Abstract: In a vacuum cleaner comprising a reduced velocity chamber with a high velocity air inlet, an electric motor, a rotary means driven by the motor for creating a vacuum in the chamber, an outlet for exhausting air from the chamber, which air flows in a selected path from the air inlet, through the chamber and out the air exhaust outlet and a disposable porous sheet filter layer in the chamber for removing solids particles from the air there is provided an improvement comprising a gas removing filter between the filter layer and the motor where the gas removing filter comprises an activated charcoal filter layer in the chamber, intersecting the air path and generally coterminous with the disposable filter layer.

Abstract: A typical power nozzle for a canister type vacuum cleaner is modified by omitting nozzle adjustment and other components, and by adding a tank for suds solution, a suds control unit, and a modified nozzle housing bottom plate which slides on the floor covering being suds-scrubbed. The sudser is used as a substitute for a typical power nozzle connected in a canister type cleaner system with the blower outlet of the power unit of the canister, in a suds-scrubbing operation. After scrubbing, a typical power nozzle is connected in the usual manner in the system, to perform normal cleaning of the area scrubbed.

Abstract: A multi-motor suction cleaner of the upright type having a power-driven rotary brush operated in the usual manner with a low-suction, high-volume airflow produced by a typical first motor-fan unit in the cleaner suction nozzle housing to carry out a usual floor, rug or carpet cleaning operation. The cleaner is converted to efficient off-the-floor cleaning merely by selectively uncovering an opening in a closed suction chamber carried by the cleaner containing a second motor-fan unit producing high-suction, low-volume airflow. A converter member mounted on one end of a typical flexible attachment hose is inserted in the uncovered opening. This automatically energizes the second motor-fan unit. The selective and alternate operation of the two motor-fan units provides a single cleaner that can carry out most efficiently every cleaning operation heretofore requiring both a canister and an upright cleaner to perform.

Abstract: A suction cleaner power nozzle has auxiliary, main and bottom plate members releaseably assembled to form a nozzle housing having separated upper and lower compartments. The lower compartment includes a nozzle mouth in which a rotary brush is located. Support wheels and wheel height adjusting mechanism also are located in the lower compartment. Brush drive motor means are located in the upper compartment, and the auxiliary housing member is replaceable without disassembly of the remainder of the nozzle or its components.

Abstract: A suction cleaner nozzle has main and edge cleaning secondary nozzle openings oriented at right angles to one another. An auxiliary passage connects the secondary nozzle with a zone of high suction in the suction source for the main nozzle. Valve means in the auxiliary passage may be moved selectively to open or closed position. A clean-out door is provided for the auxiliary passage.