Abstract: A vehicle vacuum cleaning system may have a portable vacuum module that employs a vacuum module case, a vacuum fan within the interior of the vacuum module case and a vacuum fan drive shaft coupled to the vacuum fan. The vacuum module attaches and detaches to an HVAC module within the vehicle. The HVAC module may utilize an HVAC case, an electric motor within the HVAC case, an HVAC fan drive shaft coupled to the electric motor and an HVAC fan coupled to the HVAC fan drive shaft. The vacuum fan drive shaft is adapted to receive rotational energy from the HVAC fan drive shaft, either directly or through an auxiliary shaft. The vacuum module may employ gears to increase the speed and drawing force of the vacuum fan. A debris receptacle is detachable to the vacuum module. The HVAC fan drive shaft ultimately drives the vacuum fan.

Abstract: A mobile vacuum cart system for use in hospital environments is described. The cart is capable of meeting requirements of ULPA certification, thereby improving air quality and reducing the risk of healthcare-associated infections.

Abstract: A robotic vacuum cleaner having a main module and a cleaning head being connected with the main module by means of a suction hose. The main module comprises a debris compartment (8) for accommodating a disposable debris bag (9), which compartment (8) is covered by a hinging cover (18). A hinging part (20) of a suction tube (12) is attached to the hinging cover (18) and a stationary part (21) of the suction tube (12) is connected with an opening (13) to be connected with the suction hose.

Abstract: A hand-held cleaning appliance includes a suction conduit having a longitudinal axis, an airflow generator generating an airflow along the suction conduit, a separating apparatus arranged in communication with the suction conduit for separating dirt and dust from the airflow, a power source supplying power to the airflow generator and an elongate handle disposed between the airflow generator and the power source. The elongate handle is dimensioned and arranged to be gripped by a user's hand and the elongate handle lies transverse to the longitudinal axis of the suction conduit. By providing a hand-held vacuum cleaner with such an arrangement, the hand-held vacuum cleaner is easier and more comfortable to manipulate in use.

Abstract: A vacuum is provided with multiple exhaust points which provide for quieter, lower velocity discharge of the air from the vacuum source. The multiple exhaust points are supplied from a radially extending chamber that is defined between upper and lower panels. The radially extending chamber has both vertical and radial sections that operate to slow the velocity of the exhaust air to reduce the noise generated by the vacuum.

Abstract: A shop vacuum cleaner has a series of dust separation stages, with the large majority of the dust being preseparated in a cyclonic separator and deposited into a first drum or barrel. The remaining dust is carried in the air stream is filtered out in a pre-filter in a second vacuum cleaner drum. A final filter cartridge is fitted onto the intake of the vacuum head. The vacuum cleaner machine exhausts clean, filtered air into the ambient.

Abstract: This patent discloses and electrical appliance device to scrub clean a floor using a cleaning solution and to collect resulting dirty water from the floor. The electrical appliance device may include an upright portion attached to a handle assembly and a horizontal portion connected at a bottom of the upright portion, where the upright portion may be configured to pivot relative to the horizontal portion. A dirty water reservoir may be connected to the upright portion. The horizontal portion may include brushes, a brush motor, a suction pipe, a suction bar, and a solution reservoir having a brush motor cavity formed within a lower side of the solution reservoir. The brush motor may reside within and be surrounded by the brush motor cavity.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus is disclosed. The surface cleaning apparatus comprises a dirt inlet, a clean air outlet and a fluid flow path extending between the dirt inlet and the clean air outlet. The surface cleaning apparatus further comprises first and second side by side housings. The first housing comprises a cyclonic cleaning stage in the fluid flow path. The cyclonic cleaning stage comprises a cyclone having a dirt outlet. An associated dirt collection chamber is positioned below the dirt outlet. The dirt collection chamber extends under at least a portion of the first and second housings. The surface cleaning apparatus further comprises a fluid flow motor in the fluid flow path.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is provided in which detachment of a dust collection device and compression of dust may be selectively performed. The vacuum cleaner may include a main body, a dust collection device selectively mounted on the main body, and a dust separation device selectively coupled to the dust collection device by operation of a lever assembly.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner for cleaning a surface includes an upper body with a dust collection container disposed therein, a base unit and a carriage configured to provide movement of the base unit on the surface. A tilting joint connects the upper body and base unit. The tilting joint is configured to provide relative tilting between the upper body and the base unit about a tilting axis extending horizontally when the upright vacuum cleaner is in a position of use. At least one cover configured to cover a clearance in a vicinity of the tilting joint between the upper body and the base unit.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner set includes a vacuum cleaner and a cleaner mount. The vacuum cleaner includes a main body that is detachably mounted on a mount having a cord reel, a motor and a battery that are provided in the main body, an AC power source that is provided in the main body and connected to a power outlet by the cord reel, a charging device receiving power from the AC power source and charging the battery, and a control unit selecting one of power output from the battery and power output from the AC power source.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vacuum cleaner comprising a lower housing part, on which wheels are mounted for moving the vacuum cleaner along a floor surface, and which forms a dirt collection container with a suction inlet to which a suction hose is connectable, and an upper housing part which is mountable on the lower housing part and accommodates an electrically drivable suction unit, and an electric supply cable for connecting the suction unit to an electrical voltage source.

Abstract: A handheld cleaning appliance includes a dirty air inlet, a clean air outlet and separating apparatus for separating dirt and dust from an airflow in an airflow path leading from the air inlet to the air outlet. The appliance also includes a body housing a fan and motor for drawing air into the appliance via the dirty air inlet. The separator includes at least one cyclone. The separator and the body are releasably connected together around a chamber in the airflow path which is formed partly by the body and partly by the separator, the chamber housing a filter which is located upstream of the fan and motor and downstream of the cyclone.

Abstract: A cleaning appliance includes a main body, including a motor and fan unit for generating an airflow, a separating apparatus for separating dirt and dust from the airflow and a passageway for receiving a filter. The passageway and a filter may be located downstream of the separating apparatus and upstream of the motor, and the filter may have an at least partially curved filter surface. The filter is arranged around at least a part of the motor and fan unit. The filter is removable through a side, and through a wheel, of the appliance. The arrangement facilitates ease of removal of the filter from the cleaning appliance.

Abstract: The present invention provides an upright vacuum cleaner (10) having an elongate body (12) and comprising a floorhead (14) on which the elongate body is mounted, the floorhead (14) having a first inlet (140) for dirty air, a wand having a second inlet for dirty air, a changeover valve (22) for selecting between a flow of dirty air from the first or second inlet, a dust collection chamber (18) also having a dirty air inlet (180), a duct (28) for conveying said flow of dirty air from the changeover valve (22) to the dust collection chamber inlet (180), and a source of suction power for drawing the dirty air from the first or second inlet through said changeover valve (22) and said duct (28) to the dust collection chamber inlet (180).

Abstract: The invention relates to a floor cleaning appliance comprising a housing, on the underside of which is arranged at least one drivable cleaning tool for removing dirt from a surface to be cleaned, and further comprising a suction unit for vacuuming-off the dirt and a dirt container for receiving the vacuumed-off dirt. In order to so develop such a floor cleaning appliance that it is easier to service, it is proposed in accordance with the invention that the housing comprise a dirt container receptacle in which the dirt container is releasably positionable, and, in addition, at least one functional device receptacle for at least one functional device, the at least one functional device or a cover of the at least one functional device being freely accessible after removal of the dirt container from the dirt container receptacle.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a vacuum cleaner including a main body (1) of the vacuum cleaner, a wheel (2) rotatably mounted at the body, a driving unit for driving the wheel (2), a sensor (71) positioned at the main body, for sensing an inclined direction of the main body (1), and a control unit for controlling the driving unit according to the inclined direction of the main body (1) sensed by the sensor (71). In this configuration, the posture of the main body (1) of the vacuum cleaner can be controlled according to the inverted pendulum control theory. Therefore, the main body (1) of the vacuum cleaner can maintain the posture thereof not to fall down.

Abstract: The disclosed vacuum cleaner has a smaller, separable vacuum unit that is releasably attached to a larger, base unit tank assembly. It provides a combination vacuum cleaner that has small- and large-capacity configurations suited for vacuum applications having different volumes, locations, or other features. The vacuum cleaner includes a single vacuum source sized for use with the larger tank structure, yet coupled to and removable integrally with the smaller vacuum unit. The smaller vacuum unit can be quickly and easily attached to and removed from the larger tank assembly to facilitate use of the vacuum cleaner in the desired configuration.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method, apparatus, and system to mount a filter bag to a wet/dry vacuum cleaner by providing an adapter for mounting the filter bag to a drain opening in the wet/dry vacuum cleaner drum and restricting the typical vacuum port, forcing the vacuum materials to enter through the drain opening and into the bag. The lid of the wet/dry vacuum cleaner can be removed independently of the bag to avoid rupturing the bag. Further, the bag can rest on the bottom of the drum for support.

Abstract: A vacuum including a housing, a suction device disposed within the housing, a plurality of accessories operable to engage the suction device, a plurality of wheels mounted to the housing and at least one bumper disposed on the housing. The at least one bumper includes a retaining feature operable to store at least one of the accessories, and the at least one bumper is operable to protect at least one of the wheels to minimize damage thereto. At least one pocket is defined by the bumper. The pocket is adapted to store at least one of the accessories.

Abstract: In a suction device for the intake by suction and/or extraction by suction of chips or dust, comprising a lower part (1) which is preferably provided with rollers (17), a collection container (2) which can be placed on said lower part and an upper part (3) which closes said collection container and has a motor-drivable fan (9) and a filter cartridge (7) which separates said fan from the interior of the collection container (2), an air inlet (4) which opens into the collection container (2) and is provided with a connector (6) and an air outlet (5) which is arranged downstream of the fan (9) being provided, a low transport volume can be achieved in a simple manner as a result of the fact that there is arranged between the lower part (1) and upper part (3) a support means which is configured in the manner of a telescope and with which there is associated a means (14) for receiving the upper end region of the collection container (2), the axial length of which is variable and the base of which can be secured to

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner comprising a housing, in which a dust collection chamber is arranged, which may be sealed by a dust chamber cover, on which an unlocking element for a clip element is provided, which cooperates with a counter-clip element on the housing, in order to hold the dust chamber cover in a closed position. According to the invention, a vacuum cleaner with improved cover lock may be achieved, whereby the unlocking element is integrated flush in the contour of the dust chamber cover and is embodied to be operated by pressing.

Abstract: A portable handheld canister vacuum comprising an upper, central, and lower housing is disclosed. First and second grills can separate the housing sections. An air intake opening can direct air and dirt in a first axial direction to a dirt capturing device in the lower housing. An air propulsion device directs air in a second axial direction opposite to the first axial direction into the central housing and from there into the upper housing. An exhaust opening disposed through the upper housing and leading to the interior region of the upper housing allows air to exit the interior region of the upper housing. The exhaust can exit the upper housing in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first and second axial directions.

Abstract: A vacuum device for collecting pet waste includes a housing coupled to a vacuum source. The housing is a clam-shell configuration and is configured to receive a disposable liner bag. When closed, the housing holds the liner bag securely therein. A method of using the device provides for placing the liner bag within the housing, feeding a portion of the liner through an inlet tube to the housing, such that the inlet of the housing is insulated from contact with the waste being picked up.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus comprises a recovery tank. The surface cleaning apparatus can further include a base, and the recovery tank can have side rails to facilitate alignment of the recovery tank with the base. The recovery tank can include a float assembly with a pivotable closure member. The recovery tank can have a lid with a handle and latch to secure the lid to the recovery tank. Further, the recovery tank can comprise a lid with a working air conduit mounted to the lid and removable from the recovery tank with the lid.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus comprises a recovery tank. The surface cleaning apparatus can further include a base, and the recovery tank can have side rails to facilitate alignment of the recovery tank with the base. The recovery tank can include a float assembly with a pivotable closure member. The recovery tank can have a lid with a handle and latch to secure the lid to the recovery tank. Further, the recovery tank can comprise a lid with a working air conduit mounted to the lid and removable from the recovery tank with the lid.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus with a recovery tank that has side rails to facilitate alignment of the recovery tank with the base. The recovery tank can include a float assembly with a pivotable closure member. The recovery tank can have a lid with a handle and latch to secure the lid to the recovery tank. Further, the recovery tank can include a lid with a working air conduit mounted to the lid and removable from the recovery tank with the lid.

Abstract: A floor cleaning appliance has a brush head in which a brush roller is rotatably mounted and which has at least one suction nozzle which is disposed next to the brush roller. Further, the floor cleaning appliance has a shank which is mounted on the brush head in a pivotable manner and on which a suction unit is disposed, as is a cleaning liquid container for cleaning liquid which can be applied to the floor surface to be cleaned, and a dirty liquid container for accommodating dirty liquid which is sucked up from the floor surface by means of the suction unit, the cleaning liquid container and the dirty liquid container together forming a container assembly which is adapted to be releasably connected to the shank. In order to develop the floor cleaning appliance in such a way that it is easier to handle, it is proposed that the cleaning liquid container is adapted to be releasably connected to the dirty liquid container.

Abstract: A surface-treating appliance, such as a vacuum cleaner, includes a main body housing a component such as a post-motor filter. A door provides access to the filter. The door is connected to the main body by a hinge arranged to allow the door to pivot about the hinge's rotational axis and to move axially as the door is moved between closed and open positions. The provision of a hinge that can move along its rotational axis permits the door to move laterally as it opens, thereby clearing adjacent parts of the appliance, such as the spine. This allows an appliance to be manufactured that permits the user to access components housed inside of it, but is compact. Preferably, the hinge includes a cam arrangement, so that the door automatically moves away from adjacent parts of the appliance as it moves from the closed position to an open position.

Abstract: In a dust collector which includes a tank and a main body disposed over the tank, the main body includes a housing and an air intake unit incorporated in the housing. A hook is provided in the housing of the main body, and capable of being manually operated to change a position thereof to one of a retracted position and a pull-out position. The hook in the retracted position is completely embedded in a profile of the housing, and the hook in the pull-out position projects sideward from the housing with a hooked end portion thereof oriented upward. A power tool with its projected portion disposed between the housing and the hook end portion of the hook in the pull-out position can be stably supported on an upper surface of the housing and an upper end of the hook end portion of the hook in the pull-out position.

Abstract: A filter assembly for a vacuum cleaner comprises a filter carrier and a filter element. The filter carrier has a curved rear surface and a pair of protrusion for mounting the filter carrier to the vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a cyclonic airflow chamber that facilitates the separation of contaminants from a suction airstream. The airflow chamber includes a chamber inlet and a chamber outlet, with the chamber inlet being fluidically connected with at least one of a suction nozzle and an above-the-floor cleaning tool. An exhaust filter housing includes a suction duct and an exhaust plenum, with the suction duct communicating with the chamber outlet. A suction source housing includes an open end communicating with the exhaust plenum and a closed end. A suction source is positioned within the suction source housing to define an annular exhaust flow passageway surrounding the suction source from the housing closed end to the housing open end. The suction source includes a suction inlet communicating with the suction duct and an exhaust outlet communicating with the housing closed end.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for cleaning a surface in which cleaning solution is dispensed to the surface and substantially simultaneously extracted along with the dirt on the surface in a continuous operation is provided. The cleaning apparatus includes a base portion for movement along the surface and a handle pivotally connected to the base portion. A solution tank for supplying a flow of cleaning solution to the surface is removably mounted to the handle. A recovery tank is removably mounted to the handle. A suction nozzle is secured to the base portion and in fluid communication with the recovery tank. A suction source is in fluid communication with the suction nozzle for generating suction to draw dirt and liquid through the suction nozzle and into the recovery tank. The recovery tank and solution tank are in an aligned stack arrangement when the handle is in both the upright and working positions.

Abstract: A backpack blower rack for supporting and securing a backpack blower.

Abstract: A latch assembly for a wet/dry vacuum cleaner wherein the vacuum has a fan collector cover disposed between the filter cage and water tank of the vacuum cleaner and the drum lid of the vacuum housing the internal vacuum operating components. The filter cage is assembled to the drum lid or power head without tooling or screws while fixing the fan collector cover in place between the filter cage and drum lid. The power head housing is also attached to the bottom cover without screws or other fasteners.

Abstract: A cleaner is provided in which a handle for a dust receptacle can also be used as a handle for a cleaner body. The cleaner includes a cleaner body which includes a dust receptacle receiving unit, a dust receptacle which is detachably mounted on the dust receptacle receiving unit and includes a handle, a moving unit which moves the dust receptacle on the dust receptacle receiving unit to be fixed to the cleaner body, and a connection unit which fixes the dust receptacle to the cleaner body at two or more places according to the movement of the dust receptacle. Since the dust receptacle is firmly connected to the cleaner body by the connection unit, the handle can be used to carry the cleaner body as well as the dust receptacle.

Abstract: The vacuum cleaner that includes a fragrant odor generating apparatus is provided. The fragrant odor generating apparatus is mounted to a discharge port of a grill member housed in a main cleaner body, to discharge an air freshener to an air being discharged through the discharge port after air containing dust is drawn in from a surface being cleaned and dust is separated from the drawn-in air. The fragrant odor generating apparatus includes a housing comprising a first air passing hole in fluid communication with the discharge port, and a second air passing hole in fluid communication with outside, an outer cover member pivotably mounted to the housing to selectively open and close the second air passing hole, and the air freshener containing a fragrant agent.

Abstract: A steam vacuum cleaner includes a main assembly functioning as a mopstick, and the main assembly has an exhaust duct with a built-in filter formed at a rear face thereof.

Abstract: An upright bypass type vacuum base section pulls from a suction chamber surrounding the bag.

Abstract: A wet/dry utility vacuum with a canister, a powerhead assembly with a fan, a shut-off device that prevents the fan from drawing liquids into the fan inlet when a volume of the liquid in the canister exceeds a predetermined volume. The powerhead assembly includes a controller that permits the utility vacuum to be operated in a desired power mode so that the user may employ either an AC power source or a DC power source, such as a battery pack, for example. In some applications, the battery pack may be interchangeable with the battery packs of various cordless tools, including drill/drivers and saws. A tool set and a method for operating a battery-powered tool set are also provided.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner, comprising a housing, in which a dust chamber is embodied for housing a dust separator, which may be sealed by means of a dust chamber lid, mounted on the housing and a housing for accessory pieces which can be closed by the dust chamber lid. According to the invention, the contamination of the accessory pieces by dust from the dust chamber may be prevented, whilst maintaining easy access to the accessory pieces by means of the dust chamber lid, whereby the housing is embodied as an adjoining chamber, directly adjacent to the dust chamber which is separated from the dust chamber in a dust-tight manner by means of a separating wall. The above has the advantage of permitting a user to remove an accessory piece without getting dirty.

Abstract: A suction cleaner comprising a suction unit having a source of suction and a separator/collector arrangement for separating entrained dirt from a flow of air created by the source of suction and for collecting and retaining such separated dirt for disposal; and a flexible suction hose for conveying suction airflow to the suction unit from a hose inlet at which a cleaning tool may be connected; wherein the suction hose comprises a first portion which can be accommodated in the suction unit and deployed therefrom when required and which is extendible in length when subject to lengthways tension, and a second portion having the inlet and connected to the first hose portion.

Abstract: A portable extractor apparatus is shown which includes a wheel mounted base having a solution tank for dispensing and recovering cleaning solution. A cleaning head communicates with the solution tank and contacts the surface to the cleaned for dispensing and recovering cleaning solution. A fluid pump circulates cleaning solution in a path between the solution tank and the cleaning head. A vacuum motor provides a vacuum source for the cleaning head for suctioning the surface being cleaned. The solution tank has mounted thereon both an initial multi-component filter assembly which initially filters incoming solution being circulated to the solution tank and a distinct final filter component which removes smaller particles from the solution being re-circulated from the tank. The solution tank bottom wall has a profile which improves the efficiency of the final filter component.

Abstract: An appliance housing for a canister vacuum cleaner having an interior divided into a motor fan chamber and a dust collection chamber includes a flat, upwardly open receiving shell. The receiving shell has a partition dividing the lower housing part into a first bottom portion for the motor fan chamber and a second bottom portion for the dust collection chamber. The second bottom portion includes a surrounding seal portion. An upper housing part in provided including an upwardly and downwardly open, substantially tubular housing insert defining the dust collection chamber. A lower edge of the housing insert is receivable in the surrounding seal portion of the second bottom portion of the lower housing part. A housing cover closes the dust collection chamber.

Abstract: A motor enclosure for a vacuum cleaner includes a body having both a motor receiver for receiving a motor and a filter receiver for receiving a filter.

Abstract: A filter assembly attachable to the discharge opening of a contaminated air source includes a filter having an outer periphery; a flexible conduit having a continuous side wall, an outer end attachable to the discharge opening, and an inner end attachable about the periphery of the filter; and a flexible side protrusion extending from the conduit sidewall, the protrusion having an inner end in communication with the interior of the conduit and a closed outer end. The filter can be mounted within an enclosure with an inlet opening and a discharge outlet, the conduit extending through the inlet opening and the filter being located within the enclosure.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is provided that includes a cleaner body; a cyclone body rotatably mounted in the cleaner body; a dust receptacle detachably mounted in the cleaner body and disposed below the cyclone body; and a locking unit locking and releasing the cyclone body and the dust receptacle with respect to each other.

Abstract: A tool set with a battery pack, a power tool and a utility vacuum. The power tool includes a receptacle assembly for detachably coupling the battery pack to the power tool. The utility vacuum has a canister, a powerhead assembly, which is coupled to the canister and has a fan, a motor for providing rotary power to the fan, and a power supply for distributing electrical power to the motor, and a shut-off device that prevents the fan from drawing a liquid into the fan inlet when a volume of the liquid in the canister exceeds a predetermined volume. The power supply includes a receptacle assembly for detachably receiving the battery pack. The battery pack may be selectively coupled to either of the power tool and the utility vacuum to provide a source of electrical power thereto. A method for operating a battery-powered tool set is also provided.

Abstract: A floorcare apparatus includes a nozzle assembly having a suction inlet and a canister assembly connected to the nozzle assembly. A dirt collection vessel is carried on the canister assembly. A suction generator is carried on one of the nozzle assembly and the canister assembly. Additionally, an electrical component is carried on the apparatus. Further, the apparatus is characterized by a housing for the electrical component wherein the housing includes a cavity and a wall constructed from a first structural layer covered by a layer of fiberglass cloth tape.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner includes a nozzle base having a main suction opening formed in an underside thereof. A housing is hingedly connected to the nozzle base. The housing includes a dirt separation chamber and a dirt receptacle for receiving dirt and dust separated by the dirt separation chamber. A conduit connects the nozzle base to the housing. A suction source is located in one of the housing and the nozzle base. The suction source is in fluid communication with the dirt separation chamber. A generally conically shaped filter extends into the dirt separation chamber along a longitudinal axis of the dirt separation chamber.