GB2567496A

GB2567496A - A cylinder vacuum cleaner

Info

Publication number: GB2567496A
Application number: GB1716976.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Barry Reid Paul; Richard Swell Philip; Samuel Hilliard Adam; Alan Gordon Neil
Original assignee: Dyson Technology Ltd
Current assignee: Dyson Technology Ltd
Priority date: 2017-10-16
Filing date: 2017-10-16
Publication date: 2019-04-17
Also published as: GB201716976D0; CN109662645A; JP2019072487A

Abstract

A cylinder vacuum cleaner 10 comprises a main body 12, a rocking portion 96,98, and a wheel 92,94 disposed between the main body 12 and the rocking portion 96,98. The rocking portion 96,98 is fixed relative to the main body 12, and the wheel 92,94 is rotatable relative to the main body 12. The wheel 92,94 contacts a surface to be cleaned when the vacuum cleaner 10 is in an upright position, and the rocking portion 96,98 contacts the surface when the vacuum cleaner 10 is tipped over from the upright position, such that the vacuum cleaner 10 can rock on the rocking portion 96,98. The vacuum cleaner 10 is arranged so that it is urged to return to the upright position if it is tipped over from the upright position. The position of the vacuum cleaners centre of gravity helps the cleaner to return to its upright, in use, position.

Description

Cylinder vacuum cleaners generally comprise a main body which contains a motordriven fan unit for drawing a dirt-bearing air flow into the vacuum cleaner, and separating apparatus such as a cyclonic separator or bag, for separating dirt and dust from the air flow. The dirt-bearing air flow is introduced to the main body through a suction hose and wand assembly which is connected to the main body. The main body of the vacuum cleaner is dragged along by the hose as a user moves around a room. A cleaning tool is attached to the remote end of the hose and wand assembly.

It has previously been proposed to utilise cylinder vacuum cleaners which are selfrighting, ie which automatically return to an upright position when tipped over from the upright position in use. An example of such a self-righting cylinder vacuum cleaner is disclosed in WO 2013/190306.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a cylinder vacuum cleaner comprising a main body, a rocking portion, and a wheel disposed between the main body and the rocking portion, wherein the rocking portion is fixed relative to the main body, the wheel is rotatable relative to the main body, the wheel contacts a surface to be cleaned when the vacuum cleaner is in an upright position, the rocking portion contacts the surface when the vacuum cleaner is tipped over from the upright position such that the vacuum cleaner can rock on the rocking portion, and the vacuum cleaner is configured so that it returns to the upright position when it is tipped over from the upright position.

The cylinder vacuum cleaner according to the first aspect of the present invention may be beneficial principally as the cylinder vacuum cleaner comprises a main body, a rocking portion, and a wheel disposed between the main body and the rocking portion, wherein the rocking portion is fixed relative to the main body, the wheel is rotatable relative to the main body, the wheel contacts a surface to be cleaned when the vacuum cleaner is in an upright position, and the rocking portion contacts the surface when the vacuum cleaner is tipped over from the upright position such that the vacuum cleaner can rock on the rocking portion.

In particular, as the wheel contacts a surface to be cleaned when the vacuum cleaner is in an upright position, the rocking portion does not need to contact the surface when the vacuum cleaner is in the upright position. This means that the rocking portion doesn’t need to be able to support the weight of the vacuum cleaner in the upright position, hence the rocking portion may be formed of a thinner layer of material than arrangements known in the prior art. The rocking portion may therefore be formed of a smaller volume of material, and hence may be cheaper to manufacture. Furthermore, as the rocking portion does not need to contact the surface to be cleaned when the vacuum cleaner is in the upright position, the rocking portion may be smaller (ie have a smaller diameter) than arrangements known in the prior art, and hence less volume of material may be needed to form the rocking portion and the rocking portion may be cheaper to manufacture.

As the wheel is disposed between the main body and rocking portion, there may be no requirement for the wheel to be visually appealing. This may enable the use of a cheaper plastic material for the wheel, which may reduce the cost of manufacture.

Furthermore, locating the wheel between the main body and the rocking portion may enable the wheel to be formed with apertures therein, as the rocking portion may effectively cover the wheel to inhibit the ingress of dirt via the wheel. This may enable the wheel to be formed using less volume of material, thereby reducing cost of manufacture and weight of the wheel.

The wheel may be rotatable relative to the rocking portion, and may, for example be freely rotatable relative to the rocking portion. There may be a clearance between the wheel and the main body and/or the rocking portion.

The wheel may be mounted to the main body such that the wheel is located between the main body, for example a side surface of the main body, and the rocking portion. The rocking portion may cover at least a portion of the wheel, and may, for example cover substantially the entirety of the wheel.

The cylinder vacuum cleaner may be configured such that the wheel does not contact the surface to be cleaned when the vacuum cleaner is tipped over from the upright position, for example when the rocking portion contacts the surface to be cleaned, and/or configured such that the rocking portion does not contact the surface to be cleaned when the vacuum cleaner is in the upright position, for example when the wheel contacts the surface to be cleaned. This may be beneficial as the wheel may not interfere with the self-righting function of the rocking portion when the vacuum cleaner is tipped over from the upright position and/or the rocking portion may not interfere with the movement function of the wheel when the vacuum cleaner is in the upright position. This may enable smooth operation of the vacuum cleaner, without the need for a user to intervene to correct the position of the vacuum cleaner in use.

Furthermore, in the unlikely event that the vacuum cleaner does not return to the upright position when it is tipped over from the upright position, the vacuum cleaner may be unable to be moved using the wheel, and, as the rocking portion is fixed relative to the main body, a user would need to drag the vacuum cleaner along upon the rocking portion in order to move the vacuum cleaner across the surface to be cleaned. This may provide tactile feedback to a user that the vacuum cleaner has not returned to the upright position, such that a user can then intervene to return the vacuum cleaner to the upright position, thereby preventing damage to the surface to be cleaned.

At least a portion of the wheel, for example at least a portion of a rim of the wheel, may extend below a lowermost edge of the main body and/or a lowermost edge of the rocking portion when the vacuum cleaner is in the upright position. This may be beneficial as the vacuum cleaner may be supported on the at least a portion of the wheel in the upright position.

The upright position may comprise a position in which the vacuum cleaner is supported by the wheel and/or a position in which the vacuum cleaner is not supported by the rocking portion. A tipped over position may comprise a position in which the vacuum cleaner is not supported by the wheel and/or a position in which the vacuum cleaner is supported by the rocking portion.

At least a portion of the wheel may be sub-flush relative to the main body. This may be beneficial as this may ensure that the wheel does not interfere with the self-righting function of the vacuum cleaner when the vacuum cleaner is tipped over from the upright position. An edge of the wheel may be misaligned with an edge of the main body, and may, for example, be set-back relative to the edge of the main body. The wheel rim may be sub-flush relative to the main body. Substantially the entirety of the wheel rim, for example the entirety of the wheel rim save for the portion of the rim that extends extend below a lowermost edge of the main body and/or a lowermost edge of the rocking portion when the vacuum cleaner is in the upright position, may be sub-flush relative to the main body. At least a portion of the wheel may be sub-flush relative to the main body when the vacuum cleaner is in a tipped over position.

The main body may comprise a substantially circular edge adjacent the wheel, and the substantially circular edge may comprise a maximum radius greater than a maximum radius of the wheel. A centre-point of a surface bordered by the substantially circular edge may be substantially aligned with a centre point of the wheel. An axis of rotation of the wheel may extend through a centre-point of a surface bordered by the substantially circular edge. The substantially circular edge may be truncated in a lower region of the main body, for example such that the substantially circular edge terminates in a linear edge at the lowermost edge of the main body. A lower-most surface of the main body may be substantially planar in form.

The wheel may be substantially dome shaped, and may, for example, comprise a spherical cap. The wheel may comprise a substantially hollow interior. At least a portion of the main body may extend into the substantially hollow interior of the wheel, for example such that the main body comprises a substantially dome-shaped surface in the region of the wheel. This may be beneficial as this may increase the internal volume of the main body, and may, for example, allow for the accommodation of internal components of the vacuum cleaner within the wheel.

At least a portion of the wheel may be sub-flush relative to the rocking portion. This may be beneficial as this may ensure that the wheel does not interfere with the selfrighting function of the vacuum cleaner when the vacuum cleaner is tipped over from the upright position. The wheel rim may be sub-flush relative to the rocking portion. Substantially the entirety of the wheel rim, for example the entirety of the wheel rim save for the portion of the rim that extends extend below a lowermost edge of the main body and/or a lowermost edge of the rocking portion when the vacuum cleaner is in the upright position, may be sub-flush relative to the rocking portion. At least a portion of the wheel may be sub-flush relative to the rocking portion when the vacuum cleaner is in a tipped over position.

The rocking portion may comprise a substantially dome shaped global form, for example such that the rocking portion comprises a spherical cap. This may be beneficial as it may enhance the ability of the vacuum cleaner to rock on the rocking portion and/or may enhance the ability of the vacuum cleaner to be self-righting. The rocking portion may be substantially hollow in form, for example such that at least a portion of the wheel and/or at least a portion of the main body extends into the rocking portion. This may be beneficial as this may increase the internal volume of the main body, and may, for example, allow for the accommodation of internal components of the cylinder vacuum cleaner within the wheel and/or rocking portion.

Substantially the entirety of the wheel may be hidden by the rocking portion. For example, substantially the entirety of the wheel save for the wheel rim may be hidden by the rocking portion. This may be beneficial as this may enable the wheel to be formed with apertures therein, as the rocking portion effectively covers the wheel. This may enable the wheel to be formed using less volume of material, thereby reducing cost of manufacture and weight of the wheel. Furthermore, as substantially the entirety of the wheel is hidden by the rocking portion, there may be no requirement for the wheel to be visually appealing. This may enable the use of a cheaper plastic material for the wheel, which may reduce the cost of manufacture. The wheel may comprise at least one aperture formed therein.

The cylinder vacuum cleaner may comprise a further rocking portion fixed relative to the main body, and a further wheel disposed between the further rocking portion and the main body. The further rocking portion and the further wheel may be disposed on an opposing side of the main body to the rocking portion and the wheel. This may be beneficial as it may provide a balanced arrangement in the upright position and/or may enable the vacuum cleaner to rock on both sides in a tipped over position.

The further rocking portion and the further wheel may have substantially the same characteristics as the rocking portion and the wheel. The upright position may comprise a position in which the cylinder vacuum cleaner is supported by at least one of the wheel and the further wheel and/or a position in which the vacuum cleaner is not supported by the rocking portion or the further rocking portion. A tipped over position may comprise a position in which the vacuum cleaner is not supported by the wheel or the further wheel and/or a position in which the vacuum cleaner is supported by at least one of the rocking portion and the further rocking portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to better understand the present invention, and to show more clearly how the invention may be put into effect, the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the following drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a disassembled cylinder vacuum cleaner according to a first aspect of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a front perspective view of a main body of the cylinder vacuum cleaner of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a rear perspective view of the main body of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the main body of Figure 2 with a filter assembly removed;

Figure 5 is an enlarged top plan view of a portion of the main body of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a front perspective view of the main body of Figure 2 with a separating apparatus mounted thereto;

Figure 7 is a top plan view of the main body of Figure 2 with a filter assembly inserted;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a wheel of the cylinder vacuum cleaner of Figure 1;

Figure 9 is a side view of the main body of the cylinder vacuum cleaner of Figure 1 with its wheels and rocking portions removed;

Figure 10 is a front view of the main body of the cylinder vacuum cleaner of Figure 1 with its wheels and rocking portions removed;

Figure 11 is a perspective view of a rocking portion of the cylinder vacuum cleaner of Figure 1;

Figure 12 is a top plan view of the main body of Figure 2 with an uppermost surface of the main body removed;

Figure 13 is a front view of the main body and separating apparatus of the cylinder vacuum cleaner of Figure 1 in an upright position;

Figure 14 is a rear view of the main body and separating apparatus of Figure 13 in a tipped over position; and

Figure 15 is an enlarged view of the dashed region indicated in Figure 14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A cylinder vacuum cleaner according to the present invention, generally designated 10, is shown in Figure 1.

The cylinder vacuum cleaner 10 comprises a main body 12, a separating apparatus 14, a flexible hose 16, a wand assembly 18, and a cleaner head 20. The separating apparatus 14, flexible hose 16, wand assembly 18, and cleaner head 20, are conventional, and so will not be described here in any detail, save to say that the separating apparatus 14 is a cyclonic separating apparatus having a dirty air inlet formed in a lower surface thereof, and also having a clean air outlet. Although a cyclonic separating apparatus is used here, it will be recognised that other forms of separating apparatus may be used whilst achieving the benefit of the present invention.

The main body 12 is shown in isolation from the other components of the cylinder vacuum cleaner 10 in Figures 2 to 5. The main body 12 is generally spherical and hollow in form, and comprises a separator recess 22, a dirty air inlet assembly 24, a clean air inlet aperture 26, a filter assembly recess 28, a clean air outlet assembly 30, a handle 32, and a planar lower surface 34.

The separator recess 22 is shaped and dimensioned to receive the separating apparatus 14, such that a portion of the separating apparatus 14 protrudes upwardly from the separator recess 22 as shown in Figure 6. Although the separating apparatus 14 extends outwardly from the separator recess 22, the overall shape of the combined main body 12 and separating apparatus 14 is generally spherical in form.

The dirty air inlet assembly 24 comprises a wand assembly connector 36 and a dirty air inlet duct 38. The wand assembly connector 36 comprises a connection body having a slot 40 formed therein. The slot 40 is shaped and dimensioned to receive a corresponding portion of the wand assembly 18, and the slot 40 is in fluid communication with the dirty air inlet duct 38. The dirty air inlet duct 38 comprises a hollow cylindrical projection, ie a spigot, projecting from the connection body 38. The dirty air inlet duct 38 is shaped and dimensioned to be received within a corresponding dirty air inlet of the separating apparatus 14. When the separating apparatus 14 is mounted to the main body 12, the dirty air inlet duct 38 acts to both support and provide fluid to the separating apparatus 14.

The clean air inlet aperture 26 is formed in a curved surface of the separator recess 22, and is covered by mesh 42. The clean air inlet aperture 26 is shaped and positioned to receive clean air from a clean air outlet of the separating apparatus 14 when the separating apparatus 14 is mounted to the main body 12. The clean air inlet aperture 26 is in fluid communication with a motor-driven fan unit 114 mounted within the main body 12.

The filter assembly recess 28 is formed in a curved surface of the separator recess 22, spaced apart from the clean air inlet aperture 26. The filter assembly recess 28 is shaped and dimensioned to receive a removable filter assembly 44, and the filter assembly 44 is shown in an inserted position in Figure 7.

The clean air outlet assembly 30 comprises an outlet duct 86 extending from the main body 12, and outlet apertures 88 formed in the outlet duct 86. The outlet duct 86 is integrally formed with the wand assembly connector 36, but is not in fluid communication with the wand assembly connector 36. The outlet duct 86 is in fluid communication with a filter outlet when the filter assembly 44 is located within the filter assembly recess 28. The outlet duct 86 may be filled with appropriate noise cancelling material, for example acoustic foam, if so desired. A lower surface of the outlet duct 86 comprises a castor wheel 90 upon which the cylinder vacuum cleaner 10 may be supported and moved.

The handle 32 is curved in form, and is located on a rearmost surface of the main body

12. The main body 12 is able to rock about the handle 32 when the cylinder vacuum cleaner 10 is tipped over rearwardly from an upright position.

The planar lower surface 34 is substantially parallel with a surface to be cleaned when the cylinder vacuum cleaner 10 is in an upright position. A rearmost edge of the planar lower surface 34 is provided with a roller 91 upon which the cylinder vacuum cleaner 10 may be supported and moved.

Mounted to the exterior of the cylinder vacuum cleaner 10 at opposing sides are first and second wheels 92,94 and first and second rocking portions 96,98.

The first 92 and second 94 wheels have the same form. The wheels 92,94 are substantially dome-shaped in form, and are shown in isolation in Figure 8. The first 92 and second 94 wheels are rotatably mounted to respective side surfaces 100,102 of the main body 12. The side surfaces 100,102 have the same form, and can be seen in Figures 9 and 10.

The side surfaces 100,102 are substantially dome-shaped in form, and extend into the hollow interior of the respective wheels 92,94 when the wheels 92,94 are mounted to the main body 12. The side surfaces 100,102 have a curved edge 104 and a lower linear edge 106, such that the lower linear edge 106 defines an edge of the planar lower surface 34 of the main body 12. The side surfaces 100,102 are obliquely angled relative to a surface to be cleaned when the cylinder vacuum cleaner 10 is in an upright position, and face toward a surface to be cleaned when the cylinder vacuum cleaner 10 is in an upright position, as can be seen in Figure 10.

The wheels 92,94 have a smaller maximum radius than the respective side surfaces 100,102, and are mounted to the side surfaces 100,102 such that an axis of rotation of the wheels 92,94 is angled with respect to a surface being cleaned when the cylinder vacuum cleaner 10 is in an upright position. The wheels 92,94 are mounted to the side surfaces 100,102 at apexes of the dome-shaped wheels 92,94 and apexes of the domeshaped side surfaces 100,102.

The wheels 92,94 are mounted to the side surfaces 100,102 such that the rims 93 of the wheels 92,94 are sub-flush with the curved edges 104 of the side surfaces 100,102, and such that the rim of the wheels 92,94 extends below the lower linear edge 106 of the side surfaces 100,102. The sub-flush mounting can be seen most clearly in Figure 15. This enables the cylinder vacuum cleaner 10 to be supported by the wheels 92,94 in an upright position, but ensures that the wheels 92,94 do not interfere with the self-righting function of the cylinder vacuum cleaner 10 when the cylinder vacuum cleaner 10 is tipped over from the upright position.

The wheels 92,94 comprise a plurality of apertures 108, which may reduce the volume of material needed to form the wheels 92,94, thereby reducing the weight of the wheels 92,94 and reducing the cost of manufacture.

The first 96 and second 98 rocking portions are substantially dome-shaped in form, and are shown in isolation in Figure 11. The first 96 and second 98 rocking portions are fixedly mounted to the side surfaces 100,102 of the main body 12, for example such that the rocking portions 96,98 cannot rotate relative to the main body 12. The side surfaces 100,102 and the wheels 92,94 extend into the hollow interior of the respective rocking portions 96,98. The rocking portions 96,98 each comprise a curved edge 110 and a lower linear edge 112, such that the dome-shape of the rocking portions 96,98 is truncated.

The rocking portions 96,98 are mounted to the side surfaces 100,102 and the wheels 92,94 at apexes of the dome-shaped wheels 92,94, apexes of the rocking portions 96,98, and apexes of the dome-shaped side surfaces 100,102. The rims 93 of the wheels 92,94 are sub-flush with the curved edges 110 of the rocking portions 96,98, and the rim of the wheels 92,94 extends below the lower linear edge 112 of the rocking portions 96,98. The sub-flush mounting can be seen most clearly in Figure 15. This enables the cylinder vacuum cleaner 10 to be supported by the wheels 92,94 in an upright position, but ensures that the wheels 92,94 do not interfere with the self-righting function of the cylinder vacuum cleaner 10 when the cylinder vacuum cleaner 10 is tipped over from the upright position.

The dome-shaped rocking portions 96,98 enhance the generally spherical shape of the main body 12, and allow the cylinder vacuum cleaner 10 to rock on the rocking portions 96,98 when it is tipped over from an upright position, ie when the cylinder vacuum cleaner 10 is not supported by the wheels 92,94. This, combined with making the centre of gravity of the cylinder vacuum cleaner 10 as low as possible, allows the cylinder vacuum cleaner 10 to be self-righting, ie to automatically return to an upright position, for example a position in which the cylinder vacuum cleaner 10 is supported by the wheels 92,94, when tipped over from the upright position in use.

Mounted within the main body 12 are a motor-driven fan unit 114 for generating airflow through the separating apparatus 14 in use, a cable rewind unit (not shown) for retracting and storing within the main body 12 an electrical cable, and appropriate control electronics 118 for controlling the cylinder vacuum cleaner 10.

The motor-driven fan unit 114 and cable rewind unit are conventional, and will not be described here in any detail.

Since the motor-driven fan unit 114 is relatively heavy, locating it below the separating apparatus 14 provides a relatively low centre of gravity for the cylinder vacuum cleaner

10. As a result, the stability of the cylinder vacuum cleaner 10 is improved. Additionally, handling and manoeuvring of the cylinder vacuum cleaner 10 are made easier. The motor-driven fan unit 114 and/or the other components of the cylinder vacuum cleaner 10 are arranged such that the cylinder vacuum cleaner 10 will be urged to return to its upright position, if it is tipped onto one of the rocking portions 96,98 during use. This may be achieved by ensuring that the main body 12 has a low centre of gravity, for example by appropriate location of the motor-driven fan unit 114.

In use, the various components are mounted to the main body 12. A user is able to start operation of the cylinder vacuum cleaner 10 by pressing a button on the main body 12, such that the motor-driven fan unit 114 creates a suction flow through the cylinder vacuum cleaner 10. Air is drawn into the cleaner head 20, and passes through the wand assembly 18 and flexible hose 16 into the separating apparatus 14 via the dirty air inlet duct 38.

Dirt and dust is removed from the airflow by the separating apparatus 14, and clean air passes from the separating apparatus 14 to the motor-driven fan unit 114 housed internally of the main body 12 via the clean air inlet aperture 26.

A plurality of bleeds are formed in a housing of the motor-driven fan unit 114, and the bleeds are located pre- the motor of the motor-driven fan unit 114. The bleeds create a negative air pressure within the main body 12, which causes air to be drawn into the main body 12, for example via vents 122 formed in the side surfaces 100,102 of the main body 12 (as seen in Figure 9), or via a cable inlet 124 (shown in Figure 3) of the main body 12. The vents 122 are located beneath the wheels 92,94, and hence forming apertures 108 in the wheels may enable air to flow through the vents 122 in use. At least some of the vents 122 are located in the region of the control electronics 118, such that at least a portion of the airflow passing from the exterior of the main body 12 to the bleeds in the housing of the motor-driven fan unit 114 is able to cool the control electronics 118.

Airflow exhausted by the motor-driven fan unit 114 passes through the filter assembly 44 and is exhausted to ambient atmosphere via the outlet duct 86 and outlet apertures 88 of the clean air outlet assembly 30.

In use, the cylinder vacuum cleaner 10 is moved along a surface to be cleaned by a user pulling the flexible hose 16 and/or wand assembly 18. The wheels 92,94 allow the cylinder vacuum cleaner 10 to move along the surface in an upright position, as shown in Figure 13. If the cylinder vacuum cleaner 10 experiences sufficient force when being dragged by a user, then the cylinder vacuum cleaner 10 may tip over from the upright position, such that the cylinder vacuum cleaner 10 is no longer supported by the wheels 92,94. In the tipped over position, as shown in Figure 14, the cylinder vacuum cleaner 10 is able to rock on the rocking portions 96,98, and, as a result of the low centre of gravity of the main body 12, the cylinder vacuum cleaner 10 is able to return to the upright position without intervention by the user. Thus the cylinder vacuum cleaner 10 may be considered a self-righting vacuum cleaner.

Claims

1. A cylinder vacuum cleaner comprising a main body, a rocking portion, and a wheel disposed between the main body and the rocking portion, wherein the rocking portion is fixed relative to the main body, the wheel is rotatable relative to the main body, the wheel contacts a surface to be cleaned when the vacuum cleaner is in an upright position, the rocking portion contacts the surface when the vacuum cleaner is tipped over from the upright position such that the vacuum cleaner can rock on the rocking portion, and the vacuum cleaner is configured so that it returns to the upright position when it is tipped over from the upright position.

2. A cylinder vacuum cleaner as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the vacuum cleaner is configured such that the wheel does not contact the surface to be cleaned when the vacuum cleaner is tipped over from the upright position.

3. A cylinder vacuum cleaner as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the vacuum cleaner is configured such that the rocking portion does not contact the surface to be cleaned when the vacuum cleaner is in the upright position

4. A cylinder vacuum cleaner as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the rocking portion is dome shaped.

5. A cylinder vacuum cleaner as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the wheel and/or main body extends into the rocking portion.

6. A cylinder vacuum cleaner as claimed in Claim 4 or Claim 5, wherein the wheel is dome shaped and extends into the rocking portion.

7. A cylinder vacuum cleaner as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the main body extends into the wheel.

8. A cylinder vacuum cleaner as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein at least a portion of the wheel is sub-flush relative to the main body.

9. A cylinder vacuum cleaner as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein at least a 5 portion of the wheel is sub-flush relative to the rocking portion.

10. A cylinder vacuum cleaner as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the entirety of the wheel is hidden by the rocking portion save for a rim of the wheel.

10

11. A cylinder vacuum cleaner as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the vacuum cleaner comprises a pair of wheels arranged on opposite sides of the main body.

Intellectual Property Office

Application No: GB 1716976.4