CA2312623A1 - Vacuum cleaner head - Google Patents

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner head has one or more of the following improvements. The vacuum cleaner head having a casing having a dirty air inlet, a housing mounted above the dirty air inlet and moveable with respect to the dirty air inlet and a brush roatably mounted within the housing and moveable with the housing for improving the air flow of the dirty air around the brush into the vacuum cleaner head. The vacuum cleaner head having a dirty air inlet has an associated restricting member which is operable to reduce the size of the dirty air inlet thereby increasing the velocity of the air entering the air flow path. The vacuum cleaner head is provided with cutting means positioned in the air flow path of the vacuum cleaner head to reduce the size of elongate particulate material entering the dirty air inlet. A secondary air flow path positioned to provide enhanced edge cleaning. A pressure sensor which is drivingly connected to the brush to move the brush with respect to the dirty air inlet in response to the air pressure in the air flow path to the vacuum cleaner head. A vacuum cleaner is provided with an automatic actuator to engage the edge cleaning of a vacuum cleaner head when the user vacuums adjacent a wall, furniture or the like.

Description

BP # 5562-946 BERESKIN & PARK CANADA
Title: VACUUM CLEANER HEAD
Inventor(s): Wayne Ernest Conrad Helmut Gerhard Conrad Ted Szylowiec Scott Hamilton Title: VACUUM CLEANER HEAD
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to vacuum cleaner heads having an agitator such as a rotatably mounted brush. Such vacuum cleaner heads may be used with upright vacuum cleaners, canister vacuum cleaners, central vacuum cleaners and the like.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Typically, vacuum cleaners use a vacuum cleaner head having a dirty air inlet which is in flow communication with a source of suction (e.g. a motor driven fan unit). When the vacuum cleaner is turned on, the suction source creates a low pressure area which draws air into the dirty air inlet. Dirt particles and the like are entrained in the air flow and transported by the air flow to a dirt separation mechanism provided with the vacuum cleaner. In order to assist the entrainment of dirt particles and the like in the air stream entering the dirty air inlet, an agitator (e.g. a rotatably mounted brush) is provided.
The rotation of the brush agitates the surface (e.g. carpet) over which the vacuum cleaner head travels. This agitation disturbs the dirt which is in the carpet so that it may more easily be entrained in the air entering the dirty air inlet.
It has also been known in the vacuum cleaning art to include a height adjustment mechanism so that the position of the rotatably mounted brush with respect to the dirty air inlet may be adjusted to position the brush for optimal contact between the brush and the surface being cleaned. In such devices, the brush is mounted within the casing above the dirty air inlet and as the position of the brush is adjusted, the distance from the periphery of the brush to the inner portion of the casing housing the brush varies.
One disadvantage of this approach is that the air gap between the brush and the inner portion of the casing housing the brush varies. Accordingly, even if the portion of the casing housing the brush were aerodynamically designed so as to assist in the travel of the dirty air past the brush, the benefit of the aerodynamic shape would be reduced as the height of the brush is adjusted.
It has been known in vacuum cleaners to include a height adjustment means to raise the brush so as to remove it from contact with the surface when the vacuum cleaner is in a bare floor cleaning mode. Alternately, it has been known to interrupt the rotation of the brush when the vacuum cleaner is in the bare floor cleaning mode. In either case, the agitation created by the rotation of the brush is not available to assist in cleaning when the vacuum cleaner is in the bare floor cleaning mode.
United States Patent Number 2,930,069 (Kowalewski) discloses a turbine driven power head which has a flexible vertical wall which is positioned behind a rotating brush. The flexible vertical wall has fingers which contact the surface over which the vacuum cleaner is passed so as to cause the wall to move in the opposite direction to the direction of travel of the vacuum cleaner head. This is used to balance the load on the turbine during the travel of the vacuum cleaner head forward and rearward across the surface.
United States Patent Number 3,936,905 (Stewart et al) discloses a vacuum cleaner suction tool which has a hand operated control knob for decreasing the size of the dirty air inlet at the option of the user.
United States patent Number 2,219,802 (Bjorkman) discloses a suction nozzle which does not contain a rotating brush. In one embodiment, the suction nozzle has two inlets, one of which is larger than the other. A valve is moved to sequentially connect the smaller and the larger openings. In an alternate embodiment, the vacuum cleaner has a single dirty air inlet. An inlet to the air flow path through the vacuum cleaner head is positioned distal to the dirty air inlet. A valve is provided with the entrance to the air flow path so as to change the size of the entrance.

If a turbine is placed in the air flow path, it may become clogged (such as by hairs or other elongate particulate material) which may be entrained in the dirty air stream entering the vacuum cleaner head. Accordingly, it is well known in the industry to mount the turbine so as to be operated by clean air which enters the vacuum cleaner head such as through the top of the vacuum cleaner head. One disadvantage with this approach is that not all of the air which enters the vacuum cleaner head enters through the dirty air inlet.
Accordingly, a portion of the suction created by the motor is used to operate the turbine and is not available for use in entraining dirt.
While it is known to locate a turbine in the dirty air flow path through the vacuum cleaner head, suitable means for preventing the clogging of the turbine have not been developed.
While vacuum cleaner heads typically extend substantially across the transverse width of the lower surface of the vacuum cleaner head, it typically does not extend all the way from one end to the other. Further, the air flow path through the vacuum cleaner head is typically in communication with the dirty air inlet at a single point. Therefore, the force of the suction created by the vacuum cleaner is distributed more or less evenly across the entire dirty air inlet. Accordingly, a vacuum cleaner head may not have sufficient suction adjacent the opposed transverse sides of the dirty air inlet to effect good edge cleaning, such as at the corner of a surface adjacent a wall.
In order to increase the efficiency of a vacuum cleaner head, it is also known to include an agitator, such as a rotatable mounted brush immediately above the dirty air inlet. As the brush rotates, it agitates the surface being cleaned (e.g. a carpet) and disturbs dirt so that it may be more easily entrained in the air entering the dirty air inlet. For mechanical reasons, the brush does not extend all the way to the edge of the dirty air inlet and, accordingly, the agitator is not available to assist in cleaning the surface adjacent the opposed transverse sides of the dirty air inlet.
United States Patent Number 4,651,381 (Meidel) discloses a suction nozzle for cleaning delicate objects. The nozzle does not include a brush and may be used to clean without coming into contact with and therefore without mechanical damage to the object to be cleaned. The nozzle has a nozzle within the dirty air inlet for producing a jet of air.
United States Patent Number 2,864,119 (Crise) discloses a vacuum cleaner having a turbine driven by a clean air stream. After passing through the turbine, clean air is directed intermittently into the carpet as jets. Sequentially, air is also drawing through an inlet into the vacuum cleaner head to complete the cleaning action. Continuous jet action is not provided by Crise. Further, the air jets are distributed across the entire transverse length of the dirty air inlet of the vacuum cleaner head.
United States Patent Number 3,107,386 (Mandin) and United States Patent Number 3,694,848 (Alcala) both produce air jets across the entire transverse length of the dirty air inlet. Both Mandin and Alcala use a source of pressurized air exterior to the vacuum cleaner head to create the air jets.
United States Patent Number 4,300,261 (Woodward et al) uses a motor to drive an air compressor to create air jets across the entire transverse length of the dirty air inlet. United States Patent No.
4,315,344 (Woodward et al) uses an air compressor to create jets of air.
The vacuum cleaner head does not include a rotatably mounted brush.
Instead, the jets of air are used to direct dirt towards a dirty air inlet of the vacuum cleaner head.
It is known in the art to increase the distance of the brush from the carpet being cleaned as the thickness or pile of the carpet increases. For example, United States Patent Number 3,683,448 (Lagerstrom et al) discloses a nozzle height adjustment mechanism for adjusting the height of a suction inlet with respect to the surface being cleaned. Lagerstrom et al uses a rotatably mounted axle and a cam surface which engages a radially off set central portion of the axle. One disadvantage of this approach is that an operator must manually set the height of the inlet based upon the operator's evaluation of the surface being cleaned.
United States Patent Number 5,086,538 (Zahuranec) discloses a foot operated nozzle height adjustment mechanism. United States Patent Number 4,513,472 (Wells) also discloses a height adjustment mechanism which requires initial operation of the device by the user. The operator then turns the vacuum cleaner on and slowly steps on an actuator while the front cleaning nozzle is slowly lowered to the floor. When the proper vacuum is achieved, the nozzle is fixed at a set height (column 4, lines 32-49). Accordingly, Wells et al and Zahuranec disclose height adjustment mechanisms which are manually operable.
United States Patent Number 3,849,823 (Adamson et al) discloses a floor cleaning apparatus which has a rotatably mounted brush. When the brush meets an increased resistance in cleaning the floor covering, the brush is elevated to reduce the resistance to rotation. The mechanical linkage of Adamson et al is used to reduce the load on the turbine so as to enable the brush to keep rotating but does not directly measure monitor the air flow in the vacuum cleaner.
Efficient edge cleaning is typically only required for those portions of a surface over which the dirty air inlet does not pass.
Examples of such situations are the edges of a floor (e.g. those portions of a floor adjacent a wall of the structure, or adjacent pieces of furniture such as pianos, table legs or the like). In these situations, the dirty air inlet and any rotatably mounted brush provided therewith can not physically reach all the way to the edge of the surface which is being cleaned. It is in these situations where increased edge cleaning is typically required. While various methods for providing improved edge cleaning have been disclosed in the art, one disadvantage of these approaches is that the user must physically actuate the edge cleaning when it is required. This may be done by converting the vacuum cleaner to a bare floor cleaning mode or turning a control to actuate the edge cleaning. See for example United States Patent Number 3,936,905 (Stewart et al).
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the instant invention, a housing is provided for mounting the brush. The housing itself moves with respect to the dirty air inlet so as to enable the vacuum cleaner head to maintain an optimal spacing between the perimeter of the brush and the interior of the housing. Accordingly, if the housing is aerodynamically shaped so as to provide an aerodynamic air flow path around the brush through the housing, the aerodynamic air flow path is maintained as the height of the brush is adjusted with respect to the dirty air inlet. By providing an aerodynamically shaped housing, the efficiency of the vacuum cleaner head may be increased thereby increasing the efficiency of the vacuum cleaner and/or decreasing the size of the motor which is required for the vacuum cleaner.
In accordance with this aspect of the instant invention there is therefore provided a vacuum cleaner head for cleaning a surface comprising (a) a casing having a lower surface and an air flow path, the air flow path including a dirty air inlet provided in the lower surface, the air flow path connectable to a source of suction; (b) a housing mounted above the dirty air inlet and movably mounted with respect to the dirty air inlet; and, (c) a brush rotatably mounted within the housing.
The housing may have an air inlet in air flow _7_ communication with the dirty air inlet and the brush may be mounted at a fixed position in the housing with respect to the air inlet.
In another embodiment, the housing is mounted within the casing for movement of the housing towards and away from the dirty air inlet.
In another embodiment, the housing is mounted to float freely within the casing.
In another embodiment, the casing further comprises a vertically extending track and the housing is moveable mounted on the track. The track may be configured for free movement of the housing on the track. Alternately, or in addition, the vacuum cleaner head may further comprise a power source and a drive member drivingly connecting the power source to the brush for rotatably driving the brush and the track is configured with respect to the power source to maintain a generally constant tension in the drive member.
In another embodiment, the housing is aerodynamically shaped whereby, as the housing moves with respect to the dirty air inlet, the aerodynamic flow of air through the housing is maintained.
In another embodiment, the housing has an air inlet defined by spaced apart opposed sides in air flow communication with the dirty air inlet and an inner wall extending from one of the opposed sides to the other of the opposed sides, the inner wall having a downstream portion, the downstream portion having an air outlet, at least a portion of the downstream portion extending outwardly away from the brush.
In another embodiment, the vacuum cleaner head further comprises a manually adjustable control (eg. a foot operated pedal) drivingly connected to the housing whereby a person can manually raise the housing, and therefore the brush, with respect to the surface on which the vacuum cleaner head is positioned.
In another embodiment, the vacuum cleaner head further _8_ comprises a pressure sensor to automatically raise or lower the housing in response to the air pressure in the air flow path downstream of the dirty air inlet and preferably downstream of the air outlet from the housing.
In accordance with this aspect of the instant invention, there is also provided a vacuum cleaner head for cleaning a surface comprising (a) a casing having a dirty air inlet; (b) enclosing means mounted above the dirty air inlet defining an air flow path around an agitation means mounted therein; (c) connecting means for connecting the air flow means with a source of suction; and, (d) height adjustment means for movement of the enclosing means with respect to the dirty air inlet.
In one embodiment, the agitation means is mounted at a fixed position in the enclosing means.
In another embodiment, the height adjustment means comprises mounting means for free movement of the enclosing means towards and away from the dirty air inlet.
In another embodiment, the enclosing means has an air inlet, an air outlet and is aerodynamically shaped to provide an aerodynamic flow of air around the agitation means from the air inlet to the air outlet whereby, as the enclosing means moves with respect to the dirty air inlet, the aerodynamic flow of air through the enclosing means is maintained.
In another embodiment, the vacuum cleaner head further comprises lift off means for raising the enclosing means, and therefore the brush, with respect to the surface on which the vacuum cleaner head is positioned. The lift off means may be manually actuatable by a person. The lift off means may comprise sensing means to raise or lower the enclosing means in response to the air pressure in the air flow path downstream of the dirty air inlet.
In another embodiment, the enclosing means has an air outlet and the sensing means is reactive to the air pressure in the air flow path downstream of the air outlet.
In accordance with the instant invention, there is also provided a method of cleaning a surface using a vacuum cleaner comprising (a) providing a vacuum cleaner head having a casing with a dirty air inlet, a housing movably mounted within the casing and a brush mounted within the housing; (b) moving the vacuum cleaner head over the surface; (c) entraining dirt on the surface to form a dirty air stream which enters an air flow path extending from the dirty air inlet to a source of suction; (d) passing the dirty air stream from the dirty air inlet into the housing; and, (e) adjusting the position of the housing with respect to the dirty air inlet to allow for aerodynamic air flow around the brush whereby the surface is cleaned.
In another embodiment, the method further comprises automatically adjusting the position of the housing with respect to the dirty air inlet in response to the amount of air flowing through the dirty air inlet.
In accordance with another aspect of the instant invention, a vacuum cleaner head is provided which will maintain efficient cleaning when a rotatable brush is converted to a bare floor cleaning mode. When the brush is moved to the bare floor cleaning mode, the size of the dirty air inlet is reduced so as to increase the air flow through the dirty air inlet to at least in part compensate for the absence of the agitation provided by the rotating brush. Movement of the restricting member may be caused by the brush being converted to the bare floor cleaning mode. Alternately, movement of the restricting member may result in the brush moving to the bare floor cleaning mode. In a further alternate embodiment, the movement of the brush to the bare floor cleaning mode and the movement of the restricting member are actuated by the same control member (which may be manually operable or may result from the upper casing of the vacuum cleaner moving to the upright storage position) if the vacuum cleaner head is affixed to an upright vacuum cleaner.
Therefore, in accordance with this aspect of the instant invention, there is provided a vacuum cleaner head for cleaning a surface comprising a casing having a lower surface and an air flow path, the air flow path including a dirty air inlet provided in the lower surface, a brush rotatably mounted in the casing and movably mounted with respect to the dirty air inlet, a restricting member mounted in the casing and moveable between a neutral position and a restricting position in which the restricting member reduces the size of the air flow path and, a control member drivingly connected to at least one of the restricting member and the brush to move the restricting member between the neutral and restricting positions as the brush is moved with respect to the dirty air inlet.
In accordance with this aspect of the invention, the vacuum cleaner head may be adapted to enhance the efficiency of the vacuum cleaner head any time which is required by the user. To this end, a restricting member is provided which is operable so as to reduce the size of the dirty air inlet when actuated by a control member. As opposed to the prior art, by directly affecting the size of the dirty air inlet, the velocity of the air entering the vacuum cleaner head is increased thereby assisting in the entrainment of dirt into the vacuum cleaner head. Thus, in accordance with another embodiment of this invention there is provided a vacuum cleaner head for cleaning a surface comprising a casing having a lower surface and an air flow path, the air flow path including a dirty air inlet provided in the lower surface, a restricting member mounted in the casing and moveable between a neutral position and a restricting position in which the restricting member reduces the size of the air flow path at a position adjacent the dirty air inlet and, a control member drivingly connected to the restricting member to move the restricting member between the neutral and restricting positions.
In accordance with this aspect of the invention there is also provided a vacuum cleaner head for cleaning a surface comprising a casing having a lower surface and an air flow path, the air flow path including a dirty air inlet provided in the lower surface and an air outlet, the dirty air inlet having a central portion and side portions positioned on either side of the central portion, restricting means moveable between a neutral position and a restricting position and cooperative with the dirty air inlet for reducing the size of the air flow path at a position adjacent the dirty air inlet and, a control means drivingly connected to the restricting means to move the restricting means between the neutral and restricting positions.
In accordance with this aspect of the instant invention, there is also provided a method of cleaning a surface using a vacuum cleaner head having a lower surface having a dirty air inlet, an air outlet and an air flow path there between, the method comprising introducing dirty air into the dirty air inlet and, selectively reducing the size of the dirty air inlet to increase the rate of air flow through the dirty air inlet.
In accordance with another aspect of the instant invention, cutting means are provided in the air flow path for reducing the size of a portion of a particulate material entering the dirty air inlet. Thus, materials such as hair and the like may be cut into smaller portions so as to avoid clogging or filing the turbine. In addition, by reducing the size of such elongate material, the likelihood of the air flow path downstream of the turbine becoming clogged is reduced. Accordingly, the efficiency of the vacuum cleaner head, and in fact the entire vacuum cleaning system, may be maintained at a higher level.
Accordingly, in accordance with this aspect of the instant invention there is provided a vacuum cleaner head for cleaning a surface comprising a casing having a dirty air inlet for receiving an air flow having entrained particulate material, an air outlet and an air flow path extending between the dirty air inlet and the air outlet, a first member having a cutting edge and, a second member cooperative with the first member for reducing the size of a portion of the particulate material entering the dirty air inlet.
In accordance with this aspect of the invention there is also provided a vacuum cleaner head for cleaning a surface comprising a casing having a dirty air inlet for receiving an air flow having entrained particulate material, an air outlet and an air flow path extending between the dirty air inlet and the air outlet and, cutting means positioned in the air flow path for reducing the size of a portion of the particulate material entering the dirty air inlet.
In accordance with this aspect of the instant invention there is also provided a method of cleaning a surface using a vacuum cleaner head having a dirty air inlet, an air outlet and an air flow path there between, the method comprising introducing dirty air having entrained particulate material into the dirty air inlet and, reducing the size of a portion of the particulate material as it passes through the air flow path.
The vacuum cleaner head may include a motive force means for producing motive power in response to the air flow through the vacuum cleaner head and the method further comprises using the motive force means to reduce the size of a portion of the particulate material as it passes through the air flow path. The motive force means may comprise a turbine and the method further comprises reducing the size of a portion of the particulate material as it passes by the turbine.
The method may further comprise conveying the dirty air having entrained particulate matter from the air outlet to filtration means to remove particulate matter from the air.

In accordance with another aspect of the instant invention, a secondary air flow path is provided which is in communication with the lower surface of the vacuum cleaner head at a position exterior to the dirty air inlet (e.g. adjacent the longitudinal sides of the vacuum cleaner head). In this way, the secondary air source may be used to assist in cleaning the surface at a position exterior to the path of travel of the dirty air inlet. Accordingly, even if the vacuum cleaner includes an agitator such a rotatably mounted brush, the opening of the air flow path may be positioned between the transverse end of the brush and the longitudinal side of the vacuum cleaner so as to provide cleaning action on a portion of the surface which is not contacted by the brush as it travels across the surface.
Accordingly, in accordance with this aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vacuum cleaner head for cleaning a surface when in flow communication with a source of suction, the vacuum cleaner head comprising a casing having a dirty air inlet for receiving an air flow, an air outlet and an air flow path extending between the dirty air inlet and the air outlet, the air outlet connectable with the source of suction, a brush rotatably mounted in the casing, a main turbine drivenly connectable with the source of suction, an edge cleaning turbine drivenly connectable with the source of suction and, an edge cleaning air flow path positioned exterior to the dirty air inlet extending between the edge cleaning turbine and at least one opening in the casing facing the surface whereby, during use, the edge cleaning turbine causes air to flow through the air flow path for cleaning the surface adjacent the at least one opening.
Vacuum cleaners which have a rotatably mounted brush typically are operable in two modes, namely a first mode in which in which the brush is rotating and is in contact with the floor and a second bare floor cleaning. In the bare floor cleaning mode, the brush may still be rotating but raised above the surface so as not to scratch or otherwise mar the surface. Alternately, the rotation of the brush may be discontinued. In either case, the valve may automatically move to the open (or the further opened) position when the vacuum cleaner head is switched to the bare floor cleaning mode.
The vacuum cleaner head may further comprise a control member drivingly connected to the brush to selectively raise the brush from the surface whereby raising the brush causes the main turbine and the edge cleaning turbine to rotate faster thereby increasing the air flow through the air flow path for cleaning the surface adjacent the at least one opening.
In accordance with this aspect of the instant invention, there is also provided a vacuum cleaner head for cleaning a surface comprising a casing having a dirty air inlet, an air outlet and a main air flow path extending there between, motive force means positioned in the main air flow path for producing power in response to the air flow through the vacuum cleaner head, a secondary air flow path positioned exterior to the main air flow path and in flow communication with the surface via air flow means positioned exterior to the dirty air inlet and, means for generating an air flow through the secondary air flow path.
In accordance with this aspect of the instant invention, there is also provided a method of cleaning a surface using a vacuum cleaner head having a dirty air inlet, an air outlet and a main air flow path there between, the method comprising introducing dirty air into the dirty air inlet, using a supplemental air flow through a secondary air flow path separate to the main air flow path to assist in cleaning a portion of the surface over which the vacuum cleaner head is passed which is exterior to the portion of the surface over which the dirty air inlet is passed and, using motive force means for producing motive power in response to the air flow through the main air flow path to generate an air flow through the secondary air flow path.

In accordance with another aspect of the instant invention, pressure sensor means is provided for automatically adjusting the height of an agitator (e.g. a rotatably mounted brush) based upon changes in the air pressure in the air flow path through a vacuum cleaner head. Accordingly, if the brush has excessive contact with the surface being cleaned (e.g. a carpet) the amount of air flow into the dirty air inlet will decrease. As the air flow through the air flow path in the vacuum cleaner head decreases, there is a decrease in the pressure in the air flow path and the brush is raised. This is a dynamic responsive system which allows the brush to maintain an optimal position with respect to the surface being cleaned.
Accordingly, there is provided a vacuum cleaning head for cleaning a surface comprising a casing having a dirty air inlet for receiving an air flow, an air outlet and an air flow path extending between the dirty air inlet and the air outlet, a brush mounted above the dirty air inlet and movably mounted with respect to the dirty air inlet and, a pressure sensor drivingly connected to the brush to move the brush with respect to the dirty air inlet in response to the air pressure in the air flow path downstream of the dirty air inlet.
In accordance with this aspect of the instant invention, a method and apparatus is provided whereby the enhanced edge cleaning is automatically actuated when a user vacuums adjacent the edge of a floor. In such a case, the vacuum cleaner is automatically converted to the enhanced edge cleaning mode. Accordingly, one advantage of the instant invention is that the vacuum cleaner automatically adjusts the edge cleaning as may be required depending upon the proportion of the floor which is being cleaned. Further, given that a user may not wish to continually actuate a knob or control to engage the edge cleaning feature of a vacuum cleaner, it is more likely that a surface may be properly cleaned thus enhancing the user satisfaction of the vacuum cleaner.

Therefore, in accordance with this aspect of the instant invention there is also provided a vacuum cleaner head for cleaning a surface comprising (a) a casing having a front end, a rear end, longitudinal sides extending from the front end towards the rear end, a lower plate having an upper surface and a lower surface, and an air flow path, the air flow path including a dirty air inlet provided in the lower surface; (b) at least one member selected from the group:
(i) a restricting member mounted in the casing and moveable between a neutral position and a restricting position in which the restricting member reduces the size of the air flow path; and, (ii) an edge cleaning member operable between a first position and a second position in which increased edge cleaning is provided; and, (c) a control member engagable with a vertically extending member of the area being cleaned by the vacuum cleaner head and drivingly connected to at least one of the restricting member and the edge cleaning member to operate the respective one of the restricting member and the edge cleaning member due to contact between the control member and the vertically extending member.
In accordance with this aspect of the instant invention, there is also provided a vacuum cleaner head for cleaning a surface comprising (a) a casing having a front end, a rear end, longitudinal sides extending from the front end towards the rear end, a lower plate having an upper surface and a lower surface, and an air flow path, the air flow path including a dirty air inlet provided in the lower surface;
(b) edge cleaning means; and, (c) control means drivingly connected to the edge cleaning means to operate the edge cleaning means due to contact between the control means and a vertically extending member of the area being cleaned by the vacuum cleaner head.
In accordance with this aspect of the instant invention, there is also provided a method of cleaning a surface using a vacuum cleaner head having a lower surface having a dirty air inlet, an air outlet and an air flow path there between, the method comprising (a) introducing dirty air into the dirty air inlet; and, (b) selectively providing edge cleaning by engaging a portion of the casing with a vertically extending surface of the area being cleaned by the vacuum cleaner head.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other advantages of the instant invention will be more fully and completely understood in accordance with the following description of the preferred embodiments of the invention in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of an upright vacuum cleaner with the upper casing in the upright storage position;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the vacuum cleaner shown in Figure 1 with the upper casing in a lowered vacuuming/storage position;
Figure 3 is a cut away top perspective view of the vacuum cleaner head of Figure 1;
Figure 4 is an enlarged cut away partial view of a first alternate embodiment of the vacuum cleaner head of Figure 3;
Figure 5 is a cut away top perspective view of a second alternate embodiment of the vacuum cleaner head of Figure 3;
Figure 5a is an enlargement of a portion of the vacuum cleaner head of Figure 5;
Figure 6 is a top plan view with the upper portion of the casing removed of the vacuum cleaner head of Figure 3;
Figure 7 is a side plan view of the lift off means for raising the brush and/or housing wherein the lift off means has been manually actuated by means of a pedal;

Figure 8 is a side plan view of the lift off means of Figure 7 wherein the housing has been raised with respect to the dirty air inlet due to a reduced pressure in the air flow path through the vacuum cleaner head;
Figure 9 is a side plan view of the lift off means of Figure 6 wherein the housing and the brush are in a lowered ground engaging mode;
Figure 9a is an enlargement of the pedal actuator for the lift off means of Figure 6;
Figure 10 is a top plan view of an alternate embodiment of the vacuum cleaner head of Figure 1 wherein the turbine, brush housing and a portion of the lift off means have been removed and the restricting member is in the restricting position;
Figure 10a is a alternate embodiment of the vacuum cleaner head of Figure 10;
Figure 10b is a further alternate embodiment of the vacuum cleaner head of Figure 10;
Figure lOc is a further alternate embodiment of the vacuum cleaner head of Figure 10;
Figure 11 is a top plan view of the vacuum cleaner head of Figure 10 with the restricting manner in the neutral position;
Figure 12 is a cross section along the line of 12-12 of the vacuum cleaner head of Figure 10;
Figure 13 is a cross section along the lines of 13-13 of the vacuum cleaner head of Figure 11;
Figure 14 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the turbine and turbine housing shown in Figure 3;
and, Figure 15 is a cross section along the line 15-15 in Figure 14.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
According to the preferred embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, a vacuum cleaner comprises a vacuum cleaner head 10 and an upper casing 12. Vacuum cleaner head 10 is provided with glide means for permitting vacuum cleaner head 10 to move over a surface being cleaned (eg. front wheels 14 and rear wheels 16). Upper casing 12 is provided with handle 18 and is pivotally mounted with respect to vacuum cleaner head 10 by any means known in the art (such as by pivotal air flow conduit 34 as shown in Figure 5). In the case of an upright vacuum cleaner, a spring may be used to offset the weight of the handle, such as compression spring 48.
Vacuum cleaner head 10 may be for use with any vacuum cleaning system known in the industry. Accordingly, vacuum cleaner head 10 may be used with an upright vacuum cleaner as shown in Figures 1 and 2. Alternately, for example, it may be used with a central vacuum system or with a canister vacuum system. As such, the motor for providing suction may be positioned in upper casing 12 or as part of the canister body or the central vacuum cleaning body as is known in the art. Further, it will be appreciated that vacuum cleaner head 10 may be modified to include a motor positioned therein.
The vacuum cleaner may use any dirt separation mechanism known in the industry. For example, upper casing 12 may include a filter bag or a cyclone separation mechanism.
Figure 3 shows a cut away, top perspective view of a preferred embodiment of vacuum cleaner head 10. In this figure, vacuum cleaner head 10 comprises a casing 20 having a front end 22, a rear end 24, and spaced apart sides 26 which extend longitudinally from front end 22 towards rear end 24. Casing 20 has a lower surface 28, an upper surface 30 and side surfaces 32 extending there between. The actual shape of casing 20 may vary for design reasons and need not be of any particular size or shape.

As shown in Figure 6, the forward position of vacuum cleaner head 10 is provided with dirty air inlet 40. Dirty air inlet 40 may be of any construction and positioning known in the art.
Generally, dirty air inlets for vacuum cleaner heads comprise transversely extending openings provided in lower surface 28 having transversely extending sides 42 and spaced opposed ends 44 (see Figure 10). Cleaner head 10 further includes a dirty air outlet 46 for connecting vacuum cleaner head 10 in air flow communication with the dirt separation mechanism which is positioned downstream thereof. An air flow path extends through vacuum cleaner head 10 between dirty air inlet 40 and air outlet 46 such that dirty air inlet 40 is in air flow communication with the dirt separation mechanism and the source of suction. Air outlet 46 may be a pivotally mounted member in casing 20 as is known in the art or it may be connectable with a pivotally moveable member.
In a preferred embodiment of this invention, vacuum cleaner head 10 may have a housing 50 for receiving a brush 60 wherein the housing is movably mounted with respect to dirty air inlet 40.
Brush 60 may be any agitation means known in the vacuum cleaner art for assisting the cleaning action of a vacuum cleaner head. It may be a stationary member or a member that is moved (eg. rotated or vibrated) so as to disturb dirt on the surface being cleaned. Preferably, brush 60 comprises a rotatably mounted brush having a plurality of bristles 62 provided thereon so as to agitate, for example, a carpet as brush 60 is rotated. Brush 60 may be rotatably mounted and rotatably driven by any means known in the art. For example, as shown in Figure 3, brush 60 may be rotatably driven in housing 50 by means of an electric motor (as is known in the art) or by a drive belt 80. When brush 60 is rotating and in contact with the surface being cleaned the vacuum cleaner head is in a surface cleaning mode. It is also known to use vacuum cleaners to clean floors having a surface which may be scratched by a rotating brush (eg. wood flooring) and for vacuum cleaners to have a nozzle provided on the end of a hose for use in cleaning, for example, furniture, crevices or the like.
Vacuum cleaners may be converted to such a canister or bare floor mode by interrupting the rotation of the brush or by raising the brush while the brush is still rotating. Various means are known in the art for so converting a vacuum cleaner head.
Housing 50 may be any enclosing means mounted above the dirty air inlet for receiving brush 60 and defining an air flow path around the brush 60. Housing 50 has an air inlet 52 which is in air flow communication with dirty air inlet 40 and an air outlet 54 which is in air flow communication with the air flow path through vacuum cleaner head 10. Housing 50 may be of any particular design.
As shown in Figures 4, 5 and 12, housing 50 may have spaced apart opposed sides 56 which are in air flow communication with dirty air inlet 40 and define an inner wall 58 which extends from one opposed side 56 to the other opposed side 56 and has a curved upper section. Air path 68 (which is defined as the space between brush 60 and inner wall 58 of housing 50) has an upstream portion 64 and a downstream portion 66 and extends around brush 60. Accordingly, when the source of suction is actuated, air is drawn in through air inlet 52, through air path 68 to air outlet 54 where it travels through the air flow path through vacuum cleaner head 10.
Preferably, housing 50 is aerodynamically shaped so as to assist the flow of air into the air flow path through the vacuum cleaner and around brush 60. Housing 50 may be aerodynamically shaped by positioning at least a portion of downstream portion 66 radially outwardly of brush 60 compared to upstream portion 64 of air path 68. Accordingly, a pumping action would be created as the air travels through air path 68 thus assisting the air flow through air path 68 and assisting to maintain the entrainment of suspended particulate matter and the air travelling through the air path 68.
It will be appreciated that brush 60 is preferably mounted at a fixed position in housing 50 with respect to air inlet 52. However, in an alternate embodiment, vertical movement of brush 60 with respect to housing 50 may be permitted.
Housing 50 is movably mounted with respect to dirty air inlet 40 for movement towards and away from dirty air inlet 40 and is preferably mounted above dirty air inlet 40 for vertical movement with respect to dirty air inlet 40. Accordingly, if brush 60 is mounted at a fixed position with respect to housing 50, the aerodynamic flow of air around brush 60 will be maintained as housing 50 (and accordingly brush 60) are moved to accommodate different surfaces over which vacuum cleaner head 10 travels.
Housing 50 may be movably mounted with respect to dirty air inlet 40 by any means. For example, it will be appreciated that no external member may be connected to housing 50 or brush 60.
Accordingly, housing 50 may float freely upwardly and downwardly along track 70 as vacuum cleaner head 10 passes along a surface. In an alternate embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, track 70 may be provided on the inner surface of spaced apart sides 26. Track 70 may, for example, have a slot 72 for receiving an engagement member 74 (see Figure 6). Engagement member 74 may be an axle to which housing 50 is affixed and about which brush 60 is rotatably mounted by means of bearings which are positioned internally of brush 60 and are accordingly not shown in Figure 6. Accordingly, brush 60 may move towards and away from dirty air inlet 40 as housing 50 travels along track 70.
Track 70 comprises a height adjustment means which allows housing 50 (and accordingly brush 60) to float freely with respect to dirty air inlet 40. It will be appreciated that vacuum cleaner head 10 may also include a lift off means for automatically adjusting the height of housing 50 (and accordingly brush 60) with respect to dirty air inlet 40 (eg. if the upper casing is moved to the upright storage position shown in Figure 1). Alternately, a manually adjustable actuated lift-off means may be used so as to permit an operator to manually raise brush 60 (eg. by a foot operated pedal or a hand operated lever) when the brush will be running for an extended period of time with vacuum cleaner head 10 in a fixed position (such as if the vacuum cleaner is also designed to be used in a bare floor mode). Any such device known in the art to adjust the height of brush 60 may be used with housing 50.
As brush 60 moves with respect to dirty air inlet 40, the amount of tension in belt 80 may vary. Accordingly, track 70 may be shaped so as to maintain a constant tension in belt 80 as housing 50 (and accordingly brush 60) move within casing 20. To this end, as shown in Figure 3, track 70 may have a lower portion 76 and an upper portion 78 wherein the upper portion is displaced (e.g. curved rearwardly) so as to maintain a relatively constant tension in belt 80 when brush 60 is at the upper extent of its travel in track 70.
Brush 60 may also be movably mounted with respect to dirty air inlet 40 by means of pivot arms 82 (see Figure 4). Pivot arms 82 may be connected, for example, to the inner surface of longitudinally extending sides 26 by means of pivots 84. The opposed end of pivot arms 82 may be pivotally mounted to either housing 50 or brush 60 by means of pivots 86.
While brush 60 may be driven by any drive members known in the art, it is preferred to use a main turbine 90 which is positioned in the air flow path in vacuum cleaner head 10. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, main turbine 90 is rotatably mounted in main turbine housing 92. Housing 92 is sized to receive and is preferably slightly larger than main turbine 90. If main turbine 90 ~ is a longitudinally extending member as shown in Figure 6, then housing 92 has transversally extending sides 94 and spaced opposed sides 96 and has an inlet 98 and an outlet 100. Inlet 98 is in air flow communication with dirty air inlet 40 such as via air outlet 54 of housing 50. It will be appreciated that if vacuum cleaner head 10 does not include housing 50, that inlet 98 may be in direct communication with dirty air inlet 40. Air outlet 100 is in air flow communication with air outlet 46.
Main turbine 94 has a plurality of blades 104. When the suction source is activated, dirty air travelling through main turbine housing 92 contacts blades 104 causing main turbine 90 to rotate.
Preferably, main turbine 90 is non-rotatably mounted on drive shaft 102. Further, transfer member 106 may be non-rotatably mounted on drive shaft 102 and may have a recessed portion for receiving drive belt 80. Thus, main turbine 90 is drivingly connected to brush 60 to cause rotation thereof via belt 80. It will be appreciated that other flexible drive means such as a drive chain or the like may also be used.
An electric generator 124 may be used to produce electricity to operate lights 126.
Housing 50 may be provided with a flag means 36 (see Figure 3) which is visible in window 38 of casing 20 (see Figures 1 and 2) when housing 50 is in the raised position. Flag means 36 may be any member that will provide a visual signal to a user, such a coloured or fluorescent coated member. In an alternate embodiment, if vacuum cleaner head 10 does not include a housing 50, as in some of the other preferred embodiments of this invention, then flag means 36 may be provided on the lift off mechanism or the brush mount.
In another preferred embodiment, vacuum cleaner head 10 includes sensing means to move brush 60 with respect to dirty air inlet 40 in response to the air pressure in the air flow path downstream of dirty air inlet 40 and, preferably, downstream of main turbine 90. Referring to Figures 4 and 5, a pressure sensor 110 is provided in vacuum cleaner head 10. Pressure sensor 110 is in air flow communication with the air flow path through vacuum cleaner head via passage 112 having a first end 114 and a second end 116. First 5 end 114 may be in air flow communication with any portion of the air flow path through vacuum cleaner head 10, but, preferably, it is in communication with the air flow path downstream of housing 50 and, more preferably, downstream of main turbine 90, such as air outlet 46.
It will be appreciated that the sensing means may be used 10 in a vacuum cleaner head 10 which does not include a housing 50. In such a case, the sensing means may still be in communication with any portion of the air flow path through vacuum cleaner head 10.
Pressure sensor 110 may be any sensing means reactive to a pressure differential that may be drivingly connected by any means known in the art to cause movement of housing 50 depending upon the air pressure in air outlet 46. If vacuum cleaner head 10 does not include a housing, pressure sensor 110 may be directly drivingly connected to brush 60 by any means known in the art. Pressure sensor 110 may be any mechanical or electrical member which is drivingly connected to housing 50 and/or brush 60 and which is responsive to the air pressure in, for example, air outlet 46 to cause movement of housing 50 and/or brush 60. Preferably, pressure sensor 110 is drivingly mechanically connected to brush 50 and/or housing 60.
Referring to Figure 7-9, pressure sensor 110 is deformable member, such as a diaphragm, which will contract when the pressure in air outlet 46 is reduced. Accordingly, pressure sensor 110 may comprise a cylindrical shaped member having a rigid lower surface 120 and a peripheral wall 118. For simplicity, in Figures 7-9, pressure sensor 110 has been shown to be in air flow communication with air path 68 within housing 50 by means of passage 112'. It will be appreciated that the operation of pressure sensor 110 will function as long as it is in air flow communication with a portion of the air flow path through vacuum cleaner head 10. However, if this position is downstream of main turbine 90, it will be more reactive to a decreased rotation of the main turbine 90.
All or a portion of pressure sensor 110 may be deformable so as to be reduced in size when the pressure in pressure sensor 110 is reduced below a desired value. As shown in Figures 7-9, for example, pressure sensor 110 may have a top member 122 which is deformable.
Accordingly, top member 122 may be made of a resilient material. It will be appreciated that pressure sensor 110 may be any member which contracts due to a reduced pressure in the air flow path. For example, in addition to being a deformable member, such as resilient top member 122, pressure sensor 110 may comprise a piston housing including a piston.
Pressure sensor 110 may be mechanically linked to housing 50 such as by drive arm 130. Drive arm 130 has a first end 132 which is connected to the upper portion of housing 50 via pivot 136.
Drive arm 130 also has a second end 134 which abuts top member 122 of pressure sensor 110. Drive arm 130 is itself mounted for pivotable motion within casing 10 such as by pivot 138 which may extend transversely inwardly from inner surface of longitudinal side 26 (see Figure 3). Second end 134 may be movably connected with top member 122 by any means known in the art. For example, second end 134 may be physically attached such as by an adhesive to top member 122.
Alternately, it may be pivotally connected to a mounting member provided on top member 22 (not shown). By physically connecting second end 134 to top member 122, movement of top member 122 will cause the inverse motion of housing 50 due to drive arm 130 pivoting around pivot 138. Thus, if the volume of pressure sensor 110 is decreased due to a decrease in the air pressure in passage 112', then first end 132 will be raised consequentially raising housing 50 and brush 60 with respect to dirty air inlet 40.
In operation, when the vacuum cleaner is operated, the suction source will cause air to enter via dirty air inlet 40 and to travel through main turbine 90. If a blockage occurs in the air flow path (for example brush 60 picks up a large object, such as the free end of a rug) a portion of the air flow path (e.g. air path 68) will be blocked causing a reduction in the pressure in the air flow path. This reduction in pressure is transmitted via passage 112' to pressure sensor 110. In view of this pressure reduction, top member 122 deforms inwardly thus pulling second end 134 of drive arm 130 downwardly and causing housing 50 to be raised. By raising housing 50, brush 60 may be disengaged from the surface thus permitting the air flow through the dirty air path to be resumed. Thus, when the vacuum cleaner is in its normal operating mode and there is no blockage, then pressure sensor 110 will not deform permitting brush 60 to contact the surface being cleaned (see Figure 9). However, if there is a blockage, then the increased negative pressure in the air flow path will cause pressure sensor 110 to deform (see Figure 8). Accordingly, pressure sensor allows for the automatic adjustment of the position of housing 50 (or brush 60) with respect to dirty air inlet 40 in response to the amount of air flowing through dirty air inlet 40. Thus a dynamic response system is created using a simple mechanical linkage.
It will be appreciated that pressure sensor 110 acts as a lift off means to raise and lower the brush with respect to the dirty air inlet and may be used with or without housing 50. Further, the lift off means may be used without a main turbine 90 drivingly connected to brush 60 (in which case the brush may be any motive force means such as a motor). Optionally, vacuum cleaner head 10 may further comprise a manually adjustable control which is independent of the pressure sensor lift off means to raise and lower the brush and/or the housing when the vacuum cleaner is to be used in a bare floor cleaning mode.

Such devices are known in the art. Alternately, in another embodiment, vacuum cleaner head 10 may include a manually adjustable control which is co-operatively associated with drive arm 130 whereby drive member 130 comprises a mechanical linkage which may adjust the position of the housing/brush due to a pressure differential in the air flow path or due to actuation of a manually adjustable control.
The manually adjustable control is preferably a foot operated pedal 140. Pedal 140 may be pivotally mounted to casing 20 by means of pivot 142 provided in arm portion 144. Pedal 140 may be disposed to a raised position by any biasing means known in the art such as spring 146. The end of arm portion 144 opposed to foot pedal 140 has a drive member 148. Drive member 148 comprises an abutment surface 150 (see Figure 9a).
Drivenly connected to drive member 148 is ratchet wheel 152 which is rotatably mounted about axle 154. A plurality of teeth 156 are provided on one side of ratchet wheel 152 and a drive rod 158 is provided on the opposed side. Drive rod 158 is drivingly connected to first end 162 of drive arm 160. Drive arm 160 has a second end 164 which is co-operatively associated with one or both of top member 122 of pressure sensor 110 and second end 134 of drive arm 130. Drive arm 160 is pivotally mounted in casing 20 by means of pivot 166 (see in particular Figure 3). First end 162 has an opening 168 within which drive rod 158 travels.
In operating, a person may be using vacuum cleaner head in the position shown in Figure 9. If it is desired to raise brush 60 above the surface which is being cleaned (such as if the vacuum cleaner is to be used in a bare floor cleaning mode) the person presses downwardly on pedal 140 causing arm member 144 to rotate around pivot 142 as shown in Figure 9a. This rotation causes abutment surface 150 to move upwardly engaging one of the ratchet teeth 156 causing ratchet wheel 152 to rotate 180° to the position shown in Figure 7. The rotation of ratchet wheel 152 causes drive rod 158 to also rotate 180°
thus causing first end 162 to be raised upwardly. The upward movement of first end 162 causes second end 164 to move downwardly thus depressing deformable top member 122 and consequently raising housing 50. Second end 164 may be pivotally mounted to first end 134 by means of pivot 170. Spring 146 biases pedal 140 to the raised position thus preparing pedal 140 for further use.
Drive rod 158 is so positioned so that downward pressure of first end 162 causes the respective ratchet tooth 156 to push downwardly on abutment surface 150 thereby preventing counter rotation of ratchet wheel 152 and maintaining the deformation of pressure sensor 110.
Further actuation of pedal 140 will cause a further 180° rotation of ratchet wheel 152 resulting in ratchet wheel 152 returning to the position shown in Figure 9. It will be appreciated that by pivotally linking drive arms 130 and 160 together, pressure sensor 110 may be actuated by a reduced pressure in the air flow path to adjust the position of brush 60 independent of the operation of pedal 140.
In accordance with another preferred embodiment, vacuum cleaner head 10 is provided with an edge cleaning turbine 180 which is drivingly connectable with a source of suction and an edge cleaning air flow path 182 positioned exterior of the dirty air inlet 40 and extending in between the edge cleaning turbine 180 and at least one opening 184 in casing 20 facing the surface which is to be cleaned.
Edge cleaning turbine 180 may be positioned in an edge cleaning turbine housing 186 such that rotation of edge cleaning turbine 180 will cause the movement of air through edge cleaning air flow path 182.
Openings 184 may be positioned at any desired location in casing 20. A single opening may be provided adjacent one of the longitudinal sides 26. Preferably, as shown in particular in Figure 6, an opening 184 is provided adjacent each longitudinal side 26. It will be appreciated that more than one opening 184 may be provided adjacent each longitudinal side 26. The openings 184 are preferably placed transversely outwardly of dirty air inlet 40 so as to travel over a portion of the surface being cleaned which is not covered by dirty air inlet 40.
The rotation of edge cleaning turbine 180 may provide increased edge cleaning in one of two modes. First, edge cleaning turbine 180 may rotate so as to direct air to enter into edge cleaning air flow path 182 and out openings 184. The outward jet of air from openings 184 agitates or assists in agitating the dirt adjacent longitudinal sides 26. Once agitated, the' dirt is more easily entrained in the air flow stream entering vacuum cleaner head 10 via dirty air inlet 40. Alternately, the edge cleaning turbine may rotate in the opposite direction causing dirty air to be drawn into openings 184 and through edge cleaning air flow path 182 and then downstream of edge cleaning turbine 180 to air outlet 46. An example of this embodiment is shown in Figure 5 wherein edge cleaning turbine 180 is mounted on an independent drive shaft 188 and passage 190 extends between edge cleaning turbine housing 186 and air outlet 46 (thus edge cleaning turbine 180 may be positioned in the air flow path through vacuum cleaner head 10 and is accordingly the source of suction directly drives edge cleaning turbine 180.). In this way, additional suction is provided adjacent longitudinal sides 26. It will further be appreciated that, based upon the size of openings 184 and the speed of rotation of edge cleaning turbine 180, the amount of suction provided adjacent edges 26 via openings 184 may be substantially greater than that through dirty air inlet 40 thus further increasing the edge cleaning efficiency of vacuum cleaner head 10. In this embodiment, all of the dirty air enters vacuum cleaner head 10 via dirty air inlet 40 and openings 184.
Main turbine 90 may be drivingly connected to edge cleaning turbine 180. For example, in the embodiment shown in Figure 3, edge cleaning turbine 180 is non-rotatably mounted on drive shaft 102. When the source of suction is actuated, dirty air is drawn through dirty air inlet 40 and passes through main turbine housing 92 thus causing main turbine 90 to rotate. The rotation of main turbine 90 causes drive shaft 102 and air flow edge cleaning turbine 180 to rotate actuating the edge cleaning. In this embodiment, all of the dirty air enters vacuum cleaner head 10 via dirty air inlet 40 and the source of suction for the vacuum cleaner is drivingly connected to edge cleaning turbine 180 via the main turbine.
This embodiment is particularly preferred if vacuum cleaner head 10 also includes a lift off means for raising brush 60 and main turbine 90 is drivingly connected to brush 60. Then when brush 60 is raised so as not to be in contact with the surface being cleaned, a reduced amount of torque is required to rotate brush 60 thus enabling main turbine 90 to rotate at a faster rate. The faster rotation of main turbine 90 will cause edge cleaning turbine 180 to rotate faster thus increasing the amount of edge cleaning when brush 60 is raised above the surface being cleaned. For example, if vacuum cleaner head 10 includes pedal 140 to actuate a lift off means, increased edge cleaning may be obtained when pedal 140 is actuated. It will be appreciated that any other lift off means known in the art may be used in conjunction with edge cleaning turbine 180. Further, it will be appreciated that pressure sensor 110 may be included in the same vacuum cleaner head as edge cleaning turbine 110 so as to automatically raise or lower brush 60 in response to the air pressure in the air flow path downstream of dirty air inlet 40.
Optionally, the edge cleaning assembly may include a valve, such as valve 192 positioned in air flow path 182. Valve 192 may operate if edge cleaning turbine 180 is driving air through edge cleaning air flow path 182 so as to provide jets exiting via openings 184 or if edge cleaning turbine 180 is operating to draw air through openings 184. In either case, valve 192 may be set so as to operate so as to open on the triggering of an event, such as via a mechanical linkage to open when brush 60 is raised (eg. when the vacuum cleaner is in the bare floor cleaning mode). In such a case, the edge cleaning may only be actuated when desired. Alternately, valve 192 may be pressure actuated (eg. a check valve) so as to open when the pressure in edge cleaning air flow path 182 reaches a pre-set amount. This pre-set amount may be set upon a preset condition, such as brush 60 being raised thereby increasing the speed of rotation of main turbine 90 and, consequentially, edge cleaning turbine 80 thus providing increased pressure in edge cleaning air flow path 182. It will further be appreciated that passage 182 may be partially open at all times and the movement of the valve further increases the size of edge cleaning air flow path 182 thereby allowing an increase in the amount of air flow through edge cleaning air flow path 182 under desired operating conditions as discussed above.
In summary, edge cleaning air flow path 182 comprises a secondary air flow path which is positioned exterior to the air flow path which feeds main turbine 90. The air flow through the secondary air flow path is at least intermittent (e.g. if a valve 192 which completely closes air flow path 182 is provided). Means for generating an air flow through a secondary air flow path may comprise a motor drivingly connected to edge cleaning turbine 180, air flow created by suction through vacuum cleaner head 10 via air outlet 46 or drivingly connecting main turbine 90 to edge cleaning turbine 180. Edge cleaning turbine 180 may rotate at the same speed as main turbine 90 or at a different rate. For example, edge cleaning turbine 180 may be non-rotationally mounted on a second shaft which is connected by gearing means to shaft 102. By selecting different size gears for the different shafts, rotation of drive shaft 102 may cause edge cleaning turbine 180 to rotate at a faster speed.
Referring to Figures 5, 5a, 10, 10a, 10b, 11, 12 and 13, another preferred embodiment of vacuum cleaner head 10 is shown.
In this embodiment, vacuum cleaner head 10 includes a restricting member 200 having an upper surface 202, a lower surface 204, a front end 206 and a rear end 208. Restricting member is operable between a neutral position in which restricting member 200 does not interfere or at least does not significantly interfere with the air flow entering dirty air inlet 40 (see for example Figure 13) and a restricting position in which restricting member 200 is positioned so as to reduce the size of dirty air inlet 40 (see for example Figure 12). By reducing the size of dirty air inlet 40, the velocity of the air travelling through dirty air inlet 40 will increase thus assisting the air travelling beneath lower plate 28 to entrain additional dirt and/or larger particles of dirt.
Accordingly, the efficiency of vacuum cleaner head 10 will be increased.
Restricting member 200 may be positioned anywhere in vacuum cleaner head 10 which will result in the velocity of air entering dirty air inlet 40 being increased. If vacuum cleaner head 10 includes a brush 60, that restricting member 200 may be positioned at any point wherein it is operable to assist in the flow of dirty air around brush 60. Preferably, as shown in Figures 12 and 13, restricting member 200 is positioned beneath brush 60 when in the restricting position. It will be appreciated that restricting member 200 may be positioned adjacent upper surface 210 of lower plate 28 or adjacent lower surface 212 of lower plate 28. However, restricting member 200 is preferably positioned immediately above lower plate 28.
Restricting member may be of any particular shape provided it co-operates with casing 20 (eg. lower plate 28) to reduce the size of dirty air inlet 40. Accordingly, as shown in Figure 12, restricting member 200 may be generally wedge shaped. Alternately, as shown in Figure 5, restricting member 200 may be a generally planar member having a wedge shaped front portion 214. The angled forward portion assists restricting member 200 to travel longitudinally underneath brush 60 so as to cooperate with plate 28 to reduce the size of dirty air inlet 40. However, it will be appreciated that restricting member 200 may be of any particular shape.
Restricting member 200 may be movable between the neutral position and the restricting position by any control means known in the vacuum cleaner art (such as foot pedal which have been used to actuate a lift off mechanism for a brush). For example, as shown in Figure 5, pedal 216 may act as a control member which is drivingly connected to restricting member 200 to move it between the neutral and restricting positions. Alternately, as shown in Figure 10, pedal 140 may be a control member which is drivingly connected to operate both the lift off means for the brush/housing as well as restricting member 200. It will further be appreciated that restricting member 200 may be moved by manual control (such as a hand operated slidably movable control knob) positioned on the outside of casing 20 or, restricting member 200 may be mechanically linked to either housing 50 or brush 60 to move to the restricting position when the housing/brush are raised to the bare floor cleaning mode. Further, restricting member 200 may be biased, such as by means of a spring, to move to the restricting position when housing 50 or brush 60 is moved to the bare floor cleaning position (not shown). By linking the lift off means and restricting member 200, restricting member 200 may be actuated when vacuum cleaner head 10 is converted to the bare floor cleaning mode. As brush 60 is not used to disturb the dirt on the surface being cleaned in the bare floor cleaning mode, the increased velocity of the air entering dirty air inlet 40 assists in the cleaning of the surface in this mode.
Referring to Figure 5, pedal 216 may be of a similar construction to pedal 140. Accordingly, pedal 216 may have an arm portion 220 which is pivotable mounted about pivot 218 and may be biased to end raised position by means of spring 230. The distal end of arm portion 220 opposed to pedal 216 is provided with drive member 224. Drive member 224 is drivingly connected to locking means 226.
Any locking member known in the art could be used. In the embodiment of Figure 5, locking means 226 comprises a drive rod 228 which is biased to the first position shown in Figure 5 by means of, for example, spring 230. Rod 228 travels longitudinally in bore 234 of housing 232. Also positioned within bore 234 is locking member 236.
In this embodiment, locking member 236 has an engagement end 238 and drive end 240 which is drivingly connected to rear end 208 of restricting member 200 such as by transfer rod 242 which is pivotally connected by means of pivot 244 to drive end 240.
Locking member 236 is provided with a first engagement surface 246 for engagement with first engagement surface 248 of housing 232. Similarly, locking member 236 is provided with a second engagement surface 250 for engagement with second engagement surface 252 of housing 232.
In operation, when pedal 216 is depressed downwardly, drive end 224 displaces drive rod 228 forwardly overcoming the resistance of spring 230 and engaging engagement end 238 of locking member 236. This forward motion will cause locking member 236 to travel forwardly disengaging drive end 240 from engagement surface 248 of housing 232 and causing drive end 240 to pivot about transfer rod 242. When the pedal is released, spring 230 will cause drive rod 228 and pedal 216 to return to their starting positions. This rearward motion of drive rod 228 permits locking member 236 to move rearwardly resulting in engagement surface 250 to engage engagement surface 252 of housing 232.
In this embodiment, restricting member 200 is drivingly connected to housing 50. The forward motion of restricting member 200 causes housing 50 to move upwardly thus raising brush 60. As restricting member 200 travels forwardly, wedge shaped front portion 214 engages the bottom of the rearward spaced apart opposed side 56.
The continued forward motion of restricting member 200 forces housing 50 upwardly. In order to assist this interaction, a cam surface may be provided. For example, cam member 254 may be positioned on opposed side 56 so as to ease the travel of restricting member 200 underneath housing 50. In this way, restricting member 200 is drivingly connected to brush 60 to move brush 60 with respect to dirty air inlet 40. It will further be appreciated that, in the embodiment of Figure 3, if restricting member 200 were biased to the forward position, the engagement between opposed side 56 and restricting member 200 may be used to cause restricting member 200 to move rearwardly to the neutral position as brush 60 moves downwardly due to the operation of pedal 140. In such a way, brush 60 may be drivingly connected to restricting member 200.
In the embodiment of Figures 10 and 12, pedal 140 is drivingly connected to both brush 60 and restricting member 200. In Figure 10, the mechanical linkage between drive arm 160 and housing 50 has not been shown but it may be the same as in Figure 6. The drive mechanism comprises ratchet wheel 260, wall 262, drive rod 264 and spring 266. Ratchet wheel is elliptical in shape. When in the position shown in Figure 12, the long axis of ratchet wheel 260 is horizontally disposed. Accordingly, wall 262 has been displaced forwardly thereby driving restricting member 200 forwardly. Spring 266 may be any biasing means which biases restricting member 200 rearwardly. Accordingly, when ratchet wheel 260 is rotated to the position shown in Figure 13 wherein the long axis is vertically disposed, wall 262 cams along the peripheral surface of ratchet wheel 260 thereby allowing spring 266 to move restricting member 200 rearwardly. Ratchet wheel 260 may be drivenly connected to pedal 140 by any means known in the art such as by a drive rod 268 which interacts with ratchet wheel 260 to move ratchet wheel 90 degrees each time pedal 140 is depressed.
Restricting member 200 is a transversely extending member which may have many particular transverse length "L".
Preferably, restricting member 200 has a transverse length which comprises a major proportion to the transverse length of dirty air inlet 40. More preferably, restricting member 200 has a transverse length L
which is the same or substantially the same as that of dirty air inlet 40 (see for example Figure 10).
In the embodiment of Figure 10, forward end 206 of restricting member 200 comprises a generally transversely extending line. Accordingly, at any position along the transverse extent of dirty air inlet 40, a uniform amount of dirty air inlet 40 is blocked by restricting member 200. However, it will be appreciated that forward portion 206 may have any particular shape. For example, in the embodiment shown in Figure 10a, forward portion 206 has a central portion 270 (which defines a respective central portion of dirty air inlet 40) and transversely spaced apart side portions 272 (which respectively define side portions of dirty air inlet 40). In this embodiment, central portion 270 has a forward longitudinal extent greater than the forward longitudinal extent of side portions 272. Accordingly, when restricting member 200 is in the restricting position shown in Figure 10a, central portion 270 blocks a greater amount of the central portion of dirty air inlet 40 than side portions 272 block of the side portions of dirty air inlet 40. Thus, restricting member 200 will cause a greater proportion of the air to enter vacuum cleaner head 10 via the side portions of dirty air inlet 40 thus increasing the edge cleaning of vacuum cleaner head 10. In the embodiment shown in Figure 10c, side portions 272 have a forward longitudinal extent greater than the forward longitudinal extent of central portion 272. Accordingly, when restricting member 200 is in the restricting position shown in Figure lOc, a greater proportion of the air will enter vacuum cleaner head 10 via the central portion of the dirty air inlet 40 thus concentrating the cleaning action of vacuum cleaner head 10 at the central portion of dirty air inlet 40.
In another embodiment of the instant invention as shown in Figure 10a, the enhanced edge cleaning may be actuated by a control member 280 which is engageable with the area being cleaned (for example a vertically extending member, eg. wall, table leg, etc. of the area being cleaned). The control member may be drivingly connected to any edge cleaning means known in the art. Preferably, it is drivingly connected to one or more of the edge cleaning features discussed above. Thus control member 280 may be operatively connected to actuate restricting member 200, edge cleaning turbine 180, ratchet wheel 152 so as to raise housing 50 (and increase of speed of rotation of edge cleaning turbine 180) when control member 280 is actuated or to valve 192 so as to open valve 192 when control member 280 is actuated. Accordingly, when a person is cleaning using vacuum cleaner head 10, contact between one of the longitudinal sides 26 of vacuum cleaner head 10 and, e.g., a wall of a house will actuate the increased edge cleaning.
As shown in Figures 10a and 10b, control member 280 comprises a longitudinally extending member having a front end 282 and a rear end 284. It will be appreciated that a control member 280 may be provided on each longitudinal side 26 of vacuum cleaner head 10. Control member 280 is preferably constructed so as to travel inwardly to actuate the advanced edge cleaning of vacuum cleaner head 10. Accordingly, for example, longitudinal side 26 may be provided with a recess 286 which is sized for receiving therein control member 280. Rear end 284 is connected to outer end 290 of first linking member 288 which are mounted for pivotal motion as forward end 282 moves inwardly (such as by pivot 278). Outer end 296 of second linking member 294 is pivotally connected to inner end 292 of first linking member 288 by means of pivot 300. Second linking member 294 is pivotally mounted about pivot post 302 which may be secured, for example, to lower plate 28. Inner end 292 has an opening 304 for receiving drive rod 306 which is connected to push rod 308.
Accordingly, when vacuum cleaner head 10 engages a wall, table leg or the like, front end 282 of control member 280 moves inwardly causing inner end 292 of first linking member 288 to move rearwardly. As outer end 296 of second linking member 294 is connected to inner end 292, outer end 296 of second linking member 294 will also move rearwardly and cause inner end 298 to move forwardly. This forward movement will cause restricting member 200 to move forwardly due to the contact between drive rod 306 and inner end 298. It will be appreciated that if restricting member is biased rearwardly (such as by spring 266), when control member 280 is no longer forced inwardly by an external force, spring 266 will pull restricting member 200 rearwardly thereby driving control member 280 back to its starting position.
It will be appreciated as discussed above that if restricting member 200 is drivingly connected to brush 60 or housing 50, the forward motion of restricting member 200 may raise brush 60.
Further, if edge cleaning turbine 180 is drivingly connected to main turbine 90, raising brush 60 from contact with the surface being cleaned will caused an increased air flow to travel through edge cleaning air flow path 182 thereby enhancing the edge cleaning function of vacuum cleaner head 10.
In another preferred embodiment, vacuum cleaner head 10 may have a first member 318 having a cutting end 320 and a second member co-operative with first member 318 for reducing the size of a portion of a particulate material entering dirty air inlet 40.
Accordingly, if large material such as dog hair, large pieces of paper, and the like are introduced into housing 92, they may be reduced in size prior to exiting main turbine housing via outlet 100. While both first and second members may be movably mounted so as to co-operate to reduce a size of the particulate material, it is preferred, as shown in Figures 14 and 15, that first member 318 is mounted in a stationery position in casing 20. For example, as shown in Figure 14, cutting member 318 is a longitudinally extending member which is mounted to inner surface 310 of main turbine housing 92. Cutting end 320 may comprise a sharpened end of first member 318. While only one first member 318 is shown in Figures 14 and 15, it will be appreciated that a plurality of such first members may be included within main turbine housing 92. Further, it will be appreciated that first member 318 need not be positioned adjacent inlet end 312 of outlet 100. A first member 318 may be positioned at any location in housing 92 where it will co-operate with, for example, blades 104 of main turbine 90 so as to reduce the size of particulate material and not unduly interfere with the passage of air and entrained dirt through main turbine housing 92.
In particular, as represented in Figure 15, blades 104 have an inner surface 314 and an outer surface 316. Outer surface 316 and cutting end 320 may be configured in any way so as to provide a cutting or reducing action as particulate matter travels through housing 92.
For example, blades 104 may be longitudinally extending members which extend parallel to drive shaft 102. Alternately, as shown in Figure 14, blades 104 may be curved or helically extended members which have a first end 322 and a second end 324 which is rotationally displaced from first end 322. In this way, only a portion of a blade 104 will interact with cutting end 320 at any particular time thus decreasing the drag on turbine 92 produced by the co-operation of blades 104 and first member 318.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the various features of vacuum cleaner head 10 which are disclosed in herein may be combined by themselves in a vacuum cleaner head or in any particular permutation or combination. For example, the cutting means (first member 318 and second member (blades) 104), restricting member 200, the improved edge cleaning using edge cleaning air flow path 182, the movable housing 50, pressure sensor 110 to raise or lower brush 60 and/or housing 50 may be used individually, combined together in one vacuum cleaner head 10 or any subcombination thereof may be combined together in a vacuum cleaner head 10.

Claims (183)

1. A vacuum cleaner head for cleaning a surface comprising:
(a) a casing having a lower surface and an air flow path, the air flow path including a dirty air inlet provided in the lower surface, the air flow path connectable to a source of suction;
(b) a housing mounted above the dirty air inlet and movably mounted with respect to the dirty air inlet; and, (c) a brush rotatably mounted within the housing.

2. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 1 wherein the housing has an air inlet in air flow communication with the dirty air inlet and the brush is mounted at a fixed position in the housing with respect to the air inlet.

3. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 1 wherein the housing is mounted within the casing for movement of the housing towards and away from the dirty air inlet.

4. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 3 wherein the housing is mounted to float freely within the casing.

5. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 3 wherein the casing further comprises a vertically extending track and the housing is moveable mounted on the track.

6. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 5 wherein the track is configured for free movement of the housing on the track.

7. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 5 further comprising a power source and a drive member drivingly connecting the power source to the brush for rotatably driving the brush and the track is configured with respect to the power source to maintain a generally constant tension in the drive member.

8. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 1 wherein the housing is aerodynamically shaped whereby, as the housing moves with respect to the dirty air inlet, the aerodynamic flow of air through the housing is maintained.

9. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 7 wherein the housing has an air inlet defined by spaced apart opposed sides in air flow communication with the dirty air inlet and an inner wall extending from one of the opposed sides to the other of the opposed sides, the inner wall having a downstream portion, the downstream portion having an air outlet, at least a portion of the downstream portion extending outwardly away from the brush.

10. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a manually adjustable control drivingly connected to the housing whereby a person can manually raise the housing, and therefore the brush, with respect to the surface on which the vacuum cleaner head is positioned.

11. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 10 wherein the manually adjustable control is a foot operated pedal.

12. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a pressure sensor to automatically raise or lower the housing in response to the air pressure in the air flow path downstream of the dirty air inlet.

13. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 11 wherein the housing further comprises an air outlet and the pressure sensor is positioned downstream of the air outlet.

14. A vacuum cleaner head for cleaning a surface comprising:
(a) a casing having a dirty air inlet;
(b) enclosing means mounted above the dirty air inlet defining an air flow path around an agitation means mounted therein;
(c) connecting means for connecting the air flow means with a source of suction; and, (d) height adjustment means for movement of the enclosing means with respect to the dirty air inlet.

15. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 14 wherein the agitation means is mounted at a fixed position in the enclosing means.

16. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 14 wherein the height adjustment means comprises mounting means for free movement of the enclosing means towards and away from the dirty air inlet.

17. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 14 wherein the enclosing means has an air inlet, an air outlet and is aerodynamically shaped to provide an aerodynamic flow of air around the agitation means from the air inlet to the air outlet whereby, as the enclosing means moves with respect to the dirty air inlet, the aerodynamic flow of air through the enclosing means is maintained.

18. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 14 further comprising lift off means for raising the enclosing means, and therefore the brush, with respect to the surface on which the vacuum cleaner head is positioned.

19. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 18 wherein the lift off means is manually actuatable by a person.

20. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 18 wherein the lift off means comprises sensing means to raise or lower the enclosing means in response to the air pressure in the air flow path downstream of the dirty air inlet.

21. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 20 wherein the enclosing means has an air outlet and the sensing means is reactive to the air pressure in the air flow path downstream of the air outlet.

22. A method of cleaning a surface using a vacuum cleaner comprising:
(a) providing a vacuum cleaner head having a casing with a dirty air inlet, a housing movably mounted within the casing and a brush mounted within the housing;
(b) moving the vacuum cleaner head over the surface;
(c) entraining dirt on the surface to form a dirty air stream which enters an air flow path extending from the dirty air inlet to a source of suction;
(d) passing the dirty air stream from the dirty air inlet into the housing; and, (e) adjusting the position of the housing with respect to the dirty air inlet to allow for aerodynamic air flow around the brush whereby the surface is cleaned.

23. The method as claimed in claim 22 further comprising automatically adjusting the position of the housing with respect to the dirty air inlet in response to the amount of air flowing through the dirty air inlet.

24. A vacuum cleaner head for cleaning a surface comprising:
(a) a casing having a dirty air inlet and an air flow path, the air flow path in fluid communication with a vacuum source;
(b) brushing means mounted above the dirty air inlet in the air flow path and movably mounted with respect to the dirty air inlet;
and, (c) drive means for moving the brushing means for agitating the surface being cleaned; and (d) lift off means to move the brushing means with respect to the dirty air inlet in response to the air pressure in the air flow path at a position downstream of the dirty air inlet.

25. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 24 wherein the lift off means comprises sensing means for sensing the air pressure in the air flow path at a position downstream of the dirty air inlet.

26. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 24 wherein the drive means comprises means for rotating the brushing means and the brushing means is mounted for vertical movement with respect to the dirty air inlet and the lift off means comprises a mechanical linkage for raising and lowering the brushing means.

27. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 24 wherein the drive means comprises means for rotating the brushing means and the vacuum cleaner head further comprises motive force means for producing motive power in response to the air flow through the vacuum cleaner head, the motive force means drivingly connected to the brushing means for rotating the brushing means.

28. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 27 wherein the lift off means comprises sensing means for sensing the air pressure in the air flow path downstream of the motive force means.

29. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 25 further comprising an enclosing means positioned in the casing adjacent the dirty air inlet and the brushing means is mounted in the enclosing means.

30. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 29 wherein the enclosing means has an air outlet and the sensing means is reactive to the air pressure in the air flow path downstream of the air outlet.

31. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 24 further comprising a manually actuatable member for manual movement of the brushing means with respect to the dirty air inlet.

32. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 27 further comprising a manually actuatable member drivingly connected to the mechanical linkage for manual movement of the brushing means with respect to the dirty air inlet.

33. A method of cleaning a surface using a vacuum cleaner head, the method comprising:
(a) introducing dirty air into a dirty air inlet in the vacuum cleaner head, the vacuum cleaner head having an air flow path in fluid communication with a source of suction and a brush movably mounted in the vacuum cleaner head to agitate the surface being cleaned, the brush being positioned to contact a carpeted surface during normal air flow through the air flow path;
(b) sensing the air pressure in the air flow path downstream of the dirty air inlet;
(c) adjusting the position of the brush with respect to the dirty air inlet in response to variations of the air pressure in the air flow path from normal air flow; and, (d) moving the vacuum cleaner head over the surface whereby the surface is cleaned.

34. The method as claimed in claim 33 wherein the vacuum cleaner head further comprises a main turbine positioned in the air flow path for rotationally driving the brush and the method further comprises automatically adjusting the position of the brush with respect to the dirty air inlet in response to the air pressure in the air flow path downstream of the main turbine.

35. The method as claimed in claim 33 wherein the vacuum cleaner head includes a member having a variable internal volume for sensing the air pressure in the air flow path and the method further comprises adjusting the position of the brush with respect to the dirty air inlet in response to changes in the volume of the member.

36. The method as claiming in claim 33 further comprising driving the brush to agitate dirt on the surface whereby the brush assists in entraining dirt in the air entering the air flow path.

37. A vacuum cleaning head for cleaning a surface comprising:

(a) a casing having a dirty air inlet for receiving an air flow, an air outlet and an air flow path extending between the dirty air inlet and the air outlet, wherein the air outlet is in fluid communication with a vacuum source;
(b) a brush movably mounted in the casing between a first position and a second position, the first position being closer to the dirty air inlet than the second position, the brush being driveable when in any position with respect to the dirty air inlet to disturb dirt on the surface and assist in entraining dirt in air entering the air flow path; and, (c) a pressure sensor drivingly connected to the brush to move the brush with respect to the dirty air inlet in response to the air pressure in the air flow path downstream of the dirty air inlet, the pressure sensor configured for the brush to be in contact with a carpeted surface which is to be cleaned during normal operating conditions and to raise the brush when there is a blockage in the air flow path.

38. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 37 wherein the pressure sensor comprises a member which moves due to a reduced pressure in the air flow path.

39. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 37 wherein the pressure sensor comprises a member which has an internal volume which changes due to a change in pressure in the air flow path.

40. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 39 wherein the member comprises a deformable member having a single chamber.

41. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 37 further comprising a main turbine positioned in the air flow path.

42. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 39 further comprising a mechanical linkage drivingly connecting the member to the brush.

43. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 37 further comprising a manually adjustable control drivingly connected to the brush whereby a person can manually move the brush with respect to the dirty air inlet.

44. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 43 wherein the manually adjustable control is a foot operated pedal.

45. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 37 further comprising a housing wherein the housing is movably mounted with respect to the dirty air inlet.

46. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 37 wherein the brush is driveable for rotational movement in the casing and the vacuum cleaner head further comprises a drive member drivingly connected to the brush to rotate the brush whereby the rotation of the brush distributes dirt on the surface and assists in entraining dirt in air entering the air flow path.

47. A vacuum cleaning head for cleaning a surface comprising:
(a) a casing having a dirty air inlet for receiving an air flow, an air outlet and an air flow path extending between the dirty air inlet and the air outlet, wherein the air outlet is in fluid communication with a vacuum source;

(b) a brush movably mounted in the casing between a first position and a second position, the first position being closer to the dirty air inlet than the second position; and, (c) a piston housing having a piston therein, said piston housing having an internal volume which changes due to a change in pressure in the air flow path, the piston is drivingly connected to the brush to move the brush with respect to the dirty air inlet in response to the air pressure in the air flow path downstream of the dirty air inlet.

48. A vacuum cleaning head for cleaning a surface comprising:
(a) a casing having a dirty air inlet for receiving an air flow, an air outlet and an air flow path extending between the dirty air inlet and the air outlet, wherein the air outlet is in fluid communication with a vacuum source;
(b) a brush movably mounted in the casing between a first position and a second position, the first position being closer to the dirty air inlet than the second position; and, (c) a pressure sensor comprising an electronically driven member drivingly connected to the brush to move the brush with respect to the dirty air inlet in response to the air pressure in the air flow path downstream of the dirty air inlet.

49. A vacuum cleaning head for cleaning a surface comprising:
(a) a casing having a dirty air inlet for receiving an air flow, an air outlet and an air flow path extending between the dirty air inlet and the air outlet, wherein the air outlet is in fluid communication with a vacuum source;
(b) a brush movably mounted in the casing between a first position and a second position, the first position being closer to the dirty air inlet than the second position;

(c) a main turbine positioned in the air flow path; and, (d) a pressure sensor drivingly connected to the brush to move the brush with respect to the dirty air inlet in response to the air pressure in the air flow path downstream of the dirty air inlet.

50. A vacuum cleaning head for cleaning a surface comprising:
(a) a casing having a dirty air inlet for receiving an air flow, a housing movably mounted with respect to the dirty air inlet, an air outlet and an air flow path extending between the dirty air inlet and the air outlet, wherein the air outlet is in fluid communication with a vacuum source;
(b) a brush mounted in the housing directly over the dirty air inlet;
and, (c) a pressure sensor drivingly connected to one of the brush and the housing to move the brush between a first position and a second position wherein the brush is spaced further from the dirty air inlet in the second position than the first position in response to the air pressure in the air flow path downstream of the dirty air inlet.

51. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 50 wherein the housing has an air inlet in air flow communication with the dirty air inlet and the brush is mounted at a fixed position in the housing with respect to the air inlet of the housing.

52. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 50 wherein the housing further comprises an air outlet and the pressure sensor is positioned downstream of the air outlet.

53. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 50 wherein the pressure sensor is a member which contracts due to a reduced pressure in the air flow path and the member is in flow communication with the air flow path at a position downstream of the main turbine.

54. A vacuum cleaning head for cleaning a surface comprising:
(a) a casing having a dirty air inlet for receiving an air flow, an air outlet and an air flow path extending between the dirty air inlet and the air outlet, wherein the air outlet is in fluid communication with a vacuum source;
(b) a brush movably mounted in the casing between a first position and a second position, the first position being closer to the dirty air inlet than the second position;
(c) a pressure sensor drivingly connected to the brush to move the brush with respect to the dirty air inlet in response to the air pressure in the air flow path downstream of the dirty air inlet; and, (d) a manually adjustable control drivingly connected to the brush whereby a person can manually move the brush with respect to the dirty air inlet.

55. A vacuum cleaner head for cleaning a surface comprising:
(a) a casing having a lower surface and an air flow path, the air flow path including a dirty air inlet provided in the lower surface and an outlet connectable to a source of suction;
(b) a brush rotatably mounted in the casing;
(c) a restricting member mounted in the casing and moveable between a neutral position and a restricting position in which the restricting member reduces the size of the air flow path; and, (d) a control member drivingly connected to at least one of the restricting member and the brush to move the restricting member between the neutral and restricting positions as the brush is moved with respect to the dirty air inlet.

56. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 55 wherein one of the brush and the restricting member is drivingly connected to the other of the brush and the restricting member.

57. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 55 wherein the control member is drivingly connected to the restricting member and the brush.

58. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 55 wherein the restricting member is positioned beneath the brush when in the restricting position.

59. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 55 further comprising a lower plate having an upper surface and a lower surface, the dirty air inlet is positioned in the lower plate and the restricting member is positioned adjacent one of the upper surface and the lower surface so as to reduce the size of the dirty air inlet when in the restricting position.

60. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 55 wherein the dirty air inlet has a transverse length and the vacuum cleaner head further comprises a lower plate, the casing is a longitudinally extending member having a forward end and a rearward end, the dirty air inlet comprises a transversely extending opening in the lower plate, and the restricting member comprises a transversely extending member having a transverse length which is a major proportion of the transverse length of the dirty air inlet.

61. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 55 further comprising a lower plate, the casing is a longitudinally extending member having a forward end and a rearward end, the dirty air inlet comprises a transversely extending opening in the lower plate, and the restricting member comprises a transversely extending member having a central portion and transversely spaced apart side portions having a forward longitudinal extent, the central portion having a forward longitudinal extent greater than the forward longitudinal extent of the side portions.

62. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 55 further comprising a lower plate, the casing is a longitudinally extending member having a forward end and a rearward end, the dirty air inlet comprises a transversely extending opening in the lower plate, and the restricting member comprises a transversely extending member having a central portion and transversely spaced apart side portions, the central portion having a forward longitudinal extent, the side portions having a forward longitudinal extent greater than the forward longitudinal extent of the central portion.

63. A vacuum cleaner head for cleaning a surface comprising:
(a) a casing having a lower surface and an air flow path, the air flow path including a transversely extending dirty air inlet provided in the lower surface and an outlet connectable to a source of suction;
(b) a transversely extending restricting member mounted in the casing and moveable between a neutral position and a restricting position in which the restricting member reduces the size of the air flow path at a position adjacent the dirty air inlet; and, (c) a control member drivingly connected to the restricting member to move the restricting member between the neutral and restricting positions.

64. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 63 wherein the restricting member cooperates with the dirty air inlet to reduce the size of the dirty air inlet.

65. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 63 further comprising a lower plate having an upper surface and a lower surface, the dirty air inlet is positioned in the lower plate and the restricting member is positioned adjacent one of the upper surface and the lower surface so as to reduce the size of the dirty air inlet when in the restricting position.

66. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 65 wherein the restricting member is positioned immediately above the upper surface.

67. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 63 wherein the dirty air inlet has a transverse length the casing is a longitudinally extending member having a forward end and a rearward end, and the restricting member has a transverse length which is a major proportion of the transverse length of the dirty air inlet.

68. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 63 wherein the dirty air inlet has a transverse length, the casing is a longitudinally extending member having a forward end and a rearward end, and the restricting member has a length comparable to the transverse length of the dirty air inlet.

69. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 63 wherein the casing is a longitudinally extending member having a forward end and a rearward end and the restricting member has a central portion and transversely spaced apart side portions having a forward longitudinal extent, the central portion having a forward longitudinal extent greater than the forward longitudinal extent of the side portions.

70. The vacuum cleaner as head claimed in claim 63 wherein the casing is a longitudinally extending member having a forward end and a rearward end and the restricting member has a central portion having a forward longitudinal extent and transversely spaced apart side portions, the side portions having a forward longitudinal extent greater than the forward longitudinal extent of the central portion.

71. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 63 wherein the restricting member moves in a generally longitudinal direction when moving between the neutral and restricting positions.

72. A vacuum cleaner head for cleaning a surface comprising:
(a) a casing having a lower surface and an air flow path, the air flow path including a dirty air inlet provided in the lower surface and an outlet connectable to a source of suction;
(b) a restricting member mounted in the casing and moveable between a neutral position and a restricting position in which the restricting member reduces the size of the air flow path at a position adjacent the dirty air inlet;
(c) a brush member and the restricting member is positioned beneath the brush member when in the restricting position; and, (d) a control member drivingly connected to the restricting member to move the restricting member between the neutral and restricting positions.

73. A vacuum cleaner head for cleaning a surface comprising:
(a) a casing having a lower surface and an air flow path, the air flow path including a transversely extending dirty air inlet provided in the lower surface and an air outlet connectable to a source of suction, the dirty air inlet having a central portion and side portions positioned on either side of the central portion;
(b) transversely extending restricting means moveable between a neutral position and a restricting position and cooperative with the dirty air inlet for reducing the size of the air flow path at a position adjacent the dirty air inlet; and, (c) a control means drivingly connected to the restricting means to move the restricting means between the neutral and restricting positions.

74. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 73 further comprising a lower plate having an upper surface and a lower surface, the dirty air inlet is positioned in the lower plate and the restricting means is positioned adjacent one of the upper surface and the lower surface so as to reduce the size of the dirty air inlet when in the restricting position.

75. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 73 wherein the dirty air inlet has a transverse length and the vacuum cleaning head further comprises a lower plate, the casing is a longitudinally extending member having a forward end and a rearward end, the dirty air inlet comprises a transversely extending opening in the lower plate, and the restricting means comprises a transversely extending means having a transverse length which is a major proportion of the transverse length of the dirty air inlet.

76. A vacuum cleaner head for cleaning a surface comprising:
(a) a casing having a lower surface and an air flow path, the air flow path including a dirty air inlet provided in the lower surface and an air outlet connectable to a source of suction, the dirty air inlet having a central portion and side portions positioned on either side of the central portion;

(b) restricting means moveable between a neutral position and a restricting position and cooperative with the dirty air inlet for reducing the size of the air flow path at a position adjacent the dirty air inlet;
(c) brush means and the restricting means is positioned beneath the brush means when in the restricting position; and, (d) a control means drivingly connected to the restricting means to move the restricting means between the neutral and restricting positions.

77. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 76 wherein the restricting means moves in a longitudinal direction when moving between the neutral and restricting positions.

78. A vacuum cleaner head for cleaning a surface comprising:
(a) a casing having a lower surface and an air flow path, the air flow path including a dirty air inlet provided in the lower surface and an air outlet connectable to a source of suction, the dirty air inlet having a central portion and side portions positioned on either side of the central portion;
(b) restricting means moveable between a neutral position and a restricting position and cooperative with the dirty air inlet for reducing the size of the air flow path;
(c) brush means movably mounted with respect to the dirty air inlet and lift off means for adjusting the position of the brush means and the control means is drivingly connected to the lift off means; and, (d) a control means drivingly connected to the restricting means to move the restricting means between the neutral and restricting positions.

79. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 78 wherein the control means is manually operable.

80. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 78 wherein the air outlet is adapted for receiving handle means moveable between an in use position and a storage position and the control means is automatically operated when the handle means is moved to the storage position.

81. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 78 wherein the control means is directly drivingly connected to one of the lift off means and the restricting means and that one of the lift off means and the restricting means is drivingly connected to the other of the lift off means and the restricting means whereby the control means is indirectly drivingly connected to the other of the lift off means and the restricting means.

82. A vacuum cleaner head for cleaning a surface comprising:
(a) a casing having a lower surface and an air flow path, the air flow path including a dirty air inlet provided in the lower surface and an air outlet connectable to a source of suction, the dirty air inlet having a central portion and side portions positioned on either side of the central portion;
(b) restricting means moveable between a neutral position and a restricting position and cooperative with the dirty air inlet for reducing the size of the air flow path, the restricting means comprising a central restricting means for reducing the size of the central portion of the dirty air inlet and side restricting means for reducing the size of the side portions of the dirty air inlet, the central restricting means blocking a greater portion of the central portion than the side restricting means block of the side portions;

and, (c) a control means drivingly connected to the restricting means to move the restricting means between the neutral and restricting positions.

83. A vacuum cleaner head for cleaning a surface comprising:
(a) a casing having a lower surface and an air flow path, the air flow path including a dirty air inlet provided in the lower surface and an air outlet connectable to a source of suction, the dirty air inlet having a central portion and side portions positioned on either side of the central portion;
(b) restricting means moveable between a neutral position and a restricting position and cooperative with the dirty air inlet for reducing the size of the air flow path, the restricting means comprising a central restricting means for reducing the size of the central portion of the dirty air inlet and side restricting means for reducing the size of the side portions of the dirty air inlet, the side restricting means blocking a greater portion of the side portion than the central restricting means blocks of the central portion;
and, (c) a control means drivingly connected to the restricting means to move the restricting means between the neutral and restricting positions.

84. A method of cleaning a surface comprising:
(a) introducing dirty air into a dirty air inlet of a vacuum cleaner head, the dirty air inlet comprises a longitudinally extending opening having a transversely extending width, the vacuum cleaner head having a lower surface in which the dirty air inlet is provided, an air outlet connectable to a source of suction and an air flow path extending between the dirty air inlet and the air outlet; and, (b) reducing the width of the dirty air inlet along at least a portion of the length of the dirty air inlet to selectively reduce the size of the dirty air inlet to increase the rate of air flow through the dirty air inlet whereby the surface is cleaned.

85. The method as claimed in claim 84 wherein the vacuum cleaning head has a brush movably mounted with respect to the dirty air inlet and the method further comprises adjusting the position of the brush with respect to the dirty air inlet.

86. The method as claimed in claim 85 further comprising raising the brush with respect to the dirty air inlet when the size of the dirty air inlet is reduced.

87. The method as claimed in claim 85 wherein the vacuum cleaner head includes a housing which is movably mounted with respect to the dirty air inlet and the brush is mounted in the housing and the method further comprises adjusting the position of the housing with respect to the dirty air inlet.

88. The method as claimed in claim 84 wherein the dirty air inlet has a central portion and side portions positioned on either side of the central portion and the method further comprises selectively reducing the size of the central portion of the dirty air inlet to a greater extent than the size reduction of the side portions whereby the edge cleaning of the vacuum cleaner head is increased.

89. A method of cleaning a surface comprising:
(a) introducing dirty air into a dirty air inlet of a vacuum cleaner head, the dirty air inlet has a central portion and side portions positioned on either side of the central portion, the vacuum cleaner head having a lower surface in which the dirty air inlet is provided, an air outlet connectable to a source of suction and an air flow path extending between the dirty air inlet and the air outlet; and, (b) selectively reducing the size of the dirty air inlet to increase the rate of air flow through the dirty air inlet by selectively reducing the size of the side portions of the dirty air inlet to a greater extent than the size reduction of the central portion whereby the surface is cleaned.

90. A vacuum cleaner head for cleaning a surface comprising:
(a) a casing having a lower surface and an air flow path, the air flow path including a dirty air inlet provided in the lower surface and an outlet connectable to a source of suction;
(b) a restricting member mounted in the casing and longitudinally moveable between a neutral position and a restricting position in which the restricting member reduces the size of the air flow path at a position adjacent the dirty air inlet; and, (c) a control member drivingly connected to the restricting member to move the restricting member between the neutral and restricting positions.

91. A vacuum cleaner head for cleaning a surface comprising:
(a) a casing having a dirty air inlet for receiving an air flow having entrained particulate material, an air outlet and an air flow path extending between the dirty air inlet and the air outlet;
(b) a first member having a cutting edge; and, (c) a second member cooperative with the first member for reducing the size of a portion of the particulate material entering the dirty air inlet.

92. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 91 wherein the first member is mounted at a stationary position in the casing with the cutting edge positioned in the air flow path.

93. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 91 wherein the second member is rotatably mounted in the casing.

94. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 93 wherein the second member rotates in response to air flow through the air flow path.

95. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 93 wherein second member cooperates with the first member as it rotates.

96. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 93 wherein the second member comprises a turbine positioned in the air flow path and at least some of the blades of the turbine cooperate with the first member as the turbine rotates.

97. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 96 wherein the turbine is mounted in a housing, the housing has an outlet port and the first member comprises a knife which is mounted adjacent the outlet port.

98. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 96 further comprising a rotatably mounted brush which is drivenly connected to the turbine.

99. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 96 wherein the blades are positioned whereby at any one time at most only a portion of one of the blades is cooperatively disposed with respect to the first member.

100. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 99 wherein the turbine has a rotational axis and the blades comprise longitudinally extending members having a first end and a second end and the second end is rotationally displaced around the turbine with respect to the first end.

101. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 91 wherein the second member comprises a longitudinally extending member and at any one time at most only a portion of the second member cooperates with the first member.

102. A vacuum cleaner head for cleaning a surface comprising:
(a) a casing having a dirty air inlet for receiving an air flow having entrained particulate material, an air outlet and an air flow path extending between the dirty air inlet and the air outlet; and, (b) cutting means positioned in the air flow path for reducing the size of a portion of the particulate material entering the dirty air inlet.

103. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 102 wherein the cutting means comprises a first cutting means and a second cutting means and the interaction of the first and second cutting means acts to reduce the size of a portion of the particulate material entering the dirty air inlet.

104. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 103 wherein the second cutting means comprises a plurality of cutting members configured such that at any one time at most only a portion of one of the cutting members is cooperatively disposed with respect to the first cutting means.

105. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 103 wherein the first cutting means is a stationary member and the second cutting means is a movably mounted member.

106. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 105 wherein the second cutting means is a rotatably mounted member.

107. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 103 wherein the second cutting means is a motive force means for producing motive power in response to the air flow through the vacuum cleaner head.

108. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 107 wherein the motive power is used to drive a brushing means.

109. A method of cleaning a surface using a vacuum cleaner head having a dirty air inlet, an air outlet and an air flow path there between, the method comprising:
(a) introducing dirty air having entrained particulate material into the dirty air inlet; and, (b) reducing the size of a portion of the particulate material as it passes through the air flow path.

110. The method as claimed in claim 109 wherein the vacuum cleaner head includes a motive force means for producing motive power in response to the air flow through the vacuum cleaner head and the method further comprises using the motive force means to reduce the size of a portion of the particulate material as it passes through the air flow path.

111. The method as claimed in claim 110 further comprising using the motive force means to operate a brushing means.

112. The method as claimed in claim 110 wherein the motive force means comprises a turbine and the method further comprises reducing the size of a portion of the particulate material as it passes by the turbine.

113. The method as claimed in claim 109 further comprising conveying the dirty air having entrained particulate matter from the air outlet to filtration means to remove particulate matter from the air.

114. A vacuum cleaner head for cleaning a surface when in flow communication with a source of suction, the vacuum cleaner head comprising:
(a) a casing having a dirty air inlet for receiving an air flow, an air outlet and an air flow path extending between the dirty air inlet and the air outlet, the air outlet connectable with the source of suction;
(b) a brush rotatably mounted in the casing;
(c) a main turbine drivenly connectable with the source of suction;
(d) an edge cleaning turbine drivenly connectable with the source of suction; and, (e) an edge cleaning air flow path positioned exterior to the dirty air inlet extending between the edge cleaning turbine and at least one opening in the casing facing the surface whereby, during use, the edge cleaning turbine causes air to flow through the air flow path for cleaning the surface adjacent the at least one opening.

115. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 114 wherein the at least one opening is spaced from the dirty air inlet.

116. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 114 wherein the edge cleaning turbine directs air to pass through the at least one opening towards the surface whereby the air exiting the at least one opening assists the entrainment of dirt from the surface adjacent the at least one opening into the air which enters the dirty air inlet.

117. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 114 wherein the edge cleaning turbine directs air to pass into the at least one opening and through the edge cleaning air flow path whereby the air entering the at least one opening draws dirt from the surface adjacent the at least one opening into the vacuum cleaner head.

118. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 114 wherein the main turbine is positioned in the air flow path and is drivingly connected to the edge cleaning turbine.

119. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 118 wherein the main turbine and the edge cleaning turbine are non-rotationally mounted on a common shaft.

120. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 114 wherein the main turbine and the edge cleaning turbine are each positioned in the air flow path.

121. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 114 further comprising a valve positioned in the edge cleaning air flow path and operable between a first position and a second position in which an increased amount of air passes through the edge cleaning air flow path as compared to when the valve is in the first position.

122. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 121 wherein movement of the valve between the first and second positions opens the edge cleaning air flow path thereby causing air to flow through the edge cleaning air flow path for cleaning the surface adjacent the at least one opening.

123. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 121 wherein the vacuum cleaner head is operable in a first mode in which the brush rotates and is in contact with the surface to be cleaned and a second bare floor cleaning mode and the valve automatically moves to the second position when the vacuum cleaner head is switched to the bare floor cleaning mode.

124. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 123 further comprising a control member drivingly connected to the brush to raise the brush from the surface when the vacuum cleaner head is in the bare floor cleaning mode.

125. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 118 further comprising a control member drivingly connected to the brush to selectively raise the brush from the surface whereby raising the brush causes the main turbine and the edge cleaning turbine to rotate faster thereby increasing the air flow through the air flow path for cleaning the surface adjacent the at least one opening.

126. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 113 wherein the main turbine is drivingly connected to the brush and the vacuum cleaner head further comprises a pressure sensor to automatically raise or lower the brush in response to air pressure in the air flow path downstream of the dirty air inlet.

127. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 126 wherein the brush is mounted in a housing, the housing has an air outlet and the pressure sensor is positioned downstream of the air outlet.

128. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 116 wherein all air which enters the casing in response to the source of suction enters through the dirty air inlet.

129. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 117 wherein all air which enters the casing in response to the source of suction enters through the dirty air inlet and the edge cleaning air flow path.

130. A vacuum cleaner head for cleaning a surface when in flow communication with a source of suction, the vacuum cleaner head comprising:
(a) a casing having a dirty air inlet for receiving an air flow, an air outlet and a main air flow path extending between the dirty air inlet and the air outlet;
(b) a main turbine positioned in the main air flow path and driven by dirty air passing through the main air flow path;
(c) a secondary air flow path positioned exterior to the main air flow path and in flow communication with the surface via air flow means positioned exterior to the dirty air inlet and having an air flow there through concurrently with air flowing through the air outlet whereby, during use, air flows through the secondary air flow path at least intermittently for additional cleaning of the surface.

131. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 130 wherein the casing has a front end and a rear end and spaced apart sides extending longitudinally between the front and rear ends and the dirty air inlet comprises a transversely extending member having spaced apart first and second ends and the air flow means comprises at least one opening positioned adjacent each of the longitudinally extending sides.

132. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 130 further comprising a brushing means positioned above the dirty air inlet wherein the dirty air inlet comprises a transversely extending member and the air flow means comprises openings positioned to either transverse side of the dirty air inlet.

133. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 130 further comprising a motive force generating member wherein the motive force generating member directs air to pass through the at least one opening towards the surface whereby the air exiting the at least one opening assists the entrainment of dirt from the surface adjacent the at least one opening into the air which enters the dirty air inlet.

134. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 133 wherein all air which enters the casing in response to the source of suction enters through the dirty air inlet.

135. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 133 wherein the secondary air flow path is in flow communication with the source of suction whereby the source of suction directs air to pass into the at least one opening and through the secondary air flow path whereby the air entering the at least one opening draws dirt from the surface adjacent the at least one opening into the vacuum cleaner head.

136. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 135 wherein all air which enters the casing in response to the source of suction enters through the dirty air inlet and the secondary air flow path.

137. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 130 further comprising a motive force generating member which is drivenly connected to the main turbine.

138. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 130 further comprising a valve positioned in the secondary air flow path and operable between a first position and a second position in which an increased amount of air passes through the secondary air flow path as compared to when the valve is in the first position.

139. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 138 further comprising a rotatably mounted brush drivenly connected to the main turbine and the vacuum cleaner head is operable in a first mode in which the brush rotates and is in contact with the surface to be cleaned and a second bare floor cleaning mode and the valve automatically moves to the second position when the vacuum cleaner head is switched to the bare floor cleaning mode.

140. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 139 further comprising a sensor to automatically adjust the vacuum cleaner head between the first and second modes in response to the amount of air passing through the main air flow path.

141. A vacuum cleaner head for cleaning a surface comprising:
(a) a casing having a dirty air inlet, an air outlet and a main air flow path extending there between;
(b) motive force means positioned in the main air flow path for producing power in response to the air flow through the vacuum cleaner head;
(c) a secondary air flow path positioned exterior to the main air flow path and in flow communication with the surface via air flow means positioned exterior to the dirty air inlet; and, (d) means for generating an air flow through the secondary air flow path.

142. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 141 further comprising a rotatably mounted brush and means responsive to the speed of rotation of the brush to adjust the amount of air passing through the secondary air flow path.

143. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 142 further comprising brush lift-off means to raise the brush from the surface.

144. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 141 wherein the motive force means and the means for generating an air flow are the same means.

145. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 141 wherein the motive force means comprises a first turbine and the means for generating an air flow comprises a second turbine.

146. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 141 wherein the motive force means is drivingly connected to the means for generating an air flow.

147. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 141 further comprising means for adjusting the amount of air flowing through the secondary air flow path.

148. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 141 wherein the motive force means includes a driven member responsive to the amount of air passing through the main air flow path and the vacuum cleaner head further comprises means responsive to the driven member to adjust the amount of air passing through the secondary air flow path.

149. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 141 further comprising a rotatably mounted brush and means responsive to the speed of rotation of the brush to adjust the amount of air passing through the secondary air flow path.

150. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 141 further comprising a rotatably mounted brush and means responsive to speed of rotation of the brush to adjust the position of the brush above the surface.

151. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 141 wherein the means for generating an air flow directs air to pass through the secondary air flow path towards the surface.

152. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 141 further comprising at least one opening in flow communication with the secondary air flow path and wherein the means for generating an air flow directs air to pass into the at least one opening and then into the secondary air flow path.

153. A method of cleaning a surface using a vacuum cleaner head having a dirty air inlet, an air outlet and a main air flow path there between, the method comprising:

(a) introducing dirty air into the dirty air inlet;
(b) using a supplemental air flow through a secondary air flow path separate to the main air flow path to assist in cleaning a portion of the surface over which the vacuum cleaner head is passed which is exterior to the portion of the surface over which the dirty air inlet is passed; and, (c) using motive force means for producing motive power in response to the air flow through the main air flow path to generate an air flow through the secondary air flow path.

154. The method as claimed in claim 153 wherein the vacuum cleaner head has at least two modes of operation including a bare floor mode of operation and the method further comprises automatically adjusting the amount of air flow through the secondary air flow path when the vacuum cleaner head is moved to the bare floor mode of operation.

155. The method as claimed in claim 153 wherein the vacuum cleaner head includes a rotatably mounted brush and the method further comprises adjusting the amount of air flow through the secondary air flow path in response to the speed of rotation of the brush.

156. The method as claimed in claim 153 wherein the vacuum cleaner head includes a rotatably mounted brush and the method further comprises sensing the air pressure in the main air flow path downstream of the dirty air inlet and adjusting the position of the brush with respect to the dirty air inlet in response to the air pressure in the main air flow path.

157. The method as claimed in claim 153 further comprises sensing the air pressure in the main air flow path downstream of the dirty air inlet and adjusting the amount of air flow through the secondary air flow path in response to the air pressure in the main air flow path.

158. A vacuum cleaner head for cleaning a surface comprising:
(a) a casing having a front end, a rear end, longitudinal sides extending from the front end towards the rear end, a lower plate having an upper surface and a lower surface, and an air flow path, the air flow path including a dirty air inlet provided in the lower surface;
(b) at least one member selected from the group:
(c) a restricting member mounted in the casing and moveable between a neutral position and a restricting position in which the restricting member reduces the size of the air flow path; and, (d) an edge cleaning member operable between a first position and a second position in which increased edge cleaning is provided;
and, (e) a control member engagable with a vertically extending member of the area being cleaned by the vacuum cleaner head and drivingly connected to at least one of the restricting member and the edge cleaning member to operate the respective one of the restricting member and the edge cleaning member due to contact between the control member and the vertically extending member.

159. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 158 wherein the control member comprises an engagement member positioned on at least one of the longitudinal sides and operable to drivingly move at least one of the restricting member and the edge cleaning member due to contact between the engagement member and a vertically extending member of the area being cleaned by the vacuum cleaner head.

160. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 158 wherein the control member in moveable between a first position and a second position and the control member travels inwardly to the second position due to contact with the vertically extending member of the area being cleaned by the vacuum cleaner head.

161. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 160 wherein the longitudinal side has a recessed portion for receiving the control member when it travels inwardly.

162. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 160 wherein the control member comprises a longitudinally extending member having an inner surface and an outer surface and the outer surface is positioned outwardly of the longitudinal side when the control member is in the first position.

163. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 158 wherein the dirty air inlet is positioned in the lower plate and the restricting member is positioned adjacent one of the upper surface and the lower surface so as to reduce the size of the dirty air inlet when in the restricting position.

164. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 158 wherein the dirty air inlet comprises a transversely extending opening in the lower plate, and the restricting member comprises a transversely extending member having a central portion and transversely spaced apart side portions, the central portion having a forward longitudinal extent greater than the forward longitudinal extent of the side portions.

165. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 158 wherein the edge cleaning member comprises a secondary air flow path in flow communication with the surface via at least one opening in the casing.

166. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 165 further comprising a motive force generating member wherein the motive force generating member directs air to pass through the at least one opening towards the surface.

167. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 166 wherein the motive force generating member comprises a main turbine positioned in the air flow path which is drivingly connected to an edge cleaning turbine in flow communication with the secondary air flow path.

168. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 165 wherein the secondary air flow path is in flow communication with a source of suction whereby the source of suction directs air to pass into the at least one opening and through the secondary air flow path.

169. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 157 further comprising a valve positioned in the secondary air flow path and operable between a first position and a second position in which an increased amount of air passes through the secondary air flow path as compared to when the valve is in the first position.

170. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 169 further comprising a rotatably mounted brush drivenly connected to the main turbine and the vacuum cleaner head is operable in a first mode in which the brush rotates and is in contact with the surface to be cleaned and a second bare floor cleaning mode and the valve automatically moves to the second position when the vacuum cleaner head is switched to the bare floor cleaning mode.

171. A vacuum cleaner head for cleaning a surface comprising:
(a) a casing having a front end, a rear end, longitudinal sides extending from the front end towards the rear end, a lower plate having an upper surface and a lower surface, and an air flow path, the air flow path including a dirty air inlet provided in the lower surface;
(b) edge cleaning means; and, (c) control means drivingly connected to the edge cleaning means to operate the edge cleaning means due to contact between the control means and a vertically extending member of the area being cleaned by the vacuum cleaner head.

172. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 171 wherein the control member comprises engagement means positioned on at least one of the longitudinal sides and operable to actuate the edge cleaning means due to contact between the engagement means and a vertically extending member of the area being cleaned by the vacuum cleaner head.

173. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 171 wherein the control means is moveable between a first position and a second position and the control means travels inwardly to the second position due to contact with the vertically extending member of the area being cleaned by the vacuum cleaner head.

174. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 173 wherein the longitudinal side has means for permitting the inward travel of the control means when it travels inwardly.

175. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 171 wherein the edge cleaning means comprises restricting means moveable between a neutral position and a restricting position to increase the air flow in the air flow path.

176. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 175 wherein the restricting means is cooperative with the dirty air inlet for reducing the size of the air flow path at a position adjacent the dirty air inlet.

177. The vacuum cleaner head as claimed in claim 171 wherein the edge cleaning means comprises means for providing a secondary air flow to a portion of the surface being cleaned.

178. A method of cleaning a surface using a vacuum cleaner head having a lower surface having a dirty air inlet, an air outlet and an air flow path there between, the method comprising:
(a) introducing dirty air into the dirty air inlet; and, (b) selectively providing edge cleaning by engaging a portion of the casing with a vertically extending surface of the area being cleaned by the vacuum cleaner head.

179. The method as claimed in claim 178 wherein step (b) comprises reducing the size of the dirty air inlet to increase the rate of air flow through the dirty air inlet.

180. The method as claimed in claim 179 wherein the dirty air inlet comprises a longitudinally extending opening having a transversely extending width and the method further comprises reducing the width of the dirty air inlet along at least a portion of the length of the dirty air inlet to selectively reduce the size of the dirty air inlet.

181. The method as claimed in claim 179 wherein the dirty air inlet has a central portion and side portions positioned on either side of the central portion and the method further comprises selectively reducing the size of the central portion of the dirty air inlet to a greater extent than the size reduction of the side portions whereby the edge cleaning of the vacuum cleaner head is increased.

182. The method as claimed in claim 178 wherein step (b) comprises using a supplemental air flow through a secondary air flow path to assist in cleaning a portion of the surface over which the vacuum cleaning head is passed

183. The method as claimed in claim 182 wherein step (b) further comprises using motive force means for producing motive power in response to the air flow through the main air flow path to generate an air flow through the secondary air flow path.