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 portable stick-type vacuum cleaner includes an elongated housing and a substantially triangular nozzle which is selectively securable to the housing. The nozzle includes a nozzle body having a bottom surface and a top surface. A V-shaped suction opening is located on the bottom surface of the nozzle body. The nozzle body also has a plurality of casters located on its bottom surface. An air outlet member is in fluid connection with the suction opening. The air outlet member includes a sleeve pivotally mounted to the top surface of the nozzle body and a coupling for selective fluid connection with the housing. The coupling is rotatably mounted on the sleeve. A motor is mounted in the housing for effecting a suction of air through the nozzle.

Abstract: A snap-together vacuum cleaner housing comprises at least three discrete pieces which can be assembled and disassembled without the use of adhesive, fasteners, or tools. A lock ring comprises two semicircles of different radii. The lock ring encircles discrete portions of the housing and joins them together.

Abstract: A height adjustment system for an upright vacuum cleaner comprises a cam member with a cam surface. The cam member is mounted within a base and includes rollers which facilitate the sliding lateral movement of the cam member within the base. The rollers roll within a channel within the base. Notches are formed in the side walls of the channel and receive a resiliently deformable indexing member which locates and fixes a cam follower at discrete points along the cam surface. A secondary height adjustment system comprises a ledge located on a housing which is attached to a handle. When the handle of the vacuum cleaner is rotated from a use position to an upright locked position, the ledge on the housing displaces a finger which pushes against a fulcrum plate attached to an axle connected to the front wheels of the vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: A suction cleaner includes a floor nozzle and a handle pivotally connected to the floor nozzle. A suction creating device is located in one of the handle and the floor nozzle and a filter bag is secured to the handle. A first passageway leads from the floor nozzle to the filter bag. A first valve member is located in the first air passageway. A cleaning tool hose is secured to the handle. A second air passageway leads from the cleaning tool hose to a filter bag. A second valve member is located in the second air passageway.

Abstract: A wheel assembly for a vacuum cleaner includes an axle, a collar, and a wheel. The axle is cylindrical and has inward and outward ends. The inward end is attached to a housing of an associated vacuum cleaner and the outward end has locking projections extending radially outwardly from an axial centerline. The collar has an outward end which includes collar gaps. When the axle is fitted within the collar, the locking projections fit into the collar gaps preventing rotational movement between the collar and the axle. The wheel has a wheel bore therethrough. When the wheel is fitted over the collar and axle, so that the collar and axle fit within the wheel bore, the locking projections snap radially outwardly against an outer surface of the wheel, thereby holding the wheel, collar, and axle together and permitting rotational movement between the wheel and the collar.

Abstract: A snap-together vacuum cleaner housing comprises at least three discrete pieces which can be assembled and disassembled without the use of adhesive, fasteners, or tools. A lock ring comprises two semicircles of different radii. The lock ring encircles discrete portions of the housing and joins them together.

Abstract: A convertible vacuum cleaner includes a nozzle base and a motor and filter housing rotatably mounted on the nozzle base. The nozzle base is movable along a floor surface and includes a brush cleaner for mounting a rotatable brush and a first suction passage communicating with the brush chamber at one end and with an exterior periphery of the nozzle base at the other end. The motor and filter housing includes a second suction passage communicating at a first end with the first suction passage second end and at a second end with an exterior periphery of the motor and filter housing. The motor chamber is formed in the motor and filter housing in spaced relation to the second suction passage. A suction chamber is disposed in the motor and filter housing in a spaced manner from the second suction passage and the motor chamber. The suction chamber has an inlet port communicating with the exterior periphery of the motor and filter housing.

Abstract: An electric vacuum cleaner includes a rotating brush driven by an elastomeric belt coupled to a motor spaced from the brush. Jamming of the brush bearings, wear of the belt, separation of the belt from the drive shaft, or breaking of the belt hinders or prevents rotation of the brush. A brush speed indicator provides a first signal rerpesentative of the rotational movement of the brush and a second means is adapted to receive the first signal and generate a second signal in response thereto. The second signal is preferably an electrical current and is transmitted to power an indicator such as an LED. The brush speed indicator also is used to sense motor performance by diagnosing motor drop-off.