CN109152502B

CN109152502B - Surface cleaning head comprising an openable agitator chamber and a detachable agitator for use therein

Info

Publication number: CN109152502B
Application number: CN201680020710.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 杰森·B·索恩; 徐凯; 徐爱明; 安德烈·大卫·布朗; 布莱恩·伯克; 迈克尔·达米科; 皮特·哈钦森; 艾琳·伯克
Original assignee: Sharkninja Operating LLC
Current assignee: Sharkninja Operating LLC
Priority date: 2015-01-30
Filing date: 2016-01-28
Publication date: 2022-02-25
Anticipated expiration: 2036-01-28
Also published as: EP4212079A1; CN114504267B; EP3250102B1; DE202016009173U1; CA2975385C; CN109152502A; JP2021118911A; EP4008228B1; CN114504267A; EP3250102A4; KR20170125832A; EP3250102A1; CA2975385A1; AU2016211450A1; ES2943708T3; KR102293191B1; EP4008228A1; JP7248734B2; JP7251919B2; AU2016211450B2

Abstract

The surface cleaning head may be configured to receive a removable rotatable driven agitator, such as a brushroll, or a non-driven agitator. Any of these agitators may be located in an openable agitator chamber for the purpose of removing debris and/or disassembling the agitator. The openable agitator chamber may be covered by an outer lid that is movable between an open position and a closed position. At least one end of the removable mixer may be secured in the mixer chamber by an external cover. A sealing member may be located between the outer cover and the surface cleaning head housing and around the perimeter of the agitator chamber. Different removable agitators having different characteristics may be used interchangeably in the surface cleaning head.

Description

Surface cleaning head comprising an openable agitator chamber and a detachable agitator for use therein

Technical Field

The present invention relates to vacuum cleaners and more particularly to a vacuum cleaner surface cleaning head comprising an openable agitator chamber and a detachable agitator for use therein.

Background

The following is not an admission that anything discussed below is part of the prior art or part of the common general knowledge of a person skilled in the art.

Surface cleaning apparatuses, commonly referred to as vacuum cleaners, can use at least suction to clean various surfaces. Various types of vacuum cleaners are known, including without limitation upright vacuum cleaners, canister vacuum cleaners, stick vacuum cleaners and central vacuum systems. Surface cleaning apparatuses typically include a surface cleaning head having an inlet. Some vacuum cleaners include some or all of the operating components (e.g., the suction motor and the air treatment member) in locations other than the surface cleaning head to make the surface cleaning head lighter or smaller. For example, an upright vacuum cleaner may comprise an upright section containing at least an air treatment member mounted to a surface cleaning head. The canister vacuum cleaner may comprise a canister body containing at least the air treatment member and a suction motor connected to the surface cleaning head by a flexible hose and handle. Another type of vacuum cleaner comprises a suction motor and air treatment components (e.g. one or more cyclonic separators) located in a surface cleaning head.

Surface cleaning apparatus such as any of the above described vacuum cleaners may also include one or more mechanical agitators in the surface cleaning head, for example a rotating brush roller, to facilitate cleaning of the surface. One problem with mechanical agitators, particularly rotating brush rolls, is the difficulty in removing debris (e.g., hair) that becomes entangled. The surface cleaning head must typically be inverted to determine if the agitator is caught or jammed and to remove debris. It can be difficult to remove debris from a mechanical agitator located inside the surface cleaning head, especially through a limited opening in the bottom of the surface cleaning head. Failure to adequately remove the debris may result in reduced or even damaged performance of the mechanical agitator and/or the vacuum cleaner.

In some conventional vacuum cleaners, the agitator may also not be suitable for all surfaces and/or situations. For example, a rotating brush roll may be suitable for providing agitation on a carpet rather than on a hardwood floor. This may further limit the performance and versatility of the vacuum cleaner.

Disclosure of Invention

Consistent with one embodiment, a surface cleaning head is provided for a vacuum cleaner. The surface cleaning head includes a cleaning head housing having a front end, a rear end, laterally disposed sides, a top, and a bottom. An agitator chamber is located in the forward end of the cleaning head housing. The agitator chamber has a top opening through the top of the cleaning head housing and a bottom opening through the bottom of the cleaning head housing. An outer cover is pivotally mounted to the cleaner head housing for covering the top opening of the agitator chamber. The outer lid is pivotable between a closed position and an open position, and the blender chamber is covered when the outer lid is in the closed position and accessible through the top opening when the outer lid is in the open position. A rotatably driven agitator is removably mounted within the agitator chamber such that the agitator is configured to contact the surface through the bottom opening and is configured to be removed through the top opening. The rotatable driven agitator includes a driven end and a non-driven end. The cover engages the non-driven end of the agitator to retain the agitator in the agitator chamber when in the closed position and disengages from the non-driven end of the agitator when moved to the open position. The agitator is accessible and removable through the top opening when the outer lid is in the open position.

In accordance with another embodiment, a surface cleaning head is provided for a vacuum cleaner. The surface cleaning head includes a cleaning head housing including a front end, a rear end, laterally disposed sides, a top, and a bottom. An agitator chamber is located in the forward end of the cleaning head housing. The agitator chamber has a top opening through the top of the cleaning head housing and a bottom opening through the bottom of the cleaning head housing. An outer cover is pivotally mounted to the cleaner head housing for covering the top opening of the agitator chamber and is movable between a closed position and an open position. The blender chamber is covered when the outer lid is in the closed position and accessible through the top opening when the outer lid is in the open position. A sealing member is disposed around the agitator chamber around the periphery of at least one of the interior sides of the cleaning head housing and the outer cover for sealing the interface between the outer cover and the cleaning head housing around the agitator chamber. The latching mechanism is configured to provide a plurality of engagement points around the periphery between the outer cover and the cleaning head housing for retaining the outer cover in the closed position. A rotatably driven agitator is mounted within the agitator chamber such that the agitator is configured to contact the surface through the bottom opening. The rotatable driven agitator includes a driven end and a non-driven end and is accessible through the top opening when the outer lid is in the open position.

Consistent with one embodiment, a surface cleaning head is provided for a vacuum cleaner. The surface cleaning head includes a cleaning head housing having a front end, a rear end, laterally disposed sides, a top, and a bottom. The agitator chamber is located in the front end of the cleaner head housing and has a top opening through the top of the cleaner head housing and a bottom opening through the bottom of the cleaner head housing. The agitator chamber includes a non-driven side and a driven side. The surface cleaning head also includes an agitator drive mechanism including a drive member on a driven side of the agitator chamber and an agitator drive motor drivingly connected to the drive member. An outer cover is mounted to the cleaner head housing for covering the top opening of the agitator chamber and is movable between a closed position and an open position such that the agitator chamber is covered when the outer cover is in the closed position and is accessible through the top opening when the outer cover is in the open position. A rotatably driven agitator is removably mounted within the agitator chamber such that the agitator is configured to contact the surface through the bottom opening and is accessible and removable through the top opening when the cover is in the open position. A rotatably driven agitator includes a non-driven end mounted to the non-driven side of the agitator chamber such that the agitator is free to rotate at the non-driven end and a driven end including a driven member. The driven member axially engages and engages the drive member of the drive mechanism such that the drive member transmits torque and rotation to the driven member and the rotatable driven agitator.

In accordance with another embodiment, a surface cleaning head is provided for a vacuum cleaner. The surface cleaning head includes a cleaning head housing having a front end, a rear end, laterally disposed sides, a top, and a bottom. The agitator chamber is located in the front end of the cleaner head housing and has a top opening through the top of the cleaner head housing and a bottom opening through the bottom of the cleaner head housing. An outer cover is mounted to the cleaning head housing for covering the top opening of the agitator chamber. The outer lid is movable between a closed position and an open position such that the blender chamber is covered when the outer lid is in the closed position and accessible through the top opening when the outer lid is in the open position. At least first and second rotatably driven agitators are configured to be removably mounted within the agitator chamber and removable through the top opening when the cover is in the open position such that the rotatably driven agitators are replaceable. The first rotatable driven agitator has different agitation characteristics than the second rotatable driven agitator.

Consistent with further embodiments, a surface cleaning head is provided for a vacuum cleaner. The surface cleaning head includes a cleaning head housing having a front end, a rear end, laterally disposed sides, a top, and a bottom. The agitator chamber is located in the front end of the cleaner head housing and has a top opening through the top of the cleaner head housing and a bottom opening through the bottom of the cleaner head housing. The agitator chamber is configured to receive a rotatably driven agitator such that the agitator contacts the surface through the bottom opening and is removable through the top opening. The agitator chamber includes a non-driven side for receiving the non-driven end of the rotatable driven agitator and a driven side for receiving the driven end of the rotatable driven agitator. The surface cleaning head also includes an agitator drive mechanism including a drive member on a driven side of the agitator chamber and an agitator drive motor drivingly connected to the drive member. The drive member is configured to axially engage and engage a driven member on the rotatable driven agitator such that the drive member transmits torque and rotation to the driven member and the rotatable driven agitator. An outer cover is mounted to the cleaning head housing for covering the top opening of the agitator chamber. The outer lid is movable between a closed position and an open position such that the blender chamber is covered when the outer lid is in the closed position and accessible through the top opening when the outer lid is in the open position.

Consistent with one embodiment, a detachable and rotatable agitator assembly is provided for use in a surface cleaning head of a vacuum cleaner. The detachable and rotatable agitator assembly includes an agitator body having a driven end and a non-driven end and at least one agitation element located on at least a portion of the agitator body between the driven end and the non-driven end. The detachable and rotatable agitator assembly also includes a driven member located at the driven end of the agitator body. The driven member is configured to axially engage and engage a drive member on a drive mechanism in the surface cleaning head. The removable and rotatable agitator assembly also includes a shaft extending from the non-driven end of the agitator body, a bushing rotatably mounted on the shaft, and an end cap mounted on the bushing and configured to be non-rotatably mounted in the agitator chamber of the surface cleaning head.

Consistent with another embodiment, a detachable and rotatable agitator assembly includes an agitator body having a driven end and a non-driven end, at least one agitation element located on at least a portion of the agitator body between the driven end and the non-driven end, and a splined driven member located at the driven end of the agitator body. The splined driven member is configured to axially mate with and engage a splined driving member on a driving mechanism in a surface cleaning head.

Consistent with one embodiment, a surface cleaning head is provided for a vacuum cleaner. The surface cleaning head includes a cleaning head housing having a front end, a rear end, laterally disposed sides, a top, and a bottom. An agitator chamber is located in the forward end of the cleaning head housing. The agitator chamber has a top opening through the top of the cleaning head housing and a bottom opening through the bottom of the cleaning head housing and includes at least one driven side. The surface cleaning head also includes an agitator drive mechanism including a drive member on a driven side of the agitator chamber and an agitator drive motor drivingly connected to the drive member. The drive member is configured to engage and drive the rotatable driven agitator when the rotatable driven agitator is received in the agitator chamber. An outer cover is mounted to the cleaning head housing for covering the top opening of the agitator chamber. The outer lid is movable between a closed position and an open position. The blender chamber is covered when the outer lid is in the closed position and accessible through the top opening when the outer lid is in the open position. The surface cleaning head also includes a non-driven agitator removably mounted within the agitator chamber without engaging the drive member such that the non-driven agitator is configured to contact the surface through the bottom opening. The non-driven agitator is accessible and removable through the top opening when the outer lid is in the open position.

In accordance with another embodiment, a surface cleaning head is provided for a vacuum cleaner. The surface cleaning head includes a cleaning head housing having a front end, a rear end, laterally disposed sides, a top, and a bottom. An agitator chamber is located in the forward end of the cleaning head housing. The agitator chamber has a top opening through the top of the cleaning head housing and a bottom opening through the bottom of the cleaning head housing and includes at least one driven side. The surface cleaning head also includes an agitator drive mechanism including a drive member on a driven side of the agitator chamber and an agitator drive motor drivingly connected to the drive member. At least one rotatable driven agitator is configured to be removably mounted in the agitator chamber and configured to engage a drive member of the agitator drive mechanism such that the drive member causes the rotatable driven agitator to rotate. At least one non-driven agitator is configured to be removably mounted within the agitator chamber without engaging the drive member such that the non-driven agitator is configured to contact the surface through the bottom opening.

Consistent with further embodiments, a removable non-driven agitator is provided for use in an agitator chamber of a surface cleaning head. A detachable, non-driven agitator includes an agitator body defining first and second elongated air inlets, an air outlet, and an air path between the at least one air inlet and the air outlet. An elongate air inlet is located along at least a portion of the base of the agitator body and an air outlet is located on the agitator body at a position to provide engagement with a dirty air inlet in the agitator chamber of the surface cleaning head. The bottom of the blender body has a width corresponding to the width of the bottom opening of the blender chamber. The first and second ends of the agitator body are configured to engage the agitator chamber without engaging a drive member in the agitator chamber. The removable non-driven agitator further comprises at least one cleaning pad supported on the pad support member on at least one side of the bottom of the agitator body, and a seal member surrounding the air outlet.

Drawings

These and other features and advantages will be better understood from a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a surface cleaning head including an openable agitator chamber covered by an outer cover having a transparent region consistent with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view of the surface cleaning head shown in FIG. 1 along line 1A-1A.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner having the surface cleaning head shown in figure 1 connected to a wand and a handle.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the surface cleaning head shown in fig. 1 with its cover removed to show the top opening to the agitator chamber.

Fig. 3A is a bottom view of the surface cleaning head shown in fig. 1 showing a bottom opening to the agitator chamber.

Fig. 4A and 4B are different perspective views of an embodiment of a brushroll agitator for use in the surface cleaning head shown in fig. 1.

FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view of the brushroll agitator shown in FIG. 4B, taken along line 4C-4C.

Fig. 5A and 5B are perspective and side views, respectively, of another embodiment of a brushroll agitator for use in the surface cleaning head shown in fig. 1.

FIG. 5C is a cross-sectional view of the brushroll agitator shown in FIG. 5B, taken along line 5C-5C.

Fig. 5D is a side view of another embodiment of a rotatable agitator for use in the surface cleaning head shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 6A is a perspective view of an embodiment of a non-driven agitator for use in a surface cleaning head consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6B is an end view of the non-driven agitator shown in FIG. 6A.

Fig. 6C is a top view of the non-driven agitator shown in fig. 6A.

Fig. 6D is a bottom view of the non-driven agitator shown in fig. 6A.

Fig. 7A and 7B are different side perspective views of a surface cleaning head with an outer lid in an open position and with an agitator detached from an agitator chamber consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 8 is a top view of the agitator chamber and cover of the surface cleaning head shown in fig. 7A and 7B.

Fig. 9 is a side view of the surface cleaning head shown in fig. 7A and 7B.

Fig. 10 is a top view of the surface cleaning head shown in fig. 7A and 7B including a rotatable agitator and a drive mechanism consistent with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 11 is a top view of a surface cleaning head including a non-driven agitator housed in an agitator chamber, consistent with another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 12 is a bottom view of the surface cleaning head shown in figure 11 including a non-driven agitator.

Fig. 13 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of a drive mechanism for use in the surface cleaning head shown in fig. 10.

Fig. 14 is an exploded view of the drive mechanism shown in fig. 13.

Fig. 15 is a close-up perspective view of the splined drive member and splined driven member of the drive mechanism shown in fig. 13.

Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view along line 16-16 of fig. 13 of the splined connection between the splined driving member and the splined driven member.

Fig. 17 is a side cross-sectional view of the splined driven member taken along line 17-17 of fig. 15.

FIG. 18 is an exploded view of the non-driven end of an embodiment of a rotatable agitator for use in the surface cleaning head shown in FIG. 10.

Fig. 19 and 20 are different side perspective views of an embodiment of an end cap for use on the rotatable agitator shown in fig. 18.

Fig. 21 is a top perspective view of the non-driven side of the agitator chamber in the surface cleaning head of fig. 10 without the rotatable agitator.

FIG. 22 is a top perspective view of the non-driven side of the agitator chamber in the surface cleaning head of FIG. 10, the agitator chamber having the non-driven end of the rotatable agitator received therein.

Fig. 23 is a cross-sectional view of an end cap of an agitator disposed in an agitator chamber in the surface cleaning head of fig. 10 with the cap closed.

Figure 24 is a perspective view of a stick vacuum cleaner including a cleaning head with an openable agitator chamber, consistent with another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 25 is a perspective view of an upright vacuum cleaner including a cleaning head having an openable agitator chamber consistent with yet another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 26 is a side view of a surface cleaning head including a rearwardly pivoting cover consistent with another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 27 is a side view of a surface cleaning head including a multi-piece outer cover consistent with another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 28 is a top view of a surface cleaning head including a cover that slides forward or backward to open the agitator chamber consistent with another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 29 is a top view of a surface cleaning head including an outer cover that slides to one side to open the agitator chamber consistent with another embodiment of the present disclosure.

The drawings included herein are for the purpose of illustrating various examples of articles, methods and apparatus of the teachings of this specification and are not intended to limit the scope of the teachings in any way.

Detailed Description

Surface cleaning heads consistent with embodiments of the present invention may be configured to accommodate a removable rotatable driven agitator (e.g., a brushroll) or a non-driven agitator. Any of these agitators may be located in an openable agitator chamber for the purpose of removing debris and/or disassembling the agitator. The openable agitator chamber may be covered by an outer lid that is movable between an open position and a closed position. A sealing member may be located between the outer cover and the surface cleaning head housing and around the perimeter of the agitator chamber. A surface cleaning head consistent with other embodiments of the present invention includes a removable rotatable agitator, such as a brush roll, driven by a drive mechanism that axially engages the driven end. The removable agitator may be secured in the agitator chamber by an outer cover. The surface cleaning head may also include one or more transparent regions (e.g., windows on the outer cover) to allow visual inspection of the agitator during use.

The non-driven agitator may include an agitator body including a base supporting one or more cleaning pads. The non-driven agitator body may also define one or more air inlets, an air outlet and an air passage extending therebetween to facilitate the passage of air through the surface cleaning head. Different removable agitators having different characteristics may be used interchangeably in the surface cleaning head.

In the illustrated embodiment, the openable agitator chamber, cover, detachable rotatable agitator and other features described herein are all used in an "all in the head" type vacuum cleaner ("all in the head" type vacuum cleaner) in which the functional or operational components for the transport and treatment of fluids (e.g., air) are substantially all contained in the surface cleaning head. The openable agitator chamber, cover, removable rotatable agitator and other features described herein may also be implemented in a surface cleaning head for any type of surface cleaning device or vacuum cleaner (vacuum), including without limitation upright vacuum cleaners, canister vacuum cleaners, stick vacuum cleaners, robotic vacuum cleaners and central vacuum systems, so long as they are within the scope of the present invention.

As used herein, "surface cleaning head" refers to a device configured to contact a surface to clean the surface by using a suction air flow, agitation, or a combination thereof. The surface cleaning head may be pivotably or rotatably connected to a wand (wand) for controlling the surface cleaning head by a swivel connection and may include motorized attachments (motorized attachments) as well as fixed surface cleaning heads. The surface cleaning head may also be operated without a wand or handle. As used herein, "agitator" refers to any element, member or structure capable of agitating a surface to facilitate movement of debris into a suction airflow in a surface cleaning head. As used herein, a "transparent" tool is one that allows sufficient light to pass through so that objects on the other side can be seen.

Referring to fig. 1-3A, an embodiment of a surface cleaning head 100 is shown and described in more detail. As shown in more detail in fig. 2, the wand 102 is steerably connected to the surface cleaning head 100 by a rotary connection and includes a handle 104 at one end to allow a user to control the surface cleaning head 100 during use. The wand 102 may have a telescopic configuration to provide length adjustment. The handle 104 may include controls 106 (e.g., switches and/or speed controls) for controlling the operation of the surface cleaning head 100. In other embodiments, surface cleaning head 100 may be provided without a wand and handle (e.g., in a robotic vacuum surface cleaning head or in a motorized accessory surface cleaning head).

The surface cleaning head 100 includes a cleaning head housing 110, an agitator chamber 120 located in the housing 110, and a rotatable agitator 130 located in the agitator chamber 120. The rotatable agitator 130 rotates about a rotation axis 2 (fig. 1A and 3) that may be generally orthogonal to the direction of travel 4 of the surface cleaning head 100. In the illustrated embodiment, agitator chamber 120 is openable to provide access to agitator 130. Providing access to the agitator 130 within the agitator chamber 120 may allow a user to inspect and/or clean the agitator 130 without having to disassemble the agitator and without having to touch a dirty agitator. The rotatable agitator 130 may also be removable from the agitator chamber 120 for inspection, cleaning, and/or replacement. In other embodiments, the openable agitator chamber 120 may include a non-removably secured agitator, a non-rotatable or non-driven agitator, or any type of cleaning member.

The cleaning head housing 110 may generally include one or more components that enclose or surround the components of the surface cleaning head 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the surface cleaning head 100 is for use in a "all in the head" vacuum cleaner. Thus, the cleaning head housing 110 encloses or encloses an air delivery and treatment system 140 (shown schematically in fig. 1 and 3). For example, the air delivery and treatment system 140 includes a suction motor 142, a cyclone separator including a cyclone chamber 144 and a dirt collection chamber 146 external to the cyclone chamber 144, and one or more filters 148. The air flow path 141 extends from a dirty air inlet 143 located in the agitator chamber 120 to a clean air outlet 145. The suction motor 142 draws air into the dirty air inlet 143 through the cyclone chamber 144 and out the clean air outlet 145. As the dirt passes through the cyclone chamber 144, the dirt is collected in the dirt collection chamber 146. Smaller particles may also be collected in filter 148. The air delivery and handling system 140 may be similar to those used in existing or known "all in the head" vacuum cleaners, for example, the air delivery and handling system used in a vacuum cleaner as disclosed in U.S. patent publication No. 7329294, which is incorporated herein by reference.

The cleaning head housing 110 includes a front end 112, a rear end 114, side sides 113, 115, a top 116 and a bottom 118. In the illustrated embodiment, the rod 102 is steerably connected to the rear end portion 114, and the agitator chamber 120 is located in the front end portion 112 and extends between a top opening 117 and a bottom opening 119, the top opening 117 being in the top portion 116 and the bottom opening 119 being in the bottom portion 118. A rotatable agitator 130 is located in the agitator chamber 120 and is configured to contact the surface to be cleaned through the bottom opening 119. The top opening 117 and the bottom opening 119 allow the rotatable agitator 130 to be accessed from the top or bottom or both, which may help facilitate inspection or maintenance of the agitator. For example, a user may clean the agitator 130 through the top opening 117 while allowing debris separated from the agitator 130 to fall out of the chamber through the bottom opening 119. As will be described in greater detail below, the rotatable agitator 130 may also be removable from the agitator chamber 120, such as through the top opening 117.

In the illustrated embodiment, the top opening 117 of the agitator chamber 120 has a width that is greater than the width of the agitator 130 to help provide access to the entire agitator 130 and/or to allow the rotatable agitator 130 to be disassembled. In other embodiments, the width of the top opening 117 of the agitator chamber 120 may be shorter. The base 118 includes one or more base guards or

bars

111a, 111b (fig. 3A) that extend through the base opening 119.

In the illustrated embodiment, an outer cover 122 is mounted on the top 116 of the cleaning head housing 110 for covering the top opening 117 (FIG. 1) of the agitator chamber 120. Thus, when the surface cleaning head 100 is located on a floor, the agitator chamber 120 may be opened, thereby eliminating the need to pick up or reposition the surface cleaning head in order to access the agitator chamber 120. The outer lid 122 is movable between a closed position (e.g., fig. 1) and an open position (e.g., fig. 3). In the closed position, outer lid 122 forms a top of blender chamber 120. Thus, the blender chamber 120 and the blender 130 may be easily accessed simply by moving the outer lid 122 to the open position (e.g., without having to disassemble other walls or lids). In the illustrated embodiment, the cover 122 extends substantially the entire width of the surface cleaning head 100, but may be shorter in other embodiments.

In the illustrated embodiment, the surface cleaning head 100 includes one or more transparent regions 124 that allow visual inspection of the agitator chamber 120. The transparent region 124 may be made of a polycarbonate material. In this embodiment, the transparent area 124 is in the form of a window located on the outer cover 122. Additionally or alternatively, one or more transparent regions may be located at other locations on the cleaning head housing 110 that allow visual inspection of the agitator 130 in the agitator chamber 120, for example, on the

sides

113, 115. The transparent region 124 along with the removable cover 122 thus facilitates the determination of debris in the blender chamber 120 and/or blender 130 and then facilitates the removal of such debris.

The outer lid 122 may be locked in the closed position using any suitable mechanism. In the illustrated embodiment, the outer cover 122 includes one or more latch releases 126a, 126 for releasing respective latch mechanisms (not shown) that hold the outer cover 122 in engagement with the cleaning head housing 110, as will be described in greater detail below. In the illustrated embodiment, latch releases 126a, 126 are positioned proximate

respective sides

113, 115. Additionally or alternatively, one or more releasable latches may be provided elsewhere on the cover 122 and/or the cleaning head housing 110. As will be described in greater detail below, the cover 122 may be pivotally or movably connected to the cleaning head housing 110, or may be completely removable from the cleaning head housing 110 (fig. 3).

The surface cleaning head 100 may also include one or more lights, such as light emitting diodes 129 on the cover 122. In this embodiment, wiring (not shown) extends from the housing 110 to the outer cover 122 and through the interior of the cover 122 to the light emitting diodes 129. The light may also be mounted elsewhere on the cleaning head housing 110.

In the illustrated embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1A, the rotatable agitator 130 is engaged with an agitator drive mechanism 150 at the driven end 132 and is free to rotate at the non-driven end 134 of the rotatable agitator 130. Accordingly, agitator drive mechanism 150 drives driven end 132 to rotate rotatable agitator 130 about axis of rotation 2 during use. As will be described in greater detail below, the drive mechanism 150 may axially engage the driven end 132 of the rotatable agitator 130 without the need to engage the rotatable agitator 130 using a band in a manner that allows for easy removal and insertion of the agitator 130.

As shown in FIG. 2, a blender cartridge 160 may be mounted on the wand 102 to hold one or more spare blenders, such as a rotatable driven blender or a non-driven blender. The agitator cartridge 160 may be removably mounted or secured to the wand 102. In other embodiments, the agitator cartridge 160 may be mounted elsewhere on the surface cleaning head 100 or wand 102. The illustrated embodiment of blender box 160 includes a container 162 sized and configured to receive at least one blender and a lid 164 pivotally connected to container 162 at a hinge 165. In other embodiments, blender cartridge 160 may include a container without a lid, or may include other structures configured to receive and retain a blender.

The illustrated embodiment of blender box 160 further includes one or more mounting arms 166 extending from container 162. The mounting arm engages the wand 102 to mount the cartridge 160 to the wand 102. The mounting arm 166 may be shaped similar to the profile of the rod 102 and may be sized such that the arm 166 flexes and applies pressure against the rod 102 to hold the blender box 160 in place and prevent the blender box 160 from slipping. In other embodiments, the agitator cartridge 160 may include other structures for engaging and mounting on the wand 102 and/or surface cleaning head 100.

In this embodiment, as shown in more detail in fig. 4A-4C, the rotatable agitator 130 is a rotatable brush roll that includes a brush agitator element 136. The brush agitator element 136 may include bristles, such as nylon bristles, extending generally radially from the agitator body 131. In this embodiment, the brush agitator elements 136 are arranged in one or more

helical patterns

135b, 135a around the agitator body 131. For example, the

spiral patterns

135a, 135b include opposing

spiral patterns

135a, 135b that intersect at a location 137 on the agitator body 131 to form a herringbone pattern. The location at which the spiral pattern of stirrer elements 136 intersects (i.e. the point of the chevron) may correspond to the location of the dirty air inlet 143 in the stirrer chamber 120 when the stirrer elements are inserted into the chamber. As shown in fig. 4C, the agitator elements 136 may be angled relative to a radial line extending radially from the axis of rotation of the agitator 130. In the illustrated embodiment, the agitator elements 136 are angled toward the direction of rotation.

This embodiment of the rotatable agitator 130 also includes one or more cutting flutes 138, the cutting flutes 138 extending generally axially along at least a portion of the agitator body 131. Cutting flutes 138 are recessed below the surface of agitator body 131 and have a depth sufficient to accommodate a cutting tool (e.g., scissors or a knife). Thus, the cutting tool may be inserted under strands of hair, rope, or other types of debris that may be wrapped around the rotatable agitator 130 during use. The cutting tool may then be translated along the length of the cutting slot 138 to cut hair or other debris that is entangled around the agitator 130. The rotatable agitator 130 may be manually rotated to allow access to the cutting flutes 138 through the top opening 117 or the bottom opening 119 of the chamber 120. If the rotatable agitator 130 is removable, the agitator 130 may be removed to cut hair and other entangled debris. This embodiment of the rotatable agitator 130 also includes

spaces

139a, 139b to accommodate the bottom guards or bars 111A, 111b so that the rotatable agitator 130 extends partially through the bottom opening 119 (see fig. 1A).

The agitator body 131 may be solid, hollow or partially solid/hollow. The agitator body 131 may also include a wheel weight to balance the rotatable agitator 130 when driven. One example of a wheel weight (not shown) may include a screw threaded into the body 131. The hollow mixer body may not require a counterweight.

The rotatable agitator or brush roller may also include other types of agitator patterns and/or agitator elements including, without limitation, fabric materials (such as cloth, felt, or polyester), rubber materials, and bristles of varying thicknesses and/or materials. Rotatable agitators having different agitator patterns and/or agitator elements may be used for different surfaces, functions, and/or uses. For example, a rotatable agitator with stiffer bristles may be used for carpet and/or deep cleaning. For example, a rotatable beater with soft bristles or fabrics can be used for hardwood floors and/or for fine quick cleaning. Thus, different brush rolls having different agitation characteristics may be easily replaced in a surface cleaning head having an openable agitator chamber consistent with the embodiments described herein to increase functionality and improve performance of the vacuum cleaner.

As shown in FIGS. 5A-5C, another embodiment of a rotatable agitator 530 includes agitator elements 536 arranged in a helical pattern 535 extending from one end of an agitator body 531 to the other. In this embodiment, the agitator element 536 includes bristles extending in a substantially continuous row with two discontinuities or

spaces

539a, 539b to receive the bottom guards or bars 111A, 111b so that the rotatable agitator 530 extends partially through the bottom opening 119 when positioned in the agitator chamber 120 shown in FIG. 1A.

In this embodiment, the agitator elements 536 may also be different, such as different materials, thicknesses, and/or heights of bristles, as compared to the agitator elements 136 in the agitator 130. In one example, the agitator 130 shown in fig. 4A-4C may include harder nylon bristles for carpet surface or deep cleaning applications and the agitator 530 shown in fig. 5A-5C may include softer nylon bristles for hard surface or fine applications. The stiffer nylon bristles of the brushroll agitator 130 for carpets may be thicker (e.g., 0.23 + -0.02 mm diameter) and shorter (e.g., 8.0 + -0.6 mm height from the brushroll agitator body 131). The softer nylon bristles of the brushroll agitator 530 for hard surfaces may be thinner (e.g., 0.04 + -0.02 mm diameter) and longer (e.g., 13 + -0.2 mm height from the brushroll agitator body 531). When the brushroll agitator 530 has longer bristles, the diameter of the brushroll agitator body 531 may be smaller so that the entire outer diameter may fit within the agitator chamber. In an exemplary embodiment, the brushroll agitator 130 having thicker and shorter bristles has an overall outer diameter of about 54 + -0.3 mm and the brushroll agitator 530 having thinner and longer bristles has an overall outer diameter of about 55 + -0.4 mm.

According to a further embodiment, the rotatable agitator 530 ' shown in fig. 5D may include a fabric material 536 ' wrapped around at least a portion of the agitator body 531 '. For example, the fabric material 536' may comprise a felt material. This embodiment of the rotatable agitator may also be suitable for hard surface and/or delicate applications. The rotatable agitator may include, for example, any combination of agitator elements such as soft agitator elements (e.g., fabric material or soft bristles/brushes) and relatively hard agitator elements (e.g., rubber blades or hard bristles/brushes).

In further embodiments, the surface cleaning head 100 with the openable agitator chamber 120 may be configured to accommodate a non-rotatable, non-driven agitator in addition to a rotatable, driven agitator. As will be described in greater detail below, the non-driven agitator is configured to engage each side of agitator chamber 120 without engaging drive mechanism 150 on the driven side of the chamber. The non-driven agitator is also configured to engage the dirty air inlet 143 to allow air to flow through the non-driven agitator into the air delivery and treatment system 140. Non-driven agitators may be suitable for flat hard surfaces where a rotatable agitator may not be suitable, such as a hardwood floor or other surface or condition.

One embodiment of the non-driven agitator 630 is shown in more detail in fig. 6A-6D. In this embodiment, the non-driven agitator 630 includes an agitator body 631, the agitator body 631 including a bottom having a pad support member 633 that supports one or more cleaning pads 635a-635 c. The agitator body 631 may be a single molded piece or may be assembled from two or more molded pieces attached together, for example, by screws or other attachment methods. As shown, the cleaning pads 635a-635c typically extend the length of the non-driven agitator 630 at breaks or

intervals

639a, 639b to accommodate a bottom guard or strip that passes through the bottom opening of the agitator chamber in the surface cleaning head. Although the illustrated embodiment shows three cleaning pads 635a-635c, other numbers of cleaning pads can be used.

Cleaning pads 635a-635c may comprise woven or fabric pads (e.g., felt pads) or other sheets or pads having a pile or pile suitable for cleaning a surface. Cleaning pads 635a-635c may also include brush pads having bristles extending therefrom. Similar to the brushroll described above, different non-driven agitators may have different types of cleaning pads for different cleaning applications, such as bristle pads and bristle pads. In one example, a brush pad having bristles may have relatively fine nylon bristles (e.g., 0.04 ± 0.02mm diameter).

Cleaning pads 635a-635c may also be used, for example, using materials such as Velcro

Is removably attached to the bottom support member 633. Other attachment mechanisms, such as clips, may be used. Therefore, have different materialsCan be attached to the non-driven agitator 630 for different uses. The removable cleaning sheet or pad may also be attached to other locations of the agitator body 631, for example, the sheet or pad may be wrapped around the pad support member 633 and attached on top of the agitator body 631. Combinations of different types of cleaning pads can also be used at the same time or at different times to provide different cleaning characteristics. The cleaning pad may also be reusable or disposable. In other embodiments, the non-driven agitator 630 may include a permanent cleaning or abrasion resistant material attached thereto in addition to or instead of the removable cleaning sheet or pad to provide cleaning or scrubbing.

In this embodiment of the non-driven agitator 630, the agitator body 631 further defines one or

more air inlets

636a, 636b, an air outlet 638 and an air path therebetween such that the

inlets

636a, 636b are in fluid communication with the outlet 638. The

air inlets

636a, 636b are elongated and extend along at least a portion of the pad support member 633 adjacent to the cleaning pads 635a-635 c. Although the illustrated embodiment shows cleaning pads 635a-635c on one side of

air inlets

636a, 636b, cleaning pads 635a-635c can be positioned on both sides of

air inlets

636a, 636 b. Air is directed from the

air inlets

636a, 636b along an air path (as indicated by the arrows) to the air outlet 638. When the non-driven agitator 630 is positioned in the agitator chamber 120 (fig. 3), the air outlet 638 is engaged in fluid communication with the dirty air inlet 143, and the

air inlets

636a, 636b are positioned at the bottom opening of the agitator chamber 120, such that the air delivery and handling system 140 causes air to be drawn through the

air inlets

636a, 636b and the air outlet 638. Thus, the non-driven agitator 630 facilitates air flow through the surface cleaning head while also providing a non-rotating cleaning pad.

The air outlet 638 may include a seal 639 around its periphery to provide a seal between the air outlet 638 and the dirty air inlet. The seal 639 may be made of an elastomeric material or other suitable sealing material and may have any known configuration capable of forming a seal against a flat surface, such as a lip seal or a face seal. Alternatively, the air outlet 638 may be configured to engage with a seal around the dirty air inlet within the blender chamber.

The illustrated embodiment of the non-driven agitator 630 also includes one or more projections 637 on the bottom of the agitator body 631. As will be described in greater detail below, the projection 637 is configured to be received in an associated slot in the agitator chamber. These projections 637 are generally spaced along the bottom of the body 631 on the other side of the

air inlets

636a, 636 b. The non-driven agitator 630 may also include at least one wing 631a (fig. 6A) extending from at least one end of the agitator body 631. As will be described in more detail below, the wings 631a are configured to be located below the drive member in the agitator chamber.

Referring to fig. 7-9, an embodiment of a surface cleaning head 700 having a pivotable outer cover 722 is described in greater detail. In this embodiment, the surface cleaning head 700 includes a cleaning head housing 710, the cleaning head housing 710 including an agitator chamber 720 and a pivotable cover 722, the pivotable cover 722 being connected to a front 712 of the cleaning head housing 710 using a hinge 723. The pivotable cover 722 pivots between a closed position (not shown) and an open position (shown) at the hinge 723. If the pivotable cover 722 includes a light, wiring (not shown) for the light can pass through the hinge 723. In this embodiment, pivotable outer cover 722 pivots forward relative to housing 710 to open agitator chamber 720 (fig. 9). In the open position, agitator chamber 720 is accessible and the agitator may be detached from agitator chamber 720 as shown. This embodiment of the surface cleaning head 700 may also be used with a non-removable rotatable agitator so that the pivotable cover 722 is opened only for the purpose of removing debris that has collected on the rotatable agitator. Pivotable outer cover 722 may also include a transparent window 724 extending through a central region (fig. 8), the transparent window 724 for viewing blender chamber 720 when the cover is in the closed position.

A sealing member 725 may also be located between the pivotable cover 722 and the cleaning head housing 710 and around the perimeter of the agitator chamber 720. A removable agitator (not shown) may be installed into agitator chamber 720 inside of sealing member 725. In the illustrated embodiment, the pivotable outer cover 722 includes a sealing member 725 that extends around the inside perimeter of the cover 722. In the closed position, the sealing member 725 seals against the cleaning head housing 710 around the perimeter of the agitator chamber 720. The sealing member 725 is capable of forming a substantially airtight seal at the interface between the cover 722 and the cleaning head housing 710 at substantially equal pressures around the perimeter of the chamber 720 to prevent the passage of air and/or debris.

The sealing member 725 may be made of an elastomeric material or other suitable sealing material and may have any known configuration capable of forming a seal against a flat face or rib. For example, a lip or face seal may be used on the pivotable outer cover 722 to facilitate alignment and sealing when the cover is pivoted to the closed position. In other embodiments, the sealing member 725 may be provided on the cleaning head housing 710.

The surface cleaning head 700 may also include a latching mechanism to secure the pivotable outer cover 720 in the closed position. The latching mechanism may provide multiple points of engagement around the perimeter between the outer cover 720 and the cleaning head housing 710 such that the sealing member 725 engages with substantially equal pressure around the perimeter of the chamber 720.

In the illustrated embodiment, the pivotable outer cover 722 includes latch mechanisms 770a, 770b on a side opposite the hinge 723. The latch mechanisms 770a, 770b may include slidable actuators 772a, 772b having hooks 774a, 774b that releasably engage slots 776a, 776b on the cleaning head housing 710. Each latch mechanism 770a, 770b includes two hooks 774a, 774b to provide four spaced apart points of engagement between the cover 720 and the housing 710.

The slidable actuators 772a, 772b translate in a lateral direction between a latched position and an unlatched position. The slidable actuators 772a, 772b may be biased to the latched position, for example, by a spring (not shown). The slidable actuators 772a, 772b are operably coupled to the latch releases 726a, 726b to move the slidable actuators 772a, 772b against the spring bias to release the hooks 774a, 774b from the slots 776a, 776b (as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 8). In other embodiments, the latch mechanisms 770a, 770b may be located on the cleaning head housing 110 and the slots 776a, 776b may be located on the outer cover 722. Although two latching mechanisms and four hooks are shown, other numbers of latching mechanisms and hooks may be used.

Referring to fig. 10, this embodiment of a surface cleaning head 700 may house a removable rotatable agitator 730 driven by a drive mechanism 750. In this embodiment, the drive mechanism 750 axially engages the driven end 732 of the rotatable agitator 730 at the driven side of the agitator chamber 720, and the non-driven end 734 of the rotatable agitator 730 is mounted for free rotation at the non-driven side of the agitator chamber 720. Both the driven end 732 and the non-driven end 734 of the removable rotatable agitator 730 are mounted in the agitator chamber 720 in a manner that allows the agitator 730 to be removed when the cover 722 is in the open position.

In this embodiment, the cover 722 is configured to secure the removable rotatable agitator 730 within the agitator chamber 720. For example, the outer cover 722 includes an engagement structure 728 that engages the non-driven end 734 of the removably rotatable agitator 730. In other embodiments, agitator engagement member 739 may be movably mounted to surface cleaning head housing 710 to move into engagement with the non-driven end 734 of the removably rotatable agitator 730. Agitator engagement member 739 is shown schematically but may be in the form of a clip, slide, or latch, and may slide and/or pivot into and out of engagement with agitator 130.

Although this embodiment shows a pivotable outer cover 722 similar to the outer covers shown and described above, the detachable, rotatable agitator 730 in this embodiment may also be used with other types of openable outer covers.

The surface cleaning head 700 may also include a cut-off switch that stops power to the drive mechanism 750 when the pivotable cover 722 is in the open position. A kill switch actuator 721 is located at a point along the perimeter of the blender chamber 720 to actuate the kill switch when the pivotable outer cover 722 is opened. In an example embodiment, the kill-switch actuator 721 is biased to an open position that opens the kill-switch. When the pivotable outer cover 722 is in the closed position, the cover 722 engages the kill switch actuator 721 to close the kill switch, allowing power to pass to the drive mechanism 750. When the pivotable cover 722 is moved to the open position, the actuator 721 moves to the biased open position to open the kill switch, thereby stopping power to the drive mechanism 750. In one embodiment, the kill switch actuator 721 may be recessed to prevent actuation by a user and may be actuated by a protrusion (e.g., a small lever) extending from the cover 722. The actuator 721 may be located elsewhere and may be actuated in other ways.

According to this embodiment of the surface cleaning head 700, the agitator chamber 720 is also configured to accommodate a non-driven agitator, such as described above. As shown in fig. 11 and 12, the non-driven agitator 630 described above may be located in the agitator chamber 720 without engaging the drive mechanism 750. In this embodiment, the wings 631a at the end 632 of the agitator body 631 slide under the drive member 770 of the drive mechanism 750 and provide sufficient clearance for the drive member 770 to rotate without contacting the agitator 630. The bottom of the agitator body 631 has a width corresponding to the width of the bottom opening of the agitator chamber 720 (see fig. 11).

When the non-driven agitator 630 is located within the agitator chamber 720, the air outlet 638 engages with the dirty air inlet 743 in the surface cleaning head 700 (see fig. 7A, 8 and 11), and the projection 637 on the bottom of the agitator body 631 is received in the slot 713 along one side of the agitator chamber 720 (see fig. 8 and 12). Due to the elasticity of the seal 639 around the air outlet 638, the projection 637 may fit tightly within the slot 713 so that the non-driven agitator 630 snaps into place within the agitator chamber 720. The force exerted by the resilient seal 639 thus holds the non-driven agitator 630 in place. When properly positioned within agitator chamber 720, slots 713 receive projections 637 in a friction fit,

spaces

639a, 639b on the bottom of agitator body 631 receive bottom guards or

bars

711a, 711b that extend through the bottom opening of agitator chamber 720, and cleaning pads 635a-635c extend through the bottom opening of agitator chamber 720 (see fig. 12).

As shown in more detail in fig. 13 and 14, the drive mechanism 750 includes a motor 752, a rotation transfer mechanism 754, and a splined drive member 770. In this embodiment, the rotation transmitting mechanism 754 includes a belt 755 that frictionally engages a drive wheel 753 connected to the output of the motor 752 and frictionally engages a driven wheel 755 connected to the splined drive member 770. The driving mechanism 750 may rotate the agitator 730 at a low speed of 700 ± 100 Revolutions Per Minute (RPM) and a high speed of 3500 ± 500 Revolutions Per Minute (RPM). In other embodiments, other rotation transfer mechanisms may be used including, without limitation, a gear train between the motor and a splined drive member or a direct drive connector. In other embodiments, the motor may be located inside the rotatable agitator. In further embodiments, the drive mechanism may include other mechanisms capable of imparting rotation to the rotatable agitator including, without limitation, an air driven turbine.

As shown in more detail in fig. 15, the driven end 732 of the detachable and rotatable agitator 730 includes a splined driven member 780 configured to axially mate with the splined driving member 770. The splined drive member 770 and the splined driven member 780 thus form a splined connector or sub that transmits rotation and torque without the use of a belt. The splined drive member 770 and the splined driven member 780 have splined

teeth

772, 782 oriented radially with respect to the rotational axis of the agitator. The

spline teeth

772, 782 have corresponding shapes and

spacings

778, 788 between the

spline teeth

772, 782 such that when the

members

770, 780 are axially engaged, the

spline teeth

772, 782 mesh as shown in fig. 16.

The illustrated embodiment shows a splined driving member 770 having external splines and a splined driven member 780 having internal splines. In other embodiments, the splined drive member 770 may comprise internal splines and the splined driven member 780 may comprise external splines.

In the illustrated embodiment, the

spline teeth

772, 782 on the splined drive member 770 and the splined driven member 780 are generally wedge-shaped with radially

outer portions

771, 781 being wider than radially inner portions 773, 783 (see fig. 16). The

spline teeth

772, 782 also have tapered

sidewalls

774, 775, 784, 785 that taper outwardly from the radial faces 776, 786 of the

spline teeth

772, 782. As shown in fig. 17, the spline teeth 782 on the splined driven member 780 also have tapered or chamfered radial faces 786, the radial faces 786 tapering inwardly (i.e., toward the non-driven end of the agitator) and forming an acute angle in the range of about 30 to 60 ° with respect to the radial line 708. The spline teeth 772 on the splined drive member 770 may have tapered or chamfered axial faces 777 that taper inwardly toward the axis of rotation.

The shape and configuration of the

spline teeth

772, 782 in the illustrated embodiment provides self-alignment and facilitates engagement of the spline driven member 780 with the spline drive member 770. The splined drive member 770 and the splined driven member 780 can engage in a number of different angular positions and therefore do not require precise angular alignment for engagement. The shape and configuration of the

spline teeth

772, 782 in the illustrated embodiment can also reduce or eliminate backlash when the spline drive member 770 drives the spline driven member 780.

One or both of the splined driven member 780 and the splined driving member 770 may also be made of an elastomeric material such as a thermoplastic rubber having a relatively high hardness (e.g., 90 or greater). The elastomeric material may facilitate engagement of the

spline teeth

772, 782 and may provide vibration reduction or isolation as the spline drive member 770 drives the spline driven member 780. Accordingly, the drive mechanism 750 may rotate the agitator 730 at higher Revolutions Per Minute (RPM) using reduced vibration.

In the illustrated embodiment, each of the splined drive member 770 and the splined driven member 780 have six (6)

spline teeth

772, 782 arranged in a star configuration about the axis of rotation. Six spline teeth can withstand the required driving force and torque while also facilitating alignment and avoiding backlash; however, other numbers of spline teeth are possible. Other shapes and configurations of the spline teeth on the spline drive member 770 and the spline driven member 780 are possible. In addition, other connectors or mechanisms for axially connecting rotating shafts to transmit torque and rotation may also be used, including without limitation dog clutches, anti-slip clutches, face-tooth joints (Hirth joints), and flex connectors.

As shown in more detail in FIG. 18, the non-driven end 734 of this embodiment of the removable rotatable agitator 730 includes an end cap 790 secured to a bushing 792, the bushing 792 being rotatably mounted on a shaft 791. The shaft 791 is fixed within the agitator body 731 and extends from the agitator body 731. End cap 790 is configured to be supported within agitator chamber 720 and to secure bushing 792 such that shaft 791 rotates within bushing 792 and rotatable agitator 730 rotates about its axis of rotation. In this embodiment, the end cap 790 is removably secured to the bushing 792 using a friction fit, but the end cap 790 may also be secured to the bushing 792. In other embodiments, bushing 792 may be configured to fit directly within agitator chamber 720 without an end cap. Various other configurations may also be used to rotatably support the non-driven end 734 of the rotatable agitator 730 within the agitator chamber 720.

As shown in more detail in fig. 19 and 20, the end closure 790 includes a tab 796, the tab 796 being shaped to be easily grasped for detaching the non-driven end 734 of the agitator 730 from the agitator chamber 720. The end cap 790 also includes one or more stabilizing

structures

793, 795, 797, the one or more stabilizing

structures

793, 795, 797 engaging mating structures within the agitator chamber to prevent rotation of the end cap 790, such that the bushing 792 remains stationary, thereby allowing the shaft 791 to freely rotate within the bushing 792 when the rotatable agitator is driven at the driven end 732. This embodiment of the end cap 790 also includes an elastomeric pad 799 that engages the engagement structure 728 on the outer lid 722 when the cap is closed to secure the agitator 730 within the agitator chamber 720. The end cap 790 also includes an elastomeric ring 798 to frictionally engage the bushing 792. Elastomeric pad 799 and elastomeric ring 798 may advantageously prevent or isolate vibration as agitator 730 rotates in agitator chamber 720 and may be molded together from the same rubber material. The end cap 790 may also include a washer 794 (e.g., a felt washer) that contacts the end face 736 of the beater body 731 to keep dirt away from the bearing 792.

Referring to fig. 21-23, the engagement of end lid 790 with agitator chamber 720 is described in more detail. On the non-driven side, the chamber 720 includes mounting

rails

727a, 727b defining a recessed region 729, the recessed region 729 receiving an end of the end cap 790. Thus, the ends of the end cap 790 may slide between the mounting

rails

727a, 727b as shown in FIG. 22. As shown in fig. 23, the stabilizing

structures

793, 795, 797 engage corresponding structures on the mounting

rails

727a, 727b, and the engagement structure 728 inside the cover 722 engages an elastomeric pad 799. Thus, as the agitator 730 rotates, the end cap 790 and the bushing 792 remain stationary. Additionally or alternatively, the lid 722 may engage other portions of the end lid 790 (e.g., the tabs 796) to retain the end lid 790 in the cavity 720. In this embodiment, the stabilizing

structures

793, 795, 797 have a particular configuration designed or keyed to mate with the mounting

rails

727a, 727b (see FIG. 23) in a particular orientation so that the end cap 790 is properly positioned to engage the cover 722.

To install the rotatable agitator 730 within the agitator chamber 720, the driven end 732 is angled into the chamber 720 to engage the splined drive member 770 with the splined driven member 780 (see fig. 16). The non-driven end 734 of the agitator 730 may then be lowered into the cavity 720 using the end cap 790 until the end cap 790 fits between the mounting

rails

727a, 727b (see fig. 22). When agitator 730 is properly positioned within chamber 720, then cover 722 may be closed to cover chamber 720 and secure rotatable agitator 730 within chamber 720. To remove the rotatable agitator 730, a user may grasp the tab 796 to slide the end cap 790 out of between the mounting

rails

727a, 727b to lift the non-driven end 734 out of the cavity 720. The user may then continue to lift the agitator 730 until the splined drive member 770 and the splined driven member 780 are disengaged. The user may then clean the agitator 730 and/or insert another type of agitator.

Referring to fig. 24, the surface cleaning head 2400 of the wand vacuum cleaner may include an openable agitator chamber covered by an outer lid 2422 and housing a removable agitator. The detachable agitator and openable chamber located in the surface cleaning head 2400 and the outer cover 2422 may be implemented according to any of the embodiments described herein.

Referring to fig. 25, the surface cleaning head 2500 of an upright vacuum cleaner may comprise an openable agitator chamber covered by an outer cover 2522 and housing a removable agitator. The detachable agitator and openable chamber located in surface cleaning head 2500 and outer cover 2522 may be implemented according to any of the embodiments described herein.

The removable cover may also have other configurations, for example, as shown in fig. 26-29. Fig. 26 illustrates another embodiment of the surface cleaning head 2600, the surface cleaning head 2600 having a pivotable outer cover 2622 that pivots rearwardly to an open position relative to the cleaning head housing 2610. FIG. 27 shows a further embodiment of a surface cleaning head 2700 having a multi-piece pivotable outer cover including one cover portion 2722a that pivots forward and another cover portion 2722b that pivots rearward relative to the cleaning head housing 2710. Fig. 28 shows yet another embodiment of a surface cleaning head 2800 with a slidable cover 2822 that slides or rolls in a longitudinal direction relative to the cleaning head housing 2810, e.g., similar to a garage door. Fig. 29 shows a further embodiment of a surface cleaning head 2900 having a slidable outer lid 2922, the slidable outer lid 2922 sliding laterally relative to the cleaning head housing 2910.

In any of these embodiments, the outer lid may latch, for example, using a latching mechanism as described above or any other latching mechanism. In any of these embodiments, the outer lid may be sealed, for example, using a sealing member as described above or any other sealing member. In each of these embodiments, the cover is movable between an open position and a closed position while remaining engaged with the surface cleaning head housing. In other embodiments, the cover may be completely removable from the surface cleaning head housing. Other variations and locations of the outer cover are also within the scope of the present disclosure.

Accordingly, surface cleaning heads consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure include an openable agitator chamber to facilitate inspection, cleaning, maintenance, and/or replacement of the agitator in the surface cleaning head. The detachable agitator may include a rotatable driven agitator that engages a drive mechanism in the agitator chamber or a non-rotatable non-driven agitator that is housed within the agitator without engaging the drive mechanism.

While the principles of the invention have been described herein, it is to be understood by those skilled in the art that this description is made only by way of example and not as a limitation as to the scope of the invention. In addition to the exemplary embodiments shown and described herein, other embodiments within the scope of the present invention are also contemplated. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the surface cleaning apparatus may embody any one or more of the features contained herein, and that the features may be used in any particular combination or sub-combination. Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to be within the scope of the present invention, which is not to be limited except by the following claims.

Claims

1. A surface cleaning head for a vacuum cleaner, the surface cleaning head comprising:

a cleaning head housing having a front end, a rear end, laterally disposed sides, a top and a bottom, wherein the top extends above the bottom of the cleaning head housing;

an agitator chamber located in the front end of the cleaning head housing, the agitator chamber having a top opening through the top of the cleaning head housing and a bottom opening through the bottom of the cleaning head housing, and wherein the agitator chamber comprises a non-driven side and a driven side;

an agitator drive mechanism comprising a drive member on the driven side of the agitator chamber and an agitator drive motor drivingly connected to the drive member;

an outer cover mounted to the cleaner head housing for covering the top opening of the agitator chamber, the outer cover being movable between a closed position and an open position without having to disassemble other portions of the cleaner head housing, wherein the agitator chamber is covered when the outer cover is in the closed position and is accessible through the top opening when the outer cover is in the open position, and wherein the top of the cleaner head housing remains above the bottom of the cleaner head housing when the outer cover is moved to the open position; and

a rotatable driven agitator removably mounted within the agitator chamber such that the agitator is configured to contact a surface through the bottom opening, wherein the agitator is accessible and removable through the top opening when the outer cover is in the open position, wherein the rotatable driven agitator includes a non-driven end mounted on the non-driven side of the agitator chamber such that the agitator is free to rotate at the non-driven end and a driven end including a driven member, wherein the driven member axially engages and engages the driving member of the driving mechanism such that the driving member transmits torque and rotation to the driven member and the rotatable driven agitator, wherein the rotatable driven agitator comprises:

a shaft extending from the non-driven end of the agitator body;

an end cap mounted on the shaft and configured to be non-rotatably mounted in an agitator chamber of the surface cleaning head, wherein the end cap includes tabs that extend radially and are configured to be grasped by a user to facilitate removal and insertion of the non-driven end into the agitator chamber.

2. The surface cleaning head of claim 1 wherein the drive member transmits torque and rotation to the driven member and the rotatable driven agitator without the use of a belt.

3. The surface cleaning head of claim 1 wherein the driving member is a splined driving member and the driven member is a splined driven member.

4. The surface cleaning head of claim 3 wherein the splined driving member and splined driven member have wedge shaped spline teeth.

5. The surface cleaning head of claim 4 wherein the wedge shaped spline teeth of the splined driven member have chamfered radial faces.

6. The surface cleaning head of claim 5 wherein the splined driving member and the splined driven member have tapered spline teeth with tapered sidewalls.

7. The surface cleaning head of claim 3 wherein the splined drive member and the splined driven member comprise six spaced apart spline teeth arranged in a star configuration about an axis of rotation.

8. The surface cleaning head of claim 1 wherein at least one of the driving member and the driven member is made of a thermoplastic material having a hardness of at least about 90.

9. The surface cleaning head of claim 1 wherein the motor is connected to the drive member using a belt.

10. The surface cleaning head of claim 1 wherein the outer cover engages the non-driven end of the agitator in the closed position to retain the agitator in the agitator chamber, and wherein the outer cover disengages from the non-driven end of the agitator when moved to the open position.

11. The surface cleaning head of claim 1 further comprising an agitator engagement member movably mounted to the cleaning head housing for movement into engagement with the non-driven end of the rotatable driven agitator to retain the agitator in the agitator chamber.

12. A removable, rotatable agitator assembly for use in a surface cleaning head of a vacuum cleaner, the removable, rotatable agitator assembly comprising:

a beater body having a driven end and a non-driven end;

at least one stirring element located on at least a portion of the stirrer body between the driven end and the non-driven end;

a driven member located at the driven end of the agitator body, the driven member configured to axially engage and engage a drive member on a drive mechanism in the surface cleaning head;

a shaft extending from the non-driven end of the agitator body;

a bushing rotatably mounted on the shaft; and

an end cap mounted on the bushing and configured to be non-rotatably mounted in an agitator chamber of the surface cleaning head, wherein the end cap includes tabs that extend radially and are configured to be grasped by a user to facilitate removal and insertion of the non-driven end into the agitator chamber.

13. The removable rotatable agitator assembly of claim 12, wherein the end cap is removably mounted on the bushing using a friction fit.

14. The removable rotatable blender assembly of claim 13, wherein the end cap comprises an elastomeric ring for engaging the bushing with the friction fit.

15. The removable rotatable agitator assembly of claim 12, wherein the end cap includes an elastomeric pad for engaging an engagement structure on the outer cover in the closed position on the surface cleaning head.

16. The detachable rotatable agitator assembly of claim 12, wherein the end cap includes a stabilizing structure configured to engage a corresponding structure in the agitator chamber.

17. The removable rotatable agitator assembly of claim 12, wherein the driven member is a splined driven member.

18. The removable rotatable agitator assembly of claim 17, wherein the splined driven member comprises wedge shaped spline teeth.

19. The removable rotatable agitator assembly of claim 18, wherein the wedge shaped spline teeth have tapered sides.

20. The removable rotatable agitator assembly of claim 18, wherein the wedge spline teeth have chamfered radial faces.

21. The detachable rotatable agitator assembly of claim 17, wherein the splined driven member includes six spline teeth arranged in a star configuration about an axis of rotation.

22. The detachable rotatable agitator assembly of claim 17, wherein the splined driven member is made of a thermoplastic material having a hardness of at least about 90.

23. The detachable rotatable agitator assembly of claim 12, wherein the rotatable agitator is a brush roll.

24. The detachable rotatable agitator assembly of claim 12, wherein the agitation element comprises bristles extending generally radially from the agitator body.

25. The detachable rotatable blender assembly of claim 12, wherein the blending element comprises a fabric material covering at least a portion of the blender body.

26. The detachable rotatable agitator assembly of claim 12, wherein the agitator body includes at least one cutting flute extending generally axially along at least a portion of the agitator body.