Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
61935-194D CA 02578315 2007-03-01
TRACTION WHEEL POWERED EDGE CLEANER
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This is a divisional to Application Serial
No. 2,455,440.
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an edge cleaner for a
vacuum cleaner and, more specifically, to an edge cleaner
for a vacuum cleaner that is powered by a friction wheel
that engages the wall surface adjacent the edge to be
cleaned for sweeping dirt particles into the path of the
suction nozzle for pickup and removal.
2. Summary of the Prior Art
Upright vacuum cleaners are well known in the art.
Typically, these upright vacuum cleaners include a vacuum
cleaner housing pivotally mounted to a vacuum cleaner foot.
The foot is formed with a nozzle opening and may include an
agitator mounted therein for loosening dirt and debris from
a floor surface. A motor may be mounted to either the foot
or the housing for producing suction at the nozzle opening.
The suction at the nozzle opening picks up the loosened dirt
and debris and produces a stream of dirt-laden air which is
ducted to the vacuum cleaner housing.
It is known to provide vacuum cleaners with an
edge cleaning capability. For example, in U.S. Patent
No. 4,198,727 a vacuum cleaner is provided with holding
devices on the sidewalls of its housing on which brushes can
be mounted which enable baseboards in a room to be dusted
while the vacuum cleaner is being moved about to clean the
carpet.
1
61935-194D CA 02578315 2007-03-01
In U.S. Patent No. 5,394,588 a nozzle head is
provided for a vacuum cleaner employing a roller-shaped
duster that can be rotated and removed in order to improve
efficiency of duster-cleaning. The nozzle head comprises
outer and inner casings spaced from each other, a duster
supporting shaft detachably and rotatably mounted in the
inner
la
CA 02578315 2007-03-01
, =
casing; a roller-shaped duster rnember inserted on the duster supporting
shaft,.a duster
holding member which has means for holding the duster supporting shaft and is-
slidably
mounted in-the innercasing, meansfor locking the duster holding memberwhich is
fixed
to the inner casing, and ri-means for stopping the duster supporting siiaft
which is disposed
between the duster hoiding member and the opposite ends ofthe duster
supporting shaft.
In U.S. Patent No. 5,903,955 an upright vacuum cleaner is provided and
includes
an upper section with a handle 15 and a lower cleaning nozzle section 14, 14'
having a
main suction opening 18 formed in the underside 16 thereof. A suction source M
is
provided and an edge cleaning tool 60 having a suction bore.64 formed
therethrough is
releasably'corinected to the cleaning nozzle section 14'. A suction hose 20
selectively
connects one of the main suction opening 18 of the nozzle 14' and the suction
bore 64 of
the edge cleaning tool 60 with the suction source M. First and second
laterally spaced
casters 30a, 30b extend.from the underside 16 ofthe nozzle 14, 14' and. each
caster 30a,
30b is pivotable respectively about a vertical axis D,E. First and second
laterally spaced
fixed'wheels 32a, 32b, each rotatable about a singie-rolling axis C, are also
provided and.
positioned forward of the firstand second casters 30a, 3Ob. Each fixed wheel
32a, 32b
includes a rolling surface 40a, 40b and curved inner and outertransition
surfaces 42a, 42b,
44a, 44b connecting its rolling surface 40a, 40b to the inner and outer sides,
42a, 42b, 44a,"
44b of the wheel 32a, 32b.
In U.S. Patent No. 6,421,874 a vacuum cleaner includes a housing having a
handle
pivotally mounted to a nozzle assembly. An agitator is received in an agitator
cavityformed
in the nozzle assembly. A suction fan and suction fan drive motor are carried
on the
housing. An edge cleaning brush is pivotally mounted to the nozzle assembly
along a
lateral edge of the nozzle assembly adjacent the agitator ca.vity. The brush
includes a body
-2-
CA 02578315 2007-03-01
. . t
having a series of apertures-for receiving cleaning bristles and a pair of
opposed mounting
lugs. The edge cleaning brush-is received in a recess with the mounting lugs
held in a-pair
of*opposed mounting openings in the nozzle assembly.
However, napatents were'found in the prior art foran.edge cleaning brush that
is
.5 removable and has a powered agitator for sweeping debris into the path of
the.suction
nozzle. The edge cleaning brushes of the prior art have an agitator that is
fixed and only
agitates when the structure it is affixed to moves relative to the surface
being cleaned.
These edge cleaning brushes'have limited effectiveness because there is only a
single
cleaning stroke which is limited in one direction. The edge cleanerof the
present invention
.10 . has-a rotary agitatorwhich rotates refative to the structure or suction
nozzle it is mounted
on and provides numerous cleaning strokes not only in the direction of travel
ofthe suction.
:nozzle but in -all directions as the agitator rotates. Therefore, the present
invention fulfills
a need not found in the prior art. -
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved edge
cleanerfor
15 a floor care appliance.
It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved edge
cleanerfor a fioor
care appliance which includes a rotary agitator.
It is yet a further object of this invention to provide an improved edge
cleanerfor a
floor care appliance which includes a rotary agitator that is powered by a
traction wheel.
20 It is yet still a further object of this invention to provide an improved
edge cleanerfor
a floor care appliance which is removable.
It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved,edge cieaner
for a floor
care appliance which can be mounted on either side of the su'ction nozzle.
It is yet a furtherobject of this-invention to.provide an improved edge
cleanerfor a
-3- -
CA 02578315 2007-03-01
= . ' . !
floor care appliancewhicKhas a suction conduitformed therethrough fluidly
connected to
the interior of the suction nozzle.
It is yet:still afurther object of this invention to provide an improved floor
care -
appliance which has one or mor-e suction openings formed on the periphery of
the suction
nozzle proximate to a point of attachment of the edge cleaner.
It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved floor care
appliance
which has.one or more suction openingscontaining an agitation elements(s)
wherein the
suction openings are formed on the periphery of the suction nozzle proximate
to a point of.
attachment of the edge cleaner.
It is,yet fu rth er an object of this invention to- provide,an improved floor
care appliance
which has one or more suction openings formed on the periphery of the suction
nozzle
proximate to a pointof attachment of the edge cleanerwherein the suction
opening has a
gate which is opened when the edge cleariing brush is attached to..the suction
nozzle.and
closed when the edge c(eaner is removed from the suction nozzle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention, is an edge cleaner for a floor care cleaner including an
upright
vacuum cleaner, canisters, robots, stick cleaners, extractors, and bare
floorcleaners. The
edge cleaner is rernovably attached to eitherthe right or left edges of the
cleaner's suction
nozzle or main body when in use.-When not in use, the edge cleaneris stored
like most -
off-the-floor accessories in the vacuum cleaner accessory rack, or if
pivotally mounted,
pivoted into the non-use position. The edge cleaner is comprised of a mounting
bracket
for holding a vertical axis rotary agitator. The vertical axis rotary
'agitator is powered by a
traction wheel which contacts the wall surface adjacent the edge ofthe floorto
be cleaned.
-4-
CA 02578315 2007-03-01
The agitator brushes dirt along the edge of the wall surface directly into the
path of the
suction nozzle.
In a first alternate embodiment of the present invention, a suction opening is
formed
in the 'suction nozzle in the vicinity of the edge cleanerto,pull dirt
parEicles into the suction
nozzle that are swept into the path of the suction nozzle. The suction
opaning.is formed on
both the left and right edges of the suction nozzle so that there is a suction
opening
available when the edge cleaner is installed on either the right or left edge
of the suction
nozzle.
In a second alternate embodiment of the invention, a suction opening is formed
on
both the-right and left front edge of the suction nozzle so that there is a
suction opening
available when the edge cleaner is installed on the f'ront edge of-eitherthe
right or left hand
side, of the suction nozzle.
In a third alternate embodiment of the invention, a traction wheel powered
edge
cleaner is comprised of a friction wheel which drives a,rotary agitator via a
ffexible belt.
In a fourth embodiment of the invention,-a traction wheel powered edge cleaner
is
mounted on either of the righ-t or left edges- of a suction nozzle in addition
to an agitator
which -is mounted.directly beneath each of the right and left edges of the
suction nozzle.
The agitator is comprised of a plurality of bristles that sweep dirt from
underneath the right
and left edges of the suction nozzle that is otherwise out of the reach of the
main agitators
or the traction wheel powered edge cleaner.
In a fifth embodiment of-the invention, a gate is provided for each of the
suction
openings on the right of the left edges of the suction nozzle which is
normally biased into
a closed position when the edge cleaner is not installed. A gate opening
member from
the edge cleaner is inserted into the suction opening to move the gate into
the open
-5- .
CA 02578315 2007-03-01
61935-194D
position when the edge cleaner is installed. When the edge
cleaner is removed, the gate returns to normally closed
position.
In a sixth embodiment of the invention, a gate is
provided for each of the suction openings formed on the
right and left hand sides on the front edge of suction
nozzle 100. A gate opening member from the edge cleaner is
inserted into the suction opening to move the gate into the
open position when the edge cleaner is installed. When the
edge cleaner is removed, the gate returns to normally closed
position.
In a seventh alternate embodiment of the
invention, a suction is formed through the interior of the
arm mounting the edge cleaner to the suction nozzle and the
rotary agitator itself. The suction bores create a suction
path from the suction nozzle to the exterior of the rotary
agitator so that dirt particles may be removed in the
vicinity of the rotary agitator.
In accordance with another embodiment of the
invention, there is provided an improved floor care
appliance, comprised of: a suction nozzle having an outer
periphery; a handle; a suction motor for generating an air
stream originating at the suction nozzle; a filtration
system fluidly connected to the suction nozzle; and a
vertical axis rotary agitator arrangement attached to the
outer periphery of said suction nozzle.
In accordance with another embodiment of the
invention, there is provided an improved floor care
appliance, comprised of: a suction nozzle having an outer
periphery; a handle; a suction motor for generating an air
stream originating at the suction nozzle; a filtration
6
CA 02578315 2007-03-01
61935-194D
system fluidly connected to the suction nozzle; and a rotary
agitator arrangement attached to the outer periphery of said
suction nozzle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Reference may now be had to the accompanying
drawings for a better understanding of the invention, both
as to its organization and function, with the illustration
being only exemplary and in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an upright vacuum
cleaner having a traction wheel powered edge cleaner
attached to the right hand side of the suction nozzle,
according to the preferred embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a
traction wheel powered edge cleaner, according to the
preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a slightly elevated rear perspective
view of a traction wheel powered edge cleaner, according to
the preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a slightly elevated front perspective
view of a traction wheel powered edge
6a
CA 02578315 2007-03-01
cleaner, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a partially cutaway perspective' view of the upright vacuum cleaner
shown in FIG. I showing the operation of the traction wheel powered edge
cleaner on a
portion of a wall and floor surface, according to the preferred embodiment of
the invention;
FIG. 6 shows the operation of the traction wheel pawered edge cleaner in a
direction opposite that shown in FIG. 5, according to the preferred embodiment
of the
invention;
FIG. 7 is a slightly elevated reat perspective view of the traction wheel
powered
edge cleanerdetached from the right hand side of the suction nozzle of the
uprightvacuum
.10 cleaner shown in FlG.1, according to the preferred embodiment of the
invention;
FIG: 8.is a slightly elevated rear perspective view of the traction wheei
powered "
edge cleaner attached to the right hand side of the suction nozzle of the
upright vacuum
cleaner shown in FIG.1, according to the preferred embodiment of the
invention;
FIG: 8a is a slightly elevated rear perspective view of the traction wheel
powered
edge cleaner attached to the right hand side of the suction nozzle of the
upright.vacuum
cleaner shown in FtG.1 and a suction opening-formed in the right edge of the
suction
nozzle, according to a first alternate embodiment of the invention;.
FIG. 8b is a slightly elevated rear perspective view of the traction wheel
powered
edge cleaner atfached to the right hand side of the suction nozzle of the
upright vacuum
cieaner shown in FIG.1 and a suction opening formed in the front edge of the
right hand
side of the suction nozzie, according to a second alternate embodiment of the
invention;
FIG. 9 is slightly elevated perspective view of a traction wheel powered edge
cleaner attached to a partially cutaway portion of a vacuum cleaner suction
nozzle from an
upright vacuum cleaner like the one shown in FIG. 1, according to a third
alternate
-7-
CA 02578315 2007-03-01
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 10 is -slightly elevated perspective-view of a traction wheel powered
edge
cleaner attached to a partially cutaway portion of a vacuum deaner suction
nozzle from an
uprightvacuum cleanerlike the one shown in FIG: 1 and an agitatorbrush
ernbedded on
the edge of the suction nozzle, according to a fourth alternate embodiment of
the present
invention;
FIG. 11 is a slightly elevated side perspective view of the traction wheel
powered
edge cleaner detached from a cutaway portion of the right hand side of the
suction nozzle
of the uprightvacuum cleanershown in FIG..1 wherein the suction nozzle has a
suction port
along the right edge with a gate normally biased in the closed position.and a
gate opening
member positioned on the traction wheel powered edge cleanerfor holding the
gate in the
open position when the traction wheel powered edge.cleaner is installed on the
suction
nozzle, according to a fifth alternate embodiment of the.invention;
FIG. 12 is a slightly elevated front perspective view of the traction wheel
powered
edge cleaner detached from a cutaway portion of the right hand side of the
suction nozzle
-of the upright vacuum cleaner shown in FIG.1 wherein the suction nozzle has a
suction port
along the front edge with a gate normally biased in the closed position and a
gate opening
member positioned on the traction wheel powered edge cleanerfor holding the
gate in the
open position when the traction wheel powered edge cfearier is installed on
the suction
nozzle, according to a sixth alternate embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 13 is a slightly elevated bottom perspective view of the traction wheel
powered
edge cleaner detached from a.cutaway portion of the right hand side of the
suction nozzle
of the upright vacuum cleaner shown in FI G.11 showing the intended operation
of the gate
opening member positioned on the traction wheel powered edge cleanerfor
holding the
-8- .
CA 02578315 2007-03-01
gate in the open position when the traction wheel powered edge cleaner is
installed on the
suction nozzle, according to the-fif-th alternate embodiment of the invention;
FIG'.1_4 is a slightlyeevated bottom perspective view of thetraction wheel
powered
edge cleaner attached to a cutaway portion of the righthand side of the
suction nozzle of
the upright vacuum cleaner previously shown in FIG.11 showing the operation of
the gate
opening member positioned on the traction wheel powered edge cleaner holding
the gate.
in the open position when the traction wheel powered edge cleaner is installed
on the
suction nozzle, according to the fifth alternate embodiment_of the invention;
FIG. 15 is a partially cutaway side view of the gate opening member positioned
on
the traction wheel powered edge cleaner showing the intended operation of
the,gate
opening member on the gate of*the suction portion on the edge of a partially
cutaway
portion of the suction nozzle of the upright vacuum cleaner shown in FIG.1,
according to
the fifth and sixth embodiments of the invention; and .
FIG. 16 is a partially cutaway side view of the gate openirig memberpositioned
on
.15 the traction wheel powered edge cleaner showing the operation of the gate
opening
member on the gate of the suction portion on the edge of a partially cutaway
portion of the
suction nozzle of the upright vacuum cleanershown in FIG.1, according to the
fifth and sixth.
alternate embodiments of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A.vacuurrn cleaner incorporating one embodiment of a'traction wheel
powered edge cleaner is shown in Fig 1 and is indicated generally at 10.
Upright vacuum
cleaner 10. includes a foot or suction nozzle 100 and an upper housing
assembly 200
pivotally connected to suction nozzle 100. During vacuuming operations, the
suction nozzle
-9-
CA 02578315 2007-03-01
61935-194
100 travels across the floor, carpet, or other sub-adjacent surface being
cleaned, with its
underside being in proximitytherevdith. Suction nozzle 100 is similarto those
known in
the art and includes a nozzle opening (not shown) through which dirt, dust,
and otherdebris
on the surface being cleaned are suctioned into the vacuum cleaner. An
agitator (not
shown) is positioned within nozzle opening (not shown) for agitating and
loosening dirt,
dust and.debris from a floor surface. A pair of rearwheels 103 are rotatably
mounted on
the 'bottom of suction nozzle 100 for moving upright vacuum cleaner 10 across
the floor
surFace. A motor-fan assembly (not shown) is located in either suction nozzle
100-or
. ~. housing 200 which creates the suction necessaiy to remove the loosened
.dirt, dust and
debris from the floor surface. The motQr-fan assembly (not shown ).is fluidly
connected to
the nozzle opening (not shown) and a filtration arrangement located in the
upper housing
. . . . ,
assembly200. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the filtration
arrangernent is
= a dirt: collecting system 300 which receives and filters the dirt-laden air
strearn which is
created bythe motor-fan assembly (not shown). Dirt-collecting system 300
includes a dirt
container 350 and one or more particle ftltration media and is disclosed more
fully in U.S.
Patent Application publication number 2002/184,731, owned by a common
assignee.
In the preferred embodirrient of the invention, attached to suction nozzle 100
is a
traction wheel powered edge cleaner 600. Referring now to FIG. 2,.traction
wheel
p.owered edge cleaner 600 is comprised of a vertical axis rotary agitator 620
which is
affixed to either the right side 100a or left side 100b of the suction, nozzle
100 (FIG. 1).
The agitator 620 is rotated by a traction wheel 610 when the vacuum. cleaner
10 is
disposed along a wall surface 800 (FIGS. 5 and 6) and moved relative to the
wall surface
800. The rotating action of the agitator 620 sweeps dirt particles off of the
wall surface 800
-10-
CA 02578315 2007-03-01
u1935-194
and along the edge 851 of the wall surface 800 into the path of the suction
nozzl.e 100 for
pic-kup. Alternately, traction wheel 610 may'be rotated when the vacuum
cleaner 10 is
disposed along a.wall surface 800 having a base board 805 in a similar manner.
When
not in use the edge cleaner 600 is stored in the accessory storage rack (not
shown) like
other accessorytools (not shown). The agitator 620 can have differing agitator
elements
such as bristles 621 and622, a fluff wheel (not shown) comprised of a soft,
non-abrasive
material or other agitator materials including lambs wool, felt and feathers.
Edge cleaner600 further includes a spindle 606 which agitator 620 rotaies
about
and a clip 607 holding agitator 620 thereon. A clip 607 snap fits into a
groove 606d cut
into.the upper end of spindle 606. A bushing 617 and 618 may also be used for
aligning
the spindle 606 in main body member 652. Spindle 606 passes through a bore
652a
formed in a downwardly projecting boss 652b formed in a rnounting member 652
for
holding agitator 620 in a downwardly disposed fashion. The lower end of
spindle 606 has
a mushroom shaped head 606b for holding agitator 620 on spindle 606. Main body
member 652 is affixed to the upper surface of suction nozzle 100 extending
therefrorn in
a cantileverfashion so that edge cleaner 600 may be disposed adjacent the wall
surface
800 (FIGS. 5 and 6) or as otherwise described. A ti-action wheel 610 is
disposed between
the main body member 652 and cover 650 wherein spindle 606 passes ti-ii-ough
an
aperture 650a formed in cover 650. Cover 650 attaches to main body member 652
via
a pair of downwardly projecting prongs 650b which are -received by a pair of
complementary recesses 652a in a snap fit arrangement. A plurality of spacer
members
652c project upwardly from main body member 652 to uniformly space cover 650
from
main body member 652. Disposed on the interior circumference 610b oftraction
wheel
610 are a plurality of gear teeth 610c. Gear teeth 6.10c are operatively
connected to a
-11-
CA 02578315 2007-03-01
. . .
plurality of planetary gears 615 which are operatively connected to single
gea.r 616.which
is centrally located. Gear 616 has a square bore. 616a cut therethrough for
receiving a
complementary square shaped portion 606a on spindle 606 so that spindle 606 is
rotated
when traction wheel 610 is rotated. A double "D" shaped shank 606c on spindle
606 fits
into a complementary recess (not shown) on the underside of agitator 620 to
ensure that
agitator 620 is'rotated.by spindle 606. Spindle 606 is non-rotatably coupied
to agitator
620 so that agitator 620 is rotated when traction wheel *610 is rotated. A
ring 610a
circumscribes the outer periphery of traction wheel 610 which is made of a
high friction,
non-slip material to ensure that traction wheel 610 is rotated when contact is
niade with
a wall surface 800 (FIGS. 5 and 6) as suction nozzle 100 is moved relative to
the wali
surface 800.
The use of the pianetary-gears 6.15and gear616 operatively connected to
traction
whee( 610 and sp.indle 606 changes the direction of rotation of agitator 620
as compared
to the direction of rotation of traction wheel 610. Due to the differences in
gear ratios
between planetary gears 615 and gear 616, the torque transmitted to agitator
620 is
reduced but the revolutions perminuteof agitator 620 is=increased which is
more suitable
for cleaning.applications. The resultant motion of agitator 620 as compared to
traction
wheel 610 and the wall surface 800 is bestdernonstrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. In
alternate
embodiments of'the inventiori, other means or transmission arrangements to
couple
agitator 620 to a rotary.power source such as the traction wheel 610 could be
used such
as toothed gears, belts and pulleys, and worm and helical gears.
Whatevertransmission
arrangement selected, the arrangement can be configured to rotate the agitator
620 in the
same or opposite direction of the rotary power at a higher or lower speed than
the rotary
power source.
-12-
CA 02578315 2007-03-01
Referring to FIG. 2 and FIGS. 3 and 4, agitator620=includes an agitatorspindle
623
having,a bore 624 for allowing spindle-606 to pass therethrough. A first set
of bristles 621
extend radially outward in a helical or other pattern from the outer surface
of agitator
spindle 623 for sweeping the wall 800 or baseboards 805,(FIGS. 5 and 6)
iocated on wall
surface 800, if so equipped. A second set of bristles 622 extend radially
outward from the
lower end of agitator spindle 623 being spaced evenlythereon for sweeping
particles from
the edge 851 (FIGS. 5 and 6) of wall surface 800 (FLGS. 5. and 6) into the
path~of suction
nozzle 100. Bristles 621 and bristles 6.22 may be made from nylon or other
suitable
- material. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, bristles 621 and
bristles 622 may
be replaced with a f(uffwheel made from a soft, non-abrasive material such as
lambs woof
for d.usting.the wall surface 800 (FIGS. 5 and -6) and edge 810 (FIGS. 5 and
6).
Referring nowto FIGS. 5*and 6, edge cleaner600 is rnounted on the right hand
side
100a of suction nozzfe 100. As -most wall surfaces in rooms have a baseboard
at the
bottom edge, a baseboard 805 is included in. F1GS. '5 and 6. Directly adjaGent
-the,
baseboard 805 is the floor edge 851, of floor 850.. Referring now specifically
to FIG.-5,
when suction nozzle 1.00 is moved in the direction of arrow 920, traction
wheel 610
engages baseboard 805 and is rotated.in the direction of arrow 925. Traction
wheel 610
in turn rotates agitator 620 in the direction of arrow 930. Bristles 621 and
bristles 622 will
sweep dirt particles on baseboard 805 and floor surface 850 in the vicinity of
edge 851
into the path of.suction nozzle 100 where the suction from suction nozzle 100
will pick up
the dirt particles for transport to the particle filtration and collecting
system 300.
Conversely, when suction nozzle 100 is moved in the direction of arrow 950
(FIG. 6),
traction wheel 610 engages baseboard 805 and is rotated in the direction of
arrow 955.
-13-
CA 02578315 2007-03-01
. . ' ~ .
Traction wheel 610 in turn rotates agitator-620 in the-direction ofarrow 960.
Bristles 621
and bristles 622 -sweep dirt particles on baseboard 805 and floor surface 850
in the
vicinity of edge 851 that were missed in the prior movement of suction nozzle
100 in the
direction of arrow 920 into the previous path of suction nozzle 100 so that
when suction
nozzle 100 is moved back overfloor 850 in the direction of arrow 920 the dirt
particles will
be removed bythe suction from suction nozzle 100 fortransport to the particle
filtration and
collecting system 300.
FIGS. 7 and 8 shows the details of the mounting of edge cleaner 600 on the
upper
surface of hood 101 on the right hand side 100a of suction nozzle 100. In
the'preferred
. embodiment of the invention, edgecleaner 600 is installed in the upper
surface of hood
101 by a mounting member 655 having an outwardly extending tongue 655b (best.
seen
in FIGS. 3 and 4) inserted into asocket 105b formed from'a-bracket 105 mounted
on
hood 101 (best seen in FIG, 8B): Mounting member 655 is attached to main body
member 652. A spring biased clip 660 secures edge cleaner 600 to suction
nozzle 100.
CI'ip 660 has a latch arm 660b having a downwardly disposed ledge which
engages a slot
105a in bracket 105 (FIG. 7) on suction nozzle 100. The ledge is biased
downward into
the slot 105a by a resilient tongue portion 660c (FIG. 2) that is biased
against a
downwardly projecting sidewall 655c (FIGS. 3 and 4) extending from mounting
member
655. Clip 660 is pivotafiy attached to mounting member 655 by a pin 656 which-
fits
' through a pair of opposing apertures 655a in mounting member 655 and a bore
660d .
through clip 660. A retaining ring 657 slipped onto one end of pin 656 secures
pin 656 to
mountirig member 655. In this manner, the biasing force of tongue portion 660b
against
sidewall 655c is pivotally transmitted to the'latch arm 660b to secure edge
cleaner 600 to
suction nozzle 100. A thumb tab 660a also protruding from clip 660 allows the
latch arm
-14-
CA 02578315 2007-03-01
660b to be lifted from slot 105a against the.biasing force of tongue portion
660c to remove
edge cleaner 600 from suction nozzle 100:
Referring now to FIGS. 8A and 8B; in a first alternateembodiment of the
present
invention, a suction opening 1 OOc is formed in the suction nozzle 100 in the
vicinity of the
rotary edge cleaner 600 to pull dirt particles into the suction nozzle 100
that are swept into
the path of the suction nozzle 100 by rotary edge cleaner 600. Suction opening
100c may
-be formed in one side of the suction nozzle 100, as depicted in FIG. 8A, or
in a second
alternate embodiment of the invention, suction opening 100c may be formed in
the front
edge of suction nozzle 100, as depicted in FIG. 88.
. Referring now to FIG. 9, shown, is a third alternate embodiment of the
invention
wherein a tractiori wheel powered edge cleaner 1000 is shown mounted on a
cutaway
portion of a suction nozzle 100.. Edge cleaner 1000 is comprised bf a rotary
agitator 1020
which includes a plurality of sidewardly extending bristles 1021 and a
plurality of
downwardly extending bristles 1022. Rotary agitator 100Q extends downwardly
from a
rnounting member-1050 and is mounted in a rotatable fashion. A disc shaped
member
orfriction.wheel 1010 is also mounted in a downwardly disposed fashion from
mounting
member 1000 and is rotatable thereabout. Fric.tion wheel 1010 has an outer
periphery
1010a for contact with a wall surface such as that depicted in FIG. 5 or6.
Outer periphery
1010a may include one or more layers of a material known to have high friction
characteristics. Located above friction wheel 1010 is a pulley 1010b which is
non-
rotatable with respect to friction wheel 1010. A flexible belt 1015 extends
from pulley
1010b to a pulley 1018 located atthe upperend of agitator 1020.. Rotary power
in friction
wheel 1010 is developed when friction wheel 1010 contacts a wall surface 800
(FIGS:5
and 6) when suction nozzle 100 is moved over a floor surface 850. The rotary
power from
-15-
CA 02578315 2007-03-01
61935-194
friction wheel 1010 is transferred from pulley 1010b by belt 1015 to pulley
1018 at the 'top
of agitator 1020 to rotate agitator 1020 to sweep dirt particles into the path
of suction
nozzle 100. Edge cleaner 1000 is mounted on one edge of a suction nozzle 100
in a
manner similarto the preferred embodimentwith a tongue member being inserted
into a
groove slot (not shown) on the suction nozzle 100 and being held thereby by a
biased latch
member 1057 engaging a slot 1005 also on the suction nozzle 100. .A thumb tab
1058 is
also -provided to release the latch membe.r 1057 from the slot 1005 so
that'the edge
cleaner 1000 may be removed from suction nozzle 100. In other alternate
ernbodiments
of the invention (not shown) the rotary agitator 1000 could be rotated bya
turbine including
an airturbine driven by suction created bythe suction motor (not shown), an
independent
rriotor, or a-gear or belt drive powered by a rotary power source such as the
main agitator_
drive motor. In a fourth embodiment of the invention, and referring to FIG.
10, in 'addition
to the traction wheel powered edge cleaner 600 being mounted on one edge of
the suction
nozzie 100, an edge cleaner'700 may be mounted on one or more of the
outersides of the
suction nozzle outward of the suction nozzle's main-agitators. The edge
cleaners(s) 700
sweeps dirtfrom underneath the outeredges of the suction nozzle that is
otherwise out of
the reach of the main agitators orthe traction wheel powered edge cleaner 600.
The edge
cleaner(s) 700 is cornprised of one or more bristles arranged in row and
extending
downwardiy from the edge of the suction nozzle.
In a fifth embodiment of the invention, and referring now to FIGS. 11 and
13,'suction
opening 100c is closed off by a gate 110 when edge cleaner 600 is riot
installed on suction
nozzle 100. Gate 110 is normally biased into the closed position as shown in
FIG. 15. by
a biasing means such as a spring member 111. A gate opening member 665
extending
from edge cleaner 600 inserted into suction opening 100c in the direction of
arrow 900
-16-
CA 02578315 2007-03-01
v1935-194
pushes gate 110 in the directio.n of arrow 910 to the open position.as
demonstrated in FIG.
16. Edge cleaner 600 is shown in the installed position on a cutaway portion
of suction
nozzle 100 in FIG. .14. Obviously, when edge cleaner 600 is removed spring 111
will
cause gate 110 to return to the closed position.
In a sixth embodiment of the invention, and ref.erring now to FIG. 12, suction
opening 100c is formed on the front edge of suction nozzle 100. Edge cleaner
600 is
mounted on the front edge and suction opening 100c is closed off by a gate 110
when
edge cleaner 600 is not installed on suction nozzle 100. Like in the fifth
embodiment of he
invention, gate 100d is normailybiased intothe closed position as shown in
FIG. 15. by.a
" biasing means such as a spring member 111. A gate opening member 665
extending
from edge cleaner 600 is inserted into suction opening 100c in the direction
of.arrow 900
(FIG. 15) pushes 'gate 110 iri.the direction of.arrow 910 to_ the open -
position as
dernonstrated in FIG. 16. Obviously, when edge cleaner 600 is removed spring
111 will
cause gate 110 to return to the closed position.
In a seventh alternate embodiment of the invention (not shown), a suction bore
may
pass through the interior of mounting arm and agitator spindle 623. Suction
bores are
fluidly connected to the suction cavity of suction nozzle 100 to aid in
removing particles
from the floor surface.
In any of the aforesaid embodiments of the invention, edge cleaner 600 or edge
cleaner 1000 can be stored in the accessory rack in a specially formed pocket
or
otherwise when not in use. Alternately, edge cleaner 600 could be pivotally
mounted on
suction nozzle 1,00 (not shown) and normally stowed in a non-operative
position. When
desired to be used; edge cleaner 600 is pivoted into the operative position
and may be
kept in the operative position with a latch or other mechanism.
-17-
CA 02578315 2007-03-01
, = i i
It should be cleai-from the foregoing thatthe described structure
clearly=meets the
objects of the invention set out in the description's beginning. (tshould
now=also be obvious
that many changes could be made to the disclosed structure which wou=Id still
fall within its
. spirit and purview.
-18-
