Floor cleaning apparatus equipped with multiple agitators and an agitator hood with baffle

• US 20040216265A1
• Filed: 04/26/2004
• Published: 11/04/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Panasonic Corporation Of North America (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Panasonic Corporation Of North America (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Bowden, Jason D., Peacock, Dale M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,281,297 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/384
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/30 with driven dust-loosening tools, e.g. rotating brushes

Abstract

A floor cleaning apparatus includes a nozzle assembly including a housing and a cooperating hood defining an agitator cavity. First and second agitators are carried by the nozzle assembly in the agitator cavity. A canister assembly is connected to the nozzle assembly. The apparatus also includes a suction generator and a dirt collector. The apparatus is characterized by the hood which includes a wall and a baffle. A first section of the wall and the baffle define a first channel that receives the first agitator. A second section of the wall and the baffle define a second channel that receives the second agitator.

Claims

1. A floor cleaning apparatus, comprising:

a nozzle assembly including a housing and a cooperating hood defining an agitator cavity;

a first agitator carried by the nozzle assembly in said agitator cavity;

a second agitator carried by said nozzle assembly in said agitator cavity;

a canister assembly connected to said nozzle assembly;

a suction generator carried by one of said canister assembly and said nozzle assembly; and

a dirt collector carried by one of said canister assembly and said nozzle assembly;

said hood including a wall and a baffle, a first section of said wall and said baffle defining a first channel receiving at least a first portion of said first agitator and a second section of said wall and said baffle defining a second channel receiving at least a second portion of said second agitator.

2. The floor cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein an intake opening is provided in said first section of said wall.

3. The floor cleaning apparatus of claim 2, wherein said hood includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall, said intake opening being positioned adjacent said first sidewall.

4. The floor cleaning apparatus of claim 3, wherein said first agitator extends across said first channel between said first sidewall and said second sidewall.

5. The floor cleaning apparatus of claim 4, wherein said second agitator extends across said second channel between said first sidewall and said second sidewall.

6. The floor cleaning apparatus of claim 5, wherein said baffle extends from said second sidewall toward said first sidewall at least partially between said first and second agitators.

7. The floor cleaning apparatus of claim 6, wherein a gap is provided between said first sidewall and said baffle, said gap being at least partially aligned with said intake opening.

8. The floor cleaning apparatus of claim 7, further including a first air guide rib carried on said first section of said wall and a second air guide rib carried on said second section of said wall.

9. The floor cleaning apparatus of claim 8, wherein said baffle projects from said wall a distance D₁ and said first and second air guide ribs project from said wall a distance D₂ where D₁ is about three to about five times greater than D₂.

10. The floor cleaning apparatus of claim 2, wherein a gap is provided in said baffle and said gap is at least partially aligned with said intake opening.

11. The floor cleaning apparatus of claim 10, wherein said hood includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall, said intake opening being positioned between said sidewalls.

12. The floor cleaning apparatus of claim 11, wherein said first agitator extends across said first channel between said first sidewall and said second sidewall.

13. The floor cleaning apparatus of claim 12, wherein said second agitator extends across said second channel between said first sidewall and said second sidewall.

14. The floor cleaning apparatus of claim 13, further including a first air guide rib carried on said first section of said wall and a second air guide rib carried on said second section of said wall.

15. The floor cleaning apparatus of claim 14, wherein said baffle projects from said wall a distance D₁ and said first and second air guide ribs project from said wall a distance D₂ where D₁ is about three to about five times greater than D₂.