Cover for robotic vacuum

Abstract

A cover is provided for a robotic floor cleaner to enclose the cleaner when the cleaner is docked in a charging station. The cover is shaped complimentarily to the shape of the robotic floor cleaner. The cover includes a flat, smooth, horizontal top and a circular sidewall with an open front mouth to through which the robotic floor cleaner moves into and out of the charging station. The cover may have a rear notch to accommodate structure on the charging station. The cover has sufficient strength to support a plant or decorative object on the top.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A cover for a robotic floor cleaner and charging station assembly, the charging station being positioned on a floor and the robotic floor cleaner being programmed to couple with the charging station for electrical charging of the robotic floor cleaner, the cover comprising:
 a body having a top surface, a side wall, and an open bottom;   the body having a rear opening to receive the charging station and a front opening through which the floor cleaner enters for connection to the charging station and exits for moving across the floor.   
     
     
         2 . The cover of  claim 1  wherein the top is circular. 
     
     
         3 . The cover of  claim 1  wherein the sidewall extends across an upper edge of the rear opening. 
     
     
         4 . The cover of  claim 1  wherein the front opening extends to a same height as the sidewall. 
     
     
         5 . The cover of  claim 1  wherein the sidewall extends to a table height and the top surface forms a table top upon which objects can be set. 
     
     
         6 . The cover of  claim 1  wherein the sidewall has sufficient strength to support an object placed on the top surface. 
     
     
         7 . The cover of  claim 1  wherein the charging station has a base upon which the robotic floor cleaner sits, and the cover resides above the base so as to substantially hide the robotic floor cleaner when the robotic floor cleaner is positioned on the base of the charging station. 
     
     
         8 . The cover of  claim 1  wherein the body has a shape corresponding to the shape of the robotic floor cleaner. 
     
     
         9 . The cover of  claim 1  wherein the body is rigid. 
     
     
         10 . The cover of  claim 1  wherein the front and rear openings each have a width, with the front opening width being greater than the rear opening width. 
     
     
         11 . The cover of  claim 1  wherein the front and rear openings each have a height, and the front opening height being greater than the rear opening height. 
     
     
         12 . The cover of  claim 1  wherein the body has dimensions which permit the robotic floor cleaner to be fully positioned inside the cover. 
     
     
         13 . The cover of  claim 1  wherein the cover and the robotic floor cleaner each have a diameter, and the cover diameter is larger than the diameter of the robotic floor cleaner. 
     
     
         14 . The cover of  claim 1  wherein the cover is closely spaced to the floor cleaner when the floor cleaner is docked in the charging station. 
     
     
         15 . A floor cleaner assembly, comprising:
 a robotic cleaner;   a charging station for docking with the robotic cleaner for storage and electrical charging of the floor cleaner;   a cover sized to fit over the robotic cleaner when the robotic cleaner is docked in the charging station; and   the cover having an open front mouth through which the robotic cleaner moves to and from the charging station.   
     
     
         16 . The floor cleaning assembly of  claim 15  wherein the cover has a sidewall extending around the floor cleaner and a top positioned above the floor cleaner when the floor cleaner is docked in the charging station. 
     
     
         17 . The floor cleaner assembly of  claim 16  wherein the sidewall has a rear opening to fit over the charging station. 
     
     
         18 . The floor cleaner assembly of  claim 15  wherein the cover has a shape complimentary to a shape of the floor cleaner. 
     
     
         19 . The floor cleaner assembly of  claim 15  wherein the cover has a top positioned positioned in close proximity to an upper surface of the floor cleaner when the floor cleaner is docked in the charging station. 
     
     
         20 . The floor cleaner assembly of  claim 15  wherein the cover has a smooth, horizontal top adapted to support on object thereon.