Cleaning tool set

Abstract

A cleaning tool set according to the present disclosure comprises a vacuum cleaner configured to suck in dust, a holder configured to hold the vacuum cleaner, and a connection-maintaining unit. The connection-maintaining unit maintains a connection state between the vacuum cleaner and the holder so as to allow the holder to be lifted together with the vacuum cleaner without being separated from the vacuum cleaner, and is configured such that the connection state can be released by a user operation.

Description

Cleaning tool set

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cleaning tool set including a vacuum cleaner and a holder for holding the vacuum cleaner when not in use.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a stick-type vacuum cleaner 300 shown in Figure 33. This vacuum cleaner 300 has a vacuum cleaner body 330 configured to generate suction force, a suction tube 320 extending from the vacuum cleaner body 330, and a suction nozzle 310 connected to the tip of the suction tube 320. The vacuum cleaner body 330 is provided with a grip 331 formed so that it can be gripped by a user.

[0003] 33, the user holds the vacuum cleaner 300 by gripping the handle 331 and tilting the suction tube 320 backward relative to the suction nozzle 310. In this state, the suction nozzle 310 is positioned away from the user, and dust in this position can be sucked into the vacuum cleaner body 330 through the suction nozzle 310 and the suction tube 320 by the suction force of the vacuum cleaner body 330.

[0004] 34, the user can hold the vacuum cleaner 300 on the holder 340 in an upright position with the suction tube 320 standing upright relative to the suction nozzle 310. In this position, the size of the vacuum cleaner 300 in the front-to-rear direction is smaller than when the suction tube 320 is in a rearward tilted position relative to the suction nozzle 310.

[0005] The holder 340 has a mounting portion 341 having a width sufficient to mount the suction nozzle 310 thereon, and a rectangular pillar-shaped standing support portion 342 standing upright from the mounting portion 341. When the vacuum cleaner 300 is placed on the mounting portion 341, the front surface of the standing support portion 342 abuts against the rear surface of the suction tube 320 in the standing position, and the standing support portion 342 prevents the suction tube 320 from tilting backward from the standing position.

[0006] In order to position the vacuum cleaner 300 placed on the placing part 341 in the left-right direction, as shown in Fig. 35, a positioning rail 343 extending in the up-down direction is provided on the front surface of the standing support part 342. Then, as shown in Fig. 33, an insertion plate 321 formed so as to be insertable into the positioning rail 343 from above is attached to the rear surface of the suction pipe 320.

[0007] When the cleaning work is finished, the user can place the vacuum cleaner 300 on the mounting portion 341 while inserting the insertion plate 321 from above into the positioning rail 343. Then, when the cleaning work is to be resumed, the user lifts the vacuum cleaner 300. At this time, the insertion plate 321 is displaced upward, and the engagement between the insertion plate 321 and the positioning rail 343 is released.

[0008] It is assumed that a user cleans multiple rooms. For example, the user may clean the living room and then the study. In this case, if the holder 340 is located in the living room, the user can return to the living room after cleaning the study and have the vacuum cleaner 300 held by the holder 340. However, it is assumed that the user will find it inconvenient to return to the room where the holder 340 is located in order to store the vacuum cleaner 300.

[0009] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-110509

[0010] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a cleaning tool set that reduces the effort required by a user when cleaning multiple rooms.

[0011] The cleaning tool set of the present disclosure comprises a vacuum cleaner configured to suck up dust, a holder configured to hold the vacuum cleaner, and a connection maintaining part configured to maintain a connection between the vacuum cleaner and the holder so that the holder can be lifted together with the vacuum cleaner without separating from the vacuum cleaner, and to enable this connection to be released by operation by the user.

[0012] The cleaning tool set of the present disclosure can reduce the effort required by the user when cleaning multiple rooms.

[0013] The objects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

[0014] 13A perspective view of a cleaning tool set (first embodiment)A side view of a vacuum cleaner using the cleaning tool setA cross-sectional view of the cleaning tool setA perspective view of a storage case provided in a holder for the cleaning tool setA perspective view of the holderA perspective view of another cleaning tool setA perspective view of a storage case equipped with a retraction biasing part that biases the storage case to a retracted positionA perspective view of the cleaning tool set (second embodiment)A cross-sectional view of the cleaning tool setA cross-sectional view of the holderA perspective view of the storage caseA perspective view of the cleaning tool set (third embodiment)A cross-sectional view of the cleaning tool setA cross-sectional view of the cleaning tool set taken along line XIV-XIV in FIG. 13A perspective view of an expanded cleaning tool setA perspective view of another cleaning tool set 1. Exploded perspective view of a cleaning tool set having an engagement locking portion; 2. Exploded perspective view of the cleaning tool set; 3. Perspective view of the engagement locking portion; 4. Cross-sectional view of the cleaning tool set (fourth embodiment); 5. Perspective view of the cleaning tool set; 6. Cross-sectional view of another cleaning tool set; 7. Perspective view of the cleaning tool set (seventh embodiment); 8. Plan view of the cleaning tool set; 9. Plan view of the cleaning tool set; 10. Side view of a conventional vacuum cleaner; 11. Perspective view of a conventional cleaning tool set; 12. Perspective view of a conventional holder

[0015] Hereinafter, first to seventh embodiments of the cleaning tool set will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art, for example, detailed descriptions of well-known matters or redundant descriptions of substantially identical configurations may be omitted. Note that the accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter recited in the claims.

[0016] 1, the cleaning tool set 100 includes a vacuum cleaner 101 configured to suck up dust on a floor surface, and a holder 102 that holds the vacuum cleaner 101 when the vacuum cleaner 101 is not in use. A user can perform cleaning work by separating the vacuum cleaner 101 from the holder 102. After finishing cleaning work, the user can store the vacuum cleaner 101 by holding the vacuum cleaner 101 in the holder 102.

[0017] 2, the vacuum cleaner 101 includes a vacuum cleaner body 110 incorporating a suction source 111 that generates a suction force for sucking in dust, and a dust collector 140 attached to the underside of the vacuum cleaner body 110. The suction source 111 is configured to suck air from within the dust collector 140, and may include, for example, a motor that generates a rotational force and rotating blades that are configured to generate an upward airflow when rotated by the motor.

[0018] A filter 112 that allows air to pass through while capturing dust contained in the air is disposed between the vacuum cleaner body 110 and the dust collecting device 140. A grip 113 formed to be grippable by a user and a suction tube 120 that forms a flow path 123 through which dust sucked in by the suction force of the suction source 111 flows are disposed on the front sides of the vacuum cleaner body 110 and the dust collecting device 140. A part of the suction tube 120 and the grip 113 are formed integrally with the vacuum cleaner body 110.

[0019] The suction tube 120 extends in the vertical direction below the grip part 113. More specifically, the suction tube 120 has a base end pipe part 121 formed integrally with the vacuum cleaner body 110 and the grip part 113, and an extension pipe part 122 extending downward from the base end pipe part 121. Within the base end pipe part 121, a flow path 123 is bent toward the dust collector 140. The extension pipe part 122 is detachable from the base end pipe part 121. A suction nozzle 130 is attached to the lower end of the extension pipe part 122, and the suction force of the suction source 111 is used to suck in dust on the floor surface.

[0020] 3, the lower end of the extension pipe 122 fits into the rear of the suction nozzle 130. The connection between the suction nozzle 130 and the extension pipe 122 is configured to allow the extension pipe 122 to tilt back and forth relative to the suction nozzle 130.

[0021] The extension tube 122 has a first tube 124 and a second tube 125 which have different outer diameters. The second tube 125 is a portion that extends downward from the base end tube 121. The first tube 124 is a portion that is connected to the lower end of the second tube 125, and the outer diameter of the first tube 124 is larger than the outer diameter of the second tube 125.

[0022] The extension tube 122 shown in Figures 2 and 3 is in a position that is relatively close to a right angle with respect to the suction nozzle 130 within the tilting range of the extension tube 122. In the following description, this position will be referred to as the "standing position." During cleaning work, a user can tilt the extension tube 122 backward from this standing position to move the suction nozzle 130 forward away from the user. In the following description, this position will be referred to as the "rearward tilting position." Because the extension tube 122 and the suction nozzle 130 can tilt relative to each other, when a user holds the vacuum cleaner 101 in a suspended position as shown in Figure 1, the suction nozzle 130 tilts downward from the position shown in Figure 2, and the tip of the suction nozzle 130 assumes a position facing downward.

[0023] The suction nozzle 130 is provided to suck up dust from a wide floor area in the left-right direction, and as shown in Fig. 1, has a nozzle case 133 that is wider than the suction pipe 120. As shown in Fig. 3, a suction space 131 that communicates with the flow path 123 of the suction pipe 120 is formed in a nozzle front part 135, which is the front part of the nozzle case 133. The suction space 131 opens downward so that dust on the floor surface flows into the suction space 131 by the suction force of the suction source 111. A rotating brush 132 is disposed in the suction space 131 to scrape off dust from the floor surface, and a portion of the rotating brush 132 protrudes downward from the nozzle case 133 through the opening of the suction space 131 and comes into contact with the floor surface.

[0024] The lower end of the suction pipe 120 is connected to a nozzle rear part 136, which is the rear portion of the nozzle case 133. If a downward force is applied to the connection between the nozzle rear part 136 and the lower end of the suction pipe 120, this force may act to lift the nozzle front part 135 off the floor. To prevent the nozzle front part 135 from lifting off the floor, a lift prevention part 137 is provided on the rear side of the nozzle rear part 136.

[0025] The anti-floating part 137 has a bracket 138 that protrudes rearward from the nozzle rear part 136 below the connection between the nozzle rear part 136 and the suction pipe 120, and a plurality of auxiliary rollers 134 rotatably attached to the bracket 138. The lower parts of these auxiliary rollers 134 protrude downward from the underside of the bracket 138 and are grounded on the floor surface behind the connection between the nozzle rear part 136 and the suction pipe 120. These auxiliary rollers 134 roll on the floor surface to assist the movement of the suction nozzle 130. The auxiliary rollers 134 and the rotating brush 132 that come into contact with the floor surface form the lower end of the suction nozzle 130.

[0026] (Structure of Holder, etc.) As shown in FIG. 1 , the holder 102 has a mounting portion 150 in the shape of a substantially rectangular plate that is placed on the floor. The mounting portion 150 is wider than the suction nozzle 130 so that a user can place the suction nozzle 130 on the mounting portion 150. A storage column 155 having a C-shaped cross section that opens forward in a plan view is erected on the mounting portion 150. This storage column 155 is configured to be able to accommodate the anti-floating portion 137 of the suction nozzle 130 from the front side. A standing support portion 160 having a C-shaped cross section that opens forward in a plan view protrudes from the upper end of the storage column 155. As shown in FIG. 3 , the first tube portion 124 of the suction tube 120 is fitted into the standing support portion 160 from the front side. In this state, the upright support part 160 contacts the rear end of the first tube part 124, preventing the suction tube 120 from tilting backward from the upright position. The upright support part 160 also prevents the suction tube 120 from tilting left or right.

[0027] As shown in Fig. 1, a storage case 170 is disposed above the mounting portion 150, and stores the nozzle front portion 135 when the vacuum cleaner 101 is attached to the holder 102. The storage case 170 can be rotated back and forth between the position shown in Fig. 1 and the position shown in Fig. 3. In the following description, the position of the storage case 170 shown in Fig. 1 will be referred to as the "retracted position," and the position of the storage case 170 shown in Fig. 3 will be referred to as the "engaged position."

[0028] The storage case 170 has a force receiving portion 171 that comes into contact with the rotating brush 132 when the nozzle front portion 135 is housed in the storage case 170, and an engaging portion 172 that is formed integrally with the force receiving portion 171. The engaging portion 172 is configured to cover the nozzle front portion 135 from above and engage with the nozzle front portion 135 when the storage case 170 housing the nozzle front portion 135 is in the engaged position. The engaging portion 172 functions as a connection maintaining portion 103 that maintains the connection state of the holder 102 to the vacuum cleaner 101 when the vacuum cleaner 101 attached to the holder 102 is lifted from the floor surface.

[0029] A pair of side walls 173, 174 are fixed to the left and right ends of the force receiving portion 171 and the engaging portion 172. The force receiving portion 171, the engaging portion 172, and the side walls 173, 174 are integrally formed and form a complementary insertion space 175 in the nozzle front portion 135. The insertion space 175 opens upward when the storage case 170 is in the retracted position as shown in FIG. 1, and in this state, the nozzle front portion 135 is inserted into the insertion space 175 from above. The insertion space 175 opens rearward when the storage case 170 is in the engaged position as shown in FIG.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 1 , a rotation support portion 156 is provided on the mounting portion 150 to rotatably support the storage case 170 on the mounting portion 150. The rotation support portion 156 has supports 151 and 152 that protrude upward from the upper surface of the mounting portion 150 and face side walls 173 and 174 of the storage case 170, respectively. As shown in FIG. 4 , the rotation support portion 156 further has bosses 176 and 177 that protrude outward from the side walls 173 and 174 of the storage case 170, and as shown in FIG. 5 , the supports 151 and 152 are provided with recesses 153 and 154 that are complementary to the bosses 176 and 177. The bosses 176 and 177 fit into the recesses 153 and 154, respectively, so that the storage case 170 is supported on the mounting portion 150 so as to be rotatable about the bosses 176 and 177.

[0031] The fitting strength between bosses 176, 177 and recesses 153, 154 is set so that storage case 170, which is in the retracted position shown in Fig. 1, will not return to the engaged position shown in Fig. 3 due to its own weight. If a user places nozzle front portion 135 in storage case 170 shown in Fig. 1 and applies a downward force to force receiving portion 171 with the lower end of nozzle front portion 135 (i.e., rotating brush 132), storage case 170 can be rotated rearward toward the engaged position.

[0032] The fitting strength between bosses 176, 177 and recesses 153, 154 is set so that when vacuum cleaner 101 shown in Fig. 3 is lifted together with holder 102 from the floor, holder 102 does not rotate relative to storage case 170 due to its own weight. If a user lifts vacuum cleaner 101 shown in Fig. 3 while holding down base 150 placed on the floor with their feet, engaging portion 172 of storage case 170 may be subjected to a large upward external force from nozzle front portion 135. In this case, storage case 170 can rotate forward from the engaging position shown in Fig. 3 and reach the retracted position.

[0033] (Operation of the cleaning tool set during cleaning work) The vacuum cleaner 101 is attached to the holder 102 and stored as shown in Figure 3. When starting cleaning work, the user carries the vacuum cleaner 101 to the room to be cleaned. When the user lifts the vacuum cleaner 101 to carry it to the room to be cleaned, the suction nozzle 130 of the vacuum cleaner 101 gets caught on the engaging portion 172 of the storage case 170. As a result, the holder 102 is also lifted off the floor together with the vacuum cleaner 101.

[0034] At this time, bosses 176, 177 are tightly fitted into recesses 153, 154 of supports 151, 152 to a certain extent, so no relative rotation occurs between storage case 170 and holder 102. In other words, storage case 170 and holder 102 can be carried to a room to be cleaned together with vacuum cleaner 101 while maintaining the posture shown in FIG.

[0035] The user carries the holder 102 together with the vacuum cleaner 101 to the room to be cleaned, and then places the holder 102 and the vacuum cleaner 101 on the floor of the room. Then, the user holds down the mounting portion 150 with their feet and pulls the vacuum cleaner 101 upward. As a result, the engaging portion 172 of the storage case 170 receives a strong external force in the upward direction from the nozzle front portion 135, and the storage case 170 rotates around the bosses 176 and 177 and displaces to the retracted position.

[0036] When the storage case 170 is displaced to the retracted position, the insertion space 175 of the storage case 170 opens upward, as shown in Figure 1, and the engagement part 172 of the storage case 170 assumes a substantially upright position relative to the mounting part 150. This allows the user to pull the vacuum cleaner 101 upward from the holder 102 without hooking the suction nozzle 130 onto the engagement part 172 of the storage case 170. The user can then use this vacuum cleaner 101 to suck up dust scattered on the floor of the room to be cleaned.

[0037] The bosses 176 and 177 are tightly fitted into the recesses 153 and 154 so that the storage case 170 does not return from the retracted position to the engaged position under its own weight. Therefore, the storage case 170 is held in the retracted position while the user is performing cleaning work.

[0038] When the cleaning work is completed, the user holds the vacuum cleaner 101 above the storage case 170 held in the retracted position, as shown in Figure 1. At this time, the vacuum cleaner 101 is suspended in the air, so the suction nozzle 130 rotates downward. As a result, the nozzle front 135 of the suction nozzle 130 faces downward. At this time, the insertion space 175 of the storage case 170 held in the retracted position opens upward, so when the user moves the vacuum cleaner 101 downward, the nozzle front 135 is housed in the storage case 170.

[0039] The nozzle front portion 135 housed in the housing case 170 is surrounded by the force receiving portion 171, the engaging portion 172, and the side wall portions 173 and 174 of the housing case 170. Therefore, even if dust falls from the rotating brush 132 of the suction nozzle 130 when a user houses the nozzle front portion 135 in the housing case 170, the dust can be contained within the insertion space 175 of the housing case 170. In other words, the housing case 170 can prevent dust from scattering when the vacuum cleaner 101 is attached to the holder 102.

[0040] After the nozzle front part 135 is housed in the housing 170, the user can press downward on the force receiving part 171 of the housing 170 with the rotating brush 132 that forms the lower end of the front part of the suction nozzle 130. When the user presses the force receiving part 171 with a certain degree of force, the housing 170 rotates around the bosses 176 and 177 and displaces to the engagement position.

[0041] In the cleaning tool set 100 shown in FIG. 3 , when the vacuum cleaner 101 is lifted, the nozzle front portion 135 of the vacuum cleaner 101 hooks onto the engagement portion 172 of the storage case 170, and the holder 102 to which the storage case 170 is connected is lifted together with the vacuum cleaner 101 from the floor. At this time, the bosses 176 and 177 protruding from the side wall portions 173 and 174 of the storage case 170 are engaged with strong force into the recesses 153 and 154 of the supports 151 and 152 protruding from the mounting portion 150 of the holder 102. Therefore, even if the holder 102 is lifted off the floor, the weight of the holder 102 does not cause the holder 102 to rotate around the bosses 176 and 177. Therefore, a user can carry the vacuum cleaner 101 and the holder 102 together to the room to be cleaned while maintaining the state shown in FIG. 3 . The user does not need to carry the cleaner 101 and the holder 102 separately to the room where the cleaning work is to be performed, which reduces the user's effort when the user performs cleaning work in multiple rooms.

[0042] To remove the vacuum cleaner 101 from the holder 102, the user simply holds down the mounting portion 150 with their foot and pulls the vacuum cleaner 101 upward. At this time, the engaging portion 172 receives a strong upward force from the nozzle front portion 135 of the vacuum cleaner 101. This causes the storage case 170 to rotate around the bosses 176 and 177 and move to the retracted position. When the storage case 170 moves to the retracted position, the engaging portion 172 takes an upright position facing upward relative to the mounting portion 150. In this state, the user can pull the nozzle front portion 135 upward from the storage case 170 without hooking it on the engaging portion 172, thereby separating the vacuum cleaner 101 from the holder 102. The user can then perform cleaning using the vacuum cleaner 101 separated from the holder 102.

[0043] During this cleaning operation, the storage case 170 is held in the retracted position. That is, the bosses 176, 177 are engaged with the recesses 153, 154 of the supports 151, 152 with such a strong force that the storage case 170 does not rotate under its own weight, and therefore the storage case 170 does not return from the retracted position to the engaged position. When the storage case 170 is in the retracted position, the insertion space 175 of the storage case 170 opens upward, so the user can easily insert the nozzle front portion 135 into the insertion space 175 from the top of the storage case 170.

[0044] After inserting the nozzle front portion 135 into the storage case 170, the user can use the rotating brush 132 of the suction nozzle 130 to press downward on the force receiving portion 171 of the storage case 170, thereby rotating the storage case 170 from the retracted position to the engaged position. When the storage case 170 reaches the engaged position, the first tube portion 124 of the suction tube 120 of the vacuum cleaner 101 is housed in the forward-opening upright support portion 160. At this time, the upright support portion 160 contacts the rear end of the first tube portion 124, preventing the suction tube 120 from tipping backward. Therefore, after a cleaning operation, the vacuum cleaner 101 is held by the holder 102 so that the suction tube 120 remains in an upright position. With the suction tube 120 in the upright position, the vacuum cleaner 101 does not increase in size in the front-to-rear direction, so a large space in the front-to-rear direction is not required for storing the vacuum cleaner 101 when not in use.

[0045] The cleaning tool set 100 shown in Fig. 1 has a force receiving portion 171 to facilitate the operation of rotating the storage case 170 from the retracted position to the engaged position. However, as shown in Fig. 6, the force receiving portion 171 may be omitted. In this case, the user can push the engaging portion 172 backward with their foot to move the storage case 170 to the engaged position.

[0046] In the cleaning tool set 100 shown in FIG. 1 , the bosses 176, 177 fit tightly into the recesses 153, 154 so that the holder 102, when lifted off the floor together with the vacuum cleaner 101, does not rotate around the bosses 176, 177. However, if the storage case 170 is heavier than the holder 102, it is expected that the storage case 170 will return from the retracted position to the engaged position while the user is performing cleaning work. In such a case, the cleaning tool set 100 may further include a retraction biasing portion 157, as shown in FIG. 7 , that biases the storage case 170 toward the retracted position. The retraction biasing portion 157 may be formed, for example, by a torsion spring wound around the bosses 176, 177.

[0047] In the vacuum cleaner 101 of the cleaning tool set 100 shown in FIG. 1 , the suction tube 120 can tilt back and forth relative to the suction nozzle 130. Alternatively, the suction tube 120 may be fixed in an upright position relative to the suction nozzle 130. In this case, the holder 102 may not have the upright support portion 160, and the storage case 170 may be fixed in an engaged position. When the cleaning tool set 100 is configured in this manner, a user can insert the nozzle front part 135 into the storage case 170 from the rear. In this state, if the user lifts the vacuum cleaner 101, the holder 102 can be lifted off the floor together with the vacuum cleaner 101. When using the vacuum cleaner 101, the user can move the vacuum cleaner 101 backward and pull the nozzle front part 135 out of the storage case 170.

[0048] The vacuum cleaner 101 of the cleaning tool set 100 shown in Fig. 1 has a floating prevention part 137. Alternatively, if there is no risk that the nozzle front part 135 will float up from the floor surface, the floating prevention part 137 may be omitted.

[0049] Second Embodiment In the cleaning tool set 100 of the first embodiment, the storage case 170 is held in the engaged position and the retracted position by the strength of the fit between the bosses 176, 177 and the recesses 153, 154. However, in this case, it is expected that this holding function will be lost due to wear of the bosses 176, 177. The cleaning tool set 100 may be configured as shown in Figures 8 and 9 so that the storage case 170 can be held in the engaged position and the retracted position even if the fit between the bosses 176, 177 and the recesses 153, 154 weakens. Note that the storage case 170 of the cleaning tool set 100 shown in Figure 8 is in the retracted position, and the storage case 170 of the cleaning tool set 100 shown in Figure 9 is in the engaged position.

[0050] As will be described later, the storage case 170 of the cleaning tool set 100 shown in Fig. 9 is locked in the engaged position, and unless this lock is released, the vacuum cleaner 101 cannot be separated from the holder 102. A release operating unit 180 that is operated to release this lock is provided at a position spaced forward from the storage case 170, as shown in Fig. 8.

[0051] As shown in Fig. 9, a lever arm 181 extends rearward from the release operation portion 180, and the tip of the lever arm 181 is located below the accommodating case 170 that is locked in the engaged position. The tip of the lever arm 181 is used to lock the accommodating case 170 in the retracted position shown in Fig. 8. For this reason, in the following description, the tip of the lever arm 181 will be referred to as the "retracted lock portion 182."

[0052] As shown in Fig. 8 , a support shaft block 183 protrudes upward from the top surface of the mounting portion 150 between the storage case 170 and the release operation portion 180. As shown in Fig. 9 , the lever arm 181 is inserted inside the support shaft block 183 and is connected to the support shaft block 183 at a midpoint of the lever arm 181. The connection portion between the lever arm 181 and the support shaft block 183 is configured to allow the release operation portion 180 to move up and down. When the release operation portion 180 is displaced downward, the retraction lock portion 182 is displaced upward. Conversely, when the release operation portion 180 is displaced upward, the retraction lock portion 182 is displaced downward.

[0053] 9, in order to lock the storage case 170 in the engaged position, an engagement lock portion 184 protrudes rearward from the middle of the lever arm 181. A first protrusion 178 protrudes forward from the front portion of the engagement portion 172 of the storage case 170 so as to abut against the engagement lock portion 184 from above when the storage case 170 is in the engaged position.

[0054] 3 without operating the release operation part 180, the suction nozzle 130 gets caught on the engagement part 172 of the storage case 170, and the storage case 170 tries to rotate from the engaged position to the retracted position. At this time, the first protrusion 178 tries to move downward, but this downward movement is prevented by the engagement lock part 184 below the first protrusion 178. Therefore, unless the user operates the release operation part 180, the storage case 170 is held in the engaged position.

[0055] 9 while pressing down on release operation unit 180 with the foot, the release operation unit 180 and first protrusion 178 are elastically deformed, and the engagement between release operation unit 180 and first protrusion 178 is released. As a result, release operation unit 180 moves to a position higher than the front end (rear end) of first protrusion 178, as shown in FIG.

[0056] When the release operation unit 180 is pressed down, the retraction lock unit 182 at the tip of the lever arm 181 is displaced upward. As shown in Figure 11, a second protrusion 179 protrudes from the outer surface of the force receiving unit 171, and this second protrusion 179 comes into contact with the retraction lock unit 182 that has been displaced upward when the storage case 170 is in the retracted position. When the second protrusion 179 is in contact with the retraction lock unit 182, the storage case 170 is held in the retracted position.

[0057] (Operation of the Cleaning Tool Set During Cleaning Work) The vacuum cleaner 101 is attached to the holder 102 for storage, as shown in FIG. 9 . When starting cleaning work, the user carries the vacuum cleaner 101 to the room to be cleaned. When the user lifts the vacuum cleaner 101 to carry it to the room to be cleaned, the suction nozzle 130 of the vacuum cleaner 101 gets caught on the engaging portion 172 of the storage case 170. At this time, the engaging portion 172 receives an upward force from the nozzle front portion 135 of the suction nozzle 130, and the storage case 170 attempts to rotate around the bosses 176 and 177 from the engaged position, but this rotation is prevented by the first protrusion 178 and the engagement lock portion 184. In other words, when the storage case 170 attempts to rotate from the engaged position to the retracted position, the first protrusion 178 attempts to move downward. However, because there is an engagement lock 184 on the underside of first protrusion 178, downward displacement of first protrusion 178 is prevented by engagement lock 184. As a result, storage case 170 is held in the engaged position. Therefore, even if vacuum cleaner 101 is lifted, suction nozzle 130 remains hooked on engagement portion 172 of storage case 170, and holder 102 is lifted off the floor together with vacuum cleaner 101.

[0058] The user lifts the holder 102 together with the vacuum cleaner 101 off the floor and moves to a room to be cleaned. The user then places the holder 102 and the vacuum cleaner 101 on the floor of the room, presses down on the release operation part 180 with their foot, and pulls the vacuum cleaner 101 upward. This causes the first protrusion 178 to attempt to displace downward, and the engagement lock part 184 to attempt to displace upward. The engagement between the first protrusion 178 and the engagement lock part 184 is then released with elastic deformation of the first protrusion 178 and the engagement lock part 184, allowing the engagement lock part 184 to displace to a position above the first protrusion 178. When the vacuum cleaner 101 is pulled upward with the engagement between the first protrusion 178 and the engagement lock part 184 released, the engagement part 172 of the storage case 170 receives an upward force from the suction nozzle 130 of the vacuum cleaner 101. This upward force causes the accommodating case 170 to rotate about the bosses 176 and 177 from the engagement position and move to the retracted position.

[0059] When the storage case 170 is displaced to the retracted position, the insertion space 175 of the storage case 170 opens upward, as shown in Figure 8, and the engagement part 172 of the storage case 170 assumes a substantially upright position relative to the mounting part 150. This allows the user to pull the vacuum cleaner 101 upward from the holder 102 without hooking the suction nozzle 130 onto the engagement part 172 of the storage case 170. The user can then use this vacuum cleaner 101 to suck up dust scattered on the floor of the room to be cleaned.

[0060] 10, second protrusion 179 provided on storage case 170 displaced to the retracted position engages with retraction lock portion 182 displaced upward as release operation portion 180 is pressed down. Therefore, storage case 170 is held in the retracted position even while the user pulls vacuum cleaner 101 out of holder 102 to perform cleaning work.

[0061] When the cleaning work is completed, the user holds the vacuum cleaner 101 above the storage case 170 held in the retracted position, as shown in Figure 8. At this time, the vacuum cleaner 101 is suspended in the air, so the suction nozzle 130 rotates downward. As a result, the nozzle front part 135 of the suction nozzle 130 faces downward. At this time, the insertion space 175 of the storage case 170 held in the retracted position opens upward, so when the user moves the vacuum cleaner 101 downward, the nozzle front part 135 is housed in the storage case 170.

[0062] Nozzle front portion 135 housed in storage case 170 is surrounded by force receiving portion 171, engaging portion 172, and side wall portions 173, 174 of storage case 170. Therefore, even if dust falls from rotating brush 132 of suction nozzle 130 when suction nozzle 130 is housed in storage case 170, this dust can be contained within insertion space 175 of storage case 170. In other words, storage case 170 can prevent dust from scattering when vacuum cleaner 101 is attached to holder 102.

[0063] After the nozzle front portion 135 is housed in the housing case 170, the user can press downward on the force receiving portion 171 of the housing case 170 with the rotating brush 132 that forms the lower end of the nozzle front portion 135. When the user presses the force receiving portion 171 with a certain amount of force, the engagement between the second protrusion 179 and the retraction lock portion 182 is released. As a result, the housing case 170 can be rotated from the retracted position to the engaged position.

[0064] In the cleaning tool set 100 shown in Fig. 9, the vacuum cleaner 101 and the holder 102 remain connected unless the user presses down the release operation unit 180. Therefore, when the user lifts the vacuum cleaner 101, the holder 102 is lifted up from the floor along with the vacuum cleaner 101. Therefore, the user does not need to carry the vacuum cleaner 101 and the holder 102 separately to the room where the cleaning work will be performed. As a result, the user's effort is reduced when cleaning multiple rooms.

[0065] To remove the vacuum cleaner 101 from the holder 102, the user simply presses down on the release operation part 180 with his / her foot and pulls the vacuum cleaner 101 upward. This operation releases the lock formed by the engagement between the first protrusion 178 and the engagement lock part 184, allowing the storage case 170 to rotate toward the retracted position.

[0066] When the vacuum cleaner 101 is pulled upward with the lock formed by the engagement between the first protrusion 178 and the engagement lock portion 184 released, the engagement portion 172 of the storage case 170 receives an upward force from the nozzle front portion 135 of the suction nozzle 130. As a result, the storage case 170 rotates around the bosses 176 and 177 from the engagement position and moves to the retracted position.

[0067] When the storage case 170 moves to the retracted position, the second protrusion 179 provided on the storage case 170 engages with the retraction locking portion 182, which is displaced upward as the release operating portion 180 is pressed down. This holds the storage case 170 in the retracted position. Because the storage case 170 held in the retracted position opens upward, the user can store the tip of the suction nozzle 130 in the storage case 170 after finishing cleaning work without operating the storage case 170 or the like.

[0068] The user then uses the suction nozzle 130 to press the force receiving portion 171 of the storage case 170 downward, thereby rotating the storage case 170 from the retracted position to the engaged position. When the storage case 170 reaches the engaged position, the first tube portion 124 of the suction tube 120 of the vacuum cleaner 101 is housed in the forward-opening upright support portion 160. At this time, the upright support portion 160 contacts the rear end of the first tube portion 124 of the suction tube 120, preventing the suction tube 120 from tipping backward. Therefore, after cleaning, the vacuum cleaner 101 is held by the holder 102 so that the suction tube 120 remains in an upright position. With the suction tube 120 in the upright position, the vacuum cleaner 101 does not increase in size in the front-to-rear direction, so a large space is not required for storing the vacuum cleaner 101 when not in use.

[0069] In the cleaning tool set 100 of the second embodiment, the force receiving portion 171 of the storage case 170 may be omitted, as in the storage case 170 shown in Fig. 6. In this case, the user may push the engaging portion 172 backward with their foot to release the engagement between the retraction lock portion 182 and the second protrusion 179. The user may then further push the engaging portion 172 to displace it into the engaged position.

[0070] The cleaning tool set 100 of the second embodiment may be provided with a retraction biasing portion 157 shown in Fig. 7. In this case, the storage case 170 is held in the retracted position by the retraction biasing portion 157, and therefore the second protrusion 179 may be omitted.

[0071] The vacuum cleaner 101 of the cleaning tool set 100 of the second embodiment has a floating prevention part 137. Alternatively, if there is no risk that the nozzle front part 135 will float up from the floor surface, the floating prevention part 137 may be omitted.

[0072] <Third Embodiment> In the cleaning tool sets 100 of the first and second embodiments, the nozzle front portion 135 of the suction nozzle 130 is housed in the housing case 170. Alternatively, the housing case 170 may be configured to house the anti-floating portion 137 of the suction nozzle 130, as shown in Figure 12 .

[0073] The storage case 170 shown in Figure 12 is in a retracted position that allows the anti-floating portion 137 of the suction nozzle 130 to be pulled out upward, and the storage case 170 shown in Figures 13 and 14 is in an engagement position that engages with the anti-floating portion 137.

[0074] The storage case 170 has a force receiving portion 171 and a rectangular cylindrical engaging portion 172 that protrudes upward from the force receiving portion 171 and gradually tapers upward. The engaging portion 172 has a generally C-shaped cross section that opens forward in a plan view, and the floating prevention portion 137 of the suction nozzle 130 can be inserted into the storage case 170 from the front side. An upright support portion 160 is fixed to the upper end of the engaging portion 172. The first pipe portion 124 is accommodated in the upright support portion 160 from the front side with the floating prevention portion 137 accommodated in the storage case 170 in the engaged position.

[0075] As shown in Fig. 13 , the rear wall 161 of the engagement portion 172 is bent forward so as to engage with the rear end of the bracket 138 of the floating prevention portion 137 from above when the vacuum cleaner 101 is lifted upward with the storage case 170 in the engaged position. As shown in Fig. 14 , the left wall 162 of the engagement portion 172 is bent rightward so as to engage with the left end of the bracket 138 of the floating prevention portion 137 from above when the vacuum cleaner 101 is lifted upward with the storage case 170 in the engaged position. As shown in Fig. 14 , the right wall 163 of the engagement portion 172 is bent leftward so as to engage with the right end of the bracket 138 of the floating prevention portion 137 from above when the vacuum cleaner 101 is lifted upward with the storage case 170 in the engaged position.

[0076] A restricting plate 158 protrudes rearward from the rear end of the storage case 170 to restrict rearward rotation of the storage case 170 beyond the retracted position shown in Fig. 12. The rear end of the restricting plate 158 abuts against the upper surface of the mounting portion 150 when the storage case 170 is in the retracted position.

[0077] 15 , a boss 176 protrudes leftward from the left surface of the restricting plate portion 158. A boss 177 protrudes rightward from the right surface of the restricting plate portion 158. To the left of the restricting plate portion 158 and the storage case 170, a support body 151 is provided on the mounting portion 150, and a recess 153 into which the boss 176 is fitted is formed in the support body 151. To the right of the restricting plate portion 158 and the storage case 170, a support body 152 is provided on the mounting portion 150, and a recess 154 into which the boss 177 is fitted is formed in the support body 152.

[0078] The fitting strength of the bosses 176, 177 to the recesses 153, 154 is set so as to satisfy both of the following conditions 1 and 2.

[0079] (Condition 1) The accommodating case 170 in the retracted position does not rotate around the bosses 176, 177 due to its own weight and return to the engagement position.

[0080] (Condition 2) When the vacuum cleaner 101 is lifted from the floor together with the holder 102 with the anti-floating part 137 housed in the housing case 170 in the engaged position, the holder 102 must not rotate downward around the bosses 176, 177.

[0081] (Operation of the cleaning tool set during cleaning work) The vacuum cleaner 101 is attached to the holder 102 and stored as shown in Figure 13. Then, when starting cleaning work, the user carries the vacuum cleaner 101 to the room to be cleaned. When the user lifts the vacuum cleaner 101 to carry it to the room to be cleaned, the suction nozzle 130 of the vacuum cleaner 101 gets caught on the engagement part 172 of the storage case 170. As a result, the holder 102 is also lifted off the floor together with the vacuum cleaner 101.

[0082] At this time, bosses 176, 177 are fitted tightly to recesses 153, 154 of supports 151, 152 to some extent, so that no relative rotation occurs between storage case 170 and holder 102. In other words, storage case 170 and holder 102 can be carried to a room to be cleaned together with vacuum cleaner 101 while maintaining the posture shown in FIG.

[0083] The user carries the holder 102 together with the vacuum cleaner 101 to the room to be cleaned, and then places the holder 102 and the vacuum cleaner 101 on the floor of the room. Then, while holding down the mounting portion 150 from above with their feet, the user pushes the entire vacuum cleaner 101 backward until the rear end of the restricting plate portion 158 abuts against the upper surface of the mounting portion 150. This causes the storage case 170 to tilt backward around the bosses 176 and 177. As a result, the storage case 170 reaches the retracted position as shown in FIG. 12 , and the insertion space 175 of the storage case 170 opens obliquely upward.

[0084] In this state, the user can pull the anti-floating part 137 upward from the storage case 170. Then, the user can use this vacuum cleaner 101 to suck up dust scattered on the floor of the room that is the target of cleaning work.

[0085] The bosses 176 and 177 are tightly fitted into the recesses 153 and 154 so that the storage case 170 does not return from the retracted position to the engaged position under its own weight. Therefore, the storage case 170 is held in the retracted position while the user is performing cleaning work.

[0086] 12 , the user holds the vacuum cleaner 101 above the storage case 170 held in the retracted position and inserts the floating prevention part 137 into the storage case 170 from above. In this state, the auxiliary roller 134 of the floating prevention part 137 abuts against the force receiving part 171 of the storage case 170. When the user applies a downward force to the force receiving part 171 via the auxiliary roller 134, the storage case 170 rotates around the bosses 176 and 177 and displaces to the engaged position.

[0087] The cleaning tool set 100 shown in Fig. 12 has a force receiving portion 171 to facilitate the operation of rotating the storage case 170 downward from the retracted position to the engaged position. However, as shown in Fig. 16, the force receiving portion 171 may be omitted. In this case, the user can rotate the engaging portion 172 from the retracted position to the engaged position by pushing the rear wall 161 of the engaging portion 172 forward with their foot.

[0088] To make it difficult for the storage case 170 to return from the retracted position to the engaged position, the cleaning tool set 100 may have retraction biasing portions 157 shown in FIG. 7 interposed around the bosses 176 and 177 .

[0089] 17 and 18 , the cleaning tool set 100 of the third embodiment may further be provided with an engagement locking portion 184 and a release operation portion 180. The engagement locking portion 184 has a left locking portion 201 and a right locking portion 202 arranged side by side in the left-right direction. The right locking portion 202 is substantially symmetrical to the left locking portion 201, so the left locking portion 201 will be described below, and a description of the right locking portion 202 will be omitted.

[0090] The left locking part 201 has a connecting arm part 203 extending in the left-right direction, a protrusion part 204 protruding upward from the left end of the connecting arm part 203, and a locking piece 205 protruding rightward from the upper end of the protrusion part 204. The right end of the connecting arm part 203 of the left locking part 201 is connected to the left end of the connecting arm part 203 of the right locking part 202 by, for example, a pin. The release operation part 180 is disposed on the left side of the left locking part 201 and is connected to the upper end of the protrusion part 204 of the left locking part 201.

[0091] Rectangular recesses 159 for accommodating the connecting arm portions 203 of the left locking portion 201 and the right locking portion 202 are formed in the mounting portion 150, and these connecting arm portions 203 are rotatably connected to wall portions that form the front and rear ends of the rectangular recess 159. When the release operating portion 180 is pressed downward, the connecting arm portions 203 of the left locking portion 201 and the right locking portion 202 rotate within the rectangular recess 159 so that the connecting portions of these connecting arm portions 203 become convex upward, as shown in FIG. 19 . As a result, the protrusions 204 and lock pieces 205 of the left locking portion 201 and the right locking portion 202 are displaced so as to move away from each other in the left-right direction. The left locking portion 201 and the right locking portion 202 may be biased so that the connecting arm portions 203 of the left locking portion 201 and the right locking portion 202 return to a state in which they extend straight to the left and right, as shown in Figures 17 and 18, when the downward external force from the release operation portion 180 is removed. Alternatively, the left locking portion 201 and the right locking portion 202 may return from the state shown in Figure 19 to the state shown in Figure 17 due to their own weight.

[0092] The left support body 151 is configured to cover the protrusion 204 of the left locking portion 201 from above. An opening 206 is formed on the right surface of the support body 151, as shown in Figure 18, through which the locking piece 205 of the left locking portion 201 appears and disappears.

[0093] The right support body 152 is configured to be approximately symmetrical to the left support body 151, and is configured to cover the protrusion 204 of the right locking portion 202 from above. An opening 207 is formed on the right surface of the support body 152, as shown in Figure 17, through which the locking piece 205 of the right locking portion 202 appears and disappears.

[0094] 18 , a lock hole 209 is formed in the right wall 163 of the storage case 170 so as to face laterally the opening 207 of the right support body 152. In addition, a lock hole 208 is formed in the left wall 162 of the storage case 170 so as to face laterally the opening 206 of the left support body 151.

[0095] When the release operation unit 180 is not pressed downward, the locking pieces 205 of the left locking unit 201 and the right locking unit 202 protrude into the accommodating case 170 through the openings 206 and 207 of the supports 151 and 152 and the locking holes 208 and 209 of the accommodating case 170. In this state, the accommodating case 170 is locked in the engaged position. On the other hand, when the release operation unit 180 is pressed downward, the locking pieces 205 of the left locking unit 201 and the right locking unit 202 come out of the accommodating case 170. In this state, the accommodating case 170 can be rotated rearward and displaced to the retracted position.

[0096] Fourth Embodiment In the first to third embodiments, the connection maintaining unit 103 that maintains the connection between the vacuum cleaner 101 and the holder 102 is configured by the engaging unit 172 of the storage case 170. Alternatively, the connection between the vacuum cleaner 101 and the holder 102 may be maintained by magnetic attraction. In this case, as shown in FIG. 20 , the connection maintaining unit 103 may be configured by a magnetic body 185 (e.g., iron) fixed to the underside of the nozzle case 133 and a magnet 186 provided in the mounting unit 150 of the holder 102. The magnet 186 is configured so that the magnetic attraction force that attracts the magnetic body 185 exceeds the weight of the holder 102 itself.

[0097] 21 , a positioning portion 187 is provided on the upper surface of the mounting portion 150 so that the suction nozzle 130 is positioned at a position where the magnetic body 185 is located above the magnet 186. The positioning portion 187 is a C-shaped wall member in a plan view, and the suction nozzle 130 is located within the space surrounded by the positioning portion 187. In this state, the suction tube 120 is fitted into the upright support portion 160.

[0098] 20 and 21 , the magnetic attraction force between the magnet 186 and the magnetic material 185 exceeds the weight of the holder 102, so when a user lifts the vacuum cleaner 101, the holder 102 is lifted up from the floor along with the vacuum cleaner 101. This allows the user to carry the vacuum cleaner 101 and the holder 102 together to the room to be cleaned.

[0099] When starting cleaning work, the user simply holds down the mounting portion 150 of the holder 102 with his / her feet and pulls the vacuum cleaner 101 upward with a force that exceeds the magnetic attraction force between the magnet 186 and the magnetic material 185. In this way, the vacuum cleaner 101 can be removed from the holder 102.

[0100] 20, the magnet 186 is provided on the holder 102, and the magnetic material 185 is provided on the suction nozzle 130. Conversely, the magnet 186 may be provided on the suction nozzle 130, and the magnetic material 185 may be provided on the holder 102.

[0101] 20 and 21 , the user needs to apply a fairly large upward force to the vacuum cleaner 101 to separate it from the holder 102. To improve this, as shown in FIG. 22 , an electromagnet 188 may be used instead of the magnet 186. In this case, a storage battery 191 and a power supply unit 192 that supplies power from the storage battery 191 to the electromagnet 188 may be disposed within the mounting portion 150. A stop operation unit 193 that is operated to stop the supply of power from the storage battery 191 to the electromagnet 188 may be provided on the mounting portion 150. The power supply unit 192 may have a circuit electrically connected to the storage battery 191 and the electromagnet 188, and a switch that opens and closes this circuit.

[0102] The circuit of power supply unit 192 is configured so that a current of a magnitude that generates a magnetic attraction force from electromagnet 188 that exceeds the weight of holder 102 flows through electromagnet 188. The switch of power supply unit 192 can be configured to open the circuit of power supply unit 192 when stop operation unit 193 is operated.

[0103] 22, when starting cleaning work, the user operates the stop operation part 193 with his / her foot, which stops the power supply from the storage battery 191 to the electromagnet 188. As a result, the magnetic attraction force of the electromagnet 188 disappears. In this state, the user can separate the vacuum cleaner 101 from the holder 102 without applying a large amount of force.

[0104] In the cleaning tool set 100 shown in Fig. 22, the magnetic body 185 is provided on the suction nozzle 130. Alternatively, the magnetic body 185 may be provided on the mounting portion 150 of the holder 102. In this case, the electromagnet 188, the power supply unit 192, the storage battery 191, and the stop operation unit 193 may be provided on the vacuum cleaner 101 side.

[0105] Fifth Embodiment A simpler configuration may be adopted for the connection maintaining unit 103. For example, the connection maintaining unit 103 may be composed of a first hook-and-loop fastener 194 affixed to the upper surface of the mounting unit 150, as shown in Fig. 23, and a second hook-and-loop fastener 195 affixed to the lower surface of the nozzle case 133, as shown in Fig. 24. The first hook-and-loop fastener 194 and the second hook-and-loop fastener 195 are provided in positions where they overlap one another when the suction nozzle 130 is positioned on the mounting unit 150 by the positioning unit 187. The first hook-and-loop fastener 194 and the second hook-and-loop fastener 195 are configured so that the adhesive force therebetween is greater than the weight of the holder 102 itself.

[0106] The adhesive force between first hook-and-loop fastener 194 and second hook-and-loop fastener 195 can maintain the adhesive state between vacuum cleaner 101 and holder 102. This allows a user to carry vacuum cleaner 101 and holder 102 together. To separate vacuum cleaner 101 from holder 102, the user simply pulls vacuum cleaner 101 upward while holding down mounting portion 150 with their foot. When the user applies an upward force to vacuum cleaner 101 that exceeds the adhesive force between first hook-and-loop fastener 194 and second hook-and-loop fastener 195, vacuum cleaner 101 can be removed from holder 102.

[0107] As shown in FIG. 25 , the connection maintaining portion 103 may be formed of double-sided tape 196. The double-sided tape 196 has a first adhesive surface 197 facing the mounting portion 150 of the holder 102 and a second adhesive surface 198 facing the underside of the nozzle case 133. An adhesive is applied to the first adhesive surface 197 and the second adhesive surface 198, and these adhesives are configured to exert an adhesive force greater than the weight of the holder 102. Note that it is preferable that the adhesive applied to the second adhesive surface 198 does not lose adhesive strength significantly even if the nozzle case 133 is repeatedly attached and detached. It is preferable that the adhesive applied to the first adhesive surface 197 exerts an adhesive force greater than that of the adhesive applied to the second adhesive surface 198. This allows the double-sided tape 196 to remain on the mounting portion 150 after the nozzle case 133 is detached from the second adhesive surface 198.

[0108] In the cleaning tool set 100 shown in Fig. 25, the adhesive force of the double-sided tape 196 can maintain the adhesive state between the vacuum cleaner 101 and the holder 102. This allows the user to carry the vacuum cleaner 101 and the holder 102 together. To separate the vacuum cleaner 101 from the holder 102, the user simply pulls the vacuum cleaner 101 upward while holding down the mounting portion 150 with their foot. The vacuum cleaner 101 can be removed from the holder 102 by the user applying an upward force to the vacuum cleaner 101 that exceeds the adhesive force of the double-sided tape 196.

[0109] Sixth Embodiment In the cleaning tool sets 100 of the first to fifth embodiments, the connection maintaining part 103 is configured to maintain the connection between the suction nozzle 130 of the vacuum cleaner 101 and the holder 102. Alternatively, the connection maintaining part 103 may be configured to maintain the connection between the suction tube 120 of the vacuum cleaner 101 and the holder 102. In this case, the cleaning tool set 100 may be configured as shown in Fig. 26 .

[0110] 26 includes a mounting portion 150 in the shape of a substantially rectangular plate that is placed on the floor, a column portion 164 that stands upward from the mounting portion 150, and an upright support portion 160 that is fixed to the upper end of the column portion 164. The height of the column portion 164 is approximately equal to the height of the upper end of the first pipe portion 124 that is in an upright position relative to the suction nozzle 130 that is placed on the mounting portion 150. The upright support portion 160 that is fixed to the upper end of the column portion 164 is thinner than the first pipe portion 124, and protrudes forward relative to the column portion 164 so as to abut against the rear end of the second pipe portion 125 that extends upward from the first pipe portion 124.

[0111] In the cleaning tool set 100 shown in FIG. 26 , the connection maintaining portion 103 is composed of an engaging portion 172 configured to vertically engage with the upper end of the first pipe portion 124. The engaging portion 172 is a thin plate portion formed in an L-shape in a plan view, and has a side tilt restricting portion 165 that protrudes forward from the right end of the front surface of the standing maintaining portion 160, and a forward tilt restricting portion 166 that extends leftward from the front end of the side tilt restricting portion 165. The engaging portion 172 is curved in an arc at the connection portion between the side tilt restricting portion 165 and the forward tilt restricting portion 166. The side tilt restricting portion 165 restricts the second pipe portion 125 from tilting to the right, and the forward tilt restricting portion 166 restricts the second pipe portion 125 from tilting forward.

[0112] The side tilt restricting portion 165 and the front tilt restricting portion 166, together with the upright support portion 160, form an insertion port 167 that opens to the left. The second pipe portion 125 is inserted into the insertion port 167 from the left side. A hook portion 168 is disposed on the right side of the side tilt restricting portion 165 to prevent the second pipe portion 125 from tilting leftward through the opening of the insertion port 167. The hook portion 168 is held by a support block 126 fixed to the left end portion of the first pipe portion 124 of the vacuum cleaner 101 at a height position where it hooks onto the lower part of the side tilt restricting portion 165 when the second pipe portion 125 tilts leftward. A gap is formed between the hook portion 168 and the second pipe portion 125, and this gap is larger than the thickness of the engagement portion 172. Therefore, the engagement portion 172 can be inserted into this gap.

[0113] 26, the engaging portion 172 catches on the upper end of the first pipe portion 124, and the holder 102 is also lifted off the floor. The holder 102, which is lifted off the floor, is prevented from tilting in the left-right and front-back directions relative to the suction pipe 120 by the upright support portion 160, the side tilt restricting portion 165, the front tilt restricting portion 166, and the hook portion 168. Therefore, the user can carry the vacuum cleaner 101 and the holder 102 to the room to be cleaned while maintaining the vacuum cleaner 101 and the holder 102 in an integrated state.

[0114] After carrying the cleaning tool set 100 to the room to be cleaned, the user can place the holder 102 together with the vacuum cleaner 101 on the floor. The user can then rotate the vacuum cleaner 101 around the axis of the suction tube 120 so that the suction nozzle 130 faces left. At this time, the hook portion 168 moves around the axis of the suction tube 120 along the outer surface of the engagement portion 172. Because the connection portion of the engagement portion 172 between the side tilt restricting portion 165 and the forward tilt restricting portion 166 is curved in an arc, the rotation of the hook portion 168 around the axis of the suction tube 120 is not impeded by the engagement portion 172. Therefore, when the vacuum cleaner 101 is rotated around the axis of the suction tube 120 so that the suction nozzle 130 faces left, the hook portion 168 moves to the front of the forward tilt restricting portion 166, as shown in FIG. 27 . The user can then pull out the suction tube 120 to the left from the socket 167 and separate the vacuum cleaner 101 from the holder 102 .

[0115] In the cleaning tool set 100 shown in Figures 26 and 27, the hook portion 168 is provided on the vacuum cleaner 101 and is separate from the engagement portion 172. Alternatively, the hook portion 168 may be formed integrally with the engagement portion 172, as shown in Figure 28. The hook portion 168 in Figure 28 is formed as a protrusion protruding rearward from the forward tilt restriction portion 166. In this case, when the suction tube 120 tilts to the left, it is caught on the hook portion 168, preventing the suction tube 120 from tipping leftward. To attach the vacuum cleaner 101 to the holder 102, the user simply pushes the suction tube 120 rightward into the insertion port 167. In this case, the suction tube 120 can be snap-fit ​​into the insertion port 167 due to elastic deformation of the engagement portion 172.

[0116] 26 to 28 is open to the left. Alternatively, the engaging portion 172 may be formed so that the insertion port 167 is open to the right.

[0117] Seventh Embodiment In the cleaning tool set 100 of the sixth embodiment, when attaching the vacuum cleaner 101 to the holder 102 and when detaching the vacuum cleaner 101 from the holder 102, the vacuum cleaner 101 needs to be rotated on the mounting portion 150 around the axis of the suction tube 120. In order to eliminate this operation, the cleaning tool set 100 may be configured as shown in FIG.

[0118] 29 has a rectangular cylindrical storage pillar 155 standing on the mounting portion 150, and the floating prevention portion 137 of the vacuum cleaner 101 is inserted into the storage pillar 155 from the front side. The height of the storage pillar 155 is approximately equal to the height of the first tube portion 124 standing from the suction nozzle 130 placed on the mounting portion 150. An upright support portion 160 is fixed to the upper end of the storage pillar 155 to prevent the suction tube 120 of the vacuum cleaner 101 from tilting backward.

[0119] A pair of tilt restriction portions 211, 212 protrude forward from the standing support portion 160 to restrict left-right tilting of the suction tube 120. These tilt restriction portions 211, 212 are spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction. The distance between the tilt restriction portions 211, 212 is smaller than the left-right diameter of the first tube portion 124 and larger than the left-right diameter of the second tube portion 125 so that the tilt restriction portions 211, 212 function as engagement portions 172 that engage with the upper end of the first tube portion 124. These tilt restriction portions 211, 212, together with the standing support portion 160, form an insertion port 167 that opens forward.

[0120] The user can place the suction nozzle 130 on the mounting portion 150 at the front of the housing column 155 and insert the second pipe portion 125 into the insertion port 167 from the front. When the vacuum cleaner 101 is lifted in this state, the upper end of the first pipe portion 124 of the vacuum cleaner 101 is caught on the tilt restriction portions 211 and 212. As a result, the holder 102 can be lifted together with the vacuum cleaner 101 from the floor and carried to the room to be cleaned. The user can then place the cleaning tool set 100 on the floor of the room and, while holding the mounting portion 150 with their feet, pull the vacuum cleaner 101 forward from the insertion port 167. The user can then use the vacuum cleaner 101 separated from the holder 102 to perform cleaning work in the room to be cleaned.

[0121] 29, when a user carries the vacuum cleaner 101 and the holder 102 together to a room to be cleaned, it is conceivable that the second tube portion 125 will come out of the outlet 167 and the holder 102 will fall onto the floor. For this reason, the cleaning tool set 100 may be improved as shown in FIG. 30.

[0122] 30 , the tilting restriction units 211, 212 each have an upper plate 213 and a lower plate 214 that are spaced apart in the vertical direction. A fastening unit 215 is disposed in the gap between the upper plate 213 and the lower plate 214 to restrict the forward tilt of the suction tube 120. The fastening unit 215 is an elastically deformable band-shaped member and may be made of, for example, natural rubber or silicone resin.

[0123] 31 , in order to hold the fastening portion 215 in the gap between the upper plate 213 and the lower plate 214, pins 216, 217 are provided that protrude upward from the lower plate 214 of the tilting restriction portions 211, 212. The fastening portion 215 has a left end portion 221 attached to the left pin 216, a right end portion 222 attached to the right pin 217, and an intermediate portion 223 extending between the left end portion 221 and the right end portion 222. When no external force is applied to the fastening portion 215, the left end portion 221 and the right end portion 222 protrude forward from the pins 216, 217, and the intermediate portion 223 extends in the left-right direction in front of the insertion port 167.

[0124] The user can insert the second pipe portion 125 into the insertion port 167 by pushing it rearward from a position in front of the intermediate portion 223. At this time, the intermediate portion 223 of the tightening portion 215 contacts the rear portion of the second pipe portion 125 and is pushed into the insertion port 167 together with the second pipe portion 125. As the intermediate portion 223 is pushed into the insertion port 167, it bends rearward, as shown in FIG. 32 . In a plan view, the intermediate portion 223 shown in FIG. 32 contacts the outer circumferential surface of the second pipe portion 125 over at least half of the circumferential length of the outer circumferential surface of the second pipe portion 125. In this state, the intermediate portion 223 tightens the second pipe portion 125 radially. As the middle portion 223 is pushed into the insertion port 167 , the left end portion 221 and the right end portion 222 rotate around the pins 216 , 217 and enter the gap between the upper plate 213 and the lower plate 214 .

[0125] 32 , the second tube portion 125 is radially clamped by the clamping portion 215. In this state, the second tube portion 125 can remain in the receptacle 167 unless the user applies a forward external force to the second tube portion 125 that exceeds a predetermined magnitude. When starting cleaning work, the user simply applies a forward force to the second tube portion 125 that is large enough to overcome the clamping force of the clamping portion 215 on the second tube portion 125. As a result, the second tube portion 125 comes out of the receptacle 167, and the vacuum cleaner 101 can be separated from the holder 102.

[0126] (Effects, etc.) The cleaning tool set 100 according to the above-described embodiment has the following features and provides the following effects.

[0127] A cleaning tool set according to one aspect of the above-described embodiment includes a vacuum cleaner configured to suck up dust, a holder configured to hold the vacuum cleaner, and a connection maintaining unit configured to maintain a connection between the vacuum cleaner and the holder so as to allow the holder to be lifted together with the vacuum cleaner without separating from the vacuum cleaner, and to enable this connection to be released by operation by the user.

[0128] With the above-described configuration, after completing a cleaning job, the user can hold the vacuum cleaner in the holder. Then, the user can lift the vacuum cleaner together with the holder and carry them to another room. In other words, since the connection between the holder and the vacuum cleaner is maintained by the connection maintaining unit, the user does not need to carry the vacuum cleaner and the holder separately. After carrying the vacuum cleaner and the holder to the desired room, the user can release the connection between them and perform cleaning work. Then, after completing this cleaning job, the user can hold the vacuum cleaner in the holder in the room where the cleaning job was performed, without returning the vacuum cleaner and the holder to the room where the cleaning job was performed.

[0129] In the above configuration, the vacuum cleaner may include a vacuum cleaner body configured to generate a suction force to suck in dust, a suction tube extending from the vacuum cleaner body to form a flow path for dust sucked by the suction force of the vacuum cleaner body, a suction nozzle connected to the suction tube so that dust on the floor surface flows into the vacuum cleaner body by the suction force of the vacuum cleaner body, and a grip portion configured to be gripped by a user and connected to the vacuum cleaner body. The holder may have a mounting portion on which the suction nozzle is placed. The connection maintaining portion may include an engaging portion provided on the mounting portion to engage from above with the suction nozzle placed on the mounting portion.

[0130] With the above-described configuration, a user can perform cleaning work by generating suction force from the vacuum cleaner body. The suction force of the vacuum cleaner body sucks dust on the floor into the suction nozzle and flows through the flow path of the suction tube. When the cleaning work is completed, the user places the suction nozzle on the mounting portion of the holder and engages the engagement portion on the mounting portion with the suction nozzle from above. In this state, when the user lifts the vacuum cleaner by holding the grip portion, the suction nozzle gets caught on the engagement portion and the holder is lifted together with the vacuum cleaner. In this state, the user can carry the holder together with the vacuum cleaner to the desired room.

[0131] In the above-described configuration, the cleaning tool set may further include a pivot support part that pivotally supports the engaging part on the mounting part. The pivot support part may be configured to allow the engaging part to pivot from an engaging position where the engaging part engages with the suction nozzle from above to a retracted position where the suction nozzle placed on the mounting part can be pulled out upward without getting caught on the engaging part.

[0132] In the above configuration, when the engaging portion is in the engaged position, it engages with the suction nozzle from above, so the suction nozzle catches on the engaging portion and the holder is lifted up along with the vacuum cleaner. In this state, the user can carry the holder together with the vacuum cleaner to the desired room. By rotating the engaging portion to the retracted position, the user can pull the suction nozzle upward and separate the vacuum cleaner from the holder. The user can then use the vacuum cleaner to perform cleaning tasks.

[0133] In the above-described configuration, the suction nozzle may have a nozzle front portion that forms a suction space that opens downward so that dust on the floor surface can be sucked in by the suction force of the vacuum cleaner body, and a nozzle rear portion that is configured to be connectable to a suction tube behind the nozzle front portion. The engaging portion may be configured to engage with the nozzle front portion from above when in the engaged position. The pivoting support portion may be configured to allow the engaging portion to pivot forward from the engaged position to the retracted position.

[0134] In the above-described configuration, a suction space that opens downward is formed in the front of the nozzle so that dust on the floor can be sucked in. The suction tube is connected to the rear of the nozzle behind the front of the nozzle. At this time, the engagement part engages with the front of the nozzle from above, so the engagement with the suction nozzle is not obstructed by the suction tube. Furthermore, because the engagement part rotates forward from the engagement position to the retracted position, the displacement of the engagement part from the engagement position to the retracted position is not obstructed by the suction tube.

[0135] In the above-described configuration, the suction nozzle may have a nozzle front portion forming a suction space that opens downward so that dust on the floor surface can be sucked in by the suction force of the vacuum cleaner body, a nozzle rear portion configured to be connectable to a suction tube behind the nozzle front portion, and a floatation prevention portion that protrudes rearward from the nozzle rear portion and contacts the floor surface behind the connection between the suction tube and the nozzle rear portion to prevent the nozzle front portion from floating up from the floor surface due to a downward force acting on the connection between the suction tube and the nozzle rear portion. The engaging portion may be configured to engage with the floatation prevention portion from above when in the engaged position. The pivoting support portion may be configured to allow the engaging portion to pivot rearward from the engaged position to a retracted position.

[0136] In the above-described configuration, when a user operates the grip portion to press the suction nozzle against the floor, a downward force is applied to the connection between the suction tube and the rear of the nozzle. If the suction nozzle did not have a lift-up prevention part, this downward force would likely cause the front of the nozzle to lift up from the floor. To prevent this lift-up, a lift-up prevention part protrudes rearward from the rear of the nozzle. This lift-up prevention part is in contact with the floor behind the connection between the suction tube and the rear of the nozzle, preventing the front of the nozzle from lifting up from the floor when a downward force is applied to this connection.

[0137] If the suction nozzle has a floating prevention part, the engaging part may be configured to engage with the floating prevention part. In this case, the engaging part can be pivoted rearward from the engaged position to move to the retracted position without being obstructed by the suction nozzle.

[0138] In the above-described configuration, the rotation support portion may be configured to allow the engagement portion to rotate from the engagement position to the retracted position on the condition that an upward external force greater than the weight of the holder acts on the engagement portion.

[0139] In the above-described configuration, when the vacuum cleaner is lifted with the engaging portion in the engaged position, the holder is lifted off the floor together with the vacuum cleaner. At this time, an upward external force equivalent to the weight of the holder acts on the engaging portion. Because this external force does not satisfy the conditions for allowing the engaging portion to rotate, the engaging portion is held in the engaged position. Therefore, the holder, which has been lifted off the floor together with the vacuum cleaner, is prevented from falling. This allows the user to carry the vacuum cleaner and the holder together to the desired room.

[0140] After carrying the vacuum cleaner and holder to the desired room, the user can place the holder on the floor of the room. Then, the user can lift the vacuum cleaner, for example, while holding down the base with their feet. This allows the user to apply an upward external force to the engagement part that is greater than the holder's own weight. This external force causes the engagement part to rotate from the engagement position to the retracted position, allowing the user to remove the vacuum cleaner.

[0141] In the above-described configuration, the cleaning tool set may further include an engagement locking portion that locks the engagement portion in the engagement position, and a release operating portion that is operated to release the locking by the engagement locking portion. The engagement portion may be allowed to rotate from the engagement position to the retracted position in a state in which the locking by the engagement locking portion is released.

[0142] In the above-described configuration, unless the user operates the release operating part, the engaging part is locked in the engaged position by the engaging lock part. When the user lifts the vacuum cleaner in this state, the engaging part receives an upward external force from the suction nozzle, but this external force does not cause the engaging part to rotate. Therefore, the engaging state of the engaging part with the suction nozzle is maintained, and the holder is lifted together with the vacuum cleaner.

[0143] On the other hand, when the user operates the release operating part, the lock on the engagement part is released. In this state, when the user lifts the vacuum cleaner, the engagement part receives an upward external force from the suction nozzle and rotates. This rotation displaces the engagement part to the retracted position, allowing the user to pull out the suction nozzle upward. As a result, the user can separate the vacuum cleaner from the holder and perform cleaning work.

[0144] In the above-described configuration, the placement portion may be configured to be placed on a floor surface, and the release operation portion may be attached to the placement portion at a position where it can be pressed by a user's foot.

[0145] In the above-described configuration, the mounting portion is placed on the floor and is therefore at a low position, and the release operation portion is attached to the mounting portion at a position where it can be pressed by the user's foot, so the user can operate the release operation portion by pressing it with their foot.

[0146] In the above-described configuration, the cleaning tool set may further include a retraction locking part that locks the engaging part in the retracted position. The retraction locking part may be configured to release the lock on the engaging part when an external force of a predetermined magnitude or greater acts in a direction that displaces the engaging part from the retracted position to the engaged position.

[0147] In the above-described configuration, the engaging portion can be locked in the retracted position by the retract lock portion while the user is using the vacuum cleaner to clean. In this case, when the cleaning work is finished, the engaging portion is in the retracted position, so the user can place the suction nozzle on the mounting portion without being obstructed by the engaging portion. Then, the user can release the lock on the engaging portion and displace the engaging portion from the retracted position to the engaged position by applying an external force of a predetermined magnitude or more in a direction that displaces the engaging portion to the engaged position.

[0148] In the above-described configuration, the cleaning tool set may further include a retraction biasing portion that biases the engaging portion toward the retracted position.

[0149] In the above-described configuration, the engaging portion is biased toward the retracted position by the retraction biasing portion. Therefore, when the engagement locking portion is released from the engaging portion by operating the release operating portion, the engaging portion is displaced to the retracted position. In this state, the user can remove the vacuum cleaner and perform cleaning work. Furthermore, since the engaging portion can be held in the retracted position by the retraction biasing portion even after the cleaning work is completed, the user can place the suction nozzle on the mounting portion without being obstructed by the engaging portion. Then, the user can return the engaging portion to the engaged position against the biasing force of the retraction biasing portion and lock the engaging portion with the engagement locking portion.

[0150] In the above-described configuration, the cleaning tool set may further include a force receiving portion formed integrally with the engaging portion so as to contact the lower end of the suction nozzle when the engaging portion is in the engaged position, and which together with the engaging portion forms an insertion space into which the suction nozzle is inserted. The insertion space may be open upward when the engaging portion is in the retracted position. The engaging portion and the force receiving portion may be configured so that the force receiving portion rotates to the engaged position when it receives an external force from the suction nozzle inserted into the insertion space when the engaging portion is in the retracted position.

[0151] In the above-described configuration, when the engaging portion is in the retracted position, the insertion space opens upward, allowing the user to insert the suction nozzle into the insertion space from above. Then, when the suction nozzle is pressed against the force-receiving portion and an external force is applied to the force-receiving portion, this external force causes the engaging portion and the force-receiving portion to rotate to the engaged position. When the engaging portion reaches the engaged position, it is locked by the engaging lock portion.

[0152] In the above configuration, the vacuum cleaner may include a vacuum cleaner body configured to generate suction force to suck in dust, a suction tube extending from the vacuum cleaner body to form a flow path for dust sucked by the suction force of the vacuum cleaner body, a suction nozzle connected to the suction tube so that dust on a floor surface flows into the suction force of the vacuum cleaner body, and a grip portion configured to be gripped by a user and connected to the vacuum cleaner body. The suction tube may include a first tube portion connected to the suction nozzle so that its position can be changed between an upright position upright from the suction nozzle and a rearward position tilted backward from the upright position, and a second tube portion extending upward from the first tube portion and thinner than the first tube portion. The holder may include a mounting portion on which the suction nozzle is mounted, and an upright support portion for supporting the suction tube from the rear when the suction tube is in the upright position upright from the suction nozzle on the mounting portion. The connection maintaining portion may include an engaging portion provided on the standing maintaining portion so as to engage with the upper end of the first pipe portion when the suction nozzle is placed on the placing portion.

[0153] With the above-described configuration, a user can perform cleaning work by generating suction force from the vacuum cleaner body. The suction force of the vacuum cleaner body sucks dust on the floor into the suction nozzle and flows through the flow path of the suction tube. At this time, if the user holds the grip part so that the first tube part of the suction tube is tilted backward, the suction nozzle is positioned forward and away from the user, and dust at this position is sucked in.

[0154] When the cleaning task is finished, the user can place the suction nozzle on the holder's mounting portion. When the user places the first tube portion in an upright position relative to the suction nozzle, the vacuum cleaner's size in the front-to-rear direction becomes smaller than when the first tube portion is tilted backward relative to the suction nozzle. The holder's upright support portion supports the suction tube from the rear to maintain this upright position. Therefore, even if a rearward external force is applied to the suction tube, the vacuum cleaner body, or the grip, these components can be prevented from tipping backward.

[0155] When the user subsequently wants to clean another room, he or she can lift the vacuum cleaner by grasping the grip of the vacuum cleaner held by the holder. At this time, the upper end of the first tube catches on the engagement part provided on the upright support part of the holder, and the holder is lifted up together with the vacuum cleaner. In this state, the user can carry the holder together with the vacuum cleaner to the desired room.

[0156] In the above-described configuration, the engaging portion may have a pair of tilt restricting portions that protrude forward from the standing support portion at positions spaced apart in the left-right direction so as to form a forward-opening insertion port together with the standing support portion. The second pipe portion may have a thickness that allows it to be inserted into the insertion port from the front. The pair of tilt restricting portions may be configured to restrict left-right tilting of the second pipe portion inserted into the insertion port.

[0157] In the above-described configuration, the second pipe can be inserted from the front into the insertion opening formed by the pair of tilt restricting portions and the upright support portion. When the second pipe is inserted into the insertion opening, the pair of tilt restricting portions restrict the left-right tilting of the second pipe, thereby preventing the vacuum cleaner from tipping over left-right.

[0158] In the above-described configuration, the connection maintaining section may have a tightening section that radially tightens the second tube section inserted into the insertion port to prevent the suction tube from tilting forward. The tightening section may be configured to allow the second tube section to come out of the insertion port when a force that tilts the suction tube forward exceeds a predetermined magnitude.

[0159] In the above-described configuration, when a user inserts the second pipe into the receptacle, the second pipe is clamped radially by the clamping portion. Therefore, the second pipe is held in the receptacle unless an external force that tilts the vacuum cleaner forward becomes large enough. As a result, for example, the vacuum cleaner can be prevented from tipping forward when a user touches the vacuum cleaner from behind.

[0160] In the above-described configuration, the engaging portion may include a side tilt restricting portion protruding forward from the upright support portion, and a forward tilt restricting portion extending from the side tilt restricting portion at a position spaced forward from the upright support portion so as to form an insertion port that opens to the left or right together with the side tilt restricting portion and the upright support portion. The second pipe portion may have a thickness that allows it to be inserted into the insertion port from the left or right. The side tilt restricting portion may be configured to restrict rightward or leftward tilting of the second pipe portion inserted into the insertion port. The forward tilt restricting portion may be configured to restrict forward tilt of the second pipe portion inserted into the insertion port.

[0161] In the above-described configuration, the second pipe can be inserted from the left or right side into the insertion port formed by the side tilt restricting portion, the forward tilt restricting portion, and the upright support portion. When the second pipe is inserted into the insertion port, the forward tilt of the second pipe is restricted by the forward tilt restricting portion, thereby preventing the vacuum cleaner from tipping forward. Furthermore, the side tilt restricting portion restricts tilting of the second pipe to the right or left, thereby preventing the vacuum cleaner from tipping to the right or left.

[0162] In the above-described configuration, the connection maintaining portion may have a hook portion provided on the suction tube so as to catch on the outer surface of the side tilt regulating portion when the second tube portion inserted into the socket tilts in the opposite direction to the side tilt regulating portion.

[0163] In the above-described configuration, the side tilt restricting portion, the forward tilt restricting portion, and the upright support portion cannot restrict tilting of the second pipe portion in the opening direction of the receptacle. To restrict tilting of the second pipe portion in this direction, a hook portion is provided on the suction tube. When the second pipe portion inserted into the receptacle attempts to tilt in the opposite direction from the side tilt restricting portion (i.e., the opening direction of the receptacle), the hook portion catches on the outer surface of the tilt restricting portion, thereby restricting tilting in this direction.

[0164] In the above-described configuration, a gap may be formed between the hook portion and the suction tube to allow the lateral tilt restricting portion to enter when the second tube portion is inserted into the insertion port. The lateral tilt restricting portion may be connected to the forward tilt restricting portion while curving in an arc to allow the hook portion to move along the outer surface of the lateral tilt restricting portion as the second tube portion inserted into the insertion port rotates about its axis. The forward tilt restricting portion may be thinner than the gap between the hook portion and the suction tube.

[0165] In the above-described configuration, when the second tube is inserted into the receptacle, the lateral tilt restricting portion fits into the gap between the hook portion and the suction tube. When the second tube is tilted away from the lateral tilt restricting portion, the hook portion hooks onto the outer surface of the lateral tilt restricting portion. When the user rotates the second tube around its axis with the lateral tilt restricting portion fitted into the gap between the hook portion and the suction tube, the hook portion moves around the axis. Because the lateral tilt restricting portion is connected to the forward tilt restricting portion while curving in an arc, the hook portion can move along the outer surface of the lateral tilt restricting portion and reach the connection between the lateral tilt restricting portion and the forward tilt restricting portion. Because the forward tilt restricting portion is thinner than the gap between the hook portion and the suction tube, the user can pull the second tube toward the receptacle opening without being obstructed by the forward tilt restricting portion and the hook portion.

[0166] In the above-described configuration, the connection maintaining unit may be configured to generate a magnetic attraction force between the vacuum cleaner and the holder, thereby maintaining the connection between the vacuum cleaner and the holder.

[0167] In the above-described configuration, when a user lifts the vacuum cleaner by holding the handle, the magnetic attraction between the vacuum cleaner and the holder causes the holder to lift up along with the vacuum cleaner, allowing the user to carry the holder together with the vacuum cleaner to a desired room.

[0168] In the above-described configuration, the connection maintaining unit may include an electromagnet provided on the holder, a power supply unit that supplies power to the electromagnet, and a magnetic body provided on the vacuum cleaner so that the vacuum cleaner is attracted to the electromagnet while held by the holder. The cleaning tool set may further include a stop operation unit that is operated to stop the supply of power from the power supply unit to the electromagnet.

[0169] In the above-described configuration, when power is supplied from the power supply unit to the electromagnet while the vacuum cleaner is held by the holder, the magnetic body provided on the vacuum cleaner is attracted to the electromagnet. When a user lifts the vacuum cleaner in this state, the magnetic attraction between the magnetic body and the electromagnet causes the holder to be lifted along with the vacuum cleaner. When the user operates the stop operation unit to stop the power supply to the electromagnet, the magnetic attraction between the magnetic body and the electromagnet is eliminated. In this state, the user can separate the vacuum cleaner from the holder and perform cleaning work.

[0170] In the above-described configuration, the connection maintaining portion may include a first surface fastener fixed to the holder, and a second surface fastener fixed to the vacuum cleaner so as to contact the first surface fastener when the vacuum cleaner is held by the holder. The first surface fastener and the second surface fastener may be configured to maintain contact between the first surface fastener and the second surface fastener against the weight of the holder when the holder is lifted together with the vacuum cleaner.

[0171] In the above-described configuration, when a user holds the vacuum cleaner in the holder, the first surface fastener fixed to the holder comes into contact with the second surface fastener fixed to the vacuum cleaner. When the user then lifts the vacuum cleaner, the contact state between the first surface fastener and the second surface fastener is maintained against the weight of the holder, so the holder is lifted together with the vacuum cleaner.

[0172] In the above-described configuration, the connection maintaining portion may include a double-sided tape having a first adhesive surface that is adhered to the holder and a second adhesive surface that is adhered to the vacuum cleaner. The adhesive strength of the first adhesive surface to the holder and the adhesive strength of the second adhesive surface to the vacuum cleaner may be large enough to prevent the holder from falling under its own weight when the holder and the vacuum cleaner are lifted up.

[0173] In the above-described configuration, the vacuum cleaner is held by the holder with the first adhesive surface of the double-sided tape adhered to the holder and the second adhesive surface of the double-sided tape adhered to the vacuum cleaner. In this state, when a user lifts the vacuum cleaner, the holder is lifted together with the vacuum cleaner because the adhesive force of the first adhesive surface to the holder and the adhesive force of the second adhesive surface to the vacuum cleaner are large enough to prevent the holder from falling under its own weight.

[0174] The cleaning tool set of the above-described embodiment is suitably used in an apparatus used for cleaning work.

Claims

1. A cleaning tool set comprising: a vacuum cleaner configured to suck up dust; a holder configured to hold the vacuum cleaner; and a connection maintaining unit configured to maintain a connection between the vacuum cleaner and the holder so that the holder can be lifted together with the vacuum cleaner without separating from the vacuum cleaner, and to be able to release this connection by operation by a user.

2. A cleaning tool set as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vacuum cleaner comprises: a vacuum cleaner body configured to generate suction force to suck in dust; a suction tube extending from the vacuum cleaner body to form a flow path for dust sucked in by the suction force of the vacuum cleaner body; a suction nozzle connected to the suction tube so that dust on the floor surface flows in by the suction force of the vacuum cleaner body; and a handle configured to be held by a user and connected to the vacuum cleaner body; the holder has a mounting part on which the suction nozzle is placed, and the connection maintaining part includes an engaging part provided on the mounting part to engage from above with the suction nozzle placed on the mounting part.

3. A cleaning tool set as described in claim 2, further comprising a pivoting support part that pivotally supports the engaging part on the mounting part, the pivoting support part being configured to allow the engaging part to pivot from an engaging position in which the engaging part engages with the suction nozzle from above, to a retracted position in which the suction nozzle placed on the mounting part can be pulled out upward without getting caught on the engaging part.

4. A cleaning tool set as described in claim 3, wherein the suction nozzle has a nozzle front portion which forms a suction space that opens downward so that dust on the floor surface is sucked in by the suction force of the vacuum cleaner body, and a nozzle rear portion which is configured to be connectable to the suction tube on the rear side of the nozzle front portion, the engagement portion is configured to engage with the nozzle front portion from above when in the engagement position, and the pivoting support portion is configured to allow the engagement portion to pivot forward from the engagement position and displace to the retracted position.

5. A cleaning tool set as claimed in claim 3, wherein the suction nozzle has: a nozzle front portion which forms a suction space which opens downward so that dust on the floor surface is sucked in by the suction force of the vacuum cleaner body; a nozzle rear portion which is configured to be connectable to the suction tube on the rear side of the nozzle front portion; and a float-up prevention portion which protrudes rearward from the nozzle rear portion and contacts the floor surface rearward of the connection part between the suction tube and the nozzle rear portion, thereby preventing the nozzle front portion from floating up from the floor surface due to a downward force acting on the connection part between the suction tube and the nozzle rear portion; wherein the engagement portion is configured to engage with the float-up prevention portion from above when in the engagement position; and the pivoting support portion is configured to allow the engagement portion to pivot rearward from the engagement position and be displaced to the retracted position.

6. A cleaning tool set as described in claim 3, wherein the rotation support portion is configured to allow the engagement portion to rotate from the engagement position to the retracted position on the condition that an upward external force greater than the weight of the holder acts on the engagement portion.

7. A cleaning tool set as described in claim 3, further comprising: an engagement locking portion that locks the engagement portion in the engagement position; and a release operating portion that is operated to release the lock by the engagement locking portion, wherein the engagement portion is allowed to rotate from the engagement position to the retracted position when the lock by the engagement locking portion is released.

8. The cleaning tool set according to claim 7, wherein the placing portion is configured to be placed on a floor surface, and the release operating portion is attached to the placing portion in a position where it can be pressed by a user's foot.

9. A cleaning tool set as described in claim 7, further comprising a retraction locking portion that locks the engaging portion in the retracted position, wherein the retraction locking portion is configured to release the lock on the engaging portion when an external force of a predetermined magnitude or greater acts in a direction that displaces the engaging portion from the retracted position to the engaging position.

10. The cleaning tool set according to claim 7, further comprising a retraction biasing portion that biases the engagement portion toward the retracted position.

11. A cleaning tool set as claimed in claim 9 or 10, further comprising a force receiving portion formed integrally with the engaging portion so as to contact the lower end of the suction nozzle when the engaging portion is in the engaged position, and which together with the engaging portion forms an insertion space into which the suction nozzle is inserted, the insertion space opening upward when the engaging portion is in the retracted position, and the engaging portion and the force receiving portion are configured so that the force receiving portion rotates to the engaging position when it receives an external force from the suction nozzle inserted into the insertion space when the engaging portion is in the retracted position.

12. The vacuum cleaner comprises: a vacuum cleaner body configured to generate suction force to suck in dust; a suction tube extending from the vacuum cleaner body to form a flow path for dust sucked in by the suction force of the vacuum cleaner body; a suction nozzle connected to the suction tube so that dust on the floor surface flows in by the suction force of the vacuum cleaner body; and a gripping part configured to be gripped by the user and connected to the vacuum cleaner body; the suction tube comprises: a first tube part connected to the suction nozzle so that its position can be changed between an upright position upright from the suction nozzle and a rearward tilted position tilted backward from the upright position; and a second tube part extending upward from the first tube part and thinner than the first tube part; and the holder comprises: a mounting part on which the suction nozzle is mounted; and an upright support part supporting the suction tube from the rear when the suction tube is in the upright position relative to the suction nozzle on the mounting part.

2. The cleaning tool set according to claim 1, wherein the connection maintaining portion includes an engaging portion provided on the upright maintaining portion so as to engage with the upper end of the first pipe portion when the suction nozzle is placed on the mounting portion.

13. A cleaning tool set as described in claim 12, wherein the engaging portion has a pair of tilt regulating portions that protrude forward from the upright support portion at positions spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction so as to form a forward-opening insertion port together with the upright support portion, the second pipe portion has a thickness that allows it to be inserted into the insertion port from the front, and the pair of tilt regulating portions are configured to regulate the left-right tilting of the second pipe portion inserted into the insertion port.

14. A cleaning tool set as described in claim 13, wherein the connection maintaining portion has a tightening portion that prevents the suction tube from tilting forward by tightening the second tube portion inserted into the socket in a radial direction, and the tightening portion is configured to allow the second tube portion to come out of the socket on the condition that the force in the direction tilting the suction tube forward exceeds a predetermined magnitude.

15. The cleaning tool set according to claim 12, wherein the engagement portion has a side tilt regulating portion protruding forward from the upright maintaining portion, and a forward tilt regulating portion extending from the side tilt regulating portion at a position spaced forward from the upright maintaining portion so as to form, together with the side tilt regulating portion and the upright maintaining portion, an insertion port that opens to the left or right, the second pipe portion having a thickness that allows it to be inserted into the insertion port from the left or right, the side tilt regulating portion configured to regulate the rightward or leftward tilt of the second pipe portion inserted into the insertion port, and the forward tilt regulating portion configured to regulate the forward tilt of the second pipe portion inserted into the insertion port.

16. A cleaning tool set as described in claim 15, wherein the connection maintaining portion has a hook portion provided on the suction tube so as to catch on the outer surface of the side tilt regulating portion when the second tube portion inserted into the socket tilts in the opposite direction to the side tilt regulating portion.

17. The cleaning tool set described in claim 16, wherein a gap is formed between the hook portion and the suction tube that allows the side tilt regulating portion to enter when the second tube portion is inserted into the insertion port, the side tilt regulating portion is connected to the forward tilt regulating portion while curving in an arc so as to allow the hook portion to move along the outer surface of the side tilt regulating portion as the second tube portion inserted into the insertion port rotates around the axis of the second tube portion, and the forward tilt regulating portion is thinner than the gap between the hook portion and the suction tube.

18. The cleaning tool set according to claim 1, wherein the connection maintaining unit is configured to generate a magnetic attraction force between the vacuum cleaner and the holder to maintain the connection between the vacuum cleaner and the holder.

19. The cleaning tool set according to claim 1, wherein the connection maintaining unit includes an electromagnet provided on the holder side, a power supply unit that supplies power to the electromagnet, and a magnetic body provided on the vacuum cleaner side so that the vacuum cleaner is attracted to the electromagnet while held by the holder, and the cleaning tool set further includes a stop operation unit that is operated to stop the supply of power from the power supply unit to the electromagnet.

20. The cleaning tool set described in claim 1, wherein the connection maintaining portion includes a first hook-and-loop fastener fixed to the holder, and a second hook-and-loop fastener fixed to the vacuum cleaner so as to contact the first hook-and-loop fastener when the vacuum cleaner is held by the holder, and the first hook-and-loop fastener and the second hook-and-loop fastener are configured to maintain contact between the first hook-and-loop fastener and the second hook-and-loop fastener against the weight of the holder.

21. The cleaning tool set described in claim 1, wherein the connection maintaining portion includes a double-sided tape having a first adhesive surface that is adhered to the holder and a second adhesive surface that is adhered to the vacuum cleaner, and the adhesive strength of the first adhesive surface to the holder and the adhesive strength of the second adhesive surface to the vacuum cleaner are large enough to prevent the holder from falling under its own weight when the holder is lifted together with the vacuum cleaner.

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