Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02312623 2000-06-27
BP # 5562-946
BERESKIN & PARK CANADA
Title: VACUUM CLEANER HEAD
Inventor(s): Wayne Ernest Conrad
Helmut Gerhard Conrad
Ted Szylowiec
Scott Hamilton
CA 02312623 2000-06-27
Title: VACUUM CLEANER HEAD
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to vacuum cleaner heads having
an agitator such as a rotatably mounted brush. Such vacuum cleaner
heads may be used with upright vacuum cleaners, canister vacuum
cleaners, central vacuum cleaners and the like.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Typically, vacuum cleaners use a vacuum cleaner head
having a dirty air inlet which is in flow communication with a source
of suction (e.g. a motor driven fan unit). When the vacuum cleaner is
turned on, the suction source creates a low pressure area which draws
air into the dirty air inlet. Dirt particles and the like are entrained in
the air flow and transported by the air flow to a dirt separation
mechanism provided with the vacuum cleaner. In order to assist the
entrainment of dirt particles and the like in the air stream entering the
dirty air inlet, an agitator (e.g. a rotatably mounted brush) is provided.
The rotation of the brush agitates the surface (e.g. carpet) over which
the vacuum cleaner head travels. This agitation disturbs the dirt
which is in the carpet so that it may more easily be entrained in the air
entering the dirty air inlet.
It has also been known in the vacuum cleaning art to
include a height adjustment mechanism so that the position of the
rotatably mounted brush with respect to the dirty air inlet may be
adjusted to position the brush for optimal contact between the brush
and the surface being cleaned. In such devices, the brush is mounted
within the casing above the dirty air inlet and as the position of the
brush is adjusted, the distance from the periphery of the brush to the
inner portion of the casing housing the brush varies.
One disadvantage of this approach is that the air gap
between the brush and the inner portion of the casing housing the
brush varies. Accordingly, even if the portion of the casing housing
the brush were aerodynamically designed so as to assist in the travel of
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the dirty air past the brush, the benefit of the aerodynamic shape
would be reduced as the height of the brush is adjusted.
It has been known in vacuum cleaners to include a height
adjustment means to raise the brush so as to remove it from contact
with the surface when the vacuum cleaner is in a bare floor cleaning
mode. Alternately, it has been known to interrupt the rotation of the
brush when the vacuum cleaner is in the bare floor cleaning mode. In
either case, the agitation created by the rotation of the brush is not
available to assist in cleaning when the vacuum cleaner is in the bare
floor cleaning mode.
United States Patent Number 2,930,069 (Kowalewski)
discloses a turbine driven power head which has a flexible vertical
wall which is positioned behind a rotating brush. The flexible vertical
wall has fingers which contact the surface over which the vacuum
cleaner is passed so as to cause the wall to move in the opposite
direction to the direction of travel of the vacuum cleaner head. This is
used to balance the load on the turbine during the travel of the
vacuum cleaner head forward and rearward across the surface.
United States Patent Number 3,936,905 (Stewart et al)
discloses a vacuum cleaner suction tool which has a hand operated
control knob for decreasing the size of the dirty air inlet at the option
of the user.
United States patent Number 2,219,802 (Bjorkman)
discloses a suction nozzle which does not contain a rotating brush. In
one embodiment, the suction nozzle has two inlets, one of which is
larger than the other. A valve is moved to sequentially connect the
smaller and the larger openings. In an alternate embodiment, the
vacuum cleaner has a single dirty air inlet. An inlet to the air flow
path through the vacuum cleaner head is positioned distal to the dirty
air inlet. A valve is provided with the entrance to the air flow path so
as to change the size of the entrance.
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If a turbine is placed in the air flow path, it may become
clogged (such as by hairs or other elongate particulate material) which
may be entrained in the dirty air stream entering the vacuum cleaner
head. Accordingly, it is well known in the industry to mount the
turbine so as to be operated by clean air which enters the vacuum
cleaner head such as through the top of the vacuum cleaner head. One
disadvantage with this approach is that not all of the air which enters
the vacuum cleaner head enters through the dirty air inlet.
Accordingly, a portion of the suction created by the motor is used to
operate the turbine and is not available for use in entraining dirt.
While it is known to locate a turbine in the dirty air flow
path through the vacuum cleaner head, suitable means for preventing
the clogging of the turbine have not been developed.
While vacuum cleaner heads typically extend
substantially across the transverse width of the lower surface of the
vacuum cleaner head, it typically does not extend all the way from one
end to the other. Further, the air flow path through the vacuum
cleaner head is typically in communication with the dirty air inlet at a
single point. Therefore, the force of the suction created by the vacuum
cleaner is distributed more or less evenly across the entire dirty air
inlet. Accordingly, a vacuum cleaner head may not have sufficient
suction adjacent the opposed transverse sides of the dirty air inlet to
effect good edge cleaning, such as at the corner of a surface adjacent a
wall.
In order to increase the efficiency of a vacuum cleaner
head, it is also known to include an agitator, such as a rotatable
mounted brush immediately above the dirty air inlet. As the brush
rotates, it agitates the surface being cleaned (e.g. a carpet) and disturbs
dirt so that it may be more easily entrained in the air entering the dirty
air inlet. For mechanical reasons, the brush does not extend all the way
to the edge of the dirty air inlet and, accordingly, the agitator is not
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available to assist in cleaning the surface adjacent the opposed
transverse sides of the dirty air inlet.
United States Patent Number 4,651,381 (Meidel) discloses a
suction nozzle for cleaning delicate objects. The nozzle does not
include a brush and may be used to clean without coming into contact
with and therefore without mechanical damage to the object to be
cleaned. The nozzle has a nozzle within the dirty air inlet for
producing a jet of air.
United States Patent Number 2,864,119 (Crise) discloses a
vacuum cleaner having a turbine driven by a clean air stream. After
passing through the turbine, clean air is directed intermittently into
the carpet as jets. Sequentially, air is also drawing through an inlet into
the vacuum cleaner head to complete the cleaning action. Continuous
jet action is not provided by Crise. Further, the air jets are distributed
across the entire transverse length of the dirty air inlet of the vacuum
cleaner head.
United States Patent Number 3,107,386 (Mandin) and
United States Patent Number 3,694,848 (Alcala) both produce air jets
across the entire transverse length of the dirty air inlet. Both Mandin
and Alcala use a source of pressurized air exterior to the vacuum
cleaner head to create the air jets.
United States Patent Number 4,300,261 (Woodward et al)
uses a motor to drive an air compressor to create air jets across the
entire transverse length of the dirty air inlet. United States Patent No.
4,315,344 (Woodward et al) uses an air compressor to create jets of air.
The vacuum cleaner head does not include a rotatably mounted brush.
Instead, the jets of air are used to direct dirt towards a dirty air inlet of
the vacuum cleaner head.
It is known in the art to increase the distance of the brush
from the carpet being cleaned as the thickness or pile of the carpet
increases. For example, United States Patent Number 3,683,448
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(Lagerstrom et al) discloses a nozzle height adjustment mechanism for
adjusting the height of a suction inlet with respect to the surface being
cleaned. Lagerstrom et al uses a rotatably mounted axle and a cam
surface which engages a radially off set central portion of the axle. One
disadvantage of this approach is that an operator must manually set
the height of the inlet based upon the operator's evaluation of the
surface being cleaned.
United States Patent Number 5,086,538 (Zahuranec)
discloses a foot operated nozzle height adjustment mechanism. United
States Patent Number 4,513,472 (Wells) also discloses a height
adjustment mechanism which requires initial operation of the device
by the user. The operator then turns the vacuum cleaner on and
slowly steps on an actuator while the front cleaning nozzle is slowly
lowered to the floor. When the proper vacuum is achieved, the nozzle
is fixed at a set height (column 4, lines 32-49). Accordingly, Wells et al
and Zahuranec disclose height adjustment mechanisms which are
manually operable.
United States Patent Number 3,849,823 (Adamson et al)
discloses a floor cleaning apparatus which has a rotatably mounted
brush. When the brush meets an increased resistance in cleaning the
floor covering, the brush is elevated to reduce the resistance to
rotation. The mechanical linkage of Adamson et al is used to reduce
the load on the turbine so as to enable the brush to keep rotating but
does not directly measure monitor the air flow in the vacuum cleaner.
Efficient edge cleaning is typically only required for those
portions of a surface over which the dirty air inlet does not pass.
Examples of such situations are the edges of a floor (e.g. those portions
of a floor adjacent a wall of the structure, or adjacent pieces of
furniture such as pianos, table legs or the like). In these situations, the
dirty air inlet and any rotatably mounted brush provided therewith
can not physically reach all the way to the edge of the surface which is
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being cleaned. It is in these situations where increased edge cleaning is
typically required. While various methods for providing improved
edge cleaning have been disclosed in the art, one disadvantage of these
approaches is that the user must physically actuate the edge cleaning
when it is required. This may be done by converting the vacuum
cleaner to a bare floor cleaning mode or turning a control to actuate
the edge cleaning. See for example United States Patent Number
3,936,905 (Stewart et al).
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the instant invention, a
housing is provided for mounting the brush. The housing itself
moves with respect to the dirty air inlet so as to enable the vacuum
cleaner head to maintain an optimal spacing between the perimeter of
the brush and the interior of the housing. Accordingly, if the housing
is aerodynamically shaped so as to provide an aerodynamic air flow
path around the brush through the housing, the aerodynamic air flow
path is maintained as the height of the brush is adjusted with respect
to the dirty air inlet. By providing an aerodynamically shaped housing,
the efficiency of the vacuum cleaner head may be increased thereby
increasing the efficiency of the vacuum cleaner and/or decreasing the
size of the motor which is required for the vacuum cleaner.
In accordance with this aspect of the instant invention
there is therefore provided a vacuum cleaner head for cleaning a
surface comprising (a) a casing having a lower surface and an air flow
path, the air flow path including a dirty air inlet provided in the lower
surface, the air flow path connectable to a source of suction; (b) a
housing mounted above the dirty air inlet and movably mounted
with respect to the dirty air inlet; and, (c) a brush rotatably mounted
within the housing.
The housing may have an air inlet in air flow
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communication with the dirty air inlet and the brush may be mounted
at a fixed position in the housing with respect to the air inlet.
In another embodiment, the housing is mounted within
the casing for movement of the housing towards and away from the
dirty air inlet.
In another embodiment, the housing is mounted to float
freely within the casing.
In another embodiment, the casing further comprises a
vertically extending track and the housing is moveable mounted on
the track. The track may be configured for free movement of the
housing on the track. Alternately, or in addition, the vacuum cleaner
head may further comprise a power source and a drive member
drivingly connecting the power source to the brush for rotatably
driving the brush and the track is configured with respect to the power
source to maintain a generally constant tension in the drive member.
In another embodiment, the housing is aerodynamically
shaped whereby, as the housing moves with respect to the dirty air
inlet, the aerodynamic flow of air through the housing is maintained.
In another embodiment, the housing has an air inlet
defined by spaced apart opposed sides in air flow communication with
the dirty air inlet and an inner wall extending from one of the opposed
sides to the other of the opposed sides, the inner wall having a
downstream portion, the downstream portion having an air outlet, at
least a portion of the downstream portion extending outwardly away
from the brush.
In another embodiment, the vacuum cleaner head further
comprises a manually adjustable control (eg. a foot operated pedal)
drivingly connected to the housing whereby a person can manually
raise the housing, and therefore the brush, with respect to the surface
on which the vacuum cleaner head is positioned.
In another embodiment, the vacuum cleaner head further
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comprises a pressure sensor to automatically raise or lower the
housing in response to the air pressure in the air flow path
downstream of the dirty air inlet and preferably downstream of the air
outlet from the housing.
In accordance with this aspect of the instant invention,
there is also provided a vacuum cleaner head for cleaning a surface
comprising (a) a casing having a dirty air inlet; (b) enclosing means
mounted above the dirty air inlet defining an air flow path around an
agitation means mounted therein; (c) connecting means for
connecting the air flow means with a source of suction; and, (d) height
adjustment means for movement of the enclosing means with respect
to the dirty air inlet.
In one embodiment, the agitation means is mounted at a
fixed position in the enclosing means.
In another embodiment, the height adjustment means
comprises mounting means for free movement of the enclosing
means towards and away from the dirty air inlet.
In another embodiment, the enclosing means has an air
inlet, an air outlet and is aerodynamically shaped to provide an
aerodynamic flow of air around the agitation means from the air inlet
to the air outlet whereby, as the enclosing means moves with respect
to the dirty air inlet, the aerodynamic flow of air through the enclosing
means is maintained.
In another embodiment, the vacuum cleaner head further
comprises lift off means for raising the enclosing means, and therefore
the brush, with respect to the surface on which the vacuum cleaner
head is positioned. The lift off means may be manually actuatable by a
person. The lift off means may comprise sensing means to raise or
lower the enclosing means in response to the air pressure in the air
flow path downstream of the dirty air inlet.
In another embodiment, the enclosing means has an air
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outlet and the sensing means is reactive to the air pressure in the air
flow path downstream of the air outlet.
In accordance with the instant invention, there is also
provided a method of cleaning a surface using a vacuum cleaner
comprising (a) providing a vacuum cleaner head having a casing with
a dirty air inlet, a housing movably mounted within the casing and a
brush mounted within the housing; (b) moving the vacuum cleaner
head over the surface; (c) entraining dirt on the surface to form a dirty
air stream which enters an air flow path extending from the dirty air
inlet to a source of suction; (d) passing the dirty air stream from the
dirty air inlet into the housing; and, (e) adjusting the position of the
housing with respect to the dirty air inlet to allow for aerodynamic air
flow around the brush whereby the surface is cleaned.
In another embodiment, the method further comprises
automatically adjusting the position of the housing with respect to the
dirty air inlet in response to the amount of air flowing through the
dirty air inlet.
In accordance with another aspect of the instant
invention, a vacuum cleaner head is provided which will maintain
efficient cleaning when a rotatable brush is converted to a bare floor
cleaning mode. When the brush is moved to the bare floor cleaning
mode, the size of the dirty air inlet is reduced so as to increase the air
flow through the dirty air inlet to at least in part compensate for the
absence of the agitation provided by the rotating brush. Movement of
the restricting member may be caused by the brush being converted to
the bare floor cleaning mode. Alternately, movement of the restricting
member may result in the brush moving to the bare floor cleaning
mode. In a further alternate embodiment, the movement of the brush
to the bare floor cleaning mode and the movement of the restricting
member are actuated by the same control member (which may be
manually operable or may result from the upper casing of the vacuum
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cleaner moving to the upright storage position) if the vacuum cleaner
head is affixed to an upright vacuum cleaner.
Therefore, in accordance with this aspect of the instant
invention, there is provided a vacuum cleaner head for cleaning a
surface comprising a casing having a lower surface and an air flow
path, the air flow path including a dirty air inlet provided in the lower
surface, a brush rotatably mounted in the casing and movably
mounted with respect to the dirty air inlet, a restricting member
mounted in the casing and moveable between a neutral position and a
restricting position in which the restricting member reduces the size of
the air flow path and, a control member drivingly connected to at least
one of the restricting member and the brush to move the restricting
member between the neutral and restricting positions as the brush is
moved with respect to the dirty air inlet.
In accordance with this aspect of the invention, the
vacuum cleaner head may be adapted to enhance the efficiency of the
vacuum cleaner head any time which is required by the user. To this
end, a restricting member is provided which is operable so as to reduce
the size of the dirty air inlet when actuated by a control member. As
opposed to the prior art, by directly affecting the size of the dirty air
inlet, the velocity of the air entering the vacuum cleaner head is
increased thereby assisting in the entrainment of dirt into the vacuum
cleaner head. Thus, in accordance with another embodiment of this
invention there is provided a vacuum cleaner head for cleaning a
surface comprising a casing having a lower surface and an air flow
path, the air flow path including a dirty air inlet provided in the lower
surface, a restricting member mounted in the casing and moveable
between a neutral position and a restricting position in which the
restricting member reduces the size of the air flow path at a position
adjacent the dirty air inlet and, a control member drivingly connected
to the restricting member to move the restricting member between the
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neutral and restricting positions.
In accordance with this aspect of the invention there is
also provided a vacuum cleaner head for cleaning a surface
comprising a casing having a lower surface and an air flow path, the
air flow path including a dirty air inlet provided in the lower surface
and an air outlet, the dirty air inlet having a central portion and side
portions positioned on either side of the central portion, restricting
means moveable between a neutral position and a restricting position
and cooperative with the dirty air inlet for reducing the size of the air
flow path at a position adjacent the dirty air inlet and, a control means
drivingly connected to the restricting means to move the restricting
means between the neutral and restricting positions.
In accordance with this aspect of the instant invention,
there is also provided a method of cleaning a surface using a vacuum
cleaner head having a lower surface having a dirty air inlet, an air
outlet and an air flow path there between, the method comprising
introducing dirty air into the dirty air inlet and, selectively reducing
the size of the dirty air inlet to increase the rate of air flow through the
dirty air inlet.
In accordance with another aspect of the instant
invention, cutting means are provided in the air flow path for
reducing the size of a portion of a particulate material entering the
dirty air inlet. Thus, materials such as hair and the like may be cut into
smaller portions so as to avoid clogging or filing the turbine. In
addition, by reducing the size of such elongate material, the likelihood
of the air flow path downstream of the turbine becoming clogged is
reduced. Accordingly, the efficiency of the vacuum cleaner head, and
in fact the entire vacuum cleaning system, may be maintained at a
higher level.
Accordingly, in accordance with this aspect of the instant
invention there is provided a vacuum cleaner head for cleaning a
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surface comprising a casing having a dirty air inlet for receiving an air
flow having entrained particulate material, an air outlet and an air
flow path extending between the dirty air inlet and the air outlet, a first
member having a cutting edge and, a second member cooperative with
the first member for reducing the size of a portion of the particulate
material entering the dirty air inlet.
In accordance with this aspect of the invention there is
also provided a vacuum cleaner head for cleaning a surface
comprising a casing having a dirty air inlet for receiving an air flow
having entrained particulate material, an air outlet and an air flow
path extending between the dirty air inlet and the air outlet and,
cutting means positioned in the air flow path for reducing the size of a
portion of the particulate material entering the dirty air inlet.
In accordance with this aspect of the instant invention
there is also provided a method of cleaning a surface using a vacuum
cleaner head having a dirty air inlet, an air outlet and an air flow path
there between, the method comprising introducing dirty air having
entrained particulate material into the dirty air inlet and, reducing the
size of a portion of the particulate material as it passes through the air
flow path.
The vacuum cleaner head may include a motive force
means for producing motive power in response to the air flow
through the vacuum cleaner head and the method further comprises
using the motive force means to reduce the size of a portion of the
particulate material as it passes through the air flow path. The motive
force means may comprise a turbine and the method further
comprises reducing the size of a portion of the particulate material as it
passes by the turbine.
The method may further comprise conveying the dirty air
having entrained particulate matter from the air outlet to filtration
means to remove particulate matter from the air.
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In accordance with another aspect of the instant
invention, a secondary air flow path is provided which is in
communication with the lower surface of the vacuum cleaner head at
a position exterior to the dirty air inlet (e.g. adjacent the longitudinal
sides of the vacuum cleaner head). In this way, the secondary air
source may be used to assist in cleaning the surface at a position
exterior to the path of travel of the dirty air inlet. Accordingly, even if
the vacuum cleaner includes an agitator such a rotatably mounted
brush, the opening of the air flow path may be positioned between the
transverse end of the brush and the longitudinal side of the vacuum
cleaner so as to provide cleaning action on a portion of the surface
which is not contacted by the brush as it travels across the surface.
Accordingly, in accordance with this aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a vacuum cleaner head for cleaning a
surface when in flow communication with a source of suction, the
vacuum cleaner head comprising a casing having a dirty air inlet for
receiving an air flow, an air outlet and an air flow path extending
between the dirty air inlet and the air outlet, the air outlet connectable
with the source of suction, a brush rotatably mounted in the casing, a
main turbine drivenly connectable with the source of suction, an edge
cleaning turbine drivenly connectable with the source of suction and,
an edge cleaning air flow path positioned exterior to the dirty air inlet
extending between the edge cleaning turbine and at least one opening
in the casing facing the surface whereby, during use, the edge cleaning
turbine causes air to flow through the air flow path for cleaning the
surface adjacent the at least one opening.
Vacuum cleaners which have a rotatably mounted brush
typically are operable in two modes, namely a first mode in which in
which the brush is rotating and is in contact with the floor and a
second bare floor cleaning. In the bare floor cleaning mode, the brush
may still be rotating but raised above the surface so as not to scratch or
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otherwise mar the surface. Alternately, the rotation of the brush may
be discontinued. In either case, the valve may automatically move to
the open (or the further opened) position when the vacuum cleaner
head is switched to the bare floor cleaning mode.
The vacuum cleaner head may further comprise a control
member drivingly connected to the brush to selectively raise the brush
from the surface whereby raising the brush causes the main turbine
and the edge cleaning turbine to rotate faster thereby increasing the air
flow through the air flow path for cleaning the surface adjacent the at
least one opening.
In accordance with this aspect of the instant invention,
there is also provided a vacuum cleaner head for cleaning a surface
comprising a casing having a dirty air inlet, an air outlet and a main
air flow path extending there between, motive force means positioned
in the main air flow path for producing power in response to the air
flow through the vacuum cleaner head, a secondary air flow path
positioned exterior to the main air flow path and in flow
communication with the surface via air flow means positioned
exterior to the dirty air inlet and, means for generating an air flow
through the secondary air flow path.
In accordance with this aspect of the instant invention,
there is also provided a method of cleaning a surface using a vacuum
cleaner head having a dirty air inlet, an air outlet and a main air flow
path there between, the method comprising introducing dirty air into
the dirty air inlet, using a supplemental air flow through a secondary
air flow path separate to the main air flow path to assist in cleaning a
portion of the surface over which the vacuum cleaner head is passed
which is exterior to the portion of the surface over which the dirty air
inlet is passed and, using motive force means for producing motive
power in response to the air flow through the main air flow path to
generate an air flow through the secondary air flow path.
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In accordance with another aspect of the instant
invention, pressure sensor means is provided for automatically
adjusting the height of an agitator (e.g. a rotatably mounted brush)
based upon changes in the air pressure in the air flow path through a
vacuum cleaner head. Accordingly, if the brush has excessive contact
with the surface being cleaned (e.g. a carpet) the amount of air flow
into the dirty air inlet will decrease. As the air flow through the air
flow path in the vacuum cleaner head decreases, there is a decrease in
the pressure in the air flow path and the brush is raised. This is a
dynamic responsive system which allows the brush to maintain an
optimal position with respect to the surface being cleaned.
Accordingly, there is provided a vacuum cleaning head
for cleaning a surface comprising a casing having a dirty air inlet for
receiving an air flow, an air outlet and an air flow path extending
between the dirty air inlet and the air outlet, a brush mounted above
the dirty air inlet and movably mounted with respect to the dirty air
inlet and, a pressure sensor drivingly connected to the brush to move
the brush with respect to the dirty air inlet in response to the air
pressure in the air flow path downstream of the dirty air inlet.
In accordance with this aspect of the instant invention, a
method and apparatus is provided whereby the enhanced edge
cleaning is automatically actuated when a user vacuums adjacent the
edge of a floor. In such a case, the vacuum cleaner is automatically
converted to the enhanced edge cleaning mode. Accordingly, one
advantage of the instant invention is that the vacuum cleaner
automatically adjusts the edge cleaning as may be required depending
upon the proportion of the floor which is being cleaned. Further,
given that a user may not wish to continually actuate a knob or control
to engage the edge cleaning feature of a vacuum cleaner, it is more
likely that a surface may be properly cleaned thus enhancing the user
satisfaction of the vacuum cleaner.
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Therefore, in accordance with this aspect of the instant
invention there is also provided a vacuum cleaner head for cleaning a
surface comprising (a) a casing having a front end, a rear end,
longitudinal sides extending from the front end towards the rear end,
a lower plate having an upper surface and a lower surface, and an air
flow path, the air flow path including a dirty air inlet provided in the
lower surface; (b) at least one member selected from the group:
(i) a restricting member mounted in the casing and
moveable between a neutral position and a
restricting position in which the restricting member
reduces the size of the air flow path; and,
(ii) an edge cleaning member operable between a
first position and a second position in which
increased edge cleaning is provided; and,
(c) a control member engagable with a vertically extending member of
the area being cleaned by the vacuum cleaner head and drivingly
connected to at least one of the restricting member and the edge
cleaning member to operate the respective one of the restricting
member and the edge cleaning member due to contact between the
control member and the vertically extending member.
In accordance with this aspect of the instant invention,
there is also provided a vacuum cleaner head for cleaning a surface
comprising (a) a casing having a front end, a rear end, longitudinal
sides extending from the front end towards the rear end, a lower plate
having an upper surface and a lower surface, and an air flow path, the
air flow path including a dirty air inlet provided in the lower surface;
(b) edge cleaning means; and, (c) control means drivingly connected to
the edge cleaning means to operate the edge cleaning means due to
contact between the control means and a vertically extending member
of the area being cleaned by the vacuum cleaner head.
In accordance with this aspect of the instant invention,
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there is also provided a method of cleaning a surface using a vacuum
cleaner head having a lower surface having a dirty air inlet, an air
outlet and an air flow path there between, the method comprising (a)
introducing dirty air into the dirty air inlet; and, (b) selectively
providing edge cleaning by engaging a portion of the casing with a
vertically extending surface of the area being cleaned by the vacuum
cleaner head.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other advantages of the instant invention will
be more fully and completely understood in accordance with the
following description of the preferred embodiments of the invention
in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of an upright vacuum
cleaner with the upper casing in the upright storage position;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the vacuum cleaner
shown in Figure 1 with the upper casing in a lowered
vacuuming/storage position;
Figure 3 is a cut away top perspective view of the vacuum
cleaner head of Figure 1;
Figure 4 is an enlarged cut away partial view of a first
alternate embodiment of the vacuum cleaner head of Figure 3;
Figure 5 is a cut away top perspective view of a second
alternate embodiment of the vacuum cleaner head of Figure 3;
Figure 5a is an enlargement of a portion of the vacuum
cleaner head of Figure 5;
Figure 6 is a top plan view with the upper portion of the
casing removed of the vacuum cleaner head of Figure 3;
Figure 7 is a side plan view of the lift off means for raising
the brush and/or housing wherein the lift off means has been
manually actuated by means of a pedal;
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Figure 8 is a side plan view of the lift off means of Figure 7
wherein the housing has been raised with respect to the dirty air inlet
due to a reduced pressure in the air flow path through the vacuum
cleaner head;
Figure 9 is a side plan view of the lift off means of Figure 6
wherein the housing and the brush are in a lowered ground engaging
mode;
Figure 9a is an enlargement of the pedal actuator for the
lift off means of Figure 6;
Figure 10 is a top plan view of an alternate embodiment of
the vacuum cleaner head of Figure 1 wherein the turbine, brush
housing and a portion of the lift off means have been removed and
the restricting member is in the restricting position;
Figure 10a is a alternate embodiment of the vacuum
cleaner head of Figure 10;
Figure 10b is a further alternate embodiment of the
vacuum cleaner head of Figure 10;
Figure lOc is a further alternate embodiment of the
vacuum cleaner head of Figure 10;
Figure 11 is a top plan view of the vacuum cleaner head of
Figure 10 with the restricting manner in the neutral position;
Figure 12 is a cross section along the line of 12-12 of the
vacuum cleaner head of Figure 10;
Figure 13 is a cross section along the lines of 13-13 of the
vacuum cleaner head of Figure 11;
Figure 14 is a perspective view of an alternate
embodiment of the turbine and turbine housing shown in Figure 3;
and,
Figure 15 is a cross section along the line 15-15 in Figure
14.
CA 02312623 2000-06-27
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DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
According to the preferred embodiment of Figures 1 and 2,
a vacuum cleaner comprises a vacuum cleaner head 10 and an upper
casing 12. Vacuum cleaner head 10 is provided with glide means for
permitting vacuum cleaner head 10 to move over a surface being
cleaned (eg. front wheels 14 and rear wheels 16). Upper casing 12 is
provided with handle 18 and is pivotally mounted with respect to
vacuum cleaner head 10 by any means known in the art (such as by
pivotal air flow conduit 34 as shown in Figure 5). In the case of an
upright vacuum cleaner, a spring may be used to offset the weight of
the handle, such as compression spring 48.
Vacuum cleaner head 10 may be for use with any vacuum
cleaning system known in the industry. Accordingly, vacuum cleaner
head 10 may be used with an upright vacuum cleaner as shown in
Figures 1 and 2. Alternately, for example, it may be used with a central
vacuum system or with a canister vacuum system. As such, the motor
for providing suction may be positioned in upper casing 12 or as part
of the canister body or the central vacuum cleaning body as is known
in the art. Further, it will be appreciated that vacuum cleaner head 10
may be modified to include a motor positioned therein.
The vacuum cleaner may use any dirt separation
mechanism known in the industry. For example, upper casing 12 may
include a filter bag or a cyclone separation mechanism.
Figure 3 shows a cut away, top perspective view of a
preferred embodiment of vacuum cleaner head 10. In this figure,
vacuum cleaner head 10 comprises a casing 20 having a front end 22, a
rear end 24, and spaced apart sides 26 which extend longitudinally
from front end 22 towards rear end 24. Casing 20 has a lower surface 28,
an upper surface 30 and side surfaces 32 extending there between. The
actual shape of casing 20 may vary for design reasons and need not be
of any particular size or shape.
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As shown in Figure 6, the forward position of vacuum
cleaner head 10 is provided with dirty air inlet 40. Dirty air inlet 40
may be of any construction and positioning known in the art.
Generally, dirty air inlets for vacuum cleaner heads comprise
transversely extending openings provided in lower surface 28 having
transversely extending sides 42 and spaced opposed ends 44 (see Figure
10). Cleaner head 10 further includes a dirty air outlet 46 for connecting
vacuum cleaner head 10 in air flow communication with the dirt
separation mechanism which is positioned downstream thereof. An
air flow path extends through vacuum cleaner head 10 between dirty
air inlet 40 and air outlet 46 such that dirty air inlet 40 is in air flow
communication with the dirt separation mechanism and the source of
suction. Air outlet 46 may be a pivotally mounted member in casing 20
as is known in the art or it may be connectable with a pivotally
moveable member.
In a preferred embodiment of this invention, vacuum
cleaner head 10 may have a housing 50 for receiving a brush 60
wherein the housing is movably mounted with respect to dirty air
inlet 40.
Brush 60 may be any agitation means known in the
vacuum cleaner art for assisting the cleaning action of a vacuum
cleaner head. It may be a stationary member or a member that is
moved (eg. rotated or vibrated) so as to disturb dirt on the surface
being cleaned. Preferably, brush 60 comprises a rotatably mounted
brush having a plurality of bristles 62 provided thereon so as to agitate,
for example, a carpet as brush 60 is rotated. Brush 60 may be rotatably
mounted and rotatably driven by any means known in the art. For
example, as shown in Figure 3, brush 60 may be rotatably driven in
housing 50 by means of an electric motor (as is known in the art) or by
a drive belt 80. When brush 60 is rotating and in contact with the
surface being cleaned the vacuum cleaner head is in a surface cleaning
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mode. It is also known to use vacuum cleaners to clean floors having a
surface which may be scratched by a rotating brush (eg. wood flooring)
and for vacuum cleaners to have a nozzle provided on the end of a
hose for use in cleaning, for example, furniture, crevices or the like.
Vacuum cleaners may be converted to such a canister or bare floor
mode by interrupting the rotation of the brush or by raising the brush
while the brush is still rotating. Various means are known in the art
for so converting a vacuum cleaner head.
Housing 50 may be any enclosing means mounted above
the dirty air inlet for receiving brush 60 and defining an air flow path
around the brush 60. Housing 50 has an air inlet 52 which is in air flow
communication with dirty air inlet 40 and an air outlet 54 which is in
air flow communication with the air flow path through vacuum
cleaner head 10. Housing 50 may be of any particular design.
As shown in Figures 4, 5 and 12, housing 50 may have
spaced apart opposed sides 56 which are in air flow communication
with dirty air inlet 40 and define an inner wall 58 which extends from
one opposed side 56 to the other opposed side 56 and has a curved
upper section. Air path 68 (which is defined as the space between brush
60 and inner wall 58 of housing 50) has an upstream portion 64 and a
downstream portion 66 and extends around brush 60. Accordingly,
when the source of suction is actuated, air is drawn in through air
inlet 52, through air path 68 to air outlet 54 where it travels through
the air flow path through vacuum cleaner head 10.
Preferably, housing 50 is aerodynamically shaped so as to
assist the flow of air into the air flow path through the vacuum
cleaner and around brush 60. Housing 50 may be aerodynamically
shaped by positioning at least a portion of downstream portion 66
radially outwardly of brush 60 compared to upstream portion 64 of air
path 68. Accordingly, a pumping action would be created as the air
travels through air path 68 thus assisting the air flow through air path
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68 and assisting to maintain the entrainment of suspended particulate
matter and the air travelling through the air path 68.
It will be appreciated that brush 60 is preferably mounted
at a fixed position in housing 50 with respect to air inlet 52. However,
in an alternate embodiment, vertical movement of brush 60 with
respect to housing 50 may be permitted.
Housing 50 is movably mounted with respect to dirty air
inlet 40 for movement towards and away from dirty air inlet 40 and is
preferably mounted above dirty air inlet 40 for vertical movement
with respect to dirty air inlet 40. Accordingly, if brush 60 is mounted at
a fixed position with respect to housing 50, the aerodynamic flow of air
around brush 60 will be maintained as housing 50 (and accordingly
brush 60) are moved to accommodate different surfaces over which
vacuum cleaner head 10 travels.
Housing 50 may be movably mounted with respect to dirty
air inlet 40 by any means. For example, it will be appreciated that no
external member may be connected to housing 50 or brush 60.
Accordingly, housing 50 may float freely upwardly and downwardly
along track 70 as vacuum cleaner head 10 passes along a surface. In an
alternate embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, track 70 may be provided
on the inner surface of spaced apart sides 26. Track 70 may, for
example, have a slot 72 for receiving an engagement member 74 (see
Figure 6). Engagement member 74 may be an axle to which housing 50
is affixed and about which brush 60 is rotatably mounted by means of
bearings which are positioned internally of brush 60 and are
accordingly not shown in Figure 6. Accordingly, brush 60 may move
towards and away from dirty air inlet 40 as housing 50 travels along
track 70.
Track 70 comprises a height adjustment means which
allows housing 50 (and accordingly brush 60) to float freely with
respect to dirty air inlet 40. It will be appreciated that vacuum cleaner
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head 10 may also include a lift off means for automatically adjusting
the height of housing 50 (and accordingly brush 60) with respect to
dirty air inlet 40 (eg. if the upper casing is moved to the upright storage
position shown in Figure 1). Alternately, a manually adjustable
actuated lift-off means may be used so as to permit an operator to
manually raise brush 60 (eg. by a foot operated pedal or a hand
operated lever) when the brush will be running for an extended period
of time with vacuum cleaner head 10 in a fixed position (such as if the
vacuum cleaner is also designed to be used in a bare floor mode). Any
such device known in the art to adjust the height of brush 60 may be
used with housing 50.
As brush 60 moves with respect to dirty air inlet 40, the
amount of tension in belt 80 may vary. Accordingly, track 70 may be
shaped so as to maintain a constant tension in belt 80 as housing 50
(and accordingly brush 60) move within casing 20. To this end, as
shown in Figure 3, track 70 may have a lower portion 76 and an upper
portion 78 wherein the upper portion is displaced (e.g. curved
rearwardly) so as to maintain a relatively constant tension in belt 80
when brush 60 is at the upper extent of its travel in track 70.
Brush 60 may also be movably mounted with respect to
dirty air inlet 40 by means of pivot arms 82 (see Figure 4). Pivot arms
82 may be connected, for example, to the inner surface of
longitudinally extending sides 26 by means of pivots 84. The opposed
end of pivot arms 82 may be pivotally mounted to either housing 50 or
brush 60 by means of pivots 86.
While brush 60 may be driven by any drive members
known in the art, it is preferred to use a main turbine 90 which is
positioned in the air flow path in vacuum cleaner head 10. As shown
in Figures 4 and 5, main turbine 90 is rotatably mounted in main
turbine housing 92. Housing 92 is sized to receive and is preferably
slightly larger than main turbine 90. If main turbine 90 ~ is a
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longitudinally extending member as shown in Figure 6, then housing
92 has transversally extending sides 94 and spaced opposed sides 96 and
has an inlet 98 and an outlet 100. Inlet 98 is in air flow
communication with dirty air inlet 40 such as via air outlet 54 of
housing 50. It will be appreciated that if vacuum cleaner head 10 does
not include housing 50, that inlet 98 may be in direct communication
with dirty air inlet 40. Air outlet 100 is in air flow communication
with air outlet 46.
Main turbine 94 has a plurality of blades 104. When the
suction source is activated, dirty air travelling through main turbine
housing 92 contacts blades 104 causing main turbine 90 to rotate.
Preferably, main turbine 90 is non-rotatably mounted on drive shaft
102. Further, transfer member 106 may be non-rotatably mounted on
drive shaft 102 and may have a recessed portion for receiving drive
belt 80. Thus, main turbine 90 is drivingly connected to brush 60 to
cause rotation thereof via belt 80. It will be appreciated that other
flexible drive means such as a drive chain or the like may also be used.
An electric generator 124 may be used to produce electricity to operate
lights 126.
Housing 50 may be provided with a flag means 36 (see
Figure 3) which is visible in window 38 of casing 20 (see Figures 1 and
2) when housing 50 is in the raised position. Flag means 36 may be any
member that will provide a visual signal to a user, such a coloured or
fluorescent coated member. In an alternate embodiment, if vacuum
cleaner head 10 does not include a housing 50, as in some of the other
preferred embodiments of this invention, then flag means 36 may be
provided on the lift off mechanism or the brush mount.
In another preferred embodiment, vacuum cleaner head
10 includes sensing means to move brush 60 with respect to dirty air
inlet 40 in response to the air pressure in the air flow path
downstream of dirty air inlet 40 and, preferably, downstream of main
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turbine 90. Referring to Figures 4 and 5, a pressure sensor 110 is
provided in vacuum cleaner head 10. Pressure sensor 110 is in air flow
communication with the air flow path through vacuum cleaner head
via passage 112 having a first end 114 and a second end 116. First
5 end 114 may be in air flow communication with any portion of the air
flow path through vacuum cleaner head 10, but, preferably, it is in
communication with the air flow path downstream of housing 50 and,
more preferably, downstream of main turbine 90, such as air outlet 46.
It will be appreciated that the sensing means may be used
10 in a vacuum cleaner head 10 which does not include a housing 50. In
such a case, the sensing means may still be in communication with
any portion of the air flow path through vacuum cleaner head 10.
Pressure sensor 110 may be any sensing means reactive to
a pressure differential that may be drivingly connected by any means
known in the art to cause movement of housing 50 depending upon
the air pressure in air outlet 46. If vacuum cleaner head 10 does not
include a housing, pressure sensor 110 may be directly drivingly
connected to brush 60 by any means known in the art. Pressure sensor
110 may be any mechanical or electrical member which is drivingly
connected to housing 50 and/or brush 60 and which is responsive to
the air pressure in, for example, air outlet 46 to cause movement of
housing 50 and/or brush 60. Preferably, pressure sensor 110 is
drivingly mechanically connected to brush 50 and/or housing 60.
Referring to Figure 7-9, pressure sensor 110 is deformable
member, such as a diaphragm, which will contract when the pressure
in air outlet 46 is reduced. Accordingly, pressure sensor 110 may
comprise a cylindrical shaped member having a rigid lower surface 120
and a peripheral wall 118. For simplicity, in Figures 7-9, pressure
sensor 110 has been shown to be in air flow communication with air
path 68 within housing 50 by means of passage 112'. It will be
appreciated that the operation of pressure sensor 110 will function as
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long as it is in air flow communication with a portion of the air flow
path through vacuum cleaner head 10. However, if this position is
downstream of main turbine 90, it will be more reactive to a decreased
rotation of the main turbine 90.
All or a portion of pressure sensor 110 may be deformable
so as to be reduced in size when the pressure in pressure sensor 110 is
reduced below a desired value. As shown in Figures 7-9, for example,
pressure sensor 110 may have a top member 122 which is deformable.
Accordingly, top member 122 may be made of a resilient material. It
will be appreciated that pressure sensor 110 may be any member which
contracts due to a reduced pressure in the air flow path. For example,
in addition to being a deformable member, such as resilient top
member 122, pressure sensor 110 may comprise a piston housing
including a piston.
Pressure sensor 110 may be mechanically linked to
housing 50 such as by drive arm 130. Drive arm 130 has a first end 132
which is connected to the upper portion of housing 50 via pivot 136.
Drive arm 130 also has a second end 134 which abuts top member 122
of pressure sensor 110. Drive arm 130 is itself mounted for pivotable
motion within casing 10 such as by pivot 138 which may extend
transversely inwardly from inner surface of longitudinal side 26 (see
Figure 3). Second end 134 may be movably connected with top member
122 by any means known in the art. For example, second end 134 may
be physically attached such as by an adhesive to top member 122.
Alternately, it may be pivotally connected to a mounting member
provided on top member 22 (not shown). By physically connecting
second end 134 to top member 122, movement of top member 122 will
cause the inverse motion of housing 50 due to drive arm 130 pivoting
around pivot 138. Thus, if the volume of pressure sensor 110 is
decreased due to a decrease in the air pressure in passage 112', then first
end 132 will be raised consequentially raising housing 50 and brush 60
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with respect to dirty air inlet 40.
In operation, when the vacuum cleaner is operated, the
suction source will cause air to enter via dirty air inlet 40 and to travel
through main turbine 90. If a blockage occurs in the air flow path (for
example brush 60 picks up a large object, such as the free end of a rug) a
portion of the air flow path (e.g. air path 68) will be blocked causing a
reduction in the pressure in the air flow path. This reduction in
pressure is transmitted via passage 112' to pressure sensor 110. In view
of this pressure reduction, top member 122 deforms inwardly thus
pulling second end 134 of drive arm 130 downwardly and causing
housing 50 to be raised. By raising housing 50, brush 60 may be
disengaged from the surface thus permitting the air flow through the
dirty air path to be resumed. Thus, when the vacuum cleaner is in its
normal operating mode and there is no blockage, then pressure sensor
110 will not deform permitting brush 60 to contact the surface being
cleaned (see Figure 9). However, if there is a blockage, then the
increased negative pressure in the air flow path will cause pressure
sensor 110 to deform (see Figure 8). Accordingly, pressure sensor
allows for the automatic adjustment of the position of housing 50 (or
brush 60) with respect to dirty air inlet 40 in response to the amount of
air flowing through dirty air inlet 40. Thus a dynamic response system
is created using a simple mechanical linkage.
It will be appreciated that pressure sensor 110 acts as a lift
off means to raise and lower the brush with respect to the dirty air
inlet and may be used with or without housing 50. Further, the lift off
means may be used without a main turbine 90 drivingly connected to
brush 60 (in which case the brush may be any motive force means such
as a motor). Optionally, vacuum cleaner head 10 may further comprise
a manually adjustable control which is independent of the pressure
sensor lift off means to raise and lower the brush and/or the housing
when the vacuum cleaner is to be used in a bare floor cleaning mode.
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Such devices are known in the art. Alternately, in another
embodiment, vacuum cleaner head 10 may include a manually
adjustable control which is co-operatively associated with drive arm
130 whereby drive member 130 comprises a mechanical linkage which
may adjust the position of the housing/brush due to a pressure
differential in the air flow path or due to actuation of a manually
adjustable control.
The manually adjustable control is preferably a foot
operated pedal 140. Pedal 140 may be pivotally mounted to casing 20 by
means of pivot 142 provided in arm portion 144. Pedal 140 may be
disposed to a raised position by any biasing means known in the art
such as spring 146. The end of arm portion 144 opposed to foot pedal
140 has a drive member 148. Drive member 148 comprises an
abutment surface 150 (see Figure 9a).
Drivenly connected to drive member 148 is ratchet wheel
152 which is rotatably mounted about axle 154. A plurality of teeth 156
are provided on one side of ratchet wheel 152 and a drive rod 158 is
provided on the opposed side. Drive rod 158 is drivingly connected to
first end 162 of drive arm 160. Drive arm 160 has a second end 164
which is co-operatively associated with one or both of top member 122
of pressure sensor 110 and second end 134 of drive arm 130. Drive arm
160 is pivotally mounted in casing 20 by means of pivot 166 (see in
particular Figure 3). First end 162 has an opening 168 within which
drive rod 158 travels.
In operating, a person may be using vacuum cleaner head
in the position shown in Figure 9. If it is desired to raise brush 60
above the surface which is being cleaned (such as if the vacuum
cleaner is to be used in a bare floor cleaning mode) the person presses
downwardly on pedal 140 causing arm member 144 to rotate around
pivot 142 as shown in Figure 9a. This rotation causes abutment surface
150 to move upwardly engaging one of the ratchet teeth 156 causing
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ratchet wheel 152 to rotate 180° to the position shown in Figure 7. The
rotation of ratchet wheel 152 causes drive rod 158 to also rotate 180°
thus causing first end 162 to be raised upwardly. The upward
movement of first end 162 causes second end 164 to move
downwardly thus depressing deformable top member 122 and
consequently raising housing 50. Second end 164 may be pivotally
mounted to first end 134 by means of pivot 170. Spring 146 biases pedal
140 to the raised position thus preparing pedal 140 for further use.
Drive rod 158 is so positioned so that downward pressure of first end
162 causes the respective ratchet tooth 156 to push downwardly on
abutment surface 150 thereby preventing counter rotation of ratchet
wheel 152 and maintaining the deformation of pressure sensor 110.
Further actuation of pedal 140 will cause a further 180° rotation
of
ratchet wheel 152 resulting in ratchet wheel 152 returning to the
position shown in Figure 9. It will be appreciated that by pivotally
linking drive arms 130 and 160 together, pressure sensor 110 may be
actuated by a reduced pressure in the air flow path to adjust the
position of brush 60 independent of the operation of pedal 140.
In accordance with another preferred embodiment,
vacuum cleaner head 10 is provided with an edge cleaning turbine 180
which is drivingly connectable with a source of suction and an edge
cleaning air flow path 182 positioned exterior of the dirty air inlet 40
and extending in between the edge cleaning turbine 180 and at least
one opening 184 in casing 20 facing the surface which is to be cleaned.
Edge cleaning turbine 180 may be positioned in an edge cleaning
turbine housing 186 such that rotation of edge cleaning turbine 180
will cause the movement of air through edge cleaning air flow path
182.
Openings 184 may be positioned at any desired location in
casing 20. A single opening may be provided adjacent one of the
longitudinal sides 26. Preferably, as shown in particular in Figure 6, an
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opening 184 is provided adjacent each longitudinal side 26. It will be
appreciated that more than one opening 184 may be provided adjacent
each longitudinal side 26. The openings 184 are preferably placed
transversely outwardly of dirty air inlet 40 so as to travel over a
portion of the surface being cleaned which is not covered by dirty air
inlet 40.
The rotation of edge cleaning turbine 180 may provide
increased edge cleaning in one of two modes. First, edge cleaning
turbine 180 may rotate so as to direct air to enter into edge cleaning air
flow path 182 and out openings 184. The outward jet of air from
openings 184 agitates or assists in agitating the dirt adjacent
longitudinal sides 26. Once agitated, the' dirt is more easily entrained in
the air flow stream entering vacuum cleaner head 10 via dirty air inlet
40. Alternately, the edge cleaning turbine may rotate in the opposite
direction causing dirty air to be drawn into openings 184 and through
edge cleaning air flow path 182 and then downstream of edge cleaning
turbine 180 to air outlet 46. An example of this embodiment is shown
in Figure 5 wherein edge cleaning turbine 180 is mounted on an
independent drive shaft 188 and passage 190 extends between edge
cleaning turbine housing 186 and air outlet 46 (thus edge cleaning
turbine 180 may be positioned in the air flow path through vacuum
cleaner head 10 and is accordingly the source of suction directly drives
edge cleaning turbine 180.). In this way, additional suction is provided
adjacent longitudinal sides 26. It will further be appreciated that, based
upon the size of openings 184 and the speed of rotation of edge
cleaning turbine 180, the amount of suction provided adjacent edges 26
via openings 184 may be substantially greater than that through dirty
air inlet 40 thus further increasing the edge cleaning efficiency of
vacuum cleaner head 10. In this embodiment, all of the dirty air enters
vacuum cleaner head 10 via dirty air inlet 40 and openings 184.
Main turbine 90 may be drivingly connected to edge
CA 02312623 2000-06-27
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cleaning turbine 180. For example, in the embodiment shown in
Figure 3, edge cleaning turbine 180 is non-rotatably mounted on drive
shaft 102. When the source of suction is actuated, dirty air is drawn
through dirty air inlet 40 and passes through main turbine housing 92
thus causing main turbine 90 to rotate. The rotation of main turbine 90
causes drive shaft 102 and air flow edge cleaning turbine 180 to rotate
actuating the edge cleaning. In this embodiment, all of the dirty air
enters vacuum cleaner head 10 via dirty air inlet 40 and the source of
suction for the vacuum cleaner is drivingly connected to edge cleaning
turbine 180 via the main turbine.
This embodiment is particularly preferred if vacuum
cleaner head 10 also includes a lift off means for raising brush 60 and
main turbine 90 is drivingly connected to brush 60. Then when brush
60 is raised so as not to be in contact with the surface being cleaned, a
reduced amount of torque is required to rotate brush 60 thus enabling
main turbine 90 to rotate at a faster rate. The faster rotation of main
turbine 90 will cause edge cleaning turbine 180 to rotate faster thus
increasing the amount of edge cleaning when brush 60 is raised above
the surface being cleaned. For example, if vacuum cleaner head 10
includes pedal 140 to actuate a lift off means, increased edge cleaning
may be obtained when pedal 140 is actuated. It will be appreciated that
any other lift off means known in the art may be used in conjunction
with edge cleaning turbine 180. Further, it will be appreciated that
pressure sensor 110 may be included in the same vacuum cleaner head
as edge cleaning turbine 110 so as to automatically raise or lower brush
60 in response to the air pressure in the air flow path downstream of
dirty air inlet 40.
Optionally, the edge cleaning assembly may include a
valve, such as valve 192 positioned in air flow path 182. Valve 192
may operate if edge cleaning turbine 180 is driving air through edge
cleaning air flow path 182 so as to provide jets exiting via openings 184
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or if edge cleaning turbine 180 is operating to draw air through
openings 184. In either case, valve 192 may be set so as to operate so as
to open on the triggering of an event, such as via a mechanical linkage
to open when brush 60 is raised (eg. when the vacuum cleaner is in
the bare floor cleaning mode). In such a case, the edge cleaning may
only be actuated when desired. Alternately, valve 192 may be pressure
actuated (eg. a check valve) so as to open when the pressure in edge
cleaning air flow path 182 reaches a pre-set amount. This pre-set
amount may be set upon a preset condition, such as brush 60 being
raised thereby increasing the speed of rotation of main turbine 90 and,
consequentially, edge cleaning turbine 80 thus providing increased
pressure in edge cleaning air flow path 182. It will further be
appreciated that passage 182 may be partially open at all times and the
movement of the valve further increases the size of edge cleaning air
flow path 182 thereby allowing an increase in the amount of air flow
through edge cleaning air flow path 182 under desired operating
conditions as discussed above.
In summary, edge cleaning air flow path 182 comprises a
secondary air flow path which is positioned exterior to the air flow
path which feeds main turbine 90. The air flow through the secondary
air flow path is at least intermittent (e.g. if a valve 192 which
completely closes air flow path 182 is provided). Means for generating
an air flow through a secondary air flow path may comprise a motor
drivingly connected to edge cleaning turbine 180, air flow created by
suction through vacuum cleaner head 10 via air outlet 46 or drivingly
connecting main turbine 90 to edge cleaning turbine 180. Edge cleaning
turbine 180 may rotate at the same speed as main turbine 90 or at a
different rate. For example, edge cleaning turbine 180 may be non-
rotationally mounted on a second shaft which is connected by gearing
means to shaft 102. By selecting different size gears for the different
shafts, rotation of drive shaft 102 may cause edge cleaning turbine 180
CA 02312623 2000-06-27
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to rotate at a faster speed.
Referring to Figures 5, 5a, 10, 10a, 10b, 11, 12 and 13,
another preferred embodiment of vacuum cleaner head 10 is shown.
In this embodiment, vacuum cleaner head 10 includes a restricting
member 200 having an upper surface 202, a lower surface 204, a front
end 206 and a rear end 208. Restricting member is operable between a
neutral position in which restricting member 200 does not interfere or
at least does not significantly interfere with the air flow entering dirty
air inlet 40 (see for example Figure 13) and a restricting position in
which restricting member 200 is positioned so as to reduce the size of
dirty air inlet 40 (see for example Figure 12). By reducing the size of
dirty air inlet 40, the velocity of the air travelling through dirty air
inlet 40 will increase thus assisting the air travelling beneath lower
plate 28 to entrain additional dirt and/or larger particles of dirt.
Accordingly, the efficiency of vacuum cleaner head 10 will be
increased.
Restricting member 200 may be positioned anywhere in
vacuum cleaner head 10 which will result in the velocity of air
entering dirty air inlet 40 being increased. If vacuum cleaner head 10
includes a brush 60, that restricting member 200 may be positioned at
any point wherein it is operable to assist in the flow of dirty air around
brush 60. Preferably, as shown in Figures 12 and 13, restricting member
200 is positioned beneath brush 60 when in the restricting position. It
will be appreciated that restricting member 200 may be positioned
adjacent upper surface 210 of lower plate 28 or adjacent lower surface
212 of lower plate 28. However, restricting member 200 is preferably
positioned immediately above lower plate 28.
Restricting member may be of any particular shape
provided it co-operates with casing 20 (eg. lower plate 28) to reduce the
size of dirty air inlet 40. Accordingly, as shown in Figure 12, restricting
member 200 may be generally wedge shaped. Alternately, as shown in
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Figure 5, restricting member 200 may be a generally planar member
having a wedge shaped front portion 214. The angled forward portion
assists restricting member 200 to travel longitudinally underneath
brush 60 so as to cooperate with plate 28 to reduce the size of dirty air
inlet 40. However, it will be appreciated that restricting member 200
may be of any particular shape.
Restricting member 200 may be movable between the
neutral position and the restricting position by any control means
known in the vacuum cleaner art (such as foot pedal which have been
used to actuate a lift off mechanism for a brush). For example, as
shown in Figure 5, pedal 216 may act as a control member which is
drivingly connected to restricting member 200 to move it between the
neutral and restricting positions. Alternately, as shown in Figure 10,
pedal 140 may be a control member which is drivingly connected to
operate both the lift off means for the brush/housing as well as
restricting member 200. It will further be appreciated that restricting
member 200 may be moved by manual control (such as a hand
operated slidably movable control knob) positioned on the outside of
casing 20 or, restricting member 200 may be mechanically linked to
either housing 50 or brush 60 to move to the restricting position when
the housing/brush are raised to the bare floor cleaning mode. Further,
restricting member 200 may be biased, such as by means of a spring, to
move to the restricting position when housing 50 or brush 60 is
moved to the bare floor cleaning position (not shown). By linking the
lift off means and restricting member 200, restricting member 200 may
be actuated when vacuum cleaner head 10 is converted to the bare
floor cleaning mode. As brush 60 is not used to disturb the dirt on the
surface being cleaned in the bare floor cleaning mode, the increased
velocity of the air entering dirty air inlet 40 assists in the cleaning of
the surface in this mode.
Referring to Figure 5, pedal 216 may be of a similar
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construction to pedal 140. Accordingly, pedal 216 may have an arm
portion 220 which is pivotable mounted about pivot 218 and may be
biased to end raised position by means of spring 230. The distal end of
arm portion 220 opposed to pedal 216 is provided with drive member
224. Drive member 224 is drivingly connected to locking means 226.
Any locking member known in the art could be used. In the
embodiment of Figure 5, locking means 226 comprises a drive rod 228
which is biased to the first position shown in Figure 5 by means of, for
example, spring 230. Rod 228 travels longitudinally in bore 234 of
housing 232. Also positioned within bore 234 is locking member 236.
In this embodiment, locking member 236 has an engagement end 238
and drive end 240 which is drivingly connected to rear end 208 of
restricting member 200 such as by transfer rod 242 which is pivotally
connected by means of pivot 244 to drive end 240.
Locking member 236 is provided with a first engagement
surface 246 for engagement with first engagement surface 248 of
housing 232. Similarly, locking member 236 is provided with a second
engagement surface 250 for engagement with second engagement
surface 252 of housing 232.
In operation, when pedal 216 is depressed downwardly,
drive end 224 displaces drive rod 228 forwardly overcoming the
resistance of spring 230 and engaging engagement end 238 of locking
member 236. This forward motion will cause locking member 236 to
travel forwardly disengaging drive end 240 from engagement surface
248 of housing 232 and causing drive end 240 to pivot about transfer
rod 242. When the pedal is released, spring 230 will cause drive rod
228 and pedal 216 to return to their starting positions. This rearward
motion of drive rod 228 permits locking member 236 to move
rearwardly resulting in engagement surface 250 to engage engagement
surface 252 of housing 232.
In this embodiment, restricting member 200 is drivingly
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connected to housing 50. The forward motion of restricting member
200 causes housing 50 to move upwardly thus raising brush 60. As
restricting member 200 travels forwardly, wedge shaped front portion
214 engages the bottom of the rearward spaced apart opposed side 56.
The continued forward motion of restricting member 200 forces
housing 50 upwardly. In order to assist this interaction, a cam surface
may be provided. For example, cam member 254 may be positioned on
opposed side 56 so as to ease the travel of restricting member 200
underneath housing 50. In this way, restricting member 200 is
drivingly connected to brush 60 to move brush 60 with respect to dirty
air inlet 40. It will further be appreciated that, in the embodiment of
Figure 3, if restricting member 200 were biased to the forward position,
the engagement between opposed side 56 and restricting member 200
may be used to cause restricting member 200 to move rearwardly to the
neutral position as brush 60 moves downwardly due to the operation
of pedal 140. In such a way, brush 60 may be drivingly connected to
restricting member 200.
In the embodiment of Figures 10 and 12, pedal 140 is
drivingly connected to both brush 60 and restricting member 200. In
Figure 10, the mechanical linkage between drive arm 160 and housing
50 has not been shown but it may be the same as in Figure 6. The
drive mechanism comprises ratchet wheel 260, wall 262, drive rod 264
and spring 266. Ratchet wheel is elliptical in shape. When in the
position shown in Figure 12, the long axis of ratchet wheel 260 is
horizontally disposed. Accordingly, wall 262 has been displaced
forwardly thereby driving restricting member 200 forwardly. Spring
266 may be any biasing means which biases restricting member 200
rearwardly. Accordingly, when ratchet wheel 260 is rotated to the
position shown in Figure 13 wherein the long axis is vertically
disposed, wall 262 cams along the peripheral surface of ratchet wheel
260 thereby allowing spring 266 to move restricting member 200
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rearwardly. Ratchet wheel 260 may be drivenly connected to pedal 140
by any means known in the art such as by a drive rod 268 which
interacts with ratchet wheel 260 to move ratchet wheel 90 degrees each
time pedal 140 is depressed.
Restricting member 200 is a transversely extending
member which may have many particular transverse length "L".
Preferably, restricting member 200 has a transverse length which
comprises a major proportion to the transverse length of dirty air inlet
40. More preferably, restricting member 200 has a transverse length L
which is the same or substantially the same as that of dirty air inlet 40
(see for example Figure 10).
In the embodiment of Figure 10, forward end 206 of
restricting member 200 comprises a generally transversely extending
line. Accordingly, at any position along the transverse extent of dirty
air inlet 40, a uniform amount of dirty air inlet 40 is blocked by
restricting member 200. However, it will be appreciated that forward
portion 206 may have any particular shape. For example, in the
embodiment shown in Figure 10a, forward portion 206 has a central
portion 270 (which defines a respective central portion of dirty air inlet
40) and transversely spaced apart side portions 272 (which respectively
define side portions of dirty air inlet 40). In this embodiment, central
portion 270 has a forward longitudinal extent greater than the forward
longitudinal extent of side portions 272. Accordingly, when restricting
member 200 is in the restricting position shown in Figure 10a, central
portion 270 blocks a greater amount of the central portion of dirty air
inlet 40 than side portions 272 block of the side portions of dirty air
inlet 40. Thus, restricting member 200 will cause a greater proportion
of the air to enter vacuum cleaner head 10 via the side portions of
dirty air inlet 40 thus increasing the edge cleaning of vacuum cleaner
head 10. In the embodiment shown in Figure 10c, side portions 272
have a forward longitudinal extent greater than the forward
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longitudinal extent of central portion 272. Accordingly, when
restricting member 200 is in the restricting position shown in Figure
lOc, a greater proportion of the air will enter vacuum cleaner head 10
via the central portion of the dirty air inlet 40 thus concentrating the
cleaning action of vacuum cleaner head 10 at the central portion of
dirty air inlet 40.
In another embodiment of the instant invention as
shown in Figure 10a, the enhanced edge cleaning may be actuated by a
control member 280 which is engageable with the area being cleaned
(for example a vertically extending member, eg. wall, table leg, etc. of
the area being cleaned). The control member may be drivingly
connected to any edge cleaning means known in the art. Preferably, it
is drivingly connected to one or more of the edge cleaning features
discussed above. Thus control member 280 may be operatively
connected to actuate restricting member 200, edge cleaning turbine 180,
ratchet wheel 152 so as to raise housing 50 (and increase of speed of
rotation of edge cleaning turbine 180) when control member 280 is
actuated or to valve 192 so as to open valve 192 when control member
280 is actuated. Accordingly, when a person is cleaning using vacuum
cleaner head 10, contact between one of the longitudinal sides 26 of
vacuum cleaner head 10 and, e.g., a wall of a house will actuate the
increased edge cleaning.
As shown in Figures 10a and 10b, control member 280
comprises a longitudinally extending member having a front end 282
and a rear end 284. It will be appreciated that a control member 280
may be provided on each longitudinal side 26 of vacuum cleaner head
10. Control member 280 is preferably constructed so as to travel
inwardly to actuate the advanced edge cleaning of vacuum cleaner
head 10. Accordingly, for example, longitudinal side 26 may be
provided with a recess 286 which is sized for receiving therein control
member 280. Rear end 284 is connected to outer end 290 of first
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linking member 288 which are mounted for pivotal motion as forward
end 282 moves inwardly (such as by pivot 278). Outer end 296 of
second linking member 294 is pivotally connected to inner end 292 of
first linking member 288 by means of pivot 300. Second linking
member 294 is pivotally mounted about pivot post 302 which may be
secured, for example, to lower plate 28. Inner end 292 has an opening
304 for receiving drive rod 306 which is connected to push rod 308.
Accordingly, when vacuum cleaner head 10 engages a wall, table leg or
the like, front end 282 of control member 280 moves inwardly causing
inner end 292 of first linking member 288 to move rearwardly. As
outer end 296 of second linking member 294 is connected to inner end
292, outer end 296 of second linking member 294 will also move
rearwardly and cause inner end 298 to move forwardly. This forward
movement will cause restricting member 200 to move forwardly due
to the contact between drive rod 306 and inner end 298. It will be
appreciated that if restricting member is biased rearwardly (such as by
spring 266), when control member 280 is no longer forced inwardly by
an external force, spring 266 will pull restricting member 200
rearwardly thereby driving control member 280 back to its starting
position.
It will be appreciated as discussed above that if restricting
member 200 is drivingly connected to brush 60 or housing 50, the
forward motion of restricting member 200 may raise brush 60.
Further, if edge cleaning turbine 180 is drivingly connected to main
turbine 90, raising brush 60 from contact with the surface being cleaned
will caused an increased air flow to travel through edge cleaning air
flow path 182 thereby enhancing the edge cleaning function of
vacuum cleaner head 10.
In another preferred embodiment, vacuum cleaner head
10 may have a first member 318 having a cutting end 320 and a second
member co-operative with first member 318 for reducing the size of a
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portion of a particulate material entering dirty air inlet 40.
Accordingly, if large material such as dog hair, large pieces of paper,
and the like are introduced into housing 92, they may be reduced in
size prior to exiting main turbine housing via outlet 100. While both
first and second members may be movably mounted so as to co-
operate to reduce a size of the particulate material, it is preferred, as
shown in Figures 14 and 15, that first member 318 is mounted in a
stationery position in casing 20. For example, as shown in Figure 14,
cutting member 318 is a longitudinally extending member which is
mounted to inner surface 310 of main turbine housing 92. Cutting end
320 may comprise a sharpened end of first member 318. While only
one first member 318 is shown in Figures 14 and 15, it will be
appreciated that a plurality of such first members may be included
within main turbine housing 92. Further, it will be appreciated that
first member 318 need not be positioned adjacent inlet end 312 of
outlet 100. A first member 318 may be positioned at any location in
housing 92 where it will co-operate with, for example, blades 104 of
main turbine 90 so as to reduce the size of particulate material and not
unduly interfere with the passage of air and entrained dirt through
main turbine housing 92.
In particular, as represented in Figure 15, blades 104 have
an inner surface 314 and an outer surface 316. Outer surface 316 and
cutting end 320 may be configured in any way so as to provide a cutting
or reducing action as particulate matter travels through housing 92.
For example, blades 104 may be longitudinally extending members
which extend parallel to drive shaft 102. Alternately, as shown in
Figure 14, blades 104 may be curved or helically extended members
which have a first end 322 and a second end 324 which is rotationally
displaced from first end 322. In this way, only a portion of a blade 104
will interact with cutting end 320 at any particular time thus
decreasing the drag on turbine 92 produced by the co-operation of
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blades 104 and first member 318.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the
various features of vacuum cleaner head 10 which are disclosed in
herein may be combined by themselves in a vacuum cleaner head or
in any particular permutation or combination. For example, the
cutting means (first member 318 and second member (blades) 104),
restricting member 200, the improved edge cleaning using edge
cleaning air flow path 182, the movable housing 50, pressure sensor
110 to raise or lower brush 60 and/or housing 50 may be used
individually, combined together in one vacuum cleaner head 10 or
any subcombination thereof may be combined together in a vacuum
cleaner head 10.
