Apparatus for cleaning a floor surface

Abstract

An apparatus for cleaning a floor surface including an upright part having a user graspable handle and a base assembly including a first base part connected to the upright part and a second base part connected to the first base part. The second base part includes a cleaning member. The apparatus further includes a device for effecting movement of the first and second base parts relative to each other. The device effects movement of the second base part between respective first and second conditions and the second base part has a first passage with a respective inlet and a second passage with a respective inlet. When the second base part is in its second condition the inlet of the second passage is positioned closer to a floor surface than it is positioned when the second base part is in its first condition.

1 . An apparatus for cleaning a floor surface comprising:
 an upright part including a user graspable handle;   a base assembly including:
 a first base part connected to the upright part; and 
 a second base part connected to the first base part, which second base part includes a cleaning member; and 
   a device for effecting movement of the first and second base parts relative to each other, wherein the device effects movement of the second base part between respective first and second conditions and wherein the second base part has a first passage with a respective inlet and a second passage with a respective inlet, and wherein when the second base part is in its second condition the inlet of the second passage is positioned closer to a floor surface than it is positioned when the second base part is in its first condition.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein when the second base part is in its second condition the cleaning member is positioned closer to a floor surface than it is when the second base part is in its first condition. 
     
     
         4 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the second base part includes a leading edge which is positioned remote from its connection to the first base part, and wherein when the second base part is in its first condition the leading edge of the second base part is positioned closer to a floor surface than it is positioned when the second base part is in its second condition. 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein when the second base part is in its first condition the inlet of the first passage is positioned closer to a floor surface than it is positioned when the second base part is in its second condition. 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the inlet of the second passage is positioned rearwardly of the inlet of the first passage, and preferably is positioned in between the inlet of the first passage and the connection of the first base part to the upright part. 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the device effects movement of the first base part between respective first and second conditions. 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the device effects movement of the connection between the first and second base parts so as to effect movement of the first and second base parts relative to each other. 
     
     
         13 .- 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the first base part is pivotally connected to the upright part. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the second base part includes a ground engaging portion about which the second base part is pivotally moveable as it moves between its first and second conditions. 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus according to  claim 9  wherein the ground engaging portion of the second base part is positioned between the inlets of the first and second passages. 
     
     
         19 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the apparatus includes a suction source for providing a source of suction to one or both of the first and second passages and as the base part is moved between its first and second conditions by the device, the suction provided to one or both of the first and second passages is changed. 
     
     
         20 .- 142 . (canceled) 
     
     
         143 . A floor tool for an apparatus for cleaning a floor surface, said apparatus including a source of suction, the floor tool comprising:
 a base assembly including:
 a first base part; 
 a second base part; 
 a first passage with a respective inlet; and 
 a second passage with a respective inlet; and 
   a device for effecting movement of the first and second base parts relative to each other wherein the device effects movement of the second base part between respective first and second conditions and wherein the second base part has a first passage with a respective inlet and a second passage with a respective inlet, and wherein when the second base part is in its second condition the inlet of the second passage is positioned closer to a floor surface than it is positioned when the second base part is in its first condition.   
     
     
         144 . A floor tool according to  claim 143  wherein the base assembly includes a cleaning member positioned in either the second passage and/or its respective inlet or in the first passage and/or its respective inlet. 
     
     
         145 . (canceled) 
     
     
         146 . A floor tool according to claim  13  when dependent on  claim 144  wherein when the second base part is in its second condition the cleaning member is positioned closer to a floor surface than it is when the second base part is in its first condition. 
     
     
         147 . A floor tool according to  claim 146  wherein the second base part includes a leading edge which is positioned remote from its connection to the first base part, and wherein when the second base part is in its first condition the leading edge of the second base part is positioned closer to a floor surface than it is positioned when the second base part is in its second condition. 
     
     
         148 . (canceled) 
     
     
         149 . A floor tool according to  claim 143  wherein when the second base part is in its first condition the inlet of the first passage is positioned closer to a floor surface than it is positioned when the second base part is in its second condition. 
     
     
         150 .- 160 . (canceled) 
     
     
         161 . A floor tool according to  claim 143  including a valve for controlling the flow of suction to one or both of the first or second passages. 
     
     
         162 . A floor tool according to  claim 161  wherein the valve includes a valve member moveable between respective first and second conditions. 
     
     
         163 . A floor tool according to  claim 162  wherein when the valve member is in its first condition the flow of suction in the first passage is greater than it is when the valve member is in its second condition. 
     
     
         164 .- 168 . (canceled) 
     
     
         169 . A floor tool according to  claim 162  wherein the device for effecting movement of the first and second base parts relative to each other is configured for effecting movement of the valve member between its first and second conditions. 
     
     
         170 .- 213 . (canceled)