Vacuum cleaner brush assembly

Abstract

The present invention is directed to inventive embodiments of a vacuum cleaner apparatus having a brush assembly which provides effective cleaning with reduced suction and intake area. The brush assembly has a brush core with an outer surface and an inner surface defining a cavity. The brush core is rotatably suspended within an intake area defined by a housing. A bearing within the cavity allows the brush core to rotate via the bearing with respect to the housing. A plurality of agitators extends radially from the outer surface of the brush core to agitate dirt and other debris. Finally, a motor is disposed within the cavity defined by the inner surface of the brush core. The motor is mounted to the housing such that the brush core may rotate relative to the motor and the motor is configured to rotationally drive the brush core about the motor.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A vacuum cleaner brush assembly, comprising:
 a brush core having an outer surface and an inner surface defining a cavity, wherein the brush core is rotatably suspended within an intake area defined by a housing such that the brush core may rotate with respect to the housing;   a plurality of agitators extending radially from the outer surface of the brush core; and   a motor disposed within the cavity defined by the inner surface of the brush core, wherein the motor is mounted to the housing such that the brush core may rotate relative to the motor, wherein the motor is configured to rotationally drive the brush core about the motor.   
     
     
         2 . The vacuum cleaner brush assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a motor adapter connecting the motor to the brush core such that power is transmitted from the motor to the brush core via the motor adapter. 
     
     
         3 . The vacuum cleaner brush assembly of  claim 2 , further comprising a spider coupling having a first piece mounted to the motor adapter and a second piece mounted within the brush core assembly. 
     
     
         4 . The vacuum cleaner brush assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a bearing within the cavity of the brush core such that the brush core rotates freely via the bearing inside the housing. 
     
     
         5 . The vacuum cleaner brush assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the brush core is detachably mounted within the housing such that the brush core rotates freely with respect to the housing. 
     
     
         6 . The vacuum cleaner brush assembly of  claim 1 , wherein a first side of the brush core is detachably and rotationally mounted to the housing and a second side of the brush core is supported by a motor subassembly via a bearing. 
     
     
         7 . The vacuum cleaner brush assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the agitators are bristles. 
     
     
         8 . The vacuum cleaner brush assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the agitators are composed of rigid plastic. 
     
     
         9 . The vacuum cleaner brush assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the agitators are rubber ridges. 
     
     
         10 . The vacuum cleaner brush assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the brush core has a diameter less than two inches. 
     
     
         11 . The vacuum cleaner brush assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the brush core has a diameter within the range of 1-1.75 inches. 
     
     
         12 . A vacuum cleaner brush assembly, comprising:
 a brush core having an outer surface and an inner surface defining a cavity, wherein the brush core is detachable mounted within the housing and rotatably suspended within an intake area defined by a housing such that the brush core may rotate with respect to the housing;   a plurality of agitators extending radially from the outer surface of the brush core;   a motor disposed within the cavity defined by the inner surface of the brush core, wherein the motor is mounted to the housing such that the brush core may rotate relative to the motor, wherein the motor is configured to rotationally drive the brush core about the motor; and   a motor adapter connecting the motor to the brush core such that power is transmitted from the motor to the brush core via the motor adapter.   
     
     
         13 . The vacuum cleaner brush assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the motor adapter comprises a spider coupling. 
     
     
         14 . The vacuum cleaner brush assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the spider coupling has a first piece mounted to the motor adapter and a second piece mounted within the brush core assembly. 
     
     
         15 . The vacuum cleaner brush assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the motor adapter comprises a gear linkage connecting the motor to the brush core. 
     
     
         16 . A vacuum cleaner, comprising:
 a brush core assembly having a brush core with an outer surface and an inner surface defining a cavity;   a bearing within the cavity, wherein the brush core is rotatably suspended within an intake area defined by a housing such that the brush core may rotate via the bearing with respect to the housing;   a plurality of agitators extending radially from the outer surface of the brush core; and   a motor disposed within the cavity defined by the inner surface of the brush core, wherein the motor is mounted to the housing such that the brush core may rotate relative to the motor, wherein the motor is configured to rotationally drive the brush core about the motor.