Abstract: A cyclone dust collecting device of a vacuum cleaner, which is mounted on a telescopic extension pipe. The cyclone dust collecting device of a vacuum cleaner, includes a cyclone body for generating a swirling flow from air and contaminants drawn thereinto, and a cyclone housing engaged with the cyclone body and for separating the contaminant from the air by guiding the swirling flow. The cyclone housing includes a cyclone housing engaged with the cyclone body, for separating the contaminant by guiding the swirling air flow, a cyclone cover formed in a cylindrical shape and engaged with the cyclone body, one end of which being a slanted end closed by a spiral line, and the other end of which being an open end, and a dust collecting container engaged with a lower portion of the slanted end of the cyclone cover, one end of which substantially being a cylinder having one closed end, and the other end of which being slant to correspond to the slanted end of the cyclone cover.

Abstract: An upright-type vacuum cleaner includes a cleaner body, a suction brush, cyclone dust collecting apparatus, and a filter. The cyclone dust collecting apparatus is removably disposed in a dust collecting chamber in the cleaner body. The suction brush draws air and contaminants from a surface to be cleaned into the cleaner body. The cyclone dust collecting apparatus induces the air and contaminants into a vortex to separate by centrifugal force large particle contaminants from the air and to collect the contaminants. The filter further filters fine contaminants from the air that is discharged from the cyclone dust collecting apparatus.

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 vacuum cleaner includes a first housing defining a cyclonic airflow chamber and a second housing defining a main suction opening that is in communication with an inlet of the cyclonic chamber. A suction source has a suction airstream inlet in communication with an outlet of the cyclonic chamber, and establishes a suction airstream that enters said main suction opening, passes through said cyclonic chamber, and passes to an outlet of said suction source. A substantial portion of particulates entrained in the suction airstream are separated therefrom when said suction airstream moves in a cyclonic fashion through the cyclonic chamber.

Abstract: An outer bag assembly for an upright vacuum cleaner is disclosed. The outer bag assembly comprises a flexible, air permeable enclosure having an internal volume adapted to contain a disposable inner bag. The outer bag assembly is further comprised of an upper end adapted to provide access to the internal volume through a closure device, and an opposite end attached to a handle assembly through a bag clip assembly. In one embodiment, the closure device includes a zipper disposed along an upper front peripheral edge of the outer bag assembly that allows a front panel of the bag assembly to be partially released. In another embodiment, the closure device includes a zipper disposed along an upper front peripheral edge, and a zipper disposed along an upper rear peripheral edge of the outer bag assembly that allows a top panel of the outer bag assembly to be partially released.

Abstract: A dirt cup assembly for a vacuum cleaner includes a dirt cup having a dust collection chamber, a first inlet duct, and a second inlet duct spaced from the first inlet duct. A dirt cup lid can be removably secured to the dirt cup, or can be associated with the vacuum cleaner upper assembly. The dirt cup lid includes a center portion extending over the dust collection chamber, a first wall portion extending over the first inlet duct, and a second wall portion extending over the second inlet duct. A filter assembly is removably positioned within the dust collection chamber.

Abstract: A cyclonic vacuum cleaner which suppresses the flow of dust-laden airflow to the outside of a dust collection container, even if fine or comparatively light dust particles ascend together with a vortex flow. Fine dust particles mixed in the vortex flow are captured by a filter 23 of a first vent hole 21 provided at a lower end of a base 19 of a vortex flow generating member 18. If the filter 23 is clogged with such particles to some extent, yet the airflow inside a dust collection container 15 is allowed to pass through a second vent hole 22 formed on the side surface of the base 19 of the vortex flow generating member 18 into an intake hole 12. As a result, a constant amount of airflow is insured. Further, owing to a skirt portion 25 provided around the first vent hole 21, the travel of the dust particles toward the second vent hole 22 can be prevented even though the dust particles captured by the filter 23 are carried on the vortex flow toward the second vent hole 22.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner (1) comprising a first casing (10) housing dust separation apparatus, a second casing (11) housing at least one filter (21, 23) or other component of the vacuum cleaner (1), a central spine (13) housing at least one conduit and forming part of an airflow path within the vacuum cleaner (1), the first and second casings (10, 11) lying generally parallel to one another and the central spine (13) lying at least partly between the first and second casings (10, 11). Such a construction provides a vacuum cleaner having a more compact profile which enables the vacuum cleaner to be used to clean areas where there is a height restriction, for example underneath furniture.

Abstract: A cyclonic separation device is provided having improved pressure loss characteristics. A fluid supply conduit in flow communication with an inlet to a cyclone is located and configured to extend longitudinally through a central portion of the cyclone, whereby the sharp bending of the conduit may be reduced, thereby reducing pressure losses in the device, without unduly interfering with the cyclonic flow within the cyclone. The present invention may be adapted for use with cyclonic separation devices of all types, including single- and multi-stage cyclonic separators. The cyclonic separation device may be incorporated in a vacuum cleaner such as an upright vacuum cleaner. A three dimensional conduit which is optionally used with a cyclonic separator is provided.

Abstract: Contoured exhaust ducts for transmitting a particulate-laden airstream from a conduit into a vacuum cleaner bag of an upright vacuum cleaner are disclosed. In one embodiment, the airstream is turned by a transitional section of the exhaust duct by about 90 degrees. The interior of the exhaust duct is smoothly contoured through such transition for avoiding the generation of excessive noise and turbulence. The contoured surface of the transitional section prevents heavy objects entrained in the airstream from rebounding back in a direction against the airflow. The cross-sectional area of the exhaust duct may be maintained constant despite a change in cross-sectional shape from the inlet to the outlet thereof.

Abstract: An air/liquid separator is disclosed that is formed by a recovery tank having a hollow, preferably transparent, removable lid on a recovery tank of a wet pickup suction cleaner. The lid has a wall therein dividing the lid into an inlet/separating chamber and an exit chamber. Liquid and dirt entrained working air enters the inlet chamber and flows horizontally across the inlet chamber over a discharge opening passing through the lid bottom plate, such that the stream of dirty liquid and air is redirected downward through the discharge openings into the recovery tank by a pair of ribs in the inlet chamber. The exit chamber fluidly communicates with the interior of the recovery tank through an exit opening passing through the lid bottom plate. A vacuum is preferably drawn upon the exit chamber by an electric fan for providing the required working air flow through the combined air/liquid separator.

Abstract: An improved two-stage separator uses reusable containers for collecting particles separated by each separation stage. The reusable containers are constructed such that a user empties both reusable containers by the actions required to empty just one of the reusable containers.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner includes an upright housing section and a nozzle base section. A cyclonic airflow dirt and dust separating chamber is defined in the upright housing section. A suction source pulls air and entrained dirt, dust, and other contaminants through a main suction opening formed in the underside of the nozzle base section and into the cyclonic airflow chamber. The cyclonic airflow chamber causes the suction airstream to travel in a cyclonic path such that the entrained contaminants are separated therefrom and deposited into a dirt container that defines the chamber. A main filter element filters residual contaminants from the suction airstream between the chamber and the suction source. An exhaust filter housing includes an airstream suction duct in fluid communication with an outlet of the airflow chamber and an inlet of the suction source. An outlet of the suction source is in fluid communication with an exhaust plenum of the exhaust filter housing.

Abstract: A rechargeable industrial broom is provided having a base unit having an overall width of approximately 24 inches. At the base are formed an intake orifice, and stationary bristles. The stationary bristles are attached to the broom by means of a 12 inch suction pipe and a swivel nozzle. The nozzle allows the broom to move at any angle. A bag, similar in design to the conventional vacuum bag, is connected to the back of the unit. The cloth bag snaps onto a discharge orifice, and debris captured by the broom eventually makes its way to this bag. At the bottom of the bag is a zipper for waste removal. The broom is powered by a 12-volt in-line motor. A rechargeable adapter can be incorporated directly into the interior of the broom.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having an improved structural handle/support assembly for supporting a vacuum cleaner module. The handle/support assembly has a primary support member, a secondary support member and a snap-in handle section. The primary and secondary support member cooperate to form an integrated support structure that reduces torquing of the vacuum cleaner module relative to the handle/support assembly during use. Further, the primary and secondary support members define an aperture to accommodate rearwardly extending vacuum hose. The handle section includes an open base portion that includes one or more slots therein. A handle mounting portion of the primary support member having one or more integral tabs formed therein is telescopically received within the base portion of the handle section. The one or more slots in the handle section receive the one or more tabs of the handle mounting portion in snap-fit engagement.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner has a cleaning head for cleaning a surface and an upper body portion mounted on the cleaning head. The upper portion comprises a longitudinally extending axis, at least one cyclone having an air entry port and a motor positioned above the at least one cyclone and in air flow communication with the at least one cyclone.

Abstract: A rechargeable industrial broom is provided having a base unit having an overall width of approximately 24 inches. At the base are formed an intake orifice, and stationary bristles. The stationary bristles are attached to the broom by means of a 12 inch suction pipe and a swivel nozzle. The nozzle allows the broom to move at any angle. A bag, similar in design to the conventional vacuum bag, is connected to the back of the unit. The cloth bag snaps onto a discharge orifice, and debris captured by the broom eventually makes its way to this bag. At the bottom of the bag is a zipper for waste removal. The broom is powered by a 12-volt in-line motor. A rechargeable adapter can be incorporated directly into the interior of the broom.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transporting a flow of air and particulates through a vacuum cleaner. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes an intake body having an intake opening configured to receive the flow of air into particulates. An airflow propulsion device is coupled to the intake opening to draw the flow through the intake opening and through a flow passage having an approximately constant flow area. The flow continues through one or more conduits from the propulsion device to a filter element housed in a filter housing where the particulates are separated from the flow of air.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transporting a flow of air and particulates through a vacuum cleaner. The apparatus can include a manifold with two inlet ports that collect two separate streams of the flow, combine the streams, and direct the combined flow toward a filter element through a single outlet port. The flow can expand within the manifold between the inlet ports and the outlet ports to decelerate the flow. The manifold can also include a storage receptacle for storing a belt used to drive a roller brush of the vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a first housing defining a cyclonic airflow chamber and a second housing defining a main suction opening that is in communication with an inlet of the cyclonic chamber. A suction source has a suction airstream inlet in communication with an outlet of the cyclonic chamber, and establishes a suction airstream that enters said main suction opening, passes through said cyclonic chamber, and passes to an outlet of said suction source. A substantial portion of particulates entrained in the suction airstream are separated therefrom when said suction airstream moves in a cyclonic fashion through the cyclonic chamber.

Abstract: A collection container (40) for matter picked up by a suction cleaner comprises a generally cylindrical body (45) into which an inlet tube (46) extends upwardly from the base (43) thereof. To enable the collection container to be adapted for the collection of either liquids or solids entrained in air flow induced through the inlet tube (46), two interchangeable separator units (60, 70) are provided. Separator unit (60), for use in the wet mode, comprises a tube (61) which forms an extension of the suction tube (46), with a baffle wall (64) over the open mouth thereof, and additionally an oblique annular baffle plate (66) may be provided in the vicinity of the junction between the two tubes (46, 61). The separator unit (70), for use in the dry mode, comprises a mounting ring (72) carrying a tubular filter element (71), the lower end of which is closed by a baffle plate (73) which registers with the open end of the inlet tube (46) in spaced relation thereto.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a cyclone dust collecting device for separating and collecting dust and dirt of a comparatively large particle size sucked from a suction opening of the cleaner by centrifugal force. The cyclone dust collecting device is biaxially placed against the extension pipe of the cleaner and includes a cyclone body having first and second connecting tubes connected to the extension pipe and a dirt collecting tub connected to the cyclone body to be removable. The cyclone body has an air inlet communicating with the first connecting tube and an air outlet communicating with the second connecting tube. The dirt-containing air sucked via the suction opening enters via the air inlet in a slanting direction against the cyclone body, thereby producing a whirlpool air current inside of the cyclone body. The dirt contained in the air is separated from the air by centrifugal force and is collected at the dirt collecting tub.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for creating a cyclonic action within a cannister. Communication of air between a first truncated conical member with a hole or opening located in its central area and the inside of the lower casing of the cannister takes place using an annulus between the outside of the conical member or, alternatively, by using holes or openings extending through the conical member. Transition areas create lower pressure areas which attract debris laden air downwardly so as to deposit the debris in the lower pressure area of the cannister.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transporting a flow of air and particulates through a vacuum cleaner. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes an intake body having an intake opening configured to receive the flow of air into particulates. An airflow propulsion device is coupled to the intake opening to draw the flow through the intake opening and through a flow passage having an approximately constant flow area. The flow continues through one or more conduits from the propulsion device to a filter element housed in a filter housing where the particulates are separated from the flow of air.

Abstract: A new Combination Broom and Vacuum Cleaner Assembly for easy pickup of dirt piles. The inventive device includes an upper handle, a lower handle, a broom portion, a means for creating suction, a vacuum manifold, and an attachment head. In use, the Combination Broom and Vacuum Cleaner Assembly is used to sweep up dirt and the like using the broom portion. After gathering the debris up into a pile, the vacuum manifold is lowered and used to pickup the pile easily and swiftly. After picking up the pile of debris, the vacuum manifold is again raised to enable sweeping once again.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner assembly including a motor housing, a motor and fan assembly mounted in the motor housing, and a dirt containment chamber having an air intake at one end. An apertured wall is provided at one end of the motor housing so that the fan is closely adjacent the aperture. A planar filter is provided within the containment chamber and extends from a distal end to a proximal end of the chamber to separate the chamber into an air flow chamber and a dirt chamber. The aperture is separated from air flow communication with said intake opening by the filter.

Abstract: Disclosed is a unique and novel air filtrating, self-propelled upright vacuum cleaner. The filtration system utilizes a HEPA-rated air filter as a final filtering element. The disclosed vacuum cleaner contains numerous other features including a self-propelled drive mechanism.

Abstract: A web vac including a rechargeable support member that has a bottom side with a pair of rectangular female electrical sockets recessed within the body member. The support member has a top side with a first extension wand extending outwardly. The first extension wand has a first wand end with a pair of cylindrical female electrical sockets recessed therein and a pair of projections spaced from the first wand end. Included is a housing member. The housing member has a rotatable separation means having an intake opening for reception of particles. A motor is positioned within the housing member for creating a vacuum to draw air and particles into the intake opening. The housing member has a second wand extension projecting outwardly from the proximal end. The second wand extension has a second wand end with an F-slot for engaging the pair of projections of the support member. The first wand and the second wand, when coupled, provide electrical current to the motor.

Abstract: For use with vacuum cleaner bags of the type having a substantially rigid collar surrounding the bag opening, and with vacuum cleaners of the type having a dirty air outlet nozzle, a vacuum bag docking assembly is shown and described. The assembly incorporates an anchor member having a central opening for closely receiving the dirty air outlet nozzle. The assembly also incorporates a mounting member which engages the collar on the vacuum bag to secure the bag to the bag mounting member. The bag mounting member is pivotally connected to the anchor member, and moves between a loading position in which the bag can be inserted or removed from the mounting member, and a working position in which the bag opening engages the dirty air outlet nozzle.

Abstract: A vacuum assisted broom for sweeping floors having a sweeping member, preferably in the form of a plurality of stiff bristles, for bi-directional sweeping of the floor. The sweeping member is operatively mounted within a housing member, which housing member partially encloses the sweeping member within its hollow interior such that the bristles depend from the housing member through a first opening. A handle member is securely attached to the housing member and extends upwardly therefrom. The sweeping member has bristles which are extended such that the broom may be used as a conventional broom, and as a vacuum pick-up. An electrical switch is actuated so as to turn on a suction means that is operatively connected to the interior of the housing member, thus to create a partial vacuum, at the first opening of the housing member.

Abstract: A dust-collecting unit for a combination-type vacuum cleaner having a dust-collecting body and a cleaner body and alternatively operable as an upright-type vacuum cleaner or as a canister-type vacuum cleaner is disclosed. The dust-collecting unit includes an air-guiding part having first, second and third air-guiding pipes, and a door part. The door part accommodates a portion of the air-guiding part, closes and opens the dust bag receptacle part, and engages or disengages the air-guiding part with or from the dust bag receptacle part.

Abstract: A hand-held vacuum cleaner comprises first and second portions which can be pivotally separated in order to allow the filter mechanism to be cleared of debris. The two portions are pivotally connected via a hinge such that on separation, the portion moves to a position below the other portion and provides a chute for guidance of the debris which is then emptied from the filter.

Abstract: An electric dust pan having a housing with a forwardly extending lower section. The lower section includes an inlet opening and an upwardly and forwardly inclined bottom surface terminating at the inlet opening. An electric vacuum source is activated by a mercury switch when the housing is tilted forward from the upright position so that the inclined bottom surface contacts a floor surface. The inlet opening communicates with the suction side of the vacuum source and a dust bag held in the housing communicates with the discharge side of the vacuum source. A hinged top cover provides access to the dust bag and a handle of the top cover can be gripped by the user to move the housing from the upright position to the forward tilted position.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a separation device and a vacuum source communicating with a tube handle. The tube handle is connected to a nozzle by a tube shaft (33). The tube shaft is either shaped as a cyclone separator or a cyclone separator is arranged between the nozzle and the tube handle. The cyclone separator is provided with a whirl chamber (37) which is defined, in part, by an up-side-down truncated cone (41). The whirl chamber has an inlet opening (38), a first outlet opening and a second outlet opening. The inlet opening is placed at the upper part of the whirl chamber (37). Partially cleaned air flows through the first outlet opening (39) which communicates with the vacuum source. The second outlet opening (42) is placed at the lower part of the whirl chamber. The second outlet opening communicates with a dust collecting container (43).

Abstract: An accessory for a vacuum cleaner having a vacuum source (21) and an inlet tube (18) or the like entering into a chamber (15), the inlet tube communicating with a nozzle opening (11) and being normally connected to a dust container (16), the chamber having an opening which is normally covered by a lid (17). The accessory is a separate unit which is removable secured to the vacuum cleaner and includes a cyclone separator. The accessory has an inlet side (32) that can be connected to the inlet tube (18). The accessory has a liner (25) to which a container part (27) is removably secured. The container part includes a first container (45) in which particles separated by the cyclone are collected and a second container (46) operable to collect particles separated by a coarse separator.

Abstract: In a device for separating solid or liquid particles from a stream of gas, there is an aperture of a suction pipe which is substantially directed towards the axis of an impeller. The suction pipe is surrounded by a dust collecting container. To improve phase separation, especially in a vacuum cleaner in which the dust collecting container is fitted upstream of a dust bag, there is an axial aperture in the impeller and/or a straight aperture from the dust collecting container to the impeller. This generates an air vortex in the region of the opening of the suction pipe which carries the particles outwards where they are further transported into the dust collecting container by a secondary vortex induced therein.

Abstract: An extension handle for a portable vacuum includes an elongate shaft having a proximal end zone, a central zone, and a distal end zone. An attachment bracket for attaching the elongate shaft to a handle portion of the portable vacuum includes first and second pivoting members. The distal end zone of the shaft attaches to the first pivoting member which includes a finger extending therefrom, with a tip of the finger positioned in operative proximity to an on/off switch of the vacuum. The second pivoting member attaches to the handle portion of the portable vacuum, wherein pivoting movement of the first member relative to the second member results in operation of the on/off power switch to respectively activate and deactivate the vacuum.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner head, for attachment directly to a vacuum cleaner body having a central longitudinal axis, has exposed bristles with remote ends on a plane off-set by about 70.degree. to the central axis. The bristles extend along opposing sides of a lower surface of the head in strips at either side of a channel through which dust and debris gathered up by the bristles passes into the vacuum body. The off-set plane means that when the body is held directly or by a handle, a natural comfortable sweeping action, with the handle axis at about 20.degree. to the vertical, keeps both strips of bristle in contact with the swept surface.

Abstract: A combined vacuum cleaner and broom device includes an elongate hollow handle connected at its lower end to separable housing parts. The housing part contains an electric motor and fan and the housing part contains a dust collecting compartment. Lines of bristles extend across a lower end of the housing part and form between them a dust passage. The dust passage is partly closed off by elongate porous resilient pads. Rechargeable batteries are stored with the handle and an electric switch with a slidable operating disc turns the motor ON and OFF. The lines of bristles are relatively off-set with respect to the height of the device to provide a normal sweeping orientation during use, that is with the handle at say 25.degree. to the vertical. The device is normally used simultaneously as a broom and the vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: This invention concerns a Metal Collection Device for Vacuum Cleaners. It consist of a cover structure (that could be opened) that is attached to the soft tube of the vacuum cleaner. The interior of this cover structure has a strong magnet which attracts the metal items sucked in by the vacuum cleaner. This prevents the metal items from entering the main body of the vacuum cleaner and thereby prevents damage to the internal components or to the collection bag. When the need arises to clean or remove the metal items collected by the magnet, the cover structure could be opened and the magnet, along with the metal items collected by it, removed. Thus providing extreme ease of usage.

Abstract: A container construction for a vacuum cleaner includes a housing enclosing a dirt receptacle for the vacuum cleaner, the housing having a wall. A hole extends through the wall of the housing and a tubular conduit extends through the hole in the wall. The conduit has an inlet end located outside the housing and an outlet end located inside the housing. The conduit includes a flange extending radially outwardly from an outer periphery of the conduit, the flange being sized to contact the wall of the housing. The conduit also includes a rib extending radially outwardly from the conduit outer periphery in spaced relation to the flange. A clamp cooperates with the rib and the housing to secure the conduit to the housing.

Abstract: An adaptor for a vacuum cleaner having a vacuum source (21) and an inlet tube (18) communicating with a nozzle opening (11) and ending in a chamber (15) which has an opening closed by a cover (17). A dust container (16) is normally placed in the chamber and is connected to the inlet tube. The adaptor is a separate unit (26) which, when the dust container (16) and cover (17) have been removed, can be fixed to the vacuum cleaner. The adaptor includes a cyclone separator (32) having an inlet side which is connected to the inlet tube (18) and an outlet side communicating with the inlet side of the vacuum source (21).

Abstract: An air/liquid separator is provided in a hollow, preferably transparent, removable lid on a recovery tank of a wet pickup suction cleaner. The lid has a wall therein dividing the lid into an inlet/separating chamber and an exit chamber. Liquid and dirt entrained working air enters the inlet chamber and flows horizontally across the inlet chamber over a plurality of discharge openings passing through the lid bottom plate, such that the stream of dirty liquid and air is redirected downward through the discharge openings into the recovery tank. The plurality of discharge openings in the lid bottom plate are arranged generally progressively along the stream of liquid and air entering and flowing across the inlet chamber. The discharge openings preferably increase in size moving downstream in the inlet chamber, i.e. away from the entry into the inlet chamber. The exit chamber fluidly communicates with the interior of the recovery tank through an exit opening passing through the lid bottom plate.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner having a separable handle for compact shipping is disclosed. The separable handle includes a lower handle portion pivotally attached to a floor engaging unit and is joined to an upper handle portion at a parting plane. A dust bag cover is mounted to the lower handle portion by a mounting device. The mounting device comprises a baseplate comprises a mounting plate mounted on an exhaust duct of the cleaner extending from the lower handle portion and a dust bag cover support frame attached to the baseplate. All portions of the frame are located below the frame for shipping purposes. According to one aspect of the invention the support frame extends at right angles to the base plate and, according to another aspect of the invention, the frame is extendable above the parting plane to a use position.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a filter bag (8) for a vacuum cleaner (1), with a retainer plate (16) made of a cardboard-paper material that can be attached to a dust bag (37), for example by gluing, and that has a sealable opening (19) for a suction tube (vacuum connector (18)) of a vacuum cleaner (1), where the opening (19) can be closed off with a separate closure piece (V) which can be moved from an open position to a closure position, being slid between two tiers (38, 40). For greater ease of handling the invention proposes that the closure piece (V) be practically fully enclosed in an outer contour of the retainer plate (16) in the open position and in the closure position and that the closure piece (V) lie exposed in a recess (57) of the uppermost tier (38) separate from the opening (19), the longitudinal extension of the recess (57) conforming to the closure piece (V).

Abstract: A vacuum assisted broom for sweeping floors having a sweeping member, preferably in the form of a plurality of stiff bristles, for bi-directional sweeping of the floor. The sweeping member is operatively mounted within a housing member, which housing member partially encloses the sweeping member within its hollow interior such that the bristles depend from the housing member through a first opening. A handle member is securely attached to the housing member and extends upwardly therefrom. The sweeping member is moveable between a first extended position the bristles are extended sufficiently that the broom may be used as a conventional broom, and a second retracted position where the sweeping member is substantially retracted into the housing member, with only a short end portion of the bristles extending outwardly from the housing member.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner conversion arrangement is disclosed which, particularly, may be advantageously applied to a dirt cup cleaner. In this application, the conversion hose confluently communicates with the dirt cup when the cleaner is in converted condition so that suction air flows from the dirt cup to the motor-fan system of the vacuum cleaner in either of its floor or hose modes of operation. The conversion arrangement generally includes a conversion adapter having a closure means for sealing off its conversion hose and stanchions for conveniently mounting the ends of the same hose when it is not in use. The closure means may take the form of an outer door or an internal flapper valve plate.

Abstract: A secondary air filter assembly that can be attached to the exhaust port of an upright vacuum cleaner is provided. The assembly includes an adapter plate that is adhered, clipped or otherwise affixed to the exhaust port, and a filter carrier that is removably attached to the base. The filter is preferably affixed as a unit to the filter carrier so that the entire filter/carrier unit can be replaced at once. The adapter base can also be used as an attachment for other accessories.

Abstract: A vacuum bag for use with a vacuum device having a dirty air vacuum inlet has a conventional self-sealing collar including a pair of apertured planar panels, an apertured resilient membrane therebetween, and a finger extending at least partially across the outer panel aperture. However the collar is made self-aligning with a vacuum inlet by adding a third planar panel disposed parallel to and outwardly of the pair of panels. The third panel defines a respective third aperture therethrough configured and dimensioned for receipt of a vacuum inlet therethrough and aligned with the apertures of the pair of panels. The third aperture is of a thickness to facilitate blind placement of the collar on a vacuum inlet. In a combination of the bag and a vacuum device, the dirty air inlet extends through the three panel apertures as well as the membrane aperture of the collar.

Abstract: A secondary air filter assembly that can be attached to the exhaust port of an upright vacuum cleaner is provided. The assembly includes an adapter plate that is adhered, clipped or otherwise affixed to the exhaust port, and a filter carrier that is removably attached to the base. The filter is preferably affixed as a unit to the filter carrier so that the entire filter/carrier unit can be replaced at once. The adapter base can also be used as an attachment for other accessories.