Abstract: A suction cleaner having a chassis including a suction nozzle inlet at the bottom thereof and first and second sets of wheels supporting such chassis for movement on a floor surface is provided with a nozzle height adjusting mechanism comprising first axle means carried by said chassis for rotatably supporting said first set of wheels, second axle means including a central portion having a pintle shaft mounted therewith and with the chassis for enabling rocking movement of said axle means relative said chassis, an actuating portion on one side of said pintle shaft, and a pair of offset arms formed on an opposite side of said pintle shaft extending laterally outwardly thereof for journaling said second set of wheels, said offset arms being longitudinally spaced from said first axle means, an adjustment lever journaled on said chassis having one end portion angulated to engage said actuating portion so that rocking movement of said adjustment lever rocks said second axle means about said pintle shaft and thereb

Abstract: An upright suction carpet cleaner is provided with a solid rear axle having wheels mounted on either end thereof and a power assist transmission generally medially mounted therewith. The transmission comprises a housing carrying an input pinion gear driven from the suction fan motor shaft in constant mesh with a pair of contra-rotating face gears freely rotatable upon the axle shaft. A pair of clutch assemblies selectively engage one or the other of the contra rotating face gears in timing relationship with the axle shaft, with the clutch assembly being selectively operable through a bowden cable connection to a shiftable hand grip on the cleaner handle so that slight forward pressure on the hand grip by an operator is effective to engage the forward clutch and provide power assist drive to the cleaner in a forward direction while a slight rearward pressure on the handle grip by the operator provided a power assist in reverse drive.