Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a base adapted to be moved on a surface to be cleaned, an inlet nozzle disposed on a lower surface of the base, a vacuum source, and a dirt receptacle. A lower handle is pivotally attached to the base at a lower pivot, and an upper handle is pivotally attached to the lower handle at an upper pivot. In one aspect, the vacuum cleaner includes an automatically-operated lower pivot lock that can restrict relative rotation between the lower handle and the base, and a manually-operated upper pivot lock that can restrict relative rotation between the upper handle and the lower handle. In another aspect, the vacuum cleaner includes a telescoping upper handle with electrical controls attached to the upper telescopic section of the upper handle. In still another aspect, the vacuum cleaner includes an exhaust vent located on an upwardly-facing surface of the base.

Abstract: A flexible cleaning device with a handle having a first end and a second end, a malleable head at the first end of the handle, a cover selectively covering at least a portion of the malleable head, and a grip at the second end of the handle. A fluid reservoir may be supported on the handle or the malleable head, and a fluid deposition system provided and adapted to selectively deposit fluid from the reservoir onto a surface to be cleaned. The malleable head may be attached to a rigid structure at the second end of the handle, and have a non-absorbent flexible structure adapted to conform to grout lines in a typical tiled floor surface. An air inlet may be attached to the device, and an air passage provided and adapted to connect the air inlet to a suction source.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner brushroll having a pulley with a generally circular pulley surface surrounding at least one opening located radially inward of the pulley surface, and an elongated shaft passing through the central opening. The pulley may surrounds and be captured in place by a mounting portion of the elongated shaft that is formed as continuous single structure. A mounting portion of the shaft comprising a continuous structure having a reduced cross section into which the pulley fits may be located within and on either side of the pulley's central opening. A process for making a brushroll is also provided.

Abstract: A flexible cleaning device with a handle having a first end and a second end, a malleable head at the first end of the handle, a cover selectively covering at least a portion of the malleable head, and a grip at the second end of the handle. A fluid reservoir may be supported on the handle or the malleable head, and a fluid deposition system provided and adapted to selectively deposit fluid from the reservoir onto a surface to be cleaned. The malleable head may be attached to a rigid structure at the second end of the handle, and have a non-absorbent flexible structure adapted to conform to grout lines in a typical tiled floor surface. An air inlet may be attached to the device, and an air passage provided and adapted to connect the air inlet to a suction source.

Abstract: A cleaning device having a housing, a hose assembly and a cleaning head. The housing has a first supply tank to contain a first fluid, a recovery tank, a vacuum fan to generate a working air flow through the recovery tank, and a fluid pump having an inlet and an outlet. The pump inlet receives the first fluid from the first supply tank. The hose assembly has a proximal end connected to the housing and a distal end freely moveable relative to the housing, and includes a vacuum hose in communication with the recovery tank and a fluid hose in communication with the pump outlet. The cleaning head is connected to the distal end of the hose assembly, and has an inlet nozzle and a fluid deposition system. The fluid deposition system has a second supply tank to contain a second fluid, a fluid mixer to mix the first fluid with the second fluid, and a first fluid sprayer downstream from the fluid mixer.