Surface-Cleaning Apparatus with Height Adjustable Base

Abstract

A surface cleaning apparatus for cleaning debris is presented. The apparatus includes a housing having a battery, a DC motor and a switch. A belt attaches to the floor brush and DC motor for rotating the floor brush. Front wheels are positioned forward of the floor brush. A height adjustable rear wheel is positioned centrally at a rear of the apparatus. The rear wheel has a first height for operating the apparatus on a hard surface such that the debris is brushed from the surface and friction between the floor brush and the surface is minimized and a second height for operating the apparatus on a soft surface such that the debris is brushed from the surface and friction between the floor brush, the housing and the surface is minimized thus reducing electricity consumption and providing a smooth movement of the apparatus over the surface.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present Utility patent application claims priority benefit of the U.S. provisional application for patent Ser. No. 60 / 862,761 filed on Oct. 24, 2006 under 35 U.S.C. 119(e). The contents of this related provisional application are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates generally to surface cleaning apparatuses. More particularly, the invention relates to a surface cleaning apparatus, for example, without limitation, for a floor or upholstery, incorporating an elongate rotating brush arrangement and an electric motor or mechanical system for rotating the brush.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Conventional surface cleaning apparatuses with rotating brushes and electric motors or mechanical systems for rotating the brush do not enable efficient usage on different surfaces. Types of applicable surfaces are hard surfaces and soft surfaces. For example, without limitation, ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0019]In one embodiment, a surface cleaning apparatus for cleaning debris from the surface is presented. The apparatus includes a housing including an upper body having a battery, a DC motor for operating a part of the apparatus, and a switch for connecting the battery to the DC motor. A forward compartment includes a floor brush, a belt attachable to the floor brush and DC motor for rotating the floor brush when the DC motor is activated and front wheels positioned forward of the floor brush for rolling on the surface. A lower body includes a dust tray for collecting the debris brushed by the floor brush and a height adjustable rear wheel positioned centrally at a rear of the lower body. The rear wheel includes a first height for operating the apparatus on a hard surface where the lower body and the floor bush are at a first distance from the surface such that the debris is brushed from the surface and friction between the floor brush and the surface is minimized thus reducing scratching of the surface and electricity consumption of the apparatus. The rear wheel includes a second height for operating the apparatus on a soft surface where the lower body and the floor bush are at a second distance from the surface such that the debris is brushed from the surface and friction between the floor brush, the housing and the surface is minimized thus reducing electricity consumption of the apparatus and avoiding the surface from blocking movement of the apparatus over the surface to provide smooth movement of the apparatus over the surface. A lower handle is included for moving the apparatus over the surface. In another embodiment, the apparatus further includes a wheel holder for holding the rear wheel. The wheel holder includes a post with a spring disposed thereon. The spring provides a suspension function for flexible movement at different positions. In a further embodiment, the apparatus further includes a wheel adjust button for alternatively selecting the first and second heights. In yet other embodiments, the rear wheel further includes a plurality of heights between the first and second height and a turn wheel selects a one of the plurality of heights for optimizing debris removal, minimizing electric

Problems solved by technology

Conventional surface cleaning apparatuses with rotating brushes and electric motors or mechanical systems for rotating the brush do not enable efficient usage on different surfaces.

If the bristle ends are too close to the surface to be cleaned, the bristles may harshly scratch the surface, and the electricity consumption of the apparatus will significantly increase.

Also, the distance between a blocking bar and the surface to be cleaned affects the cleaning effectiveness and

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