SURFACE DEBRIS REMOVAL APPARATUS

• US 20100115719A1
• Filed: 01/20/2010
• Published: 05/13/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/06/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dovia International Limited
• Original Assignee: Dovia International Limited
• Inventors: Elsworthy, Christopher T., Teucher, Mark D., West, James A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,443,478 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/41.100
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/33 having means for storing dirt
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4002 Installations of electric equipment
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4005 Arrangements of batteries or cells; Electric power supply arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4011 Regulation of the cleaning machine by electric means; Control systems and remote control systems therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4013 Contaminants collecting devices, i.e. hoppers, tanks or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4025 Means for emptying
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4041 Roll shaped surface treating tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4069 Driving or transmission means for the cleaning tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4075 Handles; levers
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4091 Storing or parking devices, arrangements therefor; Means allowing transport of the machine when it is not being used
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 7/02 with driven tools for special purposes with floor-polishing tools A47L11/20
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0477 Rolls
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/325 for wheeled suction cleaners with steering handle

Abstract

This invention relates to a mechanism for use in a device that comprises a system for collecting dirt and debris from a variety of floor and upholstery surfaces. In particular the mechanism lifts and directs unwanted debris particles to a waste reservoir for the purpose of cleaning and grooming floor surfaces. The debris collection mechanism can be, but is not limited to its use in a handle operated cordless motorized floor sweeper to collect and gather unwanted debris and dust. The device includes a head unit that incorporates two easily removable elongate cylindrical rotating cleaning bars that are driven such that they contra rotate, and are positioned close to one another at the forward region of the head unit. A removable debris reservoir, removable rechargeable power source and handle incorporating a device operation switch are also included.

Claims

1. A motor assisted cordless surface cleaning device, comprising:

a forward head unit incorporating two elongate cylindrical rotating bristled cleaning bars positioned in close proximity to one another at the front of the head unit, wherein the cylindrical rotating bristled cleaning bars are driven such that they contra rotate, said device further comprising a removable debris collection reservoir attached to the back of the head unit, and a surface arranged between said two cleaning bars inclined from the vertical so as to direct debris from said two rotating bristled cleaning bars to the debris collection reservoir.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 with the cleaning bars powered by one or more electric motors.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 which comprises a forward head unit incorporating contra rotating bristled cleaning bars and a removable debris collection reservoir attached to the back of the head unit.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 where the forward most rotating cleaning bristled bar rotates in the direction which would pull the device forward along the surface being cleaned and the rearmost cleaning bristled bar rotates in the opposite direction to the forward one.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 where the forward most rotating cleaning bristled bar is driven from a given distance along its length and not from one end.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 where the forward most rotating cleaning bristled bar comprises two parts that can each be removed along their axis from the sides of the device.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 where the forward most rotating cleaning bristled bar is removable by hand without the use of additional tools.

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 where the rearmost cleaning bristled bar is constructed in the same way as the forward most rotating cleaning bristled bar.

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 where the drive systems to each cleaning bar are not aligned down the length of the product.

10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 where the debris reservoir has an automatic mechanical closing door system operated by removal from the invention.

11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 10 where the debris reservoir door is opened via a push button for emptying.

12. An apparatus as described in claim 11 where the debris reservoir door opening push button releases the debris reservoir from the head unit of the device.

13. An apparatus as described in claim 1 where an electrical safety cut out switch to the motors running the rotating cleaning bars is incorporated and activated when the debris reservoir is removed from the device.

14. An apparatus as described in claim 1 where the debris reservoir incorporates a mechanical or electric motor driven fan and filter assembly to create an airflow path through the debris reservoir.

15. An apparatus as described in claim 1 where the battery pack power supply is attached to the handle and can be recharged whilst attached to the handle.

16. An apparatus as described in claim 15 where the battery pack power supply is removable from the handle unit for recharging.

17. An apparatus as described in claim 15 where battery packs of differing size incorporating more or less battery cells can be independently attached, providing different product run times.

18. An apparatus as described in claim 15 where battery packs of differing size provide different product performance levels.

19. An apparatus as described in claim 1 where the product is attached to a wall or floor mounted docking station for storage.

20. An apparatus as described in claim 19 where the product is attached to a wall or floor mounted docking station for battery charging.

21. An apparatus as described in claim 1 where the battery pack is removed and attached to a wall or floor mounted docking station for recharging.

22. An apparatus as described in claim 1 incorporating an audio or visual indication of the power level.

23. An apparatus as described in claim 1 where the motors are fuel cell powered.

24. An apparatus as described in claim 1 which incorporates a series of electronic or mechanical settings to change the rotational velocities of each cleaning bar independently or coupled for optimal cleaning performance of different floor surfaces.

25. An apparatus as described in claim 24 where the electronic or mechanical settings are used to change power consumption of the product.

26. An apparatus as described in claim 1 where the handle unit incorporates a vacuum and debris reservoir assembly that maybe removable and when separated from the handle of the main assembly be used independently to clean upholstery, curtains etc.

27. An apparatus as described in claim 1 where the handle unit incorporates a steering lock mechanism to constrain an angled steering joint into a fixed position when the handle is set in a vertical position.

28. An apparatus as described in claim 1 where the handle is telescopic.

29. An apparatus as described in claim 1 where the handle can separate for storage purposes.

30. An apparatus as described in claim 29 where electrical connections through the handle are connected when the handle is assembled to the head unit.