Abstract: A nozzle assembly for a floor care appliance includes a one-piece body. The one-piece body has a first face and a second face that is opposed to the first face. The first face forms a first cavity while the second face forms a second cavity. A rotary agitator is received in the first cavity. A drive motor is received in the second cavity.

Abstract: A floor care apparatus includes a body having a nozzle assembly and a handle assembly. The handle assembly is pivotally attached to the nozzle assembly. Both a suction generator and a dirt collection vessel are carried on the body. Further, the nozzle assembly includes a cord reel.

Abstract: A floor care apparatus includes a body having a nozzle assembly and a handle assembly. The handle assembly is pivotally attached to the nozzle assembly. Both a suction generator and a dirt collection vessel are carried on the body. A cord reel is carried on the nozzle assembly in a cord reel compartment. A rotary agitator drive motor is carried on the nozzle assembly in an airflow pathway which directs cooling air toward the cord reel in the cord reel compartment.

Abstract: A floor cleaning apparatus includes a body having a nozzle assembly and a canister assembly. The handle assembly is pivotally attached to the nozzle assembly. The nozzle assembly includes an agitator cavity that receives a rotary agitator. Both a suction generator and a dirt collection vessel are carried on the body. In addition, the vacuum cleaner includes an agitator lift assembly. The agitator lift assembly includes a sliding actuator and a fulcrum plate.

Abstract: A combined crevice tool and dusting brush includes a main body having a first end including a first suction inlet, a side wall including a second suction inlet, a second end including a discharge outlet and an internal air path. The combined tool and brush further includes a valve body that is received in that air path. The valve body includes a closed end, a discharge end including a discharge opening and a wall including a suction opening. The discharge opening is aligned with the discharge outlet. Further, the valve body is displaceable between two different operating positions.

Abstract: A floor cleaning apparatus includes a body having a nozzle assembly and a canister assembly. The handle assembly is pivotally attached to the nozzle assembly. The nozzle assembly includes an agitator cavity that receives a rotary agitator. Both a suction generator and a dirt collection vessel are carried on the body. In addition, the vacuum cleaner includes an agitator lift assembly. The agitator lift assembly includes a sliding actuator and a fulcrum plate.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly for a floor care appliance includes a one-piece body. The one-piece body has a first face and a second face that is opposed to the first face. The first face forms a first cavity while the second face forms a second cavity. A rotary agitator is received in the first cavity. A drive motor is received in the second cavity.

Abstract: A floor care apparatus includes a body having a nozzle assembly and a handle assembly. Both a suction generator and dirt collection vessel are carried on the body. The suction generator includes a drive motor and a drive shaft. A rotary agitator assembly is carried on the nozzle assembly. The rotary agitator assembly includes a rotary agitator body and a pulley assembly having a drive pulley and an idler pulley. A belt connects the drive shaft with the pulley assembly. A belt shifter includes a biasing spring. The belt shifter is selectively displaceable between a first or agitator drive position and a second or agitator drive interrupt position.

Abstract: A floor care apparatus includes a body having a nozzle assembly and a handle assembly. The handle assembly is pivotally attached to the nozzle assembly. Both a suction generator and a dirt collection vessel are carried on the body. A cord reel is carried on the nozzle assembly in a cord reel compartment. A rotary agitator drive motor is carried on the nozzle assembly in an airflow pathway which directs cooling air toward the cord reel in the cord reel compartment.

Abstract: A floor care apparatus includes a body having a nozzle assembly and a handle assembly. The handle assembly is pivotally attached to the nozzle assembly. Both a suction generator and a dirt collection vessel are carried on the body. Further, the nozzle assembly includes a cord reel.

Abstract: A combined crevice tool and dusting brush includes a main body having a first end including a first suction inlet, a side wall including a second suction inlet, a second end including a discharge outlet and an internal air path. The combined tool and brush further includes a valve body that is received in that air path. The valve body includes a closed end, a discharge end including a discharge opening and a wall including a suction opening. The discharge opening is aligned with the discharge outlet. Further, the valve body is displaceable between two different operating positions.

Abstract: A rotary agitator is provided having a body with an exterior surface. A plurality of bristle tufts extend outwardly from the exterior surface about an arc of less than 360°. A tuftless gap on the exterior surface provides for enhanced bare floor cleaning. The tuftless gap extends through an arc of between about 20° and about 40°. In one particularly useful embodiment two tuftless gaps are provided at opposing positions on the agitator body.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is provided including a housing having a nozzle assembly with a suction inlet and a canister assembly with a dirt collection vessel receiver. A suction generator is carried on the housing. A dirt collection vessel is received in the receiver. A final filtration compartment is provided on the housing. The final filtration compartment includes an air inlet having a cross sectional surface area A and an air outlet having a cross sectional surface area B where the ratio of B to A is at least 0.8 to 1. The vacuum cleaner also includes a final filter received in the final filtration compartment.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner includes a housing having a handle assembly pivotally connected to a nozzle assembly. A suction generator and dirt collection vessel are carried on the housing. The suction generator includes a drive motor. A rotary agitator assembly and a suction inlet are carried on the nozzle assembly. The rotary agitator assembly includes an axle, a drive pulley mounted on the axle, an agitator body mounted on the axle and a clutch assembly. The clutch assembly includes a first clutch element, a second clutch element, a first biasing spring, a second biasing spring and an actuator that allows the operator to selectively engage and disengage the clutch assembly.

Abstract: In one aspect, a swivel assembly connects a wand to a nozzle assembly of a vacuum cleaner. The assembly includes a connector for pivotally connecting to the nozzle assembly and having an oversized opening formed in an outer sidewall thereof. A receiver is provided for receiving the wand at a first end and for connecting with the connector at the second end. A locking clip includes a lug movably received in the opening formed in the sidewall of the connector. Consequently, movement of the lug within the opening permits limited rotation of the receiver relative to the connector while restraining separation of the receiver from the connector. A related method of connecting a wand to a nozzle assembly is also described.

Abstract: In one aspect, a swivel assembly connects a wand to a nozzle assembly of a vacuum cleaner. The assembly includes a connector for pivotally connecting to the nozzle assembly and having an oversized opening formed in an outer sidewall thereof. A receiver is provided for receiving the wand at a first end and for connecting with the connector at the second end. A locking clip includes a lug movably received in the opening formed in the sidewall of the connector. Consequently, movement of the lug within the opening permits limited rotation of the receiver relative to the connector while restraining separation of the receiver from the connector. A related method of connecting a wand to a nozzle assembly is also described.