Replacement Head for a Vacuum

Abstract

A replacement head for a vacuum device includes a plastic tray, a filter and a pad. The plastic tray includes a dust chamber and a front guard portion. An opening is provided that allows air, dust and debris to be drawn into the dust chamber during use. The front guard portion preferably has at least a portion that has a triangular cross-sectional shape and defines an interior space. The pad is attached to the lower side of the plastic tray and is in contact with the floor during cleaning. The filter is connected to the plastic tray such that the filter substantially covers a top opening in the dust chamber.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A replacement head, comprising:
 a plastic tray that includes a dust chamber defining a top opening bounded by a sealing surface, the dust chamber also having a bottom wall, a front wall, a rear wall, a left wall and a right wall, the bottom wall of the dust chamber defining an exterior bottom surface;   an opening that extends through at least one of the walls into the dust chamber;   a pad having at least one layer of material, the pad defining a first surface and a second surface, the first surface being connected to bottom wall of the plastic tray and the second surface generally facing away from the first surface; and   a filter connected to the plastic tray such that the filter substantially covers the top opening;   wherein the plastic tray includes a front guard portion that integrally formed with the plastic tray and has a bottom surface that has a lowest point that is closer to the second surface of the pad than the sealing surface.   
     
     
         2 . The replacement head of  claim 1 , wherein at least one portion of the front guard portion has a cross-sectional shape that is generally triangular. 
     
     
         3 . The replacement head of  claim 2 , wherein substantially all of the front guard portion has a cross-sectional shape that is generally triangular. 
     
     
         4 . The replacement head of  claim 1 , wherein the front guard portion defines at least one interior space located below the sealing surface and adjacent the dust chamber. 
     
     
         5 . The replacement head of  claim 4 , wherein at least a portion of the sealing surface extends between the front guard portion and the top opening. 
     
     
         6 . The replacement head of  claim 1 , wherein the front guard portion extends in front of at least a portion of the opening. 
     
     
         7 . The replacement head of  claim 6 , wherein the front guard portion extends to a position outside one side of the opening. 
     
     
         8 . The replacement head of  claim 7 , wherein the front guard portion extends to a position outside of both sides of the opening. 
     
     
         9 . The replacement head of  claim 1 , wherein the front guard portion includes at least one castellation. 
     
     
         10 . The replacement head of  claim 9 , wherein the front guard portion includes at one castellation located directly in front of the opening. 
     
     
         11 . The replacement head of  claim 9 , wherein the front guard portion includes at least two castellations. 
     
     
         12 . The replacement head of  claim 10 , wherein the front guard portion includes at least three castellations. 
     
     
         13 . The replacement head of  claim 1 , wherein the front guard portion is integrally formed with the dust chamber. 
     
     
         14 . The replacement head of  claim 1 , wherein the front guard portion includes at least one hole that extends through the front guard portion. 
     
     
         15 . The replacement head of  claim 1 , wherein the front guard portion is located forward of the entire pad. 
     
     
         16 . The replacement head of  claim 1 , wherein the front guard portion is located forward of the entire filter. 
     
     
         17 . The replacement head of  claim 1 , wherein the front guard portion is located forward of the dust chamber. 
     
     
         18 . The replacement head of  claim 1 , wherein a front suction chamber is located between the front guard portion and the dust chamber. 
     
     
         19 . The replacement head of  claim 1 , wherein the pad includes at least a first and a second layer, the first and second layers of the pad being ultrasonically welded together. 
     
     
         20 . The replacement head of  claim 19 , wherein the ultrasonic weld is generally continuous along at least one edge of the pad. 
     
     
         21 . The replacement head of  claim 19 , wherein at least one edge of the pad has at least two localized weld locations that are spaced apart from one another. 
     
     
         22 . The replacement head of  claim 1 , wherein the front guard portion defines an interior space that includes a wall that is least partially substantially vertical. 
     
     
         23 . The replacement head of  claim 22 , wherein the vertical wall is located on the side of the interior space that is closest to the dust chamber. 
     
     
         24 . The replacement head of  claim 22 , wherein the ultrasonic weld is positioned away from the edge of the pad.