Agitator with Cleaning Features
First Claim
1. A cleaning device agitator system comprising:
- an agitator comprising;
a spindle having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the first end and the second end,one or more agitating devices projecting from the spindle to a first radial height, andone or more friction surfaces projecting from the spindle to a second radial height;
one or more cleaning members positioned adjacent at least a portion of the agitator, the one or more cleaning members being adapted to move between a first position in which the one or more cleaning members do not engage the one or more friction surfaces, and a second position in which the one or more cleaning members engage the one or more friction surfaces to clean debris from the agitator.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A cleaning device agitator system having an agitator and one or more cleaning members. The agitator has first and second ends, a longitudinal axis and one or more agitating devices. One or more friction surfaces may project from the spindle. The cleaning members are adjacent the agitator and adapted to move between a first position and a second position. In at least the second position, the cleaning members engage the agitator, such as by engaging the friction surfaces, to remove debris. Agitator and cleaning members may be incorporated into a cleaning head having an inlet nozzle and a chamber in which the agitator rotates, and there may be an activation mechanism using, for example, a resilient member to move the cleaning members. An overload protection device may be provided, and may adjust its sensitivity depending on whether the cleaning devices are in the first or second position.
142 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A cleaning device agitator system comprising:
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an agitator comprising; a spindle having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the first end and the second end, one or more agitating devices projecting from the spindle to a first radial height, and one or more friction surfaces projecting from the spindle to a second radial height; one or more cleaning members positioned adjacent at least a portion of the agitator, the one or more cleaning members being adapted to move between a first position in which the one or more cleaning members do not engage the one or more friction surfaces, and a second position in which the one or more cleaning members engage the one or more friction surfaces to clean debris from the agitator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A cleaning head for a cleaning device, the cleaning head comprising:
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an inlet nozzle; an agitator chamber adjacent and in fluid communication with the inlet nozzle; an agitator comprising; a spindle having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the first end and the second end, the spindle being rotatably mounted in the agitator chamber, one or more agitating devices projecting from the spindle to a first radial height, the one or more agitating devices being of sufficient radial height to extend through the inlet nozzle during rotation of the spindle, and one or more friction surfaces projecting from the spindle to a second radial height; one or more cleaning members positioned adjacent at least a portion of the agitator; an activation mechanism adapted to move the one or more cleaning members between a first position in which the one or more cleaning members do not engage the one or more friction surfaces, and a second position in which the one or more cleaning members engage the one or more friction surfaces to clean debris from the agitator. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A rotary cleaner comprising:
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an agitator comprising; a spindle having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the first end and the second end, one or more agitating devices projecting from the spindle to a first radial height, a motor adapted to apply a torque to the agitator to thereby rotate the agitator about a rotating axis; one or more cleaning members positioned adjacent at least a portion of the agitator, the one or more cleaning members being movable between a first position in which the one or more cleaning members are spaced a first distance from a rotating axis of the spindle, and a second position in which the one or more cleaning members are spaced a second distance from the rotating axis, and wherein the one or more cleaning members clean debris from the agitator in at least the second position; and an overload protection device adapted to terminate the application of torque to the agitator when the torque exceeds a threshold value. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification