US Patent 7134164 Vacuum cleaner nozzle assembly having edge-cleaning ducts

A vacuum cleaner nozzle assembly having at least one auxiliary suction opening along an edge thereof for picking up dirt and debris as the nozzle is moved along a wall or other obstruction. The auxiliary suction openings may be on both sides of the nozzle assembly, located proximate the ends of the primary intake opening. Auxiliary suction ducts connect the auxiliary intake openings to an internal plenum that also supplies vacuum to the main intake opening. The primary and secondary airflows merge in the plenum for withdrawal and collection. The nozzle assembly may be a power nozzle having a roller brush and a drive motor, or may be an unpowered carpet nozzle.