Vacuum cleaner

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner includes a first tube and a second tube positioned within the first tube, where a first end of the first tube is connected to an outlet of the backbone and a first end of the second tube connected to an inlet of the backbone. A handle is on the first end of the first tube. When the backbone is in a retracted position the first end of the first tube surrounds the second end of the second tube, the second end of the second tube obstructs the outlet of the backbone, and the second end of the first tube surrounds the first end of the second tube. When the backbone is in an extended position the second end of the first tube aligns with the second end of the second tube, leaving the outlet of the backbone unobstructed to a dustcup. A floor nozzle is connected to the inlet of the backbone and includes a nozzle motor configured to operate a brush roll axle and a casing that provides an airpath to the inlet of the backbone.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A hybrid vacuum cleaner comprising:
 a floor nozzle comprising:
 a nozzle motor operable to rotate a brush roll axle, 
 a brush roll on the brush roll axle, and 
 a housing over the nozzle motor and over a top of the brush roll, the housing defining a nozzle outlet; 
   a power source in electrical communication with the nozzle motor; and   a backbone above the floor nozzle, the backbone comprising:
 a first tube having an upper end portion defining an outlet; 
 a second tube slidably positioned within the first tube, a lower end portion of the second tube connected to the nozzle outlet to define an air passageway to the outlet; and 
 a handle on the backbone; 
 wherein the backbone is convertible between a retracted position in which the second tube is substantially contained within the first tube and the second tube closes the outlet of the first tube, and an extended position in which part of the first tube extends from the second tube and the outlet of the first tube is unobstructed by the second tube; and 
   a centerpod attached to the backbone, the centerpod comprising:
 a dustcup defining an inlet; 
 a conduit connecting the outlet of the first tube to the inlet of the dustcup; and 
 a suction motor in the centerpod; 
   an auxiliary tube with a first end connected to the conduit and an open second end, the auxiliary tube movable between a stowed position and an use position; and   a nozzle receptacle on the backbone, the nozzle receptacle configured to receive the open second end of the auxiliary tube and substantially block airflow through the auxiliary tube when the auxiliary tube is in the stowed position.   
     
     
         2 . The hybrid vacuum cleaner assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising electrical contacts in the backbone, wherein in the extended position, the electrical contacts complete a circuit to energize the nozzle motor. 
     
     
         3 . The hybrid vacuum cleaner assembly of  claim 1  wherein the brush roll further comprises a cantilevered connection joint connecting the brush roll to the casing. 
     
     
         4 . The hybrid vacuum cleaner assembly of  claim 1  wherein the brush roll comprises at least one angled ridge configured to assist debris from the surface opening to the airpath of the floor nozzle. 
     
     
         5 . A floor nozzle assembly for a vacuum cleaner, the assembly comprising:
 a housing;   an armature pivotably mounted within the housing, the armature including a drive shaft extending laterally outward from opposite sides of the armature;   a first brush roll on a first side of the drive shaft;   a second brush roll on a second side of the drive shaft; and   a roller connected to the armature, the roller positioned to engage a floor surface below the floor nozzle during use so as to set a height of the armature relative to the floor surface;   wherein the housing substantially encloses the first and the second brush rolls and the armature, the housing defining a suction opening below the first and second brush rolls, wherein the housing defines a first gap with a distal end of the first brush roll, and defines a second gap with a distal end of the second brush roll.   
     
     
         6 . The floor nozzle assembly of  claim 5  further comprising a motor operably connected to the drive shaft. 
     
     
         7 . The floor nozzle assembly of  claim 5 , wherein each of the first and the second brush rolls comprises at least one flexible fin of a first height on the exterior surface of the brush roll, and at least one rough ridge of a second height less than the first height, the at least one rough ridge extending parallel to the flexible fin. 
     
     
         8 . The floor nozzle of  claim 7  wherein the flexible fin and the rough ridge are coil around the exterior of the first cylindrical brush rolls and around the second cylindrical brush rolls. 
     
     
         9 . The floor nozzle of  claim 7  wherein the rough ridge has at least one row of bristles. 
     
     
         10 . The floor nozzle of any of  claim 5 , wherein the first and second brush rolls have a semi-smooth coating on the exterior surface. 
     
     
         11 . A brush roll comprising;
 a central armature;   a first end of a first cylindrical core attached to a first side of the central armature;   a first end of a second cylindrical core attached to an opposite second side of the central armature;   a first fin and a first ridge positioned parallel to one another on an exterior surface of the first cylindrical core and extending from the first end to a second end of the first cylindrical core; and   a second fin and a second ridge positioned parallel to one another on an exterior surface of the second cylindrical core and extending from the first end to a second end of the second cylindrical core.   
     
     
         12 . The brush roll of  claim 11 , wherein the first fin and the second fin have the same flexible composition. 
     
     
         13 . The brush roll of  claim 11 , wherein the first fin and the first ridge are positioned to make at least one spiral around the circumference, while extending from the first to the second end of the first cylindrical core; and
 wherein the second fin and second ridge are positioned to make at least one spiral around the circumference, while extending from the first to the second end of the second cylindrical core.   
     
     
         14 . The brush roll of  claim 11 , wherein the first fin is radially taller than the first ridge and the second fin is radially taller than the second ridge. 
     
     
         15 . The brush roll of  claim 11 , further comprising a housing enclosing the armature, the first and second cylindrical cores, the housing defining a bottom suction opening adjacent the first and second cylindrical cores, wherein the central armature is pivotably mounted within the housing. 
     
     
         16 . The brush roll of  claim 15 , further comprising a roller connected to the central armature, the roller positioned to engage a floor surface below the floor nozzle during use so as to set a height of the armature relative to the floor surface.