Floor cleaning device

Abstract

A floor cleaning device for cleaning a surface. The device having a motor configured to drive an agitation assembly, the agitation assembly including a first wiping element, such that the agitation assembly is driveable so as to cause relative movement between the agitation assembly and the surface to be cleaned wherein the first wiping element is formed of one of: rubber, a thermoplastic elastomer, and Polyvinyl Chloride.

1 . A floor cleaning device for cleaning a surface, the device having a motor configured to drive an agitation assembly including an agitation member and a plurality of first wiping elements oriented generally perpendicular to a surface of the agitation member orientated generally parallel to the surface to be cleaned, such that, in use, relative movement occurs between the agitation assembly and the surface to be cleaned and each of the first wiping elements is held in contact with the surface to be cleaned throughout a cleaning operation as the agitation assembly is driven, wherein the first wiping element is formed of one of the group consisting of: rubber, a thermoplastic elastomer, and Polyvinyl Chloride. 
     
     
         2 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the device is suitable for cleaning a hard floor surface. 
     
     
         3 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the or each first wiping element is one of: substantially cylindrical, substantially conical, or substantially frustoconical. 
     
     
         4 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one group of first wiping elements is disposed on the agitation member, such that the first wiping elements of the or each group are disposed adjacent the other first wiping elements in that group. 
     
     
         5 . A device according to  claim 4 , wherein the first wiping elements of the or each group are aligned with one another in a row. 
     
     
         6 . A device according to  claim 4 , wherein the or each first wiping element forms an elongate protrusion extending from the agitation member. 
     
     
         7 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein, in use, the first wiping elements are disposed generally perpendicular to the surface being cleaned. 
     
     
         8 . A device according to  claim 1 , including a plurality of agitation members. 
     
     
         9 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the or each agitation member is adapted to rotate about a respective axis when driven by the motor. 
     
     
         10 . A device according to  claim 9 , wherein the or each axis of rotation is generally perpendicular to the surface to be cleaned. 
     
     
         11 . A device according to  claim 9 , wherein the or each first wiping element is disposed generally parallel to the axis of rotation of its respective agitation member. 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A device according to  claim 9 , wherein adjacent agitation members rotate in opposite directions. 
     
     
         14 . A device according  claim 13 , wherein portions of adjacent agitation members mesh together as the agitation members rotate. 
     
     
         15 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the or each agitation member includes a plurality of second wiping elements formed of a different material to the first wiping elements. 
     
     
         16 . A device according to  claim 15  wherein the second wiping elements are bristles. 
     
     
         17 . A device according to  claim 16  wherein the or each agitation member includes a plurality of patches of bristles and a plurality of groups of first wiping elements. 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A device according to  claim 1 , configured such that the agitation assembly is moveable between a deployed position in which at least a portion of the agitation assembly is in contact with the surface to be cleaned, and a retracted position in which the agitation assembly is spaced from the surface. 
     
     
         20 . A device according to  claim 1 , further including a fluid dispenser for dispensing a fluid on the surface to be cleaned. 
     
     
         21 . A device according to  claim 20 , wherein the fluid dispenser dispenses fluid onto a portion of the agitation assembly, and the fluid is subsequently transferred to the surface to be cleaned. 
     
     
         22 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the device is a suction cleaner. 
     
     
         23 .- 24 . (canceled)