Floor cleaner with dusting

• US 7,013,528 B2
• Filed: 12/18/2002
• Issued: 03/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bissell Inc.
• Original Assignee: Bissell Homecare, Inc. (Bissell Inc.)
• Inventors: McDowell, David E., Parker, Timothy S., Haan, David L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Snider, Theresa T.
• Application Number:
  US10/248,101
• Publication Number:
  US 20040045126A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,189 Days
• Field of Search: 154/03, 153/83, 153/64, 153/80, 15/411, 15 43- 44, 15/51, 15 98- 99, 15/4, 15/481, 15/491, 15/503, 15/52, 15/521
• US Class Current: 15/403
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/33 having means for storing dirt
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4005 Arrangements of batteries or cells; Electric power supply arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4013 Contaminants collecting devices, i.e. hoppers, tanks or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4036 Parts or details of the surface treating tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4041 Roll shaped surface treating tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4055 for lifting the tools to a non-working position
• 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 5/28 Suction cleaners with handles and nozzles fixed on the casings, e.g. wheeled suction cleaners with steering handle A47L5/24 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/30 with driven dust-loosening tools, e.g. rotating brushes
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/06 with fixed, e.g. adjustably fixed brushes or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0686 Nozzles with cleaning cloths, e.g. using disposal fabrics for covering the nozzle

Abstract

A battery-powered, upright vacuum sweeper comprises a base assembly and a handle pivotably attached thereto. The base assembly comprises a vacuum fan assembly fluidly communicating with an inlet for vacuuming dust and the debris particles from a surface into a removable reservoir. A rotating roller brush attached to the base assembly sweeps the particles into the inlet. A dust pad assembly comprises a disposable dust cloth extending over a portion of the base assembly in contact with the surface to be cleaned for removing dust particles which are not removed by vacuuming.

Claims

1. A vacuum cleaner comprising an upright handle pivotally mounted to a base assembly, the base assembly is adapted to move along a surface to be cleaned and comprising:

a nozzle opening extending across a portion of an underside of the base assembly for removing debris particles from the surface to be cleaned;

a dirt receptacle in the base assembly in communication with the nozzle opening for receiving the debris particles removed from the surface to be cleaned;

a motor-driven vacuum fan assembly in the base assembly in fluid communication with the nozzle opening and the dirt receptacle for moving the debris particles from the nozzle opening into the dirt receptacle;

a dust cloth mounted to the underside of the base assembly in spaced relationship to the nozzle opening and positioned for contacting the surface to be cleaned for removing dust from the surface simultaneously with the removal of debris particles from the surface through the nozzle opening; and

wherein the dust cloth is attached to a roll of said dust cloths mounted to the base assembly and the wherein the roll of dust cloths at least partially removably retains the dust cloth on the base assembly.

2. A vacuum cleaner comprising an upright handle pivotally mounted to a base assembly, the base assembly is adapted to move along a surface to be cleaned and comprising:

a nozzle opening extending across a portion of an underside of the base assembly for removing debris particles from the surface to be cleaned;

a dirt receptacle in the base assembly in communication with the nozzle opening for receiving the debris particles removed from die surface to be cleaned;

a motor-driven vacuum fan assembly in the base assembly in fluid communication with the nozzle opening and the dirt receptacle for moving the debris particles from the nozzle opening into the dirt receptacle;

a dust cloth mounted to the underside of the base assembly in spaced relationship to the nozzle opening and positioned for contacting the surface to be cleaned for removing dust from the surface simultaneously with the removal of debris particles from the surface through the nozzle opening; and

at least one cloth retainer mounted to an upper portion of the base assembly for removably retaining a portion of the dust cloth on the base assembly.

3. A vacuum cleaner comprising an upright handle pivotally mounted to a base assembly, the base assembly is adapted to move along a surface to be cleaned and comprising:

a nozzle opening extending across a portion of an underside of the base assembly for removing debris particles from the surface to be cleaned;

a dirt receptacle in the base assembly in communication with the nozzle opening for receiving the debris particles removed from the surface to be cleaned;

a motor-driven vacuum fan assembly in the base assembly in fluid communication with the nozzle opening and the dirt receptacle for moving the debris particles from the nozzle opening into the dirt receptacle;

a dust cloth mounted to the underside of the base assembly in spaced relationship to the nozzle opening and positioned for contacting the surface to be cleaned for removing dust from the surface simultaneously with the removal of debris particles from the surface through the nozzle opening; and

wherein the dirt receptacle and the motor-driven fan assembly are connected by an air duct and the handle is mounted for rotation about the air duct.

4. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 3 wherein the handle is mounted for rotation between a forward position and a rearward position for operation of the cleaner from a forward direction or a rearward direction with respect to the base assembly.

5. A vacuum cleaner comprising an upright handle pivotally mounted to a base assembly, the base assembly is adapted to move alone a surface to be cleaned and comprising:

a nozzle opening extending across a portion of an underside of the base assembly for removing debris particles from the surface to be cleaned;

a dirt receptacle in the base assembly in communication with the nozzle opening for receiving the debris particles removed from the surface to be cleaned;

a motor-driven vacuum fan assembly in the base assembly in fluid communication with the nozzle opening and the dirt receptacle for moving the debris particles from the nozzle opening into the dirt receptacle;

a dust cloth mounted to the underside of the base assembly in spaced relationship to the nozzle opening and positioned for contacting the surface to be cleaned for removing dust from the surface simultaneously with the removal of debris particles from die surface through the nozzle opening; and

a motor-driven brush assembly the base assembly for rotation in the nozzle opening.

6. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 5 wherein the brush assembly is driven about a horizontal axis.

7. A floor cleaner comprising an upright handle pivotally mounted to a base assembly, the base assembly is adapted to move along a surface to be cleaned and comprising:

a nozzle opening in an underside of the base assembly and a rotary driven brush assembly mounted for rotation in the nozzle opening for removing debris particles from the surface;

a dirt receptacle in communication with the nozzle opening for receiving the debris particles removed from the surface;

a dust cloth for removing dust from the surface to be cleaned and mounted to the underside of the base assembly for removing dust from the surface; and

a dust cloth panel hingedly mounted to the base assembly and mounting the dust cloth for selectively pivoting the dust cloth panel between a first, opened position away from the underside of the base assembly for removal and mounting of the dust cloth to the dust cloth panel and a second, closed position in operative position for contacting the surface to be cleaned.

8. The floor cleaner according to claim 7 and further comprising at least one first cloth retainer mounted to an upper surface of the dust cloth panel for retaining a first portion of the dust cloth.

9. The floor cleaner according to claim 8 and further comprising at least one second cloth retainer mounted to an upper portion of the base assembly for retaining a second portion of the dust cloth, whereby the dust cloth is positioned over a second, lower panel surface to remove dust from the surface as the base assembly is maneuvered over the surface.

10. The floor cleaner according to claim 9 and further comprising a pad attached to a lower surface of the dust cloth panel for supporting the dust cloth against the surface to be cleaned.

11. The floor cleaner according to claim 10 wherein the pad is a resilient pad.

12. The floor cleaner according to claim 9 wherein there are at least two second cloth retainers.

13. The floor cleaner according to claim 8 wherein there are at least two first cloth retainers.

14. A floor cleaner comprising an upright handle pivotally mounted to a base assembly, the base assembly is adapted to move along a surface to be cleaned and comprising:

a nozzle opening in an underside of the base assembly and a rotary driven brush assembly mounted for rotation in the nozzle opening for removing debris i,articles from the surface to be cleaned;

a dirt receptacle in communication with the nozzle opening for receiving debris particles removed from the surface to be cleaned;

a dust cloth for removing duet from the surface to be cleaned and mounted to the underside of the base assembly for removing dust from the surface; and

wherein the dust cloth is attached to a roll of said dust cloths mounted to the base assembly and the wherein the roll of dust cloths at least partially removably retains the dust cloth on the base assembly.

15. A floor cleaner comprising an upright handle pivotally mounted to a base assembly, the base assembly is adapted to move along a surface to be cleaned and comprising:

a nozzle opening in an underside of the base assembly and a rotary driven brush assembly mounted for rotation in the nozzle opening for removing debris particles from the surface;

a dirt receptacle in communication with the nozzle opening for receiving the debris particles removed from the surface;

a dust cloth for removing dust from the surface to be cleaned and mounted to the underside of the base assembly for removing dust from the surface; and

at least one cloth retainer mounted to an upper portion of the base assembly for removably retaining a portion of the dust cloth on the base assembly.

16. The floor cleaner according to claim 15 and further comprising a motor-driven vacuum fan assembly in fluid communication with the dirt receptacle for moving the debris particles from the brush assembly into the dirt receptacle.

17. The floor cleaner according to claim 16 and further comprising a battery pack removably mounted to the base assembly and connected to a motor for the vacuum fan assembly to supply electric power thereto.

18. A vacuum cleaner comprising an upright handle pivotally mounted to a base assembly, the base assembly is adapted to move along a surface to be cleaned and comprising:

a nozzle opening extending across a portion of an underside of the base assembly for removing debris particles from the surface to be cleaned;

a dirt receptacle in the base assembly in communication with the nozzle opening for receiving the debris particles removed from the surface to be cleaned;

a motor-driven vacuum fan assembly in the base assembly in fluid communication with the nozzle opening and the dirt receptacle for moving the debris particles from the nozzle opening into the dirt receptacle;

a dust cloth mounted to the underside of the base assembly in spaced relationship to the nozzle opening and positioned for contacting the surface to be cleaned for removing dust from the surface simultaneously with the removal of debris particles from the surface through the nozzle opening; and

a dust cloth panel removably mounting the dust cloth and mounted in the base assembly for movement away from the underside of the base assembly for service of the dust cloth.

19. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 18 and further comprising at least one first cloth retainer mounted to an upper surface of the dust cloth panel for retaining a first portion of the dust cloth.

20. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 19 and further comprising at least one second cloth retainer mounted to an upper portion of the base assembly for retaining a second portion of the dust cloth, whereby the dust cloth is positioned over a second, lower panel surface to remove dust from the surface as the base assembly is maneuvered over the surface.

21. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 20 and further comprising a pad attached to a lower surface of the dust cloth panel for supporting the dust cloth against the surface to be cleaned.

22. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 21 wherein the pad is a resilient pad.

23. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 20 wherein there are at least two second cloth retainers.

24. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 19 wherein there are at least two first cloth retainers.

25. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 18 and further comprising a pad attached to a lower surface of the dust cloth panel for supporting the dust cloth against the surface to be cleaned.

26. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 18 and further comprising a battery pack removably mounted to the base assembly and connected to a motor for the vacuum fan assembly to supply electric power thereto.

27. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 18 wherein the dust cloth panel is removably mounted in the base assembly.

28. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 18 wherein the dust cloth panel is hinged in the base assembly at one side thereof for selectively pivoting the dust cloth panel between a first, opened position away from the underside of the base assembly for removal and mounting of the dust cloth to the dust cloth panel and a second, closed position in operative position for contacting the surface to be cleaned.

29. A floor cleaner comprising an upright handle pivotally mounted to a base assembly, the base assembly is adapted to move along a surface to be cleaned and comprising:

a nozzle opening in the underside of the base assembly and a rotary driven brush assembly mounted for rotation in the nozzle opening for removing debris particles from the surface;

a dirt receptacle in the base assembly in communication with the nozzle opening for receiving the debris particles removed from the surface;

a dust cloth for removing dust from the surface to be cleaned and mounted in the base assembly at the underside thereof for removing dust from the surface; and

a dust cloth panel removably mounting the dust cloth and mounted to the base assembly for movement away from the base assembly for service of the dust cloth.

30. The floor cleaner according to claim 29 wherein the dust cloth panel is removably mounted to the base assembly.

31. The floor cleaner according to claim 29 and further comprising a pad attached to a lower surface of the dust cloth panel for supporting the dust cloth against the surface to be cleaned.

32. The floor cleaner according to claim 29 wherein the nozzle opening is at a front portion of the base assembly and the dust cloth is mounted to a rear portion of the base assembly.

33. The floor cleaner according to claim 29 wherein the nozzle opening is positioned at one end of the base assembly and the dust cloth panel is positioned at a second end of the base assembly, and the handle is mounted to the base assembly for rotation between a forward position overlying the nozzle opening and a rearward position overlying the dust cloth panel for operation of the sweeper from a forward position or rearward position with respect to the sweeper base assembly.

34. A floor cleaner comprising an upright handle pivotally mounted to a base assembly, the base assembly is adapted to move along a surface to be cleaned and comprising:

a nozzle opening in an underside of the base assembly;

a dirt receptacle in communication with the nozzle opening for receiving the debris particles removed from the surface;

a vacuum source connected to the nozzle opening and the dirt receptacle for removing debris particles and depositing them in the dirt receptacle;

a dust cloth for removing dust from the surface to be cleaned and mounted to the underside of the base assembly for removing dust from the surface; and

at least one cloth retainer mounted to an upper portion of the base assembly for removably retaining a portion of the dust cloth on the base assembly.

35. The floor cleaner according to claim 34 wherein the base assembly comprises a dust cloth panel that removably mounts the dust cloth and the cloth retainer is formed in the dust cloth panel.

36. A vacuum cleaner comprising an upright handle pivotally mounted to a base assembly, the base assembly is adapted to move along a surface to be cleaned and comprising:

a nozzle opening extending across a portion of an underside of a front portion of the base assembly for removing debris particles from the surface to be cleaned;

a dirt receptacle mounted in the base assembly in communication with the nozzle opening for receiving the debris particles removed from the surface;

a motor-driven vacuum fan assembly in the base assembly in fluid communication with the nozzle opening and the dirt receptacle for moving the debris particles from the nozzle opening into the dirt receptacle; and

a dust cloth mounted to the underside of the base assembly at a rear portion thereof and positioned only rearwardly of the nozzle opening for contacting the surface to be cleaned for removing dust from the surface simultaneously with the removal of debris particles from the surface through the nozzle opening.

37. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 36

wherein the handle is mounted to the base assembly for rotation between a forward position overlying the nozzle opening and a rearward position overlying the dust cloth for operation of the floor cleaner from a forward position or rearward position with respect to the base assembly.