EP1865819A1

EP1865819A1 - Surface cleaning apparatus

Info

Publication number: EP1865819A1
Application number: EP05733119A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Nicholas Gerald Grey
Original assignee: Grey Technology Ltd
Current assignee: Grey Technology Ltd
Priority date: 2005-04-08
Filing date: 2005-04-08
Publication date: 2007-12-19
Also published as: US20090300873A1; CA2603508A1; WO2006106278A1; CN101160083A; CN100566643C

Abstract

A surface cleaning apparatus comprises a debris retrieval body (3), and a first collection means (47) and a second collection means (13) provided within the debris retrieval body for accumulating debris from a surface to be cleaned. A rotatable elongate brush arrangement (27) is provided within the debris retrieval body and is adapted to retrieve a first portion of debris from the surface to be cleaned and to direct the first portion of the debris along a first pathway (311) into the first collection means (47). A first inlet aperture (75) is provided in the debris retrieval body for the passage along a second pathway (315), independent of the first pathway, of a second portion of debris from the surface to be cleaned to the second collection means, the first inlet aperture communicating with a first means for creating suction (17). A second inlet aperture (85) is provided in the debris retrieval body for the passage along a third pathway (313), independent of the first and second pathways, of a third portion of debris from the surface to be cleaned to means for connection to a second means for creating suction.

Description

SURFACE CLEANING APPARATUS

This invention relates to a surface cleaning apparatus utilising both a rotatable brush assembly and a plurality of separate means for creating suction to retrieve debris from a surface .

In conventional vacuum cleaners, debris, for example dirt and dust, is retrieved from a surface by means of motor generated suction and the debris is collected in a suitable collection means, for example a filter bag or receptacle. The quantity of debris that can be picked up from the surface being cleaned depends on the efficiency of the motor generating the suction. Further, it is impractical simply to replace a mains-powered motor with a battery- powered motor due to the lower suction power that can be generated.

Vacuum cleaners are not suitable for the collection of large debris. The generated suction can cause the debris collecting aperture of the vacuum cleaner to become substantially sealed to a surface to be cleaned, preventing large debris from entering the aperture and being removed from the surface. Also, if large pieces of debris are sucked up it is known for them to cause a blockage of the pathways through which suction draws the debris.

Vacuum cleaners with a hose and a battery powered head are known, including cleaners in which the cleaning head can be detached and used independently of the vacuum cleaner in what is known as a sweeper mode. The independent battery powered head has a rotating brush and a debris collection means independent of the collection means of the vacuum cleaner. The debris collection means has a port to which a suction creating means of the vacuum cleaner can be connected when used in a vacuum cleaning mode .

The problem with the known vacuum cleaners with an independent cleaning head is that blocking of the pathway from the independent collection means and the suction means can occur. A relatively large amount of debris can be collected in the collection means of the independent head during use in the sweeper mode. On reconnecting the head to the suction means, the relatively large amount of debris is drawn substantially as one single mass towards the suction means and can lead to blockages.

A known solution to the problem of blockages is the provision of a filter means which only allows particles below a certain size to enter a connection between the independent head and the suction means. However, the filter relatively quickly becomes blocked due to the relatively small surface area of the filter and the potentially large amount of debris that can be present in the collection means of the independent head. Therefore, the performance of such vacuum cleaners can be impaired and such vacuum cleaners have reduced suction power.

Conventional sweepers use a brush arrangement to retrieve debris from a surface. The brush arrangement is adapted to gather up and remove relatively large pieces of debris from a surface, but fine particles of dust, for example, are not efficiently removed from the surface being cleaned, especially from crevices and deep inside soft furnishings. Further, conventional sweepers do not efficiently remove light debris, for example fine -particles of dust, from hard floors It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a surface cleaning apparatus utilising both a rotatable brush assembly and a plurality of separate means for creating suction to retrieve debris from a surface and to overcome, or at least ameliorate, the problems of known apparatus .

According to the present invention there is provided a surface cleaning apparatus comprising:

a debris retrieval body;

a first collection means and a second collection means provided within the debris retrieval body for accumulating debris from a surface to be cleaned;

a rotatable elongate brush arrangement provided within the debris retrieval body and adapted to retrieve a first portion of debris from the surface to be cleaned and to direct the first portion of the debris along a first pathway into the first collection means;

a first inlet aperture provided in the debris retrieval body for the passage along a second pathway, independent of the first pathway, of a second portion of debris from the surface to be cleaned to the second collection means, the first inlet aperture communicating with a first means for creating suction; and

a second inlet aperture provided in the debris retrieval body for the passage along a third pathway, independent of the first and second pathways, of a third portion of debris from the surface to be cleaned to means for connection to a second means for creating suction. The first means for creating suction may be provided within the debris retrieval body.

The second means for creating suction may be provided remotely from the debris retrieval body.

The remotely provided means for creating suction may be incorporated into a cleaner body adapted for attachment to the debris retrieval body.

The first means for creating suction and/or the second means for creating suction may be a cyclonic suction generating system.

The first inlet aperture and/or the second inlet aperture may be elongate.

The first inlet aperture and/or the second inlet aperture may be spaced from the elongate brush arrangement .

A plurality of perforations may be provided in a removable plate covering the first inlet aperture and/or the second inlet aperture.

The debris retrieval body may be provided with an opening through which bristles of the elongate brush arrangement extend for retrieving the first portion of debris.

The opening for the bristles may be separate from the first and/or the second inlet aperture.

The first inlet aperture and/or the second inlet aperture may extend substantially parallel and adjacent to the opening for the bristles of the elongate brush arrangement . The second inlet aperture may have a greater area than the first inlet aperture.

The apparatus may be adapted to convey the first portion of debris directly to the first collection means.

The first collection means and/or the second collection means may be in the form of a removable tray.

A lower edge of a front wall of the debris retrieval body may be maintained at a distance from the surface to be cleaned. The lower edge of the front wall of the debris retrieval body may be provided with a recess.

A battery may be provided to provide power to rotate the elongate brush arrangement and to power the first means for creating suction.

A mains power supply may be provided to power the second means for creating suction.

For a better understanding of the present invention and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a surface cleaning apparatus according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective cut-away view, from above, of the surface cleaning apparatus shown in Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a perspective view, from below, of the surface cleaning apparatus shown in Figure 1; and Figure 4 is the perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus shown in Figure 3 with a portion of the lower surface removed.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 , a surface cleaning apparatus

1 has a debris retrieval body 3 comprising five compartments 5, 7, 9, 11 and 13 and a handle 15 which acts as a means for connection to a first suction creating means

(not shown) , for example a mains powered vacuum cleaner, preferably a cyclonic suction generating vacuum cleaner, provided external to the debris retrieval body.

As will be described hereinafter, the cleaning apparatus 1 can be used in an external vacuum mode to remove debris from a surface to be cleaned by means of the first suction creating means. The cleaning apparatus 1 can also be used in an internal vacuum mode to remove debris from a surface to be cleaned by means of a second suction creating means 17 provided within a first rear compartment 11 of the debris retrieval body suction. Consequently, the apparatus can be used independently of any external suction creating means .

The handle 15 is in the form of an elongate tubular member provided at the rear 19 of the debris retrieval body 3.

The handle 15 is pivotably attached to the rear 19 of the debris retrieval body 3 by means of a pivot member 21. Swivel means 23 is provided between the pivot member 21 and the handle 15, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The swivel means 23 allows the handle 15 to rotate about the axis thereof relative to the debris retrieval body 3 and the pivot member 21 allows the handle 15 to pivot about an axis transverse to the axial direction of the handle 15. The pivot member 21 and the swivel means 23 enable the sweeping apparatus 1 to be steered by the user.

The tube of the handle 15 forms the means for connection to the first suction creating means by providing a portion of a channel 25 (see Figure 1) which passes down the length of the elongate handle, through the swivel means 23 and the pivot member 21, and through which suction created by the external suction means, for example a vacuum cleaner apparatus, can be transmitted to within the debris retrieval body 3.

An upper end 26 of the connection means 15, furthest from the debris retrieval body 3, is shaped to be complementary with connecting portions of, for example, a hose member of the suction creating means, such that the connecting portions of the suction creating means can be, for example, push fitted onto the upper end 26 when the apparatus is used in external vacuum mode.

The shape of the upper end 26 also enables extension members to be added to the handle when the apparatus is used in the internal vacuum mode .

A front compartment 5 houses an elongate rotatable brush arrangement 27 comprising rows of tufts of bristles attached to a cylindrical member 29. For convenience, a front wall 31 of the front compartment 5 (see Figure 1) is arcuate and extends around the periphery of the brush arrangement 27. The front wall 31 may be removable. The bottom of the front compartment 5 is provided with an opening 32 to allow the bristles of the brush arrangement 27 to contact a floor, carpet or like surface over which the surface cleaning apparatus 1 is to be moved. The front wall 31 of the front compartment 5 forms the front wall of the surface cleaning apparatus 1. In use, a lower edge 33 of the front wall is maintained a distance from the surface to be cleaned. The distance between the lowest portion of the lower edge 33 of the front wall 31 and the surface to be cleaned is in a range from 5mm to 8mm. The lower edge 33 of the front wall 31 is non-planar (see Figures 3 and 4) . The lower edge 33 incorporates a recess 35, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, with a width, for example, in a range from about 20mm to about 150mm, preferably about 60mm. The depth of the recess 35, that is the distance between the top of the recess 35 and the lowest portion of the lower edge 33, is nominally about 10mm but may, for example, be in the range from about 4mm to about 20mm. The recess 35 allows debris, such as dust, dirt and the like, too large to pass under the lowest portion of the lower edge 33 to pass into the front compartment 5 and be picked up by means of the brush arrangement 27.

As shown in Figure 1, a narrow elongate flange 37, substantially parallel to the surface to be cleaned, is provided along the lower edge 33 of the front wall 31 extending both outward and inward of the front compartment . The flange is adapted to substantially prevent air turbulence, generated by the rotation of the brush arrangement 27, forcing debris away from the front of the apparatus 1. The inward extending edge of the flange extends from the front wall 31 towards the elongate brush arrangement 27. The end of the flange 37 nearest to the brush arrangement 27 is positioned such that there is no contact between the flange and the bristles of the elongate brush arrangement . At the rear of the front compartment 5 is a rearwardly inclined wall 39 which allows debris, such as dust, dirt and the like, to be propelled up the wall 39 due to rotation of the brush arrangement 27 (shown by arrow 311 in Figure 1) and to pass over the wall 39 into a first intermediate compartment 7 which will be described in more detail hereinafter. The wall 39 extends upwardly to about the same height as the top of the brush arrangement 27 and is angled rearwardly (i.e. away from the front compartment 5) at an angle of about 18 degrees. The precise angle is not important, but the inclination facilitates the passage of the debris up and over the wall 39 and at the same time facilitates retention of the debris within the rear compartment .

The brush arrangement 27 in the front compartment 5 extends substantially the entire width of the front compartment 5 and is provided with two helically arranged rows of bristles. The length of the bristles, for example, is in a range from 8mm to 25mm, preferably a range from 14mm to 17mm. The thickness of individual bristles is in a range from 0.04mm to 0.3mm, preferably in a range from 0.06mm to 0.25mm. The bristles are arranged in tufts and the tufts have a diameter in a range from 1.5mm to 5mm, preferably a range from 2mm to 3mm.

The elongate brush arrangement 27 is arranged such that it can be detached from retaining portions (not shown) of the debris retrieval body 3, for example for cleaning or for replacement.

An auxiliary rotary brush 41 (shown in Figures 3 and 4) is provided at one side of the brush arrangement 27. Such an auxiliary brush 41 is described, for example, in GB-A-I 547 286 or GB-A-2 393 900. Such an auxiliary brush 41 is able to sweep debris into the path of the brush arrangement 27. The auxiliary brush 41 is driven by gearing from the brush arrangement 27. Alternative means of driving the auxiliary brush 41, for example by friction with the surface to be swept, may also be used. The auxiliary brush 41 is provided in a support member 43 and extends outwardly beyond the debris retrieval body 3. The auxiliary brush 41 comprises a cylindrical body rotatable about an axis which is inclined to the vertical by about 10 degrees so as to extend outwardly beyond the debris retrieval body 3. Bristles protrude radially outwardly from the periphery of the cylindrical body, preferably at an angle of about 80 degrees to the axis of rotation, so as to form a cone which increases in cross-section with increasing distance from the debris retrieval body 3.

The support member 43 of the auxiliary brush 41 is detachable from the debris retrieval body 3, for example for the cleaning or replacement of the auxiliary brush 41. The support member 43 is held in position, for example, by two protruding members which fit within complementary apertures in the debris retrieval body 3. The support member 43 is secured to the debris retrieval body 3, for example, by means of a releasable catch on the side of the support member 43 furthest from the front wall 31 of the debris retrieval body 3.

The first intermediate compartment 7, shown in Figures 1 to 4, is provided in the form of a removable tray 47 positioned in a recess provided in the debris retrieval body 3 between the rear wall 39 of the front compartment 5, front walls of the first rear compartment 11 and a second rear compartment 13, and an upper wall of the debris retrieval body. The first intermediate compartment 7 is open on an upper face and on its front side in a position corresponding to the region between the top of the rearwardly inclined wall 39 of the front compartment and the upper side of the debris retrieval body 3. Debris propelled over the rear wall 39 of the front compartment can enter the tray 47 through the opening in the front side .

The first intermediate compartment 7 in the form of the tray 47 is removable from the debris retrieval body 3, for example for emptying, by sliding the tray 47 in a lateral direction out of the recess in the debris retrieval body. A transparent window may be provided in the first intermediate compartment to enable a user to determine if the first intermediate compartment requires emptying.

The second intermediate compartment 9 (shown in Figure 2) is provided to one side of the recess 49 of the debris retrieval body. The second intermediate compartment 9 houses a rechargeable battery pack 51. The battery pack 51 may be connected to a mains power supply (not shown) for recharging the battery pack 51. The battery pack 51 may be connected either to the mains supply whenever the apparatus 1 is not in use or at suitable times when the battery pack 51 has become depleted. As an alternative to a rechargeable battery pack 51, the apparatus 1 could employ disposable batteries or be mains powered.

The rear 19 of the debris retrieval body comprises a first rear compartment 11 and a second rear compartment 13 arranged side by side behind the rear walls of the first and second intermediate compartments 7, 9 as shown in Figure 2. The first rear compartment 11 and the second rear compartment 13 are separated from each other by an internal wall 63. The first rear compartment 11 houses an electric motor (not shown) . The motor is used to rotate the brush arrangement 27 by way of toothed rollers attached to each of the motor and the brush arrangement 27 and a toothed belt 55, for example of elastomeric material, extending around the rollers (see Figure 2 where the upper wall of the debris retrieval body and the brush arrangement have been omitted to show a portion of the belt arrangement) . The motor is powered by the rechargeable battery pack in the second intermediate compartment 9.

Electrical connections including a printed circuit board 52 are provided between the rechargeable battery pack 51 and the motor. Switch means 53 (shown in Figure 2) is provided on an upper region of the first rear compartment 11 to permit a user to energise and de-energise the motor as desired.

The first rear compartment 11 also houses the second suction creating means 17 which is in the form of a cyclonic suction creating assembly as known to a person skilled in the art. As shown in Figure 3, the second suction creating means 17 includes a cyclone body, a cyclonic separator 57 and an impeller 59 to create suction in the debris retrieval body 3. A truncated conical-shaped end 61 of the cyclone body, furthest from the impeller 59, protrudes into the second rear compartment 13 through an aperture in the internal wall 63 between the first rear compartment 11 and the second rear compartment 13.

The second suction creating means 17 may be powered by the same motor as that used to rotate the elongate brush arrangement or may be powered by a separated motor (not shown) , for example energised/de-energised by an additional switch means (not shown) . The exhaust from the cyclonic separator 57 exits the apparatus 1 through an apertured region in the form of a removable section (not shown) of an upper surface of the first rear compartment 11. The apertured region is provided with a replaceable filter member to minimise the possibility of any debris particles exiting the body.

The second rear compartment 13, in the form of a removable compartment, is provided in a recess provided in the debris retrieval body 3 between a rear wall 39 of the debris retrieval body and a rear wall of the first intermediate compartment 7. The second rear compartment 13 is only open in a central region of a face nearest to the internal wall 63. The open central region corresponds to the position of the aperture in the internal wall 63 through which the truncated conical end 61 of the cyclone body protrudes.

Debris propelled out of the truncated conical end 61 of the cyclone body is deposited in the second rear compartment 13.

The second rear compartment 13 is removable from the debris retrieval body 3, for example for emptying, by sliding the second rear compartment 13 in a horizontal direction away from the first rear compartment 11 of the debris retrieval body. A transparent window may be provided in the second rear compartment 13 to enable a user to determine if the second rear compartment requires emptying.

Ground-engaging wheels 67 to assist mobility of the surface cleaning apparatus 1 are provided on the rear of the debris retrieval body.

As shown in Figures 1 and 4, a first elongate chamber 69, enclosed at its upper surface, is provided rearward of the inclined wall 39 of the front compartment 5. The first elongate chamber 69 is provided with an outlet 71 from the chamber 69 which is positioned in the region of one end of the chamber 69.

A duct 73 (shown in Figure 4) connects the outlet 71 provided in the rear wall of the first elongate chamber 69 with the second suction creating means 17 in the first rear compartment 11. The duct 73 is substantially the width of the outlet 71 and is positioned beneath the first intermediate compartment 7. An upper wall of the duct 73 is positioned adjacent to a portion of the lower wall of the first intermediate compartment 7. The lower wall of the duct 73 is formed by a section 74 of the lower wall of the surface cleaning apparatus 1 (see Figure 3) . The section 74 of the lower wall is removable to enable the duct to be cleaned.

Figures 1 and 3 show a nozzle in the form of an elongate inlet aperture 75 in a lower face of the first chamber 69.

The inlet aperture 75 is separate from the opening 32 for the brush bristles of the front compartment 5. During the use of the apparatus 1, the inlet aperture 75 enables suction created by the internal second suction means within the first chamber 69 to be applied in close proximity to a surface to be cleaned. The application of suction via the inlet aperture 75 in close proximity to the surface to be cleaned enables debris to be removed from the surface as will be described hereinafter.

The area of the inlet aperture 75 is less than the cross- sectional area of the first chamber 69.

For a given power usage of a motor associated with suction creating means of a vacuum cleaner, a relatively constant volume of air will be drawn through the suction creating means. To enable debris to be retrieved from a surface, the debris must be entrained in the air that enters the apparatus through an aperture forming a nozzle. To achieve this, a relatively high air speed must be generated through the nozzle. In conventional vacuum cleaners the width of the aperture is relatively large to enable relatively large amounts of debris on a surface to be removed by a single pass of the aperture over the surface. Therefore, a relatively large volume of air must be drawn though the nozzle of a conventional vacuum cleaner in order to achieve sufficient air speed to entrain debris. As such, a motor using relatively high amounts of power is required in order to draw such relatively large volumes of air through the wide apertured nozzle.

For a given volume of air drawn into an apparatus in accordance with the present invention for a given power usage of a motor, the presence of the narrow inlet aperture 75 and the associated lower area compared to the cross- sectional area of the first chamber 69 and/or the cross- sectional area of a passage through which the air is drawn causes the speed of the air on passing through the inlet aperture 75 and/or the passage to be increased compared to the speed of the air which passes through the first chamber 69 to the second suction creating means 17. As the use of the suction means is directed to retrieving fine dust, which has not been removed along with larger pieces of debris by the rotating brush arrangement, there is no need for a wide aperture for retrieving larger pieces of debris.

Therefore, it is possible to generate sufficiently high air speed through the inlet aperture forming the nozzle, to entrain fine dust, by means of the narrow width of the inlet aperture 75 constricting the volume of air as it passes through the inlet aperture. As such, the flow of air through the inlet aperture can have a high air speed generated in this way for a relatively low power usage by the motor of the second suction means. The narrow, elongate inlet aperture enables effective cleaning of the surface over which the inlet aperture is positioned in use.

The increased cross-sectional area of the chamber 69 compared to the area of the inlet aperture 75 and the resultant lower speed of air flow in the chamber 69 is also beneficial in that losses resulting from friction between the air flow and walls of the chamber are reduced by the slowing of the air flow on entering the chamber. The power usage by the motor of the second suction means can be minimised by the reduction of the frictional losses in the chamber by means of the difference between the area of the inlet aperture and the cross-sectional area of the chamber.

The provision of a chamber with a relatively large cross- sectional area also helps to minimise the potential of a blockage being formed in the chamber by the dust entrained in the air flow entering the chamber from the inlet aperture .

As shown in Figure 3, the inlet aperture 75 of the first chamber 69 extends along substantially the entire length of the longitudinal extent of the opening 32 in the front compartment 5.

A cover 77 (see Figure 3) is provided over the entire length of the inlet aperture 75 of the first chamber 69, releasably secured to the debris retrieval body 3 by fastening means, for example screw fasteners. The cover 77 has a series of elongate apertures to further reduce the width of the inlet aperture 75 between the surface to be cleaned and the first chamber 69. Provided rearward of the first chamber 69 is a second elongate chamber 79 enclosed at its upper surface, as shown in Figure 1. The second chamber 79 is provided with an outlet 81 from the chamber 79 which is positioned substantially equidistant from the side walls of the debris retrieval body (as shown in Figure 4) .

A duct 83 (shown in Figure 4) connects the outlet 81 provided in the rear wall of the second elongate chamber 79 with the first suction creating means. The duct 83 has a fluted shape such that in a region of the duct adjacent to the outlet 81, the duct 83 widens to extend substantially across the entire width of the outlet 81. The duct 83 between the outlet 81 of the second chamber 79 and the first suction creating means is separate from the duct 73 between the outlet 71 of the first chamber 69 and the second suction creating means 17.

An upper wall of the duct 83 is positioned adjacent to a portion of the lower wall of the first intermediate compartment 7. The lower wall of the duct 83 is formed by the section 74 of the lower wall of the surface cleaning apparatus 1. The section 74 of the lower wall, as described hereinbefore, is removable to enable the duct 83 to be cleaned.

Figure 3 shows a nozzle in the form of an elongate inlet aperture 85 in a lower face of the second chamber 79. The inlet aperture 85 of the second chamber 69 is separate from the opening 32 for the brush bristles of the front compartment 5 and from the inlet 75 of the first chamber 69. During the use of the apparatus 1, the inlet aperture 85 enables suction created by the external first suction means within the second chamber 79 to be applied in close proximity to a surface to be cleaned. The application of suction via the inlet aperture 85 in close proximity to the surface to be cleaned enables debris to be removed from the surface as will be described hereinafter.

As with the inlet aperture 75 of the first chamber 69, the area of the inlet aperture 85 of the second chamber 79 is less than the cross-sectional area of the chamber 79. The difference in area results in an increase in the speed of air flow through the inlet aperture 75, as described hereinbefore. Therefore, it is possible to generate sufficiently high air speed through the inlet aperture forming the nozzle, to entrain dust and small debris, by means of the width of the inlet aperture constricting the volume of air as it passes through the inlet aperture. As such, the flow of air through the inlet aperture can have a high air speed generated in this way for a relatively low power usage by the motor of the first suction means. The narrow, elongate inlet aperture enables effective cleaning of the surface over which the aperture is positioned in use.

As discussed hereinbefore, the increased cross-sectional area of the chamber 79 compared to the area of the inlet aperture 85 and the resultant lower speed of air flow in the chamber 79 is also beneficial in that losses resulting from friction between the air flow and walls of the chamber are reduced by the slowing of the air flow on entering the chamber. The power usage by the motor of the first suction means can be minimised by the reduction of the frictional losses in the chamber by means of the difference between the area of the inlet aperture and the cross-sectional area of the chamber.

As shown in Figure 3, the inlet aperture 85 of the second chamber 79 extends along substantially the entire length of the longitudinal extent of the opening 32 in the front compartment 5.

The width of the inlet apertures 75, 85 are relatively narrow, for example in a range from 1 to 20 mm, or in a range from 1 to 10 mm. If desired, the width of the inlet aperture may be in a range from 2 to 4 mm.

The width, and thus the area, of the inlet aperture 85 of the second chamber 79 is greater than the width, and thus the area, of the inlet aperture 75 of the first chamber 69.

The inlet aperture 85 of the second chamber 79 can, and generally does, have a greater area than the inlet aperture

75 of the first chamber 69 as there can be more power available to the external first means to create suction compared to the power available from the battery pack 51 for the internal second means to create suction 17.

The cover 77, described hereinbefore, is provided over the entire length of the inlet aperture 85. The cover 77 has a series of elongate apertures to further reduce the width of the inlet aperture 85 between the surface to be cleaned and the chamber 79.

As shown in Figures 1 and 3, provided between the inlet aperture 75 of the first chamber 69 and the inlet aperture 85 of the second chamber 79 is a cleaning strip assembly 87, for example for cleaning hard floor surfaces, as known to a person skilled in the art.

Ground-engaging wheels 89 to assist mobility of the surface cleaning apparatus 1 are provided in a region adjacent to the inlets 75, 85 of the debris retrieval body 3 (see Figures 1 and 3) .

In use in the external vacuum mode, a surface cleaning apparatus 1 in accordance with the present invention is placed upon a surface to be cleaned, such as a carpet, and the switch 53 is operated to energise the brush assembly motor. The brush arrangement 27 is rotated to sweep debris from the surface to be cleaned and then propel the debris up and over the inclined wall 39 and into the removable tray 47 where it is temporarily stored. That is, the debris passes along path 311 as shown in Figure 1.

As the surface cleaning apparatus 1 is moved over the surface to be cleaned, with the brush arrangement 27 rotating, further debris is similarly swept from the surface and propelled up and over the wall 39 into the first intermediate compartment 7.

As shown in Figure 4, due to the external first suction creating means creating a vacuum in the debris retrieval body of the apparatus 1, debris passes through the inlet aperture 85 of the second elongate chamber 79 into the duct 83 via the outlet 81 provided in the rear wall of the elongate chamber 79. The duct 83 transfers the debris, in the direction of arrow 313, from the inlet aperture 85 beneath the first intermediate compartment 7 and on to a collection means provided in the first suction creating means via the handle 15. In use in the internal vacuum mode, a surface cleaning apparatus 1 in accordance with the present invention is placed upon a surface to be cleaned, such as a carpet, the motor is energised to rotate the brush assembly and the internal second suction creating means 17 is also energised. The brush arrangement 27 is rotated to sweep debris from the surface to be cleaned as described for the external vacuum mode .

As shown in Figure 4, vacuum created within the debris retrieval body by the internal second suction creating means 17 causes debris to pass through the inlet aperture 75 of the first elongate chamber 69 into the duct 73 via the outlet 71 provided in the rear wall of the elongate chamber 69. The duct 73 transfers the debris, in the direction of arrow 315, from the inlet aperture 75 beneath the first intermediate compartment 7 to the cyclonic separator 57. In the cyclonic separator 57 the fine particles of dust are separated from the air stream and deposited, via the truncated conical end 61 of the cyclone body into the second rear compartment 13.

It should be appreciated that the apparatus 1 can be used in both the internal vacuum mode and the external vacuum mode simultaneously. As the brush arrangement 27 is rotated to sweep debris from the surface, the debris is propelled up and over the inclined wall 39 and conveyed directly into the first intermediate compartment 7 where it is temporarily stored. Simultaneously, debris that is not swept up and propelled into the first intermediate compartment 7 by the brush arrangement 27 is drawn through the inlet aperture 75 into the first elongate chamber 69 by the suction created by the internal second suction creating means 17 and is drawn through the inlet aperture 85 into the second elongate chamber 79 by the suction created by the external first suction creating means. The two portions of debris removed by suction means follow separate and distinct pathways 313 and 315 through the apparatus 1 (as shown in Figure 4) . The two portions of debris removed by suction means also follow separate and distinct pathways from the pathway 311 of the debris removed from the surface by the rotatable brush arrangement.

There is no connection pathway between the first intermediate compartment 7, the duct 73 between the first chamber 69 and the second suction creating means 17, and the duct 83 between the second chamber 79 and the first suction creating means that would enable debris in the first intermediate compartment 7 to be conveyed towards either of the suction creating means. As such, there is no possibility that the debris collected during use of the apparatus in the sweeper mode can be drawn towards either the first or the second suction creating means and cause a blockage .

Although the nozzles in the form of inlet apertures 75, 85 have been described as being provided rearward of the brush assembly, it should be appreciated that at least one of the inlet apertures could be provided forward of the elongate brush assembly with associated ducting passing over or to the side of the front compartment.

It should also be appreciated that, although a single removable plate covering the inlet apertures 75, 85 has been described, either of the inlet apertures 75, 85 could be uncovered. It should also be appreciated that the inlet 75 of the first chamber 69 and the inlet aperture 85 of the second chamber 79 may be covered by separate removable plates. It should be appreciated that debris can be collected directly in a non-removable form of the first intermediate compartment and/or the second rear compartment wherein a closure is provided which can be opened for the emptying of debris therein.

It should also be appreciated that debris picked up by the brush arrangement and debris picked up by the internal suction generating means can be collected into two separate collecting means of a single collection body, where the two collecting means are sealed relative to each other to maintain suction within the apparatus .

Although an auxiliary brush 41 is described, it should be appreciated that a surface cleaning apparatus in accordance with the present invention need not have the auxiliary brush .

Although the means of creating suction within a surface cleaning apparatus in accordance with the present invention has been described hereinbefore as a cyclonic system, it should be appreciated that other methods of creating suction within a surface cleaning apparatus, known to a person skilled in the art, could be used, for example a suction creating assembly using a porous bag for the accumulation of debris.

Claims

1. A surface cleaning apparatus characterised by.

a debris retrieval body (3) ;

a first collection means (47) and a second collection means (13) provided within the debris retrieval body for accumulating debris from a surface to be cleaned;

a rotatable elongate brush arrangement (27) provided within the debris retrieval body and adapted to retrieve a first portion of debris from the surface to be cleaned and to direct the first portion of the debris along a first pathway (311) into the first collection means (47) ;

a first inlet aperture (75) provided in the debris retrieval body for the passage along a second pathway (315) , independent of the first pathway, of a second portion of debris from the surface to be cleaned to the second collection means, the first inlet aperture communicating with a first means for creating suction (17) ; and

a second inlet aperture (85) provided in the debris retrieval body for the passage along a third pathway (313) , independent of the first and second pathways, of a third portion of debris from the surface to be cleaned to means for connection to a second means for creating suction.

2. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the first means for creating suction (17) is provided within the debris retrieval body (3) .

3. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the second means for creating suction is provided remotely from the debris retrieval body (3) .

4. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 3 , characterised in that the remotely provided means for creating suction is incorporated into a cleaner body adapted for attachment to the debris retrieval body.

5. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the first means for creating suction (17) is a cyclonic suction generating system.

6. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the second means for creating suction is a cyclonic suction generating system.

7. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the first inlet aperture (75) is elongate.

8. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the first inlet aperture (75) is spaced from the elongate brush arrangement (27) .

9. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that a plurality of perforations is provided in a removable plate (77) covering the first inlet aperture (75) .

10. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the second inlet aperture (85) is elongate.

11. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in any- preceding claim, characterised in that the second inlet aperture (85) is spaced from the elongate brush arrangement (27) .

12. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that a plurality of perforations is provided in a removable plate (77) covering the second inlet aperture (85) .

13. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the debris retrieval body is provided with an opening (32) through which bristles of the elongate brush arrangement extend for retrieving the first portion of debris.

14. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 13, characterised in that the opening (32) for the bristles is separate from the first inlet aperture (75) .

15. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 14, characterised in that the first inlet aperture (75) extends substantially parallel and adjacent to the opening for the bristles of the elongate brush arrangement.

16. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 15, characterised in that the opening (32) for the bristles is separate from the second inlet aperture (85) .

17. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 16, characterised in that the second inlet aperture (85) extends substantially parallel and adjacent to the opening for the bristles of the elongate brush arrangement.

18. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the second inlet aperture has a greater area than the first inlet aperture.

19. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the apparatus is adapted to convey the first portion of debris directly to the first collection means (47) .

20. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the first collection means (47) is in the form of a removable tray.

21. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the second collection means is in the form of a removable tray.

22. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that a lower edge (33) of a front wall (31) of the debris retrieval body is maintained at a distance from the surface to be cleaned.

23. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 22, characterised in that the lower edge (33) of the front wall (31) of the debris retrieval body is provided with a recess (35) .

24. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that a battery (51) is provided to provide power to rotate the elongate brush arrangement (27) and to power the first means for creating suction (17) .

25. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in any- preceding claim, characterised in that a mains power supply is provided to power the second means for creating suction.