Abstract: A wet type suction cleaner comprising a tank (10) having an inlet (22) for suction-induced air flow and an outlet leading to a fan for creating the suction: and a float valve assembly (30) including a housing (32) and a float member movable relative to the housing (32) to cause closure of the outlet; wherein the inlet (22) directs the suction air flow to impinge on a part (40) of the housing (32), and the housing (32) has an opening (54) leading to the outlet which opening (54) is at a part of the housing (32) facing away from the inlet (22), the housing (32) further comprising deflecting means (42) for deflecting impinged matter away from the opening (54).

Abstract: A hose assembly for a suction cleaner, comprising a suction hose portion which is able to be extended lengthwise when subject to lengthwise tension and to return to a lengthwise-contracted configuration when relieved of the lengthwise tension, and a support means extending lengthwise of the hose portion and co-operable therewith to constrain at least part of it in its contracted configuration. There may also be a hose portion which is substantially non-extendible in normal use.

Abstract: A cyclonic separator assembly for a vacuum cleaner, the assembly including a first cyclonic separator for effecting a first stage of dust separation from the suction airflow of the cleaner, and at least one further cyclonic separator for further separation of dust from the air flow following the first separator, and a receptacle for separated dust, the receptacle including respective receiving portions for receiving dust separated by the first separator and the further separator(s), wherein the respective portions of the dust receptacle are able to be emptied separately from one another.

Abstract: A head (10) for a suction cleaner is described. The head (10) including: a lower housing portion (12); an upper housing portion (14); and a rotatably mounted brush bar (26) mounted within the housing portions (12, 14). The upper housing portion (14) is pivotable relative to the lower housing portion (12) between a closed position for use and an open position in which the brush bar (26) is exposed from above and the front.

Abstract: A separator/collector assembly (50) able to be installed in relation to a body (51) of a suction cleaner, the separator/collector assembly providing storage for a suction hose which can be deployed for use when required.

Abstract: A cleaning head for a vacuum cleaner comprises a housing for facing a surface being cleaned, a first suction opening, a brush bar operable on the surface being cleaned through the first suction opening, a second suction opening and means for switching suction air flow between the first and second suction openings as required. The second suction opening may be narrower than the first opening, to provide a higher speed of suction airflow and hence improved dust collection when the brush bar is not being operated.

Abstract: A dust separating and collecting apparatus for a suction cleaner comprising at least one cyclonic separating device (10) having a body (12) through which a stream of air with dust therein can be caused to flow by a suction unit from an air inlet (16) to an air outlet (18) of the device, said inlet and outlet being at or adjacent one end of the body and said separating device further having a lateral outlet (20) at or adjacent the other end of the body for dust separated from the airstream in the course of its passage through the separator; and a receptacle (34) for the separated dust, the receptacle being movably disposed alongside said separating device (10) and having an inlet (42) for separated dust communicating with the dust outlet (20) of the separating device. Preferably there are two cyclonic separating devices (10, 11) and the receptacle (34) lies generally between them.

Abstract: A cyclonic separator/collector device for a suction cleaner, comprising a housing and at least one cyclonic separator disposed within the housing, the or each cyclonic separator having a cyclone body with a circumferential wall of which at least a major part is spaced from the housing; the space between the housing and wall of the cyclone body(s) receiving separated dust from the cyclonic separator(s); wherein the space between the cyclone body and the housing includes a sound-insulating material. The arrangement provides sound insulation for the cyclonic separators.

Abstract: A cyclonic separator for a suction cleaner comprises a cyclone body of which at least part is afforded by components which fit together at interfaces extending axially of the cyclone body. The components may also afford air inlet and dust outlet passages, and at least partially define a dust-collecting chamber.

Abstract: A dust separating apparatus for a suction cleaner comprises a cyclonic separating device (10) having a body (12) with an inlet and an outlet for a stream of air and an outlet for separated dust to enter a receptacle (34) for the dust, the body having a part (14) movable in relation to the rest (13) of the body while the rest of the body remains in position in the cleaner, to give access to the interior of the body for cleaning. There may be two separating devices (10, 11) arranged in succession, both having removable body parts (14, 24).

Abstract: A collection container (40) for matter picked up by a suction cleaner comprises a generally cylindrical body (45) into which an inlet tube (46) extends upwardly from the base (43) thereof. To enable the collection container to be adapted for the collection of either liquids or solids entrained in air flow induced through the inlet tube (46), two interchangeable separator units (60, 70) are provided. Separator unit (60), for use in the wet mode, comprises a tube (61) which forms an extension of the suction tube (46), with a baffle wall (64) over the open mouth thereof, and additionally an oblique annular baffle plate (66) may be provided in the vicinity of the junction between the two tubes (46, 61). The separator unit (70), for use in the dry mode, comprises a mounting ring (72) carrying a tubular filter element (71), the lower end of which is closed by a baffle plate (73) which registers with the open end of the inlet tube (46) in spaced relation thereto.

Abstract: A cleaning head includes an applicator for applying cleaning liquid to a surface to be cleaned and an air passage for collecting liquid from the surface, enabling the head to be operated in wet mode in which liquid is applied to, and picked up from, the surface. The head also includes a cover adapted to be removably assembled with the cleaning head and which, when in place, effectively encloses the applicator while maintaining communication between the surface and the air passage, thereby enabling the head to be operated in a dry mode to pick up solid matter from the surface.

Abstract: An appliance for using suction to pick up liquid includes a collection container (10) with an air/liquid separator (30) arranged at a corner between two adjacent walls (13, 14) of the container and extending obliquely relative to both side walls. The separator (30) includes an inlet tube (31) which terminates in an outwardly widening outlet end portion (33) which discharges directly into the collection container (10). The inlet tube (31) and end portion (33) extend into the container (10) through an air outlet chamber (20) which is connected at an outlet opening (17) of the container (10). A filter element (40) is provided at the mouth (24) of the outlet chamber (20) and around the outlet end portion (33) of the inlet tube (31).

Abstract: In a cleaning head (10) of the kind having agitating means (26) engageable with a surface to be cleaned for agitating cleaning liquid thereon, and collecting means (25) for collection of liquid from the surface by suction, the agitating means (26) and collection means (25) are relatively movable such that one or the other is selectively prominently engaged with the surface being cleaned. In a preferred arrangement the agitating means (26) is movable relative to a housing (11) of the cleaning head while the collecting means (25) is fixed in position relative to the housing (11). Cleaning liquid is delivered to the agitating means through a passage (45) which is closed by a pad (70) at the upper side of the agitating means (26) when the latter is in its raised position. Movement of the agitating means (26) between its raised and lowered positions is controlled by means of a foot pedal (65).

Abstract: An attachment for connection to a suction hose of a vacuum cleaner for enabling liquid to be picked up from a surface and collected by the attachment. The attachment comprises a hollow body defining a collection container for receiving and collecting liquid therein; an outlet member defining an outlet and including a connector adapted to be connected to the suction hose; a pick-up inlet member defining an inlet adapted to pick up liquid from the surface; and a flow path member extending in a flow path between the container and the outlet member.