DE202016009173U1 - Surface cleaning head having an openable agitator chamber and detachable agitators for use therein - Google Patents

Abstract

A surface cleaning head for a vacuum cleaner, the surface cleaning head comprising:
a cleaning head body (110, 710) having a front end portion, a rear end portion, laterally disposed sides, a top portion and a bottom portion;
an agitator chamber (120, 720) disposed in the front end portion (112) of the cleaning head body, the agitator chamber having an upper opening (117) through the upper portion of the cleaning head body and a lower opening (119) through the lower portion of the cleaning head body, and wherein the agitator chamber includes a non-driven side and a driven side;
an agitator drive mechanism (150, 750) including a spline drive member (770) on the driven side of the agitator chamber and an agitator drive motor (752) drivingly coupled to the spline drive member;
an external cover (122, 722, 2422, 2522, 2622, 2722, 2822, 2922) configured to be mounted on the cleaning head housing to cover the top opening of the agitator chamber such that the external cover has a top portion of the agitator chamber, the external cover being fully detachable from the cleaning head housing; and
a rotatable, powered agitator (130, 730) removably mounted within the agitator chamber such that the rotatable agitator contacts a surface through the bottom opening of the agitator chamber, the rotatable agitator being accessible and removable through the top opening of the agitator chamber when the external cover is removed,
wherein the rotatable agitator (130, 730) comprises:
an agitator body (131, 531, 631, 731) having a driven end (132, 732) and a non-driven end (134, 754), the non-driven end when the rotatable agitator is mounted in the agitator chamber the non-driven side of the agitator chamber is mounted so that the agitator body rotates freely at the non-driven end and the driven end is mounted on the driven side of the agitator chamber so that the driven end is driven by the agitator drive mechanism;
an end cap (790) having a tab (796) configured to be grasped by a user to facilitate removal and insertion of the non-powered end into an agitator chamber through the top opening, and the external cover engages the tab when the external cover is mounted on the cleaning head body;
a splined driven member (780) disposed at the driven end of the agitator body, the splined driven member being configured to axially mate and engage the splined drive member (770) of the drive mechanism (750) such that the splined drive member transmits torque and rotation to the splined driven member and the agitator body; and
at least one agitator element (136, 536) disposed on at least a portion of the agitator body between the driven end and the non-driven end.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention relates to vacuum cleaners and more particularly to a vacuum cleaner surface cleaning head having an openable agitator chamber and detachable agitators for use therein.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The following is not an admission that what is discussed below is part of the prior art or part of the common knowledge of a person skilled in the art.

A surface cleaning device, better known as a vacuum cleaner, can be used to clean a variety of surfaces, at least by suction. Various types of vacuum cleaners are known including, without limitation, upright vacuums, canister vacuums, stick vacuums, and central vacuum systems. A surface cleaning device typically includes a surface cleaning head with an inlet. Some vacuum cleaners contain some or all of the operating components (e.g., the suction motor and air treatment elements) in a location other than the surface cleaning head to make the surface cleaning head lighter or smaller. For example, an upright vacuum cleaner may include an upright containing at least one air conditioning element attached to a surface cleaning head. A canister vacuum cleaner may include a canister body containing at least one air conditioning element and a suction motor connected to a surface cleaning head by a flexible hose and handle. Another type of vacuum cleaner includes the suction motor and the air treatment elements (e.g., one or more cyclones) located in the surface cleaning head.

A surface cleaning device, such as one of the vacuum cleaners mentioned above, can also have one or more mechanical agitators, such as e.g. B. a rotating brush roller, included in the surface cleaning head to facilitate cleaning of a surface. A problem with mechanical agitators, particularly rotating brush rolls, is the difficulty in removing debris (e.g., hair) that has become entangled. The surface cleaning head must often be inverted to determine if the agitator is tangled or clogged and to remove the debris. Removing the contaminants from the mechanical agitator inside the surface cleaning head can also be difficult, particularly due to the restricted opening in the bottom of the surface cleaning head. Failure to adequately remove contaminants can result in performance degradation and even damage to the mechanical agitator and/or vacuum cleaner.

Also, with some conventional vacuum cleaners, the agitator is not suitable for all surfaces and/or conditions. For example, a rotating roller brush can create movement on a carpet, but not on a hardwood floor. This can further limit the vacuum's performance and versatility.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one embodiment, a surface cleaning head for a vacuum cleaner is provided. The surface cleaning head includes a cleaning head body having a front end portion, a rear end portion, laterally disposed sides, a top portion, and a bottom portion. An agitator chamber is located in the front end portion of the cleaning head housing. The agitator chamber has an upper opening through the upper part of the cleaning head housing and a lower opening through the lower part of the cleaning head housing. An external cover is pivotally attached to the cleaning head housing to cover the top opening of the agitator chamber. The external cover is pivotable between a closed position and an open position and the agitator chamber is covered when the external cover is in the closed position and is accessible through the top opening when the external cover is in the open position. A rotatable powered agitator is removably mounted in the agitator chamber such that the agitator is configured to contact a surface through the bottom opening and can be removed through the top opening. The rotatable driven agitator includes a driven end and a non-driven end. The external cover engages the non-powered end of the agitator in the closed position to retain the agitator in the agitator chamber, and the external cover disengages the non-powered end of the agitator when placed in the open position . The agitator is accessible through the top opening and removable when the external cover is in the open position.

According to another embodiment, a surface cleaning head for a vacuum cleaner is provided. The surface cleaning head includes a cleaning head body having a front end portion, a rear end portion, laterally disposed sides, and a top portion and a lower section. An agitator chamber is located in the front end portion of the cleaning head housing. The agitator chamber has an upper opening through the upper part of the cleaning head housing and a lower opening through the lower part of the cleaning head housing. An external cover is pivotally attached to the cleaning head housing to cover the top opening of the agitator chamber and is movable between a closed position and an open position. The agitator chamber is covered when the outer cover is in the closed position and is accessible through the top opening when the external cover is in the open position. A sealing member is located around a perimeter of at least an inner portion of the external cover and the cleaning head housing around the agitator chamber to seal the interface between the cleaning head housing and the external cover around the agitator chamber. A locking mechanism is configured to provide multiple circumferential detent points between the external cover and the cleaning head body to hold the external cover in the closed position. A rotatably driven agitator is mounted in the agitator chamber such that the agitator is configured to contact a surface through the lower opening. The rotatable, powered agitator includes a powered end and a non-powered end and is accessible through the top opening when the external cover is in the open position.

According to one embodiment, a surface cleaning head for a vacuum cleaner is provided. The surface cleaning head includes a cleaning head body having a front end portion, a rear end portion, laterally disposed sides, a top portion, and a bottom portion. An agitator chamber is located in the front end portion of the cleaning head body and has an upper opening through the upper portion of the cleaning head body and a lower opening through the lower portion of the cleaning head body. The agitator chamber has a non-driven side and a driven side. The surface cleaning head also includes an agitator drive mechanism including a drive member on the driven side of the agitator chamber and an agitator drive motor drivingly coupled to the drive member. An external cover is attached to the cleaning head body to cover the top opening of the agitator chamber and is movable between a closed position and an open position such that the agitator chamber is covered when the external cover is in the closed position and through the top opening accessible when the external cover is in the open position. A rotatable powered agitator is removably mounted in the agitator chamber such that the agitator is configured to contact a surface through the bottom opening and be accessible and removable through the top opening when the outer cover is in the open position located. The rotatable driven agitator includes a non-driven end mounted on the non-driven side of the agitator chamber so that the agitator rotates freely at the non-driven end, and a driven end containing a driven element. The driven member axially mates and engages the drive member of the drive mechanism such that the drive member transmits torque and rotation to the driven member and rotatable driven agitator.

According to another embodiment, a surface cleaning head for a vacuum cleaner is provided. The surface cleaning head includes a cleaning head body having a front end portion, a rear end portion, laterally disposed sides, a top portion, and a bottom portion. An agitator chamber is located in the front end portion of the cleaning head housing and has an upper opening through the upper portion of the cleaning head housing and a lower opening through the lower part of the cleaning head housing. An external cover is attached to the cleaning head housing to cover the top opening of the agitator chamber. The external cover is moveable between a closed position and an open position such that the agitator chamber is covered when the external cover is in the closed position and is accessible through the top opening when the external cover is in the open position. At least first and second rotatable powered agitators are configured to be removably mounted in the agitator chamber and removable through the top opening when the external cover is in the open position such that the rotatable powered agitators are interchangeable. The first rotary driven agitator has different stirring properties than the second rotary driven agitator.

According to a further embodiment, a surface cleaning head for a vacuum cleaner is provided. The surface cleaning head includes a cleaning head body having a front end portion, a rear end portion arranged laterally
sides, a top section and a bottom section. An agitator chamber is located in the front end portion of the cleaning head housing and has an upper opening through the upper portion of the cleaning head housing and a lower opening
through the lower part of the cleaning head body. The agitator chamber is configured to receive a rotatable powered agitator such that the agitator can contact a surface through the bottom opening and be removed through the top opening. The agitator chamber includes a non-driven side for receiving a non-driven end of the rotatable driven agitator and a driven side for receiving a driven end of the rotatable driven agitator. The surface cleaning head also includes an agitator drive mechanism having a drive member on a driven side of the agitator chamber and an agitator drive motor drivingly coupled to the drive member. The drive member is configured to axially fit and engage the drive member on the rotatable driven agitator such that the drive member transmits torque and rotation to the drive member and the rotatable driven agitator. An external cover is attached to the cleaning head housing to cover the top opening of the agitator chamber. The external cover is moveable between a closed position and an open position such that the agitator chamber is covered when the external cover is in the closed position and is accessible through the top opening when the external cover is in the open position.

According to one embodiment, a detachable, rotatable agitator assembly is provided for use in a surface cleaning head of a vacuum cleaner. The detachable, rotatable agitator assembly includes an agitator body having a driven end and a non-driven end, and at least one agitator element located on at least a portion of the agitator body between the driven end and the non-driven end. The detachable, rotatable agitator assembly also includes a driven element located at the driven end of the agitator body. The drive member is configured to axially fit and engage a drive member on a drive mechanism in the surface cleaning head. The detachable, rotatable agitator assembly further includes an axle extending from the non-powered end of the agitator body, a bushing rotatably mounted on the axle, and an end cap mounted on the bushing and configured to be operable without Rotation can be mounted in an agitator chamber of the surface cleaning head.

According to another embodiment, a detachable, rotatable agitator assembly includes an agitator body having a driven end and a non-driven end, at least one agitator element disposed on at least a portion of the agitator body between the driven end and the non-driven end, and a with Splined drive member located at the driven end of the agitator body. The splined drive member is configured to axially fit and engage a splined drive member on a drive mechanism in the surface cleaning head.

According to one embodiment, a surface cleaning head for a vacuum cleaner is provided. The surface cleaning head includes a cleaning head body having a front end portion, a rear end portion, laterally disposed sides, a top portion, and a bottom portion. An agitator chamber is located in the front end portion of the cleaning head housing. The agitator chamber has an upper opening through the upper portion of the cleaning head housing and a lower opening through the lower portion of the cleaning head housing and includes at least a driven side. The surface cleaning head also includes an agitator drive mechanism having a drive member on the driven side of the agitator chamber and an agitator drive motor drivingly coupled to the drive member. The drive element is configured to engage and drive a rotatable, driven agitator when received in the agitator chamber. An external cover is attached to the cleaning head body to cover the top opening of the agitator chamber. The external cover is moveable between a closed and an open position. The agitator chamber is covered when the external cover is in the closed position and is accessible through the top opening when the external cover is in the open position. The surface cleaning head further includes a non-powered agitator removably mounted in the agitator chamber without engaging the drive element such that the non-powered agitator is configured to contact a surface through the bottom opening. The non-powered agitator is accessible through the top opening and removable when the external cover is in the open position.

According to another embodiment, a surface cleaning head for a vacuum cleaner is provided. The surface cleaning head includes a cleaning head body having a front end portion, a rear end portion, laterally arranged sides, a top section and a bottom section. An agitator chamber is located in the front end portion of the cleaning head housing. The agitator chamber has an upper opening through the upper portion of the cleaning head housing and a lower opening through the lower portion of the cleaning head housing and includes at least one driven side. The surface cleaning head also includes an agitator drive mechanism having a drive member on the driven side of the agitator chamber and an agitator drive motor drivingly coupled to the drive member. At least one rotatably driven agitator is configured to be removably mountable in the agitator chamber and configured to engage the drive member of the agitator drive mechanism such that the drive member rotates the rotatably driven agitator. At least one non-powered agitator is configured to be removably mounted in the agitator chamber without engaging the drive member such that the non-powered agitator is configured to contact a surface through the bottom opening comes.

According to another embodiment, a detachable, non-powered agitator is provided for use in an agitator chamber of a surface cleaning head. The detachable non-powered agitator includes an agitator body defining first and second elongated air inlets, an air outlet, and an air path between the at least one air inlet and the air outlet. The elongated air inlets are located along at least a portion of a lower portion of the agitator body, and the air outlet is located on the agitator body in a position that provides engagement with a dirty air inlet in the agitator chamber of the surface cleaning head. The lower portion of the agitator body has a width corresponding to the width of a lower opening of the agitator chamber. The first and second ends of the agitator body are configured to engage the agitator chamber without a drive element engaging the agitator chamber. The detachable non-powered agitator also includes at least one cleaning pad mounted on a pad support member on at least one side of the lower portion of the agitator body and a seal around the air outlet.

character list

• 1 ist eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Oberflächenreinigungskopfes mit einer zu öffnenden Agitatorkammer die durch eine externe Abdeckung mit einem transparenten Bereich abgedeckt ist, in Übereinstimmung mit einer Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Offenbarung.
• 1A ist eine Querschnittsansicht des in 1 gezeigten Oberflächenreinigungskopfes entlang der Linie 1A-1A.
• 2 ist eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Staubsaugers mit dem in 1 dargestellten Oberflächenreinigungskopf der mit einem Rohr und einem Griff verbunden ist.
• 3 ist eine perspektivische Ansicht des in 1 gezeigten Oberflächenreinigungskopfes, wobei eine externe Abdeckung entfernt ist, um eine obere Öffnung in die Agitatorkammer zu zeigen.
• 3A ist eine Ansicht von unten des in 1 gezeigten Oberflächenreinigungskopfes, die eine untere Öffnung in die Agitatorkammer zeigt.
• 4A und 4B sind verschiedene perspektivische Ansichten einer Ausführungsform eines Bürstenwalzenagitator zur Verwendung in dem in 1 gezeigten Oberflächenreinigungskopf.
• 4C ist eine Querschnittsansicht des in 4B gezeigten Bürstenwalzenagitator entlang der Linie 4C-4C.
• 5A und 5B sind perspektivische bzw. Seitenansichten einer anderen Ausführungsform eines Bürstenwalzenagitators zur Verwendung in dem in 1 dargestellten Oberflächenreinigungskopf.
• 5C ist eine Querschnittsansicht des in 5B gezeigten Bürstenwalzenagitator entlang der Linie 5C-5C.
• 5D ist eine Seitenansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform eines drehbaren Agitators zur Verwendung in dem in 1 dargestellten Oberflächenreinigungskopf.
• 6A ist eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Ausführungsform eines nicht-angetriebenen Agitators zur Verwendung in einem Oberflächenreinigungskopf, entsprechend den Ausführungsformen der vorliegenden Offenbarung.
• 6B ist eine Endansicht des in 6A gezeigten nicht-angetriebenen Agitator.
• 6C ist eine Draufsicht auf den in 6A gezeigten nicht-angetriebenen Agitator.
• 6D ist eine Ansicht von unten auf den in 6A gezeigten nicht-angetriebenen Agitator.
• 7A und 7B sind verschiedene perspektivische Seitenansichten eines Oberflächenreinigungskopfes mit einer externen Abdeckung in einer offenen Position und mit einem aus der Agitatorkammer entfernten Agitator, entsprechend einer Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Offenbarung.
• 8 ist eine Draufsicht auf die Agitatorkammer und die externe Abdeckung des in 7A und 7B gezeigten Oberflächenreinigungskopfes.
• 9 ist eine Seitenansicht des in 7A und 7B gezeigten Oberflächenreinigungskopfes.
• 10 ist eine Draufsicht auf den in 7A und 7B gezeigten Oberflächenreinigungskopf mit einem drehbaren Agitator und einen Antriebsmechanismus, der mit einer Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Offenbarung übereinstimmt.
• 11 ist eine Draufsicht auf den Oberflächenreinigungskopf mit einem nicht-angetriebenen Agitator, das in der Agitatorkammer aufgenommen ist, in Übereinstimmung mit einer anderen Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Offenbarung.
• 12 ist eine Ansicht von unten auf den Oberflächenreinigungskopf mit dem in 11 gezeigten nicht-angetriebenen Agitator.
• 13 ist eine perspektivische Ansicht von oben auf eine Ausführungsform eines Antriebsmechanismus zur Verwendung in dem in 10 gezeigten Oberflächenreinigungskopfes.
• 14 ist eine Explosionsansicht des in 13 gezeigten Antriebsmechanismus.
• 15 ist eine perspektivische Nahansicht eines mit Keilwellen versehenen Antriebselements und eines mit Keilwellen versehenen Antriebselements des in 13 dargestellten Antriebsmechanismus.
• 16 ist eine Querschnittsansicht einer Keilwellenkupplung zwischen dem mit Keilwellen versehenen Antriebselement und dem mit Keilwellen versehenen Antriebselement entlang der Linie 16-16 in 13.
• 17 ist eine seitliche Querschnittsansicht des mit Keilwellen versehenen Antriebselements entlang der Linie 17-17 in 15.
• 18 ist eine Explosionsansicht eines nicht-angetriebenen Endes einer Ausführungsform eines drehbaren Agitator zur Verwendung in dem in 10 dargestellten Oberflächenreinigungskopf.
• 19 und 20 sind verschiedene perspektivische Seitenansichten einer Ausführungsform einer Endkappe zur Verwendung an dem in 18 gezeigten drehbaren Agitators.
• 21 ist eine perspektivische Ansicht von oben auf eine nicht-angetriebene Seite der Agitatorkammer im Oberflächenreinigungskopfes von 10 ohne den drehbaren Agitator.
• 22 ist eine perspektivische Draufsicht auf die nicht-angetriebene Seite der Agitatorkammer im Oberflächenreinigungskopf von 10 mit dem darin aufgenommenen nicht-angetriebenen Ende des drehbaren Agitators.
• 23 ist eine Querschnittsansicht der Endkappe des Agitators, die in der Agitatorkammer im Oberflächenreinigungskopf von 10 bei geschlossener Abdeckung platziert ist.
• 24 ist eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Stielstaubsaugers, der einen Reinigungskopf mit einer zu öffnenden Agitatorkammer umfasst, entsprechend einer weiteren Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Offenbarung.
• 25 ist eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Handstaubsaugers mit einem Reinigungskopf mit einer zu öffnenden Agitatorkammer, entsprechend einer weiteren Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Offenbarung.
• 26 ist eine Seitenansicht eines Oberflächenreinigungskopfes mit einer nach hinten schwenkbaren externen Abdeckung, in Übereinstimmung mit einer anderen Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Offenbarung.
• 27 ist eine Seitenansicht eines Oberflächenreinigungskopfes mit einer mehrteiligen externen Abdeckung, die einer weiteren Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Offenbarung entspricht.
• 28 ist eine Draufsicht auf einen Oberflächenreinigungskopf mit einer externen Abdeckung, die nach hinten oder nach vorne gleitet, um die Agitatorkammer zu öffnen, entsprechend einer weiteren Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Offenbarung.
• 29 ist eine Draufsicht auf einen Oberflächenreinigungskopf mit einer externen Abdeckung, die zur Seite gleitet, um die zur Seite gleitet, um die Agitatorkammer zu öffnen, entsprechend einer anderen Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Offenbarung.

These and other features and advantages will be better understood by considering the following detailed description along with the drawings, wherein:

• 1 12 is a perspective view of a surface cleaning head with an openable agitator chamber covered by an external cover having a transparent portion, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
• 1A is a cross-sectional view of FIG 1 shown surface cleaning head along line 1A-1A.
• 2 is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner with the in 1 shown surface cleaning head connected to a tube and handle.
• 3 is a perspective view of FIG 1 surface cleaning head shown with an external cover removed to reveal a top opening into the agitator chamber.
• 3A is a bottom view of the in 1 shown surface cleaning head showing a lower opening into the agitator chamber.
• 4A and 4B are different perspective views of an embodiment of a brushroll agitator for use in the in 1 shown surface cleaning head.
• 4C is a cross-sectional view of FIG 4B shown brushroll agitator along line 4C-4C.
• 5A and 5B are perspective and side views, respectively, of another embodiment of a brushroll agitator for use in the FIG 1 illustrated surface cleaning head.
• 5C is a cross-sectional view of FIG 5B shown brushroll agitator along line 5C-5C.
• 5D is a side view of another embodiment of a rotatable agitator for use in the in 1 illustrated surface cleaning head.
• 6A 14 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a non-powered agitator for use in a surface cleaning head, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.
• 6B is an end view of the in 6A shown non-powered agitator.
• 6C is a plan view of the in 6A shown non-powered agitator.
• 6D is a bottom view of the in 6A shown non-powered agitator.
• 7A and 7B 12 are various side perspective views of a surface cleaning head with an external cover in an open position and with an agitator removed from the agitator chamber, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
• 8th is a top view of the agitator chamber and external cover of the in 7A and 7B shown surface cleaning head.
• 9 is a side view of the in 7A and 7B shown surface cleaning head.
• 10 is a plan view of the in 7A and 7B shown surface cleaning head having a rotatable agitator and drive mechanism consistent with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
• 11 12 is a top view of the surface cleaning head with a non-powered agitator housed in the agitator chamber, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure.
• 12 is a bottom view of the surface cleaning head with the in 11 shown non-powered agitator.
• 13 12 is a perspective view from above of one embodiment of a drive mechanism for use in the FIG 10 shown surface cleaning head.
• 14 is an exploded view of the in 13 drive mechanism shown.
• 15 12 is a close-up perspective view of a splined drive member and splined drive member of FIG 13 drive mechanism shown.
• 16 Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of a splined coupling between the splined drive member and the splined drive member taken along line 16-16 in FIG 13 .
• 17 Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional side view of the splined drive member taken along line 17-17 in Fig 15 .
• 18 FIG. 14 is an exploded view of a non-powered end of one embodiment of a rotatable agitator for use in the FIG 10 illustrated surface cleaning head.
• 19 and 20 are various perspective side views of an embodiment of an end cap for use on the in 18 shown rotatable agitators.
• 21 12 is a top perspective view of a non-powered side of the agitator chamber in the surface cleaning head of FIG 10 without the rotating agitator.
• 22 12 is a top perspective view of the non-powered side of the agitator chamber in the surface cleaning head of FIG 10 with the non-powered end of the rotatable agitator received therein.
• 23 13 is a cross-sectional view of the agitator end cap installed in the agitator chamber in the surface cleaning head of FIG 10 placed with the cover closed.
• 24 14 is a perspective view of a stick vacuum including a cleaning head with an openable agitator chamber, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.
• 25 14 is a perspective view of a handheld vacuum cleaner having a cleaning head with an openable agitator chamber, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.
• 26 12 is a side view of a surface cleaning head with a rearwardly pivoting external cover, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure.
• 27 12 is a side view of a surface cleaning head with a multi-piece external cover consistent with another embodiment of the present disclosure.
• 28 12 is a top view of a surface cleaning head with an external cover that slides backwards or forwards to open the agitator chamber, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.
• 29 12 is a plan view of a surface cleaning head with an external cover that slides to open the agitator chamber, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

The accompanying drawings are provided to illustrate various examples of the subject matter, methods, and devices considered in the present specification, and are not intended to limit the scope of the teaching in any way.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A surface cleaning head consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure may be configured to include a detachable, rotatable, powered agitator, such as an agitator. B. a brush roller, or a non-powered agitator accommodates. Each of these agitators can be placed in an openable agitator chamber to remove contaminants and/or to remove the agitator. The openable agitator chamber can be covered by an external cover that is movable between an open position and a closed position. A sealing member may be located between the external cover and a surface cleaning head housing and around the perimeter of the agitator chamber. A surface cleaning head, in accordance with other embodiments of the present disclosure, includes a detachable, rotatable agitator, e.g. B. a brush roller driven by a drive mechanism which axially engages the driven one. The detachable agitator can be secured in the agitator chamber by the external cover. The surface cleaning head may also have one or more transparent areas (e.g. a window in the external cover) to allow visual inspection of the agitator during use.

The non-powered agitator may include an agitator body having a lower portion that supports one or more cleaning pads. The non-powered agitator body may also have one or more air inlets, an air outlet, and an air passage, an air outlet, and an air passage extending therebetween to facilitate air passage through the surface cleaning head. Various detachable agitators with different characteristics can be used interchangeably in the surface cleaning head.

In the illustrated embodiments, the openable agitator chamber, external cover, removable, rotatable agitator, and other features described herein are used in a "head-to-head" type vacuum cleaner in which the functional or operational components are used for the transport and treatment of Liquid (e.g. air) are essentially all contained in the surface cleaning head. The openable agitator chamber, external cover, removable, rotatable agitator, and other features described herein may also be within the scope of the present disclosure, in a surface cleaning head for any type of surface cleaning device or vacuum cleaner, including, but not limited to, handheld vacuums, canister vacuums, stick vacuums , vacuum cleaner robots and central vacuum cleaner systems are implemented.

As used herein, a "surface cleaning head" refers to a device configured to contact a surface to clean the surface by suction, agitation, or a combination thereof. A surface cleaning head may be pivotally or steerably coupled to a rod for controlling the surface cleaning head and may include both motorized attachments and fixed surface cleaning heads. A surface cleaning head can also be operated without a wand or handle. As used herein, the term "agitator" refers to any element, component, or structure capable of agitating a surface to facilitate the movement of debris into a suction air stream in a surface cleaning head. As used herein, "transparent" means that allows enough light to pass through for objects on the other side to be seen.

Referring to the 1-3A One embodiment of a surface cleaning head 100 is shown and described in more detail. As in 2 Illustrated in more detail, a wand 102 is steerably connected to the surface cleaning head 100 by a pivot connection and has a handle 104 at one end for the user to control the surface cleaning head 100 during use. The rod 102 can be telescoped to adjust the length. The handle 104 may include controls 106 (e.g., a switch and/or speed control) to control the operation of the surface cleaning head 100 . In other embodiments, a surface cleaning head 100 may be provided without a wand or handle (e.g., in a robotic vacuum surface cleaning head or in a motorized attachment surface cleaning head).

The surface cleaning head 100 includes a cleaning head housing 110, an agitator chamber 120 located within the housing 110, and a rotatable agitator 130 located within the agitator chamber 120. FIG. The rotary agitator 130 rotates about an axis of rotation 2 ( 1A and 3 ), which may be generally orthogonal to the direction of movement 4 of the surface cleaning head 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the agitator chamber 120 can be opened to allow access to the agitator 130 . Access to agitator 130 within agitator chamber 120 may allow a user to inspect and/or clean agitator 130, without having to remove the agitator and without touching a dirty agitator. The rotatable agitator 130 can also be removed from the agitator chamber 120 for inspection, cleaning and/or replacement. In other embodiments, the openable agitator chamber 120 may contain a fixed, non-removable agitator, a non-rotatable or non-powered agitator, or any type of cleaning element.

The housing of the cleaning head 110 may generally consist of one or more parts that enclose or enclose the components of the surface cleaning head 100 . In the illustrated embodiment, the surface cleaning head 100 is used in an all-in-head vacuum cleaner. The surface cleaning head housing 110 thus encloses an air transport and conditioning system 140 (shown schematically in Figs and shown). The air transport and treatment system 140 includes, for example, a vacuum motor 142, a cyclone having a cyclone chamber 144 and a dirt collection chamber 146 outside the cyclone chamber 144, and one or more filters 148. An air flow path 141 extends from a dirty air inlet 143 in the agitator chamber 120 to a Clean air outlet 145. The suction motor 142 causes air to be drawn into the dirty air inlet 143, through the cyclone chamber 144 and out of the clean air outlet 145. As debris flows through cyclone chamber 144 , it is collected in debris collection chamber 146 . Smaller particles can also be trapped in the filter(s) 148 . The air transport and treatment system 140 may be similar to those used in existing or known all-in-the-head type vacuum cleaners such as the U.S. Patent No. 7,329,294 , which is incorporated herein by reference.

The cleaning head housing 110 includes a front end portion 112, a rear end portion 114, laterally disposed sides 113, 115, a top portion 116 and a bottom portion 118. In the illustrated embodiment, the rod 102 is steerably connected to the rear end portion 114, and the agitator chamber 120 is located in the front end section 112 and extends between a front end section 112 and extends between an upper opening 117 in the upper section 116 and a lower opening 119 in the lower section 118. The rotatable agitator 130 is located in the agitator chamber 120 and is configured to contact a surface to be cleaned through the lower opening 119 . The top opening 117 and the bottom opening 119 allow access to the rotatable agitator 130 either from above or below, or from above and below simultaneously, which can facilitate inspection or maintenance of the agitator. For example, a user may clean the agitator 130 via the upper opening 117 while debris separated by the agitator 130 falls out of the chamber through the lower opening 119 via the lower opening 119 . Rotatable agitator 130 may also be removable from agitator chamber 120, for example through top opening 117, as will be described in more detail below.

In the illustrated embodiment, the top opening 117 of the agitator chamber 120 has a width that is greater than the width of the agitator 130 to facilitate access to the entire agitator 130 and/or to allow the rotatable agitator 130 to be removed. In other embodiments, the width of the top opening 117 of the agitator chamber 120 may be shorter. Lower section 118 includes one or more lower guards or bars 111a, 111b extending across lower opening 119 ( 3A ).

In the illustrated embodiment, an external cover 122 is mounted on the top portion 116 of the cleaning head housing 110 to cover the top opening 117 of the agitator chamber 120 ( 1 ). The agitator chamber 120 can thus be opened while the surface cleaning head 100 is on the floor, eliminating the need to lift or reposition the surface cleaning head to gain access to the agitator chamber 120. The external cover 122 is between a closed position (e.g. 1 ) and an open position (e.g. 3 ) movable. In the closed position, the external cover 122 forms the top portion of the agitator chamber 120. The agitator chamber and agitator 130 are thus easily accessible (e.g., without having to remove other walls or covers) by simply sliding the external cover 122 into the open position is brought. In the illustrated embodiment, the external cover 122 extends substantially the full width of the surface cleaning head 100, but may be shorter in other embodiments.

In the illustrated embodiment, the surface cleaning head 100 includes one or more transparent areas 124 that allow the agitator chamber 120 to be visually inspected. The transparent portion 124 may be made from a polycarbonate material. In this embodiment, the transparent portion 124 is in the form of a window located on the external cover 122 . Additionally or alternatively, one or more transparent areas can be located at other points of the cleaning head housing 110, which allow visual inspection of the agitator 130 in the agitator chamber 120, e.g. at the sides 113, 115. The transparent area 124 together with the movable external cover 122 thus facilitate the detection of contamination in the agitator chamber 120 and/or the agitator 130 and the subsequent elimination of these impurities.

The external cover 122 can be locked in the closed position by any suitable mechanism. In the illustrated embodiment, the external cover 122 includes one or more latch releases 126a, 126b for releasing respective latch mechanisms (not shown) that keep the external cover 122 latched to the cleaning head housing 110, as will be described in more detail below. In the illustrated embodiment, latch releases 126a, 126b are located near sides 113, 115, respectively. Additionally or alternatively, one or more releasable latches may be provided at other locations on the external cover 122 and/or the cleaning head housing 110 . The external cover 122 may be pivotally or movably connected to the cleaning head housing 110, as will be described in more detail below, or it may be completely removable from the housing of the cleaning head 110 ( 3 ).

The surface cleaning head 100 may also include one or more lights, such as LEDs 129 on the external cover 122. In this embodiment, wiring (not shown) extends from the housing 110 to the external cover 122 and runs through the inside of the cover 122 to the LEDs 129. The lights may be attached to other locations on the cleaning head housing 110 as well.

In the illustrated embodiment, as in 1A As shown, the rotatable agitator 130 interacts with an agitator drive mechanism 150 at a driven end 132 and rotates freely at a non-driven end 134 of the agitator 130. The agitator drive mechanism 150 thus drives the driven end 132 to cause the rotatable agitator 130 to rotate during the Use around the axis of rotation 2 rotates. The drive mechanism 150 can axially interact with the driven end 132 of the rotatable agitator 130 without the rotatable agitator 130 interacting with a belt, in a manner that allows the agitator 130 to be easily removed and inserted, as in FIG is described in more detail below.

As in 2 As shown, an agitator canister 160 may be attached to the wand 102 to hold one or more spare agitators, such as B. a rotatable powered agitator factory or a non-powered agitator. The agitator canister 160 may be detachably mounted or fixedly connected to the wand 102. In other embodiments, the agitator canister 160 may be attached to other locations on the surface cleaning head 100 or wand 102 . The illustrated embodiment of the agitator container 160 includes a container 162 sized and configured to receive at least one agitator and a lid 164 pivotally connected to the container 162 at a hinge 165 . In other embodiments, the agitator container 160 may include an unlidded container or other structures configured to receive and hold an agitator.

The illustrated embodiment of the agitator canister 160 further includes one or more mounting arms 166 extending from the canister 162 . The attachment arms engage the rod 102 to secure the container 160 to the rod 102. FIG. The mounting arms 166 may be shaped similar to the contours of the rod 102 and sized so that the arms 166 flex and apply pressure against the rod 102 to hold the agitator canister 160 in position and prevent the canister 160 from slipping. In other embodiments, agitator container 160 may include other structures for snapping and mounting onto wand 102 and/or surface cleaning head 100 .

In this embodiment, as in the 4A-4C In more detail, the rotatable agitator 130 is a rotatable brush roll having brush agitator elements 136. The brush agitator elements 136 may include brush trimmings such as brushes. nylon bristles extending substantially radially from an agitator body 131 . In this embodiment, the brush agitator elements 136 are arranged around the agitator body 131 in one or more spiral patterns 135a, 135b. Spiral patterns 135a, 135b include, for example, opposed spiral patterns 135a, 135b that meet at location 137 on agitator body 131 to form a chevron-shaped pattern. The location 137 where the spiral patterns of the agitator elements 136 meet (ie the point of the chevron) may correspond to the location of the dirty air inlet 143 in the agitator when the agitator is inserted into the chamber. As in 4C As illustrated, the agitator elements 136 may be angled relative to radial lines extending radially from an axis of rotation of the agitator 130 . In the illustrated embodiment, the stirring elements 136 are angled toward a direction of rotation.

This embodiment of the rotatable agitator 130 also includes one or more cutting grooves 138 extending substantially axially along at least a portion of the agitator body 131 . The cutting groove(s) 138 are recessed beneath a surface of the agitator body 131 and are of sufficient depth to accommodate a cutting tool (e.g., scissors or a knife). The cutting tool can thus be installed under strands of hair, string or other types of debris that may become entangled around the rotatable agitator 130 during use. The cutting tool can then be slid along the cutting groove 138 to cut off hair or other debris that has become wrapped around the agitator 130 . The rotatable agitator 130 can be rotated manually to allow the cutting groove 138 to be accessible through the upper opening 117 or through the lower opening 119 of the chamber 120. If the rotatable agitator 130 is detachable, the agitator 130 can be removed to trim the hair and other tangled debris. This embodiment of rotary agitator 130 further includes spaces 139a, 139b for receiving lower guards or rods 111a, 111b such that rotary agitator 130 extends partially through lower opening 119 (see Figs 1A ).

Agitator body 131 may be solid, hollow, or partially solid/hollow. The agitator body 131 may also include wheel weights to balance the rotatable agitator 130 when driven. An example of the wheel weights (not shown) can be screws screwed into the body 131 . A hollow agitator body may not need weighting.

A rotatable agitator or brush roller may also contain other types of agitator patterns and/or agitator elements including, without limitation, fabric material (e.g., cloth, felt, or polyester), rubber material, and bristles of various thicknesses and/or materials. Rotatable agitators with different agitator patterns and/or agitator organs can be used for different surfaces, functions and/or applications. A rotatable agitator with stiffer bristles can e.g. B. for carpets and / or deep cleaning. For example, a rotary agitator with softer bristles or fabric can be used for hardwood floors and/or delicate quick cleaning. Thus, different brush rolls with different stirring characteristics can be easily interchanged in a surface cleaning head with an openable agitator chamber according to the embodiments described herein in order to increase the functionality and improve the performance of the vacuum cleaner.

As in the 5A-5C 1, another embodiment of a rotatable agitator 530 includes agitator elements 536 arranged in helical patterns 535 and extending from end to end of agitator body 531. FIG. In this embodiment, the agitator members 536 comprise bristles arranged in a substantially continuous row with two breaks or spaces 539a, 539b for receiving the lower guards or rods 111a, 111b so that the rotatable agitator 530 extends partially through the lower opening 119 extends into the agitator chamber 120, as in FIG 1A shown.

In this embodiment, the agitator elements 536 can also be different, e.g. B. with bristles of a material, thickness and / or height compared to the agitator elements 136 in agitator 130. In one example, the in the 4A-4C Agitator 130 shown have stiffer nylon bristles for carpeted surfaces or deep cleaning applications and the one shown in FIGS 5A-5C Agitator 530 shown may include softer nylon bristles for hard surface or delicate applications. The stiffer nylon bristles of the brushroll agitator 130 for the carpet can be thicker (e.g. having a diameter of 0.23 ± 0.02 mm) and shorter (e.g. having a height from the brushroll agitator body 131 of 8.0 ± 0. 6mm). The softer nylon bristles of the brushroll agitator 530 for the hard surfaces can be thinner (eg, a diameter of 0.04 ± 0.02 mm) and longer (eg, having a height from the brushroll agitator body 531 of 13 ± 0.2). mm). If the brushroll agitator 530 has longer bristles, the diameter of the brushroll agitator body 531 can be smaller so that the overall outside diameter can fit within the agitator chamber. In the exemplary embodiment, the brushroll agitator 130 with the thicker and shorter bristles has an overall outside diameter of about 54 ± 0.3 mm and the brushroll agitator 530 with the thinner and longer bristles has an overall outside diameter of about 55 ± 0.4 mm.

According to another embodiment, a rotatable agitator 530', shown in 5D 1, may include fabric material 536' wrapped around at least a portion of an agitator body 531'. The fabric material 536' may be a felt material, for example. This embodiment of the rotary agitator can also be suitable for hard surfaces and/or delicate applications. A rotatable agitator can contain any combination of agitator elements, e.g. B. a soft agitator element (e.g. a cloth material or soft bristles/brushes) and a relatively stiff agitator element (e.g. a rubber blade or stiff bristles/brushes).

In other embodiments, a surface cleaning head 100 having an openable agitator chamber 120 may be configured to accommodate non-rotatable, non-powered agitators in addition to rotatable, powered agitators. A non-powered agitator is configured to engage either side of the agitator chamber 120 without engaging the drive mechanism 150 on the driven side of the chamber, as will be described in more detail below. The non-powered agitator is also configured to engage the dirty air inlet 143 to allow air flow through the non-powered agitator into the air handling and treatment system 140 . A non-powered agitator is suitable for flat, hard surfaces such as hardwood floors or other surfaces or conditions where a rotating agitator may be undesirable.

An embodiment of a non-powered agitator 630 is shown in FIGS 6A-6D shown in more detail. In this embodiment, the non-powered agitator 630 includes an agitator body 631 having a lower portion with a pad support member 633 which supports one or more cleaning pads 635a-635c. The agitator body 631 may be a single molded part or may be composed of two or more molded parts that are joined together, such as by screws or other fastening methods. As shown, the cleaning pads 635a-635c extend generally the length of the non-powered agitator 630 with breaks or gaps 639a, 639b for receiving the lower guards or rods across the lower opening of the agitation chamber in the surface cleaning head. Although the illustrated embodiment shows three cleaning pads 635a-635c, other numbers of cleaning pads may be used.

The cleaning pads 635a-635c may be textile or cloth pads, such as felt pads, or other sheets or pads having a nap suitable for cleaning a surface. The cleaning pads 635a-635c may also include brush pads with bristles extending therefrom. Similar to the brushrolls described above, different non-powered agitators may have different types of cleaning pads for different cleaning applications, such as: B. Brush pads with stiff bristles and brush pads with soft bristles. In one example, a soft bristle brush pad may have thinner nylon bristles (e.g., 0.04 ± 0.02 mm diameter).

The cleaning pad(s) 635a-635c may also be removably attached to the lower support member 633, for example with hook and loop fasteners such as VELCRO® or other attachment methods. Other attachment mechanisms such. B. Clips can be used. Thus, different cleaning pads of different textures can be attached to the non-powered agitator 630 to use for different applications. Detachable cleaning sheets or pads can also be attached to other locations of the agitator body 631, e.g. e.g., the cloths or pads may be wrapped around the pad support member 633 and attached to an upper portion of the agitator body 631. Combinations of different types of cleaning pads can also be used simultaneously or at different times to achieve different cleaning properties. The cleaning pads can also be reusable or disposable pads. In other embodiments, the non-powered agitator 630 may include a permanent cleaning or scrubbing material attached thereto for cleaning and scrubbing in addition to or in place of the removable cleaning sheets or pads.

In this embodiment of the non-powered agitator 630, the agitator body 631 also defines one or more air inlets 636a, 636b, an air outlet 638, and an air path therebetween such that the inlet/inlets 636a, 636b are in fluid communication with the outlet 638 . Air inlets 636a, 636b are elongated and extend along at least a portion of pad support member 633 adjacent cleaning pad(s) 635a-635c. Although the illustrated embodiment shows the cleaning pad(s) 635a-635c on one side of the air inlets 636a, 636b, the cleaning pads 635a-635c can be positioned on either side of the air inlets 636a, 636b. The air is directed from the air inlets 636a, 636b to the air outlet 638 along the air path (as indicated by the arrows). When the non-powered agitator 630 in the agitator chamber 120 ( 3 ) is positioned, the air outlet 638 is in fluid communication with the dirty air inlet 143 and the air inlets 636a, 636b are located at the bottom opening of the agitator chamber 120 such that the air transport and treatment system 140 causes the air to flow through the air inlets 636a, 636b and the air outlet 638 is sucked. The non-powered agitator 630 thus facilitates airflow through the surface cleaning head while providing a non-rotating cleaning pad.

The air outlet 638 may have a seal 639 around its perimeter to ensure a seal between the air outlet 638 and the dirty air inlet. the seal 639 may be made of an elastomeric material or other suitable sealing material and may be of any known configuration, such as e.g. a lip seal or a face seal capable of forming a seal against a flat surface. Alternatively, the air outlet 638 can be configured to engage a seal around the dirty air inlet in the agitator chamber.

The illustrated embodiment of the non-powered agitator 630 also includes one or more projections 637 on the lower portion of the agitator body 631. The projections 637 are configured to be received in slots in the agitator chamber, as will be described in more detail below. These projections 637 are generally spaced along the lower portion of the body 631 on the other side of the air inlets 636a, 636b. The non-powered agitator 630 may also include at least one wing 631a extending from at least one end of the agitator body 631 ( 6A ). Vane 631a is configured to be positioned under a drive element in the agitator chamber, as will be described in more detail below.

With reference to 7-9 An embodiment of a surface cleaning head 700 having a pivoting external cover 722 is described in detail. In this embodiment, the surface cleaning head 700 includes a cleaning head body 710 having an agitator chamber 720 and the pivoting external cover 722 attached to a front portion 712 of the cleaning head body 710 by a hinge 723 . Pivoting external cover 722 pivots on hinge 723 between a closed position (not shown) and an open position (shown). If the hinged external cover 722 includes lights, the wiring (not shown) for the lights can run over the hinge 723 . In this embodiment, the pivoting external cover 722 pivots forward relative to the housing 710 to open the agitator chamber 720 ( 9 ). In the open position, the agitator chamber 720 is accessible and the agitator can be removed from the agitator chamber 720 as shown. This embodiment of the surface cleaning head 700 can also be used with a rotary agitator that is non-removable such that the pivoting external cover 722 is opened only to remove debris that has accumulated on the rotary agitator. The hinged external cover 722 may also include a transparent window 724 extending over a central area of ( 8th ) extends to view the agitator chamber 720 when the cover is in the closed position.

A sealing member 725 may also be disposed between the pivoting external cover 722 and the cleaning head housing 710 and around the perimeter of the agitator chamber 720. A detachable agitator (not shown) can thus be mounted in the agitator chamber 720 within the sealing member 725. In the illustrated embodiment, the hinged external cover 722 includes the sealing member 725 that extends around an inner perimeter of the cover 722 . In the closed position, the sealing member 725 seals against the cleaning head housing 710 around the perimeter of the agitator chamber 720 . The sealing member 725 is capable of forming a substantially airtight seal at the interface between the cover 722 and the cleaning head housing 710 with substantially equal pressure around the perimeter of the chamber 720 to prevent air and/or contaminants from passing through .

The sealing element 725 may be made of an elastomeric material or other suitable sealing material and may be of any known configuration capable of forming a seal against a flat face or blade. For example, a lip seal or face seal may be used on the pivoting external cover 722 to facilitate alignment and sealing when the cover pivots to the closed position. In other embodiments, the sealing element 725 can be provided on the cleaning head housing 710 .

The surface cleaning head 700 may also include a locking mechanism to secure the pivoting external cover 720 in the closed position. The locking mechanism may provide multiple snap points around the perimeter between the external cover 720 and the cleaning head housing 710 such that the sealing member 725 is engaged around the perimeter of the chamber 720 with substantially equal pressure.

In the illustrated embodiment, the hinged external cover 722 includes locking mechanisms 770a, 770b on a side opposite the hinge 723. Latch mechanisms 770a, 770b may include slidable actuators 772a, 772b having hooks 774a, 774b that releasably engage slots 776a, 776b on cleaning head housing 710. Each of the locking mechanisms 770a, 770b includes two hooks 774a, 774b for four spaced detent points between tween the cover 720 and the housing 710 to create.

The slidable actuators 772a, 772b move in a transverse direction between a locked position and an unlocked position. The slidable actuators 772a, 772b may be biased to the locked position by, for example, springs (not shown). The slidable actuators 772a, 772b are operatively coupled to the latch actuators 726a, 726b to move the slidable actuators 772a, 772b against the spring bias, thereby releasing the hooks 774a, 774b from the slots 776a, 776b (as indicated by the arrows in Fig 8th displayed) can be solved. In other embodiments, latch mechanisms 770a, 770b may be located on cleaning head housing 110 and slots 776a, 776b may be located on external cover 722. Although two locking mechanisms and four hooks are shown, other numbers of locking mechanisms and hooks can be used.

With reference to 10 For example, this embodiment of the surface cleaning head 700 can accommodate a detachable rotatable agitator 730 driven by a drive mechanism 750 . In this embodiment, the drive mechanism 750 axially engages a driven end 732 of the rotatable agitator 730 on a driven side of an agitator chamber 720 and a non-driven end 734 of the rotatable agitator 730 which is freely rotatably mounted on a non-driven side of the agitator chamber 720. a. Both the driven end 732 and non-driven end 734 of the removable rotatable agitator 730 are mounted within the agitator chamber 720 such that the agitator 730 can be removed when the external cover 722 is in an open position.

In this embodiment, external cover 722 is configured to secure removable rotatable agitator 730 within agitator chamber 720 . For example, the external cover 722 includes a latching structure 728 that engages the non-powered end 734 of the detachable rotatable agitator 730 . In other embodiments, an agitator engagement member 739 may be movably attached to the surface cleaning head 710 housing to engage the non-powered end 734 of the detachable rotatable agitator 730 . Agitator latch 739 is shown schematically, but may be in the form of a clip, slider or latch and may slide and/or pivot into and out of engagement with agitator 130.

Although this embodiment shows a hinged external cover 722 similar to that shown and described above, the detachable rotatable agitator 730 in this embodiment is usable with other types of openable external covers.

The surface cleaning head 700 may also include a shutoff switch that removes power from the drive mechanism 750 when the pivoting external cover 722 is in the open position. A shutoff switch actuator 721 is located at a point along the perimeter of the agitator chamber 720 to activate the shutoff switch when the hinged external cover 722 is opened. In the exemplary embodiment, the shutoff switch actuator 721 is biased to an open position that opens the shutoff switch. When the pivoting external cover 722 is in the closed position, the cover 722 engages the shutoff switch actuator 721 to close the shutoff switch and allow power to the drive mechanism 750. When the pivoting external cover 722 moves to the open position, the actuator 721 moves to the biased open position to open the shutoff switch and remove power from the drive mechanism 750 . In one embodiment, the shutoff switch actuator 721 may be recessed to prevent operation by a user and may be actuated by a protrusion (e.g., small rod) protruding from the cover 722 . The actuating element 721 can also be located at other locations and actuated in other ways.

According to this embodiment of the surface cleaning head 700, the agitator chamber 720 is also configured to accommodate non-powered agitators, e.g. B. as described above. As in 11 and 12 As shown, the non-powered agitator 630 described above can be positioned within the agitator chamber 720 without engaging the drive mechanism 750. In this embodiment, the wing 631a at the end 632 of the agitator body 631 slides under a drive member 770 of the drive mechanism 750 and allows enough clearance for the drive member 770 to rotate without contacting the agitator 630. The lower portion of the agitator body 631 has a width corresponding to a width of a lower opening of the agitator chamber 720 (see FIG 11 ).

When the non-powered agitator 630 is positioned within the agitator chamber 720, the air outlet 638 engages dirty air inlet 743 in surface cleaning head 700 (see 7A , 8th and 11 ) and the projections 637 on the lower part of the agitator body 631 are received in slots 713 along one side of the agitator chamber 720 (see 8th and 12 ). Due to the resiliency of the seal 639 around the air outlet 638, the protrusions 637 can fit snugly into the slots 713 such that the non-powered agitator 630 snaps into the agitator chamber 720. A force exerted by the resilient seal 639 thus holds the non-powered agitator 630 in place. When properly seated in the agitator chamber 720, the slots 713 receive the friction-fit projections 637, the spaces 639a, 639b on the underside of the agitator body 631 receive the lower guards or ridges 711a, 711b which extend across the bottom opening of the agitator chamber 720, and the cleaning pad(s) 635a-635c extending through the lower opening of the agitator chamber 720 (see Fig 12 ), on.

As in the 13 and 14 shown in more detail, the drive mechanism 750 includes a motor 752, a rotation transmission mechanism 754, and a splined drive member 770. In this embodiment, the rotation transmission mechanism 754 includes a belt 755 that frictionally engages a drive wheel 753 that is coupled to the output of the motor 752, and frictionally engages a driven gear 755 coupled to spline input member 770 . The drive mechanism 750 can rotate the agitator 730 at low speeds of 700 ± 100 rpm and high speeds of 3500 ± 500 rpm. In other embodiments, other rotation-transmitting mechanisms may be used, including but not limited to a gearbox or direct-drive clutch between the motor and the spline input member. In other embodiments, a motor may be located inside the rotatable agitator. In other embodiments, the drive mechanism may include other mechanisms capable of rotating the rotatable agitator including, without limitation, an air driven turbine.

As in 15 Illustrated in more detail, the driven end 732 of the detachable rotatable agitator 730 includes a splined driven member 780 configured to axially mate with the splined drive member 770 . The splined drive member 770 and splined driven member 780 thus form a splined coupling or connection that transmits rotation and torque without the use of a belt. The spline drive member 770 and spline driven member 780 have spline teeth 772, 782 radially aligned with an axis of rotation of the agitator. Spline teeth 772, 782 have corresponding shapes and spacings 778, 788 between spline teeth 772, 782 such that spline teeth 772, 782 mesh when members 770, 780 are axially engaged as in FIG 16 shown.

The illustrated embodiment shows the spline drive member 770 with external teeth and the spline driven member 780 with internal teeth. In other embodiments, the spline drive member 770 may include the internal spline and the spline driven member 780 may include the external spline.

In the embodiment shown, the splines 772, 782 on the spline drive member 770 and spline driven member 780 are generally wedge shaped with a radially outer portion 771, 781 being wider than a radially inner portion 773 than a radially inner portion 773, 783 ( please refer 16 ). The spline teeth 772,782 also have tapered sidewalls 774,775,784,785 that taper outwardly from the radial surfaces 776,786 of the spline teeth 772,782. As in 17 As shown, the spline teeth 782 on the splined driven member 780 also have a conical or beveled radial surface 786 that tapers inward (ie, toward the non-driven end of the agitator) and at an acute angle relative to a radial line 708 in a region from about 30° to 60°. The splines 772 on the spline drive member 770 may have a tapered or chamfered axial surface 777 that tapers inward toward the axis of rotation.

The shape and configuration of spline teeth 772, 782 in the illustrated embodiment provides self-alignment and facilitates engagement of spline driven member 780 with spline drive member 770. Spline drive member 770 and spline driven member 780 can be positioned in a number of different angular positions engaged and therefore do not require precise angular alignment for engagement. The shape and configuration of the spline teeth 772, 782 in the illustrated embodiment can also reduce or eliminate backlash when the spline drive member 770 drives the spline driven member 780.

One or both of the spline driven member 780 and the spline drive member 770 may also be made of an elastomeric material such as a higher durometer (eg, 90 or greater) thermoplastic rubber. The elastomeric material may facilitate engagement of the splines 772, 782 and provide vibration reduction or isolation when the spline drive member 770 drives the spline driven member 780. This allows drive mechanism 750 to rotate agitator 730 at higher speeds and with less vibration.

In the illustrated embodiment, both the splined drive member 770 and the splined driven member 780 each have six (6) splined teeth 772, 782 arranged in a star configuration about an axis of rotation. The six splined teeth are capable of withstanding the desired driving forces and torques while maintaining the to facilitate alignment and prevent backlash; however, other numbers of teeth are also possible. Other shapes and configurations of the splines on spline drive member 770 and spline driven member 780 are also contemplated. In addition, other couplings or mechanisms for axially coupling rotating shafts to transmit torque and rotation may also be used, including but not limited to a dog clutch, an anti-slip clutch, a Hirth joint, and a spur clutch.

As in 18 Illustrated in more detail, the non-powered end 734 of this embodiment of the detachable rotatable agitator 730 is an end cap 790 attached to a bushing 792 which is rotatably supported on an axle 791 . Axle 791 is fixed in agitator body 731 and extends therefrom. End cap 790 is configured to be retained within agitator chamber 720 and secure bushing 792 such that axle 791 rotates within bushing 792 and rotatable agitator 730 rotates about its axis of rotation. In this embodiment, the end cap 790 is removably attached to the bushing 792 with a friction fit, but the end cap 790 may be fixedly connected to the bushing 792. In other embodiments, the bushing 792 can be designed to mount directly into the agitator chamber 720 without an end cap. Various other configurations can also be used to rotatably support the non-driven end 734 of the rotatable agitator 730 within the agitator chamber 720 .

As in the 19 and 20 Illustrated in more detail, the end cap 790 includes a tab 796 shaped to be easily grasped to remove the non-powered end 734 of the agitator 730 from the agitator chamber 720. FIG. The end cap 790 also includes one or more stabilizing structures 793, 795, 797 which engage mating structures within the agitator chamber to prevent the end cap 790 from rotating so that the bushing 792 is held stationary thereby allowing the axis 791 rotate freely within bushing 792 when the rotatable agitator at driven end 732 is driven. This embodiment of end cap 790 also includes an elastomeric pad 799 that engages latching structure 728 on external cover 722 when the cover is closed to secure agitator 730 in agitator chamber 720. The end cap 790 also includes an elastomeric ring 798 which frictionally engages the bushing 792 . Elastomeric pad 799 and elastomeric ring 798 may advantageously prevent or isolate vibration as agitator 730 rotates within agitator chamber 720 and may both be molded from the same rubber material. The end cap 790 may also include a washer 794 (e.g., a felt washer) that contacts an end surface 736 of the agitator body 731 to keep the bearing 792 free of debris.

With reference to 21-23 the engagement of the end cap 790 with the agitator chamber 720 is described in more detail. On the non-driven side, chamber 720 includes mounting rails 727a, 727b that define a recessed area 729 that receives an end portion of end cap 790. The end portion of the end cap 790 can thus slide between the mounting rails 727a, 727b, as in FIG 22 shown. As in 23 As shown, the stabilizing structures 793, 795, 797 engage corresponding structures on the mounting rails 727a, 727b and the latching structure 728 inside the cover 722 engages the elastomeric pad 799. This will allow end cap 790 and bushing 792 to remain stationary as agitator 730 is rotated. Additionally or alternatively, cover 722 may engage other portions of end cap 790 (e.g., tab 796) to retain end cap 790 in chamber 720. In this embodiment, the stabilizing structures 793, 795, 797 are specially designed to fit into the mounting rails 727a, 727b (see Fig 23 ) in a particular orientation so that end cap 790 is properly positioned to be captured by cover 722.

To assemble the rotatable agitator 730 in the agitator chamber 720, the driven end 732 is bent at an angle into the chamber 720 to engage the splined drive member 770 with the splined driven member 780 (see FIG 16 ). The end cap 790 can then be used to lower the non-powered end 734 of the agitator 730 into the chamber 720 until the end cap 790 is seated between the mounting rails 727a, 727b (see Fig 22 ). When the Agitator 730 is properly in of the chamber 720, the external cover 722 can be closed to cover the chamber 720 and to secure the rotatable agitator 730 in the chamber 720. To remove the rotatable agitator 730, the user can grasp the tab 796 to slide the end cap 790 out between the mounting rails 727a, 727b to lift the non-powered end 734 out of the chamber 720. The user can then continue to raise the agitator 730 until the spline drive member 770 and spline driven member 780 are disengaged. The user can then clean the agitator 730 and/or use a different type of agitator.

As in 24 As illustrated, a stick vacuum surface cleaning head 2400 may include an openable agitator chamber covered by an external cover 2422 and containing a removable agitator. The external cover 2422, as well as the openable chamber and detachable agitator in the surface cleaning head 2400 can be made according to any of the embodiments described herein.

As in 25 As shown, a handheld vacuum surface cleaning head 2500 may include an openable agitator chamber covered by an external cover 2522 and containing a removable agitator. The external cover 2522, as well as the openable chamber and detachable agitator in the surface cleaning head 2500 can be made according to any of the embodiments described herein.

A movable external cover can also have other configurations, for example as in 26-29 shown. 26 12 shows another embodiment of a surface cleaning head 2600 having a pivoting external cover 2622 that pivots rearwardly relative to the cleaning head housing 2610 to the open position. 27 14 shows another embodiment of a surface cleaning head 2700 having a multi-piece pivoting external cover including a forwardly pivoting cover portion 2722a and another cover portion 2722b that pivots rearwardly relative to the cleaning head body 2710. FIG. 28 12 shows yet another embodiment of a surface cleaning head 2800 having a slidable external cover 2822 that slides or rolls in a longitudinal direction relative to the cleaning head housing 2810, for example, similar to a garage door. 29 12 shows another embodiment of a surface cleaning head 2900 having a sliding external cover 2922 that slides laterally relative to the cleaning head housing 2910. FIG.

In each of these embodiments, the external cover can be locked, e.g. B. with a locking mechanism as described above or another locking mechanism. In each of these embodiments, the external cover can be sealed, e.g. B. with a sealing element as described above or another sealing element. In each of these embodiments, the external cover can be moved between an open and a closed position while remaining engaged with the housing of the surface cleaning head. In other embodiments, the external cover may be completely removed from the surface cleaning head housing. Other variations and locations for the external cover are also within the scope of the present disclosure.

Accordingly, a surface cleaning head consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure includes an openable agitator chamber to facilitate inspection, cleaning, maintenance, and/or replacement of an agitator in the surface cleaning head. The removable agitator may include a rotatable powered agitator that engages a drive mechanism in the agitator chamber, or a non-rotatable, non-powered agitator that is received within the agitator without engaging the drive mechanism.

While the principles of the invention have been described herein, those skilled in the art will understand that this description is by way of example only and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. In addition to the exemplary embodiments shown and described here, other embodiments are also conceivable within the scope of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will understand that a surface cleaning implement may include one or more of the features contained herein and that the features may be used in any particular combination or sub-combination. Modifications and substitutions by one skilled in the art are considered to be within the scope of the present invention, which is limited only by the following claims.

The following non-claim clauses are included to disclose alternative embodiments and to provide a basis for disclosing the claims of the grandparent application in this divisional application.

• ein Reinigungskopfgehäuse mit einem vorderen Endabschnitt, einem hinteren Endabschnitt, seitlich angeordneten Seiten, einem oberen Abschnitt und einem unteren Abschnitt;
• eine Agitatorkammer, die im vorderen Endabschnitt des Reinigungskopfgehäuses angeordnet ist, wobei die Agitatorkammer eine obere Öffnung durch den oberen Abschnitt des Reinigungskopfgehäuses und eine untere Öffnung durch den unteren Abschnitt des Reinigungskopfgehäuses aufweist;
• eine externe Abdeckung, die schwenkbar an dem Reinigungskopfgehäuse angebracht ist, um die obere Öffnung der Agitatorkammer abzudecken, wobei die externe Abdeckung zwischen einer geschlossenen Position und einer offenen Position schwenkbar ist, wobei die Agitatorkammer abgedeckt ist, wenn sich die externe Abdeckung in der geschlossenen Position befindet, und durch die obere Öffnung zugänglich ist, wenn sich die externe Abdeckung in der offenen Position befindet; und
• einen drehbaren, angetriebenen Agitator, der abnehmbar innerhalb der Agitatorkammer angebracht ist, so dass der Agitator so konfiguriert ist, dass er eine Oberfläche durch die untere Öffnung berührt und so konfiguriert ist, dass er durch die obere Öffnung entfernt werden kann, wobei der drehbare angetriebene Agitator ein angetriebenes Ende und ein nicht-angetriebenes Ende aufweist, wobei die externe Abdeckung mit dem nicht-angetriebenen Ende des Agitators in der geschlossenen Position interagiert, um den Agitator in der Agitatorkammer zu halten, und wobei die externe Abdeckung sich von dem nicht-angetriebenen Ende des Agitators löst, wenn sie in die offene Position bewegt wird, und wobei der Agitator durch die obere Öffnung zugänglich und abnehmbar ist, wenn sich die externe Abdeckung in der offenen Position befindet.

Set 1. A surface cleaning head for a vacuum cleaner, the surface cleaning head comprising:

• a cleaning head body having a front end portion, a rear end portion, laterally disposed sides, a top portion and a bottom portion;
• an agitator chamber disposed in the front end portion of the cleaning head body, the agitator chamber having an upper opening through the upper portion of the cleaning head body and a lower opening through the lower portion of the cleaning head body;
• an external cover pivotally attached to the cleaning head housing to cover the top opening of the agitator chamber, the external cover being pivotable between a closed position and an open position, the agitator chamber being covered when the external cover is in the closed position located and accessible through the top opening when the external cover is in the open position; and
• a rotatable, powered agitator removably mounted within the agitator chamber such that the agitator is configured to contact a surface through the bottom opening and configured to be removed through the top opening, the rotatable, powered Agitator having a powered end and a non-powered end, the external cover interacting with the non-powered end of the agitator in the closed position to retain the agitator in the agitator chamber and the external cover being separate from the non-powered end of the agitator releases when moved to the open position and wherein the agitator is accessible and removable through the top opening when the external cover is in the open position.

Set 2. The surface cleaning head of Set 1, wherein the rotatable powered agitator includes an end cap rotatably attached to the non-powered end of the rotatable powered agitator, and wherein the external cover interacts with the end cap to position the agitator in the agitator chamber to keep.

Set 3. The surface cleaning head of Set 2, wherein the external cover has a snap structure that protrudes from an inner portion of the outer cover to interact with the end cap.

Set 4. The surface cleaning head of Set 3, wherein the end cap includes an elastomeric elastomeric pad into which the snap structure snaps.

Set 5. The surface cleaning head of Set 2, wherein the non-powered end of the rotatable, powered agitator has an axle and a sleeve rotatably mounted on the axle, and wherein the end cap is mounted on the sleeve.

Set 6. The surface cleaning head of Set 5 wherein the end cap is removably mounted on the sleeve with a friction fit.

Set 7. The surface cleaning head of Set 1 further comprising an agitator drive mechanism for driving the driven end of the rotatable, driven agitator in the agitator chamber, and wherein the driven end of the rotatable agitator is removably engaged with the agitator drive mechanism so that the agitator drive mechanism the driven end of the agitator in the agitator chamber.

Set 8. The surface cleaning head of Set 1, wherein the rotatable agitator is a brush roller.

Set 9. The surface cleaning head of Set 1, wherein the external cover is configured to pivot forward relative to the cleaning head body to the open position.

Set 10. The surface cleaning head of Set 1, wherein the external cover is configured to pivot rearwardly relative to the cleaning head body to the open position.

Set 11. The surface cleaning head of Set 1 further comprising at least one locking mechanism for locking the external cover in the closed position.

Set 12. The surface cleaning head of Set 11, wherein the at least one locking mechanism comprises a first locking mechanism proximate one side and a second locking mechanism proximate an opposite side.

Set 13. The surface cleaning head of Set 12, wherein the first and second locking mechanisms each include at least two hooks configured to engage between the cleaning head body and the external cover to hold the external cover in the closed position .

Set 14. The surface cleaning head of Set 11, wherein the locking mechanism is configured to provide multiple points of engagement between the external cover and the cleaning head body.

Set 15. The surface cleaning head of Set 1 further comprising a sealing member around a periphery of at least an interior portion of the external cover and the cleaning head housing around the agitator chamber for sealing an interface between the cleaning head housing and the external cover around the agitator chamber.

Set 16. The surface cleaning head of Set 15 further comprising a locking mechanism configured to provide multiple circumferential detent points between the external cover and the cleaning head body to hold the external cover in the closed position.

Set 17. The surface cleaning head of Set 1 further comprising at least one transparent area in the external cover, wherein the transparent area is configured to allow visual inspection of the agitator chamber when the external cover is in the closed position.

• einen Luftströmungsweg, der sich von einem Schmutzlufteinlass zu einem Reinluftauslass erstreckt; und
• ein Lufttransport- und -behandlungssystem zum Transportieren und Behandeln von Luft, die sich entlang des Luftstromweges bewegt.

Set 18. The surface cleaning head of Set 1 further comprising:

• an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet; and
• an air transport and treatment system for transporting and treating air moving along the airflow path.

• ein Reinigungskopfgehäuse mit einem vorderen Endabschnitt, einem hinteren Endabschnitt, seitlich angeordneten Seiten, einem oberen Abschnitt und einem unteren Abschnitt;
• eine Agitatorkammer, die im vorderen Endabschnitt des Reinigungskopfgehäuses angeordnet ist, wobei die Agitatorkammer eine obere Öffnung durch den oberen Abschnitt des Reinigungskopfgehäuses und eine untere Öffnung durch den unteren Abschnitt des Reinigungskopfgehäuses aufweist;
• eine externe Abdeckung, die schwenkbar an dem Reinigungskopfgehäuse angebracht ist, um die obere Öffnung der Agitatorkammer abzudecken, wobei die externe Abdeckung zwischen einer geschlossenen Position und einer offenen Position beweglich ist, wobei die
• Agitatorkammer abgedeckt ist, wenn sich die externe Abdeckung in der geschlossenen Position befindet, und durch die obere Öffnung zugänglich ist, wenn sich die externe Abdeckung in der offenen Position befindet;
• ein Dichtungselement um einen Umfang von mindestens einem inneren Abschnitt der externen Abdeckung und dem Reinigungskopfgehäuses um die Agitatorkammer herum zum Abdichten einer Schnittstelle zwischen dem Reinigungskopfgehäuse und der externen Abdeckung um die Agitatorkammer herum; einen Verriegelungsmechanismus, der so konfiguriert ist, dass er mehrere Einrastpunkte um den Umfang zwischen der externen Abdeckung und dem Reinigungskopfgehäuse herum bereitstellt, um die externe Abdeckung in der geschlossenen Position zu halten; und
• einen drehbaren, angetriebenen Agitator, der innerhalb der Agitatorkammer so angebracht ist, dass der Agitator so konfiguriert ist, dass er eine Oberfläche durch die untere Öffnung berührt, wobei der drehbare angetriebene Agitator ein angetriebenes Ende und ein nicht-angetriebenes Ende aufweist und wobei der Agitator durch die obere Öffnung zugänglich ist, wenn sich die externe Abdeckung in der offenen Position ist.

Set 19. A surface cleaning head for a vacuum cleaner, the surface cleaning head comprising:

• a cleaning head body having a front end portion, a rear end portion, laterally disposed sides, a top portion and a bottom portion;
• an agitator chamber disposed in the front end portion of the cleaning head body, the agitator chamber having an upper opening through the upper portion of the cleaning head body and a lower opening through the lower portion of the cleaning head body;
• an external cover pivotally attached to the cleaning head housing to cover the top opening of the agitator chamber, the external cover being movable between a closed position and an open position, the
• agitator chamber is covered when the external cover is in the closed position and is accessible through the top opening when the external cover is in the open position;
• a sealing member around a perimeter of at least an inner portion of the external cover and the cleaning head housing around the agitator chamber for sealing an interface between the cleaning head housing and the external cover around the agitator chamber; a locking mechanism configured to provide multiple circumferential detent points between the external cover and the cleaning head body to hold the external cover in the closed position; and
• a rotatable, powered agitator mounted within the agitator chamber such that the agitator is configured to contact a surface through the bottom opening, the rotatable, powered agitator having a powered end and a non-powered end, and wherein the agitator accessible through the top opening when the external cover is in the open position.

Set 20. The surface cleaning head of Set 19, wherein the at least one locking mechanism comprises a first locking mechanism proximate one side and a second locking mechanism proximate an opposite side.

Set 21. The surface cleaning head of Set 20, wherein the first and second locking mechanisms each include at least two hooks configured to engage between the cleaning head body and the external cover to hold the external cover in the closed position .

Set 22. The surface cleaning head of Set 19, wherein the sealing member includes a lip seal.

Set 23. The surface cleaning head of Set 19, wherein the sealing member is on the inside of the external cover.

Set 24. The surface cleaning head of Set 19, wherein the rotatable powered agitator
removably mounted in the agitator chamber and wherein the external cover interacts with the non-powered end of the agitator in the closed position to retain the agitator in the agitator chamber and wherein the external cover releases from the non-powered end of the agitator when in the open position is moved.

Set 25. The surface cleaning head of Set 25, wherein the external cover has a snap structure protruding from an inner portion of the external cover to snap with the non-powered end of the rotatable, powered agitator in the closed position to hold the agitator in the to hold the agitator chamber with the latching structure engaging the non-driven end within the sealing member.

Set 26. The surface cleaning head of Set 19, wherein the rotatable, powered agitator is removably mounted in the agitator chamber and further comprises an agitator latching member movably mounted on the cleaning head housing to engage the non-powered end of the rotatable, powered agitator to keep the agitator in the agitator chamber.

Set 27. The surface cleaning head of Set 19, further comprising an agitator drive mechanism for driving the driven end of the rotatably driven agitator in the agitator chamber, and wherein the driven end of the rotatable agitator is releasably engaged with the agitator drive mechanism such that the agitator drive mechanism drives the driven end of the agitators in the agitator chamber.

Set 28. The surface cleaning head of Set 19, further comprising at least one transparent area in the external cover, wherein the transparent area is configured to allow visual inspection of the agitator chamber when the external cover is in the closed position.

Set 29. The surface cleaning head of Set 19, wherein the external cover is configured to pivot forward relative to the cleaning head body to the open position.

Set 30. The surface cleaning head of Set 19, wherein the external cover is configured to pivot rearwardly to the open position relative to the cleaning head body.

• ein Reinigungskopfgehäuse mit einem vorderen Endabschnitt, einem hinteren Endabschnitt, seitlich angeordneten Seiten, einem oberen Abschnitt und einem unteren Abschnitt;
• eine Agitatorkammer, die im vorderen Endabschnitt des Reinigungskopfgehäuses angeordnet ist, wobei die Agitatorkammer eine obere Öffnung durch den oberen Abschnitt des Reinigungskopfgehäuses und eine untere Öffnung durch den unteren Abschnitt des Reinigungskopfgehäuses aufweist und wobei die Agitatorkammer eine nicht-angetriebene Seite und eine angetriebene Seite aufweist;
• einen Agitatorantriebsmechanismus, der ein Antriebselement an der angetriebenen Seite der Agitatorkammer und einen Agitatorantriebsmotor, der mit dem Antriebselement antriebsmäßig gekoppelt ist, umfasst;
• eine externe Abdeckung, die an dem Reinigungskopfgehäuse angebracht ist, um die obere Öffnung der Agitatorkammer abzudecken, wobei die externe Abdeckung zwischen einer geschlossenen Position und einer offenen Position beweglich ist, wobei die Agitatorkammer abgedeckt ist, wenn sich die externe Abdeckung in der geschlossenen Position befindet und durch die obere Öffnung zugänglich ist wenn sich die externe Abdeckung in der offenen Position befindet; und
• einen drehbaren, angetriebenen Agitator, der abnehmbar innerhalb der Agitatorkammer angebracht ist, so dass der Agitator so konfiguriert ist, dass er eine Oberfläche durch die untere Öffnung berührt, wobei der Agitator durch die obere Öffnung zugänglich und entfernbar ist, wenn sich die externe Abdeckung in der offenen Position befindet, wobei der drehbare angetriebene Agitator ein nicht-angetriebenes Ende aufweist, das an der nicht-angetriebenen Seite der Agitatorkammer so angebracht ist, dass sich der Agitator am nicht-angetriebenen Ende frei dreht, und ein angetriebenes Ende, das ein angetriebenes Element enthält, wobei das angetriebene Element axial in das Antriebselement des Antriebsmechanismus eingreift, so dass das Antriebselement ein Drehmoment und eine Drehung auf das angetriebene Element und den drehbare angetriebenen Agitator überträgt.

Set 31. A surface cleaning head for a vacuum cleaner, the surface cleaning head comprising:

• a cleaning head body having a front end portion, a rear end portion, laterally disposed sides, a top portion and a bottom portion;
• an agitator chamber disposed in the front end portion of the cleaning head body, the agitator chamber having an upper opening through the upper portion of the cleaning head body and a lower opening through the lower portion of the cleaning head body, the agitator chamber having a non-driven side and a driven side;
• an agitator drive mechanism including a drive member on the driven side of the agitator chamber and an agitator drive motor drivingly coupled to the drive member;
• an external cover attached to the cleaning head body to cover the top opening of the agitator chamber, the external cover being movable between a closed position and an open position, the agitator chamber being covered when the external cover is in the closed position and accessible through the top opening when the external cover is in the open position; and
• a rotatable, powered agitator removably mounted within the agitator chamber such that the agitator is configured to contact a surface through the lower opening, the agitator being accessible and removable through the upper opening when the external cover is in the open position, the rotatable powered agitator having a non-powered end attached to the non-powered side of the agitator chamber so that the agitator rotates freely at the non-powered end, and a powered end having a powered element wherein the driven element axially engages the drive element of the drive mechanism such that the drive element transmits torque and rotation to the driven element and the rotatable driven agitator.

Set 32. The surface cleaning head of Set 31, wherein the drive member transmits torque and rotation to the driven member and rotatable driven agitator without a belt.

Set 33. The surface cleaning head of Set 31, wherein the drive member is a splined drive member and the driven member is a splined driven member.

Set 34. The surface cleaning head of Set 33, wherein the spline drive member and the spline driven member have splined splines.

Set 35. The surface cleaning head of Set 34 wherein the spline teeth of the spline driven member have chamfered radial surfaces.

Set 36. The surface cleaning head of Set 35 wherein the spline teeth of the spline drive member and the spline driven member have tapered sidewalls.

Set 37. The surface cleaning head of Set 33, wherein the spline drive member and the spline driven member have six spacer splines arranged in a star configuration about an axis of rotation.

Clause 38. The surface cleaning head of Clause 31, wherein at least one of the drive member and the driven member is made of a thermoplastic material having a durometer of at least about 90.

Set 39. The surface cleaning head of Set 31, wherein the motor is coupled to the drive member via a belt.

Set 40. The surface cleaning head of Set 31, wherein the external cover engages the non-powered end of the agitator in the closed position to retain the agitator in the agitator chamber, and wherein the external cover extends from the non-powered end of the agitator disengages when moved to the open position.

Set 41. The surface cleaning head of Set 31 further comprising an agitator latching member movably mounted on the cleaning head housing for engaging the non-driven end of the rotatable driven agitator to retain the agitator in the agitator chamber.

• ein Reinigungskopfgehäuse mit einem vorderen Endabschnitt, einem hinteren Endabschnitt, seitlich angeordneten Seiten, einem oberen Abschnitt und einem unteren Abschnitt;
• eine Agitatorkammer, die im vorderen Endabschnitt des Reinigungskopfgehäuses angeordnet ist, wobei die Agitatorkammer eine obere Öffnung durch den oberen Abschnitt des Reinigungskopfgehäuses und eine untere Öffnung durch den unteren Abschnitt des Reinigungskopfgehäuses aufweist;
• eine externe Abdeckung, die an dem Reinigungskopfgehäuse angebracht ist, um die obere Öffnung der Agitatorkammer abzudecken, wobei die externe Abdeckung zwischen einer geschlossenen Position und einer offenen Position beweglich ist, wobei die Agitatorkammer abgedeckt ist, wenn sich die externe Abdeckung in der geschlossenen Position befindet und durch die obere Öffnung zugänglich ist, wenn sich die externe Abdeckung in der offenen Position befindet; und
• mindestens einen ersten und einen zweiten drehbaren, angetriebenen Agitator, wobei jeder der drehbaren, angetriebenen Agitatoren so konfiguriert ist, dass er in der Agitatorkammer abnehmbar montiert ist und durch die obere Öffnung abnehmbar ist, wenn sich die externe Abdeckung in der offenen Position befindet, so dass die drehbaren angetriebenen Agitatoren austauschbar sind, wobei der erste drehbare angetriebene Agitator andere Rührcharakteristiken aufweist als der zweite drehbare angetriebene Agitator.

Set 42. A surface cleaning head for a vacuum cleaner, the surface cleaning head comprising:

• a cleaning head body having a front end portion, a rear end portion, laterally disposed sides, a top portion and a bottom portion;
• an agitator chamber disposed in the front end portion of the cleaning head body, the agitator chamber having an upper opening through the upper portion of the cleaning head body and a lower opening through the lower portion of the cleaning head body;
• an external cover attached to the cleaning head body to cover the top opening of the agitator chamber, the external cover being movable between a closed position and an open position, the agitator chamber being covered when the external cover is in the closed position and accessible through the top opening when the external cover is in the open position; and
• at least a first and a second rotatable, powered agitator, each of the rotatable, powered agitators being configured to be removably mounted in the agitator chamber and removable through the top opening when the external cover is in the open position, so that the rotary driven agitators are interchangeable, the first rotary driven agitator having different stirring characteristics than the second rotary driven agitator.

Set 43. The surface cleaning head of Set 42, wherein the first and second rotatably driven agitators comprise first and second brush rolls having bristles, the bristles of the first brush roll having a different stiffness than the bristles of the second brush roll to account for the different agitation characteristics achieve.

Set 44. The surface cleaning head of Set 43, wherein the bristles of the first brush roll are thicker than the bristles of the second brush roll.

Set 45. The surface cleaning head of Set 43, wherein the bristles of the first brush roll are made of a different material than the bristles of the second brush roll.

Set 46. The surface cleaning head of Set 42, wherein the first and second rotatably driven agitators comprise first and second brush rolls having bristles, the bristles of the first brush roll being arranged in a different pattern than the bristles of the second brush roller to provide the different stirring characteristics.

Set 47. The surface cleaning head of Set 42, wherein each of the first and second rotary agitators includes an agitator body, the first rotary driven agitator includes a web material around the agitator body, and the second rotary driven agitator includes bristles extending from the agitator body extend.

Set 48. The surface cleaning head of Set 42, wherein the agitator chamber has a non-driven side and a driven side, and further comprising an agitator drive mechanism having a drive element on the driven side of the agitator chamber and a
Agitator drive motor drivingly coupled to the drive member.

Set 49. The surface cleaning head of Set 48, wherein each of the rotatable driven agitators has a non-powered end configured to attach to the non-powered side of the agitator chamber such that the agitator is at the non-powered end rotates freely, and a driven end containing a driven element, the driven element being configured to axially mate and engage the drive element of the drive mechanism such that the drive element applies torque and rotation to the driven element and transmits the rotatable driven agitator.

Set 50. The surface cleaning head of Set 42 further comprising an agitator engagement member configured to engage the non-driven end of the rotatable, driven agitator in the agitator chamber.

Set 51. The surface cleaning head of Set 42 further comprising at least one transparent area in the external cover, wherein the transparent area is configured to allow visual inspection of the agitator chamber when the external cover is in the closed position.

• ein Reinigungskopfgehäuse mit einem vorderen Endabschnitt, einem hinteren Endabschnitt, seitlich angeordneten Seiten, einem oberen Abschnitt und einem unteren Abschnitt;
• eine Agitatorkammer, die im vorderen Endabschnitt des Reinigungskopfgehäuses angeordnet ist, wobei die Agitatorkammer eine obere Öffnung durch den oberen Abschnitt des Reinigungskopfgehäuses und eine untere Öffnung durch den unteren Abschnitt des Reinigungskopfgehäuses aufweist, wobei die Agitatorkammer so konfiguriert ist, dass sie ein drehbar angetriebenen Agitator aufnimmt, so dass der Agitator eine Oberfläche durch die untere Öffnung berührt und durch die obere Öffnung entfernbar ist, und wobei die Agitatorkammer eine nicht-angetriebene Seite zur Aufnahme eines nicht-angetriebenen Endes des drehbaren angetriebenen Agitators und eine angetriebene Seite zur Aufnahme eines angetriebenen Endes des drehbaren angetriebenen Agitators aufweist;
• einen Agitatorantriebsmechanismus, der ein Antriebselement an einer angetriebenen Seite der Agitatorkammer und einen
• Agitatorantriebsmotor, der antriebsmäßig mit dem Antriebselement gekoppelt ist, wobei das Antriebselement so konfiguriert ist, dass es axial passt und in das angetriebene Element an dem drehbaren angetriebenen Agitator einrastet, so dass das Antriebselement ein Drehmoment und eine Drehung auf das angetriebene Element überträgt und den drehbaren angetriebenen Agitator überträgt; und
• eine externe Abdeckung, die an dem Reinigungskopfgehäuse angebracht ist, um die obere Öffnung der Agitatorkammer abzudecken, wobei die externe Abdeckung zwischen einer geschlossenen Position und einer offenen Position beweglich ist, wobei die Agitatorkammer abgedeckt ist, wenn sich die externe Abdeckung in der geschlossenen Position befindet, und durch die obere Öffnung zugänglich ist, wenn sich die externe Abdeckung in der offenen Position befindet.

Set 52. A surface cleaning head for a vacuum cleaner, the surface cleaning head comprising:

• a cleaning head body having a front end portion, a rear end portion, laterally disposed sides, a top portion and a bottom portion;
• an agitator chamber disposed in the front end portion of the cleaning head housing, the agitator chamber having an upper opening through the upper portion of the cleaning head housing and a lower opening through the lower portion of the cleaning head housing, the agitator chamber being configured to receive a rotatably driven agitator such that the agitator contacts a surface through the lower opening and is removable through the upper opening, and wherein the agitator chamber has a non-driven side for receiving a non-driven end of the rotatable driven agitator and a driven side for receiving a driven end of the rotatable driven agitators;
• an agitator drive mechanism including a drive member on a driven side of the agitator chamber and a
• Agitator drive motor drivingly coupled to the drive member, the drive member being configured to axially fit and snap into the driven member on the rotatable driven agitator such that the drive member transmits torque and rotation to the driven member and the rotatable driven agitator transmits; and
• an external cover attached to the cleaning head body to cover the top opening of the agitator chamber, the external cover being movable between a closed position and an open position, the agitator chamber being covered when the external cover is in the closed position , and accessible through the top opening when the external cover is in the open position.

Set 53. The surface cleaning head of Set 52, wherein the drive member includes a splined drive member.

Set 54. The surface cleaning head of Set 53, wherein the spline drive member includes splined splines.

Set 55. The surface cleaning head of Set 54 wherein the wedge-shaped spline teeth have tapered sides.

Set 56. The surface cleaning head of Set 53, wherein the spline drive member has six splines arranged in a star configuration about the axis of rotation.

Set 57. The surface cleaning head of Set 52, wherein the drive motor is belt coupled to the drive member.

Set 58. The surface cleaning head of Set 52 further comprising at least one transparent area in the external cover, wherein the transparent area is configured to allow visual inspection of the agitator chamber when the external cover is in the closed position.

Set 59. The surface cleaning head of Set 52, wherein the external cover has latching structure projecting from an interior portion of the external cover to latch the non-powered end of the rotatable, powered agitator in the closed position to secure the agitator in the agitator chamber to keep.

Set 60. The surface cleaning head of Set 52 further comprising an agitator engagement member movably attached to the cleaning head housing for engaging the non-powered end of the rotatable powered agitator to retain the agitator in the agitator chamber.

• einen Agitatorkörper mit einem angetriebenen Ende und einem nicht-angetriebenen Ende;
• mindestens ein Rührelement, das auf mindestens einem Teil des Agitatorkörpers zwischen dem angetriebenen Ende und dem nicht-angetriebenen Ende angeordnet ist;
• ein angetriebenes Element, das sich an dem angetriebenen Ende des Agitatorkörpers befindet, wobei das angetriebene Element so konfiguriert ist, dass es axial zusammenpasst und mit einem Antriebselement an einem Antriebsmechanismus im Oberflächenreinigungskopf in Eingriff kommt;
• eine Achse, die sich von dem nicht-angetriebenen Ende des Agitatorkörpers erstreckt;
• eine Buchse, die drehbar auf der Achse montiert ist; und
• eine Endkappe, die auf der Buchse angebracht und so konfiguriert ist, dass sie ohne Drehung in einer Agitatorkammer des Oberflächenreinigungskopfes angebracht ist.

Set 61. A detachable rotary agitator assembly for use in a surface cleaning head of a vacuum cleaner, the detachable rotary agitator assembly comprising:

• an agitator body having a driven end and a non-driven end;
• at least one stirring element disposed on at least a portion of the agitator body between the driven end and the non-driven end;
• a driven member located at the driven end of the agitator body, the driven member being configured to axially mate and engage a drive member on a drive mechanism in the surface cleaning head;
• an axis extending from the non-driven end of the agitator body;
• a bush rotatably mounted on the axle; and
• an end cap mounted on the sleeve and configured to be mounted without rotation in an agitator chamber of the surface cleaning head.

Set 62. The detachable, rotatable agitator assembly of Set 61, wherein the end cap has a tab that extends radially and is configured to be grasped by a user to facilitate removal and insertion of the non-powered end into an agitator chamber to facilitate.

Set 63. The detachable, rotatable agitator assembly of Set 61, wherein the end cap is removably mounted on the bushing with a friction fit.

Set 64. The detachable, rotatable agitator assembly of Set 63, wherein the end cap has an elastomeric ring that engages the bushing in the friction fit.

Set 65. The detachable, rotatable agitator assembly of Set 61, wherein the end cap includes an elastomeric pad for latching with a snap structure on an external cover in a closed position on the surface cleaning head.

Set 66. The detachable, rotatable agitator assembly of Set 61, wherein the end cap includes stabilizing structures configured to be keyed to corresponding structures in the agitator chamber.

Set 67. The detachable, rotatable agitator assembly of Set 61, wherein the driven member is a spline driven member.

Set 68. The detachable rotatable agitator assembly of Set 67, wherein the splined driven member has splined splines.

Set 69. The detachable rotatable agitator assembly of Set 68, wherein the wedge-shaped spline teeth have conical sides.

Set 70. The detachable, rotatable agitator assembly of Set 68, wherein the splined splines have beveled radial surfaces.

Set 71. The detachable rotatable agitator assembly of Set 67, wherein the splined-driven member has six splines disposed in a star configuration about the axis of rotation Set 72. The detachable rotatable agitator assembly of Set 67, wherein the splined-driven member is formed of a thermoplastic material having a durometer of at least about 90 is made.

Set 73. The surface cleaning head of Set 61, wherein the rotatable agitator is a brush roller.

Set 74. The detachable, rotatable agitator assembly of Set 61, wherein the stirring element has bristles extending substantially radially from the agitator body.

Set 75. The detachable, rotatable agitator assembly of Set 61, wherein the stirring element includes a fabric material covering at least a portion of the agitator body.

Set 76. The detachable, rotatable agitator assembly of Set 61, wherein the agitator body includes at least one cutting groove extending substantially axially along at least a portion of the agitator body.

• einen Agitatorkörper mit einem angetriebenen Ende und einem nicht-angetriebenen Ende;
• mindestens ein Rührelement, das auf mindestens einem Abschnitt des Agitatorkörpers zwischen dem angetriebenen Ende und dem nicht-angetriebenen Ende angeordnet ist; und
• ein mit Keilwellen angetriebenes Element, das sich an dem angetriebenen Ende des Agitatorkörpers befindet, wobei das mit Keilwellen angetriebene Element so konfiguriert ist,
• dass es axial in ein Keilwellenantriebselement an einem Antriebsmechanismus im Oberflächenreinigungskopf eingreift.

Set 77. A detachable rotary agitator assembly for use in a surface cleaning head of a vacuum cleaner, the detachable rotary agitator assembly comprising:

• an agitator body having a driven end and a non-driven end;
• at least one stirring element disposed on at least a portion of the agitator body between the driven end and the non-driven end; and
• a splined driven element located at the driven end of the agitator body, the splined driven element being configured so
• that it axially engages a splined drive element on a drive mechanism in the surface cleaning head.

Set 78. The detachable rotatable agitator of Set 77, wherein the splined driven member has internal splines.

Set 79. The detachable rotatable agitator of Set 77, wherein the splined driven member has splined teeth.

Set 80. The detachable rotary agitator of Set 79 wherein the wedge-shaped spline teeth have conical sides.

Set 81. The detachable rotatable agitator of Set 79 wherein the splined spline teeth have beveled radial surfaces.

Set 82. The detachable rotatable agitator of Set 79, wherein the wedge-shaped spline teeth have tapered sides and beveled radial surfaces.

Set 83. The detachable, rotatable agitator of Set 82, wherein the splined driven member is made of a thermoplastic material having a hardness of at least about 90.

Set 84. The detachable rotatable agitator of Set 87, wherein the splined driven member has six splines arranged in a star configuration about the axis of rotation.

Set 85. The detachable, rotatable agitator of Set 87, wherein the splined driven member is made of a thermoplastic material having a hardness of at least about 90.

Set 86. The detachable, rotatable agitator of Set 87, wherein the agitator body has at least one cutting groove extending substantially axially along at least a portion of the agitator body.

Set 87. The surface cleaning head of Set 87, wherein the rotatable agitator is a brush roller.

Set 88. The detachable, rotatable agitator assembly of Set 87, wherein the stirring element includes bristles extending substantially radially from the agitator body.

Set 89. The detachable, rotatable agitator assembly of Set 87, wherein the stirring element includes a fabric material covering at least a portion of the agitator body.

• eine Achse, die sich von dem nicht-angetriebenen Ende des Agitatorkörpers erstreckt;
• eine Buchse, die drehbar auf der Achse angebracht ist; und
• eine Endkappe, die an der Buchse angebracht ist und so konfiguriert ist, dass sie ohne Drehung in einer Agitatorkammer des Oberflächenreinigungskopfes angebracht ist.

Clause 90. The detachable rotatable agitator of Clause 87, further comprising:

• an axis extending from the non-driven end of the agitator body;
• a sleeve rotatably mounted on the axle; and
• an end cap attached to the sleeve and configured to be mounted without rotation in an agitator chamber of the surface cleaning head.

• ein Reinigungskopfgehäuse mit einem vorderen Endabschnitt, einem hinteren Endabschnitt, seitlich angeordneten Seiten, einem oberen Abschnitt und einem unteren Abschnitt;
• eine Agitatorkammer, die im vorderen Endabschnitt des Reinigungskopfgehäuses angeordnet ist, wobei die Agitatorkammer eine obere Öffnung durch den oberen Abschnitt des Reinigungskopfgehäuses und eine untere Öffnung durch den unteren Abschnitt des Reinigungskopfgehäuses aufweist und wobei die Agitatorkammer mindestens eine angetriebene Seite aufweist;
• einen Agitatorantriebsmechanismus, der ein Antriebselement an der angetriebenen Seite der Agitatorkammer und einen antriebsmäßig mit dem Antriebselement gekoppelten Agitatorantriebsmotor umfasst, wobei das Antriebselement so konfiguriert ist, dass es in einen drehbaren angetriebenen Agitator eingreift und antreibt, wenn es in der Agitatorkammer aufgenommen ist;
• eine externe Abdeckung, die an dem Reinigungskopfgehäuse angebracht ist, um die obere Öffnung der Agitatorkammer abzudecken, wobei die externe Abdeckung zwischen einer geschlossenen Position und einer offenen Position beweglich ist, wobei die Agitatorkammer abgedeckt ist, wenn sich die externe Abdeckung in der geschlossenen Position befindet und durch die obere Öffnung zugänglich ist wenn sich die externe Abdeckung in der offenen Position befindet; und
• ein nicht-angetriebener Agitator, der abnehmbar innerhalb der Agitatorkammer angebracht ist, ohne in das Antriebselement einzugreifen, so dass der nicht-angetriebene Agitator so konfiguriert ist, dass er eine Oberfläche durch die untere Öffnung berührt, wobei der nicht-angetriebene Agitator durch die obere Öffnung zugänglich und entfernbar ist, wenn sich die externe Abdeckung in der geöffneten Position ist.

Set 91. A surface cleaning head for a vacuum cleaner, the surface cleaning head comprising:

• a cleaning head body having a front end portion, a rear end portion, laterally disposed sides, a top portion and a bottom portion;
• an agitator chamber arranged in the front end portion of the cleaning head housing net, wherein the agitator chamber has an upper opening through the upper portion of the cleaning head housing and a lower opening through the lower portion of the cleaning head housing, and wherein the agitator chamber has at least one driven side;
• an agitator drive mechanism comprising a drive member on the driven side of the agitator chamber and an agitator drive motor drivingly coupled to the drive member, the drive member being configured to engage and drive a rotatably driven agitator when received in the agitator chamber;
• an external cover attached to the cleaning head body to cover the top opening of the agitator chamber, the external cover being movable between a closed position and an open position, the agitator chamber being covered when the external cover is in the closed position and accessible through the top opening when the external cover is in the open position; and
• a non-powered agitator removably mounted within the agitator chamber without engaging the drive member such that the non-powered agitator is configured to contact a surface through the lower opening with the non-powered agitator through the upper Opening is accessible and removable when the external cover is in the open position.

Set 92. The surface cleaning head of Set 91, wherein the non-powered agitator includes a

an agitator body and at least one cleaning pad carried on a pad support member at a lower portion of the agitator body, the at least one cleaning pad being configured to contact the surface through the lower opening.

Set 93. The surface cleaning head of Set 92, wherein the at least one cleaning pad includes at least one fabric pad.

Set 94. The surface cleaning head of Set 92, wherein the at least one cleaning pad includes at least one felt pad.

Set 95. The surface cleaning head of Set 92, wherein the at least one cleaning pad includes at least one brush pad.

Set 96. The surface cleaning head of Set 92, wherein the at least one cleaning pad is removably attached to the pad support member.

Set 97. The surface cleaning head of Set 92, wherein the agitator body of the non-powered agitator defines at least one air inlet adjacent the at least one cleaning pad, at least one air outlet, and an air path between the at least one air inlet and the air outlet, the air outlet having a dirty air inlet in the Agitator chamber of the surface cleaning head is fluidically connected.

Set 98. The surface cleaning head of Set 97, wherein the at least one air inlet comprises first and second elongated air inlets and the at least one air outlet comprises a single air outlet, the first and second elongated air inlets extending along at least a portion of the lower portion of the agitator body.

Set 99. The surface cleaning head of Set 97, wherein the at least one air outlet has a seal around a periphery thereof.

Set 100. The surface cleaning head of Set 92, wherein the lower portion of the agitator body has a plurality of projections on a side opposite the pad support member, the projections being configured to engage associated slots on a side of the lower opening of the agitator chamber.

Set 101. The surface cleaning head of Set 91, wherein the lower portion of the agitator body has at least one space for receiving rods extending across the lower opening of the agitator chamber.

• ein Reinigungskopfgehäuse mit einem vorderen Endabschnitt, einem hinteren Endabschnitt, seitlich angeordneten Seiten, einem oberen Abschnitt und einem unteren Abschnitt;
• eine Agitatorkammer, die im vorderen Endabschnitt des Reinigungskopfgehäuses angeordnet ist, wobei die Agitatorkammer eine obere Öffnung durch den oberen Abschnitt des Reinigungskopfgehäuses und eine untere Öffnung durch den unteren Abschnitt des Reinigungskopfgehäuses aufweist und wobei die Agitatorkammer mindestens eine angetriebene Seite aufweist;
• einen Agitatorsantriebsmechanismus, der ein Antriebselement an der angetriebenen Seite der Agitatorkammer und einen Agitatorantriebsmotor, der mit dem Antriebselement antriebsmäßig gekoppelt ist;
• mindestens einen drehbaren, angetriebenen Agitator, der so konfiguriert ist, dass er abnehmbar in der Agitatorkammer montiert werden kann und so konfiguriert ist, dass er in das Antriebselement des Agitatorantriebsmechanismus eingreift, so dass das Antriebselement bewirkt, dass das Antriebselement den drehbaren angetriebenen Agitator in Drehung versetzt; und
• mindestens einen nicht-angetriebenen Agitator, der so konfiguriert ist, dass er abnehmbar innerhalb der Agitatorkammer angebracht ist ohne in das Antriebselement einzugreifen, und so, dass der nicht-angetriebene Agitator so konfiguriert ist, dass er eine Oberfläche durch die untere Öffnung berührt.

Set 102. A surface cleaning head for a vacuum cleaner, the surface cleaning head comprising:

• a cleaning head body having a front end portion, a rear end portion, laterally disposed sides, a top portion and a bottom portion;
• an agitator chamber disposed in the front end portion of the cleaning head body, the agitator chamber having an upper opening through the upper portion of the cleaning head body and a lower opening through the lower portion of the cleaning head housing and wherein the agitator chamber has at least one driven side;
• an agitator drive mechanism including a drive member on the driven side of the agitator chamber and an agitator drive motor drivingly coupled to the drive member;
• at least one rotatable, powered agitator configured to be removably mountable in the agitator chamber and configured to engage the drive member of the agitator drive mechanism such that the drive member causes the drive member to rotate the rotatable powered agitator offset; and
• at least one non-powered agitator configured to be removably mounted within the agitator chamber without engaging the drive member and such that the non-powered agitator is configured to contact a surface through the bottom opening.

Set 103. The surface cleaning head of Set 102, wherein the rotatable, powered agitator includes a brush roller.

• einen Agitatorkörper mit einem angetriebenen Ende und einem nicht-angetriebenen Ende;
• mindestens ein Rührelement, das an mindestens einem Teil des Agitatorkörpers zwischen dem angetriebenen Ende und dem nicht-angetriebenen Ende angeordnet ist;
• ein angetriebenes Element, das sich an dem angetriebenen Ende des Agitatorkörpers befindet, wobei das angetriebene Element so konfiguriert ist, dass es axial in ein Antriebselement an einem Antriebsmechanismus in dem Oberflächenreinigungskopf eingreift; und
• eine Endkappe, die an dem nicht-angetriebenen Ende des Agitatorkörpers angebracht und so konfiguriert ist, dass sie ohne Drehung in der Agitatorkammer des Oberflächenreinigungskopfes zu montiert ist.

Set 104. The surface cleaning head of Set 102, wherein the rotatable, powered agitator
includes:

• an agitator body having a driven end and a non-driven end;
• at least one stirring element disposed on at least a portion of the agitator body between the driven end and the non-driven end;
• a driven element located at the driven end of the agitator body, the driven element being configured to axially engage a drive element on a drive mechanism in the surface cleaning head; and
• an end cap attached to the non-powered end of the agitator body and configured to mount without rotation in the agitator chamber of the surface cleaning head.

Set 105. The surface cleaning head of Set 104, wherein the end cap has a tab that extends radially and is configured to be grasped by a user to facilitate removal and insertion of the non-powered end into the agitator chamber.

Set 106. The surface cleaning head of Set 102, wherein the non-powered agitator includes a

Agitator body and at least one cleaning pad carried on a pad support member at a lower portion of the agitator body, wherein the at least one cleaning pad is configured to contact the surface through the lower opening.

Set 107. The surface cleaning head of Set 106, wherein the at least one cleaning pad comprises at least one of a cloth pad, a felt pad, or a brush pad.

Set 108. The surface cleaning head of Set 106, wherein the at least one cleaning pad is removably attached to the pad support member.

Set 109. The surface cleaning head of Set 106, wherein the body of the non-powered agitator defines at least one air inlet proximate the at least one cleaning pad, at least one air outlet, and an air path between the at least one air inlet and the air outlet, the air outlet being so configured that it is fluidly connected to a dirty air inlet in the agitator chamber of the surface cleaning head.

Set 110. The surface cleaning head of Set 109, wherein the at least one air inlet comprises first and second elongated air inlets and the at least one air outlet comprises a single air outlet, the first and second elongated air inlets extending along at least a portion of the lower portion of the agitator body.

Set 111. The surface cleaning head of Set 109, wherein the at least one air outlet has a seal around a periphery thereof.

• einen Agitatorkörper, der erste und zweite längliche Lufteinlässe, einen Luftauslass und einen Luftweg zwischen dem mindestens einen Lufteinlass und dem Luftauslass definiert, wobei die langgestreckten Lufteinlässe entlang mindestens eines Teils eines unteren Abschnitts
• des Agitatorkörpers angeordnet sind, wobei der Luftauslass an dem Agitatorkörper an einer Position angeordnet ist, um in einen Schmutzlufteinlass in der Agitatorkammer des Oberflächenreinigungskopfes einzugreifen, wobei der untere Abschnitt des Agitatorkörpers
• eine Breite aufweist, die einer Breite einer unteren Öffnung der Agitatorkammer entspricht, wobei erste und zweite Enden des Agitatorkörpers so konfiguriert sind, dass sie in die Agitatorkammer eingreifen, ohne in ein Antriebselement in der Agitatorkammer einzugreifen;
• mindestens ein Reinigungskissen, das auf einem Kissenträgerelement auf mindestens einer Seite des unteren Abschnitts des Agitatorkörpers getragen wird; und
• eine Dichtung um den Luftauslass.

Set 112. A detachable non-powered agitator for use in an agitator chamber of a surface cleaning head, the detachable non-powered agitator comprising:

• an agitator body defining first and second elongate air inlets, an air outlet, and an air path between the at least one air inlet and the air outlet, the elongate air inlets along at least a portion of a lower portion
• of the agitator body, the air outlet being located on the agitator body in a position to engage a dirty air inlet in the agitator chamber of the surface cleaning head, the lower portion of the agitator body
• has a width corresponding to a width of a lower opening of the agitator chamber, first and second ends of the agitator body being configured to engage the agitator chamber without engaging a drive element in the agitator chamber;
• at least one cleaning pad carried on a pad support member on at least one side of the lower portion of the agitator body; and
• a seal around the air outlet.

Set 113. The detachable non-powered agitator of Set 112 further comprising a plurality of projections on an opposite side of the lower portion, the projections being configured to engage associated slots on a side of the agitator chamber.

Set 114. The detachable, non-powered agitator of Set 112, wherein the agitator body further comprises at least one wing extending from at least one of the first and second ends of the agitator body, the wing being configured to tuck under the drive member in the agitator chamber fits.

Set 115. The detachable, non-powered agitator of Set 112, wherein the cleaning pad comprises a felt pad.

Set 116. The detachable non-powered agitator of claim 112, wherein the cleaning pad comprises a felt pad.

Set 117. The detachable non-powered agitator of claim 112, wherein the cleaning pad comprises a brush pad.

Set 118. The detachable, non-powered agitator of claim 112, wherein the lower portion of the agitator body includes at least one space for receiving rods extending across the lower opening of the agitator chamber.

Set 119. The detachable, non-powered agitator of Set 112, wherein the at least one cleaning pad is removably attached to the cleaning pad support.

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• US7329294 [0024]

Claims (15)

A surface cleaning head for a vacuum cleaner, the surface cleaning head comprising: a cleaning head body (110, 710) having a front end portion, a rear end portion, laterally disposed sides, a top portion and a bottom portion; an agitator chamber (120, 720) disposed in the front end portion (112) of the cleaning head body, the agitator chamber having an upper opening (117) through the upper portion of the cleaning head body and a lower opening (119) through the lower portion of the cleaning head body, and wherein the agitator chamber includes a non-driven side and a driven side; an agitator drive mechanism (150, 750) including a spline drive member (770) on the driven side of the agitator chamber and an agitator drive motor (752) drivingly coupled to the spline drive member; an external cover (122, 722, 2422, 2522, 2622, 2722, 2822, 2922) configured to be mounted on the cleaning head housing to cover the top opening of the agitator chamber such that the external cover has a top portion of the agitator chamber, the external cover being fully detachable from the cleaning head housing; and a rotatable, powered agitator (130, 730) removably mounted within the agitator chamber such that the rotatable agitator contacts a surface through the bottom opening of the agitator chamber, the rotatable agitator being accessible and removable through the top opening of the agitator chamber when the external cover is removed, wherein the rotatable agitator (130, 730) comprises: an agitator body (131, 531, 631, 731) having a driven end (132, 732) and a non-driven end (134, 754), the non-driven end when the rotatable agitator is mounted in the agitator chamber the non-driven side of the agitator chamber is mounted so that the agitator body rotates freely at the non-driven end and the driven end is mounted on the driven side of the agitator chamber so that the driven end is driven by the agitator drive mechanism; an end cap (790) having a tab (796) configured to be grasped by a user to facilitate removal and insertion of the non-powered end into an agitator chamber through the top opening, and the external cover engages the tab when the external cover is mounted on the cleaning head body; a splined driven member (780) disposed at the driven end of the agitator body, the splined driven member being configured to axially mate and engage the splined drive member (770) of the drive mechanism (750) such that the splined drive member transmits torque and rotation to the splined driven member and the agitator body; and at least one agitator element (136, 536) disposed on at least a portion of the agitator body between the driven end and the non-driven end. The surface cleaning head after claim 1 wherein the tab extends radially from the non-driven end of the agitator body and the tab includes a top, wherein when the rotatable agitator is mounted in the agitator chamber the top of the tab is adjacent to and along a portion of the non-driven side of the agitator chamber and near the top opening of the agitator chamber on the non-powered side of the agitator chamber such that the top of the tab faces a user near the top opening of the agitator chamber. The surface cleaning head after claim 1 or 2 wherein the agitator chamber (120, 720) includes, on the non-driven side, mounting rails (727a, 727b) defining a U-shaped recessed area (729) which slidably receives a portion of the end cap (790). The surface cleaning head after claim 3 wherein the top of the tab (796) is near an upper portion of the recessed area (729). The surface cleaning head according to one of the Claims 1 until 4 further comprising a sealing member (725) extending around a perimeter of the external cover (722) such that the sealing member (725) seals against the cleaning head housing (710) and around the perimeter of the agitator chamber (720) when the external cover ( 722) is in a closed position. The surface cleaning head according to one of the Claims 1 until 5 wherein the external cover (122, 722, 2422, 2522, 2622, 2722, 2822, 2922) includes a transparent area (724) to allow visual inspection of the agitator in the agitator chamber (120, 720). The surface cleaning head according to one of the Claims 1 until 6 , wherein: the at least one agitator element is a combina tion of soft agitator elements and relatively stiff agitator elements; the relatively stiff agitator elements include bristles arranged in a helical pattern around the agitator body; and the soft agitator elements contain fabric. The surface cleaning head according to one of the Claims 1 until 7 wherein the top of the tab (796) has a length in a transverse direction that is greater than a width of the top of the tab in the axial direction relative to the agitator body. The surface cleaning head after claim 8 wherein the length of the top of the tab (796) is less than the outside diameter of the detachable rotatable agitator. The surface cleaning head according to one of the Claims 1 until 9 wherein the tab (796) includes a lip extending from the top in the axial direction relative to the agitator body. The surface cleaning head according to one of the Claims 1 until 10 wherein the tab (796) includes a recessed area below the top of the tab that faces axially toward the agitator body to facilitate gripping of the tab. The surface cleaning head according to one of the Claims 1 until 11 further comprising: an axle (791) mounted within and extending from the non-driven end of the agitator body; a bushing (792) rotatably mounted on the axle; and wherein the end cap (790) is mounted on the socket and covers at least a portion of the non-driven end (134, 734) of the agitator body (131, 531, 631, 731), the end cap being configured to rotate without rotation mounted in the agitator chamber of the surface cleaning head and wherein the tab (796) extends from the end cap (790). The surface cleaning head after claim 12 wherein the end cap (790) includes stabilizing structures (793, 795, 797) configured to be keyed to corresponding structures in the agitator chamber. The surface cleaning head according to one of the Claims 1 until 13 , further comprising a dirty air inlet (143) located in the agitator chamber (120). The surface cleaning head according to one of the Claims 1 until 14 wherein the spline drive member (780) includes spline teeth (772, 782) with splined, tapered sidewalls (774, 775, 784, 785) to allow self-alignment and engagement of the spline driven member (780) with the spline drive member (770). facilitate.

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