Abstract: A surface cleaning head with dual rotating agitators (e.g., a leading roller and a brush roll) may be used to facilitate capturing of debris in the air flow into a suction conduit on the underside of the surface cleaning head. The leading roller is generally positioned adjacent to and in advance of the opening of the suction conduit. The rotating brush roll may be located in the suction conduit with the leading roller located in front of and spaced from the brush roll, forming an inter-roller air passageway therebetween. The leading roller may provide a softer cleaning element than the brush roll and may also have an outside diameter that is less than the outside diameter of the brush roll. The surface cleaning head may also include debriding protrusions contacting the leading roller and/or a leading bumper that extends in front of the leading roller.

Abstract: A rotatable agitator is used in a surface clearing head of a surface cleaning apparatus. The agitator is coupled to the cleaning head at least partially within an agitator chamber and is rotated about a pivot axis. The agitator includes an elongated agitator body and a hair migration portion. The hair migration portion includes a continuous row of bristles and a sidewall. The continuous row of bristles and sidewall are at least partially revolved around and extend along at least a portion of the pivot axis from one of a collection area or a first end region of the agitator and either another collection area or a second end region of the agitator. The sidewall extends substantially parallel to the continuous row of bristles within the hair migration portion. The continuous row of bristles and sidewall are configured to reduce hair from becoming entangled in the bristles and to migrate hair towards the collection area or the first end region of the agitator.

Abstract: A plastic clip core is disclosed for use in a rotary brush in a carwash. The plastic clip core is used in conjunction with a rotational hub, a plurality of plastic clips, and an equal plurality of longitudinal washing elements (“LWE”). The plastic clip core has a plurality of semi-cylindrical void cavities, each with an adjoining cylindrical void cavity. Each plastic clip has two parallel members, a first member and a second member. Each LWE has an upper edge, lower edge, free edge, and a cylindrical mount. A first member of a plastic clip fits into the cylindrical mount of the LWE and the semi-cylindrical void cavity. The second member of the plastic clip fits into the cylindrical void cavity, thus securing the LWE to the plastic clip core. The plastic clip core mates with the rotational hub in a no-slip condition.

Abstract: A surface cleaning head with a leading roller may be used to facilitate capturing of debris in the air flow into a suction conduit on the underside of the surface cleaning head. The leading roller is generally positioned adjacent to and in advance of the opening of the suction conduit. The surface cleaning head may have dual agitators—a leading roller and a rotating brush roll—with the leading roller being located in front of the brush roll. The leading roller may have a smaller diameter than the brush roll and may provide a softer cleaning element. The leading roller may also have a bottom portion exposed to the flow path to the suction conduit and at least a top half that is not exposed to that flow path. The leading roller may also float relative to the surface cleaning head and/or may be adjustable relative to the brush roll.

Abstract: The output conveyor belt of a crosslapper for holding and conveying layers of card web laid to form a nonwoven is configured as an endless slatted belt with a plurality of transverse slats. The transverse slats comprise support surfaces for the nonwoven, which are formed by fibers or bristles projecting from the transverse slats.

Abstract: A surface cleaning head includes dual rotating agitators (e.g., a leading roller and a brush roll) and a removable cover for covering a top of the agitators and allowing access to the agitators from a top of the surface cleaning head. The dual agitators may be used to facilitate capturing of debris in the air flow into a suction conduit on the underside of the surface cleaning head. The brush roll may be located in a brush roll chamber and at least partially in an opening to the suction conduit. The leading roller may be positioned adjacent to and in advance of the suction conduit opening such that the leading roller engages debris and moves the debris toward the brush roll and the opening. The leading roller may be removable from the housing and held in place by the removable cover. The cover may be coupled using isolated latching mechanisms.

Abstract: A brush for delivering a glutinous substance to a workpiece from an end-effector is disclosed. The brush comprises a body having a rotational axis. The body comprises a first end, a second end, opposite the first end, and a channel, comprising an axial inlet and an outlet. The axial inlet is at the first end of the body and is coaxial with the rotational axis. The brush also comprises bristles, extending from the body so that the bristles are not parallel to the rotational axis of the body.

Abstract: A brushbar including: a body having a channel extending in the longitudinal direction and a retaining feature provided along each side of the channel and spaced away from a bottom, wherein a depth of the channel decreases in the longitudinal direction of the channel; an agitator element that includes a flexible strip and an agitator, wherein the flexible strip is disposed in the channel and extends between each retaining feature and the bottom of the channel such that the retaining features retain the flexible strip in the channel and the agitator extends radially from the channel; and a shim disposed between the flexible strip and the bottom of the channel such that the flexible strip abuts each retaining feature, wherein a thickness profile of the shim decreases in the longitudinal direction by an amount corresponding to the decrease in the depth of the channel.

Abstract: An agitator and a robot cleaner including an agitator. The agitator includes a body configured to be rotated, a plurality of couplers formed at the body and arranged to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, and a first member and a second member coupled to any one of the couplers and configured to contact a surface to be cleaned during rotation of the body. The first member and the second member extend different lengths from the body in a radial direction.

Abstract: An agitator assembly for a cleaning apparatus including an agitator having a body with first and second ends, and a first alignment formation and a first securing formation at or adjacent the first end; and a drive member operable to impart rotation about a drive axis, and a second alignment formation adapted to cooperate with the first alignment formation, and a second securing formation adapted to engage the first securing formation. Relative axial movement of the agitator in a first direction towards the drive member causes contact between the first and second alignment formations. Further relative axial movement of the agitator in the first direction causes relative rotation between the agitator and drive member and yet further relative axial movement of the agitator in the first direction causes engagement between the first and second securing formations, substantially to prevent further relative rotational movement between the agitator and drive member.

Abstract: A cleaner head for a vacuum cleaner including an agitator in the form of a brush bar, the brush bar including a plurality of radially extending bristles and a sealing material disposed between the bristles. The sealing material extends over substantially the entire circumferential and axial extent of the regions of the brush bar between the bristles. The cleaner head further includes a housing defining a chamber which at least partially surrounds the brush bar, a dirty air inlet in a lower part of the chamber and a front opening that exposes the brush bar at the front of the housing. The brush bar is supported for rotation with respect to the housing and arranged in the chamber such that the brush bar seals against the housing thereby restricting flow of air through the front opening.

Abstract: A brushroll for a surface cleaning apparatus includes a brush dowel defining an axis and having opposing bristle supports and a shroud surface between the opposing bristle supports, and a plurality of bristles protruding from the bristle supports. The shroud surface is positioned relative to the bristles to minimize hair wrap.

Abstract: Disclosed is a vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner includes a suction nozzle housing, an agitator provided within the suction nozzle housing, and a suction channel guiding air sucked into the suction nozzle housing to a dust collector, the agitator includes a body rotatably installed in the suction nozzle housing, brush members disposed on the body in parallel with the center of rotation of the body and combined with the body so as to be fixed, and auxiliary members disposed on the body in parallel with the center of rotation of the body and combined with the body so as to be movable when the body is rotated, and a protrusion overlapping with parts of the brush members and contacting the brush members when the body is rotated is provided in the suction channel.

Abstract: A flexible strip brush element is constructed from multiple monofiliments arranged in a parallel fashion and attached at one end to a flexible base. The monofiliments are attached to the base by intermingling material from the base with material from the monofiliments. The free ends of the monofiliments collectively form a bristle end zone. A plurality of flexible strip brush elements may be bonded side-by-side so the free ends of the monofiliments form a common bristle end zone. The bonded flexible strip brush elements may take the form of a linear section or may be fashioned into an endless loop or jointless spiral.

Abstract: Provided is a cleaning member, including a shaft material that rotates about an axial center, and a cleaning material that is spirally wound around the shaft material, is driven to be rotated by a rotating member to be cleaned, cleans the member to be cleaned, and has the number of windings which is equal to or greater than 1 and less than 2 in a cleaning area where the member to be cleaned is cleaned.

Abstract: A roller brush for a cleaning appliance that includes a brush core defining a longitudinal axis of rotation and three or more dual rows of bristles disposed on and equidistantly spaced along a circumference the brush core. Each dual row of bristles includes a first bristle row of a first bristle composition and having a first height and a second bristle row of a second bristle composition stiffer than the first bristle composition and having a second height. The second bristle row is circumferentially spaced from the first bristle row by a gap less than or equal to 10% of the first height. Also, the first height is less than or equal to 90% of the second height.

Abstract: An agitator for a surface treating appliance. The agitator comprises an agitator body having an axis, and a bristle strip carried on the agitator body and extending along a central region of the agitator body and an end region of the agitator body. The bristle strip includes a plurality of bristles aligned in a row, and wherein bristles associated with the end region of the agitator extend in a direction that defines an acute angle with the longitudinal axis of the agitator. In this way, the bristles on the ends of the agitator are provided with a outwardly swept configuration that increases the effective swept width of the agitator.

Abstract: A component for a vehicle wash system includes a frame and a hub portion that is rotatably connected to the frame. The hub portion has an inner surface, an outer surface and an axis of rotation. The hub portion includes a plurality of media elements secured thereto and arranged in a plurality of spaced apart rows that extend in a direction along the axis of rotation. The hub portion includes at least one translucent portion disposed on its outer surface. The translucent portion is disposed between a pair of adjacent rows of the plurality of spaced apart rows. The hub portion includes at least one illumination element for illuminating the at least one translucent portion such that said illuminated translucent portion is configured to be seen while the said hub portion rotates.

Abstract: A cleaner head for a surface treating appliance includes a housing and a rotatable brush bar located within the housing. The brush bar includes a first plurality of bristles and a second plurality of bristles which protrude radially outwardly beyond the first plurality of bristles. The second plurality of bristles has a surface resistivity in the range from 1×10?5 to 1×1012 ?/sq so that static electricity residing on a floor surface to be cleaned is discharged upon contact with the conductive bristles.

Abstract: Agitating apparatus for a surface treating appliance includes a rotatable body having at least one substantially continuous row of bristles extending outwardly therefrom, the bristles having a surface resistivity in the range from 1×10?5 to 1×1012 ?/sq so that static electricity residing on a floor surface to be cleaned is discharged upon contact with the bristles.

Abstract: An agitator for a surface treating appliance. The agitator comprises an agitator body having an axis, and a bristle strip carried on the agitator body and extending along a central region of the agitator body and an end region of the agitator body. The bristle strip includes a plurality of bristles aligned in a row, and wherein bristles associated with the end region of the agitator extend in a direction that defines an acute angle with the longitudinal axis of the agitator. In this way, the bristles on the ends of the agitator are provided with a outwardly swept configuration that increases the effective swept width of the agitator.

Abstract: An agitator having a hollow spindle housing with first and second ends, and one or more agitating devices projecting from the spindle housing. A first bearing retainer holds the first end of the spindle housing and a first race of a first bearing, and a second bearing retainer holds the second end of the spindle housing and a first race of a second bearing. A first agitator mount holds a second race of the first bearing, and a second agitator mount holds a second race of the second bearing. A rigid inner support may be located inside the spindle housing and connect the first and second bearing retainers together to hold the first races of the first and second bearings in axial alignment. The spindle housing may have sound reducing members to reduce the amplitude of human-audible sounds generated by the agitator.

Abstract: A rotary agitator is provided having a body with an exterior surface. A plurality of bristle tufts extend outwardly from the exterior surface about an arc of less than 360°. A tuftless gap on the exterior surface provides for enhanced bare floor cleaning. The tuftless gap extends through an arc of between about 20° and about 40°. In one particularly useful embodiment two tuftless gaps are provided at opposing positions on the agitator body.

Abstract: In a process for the production of a roll brush the first step consists of extruding a retaining profile 2 of plastic, which through the fill 3 with bristles forms a strip brush 1 as an intermediate product, the strip brush 1 being subsequently helically wound on a winding mandrel 4 with the adjoining side faces 6,7 of the retaining profiles 2 being glued or fused to form a roll brush.

Abstract: An agitator having a hollow spindle housing with first and second ends, and one or more agitating devices projecting from the spindle housing. A first bearing retainer holds the first end of the spindle housing and a first race of a first bearing, and a second bearing retainer holds the second end of the spindle housing and a first race of a second bearing. A first agitator mount holds a second race of the first bearing, and a second agitator mount holds a second race of the second bearing. A rigid inner support may be located inside the spindle housing and connect the first and second bearing retainers together to hold the first races of the first and second bearings in axial alignment. The spindle housing may have sound reducing members to reduce the amplitude of human-audible sounds generated by the agitator.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner brushroll having a pulley with a generally circular pulley surface surrounding at least one opening located radially inward of the pulley surface, and an elongated shaft passing through the central opening. The pulley may surrounds and be captured in place by a mounting portion of the elongated shaft that is formed as continuous single structure. A mounting portion of the shaft comprising a continuous structure having a reduced cross section into which the pulley fits may be located within and on either side of the pulley's central opening. A process for making a brushroll is also provided.

Abstract: An insulation system comprising: a supply of material having discrete elements; an applicator assembly for installation of the material having discrete elements to a surface; and a scrubber for finishing the face of the material. In one embodiment, the scrubber includes: a vacuum conduit; a planer assembly attached to the vacuum conduit; a drive for the planer assembly; and a vacuum adjacent to the planer assembly for removing loose material created during finishing. Also, in the preferred embodiment, the insulation system further includes a transporter system downstream of the supply of material having discrete elements for delivery of the material to the applicator assembly.

Abstract: An improved rotary helical brush comprising a rotary axle and two helical brushing members slipping over the rotary axle, the helical brushing members are planted with bristles on surfaces of their corresponding continuous helical frames and are assembled by rotating in mutual contrary directions. The rings of one of the two helical brushing members are arranged alternately relative to rings of the other helical brushing member, the degrees of inclination of bristles on every ring of the helical frames are increased to increase the contact areas between the bristles on each ring and the surface of a plate being cleaned. Thereby the rotary axle rotates slower to reduce the centrifugal force and vibration, and thereby scrapes created on the surface of a plate can be reduced.

Abstract: A reel-shaped bristle unit 10 comprising a set of strands of bristles 4 formed by bending a plurality of strands 1, made of synthetic resin filament such as nylon, into two in a U-shape and by aggregating the strands 1 as a bunch, wherein a lead wire for winding 3 common to the center of the strands 2 is fixed by welding or adhering thereto, wherein a spiral groove 7 is formed at a circumference 6 of a bristle reel 8 in which one or more rows of said set of strands of bristles 4 are plunged into the groove 7, Said set of strands of bristles 4 is plunged into the spiral groove 7 in such a manner to be wound spirally around the groove 7 of the waist of the reel 8 with a spiral pitch along it from one end of the lead wire 3 while the center of the strands 2 is fixed by the lead wire 3, wherein a free end of the set of the stands 4 extends above the reel while a clearance 9 is provided between the grooves 7 adjacent to each other.

Abstract: A corrugated box finishing machine has a station where dust, debris and other particles are cleaned from the corrugated boards before they are conveyed to the printing station. Electrostatic charges on the particles are neutralized by a static bar and the particles are then removed from the boards by a rotating brush. The particles are drawn into a vacuum chamber underlying the path of conveyance of the boards, and the static bar is positioned in an enclosure in proximity to the boards but isolated from the vacuum in the vacuum chamber. The enclosure has surfaces which direct the particles away from the static bar which is oriented to further minimize contact with the removed particles. The cleaning brush includes a plurality of brush sections mounted on a rotatable shaft made from carbon fiber material.

Abstract: A brush structure includes a rotation bar, a plurality of brush strips, a plurality of fixing blocks, and a driving block mounted on the rotation bar to rotate the rotation bar. Thus, the helical groove is extended through the whole length of each of the two arc-shaped plates of the rotation bar, so that each of the two brush strips is extended through the whole length of each of the two arc-shaped plates of the rotation bar without interruption, thereby enhancing the cleaning effect of each of the two brush strips.

Abstract: A rotary brush for a vacuum cleaner comprises a drum 110 rotatably supported in a housing 21 of a brush assembly 20 and provided with bristles 111 on outer circumference, a bearing 120 including outer 122 and inner races 121 and having the outer race 122 press-fit in a groove 112 formed at an end of the drum 110, and a holder 130 having one side connected with the housing 21 and another side supporting the inner race 121 for the drum 110 to be rotatably supported in the housing 21. According to the present invention having the above-described structure, the number of parts can be reduced, thereby reducing the number of moving parts and also reducing the manufacturing costs.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner brushroll including a spindle, bristle tufts carried by the spindle, and sleeves fitted on the ends of the spindle, the bristle tufts including angled end tufts that extend through the sleeve outwardly beyond the ends of the spindle to provide a wide cleaning path and improved edge cleaning capability upon rotation of the brushroll. The sleeve on one end of the brushroll has a pulley.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner brushroll having angled tuft patterns effective to increase cleanability performance of the vacuum. The brushroll comprises a spindle and at least two patterns of bristled tufts. The patterns may be helical shaped rows. The rows may define tuft pairs, wherein each tuft in a pair is equidistant from a spindle each and shares a common sweeping path. A majority of the pairs are formed by tufts that are alternatively positioned at acute and obtuse angles to the spindle axis of the brushroll. Two tufts within a pair may be positioned at supplementary angles.

Abstract: An elongated pile sub-assembly having a support beam for attachment to a plurality of yarn bundles. Each of the yarn bundles attached to the beam have a pile end and a root end for anchoring the elongated pile sub-assembly. The root ends can also entangle its loose fibers for added anchoring support of the elongated pile sub-assembly. A guide assembly is used to form a rooted tuftstring article such as a brush or flooring article therefrom. The elongated pile sub-assembly may be used alone to make a brush or a pile or bristle surface structure such as a floor covering, a wall covering or an automotive component, or may be arranged with other elongated pile articles and attached to a backing substrate, as when used to make up a pile or bristle surface structure. A brush or pile surface structure may be fabricated from an elongated pile sub-assembly alone, or from the pile sub-assembly together with a brush body member or a backing substrate.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner brushroll including a spindle, bristle tufts carried by the spindle, and sleeves fitted on the ends of the spindle, the bristle tufts including angled end tufts that extend through the sleeve outwardly beyond the ends of the spindle to provide a wide cleaning path and improved edge cleaning capability upon rotation of the brushroll. The sleeve on one end of the brushroll has a pulley.

Abstract: An agitator for use with cleaning machines, as well as methods for making the same, are shown and described. The agitator is configured to facilitate the removal of elongated fibers therefrom. In one embodiment, the agitator has a rotatable member with opposing first and second ends, an axis of rotation extending between the first and second ends, and an external surface extending at least partially between the first and second ends. A number of projections are attached to the external surface of the agitator. One or both of the ends of the agitator are configured to rotatably engage the cleaning machine, such as at a bearing or other connector. The external surface of the rotatable member has a first portion that is substantially cylindrical about the axis of rotation, and a second portion separate from the first portion that has at least a first depression.

Abstract: A vacuum sweeper roller brush having tuft segments arranged in straight lines is employed to slap the carpet and dislodge particulate dirt and dust lodged therein. The tuft segments are made up of groups of tufts and each tuft segment has a corresponding tuft segment spaced apart from the first tuft segment. The tuft segments are arranged in a double helix or partially in a first double helix and partially in a second double helix. Alternatively, a single helix may be used. Other embodiments employ tufts which link one tuft segment to another in a stepped pattern or employ tuft segments which link tuft segments together in a helical pattern.

Abstract: A sweeping machine for picking up debris from a surface includes a frame and wheels attached to said frame to support the frame of the sweeping machine over the surface being swept. A cylindrical brush is rotatably attached to said frame. The cylindrical brush includes a tubular main body and tufts attached to said tube such that the tufts extend radially outward from said tube. The tube has regions devoid of tufts bounded by regions having tufts. The sweeping machine also includes a mechanism for rotating said cylindrical brush.

Abstract: A sweeping machine for picking up debris from a surface includes a frame and wheels attached to said frame to support the frame of the sweeping machine over the surface being swept. A cylindrical brush is rotatably attached to said frame. The cylindrical brush includes a tubular main body and tufts attached to said tube such that the tufts extend radially outward from said tube. The tube has regions devoid of tufts bounded by regions having tufts. The sweeping machine also includes a mechanism for rotating said cylindrical brush.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a sweeper or abrasive element is disclosed. The abrasive element is manufactured from a U-shaped plastic profile having an aperture in which are placed abrasive lamellae, supporting bristles and heat-dissoluble plastic threads. By heating above the plasticization temperature of the plastic, total embedding of the bristles and abrasive lamellae occurs thereby forming an integral unit. This ensures that the bristles and/or abrasive lamellae will not separate during use of rotating abrasive or polishing tools in which the abrasive elements are included. As the abrasive elements are of plastic material they are flexible and able to adapt to different diameters of abrasive or polishing tools. The user, therefore, only needs to have a supply of abrasive elements, cut into suitable lengths depending on the diameter of the tool in which the abrasive elements are to be replaced.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner beater brush for lifting dirt from carpeted surfaces without damaging the carpet's fibers. The vacuum cleaner beater brush includes an elongate roller with a pair of opposite ends, and an outer side surface. Each of the ends of the roller has a mounting stud outwardly extending from the respective end of the roller. The outer side surface of the roller is divided into a pair of generally equal sized regions. The roller has a plurality of resiliently deflectable elongate prongs outwardly extending from a first of the regions of the outer side surface of the roller. The roller has a plurality of resilient bristles outwardly extending from a second of the regions of the outer side surface of the roller.

Abstract: A hand held power driven sweeper that is supported on brush assemblies. The brush assemblies are horizontally mounted on the end of a handle component. The brush assemblies are readily mounted and removed from the handle component. A power component on the opposite end of the hand component provides motive power for the brush assemblies. The brush assemblies have bristles selected from a diameter and length range to provide a bristle density that provides a desired sweeping action as well as support for the sweeper. The bristles are of the type that will have a slight break over to produce the sweeping action.

Abstract: In order to adjust a degree of tight contact between a floor surface and a suction member of a vacuum cleaner, and to facilitate operation of the vacuum cleaner, an air flow adjusting valve is provided at a left end of an upper plate of the suction member. When a negative pressure in an inner chamber reaches to a certain valve, the air flow adjusting valve is opened and air is introduced through an air inlet. This facilitates movement of the suction member over the floor surface.

Abstract: A sweeping machine for picking up debris from a surface includes a frame and wheels attached to said frame to support the frame of the sweeping machine over the surface being swept. A cylindrical brush is rotatably attached to said frame. The cylindrical brush includes a pattern of rows of sweeping material having N sections that have a first spiral in a first direction and N+1 sections of the brush that have a second spiral in a second direction. Two of the N+1 sections having the second spiral are located on the ends of the brush. The spiral is selected so that it augers or moves debris from a desired or selected side of the sweeping machine toward the center of the brush. The sweeping machine also includes a mechanism for rotating said cylindrical brush.

Abstract: Brush bristle assemblies are formed into strips with strips of length of thermoplastic monofilaments which are mutually fused at their bottoms and formed into coupling bars with snaps fastening heads. The bars are slidably coupled to linear or helical channels or slots formed in rotary driven brush drum bristle substrates. In one form, the individual monofilament lengths are bent to form dart shaped loops. The bent thermoplastic lengths are longitudinally stacked with the apices of the contiguous loops being mutually fused to form a bristle strip. A hand brush is formed of a bunch of polypropylene filaments, the bottom section of which being mutually fused and shaped to form a bristle base and handle.

Abstract: A debris cleaning device is equipped with a compound auger which has a rigid inner auger portion with auger fighting and a plurality of compliant combing attachments connected to the edge of the fighting. Instead of the compound auger, a helical rotary brush with a dense inner region of shorter stiffer bristles and a less populous outer region of longer bristles may be used. The cleaning device also has a suction mechanism with a nozzle located about at the midway point of the length of the auger (or rotary brush). The auger (or rotary brush) is positioned horizontally with its rotational axis co-linear with, or parallel to, an axle of supporting wheels so that the auger (or rotary brush) follows the contour of the surface being cleaned as do the wheels, thereby preventing the auger (or rotary brush) from digging into uneven terrain.

Abstract: A floor scrubbing machine uses two parallel cylindrical scrub brushes. Each brush is rotated by a separate drive means, and these are at opposite ends of the brushes. This balances the weight of the drives so the brushes exert a uniform pressure on the floor. The brushes are axially offset enough that each brush extends out as far as the drive means of the other brush, thus permitting the machine to scrub close to a wall on either side. The brushes have a more aggressive bristle fill at their ends which extend out under the drive means, where only one brush is scrubbing the floor, so the appearance of the scrubbed floor is essentially the same where scrubbed by one brush as where scrubbed by two brushes.

Abstract: The invention is directed toward a vacuum sweeper roller brush having an integrally formed stiffener bar. The roller brush includes a plurality of brush tufts which fixedly reside in recesses. The brush tufts and stiffener bars are arranged helically on the exterior of a generally cylindrical roller member. The stiffener bars support the brush tufts to provide improved sweeping performance.

Abstract: A brushroll for a vacuum cleaner includes a cylindrical dowel having a number of holes drilled thereinto. The holes are formed into a first row and a second row, the two rows being closely spaced in relation to each other. First tufts are secured in each hole of the first row and second tufts are secured in each hole of the second row. The tufts can be made of the same type of bristle or of different types of bristles. The tufts of the first row are supported by the tufts of the second row during a cleaning rotation of the brushroll. Preferably, the tufts of the second row are located at between 1/4 and 3/4 of a free length of the first row of tufts. The bristles of the second row are shorter than the bristles of the first row. If desired, a third row of tufts may also be provided. The rows of tufts can extend helically around the dowel.