Patent Application
20100306960
The present invention relates to a telescopic tube for a vacuum cleaner, and more particularly to a three part telescopic tube.
The idea of using telescopic tubes to be able to adjust the length of a vacuum cleaner tube is known. One advantage with telescopic vacuum cleaner tubes is to be able to optimize the tube length for a specific cleaning task or for the height of a person that is using the vacuum cleaner. Telescopic tubes also provide the benefit of minimizing the length of the tube when not in use, thus facilitated storage is provided.
The basic concept of telescopic tubes is to have an inner tube that is movably arranged within an outer tube. The tubes are further provided with a locking member, for instance a simple form of recess and engagement means that is released by means of a control mechanism, for instance by pressing down a release button, while the user pushes or pulls out the movable tube with respect to the outer tube. When the required length of the tube has been reached the locking member keeps the inner tube in position.
Telescopic tubes comprising three tubes joined with two telescopic links in the same unit are available on the market today. With two telescopic links a telescopic tube, which can be minimized in respect to its maximum length, i.e. when the two movable tubes are fully extended, is obtained. The two telescopic links are controlled by two separate control mechanisms, each controlling one individual telescopic link. A problem with this known three-part telescopic tube is that the adjusting the length of the tube by operating the telescopic links can be experienced as troublesome.
It is one object of the present invention to provide a three part telescopic tube for a vacuum cleaner that alleviates the above-mentioned problem of the prior art. This object may be achieved by a telescopic tube for a vacuum cleaner according to the present invention as defined in claim 1.
Thus, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a telescopic tube for a vacuum cleaner, comprising a first inner tube, a second inner tube, and an outer tube. The first and second inner tubes are slidably arranged inside the outer tube and the first and second inner tubes are lockable relative the outer tube. The first inner tube is arranged relative to a first end portion of the outer tube to form a first telescopic link with the outer tube such that the first inner tube is extendable from the first end portion. The second inner tube is arranged relative to a second end portion of the outer tube to form a second telescopic link with the outer tube such that the second inner tube is extendable from the second end portion.
Thus, there is provided a three-part telescopic tube for a vacuum cleaner, where the outer tube encompasses two inner tubes that each are arranged to form a telescopic link at a respective end of the outer tube. Hence, the outer tube forms the intermediate tube of the three-part tube while it at the same time is fully accessible in any position: the fully extended position, the fully retracted position or any intermediate position between these positions. Thus both tubes are easily accessible at their respective ends at all times, and the total length of the tube is easily adjustable.
In accordance with an embodiment of the telescopic tube for a vacuum cleaner as defined in claim 2, the first inner tube and the first end portion of the outer tube are arranged with a first releasable locking member, and the second inner tube and the second end portion of the outer tube are arranged with a second releasable locking member. Due to the releasable locking members, the tubes can be securably locked relative each other in a locking position of the locking members and easily movable relative each other in a released position of the locking members.
In accordance with the telescopic tube for a vacuum cleaner, as defined in claim 3, the telescopic functions of the two respective telescopic links can be easily controlled by a control mechanism for the locking members, which control mechanism is arranged on the outside of the outer tube.
In accordance with the telescopic tube for a vacuum cleaner as defined in claim 4, the control mechanism is arranged to control the first and second locking members simultaneously.
This exemplary embodiment of the invention provides a telescopic three-part tube, that has two telescopic links that are controlled with only one control mechanism that is arranged to control the first and second locking members simultaneously. The telescopic tube is thereby allowed to be operated from retracted to extended positions by a one grip operation, which may simplify the length adjustment of the telescopic tube. Using one control mechanism also may simplify the construction complexity compared with prior three-part tubes, i.e. fewer parts can be used, and thus the manufacturing costs of the tube can be decreased.
In accordance with an embodiment of the telescopic tube for a vacuum cleaner the control mechanism comprises an interconnecting part between the first locking member and the second locking member, which is favourable for allowing simultaneous control of the first and second locking member.
In accordance with an embodiment of the telescopic tube for a vacuum cleaner as defined in claim 5, the interconnecting part is at least a part of a cylinder shell surface encompassing the outer tube. Since the outer tube is accessible in all position it allows for a common grip when extending and/or retracting the first and second telescopic links. The interconnecting part may be an integrated part of the outer tube.
In accordance with an embodiment of the telescopic tube for a vacuum cleaner as defined in claim 6, the first locking member and the second locking member are arranged to be released when receiving a longitudinally directed force in excess of a predefined threshold force. Hence, the operation of the telescopic tube is user friendly. The user only has to hold the outer tube with one hand and push or pull the inner tubes with the other hand to change the inner tube positions. According to an example embodiment, it is even possible to extend or retract the first and second inner tubes at the same time by using a third support, e.g. one foot on the suction nozzle, to hold one end of the telescopic tube and then push or pull the tubes in the required direction.
In accordance with an embodiment of the telescopic tube for a vacuum cleaner as defined in claim 7, the control mechanism includes a releasable locking device for releasing the first and second locking members allowing the repositioning of the inner tubes to a required position. When deactivating the locking device and after reaching the new required position, the locking device then locks the telescopic tube in the new position.
In accordance with an embodiment of the telescopic tube for a vacuum cleaner as defined in claim 8, the outer tube has a larger diameter than the first inner tube and the second inner tube, and the second inner tube has a larger diameter than the first inner tube. Thus, the first inner tube can be retracted into the second inner tube, which in turn can be retracted into the outer tube. This allows for achieving a reduced length of the telescopic tube in the fully retracted position. Thus, valuable space can be saved when storing the tube.
In accordance with an embodiment of the telescopic tube for a vacuum cleaner as defined in claim 9, the position of the inner tubes relative to the outer tube is continuously adjustable, thus making it possible for the user to make a precise adjustment of the length to fit to his or her own height or to some other required criteria, like for instance required radial range of the vacuum cleaner tube.
In accordance with an embodiment of the telescopic tube for a vacuum cleaner as defined in claim 10, the position of the inner tubes relative to the outer tube is stepwise adjustable, allowing fixed preferred positions of the telescopic tube.
In accordance with an embodiment of the telescopic tube for a vacuum cleaner as defined in claim 11, at least one of the first and second inner tubes is connectable to a vacuum cleaner nozzle. According to an exemplary embodiment, wherein the first inner tube has a smaller diameter than the second inner tube, it may be more favorable to connect the vacuum cleaner nozzle to the first inner tube than the second inner tube. Due to the first inner tube having a smaller diameter than the second inner tube, the air steam will flow from a smaller diameter tube to a greater diameter tube, reducing the risk that dust particles in the air stream will clog the tube or that larger debris will get stuck further up the tube. Furthermore, placing the first inner tube with the smallest diameter closest to the vacuum cleaner nozzle may be favorable to the weight distribution of the vacuum cleaner tube, and may make the telescopic tube easier to manoeuvre.
In accordance with an embodiment of the telescopic tube for a vacuum cleaner as defined in claim 12, at least one of the first and second inner tubes is connectable to a vacuum cleaner housing or a flexible tube. The telescopic tube is advantageously connected directly to the vacuum cleaner housing or to a flexible tube, depending on the type of vacuum cleaner. On an upright model one end of the telescopic tube is preferably placed directly on the vacuum cleaner housing while the other end is provided with a handle, while on a canister model the telescopic tube is used as the vacuuming tube and is connected to a vacuum cleaner nozzle at one end and to a flexible tube at the other end. In an alternative upright model the telescopic tube is used as a vacuuming tube and is connected to a vacuum cleaner nozzle at one end, and to the vacuum cleaner housing at the other end, as shown in
These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter, but are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed or disclosed invention in any way.
The invention will now be described in more detail and with reference to the appended drawings in which:
a) and b) shows cross-sectional views of an embodiment of a telescopic tube for a vacuum cleaner according to the present invention;
a) and b) shows cross-sectional views of an embodiment of a telescopic tube for a vacuum cleaner according to the present invention.
a) and b) shows schematic drawings of embodiments of a telescopic tube for a vacuum cleaner according to the present invention.
Referring to
The telescopic tube 10 further comprises a control mechanism 14, which is arranged at the outer tube 13, and further controls the longitudinal movability of the upper tube 12 and the lower tube 11.
a) shows the telescopic tube 10 in its fully extended position, with the upper tube 12 and the lower tube 11 in the maximum extended position out of the outer tube 13, with only a minor part of the total length of the upper tube 12 and the lower tube 11 still arranged inside the outer tube 13. To manipulate the telescopic tube 10 into a fully retracted position, the user simply holds the outer tube 13, and hence the control mechanism 14, with a first hand and then apply a longitudinal force onto, for instance, the upper tube 12 with a second hand, i.e. the user holds the tube 12 and pushes it towards the outer tube 13, see
In this embodiment the control mechanism is activated by overcoming a threshold force working on each locking member, such as described herein under.
Referring now to
The control mechanism 14, which preferably is arranged at the outer tube 13, comprises a first locking member 15 and a second locking member 16. The first releasable locking member 15 is arranged at a first end portion 13a of the outer tube 13 and bears against the lower tube 11. The first locking member 15 is arranged to lock the position of the lower tube 11. The second locking member 16 is arranged at a second end portion 13b of the outer tube 13 and bears against the upper tube 12. The second locking member 16 is arranged to lock the position of the upper tube 12. When the control mechanism 14 is subjected to a longitudinally applied force, according to the description above where retraction and protraction of the telescopic tube was done by simply pulling or pushing the constituent tubes 11, 12, and 13 apart or together, respectively, the control mechanism 14 is arranged to release the first locking member 15 and the second locking member 16 simultaneously. The longitudinally directed force must exceed a predefined threshold force, i.e. the received force must be greater than the force imparted onto the inner tubes, 11 and 12, by the locking members holding the upper tube 12 and lower tube 11 in position. When the locking members, 15 and 16, are released the inner tubes, 11 and 12, are longitudinally movable relative to the outer tube 13. When the control mechanism 14 is no longer subjected to a longitudinal force, the locking members are reactivated and lock the inner tubes 11 and 12 in position.
According other embodiments of a telescopic tube for a vacuum cleaner, the locking members, 15 and 16, are provided as friction devices or clamping devices (such as conical wedges or the like) or a combination thereof. In these embodiments the positions of the inner tubes 11, 12 relative to the outer tube 13 are continuously adjustable. When using friction as the locking mechanisms 15 and 16, the control mechanism 14 is preferably designed as an integrated part of the outer tube 13 or the control mechanism 14 is designed to simply constitute the outer tube 13. An alternative way to manipulate the telescopic tube 10 from the fully retracted position, which is shown in
It should be clear that the locking members can be realized in a number of ways by any suitable well-known telescopic tube locking means.
In an alternative embodiment, the upper, lower and outer tubes, 11, 12, and 13, have an oval shape, hence guide tracks are not necessary, because the shape of the tubes prevents the tubes from rotating with respect to each other. Hence, the guide protrusion 30 and guide track 20 can be left out of the construction. Of course, any other suitable cross section can be used for the tubes, for example a rectangular or a polygonal cross section.
In an alternative embodiment of the telescopic tube for a vacuum cleaner at least one of the inner tubes 11, 12 is arranged to be fully detachable from the outer tube 13.
In an alternative embodiment of the telescopic tube for a vacuum cleaner the control mechanism further includes a releasable locking device 18, for locking the inner tube 11 and the upper tube 12 in position.
Referring now to
In
Embodiments of a telescopic tube for a vacuum cleaner according to the present invention have been described herein. These should be seen as merely non-limiting examples. As understood by a skilled person, many modifications and alternative embodiments are possible within the scope of the invention.
It is to be noted, that for the purposes of this application, and in particular with regard to the appended claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and that the words “a” and “an”, do not exclude a plurality, which will be apparent to a person skilled in the art.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0701108-3 | May 2007 | SE | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/SE2008/000284 | 4/23/2008 | WO | 00 | 8/18/2010 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60938367 | May 2007 | US |
