Rotary agitator providing low noise operation

Abstract

A rotary agitator includes a body having an axis of rotation. The body also includes a projecting cleaning element extending along the body at an angle relative to the axis of rotation of greater than 45 degrees. The projecting cleaning element may take the form of, for example, a beater bar, a flexible wiper, a brush and a series of bristle tufts.

1 . A rotary agitator, comprising: 
 a body having an axis of rotation, said body including a projecting cleaning element extending along said body at an angle relative to said axis of rotation of greater than 45 degrees.    
   
   
       2 . The rotary agitator of  claim 1  wherein said projecting cleaning element is a beater bar.  
   
   
       3 . The rotary agitator of  claim 1 , wherein said projecting cleaning element is a flexible wiper.  
   
   
       4 . The rotary agitator of  claim 1 , wherein said projecting cleaning element is a brush.  
   
   
       5 . The rotary agitator of  claim 1 , wherein said projecting cleaning element is a series of bristle tufts.  
   
   
       6 . A rotary agitator, comprising: 
 a body having an axis of rotation, said body including a projecting cleaning element extending along said body at an angle relative to said axis of rotation of between about 55 degrees and about 80 degrees.    
   
   
       7 . The rotary agitator of  claim 6  wherein said projecting cleaning element is a beater bar.  
   
   
       8 . The rotary agitator of  claim 6 , wherein said projecting cleaning element is a flexible wiper.  
   
   
       9 . The rotary agitator of  claim 6 , wherein said projecting cleaning element is a brush.  
   
   
       10 . The rotary agitator of  claim 6 , wherein said projecting cleaning element is a series of bristle tufts.  
   
   
       11 . A rotary agitator, comprising: 
 a body having an axis of rotation, said body including a projecting cleaning element extending along said body at an angle relative to said axis of rotation of between about 60 degrees to about 70 degrees.    
   
   
       12 . The rotary agitator of  claim 11  wherein said projecting cleaning element is a beater bar.  
   
   
       13 . The rotary agitator of  claim 11 , wherein said projecting cleaning element is a flexible wiper.  
   
   
       14 . The rotary agitator of  claim 11 , wherein said projecting cleaning element is a brush.  
   
   
       15 . The rotary agitator of  claim 11 , wherein said projecting cleaning element is a series of bristle tufts.  
   
   
       16 . A rotary agitator, comprising: 
 a body having an axis of rotation, said body including a projecting cleaning element extending along said body at an angle relative to said centerline of about 65 degrees.    
   
   
       17 . The rotary agitator of  claim 16  wherein said projecting cleaning element is a beater bar.  
   
   
       18 . The rotary agitator of  claim 16 , wherein said projecting cleaning element is a flexible wiper.  
   
   
       19 . The rotary agitator of  claim 16 , wherein said projecting cleaning element is a brush.  
   
   
       20 . The rotary agitator of  claim 16 , wherein said projecting cleaning element is a series of bristle tufts.  
   
   
       21 . A method of producing a low noise rotary agitator, comprising: 
 producing said agitator with a body having an axis of rotation and a projecting cleaning element having an angle relative to said axis of rotation of greater than 45 degrees.    
   
   
       22 . A rug or carpet cleaning appliance, 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 including a body having an axis of rotation, said body also including a projecting cleaning element extending along said body at an angle relative to said axis of rotation of greater than 45 degrees.