Abstract: A self-propelled vacuum cleaner includes a base having a suction inlet. An upright housing is pivotally mounted to the base. A suction source is disposed in one of the base and the upright housing to generate an airflow at the suction inlet. A dust collection chamber is mounted to one of the base and the upright housing and communicates with the suction inlet and the suction source. A drive motor is mounted to the base. A driven wheel is operatively connected to the drive motor. A handle assembly is mounted to the upright housing, wherein the handle assembly includes an upper handle, a handle grip assembly slidably mounted to the upper handle, and a neutral return spring fastened to the upper handle and engaging the handle grip assembly to urge the handle grip assembly to a neutral position.

Abstract: A self-propelled appliance comprises a base, electric motor mounting the base, a handle moveably depending from the base and a drive wheel mounted in the base and operatively connected to the motor. The control circuits comprising an enable switch and a base switch control the communication of power from the power supply to the motor relative to a gripping of the handle by a user of the appliance and a selective positioning of the handle relative to the base.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner (10) includes an upper housing (12) and a nozzle base (14). An underside (20) of the nozzle base includes a main suction opening (26) formed therein which is in fluid communication with the upper housing via a hose assembly (28). The hose assembly is coupled to the nozzle suction opening via a coupling member (40). The coupling member is substantially cylindrical in shape and is dimensioned to be inserted into a receiving portion (42) of the nozzle base. The coupling member includes a first tapered end (60) dimensioned to be frictionally fit within a suction inlet (44) of the receiving portion. A second end (62) of the coupling member is configured to be supported on a rear wall (50) of the receiving portion. A quarter turn thread segment (72) is disposed on the coupling member's peripheral surface.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a floor nozzle having a brushroll chamber with an outlet aperture. An upper assembly is secured to the floor nozzle and is adapted to pivot relative to the floor nozzle about a generally horizontal pivot axis. A dirt cup is removably secured to the upper assembly. The dirt cup includes a dirt collection chamber, a forward inlet duct, and a rear inlet duct spaced from the first inlet duct. A brushroll shut-off mechanism selectively blocks the outlet aperture. The airflow shut-off mechanism includes a housing with a dirty air passage in communication with the outlet aperture and a dirt passage door that pivots within the dirty air passage to block airflow through the dirty air passage when the upper assembly is moved to a fully upright position.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner is disclosed, comprising an upright section (12) and a base (14) with primary nozzle (18), and further including an edge cleaner (40). The edge cleaner includes a main body (46) and brushes (50). The edge cleaner is rotatably mounted to the vacuum cleaner base (14) through hole (41) by fastener (42) and receptacle (44), and preferably includes a vacuum inlet (48). The edge cleaner (40) has an operational position in which the edge cleaner extends beyond an edge of base (14) and is engaged with the floor; and a stowed position in which the brushes are lifted off the floor, the vacuum inlet is disconnected from the vacuum suction, and the edge cleaner resides in a recess (57) of the base (14).

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a floor nozzle having a brushroll chamber with an outlet aperture. An upper assembly is secured to the floor nozzle and is adapted to pivot relative to the floor nozzle about a generally horizontal pivot axis. A dirt cup is removably secured to the upper assembly. The dirt cup includes a dirt collection chamber, a forward inlet duct, and a rear inlet duct spaced from the first inlet duct. A flow cut-off mechanism selectively blocks the outlet aperture. The flow cut-off mechanism includes a dirt passage in communication with the outlet aperture and a dirt passage door that pivots forward about an approximately upright axis within the dirt passage cavity to block the outlet aperture when the upper assembly is moved to a fully upright position. The brushroll shut-off mechanism includes a micro-switch assembly which electrically controls operation of the brushroll motor.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner (10) includes an upper housing (12) and a nozzle base (14). An underside (20) of the nozzle base includes a main suction opening (26) formed therein which is in fluid communication with the upper housing via a hose assembly (28). The hose assembly is coupled to the nozzle suction opening via a coupling member (40). The coupling member is substantially cylindrical in shape and is dimensioned to be inserted into a receiving portion (42) of the nozzle base. The coupling member includes a first tapered end (60) dimensioned to be frictionally fit within a suction inlet (44) of the receiving portion. A second end (62) of the coupling member is configured to be supported on a rear wall (50) of the receiving portion. A quarter turn thread segment (72) is disposed on the coupling member's peripheral surface.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a floor nozzle having a brushroll chamber with an outlet aperture. An upper assembly is secured to the floor nozzle and is adapted to pivot relative to the floor nozzle about a generally horizontal pivot axis. A dirt cup is removably secured to the upper assembly. The dirt cup includes a dirt collection chamber, a forward inlet duct, and a rear inlet duct spaced from the first inlet duct. A brushroll shut-off mechanism selectively blocks the outlet aperture. The airflow shut-off mechanism includes a housing with a dirty air passage in communication with the outlet aperture and a dirt passage door that pivots within the dirty air passage to block airflow through the dirty air passage when the upper assembly is moved to a fully upright position.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner is disclosed, comprising an upright section (12) and a base (14) with primary nozzle (18), and further including an edge cleaner (40). The edge cleaner includes a main body (46) and brushes (50). The edge cleaner is rotatably mounted to the vacuum cleaner base (14) through hole (41) by fastener (42) and receptacle (44), and preferably includes a vacuum inlet (48). The edge cleaner (40) has an operational position in which the edge cleaner extends beyond an edge of base (14) and is engaged with the floor; and a stowed position in which the brushes are lifted off the floor, the vacuum inlet is disconnected from the vacuum suction, and the edge cleaner resides in a recess (57) of the base (14).

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a floor nozzle having a brushroll chamber with an outlet aperture. An upper assembly is secured to the floor nozzle and is adapted to pivot relative to the floor nozzle about a generally horizontal pivot axis. A dirt cup is removably secured to the upper assembly. The dirt cup includes a dirt collection chamber, a forward inlet duct, and a rear inlet duct spaced from the first inlet duct. A brushroll shut-off mechanism selectively blocks the outlet aperture. The brushroll shut-off mechanism includes a dirt passage cavity in communication with the outlet aperture and a dirt passage door that pivots forward about an approximately upright axis within the dirt passage cavity to block the outlet aperture when the upper assembly is moved to a fully upright position.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner base assembly includes a housing and a motor having a driveshaft. The motor is mounted in the housing and a brush is rotatably mounted in the housing in a spaced manner from the motor. An endless belt is looped over the driveshaft and the brush, and extends therebetween. A motor holding bracket is mounted to the housing. The motor holding bracket has a finger which resiliently urges the motor away from the brush, increasing a distance between the driveshaft and the brush, thereby tensioning the belt.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner base assembly includes a housing and a motor having a driveshaft. The motor is mounted in the housing and a brush is rotatably mounted in the housing in a spaced manner from the motor. An endless belt is looped over the driveshaft and the brush, and extends therebetween. A motor holding bracket is mounted to the housing. The motor holding bracket has a finger which resiliently urges the motor away from the brush, increasing a distance between the driveshaft and the brush, thereby tensioning the belt.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner includes a housing having a suction motor and a filter chamber. A floor nozzle is connected to the housing. A hose, which communicates with the filter chamber, includes a first end, an intermediate portion and a second end. A wand, which has a first end and a second end, is selectively mounted on the housing. At least a part of the hose intermediate portion extends longitudinally through the wand from the first end to the second end. The hose first end is secured to the wand first end. A connector assembly is secured on the hose second end. When the wand is selectively mounted on the housing, a section of the hose intermediate portion is stowed in the wand. When the wand is spaced from the housing, the section of the hose intermediate portion is pulled out of the wand.

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 includes a housing having a suction motor and a filter chamber. A floor nozzle is connected to the housing. A hose includes a first end, secured to the housing and in communication with the filter chamber, an intermediate portion and a second end. A wand is selectively mounted on the housing. The wand has a first end and a second end wherein the hose intermediate portion extends longitudinally through the wand from the first end to the second end and wherein the hose second end is secured to the wand second end. A clip is secured on the hose intermediate portion such that when the clip is selectively secured to the wand first end, a substantial portion of the hose intermediate portion is stowed in the wand. When the clip is spaced from the wand first end, the substantial portion of the hose intermediate portion is pulled out of the wand.

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.