CN114504267B

CN114504267B - Surface cleaning head and removable rotatable agitator for use therein

Info

Publication number: CN114504267B
Application number: CN202210050729.4A
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: 2023-08-18
Anticipated expiration: 2036-01-28
Also published as: KR102293191B1; JP7248734B2; EP3250102A1; AU2016211450B2; JP7251919B2; AU2016211450A1; CA2975385A1; JP2021118911A; EP4008228A1; EP3250102A4; DE202016009173U1; CN114504267A; ES2943708T3; EP4008228B1; JP2018503473A; KR20170125832A; CA2975385C; CN109152502A; EP3250102B1; CN109152502B

Abstract

The present application relates to a surface cleaning head and a removable rotatable agitator for use therein. The detachable rotatable agitator includes: a mixer 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 tab extending radially from at least one end of the agitator body and configured to be gripped by a user to facilitate removal of the non-driven end and insertion into an agitator chamber in the surface cleaning head; and a splined driven member located at the driven end of the agitator body, the splined driven member configured to axially engage and engage with a splined drive member on a drive mechanism in the surface cleaning head.

Description

Surface cleaning head and removable rotatable agitator for use therein

The present application is a divisional application of patent application number 201680020710.8, filing date 2016, 1-28, entitled "surface cleaning head comprising an openable agitator chamber and a removable 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 removable agitator for use therein.

Background

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

Surface cleaning apparatus, commonly referred to as vacuum cleaners, can use at least suction to clean a variety of 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 apparatus generally include a surface cleaning head having an inlet. Some vacuum cleaners include some or all of the operating components (e.g., suction motor and air handling member) in locations other than the surface cleaning head to make the surface cleaning head lighter or smaller. For example, an upright vacuum cleaner can include an upright portion containing at least an air handling member mounted to a surface cleaning head. The canister vacuum cleaner may comprise a canister body containing at least an air handling member and a suction motor connected to the surface cleaning head by a flexible hose and a handle. Another type of vacuum cleaner includes a suction motor and an air handling member (e.g., one or more cyclones) located in a surface cleaning head.

A surface cleaning apparatus such as any of the vacuum cleaners described above may also include one or more mechanical agitators, such as rotating brush rolls, in the surface cleaning head to facilitate cleaning of a surface. One problem with mechanical agitators, particularly rotating brushrolls, 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 entangled or clogged and to remove debris. Cleaning debris from a mechanical agitator located inside the surface cleaning head, particularly through a limited opening in the bottom of the surface cleaning head, can be difficult. Failure to adequately remove debris may result in reduced or even damaged performance of the mechanical agitator and/or vacuum cleaner.

In some conventional vacuum cleaners, the agitator may not be suitable for all surfaces and/or situations. For example, a rotating brushroll may be suitable for providing agitation on carpets rather than on hardwood floors. 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. The agitator chamber is located in the front end of the cleaner 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. A cover is pivotally mounted to the cleaner head housing for covering the top opening of the agitator chamber. The cover is pivotable between a closed position and an open position, and the agitator chamber is covered when the cover is in the closed position and accessible through the top opening when the cover is in the open position. A rotatable 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 cover is in the open position.

Consistent 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. The agitator chamber is located in the front end of the cleaner 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 agitator chamber is covered when the cover is in the closed position and is accessible through the top opening when the cover is in the open position. A sealing member is disposed around the perimeter of at least one of the inner sides of the cleaning head housing and the outer cover around the agitator chamber for sealing an interface between the outer cover and the cleaning head housing around the agitator chamber. The latch mechanism is configured to provide a plurality of engagement points around a perimeter between the cover and the cleaning head housing for retaining the cover in the closed position. A rotatable 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 cover 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 a 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 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 cover is in the closed position and is accessible through the top opening when the cover is in the open position. A rotatable driven agitator is removably mounted within the agitator chamber such that the agitator is configured to contact the surface through the bottom opening and to be accessed and removed through the top opening when the cover is in the open position. 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 on the non-driven end and a driven end including a driven member. The driven member axially mates with 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.

Consistent 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 cleaner head housing for covering the top opening of the agitator chamber. The cover is movable between a closed position and an open position such that the agitator chamber is covered when the cover is in the closed position and accessible through the top opening when the cover is in the open position. At least the first and second rotatable driven agitators are configured to be removably mounted within the agitator chamber and removable through the top opening when the outer cover is in the open position such that the rotatable 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 a 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 mate with 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 cleaner head housing for covering the top opening of the agitator chamber. The cover is movable between a closed position and an open position such that the agitator chamber is covered when the cover is in the closed position and accessible through the top opening when the cover is in the open position.

Consistent with one embodiment, a removable rotatable agitator assembly for use in a surface cleaning head of a vacuum cleaner is provided. The detachable rotatable agitator assembly includes an agitator body having a driven end and a non-driven end, and at least one agitating element located on at least a portion of the agitator body between the driven end and the non-driven end. The detachable rotatable agitator assembly further 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 rotatable agitator assembly further comprises 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 rotatable agitator assembly includes an agitator body having a driven end and a non-driven end, at least one agitating 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 engage and engage with a splined drive member on a drive mechanism in the 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. The agitator chamber is located in the front end of the cleaner 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 a 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 cleaner head housing for covering the top opening of the agitator chamber. The cover is movable between a closed position and an open position. The agitator chamber is covered when the cover is in the closed position and is accessible through the top opening when the cover 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 cover is in the open position.

Consistent 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. 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 a 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 is configured to engage a drive member of the agitator drive mechanism such that the drive member rotates the rotatable driven agitator. At least one non-driven agitator is configured to be removably mounted within the agitator chamber without engagement with 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 for use in an agitator chamber of a surface cleaning head is provided. The removable non-driven agitator includes an agitator body defining first and second elongate air inlets, an air outlet, and an air path between at least one of the air inlets and the air outlet. An elongated air inlet is positioned along at least a portion of the bottom of the agitator body and an air outlet is located on the agitator body at a position that provides engagement with a dirty air inlet in the agitator chamber of the surface cleaning head. The bottom of the agitator body has a width corresponding to the width of the bottom opening of the agitator 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 surrounding the air outlet.

Drawings

These and other features and advantages will be better understood from a reading of the following detailed description taken 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 embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 1A is a cross-sectional view of the surface cleaning head shown in fig. 1, taken along line 1A-1A.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner having the surface cleaning head shown in figure 1 attached 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 having an outer cover in an open position and having a 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 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.

Figure 13 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of a drive mechanism for use in the surface cleaning head shown in figure 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 of the splined connection between the splined drive member and the splined driven member, taken along line 16-16 of fig. 13.

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

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

Fig. 19 and 20 are different side perspective views of an embodiment of an end cap for use on the rotatable blender 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 a non-driven end of a rotatable agitator received therein.

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of an end cap of a stirrer disposed in a stirrer chamber in the surface-cleaning head of FIG. 10 having a closed cover.

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

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

Figure 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 a 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 slid to one side to open a agitator chamber consistent with another embodiment of the disclosure.

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

Detailed Description

A surface cleaning head consistent with embodiments of the present invention may be configured to receive 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 cover 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 brushroll, 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 areas (e.g., windows on the outer cover) to allow visual inspection of the agitator during use.

The non-driven agitator may comprise an agitator body comprising a base that supports 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 chambers, covers, removable rotatable agitators, and other features described herein are all used in an "all in the head" vacuum cleaner ("all in the head" type vacuum cleaner) in which the functional or operational components for the transport and handling of fluids (e.g., air) are substantially all contained in the surface cleaning head. The openable agitator chambers, covers, removable rotatable agitators, and other features described herein may also be implemented in a surface cleaning head for any type of surface cleaning apparatus or vacuum cleaner (vacuum), including without limitation upright vacuum cleaners, canister vacuum cleaners, stick vacuum cleaners, robotic vacuum cleaners, and central vacuum systems, as long as they are within the scope of the invention.

As used herein, a "surface cleaning head" refers to a device configured to contact a surface to clean the surface by using a suction air stream, agitation, or a combination thereof. The surface cleaning head may be pivotally or rotatably connected to a wand (wand) for controlling the surface cleaning head by a rotary connection and may include a motorized attachment (motorized attachments) as well as a fixed surface cleaning head. 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 the suction air stream in a surface cleaning head. As used herein, a "transparent" tool refers to a tool that is capable of allowing enough 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 rotatably 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 telescoping 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, the surface cleaning head 100 may be provided without a wand and handle (e.g., in a robotic vacuum surface cleaning head or in a surface cleaning head of a motorized accessory).

The surface cleaning head 100 includes a cleaning head housing 110, a 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 an axis of rotation 2 (fig. 1A and 3) that may be substantially orthogonal to the direction of travel 4 of the surface cleaning head 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the agitator chamber 120 is openable to provide access to the 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-removable fixed 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 pieces that enclose or encase the components of the surface cleaning head 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the surface cleaning head 100 is used in a "fully contained in head" vacuum cleaner. Accordingly, the cleaning head housing 110 encloses or surrounds an air delivery and treatment system 140 (shown schematically in fig. 1 and 3). For example, the air delivery and handling 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 dirt passes through the cyclone chamber 144, the dirt is collected in the dirt collection chamber 146. Smaller particles may also be collected in the filter 148. The air delivery and handling system 140 may be similar to those used in existing or known "all contained in head" vacuum cleaners, for example, 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 wand 102 is switchably connected to the rear end 114, and the agitator chamber 120 is located in the front end portion 112 and extends between a top opening 117 in the top 116 and a bottom opening 119 in the bottom 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 access to the rotatable agitators 130 from the top or bottom or both, which may facilitate convenient inspection or maintenance of the agitators. 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 more detail below, the rotatable agitator 130 is also detachable from the agitator chamber 120, for example 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 bottom 118 includes one or more bottom shields or strips 111a, 111b (fig. 3A) that extend through a bottom opening 119.

In the illustrated embodiment, an outer cover 122 is mounted on the top 116 of the cleaner 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 the floor, the agitator chamber 120 may be opened, eliminating the need to pick up or reposition the surface cleaning head in order to access the agitator chamber 120. The outer cover 122 is movable between a closed position (e.g., fig. 1) and an open position (e.g., fig. 3). In the closed position, the cover 122 forms the top of the agitator chamber 120. Accordingly, the agitator chamber 120 and agitator 130 may be easily accessed (e.g., without having to disassemble other walls or lids) simply by moving the outer cover 122 to the open position. 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 areas 124 that allow visual inspection of the agitator chamber 120. Transparent region 124 may be made of a polycarbonate material. In this embodiment, the transparent region 124 is in the form of a window located on the outer cover 122. Additionally or alternatively, one or more transparent areas 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, e.g., on the sides 113, 115. The transparent region 124 along with the movable cover 122 thus facilitates the determination of debris in the agitator chamber 120 and/or the agitator 130, and then facilitates the removal of those debris.

The cover 122 may be locked in the closed position using any suitable mechanism. In the illustrated embodiment, the cover 122 includes one or more latch releases 126a, 126 for releasing respective latch mechanisms (not shown) that hold the cover 122 in engagement with the cleaning head housing 110, as will be described in more detail below. In the illustrated embodiment, latch releases 126a, 126 are positioned proximate to respective sides 113, 115. Additionally or alternatively, one or more releasable latches may be provided at other locations on the cover 122 and/or the cleaning head housing 110. As will be described in more detail below, the outer cover 122 may be pivotally or movably connected to the cleaning head housing 110, or may be completely detachable 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 diode 129. The lamp may also be mounted in other locations on the cleaning head housing 110.

In the illustrated embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1A, the rotatable agitator 130 is engaged with the agitator drive mechanism 150 at a driven end 132 and is free to rotate on a non-driven end 134 of the rotatable agitator 130. Accordingly, the agitator drive mechanism 150 drives the driven end 132 to rotate the rotatable agitator 130 about the 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 use of a strap to engage the rotatable agitator 130 in a manner that allows for easy removal and insertion of the agitator 130.

As shown in FIG. 2, a agitator cassette 160 may be mounted on the wand 102 to hold one or more spare agitators, such as rotatable driven agitators or non-driven agitators. The agitator tank 160 may be removably mounted or secured to the wand 102. In other embodiments, the agitator cassette 160 may be mounted elsewhere on the surface cleaning head 100 or wand 102. The illustrated embodiment of the agitator cassette 160 includes a container 162 sized and configured to house at least one agitator and a cover 164 pivotably connected to the container 162 at a hinge 165. In other embodiments, the agitator cassette 160 may comprise a container without a lid, or may comprise other structures configured to receive and hold an agitator.

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

In this embodiment, as shown in more detail in fig. 4A-4C, rotatable agitator 130 is a rotatable brush roll that includes brush agitator elements 136. The brush agitator element 136 may comprise bristles, such as nylon bristles, extending generally radially from the agitator body 131. In this embodiment, brush agitator elements 136 are arranged in one or more spiral pattern patterns 135b, 135a around the agitator body 131. For example, the spiral patterns 135a, 135b include opposing spiral patterns 135a, 135b intersecting at locations 137 on the agitator body 131 to form a chevron pattern. The location at which the spiral patterns of the agitator elements 136 intersect (i.e., the points of the chevrons) may correspond to the location of the dirty air inlet 143 in the agitator chamber 120 when the agitator elements are inserted into the chamber. As shown in fig. 4C, the agitator element 136 may be angled with respect to a radial line extending radially from the rotational axis of the agitator 130. In the illustrated embodiment, the agitator element 136 is angled toward the direction of rotation.

This embodiment of the rotatable agitator 130 further comprises one or more cutting flutes 138, the cutting flutes 138 extending generally axially along at least a portion of the agitator body 131. The cutting slot 138 is recessed below the surface of the agitator body 131 and has a depth sufficient to accommodate a cutting tool (e.g., a scissors or 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 entangled about the agitator 130. The rotatable agitator 130 may be manually rotated to allow the cutting slot 138 to enter 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 further includes spaces 139a, 139b to accommodate the bottom shields or strips 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 wheel weights 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 brushroll may also include other types of agitator patterns and/or agitator elements, including, without limitation, textile materials (such as cloth, felt or polyester), rubber materials, and bristles of different 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 harder bristles may be used for carpet and/or deep cleaning. For example, rotatable agitators with soft bristles or fabrics may be used for hard wood flooring and/or fine quick cleaning. Thus, different brush rolls having different agitation characteristics may be easily replaceable 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 fig. 5A-5C, another embodiment of the rotatable stirrer 530 includes a stirrer element 536 arranged in a spiral pattern 535 extending from one end of the stirrer body 531 to the other. In this embodiment, agitator element 536 comprises bristles extending in a substantially continuous row having two discontinuities or spaces 539a, 539b to accommodate bottom shields or strips 111A, 111b so that when positioned in agitator chamber 120 shown in FIG. 1A, rotatable agitator 530 extends partially through bottom opening 119.

In this embodiment, agitator elements 536 may also be different, such as bristles of different materials, thicknesses, and/or heights, than agitator elements 136 in agitator 130. In one example, the agitator 130 shown in fig. 4A-4C may comprise harder nylon bristles for carpet surface or deep cleaning applications and the agitator 530 shown in fig. 5A-5C may comprise softer nylon bristles for hard surface or fine applications. The harder nylon bristles of the brushroll agitator 130 for carpets may be thicker (e.g., 0.23±0.02mm diameter) and shorter (e.g., 8.0±0.6mm 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 + 0.02mm diameter) and longer (e.g., 13 + 0.2mm height from the brushroll agitator body 531). When the brush roller agitator 530 has longer bristles, the diameter of the brush roller agitator body 531 may be smaller so that the entire outer diameter may fit within the agitator chamber. In the exemplary embodiment, brush roll agitator 130 having thicker and shorter bristles has an overall outer diameter of about 54.+ -. 0.3mm and brush roll 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 stirrer 530' shown in fig. 5D may comprise a fabric material 536' wrapped around at least a portion of the stirrer body 531 '. For example, the fabric material 536' may include a felt material. This embodiment of the rotatable agitator may also be suitable for hard surfaces and/or fine uses. The rotatable agitator may comprise, 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 sheets or hard bristles/brushes).

In further embodiments, the surface cleaning head 100 with openable agitator chambers 120 may be configured to also accommodate non-rotatable non-driven agitators in addition to rotatable driven agitators. As will be described in greater detail below, the non-driven agitator is configured to engage each side of the agitator chamber 120 without engaging the 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 handling system 140. The non-driven agitator may be suitable for flat hard surfaces where the rotatable agitator may be unsuitable, 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 comprises an agitator body 631, the agitator body 631 comprising a bottom portion 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 that are attached together, such as by screws or other attachment methods. As shown, the cleaning pads 635a-635c extend generally the length of the non-driven agitator 630 at intervals or spaces 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 may be used.

Cleaning pads 635a-635c may comprise woven or fabric pads (e.g., felt pads) or other sheets or pads having naps or piles suitable for cleaning surfaces. Cleaning pads 635a-635c may also include brush pads having bristles extending therefrom. Similar to the brush roll described above, different non-driven agitators may have different types of cleaning pads for different cleaning purposes, such as brush pads with bristles and brush pads with bristles. In one example, a brush pad with soft bristles may have finer nylon bristles (e.g., 0.04±0.02mm diameter).

Cleaning pads 635a-635c can also be used, for example, such asIs removably attached to the bottom support member 633. Other attachment mechanisms, such as clips, may be used. Thus, different cleaning pads having different materials may be attached to the non-driven agitator 630 for different purposes. Removable cleaning sheets or pads may also be attachedTo other locations of the agitator body 631, for example, a 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, non-driven agitator 630 may include a permanent cleaning or abrasion resistant material attached thereto in addition to or in lieu of a removable cleaning sheet or pad to provide cleaning or scrubbing.

In this embodiment of the non-driven agitator 630, the agitator body 631 also 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 the cleaning pads 635a-635c on one side of the air inlets 636a, 636b, the cleaning pads 635a-635c may be located on both sides of the air inlets 636a, 636 b. Air is directed from air inlets 636a, 636b along an air path (as shown by the arrows) to air outlet 638. When the non-driven agitator 630 is located 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 located 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, 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 perimeter 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 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 protrusions 637 on the bottom of the agitator body 631. As will be described in more detail below, the projection 637 is configured to be received in an associated slot in the agitator chamber. These protrusions 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 a 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 more 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 the 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 hinge 723. If the pivotable cover 722 includes a light, wiring (not shown) for the light may pass through the hinge 723. In this embodiment, the pivotable cover 722 pivots forward relative to the housing 710 to open the agitator chamber 720 (fig. 9). In the open position, the agitator chamber 720 is accessible and the agitator is detachable from the agitator chamber 720 as shown. This embodiment of the surface cleaning head 700 may also be used with a non-detachable rotatable agitator to open the pivotable cover 722 only for removal of debris that has collected on the rotatable agitator. The pivotable cover 722 may also include a transparent window 724 extending through a central region (fig. 8), the transparent window 724 being used to view the agitator chamber 720 when the cover is in the closed position.

A sealing member 725 may also be located between the pivotable outer cover 722 and the cleaning head housing 710 and around the perimeter of the agitator chamber 720. A removable agitator (not shown) may thus be installed into the agitator chamber 720 inside the 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 around the perimeter of the chamber 720 with substantially equal pressure to prevent air and/or debris from passing therethrough.

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 seal 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 latch mechanism to secure the pivotable cover 722 in the closed position. The latching mechanism may provide a plurality of engagement points around the perimeter between the outer cover 722 and the cleaning head housing 710 so that the sealing members 725 engage with substantially equal pressure around the perimeter of the chamber 720.

In the illustrated embodiment, the pivotable cover 722 includes latch mechanisms 770a, 770b on the opposite side of the hinge 723. The latch mechanisms 770a, 770b can include slidable actuators 772a, 772b with 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 engagement points between the outer cover 722 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, such as by springs (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 latching mechanisms 770a, 770b can be located on the cleaning head housing 110 and the slots 776a, 776b can 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 on the driven side of the agitator chamber 720, and the non-driven end 734 of the rotatable agitator 730 is mounted to rotate freely on 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 outer cover 722 is configured to secure the detachable rotatable stirrer 730 in the stirrer chamber 720. For example, the outer cover 722 includes an engagement structure 728 that engages the non-driven end 734 of the detachable rotatable agitator 730. In other embodiments, agitator engagement member 739 may be movably mounted to surface cleaning head housing 710 for movement into engagement with non-driven end 734 of removable rotatable agitator 730. The agitator engagement member 739 is shown schematically but may be in the form of a clip, slider, or latch, and may slide and/or pivot into and out of engagement with the agitator 130.

Although this embodiment shows a pivotable cover 722 similar to the cover shown and described above, the detachable rotatable agitator 730 in this embodiment may be used with other types of openable 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 disconnect switch actuator 721 is located at a point along the perimeter of the agitator chamber 720 to activate the disconnect switch when the pivotable cover 722 is opened. In an example embodiment, the disconnect switch actuator 721 is biased to an open position that opens the disconnect switch. When the pivotable cover 722 is in the closed position, the cover 722 engages the disconnect switch actuator 721 to close the disconnect switch, thereby allowing power to the drive mechanism 750. When the pivotable cover 722 moves to the open position, the actuator 721 moves to the biased open position to open the disconnect switch, thereby stopping power to the drive mechanism 750. In one embodiment, the disconnect switch actuator 721 may be recessed to prevent actuation by a user and may be actuated by a protrusion (e.g., a small rod) extending from the cover 722. The actuator 721 may also 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 engagement with the drive mechanism 750. In this embodiment, wings 631a at end 632 of agitator body 631 slide under drive member 770 of drive mechanism 750 and provide sufficient clearance for drive member 770 to rotate without contacting 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 a dirty air inlet 743 in the surface cleaning head 700 (see fig. 7A, 8 and 11) and a protrusion 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 resiliency of the seal 639 surrounding the air outlet 638, the protrusion 637 may fit snugly 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 the agitator chamber 720, the slots 713 receive the protrusions 637 in a friction fit, the spaces 639a, 639b on the bottom of the agitator body 631 receive the bottom guards or strips 711a, 711b that extend through the bottom opening of the agitator chamber 720, and the cleaning pads 635a-635c extend through the bottom opening of the 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 transfer mechanism 754 includes a belt 751 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 the 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 including, without limitation, an air-driven turbine that can impart rotation to the rotatable agitator.

As shown in more detail in fig. 15, the driven end 732 of the detachable 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 spline connector or joint 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 that are 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 drive 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 wider than the 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. Spline teeth 772 on spline 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 provide self-alignment and facilitate engagement of the splined driven member 780 with the splined drive member 770. The splined drive member 770 and the splined driven member 780 can be engaged in a number of different angular positions and thus precise angular alignment for engagement is not required. The shape and configuration of the spline teeth 772, 782 in the illustrated embodiment may 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 drive member 770 can 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 a 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 has six 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 helping to align and avoid backlash; however, other numbers of spline teeth are possible. Other shapes and configurations of spline teeth on the splined drive member 770 and the splined driven member 780 are possible. In addition, other connectors or mechanisms for axially connecting the rotating shaft to transmit torque and rotation may be used, including, without limitation, dog clutches, anti-slip clutches, face tooth couplings (Hirth joint), and flex connectors.

As shown in more detail in fig. 18, the non-driven end 734 of this embodiment of the detachable rotatable agitator 730 includes an end cap 790 secured to a bushing 792, the bushing 792 being rotatably mounted on the shaft 791. The shaft 791 is fixed within the mixer body 731 and extends from the mixer body 731. The end cap 790 is configured to be supported within the agitator chamber 720 and to secure the sleeve 792 such that the shaft 791 rotates within the sleeve 792 and the rotatable agitator 730 rotates about its rotational axis. In this embodiment, the end cap 790 is removably secured to the liner 792 using a friction fit, but the end cap 790 may also be secured to the liner 792. In other embodiments, the liner 792 may be configured to mount directly within the 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 cap 790 includes tabs 796, the tabs 796 being shaped to be easily grasped to detach the non-driven end 734 of the mixer 730 from the mixer chamber 720. The end cap 790 further 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 so that the sleeve 792 remains stationary, thereby allowing the shaft 791 to freely rotate within the sleeve 792 when the rotatable agitator is driven by the drive end 732. This embodiment of the end cap 790 also includes an elastomeric pad 799, the elastomeric pad 799 engaging the engagement structure 728 on the outer cap 722 when the cap is closed to secure the agitator 730 in the agitator chamber 720. The end cap 790 also includes an elastomeric ring 798 to frictionally engage the bushing 792. The elastomeric pad 799 and elastomeric ring 798 may advantageously prevent or isolate vibrations as the agitator 730 rotates in the agitator chamber 720 and may be molded together from the same rubber material. The end cap 790 may also include a gasket 794 (e.g., felt gasket) in contact with the end face 736 of the agitator body 731 to retain dirt away from the liner 792.

Referring to fig. 21-23, the engagement of the end cap 790 with the agitator chamber 720 is described in more detail. On the non-driven side, the cavity 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 end of the end cap 790 may slide between the mounting rails 727a, 727b as shown in FIG. 22. As shown in fig. 23, stabilizing structures 793, 795, 797 engage corresponding structures on mounting rails 727a, 727b, and engagement structure 728 inside cover 722 engages elastomeric pad 799. Thus, as agitator 730 rotates, end cap 790 and liner 792 remain stationary. Additionally or alternatively, the cover 722 may engage other portions of the end lid 790 (e.g., the tabs 796) to retain the end lid 790 within the cavity 720. In this embodiment, the stabilizing structures 793, 795, 797 have a particular configuration designed or engaged (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 cap 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 the agitator 730 is properly positioned within the chamber 720, the cover 722 may then be closed to cover the chamber 720 and secure the rotatable agitator 730 within the chamber 720. To disassemble the rotatable agitator 730, the user may grasp the tab 796 to slide the end cap 790 out from between the mounting rails 727a, 727b, thereby lifting the non-driven end 734 out of the chamber 720. The user may then continue to lift the agitator 730 until the splined drive member 770 and the splined driven member 780 disengage. 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 can include an openable agitator chamber covered by an outer cover 2422 and containing a removable agitator. The removable agitator and openable chamber and cover 2422 located in the surface cleaning head 2400 may be implemented according to any of the embodiments described herein.

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

The movable cover may also have other configurations, for example, as shown in fig. 26-29. Fig. 26 illustrates another embodiment of a surface cleaning head 2600, the surface cleaning head 2600 having a pivotable cover 2622 that pivots rearward relative to the cleaning head housing 2610 to an open position. Fig. 27 shows a further embodiment of a surface cleaning head 2700 having a multi-piece pivotable outer cover that includes one cover portion 2722a that pivots forward and another cover portion 2722b that pivots rearward relative to the cleaning head housing 2710. Fig. 28 illustrates yet another embodiment of a surface cleaning head 2800 having a slidable outer cover 2822, the slidable outer cover 2822 sliding or rolling 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 cover 2922, the slidable outer cover 2922 sliding laterally relative to the cleaning head housing 2910.

In any of these embodiments, the outer cover may be latched, for example, using a latching mechanism as described above or any other latching mechanism. In any of these embodiments, the outer cover 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 outer cover may be completely detachable from the surface cleaning head housing. Other variations and positions of the outer cover are also within the scope of the present disclosure.

Accordingly, a surface cleaning head consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure includes an openable agitator chamber to facilitate inspection, cleaning, maintenance, and/or replacement of agitators in the surface cleaning head. The removable agitator may include a rotatable driven agitator that engages the drive mechanism in the agitator chamber or a non-rotatable non-driven agitator that is received within the agitator without engagement with 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 on the scope of the invention. In addition to the exemplary embodiments shown and described herein, other embodiments are contemplated as being within the scope of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the surface cleaning apparatus may implement 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, with the exception of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A removable rotatable agitator for use in a surface cleaning head, the removable rotatable agitator comprising:

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

at least one agitator element located on at least a portion of the agitator body between the driven end and the non-driven end, wherein the at least one agitator element comprises a combination of soft and relatively hard agitator elements, the relatively hard agitator elements comprising bristles arranged in a helical pattern around the agitator body, and the soft agitator elements comprising cloth;

a tab extending radially from at least one end of the agitator body and configured to be gripped by a user for facilitating removal and insertion of the non-driven end into an agitator chamber in the surface cleaning head; and

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

2. The rotatable mixer of claim 1 wherein the splined driven member includes internally splined teeth.

3. The rotatable mixer of claim 1 wherein the splined driven member comprises wedge spline teeth.

4. The rotatable whisk of claim 1, wherein the tab comprises a grip portion that extends axially at one end of the tab to enable a user to grip the tab, wherein the grip portion defines an outer surface that faces outwardly when the detachable rotatable whisk is in the whisk chamber.

5. The rotatable mixer of claim 4 wherein the length of the gripping portion of the tab is less than the outer diameter of the detachable rotatable mixer.

6. The rotatable mixer of claim 1 wherein the splined driven member is made of a thermoplastic material.

7. The rotatable mixer of claim 1, further comprising:

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.

8. The rotatable mixer of claim 7 wherein the end cap includes the tab.

9. The rotatable mixer of claim 7 wherein the end cap includes a stabilizing structure configured to engage a corresponding structure in the mixer chamber.

10. A surface cleaning head, the surface cleaning head comprising:

a cleaning head housing;

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

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

a cover mounted to the cleaner head housing for covering the top opening of the agitator chamber, wherein the cover is fully detachable from the cleaner head housing; and

A rotatable 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 removed, wherein the rotatable driven agitator comprises a non-driven end mounted on the non-driven side of the agitator chamber such that the agitator freely rotates at the non-driven end and a driven end comprising a driven member, wherein the driven member axially mates with 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, wherein the rotatable agitator comprises:

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

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

A tab extending radially from at least one end of the agitator body and facing outwardly when the rotatable agitator is in the agitator chamber, wherein the tab is configured to be gripped by a user to facilitate removal and insertion of the non-driven end into the agitator chamber in the surface cleaning head; and

11. The surface cleaning head of claim 10 wherein the agitator chamber includes a mounting rail on the non-driven side defining a recessed area that slidably receives a portion of an end cap.

12. The surface cleaning head of claim 11 wherein an outer surface of the tab is located adjacent a top portion of the recessed area.

13. The surface cleaning head of claim 10 wherein the tab is engaged by the outer cover when the outer cover covers the top opening of the agitator chamber.

14. The surface cleaning head of claim 10 further comprising a sealing member located between the outer cover and the cleaning head housing.

15. The surface cleaning head of claim 10 wherein the cover includes a transparent area to allow visual inspection of the agitator in the agitator chamber.