Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus is described including a housing supporting a suction source, a dirt collection container, and a cyclonic separation device for separating dirt from the airflow passing through the apparatus. The apparatus further includes a ducting member having an inlet in communication with an outlet from the cyclonic separation device and an outlet in communication with a passage leading to the suction source. The ducting member is removably connected to the housing or the dirt collection container and is rotatably moveable between locked and unlocked positions, and rotational movement of the ducting member from its unlocked position to its locked position aligns the outlet of the ducting member with the passage leading to the suction source.

Abstract: A tool for a surface cleaning apparatus, including a floor head including a floor facing surface which defines an inlet for receiving dirt-laden air, which inlet is generally positioned in a first plane P; a passage for carrying dirt-laden air from the floor head to the apparatus; a connecting member for connecting the tool to a surface cleaning apparatus, wherein the floor head and connecting member are pivotally connected about an axis A; and a blocking device for inhibiting pivotal movement of the connecting member about axis A. The blocking device is moveable to a blocking condition in which pivotal movement of the connecting member downwardly outside of a pre-determined use condition is inhibited.

Abstract: A cyclonic separator device for removing dust or debris from dirt-laden air, the device having a separating chamber, an inlet, an outlet, and a shroud that is connected to the separating chamber at one end, and provides a plurality of openings for the passage of air to the outlet. The device further includes a dirt collection chamber in communication with the separating chamber. The separating chamber includes an airflow directing formation which is connected to an inner surface of a generally cylindrical portion and which extends inwardly towards a central axis of the generally cylindrical portion. The airflow directing formation provides a surface which follows a substantially helical path that extends away from the inlet as it extends circumferentially around the inner surface of the generally cylindrical portion.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus is described including a floor head, a housing supporting a suction source and a dirt collection container having an elongate axis (A). The device further includes an elongate member having an elongate axis (B), said elongate member connecting the floor head to the housing, said elongate member including a passage for carrying dirt-laden air from the floor head to the dirt collection container. The elongate axis (B) of the elongate member intersects or substantially intersects the elongate axis (A) of the dirt collection container.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus including a housing supporting a suction source including a motor with an axle that rotates a fan and a dirt collection container having an elongate axis (A). The elongate axis (A) of the dirt collection container is transverse to an axis of the axle of the motor, and the axis of the axle of the motor is offset from the elongate axis of the dirt collection container.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus (10) is described including a dirt collection container (18b) and an inlet passage (99) leading to the dirt collection container (18b) through which dirt-laden air is drawn by a source of suction. The apparatus further includes a moveable blocking member (120) positioned in the passage (99) where the blocking member (120) is moveable between a blocking position, in which the passage (99) is blocked or substantially blocked, and an unblocking position, in which air can pass through the passage (99). The apparatus includes a receiving formation (130) for receiving at least a portion of the moveable blocking member (120) when the blocking member is in its unblocking position.

Abstract: A tool for a surface cleaning apparatus, including a floor head including a floor facing surface which defines an inlet for receiving dirt-laden air, which inlet is generally positioned in a first plane P; a passage for carrying dirt-laden air from the floor head to the apparatus; a connecting member for connecting the tool to a surface cleaning apparatus, wherein the floor head and connecting member are pivotally connected about an axis A; and a blocking device for inhibiting pivotal movement of the connecting member about axis A. The blocking device is moveable to a blocking condition in which pivotal movement of the connecting member downwardly outside of a pre-determined use condition is inhibited.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus is described including a housing supporting a suction source, a dirt collection container, and a cyclonic separation device for separating dirt from the airflow passing through the apparatus. The apparatus further includes a ducting member having an inlet in communication with an outlet from the cyclonic separation device and an outlet in communication with a passage leading to the suction source. The ducting member is removably connected to the housing or the dirt collection container and is rotatably moveable between locked and unlocked positions, and rotational movement of the ducting member from its unlocked position to its locked position aligns the outlet of the ducting member with the passage leading to the suction source.

Abstract: A tool for a surface cleaning apparatus includes a floor head, a connecting member for connecting the tool to a surface cleaning apparatus, and a passage for carrying dirt-laden air from the floor head to the apparatus. The floor head and connecting member are pivotally connected to each other about an axis A, the connecting member includes an articulated joint having first and second parts which are pivotable relative to each other about an axis B. Axis B extends transversely to axis A. The tool includes an electrical cable passage through which electrical cables may extend to provide an electric connection between the apparatus and an electrical component in the floor head.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus is described including a housing supporting a suction source including a motor with an axle which rotates a fan and a dirt collection container. The motor is positioned within a motor chamber and the motor chamber is positioned within a further chamber, and there being an opening in the motor chamber for permitting exhaust air to pass therefrom to the further chamber. The housing includes an exhaust outlet and wherein air from the motor chamber passes to the exhaust outlet around opposing sides of the motor chamber. In an alternative embodiment air from the motor chamber passes to the exhaust outlet through an air diffusing member.

Abstract: A cyclonic separator device for removing dust or debris from dirt-laden air, the device having a separating chamber, an inlet, an outlet, and a shroud that is connected to the separating chamber at one end, and provides a plurality of openings for the passage of air to the outlet. The device further includes a dirt collection chamber in communication with the separating chamber. The separating chamber includes an airflow directing formation which is connected to an inner surface of a generally cylindrical portion and which extends inwardly towards a central axis of the generally cylindrical portion. The airflow directing formation provides a surface which follows a substantially helical path that extends away from the inlet as it extends circumferentially around the inner surface of the generally cylindrical portion.