Cleaner head for a vacuum cleaner

Abstract

A cleaner head for a vacuum cleaner is described. The cleaner head comprises a main body having a suction chamber, and a roller rotatably mounted to the main body at a location forward or rearward of the suction chamber. The roller is then configured to rotate in a first direction when the cleaner head is manoeuvred over a cleaning surface in one of a forward direction and a rearward direction, and is prevented from rotating in a second opposite direction when the cleaner head is manoeuvred over the cleaning surface in the other of the forward direction and the rearward direction.

1 . A cleaner head for a vacuum cleaner comprising:
 a main body having a suction chamber; and   a roller rotatably mounted to the main body at a location forward or rearward of the suction chamber,   wherein the roller is configured to rotate in a first direction when the cleaner head is manoeuvred over a cleaning surface in one of a forward direction and a rearward direction, and is prevented from rotating in a second opposite direction when the cleaner head is manoeuvred over the cleaning surface in the other of the forward direction and the rearward direction.   
     
     
         2 . A cleaner head as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the roller is sized and shaped to operably create a seal with the cleaning surface. 
     
     
         3 . A cleaner head as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the roller comprises an elongate body covered with a compressible material. 
     
     
         4 . A cleaner head as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the roller is configured to move vertically relative to the main body between a lower position and an upper position, and the roller is biased to the lower position. 
     
     
         5 . A cleaner head as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the suction chamber is delimited by the roller. 
     
     
         6 . A cleaner head as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the cleaner head comprises an agitator rotatably mounted to the main body and a drive assembly for driving the agitator, and the agitator rotates independently of the roller. 
     
     
         7 . A cleaner head as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the agitator is driven by the drive assembly when the cleaner head is manoeuvred over the cleaning surface in both the forward direction and the rearward direction. 
     
     
         8 . A cleaner head as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the roller is located rearward of the agitator. 
     
     
         9 . A cleaner head as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein a diameter of the agitator is at least twice that of the roller. 
     
     
         10 . A cleaner head as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the roller is mounted to the main body by a clutch bearing. 
     
     
         11 . A cleaner head as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the cleaner head comprises a wheel mounted to the main body, the wheel is free to rotate relative to the main body in the first direction and the second direction, and the roller is mounted to the wheel by a clutch bearing. 
     
     
         12 . A cleaner head as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the roller is mounted at a first end to the main body by a first clutch bearing, and the roller is mounted at a second end to the wheel by a second clutch bearing. 
     
     
         13 . A vacuum cleaner comprising a cleaner head as claimed in  claim 1 .