Suction nozzle and vacuum cleaner

Abstract

A cleaner head comprises an agitator supported for rotation about a rotation axis. The cleaner head has a spool which comprises a narrowed waist positioned axially between two radially enlarged portions. The axial end of the agitator terminates in a rim positioned radially outward from and axially in line with the narrowed waist, and is configured to allow hair wrapped around the agitator to travel axially along it and slip off the rim onto the narrowed waist.

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         16 . A cleaner head comprising:
 an agitator supported for rotation about a rotation axis; and   a spool that comprises a narrowed waist positioned axially between two radially enlarged portions,   wherein an axial end of the agitator terminates in a rim positioned radially outward from and axially in line with the narrowed waist and is configured to allow hair wrapped around the agitator to travel axially along the agitator and slip off the rim onto the narrowed waist.   
     
     
         17 . The cleaner head of  claim 16 , wherein the agitator and spool are movable relative to one another along the rotation axis so as to enable withdrawal of the spool from the agitator. 
     
     
         18 . The cleaner head of  claim 17 , wherein the agitator is positioned within a housing which has an aperture through which the agitator can be removed from the housing, the aperture being selectively closable by an end cap. 
     
     
         19 . The cleaner head of  claim 18 , wherein the spool is provided on the end cap. 
     
     
         20 . The cleaner head of  claim 16 , wherein the spool is part of an agitator support, the agitator support comprising a bearing positioned to rotatably support the agitator. 
     
     
         21 . The cleaner head of  claim 20 , wherein the bearing is positioned inside the narrowed waist, and engages a stub which projects from the agitator. 
     
     
         22 . The cleaner head of  claim 16 , wherein diameters of the radially enlarged portions are at least 50% larger than a diameter of the narrowed waist. 
     
     
         23 . The cleaner head of  claim 16 , wherein an axial length of the narrowed waist is at least 60% of a diameter of the narrowed waist. 
     
     
         24 . The cleaner head of  claim 16 , wherein at least 50% of an axial length of the narrowed waist is received within the agitator. 
     
     
         25 . The cleaner head of  claim 16 , wherein the agitator is rotatable in a first rotational direction, and comprises a generally helical array of bristles which runs around the agitator towards the axial end in a second rotational direction that is opposite the first rotational direction. 
     
     
         26 . The cleaner head of  claim 16 , wherein the radially enlarged portions define opposing side walls which are planar or are tapered away from one another. 
     
     
         27 . The cleaner head of  claim 16  further comprising a drive assembly configured to rotate the agitator, the drive assembly projecting into the agitator. 
     
     
         28 . The cleaner head of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the cleaner head has a second spool which comprises a narrowed waist positioned axially between two radially enlarged portions; and   an opposite axial end of the agitator terminates in a rim positioned radially outward from and axially in line with the narrowed waist of the second spool.   
     
     
         29 . A vacuum cleaner comprising the cleaner head of  claim 16 .