Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a first housing defining a cyclonic airflow chamber and a second housing defining a main suction opening that is in communication with an inlet of the cyclonic chamber. A suction source has a suction airstream inlet in communication with an outlet of the cyclonic chamber, and establishes a suction airstream that enters said main suction opening, passes through said cyclonic chamber, and passes to an outlet of said suction source. A substantial portion of particulates entrained in the suction airstream are separated therefrom when said suction airstream moves in a cyclonic fashion through the cyclonic chamber.

Abstract: A nozzle base for a vacuum cleaner includes an upright front wall, an upright rear wall spaced from the front wall and having a suction air aperture, first and second upright side walls extending transversely between mutual end edges of the front and rear walls, respectively, and an upper wall joined to the front wall, rear wall, first side wall, and second side wall to define a downwardly opening chamber adapted to rotatably support an associated agitator therein. The upper wall has an intermediate section above the suction air aperture, a first wall section tapering downward from the intermediate section in a direction toward the first upright sidewall, and a second wall section tapering downward from the intermediate section in a direction toward the second upright sidewall. The second wall section terminates at a height below an uppermost extent of the agitator, and the second wall section including a recess adapted to conform generally to the agitator.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a first housing defining a cyclonic airflow chamber and a second housing defining a main suction opening that is in communication with an inlet of the cyclonic chamber. A suction source has a suction airstream inlet in communication with an outlet of the cyclonic chamber, and establishes a suction airstream that enters said main suction opening, passes through said cyclonic chamber, and passes to an outlet of said suction source. A substantial portion of particulates entrained in the suction airstream are separated therefrom when said suction airstream moves in a cyclonic fashion through the cyclonic chamber.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner includes a housing having a suction motor and a filter chamber. A floor nozzle is connected to the housing. A hose, which communicates with the filter chamber, includes a first end, an intermediate portion and a second end. A wand, which has a first end and a second end, is selectively mounted on the housing. At least a part of the hose intermediate portion extends longitudinally through the wand from the first end to the second end. The hose first end is secured to the wand first end. A connector assembly is secured on the hose second end. When the wand is selectively mounted on the housing, a section of the hose intermediate portion is stowed in the wand. When the wand is spaced from the housing, the section of the hose intermediate portion is pulled out of the wand.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner (A) includes an upright housing section (B) and a nozzle section (C). A cyclonic airflow dirt and dust separating chamber (54) is defined in said upright housing section. A suction source (E) pulls air and entrained dirt, dust, and other contaminants through a main suction opening (26) formed in the underside (24) of the nozzle and into the cyclonic airflow chamber (54). The cyclonic airflow chamber causes the suction airstream to travel in a cyclonic path such that the entrained contaminants are separated therefrom and deposited into a dirt container (52) that defines the lower portion of the chamber (54). A main filter element (H) filters residual contaminants from the suction airstream between the chamber and the suction source. The main filter element is preferably made from high-density polyethylene porous filter media.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner includes a housing having a suction motor and a filter chamber. A floor nozzle is connected to the housing. A hose includes a first end, secured to the housing and in communication with the filter chamber, an intermediate portion and a second end. A wand is selectively mounted on the housing. The wand has a first end and a second end wherein the hose intermediate portion extends longitudinally through the wand from the first end to the second end and wherein the hose second end is secured to the wand second end. A clip is secured on the hose intermediate portion such that when the clip is selectively secured to the wand first end, a substantial portion of the hose intermediate portion is stowed in the wand. When the clip is spaced from the wand first end, the substantial portion of the hose intermediate portion is pulled out of the wand.

Abstract: A vacuum hose assembly includes an air inlet connector, a flexible hose, and rigid tube. Screw threads are provided on one end of the air inlet connector. Screw threads are also provided on one end of the rigid tube. The three components of the hose assembly are coupled by screwing one component to another. Therefore, the air inlet connector is coupled to the flexible hose by screwing the air inlet connector into the flexible hose so that the screw threads of the air inlet connector engage with the ridges of the flexible hose. Furthermore, the rigid tube is coupled to the flexible hose by screwing the rigid tube into the flexible hose so that the screw threads of the rigid tube engage with the ridges of the flexible hose.

Abstract: A container construction for a vacuum cleaner includes a housing enclosing a dirt receptacle for the vacuum cleaner, the housing having a wall. A hole extends through the wall of the housing and a tubular conduit extends through the hole in the wall. The conduit has an inlet end located outside the housing and an outlet end located inside the housing. The conduit includes a flange extending radially outwardly from an outer periphery of the conduit, the flange being sized to contact the wall of the housing. The conduit also includes a rib extending radially outwardly from the conduit outer periphery in spaced relation to the flange. A clamp cooperates with the rib and the housing to secure the conduit to the housing.

Abstract: A suction cleaner includes a nozzle body having a suction inlet and a handle pivotally connected to the nozzle body. A suction creating device is located in one of the handle and the body. An air passageway leads from the suction inlet to the suction creating device. A valve member is located in the air passageway. The valve member includes a shaft pivotally mounted in the nozzle body and a valve element fixedly mounted on the shaft. The valve member is selectively pivoted in a first direction by a lever pivotally mounted on the nozzle body and actuated by a movement of the handle of the suction cleaner. A link member, having a first end secured to the lever and a second end secured to the shaft, connects the lever to the valve member. A biasing member, preferably mounted on the shaft, urges the valve member in a second direction.

Abstract: An air path for a vacuum cleaner, such as a stick type or broom type vacuum cleaner includes a first fan shell section having a first end at which is located a suction opening and a second end. A second fan shell section has a first end and a second end at which is located an outlet opening. An air outlet tube is located at the outlet opening of, and is of one piece with, the second fan shell section. The two fan shell sections are secured to each other in order to define a chamber between them. A suction fan is located in the chamber for drawing a suction at the suction opening and directing air through the air outlet tube.

Abstract: A suction cleaner adapted for either on the floor cleaning or above the floor cleaning includes a base having a nozzle and a handle pivotally secured to the base so as to be pivotable between a use position and a non-use position. A suction passageway is located in at least one of the base and the handle and communicates with the nozzle. A valve is rotatably mounted in the suction passageway for selectively closing the suction passageway. An elevating mechanism selectively elevates the nozzle away from, and lowers the nozzle towards, a subjacent support surface, the mechanism being secured to the base. An actuating mechanism manually actuates the elevating mechanism. The actuating mechanism is secured to at least one of the base and the handle and engages both the valve and the elevating mechanism.

Abstract: A telescoping assembly especially suited for vacuum cleaner wands includes a first tube having an outer diameter and a second tube having an inner diameter which is larger than the outer diameter of the first tube. In this way, the first tube fits within the second tube in an axially sliding manner. A collet is positioned within the second tube and encircles the first tube. The collet includes a locking element for selectively securing the first tube in relation to the second tube, the locking element cooperating with a portion of the second tube upon a rotation of the collet to prevent a telescoping movement of the first tube in relation to the second tube.

Abstract: An air path for a vacuum cleaner, such as a stick type or broom type vacuum cleaner includes a first fan shell section having a first end at which is located a suction opening and a second end. A second fan shell section has a first end and a second end at which is located an outlet opening. An air outlet tube is located at the outlet opening of, and is of one piece with, the second fan shell section. The two fan shell sections are secured to each other in order to define a chamber between them. A suction fan is located in the chamber for drawing a suction at the suction opening and directing air through the air outlet tube.