Surface cleaning apparatus with an adjustable handle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9955831-B2
Application number	US-201314383469-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 8, 2013
Priority date	Mar 9, 2012
Publication date	May 1, 2018
Grant date	May 1, 2018

Abstract

A reconfigurable upright surface cleaning apparatus may include a cleaning unit including an air treatment member, a suction motor and a clean air outlet. The cleaning unit may be detachably connected to the surface cleaning apparatus. A reconfigurable air flow passage may include at least one portion that is alternatively configurable between a surface cleaning mode and an auxiliary cleaning mode. An adjustable handle may be provided on the cleaning unit and may be drivingly connected to the surface cleaning head. The handle may include a grip portion having at least one grip member and may be moveable between an extended position, in which the grip portion is spaced apart from the cleaning unit, and a retracted position, in which the grip portion is positioned proximate the cleaning unit.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A reconfigurable upright surface cleaning apparatus comprising:
(a) a surface cleaning head having a first dirty air inlet;
(b) a cleaning unit comprising an air treatment member, a suction motor and a clean air outlet;
(c) the cleaning unit is movably connected to the surface cleaning head between an upright storage position and an inclined in use position, the cleaning unit is detachably connected to the surface cleaning apparatus;
(d) a reconfigurable air flow passage comprising at least one portion that is alternatively configurable between
i. a surface cleaning mode in which the cleaning unit is connected to the surface cleaning apparatus and an air flow passage extends between the first dirty air inlet and the clean air outlet; and
ii. an auxiliary cleaning mode in which the cleaning unit is detached from the surface cleaning apparatus, the air flow passage extends from a second dirty air inlet to the clean air outlet and a position of the second dirty air inlet is adjustable relative to the cleaning unit; and,

(e) an adjustable handle extending from an upper surface of the cleaning unit and drivingly connected to the surface cleaning head, the handle comprising a grip portion having at least one grip member and being moveable between an extended position, in which the grip portion is spaced apart from the cleaning unit, and a retracted position, in which the grip portion is positioned proximate the cleaning unit.

2. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the handle comprises a telescoping handle.

3. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the cleaning unit has a length and the telescoping handle comprises a telescopic handle shaft including an upper shaft portion slidably coupled to a corresponding channel portion, and the channel portion extends along at least a portion of the length of the cleaning unit.

4. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 3 , wherein when the grip portion is in the retracted position at least ⅔ of the upper shaft portion extends along the length of the cleaning unit.

5. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the handle is selectably securable in both the extended and retracted positions.

6. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the cleaning unit is detachably connected to the surface cleaning head.

7. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the grip portion is moveable between the extended and retracted positions when the cleaning unit is in each of the surface cleaning mode and the auxiliary cleaning mode.

8. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the grip portion is securable in at least one intermediate position between the extended and retracted positions.

9. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the air flow passage comprises at least one re-positionable conduit member having a downstream end that is in continuous air flow communication with the air treatment member and an upstream end that defines the second dirty air inlet when the cleaning unit is in the auxiliary cleaning mode and that is in air flow communication with the first dirty air inlet when the cleaning unit is in the surface cleaning mode.

10. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the re-positionable conduit member comprises a flexible hose.

11. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the downstream end of the re-positionable conduit member is movably coupled to the cleaning unit.

12. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the downstream end of the re-positionable conduit member is rotatably coupled to the cleaning unit.

13. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the handle does not form part of the air flow passage.

14. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the handle extends from an upper portion of the cleaning unit and is external the air flow passage.

15. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the handle further comprises a shaft member extending between the cleaning unit and the grip portion and wherein the shaft member is external the air flow passage.

16. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one grip member comprises a first grip member and a second grip member spaced apart from the first grip member.

17. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the first grip member extends in a first direction and the second grip member extends in a second direction that is at an angle to the first direction.

18. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the second grip member is oriented at an angle between about 10 degrees and about 175 degrees relative to the first grip member.

19. The surface cleaning apparatus claim 17 , wherein when the surface cleaning apparatus is in the upright position the second grip member is generally vertical and the first grip member is within about 30 degrees of horizontal.

20. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the second grip is provided on a rear portion of the handle and is generally vertical when the cleaning unit is in the upright position.

21. A reconfigurable upright surface cleaning apparatus comprising:
(a) a surface cleaning head having a first dirty air inlet;
(b) a cleaning unit comprising an air treatment member, a suction motor and a clean air outlet;
(c) the cleaning unit is movably connected to the surface cleaning head between an upright storage position and an inclined in use position, the cleaning unit is detachably connected to the surface cleaning apparatus;
(d) a reconfigurable air flow passage comprising at least one portion that is alternatively configurable between
i. a surface cleaning mode in which the cleaning unit is connected to the surface cleaning apparatus and an air flow passage extends between the first dirty air inlet and the clean air outlet; and
ii. an auxiliary cleaning mode in which the cleaning unit is detached from the surface cleaning apparatus, the air flow passage extends from a second dirty air inlet through a tangential inlet in a sidewall of the cleaning unit to the clean air outlet and a position of the second dirty air inlet is adjustable relative to the cleaning unit; and,

(e) an adjustable handle provided on the cleaning unit and drivingly connected to the surface cleaning head, the handle comprising a grip portion having at least one grip member and being moveable between an extended position, in which the grip portion is spaced apart from the cleaning unit, and a retracted position, in which the grip portion is positioned proximate the cleaning unit.

22. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the handle comprises a telescoping handle.

23. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 22 , wherein the cleaning unit has a length and the telescoping handle comprises a telescopic handle shaft including an upper shaft portion slidably coupled to a corresponding channel portion, and the channel portion extends along at least a portion of the length of the cleaning unit.

Assignees

• Sharkninja Operating Llc

Inventors

• Bilger Dan

Classifications

• A47L5/225

  Convertible suction cleaners, i.e. convertible between different types thereof, e.g. from upright suction cleaners to sledge-type suction cleaners · CPC title

• A47L5/28 Primary

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

• A47L9/242

  Hose or pipe couplings · CPC title

• A47L9/325 Primary

  for wheeled suction cleaners with steering handle · CPC title