COMBINATION CLEANING ATTACHMENT ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A cleaning attachment assembly for a floor care apparatus includes a main body defining a suction conduit having an inlet and an outlet. A cleaning attachment mounting structure is carried on the main body. Either of two different cleaning attachments may be mounted to the main body by means of the cleaning attachment mounting structure. A retractable cover is received over the main body.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the floor care equipment field and, more particularly, to a new and improved combination cleaning attachment assembly for use on a floor care apparatus such as a vacuum cleaner.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cleaning attachments for floor care apparatus such as vacuum cleaners are well known in the art. Examples of such attachments are disclosed in U.S. Pat No. 6,820,305 to Albert et al; U.S. Pat. No. 5,768,747 to Smith; U.S. Pat. No. 4,319,379 to Carrigan et al; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,259,934 to Leinfelt.

The present invention relates to a new and improved cleaning attachment assembly that receives and holds multiple cleaning attachments including a particularly useful pet hair cleaning attachment that provides for more efficient and effective cleaning of pet hair from carpets, upholstery, draperies and the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the purposes and advantages of the present invention as described herein, a cleaning attachment assembly is provided for a floor care apparatus. The cleaning attachment assembly comprises a main body including a suction conduit having an inlet and an outlet. The cleaning attachment assembly also includes a cleaning attachment mounting structure carried on the main body. In addition the assembly includes a first cleaning attachment that is selectively secured to the main body through the cleaning attachment mounting structure as well as a second cleaning attachment that is selectively secured to the main body through the cleaning attachment mounting structure when the first cleaning attachment is not so attached. Still further, the assembly includes a cover received over the main body. The cover is selectively displaceable between (a) a retracted position wherein either the first or second cleaning attachment secured to the main body is exposed for use and (b) an extended position wherein the cover covers either of the first or second cleaning attachments secured to the main body.

More specifically describing the invention, the first cleaning attachment comprises a pet hair cleaning attachment. The pet hair cleaning attachment includes a bristleless, toothless cleaning surface and a second cleaning attachment mounting structure that cooperates with the cleaning attachment mounting structure to secure the first cleaning attachment to the main body. The cleaning surface may either be smooth or lightly textured.

The second cleaning attachment comprises a base, a series of bristles projecting from the base and an air pathway at least partially encircled by the base. Further, the second cleaning attachment includes a third cleaning attachment mounting structure that cooperates with the cleaning attachment mounting structure to secure the second cleaning attachment to the main body.

In one particularly useful embodiment, the cleaning attachment mounting structure includes two, opposed projections. The second cleaning attachment mounting structure includes two opposed slots that receive the two opposed projections. One of the two opposed slots may be provided upon a resilient tab. The third cleaning attachment mounting structure is identical to the second cleaning attachment mounting structure.

In accordance with additional aspects of the present invention, the main body includes at least one guide projection. The cover includes at least one guide channel for receiving and sliding along the at least one guide projection. Further, the cover includes a series of guide ribs that project toward the main body. In addition, the cover includes an open space to allow access to the resilient tabs of the second or third cleaning attachment mounting structures in order to allow respective removal of the first and second cleaning attachments from the main body.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention a lock is carried on the main body. The lock secures the assembly to the floor care apparatus. The lock is pivotally mounted to the main body and a spring is provided to bias the lock into a locking position. The lock includes a locking lug and an actuator button which may be depressed to release the locking lug from the floor care apparatus and thereby allow removal of the cleaning attachment assembly.

In the following description there is shown and described several different embodiments of the invention, simply by way of illustration of some of the modes best suited to carry out the invention. As it will be realized, the invention is capable of other different embodiments and its several details are capable of modification in various, obvious aspects all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions will be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

The accompanying drawings incorporated herein and forming a part of the specification, illustrate several aspects of the present invention and together with the description serve to explain certain principles of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the cleaning attachment assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 2a is a cross sectional view illustrating the cleaning attachment assembly of FIG. 1 connected to the control handle of a wand assembly of a standard canister vacuum cleaner of a type known in the art with the cover fully extended over the bristle brush cleaning attachment;

FIG. 2b is an end view of the main body and cover of the cleaning attachment assembly with all cleaning attachments removed illustrating the structure for allowing sliding movement of the cover over the main body;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a cleaning attachment assembly of the present invention connected to a wand control handle with the cover retracted to expose the bristle brush cleaning attachment for use;

FIG. 4a is an end view of the cleaning attachment assembly mounted on the wand control handle;

FIG. 4b is an end view of the end of the wand assembly to which the control handle of FIG. 4a is to be attached;

FIG. 4c is a perspective view illustrating the connection between the control handle of FIG. 4a with the wand of FIG. 4b with the cleaning attachment assembly of the present invention secured to the control handle;

FIG. 5 is an additional perspective view illustrating the connection of the cleaning attachment assembly onto the end of a wand opposite a control handle;

FIG. 6a is a detailed perspective view of the first cleaning attachment connected to the main body of the cleaning attachment assembly (cover removed for clarity); and

FIG. 6b is a detailed perspective view of the second cleaning attachment connected to the main body of the cleaning attachment assembly (cover removed for clarity).

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiment of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Reference is now made to FIGS. 1 and 2a illustrating the cleaning attachment assembly 10 of the present invention. The assembly 10 includes a main body 12 of tubular construction that defines a suction conduit 14 including an inlet 16 and an outlet 18. In the illustrated embodiment, the main body 12 carries a cleaning attachment mounting structure comprising two opposed projections 20, 22. The assembly 10 further includes a first cleaning attachment 24 and a second cleaning attachment 26. Either of the cleaning attachments 24, 26 may be alternatively secured to the main body 12 by means of the cleaning attachment mounting structure/projections 20, 22 as described in greater detail below.

A cover 28 is received over the main body 12. The cover 28 is selectively displaceable between (a) a retracted position wherein either of the cleaning attachments 24, 26 secures to the main body 12 is exposed for use (see FIG. 3) and (b) an extended position wherein the cover covers either of the cleaning attachments 24, 26 secured to the main body 12 (see FIG. 2).

The first cleaning attachment 24 is particularly designed for cleaning pet hair from a rug, the nap of a carpet, upholstery, draperies or the like (see FIG. 6a). More specifically, the first or pet hair cleaning attachment 24 includes a bristleless, toothless cleaning surface 30 comprising a combination of cross members 32 and suction inlet openings 34. By “bristleless, toothless” it is meant that the entire cleaning surface 30 that engages the work surface being cleaned is void of bristles and teeth. Preferably the surface 30 is smooth but it could be lightly textured. Preferably, the pet hair cleaning attachment 24, or at least the cleaning surface 30, is made from a material selected from a group consisting of thermoplastic rubber such as santoprene rubber. Such materials have a tendency to develop a slight static charge during use which further aides in cleaning pet hair from the work surface being cleaned. The pet hair cleaning attachment 24 is made from a soft material that will not harm delicate surfaces it contacts. There are also no bristles or other structures upon which hair can become entangled. Further, the attachment 24 can be washed clean in a sink if desired.

As best illustrated in FIG. 6b the second or bristle brush cleaning attachment 26 comprises a base 36, a series of bristles or bristle tufts 38 projecting from the base and an air pathway 40 at least partially encircled by the base.

As best illustrated by FIGS. 1, 2a, 6a and 6b in combination, the pet hair cleaning attachment 24 and the second or bristle brush cleaning attachment 26 both include a mounting structure for securing the respective attachments to the main body 12 of the assembly 10. More specifically, the pet hair cleaning attachment 24 includes a base 54 that carries a second cleaning attachment mounting structure comprising two opposed slots 42, 44. As should be appreciated, the slot 44 is received in a resilient tab 46. Similarly, the bristle brush cleaning attachment 26 includes a third cleaning attachment mounting structure comprising two opposed slots 48, 50. The slot 50 is received in a resilient tab 52 carried on the base 36.

The pet hair cleaning attachment 24 is secured to the base 12 by positioning the first slot 42 over the projection 20 and then positioning the attachment base 54 over the main body 12 so that the second slot 44 receives the second projection 22. Here it should be appreciated that the resilient tab 46 provides a snap action that locks the attachment 24 in place on the main body 12. A user simply engages the resilient tab 46 to release the projection 22 from the slot 44 when it is desired to remove the pet hair cleaning attachment 24 from the main body 12.

The bristle brush cleaning attachment 26 is connected to the main body 12 in the same manner. Specifically, the base 36 is placed over the main body 12 so that the slot 48 receives the projection 20. The base 36 is then manipulated over the main body 12 until the slot 50 receives the projection 22 with the resilient tab 52 providing a snap action that locks the bristle brush cleaning attachment 26 on the base 12. When desired, the bristle brush attachment 26 may be removed by engaging the resilient tab 52 and forcing it back so that the projection 22 is released from the slot 50.

Whether the pet hair cleaning attachment 24 or the bristle brush cleaning attachment 26 is secured to the main body 12, the cover 28 may be positioned to overlie and cover the attachment. This allows one to shield the potentially dirty surface of the attachment 24, 26 from view and physical contact when desired. The cover 28 may also be maintained in an extended position during use if desired to focus and direct the air stream beneath the cleaning attachment 24, 26 as it is used to clean a work surface. For most applications, however, the cover will be retracted during use so as to fully expose the cleaning attachment 24, 26.

As best illustrated in FIG. 2b, a series of guide projections 56 are provided at spaced locations along the main body 12. The cover 28 includes a series of cooperating guide channels 58 that receive and slide along the guide projections 56. Further, the cover 28 may include a series of spaced guide ribs 60 that project outwardly toward the main body 12 when the cover 28 is positioned over the main body. As one slide the cover 28 over the main body 12 between the fully retracted and fully extended positions, the edges of the guide ribs 60 may engage the wall of the main body 12 to help maintain the alignment of the cover on the main body so as to ensure smooth sliding action.

It should also be appreciated from viewing FIGS. 1 and 3, that the cover 28 includes an open space or cutout 62. The open space 62 allows access to the resilient tab 46 or 52 to allow removal of the respective cleaning attachments 24, 26 from the main body 12 when desired. The cover 28 also includes a first stop 64 (see FIG. 2b) for limiting the sliding movement of the cover on the main body 12 when the cover is moved into the extended position. More specifically, the stop 64, in the form of a series of lugs, engages the resilient tab 46 or 52 when the respective attachments 24, 26 are positioned on the main body. When neither attachment is present, the stop 64 engages the projection 22.

The cleaning attachment assembly also includes a lock 66 (see FIGS. 1 and 2a) that is carried on the main body 12. As will be described in greater detail below, the lock 66 functions to secure the assembly 10 to a floor care apparatus and more particularly, to a control handle H or wand W of that floor care apparatus.

More specifically, the lock 66 comprises an actuator button 68 including opposed pivot pins 70 and a locking lug 72. The lock 66 is received in a cavity 74 provided on the main body 12 within a raised rim 75. More specifically, the pivot pins 70 are captured in slots or notches 76 provided in the rim 75. A spring 78 is captured between the lock 66 and the main body 12 in the cavity 74. The spring 78 engages the lock 66 on the side of the pivot pins 70 opposite the locking lug 72. Accordingly, the compression spring 78 biases the lock 66 about the pivot pins 70 so that the locking lug 72 projects into the suction conduit 14 through an opening 80 in the wall of the main body 12 (see also FIG. 2b). This allows the assembly 10 to be secured and locked to either the control handle H or wand W of a floor cleaning apparatus in a manner that will be described in greater detail below.

The cover 28 further includes a groove 82 that extends around the lock 66 and more particularly the raised rim 75 formed on the body 12. The innermost edge 86 of the groove 82 functions as a second stop for limiting sliding movement of the cover 28 on the main body 12 when the cover is moved into the retracted position. Specifically, the edge 86 engages the rim 75 when the cover 28 is moved into the fully retracted position.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 2a, 3 and 4a illustrating the cleaning attachment assembly 10 of the present invention attached directly to the control handle H of a floor care apparatus such as a canister vacuum cleaner. As illustrated in FIGS. 2a and 3, the main body 12 of the assembly 10 is positioned over the suction end of the handle H. The operator then slides the main body 12 onto the handle H until the locking lug 72 is biased by the spring 78 into the locking aperture A on the handle H. This secures the assembly 10 to the handle H for cleaning purposes. When it is desired to remove the assembly 10 from the handle H, the operator depresses the actuator button 68 over the spring 78 thereby forcing the locking lug 72 to pivot against the biasing force of the spring out of the locking aperture A. The operator then simply slides the assembly 10 off of the handle H as desired.

As illustrated in FIG. 4a, when the assembly 10 is fully seated and locked on the handle H, the air pathway 40 of the bristle brush cleaning attachment 26 and the suction conduit 14 of the main body 12 open completely to the suction inlet I and electrical connector C carried on the handle H. In the illustrated embodiment, the electrical connector C is of female configuration. As further illustrated in FIG. 4b, the end of the wand W includes a suction passage P and an electrical connector E. As illustrated, the electrical connector E is of male configuration so that when the handle H is connected to the wand W, the electrical connector E and the electrical connector C mate to form a complete electrical connection.

Since the air pathway 40 in the bristle brush cleaning attachment 26 and the suction conduit 14 in the main body 12 are fully open to the suction inlet I and electrical connector C of the control handle H, it should be appreciated that the handle H may be connected to the wand W even when the assembly 10 is received over, fully seated and locked to the handle H by means of the lock 66. More specifically, the end of the wand W slides into the suction inlet I while the electrical connector E engages and fully connects with the electrical connector C. In this way the handle H and wand W are properly mated even when the assembly 10 (connected to the attachment 26) is secured to the end of the handle H (see FIG. 4c).

As further illustrated in FIG. 5, the assembly 10 may alternatively be connected to the wand W at the end opposite the handle H. In this position the locking lug 72 of the lock 66 is received in a locking aperture (not shown) in the wand W so as to lock the assembly 10 to the wand.

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. For example, the pet hair cleaning attachment 24 may include optional bleed holes 55 in the attachment base 54 to reduce the air drawn through the openings 34 in the cleaning surface 30.

The embodiments were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally and equitably entitled. The drawings and preferred embodiments do not and are not intended to limit the ordinary meaning of the claims in their fair and broad interpretation in any way.

Claims

1. A cleaning attachment assembly for a floor care apparatus, comprising:

a main body including a suction conduit having an inlet and an outlet;

a cleaning attachment mounting structure carried on said main body;

a first cleaning attachment that is selectively secured to said main body through said cleaning attachment mounting structure;

a second cleaning attachment that is selectively secured to said main body through said cleaning attachment mounting structure when said first cleaning attachment is not so attached; and

a cover received over said main body, said cover being displaceable between (a) a retracted position wherein either of said first or second cleaning attachment secured to said main body is exposed for use and (b) an extended position wherein said cover covers either of said first or second cleaning attachment secured to said main body.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said first cleaning attachment comprises a pet hair cleaning attachment.

3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein said pet hair cleaning attachment includes a bristleless, toothless cleaning surface and a second cleaning attachment mounting structure that cooperates with said cleaning attachment mounting structure to secure said first cleaning attachment to said main body.

4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein said second cleaning attachment comprises a base, a series of bristles projecting from said base, an air pathway at least partially encircled by said base and a third cleaning attachment mounting structure that cooperates with said cleaning attachment mounting structure to secure said second cleaning attachment to said main body.

5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein said pet hair cleaning attachment is made from a material selected from a group of materials consisting of thermoplastic rubber and said cleaning surface is smooth.

6. The assembly of claim 4, wherein said pet hair cleaning attachment is made from a material selected from a group of materials consisting of thermoplastic rubber and said cleaning surface is textured.

7. The assembly of claim 4, wherein said cleaning attachment mounting structure includes two, opposed projections.

8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein said second cleaning attachment mounting structure includes two opposed slots that receive said two opposed projections.

9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein one slot of said two opposed slots is provided upon a resilient tab.

10. The assembly of claim 7, wherein said third cleaning attachment mounting structure includes two opposed slots that receive said two opposed projections.

11. The assembly of claim 10, wherein one slot of said two opposed slots is provided upon a resilient tab.

12. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said main body includes at least one guide projection.

13. The assembly of claim 12, wherein said cover includes at least one guide channel for receiving and sliding along said at least one guide projection.

14. The assembly of claim 13, wherein said cover includes a series of guide ribs projecting toward said main body.

15. The assembly of claim 9, wherein said cover includes an open space to allow access to said resilient tab in order to remove said first cleaning attachment from said main body.

16. The assembly of claim 1, further including a lock carried on said main body for securing said assembly to the floor care apparatus.

17. The assembly of claim 16, wherein said lock is pivotally mounted to said main body and a spring biases said lock into a locking position.

18. The assembly of claim 17, wherein said lock includes a locking lug and an actuator button.

19. The assembly of claim 18, wherein said cover includes a first stop for limiting sliding movement of said cover on said main body when said cover is moved into said extended position.

20. The assembly of claim 19, wherein said cover includes a groove extending around said lock and forming a second stop for limiting sliding movement of said cover on said main body when said cover is moved into said retracted position.