Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner is disclosed. The upright vacuum cleaner includes a carpet engaging nozzle base and an upper housing pivotally attached to the nozzle base. The upright vacuum cleaner further includes a removable bucket releasably secured to the upper housing and a bucket handle rotatably attached to the bucket and movable between a first position and a second position. The upright vacuum cleaner yet further includes a latch adapted to secure the bucket to the upper housing when the handle is in the first position and release the bucket from the upper portion when the handle is in a second position. The bucket may be removed from the upper housing when the latch is released from the upper housing. The bucket is re-secured to the upper housing by returning the bucket handle to the first position. A method of operating a upright vacuum cleaner is also disclosed.

Abstract: A cleaner for cleaning a surface comprises a floor-engaging portion for moving along the surface. A source supplies a liquid to a distributor, which distributes the liquid from the source on the surface wherein an activating device is operatively connected to the source to activate the source to supply liquid to the distributor to distribute liquid on the surface in response to a force moving the floor engaging portion in a first direction.

Abstract: A floor care appliance such as a vacuum cleaner is provided having a traction wheel powered edge cleaner comprised of a vertical axis rotary agitator which is affixed to either the right or left side of the suction nozzle. The agitator is rotated by the traction wheel when the vacuum cleaner is disposed along a wall surface and moved relative to the wall surface. The rotating action of the agitator sweeps dirt particles off of the wall surface and along the edge of the wall surface into the path of the suction nozzle for pickup. When not in use the edge cleaner is stored in the accessory storage rack like other accessory tools. The agitator can have differing agitator elements such as bristles or a fluff wheel.

Abstract: The invention is floor care appliance such as vacuum cleaner having two embodiments of a dirt particle separating and collecting system removably inserted into a recess in the floor care appliance's housing. One embodiment of the dirt particle separating and collecting system includes a translucent dirt cup having an apertured between two adjacent dirt particle collecting chambers and a primary filter located in one of the chambers. The other embodiment is a translucent bag container and a filtration bag. The filtration bag may or may not be disposable and may or may not have a HEPA rating. When either embodiment of the dirt particle separating and collecting system is installed in the housing, a portion of the dirt particle separating and collecting system is not visible in the area in the front of the floor care appliance. Another portion of the dirt particle separating and collecting system is visible in the area in the front of the floor care appliance.

Abstract: A suction nozzle for a floor care appliance such as an upright vacuum cleaner having at least a first channel located above an agitator to carry air and dirt to a suction passageway. The cleaner has several embodiments, one of which has a single channel and a single agitator. Another embodiment has front and rear suction ducts, a channel, and a single agitator. Yet another embodiment has the single channel and dual agitators. Still yet another embodiment has front and rear suction ducts and dual agitators. Further yet still, another embodiment has front and rear suction ducts, a channel, and dual agitators. Several embodiments of an agitator drive assembly are provided using various means to provide rotary power to the agitator(s).

Abstract: A blocker door assembly is disclosed. The blocker door assembly includes a carpet engaging nozzle base and a nozzle opening positioned in the base. The blocker door assembly further includes a rotating agitator positioned in the nozzle opening and an outlet duct in fluid communication with the nozzle opening. The blocker door assembly yet further includes a motor/fan assembly in fluid communication with the duct. The blocker door assembly further includes a blocker door adapted to slide between a open position which places the nozzle opening in fluid communication with the motor fan unit and a closed position which blocks fluid communication between the nozzle opening and the motor fan unit. A method of operating a vacuum cleaner is also disclosed.

Abstract: A floor cleaning unit having a housing and a removable caddy which may be mounted on and removed from the housing for storing accessories. The caddy includes a body which removably mounts to the housing. A connector assembly is included on the body for removably mounting the body on the housing. The connector assembly includes a slot for receiving a hook member attached to the housing. An accessory retainer is formed on the body for storing the floor cleaning unit accessories, whereby the caddy and the floor cleaning unit accessories stored thereon may be slidably removed from the floor cleaning unit by merely applying a force to the body.