Abstract: A vacuum cleaner comprises a hair collection assembly having a hair collection element adapted to collection hair from a surface. The hair collection assembly can be mounted to the cleaning head of the vacuum cleaner for movement between a use position in which the hair collection element is in contact with the surface and a second position in which the hair collection element in spaced from the surface. The hair collection element can further be configured to collect hair from the surface when the cleaning head is moved in a first direction and to not collect hair from the surface when the cleaning head is moved in a second direction. A method of removing hair from a surface is also described.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner filter bag exposes bacteria in incoming dirty air to bactericide throughout the useful life of the bag. Fingers provided on the interior walls of the bag are impregnated with bactericide. Air flow in the bag during vacuum cleaner operation causes the fingers to stand out from the wall, intercepting particles in the dirty airstream and exposing bacteria on those particles to the bactericide. The fingers stand out from the wall, and thus kill bacteria, substantially throughout the useful life of the bag, even after a cake of dust and dirt has formed on the inner walls of the bag.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a handle and wand system for a vacuum cleaner is provided which includes an enclosed electrical system which may be used to provide electrical power to a powered floor nozzle or other powered nozzles. The handle and wand system of the present invention may be employed in either a canister vacuum or a central vacuum unit. In one embodiment, the system includes a handle and suction hose assembly which permits the hose, which includes conducting wires, to be freely rotated while attached to the handle. In another embodiment, means are provided for easily attaching, locking and detaching the components of the handle and wand system of the present invention while providing both a vacuum seal and a plurality of low resistance electrical contacts between the elements of the system of the present invention. In a further embodiment, a swivel elbow is provided to attach the handle and wand system of the present invention to a powered floor nozzle.

Abstract: An electronic control system for a vacuum cleaner is provided that supports two-way communications between a microcontroller in the handle of the vacuum cleaner and a suction motor and various sensors in the canister of the vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner may be placed in one of two user-selectable bag change modes. In a maximum suction bag change mode, the electronic control system of vacuum cleaner will shut off the vacuum cleaner when the vacuum cleaner bag has filled and the suction power of the unit has been degraded as a result. If the maximum fill bag change mode is selected, the electronic control system will shut off the vacuum cleaner only after the bag has filled to the maximum extent allowable. The control system has indicator lights to display to the user whether the maximum suction or the maximum fill mode has been selected.

Abstract: An electronic control system for a vacuum cleaner is provided that supports two-way communications between a microcontroller in the handle of the vacuum cleaner and a suction motor and various sensors in the canister of the vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner may be placed in one of two user-selectable bag change modes. In a maximum suction bag change mode, the electronic control system of vacuum cleaner will shut off the vacuum cleaner when the vacuum cleaner bag has filled and the suction power of the unit has been degraded as a result. If the maximum fill bag change mode is selected, the electronic control system will shut off the vacuum cleaner only after the bag has filled to the maximum extent allowable. The control system has indicator lights to display to the user whether the maximum suction or the maximum fill mode has been selected.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a handle and wand system for a vacuum cleaner is provided which includes an enclosed electrical system which may be used to provide electrical power to a powered floor nozzle or other powered nozzles. The handle and wand system of the present invention may be employed in either a canister vacuum or a central vacuum unit. A swivel elbow is provided to attach the handle and wand system of the present invention to a powered floor nozzle. In another embodiment, an interface is provided easily for attaching, locking and detaching the handle and wand system of the present invention to and from non-powered cleaning tools.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a handle and wand system for a vacuum cleaner is provided which includes an enclosed electrical system which may be used to provide electrical power to a powered floor nozzle or other powered nozzles. The handle and wand system of the present invention may be employed in either a canister vacuum or a central vacuum unit. In one embodiment, the system includes a handle and suction hose assembly which permits the hose, which includes conducting wires, to be freely rotated while attached to the handle. In another embodiment, means are provided for easily attaching, locking and detaching the components of the handle and wand system of the present invention while providing both a vacuum seal and a plurality of low resistance electrical contacts between the elements of the system of the present invention. In a further embodiment, a swivel elbow is provided to attach the handle and wand system of the present invention to a powered floor nozzle.

Abstract: A "universal" end fitting for a central vacuum cleaner hose, having a reversible electrical connector body that can be reversed without being disconnected from the end fitting, and which accordingly need not be realigned after being reversed, is provided. The connector body is permanently but rotatably affixed to the end fitting. Because it is permanently affixed, the connector body need not be realigned after being rotated to a new position.

Abstract: A water purification system has a longitudinal ultraviolet tube, an arrangement of helically-wound coils surrounding the tube and a filter. Water is exposed to ultraviolet energy before and after flowing through the filter. The filter, ultraviolet tube and helically wound coils are all arranged within a unitary housing adapted for kitchen countertop, sink backsplash or under wall cabinet mounting. The system is capable of operatng directly from a kitchen sink faucet. Connecting elements for the coils are specially designed to be leak-proof. A closed, reflective chamber surrounds the ultraviolet arrangement.