Cleaning implement for a vacuum cleaner and cleaning apparatus

Abstract

A cleaning implement comprising a connector for connecting the cleaning implement to a vacuum cleaner such that the cleaning implement is in fluid communication with the vacuum cleaner. The connector comprises an engagement portion and a catch pivotally connected to the engagement portion such that the catch has a pivot axis X, the catch comprises a pressing portion spaced from the pivot axis X and a latching element arranged on a portion of the catch extending from the pivot axis X to the pressing portion. The catch is arranged such that pressing on the pressing portion pivots the catch from a first configuration in which the latching element is in an engagement position for preventing disengagement of the connector from the vacuum cleaner, to a second configuration in which the latching element is in a disengagement position in which the connector can be disengaged from the vacuum cleaner.

1 . A cleaning implement comprising a connector for connecting the cleaning implement to a vacuum cleaner such that the cleaning implement is in fluid communication with the vacuum cleaner, the connector comprises an engagement portion and a catch pivotally connected to the engagement portion such that the catch has a pivot axis, the catch comprises a pressing portion spaced from the pivot axis and a latching element located at a portion of the catch extending from the pivot axis to the pressing portion, wherein the catch is arranged such that pressing on the pressing portion pivots the catch from a first configuration in which the latching element is in an engagement position for preventing disengagement of the connector from the vacuum cleaner, to a second configuration in which the latching element is in a disengagement position in which the connector can be disengaged from the vacuum cleaner. 
     
     
         2 . The cleaning implement of  claim 1 , wherein the pressing portion is spaced from the pivot axis by a first distance and the latching element is spaced from the pivot axis by a second distance which is less than the first distance. 
     
     
         3 . The cleaning implement of  claim 2 , wherein the second distance is not greater than half of the first distance. 
     
     
         4 . The cleaning implement of  claim 1 , wherein the connector is a male connector having an engagement axis which is aligned with the direction in which the connector is brought into engagement with the vacuum cleaner. 
     
     
         5 . The cleaning implement of  claim 4 , wherein the portion of the catch comprising the latching element and the pressing portion extends from the pivot axis in a direction which is opposite the direction in which the connector is brought into engagement with the vacuum cleaner. 
     
     
         6 . The cleaning implement of  claim 4 , wherein the catch is configured such that, when the connector is engaged with the vacuum cleaner with the catch in the engagement position, exerting a force on the connector along the engagement axis away from the vacuum cleaner urges the latching element away from the disengagement position. 
     
     
         7 . The cleaning implement of  claim 6 , wherein the latching element is spaced at a distance from the pivot axis in a direction which is parallel with the engagement axis and a distance from the pivot axis in a direction which is orthogonal to the engagement axis, such that exerting a force on the connector along the engagement axis away from the vacuum cleaner generates a moment about the pivot axis thereby urging the latching element away from the disengagement position. 
     
     
         8 . The cleaning implement of  claim 1 , wherein the cleaning implement comprises a biasing device which biases the catch into the first configuration. 
     
     
         9 . The cleaning implement of  claim 8 , wherein the biasing device is arranged to act on a portion of the catch extending from the latching element away from the pivot axis. 
     
     
         10 . The cleaning implement of  claim 9 , wherein the biasing device is arranged to act on the portion of the catch which extends from, and including, the latching element to the pressing portion. 
     
     
         11 . The cleaning implement of  claim 8 , wherein the biasing device is a resilient member disposed between the pressing portion and the engagement axis. 
     
     
         12 . The cleaning implement of  claim 8 , wherein at least part of the catch is disposed within a channel provided along the engagement portion and the biasing device is disposed between the catch and a base of the channel. 
     
     
         13 . The cleaning implement of  claim 1 , wherein the cleaning implement comprises one or both of a wand and a cleaner head. 
     
     
         14 . A cleaning apparatus comprising a vacuum cleaner and the cleaning implement of  claim 1 .