Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a base, an agitator cleaner, an agitator, and a motor. The agitator extends in a longitudinal direction and is mounted to the base to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the agitator and to move between a first position in which the agitator is spaced from the agitator cleaner and a second position in which the agitator engages the agitator cleaner. The motor is operatively associated with the base and configured to rotate the agitator about the longitudinal axis of the agitator while the agitator is in the second position to remove debris from the agitator by interaction between the agitator and the agitator cleaner.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a base, an agitator cleaner, an agitator, and a motor. The agitator extends in a longitudinal direction and is mounted to the base to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the agitator and to move between a first position in which the agitator is spaced from the agitator cleaner and a second position in which the agitator engages the agitator cleaner. The motor is operatively associated with the base and configured to rotate the agitator about the longitudinal axis of the agitator while the agitator is in the second position to remove debris from the agitator by interaction between the agitator and the agitator cleaner.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a base, an agitator, a motor, an agitator cleaner, first and second support assemblies, and an actuator. The agitator cleaner is movable to be spaced from the agitator or to engage the agitator to remove debris while the motor rotates the agitator. The support assemblies collectively support the base on a surface to be cleaned, and the first support assembly is movable between a raised position in which the agitator is proximal to the surface and a lowered position in which the agitator is spaced from the surface. The actuator is movable between an idle position and an operative position. The actuator has a first controller to move the agitator cleaner into the first position when the actuator is in the idle position, and a second controller to move the first support assembly to the lowered position when the actuator is in the operative position.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner dirt collection assembly having a housing, an air inlet and air outlet connected to the housing and a cyclone chamber inside the housing. The cyclone chamber has top and bottom walls, and an outer wall joining the top and bottom walls to form a generally enclosed space. The outer wall has a helical guide channel extending radially outward from the adjacent portion of the outer wall. An inner wall, located inside the enclosed space, has a generally cylindrical or frustroconical surface having one or more openings fluidly connecting the enclosed space to the air outlet. A separator plate is located inside the enclosed space at a location between the top and bottom walls. The separator plate extends towards the outer wall and is spaced from the outer wall by a gap.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a base, an agitator, a motor, an agitator cleaner, first and second support assemblies, and an actuator. The agitator cleaner is movable to be spaced from the agitator or to engage the agitator to remove debris while the motor rotates the agitator. The support assemblies collectively support the base on a surface to be cleaned, and the first support assembly is movable between a raised position in which the agitator is proximal to the surface and a lowered position in which the agitator is spaced from the surface. The actuator is movable between an idle position and an operative position. The actuator has a first controller to move the agitator cleaner into the first position when the actuator is in the idle position, and a second controller to move the first support assembly to the lowered position when the actuator is in the operative position.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner dirt collection assembly having a housing, an air inlet and air outlet connected to the housing and a cyclone chamber inside the housing. The cyclone chamber has top and bottom walls, and an outer wall joining the top and bottom walls to form a generally enclosed space. The outer wall has a helical guide channel extending radially outward from the adjacent portion of the outer wall. An inner wall, located inside the enclosed space, has a generally cylindrical or frustroconical surface having one or more openings fluidly connecting the enclosed space to the air outlet. A separator plate is located inside the enclosed space at a location between the top and bottom walls. The separator plate extends towards the outer wall and is spaced from the outer wall by a gap.