VACUUM CLEANER NOZZLE AND VACUUM CLEANER SET WITH THE VACUUM CLEANER NOZZLE

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner nozzle is connectable to a vacuum cleaner via a connection hose to form an airflow passage of a vacuum cleaner set. The vacuum cleaner nozzle is composed of multiple pieces. The configuration of the vacuum cleaner nozzle is at least changeable between a large-area sucking mouth and a small-area slit-like sucking mouth according to the actual operation conditions of different environments to be cleaned. Therefore, it is no more necessary to frequently replace the vacuum cleaner nozzles and the vacuum cleaner can be more conveniently used.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a cleaning device, and more particularly to a vacuum cleaner nozzle and a vacuum cleaner set with the vacuum cleaner set.

2. Description of the Related Art

A conventional vacuum cleaner set is generally composed of a vacuum cleaner and multiple vacuum cleaner nozzles with different configurations. A user can select a desired vacuum cleaner nozzle to connect the vacuum cleaner nozzle to the vacuum cleaner via a connection hose. An airflow passage is formed between the vacuum cleaner and the selected vacuum cleaner nozzle, whereby the vacuum cleaner can provide a vacuum sucking force to suck air into the airflow passage from the vacuum cleaner nozzle so as to collect the dust and dirt and clean up the environment from the dust and dirt.

The conventional vacuum cleaner set generally includes multiple vacuum cleaner nozzles with different configurations in adaptation to different environment conditions for effectively sucking the dust and dirt into the vacuum cleaner. For example, a flat large-area vacuum cleaner nozzle is used to suck the dust on a large-area floor and a tubular small-area vacuum cleaner nozzle is used to suck dust in a narrow space or a fissure. There are other vacuum cleaner nozzles with different configurations for a user to more conveniently operate the vacuum cleaner and more effectively clean up the environment.

The conventional vacuum cleaner set with multiple vacuum cleaner nozzles enables a user to select a desired vacuum cleaner nozzle according to the actual environment condition. However, in use of the vacuum cleaner set, it is necessary to frequently replace the vacuum cleaner nozzles. This leads to inconvenience in use of the vacuum cleaner set. Moreover, due to frequent replacement of the vacuum cleaner nozzles, the vacuum cleaner nozzles and the connection hose are subject to wear. As a result, after a period of use, the vacuum cleaner nozzles are likely to detach from the connection hose in use of the vacuum cleaner set. Furthermore, due to frequent replacement of the vacuum cleaner nozzles, the vacuum cleaner nozzles are likely to miss, especially the small-size ones.

Taiwanese Utility Model Patent No. M247171 discloses a vacuum cleaner with a vacuum cleaner nozzle adjustable in width and a connection hose, which can be concealed. Substantially, the width of the vacuum cleaner nozzle of the above patent can be adjusted to change the dust-sucking area. However, the adjustment of the width of the vacuum cleaner nozzle is still limited. Therefore, in some cases, it is still necessary to adapt a smaller vacuum cleaner nozzle to the connection hose for sucking the dust in a narrow space. Accordingly, the above patent is still imperfect.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide a vacuum cleaner nozzle and a vacuum cleaner set with the vacuum cleaner set. The vacuum cleaner nozzle is connectable to a vacuum cleaner via a connection hose to form an airflow passage of the vacuum cleaner set. The vacuum cleaner nozzle is composed of multiple pieces. The configuration of the vacuum cleaner nozzle is at least changeable between a large-area sucking mouth and a small-area slit-like sucking mouth according to the actual operation conditions of different environments to be cleaned. Therefore, it is no more necessary to frequently replace the vacuum cleaner nozzles and the vacuum cleaner can be more conveniently used.

To achieve the above and other objects, the vacuum cleaner nozzle of the present invention includes: a main body; a connection section positioned on one side of the main body; at least one sucking mouth positioned on the other side of the main body; and at least one airflow passage extending from the sucking mouth through the main body to the connection section. The vacuum cleaner nozzle is characterized in that the main body has at least two pieces. Each piece has a mating face on one side and a connection end at one end. The connection ends are in adjacency to each other and movably connected to the connection section. The vacuum cleaner nozzle further includes a joint section positioned between the connection ends of the two pieces and the connection section, whereby the two pieces can be pivotally rotated around the joint section between an unfolded position and a folded position. When the two pieces are positioned in the unfolded position, the connection ends of the two pieces attach to and abut against each other, whereby the sucking mouth is positioned on the mating faces of the two pieces. When the two pieces are positioned in the folded position, the mating faces of the two pieces are mated with each other, whereby the sucking mouth is positioned at the other ends of the mated pieces, which ends are distal from the joint section.

The present invention can be best understood through the following description and accompanying drawings, wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective exploded view of a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective assembled view of the first embodiment of the present invention, showing that the first and second pieces are positioned in the folded position;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective assembled view of the first embodiment of the present invention, showing that the first and second pieces are positioned in the unfolded position;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a perspective exploded view of a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective assembled view of the second embodiment of the present invention, showing that the first and second pieces are positioned in the unfolded position;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a perspective assembled view of the second embodiment of the present invention, showing that the first and second pieces are positioned in the folded position;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a perspective assembled view of a third embodiment of the present invention, showing that the first and second pieces are positioned in the unfolded position;

FIG. 14 is a perspective exploded view of the third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a perspective sectional view of the third embodiment of the present invention, showing that the first and second pieces are positioned in the unfolded position;

FIG. 16 is a sectional view taken along line 16-16 of FIG. 13;

FIG. 17 is a perspective assembled view of the third embodiment of the present invention, showing that the first and second pieces are positioned in the folded position;

FIG. 18 is a sectional view taken along line 18-18 of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a perspective assembled view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention, showing that the first and second pieces are positioned in the unfolded position;

FIG. 20 is a perspective exploded view of the fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a perspective sectional view of the fourth embodiment of the present invention, showing that the first and second pieces are positioned in the unfolded position;

FIG. 22 is a sectional view taken along line 22-22 of FIG. 19;

FIG. 23 is a perspective assembled view of the fourth embodiment of the present invention, showing that the first and second pieces are positioned in the folded position; and

FIG. 24 is a sectional view taken along line 24-24 of FIG. 23.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Please refer to FIGS. 1 to 7. According to a first embodiment, the vacuum cleaner nozzle 10 of the present invention includes a connection section 20, a main body 30, a joint section 40, a sucking mouth 50 and an airflow passage.

The connection section 20 is a tubular section, which is bent to have an arched form.

The main body 30 is positioned at one end of the connection section 20, having a first piece 31 and a second piece 32. The first and second pieces 31, 32 are elongated pieces symmetrical to each other. The first piece 31 has a connection end 311 at one end and the second piece 32 has a connection end 321 at one end. The connection ends 311, 321 are in adjacency to each other. The connection ends 311, 321 are movably connected to the end of the connection section 20. The first piece 31 has a mating face 312 on one side and the second piece 32 has a mating face 322 on one side. Two sinks 33, 34 are respectively formed on the mating faces 312, 322 of the first and second pieces 31, 32. The sinks 33, 34 extend to the other ends of the first and second pieces 31, 32 to form first sink openings 331, 341 on the mating faces of the first and second pieces 31, 32 and corresponding second sink openings 332, 342 at the other ends of the first and second pieces 31, 32.

The joint section 40 is positioned between the connection ends 311, 321 of the first and second pieces 31, 32 and the connection section 20. The first and second pieces 31, 32 can be pivotally rotated around the joint section 40 between an unfolded position and a folded position. When the first and second pieces 31, 32 are positioned in the unfolded position, the connection ends 311, 321 of the first and second pieces 31, 32 attach to and abut against each other, whereby the main body 30 is substantially perpendicular to the connection section 20 as shown in FIG. 5. When the first and second pieces 31, 32 are positioned in the folded position, the mating faces 312, 322 of the first and second pieces 31, 32 are mated with each other, whereby the main body 30 substantially extends from the connection section 20 as shown in FIG. 2.

To speak more specifically, the joint section 40 has a tubular shaft body 41 formed with multiple radial holes. The shaft body 41 is positioned at the end of the tubular connection section 20. A first pivot ring 42 formed with a radial hole is coaxially fitted on and pivotally connected with the shaft body 41. One side of the first pivot ring 42 is fixedly connected with the connection end 311 of the first piece 31. A pair of second pivot rings 43 formed with radial holes is coaxially fitted on the shaft body 41. One side of each second pivot ring 43 is fixedly connected with the connection end 321 of the second piece 32. Accordingly, the sinks 33, 34 communicate with each other via the radial holes of the shaft body 41.

The sucking mouth 50 is positioned at one end of the main body 30, which end is distal from the connection section 20. However, the configuration of the sucking mouth 50 varies with the change of the positions of the first and second pieces 31, 32. To speak more specifically, when the first and second pieces 31, 32 are positioned in the unfolded position, the sucking mouth 50 is formed of the first sink openings 331, 341 and the second sink openings 332, 342 of the sinks 33, 34. When the first and second pieces 31, 32 are positioned in the folded position, the first sink openings 331, 341 are mated with each other and closed so that the sinks 33, 34 are mated with each other to form an internal space of the main body 30. In this case, the second sink openings 332, 342 are mated with each other to form a slit-like sucking mouth 50.

The airflow passage is a passage composed of internal spaces of the respective components for the air to flow through the sucking mouth 50 and the connection section 20. To speak more specifically, the airflow passage inward extends from the sucking mouth 50 through the main body 30 to communicate with the internal space of the connection section 20.

According to the above arrangement, the configuration of the main body 30 of the vacuum cleaner nozzle 10 can be controllably changed by a user according to the actual operation condition of the environment to be cleaned. When the first and second pieces 31, 32 are positioned in the unfolded position, a large-area sucking mouth is provided for sucking dust on a large-area site such as a floor. Alternatively, when the first and second pieces 31, 32 are adjusted and positioned in the folded position, a small-area slit-like sucking mouth is provided for sucking dust in a narrow space or a fissure. Accordingly, the vacuum cleaner nozzle 10 can be used instead of two main conventional vacuum cleaner nozzles with large and small areas. Therefore, it is no more necessary to frequently replace the vacuum cleaner nozzles and the vacuum cleaner can be more conveniently used.

Please now refer to FIGS. 8 to 12, which show a second embodiment of the vacuum cleaner nozzle 10′ of the present invention. The second embodiment is substantially identical to the first embodiment in structure. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the two pieces of the main body of the first embodiment are rotatable around the same shaft body, while the components of the main body of the second embodiment are rotatable around different shaft bodies.

In other words, in the second embodiment of the vacuum cleaner nozzle 10′, the first and second pieces 31′, 32′ of the main body 30′ are rotatable around different shaft bodies. To speak more specifically, the joint section 40′ of the second embodiment has two tubular shaft bodies 41′ in parallel to each other. The shaft bodies 41′ are positioned in the connection section 20′. The connection ends 311′, 321′ of the first and second pieces 31′, 32′ are respectively pivotally connected to the corresponding shaft bodies 41′. The first and second pieces 31′, 32′ are pivotally rotatable around the shaft bodies 41′ between the unfolded position and the folded position. Accordingly, the sinks 33′, 34′ of the first and second pieces 31′, 32′ respectively communicate with the internal holes of the corresponding shaft bodies 41′ as a part of the airflow passage.

According to the above arrangement, the second embodiment of the vacuum cleaner nozzle 10′ can achieve the same effect as the first embodiment.

In addition, in order to enhance the convenience of the vacuum cleaner nozzle 10, 10′ in operation, in structure, an extension spring (or a torque spring) can be bridged between the respective components to provide a pretension for keeping the first and second pieces in the unfolded position (or the folded position). Accordingly, the first and second pieces are normally positioned in the unfolded position (or the folded position). In order to overcome the pretension of the extension spring (or the torque spring) and position the first and second pieces in the folded position (or the unfolded position), it is necessary to dispose engagement structures between the first and second pieces. The engagement structures can engage with each other to resist against the pretension and keep the first and second pieces in the folded position (or the unfolded position). In addition, in order to facilitate disengagement between the engagement structures, awing board laterally extending by a certain width can be disposed on any of the first and second pieces. In this case, a user can easily apply a force to disengage the engagement structures from each other. The above is only for illustrating the modification of the above embodiments, not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Many modifications of the above embodiments can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The extension spring, the engagement structures and the wing board all pertain to prior art and are well known by those skilled in this field.

Please now refer to FIGS. 13 to 18, which show a third embodiment of the vacuum cleaner nozzle 10″ of the present invention. The third embodiment is based on the second embodiment, further including a drive section 60″ for a user to more conveniently operate the pieces 31″, 32″ of the main body 30″ to move between the folded position and the unfolded position.

The drive section 60″ has two hollow rotary collars 61″ coaxial with the shaft bodies 41″. One end of each rotary collar 61″ is engaged with one side of the connection end of one of the first and second pieces 31″, 32″. Two ratchet rings 62″ are respectively annularly disposed around the rotary collars 61″. The ratchet rings 62″ are spaced from each other without engaging with each other. A ratchet rack 63″ with a certain length is positioned between the rotary collars 61″ with the ratchets on two sides engaged with the ratchets of the ratchet rings 62″. One end of a pull cord 64″ is connected to one end of the ratchet rack 63″, while the other end of the pull cord 64″ outward extends as an operation end for a user to pull. A restoring compression spring 65″ is fitted on the pull cord 64″. One end of the compression spring 65″ abuts against one end of the ratchet rack 63″, while the other end of the compression spring 65″ abuts against inner face of a cover board 21″ of the connection section 20″. The compression spring 65″ serves to apply an elastic force to the ratchet rack 63″. Accordingly, when a user applies a force to the pull cord 64″ to pull the same outward, the ratchet rack 63″ is driven to synchronously move. Through the ratchet rings 62″ engaged with the ratchet rack 63″, the rotary collars 61″ are driven to rotate. At this time, the first and second pieces 31″, 32″ synchronously rotate from the unfolded position to the folded position. After the first and second pieces 31″, 32″ are released from the force of the user, the restoring compression spring 65″ pushes and restores the ratchet rack 63″, whereby the first and second pieces 31″, 32″ are restored to the unfolded position.

Please now refer to FIGS. 19 to 24, which show a fourth embodiment of the vacuum cleaner nozzle 10″′ of the present invention. The fourth embodiment is also based on the second embodiment as the third embodiment. The fourth embodiment further includes a drive section 60″′, which is different from that of the third embodiment. To speak more specifically, the force of the drive section 60″′ is transmitted through a cord rather than the ratchets.

The drive section 60″′ has two coiled springs 62″′ coaxially fitted on the rotary collars 61″′. One end of each coiled spring 62″′ is fixedly connected to the rotary collar 61″′, while the other end is fixedly connected to the connection section 20″′. The coiled springs 62″′ serve to apply elastic force to the rotary collars 61″′ so as to keep the first and second pieces 31″′, 32″′ in the unfolded position. One end of a pull cord 63″′ is positioned between the rotary collars 61″′, while the other end of the pull cord 63″′ outward extends as an operation end for a user to pull. Two ends of an extension cord 64″′ are respectively fixedly connected to the rotary collars 61″′. A middle section of the extension cord 64″′ is connected with one end of the pull cord 63″′. Accordingly, when a user applies a force to the pull cord 63″′ to pull the same outward, through the extension cord 64″′ and the rotary collars 61″′, the first and second pieces 31″′, 32″′ are driven to rotate from the unfolded position to the folded position. After the first and second pieces 31″′, 32″′ are released from the force of the user, the coiled spring 62″′ make the rotary collars 61″′ rotate back to their home positions, whereby the first and second pieces 31″′, 32″′ are restored to the unfolded position.

It should be noted that the vacuum cleaner nozzle 10, 10′, 10″, 10″′ is adapted to a conventional connection hose of a conventional vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner nozzle is connected to the vacuum cleaner via the connection hose to form the internal flow path from the sucking mouth to the interior of the vacuum cleaner. Therefore, the present invention also provides a vacuum cleaner set composed of the vacuum cleaner nozzle 10, 10′, 10″, 10″′, the connection hose and the vacuum cleaner.

The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the present invention, not intended to limit the scope thereof. Many modifications of the above embodiments can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. A vacuum cleaner nozzle comprising:

a main body;

a connection section positioned on one side of the main body;

at least one sucking mouth positioned on the other side of the main body; and

at least one airflow passage extending from the sucking mouth through the main body to the connection section, the vacuum cleaner nozzle being characterized in that the main body has at least two pieces, each piece having a mating face on one side and a connection end at one end, the connection ends being in adjacency to each other and movably connected to the connection section, the vacuum cleaner nozzle further comprising a joint section positioned between the connection ends of the two pieces and the connection section, whereby the two pieces can be pivotally rotated around the joint section between an unfolded position and a folded position, when the two pieces are positioned in the unfolded position, the connection ends of the two pieces attaching to and abutting against each other, whereby the sucking mouth is positioned on the mating faces of the two pieces, when the two pieces are positioned in the folded position, the mating faces of the two pieces being mated with each other, whereby the sucking mouth is positioned at the other ends of the mated pieces, which ends are distal from the joint section.

2. The vacuum cleaner nozzle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the joint section has a tubular shaft body formed with multiple holes, the shaft body being positioned at one end of the connection section, which end is connected with the main body, at least one first pivot ring being coaxially fitted on and pivotally connected with the shaft body, one side of the first pivot ring being fixedly connected with the connection end of one of the pieces, at least one second pivot ring being coaxially fitted on and pivotally connected with the shaft body, one side of the second pivot ring being fixedly connected with the connection end of the other of the pieces.

3. The vacuum cleaner nozzle as claimed in claim 2, wherein the main body has two sinks respectively formed on the mating faces of the two pieces, the sinks communicating with each other via the shaft body.

4. The vacuum cleaner nozzle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the joint section has two tubular shaft bodies in parallel to each other, the shaft bodies being positioned at one end of the connection section, which end is connected with the main body, the connection ends of the two pieces being respectively pivotally connected to the corresponding shaft bodies.

5. The vacuum cleaner nozzle as claimed in claim 4, wherein the main body has two sinks respectively formed on the mating faces of the two pieces, the sinks respectively communicating with internal holes of the shaft bodies.

6. The vacuum cleaner nozzle as claimed in claim 4, wherein each of the pieces of the main body has a predetermined length and the connection end is positioned at one end of the corresponding piece.

7. The vacuum cleaner nozzle as claimed in claim 6, wherein when the pieces are positioned in the folded position, the sucking mouth is positioned at the other ends of the pieces.

8. The vacuum cleaner nozzle as claimed in claim 6, wherein the main body has two sinks respectively formed on the mating faces of the two pieces, the sinks extending to the other ends of the pieces to form openings.

9. The vacuum cleaner nozzle as claimed in claim 4, further comprising a drive section having two hollow rotary collars coaxial with the shaft bodies, one end of each rotary collar being engaged with an adjacent piece, the drive section further having a pull cord for an operator to pull so as to drive and rotate the rotary collars, whereby the pieces engaged with the rotary collars can synchronously rotate from the unfolded position to the folded position.

10. The vacuum cleaner nozzle as claimed in claim 9, wherein the drive section further includes two ratchet rings respectively annularly disposed around the rotary collars and a ratchet rack positioned between the ratchet rings and engaged therewith, one end of the ratchet rack being connected to the pull cord, the drive section further including a compression spring, one end of the compression spring abutting against the ratchet rack, while the other end of the compression spring abutting against the connection section, whereby the compression spring can apply an elastic force to the ratchet rack.

11. The vacuum cleaner nozzle as claimed in claim 9, wherein the drive section further includes an extension cord, two ends of the extension cord being respectively fixedly connected to the rotary collars, a middle section of the extension cord being connected to the pull cord, the drive section further including two coiled springs respectively coaxially fitted on the corresponding rotary collars, one end of each coiled spring being fixedly connected to the rotary collar, while the other end of the coiled spring being fixedly connected to the connection section, whereby the coiled springs can apply elastic force to the rotary collars.

12. A vacuum cleaner set comprising the vacuum cleaner nozzle as claimed in claim 1, a vacuum cleaner and a connection hose.