Abstract: There is disclosed herein an upright vacuum cleaner comprising a main body having a suction opening, and a handle body pivotally attached to the main body. A lifting assembly for the main body comprises a pair of wheel assemblies pivotally attached to the handle body. These wheel assemblies support the vacuum cleaner in a manner to raise its suction opening and brush assembly from the floor when the vacuum cleaner is in its full upright or idle condition. The wheel assemblies are suitably attached to receptacles in the handle body to allow these assemblies to move out of the way when the vacuum cleaner is used in the normal cleaning fashion, but to engage the floor when the handle body is moved to the full upright position.