Abstract: A covering (200) for an opening in a building and a sensor assembly (500) is disclosed. The covering (200) comprises a panel (201) moveable between an open position and a closed position, and to an intermediate position between the open position and the closed position. The sensor assembly (500) is configured to sense the position of a locking member (205) of the covering and to transmit signals indicating the position of locking member (205). Methods of installing a sensor assembly (500) on a covering (200) of an opening of a building are also disclosed.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner includes a housing having a suction airstream inlet and a suction airstream outlet. A dirt container is selectively mounted to the housing for receiving and retaining dirt and dust separated from the suction airstream and includes a first cyclonic air-flow chamber and a second cyclonic airflow chamber. The chambers are spaced apart and are each approximately vertically oriented and arranged in a parallel relationship. An air manifold is disposed at a top portion of the dirt container. The air manifold includes an inlet section through which dirty air passes and an outlet section. The inlet section directs a flow of dirty air into two separate inlet conduits leading to a respective one of the first and second airflow chambers. The outlet section collects a flow of cleaned air from both of the chambers and merges the flow of cleaned air into a single outlet conduit.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner includes a housing having a suction airstream inlet and a suction airstream outlet. A dirt container is selectively mounted to the housing for receiving and retaining dirt and dust separated from the suction airstream and includes a first cyclonic air-flow chamber and a second cyclonic airflow chamber. The chambers are spaced apart and are each approximately vertically oriented and arranged in a parallel relationship. An air manifold is disposed at a top portion of the dirt container. The air manifold includes an inlet section through which dirty air passes and an outlet section. The inlet section directs a flow of dirty air into two separate inlet conduits leading to a respective one of the first and second airflow chambers. The outlet section collects a flow of cleaned air from both of the chambers and merges the flow of cleaned air into a single outlet conduit.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner includes a housing having a suction airstream inlet and a suction airstream outlet. A dirt container is selectively mounted to the housing for receiving and retaining dirt and dust separated from the suction airstream and includes a first cyclonic air-flow chamber and a second cyclonic airflow chamber. The chambers are spaced apart and are each approximately vertically oriented and arranged in a parallel relationship. An air manifold is disposed at a top portion of the dirt container. The air manifold includes an inlet section through which dirty air passes and an outlet section. The inlet section directs a flow of dirty air into two separate inlet conduits leading to a respective one of the first and second airflow chambers. The outlet section collects a flow of cleaned air from both of the chambers and merges the flow of cleaned air into a single outlet conduit.

Abstract: A wet type suction cleaner comprising a tank (10) having an inlet (22) for suction-induced air flow and an outlet leading to a fan for creating the suction: and a float valve assembly (30) including a housing (32) and a float member movable relative to the housing (32) to cause closure of the outlet; wherein the inlet (22) directs the suction air flow to impinge on a part (40) of the housing (32), and the housing (32) has an opening (54) leading to the outlet which opening (54) is at a part of the housing (32) facing away from the inlet (22), the housing (32) further comprising deflecting means (42) for deflecting impinged matter away from the opening (54).

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner includes a housing having a suction airstream inlet and a suction airstream outlet. A dirt container is selectively mounted to the housing for receiving and retaining dirt and dust separated from the suction airstream and includes a first cyclonic air-flow chamber and a second cyclonic airflow chamber. The chambers are spaced apart and are each approximately vertically oriented and arranged in a parallel relationship. An air manifold is disposed at a top portion of the dirt container. The air manifold includes an inlet section through which dirty air passes and an outlet section. The inlet section directs a flow of dirty air into two separate inlet conduits leading to a respective one of the first and second airflow chambers. The outlet section collects a flow of cleaned air from both of the chambers and merges the flow of cleaned air into a single outlet conduit.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner (A) includes a housing (B) having a suction airstream inlet and a suction airstream outlet. A dirt container (50, 500) is selectively mounted to the housing for receiving and retaining dirt and dust separated from the suction airstream. The suction airstream inlet and the suction airstream outlet are in fluid communication with, respectively, an inlet and an outlet of the dirt container. The dirt container includes a first cyclonic air-flow chamber (66, 508) and a second cyclonic airflow chamber (68, 510), each cyclonic airflow chamber including a longitudinal axis. The second cyclonic airflow chamber is spaced from the first chamber, wherein the first and second chambers are each approximately vertically oriented and are arranged in a parallel relationship. An air manifold (52, 540, 540?) is disposed at a top portion of the dirt container. The air manifold includes an inlet section (54, 536, 565) through which dirty air passes and an outlet section (138, 560, 560?).

Abstract: A suction cleaner includes a suction unit for creating a flow of air and a flexible suction hose having a hose inlet at which air may be drawn into the suction hose. The suction hose leads from the suction unit and includes a first hose portion and a second hose portion having a connection to the first hose portion. The second hose portion includes the hose inlet. The suction unit includes a body that at least partially defines a storage volume in which the first hose portion can be accommodated when the first hose portion is in a contracted condition, and from which the first hose portion can be deployed when required. A first roller is positioned within the body and is supported on a first axis that is fixed with respect to the body. A second roller is positioned within the body and is supported on a second axis. The second axis is movable along an arc. A portion of the arc has a focus point positioned on the same side of the arc as the first axis.

Abstract: A hose assembly for a suction cleaner, comprising a suction hose portion which is able to be extended lengthwise when subject to lengthwise tension and to return to a lengthwise-contracted configuration when relieved of the lengthwise tension, and a support means extending lengthwise of the hose portion and co-operable therewith to constrain at least part of it in its contracted configuration. There may also be a hose portion which is substantially non-extendible in normal use.

Abstract: A cleaning head for a suction cleaner, the head including a body; a rotatable tool connected to the body by support means; driving means; and transmission means providing a driving connection between the driving means and the tool; wherein the support means contains the transmission means, and provides for movement of the tool upwardly and downwardly relative to the body in use.

Abstract: A wet type suction cleaner comprising a tank (10) having an inlet (22) for suction-induced air flow and an outlet leading to a fan for creating the suction: and a float valve assembly (30) including a housing (32) and a float member movable relative to the housing (32) to cause closure of the outlet; wherein the inlet (22) directs the suction air flow to impinge on a part (40) of the housing (32), and the housing (32) has an opening (54) leading to the outlet which opening (54) is at a part of the housing (32) facing away from the inlet (22), the housing (32) further comprising deflecting means (42) for deflecting impinged matter away from the opening (54).

Abstract: A suction cleaner includes a suction unit for creating a flow of air and a flexible suction hose having a hose inlet at which air may be drawn into the suction hose. The suction hose leads from the suction unit and includes a first hose portion and a second hose portion having a connection to the first hose portion. The second hose portion includes the hose inlet. The suction unit includes a body that at least partially defines a storage volume in which the first hose portion can be accommodated when the first hose portion is in a contracted condition, and from which the first hose portion can be deployed when required. A first roller is positioned within the body and is supported on a first axis that is fixed with respect to the body. A second roller is positioned within the body and is supported on a second axis. The second axis is movable along an arc. A portion of the arc has a focus point positioned on the same side of the arc as the first axis.

Abstract: A head (10) for a suction cleaner is described. The head (10) including: a lower housing portion (12); an upper housing portion (14); and a rotatably mounted brush bar (26) mounted within the housing portions (12, 14). The upper housing portion (14) is pivotable relative to the lower housing portion (12) between a closed position for use and an open position in which the brush bar (26) is exposed from above and the front.

Abstract: A suction cleaner comprising a suction unit having a source of suction and a separator/collector arrangement for separating entrained dirt from a flow of air created by the source of suction and for collecting and retaining such separated dirt for disposal; and a flexible suction hose for conveying suction airflow to the suction unit from a hose inlet at which a cleaning tool may be connected; wherein the suction hose comprises a first portion which can be accommodated in the suction unit and deployed therefrom when required and which is extendible in length when subject to lengthways tension, and a second portion having the inlet and connected to the first hose portion.

Abstract: A cyclonic separator for a suction cleaner comprises a cyclone body of which at least part is afforded by components which fit together at interfaces extending axially of the cyclone body. The components may also afford air inlet and dust outlet passages, and at least partially define a dust-collecting chamber.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner comprises a housing having a suction airstream inlet and a suction airstream outlet. A dirt container is selectively mounted to the housing for receiving and retaining dirt and dust separated from the suction airstream. The suction airstream inlet and the suction airstream outlet are in fluid communication with, respectively, an inlet and an outlet of the dirt container. The dirt container includes a first cyclonic airflow chamber and a second cyclonic airflow chamber, each cyclonic airflow chamber including a longitudinal axis. The second cyclonic airflow chamber is spaced from the first chamber, wherein the first and second chambers are each approximately vertically oriented and are arranged in a parallel relationship. An air manifold is disposed at a top portion of the dirt container. The air manifold includes an inlet section through which dirty air passes and an outlet section.