Combination cleaning attachment assembly

Abstract

A cleaning attachment assembly for a floor care apparatus includes a main body defining a suction conduit having an inlet and an outlet. A cleaning attachment mounting structure is carried on the main body. Either of two different cleaning attachments may be mounted to the main body by means of the cleaning attachment mounting structure. A retractable cover is received over the main body.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A cleaning attachment assembly for a floor care apparatus, comprising:
 a main body including a suction conduit having an inlet and an outlet;   a cleaning attachment mounting structure carried on said main body;   a first cleaning attachment that is selectively secured to said main body through said cleaning attachment mounting structure;   a second cleaning attachment that is selectively secured to said main body through said cleaning attachment mounting structure when said first cleaning attachment is not so attached; and   a cover received over said main body, said cover being displaceable between (a) a retracted position wherein either of said first or second cleaning attachment secured to said main body is exposed for use and (b) an extended position wherein said cover covers either of said first or second cleaning attachment secured to said main body.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said first cleaning attachment comprises a pet hair cleaning attachment. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein said pet hair cleaning attachment includes a bristleless, toothless cleaning surface and a second cleaning attachment mounting structure that cooperates with said cleaning attachment mounting structure to secure said first cleaning attachment to said main body. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 3 , wherein said second cleaning attachment comprises a base, a series of bristles projecting from said base, an air pathway at least partially encircled by said base and a third cleaning attachment mounting structure that cooperates with said cleaning attachment mounting structure to secure said second cleaning attachment to said main body. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 4 , wherein said pet hair cleaning attachment is made from a material selected from a group of materials consisting of thermoplastic rubber and said cleaning surface is smooth. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 4 , wherein said pet hair cleaning attachment is made from a material selected from a group of materials consisting of thermoplastic rubber and said cleaning surface is textured. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 4 , wherein said cleaning attachment mounting structure includes two, opposed projections. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 7 , wherein said second cleaning attachment mounting structure includes two opposed slots that receive said two opposed projections. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein one slot of said two opposed slots is provided upon a resilient tab. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 7 , wherein said third cleaning attachment mounting structure includes two opposed slots that receive said two opposed projections. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 10 , wherein one slot of said two opposed slots is provided upon a resilient tab. 
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said main body includes at least one guide projection. 
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 12 , wherein said cover includes at least one guide channel for receiving and sliding along said at least one guide projection. 
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 13 , wherein said cover includes a series of guide ribs projecting toward said main body. 
     
     
         15 . The assembly of  claim 9 , wherein said cover includes an open space to allow access to said resilient tab in order to remove said first cleaning attachment from said main body. 
     
     
         16 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further including a lock carried on said main body for securing said assembly to the floor care apparatus. 
     
     
         17 . The assembly of  claim 16 , wherein said lock is pivotally mounted to said main body and a spring biases said lock into a locking position. 
     
     
         18 . The assembly of  claim 17 , wherein said lock includes a locking lug and an actuator button. 
     
     
         19 . The assembly of  claim 18 , wherein said cover includes a first stop for limiting sliding movement of said cover on said main body when said cover is moved into said extended position. 
     
     
         20 . The assembly of  claim 19 , wherein said cover includes a groove extending around said lock and forming a second stop for limiting sliding movement of said cover on said main body when said cover is moved into said retracted position.