VACUUM ACCESSORY TOOL

• US 20120272473A1
• Filed: 07/09/2012
• Published: 11/01/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bissell Inc.
• Original Assignee: Bissell Homecare, Inc. (Bissell Inc.)
• Inventors: Griffith, Aaron P.
• Granted Patent: US 8,806,712 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/339
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0416 driven by fluid pressure, e.g. by means of an air turbine
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0444 for conveying motion by endless flexible members, e.g. belts
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2868 Arrangements for power supply of vacuum cleaners or the accessories thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/30 Arrangement of illuminating devices

Abstract

A vacuum accessory tool comprises a nozzle body that forms a suction nozzle and at least one light emitting element that emits light in an ultraviolet (UV) spectrum that will illuminate stains on the surface to be cleaned. The light is projected forwardly of the suction nozzle body so that stains on the surface will be visible to a user as the vacuum accessory tool is moved over the surface.

Claims

1. A vacuum accessory tool for cleaning a surface comprising:

a nozzle body;

a suction nozzle formed by the nozzle body;

an opening formed in the nozzle body and adapted to be connected to a suction source remote from the nozzle body for generating a working air flow from the suction nozzle through the nozzle body; and

at least one light emitting element that emits light in an ultraviolet (UV) spectrum that will illuminate stains on the surface, the light emitting element being mounted on a leading edge of the nozzle body, whereby light is projected forwardly of the suction nozzle body so that stains on the surface will be visible to a user as the vacuum accessory tool is moved over the surface.

2. The vacuum accessory tool according to claim 1 wherein the at least one light emitting element is at least one light emitting diode (LED).

3. The vacuum accessory tool according to claim 2 wherein the at least one light emitting element is configured to emit light that sanitizes or disinfects the surface.

4. The vacuum accessory tool according to claim 3 wherein the at least one light emitting element further comprises a convex lens to disperse light emitted from the at least one light emitting element.

5. The vacuum accessory tool according to claim 1 wherein the at least one light emitting element is configured to emit light that sanitizes or disinfects the surface.

6. The vacuum accessory tool according to claim 5 wherein the at least one light emitting element further comprises a convex lens to disperse light emitted from the at least one light emitting element.

7. The vacuum accessory tool according to claim 1 wherein the at least one light emitting element further comprises a convex lens to disperse light emitted from the at least one light emitting element.

8. The vacuum accessory tool according to claim 1, further comprising a power generator mounted on the nozzle body, the power generator including an air-driven turbine for producing mechanical energy that is converted into electrical energy for powering the at least one light-emitting element.

9. The vacuum accessory tool according to claim 8 wherein the power generator further comprises a motor that is driven by the air-driven turbine and that forms an electromagnetic inductive circuit with the at least one electrical element to supply electrical energy to the at least one light-emitting element.

10. The vacuum accessory tool according to claim 8 wherein the power generator further comprises a plurality of permanent magnets mounted to the air-driven turbine and an inductor coil positioned adjacent the air-driven turbine so as to generate current in an electromagnetic circuit by the magnets cyclically passing across the inductor coil to supply electrical energy to the at least one light-emitting element.

11. The vacuum accessory tool according to claim 8, further comprising an agitator mounted to the nozzle body and operably coupled to the air-driven turbine for rotation therewith.

12. The vacuum accessory tool according to claim 11 wherein the agitator is a brush that is rotatable about a horizontal axis.

13. The vacuum accessory tool according to claim 1, further comprising a hair removal element on the nozzle body for aiding in the removal of hair from the surface to be cleaned.

14. The vacuum accessory tool according to claim 1, further comprising a fluid delivery element for selectively distributing cleaning fluid onto the surface to be cleaned.