Vacuum cleaner

• US 20100095476A1
• Filed: 10/15/2009
• Published: 04/22/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Kim, Tae-gwang, Lee, Byung-jo, KIM, See-hyun
• Granted Patent: US 8,438,697 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/347
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/225 Convertible suction cleaners, i.e. convertible between different types thereof, e.g. from upright suction cleaners to sledge-type suction cleaners
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/32 with means for connecting a hose hose couplings for suction cleaners A47L9/24

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner is provided. A vacuum cleaner includes a main body with a suction motor, a dust collecting unit, a main body frame, a locking member, a detaching button, and a pushing member. A suction port assembly is connected to the main body and an extension pipe assembly is detachably attached to the main body; each fluidly connects selectively with the dust collecting unit. The locking member selectively locks the extension pipe assembly to the main body frame, the detaching button selectively detaches the locking member from the extension pipe assembly, and the pushing member moves the extension pipe assembly according to the locking member being detached from the extension pipe assembly.

Claims

1. A vacuum cleaner, comprising:

a main body;

a suction port assembly connected to the main body; and

an extension pipe assembly detachably attached to the main body,

wherein the main body comprises;

a suction motor;

a dust collection unit;

a main body frame;

a locking member for selectively locking the extension pipe assembly to the main body frame;

a detaching button for selectively detaching the locking member from the extension pipe assembly; and

a pushing member for moving the extension pipe assembly according to the locking member being detached from the extension pipe assembly, and

wherein the suction port assembly and the extension pipe assembly each fluidly connects selectively with the dust collecting unit.

2. The vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 1, wherein the main body further comprises:

a locking member spring for applying an elastic force to the locking member to return the locking member to its initial position after the detaching button is pressed and then released; and

a detaching button spring for applying an elastic force to the detaching button to return the detaching button to its initial position after the detaching button is pressed and then released.

3. The vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 2, wherein the locking member comprises at least one locking protrusion, and the extension pipe assembly comprises at least one first locking groove for engaging the locking protrusion.

4. The vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 3, wherein the extension pipe assembly comprises:

a handle unit including a fixing part with at least one second locking groove formed; and

an extension pipe detachably attached to the fixing part of the handle unit.

5. The vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 4, wherein the pushing member is a coil spring for applying an elastic force to the extension pipe, wherein the elastic force is applied in a direction toward the handle unit.

6. The vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 4, wherein the central angle of the at least one second locking groove is between approximately 60°

and approximately 120°

.

7. The vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 6, wherein the central angle is approximately 90°

.

8. The vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 3, wherein the at least one first locking groove includes four locking grooves, and the at least one locking protrusion includes four locking protrusions.

9. The vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 3, wherein the locking member comprises:

a locking member body which includes the at least one locking protrusion;

at least two shafts supporting the locking member body; and

a rotating part integrally formed with the locking member body,

wherein the rotating part rotates when the detaching button is pressed or released.

10. The vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 9, wherein the detaching button comprises a rotating part insertion groove having an inclined surface in contact with the rotating part of the locking member, wherein a contact point between the inclined surface and the rotating part moves in response to the detaching button being pressed or released.

11. The vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 1, wherein the main body further comprises:

a path conversion unit for selectively connecting the dust collecting unit to a first path and a second path, wherein the first path fluidly connects with the suction port and the second path fluidly connects with the extension pipe assembly; and

a driving member moved by the extension pipe assembly if the extension pipe assembly is locked to the main body, such that the path conversion unit converts the flow path to the first path,

wherein, if the extension pipe assembly is unlocked from the main body, the pushing member moves the driving member such that the path conversion unit converts the flow path to the second path.

12. The vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 11, wherein the main body frame includes an extension pipe mount for supporting the extension pipe assembly, wherein the extension pipe mount comprises an extension pipe supporting groove for engaging the pushing member and the driving member.

13. The vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 12, wherein the driving member comprises:

a pedestal part for supporting the extension pipe; and

a driving part protruding from approximately the center of the pedestal part for driving the path conversion unit,

wherein the pushing member includes a coil spring disposed between the extension pipe supporting groove and the pedestal part.