[0001] The present invention relates to a brush assembly for a floor cleaning apparatus,
such as a vacuum cleaner or sweeper. In particular, but not exclusively, the present
invention relates to a floor cleaning apparatus comprising one or more brush assemblies
which rotate on movement of the floor cleaning apparatus to agitate dust and contaminants
on a surface on which the floor cleaning apparatus is disposed.
[0002] Beater bars are known for use on many types of vacuum cleaners, particularly upright
vacuum cleaners in which a suction head is moved around the floor by a user pushing
and pulling an upright handle. Such beater bars are generally driven by a drive belt
powered by a motor. The bar is usually cylindrical and has tufts of bristles disposed
around its outer circumference which contact the floor as the bar rotates. The axis
of rotation of the cylindrical bar is usually parallel to the surface to be cleaned.
This agitates dust and other contaminants to increase the likelihood that they are
sucked into the suction inlet of the vacuum cleaner.
[0003] EP2561785 discloses a different type of auxiliary beater brush assembly for an upright vacuum
cleaner. The auxiliary brushes comprise tufts of bristles mounted around the circumference
of a circular body, two of which are rotatably mounted on brackets projecting from
the sides of the suction head. The brackets are angled downwardly such that the outermost
edges of the auxiliary brushes are in contact with the floor. Pushing and pulling
the suction head rotates the brushes to agitate the surface on which the vacuum cleaner
is disposed.
[0004] It is desirable to provide an improved brush assembly which does not require motor
power and is able to reliably rotate and agitate dust and other contaminants on a
surface being cleaned. Further still, it is desirable to direct dust and other contaminants
towards the suction inlet of a vacuum cleaner or the contaminant inlet of a sweeper.
[0005] According to an aspect, there is provided a brush assembly for a floor cleaning apparatus,
the brush assembly comprising: a body portion rotatably mountable to an underside
of a floor cleaning apparatus; a plurality of bristles disposed around the edge of
the body portion, said plurality of bristles being configured to engage a surface
to be cleaned; and a plurality of floor engaging members projecting from the underside
of the body portion, each said floor engaging member being capable of frictionally
engaging the surface on which the brush assembly is disposed to cause rotation of
the body portion as the brush assembly is moved along said surface.
[0006] This provides the advantage of a brush assembly for a floor cleaning apparatus that
has been found to reliably rotate on both carpets of all thicknesses and uncarpeted
surfaces. By providing a plurality of floor engaging members rather than a continuous
floor engaging surface, this provides the advantage of improving grip and ensuring
reliable rotation when the vacuum cleaner is moved.
[0007] In a preferred embodiment, each said floor engaging member comprises an elastomeric
finger.
[0008] This provides the advantage of a configuration of floor engaging member that has
been found to be particularly effective in driving motion of the brush assembly when
moved. Furthermore, the elastomeric fingers may be flexible. This allows the fingers
to grip a range of surfaces including wooden or tiled surfaces without damaging the
surface.
[0009] In a preferred embodiment, a longitudinal axis of each said engaging member is non-perpendicular
to the underside of said body portion.
[0010] This provides the advantage that if the brush is mounted to the underside of a vacuum
cleaner in a tilted configuration, contact between the end of the fingers and the
floor is improved by mounting the fingers in a non-perpendicular configuration to
the underside of the body of the brush.
[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the brush assembly further comprises bearing means arranged
to allow rotation of said at least one brush assembly in a first direction, but prevent
rotation of said at least one brush assembly in a second direction, opposite to said
first direction.
[0012] This provides the advantage of preventing the brush assembly from directing dust
and other contaminants away from the suction inlet when the vacuum cleaner is pulled
towards the user. Furthermore, when the floor engaging member is an elastomeric finger,
and when rotation is prevented, the flexible elastomeric finger can be moved across
the floor surface without damaging the surface.
[0013] The axis of rotation of the body portion may be non-parallel to said surface.
[0014] According to another aspect, there is provided a vacuum cleaner comprising: a handle
portion; a collection apparatus for removing contaminants from an airstream; a base
portion configured to be moved along a surface to collect contaminants therefrom,
the base portion comprising a suction inlet; and at least one brush assembly as defined
above rotatably mounted to the underside of said base portion.
[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the axis of rotation of said at least one brush assembly
is arranged such that a first side of said at least one brush assembly closest to
said suction inlet is tilted towards a surface on which the vacuum cleaner is disposed
and a second side of said at least one brush assembly, opposite said first side, is
tilted away from said surface.
[0016] This provides the advantage of a tilted configuration of brush assembly that has
been found to be particularly effective at both rotating when the vacuum cleaner is
pushed forwardly and directing dust and contaminants towards the suction inlet.
[0017] The vacuum cleaner may further comprise first and second brush assemblies rotatably
mounted to the underside of said base portion, wherein the axis of rotation of each
said brush assembly is arranged such that a first side of each said brush assembly
closest to said suction inlet is tilted towards a surface on which the vacuum cleaner
is disposed and a second side of each said brush assembly, opposite said first side,
is tilted away from said surface.
[0018] According to a further aspect, there is provided a vacuum cleaner comprising: a handle
portion; a collection apparatus for removing contaminants from an airstream; a base
portion configured to be moved along a surface to collect contaminants therefrom,
the base portion comprising a suction inlet; and at least one brush assembly rotatably
mounted to the underside of said base portion, wherein the axis of rotation of said
at least one brush assembly is arranged such that a first side of said at least one
brush assembly closest to said suction inlet is tilted towards the surface and a second
side of said at least one brush assembly, opposite said first side, is tilted away
from said surface.
[0019] This provides the advantage of a tilted configuration of brush assembly that has
been found to be particularly effective at both rotating when the vacuum cleaner is
pushed forwardly and directing dust and contaminants towards the suction inlet.
[0020] According to another aspect, there is provided a vacuum cleaner comprising: a handle
portion; a collection apparatus for removing contaminants from an airstream; a base
portion configured to be moved along a surface to collect contaminants therefrom,
the base portion comprising a suction inlet; at least one brush assembly rotatably
mounted to the underside of said base portion; and bearing means arranged to allow
rotation of said at least one brush assembly in a first direction, but prevent rotation
of said at least one brush assembly in a second direction, opposite to said first
direction.
[0021] This provides the advantage of preventing the brush assembly from directing dust
and other contaminants away from the suction inlet when the vacuum cleaner is pulled
towards the user.
[0022] The axis of rotation of the at least one brush assembly may be non-parallel to the
surface.
[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the axis of rotation of said at least one brush assembly
is arranged such the axis is tilted forwardly and towards a front edge of the base
portion. Preferably, the axis of rotation of said at least one brush assembly is arranged
such that the part of said at least one brush assembly projecting forwardly of the
front edge of said base portion is tilted towards said surface on which the vacuum
cleaner is disposed.
[0024] This provides the advantage of a tilted configuration of brush assembly that has
been found to be particularly effective at both rotating when the vacuum cleaner is
pushed forwardly and directing dust and contaminants towards the suction inlet.
[0025] According to another aspect, there is provided a vacuum cleaner comprising: a handle
portion; a collection apparatus for removing contaminants from an airstream; a base
portion configured to be moved along a surface to collect contaminants therefrom,
the base portion comprising a suction inlet and a front edge; and at least one brush
assembly rotatably mounted to the underside of said base portion, wherein the axis
of rotation of said at least one brush assembly is tilted forwardly and towards the
front edge.
[0026] This provides the advantage of a tilted configuration of brush assembly that has
been found to be particularly effective at both rotating when the vacuum cleaner is
pushed forwardly and directing dust and contaminants towards the suction inlet.
[0027] In a preferred embodiment, said at least one brush assembly comprises: a body portion;
a plurality of bristles disposed around the edge of the body portion, said plurality
of bristles being configured to engage a surface on which the brush assembly is disposed;
and a plurality of floor engaging members projecting from the underside of the body
portion, each said floor engaging member arranged to frictionally engage a surface
on which the brush assembly is disposed to cause rotation of the body portion as the
brush assembly is moved along said surface.
[0028] This provides the advantage of a brush assembly for a vacuum cleaner that has been
found to reliably rotate on both carpets of all thicknesses and uncarpeted surfaces.
By providing a plurality of floor engaging members rather than a continuous floor
engaging surface, this provides the advantage of improving grip and ensuring reliable
rotation when the vacuum cleaner is moved.
[0029] In a preferred embodiment, each said floor engaging member comprises an elastomeric
finger.
[0030] This provides the advantage of a configuration of floor engaging member that has
been found to be particularly effective in driving motion of the brush assembly when
moved.
[0031] In a preferred embodiment, a longitudinal axis of each said elastomeric finger is
non-perpendicular to the underside of said body portion.
[0032] This provides the advantage that if the brush is mounted to the underside of a vacuum
cleaner in a tilted configuration, contact between the end of the fingers and the
floor is improved by mounting the fingers in a non-perpendicular configuration to
the underside of the body of the brush.
[0033] In a preferred embodiment, the vacuum cleaners described above further comprise bearing
means arranged to allow rotation of said at least one brush assembly in a first direction,
but prevent rotation of said at least one brush assembly in a second direction, opposite
to said first direction.
[0034] This provides the advantage of preventing the brush assembly from directing dust
and other contaminants away from the suction inlet when the vacuum cleaner is pulled
towards the user.
[0035] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only,
and not in any limitative sense, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the front of an upright vacuum cleaner comprising
a brush assembly embodying the present invention;
Figure 2 is a view of the underside of the vacuum cleaner of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a top view of the base portion of the vacuum cleaner of Figure 1 shown
moving forwardly;
Figure 4 is a top view of the base portion of the vacuum cleaner of Figure 1 shown
moving rearwardly;
Figure 5 is a front view of the base portion of the vacuum cleaner of Figure 1;
Figure 6 is a view of the underside of the vacuum cleaner of Figure 1;
Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of one side of the base portion of the vacuum cleaner
of Figure 1 viewed from the front;
Figure 8 is a partial cross-section of the base portion of the vacuum cleaner of Figure
1 viewed from the side;
Figure 9 is a partial cross-section of the base portion of the vacuum cleaner of Figure
1 viewed from the side;
Figure 10 is a front perspective view of the base portion of the vacuum cleaner of
Figure 1; and
Figure 11 is a view from the top of one side of the base portion of the vacuum cleaner
of Figure 1.
[0036] The following describes a vacuum cleaner with a brush assembly for agitating dirt
and other contaminants on a surface to be cleaned. Although the following description
relates to a vacuum cleaner, the brush assembly can be implemented on other types
of floor cleaning apparatuses, such as a sweeper or a steam mop.
[0037] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a vacuum cleaner 2 comprises a handle portion (not
shown) and a housing 4 containing a collection apparatus for removing contaminants
from an airstream. Types of collection apparatus will be familiar to persons skilled
in the art. For example, the collection apparatus for separating contaminants from
the airstream could take the form of a cyclone separator, a filter bag, or a combination
of cyclone separator and filter arrangements.
[0038] Vacuum cleaner 2 also comprises a base portion 6 having a suction inlet 8 arranged
to draw air into the base portion 6 on operation of the motor (not shown) of the vacuum
cleaner 2. At least one, and preferably two brush assemblies 10 are rotatably mounted
to the underside of base portion 6. Each brush assembly 10 comprises a body portion
12 around the circumference of which a plurality of bristles 14, preferably clumped
in bristle tufts are mounted. On the underside of each body portion 12, a plurality
of floor engaging members 16 are disposed. Eight floor engaging members are shown
spaced equiangularly from the centre of the body portion 12, although more or less
floor engaging members could be used depending on the size of the body portion 12.
Floor engaging members 16 are configured to engage a surface on which the vacuum cleaner
2 is placed such that when the vacuum cleaner is advanced forward, the floor engaging
members 16 grip the surface to cause rotation of the body portion 12 and therefore
brush assemblies 10. In a preferred embodiment, each floor engaging member comprises
a finger. For example, each finger could be made from rubber or another elastomeric
polymer or another suitable material such as a plastic.
[0039] Referring to Figures 5 to 7, each brush assembly 10 (shown without bristles for clarity)
comprises a shaft 18 keyed to the body portion 12 to enable the body portion 12 to
be rotatably mounted to the base portion 6 of the vacuum cleaner 2. Shaft 18 is disposed
non-rotatably in one-way bearing 20 which permits rotation in only one direction as
will be further explained below. Referring to Figure 7, the axis of rotation R is
offset from the vertical Y by an angle α such that a first side 10a of the brush assembly
closest to suction inlet 8 is tilted towards a surface S on which the vacuum cleaner
is disposed. In this configuration, the second side 10b opposite first side 10a of
the brush assembly 10 is tilted away from surface S such that elastomeric fingers
16 are out of contact with the surface S on the second side 10B. Preferably, angle
α is between 2 and 10 degrees and, more preferably, between 3 and 6 degrees. In particular,
an angle between 4 and 5 degrees has been found to be optimal for providing a large
contact zone for the brush and the rubber fingers, as shown in figure 10.
[0040] It can also be seen in Figure 7 that each elastomeric finger 16 is mounted non-perpendicularly
to a plane P defined by body portion 12. This ensures that the ends of elastomeric
fingers 16 make the best contact with surface S. Alternatively, each finger 16 could
be mounted perpendicularly to plane P for ease of manufacture. Referring to Figure
5, it can be seen that both brush assemblies 10 are mounted on axes of rotation that
are non-parallel to the vertical axis of body portion 6 such that sides 10a of the
brush assemblies 10 closest to suction inlet 8 are tilted towards surface S. Also,
the axes of rotation of the brush assemblies are non-parallel to the surface S and
to the horizontal axis of the body 6.
[0041] Referring to Figures 8 and 9, shaft 18 and one-way bearing 20 are also arranged such
that the part of each brush assembly 10 forward of the shaft 18 is tilted towards
the surface S. This is achieved by tilting the axis of rotation of the brush assembly,
which runs longitudinally along the shaft 18, forwardly and towards the front edge
6a. As shown, the part projecting forwardly of the front edge 6a of base portion 6
is tilted towards the surface S on which the vacuum cleaner 2 is disposed. In other
words, an angle β is formed between a horizontal axis X of the body portion and the
plane of rotation of the brush assembly 10. Preferably, angle β is between 1 and 4
degrees and, more preferably between 2 and 3 degrees. This provides an optimal contact
area forward of the front edge whilst preventing the brush from digging too deep into
carpet when the vacuum cleaner is pushed forwardly.
[0042] Referring to Figures 10 and 11, due to the angular offset of the axis of rotation
R of each brush assembly 10, only the bristles 14 and around the region forwardly
of the shaft 18 and closest to suction inlet 8 are in contact with the floor in normal
use. Also referring to Figures 5 and 6, due to the angular offset of the axis of rotation
R of each brush assembly 10, only the fingers 16 closest to suction inlet 8 are in
contact with the floor in normal use.
[0043] Referring to Figures 2, 3, 4 and 11, operation of vacuum cleaner 2 and brush assemblies
10 will now be described. When the vacuum cleaner 2 is pushed forwardly in the direction
of arrow A of Figure 3, elastomeric fingers 16 in the zone of contact with the floor
closest to suction inlet 8 grip the floor and cause rotation of the brush assemblies
10. This rotation is in the clockwise sense for the left hand brush assembly 10 of
Figure 3 and in the anti-clockwise sense for the right hand brush assembly of Figure
3. This causes dust in the area where the bristles cotact the floor to be flicked
towards the suction inlet. Since the bristles 14 on the outer sides of base portion
6 are raised away from the floor, no contact is made such that dust and other contaminants
are not flicked away from the base portion 6.
[0044] When the base portion 6 is pulled rearwardly in the direction of arrow B of Figure
4, the one-way bearing 20 of each brush assembly 10 prevents rotation which therefore
prevents dust being flicked away from the suction inlet 8. On further advancement
of the vacuum cleaner 2 in the direction of arrow A, brush assemblies 10 will continue
to rotate.
[0045] It has been found that projecting fingers 16 are effective on various thicknesses
of carpet as well as hard floors to provide improved drive of the brush assemblies
10 when compared with use of a continuous ring of frictionally engaging material.
Improved cleaning has also been found resulting from prevention of rotation of the
brush assemblies on a rearward stroke.
[0046] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the above embodiments have
been described by way of example only and not in any limitative sense, and that various
alterations and modifications are possible without departure from the scope of the
invention as defined by the appended claims.
1. A brush assembly for a floor cleaning apparatus, the brush assembly comprising:
a body portion rotatably mountable to an underside of a floor cleaning apparatus;
a plurality of bristles disposed around the edge of the body portion, said plurality
of bristles being configured to engage a surface to be cleaned; and
a plurality of floor engaging members projecting from the underside of the body portion,
each said floor engaging member being capable of frictionally engaging the surface
on which the brush assembly is disposed to cause rotation of the body portion as the
brush assembly is moved along said surface, wherein each said floor engaging member
comprises an elastomeric finger.
2. A brush assembly according to claim 1, wherein a longitudinal axis of each said floor
engaging member is non-perpendicular to the underside of said body portion.
3. A brush assembly according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising bearing means arranged
to allow rotation of said brush assembly in a first direction, but prevent rotation
of said brush assembly in a second direction, opposite to said first direction.
4. A vacuum cleaner comprising:
a handle portion;
a collection apparatus for removing contaminants from an airstream;
a base portion configured to be moved along a surface to collect contaminants therefrom,
the base portion comprising a suction inlet; and
at least one brush assembly according to any one of the preceding claims rotatably
mounted to the underside of said base portion.
5. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 4, wherein the axis of rotation of said at least
one brush assembly is arranged such that a first side of said at least one brush assembly
closest to said suction inlet is tilted towards the surface to be cleaned and a second
side of said at least one brush assembly, opposite said first side, is tilted away
from said surface.
6. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 4 or 5, further comprising first and second brush
assemblies rotatably mounted to the underside of said base portion, wherein the axis
of rotation of each said brush assembly is arranged such that a first side of each
said brush assembly closest to said suction inlet is tilted towards the surface and
a second side of each said brush assembly, opposite said first side, is tilted away
from said surface.
7. A vacuum cleaner comprising:
a handle portion;
a collection apparatus for removing contaminants from an airstream;
a base portion configured to be moved along a surface to collect contaminants therefrom,
the base portion comprising a suction inlet; and
at least one brush assembly rotatably mounted to the underside of said base portion,
wherein the axis of rotation of said at least one brush assembly is arranged such
that a first side of said at least one brush assembly closest to said suction inlet
is tilted towards the surface and a second side of said at least one brush assembly,
opposite said first side, is tilted away from said surface.
8. A vacuum cleaner comprising:
a handle portion;
a collection apparatus for removing contaminants from an airstream;
a base portion configured to be moved along a surface to collect contaminants therefrom,
the base portion comprising a suction inlet;
at least one brush assembly rotatably mounted to the underside of said base portion;
and
bearing means arranged to allow rotation of said at least one brush assembly in a
first direction, but prevent rotation of said at least one brush assembly in a second
direction, opposite to said first direction.
9. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 8, wherein the axis of rotation of the at least
one brush assembly is non-parallel to the surface.
10. A vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 4 to 9, wherein the axis of rotation
of said at least one brush assembly is arranged such the axis is tilted forwardly
and towards a front edge of the base portion.
11. A vacuum cleaner comprising:
a handle portion;
a collection apparatus for removing contaminants from an airstream;
a base portion configured to be moved along a surface to collect contaminants therefrom,
the base portion comprising a suction inlet and a front edge;and
at least one brush assembly rotatably mounted to the underside of said base portion,
wherein the axis of rotation of said at least one brush assembly is tilted forwardly
and towards the front edge.
12. A vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the axis of rotation
of said at least one brush assembly is arranged such that a first side of said at
least one brush assembly closest to said suction inlet is tilted towards the surface
and a second side of said at least one brush assembly, opposite said first side, is
tilted away from said surface.
13. A vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 7 to 12, wherein said at least one
brush assembly comprises:
a body portion;
a plurality of bristles disposed around the edge of the body portion, said plurality
of bristles being configured to engage the surface; and
a plurality of floor engaging members projecting from the underside of the body portion,
each said floor engaging member being capable of frictionally engaging the surface
to cause rotation of the body portion as the brush assembly is moved along said surface.
14. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 13, wherein each said floor engaging member comprises
an elastomeric finger.
15. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 13 or 14, wherein a longitudinal axis of each
said floor engaging member is non-perpendicular to the underside of said body portion.