GB2037920A

GB2037920A - Attachments for Vacuum Cleaners

Info

Publication number: GB2037920A
Application number: GB7936294A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: AES PLASTICS Ltd
Current assignee: AES PLASTICS Ltd
Priority date: 1978-10-21
Filing date: 1979-10-19
Publication date: 1980-07-16

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner tool attachment tube (24) has an enlarged diameter at one end on which is resiliently compressible collar (23) having attachment means (22) thereon. The collar (23) extends beyond the end of the tube (24) and has internal, circumferentially extending ribs (25) in that part so extending. The attachment means (22) is also provided in that part of the collar (23) extending beyond the tube (24) and comprises an axially extending groove on the inner surface of the collar (23). The collar (23) is provided with a longitudinal rib (26) on the outer surface thereof in alignment with the groove (22). The groove (22) may be of keyhole planform or may be of decreasing depth or a combination of both forms. Attachment means in the form of a headed pin (27) is provided at the other end of tube (24). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Attachments for Vacuum Cleaners The invention concerns attachments for vacuum cleaners, and has more particular reference to an extension tube for use in connecting a tool to the cleaner.

It is well-known in the context of vacuum cleaning apparatus to utilise an extension tube comprising a rigid tubular body having attachment means at the respective ends each for co-operation with a respective complementary formation on an adjacent component as a means of connecting a tool with the vacuum cleaner, the reduced pressure created by the cleaner being applied to the tool through the tubular body.In conventional arrangements one end of the tubular body is of increased internal diameter to receive the end of the tool or next adjacent components into engagement therewith, there being respective sealing rings in peripheral grooves in the inner wall of the tube in the increased diameter region thereof for sealing abutment with that part of the tool or adjacent component engaged with the tube, the end of the body being slotted to receive an upstanding pin on the tool or component and there being a displaceable catch for co-operation with the pin to maintain engagement thereof with the slot.

It has been found that in use there is a tendency for the end region of the tube adjacent the tool to contact furniture and, in the event that the region of contact is a polished surface, to cause damage thereto. Furthermore, the sealing rings, whilst providing a degree of restraint to leakage, are not wholly satisfactory, with the result that the suction at the tool is reduced.

The object of the invention is to provide an improved extension tube in which the aforesaid difficulties are minimised or, at best, eliminated.

According to the invention an extension tube for use in connecting a cleaning tool to a vacuum cleaner comprising an elongate tubular element of enlarged internal diameter at one end thereof and having respective male and female attachment means at its ends for co-operation with complementary such means on an adjacent element or tool to be engaged therewith, is characterised in that a collar of a resiliently compressible material is applied to and radially outwardly of the enlarged diameter end of the element, attachment means at that end of the extension tube being provided on the said collar.

Preferably, the collar extends beyond the end of the tubular element and the attachment means is provided in that part of the collar which so extends.

According to a further preferred feature, the attachment means provided on the collar comprises a female attachment means.

According to a still further preferred feature, that part of the collar which extends beyond the end of the tubular element is provided with peripheral ribs internally thereof for surface engagement with the adjacent connecting element or tube, on engagement therewith.

The invention will now be described further, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawing in which:~ Figure 1 shows, in diagrammatic cross-section, an extension tube of conventional form, the end of a tool engaged therewith being shown in dotted form; Figure 2 is a corresponding view of a tube constructed in accordance with the invention; Figure 3 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the end region of the extension tube as shown in Figure 2; Figure 4 is a plan view of an alternative form of female attachment to that shown in Figures 2 and 3; and Figure 5 is a sectional elevation of a further form of female attachment.

Referring now to the drawing, and particularly to Figure 1 thereof, a conventional extension tube comprises an elongate cylindrical tube element 11 having an enlarged end 12 thereto, the material of the tube in the enlarged end region thereof being further deformed to provide outwardly extending ribs 13, 14 of which 13 receives an internal sealing ring 15 for surface engagement with the peripheral surface of the end 16 of a tool engaged with the tube element 11.

The ends of the tube element are provided with attachment means 1 7, 1 8 respectively, means 17 comprising a headed pin secured to one end of the element in spaced disposition relative thereto and constituting the male part of a co-operating male and female attachment, the female part 18 of such attachment comprising a'slot 19 in the end of element 11 to receive the pin 17 into engagement therewith and a flexible retaining bar 20 secured to the element and having a depending hook 21 arranged to lie behind the pin 17 on engagement of the tool with the element to resist separation thereof.

In accordance with the invention, the female part 18 of the attachment means as shown in Figure 1 is replaced by a groove 22 at the inner surface of a generally cylindrical sleeve 23 applied to the end region of the tubular element 24, the sleeve 23 extending beyond the extremity of the tubular element 24 and having spaced internal ribs 25 in that part thereof which extends beyond the end of the said element.

The sleeve 23 is of increasing thickness towards the remote end thereof, and has a longitudinal rib 26 in register with the groove 22, as is particularly apparent in Figure 3.

The male part of the attachment means includes a headed pin 27, as in the case of the conventional extension tubes.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 4 the female attachment groove 22 is of keyhole shape in planview, whilst being of constant depth. With this embodiment the sides of the groove 22 converge away from the open end thereof and lead to an enlarged opposite end thereof whereby the male attachment pin 27, after being forced between the converging walls of groove 22, is captively engaged in the enlarged end thereof.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 5 the female attachment groove 22 is of reducing depth from the open end thereof and leads to an increased depth region at the opposite end thereof. The sides of groove 22 may be parallel, as in the case of the embodiment of Figs. 2 and 3 or may converge and lead to an enlarged end, as shown in Fig. 4. In either case the male attachment pin 27 is captively engaged in the enlarged end of groove 22.

By providing the female attachment means in the form as shown in Figures 2 to 5 the male such means is masked, and thus cannot come into contact with furniture during the use of a tool attached thereto. Furthermore, the fact that the sleeve extends along the length of the tubular element ensures that it is the sleeve rather than the metal of the tubular element which contacts the furniture.

By providing that the sleeve is of a resilient material, such as for example a synthetic plastics material, and by ensuring that the pin is a press fit in relation to the groove, not only is damage to any polished surface with which the extension tube comes into contact avoided, but so too is the tool effectively secured relative to the tubular element. Furthermore, an effective seal is formed between the tool and the extension tube.

The invention is not restricted to the exact features of the embodiment herein disclosed, since alternatives will readily present themselves to one skilled in the art. Thus, for example, it may be preferred to provide a male part of a co-operating male/female attachment means within the sleeve element and to provide the other end of the tubular element with a co-operating female attachment means.

In another arrangement, the groove as formed in the sleeve is extended and is in alignment with a slot provided in the tubular element.

Claims

1. An extension tube for use in connecting a cleaning tool to a vacuum cleaner comprising an elongate tubular element having an enlarged internal diameter at one end thereof and having respective male and female attachment means at its ends for co-operation with complementary such means on an adjacent element or tool to be engaged therewith, characterised in that a collar of a resiliently compressible material is applied to and radially outwardly of the enlarged diameter and of the element, attachment means at that end of the extension tube being provided on the said collar.

2. An extension tube according to claim 1 wherein the collar extends beyond the end of the tubular element.

3. An extension tube according to claim 2 wherein the attachment means is provided in that part of the collar which extends beyond the end of the tubular element.

4. An extension tube according to claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the attachment means provided on said collar comprises female attachment means.

5. An extension tube according to claim 4 wherein attachment means is provided at that end of said tubular element opposed to said enlarged end thereof, said attachment means comprising a headed pin.

6. An extension tube according to claim 4 or claim 5 wherein said female attachment means comprises a groove in the inner surface of said collar and extending from the remote end of said collar axially thereof.

7. An extension tube according to claim 4 or claim 5 wherein said groove is of keyhole shape in planform, having sides which converge avvayfrom said remote end of said collar and lead to an enlarged opposed end of said groove.

8. An extension tube according to any one of claims 4 to 6 wherein said groove is of reducing depth from said remote end of said collar#and leads to a region of increased depth at the opposed end of said groove.

9. An extension tube according to any one of claims 6 to 8 wherein said collar is provided with an axially extending rib on the outer surface thereof, said axially extending ribtefn#g#ocst# radially outwardly of said groove.

10. An extension tube according to any one of claims 2 to 9 wherein said collar is provided with at least one circumferentially extending rib on the inner surface thereof in that part extending beyond the end of the tubular element

11. An extension tube according to claim 6 wherein a slot is provided in said tubular element in alignment with said groove as an extension thereof.

12. An extension tube substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 or Figures 2 and 3 as modified by Figures 4 and 5.

13. A vacuum cleaner having an extension tube according to any one of the preceding claims.