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 (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 assembly (50) includes a main filter element (H) for filtering 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 is provided and includes an upper section with a handle (15) and a lower cleaning nozzle section (14, 14') having a main suction opening (18) formed in the underside (16) thereof. A suction source (M) is provided and an edge cleaning tool (60) having a suction bore (64) formed therethrough is releasably connected to the cleaning nozzle section (14'). A suction hose (20) selectively connects one of the main suction opening (18) of the nozzle (14') and the suction bore (64) of the edge cleaning tool (60) with the suction source (M). First and second laterally spaced casters (30a, 30b) extend from the underside (16) of the nozzle (14, 14') and each caster (30a, 30b) is pivotable respectively about a vertical axis (D,E). First and second laterally spaced fixed wheels (32a, 32b), each rotatable about a single rolling axis (C), are also provided and positioned forward of the first and second casters (30a, 30b).

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner is provided and includes an upper section with a handle (15) and a lower cleaning nozzle section (14, 14') having a main suction opening (18) formed in the underside (16) thereof. A suction source (M) is provided and an edge cleaning tool (60) having a suction bore (64) formed therethrough is releasably connected to the cleaning nozzle section (14'). A suction hose (20) selectively connects one of the main suction opening (18) of the nozzle (14') and the suction bore (64) of the edge cleaning tool (60) with the suction source (M). First and second laterally spaced casters (30a, 30b) extend from the underside (16) of the nozzle (14, 14') and each caster (30a, 30b) is pivotable respectively about a vertical axis (D,E). First and second laterally spaced fixed wheels (32a, 32b), each rotatable about a single rolling axis (C), are also provided and positioned forward of the first and second casters (30a, 30b).

Abstract: A rechargeable cordless vacuum cleaner system comprises a hand held vacuum cleaner and a separable charger. The cleaner includes a circuit board assembly having first and second sets of contacts disposed for engagement to first and second sets of mating contacts of a battery pack and the charger. Both sets of contacts are spring loaded for resilient engagement to the mating contacts. A pocket portion is formed adjacent the set of contacts to the charger to avoid direct exposure of the contacts to an operator of the cleaner.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner is provided and includes an upper section with a handle (15) and a lower cleaning nozzle section (14, 14') having a main suction opening (18) formed in the underside (16) thereof. A suction source (M) is provided and an edge cleaning tool (60) having a suction bore (64) formed therethrough is releasably connected to the cleaning nozzle section (14'). A suction hose (20) selectively connects one of the main suction opening (18) of the nozzle (14') and the suction bore (64) of the edge cleaning tool (60) with the suction source (M). First and second laterally spaced casters (30a, 30b) extend from the underside (16) of the nozzle (14, 14') and each caster (30a, 30b) is pivotable respectively about a vertical axis (D,E). First and second laterally spaced fixed wheels (32a, 32b), each rotatable about a single rolling axis (C), are also provided and positioned forward of the first and second casters (30a, 30b).

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a housing having a nozzle and a selectively removable cover having an inner surface and an outer surface. A filter chamber is defined in the housing when the cover is in place. A bag mounting structure is located on the inner surface of the cover. The bag mounting structure includes a mounting plate secured to the cover inner surface and a first mounting rail located on the mounting plate for guiding an edge of the mounting collar of an associated filter bag. A locking finger is mounted on the mounting plate. The locking finger cooperates with another edge of the mounting collar of the associated filter bag in order to secure the filter bag to the bag mounting structure. When the bag is correctly mounted on the cover, the cover can be attached to the housing of the vacuum cleaner thereby enabling the vacuum cleaner to be used.

Abstract: A quick attach-detach assembly of a wet-dry vacuum cleaner for selectively mounting an air blower on a lid includes a blower housing supporting a motor and a fan mounted to the motor and a lid to which the housing can be removably secured. The lid includes an aperture, an annular wall encircling the aperture and an annular ringlike surface defined on the wall. A retaining wall portion extends over a section of the ringlike surface to define a tunnel-shaped section. The blower housing includes a face on which is defined a protrusion. When the blower housing is mounted on the lid, the protrusion of the housing face is located adjacent the tunnel-shaped section. A locking ring is mounted on the lid for limited rotation. A rotation of the ring selectively locks and unlocks the blower housing from the lid.

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 hand-held vacuum cleaner includes a housing for holding a motor and a suction fan and a switch slidably mounted on the housing for selectively activating the motor. The switch extends out of the housing so as to be manually engageable. A nozzle is mounted on the housing and a release button, pivotally mounted on the housing, selectively releases the nozzle from the housing. The release button includes a first finger which engages an aperture in a wall of the nozzle, a pivot aperture through which extends a pivot pin secured to the housing for enabling the release button to move between a pair of end positions and a biasing element for urging the release button to one of the pair of end positions. A second finger is also provided on the release button. In one of the end positions of the release button, the second finger engages in a recess of the switch to prevent the release button from being pivoted.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a bucket of a wet/dry vacuum cleaner includes the step of producing a one piece conical shell with an open top end and an open bottom end. The shell is tapered such that its bottom end has a larger diameter than its top end. A base plate is also produced. Subsequently, the base plate is secured to the shell to close the shell bottom end and form a bucket. An aperture may extend through the shell and a hose inlet can be snapped to the shell through the aperture therein. A latch handle can be snapped to a latch mounting wall of the shell and a handle can be secured to the shell as well. The shell can also include an integral skirt in which are formed caster housings as well as a tool storage cavity.

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 quick attach-detach assembly of a wet-dry vacuum cleaner for selectively mounting an air blower on a lid includes a blower housing supporting a motor and a fan mounted to the motor and a lid to which the housing can be removably secured. The lid includes an aperture, an annular wall encircling the aperture and an annular ringlike surface defined on the wall. A retaining wall portion extends over a section of the ringlike surface to define a tunnel-shaped section. The blower housing includes a face on which is defined a protrusion. When the blower housing is mounted on the lid, the protrusion of the housing face is located adjacent the tunnel-shaped section. A locking ring is mounted on the lid for limited rotation thereon. A rotation of the ring selectively locks and unlocks the blower housing from the lid.