Suction head for a vacuum cleaner and method of operation

Abstract

This invention relates to a suction head () for a vacuum cleaner and method of operation. The suction head () has a bottom surface () and one or more floor-engaging parts () adjacent to the bottom surface (), an opening () in the bottom surface () and a rotatable brush () located at the opening (). The suction head () has a front end () and a rear end (), the front end () having a recess () in communication with the opening (). A movable strip () is located in the recess (), the movable strip () being movable between a first position and a second position, the bottom edge of the movable strip() being closer to the plane of the floor-engaging parts () in its first position than in its second position. At least one first element () is connected to the movable strip () and is able to project to the plane of the floor-engaging parts (). At least one second element () is also connected to the movable strip (), the second element(s) () being configured differently to the first element(s) (), the second element(s) () being able to project to the plane of the floor-engaging parts () and being configured to move the movable strip () to a third position in use. The bottom edge of the movable strip () is closer to the plane of the floor-engaging parts () in its second position than in its third position. According to the method of operation, the movable strip () moves to its first position during backwards movement of the suction head () and to its third position during forwards movement of the suction head (), the movable strip () moving to its third position in two stages.