Surface treating head assembly

Abstract

A surface treating head assembly includes a housing having a fluid outlet. A sealing connection is provided between the outlet and a flexible hose, which may be located on the main body of a surface-treating appliance such as a vacuum cleaner. The housing is arranged to move pivotably with respect to the hose, and the head assembly further includes a locating mechanism arranged to inhibit rotation of the hose as the housing pivots. The provision of a sealing connection that is inhibited from rotating permits the surface treating head to be widely maneuverable while having a sound fluid flow path.

1 . A surface treating head assembly comprising a housing having a fluid outlet and a sealing connection between the outlet and a flexible hose, the housing being arranged to move pivotably with respect to the hose the head assembly further comprising a locating mechanism configured to inhibit rotation of the hose as the housing pivots. 
   
   
       2 . The head assembly of  claim 1 , in which the locating mechanism is carried by the sealing connection. 
   
   
       3 . The head assembly of  claim 1 , in which the sealing connection is carried by the hose. 
   
   
       4 . The head assembly of  claim 1 , in which the locating mechanism comprises at least one projection and at least one corresponding notch, one of the projection and the notch being located on the hose. 
   
   
       5 . The head assembly of  claim 4 , in which the other of the projection and the notch is located on the sealing connection. 
   
   
       6 . The head assembly of  claim 1 , in which the locating mechanism comprises at least one projection and at least one corresponding notch, one of the projection and the notch being located on the sealing connection. 
   
   
       7 . The head assembly of  claim 5 , in which one of the projection and the notch is integral with the sealing connection. 
   
   
       8 . The head assembly of  claim 1 , in which the housing is arranged to pivot about an axis parallel with the longitudinal axis of the hose. 
   
   
       9 . The head assembly of  claim 1 , in which the housing is arranged to pivot about an axis coincident with the longitudinal axis of the hose. 
   
   
       10 . (canceled) 
   
   
       11 . A surface treating appliance comprising a surface treating head assembly comprising a housing having a fluid outlet and a sealing connection between the outlet and a flexible hose, the housing being arranged to move pivotably with respect to the hose, the head assembly further comprising a locating mechanism configured to inhibit rotation of the hose as the housing pivots. 
   
   
       12 . The appliance of  claim 11 , having a main body, the surface treating head assembly being arranged to move pivotably with respect to the main body and the hose is carried by the main body. 
   
   
       13 . The appliance of  claim 11 , in which part of the locating mechanism is located on a linkage carried by the main body. 
   
   
       14 . The appliance of  claim 13 , further comprising a handle having a longitudinal axis, the linkage being arranged such that rotating the handle about the longitudinal axis causes the housing of the surface treating head to turn in a new direction. 
   
   
       15 . The appliance of  claim 14 , in which the linkage is also arranged to allow the housing to remain substantially in contact with the surface being treated as the handle is rotated about its longitudinal axis. 
   
   
       16 . The appliance of  claim 13 , in which the linkage is arranged to pivot with respect to the main body 
   
   
       17 . The appliance of  claim 16 , in which a pivoting axis of the linkage is transverse to a pivoting axis of the housing. 
   
   
       18 . The appliance of  claim 11 , further comprising a rolling support assembly. 
   
   
       19 . The appliance of  claim 18 , in which the rolling support assembly comprises one or more rotatable members having an outer surface which defines a rolling support surface in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle. 
   
   
       20 . (canceled) 
   
   
       21 . A vacuum cleaner comprising the appliance of  claim 11 .