FLOOR CLEANER
A cleaning head for a floor cleaner including a brushroll assembly configured to clean a surface to be cleaned and reduce brushroll maintenance, such as removing hair and debris wrapped around the brushroll assembly and removing debris from a bearing of the brushroll assembly. The brushroll assembly may comprise agitator members to assist in cleaning and maintenance.
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/136,450, filed Dec. 29, 2020, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/960,826, filed Jan. 14, 2020, the entire contents all of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUNDThe present invention relates to cleaning heads for floor cleaners.
SUMMARYA cleaning head for a floor cleaner comprising a housing, a brushroll chamber, a brushroll assembly. The brushroll assembly is mounted in the brushroll chamber. The brushroll assembly includes an agitator body having a first end and a second end. A cleaning member is coupled to the agitator body between the first end and the second end. The cleaning member includes a vane extending outwardly from the agitator body and a plurality of cylindrical portions extending outwardly from the agitator body spaced along the vane. The cylindrical portions are integral with the vane.
A cleaning head for a floor cleaner comprising a housing, a brushroll chamber, a brushroll assembly. The brushroll assembly is mounted in the brushroll chamber. The brushroll assembly includes an agitator body having a first end and a second end. A cleaning member is coupled to the agitator body extending longitudinally between the first end and the second end. The cleaning member includes a plurality of cylindrical portions extending outwardly from the agitator body a first height. The plurality of cylindrical portions are spaced along the agitator body, each cylindrical portion connected to the adjacent spaced cylindrical portion by a webbed portion. The webbed portion extends outwardly from the agitator body a second height.
Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.
Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONThe disclosure relates to a brushroll assembly 20 for a floor cleaner, such as a vacuum cleaner, an extractor, or the like.
The brushroll chamber 16 includes an opening 18 in a bottom side of the housing 14. The brushroll assembly 20 is operably longitudinally mounted in the brushroll chamber 16 and extends through the opening 18 to contact a surface 50 to be cleaned. The brushroll assembly 20 includes an agitator body 22 that rotates relative to the housing 14 about a longitudinal axis 100. The longitudinal axis 100 extends through a first end 24 and a second send 26 of the agitator body 22. The bearing 28 facilitates rotation of the agitator body 22 about the longitudinal axis 100.
The brushroll assembly 20 further includes an end cap 30 on one or both ends of the brushroll body 22 rotationally supporting and positioning the brushroll in the brushroll chamber 16. The cleaning head 12 may include an agitator drive mechanism in the housing 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the brushroll body 22 includes one end cap 30 positioning the first end 24 of the brushroll in the brushroll chamber 16, and the drive mechanism includes a drive element 54 operably engaging the second end 26 of the agitator body 22, such as by a coaxial spline or gear drive engaging a splined recess 55 on the second end. In one embodiment, the brushroll assembly 20 includes the end cap 30 on the first end 24 and on the second end 26 and the drive element 54 operably engages the brushroll body, such as by a gear or belt. In operation, the drive mechanism drives rotation of the agitator body 22 about the bearing 28 forming the longitudinal axis 100 shown in
The agitator body 22 includes a plurality of agitating members 32. In one embodiment, the agitating members 32 include a plurality of vanes 34 and at least one row of bristles 36. The agitating members 32 extend between the first end 24 and the second end 26 and are spaced around the circumferential surface 47 of the agitator body 22, extending outwardly from the agitator body 22. In the illustrated embodiment shown in
The agitator body 22 extends along the longitudinal axis 100, with the end cap 30 received on the agitator body 22 to surround the bearing 28, and the deformable member 38 positioned around a circumferential surface of the agitator body 22. The deformable member 38 is in contacting engagement with at least one of the end cap 30 and the agitator body 22, however, the deformable member 38 may be in contacting engagement with both the end cap 30 and the agitator body 22.
In the illustrated embodiment, the deformable member 38 is positioned between the plurality of agitating members 32 and the end cap 30. The deformable member 38 extends radially outwardly from the agitator body 22 and is configured to inhibit the ingress of hair and debris into the bearing 28. The agitating members 32 extend from the agitator body a radial distance, and in one embodiment, the deformable member 38 extends beyond the radial distance of the agitating members 32. In one embodiment, the deformable member 38 extends through the opening 18 during operation to contact the surface 50 to be cleaned. The deformable member 38 may be composed of a felted material, tufted bristles, microfiber, felt, thermoplastic elastomeric, rubber, sponge, foam, nonwoven fabric, woven fabric, or a similar material. The deformable member 38 is compressible and configured to allow the brushroll assembly 20 to be removed out a lateral side 15 of the housing for cleaning and/or maintenance.
In one embodiment, the end cap 30 includes an outer side 53 facing away from the agitator body 22 and an inner side 51 facing the first end 24 of the agitator body. When the end cap 30 is mounted in the housing 14, the outer side 53 forms a portion of an exterior surface 57 of the housing. The inner side 51 includes a plurality of concentric annular ribs facing the first end 24. In one embodiment, there is a first concentric annular rib 64′ located radially outward of a second concentric annular rib 64″. The first end 24 of the agitator body includes a corresponding plurality of concentric annular protrusions 66 extending axially towards the end cap 30. In one embodiment, there is a first concentric annular protrusion 66′ located radially outward of a second concentric annular protrusion 66″. The first and the second annular ribs 64′, 64″ are configured to overlap the corresponding first and second annular protrusions 661, 66″, so as to form a plurality of annular recesses 67 between the adjacent annular ribs and the annular protrusions. An outermost annular recess 67′ is formed between the first annular rib 64′ and the first annular protrusion 66′. The deformable member 38 is positioned adjacent the outermost annular recess 67′ and configured to inhibit debris from encountering the outermost annular recess 67′. In one embodiment, the deformable member 38 is an annular seal adjacent the first end 24 of the agitator body and adjacent the end cap 30, where the deformable member 38 is configured to inhibit debris from encountering the outermost annular recess 67′ of the end cap. In order for the deformable member 38 to effectively inhibit debris ingress to the bearing 28 or adjacent area, it is useful for the deformable member 38 to be received and retained between the plurality of agitating members 32 and the end cap 30. In the embodiment shown in
In one embodiment schematically shown in
Most of the dust, hair, and debris is drawn into a working air path of the floor cleaner 10 by a working airflow and into a dirt collection chamber 52. However, some amount of hair, string, thread, or debris can become wrapped around the brushroll assembly 20 and agitator body 22 and can eventually migrate towards the ends 24 and 26 of the agitator body 22, toward the bearing 28. The deformable member 38 acts as a barrier between the hair/debris and the bearing 28. As shown in
Hair and debris entering the end cap 30 and bearing 28 interfere with the rotation of the agitator body 22 on the bearing 28, which negatively impacts the overall cleaning performance of the floor cleaner 10 and may require service or maintenance. In one embodiment, shown in
The agitator body 22 extends between the first end 24 and the second end 26 opposite the first end 24. The agitating members 32 rotate along with the agitator body 22, contacting the surface 50 through the opening 18 and facilitating surface debris pick-up. The agitator members 32 are configured to improve surface debris pick-up and reduce brushroll maintenance by inhibiting hair and debris wrap around the brushroll. In the embodiment shown in
In one embodiment, the plurality of vanes 34 have a first vane end 31 adjacent the first end 24 and a second vane end 33 adjacent the second end 26. The vanes 34 include a surface engaging portion 35 longitudinally extending along the agitator body 22 between the first vane end 31 and the second vane end 33. The surface engaging portion 35 promotes surface debris pick-up and inhibits hair and debris wrap around the agitator body 22. In this embodiment, the deformable member 38 is positioned between the first vane end 31 and the end cap 30 to inhibit debris from encountering the end cap 30. The second deformable member 38′ is positioned between the second vane end 33 and the drive element 54 to inhibit debris from encountering the drive element 54.
In one embodiment, the plurality of agitating members 32 wrap around the agitator body 22 between the first end 24 and the second end 26 in a helical pattern. The helical pattern can be defined by a single helix, such that all of the agitating members 32 lie in a single, common helix with respect to the longitudinal axis 100. In the embodiment shown in
In one embodiment, the helical pattern of the plurality of vanes and the helical pattern of the bristles extend around the agitator body in opposite directions. In the embodiment illustrated in
In the embodiment shown in
In the embodiment shown in
In the embodiment illustrated in
As illustrated in
In the embodiment illustrated in
In the embodiment illustrated in
The cylindrical portions have different cross-sectional shapes in different embodiments, based on the desired cleaning surface and cleaning needs, such as circular, polygonal, oval, or other cross-sectional shapes. In the embodiment illustrated in
In the embodiment illustrated in
In one embodiment, the plurality of cylindrical portions are spaced in a pattern along the cleaning member or vane between the first end and the second end. In the embodiment illustrated in
In the embodiments illustrated in
In the embodiment shown schematically in
The first cleaning vane 434 may be composed of an elastomeric material, vinyl, woven fiber or a similar material. The flexibility of the first cleaning vane 434 material increases durability and longevity of the cleaner. Further, the flexibility of the first cleaning vane 434 allows the cleaner to flex and bend during operation, which reduces debris wrap around the agitator body 422 by not allowing the hair and debris a stationary portion to wrap around. The row of bristles 436 provide agitation to the surface 50 to be cleaned to improve cleaning performance and debris pick-up. The loop 435 of the first cleaning vane 434 increases the circumference of the agitator body 422. By increasing the circumference of the agitator body 422, fewer hairs are able to wrap entirely around the agitator body 422, resulting in less overall hair, thread, and debris wrap. Additionally, the agitator body 422 may include secondary cleaning members 444 configured to further enhance debris pick-up and inhibit debris and hair wrap around the agitator body 422. The secondary cleaning members 444 may be composed of the same material as the first cleaning vane 434, or a different material.
In the embodiment shown in
Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.
Claims
1. A cleaning head for a floor cleaner comprising:
- a housing;
- a brushroll chamber;
- a brushroll assembly mounted in the brushroll chamber,
- wherein the brushroll assembly includes
- an agitator body having a first end and a second end,
- a cleaning member coupled to the agitator body extending longitudinally between the first end and the second end, the cleaning member including a vane extending outwardly from the agitator body, and a plurality of cylindrical portions extending outwardly from the agitator body spaced along the vane, the cylindrical portions being integral with the vane.
2. The cleaning head of claim 1, wherein the height of the plurality of spaced cylindrical portions extending outwardly from the agitator body is greater than the height of the vane extending outwardly from the agitator body.
3. The cleaning head of claim 1, wherein the plurality of cylindrical portions are spaced in a pattern along the vane.
4. The cleaning head of claim 3, wherein each of the plurality of cylindrical portions are spaced equidistant from an adjacent cylindrical portion along the vane.
5. The cleaning head of claim 1, wherein the cylindrical portions extend radially from the agitator body.
6. The cleaning head of claim 1, wherein one or more of the plurality of cylindrical portions has a circular cross-sectional shape.
7. The cleaning head of claim 1, wherein one or more of the plurality of cylindrical portions have a polygonal cross section.
8. The cleaning head of claim 1, wherein the cleaning member extends helically along the agitator body.
9. The cleaning head of claim 1, wherein the cleaning member is elastomeric.
10. The cleaning head of claim 1, wherein the vane and cylindrical portions are integrally molded.
11. A cleaning head for a floor cleaner comprising:
- a housing;
- a brushroll chamber;
- a brushroll assembly rotatably mounted in the brushroll chamber,
- wherein the brushroll assembly includes an agitator body having a first end and a second end, a cleaning member coupled to the agitator body extending longitudinally between the first end and the second end, the cleaning member including a plurality of cylindrical portions extending outwardly from the agitator body a first height, the plurality of cylindrical portions spaced along the agitator body, each cylindrical portion connected to the adjacent spaced cylindrical portion by a webbed portion, the webbed portion extending outwardly from the agitator body a second height.
12. The cleaning head of claim 11, wherein one or more of the plurality of cylindrical portions has a polygonal cross-sectional shape.
13. The cleaning head of claim 11, wherein one or more of the plurality of cylindrical portions has a circular cross-sectional shape.
14. The cleaning head of claim 11, wherein the first height of each cylindrical portion is the same from the first end and the second end.
15. The cleaning head of claim 1, wherein the cylindrical portions extend radially from the agitator body.
16. The cleaning head of claim 11, wherein the second height is between 50% and 98% of the first height.
17. The cleaning head of claim 11, wherein the cleaning member extends helically along the agitator body.
18. The cleaning head of claim 11, wherein the webbed portion includes a front side in a direction of rotation and a rearward side opposite the front side, wherein an axis through the longitudinal center of one or more of the plurality of cylindrical portions is aligned with or forward of the front side of the webbed portion.
19. The cleaning head of claim 11, wherein the webbed portion includes a front side in a direction of rotation and a rearward side opposite the front side, wherein an axis through the longitudinal center of one or more of the plurality of cylindrical portions is aligned with or rearward of the rearward side of the webbed portion.
20. The cleaning head of claim 11, wherein one or more of the plurality of cylindrical portions has a cross-sectional dimension larger adjacent the agitator body than the cross-sectional dimension distal the agitator body.
21. The cleaning head of claim 11, wherein one or more of the plurality of cylindrical portions has a cross-sectional dimension between 1.1 and 10 times the thickness of the webbed portion.
22. The cleaning head of claim 11, wherein each cylindrical portion is spaced from the adjacent cylindrical portion by between 2 millimeters and 20 millimeters.
23. The cleaning head of claim 11, wherein the plurality of cylindrical portions are spaced in a longitudinally extending pattern along the agitator body.
24. The cleaning head of claim 21, wherein the distance between adjacent cylindrical portions is the same from the first end to the second end.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 7, 2021
Publication Date: Jul 22, 2021
Inventors: Steven Kegg (Hickory, NC), Abhijeet Shrawage (Charlotte, NC), Kirti Paulla (Charlotte, NC)
Application Number: 17/224,786