Brush assembly and vacuum cleaner having the same

• US 8,196,258 B2
• Filed: 07/31/2008
• Issued: 06/12/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Seo, Ji-ho
• Primary Examiner(s): REDDING, DAVID A
• Application Number:
  US12/183,176
• Publication Number:
  US 20090235483A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,412 Days
• Field of Search: 153/65, 153/67, 153/68, 153/73, 154/02
• US Class Current: 15/364
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/06 with fixed, e.g. adjustably fixed brushes or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0653 with mechanical actuation, e.g. using a lever
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/066 with adjustably mounted brushes, combs, lips or pads; Height adjustment of nozzle or dust loosening tools for suction cleaners with handles and nozzles fixed on the casing A47L5/34

Abstract

A brush assembly for a vacuum cleaner includes a brush body having a suction inlet; a main brush which is rotatably coupled to the brush body through the suction inlet to face a surface being cleaned; and a secondary brush which is rotatably mounted on the brush body to rotate between at least two positions including a first position, in which the secondary brush contacts the surface being cleaned, and a second position, in which the secondary brush does not contact the surface being cleaned.

Claims

1. A brush assembly for a vacuum cleaner, comprising:

a brush body comprising a suction inlet;

a main brush which is rotatably coupled to the brush body at the suction inlet to face a surface being cleaned; and

a secondary brush which is rotatably mounted on the brush body, the secondary brush being configured to rotate between at least two positions including a first position, in which the secondary brush contacts the surface being cleaned, and a second position, in which the secondary brush does not contact the surface being cleaned,

wherein part of the secondary brush is located under the main brush when the secondary brush is in the first position.

2. The brush assembly of claim 1, wherein the secondary brush comprises:

a rake member comprising a plurality of teeth which are positioned along the suction inlet and which rotates between the at least two positions; and

at least one supporting bracket which rotatably connects both ends of the rake member to the brush body.

3. The brush assembly of claim 2, wherein

the plurality of teeth are made of rubber.

4. The brush assembly of claim 2, wherein

the supporting bracket is rotatably mounted in a recess which is formed in both ends of the brush body.

5. The brush assembly of claim 4, wherein

the secondary brush further comprises:

a stopper which prevents the rake member from rotating.

6. The brush assembly of claim 5, wherein the stopper comprises:

at least two fixing grooves which are formed on a portion adjacent to the recess in the brush body to correspond to the at least two positions of the rake member; and

a fixing member which is movably disposed on the supporting bracket so as to be selectively fitted into the at least two fixing grooves.

7. The brush assembly of claim 6, wherein

the fixing member is mounted on the supporting bracket in order to be slid between a first location, in which the fixing member is inserted into the fixing groove, and a second location, in which the fixing member is not inserted into the fixing groove.

8. A vacuum cleaner, comprising:

a cleaner body which generates a suction force; and

a brush assembly which removes dust from a surface being cleaned by drawing in dust-laden air into the cleaner body, the brush assembly including;

a brush body including a suction inlet;

a main brush which is rotatably coupled to the brush body at the suction inlet to face the surface; and

a secondary brush which is rotatably mounted on the brush body, the secondary brush being configured to rotate between at least two positions including a first position, in which the secondary brush contacts the surface being cleaned, and a second position, in which the secondary brush does not contact the surface being cleaned,

wherein part of the secondary brush is located under the main brush when the secondary brush is in the first position.

9. The vacuum cleaner of claim 8, wherein the secondary brush comprises:

a rake member comprising a plurality of teeth which are positioned along the suction inlet and which rotates between the at least two positions; and

at least one supporting bracket which rotatably connects both ends of the rake member to the brush body.

10. The vacuum cleaner of claim 9, wherein

the plurality of teeth are made of rubber.

11. The vacuum cleaner of claim 9, wherein

the supporting bracket is rotatably mounted in a recess which is formed in both ends of the brush body.

12. The vacuum cleaner of claim 11, wherein the secondary brush further comprises:

a stopper which prevents the rake member from rotating.

13. The vacuum cleaner of claim 12, wherein the stopper comprises:

at least two fixing grooves which are formed on a portion adjacent to the recess in the brush body to correspond to the at least two positions of the rake member; and

a fixing member which is movably disposed on the supporting bracket so as to be selectively fitted into the at least two fixing grooves.

14. The vacuum cleaner of claim 13, wherein

the fixing member is mounted on the supporting bracket in order to be slid between a first location, in which the fixing member is inserted into the fixing groove, and a second location, in which the fixing member is not inserted into the fixing groove.

15. The vacuum cleaner of claim 8, further comprising:

an extension pipe which connects the brush assembly to the cleaner body.

16. A brush assembly for a vacuum cleaner, comprising:

a main brush which is rotatably coupled to the brush body at the suction inlet to face a surface being cleaned; and

a secondary brush which is rotatably mounted on the brush body, and which rotates to contact the surface being cleaned, the secondary brush being located under the main brush when the secondary brush is in contact with the surface being cleaned.

17. The brush assembly of claim 16, wherein

the secondary brush comprises:

a stopper which prevents the secondary brush from rotating.