VACUUM CLEANER AND SUCTION WAND THEREFOR

Abstract

An upright vacuum cleaner has a handle by which it can be manoeuvred across a floor in a floor cleaning mode, the handle being part of a releasable suction wand which can be used in an above-floor cleaning mode. The suction wand has a first section which comprises the handle, a second section, and a third section which comprises a suction nozzle. The first section is movable relative to the second section between floor cleaning and above-floor cleaning positions. The third section is extendable and retractable relative to the second section. The suction wand has a linkage which is configured to couple movement of the first section towards one of said positions, and extension or retraction of the third section.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority of United Kingdom Application No. 1611465.4, filed Jun. 30, 2016, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to vacuum cleaners, more particularly upright vacuum cleaners.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are various types of vacuum cleaners available on the market, and these can generally be categorized into ‘cylinder’, ‘upright’, ‘handheld’ and ‘stick’ vacuum cleaners.

Handheld and stick vacuum cleaners are portable in the sense that they are light enough to be carried in the hand rather than being supported on the floor by a rolling assembly or the like. Handheld and stick vacuum cleaners are typically powered by batteries, and are often used for low-duty cleaning jobs such as spot-cleaning of floors, upholstery and vehicle interiors.

Cylinder and upright vacuum cleaners are generally used as a household's primary vacuum cleaner, for heavy-duty cleaning tasks around the home. Cylinder vacuum cleaners have a main body with a suction generator and a dust separator, and a suction wand connected to the base unit by a flexible hose. The suction generator pulls ‘dirty’ air from a surface into the suction wand, through the hose, into the main body and into the dust separator. The dust separator removes dirt and debris entrained in the air, and the ‘clean’ air is exhausted into the atmosphere. The user moves the wand over a floor to be cleaned, pulling on the hose when necessary so as to pull the main body (which is generally provided with wheels or castors) in the desired direction. When it is desired to clean above floor-level, for instance to clean furniture or the corners of ceilings, the user lifts the wand from the floor and directs it accordingly (often after having changed or removed a cleaner head mounted on the wand).

A typical upright vacuum cleaner comprises a cleaner head, a rolling support assembly, and an ‘upright’ body which contains a dust separator. A suction generator is provided, generally within the rolling support assembly or the upright body. In a floor cleaning mode, the suction generator draws ‘dirty’ air into the dust separator through the cleaner head, and exhausts ‘clean’ air to the atmosphere. The user grasps the handle and reclines the upright body until the handle is disposed at a convenient height for them. The user can then roll the vacuum cleaner across the floor, using the handle, in order to direct the cleaner head over a floor to be cleaned.

Upright vacuum cleaners often include a suction wand which is releasably attached to a main body, and is also connected to the main body by a flexible hose. When it is desired to clean above floor level, the user can detach the suction wand from the main body and use it in a similar manner to the wand of a cylinder vacuum cleaner. In this above-floor cleaning mode, the suction generator is connected to the wand (via the hose), rather than to the cleaner head.

In one type of known upright vacuum cleaner, to switch from floor cleaning mode to above-floor cleaning mode the wand must be detached from both the main body and the hose of the vacuum cleaner, turned around by 180 degrees and then re-connected to the hose. Some users find this operation relatively fiddly and/or time consuming, especially when repeatedly switching between the floor cleaning and above-floor cleaning modes. Other designs of upright vacuum cleaner require utilise expensive, bulky or unreliable mechanisms for manipulating the wand when switching between modes.

It is one object of the present invention to mitigate or obviate one of the aforesaid disadvantages, and/or to provide an improved or alternative vacuum cleaner or suction wand.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an upright vacuum cleaner that has a handle by which it can be manoeuvred across a floor in a floor cleaning mode, the handle being part of a releasable suction wand which can be used in an above-floor cleaning mode, wherein the suction wand has a first section which comprises the handle, a second section, and a third section which comprises a suction nozzle; the first section is movable relative to the second section between floor cleaning and above-floor cleaning positions; the third section is extendable and retractable relative to the second section; and the suction wand has a linkage which is configured to couple movement of the first section towards one of said positions, and extension or retraction of the third section.

With the motion of the first and third sections being linked in this way, the present invention allows one of the first and third sections to be moved relative to the second section by moving the other. For instance, it may allow the third section to be extended by moving the first section to the above-floor cleaning position, and/or may allow the first section to be moved to the floor cleaning position by retracting the third section. Accordingly, the suction wand of a vacuum cleaner according to the present invention can be reconfigured (for instance when transitioning between modes) simply by moving one of the first and third sections relative to the second section. This may offer improved simplicity, speed and/or ease of use, for instance in comparison to the above known type of vacuum cleaner where reconfiguring the wand when switching between modes requires the wand to be detached and re-attached.

The suction wand is preferably releasably attachable to a main body of the vacuum cleaner. In such an arrangement, the suction wand may be connected to the main body (in particular when detached therefrom) by a flexible hose. The flexible hose is preferably extendable in length. The vacuum cleaner is preferably configured such that the suction wand is attached to the main body in the floor cleaning mode, and detached from the main body (whilst potentially still being connected thereto by a hose or the like) in the above-floor cleaning mode.

The main body may comprise one or more of a rolling support assembly, a dust separator, a generally upright structural support such as a ‘spine’, a suction generator, and a cleaner head. In some embodiments, the main body comprises at least a rolling support assembly, a dust separator and a suction generator.

The suction nozzle may be configured for attachment to a cleaning tool such as a dusting tool or a stair cleaning tool. Alternatively, the suction nozzle may be configured to function as a cleaning tool itself. For instance, the suction nozzle may comprise a narrow tip for reaching under furniture or into corners of a room.

It is to be understood that the above names of the modes of the vacuum cleaner are intended to be illustrative in nature. Although a vacuum cleaner according to the invention must be suitable for cleaning a floor when in the floor cleaning mode, and suitable for cleaning above floor level in the above-floor cleaning mode, it is not intended to imply that use of the vacuum cleaner is limited in this way. For instance, in some embodiments the vacuum cleaner may be suitable for cleaning the tops of furniture such as sofas when in the floor cleaning mode, and/or may be suitable for cleaning floor surfaces such as tight corners of rooms or spaces under low furniture when in the above-floor cleaning mode.

The suction wand is preferably substantially rigid.

The first section may be slidable between the floor cleaning and above-floor cleaning positions. Alternatively or in addition, the third section may be slidable to extend and retract it.

The linkage may be configured to couple movement of the first section in one direction relative to the second section, and extension or retraction of the third section in the opposite direction relative to the second section.

The first section may be considered to be any body which comprises the handle. In some embodiments the first section may be formed in its entirety by the handle.

The linkage may be configured to couple movement of the first section towards the above-floor cleaning position, and extension of the third section.

In other words, the linkage may be arranged so that extending the third section moves the first section towards the above-floor cleaning position, and/or so that moving the first section towards the above-floor cleaning position extends the third section.

This may be advantageous in that the third section can be automatically extended (thus potentially making the suction wand more able to reach into remote locations) when an operator moves the handle to the above-floor cleaning position (for instance so that the handle is positioned to be grasped by a user when using the wand to vacuum above the floor). Or, conversely, the handle can automatically be moved to the above-floor cleaning position when an operator extends the third section so as to increase the reach of the wand.

The linkage may be configured to couple movement of the first section towards the floor cleaning position, and retraction of the third section.

In other words, the linkage may be arranged so that retracting the third section moves the first section towards the floor cleaning position, and/or moving the first section towards the floor cleaning position retracts the third section.

This may be advantageous in that the third section can be automatically retracted (thus potentially making the suction wand more compact and manoeuvrable as part of the vacuum cleaner as a whole) when an operator moves the first section to the floor cleaning position (for instance so that the handle is positioned to be grasped by a user to move the vacuum cleaner over a surface). Or, conversely, the first section can automatically be moved to the position preferred for manoeuvring the vacuum cleaner over a floor when an operator retracts the third section.

As an alternative, the linkage may be configured to couple movement of the first section towards the above-floor cleaning position and retraction of the third section. For example, retracting the third section may move the first section towards the above-floor cleaning position. As another alternative, the linkage may be configured to couple movement of the first section towards the floor cleaning position and extension of the third section. For example, moving the first section towards the floor cleaning position may extend the third section.

The linkage may be configured both to translate movement of the first section towards one of said positions into extension or retraction of the third section, and to translate extension or retraction of the third section into movement of the first section towards one of said positions.

In other words, the linkage can be configured so that the first section can be moved by moving the third section, and also so that the third section can be moved by moving the first section. This may improve the ease of use of the vacuum cleaner in that an operator may be free to move whichever of the first and third sections is more convenient at that time, that movement resulting in complementary movement of the other of the first and third sections.

As an alternative, the linkage may be configured to translate movement of only one of the first and third sections into movement of the other.

The linkage may be configured such that the third section can be both extended and retracted by moving the first section between said positions in both directions, or such that the first section can be moved between said positions in both directions by both extending and retracting the third section.

In other words, one of the first and third sections can be moved in either direction by moving the other in either direction. This may be advantageous in that the functionality discussed above (one of the first and third sections moving automatically when a user moves the other) may be extended so that the component which is moved automatically can be moved in either direction. For instance, the vacuum cleaner may be arranged such that moving the first section towards the above-floor cleaning position extends the third section, and moving the first section towards the floor cleaning position retracts the third section.

As an alternative, movement of the first and third sections may only be linked in one direction of respective movement. For example, retracting the third section may move the first section towards the floor cleaning position, but extending the third section may not move the first section towards the above-floor cleaning position.

Optionally, the linkage is configured to translate movement of the first section towards the floor cleaning position into retraction of the third section; movement of the first section towards the above-floor cleaning position into extension of the third section; retraction of the third section into movement of the first section towards the floor cleaning position; and extension of the third section into movement of the first section towards the above-floor cleaning position.

In such an arrangement, moving either of the first and third sections in either direction can provide automatic complementary movement of the other section.

Optionally, with the first section in the above-floor cleaning position, the handle is positioned to be grasped by a user to manipulate the wand in the above-floor cleaning mode.

This may be beneficial in that the same handle can be grasped by a user whether the vacuum cleaner is in the floor cleaning mode or the above-floor cleaning mode. This, in turn, can reduce the bulk of the vacuum cleaner by eliminating the need for a separate handle, thereby enabling easier storage, improved manoeuvrability, better aesthetics and/or reduced material cost.

As an alternative, when in the above-floor cleaning position the handle may be positioned so as to have a reduced impact on the size and/or manoeuvrability of the suction wand. For instance, the handle may fold into a stowed position when moved to the above-floor cleaning position, so that the suction wand is narrower and can reach into smaller spaces. In this embodiment a separate handle, positioned to be grasped by a user when the vacuum cleaner is in the above-floor cleaning mode, may be provided. Alternatively, no such additional handle may be provided and the user may simply grasp a portion of the wand.

The second section may be releasably attachable to a main body of the vacuum cleaner, and while attached thereto may be movable relative to the main body between extended and retracted positions.

The ability to retract the second section may allow the vacuum cleaner to have a particularly compact configuration for storage, while still allowing the second section to be extended when needed (for example so as to position the handle within easy reach of a user for use in the floor cleaning mode).

The vacuum cleaner may have a flexible hose for connecting the suction wand to the main body, and a portion of the second section may be received within the hose when in the retracted position. Preferably, at least half or at least three quarters of the length of the second section may be received within the hose when the second section is in the retracted position.

Preferably, when the second section is in the extended position at least 75% of its length projects from the hose. For instance, when the second section is in the extended position substantially its entire length may project from the hose.

The linkage may comprise an elongate flexible member which runs between the first and third sections, around a pulley point on the second section.

The elongate flexible member may be a single flexible component, such as a woven or sheet plastic strip, or may be an assembly of rigid components such as a chain. The pulley point may be a plain axle or an axle with a pulley wheel mounted thereon, or may take any other suitable form.

As an alternative, the first and third sections may be provided with counterposed elongate racks of gear teeth which interact with one another via one or more intermediate gear wheels rotatably mounted on the second section.

The use of an elongate flexible member running around a pulley point may provide an advantageously simple or low-maintenance linkage, a linkage which requires relatively relaxed manufacturing tolerances, and/or a linkage which can be arranged to occupy relatively little space. For instance, in contrast to the above arrangement utilising counterposed racks of gear teeth, an arrangement utilising an elongate flexible member may be less bulky, simpler and thus less difficult to assemble, less reliant on lubricant, and/or more tolerant of manufacturing variation.

The elongate flexible member is preferably arranged whereby moving one of the first and third sections pulls on the elongate flexible member, the elongate flexible member transmitting tension around the pulley point and pulling the other of the first and third sections.

The elongate flexible member may pass through an aperture in a wall of the second section. An edge of that aperture may form the pulley point.

The elongate flexible member may be movable to a position in which it runs along at least half of the length of the second section. For instance, the elongate flexible member may be movable to a position in which it runs along at least 70% or at least 85% of the length of the second section.

The elongate flexible member may be arranged in a substantially continuous loop which has a first portion that runs from the first section to the third section around said pulley point, and a second portion which runs from the first portion to the third portion around an additional pulley point.

Such an arrangement may allow the linkage to pull one of the first and third sections in either direction using the elongate flexible member. In contrast, if the elongate flexible member was an open loop, for instance taking the general shape of a hairpin, it could only pull one of the first and third section in one direction. Movement of that section in the other direction would therefore need to be provided by alternative means (unless the flexible elongate member was configured so as to be able to transmit compressive force as well as tensile force, which would place significant design constraints on the flexible elongate member and the suction wand as a whole).

The additional pulley point may have the same general structure as the pulley point.

The second section may be elongate and define first and second ends.

The second section may be generally tubular.

The second section may have a generally flat wall and an arcuate wall arranged so that the second section is generally D-shaped in longitudinal cross-section, and the elongate flexible member may be located on the generally flat wall.

Optionally, the floor cleaning position of the first section is a location nearer to the first end of the second section than the second end, and the above-floor cleaning position of the first section is a location nearer to the second end than the first end.

Further, the floor cleaning position of the first section may be a location near to the first end of the second section, and the above-floor cleaning position of the first section may be a location near to the second end. For instance, when in the first section is in the floor cleaning position it may lie substantially entirely within the third of the length of the second section which is nearest to the first end thereof, and similarly when the first section is in the above-floor cleaning position it may lie substantially entirely within the third of the length of the second section which is nearest to the second end.

As an alternative, both positions of the first section may be nearer to the same end of the second section than the other end. As another alternative, the floor cleaning and above-floor cleaning positions may be different orientations of the handle at the same location on the second section.

The second section may define a longitudinal axis which runs from the first end to the second end. The handle may comprise a first grip portion which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis or inclined from perpendicular towards the second end, and a second grip portion which is inclined from perpendicular towards the first end. This may make the handle particularly comfortable to hold whether the user holds the handle with the first end of the second section facing away from them (for instance when the vacuum cleaner is in the above-floor cleaning mode, in some embodiments), or with the second end facing away from them (for instance when the vacuum cleaner is in the floor cleaning mode, in some embodiments).

The upright vacuum cleaner may further comprise a main body with a mounting point for a cleaner head, wherein the suction wand is releasably attachable to the main body in a position in which the first end of the second section projects generally away from the mounting point for the cleaner head.

This may allow the handle to be positioned at a beneficially accessible location on the vacuum cleaner when the first section is in the floor cleaning position.

The vacuum cleaner may have a storage mode, and when in this mode the suction wand may be positioned substantially vertically with its first end uppermost.

The first, second and third sections of the wand may be arranged telescopically with respect to one another.

This may be a particularly strong, simple and/or compact arrangement of the sections of the suction wand.

The first section may be positioned radially outwards of the second section, and the third section may be positioned radially inwards of the second section. The first section being positioned radially outermost of the three sections may allow the handle (which is preferably positioned on the outer surface of the suction wand) to be connected to the first section with advantageous ease.

The above arrangement is not intended to exclude auxiliary components attached to (or integral with) one of the sections having a different radial position. For example, the third section may have a radially enlarged suction nozzle which projects radially outwards beyond the second section, or the second section may have a key which projects radially beyond the third section through a keyway therein.

In an arrangement where the third section is positioned radially outwards of the second section and the third section is positioned radially inwards of the second section, the suction wand may further comprise a sleeve which is positioned radially inside the second section, the third section being positioned radially between the second section and the sleeve. This may increase the structural strength of the connection between the second and third section, for instance allowing the third section to be more rigidly supported relative to the second section, and/or may reduce the air leakage between the second and third sections.

As an alternative to telescopic arrangement, two or more of the first, second and third sections may be arranged side by side (for instance using a rail and runner arrangement). As another alternative, they may be spaced apart from one another and connected by an additional component.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a suction wand for an upright vacuum cleaner according to the first aspect of the invention.

A suction wand according to the second aspect of the invention may be retrofitted to a vacuum cleaner so as to provide one or more of the advantages discussed above in relation to the first aspect of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an upright vacuum cleaner according to a first embodiment of the invention, in a storage mode;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1 in an above-floor cleaning mode;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a suction wand of the vacuum cleaner of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a lateral cross-sectional view of the suction wand of the vacuum cleaner, in the position shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a lateral cross-sectional view of the suction wand of the vacuum cleaner, in the position shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a lateral cross-sectional view of second and third sections of the suction wand, and a linkage of the suction wand;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the vacuum cleaner of FIGS. 1 and 3, with the suction wand in a retracted position;

FIG. 8 is a lateral cross-sectional view of the suction wand, in the position shown in FIG. 7;

FIGS. 9A and 9B are schematic side views of part of an upright vacuum cleaner according to another embodiment of the invention; and

FIGS. 10A and 10B are schematic side views of part of an upright vacuum cleaner according to a further embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows an upright vacuum cleaner 2 according to a first embodiment of the invention. Like a standard upright vacuum cleaner, the vacuum cleaner 2 of this embodiment has a rolling support assembly 4, an upright body formed in this case from a generally upright spine 6 and a dust separator 8 mounted to the spine, and a cleaner head 10. In this embodiment rolling support assembly 4 comprises a pair of domed wheels 12, and between the wheels is provided a mounting point 14 for the cleaner head 10. Further, in this particular embodiment a suction generator (not visible), which has a motor and fan and is arranged to draw air into the dust separator 8, is provided inside the rolling assembly 4 in the space between the wheels 12. The rolling support assembly 4 is positioned to support at least a portion of the weight of the vacuum cleaner 2 when in a floor cleaning mode, as discussed in more detail below. FIG. 1 shows the vacuum cleaner 2 in a storage mode, where the weight of the machine is taken by the cleaner head 10 and a movable stand 15, and the wheels 12 are lifted slightly above the ground.

In this particular embodiment the dust separator 8 is a multi-stage cyclonic separator of generally conventional design, which has a first cyclone stage comprising a single cyclone chamber 16a, a second cyclone stage comprising a plurality of smaller cyclone chambers 16b arranged in parallel, and a filter (not visible). In other embodiments, however, the dust separator may take any other suitable form.

The cleaner head 10 of the vacuum cleaner 2 of this embodiment has a generally conventional design, and will not be described in detail. In this case the cleaner head 10 is releasably mounted on the mounting point 14, enabling the cleaner head to be removed for storage or so that it can be repaired or replaced. The cleaner head 10 is connectable to the dust separator 8, via a changeover valve 20 which will be discussed in more detail below, so that the suction generator (not visible) can draw dirty air into the vacuum cleaner 2 through the cleaner head 16 and into the dust separator 8.

The vacuum cleaner 2 also has a suction wand 22 which in this case is releasably attachable to the spine 6. In this embodiment, the suction wand 22 is substantially rigid. The skilled person will understand that there are numerous ways of releasably attaching a suction wand 22 to a spine 6 (or indeed to a different component of the vacuum cleaner), for instance using interlocking lugs or ribs, an interference fit between an end of the wand and a complementary aperture, or a manually-operable release catch. The particular mechanism employed here is not of significance to the present invention and therefore will not be described in detail. The wand 22 has a handle 23 by which the vacuum cleaner 2 can be manoeuvred, as discussed in more detail below.

The body to which the suction wand 22 is releasably attachable is referred to herein as the ‘main body’ 24. In this particular case, the main body 24 comprises the spine 6, the rolling support assembly 4 (and thus the suction generator contained therein), dust separator 8, stand 15 and changeover valve 20. It should be noted, however, that in other cases the main body may be considered to include the cleaner head 10 and/or exclude one or more of the above components (such as the dust separator 8, which is removable for emptying in a known fashion).

In this embodiment, whether the suction wand 22 is attached to the spine 6 or not, the suction wand is connected to the dust separator 8 (via the changeover valve 20) by a flexible hose 26. In this case, the hose 26 can be stretched along its axis to extend it, allowing the suction wand 22 to move further away from the main body 24. The hose 26 of this embodiment if of generally conventional type, having membrane wall with a helical reinforcing wire embedded therein.

As noted above, FIG. 1 shows the vacuum cleaner 2 of this embodiment in a storage mode. The vacuum cleaner 2 also has a floor cleaning mode and an above-floor cleaning mode. In this particular embodiment, to enter the floor cleaning mode from the storage mode, the wand 22 and spine 6 (and thus also the dust separator 8) are reclined relative to the cleaner head 10 (i.e. tilted clockwise from the perspective of FIG. 1). This disengages the stand 15, which rotates anticlockwise towards the changeover valve 20 and brings the wheels 12 of the rolling support assembly 4 into contact with the ground. In this particular case the rolling support assembly 4 takes the majority of the weight of the vacuum cleaner 2, and the cleaner head 10 rests on the floor under only its own weight. In other embodiments, however, the cleaner head 10 may be arranged to bear some, most or even all of the weight of the other components of the vacuum cleaner 2.

With the spine 6, dust separator 8 and wand 22 in this reclined position, the changeover valve is positioned to connect the cleaner head 10 to the dust separator 8. In this case, the changeover valve 20 is moved to this position automatically upon reclining of the spine 6, in conventional fashion, however in other cases it may be operated differently (for instance it may be manually operated). The suction generator (not visible) can therefore draw air up into the cleaner head 10, entraining dust and debris from the surface on which the cleaner head 10 is resting, and then into the dust separator 8. To use the vacuum cleaner 2 in this floor cleaning mode, the user grasps the handle 23 of the suction wand 22 and uses it to manoeuvre the vacuum cleaner 2 over the floor (in this case supported by the rolling support assembly 4) so that the cleaner head 10 can pick up dust and debris from different regions thereof.

To enter the above-floor cleaning mode, the user detaches the suction wand 22 from the main body 24 (in this case after having returned the spine 6 to the upright position and re-engaged the stand 15, if moving to the above-floor cleaning mode from the floor cleaning mode). Also, the changeover valve 20 is positioned so that the wand 22 and hose 26, rather than the cleaner head 10, is in communication with the dust separator 8. In this case the changeover valve 20 automatically moved to this position whenever the stand 15 is deployed, but again in other embodiments which have a changeover valve a different mechanism may be provided.

FIG. 2 shows the vacuum cleaner 2 of this embodiment in the above-floor cleaning mode. After entering this mode, the suction wand 22 can be held by the handle 23 and directed into areas of a room above the floor, for instance onto furniture or into corners of the ceiling, while the main body 24 remains stationary. The suction generator (not visible) draws air into the wand through a suction nozzle 28, through the hose 26 and changeover valve 20, and into the dust separator 8.

It will be apparent from FIGS. 1 and 2 that the configuration of the suction wand 22 varies between the floor cleaning and above-floor cleaning modes. In particular, the wand is longer when in the above-floor cleaning mode than when in the floor cleaning mode, and the handle is in a different position. These differences will be discussed in more detail below, with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

The suction wand 22 has three sections, a first section 30 which comprises the handle 23, a second section 32, and a third section 34 which comprises the suction nozzle 28. The first section 30, and thus the handle 23, is movable relative to the second section 32 between a floor cleaning position and an above-floor cleaning position (the two positions shown in FIGS. 1 and 2), and the third section is extendable and retractable (i.e. is movable between retracted and extended positions, the two positions shown in FIGS. 1 and 2). In this embodiment the first and third sections 30, 34 are each slidably mounted relative to the second section 32, however in other embodiments one or both sections 30, 34 may be mounted to the second section 32 so as to be movable relative to it through a different type of motion, such as pivoting movement or non-sliding relative translation.

In this particular case, with the vacuum cleaner 2 in the floor cleaning mode the first section 30 is in the floor cleaning position and the third section 34 is in the retracted position, and with the vacuum cleaner 2 in the above-floor cleaning mode the first section 30 is in the above-floor cleaning position and the third section is in the extended position. With the first section 30 in the floor cleaning position the handle 23 is positioned at a convenient location for a user to manoeuvre the vacuum cleaner over a floor in the floor cleaning mode. With the first section 30 in the above-floor cleaning position the handle 23 is positioned at a convenient location for a user to manoeuvre the suction wand 22 to vacuum above the floor. FIG. 1 shows the first section 30 in the floor cleaning position and the third section 34 in the retracted position, and FIG. 2 shows the first section 30 in the above-floor cleaning position and the third section 34 in the extended position. It should be noted that in FIG. 1 only a nozzle structure 36 of the third section 34, on which the suction nozzle 28 is provided, is visible in FIG. 1. The third section 34 being retracted when the vacuum cleaner 2 is in the floor cleaning mode can improve the manoeuvrability of the vacuum cleaner, and the third section being extended when the vacuum cleaner is in the above-floor cleaning mode can increase the reach of the suction wand 22, as discussed in more detail below.

As shown more clearly in FIG. 2, the second section 32 of the suction wand 22 is elongate, defining a first end 38 and a second end 40. As also shown in this figure, when the suction wand 22 is attached to the main body 24, it is positioned so that its first end 38 projects generally away from the mounting point 14 of the cleaner head 10 (and thus projects away from the cleaner head when this is mounted to the mounting point). In this particular embodiment, when the vacuum cleaner 2 is in the storage mode (and the suction wand 22 is attached to the main body 24) the suction wand is positioned generally upright with its first end 38 uppermost.

The first, second and third sections 30, 32, 34 of the suction wand 22 of this embodiment are arranged telescopically with respect to one another in that the three sections are ‘nested’ partially or fully within one another. In this case, the third section 30 is positioned radially outwards of the second section 32 (relative to the longitudinal axis of the second section), and the third 34 section is positioned radially inwards of the second section 32. However, the nozzle structure 36 of the third section is radially enlarged and extends radially beyond the second section (in a manner similar to how the eye-piece of a collapsible telescope projects outwards beyond the adjacent segment).

A cross-section of the suction wand, at position ‘A’ in FIG. 1, is shown in FIG. 3. From this figure it can be seen that both the second and third sections 32, 34 are hollow in cross section, having a central void 42. They are therefore both generally tubular in shape (as is the first section 30 if one discounts the handle 23, but this is not visible in FIG. 3). In the above-floor cleaning mode of the vacuum cleaner 2, the central voids 42 of the three sections co-operatively provides a path by which dirty air entering the suction nozzle 28 can pass along the wand 22 and into the hose 26.

As is also shown in FIG. 3, the second and third sections 32, 34 are generally D-shaped in cross section, each having a generally flat wall 44 and an arcuate wall 46. In this case the arcuate wall 46 of each section 32, 34 takes the form of a major sector of a hollow cylinder. This non-circular shape provides a high inner volume for air to flow, while being non-circular so that relative rotation of the sections 32, 34 is limited. The first section 30 has a generally D-shaped aperture (not shown), which receives the second section 32, for the same reasons.

FIG. 3 also shows an additional tube 48, positioned radially inward of the third section 34. This tube 48 is fixed relative to the second section, and increases the structural support offered to the third section 34 (since the second section 32 supports the third section from the outside, and the tube 48 supports it from the inside). The tube 48 also improves the sealing between the second and third sections 32, 34, so less air outside the wand 22 can be sucked into the wand between these sections (which would reduce the flow rate of air drawn into the wand through the suction nozzle, thereby reducing dust entrainment and thus cleaning performance).

In this particular embodiment, the floor cleaning position of the first section 30 is located at the first end 38 of the second section 32, and the above-floor cleaning position of the first section is located at the second end 40 of the second section. Further, in this embodiment the third section 34 extends and retracts with respect to the first end 38 of the second section 32.

As will be apparent from FIGS. 1 and 2, changing the vacuum cleaner 2 between modes involves moving both the first section 30 and the third section 34 relative to the second section 32. In this particular case, changing from the floor cleaning mode to the above-floor cleaning mode involves moving the first section 30 to the above-floor cleaning position by moving it from the first end 38 of the second section 32 to the second end 40, and extending the third section 34. Similarly, in this case changing from the above-floor cleaning mode to the floor cleaning mode involves moving the first section 30 to the floor cleaning position by moving it from the second end 40 of the second section 32 to the first end 38, and retracting the third section 34.

In the present invention, movement of the first section 30 towards one of the floor cleaning and above-floor cleaning positions, and extension or retraction of the third section 34, is coupled by a linkage. This will be discussed in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, which show cross sections of the suction wand 22 with the vacuum cleaner 2 in the floor cleaning and above-floor cleaning positions respectively, and FIG. 6 which shows the two ends of the second section 32 in more detail but does not show the first section 30.

The linkage 50 of this embodiment comprises an elongate flexible member 52, which in this embodiment takes the form of a woven polymer belt in a continuous loop, and two pulley points 54a, 54b provided on the second section 32. In this embodiment, the elongate flexible member 52 has a first portion 56a which runs between mounting points 57, 59 on the first and third sections 30, 34 respectively, around one of the pulley points 54a. It also has and a second portion 56b which runs between the mounting points 57, 59 of first and third sections 30, 34 around the other of the pulley points 54b. In this case, each of the pulley points 54a, 54b takes the form of a plain axle formed by a pin 58a, 58b embedded in the second section 32, transverse to the longitudinal axis of the second section (which is vertical in FIGS. 4 to 6), so as to form an edge of an aperture 60a, 60b through which the associated portion 56a, 56b of the elongate flexible member 52 passes. As shown most clearly in FIGS. 3 and 6, the belt 52 runs along the second section 32, both on its outside and on its inside, between the pivot points 54b. In this case the belt 52 is provided on (and in this case runs through) the flat wall 44 of the second section.

As outlined below, the linkage 50 of this embodiment couples movement of the first and third sections 30, 34 in several different (mutually complementary) ways. In other embodiments, however, the linkage may couple movement of these sections in only one or some of the ways discussed below, and/or in one or more different ways which are not discussed in relation to this embodiment.

In the present embodiment, the linkage 50 is configured to couple movement of the first section 30 towards the above-floor cleaning position, and extension of the third section 34. In other words, extending the third section 34 (for instance by hand) results in movement of the first section 30 towards the above-floor cleaning position, or moving the first section 30 towards the above-floor cleaning position results in extension of the third section 34. In this particular embodiment, both of the above are true—the linkage is configured both to translate movement of the first section 30 towards the above-floor cleaning position into extension of the third section 34, and to translate extension of the third section 34 into movement of the first section 30 towards the above-floor cleaning position. In other words, either one of the first and third sections 30, 34 can be moved by moving the other one.

In this embodiment, the above functionality is provided by the first portion 56a of the belt 52 in conjunction with the corresponding pulley point 54a. If a user moves the first section 30 towards the above-floor cleaning position (downwards from the perspective of FIGS. 4-6), this applies tension to the first portion 56a of the belt 52. The first portion 56a transmits this tension around the pulley point 54a and to the third section 34, pulling the third section towards the extended position (upwards from the perspective of FIGS. 4-6). Similarly, if a user extends the third section 34 this applies tension to the first portion 56a of the belt 52. This tension is transmitted by the first portion 56a around the pulley point 54a and to the first section 30, pulling the first section towards the above-floor cleaning position.

In addition to the above, in this embodiment the linkage 50 is also configured to couple movement of the first section 30 towards the floor cleaning position, and retraction of the third section 34. In other words, moving the first section 30 towards the floor cleaning position results in retraction of the third section 34, or retracting the third section 34 results in movement of the first section 30 towards the floor cleaning position. In this particular embodiment, both of the above are true—the linkage is configured both to translate movement of the first section 30 towards the floor cleaning position into retraction of the third section 34, and to translate retraction of the third section 34 into movement of the first section 30 towards the floor cleaning position.

In the present embodiment, this functionality is provided by the second portion 56b of the elongate flexible member 52 in conjunction with pulley point 54b. If a user moves the first section 30 towards the floor cleaning position (upwards from the perspective of FIGS. 4-6), this pulls on the second portion 56n of the belt 52, which transmits this tension around the pulley point 54b and pulls the third section towards the retracted position (downwards from the perspective of FIGS. 4-6). Similarly, if a user retracts the third section 34, this pulls on the second portion 56b of the belt 52 which transmits tension around the pulley point 54a and pulls the first section 30 towards the floor cleaning position.

It is noteworthy that in this embodiment, the third section 34 can be both extended and retracted by moving the first section 30 between the floor cleaning and above-floor cleaning positions in both directions (i.e. in this case the third section can be both extended by moving the first section towards the above-floor cleaning position, and retracted by moving the first section towards the floor cleaning mode). It is also of note that in this case the first section 30 can be moved between the floor cleaning and above-floor cleaning positions in both directions by both extending and retracting the third section 34 (i.e. in this case the first section can be moved towards the floor cleaning position by retracting the third section 34, and moved towards the above-floor cleaning position by extending the third section). In summary, in this particular embodiment the linkage 50 is configured to translate movement of the first section 30 towards the floor cleaning position into retraction of the third section 34; movement of the first section 30 towards the above-floor cleaning position into extension of the third section 34; retraction of the third section 34 into movement of the first section 30 towards the floor cleaning position; and extension of the third section 34 into movement of the first section 30 towards the above-floor cleaning position.

It will be apparent from the above that in the present embodiment, the linkage 50 is configured to translate movement of one of the first and third sections 30, 34 in one direction relative to the second section 32, and movement of the other of the first and third sections in the opposite direction. In the present embodiment, this means that extending the third section 34 moves the first section in the opposite direction (or vice versa). The distance between the handle 23 and the suction nozzle 28 is therefore increased, meaning that the ‘reach’ of the suction wand 22 is increased when the vacuum cleaner is in the above-floor cleaning mode (i.e. when the wand 22 is being used to reach into remote locations).

As shown most clearly in FIGS. 4 and 6, the elongate flexible member 52 runs along the longitudinal axis of the second section 32, through substantially the entire length of the second section. This can advantageously increase the range of motion of the components connected thereto (i.e. the first and third sections 30, 34 in this case). For instance, if the flexible elongate member 52 only ran along half the length of the second section 32 then the first section 30 could only move half way along the second section and the third section 34 could only extend half as far (in the absence of a relatively complex gearing arrangement or the like). In the present embodiment the elongate flexible member 52 always runs along substantially the entire length of the second section 32, because the elongate flexible member is a continuous loop and does not change absolute position relative to the second section 32. In other embodiments, however, for instance where the elongate flexible member has a hairpin-type shape the ends of which move up and down the second section so as to move the first and third sections, the elongate flexible member may only run along a particular length of the second section in some positions.

In the vacuum cleaner 2 of this embodiment, the suction wand 22 can be retracted relative to the main body 24 while attached thereto. This reduces the vertical height of the vacuum cleaner 2 when in the storage mode, enabling the vacuum cleaner to be stored in smaller spaces. More particularly, the second section 32 of the suction wand 22 is movable relative to the main body 24 between an extended position in which substantially its entire length projects from the hose 26, and a retracted position in which it a portion of it (in this case around two thirds of its length) is received within the hose. The second section 32 is shown in the extended position relative to the main body 24 in FIG. 1, and is shown in the retracted position relative to the main body in FIG. 7. The relative positions of the second section 32 and the hose 26 when the second section is in the retracted position is more clear in FIG. 8, which is a cross-section showing only the suction wand 22, the hose 26 and the spine 6.

Since in the present embodiment the second section 32 of the suction wand 22 is received inside the hose 26, this places an additional design constraint on the second section 32 (and thus on the components which must interact with the second section). In the present case, the internal diameter of the hose 26 is 32 mm, and therefore the outer diameter of the second section 32 (or at least the part which is receivable within the hose) must not exceed 32 mm. Referring back to FIG. 3, the belt 52 being provided on the flat wall 44 of the second section 32 is beneficial in this regard. The second section can have a notional diameter of 32 mm about most of its circumference (or slightly less, to allow a slight clearance to allow easy sliding movement, and to allow for manufacturing variation), so as to maximise airflow through the void 42. The presence of the flat wall 44, however, provides space on the outside of the second section for the belt 52 to run, without exceeding 32 mm in diameter and rubbing against the hose 26. To give the belt 52 extra protection from any potential contact with the hose 26, the belt runs between a pair of protective ribs 62. A further pair of ribs 64 are provided on the inside of the second section 32, to protect the belt 52 from abrasion from the third section 34.

It will be appreciated that numerous modifications to the above described embodiment may be made without departing from the scope of invention as defined in the appended claims. For instance, whilst the above embodiment utilises a rolling support assembly, in other embodiments the weight of the vacuum cleaner may be borne entirely by the cleaner head, by a support assembly provided with skids rather than wheels or rollers, or in any other suitable way. Similarly, although in the above embodiment the third section is extended in the above-floor cleaning mode, so as to increase the reach of the wand, other embodiments may function differently. For instance, in some embodiments the third section may be extended when in the floor cleaning mode, and retracted when in the above-floor cleaning mode so that the wand is more manoeuvrable inside cupboards and underneath furniture.

Whilst in the above embodiment the two positions of the first section are at different ends of the second section, in other embodiments the two positions may take another form. Indeed, although it is preferred for the two positions of the first section to be different locations on the second section, in other embodiments this may not be the case. FIGS. 9A and 9B show schematic representations of another embodiment of the invention, where the first section 30′ moves between floor cleaning and above-floor cleaning positions while staying at the same location on the second section 32′ Corresponding features are given the same reference numeral, followed by a single prime. In this embodiment, to change from the floor cleaning mode (shown in FIG. 9A) to the above-floor cleaning mode (shown in FIG. 9B), the first section 30′ is rotated 180 degrees relative to the second section 32′ about an axis B that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis C of the second section 32′. The linkage in this embodiment may take the form of a pinion gear which is rotatable with the third section about the axis B, which is meshed with a toothed rack positioned on the third section 34′.

Furthermore, in embodiments where moving the first section between positions does involve moving the third section between locations on the second section, the first and third sections need not travel in opposite directions. Indeed, in some embodiments the first and third sections may travel in the same direction. FIGS. 10A and 10B show schematic representations of such an embodiment of the invention. Corresponding features are given the same reference numeral, followed by a double prime. In this case, to change from the floor cleaning mode (shown in FIG. 10A) to the above-floor cleaning mode (shown in FIG. 10B) the first section 30″ is moved in the same direction as that in which the third section 34″ extends. Moving the handle 23″ in the direction in which the third section 34″ is to move may be particularly intuitive for some users. The linkage in this embodiment may take the form of toothed racks provided on the first and third sections 30″, 34″ which interact through a set of gears provided therebetween, those gears being arranged so as to ‘gear up’ the motion of the third section so that a small movement of the first section results in a larger movement of the third section.

Whilst the first embodiment of the invention utilises a flexible elongate member in the form of a continuous loop, other embodiments may have a flexible elongate member which is a substantially continuous loop but which has one or more breaks in it. For instance, such a substantially continuous loop may be formed from two separate strips, the two strips being connected to one another via small portions of the first and third sections so that they co-operatively function in the same way as a continuous loop. Further, in other embodiments with a flexible elongate member that member may not be in the shape of a loop at all. For instance, an embodiment may have the same general structure as the first embodiment but may only have a flexible elongate member in the shape of the first section (whereupon the ability to move either the first or third section in either direction by moving the other section would no longer be provided).

For the avoidance of doubt, the optional and/or preferred features described above may be utilised in any suitable combinations, and in particular in the combinations set out in the appended claims. Features described in relation to one aspect of the invention may also be applied to another aspect of the invention, where appropriate.

Claims

1. An upright vacuum cleaner that has a handle by which it can be manoeuvred across a floor in a floor cleaning mode, the handle being part of a releasable suction wand which can be used in an above-floor cleaning mode, wherein:

the suction wand has a first section which comprises the handle, a second section, and a third section which comprises a suction nozzle;

the first section is movable relative to the second section between a floor cleaning position and an above-floor cleaning position;

the third section is extendable and retractable relative to the second section; and

the suction wand has a linkage that is configured to couple movement of the first section towards one of the floor cleaning and above-floor cleaning positions and extension or retraction of the third section.

2. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein the linkage is configured to couple movement of the first section towards the above-floor cleaning position, and extension of the third section.

3. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein the linkage is configured to couple movement of the first section towards the floor cleaning position, and retraction of the third section.

4. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein the linkage is configured both to translate movement of the first section towards one of said positions into extension or retraction of the third section, and to translate extension or retraction of the third section into movement of the first section towards one of said positions.

5. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein the linkage is configured such that the third section can be both extended and retracted by moving the first section between said positions in both directions, or such that the first section can be moved between said positions in both directions by both extending and retracting the third section.

6. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein with the first section in the above-floor cleaning position, the handle is positioned to be grasped by a user to manipulate the wand in the above-floor cleaning mode.

7. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein the second section is releasably attachable to a main body of the vacuum cleaner, and while attached thereto is movable relative to the main body between extended and retracted positions.

8. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein the linkage comprises an elongate flexible member which runs between the first and third sections, around a pulley point on the second section.

9. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 8, wherein the elongate flexible member is arranged in a loop which has a first portion that runs from the first section to the third section around said pulley point, and a second portion which runs from the first portion to the third portion around an additional pulley point.

10. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein the second section is elongate and defines first and second ends.

11. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 10, wherein the floor cleaning position of the first section is a location nearer to the first end of the second section than the second end, and the above-floor cleaning position of the first section is a location nearer to the second end than the first end.

12. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 10, further comprising a main body with a mounting point for a cleaner head, wherein the suction wand is releasably attachable to the main body in a position in which the first end of the second section projects away from the mounting point for the cleaner head.

13. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein the first, second and third sections of the wand are arranged telescopically with respect to one another.

14. A suction wand for an upright vacuum cleaner, the suction wand being configured for using in an above-floor cleaning mode and a floor cleaning mode and comprising:

a first section that comprises a handle for maneuvering the upright vacuum cleaner across a floor in the floor cleaning mode, a second section, and a third section that comprises a suction nozzle,

wherein the first section is movable relative to the second section between a floor cleaning position and an above-floor cleaning position, the third section is extendable and retractable relative to the second section, and the suction wand has a linkage that is configured to couple movement of the first section towards one of the floor cleaning and above-floor cleaning positions and extension or retraction of the third section.