Surface Cleaning Apparatus

Abstract

A surface cleaning apparatus comprises a debris retrieval body ( 3 ), and a first collection means ( 47 ) and a second collection means ( 13 ) provided within the debris retrieval body for accumulating debris from a surface to be cleaned. A rotatable elongate brush arrangement ( 27 ) is provided within the debris retrieval body and is adapted to retrieve a first portion of debris from the surface to be cleaned and to direct the first portion of the debris along a first pathway ( 311 ) into the first collection means ( 47 ). A first inlet aperture ( 75 ) is provided in the debris retrieval body for the passage along a second pathway ( 315 ), independent of the first pathway, of a second portion of debris from the surface to be cleaned to the second collection means, the first inlet aperture communicating with a first means for creating suction ( 17 ). A second inlet aperture ( 85 ) is provided in the debris retrieval body for the passage along a third pathway ( 313 ), independent of the first and second pathways, of a third portion of debris from the surface to be cleaned to means for connection to a second means for creating suction.

1 . A surface cleaning apparatus comprising:
 a debris retrieval body ( 3 );   a first collection means ( 47 ) and a second collection means ( 13 ) provided within the debris retrieval body for accumulating debris from a surface to be cleaned;   a rotatable elongate brush arrangement ( 27 ) provided within the debris retrieval body and adapted to retrieve a first portion of debris from the surface to be cleaned and to direct the first portion of the debris along a first pathway ( 311 ) into the first collection means ( 47 );   a first inlet aperture ( 75 ) provided in the debris retrieval body for the passage along a second pathway ( 315 ), independent of the first pathway, of a second portion of debris from the surface to be cleaned to the second collection means, the first inlet aperture communicating with a first means for creating suction ( 17 ); and   a second inlet aperture ( 85 ) provided in the debris retrieval body for the passage along a third pathway ( 313 ), independent of the first and second pathways, of a third portion of debris from the surface to be cleaned to means for connection to a second means for creating suction.   
   
   
       2 . A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first means for creating suction ( 17 ) is provided within the debris retrieval body ( 3 ). 
   
   
       3 . A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the second means for creating suction is provided remotely from the debris retrieval body ( 3 ). 
   
   
       4 . A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the remotely provided means for creating suction is incorporated into a cleaner body adapted for attachment to the debris retrieval body. 
   
   
       5 . A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first means for creating suction ( 17 ) is a cyclonic suction generating system. 
   
   
       6 . A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the second means for creating suction is a cyclonic suction generating system. 
   
   
       7 . A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first inlet aperture ( 75 ) is elongate. 
   
   
       8 . A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first inlet aperture ( 75 ) is spaced from the elongate brush arrangement ( 27 ). 
   
   
       9 . A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of perforations is provided in a removable plate ( 77 ) covering the first inlet aperture ( 75 ). 
   
   
       10 . A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the second inlet aperture ( 85 ) is elongate. 
   
   
       11 . A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the second inlet aperture ( 85 ) is spaced from the elongate brush arrangement ( 27 ). 
   
   
       12 . A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of perforations is provided in a removable plate ( 77 ) covering the second inlet aperture ( 85 ). 
   
   
       13 . A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the debris retrieval body is provided with an opening ( 32 ) through which bristles of the elongate brush arrangement extend for retrieving the first portion of debris. 
   
   
       14 . A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the opening ( 32 ) for the bristles is separate from the first inlet aperture ( 75 ). 
   
   
       15 . A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the first inlet aperture ( 75 ) extends substantially parallel and adjacent to the opening for the bristles of the elongate brush arrangement. 
   
   
       16 . A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the opening ( 32 ) for the bristles is separate from the second inlet aperture ( 85 ). 
   
   
       17 . A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the second inlet aperture ( 85 ) extends substantially parallel and adjacent to the opening for the bristles of the elongate brush arrangement. 
   
   
       18 . A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the second inlet aperture has a greater area than the first inlet aperture. 
   
   
       19 . A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is adapted to convey the first portion of debris directly to the first collection means ( 47 ). 
   
   
       20 . A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first collection means ( 47 ) is in the form of a removable tray. 
   
   
       21 . A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the second collection means is in the form of a removable tray. 
   
   
       22 . A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a lower edge ( 33 ) of a front wall ( 31 ) of the debris retrieval body is maintained at a distance from the surface to be cleaned. 
   
   
       23 . A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein the lower edge ( 33 ) of the front wall ( 31 ) of the debris retrieval body is provided with a recess ( 35 ). 
   
   
       24 . A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a battery ( 51 ) is provided to pro-vide power to rotate the elongate brush arrangement ( 27 ) and to power the first means for creating suction ( 17 ). 
   
   
       25 . A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a mains power supply is provided to power the second means for creating suction.