MXPA97006289A - Clean head - Google Patents

Abstract

In a cleaning head (10) of the type having a stirring element (26) that can be engaged with the surface to be cleaned, to agitate the cleaning liquid thereon, and a collection element (25) for the collection of the liquid from the surface by suction, the agitation element (26) and the element of prominently meshed with the surface being cleaned. In a preferred configuration, the stirring element (26) can be moved relative to the housing (11). The cleaning liquid is sent to the stirring element through a passage (45) which is closed by a pad (70) on the upper side of the stirring element (26) when in its raised position. The movement of the agitation element (26) between its raised and lowered positions is controlled by means of a pedal (6).

Description

CLEANING HEAD Description of the Invention This invention relates to a cleaning head, for an apparatus for cleaning a surface by applying a cleaning liquid to the surface, and removing the cleaning liquid from the surface by suction. More particularly, the invention relates to a cleaning head suitable for use in cleaning floor surfaces that are of a relatively hard and non-absorbent nature. Examples of materials that are commonly used for floor or floor coverings, and proportioning surfaces of the type with which the invention is intended to be used, comprise plastic materials, eg, vinyl, in the form of a large sheet, or small portions. constituting "tiles" placed on a foundation support surface; ceramic materials, for example, glazed or unglazed tiles, - rubber-based materials; or wood, cork or concrete, if the surface is sealed with a suitable coating to avoid or reduce the absorption of the liquid. There have been many proposals for apparatuses to clean these surfaces, by applying a cleaning liquid thereto, and the removal of this liquid, together with the dirt removed by the same from the surface by means of suction. The cleaning liquid can be water containing a suitable detergent. Cleaning heads for this appliance, which may be provided as part of single-purpose electric cleaning appliances, or as accessories for electric, multi-purpose cleaning appliances of the suction cleaner type ("vacuum cleaner"), usually include an element for distributing the cleaning liquid on the surface to be cleaned, at least one passage arranged to be connected to the suction source having at least one opening arranged to collect liquid from the surface being cleaned, and an element to stir the cleaning liquid while it is in contact with the surface to help the action of the same to remove dirt from the surface. The stirring element typically comprises a brush or brushes which may be static or which may be arranged to be driven, for example, rotated, by an element such as an electric motor provided in, or in association with, the cleaning head. Alternatively, a sponge or mop element may be provided, for example, plastics or rubber foam or suitable cellular material.

In our International Patent Application, with Publication Number WO94 / 06342 a cleaning head for cleaning, and a household appliance having the head is described. A user judges the effectiveness of a cleaning head of the general class with which the present invention is related, in terms of the quality of its cleaning action and its ability to remove the liquid together with the loosened dirt from the surface being treated. Cleaning. Desirably, the surface should be left dry or almost dry so that any liquid left on the surface evaporates quickly. It is generally the object of the present invention to provide a cleaning head whose operation is improved in one or more of the above aspects, and the characteristics of the cleaning head, by means of which such an improvement is obtained, will be pointed out hereinafter. It will be noted that a cleaning head according to the invention is normally used in a predominantly oscillatory movement on the surface being cleaned. In accordance with the foregoing, references herein to the front and back of the cleaning head, to the length thereof, and the analogous expressions, refer to the parts of the cleaning head separated therein, in the intended direction of oscillation of the same in use, and the dimensions in that direction. Similar references to the sides of the cleaning head and the width thereof, and the analogous expressions, refer to the direction transverse to the direction of oscillation of the cleaning head in normal use. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, we provide a cleaning head for cleaning surfaces comprising a housing; a stirring element that can be engaged with the surface to agitate the cleaning liquid therein; an element for sending a cleaning liquid to the surface in the region of the stirring element; an air passage element adapted for connection to the suction source; a collecting element that can mesh with the surface and communicate with the air passage element, for the collection of liquid from the surface by suction; and an element for effecting a relative movement between the agitation element and the collection element, in a direction which, in use, is generally perpendicular to the surface being cleaned, whereby either one or the other of the agitation element and the harvesting element cooperates at least predominantly with the surface.

A cleaning head, in accordance with this aspect of the invention, has the operational advantage that, by effecting relative movement between the stirring element and the collecting element, so that one or the other of the same cooperates in a manner predominant with the surface, the effectiveness of either the agitation element or the harvesting element can be improved, for a better cleaning of the surface or an improved collection of the liquid from the surface, respectively. In the course of a typical cleaning operation on a surface, the cleaning head may be used first in a mode in which the agitation element cooperates predominantly with the surface, and thereafter, in the manner in which the collecting element cooperates predominantly with the surface, thus leaving the surface effectively cleaned, with the maximum amount of cleaning liquid and dirt removed from it. The cleaning head may comprise a support element to help hold the head, in use, on a surface being cleaned. Preferably, the support element comprises rotatable elements, i.e. wheels or rollers, to facilitate oscillation of the cleaning head in the front and rear direction. The provision of such a support element, as well as facilitating the oscillation of the cleaning head on the surface being cleaned, allows some of the weight of an electric home appliance, such as that described in our International Patent Application. Number WO94 / 06342 is held by the support element of the cleaning head, rather than by the agitation element and / or the collection element thereof. There may be respective support elements longitudinally separated from the cleaning head. In a preferred configuration of the support elements, present in the embodiment described more particularly hereinafter, comprises first support members at the rear of the cleaning head and rearwardly of the agitation element, and second support members disposed generally between the stirring element and the collecting element, which is arranged forward of the stirring element in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning head, the supporting elements being arranged in such a way that, when the stirring element is in its position lower in the cleaning head, the head will be supported in use mainly in the first support members at the rear of the head, and in the stirring element, while, when the stirring element is in its uppermost position, . the head will be supported in use primarily on the first and second separate support members, and not to any significant degree in the agitation element. * The element for effecting relative movement between the stirring element and the head collecting element may comprise elements for effecting the movement of the stirring element relative to the housing in a direction which, in use, is generally perpendicular to the surface being cleaned, while the collection element remains in a fixed position relative to the body of the cleaning head. Conveniently, the element for effecting this movement of the stirring element can be operated with the foot of the user when the cleaning head is being used to clean a floor. There may be a member operable with the foot mounted in an accessible position, for example, an upper part of the housing and movable to effect the movement of the stirring element. The foot operable member can be moved angularly and has a cam member associated therewith, to effect movement of the agitating element. The stirring element may be spring biased to a position superior to the body of the cleaning head and which may be moved by the cam member to a lower position upon proper operation of the foot-operable member. The stirring element is preferably mounted for a generally linear movement relative to the body of the cleaning head, being guided for such movement by means of a guiding element. The stirring element conveniently comprises an array of bristles supported to extend from a support member toward the surface to be cleaned, in order to have a shaping action on the surface, when the cleaning head is in use. The bristles may be placed in a number of bunches of bristles, in a line or lines of such bristles that extend to. _or the width of the cleaning head. The agitation element preferably also comprises an element having an operating surface of thin, densely packed flexible filaments, as provided by a pile fabric. This element also acts as an element to disperse the cleaning liquid in such a way as to obtain a relatively uniform distribution thereof along the width of the cleaning head. Preferably the element for sending the cleaning liquid to the surface is arranged to send the liquid to this element, which can be coated with a rubber element in open cells or plastic foam, to do so. Elastic and help the distribution of the cleaning liquid. Other aspects of the invention have to do with the arrangement and configuration of the collection element of a cleaning head. Preferably, the harvesting element includes an opening for air flow to the air passage element of the cleaning head, the opening of which extends substantially along the entire width of the cleaning head, but is relatively small in size. longitudinal direction of the cleaning head. This configuration of the opening allows a high velocity of the air flow to be maintained to introduce liquid from the surface being cleaned, producing a highly effective liquid collection. Preferably, the opening of the pick-up element is surrounded at the front and at the rear of the opening by a flexible wiper element that can be engaged with the surface being cleaned. This blade element, for example of rubber or rubber-like material, causes the liquid to be collected from the surface by more efficient suction, since its engagement with the surface, as the cleaning head oscillates, wipes the liquid in the liquid. surface at a locally increased film thickness so that the air flow enters more quickly. Preferably, the opening of the collection element includes a filter element, for example, a coarse grid or a number of barrier elements, which prevent the entry of large pieces of debris. The air passage element of the cleaning head preferably has a mouth portion which communicates with the opening of the collection element and which is relatively long and narrow across, to cooperate with the collection element, and a Transition portion that changes transversely to a circular or almost circular cross section, to connect to the suction source. In this transition portion, a substantially uniform cross-sectional area is preferably maintained despite the change in the traversal shape, so that high velocity air flow is maintained through the passage element and the collection element. The mouth portion is preferably connected to the opening of the collection element in a position generally in the center thereof, and spaced from the sides of the head, so that an air flow is established in the outermost portions of the body. collecting element, in the transverse direction of the cleaning head, that is, parallel to the wing element of the collection element. This allows an improved entry of the liquid and, therefore, a better drying of the surface being cleaned. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, provides a cleaning head for cleaning the surface, comprising a stirring element that can be engaged with the surface to agitate the cleaning liquid therein, an element for sending a cleaning liquid to the surface in the region of the cleaning element. agitation; an air passage element adapted to be connected to a suction source and having at least one opening for collecting the liquid by suction from the surface; an element for effecting the movement of the stirring element relative to the cleaning head between the operative and non-operative positions of the stirring element, and a valve element operable in accordance with the position of the stirring element, to allow delivery of the liquid cleaner when the stirring element is in its operative position, and preventing the sending of the cleaning liquid when the stirring element is in its inoperative position. The valve element may comprise an element for blocking a tube, passage or orifice for the delivery of the cleaning liquid, in accordance with the position of the stirring element. The agitation element itself can cause such a blockage, or a part or parts of a mechanism for effecting the movement of the agitating element can cause blockage. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a cleaning head may comprise any or all aspects of the invention or features thereof. The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cleaning head, in accordance with the invention, and with an applicator assembly in a raised position. Figure 2 is a plan view below the cleaning head, with parts thereof shown only in sketch. Figure 3 is a partial section on line 3-3 of Figure 2. Figure 4 is a section on line 4-4 of Figure 2. Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4, but with the applicator assembly in a lower position. Referring to the drawings, a cleaning head is usually indicated at 10. It is primarily intended that the cleaning head be used as the cleaning head for a household appliance as shown in Figure 4 of the drawings of our International Patent Application Publication. WO94 / 06342, but it will be noted that a cleaning head can alternatively be used as part of, or in association with, another household appliance, for example, as a cleaning head for cleaning surfaces in connection with a household electrical appliance. Multi-purpose cleaning of the suction cleaner type, and either can be mounted directly on the lower end of a household appliance that is used in a generally vertical or inclined orientation, or can be connected at the free end of a suction hose from a freestanding household appliance. The head 10 comprises a housing 11 which is conveniently a molding of a suitable plastic material, and which is generally in the form of a shallow inverted bowl with an upper wall 12 and front, side, and rear walls 13, 14, 15, respectively. On the upper wall 12 and on the rear part of the body there is a formation 16 terminating in a spout 17, which is configured for the attachment of the cleaning head to a household electrical appliance as referred to above, or, for example, suction hose of a suction cleaning appliance. Behind the rear wall 15, the body has extensions 18 disposed one on each side of the spout 17, and on which they rest, to rotate about the axes 19, and the rollers 20 to mesh with a surface on which they are placed. will use the cleaning head, to help support the cleaning head in relation to this surface. A passage 21 for air flow is defined within the spout 17, which extends back and forth of the cleaning head via a portion 22, at least partially within the formation 16 at the top of the head cleaner, and another transition portion 23 in which the transverse shape of the passage changes from being generally circular, to be narrow and elongated in the direction of the width of the cleaning head. The portion 23 of the passage ends in a downward facing mouth 24, adjacent to the front wall 13 of the head, and the portion 23 of the transition passage is configured in such a way that throughout the change of the transverse shape, this defines a substantially constant cross-sectional area. The housing 11 of the cleaning head receives a collection assembly generally indicated at 25, and described in greater detail hereinafter, cooperating the collection assembly with a surface being cleaned, and communicating with the passage element 21 via of the passage portions 22 and 23, for the collection of the liquid from the surface being cleaned by suction, whose liquid is introduced by air flow to the suction source to which the cleaning head is connected. The housing 11 of the cleaning head also accommodates an applicator assembly generally indicated at 26, as described in greater detail hereinafter, and comprises an element for sending the cleaning liquid to the surface being cleaned, and a stirring element. adapted to stir this liquid, to assist in the cleaning operation. The collection assembly 25, which is indicated in sketch by the chain dotted lines in Figure 2, comprises a body 27 similar in shape to an inverted bowl "opening downward, extending substantially over the full width of the head cleaner, and approximately one third of the distance from the front to the back of the cleaning head, this has a base portion 28 that ends in suitable support formations indicated at 29, on the body of the cleaning head, and secured thereto by screws extending through the base portion 28, and meshing with the formations 29. The base portion 28 has an elongated opening 28a that matches the shape of the mouth 24 of the passage portion 23 , and a sealing ring 30 allows a substantially leak-free connection between the collection element and the mouth 24. The collection element 25 has two backward extensions 38 on which it rests in a rotatable manner more respective support rollers 39, adjacent to the side walls 14 of the cleaning head. The body 27 of the harvesting assembly accommodates two flexible wiper blades 31, 32 spaced apart from each other in the forward and backward direction of the cleaning head and held therein by a retention member 31 with aperture, shaped of inverted U, secured by screws (not shown) to the base portion 28 of the harvesting element, and cooperating with the elongated head portions 34, 35 of the blades 31, 32. The retaining member 33 has an opening 33a in correspondence with the opening 28a, and can incorporate a grid in order to prevent access of large pieces of debris, for example, clothing, so that they do not enter the passage of air flow through the head 'cleaner, without substantially restrict such air flow. The blades 31, 32 are made of rubber or a similar material and are flexible enough to bend forward or backward with the movement of the cleaning head on the surface. The outer surfaces, which face opposite to the blades, are corrugated, as indicated at 36, in a known manner. Considering the front wing 31, when the cleaning head is being pushed forward and the blade bends backwards on the surface being cleaned, the liquid on that surface can flow, through the grooves, into the space between the blades 31 , 32, whereas when the head is moving backwards on the surface, and the blade bends towards the front of the cleaning head, it acts as a squeezing blade or squeegee to retain the liquid in the space between the blades. Because, the liquid enters quickly through the flow of air through the collection element, to be removed from the surface. At the outermost end portions of the pick-up element, such air flow is mainly in the direction parallel to the blades, towards the opening 28a in the base portion of the body 27, such that the liquid is drawn inward towards the central region of the collection element, and then upwards from the surface. The applicator assembly 26 comprises a body 40, which includes a bowl-like portion facing downward, on which is supported a stirring element comprising a pad 41 which includes a block of open cell foam plastic with a layer of foam. in front of a pile of fiber. The body 40 has a backward portion 43 that supports two rows of bristle bunches 44. Both rows of bunches 44 and pad 41 extend through substantially all of the aiicho of the cleaning head. The pad 41 allows the distribution of the cleaning liquid on the surface being cleaned and a gentle agitation of such liquid, while the bristles 44 allow a shaping action on the surface, to assist cleaning if the surface is very dirty, or If the dirt is deeply rooted on the surface. To send the cleaning liquid, which will usually be water containing a suitable detergent, to the stirring pad 41 and thus to the surface being cleaned, the housing 11 has a passage 45 of liquid extending upwards to through this one. At its uppermost end, the passageway 45 extends into an inlet spout 46 to be connected with a flexible tube leading to a container of the cleaning liquid. At its lowermost end, the liquid passage 45 terminates in an outlet spout 47, which is disposed within a pair of generally semi-cylindrical walls 48, which form a local elongation of a bowl formation 49 on the upper side of the body 40 of the applicator assembly 26, and the bowl 49 extends laterally through substantially the entire width of the applicator assembly, and has a number of spaced apart openings 49a leading through the upper body portion 40, within the portion thereof. occupied by the pad 41. In this way, the cleaning liquid can be sent to the applicator assembly to be applied to the surface being cleaned, through the applicator pad. According to the invention, the applicator assembly 26 is mounted to move up and down, relative to the body of the cleaning head. For this purpose, the housing 11 has two laterally spaced posts 50 extending downward from its upper wall 12, and the body 40 of the stirring element has tubular spigots 51 extending upwards, correspondingly spaced, of which each it terminates in a flange 52 extending radially inwardly, which can slide up and down the outer surface of the corresponding post 50. A spring of compression turns 53 is disposed within each spout 51 and is adjacent to flange 52, and the other end of the spring is contiguous with a washer 54 supported by a screw 55, screwed into an upwardly extending hole. in the post 50. In this way, the applicator assembly is guided to move up and down relative to the housing 11 of the cleaning head, but is biased upwardly relative to the same. A transverse arrow extends below the upper wall 12 of the cleaning head housing.; the arrow is held at its opposite ends, in formations 61 extending downwardly from the upper wall 12, for angular movement towards an axis 62. The arrow has a bent portion 63 in its central region for clearing passage portions 22 , 23 on top of the housing of the cleaning head. Adjacent to its ends, the arrow 60 has respective cam formations 64 that can mesh with the upper surface of the body 40 of the applicator assembly 26 of the head. The arrow also has a foot portion 65 engageable with the foot, which extends through an opening in the top wall 12 of the head, in order to be operable in a rocking motion forward or backward, by the foot of a user of the head. When the pedal 65 is in its forward position, as shown in Figures 1 to 3, the applicator assembly 26 is allowed to remain, under the slant of its springs 53, at its most superior position relative to, and substantially inside the housing 11 of the cleaning head. When a user of the cleaning head rocks the pedal 65 backward, the cam formations 64 mesh with the upper surface of the body 40 of the applicator assembly 26 and push the latter downwardly against the bias of the springs 53 until the position shown in Figure 5: The substantially flat end faces of the cam formations 64 squarely abut the upper surface of the body 40 of the applicator assembly; in such a way that such a position is maintained without the need for the user to maintain the back pressure on the pedal 65. When the applicator assembly is in its lowest position relative to the body of the cleaning head, the pad 41 and the bristles 44 project substantially below the housing 11 and the engagement between the cleaning head and a surface being cleaned is mainly by means of the stirring pad 41, although it will be noted that if the head is tilted backward, the rollers 44 they will mesh with the surface and finally, if the backward inclination continues, they will hold the full weight of the cleaning head. Conversely, if the head is tilted forward, the vanes 31, 32 of the collector assembly will mesh with the surface to a greater degree. In the normal position of the cleaning head relative to the surface, however, the predominant engagement of the stirring pad 41 with the surface allows effective cleaning of the surface. When the applicator assembly 26 is lifted relative to the cleaning head to the position in which it is shown in Figures 3 and 4, the operative engagement of the cleaning head with the surface is predominantly via the blades 31, 32 of the element. of collection, although the weight of the cleaning head is maintained in relation to the surface, by means of the rollers 20, 39. In this last condition, the collection and removal of liquid from the surface is better achieved. The control of the delivery of the cleaning liquid to the surface can be carried out by way of a valve that can be operated manually, under the control of the user of the household appliance with which the cleaning head is associated. Preferably, however, the valve element is associated with the applicator assembly 26 or the mechanism for effecting the up and down movement of the applicator assembly, so that the delivery of the cleaning liquid takes place when the applicator assembly is in place. low position, but is avoided when the applicator assembly is in its raised position. In the latter case, the effective drying of the cleaned surface is obtained since the cleaning liquid is no longer being sent to it. Such a valve element in the illustrated embodiment comprises a rubber pad 70 disposed in the elongation of the bowl 49 to block a hole in the end of the exit spout 47 of the passage 45 when the applicator assembly is in its raised position. In an alternative configuration, a portion of flexible tubing of the passageway 45 can be sealed by its compression when the applicator assembly is lifted. In this way, the invention provides a cleaning head having a number of characteristics, as stated above, which improves its effectiveness in use. The features described in the foregoing description, or in the following claims, or in the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of an element to perform the function described, or a method or process to achieve the result described, as appropriate, can be used, separately or in any combination of such characteristics, to perform the invention in different forms thereof.

Claims (18)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION Having described the above invention, it is considered as a novelty, and therefore, the content of the following is claimed as property: CLAIMS

1. A cleaning head (10) for cleaning surfaces comprising a housing (11); a stirring element (26) that can be engaged with the surface to agitate the cleaning liquid therein; elements (45-49) for sending a cleaning liquid to the surface in the region of the stirring element (25); air passage elements (21-24) adapted to be connected to the suction source, - a collection element that can mesh with the surface and communicate with the air passage elements (21-24), for the collection of the liquid from the surface by suction; and elements (60-65) for effecting a relative movement between the agitation element (26) and the collection element (25), in a direction which, in use, is generally perpendicular to the surface being cleaned, by which, either one or the other of the agitation element (26) and the collection element (25), cooperates at least predominantly with the surface.

2. A cleaning head, in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the elements (60-65) to effect a relative movement between the agitation element (26) and the collection element (25) of the head ( 10), comprise an element for effecting the movement of the stirring element relative to the housing between the operative and non-operative positions in a direction which, in use-, is generally perpendicular to the surface being cleaned, while the element collection remains in a fixed position relative to the housing.

3. A cleaning head, according to claim 3, characterized in that the stirring element (26) is biased by a spring to an upper position relative to the housing (11) and can be moved to a lower position on the operation of a member (65) that can be operated with the foot.

4. A cleaning head, according to claim 2, characterized in that the stirring element (26) is mounted for a generally linear movement relative to the housing, being guided for such movement by guide elements (50-55) .

A cleaning head, according to any of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the stirring element (26) comprises an array of bristles (44) supported to extend from a support member (43) toward the surface that is It will clean, in order to have a shaping action on the surface, when the cleaning head is in use.

A cleaning head, according to claim 5, characterized in that the stirring element (26) also comprises an element (41) having a surface of thin flexible packed filaments, such as those provided by a fabric of hair.

7. A cleaning head, according to claim 2, characterized in that the elements (45-49) for sending the cleaning liquid are arranged to send this liquid to a rubber element (41) or plastic foam of cells open that holds said element of hair fabric, to make it resilient and help the distribution of the cleaning liquid.

8. A cleaning head, according to claim 2, characterized in that a valve element (70) is provided that can operate in accordance with the position of the agitation element (26), to allow the delivery of the cleaning liquid when the stirring element is in its operative position, and preventing the sending of the cleaning liquid when the stirring element is in its inoperative position.

9. A cleaning head, in accordance with the claims of Claim 8, characterized in that the valve element (70) comprises an element for blocking a liquid delivery passage, for sending the cleaning fluid, in accordance with the position of the stirring element.

A cleaning head, according to claim 1, characterized in that the collection element (25) includes an opening for the air flow to the air passage elements (21-24) of the cleaning head, whose opening extends substantially along the entire width of the cleaning head, but is of relatively small dimensions in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning head.

A cleaning head, according to claim 10, characterized in that the opening of the collection element is surrounded at the front and the rear part of the opening by a flexible slab or squeegee element (35, 36) that can mesh with the surface being cleaned.

12. A cleaning head, according to claim 11, characterized in that the air passage elements (21-24) of the cleaning head preferably have a mouth portion (24) that communicates with the opening of the harvesting element (25) and which is relatively long and narrow across, to cooperate with the harvesting element, and a transition portion (23, 22) that changes transverse to a circular or almost circular cross section , to connect to the suction source.

13. A cleaning head, according to claim 12, characterized in that the mouth portion (24) is connected to the opening of the collection element in a position generally in the center thereof, and separated from the sides of the head, so that a flow of air is established in the outermost parts of the collection element, in the transverse direction of the cleaning head, and generally parallel to the blade elements (35, 36) of the collection element.

14. A cleaning head, according to claim 1, characterized in that support elements (20, 39) are provided to help hold the head, in use, on a surface that is being cleaned.

15. A cleaning head, in accordance with claim as claimed in Claim 14. characterized in that the support elements (20, 39) comprise rotatable elements, to facilitate oscillation of the cleaning head in the forward and backward direction.

16. A cleaning head, according to claim 14 or claim 15, characterized in that the supporting elements (20, 39) comprise first and second separated support members, the first support members (20) being arranged in the rear part of the cleaning head and rearwardly of the agitation element (26), and the second support members (39) being disposed generally between the agitation element (26) and the collection element (25), which is arranged forwardly of the agitation element (26) in the forward and backward direction of the cleaning head, the support members (20, 39) being arranged in such a way that, when the agitation element (26) is in its lower position in the cleaning head, the head will be supported in use mainly in the first support members (20) in the back of the head, and in the stirring element (26), while, when the agitation element (26) is in its uppermost position, the head will be supported in use primarily in the first and second separate support members (20, 39), and not to some degree significant in the agitation element (26).

17. A cleaning head for cleaning surfaces, which comprises a stirring element (26) that can be engaged with the surface to stir the cleaning liquid thereon, elements for sending a cleaning liquid to the surface in the region of the agitation element; air passage elements (21-24) adapted to be connected to the suction source and having at least one opening (24) for collecting liquid by suction from the surface; elements (60-65) for effecting the movement of the agitation element (26) relative to a body of the cleaning head, between the operative and non-operative positions of the agitation element, and a valve element (70) operating from according to the position of the stirring element (26) to allow the delivery of the cleaning liquid when the stirring element is in its operative position, and to avoid sending the cleaning liquid when the stirring element is in its non-operative position.

18. A cleaning head, according to claim 17, characterized in that the valve element (70) comprises elements to block a liquid delivery passage for sending the cleaning liquid, in accordance with the position of the cleaning element. agitation.