(19)
(11) EP 1 371 317 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
05.01.2005 Bulletin 2005/01

(43) Date of publication A2:
17.12.2003 Bulletin 2003/51

(21) Application number: 03251436.6

(22) Date of filing: 10.03.2003
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A47L 5/30, A47L 9/04, A47L 9/28, A47L 9/32
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PT RO SE SI SK TR
Designated Extension States:
AL LT LV MK

(30) Priority: 08.03.2002 US 362960 P

(71) Applicant: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC CORPORATION OF AMERICA
Secaucus, NJ 07094 (US)

(72) Inventors:
  • Hitzelberger, Erik J.
    Danville, KY 40422 (US)
  • Cloud, John A. III
    Nicholasville, KY 40356 (US)
  • Streciwilk, Eric J.
    Perryville, KY 40468 (US)
  • Nishimura, Hiroshi
    Gamo-Gun, Shiga (JP)
  • Nakao, Hiroshi
    4-18-5 Takagai-cho, Ohmihachiman City (JP)

(74) Representative: Cummings, Sean Patrick et al
David Keltie Associates Fleet Place House 2 Fleet Place
London EC4M 7ET
London EC4M 7ET (GB)

   


(54) Vacuum cleaner with reversible rotary agitator


(57) A vacuum cleaner (10) includes a cannister assembly (18), a nozzle assembly (16), and a suction generator (33) that draws air, dust, dirt and debris from a surface to be cleaned through the nozzle assembly (16) to a collection vessel (12). A rotary agitator (38) carried on the nozzle assembly (16) is driven by a motor (40) in a forward or a rearward direction. Depending upon the direction of rotation, the rotary agitator (38) propels the nozzle assembly (16) in the forward or rearward direction.






Search report