CLEANING DEVICE

Abstract

A cleaning device comprises a trolley with a base movable over a floor surface and a vacuum unit removably mounted on the base. The vacuum unit comprises a power head, a collection container, and a suction inlet configured to suck dust and dirt through the power head into the collection container. The cleaning device also comprises a cleaning head coupled to the trolley, separate from the vacuum unit, such that the vacuum unit is detachable from the cleaning head when removed from the trolley, the cleaning head being configured to attack the floor surface and the dust and dirt located thereon. The cleaning device also comprises a nozzle mounted on the cleaning head, the nozzle coupled to the suction inlet of the vacuum unit and providing a suction path between the cleaning head and into the collection container of the vacuum unit.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 602,271, filed November 22, 2023, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 610,494, filed December 15, 2023, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. SUMMARY

[0002] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a cleaning device comprising: a rolling cart having a base movable over a floor surface; a vacuum unit removably mountable on the base, the vacuum unit having a power head, a collection container, and a suction inlet configured to draw dust and dirt through the power head into the collection container, the vacuum unit being operable to draw the dust and dirt into the collection container when the vacuum unit is mounted on the base of the rolling cart and when the vacuum unit is placed on the floor surface separately from the rolling cart;a cleaning head coupled to the trolley separately from the vacuum unit such that the vacuum unit is detachable from the cleaning head when removed from the trolley, the cleaning head being configured to engage the floor surface and the dust and dirt located thereon; and a nozzle mounted on the cleaning head, the nozzle being coupled to the suction inlet of the vacuum unit and providing a suction path between the cleaning head and into the collection container of the vacuum unit.

[0003] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a cleaning device, wherein the cleaning head is selected from the group consisting of a sweeping head, a stripping head, and a fluffing head.

[0004] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a cleaning device, wherein the cleaning head is an abrasive head configured to loosen the dirt adhering to the floor surface, and wherein the abrasive head is selected from the group consisting of a roller brush, a scraper, and a pressure washer.

[0005] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a cleaning device further comprising a hose extending between the nozzle and the suction inlet.

[0006] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a cleaning device, wherein the trolley has a handle coupled to the base, wherein the vacuum assembly is separable from the handle.

[0007] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a cleaning apparatus, wherein the trolley further comprises a collection chamber separate from the collection chamber of the vacuum assembly, and wherein the collection chamber of the trolley is configured to receive and store the dust and debris collected by the cleaning head.

[0008] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a cleaning apparatus wherein the collection chamber of the vacuum assembly is connected to the collection chamber of the trolley when the vacuum assembly is received on the base.

[0009] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a cleaning device wherein the cleaning head is pivotally mounted on the base of the trolley.

[0010] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a cleaning device, wherein the trolley has a plurality of wheels configured to support the base on the floor surface, wherein the cleaning head is pivotable about an axis parallel to a rotational axis of the plurality of wheels.

[0011] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a cleaning device, wherein the cleaning head has a mounting point, wherein the nozzle is attached to the mounting point.

[0012] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a cleaning device wherein the mounting point is located at a leading edge of the cleaning head and a leading edge of the trolley.

[0013] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a cleaning device wherein the cleaning head includes two counter-rotating brushes and wherein the mounting point is located near a location where the two counter-rotating brushes meet.

[0014] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a cleaning apparatus wherein the cleaning head is powered by a first power source and the vacuum assembly is powered by a second power source.

[0015] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a cleaning device wherein the base is a recessed horizontal base sized and shaped to receive at least a portion of the collection container.

[0016] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method, the method comprising: disposing the vacuum assembly on the base; securing the nozzle relative to the cleaning head, the nozzle being connected to the suction inlet via a hose; operating the cleaning head to break up dust and debris on the floor surface; and operating the vacuum assembly to draw the dust and debris through the nozzle and hose into the collection container.

[0017] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method wherein operating the cleaning head comprises rotating a sweeping head or roller brush on the floor surface.

[0018] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method wherein operating the cleaning head comprises moving a squeegee or scraper on the floor surface.

[0019] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a cleaning apparatus comprising: a rolling cart having a base movable over a floor surface; a vacuum assembly removably mountable on the base, the vacuum assembly having a power head, a collection container, and a suction inlet configured to draw dust and debris via the power head through the vacuum assembly into the collection container; a cleaning head coupled to a front of the rolling cart, the cleaning head configured to dislodge dust and debris from a floor surface; and a hose removably coupled to the cleaning head and defining an inlet through which the dust and debris is directed to the suction inlet of the vacuum assembly.

[0020] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a cleaning device, wherein the cleaning head is selected from the group consisting of a sweeping head, a stripping head, and a fluffing head.

[0021] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a cleaning device, wherein the cleaning head is an abrasive head configured to dislodge material adhering to the floor surface, and wherein the abrasive head is selected from the group consisting of a roller brush, a scraper, and a pressure washer. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a cleaning device with a sweeping head installed therein. Fig. 2 is a side view of the cleaning device of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a side view of another embodiment of a cleaning device with a sweeping head installed therein. Fig. 4 is a front perspective view of another embodiment of a cleaning device with a stripping head incorporated therein. Fig. 5 is a side view of the cleaning device of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a front perspective view of the cleaning device of Fig. 4 with the puller head removed for use as a handheld device. Fig. 7 is a front perspective view of another embodiment of a cleaning device having a loosening head incorporated therein. Fig. 8 is a side view of the cleaning device of Fig. 6. Fig. 9 is a front perspective view of another embodiment of a cleaning device having a loosening head incorporated therein. Fig. 10 is a front perspective view of another embodiment of a cleaning device having a loosening head incorporated therein. Fig. 11 is a front perspective view of another embodiment of a cleaning device having a loosening head incorporated therein. Fig. 12 is a front perspective view of another embodiment of a cleaning device having a loosening head incorporated therein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 show a first cleaning device 100 comprising a trolley 104, a sweeping head 108 movably coupled to the trolley 104, a stand-alone vacuum unit 112 in operative connection with the sweeping head 108, and a vacuum attachment or hose 116 in operative connection with both the vacuum unit 112 and the sweeping head 108.

[0023] As in Fig. 1, the dolly 104 includes a body or base portion 120 that forms a seat or mounting point 124 upon which the vacuum assembly 112 may be placed and supported during operation. In the illustrated embodiment, the seat 124 generally includes a depression or recess sized and shaped to receive at least a portion of the collection container 164 of the vacuum assembly 112 therein to provide both vertical and lateral support. In other embodiments, clips or retaining brackets may also be provided to secure the vacuum assembly 112 to the base 120 during operation. The illustrated seat 124 is integrally formed within the dolly 104 itself, but it should be understood that in other embodiments, the seat 124 may be retrofitted to the base 120 or separately attached.

[0024] The trolley 104 also includes a handle 128, which allows the user to push the trolley 104 across a floor or other surface during operation using one or more wheels 132. In the illustrated embodiment, the wheels 132 are free-wheeling, allowing the user to manually push the trolley 104 across the floor. However, in other embodiments, the wheels 132 may be powered. Furthermore, one or more user interfaces (not shown) for operating the various elements of the cleaning device 100 may be arranged on the handle 128 and readily accessible to the user.

[0025] The trolley 104 may also form an integral collection chamber 136 for receiving and storing the dust and debris collected by the sweeping head 108 during operation. The illustrated collection chamber 136 is separate and isolated from the collection bin 164 of the vacuum assembly 112 (discussed below). However, in other embodiments, they may be connected. In some embodiments, the collection chamber 136 may form a drawer. In other embodiments, the collection chamber 146 may be formed within the body such that it is accessible via a door or other form of portal.

[0026] The sweeping head 108 of the cleaning device 100 includes a body 140 mounted on the trolley 104 for relative movement thereto. Specifically, the sweeping head 108 is pivotally mounted on the body trolley 104 for pivotal movement about an axis 144 that is substantially parallel to the axes of the wheels 132 (e.g., horizontally oriented).

[0027] The sweeping head 108 includes a pair of counter-rotating brushes 148 that rotate relative to the sweeping head about axes that are generally vertical (e.g., perpendicular to axis 144). During use, the brushes 148 rotate such that any dust or debris that comes into contact with the leading brush edges is directed toward the center of the sweeping head 108 and subsequently collected in the collection chamber 136. In the illustrated embodiment, the sweeping head 108 includes two circular brushes spaced approximately tangentially from each other. However, in other embodiments, more or fewer brushes may be arranged in different orientations relative to each other. Additionally, one or more brushes 148 may have different sizes and / or shapes.

[0028] The sweeping head 108 also includes a mounting location or mounting point 150 for attaching and securing the suction nozzle 154 of the vacuum attachment 116. The mounting location 150 is positioned such that the suction zone created by the nozzle 154 is located at the leading edge of the sweeping head 108 and near its center. In particular, the mounting location 150 positions the suction nozzle 154 such that the suction zone is near the point where the two counter-rotating brushes 148 meet (e.g., where the counter-rotating brushes 148 direct dirt and debris). In other embodiments, more than one mounting location 150 may be present on the sweeping head 108 to accommodate multiple nozzles or to allow a single nozzle to be repositioned for different cleaning configurations (e.g., brushing along edges, etc.).In cases where multiple nozzles 154 are present, these nozzles 154 may all be returned to a single vacuum unit 112 or to multiple independent vacuum units.

[0029] The vacuum attachment 116 includes an elongated tube with an inlet or nozzle end 154 and an outlet end 158. The inlet end 154 is sized and shaped to match and coordinate with the size and shape of the leading edge of the sweeping head 108 to maximize the amount of dust and debris that the inlet 154 can collect during operation and the manner of dust and debris collection (e.g., various sizes and types of collectable dust and debris). In particular, the inlet 154 is positioned, sized, and shaped to match the size, shape, and position of the brushes 148. The outlet 158, in turn, is designed to be inserted into the standard opening 162 of the vacuum unit 112 to enable utilization of the suction generated by the vacuum unit 112 at the inlet 154.

[0030] As in Fig. 2, the vacuum unit 112 is a standalone standard wet / dry vacuum cleaner with its own built-in power head 160 (forming opening 162) and collection container 164. The vacuum unit 112 is removable from the trolley 104 and can be used independently. The illustrated vacuum unit 112 is also battery-operated and forms its own battery port into which a lithium-ion battery can be inserted.

[0031] The trolley 104 and sweeping head 108 together form a power sweeping assembly. In the illustrated embodiment, the trolley 104, sweeping head 108, and vacuum assembly 112 are all powered by lithium-ion batteries. In some embodiments, each element may be individually powered (e.g., have its own attached battery), however, in other embodiments, combinations of the devices may be powered by a single battery or a collection of batteries. In the illustrated embodiment, the combination of the trolley 104 and sweeping head 108 includes a first power supply (e.g., a first set of lithium-ion battery packs), and the vacuum assembly 112 includes a second power supply (e.g., a second set of lithium-ion battery packs).In embodiments where only a single common set of lithium-ion battery packs is used, connection points may be provided to allow the transfer of electrical energy and other electrical signals between elements (e.g., connection points between the trolley 104 and the vacuum assembly 112 via the seat 124).

[0032] Fig. Figure 3 illustrates another embodiment of the cleaning device 1100. The cleaning device 1100 includes a trolley 1104, a sweeping assembly 1108, and a stand-alone vacuum unit 1112. The trolley 1104, in turn, includes a frame 1110 that forms a seat or mounting point 1120 upon which the vacuum unit 1112 and the sweeping assembly 1108 can be placed (as discussed above). The trolley 1104 also includes a handle 1124 for grasping and manipulation by the user. The trolley 1104 may be power-operated or manually driven.

[0033] The sweeping assembly 1108 is configured to be placed on the seat 1120 of the trolley 1104 (e.g., at a leading edge of the trolley) and operatively connected to the vacuum assembly 1116 via a connecting line 1116. In particular, the sweeping assembly 1108 includes a base 1130 and a sweeping head 1134 movably coupled to the base 1130. During use, the base 1130 is positioned on the seat 1120 of the trolley 1104 with the sweeping head 1134 extending beyond the leading end thereof (e.g., opposite the handle 1124). Once appropriately placed on the trolley, the user can then adjust the position of the sweeping head 1134 between an extended position (A), in which the sweeping head 1134 is brought into contact with the floor for cleaning, and a retracted position (B), in which the sweeping head 1134 is lifted up off the floor and out of the way when not in use.In the illustrated embodiment, the sweeping head 1134 is pivoted between the retracted and extended positions.

[0034] The base 1130 of the sweeping assembly 1108 defines a collection chamber 1138 configured to receive and store the dust and debris collected by the sweeping head 1134. The chamber 1138, in turn, may be configured as a drawer or accessible via a door or the like. The base 1130 further includes a seat or mounting point 1136 on its top surface upon which the vacuum assembly 1112 may be stacked. In particular, the seat 1136 of the base 1130 is sized and shaped to at least partially receive the collection container 1140 of the vacuum assembly.

[0035] The sweeping head 1134 includes one or more brushes (not shown) that can be rotated, vibrated, or otherwise moved relative to the head 1134, and a suction port (not shown). During use, the movement of the brushes relative to the head 1134 assists in the dislodgement and collection of dust and debris from the floor, which is then drawn into the suction port. In some embodiments, the suction port may be integrally formed with the sweeping head 1134. In other embodiments, a separate nozzle may be attached to the sweeping head 1134, as described above.

[0036] In the illustrated embodiment, the sweeping head 1134 is operatively connected to the vacuum unit 1112 such that the power head 1144 of the vacuum unit 1112 provides all the suction power required for operation. In other embodiments, the suction port may be powered by a separate internal fan, with the vacuum unit 1112 supplementing the internal fan.

[0037] In the illustrated embodiment, the vacuum assembly 1112 includes both the power head 1144 and a collection container 1140, with the collection container 1140 being separate from the collection chamber 1138 of the sweeping assembly 1108. In other embodiments, the vacuum assembly 1112 may include only the power head 1144, with the power head 1144 being directly attached to the base 1130 of the sweeping assembly and operatively connected to the collection chamber 1138.

[0038] While the assembly 1100 is illustrated as having a sweeping head 1134 mounted thereon, it should be understood that other types of cleaning heads (e.g., a stripping head, a flaking head, and the like) may be present in other embodiments.

[0039] Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 illustrate a third cleaning device 2100. The cleaning device 2100 includes a rolling carriage 2104, a squeegee head 2108 movably mounted on the rolling carriage 2104, and a standalone vacuum unit 2112 in operative connection with the squeegee head 2108. During use, the device 2100 is rolled along the floor, with the squeegee head 2108 assisting in collecting the liquid present there, which is then vacuumed away and stored by the vacuum unit 2112.

[0040] The trolley 2104 of the cleaning device 2100 includes a body 2116 that forms a seat or mounting point 2120 (described above) upon which the storage container 2124 of the vacuum assembly 2112 can be placed and held. The trolley 2104 also includes a handle 2128 and wheels 2132. The trolley 2104 can be either power-operated or manually driven. In some embodiments, the trolley 2104 can also include a head mounting point 2130 to which the stripping head 2108 or other accessories can be attached. In such embodiments, the head mounting point 2130 can be positioned at the leading edge of the trolley 2104 (e.g., opposite the handle 2128).

[0041] The squeegee head 2108 of the cleaning device includes a frame 2136 and a squeegee lip 2140 mounted on the frame 2136 in a generally arcuate shape. During use, the squeegee head 2108 is coupled to the trolley 2104 for movement relative thereto. In the illustrated embodiment, the squeegee head 2108 can move both horizontally (e.g., pivoting relative to the trolley 2104 about a vertical axis) and horizontally (e.g., through axial translation along the same vertical axis). This allows the squeegee head 2108 to ensure that the lip 2140 pivots and remains in constant contact with the floor for effective liquid collection.In some embodiments, the squeegee head 2108 may include a spring or biasing member for biasing the squeegee head 2108 in a vertical downward direction (e.g., into the floor) to ensure that the squeegee lip 2140 maintains constant contact pressure against the floor. In other embodiments, additional degrees of freedom may be present (e.g., pivoting about a horizontal axis) to allow the squeegee lip 2140 to more directly follow the contour of the floor.

[0042] While the illustrated stripping head 2108 is mounted on the trolley 2104 via the head mounting point 2130, it should be understood that in other embodiments, the stripping head 2108 may be mounted on the vacuum assembly 2112 (e.g., on the storage container 2150 of the vacuum assembly 2112). In such embodiments, the vacuum assembly 2112 may provide a particular type of mounting point to which the stripping head 2108 may be mounted during use.

[0043] As in Fig. 4, the stripping head 2108 also includes a suction inlet 2154 incorporated therein. The suction inlet 2154 is configured to be operatively connected to the vacuum assembly 2112 so that the liquid collected by the stripping lip 2140 can subsequently be sucked into the storage container 2150 of the vacuum assembly 2112. In the illustrated embodiment, the suction inlet 2154 is positioned near the center of the stripping lip 2140 so that, as the liquid is collected, the liquid is directed over the curve of the stripping lip 2150 to the suction inlet 2154. In the illustrated embodiment, the suction inlet 2154 includes a mounting point to which a flexible hose 2158 can be attached to establish a flow path (i.e., a suction pathway) between the suction inlet 2154 and the vacuum cleaner 2112.

[0044] Fig. 6 illustrates an alternative operational embodiment of the cleaning device 2100. Specifically, the stripping head 2108 has been removed from the mounting point 2130 of the trolley 2104 and instead mounted on a separate handle 2160. This allows the user to maneuver the stripping head 2108 independently of the trolley 2104 while maintaining an operative connection to the vacuum unit 2112 via the hose 2126.

[0045] Fig. 7-8 illustrate another embodiment of a cleaning device 3100. The cleaning device 3100 includes a rolling cart 3104, a loosening head 3108, and a stand-alone vacuum assembly 3112 in operative connection with the cleaning head 3108. During use, the device 3100 is rolled along the floor, with the loosening head 3108 helping to loosen any caked or compacted dirt on the floor so that it can then be vacuumed away by the vacuum assembly 3112. The loosening head 3108 is particularly adapted for use with mud, drywall plaster, and other substances that form compacted or compacted dirt on a floor or other surface.

[0046] The trolley 3104 of the cleaning device 3100 includes a body 3116 that forms a seat or mounting point 3120 (described above) upon which the storage container 3124 of the vacuum assembly 3112 can be placed and held. The trolley 3104 also includes a handle 3128 and wheels 3132. The trolley 3104 can be either power-driven or manually driven. In some embodiments, the trolley 3104 can also include a head mounting point 3130 to which the aeration head 3108 or other accessories can be attached. In such embodiments, the head mounting point 3130 can be positioned at the leading edge of the trolley 3104 (e.g., opposite the handle 3128). The illustrated mounting point 3130 is shown with the aerator head 3108 attached, but it should be understood that in other embodiments, the mounting point 3130 may also serve as a universal connection for other types of accessories.The current mounting point 3130 is also mechanical, but it is understood that other connection forms such as, among others, electrical, pneumatic, fluid power and the like may be present.

[0047] The aeration head 3108 of the cleaning device includes a frame 3136 and an aeration generator 3138 movably mounted on the frame 3136, as well as an inlet 3140. The aeration head 3108 is capable of moving relative to the trolley 3104 during use so that the aeration generator 3138 remains in contact with the floor. The aeration generator 3138, in turn, is designed to kinetically attack the floor (and the contaminants stuck or compacted there) to pulverize or otherwise break up the contaminants so that they can then be easily collected via the inlet 3140.

[0048] In the illustrated embodiment, the aeration generator 3108 is a battery-powered roller brush 3144 configured to rotate about a horizontal axis such that the portion of the exterior surface in contact with the floor rotates away from the trolley 3104 (e.g., in the same direction as the direction of travel). This rotation, in combination with the external attributes of the brush itself, is designed to break up or dislodge any debris it comes into contact with for subsequent collection.

[0049] The illustrated brush 3144 is designed so that the specific configuration of the brush can be modified. For example, the abrasive action of the brush, bristle arrangement, bristle pattern, bristle type (e.g., fibers versus ridges versus solid protrusions, and so on), and brush diameter can all be changed as needed depending on the type of surface to be cleaned and the substance to be removed.

[0050] In other embodiments, different shapes of aeration generators 3108 may be used. In some embodiments, the aeration generator may, for example, comprise a scraper or blade 3150 (see Fig. 9 and Fig. 10). In such embodiments, the scraper 3150 may be driven (e.g., moved laterally, vibrated, etc.), heated, and so on, to help improve the ability of the scraper 3150 to remove dirt from the floor. In further embodiments, the scraper 3150 may be used in conjunction with rotating brushes 3154 to help improve cleaning performance.

[0051] In yet another embodiment, the aeration generator 3108 may include a pressure washer unit 3160 (see Fig. 11). In such embodiments, the pressure washer unit 3160 may include a hood 3164 enclosing a plurality of nozzles positioned to direct a pressurized fluid toward the surface to be cleaned (e.g., the floor). In such an embodiment, nozzles may be mounted in a movable manner (e.g., pivoting, reciprocating, etc.) to enhance the cleaning power of the generator 3108. Furthermore, in other embodiments, nozzles may also dispense some form of cleaning solution in addition to pressurized water.

[0052] In the illustrated embodiment, the aeration head 3108 is a stand-alone unit with its own power source (e.g., lithium-ion battery) and its own drive motor (e.g., to drive the roller brush 3144 so that it can be operated independently of the vacuum unit 3112).

[0053] In the Fig. 12, the agitator generator 3204 is a sweeping unit with two rotating brushes 3208 that rotate in opposite directions to create a dust vortex zone 3212 between them at the front of the cleaning device 3200. The brushes 3208 rotate about generally parallel axes such that the two brushes 3208 are tangent to each other, form a small gap between them (less than 5% of the diameter of the brush), or slightly overlap each other (less than 5% of the diameter of the brush). In contrast to the embodiment shown in Fig. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 9, the wet / dry vacuum 3220 mounted on top of the body 3224 of the aeration generator 3204 is positioned rearward of the aeration generator 3204. The front of the body 3224 of the aeration generator 3204 has a recess that receives a wide vacuum nozzle 3228 to create suction on the dust vortex zone 3212 and to draw dust and debris into the wet / dry vacuum 3200 via a hose 3232 extending between the nozzle 3228 and the wet / dry vacuum 3220.

[0054] The dirt sucked in through the nozzle 3228 and the hose 3232 is deposited in the dirt collection container 3236 of the wet / dry vacuum cleaner 3220. The sweeping unit 3204 (with the two rotating brushes 3208) is operable separately from the wet / dry vacuum cleaner 3220. The wet / dry vacuum cleaner 3220 is operable when the sweeping unit 3204 is not operating. The wet / dry vacuum cleaner 3220 is operable when the sweeping unit 3204 is operating. Likewise, the sweeping unit 3204 is operable when the wet / dry vacuum cleaner 3220 is not operating and when the wet / dry vacuum cleaner 3220 is operating. Additional or alternative vacuum nozzles or ports may be installed elsewhere around the body 3224 of the aeration generator 3204. For example, vacuum ports may additionally or alternatively be located along the sides of the aeration generator 3204 where the brushes 3208 project outward from the sides of the body 3224.One or more vacuum ports may also be located on the rear of the aeration generator 3204 (below the wet / dry vacuum 3220). The sweeping unit 3204 may be powered by DC power sources such as batteries (e.g., lithium batteries) and / or AC power sources such as a power cord connected to a wall outlet.

[0055] The nozzle 3228 of the wet / dry vacuum cleaner can be moved or removed from the Fig. 12, while the wet / dry vacuum 3220 remains mounted on the aerator 3204. By removing and / or moving the nozzle 3228, the wet / dry vacuum 3220 can provide spot cleaning and reach areas inaccessible with the larger size of the aerator 3204. The wet / dry vacuum 3220 can also be removed in its entirety from the aerator 3204 and operated as a standalone wet / dry vacuum 3204. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] US 63 / 602,271

[0001] US 63 / 610,494

[0001]

Claims

[1] Cleaning device comprising: a trolley with a base that can be moved over a floor surface; a vacuum unit removably mountable on the base, the vacuum unit having a power head, a collection container, and a suction inlet configured to draw dust and dirt through the power head into the collection container, the vacuum unit operable to draw the dust and dirt into the collection container when the vacuum unit is mounted on the base of the trolley and when the vacuum unit is placed on the floor surface separately from the trolley; a cleaning head coupled to the trolley separately from the vacuum unit such that the vacuum unit is separable from the cleaning head when removed from the trolley, the cleaning head being designed to attack the floor surface and the dust and dirt present therein; and a nozzle mounted on the cleaning head, the nozzle being coupled to the suction inlet of the vacuum unit and providing a suction path between the cleaning head and the collection container of the vacuum unit. [2] The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning head is selected from the group consisting of a sweeping head, a stripping head and a loosening head. [3] The cleaning device according to claim 2, wherein the cleaning head is a loosening head configured to loosen the dirt adhering to the floor surface, and wherein the loosening head is selected from the group consisting of a roller brush, a scraper, and a pressure washer. [4] The cleaning device of claim 1, further comprising a hose extending between the nozzle and the suction inlet. [5] Cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the trolley has a handle coupled to the base, wherein the vacuum unit is separable from the handle. [6] The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the trolley further comprises a collection chamber separate from the collection chamber of the vacuum unit, and wherein the collection chamber of the trolley is configured to receive and store the dust and dirt collected by the cleaning head. [7] Cleaning device according to claim 6, wherein the collection chamber of the vacuum unit is connected to the collection chamber of the trolley when the vacuum unit is received on the base. [8] Cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning head is pivotally mounted on the base of the trolley. [9] The cleaning device of claim 8, wherein the trolley has a plurality of wheels configured to support the base on the floor surface, the cleaning head being pivotable about an axis parallel to a rotational axis of the plurality of wheels. [10] The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the cleaning head has a mounting point, the nozzle being attached to the mounting point. [11] Cleaning device according to claim 10, wherein the mounting point is arranged on a leading edge of the cleaning head and a front edge of the trolley. [12] A cleaning device according to claim 11, wherein the cleaning head has two counter-rotating brushes and wherein the mounting point is located near a location where the two counter-rotating brushes come together. [13] Cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning head is powered by a first energy source and the vacuum unit is powered by a second energy source. [14] The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the base is a recessed horizontal base sized and shaped to receive at least a portion of the collection container. [15] A method of operating the cleaning device according to claim 1, the method comprising: Placing the vacuum unit on the base; Attaching the nozzle relative to the cleaning head, with the nozzle connected to the suction inlet via a hose; Operating the cleaning head to break up dust and dirt on the floor surface; and Operating the vacuum unit to suck in the dust and dirt through the nozzle and hose into the collection container. [16] The method of claim 15, wherein operating the cleaning head comprises rotating a sweeping head or a roller brush on the floor surface. [17] The method of claim 15, wherein operating the cleaning head comprises moving a stripping head or a scraper on the floor surface. [18] Cleaning device comprising: a trolley with a base that can be moved over a floor surface; a vacuum unit removably mountable on the base, the vacuum unit having a power head, a collection container and a suction inlet adapted to draw dust and dirt through the power head into the collection container; a cleaning head coupled to a front of the trolley, the cleaning head being configured to remove dust and dirt from a floor surface; and a hose that is detachably coupled to the cleaning head and defines an inlet through which the dust and dirt is directed to the suction inlet of the vacuum unit. [19] Cleaning device according to claim 18, wherein the cleaning head is selected from the group consisting of a sweeping head, a stripping head and a loosening head. [20] The cleaning device of claim 19, wherein the cleaning head is a loosening head configured to remove material adhering to the floor surface, and wherein the loosening head is selected from the group consisting of a roller brush, a scraper, and a pressure washer.

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