Patent Description:
Vacuum cleaners such as stickvacs, upright vacuum cleaners or floor vacuum cleaners with a hose attachment typically comprise cleaning accessories for cleaning floors and the like. Some of these cleaning accessories comprise a floor cleaning head and the floor cleaning head may comprise rotating brushes to improve dirt pick up.

When a user cleans a floor surface near an upright surface such as a wall, the user may find that the width of the floor cleaning head prevents dirt pick up at the edge of the floor surface and the wall. This means that the user has to repeat the cleaning process with another accessory such as a crevice tool to ensure the edge of the floor surface is properly cleaned.

Some known cleaning devices such as robotic vacuum cleaners e.g. as shown in <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT> have additional brushes for cleaning surfaces at the side of the cleaning device. A problem with this arrangement is that brushes do not adequately engage the edge of the floor surface and the wall and the robotic vacuum cleaner does not have a powerful motor fan assembly. This means that dirt pick up along the sides of the robotic vacuum cleaner may not be sufficient to pick up dirt with a single pass.

Examples of the present invention aim to address the aforementioned problems.

In the invention there is provided a cleaning accessory for a vacuum cleaner comprising: a housing; a rotatable cleaning brush rotatably mounted to the housing having at least one flexible cleaning element projecting outwards from a side of the housing and the at least one flexible cleaning element is configured to rotate and engage with a surface to be cleaned; and a rotatable cleaning bar rotatably mounted within the housing and the rotatable cleaning brush is rotatably coupled to the rotatable cleaning bar; wherein at least a portion of the rotatable cleaning brush is seated within a drive mechanism coupled to the rotatable cleaning bar, and the rotatable cleaning brush and the rotatable cleaning bar are arranged to rotate about a common axis.

Optionally, the rotatable body comprises a conical engagement surface and the rotatable cleaning bar or the drive mechanism comprises a reciprocal engagement recess and the conical engagement surface is configured to be seated within the reciprocal engagement recess when the rotatable cleaning brush is rotatably coupled to the rotatable cleaning bar.

Optionally, the rotatable cleaning brush is removably mountable on the rotatable cleaning bar.

Optionally, the drive mechanism is rotatably coupled between the rotatable cleaning brush and the rotatable cleaning bar.

Optionally, the drive mechanism comprises a drive gear fixable to the rotatable cleaning brush and the rotatable cleaning bar.

Optionally, the drive mechanism is configured to rotate the rotatable cleaning brush and the rotatable cleaning bar at the same rate of rotation.

Optionally, the drive mechanism comprises a motor.

Optionally, the motor is mounted within the rotatable cleaning bar.

Optionally, the motor is mounted to the housing adjacent to the rotatable cleaning bar.

Optionally, the rotatable cleaning brush and the rotatable cleaning bar are arranged to rotate about a common rotation axis.

Optionally, the cleaning accessory comprises a first rotatable cleaning brush is seated within the rotatable cleaning bar and a second rotatable cleaning brush is seated within the drive mechanism coupled to the rotatable cleaning bar.

Various other aspects and further examples are also described in the following detailed description and in the attached claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:.

<FIG> shows a perspective view of a cleaning accessory <NUM> for a vacuum cleaner (not shown). The cleaning accessory <NUM> is optionally a floor cleaning head arranged to engage and clean a floor surface <NUM> to be cleaned. The cleaning accessory <NUM> comprises a housing <NUM> on which an optional articulated joint <NUM> is mounted. The articulated joint <NUM> couples the housing <NUM> to a neck portion <NUM>. The housing <NUM> is arranged to move over a surface <NUM> to be cleaned such as a floor. In some examples, a lower surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM> optionally comprises one or more wheels (not shown) for engaging the surface <NUM> to be cleaned.

The housing <NUM> comprises a first side wall <NUM> and a second side wall <NUM>, a front wall <NUM> and a back wall <NUM>. The housing <NUM> further comprises a top wall <NUM> and a lower wall <NUM>. In this way the housing <NUM> defines an enclosure for mounting one or more components of the cleaning accessory <NUM>. The front wall <NUM> faces the direction of travel when a user pushes the cleaning accessory <NUM> on a surface <NUM> to be cleaned away from themselves. The forwards direction of travel of the cleaning accessory <NUM> is illustrated in <FIG> by the arrow labelled X. Likewise, the back wall <NUM> faces the direction of travel when a user pulls the cleaning accessory on a surface <NUM> to be cleaned away towards themselves.

The neck portion <NUM> comprises an attachment mechanism <NUM> for attaching to a hose (not shown), extension tube (not shown), or the housing (not shown) of the vacuum cleaner. The attachment mechanism <NUM> is known and will not be described in any further detail.

The cleaning accessory <NUM> is connectable to a handheld vacuum cleaner via an extension tube, a canister vacuum cleaner via a hose or directly to an upright or a stickvac vacuum cleaner. The neck portion <NUM> comprises an air outlet <NUM> which is in fluid communication with a first air inlet <NUM> in the housing <NUM>. The air outlet <NUM> is in fluid communication with a motor-fan assembly (not shown) in the vacuum cleaner. In this way, a first airflow path is provided between the first air inlet <NUM> and the air outlet <NUM>. Accordingly dirty air flows in from the first air inlet <NUM> to the air outlet <NUM>. In some examples, the first air inlet <NUM> extends across the width of the housing <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the first air inlet <NUM> is positioned on an underside of the housing <NUM> e.g. on the lower surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. <FIG> shows a cross-sectional underneath plan view along A-A of the cleaning accessory <NUM>. This means that the first air inlet <NUM> is adjacent to the surface <NUM> to be cleaned during operation. In some examples the first air inlet <NUM> extends to the front wall <NUM> of the housing <NUM>.

The neck portion <NUM> may optionally comprise electrical power and control wires for powering and controlling functionality in the cleaning accessory <NUM>. The vacuum cleaner can optionally comprise one or more control buttons (not shown) for actuating a motor <NUM> (best shown in <FIG>) to drive a rotatable cleaning bar <NUM>. The rotatable cleaning bar <NUM> may also be known as a brush bar and will be described in more detail below.

In some examples, the motor <NUM> is mounted in a motor housing portion <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. The motor <NUM> will be described in more detail below in reference to <FIG>. In some other examples which are not shown in the Figures, the motor <NUM> is mounted within the rotatable cleaning bar <NUM>.

The articulated joint <NUM> provides at least two degrees of freedom of the housing <NUM> with respect to the neck portion <NUM>. The articulated joint <NUM> as shown in <FIG> comprises two pivot axes which are mounted perpendicular to each other. The articulated joint <NUM> is known and will not be discussed in any further detail.

The cleaning accessory <NUM> optionally comprises rotatable cleaning bar <NUM> which is rotatably mounted in the cleaning accessory <NUM>. Whilst the Figures show a rotatable cleaning bar <NUM>, in some alternative examples, there is no rotatable cleaning bar <NUM>. In this case, the dirt pick up into the first air inlet <NUM> is only due to the airflow. Hereinafter, all the examples will be discussed in reference to the Figures which show a rotatable cleaning bar <NUM> rotatably mounted to the housing <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the rotatable cleaning bar <NUM> is optionally removably mountable in the housing <NUM>. Removal of the rotatable cleaning bar <NUM> is known and will not be discussed in further detail. The rotatable cleaning bar <NUM> is optionally mounted beneath a transparent cover <NUM> which is partially shown in <FIG> for the purposes of clarity. This means that the user can see when the rotatable cleaning bar <NUM> is in operation and when the rotatable cleaning bar <NUM> requires maintenance.

Turning to <FIG>, the rotatable cleaning bar <NUM> will be described in further detail. <FIG> shows a cross-sectional side view along A-A (as shown in <FIG>) of the cleaning accessory <NUM>. The rotatable cleaning bar <NUM> is mounted on a shaft <NUM> and the shaft <NUM> is rotatably mounted to the housing <NUM>. The rotatable cleaning bar <NUM> is mounted to the housing <NUM> such that at least a portion of the rotatable cleaning bar <NUM> extends through the first air inlet <NUM>. The rotatable cleaning bar <NUM> is arranged to rotate about rotation axis A-A. The rotation axis A-A is substantially parallel to a horizontal surface <NUM> e.g. a floor to be cleaned.

In some embodiments, the shaft <NUM> is optionally a drive shaft (not shown) which is coupled to the motor <NUM> for rotating the rotatable cleaning bar <NUM>. The drive shaft of the motor <NUM> is parallel with the rotation axis A-A of the rotatable cleaning bar <NUM>. Alternatively, the motor <NUM> is mounted inside the of rotatable cleaning bar <NUM>. In this case, the drive shaft of the motor <NUM> is coaxial with the rotation axis A-A of the rotatable cleaning bar <NUM>.

The rotatable cleaning bar <NUM> is generally linear in construction and extends along a longitudinal axis A-A. The shaft <NUM> can extend along the rotatable cleaning bar <NUM> along the axis A-A as shown in <FIG>. Alternatively, the shaft <NUM> can be formed from two separate sections at a first end <NUM> and a second end <NUM> of the rotatable cleaning bar <NUM>.

In some embodiments the rotatable cleaning bar <NUM> is a substantially cylindrical element. In other embodiments the rotatable cleaning bar <NUM> is elongate and substantially cylindrical and comprises ridges and groves. For example, the rotatable cleaning bar <NUM> can comprise spiral grooves and / or ridges for receiving one or more flexible cleaning elements such as cleaning brushes or ribs.

In some examples, the rotatable cleaning bar <NUM> as shown in <FIG> comprises at least one flexible cleaning bar element <NUM>. The at least one flexible cleaning bar element <NUM> as shown in <FIG> is a part of a flexible rubber rib mounted in a spiral on the rotatable cleaning bar <NUM>. The flexible cleaning bar element <NUM> is configured to flex when it engages the surface <NUM> to be cleaned and pick up dirt and debris. In other examples the flexible cleaning bar element <NUM> can be a cleaning brush having a plurality of projecting bristle cleaning elements. Additionally, or alternatively the rotatable cleaning bar <NUM> comprises different types of cleaning elements, such as bristles, brushes, silicone ribs, silicone fingers, rubber fins, etc. In some embodiments, the flexible cleaning elements can be any means suitable for cleaning a surface <NUM>.

Further discussion of the cleaning accessory <NUM> will be made in reference to <FIG>. When a user cleans a floor surface <NUM> near an upright surface <NUM> such as a wall, the user may find that the width of a cleaning accessory <NUM> prevents dirt pick up at the edge <NUM> of the floor surface <NUM> and the upright surface <NUM>. This means that the user has to repeat the cleaning process with another accessory such as a crevice tool or repeatedly pass the cleaning accessory <NUM> over the edge <NUM> to ensure the edge <NUM> of the floor surface <NUM> is properly cleaned. In order to improve the edge cleaning of the floor, the cleaning accessory <NUM> comprises at least one rotatable cleaning brush <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, a first rotatable cleaning brush <NUM> comprises a rotatable body <NUM> (best shown in <FIG>) and at least one flexible cleaning element <NUM> is mounted to the rotatable body <NUM>. The at least one flexible cleaning element <NUM> projects outwards from the first side wall <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. In some examples the first rotatable cleaning brush <NUM> comprises a plurality of flexible cleaning elements <NUM>. The flexible cleaning elements <NUM> are deformable and configured to engage the surface <NUM> to be cleaned when in a deformed position.

In some examples, the flexible cleaning elements <NUM> are a plurality of discrete groups of bristles as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. In some other examples, the first rotatable cleaning brush <NUM> comprise additionally or alternatively bristles, brushes, silicone ribs, silicone fingers, rubber fins, etc. The flexible cleaning elements <NUM> can optionally be continuous (not shown in the Figures) over the entire first rotatable cleaning brush <NUM>.

In some examples, the flexible cleaning elements <NUM> are deformable between a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation.

In the first mode of operation the at least one flexible cleaning element <NUM> is arranged to rotate in a disengaged position. In the disengaged position, the flexible cleaning elements <NUM> are arranged to be remote from the surface <NUM> to be cleaned when rotating in the disengaged position. The first rotatable cleaning brush <NUM> is shown with the flexible cleaning elements <NUM> in the disengaged position in <FIG> and <FIG> shows a cross-sectional side view along A-A of the cleaning accessory <NUM> in the first mode of operation. <FIG> also shows a perspective view of the cleaning accessory <NUM> in the first mode of operation.

This means that when the first rotatable cleaning brush <NUM> rotates with the flexible cleaning elements <NUM> in the disengaged position, the first rotatable cleaning brush <NUM> does not engage the surface <NUM> to be cleaned. This means first rotatable cleaning brush <NUM> does not pick up dirt and spread it around. This is convenient when the cleaning accessory <NUM> is being used on the surface <NUM> to be cleaned not near an upright surface <NUM>.

In the second mode of operation, the at least one flexible cleaning element <NUM> is arranged to rotate in a cleaning position. In the cleaning position, the flexible cleaning elements <NUM> are arranged to engage the surface <NUM> to be cleaned when rotating in the cleaning position. The first rotatable cleaning brush <NUM> is shown with the flexible cleaning elements <NUM> in the cleaning position in <FIG> and <FIG> shows a cross-sectional side view along A-A of the cleaning accessory <NUM> in the first mode of operation. <FIG> also shows a perspective view of the cleaning accessory <NUM> in the second mode of operation.

This means that when the first rotatable cleaning brush <NUM> rotates with the flexible cleaning elements <NUM> in the engaged position, the first rotatable cleaning brush <NUM> engages the surface <NUM> to be cleaned. This means first rotatable cleaning brush <NUM> picks up dirt as discussed further below.

Accordingly, the cleaning accessory <NUM> comprises rotating cleaning brushes <NUM> which are mounted on the outside of the first side wall <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. This means that edge cleaning of the surface <NUM> to be cleaned near an upright surface <NUM> e.g. a wall, kickboard, skirting board, or other upright surface <NUM> intersecting with the surface <NUM> to be cleaned can be achieved when moving the cleaning accessory <NUM> in a direction parallel to the upright surface <NUM>.

This means that up to the edge cleaning can be achieved at the same time as cleaning other parts of the floor surface <NUM>. Previously, a user may have had to perform a series of movements with the cleaning accessory <NUM> in a direction perpendicular to the upright surface <NUM> so that the front of the cleaning accessory <NUM> is adjacent to the edge <NUM>. However, in contrast the edge <NUM> can be cleaned in a single pass of the cleaning accessory <NUM> in a movement parallel to the upright surface <NUM> and edge <NUM>.

The flexible cleaning elements <NUM> are resiliently deformable. In some examples the flexible cleaning elements <NUM> are biased into the disengaged position as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. This means that when the flexible cleaning elements <NUM> are deformed in to the cleaning position and then released, the flexible cleaning elements <NUM> will return to the disengaged position as shown in Figured 4a. In other words, when the cleaning accessory <NUM> is moved away from a position engaging the upright surface <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, to a position remote from the upright surface <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, the flexible cleaning elements <NUM> return to the disengaged position.

In the first mode of operation, the flexible cleaning elements <NUM> extend outwards from the first side wall <NUM> by a first distance d<NUM> as shown in <FIG>. In the second mode of operation, the flexible cleaning elements <NUM> extend outwards from the first side wall by a second distance d<NUM>. In the second mode of operation, the flexible cleaning elements <NUM> rotate in the disengaged position whereby an end <NUM> of the flexible cleaning element <NUM> is maintained at a distance d<NUM> above the surface <NUM> to be cleaned.

The flexible cleaning elements <NUM> are arranged to flex from the disengaged position to the cleaning position when a force is applied to the at least one flexible cleaning element <NUM>. In some examples, the force to deform the flexible cleaning elements <NUM> is in a direction parallel to the rotation axis A-A of the rotatable cleaning brush <NUM>. For example, when the cleaning accessory <NUM> is moved adjacent (represented by the arrow in <FIG>) to an upright surface <NUM> such as a wall, the flexible cleaning elements <NUM> are arranged to deform.

As mentioned above, in some examples the flexible cleaning elements <NUM> extend from the rotation axis A-A to engage the surface <NUM> to be cleaned in the second mode of operation. When the flexible cleaning elements <NUM> are in the second mode of operation, the flexible cleaning elements <NUM> and the rotatable cleaning bar <NUM> extend in a radial direction from the rotation axis A-A towards the surface <NUM> by the same distance. This means that when the cleaning accessory <NUM> is moved across the surface <NUM> to be cleaned, the cleaning accessory <NUM> remains substantially level.

In some examples, the first rotatable cleaning brush <NUM> is rotatably coupled to the first end <NUM> of the rotatable cleaning bar <NUM>. In some further examples additionally or alternatively a second rotatable cleaning brush <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>) is rotatably coupled to the second end <NUM> of the rotatable cleaning bar <NUM>. The second rotatable cleaning brush <NUM> is identical to the first rotatable cleaning brush <NUM> as previously described.

In some examples optionally the cleaning accessory <NUM> has a single rotatable cleaning brush <NUM> mounted to only one of the first or second end <NUM>, <NUM> of the rotatable cleaning bar <NUM>. In some other examples as shown in <FIG>, there are a first and second rotatable cleaning brushes <NUM>, <NUM> mounted to the rotatable cleaning bar <NUM>. By having first and second rotatable cleaning brushes <NUM>, <NUM>, edges <NUM> positioned to either the first side wall <NUM> or the second side wall <NUM> can be cleaned with the cleaning accessory <NUM>. In some other examples there are optionally more than two rotatable cleaning brushes and there can be any suitable number of rotatable cleaning brushes projecting out of the sides of the cleaning accessory <NUM>.

In some examples, the first rotatable cleaning brush <NUM> is rotatably coupled to the rotatable cleaning bar <NUM> and is fixed to the rotatable cleaning bar <NUM>. In this way, when the rotatable cleaning bar <NUM> rotates, the first rotatable cleaning brush <NUM> and the rotatable cleaning bar <NUM> rotate together. Similarly, in some examples, the second rotatable cleaning brush <NUM> is rotatably coupled to the rotatable cleaning bar <NUM> and is fixed to the rotatable cleaning bar <NUM>. In this way, when the rotatable cleaning bar <NUM> rotates, the second rotatable cleaning brush <NUM> and the rotatable cleaning bar <NUM> rotate together.

In some other examples, the first rotatable cleaning brush <NUM> and / or the second rotatable cleaning brush <NUM> are rotatably coupled to the rotatable cleaning bar <NUM> via a drive mechanism. For example, a belt or gears are rotatably coupled between the rotatable cleaning bar <NUM> and the first rotatable cleaning brush <NUM> and / or the second rotatable cleaning brush <NUM>. <FIG> shows the second rotatable cleaning brush <NUM> is rotatably coupled to the rotatable cleaning bar <NUM> via a drive gear <NUM>. The drive gear <NUM> will be discussed in more detail below in reference to <FIG>.

This means that the axis of rotation A-A of the rotatable cleaning bar <NUM> can be remote from the axis of rotation of the first and / or second rotatable cleaning brush <NUM>, <NUM>. However, as shown in the Figures, the axis of rotation A-A of the rotatable cleaning bar <NUM> and the axis of rotation of the first and second rotatable cleaning brush <NUM>, <NUM> are coaxial e.g. rotation axis A-A.

In some examples, the first and second rotatable cleaning brushes <NUM>, <NUM> are optionally removably mountable on the rotatable cleaning bar <NUM>. Turning to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, the construction of the cleaning accessory <NUM> will be discussed in further detail. <FIG> shows an exploded perspective view of the cleaning accessory <NUM> at the second end <NUM> of the rotatable cleaning bar <NUM>. <FIG> shows another exploded perspective view of the cleaning accessory <NUM> at the first end <NUM> of the rotatable cleaning bar <NUM>. <FIG> respectively show close up cross-sectional views of the cleaning accessory <NUM>. <FIG> is represented as dotted box labelled B in <FIG>. <FIG> is represented as dotted box labelled C in <FIG>. <FIG> shows a perspective cut away view of the cleaning accessory <NUM> with the parts shown in <FIG> and <FIG> assembled.

Turning to <FIG>, the first rotatable cleaning brush <NUM> will be discussed in further detail. <FIG> shows the parts shown in <FIG> in an assembled state. The first rotatable cleaning brush <NUM> projects through a hole <NUM> in the first side wall <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. The first rotatable cleaning brush <NUM> slides on to the shaft <NUM>. In some examples, the shaft <NUM> comprises a flat surface <NUM> or a keyed surface to prevent relative rotational movement of the first rotatable cleaning brush <NUM> with respect to the shaft <NUM> when the first rotatable cleaning brush <NUM> is mounted to the shaft <NUM>. When the first rotatable cleaning brush <NUM> is mounted on the shaft <NUM>, an outer surface <NUM> of the rotatable body <NUM> of the first rotatable cleaning brush <NUM> is flush with or recessed within a first side surface <NUM> of the first side wall <NUM> as shown in <FIG>.

In some examples, the rotatable body <NUM> of the first rotatable cleaning brush <NUM> comprises a frustoconical shape arranged to be received in a reciprocal recess <NUM> with a first inclined reciprocal surface <NUM> in the first side wall <NUM>. Advantageously, the frustoconical shape of the rotatable body <NUM> means that the rotatable body <NUM> seats correctly in the reciprocal recess <NUM>.

In some examples the rotatable body <NUM> of the first rotatable cleaning brush <NUM> does not engage the first inclined reciprocal surface <NUM> in the first side wall <NUM>. Accordingly the rotatable body <NUM> is held at a fixed distance from the first inclined reciprocal surface <NUM> in the first side wall <NUM>. The first rotatable cleaning brush <NUM> is optionally fixed to the shaft <NUM> of the rotatable cleaning bar <NUM> with a first screw <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, optionally the shaft <NUM> projects through the first side wall <NUM> into the reciprocal recess <NUM>. This means that the shaft <NUM> is visibly presented to the user within the reciprocal recess <NUM> and the first rotatable cleaning brush <NUM> is easier to mount on the shaft <NUM>.

In this way, the first rotatable cleaning brush <NUM> is removeable from the rotatable cleaning bar <NUM> by removal of the first screw <NUM>. The first rotatable cleaning brush <NUM> in some other examples can be mounted to the rotatable cleaning bar <NUM> with a toolless connection. For example, the first rotatable cleaning brush <NUM> can be mounted via a bayonet fitting, clips, or any other suitable mechanism.

The first side wall <NUM> comprises a bearing housing <NUM> and a bearing <NUM> is mounted in the bearing housing <NUM>. The shaft <NUM> is threaded through and engages with the bearing <NUM> such that the shaft <NUM>, the rotatable cleaning bar <NUM> and the first rotatable cleaning brush <NUM> rotate freely with respect to the first side wall <NUM>.

The first side wall <NUM> as shown in <FIG> is mountable to the housing <NUM> via screws (not shown) or any other suitable fastening device.

Optionally in some examples, the second rotatable cleaning brush <NUM> is mountable to the shaft <NUM> and the rotatable cleaning bar <NUM> in the same way as discussed with respect to the first rotatable cleaning brush <NUM>.

However, in some alternative examples, the first or the second rotatable cleaning brush <NUM>, <NUM> is mountable on a drive gear <NUM> instead of mountable on a shaft <NUM> or within the rotatable cleaning bar <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, <FIG>. The examples as shown in <FIG>, <FIG> show the second rotatable cleaning brush <NUM> mountable on the drive gear <NUM>.

Turning to <FIG>, the second rotatable cleaning brush <NUM> will be discussed in further detail. <FIG> shows the parts shown in <FIG> in an assembled state.

The second rotatable cleaning brush <NUM> projects through a hole <NUM> in the second side wall <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. The second rotatable cleaning brush <NUM> slides on to the drive shaft <NUM> connected to the drive gear <NUM>. In some examples, the drive shaft <NUM> comprises a flat surface or a keyed surface to prevent relative rotational movement of the second rotatable cleaning brush <NUM> with respect to the drive shaft <NUM> when the second rotatable cleaning brush <NUM> is mounted to the drive shaft <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the drive shaft <NUM> is integral with the drive gear <NUM>. When the second rotatable cleaning brush <NUM> is mounted on the drive shaft <NUM>, an outer surface <NUM> of a rotatable body <NUM> of the second rotatable cleaning brush <NUM> is flush with or recessed within a second side surface <NUM> of the second side wall <NUM> as shown in <FIG>.

In some examples, the rotatable body <NUM> of the second rotatable cleaning brush <NUM> comprises a frustoconical shape arranged to be received in a reciprocal recess <NUM> with an inclined reciprocal drive surface <NUM> in the drive gear <NUM>. In addition, optionally, the hole <NUM> in the second side wall <NUM> comprises a second inclined reciprocal surface <NUM> reciprocal to the frustoconical shape of the rotatable body <NUM> of the second rotatable cleaning brush <NUM>.

In some examples the rotatable body <NUM> of the second rotatable cleaning brush <NUM> does not engage the second inclined reciprocal surface <NUM> in the second side wall <NUM>. Accordingly the rotatable body <NUM> is held at a fixed distance from the second inclined reciprocal surface <NUM> in the second side wall <NUM>.

In some examples the rotatable body <NUM> of the second rotatable cleaning brush <NUM> engages with the inclined reciprocal drive surface <NUM> in drive gear <NUM>. This means that the drive gear <NUM> rotates at the same rate of rotation as the second rotatable cleaning brush <NUM>.

The second rotatable cleaning brush <NUM> is optionally fixed to the drive shaft <NUM> of the drive gear <NUM> with a second screw <NUM>. In this way, the second rotatable cleaning brush <NUM> is removeable from the rotatable cleaning bar <NUM> and the drive gear <NUM> by removal of the second screw <NUM>. The second rotatable cleaning brush <NUM> in some other examples can be mounted to the drive gear <NUM> with a toolless connection. For example, the second rotatable cleaning brush <NUM> can be mounted via a bayonet fitting, clips, or any other suitable mechanism.

As shown in <FIG>, the motor <NUM> is mounted to the housing <NUM> via a motor mounting plate <NUM>. The motor mounting plate <NUM> comprises fingers <NUM> for gripping the motor <NUM> and holding the motor <NUM> with respect to the housing <NUM>. The motor mounting plate <NUM> is fixed with respect to the housing <NUM> by e.g. screws (not shown) or any other suitable fastening means. In some examples, the second side wall <NUM> is optionally fastened to the motor mounting plate <NUM>. The motor mounting plate <NUM> extends in a direction parallel to the second side wall <NUM> and comprises a bearing housing <NUM> and a bearing <NUM> is mounted in the bearing housing <NUM> (best shown in <FIG>). The drive shaft <NUM> is threaded through and engages with the bearing <NUM> such that the drive shaft <NUM>, the rotatable cleaning bar <NUM> and the second rotatable cleaning brush <NUM> rotate freely with respect to the second side wall <NUM>.

The drive gear <NUM> is operatively connected to a motor gear <NUM>. The motor gear <NUM> is mounted to a motor shaft (not shown). As shown in <FIG>, the drive gear <NUM> and the motor gear <NUM> are connected via a belt <NUM>. In some other examples the belt <NUM> is replaced with a gearbox (not shown) for transmitting rotation from the motor shaft to the drive gear <NUM>.

In some further examples, there is optionally one or more gears operatively connected between the rotatable cleaning bar <NUM> and the first or second rotatable cleaning brush <NUM>, <NUM>. This means that the rotatable cleaning bar <NUM> and the first or second rotatable cleaning brush <NUM>, <NUM> can rotate with respect to each other at different rates of rotation. For example, the rotatable cleaning bar <NUM> can rotate faster than the first or second rotatable cleaning brush <NUM>, <NUM>.

The second side wall <NUM> as shown in <FIG> is mountable to the housing <NUM> via screws (not shown) or any other suitable fastening device.

Another feature of the cleaning accessory <NUM> will now be discussed in reference to <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>.

In some examples the first side wall <NUM> optionally comprises a first side air inlet <NUM>. The first side air inlet <NUM> is not necessary when the cleaning accessory <NUM> comprises a first or second rotatable cleaning brush <NUM>, <NUM>. This is because the dirt and debris dislodged by the first or second rotatable cleaning brush <NUM>, <NUM> can be sucked into the air outlet <NUM> into the first air inlet <NUM> underneath the cleaning accessory <NUM>. It is preferable to provide a first side air inlet <NUM> with a first rotating brush <NUM> because the dirt is more reliably picked up by the cleaning accessory <NUM>.

In some other examples additionally or alternatively the second side wall <NUM> comprises a second side air inlet <NUM>. In the examples below the first side air inlet <NUM> may only be discussed, but reference to the first side air inlet <NUM> can refer to alternatively or additionally to the second side air inlet <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the first side air inlet <NUM> and the second side air inlet <NUM> respectively provide second airflow paths p<NUM>, p<NUM> between the first side air inlet <NUM> and the second side air inlet <NUM> and the air outlet <NUM>. Accordingly dirty air flows in from the first side air inlet <NUM> and / or the second side air inlet <NUM> to the air outlet <NUM>. The second air flow paths p<NUM>, p<NUM> in some examples bypass the rotatable cleaning bar <NUM>. In some other examples, at least part of the first airflow path and the second airflow paths p<NUM>, p<NUM> are located around the rotatable cleaning bar <NUM>. In some examples, the second air flow paths p<NUM>, p<NUM> overlap a portion of the first airflow path. This means that the internal structure of the cleaning accessory <NUM> can be made more compact.

As mentioned above, the cleaning accessory <NUM> comprises the first rotatable cleaning brush <NUM>. In some examples, the at least one flexible cleaning element <NUM> is arranged to engage the surface <NUM> to be cleaned adjacent to the first or second side air inlet <NUM>, <NUM>. In some examples, the at least one flexible cleaning element <NUM> is arranged to guide dirt towards the first side air inlet <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the first rotatable cleaning brush <NUM> rotates in a clockwise direction as represented by the curved arrows in <FIG>. This means that flexible cleaning elements <NUM> sweep the surface <NUM> to be cleaned and guide the dirt towards the first side air inlet <NUM> as represented by the straight arrow in <FIG>. As the dirt and debris is moved towards the first side air inlet <NUM> by the flexible cleaning elements <NUM>, the dirt and debris becomes entrained in the airflow. The dirt and debris is then sucked into the cleaning accessory <NUM>.

Whilst <FIG> show the first rotatable cleaning brush <NUM> is rotatable as indicated by the arrow in a clockwise direction, in other alternative examples, the first cleaning brush <NUM> is optionally fixed to the first side wall <NUM>. In this way, the first cleaning brush <NUM> is static and does not rotate with respect to the first side wall <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, the second cleaning bush <NUM> can also be fixed and not rotate with respect to the second side wall <NUM>.

In the example where the first rotatable cleaning brush <NUM> is fixed with respect to the housing <NUM>, the first cleaning brush <NUM> engages the surface <NUM> to be cleaned adjacent to the first side air inlet <NUM>. The first cleaning brush <NUM> may also guide the dirt and debris on the surface <NUM> to be cleaned due to the shape and orientation of the flexible cleaning elements <NUM>. For example, the flexible cleaning elements <NUM> of the first cleaning brush <NUM> are arranged in wedge shape with the apex of the wedge adjacent to the first side air inlet <NUM>. The wedge shaped first cleaning brush <NUM> then funnels the dirt and debris into the first side air inlet <NUM> when the cleaning accessory <NUM> is moved in the forward direction X.

As shown in <FIG>, the first side wall <NUM> comprises a projecting lip <NUM> arranged to guide dirt into the first side air inlet <NUM>. The projecting lip <NUM> projects outwardly from the first side wall <NUM> and extends into the path of dirt swept by the first cleaning brush <NUM>. In some examples, the projecting lip <NUM> is aligned with the first side air inlet <NUM>. Accordingly, when dirt abuts the projecting lip <NUM>, the dirt will be entrained into the airflow and enter the cleaning accessory <NUM> at the first side air inlet <NUM>.

The first side wall <NUM> also comprises an optional dirt deflector <NUM>.

Similar to the projecting lip <NUM>, the dirt deflector <NUM> projects out from the first side wall <NUM>. The dirt deflector <NUM> is configured to surround at least a part of the perimeter of the first rotatable cleaning brush <NUM>. The dirt deflector <NUM> is arranged to prevent the dirt is not swept backwards or upwards past the cleaning accessory <NUM>. Instead, the dirt deflector <NUM> comprises a leading edge portion <NUM> which is directed downwards towards the surface <NUM> to be cleaned and in the direction X of forward travel. This means that if any dirt or debris is swept past the first side air inlet <NUM> by the rotating first rotatable cleaning brush <NUM>, the dirt and debris will be flicked from the first rotatable cleaning brush <NUM> and releases in a direction T. The direction T is approximately a tangent to the curve of the leading edge portion <NUM> of the dirt deflector <NUM>.

In some examples, the dirt deflector <NUM> optionally extends along the perimeter of the first rotatable cleaning brush <NUM> between <NUM>% to <NUM>% of the length of the perimeter of the first rotatable cleaning brush <NUM>.

In some examples, optionally the dirt deflector <NUM> comprises a projecting finger <NUM>. The projecting finger <NUM> is configured to engage the at least one flexible cleaning element <NUM> when the at least one flexible cleaning element <NUM> is rotating in the cleaning position as shown in <FIG>. The projecting finger <NUM> is configured to engage the at least one flexible cleaning element <NUM> after the at least one flexible cleaning element <NUM> has moved past the first side air inlet <NUM>. This means that dirt lodged in the flexible cleaning elements <NUM> is scraped off when the flexible cleaning elements <NUM> move past the projecting finger <NUM>. Since the projecting finger <NUM> causes the flexible cleaning elements <NUM> to flex during part of the rotation of the first rotatable cleaning brush <NUM>, the dirt can be further encouraged to be flicked off the flexible cleaning elements <NUM> as the returns to shape.

The projecting dirt deflector <NUM> and the projecting lip <NUM> define a brush recess <NUM> (best shown in <FIG>). The projecting dirt deflector <NUM> and the projecting lip <NUM> are arranged to engage the upright surface <NUM>. In some examples, the projecting dirt deflector <NUM> and the projecting lip <NUM> are arranged to engage the upright surface <NUM> and create a partial seal against the upright surface <NUM>.

This means that the brush recess <NUM> adjacent to the upright surface <NUM> encourages the second airflow paths p<NUM>, p<NUM> to be positioned around the first rotatable cleaning brush <NUM>. This further reduces the dirt to be flicked out form the brush recess <NUM> and most of the dirt swept by the first rotatable cleaning brush <NUM> is entrained in to the air flow.

When the cleaning accessory <NUM> is pushed against the upright surface <NUM>, the brush recess <NUM> is closed off from the first air inlet <NUM> and the dirt collected by the first rotatable cleaning brush <NUM> is sucked in via the first side air inlet <NUM>.

The brush recess <NUM> is configured to receive the at least one flexible cleaning element <NUM> when the first side wall <NUM> is adjacent to the upright surface <NUM> and the at least one flexible cleaning element <NUM> flexes into the cleaning position. Accordingly, the brush recess <NUM> is configured to receive the first rotatable cleaning brush <NUM> and the flexible cleaning elements <NUM> when the first rotatable cleaning brush <NUM> is in the second mode of operation e.g., the cleaning position.

As can be seen from <FIG>, the brush recess <NUM> allows the first rotatable cleaning brush <NUM> to freely rotate without interference from the housing <NUM> and clean the upright surface <NUM> and the edge <NUM>. In some examples, the biasing force of the flexible cleaning elements <NUM> means that the flexible cleaning elements <NUM> will be urged against the upright surface <NUM> and the edge <NUM>. This means that a lower part of the upright surface <NUM> will also be cleaned by the first rotatable cleaning brush <NUM> during operation.

In another example, two or more examples are combined. Features of one example can be combined with features of other examples.

Claim 1:
A cleaning accessory (<NUM>) for a vacuum cleaner, comprising:
a housing (<NUM>);
a rotatable cleaning brush (<NUM>) rotatably mounted to the housing (<NUM>), having at least one flexible cleaning element (<NUM>) projecting outwards from a side of the housing (<NUM>) and the at least one flexible cleaning element (<NUM>) is configured to rotate and engage with a surface (<NUM>) to be cleaned; and
a rotatable cleaning bar (<NUM>) rotatably mounted within the housing (<NUM>), and the rotatable cleaning brush (<NUM>) is rotatably coupled to the rotatable cleaning bar (<NUM>);
wherein at least a portion of the rotatable cleaning brush (<NUM>) is seated within a drive mechanism coupled to the rotatable cleaning bar (<NUM>);
characterized in that the rotatable cleaning brush (<NUM>) and the rotatable cleaning bar (<NUM>) are arranged to rotate about a common rotation axis (A-A).