Abstract: The principles and embodiments of the presently claimed invention relate to steerable, light-weight, low-profile suction bases for upright cleaning apparatuses that utilize a smaller suction base body to reduce weight and bulk, while still providing sufficient room for an internally mounted brush roll motor and controller PCB, plus additional mechanical and electrical components in the suction base.

Abstract: A debris collection device is provided with a controlled tension apparatus for controllable release of accumulated debris from a collective debris release outlet.

Abstract: The principles and embodiments of the presently claimed invention relate to steerable, light-weight, low-profile suction bases for upright cleaning apparatuses that utilize a smaller suction base body to reduce weight and bulk, while still providing sufficient room for an internally mounted brush roll motor and controller PCB, plus additional mechanical and electrical components in the suction base.

Abstract: A dual-stage cyclonic separator is provided for separating debris from air in a bagless surface cleaning apparatus, along with a bagless surface cleaning apparatus incorporating such a cyclonic separator. A debris collection device used with a bagless surface cleaning apparatus is also provided, along with a method of separating debris from air using a bagless surface cleaning apparatus.

Abstract: An electrode wire for use in an electrostatic precipitator is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The electrode wire includes a wire portion of a predetermined length L, a first end, and a second end. The electrode wire further includes retaining bodies formed on the first end and the second end of the wire portion. A retaining body of the retaining bodies is substantially solid.

Abstract: A corona ground element for use in a pre-ionizer of an electrostatic precipitator is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The corona ground element includes a substantially elongate body including a proximate end and a distal end and first and second projections formed on the proximate end and the distal end. The first and second projections are adapted to retain the corona plate in the electrostatic precipitator.

Abstract: A retainer for use with a corona ground element of an electrostatic precipitator is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The retainer includes a body and a retainer aperture extending at least partially through the body and adapted to receive a projection extending from the corona ground element. The retainer aperture is configured to receive the projection as a press fit.

Abstract: An electrode wire retaining member for an electrostatic precipitator is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The electrode wire retaining member includes one or more flexible arm portions extending from the body and formed of an at least partially flexible material. A flexible arm portion returns to a substantially normal configuration after being deformed. The electrode wire retaining member further includes a retaining portion formed on an outer end of a flexible arm portion and extending from the flexible arm portion. The electrode wire retaining member further includes a slot formed in the retaining portion and sized to accommodate an electrode wire. The retaining portion and the slot receive and hold a retaining body formed on an end of the electrode wire.

Abstract: A pre-ionizer for use with an electrostatic precipitator is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The pre-ionizer includes two or more corona ground elements arranged in a substantially parallel orientation. A corona ground element of the two or more corona ground elements includes a substantially elongate body including a proximate end and a distal end and first and second projections formed on the proximate end and the distal end. The first and second projections retain the corona ground element in the electrostatic precipitator. The pre-ionizer further includes one or more corona charge elements positioned between two adjacent corona ground elements of the two or more corona ground elements. When a high voltage electrical field is placed across the two or more corona ground elements and the one or more corona charge elements, the pre-ionizer at least partially ionizes airflow through the pre-ionizer.

Abstract: A filter system for an air cleaner is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The filter system includes one or more filter elements and a filter tray adapted to be received in a filter tray receptacle of the air cleaner. The filter tray includes a bottom surface and one or more bottom airflow apertures formed in the bottom surface. The filter tray receives the one or more filter elements.

Abstract: An improved bag docking assembly for aligning a vacuum bag for engagement with a dirty air outlet nozzle on a vacuum cleaner, and for retaining the vacuum bag in the position of engagement. The assembly incorporates an anchor member and a mounting member. The anchor member serves to attach the bag docking assembly to the vacuum cleaner. The anchor member can be a substantially flat piece of plastic having a central opening for closely receiving the dirty air outlet nozzle on the vacuum cleaner. The central opening can have a shoulder for engaging a rim or similar protrusion formed about the perimeter of the dirty air outlet nozzle. Additionally, protrusions are located on the anchor member that align with voids in the vacuum bag collar to ensure that correct alignment of the vacuum bag has been achieved.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner air/liquid separator is provided according to the invention. The separator includes an offset air/liquid airflow inlet for receiving an air/liquid airflow, with the offset air/liquid airflow inlet possessing a width and a height. The separator further includes a substantially cylindrical separator chamber communicating with the offset air/liquid airflow inlet, wherein the offset air/liquid airflow inlet is radially offset from the separator chamber. The separator further includes a lead-in track extending from the offset air/liquid airflow inlet and at least partially around the circumference of the separator chamber. The lead-in track tapers from substantially the width of the offset air/liquid airflow inlet into the separator chamber. The air/liquid airflow is entrained into a downward spiraling path in the separator chamber by the lead-in track.

Abstract: Handle assemblies for floor care devices, and methods for using the same, are disclosed. In one embodiment, a handle apparatus includes a main member partially surrounding a cord retaining space that is adapted to receive a plurality of portions of a power cord of the floor care device. A retaining member is moveably attached to the main member, and includes a retaining surface that is positionable proximate the cord retaining space. In a first or “retaining” position, the retaining surface retains the plurality of power cord portions within the cord retaining space, and in a second or “releasing” position, the retaining surface releases the plurality of power cord portions from the cord retaining space. In alternate embodiments, the retaining member may be rotatably, pivotably, or slidably attached to the main member, pivotably attached to the main member.

Abstract: Floor care devices having an elongated handle or body portion for control thereof are provided with mid-level handles for facilitating manipulation of the devices in certain conditions, for storing power cords, for hanging and storing the floor care device and the like. The mid-level handle may fold from a retracted position adjacent the elongated handle or body portion to an extended position. A retainer is provided to maintain the handle in its retracted and extended positions.

Abstract: Handle and exhaust duct coupling assemblies for floor care machines are disclosed. In one embodiment, an exhaust duct coupling assembly includes a first duct having an outer surface with an external thread disposed thereon and a locking tab projecting outwardly therefrom. A second duct is slideably engaged into the first duct, and a flexible seal is disposed about the second duct proximate an end of the first duct. A collar having a hole therethrough is disposed about the second duct and threadedly engaged with the end of the first duct. The collar presses the seal into an approximately sealing engagement against the second duct and the end of the first duct. The collar includes a locking surface frictionally engaged with the locking tab and inhibiting a disengaging movement of the collar. Alternately, the locking surface of the duct coupling assembly may be an annular surface disposed on an inner surface of the collar, or may be disposed on an end surface of the collar.

Abstract: Contoured exhaust ducts for transmitting a particulate-laden airstream from a conduit into a vacuum cleaner bag of an upright vacuum cleaner are disclosed. In one embodiment, the airstream is turned by a transitional section of the exhaust duct by about 90 degrees. The interior of the exhaust duct is smoothly contoured through such transition for avoiding the generation of excessive noise and turbulence. The contoured surface of the transitional section prevents heavy objects entrained in the airstream from rebounding back in a direction against the airflow. The cross-sectional area of the exhaust duct may be maintained constant despite a change in cross-sectional shape from the inlet to the outlet thereof.

Abstract: A cover assembly for restraining an object in an enclosure has a cover frame defining an opening at an open end of the enclosure, a cover to cover the opening, a restraining mechanism securing the cover to the cover frame to restrict movement of the cover relative to the cover frame when the cover is in a closed position and thereby restrain the object in the enclosure, and a latch to secure the cover to the cover frame to also restrict movement of the cover relative to the cover frame when the cover is in a closed position. A method for restraining the object in the enclosure includes securing the cover to the cover frame to cover the opening, securing the cover to the cover frame to restrict movement of the cover relative to the cover frame, and unsecuring the cover from the cover frame with a force having a first component force which unsecures the cover from the cover frame and a second component force which moves the cover relative to the cover frame.

Abstract: A battery pack includes a generally rectangular case formed by a bottom wall and a generally planar top wall. The top and bottom walls are separated by a pair of parallel side walls that are substantially normal to the top and bottom walls, and by first and second parallel end walls that are substantially normal to the top, bottom, and side walls. A portion of one end wall overhangs the remaining portion of the end wall, and the overhanging portion contains electrical contacts for the battery pack. The electrical contacts are recessed below the outer surface of the battery pack to reduce the likelihood of inadvertent short circuitry of the contacts. The battery pack includes a plurality of battery cells interconnected with circuit components to protect the battery pack during use and recharging.