Abstract: The present invention relates to a suction cleaning device which provides liquid dispensing, scrubbing, squeegeeing, and suction drying in a single, compact, self contained device. The suction cleaning device includes a cleaning device housing, a handle connected to the housing, an absorbent cleaning member mounted on the housing and movable between an extended and a retracted position, and a pair of squeegee blades. The device includes a suction system which draws the water from the floor surface which has been cleaned into a tank mounted on the housing which collects the liquid from the floor surface. A clean water bottle is provided on the housing for delivering cleaning liquid to the floor and a rechargeable battery power source provides power to the suction motor. The cleaning device is compact and lightweight and leaves the floor in a substantially dry state.

Abstract: A rechargeable cordless vacuum cleaner system comprises a hand held vacuum cleaner and a separable charger. The cleaner includes a circuit board assembly having first and second sets of contacts disposed for engagement to first and second sets of mating contacts of a battery pack and the charger. Both sets of contacts are spring loaded for resilient engagement to the mating contacts. A pocket portion is formed adjacent the set of contacts to the charger to avoid direct exposure of the contacts to an operator of the cleaner.

Abstract: A portable hand-held vacuum cleaner includes a housing for holding a motor and a suction fan and a switch slidably mounted on the housing for selectively activating the motor. The switch extends out of the housing so as to be manually engageable. A nozzle is mounted on the housing and a release button, pivotally mounted on the housing, selectively releases the nozzle from the housing. The release button includes a first finger which engages an aperture in a wall of the nozzle, a pivot aperture through which extends a pivot pin secured to the housing for enabling the release button to move between a pair of end positions and a biasing element for urging the release button to one of the pair of end positions. A second finger is also provided on the release button. In one of the end positions of the release button, the second finger engages in a recess of the switch to prevent the release button from being pivoted.

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.

Abstract: A floor sweeper includes a housing and wheels rotatably mounted on the housing for supporting the housing on a subjacent surface. A brush roll is rotatably mounted on the housing. A pair of gear cartridge members are located on opposite sides of the housing. Each of the gear cartridge members includes a first planetary gear train including a sun gear coupled to a respective end of the brush roll, a gear ring encircling the sun gear and a plurality of planet gears engaging both the sun gear and gear ring. A first drive wheel is coupled to the gear ring and a casing encloses the first planetary gear train.

Abstract: A carpet sweeper comprises a housing, brushes, wheels fixed to the housing, and a pivotable handle attached to the housing. The housing contains a plurality of sides, one of which is a flip-down door. The door has hinges along a bottom edge. The top edge comprises a tab which cooperates with the top of the housing to selectively secure the door in a closed position. The tab is selectively manually deformable outwardly and downwardly from the top of the housing to swing the door into an open position. The housing includes flanges to secure the trays within the housing.

Abstract: A bag securing and tensioning system for a vacuum cleaner includes a duct for directing a flow of dirt-laden air from an inlet thereof to an outlet thereof, a porous outer bag and a connection member for releasably mounting the outer bag to the outlet end of the duct. The connection member includes a longitudinally extending slot located in a handle of the vacuum cleaner and a bag guide member including an extension slidably mounted in the slot. A bag clip is secured to the bag guide member. The bag clip holds an end of the porous outer bag.

Abstract: A foot operated nozzle height adjusting mechanism for a vacuum cleaner of the type characterized by a housing having a front cleaning nozzle that is pivotable about a pair of front wheels through the change in height of a pair of rear wheels that are secured in a wheel fork pivotally mounted on the housing includes first and second pedals. The first pedal is secured to the wheel fork. The second pedal is provided on a member that is pivotally secured to the housing and includes an adjustment lever extending in a direction substantially normal to the wheel fork. The adjustment lever includes a plurality of spaced teeth. A locking plate is secured to the wheel fork and the spaced teeth of the adjustment lever are adapted to selectively engage the locking plate. A biasing element urges the adjustment lever teeth against the locking plate.

Abstract: A filter element has a filter medium positioned between concentrically spaced cylindrical walls. A semiflexible, urethane ledge gasket has an annular seal portion that sealingly engages one end of the walls and filter medium and an edge of a generally circular retainer plate that closes one end of the filter element. An annular gripper surface extends inwardly from the seal portion and is spaced axially from the outer surface of the retainer plate so as to provide a finger gripping surface so that the filter element can be removed from its housing. An annular lip extends outwardly from the seal portion to engage an end of the housing.