Abstract: A surface cleaning device including a surface-contacting assembly having a suction opening; a body; a suction source in fluid communication with the suction opening for sucking a fluid mixture of liquid and air from a surface; a rotation assembly mounted on the body for rotation relative to the body, the rotation assembly being rotationally fixed relative to the surface-contacting assembly, a separation chamber in which liquid is separated from the fluid mixture, the separation chamber providing a suction inlet in fluid communication with the suction opening, a suction outlet in fluid communication with the suction source, and a drainage outlet for connection to a receptacle for receiving liquid separated from the fluid mixture; and a receptacle for receiving liquid separated from the fluid mixture via the drainage outlet.

Abstract: A steamer includes a housing, a power cord configured to be selectively coupled to an external power source, a battery, a fluid reservoir positioned in the housing, a reservoir heating element configured to preheat fluid in the fluid reservoir, a steam generating device operable to receive preheated fluid from the fluid reservoir and generate steam, and a nozzle in fluid communication with the steam generating device. The reservoir heating element receives power from the external power source when the power cord is in communication with the external power source. The steam generating device receives power from the battery when the power cord is unplugged from the external power source. The nozzle is configured to receive the steam from the steam generating device and discharge the steam through the nozzle.

Abstract: A steam generator for a surface cleaning apparatus is described. The steam generator includes: a first chamber for generating steam and collecting scale; a water inlet disposed proximate a first end of the first chamber; a heater in thermal contact with the first chamber; a second chamber housed within the first chamber and in fluid communication with the first chamber; and a steam outlet for releasing steam and in fluid communication with the second chamber, wherein the steam outlet is disposed distal to the first end of the first chamber.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a surface cleaning head, a pivot assembly pivotally coupled to the surface cleaning head, a cleaning wand removably coupled to the pivot assembly, and a canister assembly removably coupled to the pivot assembly. The canister assembly includes a first electrical connector connected to a power source, a dirt separation unit, and a suction motor electrically connected to the power source and in fluid communication with a dirty air inlet of the cleaning head, the cleaning wand, and the dirt separation unit. The vacuum cleaner also includes a second electrical connector on the pivot assembly. The vacuum cleaner is operable in an upright configuration and in a portable configuration. The cleaning wand is removable from the pivot assembly when the vacuum cleaner is in the upright configuration and when the vacuum cleaner is in the portable configuration.

Abstract: A head for a surface cleaning device, the head includes an inlet for receiving dirt-laden fluid from a surface and an inlet extension member. The inlet extension member is movable with respect to the inlet between first and second positions.

Abstract: An agitator assembly for a cleaning apparatus including an agitator having a body with first and second ends, and a first alignment formation and a first securing formation at or adjacent the first end; and a drive member operable to impart rotation about a drive axis, and a second alignment formation adapted to cooperate with the first alignment formation, and a second securing formation adapted to engage the first securing formation. Relative axial movement of the agitator in a first direction towards the drive member causes contact between the first and second alignment formations. Further relative axial movement of the agitator in the first direction causes relative rotation between the agitator and drive member and yet further relative axial movement of the agitator in the first direction causes engagement between the first and second securing formations, substantially to prevent further relative rotational movement between the agitator and drive member.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner operable to separate debris from an air stream. The vacuum cleaner includes a first cyclonic separator and a second cyclonic separator having an inlet configured to receive the air stream from the first cyclonic separator. The inlet of the second cyclonic separator directs the air steam in an inlet flow direction from an upper end of the first housing toward a lower end of the first housing and along a longitudinal axis into the second cyclonic separator. The inlet of the second cyclonic separator has an inlet cross-sectional area for flow of the air stream measured normal to the longitudinal axis that decreases in the inlet flow direction.

Abstract: A floor cleaning machine for cleaning a surface includes a body, a distribution nozzle supported by the body, a supply tank assembly coupled to the body in fluid communication with the distribution nozzle, a suction nozzle supported by the body, and a suction source in fluid communication with the suction nozzle. The suction source is operable to draw fluid and dirt from the surface through the suction nozzle. The floor cleaning machine also includes a recovery tank coupled to the body in fluid communication with the suction source to receive and store fluid and dirt drawn through the suction nozzle. The floor cleaning machine is operable in a first mode to wash the surface and is operable in a second mode to sanitize the surface.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner including a base including a motor assembly and a wheel, wherein the wheel rotates around the motor assembly about an axis of rotation, the wheel extends radially outward from the motor assembly, and a portion of the motor assembly intersects a plane defined by the wheel perpendicular to the axis of rotation.

Abstract: An extractor includes a base movable along a surface having an agitator. The extractor also includes a distribution nozzle, a suction nozzle, and a suction source in fluid communication with the suction nozzle and operable to draw fluid and dirt from the surface, a recovery tank in fluid communication with the suction source to receive and store the fluid and dirt drawn, a supply tank supported by the base and in fluid communication with the distribution nozzle to supply cleaning fluid, a pump in fluid communication with the supply tank and the distribution nozzle to deliver fluid from the supply tank to the distribution nozzle, a motor operable to drive the agitator and the pump, and a drive mechanism coupled to the motor, the agitator, and the pump and operable to selectively connect the agitator and the pump to the motor to alternately drive the agitator and the pump.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner with a reduced frictional force between a vacuum base and a cleaning medium is described. The vacuum has a handle, yoke, body, and base. A handle and yoke distinct from, and behind, the base provides a moment arm anterior to the base when a force is applied. The handle and yoke assembly reduce the friction between the cleaning surface and the vacuum, allowing for larger motor and debris capturing capabilities, with easier handling and maneuverability resulting in advanced and superior cleaning capabilities.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus, such as a vacuum cleaner, having a wireless communication and control system including two or more wireless radio frequency communication devices configured to transmit and receive control instructions and responses to control the operation of various electrical components disposed within or attached to the surface cleaning apparatus.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner with an automated diverter valve is described. The vacuum includes a handle, body, base, an automated diverter valve and air duct including two input ports. An automated diverter valve assembly at the junction of the dirty air intake within the base extends the air duct within the base and connects to the main air duct of the vacuum to the beater bar input and an attachment input. The automated diverter valve causes the air intake of the vacuum to be drawn from either the beater bar (floor) air input or the attachment input depending upon the position of the vacuum handle.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner including a dust collector having a first stage cyclonic separator, a plurality of second stage cyclonic separators, a dirt cup configured to collect dust particles separated by the first stage cyclonic separator, and a perforated tube at least partially within the dust collector. The perforated tube includes a cylindrical wall and a plurality of openings in the cylindrical wall to allow the flow of air to pass through the cylindrical wall in a flow direction from the first stage cyclonic separator toward the plurality of second stage cyclonic separators. A plurality of isolated air conduits within the perforated tube. Each of the plurality of isolated air conduits defined at least partially by walls extending in a direction inwardly from the cylindrical wall of the perforated tube and each of the plurality of second stage cyclonic separators has a corresponding one of the plurality of isolated air conduits.

Abstract: A cyclonic separator assembly having a first end, a second end, and an inlet for receiving a flow of dirty air. A separation chamber receives dirty air from the inlet and includes an air flow outlet formed within the separation chamber configured such that air is drawn through the outlet in a direction generally towards the first end of the separator assembly. The chamber further includes a dirt outlet defining an opening in a wall of the separation chamber. The assembly further includes a passage defining an air flow path from the air flow outlet towards a separator outlet in a direction generally towards the second end of the separator assembly such that, in use, the separator outlet is adapted to communicate with the suction inlet of the cleaner body so as to draw dirty air into the separator assembly.

Abstract: A surface cleaner including a housing and a blade assembly with a blade element. The blade assembly is movable between a lowered position and a raised position relative to the housing. A spring is coupled between the housing and the blade assembly, and the spring applies a force on the blade assembly to move the blade assembly toward the lowered position. The blade element is allowed to move toward the raised position, against the force, such that the force maintains the blade element in contact with a surface to be cleaned. In addition, when in the raised position, the blade element is held against the force and inhibited from moving toward the lowered position.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus including a cleaning head having a body to sit adjacent a first surface to be cleaned; and a head formation releasably connectable to a connection portion of the body; wherein in a first configuration the head formation is connected to the body such that the head formation sits adjacent the first surface or a second surface to be cleaned, and the cleaning head defines a first footprint, and in a second configuration the head formation is detached from the body and the cleaning head defines a second footprint.

Abstract: The principles and embodiments of the presently claimed invention relate to steerable, light-weight, low-profile suction bases for upright cleaning apparatuses that utilize a smaller suction base body to reduce weight and bulk, while still providing sufficient room for an internally mounted brush roll motor and controller PCB, plus additional mechanical and electrical components in the suction base.