Abstract
A detachable 90 degree pivoting elbow forming an air channel that connects to a cleaning element permitting a swivel connection in orthogonal directions to provide a connection to the free end of an elongate wand of a vacuum cleaning system.
Claims
1. A cleaning accessory adapted to be connected to an elongate wand of a vacuum cleaner assembly, includes a connector shaped as an elbow and having structures at one end adapted to secure the end of the connector to the free end of an elongate wand of a vacuum cleaner assembly in a manner to be pivoted in a first plane, and structures at the other end adapted to secure said other end of the connector to the cleaning element in a manner essentially orthogonal to the first plane.
2. A connector for a cleaning accessory adapted to connect a cleaning element to an elongate wand of a vacuum cleaner assembly, said connector being shaped as an elbow and having structures at one end adapted to engage one end of the connector to the free end of an elongate wand of a vacuum cleaner assembly in a manner to be pivoted in a first plane, and structures at the other end adapted to engage said other end of the connector to the cleaning element in a manner essentially orthogonal to the first plane.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the cleaning accessory of the present invention attached to one end of the elbow connector;
[0013] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 including the structures for attachment of the other end of the elbow connector to the elongate wand of a vacuum cleaner;
[0014] FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the cleaning tool of FIGS. 1 and 2:
[0015] FIGS. 4A through FIG. 4D illustrate alternate embodiments of the cleaning accessory;
[0016] FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of the cleaning accessory;
[0017] FIG. 6 illustrates the connections providing the pivotal movement.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0018] As illustrated in FIG. 1, a cleaning accessory 10 of the present invention includes a cleaning element 12 shown as a conventional brush element that is connected to an elbow connector 14 having essentially a 90 degree bend. The connection at one end 16 of the elbow connector 14 to the cleaning element 12 includes structures to enable cleaning element 12 to pivot in the plane illustrated by the arrows A in FIG. 3. Such structures could include a frictional slide fitting or, as illustrated in FIG. 6, a threaded connection to a compression locking nut 13 and ring 15 that will enable the pivotal movement as illustrated in FIG. 3. The elbow is preferably formed of three pieces, a molded plastic or metal tube 19, a molded plastic or metal threaded nut 13, and a curved wire compression ring 15. One end is designed to engage cleaning wand 20 of a vacuum cleaning system creating a profile connection that does not add significantly to assembly height. The present invention, however, includes any structures providing the pivot movement illustrated in FIG. 3.
[0019] FIG. 2 illustrates the other end 17 of the elbow connector 14 connected by structures 18 to the free end of an elongate wand 20 of a vacuum cleaner system providing suction to the cleaning element and elbow connector. The structures 18 attaching the elbow connector 14 to the wand 20 enable the elbow connector 14 to pivot essentially in a plane orthogonal to the plane illustrated by the arrows A in FIG. 3; this plane allowing the other end 17 of the elbow connector 14 being able to rotate around the axis of the junction of the end 17 and the elongate wand 20. Such structures could include a frictional slide fitting or a threaded connection to a compression locking nut and ring as shown in FIG. 6 that will enable the required pivotal movement; or structures providing comparable movement.
[0020] Such structures as exemplified in FIGS. 1 through 3 enable a low profile for the cleaning assembly and yet allow the cleaning assembly to be pivoted in orthogonal planes relative the cleaning wand 20 to accomplish the objectives of the present invention.
[0021] And as an additional feature of the present invention, the pivotal connections provided by the compression locking nut 13 and ring 15 allow the tension and range of the pivotal movement to be adjusted as desired; or the locking nut can be tightened to lock in and secure a desired orientation and position of the cleaning element 12.
[0022] FIGS. 4A through 4D illustrate alternate embodiments of the cleaning element as labeled in differing dimensions. Such alternate embodiments include a shoe 22 of various configurations connected by a pivotal connection at end portion 24 enabling the shoe 22 to pivot in its plane. As can be understood by one skilled in the field, end portion 24 would be connected to an elbow connector such as elbow connector 14 for connection to a cleaning wand of a vacuum cleaning system.
[0023] FIG. 5 illustrates an example of how a cleaning brush 26 could be attached removably to a shoe 22 by being press fitted into supporting groove 28 in a brush holder that is itself is connected to shoe 22 by a press fitted insertion 30 as shown.
[0024] The present invention is not intended to be limited by any of the details describe above, and is defined by the appended claims.
