MATTRESS SURFACE CLEANING AGITATOR

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] There are no previously filed, nor currently any co-pending applications, anywhere in the world.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates generally to vacuum cleaning devices and, more particularly, to a mechanical cleaning attachment adapted for use with upholstered soft goods such as a mattress.

2. Description of the Related Art

[0003] A mattress a particular type of upholstered body support formed as

a large, rectangular pad designed to be used as a bed or on a bed frame as part of a bed. Mattresses themselves use structures similar to other forms of upholstered furniture, and may consist of a quilted or similarly fastened case, usually of heavy cloth, that contains hair, straw, cotton, foam rubber, etc., or a framework of metal springs. Mattresses are usually placed on top of a bed base which may be solid, as in the case of a platform bed, or flexible, e.g. with an upholstered wood and wire box spring or a slatted foundation and covered with a linen or sheet.

[0004] While mattresses may also be formed with a sealed bladder filled with air or water, even such designs may utilize a secondary filled or foam removable "topper."

[0005] In general, such filled bodies, whether as mattresses or other types of upholstered furniture, exhibit unique challenges for cleaning as compared to other types of furniture made of wood, steel, plastic, etc. Primary issues concerning a mattress are sagging, mildew, and staining. These are prevented by proper usage (i.e. support, rotation, flipping, etc.) and proper maintenance (i.e. proper cleaning, maintaining dryness, etc.). Because an upholstered layer is subject to various wear conditions that can result in or be exhibited by uneven movement of the fill material (both laterally as well as via sagging, deformity or lumpiness), proper maintenance, cleaning and care of filled upholstery items may require cleaning that requires more than just removal of any unwanted

surface dirt.

[0006] Conventionally, mattresses and similarly formed upholstery is cleaned in conjunction with a mechanical surface agitation referred to as “beating”. By physically striking (generally perpendicular to) the upholstered surface, surface material may be loosened and internal fill materially may be simultaneously moved, fluffed or rearranged to a more uniformed condition.

[0007] Absent spot cleaning of upholstered surface with cleaning solutions, the most widely used method of routine cleaning of upholstered items is through the use of a vacuum cleaner. However, vacuum cleaners, even those that employ a rotating beating cleaning roller or beater bar which removes dirt through a combination of sweeping and vibration, fails to provide the necessary mechanical agitation that is desired to effectively remove absorbed or embedded material from surface and fill layers of such mattresses and similar furnishings.

[0008] Consequently, modifications and improvements for such brushrolls or beater bars is desired in order to provide for increased mechanical agitation while vacuuming.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a mechanical cleaning attachment adapted for use with upholstered soft goods such as a mattress.

[0010] It is yet another object of the invention to devise a beating cleaning roller for a vacuum cleaning device which by an increased mechanical action on an upholstered surface which is to be cleaned exerts a high level of cleaning action at depth as well.

[0011] It is a feature of the present invention to provide an improvement on a vacuum brushroll or beater bar that provides increased mechanical surface agitation.

[0012] Briefly described according to the present invention, a mechanical surface agitator is provided having a linearly elongated horizontal axle having an outer surface and formed as a linearly elongated shaft having a shaft rotational centerline. The elongated shaft further forms a beating cleaning roller consisting of a roller base body with an axis of rotation and an outer peripheral surface to be formed with a plurality of resilient striking elements, wherein each of the resilient striking elements consists of an attachment portion and a striking bar. A first, lower, end of the attachment portion is fixed on the peripheral surface of the roller base body, the attachment portion extending radially away from the roller base body. A second, distal, end of the attachment portion bears a striking bar, the attachment portion extending axially in the direction of the axis of rotation. The attachment portion is designed as a flat body with a width measured along the axis of rotation and has a length measured radially to the roller base body. The body of the attachment portion has a thickness measured in the peripheral

direction of the roller base body, the striking bar arranged at the distal end of the attachment portion being designed to be thicker than the body of the attachment portion itself in the peripheral direction of the roller base body.

[0013] According to one aspect of the present invention, the configuration of the beating cleaning roller provides a high striking force which also acts at depth can be applied to a resilient substrate which is to be cleaned. Thus, not only beating cleaning of the outer cover of an item of upholstery such as a mattress is possible, but also working and cleaning at depth is achieved. Due to the advantageous configuration of the beating cleaning roller, dirt present on/in a substrate is detached, conveyed to the surface and vacuumed off there by a combination of striking and sweeping. It should be emphasized that the beating cleaning roller according to the invention can be used instead of a brush roller. The beating cleaning roller due to the beating action on the substrate which is to be cleaned achieves a cleaning action at depth. Due to the mechanical force acting on the surface, dirt embedded in the upholstery is conveyed to the surface to be vacuumed off.

[0014] Acccording to another aspect fo the present invention, the configuration of the beating cleaning roller allows the width of the body of the attachment portion to be oriented collinearly with the axis of rotation. The first end of the attachment portion and the second, distal, end of the attachment portion in this case lie in particular parallel to one another.

[0015] The attachment portion advantageously extends on a line radial to the axis of rotation of the roller base body, so that as long as possible a lever arm for the striking bar is formed. As a result, the acting mechanical force is increased.

[0016] The body of the attachment portion has a preferably rectangular or trapezoidal basic form, it being expedient to design the attachment portion and the striking bar in one piece.

[0017] The attachment portion consists in particular of a resilient material, in particular of an elastomer, a silicone, a rubber, a plastics material, a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) or a rubber material, as a result of which a sort of spring effect is achieved. This acts in particular when the striking bar is lifted off after striking the substrate. Preferably the resilient material has an elasticity which is less than or equal to a Shore A hardness of 60.

[0018] Because of the radial length of the attachment portion which is provided, a rotatory force applied to the roller base body will exert an increased torque on the distal end of the attachment portion. In order to increase the mechanical force, the striking bar is formed as a mass body. This mass body may be designed to be at least partially cylindrical to fully cylindrical in cross section. Other cross-sectional forms may also be advantageous.

[0019] The roller base body preferably has a central, rigid shaft, so the

roller base body itself may consist of a resilient material.

[0020] Advantageously, the striking elements and the roller base body are formed in one piece. In particular a plurality of striking elements is arranged at a distance from each other in the direction of the axis of rotation of the roller base body. These axial distances in the longitudinal direction of the roller base body may be identical or alternatively different.

[0021] A plurality of striking elements may be arranged at a distance from each other in the peripheral direction of the roller base body. The distances of the striking elements measured in the peripheral direction may be identical or different.

[0022] In a preferred configuration of the invention, provision is made for only one striking element in each case to be arranged on a peripheral line of the roller base body, so that only one striking element acts over the rotation of 360 over a peripheral line of the roller base body. Axially adjacent striking elements are angularly offset relative to each other in the peripheral direction of the roller base body. In this case, it has proved advantageous for axially adjacent striking elements to be offset relative to each other in particular by an angle of 90 in the peripheral direction of the roller base body.

[0023] The roller base body is advantageously fixed to a rigid shaft in rotation-resistant manner. For simple manufacture, provision is made for the

roller base body to be injection-molded onto the rigid shaft, in particular injection-molded in a positive fit. The rigid shaft preferably consists of metal. Alternatively, it may be expedient to apply the roller base body to the rigid shaft by a compression molding process, for example if the roller base body is manufactured from silicone. Preferably the resilient material of the roller base body has an elasticity which is less than/equal to a Shore A hardness of 60.

[0024] Advantages of the present invention include increased sweeping and vibration motions that provide an emulated mechanical“beating” motion to a resilient upholstered surface that provides necessary mechanical agitation desired to effectively remove absorbed or embedded material from surface and fill layers of such mattresses and similar furnishings.

[0025] Further objects, features, elements and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment when considered with the attached drawings and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:

[0027] FIG. 1 is a perspective, schematic view of a suction cleaning tool with a beating cleaning roller according to the invention;

[0028] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a beating cleaning roller in a configuration according to FIG. 1 ;

[0029] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the beating cleaning roller of Fig. 2 in a different rotary position;

[0030] FIG. 4 is an end view of the drive means of the beating cleaning roller of FIG. 2;

[0031] FIG. 5 is an end view of the bearing side of the beating cleaning roller of FIG. 2;

[0032] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the drive means of the beating cleaning roller of FIG. 2;

[0033] FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a portion of the beating cleaning roller of FIG. 2;

[0034] FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a striking element of the beating cleaning roller of FIG. 2; and

[0035] FIG. 9 is a schematic, enlarged view of a beating cleaning roller of FIG. 2 when being used for the beating cleaning of an item of upholstery.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0036] The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within the Figures. It should be understood that the legal scope of the description is defined by the words of the claims set forth at the end of this patent and that the detailed description is to be construed as exemplary only and does not describe every possible embodiment since describing every possible embodiment would be impractical, if not impossible. Numerous alternative embodiments could be implemented, using either current technology or technology developed after the filing date of this patent, which would still fall within the scope of the claims.

[0037] It should also be understood that, unless a term is expressly defined in this patent there is no intent to lim it the meaning of that term, either expressly or by implication, beyond its plain or ordinary meaning, and such term should not be interpreted to be limited in scope based on any statement made in any section of this patent (other than the language of the claims). To the extent that any term recited in the claims at the end of this patent is referred to in this patent in a manner consistent with a single meaning, that is done for sake of clarity only so as to not confuse the reader, and it is not intended that such claim term by limited, by implication or otherwise, to that single meaning. Finally, unless a claim element is defined by reciting the word“means” and a function without the recital of any structure, it is not intended that the scope of any claim element be interpreted based on the application of 35 U.S.C. § 1 12(f).

[0038] The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within the Figures.

1. Detailed Description of the Figures

[0039] Before explaining the present invention in detail, it is important to understand that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the construction illustrated and the steps described herein. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in a variety of ways. It is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

[0040] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals indicate the same parts throughout the several views, a mattress surface cleaning agitator according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown configured as part of a beating cleaning roller, generally noted as 10. When configured as shown, the beating cleaning roller 10 includes a drive mechanism 20, a horizontal axle 30, and a plurality of resilient striking elements

40.

[0041] The drive mechanism 20 is shown as drive wheel 22 having a mounting attachment 24 located at a first rotating centerline 26. A geared drive surface 28 may circumscribe an outer surface of the wheel 22. Such a rotating geared drive wheel may be used to provide and impart a powered rotation R1 to the beating cleaning roller 10. As may be apparent to those having ordinary skill

in the relevant art, the mechanical elements and design selection for a powered rotation as described herein are merely exemplary, and those having ordinary skill should understand that such a configuration is exemplary and should be broadly construed within a wide range of functional equivalents.

[0042] Similarly, the horizontal axle 30 is formed as a linearly elongated shaft having a second rotational centerline 32 being collinear with both the linear length of the axle 30 as well as the first rotating centerline 26. A first end 34 may be affixed to and rotated by the drive mechanism 20. Opposite the first end 34 a second end 36 may be rotationally supported, such as within a cleaning head (not shown) of a vacuum cleaner.

[0043] Affixed to the outer surface of the axle 30 and extending radially perpendicular to the rotational centerline 32 are a plurality of resilient agitator striking elements 40. Each striking element 40 may be formed of a pedestal 42 and a head 44. The pedestal 42 is formed as a laterally elongated flag forming a rectangular body 46 having a width“W” and a length“L”. The width W is collinear with the length of the axle 30 and is affixed at a first end 48 to an outer surface 34 of the axle 30. The body 46 of the pedestal 42 may extend cantilevered from the outer surface 34 so that a second end 50 is positioned parallel to the first end 48 and extended from the outer surface 34 by length“L”. The entire rectangular body 46 may be formed of a resilient material such as, for example, an elastomeric or rubber material that is capable of allowing a pliable

lateral spring bias 52 perpendicular to the radial extended centerline 54 of the agitator striking element 40 itself. With the radial extended centerline 54 itself being perpendicularly aligned to the shaft centerline 32, the pliable lateral spring bias 52, when imparted to the rectangular body 46, creates a rotational urging force both about the shaft 30 and in a manner that imparts an increased rotational torque to the a distally positioned beater head 56 along said second end 50. The beater head 56 may be at least partially cylindrical to a fully cylindrical body having an increased mass positioned about the second end 50.

[0044] Some exemplary methods to create the overall agitator striking element 40 having all of the features of resiliency, extended mass and geometry positioning relative between the extended mass and the shaft 30, the entire body 46 may be molded integrally with the shaft 30, or the body 46 may be formed as a separate over molded structure about a rigid core 31 of the shaft 30. Such examples are suggested for purposes of teaching both enablement and further clarifying the physical capabilities of the resilient striking element 40, but are not intended to be limiting of such forming methods. It should be understood that any similar or functionally equivalent method should and may be considered within a broad scope of equivalents within the range of the present invention and the current disclosure.

[0045] Penultimately, it should be understood that a plurality of such resilient striking elements 40 may be formed laterally along the shaft 30. The

plurality of striking elements 40 may be laterally spaced along the linear length of the shaft 30. Further, the plurality of striking elements 40 may be radially spaced about the circumference of the shaft 30. According to some aspects of the present invention, either or both of the lateral spacing or the radial spacing may be at regular intervals. As shown in the present figures, adjacent striking element 40 may be separated at equal radial intervals 60, shown herein as each laterally successive striking element 40 being positioned at 90 ° relative to each adjacent striking element 40. It is envisioned that according to alternate design selections a different radial interval 60 may be selected, either at a regular interval or an irregular interval. As further shown in the present figures, adjacent striking elements 40 may be separated at equal linear intervals 62 along the shaft 30. It is envisioned that according to alternate design selections a different linear interval 62 may be selected, either at a regular interval or an irregular interval.

[0046] Finally, the number and spacing, as well as the speed of rotation of the shaft 30, may all be considered, in addition to the length L, width W, mass of the beater head 46 and resiliency of the pedestal 42 may all be considered in determining the application of the intended functionality, namely, the imparting of a mechanical agitation onto a target compressible surface. While all such combinations and permutations of the same may be considered to be within the range of functional equivalents of the present teachings, it may be further

considered that a rotationally spun mass supported on a resilient shaft, in addition to imparting mechanical agitations at larger and irregular intervals, may all provide an improved functionality for the intended use that would otherwise teach away from the vector of development for otherwise convention flooring surface vacuum cleaners.

2. Operation of the Preferred Embodiment

[0047] In operation, the present invention is described herein in

conjunction with a design embodiment of a beating cleaning roller 10. However, is should be understood that the teachings and improvements may be

implemented in alternate designs, including, but not limited to, an independent appliance or in conjunction with other appliances in which mechanical surface agitation inherent in the features and elements of the present invention. As best shown in conjunction with FIG. 9, a mechanical cleaning attachment adapted for use with upholstered soft goods such as a mattress. The shaft 30 may be rotate so as to rotate the radially extended resilient striking elements 40 concentrically. The beater heads 44 are thereby rotatably spun. The pedestals 42 provide a resilient connection between the shaft 30 and the beater heads 44. As each beater head 44 is mechanically struck against a surface 6, the weighted head 44 imparts a mechanical striking force thereto. As shown, the surface 6 may encase a fill or foam material 8, and as such it is intended that any striking force

be transmitted through any surface material 4 and into the lower fill or foam material 8. Further, as the head 44 strikes the surface 6, the pedestal 42 is resilient to allow for a spring urged rebounding to allow the head 44 to strike, and then quickly move up and back, or away from a surface after hitting it before providing a rebound strike (either once or repeatedly).

[0048] Such a‘beater’ function provides a repeatable, mechanically imparted beating, fluffing and cleaning through mechanical agitation that may emulate, but in an improved functionality, current manual methods of hand beating upholstery surfaces in order to dislodge embedded or adhered dust, dirt or other accumulation.

[0049] The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention are presented for purposes of illustration and description. The Title, Background, Summary, Brief Description of the Drawings and Abstract of the disclosure are hereby incorporated into the disclosure and are provided as illustrative examples of the disclosure, not as restrictive descriptions. It is submitted with the understanding that they will not be used to limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the Detailed Description, it can be seen that the description provides illustrative examples and the various features are grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed subject matter requires more features than are

expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed configuration or operation. The following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.

[0050] The claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects described herein, but is to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language claims and to encompass all legal equivalents. Notwithstanding, none of the claims are intended to embrace subject matter that fails to satisfy the requirement of 35 U.S.C. §101 , 102, or 103, nor should they be interpreted in such a way. Any unintended embracement of such subject matter is hereby disclaimed. They are not intended to be exhaustive nor to limit the invention to precise forms disclosed and, obviously, many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments are chosen and described in order to best explain principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and its various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contem plated. It is intended that a scope of the invention be defined broadly by the Drawings and Specification appended hereto and to their eq uivalents. Therefore, the scope of the invention is in no way to be limited only by any adverse inference under the rulings of Warner-Jenkinson Company, v. Hilton Davis Chemical, 520 US 17

(1997) or Festo Corp. v. Shoketsu Kinzoku Kogyo Kabushiki Co., 535 U.S. 722 (2002), or other similar caselaw or subsequent precedent should not be made if any future claims are added or amended subsequent to this Patent Application.