Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner has a compact, cylindrical exhaust filter assembly that is easily accessible by a user. The filter is removably mounted in a housing between an exhaust outlet aperture and a suction source outlet. A filter locking lug is associated with the filter element and the housing for removably securing the filter element to the housing to the filter frame. An upright vacuum cleaner has a pre-motor filter assembly that is highly visible to a user and accessible thereby.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner with a first cyclonic dirt separation and a secondary cyclonic dirt separation and a bottom dirt-collecting bin beneath the first cyclone separator and a filter beneath the dirt cup and between the dirt cup and a suction source inlet. The secondary cyclones oriented generally perpendicular to the first cyclone separator. A separator plate separates the cyclone separator from the dirt cup. Fins project from a sidewall of the dirt tank, and fingers projecting from a bottom wall of the dirt tank. A hollow standpipe in the dirt cup transports working air from the cyclone separator outlet to the filter.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner with cyclonic dirt separation and a bottom discharge dirt cup beneath the cyclone separator and a filter beneath the dirt cup and between the dirt cup and a suction motor inlet. A separator plate separates the cyclone separator from the dirt cup. Fins project from a sidewall of the dirt cup, and fingers projecting from a bottom wall of the dirt cup. A hollow standpipe in the dirt cup transports working air from the cyclone separator outlet to the filter.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner comprises a cyclonic separator having a first cyclone and a plurality of downstream secondary cyclones. The first cyclone comprises a side wall defining a first cyclonic chamber, and the secondary cyclones each comprise a side wall defining a second cyclonic chamber. A dirt cup assembly is mounted below the cyclonic separator to collect contaminants separated in the first and second cyclonic chambers. The secondary cyclones can be arranged around the first cyclone side wall and form a gap between adjacent secondary cyclones so that the first cyclone side wall is exposed at the gap. A working air conduit can extend through the first cyclone and the dirt cup assembly to couple the secondary cyclones to a suction source located below the dirt cup assembly. Furthermore, the secondary cyclones can have a vortex stabilizer.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner with a cyclone module assembly comprises a cyclone separation chamber for separating dust and debris from air, a dirt cup for collecting dust and debris that is separated from the air in the cyclone separation chamber, wherein the separation chamber further includes an exhaust grill with apertures formed at an acute angle relative to the working air flow. In an alternate embodiment, the vacuum cleaner further includes a hair collection assembly that can be latched in one of the engaged and disengaged positions. In yet another embodiment, the dirt cup is sealingly biased to the cyclone separation chamber by a cam or a coil spring.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner comprises a cyclonic separator having a first cyclone and a plurality of downstream secondary cyclones. The first cyclone comprises a side wall defining a first cyclonic chamber, and the secondary cyclones each comprise a side wall defining a second cyclonic chamber. A dirt cup assembly is mounted below the cyclonic separator to collect contaminants separated in the first and second cyclonic chambers. The secondary cyclones can be arranged around the first cyclone side wall and form a gap between adjacent secondary cyclones so that the first cyclone side wall is exposed at the gap. A working air conduit can extend through the first cyclone and the dirt cup assembly to couple the secondary cyclones to a suction source located below the dirt cup assembly. Furthermore, the secondary cyclones can have a vortex stabilizer.

Abstract: A filter assembly for a vacuum cleaner comprises a filter carrier and a filter element. The filter carrier has a curved rear surface and a pair of protrusion for mounting the filter carrier to the vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: An accessory tool for a vacuum cleaner comprises an elongated body having a plurality of furrows for imparting flexibility to the accessory tool. The elongated body is further be made of a material that is selected to impart flexibility to the accessory tool so that the longitudinal axis of the elongated portion can be bent about a radius through an angle up to 45° without kinking or breaking in a direction transverse to and laterally of elongated cross-sectional configuration.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner has cooling air from an agitator motor ported to a working air conduit upstream of an inlet to a fan motor assembly.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner comprises a handle assembly pivotally attached to a foot assembly, where the handle assembly removably mounts a cyclone separator module. An ultraviolet sanitation assembly is provided on the vacuum cleaner for sanitizing the working air before it is exhausted from the vacuum cleaner. One or more component parts of the vacuum cleaner, particularly the components making up the working air path of the vacuum cleaner can be made from a plastic material that includes at least one anti-microbial agent in an effective amount sufficient to impart microbe-inhibiting properties to the working air path.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner with cyclonic dirt separation and a bottom discharge dirt cup beneath the cyclone separator and a filter beneath the dirt cup and between the dirt cup and a suction motor inlet. A separator plate separates the cyclone separator from the dirt cup. Fins project from a sidewall of the dirt cup, and fingers projecting from a bottom wall of the dirt cup. A hollow standpipe in the dirt cup transports working air from the cyclone separator outlet to the filter.

Abstract: A vacuum accessory tool comprises a housing that defines a suction nozzle and a hair removal assembly associated with the suction nozzle. In one embodiment, the vacuum accessory tool further comprises an agitator assembly located in the suction nozzle and driven by an air turbine. In another embodiment, an impeller associated with the air turbine is weighted to prevent build-up of hair and other debris at the impeller.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner comprises a cyclonic separator having a first cyclone and a plurality of downstream secondary cyclones. The first cyclone comprises a side wall defining a first cyclonic chamber, and the secondary cyclones each comprise a side wall defining a second cyclonic chamber. A dirt cup assembly is mounted below the cyclonic separator to collect contaminants separated in the first and second cyclonic chambers. The secondary cyclones can be arranged around the first cyclone side wall and form a gap between adjacent secondary cyclones so that the first cyclone side wall is exposed at the gap. A working air conduit can extend through the first cyclone and the dirt cup assembly to couple the secondary cyclones to a suction source located below the dirt cup assembly. Furthermore, the secondary cyclones can have a vortex stabilizer.