ease with a reduced stoop. Thus, it is possible to reduce the burden on the user. - FIG. 10 is a side view of the principal portion of the handle of the electric vacuum cleaner of a fifth embodiment of the invention. A
handle 1 is formed integrally with acoupling member 2, and thehandle 1 is divided axially into afront portion 1 h and arear portion 1 k. Therear portion 1 k is supported by a supportingmember 27 so as to be rotatable relative to thefront portion 1 h, and therear portion 1 k is lockable at a desired angle. This makes it possible to change easily the angle of thehandle 1 and thereby achieve the same purpose as achieved in the fourth embodiment. - FIGS. 11A and 11B are side views of the principal portion of the handle of the electric vacuum cleaner of a sixth embodiment of the invention. A
handle 1 is formed integrally with acoupling member 2, and thehandle 1 is divided axially into afront portion 1 h and arear portion 1 k, with aninclined interface 1 m between them. Therear portion 1 k is supported by a supportingmember 28 so as to be rotatable about an axis in perpendicular to theinclined interface 1 m. Therear portion 1 k can be rotated and locked, for example, with thehandle 1 in a bent state, as shown in FIG. 11B. This makes it possible to change easily the angle of thehandle 1 and thereby achieve the same purpose as achieved in the fourth embodiment. - FIG. 12 is a sectional view, as seen from the side, of the handle of the electric vacuum cleaner of a seventh embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, inside the
handle 1 of the electric vacuum cleaner of the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 9, anozzle 24 slidable in the direction indicated by the arrow E is provided. At the tip end of thenozzle 24, abrush 13 is formed. Moreover, thenozzle 24 has an opening 1 p formed so as to open to ahose connection portion 31 a. Accordingly, the air sucked in through an extensionpipe connection aperture 2 a flows through this opening 1 p to thehose 3. - As shown in FIG. 12, when the
handle 1 is placed in the standard position, the extensionpipe connection portion 30 a and thehandle 1 are arranged in a straight line. By removing the extension pipe 6 (see FIG. 48) and thereby pressing thenozzle 24 toward the extensionpipe connection aperture 2 a, thebrush 13 is uncovered from thecoupling member 2 as indicated by the dash-and-dot lines 13′. At this time, alock mechanism 4 locks thenozzle 24 in the same way as it locks theextension pipe 6. Thus, the air sucked through thebrush 13 flows through the opening 1 p to thehose 3. - This structure makes it possible to use the
handle 1 as a dusting brush as in the second embodiment, and thereby eliminates the need to take a dusting brush out of thebody 9 of the electric vacuum cleaner (see FIG. 48) and fit it into the extensionpipe connection aperture 2 a. This enhances user-friendliness, and also helps prevent loss of a dusting brush. Moreover, since thebrush 13, with dust and the like clung thereto, is kept covered when not in use, it does not spoil the appearance. - FIG. 13 is an external view of the electric vacuum cleaner of an eighth embodiment of the invention. By a
nozzle unit 8 having a nozzle (not shown), afirst pipe 35 is supported so as to be rotatable in the direction indicated by the arrow J1. By thefirst pipe 35, asecond pipe 36 is supported so as to be rotatable in the direction indicated by the arrow J2. To thesecond pipe 36, anextension pipe 6 is connected. Theextension pipe 6 is divided into afront portion 6 a and arear portion 6 b. - To a
body 9 of the electric vacuum cleaner, ahose 3 is connected. To the end of thehose 3, acoupling member 2 is coupled that has ahandle 1 to be held by the user and anoperation switch 10 to be operated to control the operation of the electric vacuum cleaner. Thecoupling member 2 is coupled to theextension pipe 6, and thus dust suction from the nozzle is achieved. - FIGS. 14 and 15 are a perspective view and a bottom view showing the detail of the
nozzle unit 8. Thenozzle unit 8 has abody case 32, which is composed of alower case 34 having anozzle 34 a formed in its bottom surface, anupper case 33 to which thefirst pipe 35 is coupled, and abumper 38 fitted between the upper andlower cases bumper 38 protects thenozzle unit 8 from scratches and cracks that may result from its collision with a wall or a piece of furniture. - On the bottom surface of the
lower case 34,casters 39 are provided at four locations so as to roll on the floor surface and thereby allow movement of thenozzle unit 8. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 16, which is a sectional view as seen from the front, inside thenozzle unit 8, arotary brush 40 is provided. In theupper case 33, anair inlet 33 d (see FIG. 14) is provided to allow air to be sucked in to make therotary brush 40 rotate. - The
first pipe 35 has a slidingportion 35 a having an arc-shaped cross section that slides along the inner surface of aguide portion 33 a having an arc-shaped cross section provided in theupper case 33. As a result, thefirst pipe 35 is so supported as to be rotatable in the direction indicated by the arrow J1 within anopening 33 b. Thesecond pipe 36 has a slidingportion 36 a that slides along the inner surface of a supportingportion 35 b provided in thefirst pipe 35. As a result, thesecond pipe 36 is so supported as to be rotatable in the direction indicated by the arrow J2. - Thus, it is possible to change the elevation (depression) angle of the
extension pipe 6 as thenozzle unit 8 is moved in the direction indicated by G (in the direction of the depth, or the shorter sides, of the nozzle unit 8) by rotation of thefirst pipe 35. (Hereinafter, this position of the nozzle unit will be referred to as the “lateral position”). Moreover, as shown in FIG. 17, it is possible to change the elevation (depression) angle of theextension pipe 6 also as thenozzle unit 8 is moved in the direction indicated by H (in the direction of the width, or the longer sides, of the nozzle unit 8) by rotation of thesecond pipe 36. (Hereinafter, this position of the nozzle unit will be referred to as the “longitudinal position”). In FIG. 17,reference numeral 36 c represents the rotation axis of thesecond pipe 36. - In FIG. 16 described previously, the air sucked in through the
nozzle 34 a and flowing in the direction indicated by the arrow K1 then flows in the direction indicated by the arrow K2 toward thefirst pipe 35. The air then flows through the first andsecond pipes extension pipe 6, and then reaches thebody 9 of the electric vacuum cleaner. Here, the first andsecond pipes second pipes nozzle unit 8 is used in the lateral position. In addition, therotation axis 36 c of thesecond pipe 36 is kept perpendicular to the air flow passage (K3) through thefirst pipe 35. - Thus, when the
nozzle unit 8 is used in the lateral position (see FIG. 14), which is more frequently the case than otherwise, the air flow passage of the sucked air toward theextension pipe 6 has no bend at all. This makes it possible to reduce the loss in suction pressure and thereby increase suction efficiently, and also to reduce noise. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 18, which is a side view, even when thesecond pipe 36 is rotated about therotation axis 36 c relative to thefirst pipe 35, the air flow passages (K3 and K4) through the first andsecond pipes first pipe 35 is in the upright position, thesecond pipe 36 rotates within a plane perpendicular to the floor surface. - FIG. 19 is a top view of the
nozzle unit 8 with theupper cover 33 removed. The slidingportion 35 a of thefirst pipe 35 is arranged inside thebody case 32, which is substantially rectangular, as seen from above. Moreover, thefirst pipe 35 has arotation axis 35 c substantially at the center of the depth W3 (i.e. the shorter sides) of thebody case 32. Accordingly, there is no need to provide a protrudingcoupling portion 32 a (see FIG. 49) as is provided in the conventional example, and thus it is possible to reduce the depth W3 of thenozzle unit 8 and thereby make thenozzle unit 8 compact and light-weight. Furthermore, when thenozzle unit 8 is used in the longitudinal position, there exists no obstacle like thecoupling portion 32 a, and thus it is possible to achieve enhanced user-friendliness. - Moreover, the
rotation axis 36 c (see FIG. 17) of thesecond pipe 36 lies substantially at the center of thenozzle unit 8 in the direction of the longer sides thereof. This ensures that, when thenozzle unit 8 is used in the longitudinal position, the applied force is borne substantially at the center of thebody case 32. As a result, a proper balance is obtained when thenozzle unit 8 is moved back and force in the direction H (see FIG. 17). This helps reduce staggering motion of thenozzle unit 8 and thereby enhance user-friendliness. In FIG. 19, when thefirst pipe 35 is held in the vertical position relative to the floor surface, the first andsecond pipes 35′ and 36′, as indicated by the broken lines, are arranged within thebody case 32 in the direction of its depth. This makes it possible to perform cleaning of an area as narrow as the width W3 of thebody case 32. - In FIG. 19 and in FIG. 18 described previously, the
first pipe 35 is substantially parallel to the floor surface. This makes it possible to insert thenozzle unit 8 with ease deep into a narrow area such as a gap below a bed, and thus leads to enhanced user-friendliness. In this way, thefirst pipe 35 is rotatable from a position substantially parallel to the floor surface to a position substantially perpendicular thereto. This is achieved by a rotation mechanism having a structure as shown in FIG. 20, which is a sectional view thereof as seen from the side. - As described previously, to allow rotation of the
first pipe 35, the slidingportion 35 a of thefirst pipe 35 slides along the inner surface of theguide portion 33 a of theupper case 33. To allow rotation from a position as shown in FIG. 20 in which thefirst pipe 35 is substantially parallel to the floor surface to a position in which it is substantially perpendicular thereto as indicated by the dash-and-dot lines 35′, theopening 33 b of theupper case 33 needs to be considerably large. - The lengths L1 and L2 of the front and rear portions of the sliding
portion 35 a have limits because of thefirst pipe 35 colliding with the upper andlower cases portion 35 a, an opening, for example as indicated by M, is formed in an upper portion of thebody case 32. When thefirst pipe 35 is in the vertical position, a similar opening is formed in a rear portion (i.e. on the right in FIG. 20) of thebody case 32. - To prevent such an opening (for example the opening indicated by M) from communicating with the air flow passage of the flow of air sucked in through the
nozzle 34 a, anengagement member 41 and a fixedmember 42 as shown in FIG. 21, which is an exploded perspective view of the rotation mechanism, are provided. The fixedmember 42 has an arc-shaped cross section. Afitting portion 42 a′ formed at one end of the fixedmember 42 engages with anengagement portion 34 d (see FIG. 20) of thelower case 34, and afitting portion 42 a formed at the other end thereof is fitted into projections 34 c provided on thelower case 34 in such a way as to pull the fixedmember 42, which has resilience like a plate spring. In this way, the fixedmember 42 is fixed securely. Theengagement member 41 has an arc-shaped cross section, and is so arranged as to slide along the inner surface of the slidingportion 35 a of thefirst pipe 35 and along the outer surface of the fixedmember 42. - Here, since there is no
coupling portion 32 a as is provided in the conventional example (see FIG. 49), it is not possible to providecircular side plates 43 on the slidingportion 35 a. Therefore, the slidingpotion 35 a and theengagement member 41 are held by being sandwiched between theguide portion 33 a of theupper case 33 and the fixedmember 42 fixed to thelower case 34. This helps prevent deformation in the arc-shaped cross sections of the slidingportion 35 a and theengagement portion 41 and thereby obtain smooth rotation. - The
engagement member 41 and the fixedmember 42 havecylindrical surfaces openings openings first pipe 35. The fixedmember 42 hasflanges 42 f formed at both sides thereof. Theseflanges 42 f make contact with the inner surface of theguide portion 33 a. This helps shut off the flow of air that flows from the sides of theengagement member 41 along the outer surface of theengagement member 41 to theopening 33 b as indicated by the arrows P1 and P2, and thereby prevent leakage of the sucked air. - In accordance with the rotation angle of the
first pipe 35,engagement claws engagement member 41 engage withengagement claws portion 35 a. This allows rotation of theengagement member 41. On the other hand,engagement claws engagement member 41 engage withengagement claws member 42. This restricts rotation of theengagement member 41. - Now, how the
engagement member 41 moves as thefirst pipe 35 rotates will be described with reference to FIGS. 22 and 23 and also FIG. 20 described previously. First, in the state shown in FIG. 20, where thefirst pipe 35 is in the position substantially parallel to the floor surface, theengagement claws 35 f provided on the slidingportion 35 a engage with theengagement claws 41 b provided on theengagement member 41. Accordingly, theengagement member 41 is rotated clockwise as seen in the figure, and thus closes the upper portion of theopening 33 b of theupper case 33. - At this time, the
engagement claw 41 g of theengagement member 41 strikes the fixedmember 42, and theengagement claw 41 f of theengagement member 41 engages with theengagement claw 42 b of the fixedmember 42. This restricts rotation of theengagement member 41. Moreover, anair inflow portion 35 h of thefirst pipe 35 is partially closed by theengagement member 41 and the fixedmember 42. - As the
first pipe 35 is rotated counter-clockwise, the air flow passage in theair inflow portion 35 h gradually widens. When, as shown in FIG. 22, the inclination of thefirst pipe 35 becomes equal to about 45°, theengagement claw 35 g provided on the slidingportion 35 a engages with theengagement claw 41 d provided on theengagement member 41. At this time, the air flow passage in theair inflow portion 35 h has the maximum cross-sectional area. Now, theupper portion 33 b′ of theopening 33 b of theupper case 33 is closed by the slidingportion 35 a, and therear portion 33 b″ thereof is closed by theengagement member 41 and the fixedmember 42. - When the
first pipe 35 is rotated further counter-clockwise, the air flow passage in theair inflow portion 35 h is kept having the maximum cross-sectional area. When, as shown in FIG. 23, thefirst pipe 35 strikes an end surface 33 c of theopening 33 b of theupper case 33, rotation of thefirst pipe 35 is restricted. At the same time, theengagement claw 42 d provided on the fixedmember 42 engages with theengagement claw 41 g provided on theengagement member 41, and thereby rotation of theengagement member 41 is restricted. - Next, when the
first pipe 35 is rotated clockwise from the state shown in FIG. 23, the air flow passage in theair inflow portion 35 h is gradually narrowed by theengagement member 41. When the inclination of thefirst pipe 35 becomes equal to about 45°, the air flow passage in theair inflow portion 35 h has the minimum cross-sectional area. When thefirst pipe 35 is rotated further clockwise, the air flow passage in theair inflow portion 35 h is kept having the minimum cross-sectional area. Eventually, thefirst pipe 35 strikes thelower case 34, restoring the state shown in FIG. 20. - The structure as described above makes it possible to rotate the
first pipe 35 from a position substantially parallel to the floor surface to a position substantially perpendicular thereto. When thenozzle unit 8 is used in the lateral position, which is more frequently the case than otherwise, and in addition when the inclination of thefirst pipe 35 is in the range from about 45° to 60°, which is more frequently the case than otherwise, by rotating thefirst pipe 35 once to the position substantially parallel to the floor surface and then backward, it is possible to maximize the cross-sectional area of the air flow passage in theair inflow portion 35 h. Thus, it is possible to achieve increased suction efficiency in the state in which thenozzle unit 8 is most frequently used. - Similarly, when the
nozzle unit 8 is used in the longitudinal position, in which case the inclination of thefirst pipe 35 equals about 90°, the air flow passage in theair inflow portion 35 h has the maximum cross-sectional area, and thus it is possible to achieve high suction efficiency. To allow the air flow passage in theair inflow portion 35 h to have the maximum cross-sectional area when the inclination of thefirst pipe 35 is otherwise (for example 30° to 60°), it is also possible to provide another engagement member between theengagement member 41 and the fixedmember 42. - In FIG. 20 described previously, in the front-end portion of the
engagement member 41, ashield portion 41 a is provided that makes contact with the inner surface of theupper case 33. If dust or the like, entering through theopening 33 b of theupper case 33, collects in the lower front portion (indicated by N) of the fixedmember 42, it is difficult to remove it. Theshield portion 41 a serves to shield this gap between the fixedmember 42 and theupper case 33. As a result, even if dust or the like enters through theopening 33 b, it collects on theshield portion 41 a, which is closer to theopening 33 b, and thus it is easy to remove it. - In cleaning of, for example, a gap below a bed, since the
nozzle unit 8 is kept invisible, the force applied thereto tends to deviate from the intended direction. This causes unintended rotation of thesecond pipe 36 and thus staggering motion of thebody case 32. In FIG. 20, when thefirst pipe 35 is in the position substantially parallel to the floor surface, apin 44 provided on thelower case 34 engages, through a throughhole 35 e provided in thefirst pipe 35, with anengagement portion 36 e having a semi-circular cross section provided in thesecond pipe 36. This prevents staggering motion of thebody case 32. Thepin 44 and the throughhole 35 e are made so small as to cause almost no drop in the suction force due to leakage of the sucked air. - FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective view of another example of the structure of the
engagement member 41. As compared with the one shown in FIG. 21 described previously, theengagement member 41 is extended in the direction of its longer sides, and hasslots 41 f provided in thecylindrical surfaces 41 e′ constituting the extended portion thereof. The flow of air sucked through theair inlet 33 d (see FIG. 14) of theupper case 33 into thenozzle unit 8 flows through theslots 41 f and blows on the blades 50 (see FIG. 20) of therotary brush 40, thereby rotating therotary brush 40. This causesrotating brushes 47 to rotate and thereby rake up dust from the floor surface. Thereafter, the dust, together with the flow of the sucked air, flows toward thefirst pipe 35 as indicated by the arrow K2 in FIG. 16. - In the
engagement member 41 shown in FIG. 21, the air sucked in through theupper case 33 immediately flows toward thefirst pipe 35. By contrast, in theengagement member 41 shown in FIG. 24, the air sucked in first flows through theslots 41 f to a portion closer to theblades 50 and then flows toward thefirst pipe 35. This makes it possible to rotate therotary brush 40 efficiently and thereby increase suction efficiency. - The positions of the
slots 41 f vary according to the rotation direction of thefirst pipe 35 as thefirst pipe 35 rotates, but theslots 41 f remain substantially in the same positions relative to thefirst pipe 35. Thus, it is possible to keep at all times theslots 41 f in such positions relative to thefirst pipe 35 that the sucked air efficiently blows on theblades 50. - FIG. 25 is an exploded perspective view of the portion around a
caster 39 of thenozzle unit 8 of the embodiment under discussion. Acaster 39 is supported by acaster mount 46, which has a pair of supporting ribs 46 c each having a horizontallylong slot 46 e. Into theseslots 46 e, acaster shaft 39 a fixed to thecaster 39 is loosely fitted. Thecaster shaft 39 a may be formed integrally with thecaster 39 to reduce the number of components. Thecaster mount 46 has a pivot 46 a having resilience radially. In thelower case 34, a recessedportion 34 e is provided that has apivot socket 45 formed integrally. The pivot 46 a is fitted into thepivot socket 45. The pivot 46 a of thecaster mount 46 has astopper 46 b formed at the end. Thisstopper 46 b engages with anend surface 45 a of thepivot socket 45 so as to prevent thecaster 39 from dropping out. - The recessed
portion 34 e is so formed as to have an opening in thecircumferential surface 34 f of thelower case 34. This helps prevent dust or the like from collecting in the recessedportion 34 e. Thecaster 39 and thecaster mount 46 are so formed as not to protrude from thecircumferential surface 34 f. This helps prevent damage to thecaster 39 or scratches on a wall or a piece of furniture resulting from collision between them during cleaning. Moreover, reinforcingribs 46 d are provided so as to bridge between the pair of supporting ribs 46 c in order to reinforce the supporting ribs 46 c and thereby obtain higher reliability in the function of the caster. - In this structure, the
caster 39 is fitted so as to be freely rotatable about the pivot 46 a. This ensures smooth change of the movement direction of thenozzle unit 8 between directions G and H (see FIG. 14). Moreover, thecaster 39 does not slide but rolls, and thereby prevents scratches on the flooring or the like. Moreover, since thecaster shaft 39 a is supported by theslots 46 e, thecaster 39 can move translationally. This makes thecaster 39 more susceptible to the moment that tends to change the movement direction and thereby ensures smoother change of the movement direction. Furthermore, it is preferable to form thecaster 39 so as to have a smaller diameter in theedge portions 39 b″ of its circumferential surface than in thecentral portion 39 b′ thereof, because this makes it possible to keep thecaster 39 substantially in point contact with the floor surface and thereby make it even more susceptible to the moment that tends to change the movement direction. - FIG. 26 is an exploded perspective view showing another example of the structure of the portion around a
caster 39. On a bearing surface 46 f of acaster mount 46, a plurality ofballs 49 are arranged by being positioned by aring 48. Theballs 49 are held between the bearing surface 46 f and a bearing surface (not shown) provided on the bottom surface of a fixedbase 50. Thecaster mount 46 is fixed to a recessedportion 34 e (see FIG. 25) by apin 47. This structure serves the same purpose as the previously described structure does. - When the
nozzle unit 8 described above is used in the longitudinal position, the first andsecond pipes extension pipe 6, thecoupling member 2, and thehose 3 move together, bringing the handle into a state pointing to the side as shown in FIG. 27. However, in the embodiment under discussion, by operating abutton 53, it is possible to rotate thecoupling member 2 in the direction indicated by the arrow Q relative to theextension pipe 6 as shown in FIG. 28, so that thehandle 1 and theoperation switch 10 point upward. As a result, even when thenozzle unit 8 is used in the longitudinal position, thehandle 1 and theoperation switch 10 can be used in the same way as when thenozzle unit 8 is used in the lateral position, and thus enhanced user-friendliness is achieved in cleaning. - Now, the rotation mechanism of the
coupling member 2 will be described with reference to a sectional view and a partial sectional view thereof shown in FIGS. 29 and 30, respectively. On the outer surface of thehollow extension pipe 6, a coupling groove (a first groove) 55 is provided circumferentially. Moreover, on the outer surface of theextension pipe 6, a plurality of locking grooves (second grooves) 56 are provided around the same circumference. On thecoupling member 2, alock mechanism 60 for coupling theextension pipe 6 is provided. Thelock mechanism 60 is supported so as to be rotatable about arotation axis 60 a. Thelock mechanism 60 has, at one end thereof, a button 53 (a disengaging member) that protrudes through ahole 2 c provided in thecoupling member 2. Thelock mechanism 60 has, at the other end thereof, a first and a second projection (a first and a second engagement member) 57 and 58 that can engage with the first andsecond grooves - The
button 53 is loaded with a force that tends to move it upward as seen in the figures by acompression spring 54. Accordingly, the first andsecond projections extension pipe 6. With thebutton 53 pressed with a finger, theextension pipe 6 is inserted into thecoupling member 2. By releasing the finger from thebutton 53, since thefirst projection 57 has a smaller rotation radius than thesecond projection 58 with respect to therotation axis 60 a as shown in FIG. 31, it is possible to engage thefirst projection 57 with thecoupling groove 55 without engaging thesecond projection 58 with the lockinggrooves 56. In this way, thecoupling member 2 and theextension pipe 6 are rotatably coupled together. - When the
coupling member 2 is rotated relative to theextension pipe 6, thesecond projection 58 slides along the outer surface of theextension pipe 6, and then thesecond projection 58 engages with one of the lockinggrooves 56 as shown in FIGS. 29 and 30 described previously, locking thecoupling member 2 in a predetermined position relative to theextension pipe 6. - Removal of the
extension pipe 6 from thecoupling member 2 is achieved in the following manner. By pressing the button 53 (a disengaging member) with a finger, as shown in FIG. 31, thesecond projection 58 is disengaged from the lockinggroove 56. By pressing thebutton 53 further with a finger, as shown in FIG. 32, thefirst projection 57 is disengaged from thecoupling groove 55. In this state, by pulling out theextension pipe 6, it is removed from thecoupling member 2. - As shown in FIG. 33, which is a sectional view as seen from the front, the locking
grooves 56 are arranged at three locations, i.e. at the location indicated by solid lines where thebutton 53 of thelock mechanism 60 points upward (hereafter referred to as the “normal position”) and at the locations indicated by dash-and-dot lines 90° apart rightward and leftward from the normal position (hereafter referred to as the “90° positions”). - When the
nozzle unit 8 is used in the lateral position (see FIG. 13), thecoupling member 2 is in the normal position. When thenozzle unit 8 is used in the longitudinal position (see FIG. 28), thecoupling member 2 is in one of the 90° positions. Thus, in either case, thehandle 1, theoperation switch 10, and thebutton 53 can be made to point upward. The lockinggrooves 56 may be arranged at other locations than described above. - As shown in FIG. 34, which is a detail view of the portion R shown in FIG. 33, the locking
grooves 56 have, as their circumferential wall surfaces, inclined surfaces 56 a. As a result, simply by rotating thecoupling member 2 relative to theextension pipe 6 without pressing thebutton 53, thesecond projection 58 runs on to the inclined surface 56 a against the load with which it is loaded by thecompression spring 54, allowing switching between the normal and 90° positions. This makes switching of the rotation position easy. - However, the locking
grooves 56 at the 90° positions have, as theirwall surface 56 b farther from the normal position, non-inclined surfaces, so that these surfaces serve as stoppers that restrict the rotation range by being struck by thesecond projection 58 and thereby prevent thecoupling member 2 from being rotated out of the rotation range. This makes switching to the 90 positions easier and thereby enhances user-friendliness. - FIG. 35 is a sectional view of the portion of the
extension pipe 6 at which thecoupling groove 55 is formed. At those locations of the bottom of thecoupling groove 55 which correspond to the lockinggrooves 56,grooves 55 c deeper than thecoupling groove 55 are provided. By engaging thefirst projection 57 with one of thesegrooves 55 c, it is possible to lock thecoupling member 2 and theextension pipe 6 together more securely in the predetermined rotation positions (the normal and 90° positions). Moreover, in the same manner as described above, inclined surfaces 55 a andstopper surfaces 55 b are provided to allow easy switching of the rotation position. Furthermore, by forming thecoupling groove 55 as shown in FIG. 35, it is possible to lock thecoupling member 2 and theextension pipe 6 in the predetermined rotation positions by using thefirst projection 57, and thus omit thesecond projection 58. This helps simplify the structure. - FIGS. 36 and 37 are a sectional view and a partial sectional view, respectively, of another example of the structure of the
lock mechanism 60 for locking together thecoupling member 2 and theextension pipe 6. Thislock mechanism 60 is different from thelock mechanism 60 shown in FIG. 29 in that thesecond projection 58 is composed of aball 58′ loaded with a force by acompression spring 52 and is provided separately from thefirst projection 57. - When the
coupling member 2 is rotated relative to theextension pipe 6, with thefirst projection 57 sliding along thecoupling groove 55, theball 58′, which is loaded with a force, travels out of the lockinggroove 56, then travels along the inclined surface 56 a (see FIG. 34), then runs on to the outer surface of theextension pipe 6, and then moves over to another lockinggroove 56. Thus, this structure serves the same purpose as the previously described structure does. - By pressing the
button 53 with a finger, thefirst projection 57 is disengaged from thecoupling groove 55. In this state, when theextension pipe 6 is pulled out, theball 58′ runs on to the outer surface of theextension pipe 56 as shown in FIG. 38 so as to allow removal of theextension pipe 6 from thecoupling member 2. Here, the lockinggroove 56 has aninclined surface 56 c as its wall surface closer to thecoupling member 2, i.e. the wall surface that lies in the direction in which theextension pipe 6 is pulled out (along the rotation axis). An inclined surface is preferable here because it ensures smooth movement of theball 58′ and thus easy removal of theextension pipe 6. - Coupling between the
coupling member 2 and theextension pipe 6 does not necessarily have to be achieved by engaging a groove (thecoupling groove 55 and the locking grooves 56) provided in the outer surface of theextension pipe 6 with an engagement member (the first andsecond projections ball 58′) provided on thecoupling member 2, but may be achieved in any other manner. For example, it is possible to provide a groove in thecoupling member 2 and provide an engagement member on theextension pipe 6; or it is possible to provide a groove in the inner surface of theextension pipe 6. - FIG. 39 is a sectional view, as seen from the side, of the
nozzle unit 8 of the electric vacuum cleaner of a ninth embodiment of the invention. Thenozzle unit 8 of this embodiment is intended to replace that of the eighth embodiment shown in FIG. 14, and therefore such components as are found also in the eighth embodiment are identified with the same reference numeral. The electric vacuum cleaner as a whole has the same structure as shown in FIG. 13. Thenozzle unit 8 has abody case 32, which is composed of alower case 34 having a nozzle (not shown) formed in its bottom surface, anupper case 33 to which afirst pipe 35 is coupled, and abumper 38 fitted between the upper andlower cases - To the
first pipe 35, asecond pipe 36 is coupled. To thesecond pipe 36, an extension pipe 6 (see FIG. 13) is coupled, which is comparatively long. Through the first andsecond pipes body 9 of the electric vacuum cleaner as indicated by the arrow K4. As in the eighth embodiment, thefirst pipe 35 has a slidingportion 35 a having an arc-shaped cross section that slides along the inner surface of aguide portion 33 a having an arc-shaped cross section of theupper case 33. Thus, thefirst pipe 35 is so supported as to be rotatable in the direction indicated by the arrow J1 within anopening 33 b. - A bottom surface of the
first pipe 35 is fitted to thesecond pipe 36 with ascrew 63 so as to be rotatable about arotation axis 36 c, and is covered by acover 64. A top surface of thefirst pipe 35 is fitted to apipe cover 62 with ascrew 65 so as to be rotatable about therotation axis 36 c. Thepipe cover 62 is fixed to thesecond pipe 36 withscrews 66. - Thus, as in the eighth embodiment, when the
nozzle unit 8 is used in the lateral position, the elevation (depression) angle of theextension pipe 6 can be changed by means of thefirst pipe 35. In addition, as shown in FIG. 28 described earlier, when thenozzle unit 8 is used in the longitudinal position, the elevation (depression) angle of theextension pipe 6 can be changed by means of thesecond pipe 36. - FIG. 40 shows how the first and
second pipes first pipe 35 has anopening 35 d formed so as to extend through a range of angles θ3. The flow of the sucked air flows through thisopening 35 d to thesecond pipe 36. Anend surface 35 e of theopening 35 d is hit by astopper portion 36 b of thesecond pipe 36, and thereby the rotation range θ2 of thesecond pipe 36 in the direction J2 is restricted. - When the
nozzle unit 8 is used in the lateral position, the second pipe is positioned substantially at the center of its rotation range θ2. To prevent inflow of the ambient air through theopening 35 d at this time,shutters first pipe 35. Theshutters spring 69, and are so arranged as to be slidable along the inner surface of thefirst pipe 35. - When the
nozzle unit 8 is used in the longitudinal position, by inclining thesecond pipe 36 as shown in FIG. 41, anengagement portion 36 c of thesecond pipe 36 engages with theshutter 67 a. Thus, theshutter 67 a rotates together with thesecond pipe 36 so as to shield theopening 35 d. By returning thesecond pipe 36 to the original position shown in FIG. 40, theshutter 67 a returns to its original position by the action of the force-loadingspring 69. Similarly, by inclining thesecond pipe 36 in the opposite direction, an engagement portion 36 d engages with theshutter 67 b so as to shield theopening 35 d. This prevents influx of the ambient air and thereby prevents a drop in suction efficiency. - When the
nozzle unit 8 is used in the lateral position, free rotation of thesecond pipe 36 from the position shown in FIG. 40 is prevented by a click mechanism (a restricting means). In FIG. 39 described previously, the click mechanism has asteel ball 68 and a lockingplate 61 provided between thepipe cover 62 and thefirst pipe 35. - FIG. 42 shows the detail of the click mechanism. The
first pipe 35 has aboss 35 f, into which acompression spring 70 is fitted. On the inner surface of thepipe cover 62, a lockingplate 61 having a hole 61 a is fixed. Between the lockingplate 61 and thecompression spring 70 is arranged asteel ball 68. Engaging thesteel ball 68 with the hole 61 a produces a click. - Thus, a predetermined rotation force is required to rotate the
second pipe 36, which is integral with thepipe cover 62. This prevents free rotation of thesecond pipe 36 and thereby prevents degradation of cleaning efficiency due to staggering motion of thebody case 32. A feltring 71 is fitted to theboss 35 f to prevent entry of dust and thereby prevent variation over time of the clicking force produced by thesteel ball 68. - Moreover, when the predetermined rotation force is applied to the
second pipe 36 to rotate it relative to thefirst pipe 35, thesteel ball 68 retracts against the force with which it is loaded by thecompression spring 70. Then, thesteel ball 68 rolls along the inner surface of the lockingplate 61. Therefore, when thenozzle unit 8 is used in the longitudinal position, thesecond pipe 36 can rotate freely. - In FIG. 39 described previously, a
rotary brush 40 has, on itsshaft portion 49,blades 50 made of a flexible material such as rubber and brushes 47. Theblades 50 each have a plurality of throughholes 50 a formed so as to extend in the direction of a radius of therotary brush 40 and arranged in a line extending in the direction of the length of therotary brush 40. As shown in FIG. 43, the air sucked through theair inlet 33 d provided in theupper case 33 into thebody case 32 flows into theshaft portion 49 from the side of therotary brush 40. The air then flows through theshaft portion 49 and then blows out through the throughholes 50 a. - When the
rotary brush 40 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow S shown in FIG. 39, thebrushes 47 and theblades 50 rake up dust from the floor surface such as a carpet. At this time, air blows out through the throughholes 50 a on the floor surface to help dust to be raked up. This leads to enhanced dust collecting performance. - In FIG. 43, the
rotary brush 40 is fixed inside thebody case 32 in such a way as to be loaded, at one end, with a force by acompression spring 78 through an attachment/detachment button 75. The attachment/detachment button 75 is, at itsshaft portion 75 b, pivoted on thebody case 32 so as to be rotatable in the direction indicated by the arrow V1, with a certain amount ofplay 77 secured so as to permit theshaft portion 75 b to move upward as seen in the figure within thebody case 32. Thelower case 34 has a projectingrib 34 e. - When the
nozzle unit 8 is subjected to a shock resulting from, for example, a drop from a higher position, the projectingrib 34 e restricts rotation of the attachment/detachment button 75 and thereby prevents therotary brush 40 from dropping out. When abutton portion 75 a of the attachment/detachment button 75 is pulled up in the direction indicated by the arrow V2, theshaft portion 75 b moves as much as theplay 77 permits. At this time, the attachment/detachment button 75 can be rotated without interference with the projectingrib 34 e. This allows attachment and detachment of therotary brush 40. - FIGS. 44 and 45 are a sectional view, as seen from the side, and a bottom view, respectively, of the nozzle unit of the electric vacuum cleaner of a tenth embodiment of the invention. For simplicity's sake, such components as are found also in the conventional example shown in FIG. 48 are identified with the same reference numerals. The electric vacuum cleaner as a whole has the same structure as the conventional example. The
nozzle unit 8 has an outer casing composed of anupper case 33 and alower case 34. To abody 9 of the electric vacuum cleaner, an extension pipe 6 (see FIG. 48) is connected. To theextension pipe 6, asecond pipe 36 is connected. To thesecond pipe 36, afirst pipe 35 is coupled. Thefirst pipe 35 is held between the upper andlower cases extension pipe 6 can be adjusted by means of thefirst pipe 35. - In the
lower case 34, anozzle 34 a is formed so as to open toward the floor surface. The dust sucked in through thenozzle 34 a flows, together with the flow of the sucked air, through theair flow passage 89 in the direction indicated by the arrow K3 to thebody 9 of the electric vacuum cleaner, and thereby dust collection is achieved. In front of and behind thenozzle 34 a are providedcasters nozzle 34 a and the floor surface constant, allowing movement of thenozzle unit 8. - At the front of the
nozzle unit 8 is provided abumper 38, which serves as a shock absorber when thenozzle unit 8 collides with a wall or the like. Behind thenozzle 34 a is provided abrush member 51 for raking up dust clung to a carpet or the like. In front of thenozzle 34 a is provided aflexible member 52. At both ends of theflexible member 52,aid pieces 81 are fitted so as to make contact with the floor surface. Thus, as thenozzle unit 8 moves back and forth, theflexible member 52 is made to rotate by the friction force between theaid pieces 81 and the floor surface. - FIG. 46 is an exploded perspective view showing the detail of the
flexible member 52. On a supportingshaft 52 a, a sealingpiece 52 b is provided so as to project therefrom. At both ends of the supportingshaft 52 a,insertion shafts 52 e are formed, which are fitted into insertion holes 81 a of theaid pieces 81. On the sealingpiece 52 b are provided a plurality ofconical projections 52 g. Theprojections 52 g are arranged in two rows X1 and X2 along the length of the sealingpiece 52 b. To allow the supportingshaft 52 a and theaid pieces 81 to rotate together,engagement pieces 52 f are provided on theinsertion shafts 52 e, andengagement grooves 81 b into which theengagement pieces 52 f are fitted are provided in the insertion holes 81 a of theaid pieces 81. - The
aid pieces 81 each have three fin-like portions like portions shaft 52 a, the sealingpiece 52 b, and theprojections 52 g are formed integrally by molding out of a hard resin material such as ABS resin, polypropylene, or polyethylene. Theaid pieces 81 are formed out of a soft material such as hard rubber. - FIG. 47 is a detail sectional view showing the principal portion of the front portion of the
nozzle unit 8, with the above-describedflexible member 52 attached. The supportingshaft 52 a is held by agroove 84 formed by a curved-surface plate 82 having a substantially J-like shape provided on thelower case 34 and a curved-surface portion 83 b of adetachable engagement claw 83. The supportingshaft 52 a of theflexible member 52 is fitted into thisgroove 84 and is held by theengagement claw 83 so as not to drop off. The sealingpiece 52 b strikes afront stopper portion 83 a provided in theengagement claw 83 and arear stopper portion 82 a provided in the curved-surface plate 82, and thereby the rotation range a of theflexible member 52 is restricted. - When the
nozzle unit 8 is moved forward, by the friction force between the fin-like portions aid pieces 81, which are in contact with the floor surface, and the floor surface, the sealingpiece 52 b is rotated backward so as to strike therear stopper portion 82 a. At this time, the fin-like portion 81 e makes contact with the floor surface, and thus an opening is formed in front of thenozzle 34 a to allow easy suction of large-particle dust and dust by a wall. - When the
nozzle unit 8 is moved backward, by the friction force between the fin-like portions piece 52 b is rotated forward so as to strike thefront stopper portion 83 a. At this time, the fin-like portion 81 c makes contact with the floor surface. Thus, the sealingpiece 52 b ensures that no opening is left in front of thenozzle 34 a, and thereby increases the degree of vacuum at thenozzle 34 a and thus the suction power. - In cases where the surface to be cleaned is a carpet or the like, the
casters nozzle unit 8 is moved backward, theprojections 52 g of the sealingpiece 52 b rake up fluffy dust, hair, and the like clung to the carpet or the like so as to allow such dust to be sucked through thenozzle 34 a. Thus, it is possible to achieve raking of a carpet or the like with ease and thereby increase dust collection efficiency. Here, since theprojections 52 g are conical, the fluffy dust, hair, and the like raked up can be removed therefrom with ease by the suction force. This helps prevent clinging of raked-up dust. - In this embodiment, arranging the projections in a plurality of rows X1 and X2 (see FIG. 46) makes it possible to efficiently rake up fluffy dust, hair, and the like at different depths in a carpet or the like. Moreover, it is preferable to arrange the
projections 52 g in the row X1 and theprojections 52 g in the row X2 at different locations in the length direction, because this makes it possible to perform raking at shorter intervals and thereby increase dust collection efficiency. The projections may be arranged in more than two rows. Furthermore, by arranging theprojections 52 g near thelower edge 52 h (see FIG. 46) of the sealingpiece 52 b, it is possible to rake deep into the surface to be cleaned and thereby further increase dust collection efficiency.
Claims (49)
1. An electric vacuum cleaner comprising:
a nozzle unit kept in contact with a surface to be cleaned for dust suction;
an extension pipe coupled to the nozzle unit;
a hose coupling the extension pipe to a body of the electric vacuum cleaner; and
a handle provided at an end of the extension pipe so as to be held by a user during cleaning, the handle being so formed that an angle of at least a portion thereof is variable relative to the extension pipe.
2. An electric vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising:
a coupling member arranged between the extension pipe and the hose,
wherein the handle is formed in a shape of a hollow cylinder so as to be rotatably fitted on the coupling member, and
wherein, when the extension pipe is removed from the coupling member, the handle rotates to a portion of the coupling member at which the extension pipe has been coupled to the coupling member so as to communicate with the hose.
3. An electric vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 2 ,
wherein, in a manner interlocked with rotation of the handle, a tip of an auxiliary nozzle provided inside the handle comes out of an end of the handle.
4. An electric vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 2 ,
wherein, when the handle communicates with the hose, a tip of an auxiliary nozzle provided inside the handle is made to come out of an end of the handle by a suction force originating from the body of the electric vacuum cleaner.
5. An electric vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 2 , further comprising:
a lock mechanism for locking the handle in a predetermined rotation position.
6. An electric vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 5 , further comprising:
an unlocking switch provided on the handle for unlocking the lock mechanism.
7. An electric vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 6 ,
wherein, when the lock mechanism is unlocked, the handle is moved to a predetermined position by weight of the extension pipe itself.
8. An electric vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 2 ,
wherein, when the handle is rotated to a predetermined rotation position, the extension pipe and the hose, or the handle and the hose, are arranged in a straight line.
9. An electric vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising:
a coupling member arranged between the extension pipe and the hose, the coupling member having:
a rotatable portion for rotating the handle and the hose together relative to the extension pipe; and
a flexible hose-like member for coupling the rotatable portion to a portion of the coupling member at which the extension pipe is coupled to the coupling member.
10. An electric vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 1 ,
wherein the handle is divided into two parts that are arranged along an axis of the handle and are coupled by a coupling portion having a rotation axis substantially perpendicular to the axis of the handle so that the handle can be bent by rotating one of the two parts of the handle about the rotation axis.
11. An electric vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 1 ,
wherein the handle is divided into two parts that are kept in contact with each other with a contact interface therebetween inclined relative to an axis of the handle so that the handle can be bent by rotating one of the two parts of the handle about an axis perpendicular to the contact interface.
12. An electric vacuum cleaner comprising:
a nozzle unit kept in contact with a surface to be cleaned for dust suction;
an extension pipe coupled to the nozzle unit;
a hose coupling the extension pipe to a body of the electric vacuum cleaner;
a coupling member arranged between the extension pipe and the hose;
a handle provided on the coupling member so as to be held by a user during cleaning, the handle being formed in a shape of a hollow cylinder; and
an auxiliary nozzle slidable inside the handle, the auxiliary nozzle, when the extension pipe is removed from the coupling member, being moved out at a portion of the coupling member at which the extension pipe has been coupled to the coupling member so as to protrude from the coupling member and communicate with the hose.
13. An electric vacuum cleaner comprising:
a nozzle unit kept in contact with a surface to be cleaned for dust suction;
an extension pipe coupled to the nozzle unit;
a hose coupling the extension pipe to a body of the electric vacuum cleaner; and
a handle provided at an end of the extension pipe so as to be held by a user during cleaning, the handle being coupled to the extension pipe so as to be rotatable coaxially with the extension pipe.
14. An electric vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 13 ,
wherein the handle can be locked at least at one rotation position relative to the extension pipe.
15. An electric vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 13 ,
wherein a range of rotation of the handle relative to the extension pipe is restricted.
16. An electric vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 13 , further comprising:
a first groove provided circumferentially on one of the extension pipe and the handle;
second grooves provided at a plurality of positions around a same circumference on said one of the extension pipe and the handle;
a first engagement member provided on the other of the extension pipe and the handle, the first engagement member engaging with the first groove so as to couple the extension pipe and the handle together rotatably; and
a second engagement member provided on said other of the extension pipe and the handle, the second engagement member engaging with one of the second grooves so as to stop rotation of the extension pipe.
17. An electric vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 16 , further comprising:
a stopper portion provided in the first groove or in the second grooves, the stopper portion striking the first or second engagement member so as to restrict a range of rotation of the extension pipe relative to the handle.
18. An electric vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 16 ,
wherein the first and second engagement members are formed as a single member.
19. An electric vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 18 , further comprising:
a disengaging member loaded with a force that tends to move it in a predetermined direction and interlocked with the first and second engagement members, the disengaging member, when subjected to a load against the force with which it is loaded, disengaging said one of the second grooves from the second engagement member and, when subjected to a heavier load, disengaging the first groove from the first engagement member.
20. An electric vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 16 ,
wherein the second engagement member is loaded with a force that causes it to press said one of the second grooves, and the second grooves have inclined surfaces as axial end surfaces.
21. An electric vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 16 ,
wherein the second grooves are formed in a bottom portion of the first groove, and the first engagement member is shared as the second engagement member.
22. An electric vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 16 ,
wherein said one of the second grooves is disengaged from the second engagement member by rotation of the extension pipe relative to the handle.
23. A nozzle unit for an electric vacuum cleaner, comprising:
a body case having a nozzle open toward a surface to be cleaned, the body case having a substantially rectangular shape as seen in a plan view;
a first pipe that has a first air flow passage for allowing passage of a flow of air sucked in through the nozzle and that is coupled to the body case so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis parallel to a direction of longer sides of the nozzle, the first pipe having a sliding portion that slides along the body case as the first pipe rotates, the sliding portion arranged inside the body case as seen in a plan view; and
a second pipe rotatably coupled to the first pipe, the second pipe having a second air flow passage that communicates with the first air passage.
24. A nozzle unit for an electric vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 23 ,
wherein the first and second air flow passages are arranged substantially along a straight line as seen in a side view, and the second pipe is rotatable about a rotation axis substantially perpendicular to the first air flow passage.
25. A nozzle unit for an electric vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 24 ,
wherein the first air flow passage is rotatable between a substantially horizontal position and a substantially vertical position relative to the surface to be cleaned.
26. A nozzle unit for an electric vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 25 ,
wherein the rotation axis of the second pipe lies substantially at a center of the body case in a direction of longer sides of the body case, and a width of the first and second pipes in a direction of shorter sides of the body case is smaller than a width of the body case in the same direction as seen in a plan view when the first pipe is held perpendicularly to the surface to be cleaned.
27. A nozzle unit for an electric vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 25 ,
wherein rotation of the second pipe is restricted when the first air flow passage is substantially parallel to the surface to be cleaned.
28. A nozzle unit for an electric vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 25 ,
wherein the first air flow passage has a maximum cross-sectional area when its angle relative to the surface to be cleaned is in a predetermined range.
29. A nozzle unit for an electric vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 28 , further comprising:
an engagement member having an arc-shaped cross section and engaged with the first pipe so as to be interlocked therewith in accordance with a rotation angle of the first pipe; and
an opening provided in the body case so as to allow rotation of the first pipe, the opening being closed by the sliding portion, which has an arc-shaped cross section and which slides along an inner surface of the body case, and by the engagement member.
30. A nozzle unit for an electric vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 29 , further comprising:
a locking member having an arc-shaped cross section and engaged with the engagement member in accordance with a rotation angle of the first pipe, the locking member being arranged inside the engagement member.
31. A nozzle unit for an electric vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 30 , further comprising:
a covering portion provided at a front end of the engagement member so as to close a gap between the engagement member and the body case.
32. A nozzle unit for an electric vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 23 , further comprising:
casters provided on a bottom surface of the body case so as to roll on the surface to be cleaned, the casters being rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the surface to be cleaned.
33. A nozzle unit for an electric vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 32 ,
wherein the casters can be moved translationally along the surface to be cleaned.
34. A nozzle unit for an electric vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 32 ,
wherein the casters are arranged inside the body case as seen in a plan view.
35. A nozzle unit for an electric vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 32 , further comprising:
recessed portions provided in the bottom surface of the body case so as to have openings in circumferential surfaces of the body case, the recessed portions being used to arrange the casters.
36. A nozzle unit for an electric vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 32 , further comprising:
supporting members, provided one pair for each of the casters, for supporting shafts of the casters on both sides of the casters; and
reinforcing members for bridging between each pair of supporting members in front of and behind the casters.
37. A nozzle unit for an electric vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 23 ,
wherein the first pipe has an opening provided to allow rotation of the second pipe, and has a movable shutter for closing the opening.
38. A nozzle unit for an electric vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 37 ,
wherein the shutter is interlocked with the second pipe.
39. A nozzle unit for an electric vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 37 , further comprising:
a restricting member for restricting rotation of the second pipe relative to the first pipe.
40. A nozzle unit for an electric vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 39 ,
wherein the restricting member has a force-loading member and a ball.
41. A nozzle unit for an electric vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 39 ,
wherein the restricting member has a dust-proof member for preventing entry of dust.
42. A nozzle unit for an electric vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 23 , further comprising:
a rotary brush rotatably arranged inside the body case, the rotary brush having a hollow shaft and blades provided so as to protrude from the shaft, the blades each having a plurality of through holes that communicate with an inside of the shaft.
43. A nozzle unit for an electric vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 42 , further comprising:
an attachment/detachment button supported on the body case through a shaft so as to be rotated to press and thereby support an end of the rotary brush; and
a rib provided on the body case so as to restrict rotation of the attachment/detachment button,
wherein a certain amount of play is secured to allow free movement of the shaft of the attachment/detachment button.
44. A nozzle unit for an electric vacuum cleaner, comprising:
a body case having a nozzle open toward a surface to be cleaned;
a suction pipe rotatably coupled to the body case so as to allow passage of a flow of air sucked in through the nozzle, the suction pipe having a sliding portion that has an arc-shaped cross section and that slides along an inner surface of the body case; and
a rotary brush rotatably arranged inside the sliding portion.
45. A nozzle unit for an electric vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 44 , further comprising:
an air inlet provided on the body case, the air inlet allowing air to be sucked in to rotate the rotary brush;
an engagement member that has an arc-shaped cross section and that is engaged with the suction pipe so as to be interlocked therewith in accordance with a rotation angle of the suction pipe, the engagement member having a hole that communicates with the air inlet; and
an opening provided in the body case so as to allow rotation of the suction pipe, the opening being closed by the sliding portion, which has an arc-shaped cross section and which slides along the inner surface of the body case, and by the engagement member.
46. A nozzle unit for an electric vacuum cleaner, comprising:
a nozzle open toward a surface to be cleaned;
a sealing member rotatably provided in a front portion of the nozzle unit so as to open or close a front portion of the nozzle according as the nozzle unit is moved back and forth, the sealing member having a plurality of projections on a surface thereof facing the nozzle.
47. A nozzle unit for an electric vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 46 ,
wherein the projections are formed integrally with the sealing member so as to have a substantially conical shape each.
48. A nozzle unit for an electric vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 46 ,
wherein the projections are arranged in a plurality of rows of projections extending along a direction of longer sides of the sealing member, with the projections in any two adjacent rows located at different positions in the direction of the longer sides of the sealing member.
49. A nozzle unit for an electric vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 46 ,
wherein at least part of the projections are arranged near a bottom end of the sealing member.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US09/967,960 US20020042969A1 (en) | 1998-07-28 | 2001-10-02 | Electric vacuum cleaner and nozzle unit therefor |
Applications Claiming Priority (12)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JPH10-212676 | 1998-07-28 | ||
JP21267698A JP3400948B2 (en) | 1998-07-28 | 1998-07-28 | Electric vacuum cleaner |
JP21397598A JP3457541B2 (en) | 1998-07-29 | 1998-07-29 | Suction port for vacuum cleaner |
JPH10-213975 | 1998-07-29 | ||
JP10308704A JP2000126101A (en) | 1998-10-29 | 1998-10-29 | Electric vacuum cleaner |
JPH10-308704 | 1998-10-29 | ||
JPH10-338617 | 1998-11-30 | ||
JP33861798A JP3457553B2 (en) | 1998-11-30 | 1998-11-30 | Suction port for vacuum cleaner |
JP03014899A JP3457909B2 (en) | 1999-02-08 | 1999-02-08 | Suction port for vacuum cleaner |
JPH11-030148 | 1999-02-08 | ||
US09/357,818 US6345408B1 (en) | 1998-07-28 | 1999-07-20 | Electric vacuum cleaner and nozzle unit therefor |
US09/967,960 US20020042969A1 (en) | 1998-07-28 | 2001-10-02 | Electric vacuum cleaner and nozzle unit therefor |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/357,818 Division US6345408B1 (en) | 1998-07-28 | 1999-07-20 | Electric vacuum cleaner and nozzle unit therefor |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20020042969A1 true US20020042969A1 (en) | 2002-04-18 |
Family
ID=27521200
Family Applications (3)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US09/357,818 Expired - Fee Related US6345408B1 (en) | 1998-07-28 | 1999-07-20 | Electric vacuum cleaner and nozzle unit therefor |
US09/967,960 Abandoned US20020042969A1 (en) | 1998-07-28 | 2001-10-02 | Electric vacuum cleaner and nozzle unit therefor |
US09/967,961 Expired - Fee Related US6742220B2 (en) | 1998-07-28 | 2001-10-02 | Nozzle unit for vacuum cleaner |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US09/357,818 Expired - Fee Related US6345408B1 (en) | 1998-07-28 | 1999-07-20 | Electric vacuum cleaner and nozzle unit therefor |
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Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US09/967,961 Expired - Fee Related US6742220B2 (en) | 1998-07-28 | 2001-10-02 | Nozzle unit for vacuum cleaner |
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US (3) | US6345408B1 (en) |
EP (2) | EP0976358A3 (en) |
KR (1) | KR100365877B1 (en) |
CN (2) | CN1265753C (en) |
AU (1) | AU759628B2 (en) |
DE (1) | DE69934264T8 (en) |
MY (1) | MY127535A (en) |
SG (1) | SG74155A1 (en) |
TW (1) | TW578540U (en) |
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US20070271724A1 (en) * | 2003-02-10 | 2007-11-29 | Miefalk Haekan | Hand Held Vacuum Cleaner |
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US7712182B2 (en) | 2003-07-25 | 2010-05-11 | Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation | Air flow-producing device, such as a vacuum cleaner or a blower |
US7413366B2 (en) | 2003-12-09 | 2008-08-19 | Unger Marketing International, Llc | Connecting members and methods for connecting implements to extension poles |
US20060112521A1 (en) * | 2004-11-19 | 2006-06-01 | Oreck Holdings, Llc | Ergonomic appliance handle |
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US20090165239A1 (en) * | 2006-03-24 | 2009-07-02 | Thommy Frantzen | Handheld Vacuum Cleaner |
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US20100017997A1 (en) * | 2006-04-10 | 2010-01-28 | Jonas Beskow | Vacuum Cleaner |
US20080022483A1 (en) * | 2006-07-25 | 2008-01-31 | Potoroka Andrew J | Vacuum cleaner with swivel and swing handle |
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US20100083459A1 (en) * | 2007-01-19 | 2010-04-08 | Aktiebolaget Electrolux | Air Flow Losses in Vacuum Cleaners |
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US20100218339A1 (en) * | 2007-01-23 | 2010-09-02 | Fahlstroem Johan | Vacuum Cleaner Nozzle |
US10441120B1 (en) | 2010-04-30 | 2019-10-15 | Unger Marketing International, Llc | Universal connecting members |
US8667643B2 (en) | 2010-09-10 | 2014-03-11 | Euro-Pro Operating Llc | Method and apparatus for assisting pivot motion of a handle in a floor treatment device |
US20150040344A1 (en) * | 2010-10-15 | 2015-02-12 | Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited | Steering assembly for surface cleaning device |
US11058267B2 (en) | 2016-04-27 | 2021-07-13 | Aktiebolaget Electrolux | Vacuum cleaner and vacuum cleaner system |
US11534042B2 (en) | 2017-12-15 | 2022-12-27 | Aktiebolaget Electrolux | Vacuum cleaner |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CN1473540A (en) | 2004-02-11 |
EP0976358A3 (en) | 2000-05-03 |
CN1265753C (en) | 2006-07-26 |
CN1251752A (en) | 2000-05-03 |
EP0976358A2 (en) | 2000-02-02 |
AU759628B2 (en) | 2003-04-17 |
KR20000011985A (en) | 2000-02-25 |
SG74155A1 (en) | 2000-07-18 |
EP1325703B1 (en) | 2006-11-29 |
CN1158043C (en) | 2004-07-21 |
KR100365877B1 (en) | 2003-01-15 |
DE69934264D1 (en) | 2007-01-11 |
AU4234099A (en) | 2000-02-17 |
MY127535A (en) | 2006-12-29 |
TW578540U (en) | 2004-03-01 |
EP1325703A3 (en) | 2004-09-22 |
EP1325703A2 (en) | 2003-07-09 |
US6345408B1 (en) | 2002-02-12 |
US20030163891A1 (en) | 2003-09-04 |
DE69934264T2 (en) | 2007-06-28 |
DE69934264T8 (en) | 2007-12-27 |
US6742220B2 (en) | 2004-06-01 |
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Legal Events
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