VACUUM CLEANER STAND

Abstract

A stand for a vacuum cleaner having a hand-held main unit with a first locking arrangement for releasable locking to a second locking arrangement of a tube arrangement. The stand comprises a manually operated actuation mechanism adapted to actuate a release button or release mechanism to unlock the hand-held main unit from the tube arrangement while the vacuum cleaner is placed in the stand.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to vacuum cleaner stand and also to a vacuum cleaner arrangement comprising a vacuum cleaner stand.

BACKGROUND

Vacuum cleaners, in particular stick vacuum cleaners, can be designed with a dual function whereby a hand unit can be detached from the rest of the vacuum cleaner. Thus, in a first mode of operation the vacuum cleaner is operated as a regular vacuum cleaner, e.g., cleaning a floor, but a part of the vacuum cleaner can be separated and operated as a smaller hand unit.

The vacuum cleaner then comprises a hand-held main unit comprising a dust separation arrangement, an air inlet, an air out, a motor-fan unit creating an airflow from the air inlet through the dust separation arrangement to the air outlet, and a locking arrangement for releasable locking a tube arrangement, for e.g. floor cleaning. The tube arrangement comprises a nozzle with an air inlet for dust laden air, and a second air outlet to be releasably connected to the air inlet of the hand-held, main, unit. A second locking arrangement is cooperating with the first locking arrangement, the first or the second locking arrangement comprises a release button release mechanism that unlocks the locking arrangement. Thus, when a user uses the release mechanism it is possible to separate the hand-held, main, unit from the tube and nozzle and only operate the hand-held unit.

There is a constant desire to improve vacuum cleaners to make them more efficient and user friendly.

SUMMARY

One object of the present disclosure is therefore to provide an improved stand for a vacuum cleaner.

This object is achieved by a vacuum cleaner stand and a vacuum cleaner arrangement as set out in the appended claims.

As has been realized by the inventor, it would be advantageous to provide a vacuum cleaner stand that would facilitate for a user to select mode of operation for a vacuum cleaner and at the same time provide for an efficient storage of the vacuum cleaner.

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, a stand for a vacuum cleaner is provided. The stand is used for a vacuum cleaner comprising a hand-held main unit comprising a dust separation arrangement, an air inlet, an air out, a motor-fan unit creating an airflow from the air inlet through the dust separation arrangement to the air outlet. The hand-held main unit comprises a locking arrangement for releasable locking a tube arrangement, for e.g. floor cleaning. The tube arrangement comprises a nozzle with an air inlet for dust laden air, and a second air outlet to be releasably connected to the air inlet of the hand-held, main unit, and a second locking arrangement cooperating with the first locking arrangement. The first or the second locking arrangement comprises a release button that unlocks the locking arrangement. The stand comprises a manually operated actuation mechanism adapted to actuate a release button or release mechanism to unlock the hand-held main unit from the tube arrangement when the vacuum cleaner is placed in the stand. Hereby and easy to use mechanism for separating the hand-held, main, unit from the tube arrangement with the nozzle is obtained. The actuation mechanism can be implemented in various ways. For example, the actuation mechanism can be a mechanic mechanism or the actuation mechanism can comprise an electromagnetic mechanism.

In accordance with one embodiment, the actuation mechanism comprises a push button that when pushed by a user triggers the actuation mechanism to actuate the release mechanism. Hereby an actuation mechanism that is easy to use can be obtained.

In accordance with one embodiment, the push button is facing upwards on the stand. Hereby operation of the push button is facilitated.

In accordance with one embodiment, the manually operated actuation mechanism is adapted to be moved in a downwards direction. Hereby operation of the actuation mechanism is facilitated.

In accordance with one embodiment, the stand comprises a holder for a tube and or a nozzle when hand held unit is released. Hereby the stand can act as a storage for the tube and nozzle when the hand-held unit is released from the tube and nozzle.

In accordance with one embodiment, the holder comprises a magnet for securing the tube and or the nozzle. Hereby a more secure holding arrangement for holding the tube and nozzle is obtained.

The stand can in accordance with some embodiment have a tower shaped housing. The stand can then comprise an upright tower shaped portion that can comprise the manually operated actuation mechanism. Hereby a stand that is easy to place and use is obtained. The tower shaped portion can also house the holder. In addition, the actuation mechanism can be located on a top surface of the tower shaped portion. Such a location for the actuation mechanism is advantageous in that it become easy to access and is easy to locate.

The invention also extends to a vacuum cleaner arrangement comprising the stand according to the above and a vacuum cleaner with a hand-held unit.

The vacuum cleaner arrangement can in accordance with some embodiments comprise a hand-held unit with a handle adapted to be held when the actuation mechanism is operated.

In accordance with some embodiments, the tube arrangement of the vacuum cleaner is made of a magnetizable material. Hereby magnets can be used in the stand to improve the securing of the tube when placed in the stand.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in more detail by means of examples and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of a vacuum cleaner in a vacuum cleaner stand,

FIG. 2 is a partial view of a vacuum cleaner placed in a holder of a vacuum cleaner stand,

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the vacuum cleaner in the vacuum cleaner stand with a detail marked, and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the marked detail of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the present invention will now be described more fully. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. Well-known functions or constructions will not necessarily be described in detail for ease of understanding and/or clarity. It is further to be understood that the features described can be combined in any suitable manner to meet different implementational needs.

The present disclosure relates to a vacuum cleaner and in particular to a stand that can be used for holding the vacuum cleaner. In FIG. 1 a vacuum cleaner 1 is placed in a stand 2. The vacuum cleaner 1 is of a type where a part of the vacuum cleaner can be separated from the rest of the vacuum cleaner to form a hand-held unit. In FIG. 1. The vacuum cleaner 1 is a of a stick type and the top part of the vacuum cleaner 1 can be separated to form a hand-held unit 3. Further, the hand-held, main, unit comprises a dust separation arrangement, an air inlet, an air out, a motor-fan unit creating an airflow from the air inlet through the dust separation arrangement to the air outlet as is known in the art. The hand-held main unit comprises a locking arrangement for releasable locking a tube arrangement, for e.g. floor cleaning. The tube arrangement comprises a nozzle with an air inlet for dust laden air, and a second air outlet to be releasably connected to the air inlet of the hand-held, main unit, and a second locking arrangement cooperating with the first locking arrangement as is known in the art. The first or the second locking arrangement comprises a release button that unlocks the locking arrangement in any type of configuration known per se.

Thus, the vacuum cleaner 1 can be used in two modes of operation. A first mode where the whole stick vacuum cleaner 1 is used and a second mode where only the top part is used as a hand-held unit 3. The bottom part including a stick/tube 5 and a nozzle 6 will then remain in the stand 2. The vacuum cleaner thus comprises a hand held, main, unit 3 comprising a dust separation arrangement, an air inlet, an air out, a motor-fan unit creating an airflow from the air inlet through the dust separation arrangement to the air outlet, and a locking arrangement for releasable locking a tube arrangement, for e.g. floor cleaning. The tube arrangement 5, 6 typically comprises a nozzle with an air inlet for dust laden air, a second air outlet to be releasably connected to the air inlet of the main unit.

By providing a stand 2 where the remaining parts of the vacuum cleaner not forming the hand-held unit 3 can be kept safely in the stand when the handheld unit 3 is used, the storage of the vacuum cleaner is facilitated. This is because the user does not need to find a place to store the remaining parts while using the hand-held unit 3.

The stand 2 is in accordance with some embodiments used to store the vacuum cleaner 1 when it is not in use. Also, the stand 2 can be connected to a power outlet so that the vacuum cleaner 1 can be charged when placed in the stand 2.

The stand can be shaped as a tower with a floor support. Inside the tower electrical connections can be provided to allow for charging of the vacuum cleaner. The tower can comprise a space for an extra battery to the vacuum cleaner that can be charged while in the such a charging space.

In FIG. 2 a partial view of the vacuum cleaner 1 of FIG. 1 when placed in the stand 2 is shown. The stand 2 has a holder 7 for holding the vacuum cleaner securely in the stand 2. When the hand-held unit 3 is released from the rest of the vacuum cleaner the remaining parts of the vacuum cleaner 1 will still be securely attached to the stand 2 by the holder 7. The holder 7 can in accordance with some embodiments be mechanical and/or magnetic or comprise one or more magnets to improve the attachment to the stand 2.

In FIG. 3, a cross sectional view of the vacuum cleaner 1 in the stand 2 is shown with a section A marked therein.

In FIG. 4, the section A of FIG. 3 is shown. FIG. 4 illustrate how the stand 2 can comprise a manually operated actuation mechanism adapted to unlock the first locking arrangement from the second locking arrangement by actuating the release button of the vacuum cleaner when placed in the stand 2.

Thus, when the vacuum cleaner is in the stand 2 and the user wants to use only the hand-held unit 3, the hand-held unit 3 must be released from the rest of the vacuum cleaner such as the tube and the nozzle.

The implementation of FIG. 1 where a push button that when pushed by a user triggers the actuation mechanism to actuate the release mechanism will now be described in more detail.

In FIG. 4, a push button 11 is arranged in a housing 12. The button acts on a rod 14. The rod 14 is spring loaded by a spring 13. The spring is provided to let the rod 14 (and thereby the push button) return to its initial position when the push button is released. The rod 14 is pressing a catch 15. The catch 15 directs the movement of the rod 14 towards a button 18. The button 18 releases the handheld unit 3 from the rest of the vacuum cleaner in a manner known per se. The button 18 is spring loaded with a spring 16 and can thereby return to its initial position.

Hereby pushing the push button 11 on the stand 2 will release the hand-held unit from the rest of the vacuum cleaner. Upon release, the user can remove the hand-held unit 3 from the rest of the vacuum cleaner. In accordance with some embodiments, the user hand-held unit 3 is removed by pulling the hand-held unit upwards (for example holding a pistol grip of the hand held-unit. The hand held-unit will then slide out of the tube 5. The user can then use the hand-held unit 3 while the rest of the vacuum cleaner is securely held in the stand.

In other words, a first locking arrangement comprising the push button or a similar manually operated actuation mechanism adapted to actuate a second locking mechanism that can comprise a release button or release mechanism to unlock the hand-held main unit from the tube arrangement when the vacuum cleaner is placed in the stand is provided. Thus enables releasable locking a tube arrangement, for e.g. floor cleaning, said tube arrangement comprising a nozzle with an air inlet for dust laden air, a second air outlet to be releasably connected to the air inlet of the hand-held, main, unit, second locking arrangement cooperating with the first locking arrangement, the first or the second locking arrangement comprises a release button that unlocks the locking arrangement, wherein the stand comprises a manually operated actuation mechanism adapted to actuate the release button or release mechanism to unlock the hand-held main unit from the tube arrangement when the vacuum cleaner is placed in the stand.

In accordance with some embodiments, the hand unit 3 comprises a handle, the handle can be held by a user when pushing the button 11 that releases the hand-held unit 3 from the rest of the vacuum cleaner. The handle can be formed as a pistol grip.

The push button 11 can be located on the stand 2 in a direction facing upwards. In such an embodiment the push direction will be a downwards movement which is easy to perform. In particular, when the stand is shaped as a tower, the push button can be located on a top surface of the tower forming the stand 2.

Also, a first magnet 17 and a second magnet 19 can be arranged to secure the vacuum cleaner in the stand 2. The magnets 17 and 19 can be arranged to support different parts of the vacuum cleaner 1 when secured in the stand 2. For example, the magnet 17 and the magnet 19 can act to keep the tube in place when the hand-held unit 3 is removed. In particular the tube can be magnetic to whereby the magnetic force will help keeping the tube in place. The magnets 17, 19 can be arranged opposite to each other.

In accordance with some embodiments a first securing arrangement at the top section of the stand 2 can be supplemented by a second securing arrangement at a lower section of the stand 2. For example, the first securing arrangement can be provided by the magnets 17 and 19. A second pair of magnets can be located at a lower section of the stand. The second securing arrangements can for example by located the bottom section of the stand to secure the nozzle 6 and or the tube 5. Magnets can be used but other types of securing arrangements such as mechanical locking, snap-fits can also be used. A guide element can also be used that guides the lower part of the tube 5 to a secured position in the stand 2.

By arranging an actuation mechanism in the stand 2 that acts to release the hand-held unit 3 from the rest of the vacuum cleaner a number of advantages can be achieved. For example, the trigger mechanism that the user interacts with can be made large and easy to reach and maneuver. In the embodiment of FIG. 4 the trigger mechanism is a push button, but other types over trigger mechanisms can be envisaged such as a lever or a pull mechanism. The mechanism could also be a touch screen. By placing the trigger mechanism on the stand 2, it can be made larger so that it can be easily operated and located.

As set out above, the location of a manually operated actuation mechanism adapted to actuate a release mechanism of a hand-held unit of a vacuum cleaner when placed in the stand makes it possible to design the trigger mechanism whereby the release mechanism of the vacuum cleaner is released in a much more user-friendly manner. The trigger mechanism, such as a push button or a lever can be made large such as at least 1 cm wide and preferably 2 cm or more wide. It can be located on a location that is easy to find and also it can be shaped to make it easy to understand how the release mechanism for the hand-held unit works.

Using the stand as described herein it is made possible to provide a vacuum cleaner with a hand-held unit where the Hand-held unit and the tube/nozzle are connected together in the stand and can be used together when removed from the stand. In addition, it is possible to quick release the hand-held unit from the nozzle/tube when, when the manually operated actuation mechanism, such as a button is operated.

Claims

1-14. (canceled)

15. A stand for a vacuum cleaner comprising a hand held unit having a first locking arrangement, and a tube arrangement having a second locking arrangement, wherein the first locking arrangement and the second locking arrangement are selectively connectable together to lock the tube arrangement to the hand held unit with an air passage of the tube arrangement in fluid communication with an air inlet to a dust separation arrangement of the hand held unit; wherein the stand comprises:

a holder configured to hold the hand held unit and the tube arrangement with the locking first locking arrangement and the second locking arrangement connected together to lock the tube arrangement to the hand held unit; and

a manually operated actuation mechanism configured to be activated by a user while the hand held unit and the tube arrangement are held by the holder, to disengage the first locking arrangement from the second locking arrangement to unlock the hand-held unit from the tube arrangement while the vacuum cleaner is held by the holder.

16. The stand according to claim 15, wherein the actuation mechanism comprises a push button that, when pushed by a user, is configured to disengage the first locking arrangement from the second locking arrangement.

17. The stand according to claim 16, wherein the push button faces in an upwards direction on the stand.

18. The stand according to claim 15, wherein the actuation mechanism is adapted to be moved in a downwards direction to disengage the first locking arrangement from the second locking arrangement.

19. The stand according to claim 15, wherein the actuation mechanism comprises:

a button configured to be pushed by a user to move in a first direction; and

a catch configured to be moved by the button in a second direction to disengage the first locking arrangement from the second locking arrangement.

20. The stand according to claim 19, wherein the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.

21. The stand according to claim 19, further comprises a pushrod connected to the button and configured to push the catch in the second direction upon movement of the button in the first direction.

22. The stand according to claim 19, wherein the catch is located within the holder.

23. The stand according to claim 15, wherein the holder is configured to hold the tube arrangement and allow the hand held unit to be removed when the first locking arrangement is disengaged from the second locking arrangement.

24. The stand according to claim 23, wherein the holder comprises a magnet configured to secure the a magnetizable portion of the tube arrangement.

25. The stand according to claim 24, wherein the tube arrangement comprises a suction tube and a nozzle connected or connectable at an end of the suction tube, and the magnet is configured to secure to at least one of the suction tube and the nozzle.

26. The stand according to claim 15, wherein the stand comprises an upright tower portion, and the actuation mechanism is located on the upright tower portion.

27. The stand according to claim 26, wherein the holder is located on the upright tower portion.

28. The stand according to claim 27, wherein the actuation mechanism is located above the holder.

29. The stand according to claim 28, wherein the actuator mechanism is located on a top surface of the upright tower portion.

30. The stand according to claim 27, wherein the stand comprises a base portion attached to a bottom end of the upright tower portion and configured to support the stand on a surface.

31. A vacuum cleaner arrangement comprising the stand according to claim 15 and:

a vacuum cleaner comprising a handheld unit having a dust separation arrangement, an air inlet, an air outlet, and a motor/fan unit configured to create an airflow from the air inlet, through the dust separation arrangement, and out the air outlet; and

a tube arrangement comprising a tube and a nozzle attached to an end of the tube distal from the handheld unit when the tube arrangement is connected to the tube arrangement.

32. The vacuum cleaner arrangement according to claim 31, wherein the hand held unit comprises a handle adapted to be held while the actuation mechanism is operated.