U.S. patent application number 17/239062 was filed with the patent office on 2021-10-28 for floor cleaner including an agitator.
The applicant listed for this patent is Techtronic Cordless GP. Invention is credited to Rafael Davila, Robert McRorie.
Application Number | 20210330151 17/239062 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005593945 |
Filed Date | 2021-10-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210330151 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
McRorie; Robert ; et
al. |
October 28, 2021 |
FLOOR CLEANER INCLUDING AN AGITATOR
Abstract
A floor cleaner that includes a cleaning head, an agitator
drive, and an agitator. The cleaning head includes an agitator
chamber having an opening facing toward a surface to be cleaned.
The agitator is rotatably disposed within the agitator chamber and
positioned to contact the surface to be cleaned through the
opening. The agitator extends longitudinally between a first end
and a second end along an axis of rotation. The agitator includes a
core operably connected to the agitator drive, rotatable about the
axis and at least one molded agitating member integrally formed
with the core. The agitating member extends from the core to
contact the surface to be cleaned.
Inventors: |
McRorie; Robert;
(Huntersville, NC) ; Davila; Rafael; (Kannapolis,
NC) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Techtronic Cordless GP |
Anderson |
SC |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005593945 |
Appl. No.: |
17/239062 |
Filed: |
April 23, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
63015232 |
Apr 24, 2020 |
|
|
|
63036714 |
Jun 9, 2020 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 9/0477 20130101;
A47L 9/0405 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47L 9/04 20060101
A47L009/04 |
Claims
1. A floor cleaner comprising: a cleaning head including an
agitator chamber having an opening facing toward a surface to be
cleaned; an agitator drive; and an agitator rotatably disposed
within the agitator chamber positioned to contact the surface to be
cleaned through the opening, the agitator extending longitudinally
between a first end and a second end along an axis of rotation, the
agitator including a core operably connected to the agitator drive
rotatable about the axis, and at least one molded agitating member
integrally formed with the core, the agitating member extending
from the core to contact the surface to be cleaned, wherein the
agitating member has a thickness that is between 20% and 50% of a
height of the agitating member, wherein the height of the agitating
member is measured from the core to a distal portion of the
agitating member.
2. The floor cleaner of claim 1, wherein the molded agitating
member is overmolded onto the core.
3. The floor cleaner of claim 1, wherein the axis of rotation
extends along the surface to be cleaned.
4. The floor cleaner of claim 1, wherein the agitating member has a
length along the core having a shape of two or more repeating
chevrons.
5. The floor cleaner of claim 4, wherein the two or more repeating
chevrons are contiguous.
6. The floor cleaner of claim 4, wherein the agitating member
extends lengthwise along the core.
7. The floor cleaner of claim 1, wherein the agitating member
extends circumferentially along the core to form an annular
agitating member.
8. The floor cleaner of claim 1, wherein the agitating member
extends continuously from the first end to the second end in a
repeating chevron pattern
9. The floor cleaner of claim 1, wherein the agitating member
includes a leading peak, a trailing peak, and an agitating vane
extending from the leading peak to the trailing peak.
10. The floor cleaner of claim 1, the at least one molded agitating
member including two molded agitating members.
11. The floor cleaner of claim 10, the agitator further comprising
at least one rib connecting the two molded agitating members.
12. The floor cleaner of claim 11, wherein the two molded agitating
members extend circumferentially along the core and where the rib
extends longitudinally between the two molded agitating
members.
13. The floor cleaner of claim 11, wherein the two molded agitating
members extend lengthwise along the core and where the rib extends
annularly between the two molded agitating members.
14. The floor cleaner of claim 1, wherein the agitating member is
formed from a resilient material.
15. The floor cleaner of claim 1, wherein the agitating member has
a durometer between 25 and 60 Shore A.
16. The floor cleaner of claim 1, wherein the agitating member has
a durometer between 55 and 80 Shore A.
17. The floor cleaner of claim 1, wherein the agitating member has
a durometer between 70 and 95 Shore A.
18. The floor cleaner of claim 1, wherein the agitating member
defines an agitating axis extending outwardly from the core, the
agitating member including a forwardly extending flange, the flange
extending along a flange axis angled forwardly relative to the
agitating axis.
19. The floor cleaner of claim 18, wherein the angle between the
agitating axis and the flange axis is between 70 and 105
degrees.
20. The floor cleaner of claim 18 wherein the agitating member
includes a plurality of support ribs extending between agitating
member and the core.
21. The floor cleaner of claim 1, wherein the agitating member
includes a plurality of support ribs extending between the
agitating member and the core.
22. The floor cleaner of claim 21, wherein the plurality of support
ribs are positioned on the agitating member in the direction of
rotation.
23. The floor cleaner of claim 22, wherein adjacent support ribs
are spaced from each other by between 5 and 20 millimeters.
24. The floor cleaner of claim 9, wherein the agitating vanes have
a thickness that is between 20% and 30% of a height of the
agitating member, wherein the height of the agitating member is
measured from the core to a distal portion of the agitating member.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 63/015,232, filed Apr. 24, 2020 and to U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 63/036,714, filed Jun. 9, 2020,
the entire contents all of which are hereby incorporated by
reference herein.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present invention relates to a floor cleaner comprising
a cleaning head, an agitator drive, and an agitator. The cleaning
head includes an agitator chamber having an opening facing toward a
surface to be cleaned. The agitator is rotatably disposed within
the agitator chamber and positioned to contact the surface to be
cleaned through the opening. The agitator extends longitudinally
between a first end and a second end along an axis of rotation. The
agitator includes a core operably connected to the agitator drive,
rotatable about the axis and at least one molded agitating member
integrally formed with the core. The agitating member extends from
the core to contact the surface to be cleaned.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cleaning device or floor
cleaner according to one embodiment of the invention.
[0004] FIG. 2 is a front view of an agitator assembly from the
cleaning device shown in FIG. 1.
[0005] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the agitator assembly of
FIG. 2.
[0006] FIG. 4 is a cross-section view taken along line 4-4 of FIG.
2.
[0007] FIG. 5 is a front view of another embodiment of an agitator
assembly.
[0008] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the agitator assembly of
FIG. 5.
[0009] FIG. 7 a cross-section view taken along line 7-7 of FIG.
5.
[0010] FIG. 8 is a front view of another embodiment of an agitator
assembly.
[0011] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the agitator assembly of
FIG. 8.
[0012] FIG. 10 a cross-section view taken along line 10-10 of FIG.
8.
[0013] FIG. 11 is a front view of another embodiment of an agitator
assembly.
[0014] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the agitator assembly of
FIG. 11.
[0015] FIG. 13 a cross-section view taken along line 13-13 of FIG.
11.
[0016] FIG. 14 is a front view of another embodiment of an agitator
assembly.
[0017] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the agitator assembly of
FIG. 14.
[0018] FIG. 16 a cross-section view taken along line 16-16 of FIG.
14.
[0019] FIG. 17 is a front view of another embodiment of an agitator
assembly.
[0020] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the agitator assembly of
FIG. 17.
[0021] FIG. 19 is a cross-section view taken along line 19-19 of
FIG. 17.
[0022] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a core of the agitator
assembly shown in FIG. 2.
[0023] FIG. 21 is a front view of another embodiment of an agitator
assembly.
[0024] FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the agitator assembly of
FIG. 21.
[0025] FIG. 23 is a cross-section view taken along line 23-23 of
FIG. 21.
[0026] FIG. 24 is a front view of another embodiment of an agitator
assembly.
[0027] FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the agitator assembly of
FIG. 24.
[0028] FIG. 26 a cross-section view taken along line 26-26 of FIG.
25.
[0029] FIG. 27 is a front view of another embodiment of an agitator
assembly.
[0030] FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the agitator assembly of
FIG. 27.
[0031] FIG. 29 a cross-section view taken along line 29-29 of FIG.
28.
[0032] FIG. 30 is a front view of another embodiment of an agitator
assembly.
[0033] FIG. 31 is a perspective view of the agitator assembly of
FIG. 30.
[0034] FIG. 31a is a detail view of the agitator assembly of FIG.
31.
[0035] FIG. 32 a cross-section view taken along line 32-32 of FIG.
31.
[0036] FIG. 33 is a front view of another embodiment of an agitator
assembly.
[0037] FIG. 34 is a perspective view of the agitator assembly of
FIG. 33.
[0038] FIG. 35 a cross-section view taken along line 35-35 of FIG.
34.
[0039] FIG. 36 is a front view of another embodiment of an agitator
assembly.
[0040] FIG. 37 is a perspective view of the agitator assembly of
FIG. 36.
[0041] FIG. 38 a cross-section view taken along line 38-38 of FIG.
37.
[0042] FIG. 39 is a front view of another embodiment of an agitator
assembly.
[0043] FIG. 40 is a perspective view of the agitator assembly of
FIG. 39.
[0044] FIG. 41 a cross-section view taken along line 41-41 of FIG.
40.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0045] The disclosure relates to a floor cleaner such as a vacuum
cleaner, an extractor, or the like, and more specifically, an
agitator 20 for a floor cleaner. FIG. 1 illustrates a floor cleaner
10. The floor cleaner 10 includes a cleaning head 12 having a
housing 14 including a debris inlet, an agitator chamber 16 formed
in the housing 14, an agitator 20, and an agitator drive 22. The
agitator chamber 16 includes an opening 18 through a bottom side of
the housing 14 configured to face a surface to be cleaned during
operation. The agitator 20 extends longitudinally along an axis of
rotation 100 between a first end 24 and a second end 26 opposite
the first end 24. The agitator 20 is operably mounted in the
agitator chamber 16 rotatable by the agitator drive 22 and extends
through the opening 18 to contact the surface to be cleaned during
operation. The agitator 20 rotates relative to the housing 14 about
the longitudinal axis 100.
[0046] The agitator assembly 20 includes a core 30 operably
connected to the agitator drive 22 for rotation about the axis 100
and at least one molded agitating member 32 extending from and
integrally formed with the core 30. In the illustrated embodiments,
the agitating members 32 are integral with the core 30. The molded
agitation members 32 form a pattern along a longitudinal and
circumferential direction around the agitator 20 to engage the
surface to be cleaned through the opening 18, agitating the surface
during operation to facilitate removal of dirt and debris.
[0047] The core 30 is rigid in one embodiment. In such embodiments,
the core 30 is made from a plastic material, such as nylon or glass
filled nylon, however the core may be made from other materials as
desired for the application, such as polystyrene, ABS, magnesium
alloy, zinc alloy, or steel. In one embodiment, the core 30 is a
less rigid material, such as an elastomeric material such as
polyurethane or other thermoplastic material having a durometer
between about 60 and 95 Shore A. In the illustrated embodiment, the
agitating members 32 are molded or cast from an elastomeric
material, for example thermoplastic urethane (TPU), thermoplastic
vulcanizate (TPV), or other thermoplastic elastomer, polyurethane,
silicone, rubber or any other flexible, durable, resilient material
as desired for the application. In one embodiment, the agitating
member has a durometer between 25 and 60 Shore A. In another
embodiment, the agitating member has a durometer between 55 and 80
Shore A. In one embodiment, the agitating member has a durometer
between 70 and 95 Shore A. In the illustrated embodiments, the
integrally formed agitating members 32 are injection molded or cast
directly onto the core 30 by overmolding. In one embodiment, the
integrally formed agitating members 32 are molded first, and then
are affixed to the core 30 by fastening, bonding, welding, or other
attachment. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 20, the core 30
is shown without the agitating members for illustration.
[0048] The agitating members 32 have a proximal portion 33 adjacent
the core 30 and a distal portion 35 extended away from the core by
a height H, the distal portion 35 configured engage a surface to be
cleaned through the opening 18. In one embodiment, the height H is
radial. In one embodiment, the height H is rearwardly raked
relative to the direction of rotation. In one embodiment, the
height H is forwardly raked relative to the direction of rotation.
In the illustrated embodiments, the agitating members 32 have a
longitudinal shape with a length L and thickness T. In one
embodiment, the distal portion of the agitating member forms a
smooth continuous edge along the length of the agitating member 32.
The smooth surface of the elastomeric agitator 20 facilitates
debris pickup, while allowing bending and flicking to inhibit the
hair and debris from being wrapped around the agitator. By
inhibiting hair and debris wrap, the longevity of the cleaner 10 is
increased as well as the time required between cleaning and
maintenance of the agitator 20.
[0049] In the illustrated embodiments, the agitating member 32
defines an agitating axis 100 extending outwardly from the core 30.
In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 24-29 and 36-41, the
agitating member 32 further includes a flange 65 disposed adjacent
the distal portion of the agitating member 32. In the illustrated
embodiments, the flange 65 is positioned along an outer
circumference of the agitator 20. In one embodiment, the flange 65
is offset from the outer circumference of the agitator 20.
[0050] The flange 65 extends forwardly along a flange axis 102,
away from the agitating axis 100 in the direction of rotation. In
one embodiment, the flange 65 extends between 2 and 10 millimeters
away from the distal portion of the agitating member 32. In one
embodiment, the flange 65 extends between 10 and 20 millimeters
away from the distal portion 35 of the agitating member 32. The
flange axis 102 is angled forwardly relative to the agitating axis
100. In one embodiment, an angle 61 of the flange axis 102 relative
to the agitating axis 100 is between 60 and 75 degrees. In one
embodiment, the angle 61 of the flange axis 102 relative to the
agitating axis 100 is between 75 and 90 degrees. In one embodiment,
the angle 61 of the flange axis 102 relative to the agitating axis
100 is between 90 and 105 degrees. The flange axis 102 does not
intersect the core 30 of the agitator 20. The flange 65 assists in
debris pick up by directing the gathered debris into the debris
inlet of the floor cleaner.
[0051] In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 2-10, each agitating
member 32 defines a plurality of chevron or V-shaped portions
extending lengthwise along the agitator 20 between the first end 24
and the second end 26. The agitating member 32 has a leading side
36 facing in a direction of rotation 44 and a trailing side 38
opposite the leading side 36. During rotation, the distal portion
of the leading side 36 contacts the surface to be cleaned before
the trailing side 38. Each chevron-shaped portion of the agitating
member 32 is formed by two diverging agitating vanes 42, each
agitating vane 42 having a forward end and a rearward end, the
forward end of each agitating vane 42 forming the chevron-shaped
portion converging at a leading peak 40 in the direction of
rotation 44. The rearward ends of agitating vanes 42 of adjacent
chevron-shaped portions converge at a trailing peak 41 opposite the
direction of rotation 44. The agitating member 32 is configured
such that the leading peaks 40 contact the surface to be cleaned
prior to the leading sides 36 of the agitating vanes 42 and the
trailing peaks 41 during rotational operation.
[0052] In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 2-10, the plurality
of chevron or V-shaped portions forming the agitating member 32 are
conterminous, such that adjacent agitating vane 42 are connected
together at the leading peaks 40 and trailing peaks 41. In one
embodiment, the agitating member 32 defines a plurality of chevron
or V-shaped portions extending along the agitator 20 between the
first end 24 and the second end 26, wherein the rearward ends of
agitating vanes 42 of adjacent chevron-shaped portions are
discontinuous at one or more trailing peaks 41. In one embodiment,
the agitating member 32 defines a plurality of chevron or V-shaped
portions extending along the agitator 20 between the first end 24
and the second end 26, wherein the forward ends of agitating vanes
42 forming the chevron-shaped portions are discontinuous at one or
more leading peaks 41. In one embodiment, the agitating member 32
defines a plurality of chevron or V-shaped portions extending along
the agitator 20 between the first end 24 and the second end 26,
wherein the rearward ends of agitating vanes 42 of adjacent
chevron-shaped portions are discontinuous at one or more trailing
peaks 41 and wherein the forward ends of agitating vanes 42 forming
the chevron-shaped portions are discontinuous at one or more
leading peaks 41.
[0053] In various embodiments, the arrangement of chevrons may be
closer to one end of the agitator or another, or may be centered
longitudinally. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the
agitating vane 42 adjacent the first end 24 of the agitator 20 is
positioned such that the forward end of the agitating vane 42 is
adjacent the first end 24, and the agitating vane 42 adjacent the
second end 26 of the agitator 20 is positioned such that the
rearward end of the agitating vane 42 is adjacent the second end,
e.g. 1/2 of a chevron adjacent the first end 24. In one embodiment,
illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the agitating vanes 42 adjacent the
first end 24 and the second end 26 of the agitator 20 are both
positioned such that rearward ends of the agitating vanes 42 are
adjacent the agitator ends, with the peaks 40, 41 spaced from the
first end 24 and the second end 26 by the agitating vanes 42. In
one embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, the agitating vanes
adjacent the first end 24 and the second end 26 of the agitator 20
are both positioned such that the forward ends of the agitating
vanes 42 are adjacent the agitator ends.
[0054] In one embodiment, adjacent vanes converge at the peaks 40,
41 at an angle 48 between 10 degrees and 75 degrees. Decreasing the
angle 48 of the peaks 40, 41 results in more chevrons, more peaks
40, 41 across the agitator 20, and a more compressed zig-zag
pattern of chevrons. Increasing the angle 48 of the peaks 40, 41,
reduces the number of chevrons, with fewer peaks 40, 41 across the
agitator 20. The angle 48 may be varied based on desired cleaning
outcome. The length L of the agitating vanes 42 from the leading
peak 40 to the trailing peak 41 varies based on the length of the
agitator and the number of chevrons desired, and could be any value
based on the desired geometry. In some embodiments the length may
be between 10 millimeters and 75 millimeters, or between 15
millimeters and 50 millimeters. In one example, the length of the
agitator 20 is 30 centimeters, the peak 40, 41 angles are 70
degrees, and the length of the agitating vanes 42 is 47
millimeters, resulting in 10 total peaks 40, 41 spanning the
agitator 20.
[0055] The agitator 20 includes between 1 and 6 agitating members
32, or more than 6 agitating members 32 as desired. In the
embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 2-10, the agitator 20 includes 5
agitating members 32. The circumferentially adjacent agitating
members 32 may be reinforced by connecting ribs. In the embodiment
illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, 8, and 9, circumferentially adjacent
agitating member 32 are reinforced by annular ribs 34. The ribs 34
may be positioned to connect one or more leading peaks 40 to
circumferentially adjacent leading peaks 40. Alternatively or
additionally, the ribs 34 may be positioned to connect one or more
trailing peaks 41 to circumferentially adjacent trailing peaks 41.
In one embodiment, the annular ribs 34 reinforce the agitating
member 32 by intersecting the agitating vanes 42, between the peaks
40, 41. The annular ribs 34 reinforce the agitating members 32
during contact with surface to be cleaned, which may increase the
longevity of the agitating member 32 and the agitator 20.
[0056] In one embodiment, the height of the agitating member 32
from the proximal portion 33 to the distal portion 35 is constant
along the length of the agitating vane 42 and is equivalent to the
height of the peaks 40, 41 from the core 30. In another embodiment,
the height of the agitating member 32 decreases from the leading
peak 40 to the trailing peak 41. In one embodiment, the height of
the agitating member 32 increases from the leading peak 40 to the
trailing peak 41. In another embodiment, the height of a portion of
the agitating member 32 is greater than the height of both the
leading peak 40 and the trailing peak 41, such that the height of
the agitating member 32 increases in a slope or arc away from the
leading peak 40, and then decreases in a slope or arc toward the
trailing peak 41. In illustrated embodiments, the height of the
annular rib 34 from the core 30 is less than the height of the
agitating members 32. In one embodiment, the height of the annular
rib 34 is the same or greater than the height of the agitating
members 32.
[0057] In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the peaks
40, 41 have a thickness T.sub.1 greater than a thickness T.sub.2 of
the adjacent vanes 42 reinforcing the connection between adjacent
agitating vanes 42. The increased thickness of the peaks 40, 41
extends the life of the agitator 20. In one embodiment, the peak
40, 41 is between 1.25 and 4 times the thickness of the adjacent
vanes 42. In one embodiment, the thickness T.sub.1 is between 20%
and 30% of the height H of the agitating member 32, measured from
the proximal portion 33 to the distal portion 35. In one
embodiment, the thickness T.sub.1 is between 30% and 40% of the
height H of the agitating member 32, measured from the proximal
portion 33 to the distal portion 35. In one embodiment, the
thickness T.sub.1 is between 40% and 50% of the height H of the
agitating member 32, measured from the proximal portion 33 to the
distal portion 35.
[0058] In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 2-7, the agitator
members 32 are arranged along a straight line along the
longitudinal axis between the first end 24 and the second end 26.
In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, the agitator
members 32 are arranged along a curve such that the agitator
members 32 follow a curve or parabola 46 between the first end 24
and the second end 26. In one embodiment, the agitator members 32
follow a non-linear path, such as a helix or other path.
[0059] In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 11-16, the agitator
120 includes a plurality of annular agitating members 132, each
agitating member 132 defines a plurality of chevron or V-shaped
portions extending circumferentially along the agitator 120, where
the peak 140 of the V-shaped portion is in the direction of one of
the first end 124 or the second end 126, and the connection between
adjacent V-shape portions is in the direction of the other of the
first end 124 or the second end 12. Stated another way, the
agitating members 132 form an annular zig-zag pattern around the
circumference of the agitator 120. Each V-shaped portion of the
agitating member 132 is formed by two diverging agitating vanes
142, each agitating vane 142 having a forward end and a rearward
end, the forward end of one agitating vane 142 converging with a
rearward end of an adjacent agitating vane 142 at a peak 140 to
form the V-shaped portion. This arrangement creates left-to-right
agitation of carpet fibers on the surface to be cleaned as the
agitator 120 rotates.
[0060] The agitating vanes 142 converge at a peak 140 forming an
angle between the vanes. The angle of the chevron or V-shape varies
based on the number of chevron shaped portions and the diameter of
the agitator, which may be modified based on the desired cleaning
outcome, as seen by the different angle illustrated in FIGS. 11-12
and FIGS. 14-15. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 11-16,
three V-shapes are arranged about the circumference in each annular
agitating member 132.
[0061] The agitator 120 includes a plurality of annular agitating
members 132 arranged along the agitator between the first end 124
and the second end 126. In one embodiment, the agitator 20 includes
more than 6 agitating members 132. In the embodiment illustrated in
FIGS. 11-13, the agitator 20 includes 17 agitating members 132. In
the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 14-16, the agitator 20 includes
15 agitating members 132.
[0062] In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 11-16, the plurality
of chevron or V-shaped portions forming the annular agitating
member 132 are conterminous, such that adjacent agitating vanes 142
are connected together at the peaks 140. In one embodiment, the
agitating member 32 defines a plurality of chevron or V-shaped
portions extending along the circumference of the agitator 20,
wherein adjacent agitating vanes 142 are discontinuous at one or
more peaks 140.
[0063] A connecting rib 134 may be provided between adjacent
agitating members 132 to reinforce the annular agitating members.
In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 11-16, adjacent annular
agitating member 132 are reinforced by the ribs 134 extending
longitudinally along the agitator between the first end 124 and the
second end 126. The ribs 134 may be positioned to connect one or
more peaks 140 to adjacent peaks 140. In the embodiment illustrated
in FIGS. 11-16, six longitudinal ribs 134 are provided spaced
circumferentially about the core intersecting the peaks 140 of
adjacent agitating members. In other embodiments, fewer than six
ribs may be provided, or more than six ribs may be provided as
desired for the geometry of the agitator and the application. In
one embodiment, the ribs 134 reinforce the agitating member 132 by
intersecting the agitating vanes 142, between the peaks 140.
[0064] In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18, the
agitator 220 includes a plurality of annular agitating members 232,
each arranged in a helical direction. In one embodiment, the
agitating members 232 form a continual helix from a first end 224
to a second end 226. In the illustrated embodiment, the agitating
members 232 are discontinuous, including gaps 260 in the helical
pattern. In the illustrated embodiment, the agitating members 232
extend 1/3 of the circumference of the agitator 220 between gaps
260. In other embodiments the agitating members 232 extend 1/2 of
the circumference between gaps 260, or 1/4 of the circumference
between gaps 260. Adjacent agitating members 232 may be separated
by between 3 millimeters and 15 millimeters. The agitating members
232 are divided into a first group or segment 232a each having a
left hand flight, and a second group or segment 232b each having a
right hand flight. The end of the first segment 232a is axially
adjacent to the end of the second segment 232b at a convergence
area 250 such that rotation 244 of the agitator 220 tends to move
dirt, debris, and hair along the first and second segments 232a,
232b in opposed axial directions toward the convergence area
250.
[0065] A connecting rib 234 may be provided between adjacent
agitating members 232 to reinforce the agitating members. In the
embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 17-19, adjacent annular agitating
member 232 are reinforced by the ribs 234 extending longitudinally
along the agitator between the first end 224 and the second end
226. In the illustrated embodiment, six longitudinal ribs 234 are
provided spaced circumferentially about the core. In other
embodiments, fewer than six ribs may be provided, or more than six
ribs may be provided as desired for the geometry of the agitator
and the application.
[0066] The shape and direction of the agitating members 232 move
the dirt and debris on the surface in an axial direction as the
agitator 220 rotates. The surface cleaning head 12 will move in the
forward or reverse direction as the agitator 220 is rotating and
therefore the movement of the debris will not be purely axial but
will likely also have some forward or rearward component of
movement as well. In one embodiment, the convergence area 250 is
aligned with a suction inlet such that the rotating agitator 220
moves the debris toward the convergence area 250 and the suction
inlet. Directing debris to the convergence area 250 aligned with
the suction inlet enables improved collection of debris drawn by
the suction source 22 into the suction inlet.
[0067] In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 21-23, the agitator
320 includes a plurality of annular agitating members 332, each
agitating member 332 defines a plurality of chevron or V-shaped
portions extending around the circumference of the agitator 320,
where the peak 340 of the V-shape portion is in the direction of
one of the first end 324 or the second end 326, and the connection
between adjacent V-shape portions is in the direction of the other
of the first end 124 or the second end 12. Additionally, adjacent
agitating members 332 are arranged such that the direction of the
peak 340 of the V-shape portions alternate so that the agitating
members 332 are arranged in an X-shape 370 pattern along the
circumference of the agitator 320. The arrangement of the agitating
members 332 may be modified to increase or decrease the number of
X-shaped areas 370 based on desired cleaning performance. In the
embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 21-23, adjacent annular agitating
member 332 are reinforced by the ribs 334 extending longitudinally
along the agitator between the first end 324 and the second end
326. Additionally, the height of the rib between peaks forming the
center of the X-shapes may be the same height as that of the
agitating member 332.
[0068] The flexibility of the agitating members 32, 132, 232, 332
allows for bending and flexing during operation, which may reduce
debris wrap around the agitator 20, 120, 220, 320. The agitating
members 32, 132, 232, 332 promote surface debris pick-up and
inhibit hair and debris wrap around the agitator body 22.
[0069] The floor cleaning device 10 is illustrated as an upright
floor cleaner including an upper body 28 coupled to the surface
cleaning head 12. With further reference to FIG. 1, the surface
cleaning head 12 includes the agitator chamber 16, the opening 18
facing the surface to be cleaned, the agitator 20 rotatably mounted
within the agitator chamber 16, and the agitator drive 22 for
selectively rotating the agitator 20 about the axis 100. In one
embodiment, the agitator 20 is removable from the cleaning head 14,
for example, to allow an operator to clean, maintain, or replace
the agitator 20. The agitator 20 may be removable through a lateral
side of the housing 14 or through the bottom opening 18 or through
another access location. The floor cleaning device may further
include a suction inlet in the surface cleaning head, a suction
motor in communication with the suction inlet, a debris separator
such as a filter bag, filter, a cyclonic separator, or other debris
separator in communication with the suction inlet, and an air
outlet downstream of the debris separator. The suction inlet may be
integrated with the agitator chamber, or may be separate from the
agitator chamber. Although the invention is described for use in an
upright floor cleaner, the invention is not limited to only this
use. Rather, the invention could be used with other floor cleaning
devices such as upright carpet extractors, robot floor cleaners,
canister-type cleaners, wet/dry utility vacuum cleaners, hard floor
cleaner, and the like.
[0070] In one embodiment, the agitating member 32 includes one or
more support ribs 67 integral with the agitating member 32. The
support ribs 67 extend between the leading side 36 and/or the
trailing side 38 and the core 30. In the illustrated embodiments,
the support ribs 67 extend along the height H of the agitating
members 32 from the core 30 to the outer circumference of the
agitator. The support ribs 67 help support, strengthen, and
reinforce the agitating member 32. The support of the ribs 67
limits the flexing of the agitating member 32, which improves
surface pick up and cleaning performance. In the embodiments
illustrated in FIGS. 30-41, the support ribs 67 extend on the
leading side 36 of the agitating member 32, in the direction of
rotation. In one embodiment, the support ribs 67 extend on the
trailing side 38 of the agitating member 32, in the direction
opposite of rotation. In one embodiment, the support ribs 67 are
spaced from adjacent support ribs by between 2 and 40 millimeters.
In another embodiment, the support ribs 67 are spaced from adjacent
support ribs by between 5 and 20 millimeters.
[0071] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 31a, the support ribs
67 extend from the leading side 36 in a forward direction F. In
another embodiment (not shown), the support ribs 67 extend at an
angle to the forward direction F, and may extend generally
perpendicular to the agitating member 32. In one embodiment, the
front edges of the support ribs 67 extend at the same angle as the
agitating axis 100. Said another way, when looking at a
cross-sectional view, the front edges of the support ribs 67 extend
roughly parallel to the agitating axis 100 In the embodiment
illustrated in FIGS. 30-41, the support ribs 67 extend at an angle
70 to the agitating axis 100. This is illustrated in the
cross-sectional views of FIGS. 32, 35, 38, and 41, where the
forward edge of the support ribs 67 extend at a rake angle
different from the rake angle of the agitating axis 100. In the
embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 36-41, the agitating member 32
includes both the plurality of support ribs 67, as well as the
flange 65 extending from the agitating member 32.
[0072] It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in
its application to the details of construction and the arrangement
of components set forth in the following description or illustrated
in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other
embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in
various ways.
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