Brush entanglement prevention apparatus in autonomous robotic vacuums

Abstract

An apparatus draws or leads hair and other potential entanglement debris away from the hub of a brush assembly in a vacuum as the brush rotates during vacuuming, thus avoiding or reducing entanglement and attendant problems, and obviating or reducing the need for manual removal of the entanglement. The apparatus has a profile which draws hair and other entanglement debris away from a hub of the brush assembly, or prevents it from reaching the hub, thus enabling the brush/brush assembly to continue to rotate freely. In one implementation, the apparatus attaches to a vacuum brush in an autonomous robotic vacuum.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A brush entanglement prevention apparatus comprising:
 a first endpiece having a first, beveled side;   a second endpiece; and   an insert fitting between said first and second endpieces, said insert having a generally circular portion with a beveled insert side having a contour matching that of the first, beveled side of the first endpiece, the insert further having an extension that extends from the beveled insert side and extends through the first endpiece into an opening in an elongate brush assembly, such that the first beveled side of the first endpiece faces the elongate brush assembly;   the first endpiece having a second, complementary side facing the insert, the second, complementary side having a surface generally fitting around the beveled insert side;   the arrangement being such that the first, beveled side of the first endpiece prevents entanglement of hair that otherwise would prevent rotation of the brush assembly.   
     
     
         2 . A brush entanglement prevention apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the extension includes raised portions which facilitate attachment of the brush entanglement prevention apparatus with the brush assembly. 
     
     
         3 . A brush entanglement prevention apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second endpieces have attachment portions enabling the endpieces to be snapfit together, with the insert being enclosed therebetween. 
     
     
         4 . A brush entanglement prevention apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the extension includes an opening therethrough, and the apparatus further comprises a bar passing through the opening and providing rigidity to the extension. 
     
     
         5 . A brush entanglement prevention apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the second endpiece has an opening in a center portion thereof, and the apparatus further comprises a bushing extending through the opening and secured to the second endpiece through the opening. 
     
     
         6 . A brush assembly comprising:
 a central portion;   a brush mounted on the central portion; and   a brush entanglement prevention apparatus comprising:
 a first endpiece having a first, beveled side; 
 a second endpiece; and 
 an insert fitting between said first and second endpieces, said insert having a generally circular portion with a beveled insert side having a contour matching that of the first, beveled side of the first endpiece, the insert further having an extension that extends from the beveled insert side and extends through the first endpiece into an opening in the central portion, such that the first beveled side of the first endpiece faces the brush assembly; 
 the first endpiece having a second, complementary side facing the insert, the second, complementary side having a surface generally fitting around the beveled insert side; 
 the arrangement being such that the first, beveled side of the first endpiece prevents entanglement of hair that otherwise would prevent rotation of the brush assembly. 
   
     
     
         7 . A brush assembly according to  claim 6 , wherein the brush includes bristled portions and non-bristled portions. 
     
     
         8 . A brush assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein the bristled portions and non-bristled portions are arranged in double serpentine fashion around the central portion. 
     
     
         9 . A brush assembly according to  claim 6 , wherein the central portion includes an opening at least one end thereof, and wherein the extension includes raised portions which facilitate attachment of the brush entanglement prevention apparatus with the central portion. 
     
     
         10 . A brush assembly according to  claim 6 , wherein the first and second endpieces have attachment portions enabling the endpieces to be snapfit together, with the insert being enclosed therebetween. 
     
     
         11 . A brush assembly according to  claim 6 , wherein the extension includes an opening therethrough, and the apparatus further comprises a bar passing through the opening and providing rigidity to the extension. 
     
     
         12 . A brush assembly according to  claim 6 , wherein the second endpiece has an opening in a center portion thereof, and the apparatus further comprises a bushing extending through the opening and secured to the second endpiece through the opening. 
     
     
         13 . An autonomous robotic cleaning device comprising;
 a body;   first motive apparatus to propel the body, the motive apparatus including a motor and wheels;   navigation structure to direct the body according to predetermined paths or according to real-time directions; and   cleaning apparatus attachable to the body to clean a floor in an environment;
 the cleaning apparatus including a brush assembly attachable to the body, the brush assembly comprising: 
 a central portion; 
 a brush mounted on the central portion; and 
 a brush entanglement prevention apparatus comprising:
 a first endpiece having a first, beveled side; 
 a second endpiece; and 
 an insert fitting between said first and second endpieces, said insert having a generally circular portion with a beveled insert side having a contour matching that of the first, beveled side of the first endpiece, the insert further having an extension that extends from the beveled insert side and extends through the first endpiece into an opening in the central portion, such that the first beveled side of the first endpiece faces the brush assembly; 
 the first endpiece having a second, complementary side facing the insert, the second, complementary side having a surface generally fitting around the beveled insert side; 
 the arrangement being such that the first, beveled side of the first endpiece prevents entanglement of hair that otherwise would prevent rotation of the brush assembly; 
 
 the cleaning apparatus further including second motive apparatus to power the brush assembly. 
   
     
     
         14 . An autonomous robotic device according to  claim 13 , wherein the brush includes bristled portions and non-bristled portions. 
     
     
         15 . An autonomous robotic device according to  claim 14 , wherein the bristled portions and non-bristled portions are arranged in double serpentine fashion 
     
     
         16 . An autonomous robotic device according to  claim 13 , wherein the extension includes raised portions which facilitate attachment of the brush entanglement prevention apparatus with the brush assembly. 
     
     
         17 . An autonomous robotic device according to  claim 13 , wherein the first and second endpieces are snapfit together, with the insert being enclosed therebetween. 
     
     
         18 . An autonomous robotic device according to  claim 13 , wherein the extension includes an opening therethrough, and the apparatus further comprises a bar passing through the opening and providing rigidity to the extension. 
     
     
         19 . An autonomous robotic device according to  claim 13 , wherein the second endpiece has an opening in a center portion thereof, and the apparatus further comprises a bushing extending through the opening and secured to the second endpiece through the opening. 
     
     
         20 . An autonomous robotic device according to  claim 13 , wherein the second motive apparatus includes gearing to engage with the first motive apparatus.