Cleaning device

Abstract

Apparatus and method for receiving and holding debris in a collection chamber of a vacuum cleaner. A cleaning head is coupled to a body of the vacuum cleaner via one or more suspension elements that comply to horizontal oscillations of the cleaning head imparted by an offset bearing of a vertical gear drive driven by a motor mounted to the body. A vacuum source draws air in from a suction nozzle at a forward underside portion of the cleaning head adjacent to a cleaning pad, and the air travels through an air filter disposed between the vacuum source and the collection chamber. In some embodiments, the air filter comprises one or more pleats adjacent to the vacuum source.

1 . A cleaning device, comprising:
 a vacuum body that includes a handle that is coupled to a head, the head including a lower base that is moveably mounted to the head;   a motor being connected to the lower base such that the motor is operable to impart motion to the lower base relative to the head;   a replaceable cleaning head that includes a cleaning pad and a dust chamber, the replaceable cleaning head is configured to be removably attached to the lower base, and the cleaning pad has a cleaning surface;   a source of suction located on at least one of the body or replaceable cleaning head;   wherein the replaceable cleaning head, when attached to the lower base, is movable with the lower base relative to the head.   
     
     
         2 . The cleaning device of  claim 1 , wherein the lower base is connected to the head by at least one flexible suspension element. 
     
     
         3 . The cleaning device of  claim 2 , wherein the lower base is connected to the head by at least two flexible suspension elements. 
     
     
         4 . The cleaning device of  claim 1 , wherein the motor is configured to impart an oscillating motion on the lower base. 
     
     
         5 . The cleaning device of  claim 4 , wherein the motor is connected to the lower base with a shaft and an offset bearing. 
     
     
         6 . The cleaning device of  claim 4 , wherein the oscillating motion imparted on the lower head is in a plane that is generally parallel to the cleaning surface of the replacement head when the replacement head is connected to the lower head. 
     
     
         7 . The cleaning device of  claim 6 , wherein the cleaning sheet includes a multi-function strip that is located on the cleaning surface of the cleaning sheet, the multi-function strip being moveable with the replacement head. 
     
     
         8 . The cleaning device of  claim 1 , wherein the source of suction is powered by a second motor that is separate from the motor that powers the motion of the lower base. 
     
     
         9 . The cleaning device of  claim 1 , wherein the replaceable cleaning head includes a filter. 
     
     
         10 . A replacement head, comprising:
 a tray having a dust chamber, the dust chamber having an air permeable opening that is configured to be attached to a source of suction;   a cleaning pad having a layer of at least one material coupled to the tray;   a filter coupled to the tray such that the filter covers the air permeable opening;   wherein the filter includes a first pleat, the first pleat including a first interior fold that is oriented in a first direction;   wherein the filter also includes a second pleat including a second interior fold that is oriented in a second direction that is different than the first direction.   
     
     
         11 . The replacement head of  claim 10 , wherein the first pleat and the second pleat are approximately the same size. 
     
     
         12 . The replacement head of  claim 10 , wherein the first pleat is larger than the second pleat. 
     
     
         13 . The replacement head of  claim 10 , wherein the first direction is generally opposite to the second direction. 
     
     
         14 . The replacement head of  claim 10 , wherein the filter is permanently connected to the tray. 
     
     
         15 . The replacement head of  claim 10 , wherein the filter completely covers the opening.