Abstract: A battery pack suitable for handheld appliance, the battery pack including a plurality of cells and a circuit board associated with the cells, wherein a power terminal is associated with the circuit board and configured to transmit power to an appliance, in use, the battery pack further including a momentary switch operatively connected to the circuit board and movable between closed and open positions by an actuator wherein, when in the open position the power terminal is configured by the circuit to a power delivery state and, when in the closed position, the power terminal is configured by the circuit to a power disabled state.

Abstract: A cleaning appliance of the canister type includes separating apparatus for separating dirt from a dirt-bearing fluid flow, a floor engaging rolling assembly, and a steering mechanism for steering the cleaning appliance as it is maneuvered over a floor surface and for pivoting the separating apparatus relative to the rolling assembly.

Abstract: A cleaning appliance of the canister type includes separating apparatus for separating dirt from a dirt-bearing fluid flow, a floor engaging rolling assembly, and a steering mechanism for steering the cleaning appliance as it is manoeuvred over a floor surface and for pivoting the separating apparatus relative to the rolling assembly.

Abstract: A cleaning appliance of the canister type includes separating apparatus for separating dirt from a dirt-bearing fluid flow, a floor engaging rolling assembly, and a steering mechanism for steering the cleaning appliance as it is maneuver over a floor surface and for pivoting the separating apparatus relative to the rolling assembly.

Abstract: A cleaning appliance includes a substantially spherical surface engaging rolling assembly having a fluid inlet for receiving a fluid flow and a system for drawing the fluid flow through the inlet, and a plurality of support members for supporting the rolling assembly as it is maneuvered over a surface. The center of gravity of the cleaning appliance is located within the rolling assembly.

Abstract: A wand for an appliance includes first and second tubes and a support mechanism, in which the second tube slides telescopically within the first tube along a common axis. The first and second tubes are arranged to be selectively secured to one another in an extended position or to allow movement therebetween and the support mechanism is located between overlapping portions of the tubes. The support mechanism includes tapered portions arranged to provide support between the tubes at separate points along the common axis of the tubes. By supporting adjacent tubes at a plurality of points along the common axis, the tubes are held more firmly with respect to one another. One tapered portion is able to move with respect to the tubes along the common axis, which reduces play between the tubes.

Abstract: A cleaning appliance of the canister type includes a chassis, a plurality of front floor engaging steering members connected to the chassis, a rear floor engaging rolling assembly connected to the chassis, and a control mechanism for steering the steering members.

Abstract: A cleaning appliance of the canister type includes separating apparatus for separating dirt from a dirt-bearing fluid flow, a floor engaging rolling assembly, and a steering mechanism for steering the cleaning appliance as it is maneuvered over a floor surface and for pivoting the separating apparatus relative to the rolling assembly.

Abstract: A cleaning appliance of the canister type includes separating apparatus for separating dirt from a dirt-bearing fluid flow, a floor engaging rolling assembly, and a steering mechanism for steering the cleaning appliance as it is manoeuvred over a floor surface and for pivoting the separating apparatus relative to the rolling assembly.

Abstract: A cleaning appliance includes separating apparatus for separating dirt from a dirt-bearing fluid flow, a chassis, and a duct mounted on the chassis for conveying the fluid flow to the separating apparatus, the duct including a support for supporting the separating apparatus.

Abstract: A cleaning appliance of the canister type includes separating apparatus for separating dirt from a dirt-bearing fluid flow, a floor engaging rolling assembly including a device for drawing the fluid flow through the separating apparatus, a duct for conveying the fluid flow from the separating apparatus to the rolling assembly, and a mechanism for pivoting the separating apparatus relative to the duct.

Abstract: A cleaning appliance of the canister type includes a substantially spherical floor engaging rolling assembly comprising a fluid inlet for receiving a fluid flow and a device for acting on the fluid flow received through the inlet, and a steering mechanism for steering the cleaning appliance.

Abstract: A cleaning appliance of the canister type includes a floor engaging rolling assembly including a fluid inlet for receiving a fluid flow and a device for acting on the fluid flow received through the inlet, and a steering mechanism including a chassis connected to and projecting from the rolling assembly, a plurality of floor engaging steering members connected to the chassis and a control mechanism for changing simultaneously the orientation of the steering members relative to the chassis.

Abstract: A cleaning appliance of the canister type includes separating apparatus for separating dirt from a dirt-bearing fluid flow, a floor engaging rolling assembly comprising a device for drawing the fluid flow through the separating apparatus, a chassis connected to the rolling assembly, a duct moveable relative to the chassis for conveying the fluid flow to the separating apparatus, a floor engaging steering member for steering the rolling assembly, and a control mechanism for moving the steering member relative to the rolling assembly in response to movement of the duct relative to the chassis.

Abstract: A cleaning appliance includes a substantially spherical surface engaging rolling assembly having a fluid inlet for receiving a fluid flow and a system for drawing the fluid flow through the inlet, and a plurality of support members for supporting the rolling assembly as it is maneuvered over a surface. The center of gravity of the cleaning appliance is located within the rolling assembly.

Abstract: A cleaning appliance of the canister type includes a floor engaging rolling assembly including a fluid inlet for receiving a fluid flow and a device for acting on the fluid flow received through the inlet, and a steering mechanism including a chassis connected to and projecting from the rolling assembly, a plurality of floor engaging steering members connected to the chassis and a control mechanism for changing simultaneously the orientation of the steering members relative to the chassis.

Abstract: A cleaning appliance of the canister type includes separating apparatus for separating dirt from a dirt-bearing fluid flow, a floor engaging rolling assembly including a fluid inlet and a device for drawing the fluid flow through the fluid inlet, a duct for conveying the air fluid flow from the separating apparatus to the rolling assembly, and a mechanism for pivoting the separating apparatus relative to the rolling assembly about an axis passing through the duct.