GB2402045A

GB2402045A - Cleaning appliance with means for protecting hose from cable scuffing

Info

Publication number: GB2402045A
Application number: GB0311734A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Colin Irwin Hare
Original assignee: Dyson Technology Ltd; Dyson Ltd
Current assignee: Dyson Technology Ltd
Priority date: 2003-05-22
Filing date: 2003-05-22
Publication date: 2004-12-01
Anticipated expiration: 2023-05-22
Also published as: WO2004103142A1; GB2402045B; GB0311734D0

Abstract

A cleaning appliance such as a vacuum cleaner, has a main body around which the suction hose 150 can be stored in a channel like member (300) [fig.3 not shown]. The suction hose passes near an opening 320 where the electrical cable 370 on its reel, exits from the body of the cleaner. In order to prevent the cable from scuffing the hose when it is pulled in an upwards direction, as it normally is by the user, a protecting means 360 is provided near the cable opening between the opening and the portion of the hose which lies closest to the opening, to prevent it touching the hose.

Description

A Cleanine Anoliance This invention relates to a cleaning appliance,

particularly but not exclusively to a vacuum cleaner.

Cleaning appliances such as vacuum cleaners are well known. The majority of vacuum cleaners are either of the 'upright' type or of the 'cylinder' type (called canister or barrel machines in some countries.) An example of a cylinder vacuum cleaner manufactured by Dyson Limited is shown in Figure 1.

Cylinder vacuum cleaners generally comprise a main body 10 containing separating apparatus 11 such as a cyclonic separator or a bag for separating dirt and dust from an incoming dirty airflow. The dirty airflow is introduced to the main body 10 via a suction hose 15 and a wand 16 assembly which is connected to the main body 10. The main body 10 of the cleaner is dragged along by the hose 15 as a user moves around a room.

A cleaning tool 20 is attached to the remote end of the hose and wand assembly 15, 16.

When the vacuum cleaner is to be stored, a hook 17 located on the wand 16 is parked in a slot 18 located on the main body 10 so that the wand 16 is held in a generally vertical position whilst the hose 15 is left to drape itself between the wand 16 and the main body 10.

Cylinder vacuum cleaners are often perceived as having the disadvantage of being difficult to store. Although the main body of the cleaner is usually fairly compact, the suction hose and wand can take up a considerable amount of space. One of the reasons for this is that the suction hose has a robust construction which is sufficiently tough to allow the hose to pull the main body along, and to withstand rough treatment during use.

This robustness can make it difficult to store the suction hose.

There have been various proposals for storing the suction hose of a cylinder type of vacuum cleaner. US 37170,185, US 3,480,987 and US 3,651, 536 show vacuum cleaners where the suction hose is stored within the main body of the vacuum cleaner. While this solution can store the hose neatly, it requires the main body of the machine to have a chamber which is large enough to accommodate all of the suction hose. This has the disadvantage of increasing the size of the main body of the vacuum cleaner and hence making the machine more cumbersome to manipulate during normal use.

Other proposals suggest wrapping the hose around the main body of the vacuum cleaner and examples of this type of arrangement are shown in US 883,413, US 5,742,976 and US 4,563,789. A further example is shown in our copending UK application no. 0221345.2 in which the hose is guided along a path which follows the contours of the main body in order more compactly to store the hose.

One of the difficulties of the prior art solutions is that, when the hose is stored by wrapping it around the main body of the machine, unnecessary wear of the hose can occur when the mains cable is withdrawn from the main body. This is because users are inclined to draw the mains cable out of the main body in an upward direction and the cable then rubs against the hose. In the case of some of the known storage arrangements, the wear is applied to the same portion of the hose each time the cable is withdrawn because the hose is constrained to follow a specific path and the same portion of the hose is presented to the cable every time the cable is withdrawn. Any unnecessary wear is detrimental to the lifetime of the vacuum cleaner.

The present invention seeks to provide an arrangement in which unnecessary wear of the hose of the cleaning appliance is avoided.

The present invention provides a cleaning appliance comprising a main body, a hose for carrying fluid to or from the main body and a cable reel for storing a mains cable inside the main body, the main body having means for storing the hose along a hose storage path around the main body when the hose is in a stored position, and an opening through which the mains cable passes, wherein a hose protection member is provided between the opening and the portion of the hose which lies closest to the opening when the hose is in the stored position.

The provision of a dedicated hose protection member reduces the unnecessary wear on the hose during the extension of the mains cable from a retracted position into an extended position ready for use.

Preferably, the hose protection member is located directly adjacent the opening. More preferably, the hose protection member is shaped so as to follow the shape of the hose in the stored position. Still more preferably, the hose protection member lies alongside the portion of the hose which lies closest to the opening and extends circumferentially at least 60 around the said portion of the hose. These features increase the reliability of the performance of the hose protection member.

Preferably, the hose protection member is resiliently deformable and, more preferably, a strengthening bead is provided on the edge of the hose protection member remote from the opening. These features improve the durability of the hose protection member itself.

In a preferred embodiment, the hose protection member further comprises a flange which surrounds, at least in part, the opening through which the mains cable passes. The flange is preferably resiliently deformable.

Although the invention is described in detail below with reference to a vacuum cleaner, it will be appreciated that the invention can also be applied to other forms of cleaning appliance. The term "cleaning appliance" is intended to have a broad meaning, and includes a wide range of machines having a main body and a hose for carrying fluid to or from a floor surface. It includes, inter alla, machines which only apply suction to the surface, such as vacuum cleaners (dry, wet and wet/dry variants), so as to draw material from the surface, as well as machines which apply material to the surfaces such as polishing/waxing machines, pressure washing machines and shampooing machines.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a conventional vacuum cleaner of the cylinder type; Figure 2 shows a vacuum cleaner in accordance with an embodiment of the invention ] O with the flexible hose thereof stored on the main body of the cleaner; Figure 3 shows a side view of the main body of the vacuum cleaner of Figure 2, the hose having been omitted for clarity; Figure 4 shows a rear view of the main body of the vacuum cleaner of Figure 2, the hose again having been omitted for clarity; Figure 5A is a front perspective view of a hose protection member forming part of the vacuum cleaner of Figure 2; Figure 5B is a rear perspective view of the hose protection member of Figure 5A; and Figure 6 is a side view similar to Figure 3 illustrating the use of the hose protection member of Figures 5A and 5B A cleaning appliance in the form of a vacuum cleaner according to the invention is shown in Figure 2. The vacuum cleaner has a main body 100 which supports the main components of the vacuum cleaner. In a traditional manner, the main body 100 has a chassis 110 which supports separating and collecting apparatus 120 and a motor-driven fan (not shown) for generating suction which draws dirt-laden air into the separating apparatus 120. The main body 100 also has two main wheels 112, one on each side of the rear portion of the chassis 1 1 O7 and a castor wheel l l 3 located beneath the front portion of the chassis 110 (see Figure 3). These wheels l 12, 113 allow the main body to be moved across a surface to be cleaned. It will be understood that the wheels 1127 l 13 could be supplemented or replaced by other means for allowing the main body to be moved across a surface7 such as skids. The form of the separating apparatus is not important to the invention. Whilst we prefer to use cyclonic separators which spin dirt7 dust and debris from the airflow other forms of separator can be used and examples of suitable separator technology include an inertial separator7 a filter bag7 a porous container7 an electrostatic separator or a liquid-based separator.

In Figure 27 the separating apparatus comprises two generally cylindrical chambers 1217 122 which lie alongside one another. The chambers 121, 122 are connected to one another by a central spine 123. The separating apparatus 120 as a whole is removably mounted on the chassis 110 for emptying and for access to other components located beneath the separating apparatus 120.

A flexible hose 150 is connected to an inlet port 151 on the main body 100. In use, the main body l DO of the cleaner is pulled along by the hose 150 as a user moves around a room. The hose l 50 has a construction which is robust enough to withstand this pulling action and also any normal abrasion which may be encountered as the hose lSO rubs against obstacles in a room.

In this embodiment, the air inlet port 151 is centrally mounted on the main body 100 at the forward7 lower part of the machine. In alternative embodiments of the machine where the air inlet is not centrally positioned7 such as the machine shown in Figure 1 where the inlet is near the upper part of the separating apparatus 117 it is preferable to anchor the hose 150 to the machine at a central position (as with anchor point 25 in the machine shown in Figure 1) so that when a user pulls the hose 15O7 the main body 100 follows the user.

Ducting forming part of the chassis 110 connects the air inlet port 151 to an inlet of the separating apparatus 120. The inlet to the cyclonic separating apparatus 120 is arranged to guide an incoming airflow through an opening in the wall of the cyclonic separator 120 in a tangential manner. The precise details of the ducting and the cyclonic separator are immaterial to this invention.

The second end of the hose 150 is connected to a wand 160. A suitable wand assembly is described in our co-pending International Patent Application PCT/GB02/00850.

As is there described, the wand 160 may comprise a series of telescopically arranged tubes which may be retractably housed inside a storage tube 165 or extended for use as a wand. The precise details of the wand 160 are immaterial to the present invention.

The distal end of the wand 160 has a connector 280 which is adapted to receive a floor tool, such as the floor tool 20 shown in Figure 17 in any known manner. For example, the floor tool can be connected to the connector 280 by means of an interference fit, interconnecting bayonet fittings, snap-fit connections, a screw threaded collar and sleeve, or by any other suitable means. Accessory tools (not shown) may also be fitted to the wand 160 in place of the floor tool. A handle 200 is located on the storage tube 165 to allow a user to manipulate the wand 160 or to lift the vacuum cleaner off the floor. The flexible hose 150 is connected to the storage tube 165 by an outlet connector 168. For ease of storage, and ease of carrying, the wand assembly 160 can be releasably stored on the main body 100 of the vacuum cleaner, as shown in Figure 2.

The hose 150 is stored by wrapping around the main body 100 of the vacuum cleaner.

The hose 150 has a length which is sufficient to allow the main body 100 to sit easily on a floor surface whilst the user holds the handle 200 of the wand 160 at a convenient height, without excessive drag forces occurring in the hose 150. In our embodiment the hose 150 has a length of around 1.5m, although a length in the range 1.3 to 1.8m would be perfectly acceptable. Conveniently, the hose 150 also has a length which corresponds generally to the length of the perimeter of the main body 100. The hose inlet 151 to the main body]00, as well as being centrally located for ease of pulling, lies below the position where the outlet connector 168 of the wand 160 lies when the wand 160 is stored on the main body 100. This allows the hose 150 to form one complete turn about the main body 100.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, a single continuous hose-receiving channel 300 is provided along the sides and back of the periphery of the chassis 110. Figure 2 shows the hose 150 in place in the channel 300. Figures 3 and 4 show the hose-receiving channel 300 more clearly.

Along most of its length, channel 300 has a generally semi-circular shape and a diameter which is just greater than that of the hose 150. The channel 300 defines part of the storage path for the hose 150 and serves to guide and support the hose 150 when it is stored. At each end ofthe channel 300 there is provided a hose retaining part 311 which receives and holds captive the hose 150. The hose retaining parts 311 are resilient and have a shape which is slightly greater than a semi-circle, i.e. the channel 300 extends around greater than half of the circumference of the hose 150. This arrangement allows the hose 150, once it is introduced to the channel 300, to remain clasped by the hose retaining parts 311 and so be held in place in the channel 300. The hose 150 can be removed from the channel 300 simply by the user applying a force to the hose 150 sufficient to overcome the retaining force of the hose retaining parts 310.

While a semi-circular shaped channel 300 is preferred, as it provides continuous support around the hose 150, the channel 300 could have any shape which provides support at a plurality of points around the hose 150, e.g. a square or other polygonal shaped structure. Alternatively, a set of ribs can project outwardly from the chassis 110 to define supports for the hose 150.

Channel 300 has a shape which causes the hose 150 to follow a sinuous path around the main body 100 of the machine. Expressed another way, the hose storage path is non- planar. From Figures 2, 3 and 4 it can be seen that the stored hose 150 follows a path which starts at the front, lower part of the main body 100, curves around the front of the machine and passes over the top of the first wheel 112, following the contours of the machine. After closely following the shape of the wheel 112, the hose 150 passes along a generally convex shaped path beneath a tool storage area 301 on the rear of the machine. On the other side of the machine the hose 150 follows a similar path, before following a gently curving path towards the connector 168. This layout not only allows the hose 150 to fit neatly within the overall envelope of the machine, but the sinuous shape increases the overall length of the path in comparison to a simple coil which lies in a single plane. The length of hose 150 which can be accommodated along the storage path is therefore increased.

The embodiment described above has a single continuous channel 300 with hose retaining features 311 at each end. It will be appreciated that, as an alternative to providing a single continuous channel 300, there can be multiple, shorter length, channels around the main body. Each of these channels can be provided with a hose retaining function, or only the channels at each end of the set of channels can be provided with this function, the other channels simply serving to define the hose storage path around the main body and to provide a support surface against which the hose 150 can rest.

In an alternative embodiment, the entire channel can have a hose retaining function. This could be achieved by providing hose retaining features 311 all the way along the channel.

Thus, the channel would have generally the same cross-section all the way along its length.

A preferable enhancement is for each end of the channel to have a flared cuff. This permits easy insertion of the hose into the channel. Once a first part of the hose has been inserted into the cuff, a user only needs to push the hose inwardly into the channel to prise the leading edges of the channel apart.

The hose retaining function can be achieved with other types of mechanism such as clips.

Individual clips can be fitted to the periphery of the chassis of the main body, or a number of such clips can be positioned along the intended hose storage path around the periphery of the main body. The clips can be manually opened or closed. The clips can extend fully around the hose so as to meet in the middle or can extend only partially around the hose.

It is envisaged that the hose storage path will be symmetrical about the longitudinal axis of the main body of the machine. This results from the symmetrical nature of the main body, the machine being symmetrical for good steerability. However, it will be readily understood that there is no need for the storage path on one side to be the same as that on the other side, and the hose storage path can be adapted to fit within available space on each side of the machine.

The channel 300 can be integrally formed with the remainder of the main body lOO or it can be formed as a separate part which can then be mounted on the main body 100 during assembly of the machine. The channel 300 can also be removably mounted on the chassis 110 so that, if a user does not want to make use of this feature, he can simply remove the channel 300 from the chassis 110.

The main body lOO of the vacuum cleaner illustrated in Figures 2 to 6 houses a cable rewind mechanism (not shown) for storing the mains cable of the vacuum cleaner when it is not in use. The main body 100 has an opening 320 in the chassis 110 thereof to allow the mains cable to pass therethrough (see Figure 4). As has been explained above, it is common for a user of the vacuum cleaner to draw the mains cable out from the cavity through the opening 320 in an upward direction. This action can cause unnecessary wear to the hose 150 when it is stored in the channel 300.

The vacuum cleaner shown in Figures 2 to 6 has a hose protection member 350 arranged in the vicinity ofthe opening 320. The hose protection member 350 is shown in isolation in Figures 5A and 5B. The hose protection member 350 comprises a locating collar 352 adapted and dimensioned to fit with little or no play in the opening 320. An interior retaining flange 354 is positioned on the interior side of the locating collar 352 and an exterior retaining flange 356 is provided on the external side of the collar 352. The interior and exterior retaining flanges 354, 356 co-operate to retain the hose protection member 350 in position in the opening 320.

The hose protection member 350 also comprises a guard flange 358 which extends generally radially outwardly from the exterior retaining flange 356. The guard flange 358 also projects away from the main body 110 in the axial direction so as to be spaced slightly from the main body 110. The guard flange 358 extends circumferentially around approximately half of the opening 320 when the hose protection member 350 is in place.

However, the circumferential extent of the guard flange 358 is not limited in any way and can be greater or less than the extent illustrated.

A shield member 360 is mounted on the upper portion of the guard flange 358. The shield member 360 is shaped and arranged so that, when the hose protection member 350 is in position on the main body 100, the shield member extends towards and partially surrounds the stored hose 150. The shield member 360 thus has a curved portion 362 which closely follows the shape of the stored hose, extending around the circumference of the stored hose to an extent of approximately at least 60 . This extent can vary. The exact extent to which the shield member will extend around the hose will depend upon the configuration of the machine to which it is applied. The aim is to ensure that the shield member will be interposed between the stored hose and the mains cable as it is extracted from the machine and pulled in an upward direction.

The shield member 360 will also extend longitudinally along the stored hose to an extent of at least 80mm and preferably at least lOOmm. This is to ensure that7 should the cable be pulled from the main body at an angle, the hose will still be protected.

The hose protection member 350 illustrated is made from a resiliently deformable material. This allows the hose protection member 350 to be fitted easily to the main body 110 of the vacuum cleaner and also replaced. It is also advantageous as regards the life of the hose protection member 350 itself whilst affording protection to the stored hose. To further improve the durability of the hose protection member 350, a strengthening rib 362 is provided around the distal edge ofthe shield member 360.

The position of the hose protection member 350 is shown in Figures 3, 4 and 6. As can be seen from these illustrations, the opening 320 is situated on the rear of the vacuum cleaner below the right hand side of the channel 300. The shield member 360 extends towards the closest wheel 312 and, in the embodiment shown, also provides some protection for the wheel. The shield member 360 provides a physical barrier between the mains cable 370 (see Figure 6) and the stored hose 150 as the mains cable is extracted from the stored position.

A further benefit of the provision of the hose protection member 350 described above is that, as the mains cable is wound into its storage position, the shield member 360 can be used to encourage the mains plug to orientate itself in a particular direction. This is particularly useful in the UK and other countries in which the pins of the plug protrude in a direction which is essentially transverse to the longitudinal direction of the mains cable as it adjoins the plug. The provision of a hose protection member 350 results in this type of plug, as it is wound onto the cable rewind reel, being encouraged to locate itself with its pins pointing generally upwardly, rather than downwardly. The advantage gained by this is that7 if the vacuum cleaner is then tipped up onto its rear surfaces the head of the plug is most likely to come into contact with the floor surface. If the plug were orientated differently, the pins might come into contact with the floor and this might result in damage being caused to a delicate floor surface.

It will be understood from the foregoing description that various modifications may be made to the specific embodiment shown without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the position of the mains cable aperture 320 need not be as shown in the accompanying drawings. The width of the shield member 360 compared to its length may be varied. Materials other than resilient plastics may be used. Other variations and modifications will be readily apparent to a skilled reader.

Claims

Claims 1. A cleaning appliance comprising a main body, a hose for carrying

fluid to/from the main body and a cable reel for storing a mains cable inside the main body, the main body having means for storing the hose along a hose storage path around the main body when the hose is in a stored position, and an opening through which the mains cable passes, wherein a hose protection member is provided between the opening and the portion of the hose which lies closest to the opening when the hose is in the stored position.
2. A cleaning appliance as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hose protection member is located directly adjacent the opening.
3. A cleaning appliance as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the hose protection member is shaped so as to follow the shape of the hose in the stored position.
4. A cleaning appliance as claimed in claim 3, wherein the hose protection member lies alongside the portion of the hose which lies closest to the opening and extends circumferentially at least 60 around the said portion of the hose.
5. A cleaning appliance as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hose protection member is resiliently deformable.
6. A cleaning appliance as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a strengthening bead is provided on the edge of the hose protection member remote from the opening.
7. A cleaning appliance as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hose protection member further comprises a flange which surrounds, at least in part, the opening through which the mains cable passes.
8 A cleaning appliance as claimed in claim 7, wherein the flange is resiliently deformable.
9. A cleaning appliance substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 2 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.