Accessory Tool for Vacuum Cleaner

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/648,759, filed May 17, 2024, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Vacuum cleaners have one or more cleaning heads with an inlet to the air path for cleaning a surface to be clean. One type of cleaning head is a floor base adapted to be moved over floor surfaces. Another type of cleaning head is an accessory tool. Vacuum cleaners are often provided with diverse types of accessory tools used for cleaning in places that the regular vacuum cleaner floor base cannot fit or are adapted for specialized cleaning operations. An accessory tool typically attaches to the vacuum cleaner via an auxiliary flexible vacuum hose and/or a rigid wand.

Removing pet fur from a surface to be cleaned is one cleaning operation for which specialized accessory tools have been developed. Pet fur tends to become imbedded on upholstery, making the removal of fur from upholstery particularly difficult. Many accessory tools do not perform well with imbedded hair on upholstery as fur tends to ball up when a tool is passed over the surface. Solutions to mitigate this can improve the removal of fur from firm upholstered surfaces, but issue remain with removing fur from compressible surfaces like pet beds and pillows, or from surfaces with complex geometry like cat towers. Providing one accessory tool with effective removal of pet fur from the varied surfaces common in homes remains a challenge in the floor cleaning industry.

An accessory tool for a vacuum cleaner is provided with an improved pet fur cleaning features.

In one aspect of the disclosure, an accessory tool includes a body comprising a suction chamber, an attachment tube extending from the body, the attachment tube being in fluid communication with the suction chamber, a crevice nozzle on the body, the crevice nozzle comprising a first suction inlet into the suction chamber, and a swiper tool on a lower side of the body, the swiper tool comprising a wall disposed below the crevice nozzle and the suction chamber, the wall comprising an exterior rubbing surface configured to be rubbed against the surface to be cleaned, the swiper tool comprising a swiping axis defining a first direction of intended movement of the swiper tool and a sawing axis, the sawing axis being generally transverse to the swiping axis and defining a second direction of intended movement of the swiper tool, wherein the wall is longer along the sawing axis than along the swiping axis.

In another aspect, the swiper tool has a flexible, curved, and hollow shape with one or more walls that can bend to conform to the surface to be cleaned.

In a further aspect, the swiper tool has projecting features to increase pet hair removal by increasing friction with a surface to be cleaned and/or providing surfaces at a variety of different orientations to engage a surface to be cleaned at a variety of different angles.

In yet another aspect, the swiper tool is formed from a material that encourages pet hair removal.

These and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description of particular embodiments, when viewed in accordance with the accompanying drawings and appended claims.

An accessory tool having improved pet fur cleaning features is described below. The accessory tool has an exterior rubbing surface configured to be rubbed against the surface to be cleaned, which may have: (1) a flexible, curved, and hollow shape with one or more walls that can bend to conform to the surface to be cleaned; () projecting features to increase pet hair removal by increasing friction with a surface to be cleaned and/or providing surfaces at a variety of different orientations to engage a surface to be cleaned at a variety of different angles; (3) a material that encourages pet hair removal; or any combination thereof. As but one example, the accessory tool can be used in a swiping motion or a sawing motion to release pet fur from a surface to be cleaned and draw the pet fur into the air path internally within the accessory tool. For even more detailed cleaning, the accessory tool may have a crevice nozzle.

As will be appreciated from the description herein, the accessory tool has myriad use applications, but is generally used as an accessory tool to remove pet fur, hair, and other debris not limited to fur or hair, from upholstered surfaces, compressible surfaces, and/or surfaces with complex geometry, including, but not limited to, couches, chairs, cushions, pillows, pet beds, and cat towers. The accessory tool also works well for non-upholstered surfaces and can be used for general vacuum cleaning as well. At least some aspects of the accessory tool provided herein function through the various elements thereof, as described below, to be used in either a swiping motion or a sawing motion depending on the contour of the surface to be cleaned. By using a swiping motion, pet fur can be removed from larger upholstered surfaces and by using a sawing motion, pet fur can be removed from crevices and corners. By providing an accessory tool with one or more of the features disclosed herein, pet fur is quickly and effectively removed from all areas of upholstered furniture, compressible surfaces, and/or surfaces with complex geometry. As such, certain features of the surface cleaning apparatus may be considered functional but may also be implemented in different aesthetic configurations.

In an exemplary embodiment shown in, wherein like numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, an accessory tool is illustrated and generally designated at. As discussed in further detail below, the accessory toolis provided with various features and improvements, including improved pet hair cleaning features to remove pet hair and other debris not limited to pet hair, from upholstered surfaces and in tight spaces of upholstered furniture, such as between couch cushions or in corners. Generally, the term “debris” as used herein includes pet hair, pet fur, dirt, dust, stains, soil, and other debris.

For purposes of description related to the figures, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “inner,” “outer,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the accessory toolas oriented infrom the perspective of a user holding the toolin one hand. However, it is to be understood that the disclosure may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary.

Referring to, the accessory toolincludes a bodythat can be coupled to a vacuum cleaner, a crevice nozzle, and a swiper tool. As illustrated, the toolincludes a first endincluding the crevice nozzle, a second endincluding an air outlet, and a lower sidebetween the first and second ends,, with the swiper toollocated on the lower side. Having both the crevice nozzleand swiper tool, the accessory toolis a multi-function or combination tool having multiple cleaning functions, as will be described in further detail below.

Referring to, the bodycomprises a suction chamber. The suction chamberis adapted to be in fluid communication with a source of suction, such as the suction source of a vacuum cleaner or other surface cleaning apparatus. The air outletforms the exit from the suction chamber.

The crevice nozzledefines a first suction inlet, which opens into the suction chamber. The first suction inletcomprises at least one opening in the crevice nozzlethrough which fur and other debris can be ingested. An internal flow path Fis defined within the suction chamberof the bodyand between the first suction inletand the air outlet.

The swiper toolcan define a second suction inlet. The second suction inletcomprises at least one opening in the swiper toolthrough which fur and other debris can be ingested. A second internal flow path Fis defined within the bodybetween the second suction inletand a passageto the suction chamber, such that the two flow paths F, Fmerge within the bodyof the toolat a location upstream of the air outlet.

The first suction inletcan be located at the first endof the tooland the second suction inletcan be located on a lower side of the swiper tool, such that the inlets,are oriented in different planes. Accordingly, pet hair and other debris can be drawn into the toolat two locations that are spaced apart from each other.

Generally, the toolhas a longitudinal axis X and a lateral axis Y. The first endand second endof the toolare spaced from each other along the longitudinal axis X. As illustrated, the toolincludes a first lateral sideand a second lateral side, and the lateral axis Y is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X and extends through the lateral sides,. Further, the swiper toolcan be offset from the longitudinal axis X along a vertical third axis Z that is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X and the lateral axis Y.

The toolis usable by swiping the swiper toolback and forth on a surface to be cleaned in a direction generally along the lateral axis Y, also referred to herein as a swiping axis, and by sawing the swiper toolback and forth on a surface to be cleaned in a direction generally along the longitudinal axis X, also referred to herein as a sawing axis. One example of the swiping action is shown inand one example of the sawing action is shown in. Thus, the lateral or swiping axis Y defines a first direction of intended movement of the swiper tooland the longitudinal or sawing axis X defines a second direction of intended movement of the swiper tool. Additionally, the toolis usable by moving the crevice nozzleacross a surface to be cleaned, such as by holding the toolat an angle where the first suction inletis against or close to a surface to be cleaned.

The swiper toolcomprises a walldisposed below the crevice nozzleand the suction chamber. The wallcomprises an exterior rubbing surfaceconfigured to be rubbed against the surface to be cleaned as the toolis swiped back and forth along the axis Y or sawed back and forth along the axis X. The exterior rubbing surfacecan have a physical shape, flexibility and/or material that encourages pet hair removal, for example by dragging swiper toolback and forth across the surface to be cleaned with pressure and pulling out embedded pet hair and other debris from the surface. The swiping and/or sawing action can gather the pet hair or other collected material into a ball, which can then be removed by vacuum suction via one or both of the suction inlets,. Flexibility of the exterior rubbing surface, through flexing of the wall, improves pet hair removal by allowing the toolto conform to the contour of the surface to be cleaned.

Referring to, the wallcan be elongated along the sawing axis X, e.g., have a greater dimension along the sawing axis X than along the swiping axis Y. Correspondingly, the exterior rubbing surfaceof the wallcan be generally elongated along the sawing axis X, e.g., greater in length than it is in width. The toolaccordingly covers a larger surface area as it is swiped back and forth across the swiping axis Y than it does when it is sawed back and forth along the sawing axis X. The narrow shape allows the swiper toolreach into tight, narrow spaces, such as between couch cushions when sawing back and forth.

The wallcan define, at least in part, a bottom of the swiper tool. In addition to the wall, the swiper toolcan further include side walls,and front and back end walls,, with the side walls,and end walls,depending from the lower side of the body, and the walljoining the side and end walls,,,. The side walls,are respectively oriented toward the first lateral sideand second lateral sideof the tool. The front and rear end walls,are respectively oriented toward the first and second ends,of the tool. The various walls,,,,can be joined to one another at rounded corners to minimize turbulent air flow and/or to avoid sharp corners that might collect hair or other debris.

The side walls,can converge toward each other in a downward direction generally along the vertical axis Z as shown in, with the side walls,extending downwardly and inwardly to join the bottom wall. The side walls,of the swiper toolcan provide a broader and more flexible means for cleaning certain surfaces and greater contact areas with such surfaces, and can, like the wall, and may have exterior surfaces configured to be rubbed against the surface to be cleaned as the toolis swiped back and forth along the axis Y or sawed back and forth along the axis X.

One or more of the walls,,,,of the swiper toolare flexible and can bend inwardly to conform to the surface to be cleaned, e.g., with the bottom wallgenerally able to flex upwardly toward axis X, the side walls,generally able to flex inwardly toward axis Z, and/or the end walls,generally able to flex inwardly toward axis Z. The flexibility of the swiper toolallows the swiper toolto conform to curved surfaces, such as the curved arm of an upholstered couch.

The second suction inletcan extend equally on both sides of the swiping axis Y and/or on both sides of the sawing axis X, so that the toolworks equally well in both directions of movement along the axes X, Y.

The second suction inletcan be delimited by the wall. The second inletcan be defined by at least one air flow opening. In the embodiment shown, the second inletincludes a plurality of air flow openings. The wallcan have a cross-ribto separate adjacent air flow openingsand stiffen the swiper toolso that the second inletdoes not collapse when swiper toolis moved along the swiping axis Y.

The air flow openingsare narrow and elongated, with their major axis generally parallel to sawing axis X. The relatively small size of these air flow openingsas contrasted with the size of the suction chamberinsures increased air velocity through the air flow openings. In some embodiments, the corners of the air flow openingscan be rounded to minimize turbulent air flow and/or to avoid sharp corners that might collect hair or other debris.

The crevice nozzlecan, in some embodiments, have an intake endhaving the suction inlettherein. The intake endcan protrude beyond the front end wallof the swiping toolso that the endcan be inserted into tight or confined spaces. So that the accessory toolmay be held in a comfortable ergonomic position with the first inletpressed generally flat against a surface to be cleaned, the intake endcan be angled. For example, the intake endcan lie in a plane transverse to the sawing axis X and transverse to the swiping axis Y.

The crevice nozzleis shown as a generally rectilinear part having a rectilinear intake end, although other shapes for the crevice nozzleare possible. At least the intake endof the crevice nozzlecan be narrow and elongated, with its width dimension along the swiping axis Y being less than its height dimension along the vertical axis Z.

Various configurations for integrating the crevice nozzleinto the toolare possible. In one embodiment, the crevice nozzleis integrally formed with the bodyat the first endof the tool. In other embodiments, the crevice nozzleis a separate part that is attached to the body.

An attachment tubeextends from the bodyand is configured to selectively connect to a portion of a vacuum cleaner, such as a hose and/or wand of a vacuum cleaner. At least a portion of the attachment tubeis hollow to defines a portion of a flow path Fof the tool. The tubecan be somewhat tapered and sized to slide into (or around) the hose and/or wand of the vacuum cleaner and be retained thereon or therein by a friction fit. Alternatively, conventional bayonet fittings, threads, snap connectors, or other fittings may be used for this purpose.

Various configurations for integrating the attachment tubeinto the toolare possible. In one embodiment, the attachment tubeis integrally formed with body. In another embodiment, the tubeis a separate part that is attached to the body. The attachment tubeis shown as a generally cylindrical part having a circular profile, although other shapes for the tubeare possible.

The attachment tubemay be rotationally fixed on the bodyor may pivot relative to the body. For example, the attachment tubemay be mounted to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the tube.

According to one aspect of the disclosure, the swiper tool, or at least the exterior rubbing surfaceof the tool, is made from rubber or other elastomeric material, that assists in frictionally gripping and/or electrostatically attracting pet hair and is suitably flexible to bend when in contact with the floor or with each other without permanent deforming. Non-limiting examples of other suitable elastomers are nitrile, urethane, thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), thermoplastic rubber (TPR), and silicone. Such materials are useful to grip pet hair or debris and gather it into a ball, which can then be removed by vacuum suction through either inlet,. Furthermore, such materials are resilient so that the toolcan deform to fit into tight spaces and other hard to clean areas. Other materials for the swiper toolthat demonstrate the hair collection and resilience disclosed herein are possible.

In contrast to the swiper tool,, in some embodiments, one or more of the body, the crevice nozzle, and the attachment tubecan be substantially rigid, i.e., not resilient or flexible.

The swiper toolcan include projecting features to increase pet hair removal by increasing friction with a surface to be cleaned and/or providing surfaces at a variety of different orientations to engage a surface to be cleaned at a variety of different angles. The projecting features can extend from the bottom wallor another outer surface of the swiper tooland can form at least a portion of the exterior rubbing surfaceof the tool. Some non-limiting examples of projecting features are a plurality of nubs, a plurality of serrations, a blade, with or without serrations and/or nubs, or any combination thereof.

Various configurations for integrating the projecting features with the swiper toolare possible. In one embodiment, the projecting features are integrally formed with the wallor another outer surface of the swiper tool. In other embodiments, the projecting features are a separate part or parts attached to the wallor another outer surface of the swiper tool.

Referring to, in one embodiment, the swiper toolhas a bladeextending from the wall. The bladehas a serrated edge, with triangular notchesforming a plurality of triangular teeth or serrations. The bladeis elongated in the direction of the sawing axis X, with the serrationsarranged in a row oriented generally along the sawing axis X. The bladecan extend along a lateral side of the suction inlet, and the serrationscan extend completely or partially along the length of the suction inlet.

The swiper toolcan have more than one blade. In the embodiment illustrated, the swiper toolhas a first bladeon one side of the suction inletand a second bladeon an opposite side of the suction inlet. The bladesare shown as being spaced outwardly from the inletin a direction generally along the swiping axis Y. In another embodiment, the bladescan extend from and define the inlet.

Each bladecan include an inner surfaceand an outer surface(), with the inner surfacefacing the suction inletand/or facing the inner surfaceof the other blade, and the outer surfacefacing away from the suction inletand/or facing away from the other blade. Each bladealso includes a front surfaceand a back surface(), and a bottom tip surface, which can be defined by one or more tips of the serrations.

The minimum length of the bladewhich is the minimum distance between the front and back surfaces,exceeds the height of the blade, which is the distance between the walland the tip surface, and also exceed the thickness of the blade, which is the distance between the inner and outer surfaces,. The ratio of the minimum blade length to the blade height is at least 5:1 in some embodiments of the tool, alternatively at least 10:1. The ratio of the minimum blade length to the blade thickness is at least 10:1 in some embodiments of the tool, alternatively at least 20:1. The height of the blademay be at least one 5 mm and/or the thickness of the blademay be at least 3 mm, alternatively 5 mm or less, to facilitate effective use of the bladefor removing pet hair and other debris.

In addition to the serrated blades, the swiper toolcan have a plurality of nubsextending from the wall. One or more of the nubscan comprise a projecting body including a baseand a tip, with the projecting body extending along an axispassing through a center of the baseand tip. Each nubhas a length, defined as the distance along the axisbetween its baseat the surface of the walland its tip.

In the embodiment shown, the nubsmay include one or a plurality of conical or generally conical bodies, e.g., tapering from a round baseto a smaller rounded or pointed tip. It is contemplated that nubsmay have alternate configurations, such as, for example, cylindrical rounded, triangular, square, rectilinear, polygonal, irregular, uniform, non-uniform, and/or tapered.

The nubscan have generally smooth outer surfaces as shown in the figures. In other embodiments, the nubscan have a textured outer surface.

The dimensions of the nubs, including the relative length and/or thickness thereof, can vary between the nubs. Having nubsof varying dimensions on the swiper toolcan help liberate different types of pet hair on different types of upholstery, making the tooleffective across different combinations of fur types and upholstery materials. In one example, the relative length of the nubscan increase toward the middle of the swiper tool, and can accordingly decrease toward the ends,of the tool. The nubsthat are greater in length than in thickness tend to flex or deform slightly along its nub axis, when dragged along a surface to be cleaned. Such individual flexing of the nubsallows the nubsto maintain contact with the surface to be cleaned as the user drags the swiper toolalong the surface. It is noted that for conical nubs, the thickness is the diameter of the nuborthogonal to the nub axis.

The ratio of the nub length to the nub thickness range from about 0.5:1 to about 3:1 in some embodiments of the tool. For an embodiment of the toolwith varying nub length as shown in, the ratio of the nub length to the nub thickness is about 3:1 at the middle of the swiper tooland around 0.5:1 toward the ends,of the tool. The length of the nubsmay be at least 2 mm and/or the thickness of the nubsmay be at least 5 mm to facilitate effective use of the nubsfor removing pet hair and other debris. Generally, the nubsare broader and/or wider than the serrations, if serrations are present.

The swiper toolcan have more than one set of nubs. In the embodiment illustrated, the swiper toolhas a first plurality of nubson one side of the suction inletand a second plurality of nubson an opposite side of the suction inlet. The plurality of nubsare shown as being spaced outwardly from the inletin a direction generally along the swiping axis Y. The nubscan be laterally outward of the serrationsif serrations are present.

The plurality of nubscan be arranged in rows oriented generally along the sawing axis X. The rows of nubscan extend along a lateral side of the suction inlet, completely or partially along the length of the suction inlet.

While discussed herein as being part of a blade, it is understood that in other embodiments, the swiper toolcan have a plurality of teeth or serrationsindependent of having a blade. Embodiments of the toolcan also have serrationsand no nubs, or nubsand no serrations. However, the combination of serrationsand nubshas been found to be effective because having both serrations and nubs on the toolcan help liberate different types of fur on different types of upholstery, making the tooleffective across different combinations of fur types and upholstery materials.