Vacuum cleaner providing hands-free connection and disconnection of a nozzle assembly from a wand assembly

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner is provided. The vacuum cleaner includes a housing. A cavity is provided in the housing. A nozzle assembly is received in that cavity. A cover conceals the nozzle assembly in the cavity when the cover is in a closed position and allows access to the nozzle assembly when in an opened position. A nozzle support holds the nozzle assembly in the cavity. The nozzle support is displaceable between a nozzle storage position when the cover is in the closed position and a nozzle presentation position when the cover is in an opened position.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A vacuum cleaner, comprising:
 a housing;   a cavity in said housing;   a nozzle assembly in said cavity;   a cover concealing said nozzle assembly in said cavity when in a closed position and allowing access to said nozzle assembly when in an opened position; and   a nozzle support holding said nozzle assembly in said cavity, said nozzle support being displaceable between a nozzle storage position when said cover is in said closed position and a nozzle presentation position when said cover is in said opened position.   
     
     
         2 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 1 , including a lock carried on said housing and securing said cover in said closed position. 
     
     
         3 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 2 , further including a release button for releasing said lock. 
     
     
         4 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 3 , further including a first spring biasing said cover into said open position. 
     
     
         5 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 4 , including a second spring connected to said nozzle support, said second spring biasing said nozzle support into said nozzle presentation position. 
     
     
         6 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 5 , wherein said nozzle assembly includes:
 a body including a suction opening;   a suction conduit carried on said body, said suction conduit including an inlet and an outlet; and   a release lever carried on said suction conduit, said release lever including a wand lock displaceable between a wand locking position and a wand releasing position.   
     
     
         7 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 6 , further including a third spring biasing said wand lock into said wand locking position. 
     
     
         8 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 7 , wherein said suction conduit includes a pivoting coupler pivotally securing said suction conduit to said body with said inlet in communication with said suction opening. 
     
     
         9 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 8 , further including a wand assembly including (a) a coupler for engaging said suction conduit, (b) a latch for engaging said wand lock and (c) a button for releasing said latch from said wand lock. 
     
     
         10 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 9 , wherein said nozzle support provides a pivoting cradle for engaging and holding said suction conduit. 
     
     
         11 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 10 , wherein said nozzle support includes an actuator that engages said release lever thereby displacing said wand lock into said wand releasing position whereby said nozzle assembly may be released and disconnected from said wand assembly and stowed in said cavity in a hands-free manner. 
     
     
         12 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 11 , wherein said actuator comprises a raised shoulder including an arcuate slot receiving said suction conduit. 
     
     
         13 . A vacuum cleaner, comprising:
 a nozzle assembly including a release lever; and   a wand assembly including a release button whereby either said release lever or said release button may be used to release a wand lock and disconnect said nozzle assembly from said wand assembly.   
     
     
         14 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 13 , further including a housing carrying a suction generator and a dirt collection vessel. 
     
     
         15 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 14 , wherein said housing carries a nozzle support including an actuator that engages said release lever thereby displacing said wand lock into a wand releasing position to allow said nozzle assembly to be released and disconnected from said wand assembly. 
     
     
         16 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 15 , wherein said nozzle support includes a pivoting cradle for engaging and holding said nozzle assembly. 
     
     
         17 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 16 , wherein said housing includes a cavity and said nozzle support is held in said cavity. 
     
     
         18 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 17 , wherein said housing includes a cover closing said cavity and concealing said nozzle support. 
     
     
         19 . A method for hands-free connection and disconnection of a nozzle assembly from a wand assembly, comprising:
 supporting said nozzle assembly in a cradle on a vacuum cleaner housing;   pushing said wand assembly and said nozzle assembly together to connect said wand assembly to said nozzle assembly while said nozzle assembly is held in said cradle;   removing said connected wand assembly and said nozzle assembly from said cradle for use;   resting said nozzle assembly in said cradle following use; and   disconnecting said wand assembly from said nozzle assembly in a hands-free manner while said nozzle assembly is supported in said cradle.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , including moving said nozzle assembly by manipulating said wand assembly so that a release lever on said nozzle assembly engages an actuator on said cradle to release a wand lock and thereby allow aid wand assembly to be disconnected from said nozzle assembly while said nozzle assembly is held in said cradle.