Patent Publication Number: US-2012042469-A1

Title: Combination cleaning attachment assembly

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to the floor care equipment field and, more particularly, to a new and improved combination cleaning attachment assembly for use on a floor care apparatus such as a vacuum cleaner. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Cleaning attachments for floor care apparatus such as vacuum cleaners are well known in the art. Examples of such attachments are disclosed in U.S. Pat No. 6,820,305 to Albert et al; U.S. Pat. No. 5,768,747 to Smith; U.S. Pat. No. 4,319,379 to Carrigan et al; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,259,934 to Leinfelt. 
     The present invention relates to a new and improved cleaning attachment assembly that receives and holds multiple cleaning attachments including a particularly useful pet hair cleaning attachment that provides for more efficient and effective cleaning of pet hair from carpets, upholstery, draperies and the like. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the purposes and advantages of the present invention as described herein, a cleaning attachment assembly is provided for a floor care apparatus. The cleaning attachment assembly comprises a main body including a suction conduit having an inlet and an outlet. The cleaning attachment assembly also includes a cleaning attachment mounting structure carried on the main body. In addition the assembly includes a first cleaning attachment that is selectively secured to the main body through the cleaning attachment mounting structure as well as a second cleaning attachment that is selectively secured to the main body through the cleaning attachment mounting structure when the first cleaning attachment is not so attached. Still further, the assembly includes a cover received over the main body. The cover is selectively displaceable between (a) a retracted position wherein either the first or second cleaning attachment secured to the main body is exposed for use and (b) an extended position wherein the cover covers either of the first or second cleaning attachments secured to the main body. 
     More specifically describing the invention, the first cleaning attachment comprises a pet hair cleaning attachment. The pet hair cleaning attachment includes a bristleless, toothless cleaning surface and a second cleaning attachment mounting structure that cooperates with the cleaning attachment mounting structure to secure the first cleaning attachment to the main body. The cleaning surface may either be smooth or lightly textured. 
     The second cleaning attachment comprises a base, a series of bristles projecting from the base and an air pathway at least partially encircled by the base. Further, the second cleaning attachment includes a third cleaning attachment mounting structure that cooperates with the cleaning attachment mounting structure to secure the second cleaning attachment to the main body. 
     In one particularly useful embodiment, the cleaning attachment mounting structure includes two, opposed projections. The second cleaning attachment mounting structure includes two opposed slots that receive the two opposed projections. One of the two opposed slots may be provided upon a resilient tab. The third cleaning attachment mounting structure is identical to the second cleaning attachment mounting structure. 
     In accordance with additional aspects of the present invention, the main body includes at least one guide projection. The cover includes at least one guide channel for receiving and sliding along the at least one guide projection. Further, the cover includes a series of guide ribs that project toward the main body. In addition, the cover includes an open space to allow access to the resilient tabs of the second or third cleaning attachment mounting structures in order to allow respective removal of the first and second cleaning attachments from the main body. 
     In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention a lock is carried on the main body. The lock secures the assembly to the floor care apparatus. The lock is pivotally mounted to the main body and a spring is provided to bias the lock into a locking position. The lock includes a locking lug and an actuator button which may be depressed to release the locking lug from the floor care apparatus and thereby allow removal of the cleaning attachment assembly. 
     In the following description there is shown and described several different embodiments of the invention, simply by way of illustration of some of the modes best suited to carry out the invention. As it will be realized, the invention is capable of other different embodiments and its several details are capable of modification in various, obvious aspects all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions will be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
       The accompanying drawings incorporated herein and forming a part of the specification, illustrate several aspects of the present invention and together with the description serve to explain certain principles of the invention. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of the cleaning attachment assembly of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2   a  is a cross sectional view illustrating the cleaning attachment assembly of  FIG. 1  connected to the control handle of a wand assembly of a standard canister vacuum cleaner of a type known in the art with the cover fully extended over the bristle brush cleaning attachment; 
         FIG. 2   b  is an end view of the main body and cover of the cleaning attachment assembly with all cleaning attachments removed illustrating the structure for allowing sliding movement of the cover over the main body; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating a cleaning attachment assembly of the present invention connected to a wand control handle with the cover retracted to expose the bristle brush cleaning attachment for use; 
         FIG. 4   a  is an end view of the cleaning attachment assembly mounted on the wand control handle; 
         FIG. 4   b  is an end view of the end of the wand assembly to which the control handle of  FIG. 4   a  is to be attached; 
         FIG. 4   c  is a perspective view illustrating the connection between the control handle of  FIG. 4   a  with the wand of  FIG. 4   b  with the cleaning attachment assembly of the present invention secured to the control handle; 
         FIG. 5  is an additional perspective view illustrating the connection of the cleaning attachment assembly onto the end of a wand opposite a control handle; 
         FIG. 6   a  is a detailed perspective view of the first cleaning attachment connected to the main body of the cleaning attachment assembly (cover removed for clarity); and 
         FIG. 6   b  is a detailed perspective view of the second cleaning attachment connected to the main body of the cleaning attachment assembly (cover removed for clarity). 
     
    
    
     Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiment of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 1 and 2   a  illustrating the cleaning attachment assembly  10  of the present invention. The assembly  10  includes a main body  12  of tubular construction that defines a suction conduit  14  including an inlet  16  and an outlet  18 . In the illustrated embodiment, the main body  12  carries a cleaning attachment mounting structure comprising two opposed projections  20 ,  22 . The assembly  10  further includes a first cleaning attachment  24  and a second cleaning attachment  26 . Either of the cleaning attachments  24 ,  26  may be alternatively secured to the main body  12  by means of the cleaning attachment mounting structure/projections  20 ,  22  as described in greater detail below. 
     A cover  28  is received over the main body  12 . The cover  28  is selectively displaceable between (a) a retracted position wherein either of the cleaning attachments  24 ,  26  secures to the main body  12  is exposed for use (see  FIG. 3 ) and (b) an extended position wherein the cover covers either of the cleaning attachments  24 ,  26  secured to the main body  12  (see  FIG. 2 ). 
     The first cleaning attachment  24  is particularly designed for cleaning pet hair from a rug, the nap of a carpet, upholstery, draperies or the like (see  FIG. 6   a ). More specifically, the first or pet hair cleaning attachment  24  includes a bristleless, toothless cleaning surface  30  comprising a combination of cross members  32  and suction inlet openings  34 . By “bristleless, toothless” it is meant that the entire cleaning surface  30  that engages the work surface being cleaned is void of bristles and teeth. Preferably the surface  30  is smooth but it could be lightly textured. Preferably, the pet hair cleaning attachment  24 , or at least the cleaning surface  30 , is made from a material selected from a group consisting of thermoplastic rubber such as santoprene rubber. Such materials have a tendency to develop a slight static charge during use which further aides in cleaning pet hair from the work surface being cleaned. The pet hair cleaning attachment  24  is made from a soft material that will not harm delicate surfaces it contacts. There are also no bristles or other structures upon which hair can become entangled. Further, the attachment  24  can be washed clean in a sink if desired. 
     As best illustrated in  FIG. 6   b  the second or bristle brush cleaning attachment  26  comprises a base  36 , a series of bristles or bristle tufts  38  projecting from the base and an air pathway  40  at least partially encircled by the base. 
     As best illustrated by  FIGS. 1 ,  2   a ,  6   a  and  6   b  in combination, the pet hair cleaning attachment  24  and the second or bristle brush cleaning attachment  26  both include a mounting structure for securing the respective attachments to the main body  12  of the assembly  10 . More specifically, the pet hair cleaning attachment  24  includes a base  54  that carries a second cleaning attachment mounting structure comprising two opposed slots  42 ,  44 . As should be appreciated, the slot  44  is received in a resilient tab  46 . Similarly, the bristle brush cleaning attachment  26  includes a third cleaning attachment mounting structure comprising two opposed slots  48 ,  50 . The slot  50  is received in a resilient tab  52  carried on the base  36 . 
     The pet hair cleaning attachment  24  is secured to the base  12  by positioning the first slot  42  over the projection  20  and then positioning the attachment base  54  over the main body  12  so that the second slot  44  receives the second projection  22 . Here it should be appreciated that the resilient tab  46  provides a snap action that locks the attachment  24  in place on the main body  12 . A user simply engages the resilient tab  46  to release the projection  22  from the slot  44  when it is desired to remove the pet hair cleaning attachment  24  from the main body  12 . 
     The bristle brush cleaning attachment  26  is connected to the main body  12  in the same manner. Specifically, the base  36  is placed over the main body  12  so that the slot  48  receives the projection  20 . The base  36  is then manipulated over the main body  12  until the slot  50  receives the projection  22  with the resilient tab  52  providing a snap action that locks the bristle brush cleaning attachment  26  on the base  12 . When desired, the bristle brush attachment  26  may be removed by engaging the resilient tab  52  and forcing it back so that the projection  22  is released from the slot  50 . 
     Whether the pet hair cleaning attachment  24  or the bristle brush cleaning attachment  26  is secured to the main body  12 , the cover  28  may be positioned to overlie and cover the attachment. This allows one to shield the potentially dirty surface of the attachment  24 ,  26  from view and physical contact when desired. The cover  28  may also be maintained in an extended position during use if desired to focus and direct the air stream beneath the cleaning attachment  24 ,  26  as it is used to clean a work surface. For most applications, however, the cover will be retracted during use so as to fully expose the cleaning attachment  24 ,  26 . 
     As best illustrated in  FIG. 2   b , a series of guide projections  56  are provided at spaced locations along the main body  12 . The cover  28  includes a series of cooperating guide channels  58  that receive and slide along the guide projections  56 . Further, the cover  28  may include a series of spaced guide ribs  60  that project outwardly toward the main body  12  when the cover  28  is positioned over the main body. As one slide the cover  28  over the main body  12  between the fully retracted and fully extended positions, the edges of the guide ribs  60  may engage the wall of the main body  12  to help maintain the alignment of the cover on the main body so as to ensure smooth sliding action. 
     It should also be appreciated from viewing  FIGS. 1 and 3 , that the cover  28  includes an open space or cutout  62 . The open space  62  allows access to the resilient tab  46  or  52  to allow removal of the respective cleaning attachments  24 ,  26  from the main body  12  when desired. The cover  28  also includes a first stop  64  (see  FIG. 2   b ) for limiting the sliding movement of the cover on the main body  12  when the cover is moved into the extended position. More specifically, the stop  64 , in the form of a series of lugs, engages the resilient tab  46  or  52  when the respective attachments  24 ,  26  are positioned on the main body. When neither attachment is present, the stop  64  engages the projection  22 . 
     The cleaning attachment assembly also includes a lock  66  (see  FIGS. 1 and 2   a ) that is carried on the main body  12 . As will be described in greater detail below, the lock  66  functions to secure the assembly  10  to a floor care apparatus and more particularly, to a control handle H or wand W of that floor care apparatus. 
     More specifically, the lock  66  comprises an actuator button  68  including opposed pivot pins  70  and a locking lug  72 . The lock  66  is received in a cavity  74  provided on the main body  12  within a raised rim  75 . More specifically, the pivot pins  70  are captured in slots or notches  76  provided in the rim  75 . A spring  78  is captured between the lock  66  and the main body  12  in the cavity  74 . The spring  78  engages the lock  66  on the side of the pivot pins  70  opposite the locking lug  72 . Accordingly, the compression spring  78  biases the lock  66  about the pivot pins  70  so that the locking lug  72  projects into the suction conduit  14  through an opening  80  in the wall of the main body  12  (see also  FIG. 2   b ). This allows the assembly  10  to be secured and locked to either the control handle H or wand W of a floor cleaning apparatus in a manner that will be described in greater detail below. 
     The cover  28  further includes a groove  82  that extends around the lock  66  and more particularly the raised rim  75  formed on the body  12 . The innermost edge  86  of the groove  82  functions as a second stop for limiting sliding movement of the cover  28  on the main body  12  when the cover is moved into the retracted position. Specifically, the edge  86  engages the rim  75  when the cover  28  is moved into the fully retracted position. 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 2   a ,  3  and  4   a  illustrating the cleaning attachment assembly  10  of the present invention attached directly to the control handle H of a floor care apparatus such as a canister vacuum cleaner. As illustrated in  FIGS. 2   a  and  3 , the main body  12  of the assembly  10  is positioned over the suction end of the handle H. The operator then slides the main body  12  onto the handle H until the locking lug  72  is biased by the spring  78  into the locking aperture A on the handle H. This secures the assembly  10  to the handle H for cleaning purposes. When it is desired to remove the assembly  10  from the handle H, the operator depresses the actuator button  68  over the spring  78  thereby forcing the locking lug  72  to pivot against the biasing force of the spring out of the locking aperture A. The operator then simply slides the assembly  10  off of the handle H as desired. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4   a , when the assembly  10  is fully seated and locked on the handle H, the air pathway  40  of the bristle brush cleaning attachment  26  and the suction conduit  14  of the main body  12  open completely to the suction inlet I and electrical connector C carried on the handle H. In the illustrated embodiment, the electrical connector C is of female configuration. As further illustrated in  FIG. 4   b , the end of the wand W includes a suction passage P and an electrical connector E. As illustrated, the electrical connector E is of male configuration so that when the handle H is connected to the wand W, the electrical connector E and the electrical connector C mate to form a complete electrical connection. 
     Since the air pathway  40  in the bristle brush cleaning attachment  26  and the suction conduit  14  in the main body  12  are fully open to the suction inlet I and electrical connector C of the control handle H, it should be appreciated that the handle H may be connected to the wand W even when the assembly  10  is received over, fully seated and locked to the handle H by means of the lock  66 . More specifically, the end of the wand W slides into the suction inlet I while the electrical connector E engages and fully connects with the electrical connector C. In this way the handle H and wand W are properly mated even when the assembly  10  (connected to the attachment  26 ) is secured to the end of the handle H (see  FIG. 4   c ). 
     As further illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the assembly  10  may alternatively be connected to the wand W at the end opposite the handle H. In this position the locking lug  72  of the lock  66  is received in a locking aperture (not shown) in the wand W so as to lock the assembly  10  to the wand. 
     The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. For example, the pet hair cleaning attachment  24  may include optional bleed holes  55  in the attachment base  54  to reduce the air drawn through the openings  34  in the cleaning surface  30 . 
     The embodiments were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally and equitably entitled. The drawings and preferred embodiments do not and are not intended to limit the ordinary meaning of the claims in their fair and broad interpretation in any way.