Abstract: A vacuum-cleaner-hose assembly includes a vacuum-cleaner hose (6, 36) and a swivel coupling (3, 33) for coupling the vacuum-cleaner hose (6, 36) to a housing (4) of a vacuum cleaner so as to allow it to be swivelled about a swivel axis (5) and at an angle relative to said swivel axis (5). The swivel coupling (3, 33) has a hose guide (8, 38) which surrounds a flexible portion (24, 54) of the vacuum-cleaner hose (6, 36) and holds said portion of the vacuum-cleaner hose (6, 36) in a curved position. Since the vacuum-cleaner hose is held in a curved position, the connection of the vacuum-cleaner hose to the swivel coupling can be arranged closer to that end of the swivel coupling which is to be connected to the vacuum cleaner, as a result of which the swivel coupling can be smaller and the swivel coupling or at least a combination of the swivel coupling and an adjoining coupling portion of the vacuum-cleaner hose projects less far in relation to the swivel axis of the swivel coupling.

Abstract: An electric vacuum cleaner includes a main body. A hose is connected to the main body. A motor-drive brush is provided in a floor nozzle. An extension pipe connects the floor nozzle and one end of the hose. An electric conductor is located in the extension pipe. The extension pipe includes an outer tube, an inner tube, a first electric connection terminal, a second electric connection terminal, a first conductor casing, and a second conductor casing. The first electric connection terminal is pfovided on one end of the outer tube. The second electric connection terminal is provided on one end of the inner tube. The inner tube slidably extends into the outer tube. The electric conductor is connected between the first electric connection terminal and the second electric connection terminal. The electric conductor is accommodated in the first conductor casing and the second conductor casing. The first conductor casing is provided on the outer tube. The second conductor casing is provided on the inner tube.

Abstract: The present invention involves an industrial vacuum cleaner system for the collection of large debris in industrial settings, said vacuum capable of being mounted on a wheeled frame and being carried manually. The system has a vacuum unit having an impeller housing, an impeller disposed within the impeller housing, a motor housing attached to the impeller housing, and a motor disposed within the motor housing. The system has a handle affixed to said vacuum unit, means for detachably attaching the vacuum unit to said wheeled carriage, and means for gripping and carrying the vacuum unit by hand. The system has an improved impeller having a plurality of large vanes disposed on the forward side of the impeller and a plurality of smaller vanes disposed on the reverse side of the impeller. The system has an improved impeller housing assembly having en extension spacer which increases airflow through the impeller housing.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner with a floor traveling head having a housing, a rotatable brush, and two motors. The housing has a suction inlet with an entrance at its bottom and a separate pocket in the bottom of the housing for the rotatable brush. A wall of the housing separates the pocket from the suction inlet such that the entrance to the suction inlet has a relatively small area to maximize vacuum pull at the entrance. The suction inlet has a lower section with straight wall sections that are angled to form smaller areas at the lateral ends of the suction inlet. The suction inlet has an exit aperture directly into a collection assembly such that air velocity increases from the lower section to the upper section and then decreases from the upper section into the collection assembly.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a floor traveling head with wheels and an elongate handle pivotably connected to the head. The head has two motors; one connected to an impeller and one connected to a rotatable brush. The head has rechargeable batteries therein for supplying electricity to the motors and a three position electrical switch. All working components of the vacuum cleaner, including an air filter and dust/dirt collection cup, are in the floor traveling head. The handle has no working components thereon.

Abstract: A suction tube mounted with an auxiliary brush of a vacuum cleaner separates coupled extension pipes from each other while projecting the auxiliary brush from the suction tube, and couples the extension pipes with each other while retreating the auxiliary brush from the preceding end of the suction tube which includes the first extension pipe, second extension pipe and auxiliary brush slidably mounted to the outer periphery of the first extension pipe in the lengthwise direction. The auxiliary brush is biased toward the front side of the first extension pipe by a biasing member and retreats toward the rear side of the first extension pipe by a retracting member.

Abstract: A deep cleaning/vacuum machine wherein the housing is provided with three separate switches for an agitator (brush), a suction motor, and a cleaning liquid pump. The switches may be conventional switches.

Abstract: For a vacuum cleaning unit, a cleaning tool employing a rotatably driven brush and having a split manifold therein which allows a vacuum airflow to be directed to the outermost longitudinal ends of the brush without interference with a drive belt rotatably driving the brush at its approximate longitudinal midpoint. The cleaning tool includes an upper housing having a centrally disposed cut-out portion and a semi-circular portion for partially housing the brush therein. A cut-out is formed in a base portion of the upper housing. A lower housing also has a cut-out shaped identically to that of the cut-out portion of the upper housing. A front sole plate is included which is secured to the lower housing and which includes a pair of openings separated by a central portion, where the openings allow portions of the brush to protrude. Each of the upper and lower housings further have runner portions which form airflow channels through which a vacuum airflow may be generated.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a suction generator, a dust collector, a hose extending from the dust collector, and a suction head disposed at a free end of the hose. The suction head includes an air inlet and an air outlet, and noise dampening material disposed inside the suction head above the inlet and on opposite sides of the outlet.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner including a canister assembly pivotally connected to a nozzle assembly and an extensible hose which forms part of the vacuum path between the nozzle assembly and the canister assembly and which can be disconnected from the nozzle assembly for above-the-floor cleaning. Disconnecting the hose deenergizes an agitator motor in the nozzle assembly. The canister assembly includes a housing with an integral hand tool and attachment storage area which retains the tools and attachments, as well as the extensible hose, within the periphery of the housing. The upright vacuum cleaner also includes a height adjustment mechanism which deenergizes the agitator motor when the nozzle assembly is in its closest relation to the floor surface being cleaned.

Abstract: The water extraction machine according to the invention provides a quick connect system for mounting one end of a solution tube and vacuum hose to the water extraction machine housing and a simple and efficient means for conveying solution from the housing to a cleaning tool. One end of the vacuum hose and solution tube are received in a cuff member which is adapted to be received in the machine housing by a simple press fit interconnection. The cuff member provides a single connection for both the vacuum hose and the solution hose to the machine housing. The other end of the vacuum hose and solution tube are received in a clam shell grip tube handle which is in turn mounted to an extruded dual chamber wand. A first longitudinal chamber in the wand conveys vacuum through the wand and the second longitudinal channel conveys cleaning solution from the grip tube to the cleaning tool.

Abstract: A switch and connector for selectively creating an electrical circuit between a motor mounted in a power foot and a combination vacuum cleaning/water extraction machine is disclosed. The motor mounted in the power foot drives an agitation member rotatively mounted in the power foot. The power foot is inter-connected to the housing of the machine through a rigid wand, a grip tube and a flexible hose. A pneumatic switch is mounted in the electrical circuit between the source of electricity and the power foot motor. A bladder is mounted to the grip tube and in fluid communication with the pneumatic switch through a conduit. The bladder is constructed such that the pneumatic switch cannot be activated to create a complete electrical circuit between the source of electricity and the power foot motor unless the grip tube and wand are properly assembled.

Abstract: A multi-use power foot suitable for use for both dry vacuum cleaning and water extraction procedures is disclosed. The power foot has a dry suction chamber in fluid communication with an outlet and a water suction chamber in fluid communication with the outlet. A diverter valve member is mounted within the housing to selectively restrict the air flow from one of the chambers to the outlet. A rotating brush is mounted in the opening of the dry suction chamber to agitate the surface to be cleaned in both the dry vacuum cleaning and water extraction modes. Spray nozzles are mounted to the underside of the power foot to direct a water based cleaning solution to the surface to be cleaned.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner including a canister assembly pivotally connected to a nozzle assembly and an extensible hose which forms part of the vacuum path between the nozzle assembly and the canister assembly and which can be disconnected from the nozzle assembly for above-the-floor cleaning. Disconnecting the hose deenergizes an agitator motor in the nozzle assembly. The canister assembly includes a housing with an integral hand tool and attachment storage area which retains the tools and attachments, as well as the extensible hose, within the periphery of the housing. The upright vacuum cleaner also includes a height adjustment mechanism which deenergizes the agitator motor when the nozzle assembly is in its closest relation to the floor surface being cleaned.

Abstract: An electric vacuum cleaner having a body, suction generating means and a dust collection space in said body, and a rotatable hose inlet for receiving a suction hose and connecting the hose to the dust collection space. The suction hose has at one end a coupling engageable with said hose inlet. An electrical power supply cord socket is arranged to receive a plug of a power supply cord for a powered accessory of the vacuum cleaner. To avoid twisting of the cord around the hose, the cord socket is located on the hose coupling.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner with a dust sensor comprising a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element for receiving light emitted from the light-emitting element. The dust sensor is provided in a suction passage between a suction nozzle and a dust collector of the vacuum cleaner for detecting dust in air drawn through the suction nozzle to generate a current corresponding to the detection result. A manual switch decreases sensitivity to dust detection while a rotatable member cleans a carpet. This prevents variations in dust detection from influencing operation of the rotatable cleaning member.

Abstract: A handle assembly for securing a vacuum hose to an intake nozzle of a vacuum cleaner system. A handle housing having first and second mating handle housing sections and a plurality of oppositely facing ridges and oppositely facing grooved portions protruding from inner surfaces of the housing sections is adapted to house a ribbed end portion of a vacuum hose and an elbow section having a shoulder portion protruding therefrom. The ridges and grooved portions are adapted to abuttingly engage the ribbed end portion of the vacuum hose and the shoulder portion of the elbow section respectively when the first and second handle housing sections are matingly engaged, to thereby prevent clockwise or counter-clockwise rotation of the vacuum hose as the handle assembly is articulated into various positions during use. The vacuum hose further includes a relatively smooth inner surface which is operable to slide over a portion of the elbow section housed within the handle assembly housing.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes an agitator brush which only becomes operational when a carpeted floor is being cleaned. In order to avoid erroneous activation of a dust indicator lamp when individual strands of carpet pile are pulled onto the cleaner, a surface discrimination device lowers the sensitivity of a dust sensor circuit, which drives the lamp, when shag or high pile carpet is encountered so as to prevent erroneous signaling of the presence of dust.

Abstract: A front side flexible member is provided along the vicinity of an opening front edge of a suction opening of a suction nozzle main body and has a plurality of opening grooves. The flexible member is positioned at a dent wall of the suction nozzle main body. A suction guide wall is formed between the flexible member and the suction opening of the suction nozzle main body. The suction guide wall is positioned at a dent portion more than a bottom face of the suction nozzle main body. The large size solid dust at the corner portion is moved smoothly into the suction opening and the cleaning operation with the large size solid dust at the corner portion is carried out thoroughly.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling dispensing of "dry" powdered compositions particularly carpet cleaning compositions wherein the confined finely divided particles descend in a stream under gravity and have oscillatory movement imparted thereto next before discharge through an orifice leading therefrom so as to agitate, separate and propel the particles therethrough; and in the case of carpet cleaning operations depositing the finely divided discharged particles onto the surface of the fibres in a substantially uniform pattern thereover followed by working same into the fibres through the application thereto of a rotary brush or beater and thereafter recovering the residues by a suitable suction or vacuum unit utilizing a rotary brush or beater and an associated two stage cyclone separator.

Abstract: A repair plate used in combination with a power nozzle for a vacuum cleaner, typically stamped from metal stock, and serving to repair the power nozzle for reuse purposes. The repair plate may assume the outer configuration of the upper surface of the power nozzle and may be positioned in an operative position by the use of a pop rivet. An air impervious solvent may also be employed to preclude air leakage. The invention solves a long needed problem common to vacuum cleaner repairmen.

Abstract: In a floor nozzle for a vacuum cleaner the nozzle housing is provided with a substantially closed bottom, and it has in its upper housing portion a lockable opening, through which the suction chamber and the mechanical driving members of the cleaning means are accessible when the floor nozzle is in the operating position. The opening is locked by a cover which is hinged on the forward front face of the nozzle housing.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is provided that is alternatively operable as a stand alone, upright vacuum cleaner and as a canister vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner includes a nozzle assembly having a beater brush, a suction fan and a motor that drives both the beater brush and suction fan. A dirt tube assembly includes a first air flow passageway that directs dirt from the nozzle assembly to a dirt box and also includes a second air flow passageway that directs dirt from the nozzle assembly to a handle. The handle includes an air flow passageway that is coupled to the second air flow passageway in the dirt tube assembly. The handle is alternatively interconnectable with a cap for sealing the handle air flow passageway to operate the vacuum cleaner as a stand alone, upright vacuum cleaner wherein dirt is directed from the nozzle by the nozzle suction fan through the first air flow passageway to the dirt box.

Abstract: A front side flexible member is provided along the vicinity of an opening front edge of a suction opening of a suction nozzle main body and has a plurality of opening grooves. The flexible member is positioned at a dent wall of the suction nozzle main body. A suction guide wall is formed between the flexible member and the suction opening of the suction nozzle main body. The suction guide wall is positioned at a dent portion more than a bottom face of the suction nozzle main body. The large size solid dust at the corner portion is moved smoothly into the suction opening and the cleaning operation with the large size solid dust at the corner portion is carried out thoroughly.

Abstract: A wand seal assembly for a vacuum cleaner wand provides an improved seal between the telescopic connecting elements of the wand. The seal comprises a two-piece, dual durometer seal having a rigid portion with locking tabs for securing to the wand portion, and a flexible sealing portion.

Abstract: A belt tensioner for a vacuum cleaner includes a roller and a torsion spring to bias the roller against an endless, non-stretch, flat vacuum cleaner belt to exert an increasing force thereon as the belt lengthens with wear and the torsion spring unwinds, thereby maintaining the tension in the belt substantially constant as the belt lengthens with wear. The tensioner includes a pair of connecting arms each having a first end coupled to opposite ends of the roller and each having a second end pivotal about a pivot axis, the torsion spring being disposed adjacent to the second ends of the connecting arms. The spring rate of the torsion spring is relatively low so that the moment about a pivot axis through the center of the torsion spring of the force applied to the connecting arms by the free end of the torsion spring decreases only slightly as the belt lengthens with wear.

Abstract: A suction nozzle for a vacuum cleaner, including a brush that is disposed in the suction nozzle and is driven by a battery-powered electric motor. The suction nozzle is in flow communication with the vacuum cleaner via a suction hose. The suction nozzle is provided with a shaft for guiding and handling same. At least one bracket is disposed in the vicinity of the guide shaft for accommodating at least one battery for the electric motor.

Abstract: An air booster power nozzle for use in combination with a vacuum cleaner having a motor/fan unit for creating a vacuum, the power nozzle including an enclosed base having a suction inlet for air and an air outlet spaced from the suction inlet, a power source and a motor energized by the power source, a suction-creating fan rotatably supported by the motor and sited relative to the enclosed base adjacent the air outlet; the motor/fan units of the vacuum cleaner and of the power nozzle operating in tandem for creating an extremely high suction and vacuum at the power nozzle to forcefully remove debris from the surface being cleaned and to preclude plugging of the power nozzle or the vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: A safety interlock circuit for a vacuum cleaner system is disclosed for interrupting the flow of current through conductors of a vacuum hose and handle assembly whenever an electrical attachment accessory is disconnected from the handle assembly during operation of the vacuum. A pulse-type reset circuit is also disclosed for re-enabling current flow through the conductors of the vacuum hose and handle assembly after the electrical attachment accessory has been reattached to the handle assembly. The safety interlock circuit of the preferred embodiment comprises a relay coil, a plurality of normally open relay contacts, and a current sensing resistor, all connected in series with an AC power source and a motor of the electrical attachment accessory. A voltage doubler is also connected in parallel with the current sensing resistor for supplying a DC voltage to the relay coil.

Abstract: A canister vacuum cleaner includes a floor cleaning unit having a rotatable brush driven by a brush motor and a remotely disposed canister having a vacuum or suction motor for providing suction to perform cleaning operations. The floor cleaning unit is mechanically and pneumatically interconnected with the canister through a rigid wand and a wand handle and hose assembly. The wand handle and hose assembly includes a wand handle, disposed between the rigid wand and a flexible hose, with a three-position electrical control switch mounted thereon. The control switch enables the deenergization of both the brush motor and the vacuum motor in a first position, enables the energization of the vacuum motor only in a second position and enables the energization of both the vacuum motor and the brush motor in a third position.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner has a disconnectable handle and dirt tube assembly mounted to a floor nozzle. The assembly includes a wire harness connector which mates to a corresponding connector in the floor nozzle to provide power to the floor nozzle components. The connectors are each securely mounted in their respective components, so that when the handle assembly is connected to the floor nozzle, the electrical connection is automatically made. Access to the floor nozzle components is had by removal of the floor nozzle cover. The handle assembly, when installed, is located in spaced relationship from the floor nozzle, overlying an arcuate portion of the floor nozzle top in all but a horizontal position of the handle assembly. When the handle assembly is in a horizontal position, a body edge of the handle assembly overlies projections on the nozzle cover.

Abstract: A canister vacuum cleaner capable of performing automatic control of rotary brush operation, locally within the power nozzle without communication between the power nozzle and the canister and of performing suction power control in accordance with the floor condition, without any extra electric connection between the power nozzle and the canister other than that for activating the rotary brush motor. The canister vacuum cleaner includes a power nozzle for cleaning floor by using the suction power including: a rotary brush for beating the floor; a rotary brush motor for activating the rotary brush; floor condition detector; and a device for controlling the rotary brush motor in accordance with the detected floor condition.

Abstract: The present invention is an accessory brush attachment for a vacuum cleaner including an accessory motor and an accessory housing having a front end and a back end. The accessory housing encloses the accessory motor. The accessory housing has an intake aperture for reception of dirt, liquid and air drawn into the accessory housing in response to a vacuum produced by the vacuum cleaner. A rotatable brush is disposed within the intake aperture for contacting a surface to be cleaned. A means interconnects the brush and the accessory motor for allowing the accessory motor to rotate the brush. The housing includes first means for mounting the accessory brush attachment at a first point to the canister of the vacuum cleaner and a second means for mounting the accessory brush attachment at a second point to the vacuum cleaner housing.

Abstract: A portable tacking unit includes a hand-held tacking head having a cylindrical brush operatively communicating with a central suction unit via a flexible conduit. The unit is readily adapted to electrostatically attract, and remove fine dust particles from surfaces prior to painting, lacquering or coating thereof.

Abstract: A hand-held vacuum cleaner includes provision for snap-on attachment of a power brush to a rigid dust bowl thereof. Cooperating electrical contacts in the power brush and the dust bowl connect a brush motor in the power brush for concerted operation with a vacuum cleaner motor in the cordless vacuum cleaner. Cooperating latch members in the dust bowl and the power brush enable snapping the two elements together and facilitate their separation. Clam-shell construction is utilized to accept parts of the latch members and a contact retainer supporting both electrical contacts for application of power from the cordless vacuum cleaner to the power brush. An integrated base provides means for retaining both the vacuum cleaner and the power brush attachment.

Abstract: The present invention is a vacuum cleaner and accessory attachment assembly including a vacuum cleaner and an accessory attachment. The vacuum cleaner includes a motor, a housing enclosing the motor and a fan driven by the motor for producing a vacuum. The vacuum cleaner also includes a canister removably attached to the housing for reception of air and foreign matter into the canister in response to the vacuum produced by the fan. The vacuum cleaner further includes a power source and electrical wiring interconnecting the power source and the motor. The accessory attachment is removably mounted to the vacuum cleaner and includes a motor, and means for electrically connecting the motor to the vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner includes means for allowing the speed of the motor of the vacuum cleaner to change while allowing the speed of the motor for the accessory attachment to remain constant.

Abstract: An electrically conductive hose assembly for a vacuum cleaner includes a hose body having a plurality of resilient helical conductive wires and a handle assembly having a projecting hollow end portion received within the hose body. Handle assembly wires are connected to the hose body wires by terminals fitted over the wire ends and crimped thereto, and a shrink wrap insulation is secured therearound. The hollow end portion has outwardly projecting wire termination blocks defining circumferential slots for removably securing the hose body wire end portions adjacent their connection to the handle wires, and the hollow end portion includes a depressed section aligned with that connection. At least one of the hose wires is secured between the hollow end portion and an axially extending resilient arm which is supported from one end in a radially spaced relation from the hollow end portion and has an inwardly extending tab at the other end.

Abstract: A cordless vacuum cleaner includes provision for snap-on attachment of a power brush to a rigid dust bowl thereof. Cooperating electrical contacts in the power brush and the dust bowl connect a brush motor in the power brush for concerted operation with a vacuum cleaner motor in the cordless vacuum cleaner. Cooperating latch members in the dust bowl and the power brush enable snapping the two elements together and facilitate their separation. Clam-shell construction is utilized to accept parts of the latch members and a contact retainer suppporting both electrical contacts for application of power from the cordless vacuum cleaner to the power brush. An integrated base provides means for retaining both the cordless vacuum cleaner and the power brush attachment.

Abstract: A plug retainer for use in a vacuum cleaner having a handle removably connected to a wand. The plug retainer is arranged to effectively preclude discharge of static electricity from the dirty suction air to the electrical conductors and interconnected plugs so as to avoid spurious operation of electrostatic discharge sensitive control structure of the vacuum cleaner, which may include microprocessor control elements. The plug retainer structure includes a locking tongue and an integral static shield extending over a substantial area between the connected male and female plugs of the control wiring.

Abstract: Device for sealing retractable soot-blower lances at the point of insertion through the wall of a heat exchanger. A labyrinth box consists of lamellas. The lamellas narrowly surround the soot-blower lances and are secured at the outer edge in a wall box. The wall box is tightly sealed to the wall of the heat exchanger and has an air-barrier connection. The object is to allow one wall box to accommodate several soot-blower lances, even when they have different outside diameters. Several soot-blower lances accordingly extend through the wall box and several lamellas radially surround the soot-blower lances alternately either narrowly or loosely.

Abstract: A grip unit for a suction hose of a vacuum cleaner system defines both air and electrical connections to further components of the system such as a suction pipe, nozzle and the like. The grip unit includes a one-piece insert member which is preassembled and then inserted into a tubular member. The one-piece insert member accommodates all electrical components or accessories and, in the inserted position, this insert member defines a sealed air guide and a channel for the electrical parts. The simplified configuration substantially simplifies assembly and reduces the cost to manufacture the unit.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a motor and an elongate conductive tubular member and a system for dissipating an electrostatic charge accumulated on the tubular member. In a canister vacuum cleaner, a rigid wand, mechanically and pneumatically interconnected between a wand handle and a floor cleaning unit, is electrically conductively connected to a motor in the floor cleaning unit to dissipate or drain off any electrostatic charge accumulated on the rigid wand. Furthermore, one or more corona discharge elements are disposed in the wand handle and are electrically conductively connected to the rigid wand to effect a corona discharge into the air flowing through the vacuum cleaner, thereby to dissipate the electrostatic charge accumulated on the rigid wand. In an upright vacuum cleaner, an elongate conductive tubular handle is electrically conductively connected to the motor of the upright vacuum cleaner, thereby to dissipate or drain off an electrostatic charge accumulated on the handle.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a floor cleaning unit having a rotatable brush driven by a brush motor and a receptacle for collecting particulate matter. The floor cleaning unit is mechanically and pneumatically interconnected with the receptacle through a rigid wand and a wand handle and hose assembly. The wand handle and hose assembly includes a wand handle, disposed between the rigid wand and a flexible hose. The wand handle includes a passage through which air and particulate matter pass from the floor cleaning unit to the receptable. A corona discharge element with a roughened surface is positioned in the downstream end of the wand handle passage. A stub tube is positioned in the upstream end of the wand handle passage to connect the wand handle to the wand. A conductive strap, installed in the wand handle using a heat staking process, interconnects the stub tube and the corona discharge element.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a wheeled nozzle with a two-piece wand defining a lower end connected to a swivel connector portion of the nozzle. Guide structure is provided for accurately aligning cooperating male and female terminals on the wand and swivel connector of the nozzle for facilitated connection therebetween when the lower end of the wand is connected to the swivel connector for providing a suction connection from an associated cannister to the nozzle. A foot pedal-operated lever is provided for releasing a latch retaining the lower end of the wand to the swivel connector when desired. A connector connects the upper end of the lower portion of the wand to the lower end of the upper portion thereof by a rotatable connection to permit limited rotation of the upper portion of the wand about the axis of the wand for selective disposition of the handle connected to the upper end of the upper portion of the wand.

Abstract: A control system for a vacuum cleaner comprising three separate sub-control systems located in a canister portion, a power nozzle floor cleaner portion and a suction hose handle portion respectively. The handle portion sub-control includes user input switches and indicator lights and it controls the other two sub-controls. The canister sub-control controls the energization and speed of a suction fan motor as well as sensing pressure levels in the canister and suction hose. The floor cleaner sub-control controls the energization of a beater brush motor as well as sensing the rotational speed of the beater brush and depth of carpeting pile. Microcomputers are used in each circuit and communication between the circuits is done in packet form on a third connector and one side of an AC power line. Diagnostic testing is also built into the control system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner having a suction motor 13, which is encased in a casing, and a brush motor 12 for driving a brush, which is encased in a floor nozzle. A remote control of the rotational speed of the suction motor 13 is performed by superimposing a signal on two feed wires 32, 33 provided from the casing to the brush motor 14.

Abstract: A canister vacuum cleaner having electrical conductors extending from electrical circuitry in the canister through the connection of the suction hose thereto through electrical conductors embodied in the suction hose to electrical apparatus associated with a nozzle, such as a brush motor therein. The electrical connection between the hose end and the canister is provided by a first electrical connector mounted to the hose end, and a second electrical connector mounted to the base portion of the canister housing. Both the hose suction connector and the first electrical connector at the hose end are freely installable through a suction inlet passage formed in the cover and are then connected to a source of suction and a second electrical connector mounted in the base.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus, especially a suction nozzle, for a vacuum cleaner. The apparatus has a joint pan connected with an apparatus housing, and a joint head connected with an apparatus connecting piece for a handle of the vacuum cleaner. The joint parts are parts of a joint, especially a tilting joint, and delimit a gap of movement of the joint. At least one of the joint parts is a part which can be detached from the apparatus part respectively associated therewith, which detachable part is provided at least partially with a fiber packing which projects into the gap of movement. The fiber packing includes closely packed fibers which are arranged at least substantially at right angles on an associated supporting surface of the joint part.

Abstract: A self-cleaning joint is disclosed. The joint is disposed in an air flow passage, such as that of a vacuum cleaner power nozzle, and allows an element attached thereto, such as a vacuum cleaner hose to which it is connected, to be pivoted between first and second positions. The joint includes a chamber and a tubular member having a first portion pivotably disposed in the chamber and a second portion protruding from the chamber. To prevent abrasion of the joint caused by the accumulation of abrasive particles, the inner walls of the chamber are provided with grooves where any dust which penetrates the joint can collect. The grooves are positioned so that they are cleaned periodically by the flow of air in the passage.

Abstract: A typical power nozzle for a canister type vacuum cleaner is modified by omitting nozzle adjustment and other components, and by adding a tank for suds solution, a suds control unit, and a modified nozzle housing bottom plate which slides on the floor covering being suds-scrubbed. The sudser is used as a substitute for a typical power nozzle connected in a canister type cleaner system with the blower outlet of the power unit of the canister, in a suds-scrubbing operation. After scrubbing, a typical power nozzle is connected in the usual manner in the system, to perform normal cleaning of the area scrubbed.