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 battery-powered vacuum cleaner that may be converted from a conventional on-the-floor cleaner to a portable canister cleaner for off-the-floor or on-the-floor cleaning operations. The vacuum cleaner has a filter chamber comprising a removable dirt cup having a substantially flat filter oriented in the direction of air flow. A fan and motor assembly is angularly related to the longitudinal axis of the vacuum cleaner to provide a lower profile of the cleaner housing while cleaning under low clearance objects. A handle is adjustable relative to the housing, or it may be removed to convert the cleaner to a portable canister.