Abstract: A vacuum cleaning device comprises: a housing; a motor and fan assembly for generating an airflow between an air inlet and an air outlet. A removable dirt collection bin receives dirt in the airflow. The dirt collection bin is located in fluid communication between the air inlet and air outlet and mountable to the housing. A locking mechanism is moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position for releasably coupling the dirt collection bin to the housing. An ejection mechanism arranged to eject the dirt collection bin away from the housing when the locking mechanism is in the unlocked position.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaning appliance comprises a handheld vacuum cleaning device comprising a motor coupled to a fan for generating an air flow through a nozzle air inlet. It also comprises a support frame comprising: a cleaning head having a cleaning head air inlet; and an air outlet in fluid communication with the cleaning head air inlet, the air outlet configured to couple with the nozzle air inlet when the handheld vacuum cleaning device is secured to the support frame and to create an airflow path from the cleaning head air inlet to the nozzle air inlet. The air outlet is moveable with respect to the support frame into a first position in which the air outlet projects from the support frame when the handheld vacuum cleaning device is detached from the support frame.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaning device comprises: a housing; a motor and fan assembly for generating an airflow between an air inlet and an air outlet. A removable dirt collection bin receives dirt in the airflow. The dirt collection bin is located in fluid communication between the air inlet and air outlet and mountable to the housing. A locking mechanism is moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position for releasably coupling the dirt collection bin to the housing. An ejection mechanism arranged to eject the dirt collection bin away from the housing when the locking mechanism is in the unlocked position.

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: 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: A vacuum cleaner (2) having a body (4) having a floorhead (6) and an elongate handle (14) pivotably mounted to the body is disclosed. A door (24) is provided on an end (20) of a collection chamber (12) opposite to a clean air outlet, and a coarse filter (32) and fine filter (46) are located within the collection chamber for separating out debris entrained with dirty air and depositing the debris in the collection chamber. An interior face of the door is provided with radial tangs (68), and an end face (48) of the fine filter is provided with radial tangs (60) such that when the door is closed and the elongate handle is pivoted relative to the body, the fine filter and coarse filter rotate relative to each other to cause cleaning of the filter elements.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rotating dual switching mechanism having a first switch and a first activator with rotational axis, and a second switch having a second activator that is offset from the rotational axis. A ring-shaped actuator is concentric with the rotational axis and is movable to actuate the second activator. A switch arm is rotatable about the rotation axis and has a first portion that actuates the first activator and a second portion for engaging and the ring-shaped actuator and hence the second activator. The switch arm is movable to a first position where both the first and second activator are “off,” a second position where the first activator is “on” and the second activator is “off,” and a third position where both the first and second activator are “on.

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: A vacuum cleaner (2) having a body (4) having a floorhead (6) and an elongate handle (14) pivotably mounted to the body is disclosed. A door (24) is provided on an end (20) of a collection chamber (12) opposite to a clean air outlet, and a coarse filter (32) and fine filter (46) are located within the collection chamber for separating out debris entrained with dirty air and depositing the debris in the collection chamber. An interior face of the door is provided with radial tangs (68), and an end face (48) of the fine filter is provided with radial tangs (60) such that when the door is closed and the elongate handle is pivoted relative to the body, the fine filter and coarse filter rotate relative to each other to cause cleaning of the filter elements.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rotating dual switching mechanism comprising: a first switch (12) having an activator (14) movable between an “on” state and an “off” state, said activator (14) being located on a rotation axis (A); a second switch (16) having an activator (18) also movable between an “on” state and an “off” state, said activator (18) being offset (B) from said rotation axis (A); a ring-shaped actuator (28) concentric with said rotation axis (A) and movable between a first position operable to put the activator (18) of said second switch (16) in the “off” state thereof and a second position operable to put the activator (18) of said second switch (16) in the “on” state thereof; and a switch arm (36) having a first portion (38) for changing the state of the activator (14) of said first switch (12) and a second portion (40) for moving the ring-shaped actuator (28) between the first and second positions thereof, said switch arm (36) being rotatable about the rotation axis (A).

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner (2) having a body (4) having a floorhead (6) and an elongate handle (14) pivotably mounted to the body is disclosed. A door (24) is provided on an end (20) of a collection chamber (12) opposite to a clean air outlet, and a coarse filter (32) and fine filter (46) are located within the collection chamber for separating out debris entrained with dirty air and depositing the debris in the collection chamber. An interior face of the door is provided with radial tangs (68), and an end face (48) of the fine filter is provided with radial tangs (60) such that when the door is closed and the elongate handle is pivoted relative to the body, the fine filter and coarse filter rotate relative to each other to cause cleaning of the filter elements.

Abstract: There is provided a hand-holdable vacuum cleaner, comprising: an electric motor; an electrical on-off switch for operating said motor; a fan connected to an output shaft of said motor; an airflow pathway comprising an inlet for dirty air, an outlet for clean air, and a collection chamber located in fluid communication between said inlet and said outlet; means for separating out debris entrained with dirty air entering via said inlet and depositing the debris in said collection chamber; and means for adjusting an angle of said inlet relative to a main axis of said vacuum cleaner; wherein the vacuum cleaner further comprises a rigid, elongate nose having said inlet at one end thereof, said nose being pivotable relative to said main axis through an angle of at least 135 degrees.

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: There is provided a hand-holdable vacuum cleaner, comprising: an electric motor; an electrical on-off switch for operating said motor; a fan connected to an output shaft of said motor; an airflow pathway comprising an inlet for dirty air, an outlet for clean air, and a collection chamber located in fluid communication between said inlet and said outlet; means for separating out debris entrained with dirty air entering via said inlet and depositing the debris in said collection chamber; and means for adjusting an angle of said inlet relative to a main axis of said vacuum cleaner; wherein the vacuum cleaner further comprises a rigid, elongate nose having said inlet at one end thereof, said nose being pivotable relative to said main axis through an angle of at least 135 degrees.

Abstract: Apparatus for generating gas by electrolysis of a liquid comprises an electrolysis cell, and first, second and third chambers. Liquid for supply to the electrolysis cell is stored in the first chamber. The second chamber contains liquid which is a product of the electrolysis reaction and is enriched with a first gaseous product of the electrolysis reaction, and has an outlet for controlled release of the first gaseous product. The third chamber contains liquid which is a product of the electrolysis reaction and is enriched with a second gaseous product of the electrolysis reaction, and has an outlet for controlled release of the third gaseous product. A first channel which connects the first and second chambers, and a second channel which connects the second and third chambers.

Abstract: There is provided a hand-holdable vacuum cleaner, comprising: an electric motor; an electrical on-off switch for operating said motor; a fan connected to an output shaft of said motor; an airflow pathway comprising an inlet for dirty air, an outlet for clean air, and a collection chamber located in fluid communication between said inlet and said outlet; means for separating out debris entrained with dirty air entering via said inlet and depositing the debris in said collection chamber; and means for adjusting an angle of said inlet relative to a main axis of said vacuum cleaner; wherein the vacuum cleaner further comprises a rigid, elongate nose having said inlet at one end thereof, said nose being pivotable relative to said main axis through an angle of at least 135 degrees.

Abstract: There is provided a hand-holdable vacuum cleaner, comprising: an electric motor, an electrical on-off switch for operating said motor; a fan connected to an output shaft of said motor; an airflow pathway comprising an inlet for dirty air, an outlet for clean air, and a collection chamber located in fluid communication between said inlet and said outlet; means for separating out debris entrained with dirty air entering via said inlet and depositing the debris in said collection chamber; and means for adjusting an angle of said inlet relative to a main axis of said vacuum cleaner; wherein the vacuum cleaner further comprises a rigid, elongate nose having said inlet at one end thereof, said nose being pivotable relative to said main axis through an angle of at least 135 degrees.