Abstract: A vacuum cleaner with a closed loop air system is disclosed that is intended for the cleaning of soft-coated floors, such as carpets and rugs. The cleaner includes two main units: a floating foot, containing an intake nozzle and an expanded chamber for the returning air stream, and a managing unit, containing a managing handle and supporting wheels. The floating foot has a seal along its perimeter, enclosing the space between the surface being cleaned and the bottom of the foot from the surrounding space and also contains the expanded chamber for the returning air stream. The foot and managing unit are joined by a universal joint that makes the foot floating, allowing it to swing forward, back, left and right. It also guarantees that the foot is always pressed to the surface being cleaned, independent of the position of the managing unit and handle movement. This guaranteed contact prevents the escape of the air stream, as a working medium, from the closed loop system into the surrounding space.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner which includes a closed loop air system is disclosed. The closed loop air system has an entering chamber, a fan in communication with the chamber, an electrical motor which drives the fan, a filtering unit connected to the entering chamber via a hose, an air jet nozzle located adjacent the chamber, and a hose connecting the nozzle to the filtering unit. Air laden with dirt and debris is picked up from the surface being cleaned and is sucked into the chamber via the fan. The air is directed to the filtering unit where it removes the dirt and debris. The cleaned air is returned to the nozzle. The air stream is again polluted by dirt and dust and is immediately sucked into the cleaner by the fan into the entering chamber. In a further embodiment, an additional fan or blower is employed to increase the air pressure at the nozzle.