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Title:
AGITATOR FOR A CLEANING MACHINE, SUCH AS A FLOOR CLEANER, AND A METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2001/001819
Kind Code:
A2
Abstract:
An agitator (14) for use with cleaning machines, as well as methods for making the same, are shown and described. The agitator is configured to facilitate the removal of elongated fibers therefrom. In one embodiment, the agitator has a rotatable member with opposing first and second ends (30, 32), an axis of rotation extending between the first and second ends, and an external surface (34) extending at least partially between the first and second ends. A number of projections (36) are attached to the external surface of the agitator. One or both of the ends of the agitator are configured to rotatably engage the cleaning machine (10), such as at a bearing or other connector. The external surface of the rotatable member has a first portion that is substantially cylindrical about the axis of rotation, and a second portion separate from the first portion that has at least a first depression (42). The depression is configured to allow a user to insert a cutting tool partially into the depression and cut the fibers wrapped around the rotatable member.

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Inventors:
COHEN SHANE P
Application Number:
PCT/US2000/013944
Publication Date:
January 11, 2001
Filing Date:
May 22, 2000
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
ORECK HOLDINGS LLC (US)
International Classes:
A46B13/00; A46B17/06; A47L9/04; (IPC1-7): A46B17/06; A47L9/04; A47L11/32
Foreign References:
US4646380A1987-03-03
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Heimbecher, Reed R. (#4400 Denver, CO, US)
Download PDF:
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Claims:
CLAIMS What is claimed is:
1. An agitator for use with a cleaning machine for cleaning a floor or other surface, the agitator comprising: a rotatable member having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, an axis of rotation extending between the first and second ends, and an external surface extending at least partially between the first and second ends, at least one of the first and second ends being configured to rotatably engage the cleaning machine, a first portion of the external surface being substantially cylindrical about the axis of rotation; a plurality of projections for agitating the surface to be cleaned attached to the first portion of the external surface of the rotatable member; and further wherein the external surface of the rotatable member has a second portion spaced radially inward from the first portion to form at least a first depression in the external surface sized and shaped to receive a cutting device to facilitate the cutting or removal of material that becomes wrapped about the rotatable member.
2. The agitator of claim 1, wherein the first depression is elongated.
3. The agitator of claim 1, wherein the first depression is elongated and has a has a crosssectional shape, the crosssectional shape being rectilinear.
4. The agitator of claim 1, wherein the first depression is elongated and has a crosssectional shape, the crosssectional shape being curved.
5. The agitator of claim 1, wherein the first depression is elongated, the external surface has a length roughly parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotatable member, and the first depression extends along at least a portion of the length of the external surface.
6. The agitator of claim 1, wherein the first depression is elongated, the external surface has a length roughly parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotatable member, and the first depression extends along substantially the entire length of the external surface.
7. The agitator of claim 1, wherein the first depression is elongated, the external surface has a length roughly parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotatable member, and the first depression extends roughly helically with respect to the axis of rotation along at least a portion the length of the external surface.
8. The agitator of claim 1, wherein the first depression is elongated and has a longitudinal axis, the longitudinal axis of the first depression being roughly parallel with the axis of rotation of the rotatable member.
9. The agitator of claim 1, further comprising a second depression in the external surface.
10. The agitator of claim 1, further comprising a second depression in the external surface, the first depression being located at a first radial orientation with respect to the axis of rotation, the second depression being located at a second radial orientation with respect to the axis of rotation, at least a portion of the first radial orientation being separate from the second radial orientation.
11. The agitator of claim 1, further comprising a second depression in the external surface, the external surface having a length in the general direction of the axis of rotation, the first depression being located along a first portion of the length of the external surface, the second depression being located along a second portion of the length of the external surface, at least a portion of the first portion of the length of the external surface being separate from the second portion of the length of the external surface.
12. The agitator of claim 1, further comprising a second depression in the external surface, the external surface having a length in the general direction of the axis of rotation, the first depression being located along a first portion of the length of the external surface, the second depression being located along a second portion of the length of the external surface, the first portion of the length of the external surface and the second portion of the length of the external surface collectively extending substantially the entire length of the external surface.
13. The agitator of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of second depressions in the external surface.
14. A floor cleaning machine comprising: an agitator having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, an axis of rotation extending between the first and second ends, and an external surface extending at least partially between the first and second ends, the external surface having a length roughly parallel to the axis of rotation of the agitator, at least one of the first and second ends being configured to rotatably engage the floor cleaning machine; a plurality of bristles attached to the external surface of the rotatable member; the external surface having a plurality of depressions extending axially along at least a portion of the length of the external surface.
15. The floor cleaning machine of claim 14, wherein the plurality of depressions collectively extend substantially the entire length of the external surface.
16. The floor cleaning machine of claim 14, wherein the plurality of depressions are oriented at a plurality of radial orientations with respect to the axis of rotation.
17. The floor cleaning machine of claim 14, wherein the plurality of depressions are oriented at a plurality of radial orientations with respect to the axis of rotation and collectively extend substantially the entire length of the external surface.
18. An agitator for use with a cleaning machine for cleaning a floor or other surface, the agitator comprising: a rotatable member having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, an axis of rotation extending between the first and second ends, and an external surface extending at least partially between the first and second ends, the external surface having a length in the general direction of the axis of rotation, at least one of the first and second ends configured to rotatably engage the cleaning machine; a plurality of projections attached to the external surface of the rotatable member; at least a first portion of the length of the external surface having a crosssection with a first external edge, a first portion of the first external edge being at a constant radial distance from the axis of rotation, a second portion of the first external edge having a radial extent different than the radial distance of the first portion of the first external edge.
19. The agitator of claim 18, wherein the radial extent of the second portion of the first external edge is less than the radial distance of the first portion of the first external edge.
20. The agitator of claim 18, wherein the second portion of the first external edge is in the same radial orientation with respect to the axis of rotation over the entire first portion of the length of the external surface.
21. The agitator of claim 18 wherein the first portion of the external surface extends substantially the entire length of the external surface.
22. The agitator of claim 18, wherein the first portion of the external surface extends substantially the entire length of the external surface and the second portion of the first external edge is in the same radial orientation with respect to the axis of rotation over the entire length of the first portion of the external surface.
23. The agitator of claim 18, wherein the radial extent of the second portion of the first external edge varies with respect to its radial orientation about the axis of rotation.
24. The agitator of claim 18, wherein the radial extent of at least a portion of the second portion of the first external edge varies at a constant rate with respect to its radial orientation about the axis of rotation.
25. The agitator of claim 18, further comprising a second portion of the length of the external surface, the second portion having a crosssection with a second external edge, a first portion of the second external edge being at a constant radial distance from the axis of rotation, a second portion of the second external edge having a radial extent different from the radial distance of the first portion of the second external edge.
26. The agitator of claim 18, further comprising a second portion of the length of the external surface, the second portion having a crosssection with a second external edge, a first portion of the second external edge being at a constant radial distance from the axis of rotation, a second portion of the second external edge having a radial extent less than the radial distance of the first portion of the second external edge, the first portion of the external surface and the second portion of the external surface collectively extending along substantially the entire length of the external surface.
27. The agitator of claim 18, further comprising a second portion of the length of the external surface, the second portion having a crosssection with a second external edge, a first portion of the second external edge being at a constant radial distance from the axis of rotation, a second portion of the second external edge having a radial extent less than the radial distance of the first portion of the second external edge, the second portion of the first external edge being at a different radial orientation than the second portion of the second external edge.
28. The agitator of claim 18, further comprising a second portion of the length of the external surface, the second portion having a crosssection with a second external edge, a first portion of the second external edge being at a constant radial distance from the axis of rotation, a second portion of the second external edge having a radial extent less than the radial distance of the first portion of the second external edge, the second portion of the first external edge being at a different radial orientation than the second portion of the second external edge, the first portion of the external surface and the second portion of the external surface collectively extending along substantially the entire length of the external surface.
29. The agitator of claim 18, wherein the projections are elongated, flexible blades attached to the first portion of the external surface, and wherein the second portion of the first external edge has a radial extent less than the radial distance of the first portion of the first external edge to form a depression sized and shaped to receive a cutting device to facilitate the cutting or removal of material that becomes wrapped about the rotatable member.
30. A method for facilitating the removal of elongated fibers from an agitator on a floor cleaning machine where the agitator has an external surface, the method comprising removing material from the external surface of the agitator to provide a depression in which to insert a portion of a cutting tool for cutting the fibers wrapped around the agitator.
31. The method of claim 30, wherein removing material from the external surface of the agitator comprises cutting the external surface to form at least one elongated groove in the external surface.
32. A method for facilitating the removal of elongated fibers from an agitator on a floor cleaning machine where the agitator has an external surface, the method comprising forming the external surface of the agitator with at least one depression in which to insert a portion of a cutting tool for cutting the fibers wrapped around the agitator.
33. The method of claim 32, wherein the forming the external surface comprises molding the agitator with at least one elongated, axial groove.
Description:
INTERNATIONALSEARCHREPORT | hl ApplleadonlSo PCT/US00/13944 C (ConUnuatlon)DOCUMENTSCONSIDEREDTOBERELEVANT Category CRaLbn of documents YAth indicathn, where appwopTiate, oftherelevantpassagesRelevanttodaimNo. AUS3597789A(BOYD)1,30,32 10August1971(1971-08-10) column2,line3-column3,line20; figures1-4 XGB2241430A(OSPREYLIMITED)18-29 4September1991(1991-09-04) Apage1,line11-page2,line231,30, 32 page3,line9-page4,line4;figures 1-5 XUS2271551A(HOOVER)18-24 3February1942(1942-02-03) Apage2,left-handcolumn,line351,25-30, -right-handcolumn,line5132 page2,right-handcolumn,line75-page 3,left-handcolumn,line46;figures1-9 XUS1889224A(SMELLIE)18 29November1932(1932-11-29) Apage1,line40-page2,line60;figures1,30,32 2-4 AUS4403372A(KEANEETAL.)1,18,30, 13September1983(1983-09-13)32 column3,line21-column5,line19; figures1-4 AUS2491007A(KOCH)1,18,30, 13December1949(1949-12-13)32 column3,line18-column6,line9; figures1-4 lanunalappiicationNo. INTERNATIONAL SEARCH REPORT PCT/US00/13944 Box I Observations where certain claimswerefoundunsearchabte (Continuation ot item1offirstsheet) ThisIntemationaiSearchReporthasnotbeenestablishedInrespectof certaindaimsunderArticle17(2)(a)forthefottowfngreasons: 1 El ; Claims NOS: becausetheyrelatetosubjectmatternotrequiredtobesearchedbythi sAuthority,namely: 2.nClaimsNos.: becausetheyrelatetopartsoftheIntemationalAppllcation thatdonotcomplywiththeprescribedrequirementstosuch anextentthatnomeaningful International Searchcanbecarriedout,specifically : 3.5 ClaimsNos.: becausetheyaredependentdaimsandarenotdraftedInaccordancewith thesecondandthirdsentencesofRule6.4(a). Box11Observationswhereunityofinventionislacking(Continuation ofitem2offirstsheet) ThisinternationalSearchingAuthorityfound multiple inventions inthisintemaUonai application,asfollows: seeadditionalsheet 1.iAsailrequiredadditionalsearchteesweretimelypaidbytheappli cant,thisInternationalSearchReportcoversail searchabie daims. 2.As all searchable daims couldbesearchedwlthouteffortjustifyinganadditionalfee,thisAu thoritydidnotinvitepayment ofanyadditionalfee. 3. Q As only someoftherequiredadditionajsearchfeesweretimelypaidbytheappl icant,thisInternationalSearchReport coversonlythoseclaimsforwhichfeeswerepaid,specificaiiyclaims Nos.: 4. No required additional search fees wore timetypaidbytheapplicantConsequenby,thisInternationalSearchR eportis restrictedtotheInventionfirstmentionedinthedaims;Riscoveredb ydaimsNos. : RemarkonProtestThe additional search feeswereaccompaniedbytheapplicant'sprotest imjNoprotestaccompaniedthepaymentofadditionalsearchfees. L:J INTERNATIONALSEARCHREPORT htemationaiAppticationNo. PCTAJS 00 A 3944 FURTHERINFORMA'NONCONTINUEFROMPCT/ISA/210 ThisInternationalSearchingAuthorityfoundmultiple(groupsof) inventionsinthisinternationalapplication,asfollows: 1.Claims:1-1730-33 Agitatorforusewithacleaningmachinehavingarotatable memberwithdepressionsshapedtoreceiveacuttingdevice forremovingmaterialwrappedaroundtherotatablemember 2.Claims:18-29 Agitatorforacleaningmachinehavingarotatablemember withapluralityofprojectionsandhavingcrosssections withafirstportionpresentingafirstexternaledgeanda secondportionofitslenghthavingaradialextent differentthantheradialdistanceofthefirstportionof thefirstexternaledge. INTERNATIONAL SEARCHREPORTp IonslApplicatlonNo Irtfamstlononpstentfam-lymembers PCT/US 00/13944 PatentdocumentPatent family citedinsearchreportdatemember(s)date US4173807A13-11-1979DE2729266A18-01-1979 CA1087813A21-10-1980 FR2395734A26-01-1979 6B2000963A,B24-01-1979 SE 7805951 A 30-12-1978SE7805951A30-12-1978 US4084282A18-04-1978NONE EP313403A26-04-1989JP1259824A17-10-1989 JP1262825A19-10-1989 JP8024639B13-03-1996 JP1293827A27-11-1989 JP1293828A27-11-1989 JP1293829A27-11-1989 JP1293830A27-11-1989 JP1110336A27-04-1989 AU2418088A27-04-1989 DE3879867A06-05-1993 DE3879867T14-10-1993 ES2040353T16-10-1993 KR9109949B07-12-1991 US 5029361 A 09-07-1991US 5029361 A 09-07-1991 US3597789A10-08-1971DE2112109A23-09-1971 GB2241430A04-09-1991NONE US2271551A03-02-1942GB536830A US 1889224 A 29-11-1932 NONEUS1889224 A 29-11-1932 NONE US4403372A13-09-1983NONE US2491007A13-12-1949NONE



 
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