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 (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 chamber (54). A main filter element (K) 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: A hand-held vacuum cleaner includes a housing, a suction fan and a first motor assembly located in the housing and a dirt container detachably mounted on the housing. A suction nozzle is selectively mounted on the housing and is usable both in an attached position and in a detached position for cleaning. A brushroll and a second motor are mounted within the suction nozzle. An electrified hose is connected to the housing and to the suction nozzle. The dirt container includes an inlet in fluid communication with the electrified hose, and an outlet in fluid communication with the suction fan and first motor assembly. A filter assembly is releasably positioned for form an outlet of the dirt container. The dirt container has a latching mechanism for securing the dirt container to the housing. The housing further includes a hollow section formed above the suction fan and first motor assembly for storing a cleaning attachment.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner includes an upright housing section and a nozzle section. A cyclonic airflow dirt and dust separating chamber is defined in said upright housing section. A suction source pulls air and entrained dirt, dust, and other contaminants through a main suction opening formed in the underside of the nozzle and into the cyclonic airflow chamber. 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 that defines the chamber. A main filter element 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 (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 chamber (54). A main filter element (K) 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: A bagless canister vacuum cleaner includes a selectively removable dirt cup, and an airstream flows rotationally through the dirt cup between an interior wall of the dirt cup and a filter assembly selectively mounted in the dirt cup so that entrained contaminants are separated from the airstream flowing through the dirt cup and collected by the dirt cup. The filter lies substantially parallel to the support surface on which the vacuum cleaner is supported. A cover member is connected to the main housing, and the cover member is selectively movable to and held in an operative position in covering relation with an open first end of a dirt cup. The main housing defines a base conformed to self-support the main housing on a support surface with the dirt cup arranged with its open first end at a higher elevation than its closed second end. The removable dirt cup includes a handle adapted for being held by a user, and the dirt cup defines or includes a spout to facilitate emptying dirt therefrom.

Abstract: A hand-held portable wet/dry vacuum comprising a cleaning fluid tank, a motor housing and a dirty fluid tank. The cleaning fluid tank is selectively mounted on the motor housing. A siphon, which is controlled by an actuator, is located in the cleaning fluid tank. The dirty fluid tank is selectively mounted on the motor housing in spaced relation to the cleaning fluid tank. The motor housing houses an air driven turbine and a suction fan and motor assembly. A suction nozzle is located at a first end of the wet/dry vacuum. An air passageway extends from the suction nozzle to the suction fan and motor. The turbine communicates with the air passageway. The housing further comprises at least one air inlet to allow air to pass to the turbine. A brush is operably connected to the turbine via a gear train. A rotational axis of the brush is angled so that a portion of the brush contacts a surface to be cleaned.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner includes an upright housing section and a nozzle base section. A cyclonic airflow dirt and dust separating chamber is defined in the upright housing section. A suction source pulls air and entrained dirt, dust, and other contaminants through a main suction opening formed in the underside of the nozzle base section and into the cyclonic airflow chamber. 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 that defines the chamber. A main filter element filters residual contaminants from the suction airstream between the chamber and the suction source. An exhaust filter housing includes an airstream suction duct in fluid communication with an outlet of the airflow chamber and an inlet of the suction source. An outlet of the suction source is in fluid communication with an exhaust plenum of the exhaust filter housing.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaning including a nozzle base comprising a primary and secondary suction opening, a suction source positioned within a first cavity in the nozzle base, and a dust cup releasably positioned within a second cavity in the base. The dust cup comprises a first inlet in communication with the primary suction opening, a second inlet in communication with the secondary suction opening, and an outlet. An above floor cleaning tool is in communication with the second inlet. A first filter assembly is positioned adjacent the outlet of the dust cup. A second filter is positioned between the suction source and the first filter. An exhaust opening and filter are positioned downstream of the suction source to prevent particles from venting to atmosphere. The vacuum cleaner further includes a handle assembly comprising an elongated connecting portion and a handle. The handle is removable for use as a handle for an above-floor cleaning tool.

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: An upright vacuum cleaner includes an upright housing section and a nozzle section. A cyclonic airflow dirt and dust separating chamber is defined in said upright housing section. A suction source pulls air and entrained dirt, dust, and other contaminants through a main suction opening formed in the underside of the nozzle and into the cyclonic airflow chamber. 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 that defines the chamber. A main filter element 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.