Surface treating appliance

Abstract

A surface-treating appliance includes a main body, a surface-treating head, a stand, a lock, and a hose or wand assembly. The lock is arranged to lock the stand in a supporting position, where it supports the main body in an upright position, in response to use of the wand or hose.

1 . A surface-treating appliance comprising
 a main body,   a surface-treating head,   a stand,   a lock, and   a hose or wand assembly,   the lock being arranged to lock the stand in a supporting position, where the stand supports the main body in an upright position in response to use of a wand or hose of the wand or hose assembly.   
   
   
       2 . A surface-treating appliance according to  claim 1  wherein the lock comprises a member associated with the hose or wand assembly which engages with a portion of the stand when the hose or wand assembly is in use. 
   
   
       3 . A surface-treating appliance according to  claim 1  or  2  wherein the hose or wand assembly is pivotably mounted to the main body such that when the hose or wand assembly is removed from its storage position on the main body for use, an abutment member swivels into contact with the stand, locking the hose or wand assembly in its supporting position. 
   
   
       4 . A surface-treating appliance according to  claim 1  or  2  wherein the lock comprises a change over valve lock. 
   
   
       5 . A surface-treating appliance according to  claim 4  wherein the change over valve lock comprises an abutment member which engages with a recess in the stand, locking it in the supporting position when the hose or wand is removed from its storage position on the main body of the appliance. 
   
   
       6 . A surface-treating appliance according to  claim 1  or  2  wherein the lock is arranged to release when the hose or wand assembly is stored on the main body. 
   
   
       7 . A surface-treating appliance according to  claim 1  or  2  wherein the stand is moveable between the supporting and a stored position in response to movement of the main body between its upright position and an inclined position. 
   
   
       8 . A surface-treating appliance according to  claim 1  or  2  wherein the stand is located on a rear portion of the appliance. 
   
   
       9 . A surface-treating appliance according to  claim 7  wherein the stand is arranged to be moveable from the supporting position to the stored position in response to the main body of the appliance being tipped rearwardly until its weight is over centre of the stand. 
   
   
       10 . A surface-treating appliance according to  claim 7  further comprising a resilient biasing member to assist in moving the stand between the stored and supporting positions. 
   
   
       11 . A surface-treating appliance according to  claim 10  wherein the resilient biasing member comprises one or more over-centre spring mechanisms. 
   
   
       12 . A surface-treating appliance according to  claim 1  or  2  wherein the stand further comprises at least one cam mechanism which is arranged such that when the main body of the appliance is raised from an inclined position to its upright position the cam mechanism urges the stand into the supporting position. 
   
   
       13 . A surface-treating appliance according to  claim 12  wherein the cam mechanism comprises an abutment member located on the surface treating head which engages with and pushes against a portion of the stand when the main body of the appliance is raised from an inclined position to its upright position, urging the stand into the supporting position. 
   
   
       14 . A surface-treating appliance according to  claim 1  or  2 , further comprising a wheel or roller which is rotatably mounted to the main body for allowing the main body to be moved along a surface. 
   
   
       15 . A surface-treating appliance according to  claim 14  wherein the wheel or roller comprises one or more rotatable members having an outer surface which defines a substantially continuous rolling support surface in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the main body, the support surface being symmetrical about a longitudinal axis of the main body. 
   
   
       16 . A surface-treating appliance as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the wheel or roller houses a component of the appliance. 
   
   
       17 . A surface-treating appliance as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the component comprises a motor and fan arrangement arranged, in use, to generate a fluid flow. 
   
   
       18 . A surface-treating appliance as claimed in  claim 1  or  2 , further comprising an upright lock for locking the surface-treating head in a fixed position with respect to the main body when the stand is in the supporting position. 
   
   
       19 . A vacuum cleaner comprising the apparatus of  claim 1  or  4 . 
   
   
       20 . A vacuum cleaner as claimed in  claim 19  further comprising a cyclonic dirt and dust separator. 
   
   
       21 . (canceled)