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 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: The vacuum cleaner includes a carriage having front and rear support members rotatably carried by the carriage for movably supporting the carriage on a subjacent surface as well as a floor cleaning nozzle generally horizontally disposed adjacent a front support member of the vacuum cleaner. A first movable element is provided on the carriage for selectively adjusting the height of the nozzle in relation to the subjacent surface. A second movable element is positioned on the carriage and is operatively connected to the first movable element for adjusting a position of the first movable element. A third movable element is operatively connected to the second movable element and is also connected on the carriage for adjusting a position of the second movable element. The third movable element includes a rocker pedal which can be adjusted between a plurality of positions.