WO2005053496A1

WO2005053496A1 - Surface cleaning apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2005053496A1
Application number: PCT/GB2004/002751
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nicholas Gerald Grey; Andrew John Kent; Christopher Thomas Elsworthy
Original assignee: Grey Technology Limited
Priority date: 2003-11-12
Filing date: 2004-06-25
Publication date: 2005-06-16
Also published as: GB0326311D0

Abstract

A surface cleaning apparatus comprises a collection means (52) for accumulating debris retrieved from a surface to be cleaned. A rotatable elongate brush arrangement (19) is provided adapted to retrieve the debris from the surface to be cleaned and to direct a first portion of the debris along a first pathway (401) into the collection means (52). Means (54) for creating a suction in a region adjacent to the brush arrangement (19) removes a second portion of the debris via a second pathway (403) into the collection means. The second pathway (403) is separate to the first pathway (401). Separator means (33) provided between the rotatable brush arrangement (19) and the means (54) for creating a suction is adapted to prevent debris in excess of a predetermined size passing to the means (54) for creating suction via the second pathway.

Description

SURFACE CLEANING APPARATUS

This invention relates to a surface cleaning apparatus utilising both a rotatable brush assembly and suction means to retrieve debris from a surface and in particular a surface cleaning apparatus having means of separating debris .

In conventional vacuum cleaners, debris, for example dirt and dust, is retrieved from a surface by means of motor generated suction and the debris is Collected in a suitable collecting means, for example a filter bag or receptacle. The size of debris that can be picked up from the surface being cleaned will depend on the efficiency of the motor generating the suction. If large pieces of debris are sucked up it is known for them to cause a blockage of the tubes through which suction is created.

In conventional sweepers, the brush arrangement is adapted to gather up and remove relatively large pieces of debris from a surface, but fine particles of dust, for example, are not efficiently removed from the surface being cleaned.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a surface cleaning apparatus utilising both a rotatable brush assembly and suction means to retrieve debris from a surface and to overcome, or at least ameliorate, the problems of known apparatus.

According to the present invention there is provided a surface cleaning apparatus comprising: collection means for accumulating debris retrieved from a surface to be cleaned; a rotatable elongate brush arrangement adapted to retrieve the debris from the surface to be cleaned and to direct a first portion of the debris along a first pathway into the collection means; means for creating a suction in a region adjacent to the brush arrangement for removing a second portion of the debris via a second pathway into the collection means, the second pathway being separate from the first pathway; and separator means provided between the rotatable brush arrangement and the means for creating a suction and adapted to prevent debris in excess of a predetermined size passing to the means for creating suction via the second pathway.

The separator means may comprise a perforated member.

The separator means may be positioned substantially above the rotatable brush arrangement.

The separator means may be provided adjacent to the rotatable brush assembly, preferably in contact with bristles of the rotatable brush assembly. The bristles of the rotatable brush assembly may be of at least two different lengths.

The separator means may extend substantially the full length of the rotatable brush assembly.

The separator means may comprise ducting means to transfer the second portion of the debris, via the second pathway, to the means for creating a suction. Preferably the ducting means passes over the collection means.

The collection means may include a porous bag.

The collection means may comprise a first collection means for the first portion of debris and a second collection means for the second portion of debris. The first collection means and the second collection means may comprise a first segregated section and a second segregated section of a single debris collection receptacle.

The second collection means may be substantially sealed to reduce loss of suction.

The single debris collection receptacle may be provided with a removable closure for the removal of debris therefrom.

The single debris collection receptacle may be in the form of a removable tray.

The means for generating suction may be a cyclonic suction generating system.

The cyclonic suction generating system may comprise a cyclonic separator adapted to transfer the second portion of the debris to the collecting means.

The cyclonic separator may comprise at least one member extending transversely to a longitudinal axis of the cyclonic separator adapted to form at least one pivot between two pivotable sections of the surface cleaning apparatus .

The second portion of debris may be transferred from the cyclonic separator to the collection means via a duct provided within the at least one pivot.

The surface cleaning apparatus may include a surface cleaning strip assembly and means for positioning the cleaning strip assembly relative to the surface to be cleaned.

The rotatable brush arrangement of the surface cleaning apparatus may comprise an elongate cylindrical member and bristles attached to the cylindrical member.

The cylindrical member may have a plurality of tufts of bristles attached therealong, at least one tuft of bristles in an end region of the cylindrical member extending towards an end of the cylindrical member, and wherein a housing is provided for the rotatable brush assembly with an opening to allow the at least one tuft of bristles to extend laterally outwards beyond an end of the cylindrical member during a part of each rotation of the cylindrical member and with deflecting means for directing the at least one tuft of bristles back towards the cylindrical member.

The means for creating suction may include tube means for conveying the second portion of debris from the region adjacent to the brush arrangement to the collection means via the second pathway.

One end of the tube means may be detachable so as to enable debris to be retrieved from regions other than that of the brush arrangement into the collection means.

The tube means may be in a plurality of detachable portions. The tube means in one of the portions thereof may be flexible.

A plurality of cleaning attachments may be provided for use with the tube means . For a better understanding of the present invention and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a surface cleaning apparatus according to the present invention in a first configuration;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus shown in Figure 1 in a second configuration;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of part of a debris retrieval assembly of the surface cleaning apparatus of Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of a debris retrieval assembly and a cyclonic separator of the surface cleaning apparatus shown in Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of a cyclonic suction generating assembly of the surface cleaning apparatus shown in Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of part of a cyclonic separator of the cyclonic suction generating assembly shown in Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a cleaning strip assembly of the surface cleaning apparatus of Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the cleaning strip shown in Figure 7 in first and second orientations; Figure 9 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a cleaning strip assembly of a surface cleaning apparatus in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a rotatable brush arrangement of a surface cleaning apparatus in accordance with the present invention; and

Figure 11 is a side elevational view of a modification of part of the surface cleaning apparatus of Figure 1 with a deflecting means present in the brush arrangement housing.

Referring to Figures 1 to 5, a surface cleaning apparatus, in the form of an upright cleaning apparatus, comprises a cleaner body 1 pivotably mounted on a debris retrieval assembly 3. Both the cleaner body 1 and the debris retrieval assembly 3 are suitably moulded of plastics material.

The surface cleaning apparatus has a handle 4 provided on the cleaner body 1 to enable the surface cleaning apparatus to be manoeuvred over a surface to be cleaned. The cleaner body 1 is pivotable relative to the debris retrieval assembly 3 such that the cleaner body 1 can be tilted rearwardly of the debris retrieval apparatus. Such pivoting facilitates the movement of the surface cleaning apparatus over a surface to be cleaned.

Incorporated into the cleaner body 1 is a cyclonic suction generating assembly 54 as known to a person skilled in the art. As shown in Figure 5, the cyclonic suction generating assembly 54 includes a cyclonic separator 5 provided with a motor 46 to power an impeller 49 to generate suction in the debris retrieval assembly 3. The motor is powered by a rechargeable battery pack (not shown) provided in the cleaner body 1 as will be described in more detail hereinafter.

The cyclonic suction generating assembly 54 is provided with a pleated filter member 51 to prevent any fine particles of debris which may be entrained in the exhaust of the cyclonic separator 5 from reaching the motor 46 or being reintroduced into the atmosphere outside the surface cleaning apparatus. The filter member 51 can be accessed and cleaned via a removable cover 6 provided in the cleaner body 1. The exhaust from the cyclonic separator 5 exits the cleaner body 1 through an apertured region 8.

As shown in Figure 4, the cyclonic separator 5 is provided with pivot members 43 extending transversely to a longitudinal axis of the cyclonic separator 5. The pivot members 43 act as a means of pivoting the cleaner body 1 relative to the debris retrieval assembly 3.

Attached to a side of the cleaner body 1 is a cleaning wand 7 in the form of an elongate tube, for example approximately 650 mm in length. The cleaning wand is removably attached at one end (lower end) 9 via a seal to the debris retrieval assembly 3, and removably attached at the other end (upper end) 11 to a flexible tube 15 which is in turn connected to the cyclonic separator 5. The flexible tube 15 is provided with a handle 13 for using the flexible tube with or without the cleaning wand 7, allowing the tube, 15 and/or the wand 7 to be moved independently of the cleaner body 1. In use, debris retrieved by means of the induced suction will be drawn to the cyclonic separator 5 via the cleaning wand 7 and the flexible tube 15. The upper end 11 of the cleaning wand is removably attached, for example for storage, to the side of the cleaner body 1 by means of a magnet 12. The magnet 12 is provided in a recess in a region of the cleaner body 1 adjacent to the upper end 11 of the cleaning wand. The cleaning wand has a steel plate (not shown) at its upper end 11 in a complementary position to the magnet 12.

As shown in Figure 2, the cleaning wand can be detached from the cleaner body 1 by moving the steel plate away from the magnet 12 and by removing the lower end 9 from the seal on the debris retrieval assembly 3. A collar (not shown) of plastics material is provided on the outer surface of the lower end 9 of the cleaning wand. The collar supports bristles which extend longitudinally downward from the lower end 9 of the cleaning wand to facilitate the cleaning of surfaces. The lower end 9 of the cleaning wand is shaped to be complementary with connecting portions of a number of attachments 16, such that individual attachments 16 can be push fitted onto the lower end 9 of the cleaning wand 7. The provision of the attachments 16 on the lower end 9 of the cleaning wand enables debris to be removed from surfaces which are difficult to clean using the debris retrieval assembly 3, for example, upholstery, narrow crevices or a series of stairs. The debris is drawn through the attachment on the cleaning wand 7, through the flexible tube 15 and into the cyclonic separator 5.

The upper end 11 of the cleaning wand 7 can be removed from the flexible tube 15 and the cleaning wand attachments 16 can be connected directly to the flexible tube 15 if required, for example to allow access to relatively difficult to reach surfaces. Moulded into the cleaner body 1 are a number of receptacles for retaining and storing the cleaning wand attachments 16 when they are not required.

As shown in Figure 3, the debris retrieval assembly 3 has four compartments.

A front compartment 17 houses an elongate rotatable brush arrangement 19 comprising rows of tufts of bristles attached to a cylindrical member. For convenience, a front wall 21 of the front compartment 17 is arcuate and extends around the periphery of the brush arrangement 19. The bottom of the front compartment 17 is open at 23 to allow the bristles of the brush arrangement 19 to contact a floor, carpet or like surface over which the surface cleaning apparatus is to be moved.

The front wall 21 of the front compartment 17 forms the front wall of the surface cleaning apparatus. The lower edge of the front wall is non-planar. The lower edge incorporates a recess 24, as shown in Figures 1 and 4, with a width, for example, in a range from about 20mm to about 150mm, preferably about 60mm. The depth of the recess, that is the distance between the top of the recess and the lowest portion of the lower edge is nominally about 10mm but may, for example, be in the< range from about 4mm to about 20mm. The recess allows debris, such as dust, dirt and the like, too large to pass under the lowest portion of the lower edge to pass into the front compartment 17 and be picked up by means of the brush arrangement 19.

At the rear of the front compartment 17 is a rearwardly inclined wall 25 which allows debris, such as dust, dirt and the like, to be propelled up the wall due to rotation of the brush arrangement 19 (along a first pathway shown by arrow 401) and to pass over the wall into a rear compartment 27 which will be described in more detail hereinafter. The wall 25 extends upwardly to about the same height as the top of the brush arrangement 19 and is angled rearwardly (i.e. away from the front compartment 17) at an angle of about 18 degrees. The precise angle is not important, but the inclination facilitates the passage of the debris up and over the wall and at the same time facilitates retention of the debris within the rear compartment 27.

An intermediate compartment 29 is provided behind the rear wall of the front compartment 17 and beneath a portion of the rear compartment 27. The intermediate compartment 29 houses an electric motor 31. The motor 31 is used to rotate the brush arrangement 19 by way of toothed rollers (not shown) attached to each of the motor 31 and the brush arrangement 19 and a toothed belt (not shown) , for example of elastomeric material, extending around the rollers.

A rechargeable battery pack (not shown) is provided within the cleaner body 1 to provide power to both motor 31 and the motor 46 of the cyclonic suction generating assembly 54. The motor 31 is energised independently of the energising of the motor 46 associated with the cyclonic separator 5.

The battery pack may be connected to a mains power supply (not shown) for recharging the battery pack. The battery pack may either be connected to the mains supply whenever the apparatus is not in use or at suitable times when the battery pack has become depleted. Switch means (not shown) is provided to permit a user to energise and de-energise the motor 31 as desired. As an alternative to a rechargeable battery pack, the apparatus could employ disposable batteries or be mains powered.

Provided in the upper wall of the front compartment 17 is a perforated shroud 33.

The perforated shroud 33 is provided above the rotatable brush arrangement 19 and extends along substantially the entire length of the longitudinal axis of the brush arrangement 19.

The perforations in the shroud 33 allow fine particles to be separated from larger particles by means of the suction produced by the impeller 49 of the cyclonic separator 5. The fine particles pass through the perforations in the shroud 33.

When the brush arrangement 19 is rotated to sweep debris from the surface, the larger debris follows the first pathway shown by arrow 401 and is propelled up and over the inclined wall 25 and into the rear compartment 27 where it is temporarily stored. Simultaneously fine particles, incorporated in the debris, that are not propelled into the rear compartment 27 by the brush arrangement 19 are drawn through the shroud 33 by means of the suction produced by the impeller 49 of the cyclonic separator 5.

The fine particles passing through the perforations of the shroud 33 in the top wall of the front compartment 17 follow a second pathway (shown by arrow 403) into an upper compartment 35 positioned over the front, intermediate and rear compartments. The top wall of the front compartment 17 forms the lower wall of the upper compartment 35. The perforations of the shroud 33 are substantially prevented from becoming blocked as the surface of the shroud 33 is swept clean by the rotation of the brush arrangement 19.

The upper compartment 35 is in the form of a duct which transfers the fine particles, along the second pathway in the direction of arrow 403, from the front compartment 17, over the rear compartment 27, and on towards to the cyclonic separator 5, provided in the cleaner body 1, via the cleaning wand 7 and the flexible tube 15.

The rear compartment 27, shown in Figures 3 and 4, is provided with a removable tray 52 positioned between the wall 25 and a wall which forms the rear wall of the debris retrieval assembly 3. A portion of the rear compartment 27 is contoured to fit over and complement the shape of the intermediate compartment 29 protecting the motor 31 within the intermediate compartment 29 from the ingress of debris.

The removable tray 52 is divided into two sections as shown in Figure 4. A front section 37 is positioned closest to the front compartment 17 and is open at its front side such that debris swept up and over the wall of the front compartment 17 accumulates within the front section 37 of the removable tray 52. The front section 37 of the removable tray 52 extends substantially the full length of the longitudinal axis of the brush arrangement 19.

A rear section 39 of the removable tray 52 is separated from the front section 37 by a dividing wall 41.

As shown in Figure 6, a duct 44 is provided, within the cyclonic separator 5, running parallel with the axis of rotation of the pivot member 43 of the cyclonic separator 5. The duct 44 is provided to enable the transfer of any fine particles of dust, drawn into the cyclonic separator 5 via the shroud 33, from the cyclonic separator into the rear section 39 of the removable tray 52. As such, the duct 44 is only provided in the member 43 of the cyclonic separator 5 adjacent to the rear section 39 of the removable tray 52. Thus, by means of the duct 44, the separated fine particles of dust are supplied to the rear compartment 27 through the pivotal region of the cyclonic separator 5.

The removable tray 52 is provided with a removable closure 45 to facilitate the removal of debris from the rear compartment 27 and from both sections 37, 39 of the removable tray 52.

Figure 4 shows the removable closure 45 comprises a side wall 47 of the rear compartment 27 and a member 48 extending perpendicular to the side wall 47 forming part of an upper wall of the rear compartment 27 and positioned above the front section 37 of the rear compartment 27.

In order to maintain the flow of air generated by the impeller 49 through the cyclonic separator 5, the rear section 39 of the removable tray 52 is substantially sealed relative to the front section 37 of the removable tray 52 by means of dividing wall 41 and a sealing gasket 50 attached to the removable closure 45 and sealing with the rear section 39 of the removable tray 52 to reduce loss of suction. As such, the only path for ingress of debris into the rear section 39 of the removable tray 52 is via the cyclonic separator 5.

Thus, the removable tray 52, with the removable closure 45 in situ, can be removed from the rear compartment 27 of the debris retrieval assembly 3 such that the debris can be discharged from both sections 37, 39 of the removable tray 52.

As an alternative to removing both the tray and the closure, only the removable closure 45 need be removed for emptying purposes. When the removable tray 52 is to be emptied, removable closure 45 is removed and the debris retrieval assembly 3 is inclined such that the debris within the removable tray 52 is discharged into a suitable receptacle. The removable enclosure 45 is then replaced. The wall 25 of the front compartment 17 provides the advantage that debris does not readily escape from the front section 37 of the removable tray 52 and, even if the body is inclined such that the front compartment 17 is below the rear compartment 27, the debris does not escape from the rear compartment 27.

The brush arrangement 19 in the front compartment 17 extends substantially the entire width of the front compartment 17 and is provided with four helically arranged rows of bristles 47. The rows are arranged at substantially

90 degrees to each other and each row is in the form of a pair of separate helices which twist in opposite directions and meet substantially midway between the ends of the brush arrangement 19. The length of the bristles, for example, is in a range from 8 mm to 25 mm, preferably a range from 14 mm to 17 mm. The thickness of individual bristles is in a range from 0.04 mm to 0.3 mm, preferably in a range from 0.06 mm to 0.25mm. The bristles are arranged in tufts and the tufts have a diameter in a range from 1.5 mm to 5 mm, preferably a range from 2 mm to 3 mm.

The bristles comprise two different types in the form of standard bristles and fine bristles. The fine bristles have a length of, for example, 15 mm to 17 mm, an individual bristle diameter of nominally 0.06 mm and are arranged in tufts with a diameter of nominally 2.0 mm. The standard bristles have a length of, for example, 14 mm, an individual bristle diameter in a range from 0.12 mm to 0.25 mm and are arranged in tufts with a diameter of nominally 3.0 mm. The bristles are arranged such that the standard bristles comprise at least one of the helical rows, whilst the fine bristles comprise at least another of the helical rows. It should be appreciated, however, that the bristles could be arranged such that a mixture of bristle types is present together in a single helical row. In order to reduce the load on the batteries, the fine bristles are used in preference to the standard bristles to clean the surface of the shroud 33 to substantially prevent the perforations of the shroud 33 from becoming blocked.

As shown in Figure 3, mounted in and along the lower edge of the wall 25, behind the elongate brush arrangement 19, is a cleaning strip assembly 53, for example for cleaning hard floor surfaces.

The cleaning strip assembly 53, as shown in Figure 7, comprises an elongate member 55 of flexible material, for example rubber or a plastics material, with a substantially circular cross-section. Formed integral with the elongate member 55 are a series of spaced apart flexible tabs 57. Also, formed integral with the elongate member 55 is a flexible strip 59 positioned along substantially the entire length of the elongate member 55. The thickness of the flexible strip 59 decreases progressively towards an edge furthest from the elongate member 55.

The flexible tabs 57 and the flexible strip 59 are positioned on the elongate member 55 at an angle relative to each other of approximately 45 degrees. The flexible tabs 57 and flexible strip 59 extend in a generally radial direction downwards from the elongate member 55.

From Figure 8 it can be seen that the elongate member 55 of the cleaning strip assembly 53 is housed within a cavity 75 in the underside of the wall 25 of the front compartment 17 so as to be rotatable about the axis of the elongate member 55. The cleaning strip assembly 53 is orientated such that the flexible strip 59 is nearest to the front of the debris retrieval assembly 3 and the flexible tabs 57 are nearest to the rear of the debris retrieval assembly 3. The cavity has an open face through which the flexible strip 59 and the flexible tabs 57 protrude. The cavity has a first major wall 77, the rear wall in use, which is substantially upright. A second major wall 79, the front wall in use, is inclined away from the rear wall at a nominal angle of 60 degrees. The inner face of the cavity, opposite the opening, has a concave curved surface wherein the curvature complements the curvature of the elongate member 55. The elongate member 55 is retained within the cavity by retaining tabs 73 protruding from the rear wall of the cavity at the open face of the cavity. Thus, the first and second walls 77, 79 prevent excessive rotation of the elongate member 55 in either direction by engagement with the flexible tabs 57 or flexible strip 59.

Figure 9 shows an alternative embodiment of the cleaning strip assembly 53 wherein the flexible strip 59 has a first section 61 and a second section 63 positioned close to a first end 65 and to a second end 67 end respectively of the elongate member 55 at which material of the flexible strip 59 is absent such that an isolated portion 69 of the flexible strip 59 is provided at the ends 65, 67 of the elongate member 55. In use, the isolated portions 69, in conjunction with restraining pins 71 present on the ends 65, 67 of the elongate member 55, impinge on retaining tabs 73 of the cavity, to ensure that the elongate member 55 cannot bow when the cleaning strip assembly 53 is moved relative to a surface to be cleaned.

Although not shown, an auxiliary rotary brush may be provided at one end of the brush arrangement 19. Such an auxiliary brush is described, for example, in GB-A-1 547 286. Such an auxiliary brush is able to sweep debris into the path of the brush arrangement 19. The auxiliary brush may be driven by any suitable means, such as gearing from the brush arrangement 19 or by friction with the surface to be cleaned, and is suspended from and extends outwardly beyond the debris retrieval assembly 3. The auxiliary brush may comprise a cylindrical body rotatable about an axis which is inclined to the vertical by about 10 degrees so as to extend outwardly beyond the debris retrieval assembly 3. Bristles protrude radially outwardly from the periphery of the cylindrical body, but need not be perpendicular to the axis of rotation and may preferably be at an angle of about 80 degrees to the axis of rotation so as to form a cone which increases in cross-section with increasing distance from the assembly 3.

Although not shown, the rear compartment 27 may be provided with ground-engaging wheels in order to assist mobility of the surface cleaning apparatus. The ground-engaging wheels may, for example, be provided within recesses formed at least partly beneath the rear compartment 27. Alternatively or additionally, ground-engaging wheels, for example castor wheels, may be provided in recesses formed partly beneath the intermediate compartment 29. Although the illustrated embodiments of the present invention are intended primarily for domestic use, the surface cleaning apparatus can also be used outdoors or in workshops if desired. However, it may be preferable to provide a more rugged design specifically adapted for such use.

In use, a surface cleaning apparatus in accordance with the present invention is placed upon a surface to be cleaned, such as a carpet, and independent switches are operated to energise the brush assembly motor 31 and the cyclonic separator motor 46. Therefore, the surface cleaning apparatus is used simultaneously in both a suction mode and a sweeper mode. Consequently, the brush arrangement 19 is rotated to sweep debris from the surface to be cleaned and then propel the debris up and over the inclined wall 25, along the first pathway shown by arrow 401 in Figure 3, and into the removable tray 52 where it is temporarily stored. Simultaneously, fine particles, incorporated in the debris, that are not propelled into the removable tray 52 by the brush arrangement 19 are drawn through the shroud 33 by means of the suction produced by the impeller 49 of the cyclonic separator 5. The fine particles are drawn along the second pathway shown by arrow 403 in Figure 3, through the duct form upper compartment 35, over the top of the removable tray 52, to the cyclonic separator 5 via the cleaning wand 7 and the flexible tube 15. In the cyclonic separator 5 the fine particles of dust are separated from the air stream and deposited, via the duct 44 in the pivot member 43 of the cyclonic separator 5, into the rear section 39 of the removable tray 52. Any dust that passes through the cyclonic separator 5 without being removed from the air stream is retained by the filter member 51 surrounding the motor 46 of the cyclonic separator and the clean air is then expelled from the cleaning apparatus through the apertured exhaust region 8 of the cleaner body 1.

As the surface cleaning apparatus is moved over the surface to be cleaned with the brush arrangement 19 rotating and the impeller 49 of the cyclonic separator 5 producing suction, any further debris is similarly swept from the surface and propelled up and over the wall 25, or via the cyclonic separator 5, into the rear compartment 27.

In order to clean more difficult to reach surfaces, for example stairs or upholstery, the cleaning wand 7 can be used. The cleaning wand 7 can be detached from the magnet 12 on the cleaner body 1 and the lower end 9 of the wand can be moved, using the handle 13, over the surface to be cleaned. The suction generated by the impeller 49 of the cyclonic separator 5 draws air and entrained debris up through the cleaning wand 7 and via the flexible tube 15 to the cyclonic separator 5. As described hereinbefore the debris entrained in the suction generated air flow is deposited in the rear section 39 of the removable tray 52. If required, the cleaning wand 7 can be detached from the flexible tube 15 and the various attachments 16 provided on the cleaner body 1 can be attached directly to the flexible tube 15. As with the cleaning wand, debris is drawn up through the attachment to the cyclonic separator 5.

It should be appreciated that the surface cleaning apparatus can be used without the cyclonic separator 5 being energised. In such a case, the upright surface cleaning apparatus is used solely in a sweeper mode. In the sweeper mode, the surface cleaning apparatus is still capable of retrieving debris from a surface, via the first pathway, by means of the rotating brush arrangement 19 sweeping the debris from the surface and into the front section 37 of the removable tray 52 where it is temporarily stored.

The cleaning strip assembly 53 of the debris retrieval assembly 3 is used to ensure that efficient cleaning of surfaces, for example hard floor surfaces, is achieved. As shown in Figure 8A, when the surface cleaning apparatus is pushed forward 124 over a surface 104 to be cleaned, the flexible tabs 57 of the cleaning strip assembly 53 are dragged backwards by friction with the surface 104 causing the elongate member 55 to rotate about its axis. Rotation of the elongate member 55 brings the flexible strip 59 into contact with the surface 104. Continued forward movement of the surface cleaning apparatus results in the flexible strip 59 being held in contact with the surface 104 and particles of debris 103 on the surface 104 to be cleaned are gathered together and pushed forward along with the movement of the surface cleaning apparatus. Excessive rotation of the elongate member 55, when the surface cleaning apparatus is pushed forwards 124, is prevented by the rear face of the flexible strip 59 engaging on retaining tabs 73 which retain the elongate member 55 within the cavity 75 of the wall 25. Further rotation is also prevented by the flexible tabs 57 engaging the rear wall 77 of the cavity 32.

Figure 8B shows, when the surface cleaning apparatus is moved in a rearward direction 126, the flexible strip 59 is dragged towards the front of the surface cleaning apparatus by friction with the surface 104 to be cleaned. In dragging the flexible strip 59 forwards, the elongate member 55 of the cleaning strip assembly 53 is rotated such that the flexible tabs 57 are brought into contact with the surface 104. The flexible tabs 57 are also dragged towards the front of the surface cleaning apparatus so resulting in continued rotation of the elongate member 55 and the subsequent lifting of the flexible strip 59 clear of the surface 104 to be cleaned. Excessive rotation of the elongate member 55 is prevented by the flexible strip 59 engaging the inclined front wall 79 of the cavity 75 in wall 25 and being stopped from further forward movement. When the surface cleaning apparatus is pulled in a rearward direction, the particles of debris gathered together by the flexible strip 59 during use in the forward direction are swept from the surface 104 by the brush arrangement 19 and either propelled up and over the wall 25, or drawn through the perforated shroud 33 to the cyclonic separator 5, prior to being deposited into the removable tray 52. As the flexible strip 59 is clear of the surface 104, additional particles of debris can pass between adjacent flexible tabs 57 and are not prevented from passing under the flexible strip 59.

Although the cleaning strip assembly 53 described hereinbefore comprised an elongate member 55 with a substantially circular cross-sectional area attached to at least one tab and a strip member, it should be appreciated that the cleaning strip assembly 53 may take other embodiments and the moving of the strip member relative to a surface 104 may be achieved by other methods rather than by rotation of the elongate body of the cleaning strip assembly 53.

It should be understood that electronic or other means may be used in place of frictional means to determine the movement of the surface cleaning apparatus and for controlling the positioning of the flexible strip 59. When the surface cleaning apparatus is not in use it can be stored, for example in a cupboard or the like, or plugged into a mains supply in order to recharge the batteries.

Although in the rotatable brush arrangement 19 hereinbefore described the tufts all extend substantially radially from the cylindrical member and as such only sweep an area of surface below the cylindrical body of the brush apparatus, it should be appreciated that the rotatable brush arrangement 19 may take other forms to provide means of cleaning an area of surface beyond the end of the cylindrical body of the rotatable brush apparatus, and preferably alongside the surface cleaning apparatus.

Figure 10 shows another embodiment of a rotatable brush arrangement 302 which comprises a cylindrical elongate body 304 and tufts of bristles 306. The tufts of bristles are arranged as helically arranged rows. In general the tufts are arranged to extend radially from the cylindrical member.

Tufts of bristles 308 positioned at the ends of the cylindrical member 304, the end-most bristles, are arranged such that they are directed towards the nearest end of the cylindrical member and, if unrestrained, extend beyond the end. In use the end-most bristles will contact an area of surface alongside the surface cleaning apparatus in which the rotatable brush arrangement 302 is housed.

Figure 11 shows a side of the front compartment 17, in which the brush arrangement 302 rotates, with an opening 312 through which the end-most bristles 308 (not shown) protrude when in line with the aperture. As the brush arrangement 302 is rotated, successive tufts of the bristles 308 positioned at the end of the cylindrical member pass the front wall 314 of the opening and align with the opening itself. When in alignment with the opening, the end-most bristles are no longer restrained by the housing wall 316 and the end-most bristles move axially of the cylindrical member to extend outwards through the opening and contact the surface alongside the surface cleaning apparatus. As the brush assembly continues rotating, the end-most bristles will rotate rearwards until they contact the rear wall 318 of the opening. At the point of rotation of the brush assembly, when the end-most bristles contact the rear wall, the bristles are deflected axially inwards by the wall such that further rotation leads to the bristles being pulled inside the housing again. The action of the end-most bristles being deflected back inside the housing results in particles of debris in the area of surface alongside the surface cleaning apparatus also being swept into the area below the housing and being swept up by the radially arranged bristles 306 of the brush assembly 302.

In order to facilitate the deflection of the end-most bristles back into the housing, the rear wall of the opening can be contoured to provide a surface curving inwards along which the end-most bristles are moved as the brush assembly rotates.

Although the means of producing suction within a surface cleaning apparatus in accordance with the present invention has been described as a cyclonic system, it should be appreciated that other methods of producing suction within a surface cleaning apparatus, known to a person skilled in the art, could be used. It should also be appreciated that although the debris from the cyclonic separator 5 has been described as being transferred to the rear section 39 of the removable tray 52 within the debris retrieval assembly 3, the debris from the cyclonic separator 5 could be accumulated elsewhere if desired.

It should also be appreciated that a suction generating assembly using a porous bag for the accumulation of debris could be used in place of the cyclonic separator.

Claims

1. A surface cleaning apparatus comprising: collection means for accumulating debris retrieved from a surface to be cleaned; a rotatable elongate brush arrangement adapted to retrieve the debris from the surface to be cleaned and to direct a first portion of the debris along a first pathway into the collection means; means for creating a suction in a region adjacent to the brush arrangement for removing a second portion of the debris via a second pathway into the collection means, the second pathway being separate to the first pathway; and separator means provided between the rotatable brush arrangement and the means for creating a suction and adapted to prevent debris in excess of a predetermined size passing to the means for creating suction via the second pathway.

2. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the separator means comprises a perforated member.

3. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the separator means is positioned substantially above the rotatable brush arrangement.

4. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the separator means is provided adjacent to the rotatable brush assembly.

5. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the separator means is in contact with bristles of the rotatable brush assembly.

6. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the bristles of the rotatable brush assembly are of at least two different lengths.

7. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the separator means extends substantially the full length of the rotatable brush assembly.

8. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the separator means comprises ducting means to transfer the second portion of the debris, via the second pathway, to the means for creating a suction.

9. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the ducting means passes over the collection means.

10. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the collection means includes a porous bag.

11. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the collection means comprises a first collection means for the first portion of debris and a second collection means for the second portion of debris.

12. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first collection means and the second collection means comprise a first segregated section and a second segregated section of a single debris collection receptacle.

13. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 11 or 12, wherein the second collection means is substantially sealed to reduce loss of suction.

14. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 12 or 13, wherein the single debris collection receptacle is provided with a removable closure for the removal of debris therefrom.

15. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 12, 13 or 14, wherein the single debris collection receptacle is in the form of a removable tray.

16. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means for generating suction is a cyclonic suction generating system.

17. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the cyclonic suction generating system comprises a cyclonic separator adapted to transfer the second portion of the debris to the collecting means.

18. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein the cyclonic separator comprises at least one member extending transversely to a longitudinal axis of the cyclonic separator adapted to form at least one pivot between two pivotable sections of the surface cleaning apparatus .

19. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein the second portion of debris is transferred from the cyclonic separator to the collection means via a duct provided within the at least one pivot.

20. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the surface cleaning apparatus includes a surface cleaning strip assembly and means for positioning the cleaning strip assembly relative to the surface to be cleaned.

21. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the rotatable brush arrangement of the surface cleaning apparatus comprises an elongate cylindrical member and bristles attached to the cylindrical member.

22. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 21, wherein the cylindrical member has a plurality of tufts of bristles attached therealong.

23. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 22, wherein at least one tuft of bristles in an end region of the cylindrical member extends towards an end of the cylindrical member.

24. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 23, wherein a housing is provided for the rotatable brush assembly with an opening to allow the at least one tuft of bristles to extend laterally outwards beyond an end of the cylindrical member during a part of each rotation of the cylindrical member and with deflecting means for directing the at least one tuft of bristles back towards the cylindrical member.

25. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means for creating suction includes tube means for conveying the second portion of debris from the region adjacent to the brush arrangement to the collection means via the second pathway.

26. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 25, wherein one end of the tube means is detachable so as to enable debris to be retrieved from regions other than that of the brush arrangement into the collection means.

27. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 25 or 26, wherein the tube means is in a plurality of detachable portions.

28. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 27, wherein one of the detachable portions is flexible.

29. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 25 to 28 wherein a plurality of cleaning attachments are provided for use with the tube means.