Abstract: A floor nozzle for a vacuum cleaner includes a housing including a sole plate which faces a floor surface when in a working position, the sole plate having provided therein a suction opening, the suction opening being surrounded by a rear portion of the sole plate, a front portion of the sole plate, and lateral portions of the sole plate. The rear portion and the lateral portions of the sole plate are deformable.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hetero-stiffness robotic device with a central body portion having a head end and a tail end. A rigid rotatable head propeller extends from the head end while a flexible rotatable tail propeller extends from the tail end. A head motor positioned in the central body portion rotates the rigid rotatable head propeller and a tail motor positioned in the central body portion rotates the flexible rotatable tail propeller. A controller independently controls a rotational speed of the head motor and the tail motor. The head and tail propellers may have helical shapes. The hetero-stiffness propulsion gives the robotic device a high level of environmental adaptivity over a wide range of viscosities. The device demonstrates advantages in linearity, straightness, bi-directional locomotion ability, and efficiency, which provides a critical competence for moving in low Reynolds number environments.

Abstract: Disclosed is a vacuum cleaner. The present vacuum cleaner includes a drum mounted with a brush, a first motor for rotating the drum, a sensor for sensing a load applied to the first motor, a second motor generating suction pressure, and a processor for controlling at least one from the first motor and the second motor according to a size of a load sensed from the sensor.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is provided with a chassis and a suction nozzle coupled with the chassis for both vertical and horizontal movement relative to the chassis. The nozzle can be configured to automatically move vertically upon encountering a predetermined amount of resistance to forward or rearward movement of nozzle over a surface to be cleaned.

Abstract: Disclosed is a vacuum cleaner having an improved structure for preventing hair or foreign substances from being caught in a wheel. The vacuum cleaner includes a suction nozzle having a suction passage for cleaning a surface to be cleaned by a suction force and a wheel assembly accommodated in the suction nozzle and configured to be rotatable. The wheel assembly includes a wheel and a rotating shaft to rotatably support the wheel. The rotating shaft is inclined relative to a bottom surface of the suction nozzle.

Abstract: A collector assembly for collecting debris from opposite sides of a member such as an elevated beam. The collector assembly includes a platform extending laterally between a first side edge and a second side edge. A first trough is provided for disposition along one side of the beam for receiving debris. A second trough is provided for disposition along the opposite side of the beam and is adjacent to and parallel with the first trough.

Abstract: A vacuum system for use in excavation operations. The system uses a tank having an open end that is closed by a door. The door is opened and closed by a door lifting assembly made up of an upper linkage arm, a lower linkage arm and a hydraulic cylinder. A socket is formed in the upper linkage arm, and a shaft housing is formed in the lower linkage arm. The shaft housing engages with the socket to latch the door closed. The upper linkage arm is attached to the door at a first pivot axis and is attached to the lower linkage arm at a second pivot axis. The lower linkage arm is attached to a side of the tank at a third pivot axis. When the door is open, the second pivot axis extends below a reference plane that contains the first and third pivot axis.

Abstract: A robot cleaner comprising: a first housing including a controller and a driving wheel of which driving is controlled by the controller; a second housing provided at one side of the first housing, the second housing having a brush module or mop module mounted thereto; a front bumper provided at a front portion of the second housing, the front bumper configured to be movable to the inside of the second housing when the front bumper is in contact with an obstacle; at least one sensing means provided at the inside of the front bumper to sense a movement of the front bumper to the inside of the second housing; side bumpers respectively provided at left and right side portions of the second housing, the side bumpers each being configured to movable to the inside of the second housing when the side bumper is in contact with an obstacle; and a link member provided at the inside of the side bumper to allow the side bumper and the front bumper to interlock with each other such that, when the side bumper is moved to th

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a foot assembly having a suction inlet thereon, a suction source in fluid communication with the suction inlet to produce a working airflow therethrough, and a dirt container in fluid communication with the suction inlet and suction source. The foot assembly further comprises a body defined by a central portion and a pair of extension arms, a rotatable agitator on each extension arm, and a drive assembly configured to counter-rotate the agitators. The counter-rotating agitators are operable to cooperate with the suction source to direct dust and debris towards the suction inlet.

Abstract: A lawn mower lifting system for selectively raising and lowering a lawn mower deck includes a lawn mower that has a deck. A lifting unit is provided and the lifting unit includes a front wheel. The lifting unit is movably coupled to the deck and the front wheel may roll along a support surface. The lifting unit threadably engages the front wheel. Thus, the lifting unit may space the deck a selected distance from the support surface.

Abstract: A debris blower includes an engine mounted to an engine mount and connected to a turbine. The engine mount and housing of the turbine are respectively mounted between a second side of a frame and first and second longitudinal supports connected to and between first and second sides of the frame. A screen guard is secured utilizing bolts extending in a non-rotatable manner from a top plate connected between the second longitudinal support and the second side. Due to the frame and engine mount having a parallelism and flatness tolerance, the engine and turbine can be aligned without shimming. A sensor senses first and second trip devices positioned at circumferential locations on the exit nozzle to rotate the exit nozzle to preset angles. Remote and hard wire controls each include direction and speed switches. A resume switch throttles the engine between idle and operating speeds.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner nozzle with a roller attachment including a vacuum cleaner nozzle having a base, a circular outlet opening, and a substantially rectangular inlet opening. A right side support of a pair of side supports is attached to an interior surface of a right side of the base within the inlet opening, and a left side support of the pair of side supports is attached to an interior surface of a left side of the base within the inlet opening. An axle is continuously disposed between the right side support and the left side support. A roller is continuously disposed around the axle. The right collar of a pair of collars is attached to a right surface of the roller, and a left collar of the pair of collars is attached to a left surface of the roller.

Abstract: A foreign matter removal mechanism for removing foreign matter on a power-supplying coil that wirelessly supplies power to a parked vehicle from below, including: a movable unit that is pushed by the vehicle to move horizontally; and a movable cleaning unit that is coupled to the movable unit and moves, in conjunction with a movement of the movable unit, along an upper surface of the power-supplying coil.

Abstract: Provided is an upright vacuum cleaner. The upright vacuum cleaner includes a suction nozzle comprising a plurality of wheels, a main body relatively rotatable with respect to the suction nozzle, and a steering device steering the plurality of wheels to correspond to the movement of the main body.

Abstract: An upright type vacuum cleaner is disclosed. The upright type vacuum cleaner may include a main body, a suction nozzle provided at a lower end of the main body, a first leg assembly configured to support a first side of the main body, and a second leg assembly configured to support a second side of the main body. The main body may further include a coupler configured to pivotally rotatably couple the first leg assembly and the second leg assembly to each other. The first leg assembly and the second leg assembly may be rotated by different angles to support the main body when the main body is tilted leftward or rightward. The first leg assembly and the second leg assembly may be rotated by a same angle to support the main body when the main body is tilted rearward.

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 maneuver over a floor surface and for pivoting the separating apparatus relative to the rolling assembly.

Abstract: An upright-type vacuum cleaner includes an upper body pivotally connected to a base unit so as to be pivoted during vacuuming or substantially upright in a parked position. The base unit includes a front portion with a suction opening and is equipped with a carriage that allows the vacuum cleaner to be moved across surfaces being cleaned during a vacuuming operation. The carriage includes at least one main wheel disposed in a rear portion of the base unit. An adjusting mechanism is configured to move the main wheel from a first position during vacuuming to a second position in the parked position with the distance from the main wheel to the suction opening being greater in the second position. An actuating element formed on the upper body is configured to engage with a lever linkage assembly of the adjusting mechanism as the upper body is moved to the parked position.

Abstract: A surface cleaner including a housing and a blade assembly with a blade element. The blade assembly is movable between a lowered position and a raised position relative to the housing. A spring is coupled between the housing and the blade assembly, and the spring applies a force on the blade assembly to move the blade assembly toward the lowered position. The blade element is allowed to move toward the raised position, against the force, such that the force maintains the blade element in contact with a surface to be cleaned. In addition, when in the raised position, the blade element is held against the force and inhibited from moving toward the lowered position.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner having a nozzle and a support movable between a projected state and a retracted state. The support, in its projected state, is adapted to support the vacuum cleaner in a self-standing position. The support is mounted to the nozzle and projects from the nozzle in its projected state.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner that includes an upright main body, an upright fan motor generating a suction force, and a wheel assembly that is mounted on the upright main body and guides movement and rotation of the upright main body. The upright main body includes a first housing that is installed on the wheel assembly so as to be rotatable in a leftward/rightward direction, and a second housing that is installed in the first housing so as to be rotatable in a forward/backward direction. The vacuum cleaner can be moved and rotated by freely moving an extension frame extending upward from the second housing in forward, backward, leftward, and rightward directions.

Abstract: A surface-treating appliance includes a main body, a surface-treating head and a support assembly. The support assembly is moveable out of a supporting position in which it supports the main body by a user performing a plurality of steps—for example, by depressing a pedal, then tilting the main body by pulling the handle. This arrangement reduces the likelihood of accidental release of the support assembly from its supporting position. For example, if the user depresses the pedal alone, or only pulls on the handle, the support assembly remains in its supporting position.

Abstract: A surface cleaning device having a steering assembly is provided. The surface cleaning device includes a foot, a handle assembly with a user manipulated handle, and a steering assembly coupling the handle assembly to the foot. The steering assembly includes a means for biasing the foot with respect to the handle assembly. Movement of the handle assembly stores energy within the biasing means so that the biasing means exerts a corresponding force on the foot.

Abstract: An upright surface treating appliance includes a main body having a user operable handle, and a support assembly for allowing the appliance to be rolled along a surface using the handle. The support assembly includes a pair of dome-shaped wheels rotatably connected to a yoke, and a stand pivotable relative to the main body. The appliance also includes a surface treating head having at least one support member. A stand retaining mechanism is provided for releasably retaining the stand in a supporting position relative to the main body in which the wheels are raised above the surface and the main body is supported by the stand and the support member of the surface treating head. The stand is moveable relative to the main body from the supporting position to a retracted position in which the main body is supported by at least the wheels to allow the appliance to be maneuvered over the surface during treatment thereof.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a base assembly with an upper housing, an agitator mounted in fixed position relative to the upper housing, an agitator height control mechanism for selectively adjusting the vertical height of the agitator relative to the surface to be cleaned, and a sole plate. The sole plate includes a suction nozzle opening for the base assembly and during operation of the agitator height control mechanism, the sole plate moves relative to the upper housing so that the distance between the suction nozzle opening and the surface to be cleaned remains essentially the same, regardless of the position of the agitator.

Abstract: A tool assembly for a vacuum appliance, such as a wet/dry vacuum cleaner, is described, wherein the tool assembly may include a frame, a mount configured to couple the frame to the appliance, a pivot, an actuator configured to support the frame in one or more positions, and a tool coupled to the frame. The assembly may also include a biasing device between the pivot and an end of the frame, and may be disposed in one or more positions relative to a vacuum surface. Also described is a vacuum appliance system that can include a debris collector, a power head assembly, a base, and a tool assembly. Such a vacuum appliance system can also include a main wheel assembly and a plurality of optional main wheel assembly mounting locations. The system may further include a quick-release filter cage coupled to the power head assembly.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner comprises a base assembly pivotally connected to an upright assembly. The base assembly comprises housing, a support, and a ratchet-operated nozzle height adjustment mechanism for raising or lowering a suction nozzle on the base assembly relative to a surface to be cleaned. The ratchet-operated nozzle height adjustment mechanism includes a ratchet mechanism for raising and lowering the housing relative to the support.

Abstract: The embodiments disclose a vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner includes a suction nozzle capable to adjusting the height with regard to the bottom surface.

Abstract: A floor tool for a cleaning appliance includes a head for engaging with a floor surface, a connecting arm pivotally connected to the head about a first axis and a supporting body pivotally connected to the head about a second axis. The head includes a suction opening which lies in a suction plane. The connecting arm includes an outlet in communication with the suction opening and adapted to connect to the cleaning appliance. The connecting arm is adapted and arranged to engage with the supporting body so that when, in use, the floor tool is pushed forwardly across the floor surface, the connecting arm applies a force to the head in a direction away from the floor surface. This allows the floor tool to be of reduced depth than was achievable hitherto while still being able to achieve the desired “rocking” motion to improve cleaning performance.

Abstract: An upright-type vacuum cleaner includes an upper body pivotally connected to a base unit so as to be pivoted during vacuuming or substantially upright in a parked position. The base unit includes a front portion with a suction opening and is equipped with a carriage that allows the vacuum cleaner to be moved across surfaces being cleaned during a vacuuming operation. The carriage includes at least one main wheel disposed in a rear portion of the base unit. An adjusting mechanism is configured to move the main wheel from a first position during vacuuming to a second position in the parked position with the distance from the main wheel to the suction opening being greater in the second position. An actuating element formed on the upper body is configured to engage with a lever linkage assembly of the adjusting mechanism as the upper body is moved to the parked position.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner including a handle and a base. The base includes a housing, a nozzle defining an inlet of the vacuum cleaner, and a lift assembly including a guide member configured to support the base on a surface. The vacuum further includes a height adjustment mechanism including a knob and a ramp. The knob is operable to rotate the ramp with respect to the housing, and the lift assembly is coupled to the ramp such that the lift assembly moves along the ramp to move the inlet from the lower position to the upper position in response to rotation of the ramp by the knob. The ramp includes a first end that defines a lower position of the inlet and a second end that defines an upper position of the inlet, and the ramp has a continuous incline from the first end to the second end.

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 maneuvered over a floor surface and for pivoting the separating apparatus relative to the rolling assembly.

Abstract: An upright surface treating appliance includes a main body and a cleaner head connected to a yoke. The main body is rotatable relative to the yoke about a first axis for movement between an upright position and a reclined position. A stand is moveable relative to both the main body and the yoke, between a supporting position for supporting the main body in its upright position, and a retracted position. The stand is biased towards its retracted position by a spring. An actuator is rotatable about a second axis spaced from the first axis and has a set of teeth which meshes with a profiled surface to drive movement of the stand towards its supporting position against the biasing force of the torsion spring. A drive member drives rotation of the actuator about the second axis as the main body is moved from a reclined position to an upright position.

Abstract: A cleaner head for a cleaning appliance includes a rotatable agitator assembly, an agitator chamber housing the agitator assembly, and a sole plate defining a downwardly-directed opening through which debris energized by the agitator assembly enters the agitator chamber. A set of support members is located on a leading and trailing section of the sole plate, the support members extending downwardly beyond the sole plate to support the sole plate above a relatively hard floor surface. The lowermost extremities of the sets of support members are located in a first plane, and the edges of the opening are located in a second plane which is inclined upwardly relative to the first plane. The agitator assembly includes agitating members which extend outwardly from the opening beyond the second plane but within the first plane.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner comprises an elongate upright body 11 pivotally connected to a floor-engaging foot 10 comprising a motor and fan unit 17 for creating an airflow through the cleaner, the airflow extending between respective ducts 32, 18 in the body 11 and the foot 10 along a neck 20, which is rotatably connected at its lower end to the duct 18 in the foot 10 for rotation about an axis A which extends transversely of the foot 10. The neck 20 acts to support the body 11 on the foot 10 and acts as the point about which relative pivotal movement of the body 10 and foot 11 occurs. An arm 40 is coupled to the neck 20 for actuating a mechanism, which lifts the foot 10 away from the floor surface when the body 10 is in the upright position, so as to prevent the rotating agitator brush 16 in the foot 10 from damaging the floor surface while the cleaner is stood in the upright position when performing above-floor cleaning.

Abstract: A cylinder vacuum cleaner comprising a main body which is fluidly connected to a suction hose used to pull the main body forwards along a floor, and a front swivel castor for supporting the main body on the floor, the front castor comprising a frame mounted for rotation about a swivel axis and one or more wheels mounted on the frame, the hose being connected to the frame for co-rotation with the frame about the swivel axis, wherein the swivel axis is positively raked.

Abstract: A support assembly for a surface treating appliance includes a central roller arranged to engage a surface and outer rollers at either end of the central roller. The rollers together define a rolling support surface, and the outer rollers rotate about an axis spaced from the rotational axis of the central roller. This arrangement of rollers provides a rolling support surface over a wide range of motions, and spacing the rotational axes of the rollers permits the rollers to be arranged relative to one another to define a region into which components of the appliance are mountable.

Abstract: The device for cleaning grooved surfaces of a moving transport, such as escalators and moving walkways, includes a frame supporting at least one vacuum pump and a plurality of vacuum heads and a plurality of brush heads. A carriage is attached relative to the frame to which at least one of the plurality of vacuum heads and brush heads are slidably attached. The carriage can be attached to the frame in a multitude of ways, including utilizing a four-bar linkage. The carriage is positionable between a stored position and a deployed position. Additionally, the carriage can be angularly adjustable to align with a horizontal plane of the grooved surface. A handle can be pivotably attached to the frame wherein pivotable movement of the handle is mechanically coupled to movement of the carriage between the stored and deployable positions.

Abstract: An upright type vacuum cleaner is disclosed. The upright type vacuum cleaner may include a main body, a suction nozzle provided at a lower end of the main body, a first leg assembly configured to support a first side of the main body, and a second leg assembly configured to support a second side of the main body. The main body may further include a coupler configured to pivotally rotatably couple the first leg assembly and the second leg assembly to each other. The first leg assembly and the second leg assembly may be rotated by different angles to support the main body when the main body is tilted leftward or rightward. The first leg assembly and the second leg assembly may be rotated by a same angle to support the main body when the main body is tilted rearward.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a floor engaging portion and a handle portion pivotally mounted to the floor engaging portion. The handle portion includes an input device. An agitator is rotatably mounted in the floor engaging portion to agitate a floor surface being cleaned. A first motor has an output shaft and an agitator belt selectively drivingly connecting the motor to the agitator. A tensioning arm pivotally mounts to the floor engaging portion for motion between an agitator-on position in which the tensioning arm engages the agitator belt, to place the agitator belt under tension whereby the agitator belt drives the agitator, and an agitator-off position in which the tensioning arm does not engage the agitator belt, to place the agitator belt in a slack condition whereby the agitator belt does not drive the agitator.

Abstract: A moquette carpet cleaning machine (10) having a machine body (11) with main rear wheels (12) and a suction mouth (14) placed at the front of the machine body. A support (19) with an auxiliary wheel is attached to the machine body (11). At least one of the main wheels (12), the suction mouth (14), the auxiliary wheel (16) and the support (19) being movable with respect to the machine body (11) between at least a first position (A) and a second (B) position such that, the auxiliary wheel (16) is in the first position (A), the suction mouth (14) is maintained against the ground (20). When the auxiliary wheel is in the second relative position (B), the suction mouth (14) is maintained in a position that is substantially raised from the ground (20).

Abstract: A floor cleaning apparatus includes a body having a nozzle assembly and a canister assembly. The handle assembly is pivotally attached to the nozzle assembly. The nozzle assembly includes an agitator cavity that receives a rotary agitator. Both a suction generator and a dirt collection vessel are carried on the body. In addition, the vacuum cleaner includes an agitator lift assembly. The agitator lift assembly includes a sliding actuator and a fulcrum plate.

Abstract: In a vacuum cleaner which is an example of an upright floor surface treating apparatus, a suction nozzle is provided forward relative to a lower portion of a body section such that an angle of a lower surface (Su) is changed, and a handle is attached to an upper portion of the body section. A steering wheel which determines a movement direction (M) is provided relative to the lower portion of the body section, and the handle and the steering wheel are coupled together by means of a steering coupling section including a handle shaft, a steering wheel adjustment shaft and a rotation transmission section. In this configuration, without using a complicated configuration, a direction of the suction nozzle can be easily changed without moving the entire body section.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus, and in particular a steam mop, comprises a steam delivery system for generating and distributing steam onto a surface to be cleaned. The steam mop further comprises a handle assembly mounted to a foot assembly that has a shuttling plate slidably mounted beneath the foot assembly, wherein the shuttle plate is configured to selectively divert steam through one of a pair of steam distributors positioned at a forward and rearward portion of the foot assembly dependent on the cleaning stroke direction of the steam mop. In one embodiment, the surface cleaning apparatus further comprises a vacuum source mounted thereto and at least one suction nozzle connected to the vacuum source and adapted to contact the surface to be cleaned and to draw moisture and debris from the surface.

Abstract: Provided is an upright vacuum cleaner. The upright vacuum cleaner includes a suction nozzle comprising a plurality of wheels, a main body relatively rotatable with respect to the suction nozzle, and a steering device steering the plurality of wheels to correspond to the movement of the main body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an upright type vacuum cleaner including a body having a changeable angle of disposition with respect to an objective surface to be cleaned, a suction nozzle coupled to the body to be movable along the objective surface to be cleaned, a supporting assembly provided under the body to seat the body thereon for supporting a load of the body and guiding movement of the body with respect to the objective surface to be cleaned, and a holding unit rotatably provided to the supporting assembly so as to be brought into contact with the body selectively for limiting rotation of the body to hold the body.

Abstract: An upright type vacuum cleaner includes a main body; a suction nozzle provided below the main body; a rotation guide member provided between the main body and the suction nozzle; and a supporting assembly connected with the rotation guide member, to support load of the main body and to guide the movement of the main body with respect to the surface which will be cleaned, wherein the supporting assembly includes a first supporting shaft connected with the rotation guide member, to receive the load of the main body; a second supporting shaft connected with an end of the first supporting shaft to transfer the load of the main body to the first supporting shaft; and wheels rotatably provided at both ends of the second supporting shaft to distribute the load of the main body transferred to the second supporting shaft to the surface which will be cleaned.

Abstract: An upright type vacuum cleaner is disclosed. And The upright type vacuum cleaner includes a main body comprising an arrangement angle that is changeable with respect to a surface to clean; a suction nozzle coupled to the main body, the suction nozzle movable along the surface to clean; a supporting unit provided in the main body to support the main body with respect to the main body; a connection member provided between the main body and the supporting unit, to rotatably connect the supporting unit with the main body; and a fixing member fixedly provided between the supporting unit and the connection member to limit the rotation of the supporting unit, to maintain the main body supporting of the supporting unit.

Abstract: A nozzle height indicator for a vacuum cleaner. The nozzle height indicator has a height display adapted to be viewed by a user, a light source adapted to emit light, and a blocking member. The blocking member is adapted to be positioned in a first position in which it allows the light to illuminate the height display and a second position in which it substantially prevents the light from illuminating at least a portion of the height display. The blocking member may indicate the height of an associated vacuum cleaner inlet nozzle relative to a surface being cleaned. A vacuum cleaner inlet nozzle is also provided.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner comprises a base assembly pivotally connected to an upright assembly. The base assembly comprises housing, a support, and a foot-actuated belt drive disengaging mechanism and a ratchet ratchet-operated nozzle height adjustment mechanism for raising or lowering a suction nozzle on the base assembly relative to a surface to be cleaned. The ratchet-operated nozzle height adjustment mechanism includes a ratchet mechanism for raising and lowering the housing relative to the support.

Abstract: There is provided a hand-holdable vacuum cleaner, comprising: an electric motor, an electrical on-off switch for operating said motor; a fan connected to an output shaft of said motor; an airflow pathway comprising an inlet for dirty air, an outlet for clean air, and a collection chamber located in fluid communication between said inlet and said outlet; means for separating out debris entrained with dirty air entering via said inlet and depositing the debris in said collection chamber; and means for adjusting an angle of said inlet relative to a main axis of said vacuum cleaner; wherein the vacuum cleaner further comprises a rigid, elongate nose having said inlet at one end thereof, said nose being pivotable relative to said main axis through an angle of at least 135 degrees.