US20210401246A1 - Surface cleaning apparatus - Google Patents
Surface cleaning apparatus Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20210401246A1 US20210401246A1 US17/458,195 US202117458195A US2021401246A1 US 20210401246 A1 US20210401246 A1 US 20210401246A1 US 202117458195 A US202117458195 A US 202117458195A US 2021401246 A1 US2021401246 A1 US 2021401246A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- treatment member
- air treatment
- main body
- air
- cyclone
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Pending
Links
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 183
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 24
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 claims description 125
- 239000003570 air Substances 0.000 description 535
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 description 41
- 238000013461 design Methods 0.000 description 19
- 210000003811 finger Anatomy 0.000 description 19
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 17
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 16
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 16
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 16
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 description 12
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 7
- 238000004146 energy storage Methods 0.000 description 7
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 7
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 description 5
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 description 5
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 4
- 230000013011 mating Effects 0.000 description 4
- 230000036961 partial effect Effects 0.000 description 4
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 description 4
- 230000000903 blocking effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000000994 depressogenic effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000006870 function Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000005304 joining Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000000428 dust Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000006260 foam Substances 0.000 description 2
- 210000004247 hand Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- 230000000670 limiting effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000005192 partition Methods 0.000 description 2
- 208000027418 Wounds and injury Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 230000009471 action Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000004075 alteration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000012080 ambient air Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000006378 damage Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009826 distribution Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000005611 electricity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000002401 inhibitory effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 208000014674 injury Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 238000009413 insulation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003993 interaction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001788 irregular Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000012811 non-conductive material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000013021 overheating Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000149 penetrating effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- JTJMJGYZQZDUJJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N phencyclidine Chemical class C1CCCCN1C1(C=2C=CC=CC=2)CCCCC1 JTJMJGYZQZDUJJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002829 reductive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000004044 response Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000087 stabilizing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 description 1
- 210000003813 thumb Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 239000012780 transparent material Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L5/00—Structural features of suction cleaners
- A47L5/12—Structural features of suction cleaners with power-driven air-pumps or air-compressors, e.g. driven by motor vehicle engine vacuum
- A47L5/22—Structural features of suction cleaners with power-driven air-pumps or air-compressors, e.g. driven by motor vehicle engine vacuum with rotary fans
- A47L5/24—Hand-supported suction cleaners
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L5/00—Structural features of suction cleaners
- A47L5/12—Structural features of suction cleaners with power-driven air-pumps or air-compressors, e.g. driven by motor vehicle engine vacuum
- A47L5/22—Structural features of suction cleaners with power-driven air-pumps or air-compressors, e.g. driven by motor vehicle engine vacuum with rotary fans
- A47L5/225—Convertible suction cleaners, i.e. convertible between different types thereof, e.g. from upright suction cleaners to sledge-type suction cleaners
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L5/00—Structural features of suction cleaners
- A47L5/12—Structural features of suction cleaners with power-driven air-pumps or air-compressors, e.g. driven by motor vehicle engine vacuum
- A47L5/22—Structural features of suction cleaners with power-driven air-pumps or air-compressors, e.g. driven by motor vehicle engine vacuum with rotary fans
- A47L5/24—Hand-supported suction cleaners
- A47L5/26—Hand-supported suction cleaners with driven dust-loosening tools
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L5/00—Structural features of suction cleaners
- A47L5/12—Structural features of suction cleaners with power-driven air-pumps or air-compressors, e.g. driven by motor vehicle engine vacuum
- A47L5/22—Structural features of suction cleaners with power-driven air-pumps or air-compressors, e.g. driven by motor vehicle engine vacuum with rotary fans
- A47L5/28—Suction cleaners with handles and nozzles fixed on the casings, e.g. wheeled suction cleaners with steering handle
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/10—Filters; Dust separators; Dust removal; Automatic exchange of filters
- A47L9/106—Dust removal
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/10—Filters; Dust separators; Dust removal; Automatic exchange of filters
- A47L9/12—Dry filters
- A47L9/122—Dry filters flat
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/10—Filters; Dust separators; Dust removal; Automatic exchange of filters
- A47L9/16—Arrangement or disposition of cyclones or other devices with centrifugal action
- A47L9/165—Construction of inlets
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/10—Filters; Dust separators; Dust removal; Automatic exchange of filters
- A47L9/16—Arrangement or disposition of cyclones or other devices with centrifugal action
- A47L9/1658—Construction of outlets
- A47L9/1666—Construction of outlets with filtering means
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/10—Filters; Dust separators; Dust removal; Automatic exchange of filters
- A47L9/16—Arrangement or disposition of cyclones or other devices with centrifugal action
- A47L9/1683—Dust collecting chambers; Dust collecting receptacles
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/10—Filters; Dust separators; Dust removal; Automatic exchange of filters
- A47L9/16—Arrangement or disposition of cyclones or other devices with centrifugal action
- A47L9/1691—Mounting or coupling means for cyclonic chamber or dust receptacles
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/22—Mountings for motor fan assemblies
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/24—Hoses or pipes; Hose or pipe couplings
- A47L9/242—Hose or pipe couplings
- A47L9/246—Hose or pipe couplings with electrical connectors
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/28—Installation of the electric equipment, e.g. adaptation or attachment to the suction cleaner; Controlling suction cleaners by electric means
- A47L9/2868—Arrangements for power supply of vacuum cleaners or the accessories thereof
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/32—Handles
- A47L9/322—Handles for hand-supported suction cleaners
Definitions
- the surface cleaning apparatus comprises a portable surface cleaning apparatus, such as a hand vacuum cleaner or a pod.
- Surface cleaning apparatus include vacuum cleaners.
- a vacuum cleaner typically uses at least one cyclonic cleaning stage.
- cyclonic hand vacuum cleaners have been developed. See for example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,931,716 and US 2010/0229328. Each of these discloses a hand vacuum cleaner which includes a cyclonic cleaning stage.
- U.S. Pat. No. 7,931,716 discloses a cyclonic cleaning stage utilizing two cyclonic cleaning stages wherein both cyclonic stages have cyclone axis of rotation that extends vertically.
- US 2010/0229328 discloses a cyclonic hand vacuum cleaner wherein the cyclone axis of rotation extends horizontally and is co-axial with the suction motor.
- hand carriable cyclonic vacuum cleaners are also known (see U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,146,201 and 8,549,703).
- a hand vacuum cleaner has a uniflow cyclone with a front cyclone air inlet and a rear air cyclone outlet. Accordingly, the cyclone axis extends rearwardly from the front end of the cyclone.
- the cyclone air inlet may be in an upper portion of the cyclone and may be in an upper portion of the sidewall (e.g., most and preferably essentially all of the inlet opening may be in the sidewall of the cyclone above the axis of rotation of the cyclone).
- the dirt collection area may be a dirt collection chamber that is external to the cyclone chamber and may be provided below the cyclone chamber.
- the dirt outlet of the cyclone chamber may be provided in a lower portion of the sidewall of the cyclone near or at the rear end of the cyclone.
- a hand vacuum cleaner having a front end having a dirty air inlet, a rear end, a clean air outlet, an upper end and a bottom, the hand vacuum cleaner comprising:
- the cyclone axis of rotation when the hand vacuum cleaner is positioned with the bottom on a horizontal surface, may be generally horizontal.
- the suction motor axis of rotation may be generally horizontal.
- the suction motor axis of rotation may be positioned below the cyclone axis of rotation.
- the cyclone has a sidewall having an upper portion and a lower portion and a dirt outlet may be provided in the lower portion and is in communication with a dirt collection chamber that is exterior to the cyclone.
- the cyclone air inlet may be provided in the upper portion of the sidewall of the cyclone.
- the cyclone axis of rotation may be generally parallel to the suction motor axis of rotation.
- the main body may be provided with a handle.
- the hand vacuum cleaner further comprises a handle having a hand grip portion that may extend upwardly and forwardly when the hand vacuum cleaner is oriented with the cyclone underneath the upper end.
- the lower end of the main body may comprise the bottom.
- the cyclone unit may be provided on the front end of the main body. Alternately, or in addition, the cyclone unit may be removably mounted to the main body.
- the dirty air inlet may be provided on a front end of the cyclone unit.
- the dirty air inlet may comprise an inlet passage that extends longitudinally between an inlet end and an outlet end and has a longitudinal passage axis, the outlet end of the inlet passage communicates with the cyclone air inlet and the inlet passage axis may be positioned between an upper and a lower end of a handle of the hand vacuum cleaner.
- the handle may comprise a hand grip portion that extends upwardly and forwardly when the hand vacuum cleaner is oriented with the cyclone underneath the upper end.
- the suction motor axis of rotation may be positioned below the cyclone axis of rotation when the hand vacuum cleaner is oriented with the cyclone underneath the upper end.
- the inlet passage may have a longitudinal passage axis that is linear and all of the longitudinal passage may be positioned above the cyclone axis of rotation when the hand vacuum cleaner is oriented with the cyclone underneath the upper end.
- a surface cleaning apparatus comprising the hand vacuum cleaner discussed herein, a surface cleaning head and a rigid air flow conduit extending between the surface cleaning head and the hand vacuum cleaner wherein an outlet end of the rigid air flow conduit is removable connectable in air flow communication with the inlet passage.
- a hand vacuum cleaner having a front end, a rear end, a clean air outlet, an upper end and a bottom, the hand vacuum cleaner comprising:
- air travels through the air treatment member air outlet in a flow direction and the flow direction may be generally parallel to the suction motor axis of rotation.
- a hand vacuum cleaner has an air treatment member with an air flow conduit or passage wherein the conduit is also a handle of the air treatment member.
- a hand vacuum cleaner having a front end having a dirty air inlet, a rear end, a clean air outlet, an upper end and a bottom, the hand vacuum cleaner comprising:
- the driving handle may comprise a portion spaced from the main body whereby a finger receiving area is provided between the driving handle and the main body.
- the driving handle may be provided at the rear end of the main body.
- the air treatment member handle may comprise a portion spaced from the air treatment member whereby a finger receiving area is provided between the air treatment member handle and the air treatment member.
- the air treatment member handle may be provided above the air treatment member.
- the openable door may be provided at the front end of the hand vacuum cleaner.
- the openable door may have a lower end that is moveably mounted to the air treatment member and an upper end that may be engaged by the door lock.
- the door release actuator may be positioned proximate the air treatment member handle.
- the inlet passage may extend generally rearwardly.
- the door release actuator may be positioned at a forward end of the inlet passage.
- a hand vacuum cleaner having a front end having a dirty air inlet, a rear end, a clean air outlet, an upper end and a bottom, the hand vacuum cleaner comprising:
- the driving handle may comprise a portion spaced from the main body whereby a finger receiving area is provided between the driving handle and the main body.
- the driving handle may be provided at the rear end of the main body.
- the cyclone unit handle may comprise a portion spaced from the cyclone unit whereby a finger receiving area is provided between the cyclone unit handle and the cyclone unit.
- the cyclone unit handle may be provided above the cyclone unit.
- the openable door may be provided at the front end of the hand vacuum cleaner.
- the air inlet may comprise an inlet passage that extends longitudinally between an inlet end and an outlet end and the inlet passage comprises the cyclone unit handle.
- the cyclone axis of rotation when the hand vacuum cleaner is positioned with the bottom on a horizontal surface, may be generally horizontal.
- the air treatment member e.g., a cyclone unit
- the air treatment member may be removably mounted to the rest of the hand vacuum cleaner.
- the air treatment member may include a dirty air inlet that is connectable to an upper end of a longitudinally extending rigid member (e.g., which may be hollow to enable airflow therethrough) and a surface cleaning head may be provided (preferably removably connected) to a lower end of the longitudinally extending rigid member.
- the handle of the hand vacuum cleaner When assembled as an upright or stick vacuum cleaner with the hand vacuum cleaner drivingly connected to the surface cleaning head by the longitudinally extending rigid member (e.g., a rigid wand), the handle of the hand vacuum cleaner may be used to steer the surface cleaning head.
- the longitudinally extending rigid member e.g., a rigid wand
- lateral stresses i.e., stresses transverse to the longitudinal forward/rearward axis of the hand vacuum cleaner
- lateral stability members may be provided at the interface of the air treatment member and the rest of the hand vacuum cleaner.
- inter-engagement members may be provided which extend in a direction that extends generally between the lower end and the upper end of the hand vacuum cleaner.
- These lateral stability members may extend continuously or they may have discontinuities and they may extend linearly or otherwise.
- the lateral stability members will strengthen the joint of the air treatment member and the rest of the hand vacuum cleaner.
- at least one pair is provided on either lateral side of a center line extending in the longitudinal forward/rearward direction of the hand vacuum cleaner.
- the lateral stability members may be any members that have sides that abut to resist the lateral stresses and may comprise a longitudinally extending protrusion or spline and a mating groove or abutting longitudinally extending protrusions or splines.
- a surface cleaning apparatus comprising:
- the lower end of one of the air treatment member and the main body may be provided with a transversely extending rod and the lower end of the other of the air treatment member and the main body may be provided with a hook removably connectable with the rod.
- the lower end of the air treatment member may be rotationally mounted to the lower end of the main body at a position longitudinally spaced from the first and second engagement members.
- the lower end of the air treatment member may be rotationally mounted to the lower end of the main body at a position longitudinally spaced from a position at which the upper end of the air treatment member abuts the upper end of the main body.
- one of the air treatment member and the main body may be provided with an outwardly extending protrusion and the other of the air treatment member and the main body may be provided with a groove in which the outwardly extending protrusion is received when the air treatment member is secured to the main body.
- the main body may have a driving handle and the dirty air inlet is part of the air treatment member.
- the air treatment member may comprise a cyclone unit and the driving handle may be provided at the rear end of the main body and the dirty air inlet may comprise an inlet passage that extends longitudinally between an inlet end provided at a front end of the cyclone unit and an outlet end, and the inlet end may be adapted to receive an accessory cleaning tool.
- the accessory cleaning tool may comprise a rigid air flow conduit.
- the air treatment member may comprise a cyclone unit and the driving handle may be provided at the rear end of the main body and the dirty air inlet may comprise an inlet passage that extends longitudinally between an inlet end provided at a front end of the cyclone unit and an outlet end, and the inlet end may be positioned forward of the cyclone unit.
- dirty air inlet may be provided above the air treatment member.
- the air treatment member may comprise a dirt collection region having an openable door and the openable door may be provided at the front end of the air treatment member.
- the cyclone axis of rotation may be generally horizontal.
- a hand vacuum cleaner having a front end having a dirty air inlet, a longitudinally spaced apart rear end, a clean air outlet, an upper end and a bottom, the hand vacuum cleaner comprising:
- the lower end of one of the cyclone unit and the main body may be provided with a transversely extending rod and the lower end of the other of the cyclone unit and the main body may be provided with a hook removably connectable with the rod.
- the lower end of the cyclone unit may be rotationally mounted to the lower end of the main body at a position longitudinally spaced from the first and second engagement members.
- the lower end of the cyclone unit may be rotationally mounted to the lower end of the main body at a position longitudinally spaced from a position at which the upper end of the cyclone unit abuts the upper end of the main body.
- one of the cyclone unit and the main body may be provided with an outwardly extending protrusion and the other of the cyclone unit and the main body is provided with a groove in which the outwardly extending protrusion is received when the cyclone unit is secured to the main body.
- the main body may have a driving handle and the dirty air inlet is part of the cyclone unit.
- the driving handle may be provided at the rear end of the main body and the dirty air inlet may comprise an inlet passage that extends longitudinally between an inlet end provided at a front end of the cyclone unit and an outlet end, and the inlet end may be adapted to receive an accessory cleaning tool.
- the accessory cleaning tool may comprise a rigid air flow conduit.
- the driving handle may be provided at the rear end of the main body and the dirty air inlet may comprise an inlet passage that extends longitudinally between an inlet end provided at a front end of the cyclone unit and an outlet end, and the inlet end may be positioned forward of the cyclone unit.
- the dirty air inlet may be provided above the cyclone unit.
- the cyclone unit may comprise a dirt collection region having an openable door and the openable door may be provided at the front end of the cyclone unit.
- the cyclone axis of rotation may be generally horizontal.
- an air treatment member includes an air flow passage which functions as a handle of the air treatment member.
- the air flow passage may be part of the air flow path from a dirty air inlet to the air treatment member air inlet. Alternately or in addition, the air flow passage may be part of an air flow path for a bleed stream and a bleed valve may be provided in the air flow passage.
- a hand vacuum cleaner having a front end, a rear end, an upper end and a bottom, the hand vacuum cleaner comprising:
- the air flow passage may comprise an inlet passage of the air treatment member.
- the inlet passage may extend longitudinally between a dirty air inlet end and an outlet end.
- the air treatment member handle may comprise a portion spaced from the air treatment member whereby a finger receiving area is provided between the air treatment member handle and the air treatment member.
- the air treatment member handle may be provided above the air treatment member.
- the passage may extend generally axially in the direction of the air treatment member axis.
- the driving handle may comprise a portion spaced from the main body whereby a finger receiving area is provided between the driving handle and the main body.
- the driving handle may be provided at the rear end of the main body.
- the air treatment member may be removable from the main body and the air treatment member handle may be removable with the air treatment member.
- a bleed valve may be positioned in the air treatment member handle.
- a hand vacuum cleaner having a front end, a rear end, an upper end and a bottom, the hand vacuum cleaner comprising:
- the cyclone unit handle may comprise an inlet passage of the cyclone unit.
- the inlet passage may extend longitudinally between a dirty air inlet end and an outlet end.
- the cyclone unit handle may comprise a portion spaced from the cyclone unit whereby a finger receiving area is provided between the cyclone unit handle and the cyclone unit.
- the cyclone unit handle may be provided above the cyclone unit.
- the passage may extend generally parallel to the cyclone axis.
- the driving handle may comprise a portion spaced from the main body whereby a finger receiving area is provided between the driving handle and the main body.
- the driving handle may be provided at the rear end of the main body.
- the cyclone unit may be removable from the main body and the cyclone unit handle may be removable with the cyclone unit.
- the cyclone axis of rotation when the hand vacuum cleaner is oriented with the upper end positioned above the lower end, may be generally horizontal.
- a bleed valve may be positioned in the cyclone unit handle.
- a surface cleaning apparatus is electrically connectable with an accessory cleaning tool (e.g., a rigid air flow conduit, a crevice tool, a brush or the like) and a circuit electrically connecting the accessory tool with a source or power provided for the surface cleaning apparatus (e.g., AC power from a wall outlet or an on board energy storage member such as one or more batteries) is moved from a circuit open position to a circuit closed position when the accessory tool is mounted in air flow communication with the surface cleaning apparatus.
- a source or power provided for the surface cleaning apparatus e.g., AC power from a wall outlet or an on board energy storage member such as one or more batteries
- an electrical conductor element of the accessory cleaning tool drives an electrical conductor element of the surface cleaning apparatus to a circuit closed position when the accessory tool is mounted in air flow communication with the surface cleaning apparatus.
- one or more of the electrical conductor elements of the surface cleaning apparatus may be biased to a circuit open position and may be moveable (e.g., linearly moveable, by contact with the electrical conductor element of the accessory tool).
- the driving member provided on the accessory cleaning tool may be a non-conductive (e.g., plastic) engagement member (e.g., finger), that engages a member (e.g., a slideable tab of a housing of the electrical conductor elements of the surface cleaning apparatus) to move the electrical conductor elements of the surface cleaning apparatus to a circuit closed position.
- a non-conductive (e.g., plastic) engagement member e.g., finger
- a member e.g., a slideable tab of a housing of the electrical conductor elements of the surface cleaning apparatus
- a surface cleaning apparatus comprising:
- the first and second electrical conductor elements may engage electrical conductors of the accessory tool whereby the first and second electrical conductor elements are electrically connectable with the accessory cleaning tool and at least the first electrical connector conductor may be biased to a circuit open position.
- the first and second electrical conductor elements may comprise first and second electrical connector conductors, each of the electrical conductor elements may have an accessory tool contact end and a terminal end contact end, at least the first electrical connector conductor may be biased to a circuit open position and at least one of the accessory tool contact ends may be recessed in the electrical outlet when in the circuit open position.
- the circuit may comprise electrically conductive members, each of which extends from the source of power to a terminal end, at least the first electrical conductor element may be moveably mounted from a position in which it contacts one of the terminal ends to a position in which it is spaced from the terminal end.
- each of the electrical conductor elements may be moveably mounted from a position in which each of the electrical conductor elements contacts one of the terminal ends to a position in which the electrical conductor elements contacts are spaced from the terminal ends.
- the circuit may comprise electrical conductive members, each of which may extend from the source of power to a terminal end, the first and second electrical conductor elements may comprise first and second electrical connector conductors, each of the electrical conductor elements may have an accessory tool contact end and a terminal end contact end, at least the first electrical conductor element may be moveably mounted from a position in which it contacts one of the terminal ends to a position in which it is spaced from the terminal end.
- surface cleaning apparatus may further comprise a compression spring positioned between the first electrical conductor element and one of the terminal ends.
- the compression spring may be non-conductive.
- the source of power may comprise a power cord.
- the circuit further may comprise a main power switch.
- the accessory cleaning tool may comprise a rigid air flow conduit.
- the surface cleaning apparatus may comprise a hand vacuum cleaner and the electrical outlet is provided adjacent the dirty air inlet.
- a surface cleaning apparatus comprising
- the circuit may comprise electrically conductive members, each of which may extend from the source of power to a terminal end, at least the first electrical conductor element may be moveably mounted from a position in which it contacts one of the terminal ends to a position in which it is spaced from the terminal end.
- each of the electrical conductor elements may be moveably mounted from a position in which each of the electrical conductor elements contacts one of the terminal ends to a position in which the electrical conductor elements contacts are spaced from the terminal ends.
- the surface cleaning apparatus may further comprise a compression spring positioned between the first electrical conductor element and the one of the terminal ends.
- the compression spring may be non-conductive.
- the source of power may comprise a power cord.
- the first electrical conductor element may be longitudinally moveable in the electrical outlet housing
- the surface cleaning apparatus may comprise a hand vacuum cleaner and the electrical outlet housing is provided adjacent a dirty air inlet.
- a hand vacuum cleaner is provided with a front openable door of a dirt collection area and the hand vacuum cleaner has a handle that extends upwardly and forwardly when the hand vacuum cleaner is oriented with the upper end above the lower end (e.g., when the hand vacuum cleaner is seated on a horizontal surface).
- a hand vacuum cleaner having a front end having a dirty air inlet, a rear end, a clean air outlet, an upper end and a bottom, the hand vacuum cleaner comprising:
- the hand grip portion may be spaced from the main body whereby a finger receiving area is provided between the hand grip portion and the main body.
- At least a portion of the finger receiving area may be positioned linearly rearwardly from the air treatment member.
- the main body may comprise a suction motor housing and the driving handle has an end that may extend from the suction motor housing.
- the main body may comprise a suction motor housing and the driving handle may have an end that extends upwardly and forwardly from the suction motor housing.
- the driving handle may be provided at the rear end of the main body.
- the inlet passage may extend generally rearwardly.
- the inlet passage may be positioned above the openable door.
- the dirty air inlet may comprise an inlet passage that extends longitudinally between an inlet end and an outlet end and has a longitudinal passage axis and the longitudinal passage axis interests the driving handle.
- the air treatment member may have a front end having an air treatment member air inlet and a longitudinally rearwardly spaced apart rear end having an air treatment member air outlet.
- the inlet passage may be positioned above the openable door.
- a hand vacuum cleaner having a front end having a dirty air inlet, a rear end, a clean air outlet, an upper end and a bottom, the hand vacuum cleaner comprising:
- the hand grip portion may be spaced from the main body whereby a finger receiving area is provided between the hand grip portion and the main body.
- At least a portion of the finger receiving area may be positioned linearly rearwardly from the cyclone unit.
- the main body may comprise a suction motor housing and the driving handle has an end that extends from the suction motor housing.
- the main body may comprise a suction motor housing and the driving handle has an end that extends upwardly and forwardly from the suction motor housing.
- the driving handle may be provided at the rear end of the main body.
- the inlet passage may extend generally rearwardly.
- the inlet passage may be positioned above the openable door.
- the dirty air inlet may comprise an inlet passage that extends longitudinally between an inlet end and an outlet end and has a longitudinal passage axis and the longitudinal passage axis interests the driving handle.
- the inlet passage may be positioned above the openable door.
- the cyclone axis of rotation is generally horizontal.
- a hand vacuum cleaner has a power connection (an accessory power connector) to which an accessory may be removably connected (e.g., a powered floor cleaning tool), and the power connection for the accessory is provided as part of a removable air treatment member or a part of an air treatment member that is moveable with respect to the hand vacuum cleaner.
- an accessory e.g., a powered floor cleaning tool
- the power connection for the accessory is provided as part of a removable air treatment member or a part of an air treatment member that is moveable with respect to the hand vacuum cleaner.
- a removeable air treatment member may be removably mounted to a main body of the hand vacuum, wherein the main body houses the suction motor.
- the air treatment member includes a bin electrical connector while the main body includes a corresponding body electrical connector such that power may be transferred from the body connector to the bin connector, which is electrically connected to the accessory power connector by, electrically conductive members.
- This may allow the air treatment member to be more easily removed while still allowing for a desirable location for the power connector.
- the air treatment member may remove forwardly, and the accessory power connector may be on a forward end of the bin.
- the bin connector may be on an opposite side of the bin.
- the bin connector may be on a rear of the bin while the accessory power connector is on a front of the bin.
- the bin may be mounted to the body with a rear of the bin in contact with the body and the front of the bin carrying a nozzle or connection point for an air flow connection between the bin and the accessory.
- the accessory power connector may be on part of the air treatment member that is moveable mounted to the main body or another portion of the air treatment member. For example, a portion of the air treatment member may pivot to an open position to enable the air treatment member to be emptied and the accessory power connector may be on the moveable portion of the air treatment member.
- a hand vacuum cleaner comprising an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet; a main body comprising a handle, the main body housing a suction motor and fan assembly that is positioned in the air flow path; and, an air treatment member removably mounted to the main body, the air treatment member having an air treatment chamber that is positioned in the air flow path when the air treatment member is mounted to the main body and a cleaning tool electrical connector; whereby, when a cleaning tool is connected to the air treatment member, the cleaning tool is connected in air flow communication with the air treatment member and the cleaning tool is electrically connected to the air treatment member.
- the cleaning tool may be concurrently connectable in air flow communication with the air treatment member and electrically connectable to the air treatment member when the cleaning tool is connected to the air treatment member.
- the main body may have a main body electrical connector
- the air treatment member may have an air treatment member electrical connector wherein the air treatment member electrical connector is disconnected from the main body electrical connector when the air treatment member is removed from the main body.
- the air treatment member may be concurrently connectable in air flow communication with the main body and electrically connectable to the main body when the air treatment member is mounted to the main body.
- the hand vacuum cleaner may comprise an inlet conduit having the dirty air inlet and the cleaning tool electrical connector is provided adjacent the inlet conduit.
- the hand vacuum cleaner may comprise an inlet conduit having the dirty air inlet, the inlet conduit is provided at an upper end of the hand vacuum cleaner, the cleaning tool electrical connector is provided adjacent the inlet conduit and the air treatment member electrical connector is provided at a lower end of the air treatment member.
- the air treatment member electrical connector may be provided at a lower end of the hand vacuum cleaner.
- the inlet conduit may be provided at a front end of the hand vacuum cleaner and the air treatment member may comprise electrical conductors that extend from the air treatment member electrical connector to the cleaning tool electrical connector and at least a portion of the electrical conductors extend along a front end of the air treatment member.
- the electrical conductors may also extend along a lower end of the air treatment member.
- a rear end of the air treatment member may be openable.
- the air treatment member may comprise electrical conductors that extend along a portion of the air treatment member from the air treatment member electrical connector to the cleaning tool electrical connector and the electrical conductors may comprise flat conductors that have a depth in a direction that extends in an outward direction to the portion of the air treatment member and a width in a direction parallel to a wall of the portion of the air treatment member and the width is greater than the depth.
- the depth may be 0.01-5 mm, optionally 1-3 mm and the width may be 1-10 mm, optionally 2-7.
- a surface cleaning apparatus comprising an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet with a suction motor and fan assembly positioned in the air flow path; a main body comprising a main body electrical connector; and, an air treatment member removably mounted to the main body, the air treatment member having an air treatment chamber that is positioned in the air flow path when the air treatment member is mounted to the main body, an air treatment member electrical connector and a cleaning tool electrical connector; whereby, when a cleaning tool is connected to the air treatment member, the cleaning tool is connected in air flow communication with the air treatment member and the cleaning tool is electrically connected to the cleaning tool electrical connector and, wherein the air treatment member electrical connector is connectable to the main body electrical connector when the air treatment member is mounted to the main body.
- the cleaning tool may be concurrently connectable in air flow communication with the air treatment member and electrically connectable to the air treatment member when the cleaning tool is connected to the air treatment member.
- the air treatment member may be concurrently connectable in air flow communication with the main body and electrically connectable to the main body when the air treatment member is mounted to the main body.
- the air treatment member may comprise electrical conductors that extend from the air treatment member electrical connector to the cleaning tool electrical connector and at least a portion of the electrical conductors extends along an outer surface of the air treatment member.
- the air treatment member may comprise electrical conductors that extend along a portion of the air treatment member from the air treatment member electrical connector to the cleaning tool electrical connector and the electrical conductors may comprise flat conductors that have a depth in a direction that extends in an outward direction to the portion of the air treatment member and a width in a direction parallel to a wall of the portion of the air treatment member and the width is greater than the depth.
- the depth may be 0.01-5 mm, optionally 1-3 mm and the width may be 1-10 mm, optionally 2-7.
- a surface cleaning apparatus comprising an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet with a suction motor and fan assembly positioned in the air flow path; a main body comprising a main body electrical connector; an air treatment member having an air treatment chamber that is positioned in the air flow path when the air treatment member is mounted to the main body; a cleaning tool electrical connector; and, electrical conductors that connect the cleaning tool electrical connector to a source of power in the surface cleaning apparatus, and the electrical conductors extend longitudinally and comprise flat conductors that have a depth in a first direction transverse to the longitudinal direction and a width in a second direction transverse to the longitudinal direction, and the width is greater than the depth.
- the depth may be 0.01-5 mm, optionally 1-3 mm and the width may be 1-10 mm, optionally 2-7.
- FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a surface cleaning apparatus in accordance with at least one embodiment
- FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus of FIG. 1 mounted to a wand and surface cleaning head in a stickvac configuration;
- FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5 A- 5 A in FIG. 5 ;
- FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6 - 6 in FIG. 1 , showing an air flow path;
- FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus of FIG. 1 , with a cyclone unit partially cutaway;
- FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus of FIG. 1 with the cyclone unit separated from a main body and a pre-motor filter chamber in an open position;
- FIG. 8A is the front perspective view of FIG. 8 with a pre-motor filter in the pre-motor filter chamber;
- FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of the surface cleaning apparatus of FIG. 1 with the cyclone unit separated from the main body;
- FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus of FIG. 1 with the cyclone unit separated from the main body;
- FIG. 10A is the rear perspective view of FIG. 10 showing the cyclone unit being held by the cyclone unit handle;
- FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus of FIG. 1 with the cyclone unit separated from the main body;
- FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6 - 6 in FIG. 1 , with an enlargement of a first connector pair in a locked position;
- FIG. 13 is the cross-sectional view of FIG. 12 , with the first connector pair in an unlocked position;
- FIG. 14 is the rear perspective view of FIG. 10 , with the first connector pair exploded;
- FIG. 15 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line 6 - 6 in FIG. 1 , showing an alternative first connector pair in a locked position;
- FIG. 16 is the partial cross-sectional view of FIG. 15 showing the alternative first connector pair in an unlocked position
- FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6 - 6 in FIG. 1 , showing an airflow path through a bleed valve;
- FIG. 18 is a front perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus of FIG. 1 , with a front cyclone unit wall in an open position;
- FIG. 19 is the front perspective view of FIG. 1 , with an exploded cyclone unit lock and lock actuator;
- FIG. 20 is the front perspective view of FIG. 1 , with an enlarged and partially cutaway cyclone unit lock in an engaged position;
- FIG. 21 is the front perspective view of FIG. 20 , with the cyclone unit lock in a disengaged position;
- FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional perspective view taken along line 6 - 6 in FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 23 is a bottom perspective view of a surface cleaning apparatus with a counterweight stand, in accordance with at least one embodiment
- FIG. 24 is a side-elevation view of the surface cleaning apparatus of FIG. 1 supported on a horizontal surface;
- FIG. 25 is the front perspective view of FIG. 20 , with an exploded electrical coupling
- FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a surface cleaning apparatus with the cyclone unit separated from the main body, in accordance with another embodiment
- FIG. 27 is a partial cross-sectional view of the surface cleaning apparatus of FIG. 26 with the cyclone unit connected to the main body;
- FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a surface cleaning apparatus with the cyclone unit separated from the main body, in accordance with another embodiment
- FIG. 29 is a perspective view of a surface cleaning apparatus with the cyclone unit separated from the main body, in accordance with another embodiment
- FIG. 30 is a perspective view of a surface cleaning apparatus with the cyclone unit separated from the main body, in accordance with another embodiment
- FIG. 31 is a bottom perspective view of another hand vacuum cleaner, in accordance with an embodiment
- FIG. 32 is a bottom perspective cross sectional view of the hand vacuum cleaner of FIG. 31 ;
- FIG. 33 is a rear perspective view of the hand vacuum cleaner of FIG. 31 with a bin assembly removed;
- FIG. 34 is a front perspective cross sectional view of the hand vacuum cleaner of FIG. 31 with the bin assembly removed;
- FIG. 35 is an expanded view of a portion of the hand vacuum cleaner of FIG. 31 ;
- FIG. 36 is a rear perspective view of the bin assembly of the hand vacuum cleaner of FIG. 31 with a rear door in a first open position;
- FIG. 37 is a rear perspective view of the bin assembly of the hand vacuum cleaner of FIG. 31 with a rear door in a second open position;
- FIG. 38 is a front perspective view of a main body of the hand vacuum cleaner of FIG. 31 .
- an embodiment means “one or more (but not all) embodiments of the present invention(s),” unless expressly specified otherwise.
- two or more parts are said to be “coupled”, “connected”, “attached”, or “fastened” where the parts are joined or operate together either directly or indirectly (i.e., through one or more intermediate parts), so long as a link occurs.
- two or more parts are said to be “directly coupled”, “directly connected”, “directly attached”, or “directly fastened” where the parts are connected in physical contact with each other.
- two or more parts are said to be “rigidly coupled”, “rigidly connected”, “rigidly attached”, or “rigidly fastened” where the parts are coupled so as to move as one while maintaining a constant orientation relative to each other. None of the terms “coupled”, “connected”, “attached”, and “fastened” distinguish the manner in which two or more parts are joined together.
- FIG. 1 an embodiment of a surface cleaning apparatus 100 is shown.
- the following is a general discussion of this embodiment which provides a basis for understanding each of the features which is discussed herein. As discussed in detail subsequently, each of the features may be used in other embodiments.
- the surface cleaning apparatus 100 is a hand-held vacuum cleaner, which is commonly referred to as a “hand vacuum cleaner” or a “handvac”.
- a hand-held vacuum cleaner or hand vacuum cleaner or handvac is a vacuum cleaner that can be operated one-handedly to clean a surface while its weight is held by the same one hand.
- upright and canister vacuum cleaners the weight of which is supported by a surface (e.g. floor below) during use.
- surface cleaning apparatus 100 could be removably mountable on a base so as to form, for example, an upright vacuum cleaner, a canister vacuum cleaner, a stick vac, a wet-dry vacuum cleaner and the like.
- Power can be supplied to the surface cleaning apparatus 100 by an electrical cord (not shown) that can be connected to a standard wall electrical outlet.
- the power source for the surface cleaning apparatus can be an onboard energy storage device, including, for example, one or more batteries.
- the surface cleaning apparatus 100 may comprise a main body 104 having a handle 108 , an air treatment member 112 connected to the main body 104 , a dirty air inlet 116 , a clean air outlet 120 , and an air flow path extending between the inlet 116 and outlet 120 .
- Surface cleaning apparatus 100 includes a front end 121 , a rear end 122 , an upper end 123 , and a bottom 125 .
- the dirty air inlet 116 is at the front end 121 .
- dirty air inlet 116 is the inlet end 124 of an inlet passage 128 .
- Dirty air inlet 116 may be positioned forward of air treatment member 112 as shown.
- the inlet end 124 can be used as a nozzle to directly clean a surface.
- the inlet end 124 can be connected or directly connected to the downstream end of any suitable accessory tool such as a rigid air flow conduit (e.g. wand, crevice tool, mini brush or the like) for example.
- a rigid air flow conduit e.g. wand, crevice tool, mini brush or the like
- FIGS. 5 and 5A show an exemplary surface cleaning apparatus 132 (e.g.
- a stickvac including surface cleaning apparatus 100 with connector inlet end 124 directly connected to a wand 136 (e.g., wand outlet end 612 may be removably connectable in air flow communication with inlet connector 128 ) that is pivotally connected to a surface cleaning head 140 .
- Wand may be securable to connector 128 by any means known in the art such as a locking member or a friction fit.
- the surface cleaning apparatus 100 can be used to clean a floor or other surface in a manner analogous to conventional upright-style vacuum cleaners.
- the air flow path may extend through an air treatment member 112 .
- the air treatment member 112 may be any suitable member that can treat the air in a desired manner, including, for example, removing dirt particles and debris from the air.
- the air treatment member is a cyclone unit 112 , which may be of any design.
- the air treatment member may comprise one or more of a bag, a filter or other air treating means.
- Cyclone unit 112 may include one or a plurality of cyclones for separating dirt from the air flow, and one or a plurality of dirt collection regions for receiving dirt separated in the cyclone(s).
- cyclone unit 112 includes a cyclone or cyclone chamber 160 and an external dirt collection chamber 164 .
- the cyclone 160 and dirt collection chamber 164 may be of any configuration suitable for separating dirt from an air stream and collecting the separated dirt, respectively.
- Cyclone 160 may be oriented in any direction.
- cyclone axis of rotation 484 may be oriented horizontally as exemplified, vertically, or at any angle between horizontal and vertical.
- a suction motor and fan assembly 152 may be mounted within a motor housing portion 156 of the main body 104 .
- the suction motor and fan assembly 152 is downstream from the cyclone unit 112
- the clean air outlet 120 is downstream from the suction motor and fan assembly 152 .
- one or more pre-motor filters may be placed in the air flow path between the air treatment member and the suction motor and fan assembly.
- one or more post-motor filters may be provided downstream from the suction motor and fan assembly.
- main body 104 is shown including a pre-motor filter housing portion 208 that is positioned in the air flow path downstream of cyclone unit 112 .
- Pre-motor filter housing 208 may be of any construction known in the vacuum cleaner art. As exemplified, filter housing 208 may be bounded by one or more walls, which may be integral with or discrete from the main body exterior walls 212 .
- pre-motor filter housing 208 is shown including a filter housing first wall 216 axially opposite a filter housing second wall 220 , and a filter housing sidewall 224 that extends in the direction of the cyclone axis of rotation between the first and second walls 216 and 220 .
- first wall 216 is optional and second wall 220 may be in the form of ribs to hold the filter in place.
- filter housing sidewall 224 is discrete from main body exterior walls 212 , which may provide enhanced sound insulation for air passing through the pre-motor filter housing 208 .
- filter housing sidewall 224 may be defined in whole or in part by main body exterior walls 212 for a more compact design.
- one or more filters made of or comprising a porous filter media may be positioned within the pre-motor filter housing 208 to filter particles remaining in the air flow exiting the cyclone air outlet 184 , before the air flow passes through the suction motor and fan assembly 152 .
- pre-motor filter housing 208 contains an upstream filter 228 and a downstream filter 232 .
- the pre-motor filters 228 and 232 may be of any suitable configuration and formed from any suitable materials.
- the pre-motor filters 228 and 232 are made of porous media such as foam, felt, or filter paper.
- a foam pre-motor filter is provided upstream of a felt pre-motor filter.
- Pre-motor filter housing 208 may include a filter housing air inlet and a filter housing air outlet of any suitable design and arrangement within the housing 208 .
- pre-motor filter housing 208 includes a filter housing air inlet 236 formed in filter housing first wall 216 , and a filter housing air outlet 240 formed in filter housing second wall 220 .
- pre-motor filter housing 208 may promote the air flow to broadly distribute across the pre-motor filters 228 and 232 inside. This allows the collected dust particles to be more evenly distributed throughout pre-motor filters 228 and 232 instead of concentrating in a narrow air flow path.
- An advantage of this design is that the pre-motor filters 228 and 232 will have a greater effective dirt capacity, which allows the pre-motor filters 228 and 232 to be cleaned or replaced less frequently.
- pre-motor filter housing 208 may have any structure suitable for broadly distributing the air flow across pre-motor filters 228 and 232 .
- pre-motor filter housing 208 may provide an upstream header 256 , a downstream header 260 , or both as shown.
- Headers 256 and 260 may be provided by spacing the pre-motor filters from the filter housing end walls 216 and 220 respectively.
- pre-motor filter housing 208 includes spacing members positioned to hold the pre-motor filters 228 and 232 away from the filter housing end walls 216 and 220 .
- filter housing first wall 216 may include upstanding ribs 264 that hold the upstream side 268 of pre-motor filter 228 spaced apart from filter housing first wall 216 to allow air from filter housing air inlet 236 to flow laterally between pre-motor filter 228 and filter housing first wall 216 before penetrating pre-motor filter 228 .
- the illustrated example also shows filter housing second wall 220 including upstanding ribs 272 that hold the downstream side 276 of pre-motor filter 232 spaced apart from filter housing second wall 220 to allow air exiting pre-motor filter 232 to flow laterally between pre-motor filter 232 and filter housing second wall 220 , to filter housing air outlet 240 .
- a cyclone that may be used by itself in any surface cleaning apparatus or in any combination or sub-combination with any other feature or features disclosed including a uniflow cyclone, the positioning of the dirt collection chamber, the orientation of the suction motor, the lateral stability members, the air treatment member handle, the position and orientation of a driving handle, pre-motor filter housing door, air treatment member door actuator, a counterweight stand, electrical coupling members and an accessory power connector.
- a cyclone comprises a cyclone with a unidirectional flow of air or a “uniflow” cyclone.
- the uniflow cyclone may be horizontally disposed as opposed to being vertically disposed which is typical in the art.
- the axis of the cyclone chamber may be closer to horizontal than vertical.
- the cyclone air inlet may be at the front end and the cyclone air outlet may be at the rear end.
- An advantage of this design is that the cyclone inlet may be used to redirect the air from the inlet passage 124 to the cyclone chamber and the air may exit the cyclone and travel linearly to the pre-motor filter. Accordingly, dirty air may travel from the dirty air inlet to the pre-motor filter without passing through any bends, thereby reducing the backpressure created by flow through the vacuum cleaner.
- the cyclone air inlet may be in an upper portion of the sidewall 168 of the cyclone.
- the dirt collection chamber 164 may be external to the cyclone chamber 160 .
- the dirt outlet 188 of the cyclone chamber 160 may be at a rear end of the cyclone chamber and/or may be in a lower portion of the cyclone chamber, such as in a lower part of sidewall 168 of the cyclone chamber.
- FIG. 7 exemplifies a cyclone unit including these aspects.
- cyclone 160 comprises a cyclone sidewall 168 extending axially from a cyclone first end 172 (e.g. front end comprising first end wall 192 ) to a cyclone second end 176 (e.g. rear end comprising second end wall 196 ), a cyclone air inlet 180 which enters cyclone 160 at a front portion of sidewall 168 , a cyclone air outlet 184 provided in cyclone second end wall 196 , and a cyclone dirt outlet 188 .
- Cyclone sidewall 168 includes an upper wall 169 and a lower wall 171 . As exemplified in FIG.
- dirty air may enter cyclone 160 tangentially at cyclone air inlet 180 (which may be provided in the upper wall 169 ), and swirl (e.g. move cyclonically) through cyclone 160 to separate dirt from the air flow, and then exit cyclone 160 through cyclone air outlet 184 .
- the separated dirt may exit cyclone 160 through cyclone dirt outlet 188 and deposit into dirt collection chamber 164 .
- Vortex finder 204 may extend axially between cyclone first and second ends 172 and 176 .
- Vortex finder 204 may have any configuration known in the art.
- vortex finder 204 may be connected to cyclone second end wall 196 and extend axially towards cyclone first end 172 .
- Vortex finder 204 may surround cyclone air outlet 184 , so that air exiting cyclone 160 travels downstream through vortex finder 204 to cyclone air outlet 184 .
- Vortex finder 204 may include filter media 206 (e.g. mesh) to capture large dirt particles (e.g. hair and coarse dust) that remains in the air flow exiting cyclone 160 .
- filter media 206 e.g. mesh
- cyclone air inlet 180 may be located above the central longitudinal axis of cyclone 160 and preferably is located above cyclone 160 .
- cyclone air inlet 180 may be a tangential air inlet so that air entering the cyclone 160 will tend to rotate as the air travels axially through the cyclone 160 , thereby dis-entraining dirt and debris from the air flow, before leaving the cyclone via the air outlet 184 .
- inlet passage 128 extends longitudinally between passage inlet end 124 (i.e., the dirty air inlet 116 ) and passage outlet end 130 along a longitudinal passage axis 364 , and passage outlet end 130 communicates (e.g. is positioned upstream) of cyclone air inlet 180 .
- Passage axis 364 may be linear, and all of the longitudinal passage axis 364 may be positioned above cyclone axis of rotation 484 when surface cleaning apparatus 100 is positioned with bottom 125 on a horizontal surface 584 .
- Cyclone air inlet 180 may be positioned and constructed in any manner suitable for directing air tangentially into cyclone 160 .
- cyclone air inlet 180 is formed as a curved passage extending from a cyclone air inlet upstream end 532 to a cyclone air inlet downstream end 536 .
- the cyclone air inlet downstream end 536 may be oriented to direct air substantially tangentially to the inner surface of sidewall 168 .
- cyclone air inlet 180 may be positioned above cyclone axis of rotation 484 and suction motor axis of rotation 540 .
- cyclone air inlet 180 may be positioned at an upper end 544 of cyclone 160 .
- cyclone air inlet 180 is formed in cyclone sidewall 168 at cyclone first end 172
- cyclone air outlet 184 is formed in cyclone second end wall 196 at cyclone second end 176 .
- air may exit cyclone air outlet 184 in a flow direction 616 that is generally parallel to the suction motor axis of rotation 540 .
- main body lower end 568 may comprise bottom 125 .
- cyclone 160 when bottom 125 is placed on a horizontal surface, cyclone 160 may be oriented horizontally if bottom or base 125 is parallel to the cyclone axis. If will be appreciated that if bottom 125 is oriented at an angle to the horizontal, e.g., so that dirt air inlet 116 points downwardly when bottom 125 is on a horizontal surface, cyclone 160 may not be oriented horizontally when bottom 125 is on a horizontal surface. It will be appreciated that, as referred to herein, cyclone 160 being horizontal relates to the orientation if bottom 125 is parallel to the cyclone axis of rotation 484 .
- inlet connector 128 when inlet connector 128 is mounted to a wand 557 (i.e. rigid air flow conduit), the wand axis 559 , the inlet connector axis 364 , and the cyclone axis of rotation 484 may be parallel.
- An advantage of this embodiment is that This reduces bends in the air flow for improved air efficiency. It will be appreciated that only some of these axes may be parallel. For example, only the inlet connector axis 364 and the cyclone axis of rotation 484 may be parallel.
- a dirt collection chamber that may be used by itself in any surface cleaning apparatus or in any combination or sub-combination with any other feature or features disclosed herein including the uniflow cyclone, the orientation of the suction motor, the lateral stability members, the air treatment member handle, the position and orientation of a driving handle, the pre-motor filter housing door, the air treatment member door actuator, the counterweight stand, the electrical coupling members and the accessory power connector.
- a dirt collection chamber for a cyclone chamber may be provided external to and below the cyclone chamber.
- a cyclone dirt outlet 188 may be provided in a lower portion of the cyclone chamber (e.g., cyclone dirt outlet 188 is provided in lower wall 171 ) such that dirt which remains in the cyclone chamber after termination of operation of the vacuum cleaner may fall into the dirt collection chamber when the vacuum cleaner is held with the cyclone extending horizontally and slightly upwardly.
- the width of the vacuum cleaner may be narrower as the dirt collection chamber is not located on the lateral sides of the cyclone chamber. Therefore, as exemplified in FIG. 18 , the maximum width of a handvac may be determined by the width of the suction motor housing or the width of the cyclone 160 .
- dirt collection chamber 164 extends around approximately one-half of cyclone 160 .
- partition wall 556 may circumscribe approximately one-half of cyclone 160 .
- dirt collection chamber 164 may extend around less than or greater than one-half of cyclone 160
- partition wall 556 may similarly circumscribe less than or greater than one-half of cyclone 160 .
- dirt collection chamber 164 may not surround cyclone 160 .
- cyclone sidewall 168 and dirt collection chamber sidewall 548 may have any construction suitable for separating the cyclone 160 from dirt collection chamber 164 and allowing the passage of dis-entrained dirt therebetween.
- cyclone sidewall 168 and dirt collection chamber sidewall 548 may be discrete walls that are spaced apart and connected by a dirt outlet passage.
- dirt collection chamber sidewall 548 is formed at least in part by portions of cyclone sidewall 168 and portions of cyclone unit exterior wall 552 .
- cyclone sidewall 168 as shown is formed at least in part by portions of dirt collection chamber sidewall 548 and cyclone unit exterior wall 552 .
- the wall portion 556 in common between cyclone 160 and dirt collection chamber 164 may operate as a dividing wall. Sharing a common dividing wall may help reduce the overall size of the cyclone unit 112 , for a more compact design.
- cyclone 160 may include any dirt outlet 188 suitable for directing dis-entrained dirt from cyclone 160 to dirt collection chamber 164 .
- dirt outlet 188 may be formed in or connected to one or more (or all) of cyclone sidewall 168 and cyclone end walls 192 and 196 .
- dirt outlet 188 is formed in cyclone sidewall 168 .
- Dirt outlet 188 may have any shape and size suitable for allowing dirt particles to pass into dirt collection chamber 164 .
- dirt outlet 188 is formed as a rectangular aperture in wall portion 556 .
- dirt outlet 188 may be circular, triangular, or another regular or irregularly shaped aperture.
- cyclone dirt outlet 188 may be bounded in part by cyclone second end wall 196 .
- cyclone dirt outlet 188 may be positioned anywhere at or between cyclone first and second ends 172 and 176 .
- cyclone 160 is a uniflow cyclone and accordingly cyclone dirt outlet 188 is positioned at cyclone second end 176 proximate cyclone air outlet 184 . This allows the dirt and air to travel towards the same end of the cyclone 160 before parting ways—the air exiting through air outlet 184 and the dirt exiting through dirt outlet 188 .
- the air stream inside cyclone 160 swirls towards cyclone air outlet 184 at cyclone second end 176 , which dis-entrains dirt particles against cyclone sidewall 168 .
- the dirt particles travel towards cyclone second end 176 and exit through cyclone dirt outlet 188 to dirt collection chamber 164 .
- dirt collection chamber 164 may have any size and shape suitable to accommodate dirt separated by cyclone 160 during one or more uses.
- a larger dirt collection chamber 164 can store more dirt to allow apparatus 100 to run longer before emptying dirt collection chamber 164 , but will add bulk and weight to the apparatus 100 .
- a smaller dirt collection chamber 164 is smaller and lighter, but must be emptied more frequently.
- a suction motor that may be used by itself in any surface cleaning apparatus or in any combination or sub-combination with any other feature or features disclosed herein including the uniflow cyclone, the positioning of the dirt collection chamber, the lateral stability members, the air treatment member handle, the position and orientation of a driving handle, the pre-motor filter housing door, the air treatment member door actuator, the counterweight stand, the electrical coupling members and the accessory power connector.
- the axis of rotation of the suction motor may be generally parallel to the cyclone axis of rotation and/or the inlet conduit axis.
- the suction motor axis of rotation 540 may be generally horizontal.
- cyclone sidewall 168 may extend generally horizontally between longitudinally spaced apart cyclone end walls 172 and 176 , when surface cleaning apparatus 100 is positioned with bottom 125 on a horizontal surface 584 .
- suction motor axis of rotation 540 may be generally parallel with cyclone axis of rotation 484 . This allows for fewer bends in the air flow between dirty air inlet 116 and clean air outlet 120 , which can result in reduced backpressure, all other elements remaining the same.
- the suction motor axis of rotation 540 may be positioned below cyclone axis of rotation 484 . This may provide surface cleaning apparatus 100 with a relatively lower center of gravity for greater stability when surface cleaning apparatus 100 is positioned with bottom 125 on a horizontal surface 584 .
- the pre-motor filter air inlet and outlet 236 and 240 may be axially offset as shown.
- filter housing air inlet axis 248 is located above and spaced apart from filter housing air outlet axis 252 .
- An advantage of this design is that one or both of the headers may be used to change to elevation at which the air travels rearwardly with without using a conduit with bends. For example, air may travel generally rearwardly (linearly) into the pre-motor filter housing and air may travel generally rearwardly (linearly) out of the pre-motor filter housing, but at a lower elevation.
- filter housing air inlet and outlet axes 248 and 252 may not be spaced apart (e.g. they may be collinear).
- suction motor and fan assembly 152 may be positioned in main body 104 with its axis of rotation 540 oriented in any direction.
- lateral stability members that may be used by itself in any surface cleaning apparatus or in any combination or sub-combination with any other feature or features disclosed herein including the uniflow cyclone, the positioning of the dirt collection chamber, the orientation of the suction motor, the air treatment member handle, the position and orientation of a driving handle, the pre-motor filter housing door, the air treatment member door actuator, the counterweight stand, the electrical coupling members and the accessory power connector.
- the air treatment member may be separable from the main body, such as for emptying, cleaning, or replacing the air treatment member or other internal components of the apparatus, such as the pre-motor filters.
- the air treatment member 112 is removable mountable to the main body 104 and is provided with lateral stability members.
- the air treatment member 112 may abut against a front face of the main body 104 (see for example FIG. 1 ).
- one of the air treatment member 112 and the main body may be receivable in the other. Accordingly, when unlocked, the air treatment member 112 may be removed from the main body 104 by moving it forwardly. During use, a transverse force may be applied to the air treatment member 112 .
- inlet 116 is provided on the removable air treatment member 112 . Therefore, when used as part of a stickvac and handle 108 is driving connected to a surface cleaning head (see for example FIG.
- a force may be provided transverse to wand axis 559 . If sufficient pressure is applied, then the air treatment member may break off of the main body or the air tight seal between the air treatment member and the main body may be broken allowing air to bypass the surface cleaning head.
- the provision of the lateral stability members reinforces the joint of the air treatment member and the main body to resist such transverse forces.
- the lateral stability members are provided internal of the handvac and may be provided on opposed facing faces of the air treatment member and the main body.
- the lateral stability members may comprise generally vertically extending inter-engagement members
- Cyclone unit 112 may be securable to main body 104 in any manner that allows the cyclone unit 112 to be selectively separated and reconnected to main body 104 .
- cyclone unit 112 and main body 104 may collectively include any releasable engagement members (e.g. latches, snaps, magnets, straps, etc.) suitable for releasably joining the cyclone unit 112 and main body 104 .
- cyclone unit 112 and main body 104 may collectively include any actuators that allow selective manual release (i.e. by hand) of the releasable engagement member(s).
- the releasable engagement member(s) and the actuator(s) may be mechanical, electrical, and/or electro-mechanical in nature.
- cyclone unit release lock 278 includes a pair 280 of engagement members 304 and 308 , and a release actuator 328 .
- the release actuator 328 may be manually user operable (e.g. by hand) for selectably unlocking cyclone unit release lock 278 to allow main body 104 and cyclone unit 112 to separate.
- cyclone unit 112 is also rotationally mounted to main body 104 .
- cyclone unit 112 may be rotationally mounted to main body 104 at a position longitudinally spaced apart from cyclone unit release lock 278 . This allows cyclone unit 112 to rotationally separate from main body 104 when cyclone unit release lock 278 is unlocked (e.g. by operation of release actuator 328 ).
- cyclone unit 112 may be rotationally mounted to main body 104 by a detachable pair 284 of engagement members 312 and 316 . This allows for the option of fully detaching cyclone unit 112 from main body 104 , such as to carry cyclone unit 112 to a garbage bin for emptying or cleaning for example.
- second pair 284 of engagement members 312 and 316 may provide a permanent rotational connection that is not detachable. It will be appreciated that an alternate connection mechanism may be provided to secure the lower end of the air treatment member 112 and the main body 104 together when cyclone unit release lock 278 is engaged.
- Cyclone unit release lock 278 and engagement member pair 284 may be positioned at any location on apparatus 100 suitable for securely joining the main body 104 and cyclone unit 112 .
- cyclone unit release lock 278 and engagement member pair 284 may be positioned at opposite ends of apparatus 100 , such as longitudinally spaced at apparatus upper end 288 and lower end 292 as shown.
- first cyclone unit engagement member 304 is positioned on cyclone unit upper end 348 and first main body engagement member is positioned on main body upper end 570 .
- the lock positions may be reversed.
- Cyclone unit release lock 278 and engagement member pair 284 may take any form suitable for separably joining main body 104 and cyclone unit 112 .
- one or both engagement member pairs 280 and 284 may include a first engagement member removably receivable in a second engagement member.
- first engagement member pair 280 includes a first cyclone unit engagement member 304 and a first main body engagement member 308
- second engagement member pair 284 includes a second cyclone unit engagement member 312 and a second main body engagement member 316 .
- first cyclone unit engagement member 304 and first main body engagement member 308 are shown formed as hooks which are sized and positioned to interlock when the cyclone unit 112 and main body 104 are brought together.
- Second cyclone unit engagement member 312 is shown formed as a transversely extending rod which is received in hook-like second main body engagement member 316 when the cyclone unit 112 and main body 104 are brought together.
- cyclone unit lower end 352 is rotationally mounted to main body lower end 568 when second engagement member pair 284 is connected.
- cyclone unit release lock 278 and engagement member pair 284 hold cyclone unit 112 in fluid communication with main body 104 , so that an air flow path is formed from dirty air inlet 116 to clean air outlet 120 .
- a gasket or the like may be provided to form an air tight seal.
- one or more of engagement members 304 , 308 , 312 , and 316 may be movable to facilitate manual disconnection of the cyclone unit 112 from main body 104 .
- one or more of engagement members 304 , 308 , 312 , and 316 may be movable away from the other engagement member of its respective engagement member pair 280 or 284 from a locked position to an unlocked position for disconnecting that engagement member pair 280 or 284 .
- an engagement member 304 , 308 , 312 , or 316 may be moveable in any direction. For example, it may be translatable in a linear direction or along a curved path, rotatable about any one or more axes, or combinations thereof.
- first cyclone unit engagement member 304 is in the open or unlocked position wherein it has been moved away from the closed or locked position shown in FIG. 12 in which it engages first main body engagement member 308 , thereby disengaging the first engagement member pair 280 .
- first cyclone unit engagement member 304 is pivotally mounted to a first engagement member axle 324 for rotation about the first engagement member axis 320 that extends laterally and first cyclone unit engagement member 304 extends substantially rearwardly whereby rotation of first cyclone unit engagement member 304 about first engagement member axis 320 moves the first cyclone unit engagement member 304 substantially vertically.
- first cyclone unit engagement member 304 is formed as a lower upwardly facing hook
- first main body engagement member 308 is formed as an upper downwardly facing hook
- first cyclone unit engagement member 304 is pivotal about first engagement member axis 320 to move first cyclone unit engagement member 304 downwardly away from first main body engagement member 308 from the locked position ( FIG. 12 ) to the unlocked position ( FIG. 13 ), thereby disconnecting the first engagement member pair 280 .
- the cyclone unit 112 and main body 104 may be separated at the apparatus upper end 288 , and then the cyclone unit 112 may be moved relative to the main body 104 to disconnect the second engagement member pair 284 thereby completing the disconnection of the cyclone unit 112 from the main body 104 .
- Apparatus 100 may include any actuator 328 suitable for disengaging engagement member 304 and 308 to unlock cyclone unit release lock 278 .
- Actuator 328 may be provided on either of cyclone unit 112 or main body 104 .
- the actuator 328 is manually operable (i.e. by hand) to allow selective disconnection of the engagement members 304 and 308 .
- first main body engagement member 308 is connected to an actuator 328 .
- Actuator 328 may take any form such as a button as shown, a switch, or a slider for example. Actuator 328 may be connected to first main body engagement member 308 in manner suitable for directing the movement of first main body engagement member 308 .
- first main body engagement member 308 is integrally formed with a distal end of actuator 328 .
- actuator 328 may be a discrete component that is rigidly or movably connected to first main body engagement member 308 directly or indirectly by way of one or more intermediary components.
- a proximal end of actuator 328 may be pivotally mounted to cyclone unit 112 by first engagement member axle 324 for rotation about first engagement member axis 320 .
- a user may depress actuator 328 to rotate actuator 328 and first cyclone unit engagement member 304 downwardly, thereby disconnecting the first engagement member pair 280 .
- first cyclone unit engagement member 304 may be biased to the locked position to mitigate the risk of first engagement member pair 280 becoming unlocked during use of apparatus 100 .
- a bias 332 biases first cyclone unit engagement member 304 to the open position.
- Bias 332 may be formed as a torsional spring, as shown, which is mounted to first engagement member axle 324 .
- a user may depress actuator 328 to move the first cyclone unit engagement member 304 against the bias of spring 332 and disconnect first engagement member pair 280 .
- first cyclone unit engagement member 304 may include an engagement member arm 336 with an engagement member socket 340 , and first main body engagement member 308 may be formed as a peg.
- peg 308 In the locked position ( FIG. 15 ), peg 308 may be received in engagement member socket 340 to securely join first engagement member pair 280 .
- peg 308 In the unlocked position ( FIG. 16 ) peg 308 may be removed from engagement member socket 340 to disconnect first engagement member pair 280 .
- engagement member arm 336 may be resiliently bendable (i.e. as a living hinge) for moving first main body engagement member 308 between the locked and unlocked positions.
- engagement member arm 336 can resiliently bend upwardly to remove peg 308 from engagement member socket 340 ( FIG. 16 ), and vice versa.
- the resiliency of engagement member arm 336 biases first cyclone unit engagement member 304 towards the locked position.
- air treatment member 112 and main body 104 may collectively include one or more pairs of protrusions and recesses, which mate at the interface between air treatment member 112 and main body 104 when air treatment member 112 is connected to main body 104 . This helps provide a more robust separable connection between air treatment member 112 and main body 104 with enhanced strength and rigidity.
- Air treatment member rear end 436 and main body front end 432 may be provided with mating protrusions 620 that are receivable in recesses 624 .
- Protrusions 620 and recesses 624 may have any size, shape, and position which allows the protrusions 620 to be received in the recesses 624 when air treatment member 112 and main body 104 are connected. As exemplified, each of protrusions 620 and recesses 624 may be formed as elongate segments which are continuous or have discontinuities. In the illustrated embodiment, each of protrusions 620 and recesses 624 extend longitudinally downwardly.
- protrusions 620 are formed in cyclone unit upper end 348 (engagement member arm 336 ) and recesses 624 are formed in surface of main body upper end 570 against which engagement member arm 336 abuts. Protrusions 620 are received in recesses 624 when air treatment member 112 is connected to main body 104 .
- FIG. 28 shows an alternate embodiment, in which cyclone unit upper end 348 includes recesses 624 and main body upper end 570 includes protrusions 620 .
- FIG. 29 shows another alternate embodiment including protrusions 620 and recesses 624 extending across cyclone rear end wall 176 and filter housing front wall 216 .
- FIG. 30 shows another embodiment including protrusions 620 extending across cyclone rear end wall 176 and filter housing front wall 216 .
- protrusions 620 on cyclone rear end wall 176 contact filter housing front wall 216
- protrusions 620 on filter housing front wall 216 contact cyclone rear end wall 176 .
- protrusion 620 provide rigid beams at the interface between main body 104 and air treatment member 112 which may increase the rigidity and strength of the separable connection.
- an air treatment member handle that may be used by itself in any surface cleaning apparatus or in any combination or sub-combination with any other feature or features disclosed herein including the uniflow cyclone, the positioning of the dirt collection chamber, the orientation of the suction motor, the lateral stability members, the position and orientation of a driving handle, the pre-motor filter housing door, the air treatment member door actuator, the counterweight stand, the electrical coupling members and the accessory power connector.
- the air treatment member may include a handle in addition to the main body handle (“driving handle”). This allows a user to hold the main body and the air treatment member simultaneously, with different hands before, during, and after disconnecting the main body from the air treatment member.
- the air treatment member handle may for part of an air flow conduit of the air treatment member.
- the air treatment member handle may extend along the axial direction of the air treatment member and/or may be on an upper portion thereof and/or may provide a gap for receiving fingers of the user.
- cyclone unit handle 344 is connected to cyclone unit 112 when cyclone unit 112 is disconnected from main body 104 , and driving handle 108 is connected to main body 104 when main body 104 is disconnected from cyclone unit 112 .
- Cyclone unit handle 344 may have any suitable size, shape, and position on cyclone unit 112 which allows a user to easily grasp the cyclone unit handle 344 by hand to carry the cyclone unit 112 (see FIG. 10A ).
- cyclone unit handle 344 is formed as a substantially cylindrical member, which extends rearwardly along cyclone unit upper portion 348 .
- cyclone unit handle 344 may have a different regular or irregular cross-sectional shape, and may extend along a different portion of cyclone unit 112 , such as along lower portion 352 , or a lateral side 356 for example. As exemplified in FIG. 6 , cyclone unit handle 344 may include a portion or gap 347 spaced from cyclone unit 112 whereby a finger receiving area 349 is provided between the cyclone unit handle 344 and the cyclone unit 112 .
- apparatus 100 is configured to allow the user to take whatever action disconnects the main body 104 from air treatment member 112 while holding air treatment member handle 344 with one hand and holding driving handle 108 with the other hand.
- cyclone unit handle 344 or driving handle 108 may be positioned proximate (e.g. within finger-reach of) an actuator that releases the connector(s) which hold air treatment member 112 and main body 104 together. This would allow the user to use a finger to operate the actuator while holding the handle 344 or 108 with the remaining fingers of their hand.
- cyclone unit handle 344 and actuator 328 are both located on the cyclone unit upper portion 348 and in close proximity.
- the user may also use the same hand to open a front door of the air treatment member as discussed subsequently in more detail.
- cyclone unit handle 344 is shown extending along a cyclone unit handle axis 360 .
- cyclone unit handle axis 360 may be parallel with and may be coaxial with inlet connector axis 364 . This may promote a compact shape for apparatus 100 in contrast with handles with an axis that extends above the inlet connector axis 364 .
- cyclone unit handle 344 may comprise an air flow passage (e.g. an air flow conduit). This may promote a compact design for apparatus 100 by reducing or eliminating the volume added to apparatus 100 to incorporate cyclone unit handle 344 .
- an existing air flow conduit may be reshaped and/or repositioned to provide handle functionality.
- handle 344 is positioned rearward and coaxial with the inlet conduit extending from dirty air inlet 116 . It will be appreciated that if the inlet to the air treatment member chamber (e.g., cyclone chamber 160 ) is rearward of the front of handle 344 , then part of handle 344 form part of inlet conduit 124 .
- handle 344 may provide part or all of a bleed air conduit 380 having a longitudinal passage axis 390 .
- Bleed conduit 380 provides a portion of the air flow path between the bleed air inlet 384 and the suction motor and fan assembly 152 and houses bleed valve 388 .
- the bleed valve 388 may be any suitable valve that known in the art, which typically open automatically in response to low pressure.
- bleed valve 388 may be a pressure relief valve.
- Bleed valve 388 may help maintain adequate volumetric air flow through the suction motor and fan assembly 152 during low pressure events to avoid overheating of the suction motor and fan assembly 152 .
- Low pressure may occur where there is a partial or total blockage in the air flow upstream of the suction motor and fan assembly 152 (e.g. a plastic bag is blocking dirty air inlet 116 ).
- cyclone unit handle 344 is grasped primarily when apparatus 100 is turned off (e.g. when separating, reconnecting, or transporting cyclone unit 112 ) so that there is little or no concern of the bleed air inlet 384 being blocked by a user's hands when apparatus 100 is turned on.
- FIG. 17 exemplifies an optional air flow path from bleed air inlet 384 to suction motor and fan assembly 152 which bypasses cyclone 160 and pre-motor filters 228 and 232 .
- the air flow path may extend rearwardly through bleed valve conduit 380 to filter housing downstream header 260 bypassing filter housing upstream header 256 and pre-motor filters 228 and 232 .
- the air flow path may extend through pre-motor filters 228 and 232 to filter fine particulates that may be present in the ambient air drawn into bleed air inlet 384 .
- filter housing upstream header 256 may be positioned downstream of bleed valve 388 in the air flow path from bleed air inlet 384 .
- a driving handle that may be used by itself in any surface cleaning apparatus or in any combination or sub-combination with any other feature or features disclosed herein including the uniflow cyclone, the positioning of the dirt collection chamber, the orientation of the suction motor, the lateral stability members, the air treatment member handle, the pre-motor filter housing door, the air treatment member door actuator, the counterweight stand, the electrical coupling members and the accessory power connector.
- the driving handle is which extends upwardly and forwardly.
- Driving handle 108 may extend upwardly from the suction motor housing (e.g., an upper surface of the main body that houses the suction motor).
- Driving handle 108 may terminate at 0r above an upper end of the handvac 100 .
- the inlet conduit axis 364 and/or the handle axis 360 may intersect the driving handle 108 .
- An advantage of this design is that the weight of the motor is below the hand grip.
- the driving axis of the handvac when connected to a wand (the wand axis) is at an opposite end of the handle to the suction motor. This provides improved hand weight for a user.
- driving handle 108 may extend from its lower end 368 to its upper end 372 along a driving handle axis 376 .
- driving handle axis 376 may extend generally upwardly and forwardly (e.g. at an angle 378 of less than 45 degrees to vertical) to provide a comfortable natural grip during use.
- driving handle axis 376 may be at an angle to cyclone unit handle axis 360 .
- axes 360 and 376 may be angularly offset by 30 degrees or more. This reflects that the driving handle 108 and cyclone unit handle 344 may have different functions.
- the driving handle 108 may be configured to provide a comfortable grip for the user during use, and the cyclone unit handle 344 may be configured with a compact design.
- driving handle 108 includes a portion 377 spaced from main body 104 whereby a finger receiving area 379 is provided between the driving handle 108 and the main body 104 .
- driving handle 108 may be positioned at main body rear end 434 and longitudinally spaced apart from cyclone unit handle 344 .
- pre-motor filter door that may be used by itself in any surface cleaning apparatus or in any combination or sub-combination with any other feature or features disclosed herein including the uniflow cyclone, the positioning of the dirt collection chamber, the orientation of the suction motor, the lateral stability members, the air treatment member handle, the position and orientation of a driving handle, the air treatment member door actuator, the counterweight stand and the electrical coupling members.
- a surface cleaning apparatus may have a pre-motor filter chamber which is closed by an openable door that is accessible when the air treatment member is removed from the remainder of the surface cleaning apparatus (as exemplified in FIG. 6 ).
- a pre-motor filter may be accessed for cleaning or replacement when the door is opened.
- the pre-motor filter door may include a handle for user operation.
- the pre-motor filter chamber may be provided in the removable air treatment member 112 or the main body 104 . The door may be held in a closed position by a part of the surface cleaning apparatus that does not include the pre-motor filter chamber.
- the door may be held closed by a part of the main body when the air treatment member is attached to the main body.
- the pre-motor filter chamber is provided in the main body as exemplified in FIG. 8 , then the door may be held closed by a part of the air treatment member when the air treatment member is attached to the main body.
- FIGS. 8, 8A and 11 exemplify an embodiment in which pre-motor filter housing 208 is accessible when air treatment member 112 is disconnected from main body 104 .
- one of the filter housing walls 216 and 220 e.g., filter housing upstream wall 216 as exemplified in FIG. 8
- filter housing upstream wall 216 as exemplified in FIG. 8
- the openable filter housing wall may be openable in any manner suitable for providing access to clean or replace the pre-motor filters inside.
- the openable wall may be moveably mounted or removably mounted.
- filter housing wall 216 or 220 may be pivotally attached to the pre-motor filter housing 208 , slideably attached to the pre-motor filter housing 208 , or removable altogether from the pre-motor filter housing 208 .
- filter housing upstream wall 216 is pivotally attached to pre-motor filter housing 208 .
- filter housing upstream wall 216 is rotatable about a filter-housing wall pivot axis 392 between a closed position ( FIG. 11 ), and an open position ( FIG. 8A ). It will be appreciated that filter housing upstream wall 216 may be rotatable in any manner and direction suitable for moving the filter housing upstream wall 216 generally away from the pre-motor filter housing 208 to provide access to the pre-motor filters 228 and 232 inside. In the illustrated embodiment, filter housing upstream wall 216 is upwardly rotatable about a laterally extending (e.g. horizontal) filter housing wall pivot axis 392 located at an upper end 396 of the pre-motor filter housing 208 .
- a laterally extending (e.g. horizontal) filter housing wall pivot axis 392 located at an upper end 396 of the pre-motor filter housing 208 .
- the filter housing wall pivot axis 392 is transverse to (e.g. substantially perpendicular to) the inlet connector axis 364 , the cyclone unit handle axis 360 , and the filter housing air inlet axis 248 .
- the filter housing upstream wall 216 may have any construction suitable for allowing the filter housing upstream wall 216 to rotate about the filter housing wall pivot axis 392 .
- filter housing upstream wall 216 may be connected to filter housing sidewall 224 by a hinge 404 of any suitable type.
- filter housing upstream wall 216 may be resiliently bendable to connect with pre-motor filter housing 208 by a living hinge.
- filter housing upstream wall 216 may be at least partially transparent (e.g., the wall may be made of a transparent material or it may have a window) to provide visibility of the upstream surface 268 ( FIG. 8A ) of the pre-motor filter inside. This would allow the user to inspect the pre-motor filter through the filter housing upstream wall 216 , without opening the pre-motor filter housing 208 , in order to assess whether to clean or replace the pre-motor filter.
- the filter housing upstream wall 216 may be opaque, and the pre-motor filter may not be visible through the filter housing upstream wall 216 .
- the openable filter housing wall is preferably manually user openable (e.g. by hand). This allows the user to selectively open the openable filter housing wall to access the pre-motor filters inside.
- the filter housing upstream wall 216 includes a filter housing handle 408 that is user operable to move the filter housing upstream wall 216 between the open and closed positions.
- the filter housing handle 408 may have any construction that allows the user to easily grasp and pull the filter housing handle 408 to open the pre-motor filter housing 208 .
- the filter housing handle 408 extends outwardly from an end opposed to the hinged end (in this case lower end 412 of the filter housing upstream wall 216 ). Referring to FIGS.
- the filter housing handle 408 extends from a filter housing handle inboard end 416 to a filter housing handle outboard end 420 .
- the filter housing handle inboard end 416 may be connected to an upstream face 424 of the filter housing upstream wall 216 .
- the filter housing outboard end 420 may include a gripping feature, which may be of any design such a lip 428 . In the illustrated example, lip 428 is curls approximately 90 degrees.
- the filter housing handle 408 may extend from filter housing upstream wall 216 outwardly towards cyclone unit 112 .
- a front end 432 of main body 104 is connectable to the rear end 436 of cyclone unit 112 , and filter housing handle 408 extends forwardly from filter housing upstream wall 216 towards cyclone unit 112 .
- the filter housing handle outboard end 420 extends into a handle recess 440 of cyclone unit 112 outside of cyclone 160 and dirt collection chamber 164 . In this way, the handle may overlap a portion of the cyclone chamber so as to have a longer length in the direction of the cyclone axis.
- This construction allows the filter housing handle 408 to have a greater dimension 444 between its inboard and outboard ends 416 and 420 , while permitting the filter housing upstream wall 216 to contact at least a portion of cyclone second wall 196 to fluidly connect the cyclone air outlet 184 to the filter housing air inlet 236 .
- the filter housing handle 408 extends from filter housing upstream wall lower end 412 , and cyclone unit handle recess 440 is provided in cyclone unit lower portion 352 .
- pre-motor filter housing 208 may be free of locking members, such as latches or clasps, which are operable to secure the openable wall in the closed position. Accordingly, when the main body 104 and cyclone unit 112 are connected together (see, e.g. FIG. 1 ) filter housing handle 408 extends forwardly from filter housing upstream wall 216 and abuts a part of air treatment member 112 , e.g., rear end wall 196 of the air treatment member.
- locking members such as latches or clasps
- the openable door of the pre-motor filter housing 208 may be held in its closed position by interaction with cyclone unit 112 , when cyclone unit 112 is connected to main body 104 .
- cyclone unit rear end 436 may contact filter housing upstream wall 216 to hold the filter housing upstream wall 216 in its closed position.
- cyclone second wall 196 is bordered by a peripheral lip 448 which contacts upstream face 424 of filter housing upstream wall 216
- cyclone air outlet 184 is bordered by a peripheral lip 452 that contacts a peripheral recess 456 of filter housing air inlet 236 .
- Peripheral lip 452 and recess 456 may form a substantially air tight connection between cyclone air outlet 184 and filter housing air inlet 236 .
- a gasket such as an O-ring (not shown) may be provided and compressed when the air treatment member is attached to provide an air tight seal between the openable door and the rest of the pre-motor filter chamber.
- an air treatment member door actuator that may be used by itself in any surface cleaning apparatus or in any combination or sub-combination with any other feature or features disclosed herein including the uniflow cyclone, the positioning of the dirt collection chamber, the orientation of the suction motor, the lateral stability members, the air treatment member handle, the position and orientation of a driving handle, the pre-motor filter housing door, the counterweight stand, the electrical coupling members and the accessory power connector.
- the air treatment member may include an openable door that provides access to empty or clean the air treatment member (e.g. to empty or clean a dirt collection region of the air treatment member).
- the air treatment member door may be openable by an actuator positioned within finger-reach of the air treatment member handle. This allows for one handed operation of the air treatment member door.
- air treatment member 112 includes an openable wall (e.g., a door) to provide access to clean or empty the air treatment member (e.g., cyclone 160 and dirt collection chamber 164 ). Any portion of air treatment member 112 suitable for emptying air treatment member 112 may be openable.
- air treatment member 112 includes an openable front end 472 wherein all of the front end is opeanable.
- the air treatment member may be a cyclone unit comprising a cyclone and a dirt collection chamber external to the cyclone and may have a front end 472 the includes cyclone first end wall 192 , and dirt collection chamber first end wall 476 . It will be appreciated that, in some embodiments, only a portion of the front end 472 may be openable.
- the openable door may be openable in any manner suitable for providing access to clean or empty air treatment member 112 , e.g., cyclone 160 and dirt collection chamber 164 .
- the door may be pivotally attached to the air treatment member 112 which is exemplified in FIG. 18 , slideably attached to the air treatment member 112 , and/or removable altogether from the air treatment member 112 .
- cyclone unit front door 472 is rotatable about a cyclone unit wall pivot axis 480 between a closed position ( FIG. 1 ), and an open position ( FIG. 18 ). It will be appreciated that cyclone unit front door 472 may be rotatable in any manner and direction suitable for moving cyclone unit front door 472 generally away from the cyclone unit 112 to provide access to the cyclone 160 and dirt collection chamber 164 inside. In the illustrated embodiment, cyclone unit front door 472 is downwardly rotatable about a laterally extending (e.g. horizontal) cyclone unit wall pivot axis 480 located at a lower portion 352 of the cyclone unit 112 .
- a laterally extending (e.g. horizontal) cyclone unit wall pivot axis 480 located at a lower portion 352 of the cyclone unit 112 .
- the cyclone unit wall pivot axis 480 is transverse to (e.g. substantially perpendicular to) the inlet connector axis 364 , the cyclone unit handle axis 360 , and the cyclone axis of rotation 484 .
- cyclone unit front door 472 may rotate in a different direction about a different axis.
- cyclone unit front door 472 may move laterally outwardly by rotation about a substantially vertical axis positioned proximate a left or right side of the cyclone unit 112 .
- cyclone unit front door 472 may move upwardly by rotation about a substantially horizontal axis positioned proximate cyclone unit lower portion 352 .
- the cyclone unit front door 472 may have any construction suitable for allowing the cyclone unit front door 472 to rotate about the cyclone unit wall pivot axis 480 .
- cyclone unit front door 472 may be connected to cyclone unit 112 by a hinge 486 of any type known in the art.
- cyclone unit front door 472 may be resiliently bendable to connect with cyclone unit 112 by a living hinge.
- the openable cyclone unit wall is locked in the closed position, and manually user openable (e.g. by hand).
- This allows the openable cyclone unit wall to remain closed while the apparatus 100 is operating, and allows the user to selectively open the openable cyclone unit wall to empty the cyclone 160 and dirt collection chamber 164 inside when the apparatus 100 is turned off.
- cyclone unit 112 includes a door lock 492 , which inhibits opening of cyclone unit front door 472 when engaged.
- Door lock 492 is user operable to disengage door lock 492 to thereby permit cyclone unit front door 472 to move to its open position.
- Door lock 492 may be any type of lock suitable for retaining cyclone unit front door 472 in its closed position, and which is user releasable to permit cyclone unit 112 to open.
- door lock 492 may have a manually operable actuator for moving the lock between its engaged and disengaged positions.
- door lock 492 includes an engaging member 496 and an actuator 504 .
- actuator is positioned proximate the air treatment member handle 344 so that a user may operate actuator 504 with the same hand that is used to hold handle 504 .
- actuator 504 may be located within close proximity (e.g. finger-reach) of handle 344 , e.g., it may be provided on or adjacent handle 344 and may be provided at the end of handle 344 at which the door is located. Accordingly, while holding handle 344 , the user may use their thumb of the same hand to operate actuator 504 , i.e., door release actuator 504 may be operated by the same hand which is holding the cyclone unit 112 for single-handed emptying of cyclone unit 112 .
- unit door release actuator 504 is positioned forward of handle 344 on upper portion 348 (e.g. at a forward end of inlet passage 380 ). In other embodiments, door release actuator 504 may be located on handle 344 , or rearwardly of handle 344 .
- the door release actuator 504 is manually user operable (i.e. by hand) to move the engaging member 496 between its engaged position ( FIG. 20 ) and its disengaged position ( FIG. 21 ).
- door release actuator 504 may engage cyclone unit front door 472 to inhibit movement of front door 472 to its open position. This prevents front door 472 from rotating about its cyclone unit wall pivot axis 480 to its open position.
- door release actuator 504 releases cyclone unit front door 472 to permit front door 472 to move to its open position.
- lock engaging member 496 may be of any construction having an engaged position for retaining the openable cyclone unit wall in its closed position, and a disengaged position for releasing the openable cyclone unit to move to its open position.
- lock engaging member 496 is connected to an exterior of air treatment member 112 .
- lock engaging member 496 has a front end 508 which is sized and positioned to releasably hook onto a recess 512 formed in cyclone unit front door 472 to retain the front door 472 in its closed position.
- Lock engaging member 496 may be movable in any suitable manner between its engaged and disengaged positions.
- lock engaging member 496 may be rotatable as shown, translatable, or combinations thereof.
- lock engaging member 496 is pivotally connected to air treatment member 112 for rotation about a lock engaging member axis 516 ( FIG. 19 ) between its engaged and disengaged positions.
- lock engaging member 496 may hook onto front wall lock recess 512 .
- Lock engaging member 496 may then be rotated about its axis 516 away from cyclone unit front door 472 to unhook from front wall lock recess 512 .
- lock engaging member 496 may be biased to the locked position.
- a biasing member e.g. torsional spring, not shown
- door lock 492 may have any door release actuator 504 suitable for moving the lock engaging member 496 between its engaged and disengaged positions.
- door release actuator 504 is formed as a button which is operable to rotate lock engaging member 496 to its unlocked position.
- door release actuator 504 and lock engaging member 496 may both include abutments 520 and 524 , respectively, which make contact to move lock engaging member 496 when door release actuator 504 is depressed.
- abutment 520 moves abutment 524 downwardly which teeters lock engaging member 496 to rotate about its lock engaging member axis 516 to its disengaged position.
- door release actuator 504 may be movable in any suitable manner.
- door release actuator 504 may be rotatable (e.g. pivotal) as shown, or translatable (e.g. slidable).
- door release actuator 504 is rotatably connected to cyclone unit 112 about a lock actuator axis 528 between its raised position ( FIG. 20 ) and its depressed position ( FIG. 21 ).
- a counterweight stand that may be used by itself in any surface cleaning apparatus or in any combination or sub-combination with any other feature or features disclosed herein including the uniflow cyclone, the positioning of the dirt collection chamber, the orientation of the suction motor, the lateral stability members, the air treatment member handle, the position and orientation of a driving handle, the pre-motor filter housing door, the air treatment member door actuator, the electrical coupling members and the accessory power connector.
- the apparatus may include a counterweight positioned to adjust the apparatus center of gravity for reducing user-torque required to orient the apparatus at common operating angles.
- the counterweight may be located at a lower end of the main body to provide a stand for supporting the apparatus on a horizontal surface.
- the counterweight may be formed by a removable member (e.g. energy storage member), or a permanently attached or integrally molded member (e.g. ribs).
- Counterweight stand 564 may be of any size and weight suitable for providing stable support and for influencing the apparatus center of gravity.
- counterweight stand 564 may be formed of the same material as main body exterior wall 212 (e.g. plastic), and may be formed as a solid member, a hollow member, a porous member, or a plurality of spaced apart members.
- counterweight stand 564 is formed as a plurality of spaced apart counterweight ribs 572 that are integrally formed with the main body exterior wall 212 .
- counterweight ribs 572 may be rearwardly extending and laterally spaced apart.
- counterweight ribs 572 This allows the counterweight ribs 572 to be distributed across a large area to form a base that nay itself or with bottom 125 stably support the apparatus 100 on a horizontal surface.
- the collective weight of ribs 572 is determined by varying the number, density, spacing, and distribution of the counterweight ribs 572 .
- counterweight stand 564 may be formed by a hollow member, and the weight of the counterweight stand 564 is determined by the fill density inside the block.
- counterweight stand 564 may be formed from a different material than main body exterior wall 212 , such as a material of greater density to provide greater stability and influence on center of gravity.
- the counterweight stand 564 may be integrally formed, permanently connected, or removably connected to apparatus 100 .
- counterweight stand 564 is permanently connected to apparatus 100 .
- apparatus 100 may be a corded appliance having a power cord connector 576 for permanently or removably receiving a power cord (not shown) that is connectable to an external power source (e.g. wall outlet).
- FIGS. 4 and 24 another embodiment of apparatus 100 is shown including a counterweight stand 564 formed as an energy storage member 580 (e.g. battery).
- Energy storage member 580 may be permanently or removably connected to apparatus 100 , and may have a size and weight suitable for helping to support apparatus 100 on a horizontal surface 584 and influencing the center of gravity of apparatus 100 .
- a electrical coupling members that may be used by itself in any surface cleaning apparatus or in any combination or sub-combination with any other feature or features disclosed herein including the uniflow cyclone, the positioning of the dirt collection chamber, the orientation of the suction motor, the lateral stability members, the air treatment member handle, the position and orientation of a driving handle, the pre-motor filter housing door, the air treatment member door actuator, the counterweight stand and the accessory power connector.
- the apparatus may include an electrical outlet with electrical conductor element(s) that are movable from a circuit closed position to a circuit open position upon removal of an accessory tool such as a wand, crevice tool, mini brush or the like.
- the accessory tool which is mounted on the apparatus may have a member which engages a driven member on the apparatus. When engaged, the driven member mechanically moves an element of the circuit to open the circuit so that the electrical conductor elements on the apparatus are not live. This allows the electrical outlet to be safe to touch when the accessory tool is disconnected.
- connector 128 may be any suitable connector that is operable to connect to, and preferably detachably connect to, a hose, cleaning tool or other accessory tool.
- connector 128 may also include an electrical connection. Providing an electrical connection may allow accessory tools that are coupled to the connector 128 to be powered by the surface cleaning apparatus 100 .
- the surface cleaning unit 100 can be used to provide both power and suction to a surface cleaning head, or other suitable accessory tool.
- the connector 128 includes an electrical outlet 144 in the form of a female socket member, and a corresponding male connector member may be provided on the hose, cleaning tool or other accessory tool that is connected to the connector inlet end 124 .
- electrical outlet 144 may include male connectors.
- apparatus 100 includes an electrical circuit 624 between a source of power and electrical conductor elements 588 .
- the source of power may be an energy storage member 580 (e.g. battery) or a power cord 628 (connectable to an external power outlet), for example.
- electrical conductor elements 588 may be de-energized when not connected with a mating electrical coupling (e.g. of a power accessory). This may prevent user injury from being hurt by inadvertent contact with the electrical conductor elements 588 .
- the electrical circuit 624 may include two or more electrical conductor elements 588 , at least one of which, and preferably two of which, may be movable between a circuit closed position and a circuit open position, and biased to the circuit open position.
- the electrical conductor element 588 In the circuit closed position, the electrical conductor element 588 is electrically connected to the source of power.
- the electrical conductor 588 In the circuit open position, the electrical conductor 588 is electrically disconnected from the source of power. Accordingly, at least one of the electrical conductor elements 588 is normally electrically disconnected from the source of power, which may prevent accidental electric shock.
- the electrical conductor element 588 is moved to the circuit closed position upon attaching an accessory tool to dirty air inlet 116 .
- the electrical conductor elements 588 may be moved to the circuit closed position by engagement with the electrical conductor elements of an accessory tool. Accordingly, when the accessory tool is mounted on inlet 116 , the electrical conductor elements of the accessory tool may drive electrical conductor elements 588 to the circuit closed position.
- electrical conductor elements 588 may be a rigid rod movably mounted in a housing 596 of electrical outlet 144 .
- Each electrical conductor element 588 extends from a first contact end 640 to a second contact end 644 .
- the first contact end 640 may be an accessory tool contact end which makes electrical contact with a mating electrical conductor element of an attached accessory tool.
- the second contact ends 644 may be a terminal end contact end which makes electrical contact with the terminal ends 636 of electrically conductive members 590 when the electrical conductor elements 588 are in a circuit closed position. Accordingly, when an accessory tool is electrically connected to electrical outlet 144 and electrical conductor elements 588 are in the circuit closed position, the conductor element 588 can conduct electricity from the source of power to the connected accessory tool.
- electrically conductive members (e.g., wires) 590 extend from the source of power to terminal ends 636 .
- One or both of electrical conductor elements 588 may be movable between a circuit closed position, in which second contact end 644 contacts terminal end 636 of an electrically conductive member 590 , and a circuit open position, in which second contact end 644 is spaced apart from the terminal ends 636 of electrically conductive members 590 .
- one or both of electrical conductor elements 588 may be axially slidable in electrical outlet housing between the circuit open and circuit closed positions.
- electrical conductor elements 588 are rearwardly slideable in rearwardly extending housing channels 604 formed in electrical outlet housing 596 .
- first end 640 of one or both of electrical conductor elements 588 may be recessed into the electrical outlet 144 when in the circuit open position.
- first end 640 may be positioned rearwardly of electrical outlet front end 608 .
- Electrical conductor element 588 may be biased to the circuit open position in any manner.
- electrical outlet 144 includes a biasing member 648 that applies a biasing force urging electrical conductor element 588 toward the circuit open position.
- biasing member 648 is a compression spring positioned between the electrical conductor element 588 and the terminal end 636 of electrically conductive member 590 which urges electrical conductor element 588 forwardly. The force of biasing member 648 may be overcome when connecting an accessory tool to dirty air inlet 116 to move the electrical conductor element 588 rearwardly to the circuit closed position.
- biasing member 648 is substantially non-electrically conductive.
- biasing member 648 may be formed of (or coated with) plastic, rubber, a non-conductive metal or another substantially non-electrically conductive material. This helps to prevent biasing member 648 from short circuiting electrical circuit 624 or electrically connecting electrical conductor element 588 and terminal end 632 when the electrical conductor element 588 is in the closed position.
- electrical conductor elements 588 may be mounted in a moveable (e.g., plastic or other non-conductive material) housing and the housing may have an engagement member that is engaged by, e.g., a protrusion or finger provided on the accessory tool. In this way, the electrical conductor elements of the accessory tool need not be used to drive the circuit 624 to a closed position.
- a moveable housing e.g., plastic or other non-conductive material
- main power switch 650 which is movable between a circuit closed position and a circuit open position to energize the suction motor, may be part of electrical circuit 642 .
- the power switch may be manually user operable. In the circuit open position, power switch 650 electrically disconnects electrical terminal end 636 from the power source. In the circuit closed position, power switch 650 electrically connects circuit terminal end 636 with the power source.
- an electrical coupling members that may be used by itself in any surface cleaning apparatus or in any combination or sub-combination with any other feature or features disclosed herein including the uniflow cyclone, the positioning of the dirt collection chamber, the orientation of the suction motor, the lateral stability members, the air treatment member handle, the position and orientation of a driving handle, the pre-motor filter housing door, the air treatment member door actuator the counterweight stand and the electrical coupling members.
- the surface cleaning apparatus 100 includes a power connector 144 (which may be referred to as an accessory power connector) for an accessory (e.g., a powered floor cleaner head).
- the power connector 144 for the accessory is provided on a part of the air treatment member that is moveable with respect to another part of the air treatment member and/or the main body of the hand vac.
- the power connector 144 may be on a removeable bin assembly or air treatment member 112 .
- the power connector 144 for the accessory may be on a front 121 of the surface cleaning apparatus 100 .
- the accessory power connector 144 may be part or an openable portion of an air treatment member or a removable portion of an air treatment member or an air treatment member that is removable when closed.
- the accessory power connector 144 may be part of the removable assembly, thereby enabling the accessory power connector 144 to be provided at a location adjacent the nozzle.
- the surface cleaning apparatus 100 may include an electrical connector 144 for providing power to an upstream attachment (e.g., a surface cleaning head or another cleaning tool).
- connector 144 may extend from a front connector end 271 along a connector axis 274 to a rear connector end 275 (see FIG. 32 ).
- Connector axis 274 may be parallel to one or more of nozzle axis 364 , cyclone axis 484 , and motor axis 540 .
- connector axis 274 is parallel to nozzle axis 364 , cyclone axis 484 , and motor axis 540 .
- Part or all of the accessory power connector 144 may extend forwardly of the bin assembly 241 . Accordingly, when a cleaning tool is connected to the air treatment member 112 , the cleaning tool is connected in air flow communication with the air treatment member 112 (e.g., via the inlet 128 ) and (e.g., concurrently) the cleaning tool is electrically connected to the air treatment member 112 (e.g., via connector 144 ).
- the surface cleaning apparatus 100 may include one or more electrical conductors or cables 590 which extend from electrical connector 144 , e.g., rearwardly, to electrically couple accessory electrical connector 144 with a source of power (e.g., the power cord 201 in the illustrated example or one or more on board energy storage members).
- the source of power is in the main body 108 , and the cables 590 extend rearwardly through the bin assembly 241 and further cables 590 extend through the main body to the source of power.
- the air treatment member 112 and/or bin assembly 241 includes an air treatment member electrical connector 282 to electrically couple the air treatment member 112 and/or bin assembly 241 and the main body 108 .
- the main body 108 includes a main body electrical connector 283 to be coupled to the air treatment member electrical connector 282 of the air treatment member 112 and/or bin assembly 241 (connectors 282 , 283 are shown decoupled in FIG. 34 ), to electrically join the accessory power connector 144 mounted to the removeable air treatment member 112 and/or bin assembly 241 to the source of power in the main body 108 (e.g., to couple the cables 590 in the bin to the cables 590 in the body 108 ).
- the body electrical connector 283 may extend from or be adjacent to a surface of the main body that abuts a surface of the air treatment member when the air treatment member 112 and/or bin assembly 241 is mounted to the body 108 in air flow communication with the body 108 .
- the bin electrical connector 282 may extend from or be adjacent to a surface of the bin 112 and/or bin assembly 241 that abuts a surface of the body 108 when the air treatment member 112 is mounted to the body 108 in air flow communication with the body 108 .
- the bin electrical connector 282 may be directed rearwardly from the bin assembly 241
- the body connector 283 may be directed forwardly from the body 108 .
- the air treatment member 112 and/or bin assembly 241 is concurrently connectable in air flow communication with the main body 108 and electrically connectable to the main body 108 when the air treatment member 112 and/or bin assembly 241 is mounted to the main body 108 .
- the bin electrical connector 282 and the body electrical connector 283 may be provided at any location which enables the bin electrical connector 282 and the body electrical connector 283 to be electrically connected to each other when the bin 112 and/or bin assembly 241 is mounted to the main body 108 .
- the accessory power connector 144 and the main body electrical connector 283 may each be a female connector, and the air treatment member electrical connector 282 may be a male connector. However, it will be appreciated that any other combination of male and female connectors may be used, and, in some examples, there may be multiple accessory power connectors 144 , main body connectors 283 , and/or air treatment member connectors 282 . If the accessory power connector 144 and/or the main body connector 283 is a male connector, the surface cleaning apparatus 100 may include a switch to turn off power to the accessory power connector 144 and/or the main body connector 283 .
- the accessory power connector 144 may be on an openable door of the air treatment member 112 .
- an air treatment member 112 may have an openable door 472 (e.g., an openable front door or end).
- the accessory power connector 144 is mounted on an openable door such as door 472 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 21 .
- the surface cleaning apparatus 100 may include an inlet conduit 128 having the dirty air inlet 116 , and the accessory electrical connector 144 may be provided adjacent the inlet conduit 128 .
- the inlet conduit 128 may be provided at an upper end 123 of the surface cleaning apparatus 100 .
- the bin electrical connector 282 may be provided at a lower end 125 of the air treatment member 112 and/or the bin assembly 241 .
- Electrical connectors 144 , 282 of the air treatment member 112 may be on opposite sides (e.g., lateral sides) of the surface cleaning apparatus.
- the electrical connectors 144 , 282 of the air treatment member 112 may be on opposite sides of a vertical line through the centre of gravity and/or on opposite sides of a horizontal line through the centre of gravity. Maneuverability may be facilitated by having the electrical connectors 144 , 282 on either side of the centre of gravity.
- the connectors 144 , 282 , 283 may be any suitable electrical connectors and may be arranged in any suitable way to permit electrically coupling the accessory to the power source of the main body through the bin assembly. As illustrated, the connectors 144 , 282 , 283 may be rigidly mounted, which may facilitate making an electrical connection concurrently when establishing air flow connections. Alternatively, one or more connector 144 , 282 , 283 may be a pig tail connector.
- the electrical conductors or cables 590 may take any suitable path through the bin assembly 241 and/or main body 108 .
- the air treatment member 112 comprises electrical conductors 590 that extend along or through a portion of the air treatment member 112 from the air treatment member electrical connector 282 to the cleaning tool electrical connector 144 .
- the air treatment member 112 may comprise electrical conductors 590 that extend along a front end of the bin assembly 241 .
- the electrical connectors may extend along an outer surface of a front end 121 of the air treatment member 112 .
- the electrical conductors 590 also extend along a lower end 125 of the air treatment member 112 .
- the electrical conductors 590 may extend along an outer surface of a bottom end of the dirt collector 164 .
- the bin assembly 241 includes a cover 298 mounted to the air treatment member 112 to overly that electrical conductors 590 if the electrical conductors extend over outer surfaces of the air treatment member 112 (e.g., outer surfaces of the dirt chamber or cyclone chamber).
- the conductors 590 extend from the cord 201 up through the handle 108 (i.e., the hand grip portion 219 ), into the motor housing 156 through a grommet 294 to the motor 152 to supply power to the motor 152 .
- the electrical conductors 590 also extend from the motor 152 out of the motor housing 156 through the grommet 294 then between the motor housing 156 and the outer housing of main body 108 , through a bleed valve housing 296 , out of the bleed valve housing 296 through an aperture and then between the premotor filter housing 208 and the outer housing of the main body 108 to the body connector 283 . It will be appreciated that the electrical conductors 590 in the main body 108 may follow any route through the main body 108 .
- the body connector 283 couples to the bin connector 282 to supply power to the bin connector 282 .
- Electrical conductors extend from the bin connecter 282 along, e.g., an outer surface of the walls of the dirt chamber 164 at the bottom end of the dirt chamber 164 to the front of the dirt chamber 164 , and then up an outer surface of the dirt assembly 164 at the front of the dirt chamber 164 and up an outer surface of the walls of the cyclone chamber 160 at a front end of the cyclone chamber 160 to the accessory power connector 144 .
- the conductors 590 are optionally covered by an outer cover 298 of the bin assembly 241 .
- the rear end 133 of the air treatment member 112 may include an openable door 300 .
- the door 300 ( FIGS. 33 to 37 ) may be pivotally secured to the air treatment member 112 , and moveable between an operating position ( FIGS. 33 and 34 ) and an emptying position ( FIGS. 36 and 37 ). As illustrated in FIG. 35 , the door 300 may be secured by a latch 302 inside the flange 242 .
- An actuator 303 within the flange 242 may be accessible when the bin assembly 241 and/or air treatment member 112 is removed from the main body 108 (e.g., and not accessible when the bin assembly 241 and/or air treatment member 112 is not removed from the main body 108 ).
- one or both of the cyclone chamber 160 and the dirt collection chamber 164 may be opened to remove dirt.
- opening the rear door 300 also opens the dirt outlet 188 (e.g., moves one wall defining a part of a perimeter of the dirt outlet 188 away from another wall defining another portion of the perimeter of the dirt outlet 188 ).
- the bin connector 282 may be part of the openable rear end 133 .
- the electrical conductors or cables 590 may be any electrical connector such as wires. Alternately, they may be flat conductors.
- the electrical conductors 590 may comprise flat conductors that have a height and a width perpendicular to the height, wherein the height and the width are dimensioned in a plane that is perpendicular to an extension direction of the conductor, and the width is the longest distance across the conductor in the plane and the height is perpendicular to the width.
- the electrical conductors 590 may have a depth (e.g., a height) in a direction that extends in an outward direction to a wall of a portion of the air treatment member 112 and a width in a direction parallel to a wall of the portion of the air treatment member 112 and the width is greater than the depth or height.
- a depth e.g., a height
- the electrical conductors 590 extends along the surface to which reference numeral 292 points in FIG. 34 , then the height is in the forward direction and the width is in the lateral, side to side, direction).
- One or more conductor of the surface cleaning apparatus 100 may have a height of 0.01-5 mm, 0.5-5 mm, 0.5-3 mm or 1-3 mm.
- One or more conductor of the surface cleaning apparatus 100 may have a width of 0.25-15 mm, 1-10 mm, or 2-7 mm. Using a flat conductor may allow for sharper bends in a conduction path.
Abstract
A surface cleaning apparatus including an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet, a main body comprising a handle, a suction motor and fan assembly that is positioned in the air flow path, and an air treatment member removably mounted to the main body. The air treatment member has an air treatment chamber that is positioned in the air flow path when the air treatment member is mounted to the main body and a cleaning tool electrical connector. When a cleaning tool is connected to the air treatment member, the cleaning tool is connected in air flow communication with the air treatment member and the cleaning tool is electrically connected to the air treatment member.
Description
- This application is a continuation in part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/270,693, filed on Feb. 8, 2019, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/095,941, filed on Apr. 11, 2016, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,258,208, each of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
- The specification relates to surface cleaning apparatus. In a preferred embodiment, the surface cleaning apparatus comprises a portable surface cleaning apparatus, such as a hand vacuum cleaner or a pod.
- The following is not an admission that anything discussed below is part of the prior art or part of the common general knowledge of a person skilled in the art.
- Various types of surface cleaning apparatus are known. Surface cleaning apparatus include vacuum cleaners. Currently, a vacuum cleaner typically uses at least one cyclonic cleaning stage. More recently, cyclonic hand vacuum cleaners have been developed. See for example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,931,716 and US 2010/0229328. Each of these discloses a hand vacuum cleaner which includes a cyclonic cleaning stage. U.S. Pat. No. 7,931,716 discloses a cyclonic cleaning stage utilizing two cyclonic cleaning stages wherein both cyclonic stages have cyclone axis of rotation that extends vertically. US 2010/0229328 discloses a cyclonic hand vacuum cleaner wherein the cyclone axis of rotation extends horizontally and is co-axial with the suction motor. In addition, hand carriable cyclonic vacuum cleaners are also known (see U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,146,201 and 8,549,703).
- This summary is intended to introduce the reader to the more detailed description that follows and not to limit or define any claimed or as yet unclaimed invention. One or more inventions may reside in any combination or sub-combination of the elements or process steps disclosed in any part of this document including its claims and figures.
- In accordance with one aspect of this disclosure, a hand vacuum cleaner has a uniflow cyclone with a front cyclone air inlet and a rear air cyclone outlet. Accordingly, the cyclone axis extends rearwardly from the front end of the cyclone. The cyclone air inlet may be in an upper portion of the cyclone and may be in an upper portion of the sidewall (e.g., most and preferably essentially all of the inlet opening may be in the sidewall of the cyclone above the axis of rotation of the cyclone). The dirt collection area may be a dirt collection chamber that is external to the cyclone chamber and may be provided below the cyclone chamber. The dirt outlet of the cyclone chamber may be provided in a lower portion of the sidewall of the cyclone near or at the rear end of the cyclone.
- In accordance with this aspect, there is provided a hand vacuum cleaner having a front end having a dirty air inlet, a rear end, a clean air outlet, an upper end and a bottom, the hand vacuum cleaner comprising:
-
- (a) a main body comprising an upper end having a dirty air inlet, a lower end, a front end and a rear end, the main body housing a suction motor and fan assembly, the suction motor and fan assembly having a suction motor axis of rotation; and,
- (b) a cyclone unit comprising a cyclone having a cyclone axis of rotation, a front end having a cyclone air inlet and a longitudinally spaced apart rear end having a cyclone air outlet, wherein the cyclone air inlet is in an upper portion of the cyclone;
- wherein when the hand vacuum cleaner is oriented with the cyclone underneath the upper end, the cyclone axis of rotation is generally horizontal.
- In some embodiments, when the hand vacuum cleaner is positioned with the bottom on a horizontal surface, the cyclone axis of rotation may be generally horizontal.
- In some embodiments, when the hand vacuum cleaner is oriented with the cyclone underneath the upper end, the suction motor axis of rotation may be generally horizontal.
- In some embodiments, when the hand vacuum cleaner is oriented with the cyclone underneath the upper end, the suction motor axis of rotation may be positioned below the cyclone axis of rotation.
- In some embodiments, the cyclone has a sidewall having an upper portion and a lower portion and a dirt outlet may be provided in the lower portion and is in communication with a dirt collection chamber that is exterior to the cyclone. Optionally, the cyclone air inlet may be provided in the upper portion of the sidewall of the cyclone.
- In some embodiments, the cyclone axis of rotation may be generally parallel to the suction motor axis of rotation.
- In some embodiments, the main body may be provided with a handle.
- In some embodiments, the hand vacuum cleaner further comprises a handle having a hand grip portion that may extend upwardly and forwardly when the hand vacuum cleaner is oriented with the cyclone underneath the upper end.
- In some embodiments, the lower end of the main body may comprise the bottom.
- In some embodiments, the cyclone unit may be provided on the front end of the main body. Alternately, or in addition, the cyclone unit may be removably mounted to the main body.
- In some embodiments, the dirty air inlet may be provided on a front end of the cyclone unit.
- In some embodiments, the dirty air inlet may comprise an inlet passage that extends longitudinally between an inlet end and an outlet end and has a longitudinal passage axis, the outlet end of the inlet passage communicates with the cyclone air inlet and the inlet passage axis may be positioned between an upper and a lower end of a handle of the hand vacuum cleaner.
- In some embodiments, the handle may comprise a hand grip portion that extends upwardly and forwardly when the hand vacuum cleaner is oriented with the cyclone underneath the upper end. In some of these embodiments, the suction motor axis of rotation may be positioned below the cyclone axis of rotation when the hand vacuum cleaner is oriented with the cyclone underneath the upper end.
- In some embodiments, the inlet passage may have a longitudinal passage axis that is linear and all of the longitudinal passage may be positioned above the cyclone axis of rotation when the hand vacuum cleaner is oriented with the cyclone underneath the upper end.
- In accordance with this aspect, there is also provided a surface cleaning apparatus comprising the hand vacuum cleaner discussed herein, a surface cleaning head and a rigid air flow conduit extending between the surface cleaning head and the hand vacuum cleaner wherein an outlet end of the rigid air flow conduit is removable connectable in air flow communication with the inlet passage.
- In accordance with this aspect, there is also provided a hand vacuum cleaner having a front end, a rear end, a clean air outlet, an upper end and a bottom, the hand vacuum cleaner comprising:
-
- (a) a main body comprising an upper end, a lower end, a front end and a rear end, the main body housing a suction motor and fan assembly, the suction motor and fan assembly having a suction motor axis of rotation; and,
- (b) an air treatment member having a front end having an air treatment member air inlet and a longitudinally rearwardly spaced apart rear end having an air treatment member air outlet, wherein the air treatment member air inlet is in a longitudinally extending sidewall of the air treatment member; and,
- (c) a dirty air inlet comprising an inlet passage that extends longitudinally between an inlet end and an outlet end and has a longitudinal passage axis, the outlet end of the inlet passage communicates with the air treatment member air inlet.
- In some embodiments, air travels through the air treatment member air outlet in a flow direction and the flow direction may be generally parallel to the suction motor axis of rotation.
- In accordance with another aspect of this disclosure, a hand vacuum cleaner has an air treatment member with an air flow conduit or passage wherein the conduit is also a handle of the air treatment member.
- In accordance with this aspect, there is provided a hand vacuum cleaner having a front end having a dirty air inlet, a rear end, a clean air outlet, an upper end and a bottom, the hand vacuum cleaner comprising:
-
- (a) a main body comprising an upper end, a lower end, a front end, a rear end and a driving handle, the main body housing a suction motor and fan assembly, the suction motor and fan assembly having a suction motor axis of rotation;
- (b) an air treatment member comprising an air treatment member handle, a dirt collection region having an openable door and an openable door lock comprising a door release actuator wherein the door is moveable to an open position when the door release actuator is actuated; and,
- (c) an air inlet comprises an inlet passage that extends longitudinally between an inlet end and an outlet end and has a longitudinal passage axis and the inlet passage comprises the air treatment member handle.
- In some embodiments, the driving handle may comprise a portion spaced from the main body whereby a finger receiving area is provided between the driving handle and the main body.
- In some embodiments, the driving handle may be provided at the rear end of the main body.
- In some embodiments, the air treatment member handle may comprise a portion spaced from the air treatment member whereby a finger receiving area is provided between the air treatment member handle and the air treatment member.
- The In some embodiments, the air treatment member handle may be provided above the air treatment member.
- In some embodiments, the openable door may be provided at the front end of the hand vacuum cleaner.
- In some embodiments, the openable door may have a lower end that is moveably mounted to the air treatment member and an upper end that may be engaged by the door lock.
- In some embodiments, the door release actuator may be positioned proximate the air treatment member handle.
- In some embodiments, the inlet passage may extend generally rearwardly.
- In some embodiments, the door release actuator may be positioned at a forward end of the inlet passage.
- In accordance with this aspect, there is also provided a hand vacuum cleaner having a front end having a dirty air inlet, a rear end, a clean air outlet, an upper end and a bottom, the hand vacuum cleaner comprising:
-
- (a) a main body comprising an upper end, a lower end, a front end, a rear end and a driving handle, the main body housing a suction motor and fan assembly, the suction motor and fan assembly having a suction motor axis of rotation; and,
- (b) a cyclone unit comprising a cyclone having a cyclone axis of rotation, a cyclone unit handle, a dirt collection region having an openable door and an openable door lock comprising a door release actuator wherein the door is moveable to an open position when the actuator is actuated;
- wherein when a user's hand is holding the cyclone unit by the cyclone unit handle, the door release actuator is operable by the same hand.
- In some embodiments, the driving handle may comprise a portion spaced from the main body whereby a finger receiving area is provided between the driving handle and the main body.
- In some embodiments, the driving handle may be provided at the rear end of the main body.
- In some embodiments, the cyclone unit handle may comprise a portion spaced from the cyclone unit whereby a finger receiving area is provided between the cyclone unit handle and the cyclone unit.
- In some embodiments, the cyclone unit handle may be provided above the cyclone unit.
- In some embodiments, the openable door may be provided at the front end of the hand vacuum cleaner.
- In some embodiments, the air inlet may comprise an inlet passage that extends longitudinally between an inlet end and an outlet end and the inlet passage comprises the cyclone unit handle.
- In some embodiments, when the hand vacuum cleaner is positioned with the bottom on a horizontal surface, the cyclone axis of rotation may be generally horizontal.
- In accordance with another aspect of this disclosure, the air treatment member, e.g., a cyclone unit, may be removably mounted to the rest of the hand vacuum cleaner. The air treatment member may include a dirty air inlet that is connectable to an upper end of a longitudinally extending rigid member (e.g., which may be hollow to enable airflow therethrough) and a surface cleaning head may be provided (preferably removably connected) to a lower end of the longitudinally extending rigid member. When assembled as an upright or stick vacuum cleaner with the hand vacuum cleaner drivingly connected to the surface cleaning head by the longitudinally extending rigid member (e.g., a rigid wand), the handle of the hand vacuum cleaner may be used to steer the surface cleaning head. An advantage of this configuration is that the hand vacuum cleaner may be easily converted to an upright or stick vacuum cleaner.
- In such a configuration, lateral stresses (i.e., stresses transverse to the longitudinal forward/rearward axis of the hand vacuum cleaner) may occur as the handle of the hand vacuum cleaner is used to steer the surface cleaning head. In order to assist in stabilizing the joint of the air treatment member and the rest of the hand vacuum cleaner, lateral stability members may be provided at the interface of the air treatment member and the rest of the hand vacuum cleaner. For example, one or more pairs of inter-engagement members may be provided which extend in a direction that extends generally between the lower end and the upper end of the hand vacuum cleaner. These lateral stability members may extend continuously or they may have discontinuities and they may extend linearly or otherwise. As the lateral stresses are exerted in a direction that is at an angle between 0-90°, 25-90°, 45-90° or 70-90° to the lateral stability members, and may be generally perpendicular (90°) thereto, the lateral stability members will strengthen the joint of the air treatment member and the rest of the hand vacuum cleaner. Preferably, at least one pair is provided on either lateral side of a center line extending in the longitudinal forward/rearward direction of the hand vacuum cleaner. The lateral stability members may be any members that have sides that abut to resist the lateral stresses and may comprise a longitudinally extending protrusion or spline and a mating groove or abutting longitudinally extending protrusions or splines.
- In accordance with this aspect, there is provided a surface cleaning apparatus comprising:
-
- (a) a hand vacuum cleaner having a front end having a dirty air inlet, a longitudinally spaced apart rear end, a clean air outlet, an upper end and a bottom, the hand vacuum cleaner comprising:
- (i) a main body comprising an upper end, a lower end, a front end and a rear end, the main body housing a suction motor and fan assembly, the suction motor and fan assembly having a suction motor axis of rotation;
- (ii) an air treatment member removably mounted at the front end of the main body, the air treatment member comprising an upper end, a lower end, a front end and a rear end, the lower end of the air treatment member is rotationally mounted to the lower end of the main body; and,
- (III) an air treatment member release lock comprising a release actuator and first and second engagement members wherein the first engagement member is provided on the upper end of the air treatment member and the second engagement member is provided on the upper end of the main body and the release actuator is provided on one of the air treatment member and the main body,
- (b) a surface cleaning head; and,
- (c) a rigid air flow conduit extending between the surface cleaning head and the hand vacuum cleaner wherein an outlet end of the rigid air flow conduit is removably connectable in air flow communication with the inlet passage.
- (a) a hand vacuum cleaner having a front end having a dirty air inlet, a longitudinally spaced apart rear end, a clean air outlet, an upper end and a bottom, the hand vacuum cleaner comprising:
- In some embodiments, the lower end of one of the air treatment member and the main body may be provided with a transversely extending rod and the lower end of the other of the air treatment member and the main body may be provided with a hook removably connectable with the rod.
- In some embodiments, the lower end of the air treatment member may be rotationally mounted to the lower end of the main body at a position longitudinally spaced from the first and second engagement members.
- In some embodiments, the lower end of the air treatment member may be rotationally mounted to the lower end of the main body at a position longitudinally spaced from a position at which the upper end of the air treatment member abuts the upper end of the main body.
- In some embodiments, one of the air treatment member and the main body may be provided with an outwardly extending protrusion and the other of the air treatment member and the main body may be provided with a groove in which the outwardly extending protrusion is received when the air treatment member is secured to the main body.
- In some embodiments, the main body may have a driving handle and the dirty air inlet is part of the air treatment member.
- In some embodiments, the air treatment member may comprise a cyclone unit and the driving handle may be provided at the rear end of the main body and the dirty air inlet may comprise an inlet passage that extends longitudinally between an inlet end provided at a front end of the cyclone unit and an outlet end, and the inlet end may be adapted to receive an accessory cleaning tool. The accessory cleaning tool may comprise a rigid air flow conduit.
- In some embodiments, the air treatment member may comprise a cyclone unit and the driving handle may be provided at the rear end of the main body and the dirty air inlet may comprise an inlet passage that extends longitudinally between an inlet end provided at a front end of the cyclone unit and an outlet end, and the inlet end may be positioned forward of the cyclone unit.
- In some embodiments, dirty air inlet may be provided above the air treatment member.
- In some embodiments, the air treatment member may comprise a dirt collection region having an openable door and the openable door may be provided at the front end of the air treatment member.
- In some embodiments, when the hand vacuum cleaner is oriented with the air treatment member below the upper end, the cyclone axis of rotation may be generally horizontal.
- In accordance with this aspect, there is also provided a hand vacuum cleaner having a front end having a dirty air inlet, a longitudinally spaced apart rear end, a clean air outlet, an upper end and a bottom, the hand vacuum cleaner comprising:
-
- (a) a main body comprising an upper end, a lower end, a front end and a rear end, the main body housing a suction motor and fan assembly, the suction motor and fan assembly having a suction motor axis of rotation;
- (b) a cyclone unit removably mounted at the front end of the main body, the cyclone unit comprising an upper end, a lower end, a front end, a rear end and a cyclone axis of rotation, the lower end of the cyclone unit is rotationally mounted to the lower end of the main body; and,
- (c) a cyclone unit release lock comprising a release actuator and first and second engagement members wherein the first engagement member is provided on the upper end of the cyclone unit and the second engagement member is provided on the upper end of the main body and the release actuator is provided on one of the cyclone unit and the main body.
- In some embodiments, the lower end of one of the cyclone unit and the main body may be provided with a transversely extending rod and the lower end of the other of the cyclone unit and the main body may be provided with a hook removably connectable with the rod.
- In some embodiments, the lower end of the cyclone unit may be rotationally mounted to the lower end of the main body at a position longitudinally spaced from the first and second engagement members.
- In some embodiments, the lower end of the cyclone unit may be rotationally mounted to the lower end of the main body at a position longitudinally spaced from a position at which the upper end of the cyclone unit abuts the upper end of the main body.
- In some embodiments, one of the cyclone unit and the main body may be provided with an outwardly extending protrusion and the other of the cyclone unit and the main body is provided with a groove in which the outwardly extending protrusion is received when the cyclone unit is secured to the main body.
- In some embodiments, the main body may have a driving handle and the dirty air inlet is part of the cyclone unit.
- In some embodiments, the driving handle may be provided at the rear end of the main body and the dirty air inlet may comprise an inlet passage that extends longitudinally between an inlet end provided at a front end of the cyclone unit and an outlet end, and the inlet end may be adapted to receive an accessory cleaning tool. The accessory cleaning tool may comprise a rigid air flow conduit.
- In some embodiments, the driving handle may be provided at the rear end of the main body and the dirty air inlet may comprise an inlet passage that extends longitudinally between an inlet end provided at a front end of the cyclone unit and an outlet end, and the inlet end may be positioned forward of the cyclone unit.
- In some embodiments, the dirty air inlet may be provided above the cyclone unit.
- In some embodiments, the cyclone unit may comprise a dirt collection region having an openable door and the openable door may be provided at the front end of the cyclone unit.
- In some embodiments, when the hand vacuum cleaner is oriented with the cyclone below the upper end, the cyclone axis of rotation may be generally horizontal.
- In accordance with another aspect of this disclosure an air treatment member includes an air flow passage which functions as a handle of the air treatment member. An advantage of this design is that the air treatment member may be provided with a handle that is not an additional part. The air flow passage may be part of the air flow path from a dirty air inlet to the air treatment member air inlet. Alternately or in addition, the air flow passage may be part of an air flow path for a bleed stream and a bleed valve may be provided in the air flow passage.
- In accordance with this aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a hand vacuum cleaner having a front end, a rear end, an upper end and a bottom, the hand vacuum cleaner comprising:
-
- (a) a main body comprising an upper end, a lower end, a front end, a rear end and a driving handle, the main body housing a suction motor and fan assembly, the suction motor and fan assembly having a suction motor axis of rotation; and,
- (b) an air treatment member, the air treatment member comprising an air treatment member axis and an air treatment member handle wherein the air treatment member handle comprises an air flow passage.
- In some embodiments, the air flow passage may comprise an inlet passage of the air treatment member.
- In some embodiments, the inlet passage may extend longitudinally between a dirty air inlet end and an outlet end.
- In some embodiments, the air treatment member handle may comprise a portion spaced from the air treatment member whereby a finger receiving area is provided between the air treatment member handle and the air treatment member.
- In some embodiments, the air treatment member handle may be provided above the air treatment member.
- In some embodiments, the passage may extend generally axially in the direction of the air treatment member axis.
- In some embodiments, the driving handle may comprise a portion spaced from the main body whereby a finger receiving area is provided between the driving handle and the main body.
- In some embodiments, the driving handle may be provided at the rear end of the main body.
- In some embodiments, the air treatment member may be removable from the main body and the air treatment member handle may be removable with the air treatment member.
- In some embodiments, a bleed valve may be positioned in the air treatment member handle.
- In accordance with this aspect, there is also provided a hand vacuum cleaner having a front end, a rear end, an upper end and a bottom, the hand vacuum cleaner comprising:
-
- (a) a main body comprising an upper end, a lower end, a front end, a rear end and a driving handle, the main body housing a suction motor and fan assembly, the suction motor and fan assembly having a suction motor axis of rotation; and,
- (b) a cyclone unit, the cyclone unit comprising a cyclone having a cyclone axis of rotation, a cyclone unit handle, wherein the cyclone unit handle comprises an air flow passage.
- In some embodiments, the cyclone unit handle may comprise an inlet passage of the cyclone unit.
- In some embodiments, the inlet passage may extend longitudinally between a dirty air inlet end and an outlet end.
- In some embodiments, the cyclone unit handle may comprise a portion spaced from the cyclone unit whereby a finger receiving area is provided between the cyclone unit handle and the cyclone unit.
- In some embodiments, the cyclone unit handle may be provided above the cyclone unit.
- In some embodiments, the passage may extend generally parallel to the cyclone axis.
- In some embodiments, the driving handle may comprise a portion spaced from the main body whereby a finger receiving area is provided between the driving handle and the main body.
- In some embodiments, the driving handle may be provided at the rear end of the main body.
- In some embodiments, the cyclone unit may be removable from the main body and the cyclone unit handle may be removable with the cyclone unit.
- In some embodiments, when the hand vacuum cleaner is oriented with the upper end positioned above the lower end, the cyclone axis of rotation may be generally horizontal.
- In some embodiments, a bleed valve may be positioned in the cyclone unit handle.
- In accordance with another aspect of this disclosure, a surface cleaning apparatus is electrically connectable with an accessory cleaning tool (e.g., a rigid air flow conduit, a crevice tool, a brush or the like) and a circuit electrically connecting the accessory tool with a source or power provided for the surface cleaning apparatus (e.g., AC power from a wall outlet or an on board energy storage member such as one or more batteries) is moved from a circuit open position to a circuit closed position when the accessory tool is mounted in air flow communication with the surface cleaning apparatus. An advantage of this design is that the terminal ends of the electrical outlet of the surface cleaning apparatus are de-energized when they are exposed. In one embodiment, an electrical conductor element of the accessory cleaning tool drives an electrical conductor element of the surface cleaning apparatus to a circuit closed position when the accessory tool is mounted in air flow communication with the surface cleaning apparatus. Accordingly, one or more of the electrical conductor elements of the surface cleaning apparatus may be biased to a circuit open position and may be moveable (e.g., linearly moveable, by contact with the electrical conductor element of the accessory tool). In alternate embodiments, the driving member provided on the accessory cleaning tool may be a non-conductive (e.g., plastic) engagement member (e.g., finger), that engages a member (e.g., a slideable tab of a housing of the electrical conductor elements of the surface cleaning apparatus) to move the electrical conductor elements of the surface cleaning apparatus to a circuit closed position.
- In accordance with this aspect, there is provided a surface cleaning apparatus comprising:
-
- (a) an air flow passage extending between a dirty air inlet and a clean air outlet;
- (b) a main body housing a suction motor and fan assembly that is positioned in the air flow passage;
- (c) an air treatment member positioned in the air flow passage;
- (d) an electrical outlet electrically connectable with an accessory cleaning tool; and,
- (e) a circuit extending between a source of power and the electrical outlet, the circuit comprising first and second electrical conductor elements, at least the first electrical conductor element is biased to a circuit open position wherein the first electrical conductor element is moved to a circuit closed position when an accessory cleaning tool is connected to the dirty air inlet.
- In some embodiments, the first and second electrical conductor elements may engage electrical conductors of the accessory tool whereby the first and second electrical conductor elements are electrically connectable with the accessory cleaning tool and at least the first electrical connector conductor may be biased to a circuit open position.
- In some embodiments, the first and second electrical conductor elements may comprise first and second electrical connector conductors, each of the electrical conductor elements may have an accessory tool contact end and a terminal end contact end, at least the first electrical connector conductor may be biased to a circuit open position and at least one of the accessory tool contact ends may be recessed in the electrical outlet when in the circuit open position.
- In some embodiments, the circuit may comprise electrically conductive members, each of which extends from the source of power to a terminal end, at least the first electrical conductor element may be moveably mounted from a position in which it contacts one of the terminal ends to a position in which it is spaced from the terminal end.
- In some embodiments, each of the electrical conductor elements may be moveably mounted from a position in which each of the electrical conductor elements contacts one of the terminal ends to a position in which the electrical conductor elements contacts are spaced from the terminal ends.
- In some embodiments, the circuit may comprise electrical conductive members, each of which may extend from the source of power to a terminal end, the first and second electrical conductor elements may comprise first and second electrical connector conductors, each of the electrical conductor elements may have an accessory tool contact end and a terminal end contact end, at least the first electrical conductor element may be moveably mounted from a position in which it contacts one of the terminal ends to a position in which it is spaced from the terminal end.
- In some embodiments, surface cleaning apparatus may further comprise a compression spring positioned between the first electrical conductor element and one of the terminal ends.
- In some embodiments, the compression spring may be non-conductive.
- The In some embodiments, the source of power may comprise a power cord.
- In some embodiments, the circuit further may comprise a main power switch.
- In some embodiments, the accessory cleaning tool may comprise a rigid air flow conduit.
- In some embodiments, the surface cleaning apparatus may comprise a hand vacuum cleaner and the electrical outlet is provided adjacent the dirty air inlet.
- In accordance with this aspect, there is also provided a surface cleaning apparatus comprising
-
- (a) a suction motor and fan assembly operable on a source of power;
- (b) an electrical outlet housing having first and second electrical conductor elements, each of the electrical conductor elements has a first contact end and a second contact end; and,
- (c) a circuit including the electrical conductor elements and a main power switch operable between a circuit closed position and a circuit open position, at least the first electrical conductor element is moveable between a circuit closed position and a circuit open position and is biased to the circuit open position wherein the first electrical conductor element is moved to a circuit closed position upon mechanical engagement of a part having an air flow conduit with the electrical outlet housing.
- In some embodiments, the circuit may comprise electrically conductive members, each of which may extend from the source of power to a terminal end, at least the first electrical conductor element may be moveably mounted from a position in which it contacts one of the terminal ends to a position in which it is spaced from the terminal end.
- In some embodiments, each of the electrical conductor elements may be moveably mounted from a position in which each of the electrical conductor elements contacts one of the terminal ends to a position in which the electrical conductor elements contacts are spaced from the terminal ends.
- In some embodiments, the surface cleaning apparatus may further comprise a compression spring positioned between the first electrical conductor element and the one of the terminal ends.
- In some embodiments, the compression spring may be non-conductive.
- In some embodiments, the source of power may comprise a power cord.
- In some embodiments, the first electrical conductor element may be longitudinally moveable in the electrical outlet housing
- In some embodiments, the surface cleaning apparatus may comprise a hand vacuum cleaner and the electrical outlet housing is provided adjacent a dirty air inlet.
- In accordance with another aspect of this disclosure, a hand vacuum cleaner is provided with a front openable door of a dirt collection area and the hand vacuum cleaner has a handle that extends upwardly and forwardly when the hand vacuum cleaner is oriented with the upper end above the lower end (e.g., when the hand vacuum cleaner is seated on a horizontal surface). An advantage of this design is that the handle is oriented to permit the user to point the hand vacuum cleaner downwardly to empty the dirt collection area when the door is opened.
- In accordance with this aspect, there is provided a hand vacuum cleaner having a front end having a dirty air inlet, a rear end, a clean air outlet, an upper end and a bottom, the hand vacuum cleaner comprising:
-
- (a) a main body comprising an upper end, a lower end, a front end, a rear end and a driving handle, the main body housing a suction motor and fan assembly, the suction motor and fan assembly having a suction motor axis of rotation wherein the driving handle has a hand grip portion that extends upwardly and forwardly when the hand vacuum cleaner is oriented with the upper end above the lower end; and,
- (b) an air treatment member comprising a dirt collection region having an openable door provided on a front end of the air treatment member and an openable door lock comprising a door release actuator wherein the door is moveable to an open position when the door release actuator is actuated.
- In some embodiments, the hand grip portion may be spaced from the main body whereby a finger receiving area is provided between the hand grip portion and the main body.
- In some embodiments, at least a portion of the finger receiving area may be positioned linearly rearwardly from the air treatment member.
- In some embodiments, the main body may comprise a suction motor housing and the driving handle has an end that may extend from the suction motor housing.
- In some embodiments, the main body may comprise a suction motor housing and the driving handle may have an end that extends upwardly and forwardly from the suction motor housing.
- In some embodiments, the driving handle may be provided at the rear end of the main body.
- In some embodiments, the inlet passage may extend generally rearwardly.
- In some embodiments, the inlet passage may be positioned above the openable door.
- In some embodiments, the dirty air inlet may comprise an inlet passage that extends longitudinally between an inlet end and an outlet end and has a longitudinal passage axis and the longitudinal passage axis interests the driving handle.
- In some embodiments, the air treatment member may have a front end having an air treatment member air inlet and a longitudinally rearwardly spaced apart rear end having an air treatment member air outlet.
- In some embodiments, the inlet passage may be positioned above the openable door.
- In accordance with this aspect, there is also provided a hand vacuum cleaner having a front end having a dirty air inlet, a rear end, a clean air outlet, an upper end and a bottom, the hand vacuum cleaner comprising:
-
- (a) a main body comprising an upper end, a lower end, a front end, a rear end and a driving handle, the main body housing a suction motor and fan assembly, the suction motor and fan assembly having a suction motor axis of rotation wherein the driving handle has a hand grip portion that extends upwardly and forwardly when the hand vacuum cleaner is oriented with the upper end above the lower end; and,
- (b) a cyclone unit comprising a cyclone having a cyclone axis of rotation, a dirt collection region having an openable door provided on a front end of the cyclone unit and an openable door lock comprising a door release actuator wherein the door is moveable to an open position when the actuator is actuated.
- In some embodiments, the hand grip portion may be spaced from the main body whereby a finger receiving area is provided between the hand grip portion and the main body.
- In some embodiments, at least a portion of the finger receiving area may be positioned linearly rearwardly from the cyclone unit.
- In some embodiments, the main body may comprise a suction motor housing and the driving handle has an end that extends from the suction motor housing.
- In some embodiments, the main body may comprise a suction motor housing and the driving handle has an end that extends upwardly and forwardly from the suction motor housing.
- In some embodiments, the driving handle may be provided at the rear end of the main body.
- In some embodiments, the inlet passage may extend generally rearwardly.
- In some embodiments, the inlet passage may be positioned above the openable door.
- In some embodiments, the dirty air inlet may comprise an inlet passage that extends longitudinally between an inlet end and an outlet end and has a longitudinal passage axis and the longitudinal passage axis interests the driving handle.
- In some embodiments, the inlet passage may be positioned above the openable door.
- In some embodiments, when the hand vacuum cleaner may be oriented with the upper end above the lower end, the cyclone axis of rotation is generally horizontal.
- In accordance with another aspect of this disclosure, which may be used alone or in combination with any other aspect, a hand vacuum cleaner has a power connection (an accessory power connector) to which an accessory may be removably connected (e.g., a powered floor cleaning tool), and the power connection for the accessory is provided as part of a removable air treatment member or a part of an air treatment member that is moveable with respect to the hand vacuum cleaner. For example, a removeable air treatment member may be removably mounted to a main body of the hand vacuum, wherein the main body houses the suction motor. The air treatment member includes a bin electrical connector while the main body includes a corresponding body electrical connector such that power may be transferred from the body connector to the bin connector, which is electrically connected to the accessory power connector by, electrically conductive members. This may allow the air treatment member to be more easily removed while still allowing for a desirable location for the power connector. For example, the air treatment member may remove forwardly, and the accessory power connector may be on a forward end of the bin. The bin connector may be on an opposite side of the bin. For example, the bin connector may be on a rear of the bin while the accessory power connector is on a front of the bin. The bin may be mounted to the body with a rear of the bin in contact with the body and the front of the bin carrying a nozzle or connection point for an air flow connection between the bin and the accessory. Alternately, the accessory power connector may be on part of the air treatment member that is moveable mounted to the main body or another portion of the air treatment member. For example, a portion of the air treatment member may pivot to an open position to enable the air treatment member to be emptied and the accessory power connector may be on the moveable portion of the air treatment member.
- In accordance with this broad aspect, there is provided a hand vacuum cleaner comprising an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet; a main body comprising a handle, the main body housing a suction motor and fan assembly that is positioned in the air flow path; and, an air treatment member removably mounted to the main body, the air treatment member having an air treatment chamber that is positioned in the air flow path when the air treatment member is mounted to the main body and a cleaning tool electrical connector; whereby, when a cleaning tool is connected to the air treatment member, the cleaning tool is connected in air flow communication with the air treatment member and the cleaning tool is electrically connected to the air treatment member.
- In some embodiments, the cleaning tool may be concurrently connectable in air flow communication with the air treatment member and electrically connectable to the air treatment member when the cleaning tool is connected to the air treatment member.
- In some embodiments, the main body may have a main body electrical connector, and the air treatment member may have an air treatment member electrical connector wherein the air treatment member electrical connector is disconnected from the main body electrical connector when the air treatment member is removed from the main body.
- In some embodiments, the air treatment member may be concurrently connectable in air flow communication with the main body and electrically connectable to the main body when the air treatment member is mounted to the main body.
- In some embodiments, the hand vacuum cleaner may comprise an inlet conduit having the dirty air inlet and the cleaning tool electrical connector is provided adjacent the inlet conduit.
- In some embodiments, the hand vacuum cleaner may comprise an inlet conduit having the dirty air inlet, the inlet conduit is provided at an upper end of the hand vacuum cleaner, the cleaning tool electrical connector is provided adjacent the inlet conduit and the air treatment member electrical connector is provided at a lower end of the air treatment member.
- In some embodiments, the air treatment member electrical connector may be provided at a lower end of the hand vacuum cleaner.
- In some embodiments, the inlet conduit may be provided at a front end of the hand vacuum cleaner and the air treatment member may comprise electrical conductors that extend from the air treatment member electrical connector to the cleaning tool electrical connector and at least a portion of the electrical conductors extend along a front end of the air treatment member.
- In some embodiments, the electrical conductors may also extend along a lower end of the air treatment member.
- In some embodiments, a rear end of the air treatment member may be openable.
- In some embodiments, the air treatment member may comprise electrical conductors that extend along a portion of the air treatment member from the air treatment member electrical connector to the cleaning tool electrical connector and the electrical conductors may comprise flat conductors that have a depth in a direction that extends in an outward direction to the portion of the air treatment member and a width in a direction parallel to a wall of the portion of the air treatment member and the width is greater than the depth.
- In some embodiments, the depth may be 0.01-5 mm, optionally 1-3 mm and the width may be 1-10 mm, optionally 2-7.
- In accordance with this broad aspect, there is also provided a surface cleaning apparatus comprising an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet with a suction motor and fan assembly positioned in the air flow path; a main body comprising a main body electrical connector; and, an air treatment member removably mounted to the main body, the air treatment member having an air treatment chamber that is positioned in the air flow path when the air treatment member is mounted to the main body, an air treatment member electrical connector and a cleaning tool electrical connector; whereby, when a cleaning tool is connected to the air treatment member, the cleaning tool is connected in air flow communication with the air treatment member and the cleaning tool is electrically connected to the cleaning tool electrical connector and, wherein the air treatment member electrical connector is connectable to the main body electrical connector when the air treatment member is mounted to the main body.
- In some embodiments, the cleaning tool may be concurrently connectable in air flow communication with the air treatment member and electrically connectable to the air treatment member when the cleaning tool is connected to the air treatment member.
- In some embodiments, the air treatment member may be concurrently connectable in air flow communication with the main body and electrically connectable to the main body when the air treatment member is mounted to the main body.
- In some embodiments, the air treatment member may comprise electrical conductors that extend from the air treatment member electrical connector to the cleaning tool electrical connector and at least a portion of the electrical conductors extends along an outer surface of the air treatment member.
- In some embodiments, the air treatment member may comprise electrical conductors that extend along a portion of the air treatment member from the air treatment member electrical connector to the cleaning tool electrical connector and the electrical conductors may comprise flat conductors that have a depth in a direction that extends in an outward direction to the portion of the air treatment member and a width in a direction parallel to a wall of the portion of the air treatment member and the width is greater than the depth.
- In some embodiments, the depth may be 0.01-5 mm, optionally 1-3 mm and the width may be 1-10 mm, optionally 2-7.
- In accordance with this broad aspect, there is also provided a surface cleaning apparatus comprising an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet with a suction motor and fan assembly positioned in the air flow path; a main body comprising a main body electrical connector; an air treatment member having an air treatment chamber that is positioned in the air flow path when the air treatment member is mounted to the main body; a cleaning tool electrical connector; and, electrical conductors that connect the cleaning tool electrical connector to a source of power in the surface cleaning apparatus, and the electrical conductors extend longitudinally and comprise flat conductors that have a depth in a first direction transverse to the longitudinal direction and a width in a second direction transverse to the longitudinal direction, and the width is greater than the depth.
- In some embodiments, the depth may be 0.01-5 mm, optionally 1-3 mm and the width may be 1-10 mm, optionally 2-7.
- It will be appreciated that the aspects and embodiments may be used in any combination or sub-combination.
- The drawings included herewith are for illustrating various examples of articles, methods, and apparatuses of the teaching of the present specification and are not intended to limit the scope of what is taught in any way.
-
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a surface cleaning apparatus in accordance with at least one embodiment; -
FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus ofFIG. 1 mounted to a wand and surface cleaning head in a stickvac configuration; -
FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5A-5A inFIG. 5 ; -
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 inFIG. 1 , showing an air flow path; -
FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus ofFIG. 1 , with a cyclone unit partially cutaway; -
FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus ofFIG. 1 with the cyclone unit separated from a main body and a pre-motor filter chamber in an open position; -
FIG. 8A is the front perspective view ofFIG. 8 with a pre-motor filter in the pre-motor filter chamber; -
FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of the surface cleaning apparatus ofFIG. 1 with the cyclone unit separated from the main body; -
FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus ofFIG. 1 with the cyclone unit separated from the main body; -
FIG. 10A is the rear perspective view ofFIG. 10 showing the cyclone unit being held by the cyclone unit handle; -
FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus ofFIG. 1 with the cyclone unit separated from the main body; -
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 inFIG. 1 , with an enlargement of a first connector pair in a locked position; -
FIG. 13 is the cross-sectional view ofFIG. 12 , with the first connector pair in an unlocked position; -
FIG. 14 is the rear perspective view ofFIG. 10 , with the first connector pair exploded; -
FIG. 15 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 inFIG. 1 , showing an alternative first connector pair in a locked position; -
FIG. 16 is the partial cross-sectional view ofFIG. 15 showing the alternative first connector pair in an unlocked position; -
FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 inFIG. 1 , showing an airflow path through a bleed valve; -
FIG. 18 is a front perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus ofFIG. 1 , with a front cyclone unit wall in an open position; -
FIG. 19 is the front perspective view ofFIG. 1 , with an exploded cyclone unit lock and lock actuator; -
FIG. 20 is the front perspective view ofFIG. 1 , with an enlarged and partially cutaway cyclone unit lock in an engaged position; -
FIG. 21 is the front perspective view ofFIG. 20 , with the cyclone unit lock in a disengaged position; -
FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional perspective view taken along line 6-6 inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 23 is a bottom perspective view of a surface cleaning apparatus with a counterweight stand, in accordance with at least one embodiment; -
FIG. 24 is a side-elevation view of the surface cleaning apparatus ofFIG. 1 supported on a horizontal surface; -
FIG. 25 is the front perspective view ofFIG. 20 , with an exploded electrical coupling; -
FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a surface cleaning apparatus with the cyclone unit separated from the main body, in accordance with another embodiment; -
FIG. 27 is a partial cross-sectional view of the surface cleaning apparatus ofFIG. 26 with the cyclone unit connected to the main body; -
FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a surface cleaning apparatus with the cyclone unit separated from the main body, in accordance with another embodiment; -
FIG. 29 is a perspective view of a surface cleaning apparatus with the cyclone unit separated from the main body, in accordance with another embodiment; -
FIG. 30 is a perspective view of a surface cleaning apparatus with the cyclone unit separated from the main body, in accordance with another embodiment; -
FIG. 31 is a bottom perspective view of another hand vacuum cleaner, in accordance with an embodiment; -
FIG. 32 is a bottom perspective cross sectional view of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 31 ; -
FIG. 33 is a rear perspective view of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 31 with a bin assembly removed; -
FIG. 34 is a front perspective cross sectional view of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 31 with the bin assembly removed; -
FIG. 35 is an expanded view of a portion of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 31 ; -
FIG. 36 is a rear perspective view of the bin assembly of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 31 with a rear door in a first open position; -
FIG. 37 is a rear perspective view of the bin assembly of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 31 with a rear door in a second open position; and, -
FIG. 38 is a front perspective view of a main body of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 31 . - Numerous embodiments are described in this application, and are presented for illustrative purposes only. The described embodiments are not intended to be limiting in any sense. The invention is widely applicable to numerous embodiments, as is readily apparent from the disclosure herein. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention may be practiced with modification and alteration without departing from the teachings disclosed herein. Although particular features of the present invention may be described with reference to one or more particular embodiments or figures, it should be understood that such features are not limited to usage in the one or more particular embodiments or figures with reference to which they are described.
- The terms “an embodiment,” “embodiment,” “embodiments,” “the embodiment,” “the embodiments,” “one or more embodiments,” “some embodiments,” and “one embodiment” mean “one or more (but not all) embodiments of the present invention(s),” unless expressly specified otherwise.
- The terms “including,” “comprising” and variations thereof mean “including but not limited to,” unless expressly specified otherwise. A listing of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms “a,” “an” and “the” mean “one or more,” unless expressly specified otherwise.
- As used herein and in the claims, two or more parts are said to be “coupled”, “connected”, “attached”, or “fastened” where the parts are joined or operate together either directly or indirectly (i.e., through one or more intermediate parts), so long as a link occurs. As used herein and in the claims, two or more parts are said to be “directly coupled”, “directly connected”, “directly attached”, or “directly fastened” where the parts are connected in physical contact with each other. As used herein, two or more parts are said to be “rigidly coupled”, “rigidly connected”, “rigidly attached”, or “rigidly fastened” where the parts are coupled so as to move as one while maintaining a constant orientation relative to each other. None of the terms “coupled”, “connected”, “attached”, and “fastened” distinguish the manner in which two or more parts are joined together.
- Referring to
FIG. 1 , an embodiment of asurface cleaning apparatus 100 is shown. The following is a general discussion of this embodiment which provides a basis for understanding each of the features which is discussed herein. As discussed in detail subsequently, each of the features may be used in other embodiments. - In the embodiment illustrated, the
surface cleaning apparatus 100 is a hand-held vacuum cleaner, which is commonly referred to as a “hand vacuum cleaner” or a “handvac”. As used herein and in the claims, a hand-held vacuum cleaner or hand vacuum cleaner or handvac is a vacuum cleaner that can be operated one-handedly to clean a surface while its weight is held by the same one hand. This is contrasted with upright and canister vacuum cleaners, the weight of which is supported by a surface (e.g. floor below) during use. Optionally,surface cleaning apparatus 100 could be removably mountable on a base so as to form, for example, an upright vacuum cleaner, a canister vacuum cleaner, a stick vac, a wet-dry vacuum cleaner and the like. Power can be supplied to thesurface cleaning apparatus 100 by an electrical cord (not shown) that can be connected to a standard wall electrical outlet. Alternatively, or in addition, the power source for the surface cleaning apparatus can be an onboard energy storage device, including, for example, one or more batteries. - As exemplified in
FIGS. 1-4 , thesurface cleaning apparatus 100 may comprise amain body 104 having ahandle 108, anair treatment member 112 connected to themain body 104, adirty air inlet 116, aclean air outlet 120, and an air flow path extending between theinlet 116 andoutlet 120.Surface cleaning apparatus 100 includes afront end 121, arear end 122, anupper end 123, and a bottom 125. In the embodiment shown, thedirty air inlet 116 is at thefront end 121. As exemplified,dirty air inlet 116 is theinlet end 124 of aninlet passage 128.Dirty air inlet 116 may be positioned forward ofair treatment member 112 as shown. Optionally, theinlet end 124 can be used as a nozzle to directly clean a surface. Alternatively, theinlet end 124 can be connected or directly connected to the downstream end of any suitable accessory tool such as a rigid air flow conduit (e.g. wand, crevice tool, mini brush or the like) for example. For example,FIGS. 5 and 5A show an exemplary surface cleaning apparatus 132 (e.g. a stickvac) includingsurface cleaning apparatus 100 withconnector inlet end 124 directly connected to a wand 136 (e.g., wand outlet end 612 may be removably connectable in air flow communication with inlet connector 128) that is pivotally connected to asurface cleaning head 140. Wand may be securable toconnector 128 by any means known in the art such as a locking member or a friction fit. In the illustrated configuration ofFIG. 5 , thesurface cleaning apparatus 100 can be used to clean a floor or other surface in a manner analogous to conventional upright-style vacuum cleaners. - From the
dirty air inlet 116, the air flow path may extend through anair treatment member 112. Theair treatment member 112 may be any suitable member that can treat the air in a desired manner, including, for example, removing dirt particles and debris from the air. In the illustrated example, the air treatment member is acyclone unit 112, which may be of any design. Alternatively or in addition, the air treatment member may comprise one or more of a bag, a filter or other air treating means. -
Cyclone unit 112 may include one or a plurality of cyclones for separating dirt from the air flow, and one or a plurality of dirt collection regions for receiving dirt separated in the cyclone(s). As exemplified inFIG. 6 ,cyclone unit 112 includes a cyclone orcyclone chamber 160 and an externaldirt collection chamber 164. Thecyclone 160 anddirt collection chamber 164 may be of any configuration suitable for separating dirt from an air stream and collecting the separated dirt, respectively. For example, it will be appreciated that in some dirt collection area may be internal of the cyclone chamber, e.g., a dirt collection area may be provided at a longitudinal end of the cyclone chamber.Cyclone 160 may be oriented in any direction. For example, whensurface cleaning apparatus 100 is positioned withbottom 125 on ahorizontal surface 584, cyclone axis ofrotation 484 may be oriented horizontally as exemplified, vertically, or at any angle between horizontal and vertical. - As also exemplified in
FIG. 6 , a suction motor andfan assembly 152 may be mounted within amotor housing portion 156 of themain body 104. In this configuration, the suction motor andfan assembly 152 is downstream from thecyclone unit 112, and theclean air outlet 120 is downstream from the suction motor andfan assembly 152. - Optionally, one or more pre-motor filters may be placed in the air flow path between the air treatment member and the suction motor and fan assembly. Alternatively, or in addition, one or more post-motor filters may be provided downstream from the suction motor and fan assembly.
- As exemplified in
FIG. 6 ,main body 104 is shown including a pre-motorfilter housing portion 208 that is positioned in the air flow path downstream ofcyclone unit 112.Pre-motor filter housing 208 may be of any construction known in the vacuum cleaner art. As exemplified, filterhousing 208 may be bounded by one or more walls, which may be integral with or discrete from the main bodyexterior walls 212. Turning toFIG. 8 ,pre-motor filter housing 208 is shown including a filter housingfirst wall 216 axially opposite a filter housingsecond wall 220, and afilter housing sidewall 224 that extends in the direction of the cyclone axis of rotation between the first andsecond walls first wall 216 is optional andsecond wall 220 may be in the form of ribs to hold the filter in place. In the illustrated example, filterhousing sidewall 224 is discrete from main bodyexterior walls 212, which may provide enhanced sound insulation for air passing through thepre-motor filter housing 208. In alternative embodiments, filterhousing sidewall 224 may be defined in whole or in part by main bodyexterior walls 212 for a more compact design. - Referring back to
FIG. 6 , one or more filters made of or comprising a porous filter media may be positioned within thepre-motor filter housing 208 to filter particles remaining in the air flow exiting thecyclone air outlet 184, before the air flow passes through the suction motor andfan assembly 152. In the illustrated embodiments,pre-motor filter housing 208 contains anupstream filter 228 and adownstream filter 232. Thepre-motor filters pre-motor filters -
Pre-motor filter housing 208 may include a filter housing air inlet and a filter housing air outlet of any suitable design and arrangement within thehousing 208. In the illustrated embodiment,pre-motor filter housing 208 includes a filterhousing air inlet 236 formed in filter housingfirst wall 216, and a filterhousing air outlet 240 formed in filter housingsecond wall 220. - Still referring to
FIG. 6 ,pre-motor filter housing 208 may promote the air flow to broadly distribute across thepre-motor filters pre-motor filters pre-motor filters pre-motor filters pre-motor filter housing 208 may have any structure suitable for broadly distributing the air flow acrosspre-motor filters pre-motor filter housing 208 may provide anupstream header 256, adownstream header 260, or both as shown.Headers housing end walls pre-motor filter housing 208 includes spacing members positioned to hold thepre-motor filters housing end walls FIGS. 6 and 8 , filter housingfirst wall 216 may includeupstanding ribs 264 that hold theupstream side 268 ofpre-motor filter 228 spaced apart from filter housingfirst wall 216 to allow air from filterhousing air inlet 236 to flow laterally betweenpre-motor filter 228 and filter housingfirst wall 216 before penetratingpre-motor filter 228. The illustrated example also shows filter housingsecond wall 220 includingupstanding ribs 272 that hold thedownstream side 276 ofpre-motor filter 232 spaced apart from filter housingsecond wall 220 to allow air exitingpre-motor filter 232 to flow laterally betweenpre-motor filter 232 and filter housingsecond wall 220, to filterhousing air outlet 240. - Cyclone with a Unidirectional Flow of Air
- The following is a description of a cyclone that may be used by itself in any surface cleaning apparatus or in any combination or sub-combination with any other feature or features disclosed including a uniflow cyclone, the positioning of the dirt collection chamber, the orientation of the suction motor, the lateral stability members, the air treatment member handle, the position and orientation of a driving handle, pre-motor filter housing door, air treatment member door actuator, a counterweight stand, electrical coupling members and an accessory power connector.
- In accordance with this aspect a cyclone comprises a cyclone with a unidirectional flow of air or a “uniflow” cyclone. As discussed in more detail, the uniflow cyclone may be horizontally disposed as opposed to being vertically disposed which is typical in the art. In other words, when held by hand and used to clean a surface, the axis of the cyclone chamber may be closer to horizontal than vertical.
- In accordance with this aspect, the cyclone air inlet may be at the front end and the cyclone air outlet may be at the rear end. An advantage of this design is that the cyclone inlet may be used to redirect the air from the
inlet passage 124 to the cyclone chamber and the air may exit the cyclone and travel linearly to the pre-motor filter. Accordingly, dirty air may travel from the dirty air inlet to the pre-motor filter without passing through any bends, thereby reducing the backpressure created by flow through the vacuum cleaner. - Alternately or in addition, in accordance with this aspect, the cyclone air inlet may be in an upper portion of the
sidewall 168 of the cyclone. An advantage of this design is that is that it inhibits dirt that may remain incyclone chamber 160 from exiting or blocking the air inlet when the apparatus is moved to various operating angles. - Alternately or in addition, in accordance with this aspect, the
dirt collection chamber 164 may be external to thecyclone chamber 160. Further, thedirt outlet 188 of thecyclone chamber 160 may be at a rear end of the cyclone chamber and/or may be in a lower portion of the cyclone chamber, such as in a lower part ofsidewall 168 of the cyclone chamber. An advantage of placing thedirt outlet 188 in a lower portion of the rear end of thecyclone chamber 160 is that, when the handvac is in use withinlet 116 pointed downwardly, dirt will enter thedirt collection chamber 164 and fall forwardly due to gravity thereby preventingoutlet 188 from becoming blocked until thedirt collection chamber 164 is full. -
FIG. 7 exemplifies a cyclone unit including these aspects. As exemplified,cyclone 160 comprises acyclone sidewall 168 extending axially from a cyclone first end 172 (e.g. front end comprising first end wall 192) to a cyclone second end 176 (e.g. rear end comprising second end wall 196), acyclone air inlet 180 which enterscyclone 160 at a front portion ofsidewall 168, acyclone air outlet 184 provided in cyclonesecond end wall 196, and acyclone dirt outlet 188.Cyclone sidewall 168 includes an upper wall 169 and a lower wall 171. As exemplified inFIG. 6 , dirty air may entercyclone 160 tangentially at cyclone air inlet 180 (which may be provided in the upper wall 169), and swirl (e.g. move cyclonically) throughcyclone 160 to separate dirt from the air flow, and then exitcyclone 160 throughcyclone air outlet 184. The separated dirt may exitcyclone 160 throughcyclone dirt outlet 188 and deposit intodirt collection chamber 164. - As exemplified a
vortex finder 204 may extend axially between cyclone first and second ends 172 and 176.Vortex finder 204 may have any configuration known in the art. For example,vortex finder 204 may be connected to cyclonesecond end wall 196 and extend axially towards cyclonefirst end 172.Vortex finder 204 may surroundcyclone air outlet 184, so thatair exiting cyclone 160 travels downstream throughvortex finder 204 tocyclone air outlet 184.Vortex finder 204 may include filter media 206 (e.g. mesh) to capture large dirt particles (e.g. hair and coarse dust) that remains in the airflow exiting cyclone 160. - It will be appreciated that if
cyclone air inlet 180 is located at an upper end of thecyclone 160, theninlet passage 128 may be located above the central longitudinal axis ofcyclone 160 and preferably is located abovecyclone 160. For example, as exemplified inFIGS. 1, 6 and 7 ,cyclone air inlet 180 may be a tangential air inlet so that air entering thecyclone 160 will tend to rotate as the air travels axially through thecyclone 160, thereby dis-entraining dirt and debris from the air flow, before leaving the cyclone via theair outlet 184. Further,inlet passage 128 extends longitudinally between passage inlet end 124 (i.e., the dirty air inlet 116) andpassage outlet end 130 along alongitudinal passage axis 364, andpassage outlet end 130 communicates (e.g. is positioned upstream) ofcyclone air inlet 180.Passage axis 364 may be linear, and all of thelongitudinal passage axis 364 may be positioned above cyclone axis ofrotation 484 whensurface cleaning apparatus 100 is positioned withbottom 125 on ahorizontal surface 584. -
Cyclone air inlet 180 may be positioned and constructed in any manner suitable for directing air tangentially intocyclone 160. In the illustrated example ofFIG. 22 ,cyclone air inlet 180 is formed as a curved passage extending from a cyclone air inlet upstream end 532 to a cyclone air inletdownstream end 536. The cyclone air inletdownstream end 536 may be oriented to direct air substantially tangentially to the inner surface ofsidewall 168. As exemplified,cyclone air inlet 180 may be positioned above cyclone axis ofrotation 484 and suction motor axis ofrotation 540. For example,cyclone air inlet 180 may be positioned at anupper end 544 ofcyclone 160. This allows gravity to assist with inhibiting dirt insidecyclone 160 from blocking or exitingcyclone air inlet 180. This is because at least a portion of thecyclone 160 will be positioned below thecyclone air inlet 180 whenapparatus 100 is held at various operating angles, so that the dirt inside will tend to fall away fromcyclone air inlet 180. - Still referring to
FIG. 22 ,cyclone air inlet 180 is formed incyclone sidewall 168 at cyclonefirst end 172, andcyclone air outlet 184 is formed in cyclonesecond end wall 196 at cyclonesecond end 176. As exemplified, air may exitcyclone air outlet 184 in aflow direction 616 that is generally parallel to the suction motor axis ofrotation 540. - As exemplified in
FIG. 6 , main bodylower end 568 may comprise bottom 125. In the illustrated example, when bottom 125 is placed on a horizontal surface,cyclone 160 may be oriented horizontally if bottom orbase 125 is parallel to the cyclone axis. If will be appreciated that ifbottom 125 is oriented at an angle to the horizontal, e.g., so thatdirt air inlet 116 points downwardly when bottom 125 is on a horizontal surface,cyclone 160 may not be oriented horizontally when bottom 125 is on a horizontal surface. It will be appreciated that, as referred to herein,cyclone 160 being horizontal relates to the orientation ifbottom 125 is parallel to the cyclone axis ofrotation 484. - As exemplified in
FIG. 5A , wheninlet connector 128 is mounted to a wand 557 (i.e. rigid air flow conduit), thewand axis 559, theinlet connector axis 364, and the cyclone axis ofrotation 484 may be parallel. An advantage of this embodiment is that This reduces bends in the air flow for improved air efficiency. It will be appreciated that only some of these axes may be parallel. For example, only theinlet connector axis 364 and the cyclone axis ofrotation 484 may be parallel. - The following is a description of a dirt collection chamber that may be used by itself in any surface cleaning apparatus or in any combination or sub-combination with any other feature or features disclosed herein including the uniflow cyclone, the orientation of the suction motor, the lateral stability members, the air treatment member handle, the position and orientation of a driving handle, the pre-motor filter housing door, the air treatment member door actuator, the counterweight stand, the electrical coupling members and the accessory power connector.
- In accordance with this aspect of the disclosure, a dirt collection chamber for a cyclone chamber may be provided external to and below the cyclone chamber. An advantage of this design is that a
cyclone dirt outlet 188 may be provided in a lower portion of the cyclone chamber (e.g.,cyclone dirt outlet 188 is provided in lower wall 171) such that dirt which remains in the cyclone chamber after termination of operation of the vacuum cleaner may fall into the dirt collection chamber when the vacuum cleaner is held with the cyclone extending horizontally and slightly upwardly. A further advantage is that the width of the vacuum cleaner may be narrower as the dirt collection chamber is not located on the lateral sides of the cyclone chamber. Therefore, as exemplified inFIG. 18 , the maximum width of a handvac may be determined by the width of the suction motor housing or the width of thecyclone 160. - As exemplified in
FIG. 18 ,dirt collection chamber 164 extends around approximately one-half ofcyclone 160. As exemplified,partition wall 556 may circumscribe approximately one-half ofcyclone 160. In other embodiments,dirt collection chamber 164 may extend around less than or greater than one-half ofcyclone 160, andpartition wall 556 may similarly circumscribe less than or greater than one-half ofcyclone 160. In alternative embodiments,dirt collection chamber 164 may not surroundcyclone 160. - It will be appreciated that
cyclone sidewall 168 and dirtcollection chamber sidewall 548 may have any construction suitable for separating thecyclone 160 fromdirt collection chamber 164 and allowing the passage of dis-entrained dirt therebetween. For example,cyclone sidewall 168 and dirtcollection chamber sidewall 548 may be discrete walls that are spaced apart and connected by a dirt outlet passage. As exemplified inFIG. 18 , dirtcollection chamber sidewall 548 is formed at least in part by portions ofcyclone sidewall 168 and portions of cyclone unitexterior wall 552. Similarly,cyclone sidewall 168 as shown is formed at least in part by portions of dirtcollection chamber sidewall 548 and cyclone unitexterior wall 552. Accordingly, thewall portion 556 in common betweencyclone 160 anddirt collection chamber 164 may operate as a dividing wall. Sharing a common dividing wall may help reduce the overall size of thecyclone unit 112, for a more compact design. - Returning to
FIG. 22 ,cyclone 160 may include anydirt outlet 188 suitable for directing dis-entrained dirt fromcyclone 160 todirt collection chamber 164. For example,dirt outlet 188 may be formed in or connected to one or more (or all) ofcyclone sidewall 168 and cyclone endwalls dirt outlet 188 is formed incyclone sidewall 168.Dirt outlet 188 may have any shape and size suitable for allowing dirt particles to pass intodirt collection chamber 164. In the illustrated embodiment,dirt outlet 188 is formed as a rectangular aperture inwall portion 556. In alternative embodiment,dirt outlet 188 may be circular, triangular, or another regular or irregularly shaped aperture. As exemplified,cyclone dirt outlet 188 may be bounded in part by cyclonesecond end wall 196. - It will be appreciated that
cyclone dirt outlet 188 may be positioned anywhere at or between cyclone first and second ends 172 and 176. In the illustrated embodiment,cyclone 160 is a uniflow cyclone and accordinglycyclone dirt outlet 188 is positioned at cyclonesecond end 176 proximatecyclone air outlet 184. This allows the dirt and air to travel towards the same end of thecyclone 160 before parting ways—the air exiting throughair outlet 184 and the dirt exiting throughdirt outlet 188. - In use, the air stream inside
cyclone 160 swirls towardscyclone air outlet 184 at cyclonesecond end 176, which dis-entrains dirt particles againstcyclone sidewall 168. Under the influence of the rearward air stream, the dirt particles travel towards cyclonesecond end 176 and exit throughcyclone dirt outlet 188 todirt collection chamber 164. - Referring to
FIG. 18 ,dirt collection chamber 164 may have any size and shape suitable to accommodate dirt separated bycyclone 160 during one or more uses. A largerdirt collection chamber 164 can store more dirt to allowapparatus 100 to run longer before emptyingdirt collection chamber 164, but will add bulk and weight to theapparatus 100. A smallerdirt collection chamber 164 is smaller and lighter, but must be emptied more frequently. - The following is a description of the orientation of a suction motor that may be used by itself in any surface cleaning apparatus or in any combination or sub-combination with any other feature or features disclosed herein including the uniflow cyclone, the positioning of the dirt collection chamber, the lateral stability members, the air treatment member handle, the position and orientation of a driving handle, the pre-motor filter housing door, the air treatment member door actuator, the counterweight stand, the electrical coupling members and the accessory power connector.
- As exemplified in
FIG. 22 , in accordance with this aspect, the axis of rotation of the suction motor may be generally parallel to the cyclone axis of rotation and/or the inlet conduit axis. An advantage of this design is that the air may travel generally rearwardly from the cyclone air outlet to the suction motor air inlet, thereby reducing the backpressure through this portion of the vacuum cleaner due to a reduction in the number of bends in the air flow path. - As exemplified in
FIG. 22 , whensurface cleaning apparatus 100 is positioned withbottom 125 on ahorizontal surface 584, the suction motor axis ofrotation 540 may be generally horizontal. For example,cyclone sidewall 168 may extend generally horizontally between longitudinally spaced apartcyclone end walls surface cleaning apparatus 100 is positioned withbottom 125 on ahorizontal surface 584. As exemplified, suction motor axis ofrotation 540 may be generally parallel with cyclone axis ofrotation 484. This allows for fewer bends in the air flow betweendirty air inlet 116 andclean air outlet 120, which can result in reduced backpressure, all other elements remaining the same. - As exemplified, the suction motor axis of
rotation 540 may be positioned below cyclone axis ofrotation 484. This may providesurface cleaning apparatus 100 with a relatively lower center of gravity for greater stability whensurface cleaning apparatus 100 is positioned withbottom 125 on ahorizontal surface 584. In such a case, the pre-motor filter air inlet andoutlet air inlet axis 248 is located above and spaced apart from filter housingair outlet axis 252. An advantage of this design is that one or both of the headers may be used to change to elevation at which the air travels rearwardly with without using a conduit with bends. For example, air may travel generally rearwardly (linearly) into the pre-motor filter housing and air may travel generally rearwardly (linearly) out of the pre-motor filter housing, but at a lower elevation. - In alternate embodiments, filter housing air inlet and outlet axes 248 and 252 may not be spaced apart (e.g. they may be collinear).
- In alternate embodiments, it will be appreciated that suction motor and
fan assembly 152 may be positioned inmain body 104 with its axis ofrotation 540 oriented in any direction. - The following is a description of the lateral stability members that may be used by itself in any surface cleaning apparatus or in any combination or sub-combination with any other feature or features disclosed herein including the uniflow cyclone, the positioning of the dirt collection chamber, the orientation of the suction motor, the air treatment member handle, the position and orientation of a driving handle, the pre-motor filter housing door, the air treatment member door actuator, the counterweight stand, the electrical coupling members and the accessory power connector.
- Optionally, the air treatment member may be separable from the main body, such as for emptying, cleaning, or replacing the air treatment member or other internal components of the apparatus, such as the pre-motor filters.
- In accordance with this aspect the
air treatment member 112 is removable mountable to themain body 104 and is provided with lateral stability members. For example, theair treatment member 112 may abut against a front face of the main body 104 (see for exampleFIG. 1 ). Optionally, one of theair treatment member 112 and the main body may be receivable in the other. Accordingly, when unlocked, theair treatment member 112 may be removed from themain body 104 by moving it forwardly. During use, a transverse force may be applied to theair treatment member 112. As exemplified,inlet 116 is provided on the removableair treatment member 112. Therefore, when used as part of a stickvac and handle 108 is driving connected to a surface cleaning head (see for exampleFIG. 5 ), a force may be provided transverse towand axis 559. If sufficient pressure is applied, then the air treatment member may break off of the main body or the air tight seal between the air treatment member and the main body may be broken allowing air to bypass the surface cleaning head. The provision of the lateral stability members reinforces the joint of the air treatment member and the main body to resist such transverse forces. - The lateral stability members are provided internal of the handvac and may be provided on opposed facing faces of the air treatment member and the main body. The lateral stability members may comprise generally vertically extending inter-engagement members
-
Cyclone unit 112 may be securable tomain body 104 in any manner that allows thecyclone unit 112 to be selectively separated and reconnected tomain body 104. For example,cyclone unit 112 andmain body 104 may collectively include any releasable engagement members (e.g. latches, snaps, magnets, straps, etc.) suitable for releasably joining thecyclone unit 112 andmain body 104. Further,cyclone unit 112 andmain body 104 may collectively include any actuators that allow selective manual release (i.e. by hand) of the releasable engagement member(s). The releasable engagement member(s) and the actuator(s) may be mechanical, electrical, and/or electro-mechanical in nature. - As exemplified in
FIGS. 9-11 ,main body 104 andcyclone unit 112 are separably connected by a cycloneunit release lock 278. As exemplified, cycloneunit release lock 278 includes apair 280 ofengagement members release actuator 328. Therelease actuator 328 may be manually user operable (e.g. by hand) for selectably unlocking cycloneunit release lock 278 to allowmain body 104 andcyclone unit 112 to separate. - In the illustrated example,
cyclone unit 112 is also rotationally mounted tomain body 104. For example,cyclone unit 112 may be rotationally mounted tomain body 104 at a position longitudinally spaced apart from cycloneunit release lock 278. This allowscyclone unit 112 to rotationally separate frommain body 104 when cycloneunit release lock 278 is unlocked (e.g. by operation of release actuator 328). In some embodiments,cyclone unit 112 may be rotationally mounted tomain body 104 by adetachable pair 284 ofengagement members cyclone unit 112 frommain body 104, such as to carrycyclone unit 112 to a garbage bin for emptying or cleaning for example. In alternative embodiments,second pair 284 ofengagement members air treatment member 112 and themain body 104 together when cycloneunit release lock 278 is engaged. - Cyclone
unit release lock 278 andengagement member pair 284 may be positioned at any location onapparatus 100 suitable for securely joining themain body 104 andcyclone unit 112. For example cycloneunit release lock 278 andengagement member pair 284 may be positioned at opposite ends ofapparatus 100, such as longitudinally spaced at apparatusupper end 288 andlower end 292 as shown. In the illustrated example, first cycloneunit engagement member 304 is positioned on cyclone unitupper end 348 and first main body engagement member is positioned on main bodyupper end 570. In alternate embodiments, the lock positions may be reversed. - Cyclone
unit release lock 278 andengagement member pair 284 may take any form suitable for separably joiningmain body 104 andcyclone unit 112. For example, one or both engagement member pairs 280 and 284 may include a first engagement member removably receivable in a second engagement member. As exemplified, firstengagement member pair 280 includes a first cycloneunit engagement member 304 and a first mainbody engagement member 308, and secondengagement member pair 284 includes a second cycloneunit engagement member 312 and a second mainbody engagement member 316. - Referring to
FIG. 12 , first cycloneunit engagement member 304 and first mainbody engagement member 308 are shown formed as hooks which are sized and positioned to interlock when thecyclone unit 112 andmain body 104 are brought together. Second cycloneunit engagement member 312 is shown formed as a transversely extending rod which is received in hook-like second mainbody engagement member 316 when thecyclone unit 112 andmain body 104 are brought together. As exemplified, cyclone unitlower end 352 is rotationally mounted to main bodylower end 568 when secondengagement member pair 284 is connected. When connected, cycloneunit release lock 278 andengagement member pair 284hold cyclone unit 112 in fluid communication withmain body 104, so that an air flow path is formed fromdirty air inlet 116 to cleanair outlet 120. A gasket or the like may be provided to form an air tight seal. - As exemplified in
FIGS. 12-14 , one or more ofengagement members cyclone unit 112 frommain body 104. For example, one or more ofengagement members engagement member pair engagement member pair engagement member - As shown in
FIG. 13 , first cycloneunit engagement member 304 is in the open or unlocked position wherein it has been moved away from the closed or locked position shown inFIG. 12 in which it engages first mainbody engagement member 308, thereby disengaging the firstengagement member pair 280. As exemplified, first cycloneunit engagement member 304 is pivotally mounted to a firstengagement member axle 324 for rotation about the firstengagement member axis 320 that extends laterally and first cycloneunit engagement member 304 extends substantially rearwardly whereby rotation of first cycloneunit engagement member 304 about firstengagement member axis 320 moves the first cycloneunit engagement member 304 substantially vertically. In this example, first cycloneunit engagement member 304 is formed as a lower upwardly facing hook, first mainbody engagement member 308 is formed as an upper downwardly facing hook, and first cycloneunit engagement member 304 is pivotal about firstengagement member axis 320 to move first cycloneunit engagement member 304 downwardly away from first mainbody engagement member 308 from the locked position (FIG. 12 ) to the unlocked position (FIG. 13 ), thereby disconnecting the firstengagement member pair 280. - Once the first
engagement member pair 280 is disconnected, thecyclone unit 112 andmain body 104 may be separated at the apparatusupper end 288, and then thecyclone unit 112 may be moved relative to themain body 104 to disconnect the secondengagement member pair 284 thereby completing the disconnection of thecyclone unit 112 from themain body 104. -
Apparatus 100 may include anyactuator 328 suitable for disengagingengagement member unit release lock 278.Actuator 328 may be provided on either ofcyclone unit 112 ormain body 104. Preferably, theactuator 328 is manually operable (i.e. by hand) to allow selective disconnection of theengagement members body engagement member 308 is connected to anactuator 328.Actuator 328 may take any form such as a button as shown, a switch, or a slider for example.Actuator 328 may be connected to first mainbody engagement member 308 in manner suitable for directing the movement of first mainbody engagement member 308. In the illustrated example, first mainbody engagement member 308 is integrally formed with a distal end ofactuator 328. In alternative embodiments,actuator 328 may be a discrete component that is rigidly or movably connected to first mainbody engagement member 308 directly or indirectly by way of one or more intermediary components. - As exemplified, a proximal end of
actuator 328 may be pivotally mounted tocyclone unit 112 by firstengagement member axle 324 for rotation about firstengagement member axis 320. In use, a user may depressactuator 328 to rotateactuator 328 and first cycloneunit engagement member 304 downwardly, thereby disconnecting the firstengagement member pair 280. - In some embodiments, first cyclone
unit engagement member 304 may be biased to the locked position to mitigate the risk of firstengagement member pair 280 becoming unlocked during use ofapparatus 100. In the illustrated example, abias 332 biases first cycloneunit engagement member 304 to the open position.Bias 332 may be formed as a torsional spring, as shown, which is mounted to firstengagement member axle 324. A user may depressactuator 328 to move the first cycloneunit engagement member 304 against the bias ofspring 332 and disconnect firstengagement member pair 280. - Reference is now made to
FIGS. 15 and 16 , which showapparatus 100 including an alternative firstengagement member pair 280. As exemplified, first cycloneunit engagement member 304 may include anengagement member arm 336 with anengagement member socket 340, and first mainbody engagement member 308 may be formed as a peg. In the locked position (FIG. 15 ), peg 308 may be received inengagement member socket 340 to securely join firstengagement member pair 280. In the unlocked position (FIG. 16 ) peg 308 may be removed fromengagement member socket 340 to disconnect firstengagement member pair 280. As exemplified,engagement member arm 336 may be resiliently bendable (i.e. as a living hinge) for moving first mainbody engagement member 308 between the locked and unlocked positions. For example,engagement member arm 336 can resiliently bend upwardly to removepeg 308 from engagement member socket 340 (FIG. 16 ), and vice versa. Preferably, the resiliency ofengagement member arm 336 biases first cycloneunit engagement member 304 towards the locked position. - Exemplary lateral stability members are shown in
FIGS. 26-30 . As exemplified,air treatment member 112 andmain body 104 may collectively include one or more pairs of protrusions and recesses, which mate at the interface betweenair treatment member 112 andmain body 104 whenair treatment member 112 is connected tomain body 104. This helps provide a more robust separable connection betweenair treatment member 112 andmain body 104 with enhanced strength and rigidity. Air treatment memberrear end 436 and main bodyfront end 432 may be provided withmating protrusions 620 that are receivable inrecesses 624. -
Protrusions 620 and recesses 624 may have any size, shape, and position which allows theprotrusions 620 to be received in therecesses 624 whenair treatment member 112 andmain body 104 are connected. As exemplified, each ofprotrusions 620 and recesses 624 may be formed as elongate segments which are continuous or have discontinuities. In the illustrated embodiment, each ofprotrusions 620 and recesses 624 extend longitudinally downwardly. - As exemplified in
FIGS. 26 and 27 ,protrusions 620 are formed in cyclone unit upper end 348 (engagement member arm 336) and recesses 624 are formed in surface of main bodyupper end 570 against whichengagement member arm 336 abuts.Protrusions 620 are received inrecesses 624 whenair treatment member 112 is connected tomain body 104. -
FIG. 28 shows an alternate embodiment, in which cyclone unitupper end 348 includesrecesses 624 and main bodyupper end 570 includesprotrusions 620. -
FIG. 29 shows another alternateembodiment including protrusions 620 and recesses 624 extending across cyclonerear end wall 176 and filterhousing front wall 216. -
FIG. 30 shows anotherembodiment including protrusions 620 extending across cyclonerear end wall 176 and filterhousing front wall 216. Whenair treatment member 112 is connected tomain body 104,protrusions 620 on cyclonerear end wall 176 contact filter housingfront wall 216, andprotrusions 620 on filter housingfront wall 216 contact cyclonerear end wall 176. In this embodiment,protrusion 620 provide rigid beams at the interface betweenmain body 104 andair treatment member 112 which may increase the rigidity and strength of the separable connection. - The following is a description of an air treatment member handle that may be used by itself in any surface cleaning apparatus or in any combination or sub-combination with any other feature or features disclosed herein including the uniflow cyclone, the positioning of the dirt collection chamber, the orientation of the suction motor, the lateral stability members, the position and orientation of a driving handle, the pre-motor filter housing door, the air treatment member door actuator, the counterweight stand, the electrical coupling members and the accessory power connector.
- In accordance with this aspect, the air treatment member may include a handle in addition to the main body handle (“driving handle”). This allows a user to hold the main body and the air treatment member simultaneously, with different hands before, during, and after disconnecting the main body from the air treatment member.
- In one embodiment, the air treatment member handle may for part of an air flow conduit of the air treatment member. Alternately or in addition, the air treatment member handle may extend along the axial direction of the air treatment member and/or may be on an upper portion thereof and/or may provide a gap for receiving fingers of the user.
- As exemplified in
FIG. 11 , cyclone unit handle 344 is connected tocyclone unit 112 whencyclone unit 112 is disconnected frommain body 104, and drivinghandle 108 is connected tomain body 104 whenmain body 104 is disconnected fromcyclone unit 112. Cyclone unit handle 344 may have any suitable size, shape, and position oncyclone unit 112 which allows a user to easily grasp the cyclone unit handle 344 by hand to carry the cyclone unit 112 (seeFIG. 10A ). In the illustrated embodiment, cyclone unit handle 344 is formed as a substantially cylindrical member, which extends rearwardly along cyclone unitupper portion 348. In other embodiments, cyclone unit handle 344 may have a different regular or irregular cross-sectional shape, and may extend along a different portion ofcyclone unit 112, such as alonglower portion 352, or alateral side 356 for example. As exemplified inFIG. 6 , cyclone unit handle 344 may include a portion orgap 347 spaced fromcyclone unit 112 whereby afinger receiving area 349 is provided between the cyclone unit handle 344 and thecyclone unit 112. - Returning to
FIG. 11 , preferablyapparatus 100 is configured to allow the user to take whatever action disconnects themain body 104 fromair treatment member 112 while holding air treatment member handle 344 with one hand and holding drivinghandle 108 with the other hand. For example, cyclone unit handle 344 or drivinghandle 108 may be positioned proximate (e.g. within finger-reach of) an actuator that releases the connector(s) which holdair treatment member 112 andmain body 104 together. This would allow the user to use a finger to operate the actuator while holding thehandle actuator 328 are both located on the cyclone unitupper portion 348 and in close proximity. This allows a user to holdair treatment member 112 byhandle 344 while simultaneously operating actuator 328 with the same hand to disconnectair treatment member 112 frommain body 104. The user may also use the same hand to open a front door of the air treatment member as discussed subsequently in more detail. - Referring to
FIG. 6 , cyclone unit handle 344 is shown extending along a cycloneunit handle axis 360. In some embodiments, cycloneunit handle axis 360 may be parallel with and may be coaxial withinlet connector axis 364. This may promote a compact shape forapparatus 100 in contrast with handles with an axis that extends above theinlet connector axis 364. - As exemplified in
FIGS. 1 and 17 , cyclone unit handle 344 may comprise an air flow passage (e.g. an air flow conduit). This may promote a compact design forapparatus 100 by reducing or eliminating the volume added toapparatus 100 to incorporate cyclone unit handle 344. For example, an existing air flow conduit may be reshaped and/or repositioned to provide handle functionality. As exemplified inFIG. 17 , handle 344 is positioned rearward and coaxial with the inlet conduit extending fromdirty air inlet 116. It will be appreciated that if the inlet to the air treatment member chamber (e.g., cyclone chamber 160) is rearward of the front ofhandle 344, then part ofhandle 344 form part ofinlet conduit 124. Alternately, or in addition as exemplified inFIG. 17 , handle 344 may provide part or all of a bleed air conduit 380 having alongitudinal passage axis 390. Bleed conduit 380 provides a portion of the air flow path between thebleed air inlet 384 and the suction motor andfan assembly 152 and houses bleedvalve 388. Thebleed valve 388 may be any suitable valve that known in the art, which typically open automatically in response to low pressure. For example, bleedvalve 388 may be a pressure relief valve. Bleedvalve 388 may help maintain adequate volumetric air flow through the suction motor andfan assembly 152 during low pressure events to avoid overheating of the suction motor andfan assembly 152. Low pressure may occur where there is a partial or total blockage in the air flow upstream of the suction motor and fan assembly 152 (e.g. a plastic bag is blocking dirty air inlet 116). - It will be appreciated that cyclone unit handle 344 is grasped primarily when
apparatus 100 is turned off (e.g. when separating, reconnecting, or transporting cyclone unit 112) so that there is little or no concern of thebleed air inlet 384 being blocked by a user's hands whenapparatus 100 is turned on. -
FIG. 17 exemplifies an optional air flow path frombleed air inlet 384 to suction motor andfan assembly 152 which bypassescyclone 160 andpre-motor filters downstream header 260 bypassing filter housingupstream header 256 andpre-motor filters pre-motor filters bleed air inlet 384. For example, filter housingupstream header 256 may be positioned downstream ofbleed valve 388 in the air flow path frombleed air inlet 384. - The following is a description of a driving handle that may be used by itself in any surface cleaning apparatus or in any combination or sub-combination with any other feature or features disclosed herein including the uniflow cyclone, the positioning of the dirt collection chamber, the orientation of the suction motor, the lateral stability members, the air treatment member handle, the pre-motor filter housing door, the air treatment member door actuator, the counterweight stand, the electrical coupling members and the accessory power connector.
- In accordance with this aspect, the driving handle is which extends upwardly and forwardly. Driving
handle 108 may extend upwardly from the suction motor housing (e.g., an upper surface of the main body that houses the suction motor). Drivinghandle 108 may terminate at 0r above an upper end of thehandvac 100. Accordingly, theinlet conduit axis 364 and/or thehandle axis 360 may intersect the drivinghandle 108. An advantage of this design is that the weight of the motor is below the hand grip. Further, the driving axis of the handvac when connected to a wand (the wand axis) is at an opposite end of the handle to the suction motor. This provides improved hand weight for a user. - As exemplified in
FIG. 6 , drivinghandle 108 may extend from itslower end 368 to itsupper end 372 along a drivinghandle axis 376. Whensurface cleaning apparatus 100 is positioned withbottom 125 on ahorizontal surface 584 and the bottom 125 extends horizontally, drivinghandle axis 376 may extend generally upwardly and forwardly (e.g. at anangle 378 of less than 45 degrees to vertical) to provide a comfortable natural grip during use. - As exemplified, driving
handle axis 376 may be at an angle to cycloneunit handle axis 360. For example, axes 360 and 376 may be angularly offset by 30 degrees or more. This reflects that the drivinghandle 108 and cyclone unit handle 344 may have different functions. For example, the drivinghandle 108 may be configured to provide a comfortable grip for the user during use, and the cyclone unit handle 344 may be configured with a compact design. - In the illustrated embodiment, driving
handle 108 includes aportion 377 spaced frommain body 104 whereby a finger receiving area 379 is provided between the drivinghandle 108 and themain body 104. As exemplified, drivinghandle 108 may be positioned at main bodyrear end 434 and longitudinally spaced apart from cyclone unit handle 344. - The following is a description of a pre-motor filter door that may be used by itself in any surface cleaning apparatus or in any combination or sub-combination with any other feature or features disclosed herein including the uniflow cyclone, the positioning of the dirt collection chamber, the orientation of the suction motor, the lateral stability members, the air treatment member handle, the position and orientation of a driving handle, the air treatment member door actuator, the counterweight stand and the electrical coupling members.
- In accordance with this aspect, a surface cleaning apparatus may have a pre-motor filter chamber which is closed by an openable door that is accessible when the air treatment member is removed from the remainder of the surface cleaning apparatus (as exemplified in
FIG. 6 ). A pre-motor filter may be accessed for cleaning or replacement when the door is opened. The pre-motor filter door may include a handle for user operation. The pre-motor filter chamber may be provided in the removableair treatment member 112 or themain body 104. The door may be held in a closed position by a part of the surface cleaning apparatus that does not include the pre-motor filter chamber. For example, if the pre-motor filter chamber is provided in the air treatment member, then the door may be held closed by a part of the main body when the air treatment member is attached to the main body. Conversely, if the pre-motor filter chamber is provided in the main body as exemplified inFIG. 8 , then the door may be held closed by a part of the air treatment member when the air treatment member is attached to the main body. An advantage of this design is that it allows a simpler design for the pre-motor filter door that is free of locking members such as latches. A further advantage is that unintentional user access to thepre-motor filter housing 208 may be prevented while theapparatus 100 is in operation. -
FIGS. 8, 8A and 11 exemplify an embodiment in whichpre-motor filter housing 208 is accessible whenair treatment member 112 is disconnected frommain body 104. For example, one of thefilter housing walls 216 and 220 (e.g., filter housingupstream wall 216 as exemplified inFIG. 8 ) may be exposed whenair treatment member 112 is disconnected frommain body 104. - The openable filter housing wall may be openable in any manner suitable for providing access to clean or replace the pre-motor filters inside. For example, the openable wall may be moveably mounted or removably mounted. Accordingly, filter
housing wall pre-motor filter housing 208, slideably attached to thepre-motor filter housing 208, or removable altogether from thepre-motor filter housing 208. In the illustrated embodiment, filter housingupstream wall 216 is pivotally attached topre-motor filter housing 208. - As exemplified in
FIG. 8A and 11 , filter housingupstream wall 216 is rotatable about a filter-housingwall pivot axis 392 between a closed position (FIG. 11 ), and an open position (FIG. 8A ). It will be appreciated that filter housingupstream wall 216 may be rotatable in any manner and direction suitable for moving the filter housingupstream wall 216 generally away from thepre-motor filter housing 208 to provide access to thepre-motor filters upstream wall 216 is upwardly rotatable about a laterally extending (e.g. horizontal) filter housingwall pivot axis 392 located at an upper end 396 of thepre-motor filter housing 208. As exemplified, the filter housingwall pivot axis 392 is transverse to (e.g. substantially perpendicular to) theinlet connector axis 364, the cycloneunit handle axis 360, and the filter housingair inlet axis 248. - In alternative embodiments, filter housing
upstream wall 216 may rotate in a different direction about a different axis. For example, filter housingupstream wall 216 may move laterally outwardly by rotation about a substantially vertical axis positioned proximate a left or right side of thepre-motor filter housing 208. - Still referring to
FIGS. 8A and 11 , the filter housingupstream wall 216 may have any construction suitable for allowing the filter housingupstream wall 216 to rotate about the filter housingwall pivot axis 392. For example, filter housingupstream wall 216 may be connected to filterhousing sidewall 224 by ahinge 404 of any suitable type. In some embodiments, filter housingupstream wall 216 may be resiliently bendable to connect withpre-motor filter housing 208 by a living hinge. - Optionally, filter housing
upstream wall 216 may be at least partially transparent (e.g., the wall may be made of a transparent material or it may have a window) to provide visibility of the upstream surface 268 (FIG. 8A ) of the pre-motor filter inside. This would allow the user to inspect the pre-motor filter through the filter housingupstream wall 216, without opening thepre-motor filter housing 208, in order to assess whether to clean or replace the pre-motor filter. In alternative embodiments, the filter housingupstream wall 216 may be opaque, and the pre-motor filter may not be visible through the filter housingupstream wall 216. - Still referring to
FIGS. 8A and 11 , the openable filter housing wall is preferably manually user openable (e.g. by hand). This allows the user to selectively open the openable filter housing wall to access the pre-motor filters inside. In the illustrated example, the filter housingupstream wall 216 includes afilter housing handle 408 that is user operable to move the filter housingupstream wall 216 between the open and closed positions. Thefilter housing handle 408 may have any construction that allows the user to easily grasp and pull the filter housing handle 408 to open thepre-motor filter housing 208. In the illustrated example, thefilter housing handle 408 extends outwardly from an end opposed to the hinged end (in this caselower end 412 of the filter housing upstream wall 216). Referring toFIGS. 11 and 13 , thefilter housing handle 408 extends from a filter housing handleinboard end 416 to a filter housing handleoutboard end 420. As exemplified, the filter housing handleinboard end 416 may be connected to an upstream face 424 of the filter housingupstream wall 216. The filter housingoutboard end 420 may include a gripping feature, which may be of any design such a lip 428. In the illustrated example, lip 428 is curls approximately 90 degrees. - As exemplified in
FIG. 13 , thefilter housing handle 408 may extend from filter housingupstream wall 216 outwardly towardscyclone unit 112. In the illustrated example, afront end 432 ofmain body 104 is connectable to therear end 436 ofcyclone unit 112, and filterhousing handle 408 extends forwardly from filter housingupstream wall 216 towardscyclone unit 112. As shown, the filter housing handleoutboard end 420 extends into ahandle recess 440 ofcyclone unit 112 outside ofcyclone 160 anddirt collection chamber 164. In this way, the handle may overlap a portion of the cyclone chamber so as to have a longer length in the direction of the cyclone axis. This construction allows the filter housing handle 408 to have agreater dimension 444 between its inboard and outboard ends 416 and 420, while permitting the filter housingupstream wall 216 to contact at least a portion of cyclonesecond wall 196 to fluidly connect thecyclone air outlet 184 to the filterhousing air inlet 236. In the illustrated example, thefilter housing handle 408 extends from filter housing upstream walllower end 412, and cycloneunit handle recess 440 is provided in cyclone unitlower portion 352. - Returning to
FIG. 8A and 11 , in some embodiments,pre-motor filter housing 208 may be free of locking members, such as latches or clasps, which are operable to secure the openable wall in the closed position. Accordingly, when themain body 104 andcyclone unit 112 are connected together (see, e.g.FIG. 1 )filter housing handle 408 extends forwardly from filter housingupstream wall 216 and abuts a part ofair treatment member 112, e.g.,rear end wall 196 of the air treatment member. - As exemplified in
FIG. 13 , the openable door of thepre-motor filter housing 208 may be held in its closed position by interaction withcyclone unit 112, whencyclone unit 112 is connected tomain body 104. For example, at least a portion of cyclone unitrear end 436 may contact filter housingupstream wall 216 to hold the filter housingupstream wall 216 in its closed position. In the illustrated example, cyclonesecond wall 196 is bordered by a peripheral lip 448 which contacts upstream face 424 of filter housingupstream wall 216, andcyclone air outlet 184 is bordered by a peripheral lip 452 that contacts aperipheral recess 456 of filterhousing air inlet 236. Peripheral lip 452 andrecess 456 may form a substantially air tight connection betweencyclone air outlet 184 and filterhousing air inlet 236. - In some embodiments, a gasket, such as an O-ring (not shown) may be provided and compressed when the air treatment member is attached to provide an air tight seal between the openable door and the rest of the pre-motor filter chamber.
- The following is a description of an air treatment member door actuator that may be used by itself in any surface cleaning apparatus or in any combination or sub-combination with any other feature or features disclosed herein including the uniflow cyclone, the positioning of the dirt collection chamber, the orientation of the suction motor, the lateral stability members, the air treatment member handle, the position and orientation of a driving handle, the pre-motor filter housing door, the counterweight stand, the electrical coupling members and the accessory power connector.
- The air treatment member may include an openable door that provides access to empty or clean the air treatment member (e.g. to empty or clean a dirt collection region of the air treatment member). In accordance with this aspect, the air treatment member door may be openable by an actuator positioned within finger-reach of the air treatment member handle. This allows for one handed operation of the air treatment member door.
- Reference is now made to
FIGS. 1 and 18 . In some embodiments,air treatment member 112 includes an openable wall (e.g., a door) to provide access to clean or empty the air treatment member (e.g.,cyclone 160 and dirt collection chamber 164). Any portion ofair treatment member 112 suitable for emptyingair treatment member 112 may be openable. - In the illustrated example,
air treatment member 112 includes an openablefront end 472 wherein all of the front end is opeanable. As exemplified, the air treatment member may be a cyclone unit comprising a cyclone and a dirt collection chamber external to the cyclone and may have afront end 472 the includes cyclonefirst end wall 192, and dirt collection chamberfirst end wall 476. It will be appreciated that, in some embodiments, only a portion of thefront end 472 may be openable. - The openable door may be openable in any manner suitable for providing access to clean or empty
air treatment member 112, e.g.,cyclone 160 anddirt collection chamber 164. For example, the door may be pivotally attached to theair treatment member 112 which is exemplified inFIG. 18 , slideably attached to theair treatment member 112, and/or removable altogether from theair treatment member 112. - As exemplified, cyclone unit
front door 472 is rotatable about a cyclone unitwall pivot axis 480 between a closed position (FIG. 1 ), and an open position (FIG. 18 ). It will be appreciated that cyclone unitfront door 472 may be rotatable in any manner and direction suitable for moving cyclone unitfront door 472 generally away from thecyclone unit 112 to provide access to thecyclone 160 anddirt collection chamber 164 inside. In the illustrated embodiment, cyclone unitfront door 472 is downwardly rotatable about a laterally extending (e.g. horizontal) cyclone unitwall pivot axis 480 located at alower portion 352 of thecyclone unit 112. As exemplified, the cyclone unitwall pivot axis 480 is transverse to (e.g. substantially perpendicular to) theinlet connector axis 364, the cycloneunit handle axis 360, and the cyclone axis ofrotation 484. - In alternative embodiments, cyclone unit
front door 472 may rotate in a different direction about a different axis. For example, cyclone unitfront door 472 may move laterally outwardly by rotation about a substantially vertical axis positioned proximate a left or right side of thecyclone unit 112. In other embodiments, cyclone unitfront door 472 may move upwardly by rotation about a substantially horizontal axis positioned proximate cyclone unitlower portion 352. - Still referring to
FIGS. 1 and 18 , the cyclone unitfront door 472 may have any construction suitable for allowing the cyclone unitfront door 472 to rotate about the cyclone unitwall pivot axis 480. For example, cyclone unitfront door 472 may be connected tocyclone unit 112 by ahinge 486 of any type known in the art. In some embodiments, cyclone unitfront door 472 may be resiliently bendable to connect withcyclone unit 112 by a living hinge. - Still referring to
FIGS. 1 and 18 , the openable cyclone unit wall is locked in the closed position, and manually user openable (e.g. by hand). This allows the openable cyclone unit wall to remain closed while theapparatus 100 is operating, and allows the user to selectively open the openable cyclone unit wall to empty thecyclone 160 anddirt collection chamber 164 inside when theapparatus 100 is turned off. In the illustrated example,cyclone unit 112 includes adoor lock 492, which inhibits opening of cyclone unitfront door 472 when engaged.Door lock 492 is user operable to disengagedoor lock 492 to thereby permit cyclone unitfront door 472 to move to its open position. -
Door lock 492 may be any type of lock suitable for retaining cyclone unitfront door 472 in its closed position, and which is user releasable to permitcyclone unit 112 to open. In some embodiments,door lock 492 may have a manually operable actuator for moving the lock between its engaged and disengaged positions. In the illustrated embodiment,door lock 492 includes an engagingmember 496 and anactuator 504. - Preferably, actuator is positioned proximate the air treatment member handle 344 so that a user may operate actuator 504 with the same hand that is used to hold
handle 504. For example,actuator 504 may be located within close proximity (e.g. finger-reach) ofhandle 344, e.g., it may be provided on oradjacent handle 344 and may be provided at the end ofhandle 344 at which the door is located. Accordingly, while holdinghandle 344, the user may use their thumb of the same hand to operateactuator 504, i.e.,door release actuator 504 may be operated by the same hand which is holding thecyclone unit 112 for single-handed emptying ofcyclone unit 112. In the illustrated embodiment, unitdoor release actuator 504 is positioned forward ofhandle 344 on upper portion 348 (e.g. at a forward end of inlet passage 380). In other embodiments,door release actuator 504 may be located onhandle 344, or rearwardly ofhandle 344. - As exemplified in
FIGS. 20 and 21 , thedoor release actuator 504 is manually user operable (i.e. by hand) to move the engagingmember 496 between its engaged position (FIG. 20 ) and its disengaged position (FIG. 21 ). As exemplified, in the engaged position (FIG. 20 ),door release actuator 504 may engage cyclone unitfront door 472 to inhibit movement offront door 472 to its open position. This preventsfront door 472 from rotating about its cyclone unitwall pivot axis 480 to its open position. In the disengaged position (FIG. 21 ),door release actuator 504 releases cyclone unitfront door 472 to permitfront door 472 to move to its open position. - Referring to
FIGS. 19-21 ,lock engaging member 496 may be of any construction having an engaged position for retaining the openable cyclone unit wall in its closed position, and a disengaged position for releasing the openable cyclone unit to move to its open position. In the illustrated example,lock engaging member 496 is connected to an exterior ofair treatment member 112. As exemplified,lock engaging member 496 has afront end 508 which is sized and positioned to releasably hook onto a recess 512 formed in cyclone unitfront door 472 to retain thefront door 472 in its closed position. -
Lock engaging member 496 may be movable in any suitable manner between its engaged and disengaged positions. For example,lock engaging member 496 may be rotatable as shown, translatable, or combinations thereof. In the illustrated embodiment,lock engaging member 496 is pivotally connected toair treatment member 112 for rotation about a lock engaging member axis 516 (FIG. 19 ) between its engaged and disengaged positions. As exemplified, in the engaged position,lock engaging member 496 may hook onto front wall lock recess 512.Lock engaging member 496 may then be rotated about itsaxis 516 away from cyclone unitfront door 472 to unhook from front wall lock recess 512. Optionally,lock engaging member 496 may be biased to the locked position. For example, a biasing member (e.g. torsional spring, not shown) may biaslock engaging member 496 to rotate toward the closed position. - Still referring to
FIGS. 19-21 ,door lock 492 may have anydoor release actuator 504 suitable for moving thelock engaging member 496 between its engaged and disengaged positions. In the illustrated example,door release actuator 504 is formed as a button which is operable to rotatelock engaging member 496 to its unlocked position. As exemplified,door release actuator 504 andlock engaging member 496 may both includeabutments lock engaging member 496 whendoor release actuator 504 is depressed. In this example, whendoor release actuator 504 is depressed,abutment 520 movesabutment 524 downwardly which teeterslock engaging member 496 to rotate about its lock engagingmember axis 516 to its disengaged position. It will be appreciated thatdoor release actuator 504 may be movable in any suitable manner. For example,door release actuator 504 may be rotatable (e.g. pivotal) as shown, or translatable (e.g. slidable). In the illustrated example,door release actuator 504 is rotatably connected tocyclone unit 112 about alock actuator axis 528 between its raised position (FIG. 20 ) and its depressed position (FIG. 21 ). - The following is a description of a counterweight stand that may be used by itself in any surface cleaning apparatus or in any combination or sub-combination with any other feature or features disclosed herein including the uniflow cyclone, the positioning of the dirt collection chamber, the orientation of the suction motor, the lateral stability members, the air treatment member handle, the position and orientation of a driving handle, the pre-motor filter housing door, the air treatment member door actuator, the electrical coupling members and the accessory power connector.
- In accordance with this aspect, the apparatus may include a counterweight positioned to adjust the apparatus center of gravity for reducing user-torque required to orient the apparatus at common operating angles. The counterweight may be located at a lower end of the main body to provide a stand for supporting the apparatus on a horizontal surface. The counterweight may be formed by a removable member (e.g. energy storage member), or a permanently attached or integrally molded member (e.g. ribs).
- As exemplified in
FIG. 23 ,apparatus 100 includes acounterweight stand 564. The counterweight stand 564 may have any configuration suitable for helping to supportapparatus 100 on horizontal surface and for influencing the center of gravity ofapparatus 100. As exemplified, counterweight stand 564 may be connected to apparatuslower end 292 for supportingapparatus 100 when apparatuslower end 292 is placed on a horizontal surface (e.g. for storage). In various embodiments, counterweight stand 564 may be connected tomain body 104,air treatment member 112, or both. In the illustrated embodiment, counterweight stand 564 is connected to main bodylower end 568 to define at least a portion of a lower wall ofmain body 104 for supportingapparatus 100 on a horizontal surface. - Counterweight stand 564 may be of any size and weight suitable for providing stable support and for influencing the apparatus center of gravity. For example, counterweight stand 564 may be formed of the same material as main body exterior wall 212 (e.g. plastic), and may be formed as a solid member, a hollow member, a porous member, or a plurality of spaced apart members. In the illustrated embodiment, counterweight stand 564 is formed as a plurality of spaced apart
counterweight ribs 572 that are integrally formed with the mainbody exterior wall 212. As exemplified,counterweight ribs 572 may be rearwardly extending and laterally spaced apart. This allows thecounterweight ribs 572 to be distributed across a large area to form a base that nay itself or withbottom 125 stably support theapparatus 100 on a horizontal surface. The collective weight ofribs 572, and thus their influence on the apparatus center of gravity, is determined by varying the number, density, spacing, and distribution of thecounterweight ribs 572. In alternative embodiments, counterweight stand 564 may be formed by a hollow member, and the weight of the counterweight stand 564 is determined by the fill density inside the block. In some embodiments, counterweight stand 564 may be formed from a different material than mainbody exterior wall 212, such as a material of greater density to provide greater stability and influence on center of gravity. - Still referring to
FIG. 23 , the counterweight stand 564 may be integrally formed, permanently connected, or removably connected toapparatus 100. In the illustrated embodiment, counterweight stand 564 is permanently connected toapparatus 100. As exemplified,apparatus 100 may be a corded appliance having apower cord connector 576 for permanently or removably receiving a power cord (not shown) that is connectable to an external power source (e.g. wall outlet). Turning toFIGS. 4 and 24 , another embodiment ofapparatus 100 is shown including acounterweight stand 564 formed as an energy storage member 580 (e.g. battery).Energy storage member 580 may be permanently or removably connected toapparatus 100, and may have a size and weight suitable for helping to supportapparatus 100 on ahorizontal surface 584 and influencing the center of gravity ofapparatus 100. - The following is a description of a electrical coupling members that may be used by itself in any surface cleaning apparatus or in any combination or sub-combination with any other feature or features disclosed herein including the uniflow cyclone, the positioning of the dirt collection chamber, the orientation of the suction motor, the lateral stability members, the air treatment member handle, the position and orientation of a driving handle, the pre-motor filter housing door, the air treatment member door actuator, the counterweight stand and the accessory power connector.
- In accordance with this aspect, the apparatus may include an electrical outlet with electrical conductor element(s) that are movable from a circuit closed position to a circuit open position upon removal of an accessory tool such as a wand, crevice tool, mini brush or the like. The accessory tool which is mounted on the apparatus may have a member which engages a driven member on the apparatus. When engaged, the driven member mechanically moves an element of the circuit to open the circuit so that the electrical conductor elements on the apparatus are not live. This allows the electrical outlet to be safe to touch when the accessory tool is disconnected.
- Referring to
FIG. 1 ,connector 128 may be any suitable connector that is operable to connect to, and preferably detachably connect to, a hose, cleaning tool or other accessory tool. Optionally, in addition to providing an air flow connection,connector 128 may also include an electrical connection. Providing an electrical connection may allow accessory tools that are coupled to theconnector 128 to be powered by thesurface cleaning apparatus 100. For example, thesurface cleaning unit 100 can be used to provide both power and suction to a surface cleaning head, or other suitable accessory tool. In the illustrated embodiment, theconnector 128 includes anelectrical outlet 144 in the form of a female socket member, and a corresponding male connector member may be provided on the hose, cleaning tool or other accessory tool that is connected to theconnector inlet end 124. In other embodiments,electrical outlet 144 may include male connectors. - As exemplified in
FIG. 25 ,apparatus 100 includes anelectrical circuit 624 between a source of power andelectrical conductor elements 588. The source of power may be an energy storage member 580 (e.g. battery) or a power cord 628 (connectable to an external power outlet), for example. In accordance with this aspect,electrical conductor elements 588 may be de-energized when not connected with a mating electrical coupling (e.g. of a power accessory). This may prevent user injury from being hurt by inadvertent contact with theelectrical conductor elements 588. - The
electrical circuit 624 may include two or moreelectrical conductor elements 588, at least one of which, and preferably two of which, may be movable between a circuit closed position and a circuit open position, and biased to the circuit open position. In the circuit closed position, theelectrical conductor element 588 is electrically connected to the source of power. In the circuit open position, theelectrical conductor 588 is electrically disconnected from the source of power. Accordingly, at least one of theelectrical conductor elements 588 is normally electrically disconnected from the source of power, which may prevent accidental electric shock. In use, theelectrical conductor element 588 is moved to the circuit closed position upon attaching an accessory tool todirty air inlet 116. - In one embodiment, the
electrical conductor elements 588 may be moved to the circuit closed position by engagement with the electrical conductor elements of an accessory tool. Accordingly, when the accessory tool is mounted oninlet 116, the electrical conductor elements of the accessory tool may driveelectrical conductor elements 588 to the circuit closed position. - As exemplified,
electrical conductor elements 588 may be a rigid rod movably mounted in ahousing 596 ofelectrical outlet 144. Eachelectrical conductor element 588 extends from a first contact end 640 to a second contact end 644. The first contact end 640 may be an accessory tool contact end which makes electrical contact with a mating electrical conductor element of an attached accessory tool. The second contact ends 644 may be a terminal end contact end which makes electrical contact with the terminal ends 636 of electricallyconductive members 590 when theelectrical conductor elements 588 are in a circuit closed position. Accordingly, when an accessory tool is electrically connected toelectrical outlet 144 andelectrical conductor elements 588 are in the circuit closed position, theconductor element 588 can conduct electricity from the source of power to the connected accessory tool. - It will be appreciated that electrically conductive members (e.g., wires) 590 extend from the source of power to terminal ends 636. One or both of
electrical conductor elements 588 may be movable between a circuit closed position, in which second contact end 644 contactsterminal end 636 of an electricallyconductive member 590, and a circuit open position, in which second contact end 644 is spaced apart from the terminal ends 636 of electricallyconductive members 590. For example, one or both ofelectrical conductor elements 588 may be axially slidable in electrical outlet housing between the circuit open and circuit closed positions. In the illustrated example,electrical conductor elements 588 are rearwardly slideable in rearwardly extendinghousing channels 604 formed inelectrical outlet housing 596. - In some embodiments, the first end 640 of one or both of
electrical conductor elements 588 may be recessed into theelectrical outlet 144 when in the circuit open position. For example, first end 640 may be positioned rearwardly of electrical outletfront end 608. -
Electrical conductor element 588 may be biased to the circuit open position in any manner. For example,electrical outlet 144 includes a biasingmember 648 that applies a biasing force urgingelectrical conductor element 588 toward the circuit open position. In the illustrated example, biasingmember 648 is a compression spring positioned between theelectrical conductor element 588 and theterminal end 636 of electricallyconductive member 590 which urgeselectrical conductor element 588 forwardly. The force of biasingmember 648 may be overcome when connecting an accessory tool todirty air inlet 116 to move theelectrical conductor element 588 rearwardly to the circuit closed position. Preferably, biasingmember 648 is substantially non-electrically conductive. For example, biasingmember 648 may be formed of (or coated with) plastic, rubber, a non-conductive metal or another substantially non-electrically conductive material. This helps to prevent biasingmember 648 from short circuitingelectrical circuit 624 or electrically connectingelectrical conductor element 588 and terminal end 632 when theelectrical conductor element 588 is in the closed position. - It will be appreciated that, in an alternate embodiment,
electrical conductor elements 588 may be mounted in a moveable (e.g., plastic or other non-conductive material) housing and the housing may have an engagement member that is engaged by, e.g., a protrusion or finger provided on the accessory tool. In this way, the electrical conductor elements of the accessory tool need not be used to drive thecircuit 624 to a closed position. - In some embodiments,
main power switch 650, which is movable between a circuit closed position and a circuit open position to energize the suction motor, may be part of electrical circuit 642. The power switch may be manually user operable. In the circuit open position,power switch 650 electrically disconnects electricalterminal end 636 from the power source. In the circuit closed position,power switch 650 electrically connects circuitterminal end 636 with the power source. - The following is a description of an electrical coupling members that may be used by itself in any surface cleaning apparatus or in any combination or sub-combination with any other feature or features disclosed herein including the uniflow cyclone, the positioning of the dirt collection chamber, the orientation of the suction motor, the lateral stability members, the air treatment member handle, the position and orientation of a driving handle, the pre-motor filter housing door, the air treatment member door actuator the counterweight stand and the electrical coupling members.
- In accordance with this aspect, the
surface cleaning apparatus 100 includes a power connector 144 (which may be referred to as an accessory power connector) for an accessory (e.g., a powered floor cleaner head). Thepower connector 144 for the accessory is provided on a part of the air treatment member that is moveable with respect to another part of the air treatment member and/or the main body of the hand vac. For example, thepower connector 144 may be on a removeable bin assembly orair treatment member 112. Thepower connector 144 for the accessory may be on afront 121 of thesurface cleaning apparatus 100. - An advantage of this aspect is that the
accessory power connector 144 may be part or an openable portion of an air treatment member or a removable portion of an air treatment member or an air treatment member that is removable when closed. For example, if the inlet conduit or nozzle of the hand vacuum cleaner is part of a removable air treatment member, theaccessory power connector 144 may be part of the removable assembly, thereby enabling theaccessory power connector 144 to be provided at a location adjacent the nozzle. - As exemplified in
FIGS. 31 to 38 , thesurface cleaning apparatus 100 may include anelectrical connector 144 for providing power to an upstream attachment (e.g., a surface cleaning head or another cleaning tool). As shown,connector 144 may extend from afront connector end 271 along aconnector axis 274 to a rear connector end 275 (seeFIG. 32 ).Connector axis 274 may be parallel to one or more ofnozzle axis 364,cyclone axis 484, andmotor axis 540. In the illustrated embodiment,connector axis 274 is parallel tonozzle axis 364,cyclone axis 484, andmotor axis 540. Part or all of theaccessory power connector 144 may extend forwardly of thebin assembly 241. Accordingly, when a cleaning tool is connected to theair treatment member 112, the cleaning tool is connected in air flow communication with the air treatment member 112 (e.g., via the inlet 128) and (e.g., concurrently) the cleaning tool is electrically connected to the air treatment member 112 (e.g., via connector 144). - In some embodiments, the
surface cleaning apparatus 100 may include one or more electrical conductors orcables 590 which extend fromelectrical connector 144, e.g., rearwardly, to electrically couple accessoryelectrical connector 144 with a source of power (e.g., thepower cord 201 in the illustrated example or one or more on board energy storage members). The source of power is in themain body 108, and thecables 590 extend rearwardly through thebin assembly 241 andfurther cables 590 extend through the main body to the source of power. - The
air treatment member 112 and/orbin assembly 241 includes an air treatment memberelectrical connector 282 to electrically couple theair treatment member 112 and/orbin assembly 241 and themain body 108. Themain body 108 includes a main bodyelectrical connector 283 to be coupled to the air treatment memberelectrical connector 282 of theair treatment member 112 and/or bin assembly 241 (connectors FIG. 34 ), to electrically join theaccessory power connector 144 mounted to the removeableair treatment member 112 and/orbin assembly 241 to the source of power in the main body 108 (e.g., to couple thecables 590 in the bin to thecables 590 in the body 108). - The body
electrical connector 283 may extend from or be adjacent to a surface of the main body that abuts a surface of the air treatment member when theair treatment member 112 and/orbin assembly 241 is mounted to thebody 108 in air flow communication with thebody 108. Similarly, the binelectrical connector 282 may extend from or be adjacent to a surface of thebin 112 and/orbin assembly 241 that abuts a surface of thebody 108 when theair treatment member 112 is mounted to thebody 108 in air flow communication with thebody 108. The binelectrical connector 282 may be directed rearwardly from thebin assembly 241, and thebody connector 283 may be directed forwardly from thebody 108. Accordingly, theair treatment member 112 and/orbin assembly 241 is concurrently connectable in air flow communication with themain body 108 and electrically connectable to themain body 108 when theair treatment member 112 and/orbin assembly 241 is mounted to themain body 108. It will be appreciated that the binelectrical connector 282 and the bodyelectrical connector 283 may be provided at any location which enables the binelectrical connector 282 and the bodyelectrical connector 283 to be electrically connected to each other when thebin 112 and/orbin assembly 241 is mounted to themain body 108. - The
accessory power connector 144 and the main bodyelectrical connector 283 may each be a female connector, and the air treatment memberelectrical connector 282 may be a male connector. However, it will be appreciated that any other combination of male and female connectors may be used, and, in some examples, there may be multipleaccessory power connectors 144,main body connectors 283, and/or airtreatment member connectors 282. If theaccessory power connector 144 and/or themain body connector 283 is a male connector, thesurface cleaning apparatus 100 may include a switch to turn off power to theaccessory power connector 144 and/or themain body connector 283. - The
accessory power connector 144 may be on an openable door of theair treatment member 112. As exemplified inFIG. 21 , anair treatment member 112 may have an openable door 472 (e.g., an openable front door or end). In some examples, theaccessory power connector 144 is mounted on an openable door such asdoor 472 of the embodiment shown inFIG. 21 . - As exemplified in
FIG. 32 , thesurface cleaning apparatus 100 may include aninlet conduit 128 having thedirty air inlet 116, and the accessoryelectrical connector 144 may be provided adjacent theinlet conduit 128. Theinlet conduit 128 may be provided at anupper end 123 of thesurface cleaning apparatus 100. - As exemplified in
FIGS. 32 and 33 , the binelectrical connector 282 may be provided at alower end 125 of theair treatment member 112 and/or thebin assembly 241.Electrical connectors air treatment member 112 may be on opposite sides (e.g., lateral sides) of the surface cleaning apparatus. For example, theelectrical connectors air treatment member 112 may be on opposite sides of a vertical line through the centre of gravity and/or on opposite sides of a horizontal line through the centre of gravity. Maneuverability may be facilitated by having theelectrical connectors - It will be understood that the
connectors connectors more connector - The electrical conductors or
cables 590 may take any suitable path through thebin assembly 241 and/ormain body 108. Theair treatment member 112 compriseselectrical conductors 590 that extend along or through a portion of theair treatment member 112 from the air treatment memberelectrical connector 282 to the cleaning toolelectrical connector 144. Optionally at least a portion of theelectrical conductors 590 extending along an outer surface 291 of the walls of thecyclone chamber 160 and/or thedirt collection chamber 164. - As illustrated in
FIG. 32 , theair treatment member 112 may compriseelectrical conductors 590 that extend along a front end of thebin assembly 241. For example, the electrical connectors may extend along an outer surface of afront end 121 of theair treatment member 112. Theelectrical conductors 590 also extend along alower end 125 of theair treatment member 112. Theelectrical conductors 590 may extend along an outer surface of a bottom end of thedirt collector 164. Thebin assembly 241 includes acover 298 mounted to theair treatment member 112 to overly thatelectrical conductors 590 if the electrical conductors extend over outer surfaces of the air treatment member 112 (e.g., outer surfaces of the dirt chamber or cyclone chamber). - As illustrated in
FIG. 32 , theconductors 590 extend from thecord 201 up through the handle 108 (i.e., the hand grip portion 219), into themotor housing 156 through agrommet 294 to themotor 152 to supply power to themotor 152. Theelectrical conductors 590 also extend from themotor 152 out of themotor housing 156 through thegrommet 294 then between themotor housing 156 and the outer housing ofmain body 108, through ableed valve housing 296, out of thebleed valve housing 296 through an aperture and then between thepremotor filter housing 208 and the outer housing of themain body 108 to thebody connector 283. It will be appreciated that theelectrical conductors 590 in themain body 108 may follow any route through themain body 108. - The
body connector 283 couples to thebin connector 282 to supply power to thebin connector 282. Electrical conductors extend from thebin connecter 282 along, e.g., an outer surface of the walls of thedirt chamber 164 at the bottom end of thedirt chamber 164 to the front of thedirt chamber 164, and then up an outer surface of thedirt assembly 164 at the front of thedirt chamber 164 and up an outer surface of the walls of thecyclone chamber 160 at a front end of thecyclone chamber 160 to theaccessory power connector 144. Along the outer surfaces of the walls of thedirt chamber 164 andcyclone chamber 160, theconductors 590 are optionally covered by anouter cover 298 of thebin assembly 241. - If the
rear end 133 of theair treatment member 112 is openable, then no electrical conductors may extend across therear end 133. For example, therear end 133 of theair treatment member 112 may include anopenable door 300. The door 300 (FIGS. 33 to 37 ) may be pivotally secured to theair treatment member 112, and moveable between an operating position (FIGS. 33 and 34 ) and an emptying position (FIGS. 36 and 37 ). As illustrated inFIG. 35 , thedoor 300 may be secured by alatch 302 inside theflange 242. Anactuator 303 within theflange 242 may be accessible when thebin assembly 241 and/orair treatment member 112 is removed from the main body 108 (e.g., and not accessible when thebin assembly 241 and/orair treatment member 112 is not removed from the main body 108). - In the emptying position one or both of the
cyclone chamber 160 and thedirt collection chamber 164 may be opened to remove dirt. In some examples, opening therear door 300 also opens the dirt outlet 188 (e.g., moves one wall defining a part of a perimeter of thedirt outlet 188 away from another wall defining another portion of the perimeter of the dirt outlet 188). It will be appreciated that, optionally, thebin connector 282 may be part of the openablerear end 133. - The electrical conductors or
cables 590 may be any electrical connector such as wires. Alternately, they may be flat conductors. Theelectrical conductors 590 may comprise flat conductors that have a height and a width perpendicular to the height, wherein the height and the width are dimensioned in a plane that is perpendicular to an extension direction of the conductor, and the width is the longest distance across the conductor in the plane and the height is perpendicular to the width. Theelectrical conductors 590 may have a depth (e.g., a height) in a direction that extends in an outward direction to a wall of a portion of theair treatment member 112 and a width in a direction parallel to a wall of the portion of theair treatment member 112 and the width is greater than the depth or height. For example, if as exemplified inFIG. 32 , theelectrical conductors 590 extends along the surface to whichreference numeral 292 points inFIG. 34 , then the height is in the forward direction and the width is in the lateral, side to side, direction). One or more conductor of thesurface cleaning apparatus 100 may have a height of 0.01-5 mm, 0.5-5 mm, 0.5-3 mm or 1-3 mm. One or more conductor of thesurface cleaning apparatus 100 may have a width of 0.25-15 mm, 1-10 mm, or 2-7 mm. Using a flat conductor may allow for sharper bends in a conduction path. - While the above description provides examples of the embodiments, it will be appreciated that some features and/or functions of the described embodiments are susceptible to modification without departing from the spirit and principles of operation of the described embodiments. Accordingly, what has been described above has been intended to be illustrative of the invention and non-limiting and it will be understood by persons skilled in the art that other variants and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims appended hereto. The scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments and examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.
Claims (20)
1. A hand vacuum cleaner comprising:
(a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet;
(b) a main body comprising a handle, the main body housing a suction motor and fan assembly that is positioned in the air flow path; and,
(c) an air treatment member removably mounted to the main body, the air treatment member having an air treatment chamber that is positioned in the air flow path when the air treatment member is mounted to the main body and a cleaning tool electrical connector;
whereby, when a cleaning tool is connected to the air treatment member, the cleaning tool is connected in air flow communication with the air treatment member and the cleaning tool is electrically connected to the air treatment member.
2. The hand vacuum cleaner of claim 1 wherein the cleaning tool is concurrently connectable in air flow communication with the air treatment member and electrically connectable to the air treatment member when the cleaning tool is connected to the air treatment member.
3. The hand vacuum cleaner of claim 1 wherein the main body has a main body electrical connector, and the air treatment member has an air treatment member electrical connector wherein the air treatment member electrical connector is disconnected from the main body electrical connector when the air treatment member is removed from the main body.
4. The hand vacuum cleaner of claim 3 wherein the air treatment member is concurrently connectable in air flow communication with the main body and electrically connectable to the main body when the air treatment member is mounted to the main body.
5. The hand vacuum cleaner of claim 1 wherein the hand vacuum cleaner comprises an inlet conduit having the dirty air inlet and the cleaning tool electrical connector is provided adjacent the inlet conduit.
6. The hand vacuum cleaner of claim 4 wherein the hand vacuum cleaner comprises an inlet conduit having the dirty air inlet, the inlet conduit is provided at an upper end of the hand vacuum cleaner, the cleaning tool electrical connector is provided adjacent the inlet conduit and the air treatment member electrical connector is provided at a lower end of the air treatment member.
7. The hand vacuum cleaner of claim 6 wherein the air treatment member electrical connector is provided at a lower end of the hand vacuum cleaner.
8. The hand vacuum cleaner of claim 6 wherein the inlet conduit is provided at a front end of the hand vacuum cleaner and the air treatment member comprises electrical conductors that extend from the air treatment member electrical connector to the cleaning tool electrical connector and at least a portion of the electrical conductors extend along a front end of the air treatment member.
9. The hand vacuum cleaner of claim 8 wherein the electrical conductors also extend along a lower end of the air treatment member.
10. The hand vacuum cleaner of claim 8 wherein a rear end of the air treatment member is openable.
11. The hand vacuum cleaner of claim 3 wherein the air treatment member comprises electrical conductors that extend along a portion of the air treatment member from the air treatment member electrical connector to the cleaning tool electrical connector and the electrical conductors comprise flat conductors that have a depth in a direction that extends in an outward direction to the portion of the air treatment member and a width in a direction parallel to a wall of the portion of the air treatment member and the width is greater than the depth.
12. The hand vacuum cleaner of claim 11 wherein the depth is 0.01-5 mm, optionally 1-3 mm and the width is 1-10 mm, optionally 2-7.
13. A surface cleaning apparatus comprising:
(a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet with a suction motor and fan assembly positioned in the air flow path;
(b) a main body comprising a main body electrical connector; and,
(c) an air treatment member removably mounted to the main body, the air treatment member having an air treatment chamber that is positioned in the air flow path when the air treatment member is mounted to the main body, an air treatment member electrical connector and a cleaning tool electrical connector;
whereby, when a cleaning tool is connected to the air treatment member, the cleaning tool is connected in air flow communication with the air treatment member and the cleaning tool is electrically connected to the cleaning tool electrical connector and,
wherein the air treatment member electrical connector is connectable to the main body electrical connector when the air treatment member is mounted to the main body.
14. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 13 wherein the cleaning tool is concurrently connectable in air flow communication with the air treatment member and electrically connectable to the air treatment member when the cleaning tool is connected to the air treatment member.
15. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 13 wherein the air treatment member is concurrently connectable in air flow communication with the main body and electrically connectable to the main body when the air treatment member is mounted to the main body.
16. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 13 wherein the air treatment member comprises electrical conductors that extend from the air treatment member electrical connector to the cleaning tool electrical connector and at least a portion of the electrical conductors extends along an outer surface of the air treatment member.
17. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 13 wherein the air treatment member comprises electrical conductors that extend along a portion of the air treatment member from the air treatment member electrical connector to the cleaning tool electrical connector and the electrical conductors comprise flat conductors that have a depth in a direction that extends in an outward direction to the portion of the air treatment member and a width in a direction parallel to a wall of the portion of the air treatment member and the width is greater than the depth.
18. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 17 wherein the depth is 0.01-5 mm, optionally 1-3 mm and the width is 1-10 mm, optionally 2-7.
19. A surface cleaning apparatus comprising:
(a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet with a suction motor and fan assembly positioned in the air flow path;
(b) a main body comprising a main body electrical connector;
(c) an air treatment member having an air treatment chamber that is positioned in the air flow path when the air treatment member is mounted to the main body;
(d) a cleaning tool electrical connector; and,
(e) electrical conductors that connect the cleaning tool electrical connector to a source of power in the surface cleaning apparatus, and the electrical conductors extend longitudinally and comprise flat conductors that have a depth in a first direction transverse to the longitudinal direction and a width in a second direction transverse to the longitudinal direction, and the width is greater than the depth.
20. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 19 wherein the depth is 0.01-5 mm, optionally 1-3 mm and the width is 1-10 mm, optionally 2-7.
Priority Applications (5)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US17/458,195 US20210401246A1 (en) | 2016-04-11 | 2021-08-26 | Surface cleaning apparatus |
US17/576,347 US11857142B2 (en) | 2006-12-15 | 2022-01-14 | Surface cleaning apparatus having an energy storage member and a charger for an energy storage member |
US17/719,197 US11779174B2 (en) | 2016-04-11 | 2022-04-12 | Surface cleaning apparatus |
US18/378,561 US11918170B2 (en) | 2016-04-11 | 2023-10-10 | Surface cleaning apparatus |
US18/378,537 US11896186B1 (en) | 2016-04-11 | 2023-10-10 | Surface cleaning apparatus |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US15/095,941 US10258208B2 (en) | 2016-04-11 | 2016-04-11 | Surface cleaning apparatus |
US16/270,693 US11202539B2 (en) | 2016-04-11 | 2019-02-08 | Surface cleaning apparatus |
US17/458,195 US20210401246A1 (en) | 2016-04-11 | 2021-08-26 | Surface cleaning apparatus |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US16/270,693 Continuation-In-Part US11202539B2 (en) | 2006-12-15 | 2019-02-08 | Surface cleaning apparatus |
Related Child Applications (5)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US16/280,930 Continuation-In-Part US20200260924A1 (en) | 2006-12-15 | 2019-02-20 | Surface cleaning apparatus having an energy storage member and a charger for an energy storage member |
US17/719,197 Continuation US11779174B2 (en) | 2016-04-11 | 2022-04-12 | Surface cleaning apparatus |
US18/346,834 Continuation US20230337874A1 (en) | 2016-04-11 | 2023-07-04 | Handheld surface cleaning apparatus |
US18/378,561 Continuation US11918170B2 (en) | 2016-04-11 | 2023-10-10 | Surface cleaning apparatus |
US18/378,537 Continuation US11896186B1 (en) | 2016-04-11 | 2023-10-10 | Surface cleaning apparatus |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20210401246A1 true US20210401246A1 (en) | 2021-12-30 |
Family
ID=79032852
Family Applications (3)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US17/458,195 Pending US20210401246A1 (en) | 2006-12-15 | 2021-08-26 | Surface cleaning apparatus |
US17/719,197 Active US11779174B2 (en) | 2016-04-11 | 2022-04-12 | Surface cleaning apparatus |
US18/378,537 Active US11896186B1 (en) | 2016-04-11 | 2023-10-10 | Surface cleaning apparatus |
Family Applications After (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US17/719,197 Active US11779174B2 (en) | 2016-04-11 | 2022-04-12 | Surface cleaning apparatus |
US18/378,537 Active US11896186B1 (en) | 2016-04-11 | 2023-10-10 | Surface cleaning apparatus |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (3) | US20210401246A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20230172407A1 (en) * | 2018-04-20 | 2023-06-08 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Surface cleaning apparatus |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3546656A (en) * | 1969-04-02 | 1970-12-08 | Amp Inc | Electrical connector assembly |
US20100115726A1 (en) * | 2008-10-22 | 2010-05-13 | Timothy Groff | Handheld vacuum cleaner |
CN108402988A (en) * | 2018-03-06 | 2018-08-17 | 江苏美的清洁电器股份有限公司 | Clean machine |
Family Cites Families (460)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US911258A (en) | 1904-08-31 | 1909-02-02 | Firm Of Kakao Cie Theodor Reichardt Ges Mit Beschraenkter Haftung | Sifter for pulverulent material. |
US1600762A (en) | 1926-06-28 | 1926-09-21 | Hawley Charles Gilbert | Process of separation and apparatus therefor |
US1797812A (en) | 1928-09-04 | 1931-03-24 | Ass Lead Mfg Ltd | Apparatus for separating suspended matter from fluids |
US1940609A (en) | 1928-09-17 | 1933-12-19 | Arthur Koenreich | Vacuum cleaner |
US1937765A (en) | 1930-10-15 | 1933-12-05 | Quadrex Corp | Vacuum cleaner |
US2152114A (en) | 1931-08-17 | 1939-03-28 | Hermannus Van Tongeren | Dust separator |
GB374382A (en) | 1931-12-31 | 1932-06-09 | William Alexander | Improvements in appliances for centrifugally purifying gases, vapours and steam |
BE406007A (en) | 1933-08-10 | |||
US2542634A (en) | 1947-11-29 | 1951-02-20 | Apex Electrical Mfg Co | Dust separator |
US2678110A (en) | 1951-02-12 | 1954-05-11 | Walter M Madsen | Cyclone separator |
GB700791A (en) | 1951-08-03 | 1953-12-09 | English Electric Co Ltd | Improvements in and relating to dust separators |
BE515137A (en) | 1951-11-04 | |||
US2981369A (en) | 1951-11-23 | 1961-04-25 | Bituminous Coal Research | Vortical whirl separator |
US2731102A (en) | 1952-05-09 | 1956-01-17 | Fram Corp | Apparatus for removing heavy dust from air |
GB796886A (en) | 1955-01-20 | 1958-06-18 | Walter Jordan | Gas separator for fuel decanting installations |
US2917131A (en) | 1955-04-11 | 1959-12-15 | Shell Dev | Cyclone separator |
US2913111A (en) | 1955-05-13 | 1959-11-17 | Harvestaire Inc | Open section louver for material separating apparatus |
LU34342A1 (en) | 1955-05-26 | |||
US2942692A (en) | 1956-07-02 | 1960-06-28 | Benz August | Appliance for lifting loads |
US2942691A (en) | 1956-09-27 | 1960-06-28 | Watts Regulator Co | Air line filter |
US2937713A (en) | 1957-01-11 | 1960-05-24 | Us Hoffman Machinery Corp | Vacuum cleaner |
US2946451A (en) | 1957-02-14 | 1960-07-26 | Pacific Pumping Company | Apparatus for separating entrained particles from liquids |
US2952330A (en) | 1958-03-12 | 1960-09-13 | Charles A Winslow | Centrifugal-type fluid purifier |
US3130157A (en) | 1958-12-15 | 1964-04-21 | Denis F Kelsall | Hydro-cyclones |
US3032954A (en) | 1959-11-20 | 1962-05-08 | Carl E Racklyeft | Suction cleaner |
US3085221A (en) | 1960-09-27 | 1963-04-09 | Cannon Electric Co | Connector with selectivity key |
US3204772A (en) | 1962-06-21 | 1965-09-07 | Pacific Pumping Company | Sand separator |
US3217469A (en) | 1963-03-21 | 1965-11-16 | John S Eckert | Feed device for gas-and-liquid contact tower |
US3200568A (en) | 1963-09-06 | 1965-08-17 | Dalph C Mcneil | Flash separator |
US3269097A (en) | 1964-01-27 | 1966-08-30 | Aro Corp | Airline filter |
DE1282872B (en) | 1965-04-29 | 1968-11-14 | Siemens Elektrogeraete Gmbh | Dust separator for vacuum cleaner |
US3320727A (en) | 1965-08-02 | 1967-05-23 | Mitchell Co John E | Portable vacuum cleaning machine |
US3372532A (en) | 1965-08-17 | 1968-03-12 | Centrifix Corp | Dry separator |
US3477087A (en) | 1967-06-19 | 1969-11-11 | Bon Aire Ind Inc | Vacuum cleaner |
US3426513A (en) | 1967-11-13 | 1969-02-11 | Kurt Bauer | Vehicular vortex cyclone type air and gas purifying device |
US3543325A (en) | 1967-12-22 | 1970-12-01 | Jl Products Inc | Vacuum cleaning system with waste collection remote from suction fan |
US3561824A (en) | 1968-05-22 | 1971-02-09 | Virgil A Homan | Cone separator |
US3518815A (en) | 1968-05-24 | 1970-07-07 | Environmental Research Corp | Aerosol sampler |
US3530649A (en) | 1968-06-28 | 1970-09-29 | Fred W Porsch | Air pollution control device for engines |
US3582616A (en) | 1968-10-29 | 1971-06-01 | Watlow Electric Mfg Co | Electrical heaters |
US3684093A (en) | 1969-08-13 | 1972-08-15 | Ashizawa Iron Works Co Ltd | Method and apparatus for separating particles from particle-laden fluid |
US3675401A (en) | 1970-04-13 | 1972-07-11 | Exxon Research Engineering Co | Cyclones to lessen fouling |
US3822533A (en) | 1972-03-04 | 1974-07-09 | Nederlandse Gasunie Nv | Device for removing impurities from gases |
US4744958A (en) | 1972-05-12 | 1988-05-17 | Pircon Ladislav J | Heterogeneous reactor |
FR2215995B1 (en) | 1973-02-07 | 1976-11-05 | Percevaut Emile | |
US3988133A (en) | 1973-11-19 | 1976-10-26 | Alpha Sheet Metal Works, Inc. | Cyclone apparatus |
NL177187C (en) | 1974-01-16 | 1985-08-16 | Nederlandse Gasunie Nv | DEVICE FOR SEPARATING POLLUTANTS FROM GASES. |
US3898068A (en) | 1974-05-31 | 1975-08-05 | John A Mcneil | Cyclonic separator |
SE435453B (en) | 1976-02-27 | 1984-10-01 | Filtrator Ab | Separator with disposable container |
CH611176A5 (en) | 1976-03-26 | 1979-05-31 | Sulzer Ag | Water separator of the cyclone type for a steam/water mixture |
EP0004145B1 (en) | 1978-02-28 | 1984-07-11 | Fred Mellor | Fluid/particle separator unit |
US4236903A (en) | 1978-07-17 | 1980-12-02 | Malmsten Sven O | Air cleaner |
US4218805A (en) | 1978-11-03 | 1980-08-26 | Vax Appliances Limited | Apparatus for cleaning floors, carpets and the like |
GB2035787B (en) | 1978-11-11 | 1982-10-13 | L & H Designs Ltd & Merritt H | Suction cleaning device |
US4187088A (en) | 1979-01-18 | 1980-02-05 | Maloney-Crawford Corporation | Down flow centrifugal separator |
US4373228A (en) | 1979-04-19 | 1983-02-15 | James Dyson | Vacuum cleaning appliances |
DE2953674C2 (en) | 1979-05-23 | 1986-04-24 | Teijin Ltd., Osaka | Process for the preparation of human immunogammaglobulin derivatives |
US4307485A (en) | 1979-09-04 | 1981-12-29 | Black & Decker Inc. | Air-powered vacuum cleaner floor tool |
US4279355A (en) | 1980-04-11 | 1981-07-21 | Rite Autotronics Corporation | Twist-lock container |
HU179869B (en) | 1980-05-29 | 1982-12-28 | Malom Es Suetoipari Kutatoin | Cyclone with double separation |
EP0042723B1 (en) | 1980-06-19 | 1985-08-21 | Rotork Appliances Limited | Vacuum cleaning appliance |
US4389307A (en) | 1981-06-22 | 1983-06-21 | Queen's University At Kingston | Arrangement of multiple fluid cyclones |
US4486207A (en) | 1981-06-22 | 1984-12-04 | Atlantic Richfield Company | Apparatus for reducing attrition of particulate matter in a chemical conversion process |
USD280033S (en) | 1983-03-10 | 1985-08-06 | Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. | Vacuum cleaner |
US4494270A (en) | 1983-03-25 | 1985-01-22 | Electrolux Corporation | Vacuum cleaner wand |
JPS60220027A (en) | 1984-04-13 | 1985-11-02 | 松下電器産業株式会社 | Electric cleaner |
US4704765A (en) | 1984-06-11 | 1987-11-10 | Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha | Portable vacuum cleaner |
US4905342A (en) | 1984-06-11 | 1990-03-06 | Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha | Portable vacuum cleaner |
USD290894S (en) | 1984-06-27 | 1987-07-14 | Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. | Vacuum cleaner |
US4523936A (en) | 1984-07-25 | 1985-06-18 | Disanza William G Jun | Separation-chamber means |
US4586624A (en) | 1984-08-07 | 1986-05-06 | Bondico, Inc. | Method and device for heat sealing thermoplastics materials |
JPS61131720A (en) | 1984-11-30 | 1986-06-19 | 東芝テック株式会社 | Electric cleaner |
US4853111A (en) | 1985-04-22 | 1989-08-01 | Hri, Inc. | Two-stage co-processing of coal/oil feedstocks |
CN85201464U (en) | 1985-05-20 | 1986-02-26 | 夏普公司 | Portable cleaner |
USD298875S (en) | 1985-06-18 | 1988-12-06 | ToyotomiKogyo Co., Ltd. | Vacuum cleaner |
USD303173S (en) | 1985-11-20 | 1989-08-29 | Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. | Vacuum cleaner |
US4678588A (en) | 1986-02-03 | 1987-07-07 | Shortt William C | Continuous flow centrifugal separation |
US4700429A (en) | 1986-10-23 | 1987-10-20 | Whirlpool Corporation | Quick release wand for cannister vacuum cleaner |
JPS63246116A (en) | 1987-04-02 | 1988-10-13 | 松下電器産業株式会社 | Upright electric cleaner |
US5035024A (en) | 1987-07-24 | 1991-07-30 | Emerson Electric Co. | Portable wet/dry vacuum cleaner and recharging base |
US4778494A (en) | 1987-07-29 | 1988-10-18 | Atlantic Richfield Company | Cyclone inlet flow diverter for separator vessels |
US4853008A (en) | 1988-07-27 | 1989-08-01 | Notetry Limited | Combined disc and shroud for dual cyclonic cleaning apparatus |
US5230722A (en) | 1988-11-29 | 1993-07-27 | Amway Corporation | Vacuum filter |
CA1313578C (en) | 1989-01-12 | 1993-02-16 | Kal Usmani | Central vacuum cleaner with detachable filter assembly |
US5129125A (en) | 1989-10-30 | 1992-07-14 | Komatsu Zenoah Company | Cleaning machine |
AU112778S (en) | 1990-03-30 | 1991-11-06 | General Equity Ltd | Blade |
US5080697A (en) | 1990-04-03 | 1992-01-14 | Nutone, Inc. | Draw-down cyclonic vacuum cleaner |
US5078761A (en) | 1990-07-06 | 1992-01-07 | Notetry Limited | Shroud |
US5090976A (en) | 1990-09-21 | 1992-02-25 | Notetry Limited | Dual cyclonic vacuum cleaner with disposable liner |
JPH04164422A (en) | 1990-10-30 | 1992-06-10 | Azuma Kogyo Kk | Vacuum cleaner |
AU643843B2 (en) | 1990-11-05 | 1993-11-25 | Halliburton Company | Method and composition for acidizing subterranean formations |
NL9002668A (en) | 1990-12-05 | 1992-07-01 | Philips Nv | VACUUM CLEANER. |
US5139652A (en) | 1990-12-31 | 1992-08-18 | A. Ahlstrom Corporation | Centrifugal cleaner |
US5224238A (en) | 1991-04-18 | 1993-07-06 | Ryobi Motor Products Corp. | Horizontal canister vacuum |
US5267371A (en) | 1992-02-19 | 1993-12-07 | Iona Appliances Inc. | Cyclonic back-pack vacuum cleaner |
ATE163521T1 (en) | 1992-03-30 | 1998-03-15 | Racine Ind Inc | CARPET CLEANING MACHINE FOR PARTICLE REMOVAL |
US5287591A (en) | 1992-03-30 | 1994-02-22 | Racine Industries, Inc. | Carpet cleaning machine with convertible-use feature |
US5254019A (en) | 1992-07-08 | 1993-10-19 | Burndy Corporation | Configurable coded electrical plug and socket |
US5379483A (en) | 1992-07-21 | 1995-01-10 | Bissell, Inc. | Vacuum cleaner having a tool attached to the nozzle |
DE4232382C1 (en) | 1992-09-26 | 1994-03-24 | Pbs Pulverbeschichtungs Und Sp | Dust-separator with cyclone - has eddy-centring component secured by meshwork held at outlet edge and coarser than largest particle to be separated |
US5309601A (en) | 1992-10-16 | 1994-05-10 | White Consolidated Industries, Inc. | Vacuum cleaner with improved assembly |
DE9216071U1 (en) | 1992-11-26 | 1993-01-14 | Electrostar Schoettle Gmbh & Co, 7313 Reichenbach, De | |
US5347679A (en) | 1993-01-07 | 1994-09-20 | Royal Appliance Mfg. Co. | Stick type vacuum cleaner |
USD353917S (en) | 1993-04-23 | 1994-12-27 | Electrolux Corporation | Combined vacuum cleaner handle and wand |
US5367740A (en) | 1993-07-21 | 1994-11-29 | Mccray; Kimothy R. | Hand-held surface cleaning apparatus |
GB2282979B (en) | 1993-10-22 | 1997-10-08 | Paul James Huyton | Particle collection systems |
US5481780A (en) | 1994-01-12 | 1996-01-09 | Daneshvar; Yousef | Clean air vacuum cleaners |
US5504970A (en) | 1994-06-24 | 1996-04-09 | The Scott Fetzer Company | Hand-held vacuum cleaner |
MY112609A (en) | 1994-12-21 | 2001-07-31 | Dyson Technology Ltd | Improved dust separation apparatus |
DE19504275C2 (en) | 1995-02-09 | 2000-02-10 | Bruker Daltonik Gmbh | Virtual impactor with slit-shaped nozzles |
US5599365A (en) | 1995-03-03 | 1997-02-04 | Ingersoll-Rand Company | Mechanical fluid separator |
GB2298598A (en) | 1995-03-07 | 1996-09-11 | Notetry Ltd | Cyclone dust separator for vacuum cleaner with dust-settling fins or baffles |
JPH08289861A (en) | 1995-04-21 | 1996-11-05 | Hitachi Ltd | Electric vacuum cleaner and suction port therefor |
USD380033S (en) | 1995-06-26 | 1997-06-17 | B&W Nuclear Technologies | Nozzle plate |
US6071095A (en) | 1995-10-20 | 2000-06-06 | Harvest Technologies Corporation | Container with integral pump platen |
JP2000505662A (en) | 1995-12-04 | 2000-05-16 | エレクトロラックス ハウスホールド アプライアンシズ リミティド | Vacuum cleaner |
US5893938A (en) | 1995-12-20 | 1999-04-13 | Notetry Limited | Dust separation apparatus |
JP3170443B2 (en) | 1996-01-09 | 2001-05-28 | ユニ・チャーム株式会社 | Cleaning tools |
US5839157A (en) | 1996-05-06 | 1998-11-24 | Elgin Sweeper Company | Street sweeper pick-up head |
US6080022A (en) | 1996-06-28 | 2000-06-27 | Intel Corporation | Multivoltage keyed electrical connector |
US5755096A (en) | 1996-07-15 | 1998-05-26 | Holleyman; John E. | Filtered fuel gas for pressurized fluid engine systems |
US5915814A (en) | 1996-08-30 | 1999-06-29 | Hydrofuser Technologies, Inc. | Cyclonic dryer |
SE509696C2 (en) | 1996-09-04 | 1999-02-22 | Electrolux Ab | Separation device for a vacuum cleaner |
DE19651477C2 (en) | 1996-12-11 | 2000-07-20 | Thomas Robert Metall Elektro | Electric handheld vacuum cleaner |
SE508133C2 (en) | 1996-12-18 | 1998-08-31 | Electrolux Ab | Additive device for a vacuum cleaner |
WO1998043721A1 (en) | 1997-04-01 | 1998-10-08 | Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. | Separator device provided with a cyclone chamber with a centrifugal unit, and vacuum cleaner provided with such a separator device |
GB9817071D0 (en) | 1997-11-04 | 1998-10-07 | Bhr Group Ltd | Cyclone separator |
US6071321A (en) | 1997-11-26 | 2000-06-06 | Westinghouse Air Brake Company | E-1 air dryer liquid separator with baffle |
EP1052924B1 (en) | 1998-01-09 | 2010-03-24 | Royal Appliance Manufacturing Co. | Upright vacuum cleaner with cyclonic airflow |
US6345408B1 (en) | 1998-07-28 | 2002-02-12 | Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha | Electric vacuum cleaner and nozzle unit therefor |
JP2000140533A (en) | 1998-11-10 | 2000-05-23 | Shintoo Fine Kk | Filter for capturing/separating fine dust and capturing/ separating of fine dust using this filter |
GB2344745B (en) | 1998-12-18 | 2002-06-05 | Notetry Ltd | Vacuum cleaner |
GB2344751B (en) | 1998-12-18 | 2002-01-09 | Notetry Ltd | Vacuum cleaner |
US6238451B1 (en) | 1999-01-08 | 2001-05-29 | Fantom Technologies Inc. | Vacuum cleaner |
US6782585B1 (en) | 1999-01-08 | 2004-08-31 | Fantom Technologies Inc. | Upright vacuum cleaner with cyclonic air flow |
US6210469B1 (en) | 1999-02-26 | 2001-04-03 | Donaldson Company, Inc. | Air filter arrangement having first and second filter media dividing a housing and methods |
GB9916759D0 (en) | 1999-07-17 | 1999-09-15 | Black & Decker Inc | Improvements in vacuum cleaners |
JP3476066B2 (en) | 1999-07-19 | 2003-12-10 | シャープ株式会社 | Electric vacuum cleaner |
US6228260B1 (en) | 1999-07-27 | 2001-05-08 | G. B. D. Corp. | Apparatus for separating particles from a cyclonic fluid flow |
US6221134B1 (en) | 1999-07-27 | 2001-04-24 | G.B.D. Corp. | Apparatus and method for separating particles from a cyclonic fluid flow |
CN1376091A (en) | 1999-07-27 | 2002-10-23 | G·B·D·公司 | Apparatus and method for separating particles from a cyclonic fluid flow |
US6251296B1 (en) | 1999-07-27 | 2001-06-26 | G.B.D. Corp. | Apparatus and method for separating particles from a cyclonic fluid flow |
US6231645B1 (en) | 1999-07-27 | 2001-05-15 | G.B.D. Corp. | Apparatus and method for separating particles from a cyclonic fluid flow utilizing a movable access member associated with a cyclonic separator |
US6440197B1 (en) | 1999-07-27 | 2002-08-27 | G.B.D. Corp. | Apparatus and method separating particles from a cyclonic fluid flow including an apertured particle separation member within a cyclonic flow region |
US6560818B1 (en) | 1999-10-08 | 2003-05-13 | Production Metal Forming, Inc. | Carpet cleaning wand boot |
GB2355391A (en) | 1999-10-20 | 2001-04-25 | Notetry Ltd | Cyclonic vacuum cleaner with a horizontal, or substantially horizontal, separator |
JP3977967B2 (en) | 1999-10-22 | 2007-09-19 | 株式会社日立製作所 | Electric vacuum cleaner |
AU146111S (en) | 1999-11-25 | 2001-11-30 | Sharp Kk | Vacuum cleaner |
US6599350B1 (en) | 1999-12-20 | 2003-07-29 | Hi-Stat Manufacturing Company, Inc. | Filtration device for use with a fuel vapor recovery system |
KR100510644B1 (en) | 2000-02-17 | 2005-08-31 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | cyclone dust collector |
AU3333400A (en) | 2000-02-19 | 2001-08-27 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Multi cyclone vacuum cleaner |
US6596044B1 (en) | 2000-03-06 | 2003-07-22 | The Hoover Company | Dirt collecting system for a vacuum cleaner |
JP2001269294A (en) | 2000-03-23 | 2001-10-02 | Sharp Corp | Vacuum cleaner |
DE60121652T2 (en) | 2000-03-24 | 2007-07-26 | Sharp K.K. | Electric vacuum cleaner |
US6434785B1 (en) | 2000-04-19 | 2002-08-20 | Headwaters Research & Development, Inc | Dual filter wet/dry hand-held vacuum cleaner |
JP3457639B2 (en) | 2000-05-04 | 2003-10-20 | エルジー電子株式会社 | Vacuum cleaner |
US20020011050A1 (en) | 2000-05-05 | 2002-01-31 | Hansen Samuel N. | Suction cleaner with cyclonic dirt separation |
US20030159411A1 (en) | 2000-05-05 | 2003-08-28 | Bissell Homecare, Inc. | Cyclonic dirt separation module |
GB2362341B (en) | 2000-05-16 | 2002-12-04 | Samsung Kwangju Electronics Co | Upright-type vacuum cleaner |
US6457205B1 (en) | 2000-05-24 | 2002-10-01 | Fantom Technologies Inc. | Vacuum cleaner having a plurality of power modes |
GB2363744B (en) | 2000-06-24 | 2002-11-13 | Samsung Kwangju Electronics Co | Upright type vacuum cleaner having a cyclone-type dust collector |
KR100437371B1 (en) | 2000-07-26 | 2004-06-25 | 삼성광주전자 주식회사 | Cyclone dust-collecting apparatus for Vaccum Cleaner |
KR100377015B1 (en) | 2000-08-07 | 2003-03-26 | 삼성광주전자 주식회사 | Cyclone dust-collecting apparatus for Vacuum Cleaner |
US6712868B2 (en) | 2000-09-01 | 2004-03-30 | Royal Appliance Mfg. Co. | Bagless canister vacuum cleaner |
WO2002034219A2 (en) | 2000-10-27 | 2002-05-02 | Unilever Plc | Mono and dialkyl quats in hair conditioning compositions |
KR100382451B1 (en) | 2000-11-06 | 2003-05-09 | 삼성광주전자 주식회사 | Cyclone dust-collecting apparatus for vacuum cleaner |
WO2002038025A1 (en) | 2000-11-13 | 2002-05-16 | Matsushita Electric Corporation Of America | Cyclonic vacuum cleaner with filter and filter sweeper |
KR100398685B1 (en) | 2000-11-27 | 2003-09-19 | 삼성광주전자 주식회사 | Cyclone dust-collecting apparatus for vacuum cleaner |
US6514303B2 (en) | 2001-01-09 | 2003-02-04 | Case Corporation | Rotary air screen for a work machine |
KR100437369B1 (en) | 2001-01-10 | 2004-06-25 | 삼성광주전자 주식회사 | Cyclone dust-collecting apparatus for Vacuum Cleaner |
US6868578B1 (en) | 2001-01-11 | 2005-03-22 | Bissell Homecare, Inc. | Upright vacuum cleaner with cyclonic separation |
DE60201666T2 (en) | 2001-02-24 | 2006-06-01 | Dyson Technology Ltd., Malmesbury | COLLECTION CHAMBER FOR A VACUUM CLEANER |
GB0104675D0 (en) | 2001-02-24 | 2001-04-11 | Dyson Ltd | A tool for a vacuum cleaner |
CA2438069C (en) | 2001-02-24 | 2010-07-20 | Dyson Limited | A collecting chamber for a vacuum cleaner |
ES2265492T3 (en) | 2001-02-24 | 2007-02-16 | Dyson Technology Limited | A VACUUM CLEANER. |
KR100392606B1 (en) | 2001-03-24 | 2003-07-23 | 삼성광주전자 주식회사 | cyclone dust-collecting apparatus for vacuum cleaner |
US6732403B2 (en) | 2001-04-07 | 2004-05-11 | Glen E. Moore | Portable cleaning assembly |
KR100412585B1 (en) | 2001-06-01 | 2003-12-31 | 삼성광주전자 주식회사 | Grille assembly for a cyclone-type dust collecting apparatus for a vacuum cleaner |
KR100412584B1 (en) | 2001-06-02 | 2003-12-31 | 삼성광주전자 주식회사 | Grille assembly for a cyclone-type dust collecting apparatus for a vacuum cleaner |
KR100412580B1 (en) | 2001-06-04 | 2003-12-31 | 삼성광주전자 주식회사 | Upright-type vacuum cleaner |
KR100398681B1 (en) | 2001-06-04 | 2003-09-19 | 삼성광주전자 주식회사 | Grille assembly for a cyclone-type dust collecting apparatus for a vacuum cleaner |
JP3674031B2 (en) | 2001-06-19 | 2005-07-20 | ツインバード工業株式会社 | Vacuum cleaner |
US6613129B2 (en) | 2001-06-22 | 2003-09-02 | Euro-Pro Corporation | Cyclone and dust filter vacuum cleaner |
GB2377880A (en) | 2001-07-25 | 2003-01-29 | Black & Decker Inc | Multi-operational battery powered vacuum cleaner |
KR100444552B1 (en) | 2001-09-13 | 2004-08-16 | 삼성광주전자 주식회사 | Cyclone dust collector for vacuum cleaner |
KR100444323B1 (en) | 2001-10-05 | 2004-08-16 | 삼성광주전자 주식회사 | Grille assembly for a cyclone-type dust collecting apparatus for a vacuum cleaner |
US6640383B2 (en) | 2001-12-10 | 2003-11-04 | Samson Tsen | Steam/vacuum cleaning apparatus |
KR100444322B1 (en) | 2001-12-12 | 2004-08-16 | 삼성광주전자 주식회사 | Cyclone dust-collecting apparatus for Vacuum Cleaner |
JP3749173B2 (en) | 2001-12-28 | 2006-02-22 | 三洋電機株式会社 | Dust collector for vacuum cleaner and electric vacuum cleaner |
KR100445651B1 (en) | 2002-01-09 | 2004-08-21 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Cyclone type vacuum cleaner |
KR100445804B1 (en) | 2002-02-27 | 2004-08-25 | 삼성광주전자 주식회사 | Grille assemble for a cyclone-type dust collecting apparatus for a vacuum cleaner |
ES2384612T3 (en) | 2002-04-25 | 2012-07-09 | Panasonic Corporation | Vacuum and vacuum aspiration tool that uses the same |
CN1279869C (en) | 2002-04-28 | 2006-10-18 | 苏州金莱克清洁器具有限公司 | Speed reducing centrifugal duster for cleaner |
US6883202B2 (en) | 2002-05-10 | 2005-04-26 | White Consolidated, Ltd. | Cleaning and tool storage assembly |
KR100437117B1 (en) | 2002-05-16 | 2004-06-23 | 삼성광주전자 주식회사 | Cyclone-type dust collect apparatus for vacuum cleaner |
KR100478641B1 (en) | 2002-06-04 | 2005-03-24 | 삼성광주전자 주식회사 | Cyclone-type dust collect apparatus for vacuum cleaner |
US7152275B2 (en) | 2002-07-18 | 2006-12-26 | Panasonic Corporation Of North America | Dirt container for cyclonic vacuum cleaner |
GB0221512D0 (en) | 2002-09-17 | 2002-10-23 | North John H | Improved separation apparatus |
KR100456174B1 (en) | 2002-09-24 | 2004-11-09 | 삼성광주전자 주식회사 | Wet and dry vacuum cleaner |
US6896719B2 (en) | 2002-09-26 | 2005-05-24 | The Hoover Company | Dirt collecting system for a floor care appliance |
JP2004121722A (en) | 2002-10-07 | 2004-04-22 | Sanyo Electric Co Ltd | Dust collector and vacuum cleaner using the same |
DE10248087B4 (en) | 2002-10-15 | 2011-05-19 | BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH | Vacuum cleaner with a removable dust collector |
EP1554965B1 (en) | 2002-10-31 | 2011-08-31 | Toshiba TEC Kabushiki Kaisha | Electric cleaner |
US7653963B2 (en) | 2002-11-12 | 2010-02-02 | Black & Decker Inc. | AC/DC hand portable wet/dry vacuum having improved portability and convenience |
KR100476423B1 (en) | 2002-11-15 | 2005-03-17 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Dust and dirt collecting unit for vacuum cleaner |
SE0300355D0 (en) | 2003-02-10 | 2003-02-10 | Electrolux Ab | Hand held vacuum cleaner |
EP1449476B1 (en) | 2003-02-20 | 2008-08-27 | Wessel-Werk Gmbh | Nozzle for smooth surfaces and for textile floor coverings |
US7418763B2 (en) | 2003-02-26 | 2008-09-02 | Black & Decker Inc. | Hand vacuum with filter indicator |
JP3484188B1 (en) | 2003-03-31 | 2004-01-06 | 貴幸 関島 | Steam injection cleaning device |
ITUD20030108A1 (en) | 2003-05-20 | 2004-11-21 | De Longhi Spa | MOTOR UNIT FOR ELECTRIC CLEANING EQUIPMENT. |
KR100471142B1 (en) | 2003-05-21 | 2005-03-10 | 삼성광주전자 주식회사 | Cyclone dust collecting device and vacuum cleaner having the same |
USD498027S1 (en) | 2003-05-29 | 2004-11-02 | Black & Decker Inc. | Power scrubbing device |
KR100526343B1 (en) | 2003-07-21 | 2005-11-08 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Method for manufacturing ink that contains phosphor powder |
US7544224B2 (en) | 2003-08-05 | 2009-06-09 | Electrolux Home Care Products, Inc. | Cyclonic vacuum cleaner |
US20050081321A1 (en) | 2003-10-15 | 2005-04-21 | Milligan Michael A. | Hand-held cordless vacuum cleaner |
US7329294B2 (en) | 2003-10-23 | 2008-02-12 | Polar Light Limited | Dirt container for a surface cleaning apparatus and method of use |
US6929516B2 (en) | 2003-10-28 | 2005-08-16 | 9090-3493 Québec Inc. | Bathing unit controller and connector system therefore |
WO2005053494A2 (en) | 2003-11-26 | 2005-06-16 | Electrolux Home Care Products, Ltd. | Dust separation system |
KR100548896B1 (en) | 2003-12-05 | 2006-02-02 | 삼성광주전자 주식회사 | Vacuum cleaner and Suction port assembly thereof |
US7351269B2 (en) | 2003-12-22 | 2008-04-01 | Lau Kwok Yau | Self cleaning filter and vacuum incorporating same |
US6976885B2 (en) | 2004-03-02 | 2005-12-20 | Mobility Electronics, Inc. | Keyed universal power tip and power source connectors |
US7377007B2 (en) | 2004-03-02 | 2008-05-27 | Bissell Homecare, Inc. | Vacuum cleaner with detachable vacuum module |
KR100912314B1 (en) | 2004-03-11 | 2009-08-14 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | A vacuum clearner |
US7669282B2 (en) | 2004-03-11 | 2010-03-02 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Vacuum cleaner |
US7779506B2 (en) | 2004-03-11 | 2010-08-24 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Vacuum cleaner |
KR100963383B1 (en) | 2004-03-11 | 2010-06-14 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | A vacuum clearner |
KR100933300B1 (en) | 2004-03-11 | 2009-12-22 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Dust collection assembly of vacuum cleaner |
US20050198769A1 (en) | 2004-03-11 | 2005-09-15 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Vacuum cleaner |
KR20050091829A (en) | 2004-03-11 | 2005-09-15 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | A vacuum clearner |
KR100944746B1 (en) | 2004-03-11 | 2010-03-03 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | A vacuum clearner |
KR101064074B1 (en) | 2004-03-11 | 2011-09-08 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Dust collection assembly of vacuum cleaner |
KR100934134B1 (en) | 2004-03-11 | 2009-12-29 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Dust collection assembly of vacuum cleaner |
KR100933188B1 (en) | 2004-03-11 | 2009-12-22 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Vacuum cleaner |
KR100963382B1 (en) | 2004-03-11 | 2010-06-14 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | A vacuum clearner |
KR100963381B1 (en) | 2004-03-11 | 2010-06-14 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | A dust collector for vacuum clearner |
KR100936064B1 (en) | 2004-03-11 | 2010-01-12 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | A vacuum clearner |
US7662198B2 (en) | 2004-03-15 | 2010-02-16 | Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. | Separation assembly for a vaccuum cleaner with multi-stage dirt separation |
US7341611B2 (en) | 2004-03-17 | 2008-03-11 | Euro-Pro Operating, Llc | Compact cyclonic bagless vacuum cleaner |
US7386915B2 (en) | 2004-04-20 | 2008-06-17 | Tacony Corporation | Dual motor upright vacuum cleaner |
KR100932760B1 (en) | 2004-04-26 | 2009-12-21 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Dust collection assembly of vacuum cleaner |
KR20050104614A (en) | 2004-04-29 | 2005-11-03 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | A dust collector for vacuum cleaner |
KR20050104613A (en) | 2004-04-29 | 2005-11-03 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | A dust collector for vacuum cleaner |
US7770256B1 (en) | 2004-04-30 | 2010-08-10 | Bissell Homecare, Inc. | Vacuum cleaner with multiple cyclonic dirt separators and bottom discharge dirt cup |
GB2413941B (en) | 2004-05-13 | 2007-08-15 | Dyson Ltd | An accessory for a cleaning appliance |
KR100661341B1 (en) | 2004-05-14 | 2006-12-27 | 삼성광주전자 주식회사 | A Cyclone Separating Apparatus and a Vacuum Cleaner with the apparatus |
KR100533830B1 (en) | 2004-05-14 | 2005-12-07 | 삼성광주전자 주식회사 | Multi cyclone dust collecting apparatus |
KR100936065B1 (en) | 2004-07-22 | 2010-01-12 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | A dust collector for vacuum cleaner |
US7590922B2 (en) | 2004-07-30 | 2009-09-15 | Nokia Corporation | Point-to-point repair request mechanism for point-to-multipoint transmission systems |
KR100963337B1 (en) | 2004-08-23 | 2010-06-14 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | A dust collector for vacuum cleaner |
KR20060018017A (en) | 2004-08-23 | 2006-02-28 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Dust and dirt collecting unit for vacuum cleaner |
US7354468B2 (en) | 2004-08-26 | 2008-04-08 | Euro-Pro Operating, Llc | Compact cyclonic separation device |
US7419522B2 (en) | 2005-03-18 | 2008-09-02 | Euro-Pro Operating, Llc | Dirt separation and collection assembly for vacuum cleaner |
WO2006026414A2 (en) | 2004-08-26 | 2006-03-09 | Euro-Pro Operating, Llc | Cyclonic separation device for a vacuum cleaner |
US8516653B2 (en) | 2004-09-17 | 2013-08-27 | Cube Investments Limited | Cleaner handle and cleaner handle housing sections |
KR100592096B1 (en) | 2004-10-08 | 2006-06-22 | 삼성광주전자 주식회사 | Cyclone dust collector |
US20060090290A1 (en) | 2004-11-01 | 2006-05-04 | Lau Ying W | Handheld vacuum with accelerated cyclonic flow and air freshener |
US7547336B2 (en) | 2004-12-13 | 2009-06-16 | Bissell Homecare, Inc. | Vacuum cleaner with multiple cyclonic dirt separators and bottom discharge dirt cup |
US7805804B2 (en) | 2004-12-21 | 2010-10-05 | Royal Appliance Mfg. Co. | Steerable upright vacuum cleaner |
JP2006175214A (en) | 2004-12-22 | 2006-07-06 | Samsung Kwangju Electronics Co Ltd | Dust collector of vacuum cleaner |
KR100553042B1 (en) | 2004-12-27 | 2006-02-15 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Dust collecting unit of the vacuum cleaner |
KR100569330B1 (en) | 2004-12-27 | 2006-04-07 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Dust collecting unit of a vacuum cleaner |
US7645309B2 (en) | 2004-12-27 | 2010-01-12 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Dust collection unit and vacuum cleaner with the same |
US7485164B2 (en) | 2004-12-27 | 2009-02-03 | Lg Electronics, Inc. | Dust collection unit for vacuum cleaner |
US7703170B2 (en) | 2004-12-29 | 2010-04-27 | Lawrence Orubor | Self-cleaning wet dry vacuum cleaning device |
KR100635668B1 (en) | 2004-12-29 | 2006-10-17 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | A dust collector for vacuum cleaner |
US20060156508A1 (en) | 2005-01-14 | 2006-07-20 | Royal Appliance Mfg. Co. | Vacuum cleaner with cyclonic separating dirt cup and dirt cup door |
US8255456B2 (en) | 2005-12-30 | 2012-08-28 | Citrix Systems, Inc. | System and method for performing flash caching of dynamically generated objects in a data communication network |
US7559965B2 (en) | 2005-01-25 | 2009-07-14 | Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd. | Cyclonic separating apparatus for vacuum cleaner which is capable of separately collecting water from dust |
KR100645375B1 (en) | 2005-01-31 | 2006-11-14 | 삼성광주전자 주식회사 | Cyclone dust collecting apparatus having dust counterflow prevent member |
US7556662B2 (en) | 2005-01-31 | 2009-07-07 | Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd. | Multi-cyclone dust separating apparatus |
US7410516B2 (en) | 2005-03-17 | 2008-08-12 | Royal Appliance Mfg. Co. | Twin cyclone vacuum cleaner |
KR100645378B1 (en) | 2005-03-29 | 2006-11-14 | 삼성광주전자 주식회사 | Multi dust collecting apparatus |
KR100622550B1 (en) | 2005-03-29 | 2006-09-13 | 삼성광주전자 주식회사 | Cyclone dust collecting device for vacuum cleaner and vacuum cleaner having the same |
KR100594581B1 (en) | 2005-03-29 | 2006-06-30 | 삼성광주전자 주식회사 | Multi dust collecting apparatus |
KR100615360B1 (en) | 2005-04-18 | 2006-08-28 | 삼성광주전자 주식회사 | Cyclone dust collecting device and vacuum cleaner having the same |
KR100594584B1 (en) | 2005-04-22 | 2006-06-30 | 삼성광주전자 주식회사 | Filter assembly and cyclone dust collecting apparatus having the same |
JP2006320713A (en) | 2005-05-16 | 2006-11-30 | Samsung Kwangju Electronics Co Ltd | Multi-cyclone dust collector |
KR20060125952A (en) | 2005-06-01 | 2006-12-07 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Dust collecting unit |
KR101130033B1 (en) | 2005-06-01 | 2012-04-02 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Dust collecting unit |
KR100662635B1 (en) | 2005-06-14 | 2007-01-02 | 삼성광주전자 주식회사 | Cyclone dust collecting device for vacuum cleaner |
US20060288516A1 (en) | 2005-06-23 | 2006-12-28 | Sawalski Michael M | Handheld mechanical soft-surface remediation (SSR) device and method of using same |
US8291545B2 (en) | 2005-06-24 | 2012-10-23 | Royal Appliance Mfg., Co. | Twin cyclone vacuum cleaner |
CN100571884C (en) | 2005-06-30 | 2009-12-23 | 乐金电子(天津)电器有限公司 | Multi-cyclone dust collector |
KR100626736B1 (en) | 2005-07-12 | 2006-09-25 | 삼성광주전자 주식회사 | Dust collecting apparatus for vacuum cleaner |
US7811349B2 (en) | 2005-07-12 | 2010-10-12 | Bissell Homecare, Inc. | Vacuum cleaner with vortex stabilizer |
KR100662641B1 (en) | 2005-07-18 | 2007-01-02 | 삼성광주전자 주식회사 | Cyclone dust collecting apparatus and vacuum cleaner having the same |
DE602005017262D1 (en) | 2005-08-11 | 2009-12-03 | Black & Decker Inc | Handstaubsauger |
KR101003417B1 (en) | 2005-08-17 | 2010-12-23 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Dust collecting device for vacuum cleaner |
US7530140B2 (en) | 2005-09-23 | 2009-05-12 | Royal Appliance Mfg. Co. | Vacuum cleaner with ultraviolet light source and ozone |
US20070067944A1 (en) | 2005-09-28 | 2007-03-29 | Panasonic Corporation Of North America | Vacuum cleaner with dirt collection vessel having a stepped sidewall |
US20070077810A1 (en) | 2005-10-05 | 2007-04-05 | Gogel Nathan A | Floor care appliance equipped with detachable power cord |
US7757344B2 (en) | 2005-10-07 | 2010-07-20 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Upright vacuum cleaner |
KR100688613B1 (en) | 2005-10-11 | 2007-03-02 | 삼성광주전자 주식회사 | A multicyclone dust collector for a vacuum cleaner |
US20070095029A1 (en) | 2005-10-28 | 2007-05-03 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Upright vacuum cleaner |
US20070095028A1 (en) | 2005-10-28 | 2007-05-03 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Upright vacuum cleaner |
KR100648960B1 (en) | 2005-10-28 | 2006-11-27 | 삼성광주전자 주식회사 | A multi cyclone separating apparatus |
US7882592B2 (en) | 2005-12-10 | 2011-02-08 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Vacuum cleaner |
CN101360545A (en) | 2005-12-22 | 2009-02-04 | 皇家器具有限公司 | Dual stage cyclone vacuum cleaner |
US8292979B2 (en) | 2006-03-10 | 2012-10-23 | G.B.D. Corp | Vacuum cleaner with a removable screen |
CN101032384A (en) | 2006-03-10 | 2007-09-12 | 苏州宝时得电动工具有限公司 | Portable vacuum cleaner |
US7887612B2 (en) | 2006-03-10 | 2011-02-15 | G.B.D. Corp. | Vacuum cleaner with a plurality of cyclonic cleaning stages |
SE529683C2 (en) | 2006-03-24 | 2007-10-23 | Electrolux Abp | Handheld vacuum cleaner |
US20070246579A1 (en) | 2006-03-28 | 2007-10-25 | Frank Blateri | Blower assembly |
US8039518B2 (en) | 2006-04-07 | 2011-10-18 | Akzo Nobel, N.V. | Environmentally friendly water/oil emulsions |
WO2007117196A1 (en) | 2006-04-10 | 2007-10-18 | Aktiebolaget Electrolux | Vacuum cleaner with filter cleaning means |
SE531125C2 (en) | 2007-01-19 | 2008-12-23 | Electrolux Ab | Improvements in air flow losses in a vacuum cleaner |
US20080040883A1 (en) | 2006-04-10 | 2008-02-21 | Jonas Beskow | Air Flow Losses in a Vacuum Cleaners |
CN101061932A (en) | 2006-04-28 | 2007-10-31 | 光荣电业有限公司 | Whirlwind hand-held type vacuum dust collector |
KR100706622B1 (en) | 2006-05-03 | 2007-04-13 | 삼성광주전자 주식회사 | A compact & dual cyclone separating apparatus of a vacuum cleaner |
US7581287B2 (en) | 2006-06-14 | 2009-09-01 | Panasonic Corporation Of North America | Vacuum cleaner with spiral air guide |
KR100778121B1 (en) | 2006-06-16 | 2007-11-21 | 삼성광주전자 주식회사 | Dust-separating apparatus for vacuum cleaner |
CN101095604A (en) | 2006-06-29 | 2008-01-02 | 光荣电业有限公司 | Hand-held vacuum cleaner having functions of cleaning filtration device and processing dust |
WO2008009890A1 (en) | 2006-07-18 | 2008-01-24 | Dyson Technology Limited | Handheld cleaning appliance |
GB2440108A (en) | 2006-07-18 | 2008-01-23 | Dyson Technology Ltd | Suction cleaner with filter detection mechanism |
WO2008009887A1 (en) | 2006-07-18 | 2008-01-24 | Dyson Technology Limited | A handheld cleaning appliance with a cyclone and a pre-motor filter |
WO2008009891A1 (en) | 2006-07-18 | 2008-01-24 | Dyson Technology Limited | Handheld cleaning appliance |
GB2474176A (en) | 2006-07-18 | 2011-04-06 | Dyson Technology Ltd | A hand-held vacuum cleaner with handle and suction pipe relatively angled |
GB2440125A (en) | 2006-07-18 | 2008-01-23 | Dyson Technology Ltd | Cyclonic separating apparatus |
GB2441300B (en) | 2006-09-01 | 2011-10-12 | Dyson Technology Ltd | A collecting chamber for a vacuum cleaner |
GB0617184D0 (en) | 2006-09-01 | 2006-10-11 | Dyson Technology Ltd | Support assembly |
GB2442033B (en) | 2006-09-20 | 2011-06-22 | Dyson Technology Ltd | Motor driving apparatus |
GB2441962B (en) | 2006-09-20 | 2011-03-02 | Dyson Technology Ltd | A support device |
GB2442211A (en) | 2006-09-29 | 2008-04-02 | Vax Ltd | Cyclonic separator with dual dust receptacle arrangement |
KR100827877B1 (en) | 2006-10-31 | 2008-05-07 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Vacuum cleaner |
US7636975B2 (en) | 2006-11-09 | 2009-12-29 | Hydrodynamic Industrial Company Limited | Pool vacuum |
CN1969739B (en) | 2006-11-30 | 2011-08-10 | 泰怡凯电器(苏州)有限公司 | Dust separation device of vacuum cleaner |
US8869344B2 (en) | 2006-12-12 | 2014-10-28 | G.B.D. Corp. | Surface cleaning apparatus with off-centre dirt bin inlet |
CN101662976A (en) | 2006-12-12 | 2010-03-03 | Gbd公司 | Surface cleaning apparatus adapted for use with liner |
US20080178416A1 (en) | 2006-12-12 | 2008-07-31 | G.B.D. Corp. | Surface cleaning apparatus with shoulder strap reel |
CA2599303A1 (en) | 2007-08-29 | 2009-02-28 | Gbd Corp. | Surface cleaning apparatus |
CA2593950C (en) | 2006-12-12 | 2013-01-15 | G.B.D. Corp. | Surface cleaning apparatus |
US8146201B2 (en) | 2006-12-12 | 2012-04-03 | G.B.D. Corp. | Surface cleaning apparatus |
US10258208B2 (en) * | 2016-04-11 | 2019-04-16 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Surface cleaning apparatus |
US9888817B2 (en) | 2014-12-17 | 2018-02-13 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Surface cleaning apparatus |
US20080172992A1 (en) | 2006-12-15 | 2008-07-24 | G.B.D. Corp. | Vacuum cleaner with openable lid |
US7867308B2 (en) | 2006-12-15 | 2011-01-11 | G.B.D. Corp. | Cyclonic array such as for a vacuum cleaner |
RU2007126417A (en) | 2006-12-28 | 2009-01-20 | Самсунг Гуангджу Электроникс Ко., Лтд. (KR) | CYCLONE DEVICE FOR DUST COLLECTION FROM THE LOWER PART OF WHICH THE AIR FLOW EXITS |
CN101015436A (en) | 2007-01-24 | 2007-08-15 | 泰怡凯电器(苏州)有限公司 | Multi-stage whirlwind separating device of vacuum cleaner |
EP2220986B1 (en) | 2007-02-12 | 2014-03-26 | Black & Decker Inc. | Motor, fan and filter arrangement for a vacuum cleaner |
KR100776403B1 (en) | 2007-02-14 | 2007-11-16 | 삼성광주전자 주식회사 | Cyclone dust separating apparatus for vacuum cleaner |
US8151407B2 (en) | 2007-03-09 | 2012-04-10 | G.B.D. Corp | Surface cleaning apparatus with enlarged dirt collection chamber |
CN201008534Y (en) | 2007-03-30 | 2008-01-23 | 苏州金莱克家用电器有限公司 | Dust removing device for dust aspirator |
EP1977672B1 (en) | 2007-04-04 | 2011-06-29 | Black & Decker, Inc. | Filter cleaning mechanisms |
USD591466S1 (en) | 2007-05-02 | 2009-04-28 | Black & Decker Inc. | Vacuum cleaner |
GB2448915B (en) | 2007-05-03 | 2011-07-13 | Dyson Technology Ltd | A collecting chamber for a cleaning appliance |
US7448363B1 (en) | 2007-07-02 | 2008-11-11 | Buell Motorcycle Company | Fuel delivery system and method of operation |
GB2450737B (en) | 2007-07-05 | 2011-10-12 | Dyson Technology Ltd | Cyclonic separating apparatus |
US20100175217A1 (en) | 2007-08-29 | 2010-07-15 | G.B.D. Corp. | Cyclonic surface cleaning apparatus with externally positioned dirt chamber |
US7717973B2 (en) | 2007-09-05 | 2010-05-18 | Samsung Gwangju Elecetronics Co., Ltd. | Cyclone dust-separating apparatus of vacuum cleaner |
GB2453761B (en) | 2007-10-18 | 2012-04-18 | Dyson Technology Ltd | Cyclonic separating apparatus for a cleaning appliance |
GB2454227B (en) | 2007-11-01 | 2012-02-29 | Dyson Technology Ltd | Cyclonic separating apparatus |
KR20090046052A (en) | 2007-11-05 | 2009-05-11 | 삼성광주전자 주식회사 | Discharging apparatus and vacuum cleaner having the same |
KR101408726B1 (en) | 2007-12-05 | 2014-06-18 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Cyclone contaminants collecting apparatus for Vacuum cleaner |
US7941895B2 (en) | 2007-12-19 | 2011-05-17 | G.B.D. Corp. | Configuration of a cyclone assembly and surface cleaning apparatus having same |
KR101457430B1 (en) | 2008-01-02 | 2014-11-06 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Upright Vacuum Cleaner having Steering Unit |
KR101462945B1 (en) | 2008-01-02 | 2014-11-20 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Dust separating apparatus for vaccum clear |
RU2496402C2 (en) | 2008-03-14 | 2013-10-27 | БИССЕЛЛ ХОУМКЭА, Инк. | Portable vacuum cleaner for cleaning of pet animals hair |
JP2009261501A (en) | 2008-04-23 | 2009-11-12 | Yamada Electric Ind Co Ltd | Stick vacuum cleaner |
AU2009202183B2 (en) | 2008-06-05 | 2013-11-14 | Bissell Inc. | Cyclonic vacuum cleaner with improved filter cartridge |
JP2010081968A (en) | 2008-09-29 | 2010-04-15 | Sharp Corp | Cyclone separator |
US7922794B2 (en) | 2008-10-08 | 2011-04-12 | Electrolux Home Care Products, Inc. | Cyclonic vacuum cleaner ribbed cyclone shroud |
USD635728S1 (en) | 2008-10-21 | 2011-04-05 | Aktiebolaget Electrolux | Vacuum cleaner |
GB0821827D0 (en) | 2008-11-28 | 2009-01-07 | Dyson Technology Ltd | Separating apparatus for a cleaning aplliance |
GB2466290B (en) | 2008-12-19 | 2012-10-03 | Dyson Technology Ltd | Floor tool for a cleaning appliance |
US8062398B2 (en) | 2008-12-19 | 2011-11-22 | Bissell Homecare, Inc. | Vacuum cleaner and cyclone module therefor |
FR2940902B1 (en) | 2009-01-15 | 2011-02-18 | Seb Sa | CYCLONIC SEPARATION DEVICE WITH ACCELERATION RAMP |
US20110168332A1 (en) | 2010-01-14 | 2011-07-14 | Michael Damian Bowe | Light touch sealant applicator device |
JP5368831B2 (en) | 2009-02-27 | 2013-12-18 | 株式会社マキタ | Handy cleaner |
JP2010178773A (en) | 2009-02-03 | 2010-08-19 | Makita Corp | Hand-held cleaner |
US7938871B2 (en) | 2009-02-27 | 2011-05-10 | Nissan North America, Inc. | Vehicle filter assembly |
CA2658008A1 (en) | 2009-03-11 | 2010-09-11 | G.B.D. Corp. | Nozzle construction for a cleaning head |
CA2658019A1 (en) | 2009-03-11 | 2010-09-11 | G.B.D. Corp. | Configuration of a hand vacuum cleaner |
CA2658014A1 (en) | 2009-03-11 | 2010-09-11 | G.B.D. Corp. | Housing for a post motor filter for a surface cleaning apparatus |
CA2658006A1 (en) | 2009-03-11 | 2010-09-11 | G.B.D. Corp. | Cyclonic surface cleaning apparatus |
US9591952B2 (en) | 2009-03-11 | 2017-03-14 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Hand vacuum cleaner with removable dirt chamber |
US10722086B2 (en) | 2017-07-06 | 2020-07-28 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Handheld surface cleaning apparatus |
US8578555B2 (en) | 2010-03-12 | 2013-11-12 | G.B.D. Corp. | Surface cleaning apparatus |
CA2967272C (en) | 2009-03-13 | 2018-01-02 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Hand vacuum cleaner |
US9433332B2 (en) | 2013-02-27 | 2016-09-06 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Surface cleaning apparatus |
CA3017664C (en) | 2009-03-20 | 2021-02-23 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Surface cleaning apparatus |
GB2468719B (en) | 2009-03-21 | 2012-05-02 | Dyson Technology Ltd | A rechargeable battery pack |
JP4862060B2 (en) | 2009-03-27 | 2012-01-25 | 日立アプライアンス株式会社 | Vacuum cleaner |
GB2470918A (en) | 2009-06-09 | 2010-12-15 | Dyson Technology Ltd | Agitating means for a cleaning head |
GB2470919A (en) | 2009-06-09 | 2010-12-15 | Dyson Technology Ltd | Agitating means for a cleaning head |
GB2470920A (en) | 2009-06-09 | 2010-12-15 | Dyson Technology Ltd | Agitating menas for a cleaning head |
GB2470917A (en) | 2009-06-09 | 2010-12-15 | Dyson Technology Ltd | Agitating means for cleaning head |
US20110023261A1 (en) | 2009-07-29 | 2011-02-03 | Proffitt Ii Donald E | Filterless and bagless vacuum cleaner incorporating a sling shot separator |
CN201523596U (en) | 2009-09-30 | 2010-07-14 | 泰怡凯电器(苏州)有限公司 | Vacuum cleaner capable of grooming animal fur |
CN102038464B (en) | 2009-10-09 | 2013-12-25 | 宝田国际有限公司 | Improved cyclonic chamber for air filtration devices |
CA2684820A1 (en) | 2009-11-06 | 2011-05-06 | Wayne Ernest Conrad | Electrical cord and apparatus using same |
US8152877B2 (en) | 2010-03-12 | 2012-04-10 | Euro-Pro Operating Llc | Shroud for a cleaning service apparatus |
GB2478599B (en) | 2010-03-12 | 2014-07-16 | Dyson Technology Ltd | A vacuum cleaning arrangement |
US8813305B2 (en) | 2010-03-12 | 2014-08-26 | G.B.D. Corp. | Compact surface cleaning apparatus |
FR2957510B1 (en) | 2010-03-19 | 2012-04-06 | Seb Sa | VACUUM CLEANER WITH CYCLONIC SEPARATION OF WASTE |
CN201683850U (en) | 2010-05-14 | 2010-12-29 | 莱克电气股份有限公司 | Handheld cleaner with whirlwind structure |
US8671510B2 (en) | 2010-05-31 | 2014-03-18 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Hand-held and stick vacuum cleaner |
US10517449B2 (en) | 2010-05-31 | 2019-12-31 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Cyclone dust collecting apparatus and hand-held cleaner having the same |
US20120030897A1 (en) | 2010-08-05 | 2012-02-09 | James Todd Crouch | Hand-held and conversion vacuum cleaner |
US8667643B2 (en) | 2010-09-10 | 2014-03-11 | Euro-Pro Operating Llc | Method and apparatus for assisting pivot motion of a handle in a floor treatment device |
GB2484146B (en) | 2010-10-01 | 2013-02-13 | Dyson Technology Ltd | A vacuum cleaner |
GB2488368B (en) | 2011-02-28 | 2013-03-20 | Dyson Technology Ltd | A cleaner head for a surface treating appliance |
US8973214B2 (en) | 2011-03-03 | 2015-03-10 | G.B.D. Corp. | Cyclone chamber and dirt collection assembly for a surface cleaning apparatus |
US8763202B2 (en) | 2011-03-03 | 2014-07-01 | G.B.D. Corp. | Cyclone chamber and dirt collection assembly for a surface cleaning apparatus |
US8484799B2 (en) | 2011-03-03 | 2013-07-16 | G.B.D. Corp. | Cyclone chamber and dirt collection assembly for a surface cleaning apparatus |
US8689395B2 (en) | 2011-03-04 | 2014-04-08 | G.B.D. Corp. | Portable surface cleaning apparatus |
EP2529652B1 (en) | 2011-06-01 | 2016-03-16 | Black & Decker Inc. | A cleaning appliance |
CN202173358U (en) | 2011-08-17 | 2012-03-28 | 苏州市伊塔电器科技有限公司 | Handheld dust collector |
EP3639716B1 (en) | 2011-10-12 | 2021-11-03 | Black & Decker Inc. | Cyclonic separation apparatus |
EP2581021B1 (en) | 2011-10-12 | 2019-10-02 | Black & Decker Inc. | Cyclonic separation apparatus |
EP2581022B1 (en) | 2011-10-12 | 2014-05-21 | Black & Decker Inc. | A motor, fan and cyclonic seperation apparatus arrangement |
EP2581009B1 (en) | 2011-10-12 | 2015-01-21 | Black & Decker Inc. | A motor, fan and dirt separation means arrangement |
EP2581012B1 (en) | 2011-10-12 | 2015-01-21 | Black & Decker Inc. | A motor, fan and cyclonic separation apparatus arrangement for a vacuum cleaner |
GB2497945B (en) | 2011-12-22 | 2014-11-12 | Dyson Technology Ltd | Vacuum cleaner |
EP2617281B1 (en) | 2012-01-23 | 2014-08-27 | Black & Decker Inc. | Apparatus for collection of garden waste |
CN202932850U (en) | 2012-11-09 | 2013-05-15 | 苏州普发电器有限公司 | Cyclone dust collector |
US8863353B2 (en) | 2012-11-16 | 2014-10-21 | Panasonic Corporation Of North America | Vacuum cleaner having dirt cup assembly with internal air guide |
GB2508035B (en) | 2012-11-20 | 2015-03-11 | Dyson Technology Ltd | Cleaning appliance |
GB2508034B (en) | 2012-11-20 | 2015-10-07 | Dyson Technology Ltd | Cleaning appliance |
KR101448660B1 (en) | 2012-12-27 | 2014-10-08 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | vacuum cleaner |
DE102014200663A1 (en) | 2013-01-28 | 2014-07-31 | Robert Bosch Gmbh | Battery operated hand vacuum cleaner |
US9204773B2 (en) | 2013-03-01 | 2015-12-08 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Surface cleaning apparatus |
US20140237768A1 (en) | 2013-02-28 | 2014-08-28 | G.B.D. Corp. | Surface cleaning apparatus |
US10182675B2 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2019-01-22 | Leonid Shendelman | Portable food handling devices |
JP6455736B2 (en) | 2013-06-05 | 2019-01-23 | グレイ テクノロジー リミテッド | Hand-held vacuum cleaner |
US9516979B2 (en) | 2013-11-21 | 2016-12-13 | Sharkninja Operating Llc | Surface cleaning apparatus configurable in a storage position |
CN203724037U (en) | 2014-03-13 | 2014-07-23 | 光荣电业(东莞)有限公司 | Dust collection device |
US9451853B2 (en) | 2014-07-18 | 2016-09-27 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Portable surface cleaning apparatus |
US9314139B2 (en) | 2014-07-18 | 2016-04-19 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Portable surface cleaning apparatus |
US9585530B2 (en) | 2014-07-18 | 2017-03-07 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Portable surface cleaning apparatus |
KR102277144B1 (en) | 2014-12-18 | 2021-07-14 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Cleaning Apparatus |
GB2542385B (en) | 2015-09-17 | 2018-10-10 | Dyson Technology Ltd | Vacuum Cleaner |
GB2542387B (en) | 2015-09-17 | 2017-11-01 | Dyson Technology Ltd | Vacuum cleaner |
GB2542386B (en) | 2015-09-17 | 2018-10-10 | Dyson Technology Ltd | Vacuum Cleaner |
GB2542388B (en) | 2015-09-17 | 2018-04-04 | Dyson Technology Ltd | Vacuum cleaner |
US10238249B2 (en) * | 2016-01-08 | 2019-03-26 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Hand carryable surface cleaning apparatus |
WO2017171501A1 (en) | 2016-03-31 | 2017-10-05 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Cleaning apparatus |
US10568477B2 (en) | 2016-04-11 | 2020-02-25 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Surface cleaning apparatus |
USD844264S1 (en) | 2016-08-26 | 2019-03-26 | Tti (Macao Commercial Offshore) Limited | Handheld vacuum cleaner |
KR102453842B1 (en) | 2017-01-03 | 2022-10-14 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Handy and stick type vacuum cleaner |
CN209003807U (en) | 2017-06-28 | 2019-06-21 | 苏州宝时得电动工具有限公司 | Hand-held cleaners and dust catcher sub-assembly |
US10506904B2 (en) | 2017-07-06 | 2019-12-17 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Handheld surface cleaning apparatus |
US11730327B2 (en) | 2020-03-18 | 2023-08-22 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Surface cleaning apparatus with removable air treatment assembly |
KR102385783B1 (en) | 2017-08-09 | 2022-04-13 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Handy and stick type vacuum cleaner |
GB2565355B (en) | 2017-08-11 | 2020-03-25 | Dyson Technology Ltd | Dirt separator for a vacuum cleaner |
GB2565366A (en) | 2017-08-11 | 2019-02-13 | Dyson Technology Ltd | Handheld vacuum cleaner |
GB2565357B (en) | 2017-08-11 | 2020-02-05 | Dyson Technology Ltd | Dirt separator for a vacuum cleaner |
GB2565363B (en) | 2017-08-11 | 2020-02-05 | Dyson Technology Ltd | Dirt separator for a vacuum cleaner |
GB2565359B (en) | 2017-08-11 | 2020-02-05 | Dyson Technology Ltd | Dirt separator for a vacuum cleaner |
GB2565360B (en) | 2017-08-11 | 2020-03-25 | Dyson Technology Ltd | Dirt separator for a vacuum cleaner |
GB2565365B (en) | 2017-08-11 | 2020-02-05 | Dyson Technology Ltd | Handheld vacuum cleaner |
GB2565356B (en) | 2017-08-11 | 2019-12-11 | Dyson Technology Ltd | Dirt separator for a vacuum cleaner |
GB2565367B (en) | 2017-08-11 | 2020-02-05 | Dyson Technology Ltd | Dirt separator for a vacuum cleaner |
GB2565362B (en) | 2017-08-11 | 2020-03-25 | Dyson Technology Ltd | Dirt separator for a vacuum cleaner |
GB2565361B (en) | 2017-08-11 | 2020-02-05 | Dyson Technology Ltd | Dirt separator for a vacuum cleaner |
GB2565358B (en) | 2017-08-11 | 2020-05-20 | Dyson Technology Ltd | Dirt separator for a vacuum cleaner |
GB2569821B (en) | 2017-12-30 | 2020-04-29 | Dyson Technology Ltd | A cleaning appliance |
WO2020015250A1 (en) | 2018-07-18 | 2020-01-23 | 江苏美的清洁电器股份有限公司 | Handheld vacuum cleaner |
JP2020110472A (en) | 2019-01-16 | 2020-07-27 | 日立グローバルライフソリューションズ株式会社 | Vacuum cleaner |
JP6697587B2 (en) | 2019-02-06 | 2020-05-20 | シャープ株式会社 | Vacuum cleaner |
CN211609590U (en) | 2020-01-10 | 2020-10-02 | 宁波市美斯凯电器有限公司 | Hand-held cleaning device |
-
2021
- 2021-08-26 US US17/458,195 patent/US20210401246A1/en active Pending
-
2022
- 2022-04-12 US US17/719,197 patent/US11779174B2/en active Active
-
2023
- 2023-10-10 US US18/378,537 patent/US11896186B1/en active Active
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3546656A (en) * | 1969-04-02 | 1970-12-08 | Amp Inc | Electrical connector assembly |
US20100115726A1 (en) * | 2008-10-22 | 2010-05-13 | Timothy Groff | Handheld vacuum cleaner |
CN108402988A (en) * | 2018-03-06 | 2018-08-17 | 江苏美的清洁电器股份有限公司 | Clean machine |
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
PE2E Translation of CN-108402988; Cleaning Machine; Chai, Yong-bi; 2018-08-17 (Year: 2018) * |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20230172407A1 (en) * | 2018-04-20 | 2023-06-08 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Surface cleaning apparatus |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US20240032746A1 (en) | 2024-02-01 |
US11779174B2 (en) | 2023-10-10 |
US11896186B1 (en) | 2024-02-13 |
US20220233037A1 (en) | 2022-07-28 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US11202539B2 (en) | Surface cleaning apparatus | |
US10568477B2 (en) | Surface cleaning apparatus | |
US9986880B2 (en) | Surface cleaning apparatus | |
US10016105B2 (en) | Surface cleaning apparatus | |
US20170290480A1 (en) | Surface cleaning apparatus | |
US10016104B2 (en) | Surface cleaning apparatus | |
US11241129B2 (en) | Surface cleaning apparatus | |
US11910992B2 (en) | Handheld vacuum cleaner | |
US10405710B2 (en) | Portable surface cleaning apparatus | |
US9451853B2 (en) | Portable surface cleaning apparatus | |
US9585530B2 (en) | Portable surface cleaning apparatus | |
US9420925B2 (en) | Portable surface cleaning apparatus | |
US11896186B1 (en) | Surface cleaning apparatus | |
EP3169211B1 (en) | Portable surface cleaning apparatus | |
US20240032754A1 (en) | Surface cleaning apparatus | |
GB2594886A (en) | Surface cleaning apparatus | |
US11918170B2 (en) | Surface cleaning apparatus | |
US20230017024A1 (en) | Hand vacuum cleaner |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: DOCKETED NEW CASE - READY FOR EXAMINATION |
|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: NON FINAL ACTION COUNTED, NOT YET MAILED |
|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: NON FINAL ACTION MAILED |