WO1995019731A1

WO1995019731A1 - Vacuum cleaner

Info

Publication number: WO1995019731A1
Application number: PCT/KR1995/000007
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jung Shin Kim
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-01-21
Filing date: 1995-01-21
Publication date: 1995-07-27
Anticipated expiration: 1996-07-21
Also published as: AU1591695A; KR950022719U

Abstract

The invention described provides a vacuum cleaner that comprises improved connection between a nozzle and vacuum cleaner body that is also used for a suction nozzle for cleaning narrow locations where the normal wide suction nozzle may not be inserted without requiring a separate curved attachment. The invention provides a simple and compact accessory attachment which will easily be attachable to a vacuum cleaner and conveniently stored in a relatively small receptacle provided in the vacuum cleaner body during not using period.

Description

VACUUM CLEANER

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates in general to a vacuum cleaner and more particularly concerns a novel suction nozzle structure for effectively picking up debris especially in hard-to-reach locations.

Description of the Prior Art

Japanese Utility Model Published Application No. 63- 14753, as can be seen in FIGs. 7 and 8, describes a typical prior art vacuum cleaner being usable on a flat surfaces. The vacuum cleaner has a top case member 15 and a bottom case member 16 which are connected to each other to form a suction channel 17 into which rotatable pipe 18 is inserted from the other end of the suction channel 17. The rotatable pipe 18 is joined to a curved connection pipe 19 having a bent elbow. The connection pipe 19 is adapted to be connected a series of straight pipes 20 joined end-to-end. A disadvantage of the prior art vacuum cleaner is that it requires an additional attachment for cleaning narrow locations since the normal wide nozzle is too wide to be applied to the narrow areas being cleaned. Another disadvantage of the prior art vacuum cleaner is that said curved connection pipe, which has a bent elbow, may not be used as a suction nozzle for being applied to hard-to-reach locations since the curved connection pipe may not be detached from the normal wide suction nozzle until the wide suction nozzle be disassembled completely.

It is troublesome to attach the additional attachment to a vacuum cleaner on occasions, and to keep it in separate space when it is not used, since the additional attachment has relatively big size. Accordingly, it is an important object of the invention to provide improved vacuum cleaner that overcome one or more of the disadvantages set forth above.

It is another object of the invention to provide an improved connection between a normal wide suction nozzle and vacuum cleaner body that is also used as a suction nozzle for cleaning narrow locations where the normal wide suction nozzle may not be permitted to be inserted without requiring a additional curved attachment.

It is further object of the invention to provide a simple and compact accessory attachment which will easily be attachable to a vacuum cleaner and easily detachable to be stored in a relatively small receptacle provided in the vacuum cleaner body during not using period.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, a vacuum cleaner comprises a suction nozzle having a top case member and a bottom case member, each members being assembled to define a suction channel therebetween and a rotatable connecting pipe having a first end adapted to be rotatively connected to the nozzle and having a second end adapted to be connected a series of elongated hollow tubular extensions joined end-to-end, the end of the elongated hollow tubular extension being connected to a vacuum cleaner body by itself or through a hose, the improvement comprising, said rotatable connecting pipe having a first end of generally hollow spherical shape for rotatable insertion into the nozzle and having a second end defining a short hollow tubular extension; and wairi elongated hollow tubular extension having a first cylindrical end for a releasable friction-fit joint with the short hollow tubular extension and a second cylindrical end, which is longer than the first cylindrical end, adapted to be connected to the vacuum cleaner body, the first and second ends being rigidly connected at the bent elbow, said elongated hollow tubular extension being released from the short hollow tubular extension for being applied to hard-to- reach locations to pick up debris therein.

The first cylindrical end of the elongated hollow tubular extension is releasable inserted by an accessory attachment of a hollow tubular shape adapted to be applied in hard-to-reach locations, said accessory attachment having brush carried on one end of the attachment.

The accessory attachment is adapted to be stored, when it is not used, in a relatively small receptacle formed on the bottom of the vacuum cleaner body, so that it is not require additional space to store it.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section view of FIG.l; FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating use of a bent extension embodying the features of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a sectional view of an accessory attachment embodying the features of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of an accessory attachment coupled to a bent extension embodying the features of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of an accessory attachment received in a receptacle provided in the vacuum cleaner body when it is not used embodying the features of the present invention; FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a prior art; and

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of an accessory attachment of a prior art.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference now to the drawings and more particularly FIGs. 1 and 2, there are shown a normal wide suction nozzle 1 which comprises a top case member 2 and bottom case member 3. The top and bottom case members 2 and 3 are connected each other to form a suction channel 4 therebetween. One end of the suction channel 4 provide a guide member 5 of generally hollow spherical shape, so that a rotatable connecting pipe 6 which has a first end 6a of generally hollow spherical shape is inserted into said spherical hollow guide member 5, thereby the connecting pipe 6 enables the nozzle 1 to be oriented for easy pick up, to be properly aimed and to permit the nozzle 1 to be rotated with respect to the connecting pipe 6. Said connecting pipe 6 has a second end 6b which defines a short hollow tubular extension 6b. Preferably, the length of the short extension 6b ranges about 2 to 4 cm to maintain proper spacing of the nozzle 1 from the surface being cleaned.

Said second end 6b of the connecting pipe 6 is joined to a series of elongated hollow tubular extensions 8 which are joined end-to-end(not shown) in a manner well known in the art, then the end of the elongated hollow tubular extension 8 is joined to a vacuum cleaner body 12 by itself or through a hose. The elongated hollow tubular extension 8 has a first cylindrical end 8a for a releasable friction-fit joint with the short hollow tubular extension 6b and a second cylindrical end 8b, which is longer than the first cylindrical end 8a, adapted to be connected to the vacuum cleaner body 12. The first and second ends 8a and 8b of the elongated hollow tubular extension 8 are rigidly connected at the bent elbow 8c. Said elongated hollow tubular extension 8 may be released from the short hollow tubular extension 6b, so that the elongated extension 8 is easily allowed to hard-to-reach locations to pick up debris therein. In typical operation of an embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the normal wide suction nozzle 1 is released from the elongated extension 8, then the elongated extension 8 is rotated in a 180-degrees, thereby the open end of the elongated extension 8 is turned downward onto a surface to be cleaned in order to effectively pick up the debris from a narrow location.

To perform a more effective-cleaning operation of an embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the cylindrical end 8a of the elongated hollow tubular extension 8 is releasable inserted by an accessory attachment 10 of a short hollow cylindrical shape adapted to be applied in hard-to-reach locations. The accessory attachment 10 has brush 11 carried on one edge of the attachment 10. Preferably, said accessory attachment 10 may be stored, when it is not used, in a receptacle 14 provided in the bottom of the vacuum cleaner body 12.

Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown the accessory attachment 10 which is provided with brush 11 carried on one end and preferably knurled outer surface 13, so that the attachment may be securely grasped during manipulation by hand.

Although the present invention has been described in connection with a preferred illustrative embodiment thereof, many variations and modifications will now become apparent to those skilled in the art. It is preferred, therefore, that the present invention be limited not by the specific disclosure herein, but only by the appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. In a vacuum cleaner comprising a suction nozzle having a top case member and a bottom case member, each members being assembled to define a suction channel therebetween and a rotatable connecting pipe having a first end adapted to be rotatively connected to the nozzle and having a second end adapted to be connected a series of elongated hollow tubular extensions joined end-to-end, the end of the elongated hollow tubular extension being connected to a vacuum cleaner body by itself or through a hose, the improvement comprising, said rotatable connecting pipe having a first end of generally hollow spherical shape for rotatable insertion into the nozzle and having a second end defining a short hollow tubular extension; and said elongated hollow tubular extension having a first cylindrical end for a releasable friction-fit joint with the short hollow tubular extension and a second cylindrical end, which is longer than the first cylindrical end, adapted to be connected to the vacuum cleaner body, the first and second ends being rigidly connected at the bent elbow, said elongated hollow tubular extension being releasable from the short hollow tubular extension for being applied to hard-to- reach locations to pick up debris therein.

2. The vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first cylindrical end of the elongated hollow tubular extension is releasable inserted by an accessory attachment of a hollow tubular shape adapted to be applied in hard-to- reach locations, said accessory attachment having brush carried on one end of the attachment.

3. The vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 2, wherein said accessory attachment is adapted to be stored, when it is not used, in a receptacle formed on the bottom of the vacuum cleaner body.