Vacuum accessory tool

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner accessory tool configured for use with a vacuum cleaner. The accessory tool includes a nozzle body that defines a chamber. The accessory tool further includes a first resilient flexible blade that extends from the nozzle body, a second resilient flexible blade that extends from the nozzle body, and a third resilient flexible blade that extends from the nozzle body. A first elongated inlet aperture extends through the nozzle body directly between the first blade and the second blade and the first inlet aperture allows air to pass therethrough and into the chamber. A second elongated inlet aperture extends through the nozzle body directly between the second blade and the third blade and the second inlet aperture allows air to pass therethrough and into the chamber.

1 . A vacuum cleaner accessory tool configured for use with a vacuum cleaner, the accessory tool comprising:
 a nozzle body that defines a chamber;   an outlet conduit that extends from the nozzle body and in fluid communication with the chamber, the outlet conduit configured to couple the accessory tool to the vacuum cleaner and to provide fluid communication from the chamber to the vacuum cleaner;   a first resilient flexible blade that extends from the nozzle body;   a second resilient flexible blade that extends from the nozzle body;   a third resilient flexible blade that extends from the nozzle body;   a first elongated inlet aperture that extends through the nozzle body directly between the first blade and the second blade, the first inlet aperture allowing air to pass therethrough and into the chamber; and   a second elongated inlet aperture that extends through the nozzle body directly between the second blade and the third blade, the second inlet aperture allowing air to pass therethrough and into the chamber;   wherein the first and the second elongated inlet apertures are the only two inlet apertures of the accessory tool configured to draw air and debris therethrough and into the chamber.   
     
     
         2 . The accessory tool of  claim 1 , wherein the first, the second, and the third blades are flexible rubber blades. 
     
     
         3 . The accessory tool of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first, the second, and the third resilient flexible blades define a longitudinal axis, wherein the longitudinal axes of the first, the second, and the third resilient flexible blades are curved. 
     
     
         4 . The accessory tool of  claim 1 , wherein the first, the second, and the third resilient flexible blades each include an end surface that faces away from the nozzle body, the end surfaces configured to be moved along a surface to be cleaned, and wherein the end surfaces of the first, the second, and the third resilient flexible blades are substantially flat. 
     
     
         5 . The accessory tool of  claim 4 , wherein the end surfaces of the first, the second, and the third resilient flexible blades are co-planer. 
     
     
         6 . The accessory tool of  claim 1 , wherein the first elongated inlet aperture has a length measured along a longitudinal axis of the first elongated inlet aperture, wherein the second elongated inlet aperture has a length measured along a longitudinal axis of the second elongated inlet aperture, wherein the lengths of the first and the second elongated inlet apertures are approximately equal. 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . The accessory tool of  claim 1 , wherein the first, the second, and the third resilient flexible blades are the only blades of the accessory tool configured to agitate debris on a surface to be cleaned. 
     
     
         9 . The accessory tool of  claim 1 , wherein the nozzle body includes a suction inlet opening, the nozzle body further comprising a nozzle plate coupled to the nozzle body adjacent the suction inlet opening, and wherein the nozzle plate includes the first, the second, and the third resilient flexible blades and the first and the second elongated inlet apertures. 
     
     
         10 . The accessory tool of  claim 9 , wherein the nozzle plate includes a first blade aperture, a second blade aperture, and a third blade aperture, wherein the first resilient flexible blade extends through the first blade aperture, the second resilient flexible blade extends through the second blade aperture, and the third resilient flexible blade extends through the third blade aperture. 
     
     
         11 . A vacuum cleaner accessory tool configured for use with a vacuum cleaner, the accessory tool comprising:
 a nozzle body that defines a chamber, the nozzle body including an upper end and a lower end;   an outlet conduit that extends from the upper end of the nozzle body, the outlet conduit configured to couple the accessory tool to the vacuum cleaner and to provide fluid communication from the chamber to the vacuum cleaner;   a nozzle plate coupled the lower end of the nozzle body;   a first discrete resilient flexible blade that extends from the nozzle plate away from the lower end of the nozzle body, the first blade defining a longitudinal axis and a length measured along the longitudinal axis of the first blade;   a second discrete resilient flexible blade that extends from the nozzle plate away from the lower end of the nozzle body, the second blade defining a longitudinal axis and a length measured along the longitudinal axis of the second blade;   a third discrete resilient flexible blade that extends from the nozzle plate away from the lower end of the nozzle body, the third blade defining a longitudinal axis and a length measured along the longitudinal axis of the third blade;   a first discrete elongated inlet aperture that extends through the nozzle plate directly between the first blade and the second blade, the first inlet aperture allowing air to pass therethrough and into the chamber; and   a second discrete elongated inlet aperture that extends through the nozzle plate directly between the second blade and the third blade, the second inlet aperture allowing air to pass therethrough and into the chamber;   wherein the longitudinal axes of the first, the second, and the third resilient flexible blades are curved.   
     
     
         12 . The accessory tool of  claim 11 , wherein the nozzle body is integrally formed as a single component. 
     
     
         13 . The accessory tool of  claim 12 , wherein the nozzle plate is coupled to the nozzle body. 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . The accessory tool of  claim 11 , wherein the first, the second, and the third resilient flexible blades each include an end surface that faces away from the nozzle plate, the end surfaces configured to be moved along a surface to be cleaned, and wherein the end surfaces of the first, the second, and the third resilient blades are substantially flat. 
     
     
         16 . The accessory tool of  claim 15 , wherein the end surfaces of the first, the second, and the third resilient flexible blades are co-planer. 
     
     
         17 . The accessory tool of  claim 11 , wherein the first and the second elongated inlet apertures each define a length, wherein the lengths of the first and the second elongated inlet apertures are approximately equal to the lengths of the first, the second, and the third resilient flexible blades. 
     
     
         18 . The accessory tool of  claim 11 , wherein the first and the second elongated inlet apertures are the only two apertures of the accessory tool configured to draw air and debris therethrough and into the chamber. 
     
     
         19 . The accessory tool of  claim 11 , wherein the first, the second, and the third resilient flexible blades are the only blades of the accessory tool configured to agitate debris on a surface to be cleaned. 
     
     
         20 . The accessory tool of  claim 1 , wherein the first, second, and third resilient flexible blades extend from a face of the nozzle body, and wherein the outlet conduit extends from the nozzle body at an acute angle relative to the face of the nozzle body. 
     
     
         21 . The accessory tool of  claim 20 , wherein the acute angle is about 55 degrees. 
     
     
         22 . A vacuum cleaner accessory tool configured for use with a vacuum cleaner, the accessory tool comprising:
 a nozzle body that defines a chamber;   an outlet conduit that extends from the nozzle body and in fluid communication with the chamber, the outlet conduit configured to couple the accessory tool to the vacuum cleaner and to provide fluid communication from the chamber to the vacuum cleaner;   a first blade aperture that extends through a wall of the nozzle body;   a second blade aperture that extends through the wall of the nozzle body and is spaced apart from the first blade aperture;   a third blade aperture that extends through the wall of the nozzle body and is spaced apart from the first and second blade apertures;   a first resilient flexible blade that extends through the first blade aperture away from the nozzle body;   a second resilient flexible blade that extends through the second blade aperture away from the nozzle body;   a third resilient flexible blade that extends through the third blade aperture away from the nozzle body;   a first elongated inlet aperture that extends through the wall of the nozzle body directly between the first blade and the second blade, the first inlet aperture allowing air to pass therethrough and into the chamber; and   a second elongated inlet aperture that extends through the wall of the nozzle body directly between the second blade and the third blade, the second inlet aperture allowing air to pass therethrough and into the chamber.   
     
     
         23 . The accessory tool of  claim 22 , wherein the first, second, and third resilient flexible blades are over-molded through the first, second, and third blade apertures, respectively. 
     
     
         24 . The accessory tool of  claim 22 , wherein the nozzle body includes a suction inlet opening, the nozzle body further comprising a nozzle plate coupled to the nozzle body adjacent the suction inlet opening, and wherein the nozzle plate includes the first, second, and third blade apertures and the first and second elongated inlet apertures.