초록 ▼

A vacuum cleaner includes a body having a container which collects dirt and dust. A surface cleaning head defining a primary dirt and dust collection inlet is configured to contact a surface over which the surface cleaning head is moved. A passageway connects the primary inlet to the container. A se

A vacuum cleaner includes a body having a container which collects dirt and dust. A surface cleaning head defining a primary dirt and dust collection inlet is configured to contact a surface over which the surface cleaning head is moved. A passageway connects the primary inlet to the container. A secondary dirt and dust collection inlet is remote from the primary inlet and spaced from the surface. The cleaner suctions dirt and dust through the primary and secondary inlets into the container. The primary inlet is adapted to draw surface-borne dirt and dust efficiently into the container and the secondary inlet is adapted to draw airborne dirt and dust efficiently into the container. Dampening means are provided to at least one of the primary inlet and the secondary inlet and is controlled by an actuator activated directly or indirectly by an operator of the vacuum cleaner.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A vacuum cleaner comprising: a main body having a container which collects dirt and dust; a surface cleaning head defining a primary dirt and dust collection inlet configured to contact a surface over which the surface cleaning head is moved; a passageway connecting the primary dirt and dust coll

1. A vacuum cleaner comprising: a main body having a container which collects dirt and dust; a surface cleaning head defining a primary dirt and dust collection inlet configured to contact a surface over which the surface cleaning head is moved; a passageway connecting the primary dirt and dust collection inlet to the container; a secondary dirt and dust collection inlet remote from the primary dirt and dust collection inlet and spaced from said surface and connected to the container by way of a secondary passageway which is separate from the passageway connecting the primary dirt and dust collection inlet to the container; and suction means in fluid communication with the passageway for drawing dirt and dust through the primary and secondary inlets into the container, the primary dirt and dust collection inlet being adapted to draw surface-borne dirt and dust efficiently into the container and the secondary dirt and dust collection inlet being adapted to draw airborne dirt and dust efficiently into the container, wherein dampening means are provided to at least one of the primary dirt and dust collection inlet and the secondary dirt and dust collection inlet for at least partially opening and closing the respective dirt and dust collection inlet, the dampening means being controlled by an actuator activated directly or indirectly by an operator of the vacuum cleaner. 2. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein at least the secondary dirt and dust collection inlet is in the form of a non-unidirectional slot. 3. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the secondary dirt and dust collection inlet includes an array of secondary inlets. 4. The vacuum cleaner of claim 3, wherein the array of secondary inlets are not unidirectional. 5. The vacuum cleaner of claim 4, wherein at least one secondary dirt and dust collection inlet faces generally forwards, at least one secondary dirt and dust collection inlet faces generally rearwards, at least one secondary dirt and dust collection inlet faces generally sideways in a first direction, and at least one secondary dirt and dust collection inlet faces generally sideways in a second direction opposite the first direction. 6. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein the vacuum cleaner is an upright vacuum cleaner further comprising: a base unit having the surface cleaning head, the secondary dirt and dust collection inlet being provided in at least one of an upper surface of the base unit and the main body. 7. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the vacuum cleaner is a cylinder vacuum cleaner, the secondary dirt and dust collection inlet being provided in an upper region of the main body thereof. 8. A vacuum cleaner comprising: a main body having a container which collects dirt and dust; a surface cleaning head defining a primary dirt and dust collection inlet configured to contact a surface over which the surface cleaning head is moved; a passageway connecting the primary dirt and dust collection inlet to the container; a secondary dirt and dust collection inlet remote from the primary dirt and dust collection inlet and spaced from said surface, the secondary dirt and dust collection inlet being in the form of an elongate tube at least partially attached to the container and having at least one hole through a sidewall or end cap thereof; and suction means in fluid communication with the passageway for drawing dirt and dust through the primary and secondary inlets into the container, the primary dirt and dust collection inlet being adapted to draw surface-borne dirt and dust efficiently into the container and the secondary dirt and dust collection inlet being adapted to draw airborne dirt and dust efficiently into the container. 9. A vacuum cleaner comprising: a main body having a container which collects dirt and dust; a surface cleaning head defining a primary dirt and dust collection inlet configured to contact a surface over which the surface cleaning head is moved; a passageway connecting the primary dirt and dust collection inlet to the container; a secondary dirt and dust collection inlet remote from the primary dirt and dust collection inlet and spaced from said surface, the secondary dirt and dust collection inlet including an array of secondary inlets, wherein the array of secondary inlets are not unidirectional; and suction means in fluid communication with the passageway for drawing dirt and dust through the primary and secondary inlets into the container, the primary dirt and dust collection inlet being adapted to draw surface-borne dirt and dust efficiently into the container and the secondary dirt and dust collection inlet being adapted to draw airborne dirt and dust efficiently into the container, wherein dampening means are provided to at least one of the primary dirt and dust collection inlet and the secondary dirt and dust collection inlet for at least partially opening and closing the respective dirt and dust collection inlet, the dampening means being controlled by an actuator activated directly or indirectly by an operator of the vacuum cleaner, wherein at least one secondary dirt and dust collection inlet faces generally forwards, at least one secondary dirt and dust collection inlet faces generally rearwards, at least one secondary dirt and dust collection inlet faces generally sideways in a first direction, and at least one secondary dirt and dust collection inlet faces generally sideways in a second direction opposite the first direction. 10. A vacuum cleaner comprising: a main body having a container which collects dirt and dust; a surface cleaning head defining a primary dirt and dust collection inlet configured to contact a surface over which the surface cleaning head is moved; a passageway connecting the primary dirt and dust collection inlet to the container; a secondary dirt and dust collection inlet remote from the primary dirt and dust collection inlet and spaced from said surface; and suction means in fluid communication with the passageway for drawing dirt and dust through the primary and secondary inlets into the container, the primary dirt and dust collection inlet being adapted to draw surface-borne dirt and dust efficiently into the container and the secondary dirt and dust collection inlet being adapted to draw airborne dirt and dust efficiently into the container, wherein dampening means are provided to at least one of the primary dirt and dust collection inlet and the secondary dirt and dust collection inlet for at least partially opening and closing the respective dirt and dust collection inlet, the dampening means being controlled by an actuator activated directly or indirectly by an operator of the vacuum cleaner, wherein the vacuum cleaner is a cylinder vacuum cleaner, the secondary dirt and dust collection inlet being provided in an upper region of the main body thereof.