Vacuum turbo nozzle with movable visor

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner accessory tool having a housing with a brushroll chamber and an air turbine/motor chamber. The tool has a first inlet into the brushroll chamber, a second inlet into the brushroll chamber, and a hollow attachment tube extending from the housing. The hollow attachment tube is in fluid communication with the brushroll chamber. A brushroll is mounted in the brushroll chamber and adapted to rotate about a brushroll axis. The brushroll has one or more agitators extending from it, which are adapted to extend through the first inlet and the second inlet as the brushroll rotates about the brushroll axis. An air turbine or electric motor is mounted in the turbine/motor chamber and adapted to drive the agitator. A movable visor is provided to cover the first inlet in a first position, and the second inlet in a second position

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to vacuum cleaner accessory cleaning tools.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Electric vacuum cleaners are in almost universal use in homes, offices and other places where quick and efficient floor cleaning is desired. Such vacuum cleaners are often configured either as upright vacuums or as canister vacuums.

Upright vacuums typically comprise a nozzle base to which a pivoting rear housing is attached. The rear housing serves as a handle by which the nozzle base is manipulated on the surface being cleaned. The nozzle base is adapted to move on a surface being cleaned and generally support the weight of the rear housing, and includes a suction opening directed towards the floor. A vacuum fan and motor assembly is located in either the nozzle base or the rear housing to provide a suction airflow that draws air in through the suction opening and deposits it in a dirt receptacle. The dirt receptacle, such as a cyclonic separation chamber, a dirt cup, or a vacuum bag chamber, may be located in either the nozzle base or the rear housing. Upright vacuums are also known to include a flexible auxiliary cleaning hose and various cleaning tools for cleaning above the floor or in hard to reach areas.

Canister vacuums generally operate in the same manner as uprights, but do not include a rear housing attached to the nozzle base. Instead, a relatively simple rigid tube is pivotally attached to the nozzle base to manipulate it, and this rigid tube is connected through a flexible vacuum hose to a housing containing the fan/motor and dirt receptacle. As with upright vacuums, the dirt receptacle can be a bag, cyclonic separation chamber, dirt cup, or any other type of dirt separator.

Vacuum cleaners, of both the upright and canister design, are often provided with various types of accessory tools. The accessory tools are often stored on special mounting points on the vacuum cleaner itself. When it is desired to use an accessory tool, it is attached either to an auxiliary cleaning hose, in the case of upright vacuums, or to the flexible vacuum hose or rigid tube of a typical canister vacuum. In upright vacuums, the operator typically must also operate a valve to redirect the vacuum from the floor suction opening to the auxiliary cleaning hose. These accessory -tools are used for cleaning in places that the regular nozzle base can not fit or operate, or are adapted for specialized cleaning operations.

While many of the known accessory tools have been adequate for various uses, there still exists a need to provide an improved vacuum cleaner accessory cleaning tool.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one exemplary aspect, the present invention provides a vacuum cleaner accessory tool having a housing with a brushroll chamber and an air turbine chamber. The tool has a first inlet into the brushroll chamber, a second inlet into the brushroll chamber, and a hollow attachment tube extending from the housing. The hollow attachment tube is in fluid communication with the brushroll chamber. A brushroll is mounted in the brushroll chamber and adapted to rotate about a brushroll axis. The brushroll has one or more agitators extending from it, which are adapted to extend through the first inlet and the second inlet as the brushroll rotates about the brushroll axis. An air turbine is mounted in the air turbine chamber and adapted to rotate about a turbine axis and drive the agitator. A movable visor is also provided, and adapted to cover the first inlet in a first position, and the second inlet in a second position.

In another exemplary aspect, the present invention provides a vacuum cleaner accessory tool having a housing with a brushroll chamber and a motor chamber. The tool has a first inlet into the brushroll chamber, a second inlet into the brushroll chamber, and a hollow attachment tube extending from the housing. The hollow attachment tube is in fluid communication with the brushroll chamber. A brushroll is mounted in the brushroll chamber and adapted to rotate about a brushroll axis. The brushroll has one or more agitators extending from it, which are adapted to extend through the first inlet and the second inlet as the brushroll rotates about the brushroll axis. An electric motor is mounted in the motor chamber and adapted to drive the agitator. A moveable visor is also provided, and adapted to cover the first inlet in a first position, and the second inlet in a second position.

In yet another exemplary aspect, the present invention provides a vacuum cleaner accessory tool having a housing with an elongated chamber in it. The tool has a first elongated inlet into the elongated chamber, a second elongated inlet into the elongated chamber, and a hollow attachment tube extending from the housing. The hollow attachment tube is in fluid communication with the elongated chamber. A movable visor also is provided, and adapted to cover the first inlet in a first position, and the second inlet in a second position.

Other embodiments, features and variations are also included within the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a first embodiment of the present invention, shown in conjunction with an upright vacuum cleaner.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded isometric view of the embodiment of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a cutaway side view of the embodiment of FIG. 2, shown in the horizontal cleaning position.

FIG. 5 is a cutaway side view of the embodiment of FIG. 2, shown in the vertical cleaning position.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the detent mechanism of the embodiment of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

It has been found that some conventional vacuum accessory tools are somewhat limited in their use or difficult to use to their full potential. For example, many upholstery tools having air-powered agitator brushes are shaped such that they can only be used in a single orientation. In such devices, the air inlet and agitator are usually pointed downwards when the device is grasped by the user. This orientation generally favors use on horizontal surfaces, and is difficult to use on vertical surfaces without requiring the user to either move into an uncomfortable position, or compromise his or her grip on the device. In view of the foregoing deficiencies, the present invention provides an accessory tool, such as a turbine-driven accessory tool or an accessory tool with other types of spindle drive mechanisms, that can be used on either horizontal or vertical surfaces with equal comfort and ease.

Referring now to the Figures, in which like reference numerals designate like parts, the present invention generally provides a hand-held accessory tool 100 that can be attached to a vacuum cleaner 102 by way of a flexible vacuum hose 104. The vacuum cleaner 102 shown in FIG. 1 is an upright vacuum having a wheeled nozzle base 106 to which a rear housing 108 is pivotally attached. The rear housing 108 is shown in the upright storage position in FIG. 1, but can be reclined and used to guide the nozzle base 106 over a surface to be cleaned, as known in the art. A handle grip 114, which in this case is telescopic, is provided to manipulate the device. The nozzle base 106 includes, among other things, a downwardly-directed vacuum inlet nozzle, a brushroll located adjacent the inlet nozzle, and an electric motor to operate the brushroll. A vacuum fan and its associated drive motor are located in a lower chamber 110 of the rear housing 108. A dirt collection chamber 112, which may include one or more dust bags, dirt cups, cyclonic separators or any other type of dirt separation devices is separably or permanently mounted to the rear housing 108. Various additional dirt filters, such as pre- and post-motor filters, may also be incorporated into the vacuum cleaner 102.

The vacuum cleaner 102 includes a vacuum hose 104 that is fluidly connectable to the vacuum fan and dirt collection chamber 112. During use, the operator can select between connecting the vacuum fan and dirt collection chamber 112 to either the nozzle inlet in the nozzle base 106 (floor cleaning mode) or the vacuum hose 104 (auxiliary cleaning mode). The airflow can be redirected to the vacuum hose 104 in any suitable manner. Examples of valves and other devices for switching between floor cleaning and auxiliary cleaning modes are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,443,910; 4,573,236; 5,355,549; and 5,551,120, which are incorporated herein by reference. The vacuum hose 104 includes a cuff 116 that attaches to a corresponding cuff 118 on the accessory tool 100. Bayonet-type fittings, threaded fittings, slip-on fittings, or any other suitable attachment system may be used to releasably connect the accessory tool 100 to the cuff 116. Alternatively, the accessory tool 100 may be permanently attached to the vacuum hose 104.

While FIG. 1 depicts the accessory tool 100 in use with an upright vacuum cleaner 102, it will be appreciated that other embodiments of the invention may instead be used with canister vacuums, central vacuums, wet or dry extractors, or other types of cleaning device. For example, the accessory tool 100 may be used as a replacement for a conventional powered nozzle base for a canister vacuum, in which case it would be adapted to attach to the main vacuum hose of the canister. In such a case, no provision needs to be made to switch the device between a floor cleaning mode and an auxiliary cleaning mode.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the construction of one embodiment of the invention is shown and described in more detail. The accessory tool 200 of FIGS. 2 and 3 is generally formed by an upper housing 202 and a lower housing 204 that are attached to one another by screws, snap fittings or other suitable attachment methods. Screws are preferred to economically attach the housings 202, 204 together, but snap fittings are preferred to facilitate maintenance by the user. The housings 202, 204 preferably form an ergonomic and aesthetically pleasing shape that can be held in, and controlled by, one hand of a typical operator. One or both of the upper and lower housings 202, 204 may be made of a transparent material, or have one or more windows therethrough, to provide visual feedback on the operation of the device and to assist with locating and removing clogs.

A hollow attachment tube 206 is captured between the housings 202, 204. The attachment tube 206 is adapted to selectively connect to a vacuum hose cuff 116 (FIG. 1). Conventional bayonet fittings, threads, snap connectors or other fittings may be used for this purpose, but it is preferred that the attachment tube 206 simply be somewhat tapered and sized to slide into (or around) the hose cuff 116 and be retained thereon by a slight friction fit. The attachment tube 206 may be rotationally fixed, or may pivot within the housings 202, 204, and may be provided with additional pivots to provide multi-axial movement. For example, the attachment tube 206 may be mounted to pivot about an axis generally parallel to the axis of rotation of a rotating spindle 220 (see below), or may be mounted to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the tube 206. Such pivotal mounting arrangements are known in the art. Furthermore, while the attachment tube 206 is shown as a generally cylindrical part having a circular profile, such a shape is not required.

Also captured between the housings 202, 204 is a turbine assembly 208 comprising a vaned turbine wheel 210 pivotally mounted on a pair of bearings 212. The bearings 212 fit into corresponding slots 214 in the upper and lower housings 202, 204, and suspend the vaned turbine wheel 210 so that it freely rotates within the housings 202, 204. The turbine wheel 210 also includes a drive gear 404 (FIGS. 4 and 5) that drives a belt 216, which, in turn, drives an agitator assembly 218. Gears or other drive mechanisms may be used in addition to or in lieu of the belt 216, if desired. The turbine wheel 210 is located within a generally cylindrical turbine chamber 230 that is in fluid communication with a generally cylindrical brushroll chamber 236 by way of a turbine inlet 232. The turbine chamber 230 is also in fluid communication with the attachment tube 206 by way of a turbine outlet 234. In this way, the turbine chamber is fluidly interposed between the brushroll chamber 236 and the attachment tube 206, and is driven by air passing therebetween. While the turbine wheel 210 is shown in this embodiment as rotating about a horizontal axis, it will be appreciated that it may be oriented at any other suitable angle. The turbine assembly 208 may also be configured to be driven by air that is separate from the dirty air entering the brushroll chamber 236. In such an embodiment, the brushroll chamber 236 would communicate directly with the attachment tube 206, and a separate turbine inlet would be provided through the upper or lower housing 202, 204 at a location remote from the brushroll chamber 236 to allow clean ambient air to enter the turbine assembly 208. The turbine outlet 234 would still be in fluid communication with the attachment tube 206 so that the vacuum draws air through the turbine assembly 208 to drive it. If desired, in this embodiment, a throttle valve (not shown) may be provided on the turbine inlet or outlet to regulate the amount of air drawn through the turbine assembly 208 and thereby control the brushroll torque and/or speed. Examples of such a configurations are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,134,746, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/952,061 (U.S. Patent Publication No. 2005/0091783) which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

It will be appreciated that the turbine assembly 208 may be replaced by other drive devices. For example, the turbine assembly 208 may be replaced by an electric motor (not shown) powered by batteries or by electrical leads to the vacuum cleaner to which the device is attached. Such configurations are known in the art, and are commonly called powered cleaning heads, or “powerheads.”

The agitator assembly 218 comprises a spindle 220 into which a number of agitators 222 are affixed to extend radially therefrom. While the shown agitators 222 comprise bristle tufts, other agitators, such as flaps or bumps may be used instead or in any combination, as known in the art. An agitator bearing 224 is pivotally mounted at each end of the spindle 220, and these are mounted into corresponding slots (not visible) in the upper housing 202 to pivotally suspend the agitator assembly 218 within the brushroll chamber 236. A driven gear 226, over which the belt 216 fits, is located along the length of the spindle 220. The driven gear 226 preferably is located in a channel 228 that is generally isolated from the remainder of the brushroll chamber 236 to prevent dirt and debris from fouling the belt 216 and gears. While the foregoing arrangement is preferred, it will be appreciated that any turbine and spindle bearing and mounting assemblies may be used with the present invention.

The brushroll chamber 236 is formed on one side by the upper housing 202, and on the other side by the lower housing 204. The brushroll chamber 236 has two separate inlets: a first inlet 238 that is directed generally downwards, and a second inlet 240 that is directed generally forwards, and at an angle with respect to the brushroll axis, preferably about 90 degrees, relative to the first inlet 238. The two inlets 238, 240 are separated, in this embodiment, by a crosspiece 241. In other embodiments, however, the crosspiece 241 may be omitted, and the first and second inlets 238, 240 may comprise separate portions of a continuous opening. While the crosspiece 241 is not required in all embodiments, it may be useful to lend additional strength to the housings 202, 204, and to help support a moveable visor 242, described below. The brushroll assembly 218 is positioned within the brushroll chamber 236 such that the agitators 222 pass through both the first and second openings 238, 240 as they rotate.

A moveable visor 242 is provided to selectively cover one or the other of the first inlet 238 and the second inlet 240, thereby allowing a user to select which opening to use according to the user's particular cleaning requirements. The movable visor 242 comprises a generally arcuate portion 244 located between two end plates 246. The end plates 246 are provided with approximately circular axial end plate protrusions 248 that fit over corresponding axial housing protrusions 250 on the upper housing 202. In this way, the visor 242 is pivotally mounted to the upper housing 202 such that it can be rotated between a first position in which the arcuate portion 244 covers the first inlet 238, and a second position in which the arcuate portion 244 of the visor 242 covers the second inlet 240. Preferably, the visor's axis of rotation is approximately coaxial with the brushroll assembly's axis of rotation. The end plate protrusions 248 and housing protrusions 250 may be formed as annular walls, as shown, which provides a labyrinth seal between the parts, as well as providing smooth corresponding bearing surfaces upon which they can slide. Of course, other pivoting mounts, such as simple pins, bushings, or bearings may be used, and it is not necessary to form the pivoting surfaces 248, 250 integrally with the visor 242 and/or housing 202.

A series of gripping ridges 252, detents, levers, or a tactile gripping material may be provided to assist the operator with gripping and moving the visor 242 between the first and second positions. A detent spring 254 is also provided to hold the visor 242 in the first and second positions, as is explained in detail with reference to FIG. 6. While this pivot arrangement is preferred, other arrangements may be used instead. Furthermore, the movable visor 242 may also be replaced by a door or other structure that slides, swings, or otherwise moves to cover one or the other of the first and second inlets 238, 240.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the operation of the movable visor 242 is shown and described in more detail. FIG. 4 shows the movable visor 242 in the second position in which it covers the second inlet 240. In this position, air drawn in by the vacuum (shown by the broken arrow) enters the brushroll chamber 236 through the first opening 238. The air then enters the turbine chamber 230 by way of the turbine inlet 232, drives the vaned turbine wheel 210, and passes through the turbine outlet 234 and into the attachment tube 206. From here, the air proceeds through the vacuum hose 104 (FIG. 1) and to the vacuum fan and dirt receptacle of the vacuum cleaner. The turbine wheel 210 drives the belt 216 through the drive gear 404, and the belt 216 drives the agitator assembly 218 through the driven gear 226. As the agitator assembly 218 rotates, the agitators 222, which extend through the first inlet 238, agitate the surface being cleaned to help release dirt and other debris. In this position, the accessory tool 200 is particularly suited for cleaning horizontal surfaces, such as the shown stair tread 400.

FIG. 5 shows the movable visor 242 in the first position in which it covers the first inlet 238. In this position, air drawn in by the vacuum enters the brushroll chamber 236 through the second opening 240. From here, the air follows the same path as described above with reference to FIG. 4. When the movable visor 242 is in the first position, the agitators 222 extend through the second inlet 240 to agitate the surface being cleaned. In this position, the accessory tool 200 is particularly suited for cleaning vertical surfaces, such as the shown stair riser 402, chair and sofa backs and arm rests, curtains, and so on.

It will be seen from the foregoing Figures that the accessory tool 200 of the present invention is well suited to clean both horizontal and vertical surfaces without requiring the user to twist or otherwise manipulate the tool. The movable visor 242 allows quick, intuitive, and simple conversion between the two visor positions. To move the visor 242, the user simply grasps the accessory tool 200 in one hand, and moves the visor 242 into the desired position with the other hand. The gripping ridges 252 or other parts of the visor 242 may be helpful to assist the user with this operation. Furthermore, the gripping ridges 252, the visor 242, or other additional structures, may be shaped and sized to move the movable visor 242 between the first and second positions by simply pressing the visor 242 against the surface being cleaned and moving the accessory tool 200, which can provide a hands-free conversion between modes of use.

Referring now to FIG. 6, the operation of one embodiment of the visor detent mechanism is shown and explained in detail. The detent mechanism comprises a resilient member that releasably secures the visor 242 in one or more positions. In a preferred embodiment, the detent mechanism is located between the visor endplates 246 and the upper housing 202. As noted before, each end plate 246 comprises an axial end plate protrusion 248 that fits over and surrounds a corresponding housing protrusion 250 on the upper housing 202. A detent spring 254 is captured between one end plate 246 and the upper housing 202. The detent spring 254 is positioned radially outside of the end plate protrusion 248, and is rotationally fixed, relative to the end plate 246, by one or more outward radial protrusions 602 that fit within corresponding slots 604 in the outer periphery of the end plate 246. The detent spring 254 also has one or more, and preferably two, inward radial protrusions 606. These inward protrusions 606 pass through corresponding gaps 608 through the end plate protrusion 248. While the shown embodiment has a single detent spring 254, an additional detent spring 254 may be provided between the other end plate 246 and the upper housing 202.

The housing protrusions 250 each have a generally circular outer periphery over which the end plate protrusions 248 rotatably fit. This circular periphery has a first set of detents 610 and a second set of detents 612. Each set of detents 610, 612 comprises a number of detents equal to the number of inward protrusion 606 of the detent spring 254, and they are located at the same angular spacing as the inward radial protrusions 606. As such, the protrusions 606 engage the detents when they are aligned therewith, to thereby resiliently hold the visor 242 against rotation. The visor 242 can be rotated by applying enough force to cause the detent spring 254 to flex so that the inward protrusions 606 rise out of the detents 610, 612.

The first set of detents 610 are engaged by the protrusions 606 when the visor 242 is in the first position, and the second set of detents 612 are engaged by the protrusions 606 when the visor is in the second position. The first and second sets of detents 610, 612 are oriented relative to one another at approximately the same angular spacing as the first inlet 238 and second inlet 240 into the brushroll chamber 236. As such, the first set of detents 610 will hold the visor 242 in place when it is over the first opening 238, and the second set of detents 612 will hold the visor 242 in place when it is over the second opening 240.

While this arrangement has been found to be useful and cost-effective, other detent or holding arrangements may be provided with other embodiments of the invention. For example, the present invention may incorporate the visor holding system shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,993,108 to Genge et al., the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. The detents also may be removed entirely and the visor 242 may simply be held in each of its operating positions by a slight friction fit. The visor 242 may also be provided with a spring to bias it into either the first or second position.

While the embodiments described herein are preferred, these are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Indeed, many additional variations on the embodiments herein will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, and such variations are within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A vacuum cleaner accessory tool comprising: a housing having a brushroll chamber and an air turbine chamber; a first inlet into the brushroll chamber; a second inlet into the brushroll chamber; a hollow attachment tube extending from the housing, the hollow attachment tube being in fluid communication with the brushroll chamber; a brushroll mounted in the brushroll chamber and adapted to rotate about a brushroll axis, the brushroll having one or more agitators extending therefrom, the agitators being adapted to extend through the first inlet and the second inlet as the brushroll rotates about the brushroll axis; an air turbine mounted in the air turbine chamber and adapted to rotate about a turbine axis, the air turbine being adapted to drive the agitator; and a movable visor adapted to cover the first inlet in a first position, and the second inlet in a second position.

2. The vacuum cleaner accessory tool of claim 1, wherein the movable visor moves between the first position and the second position by rotating about a first axis, the first axis being generally coaxial with the brushroll axis.

3. The vacuum cleaner accessory tool of claim 1, wherein the agitator is driven by the air turbine through a drive belt or a gear set.

4. The vacuum cleaner accessory tool of claim 1, wherein the attachment tube is pivotally attached to the housing.

5. The vacuum cleaner accessory tool of claim 1, wherein: the vacuum cleaner accessory tool is generally adapted to clean vertical surfaces when the movable visor is in the first position; and the vacuum cleaner accessory tool is generally adapted to clean horizontal surfaces when the movable visor is in the second position.

6. The vacuum cleaner accessory tool of claim 1, wherein the visor can be moved between the first position and the second position by pressing the movable visor against a surface being cleaned, and moving the housing relative to the surface being cleaned.

7. The vacuum cleaner accessory tool of claim 1, wherein the visor can be moved by a user's hand between the first position and the second position.

8. The vacuum cleaner accessory tool of claim 1, further comprising a resilient member adapted to releasably retain the visor in one or both of the first position and the second position.

9. The vacuum cleaner accessory tool of claim 1, wherein the air turbine chamber is fluidly interposed between the brushroll chamber and the hollow attachment tube, and the air turbine is driven by air passing from the brushroll chamber to the hollow attachment tube.

10. The vacuum cleaner accessory tool of claim 1, wherein the air turbine chamber is fluidly interposed between a turbine inlet and the hollow attachment tube, the turbine inlet being located separate from the brushroll chamber, and the air turbine is driven by ambient air entering the turbine inlet and passing into the hollow attachment tube.

11. The vacuum cleaner accessory tool of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises a crosspiece located between and separating the first inlet and the second inlet.

12. The vacuum cleaner accessory tool of claim 1, wherein the housing is adapted to fit in one hand of a typical user.

13. A vacuum cleaner accessory tool comprising: a housing having a brushroll chamber and a motor chamber; a first inlet into the brushroll chamber; a second inlet into the brushroll chamber; a hollow attachment tube extending from the housing, the hollow attachment tube being in fluid communication with the brushroll chamber; a brushroll mounted in the brushroll chamber and adapted to rotate about a brushroll axis, the brushroll having one or more agitators extending therefrom, the agitators being adapted to extend through the first inlet and the second inlet as the brushroll rotates about the brushroll axis; an electric motor mounted in the motor chamber, the electric motor being adapted to drive the agitator; and a movable visor adapted to cover the first inlet in a first position, and the second inlet in a second position.

14. The vacuum cleaner accessory tool of claim 13, wherein the movable visor moves between the first position and the second position by rotating about a first axis, the first axis being generally coaxial with the brushroll axis.

15. The vacuum cleaner accessory tool of claim 13, wherein the electric motor is powered by one or more auxiliary batteries.

16. The vacuum cleaner accessory tool of claim 13, wherein the electric motor is powered by electrical leads to a vacuum cleaner to which the vacuum cleaner accessory tool is attached.

17. The vacuum cleaner accessory tool of claim 13, wherein the attachment tube is pivotally attached to the housing.

18. The vacuum cleaner accessory tool of claim 13, wherein: the vacuum cleaner accessory tool is generally adapted to clean vertical surfaces when the movable visor is in the first position; and the vacuum cleaner accessory tool is generally adapted to clean horizontal surfaces when the movable visor is in the second position.

19. The vacuum cleaner accessory tool of claim 13, wherein the visor can be moved between the first position and the second position by pressing the movable visor against a surface being cleaned, and moving the housing relative to the surface being cleaned.

20. The vacuum cleaner accessory tool of claim 13, wherein the visor can be moved by a user's hand between the first position and the second position.

21. The vacuum cleaner accessory tool of claim 13, further comprising a resilient member adapted to releasably retain the visor in one or both of the first position and the second position.

22. The vacuum cleaner accessory tool of claim 13, wherein the housing is adapted to fit in one hand of a typical user.

23. A vacuum cleaner accessory tool comprising: a housing having an elongated chamber therein; a first elongated inlet into the elongated chamber; a second elongated inlet into the elongated chamber; a hollow attachment tube extending from the housing, the hollow attachment tube being in fluid communication with the elongated chamber; a movable visor adapted to cover the first inlet in a first position, and the second inlet in a second position.

24. The vacuum cleaner accessory tool of claim 23, wherein the movable visor moves between the first position and the second position by rotating about a first axis, the first axis being generally parallel with the brushroll axis.

25. The vacuum cleaner accessory tool of claim 23, wherein a brushroll is mounted in the elongated chamber and adapted to rotate about a brushroll axis, the brushroll having one or more agitators extending therefrom, the agitators being adapted to extend through the first elongated inlet and the second elongated inlet as the brushroll rotates about the brushroll axis.

26. The vacuum cleaner accessory tool of claim 23, further comprising an air turbine adapted to drive the brushroll.

27. The vacuum cleaner accessory tool of claim 23, further comprising an electric motor adapted to drive the brushroll.

28. The vacuum cleaner accessory tool of claim 23, wherein: the vacuum cleaner accessory tool is generally adapted to clean vertical surfaces when the movable visor is in the first position; and the vacuum cleaner accessory tool is generally adapted to clean horizontal surfaces when the movable visor is in the second position.

29. The vacuum cleaner accessory tool of claim 23, wherein the visor can be moved between the first position and the second position by pressing the movable visor against a surface being cleaned, and moving the housing relative to the surface being cleaned.

30. The vacuum cleaner accessory tool of claim 23, wherein the visor can be moved by a user's hand between the first position and the second position.

31. The vacuum cleaner accessory tool of claim 23, further comprising a resilient member adapted to releasably retain the visor in one or both of the first position and the second position.

32. The vacuum cleaner accessory tool of claim 23, wherein the housing is adapted to fit in one hand of a typical user.