Vacuum cleaner

• US 7,979,953 B2
• Filed: 07/09/2008
• Issued: 07/19/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd. (Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.)
• Inventors: Yoo, Dong-hun
• Primary Examiner(s): Redding; David A
• Application Number:
  US12/217,842
• Publication Number:
  US 20090178229A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,105 Days
• Field of Search: 153/23, 153/31, 153/34, 153/35, 153/36
• US Class Current: 15/323
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0036 specially adapted for holding the suction hose

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner that is convertible between an upright mode and a canister mode by use of a hose is provided. The vacuum cleaner includes a hose clamping unit capable of protruding outside the cleaner body or retreating back to the cleaner body according to a mode change of the vacuum cleaner.

Claims

1. A vacuum cleaner convertible between an upright mode and a canister mode, as a cleaner body, to which an extension pipe is connected via a hose, is separated from or connected to a suction port body, the vacuum cleaner comprising:

a hose clamping unit capable of protruding outside the cleaner body or retreating back to the cleaner body according to a mode change of the vacuum cleaner, wherein the hose clamping unit is elastically formed on the cleaner body.

2. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein the hose clamping unit has a portion that protrudes outside the cleaner body, when the extension pipe is connected to the cleaner body.

3. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein the hose clamping unit has a portion that protrudes outside the cleaner body, when the cleaner body is connected to the suction port body.

4. The vacuum cleaner of claim 2, wherein the protruding portion of the hose clamping unit is in a horizontal direction or a vertical direction with respect to the cleaner body.

5. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein the hose clamping unit comprises:

at least one clamp in which a first side is hinged and a second side includes a fixing portion to fix the hose; and

an elastic member disposed around a hinged portion of the at least one clamp.

6. The vacuum cleaner of claim 5, wherein the elastic member is a coil spring to connect the at least one clamp to a portion of the cleaner body.

7. The vacuum cleaner of claim 5, wherein the elastic member comprises torsion springs disposed around hinged portions of the at least one clamp.

8. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein the hose clamping unit comprises:

first and second clamps provided in a symmetric arrangement in which sides adjacent to each other are hinged to the cleaner body, and sides apart from each other include fixing portions to fix the hose; and

an elastic member to elastically support the first and second clamps with respect to the cleaner body.

9. The vacuum cleaner of claim 8, wherein the elastic member is a coil spring to connect the sides of the first and second clamps that face each other.

10. The vacuum cleaner of claim 8, wherein the elastic member includes first and second torsion springs formed on hinged portions of the first and second clamps.

11. The vacuum cleaner of claim 8, wherein the fixing portion is provided in a circular arrangement to wrap the hose.

12. A vacuum cleaner convertible between an upright mode and a canister mode, comprising:

a suction port body;

a cleaner body connectable to the suction port body when in the upright mode and separated from the suction port body when in the canister mode;

an extension pipe in fluid communication with the suction port body;

a hose fluidly connecting the extension pipe and the cleaner body; and

a hose clamping unit capable of protruding outside the cleaner body or retreating back to the cleaner body according to the upright mode or the canister mode, wherein the hose clamping unit is elastically formed on the cleaner body.

13. The vacuum cleaner of claim 12, wherein the hose clamping unit comprises:

first and second clamps provided in a symmetric arrangement in which sides adjacent to each other are hinged to the cleaner body, and sides apart from each other include fixing portions to fix the hose; and

an elastic member to elastically support the first and second clamps with respect to the cleaner body.

14. The vacuum cleaner of claim 13, wherein the fixing portion is provided in a circular arrangement to wrap the hose.

15. A vacuum cleaner convertible between an upright mode and a canister mode, as a cleaner body, to which an extension pipe is connected via a hose, is separated from or connected to a suction port body, the vacuum cleaner comprising:

a hose clamping unit capable of protruding outside the cleaner body or retreating back to the cleaner body according to a mode change of the vacuum cleaner, wherein the hose clamping unit comprises;

first and second clamps provided in a symmetric arrangement in which sides adjacent to each other are hinged to the cleaner body, and sides apart from each other include fixing portions to fix the hose; and

an elastic member to elastically support the first and second clamps with respect to the cleaner body.

16. The vacuum cleaner of claim 15, wherein the elastic member is a coil spring to connect the sides of the first and second clamps that face each other.

17. The vacuum cleaner of claim 15, wherein the elastic member includes first and second torsion springs formed on hinged portions of the first and second clamps.

18. The vacuum cleaner of claim 15, wherein the fixing portion is provided in a circular arrangement to wrap the hose.