Abstract: A steam cleaning apparatus comprising: a main body having a boiler and a pump; a main power switch; a cleaning head coupled to a main body through a joint; a yoke in the main body or the cleaning head, the yoke having an arm contacting a position sensitive switch so that when the main body is in a non-use position, the position sensitive switch prevents the main switch from supplying power, and when the main body is in an in-use position, the position sensitive switch allows the main switch to provide power.

Abstract: The present invention provides a steam cleaning apparatus (100) comprising a water tank (10), a first valve (20) in fluid communication with a water tank (10) to allow air to flow into the water tank and prevent air and/or water from flowing out therefrom, an electrically powered air pump (30) in fluid communication with the first valve (20). A second valve (50) is in fluid communication with the outlet (16) of the water tank (10) and an inlet (42) of an electrically powered boiler (40). The second valve (50) is arranged to allow water above a first predetermined pressure to flow into the inlet (42) of the boiler and to prevent steam from flowing out therefrom, a steam cleaning head (60) in fluid communication with the outlet (44) of the boiler, and an on-off switch (70) having an “on” state for supplying electrical power to the air pump (30) and to the boiler (40) and an “off” state for preventing supply of electrical power to the air pump and to the boiler.

Abstract: A steam cleaning apparatus including a main body having a main switch, a steam cleaning head coupled to the main body, and a position sensitive switch having a first state when the steam apparatus is in a substantially vertical storage position and a second state when the steam cleaning apparatus is in a tilted, cleaning position, the position sensitive switch being connected in electrical series with the main switch such that when the position-sensitive switch is in the first state the position-sensitive switch interrupts the flow of electrical current from the main switch and when the position-sensitive switch is in the second state, electrical power is supplied by the main switch.

Abstract: The present invention provides a steam cleaning apparatus (100) comprising a water tank (10), a first valve (20) in fluid communication with a water tank (10) to allow air to flow into the water tank and prevent air and/or water from flowing out therefrom, an electrically powered air pump (30) in fluid communication with the first valve (20). A second valve (50) is in fluid communication with the outlet (16) of the water tank (10) and an inlet (42) of an electrically powered boiler (40). The second valve (50) is arranged to allow water above a first predetermined pressure to flow into the inlet (42) of the boiler and to prevent steam from flowing out therefrom, a steam cleaning head (60) in fluid communication with the outlet (44) of the boiler, and an on-off switch (70) having an “on” state for supplying electrical power to the air pump (30) and to the boiler (40) and an “off” state for preventing supply of electrical power to the air pump and to the boiler.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner 2 having a housing 4 having an inlet 12 and an outlet 54 is disclosed. Actuation of a motor 46 causes a fan to displace air out of outlet 54, and the resulting suction upstream of the fan draws dirty air through inlet 12 and inwardly through walls of filter element 22. In order to clean the filter element 22, the user lifts lid 24 by means of gripping portion 32, and then removes filter element 22 and dirt collection chamber 16. Because the central portion of the dirt collection chamber 16 is raised, dirt trapped on the outer surface of filter element 22 has a tendency to fall into trough regions 40, 42 and avoids falling into outlet 38. If the motor 46 should accidentally be actuated when the filter element 22 is removed, the opening provided by opened lid 24 is nearer to outlet 38 than inlet 12, as a result of which relatively clean air from the atmosphere passes into recess 36 in preference to dirty air from the inlet 12, thus minimizing the risk of the motor 46 being damaged by dirt.

Abstract: The present invention provides an upright vacuum cleaner (10) having an elongate body (12) and comprising a floorhead (14) on which the elongate body is mounted, the floorhead (14) having a first inlet (140) for dirty air, a wand having a second inlet for dirty air, a changeover valve (22) for selecting between a flow of dirty air from the first or second inlet, a dust collection chamber (18) also having a dirty air inlet (180), a duct (28) for conveying said flow of dirty air from the changeover valve (22) to the dust collection chamber inlet (180), and a source of suction power for drawing the dirty air from the first or second inlet through said changeover valve (22) and said duct (28) to the dust collection chamber inlet (180).

Abstract: The present invention provides a vacuum cleaner having an inlet (26) for dirty air, an outlet (24) for clean air, and a filter (44) located in fluid communication between the inlet and the outlet. A motor drives a fan for moving air into the inlet and through the filter to the outlet. A filter cleaning mechanism for removing dirt from the filter is provided and is operatively associated with an on/off switch for the fan motor or alternatively a separate user-operated switch, whereby operation of the switch results in operation of the filler cleaning mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention provides an airflow control mechanism comprising a conduit for air having an inlet located at a first end thereof and an outlet located at a second end thereof; a first opening formed in a side of said conduit and able to provide a secondary inlet thereto; a movable collar at least partially surrounding said conduit at a location alignable with said first opening, such that said collar is able to at least partially occlude said first opening; further comprising a second opening beside the first opening as part of the secondary inlet, wherein the collar is also alignable with the second opening, such that the collar is able to at least partially occlude the second opening at the same time as the first opening.

Abstract: The present invention provides an upright vacuum cleaner (10) having an elongate body (12) and comprising a floorhead (14) on which the elongate body is mounted, the floorhead (14) having a first inlet (140) for dirty air, a wand having a second inlet for dirty air, a changeover valve (22) for selecting between a flow of dirty air from the first or second inlet, a dust collection chamber (18) also having a dirty air inlet (180), a duct (28) for conveying said flow of dirty air from the changeover valve (22) to the dust collection chamber inlet (180), and a source of suction power for drawing the dirty air from the first or second inlet through said changeover valve (22) and said duct (28) to the dust collection chamber inlet (180).

Abstract: A mounting device 202 for mounting accessories 258, 260 of a vacuum cleaner to an elongate tube 94 of the vacuum cleaner for storage is disclosed. The device 202 comprises a collar 244 for mounting to the elongate tube 94 and a body portion 256 has open ends for accommodating accessories 258, 260 for storage. The device 202 also includes a latching portion 204 for releasably mounting the device to a housing of the vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner 2 having a housing 4 having an inlet 12 and an outlet 54 is disclosed. Actuation of a motor 46 causes a fan to displace air out of outlet 54, and the resulting suction upstream of the fan draws dirty air through inlet 12 and inwardly through walls of filter unit 22. Air from filter unit 22 passes along a duct to the motor 46 and fan. The housing 4 is formed from a first housing part defining a recess 36, and the recess is then closed by means of a closure member 56 to define the duct between the filter unit 22 and the motor 46.

Abstract: The present invention provides an airflow control mechanism comprising a conduit for air having an inlet located at a first end thereof and an outlet located at a second end thereof; a first opening formed in a side of said conduit and able to provide a secondary inlet thereto; a movable collar at least partially surrounding said conduit at a location alignable with said first opening, such that said collar is able to at least partially occlude said first opening; further comprising a second opening beside the first opening as part of the secondary inlet, wherein the collar is also alignable with the second opening, such that the collar is able to at least partially occlude the second opening at the same time as the first opening.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides a vacuum cleaner comprising an inlet (26) for dirty air; an outlet (24) for clean air; a filter (44) located in fluid communication between the inlet and the outlet; a motor; a fan driven by the motor for moving air from the inlet through the filter to the outlet; an electrical power supply for supplying power to the motor; an on/off switch (30) for placing the motor in powered electrical connection with the fan and having a first state wherein the motor drives the fan and a second state wherein the motor does not drive the fan; and a filter cleaning mechanism for removing dirt from the filter; wherein activation of the filter cleaning mechanism is operatively associated with the on/off switch, whereby operation of the on/off switch results in operation of the filter cleaning mechanism.

Abstract: A cleaning tool having a clamp-on handle assembly. The clamp-on handle assembly includes a slidable locking element which can be moved from an open position, wherein the handle assembly can be placed over a handle portion of the cleaning tool, to a locked position wherein the locking element clamps the handle assembly securely onto the handle portion of the cleaning tool. Advantageously, no external tools or fastening implements are required to secure the handle assembly to the handle portion of the cleaning tool. The handling assembly allows the user to use the cleaning tool to reach elevated areas or other areas that would be difficult to reach with the user holding directly onto the handle portion of the cleaning tool.

Abstract: A mounting device 202 for mounting accessories 258, 260 of a vacuum cleaner to an elongate tube 94 of the vacuum cleaner for storage is disclosed. The device 202 comprises a collar 244 for mounting to the elongate tube 94 and a body portion 256 has open ends for accommodating accessories 258, 260 for storage. The device 202 also includes a latching portion 204 for releasably mounting the device to a housing of the vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner 2 having a housing 4 having an inlet 12 and an outlet 54 is disclosed. Actuation of a motor 46 causes a fan to displace air out of outlet 54, and the resulting suction upstream of the fan draws dirty air through inlet 12 and inwardly through walls of filter unit 22. Air from filter unit 22 passes along a duct to the motor 46 and fan. The housing 4 is formed from a first housing part defining a recess 36, and the recess is then closed by means of a closure member 56 to define the duct between the filter unit 22 and the motor 46.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner 2 having a housing 4 having an inlet 12 and an outlet 54 is disclosed. Actuation of a motor 46 causes a fan to displace air out of outlet 54, and the resulting suction upstream of the fan draws dirty air through inlet 12 and inwardly through walls of filter unit 22. In order to clean the filter unit 22, the user lifts lid 24 by means of gripping portion 32, and then removes filter unit 22 and dirt collection chamber 16. Because the central portion of the dirt collection chamber 16 is raised, dirt trapped on the outer surface of filter unit 22 has a tendency to fall into trough regions 40, 42 and avoids falling into outlet 38. If the motor 46 should accidentally be actuated when the filter unit 22 is removed, the opening provided by opened lid 24 is nearer to outlet 38 than inlet 12, as a result of which relatively clean air from the atmosphere passes into recess 36 in preference to dirty air from the inlet 12, thus minimising the risk of the motor 46 being damaged by dirt.

Abstract: A multi-operational battery powered vacuum cleaner (1) comprising a hand held vacuum cleaner (1) releasably mounted within a caddy (15) which has a detachable handle (51) and a floor engaging head (19). The hand held unit (1) may be released from the caddy to be used in a first hand held operation. It may alternatively be mounted within the caddy with the handle attached for use as an upright vacuum cleaner in a second operational mode. In a third operational mode the handle (51) may be removed from the caddy while the hand held unit remains mounted in the caddy to provide a compact vacuum cleaner system with a floor engaging head (19). The cleaner further comprises a first spring biased latch member (27) mounted within the caddy (15) to releasably restrain the hand held unit therein A second latch member (53) is mounted within the handle (57) for releasably connecting the handle to the caddy (15).

Abstract: A cleaning tool having a clamp-on handle assembly. The clamp-on handle assembly includes a slidable locking element which can be moved from an open position, wherein the handle assembly can be placed over a handle portion of the cleaning tool, to a locked position wherein the locking element clamps the handle assembly securely onto the handle portion of the cleaning tool. Advantageously, no external tools or fastening implements are required to secure the handle assembly to the handle portion of the cleaning tool. The handling assembly allows the user to use the cleaning tool to reach elevated areas or other areas that would be difficult to reach with the user holding directly onto the handle portion of the cleaning tool.

Abstract: A dual filter arrangement for a vacuum cleaner for filtering particles of dust and debris from an airflow passing through the vacuum cleaner. The dual filter comprises a coarse pre-filter having an array of pores formed therein of substantially uniform diameter and a fine primary filter which is located rearwardly of the pre-filter in the direction of flow of the airflow. The dual filter is releasably latched to a main housing portion of the vacuum cleaner housing. A nose cone is removably secured to the housing and circumscribes the dual filter assembly. The dual filter enables even more efficient filtering of contaminants from dust and dirt entrained air ingested by the vacuum cleaner. Attachment of the dual filter to the main housing portion provides the additional advantage of increasing the capacity of the nose cone and eliminating the need for the user to handle the dual filter assembly when emptying contaminants collected within the nose cone.