Surface treating appliance

Abstract

A surface-treating appliance includes a main body, a surface-treating head, and a stand. The stand is located on a rear portion of the appliance and is moveable between a supporting position, in which it supports the main body in an upright position, and a stored position. The stand is moveable between the supporting and stored positions in response to movement of the main body between its upright position and an inclined position.

1 . A surface-treating appliance comprising:
 a main body,   a surface-treating head, and   a stand,   the stand being located on a rear portion of the appliance and being moveable between a supporting position, in which the stand supports the main body in an upright position and a stored position, the stand being moveable between the supporting and stored positions in response to a force being applied to the main body.   
   
   
       2 . A surface-treating appliance according to  claim 1  wherein the force is movement of the main body between its upright position and an inclined position. 
   
   
       3 . A surface-treating appliance according to  claim 2  wherein the force further comprises a downwards force. 
   
   
       4 . A surface-treating appliance according to  claim 1  wherein the main body comprises a handle or wand and the force is applied through the handle or wand. 
   
   
       5 . A surface-treating appliance according to  claim 4  wherein the handle or wand is located at the top of the main body. 
   
   
       6 . An appliance according to  claim 1  or  4  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. 
   
   
       7 . An appliance according to  claim 1  or  4  further comprising a resilient biasing member to assist in moving the stand between the stored and supporting positions. 
   
   
       8 . An appliance according to  claim 7  wherein the resilient biasing member comprises one or more over-centre spring mechanisms. 
   
   
       9 . An appliance according to  claim 1  or  4  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. 
   
   
       10 . An appliance according to  claim 9  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. 
   
   
       11 . An appliance according to  claim 1  or  4 , 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. 
   
   
       12 . An appliance according to  claim 11  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 the longitudinal axis of the main body. 
   
   
       13 . An appliance as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the wheel or roller houses a component of the appliance. 
   
   
       14 . An appliance as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the component comprises a motor and fan arrangement arranged, in use, to generate a fluid flow. 
   
   
       15 . An appliance as claimed in  claim 1  or  4 , 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. 
   
   
       16 . An appliance according to  claim 15  wherein the upright lock comprises a projection on the stand and a latch on the surface treating head. 
   
   
       17 . An appliance as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the projection is able to move past the latch to prevent damage to the appliance. 
   
   
       18 . An appliance according to  claim 15  wherein the upright lock or resilient biasing member associated with the upright lock prevents the stand from moving into the supporting position until a force is applied to the main body. 
   
   
       19 . An appliance according to  claim 18  wherein the force is a downwards force sufficient to overcome the resilient biasing means associated with the upright lock. 
   
   
       20 . An appliance as claimed in  claim 1  or  4  further comprising a hose. 
   
   
       21 . An appliance according to  claim 20  further comprising a hose lock, which is arranged to lock the stand in the supporting position during use of the hose. 
   
   
       22 . An appliance according to  claim 21  wherein the hose lock comprises an abutment member which locks against the stand when the hose is pulled away from the appliance during use. 
   
   
       23 . An appliance according to  claim 4  further comprising a change over valve lock which locks the stand in its supporting position when the wand is in use. 
   
   
       24 . An appliance according to  claim 1  or  4  wherein the appliance is transportable on wheels of the stand. 
   
   
       25 . A vacuum cleaner comprising the apparatus of  claim 1  or  4 . 
   
   
       26 . A vacuum cleaner as claimed in  claim 25  further comprising a cyclonic dirt and dust separator. 
   
   
       27 . (canceled)