SURFACE CLEANING APPARATUS BASE INCLUDING SOUND REDUCTION PASSAGE

Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to a surface cleaning apparatus that includes a housing with a base, and more specifically, to a surface cleaning apparatus base that includes features to reduce sound.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Extraction cleaners can be used for cleaning various types of surfaces, including carpet, upholstery, and other surfaces. Many extraction cleaners include systems for storing and delivering cleaning fluid to a surface to be cleaned. Additionally, many extraction cleaners generate a vacuum effect to draw dispensed cleaning fluid and messes into the extraction cleaner for collection and disposal.

BRIEF SUMMARY

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a surface cleaning apparatus includes a housing that defines an interior. The housing includes an enclosure and a plate body that supports the enclosure and defines an exhaust vent. A suction source is configured to draw a working airflow from a suction inlet through the interior and exhaust the working airflow through the exhaust vent. The plate body includes a ramp downstream of the exhaust vent that defines an exit airflow pathway away from the exhaust vent. The ramp includes a sidewall that defines a perimeter. A height of the sidewall varies from a proximal portion adjacent the exhaust vent toward a distal portion.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a surface cleaning apparatus includes a suction source in fluid communication with a suction inlet and configured to draw a working airflow through the suction inlet. A recovery system is in fluid communication with the suction source and the suction inlet. The recovery system is configured to separate entrained debris in the working airflow. The surface cleaning apparatus also includes a housing that defines an interior. The housing includes an enclosure and a base unit configured to support the enclosure. The base unit includes a support with a first side that opposes a second side. An exhaust vent is disposed at the first side and is in fluid communication with the suction source to exhaust the working airflow drawn through the suction source. A passage is downstream from the exhaust vent and extends from the first side toward the second side. The passage includes a deep portion adjacent the first side and a shallow portion adjacent the second side.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a surface cleaning apparatus includes a housing that defines an interior. The housing includes an enclosure and a base unit configured to support the enclosure. The base unit includes a support that defines an exhaust vent. A passage is in fluid communication with the exhaust vent and open to an exterior of the housing. The housing also includes a suction system that includes a suction source in fluid communication with a suction inlet and configured to draw a working airflow from the suction inlet through the suction source. The suction system is in fluid communication with the exhaust vent to exhaust the working airflow from the interior. The passage is disposed downstream of the exhaust vent and receives the working airflow exhausted from the exhaust vent.

These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present disclosure will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a is a front perspective view of a cleaning apparatus, according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a cleaning apparatus, according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of a cleaning apparatus, according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of a support, according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged bottom perspective view of the support of FIG. 4, according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is another bottom perspective view of the support of FIG. 4, according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view along line VII of the support of FIG. 4, according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is side elevational view of the support of FIG. 4, according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is top perspective view of the support of FIG. 4, according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view of a support, according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged bottom perspective view of the support of FIG. 10, according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view along line XII of the support of FIG. 10, according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 13 is a bottom perspective view of a support, according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view along line XIV of the support of FIG. 13, according to an aspect of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 15 is a graph of test results comparing sound pressure levels emanating from cleaning apparatuses, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present illustrated embodiments reside primarily in combinations of method steps and apparatus components related to a surface cleaning apparatus. Accordingly, the apparatus components and method steps have been represented, where appropriate, by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. Further, like numerals in the description and drawings represent like elements.

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the disclosure as oriented in FIG. 1. Unless stated otherwise, the term “front” shall refer to the surface of the element closer to an intended viewer, and the term “rear” shall refer to the surface of the element further from the intended viewer. However, it is to be understood that the disclosure may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

The terms “including,” “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element preceded by “comprises a . . . ” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.

Referring to FIGS. 1-9, reference numeral 10 generally designates a cleaning apparatus. The cleaning apparatus 10 includes a housing 12 that defines an interior 14. The housing 12 includes an enclosure 16, a plate body 18, and a suction source 20. The plate body 18 supports the enclosure 16 and defines an exhaust vent 22. The suction source 20 is configured to draw a working airflow A from a suction inlet 24 through the interior 14 and exhaust the working airflow through the exhaust vent 22. The plate body 18 includes a ramp 26 downstream of the exhaust vent 22 that defines an exit airflow pathway 28 away from the exhaust vent 22. In some aspects, the ramp 26 includes a sidewall 30 that defines a perimeter 32. A height H of the sidewall 30 can vary from a proximal portion 34 adjacent the exhaust vent 22 toward a distal portion 36.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the cleaning apparatus 10 may have a variety of configurations. For example, the cleaning apparatus 10 may be an extraction cleaner often used to clean rugs, carpeting, drapes, upholstered surfaces, hard surfaces, etc. In various aspects, the cleaning apparatus 10 includes a suction system 40, a liquid delivery system 42, and a recovery system 44. The liquid delivery system 42 and the suction system 40 may be used for dispensing liquid and recovering fluid and debris material, respectively.

The liquid delivery system 42 includes a supply tank 46 for holding and storing liquid such as a cleaning solution for use in a cleaning process. The liquid may also be water or combinations of cleaning solution(s) and water. For example, many household extraction cleaning tasks can be performed using water along with or in combination with a liquid cleaning solution that contains surfactants, stabilizers, fragrances, and/or other active and inactive ingredients.

The liquid delivery system 42 also includes a pump 48, valves, and or similar features to direct the liquid out of the supply tank 46 and, consequently, out of the cleaning apparatus 10. The cleaning apparatus 10 may optionally include a heater 50 to heat or warm liquid that is dispensed. The pump 48 is configured to direct the liquid from the supply tank 46 and through a dispensing outlet 52 of the cleaning apparatus 10 to be dispensed onto a surface to be cleaned.

With reference again to FIG. 2, the cleaning apparatus 10 also includes the suction system 40 to draw fluid into the cleaning apparatus 10. The suction system 40 can draw in liquid or semi-liquid messes from the surface being cleaned, liquid dispensed via the liquid delivery system 42, and/or other debris materials. The suction system 40 also includes the suction source 20, which is in fluid communication with the suction inlet 24 to generate a suction or vacuum effect at the suction inlet 24. Therefore, fluid and debris material can be drawn through the suction inlet 24 downstream from the surface being cleaned and into a recovery tank 56 of the recovery system 44. The suction source 20 may be in the form of a motor and impeller assembly 58 (FIG. 3). In some implementations, the suction inlet 24 is provided at a distal end of a suction hose 60 and/or a tool that is in fluid communication with the suction source 20 and with the recovery system 44. However, the suction inlet 24 may be in the form of any suitable suction inlet for a cleaning apparatus, such as a suction inlet 24 that is provided on the housing 12 as opposed to the hose 60 or tool. The recovery system 44 is configured to separate entrained debris in the working airflow (e.g., liquids and/or debris materials) and collect the entrained debris or other material in the recovery tank 56 for storing therein. A user can periodically empty collected fluid and debris from the recovery tank 56 (e.g., by removing the recovery tank 56 from the housing 12).

Components of the cleaning apparatus 10 are electrically coupled to a power source 62, such as a battery, or to a power cord plugged into a household electrical circuit. A power switch 64 between the power source 62 and the electrical components of the cleaning apparatus 10 can be selectively closed by a user to activate the electrical components. The power source 62 may be utilized for powering the cleaning apparatus 10 and/or components coupled thereto, such as an accessory or tool.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the housing 12 defines the interior 14, which contains the suction source 20 (e.g., the motor and impeller assembly 58), positioned therein. As illustrated, the motor and impeller assembly 58 is disposed in the interior 14 atop a base unit 70. The base unit 70 can support the enclosure 16 of the cleaning apparatus 10. In some aspects, the base unit 70 includes a support 72, which may be in the form of the plate body 18 or base bottom. As illustrated, the working airflow A can be drawn by the suction source 20 through the recovery tank 56, exit the recovery tank 56 through an outlet pipe 56a and to the motor and impeller assembly 58 where the working airflow A can exit an air outlet 58a toward the exhaust vent 22 to, ultimately, be exhausted from the interior 14 of the housing 12 of the cleaning apparatus 10. The air outlet 58a associated with the motor and impeller assembly 58 is in fluid communication with the exhaust vent 22.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the support 72 includes a first side 74 that opposes a second side 76 with the exhaust vent 22 disposed at the first side 74. When the support 72 is assembled with the cleaning apparatus 10, the exhaust vent 22 is positioned to be in fluid communication with the air outlet 58a (FIG. 3) of the suction system 40 for exhausting the working airflow A from the interior 14. The support 72 includes an exterior surface 80, that faces an exterior E of the housing 12, and an interior surface 82, that faces the interior 14 of the housing 12. A passage 84 defined by the base unit 70 produces a pathway for the working airflow A exiting the exhaust vent 22 to travel away from the exhaust vent 22. The passage 84 is disposed, or extends, downstream of the exhaust vent 22 (e.g., extending from the first side 74 toward the second side 76) and receives the working airflow A exhausted from the exhaust vent 22. The passage 84 may be at least partially disposed on the exterior surface 80 of the support 72 such that the passage is open to the exterior E of the housing 12.

Turning to FIGS. 5 and 6, the illustrative plate body 18 includes a ramp 26. The ramp 26 can define at least a portion of the passage 84. In this way, the ramp 26 is downstream of the exhaust vent 22 and forms the exit airflow pathway 28 in the passage 84 that directs the working airflow A away from the exhaust vent 22. The ramp 26 may include the sidewall 30, which can define the perimeter 32, or outer limit, of the ramp 26. Again, the height of the sidewall 30 can vary from the proximal portion 34 adjacent the exhaust vent 22 toward a distal portion 36, which corresponds to the first side 74 to the second side 76 of the support 72, respectively. For example, the sidewall 30 can include a proximal portion height, H₁, and a distal portion height, H₂, the distal portion height being less than proximal portion height.

The ramp 26 includes an upper surface 90, or ceiling, that connects with the sidewall 30. The upper surface 90 is recessed from the exterior surface 80 of the support 72, thereby defining a depth of the exit airflow pathway 28 that corresponds to the height of the sidewall 30. As the height of the sidewall 30 varies, the upper surface 90 may include a gradient, G (FIG. 7). As illustrated, the recess or passage 84 that surrounds the exhaust vent 22 has a ramped cross-section shape (e.g., the gradient, G) that leads from the exhaust vent 22 to an opposing edge (e.g., the distal portion 36) of the passage 84. Thus, the exhaust air can be directed by the ramp 26, which can lengthen and gradually release the exhaust air along the exit airflow pathway 28 from under the housing 12. The exit airflow pathway 28 in the passage 84 can include a first portion 92 adjacent the exhaust vent 22 and a second portion 94, opposite the first portion 92, where the first portion 92 has a depth greater than the second portion 94. Stated another way, the first portion 92 of the exit airflow pathway 28 may extend further toward the interior 14 of the housing 12 than the second portion 94, such that the first portion 92 corresponds to a deep portion adjacent the first side 74 of the support 72 and the second portion 94 corresponds to a shallow portion adjacent the second side 76 of the support 72. The first portion 92, or deep portion 92, may be adjacent the exhaust vent 22 and the second portion 94, or shallow portion 94, may be adjacent the distal portion 36 of the ramp 26. The ramp 26 directs the working airflow A along a path of least resistance toward the distal portion 36 of the ramp 26. Thus, the ramp 26 can be in the form of a chute that conveys the working airflow A exiting the exhaust vent 22 downstream from the exhaust vent 22 toward an edge 96 of the plate body 18 that is opposite the exhaust vent 22. Advantageously, reducing the airflow energy at the exhaust vent 22 area reduces the airborne noise.

With reference now to FIG. 7, which is a cross-sectional view of the support 72, the gradient G defined by the upper surface 90 (FIG. 6) of the ramp 26 is more clearly illustrated. As illustrated, the passage 84 can be at least partially defined by the sidewall 30 that can include a sloped lower surface 98 along at least a portion thereof. In one aspect, the lower surface 98 of the passage 84 is planar, but is not limited to such, as will be described in more detail with respect to FIG. 14. A slope α of the lower surface 98 may include an inclination that extends from adjacent the exhaust vent 22 toward the edge 96 of the plate body 18 that is opposite the exhaust vent 22 (e.g., from the first side 74 to the second side 76). In some examples, the slope α includes an angle θ in a range of 0.1° to 5° or more. It is also contemplated that, the slope α can include an angle θ in a range of approximately 0.5° to approximately 1°. Due to the angle θ of inclination of the slope α, the second side 76 of the support 72 can be elevated from the surface to be cleaned, while the first side 74 of the support 72 may be in direct contact with the surface to be cleaned. As such, the angle θ of the slope α can correspond to a magnitude of an amount of working airflow A that is exhausted from the passage 84. Further, the lower surface 98, which is adjacent the second size 76 of the support 72, can form an outlet area 102 of the exit airflow pathway 28.

With reference now to FIGS. 7 and 8, the lower surface 98 of the passage 84 is shown. In some aspects, the lower surface 98 includes a depending edge 100 from the sidewall 30 of the ramp 26. Accordingly, the depending edge 100 may define the slope α. The depending edge 100 can form a perimeter edge of the passage 84 that at least partially extends along the perimeter 32 of the ramp 26, and, therefore, the passage 84. As illustrated, the depending edge 100 forms a rib that projects or extends from the exterior surface 80 of the support 72 or plate body 18. The sidewall 30 and at least a portion of the depending edge 100 can block the shortest exhaust path, forcing the exhausted air to follow the gradient G of the ramp 26. In this way, at least a portion of the inclined depending edge 100 that can be elevated from the surface to be cleaned may define the outlet area 102.

Referring now to FIG. 9, the interior surface 82 of the support 72 that faces the interior 14 of the housing 12 is shown. As can be seen, the interior surface 82 can include a plurality of mounting features to facilitate attaching the support 72 to the enclosure 16. The mounting features can include bosses 104, which may extend about a circumference of the support 72. The bosses 104 may provide a pilot channel 104a to insert screws therein. Stakes 106 may be included to provide support against abutting components of the enclosure 16. In some aspects, flexible tabs 108 may be provided to fasten the support 72 to the enclosure 16. However, it is within the scope of the disclosure for the support 72 to be mounted or otherwise attached to the enclosure 16 using any suitable fastener or mounting structure, such as screws, adhesives, etc.

Referring now to FIGS. 10 and 11, another exemplary support 172 for use with a cleaning apparatus, such as cleaning apparatus 10, is illustrated. The support 172 is substantially similar to the support 72. Therefore, like parts will be identified with like numerals, increasing by 100, unless otherwise noted. Further, description with respect to like parts applies to components of the support 172 as well. As illustrated, the lower surface 198, which may be the depending edge 200, defines grooves 210 therein. The grooves 210 can be spaced about at least a portion of the depending edge 200, thereby forming projections 212 therebetween. The location of the grooves 210 may form the outlet area 202 to facilitate venting of the working airflow A along the of the exit airflow pathway 28 therethrough. Accordingly, the sidewall 230 and depending edge 200 can block the shortest exhaust path, forcing the exhausted air to follow the gradient G of the ramp 226 toward the grooves 210. In specific examples, the grooves 210 are disposed adjacent the distal portion 36 of the ramp 126 and a transverse wall 214 of the ramp 126. In some aspects, the grooves 210 and the projections 212 include matching or coordinating shapes, which can be a result of evenly spacing the grooves 210 about the depending edge 200. However, it is within the scope of the disclosure for the grooves 210 to be spaced such that the projections 212 are larger or smaller than the grooves 210. It is contemplated that any number of grooves may be present and may have consistent or varying shapes. Additionally, the grooves 210 may be spaced at varying intervals. In some implementations, the grooves 210 may include a “V” shape. Additionally, spacing the grooves 210 apart by approximately the width of a single groove 210 may result in the projections 212 having a same shape and length as the grooves 210. A distance D between two same locations (e.g., an apex) of the grooves 210 may be in a range of 1-3 mm. In specific examples, the distance D is approximately 2 mm. Further, a width of the depending edge 200 corresponds to the width of the grooves 210 as the grooves 210 are configured to facilitate movement of the working airflow A through the depending edge 200. Thus, the width of the grooves 210 can correspond to a magnitude of an amount of working airflow A that is exhausted from the passage 184.

As illustrated in FIG. 12, the lower surface 198 is a notched due to the presence of the grooves 210 and the projections 212. In this way, the depending edge 200 may define crenulations. In one example, the projections 212 are spaced along a majority of a portion of the depending edge 200 that extends from the transverse wall 214.

Referring now to FIGS. 13 and 14, another exemplary support 272 for use with the cleaning apparatus 10 is illustrated. The support 272 is substantially similar to the support 72 and the support 172. Therefore, like parts will be identified with like numerals, increasing by 200 from the support 72 and 100 from the support 172, unless otherwise noted. Further, description with respect to like parts applies components of the support 272 as well. As illustrated, the support 272 combines aspects of the support 72 and the support 172. The support 272 includes the grooves 310 and projections 312. As shown in FIG. 14, the support 272 includes the sloped lower surface 298 along at least a portion of the sidewall 30, which may include the lower surface of the transverse wall 314 of the ramp 226. In this way, the sloped lower surface 298 and the grooves 310 form the outlet area 302 of the of the exit airflow pathway 28 to exhaust the working airflow A therethrough. In some implementations, the projections 312 decrease in height from the first side 274 toward the second side 276. In this way, the projections 312, or crenulations, may gradually flatten toward the edge 296 of the plate body 218 that is opposite the exhaust vent 222. However, it is within the scope of the disclosure for the lower surface 298 or depending edge 300 to include the angle θ of inclination where grooves 310 include a same depth. In this example, the projections 312 may not decrease in height. In this example, the angle θ of the slope α in combination with the width of the grooves 310 can correspond to a magnitude of an amount of working airflow A that is exhausted from the passage 284.

With reference now to FIG. 15, a graph that compares sound pressure levels that emanate from cleaning apparatuses that utilize one of the support 72 and the support 172 with a control cleaning apparatus that does not utilize the supports 72, 172 described herein is illustrated. Each design (control, cleaning apparatuses that utilize supports 72, cleaning apparatuses that utilize supports 172) was tested using the International Electro-technical Commission (IEC) 0E free field response standard and the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) standard on stationary cleaners in a semi-reverberant room. The tests were conducting using a same or similar test procedure, with the exception of using different input voltage settings. The IEC tests included input voltages of 230V and the UL tests included input voltages of 120V. Sound pressure can be defined as the difference between the actual instantaneous pressure due to sound and the atmospheric pressure. The y-axis indicates a weighted sound pressure level (SPL) to correspond to a response of the human ear to noise. The SPL was recorded in decibels and a weighting curve was applied (dBA). During the IEC test for each device, a total SPL was measured at various frequencies (Hz), as indicated on the x-axis.

Table 1, shown below, illustrates the results of the tests that were performed to compare sound pressure levels that emanated from cleaning apparatuses, such as cleaning apparatus 10, that utilize one of the support 72 and the support 172 against a control cleaning apparatus that does not utilize the supports 72, 172 described herein. As can be seen from Table 1, use of either one of the support 72 and the support 172 resulted in a significant reduction in SPL. More specifically, on average, SPL was reduced in comparison to the control device by approximately 5 dBA.

Use of the present device provides a variety of advantages. By way of aspects of the supports 72, 172, 272, described herein, the cleaning apparatus 10 can include a recess that surrounds the exhaust vent 22 to redirect and slow exhaust air after the airflow has exited through the exhaust vent 22, which reduces sound pressure level (SPL) emanating therefrom. In this way, the present disclosure can reduce SPL by restricting the air exhausted from the cleaning apparatus 10 to the exit airflow pathway 28. The sound pressure level can pre reduced by approximately 2.6 dBA (from 77.8 to 75.2 dBA) or more. Reducing the airflow energy at the exhaust outlet area reduces the airborne noise.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a surface cleaning apparatus includes a housing that defines an interior. The housing includes an enclosure and a plate body that supports the enclosure and defines an exhaust vent. A suction source is configured to draw a working airflow from a suction inlet through the interior and exhaust the working airflow through the exhaust vent. The plate body includes a ramp downstream of the exhaust vent that defines an exit airflow pathway away from the exhaust vent. The ramp includes a sidewall that defines a perimeter. A height of the sidewall varies from a proximal portion adjacent the exhaust vent toward a distal portion.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, an exit airflow pathway defines a chute for a working airflow exiting an exhaust vent to travel from the exhaust vent toward an edge of a plate body opposite the exhaust vent.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, an exit airflow pathway includes a deep portion adjacent the exhaust vent and a shallow portion adjacent the distal portion of the ramp.

According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, a surface cleaning apparatus includes a depending edge adjacent a sidewall that forms a rib projecting from an exterior surface of a plate body.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a depending edge defines a slope that extends adjacent from an exhaust vent toward an edge of a plate body opposite the exhaust vent.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a depending edge defines grooves therein.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, grooves are spaced about a depending edge and form projections therebetween.

According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, grooves and projections include matching shapes.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, projections decrease in height from an exhaust vent toward a distal portion.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, grooves include a “V” shape.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, an exit airflow pathway faces an exterior of a housing.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a surface cleaning apparatus includes a suction source in fluid communication with a suction inlet and configured to draw a working airflow through the suction inlet. A recovery system is in fluid communication with the suction source and the suction inlet. The recovery system is configured to separate entrained debris in the working airflow. The surface cleaning apparatus also includes a housing that defines an interior. The housing includes an enclosure and a base unit configured to support the enclosure. The base unit includes a support with a first side that opposes a second side. An exhaust vent is disposed at the first side and is in fluid communication with the suction source to exhaust the working airflow drawn through the suction source. A passage is downstream from the exhaust vent and extends from the first side toward the second side. The passage includes a deep portion adjacent the first side and a shallow portion adjacent the second side.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a passage defines a pathway for a working airflow exiting an exhaust vent to travel away from the exhaust vent.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a ramp defines at least a portion of a passage and the ramp includes a sidewall.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a ramp includes an upper surface that defines a gradient.

According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, a sidewall of a ramp defines a perimeter. A height of the sidewall varies from a first side to a second side of a support.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a sidewall of a ramp defines a depending edge that forms a rib that extends from an exterior surface of a support.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a depending edge defines a slope from a first side to a second side of a support. The slope includes an angle of inclination from approximately 0.5° to approximately 1° from the first side to the second side.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a surface cleaning apparatus includes a housing that defines an interior. The housing includes an enclosure and a base unit configured to support the enclosure. The base unit includes a support that defines an exhaust vent. A passage is in fluid communication with the exhaust vent and open to an exterior of the housing. The housing also includes a suction system that includes a suction source in fluid communication with a suction inlet and configured to draw a working airflow from the suction inlet through the suction source. The suction system is in fluid communication with the exhaust vent to exhaust the working airflow from the interior. The passage is disposed downstream of the exhaust vent and receives the working airflow exhausted from the exhaust vent.

According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, a perimeter edge of a passage defines a slope adjacent from an exhaust vent.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a slope includes an angle of inclination from approximately 0.5° to approximately 1°.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a passage includes a first portion adjacent an exhaust vent and a second portion that is opposite the first portion. The first portion has a depth greater than the second portion.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a passage includes a wall that has a sloped lower surface.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a height of a wall varies.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a sloped lower surface is planar.

According to still yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a sloped lower surface is stepped.

It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that construction of the described disclosure and other components is not limited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of the disclosure disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials, unless described otherwise herein.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of its forms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two components. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature unless otherwise stated.

It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the disclosure as shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present innovations.

It will be understood that any described processes or steps within described processes may be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present disclosure. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as limiting.