Latch arrangement for a floor care appliance

• US 7,797,788 B2
• Filed: 12/22/2004
• Issued: 09/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited (Techtronic Industries Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited (Techtronic Industries Company Limited)
• Inventors: Tong, Chan Chi
• Primary Examiner(s): Thomas; David B
• Application Number:
  US11/021,190
• Publication Number:
  US 20060101608A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,099 Days
• Field of Search: 152/462, 153/23, 153/37, 154/14, 403/23, 285/7, 285/317, 285/319, 285/145.3, 285/146.1, 285/148.14, 285/148.2, 285/148.21, 285/239, 285/304, 285/305, 285/417, 285/420
• US Class Current: 15/323
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/34 Machines for treating carpets in position by liquid, foam, or vapour, e.g. by steam
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4011 Regulation of the cleaning machine by electric means; Control systems and remote control systems therefor
• 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 5/30 with driven dust-loosening tools, e.g. rotating brushes
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/32 with means for connecting a hose hose couplings for suction cleaners A47L9/24
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/34 with height adjustment of nozzles or dust-loosening tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0027 specially adapted for holding the suction cleaning tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0494 Height adjustment of dust-loosening tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0653 with mechanical actuation, e.g. using a lever
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2842 Suction motors or blowers
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2847 Surface treating elements
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2857 User input or output elements for control, e.g. buttons, switches or displays

Abstract

A floor care appliance is provided for cleaning bare surfaces such as tile, marble, linoleum and wood. The floor care appliance includes an accessory hose, telescoping wand and accessory tools for cleaning bare surfaces. A latch having a latch cover is provided for connecting the telescoping wand to the handgrip portion of the accessory hose. The latch and latch cover arrangement could also be utilized for connecting the accessory tools such as a accessory suction nozzle and grout tool to the telescoping wand.

Claims

1. A floor care appliance, comprising:

a base unit;

an accessory hose removably connected to the base unit, the accessory hose having a projection;

an accessory for cleaning a surface removably attached to the accessory hose, and

a latch formed as one piece with the accessory and configured to removably connect the accessory to the accessory hose, wherein said latch includes

a resilient member, having a first end and a second end, the resilient member cantilevered from said accessory at the first end, the resilient member including

an aperture, intermediate the first end and second ends, for engaging the projection and

a tab at the second end configured to release the resilient member from the projection, and

a cover extending from the first end and enclosing the resilient member from the first end to the second end such that the resilient member is shielded from external impacts, the cover being open at a cover end such that the tab is accessible to a user.

2. The floor care appliance of claim 1, wherein the accessory includes a telescoping wand.

3. The floor care appliance of claim 1, wherein the accessory includes an accessory suction nozzle.

4. The floor care appliance of claim 1, wherein the accessory includes a grout tool.

5. The floor care appliance of claim 1, wherein the projection for engaging the aperture is located on a nipple formed on the accessory hose.

6. The floor care appliance of claim 1, wherein the tab of the resilient member and the cover and the resilient member form a gap between so that the resilient member can be released from the projection.

7. A latch for interconnecting two of a floor care appliance accessory hose, telescoping wand, handgrip, and accessory tool to one another, the latch comprising:

a resilient member formed as one piece with, and cantilevered at a first end from, one of the accessory hose, telescoping wand, hand grip or accessory tool, the resilient member having an aperture and having a tab located at a second end of the resilient member for operating said resilient member;

a cover formed as one piece with the resilient member at the first end and enclosing the resilient member such that the resilient member is shielded from external impacts, the cover being open at one end such that the tab is accessible to a user;

a projection located on one end of the other of the accessory hose, telescoping wand, hand grip or accessory tool;

wherein said aperture of said resilient member engages said projection to connect said two of an accessory hose, telescoping wand, handgrip, and accessory tools to one another.

8. The latch according to claim 7, wherein said accessory tool includes an accessory suction nozzle.

9. The latch according to claim 7, wherein said accessory tool includes a grout tool.