Abstract: A dirt collecting system for a vacuum cleaner includes a dirt cup formed with a first dirt collecting chamber and a second dirt collecting chamber separated by an apertured wall. An inlet opening is formed in the dirt cup and communicates with the first dirt collecting chamber for inputting a stream of dirt laden air into the first dirt collecting chamber. An exhaust opening is formed in the second dirt collecting chamber for allowing the filtered air stream to exit the dirt cup. The aperture wall includes a pre-filter for filtering coarse particles from a stream of dirt laden and depositing the coarse particles in the first dirt collecting chamber. A filter member is positioned within the second dirt collecting chamber and communicates with the exhaust port. The filter element filters fine particles from the air stream and deposits the fine particles within the second dirt collecting chamber.

Abstract: A dirt collecting system for a vacuum cleaner includes a dirt cup formed with a coarse particle separation chamber and a fine particle separation chamber separated by an apertured wall. Coarse dirt particles directed into the coarse particle separation chamber are prevented from entering the fine particle separation chamber by the apertured wall. The apertured wall is removable from the dirt cup and is cleaned upon removal by a cleaning element. A fine particle filter is located in the fine particle separation chamber for filtering fine particles. The fine particle filter is cleaned by rotating a knob located in the dirt cup lid so that the pleats of the fine particle filter is brushed past a wiper element.

Abstract: A conversion valve arrangement for converting a vacuum cleaner from floor use to off-the-floor use. A valve door located in the suction duct leading from the nozzle body shuts off the suction airstream to the nozzle body when the vacuum cleaner is moved into the upright stored position. A projection on the motor housing located beneath the handle engages a resilient member cooperating with a crank arm on the valve door to close the valve door when the handle is moved to the upright position. The resilient member is comprised of a front valve arm and a rear valve arm pivotally linked together. The motion of the rear valve arm is transmitted to the front valve arm in one direction by a stop. The motion of the rear valve arm is transmitted to the front valve arm in the opposite direction by the stiffness of a spring disposed between them.

Abstract: A dirt collecting system for a vacuum cleaner includes a dirt cup formed with a course particle separation chamber and a fine particle separation chamber separated by an apertured wall. An inlet opening is formed in the dirt cup and communicates with the course particle separation chamber for inputting a stream of dirt laden air into the course particle separation chamber. A clean air outlet opening is formed in the fine particle separation chamber for allowing the filtered air stream to exit the dirt cup. The apertured wall includes a pre-filter for filtering coarse particles from a stream of dirt laden and depositing the coarse particles in the course particle separation chamber. A fine particle separation filter is positioned within the fine particle separation chamber and communicates with the clean air outlet opening. The fine particle separation filter separates fine particles from the air stream and deposits the fine particles within the fine particle separation chamber.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a dirt collecting system including a latch to seal a positively pressurized dirt cup. The latch also serves to secure the dirt cup to the cleaner housing when in the closed position. The dirt cup is formed with a first dirt collecting chamber and a second dirt collecting chamber separated by an apertured wall. An inlet opening is formed in the dirt cup and communicates with the first dirt collecting chamber for inputting a stream of dirt laden air into the first dirt collecting chamber. An exhaust opening is formed in the second dirt collecting chamber for allowing the filtered air stream to exit the dirt cup. The aperture wall includes a pre-filter for filtering coarse particles from a stream of dirt laden and depositing the coarse particles in the first dirt collecting chamber. A filter member is positioned within the second dirt collecting chamber and communicates with the exhaust port.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a dirt collecting system including a latch to seal a positively pressurized dirt cup. The latch also serves to secure the dirt cup to the cleaner housing when in the closed position. The dirt cup is formed with a first dirt collecting chamber and a second dirt collecting chamber separated by an apertured wall. An inlet opening is formed in the dirt cup and communicates with the first dirt collecting chamber for inputting a stream of dirt laden air into the first dirt collecting chamber. An exhaust opening is formed in the second dirt collecting chamber for allowing the filtered air stream to exit the dirt cup. The aperture wall includes a pre-filter for filtering coarse particles from a stream of dirt laden and depositing the coarse particles in the first dirt collecting chamber. A filter member is positioned within the second dirt collecting chamber and communicates with the exhaust port.

Abstract: A hose and tool caddy removably mounts to an upright vacuum cleaner. The hose and tool caddy stores the vacuum cleaner hose and accessory tools, such as a dusting brush, furniture nozzle, extension wand and crevice tool, which are used for above-the-floor cleaning. When the upright vacuum cleaner is being used for floor care, the hose and tool caddy may be removed from the upright vacuum cleaner and hung-up. The hose and tool caddy includes a base and a guide member. The base is formed with a looped channel for receiving the hose, a pair of resilient C-clamps for supporting the dusting brush and furniture nozzle and a vertically extending channel for receiving the extension wand with the crevice tool stored therein. The upright vacuum cleaner includes a track member for slidably receiving the guide member when the hose and tool caddy is being mounted to the upright vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: A self propelled upright vacuum cleaner is provided that has at least one drive wheel, a transmission for selectively driving the drive wheel in forward and reverse and propelling the cleaner in forward and reverse over a floor. A bag housing pivotally connected to the floor engaging portion. An electric power switch located adjacent to a top of the bag housing. A control link extending from the transmission and up the bag housing, with a top end of the control link being located adjacent to the top of the bag housing. An upper handle assembly having a hand grip reciprocally mounted thereon and a power switch button mounted thereon. The lower end of the upper handle assembly is adapted for connection to the top of the bag housing, such that the upper end of the control link and the hand grip are automatically interconnected when the upper handle assembly is attached to the bag housing.

Abstract: A hard bag cleaner is provided where cleaner air is exhausted through a lower positioned motor-fan system disposed in the hard bag portion of its cleaner. Air then moves upwardly along the side of the hard bag portion of the cleaner to be exhausted horizontally outwardly therefrom. A series of vertically extending guiding vents formed by vertically extending louvers baffle exhaust air flow and also serve as an inner support for a filter mounted outwardly against these louvers.

Abstract: A unique valve door mechanism is disclosed for use in a dual chambered utility type vacuum cleaner having two suction inlets whereby the inactive suction inlet may be selectively closed and sealed off from the atmosphere. The valve door is slidingly suspended between guide rails whereby the door may be selectively positioned adjacent the suction inlet to be disabled. Atmospheric pressure is utilized to urge the valve door against the selected inlet opening thereby sealing off the inlet from the atmosphere. The valve may also be in the form of a rotatable, elbow-shaped body having a single plenum. The body may be rotated between at least two positions where the outlet to the plenum is in fluid communication with a wet tank in one position and a dry tank in the other position.

Abstract: A unique valve door mechanism is disclosed for use in a dual chambered utility type vacuum cleaner having two suction inlets whereby the inactive suction inlet may be selectively closed and sealed off from the atmosphere. The valve door is slidingly suspended between guide rails whereby the door may be selectively positioned adjacent the suction inlet to be disabled. Atmospheric pressure is utilized to urge the valve door against the selected inlet opening thereby sealing off the inlet from the atmosphere.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a utility, wet/dry, tank type, vacuum cleaner suitable for domestic use whereby wet or dry material may be alternately vacuumed. Two storage or receiving chambers are provided, preferably positioned one within the other. Two suction inlets, one communicating with the first chamber and the other communicating with the second chamber are provided such that wet and dry material may be selectively directed, by the user, to the appropriate chamber for collection.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a utility, wet/dry, tank type, vacuum cleaner suitable for domestic use whereby wet or dry material may be alternately vacuumed. Two storage or receiving chambers are provided, preferably positioned one within the other. Two suction inlets, one communicating with the first chamber and the other communicating with the second chamber are provided such that wet and dry material may be selectively directed, by the user, to the appropriate chamber for collection.

Abstract: The present invention discloses and teaches means for effecting a vacuum seal between the cover lid, outer tank and inner tank of a dual tank utility type vacuum cleaner wherein the inner tank is telescopingly positioned within the outer tank and suspended therein from the peripheral rim of the outer tank. The peripheral rims of the cover lid, inner tank and outer tank cooperate to fluidly isolate the inner tank from the outer tank and seal both tanks from the atmosphere.