Rotary agitator for providing oscillating anp cleaning action

Abstract

A rotary agitator for a cleaning apparatus includes a body having an axis of rotation and a zero degree pitch plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation. The rotary agitator also includes an agitation element carried on the body. The agitation element includes a first portion provided at a positive pitch angle relative to the zero degree pitch plane and a second portion provided at a negative pitch angle relative to the zero degree pitch plane.

1 . A rotary agitator, comprising: 
 a body including an axis of rotation and a zero degree pitch plane perpendicular to said axis of rotation; and    at least one agitation element having a first portion provided at a positive pitch angle relative to said zero degree pitch plane and a second portion provided at a negative pitch angle relative to said zero degree pitch plane.    
   
   
       2 . The rotary agitator of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one agitation element is a series of bristle tufts.  
   
   
       3 . The rotary agitator of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one agitation element is a wiper.  
   
   
       4 . The rotary agitator of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one agitation element is a brush.  
   
   
       5 . The rotary agitator of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one agitation element is a beater bar.  
   
   
       6 . The rotary agitator of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one agitation element is selected from a group consisting essentially of a series of bristle tufts, a wiper, a brush, a beater bar, a molded rib and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       7 . The rotary agitator of claims  1 , wherein said at least one agitation element is substantially continuous.  
   
   
       8 . The rotary agitator of claims  1 , wherein said at least one agitation element is an oscillating ring.  
   
   
       9 . A rotary agitator, comprising: 
 a body including an axis of rotation and a zero degree pitch plane perpendicular to said axis of rotation; and    at least one endless agitation element carried on said body and straddling said zero degree pitch plane.    
   
   
       10 . The rotary agitator of  claim 9  wherein said at least one endless agitation element includes (a) a first arc extending from said zero degree pitch plane to a first point a first distance in a first direction from said zero degree pitch plane and then back to said zero degree pitch plane and (b) a second arc extending from said zero degree pitch plane to a second point a second distance in a second direction from said zero degree pitch plane and then back to said zero degree pitch plane.  
   
   
       11 . The rotary agitator of  claim 10 , wherein said first distance A is between about 0.5 and 3.0 cm.  
   
   
       12 . The rotary agitator of  claim 11  wherein said second distance is substantially equal to said first distance.  
   
   
       13 . A method of removing dirt and debris from nap of a rug or carpet, comprising: 
 providing a rotary agitator with at least one oscillating agitation element that functions to push the nap in a side-to-side motion during rotation of said rotary agitator.    
   
   
       14 . A floor cleaning apparatus, comprising: 
 a housing;    a suction generator carried on said housing;    a dirt collection vessel carried on said housing; and    a rotary agitator carried on said housing, said rotary agitator having a body including an axis of rotation and a zero degree pitch plane perpendicular to said axis of rotation and at least one agitation element having a first portion provided at a positive pitch angle relative to said zero degree pitch plane and a second portion provided at a negative pitch angle relative to said zero degree pitch plane.    
   
   
       15 . A floor cleaning apparatus, comprising: 
 a housing;    a suction generator carried on said housing;    a dirt collection vessel carried on said housing; and    a rotary agitator carried on said housing, said rotary agitator having a body including an axis of rotation and a zero degree pitch plane perpendicular to said axis of rotation and at least one endless agitation element carried on said body and straddling said zero degree pitch plane.