Abstract: A suction nozzle has a housing, a tilting bearing, a connection nozzle, a lock for the tilting bearing, a connection nozzle, a lock for the tilting bearing, actuators and a housing duct. The tilting joint has a bearing connected rigidly to the housing and a connector piece which is pivotally mounted about an axis S. The lock has a first locking element, which is mounted rotatably on the housing, and a second locking element, which is rigidly connected to the connecting piece of the tilting joint. A restoring force for the first locking element is generated by magnets.

Abstract: A floor tool for a cleaning appliance includes a head 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, and the connecting arm includes an outlet in communication with the suction opening and adapted to connect to the cleaning appliance. The first and second axes lie parallel to one another in a plane which is substantially parallel to the suction plane. By providing a pair of parallel axes which lie in a plane parallel to the suction plane, the floor tool can have a reduced depth while still being able to achieve the desired “rocking” motion to improve cleaning performance. The height of the floor tool can thus be minimized.

Abstract: A portable suction nozzle for removing layers of fat, oil and grease (FOG), scum, sludge and the like from the surface or bottom of tanks used in water and sewage treatment plants, septic systems and the like. The device can be used by an operator working in such environments, as well as honey wagon operators, oil spill response teams and the like. The device can be held in place by a holster arrangement mounted to a tank to be cleaned.

Abstract: An upright type vacuum cleaner is disclosed. The upright type vacuum cleaner includes a main body provided so that a disposition angle of the main body with respect to a surface to be cleaned is variable, a suction nozzle coupled to the main body so that the suction nozzle moves along the surface to be cleaned, and a joint provided between the main body and the suction nozzle to connect the main body and the suction nozzle so that the main body and the suction nozzle are rotated about a plurality of axes.

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 whilst the cleaner is stood in the upright position when performing above-floor cleaning.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner with a reduced frictional force between a vacuum base and a cleaning medium is described. The vacuum has a handle, yoke, body, and base. A handle and yoke distinct from, and behind, the base provides a moment arm anterior to the base when a force is applied. The handle and yoke assembly reduce the friction between the cleaning surface and the vacuum, allowing for larger motor and debris capturing capabilities, with easier handling and maneuverability resulting in advanced and superior cleaning capabilities.

Abstract: The present invention provides a board cleaning apparatus excellent in foreign-matter removing efficiency. Fixed brushes are each made in contact with a circuit board over an entire width thereof, and attached to a case of a board cleaning apparatus respectively on the upstream side and the downstream side of the case in the board transporting direction with respect to a rotary brush for removing and ejecting foreign matters. This arrangement makes it possible to cover a gap between the circuit board and the case to prevent a board transporting rail to be moved so as to be shifted in accordance with circuit boards having various dimensions from intervening with the case.

Abstract: The invention relates to a suction unit and a vacuum cleaner. The suction unit comprises a drive system for driving the suction unit on a surface to be treated; a chassis supporting the drive system; a nozzle for removing particles from a surface to be treated, which nozzle is configured to move with relation to the chassis in a direction away from the surface to be treated, the nozzle having an interior space defining an opening that faces the surface to be treated; and an outlet communicating with the interior space, the outlet being arranged for communication with a fan unit during operating conditions. The suction unit further comprises coupling means for coupling the nozzle to the chassis, wherein the coupling means is arranged to exert a force that is directed away from the surface to be treated when the underpressure in the interior space increases. In this manner the problem of the suction unit getting stuck on the floor can be overcome or at least reduced.

Abstract: A cleaning device (10) incorporates drive means (14) and cleaning means (20), wherein the drive means (14) are operable to drive the cleaning means (20) across a surface to be cleaned, and wherein the drive means (14) are operable to adopt first and second driving modes, the first driving mode being a travelling mode and the second driving mode being a turning mode, wherein locking means (40, 42) of the drive means (14) allow selection between the first and second driving modes.

Abstract: A suction brush for a vacuum cleaner includes an upper casing, a lower casing coupled to the upper casing and provided with a suction port through which contaminants are drawn in from a surface to be cleaned, a lift plate disposed between the upper casing and the lower casing to move up and down with respect to the lower casing, a lift plate driving part to allow the lift plate to move up and down, and a lift control unit to control the lift plate driving part so that when the surface to be cleaned changes from a hard floor to a carpet, the lift plate is raised, and when the surface to be cleaned changes from the carpet to the hard floor, the lift plate is lowered.

Abstract: A control system for a vacuum cleaner is disclosed. The control system includes a control pad for generating a number of user inputs. The control system further includes a serial controller for reading the state of the number of inputs and generating serial data in response thereto. The control system yet further includes a processor adapted to receive the serial data and generate control signals that controls a number of electric devices on the vacuum cleaner. A method of operating a vacuum cleaner is also disclosed.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner has a cleaner body; a suction port assembly hinged to the cleaner body with a drum brush mounted on a front lower surface thereof; and a height adjusting apparatus set to an active mode or an inactive mode. In the active mode, the height adjusting apparatus raises the rear portion of the suction port assembly from an initial height, with the drum brush spaced from a surface, to bring the drum brush into contact with the surface when the cleaner body tilts from an upright position towards the rear of the suction port assembly. In the inactive mode, the rear portion of the suction port assembly remains at the initial height when the cleaner body tilts from the upright position towards the rear of the suction port assembly.

Abstract: A vacuum can include a housing having an inlet adapted to receive debris being vacuumed. A mounting bar can be fixedly coupled to the housing. A floor collector assembly can be rotatably disposed about a first axis defined by the mounting bar. The floor collector assembly can include a first debris-passing member coupled to the mounting bar, a second debris-passing member rotatably coupled to the first debris-passing member and a third debris-passing member removably coupled to the second debris-passing member. The first debris-passing member can define an opening. The floor collector assembly can be operable in a plurality of modes. In a first mode, the opening can be substantially perpendicular relative to a vacuumed surface. In a second mode, the second debris-passing member can be rotated relative to the first debris-passing member about a second axis such that the opening is at an acute angle relative to the vacuumed surface.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is provided which includes a cleaner body in which a ultraviolet (UV) irradiation unit is mounted in a dust receptacle mounting unit, a dust receptacle detachably mounted in the dust receptacle mounting unit, the dust receptacle comprising a UV transmission window formed in a position facing the UV irradiation unit, and a switching device mounted in the dust receptacle mounting unit to switch power applied to the UV irradiation unit according to whether the dust receptacle is mounted. Accordingly, power is applied to a UV lamp only when the dust receptacle is mounted in the vacuum cleaner, so there is no risk that a user is exposed to UV rays emitted from the UV lamp when the user separates the dust receptacle from the vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is provided. The vacuum cleaner includes a suctioning nozzle, a height adjusting unit, a manipulating part, a position sensing part, and a display part. The suctioning nozzle suctions air including dust. The height adjusting unit adjusts the height of the suctioning nozzle. The manipulating part manipulates the height adjusting unit. The position sensing part senses the height adjusted by the height adjusting unit. The display part externally displays the height sensed by the position sensing part.

Abstract: A height adjusting apparatus of a suction body for use in an upright vacuum cleaner is disclosed. The apparatus adjusts a distance between a rotary brush and a surface to be cleaned, and includes a lifting unit pivotably disposed to the suction body, and an actuating unit disposed in a modularized state at the rear of the suction body, so that a portion thereof is exposed to the outside from the suction body, and lifting or lowering the lifting unit as the portion thereof is repeatedly pushed by a user.

Abstract: A vacuum can include a housing having an inlet adapted to receive debris being vacuumed. A mounting bar can be fixedly coupled to the housing. A floor collector assembly can be rotatably disposed about a first axis defined by the mounting bar. The floor collector assembly can include a first debris-passing member coupled to the mounting bar, a second debris-passing member rotatably coupled to the first debris-passing member and a third debris-passing member removably coupled to the second debris-passing member. The first debris-passing member can define an opening. The floor collector assembly can be operable in a plurality of modes. In a first mode, the opening can be substantially perpendicular relative to a vacuumed surface. In a second mode, the second debris-passing member can be rotated relative to the first debris-passing member about a second axis such that the opening is at an acute angle relative to the vacuumed surface.

Abstract: The invention discloses a height adjusting apparatus for a vacuum cleaner nozzle, comprising: a barrel with a vertical passage, a groove module is formed on the inner surface of the barrel, said groove module comprises an upper groove, a lower groove, which has at least a first positioning point, a second positioning point differing from first positioning point in height and a intermediate point between the two positioning points; a resilient member, a lifting member, a driven member and a driving member are arranged in the passage of barrel from down to up. The height adjusting apparatus could be adjusted by applying a pressure force downwardly in vertical direction (for example, press by foot) and that takes less labor and time.

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 floor cleaning device (10) includes a housing (40) and a container (43) removably received by the housing. A suction nozzle (18, 18?, 18?) is fluidly connected with the container and with a suction source (52) when the container is received by the housing. A filter (114) is selectively fluidly connected with the container and with the suction source. A float (170) selectively closes the fluid connection of the filter with the container. The filter and the float may be removable as a unit (42) from the cleaning device. The nozzle may be removable, allowing an appropriate nozzle to be selected according to the type of floor surface to be cleaned.

Abstract: A surface-treating appliance, such as a vacuum cleaner, has a main body and a support assembly. The support assembly is moveable between a supporting position, in which it supports the main body, and a retracted position. The support assembly includes a user-operable pedal, a component such as a stand and an actuator arranged to act on one of the pedal and the component over a first range of positions between the supporting and retracted positions and to act on the other of the pedal and the component over a second range of positions between the supporting and retracted positions. This arrangement brings the pedal and component positively into and out of the supporting and retracted positions.

Abstract: A surface treating appliance, such as a vacuum cleaner, includes a device generating a flow of fluid in the form of a motor and fan, housed in a main body. A hose and wand assembly, a surface treating head and a rotary change over valve are also provided. The valve is selectively rotatable so as to allow fluid flow from either the surface-treating head or the hose. A support assembly is moveable between a supporting position, in which it supports the main body, and a retracted position. The change over valve and support assembly are arranged so that motion of the support assembly between the supporting and retracted positions induces rotary motion of the change over valve.

Abstract: A domestic appliance, such as a cyclonic vacuum cleaner, includes a component such as a separating apparatus, carried by a chassis. A catch is operable to release the component from the chassis. The component and the chassis can move with respect to each other. When the appliance is lifted there is relative movement, against the force of a resilient member, between the component and the chassis, so that the catch occupies a position that inhibits its release. Previous catches that inhibited from release when the appliance is lifted had a drawback in that slight relative movement between the component and the chassis when the appliance was resting on a surface tended to put the catch into the unreleasable position. The resilient member provides resistance to the catch moving into the locked position, thereby ensuring that the catch is inhibited from release only when the appliance is lifted from a surface.

Abstract: The invention is a bare floor cleaning appliance provided with a foot pedal for raising and lowering the suction nozzle while simultaneously energizing and de-energizing the independent drive motor powering a horizontal axis rotary agitator. The foot pedal is depressed once to lower the suction nozzle to a position closest to the floor surface and the horizontal rotary agitator is energized to clean the floor surface. Suction from the motor-fan assembly is used to pick up dirt and used cleaning solution. The foot pedal is depressed one more time to raise the suction nozzle from the floor surface and de-energize the horizontal rotary agitator. In this mode, suction from the motor-fan assembly is used to pick up dry objects including dirt. The foot pedal operates the switch for energizing and de-energizing the independent electric motor by rotating a mode indicator operably connected to the foot pedal.

Abstract: A cleaning robot to prevent a suction member from moving upwards when the suction member is rotated during a collision with an obstacle, and which completely unfolds the suction member when a lower surface of the suction member travels on an uneven floor. The cleaning robot includes a main body to travel on a floor to be cleaned, a dust collecting unit, and a corner cleaning unit. The corner cleaning unit includes a suction member having a suction arm with a rotatable cylinder, a movable member rotatably coupled around the rotatable cylinder by a torsion spring such that the movable member can move upwards and downwards together with the suction member, a driving unit, supporting brackets, at least one elevation guide face to allow the movable member to move upwards and downwards along the elevation guide face as the movable member rotates, and at least one guide knob.

Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting a height of a suction brush for use in a vacuum cleaner includes a height adjusting knob rotatably disposed in an inserting recess formed in the suction brush, and having an inclined part formed thereon, so that a height of the suction brush from a surface to be cleaned is varied as a position of the height adjusting knob rotated, a supporting member to support the suction brush in contact with the inclined part thus to allow the suction brush to be ascended and descended by the inclined part, and a passage disposed between an inner circumferential surface of the inserting recess and an outer circumferential surface of the height adjusting knob to pass fine dirt therethrough. With the passage, the fine dirt is not tied up between the inner circumferential surface of the inserting recess and the outer circumferential surface of the height adjusting knob. Accordingly, the rotation of the height adjusting knob is not restricted or obstructed due to the fine dirt.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a cyclone dust separating unit which includes a cyclone part to separate dust from a dust-laden air drawn from a surface being cleaned using a centrifugal force, a dust collecting part comprising a dust chamber to accommodate the dust separated at the cyclone part, and a compressing part to compress the dust accommodated in the dust chamber. The compressing part includes a driving part to rotatably drive a driving axis, and a compressing plate driven in a substantially perpendicular direction with respect to the driving axis according to the rotation of the driving axis, and to compress the dust accommodated in the dust chamber. As a result, a vacuum cleaner is provided, which requires a minimum space for the installation of a compressing part to compress dust inside the dust collecting part, and provides maximum compressing force of the compressing part.

Abstract: A cleaner head assembly for a vacuum cleaner includes a cleaner head body pivotably attachable to a main body of a vacuum cleaner and a brush housing pivotably mounted on the cleaner head body, the brush housing having a suction opening, a brush bar mounted therein and a resilient member provided to bias the brush housing in a pivoting direction so as to urge a rear portion of the brush housing in an upward direction with respect to the cleaner head body. This configuration allows the brush housing to be doubly articulated with respect to the main body of the vacuum cleaner as it is biased by the resilient member in the pivoting direction such that the rear portion of the brush housing is urged in an upward direction with respect to the cleaner head body and the suction opening remains in a horizontal plane.

Abstract: A suction brush for a vacuum cleaner is provided. The suction brush includes an upper casing; a lower casing; an elevating plate installed between the upper casing and the lower casing; a cleaned surface sensing part for sensing; a lever rotatably provided around a rotating shaft that is parallel to the elevating plate; and a solenoid. The solenoid rotates the lever in one direction when the surface to be cleaned is the hard floor and rotates the lever in the other direction when the surface to be cleaned is the carpet. The lower casing contacts the surface to be cleaned as the elevating plate descends, while it comes apart from the surface to be cleaned as the elevating plate ascends.

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: A floor cleaning device comprises a base portion for movement along a surface and a handle portion pivotally connected to the base. The base portion further includes a suction nozzle and a brush assembly for agitating the surface, wherein the brush assembly and the nozzle assembly are in a first position raised off of the surface for vacuuming the surface, and the nozzle assembly is lowered to a second position contacting the surface for collecting and picking up liquid and dirt from the surface. A method of cleaning a surface by first dry vacuuming the surface using a cleaning unit in which the nozzle assembly is raised to pick up particles and then wet vacuuming the floor with the nozzle assembly lowered to collect and pick up dirt from the floor mixed with cleaning solution distributed on the floor.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner base includes a source of suction and front wheels and rear wheels for wheeling the base across a floor. A nozzle assembly is attached to and supported by the base. The nozzle assembly includes a suction inlet and a sheet-pressing surface that are located in front of the front wheels. A disposable sheet is configured to be removably attached to the nozzle assembly such that, as the base is wheeled across the floor, the sheet-pressing surface presses the sheet against the floor to dislodge dirt from the floor, and the suction draws the dirt from the floor through the suction inlet.

Abstract: A surface-treating appliance includes a main body, a surface-treating head, a stand, a lock, and a hose or wand assembly. The lock is arranged to lock the stand in a supporting position, where it supports the main body in an upright position, in response to use of the wand or hose.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner for cleaning a surface includes an upper body with a handle, a base unit and a carriage configured to move the base unit on the surface. The carriage includes a wheel disposed in a rear portion of the base unit. A motor-fan unit is disposed in the base unit and configured to create a partial vacuum at the surface. A tilting joint provides for relative tilting between the upper body and the base unit. The tilting joint has a pivot axis extending in a horizontal direction when the vacuum cleaner is in a position of use. The wheel is mounted on a pivotable carrier member, which has a pivot axle that is spaced apart from a rotatable axle of the wheel. A pivoting mechanism is disposed on the tilting joint in a vicinity of the carrier member and is configured to pivot the carrier member and the wheel during a pivoting movement of the upper body relative to the base unit.

Abstract: A suction brush for a vacuum cleaner includes an upper casing, a lower casing coupled to the upper casing and provided with a suction port through which contaminants are drawn in from a surface to be cleaned, a lift plate disposed between the upper casing and the lower casing to move up and down with respect to the lower casing, a lift plate driving part to allow the lift plate to move up and down, and a lift control unit to control the lift plate driving part so that when the surface to be cleaned changes from a hard floor to a carpet, the lift plate is raised, and when the surface to be cleaned changes from the carpet to the hard floor, the lift plate is lowered.

Abstract: The invention discloses a height adjusting apparatus for a vacuum cleaner nozzle, comprising: a barrel with a vertical passage, a groove module is formed on the inner surface of the barrel, said groove module comprises an upper groove, a lower groove, which has at least a first positioning point, a second positioning point differing from first positioning point in height and a intermediate point between the two positioning points; a resilient member, a lifting member, a driven member and a driving member are arranged in the passage of barrel from down to up. The height adjusting apparatus could be adjusted by applying a pressure force downwardly in vertical direction (for example, press by foot) and that takes less labor and time.

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: A nozzle assembly of a vacuum cleaner is disclosed. The nozzle assembly includes a nozzle assembly body having an air inlet and an air outlet, a drum brush unit disposed in the nozzle assembly body in the vicinity of the air inlet, and having a drum brush disposed to brush away dirt or dust adhered to a surface to be cleaned while coming in rotation contact therewith, and a movable brush unit disposed in at least one of the front and the rear of the air inlet on an undersurface of the nozzle assembly body to pivot in an opposite direction to a moving direction of the nozzle assembly body thus to change a contacting angle to the surface to be cleaned in the range of a predetermined angle and then to brush away dirt or dust adhered to the surface to be cleaned, in moving of the nozzle assembly body.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner is provided having a suction nozzle height adjustment arrangement controlled by a rotary mode control member located on the upper housing. The rotary mode control member controls a suction nozzle height adjustment motor and a rotary agitator drive disconnect arrangement. A wheel tensioner located on an idler arm is operatively connected to a cam on the suction nozzle height adjustment motor which tensions and de-tensions the agitator drive belt to control the rotary agitator. The rotary mode control member could have discrete settings for the various floor surfaces to be cleaned including bare floors and carpet of varying pile heights. Alternately, the rotary mode control member could be variable so that an infinite number of suction nozzle height settings can be selected.

Abstract: A cleaning robot to prevent a suction member from moving upwards when the suction member is rotated during a collision with an obstacle, and which completely unfolds the suction member when a lower surface of the suction member travels on an uneven floor. The cleaning robot includes a main body to travel on a floor to be cleaned, a dust collecting unit, and a corner cleaning unit. The corner cleaning unit includes a suction member having a suction arm with a rotatable cylinder, a movable member rotatably coupled around the rotatable cylinder by a torsion spring such that the movable member can move upwards and downwards together with the suction member, a driving unit, supporting brackets, at least one elevation guide face to allow the movable member to move upwards and downwards along the elevation guide face as the movable member rotates, and at least one guide knob.

Abstract: A vacuum can include a housing having an inlet adapted to receive debris being vacuumed. A mounting bar can be fixedly coupled to the housing. A floor collector assembly can be rotatably disposed about a first axis defined by the mounting bar. The floor collector assembly can include a first debris-passing member coupled to the mounting bar, a second debris-passing member rotatably coupled to the first debris-passing member and a third debris-passing member removably coupled to the second debris-passing member. The first debris-passing member can define an opening. The floor collector assembly can be operable in a plurality of modes. In a first mode, the opening can be substantially perpendicular relative to a vacuumed surface. In a second mode, the second debris-passing member can be rotated relative to the first debris-passing member about a second axis such that the opening is at an acute angle relative to the vacuumed surface.

Abstract: A vacuum including a housing, a suction device disposed within the housing, at least one axle mounted to the housing at one or more mounting points, and a plurality of wheels mounted to the axle, wherein the axle is operable to flex about the one or more mounting points to absorb an impact force. The vacuum may also include at least one rail mounted to the housing at a plurality of mounting points and at least one caster wheel rotatably fixed to the rail. The at least one rail is operable to pivot about an axis partially defined by at least one of the mounting points in response to input forces, and a plurality of spring elements are operable to resist said pivoting, damping the input forces.

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.

Abstract: A height adjusting apparatus of a suction body for use in an upright vacuum cleaner is disclosed. The apparatus adjusts a distance between a rotary brush and a surface to be cleaned, and includes a lifting unit pivotably disposed to the suction body, and an actuating unit disposed in a modularized state at the rear of the suction body, so that a portion thereof is exposed to the outside from the suction body, and lifting or lowering the lifting unit as the portion thereof is repeatedly pushed by a user.

Abstract: A floor care appliance is provided with a switch for controlling the height of the suction nozzle. The switch controls the height of the suction nozzle by controlling the operation of an independent motor and a gear and cam arrangement operatively connected to the wheel carriage. Another cam arrangement is operatively connected to the independent motor which engages suction nozzle height adjustment travel limits at both extremes of the suction nozzle height. The suction nozzle height adjustment travel limit switches turn off current to the independent motor at the extremes of the suction nozzle height to prevent overheating of the independent motor and over travel. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, two wires connect the suction nozzle height control switch to the independent motor along with the two travel limit switches and a pair of diodes.

Abstract: The invention relates a device for suction of waste and similar, in a machine for cleaning roads and similar comprising a suction pipe (2), an inlet aperture (3) of the suction pipe (2), and a sweeper device (4) of the pipe (2) positioned near the inlet aperture (3) and suitable to free the suction pipe (2) of any impediments.

Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting a height of a suction brush for use in a vacuum cleaner includes a height adjusting knob rotatably disposed in an inserting recess formed in the suction brush, and having an inclined part formed thereon, so that a height of the suction brush from a surface to be cleaned is varied as a position of the height adjusting knob rotated, a supporting member to support the suction brush in contact with the inclined part thus to allow the suction brush to be ascended and descended by the inclined part, and a passage disposed between an inner circumferential surface of the inserting recess and an outer circumferential surface of the height adjusting knob to pass fine dirt therethrough. With the passage, the fine dirt is not tied up between the inner circumferential surface of the inserting recess and the outer circumferential surface of the height adjusting knob. Accordingly, the rotation of the height adjusting knob is not restricted or obstructed due to the fine dirt.

Abstract: A floor cleaning device (10) includes a housing (40) and a container (43) removably received by the housing. A suction nozzle (18, 18?, 18?) is fluidly connected with the container and with a suction source (52) when the container is received by the housing. A filter (114) is selectively fluidly connected with the container and with the suction source. A float (170) selectively closes the fluid connection of the filter with the container. The filter and the float may be removable as a unit (42) from the cleaning device. The nozzle may be removable, allowing an appropriate nozzle to be selected according to the type of floor surface to be cleaned.

Abstract: Disclosed is a height adjusting apparatus for a suction brush of an upright vacuum cleaner, by which a user can facilely adjust a gap between the suction brush and a cleaning surface. The apparatus comprises a suction brush body; a height adjusting knob rotatably disposed at a seating portion formed in the suction brush body, and having a cam curve portion formed at a part of an end of the height adjusting knob inserted into the suction brush body, the cam curve portion having a height difference between a starting point and an end point thereof and a plurality of recessed grooves formed between the starting point and the end point; a height adjusting shaft integrally formed with a rod member which is contacted with the cam curve portion and lifted up and down according to a rotational direction of the height adjusting knob; and a brush front wheel rotatably coupled to the height adjusting shaft.

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.