The invention relates to a vacuum cleaner nozzle according to the pre-characterizing portion of patent claim 1.

PRIOR ART

Many different vacuum cleaner nozzles are known which consists of an elongated, with suction opening provided suction box, which is substantially perpendicular to the connection tube, which is intended to be connected to the elongated suction tube of the vacuum cleaner. Such nozzles are known among others by:

US 1013364 which describes a vacuum cleaner nozzle provided with an elongated opening extending along the suction tube, which opening is in the form of a suction slot having the same width along its whole length, whereby larger elongated objects can be sucked into and block the through flow. FR687216 which describes a vacuum cleaned nozzle provided with an elongated opening extending along the suction tube, which opening is in the form of a suction slot and has at its ends provided rollers, the suction slot being so placed, at normal use, that it sucks downwards/backwards in relation to the suction tube of the nozzle, i.e. when the connection tube of the suction tube is directed about 45° in relation to the ground plane, and furthermore larger elongated objects can be sucked in and block the through flow.

JPS577455 which describes a vacuum cleaner nozzle provided with an elongated opening extending along the suction tube, which opening is in the form of a suction slot, where the suction slot has the same width along its whole length and where larger elongated objects can be sucked in and block the through flow. JPH07227369 which describes a vacuum cleaner nozzle having with on each side of the centre of the cylinder formed suction tube provided, rotatable cylinders with slots arranged in the circumferential direction, the rotatable cylinders rotating at use so that the slots are brought in line with openings at the lower part of the cylinder formed suction tube, which nozzle is complicated to its construction. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner nozzle of the type described in the introduction, which nozzle eliminates the drawbacks described above and moreover is simple to its construction and facilitate use.

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The object is achieved by a vacuum cleaner nozzle according to the characterizing portion of patent claim 1.

The sub-claims describe preferred embodiments of the invention.

The cost to manufacture is as in all industrial production an important aspect and the construction of the vacuum cleaner nozzle according to the invention implies also a cost effective solution.

By means of the vacuum cleaner nozzle according to the invention the substantial problem is solved that an adjustment between carpet and floor has been eliminated. Most of the previously known vacuum cleaner nozzles have buttons or toggle switches for adjustment between carpet and floor. At the vacuum cleaner nozzle according to the invention accordingly no such adjustment exists, but the nozzle can be moved simply over carpets as well as floors without losing its suction effect.

The nozzle according to the invention consists of an elongated suction tube, which at normal use is substantially parallel with the carpet/floor, whereby the suction tube is provided with a suction tube substantially parallel extending row, substantially circular or oval openings, which are at least three in number. The greatest width of said openings is less than the width/diameter of the connection tube from the suction tube.

Furthermore, the nozzle has at the ends of the suction tube provided, freely rotating or fastened rollers, by means of which said suction tube at every movement is situated a predetermined distance between the carpet/floor and the outer surface of the suction tube.

Moreover, the row of openings is so provided along the suction tube, that normal use, i.e. when the suction tube is directed about 45° in relation to the ground plane, the row of suction tube openings is situated in front of the nozzle, i.e. at the opposite side of the connecting tube on the suction tube. The row of suction openings is provided on the suction tube directed against the front side of the suction tube an angle between a line from the centre axes of the suction tube and along the centre line of the connection tube and a line from the centre axis of the suction tube through the row of suction openings. This angle is between 0° and 50°, preferably ca 20°. The front side of the suction tube accordingly represent the side of the suction tube which is faced from the user.

The vacuum cleaner nozzle according to the invention can for instance advantageously be manufactured in plastics by injection moulding, usually in two together joinable parts, so that it consists of an integrally formed construction without detachable parts. The vacuum cleaner nozzle according to the invention has by its construction and its material choice a very light weight, which makes it easy to use and it can thereby counteract back injuries and/or strain injuries of the user.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The invention is described more in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings which show preferred embodiments.

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a vacuum cleaner nozzle according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 shows a plan view of the vacuum cleaner nozzle in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 shows a cross section view after the line III-III in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 shows a cross section view after the line IV-IV in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of a vacuum cleaner nozzle according to the present invention.

Fig. 6 shows a detailed view of a part of the vacuum cleaner nozzle in Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 shows a perspective view of a third embodiment of a vacuum cleaner nozzle according to the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the drawings shown similar details has been denoted with the same reference number.

In Figs. 1-4 is shown a first embodiment of vacuum cleaner nozzle 1 according to the present invention. The vacuum cleaner nozzle 1 consists of an elongated, at its end closed suction tube 2 with a connection tube 3 provided at its centre, which connection tube is intended to in a known way to be able to suck be connected to an elongated suction tube of a not shown vacuum cleaner.

Suction tube 2 is provided with a with the suction tube 2 substantially parallel row of suction tube openings 4, which are so provided along the suction tube, that by normal use, i.e. when the connection tube 3 of the suction tube is directed about 45° in relation to the ground plane, the row of suction tube openings 4 is situated in front of the nozzle, i.e. at the opposite side of connection tube 3 on the suction tube 2. The row of suction openings 4 is provided on the suction tube 2 directed against the front side of the suction tube 2 an angle a between a line from the centre axis of the suction tube 2 and along the centre line 3 ' of the connection tube and a line from the centre axis of the suction tube 2 through the row of suction openings 4. The angle a is 0°-50°, preferably about 20°. The front side of the suction tube 2 accordingly represents the side of the suction tube 2 which is faced from the user.

On the drawing are shown five suction tube openings 4, but that number can be varied to be 3, 7, 9 or another uneven number. The suction tube opening 4 in the centre of the row of suction openings 4 i.e. the suction tube opening in the middle, which also is situated at the same level as the tube 3, can be somewhat greater than the other suction tube openings 4 to facilitate for the user to suck up larger objects. The width of this centre suction tube opening 4 is always less than the diameter of the connection tube 3. At the ends of the suction tube 2 sliding means 6 are provided, which consist of along the lower periphery of the suction tube end extending and from the lower periphery of the suction end radially projecting sliding surfaces. The sliding means can consist of protruding lists or solid or freely rotatable rollers 6 provided at both ends of the suction tube 2, whereby the first, second and third openings 4, 7 are at use situated at the predetermined distance from the above mentioned line 5. The sliding means 6 extends a predetermined distance so that at use the row of suction openings are situated a distance from the ground 8, as floors, carpets or the like, which shall be vacuum cleaned. When the suction tube is cylindrical the gliding means 6 can be in the form of rollers 6 which each has a diameter which is greater than the diameter of the suction tube 2, so that a predetermined distance is formed between the outer surface of the suction tube 2 and the line 5, which extends from the outer periphery of each roller 6 and parallel with the suction tube 2. Thereby, at every moment a distance is kept between the suction tube 2 and the carpet/floor. This distance is between 1 and 12 mm, preferably about 4-7 mm, and especially about 4 mm. The rollers 6 can be solid, i.e. fastly bound, or made integral with the suction tube 2, or freely rotatable in relation to the suction tube 2.

The suction tube 2 is provided with outer suction openings 7, which are situated substantially on a prolonged fictitious line along the row of suction openings 4 on the outer side of the suction tube 2. These outer suction openings 7 make it possible to reach in corners and other nooks with the nozzle 1.

In Figs. 5 and 6 is shown a second embodiment of a vacuum cleaner nozzle 101 according to the present invention. The vacuum cleaner nozzle 101 consists of an elongated, at its end closed suction tube 102 with a connection tube 103 provided at its centre, which connection tube is intended to in a known way by suction be connected to the elongated suction tube of a not shown vacuum cleaner.

The suction tube 102 is provided with a with the suction tube 102 substantial parallel row suction tube openings 104, which are so provided along the suction tube, that at normal use, i.e. when the suction tube is directed about 45° in relation to the ground plane, the row of suction tube openings 104 is situated in front of the nozzle, i.e. on the suction tube 102 at the opposite side of the connection tube 103. The row of suction openings 104 provided on the suction tube 102 is directed an angle a against the front side of the suction tube, where the angle a is counted from a line 45° from a centre axis through the connection tube 3, 103' to 45° on the other side of said centre axis, whereby said angle a is between 0° and 90°, preferably about 20°. The front side of the suction tube 102 represents accordingly the side of the suction tube 102, which is faced from the user.

On the drawing is shown that the suction tube 102 is provided with on each side telescopically introducible extendable tubes 108 with each in line provided suction openings 104'. In Fig. 5 is shown that the elongation tubes 108 are inserted and fixed in the completely inserted position and that the centre portion of the suction tube 102 then is provided with three suction tube openings 104, but the total number can be varied to be 5, 7 or another uneven number. The suction tube opening 104 in the centre of the row of suction tube openings 104, the centre suction tube opening, which furthermore is situated in the same level as the tube 103, can be somewhat greater than the other suction tube openings 104 to facilitate for the user to suck larger objects. This centre suction tube opening 104 is always smaller than the diameter of the tube 103.

At the ends of the elongated tubes 108 rollers 106 are provided, the diameter of which is greater than the diameter of the suction tube 102, so that a predetermined distance is formed between the outer surface of the suction tube 102 and a line 105 which extends from the outer periphery of each roller 106 and parallel with the suction tube 102. This distance is between 4 and 12 mm, preferably about 7 mm. Thereby, at every moment is kept a distance between the suction tube 102 and the carpet/floor. The rollers 106 can be solid, i.e. fixed connected to the elongated tubes 108, or rotatable in relation to the elongated tubes 108. Snap locks 109 are provided on the elongated tubes 108, which locks in a known manner shall cooperate with holes 110, which are formed in the wall of the suction tube 102.

Rollers 106 are provided with outer suction openings 107, which are situated on an elongated fictitious line of the row of suction openings 104 on the outside of the suction tube 102. These outer suction openings 107 make it possible to reach in corners and others nooks with the nozzle 1.

A further suction opening 104" is provided on each elongated tube 108 with a corresponding snap lock 109' on a predetermined distance from the opening 104 in the circumferential direction to make it possible when needed to direct a suction opening 104 closest to the roller 106 and the outer suction opening 107 a corresponding angle closer to the carpet/floor. If one of the openings 104', 104" on the side faced from the roller 106 of the elongated tube 108 is used this is situated in front of a suction opening 104 on the wall of the suction tube 102. The suction tubes 2, 102 and the elongated tubes 108 have at both described

embodiments being described as circular with circular rollers 6, 106 at its ends. Within the frame of the patent claims the suction tubes 2, 102 and the elongated tubes 108 can have another form, as oval, elliptic or parabolic, provided that the openings 4, 104 are placed on the way which is described above in relation to the outer surface of the suction tube 2, 102 and the line 5 in Figs. 2 and 6, respectively.

In Fig. 7 is shown a further third embodiment of the vacuum cleaner nozzle 1 according to the invention with only two openings 4 in the suction tube 2. Even this vacuum cleaner nozzle 1 comprises a suction tube 2 with a connection tube 3 and at the outer ends of the suction tube 2 provided sliding means in the form of rollers 6. Openings are also provided at the ends of the suction tube 2 and at the rollers 6.

The invention can be varied in many ways within the frame of the attached patent claims, even if the above described embodiments are preferred.