Hose end trigger switch

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner includes a container and a power head coupled to the container. The power head includes a suction source configured to generate a working airflow, and an exhaust outlet configured to exhaust the working airflow. The vacuum cleaner also includes a suction inlet which provides entrance of the working airflow. The suction inlet is provided on at least one of the power head or the container. The vacuum cleaner also includes a suction hose removably coupled to the suction inlet and configured to conduct the working airflow. The suction hose has a tube, an end housing coupled to the tube, a trigger mounted on the end housing, and a trigger switch configured to be actuated by the trigger. The end housing defines a distal free end of the suction hose.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A vacuum cleaner comprising:
 a container;   a power head coupled to the container, the power head including
 a suction source configured to generate a working airflow through the suction inlet, and 
 an exhaust outlet configured to exhaust the working airflow; 
   a suction inlet which provides entrance of the working airflow, the suction inlet being provided on at least one of the power head or the container; and   a suction hose removably coupled to the suction inlet and configured to conduct the working airflow, the suction hose having a tube, an end housing coupled to the tube, a trigger mounted on the end housing, and a trigger switch configured to be actuated by the trigger,   wherein the end housing defines a distal and free end of the suction hose.   
     
     
         2 . The vacuum cleaner according to  claim 1 , wherein the end housing has an annular wall, a suction opening, and an attachment opening positioned opposite the suction opening and receiving the tube, wherein the end housing includes a bracket extending from the annular wall and adjacent the attachment opening, and wherein the trigger is pivotally mounted to the bracket. 
     
     
         3 . The vacuum cleaner according to  claim 2 , wherein the annular wall extends around a central axis of the end housing, and wherein the trigger is substantially straight and is elongated along a longitudinal axis which is substantially parallel to the central axis of the end housing. 
     
     
         4 . The vacuum cleaner according to  claim 2 , wherein the trigger includes a hook-shaped actuating portion and a coupling portion extending from the actuating portion and coupled to the bracket. 
     
     
         5 . The vacuum cleaner according to  claim 1 , further comprising a controller configured to receive a signal from the trigger switch and to operate the suction source in a condition based on the signal, wherein the condition is at least one of an ON condition, an OFF condition, or a predetermined suction motor speed mode. 
     
     
         6 . The vacuum cleaner according to  claim 5 , wherein the trigger switch is coupled to the controller via wires coupled to the hose. 
     
     
         7 . The vacuum cleaner according to  claim 5 , wherein the trigger switch is wirelessly coupled to the controller. 
     
     
         8 . A vacuum cleaner comprising:
 a container;   a power head coupled to the container, the power head including
 a suction source configured to generate a working airflow, and 
 an exhaust outlet configured to exhaust the working airflow; 
   a suction inlet which provides entrance of the working airflow, the suction inlet being provided on at least one of the power head or the container; and   a suction hose coupled to the suction inlet and configured to conduct the working airflow, the suction hose having a tube, an end housing coupled to the tube, a trigger pivotably coupled to the end housing, and a trigger switch configured to be actuated by the trigger,   wherein the end housing has an annular wall and a bracket extending from the annular wall, and   wherein the trigger is configured as a lever and has a first end pivotably mounted on the bracket and a second end opposite the first end and spaced from the annular wall, and   wherein the trigger switch is actuated by the trigger at a point located between the first end and the second end of the trigger.   
     
     
         9 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 8 , wherein the trigger is elongated along a longitudinal axis which is substantially parallel to a central axis of the end housing, and wherein the trigger is substantially straight from the first end to the second end. 
     
     
         10 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 8 , wherein the trigger includes a hook-shaped portion defining the second end. 
     
     
         11 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 8 , further comprising a controller configured to receive a signal from the trigger switch and configured to energize a suction motor of the suction source in response to the signal. 
     
     
         12 . A vacuum cleaner comprising:
 a container;   a power head coupled to the container, the power head including
 a suction source configured to generate a working airflow, 
 an exhaust outlet configured to exhaust the working airflow; 
 a power head housing which houses the suction source; and 
 a power head switching device arranged on the housing; 
   a suction inlet which provides entrance of the working airflow, the suction inlet being provided on at least one of the power head or the container;   a suction hose coupled to the suction inlet and configured to conduct the working airflow, the suction hose having a tube, an end housing coupled to the tube, a trigger coupled to the end housing, and a trigger switch configured to be actuated by the trigger; and   a controller configured to:   receive a first signal from the power head switching device,   receive a second signal from the trigger switch,   operate the suction source in a first condition in response to the first signal from the power head switching device, and   operate the suction source in a second condition in response to the second signal from the trigger switch.   
     
     
         13 . The vacuum cleaner according to  claim 12 , wherein first condition is an idle condition and the second condition is an ON condition. 
     
     
         14 . The vacuum cleaner according to  claim 12 , wherein the controller is further configured to receive a third signal from the trigger switch and to operate the suction source in a third condition in response to the third signal from the trigger switch, and wherein the third condition is a maximum power mode. 
     
     
         15 . The vacuum cleaner according to  claim 12 , wherein the trigger switch is coupled to the controller via wires coupled to the suction hose. 
     
     
         16 . The vacuum cleaner according to  claim 15 , wherein the suction hose is removably coupled to the suction inlet. 
     
     
         17 . The vacuum cleaner according to  claim 12 , wherein the trigger switch is wirelessly coupled to the controller. 
     
     
         18 . The vacuum cleaner according to  claim 17 , wherein the suction hose is removably coupled to the suction inlet. 
     
     
         19 . The vacuum cleaner according to  claim 12 , wherein the end housing defines a distal free end of the suction hose. 
     
     
         20 . The vacuum cleaner according to  claim 19 , wherein the end housing has an annular wall and a bracket extending from the annular wall, and wherein the trigger is configured as a lever and has a first end pivotably mounted on the bracket and a second end opposite the first end and spaced from the annular wall.