DOCK FOR A HANDHELD PRODUCT

Abstract

A dock for a handheld product comprising a docking unit and a base, the docking unit and the base being separable, wherein in a first configuration the docking unit is connected directly to the base unit, and in a second configuration the docking unit is connected to a body and the body is connected to the base.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a national stage application under 35 USC 371 of International Application No. PCT/GB2019/050130, filed Jan. 17, 2019, which claims the priority of United Kingdom Application No. 1803455.3, filed Mar. 2, 2018, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to a dock for a handheld product, in particular a modular dock for a handheld product.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Handheld products, such as vacuum cleaners are often provided with storage docks. This is particularly the case for battery powered handheld products, as the storage dock can also double as a charging dock which charges the product's battery pack while it is not being used.

A common format for a storage dock is a wall mounted dock, such as the dock provided with the Dyson V8™ cord-free vacuum cleaner. The wall mounted dock is secured to a wall by drilling holes, and then using screws and wall plugs to mount the dock to the wall. However, it is often not convenient or possible for a user to drill holes in the walls of their home in order to mount the dock.

Free standing docks are known, such as the dock shown in JP2016039860A. However, they ideally need to be positioned in a relatively large and easily accessible area, and therefore do not provide much flexibility to a user in where in a home they could be located.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

A first aspect of the present invention provides a dock for a handheld product comprising a docking unit and a base, the docking unit and the base being separable, wherein in a first configuration the docking unit is connected directly to the base unit, and in a second configuration the docking unit is connected to a body and the body is connected to the base.

As a result, the dock can be assembled in either the first or the second configuration, where the first configuration is substantially smaller than the second configuration, allowing for more flexibility of where the dock can be positioned. For example, the dock could be positioned on a table or counter-top when assembled in the first configuration, but also allows for the dock to be more convenient for floor-standing when assembled in the second configuration.

The body may comprise a removable case for holding accessories for a docked product. As a result, the additional space added to the dock in the second configuration by the inclusion of the body is put to efficient and advantageous use to the user by providing storage for tools and accessories for the handheld product.

The docking unit may comprise an electrical connector for providing a power supply to a docked handheld product. The power supply may charge a battery pack of a docked handheld product. The dock therefore can double as a charging dock which conveniently charges the handheld product's battery pack while it is not being used and is stored in the dock.

At least one of the docking unit and the body may comprise connectors to which accessories for the docked handheld product can be attached. This provides even further convenient storage for accessories for the docked product which are easily accessible.

The dock may be for a stick vacuum cleaner, the stick vacuum cleaner comprising a handheld vacuum cleaner, a wand and cleaner head, and the docking unit may receive the handheld vacuum cleaner once it is separated from the wand and cleaner head. By requiring the wand and cleaner head to be removed from the handheld vacuum cleaner before the vacuum cleaner can be docked, this helps keep the overall size of the dock to a minimum. The height of the dock can also be kept down, which makes the dock more stable, and less likely to be accidentally tipped over.

The dock may comprise a clip for securing the wand. This provides a convenient storage place for the wand of the vacuum cleaner while the handheld part is docked.

One of the base and the docking unit may comprise a catch, and the other of the base and the docking unit may comprise a catch-engaging formation, and when the dock is assembled in the first configuration, the catch may releasably engage with the catch-engaging formation preventing separation of the base and the docking unit. As a result, a user is able to quickly and easily dismantle and reassemble the dock in a different configuration if desired.

The body may comprise a catch at one end, and a catch-engaging formation at the other end, such that both the base and the docking unit can be releasably mounted to each end of the body when the dock is assembled in the second configuration. As a result, the same mechanism for mounting the docking unit to the base can be used to mount the docking unit to the body and the body to the base.

One of the base and the docking unit may comprise a protrusion with a lip and the other of the base and the docking unit may comprise a slot with shoulder, and mounting the base to the docking unit in the first configuration may comprise inserting the flanged protrusion into the slot and moving the base relative to the docking unit until the lip engages with the shoulder, preventing separation of the base and the docking unit. As a result, an alternative or additional mechanism can be provided to enable a user to quickly and easily dismantle and reassemble the dock in a different configuration if desired.

The body may comprise a protrusion with a lip at one end, and a slot with shoulder at the other end, such that both the base and the docking unit can be releasably mounted to each end of the body when the dock is assembled in the second configuration. As a result, the same mechanism for mounting the docking unit to the base can be used to mount the docking unit to the body and the body to the base.

The docking unit may comprise a slot into which a handheld product can be slidably received. As a result, a handheld product can be quickly and easily docked in the docking unit.

The docking unit may comprise a product clamp, the product clamp being slidable between a latched position in which a docked handheld product is held in the dock and an unlatched positioned in which a docked handheld product can be removed from the dock. As a result, the handheld product can be held firm in the dock while it is docked, and a correct docked position can be assured.

The product clamp may be biased into the unlatched position. As a result, the product clamp can more easily released from a docked product allowing for a n easier undocking procedure. In addition, the product clamp can more easily be moved into the correct position to allow a handheld product to be clamped, and this requires only one hand.

The product clamp may be released from the latched position by pressing down on a top surface of the product clamp and releasing, and may be moved into the latched position by pressing down on the top surface of the product clamp and sliding it into the latched position. As a result, a push-push clamp mechanism allows for an easy docking and undocking procedure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In order that the present invention according to various aspects may be more readily understood, embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the following accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows separable parts of a dock for a vacuum cleaner;

FIG. 2 shows a dock for a vacuum cleaner in a first configuration;

FIG. 3 shows a dock for a vacuum cleaner in a second configuration;

FIG. 4 shows a bottom view of the base of the dock shown in FIGS. 1 to 3;

FIG. 5 shows a dock having a removable accessory case;

FIGS. 6A and 6B show a docking procedure for docking a vacuum cleaner in the dock of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6C shows a vacuum cleaner docked in the dock of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6D shows a vacuum cleaner docked in the dock of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7A shows a docking procedure for docking a vacuum cleaner in an alternative embodiment of a dock;

FIG. 7B shows a vacuum cleaner docked in a dock in a first configuration; and

FIG. 7C shows a vacuum cleaner docked in a dock in a second configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

FIG. 1 shows a dock 1 in separable parts. The dock 1 comprises a docking unit 2, a body 3, and a base 4. The docking unit 1 can be attached directly to the base 4, as indicated by the solid arrow labelled A, to assemble the dock 1 in a first configuration 1A. The dock 1 assembled in the first configuration 1A is shown in FIG. 2, and may be suitable when the dock 1 is located, for example, on a table-top or counter-top. The docking unit 2 can also be attached to the body 3, and the body 3 can be attached to the base 4, as indicated by the dotted and dashed arrows B and C, to assemble the dock 1 in a second configuration 1B. The dock 1 assembled in the second configuration 1B is shown in FIG. 3, and may be suitable when the dock 1 is floor standing. In the second configuration 1B the docking unit is positioned higher, and so would be more comfortably accessible for a user to dock and undock a product when the dock 1 is positioned at floor-level.

The docking unit 2 comprises a support 21, a pillar 23, and a product clamp 25. The support 21 provides a surface that can support a product when it is docked in the docking unit 2. The pillar 23 supports the product clamp 25 which acts to hold a docked product in place. The procedure for docking a product in the dock 1 will be described later. A number of attachment connectors 27 are provided attached to the sides of the pillar 23. These attachment connectors 27 allow for the convenient storage of accessories for the intended docked product on the dock 1 itself. An electrical connector 29 is provided in the product clamp 25. The electrical connector 29 can therefore provide a power supply to a docked product. In the case of a battery powered product, such as a handheld vacuum cleaner, the dock therefore acts as a charging dock, and the battery pack can be charged while the product is docked in the dock 1.

The body 3 comprises an outer casing 31 which houses a removable case 33. The removable case 33 can conveniently store further tools and accessories for the docked product within the dock 1 itself. For example, for a vacuum cleaner, the removable case 33 may contain tools such as adaptors, crevice tools, a mattress cleaning tool, and a hose connector. The body is also provided with an attachment connector 35. The attachment connector 35 could be the same as the attachment connectors 27 on the docking unit 2, but in the embodiment shown the attachment connector 35 differs slightly to allow a larger attachment such as a cleaner head to be stored on the dock 1. The body 3 is also provided with a clip 37 for securing a vacuum cleaner wand.

Stick vacuum cleaners, such as the Dyson V8™ cord-free vacuum cleaner, are often formed of a cleaner head and wand attached to a handheld vacuum cleaner. Therefore when docking this type of vacuum cleaner in the dock 1, the handheld part can be separated from the wand and cleaner head and docked in the docking unit 2. The wand and cleaner head can then also be stored on the dock by securing the wand in the clip 37.

The base 4 provides stability to the body 3 and/or docking unit 2 when they are mounted to the base 4.

The means by which the separable parts of the dock 1 can be attached together are shown in FIG. 1. The upper surface of the base 4, and the upper end of the outer casing 31 of the body 3 both comprise a number of slots 52 each with a shoulder 54. On the underside of the docking unit 2 and the bottom end of the body 3 are corresponding protrusions each comprising a lip 56. During assembly of the dock 1, as the docking unit 2 and the base 4 are brought together, or the docking unit 2 and the body 3 are brought together and the body 3 and the base 4 are brought together, the protrusions are inserted into the corresponding slot 52. The separable parts are then slid relative to each other, allowing the protrusion to slide within the slot 52 until the lips 56 engage with the corresponding shoulders 54. This prevents separation of the two parts until they are slid once again in the opposite direction until the lips 56 no longer engage the shoulders 54.

The upper surface of the base 4, and the upper end of the outer casing 31 of the body 3 both also comprise a catch 50. This catch 50 engages with a formation (not shown) on the underside of the docking unit 2 and the bottom end of the body 3 when the parts are engaged together to prevent the relative movement to disengage the lips 56 from the shoulders 54. Disengaging the catch 50 from the formation releases the catch 50, allowing the part to move relative to one another again. Disengaging the catch 50 is done by pressing a catch button on the underside of the catch 50. The button on the body 3 is not shown in the figures, but can be found on the inside of the outer casing 31 when the removable case 33 has been removed. FIG. 4 shows the underside of the base 4, and the catch button 41 for the base 4 can be seen.

FIG. 5 shows the dock 1 in the second configuration 1B, with the removable case 33 removed. The removable case 33 is inserted into the body 3 by sliding it into a cavity 39 formed inside the outer case 31 as indicated by arrow D. The removable case 33 comprises a case body 331 and a case lid 333 which is hingedly attached to the case body 331. An insert inside the removable case 33 comprises a number of shaped holes 335 into which tools and accessories for the vacuum cleaner will fit. The shaped holes 335 help to keep the tools organised even when the removable case 33 is turned on its side when inserted and stored inside the cavity 39 in the body 3. The case lid 333 may be transparent to help a user more easily identify what tools and accessories are stored therein.

FIGS. 6A and 6B show a procedure for docking a handheld vacuum cleaner 60 onto the dock 1. First, the user must press down on the top of the product clamp 25 as indicated by arrow E. This releases a catch mechanism inside the pillar 23. The product clamp 25 is then free to slide relative to the pillar, and is biased in a direction away from the support 21. The product clamp 25 therefore moves upwards in the direction of arrow F. This then creates enough room for the handheld vacuum cleaner 60 to be positioned on the support 21 as indicated by arrow G. Once the vacuum cleaner 60 is positioned on the support 21, the user then presses down once again on the top of the product clamp, pushing it downwards in the direction of arrow H and pushing against the biasing force until the catch mechanism inside the pillar once again engages, holding the product clamp 25 in place. The vacuum cleaner 60 is then clamped between the product clamp 25 and the support 21. The electrical connector 29 engages with a socket on the handle of the vacuum cleaner, allowing the vacuum cleaner's battery pack to be charged. Exactly the same procedure is carried out if the dock is in the first configuration, the table-top configuration.

FIG. 6C shows a handheld vacuum cleaner 60 docked in the dock 1 when it is in the second configuration 1B, the floor-standing configuration. FIG. 6D shows the vacuum cleaner 60 docked in the dock 1 when it is in the first configuration, the table-top configuration.

An alternative embodiment of a dock 70 is shown in FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C. The dock has the same modular concept as previously described, and the body 3 and base 4 are the same as previously described in the earlier embodiment. And the separable parts of the dock 70 are assembled in the same way as previously described. However, the docking unit 72 differs from the previously described docking unit 2. There is no product clamp, but instead the docking unit 72 has a docking slot 74 formed in the upper end of the pillar 73. A number of attachment connectors 77 are provided attached to the sides of the pillar 73. These attachment connectors 77 allow for the convenient storage of accessories for the intended docked product on the dock 70 itself. An electrical connector 79 is provided at one end of the docking slot 74. The electrical connector 79 can therefore provide a power supply to a docked product. In the case of a battery powered product, such as a handheld vacuum cleaner, the dock can act as a charging dock, and the product's battery pack can be charged while the product is docked in the dock 70.

FIG. 7A shows a procedure for docking a handheld vacuum cleaner 80 onto the dock 70. The vacuum cleaner 80 is positioned and lowered onto the dock 70 in the direction of arrow J such that the battery pack 82 slidably engages within the docking slot 74. The end of the vacuum cleaner 80 may be supported by the support 71, or alternatively it may be held suspended above the support, provided the walls of the docking slot 74 are strong enough to bear the weight of the vacuum cleaner 80. When the battery pack 82 is fully engaged in the docking slot 74, the electrical connector 79 engages with a socket on the end of the battery pack 82, allowing the vacuum cleaner's battery pack to be charged.

FIG. 7B shows the handheld vacuum cleaner 80 docked in the dock 70 when it is in the first configuration 70A, the “table-top configuration”. FIG. 7C shows the vacuum cleaner 80 docked in the dock 70 when it is in the second configuration 70B, the “floor-standing configuration”.

Whilst particular embodiments have thus far been described, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

For example, the embodiments described herein show a dock for a vacuum cleaner. However, it will be appreciated that the dock could be for a different handheld product. In addition, the base and the upper end of the outer casing of the body have been described as comprising the slots with shoulders, whilst the underside of the docking unit and the bottom end of the body have been described as comprising the corresponding protrusions with lips. However, it will be appreciated that these features may be switched such that the base and the upper end of the outer casing of the body have protrusions with lips, and the underside of the docking unit and the bottom end of the body have slots with shoulders. Or indeed, another mechanism for preventing the separation of the separable parts may be used.

Claims

1. A dock for a handheld product comprising a docking unit and a base, the docking unit and the base being separable, wherein in a first configuration the docking unit is connected directly to the base unit, and in a second configuration the docking unit is connected to a body and the body is connected to the base.

2. The dock for a handheld product of claim 1, wherein the body comprises a removable case for holding accessories for a docked product.

3. The dock for a handheld product of claim 1, wherein the docking unit comprises an electrical connector for providing a power supply to a docked handheld product.

4. The dock for a handheld product of claim 3, wherein the power supply charges a battery pack of a docked handheld product.

5. The dock for a handheld product of claim 1, wherein at least one of the docking unit and the body comprise connectors to which accessories for the docked handheld product can be attached.

6. The dock for a handheld product of claim 1, wherein the dock is for a stick vacuum cleaner, the stick vacuum cleaner comprising a handheld vacuum cleaner, a wand and cleaner head, and wherein the docking unit receives the handheld vacuum cleaner once it is separated from the wand and cleaner head.

7. The dock for a handheld product of claim 6, wherein the dock comprises a clip for securing the wand.

8. The dock for a handheld product of claim 1, wherein one of the base and the docking unit comprises a catch, and the other of the base and the docking unit comprises a catch-engaging formation, and when the dock is assembled in the first configuration, the catch releasably engages with the catch-engaging formation preventing separation of the base and the docking unit.

9. The dock for a handheld product of claim 8, wherein the body comprises a catch at one end, and a catch-engaging formation at the other end, such that both the base and the docking unit can be releasably mounted to each end of the body when the dock is assembled in the second configuration.

10. The dock for a handheld product of claim 1, wherein one of the base and the docking unit comprises a protrusion with a lip and the other of the base and the docking unit comprises a slot with shoulder, and mounting the base to the docking unit in the first configuration comprises inserting the protrusion into the slot and moving the base relative to the docking unit until the lip engages with the shoulder, preventing separation of the base and the docking unit.

11. The dock for a handheld product of claim 10, wherein the body comprises a protrusion with a lip at one end, and a slot with shoulder at the other end, such that both the base and the docking unit can be releasably mounted to each end of the body when the dock is assembled in the second configuration.

12. The dock for a handheld product of claim 1, wherein the docking unit comprises a slot into which a handheld product can be slidably received.

13. The dock for a handheld product of claim 1, wherein the docking unit comprises a product clamp, the product clamp being slidable between a latched position in which a docked handheld product is held in the dock and an unlatched positioned in which a docked handheld product can be removed from the dock.

14. The dock for a handheld product of claim 13, wherein the product clamp is biased into the unlatched position.

15. The dock for a handheld product of claim 12, wherein the product clamp is released from the latched position by pressing down on a top surface of the product clamp and releasing, and is moved into the latched position by pressing down on the top surface of the product clamp and sliding it into the latched position.