US2017296009A1PendingUtilityA1
Floor tool
Est. expiryJul 7, 2034(~7.9 yrs left)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
A47L 9/02A47L 9/0455A47L 9/0411A47L 9/0606A47L 9/04A47L 9/06A47L 9/0477A47L 9/0444
50
PatentIndex Score
0
Cited by
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References
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Claims
Abstract
A floor tool for an apparatus for cleaning a floor surface. The floor tool including a floor facing surface having a floor facing inlet for receiving dirty air, an outlet aperture for communication with the suction source, and a passage in fluid communication with the outlet aperture, which passage extends laterally across the floor facing surface and terminates at respective lateral inlets for receiving dirty air. The floor tool further including a sealing member for engaging with a floor surface during use, which sealing member extends away from the floor facing surface and laterally across the floor facing surface to block a flow of air towards the passage when the floor tool is engaged with a floor surface. During use, the or a substantial portion of the weight of the floor tool is borne/carried by the sealing member.
Claims
exact text as granted — not AI-modified1 . A floor tool for an apparatus for cleaning a floor surface, said apparatus including a source of suction, the floor tool including:
a floor facing surface having a floor facing inlet for receiving dirty air; an outlet aperture for communication with the suction source; a passage in fluid communication with the outlet aperture, which passage extends laterally across the floor facing surface and terminates at respective lateral inlets for receiving dirty air; and a sealing member for engaging with a floor surface during use, which sealing member extends away from the floor facing surface and laterally across the floor facing surface to block a flow of air towards the passage when the floor tool is engaged with a floor surface, wherein, during use, the or a substantial portion of the weight of the floor tool is borne/carried by the sealing member.
2 . A floor tool for an apparatus for cleaning a floor surface, said apparatus including a source of suction, the floor tool including:
a floor facing surface having a floor facing inlet for receiving dirty air; an outlet aperture for communication with the suction source; a passage in fluid communication with the outlet aperture, which passage extends laterally across the floor facing surface and terminates at respective lateral inlets for receiving dirty air; and a sealing member for engaging with a floor surface during use, which sealing member extends away from the floor facing surface and laterally across the floor facing surface to block a flow of air towards the passage when the floor tool is engaged with a floor surface, wherein the sealing member provides a primary engagement or primary support of the floor tool on the floor surface.
3 . A floor tool according to claim 2 , wherein the sealing member provides the only or sole engagement or support of the floor tool on the floor surface.
4 . A floor tool for an apparatus for cleaning a floor surface, said apparatus including a source of suction, the floor tool including:
a floor facing surface having a floor facing inlet for receiving dirty air; an outlet aperture for communication with the suction source; a passage in fluid communication with the outlet aperture, which passage extends laterally across the floor facing surface and terminates at respective lateral inlets for receiving dirty air; and a sealing member for engaging with a floor surface during use, which sealing member extends away from the floor facing surface and laterally across the floor facing surface to block a flow of air towards the passage when the floor tool is engaged with a floor surface, wherein the sealing member spaces the floor facing inlet from the floor surface.
5 . A floor tool for an apparatus for cleaning a floor surface, said apparatus including a source of suction, the floor tool including:
a floor facing surface having a floor facing inlet for receiving dirty air; an outlet aperture for communication with the suction source; a passage in fluid communication with the outlet aperture, which passage extends laterally across the floor facing surface and terminates at respective lateral inlets for receiving dirty air; and a sealing member for engaging with a floor surface during use, which sealing member extends away from the floor facing surface and laterally across the floor facing surface to block a flow of air towards the passage when the floor tool is engaged with a floor surface, wherein the lateral inlets and/or portions of the passage adjacent thereto are free of substantial restrictions to the flow of air therethrough and/or therepast.
6 . A floor tool according to any preceding claim, wherein the floor facing inlet includes forwardly and rearwardly positioned peripheral portions and wherein the distance between the sealing member and one of the forward or rearward peripheral portions is at least a distance of 6.0 mm.
7 . A floor tool according to claim 6 , wherein the distance is at least 7.0 mm, preferably at least 8.0 mm.
8 . A floor tool according to claim 6 or 7 or 8 , wherein the distance is 9.1 mm or about 9.1 mm, or it is 8.7 mm or about 8.7 mm.
9 . A floor tool according to any preceding claim, including a further said sealing member, wherein one of the sealing members is positioned forwardly of the floor facing inlet and the other of the sealing members is positioned rearwardly of the floor facing inlet.
10 . A floor tool according to claim 9 when directly or indirectly dependent on claim 6 , wherein the forward sealing member is positioned further away from the forward peripheral portion of the floor facing inlet than the rearward sealing member is positioned relative to the rearward peripheral portion of the floor facing inlet.
11 . A floor tool according to claim 9 or 10 when directly or indirectly dependent on claim 6 , wherein the forward sealing member is spaced at a distance of 9.1 mm or about 9.1 mm from the forward peripheral portion of the floor facing inlet.
12 . A floor tool according to claim 9 , 10 or 11 when directly or indirectly dependent on claim 6 , wherein the rearward sealing member is spaced at a distance of 8.7 mm or about 8.7 mm from the rearward peripheral portion of the floor facing inlet.
13 . A floor tool according to any preceding claim, wherein a substantial portion of the sealing member(s) lies in a plane substantially parallel with a floor surface when the sealing member(s) is engaged with the floor surface.
14 . A floor tool according to any preceding claim, wherein a distal portion of the sealing member(s) is spaced at a distance of between 3.0 mm and 6.0 mm in a vertical direction from a peripheral portion of the floor facing inlet.
15 . A floor tool according to claim 14 , wherein said peripheral portion is defined by one of the lateral inlets.
16 . A floor tool according to claim 14 or 15 , wherein the sealing member(s) extends a distance of between 4.5 to 5.5 mm.
17 . A floor tool according to claim 16 , wherein the sealing member(s) extends a distance of 5.0 mm or about 5.0 mm.
18 . A floor tool according to any preceding claim, wherein the sealing member(s) includes:
a base portion connected to a housing; and a distal portion for engagement with a floor surface, wherein the sealing member tapers in cross-section as it extends from the base portion towards the distal portion.
19 . A floor tool according to any preceding claim, wherein the sealing member(s) is generally wedge-shaped in cross-section.
20 . A floor tool according to claim 19 , wherein the thickness of the sealing member at the distal portion is between 0.1 and 0.5 mm, and preferably is 0.3 mm or about 0.3 mm.
21 . A floor tool according to any preceding claim, wherein the sealing member(s) moves or deforms when engaged with a floor surface.
22 . A floor tool according to any preceding claim, wherein the sealing member(s) extends across the floor tool the same distance or about the same distance as the passage.
23 . A floor tool according to any preceding claim, wherein the sealing member(s) is generally elongate.
24 . A floor tool for an apparatus for cleaning a floor surface, said apparatus including a source of suction, the floor tool including:
a floor facing surface having a floor facing inlet for receiving dirty air; an outlet aperture for communication with the suction source having a cross-sectional area A; a passage in fluid communication with the outlet aperture, which passage extends laterally across the floor facing surface and terminates at respective lateral inlets for receiving dirty air, wherein one or both of the lateral inlets has a cross-sectional area B; and wherein the ratio of area A to area B (A:B) is in the range of 12:1 and 8:1.
25 . A floor tool according to claim 24 , wherein the ratio is in the range of 11:1 to 9:1.
26 . A floor tool according to claim 25 , wherein the ratio is 10:1 or about 10:1.
27 . A floor tool for an apparatus for cleaning a floor surface, said apparatus including a source of suction, the floor tool including:
a floor facing surface having a floor facing inlet for receiving dirty air; and an outlet aperture for communication with the suction source via a conduit having a longitudinal axis, wherein the longitudinal axis of the conduit is inclined at an angle of between 45 and 55 degrees with respect to a plane containing the floor facing inlet.
28 . A floor tool according to claim 27 , wherein the longitudinal axis of the conduit is fixed or can be fixed with respect to the floor facing inlet.
29 . A floor tool according to claim 27 or 28 , wherein the angle is between 45 and 50 degrees.
30 . A floor tool according to claim 27 , 28 or 29 . wherein the angle is 48 degrees or about 48 degrees.
31 . A floor tool for an apparatus for cleaning a floor surface, said apparatus including a source of suction, the floor tool including:
a floor facing surface having a floor facing inlet for receiving dirty air; an outlet aperture for communication with the suction source; and a passage in fluid communication with the outlet aperture, which passage extends laterally across the floor facing surface, wherein the passage includes a wall which includes the outlet aperture; wherein a surface area of the wall and/or a cross-sectional area of the floor facing inlet is between 3800 mm 2 and 4800 mm 2 .
32 . A floor tool according to claim 31 , wherein the areas are between 4000 mm 2 and 4500 mm 2 .
33 . A floor tool according to claim 32 , wherein the areas are between 4300 mm 2 and 4500 mm 2 .
34 . A floor tool according to claim 33 , wherein the areas are 4430 mm 2 or about 4430 mm 2 .
35 . A floor tool for an apparatus for cleaning a floor surface, said apparatus including a source of suction, the floor tool including:
a floor facing surface having a floor facing inlet for receiving dirty air; an outlet aperture for communication with the suction source; and a passage in fluid communication with the outlet aperture, which passage extends laterally across the floor facing surface, wherein the passage includes a wall which includes the outlet aperture, wherein a volume of the passage is between 46000 mm 3 and 50000 mm 3 .
36 . A floor tool according to claim 35 , wherein the volume is between 47000 mm 3 and 49000 mm 3 .
37 . A floor tool according to claim 35 or 36 , wherein the volume is between 47500 mm 3 and 48500 mm 3 .
38 . A floor tool according to claim 35 , 36 or 37 , wherein the volume is 48000 mm 3 or around 48000 mm 3 , preferably 48078 mm 3 or around 48078 mm 3 .
39 . A floor tool for an apparatus for cleaning a floor surface, said apparatus including a source of suction, the floor tool including:
a floor facing surface having a floor facing inlet for receiving dirty air; an outlet aperture for communication with the suction source; a passage in fluid communication with the outlet aperture, which passage extends laterally across the floor facing surface; and a conduit in communication with the outlet aperture, wherein the conduit includes a portion adjacent the outlet aperture and extending upwardly thereform, and wherein the upwardly extending portion has a substantially constant cross-sectional area.
40 . A floor tool according to claim 39 , wherein the cross-sectional area of the outlet aperture is the same or about the same as the cross-sectional area of the upwardly extending portion.
41 . A floor tool according to claim 39 or 40 , wherein the upwardly extending portion extends substantially perpendicularly away from the plane containing the outlet aperture.
42 . A floor tool according to claim 39 , 40 or 41 , wherein the upwardly extending portion extends a distance of between 10 and 40 mm.
43 . A floor tool according to claim 42 , wherein the upwardly extending portion extends a distance of between 20 and 35 mm.
44 . A floor tool according to claim 43 , wherein the upwardly extending portion extends a distance of between 25 and 30 mm.
45 . A floor tool according to claim 44 , wherein the upwardly extending portion extends a distance of 27 mm or about 27 mm.
46 . A floor tool for an apparatus for cleaning a floor surface, said apparatus including a source of suction, the floor tool including:
a floor facing surface having a floor facing inlet for receiving dirty air; an outlet aperture for communication with the suction source; a passage in fluid communication with the outlet aperture, which passage extends laterally across the floor facing surface; and a conduit in communication with the outlet aperture, wherein the conduit includes: first and second opposing lateral internal side walls; and forwardly and rearwardly opposing upwardly extending internal walls, wherein at least an upper portion of the forward or rearward internal wall extends towards the other of the forward or reward internal wall as said wall extends upwardly.
47 . A floor tool according to claim 46 , wherein the upper portion of the forward internal wall extends towards the rearward internal wall.
48 . A floor tool according to claim 46 or 47 , wherein the rearward internal wall includes an opening in communication with the suction source.
49 . A floor tool according to claim 48 including a further conduit having first end in communication with the opening and a second end for communication with the suction source.
50 . A floor tool according to claim 49 , wherein the further conduit has a substantially circular cross-section in the direction it extends away from the opening.
51 . A floor tool according to claim 49 or 50 , wherein the further conduit has a longitudinal axis which is inclined with respect to a longitudinal axis of the conduit.
52 . A floor tool according to claim 49 , 50 or 51 , wherein the second end provides a releasable connection with the apparatus.
53 . A floor tool according to any one of claims 46 to 52 , wherein the forward and rearward internal walls are connected to one another at respective upper ends thereof.
54 . A floor tool according to any one of claims 46 to 53 , wherein respective upwardly extending portions of the lateral internal side walls adjacent the outlet aperture are substantially parallel to one another.
55 . A floor tool according to claim 54 , wherein the respective upwardly extending portions of the lateral internal side walls adjacent the outlet aperture extend a distance of between 10 mm and 40 mm perpendicularly away from the plane containing the outlet aperture.
56 . A floor tool according to claim 54 , wherein the respective upwardly extending portions of the lateral internal side walls adjacent the outlet aperture portions extend a distance of between 20 mm and 35 mm perpendicularly away from the plane containing the outlet aperture.
57 . A floor tool according to claim 55 , wherein the respective upwardly extending portions of the lateral internal side walls adjacent the outlet aperture portions extend a distance of between 25 mm and 30 mm perpendicularly away from the plane containing the outlet aperture.
58 . A floor tool according to claim 56 , wherein the respective upwardly extending portions of the lateral internal side walls adjacent the outlet aperture portions extend a distance of 27 mm or about 27 mm perpendicularly away from the plane containing the outlet aperture.
59 . A floor tool for an apparatus for cleaning a floor surface, said apparatus including a source of suction, the floor tool including:
a floor facing surface having a floor facing inlet for receiving dirty air; an outlet aperture for communication with the suction source via a conduit having a longitudinal axis, wherein the conduit provides a releasable connection to the apparatus; a passage in fluid communication with the outlet aperture, which passage extends laterally across the floor facing surface and terminates at respective lateral inlets for receiving dirty air; and wherein the floor tool is formed as a one piece component or unitary component.
60 . A floor tool according to claim 1 and/or any of claims 6 to 23 ( 1 ) including one or more or all of the features as set out in any one of the claims:—
(i) 2 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 ( 2 ); and/or
(ii) 3 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 ( 3 ); and/or
(iii) 4 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 ( 4 ); and/or
(iv) 5 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 ( 5 ); and/or
(v) 24 to 26 ( 6 ); and/or
(vi) 27 to 30 ( 7 ); and/or
(vii) 31 to 34 ( 8 ); and/or
(viii) 35 to 38 ( 9 ); and/or
(ix) 39 to 45 ( 10 ); and/or
(x) 46 to 58 ( 11 ); and/or
(xi) 59 ( 12 ).
61 . A floor tool according to claim 2 and/or any of claims 6 to 23 ( 2 ) including one or more or all of the features as set out in any one of the claims:—
(i) 2 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 ( 1 ); and/or
(ii) 3 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 ( 3 ); and/or
(iii) 4 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 ( 4 ); and/or
(iv) 5 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 ( 5 ); and/or
(v) 24 to 26 ( 6 ); and/or
(vi) 27 to 30 ( 7 ); and/or
(vii) 31 to 34 ( 8 ); and/or
(viii) 35 to 38 ( 9 ); and/or
(ix) 39 to 45 ( 10 ); and/or
(x) 46 to 58 ( 11 ); and/or
(xi) 59 ( 12 ).
62 . A floor tool according to claim 3 and/or any of claims 6 to 23 ( 3 ) including one or more or all of the features as set out in any one of the claims:—
(i) 2 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 ( 1 ); and/or
(ii) 3 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 ( 2 ); and/or
(iii) 4 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 ( 4 ); and/or
(iv) 5 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 ( 5 ); and/or
(v) 24 to 26 ( 6 ); and/or
(vi) 27 to 30 ( 7 ); and/or
(vii) 31 to 34 ( 8 ); and/or
(viii) 35 to 38 ( 9 ); and/or
(ix) 39 to 45 ( 10 ); and/or
(x) 46 to 58 ( 11 ); and/or
(xi) 59 ( 12 ).
63 . A floor tool according to claim 4 and/or any of claims 6 to 23 ( 4 ) including one or more or all of the features as set out in any one of the claims:—
(i) 1 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 ( 1 ); and/or
(ii) 2 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 ( 2 ); and/or
(iii) 3 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 ( 3 ); and/or
(iv) 5 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 ( 5 ); and/or
(v) 24 to 26 ( 6 ); and/or
(vi) 27 to 30 ( 7 ); and/or
(vii) 31 to 34 ( 8 ); and/or
(viii) 35 to 38 ( 9 ); and/or
(ix) 39 to 45 ( 10 ); and/or
(x) 46 to 58 ( 11 ); and/or
(xi) 59 ( 12 ).
64 . A floor tool according to claim 5 and/or any of claims 6 to 23 ( 5 ) including one or more or all of the features as set out in any one of the claims:—
(i) 1 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 ( 1 ); and/or
(ii) 2 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 ( 2 ); and/or
(iii) 3 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 ( 3 ); and/or
(iv) 4 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 ( 4 ); and/or
(v) 24 to 26 ( 6 ); and/or
(vi) 27 to 30 ( 7 ); and/or
(vii) 31 to 34 ( 8 ); and/or
(viii) 35 to 38 ( 9 ); and/or
(ix) 39 to 45 ( 10 ); and/or
(x) 46 to 58 ( 11 ); and/or
(xi) 59 ( 12 ).
65 . A floor tool according to any one of claims 24 to 26 ( 6 ) including one or more or all of the features as set out in any one of the claims:—
(i) 1 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 ( 1 ); and/or
(ii) 2 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 ( 2 ); and/or
(iii) 3 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 ( 3 ); and/or
(iv) 4 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 ( 4 ); and/or
(v) 5 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 ( 5 ); and/or
(vi) 27 to 30 ( 7 ); and/or
(vii) 31 to 34 ( 8 ); and/or
(viii) 35 to 38 ( 9 ); and/or
(ix) 39 to 45 ( 10 ); and/or
(x) 46 to 58 ( 11 ); and/or
(xi) 59 ( 12 ).
66 . A floor tool according to any one of claims 27 to 30 ( 7 ) including one or more or all of the features as set out in any one of the claims:—
(i) 1 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 ( 1 ); and/or
(ii) 2 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 ( 2 ); and/or
(iii) 3 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 ( 3 ); and/or
(iv) 4 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 ( 4 ); and/or
(v) 5 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 ( 5 ); and/or
(vi) 24 to 26 ( 6 ); and/or
(vii) 31 to 34 ( 8 ); and/or
(viii) 35 to 38 ( 9 ); and/or
(ix) 39 to 45 ( 10 ); and/or
(x) 46 to 58 ( 11 ); and/or
(xi) 59 ( 12 ).
67 . A floor tool according to any one of claims 31 to 34 ( 8 ) including one or more or all of the features as set out in any one of the claims:—
(i) 1 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 ( 1 ); and/or
(ii) 2 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 ( 2 ); and/or
(iii) 3 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 ( 3 ); and/or
(iv) 4 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 ( 4 ); and/or
(v) 5 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 ( 5 ); and/or
(vi) 24 to 26 ( 6 ); and/or
(vii) 27 to 30 ( 7 ); and/or
(viii) 35 to 38 ( 9 ); and/or
(ix) 39 to 45 ( 10 ); and/or
(x) 46 to 58 ( 11 ); and/or
(xi) 59 ( 12 ).
68 . A floor tool according to any one of claims 35 to 38 ( 9 ) including one or more or all of the features as set out in any one of the claims:—
(i) 1 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 ( 1 ); and/or
(ii) 2 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 ( 2 ); and/or
(iii) 3 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 ( 3 ); and/or
(iv) 4 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 ( 4 ); and/or
(v) 5 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 ( 5 ); and/or
(vi) 24 to 26 ( 6 ); and/or
(vii) 27 to 30 ( 7 ); and/or
(viii) 31 to 34 ( 8 ); and/or
(ix) 39 to 45 ( 10 ); and/or
(x) 46 to 58 ( 11 ); and/or
(xi) 59 ( 12 ).
69 . A floor tool according to any one of claims 39 to 45 ( 10 ) including one or more or all of the features as set out in any one of the claims:—
(i) 1 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 ( 1 ); and/or
(ii) 2 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 ( 2 ); and/or
(iii) 3 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 ( 3 ); and/or
(iv) 4 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 ( 4 ); and/or
(v) 5 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 ( 5 ); and/or
(vi) 24 to 26 ( 6 ); and/or
(vii) 27 to 30 ( 7 ); and/or
(viii) 31 to 34 ( 8 ); and/or
(ix) 39 to 45 ( 9 ); and/or
(x) 46 to 58 ( 11 ); and/or
(xi) 59 ( 12 ).
70 . A floor tool according to any one of claims 46 to 58 ( 11 ) including one or more or all of the features as set out in any one of the claims:—
(i) 1 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 ( 1 ); and/or
(ii) 2 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 ( 2 ); and/or
(iii) 3 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 ( 3 ); and/or
(iv) 4 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 ( 4 ); and/or
(v) 5 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 ( 5 ); and/or
(vi) 24 to 26 ( 6 ); and/or
(vii) 27 to 30 ( 7 ); and/or
(viii) 31 to 34 ( 8 ); and/or
(ix) 35 to 38 ( 9 ); and/or
(x) 39 to 45 ( 10 ); and/or
(xi) 59 ( 12 ).
71 . A floor tool according to claim 59 ( 12 ) including one or more or all of the features as set out in any one of the claims:—
(i) 1 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 ( 1 ); and/or
(ii) 2 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 ( 2 ); and/or
(iii) 3 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 ( 3 ); and/or
(iv) 4 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 ( 4 ); and/or
(v) 5 and/or any one of claims 6 to 23 ( 5 ); and/or
(vi) 24 to 26 ( 6 ); and/or
(vii) 27 to 30 ( 7 ); and/or
(viii) 31 to 34 ( 8 ); and/or
(ix) 35 to 38 ( 9 ); and/or
(x) 39 to 45 ( 10 ); and/or
(xi) 46 to 58 ( 11 ).
72 . A floor tool according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the floor tool is a dry floor tool.
73 . An apparatus for cleaning a floor surface including a floor tool according to any one of the preceding claims.
74 . A floor tool and/or apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
75 . Any novel feature or novel combination of features described herein and/or in the accompanying drawings.Join the waitlist — get patent alerts
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