Field of the invention

The present invention generally relates to the field of nozzles for vacuum cleaners. In particular, the present invention relates to such nozzles having hinged rigid parts. Background of the invention

For obtaining a pivotal connection between an inlet of a nozzle and the extension tube and/or suction hose of a vacuum cleaner, the nozzle may comprise a flexible piece of tube, or rigid parts interconnected by one or more joints (or hinged connections), thereby providing a hinged connection between the nozzle inlet and the extension tube and/or suction hose. An advantage of having hinged rigid parts instead of a flexible tube is that material and manufacturing costs are reduced.

WO 02/26097 discloses a vacuum cleaner nozzle with three rigid parts interconnected by two hinged connections allowing the nozzle to tilt and move up and down on a surface being cleaned. A problem with such nozzles is that the resultant suction force in the air duct of the nozzle may generate a moment of force forcing the suction plate (i.e. the rigid part comprising the suction opening) of the nozzle upwards away from the surface being cleaned, thereby interrupting the cleaning performed by the nozzle. Summary of the invention

It would be advantageous to achieve a nozzle for a vacuum cleaner overcoming, or at least alleviating, the above mentioned drawback. In particular, it would be desirable to enable a nozzle for a vacuum cleaner with an improved cleaning performance. Further, it would be desirable to enable a nozzle for a vacuum cleaner reducing the risk of interruption during cleaning.

To better address one or more of these concerns, a nozzle for a vacuum cleaner having the features defined in the independent claim is provided. Preferable embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

Hence, according to an aspect, a nozzle for a vacuum cleaner is provided. The nozzle comprises an air duct extending through the nozzle for guiding air and dust towards a hose of the vacuum cleaner, a suction plate having a suction opening for the purpose of taking in dust, a rigid intermediate part, a rigid outlet part, and at least one wheel coupled to the intermediate part and/or the outlet part. The at least one wheel is arranged to support the nozzle on a surface being cleaned. The air duct extends through the suction plate, the intermediate part and the outlet part. The outlet part is coupled to the intermediate part by a first hinged connection, and the intermediate part is coupled to the suction plate by a second hinged connection. Further, the first hinged connection is arranged such that a pivot axis of the first hinged connection extends through the air duct. Further, the at least one wheel is arranged such that a rotational axis of the at least one wheel (at least substantially) coincides with the pivot axis of the first hinged connection. By using rigid parts interconnected by hinged connections instead of a flexible tube in order to obtain a pivotal connection between a nozzle and the extension tube and/or suction hose of a vacuum cleaner, material and manufacturing costs are reduced. Further, the arrangement of two hinged connections and the wheel coupled to the intermediate part and/or the outlet part allows the suction plate to tilt and move up and down as the nozzle is moved back and forth in its natural movement direction, which improves the cleaning performance of the nozzle.

As the pivot axis of the first hinged connection extends through (or across) the air duct instead of outside (such as below) the air duct, the distance between the resultant suction force in the air duct and the pivot axis of the first hinged connection is decreased, whereby also the moment of force forcing the suction plate and internnediate part upwards away from the surface being cleaned is decreased. Hence, interruptions in the cleaning resulting from the elevation of the nozzle are reduced, whereby the cleaning

performance is improved. As the rotational axis of the at least one wheel coincides with the pivot axis of the first hinged connection, manufacturing of the nozzle is facilitated since the joint at the first hinged connection also may be utilized for suspending the wheel. Further, as the rotational axis of the wheel coincides with the pivot axis of the first hinged connection, which extend through (instead of below) the air duct, the height of the rotational axis of the wheel above the surface being cleaned is increased compared to prior art (in which the rotational axis of the wheel is arranged below the air duct). The increased height allows using bigger wheels, which facilitates movement of the nozzle on the surface being cleaned (such as movement over obstacles). In an embodiment, the pivot axes of the first and second hinged connections may be arranged such that they extend along a surface being cleaned during operation of the nozzle (i.e. substantially horizontally).

In an embodiment, the pivot axes of the first and second hinged connections may be arranged such that they extend transverse to a natural (or normal) movement direction of the nozzle. The natural movement direction is the direction of the back and forth movement of the nozzle, towards and away from the user, normally performed during cleaning with the nozzle.

In an embodiment, the nozzle may further comprise at least one protrusion protruding from the intermediate part or the outlet part at the first hinged connection, wherein the at least one wheel is suspended at the protrusion. The protrusion may e.g. be cylindrical.

Preferably, neither a physical axle for the wheel nor a physical axle for the first hinged connection may extend through the air duct. Instead, the first hinged connection may be arranged between the outer one and the inner one of the intermediate part and the outlet part, and thus, outside the air duct. Further, the wheel suspension may be arranged (preferably completely) outside the air duct, such as on the outside of the intermediate part and/or the outlet part. By reducing protruding (or any non-smooth) portions at the inside of the air duct and any axels extending through the air duct, the risk of dirt sucked up by the nozzle getting tangled (or stuck) in the air duct is reduced. In an embodiment, the at least one wheel may comprise a cylindrical portion and a hook extending along at least a portion of the inner circumference of the cylindrical portion. Further, the intermediate part and the outlet part may overlap at the first hinged connection. The outer one of the intermediate part and the outlet part at the overlap may comprise circular slot, and the hook of the wheel may be arranged to run in the circular slot as the wheel rotates so as to hold the wheel towards the outer one of the intermediate part and the outlet part at the overlap. Hence, the slot is arranged to mate with the hook so as to hold the wheel in place, which reduces the risk of the wheel falling off the nozzle. In an embodiment, the nozzle may be of the passive type (and may be referred to as a passive nozzle). A passive nozzle is a nozzle without any rotary brushes or other means for actively agitating dust from the surface to be cleaned. Suction plates of passive nozzles are in general substantially lighter than suction plates of active nozzles having such means for actively agitating dust. The risk of elevation of the suction plate increases with a reduced weight of the suction plate. However, as the axis of first hinged extends through the air duct of the passive nozzle of the present embodiment, the risk for elevation of the suction plate is reduced.

In an embodiment, the second hinged connection may be arranged such that a pivot axis of the second hinged connection extends through the air duct, which further reduces the risk of the suction plate elevating from the surface being cleaned during cleaning.

In an embodiment, a vacuum cleaner is provided. The vacuum cleaner may comprise a nozzle as defined in any one of the preceding embodiments. It is noted that embodiments of the invention relates to all possible

combinations of features recited in the claims. Brief description of the drawings

This and other aspects will now be described in more detail in the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of embodiments, with reference to the appended drawings. Figure 1 shows a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment.

Figure 2 is a side-view of a nozzle for a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment.

Figure 3 is an exploded view of the nozzle shown in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a cross-section of the nozzle taken along line A-A in Figure 2. Figure 5 is a cross-section of the nozzle taken along line B-B in Figure 4.

Figure 6 shows an intermediate part and an outlet part of the nozzle shown in Figure 2.

Figure 7 is a cross-section of the nozzle taken along line C-C in Figure 2.

All the figures are schematic, not necessarily to scale, and generally only show parts which are necessary in order to elucidate the embodiments, wherein other parts may be omitted. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification.

Detailed description of embodiments

Figure 1 shows a vacuum cleaner 100 comprising a nozzle 101 according to an embodiment. The nozzle 101 may be connected to a main body 104 of the vacuum cleaner 100 via a tube 102 and a hose 103.

A vacuum cleaner nozzle 1 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3. Figure 2 is a side-view of the nozzle 1 and Figure 3 is an exploded view of the nozzle 1 . The nozzle 1 comprises several rigid parts 5, 6, 7 interconnected to each other by one or more joints 8, 9 (or hinged connections). The rigid parts 5, 6, 7 may e.g. be moulded in rigid plastic. The rigid parts may at least include a suction plate 7, and intermediate part 6 and an outlet part 5. The outlet part 5 is adapted to be (directly or indirectly) coupled to the hose of the vacuum cleaner and is connected to the intermediate part 6 via a first hinged connection 8.The suction plate 7 may comprise a suction opening (or inlet) for the purpose of taking up dust form a surface being cleaned and is connected to the intermediate part 6 via a second hinged connection 9, whereby the suction plate 7 is arranged to pivot relative to the intermediate part 6. Thus, the three rigid parts 5, 6, 7 may be arranged to, at least slightly, pivot relative to each other in order to facilitate movement of the nozzle over uneven surfaces. The pivot axes of the first and second hinged connections 8, 9 may extend along the surface to be cleaned and, preferably, transverse (e.g.

substantially perpendicular) to the natural movement of direction 25 of the nozzle 1 .

Further, the nozzle 1 comprises one or more (preferably two) wheels 1 1 , coupled to the intermediate part 6 for supporting the nozzle 1 on the surface to be cleaned. Alternatively, or additionally, the wheels 1 1 may be coupled to the outlet part 5. The wheels 1 1 may be suspended at the location of the first hinged connection 8, preferably such that the rotational axis of the wheels 1 1 coincides with the axis of the first hinged connection 8.

The nozzle 1 will be described in more detail with reference to Figures 4 and 5 showing cross-sections of the nozzle 1 . The cross-section of Figure 4 is taken along line A-A in Figure 2 and the cross-section of Figure 5 is taken along line B-B in Figure 4.

The nozzle 1 comprises an air duct 10, which is formed in the suction plate 7, the intermediate part 6 and the outlet part 5 for guiding air and dust from the suction opening of the suction plate 7 towards the hose of the vacuum cleaner. The first hinged connection 8 is arranged such its pivot axis 15 extends through (instead of outside) the air duct 10. Preferably, also the second hinged connection 9 is arranged such its pivot axis 20 extends through (instead of outside) the air duct 10. The first hinged connection 8 and the suspension of the wheels 1 1 will be described in more detail with reference to Figures 6 and 7. Figure 6 shows the intermediate part 6 and the outlet part 5 and Figure 7 is a cross-section of the nozzle 1 taken along line C-C in Figure 2.

The intermediate part 6 and the outlet part 5 may be arranged to overlap in the region of the first hinged connection 8. In the present example, the intermediate part 6 partly overlaps the outlet part 5 such that a portion of the outlet part 5 runs on the inside of the intermediate part 6 upon pivotal movement of the outlet part 5 relative to the intermediate part 6. Alternatively, the nozzle 1 may be configured such that a portion of the intermediate part 6 runs on the inside of the outlet part 7 upon such a pivotal movement. Further, the nozzle 1 may comprise a protrusion 13, at which the wheels 1 1 may be suspended. The protrusion 13 may protrude from the outer one of the intermediate part 6 and the outlet part 5 (i.e. the intermediate part 6 in the present example). The protrusion 13 may be moulded in the same piece of material as any one of the intermediate part 6 and the outlet part 5. As previously described, the pivot axis 15 of the first hinged connection 8 may coincide with the rotational axis of the wheel 1 1 , whereby the wheel suspension may be integrated with the first hinged connection 8. In the present example, the outer one of the intermediate part 6 and the outlet part 5 comprises a recess 21 , preferably arranged in the protrusion 13 for suspension of the wheel 1 1 , and the inner one of the intermediate part 6 and the outlet part 5 comprises a protrusion 22 mated in the recess 21 so as to pivotally interconnect the intermediate part 6 and the outlet part 5.

The outer one of the intermediate part 6 and the outlet part 5 (i.e. the intermediate part 6 in the present example) may comprise a circular slot 18, preferably arranged along an outer circumference of a cylindrical portion 19 protruding from the outer one of the intermediate part 6 and the outlet part 5. Further, each wheel 1 1 may comprise a cylindrical portion 16 and a hook 17 extending along at least a portion of the inner circumference of the cylindrical portion 16 of the wheel 1 1 . The hook 17 and the slot 18 are formed so as to mate such that the hook 17 is able to run in the slot 18 upon rotation of the wheel 1 1 , whereby the wheel 1 1 is hold on to the outer one of the

intermediate part 6 and the outlet part 5. The arrangement with the first and second hinged connections 8, 9, and the wheel 1 1 arrangement on the intermediate part 6 and/or the outlet part 5 facilitates moving the nozzle 1 on the surface being cleaned, as the nozzle 1 moves more easily over obstacles and irregularities. Further, as the suction plate 7 is able to tilt and move up and down with respect to the surface being cleaned, the two oppositely arranged longitudinal edges of the suction opening of the suction plate 7 may alternatingly seal the suction opening of the suction plate 7 against the surface being cleaned, which improves the cleaning performance of the nozzle 1 . As the pivotal axis 15 of the first hinged connection 8 extends through the air duct 10 and, thus, is closer to the resultant suction force in the air duct 10, the moment of force pulling the suction plate 7 upwards is reduced. The moment of force applied to the intermediate part 6 and the suction plate 7 is determined by the amount of the resultant suction force times the distance between the resultant suction force and the pivot axis 15 of the first hinged connection 8. Thus, a reduced distance between the resultant suction force and the pivot axis 15 of the first hinged connection 8 reduces the moment of force. Thus, interruptions in the cleaning operation caused by the suction plate 7 elevating from the surface being cleaned as a consequence of the moment of force are reduced .

According to an illustrative non-limiting example, a nozzle for vacuum cleaners designed for picking up dust e.g. from hard floor and carpet is provided. The nozzle may have an air channel created by four non-flexible parts connected by two hinged connections and one rotating connection. Starting from the nozzle plate (or suction plate), the wheel may be connected to the second part, namely the inlet (or intermediate part), which may have a hinged connection to the nozzle plate. The wheel may be fixated to the sides of the inlet and the wheel axis may extend through the air channel. Hooks on the inside of the wheel, running in a circular slot on the inlet, may prevent the wheel from coming off. No extra parts (such as shafts) may be needed for fixation of the wheel. For tooling advantages, a hole going through the side wall of the inlet may be used for fixation of the swivel (or outlet part) from the inside.

Having the wheel fixated to the side of the inlet (instead of under) may allow the wheel axis to extend through the air channel, which increases the distance from the surface to be cleaned to the wheel axis. The wheel axis may be one of the two hinged connections of the air channel. The relation between the first and second hinged connection may affect the behaviour of the nozzle plate. If the second hinge point is too low (i.e. too close to the surface) a vacuum force may be created inside the air channel lifting the nozzle plate from the surface. The wheels may be attached to the sides of the air channel wheel axis going through the air channel.

The person skilled in the art realizes that the present invention by no means is limited to the embodiments described above. On the contrary, many modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims.

Additionally, variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by the skilled person in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

ITEMIZED LIST OF EMBODIMENTS

1 . A nozzle (1 ) for a vacuum cleaner, the nozzle comprising:

an air duct (10) extending through the nozzle for guiding air and dust towards a hose of the vacuum cleaner,

a rigid intermediate part (6) through which a portion of the air duct of the nozzle extends,

a rigid outlet part (5) through which another portion of the air duct of the nozzle extends,

wherein the outlet part is coupled to the intermediate part by a hinged connection (8) arranged such that a pivot axis (15) of the hinged connection extends through the air duct.

The nozzle as defined in item 1 , wherein the pivot axis is arranged such that it extends along a surface being cleaned during operation of the nozzle.

The nozzle as defined in item 1 or 2, wherein the hinged connection between the intermediate part and the outlet part is a first hinged connection (8) and wherein the nozzle further comprises a suction plate to which the intermediate part is coupled by a second hinged connection (9).

The nozzle as defined in any one of the preceding items, further comprising at least one wheel (1 1 ) arranged such that the rotational axis of the wheel coincides with the pivot axis of the hinged

connection.

The nozzle as defined in item 4, further comprising at least one protrusion (13) protruding from the intermediate part or the outlet part at the hinged connection, wherein the at least one wheel is suspended at the protrusion.

The nozzle as defined in any one of the preceding items, wherein the wheel comprises a cylindrical portion (16) and a hook (17) extending at the inside of the cylindrical portion along at least a portion of the circumference of the cylindrical portion, wherein the outer one of the intermediate part and the outlet part comprises circular slot (18), and wherein the hook of the wheel is arranged to run in the circular slot as the wheel rotates so as to hold the wheel towards the outer one of the intermediate part and the outlet part. A vacuum cleaner comprising a nozzle as defined in any one preceding items.