Abstract: A surface treating appliance includes a surface treating head, a hose, and a main body including a fan unit for generating a flow of fluid, and a rotary changeover valve including a valve member which is selectively rotatable between a first position allowing fluid flow between the hose and the fan unit, and a second position allowing fluid flow between the surface treating head and the fan unit, the valve member comprising a hub having an internal surface shaped to receive a boss about which the valve member is selectively rotatable. To facilitate the breaking of seals by valve member and other parts of the appliance as the valve member moves away from one of its first and second positions, the external surface of the boss and the internal surface of the hub each has a profile generally in the form of a triangular prism, the profile of the external surface of the boss tapering towards the valve member.

Abstract: A surface treating appliance includes a surface treating head, a hose and a main body including a fan unit for generating a flow of fluid and a rotary changeover valve. The changeover valve includes a valve body having a first section for receiving fluid flow from the surface treating head, a second section for receiving fluid flow from the hose, and third section for conveying fluid flow towards the fan unit; and a valve member which is selectively moveable between a first position which connects the second section to the third section, and a second position which connects the first section to the third section. To minimize the number of components of the main body, the valve body forms part of a casing for the fan unit.

Abstract: A surface treating appliance includes a surface treating head, a hose, and a fan unit for generating a flow of fluid. A flexible duct assembly has a first end and a second end moveable relative to the first end between a first position allowing fluid flow between the hose and the fan unit, and a second position allowing fluid flow between the surface treating head and the fan unit. The duct assembly is connected to a first support which is pivotable about a first axis, and to a second support which is pivotable about a second axis spaced from the first axis. A drive mechanism effects the pivoting movement of the supports about their axes to move the second end of the duct assembly between the first and second positions.

Abstract: A surface treating appliance includes a surface treating head, a hose, and a fan unit for generating a flow of fluid. A flexible duct assembly has a first end and a second end moveable relative to the first end between a first position allowing fluid flow between the hose and the fan unit, and a second position allowing fluid flow between the surface treating head and the fan unit. The duct assembly is connected to a first support which is pivotable about a first axis, and to a second support which is pivotable about a second axis spaced from the first axis. A drive mechanism effects the pivoting movement of the supports about their axes to move the second end of the duct assembly between the first and second positions.

Abstract: A surface treating appliance includes a surface treating head, a hose and a main body including a fan unit for generating a flow of fluid and a rotary changeover valve. The changeover valve includes a valve body having a first section for receiving fluid flow from the surface treating head, a second section for receiving fluid flow from the hose, and third section for conveying fluid flow towards the fan unit; and a valve member which is selectively moveable between a first position which connects the second section to the third section, and a second position which connects the first section to the third section. To minimize the number of components of the main body, the valve body forms part of a casing for the fan unit.

Abstract: A surface treating appliance includes a surface treating head, a hose, and a main body including a fan unit for generating a flow of fluid, and a rotary changeover valve including a valve member which is selectively rotatable between a first position allowing fluid flow between the hose and the fan unit, and a second position allowing fluid flow between the surface treating head and the fan unit, the valve member comprising a hub having an internal surface shaped to receive a boss about which the valve member is selectively rotatable. To facilitate the breaking of seals by valve member and other parts of the appliance as the valve member moves away from one of its first and second positions, the external surface of the boss and the internal surface of the hub each has a profile generally in the form of a triangular prism, the profile of the external surface of the boss tapering towards the valve member.