Rotary agitator with reverse helix pattern

Abstract

A rotary agitator for a cleaning apparatus includes a cylindrical body and a projecting cleaning element carried on that cylindrical body. The projecting cleaning element has a chevron shape and includes a first, outwardly directed face and a second, inwardly directed face. The first outwardly directed face defines a leading edge during agitator rotation whereby nap of an underlying carpet being cleaned is pushed outwardly toward opposing ends of the cylindrical body. Accordingly, dirt at the base of the nap is exposed to the airstream and better, deep cleaning efficiency is provided.

1 . A rotary agitator for a cleaning apparatus, comprising: 
 a cylindrical body; and    a projecting cleaning element carried on said cylindrical body, said projecting cleaning element having a chevron shape and including a first, outwardly directed face and a second, inwardly directed face, said first, outwardly directed face defining a leading edge during agitator rotation whereby nap of an underlying carpet being cleaned is pushed outwardly toward opposing ends of said cylindrical body.    
   
   
       2 . The rotary agitator of  claim 1  wherein said projecting cleaning element includes an apex adjacent a midline of said cylindrical body.  
   
   
       3 . The rotary agitator of  claim 2 , wherein said projecting cleaning element is interrupted.  
   
   
       4 . The rotary agitator of  claim 3 , wherein an interruption in said projecting cleaning element is provided at said apex.  
   
   
       5 . The rotary agitator of  claim 1 , wherein said projecting cleaning element includes a wall of bristles.  
   
   
       6 . The rotary agitator of  claim 1 , wherein said projecting cleaning element includes at least one bristle tuft.  
   
   
       7 . The rotary agitator of  claim 1 , wherein said projecting cleaning element is selected from a group of structures consisting of a smooth and continuous rib, beater bar, wiper or a series thereof.  
   
   
       8 . A rotary agitator, comprising: 
 a cylindrical body having a midline, a first end, a second end, a rotational axis and a direction of rotation about said rotational axis;    a first projecting cleaning element extending from a first point adjacent said midline of said cylindrical body toward said first end of said cylindrical body in said direction of rotation; and    a second projecting cleaning element extending from a second point adjacent said midline of said cylindrical body toward said second end of said cylindrical body in said direction of rotation;    whereby nap of an underlying carpet being cleaned is pushed outwardly toward said first and second ends of said cylindrical body.    
   
   
       9 . The rotary agitator of  claim 8  wherein said first projecting cleaning element is interrupted.  
   
   
       10 . The rotary agitator of  claim 9 , wherein said second projecting cleaning element is interrupted.  
   
   
       11 . The rotary agitator of  claim 8 , wherein at least one of said first projecting cleaning element and said second projecting cleaning element includes a wall of bristles.  
   
   
       12 . The rotary agitator of  claim 8 , wherein at least one of said first projecting cleaning element and said second projecting cleaning element includes at least one bristle tuft.  
   
   
       13 . The rotary agitator of  claim 8 , wherein said projecting cleaning element is selected from a group of structures consisting of a smooth and continuous rib, beater bar, wiper or a series thereof.  
   
   
       14 . A method of cleaning nap of a rug or carpet utilizing a rotary agitator, comprising: 
 rotating said rotary agitator and brushing said nap outwardly toward opposing ends of said rotary agitator.    
   
   
       15 . A method of cleaning nap of a rug or carpet with a floor care appliance, comprising: 
 providing a suction inlet port and suction generator for drawing dirt and debris from a rug or carpet into said floor care appliance;    brushing said nap of said carpet away from said suction inlet port so as to expose a base of said nap to an airstream being drawn into said suction inlet port.    
   
   
       16 . A floor care appliance, comprising: 
 a housing;    a suction generator carried on said housing;    a dirt collection vessel carried on said housing;    a rotary agitator carried on said housing, said rotary agitator being characterized by a cylindrical body and a projecting cleaning element carried on said cylindrical body, said projecting cleaning element having a chevron shape and including a first, outwardly directed face and a second, inwardly directed face, said first, outwardly directed face defining a leading edge during agitator rotation whereby nap of an underlying carpet being cleaned is pushed outwardly toward opposing ends of said cylindrical body.    
   
   
       17 . A floor care appliance, comprising: 
 a housing;    a suction generator carried on said housing;    a dirt collection vessel carried on said housing;    a suction inlet port carried on said housing and provided in fluid communication with said suction generator;    an agitator carried on said housing, said agitator including a nap engaging projection having an opening therein substantially aligned with said suction inlet port and a leading edge diverging from said suction inlet port for displacing nap of an underlying carpet away from said suction inlet port.