Cleaning apparatus

Abstract

A cleaning apparatus comprising a handheld vacuum cleaner. The handheld vacuum cleaner comprises a separator, an airflow generator, a handle for maneuvering the handheld vacuum cleaner during use and a first connector. The cleaning apparatus further comprises a cleaning implement, comprising a second connector which engages with the first connector such that the cleaning implement is in fluid communication with the separator, where the second connector comprises a catch having a first configuration in which disengagement of the second connector from the first connector is prevented, and a second configuration in which the second connector can be disengaged from the first connector.

1 . A cleaning apparatus comprising:
 a handheld vacuum cleaner comprising a separator, an airflow generator, a handle for maneuvering the handheld vacuum cleaner during use and a first connector; and   a cleaning implement comprising a second connector which engages with the first connector such that the cleaning implement is in fluid communication with the separator, the second connector comprises a catch, wherein the catch has a first configuration in which disengagement of the second connector from the first connector is prevented, and a second configuration in which the second connector can be disengaged from the first connector.   
     
     
         2 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the catch is moved from the first configuration into the second configuration by pressing the catch. 
     
     
         3 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the cleaning implement has a gripping portion which can be gripped by the user, and the catch is arranged such that the catch is moved from the first configuration into the second configuration by pressing the catch with the thumb of the hand gripping the gripping portion. 
     
     
         4 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cleaning implement comprises a bias which biases the catch into the first configuration. 
     
     
         5 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second connector is a male connector having an engagement portion, and the first connector is a female connector having a receiving portion which is configured to receive the engagement portion of the second connector. 
     
     
         6 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the catch is arranged such that at least part of the catch is received by the receiving portion when the second connector is engaged with the first connector. 
     
     
         7 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the catch has a pressing portion that is arranged such that the pressing portion is exposed when the second connector is engaged with the first connector. 
     
     
         8 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the catch is connected to the engagement portion. 
     
     
         9 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the catch is elongate and the catch extends along an outer surface of the engagement portion. 
     
     
         10 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the catch is pivotally connected to the engagement portion such that the catch pivots between the first and second configurations. 
     
     
         11 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein at least a portion of the catch is disposed within a channel provided along the engagement portion such that the profile of an outer surface of the catch corresponds with the profile of an adjacent outer surface of the engagement portion. 
     
     
         12 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cleaning implement comprises one or both of a wand and a cleaner head. 
     
     
         13 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first connector is disposed towards a front of the handheld vacuum cleaner and the handle is disposed towards a rear of the handheld vacuum cleaner. 
     
     
         14 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the separator is disposed between the handle and the first connector. 
     
     
         15 . A cleaning apparatus comprising:
 a vacuum cleaner comprising a separator and a first connector;   a cleaning implement comprising a second connector which engages with the first connector such that the cleaning implement is in fluid communication with the separator, the second connector has a catch comprising a latching element and a pressing portion, the catch has a first configuration in which disengagement of the second connector from the first connector is prevented, and a second configuration in which the second connector can be disengaged from the first connector, wherein an alignment slot is provided in the first connector, the alignment slot is arranged to receive at least part of the pressing portion.