Abstract: A suction cleaner adapted for either on the floor cleaning or above the floor cleaning includes a base having a nozzle and a handle pivotally secured to the base so as to be pivotable between a use position and a non-use position. A suction passageway is located in at least one of the base and the handle and communicates with the nozzle. A valve is rotatably mounted in the suction passageway for selectively closing the suction passageway. An elevating mechanism selectively elevates the nozzle away from, and lowers the nozzle towards, a subjacent support surface, the mechanism being secured to the base. An actuating mechanism manually actuates the elevating mechanism. The actuating mechanism is secured to at least one of the base and the handle and engages both the valve and the elevating mechanism.

Abstract: A brushroll for a vacuum cleaner includes a cylindrical dowel having a number of holes drilled thereinto. The holes are formed into a first row and a second row, the two rows being closely spaced in relation to each other. First tufts are secured in each hole of the first row and second tufts are secured in each hole of the second row. The tufts can be made of the same type of bristle or of different types of bristles. The tufts of the first row are supported by the tufts of the second row during a cleaning rotation of the brushroll. Preferably, the tufts of the second row are located at between 1/4 and 3/4 of a free length of the first row of tufts. The bristles of the second row are shorter than the bristles of the first row. If desired, a third row of tufts may also be provided. The rows of tufts can extend helically around the dowel.

Abstract: A hand-held vacuum cleaner is disclosed including first and second air intake chambers to accommodate cooling air intake to the vacuum cleaner motor, and an exhaust chamber to accommodate exhausted cooling air from the motor. The motor has a cooling fan which draws cooling air in from both ends of the motor and exhausts it from a middle portion thereof. First and second peripheral baffle walls in a motor mount portion of the vacuum cleaner housing extend towards contiguous engagement with the motor to define air intake and exhaust chambers. A motor mounting plate is fastened to the motor and is secured in the housing by a wedging and binding reception in a slot within the housing.