Abstract: A self-propelled floor cleaner is provided having a random motion generator which enhances the maneuverability of the floor cleaner. The random motion generator is rotatably attached to the frame of the cleaner and propels the cleaner across the floor in a random motion. This random motion facilitates cleaning of the floor by making the cleaner easier to manipulate. The random motion generator includes a hollow spherical shell. In the preferred embodiment, the hollow spherical shell houses a weighted motor assembly which is rotatably mounted on a center fixed axle which extends diametrically between the first and second hemispherical halves and is attached thereto. The weighted motor assembly is comprised of a motor housing and a power source, such as batteries or cells. A motor is housed within the motor housing and rotates the motor housing about the center fixed axle.

Abstract: A floor care appliance is provided with a microprocessor based control arrangement. The microprocessor adjust the height of the suction nozzle through a motorized suction nozzle height gear and cam arrangement. The microprocessor is programmed to turn the current off to either of the motor-fan assembly or the agitator drive motor when the current consumed by either exceeds a predetermined amount based upon the nozzle height. The height of the suction nozzle is selected by one or more switches located on the appliance handle. A separate switch is provided to select bare floor mode and the microprocessor is programmed to store the height of the suction nozzle prior to bare floor mode being selected. By pressing a the bare floor mode button again or the use of a sensor the suction nozzle is returned to the stored position when the suction nozzle is returned to the carpeted surface.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for cleaning a surface is provided. The cleaning apparatus has a housing for movement along a surface with a suction nozzle assembly having an inlet and outlet provided on the housing. A recovery container is removably mounted to the housing. A hose having a first end detachably connected to the outlet of the suction nozzle and a second end in fluid communication with the recovery container floor-scrubbing machine is provided. A vacuum source is in fluid communication with the suction nozzle, hose, and recovery container for drawing dirt from the cleaning surface into the inlet of the suction nozzle and into. The cleaning apparatus further includes a handle movably connected to the housing and movable between a first position that locks the first end of the hose to the housing to a second position that unlocks the first end of the hose to the housing.

Abstract: A detachable dust bin for a vacuum cleaner. A container is provided with a removable sidewall which has an outlet opening which is adapted to be coupled to a source of vacuum. The container includes an inlet for connecting to a passageway which is connected to a vacuum nozzle. A duct extends vertically from the inlet within the container, and then laterally toward the removable sidewall. A filter is supported along the removable sidewall having a front surface facing the outlet of the duct, and a rear surface facing the outlet opening in the removable sidewall. Dirt laden air is drawn through the filter, duct, and vacuum nozzle. Dirt is separated from the air and collected within the container.

Abstract: A floor cleaning device having a base assembly for movement along a cleaning surface is provided. The base assembly comprises a brush assembly for engaging the surface of the floor being cleaned removably mounted to a base part. A nozzle assembly is removably mounted to the base part such that the nozzle assembly is positioned adjacent to the brush assembly to prevent the brush assembly from disengaging from the base part.

Abstract: The invention is a floor care appliance such as vacuum cleaner having several embodiments of a dirt particle separating and collecting system removably inserted and sidewardly disposed 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 wall between a dirt particle collecting chamber and a second chamber housing a primary filter. One other embodiment is a translucent bag container for housing a filtration bag. The filtration bag may or may not be disposable and may or may not have a HEPA rating. Other embodiments include utilizing a single dirt container for housing the apertured wall and primary filter combination, a filtration bag only, or a combination of a filtration bag and the apertured wall and primary filter combination. Portions of the various embodiments of the dirt collecting systems may be seen through cutaway portions of the cleaner housing.

Abstract: A floor care appliance is provided. The floor care appliance includes a base for movement along the surface attached to a housing. The floor care appliance has two liquid storage tanks located in the housing wherein one of the liquid storage tanks generally overlies the other liquid storage tank. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the liquid storage tank located above the other liquid storage tank is a cleaning solution storage tank and the other liquid storage tank is a liquid recovery tank.

Abstract: This invention relates to a multi-purpose position sensitive floor cleaning device having two separate and distinct selective modes of operation whereby 180° longitudinal rotation of the floor cleaning device selectively activates one of the two separate and distinct selective modes of operation. The two separate and distinct selective modes of operation are, for example, a scrubbing mode for scrubbing an associated floor and a suctioning mode for suctioning associated liquid from the associated floor.

Abstract: A floor care appliance is provided with a motor-fan assembly that includes a diffuser to improve efficiency but also reduces any resultant noise generated. The diffuser is disc shaped and has a plurality of equi-distant spaced vanes around the periphery. The vanes improve performance by converting air velocity into static pressure rise. The vanes also reduce noise by making the flow more uniform. A periphery of radially extending return vanes are arranged circumferentially on one side of the disc. The return vanes remove swirl and improve performance before directing the air through the interior of the motor for cooling.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner having a muffler system is disclosed. The upright vacuum cleaner includes a carpet engaging nozzle base and an upper housing pivotally connected to the nozzle base. The upright vacuum cleaner further includes a dirt cup removably secured to the upper housing and having an inlet in fluid communication with the nozzle base and an exit. The upright vacuum cleaner yet further includes a motor/fan unit fluidly connected to the dirt cup exit and positioned proximate to a pivot axis between the base and the upper housing. The upright vacuum cleaner still further includes an expansion chamber defined at least partially by the upper housing and a vertical wall of the dirt cup when the dirt cup is in an operational position relative to the housing. The motor/fan units draws air from the dirt cup exit and directs air toward the expansion chamber. A method of operating an upright vacuum cleaner is also disclosed.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is provided having a suction nozzle comprised of a transparent agitator housing and an opaque suction nozzle body. The agitator housing forms a downwardly disposed nozzle chamber divided into a right and left agitator chamber. The right and left agitator chambers each have a forward or front suction duct adjacent the front edges of the respective agitator chambers. The right and left agitator chambers also each have a rearward or rear suction duct adjacent the rear edges of the respective agitator chambers. A nozzle liner is also disposed within the nozzle chamber partially forming a right and left dirt and air passage over the right and left agitator chambers, respectively, to fluidly connect the respective front suction ducts with the rear discharge ports located in the rear of each of the right and left agitator chambers. The rear suction ducts are also fluidly connected to respective rear discharge ports to remove dirt particles.