Nozzle brush arrangements for vacuum cleaner assemblies

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner assembly is disclosed. The vacuum cleaner assembly comprises at least one brushroll and at least one nozzle brush. The brushroll is rotatably supported about a first axis within the vacuum cleaner and is operatively connected to a motor. The nozzle brush is operatively connected to the brushroll and configured to rotate about a second axis. When the brushroll is rotated about the first axis, the nozzle brush is actuated to rotate about the second axis.

1 . A vacuum cleaner, comprising:
 at least one brushroll rotatably supported about a first axis housed within the vacuum cleaner, wherein the brushroll is operatively connected to a motor;   at least one nozzle brush operatively connected to the brushroll and configured to rotate about a second axis such that when the brushroll is rotated about the first axis, the nozzle brush rotates about the second axis;   an air channel positioned within the vacuum cleaner; and   an air flow groove formed through a portion of the vacuum cleaner such that the air flow groove communicates with an exterior of the vacuum cleaner and the air channel formed in the vacuum cleaner.   
     
     
         2 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 1 , further comprising a first gear fixedly secured to one end of the brushroll, wherein the gear is rotatably driven by the brushroll and is operatively connected to the nozzle brush. 
     
     
         3 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 2 , wherein the first gear is comprised of at least a driving portion and a driven portion. 
     
     
         4 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 3 , wherein the driving portion is comprised of a metallic material. 
     
     
         5 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 3 , wherein the driven portion is comprised of a plastic material. 
     
     
         6 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 2 , wherein the first gear may be one of a spur, worm, hypoid, or bevel gear. 
     
     
         7 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 1 , wherein the nozzle brush includes a base portion having a groove formed thereon. 
     
     
         8 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 7 , further including at least one spindle fixedly secured to one end of the brushroll, wherein the spindle is rotatably driven by the brushroll and is operatively connected to the nozzle brush. 
     
     
         9 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 8 , further comprising a rotary belt engaged with the spindle and the groove formed in the nozzle brush. 
     
     
         10 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 1 , wherein the first axis about which the brushroll rotates is positioned so as to be substantially horizontal with respect to an engaged surface and wherein the second axis about which the nozzle brush rotates is substantially vertical with respect to the engaged surface. 
     
     
         11 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 1 , wherein a distance between the brushroll and a surface to be engaged by the brushroll is selectively adjustable. 
     
     
         12 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 1 , wherein a distance between the nozzle brush and a surface to be engaged by the nozzle brush is selectively adjustable. 
     
     
         13 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 1 , wherein the nozzle brush further comprises removably attached bristles. 
     
     
         14 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 1 , wherein the brushroll further comprises removably attached bristles. 
     
     
         15 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 1 , further comprising a casing that houses the brushroll within the vacuum cleaner, wherein the casing further comprises an angled recess configured to facilitate the uptake of debris. 
     
     
         16 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 15 , wherein one edge of the recess is positioned to direct debris into an aperture formed in a housing of the vacuum cleaner, wherein the aperture is in fluid communication with an air channel formed in the housing that fluidly communicates with an opening of the vacuum chamber. 
     
     
         17 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 1 , further including a motor shaft mechanically communicating with the motor, wherein the motor arm engages a drive belt that is operatively connected to the brushroll. 
     
     
         18 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 1 , further including a drive shaft connected with the motor, wherein the drive shaft is operatively connected to the brushroll to rotate the brushroll. 
     
     
         19 . The vacuum cleaner  claim 1 , wherein the nozzle brush rotates in sync with the brushroll. 
     
     
         20 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 1 , wherein the brushroll operates at a first predetermined rotational speed and the nozzle brush operates at a second predetermined rotational speed. 
     
     
         21 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 20 , wherein the ratio of the first and second predetermined rotational speeds ranges from 1:1 to 1:20. 
     
     
         22 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 1 , further comprising a recess formed adjacent the brushroll, wherein the recess comprises an angled surface configured to direct debris toward an aperture of the air channel and away from the brushroll. 
     
     
         23 . A vacuum cleaner assembly, comprising:
 a base having an outer portion, a panel cover, and one or more wheels;   a motor positioned within a housing, the housing having an aperture that is in communication with an air channel that fluidly communicates with an opening of a vacuum chamber within a body of the vacuum cleaner assembly;   a motor shaft connected to the motor and engaged with a drive belt, wherein the drive belt is operatively connected to a brushroll positioned in the base;   a worm gear is attached to each end of the brushroll, such that rotation of the brushroll also rotates each worm gear in sync with the brushroll;   a nozzle brush in operative engagement with each worm gear, wherein rotation of the brushroll rotates the nozzle brush to facilitate loosening and uptake of debris on a surface engaged by the vacuum cleaner assembly; and   a recess formed adjacent the brushroll, wherein the recess comprises an angled surface configured to direct debris toward the aperture and away from the brushroll.   
     
     
         24 . A vacuum cleaner assembly, comprising:
 a base having an outer portion, a panel cover, and one or more wheels;   a motor positioned within a housing that is seated within the base, the housing having an aperture in communication with an air channel that fluidly communicates with an opening of a vacuum chamber within a body of the vacuum cleaner assembly;   a motor shaft connected to the motor and engaged with a drive belt, wherein the drive belt is operatively connected to a brushroll positioned in the base;   wherein the brushroll further includes at least one spindle positioned at an end thereof;   at least one nozzle brush positioned within the base;   a rotary belt wrapped around the spindle and a portion of the nozzle brush, wherein the nozzle brush rotates in response to the rotation of the brushroll to facilitate loosening and uptake of debris on a surface engaged by the vacuum cleaner assembly.