Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a main body and a dirt separator that is removably attached to the main body. The dirt separator includes a first dirt-separation stage, a second dirt-separation stage, and a vacuum motor for moving air through the first dirt-separation stage and the second dirt-separation stage. The vacuum motor has an impeller driven by an electric motor. The first dirt-separation stage is then located upstream of the impeller, and the second dirt-separation stage is located downstream of the impeller.

Abstract: A handle assembly for a vacuum cleaner that includes a handle attached to a duct assembly. The duct assembly includes a first duct and a second duct, and the first duct pivots relative to the second duct about a pivot axis. The first duct and the second duct each have an arcuate section that arcs about the pivot axis. Pivoting the first duct relative to the second duct then causes the arcuate section of one of the ducts to move in and out of the arcuate section of the other of the ducts.

Abstract: A surface treating head comprising a suction cavity having a suction cavity opening bounded by a front working edge and a rear working edge, at least one of the front and rear working edges being moveable between a first position in which the suction cavity opening is at a maximum and a second position in which the suction cavity opening is at a minimum, an actuating mechanism comprising a user-operable actuator for actuating at least one of the front and rear working edges between the first and second positions, and one or more air bleed vents, wherein actuation of the actuating mechanism causes the one or more air bleed vents to open and close.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a dirt-separation stage and a vacuum motor for moving air through the dirt-separation stage. The vacuum motor includes an impeller driven by an electric motor. The impeller is then located upstream of the dirt-separation stage, the electric motor is located downstream of the dirt-separation stage, and at least part of the air discharged from the dirt-separation stage is used to cool the electric motor.

Abstract: A handle assembly for a vacuum cleaner that includes a handle attached to a duct assembly. The duct assembly includes a first duct and a second duct. The first duct pivots relative to the second duct about a pivot axis, and the first duct and the second duct rotate collectively relative to the handle about a rotation axis. The rotation axis is then orthogonal to the pivot axis.

Abstract: A handle assembly for a vacuum cleaner that includes a handle attached to a duct assembly. The duct assembly includes a first duct and a second duct, and the first duct pivots relative to the second duct about a pivot axis. The first duct and the second duct each have an arcuate section that arcs about the pivot axis. Pivoting the first duct relative to the second duct then causes the arcuate section of one of the ducts to move in and out of the arcuate section of the other of the ducts.

Abstract: A handle assembly for a vacuum cleaner that includes a handle attached to a duct assembly. The duct assembly includes a first duct and a second duct. The first duct pivots relative to the second duct about a pivot axis, and the first duct and the second duct rotate collectively relative to the handle about a rotation axis. The rotation axis is then orthogonal to the pivot axis.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner that includes a first dirt-separation stage, a second dirt-separation stage, and a vacuum motor for moving air through the first dirt-separation stage and the second dirt-separation stage. The vacuum motor has a centrifugal impeller driven by an electric motor. The first dirt-separation stage is then located upstream of the impeller, the second dirt-separation stage is located downstream of the impeller, and the second dirt-separation stage has a plurality of cyclonic separators that are arranged around the vacuum motor.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a dirt-separation stage and a vacuum motor for moving air through the dirt-separation stage. The vacuum motor includes an impeller driven by an electric motor. The impeller is then located upstream of the dirt-separation stage, the electric motor is located downstream of the dirt-separation stage, and at least part of the air discharged from the dirt-separation stage is used to cool the electric motor.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner that includes a first dirt-separation stage, a second dirt-separation stage, and a vacuum motor for moving air through the first dirt-separation stage and the second dirt-separation stage. The vacuum motor has a centrifugal impeller driven by an electric motor. The first dirt-separation stage is then located upstream of the impeller, the second dirt-separation stage is located downstream of the impeller, and the second dirt-separation stage has a plurality of cyclonic separators that are arranged around the vacuum motor.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a main body and a dirt separator that is removably attached to the main body. The dirt separator includes a first dirt-separation stage, a second dirt-separation stage, and a vacuum motor for moving air through the first dirt-separation stage and the second dirt-separation stage. The vacuum motor has an impeller driven by an electric motor. The first dirt-separation stage is then located upstream of the impeller, and the second dirt-separation stage is located downstream of the impeller.

Abstract: A surface treating head comprising a suction cavity having a suction cavity opening bounded by a front working edge and a rear working edge, at least one of the front and rear working edges being moveable between a first position in which the suction cavity opening is at a maximum and a second position in which the suction cavity opening is at a minimum, an actuating mechanism comprising a user-operable actuator for actuating at least one of the front and rear working edges between the first and second positions, and one or more air bleed vents, wherein actuation of the actuating mechanism causes the one or more air bleed vents to open and close.