FLOOR TOOL UNIT, SURFACE TREATING APPLIANCE AND VACUUM CLEANER

Abstract

A floor tool unit for a surface treating appliance, the floor tool unit having: a coupling member; a floor tool pivotally coupled to the coupling member about a first axis; a support member having a longitudinal support member axis, the support member being pivotally coupled to the coupling member about a second axis such that the support member axis and second axis are non-perpendicular; and a tube member attached to the floor tool and to the support member; wherein the tube member extends through the coupling member. A surface treating appliance comprising the floor tool unit and a vacuum cleaner comprising the floor tool unit are also provided.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to floor tool units. In particular, a floor tool unit comprising a floor tool, a support member and a tube member, a surface treating appliance comprising the floor tool unit and a vacuum cleaner comprising the floor tool unit, are provided.

BACKGROUND

Various types of surface treating appliances are known. A common type of surface treating appliance is a vacuum cleaner. Vacuum cleaners may for example be of the stick type, 2-in-1 type and canister type.

Some prior art surface cleaning appliances comprise a floor tool unit having either two pivots or one pivot and one ball joint. Most of these floor tool units suffer from a poor control, in particular when adopting a lowered position, for example for accessing the floor under a sofa or bed. Typically, in this lowered position, the floor tool becomes locked or flexes in an uncontrolled manner.

A prior art solution to this problem is to add an angle to a pipe section (elbow shape). This solution however typically involves an increased height of the floor tool unit and a wand assembly, attached to the pipe section, cannot be positioned flat with the floor without rotating both the pipe section and the floor tool. Prior art floor tool units also have a complicated design resulting in, for example, low efficiency, poor sealing and noise.

EP 2272414 B1 discloses a tool for a surface treating appliance comprising a main body connected to a conduit. The conduit comprises a front section and a rear section. The front section is pivotally connected to the main body for movement relative thereto about a first axis to allow the conduit to be raised and lowered relative to the main body. The rear section is pivotally connected to the front section for movement relative thereto about a second axis to allow the rear section to be angled relative to the front section. The front section comprises at least one port through which fluid is conveyed into the conduit from the main body, and through which the first axis passes.

SUMMARY

One object of the present disclosure is to provide a floor tool unit having an improved maneuverability of a floor tool, such as a simple, stable and/or precise maneuverability or control of the floor tool with a reduced effort for a user.

A more particular object of the present disclosure is to provide a floor tool unit having an improved maneuverability of a floor tool for some or all angles between a support member and the floor tool.

A further more particular object of the present disclosure is to provide a floor tool unit having an improved maneuverability of a floor tool in a lowered position of the floor tool unit.

A further object of the present disclosure is to provide a floor tool unit having an improved performance, e.g. a more efficient suction when used with a vacuum cleaner.

A still further object of the present disclosure is to provide a floor tool unit having a low noise generation.

A still further object of the present disclosure is to provide a floor tool unit having a smooth and undisturbed flow path between the floor tool and the support member for some or all angles between the support member and the floor tool.

A still further object of the present disclosure is to provide a floor tool unit having an improved sealing, e.g. requiring fewer seals.

A still further object of the present disclosure is to provide a floor tool unit having a relatively large cross sectional area, in view of the size of the floor tool unit, of a flow path between the floor tool and the support member.

A still further object of the present disclosure is to provide a floor tool unit having a low height in a lowered position of the floor tool unit.

A more particular object of the present disclosure is to provide a floor tool unit having an improved reach under objects, e.g. furnitures, such that an area below the objects can be treated, e.g. cleaned, without moving the objects.

A still further object of the present disclosure is to provide a floor tool unit having a simple, reliable and/or cheap construction.

According to one aspect, there is provided a floor tool unit for a surface treating appliance, the floor tool unit comprising coupling member; a floor tool pivotally coupled to the coupling member about a first axis; a support member comprising a longitudinal support member axis, the support member being pivotally coupled to the coupling member about a second axis such that the support member axis and second axis are non-perpendicular; and a tube member attached to the floor tool and to the support member; wherein the tube member extends through the coupling member.

By arranging the tube member to extend through the coupling member, the pivotal coupling between the coupling member and the support member and the pivotal coupling between the coupling member and the floor tool can be arranged outside the tube member. Some or all interfaces between movable components can thereby be arranged outside an air flow path (or fluid flow path) within the tube member. This avoids the need for additional sealings. An air flow through the tube member is therefore less obstructed than air flows between a floor tool and a support member according to the prior art.

The coupling member according to the present disclosure thus defines two rotational axes (the first axis and the second axis) and may constitute a universal joint between the support member and the floor tool. The tube member is thus arranged to pass through the universal joint. That is, all components of the universal joint, including the hinge of the first axis and the hinge of the second axis, are arranged outside the tube member. The rotational axis of the support member, i.e. the central longitudinal support member axis, is however not perpendicular to the hinge between the coupling member and the support member. The rotational axis of the floor tool, e.g. a vertical axis in case the floor tool is operated on a horizontal surface, may be substantially perpendicular to, or perpendicular to, the first axis.

The floor tool unit may be configured such that a side of the support member mates with the floor when the floor tool unit adopts a lowermost position (e.g. for vacuum cleaning under a sofa). This side of the support member may constituted by the rear side of the support member when the floor tool unit adopts the upright position and the lower side of the support member when the floor tool unit adopts a lowered position. The distance between this side of the support member and the support member axis may substantially correspond to, or correspond to, the distance between the floor and the first axis (when the floor tool is positioned on the floor). A floor tool unit and a floor tool according to the present disclosure may be constituted by a nozzle unit and a nozzle, respectively.

The support member may be straight, or substantially straight. The support member may have a substantially uniform, or uniform, cross sectional outer profile and/or inner profile. According to one variant, the support member has a cylindrical appearance.

Throughout the present disclosure, the upright position of the floor tool unit may be constituted by a position where the support member axis is substantially vertical, or vertical, and a lowered position of the floor tool unit may be constituted by any position where the support member is lowered from the upright position. A lowermost position of the floor tool unit may be constituted by a position where the support member axis is substantially horizontal, or horizontal. The support member may for example be rotated 80 degrees to 100 degrees, such as 90 degrees, about the first axis. According to one variant, the support member may be rotated about the first axis between a substantially vertical, or vertical, upright position and a substantially horizontal, or horizontal, lowermost position.

Throughout the present disclosure, a neutral position of the floor tool unit may be constituted by a position where the first axis and the second axis are substantially perpendicular, or perpendicular, and a tilted position of the floor tool unit may be constituted by a position where the first axis and the second axis are not perpendicular, e.g. when the support member is tilted right or left. According to one variant, the support member may be tilted 50 degrees to 70 degrees, such as 60 degrees, about the second axis from a substantially neutral position, or neutral position, to a tilted position on each side of the neutral position (e.g. to the left and right about the second axis).

In the neutral position, the second axis may move in a substantially vertical plane, or in a vertical plane. For example, when the floor tool is positioned on a horizontal surface, by rotating the support member about the support member axis in a clockwise direction (as seen from above the support member), the floor tool is rotated in the clockwise direction (as seen from above) in the horizontal plane. Conversely, by rotating the support member about the support member axis in a counterclockwise direction (as seen from above the support member), the floor tool is rotated in the counterclockwise direction (as seen from above) in the horizontal plane.

In the neutral position of the floor tool unit, the support member axis may be substantially perpendicular to, or perpendicular to, the first axis. Alternatively, or in addition, the support member axis may intersect the first axis or may be offset from the first axis in the neutral position of the floor tool unit. In case the support member axis is offset from the first axis in the neutral position of the floor tool unit, the support member axis may be positioned in front of the first axis when the floor tool unit adopts the upright position and positioned above the first axis when the floor tool unit adopts a lowered position and the lowermost position. Moreover, in the neutral position of the floor tool unit, the second axis may be substantially perpendicular to, or perpendicular to, the first axis.

The support member axis and the second axis may be arranged at a fixed non-perpendicular angle from 110 degrees to 155 degrees, such as from 115 degrees to 150 degrees, such as from 120 degrees to 145 degrees, such as from 125 degrees to 140 degrees, such as from 130 degrees to 135 degrees, such as 131 degrees. For example, when the angle between the support member axis and the second axis is 131 degrees and the support member is oriented horizontally, the angle between the second axis and vertical is 41 degrees. The floor tool unit may thus be configured such that for any position of the floor tool unit between the upright position and the lowermost position, a rotation of the support member about the support member axis is translated into a rotation of the floor tool in a substantially horizontal, or horizontal, plane. An angle between the support member axis and the second axis of between 125 degrees and 140 degrees provides an ergonomic relationship between rotation of the support member about the support member axis and moment of inertia of the floor tool about a vertical axis. This angle range between the support member axis and the second axis is also ergonomic for surface treating appliances having a relatively high center of gravity (e.g. a long distance from the first axis), such as stick vacuum cleaners. Moreover, the floor tool can be more stably maintained in a swiping direction when hitting obstacles.

The tube member may comprise, or may be constituted by, a flexible hose. The tube member may have a smooth interior profile all the way from the floor tool (e.g. from a floor tool fitting) to the support member (e.g. to a support member fitting). The tube member may be substantially circular, or circular, and/or have a substantially circular, or circular interior cross sectional profile.

The floor tool may comprise a floor tool yoke for the pivotal coupling to the coupling member about the first axis. In this case, the tube member may be arranged between two floor tool yoke arms of the floor tool yoke. In this manner, the coupling between the coupling member and the floor tool is entirely outside the tube member. Throughout the present disclosure, a yoke may alternatively be referred to as a fork. A pivot or pin may be provided in each of the floor tool yoke arms to provide the pivotal coupling between the floor tool and the coupling member. Bearings, e.g. roller bearings or needle bearings, may alternatively be employed between the floor tool yoke arms and the coupling members.

Alternatively, or in addition, the support member may comprise a support member yoke for the pivotal coupling to the coupling member about the second axis. In this case, the tube member may be arranged between two support member yoke arms of the support member yoke. In this manner, the coupling between the coupling member and the support member is entirely outside the tube member. A pivot may be provided in each of the support member yoke arms to provide the pivotal coupling between the support member and the coupling member. Bearings may alternatively be employed between the support member yoke arms and the coupling members. The floor tool yoke arms and/or the support member yoke arms may be constituted by ears.

The floor tool unit may comprise a support member fitting fixedly connecting the tube member to the support member. Alternatively, or in addition, the floor tool unit may comprise a floor tool fitting fixedly connecting the tube member to the floor tool. The support member fitting may be integrally formed with the support member. The floor tool fitting may be integrally formed with the floor tool, such as with a manifold of the floor tool.

The second axis may pass through the tube member. This may apply when the floor tool unit adopts the neutral position, any turned or tilted position, the upright position, a lowered position and/or the lowermost position. The first axis may pass through the tube member when the floor tool unit adopts a lowered position and the lowermost position. The first axis may pass below the tube member when the floor tool unit adopts the upright position.

The floor tool may comprise two wheels and the two wheels may be rotatable about a wheel rotation axis substantially coincident with, or coincident with, the first axis. The two wheels may be constituted by two rear wheels. The floor tool may comprise further wheels, such as two front wheels.

The first axis may be substantially horizontal, such as horizontal, when the floor tool is used on a horizontal surface. The support member (and a device connected to the support member) may thus be raised or lowered with respect to the floor by rotating the support member and the coupling member about the first axis.

The coupling member, the floor tool, the support member and the tube member may be oriented such that a straight line can pass through the tube member. Additionally, the coupling member, the floor tool, the support member and the tube member may be oriented such that a straight line can pass from an interior point of the support member, through the tube member and through the floor tool. This constitutes a “see through feature” such that a user can see whether an object is stuck anywhere between the support member and the floor tool. According to one example, if the surface treating appliance is constituted by a vacuum cleaner, the user may detach the floor tool unit from the vacuum cleaner and possibly detach a brush roll from the floor tool. The user may then be able to see through the entire floor tool unit, i.e. through the support member, the tube member and the floor tool. If an object is stuck in the flow path, the user may poke the object out.

The floor tool may comprise a flared manifold attached to the tube member for establishing a fluid passage between an inlet of the floor tool and the tube member. In this case, the manifold may comprise a relatively large cross sectional area at an end adjacent to the inlet of the floor tool and a relatively small cross sectional area at an end adjacent to the tube member.

The support member may comprise a connection interface for detachably connecting the support member to a main body of a surface treating appliance and/or to a tube of a surface treating appliance. The connection interface may be standardized, e.g. tailored to different product platforms.

The floor tool unit may be configured such that the support member axis is arranged in front of (i.e. in a forward direction of the floor tool unit) the first axis in an upright position of the floor tool unit and/or such that the support member axis is arranged above (i.e. in a vertical direction in case the floor tool unit is operated on a horizontal surface) the first axis in a lowermost position of the floor tool unit. The offset distance between the support member axis and the first axis may be constant in the upright position, any intermediate lowered position and the lowermost position of the floor tool unit.

According to a further aspect, there is provided a surface treating appliance comprising a floor tool unit according to the present disclosure. Although the floor tool unit according to present disclosure is mainly described in connection with a vacuum cleaner, the floor tool unit may be used with alternative types of surface treating appliances. Possible alternative implementations include floor polishing appliances and wet floor cleaning appliances.

According to a further aspect, there is provided a vacuum cleaner comprising a floor tool unit according to the present disclosure. A vacuum cleaner according to the present disclosure may be of various types, including but not limiting: stick type vacuum cleaners, 2-in-1 vacuum cleaners and conventional canister vacuum cleaners. Moreover, a vacuum cleaner according to the present disclosure may be either corded or battery driven.

One example of a stick cleaner is a 2-in-1 stick cleaner, i.e. a vacuum cleaner comprising a hand held unit which optionally can be inserted into an elongated support body to form a stick-type vacuum cleaner having a floor tool in a lower end and a handle in an upper end, by means of which, for example, floors can be vacuum cleaned, whereas the hand held unit also can be used separately to vacuum clean, for example, tables, worktops or narrow spaces. In case the floor tool unit according to the present disclosure is used with such 2-in-1 stick vacuum cleaner, the support member may be connected to, comprised by, constituted by or integrally formed with, the support body.

As used herein, a substantially perpendicular/parallel relationship includes a perfectly perpendicular/parallel relationship as well as deviations from a perfectly perpendicular/parallel relationship with up to 5%, such as up to 2%. Furthermore, a substantially horizontal axis as used herein includes a perfectly horizontal axis as well as deviations from a perfectly horizontal axis with up to 5%, such as up to 2%. Furthermore, a vertical direction as used herein refers to a direction aligned with the direction of the force of gravity and a horizontal direction refers to a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further details, advantages and aspects of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following embodiments taken in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1: schematically represents a perspective view of a floor tool unit;

FIG. 2: schematically represents a perspective view of the floor tool unit in an upright position;

FIG. 3: schematically represents a perspective view of the floor tool unit in a lowered position and in a tilted position;

FIG. 4: schematically represents a perspective view of a coupling member;

FIG. 5: schematically represents a side view of the floor tool unit in the upright position;

FIG. 6: schematically represents a top view of the floor tool unit in the upright position;

FIG. 7: schematically represents a bottom view of the floor tool unit in the upright position;

FIG. 8: schematically represents a front view of the floor tool unit in the upright position;

FIG. 9: schematically represents a cross sectional side view of the floor tool unit along line A-A in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10: schematically represents a top view of the floor tool unit in a lowermost position;

FIG. 11: schematically represents a cross sectional side view of the floor tool unit along line B-B in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12: schematically represents a perspective view of a surface treating appliance comprising the floor tool unit in FIGS. 1 to 11; and

FIG. 13: schematically represents a perspective view of a further surface treating appliance comprising the floor tool unit in FIGS. 1 to 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following, a floor tool unit comprising a floor tool, a support member and a tube member, a surface treating appliance comprising the floor tool unit and a vacuum cleaner comprising the floor tool unit, will be described. The same reference numerals will be used to denote the same or similar structural features.

FIG. 1 schematically represents a perspective view of a floor tool unit 10. The floor tool unit 10 comprises a floor tool 12, a support member 14, a tube member 16 and a coupling member 18. In FIG. 1, the floor tool unit 10 is exemplified as a nozzle unit and the floor tool 12 is exemplified as a nozzle.

The tube member 16 establishes a fluid communication between an inlet (not shown) of the floor tool 12 and the interior of the support member 14. In this example, the tube member 16 is constituted by a flexible hose. However, alternative designs of the tube member 16, including designs where the tube member 16 is only partially constituted by a flexible hose, are possible.

The tube member 16 is attached to the floor tool 12 and to the support member 14. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1, the tube member 16 extends through the coupling member 18.

FIG. 1 further indicates a first horizontal direction 20, a second horizontal direction 22, perpendicular to the first horizontal direction 20, and a vertical direction 24. Thus, in FIG. 1, the floor tool 12 operates on a horizontal surface. The second horizontal direction 22 constitutes a forward direction according to the present disclosure.

The floor tool 12 is pivotally coupled to the coupling member 18 about a first axis 26. The first axis 26 is horizontal in this example but does not have to be horizontal. In FIG. 1, the support member 14 has a generally tubular appearance and defines a support member axis 28.

FIG. 1 illustrates a lowered position of the floor tool unit 10 where the support member 14 is lowered from, for example, a vertical orientation. In this lowered position, the angle between the support member axis 28 and horizontal is approximately 45 degrees.

The support member 14 is pivotally coupled to the coupling member 18 about a second axis 30. In this example, the coupling member 18 defines a fixed non-perpendicular angle between the support member axis 28 and the second axis 30. More specifically, the angle between the support member axis 28 and the second axis 30 is between 125 degrees and 140 degrees, such as approximately 131 degrees.

In FIG. 1, the floor tool unit 10 is in a neutral position. The support member 14 may be rotated clockwise or counterclockwise about the support member axis 28. A rotation of the support member 14 in the clockwise direction about the support member axis 28, as seen along the support member axis 28 from above and into the support member 14, is translated by the coupling member 18 into a clockwise rotation of the floor tool 12 in the horizontal plane (comprising the first horizontal direction 20 and the second horizontal direction 22), as seen from above. Conversely, a rotation of the support member 14 in the counterclockwise direction about the support member axis 28, as seen along the support member axis 28 from above and into the support member 14, is translated by the coupling member 18 into a counterclockwise rotation in the horizontal plane.

The floor tool unit 10 in FIG. 1 further comprises two rear wheels 32 and two smaller front wheels 34. Alternative wheel arrangements and floor tool units 10 without wheels are conceivable. In the example of FIG. 1, the two rear wheels 32 are rotatable about a wheel rotation axis that is coincident with the first axis 26. FIG. 1 further shows that a brush strip 36 is arranged on the underside of the the floor tool 12.

The floor tool 12 comprises a floor tool yoke 38 for the pivotal coupling to the coupling member 18 about the first axis 26. The support member 14 comprises a support member yoke 40 for the pivotal coupling to the coupling member 18 about the second axis 30. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the tube member 16 is arranged between two floor tool yoke arms 42 of the floor tool yoke 38 and between two support member yoke arms 44 of the support member yoke 40.

The floor tool unit 10 further comprises a connection interface 46 for detachably connecting the support member 14 to a main body of a surface treating appliance and/or to a tube of a surface treating appliance. By means of the connection interface 46, the support member 14 may for example be attached to a wand assembly of a canister type vacuum cleaner or to an elongated support body of a stick or 2-in-1 type vacuum cleaner. The support member 14 may however alternatively be constituted by a tube of a surface treating appliance or integrally formed with an elongated support body of a stick or 2-in-1 type vacuum cleaner. In FIG. 1, the connection interface 46 is arranged at an end of the support member 14 opposite to the support member yoke 40 along the support member axis 28. The floor tool unit 10 further comprises a button 48 for releasing the attachment by means of the connection interface 46.

The support member 14 further comprises a support member locking structure 50 for engaging with a floor tool locking structure (not shown) in order to lock the support member 14 to the floor tool 12 such that the floor tool unit 10 stays in an upright position.

FIG. 2 schematically represents a perspective view of the floor tool unit 10 in an upright position. In the upright position, the support member 14 is oriented vertically.

FIG. 3 schematically represents a perspective view of the floor tool unit 10 in a lowered position and in a tilted position. In this lowered position of FIG. 3, the angle between the support member axis 28 and horizontal is approximately 45 degrees. Furthermore, the support member axis 28 is angled approximately 60 degrees from from a neutral position about the second axis 30. The support member 14 is angled to the left as seen from a user's perspective.

FIG. 4 schematically represents a perspective view of the coupling member 18 of the floor tool unit 10 in FIGS. 1 and 2. The coupling member 18 of this example comprises a main body 52 having a general appearance of two opposite C-shapes. The coupling member 18 comprises a first coupling member yoke 54 comprising two first coupling member yoke arms 56. The coupling member 18 further comprises a second coupling member yoke 58 comprising two second coupling member yoke arms 60.

A shaft 62 extends from each first coupling member yoke arm 56 along the first axis 26. A pin 64 (only one is shown in FIG. 4) for attachment of a rear wheel 32 is provided at the end of each shaft 62. The rear wheels 32 may be attached to the pins 64 directly or via bearings.

An opening 66 (only one is shown in FIG. 4) is provided on each second coupling member yoke arm 60. The openings 66 may be used to receive a pin from an associated support member yoke arm 44.

A line between the two openings 66 of the second coupling member yoke arms 60 defines the second axis 30. Thus, the coupling member 18 defines the relative angle between the first axis 26 and the second axis 30. In the example of FIG. 4, the first axis 26 and the second axis 30 are offset and perpendicular.

The coupling member 18 further comprises a through hole 68 through which the tube member 16 can pass. The inner profile (e.g. the inner diameter) of the through hole 68 may substantially correspond to, or correspond to, the outer profile of the tube member 16. Alternatively, the inner profile of the through hole 68 may be larger than the outer profile of the tube member 16 such that a clearance is provided between the coupling member 18 and the tube member 16 in the through hole 68.

FIG. 5 schematically represents a side view of the floor tool unit 10 in the upright position. FIG. 5 further shows a locking ring 70 for locking and unlocking a brush roll 72 of the floor tool 12. The locking ring 70 may be sealed by an O-ring. FIG. 6 schematically represents a top view of the floor tool unit 10 in the upright position.

FIG. 7 schematically represents a bottom view of the floor tool unit 10 in the upright position. In FIG. 7, it can be seen that the floor tool 12 comprises an inlet 74. The brush roll 72 is positioned in the inlet 74. The brush roll 72 may be motor driven by a motor (not denoted) in the floor tool 12.

The floor tool 12 further comprises a flared manifold 76 having a smooth interior profile. The manifold 76 establishes a fluid connection between the inlet 74 and the tube member 16. The manifold 76 comprises a relatively large cross sectional area at the end adjacent to the inlet 74 and a relatively small cross sectional area (not shown in FIG. 7) at the end adjacent to the lower end of the tube member 16. In this example, the manifold 76 is directly attached to the tube member 16. However, the manifold 76 may be integrally formed with the tube member 16.

FIG. 8 schematically represents a front view of the floor tool unit 10 in the upright position. FIG. 9 schematically represents a cross sectional side view of the floor tool unit 10 along line A-A in FIG. 8.

In FIG. 9, the angle between the support member axis 28 and the second axis 30, which is between 125 degrees and 140 degrees, such as approximately 131 degrees, is indicated as a. Furthermore, in the upright position of the floor tool unit 10 in FIG. 9, the support member axis 28 is arranged in front of (to the right in FIG. 9) the first axis 26. The offset distance between the support member axis 28 and the first axis 26 is denoted C.

In the example of FIG. 9, the support member axis 28 is offset with respect to the first axis 26 in the upright position of the floor tool unit 10. The support member axis 28 is arranged slightly in front of the first axis 26.

Furthermore, in the example of FIG. 9, the first axis 26 passes outside the tube member 16 when the floor tool unit 10 adopts the upright position. As can be seen in FIG. 9, the first axis 26 is located radially outside a center of a curved portion of the tube member 16.

FIG. 9 further shows that the floor tool unit 10 comprises a support member fitting 78 and a floor tool fitting 80. The support member fitting 78 is used to fixedly connect an upper end of the tube member 16 to the support member 14 and the floor tool fitting 8o is used to fixedly connect a lower end of the tube member 16 to the floor tool 12. As can be seen in FIG. 9, the support member fitting 78 is comprised by the support member 14 (integrally formed with the support member 14) and the floor tool fitting 80 is comprised by the manifold 76 (integrally formed with the manifold 76).

FIG. 9 further shows that the floor tool unit 10 comprises a locking protrusion 82 on the inside of the support member 14. By pushing the button 48, the locking protrusion 82 is moved radially (with respect to the support member axis 28) outwards. When the button 48 is released, the locking protrusion 82 is biased radially inwards, for example by means of a spring, to lock an inserted element to the support member 14, such as a wand assembly (not shown).

FIG. 9 further shows the floor tool locking structure 84. In the upright position of the floor tool unit 10 in FIG. 9, the support member locking structure 50 and the floor tool locking structure 84 are engaged such that the floor tool unit 10 is maintained in the upright position.

FIG. 10 schematically represents a top view of the floor tool unit 10 in a lowermost position. FIG. 11 schematically represents a cross sectional side view of the floor tool unit 10 along line B-B in FIG. 10.

In the lowermost position of the floor tool unit 10 according to the example in FIG. 11, the support member axis 28 is horizontally oriented. A lower side of the support member 14 can be laid flat on the floor. The first axis 26 passes through the tube member 16. Furthermore, in the lowermost position of the floor tool unit 10 in FIG. 11, the support member axis 28 is arranged above the first axis 26. The offset distance between the support member axis 28 and the first axis 26 is denoted C.

FIG. 11 further shows that a straight line can pass through the tube member 16 in the lowermost position of the floor tool unit 10. In addition, when the brush roll 72 is removed, a straight line can pass from an interior point of the support member 14, through the tube member 16 and through floor tool 12.

FIG. 12 schematically represents a perspective view of a surface treating appliance comprising the floor tool unit 10 in FIGS. 1 to 11. In FIG. 12, the surface treating appliance is constituted by a canister type vacuum cleaner 86 comprising a tube 88. The floor tool unit 10 is detachably connected to the tube 88 by means of the connection interface 46.

FIG. 13 schematically represents a perspective view of a further surface treating appliance comprising the floor tool unit 10 in FIGS. 1 to 11. In FIG. 13, the surface treating appliance is constituted by a stick type vacuum cleaner 90 comprising a main body 92. The floor tool unit 10 is detachably connected to the main body 92 by means of the connection interface 46.

While the present disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to what has been described above. For example, it will be appreciated that the dimensions of the parts may be varied as needed. Accordingly, it is intended that the present invention may be limited only by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. A floor tool unit for a surface treating appliance, the floor tool unit comprising: wherein the tube member extends through the coupling member.

a coupling member;

a floor tool pivotally coupled to the coupling member about a first axis;

a support member comprising a longitudinal support member axis, the support member being pivotally coupled to the coupling member about a second axis such that the support member axis and second axis are non-perpendicular; and

a tube member attached to the floor tool and to the support member;

2. The floor tool unit according to claim 1, wherein the support member axis and the second axis are arranged at a fixed angle (α) from 110 degrees to 155 degrees.

3. The floor tool unit according to claim 1, wherein the tube member comprises a flexible hose.

4. The floor tool unit according to claim 1, wherein the floor tool comprises a floor tool yoke for the pivotal coupling to the coupling member about the first axis and wherein the tube member is arranged between two floor tool yoke arms of the floor tool yoke.

5. The floor tool unit according to claim 1, wherein the support member comprises a support member yoke for the pivotal coupling to the coupling member about the second axis and wherein the tube member is arranged between two support member yoke arms of the support member yoke.

6. The floor tool unit according to claim 1, wherein the floor tool unit comprises at least one of a support member fitting fixedly connecting the tube member to the support member and a floor tool fitting fixedly connecting the tube member to the floor tool.

7. The floor tool unit according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first axis and the second axis passes through the tube member.

8. The floor tool unit according to claim 1, wherein the floor tool comprises two wheels and wherein the two wheels are rotatable about a wheel rotation axis substantially coincident with the first axis.

9. The floor tool unit according to claim 1, wherein the first axis is substantially horizontal when the floor tool is used on a horizontal surface.

10. The floor tool unit according to claim 1, wherein the coupling member, the floor tool, the support member and the tube member can be oriented such that a straight line can pass through the tube member.

11. The floor tool unit according to claim 10, wherein the coupling member, the floor tool, the support member and the tube member can be oriented such that a straight line can pass from an interior point of the support member, through the tube member and through the floor tool.

12. The floor tool unit according to claim 1, wherein the floor tool comprises a flared manifold attached to the tube member for establishing a fluid passage between an inlet of the floor tool and the tube member, wherein the manifold comprises a relatively large cross sectional area at an end adjacent to the inlet of the floor tool and a relatively small cross sectional area at an end adjacent to the tube member.

13. The floor tool unit according to claim 1, wherein the support member comprises a connection interface configured for detachably connecting the support member to at least one of a main body of a surface treating appliance and a tube of a surface treating appliance.

14. The floor tool unit according to claim 1, wherein the floor tool unit is configured such that the support member axis is arranged in front of the first axis in an upright position of the floor tool unit and/or such that the support member axis is arranged above the first axis in a lowermost position of the floor tool unit.

15. The floor tool unit according to claim 1, wherein the floor tool unit comprises a nozzle unit and the floor tool comprises a nozzle.

16. A surface treating appliance comprising a floor tool unit according to claim 1.

17. A vacuum cleaner comprising a floor tool unit according to claim 1.

18. The floor tool unit according to claim 1, wherein the support member axis and the second axis are arranged at a fixed angle (α) from 125 degrees to 140 degrees.

19. The floor tool unit according to claim 1, wherein the support member axis and the second axis are arranged at a fixed angle (α) from 130 degrees to 135 degrees