Abstract: A detergent composition and/or solution for floors comprising a hydrophilic shear-thinning polymer at very low level for improved cleaning end result. The solution can be used with conventional implements known in the art, including sponges, cloths and/or sponge, string, and/or strip mops and floor cloths such as those sold at retail and speciality stores. In a most preferred embodiment, the solution is used with a cleaning pad comprising an effective amount of a superabsorbent material, said pad preferably being part of cleaning implement comprising a handle and said cleaning pad preferably being removable. The detergent composition preferably contains a limited amount of a detergent surfactant, preferably linear in structure and relatively hydrophilic, the level of solvent in the formula preferably being kept below about 5.0%, and the pH preferably being maintained above about 9.

Abstract: A floor cleaning apparatus such as an upright vacuum cleaner, an extractor or a powerhead for a canister vacuum cleaner includes twin agitators that are operatively connected together by means of a worm gear drive assembly.

Abstract: The lower end of the rotative brush 12 contacts the cleaning subject surface 26. As the driving wheels 14 roll on the cleaning subject surface 26, the rotative brush 12 rotates, while being guided by the sweep-up slope surface 10e1 of the slope surface forming portion 10e, the dust 28 on the cleaning subject surface 26 is swept up by the rotation of the rotative brush 12. The dust 28 is separated from the rotative brush 12 and received in the dust receiver 10a. Substantially at the same time as this, the cleaning subject surface 26 can be wiped while pressing the sheet-like wiping member 24 against the cleaning subject surface 26.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus comprises a body including a rear compartment, a forward compartment and an intermediate compartment arranged between the rear and forward compartments. An elongate rotatable brush arrangement is positioned within and extends across the forward compartment. An electric motor is positioned in the rear compartment for driving the rotatable brush arrangement and the electric motor.

Abstract: Provision is made for a rotating brush controlling apparatus (8) in a floor sweeping machine (1), comprising: a lifting device (15) suitable for applying a lifting force (15a) which is capable of lifting a rotating brush (8) to remove the same from a surface to be swept (7), and an actuating device-(16) which is suitable for applying a working force (16a) on command against the lifting force (15a), where the rotating brush (8) and the actuating device (16) are linked to each other and where moreover some adjusting devices (24) are provided, which are suitable both for optionally selecting the working force (16a) to selectively force the rotating brush (8) on the surface (7) to be swept, and for keeping the working force (16a) substantially constant in the presence of irregularities in the surface to be swept (7).

Abstract: A hand-operated sweeping machine having two circular brooms mounted in the front area, a motor drive which rotates the circular brooms, a drive mechanism which transfers a driving force derived from the forward motion of the sweeping machine to drive the circular brooms when the motor drive is not operating, and an interrupting mechanism which automatically interrupts a connection between the motor drive and the driving mechanism when the motor drive can rotate the circular brooms faster than the driving mechanism. When the motor drive of the sweeping machine is inoperative, as when there is no electricity available to operate an electric motor drive, the sweeping machine may be operated by the driving mechanism driving the circular brooms. The interrupting mechanism automatically prevents the motor drive when operating from transferring driving force to the driving mechanism and thereby undesirably driving forward motion of the sweeping machine.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus comprising a body (1) with a front face (201) wherein the front face (201) comprises a non-planar lower edge (203) such that in use the distance between the lower edge (203) and a plane of a surface to be cleaned is not uniform.

Abstract: The present invention provides an adjustment mechanism and methods for adjusting the alignment of a powered cylindrical brush mounted to a surface maintenance vehicle relative to a surface to be maintained or cleaned by the vehicle. The device is preferably disposed upon the idler-side of a powered rotating cylindrical brush assembly and the adjustment preferably occurs via use of an eccentric cam member providing a range or motion, or pivot location, through or about which the idler-side mounting location of the cylindrical brush may be adjusted to improve contact with the surface. The present invention enables such adjustment without decoupling the rotating brush from its couplings (both supportive and rotational coupling), and any coupling to a drive mechanism for driving the rotating brush into rotation. The rotating brush so adjusted will benefit from improved mechanical cooperation between the bristles of the brush and the surface to be cleaned.

Abstract: In a cleaning device, the scraping up body and the rotating body rolling the adhesive roll are rotatably supported to the frame, and the adhesive roll is rotatably arranged on the scraping up body and the rotating body in parallel.

Abstract: In a cleaning device, the scraping up body and the rotating body rolling the adhesive roll are rotatably supported to the frame, and the adhesive roll is rotatably arranged on the scraping up body and the rotating body in parallel.

Abstract: A brush roller accessory for a vacuum cleaner includes a main support roller and a power-driven brush roller rotatably arranged in a housing, and a spring-biased adjusting roller that adjustably protrudes from the housing to bear some of the total contact force of the accessory against a floor, to reduce or relieve the contact force exerted by the brush roller against the floor. The adjusting roller is rotatably mounted on a pivot lever, having a first end pivotally connected to the housing and a second end connected to a spring that biases the lever to pivot the adjusting roller outwardly from the housing. A rotary knob with several stop surfaces selects an upper limit on the pivot range of the lever and the adjustment height of the adjusting roller. A coupling link pivots the adjusting roller to a maximally protruding position to lift the brush roller into a parking position.

Abstract: The equipment comprises in combination: a floor cleaning machine with cylindrical rotary brushes (10) composed of essentially radial bristles (10A); and, on the side of this machine, a series of guide members—such as shoes with runners and/or spaced-out rollers (16), with annular ridges (16B)—that are able to engage in the grooves (3) of the step, in order to guide the floor cleaning machine while the bristles (10A) pass into said grooves.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus comprises a body (1; 106) including a rear compartment (3; 108), a forward compartment (9; 114) and an intermediate compartment (17; 124) arranged between the rear and forward compartments. An elongate rotatable brush arrangement (11; 116) is positioned within and extends across the forward compartment (9; 114). An electric motor (5; 110) is positioned in the rear compartment (3; 108), and drive means (25, 27, 29; 128, 130, 131) extends between the rotatable brush arrangement and the electric motor.

Abstract: In a cleaning device 10, a scraping up body 16 and the contact rotating body 18 being rotatably supported to a frame 15 in parallel; and an adhesive roll 21 astride the scraping up body 16 and the contact rotating body 18, being put on the scraping up body 16 and the contact rotating body 18 wherein an adhesive sheet 21A of the adhesive roll 21 is wound around a core 21B, and an initial outer diameter of the adhesive roll 21 is set to be equal to or less than 40 mm.

Abstract: A disposable dust receptacle can be formed from a foldable blank. It has flaps that close an open end so that the receptacle closes automatically as the receptacle is removed from a cleaning machine. The receptacle can be constructed from a biodegradable material, and is most suitable for use with cleaning machines having rotary brushes.

Abstract: A floor surface treatment apparatus having a wheeled vehicle including a support for a floor surface treatment unit, the support being moveable relative to the vehicle. A floor surface treatment unit is pivotally carried by the support for swinging movement relative thereto. The support is configured to raise and lower the unit relative to the floor surface, upon movement of the support relative to the vehicle, through a range of working positions in which the unit maintains a generally vertical orientation relative to the floor surface and is generally in contact therewith and a servicing position in which the unit is swung up relative to the vehicle above the floor surface to a position in which the unit is generally angled relative to the floor surface.

Abstract: A sweeping unit has a supporting frame and at least one motor-driven rotary brush which is rotationally mounted about an longitudinal axis thereof The supporting frame is provided with supporting wheels, and a distance of the wheels from the axis of the rotary brush is controlled by an adjusting device having at least one hydraulic adjusting cylinder and a control device. A supply cylinder is hydraulically connected to the at least one adjusting cylinder and has a piston, or other signalling component, connected to a metering device and/or distance measurement device. A signal from the metering and/or distance measurement device is connected to the control unit. A working area of the supply cylinder communicates hydraulically with the at least one adjusting cylinder and has a smaller cross-sectional surface area than that of the at least one adjusting cylinder. Alternatively, the piston of the supply cylinder is connected to a mechanical adjusting drive mechanism.

Abstract: A sweeping unit which can be affixed to a carrier vehicle or a trailer, comprising a supporting frame and at least one motor-driven rotary brush which is rotationally mounted around the longitudinal axis thereof. The supporting frame is provided with supporting wheels, whereby the vertical distance of said wheels from the axis of the rotary brush can be modified by means of an adjusting device comprising at least one adjusting member and a control unit. A sensor is provided for the detection of driving torque or the driving power of the rotary brush or an associated variable, whereby the signal from said sensor is switched to the control unit. The control unit determines the working position of the adjusting member corresponding to an optimum contact surface between the brush and the ground as a function of the contact position between the ground and the adjusting member, characterized by a sharp increase in said sensor signal when the rotary brush is lowered.

Abstract: The lower end of the rotative brush 12 contacts the cleaning subject surface 26. As the driving wheels 14 roll on the cleaning subject surface 26, the rotative brush 12 rotates, while being guided by the sweep-up slope surface 10e1 of the slope surface forming portion 10e, the dust 28 on the cleaning subject surface 26 is swept up by the rotation of the rotative brush 12. The dust 28 is separated from the rotative brush 12 and received in the dust receiver 10a. Substantially at the same time as this, the cleaning subject surface 26 can be wiped while pressing the sheet-like wiping member 24 against the cleaning subject surface 26.

Abstract: A brush assembly is provided in a movable sweeper in which the sweeper includes a vehicle frame to which a rotatable cylindrical brush is connected. The sweeper comprises a turning equipment to turn a brush frame around the vertical axle. The turning equipment comprises a first hydraulic cylinder by means of which an articulated auxiliary bar is turned around its articulating joint. A second hydraulic cylinder is fixed to the auxiliary bar from one of its ends and the second hydraulic cylinder is fixed to the brush frame on its other end. The working positions of the brush are obtained by driving one of the hydraulic cylinders to its longest or correspondingly shortest position. A transporting position for the brush is obtained by driving the other one of the cylinders (first or second one) to its extreme position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a simple mechanical dual stage pressure control for a cleaning head operatively coupled to a cleaning vehicle for engaging a surface to be cleaned and to methods of engaging and using such a dual stage pressure control to perform surface cleaning, surface maintenance, surface conditioning and the like. While the present invention is described and depicted primarily with reference to a cleaning head having dual rotary scrubbing brushes, the present invention finds diverse application in the art of surface cleaning, maintenance, conditioning and the like. Accordingly, the present invention is readily adaptable to cleaning heads having one or more of the following applications, including without limitation, such cleaning heads designed and adapted to: burnish, polish, scrub, sweep, brush, treat and wipe a surface to be cleaned wherein an increased downforce is beneficially selectively applied to such cleaning head to increase the efficacy of such cleaning head.

Abstract: An adhesive roll cleaner having a single-sided adhesive sheet wound around a core tube into a roll with the adhesive side facing out, wherein the adhesive sheet has a tear strength of 500 mN or higher and is wound in such a manner that the adhesive roll cleaner maintains an outer diameter within a range of 22 to 40 mm from start to end of use, and the roll has a width of 180 to 300 mm.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus includes a housing to be moved along a surface to be cleaned. Within the housing, a cleaning ribbon is disposed between a supply reel and a take-up reel. A portion of the cleaning ribbon is held parallel to, and in substantial contact with, the surface to be cleaned, for attracting and retaining smaller debris. Another portion of the cleaning ribbon is configured to create a particle trap. A rotatable brush, also disposed within the housing, sweeps larger debris into the particle trap. The supply reel, the take-up reel, the cleaning ribbon, and/or the rotatable brush are alternatively included in a cartridge which is detachably secured within the housing.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a hard floor surface with a surface maintenance vehicle including the steps of generating a foam-like aerated cleaning liquid, selectively conveying the foam-like aerated cleaning liquid to the hard floor surface and a scrubbing medium operatively coupled to the surface maintenance vehicle, scrubbing the hard floor surface with said rotating scrubbing medium and said foam-like aerated cleaning liquid so as to loosen soil from the hard floor surface leaving behind a soiled solution of cleaning liquid and soil, and removing at least a portion of the soiled solution from the hard floor surface through a fluid recovery device. Additional aspects of the present invention include devices for performing the cleaning method.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for clearing a playing surface are provided. The apparatus preferably includes a chassis or frame, a sensor connected to the chassis to sense a location of a line on a playing surface that needs to be cleaned, and a drive connected to the chassis to drive the chassis in a selected direction of travel. The apparatus also preferably includes a controller connected to the chassis, in communication with the drive, and responsive to the sensor to control the drive to thereby direct the chassis to move along the line that needs to be cleaned in the selected direction of travel and a cleaning device connected to the chassis to clean the line with the chassis is being driven along the line. Associated software is provided as well.

Abstract: In order to facilitate emptying of the dirt collection container in a mobile sweeping machine with a rotationally driven rotary brush which is mounted in a housing, a dirt collection container which can be detachably connected to the housing and with a dirt inlet opening located adjacent to the rotary brush in the dirt collection container, it is proposed that the dirt collection container is configured as a drawer, which can be laterally inserted into a guide of the housing and can be fixed in its inserted position relative to the housing.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved mechanical coupling for rapidly adjusting the elevation of a working edge portion of a tool which working edge portion is subject to wear that decreases the effective length of the working edge portion. In one embodiment, the bristles of a drum-type brush comprise the working edge portion. Once the working edge is properly adjusted with respect to a work surface, the amount of downforce imparted by the working edge and the pattern of the working edge on a work surface are maximized. In use an operator compares the length of the working edge to a first indicia set displayed adjacent the working edge and adjusts the elevation of the working edge with reference to a second indicia set which corresponds to the first indicia set. Surface maintenance vehicles which support an adjustable height tool with a working edge that wears down may utilize the present invention.

Abstract: A device for picking-up small-sized litter from floor and other surfaces is generally disclosed comprising a remote-controlled electric motor with power supply (3) located inside a case (1) standing on supporting wheels (2), and attached rolling litter collector (5) with sticky, bristly, magnetic, or any other surface capable of collecting small-sized litter.

Abstract: A mobile sweeper having a wheel supported housing to be moved forward and backward over a surface to be swept of debris. A pair of parallel elongated rotary brushes are mounted in the housing for rotation and extend in the direction of their elongation transversely to the direction of normal forward movement of the housing. These rotating brushes project downwardly through a bottom opening in the housing for sweeping an underlying surface of leaves and other debris. The drive for the brushes drives the rotary brushes in counter rotation whereby debris is swept upwardly between the brushes. A vacuum shredder fan is also mounted in the housing and communicates through a vacuum chute with the bottom opening of the housing for drawing in debris swept up by the brushes and chipping, shredding or mulching and discharging the shredded debris through a discharge chute for collection.

Abstract: A floor surface conditioning machine, typically a floor scrubbing machine comprising a support structure and supporting wheels, powered scrub brushes beneath the support structure, a brush carriage connecting the scrub brushes to the support structure, and a frictional motion dampener between the brush carriage and the support structure to dampen vibration of the brush carriage caused by the scrub brushes, this frictional motion dampener having a pair of friction members spaced from each other and astraddle a fixed member, and a pair of biasing springs biasing the pair of friction members against opposite sides of the fixed member. The fixed member includes a cam track and the friction members have a cam follower therebetween to follow the cam track during vertical movement of the brush carriage.

Abstract: In a sweeping apparatus with a sweeping roller arranged substantially horizontally to a sweeping surface and a storage bin for swept material fixable to the sweeping apparatus and which has a sweeping edge facing the sweeping roller, the sweeping edge is movable relative to the sweeping roller in such a way that the vertical position of the sweeping edge with respect to the sweeping surface is independent of the vertical position of the sweeping roller with respect to the sweeping surface.

Abstract: In order to construct a sweeper, which comprises a rotary brush arranged in a housing, a dirt collector which can be detachably attached to the housing and, adjacent the rotary brush in the dirt collector, a dirt inlet on the bottom edge of which a sill is arranged, in such a manner that the sill at the bottom edge of the dirt collector can be produced in particularly simple manner it is suggested that the sill be formed in one piece from a wall section which runs on one plane alongside both its longitudinal edges and which in between these edges stands out of this plane to one side, and that the wall section be connected to the bottom of the dirt collector alongside its longitudinal edges, whereby there will be a connection in two pieces at least alongside one longitudinal edge between the bottom and the wall section.

Abstract: A drive system for driving two cylindrical brushes of a floor cleaning machine that rotate in opposite directions is disclosed. The floor cleaning machine includes a motor, a gear mechanism and force-transmission means for transmitting a torque from the gear mechanism to the cylindrical brushes. The gear mechanism has a separate driven shaft for each 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 cleaning device for smooth floor surfaces has a housing having a working chamber and a drive chamber. First and second cleaning rollers are rotatably supported in the working chamber and extend transversely to a working direction of the cleaning device substantially across an entire width of the cleaning device. A drive is arranged in the drive chamber and drives the first and second cleaning rollers about a horizontal axis of rotation. The first and second cleaning rollers are height-adjustably arranged in the housing such that an adjusting device acts on the first and second cleaning rollers and moves them into a working position or into a parking position, respectively. The first and second cleaning rollers have a mantle surface projecting in the working position downwardly past a bottom plate of the housing to act on a floor surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods are provided for performing maintenance procedures such as washing, cleaning, deicing, and painting to an aircraft. The apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention preferably has a mobile base having a plurality of wheel members for allowing the mobile base to travel along surfaces and a plurality of support surface registering members for registering the mobile base to a support surface to inhibit movement of the plurality of wheel members. The apparatus also preferably has a boom member having a proximal end portion rotatably mounted to the mobile base and being movable between a retracted position and an extended position and an aircraft maintenance tool rotatably connected to a distal end portion of the boom member.

Abstract: A motor is incorporated in a cylindrical body which is a rotary brush. Rotation of a rotor of the motor, directly or via a speed reduction mechanism, drives the rotary brush. Cooling air runs through the cylindrical body so that the motor is cooled and protected. The rotary brush and an electric apparatus using the rotary brush can be downsized and easily.

Abstract: In order to facilitate emptying of the dirt collection container in a mobile sweeping machine with a rotationally driven rotary brush which is mounted in a housing, a dirt collection container which can be detachably connected to the housing and with a dirt inlet opening located adjacent to the rotary brush in the dirt collection container, it is proposed that the dirt collection container is configured as a drawer, which can be laterally inserted into a guide of the housing and can be fixed in its inserted position relative to the housing.

Abstract: A rotary brush assembly that is mounted to a traction vehicle, such as a skid steer type vehicle. The brush assembly is allowed to move relative to the traction vehicle within three degrees of freedom including yaw, roll, and up and down linear motion. The degrees of freedom reduce brush wear and facilitate more effective cleaning over uneven surfaces. Up and down linear motion is accommodated by a linear sliding joint. The sliding joint is further equipped with markings that indicate to the operator where, in the range of up and down motion, the brush is located. The brush assembly is also equipped with a mounting mechanism that translates motion of a skid steered vehicle implement arm joint into yaw motion of the brush. This eliminates the need for additional hydraulic cylinders or controls to actuate yaw motion.

Abstract: A motor is incorporated in a cylindrical body which is a rotary brush. Rotation of a rotor of the motor, directly or via a speed reduction mechanism, drives the rotary brush. Cooling air runs through the cylindrical body so that the motor is cooled and protected. The rotary brush and an electric apparatus using the rotary brush can be downsized and easily.

Abstract: In order to construct a sweeper, which comprises a rotary brush arranged in a housing, a dirt collector which can be detachably attached to the housing and, adjacent the rotary brush in the dirt collector, a dirt inlet on the bottom edge of which a sill is arranged, in such a manner that the sill at the bottom edge of the dirt collector can be produced in particularly simple manner it is suggested that the sill be formed in one piece from a wall section which runs on one plane alongside both its longitudinal edges and which inbetween these edges stands out of this plane to one side, and that the wall section be connected to the bottom of the dirt collector alongside its longitudinal edges, whereby there will be a connection in two pieces at least alongside one longitudinal edge beween the bottom and the wall section.

Abstract: A carpet cleaning apparatus is disclosed with a loop agitator. The loop agitator comprises a spindle with a plurality of flexible loops attached to the spindle. A blade is provided in close relative proximity to the agitator for severing hair and other fibers that become entangled on the agitator.

Abstract: The device capable of automatically cleansing an outer wall or window-pane of a building is characterized by the construction that support dies bent and folded by a cylinder are cross-formed, a brush rotating by a driving motor is installed on one side support die, and a weight plumb is set on another side support die, to whereby get an effective cleansing with only more simplified construction. In addition, in case that a boundary jaw or a projection appears, the cleansing work can be progressed moderately by unfolding and bending/folding the support die through a use of the cylinder so as to move the centroid, so by smoothly passing through the projection.

Abstract: In a cleaning device, the scraping up body and the rotating body rolling the adhesive roll are rotatably supported to the frame, and the adhesive roll is rotatably arranged on the scraping up body and the rotating body in parallel.

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: In order to simplify the construction of the mounting arrangement in a sweeping machine including a rotatably driven brushing roller which is rotatably mounted at each end in a frame and is driven at one end by a gear wheel which forms the mounting for the brushing roller at this end and the teeth of which engage in driver recesses in the brushing roller, it is proposed that the brushing roller be displaceable in an axial direction against the effect of a spring towards the gear wheel to such an extent that the mounting of the brushing roller at the end thereof remote from the gear wheel will disengage, and that the teeth of the gear wheel should engage in the driver recesses with so much play that the thus axially displaced brushing roller can be pivoted out from the region of the mounting by at least the radius of the brushing roller at said end remote from the gear wheel.

Abstract: A hand-held motorized utility brush for grooming animals and collecting hair from furniture. The hand-held motorized utility brush includes a support member having a handle portion, an angled intermediate portion, and an end portion and a bore extending therethrough; and also includes a motor securely mounted at the end portion of the support member and including a rotatable shaft; and further includes a plurality of bearings mounted about the motor; and also includes a sleeve rotatably mounted about the bearings and having a side wall and a plurality of brush retaining members spaced about and disposed in the side wall; and further includes a brush member being removably and rotatably mounted about the sleeve and being engageable with the rotatable shaft; and also includes a switch and a battery member for energizing the motor.

Abstract: The push brush carpet or hard surface cleaner of the present invention is preferably comprised of a cleaning brush with a round surface area to which cleaning bristles of any conventional size and shape are attached. In practice the brush is preferably pushed over the carpet or hard surface to agitate and/or expel a debris-laden cleaning solution that has been previously applied to the carpet or hard surface to accomplish cleaning. The cleaning solution can be any conventional chemical solution suitable for the purpose of carpet or hard surface cleaning, but the brush of the present invention is preferably used in conjunction with a dry powder or substantially neutral pH dry crystalline formula cleaning solution for carpets. Finally, the optional axle, bearing and wheel configuration permits easy disassembly of the brush to allow easy replacement of the brush and to permit accommodation of various brush sizes and bristle varieties.

Abstract: In order to facilitate moving with a cleaner comprised, on one side, of two parallel brush-rollers secured to a frame and actuated so as to rotate in opposite directions and, on the other side, of a push bar attached to the frame, it is suggested by the invention that the push bar be fixed at a distance from the frame in the direction of the rotating axis of the brush-rollers and rotationally fixed to the frame to enable a rotation following a cycle parallel to the axis of rotation.

Abstract: The push brush carpet or hard surface cleaner of the present invention is preferably comprised of a cleaning brush with a round surface area to which cleaning bristles of any conventional size and shape are attached. The brush is preferably attached to a frame by use of an axle, wheel and bearing configuration which permits locking of the axle in place at a given rotary position of the brush and also unlocking of the axle to permit rotation of the brush to a different position. In use, the rotary brush is locked in place in a given rotary position by the user, and a portion of the brush surface will come in contact with the carpet or hard surface as the user pushes the brush in a preferably reciprocating motion. In so doing, debris on the carpet or hard surface is agitated and/or expelled by the contacted area of the brush surface.