EP4212079A1 - Removable rotatable agitator with a tab configured to be gripped by a user - Google Patents
Removable rotatable agitator with a tab configured to be gripped by a user Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP4212079A1 EP4212079A1 EP23159789.9A EP23159789A EP4212079A1 EP 4212079 A1 EP4212079 A1 EP 4212079A1 EP 23159789 A EP23159789 A EP 23159789A EP 4212079 A1 EP4212079 A1 EP 4212079A1
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- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- agitator
- cleaning head
- driven
- chamber
- surface cleaning
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Images
Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/02—Nozzles
- A47L9/04—Nozzles with driven brushes or agitators
- A47L9/0461—Dust-loosening tools, e.g. agitators, brushes
- A47L9/0466—Rotating tools
- A47L9/0477—Rolls
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/02—Nozzles
- A47L9/04—Nozzles with driven brushes or agitators
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L5/00—Structural features of suction cleaners
- A47L5/12—Structural features of suction cleaners with power-driven air-pumps or air-compressors, e.g. driven by motor vehicle engine vacuum
- A47L5/22—Structural features of suction cleaners with power-driven air-pumps or air-compressors, e.g. driven by motor vehicle engine vacuum with rotary fans
- A47L5/28—Suction cleaners with handles and nozzles fixed on the casings, e.g. wheeled suction cleaners with steering handle
- A47L5/30—Suction cleaners with handles and nozzles fixed on the casings, e.g. wheeled suction cleaners with steering handle with driven dust-loosening tools, e.g. rotating brushes
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/02—Nozzles
- A47L9/04—Nozzles with driven brushes or agitators
- A47L9/0405—Driving means for the brushes or agitators
- A47L9/0411—Driving means for the brushes or agitators driven by electric motor
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/02—Nozzles
- A47L9/04—Nozzles with driven brushes or agitators
- A47L9/0427—Gearing or transmission means therefor
- A47L9/0444—Gearing or transmission means therefor for conveying motion by endless flexible members, e.g. belts
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/02—Nozzles
- A47L9/04—Nozzles with driven brushes or agitators
- A47L9/0455—Bearing means therefor
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/02—Nozzles
- A47L9/04—Nozzles with driven brushes or agitators
- A47L9/0461—Dust-loosening tools, e.g. agitators, brushes
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Nozzles For Electric Vacuum Cleaners (AREA)
- Electric Vacuum Cleaner (AREA)
- Food-Manufacturing Devices (AREA)
- Filters For Electric Vacuum Cleaners (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to vacuum cleaners and more particularly, to a vacuum cleaner surface cleaning head including an openable agitator chamber and removable agitators for use therein.
- 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.
- A surface cleaning apparatus, more commonly known as a vacuum cleaner, may be used to clean a variety of surfaces using at least suction. Various types of vacuum cleaners are known including, without limitation, upright vacuum cleaners, canister vacuum cleaners, stick vacuum cleaners and central vacuum systems. A surface cleaning apparatus typically includes a surface cleaning head with an inlet. Some vacuum cleaners include some or all of the operating components (e.g., the suction motor and the air treatment members) at a location other than the surface cleaning head to enable the surface cleaning head to be lighter or smaller. An upright vacuum cleaner, for example, may include an upright section containing at least an air treatment member that is mounted to a surface cleaning head. A canister vacuum cleaner may include a canister body containing at least an air treatment member and a suction motor that is connected to a surface cleaning head by a flexible hose and a handle. Another type of vacuum cleaner includes the suction motor and the air treatment members (e.g., one or more cyclones) positioned in the surface cleaning head.
- A surface cleaning apparatus, such as any of the vacuum cleaners mentioned above, may also include one or more mechanical agitators, such as a rotating brush roll, in the surface cleaning head to facilitate cleaning a surface. One problem with mechanical agitators, particularly rotating brush rolls, is the difficulty removing debris (e.g., hair) that becomes entangled. The surface cleaning head often must be turned upside down to determine if the agitator is entangled or clogged and to remove the debris. Removing the debris from the mechanical agitator located inside the surface cleaning head may also be difficult, especially through the limited opening in the bottom of the surface cleaning head. An inability to remove the debris adequately may result in a decrease in performance and even damage to the mechanical agitator and/or vacuum cleaner.
- In some conventional vacuum cleaners, the agitator also may not be suitable for all surfaces and/or conditions. A rotating brush roll, for example, may be desirable to provide agitation on a carpet but not on a hard wood floor. This may further limit the performance as well as the versatility of the vacuum cleaner.
- Consistent with an embodiment, a surface cleaning head is provided for a vacuum. The surface cleaning head includes a cleaning head housing having a front end portion, a rear end portion, laterally disposed sides, an upper portion and a bottom portion. An agitator chamber is located in the front end portion of the cleaning head housing. The agitator chamber has a top opening through the upper portion of the cleaning head housing and a bottom opening through the bottom portion of the cleaning head housing. An external cover is pivotably mounted to the cleaning head housing for covering the top opening of the agitator chamber. The external cover is pivotable between a closed position and an open position, and the agitator chamber is covered when the external cover is in the closed position and accessible through the top opening when the external 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 a surface through the bottom opening and configured to be removed through the top opening. The rotatable driven agitator includes a driven end and a non-driven end. The external cover engages the non-driven end of the agitator in the closed position to hold the agitator in the agitator chamber and the external cover 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 external cover is in the open position.
- Consistent with another embodiment, a surface cleaning head is provided for a vacuum. The surface cleaning head includes a cleaning head housing including a front end portion, a rear end portion, laterally disposed sides, an upper portion and a bottom portion. An agitator chamber is located in the front end portion of the cleaning head housing. The agitator chamber has a top opening through the upper portion of the cleaning head housing and a bottom opening through the bottom portion of the cleaning head housing. An external cover is pivotably mounted to the cleaning 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 external cover is in the closed position and accessible through the top opening when the external cover is in the open position. A sealing member is located around a perimeter of at least one of an inside portion of the external cover and the cleaning head housing around the agitator chamber for sealing an interface between the cleaning head housing and the external cover around the agitator chamber. A latching mechanism is configured to provide multiple points of engagement around the perimeter between the external cover and the cleaning head housing for holding the external cover in the closed position. A rotatable driven agitator is mounted within the agitator chamber such that the agitator is configured to contact a 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 external cover is in the open position
- Consistent with an embodiment, a surface cleaning head is provided for a vacuum. The surface cleaning head includes a cleaning head housing having a front end portion, a rear end portion, laterally disposed sides, an upper portion and a bottom portion. An agitator chamber is located in the front end portion of the cleaning head housing and has a top opening through the upper portion of the cleaning head housing and a bottom opening through the bottom portion of the cleaning 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 at the driven side of the agitator chamber and an agitator drive motor drivingly coupled to the drive member. An external cover is mounted to the cleaning 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 external cover is in the closed position and accessible through the top opening when the external 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 a surface through the bottom opening and is accessible and removable through the top opening when the external cover is in the open position. The rotatable driven agitator includes a non-driven end mounted at the non-driven side of the agitator chamber such that the agitator spins freely at the non-driven end and a driven end including a driven member. The driven member mates axially and engages with 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. The surface cleaning head includes a cleaning head housing having a front end portion, a rear end portion, laterally disposed sides, an upper portion and a bottom portion. An agitator chamber is located in the front end portion of the cleaning head housing and has a top opening through the upper portion of the cleaning head housing and a bottom opening through the bottom portion of the cleaning head housing. An external cover is mounted to the cleaning head housing for covering the top opening of the agitator chamber. The external cover is movable between a closed position and an open position such that the agitator chamber is covered when the external cover is in the closed position and accessible through the top opening when the external cover is in the open position. At least first and second rotatable driven agitators are configured to be removably mounted within the agitator chamber and removable through the top opening when the external cover is in the open position such that the rotatable driven agitators are interchangeable. The first rotatable driven agitator has different agitating characteristics than the second rotatable driven agitator.
- Consistent with a further embodiment, a surface cleaning head is provided for a vacuum. The surface cleaning head includes a cleaning head housing having a front end portion, a rear end portion, laterally disposed sides, an upper portion and a bottom portion. An agitator chamber is located in the front end portion of the cleaning head housing and has a top opening through the upper portion of the cleaning head housing and a bottom opening through the bottom portion of the cleaning head housing. The agitator chamber is configured to receive a rotatable driven agitator such that the agitator contacts a surface through the bottom opening and is removable through the top opening. The agitator chamber includes a non-driven side for receiving a non-driven end of the rotatable driven agitator and a driven side for receiving a driven end of the rotatable driven agitator. The surface cleaning head also includes an agitator drive mechanism including a drive member at a driven side of the agitator chamber and an agitator drive motor drivingly coupled to the drive member. The drive member is configured to mate axially and engage with the 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 external cover is mounted to the cleaning head housing for covering the top opening of the agitator chamber. The external cover is movable between a closed position and an open position such that the agitator chamber is covered when the external cover is in the closed position and accessible through the top opening when the external cover is in the open position.
- Consistent with an embodiment, a removable rotatable agitator assembly is provided for use in a surface cleaning head of a vacuum. The removable 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 removable rotatable agitator assembly further includes a driven member located at the driven end of the agitator body. The driven member is configured to mate axially and engage with a drive member on a drive mechanism in the surface cleaning head. The removable rotatable agitator assembly further includes an axle extending from the non-driven end of the agitator body, a bushing rotatably mounted on the axle, and an end cap mounted on the bushing and configured to be mounted without rotation in an agitator chamber of the surface cleaning head.
- Consistent with another embodiment, a removable 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 mate axially and engage with a splined drive member on a drive mechanism in the surface cleaning head.
- Consistent with an embodiment, a surface cleaning head is provided for a vacuum. The surface cleaning head includes a cleaning head housing having a front end portion, a rear end portion, laterally disposed sides, an upper portion and a bottom portion. An agitator chamber is located in the front end portion of the cleaning head housing. The agitator chamber has a top opening through the upper portion of the cleaning head housing and a bottom opening through the bottom portion 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 at the driven side of the agitator chamber and an agitator drive motor drivingly coupled to the drive member. The drive member is configured to engage and drive a rotatable driven agitator when received in the agitator chamber. An external cover is mounted to the cleaning head housing for covering the top opening of the agitator chamber. The external cover is movable between a closed position and an open position. The agitator chamber is covered when the external cover is in the closed position and accessible through the top opening when the external cover is in the open position. The surface cleaning head further 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 a surface through the bottom opening. The non-driven agitator is accessible and removable through the top opening when the external cover is in the open position.
- Consistent with another embodiment, a surface cleaning head is provided for a vacuum. The surface cleaning head includes a cleaning head housing having a front end portion, a rear end portion, laterally disposed sides, an upper portion and a bottom portion. An agitator chamber is located in the front end portion of the cleaning head housing. The agitator chamber has a top opening through the upper portion of the cleaning head housing and a bottom opening through the bottom portion 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 at the driven side of the agitator chamber and an agitator drive motor drivingly coupled to the drive member. At least one rotatable driven agitator is configured to be removably mounted within the agitator chamber and configured to engage the 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 and such that the non-driven agitator is configured to contact a surface through the bottom opening.
- Consistent with a further embodiment, a removable non-driven agitator is provided for use in an agitator chamber of a surface cleaning head. The removable 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. The elongated air inlets are located along at least a portion of a bottom portion of the agitator body, and the 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 portion of the agitator body has a width corresponding to a width of a bottom opening of the agitator chamber. 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 also includes at least one cleaning pad supported on a pad support member on at least one side of the bottom portion of the agitator body and a seal around the air outlet.
- These and other features and advantages will be better understood by reading the following detailed description, taken together with the drawings wherein:
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FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a surface cleaning head including an openable agitator chamber covered by an external cover with a transparent region, consistent with an embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view of the surface cleaning head shown inFIG. 1 taken alongline 1A-1A. -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner with the surface cleaning head shown inFIG. 1 connected to a wand and handle. -
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the surface cleaning head shown inFIG. 1 with an external cover removed to show a top opening into the agitator chamber. -
FIG. 3A is a bottom view of the surface cleaning head shown inFIG. 1 showing a bottom opening into the agitator chamber. -
FIGS. 4A and 4B are different perspective views of an embodiment of a brush roll agitator for use in the surface cleaning head shown inFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view of the brush roll agitator shown inFIG. 4B taken alongline 4C-4C. -
FIGS. 5A and 5B are perspective and side views, respectively, of another embodiment of a brush roll agitator for use in the surface cleaning head shown inFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 5C is a cross-sectional view of the brush roll agitator shown inFIG. 5B taken alongline 5C-5C. -
FIG. 5D is a side view of a further embodiment of a rotatable agitator for use in the surface cleaning head shown inFIG. 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 inFIG. 6A . -
FIG. 6C is a top view of the non-driven agitator shown inFIG. 6A . -
FIG. 6D is bottom view of the non-driven agitator shown inFIG. 6A . -
FIGS. 7A and 7B are different side perspective views of a surface cleaning head with an external cover in an open position and with an agitator removed from the agitator chamber, consistent with an embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 8 is a top view of agitator chamber and external cover of the surface cleaning head shown inFIGS. 7A and 7B . -
FIG. 9 is a side view of the surface cleaning head shown inFIGS. 7A and 7B . -
FIG. 10 is a top view of the surface cleaning head shown inFIGS. 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 the surface cleaning head including a non-driven agitator received in the agitator chamber, consistent with another embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the surface cleaning head including the non-driven agitator shown inFIG. 11 . -
FIG. 13 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of a drive mechanism for use in the surface cleaning head shown inFIG. 10 . -
FIG. 14 is an exploded view of the drive mechanism shown inFIG. 13 . -
FIG. 15 is a close-up perspective view of a splined drive member and a splined driven member of the drive mechanism shown inFIG. 13 . -
FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a spline coupling between the splined drive member and the splined driven member taken along line 16-16 inFIG. 13 . -
FIG. 17 is a side cross-section view of the splined driven member taken along line 17-17 inFIG. 15 . -
FIG. 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 inFIG. 10 . -
FIGS. 19 and 20 are different side perspective views of an embodiment of an end cap for use on the rotatable agitator shown inFIG. 18 . -
FIG. 21 is a top perspective view of a non-driven side of the agitator chamber in the surface cleaning head ofFIG. 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 ofFIG. 10 with the non-driven end of the rotatable agitator received therein. -
FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of the end cap of the agitator seated in the agitator chamber in the surface cleaning head ofFIG. 10 with the cover closed. -
FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a stick vacuum cleaner including a cleaning head with an openable agitator chamber, consistent with a further embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 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. -
FIG. 26 is a side view of a surface cleaning head including an external cover that pivots rearwardly, consistent with another embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 27 is a side view of a surface cleaning head including a multiple piece external cover, consistent with a further embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 28 is a top view of a surface cleaning head including an external cover that slides rearwardly or forwardly 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 external cover that slides to a side to open the agitator chamber, consistent with another embodiment of the present disclosure. - The drawings included herewith are for illustrating various examples of articles, methods, and apparatuses of the teaching of the present specification and are not intended to limit the scope of what is taught in any way.
- A surface cleaning head, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure, may be configured to receive a removable rotatable driven agitator, such as a brush roll, or a non-driven agitator. Either of these agitators may be located in an openable agitator chamber for purposes of removing debris and/or removing the agitator. The openable agitator chamber may be covered by an external cover that is movable between an open position and a closed position. A sealing member may be located between the external cover and a surface cleaning head housing and around a perimeter of the agitator chamber. A surface cleaning head, consistent with other embodiments of the present disclosure, includes a removable rotatable agitator, such as a brush roll, which is driven by a drive mechanism that axially engages the driven end. The removable agitator may be secured in the agitator chamber by the external cover. The surface cleaning head may also include one or more transparent regions (e.g., a window on the external cover) to allow visual inspection of the agitator during use.
- The non-driven agitator may include an agitator body including a bottom portion 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 passageway extending therebetween to facilitate air passage through the surface cleaning head. Different removable agitators with different characteristics may be used interchangeably in the surface cleaning head.
- In the illustrated embodiments, the openable agitator chamber, external cover, removable rotatable agitator and other features described herein are used in an "all in the head" type vacuum cleaner in which the functional or operational components for the transport and treatment of fluid (e.g., air) are substantially all contained within the surface cleaning head. The openable agitator chamber, external cover, removable rotatable agitator and other features described herein may also be implemented, within the scope of the present disclosure, in a surface cleaning head for any type of surface cleaning apparatus or vacuum including, without limitation, upright vacuum cleaners, canister vacuum cleaners, stick vacuum cleaners, robotic vacuum cleaners and central vacuum systems.
- As used herein, a "surface cleaning head" refers to a device configured to contact a surface for cleaning the surface by use of suction air flow, agitation, or a combination thereof. A surface cleaning head may be pivotably or steeringly coupled by a swivel connection to a wand for controlling the surface cleaning head and may include motorized attachments as well as fixed surface cleaning heads. A surface cleaning head may also be operable 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 air flow in a surface cleaning head. As used herein, "transparent" means capable of allowing enough light to pass through so that objects on the other side can be seen.
- Referring to
FIGS. 1-3A , an embodiment of asurface cleaning head 100 is shown and described in greater detail. As shown in greater detail inFIG. 2 , awand 102 is steeringly coupled by a swivel connection to thesurface cleaning head 100 and includes ahandle 104 at one end to allow the user to control thesurface cleaning head 100 during use. Thewand 102 may have a telescoping configuration to provide length adjustment. Thehandle 104 may include controls 106 (e.g., a switch and/or speed control) for controlling operation of thesurface cleaning head 100. In other embodiments, asurface cleaning head 100 may be provided without a wand and handle (e.g., in a robotic vacuum surface cleaning head or in a motorized attachment surface cleaning head). - The
surface cleaning head 100 includes a cleaninghead housing 110, anagitator chamber 120 located in thehousing 110, and arotatable agitator 130 located in theagitator chamber 120. Therotatable agitator 130 rotates about a rotation axis 2 (FIGS. 1A and3 ) that may be generally orthogonal to the direction oftravel 4 of thesurface cleaning head 100. In the illustrated embodiment, theagitator chamber 120 is openable to provide access to theagitator 130. Providing access to theagitator 130 within theagitator chamber 120 may allow a user to inspect and/or clean theagitator 130 without having to remove the agitator and without having to touch a dirty agitator. Therotatable agitator 130 may also be removable from theagitator chamber 120 for inspection, cleaning and/or replacement. In other embodiments, theopenable agitator chamber 120 may include a fixed agitator that is not removable, 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 encompass components of thesurface cleaning head 100. In the illustrated embodiment, thesurface cleaning head 100 is used in an "all in the head" type vacuum cleaner. As such, the cleaninghead housing 110 encloses or encompasses an air transportation and treatment system 140 (shown schematically inFIGS. 1 and3 ). The air transportation andtreatment system 140 includes, for example, asuction motor 142, a cyclone including acyclone chamber 144 and adirt collection chamber 146 external to thecyclone chamber 144, and one ormore filters 148. Anair flow path 141 extends from adirty air inlet 143 located in theagitator chamber 120 to aclean air outlet 145. Thesuction motor 142 causes air to be drawn into thedirty air inlet 143, through thecyclone chamber 144, and out theclean air outlet 145. As the dirt passes through thecyclone chamber 144, dirt is collected in thedirt collection chamber 146. Smaller particles may also be collected in the filter(s) 148. The air transportation andtreatment system 140 may be similar to those used in existing or known "all in the head" type vacuum cleaners, for example, as disclosed inU.S. Patent No. 7,329,294 , which is incorporated herein by reference. - The cleaning
head housing 110 includes afront end portion 112, arear end portion 114, laterally disposedsides upper portion 116, and abottom portion 118. In the illustrated embodiment, thewand 102 is steeringly coupled to therear end portion 114, and theagitator chamber 120 is located in thefront end portion 112 and extends between atop opening 117 in theupper portion 116 and abottom opening 119 in thebottom portion 118. Therotatable agitator 130 is located in theagitator chamber 120 and is configured to contact a surface to be cleaned through thebottom opening 119. Thetop opening 117 and thebottom opening 119 allow therotatable agitator 130 to be accessed from either the top or bottom or the top and bottom simultaneously, which may help facilitate inspection or servicing of the agitator. For example, a user may clean theagitator 130 via thetop opening 117 while allowing debris separated from theagitator 130 to fall out of the chamber via thebottom opening 119. Therotatable agitator 130 may also be removable from theagitator chamber 120, for example, through thetop opening 117, as will be described in greater detail below. - In the illustrated embodiment, the
top opening 117 of theagitator chamber 120 has a width that is greater than a width of theagitator 130 to help provide access to theentire agitator 130 and/or to allow therotatable agitator 130 to be removed. In other embodiments, the width of thetop opening 117 of theagitator chamber 120 may be shorter. Thebottom portion 118 includes one or more bottom guards orbars FIG. 3A ). - In the illustrated embodiment, an
external cover 122 is mounted to theupper portion 116 of the cleaninghead housing 110 for covering thetop opening 117 of the agitator chamber 120 (FIG. 1 ). Theagitator chamber 120 may thus be opened while thesurface cleaning head 100 is resting on the floor, thereby eliminating the need to pick up or reposition the surface cleaning head in order to access theagitator chamber 120. Theexternal cover 122 is movable between a closed position (e.g.,FIG. 1 ) and an open position (e.g.,FIG. 3 ). In the closed position, theexternal cover 122 forms the top portion of theagitator chamber 120. Theagitator chamber 120 and theagitator 130 may thus be easily accessed (e.g., without having to remove other walls or covers) simply by moving theexternal cover 122 to the open position. In the illustrated embodiment, theexternal cover 122 extends substantially the entire width of thesurface cleaning head 100 but may also be shorter in other embodiments. - In the illustrated embodiment, the
surface cleaning head 100 includes one or moretransparent regions 124 that allow visual inspection of theagitator chamber 120. Thetransparent region 124 may be made out of a polycarbonate material. In this embodiment, thetransparent region 124 is in the form of a window located on theexternal cover 122. Additionally or alternatively, one or more transparent regions may be located in other locations on the cleaninghead housing 110 that allow visual inspection of theagitator 130 in theagitator chamber 120, for example, on thesides transparent region 124 together with the movableexternal cover 122 thus facilitate a determination of debris in theagitator chamber 120 and/oragitator 130 and then removal of that debris. - The
external cover 122 may be locked in the closed position using any suitable mechanism. In the illustrated embodiment, theexternal cover 122 includes one ormore latch releases external cover 122 into engagement with the cleaninghead housing 110, as will be described in greater detail below. In the illustrated embodiment, the latch releases 126a, 126b are located proximate therespective sides external cover 122 and/or on the cleaninghead housing 110. Theexternal cover 122 may be pivotably or movably coupled to the cleaninghead housing 110, as will be described in greater detail below, 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 asLEDs 129 on theexternal cover 122. In this embodiment, wiring (not shown) extends from thehousing 110 to theexternal cover 122 and passes through the inside of thecover 122 to theLEDs 129. The lights may also be mounted on other locations on the cleaninghead housing 110. - In the illustrated embodiment, as shown in
FIG. 1A , therotatable agitator 130 is engaged with anagitator drive mechanism 150 at adriven end 132 and rotates freely at anon-driven end 134 of therotatable agitator 130. Theagitator drive mechanism 150 thus drives thedriven end 132 to cause therotatable agitator 130 to rotate around therotation axis 2 during use. Thedrive mechanism 150 may axially engage thedriven end 132 of therotatable agitator 130 without engaging therotatable agitator 130 with a belt and in a manner that allows theagitator 130 to be easily removed and inserted, as will be described in greater detail below. - As shown in
FIG. 2 , anagitator caddy 160 may be mounted on thewand 102 for holding one or more spare agitators, such as a rotatable driven agitator or a non-driven agitator. Theagitator caddy 160 may be removably mounted or fixed to thewand 102. In other embodiments, theagitator caddy 160 may be mounted in other locations on thesurface cleaning head 100 orwand 102. The illustrated embodiment of theagitator caddy 160 includes acontainer 162 sized and configured to receive at least one agitator and acover 164 pivotably coupled to thecontainer 162 at ahinge 165. In other embodiments, theagitator caddy 160 may include a container without a cover or may include other structures configured to receive and hold an agitator. - The illustrated embodiment of the
agitator caddy 160 further includes one or more mountingarms 166 extending fromcontainer 162. The mounting arms engage thewand 102 to mount thecaddy 160 to thewand 102. The mountingarms 166 may be shaped similar to the contours of thewand 102 and may be dimensioned such that thearms 166 flex and apply pressure against thewand 102 to hold theagitator caddy 160 in place and prevent thecaddy 160 from sliding. In other embodiments, theagitator caddy 160 may include other structures for engaging and mounting on thewand 102 and/orsurface cleaning head 100. - In this embodiment, as shown in greater detail in
FIGS. 4A-4C , therotatable agitator 130 is a rotatable brush roll includingbrush agitator elements 136. The brush agitatorelements 136 may include brush bristles, such as nylon bristles, extending substantially radially from anagitator body 131. In this embodiment, thebrush agitator elements 136 are arranged in one or morehelical patterns agitator body 131. Thehelical patterns helical patterns location 137 on theagitator body 131, forming a chevron shaped pattern. Thelocation 137 where the helical patterns ofagitator elements 136 meet (i.e., the point of the chevron) may correspond to the location of thedirty air inlet 143 in theagitator chamber 120 when the agitator is inserted in the chamber. As shown inFIG. 4C , theagitator elements 136 may be angled relative to radial lines extending radially from an axis of rotation of theagitator 130. In the illustrated embodiment, theagitator elements 136 are angled toward a direction of rotation. - This embodiment of the
rotatable agitator 130 also includes one or more cuttinggrooves 138 extending substantially axially along at least a portion of theagitator body 131. The cutting groove(s) 138 are recessed below a surface of theagitator body 131 and have a depth sufficient to accommodate a cutting tool (e.g., scissors or knife). The cutting tool may thus be inserted beneath strands of hair, string or other types of debris that can get wound around therotatable agitator 130 during use. The cutting tool may then be translated along the length of the cuttinggroove 138 to cut hair or other debris entangled around theagitator 130. Therotatable agitator 130 may be manually rotated to allow the cuttinggroove 138 to be accessed through thetop opening 117 or through thebottom opening 119 of thechamber 120. If therotatable agitator 130 is removable, theagitator 130 may be removed for cutting away the hair and other entangled debris. This embodiment of therotatable agitator 130 further includesspaces bars rotatable agitator 130 extends partially through the bottom opening 119 (seeFIG. 1A ). - The
agitator body 131 may be solid, hollow or partially solid/hollow. Theagitator body 131 may also include wheel weights to balance therotatable agitator 130 when driven. One example of the wheel weights (not shown) may include screws threaded into thebody 131. A hollow agitator body may not need to be weighted. - A rotatable agitator or brush roll may also include other types of agitator patterns and/or agitator elements including, without limitation, fabric material (e.g., cloth, felt or polyester), a rubber material, and bristles of different thicknesses and/or materials. Rotatable agitators with different agitator patterns and/or agitator elements may be used for different surfaces, functions and/or applications. A rotatable agitator with stiffer bristles may be used, for example, for carpets and/or deep cleaning. A rotatable agitator with softer bristles or fabric may be used, for example, for hardwood floors and/or delicate quick cleaning. Thus, different brush rolls having different agitating characteristics may be easily interchangeable in a surface cleaning head with an openable agitator chamber, consistent with embodiments described herein, to increase the functionality and improve the performance of the vacuum cleaner.
- As shown in
FIGS. 5A-5C , another embodiment of arotatable agitator 530 includesagitator elements 536 arranged inhelical patterns 535 extending from one end to the other end of theagitator body 531. In this embodiment, theagitator elements 536 include bristles extending in a substantially continuous row with two breaks orspaces bars rotatable agitator 530 extends partially through thebottom opening 119 when positioned in theagitator chamber 120 shown inFIG. 1A . - In this embodiment, the
agitator elements 536 may also be different, for example, bristles of a different material, thickness and/or height as compared to theagitator elements 136 in theagitator 130. In one example, theagitator 130 shown inFIGS. 4A-4C may include stiffer nylon bristles for carpet surfaces or deep cleaning applications and theagitator 530 shown inFIGS. 5A-5C may include softer nylon bristles for hard surfaces or delicate applications. The stiffer nylon bristles of thebrush roll agitator 130 for the carpet may be thicker (e.g., a diameter of 0.23 ± 0.02 mm) and shorter (e.g., a height from the brushroll agitator body 131 of 8.0 ± 0.6 mm). The softer nylon bristles of thebrush roll agitator 530 for the hard surfaces may be thinner (e.g., a diameter of 0.04 ± 0.02 mm) and longer (e.g., a height from the brushroll agitator body 531 of 13 ± 0.2 mm). When thebrush roll agitator 530 has longer bristles, the diameter of the brushroll agitator body 531 may be smaller such that the overall outer diameter can fit in the agitator chamber. In the example embodiment, thebrush roll agitator 130 with the thicker and shorter bristles has an overall outer diameter of about 54 ± 0.3 mm and thebrush roll agitator 530 with the thinner and longer bristles has an overall outer diameter of about 55 ± 0.4 mm. - According to a further embodiment, a rotatable agitator 530', shown in
FIG. 5D , may include fabric material 536' wrapped around at least a portion of an agitator body 531'. The fabric material 536' may include, for example, a felt material. This embodiment of the rotatable agitator may also be suited for hard surfaces and/or delicate applications. A rotatable agitator may include any combination of agitator elements such as, for example, a soft agitator element (e.g., a fabric material or soft bristles/brush) and a relatively stiff agitator element (e.g., a rubber blade or stiff bristles/brush). - In further embodiments, a
surface cleaning head 100 with anopenable agitator chamber 120 may be configured to receive non-rotatable, non-driven agitators in addition to rotatable driven agitators. A non-driven agitator is configured to engage each side of theagitator chamber 120 without engaging thedrive mechanism 150 on the driven side of the chamber, as will be described in greater detail below. The non-driven agitator is also configured to engage thedirty air inlet 143 to allow air flow through the non-driven agitator into the air transportation andtreatment system 140. A non-driven agitator may be suited for flat, hard surfaces such as hardwood floors or other surfaces or conditions where a rotating agitator may be undesirable. - One embodiment of a
non-driven agitator 630 is shown in greater detail inFIGS. 6A-6D . In this embodiment, thenon-driven agitator 630 includes anagitator body 631 including a bottom portion with apad support member 633 that supports one ormore cleaning pads 635a-635c. Theagitator 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 pad(s) 635a-635c generally extend the length of thenon-driven agitator 630 with breaks orspaces cleaning pads 635a-635c, other numbers of cleaning pads may be used. - The
cleaning pads 635a-635c may include textile or fabric pads, such as felt pads, or other sheets or pads having a nap or pile suitable for cleaning a surface. Thecleaning pads 635a-635c may also include brush pads having bristles extending therefrom. Similar to the brush rolls described above, different non-driven agitators may have different types of cleaning pads for different cleaning applications, such as brush pads with stiff bristles and brush pads with soft bristles. In one example, a brush pad with soft bristles may have thinner nylon bristles (e.g., a diameter of 0.04 ± 0.02 mm). - The cleaning pad(s) 635a-635c may also be removably attached to the
bottom support member 633, for example, using hook and loop fasteners such as VELCRO® or other attachment methods. Other attachment mechanisms may be used such as clips. Thus, different cleaning pads with different textures may be attached to thenon-driven agitator 630 for use in different applications. Removable cleaning sheets or pads may also be attached to other locations of theagitator body 631, for example, the sheets or pads may be wrapped around thepad support member 633 and attached on a top portion of theagitator body 631. Combinations of different types of cleaning pads may also be used at the same time or different times to provide different cleaning characteristics. The cleaning pads may also be reusable or disposable. In other embodiments, thenon-driven agitator 630 may include permanent cleaning or abrasive material attached thereto to provide cleaning or scrubbing in addition to or instead of the removable cleaning sheets or pads. - In this embodiment of the
non-driven agitator 630, theagitator body 631 also defines one ormore air inlets air outlet 638 and an air path therebetween such that the inlet(s) 636a, 636b are in fluid communication with theoutlet 638. Theair inlets pad support member 633 adjacent to the cleaning pad(s) 635a-635c. Although the illustrated embodiment shows the cleaning pad(s) 635a-635c on one side of theair inlets cleaning pads 635a-635c may be located on both sides of theair inlets air inlets air outlet 638. When thenon-driven agitator 630 is positioned in the agitator chamber 120 (FIG. 3 ), theair outlet 638 is engaged in fluid communication with thedirty air inlet 143 and theair inlets agitator chamber 120 such that the air transportation andtreatment system 140 causes the air to be drawn through theair inlets air outlet 638. Thenon-driven agitator 630 thus facilitates air flow through the surface cleaning head while also providing a non-rotating cleaning pad. - The
air outlet 638 may include aseal 639 around a perimeter thereof to provide sealing between theair outlet 638 and the dirty air inlet. Theseal 639 may be made of an elastomeric material or other suitable sealing material and may have any known configuration, such as a lip seal or a face seal, capable of forming a seal against a flat face. Alternatively, theair outlet 638 may be configured to engage a seal around the dirty air inlet in the agitator chamber. - The illustrated embodiment of the
non-driven agitator 630 also includes one ormore projections 637 on the bottom portion of theagitator body 631. Theprojections 637 are configured to be received in associated slots in the agitator chamber, as will be described in greater detail below. Theseprojections 637 are generally spaced along the bottom portion of thebody 631 on the other side of theair inlets non-driven agitator 630 may also include at least onewing 631a extending from at least one end of the agitator body 631 (FIG. 6A ). Thewing 631a is configured to be positioned beneath a drive member in the agitator chamber, as will be described in greater detail below. - Referring to
FIGS. 7-9 , an embodiment of asurface cleaning head 700 with a pivotableexternal cover 722 is described in greater detail. In this embodiment, thesurface cleaning head 700 includes a cleaninghead housing 710 including anagitator chamber 720 and the pivotableexternal cover 722 coupled with ahinge 723 to afront portion 712 of the cleaninghead housing 710. The pivotableexternal cover 722 pivots at thehinge 723 between a closed position (not shown) and an open position (shown). If the pivotableexternal cover 722 includes lights, the wiring (not shown) for the lights may pass across thehinge 723. In this embodiment, the pivotableexternal cover 722 pivots forwardly relative to thehousing 710 to open the agitator chamber 720 (FIG. 9 ). In the open position, theagitator chamber 720 is accessible and the agitator may be removed from theagitator chamber 720 as shown. This embodiment of thesurface cleaning head 700 may also be used with a rotatable agitator that is not removable such that the pivotableexternal cover 722 is opened merely to remove the debris that has collected on the rotatable agitator. The pivotableexternal cover 722 may also include atransparent window 724 extending across a central region of (FIG. 8 ) for viewing theagitator chamber 720 when the cover is in the closed position. - A sealing
member 725 may also be located between the pivotableexternal cover 722 and the cleaninghead housing 710 and around the perimeter of theagitator chamber 720. A removable agitator (not shown) may thus be mounted in theagitator chamber 720 inside of the sealingmember 725. In the illustrated embodiment, the pivotableexternal cover 722 includes the sealingmember 725 extending around an inside perimeter of thecover 722. In the closed position, the sealingmember 725 seals against the cleaninghead housing 710 around the perimeter of theagitator chamber 720. The sealingmember 725 is capable of forming a substantially air tight seal at the interface between thecover 722 and the cleaninghead housing 710 with substantially equal pressure around the perimeter of thechamber 720 to prevent air and/or debris from passing through. - 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. A lip seal or face seal, for example, may be used on the pivotableexternal cover 722 to facilitate alignment and sealing when the cover pivots to the closed position. In other embodiments, the sealingmember 725 may be provided on the cleaninghead housing 710. - The
surface cleaning head 700 may also include a latch mechanism to secure the pivotableexternal cover 720 in the closed position. The latch mechanism may provide multiple points of engagement around the perimeter between theexternal cover 720 and the cleaninghead housing 710 such that the sealingmember 725 is engaged with substantially equal pressure around the perimeter of thechamber 720. - In the illustrated embodiment, the pivotable
external cover 722 includes latch mechanisms 770a, 770b on an opposite side from thehinge 723. The latch mechanisms 770a, 770b may include slidable actuators 772a, 772b with hooks 774a, 774b that releasably engage slots 776a, 776b on the cleaninghead housing 710. Each of the latch mechanisms 770a, 770b include two hooks 774a, 774b to provide four spaced apart points of engagement between thecover 720 and thehousing 710. - The slidable actuators 772a, 772b translate in a transverse direction between a latched position and an unlatched position. The slidable actuators 772a, 772b may be biased into the latched position, for example, by springs (not shown). The slidable actuators 772a, 772b are operably coupled to latch
releases FIG. 8 ). In other embodiments, the latch mechanisms 770a, 770b may be located on the cleaninghead housing 110 and the slots 776a, 776b may be located on theexternal cover 722. Although two latch mechanisms and four hooks are shown, other numbers of latch mechanisms and hooks may also be used. - Referring to
FIG. 10 , this embodiment of thesurface cleaning head 700 may receive a removablerotatable agitator 730 that is driven by adrive mechanism 750. In this embodiment, thedrive mechanism 750 axially engages adriven end 732 of therotatable agitator 730 at a driven side of anagitator chamber 720 and anon-driven end 734 of therotatable agitator 730 is mounted to rotate freely at a non-driven side of theagitator chamber 720. Both thedriven end 732 and thenon-driven end 734 of the removablerotatable agitator 730 are mounted in theagitator chamber 720 in a manner that allows theagitator 730 to be removed when theexternal cover 722 is in an open position. - In this embodiment, the
external cover 722 is configured to secure the removablerotatable agitator 730 in theagitator chamber 720. Theexternal cover 722 includes, for example, an engagingstructure 728 that engages thenon-driven end 734 of the removablerotatable agitator 730. In other embodiments, anagitator engaging member 739 may be movably mounted to the surface cleaninghead housing 710 for movement into engagement with thenon-driven end 734 of the removablerotatable agitator 730. Theagitator engaging member 739 is shown schematically but may be in the form of a clip, slide or latch and may slide and/or pivot in to and out of engagement with theagitator 130. - Although this embodiment shows a pivotable
external cover 722 similar to that shown and described above, the removablerotatable agitator 730 in this embodiment may also be used with other types of openable external covers. - The
surface cleaning head 700 may also include a kill switch that stops power to thedrive mechanism 750 when the pivotableexternal cover 722 is in the open position. Akill switch actuator 721 is located at a point along the perimeter of theagitator chamber 720 to activate the kill switch when the pivotableexternal cover 722 is opened. In the example embodiment, thekill switch actuator 721 is biased to an open position that opens the kill switch. When the pivotableexternal cover 722 is in the closed position, thecover 722 engages thekill switch actuator 721 to close the kill switch, allowing power to thedrive mechanism 750. When the pivotableexternal cover 722 moves to the open position, theactuator 721 moves to the biased open position to open the kill switch, stopping power to thedrive mechanism 750. In one embodiment, thekill switch actuator 721 may be recessed to prevent being actuated by a user and may be actuated by a protrusion (e.g., a small rod) extending from thecover 722. Theactuator 721 may also be in other locations and may be actuated in other ways. - According to this embodiment of the
surface cleaning head 700, theagitator chamber 720 is also configured to receive non-driven agitators, for example, as described above. As shown inFIGS. 11 and 12 , thenon-driven agitator 630 described above may be positioned within theagitator chamber 720 without engaging thedrive mechanism 750. In this embodiment, thewing 631a at theend 632 of theagitator body 631 slides beneath adrive member 770 of thedrive mechanism 750 and provides sufficient clearance for thedrive member 770 to rotate without contacting theagitator 630. The bottom portion of theagitator body 631 has a width corresponding to a width of a bottom opening of the agitator chamber 720 (seeFIG. 11 ). - When the
non-driven agitator 630 is positioned within theagitator chamber 720, theair outlet 638 engages with adirty air inlet 743 in the surface cleaning head 700 (seeFIGS. 7A ,8 and11 ) and theprojections 637 on the bottom portion of theagitator body 631 are received inslots 713 along one side of the agitator chamber 720 (seeFIGS. 8 and12 ). Because of the resilience of theseal 639 around theair outlet 638, theprojections 637 may fit tightly within theslots 713 such that thenon-driven agitator 630 snaps into place within theagitator chamber 720. A force being applied by theresilient seal 639 thus holds thenon-driven agitator 630 in place. When properly seated within theagitator chamber 720, theslots 713 receive theprojections 637 with a friction fit, thespaces agitator body 631 receive the bottom guards orbars agitator chamber 720 and the cleaning pad(s) 635a-635c extend through the bottom opening of the agitator chamber 720 (seeFIG. 12 ). - As shown in greater detail in
FIGS. 13 and 14 , thedrive mechanism 750 includes amotor 752, arotation transfer mechanism 754, and asplined drive member 770. In this embodiment, therotation transfer mechanism 754 includes abelt 755 frictionally engaging adrive wheel 753 coupled to the output of themotor 752 and frictionally engaging a drivenwheel 755 coupled to thesplined drive member 770. Thedrive mechanism 750 may be capable of rotating theagitator 730 at low speeds of 700 ±100 RPM and high speeds of 3500 ±500 RPM. In other embodiments, other rotation transfer mechanisms may be used including, without limitation, a gear train or a direct drive coupling between the motor and the splined drive member. In other embodiments, a motor may be located internally within 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 greater detail in
FIG. 15 , thedriven end 732 of the removablerotatable agitator 730 includes a splined drivenmember 780 configured to mate axially with thesplined drive member 770. Thesplined drive member 770 and the splined drivenmember 780 thus form a spline coupling or joint that transmits rotation and torque without using a belt. Thesplined drive member 770 and the splined drivenmember 780 havespline teeth spline teeth spaces spline teeth spline teeth members FIG. 16 . - The illustrated embodiment shows the
splined drive member 770 with external splines and the splined drivenmember 780 with internal splines. In other embodiments, thesplined drive member 770 may include the internal splines and the splined drivenmember 780 may include the external splines. - In the illustrated embodiment, the
spline teeth splined drive member 770 and the splined drivenmember 780 are both generally wedge shaped with a radiallyouter portion inner portion 773, 783 (seeFIG. 16 ). Thespline teeth side walls radial faces spline teeth FIG. 17 , thespline teeth 782 on the splined drivenmember 780 also have a tapered or chamferedradial face 786 that tapers inwardly (i.e., toward the non-driven end of the agitator) and forms an acute angle relative to aradial line 708 in a range of about 30° to 60°. Thespline teeth 772 on thesplined drive member 770 may have a tapered or chamferedaxial face 777 that tapers inwardly toward the axis of rotation. - The shape and configuration of the
spline teeth member 780 with thesplined drive member 770. Thesplined drive member 770 and the splined drivenmember 780 may be engaged in a number of different angular positions and thus do not require a precise angular alignment for engagement. The shape and configuration of thespline teeth splined drive member 770 drives the splined drivenmember 780. - One or both of the splined driven
member 780 andsplined drive member 770 may also be made of an elastomeric material such as a thermoplastic rubber having a higher durometer (e.g., 90 or greater). The elastomeric material may facilitate engagement of thespline teeth splined drive member 770 drives the splined drivenmember 780. Thus, thedrive mechanism 750 may rotate theagitator 730 at higher RPMs with reduced vibrations. - In the illustrated embodiment, each of the
splined drive member 770 and the splined drivenmember 780 have six (6)spline teeth splined drive member 770 and splined drivenmember 780 may also be possible. Furthermore, other couplings or mechanisms for axially coupling rotating shafts to transmit torque and rotation may also be used including, without limitation, a dog clutch, a non-slip clutch, a Hirth joint and a curvic coupling. - As shown in greater detail in
FIG. 18 , thenon-driven end 734 of this embodiment of the removablerotatable agitator 730 includes anend cap 790 secured to abushing 792 that is rotatably mounted on anaxle 791. Theaxle 791 is fixed within and extending from theagitator body 731. Theend cap 790 is configured to be supported within theagitator chamber 720 and to secure thebushing 792 such that theaxle 791 rotates within thebushing 792 and therotatable agitator 730 spins about its axis of rotation. In this embodiment, theend cap 790 is removably secured to thebushing 792 with a friction fit but theend cap 790 may also fixed to thebushing 792. In other embodiments, thebushing 792 may be configured to be mounted directly within theagitator chamber 720 without an end cap. Various other configurations may also be used to rotatably support thenon-driven end 734 of therotatable agitator 730 within theagitator chamber 720. - As shown in greater detail in
FIGS. 19 and 20 , theend cap 790 includes atab 796 that is shaped to be easily gripped for removing thenon-driven end 734 of theagitator 730 from theagitator chamber 720. Theend cap 790 also includes one or more stabilizingstructures end cap 790 from rotating such that thebushing 792 is held stationary, thereby allowing theaxle 791 to rotate freely within thebushing 792 when the rotatable agitator is driven at thedriven end 732. This embodiment of theend cap 790 also includes anelastomeric pad 799 that engages the engagingstructure 728 on theexternal cover 722 when the cover is closed to secure theagitator 730 in theagitator chamber 720. Theend cap 790 further includes anelastomeric ring 798 to frictionally engage thebushing 792. Theelastomeric pad 799 and theelastomeric ring 798 may advantageously prevent or isolate vibrations when theagitator 730 is rotating in theagitator chamber 720 and may both be molded together from the same rubber material. Theend cap 790 may further include a washer 794 (e.g., a felt washer) that contacts anend surface 736 of theagitator body 731 to keep dirt away from thebearing 792. - Referring to
FIGS. 21-23 , the engagement of theend cap 790 with theagitator chamber 720 is described in greater detail. At the non-driven side, thechamber 720 includes mountingrails region 729 that receives an end portion of theend cap 790. The end portion of theend cap 790 may thus slide between the mountingrails FIG. 22 . As shown inFIG. 23 , the stabilizingstructures rails structure 728 inside of thecover 722 engages theelastomeric pad 799. Thus, theend cap 790 and thebushing 792 remain stationary when theagitator 730 is rotated. Additionally or alternatively, thecover 722 may engage other portions of the end cap 790 (e.g., the tab 796) to hold theend cap 790 in thechamber 720. In this embodiment, the stabilizingstructures rails FIG.23 ) in a particular orientation such that theend cap 790 is properly positioned to be engaged by thecover 722. - To mount the
rotatable agitator 730 within theagitator chamber 720, thedriven end 732 is angled into thechamber 720 to engage thesplined drive member 770 with the splined driven member 780 (seeFIG. 16 ). Theend cap 790 may then be used to lower thenon-driven end 734 of theagitator 730 into thechamber 720 until theend cap 790 is fit between the mountingrails FIG. 22 ). When theagitator 730 is properly seated within thechamber 720, theexternal cover 722 may then be closed to cover thechamber 720 and to secure therotatable agitator 730 within thechamber 720. To remove therotatable agitator 730, the user may grasp thetab 796 to slide theend cap 790 out from between the mountingrails non-driven end 734 out of thechamber 720. The user may then continue to lift theagitator 730 until thesplined drive member 770 and the splined drivenmember 780 are disengaged. The user may then clean theagitator 730 and/or insert another type of agitator. - Referring to
FIG. 24 , asurface cleaning head 2400 of a stick vacuum cleaner may include an openable agitator chamber covered by anexternal cover 2422 and containing a removable agitator. Theexternal cover 2422 and the openable chamber and removable agitator located in thesurface cleaning head 2400 may be implemented according to any of the embodiments described herein. - Referring to
FIG. 25 , asurface cleaning head 2500 of an upright vacuum cleaner may include an openable agitator chamber covered by anexternal cover 2522 and containing a removable agitator. Theexternal cover 2522 and the openable chamber and removable agitator located in thesurface cleaning head 2500 may be implemented according to any of the embodiments described herein. - A movable external cover may also have other configurations, for example, as shown in
FIGS. 26-29. FIG. 26 shows another embodiment of asurface cleaning head 2600 with a pivotableexternal cover 2622 that pivots rearwardly relative to the cleaninghead housing 2610 to the open position.FIG. 27 shows a further embodiment of asurface cleaning head 2700 with multiple-piece pivotable external cover including onecover portion 2722a that pivots forwardly and anothercover portion 2722b that pivots rearwardly relative to the cleaninghead housing 2710.FIG. 28 shows yet another embodiment of asurface cleaning head 2800 with a slidableexternal cover 2822 that slides or rolls in a longitudinal direction relative to the cleaninghead housing 2810, for example, similar to a garage door.FIG. 29 shows a further embodiment of asurface cleaning head 2900 with a slidableexternal cover 2922 that slides laterally relative to the cleaninghead housing 2910. - In any of these embodiments, the external cover may be latched, for example, using a latching mechanism as described above or any other latching mechanism. In any of these embodiments, the external cover may be sealed, for example, using a sealing member as described above or any other sealing member. In each of these embodiments, the external cover may be moved between open and closed positions while remaining engaged with the surface cleaning head housing. In other embodiments, the external cover may be completely removed from the surface cleaning head housing. Other variations and locations for the external 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, servicing, and/or replacement of an agitator in the surface cleaning head. The removable 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 received 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. Other embodiments are contemplated within the scope of the present invention in addition to the exemplary embodiments shown and described herein. It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that a 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.
- The following clauses, which are not claims, are included to disclose alternative embodiments and to give an as-filed basis in this divisional application to the disclosure of the claims of the grand-parent application.
- Clause 1. A surface cleaning head for a vacuum, the surface cleaning head comprising:
- a cleaning head housing having a front end portion, a rear end portion, laterally disposed sides, an upper portion and a bottom portion;
- an agitator chamber located in the front end portion of the cleaning head housing, the agitator chamber having a top opening through the upper portion of the cleaning head housing and a bottom opening through the bottom portion of the cleaning head housing;
- an external cover pivotably mounted to the cleaning head housing for covering the top opening of the agitator chamber, the external cover being pivotable between a closed position and an open position, wherein the agitator chamber is covered when the external cover is in the closed position and accessible through the top opening when the external cover is in 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 and configured to be removed through the top opening, the rotatable driven agitator including a driven end and a non-driven end, wherein the external cover engages the non-driven end of the agitator in the closed position to hold the agitator in the agitator chamber and wherein the external cover disengages from the non-driven end of the agitator when moved to the open position, and wherein the agitator is accessible and removable through the top opening when the external cover is in the open position.
-
Clause 2. The surface cleaning head of Clause 1 wherein the rotatable driven agitator includes an end cap rotatably mounted at the non-driven end of the rotatable driven agitator, and wherein the external cover engages the end cap to hold the agitator in the agitator chamber. - Clause 3. The surface cleaning head of
Clause 2 wherein the external cover includes an engaging structure protruding from an inside portion of the external cover to engage the end cap. -
Clause 4. The surface cleaning head of Clause 3 wherein the end cap includes an elastomeric pad that is engaged by the engaging structure. - Clause 5. The surface cleaning head of
Clause 2 wherein the non-driven end of the rotatable driven agitator includes an axle and a bushing rotatably mounted on the axle, and wherein the end cap is mounted on the bushing. - Clause 6. The surface cleaning head of Clause 5 wherein the end cap is removably mounted on the bushing with a friction fit.
- Clause 7. The surface cleaning head of Clause 1 further comprising an agitator drive mechanism for driving the driven end of the rotatable driven agitator in the agitator chamber, and wherein the driven end of the rotatable agitator is removably engaged with the agitator drive mechanism such that the agitator drive mechanism holds the driven end of the agitator in the agitator chamber.
- Clause 8. The surface cleaning head of Clause 1 wherein the rotatable agitator is a brush roll.
- Clause 9. The surface cleaning head of Clause 1 wherein the external cover is configured to pivot forwardly relative to the cleaning head housing to the open position.
-
Clause 10. The surface cleaning head of Clause 1 wherein the external cover is configured to pivot rearwardly relative to the cleaning head housing to the open position. - Clause 11. The surface cleaning head of Clause 1 further comprising at least one latching mechanism for latching the external cover in the closed position.
- Clause 12. The surface cleaning head of Clause 11 wherein the at least one latching mechanism includes a first latching mechanism proximate one side and a second latching mechanism proximate an opposite side.
- Clause 13. The surface cleaning head of Clause 12 wherein the first and second latching mechanisms each include at least two hooks configured to provide engagement between the cleaning head housing and the external cover to hold the external cover in the closed position.
- Clause 14. The surface cleaning head of Clause 11 wherein the latching mechanism is configured to provide multiple points of engagement between the external cover and the cleaning head housing.
- Clause 15. The surface cleaning head of Clause 1 further comprising a sealing member around a perimeter of at least one of an inside portion of the external cover and the cleaning head housing around the agitator chamber for sealing an interface between the cleaning head housing and the external cover around the agitator chamber.
-
Clause 16. The surface cleaning head of Clause 15 further comprising a latching mechanism configured to provide multiple points of engagement around the perimeter between the external cover and the cleaning head housing for holding the external cover in the closed position. -
Clause 17. The surface cleaning head of Clause 1 further comprising at least one transparent region in the external cover, the transparent region being configured to allow visual inspection of the agitator chamber when the external cover is in the closed position. - Clause 18. The surface cleaning head of Clause 1 further comprising:
- an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet; and
- an air transportation and treatment system for transporting and treating air moving along the air flow path.
-
Clause 19. A surface cleaning head for a vacuum, the surface cleaning head comprising:- a cleaning head housing having a front end portion, a rear end portion, laterally disposed sides, an upper portion and a bottom portion;
- an agitator chamber located in the front end portion of the cleaning head housing, the agitator chamber having a top opening through the upper portion of the cleaning head housing and a bottom opening through the bottom portion of the cleaning head housing;
- an external cover pivotably mounted to the cleaning head housing for covering the top opening of the agitator chamber, the external cover being movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein the agitator chamber is covered when the external cover is in the closed position and accessible through the top opening when the external cover is in the open position;
- a sealing member around a perimeter of at least one of an inside portion of the external cover and the cleaning head housing around the agitator chamber for sealing an interface between the cleaning head housing and the external cover around the agitator chamber;
- a latching mechanism configured to provide multiple points of engagement around the perimeter between the external cover and the cleaning head housing for holding the external cover in the closed position; and
- a rotatable driven agitator mounted within the agitator chamber such that the agitator is configured to contact a surface through the bottom opening, the rotatable driven agitator including a driven end and a non-driven end, and wherein the agitator is accessible through the top opening when the external cover is in the open position.
- Clause 20. The surface cleaning head of
Clause 19 wherein the at least one latching mechanism includes a first latching mechanism proximate one side and a second latching mechanism proximate an opposite side. - Clause 21. The surface cleaning head of Clause 20 wherein the first and second latching mechanisms each include at least two hooks configured to provide engagement between the cleaning head housing and the external cover to hold the external cover in the closed position.
- Clause 22. The surface cleaning head of
Clause 19 wherein the sealing member includes a lip seal. - Clause 23. The surface cleaning head of
Clause 19 wherein the sealing member is located on the inside portion of the external cover. - Clause 24. The surface cleaning head of
Clause 19 wherein the rotatable driven agitator is removably mounted in the agitator chamber and wherein the external cover engages the non-driven end of the agitator in the closed position to hold the agitator in the agitator chamber and wherein the external cover disengages from the non-driven end of the agitator when moved to the open position. - Clause 25. The surface cleaning head of Clause 25 wherein the external cover includes an engaging structure protruding from an inside portion of the external cover for engaging the non-driven end of the rotatable driven agitator in the closed position to hold the agitator in the agitator chamber, wherein the engaging structure engages the non-driven end inside of the sealing member.
- Clause 26. The surface cleaning head of
Clause 19 wherein the rotatable driven agitator is removably mounted in the agitator chamber and further comprising an agitator engaging member movably mounted to the cleaning head housing for movement into engagement with the non-driven end of the rotatable driven agitator to hold the agitator in the agitator chamber. - Clause 27. The surface cleaning head of
Clause 19 further comprising an agitator drive mechanism for driving the driven end of the rotatable driven agitator in the agitator chamber, and wherein the driven end of the rotatable agitator is removably engaged with the agitator drive mechanism such that the agitator drive mechanism holds the driven end of the agitator in the agitator chamber. - Clause 28. The surface cleaning head of
Clause 19 further comprising at least one transparent region in the external cover, the transparent region being configured to allow visual inspection of the agitator chamber when the external cover is in the closed position. - Clause 29. The surface cleaning head of
Clause 19 wherein the external cover is configured to pivot forwardly relative to the cleaning head housing to the open position. - Clause 30. The surface cleaning head of
Clause 19 wherein the external cover is configured to pivot rearwardly relative to the cleaning head housing to the open position. - Clause 31. A surface cleaning head for a vacuum, the surface cleaning head comprising:
- a cleaning head housing having a front end portion, a rear end portion, laterally disposed sides, an upper portion and a bottom portion;
- an agitator chamber located in the front end portion of the cleaning head housing, the agitator chamber having a top opening through the upper portion of the cleaning head housing and a bottom opening through the bottom portion of the cleaning head housing, and wherein the agitator chamber includes a non-driven side and a driven side;
- an agitator drive mechanism including a drive member at the driven side of the agitator chamber and an agitator drive motor drivingly coupled to the drive member;
- an external cover mounted to the cleaning head housing for covering the top opening of the agitator chamber, the external cover being movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein the agitator chamber is covered when the external cover is in the closed position and accessible through the top opening when the external cover is in 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 external cover is in the open position, wherein the rotatable driven agitator includes a non-driven end mounted at the non-driven side of the agitator chamber such that the agitator spins freely at the non-driven end and a driven end including a driven member, wherein the driven member mates axially and engages with 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.
- Clause 32. The surface cleaning head of Clause 31 wherein the drive member transmits torque and rotation to the driven member and the rotatable driven agitator without a belt.
- Clause 33. The surface cleaning head of Clause 31 wherein the drive member is a splined drive member and the driven member is a splined driven member.
- Clause 34. The surface cleaning head of Clause 33 wherein the splined drive member and splined driven member have wedge-shaped spline teeth.
- Clause 35. The surface cleaning head of Clause 34 wherein the wedge-shaped spline teeth of the splined driven member have chamfered radial faces.
- Clause 36. The surface cleaning head of Clause 35 wherein the wedge-shaped spline teeth of the splined drive member and the splined driven member have tapered side walls.
- Clause 37. The surface cleaning head of Clause 33 wherein the splined drive member and the splined driven member include six spaced spline teeth arranged in a star configuration around an axis of rotation.
- Clause 38. The surface cleaning head of Clause 31 wherein at least one of the drive member and the driven member is made of a thermoplastic material having a durometer of at least about 90.
- Clause 39. The surface cleaning head of Clause 31 wherein the motor is coupled to the drive member using a belt.
- Clause 40. The surface cleaning head of Clause 31 wherein the external cover engages the non-driven end of the agitator in the closed position to hold the agitator in the agitator chamber and wherein the external cover disengages from the non-driven end of the agitator when moved to the open position.
- Clause 41. The surface cleaning head of Clause 31 further comprising an agitator engaging member movably mounted to the cleaning head housing for movement into engagement with the non-driven end of the rotatable driven agitator to hold the agitator in the agitator chamber.
- Clause 42. A surface cleaning head for a vacuum, the surface cleaning head comprising:
- a cleaning head housing having a front end portion, a rear end portion, laterally disposed sides, an upper portion and a bottom portion;
- an agitator chamber located in the front end portion of the cleaning head housing, the agitator chamber having a top opening through the upper portion of the cleaning head housing and a bottom opening through the bottom portion of the cleaning head housing;
- an external cover mounted to the cleaning head housing for covering the top opening of the agitator chamber, the external cover being movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein the agitator chamber is covered when the external cover is in the closed position and accessible through the top opening when the external cover is in the open position; and
- at least first and second rotatable driven agitators, each of the rotatable driven agitators are configured to be removably mounted within the agitator chamber and removable through the top opening when the external cover is in the open position such that the rotatable driven agitators are interchangeable, wherein the first rotatable driven agitator has different agitating characteristics than the second rotatable driven agitator.
- Clause 43. The surface cleaning head of Clause 42 wherein the first and second rotatable driven agitators include first and second brush rolls having bristles, wherein the bristles of the first brush roll have a different stiffness than the bristles of the second brush roll to provide the different agitating characteristics.
- Clause 44. The surface cleaning head of Clause 43 wherein the bristles of the first brush roll are thicker than the bristles of the second brush roll.
- Clause 45. The surface cleaning head of Clause 43 wherein the bristles of the first brush roll are made of a different material than the bristles of the second brush roll.
- Clause 46. The surface cleaning head of Clause 42 wherein the first and second rotatable driven agitators include first and second brush rolls having bristles, wherein the bristles of the first brush roll are in a different pattern than the bristles of the second brush roll to provide the different agitating characteristics.
- Clause 47. The surface cleaning head of Clause 42 wherein each of the first and second rotatable agitators include an agitator body, wherein the first rotatable driven agitator includes a fabric material around the agitator body, and wherein the second rotatable driven agitator includes bristles extending from the agitator body.
- Clause 48. The surface cleaning head of Clause 42, wherein the agitator chamber includes a non-driven side and a driven side, and further comprising:
an agitator drive mechanism including a drive member at the driven side of the agitator chamber and an agitator drive motor drivingly coupled to the drive member. - Clause 49. The surface cleaning head of Clause 48 wherein each of the rotatable driven agitators includes a non-driven end configured to be mounted at the non-driven side of the agitator chamber such that the agitator spins freely at the non-driven end and a driven end including a driven member, wherein the driven member is configured to mate axially and engage with 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.
-
Clause 50. The surface cleaning head of Clause 42 further comprising an agitator engaging member configured to move into engagement with the non-driven end of the rotatable driven agitator in the agitator chamber. - Clause 51. The surface cleaning head of Clause 42 further comprising at least one transparent region in the external cover, the transparent region being configured to allow visual inspection of the agitator chamber when the external cover is in the closed position.
- Clause 52. A surface cleaning head for a vacuum, the surface cleaning head comprising:
- a cleaning head housing having a front end portion, a rear end portion, laterally disposed sides, an upper portion and a bottom portion;
- an agitator chamber located in the front end portion of the cleaning head housing, the agitator chamber having a top opening through the upper portion of the cleaning head housing and a bottom opening through the bottom portion of the cleaning head housing, wherein the agitator chamber is configured to receive a rotatable driven agitator such that the agitator contacts a surface through the bottom opening and is removable through the top opening, and wherein the agitator chamber includes a non-driven side for receiving a non-driven end of the rotatable driven agitator and a driven side for receiving a driven end of the rotatable driven agitator;
- an agitator drive mechanism including a drive member at a driven side of the agitator chamber and an agitator drive motor drivingly coupled to the drive member, wherein the drive member is configured to mate axially and engage with the 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; and
- an external cover mounted to the cleaning head housing for covering the top opening of the agitator chamber, the external cover being movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein the agitator chamber is covered when the external cover is in the closed position and accessible through the top opening when the external cover is in the open position.
- Clause 53. The surface cleaning head of Clause 52 wherein the drive member includes a splined drive member.
- Clause 54. The surface cleaning head of Clause 53 wherein the splined drive member includes wedge-shaped spline teeth.
- Clause 55. The surface cleaning head of Clause 54 wherein the wedge-shaped spline teeth have tapered sides.
- Clause 56. The surface cleaning head of Clause 53 wherein the splined drive member includes six spline teeth arranged in a star configuration around the axis of rotation.
- Clause 57. The surface cleaning head of Clause 52 wherein the drive motor is drivingly coupled to the drive member with a belt.
- Clause 58. The surface cleaning head of Clause 52 further comprising at least one transparent region in the external cover, the transparent region being configured to allow visual inspection of the agitator chamber when the external cover is in the closed position.
- Clause 59. The surface cleaning head of Clause 52 wherein the external cover includes an engaging structure protruding from an inside portion of the external cover for engaging the non-driven end of the rotatable driven agitator in the closed position to hold the agitator in the agitator chamber.
- Clause 60. The surface cleaning head of Clause 52 further comprising an agitator engaging member movably mounted to the cleaning head housing for movement into engagement with the non-driven end of the rotatable driven agitator to hold the agitator in the agitator chamber.
- Clause 61. A removable rotatable agitator assembly for use in a surface cleaning head of a vacuum, the removable rotatable agitator assembly comprising:
- 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;
- a driven member located at the driven end of the agitator body, the driven member being configured to mate axially and engage with a drive member on a drive mechanism in the surface cleaning head;
- an axle extending from the non-driven end of the agitator body;
- a bushing rotatably mounted on the axle; and
- an end cap mounted on the bushing and configured to be mounted without rotation in an agitator chamber of the surface cleaning head.
- Clause 62. The removable rotatable agitator assembly of Clause 61, wherein the end cap includes a tab extending radially and configured to be gripped by a user to facilitate removing and inserting the non-driven end into an agitator chamber.
- Clause 63. The removable rotatable agitator assembly of Clause 61, wherein the end cap is removably mounted on the bushing with a friction fit.
- Clause 64. The removable rotatable agitator assembly of Clause 63, wherein the end cap includes an elastomeric ring for engaging the bushing with the friction fit.
- Clause 65. The removable rotatable agitator assembly of Clause 61, wherein the end cap includes an elastomeric pad for engaging an engaging structure on an external cover in a closed position on the surface cleaning head.
- Clause 66. The removable rotatable agitator assembly of Clause 61, wherein the end cap includes stabilizing structures configured to be keyed to corresponding structures in the agitator chamber.
- Clause 67. The removable rotatable agitator assembly of Clause 61, wherein the driven member is a splined driven member.
- Clause 68. The removable rotatable agitator of Clause 67, wherein the splined driven member includes wedge-shaped spline teeth.
- Clause 69. The removable rotatable agitator of Clause 68, wherein the wedge-shaped spline teeth have tapered sides.
- Clause 70. The removable rotatable agitator of Clause 68, wherein the wedge-shaped spline teeth have chamfered radial faces.
- Clause 71. The removable rotatable agitator of Clause 67, wherein the splined driven member includes six spline teeth arranged in a star configuration around the axis of rotation
- Clause 72. The removable rotatable agitator of Clause 67, wherein splined the driven member is made of a thermoplastic material having a durometer of at least about 90.
- Clause 73. The surface cleaning head of Clause 61 wherein the rotatable agitator is a brush roll.
- Clause 74. The removable rotatable agitator assembly of Clause 61, wherein the agitating element includes bristles extending substantially radially from the agitator body.
- Clause 75. The removable rotatable agitator assembly of Clause 61, wherein the agitating element includes a fabric material covering at least a portion of the agitator body.
- Clause 76. The removable rotatable agitator assembly of Clause 61, wherein the agitator body includes at least one cutting groove extending substantially axially along at least a portion of the agitator body.
- Clause 77. A removable rotatable agitator assembly for use in a surface cleaning head of a vacuum, the removable rotatable agitator assembly comprising:
- 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 being configured to mate axially and engage with a splined drive member on a drive mechanism in the surface cleaning head.
- Clause 78. The removable rotatable agitator of Clause 77, wherein the splined driven member includes internal spline teeth.
- Clause 79. The removable rotatable agitator of Clause 77, wherein the splined driven member includes wedge-shaped spline teeth.
- Clause 80. The removable rotatable agitator of Clause 79, wherein the wedge-shaped spline teeth have tapered sides.
- Clause 81. The removable rotatable agitator of Clause 79, wherein the wedge-shaped spline teeth have chamfered radial faces.
- Clause 82. The removable rotatable agitator of Clause 79, wherein the wedge-shaped spline teeth have tapered sides and chamfered radial faces.
- Clause 83. The removable rotatable agitator of Clause 82, wherein splined the driven member is made of a thermoplastic material having a durometer of at least about 90.
- Clause 84. The removable rotatable agitator of Clause 87, wherein the splined driven member includes six spline teeth arranged in a star configuration around the axis of rotation.
- Clause 85. The removable rotatable agitator of Clause 87, wherein splined the driven member is made of a thermoplastic material having a durometer of at least about 90.
- Clause 86. The removable rotatable agitator assembly of Clause 87, wherein the agitator body includes at least one cutting groove extending substantially axially along at least a portion of the agitator body.
- Clause 87. The surface cleaning head of Clause 87, wherein the rotatable agitator is a brush roll.
- Clause 88. The removable rotatable agitator assembly of Clause 87, wherein the agitating element includes bristles extending substantially radially from the agitator body.
- Clause 89. The removable rotatable agitator assembly of Clause 87, wherein the agitating element includes a fabric material covering at least a portion of the agitator body.
-
Clause 90. The removable rotatable agitator of Clause 87, further comprising:- an axle extending from the non-driven end of the agitator body;
- a bushing rotatably mounted on the axle; and
- an end cap mounted on the bushing and configured to be mounted without rotation in an agitator chamber of the surface cleaning head.
- Clause 91. A surface cleaning head for a vacuum, the surface cleaning head comprising:
- a cleaning head housing having a front end portion, a rear end portion, laterally disposed sides, an upper portion and a bottom portion;
- an agitator chamber located in the front end portion of the cleaning head housing, the agitator chamber having a top opening through the upper portion of the cleaning head housing and a bottom opening through the bottom portion of the cleaning head housing, and wherein the agitator chamber includes at least one driven side;
- an agitator drive mechanism including a drive member at the driven side of the agitator chamber and an agitator drive motor drivingly coupled to the drive member, wherein the drive member is configured to engage and drive a rotatable driven agitator when received in the agitator chamber;
- an external cover mounted to the cleaning head housing for covering the top opening of the agitator chamber, the external cover being movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein the agitator chamber is covered when the external cover is in the closed position and accessible through the top opening when the external cover is in the open position; and
- 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 a surface through the bottom opening, wherein the non-driven agitator is accessible and removable through the top opening when the external cover is in the open position.
- Clause 92. The surface cleaning head of Clause 91 wherein the non-driven agitator includes an agitator body and at least one cleaning pad supported on a pad support member on a bottom portion of the agitator body, wherein the at least one cleaning pad is configured to contact the surface through the bottom opening.
- Clause 93. The surface cleaning head of Clause 92 wherein the at least one cleaning pad includes at least one fabric pad.
- Clause 94. The surface cleaning head of Clause 92 wherein the at least one cleaning pad includes at least one felt pad.
- Clause 95. The surface cleaning head of Clause 92 wherein the at least one cleaning pad includes at least one brush pad.
- Clause 96. The surface cleaning head of Clause 92 wherein the at least one cleaning pad is removably attached to the pad support member.
- Clause 97. The surface cleaning head of Clause 92 wherein the agitator body of the non-driven agitator defines at least one air inlet adjacent the at least one cleaning pad, at least one air outlet and an air path between the at least one air inlet and the air outlet, wherein the air outlet is fluidly coupled to a dirty air inlet in the agitator chamber of the surface cleaning head.
- Clause 98. The surface cleaning head of Clause 97 wherein the at least one air inlet includes first and second elongated air inlets and the at least one air outlet includes a single air outlet, wherein the first and second elongated air inlets extend along at least a portion of the bottom portion of the agitator body.
- Clause 99. The surface cleaning head of Clause 97 wherein the at least one air outlet includes a seal around a periphery thereof.
-
Clause 100. The surface cleaning head of Clause 92 wherein the bottom portion of the agitator body includes a plurality of projections on a side opposite the pad support member, the projections being configured to engage associated slots on a side of the bottom opening of the agitator chamber. - Clause 101. The surface cleaning head of Clause 91 wherein the bottom portion of the agitator body includes at least one space for receiving bars extending across the bottom opening of the agitator chamber.
-
Clause 102. A surface cleaning head for a vacuum, the surface cleaning head comprising:- a cleaning head housing having a front end portion, a rear end portion, laterally disposed sides, an upper portion and a bottom portion;
- an agitator chamber located in the front end portion of the cleaning head housing, the agitator chamber having a top opening through the upper portion of the cleaning head housing and a bottom opening through the bottom portion of the cleaning head housing, and wherein the agitator chamber includes at least one driven side;
- an agitator drive mechanism including a drive member at the driven side of the agitator chamber and an agitator drive motor drivingly coupled to the drive member;
- at least one rotatable driven agitator configured to be removably mounted within the agitator chamber and configured to engage the drive member of the agitator drive mechanism such that the drive member causes the rotatable driven agitator to rotate; and
- at least one non-driven agitator configured to be removably mounted within the agitator chamber without engaging the drive member and such that the non-driven agitator is configured to contact a surface through the bottom opening.
- Clause 103. The surface cleaning head of
Clause 102 wherein the rotatable driven agitator includes a brush roll. -
Clause 104. The surface cleaning head ofClause 102 wherein the rotatable driven agitator 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;
- a driven member located at the driven end of the agitator body, the driven member being configured to mate axially and engage with a drive member on a drive mechanism in the surface cleaning head; and
- an end cap mounted on at the non-driven end of the agitator body and configured to be mounted without rotation in the agitator chamber of the surface cleaning head.
- Clause 105. The surface cleaning head of
Clause 104 wherein the end cap includes a tab extending radially and configured to be gripped by a user to facilitate removing and inserting the non-driven end into the agitator chamber. -
Clause 106. The surface cleaning head ofClause 102 wherein the non-driven agitator includes an agitator body and at least one cleaning pad supported on a pad support member on a bottom portion of the agitator body, wherein the at least one cleaning pad is configured to contact the surface through the bottom opening. - Clause 107. The surface cleaning head of
Clause 106 wherein the at least one cleaning pad includes at least one of a fabric pad, a felt pad or a brush pad. - Clause 108. The surface cleaning head of
Clause 106 wherein the at least one cleaning pad is removably attached to the pad support member. - Clause 109. The surface cleaning head of
Clause 106 wherein the body of the non-driven agitator defines at least one air inlet adjacent the at least one cleaning pad, at least one air outlet and an air path between the at least one air inlet and the air outlet, wherein the air outlet is configured to be fluidly coupled to a dirty air inlet in the agitator chamber of the surface cleaning head. -
Clause 110. The surface cleaning head of Clause 109 wherein the at least one air inlet includes first and second elongated air inlets and the at least one air outlet includes a single air outlet, wherein the first and second elongated air inlets extend along at least a portion of the bottom portion of the agitator body. - Clause 111. The surface cleaning head of Clause 109 wherein the at least one air outlet includes a seal around a periphery thereof.
-
Clause 112. A removable non-driven agitator for use in an agitator chamber of a surface cleaning head, the removable non-driven agitator comprising:- 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, the elongated air inlets being located along at least a portion of a bottom portion of the agitator body, the air outlet being 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 portion of the agitator body having a width corresponding to a width of a bottom opening of the agitator chamber, wherein first and second ends of the agitator body are configured to engage the agitator chamber without engaging a drive member in the agitator chamber;
- at least one cleaning pad supported on a pad support member on at least one side of the bottom portion of the agitator body; and
- a seal around the air outlet.
-
Clause 113. The removable non-driven agitator ofClause 112 further comprising a plurality of projections on an opposite side of the bottom portion, the projections being configured to engage associated slots on one side of the agitator chamber. -
Clause 114. The removable non-driven agitator ofClause 112 wherein the agitator body further includes at least one wing extending from at least one of the first and second ends of the agitator body, wherein the wing is configured to fit under the drive member in the agitator chamber. -
Clause 115. The removable non-driven agitator ofClause 112 wherein the cleaning pad includes a felt pad. -
Clause 116. The removable non-driven agitator ofClause 112 wherein the cleaning pad includes a felt pad. -
Clause 117. The removable non-driven agitator ofClause 112 wherein the cleaning pad includes a brush pad. -
Clause 118. The removable non-driven agitator ofClause 112 wherein the bottom portion of the agitator body includes at least one space for receiving bars extending across the bottom opening of the agitator chamber. -
Clause 119. The removable non-driven agitator ofClause 112 wherein the at least one cleaning pad is removably attached to the cleaning pad support.
Claims (15)
- A surface cleaning head for a vacuum, the surface cleaning head comprising:a cleaning head housing (110, 710) having a front end portion, a rear end portion, laterally disposed sides, an upper portion and a bottom portion;an agitator chamber (120, 720) located in the front end portion (112) of the cleaning head housing, the agitator chamber having a top opening (117) through the upper portion of the cleaning head housing and a bottom opening (119) through the bottom portion of the cleaning head housing, and wherein the agitator chamber includes a non-driven side and a driven side;an agitator drive mechanism (150, 750) including a splined drive member (770) at the driven side of the agitator chamber and an agitator drive motor (752) drivingly coupled to the splined drive member;an external cover (122, 722, 2422, 2522, 2622, 2722, 2822, 2922) configured to be mounted to the cleaning head housing for covering the top opening of the agitator chamber such that the external cover forms a top portion of the agitator chamber, wherein the external cover is completely removable from the cleaning head housing; anda rotatable driven agitator (130, 730) removably mounted within the agitator chamber such that the rotatable agitator contacts a surface through the bottom opening of the agitator chamber, wherein the rotatable agitator is accessible and removable through the top opening of the agitator chamber when the external cover is removed, wherein the rotatable agitator (130, 730) comprises:an agitator body (131, 531, 631, 731) having a driven end (132, 732) and a non-driven end (134, 754), wherein, when the rotatable agitator is mounted in the agitator chamber, the non-driven end is mounted at the non-driven side of the agitator chamber such that the agitator body spins freely at the non-driven end and the driven end is mounted at the driven side of the agitator chamber such that the driven end is driven by the agitator drive mechanism;an end cap (790) including a tab (796) configured to be gripped by the user to facilitate removing and inserting the non-driven end into an agitator chamber through the top opening, and wherein the external cover engages the tab when the external cover is mounted to the cleaning head housing;a splined driven member (780) located at the driven end of the agitator body, the splined driven member being configured to mate axially and engage with the splined drive member (770) of the drive mechanism (750) such that the splined drive member transmits torque and rotation to the splined driven member and the agitator body; andat least one agitator element (136, 536) located on at least a portion of the agitator body between the driven end and the non-driven end.
- The surface cleaning head of claim 1, wherein the tab extends radially from the non-driven end of the agitator body and the tab includes a top surface, wherein, when the rotatable agitator is mounted in the agitator chamber, the top surface of the tab extends adjacent to and along a portion of the non-driven side of the agitator chamber and proximate the top opening of the agitator chamber at the non-driven side of the agitator chamber such that the top surface of the tab faces a user proximate the top opening of the agitator chamber.
- The surface cleaning head of claims 1 or 2, wherein the agitator chamber (120, 720), at the non-driven side, includes mounting rails (727a, 727b) defining a U-shaped recessed region (729) that slidably receives a portion of the end cap (790).
- The surface cleaning head of claim 3, wherein the top surface of the tab (796) is located proximate to a top portion of the recessed region (729).
- The surface cleaning head of any of claims 1-4 further comprising a sealing member (725) extending around a perimeter of the external cover (722) such that the sealing member (725) seals against the cleaning head housing (710) and around the perimeter of the agitator chamber (720) when the external cover (722) is in a closed position.
- The surface cleaning head of any of claims 1-5 wherein the external cover (122, 722, 2422, 2522, 2622, 2722, 2822, 2922) includes a transparent region (724) to allow visual inspection of the agitator in the agitator chamber (120, 720).
- The surface cleaning head of any of claims 1-6, wherein:the at least one agitator element includes a combination of soft agitator elements and relatively stiff agitator elements;the relatively stiff agitator elements include bristles arranged in a helical pattern around the agitator body; andthe soft agitator elements include cloth.
- The surface cleaning head of any of claims 1-7 wherein the top surface of the tab (796) has a length in a transverse direction that is greater than a width of the top surface of the tab in the axial direction relative to the agitator body.
- The surface cleaning head of any of claim 8 wherein the length of the top surface of the tab (796) is less than an outer diameter of the removable rotatable agitator.
- The surface cleaning head of any of claims 1-9 wherein the tab (796) includes a lip extending from the top surface in the axial direction relative to the agitator body.
- The surface cleaning head of any of claims 1-10 wherein the tab (796) includes a recessed region below the top surface of the tab and facing in an axial direction toward the agitator body to facilitate gripping of the tab.
- The surface cleaning head of any of claims 1-11 further comprising:an axle (791) fixed within and extending from the non-driven end of the agitator body;a bushing (792) rotatably mounted on the axle; andwherein the end cap (790) is mounted on the bushing and covering at least a portion of the non-driven end (134, 734) of the agitator body (131, 531, 631, 731), wherein the end cap is configured to be mounted without rotation in the agitator chamber of the surface cleaning head, and wherein the tab (796) extends from the end cap (790).
- The surface cleaning head of claim 12, wherein the end cap (790) includes stabilizing structures (793, 795, 797) configured to be keyed to corresponding structures in the agitator chamber.
- The surface cleaning head of any of claims 1-13, further comprising a dirty air inlet (143) located in the agitator chamber (120).
- The surface cleaning head of any of claims 1-14, wherein the splined drive member (780) includes spline teeth (772, 782) having a wedge shape with tapered side walls (774, 775, 784, 785) to provide self-alignment and to facilitate engagement of the spined driven member (780) with the splined drive member (770).
Applications Claiming Priority (9)
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US201562110232P | 2015-01-30 | 2015-01-30 | |
US14/739,915 US9456723B2 (en) | 2015-01-30 | 2015-06-15 | Surface cleaning head including openable agitator chamber and a removable rotatable agitator |
US14/744,438 US9526389B2 (en) | 2015-01-30 | 2015-06-19 | Surface cleaning head including openable agitator chamber and a removable rotatable agitator |
US14/801,185 US9655486B2 (en) | 2015-01-30 | 2015-07-16 | Surface cleaning head including removable rotatable driven agitator |
US14/812,734 US10226157B2 (en) | 2015-01-30 | 2015-07-29 | Removable rotatable driven agitator for surface cleaning head |
US14/867,599 US9955832B2 (en) | 2015-01-30 | 2015-09-28 | Surface cleaning head with removable non-driven agitator having cleaning pad |
PCT/US2016/015370 WO2016123345A1 (en) | 2015-01-30 | 2016-01-28 | Surface cleaning head including openable agitator chamber and removable agitators for use therein |
EP22153318.5A EP4008228B1 (en) | 2015-01-30 | 2016-01-28 | Removable rotatable agitator with a tab configured to be gripped by a user |
EP16744107.0A EP3250102B1 (en) | 2015-01-30 | 2016-01-28 | Surface cleaning head including openable agitator chamber and removable agitators for use therein |
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EP16744107.0A Division EP3250102B1 (en) | 2015-01-30 | 2016-01-28 | Surface cleaning head including openable agitator chamber and removable agitators for use therein |
EP22153318.5A Division EP4008228B1 (en) | 2015-01-30 | 2016-01-28 | Removable rotatable agitator with a tab configured to be gripped by a user |
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EP4212079A1 true EP4212079A1 (en) | 2023-07-19 |
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EP16744107.0A Active EP3250102B1 (en) | 2015-01-30 | 2016-01-28 | Surface cleaning head including openable agitator chamber and removable agitators for use therein |
EP22153318.5A Active EP4008228B1 (en) | 2015-01-30 | 2016-01-28 | Removable rotatable agitator with a tab configured to be gripped by a user |
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EP16744107.0A Active EP3250102B1 (en) | 2015-01-30 | 2016-01-28 | Surface cleaning head including openable agitator chamber and removable agitators for use therein |
EP22153318.5A Active EP4008228B1 (en) | 2015-01-30 | 2016-01-28 | Removable rotatable agitator with a tab configured to be gripped by a user |
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KR20170125832A (en) | 2017-11-15 |
DE202016009173U1 (en) | 2023-06-14 |
CA2975385A1 (en) | 2016-08-04 |
CN114504267A (en) | 2022-05-17 |
JP2018503473A (en) | 2018-02-08 |
ES2943708T3 (en) | 2023-06-15 |
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