Vacuum Cleaner With Airflow Directing Openings and Brushroll

Abstract

A cleaning tool for a vacuum cleaning accessory of a vacuum cleaning apparatus is disclosed. The cleaning tool may include a body having a suction opening for engaging with a surface to be cleaned. A cavity may be disposed within the body and fluidly connected with the suction opening. A flow channel may be disposed within the body downstream of the cavity. A brushroll may be rotatably mounted about a rotation axis in the cavity. An opening may extend through the body into the cavity for allowing atmospheric air to enter the cavity. The opening may be arranged above the brushroll with respect to the suction opening. Additionally or alternatively, the opening may be arranged in front of the brushroll with respect to the flow channel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cleaning tool for a vacuum cleaning accessory of a vacuum cleaning apparatus, comprising:
 a body having a suction opening for engaging with a surface to be cleaned;   a cavity disposed within the body and fluidly connected with the suction opening;   a flow channel disposed within the body and downstream of the cavity;   a brushroll rotatably mounted about a rotation axis in the cavity; and   an opening extending through the body into the cavity for allowing atmospheric air to enter the cavity,   wherein: the opening is arranged above the brushroll with respect to the suction opening, the opening is arranged in front of the brushroll with respect to the flow channel, or both.   
     
     
         2 . The cleaning tool of  claim 1 , wherein the opening defines a duct structure having an inlet and an outlet, and wherein the inlet is disposed on an upper face of the body and the outlet extends into the cavity. 
     
     
         3 . The cleaning tool of  claim 1 , wherein the outlet terminates at a position above the rotation axis of the brushroll with respect to the suction opening. 
     
     
         4 . The cleaning tool of  claim 1 , wherein the duct structure has a curved internal cross-section for guiding an airflow towards the suction opening. 
     
     
         5 . The cleaning tool of  claim 1 , wherein the opening defines a duct structure including a lip extending outwardly from the body, and wherein the lip defines an inlet having a greater cross-sectional area than an outlet leading into the cavity. 
     
     
         6 . The cleaning tool of  claim 1 , wherein the opening includes a plurality of openings spaced apart along an upper face of the body, and wherein the plurality of openings are disposed above and in front of the brushroll. 
     
     
         7 . The cleaning tool of  claim 1 , further comprising a closure mechanism arranged on the body, wherein the closure mechanism includes a cover configured to adjust an effective flow area of the opening. 
     
     
         8 . A cleaning tool of a vacuum cleaning accessory, comprising:
 a housing defining a first compartment and a second compartment, the first compartment having a suction opening disposed on a lower face of the housing for engaging with a work surface and the second compartment having a connection configured to fluidly couple to a suction conduit;   a cavity defined within the first compartment and fluidly connected with the suction opening;   a flow channel arranged in the second compartment and fluidly connecting the cavity to the connection;   a brushroll rotatably mounted about a rotation axis in the cavity; and   an opening extending through the housing of the first compartment into the cavity for allowing atmospheric air to enter the cavity, wherein the opening is positioned above the brushroll in relation to the suction opening and in front of the brushroll in relation to the flow channel.   
     
     
         9 . The cleaning tool of  claim 8 , wherein the cavity is defined between a forward wall and a rearward wall, the rearward wall separating the first compartment from the second compartment, and wherein the opening is positioned on an upper face of the housing between the forward wall and the rotation axis of the brushroll. 
     
     
         10 . The cleaning tool of  claim 8 , wherein the opening includes a lip protruding outwardly from the housing to guide a flow of air into the cavity. 
     
     
         11 . The cleaning tool of  claim 8 , wherein the opening defines a duct structure having an inlet positioned on an upper face of the housing and an outlet positioned in the cavity above the rotation axis of the brushroll. 
     
     
         12 . The cleaning tool of  claim 11 , wherein the outlet defines a cross-section that extends at an incline with respect to a cross-section of the inlet. 
     
     
         13 . The cleaning tool of  claim 8 , wherein the opening includes a plurality of openings distributed across the housing of the first compartment. 
     
     
         14 . The cleaning tool of  claim 8 , wherein the opening defines a duct structure having a tapering internal cross-section. 
     
     
         15 . The cleaning tool of  claim 8 , further comprising a closure mechanism arranged on the housing at the first compartment, wherein the closure mechanism includes a cover moveable between an open position and a closed position for covering and uncovering the opening. 
     
     
         16 . A cleaning accessory for a vacuum cleaning apparatus, comprising:
 a cleaning tool; and   a connection for providing suction to the cleaning tool;   wherein the cleaning tool comprises:
 a body defining an upper face and a lower face with respect to a surface to be cleaned, the lower face having a suction opening for engaging with the surface to be cleaned; 
 a cavity disposed within the body and fluidly connected with the suction opening; 
 a flow channel disposed within the body and fluidly connecting the cavity to the connection; 
 a brushroll rotatably mounted about a rotation axis in the cavity; and 
 an opening extending through the body into the cavity for allowing atmospheric air to enter the cavity, wherein the opening is positioned on the body above the brushroll with respect to the suction opening and in front of the brushroll with respect to the flow channel, and wherein the opening defines a duct structure having an inlet positioned on the upper face of the body and an outlet leading into the cavity. 
   
     
     
         17 . The cleaning accessory of  claim 16 , wherein the opening includes a plurality of openings distributed along the upper face of the body, and wherein at least one opening of the plurality of openings includes a lip projecting outwardly from the body. 
     
     
         18 . The cleaning accessory of  claim 16 , wherein the outlet is positioned within the cavity above the rotation axis. 
     
     
         19 . The cleaning accessory of  claim 16 , further comprising at least one of a suction wand and a hose coupled to the connection. 
     
     
         20 . The cleaning accessory of  claim 16 , further comprising a closure mechanism coupled to the body and configured to vary a flow of air through the opening.