Abstract: A low cost mechanism for disengaging the brush which agitates the surface over which the vacuum cleaner nozzle moves by lifting the portion of the nozzle having the brush mounted therein above the surface. The lift mechanism is reciprocably mounted in the nozzle housing rearwardly of the brush and extends outwardly from the nozzle housing to lift the forward end of the housing which contains the brush by pivoting the housing about the rear wheels. The lift mechanism is implemented by a stanchion having posts with upper ends extending from a bar. The bar has a trough facing the surface over which the cleaner moves. A roller having a width about at least one-third the width of the nozzle housing is journaled in the trough and extends out of the base. The roller is mounted with its axis generally paralleling the axis of rotation of the brush. The stanchion is also located adjacent to the body or canister portion of the vacuum cleaner for engagement with a surface at the bottom of the body.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner nozzle with a retractable brush having a plate carrying strips of bristles along the forward and rearward edge thereof and having leaf springs extending from one side and cam following members extending from the opposite side. A slide having camming members in engagement with the cam following members of the brush plate. The slide and brush plate are captured in a housing into which a conduit from the vacuum source extends through the housing and out of a sole plate, which is removably secured to the top plate and against which the brush plate leaf springs bear. Projections from the slide extend through the top of the housing and move the slide laterally in one direction to bring the brush through openings along the forward and rearward edges of the sole plate against the bias of the leaf springs to extend the brush. The projections move laterally in the opposite direction to permit the springs to retract the brush.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner which is convertible for floor cleaning and above the floor cleaning, has a housing mounted on a floor nozzle in which a vacuum is drawn. A hose extending from the housing is insertable into a conduit which leads into the floor nozzle for floor cleaning. The hose also receives tools for above the floor cleaning. These tools are removably held in a tool holder on the rear wall of the housing with recesses and lands in the wall which is flexible. The recess at one end of the wall is defined by a member which overlaps the wall to define a lip. A nozzle for above the floor cleaning snaps over the lip and is held in the compartment between the wall and the end of a land between the recesses with the mouth of the nozzle behind the lip and the open end of the nozzle opposite its mouth on a rib on the end of that land which catches the open end of the nozzle.The flexible wall can readily be depressed so as to release the nozzle when it is to be used.

Abstract: A venturi spray nozzle having a cleaning fluid manifold with a plurality of fingers extending into a plurality of venturi nozzle channels of an air manifold such that the air manifold educes cleaning fluid from the cleaning fluid manifold and projects it on a surface to be cleaned. The cleaning fluid manifold is centrally positioned in the air manifold and a pressurized source of cleaning fluid is used.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having the combined features of a canister and upright type vacuum cleaner with the canister mounted for tilting movement on a housing of a floor or nozzle unit which contains a rotatably mounted brush. A single motor is used to power a fan which creates the vacuum in the canister and to apply power to the brush through a belt and pulley assembly mounted in the floor unit housing. A hose extending from the canister is connectable and disconnectable from the floor unit housing so as to provide for above the floor cleaning when the hose is disconnected and the appropriate tools are attached thereto. When the hose is connected into the housing, the vacuum is applied to the vicinity of the brush. A mechanism for disengaging the motor from the belt and pulley assembly when above the floor cleaning is selected is provided by a cam member rotatable with the canister and a pulley asembly which is part of the belt/pulley brush drive assembly.