Suction port assembly of vacuum cleaner

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner operable on upright mode and canister mode is provided. The vacuum cleaner includes a suction port assembly comprising a suction port and a suction passage to draw in dust-laden air, a cleaner body housing a dust separating unit and a motor connected with the dust separating unit, an operating handle assembly in fluid communication with the cleaner body through a hose and in fluid communication with an extension pipe, and a carrying handle assembly sliding along the cleaner body to increase in length. If the vacuum cleaner is in the upright mode, the extension pipe is in fluid communication with the suction port assembly, is used as a passage for air to pass toward the cleaner body, and supports the cleaner body, while if the vacuum cleaner is in the canister mode, the extension pipe is separated from the cleaner body.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/964,676, filed on Aug. 14, 2007 in the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Korean Patent Application No. 2007-0093884, filed on Sep. 14, 2007 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, and Korean Patent Application No. 2007-0077662, filed on Aug. 2, 2007 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire disclosure of each of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates to a vacuum cleaner, and more particularly, to a vacuum cleaner capable of drawing in dust-laden air from a surface being cleaned using a suction force generated by a motor driven inside the cleaner body, filtering the dust from the drawn air, and discharging clean air to the outside of the cleaner body.

2. Description of the Related Art

Vacuum cleaners can be broadly classified into upright type cleaners and canister type cleaners. An upright type of vacuum cleaner has a structure in which a suction port assembly is directly connected to a cleaner body, without using a separate hose or extension pipe. This upright type of vacuum cleaner uses its weight to clean, and is thus efficient for cleaning fabrics such as carpet. A canister type of vacuum cleaner has a different structure from an upright type of vacuum cleaner, in which a suction port assembly is connected in fluid communication with a cleaner body. Because the suction port assembly is relatively free to operate, a canister type of vacuum cleaner is more efficient when cleaning places that are not accessible by an upright type of vacuum cleaner such as narrow places, or stairs.

Additionally, an upright type of vacuum cleaner having a lift-off structure has been suggested, as in U.S. Pat. No. 5,309,600 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,524,321, to combine the effects of the canister and upright cleaners. The lift-off structure enables the cleaner body to be separated from the suction port assembly.

However, such a convertible vacuum cleaner has some drawbacks. Generally, an upright type requires a separate support frame that extends vertically from the suction port assembly, and a canister type requires a user to stow away parts such as an extension pipe or hose at a separate place for later use.

The convertible vacuum cleaner also requires a fluid path converting structure to adapt the fluid path between an upright type and a canister type, because different fluid paths are formed between a suction port assembly and a cleaner body depending on whether a vacuum cleaner is operating in upright or canister mode. The requirement for a separate fluid path converting structure causes the structure to become more complex. Furthermore, a user experiences inconvenience when he uses a canister mode because he has to separate the extension pipe from the cleaner body and re-connect it to the suction port of the cleaner body.

Another drawback is that a vacuum cleaner is generally made to be usable by someone of adult height, which hinders the user's freedom in storing the cleaner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure overcome the above disadvantages and other disadvantages not described above. Accordingly, it is an object of the present disclosure to provide a convertible upright and canister type of vacuum cleaner, which is easy to stow away, and is capable of maximizing user convenience.

An aspect of the present disclosure provides a vacuum cleaner, which includes a suction port assembly comprising a suction port and a suction passage to draw in dust-laden air from an object being cleaned, a cleaner body housing a dust separating unit, and a motor which is connected with the dust separating unit, and an extension pipe fluidly connected to the cleaner body, which can be attached or detached lengthwise along one portion of the cleaner body. If the vacuum cleaner operates in upright mode, the extension pipe is connected with the suction port assembly, is used as a passage for the air to pass toward the cleaner body, and supports the cleaner body, while if the vacuum cleaner operates in canister mode, the extension pipe is separated from the suction port assembly.

The suction port assembly may further include a rotating connector, which can be connected to or disconnected from the extension pipe. The rotating connector may include a hinge shaft in which both ends are rotatably connected to a rear portion of the suction port assembly, and an engaging pipe engaged with the hinge shaft, connected in fluid communication with the suction passage, and separably engaged with the extension pipe.

The cleaner body may include at least one snap-connector formed on one side to be snap-engaged with the extension pipe.

If the vacuum cleaner is in upright mode, the extension pipe remains being connected with the rotating connector, and rotates with respect to the suction port assembly, so as to allow the cleaner body to turn with respect to the suction port assembly.

The vacuum cleaner is convertible from the upright mode to the canister mode by a two-step operation including separating the extension pipe from the rotating connector, and connecting an accessory nozzle to one end of the extension pipe.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a vacuum cleaner including a suction port assembly comprising a suction port and a suction passage to draw in dust-laden air from an object being cleaned, a cleaner body housing a dust separating unit, and a motor which is connected with the dust separating unit, an operating handle assembly in which one end is connected in fluid communication with the cleaner body through a hose, and the other end is connected in fluid communication with an extension pipe which is attachable to or detachable from the cleaner body, and a carrying handle assembly sliding along the cleaner body to increase in length together with the operating handle assembly or alone. If the vacuum cleaner is in upright mode, the extension pipe is in fluid communication with the suction port assembly, is used as a passage for air to pass toward the cleaner body, and supports the cleaner body, while if the vacuum cleaner is in canister mode, the extension pipe is separated from the suction port assembly.

The carrying handle assembly may include a body part in which a handgrip formed, and the operating handle assembly is docked in a rear side, a sliding bar formed in the cleaner body to slide lengthwise along the cleaner body, and an operating unit connected with the sliding bar, and formed on the body part to be partially exposed outside of the cleaner body. The operating unit locks and unlocks the sliding bar and the operating handle assembly altogether, or selectively.

The operating unit unlocks the operating handle assembly by turning an exposed part of the body part, and unlocks the sliding bar by pressing the exposed part of the body part.

The operating unit may include a bar fixing casing fixedly formed in the body part to support the sliding bar, a rotating part rotatably formed on the upper portion of the bar fixing casing, and comprising a latch protruding from the rear side of the cleaner body to be inserted in a locking hole of the operating handle assembly, a button part in which an upper portion protrudes from an outer surface of the body part, and a lower portion is disposed inside the rotating part to allow the button part to individually move vertically along the rotating part vertically, and an elastic member to elastically support the button part to allow the button part to be twisted and compressed with respect to the bar fixing casing.

The elastic member may be a coil spring in which one end is fixed at the bar fixing casing, and the other end is fixed on an inner side of the button part.

Accordingly, a convertible vacuum cleaner which has a simple structure can be provided, in which when operating in upright mode, an extension pipe supports the cleaner body and thereby obviating a need for a separate frame to support the cleaner body, and in which the same air passage is used between the suction port assembly and the cleaner body both in upright and canister modes, thereby obviating a need for a separate fluid passage conversion.

Furthermore, simple and fast conversion between upright and canister modes is achieved by engaging the extension pipe to the suction port assembly or disengaging the extension pipe from the suction port assembly.

Furthermore, an extendable and retractable operating handle assembly is provided, and the operating handle assembly is extended while the vacuum cleaner is in operation, and retracted while the vacuum cleaner is stowed away. As a result, the vacuum cleaner can be reduced in overall height and so it is enabled to stow the vacuum cleaner without having much concern about space limit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a vacuum cleaner operating in an upright mode according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the vacuum cleaner in a separated state according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the vacuum cleaner operating in a canister mode according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are perspective views illustrating a vacuum cleaner operating in an upright mode according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an operating handle assembly illustrated in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a perspective of a carrying handle assembly illustrated in FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating an operating unit installed inside the operating handle assembly illustrated in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating the operating unit illustrated in FIG. 8 connected with a sliding bar;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the interior of the operating unit illustrated in FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a view illustrating a vacuum cleaner operating in an upright mode according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 12 is a view illustrating a vacuum cleaner operating in a canister mode according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Throughout the drawings, the same drawing reference numerals will be understood to refer to the same elements, features, and structures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The matters defined in the description such as a detailed construction and elements are provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of exemplary embodiments of the disclosure. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. Also, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a vacuum cleaner according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes a cleaning unit 10 and a suction port assembly 20. The cleaning unit 10 may be separated from the suction port assembly 20 and used separately.

The cleaning unit 10 may include a cleaner body 11, a hose 13, an operating handle assembly 15, and an extension pipe 17.

The cleaner body 11 may include a suction motor 12a to generate a suction force inside the cleaner body 1, and a dust separating unit 12b to separate dust from air drawn in through the hose 13 by the suction force of the suction motor 12a and collect the separated dust therein. The dust separating unit 12b may desirably have a cyclone structure to separate dust from the incoming air using a centrifugal force. However, one will understand that other alternatives are also possible. For example, a dust bag may be installed to collect the dust.

The cleaner body 11 may include a pair of snap-engaging parts 14a, 14b aligned vertically on one side of the cleaner body 11 for snap-engagement with the extension pipe 17. Herein, the number of snap-engaging parts is not limited, but may be changed as necessary. For example, three or more of snap-engaging parts, or even a single snap-engaging part may be formed on the cleaner body 11 to support firm engagement of the cleaner body 11 and the extension pipe 17.

The cleaner body 11 may also include a carrying handle 11a formed on an upper side, to be held by a user when separating the cleaner body 11 from the suction port assembly 20 and carries the cleaner body 11. The cleaner body 11 includes a plurality of supplemental wheels 19 formed on a lower surface to help the cleaner body 11 move more smoothly along the floor.

The hose 13 may be made out of a flexible material. One end of the hose 13 may be connected to one side of the cleaner body 11, and the hose 13 is in fluid communication with the dust separating unit 12b.

The operating handle assembly 15 includes a grip part 15a to be gripped by a user. The operating handle assembly 15 is arranged between the hose 13 and the extension pipe 17 to fluidly connect the two.

The extension pipe 17 takes the role of a guiding passage which guides dust from the suction port assembly 20 or an accessory nozzle 30 (FIG. 3) toward the cleaning unit 10. The extension pipe 17 may have a telescopic structure so the length can be adjusted for use when a vacuum cleaner operates in the canister mode. The extension pipe 17 may be at least as long as the cleaner body 11 to enable a user to push the suction port assembly 20 back and forth with ease in the upright mode.

The suction port assembly 20 may have a suction port 20a formed on the lower surface to draw in air and dust from a surface being cleaned, a pair of main wheels 21a, 21b to facilitate the movement of the suction port assembly 20 along the surface being cleaned, and a hinged part 23 in the middle of the rear side.

The hinged part 23 includes a hinge shaft 23a disposed in a vertical relation with respect to the advancing direction of the hinged part 23 and having both ends rotatably engaged with the suction port assembly 20, and a connecting tube 23b engaged with the hinge shaft 23a. The connecting tube 23b is separably connected with the extension pipe 17, and rotated within a degree (⊖) of rotation, which is approximately 90°.

The degree (⊖) of rotation of the connecting tube 23b is set to such an angle to allow the connecting tube 23b, when seated in parallel relation on a surface where the suction port assembly 20 is placed, to rotate in front of the suction port assembly 20 by approximately 110°. By doing so, the cleaner body 11 is slightly inclined with respect to a line perpendicular to the floor in the upright mode, so that the center of gravity of the cleaner body 11 switches from the rear part of the suction port assembly 20 to the front, thereby allowing the cleaner body 11 to be disposed stably on the upper side of the suction port assembly 20. This structure prevents the cleaner body 11 from flipping on the floor and being damaged by the influence of external force such as vibrations exerted onto the cleaner when the vacuum cleaner is not in cleaning operation. An example of providing snap parts on a lower end of the cleaner body 11 and an upper end of the suction port assembly 20 for snap-engagement to fix the cleaner body 11 in place may also be employed.

The connecting tube 23b is connected in fluid communication with an inflow passage 20b formed inside the suction port assembly 20. The connecting tube 23b accordingly takes the role of a guiding passage that guides dust and air from the inflow passage 20b toward the extension pipe 17. When the vacuum cleaner is in upright mode, the cleaner body 11 and the extension pipe 17 may be inclined toward a user by a predetermined angle, to allow a user to use the cleaner with increased convenience.

The operations of the vacuum cleaner in upright mode and canister mode according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be explained in greater detail below.

FIG. 2 mainly shows the vacuum cleaner in upright mode, in which the extension tube 17 is snap-engaged with the snap-engaging parts 14a, 14b, and one end of the extension pipe 17 is engaged with the connecting tube 23b of the hinged part 23.

In upright mode, the cleaning unit 10 is arranged in the upper part of the suction port assembly, in fluid communication with the suction port assembly 20 through the extension pipe 17.

As electricity is supplied to the motor 12a and the motor 12a generates a suction force, ambient dust and air from a surface being cleaned is drawn in through the suction port 20a and then the suction passage 20b.

The air entrained with dust passes the connecting tube 23b, the extension pipe 17, the operating handle 15 and the hose 13 in turn, before flowing into the dust separating unit 12b. Dust is separated from the air inside the dust separating unit 12b and collected in a dust collecting area (not illustrated) provided inside the dust separating unit 12b. The cleaned air passes through the motor 12a, and discharged externally through discharge holes (not illustrated) formed on an area of the cleaner body 11 which is adjacent to the motor 12a.

A user may convert the cleaner to operate in canister mode to clean certain places that are difficult for a relatively larger and heavier upright cleaner to cover.

Accordingly, the user separates the extension pipe 17 from the connecting tube 23b of the hinged part 23 as illustrated in FIG. 2, and thus completely separates the cleaning unit 10 from the suction port assembly 20. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the user then separates the extension pipe 17 from the snap-engaging parts 14a, 14b of the cleaner body 11, and then, when desired, attaches an accessory nozzle 30, which is relatively smaller and lighter than the suction port assembly 20, to one end of the extension pipe 17.

The vacuum cleaner converted into a canister cleaner starts drawing in air and dust from around the suction port assembly 20 through the accessory nozzle 30, using a suction force that is generated as the suction motor 12a starts driving with the supply of electricity.

The air entrained with dust enters the accessory nozzle 30, and passes the extension pipe 17, the operating handle assembly 15, and the hose 13 in sequence, and enters the dust separating unit 12b, where dust is separated from the air. The dust is then collected in the dust collecting area (not illustrated) provided inside the dust separating unit 12b, and the clean air passes the suction motor 12a, and is then discharged externally through the discharge holes (not illustrated) formed in a part of the cleaner body 11 adjacent the suction motor 12a.

As explained above, the suction port assembly 20 can be made in a simpler design, because the extension pipe 17 is usable as a frame in the upright mode, obviating the need for a separate frame to support the cleaner body 11 placed above the suction port assembly 20.

The vacuum cleaner is also easier to use, because the cleaner body 11 is made to rotate about the suction port assembly 20 by a predetermined degree (0) in upright mode, allowing a user to manipulate the suction port assembly 20 with increased convenience.

The vacuum cleaner according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is also easy to convert between upright and canister modes through a simple two-step manipulation, which includes engaging or disengaging the extension pipe 17 to or from the connecting tube 23b and engaging or disengaging the cleaner body 11 from suction port assembly 20.

A vacuum cleaner according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be explained below with reference to FIGS. 4 to 12.

Referring to FIGS. 4 to 12, the vacuum cleaner according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes a suction port assembly 100, a cleaner body 200, an operating handle assembly 300, an extension pipe 320, and a carrying handle assembly 400.

The suction port assembly 100 may have a suction port (not illustrated) formed in the lower surface to draw in air and dust from a surface being cleaned, and a pair of main wheels 111 and 112 to facilitate the movement of the suction port assembly 100 over the surface being cleaned.

The suction port assembly 100 may also include a support part 120 turnable about a rear central part of the suction port assembly 100, to allow the cleaner body 200 to turn about the suction port assembly 100. The support part 120 may include a locking device (not illustrated) to lock and unlock the lower end of the cleaner body 200. The support part 120 may also include an extension pipe receiving part 121 which is in fluid communication with the suction port assembly 100 and which has a penetrating hole 121a formed to receive one end of the extension pipe 320.

The suction port assembly 100 may include a first lever to unlock the support part 120 so that the support part 120 is fixed in the suction port assembly 100 when the suction port assembly 100 is changed to a movable state, and a second lever 140 to operate the locking device of the support part 120 to unlock the lower part of the cleaner body 200 from the support part 120.

The cleaner body 200 may include a motor chamber 220 formed in front portion to house the dust separating unit 210 and the suction motor (not illustrated), and a first and second extension pipe supports 241 and 243 to detachably mount the extension pipe 320, and first and second hose supports 245 and 247 to detachably mount the hose 310. The first extension pipe support 241 and the first and second hose supports 245 and 247 each have an open arch-shaped end to facilitate the mounting and demounting of the extension pipe 320 or the hose 310, and elastically supports the extension pipe 320 or the hose 310 in place. The second extension support 243 has a hook configuration and is placed at a predetermined location of the cleaner body 200 to correspond to the penetrating hole 121a, to allow a user to insert the extension pipe 320 into the penetrating hole 121a of the extension pipe receiving part 121.

The cleaner body 200 may also include on both lower sides thereof a pair of supplementary wheels 201 and 203 rotatably engaged. The supplementary wheels 201 and 203 are used to facilitate the movement of the cleaner body 200 when the cleaner body 200 is separated from the suction port assembly 100 and used in canister mode (FIG. 12).

The dust separating unit 210 may include a cyclone unit 211 to separate dust from air incoming through the hose 310, using centrifugal force, and a dust receptacle 213 pressed into the lower side of the cyclone unit 211 to receive dust separated from the cyclone unit 211.

The motor chamber 220 houses a suction motor (not illustrated) to provide an internal suction force, and is in fluid communication with the cyclone unit 211 to draw in air from the cyclone unit 211 after dust has been separated therefrom.

The operating handle assembly 300 is connected to the hose 310 at one end and the extension pipe 320 at the other end. Referring to FIG. 6, the operating handle assembly 300 includes a projection 301 formed on the front to dock in a hole 414c (FIG. 7) formed in the carrying handle assembly 400. The projection 301 includes a locking hole 303 formed to receive a latch 434f (FIG. 7).

The operating handle assembly 300 also includes a grip part 305 formed on a rear side to be gripped by a user, and a pair of protrusions 307 and 309 formed on both lower sides to be inserted into a pair of guide holes 414e and 414f (FIG. 7) that will be explained below.

The operating handle assembly 300 allows a user to operate a vacuum cleaner efficiently in upright mode, and also enables a user to operate the accessory nozzle (FIG. 12) formed on the other side of the extension pipe 320 together with the extension pipe 320 in canister mode. A button part (not illustrated) may be provided to the operating handle assembly 300 in order to turn the suction motor (not illustrated) on or off.

The extension pipe 320 may be implemented as a telescopic tube, like the extension pipe 17 in the first exemplary embodiment, to be adjustable in its length.

Referring to FIGS. 7 to 9, the carrying handle assembly 400 may include a body part 410, a sliding bar 420, and an operating unit 430.

The body part 410 includes a front and rear casings 411 and 413, and also includes a space defined therein to receive the operating unit 430. The front casing 411 includes a curved grip 412 extending downward from the upper side for the grip of a user, a pair of guiding parts 414a and 414b protruding from both sides rearward in parallel at a predetermined distance from each other, a recessed part 414c formed between the pair of guiding parts 414a and 414b, and a guiding hole 414d horizontally formed in the recessed part 414c.

The pair of guiding parts 414a and 414b includes a pair of guiding grooves 414e and 414f to receive the pair of protrusions 307 and 309 of the operating handle assembly 300 so that the projection 301 of the operating handle assembly 300 can be precisely docked into the recessed part 414c. The guiding hole 414d guides lateral movement of the latch 434f to be inserted into or separated from the locking hole 303 when the projection 301 of the operating handle assembly 300 is docked into or separated from the recessed part 414c.

The sliding bar 420 is slidably engaged with a bar inserting part 207 which is formed lengthwise along the cleaner body 200. The sliding bar 420 includes an uneven area 421 formed on the lower side to prevent the sliding bar 420 from completely separating from the bar inserting part 207 while the sliding bar 420 is being withdrawn.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the operating unit 430 includes a bar fixing casing 431, a rotating unit 433, a button part 435, and a elastic member 439 (FIG. 10).

The bar fixing casing 431 is fixed to the inner side of the body part 410, and is firmly engaged with an upper end of the sliding bar 420. The bar fixing casing 431 includes a cylindrical part 432a formed on the upper portion. The cylindrical part 432a guides the rotation of the rotating part 433 and guides the vertical sliding movement of the button part 435. The cylindrical part 432a includes a pair of sliding protrusions 432b and 432c formed symmetrically on the circumference thereof.

The rotating part 433 includes a pair of first long holes 434b and 434c formed along the circumference thereof to receive the pair of first sliding protrusions 432b and 432c.

The rotating part 433 includes a pair of second symmetrical long holes 434d and 434e extended in a length direction on the circumference thereof. The rotating part 433 includes the latch 434f protruding from the circumference thereof, and inclining surfaces 434g and 434h formed on one side of the latch 434f, along which the projection 301 of the operating handle assembly 300 slides.

The button part 435 is formed substantially in a cylindrical shape. A lower portion of the button part 435 is inserted in the rotating part 433 and the cylindrical part 432a in turn, and an upper portion pierces the upper portion of the body part 410 outside of the body part 410. The button part 435 includes a rotating lever 436a extending from the upper portion to rotate the button part 435. The button part 435 includes a flange type stopper 436b to limit the pushing movement of the button part 435 to a predetermined depth. On a circumference of the button part 435 at a lower portion of the stopper 436b is formed a pair of second symmetrical sliding protrusions 436d and 436e to be slidably inserted in the pair of second long holes 434d and 434e of the rotating part 433.

The button part 435 includes a downwardly tapered pressing rib 435c formed on an inner side thereof. The downwardly tapered pressing rib 435c urges a pressing rod 437, which is pierced through the upper portion of the bar fixing casing 431 and arranged lengthwise on the inner side of the sliding bar 420, so that the pressing rod 437 can cause a locking device (not illustrated) formed near to the sliding bar 420 to lock the sliding bar 420 when fully received by the bar inserting part 207, or unlock the sliding bar 420. A variety of locking devices may be applied, including a locking a locker to fix the extended handgrip on a luggage.

The elastic member 439 elastically supports the button part 435 so that the button part can be twisted and compressed with respect to the bar fixing casing 431. One end 439a of the elastic member 439 may desirably be fixed to a part of the bar fixing casing 431, and the other end 439b may desirably be fixed to a part of the downwardly tapered pressing rib 435c of the button part 435. The elastic member 439 may desirably be implemented as a coil spring.

The operation of a vacuum cleaner in canister mode and upright mode according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be explained below.

Referring to FIG. 11, when a vacuum cleaner is operated in an upright mode, the lower portion of the cleaner body 200 is locked in the support part 120 (FIG. 1). One end of the extension pipe 320 passes through the second extension pipe support 243 (FIG. 2), and the operating handle assembly 300 is docked in the rear casing 413 of the operating handle assembly 400.

The docking includes the pair of protrusions 307 and 309 (FIG. 6) of the operating handle assembly 300 being inserted in the pair of guide holes 414e and 414f (FIG. 7), and the projection 301 of the operating handle assembly 300 pressing against the inclining surfaces 434g and 434h of the latch 434f which protrudes through the guiding hole 414d of the rear casing 413, and being seated in the hole 414c of the rear casing 413.

The latch 434f, being elastically supported in a traversal direction by the elastic member 439, is turned along the guiding hole 414d to a predetermined angle, and then turned back along the guiding hole 414d as the projection 301 is inserted in the hole 414c, to be inserted in the locking hole 303 of the projection 301.

According to the movement of the operating handle assembly 300 docking in the carrying handle assembly 400, one end of the extension pipe 320 is inserted in the penetrating hole 121a of the extension pipe receiving part 121.

The user then lifts the operating handle assembly 300 to his height as illustrated in FIG. 11 to move the vacuum cleaner conveniently along the floor. The process to change the height of the operating handle assembly 300 will be explained below.

The user pulls the operating handle assembly 300 to extend the extension pipe 320. That is, the user presses the button part 435 vertically along the direction of its axis to operate the locking device (not illustrated) to release the sliding bar 420.

The user keeps pressing the button part 435 which is elastically supported by the elastic member 439, and pulls the operating handle assembly 300, so that the operating handle assembly 300 is released from the upper portion of the cleaner body 200, together with the carrying handle assembly 400 which is engaged with the operating handle assembly 300. The button part 435 then returns to the original position by the returning force of the elastic member 439, as the user ceases pressing the button part 435.

As a result, the user can lift the operating handle assembly 300 of the vacuum cleaner to suit his height and use the vacuum cleaner as an upright type vacuum cleaner.

The process of converting the vacuum cleaner from upright mode to canister type will be explained below with reference to FIG. 12.

As the user turns the rotating lever 436a of the button part 435 to a predetermined angle, the latch 434f of the rotating part 435 is turned along the guiding hole 414d and separated from the locking hole 303.

The user keeps the rotating lever 436a in the rotated position, and pulls the operating handle assembly 300 upward so that the pair of protrusions 307 and 309 are separated from the pair of guide holes 414e and 414f. In this process, the latch 434f moves along the guiding hole 414d and returns to the initial position as the projection 301 of the operating handle assembly 300 is separated from the hole 414c.

As explained above, the user can convert the vacuum cleaner from upright type to canister type by simply rotating the button part 435 and pulling or pushing the operating handle assembly 300.

In order to stow away a vacuum cleaner, referring to FIG. 12, the user locks the operating handle assembly 300 to the carry handle assembly 400, inserts the extension pipe 320 in the extension pipe supports 241 and 243, inserts hose 310 in the first and second hose supports 245 and 247, and pushes the operating handle assembly 300 to reduce the length of the extension pipe 320 and subsequently reduce the overall height of the vacuum cleaner.

Because the suction port assembly 100 does not require a separate frame part to support the cleaner body 200 as in the first exemplary embodiment, a simple structure can be achieved.

The vacuum cleaner in upright mode according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure has the same dust and air suction path as in the first exemplary embodiment. Accordingly, air entrained with dust enters the suction port assembly 100, passes the extension pipe 320, the operating handle assembly 300 and the hose 310 in sequence, and enters the cyclone unit 211. Dust is separated and collected in the dust receptacle 213, and air is passed through the suction motor (not illustrated) and discharged outside the cleaning body 200.

While certain exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described with reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A vacuum cleaner comprising:

a suction port assembly comprising a suction port and a suction passage to draw in dust-laden air from an object being cleaned;

a cleaner body housing a dust separating unit and a motor that is connected with the dust separating unit; and

an extension pipe fluidly connected to the cleaner body, which can be attached or detached lengthwise along one portion of the cleaner body,

wherein if the vacuum cleaner operates in an upright mode, the extension pipe is connected with the suction port assembly, the extension pipe is used as a passage for the air to pass toward the cleaner body, and the extension pipe supports the cleaner body, while if the vacuum cleaner operates in a canister mode, the extension pipe is separated from the suction port assembly.

2. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein the suction port assembly further comprises a rotating connector which can be connected to or disconnected from the extension pipe.

3. The vacuum cleaner of claim 2, wherein the rotating connector comprises:

a hinge shaft in which both ends are rotatably connected to a rear portion of the suction port assembly; and

an engaging pipe engaged with the hinge shaft, connected in fluid communication with the suction passage, and separably engaged with the extension pipe.

4. The vacuum cleaner of claim 2, wherein, if the vacuum cleaner is in the upright mode, the extension pipe remains connected with the rotating connector, and rotates with respect to the suction port assembly so as to allow the cleaner body to turn with respect to the suction port assembly.

5. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein the cleaner body comprises at least one snap-connector formed on one side to be snap-engaged with the extension pipe.

6. The vacuum cleaner of claim 2, being convertible from the upright mode to the canister mode by a two-step operation including separating an end of the extension pipe from the rotating connector, and connecting an accessory nozzle to the end of the extension pipe.

7. A vacuum cleaner comprising:

a suction-port assembly comprising a suction port and a suction passage to draw in dust-laden air from an object being cleaned;

a cleaner body housing a dust separating unit and a motor that is connected with the dust separating unit;

an operating handle assembly in which one end is connected in fluid communication with the cleaner body through a hose, and the other end is connected in fluid communication with an extension pipe which is attachable to or detachable from the cleaner body; and

a carrying handle assembly sliding along the cleaner body to increase in length,

wherein, if the vacuum cleaner is in an upright mode, the extension pipe is in fluid communication with the suction port assembly, the extension pipe is used as a passage for air to pass toward the cleaner body, and the extension pipe supports the cleaner body, while, if the vacuum cleaner is in a canister mode, the extension pipe is in fluid communication with the suction port assembly, the extension pipe is used as a passage for air to pass toward the cleaner body, and the extension pipe is separated from the cleaner body.

8. The vacuum cleaner of claim 7, wherein the carrying handle assembly comprises:

a body part in which a handgrip formed, and the operating handle assembly is docked in a rear side of the body part;

a sliding bar formed in the cleaner body to slide lengthwise along the cleaner body; and

an operating unit connected with the sliding bar, the operating unit being formed on the body part to be partially exposed outside of the cleaner body,

wherein the operating unit selectively locks and unlocks the sliding bar and the operating handle assembly together.

9. The vacuum cleaner of claim 8, wherein the operating unit unlocks the operating handle assembly by turning an exposed part of the body part, and unlocks the sliding bar by pressing the exposed part of the body part.

10. The vacuum cleaner of claim 9, wherein the operating unit comprises:

a bar fixing casing fixedly formed in the body part to support the sliding bar;

a rotating part rotatably formed on the upper portion of the bar fixing casing, and comprising a latch protruding from the rear side of the cleaner body to be inserted in a locking hole of the operating handle assembly;

a button part in which an upper portion protrudes from an outer surface of the body part, and a lower portion is disposed inside the rotating part to allow the button part to individually move vertically along the rotating part vertically; and

an elastic member to elastically support the button part to allow the button part to be twisted and compressed with respect to the bar fixing casing.

11. The vacuum cleaner of claim 10, wherein the elastic member is a coil spring in which one end is fixed at the bar fixing casing, and the other end is fixed on an inner side of the button part.