HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE TOOL PROVIDED WITH A ROTATING BRUSH WITH SIMULTANEOUS VERTICAL AND RECIPROCATING MOTION

Abstract: Accessory for electric household cleaning appliance in particular carpet cleaner, including a self-bearing body (2), shaped in such a way that is provided on the extrados with means for hinging and connecting an extension tube communicating with the inner side of said body, and connected on the other side with the handle of flexible hose connected to a vacuum cleaner, said body (2), being of the type including two lateral wheels and internally including: a motor, with externally located control means, fed by low voltage or by the mains through a socket for driving transmission means, which impart rotary motion to at least a bristled roll (6, 5) simultaneous with a straight line motion along a vertical axis, and a reciprocating motion; a bristled (6) roll (5), engaged at its ends with vertical sliding guides (71, 81), said roll (5) being provided with eccentric heads (51) co-operating with an interacting corresponding surface, provided on the inner surface (22) of said self-bearing body (2).

Description: DESCRIPTION HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE TOOL PROVIDED WITH A ROTATING BRUSH WITH SIMULTANEOUS VERTICAL AND RECIPROCATING MOTION Technical Field The present invention has for object an accessory for electric household appliance aimed at cleaning surfaces, particularly a carpet cleaner with complex brush effect. The invention, finds particular even if not exclusive application in the field of vacuum cleaner appliances, also professional ones, aimed at the room deep cleaning. Background Art The vacuum cleaner appliances are now part of prior art. The traditional ones, are essentially made up of a self-bearing body, supported by small feet or pivoting wheels, inside of which a motor group is provided, sucking the outside air together with the dirt for being filtered and recirculated. Such appliance, sucking air through an elephant trunk gripped by the user, usually allows, according to the needs, the removal of the dust existing in the carpets, mats, door-mats, moquettes, and alike surfaces, but also more recently the floor itself and the solid surfaces in general. The thus sucked air at first passes through at least one filter, which is generally made up of the same dust collection bag, for then, once filtered, being recirculated, as we saw, in the surrounding environment. Generally, the filter-bag is manufactured in a special type of closely-woven fabric, thus allowing the sucked air circulation, but retaining inside only the macro-dust and the thicker dirt in general. A recent solution was that of providing, combined with a traditional vacuum cleaner, the use of a device also able to perform the surface simultaneous washing. More in detail, said appliance also consists of a movable body to which a suction motor group is associated, but in whose inside a tank which contains the water distributed on the surfaces to be treated is obtained. Air, together with the water previously delivered by a delivery device applied on the elephant trunk, is then sucked and thus introduced inside of said tank. Here, a kind of perpendicular fan placed in correspondence of the sucked air exit hole, by rotating, creates a depression area which preventing the re-inserting of the fine dust stirs both water and air the same time. Thus a water and fine dust precipitation thanks to its catalytic effect will be obtained, emitting in the surrounding environment only the sucked air partially cleaned of such residues. Finally, the solution marked by the registered trademark BIG POWER® is known . More in detail, it is made up of a vacuum cleaner appliance of the type with path partially submerged into a water container, essentially subdivided in two parts, respectively, a first upper one which includes the body for supporting a motor group placed into an opening coated with acoustic insulating material, and a lower one consisting of: - a preferably conic water container, perimetrally engaged by lever fastening means, to said body; - a cylindrical element without one end and internal to said container, supported along the edge, partially immersed into water, obtaining between the facing walls, perpendicular to the bottom, an annular hollow space, which makes up a siphon, such as a forced path for air and/or the liquid sucked from the outside through drawing means; - at least a surface for the gross dirt separation, some openings being made on the base of the cylindrical element immersed by the water provided in the container; - a removable deflector means, placed in a rather suspended position, above the tank containing the water to be stirred and having a funnel shape, perimetrally supported by the cylindrical element internal to said water container; and in which a second separation filter-deflector being shaped as a turned funnel with respect to the first one, is positioned above this latter, and is associated to the micro-filter engaged in correspondence of the suction rotor. Anyway, both this and other appliances generally provide a series of interchangeable accessories in function of the type of cleaning needed, which, are engaged to an end of an extension tube connected to a handle, in its turn jointed on the opposite end, by a further extension consisting of the flexible tube, to the vacuum cleaner appliance. Among said accessories, there are some of them such as for example specially shaped suction nozzles, which, by means of a mutual coupling, for example by means of a constraining ring nut, only need the mechanical engagement, some others, such as the carpet sweeper, which being a more complex structure and providing an autonomous electric motor, also need the connection to an independent feeding socket. Said socket, according to the cases, may be provided, along the handle, at the flexible tube end, or in alternative, on the vacuum cleaner appliance body. The traditional carpet sweeper is particularly interesting, for the comparison with the present invention. It is substantially made up of a body, on whose extrados a terminal for the jointing to a generally metal tube, rigid end extendible, jointed by the interpositioning of a handle to a flexible elephant trunk, is hinged. Said carpet sweeper body, is slightly suspended on the ground, providing some wheels, placed on the side, so that the machine body may slide easily enough on the surfaces to be cleaned. The body's inside, encloses an electric motor, whose controls are outside of the same, and which by means of a transmission belt, moves a bristled roll. This latter, protrudes from one side to the other on the body's intrados, so to contact in width, only by rotating and with the peripheral bristles, the underlying surface to be cleaned. The main problem found on charge of the carpet sweeper mentioned solution, concerns the fact that the bristled roll portion, in its rotary movement, contacts the surface to be cleaned, such as for example the carpet or the moquette pile, only marginally, let's say a little more than its top. Neither a repeated passage is able to perform a deep cleaning contacting the pile base which raises from the support fabric bottom. Practically, this means a poor cleaning, because the dirt, anyway tends to collect on the bottom, favouring bacteria proliferation, together with the mites which cause the known allergies. A second negative effect, also consist of that the pile, in spite of the suction function, is not completely raised, because it remains flat on the bottom. Such a condition furthermore prevents the dust removal, also at a surface level, and besides, causes some unpleasant effects as well as it makes the surface particularly suited for a better as well as uneven wear. Purpose of the present invention is also that of obviating the above mentioned drawbacks. This and other purposes, are obtained by the present innovation, according to the characteristics as in the enclosed claims, solving the mentioned problems by means of an accessory for electric household appliance aimed at cleaning the surfaces, particularly a carpet cleaner with complex brush effect, including a body or self-bearing carter, suitably shaped, provided on the extrados with means for the hinging and connection of an extension tube intercommunicating with the body' s inside, engaged on the other side to an elephant trunk handle, flexible, jointed to a vacuum cleaner appliance, said body being of the type slightly supported on the floor by some lateral small wheels, and internally including : - a motor, with controls external to the body, fed by low voltage or by the mains by means of the relative socket, aimed at exerting through suitable transmission means, the rotary motion with reciprocating simultaneous straight line motion on vertical axis, on at least one bristled roll; - a bristled roll, of the type engaged at the ends along the vertical sliding guides, said roll, being provided of eccentric heads co-operating with a respective analogue surface, provided, in logic correspondence, on the intrados of said self-bearing body. Advantages Thus, through the considerable creative contribution whose effect represents an immediate technical progress, different advantages are obtained. First, a deeper intervention of the bristled roll is obtained. This in fact, by means of the eccentric, performs, simultaneously with the rotary action, an up-downward movement and vice versa, allowing a stronger force exertion on the underlying surface that is on the pile portion closer by the base support, and thus in a way certainly more correct than the present one. The brushing efficacy is such that it, co-operating with the vacuum cleaner function, removes completely the dirt collected on the underlying surface during the time. Another advantage which may immediately be noticed, consist of the comb function included in the bristled roll movement range. In this condition, in fact, the pile or better its end is engaged by the bristles and dragged upwards, up to the total lifting, a function which is always performed together with the suction generated by the vacuum cleaner appliance. A special feature is also that the complex movement of the bristled roll, causes a shaking of the whole carpet cleaning appliance, an absolutely unusual effect which has positive consequences on the ground, obtaining just the function of "carpet cleaning", typical of the manual traditional action, usually performed by the known and obsolete domestic appliance, thus obtaining a removal of dust and dirt in general. Also the fact of being able to obtain, in a carpet, a bristling pile coating, allows a deep brushing of the same, removing the worst dirt which vice- versa in the previous solutions remained as residue, but also of obtaining an even surface, aesthetically pleasant and on which the wear is evenly distributed. Further, the device peculiarity, offers some fair efficacy guaranties, improving all together the functionality, also of the vacuum cleaner appliance, though without renouncing to the manufacturing simplicity. By the structural viewpoint, as considered, the appliance does not seem complex and expensive, and further it will have reduced dimensions, easing the production process at an industrial level with a good quality- price ratio. These and other advantages will appear from the following detailed description of an embodiment preferred solution with the aid of the enclosed schematic drawings whose execution details are not to be considered as a limitation but only as examples. Drawings Figure 1., shows a side view of a carpet cleaner, during an operational condition, and in particular with the bristled roll in maximum projection. Figure 2., also shows a side view of a carpet cleaner, during an operational condition, and in particular with the bristled roll partially retracted inside of the carpet cleaner structure. Figure 3., is an enlarged and side view of the bristled roll while treating a surface covered with pile, shown in a downward protruding condition and which may correspond to a detailed view of Figure 1. Figure 4., is again and enlarged and side view of the sole bristled roll while treating a surface covered with pile, shown in an upward condition and which may correspond to a detailed view of Figure 2. In Figure 5., is shown, according to a front view, a carpet cleaner in operational condition, whose bristled roll is in a lifted position. Furthermore, it provide on the side an enlarged and section detail of the detail of the bristled roll engaged to the relative body. In Figure 6., is shown, always according to a front view, a carpet cleaner, whose bristled roll is in a completely lowered position corresponding to the maximum projection. In Figure 7., a carpet cleaner is shown again, according to a front view, whose bristled roll is in a middle position with respect to the two previous Figures . In Figure 8., are shown three different operational conditions of the bristled roll, taken in section along the axis A- A, which correspond to the different positions found in the previous Figures, respectively from 5. to 7. Finally, Figure 9., is a plan view of the carpet cleaner group, taken in section on horizontal plane along the axis B-B of Figure 1. Description of a possible execution. Also referring to the figures, at first it may be noticed that a carpet cleaner (A), having an accessory function, is of the type to be engaged to the end of an extension rigid tube (1), which is extendible because it has more sections, and jointable to a not shown handle. In turn, said handle, on which general control means are present, is connected to the vacuum cleaner appliance, by a corrugated flexible tube, also not shown. Thus, said carpet cleaner (A) is also able to suck the dust, a complementary function during the cleaning, together with the one performed by the appliances present inside of the carpet cleaner (A). For what concerns more specifically said carpet cleaner (A), it is made up of a self-bearing body (2), preferably in plastic material, which, along the sides, is supplied with small wheels (3), in this case two for each side. The small wheels (3) hinged to the body (2), determine the height of the latter, and in particular of the fastening front edge (21), which sends the pile to be cleaned (4) of the carpet (T) inwards and then underneath the carpet cleaner appliance (A). This one, internally comprises a roll (5), peripherally supplied with at least one line of bristles (6) distributed according to an helicoidal line. Always the roll (5) is laterally pivoted, along the sides, that is to the intrados of the self-bearing body (2), and provides two protruding pins (9) for each part, each of which is respectively keyed to a bearing (7), vertically sliding along a corresponding guide (71 ) with a "C" shaped section. Always each projecting pin (9), appears as protruding beyond the bearing (7), thus to engage also a movable outer head (8), inserted along a recess (81) obtained along the body's (2) sides and on its intrados. A function of said head (8) is substantially that of anchoring on the underlying side, one end (101) of an helicoidal spring (10), while the lower end (102) is anchored to the recess (81) bottom. Thus, the bristled roll (5) is able to perform a double movement, respectively a first one, determined by the rotation of the same on its longitudinal axis and which coincides with the projecting pins (9), and a second one, given by the possibility of moving, simultaneously with the rotation, along the vertical axis imposed by the co-operation of the guides (71) and (81) with the respective means aimed at sliding in their inside, respectively, bearing (7) and head (8). Even more in detail, the ends or heads of the bristled roll (5), are superficially in contact, for each side, with perfectly symmetrical cams (51), each of which contacts the intrados portion (22) of the body (2). Said portion (22) provides a peculiar embossed shape, substantially characterised by two projections that is two as many cams (221) obtained so that they are logically corresponding to the cams (51), provided on the roll (5) heads. It follows that, the opposite cams (51) and (221) co-operate, determining the reciprocating straight line motion of the bristled roll (5) which, at the same time, is constantly kept in pressure against said surface (22) (221), by means of the constant thrust action, laterally exerted by the springs ( 10). Finally, for what concerns the roll (5) movement, in this case, is performed by an electric motor (11), of the type fed in low voltage and connectable to a socket on the vacuum cleaner or on the handle, said electric motor ( 11 ), provides a motion transmission shaft (1 11), of the toothed type which drags a toothed belt (12) of the ring closed type, and which on the other side, is placed annularly respect to the bristled roll (5) in a suitable grooved housing (52).

Claims: Claims 1. Accessory for electric household appliance aimed at cleaning surfaces, particularly a carpet cleaner with complex brush effect, including a self- bearing body (2), suitably shaped, supplied on the extrados with means for the hinging and connection of an extension tube (1) intercommunicating with said body (2) inside, engaged on the other side with the handle of an elephant trunk, flexible, jointed to a vacuum cleaner appliance, said body (2), being of the type slightly supported by the floor by means of lateral small wheels (3), characterised in that it internally includes: - a motor, with controls external to the body (2), fed by low voltage or by the mains by means of the relative socket, aimed at exerting through suitable transmission means, the rotary motion with reciprocating simultaneous straight line motion on vertical axis, on at least one bristled (6) roll (5); - a bristled (6) roll (5), of the type engaged at the ends along the vertical sliding guides (71) (81), said roll (5), being provided of eccentric heads (51 ) co-operating with an analogue surface. 2. Accessory for electric household appliance, according to claim 1., characterised in that the bristled roll (5), in correspondence of the heads, is superficially and peripherally contacted, for each part, by a corresponding cam (51 ), symmetrical, each of which contacts the intrados portion (22) of the body (2). 3. Accessory for electric household appliance, according to claims 1. and 2., characterised in that said portion (22), provides a peculiar embossed shape, comprising two as many cams (221) obtained so that they are logically corresponding to the cams (51), which contact them, being provided on the roll (5) heads. 4. Accessory for electric household appliance, according to previous claims, characterised in that the roll (5) is laterally pivoted, along the sides, that is to the intrados of the self-bearing body (2), and provides two protruding pins (9) for each part, each of which is respectively keyed to a bearing (7), vertically sliding along a corresponding guide (71) with a "C" shaped section. 5. Accessory for electric household appliance, according to previous claims, characterised in that each projecting pin (9), protrudes beyond the bearing (7), thus to engage also a movable outer head (8), inserted along a recess (81) obtained along the body's (2) sides and on its intrados. 6. Accessory for electric household appliance, according to previous claims, characterised in that to said head (8), one end (101) of an helicoidal spring (10) is anchored on the underlying side, while the lower end (102) is anchored to the recess (81) bottom. 7. Accessory for electric household appliance, according to previous claims, characterised in that opposite cams (51) and (221 ) co-operate, determining the reciprocating straight line motion of the bristled roll (5) which, at the same time, is constantly kept in pressure against said surface (22) (221), by means of the constant thrust action, laterally exerted by the springs ( 10). 8. Accessory for electric household appliance, according to previous claims, characterised in that the bristled roll (5) is able to perform a double movement, respectively a first one, determined by the rotation of the same on its longitudinal axis and which coincides with the projecting pins (9), and a second one, given by the possibility of moving, simultaneously with the rotation, along the vertical axis imposed by the cams action (51) (221) co-operating with the guides (71) and (81) and with the respective means aimed at sliding in their inside, respectively, bearing (7) and head (8). 9. Accessory for electric household appliance, according to previous claims, characterised in that the roll (5) movement, is performed by an electric motor (11) which provides a motion transmission shaft (111), of the toothed type which drags a toothed belt (12) of the ring closed type, and which on the other side, is placed annularly respect to the bristled roll (5) in a suitable grooved housing (52).

Inventors: PIETROBON SILVANO, PIETROBON, SILVANO
Applicants: PIETROBON SILVANO, W S S P A, PIETROBON, SILVANO, W.S. S.P.A.
Application year: 1999
Main classification: A47L9
IPC codes: A47L9