Vacuum cleaner

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner comprising a main body and a separating apparatus associated with the main body, wherein the main body includes a suction generator for drawing air into the separating apparatus and a handle arrangement including a trigger member for activating the suction generator. The trigger member is resiliently biased into a first position in which the suction generator does not operate, and is movable into a second position to activate the suction generator, wherein, when in the first position, a contact surface of the trigger member is spaced away from an adjacent surface of the handle arrangement and, when in the activated position, the contact face of the trigger member is substantially flush with the adjacent surface of the handle arrangement. The invention also relates for a handle arrangement for such a vacuum cleaner.

1 . A vacuum cleaner comprising a main body and a separating apparatus associated with the main body, wherein the main body includes a suction generator for drawing air into the separating apparatus and a handle arrangement including a trigger member for activating the suction generator, the trigger member being resiliently biased into a first position in which the suction generator does not operate, and is movable into a second position to activate the suction generator wherein, in the first position, a contact surface of the trigger member is spaced away from an adjacent surface of the handle arrangement and, in the second position, the contact face of the trigger member is substantially flush with the adjacent surface of the handle arrangement. 
     
     
         2 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 1 , wherein the trigger member is supported on a pivot in the interior of the handle arrangement. 
     
     
         3 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 1 , wherein the trigger member is biased into the first position by way of a spring element which exerts a predetermined activation force on the trigger member. 
     
     
         4 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 3 , wherein the spring element is a compression spring that acts on a part of the contact surface. 
     
     
         5 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 1 , wherein the trigger member is biased with a force of less than 8 N. 
     
     
         6 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 1 , wherein the trigger member is biased with a force between 0.5 N and 6 N. 
     
     
         7 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 1 , wherein the trigger member is biased with a force between 0.5 N and 3 N. 
     
     
         8 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 1 , wherein the trigger member includes an actuating member that is moved by movement of the contact face, the actuating member being arranged to contact an activating switch of a battery pack. 
     
     
         9 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 8 , wherein the battery pack is carried adjacent an end of the handle arrangement. 
     
     
         10 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 9 , wherein the battery pack includes a part which extends inside the interior of the handle, the extending part including the activating switch. 
     
     
         11 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 1 , comprising a controller operable to activate the motor and fan unit in response to a command signal initiated by the trigger member, wherein the controller implements a predetermined delay period between receiving an command signal and activating the suction generator. 
     
     
         12 . A handle arrangement for a vacuum cleaner, the handle arrangement including a trigger member which is movable between first and second positions, the trigger member being resiliently biased into the first position in which position a contact surface of the trigger member is spaced away from an adjacent surface of the handle arrangement and wherein, in the second position, the contact face of the trigger member is substantially flush with the adjacent surface of the handle arrangement. 
     
     
         13 . The handle arrangement of  claim 12 , wherein the trigger member is supported on a pivot in the interior of the handle arrangement. 
     
     
         14 . The handle arrangement of  claim 12 , wherein the trigger member is biased into the first position by way of a resilient element which exerts a predetermined activation force on the trigger member. 
     
     
         15 . The handle arrangement of  claim 14 , wherein the resilient element acts on a part of the contact surface. 
     
     
         16 . The handle arrangement of  claim 12 , wherein the trigger member is biased with a force of less than 8 N. 
     
     
         17 . The handle arrangement of  claim 12 , wherein the trigger member is biased with a force between 0.5 N and 6 N. 
     
     
         18 . The handle arrangement of  claim 12 , wherein the trigger member is biased with a force between 0.5 N and 3 N.