Cleaning apparatus

Abstract

A cleaning apparatus may include: a main-body unit; and first and second dust units, which are alternately attachable to and detachable from the main-body unit. The main-body unit may include: one or more cleaning tools, which brush(es) up waste on a work surface; a main body rotatably supporting the cleaning tool(s); and one or more wheels rotatably supported by the main body and configured such that the cleaning apparatus is movable along the work surface via the one or more wheels. The first dust unit may include: a first container, which is detachable from the main body and is capable of collecting the waste brushed up by the cleaning tool(s). The second dust unit may include: an adapter, which is detachable from the main body; and a second container, which is detachable from the adapter and is capable of collecting the waste brushed up by the cleaning tool(s).

1 . A cleaning apparatus comprising:
 a main-body unit;   a first dust unit configured to be detachable from the main-body unit; and   a second dust unit configured to be detachable from the main-body unit;   wherein:   the main-body unit includes:
 one or more cleaning tools configured to brush up waste on a work surface; 
 a main body rotatably supporting the one or more cleaning tools; and 
 one or more wheels rotatably supported by the main body and configured such that the cleaning apparatus is movable along the work surface via the one or more wheels; 
   the first dust unit includes:
 a first container configured to be detachable from the main body and to collect the waste brushed up by the one or more cleaning tools; and 
   the second dust unit includes:
 an adapter configured to be detachable from the main body; and 
 a second container configured to be detachable from the adapter and to collect the waste brushed up by the one or more cleaning tools. 
   
     
     
         2 . A cleaning apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the second container comprises:
 a frame configured to be mounted on the adapter in a detachable manner; and   a bag body configured to be mounted on the frame and to collect the waste brushed up by the one or more cleaning tools.   
     
     
         3 . The cleaning apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the bag body is mounted on the frame in a detachable manner. 
     
     
         4 . The cleaning apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the second container further includes one or more fixing members mounted on the frame in a detachable manner and configured to fix the bag body to the frame. 
     
     
         5 . The cleaning apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein:
 the adapter has an insertion opening; and   the frame further includes a hook configured to be inserted into the insertion opening of the adapter.   
     
     
         6 . The cleaning apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein:
 the cleaning apparatus is configured such that the user performs work while standing rearward of the cleaning apparatus;   the second dust unit is disposed on the rear side of the main-body unit;   the bag body includes a non-contact part, which is disposed in a region on the work-surface side of the bag body when the cleaning apparatus is placed on the work surface and in a region of a rear portion of the bag body; and   the non-contact part is not in contact with the frame.   
     
     
         7 . The cleaning apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein:
 the bag body includes:
 a collection part configured to collect the waste that is brushed up by the one or more cleaning tools and that has passed through the interior of the adapter; and 
 a tongue part, which protrudes from the collection part; 
   the adapter includes, in a lower-portion region on the work-surface side, a receiving part configured such that, when the cleaning apparatus is placed on the work surface, the tongue part is received in the interior of the adapter.   
     
     
         8 . The cleaning apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein:
 the main body has an engaged part;   the adapter further includes a latch configured to be engageable with the engaged part; and   the adapter is configured to be detachably mounted on the main body by engaging the latch with the engaged part.   
     
     
         9 . The cleaning apparatus according to  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a handle unit pivotably mounted on the main body and configured to be gripped by the user when performing work using the cleaning apparatus;   wherein:   the handle unit is pivotable between a first handle position, at which the handle unit is open relative to the main body, and a second handle position, at which the handle unit is folded relative to the main body;   the cleaning apparatus is configured such that the user, who has gripped the handle unit at the first handle position, performs work while standing rearward of the cleaning apparatus; and   the cleaning apparatus is configured such that it is vertically placeable in the state in which the handle unit is at the second handle position and the second container is not mounted on the adapter and in the state in which a rear end of the cleaning apparatus opposes the work surface.   
     
     
         10 . The cleaning apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the second container is mountable on the handle unit when the cleaning apparatus is placed upright in the state in which the rear end of the cleaning apparatus opposes the work surface. 
     
     
         11 . The cleaning apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the adapter includes:
 an adapter main body configured to be detachable from the main body; 
 a cover member pivotably mounted on the adapter main body so as to be pivotable between a housed position and an open position; and 
 one or more castors rotatably mounted on the cover member; 
   the second container comprises a bag body configured to collect the waste brushed up by the one or more cleaning tools;   the bag body is housed in the interior of the adapter when the cover member is at the housed position, is configured to be disposed such that the bag body extends over the interior and the exterior of the adapter when the cover member is in the open position, and, exterior to the adapter, is disposed on the upper side of the cover member; and   the one or more castors is (are) configured to be in contact with the work surface when the cover member is in the open position.   
     
     
         12 . The cleaning apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the second container further includes a frame member, into which an open end of the bag body is inserted between the adapter main body and the second container. 
     
     
         13 . The cleaning apparatus according to  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a handle unit pivotably mounted on the main body and configured to be gripped by the user when performing work using the cleaning apparatus;   wherein:   the handle unit is pivotable between a first handle position, at which the handle unit is open relative to the main body; and a second handle position, at which the handle unit is folded relative to the main body;   the cleaning apparatus is configured such that the user, who has gripped the handle unit at the first handle position, performs work while standing rearward of the cleaning apparatus; and   the cleaning apparatus is configured such that it is vertically placeable in the state in which the handle unit is at the second handle position and the cover member is at the housed position and in the state in which a rear end of the cleaning apparatus opposes the work surface.   
     
     
         14 . The cleaning apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the main-body unit further includes:
 a fan configured to generate an airflow toward the second dust unit; and 
 a filter unit configured to trap foreign matter contained in the airflow; 
   wherein:   the second dust unit further includes a partition body;   the main-body unit is configured such that, in response to generation of the airflow by the fan, some of the airflow flows from the filter unit toward the fan; and   the partition body is disposed rearward of the filter unit and is spaced apart from the filter unit.   
     
     
         15 . The cleaning apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the main body comprises a first grip configured to be gripped by a first user; and   the first dust unit and the second dust unit each comprise a second grip configured to be gripped by a second user.   
     
     
         16 . The cleaning apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein:
 the adapter has an insertion opening; and   the frame further includes a hook configured to be inserted into the insertion opening of the adapter.   
     
     
         17 . The cleaning apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein:
 the cleaning apparatus is configured such that the user performs work while standing rearward of the cleaning apparatus;   the second dust unit is disposed on the rear side of the main-body unit;   the bag body includes a non-contact part, which is disposed in a region on the work-surface side of the bag body when the cleaning apparatus is placed on the work surface and in a region of a rear portion of the bag body; and   the non-contact part is not in contact with the frame.   
     
     
         18 . The cleaning apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein:
 the bag body includes:
 a collection part configured to collect the waste that is brushed up by the one or more cleaning tools and that has passed through the interior of the adapter; and 
 a tongue part, which protrudes from the collection part; 
   the adapter includes, in a lower-portion region on the work-surface side, a receiving part configured such that, when the cleaning apparatus is placed on the work surface, the tongue part is received in the interior of the adapter.   
     
     
         19 . The cleaning apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein:
 the main body has an engaged part;   the adapter further includes a latch configured to be engageable with the engaged part; and   the adapter is configured to be detachably mounted on the main body by engaging the latch with the engaged part.   
     
     
         20 . The cleaning apparatus according to  claim 19 , further comprising:
 a handle unit pivotably mounted on the main body and configured to be gripped by the user when performing work using the cleaning apparatus;   wherein:   the handle unit is pivotable between a first handle position, at which the handle unit is open relative to the main body, and a second handle position, at which the handle unit is folded relative to the main body;   the cleaning apparatus is configured such that the user, who has gripped the handle unit at the first handle position, performs work while standing rearward of the cleaning apparatus; and   the cleaning apparatus is configured such that it is vertically placeable in the state in which the handle unit is at the second handle position and the second container is not mounted on the adapter and in the state in which a rear end of the cleaning apparatus opposes the work surface.