AGITATOR ASSEMBLY FOR VACUUM CLEANER

摘要

An agitator assembly (1) for a vacuum cleaner comprises a dowel assembly (3) with recesses (13) at its opposite ends defined by outwardly inclined walls. Each recess has inwardly facing radial vanes (19), and a shaft end (23) for holding the inner ring of a bearing assembly (26). End caps (25) extend over the ends of the dowel, and each has a collar (27) for holding the outer ring of the bearing assembly and an outer longitudinal wall (35) for providing a dust shield. The rotating vanes create an air barrier to preclude dust from moving towards each bearing assembly, and the inclined walls of each recess direct dust tossed outwardly by centrifugal force out of the agitator assembly. The end caps and the walls defining each recess further define a labyrinth seal to keep dust from traveling to each bearing assembly.