Brush assembly for a cleaning device

Abstract

A cleaning device for cleaning a surface is provided including a base for movement along a surface, a suction nozzle associated with the base, and a suction source for drawing liquid and dirt from the surface through the suction nozzle. The cleaning device further includes a brush assembly operatively connected to the base, wherein the brush assembly has at least one brush, which includes a first set of pliable elements extending downwardly from the brush and contacting the surface. The pliable elements slope downwardly and outwardly with the first set of pliable elements having at least a first group of pliable elements and a second group of pliable elements, wherein each of the pliable elements of the second group of the first set extend downwardly from the brush at a length less than the first group of the first set and the second group of pliable elements of the first set being positioned inwardly from the first group of the pliable elements of the first set.

1 - 20 . (canceled)  
   
   
       21 . A cleaning device for cleaning a surface comprising: 
 a base for movement along the surface;    a suction nozzle associated with said base;    a suction source for drawing liquid and dirt from said surface through said suction nozzle;    a brush assembly operatively connected to said base;    said brush assembly having at least one brush including plural pliable elements, wherein said brush includes outer pliable elements and inner pliable elements; and    wherein said outer pliable elements terminate in a first plane, and said inner pliable elements terminate in a second plane vertically offset upwardly from said first plane.    
   
   
       22 . The cleaning device of  claim 21 , wherein said outer pliable elements and said inner pliable elements are arranged to form an outer ring of pliable elements and an inner ring of pliable elements.  
   
   
       23 . The cleaning device of  claim 21 , wherein said outer pliable elements are arranged in a pair of parallel rows, and said inner pliable elements are arranged in a second pair of parallel rows.  
   
   
       24 . The cleaning device of  claim 21 , wherein said brush defines at least one opening for dispensing liquid to the surface, said opening being located between said inner and outer set of pliable elements.  
   
   
       25 . The cleaning device of  claim 21 , wherein said pliable elements are bristle bundles.