Multi-use floor tool

Abstract

A multi-use floor tool, with which the same nozzle can be used in both dry and wet vacuum operation, and which allows for both wet and dry cleaning attachments to be easily attached and removed is disclosed. One such cleaning attachment for dry operation is a bristle brush which, when attached to the nozzle, is able to rotate, such that debris is collected with both the push and pull cleaning motions and such that for each motion, air flows primarily through the side of the nozzle at which debris is being gathered. The attachment for wet operation is a squeegee, which is rigidly attached to the nozzle having an insert which reduces the area of air flow into the nozzle and thereby increases the effectiveness of wet cleaning. This design increases the effectiveness of both wet and dry operation, and allows the operator to effectively clean in both wet and dry conditions while using the same nozzle.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A floor tool comprising: 
 a nozzle housing adapted to be coupled to a vacuum device, the nozzle housing defining an air flow passage;    a cleaning attachment; and    at least one snap affixed inside of said housing, the snap adapted to receive the cleaning attachment to removably affix the cleaning attachment to the housing.    
     
     
         2 . The floor tool of  claim 1 , said snap comprising a plurality of extensions such that the head of a cleaning attachment can be inserted between said extensions and affixed thereby to the housing.  
     
     
         3 . The floor tool of  claim 1 , said cleaning attachment further comprising: 
 a head; and    a cleaning element attached to the head, the cleaning element sized such that when the head is attached to the nozzle, at least a portion of the cleaning element extends from the bottom of said housing.    
     
     
         4 . The floor tool of  claim 1 , said cleaning attachment comprising a brush having a brush head and a plurality of bristles affixed to the head and sized such that, when attached to the latch, at least a portion of said bristles extend out of the head, said brush head able to be rotatably attached to said latch such that said cleaning attachment is able to rotate around the longitudinal axis of said brush head.  
     
     
         5 . The floor tool of  claim 1 , said cleaning attachment comprising a squeegee having a squeegee head with a squeegee body attached to the head and sized such that when attached to the latch, at least a portion of said body extends out of said head, said cleaning assembly able to be attached to said snap.  
     
     
         6 . The floor tool of  claim 5 , said squeegee body being resiliently flexible.  
     
     
         7 . The floor tool of  claim 5 , said cleaning attachment further comprising a nozzle insert, having an inner opening, said nozzle insert able to be attached to the bottom of said nozzle housing such that said squeegee body fits laterally through said inner opening, said inner opening being smaller in cross-sectional area than the bottom surface area of said nozzle housing.  
     
     
         8 . A floor tool comprising: 
 a nozzle housing adapted to be coupled to a vacuum device;    at least one snap affixed inside of said housing; and    a cleaning attachment adapted to be attached to and removed from said snap.    
     
     
         9 . The floor tool of  claim 8 , said cleaning attachment further comprising a head adapted to be detachably affixed to said snaps, and a cleaning element affixed to said head.  
     
     
         10 . The floor tool of  claim 9 , said cleaning element comprising a brush, said head adapted to rotate around its longitudinal axis when attached to said snaps.  
     
     
         11 . The floor tool of  claim 10 , said brush comprising a plurality of bristles, said bristles being attached to a brush head.  
     
     
         12 . The floor tool of  claim 9 , wherein said cleaning attachment comprises a squeegee head adapted to be attached to said snaps, and a squeegee body attached to said squeegee head.  
     
     
         13 . The floor tool of  claim 12 , said cleaning attachment further comprising a nozzle insert having an inner opening, which can be attached to said nozzle housing having a smaller surface area than the bottom surface area of said nozzle housing.  
     
     
         14 . The floor tool of  claim 13 , wherein said nozzle insert is substantially the same shape as the bottom opening of the nozzle housing and said inner opening is shaped such that said squeegee body is able to fit perpendicularly through said inner opening.  
     
     
         15 . The floor tool of  claim 14 , wherein said insert further comprises a plurality of tabs along its outside edges and housing further comprises a plurality of recesses along its inner sides corresponding to said tabs, such that said insert can be rigidly affixed to said recesses on the inside surface of said nozzle housing.  
     
     
         16 . The floor tool of  claim 8 , said snap being attached to the inside of said housing substantially on said housing's longitudinal center.  
     
     
         17 . The floor tool of  claim 8 , said snap comprising a plurality of flexible extensions.  
     
     
         18 . A floor tool comprising: 
 a nozzle housing adapted to be coupled to a vacuum device;    a retention means affixed inside of said housing; and    a cleaning attachment adapted to be attached to and removed from said retention means.    
     
     
         19 . A vacuum comprising: 
 a tub;    a suction means attached to said tub;    a hose attached to said suction means;    a nozzle adapted to be coupled to said hose, the nozzle housing defining an air flow passage;    a cleaning attachment; and    at least one snap affixed inside of said housing, the snap adapted to receive the cleaning attachment to removably affix the cleaning attachment to the housing.    
     
     
         20 . The vacuum of  claim 19 , said snap comprising a plurality of extensions such that the head of a cleaning attachment can be inserted between said extensions and affixed thereby to the housing.  
     
     
         21 . The vacuum of  claim 19 , said cleaning attachment further comprising: 
 a head; and    a cleaning element attached to the head.    
     
     
         22 . The vacuum of  claim 19 , said cleaning attachment comprising a brush having a brush head and a plurality of bristles affixed to the head and sized such that, when attached to the snap, at least a portion of said bristles extend out of the head, said brush head able to be rotatably attached to said snap such that said cleaning attachment is able to rotate around the longitudinal axis of said brush head.  
     
     
         23 . The vacuum of  claim 19 , said cleaning attachment comprising a squeegee having a squeegee head with a squeegee body attached to the head and sized such that when attached to the snap, at least a portion of said body extends out of said head, said cleaning assembly adapted to be attached to said snap.