Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is provided with a chassis and a suction nozzle coupled with the chassis for both vertical and horizontal movement relative to the chassis. The nozzle can be configured to automatically move vertically upon encountering a predetermined amount of resistance to forward or rearward movement of nozzle over a surface to be cleaned.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner comprises an improved dirt separator and collection module, which includes an exhaust grill comprising a plurality of vanes defining inlet passages for guiding working air through the module. At least one of the vanes can define an air exhaust conduit for exhausting working air from the module through the exhaust grill.

Abstract: A brushroll for a surface cleaning apparatus includes a brush dowel defining an axis and having opposing bristle supports and a shroud surface between the opposing bristle supports, and a plurality of bristles protruding from the bristle supports. The shroud surface is positioned relative to the bristles to minimize hair wrap.

Abstract: A system for upgrading firmware in multiple units or devices of a building control or automation system. A computer may have a tool that can reflash the firmware with an upgrade. The tool may reflash the firmware of multiple devices automatically without intervention of an operator. Devices having firmware that need an upgrade may be identified and classified as eligible for a firmware upgrade. Devices having firmware similar to firmware in other devices may be grouped with the latter devices for upgrading together, sequentially or in parallel, to simplify and expedite firmware upgrading of the devices. Firmware of devices in the field may be upgraded via a communication network or the like by the computer with the tool. The firmware upgrade, communications and/or associated activity associated with the upgrade may be proprietary and/or secured from public availability.

Abstract: A bare floor cleaner has a base and a handle pivotally connected to the base. The handle is movable between a dry mode position and a wet mode position. A fluid delivery system of the bare floor cleaner includes a source of cleaning fluid and a fluid distributor in fluid communication with the source of cleaning fluid for dispensing cleaning fluid onto a surface to be cleaned.

Abstract: A brushroll for a vacuum cleaner includes a dowel defining a central rotational axis about which the brushroll rotates, at least one bristle stiffener, a plurality of first bristles protruding from the dowel adjacent to the bristle stiffener, and a counterbalance which is positioned relative to the bristle stiffener to rotationally balance the brushroll, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the dowel is asymmetrical.

Abstract: A system and approach for defining labels for values, such as ordinal numbers, of enumerated parameters in a wall module. Label and number pairs may be downloaded to a wall module as part of definitions of the parameters. The wall module may be a source of a list of labels to a user and then set each parameter to a value associated with a label selected by the user.

Abstract: A bare floor cleaner has a foot with a dry suction nozzle and a handle assembly pivotally connected to the foot assembly. A diverter mounted in the working air conduit between the foot assembly and the handle assembly is movable by movement of the handle assembly between a dry suction position and a wet mop position for selectively at least partially blocking working air flow from the dry suction nozzle to a collection assembly. A fluid delivery system includes a user operated trigger for actuating the fluid delivery system to distribute fluid in the wet mop position and deactivating a motor/fan assembly. A trigger lock prevents cleaning solution from being distributed when the handle is in dry mode position. The fluid delivery system includes a heating element to raise the temperature of the cleaning solution before it is distributed to the surface to be cleaned. Support glides on the foot reduce the surface area contact between the foot pad and the surface to be cleaned.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner comprises a cleaning head having a suction nozzle adapted to be moved along a surface to be cleaned, and a hair collection assembly provided on the cleaning head and having a hair collection element adapted to collect hair from the surface to be cleaned as the cleaning head moves along the surface to be cleaned.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner with a separation module includes an exhaust grill having openings through which air may pass, wherein the exhaust grill is positioned fluidly between a separator chamber and an air outlet. A plurality of debris catching tines prevent debris from wrapping around and blocking the openings of the exhaust grill.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a housing having a suction nozzle opening, a source of suction in fluid communication with the suction nozzle opening for generating a working air stream through the housing, and a multiply-adjustable debris collecting blade coupled along the rear of the suction nozzle opening for collecting debris.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner comprises a cleaning head having a suction nozzle adapted to be moved along a surface to be cleaned, and a hair collection assembly provided on the cleaning head and having a hair collection element adapted to collect hair from the surface to be cleaned as the cleaning head moves along the surface to be cleaned.

Abstract: A method of tufting, with a tufting tool, a brushroll dowel for a vacuum cleaner having a bristle stiffener protruding from the dowel and a bristle hole adjacent the bristle stiffener. The tufting tool includes a notch. The method provides a brushroll with bristles tufted into the bristle hole adjacent the bristle stiffener. A brushroll for a vacuum cleaner can be made using an injection molding process, with bristle stiffeners integrally molded with the dowel and a plurality of stiffened bristles protruding from the brush dowel adjacent to the bristle stiffeners.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner with a separation module includes an exhaust grill having openings through which air may pass, wherein the exhaust grill is positioned fluidly between a separator chamber and an air outlet. A plurality of debris catching tines prevent debris from wrapping around and blocking the openings of the exhaust grill.

Abstract: A bare floor cleaner with an upright assembly pivotally mounted to a base assembly, a steam generator, a fluid distributor which distributes steam onto the surface to be cleaned, and a mop cloth provided on the base assembly. The mop cloth is mounted to the base assembly by a mop cloth plate that is removable from the base assembly.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a housing having a suction nozzle, a source of suction in fluid communication with the suction nozzle for generating a working air stream through the housing, an agitator provided within the housing, and a roller provided in front of the agitator which rolls over larger debris while creating a seal for picking up smaller debris.

Abstract: A system for upgrading firmware in multiple units or devices of a building control or automation system. A computer may have a tool that can reflash the firmware with an upgrade. The tool may reflash the firmware of multiple devices automatically without intervention of an operator. Devices having firmware that need an upgrade may be identified and classified as eligible for a firmware upgrade. Devices having firmware similar to firmware in other devices may be grouped with the latter devices for upgrading together, sequentially or in parallel, to simplify and expedite firmware upgrading of the devices. Firmware of devices in the field may be upgraded via a communication network or the like by the computer with the tool. The firmware upgrade, communications and/or associated activity associated with the upgrade may be proprietary and/or secured from public availability.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner comprises a base assembly pivotally connected to an upright assembly. The base assembly comprises housing, a support, and a ratchet-operated nozzle height adjustment mechanism for raising or lowering a suction nozzle on the base assembly relative to a surface to be cleaned. The ratchet-operated nozzle height adjustment mechanism includes a ratchet mechanism for raising and lowering the housing relative to the support.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus comprises a fluid delivery system including a supply of cleaning fluid stored in a fluid supply chamber and a fluid recovery system for drawing dirty cleaning fluid using suction from the surface to be cleaned. The apparatus has an inline fluid heater having a metal body with an embedded heating element and a polymeric cover provided with a fluid inlet fitting and a fluid outlet fitting. The fluid inlet and fluid outlet fittings are preferably integrally molded with the polymeric cover.

Abstract: A system and approach for defining labels for values, such as ordinal numbers, of enumerated parameters in a wall module. Label and number pairs may be downloaded to a wall module as part of definitions of the parameters. The wall module may be a source of a list of labels to a user and then set each parameter to a value associated with a label selected by the user.