Vacuum cleaning appliance

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9962046-B2
Application number	US-201514681182-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 8, 2015
Priority date	Apr 11, 2014
Publication date	May 8, 2018
Grant date	May 8, 2018

Abstract

A vacuum cleaning appliance comprises a handheld vacuum cleaning device comprising a motor coupled to a fan for generating an air flow through a nozzle air inlet. It also comprises a support frame comprising: a cleaning head having a cleaning head air inlet; and an air outlet in fluid communication with the cleaning head air inlet, the air outlet configured to couple with the nozzle air inlet when the handheld vacuum cleaning device is secured to the support frame and to create an airflow path from the cleaning head air inlet to the nozzle air inlet. The air outlet is moveable with respect to the support frame into a first position in which the air outlet projects from the support frame when the handheld vacuum cleaning device is detached from the support frame.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A vacuum cleaning appliance comprising:
a handheld vacuum cleaning device comprising a nozzle air inlet and a motor coupled to a fan for generating an air flow through the nozzle air inlet; and
a support frame comprising:
a cleaning head having a cleaning head air inlet;
an air outlet in fluid communication with the cleaning head air inlet, the air outlet configured to couple with the nozzle air inlet when the handheld vacuum cleaning device is secured to the support frame and to create an airflow path from the cleaning head air inlet to the nozzle air inlet;
wherein the air outlet is moveable with respect to the support frame into a first position in which the air outlet projects from the support frame when the handheld vacuum cleaning device is detached from the support frame; and
wherein the air outlet is resiliently biased into the first position.

2. The vacuum cleaning appliance according to claim 1 wherein the air outlet is pivotable with respect to the support frame.

3. The vacuum cleaning appliance according to claim 1 wherein the support frame comprises a latch mechanism for detachably securing the handheld vacuum cleaning device thereto.

4. The vacuum cleaning appliance according to claim 1 wherein the air outlet is moveable between the first position and a second position in which the air outlet is adjacent to the support frame when the handheld vacuum cleaning device is attached to the support frame.

5. The vacuum cleaning appliance according to claim 1 wherein the support frame comprises a recess for receiving the handheld vacuum cleaning device.

6. The vacuum cleaning appliance according to claim 5 wherein the air outlet is located at least partially within the recess.

7. The vacuum cleaning appliance according to claim 6 wherein when the handheld vacuum is detached, the air outlet projects beyond the recess.

8. The vacuum cleaning appliance according to claim 1 wherein the nozzle air inlet comprises a sleeve and the sleeve is slidable over the outside of air outlet.

9. The vacuum cleaning appliance according to claim 8 wherein the air outlet comprises a stop member for engaging with the sleeve.

10. The vacuum cleaning appliance according to claim 9 wherein the stop member comprises a substantially circumferential flange around an outside surface of the air outlet.

11. The vacuum cleaning appliance according to claim 1 wherein the air outlet comprises a shoulder portion for engaging with a wall of the support frame when the air outlet is in the first position.

12. The vacuum cleaning appliance according claim 1 wherein the air outlet comprises a substantially circumferential rib for engaging an inside surface of the nozzle air inlet.

13. The vacuum cleaning appliance according to claim 1 wherein the support frame comprises a duct providing an air flow path between the cleaning head air inlet and the air outlet, and the air outlet is coupled to the duct by virtue of a flexible air tight collar.

14. A support frame for a handheld vacuum cleaning device having a nozzle air inlet and a motor coupled to a fan for generating an air flow through the nozzle air inlet, the support frame comprising:
a cleaning head having a cleaning head air inlet for engaging with a floor; and
an air outlet in fluid communication with the cleaning head air inlet, the air outlet configured to couple with the nozzle air inlet when the handheld vacuum cleaning device is secured to the support frame and to create an airflow path from the cleaning head air inlet to the nozzle air inlet;
wherein the air outlet is moveable with respect to the support frame into a first position in which the air outlet projects from the support frame when the handheld vacuum cleaning device is detached from the support frame; and
wherein the air outlet is resiliently biased into the first position.

Assignees

• Black & Decker Inc

Inventors

• Rowntree David

Classifications

• 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

• A47L5/225 Primary

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

• A47L5/24

  Hand-supported suction cleaners · CPC title