Agitator element for a vacuum cleaner

Abstract

An agitator element for a vacuum cleaner comprising a support member which has opposed first and second end surfaces located at first and second ends of the agitator element respectively. An elongate surface extends between the first and second end surfaces. Agitation material extends away from the first end surface of the support member such that the outermost extremity of the agitation material defines the outermost extremity of the first end of the agitator element.

1 . An agitator element for a vacuum cleaner, the agitator element comprising:
 a support member having opposed first and second end surfaces, and an elongate surface which extends between the first and second end surfaces, wherein the first end surface is located proximate a first end of the agitator element, and wherein the second end surface is located proximate a second end of the agitator element; and   agitation material which extends away from the first end surface of the support member such that the outermost extremity of the agitation material defines the outermost extremity of the first end of the agitator element.   
     
     
         2 . The agitator element according to  claim 1 , wherein the agitation material comprises fabric which covers at least a portion of the first end surface. 
     
     
         3 . The agitator element according to  claim 2 , wherein the first end surface surrounds a recessed portion of the support member. 
     
     
         4 . The agitator element according to  claim 3 , wherein at least part of the fabric agitation material extends from the first end surface into the recessed portion. 
     
     
         5 . The agitator element according to  claim 4 , comprising a stud located within the recessed portion, wherein an outer portion of the stud engages the fabric agitation material located within the recessed portion. 
     
     
         6 . The agitator element according to claim  45 , wherein the stud is integral with the support member. 
     
     
         7 . The agitator element according to  claim 1 , wherein the agitation material comprises a plurality of upstanding bristles. 
     
     
         8 . The agitator element according to  claim 1 , wherein the support member comprises a main body and an end cap having an external surface, wherein the external surface of the end cap defines at least a portion of the first end surface of the support member. 
     
     
         9 . The agitator element according to  claim 8 , wherein the agitation material covers the external surface of the end cap. 
     
     
         10 . The agitator element according to  claim 1 , wherein agitation material extends away from the elongate surface of the support member. 
     
     
         11 . The agitator element according to  claim 10 , wherein at least a portion of the agitation material which extends away from the elongate surface is continuous with at least a portion of the agitation material which extends away from the first end surface. 
     
     
         12 . The agitator element according to  claim 10 , wherein the composition of the agitation material which extends away from the elongate surface is different to the composition of the agitation material which extends away from the first end surface. 
     
     
         13 . The agitator element according to  any preceding claim 1 , wherein agitation material extends away from the second end surface of the support member. 
     
     
         14 . The agitator element according to  claim 13 , wherein the agitation material which extends away from the second end surface comprises fabric which covers at least a portion of the second end surface, wherein the second end surface surrounds a second recessed portion in the support member, and wherein at least part of the fabric agitation material extends from the second end surface into the second recessed portion. 
     
     
         15 . The agitator element according to  claim 1 , wherein the agitator element tapers from its first end towards its second end, or from its second end towards its first end. 
     
     
         16 . A cleaner head for a vacuum cleaner comprising an agitator element according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         17 . A cleaner head for a vacuum cleaner, the cleaner head comprising:
 a housing defining a suction chamber comprising an outlet; and   an agitator element according to  claim 1 , mounted for rotation within the housing.   
     
     
         18 . The cleaner head according to  claim 17 , comprising a second agitation element as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises a first side and a second side, and wherein the agitator element is mounted for rotation on the first side of the housing, and the second agitator element is mounted for rotation on the second side of the housing, wherein the respective first or second ends of the respective agitator elements are located adjacent to one another. 
     
     
         19 . A vacuum cleaner comprising a cleaner head as claimed in  claim 17 .