WO1997020491A1

WO1997020491A1 - A cleaner

Info

Publication number: WO1997020491A1
Application number: PCT/GB1996/002994
Authority: WO
Inventors: David Downham; Michael John Ord
Original assignee: Emaco Limited
Priority date: 1995-12-04
Filing date: 1996-12-04
Publication date: 1997-06-12
Also published as: CA2239584A1; AU1037597A

Abstract

A suction cleaner comprises a primary cleaner (1) and an auxiliary cleaner (2) removably attachable to the primary cleaner (1). The auxiliary cleaner (2) has a handle (13) which, when the auxiliary cleaner (2) is attached to the primary cleaner (1), constitutes a handle (13) for the primary cleaner (1).

Description

A CLEANER

This invention relates to suction cleaners, and in particular to suction cleaners comprising a primary cleaner and an auxiliary cleaner attachable to the primary cleaner.

A conventional suction cleaner is disclosed in British patent specification 2 126 471 {hereafter referred to as '471). This suction cleaner s a combination of an upright vacuum cleaner and a hand-held suction cleaner. The upright cleaner has a rigid housing, the rigid housing having a pocket in which the hand-held suction cleaner is received. The hand-held cleaner is an accessary for the upright cleaner. This arrangement has a number of disadvantages. For example, when the hand-held cleaner is used, dust is collected in a dust chamber within the hand¬ held cleaner; and, when the upright cleaner is used, dust is collected in a dust collection bag within the upright cleaner. It is therefore necessary to empty two different dust containers instead of one. The dust collection bag is normally disposable so that dust collected therein is disposed of without spillage. Hand-held cleaners do not include disposable dust bags, but a collection chamber having a dust filter disposed between the collection chamber and the fan. To empty the collection chamber, the filter is removed and the collected dust shaken out. This can result in spillage of the dust.

If both the upright cleaner and the hand-held cleaner are mains powered, it is either necessary to include two separate power cables or to include a single power cable which may be selectively plugged into one or other cleaner. In this latter case, if the upright cleaner is pushed so that the power cable is pulled tight, the power cable will fall out of the upright cleaner and the cleaner will stop.

'471 suggests that the hand-held cleaner be battery operated using re-chargeable batteries. In this case, if the hand-held cleaner is to be re-charged through the upright cleaner, it is necessary to keep the upright cleaner plugged into the mains, even when stored.

A cleaner embodying the present invention permits at least some of the above disadvantages to be overcome. A suction clearer according to the present invention comprises a primary cleaner and an auxiliary cleaner removably attachable to the primary cleaner, the auxiliary cleaner having an auxiliary fan unit and a handle which, when the auxiliary cleaner is attached to the primary cleaner, constitutes a handle for the primary cleaner. This allows cleaners to be manufactured which have the advantage that a single handle is required for the primary and the auxiliary cleaners resulting in savings in material costs and compact storage of the auxiliary cleaner.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the primary cleaner includes a power receiving terminal, and the auxiliary cleaner includes a power source for supplying power to the auxiliary cleaner and a power supplying terminal connectable to the power receiving terminal of the primary cleaner when the auxiliary cleaner is attached thereto. The power source may be a power supply cable, a socket for receiving a power supply cable, or a rechargeable battery. In each of these cases, the auxiliary cleaner may be used without any restriction caused by the primary cleaner. The auxiliary cleaner preferably includes a power transfer device for delivering power from the power source to the primary cleaner alone when the auxiliary cleaner is attached to the primary cleaner. This means that only a single power supply is required to operate both the primary and auxiliary cleaners. Normally, the transfer device is operable to deliver power from the power source to the auxiliary alone when the auxiliary cleaner is not attached to the primary cleaner. A common switch can then be used to operate both the primary and auxiliary cleaners. It is also preferred that the auxiliary cleaner includes a dust collection chamber, and that the primary cleaner includes a fan for sucking air into the primary cleaner and an air channel disposed upstream of the fan for directing sucked air through the primary cleaner, the auxiliary cleaner being attachable to the primary cleaner with the dust collection chamber connected to the air channel such that, in use, dust within the dust collection chamber of the auxiliary chamber is drawn into the air channel of the primary cleaner for collection. This feature has the advantage that all the dust is collected in a single compartment for emptying.

A suction cleaner constructed in accordance with the invention is described below, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic sectional view of the suction cleaner which is constituted by an upright cleaner and a hand-held cleaner; Figure 2 is a sectional view of part of the hand-held cleaner,

Figure 3 is a sectional view showing part of the hand-held cleaner attached to the upright cleaner; and

Figure 4 is a schematic view showing the hand-held cleaner attached to a cylinder cleaner.

Referring to Figure 1 , the suction cleaner includes an upright suction cleaner 1 and a hand-held auxiliary suction cleaner 2 attached to the upright cleaner 1. The hand-held cleaner 2 includes a handle 13 which also forms the handle of the upright cleaner 1.

When the hand-held cleaner 2 is attached to the upright cleaner 1 , the upright cleaner may be used in substantially the same way as a conventional cleaner.

A switch 14, disposed on the hand-held cleaner 2 or adjacent to the handle 13, controls operation of both the upright cleaner and the hand-held cleaner. An advantage of this cleaner is that only a single handle, a single switch and single power cable are required, thus keeping manufacturing costs down, and keeping operation of the cleaner simple.

When the hand-held cleaner 2 is detached from the upright cleaner 1 , the hand-held cleaner 2 may be used to clean stairs, chairs, curtains, floor edging, car interiors and the like. The hand-held cleaner 2 is turned on and off using the same switch 14 as is used to turn the upright cleaner 1 on and off when the hand-held cleaner 2 is attached to the upright cleaner 1. The upright cleaner 1 includes a base unit 3 having ground wheels or rollers 15, a suction opening 4 confronting the floor to be cleaned, a rotary beater 5 disposed in the suction opening 4 for beating the region of the floor confronting the suction opening 4 m order to dislodge dust and the like, and a first air duct 6 through which dust is drawn from the suction opening 4.

An upright body 16 is pivotally mounted on the base unit 3. When the upright body 16 is disposed in a substantially vertical position as shown in Figure 1 , the upright body 16 is latched for storage. In use, the upright body 16 is reclined so that the base unit 3 may be pushed along the floor. The upright body 16 includes a second air duct 7 which is connected to the first air duct 6, and through which dust is sucked from the first air duct 6. The second air duct 7 delivers the dust-laden air into an air permeable dust collection bag 8 disposed within a dust compartment 9. The upright body 16 also includes a suction fan 11 and motor (not shown) for driving the suction fan 11. The suction fan 11 sucks air from the dust compartment 9 through a first filter 10, and exhausts air to atmosphere via a second filter 12. The motor also drives the rotary beater 5 through a drive belt 17. The first air duct 6, the second air duct 7, and the dust compartment 9 are all disposed at the low pressure side of the suction fan 11 , and together constitute an air channel through which air sucked by the fan 11 passes.

The second air duct 7 includes a port 18 which opens to atmosphere and which is shaped to receive the auxiliary hand-held cleaner 2 with an air tight seal. Thus, air cannot enter the second duct 7 from the atmosphere between the surface of the port 18 and the hand-held cleaner 2 while the upright cleaner 1 is in use. The upright body 16 further includes a support 30 on which the auxiliary cleaner 2 is supported. The support 30 includes a p n 29 which engages with the hand-held cleaner 2 when carried on the upright cleaner 1 to support and assist in locating the hand-held cleaner on the upright cleaner. The hand-held auxiliary cleaner 2 includes a power supply cable 19 for supplying it with power, a dust collection mouth 31 through which dust s drawn, a dust collection chamber 20 for collecting the dust, a fan and motor unit 22 for generating suction, and a dust filter 21 , disposed between the dust collection chamber 20 and the fan and motor unit 22 for retaining dust within the dust collection chamber 20.

The hand-held cleaner 2 includes a valve 23 disposed in the collection mouth for retaining dust within the dust collection chamber 20 when the hand-tield cleaner 2 is held upright with the collection mouth 31 lowermost. The valve 23 is a flap which is pivotally mounted for movement about a fulcrum 25 (see Figure 2), and is biassed towards a closed position closing the collection mouth. When the fan and motor unit 22 is switched on, the suction generated opens the valve 23 so that dust may be collected. The collection mouth of the hand-held cleaner 2 and the valve 23 are shown in more detail in Figures 2 and 3. Figure 2 shows the hand-held cleaner 2 separated from the upright cleaner 1 but not switched on. The valve 23 is, therefore, in a closed position against a stop 24. Figure 3 shows the hand-held cleaner 2 inserted into the port 18 of the upright cleaner. The port includes a spigot 26 which extends into the port 18. When the hand¬ held cleaner 2 is inserted into the port 18, the spigot 26 passes through the collection mouth to deflect the valve 23 against the bias into its open position. Dust held within the dust collection chamber 20 is then released to fall into the duct 7 of the upright cleaner 1.

The next time that the upright cleaner 1 is used, the dust which has fallen into the duct 7, and any remaining dust within the dust collection chamber 20 is sucked into the dust collection bag 8 within the dust compartment 9 of the upright cleaner. It is, therefore, unnecessary to empty the hand-held cleaner 2 separately from the dust collection bag 8 of the upright cleaner. Furthermore, the hand-held cleaner 2 has no permanent connection with the upright cleaner 1 , and so it may be used fully independently of the upright cleaner. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1 , the power cable

19 is connected to the hand-held unit 2. The cable passes power through the switch 14 before reaching a power transfer unit 27. The power transfer unit 27 connects mains power either to the fan and motor unit 22 within the hand-held cleaner 2 when the hand-held cleaner 2 is removed from the upright cleaner 1 , or to the upright cleaner 1 when the hand-held cleaner 2 is attached to the upright cleaner 1.

The power transfer unit 27 includes a microswitch 28 which is closed by the pin 29 extending from the support 30 of the upright cleaner 1. When the microswitch 28 is closed, the power transfer unit 27 directs power to the upright cleaner 1 through a set of contacts (not shown) similar to those found on cordless kettles. An advantage of the arrangement shown in Figure 1 is that a powerful mains powered motor may be used in the hand-held cleaner 2 without the necessity for bulky and heavy batteries.

The hand-held cleaner 2 and the upright cleaner 1 each include corresponding parts (not shown) of a latching mechanism for holding the hand-held cleaner 2 securely on the upright cleaner 1. A release button might be included on either cleaner 1,2 for releasing the latching mechanism .

Cleaning tools (not shown) are intended to be sold with a suction cleaner of the type described. For example a crevice tool may be attached to the collection mouth of the hand-held cleaner. Such tools may be carried on the body of the upright cleaner.

Preferably the upright body 16 is a rigid body to which the auxiliary cleaner 2 is attached. In another embodiment, not shown, the hand-held cleaner is powered by a re-chargeable battery, and only the upright cleaner is mains powered through a mams power cable. In this case, the upright cleaner includes a recharger base unit which, when the hand-held cleaner is carried by the upright cleaner, connects to the rechargeable battery in order to recharge it. Alternatively, the recharger base unit may be separate from the upright cleaner so that recharging may take place near a mains socket.

A further embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 4 in which the primary cleaner is a cylinder-type cleaner 30. In this specification, the term "cylinder- type cleaner" refers to all suction cleaners of the type which include a body, and which collect dust via a collection hose attached to the body. Cylinder-type cleaners and generally non-upright type suction cleaners. The cylinder-type cleaner 30 shown in Figure 4 has a body 31 , a fan unit 32 disposed in the body 31 and a collection hose 34 for leading dust into the body 31 for collection therein. A hand-held cleaner 35 is attachable to the collection hose 34 at an end remote from the cylinder-type cleaner 30. The hand-held cleaner 35 includes a dust collection chamber 36, a fan unit 37 and a collection mouth 38. A passage 50 opens into the hand-held cleaner 35 into which the remote end of the collection hose 34 is insertable. The passage 50 is in communication with the dust collection chamber 36. when the collection hose 34 is removed from the passage 50, a flap 51 closes the passage 50. The hand-held cleaner 35 includes a ma s lead 42 so that, when disengaged from the collection hose 34, it may be used independently of the cylinder-type cleaner, the fan unit 37 draws dust-laden air through the collection mouth 38 onto the collection chamber 36 where the dust is collected.

The hand-held cleaner includes a switch 58 for preparation of the fan unit 37. The auxiliary cleaner 35 also includes a power transfer unit 57 which, when the auxiliary cleaner 35 is attached to the collection hose 34 of the primary cleaner 30 connects mams power to the primary cleaner 30. A switch is closed when the collection hose 34 is inserted into the passage 50 of the auxiliary cleaner 35. The primary cleaner 30 includes a power cord 56 which follows the collection hose 34 to connect the fan unit of the primary cleaner 30 to the power transfer unit 57 of the auxiliary cleaner 35. In this way, when the primary cleaner 30 is to be used, the auxiliary cleaner 35 must be attached to the collection hose 34, and the primary cleaner 30 is controlled by the switch 58 disposed on the auxiliary cleaner 35. Upon activation of the switch 58, the fan unit 32 is operated to suck dust from the region of the suction opening 55 via the extension tube 53, the auxiliary cleaner 35 and the collection hose 34. Furthermore, during this mode of operation, any debris collected within the collection chamber 36 is sucked into the primary cleaner 30 via the passageway 50 and the collection hose 34. In this mode of operation, the fan unit 37 within the auxiliary cleaner 35 is not operated. The auxiliary or hand-held cleaner 35 therefore acts as a cleaning tool and as a handle of the primary cleaner 30. For convenience, the switch 58 operates the primary cleaner 30. Dust laden air may then be sucked through the hand-held cleaner 35.

Various tools are attachable to the hand-held cleaner 35. In Figure 4, a rigid extension tube 53 is attachable to the collection mouth 38 of the hand-held cleaner 35 by pushing a flared end of the extension tube 53 over the collection mouth 38. A floor engaging tool 54 is attached to the opposite end of the extension tube 53, the floor engaging tool 54 having a suction opening 55 which is suitable for applying suction to a floor. A rotatable brush (not shown) may be located in the suction opening 55 for disturbing dust from the area of the floor confronting the suction opening 55. Such a brush might be powered by a turbine driven by the airflow passing through the floor engaging tool 54.

Claims

1. A suction cleaner comprising a primary cleaner and an auxiliary cleaner removably attachable to the primary cleaner, the auxiliary cleaner having an auxiliary fan unit and a handle which, when the auxiliary cleaner is attached to the primary cleaner, constitutes a handle for the primary cleaner.

2. A suction cleaner according to claim 1 wherein the primary cleaner includes a power receiving terminal, and the auxiliary cleaner includes a power source for supplying power to the auxiliary cleaner and a power supplying terminal connectable to the power receiving terminal of the primary cleaner when the auxiliary cleaner is attached thereto.

3. A suction cleaner according to claim 2 wherein the power source is a power supply cable.

4. A suction cleaner according to claim 2 wherein the power source is a socket for receiving a power supply cable.

5. A suction cleaner according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the auxiliary cleaner includes a power transfer device for delivering power from the power source only to the primary cleaner when the auxiliary cleaner is attached to the primary cleaner.

6. A suction cleaner according to claim 5 wherein the transfer device is operable to deliver power from the power source only to the auxiliary cleaner when the auxiliary cleaner is not attached to the primary cleaner.

7. A suction cleaner according to any preceding claim, further comprising a switch for selectively controlling power to the primary cleaner and to the auxiliary cleaner.

8. A suction cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the auxiliary cleaner includes a switch for controlling power to the primary cleaner when the auxiliary cleaner is attached thereto, and for controlling power to the auxiliary cleaner when the auxiliary cleaner is not attached to the primary cleaner.

9. A suction cleaner according to any preceding claim wherein the auxiliary cleaner includes a dust collection chamber, and the primary cleaner includes an air channel and a fan for sucking air into the primary cleaner, the air channel being disposed upstream of the fan for directing sucked air through the primary cleaner, the auxiliary cleaner being attachable to the primary cleaner with the dust collection chamber connected to the air channel such that, in use, dust within the dust collection chamber of the auxiliary chamber is drawn into the air channel of the primary cleaner for collection.

10. A suction cleaner according to claim 9, wherein the auxiliary cleaner includes a valve for retaining dust within the collection chamber.

11. A suction cleaner according to claim 10, wherein the primary cleaner includes means for opening the valve when the auxiliary cleaner is attached to the primary cleaner.

12. A suction cleaner according to claim 11, wherein the means for opening the valve is a spigot disposed in the air channel and positioned for pushing the valve open when the auxiliary cleaner is attached to the primary cleaner.

13. A suction cleaner according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the primary cleaner includes a collection receptacle disposed between the air channel and the suction fan.

14. A suction cleaner according to any one of claims 2 to 13, wherein the power source includes a re-chargeable battery.

15. A suction cleaner according to claim 14 further comprising a recharger base unit to which the auxiliary cleaner is attachable.

16. A suction cleaner according to any preceding claim, wherein the auxiliary cleaner is a hand-held suction cleaner.

17. A suction cleaner according to any preceding claim, wherein the primary cleaner is an upright suction cleaner.

18. A suction cleaner according to any of claims 1 to 16 wherein the primary cleaner is a cylinder-type cleaner.

19. A suction cleaner according to claim 18 wherein the air channel includes a collection hose.

20. A suction cleaner according to claim 19 wherein the auxiliary cleaner is attachable to the collection hose.

21. A suction cleaner according to claim 20 wherein the cylinder-type cleaner further includes a power cord disposed along the collection hose for transferring power to the cylinder-type cleaner from the auxiliary cleaner.

22. A suction cleaner according to any of claims 18 to 21 wherein the cylinder-type cleaner includes a body, and the auxiliary cleaner is attachable to the body of the cylinder-type cleaner.

23. A suction cleaner constructed and arranged substantially as herein described with reference to, and as illustrated by, Figures 1 to 3 of to the accompanying drawings .