Agitator bristle tufting design

Abstract

A rotary agitator is provided having a body with an exterior surface. A plurality of bristle tufts extend outwardly from the exterior surface about an arc of less than 360°. A tuftless gap on the exterior surface provides for enhanced bare floor cleaning. The tuftless gap extends through an arc of between about 20° and about 40°. In one particularly useful embodiment two tuftless gaps are provided at opposing positions on the agitator body.

1 . A rotary agitator, comprising:
 a body having an exterior surface;   a plurality of bristle tufts extending from said exterior surface of said body about an arc of less than 360° thereby providing at least one tuftless gap of between about 10° and about 50° in arc.   
     
     
         2 . The agitator of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of bristle tufts are provided in a helical pattern. 
     
     
         3 . The agitator of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of bristle tufts are provided in a chevron pattern. 
     
     
         4 . The agitator of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of bristle tufts are provided in an offset chevron pattern. 
     
     
         5 . The agitator of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of bristle tufts are provided in two helical patterns wherein each of said two helical patterns extends along an arc of between about 140° to about 160° along opposing positions of said body so as to provide two opposed tuftless gaps wherein each of said two tuftless gaps extends along an arc of between about 40° and about 20°. 
     
     
         6 . The agitator of  claim 1 , wherein said body is made from a plastic material. 
     
     
         7 . The agitator of  claim 1 , wherein said body is made from a metal material. 
     
     
         8 . The agitator of  claim 1 , wherein said body is made from a composite material. 
     
     
         9 . The agitator of  claim 1 , wherein said body is made from a wood material. 
     
     
         10 . A rotary agitator, comprising:
 a body having an exterior surface;   a plurality of bristle tufts extending outwardly from said exterior surface about an arc of less than 360°;   a tuftless gap on said exterior surface to provide for enhanced bare floor cleaning.   
     
     
         11 . The agitator of  claim 10 , wherein said tuftless gap extends through an arc of between about 10° and about 50°. 
     
     
         12 . The agitator of  claim 10 , wherein said tuftless gap extends through an arc of between about 20° and about 40°. 
     
     
         13 . The agitator of  claim 12 , further including a second tuftless gap extending through an arc of between about 20° and about 40°. 
     
     
         14 . The agitator of  claim 13 , wherein said second tuftless gap is provided opposite said tuftless gap. 
     
     
         15 . A method for enhancing bare floor cleaning efficiency of a vacuum cleaner comprising:
 providing said vacuum cleaner with a rotary agitator having a body with an exterior surface, a plurality of bristle tufts extending outwardly from said exterior surface about an arc of less than 360° and a tuftless gap on said exterior surface extending through an arc of between about 10° and about 50° whereby when said rotary agitator is stopped for bare floor cleaning, said tuftless gap is adjacent said floor and weight and suction of said vacuum cleaner lowers a nozzle assembly of said vacuum cleaner toward a floor being cleaned thereby reducing space between a bottom of said vacuum cleaner and said floor and increasing speed of an airstream being drawn into said vacuum cleaner so as to provide more efficient and effective bare floor cleaning.