Accessory for vacuum cleaner with a hose

Abstract

The accessory includes a suction tube; a gripping handle (11) provided with a gripping handle (110); and a locking mechanism (13) comprising a latch (14) movable between a locked position in which the latch (14) locks the gripping handle (11) relative to the suction tube, and a release position in which the latch (14) allows the gripping handle (11) to pivot relative to the suction tube. The locking mechanism (13) includes a manual actuating member (21) located near the gripping handle (110) and movable between a rest position and an unlocked position, the locking mechanism (13) being configured such that a movement of the manual actuating member (21) from the rest position to the unlocked position results in a movement of the latch (14) from the locked position to the released position.

Description

technical field

[0001] The present invention relates more particularly to domestic canister vacuum cleaners for vacuuming dust and debris from a surface to be cleaned, which may be, for example, tile, parquet, laminate, carpet or rug.

[0002] In this description, a canister vacuum cleaner refers to a vacuum cleaner that can move by rolling along the floor, for example, using wheels or casters when in use. In a canister vacuum cleaner, a suction nozzle is typically connected to the vacuum body via an accessory consisting of a rigid suction tube and a flexible suction hose. During cleaning, the user holds the suction nozzle by a handle attached to the suction tube. The vacuum body of a canister vacuum cleaner is usually pulled by the user using the handle and suction hose; this method of movement is the origin of the name "canister vacuum cleaner."The term canister vacuum cleaner also covers vacuum cleaners with motorized wheels or casters that are able to follow the movements of the suction nozzle, the handle, or the user. State of the art

[0003] Document FR3123553 discloses an accessory for a canister-type vacuum cleaner, comprising: a suction tube comprising a first end portion to which a floor cleaning element is intended to be attached, and a second end portion opposite the first end portion and intended to be fluidly connected to a suction nozzle provided on a vacuum cleaner housing, a gripping handle comprising a main handle portion which is elongated and which is mechanically connected to the suction tube, and a gripping handle which is attached to a free end of the main handle portion and which is configured to be grasped by a user, the gripping handle being mounted articulated relative to the suction tube about a pivot axis and between a first handle position and a second handle position, and a locking mechanism configured to lock the gripping handle in the first handle position.

[0004] The locking mechanism includes a movable lock mounted on the gripping handle between a locking position in which the lock is configured to cooperate with a locking element provided on the suction tube so as to lock the gripping handle in the first handle position, and a release position in which the lock is configured to release the locking element so as to permit pivoting of the gripping handle between the first and second handle positions.

[0005] The locking mechanism further includes a manual actuating member which is configured to be operated by a user and which is movablely mounted on the grip handle between a rest position and an unlocked position, the locking mechanism being configured such that a movement of the manual actuating member from the rest position to the unlocked position results in a movement of the lock from the locked position to the released position.

[0006] According to document FR3123553, the lock and the manual actuation device are made in one piece and are positioned close to the pivot axis, and therefore at a distance from the gripping handle.

[0007] Thus, when a user, holding the grip handle by the grip handle with one of his hands, wishes to move the grip handle into a position in which the grip handle is inclined relative to the suction tube, for example in order to vacuum up waste located under a low piece of furniture, the user must then use his second hand to move the manual actuation member into the unlocking position and thus unlock the grip handle.

[0008] Such an unlocking operation may prove difficult for some users. Summary of the invention

[0009] The present invention aims to remedy this drawback.

[0010] The technical problem underlying the invention consists in particular of providing an accessory for a canister-type vacuum cleaner that is simple in structure, economical and ergonomic.

[0011] To this end, the invention relates to an accessory for a canister-type vacuum cleaner, comprising: a suction tube comprising a first end portion to which a floor cleaning element is intended to be attached, and a second end portion opposite the first end portion and intended to be fluidly connected to a suction nozzle provided on a vacuum cleaner housing; a gripping handle comprising a main handle portion having a longitudinal axis and mechanically connected to the suction tube, and a gripping handle fixed to a free end of the main handle portion and configured to be grasped by a user; the gripping handle being mounted articulated relative to the suction tube about a pivot axis and between a first handle position and a second handle position; and a locking mechanism configured to lock the gripping handle in the first handle position.the locking mechanism comprising a movably mounted lock on the gripping handle between a locked position in which the lock is configured to cooperate with a locking element provided on the suction tube so as to lock the gripping handle in the first handle position, and a release position in which the lock is configured to release the locking element so as to allow pivoting of the gripping handle between the first and second handle positions, the locking mechanism further comprising a manual actuation member which is configured to be operated by a user and which is movably mounted on the gripping handle between a rest position and an unlocked position,The locking mechanism is configured such that a movement of the manual actuation member from the rest position to the unlocked position results in a movement of the lock from the locked position to the released position.

[0012] The manual actuation member is located near the gripping handle and the locking mechanism includes at least one linking member configured to mechanically connect the manual actuation member to the lock.

[0013] Such a configuration of the locking mechanism, and in particular such an arrangement of the manual actuation member, allows a user to hold the grip handle and operate the manual actuation member with one hand, which greatly simplifies the unlocking of the grip handle and thus gives increased ergonomics to the accessory according to the present invention.

[0014] The accessory may also have one or more of the following characteristics, taken alone or in combination.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, the manual actuation device is configured so that it can be operated by a finger, for example the index finger, of a user's hand when the user is holding the grip with said hand. Such a configuration of the manual actuation device further enhances the ergonomics of the accessory according to the present invention.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the invention, the manual actuation member is configured to be operated by a user by pulling the manual actuation member towards the gripping handle.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the invention, the manual actuation member is an actuation trigger.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the invention, the manual actuation element is configured to be operated by a user by moving the manual actuation element away from the gripping handle, and for example by applying pressure to the manual actuation element. In such an embodiment of the invention, the manual actuation element may, for example, be an actuation button, such as a push button.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the invention, the manual actuation member is located substantially in the median longitudinal plane of the gripping handle.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the invention, the manual actuation device is actuated manually by a user from a lower surface of the main part of the handle. Such a configuration of the manual actuation device ensures easy actuation of the manual actuation device with the index finger of an operator holding the grip in their hand.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the invention, the manual actuation member is disposed at least in part opposite the gripping handle.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the invention, the gripping handle comprises a median longitudinal axis which is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the main part of the handle.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the invention, the manual actuation member comprises a fixing part disposed in the gripping handle and to which at least one connecting member is attached, and an actuation part projecting outside the gripping handle and configured to be actuated by a user.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the invention, the gripping handle has a passage opening through which the actuating part protrudes outwards. Advantageously, the manual actuating member includes a closing portion, such as a closing tab, configured to at least partially close the passage opening when the manual actuating member is in its rest position.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the invention, the actuating part is arranged under the main part of the handle and opposite the gripping handle. Such a configuration of the manual actuating element ensures easy actuation of the manual actuating element with the index finger of an operator holding the gripping handle in their hand.

[0026] According to another embodiment of the invention, the actuation part is disposed at least partly above the main part of the handle or behind the gripping handle.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one connecting member is elongated and extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the main part of the handle.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one connecting element is disposed in the gripping handle.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one connecting member comprises a first end portion fixed, for example by screwing, to the manual actuation member and a second end portion fixed, for example by screwing, to the lock.

[0030] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one connecting member is a connecting tie rod.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the invention, the locking mechanism comprises two connecting members extending on either side of the median longitudinal plane of the gripping handle.

[0032] According to one embodiment of the invention, the two connecting members extend substantially parallel to each other.

[0033] According to one embodiment of the invention, the second end portions of the two connecting members are connected to each other by a transverse connecting part.

[0034] According to one embodiment of the invention, the two connecting members are mechanically linked to the lock via the transverse connecting portion. Such a configuration of the locking mechanism ensures a better distribution of the forces applied to the lock, and therefore reliable locking of the grip handle in the first grip position.

[0035] According to one embodiment of the invention, the lock is mounted to slide on the main part of the handle along a sliding direction which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the main part of the handle.

[0036] According to one embodiment of the invention, the manual actuation member is mounted to slide on the grip handle in a direction of movement which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the main part of the handle.

[0037] According to one embodiment of the invention, the locking mechanism includes a guide device configured to guide the manual actuation member along the direction of movement during its movements between the rest position and the unlocked position.

[0038] According to one embodiment of the invention, the guiding device comprises two guide walls arranged on either side of the manual actuating member and configured to guide the manual actuating member laterally. Advantageously, the two guide walls are substantially parallel.

[0039] According to one embodiment of the invention, the guide device comprises two guide slots provided on the grip handle, and for example respectively on the two guide walls, and two lateral guide lugs provided on the manual actuation member and extending opposite each other, each lateral guide lug being mounted to slide in a respective guide slot.

[0040] According to one embodiment of the invention, the guide device comprises a lower support surface which is substantially flat and against which a lower part of the manual actuating member is able to slide when the manual actuating member is moved between the rest position and the unlocking position, and an upper support surface which is substantially flat and against which an upper part of the manual actuating member is able to slide when the manual actuating member is moved between the rest position and the unlocking position.

[0041] According to one embodiment of the invention, the lower support surface and the upper support surface are substantially parallel.

[0042] According to one embodiment of the invention, the manual actuation member comprises two upper support lugs configured to slide against the upper support surface when the manual actuation member is moved between the rest position and the unlocked position.

[0043] According to one embodiment of the invention, the lock comprises two lateral locking members arranged on either side of the median longitudinal plane of the gripping handle. This lock configuration ensures reliable locking of the gripping handle in its first position, thus guaranteeing a stable position for the handle when it occupies this position. Furthermore, this lock configuration does not require oversizing the gripping handle, thereby reducing its mass and size according to the present invention.

[0044] According to one embodiment of the invention, the two lateral locking members are arranged symmetrically with respect to the median longitudinal plane of the gripping handle. Such an arrangement of the lateral locking members ensures a better distribution of the forces required to hold the gripping handle in the first gripping position.

[0045] According to one embodiment of the invention, the two lateral locking members are arranged respectively near two lateral edges of the gripping handle.

[0046] According to one embodiment of the invention, the locking element comprises two lateral locking housings configured to cooperate respectively with the two lateral locking members when the gripping handle occupies the first handle position.

[0047] According to one embodiment of the invention, the locking element comprises two lateral locking arms each extending from the second end portion of the suction tube, each lateral locking housing being provided on a respective lateral locking arm.

[0048] According to one embodiment of the invention, each lateral locking arm has a free end provided with an end face, each lateral locking housing being provided on a respective end face.

[0049] According to one embodiment of the invention, the main part of the handle has two lateral notches configured to receive the lateral locking arms respectively when the gripping handle is in the first handle position.

[0050] According to one embodiment of the invention, each lateral locking member is configured to protrude into a respective lateral notch when the lock occupies the locked position.

[0051] According to one embodiment of the invention, each lateral locking member comprises an inclined actuation surface, for example formed by an actuation ramp, each inclined actuation surface being configured to cooperate with a respective lateral locking arm, during a pivoting of the grip handle towards the first handle position, so as to urge the lock towards the release position.

[0052] According to one embodiment of the invention, each of the lateral locking members is a lateral locking lug.

[0053] According to one embodiment of the invention, the locking mechanism includes a stressing element, such as a compression spring, configured to stress the lock in the locked position.

[0054] According to one embodiment of the invention, the lock includes a support part, such as a support finger, which is configured to exert a compressive force on the stressing element when the lock is moved to the release position.

[0055] According to one embodiment of the invention, when the gripping handle occupies the first handle position, the main part of the handle extends substantially parallel to the suction tube.

[0056] According to one embodiment of the invention, when the gripping handle occupies the second handle position, the main part of the handle is folded along the suction tube or against the suction tube.

[0057] According to one embodiment of the invention, the gripping handle is configured to occupy a plurality of intermediate positions located between the first handle position and the second handle position, and in each of which the main part of the handle is inclined with respect to a longitudinal axis of the suction tube.

[0058] According to one embodiment of the invention, the accessory further comprises a suction hose which is flexible and which is fluidly connected to the second end portion of the suction tube, the suction hose being intended to be connected to a suction nozzle provided on a vacuum cleaner housing.

[0059] According to one embodiment of the invention, the suction pipe is removably connected to the second end portion of the suction tube.

[0060] According to one embodiment of the invention, the main part of the handle is mechanically connected to the second end portion of the suction tube.

[0061] According to one embodiment of the invention, the gripping handle is hinged to the suction tube by means of a pivot joint that defines the pivot axis. Advantageously, the pivot joint is located near one end of the main part of the handle.

[0062] According to one embodiment of the invention, the second end portion of the suction tube comprises a tubular connecting nozzle to which the suction hose is connected. Advantageously, the pivot joint is offset laterally relative to the connecting nozzle.

[0063] The present invention further relates to a canister-type vacuum cleaner comprising: a vacuum cleaner housing, a suction nozzle disposed on the vacuum cleaner housing and through which air carrying waste can be sucked into the vacuum cleaner housing, a suction motor which is disposed in the vacuum cleaner housing and which is configured to generate an airflow through the suction nozzle, and an accessory according to the present invention.

[0064] According to one embodiment of the invention, the vacuum cleaner further comprises a floor cleaning element, such as a suction nozzle, which is attached, for example in a removable manner, to the first end portion of the suction tube. Brief description of the figures

[0065] The aims, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the following description of several embodiments of the invention, presented by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: There figure 1is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner according to a first embodiment of the invention; The figure 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a suction assembly belonging to the vacuum cleaner of the figure 1 ; There figure 3 is a top view of an accessory belonging to the vacuum cleaner of the figure 1 ; There figure 4 is a partial side view of the accessory of the figure 3 showing a handle in the unfolded position; The figure 5 is a partial side view of the accessory of the figure 3 showing the handle in the stowed position; The figure 6 is a partial side view of the accessory of the figure 3 showing the grip handle in an intermediate position; The figure 7 is a partial longitudinal cross-sectional view of the accessory of the figure 3 showing the handle in the unfolded position; The figure 8 is a partial longitudinal cross-sectional view of the accessory of the figure 3 showing the grip handle in an intermediate position; The figure 9 is a partial perspective cross-sectional view of the accessory of the figure 3 ; There Figure 10 is a partial rear perspective view of the accessory of the figure 3 ; There figure 11 is a top perspective view of a latch belonging to a locking mechanism of the accessory of the figure 3 ; There figure 12 is a perspective view from underneath the lock of the figure 11 ; There figure 13 is a partial perspective view from below of the accessory of the figure 3 ; There figure 14 is a partial perspective view from below of the accessory of the figure 3 ; There figure 15 is a partial rear perspective view of the accessory of the figure 3 ; There figure 16 is a top perspective view of a manual actuation element belonging to the accessory locking mechanism of the figure 3 ; There figure 17is a perspective view from below of the manual actuation mechanism of the figure 16 ; There figure 18 is a partial longitudinal cross-sectional view of the accessory of the figure 3 ; There figure 19 is a partial rear perspective view of an accessory according to a second embodiment of the invention; The Figure 20 is a partial rear perspective view of an accessory according to a third embodiment of the invention. Detailed description

[0066] Only the elements necessary for understanding the invention are shown. To facilitate reading the drawings, the same elements bear the same reference numbers from one figure to another.

[0067] THE figures 1 to 18 represent a sled-type vacuum cleaner 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention.

[0068] The vacuum cleaner 1 includes in particular a vacuum cleaner housing 2, and a suction nozzle 3 disposed on the vacuum cleaner housing 2 and through which air carrying waste can be sucked into the vacuum cleaner housing 2.

[0069] The vacuum cleaner 1 further includes a suction motor 4 which is disposed in the vacuum cleaner housing 2. The suction motor 4 comprises an electric motor and a fan which is coupled to the electric motor and which is configured to generate an airflow through the suction nozzle 3.

[0070] The vacuum cleaner 1 also includes a floor cleaning element 5, such as a suction nozzle, also known as a suction head.

[0071] The vacuum cleaner 1 further includes an accessory 6 comprising a suction tube 7 having a first end portion 7.1 to which is attached, for example in a removable manner, the floor cleaning element 5, and a second end portion 7.2 opposite the first end portion 7.1. Advantageously, the suction tube 7 is rigid, and can for example be telescopic.

[0072] Accessory 6 further includes a flexible suction hose 8. The suction hose 8 has a first end that is connected, for example removably, to the suction nozzle 3, and a second end that is connected, for example removably, to the second end portion 7.2 of the suction tube 7. Advantageously, the second end portion 7.2 of the suction tube 7 has a tubular connection nozzle 9 to which the second end of the suction hose 8 is connected. The suction hose 8 can, for example, be fitted with a cleaning brush 10 located near the second end of the suction hose 8.

[0073] Accessory 6 also includes a gripping handle 11 comprising a main handle portion 12 which is elongated and mechanically connected to the second end portion 7.2 of the suction tube 7. The gripping handle 11 further includes a gripping handle 110 which is provided at an upper end of the main handle portion 12 and which is configured to be grasped by a user so as to allow the user to manipulate the gripping handle 11 and thus the suction tube 7. Advantageously, the gripping handle 110 includes a median longitudinal axis which is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the main handle portion 12.

[0074] The gripping handle 11 is articulated on the suction tube 7 by means of a pivot joint P which defines a pivot axis A and which is located near one end of the main part of the handle 12. Advantageously, the pivot axis A is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the suction tube 7, and also to the longitudinal axis of the main part of the handle 12.

[0075] The gripping handle 11 is mounted movable relative to the suction tube 7 between a first handle position (see the Figures 1 And 7 ), also called the unfolded position, in which the main part of the handle 12 extends substantially parallel to the suction tube 7, and a second handle position (see the figure 5 ), also called storage position, in which the main part of the handle 12 is folded, for example at about 175°, along the suction tube or against the suction tube 7.

[0076] The grip handle 11 is also configured to occupy a plurality of intermediate positions (see the figures 6 And 8 ) located between the first handle position and the second handle position, and in each of which the main part of the handle 12 is inclined relative to the suction tube 7, for example at an angle of inclination between 90 and 135°. A user can, for example, move the grip handle 11 into one of the intermediate positions in order to easily vacuum up debris located under a low piece of furniture or a bed.

[0077] According to the embodiment shown on the figures 1 to 18 , the pivot joint P is offset laterally relative to the connecting end 9.

[0078] Accessory 6 further includes a locking mechanism 13 configured to lock the grip handle 11 in the first handle position.

[0079] The locking mechanism 13 includes a latch 14 slidably mounted on the main part of the handle 12 between a locked position in which the latch 14 is configured to cooperate with a locking element 15 provided on the suction tube 7 so as to lock the gripping handle 11 in the first handle position, and a release position in which the latch 14 is configured to release the locking element 15 so as to allow the gripping handle 11 to pivot between the first and second handle positions. Advantageously, the latch 14 is slidably mounted on the main part of the handle 12 along a sliding direction D that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the main part of the handle 12.

[0080] The lock 14 more particularly comprises two lateral locking members 16, such as lateral locking lugs, arranged respectively near two lateral edges of the main handle portion 12, and the locking element 15 more particularly comprises two lateral locking recesses 17, such as locking recesses or locking notches, configured to cooperate respectively with the two lateral locking members 16 when the gripping handle 11 is in the first handle position and the lock 14 is in the locked position. Advantageously, the two lateral locking members 16 are arranged on either side of the median longitudinal plane of the gripping handle 11 and symmetrically with respect to the median longitudinal plane of the gripping handle 11.

[0081] According to the embodiment shown on the figures 1 to 18, the locking element 15 has two lateral locking arms 18 each extending from the second end portion 7.2 of the suction tube 7, and each lateral locking housing 17 is provided on a respective lateral locking arm 18 and more particularly on an end face of a free end of the respective lateral locking arm 18.

[0082] Advantageously, the main handle portion 12 has two lateral notches 19 configured to receive the two lateral locking arms 18 respectively when the gripping handle 11 is in the first handle position. As shown in particular on the Figure 10 , each lateral locking member 16 is configured to protrude into a respective lateral notch 19 when the lock 14 occupies the locked position.

[0083] The pivot joint P can for example be formed by a hinge pin 20 whose ends are received respectively in receiving housings provided on the lateral locking arms 18.

[0084] The locking mechanism 13 further includes a manual actuating member 21 which is located near the gripping handle 110 and which is configured to be actuated by a user, and two connecting members 22, such as connecting tie rods, configured to mechanically connect the manual actuating member 21 to the lock 14. Advantageously, the two connecting members 22 are arranged in the gripping handle 11, and extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the main part of the handle 12.

[0085] According to the embodiment shown on the figures 1 to 18The manual actuating member 21 is slidably mounted on the main part of the handle 12 along a direction of movement that is substantially parallel to the sliding direction D and between a rest position and an unlocked position. The locking mechanism 13 is more specifically configured such that a movement of the manual actuating member 21 from the rest position to the unlocked position results in a movement of the lock 14 from the locked position to the released position.

[0086] The manual actuation member 21 is specifically configured so that it can be actuated by a finger of a user's hand when the user is holding the grip 110 with that hand. Advantageously, the manual actuation member 21 is located substantially in the median longitudinal plane of the grip 11.

[0087] According to the embodiment shown on the figures 1 to 18 The manual actuation member 21 is an actuation trigger and comprises a mounting portion 23 disposed within the grip handle 11, to which the connecting members 22 are attached, and an actuation portion 24 projecting outside the grip handle 11 through a passage 25 provided in the grip handle 11, and configured to be actuated by a user. Thus, the manual actuation member 21 is configured to be actuated by a user by pulling the manual actuation member 21 towards the grip handle 110.

[0088] Advantageously, the actuation part 24 is arranged under the main handle part 12 and opposite the gripping handle 110. Thus, the manual actuation member 21 can be manually operated by a user from a lower surface of the main handle part 12.

[0089] According to the embodiment shown on the figures 1 to 18 The gripping handle 11 includes a protective portion 26 which extends substantially parallel to and opposite the gripping handle 110, and which comprises a first end portion fixed to the main part of the handle 12 and a second end portion fixed to a free end of the gripping handle 110. Advantageously, the protective portion 26 and the gripping handle 110 define a receiving recess 27 configured to receive the fingers of a user who has grasped the gripping handle 110, and the manual actuation member 21 is disposed at least in part in the receiving recess 27.

[0090] The manual actuation member 21 may further include a sealing part 28, such as a sealing tab, configured to at least partially close the passage opening 25 when the manual actuation member 21 is in the rest position.

[0091] As shown on the figure 13 The gripping handle 11 is hollow and defines an internal housing in which the two connecting members 22 and the lock 14 are arranged. Each connecting member 22 has a first end portion fixed, for example by screwing, to the manual actuating member 21 and a second end portion which is opposite the respective first end portion. According to the embodiment shown in the figures 1 to 18 , the second end portions of the two connecting members 22 are connected to each other by a transverse connecting part which is fixed, for example by screwing, to the lock 14.

[0092] The locking mechanism 13 also includes a guide device configured to guide the manual actuating member 21 according to the direction of movement during its movements between the rest position and the unlocked position.

[0093] The guiding device comprises two guide walls 29 (see the figure 14 ) which are substantially parallel and which are arranged on either side of the manual actuation member 21. The two guide walls 29 are more particularly configured to guide the manual actuation member 21 laterally.

[0094] The guiding device also includes two guide slots 31 (see the figure 14) provided respectively on the two guide walls 29 and extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the main part of the handle 12, and two lateral guide lugs 32 provided on the manual actuation member 21 and extending opposite each other, each lateral guide lug 32 being mounted to slide in a respective guide slot 31.

[0095] As shown on the figure 18The guide device further comprises a lower bearing surface 33, which is substantially flat and against which a lower portion of the manual actuating member 21 is able to slide when the manual actuating member 21 is moved between the rest position and the unlocked position, and an upper bearing surface 34, which is substantially flat and against which an upper portion of the manual actuating member 21 is able to slide when the manual actuating member 21 is moved between the rest position and the unlocked position. Advantageously, the lower bearing surface 33 and the upper bearing surface 34 are substantially parallel.

[0096] According to the first embodiment of the invention, the manual actuation member 21 comprises two upper support lugs 35 arranged on either side of the median longitudinal plane of the grip handle 11 and configured to slide against the upper support surface 34 when the manual actuation member 21 is moved between the rest position and the unlocked position, and a lower sliding surface 36 configured to rest and slide on the lower support surface 33.

[0097] The locking mechanism 13 further includes a stress element 37, such as a compression spring, configured to stress the lock 14 in the locked position. Advantageously, the stress element 37 extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the main handle portion 12. According to the embodiment shown in the figures 1 to 18, the lock 14 includes a support part 38, such as a support finger, which is configured to exert a compressive force on the stressing element 37 when the lock 14 is moved to the release position.

[0098] When a user wishes to pivot the handle 11 into a position where the main part of the handle 12 is inclined relative to the suction tube 7, for example, to easily vacuum up debris located under a low piece of furniture or a bed, the user unlocks the handle 11 by moving the manual actuating member 21 into the unlocked position against the restoring force exerted by the actuating element 37. Such a movement of the manual actuating member 21 causes the lock 14 to move into the release position, and thus the two lateral locking members 16 to move out of the lateral locking recesses 17. The user can then freely pivot the handle 11 relative to the suction tube 7 so that the main part of the handle 12 is inclined relative to the suction tube 7.

[0099] In order for a user to easily lock the grip 11 in the first grip position, i.e. without necessarily having to actuate the manual actuation member 21 to move it to the unlocked position, each lateral locking member 16 advantageously includes an inclined actuation surface 39, for example formed by an actuation ramp. Each inclined actuation surface 39 is more specifically configured to cooperate with the respective lateral locking arm 18, when the grip 11 is pivoted towards the first grip position, so as to engage the lock 14 towards the release position, and thus allow the grip 11 to move into the first grip position.When the two lateral locking members 16 are located opposite the lateral locking housings 17, the stressing element 37 stresses the lock 14 into the locking position and the lateral locking members 16 are then automatically moved into the lateral locking housings 17.

[0100] There figure 19 represents an accessory 6 according to a second embodiment of the invention which differs from the first embodiment essentially in that the actuating part 24 is disposed at least in part above the main part of the handle 12. According to such an embodiment of the invention, the manual actuating member 21 is manually actuable by a user from a top surface of the main part of the handle 12.

[0101] There Figure 20represents an accessory 6 according to a third embodiment of the invention which differs from the first embodiment essentially in that the manual actuation member 21 is configured to be operated by a user by moving the manual actuation member 21 away from the gripping handle 110, and for example by exerting pressure on the manual actuation member 21. According to such an embodiment of the invention, the manual actuation member 21 can for example be an actuation button, such as a push button.

[0102] Of course, the invention is by no means limited to the embodiments described and illustrated, which have been given only as examples. Modifications remain possible, particularly with regard to the composition of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

1. Accessory (6) for a canister-type vacuum cleaner, comprising: • a suction tube (7) comprising a first end portion (7.1) to which a floor cleaning element (5) is intended to be fixed, and a second end portion (7.2) opposite the first end portion (7.1) and intended to be fluidly connected to a suction nozzle (3) provided on a vacuum cleaner housing (2), • a gripping handle (11) comprising a main handle portion (12) having a longitudinal axis and mechanically connected to the suction tube (7), and a gripping handle (110) fixed to a free end of the main handle portion (12) and configured to be gripped by a user, the gripping handle (11) being pivotably mounted relative to the suction tube (7) around a pivot axis and between a first handle position and a second handle position, and • a locking mechanism (13) configured to lock the gripping handle (11) in the first handle position, the locking mechanism (13) comprising a lock (14) movable on the gripping handle (11) between a locking position in which the lock (14) is configured to cooperate with a locking element (15) provided on the suction tube (7) to lock the gripping handle (11) in the first handle position, and a release position in which the lock (14) is configured to release the locking element (15) to allow the gripping handle (11) to pivot between the first and second handle positions, the locking mechanism (13) further comprising a manual actuation member (21) configured to be activated by a user and movably mounted on the gripping handle (11) between a rest position and an unlocking position, the locking mechanism (13) being configured such that moving the manual actuation member (21) from the rest position to the unlocking position causes the lock (14) to move from the locking position to the release position, characterized in that the manual actuation member (21) is located near the gripping handle (110) and in that the locking mechanism (13) comprises at least one linking member (22) configured to mechanically connect the manual actuation member (21) to the lock (14).

2. Accessory (6) according to claim 1, wherein the manual actuation member (21) is configured to be activated by a finger of a user's hand when the user holds the gripping handle (110) with said hand.

3. Accessory (6) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the manual actuation member (21) is configured to be activated by a user by pulling the manual actuation member (21) toward the gripping handle (110).

4. Accessory (6) according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the manual actuation member (21) comprises a fixing part (23) disposed in the gripping handle (11) and to which the at least one linking member (22) is fixed, and an actuation portion (24) protruding outside the gripping handle (11) and configured to be activated by a user.

5. Accessory (6) according to claim 4, wherein the actuation portion (24) is disposed under the main handle portion (12) and adjacent to the gripping handle (110).

6. Accessory (6) according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the at least one linking member (22) is elongated and extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the main handle portion (12).

7. Accessory (6) according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the at least one linking member (22) is disposed within the gripping handle (11).

8. Accessory (6) according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the at least one linking member (22) is a connecting rod.

9. Accessory (6) according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the locking mechanism (13) comprises two linking members (22) extending on either side of the median longitudinal plane of the gripping handle (11).

10. Accessory (6) according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the lock (14) is slidably mounted on the main handle portion (12) in a sliding direction (D) which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the main handle portion (12).

11. Accessory (6) according to any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the manual actuation member (21) is slidably mounted on the gripping handle (11) in a moving direction which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the main handle portion (12).

12. Accessory (6) according to claim 11, wherein the locking mechanism (13) comprises a guiding device configured to guide the manual actuation member (21) along the moving direction during its movements between the rest position and the unlocking position.

13. Accessory (6) according to any of claims 1 to 12, wherein the lock (14) comprises two lateral locking members (16) disposed on either side of the median longitudinal plane of the gripping handle (11).

14. Accessory (6) according to claim 13, wherein each of the lateral locking members (16) is a lateral locking lug.

15. Accessory (6) according to any of claims 1 to 14, wherein the locking mechanism (13) comprises a biasing element (37) configured to bias the lock (14) into the locking position.

16. Accessory (6) according to any of claims 1 to 15, wherein, when the gripping handle (11) occupies the first handle position, the main handle portion (12) extends substantially parallel to the suction tube (7).

17. Accessory (6) according to any of claims 1 to 16, further comprising a suction hose (8) which is flexible and fluidly connected to the second end portion (7.2) of the suction tube (7), the suction hose (8) being intended to be connected to a suction nozzle (3) provided on a vacuum cleaner housing (2).

18. Canister-type vacuum cleaner (1) comprising: • a vacuum cleaner housing (2), • a suction nozzle (3) disposed on the vacuum cleaner housing (2) through which air carrying debris can be sucked into the vacuum cleaner housing (2), • a suction motor (4) disposed in the vacuum cleaner housing (2) and configured to generate an air flow through the suction nozzle (3), and • an accessory (6) according to any of claims 1 to 17.

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