Abstract: A vacuum cleaner assembly configured to be mounted in a vehicle. The vacuum cleaner assembly including a vacuum unit configured to draw a vacuum, a canister assembly configured to collect debris and coupled to the vacuum unit, a hose junction configured to serve as a pathway for debris, and a chassis connecting the hose junction to the canister assembly. A pathway through the vacuum cleaner assembly may turn 180 degrees in the hose junction. A dirty air port of the canister assembly may be disposed at an angle relative to a surface of the chassis to facilitate placement and removal of the canister assembly.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner configured to be mounted in a vehicle. The vacuum cleaner including a vacuum module configured to draw a vacuum, and a collector module configured to collect debris and coupled to the vacuum module. The collector module has a canister sub-assembly. A locking assembly for the canister sub-assembly includes at least one latch stay, a latch adapted to contact the latch stay, and a latch lock having a latch lock blade. The latch lock is moveable between a fully closed position, in which the latch lock blade contacts a panel member to maintain engagement between the latch and the at least one latch stay, and a fully open position. In the fully open position, the latch is disengaged from the at least one latch stay, enabling the canister sub-assembly to be removed from the collector module.

Abstract: A pre-filter for a filter system includes a frame having air flow openings having a height and an top portion having a width and a depth. The pre-filter includes a filter panel having a width less than or equal to the width of the top portion and a depth less than or equal to the depth of the top portion at least during insertion of the filter panel into the frame, and height equal to or greater than the height of the air flow openings. A filter system using the pre-filter includes a tank, an air intake aperture, an air exhaust aperture, and a cartridge filter. Another filter system has a relatively large air intake aperture that permits easy debris dumping. A vacuum cleaning system using the filter system includes a support structure connected to the filter system by a release lever.

Abstract: A filter for a vacuum cleaner includes a top having an open center, a bottom plate having an outermost edge, a center, an inside surface facing towards the top, an outside surface facing away from the top, and a catch extending from the inside surface annularly around the center, filter material being secured between the top and bottom plate. An adaptor for a filter cage or the filter cage itself includes a radial retention ring that engages the catch of the filter.

Abstract: A filter for a vacuum cleaner includes a top having an open center, a bottom plate having an aperture, a center, an inside surface facing towards the top, an outside surface facing away from the top, and a catch configured to pass-through the aperture, filter material being secured between the top and bottom plate. An adaptor for a filter cage or the filter cage itself includes an elevated ring that engages the catch of the filter.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner configured to be mounted in a vehicle. The vacuum cleaner including a vacuum module configured to draw a vacuum, and a collector module configured to collect debris and coupled to the vacuum module. The collector module has a canister sub-assembly. A locking assembly for the canister sub-assembly includes at least one latch stay, a latch adapted to contact the latch stay, and a latch lock having a latch lock blade. The latch lock is moveable between a fully closed position, in which the latch lock blade contacts a panel member to maintain engagement between the latch and the at least one latch stay, and a fully open position. In the fully open position, the latch is disengaged from the at least one latch stay, enabling the canister sub-assembly to be removed from the collector module.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner handle mount assembly securable to a vacuum cleaner having a handle that can be pivoted from a storage position to an in-use position is disclosed. The vacuum cleaner handle mount assembly has a housing with a first and second channel, a handle with a first and second leg for respectively connecting to the first and second channel of the housing, a first and second locking mechanism for preventing the handle from pivoting during use, and a first and second nest respectively disposed in a side of the first and second channel for holding the first and second locking mechanisms respectively. The first and second locking mechanisms are rotatable from an in-use position extending across the respective first and second channels above the respective first and second legs and a storage position wherein the first and second locking mechanisms are located within the first and second nest respectively.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner assembly configured to be mounted in a vehicle. The vacuum cleaner assembly includes a mounting plate having a vacuum cleaner area, one or more of the tool storage area or a hose storage area, and an accessory storage area. The vacuum cleaner area has an open-ended compartment and a pair of walls disposed adjacent to the open-ended compartment. A vacuum cleaner is disposed in the vacuum cleaner area and includes a collector module and a vacuum module coupled to the collector module. The vacuum module is secured to the vacuum storage area by one or more of the open-ended compartment and the pair of walls disposed adjacent to the open-ended compartment. So constructed, the mounting plate is configured to provide a single piece mounting body for the vacuum cleaner, one or more of the hose and a vacuum cleaner tool, and an accessory package.

Abstract: A pre-filter for a filter system includes a frame having air flow openings having a height and an top portion having a width and a depth. The pre-filter includes a filter panel having a width less than or equal to the width of the top portion and a depth less than or equal to the depth of the top portion at least during insertion of the filter panel into the frame, and height equal to or greater than the height of the air flow openings. A filter system using the pre-filter includes a tank, an air intake aperture, an air exhaust aperture, and a cartridge filter. Another filter system has a relatively large air intake aperture that permits easy debris dumping. A vacuum cleaning system using the filter system includes a support structure connected to the filter system by a release lever.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner assembly configured to be mounted in a vehicle. The vacuum cleaner assembly including a vacuum unit configured to draw a vacuum, a canister assembly configured to collect debris and coupled to the vacuum unit, a hose junction configured to serve as a pathway for debris, and a chassis connecting the hose junction to the canister assembly. A pathway through the vacuum cleaner assembly may turn 180 degrees in the hose junction. A dirty air port of the canister assembly may be disposed at an angle relative to a surface of the chassis to facilitate placement and removal of the canister assembly.

Abstract: A filter for a vacuum cleaner includes a top having an open center, a bottom plate having an outermost edge, a center, an inside surface facing towards the top, an outside surface facing away from the top, and a catch extending from the inside surface annularly around the center, filter material being secured between the top and bottom plate. An adaptor for a filter cage or the filter cage itself includes a radial retention ring that engages the catch of the filter.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner assembly configured to be mounted in sleeper cab truck. The vacuum cleaner assembly includes a mounting bucket having a vacuum cleaner area having an angled surface and a hose storage area. A vacuum cleaner is disposed in the vacuum cleaner area and includes a collector module having a canister assembly and a vacuum module coupled to the collector module. The vacuum module includes a hose having an end, the hose extending from the vacuum module into the hose storage area of the mounting bucket. The mounting bucket is configured to expose the end of the hose through the hose storage area in any one of a plurality of arrangements to accommodate various mounting positions within the sleeper cab truck.

Abstract: A filter for a vacuum cleaner includes a top having an open center, a bottom plate having an outermost edge, a center, an inside surface facing towards the top, an outside surface facing away from the top, and a catch extending from the inside surface annularly around the center, filter material being secured between the top and bottom plate. An adaptor for a filter cage or the filter cage itself includes a radial retention ring that engages the catch of the filter.

Abstract: A latch mechanism has two pieces that mount in an opening on the lid of a conventional vacuum cleaner. A stationary part is held in place by a hooked end that fits over a pivot edge on the lid, and by a retaining surface that engages a retaining edge on the lid. The other part is a pivoting latch that hooks onto the same pivot edge. In a latched position, an engagement surface on a deflectable arm fits over a latching surface on the stationary part, holding a moving part in position with a latching part beneath a bead on the tank. A tab surface can be used to force the deflectable arm to deflect over the latching part and simultaneously move the latching part clear of the bead.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a filter cleaning mechanism that is manually actuable while the vacuum cleaner is fully assembled is disclosed. A housing of the vacuum cleaner has an exterior side and an interior side, and a channel extends through the housing from the exterior side to the interior side. A filter brush is in contact with a side of the vacuum filter, and a rod extends slidably through the channel in the housing and is coupled to the filter brush. A handle is coupled to the rod, and movement of the handle slides the rod through the channel and moves the filter brush along the side of the vacuum filter to remove debris from the filter. The handle may be rotatable, and the filter cleaning mechanism may include a bellows or a sealing member.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner handle mount assembly securable to a vacuum cleaner having a handle that can be pivoted from a storage position to an in-use position is disclosed. The vacuum cleaner handle mount assembly has a housing with a first and second channel, a handle with a first and second leg for respectively connecting to the first and second channel of the housing, a first and second locking mechanism for preventing the handle from pivoting during use, and a first and second nest respectively disposed in a side of the first and second channel for holding the first and second locking mechanisms respectively. The first and second locking mechanisms are rotatable from an in-use position extending across the respective first and second channels above the respective first and second legs and a storage position wherein the first and second locking mechanisms are located within the first and second nest respectively.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a filter cleaning mechanism that is manually actuable while the vacuum cleaner is fully assembled is disclosed. A housing of the vacuum cleaner has an exterior side and an interior side, and a channel extends through the housing from the exterior side to the interior side. A filter brush is in contact with a side of the vacuum filter, and a rod extends slidably through the channel in the housing and is coupled to the filter brush. A handle is coupled to the rod, and movement of the handle slides the rod through the channel and moves the filter brush along the side of the vacuum filter to remove debris from the filter. The handle may be rotatable, and the filter cleaning mechanism may include a bellows or a sealing member.