Electric rotary brush module

Abstract

An electric rotary brush module for external use at the mouth or entrance of a vacuum cleaner, comprising a casing having an inlet and an outlet and an internal passage extending from the inlet through to the outlet. The outlet is adapted for detachable connection to the entrance of the vacuum cleaner for communication therewith. A brush is supported for rotation in the passage within the inlet. The brush protrudes slightly outwardly from the inlet. An electric motor is located within the casing for rotating the brush.

1 . An electric rotary brush module for external use at the entrance of a vacuum cleaner, comprising a casing having an inlet and an outlet and an internal passage extending from the inlet through to the outlet, said outlet being adapted for detachable connection to the entrance of said vacuum cleaner for communication therewith, a brush supported for rotation in the passage within the inlet, said brush protruding slightly outwardly from the inlet, and an electric motor located within the casing for rotating the brush.  
     
     
         2 . The electric rotary brush module as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the outlet of the casing has an external cross-section smaller than an internal cross-section of the entrance of said vacuum cleaner, for insertion into the entrance for connection thereto.  
     
     
         3 . The electric rotary brush module as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the external cross-section of the casing outlet is marginally smaller than the internal cross section of the entrance of said vacuum cleaner, such that the outlet is connectable to the entrance by function.  
     
     
         4 . The electric rotary brush module as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the outlet of the casing comprises a sleeve projecting at an inclined acute angle backwards from an upper side of the casing.  
     
     
         5 . The electric rotary brush module as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the inlet of the casing has an opening that is substantially flat and is oblong in a direction transverse to that of the passage.  
     
     
         6 . The electric rotary brush module as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the casing comprises an upper shell including the outlet and a lower shell including the inlet, said upper and lower shells being secured together to form the casing.  
     
     
         7 . The electric rotary brush module as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the brush has an axis of rotation extending across an or the opening of the casing inlet in a direction transverse to that of the passage.  
     
     
         8 . The electric rotary brush module as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the brush has a body comprising a spool.  
     
     
         9 . The electric rotary brush module as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the brush has a body supported by at least one co-axial pin for rotation about the pin.  
     
     
         10 . The electric rotary brush module as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the brush has a body and includes tufts of bristles that are arranged in a substantially helical manner along the length of the body.  
     
     
         11 . The electric rotary brush module as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the brush and the motor are arranged to have respective axes that are parallel to each other, and drive transmission means is provided between the motor and the brush for transmitting the drive of the motor to the brush.  
     
     
         12 . The electric rotary brush module as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the drive transmission means is speed reducing.  
     
     
         13 . The electric rotary brush module as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the drive transmission means comprises a relatively smaller circular member mounted fast on a shaft of the motor, a relatively larger circular member fixed to the brush about its axis of rotation, and a belt disposed in engagement around the two circular members.  
     
     
         14 . The electric rotary brush module as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the motor has a pair of terminals connected to an electrical connector for connection to an external power source.  
     
     
         15 . The electric rotary brush module as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the electrical connector is located at an outer surface of the brush module casing, and the brush module includes a separate cable having opposite ends connectable to the electrical connector and an external power source respectively.  
     
     
         16 . A combination of the electric rotary brush module as claimed in  claim 1  and a vacuum cleaner having a entrance at which the brush module is adapted for external connection and use.  
     
     
         17 . A combination of the electric rotary brush module as claimed in  claim 14  and a vacuum cleaner having a entrance at which the brush module is adapted for external connection and use, wherein the vacuum cleaner has a body housing an electric motor for operating the vacuum cleaner, said motor having a pair of terminals connected to an electrical connector located at an outer surface of the body, to which connector the electrical connector of the brush module is connectable externally by means of a separate cable such that the two motors of the brush module and vacuum cleaner are connected in parallel together.  
     
     
         18 . The combination as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the vacuum cleaner includes an electrical switch for controlling the operation of its motor as well as the motor of the brush module when the two motors are connected in parallel together.