Abstract: Improved mounting structure for mounting a motor and fan unit to a housing support of a vacuum cleaner for preventing transmission of vibrations and sound from the motor and fan unit to the housing in the operation of the vacuum cleaner. The mounting structure includes a resilient mounting ring arranged to be under compression and bending in supporting the motor-fan unit to the housing support wall. A rigid ring is carried on a resilient ring and, in turn, carries the motor-fan unit so that forces generated by the motor-fan unit must pass through a space between the motor-fan unit and the circumjacent support wall. The resilient ring is clamped to the upper end of the support wall by presser elements engaging lugs on the resilient ring extending upwardly through suitable openings in the overlying rigid wall. The resilient ring further defines a resilient support for a pressure switch.

Abstract: A canister vacuum cleaner having electrical conductors extending from electrical circuitry in the canister through the connection of the suction hose thereto through electrical conductors embodied in the suction hose to electrical apparatus associated with a nozzle, such as a brush motor therein. The electrical connection between the hose end and the canister is provided by a first electrical connector mounted to the hose end, and a second electrical connector mounted to the base portion of the canister housing. Both the hose suction connector and the first electrical connector at the hose end are freely installable through a suction inlet passage formed in the cover and are then connected to a source of suction and a second electrical connector mounted in the base.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner construction having a filter bag mount movably mounted to the base of the vacuum cleaner canister. Biasing structure is provided for causing the bag mount to extend into an obstructing disposition relative to the hood of the canister preventing closing of the hood in the absence of a filter bag being mounted to the bag mount. Mounting of the filter bag to the bag mount causes a movement of the bag mount against the biasing structure to a lowered disposition within the dirt-collecting space of the canister base, permitting the hood to be closed. The bag mount includes improved sealing structure for facilitated sealed connection of a suction hose end thereto, with the hood maintained in a closed disposition. The bag mount includes an annular seal for sealing the hose connection thereto and an annular flange for removably securing the filter bag mounting plate thereto.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner structure having an invisible hinge structure hingedly mounting a hood to the vacuum cleaner body and a lid to the hood. The body defines an arcuate guide slidably receiving an arcuate slide-track for hingedly mounting the hood to the body. A track portion of the slide-track, in turn, slidably carries an arcuate slide on the lid for hingedly mounting the lid to the slide-track and thereby hingedly mounting the lid indirectly to the body. The body guide, the hood slide-track, and the lid slide are each arcuately centered on a common axis disposed rearwardly of a rear wall defining the filter bag space of the vacuum cleaner with the common axis being disposed outside the confines of the vacuum cleaner body to facilitate interference-free opening and closing of the hood and lid. The hood slide-track and lid slide are received within the body rearwardly of the rear wall so as to define an invisible hinge mounting of the hood and lid to the body.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner hose manufacture wherein terminals are secured to the ends of a pair of helical wires included in the hose carcass. The terminals are maintained in accurate spaced relationship and in accurate relationship to the centerline of the hose carcass through the use of an improved terminal holder. The holder receives connecting portions of the terminals to maintain them in the desired accurate spaced relationship. A mold provided for molding the hose connector about the hose ends with the terminal holder and terminals included therein includes aligning structure for engagement with the holder or the terminals themselves to effect the desired alignment of the terminals with the axis of the hose carcass. The holder may be provided with a pair of through openings for receiving the connecting portions of the terminals for facilitated manufacture of the hose end construction.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner beater brush structure having a dowel roller provided with a sprocket for cooperation with a cog belt. The brush structure is elongated for providing a wide cleaning action. A portion of the brush is disposed outboard of the cog belt sprocket. The beater brush includes a novel arrangement of brush and beater bar strips carried in mounting channels in the dowel portion thereof. The end brush assembly is mounted to the dowel by mounting structure which further clamps the cog belt sprocket to one end of the dowel.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner handle lock for releasably retaining the handle in a storage or transport position. The handle is connected to the vacuum cleaner nozzle by a connector defining a latch shoulder. The handle lock includes a mounting portion pivotally mounted to the nozzle, a shoulder portion defining a stop shoulder releasably engaging the latch shoulder of the handle connector, a spring portion biasing the handle lock into engagement with the latch shoulder, and a pedal portion for manipulation by the user to disengage the stop shoulder from the latch shoulder to release the handle when desired. The handle lock is formed as a onepiece element.

Abstract: A floor cleaner motor mount wherein the motor is resiliently pivoted to provide the desired disposition of the belt in a cog drive belt extending between the motor and a rotatable brush of the cleaner located in a nozzle portion of the cleaner. The pivot axis is disposed so as to permit the axis of the motor shaft to be angularly adjusted relative to the axis of the brush. The pivot may be provided at one end of the motor housing. In the illustrated embodiment, the motor is adjustably positioned by a leaf spring acting against a base portion of the nozzle housing intermediate the pivot and drive connection.

Abstract: A connector and a slide particularly useful in a floor tool wand for a powered or a nonpowered floor tool for a vacuum cleaner. A slide is mounted on the wand and electrical power is provided to a connector which is adapted to be mounted adjacent the slide. The slide has two generally parallel sides and each side is provided with an outwardly opening notch and a stop. A plug (male) electrical connector is slid along the slide for engagement therewith, and a pivotable lock, which engages the notches, selectively retains the plug connector against the stops.