Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a base adapted to be moved on a surface to be cleaned, an inlet nozzle disposed on a lower surface of the base, a vacuum source, and a dirt receptacle. A lower handle is pivotally attached to the base at a lower pivot, and an upper handle is pivotally attached to the lower handle at an upper pivot. In one aspect, the vacuum cleaner includes an automatically-operated lower pivot lock that can restrict relative rotation between the lower handle and the base, and a manually-operated upper pivot lock that can restrict relative rotation between the upper handle and the lower handle. In another aspect, the vacuum cleaner includes a telescoping upper handle with electrical controls attached to the upper telescopic section of the upper handle. In still another aspect, the vacuum cleaner includes an exhaust vent located on an upwardly-facing surface of the base.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having an inlet nozzle, a dirt collection chamber having a chamber opening, and a lid adapted to selectively close the chamber opening. The lid includes a lid passage that extends between a lid inlet and a lid outlet, and the lid outlet is in fluid communication with the dirt collection chamber. A dirty air inlet passage is fluidly connected between the inlet nozzle and the lid inlet. A fan is provided and adapted to convey dirty air into the inlet nozzle, through the dirty air inlet passage, through the lid passage, and into the dirt collection chamber. The lid passage includes a removable portion that can be removed to expose at least a portion of the lid passage to allow removal of obstructions from the lid passage. The vacuum may have a plug recess to hold a power cord plug while it powers the vacuum.

Abstract: A handgrip for a floor cleaning device is provided. In a first aspect, the handgrip has a handle base, a yoke attached to the handle base, a carrier member pivotally mounted to the yoke, and a grip mounted to the carrier member. The grip has a grip axis oriented along the length of the grip. In a second aspect, the handgrip has a handle base, a first member attached to the handle base and adapted to be pivotable about a first axis, and a second member attached to the first member and adapted to be pivotable about a second axis. The first axis is fixed with respect to the handle base, and the second axis is fixed with respect to the first member. In other aspects, the handgrip is attached to a floor cleaning device having a vacuum inlet, a dirt collection device, an air flow path from the vacuum inlet to the dirt collection device, and a vacuum source adapted to generate a working air flow through the air flow path from the vacuum inlet to the dirt collection device.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner accessory tool having a housing with a brushroll chamber and an air turbine/motor chamber. The tool has a first inlet into the brushroll chamber, a second inlet into the brushroll chamber, and a hollow attachment tube extending from the housing. The hollow attachment tube is in fluid communication with the brushroll chamber. A brushroll is mounted in the brushroll chamber and adapted to rotate about a brushroll axis. The brushroll has one or more agitators extending from it, which are adapted to extend through the first inlet and the second inlet as the brushroll rotates about the brushroll axis. An air turbine or electric motor is mounted in the turbine/motor chamber and adapted to drive the agitator.

Abstract: An agitator assembly having a spindle having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis. One or more primary agitators are attached to the spindle between the first end and the second end, and edge agitators are attached in a generally circumferential pattern around the spindle's first end. In one aspect, the edge agitators may be arranged at different inclination angles. In another aspect, the edge agitators may be attached on offset circumferential lines. In another aspect, at least one of the edge agitators is more flexible than a primary agitator. In another aspect, the first end has an edge cleaning assembly that is attached to the spindle and rotationally fixed relative thereto by one or more rotationally interlocking structures formed integrally with the edge cleaning assembly. Also provided is a cleaner having a housing and a spindle, with a window through the housing to view the first end of the spindle and substantially no other parts of the spindle.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a base adapted to be moved on a surface to be cleaned, an inlet nozzle disposed on a lower surface of the base, a vacuum source, and a dirt receptacle. A lower handle is pivotally attached to the base at a lower pivot, and an upper handle is pivotally attached to the lower handle at an upper pivot. In one aspect, the vacuum cleaner includes an automatically-operated lower pivot lock that can restrict relative rotation between the lower handle and the base, and a manually-operated upper pivot lock that can restrict relative rotation between the upper handle and the lower handle. In another aspect, the vacuum cleaner includes a telescoping upper handle with electrical controls attached to the upper telescopic section of the upper handle. In still another aspect, the vacuum cleaner includes an exhaust vent located on an upwardly-facing surface of the base.

Abstract: An electric vacuum cleaner has a floor engaging unit, a generally vertically extending handle assembly pivotally affixed to the rear of the floor engaging unit, and a porous bag assembly mounted to the front of the handle assembly. The handle assembly is hollow to direct dust-laden air from the floor engaging unit to the bag assembly. A bottom plate, under the brush roll, has notches at its edges to enhance edge cleaning, and front wheels for the cleaner. Ridges are provided in the floor engaging unit to prevent inproper assembly of the drive belt. The handle assembly is resiliently biased upwardly, and a release is provided thereon to enable relaxation of forces on the porous bag of the porous bag assembly, to facilitate changing of the bag.

Abstract: An electric vacuum cleaner has a floor engaging unit, a generally vertically extending handle assembly pivotally affixed to the rear of the floor engaging unit, and a porous bag assembly mounted to the front of the handle assembly. The handle assembly is hollow to direct dust-laden air from the floor engaging unit to the bag assembly. A bottom plate, under the brush roll, has notches at its edges to enhance edge cleaning, and front wheels for the cleaner. Ridges are provided in the floor engaging unit to prevent improper assembly of the drive belt. The handle assembly is resiliently biased upwardly, and a release is provided thereon to enable relaxation of forces on the porous bag of the porous bag assembly, to facilitate changing of the bag.

Abstract: An electric vacuum cleaner has a floor engaging unit, a generally vertically extending handle assembly pivotally affixed to the rear of the floor engaging unit, and a porous bag assembly mounted to the front of the handle assembly. The handle assembly is hollow to direct dust-laden air from the floor engaging unit to the bag assembly. A bottom plate, under the brush roll, has notches at its edges to enhance edge cleaning, and front wheels for the cleaner. Ridges are provided in the floor engaging unit to prevent improper assembly of the drive belt. The handle assembly is resiliently biased upwardly, and a release is provided thereon to enable relaxation of forces on the porous bag of the porous bag assembly, to facilitate changing of the bag.

Abstract: An electric vacuum cleaner has a floor engaging unit, a generally vertically extending handle assembly pivotally affixed to the rear of the floor engaging unit, and a porous bag assembly mounted to the front of the handle assembly. The handle assembly is hollow to direct dust-laden air from the floor engaging unit to the bag assembly. A bottom plate, under the brush roll, has notches at its edges to enhance edge cleaning, and front wheels for the cleaner. Ridges are provided in the floor engaging unit to prevent improper assembly of the drive belt. The handle assembly is resiliently biased upwardly, and a release is provided thereon to enable relaxation of forces on the porous bag of the porous bag assembly, to facilitate changing of the bag.