Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a cleaning head engagable with a floor and a first suction nozzle and a brush roller mounted therein; a housing connected to the cleaning head, the housing having a dirt storage container and a first passageway leading from the cleaning head to the storage container; a cleaning hose having an at least partially flexible second passageway in communication with the first passageway and having a second suction nozzle at one end; a suction motor mounted in the housing and operatively associated with the storage container for drawing dirt laden air from the cleaning head through the first passageway and from the hose through the second passageway, into the storage container; a flow control valve having a generally cylindrical body mounted for rotation in the housing with one end of the cylindrical body having an opening in constant communication with the suction motor, a first opening in a side portion of the cylindrical body which can be brought into and out of alignment with the first pas

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is provided having a cleaning head and a main body pivotally mounted to the cleaning head which includes a counter-balance mechanism having at least one torsion spring with a first end thereof mounted for pivotal movement about a fixed axis in either the cleaning head or the main body and a second end thereof mounted for pivotal movement about a fixed axis in the other of the cleaning head or the main body, with the at least one torsion spring having a main body portion which is free to move as the main body of the vacuum cleaner is pivoted relative to the cleaning head, the counter-balancing force of the at least one torsion spring increasing as the main body of the vacuum cleaner is pivoted from a generally vertical position to a generally horizontal position while the cleaning head remains generally horizontal.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner having dual cleaning motor and fan units is provided having a cleaning head engagable with a floor and a suction nozzle and a brush roller rotatably mounted therein. A first motor and fan unit is mounted in the vacuum cleaner for producing suction in the suction nozzle and is operatively connected to the brush roller for rotating it. An upright housing is connected to the cleaning head, the housing having a handle for moving the vacuum cleaner along the floor during floor cleaning use. Contained in the housing are a dirt storage container, a passageway leading from the suction nozzle in the cleaning head to the storage container and a second motor and fan unit operatively associated with the storage container for drawing dirt laden air from the cleaning head through the passageway and into the storage container simultaneously with operation of the first motor and fan unit.