Suction head for a vaccum cleaner

Abstract

A suction head for a vacuum cleaner comprises a hollow body including a pair of arms (1, 3) which diverge from a predetermined region of the body at an angle less than 180 degrees relative to each other. Each arm is formed with a channel (14) for the passage of air, the channel extending from the free end of the arm to the region of the body from which the arms diverge. An outlet opening (5) is located in the region of the body from which the arms diverge for the passage of air to a vacuum cleaner. A first continuous ground-engaging barrier (21) extends along the region of an inner edge (19) of one of the arms (1) from the free end of the arm to the region of the body from which the arms diverge. A second continuous ground-engaging barrier (21) extends along the region of an inner edge (19) of the other of the arms (3) from the free end of the arm to the region from which the arms diverge. A gap (23) is formed between the first and second barriers (21) in the region from which the arms diverge for the passage of relatively large particles of debris into the suction head. The first and second barriers (21) are adapted to engage a flat ground surface along the entire length of the first and second barriers.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view from above of one embodiment of a suction head according to the present invention for a vacuum cleaner;

FIG. 2 is a plan view from below of the suction head shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the suction head shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the suction head shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view from above of an embodiment of the suction head shown in FIG. 1 incorporating a battery, suction and collection means; and

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view from below of the suction head shown in FIG. 5.

Claims

1. A suction head for a vacuum cleaner, the suction head comprising: a substantially hollow body including a pair of arms which diverge from a predetermined region of the body at an angle less than 180 degrees relative to each other, each arm defining therein a channel for the passage of air, which channel extends substantially from the free end of the arm to the region of the body from which the arms diverge;an outlet opening located in the region of the body from which the arms diverge for the passage of air to a vacuum cleaner;a first substantially continuous ground-engaging barrier extending along the region of an inner edge of one of the arms substantially from the free end of the arm to the region of the body from which the arms diverge; anda second substantially continuous ground-engaging barrier extending along the region of an inner edge of the other of the arms substantially from the free end of the arm to the region of the body from which the arms diverge, there being a gap between the first and second barriers in the region of the body from which the arms diverge for the passage of relatively large particles of debris into the suction head, the first and second barriers being adapted to engage a substantially flat ground surface along the entire length of the first and second barriers.

2. A suction head as claimed in claim 1, wherein a substantially continuous further ground-engaging barrier extends along the region of an outer edge of the arms substantially from the free end of one of the arms to the free end of the other of the arms.

3. A suction head as claimed in claim 1, wherein a first substantially continuous further ground-engaging barrier extends along the region of an outer edge of one of the arms substantially from the free end of the arm to the region of the body from which the arms diverge and a second substantially continuous further ground-engaging barrier extends along the region of an outer edge of the other of the arms substantially from the free end of the arm to the region of the body from which the arms diverge, there being a further gap between the first and second further barriers in the region of the body from which the arms diverge for the passage of relatively large particles of debris into the suction head.

4. A suction head as claimed in claim 1, wherein the channel formed in each of the arms is open at the free end of each arm.

5. A suction head as claimed in claim 1, wherein the arms diverge in a shape selected from a V-shape and a U-shape.

6. A suction head as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body is provided with one or more wheels for supporting the body relative to the ground.

7. A suction head as claimed in claim 6, wherein one wheel is provided each side of the outlet opening.

8. A suction head as claimed in claim 1 and including an outlet connection including a first tubular member secured to or formed integrally with the body and a second tubular member rotatable about the axis thereof relative to the first tubular member.

9. A suction head as claimed in claim 8, wherein the axis of the second tubular member incorporates an angle along the length thereof.

10. A suction head as claimed in claim 1, wherein rotatable means is provided substantially at the free end of each arm for engaging with obstacles.

11. A suction head as claimed in claim 10, wherein the rotatable means is in the form of a roller which is rotatable about a substantially upright axis.

12. A suction head as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional area of the channel decreases towards the free end of each arm.

13. A suction head as claimed in claim 1, wherein the barriers are flexible.

14. A suction head as claimed in claim 13, wherein the barriers are resilient.

15. A suction head as claimed in claim 13, wherein one or more of the barriers comprises a plurality of stiff resilient bristles.

16. A suction head as claimed in claim 13, wherein one or more of the barriers comprises a continuous strip.

17. A suction head as claimed in claim 16, wherein the continuous strip is elastomeric.

18. A suction head as claimed in claim 17, wherein the continuous strip is made of rubber.

19. A suction head as claimed in claim 13, wherein the barrier or barriers in the region of the outer edge of the arms comprise a plurality of stiff resilient bristles, while the barriers in the region of the inner edge of the arms each comprise a continuous strip.

20. A vacuum cleaner incorporating a suction head as claimed in claim 1.

21. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 20, wherein the suction head is provided with a handle for propelling the suction head by hand.

22. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 21 and including in the suction head suction-generating means and debris collecting means.

23. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 22, further including a battery in the suction head.

24. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 23, wherein the battery is rechargeable.