Abstract: Contoured intakes and fan housing assemblies for floor care machines are disclosed. In one embodiment, a contoured intake includes a contoured duct having a passage therethrough. The passage has a cross-sectional area progression that smoothly varies between a first cross-sectional area and a second cross-sectional area. Turbulence within the intake passage may be reduced or inhibited, and noise generated by the airstream within the intake passage may be reduced. In another embodiment, the contoured duct may include a bellmouth substantially surrounding the first open end that may inhibit the separation of the airstream within the intake passage. In a further embodiment, an airflow propulsion device for a floor care machine may include a motor having a drive shaft, a fan operatively coupled to the drive shaft, and a fan housing disposed about the fan and having a transition passage proximate the radially-outward ends of the vanes of the fan.

Abstract: A low-profile and highly-maneuverable vacuum cleaner having improved functionality including a belt storage compartment located in the bottom cover of the housing. The belt storage compartment is shaped so as to allow for storage of the belt in its relaxed state.

Abstract: A low-profile and highly-maneuverable vacuum cleaner having improved functionality including, alone or in combination, a headlight, a sidelight, anti-ingestion bars, side brushes, a squeegee, and a scent cartridge for use in cleaning floors, floor coverings, carpets, upholstery, and other surfaces. One embodiment includes a tortuous air flow path created by baffles that divert air flow. The tortuous path creates quieter air flow through the vacuum housing. The tortuous air flow arrangement is for cooling the internal parts of a vacuum cleaner. Another embodiment includes an indicator light assembly for the vacuum cleaner visually providing the user with the vacuum's current operation status. In another embodiment, the rear wheels are recessed within the head housing and slightly offset rearwardly of the rear wall of the head housing to provide enhanced maneuverability.

Abstract: An agitator for use with cleaning machines, as well as methods for making the same, are shown and described. The agitator is configured to facilitate the removal of elongated fibers therefrom. In one embodiment, the agitator has a rotatable member with opposing first and second ends, an axis of rotation extending between the first and second ends, and an external surface extending at least partially between the first and second ends. A number of projections are attached to the external surface of the agitator. One or both of the ends of the agitator are configured to rotatably engage the cleaning machine, such as at a bearing or other connector. The external surface of the rotatable member has a first portion that is substantially cylindrical about the axis of rotation, and a second portion separate from the first portion that has at least a first depression.

Abstract: A low-profile and highly-maneuverable vacuum cleaner having improved functionality including a belt storage compartment located in the bottom cover of the housing. The belt storage compartment is shaped so as to allow for storage of the belt in its relaxed state.

Abstract: Fragrance delivery apparatus and methods for use in combination with a floor care device are shown and described. In one embodiment, the fragrance delivery apparatus incorporates a mass that can be impregnated with a heat sensitive, fragrant substance. The fragrant substance is substantially stable at ambient temperature, but is freely released from the mass at an elevated temperature. The mass is coupled to a housing on a floor care device at a location that becomes warm during operation. As a result, when the floor care device is operated, the fragrance delivery apparatus becomes warm, and the fragrant substance is released into the nearby environment. When the floor care device is stored, however, the fragrant substance is not released from the mass in significant amounts.

Abstract: A low-profile and highly-maneuverable vacuum cleaner having improved functionality including, alone or in combination, a headlight, a sidelight, anti-ingestion bars, side brushes, a squeegee, and a scent cartridge for use in cleaning floors, floor coverings, carpets, upholstery, and other surfaces. One embodiment includes a tortuous air flow path created by baffles that divert air flow. The tortuous path creates quieter air flow through the vacuum housing. The tortuous air flow arrangement is for cooling the internal parts of a vacuum cleaner. Another embodiment includes an indicator light assembly for the vacuum cleaner visually providing the user with the vacuum's current operation status. In another embodiment, the rear wheels are recessed within the head housing and slightly offset rearwardly of the rear wall of the head housing to provide enhanced maneuverability.

Abstract: A low-profile and highly-maneuverable vacuum cleaner having improved functionality including, alone or in combination, a headlight, a sidelight, anti-ingestion bars, side brushes, a squeegee, and a scent cartridge for use in cleaning floors, floor coverings, carpets, upholstery, and other surfaces. One embodiment includes a tortuous air flow path created by baffles that divert air flow. The tortuous path creates quieter air flow through the vacuum housing. The tortuous air flow arrangement is for cooling the internal parts of a vacuum cleaner. Another embodiment includes an indicator light assembly for the vacuum cleaner visually providing the user with the vacuum's current operation status. In another embodiment, the rear wheels are recessed within the head housing and slightly offset rearwardly of the rear wall of the head housing to provide enhanced maneuverability.

Abstract: A low-profile and highly-maneuverable vacuum cleaner having improved functionality including, alone or in combination, a headlight, a sidelight, anti-ingestion bars, side brushes, a squeegee, and a scent cartridge for use in cleaning floors, floor coverings, carpets, upholstery, and other surfaces. One embodiment includes a tortuous air flow path created by baffles that divert air flow. The tortuous path creates quieter air flow through the vacuum housing. The tortuous air flow arrangement is for cooling the internal parts of a vacuum cleaner. Another embodiment includes an indicator light assembly for the vacuum cleaner visually providing the user with the vacuum's current operation status. In another embodiment, the rear wheels are recessed within the head housing and slightly offset rearwardly of the rear wall of the head housing to provide enhanced maneuverability.

Abstract: Handle assemblies for floor care devices, and methods for using the same, are disclosed. In one embodiment, a handle apparatus includes a main member partially surrounding a cord retaining space that is adapted to receive a plurality of portions of a power cord of the floor care device. A retaining member is moveably attached to the main member, and includes a retaining surface that is positionable proximate the cord retaining space. In a first or “retaining” position, the retaining surface retains the plurality of power cord portions within the cord retaining space, and in a second or “releasing” position, the retaining surface releases the plurality of power cord portions from the cord retaining space. In alternate embodiments, the retaining member may be rotatably, pivotably, or slidably attached to the main member, pivotably attached to the main member.

Abstract: Vacuum devices having integrated cord storage and pivotable tool holders are disclosed. In one embodiment, a vacuum device includes a housing, an airflow propulsion device, and a power cord. The housing includes an outer surface having a recess disposed therein, the recess being sized to receive a plurality of loops of the power cord. First and second cord retainers are disposed within the recess and project outwardly from the housing, the first and second cord retainers being sized to retain the plurality of loops of the power cord. The outer surface may be a bottom surface of the apparatus. In another embodiment, the housing includes a cord mount disposed within the recess, the fixed end of the power cord being connected to the cord mount such that a localized portion of the power cord proximate the cord mount is directed approximately toward the first cord retainer. Alternately, the localized portion of the power cord may be inclined with respect to the base surface, or parallel with the base surface.

Abstract: Belt-mounted vacuum apparatus and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a belt-mounted vacuum apparatus includes a belt member adapted to engage about an operator's waist, a dirt receptacle attached to the belt member, and a vacuum unit attached to the belt member and spaced apart from the dirt receptacle. The vacuum unit is operatively coupled with the dirt receptacle such that an airflow created by the vacuum unit propels particulates through the intake port and into the dirt receptacle. In alternate embodiments, the vacuum unit may be spaced apart from the dirt receptacle by a small distance, or may be positioned on opposite sides of the operator. In another embodiment, an apparatus includes a belt member having a stiffened portion. The stiffened portion may, for example, comprise an outer shell. Alternately, the belt member may also include a flexible, padded layer that engages with the operator's waist.

Abstract: Contoured intakes and fan housing assemblies for floor care machines are disclosed. In one embodiment, a contoured intake includes a contoured duct having a passage therethrough. The passage has a cross-sectional area progression that smoothly varies between a first cross-sectional area and a second cross-sectional area. Turbulence within the intake passage may be reduced or inhibited, and noise generated by the airstream within the intake passage may be reduced. In another embodiment, the contoured duct may include a bellmouth substantially surrounding the first open end that may inhibit the separation of the airstream within the intake passage. In a further embodiment, an airflow propulsion device for a floor care machine may include a motor having a drive shaft, a fan operatively coupled to the drive shaft, and a fan housing disposed about the fan and having a transition passage proximate the radially-outward ends of the vanes of the fan.

Abstract: An outer bag assembly for an upright vacuum cleaner is disclosed. The outer bag assembly comprises a flexible, air permeable enclosure having an internal volume adapted to contain a disposable inner bag. The outer bag assembly is further comprised of an upper end adapted to provide access to the internal volume through a closure device, and an opposite end attached to a handle assembly through a bag clip assembly. In one embodiment, the closure device includes a zipper disposed along an upper front peripheral edge of the outer bag assembly that allows a front panel of the bag assembly to be partially released. In another embodiment, the closure device includes a zipper disposed along an upper front peripheral edge, and a zipper disposed along an upper rear peripheral edge of the outer bag assembly that allows a top panel of the outer bag assembly to be partially released.

Abstract: Floor care devices having an elongated handle or body portion for control thereof are provided with mid-level handles for facilitating manipulation of the devices in certain conditions, for storing power cords, for hanging and storing the floor care device and the like. The mid-level handle may fold from a retracted position adjacent the elongated handle or body portion to an extended position. A retainer is provided to maintain the handle in its retracted and extended positions.

Abstract: Handle and exhaust duct coupling assemblies for floor care machines are disclosed. In one embodiment, an exhaust duct coupling assembly includes a first duct having an outer surface with an external thread disposed thereon and a locking tab projecting outwardly therefrom. A second duct is slideably engaged into the first duct, and a flexible seal is disposed about the second duct proximate an end of the first duct. A collar having a hole therethrough is disposed about the second duct and threadedly engaged with the end of the first duct. The collar presses the seal into an approximately sealing engagement against the second duct and the end of the first duct. The collar includes a locking surface frictionally engaged with the locking tab and inhibiting a disengaging movement of the collar. Alternately, the locking surface of the duct coupling assembly may be an annular surface disposed on an inner surface of the collar, or may be disposed on an end surface of the collar.

Abstract: A front edge cleaning device for an upright vacuum cleaner is disclosed. The front edge cleaning assembly comprises a flexible, resilient member frontally disposed on the head assembly of an upright vacuum cleaner. In one embodiment, the front edge cleaning device includes an elongated section having an upper section and a lower section with front and a rear faces, the rear face of the upper section being attached to the front wall of the vacuum cleaner and the lower section extending downwardly from the upper section and having the front face of the lower section beveled inwardly towards the rear face of the lower section to form an apical lower edge spaced apart from the floor with air openings positioned along the apical lower edge and projecting through the lower section.