Vacuum cleaning device with foldable wand to provide storage configuration

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12053141-B2
Application number	US-202217843709-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 17, 2022
Priority date	Jun 18, 2021
Publication date	Aug 6, 2024
Grant date	Aug 6, 2024

Abstract

A wand includes a hinge configured to pivotally connect first and second wand segments in an extended configuration and a storage configuration. A first locking mechanism locks the wand in extended configuration. A second locking mechanism includes a rod, a sliding lever, a plunger, and a plunger cavity. The plunger is configured to be received in the plunger cavity to lock the wand in the storage configuration. When in the extended configuration, depressing a single actuator pivots the locking arm, causes the hook/pawl to be removed from the locking cavity, and unlocks the wand. When in the storage configuration, depressing the single actuator causes the rod to move in a first direction, causes the sliding rod to move a second direction, and urges the plunger out of the plunger cavity.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A wand comprising:
a first and a second wand segment defining a first and a second portion of an air passage;
a bendable wand joint comprising a first and a second hinge member and a hinge configured to pivotally connect said first and said second wand segments together in multiple configurations, said multiple configurations comprising:
an extended configuration in which said first and said second rigid wand segments are straight relative to each other during use; and
a storage configuration in which said first and said second rigid wand segments are bent relative to each other during use;

a flexible tube between said first and said second rigid wand segments defining a flexible air portion of said air passage and configured to flex when said first and said second hinge members pivot about said hinge; and
a first locking mechanism comprising a locking arm including a hook or pawl pivotally coupled to said first hinge member, said hook or pawl configured to be at least partially received in a locking cavity formed in said second hinge member when said wand is disposed in said extended configuration to lock the first and second wand segments in said extended configuration;
a second locking mechanism configured to lock the first and second wand segments in said storage configuration, said second locking mechanism comprising a rod, a sliding lever, a plunger, and a plunger cavity, wherein said plunger is configured to be at least partially received in said plunger cavity when said wand is disposed in said storage configuration; and
a single actuator for unlocking the first and second rigid wand segments in both the extended configuration and the storage configuration;
wherein when said wand is disposed in said extended configuration, depressing the single actuator causes said locking arm to pivot and said hook or pawl to be removed from said locking cavity to unlock said wand; and
wherein when said wand is disposed in said storage configuration, depressing the single actuator causes said rod to move in a first direction, which in turn causes said sliding rod to move a second direction and urge said plunger out of said plunger cavity.

2. The wand of claim 1 , wherein said single actuator is disposed on an opposite side of said wand than said hinge.

3. The wand of claim 1 , wherein said single actuator includes a release button.

4. The wand of claim 3 , wherein said release button is disposed on an opposite side of said wand than said hinge.

5. The wand of claim 1 , wherein the first and the second wand segment are configured to be folded about 180° in a forward direction when transitioning from the extended configuration to the storage configuration.

6. The wand of claim 1 , wherein the single actuator includes a locking collar pivotally coupled to the second hinge member.

7. The wand of claim 6 , wherein the locking collar includes a release button.

8. The wand of claim 7 , wherein the locking collar includes a biasing device configured to urge the locking collar to a default locking position.

9. The wand of claim 1 , further comprising:
a locking arm guard extending from the first hinge member and around a distal end of the locking arm; and
a locking arm sidewall extending outward from the second hinge member and at least partially around the locking cavity, wherein the locking arm sidewall is configured to receive at least a portion of the locking arm guard.

10. A wand comprising:
a first and a second wand segment defining a first and a second portion of an air passage;
a bendable wand joint comprising a first hinge member, a second hinge member, and a hinge configured to pivotally connect said first and said second wand segments together in at least a first configuration and a second configuration, said first configuration corresponding to an extended position;
a flexible tube coupled between said first and said second rigid wand segments; and
a first locking mechanism to lock the first and second wand segments in said first configuration;
a second locking mechanism configured to lock the first and second wand segments in said second configuration, said second locking mechanism comprising a rod, a sliding lever, a plunger, and a plunger cavity, wherein said plunger is configured to be at least partially received in said plunger cavity when said wand is disposed in said second configuration; and
a single actuator for unlocking the first and second rigid wand segments in both the first configuration and the second configuration;
wherein when said wand is disposed in said second configuration, depressing the single actuator causes said rod to move in a first direction, which in turn causes said sliding rod to move a second direction and urge said plunger out of said plunger cavity.

11. The wand of claim 10 , wherein said second configuration is a storage position.

12. The wand of claim 10 , wherein said second configuration is an intermediate position.

13. The wand of claim 10 , wherein said single actuator is disposed on an opposite side of said wand than said hinge.

14. The wand of claim 13 , wherein said single actuator includes a release button.

15. The wand of claim 11 , wherein the first and the second wand segment are configured to be folded about 180° in a forward direction when transitioning from the first configuration to the second configuration.

16. A wand comprising:
a first wand segment including a first hinge member and a second wand segment including a second hinge member;
a hinge configured to pivotally connect said first and said second wand segments together in at least a first configuration and a second configuration, said first configuration corresponding to an extended position;
a flexible tube coupled between said first and said second rigid wand segments; and
a first lock configured to lock the first and second wand segments in said first configuration;
a second lock configured to lock the first and second wand segments in said second configuration, said second locking mechanism comprising a rod, a sliding lever, a plunger, and a plunger cavity, wherein said plunger is configured to be at least partially received in said plunger cavity when said wand is disposed in said second configuration; and
one actuator configured to unlock both the first and second locks;
wherein when said wand is disposed in said second configuration, depressing the one actuator causes said rod to move, which in turn causes said sliding rod to move and urge said plunger out of said plunger cavity.

17. The wand of claim 16 , wherein said second configuration is a storage position.

18. The wand of claim 16 , wherein said second configuration is an intermediate position.

19. The wand of claim 16 , wherein said hinge further configured to pivotally connect said first and said second wand segments together in a third configuration, said second configuration including a storage position and said third configuration including an intermediate position.

20. The wand of claim 19 , wherein the first and the second wand segment are configured to be folded about 180° in a forward direction when transitioning from the first configuration to the second configuration.

Assignees

• Sharkninja Operating Llc

Inventors

• Mcclay Casey
• Kelemen Kevin
• Johnson Owen R
• Gacin Steven
• Cleary Patrick
• Xu Aiming
• Zhao Dawei
• Wang Yaqin
• He Weiwei

Classifications

• A47L9/242

  Hose or pipe couplings · CPC title

• F16L27/10

  comprising a flexible connection only · CPC title

• A47L5/28

  Suction cleaners with handles and nozzles fixed on the casings, e.g. wheeled suction cleaners with steering handle (A47L5/24 takes precedence) · CPC title

• A47L9/0009

  Storing devices (winding devices for electric cables A47L9/26); Supports, stands or holders · CPC title

• A47L9/248 Primary

  Parts, details or accessories of hoses or pipes (nozzles A47L9/02) · CPC title