Abstract: A cleaning appliance of the canister type includes a substantially spherical floor engaging rolling assembly comprising a fluid inlet for receiving a fluid flow and a device for acting on the fluid flow received through the inlet, and a steering mechanism for steering the cleaning appliance.

Abstract: A cleaning appliance of the canister type includes a floor engaging rolling assembly including a fluid inlet for receiving a fluid flow and a device for acting on the fluid flow received through the inlet, and a steering mechanism including a chassis connected to and projecting from the rolling assembly, a plurality of floor engaging steering members connected to the chassis and a control mechanism for changing simultaneously the orientation of the steering members relative to the chassis.

Abstract: A cleaning appliance of the canister type includes separating apparatus for separating dirt from a dirt-bearing fluid flow, a floor engaging rolling assembly comprising a device for drawing the fluid flow through the separating apparatus, a chassis connected to the rolling assembly, a duct moveable relative to the chassis for conveying the fluid flow to the separating apparatus, a floor engaging steering member for steering the rolling assembly, and a control mechanism for moving the steering member relative to the rolling assembly in response to movement of the duct relative to the chassis.

Abstract: A cleaning appliance includes a motor arranged to drive a fan for generating suction air flow and a cleaner head having a drivable agitator with a dedicated motor. The agitator drive motor has a selectively-operable switch and a resettable circuit breaker arranged such that, when the switch is activated, the circuit breaker is reset. A button actuates the switch and simultaneously resets the circuit breaker. When there is a blockage so that the circuit breaker trips out the motor, the user can reset the circuit breaker and restart the agitator motor by the simple act of depressing one button, thereby obviating the need for a separate control.

Abstract: A cleaning appliance of the canister type includes a floor engaging rolling assembly including a fluid inlet for receiving a fluid flow and a device for acting on the fluid flow received through the inlet, and a steering mechanism including a chassis connected to and projecting from the rolling assembly, a plurality of floor engaging steering members connected to the chassis and a control mechanism for changing simultaneously the orientation of the steering members relative to the chassis.

Abstract: A cleaning appliance of the canister type includes a chassis, a plurality of front floor engaging steering members connected to the chassis, a rear floor engaging rolling assembly connected to the chassis, and a control mechanism for steering the steering members.

Abstract: A cleaning appliance of the canister type includes separating apparatus for separating dirt from a dirt-bearing fluid flow, a floor engaging rolling assembly comprising a device for drawing the fluid flow through the separating apparatus, a chassis connected to the rolling assembly, a duct moveable relative to the chassis for conveying the fluid flow to the separating apparatus, a floor engaging steering member for steering the rolling assembly, and a control mechanism for moving the steering member relative to the rolling assembly in response to movement of the duct relative to the chassis.

Abstract: A cleaning appliance of the canister type includes separating apparatus for separating dirt from a dirt-bearing fluid flow, a floor engaging rolling assembly, and a steering mechanism for steering the cleaning appliance as it is manoeuvred over a floor surface and for pivoting the separating apparatus relative to the rolling assembly.

Abstract: A cleaning appliance of the canister type includes separating apparatus for separating dirt from a dirt-bearing fluid flow, a floor engaging rolling assembly including a device for drawing the fluid flow through the separating apparatus, a duct for conveying the fluid flow from the separating apparatus to the rolling assembly, and a mechanism for pivoting the separating apparatus relative to the duct.

Abstract: A cleaning appliance of the canister type includes a substantially spherical floor engaging rolling assembly comprising a fluid inlet for receiving a fluid flow and a device for acting on the fluid flow received through the inlet, and a steering mechanism for steering the cleaning appliance.

Abstract: A cleaning appliance includes separating apparatus for separating dirt from a dirt-bearing fluid flow, a chassis, and a duct mounted on the chassis for conveying the fluid flow to the separating apparatus, the duct including a support for supporting the separating apparatus.

Abstract: A cleaning appliance includes a motor arranged to drive a fan for generating suction air flow and a cleaner head having a drivable agitator with a dedicated motor. The agitator drive motor has a selectively-operable switch and a resettable circuit breaker arranged such that, when the switch is activated, the circuit breaker is reset. A button actuates the switch and simultaneously resets the circuit breaker. When there is a blockage so that the circuit breaker trips out the motor, the user can reset the circuit breaker and restart the agitator motor by the simple act of depressing one button, thereby obviating the need for a separate control.

Abstract: A filter housing includes an inlet for receiving an airflow, a cavity for receiving a filter and an airflow passage between the inlet and the cavity. At least one vane, positioned in the airflow passage, partitions the airflow passage into a plurality of ducts. The vanes lie adjacent to, or contact, the upstream surface of the filter such that each duct communicates with a separate portion of the upstream surface of the filter. The airflow passage extends in a direction which is inclined to the upstream surface of the filter. The vanes help to distribute the flow of air more evenly across the surface of the filter and also help to reduce acoustic emissions from the machine of which the filter housing forms a part.

Abstract: A domestic appliance, such as a cyclonic vacuum cleaner, includes a component such as a separating apparatus, carried by a chassis. A catch is operable to release the component from the chassis. The component and the chassis can move with respect to each other. When the appliance is lifted there is relative movement, against the force of a resilient member, between the component and the chassis, so that the catch occupies a position that inhibits its release. Previous catches that inhibited from release when the appliance is lifted had a drawback in that slight relative movement between the component and the chassis when the appliance was resting on a surface tended to put the catch into the unreleasable position. The resilient member provides resistance to the catch moving into the locked position, thereby ensuring that the catch is inhibited from release only when the appliance is lifted from a surface.

Abstract: An attachment for a cleaning appliance includes a main body having a head and a passageway through which a fluid is able to flow. The head includes first and second suction openings, each of the first and second suction openings being arranged to engage with a surface to be cleaned. The first and second suction openings are in simultaneous communication with the passageway. By providing such an arrangement, both of the first and second suction openings are independently able to engage with a surface to be cleaned and a rotatable connection between the head and a neck is not required.

Abstract: An exhaust assembly for an appliance includes a filter housing for retaining a filter and an exhaust duct which receives airflow from the filter housing. One or more vanes are positioned in the filter housing for guiding airflow from the exhaust side of the filter to the exhaust duct. The vanes spread the airflow entering the exhaust duct across the width thereof so as to reduce noise and to reduce the velocity of the exiting air. The exhaust duct increases in cross-sectional area in the direction of flow through the exhaust duct so as to further reduce the velocity of the exiting air.