US20100175217A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20100175217A1
Application number: US12/728,687
Authority: US
Inventors: Wayne Ernest Conrad
Original assignee: GBD Corp
Current assignee: Omachron Intellectual Property Inc
Priority date: 2007-08-29
Filing date: 2010-03-22
Publication date: 2010-07-15

Abstract

A surface cleaning apparatus comprises a floor cleaning unit and an upright section comprising a handle drivingly connected to the surface cleaning head. The surface cleaning apparatus also comprises a cyclone mounted on the upright section and positioned in the air flow passage. The cyclone is inverted and/or has an external dirt collection chamber.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation in part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/675,540, filed Feb. 26, 2010, which is a national phase entry of International Application PCT/CA2008/001530, filed Aug. 28, 2008 and now published as WO 2009/026709, which claims priority to Canadian patent application 2,599,303, filed Aug. 29, 2007, and also claims the benefit of 35 USC 119 based on the priority of co-pending Canadian patent application 2,659,212, filed Mar. 20, 2009, each of those applications being incorporated herein in their entirety by reference.

FIELD

This application relates to surface cleaning apparatus, such as vacuum cleaners. In a preferred embodiment, the specification relates to a cyclone unit that comprises a cyclone and a dirt chamber that is external the cyclone and is removably mounted to the surface cleaning apparatus and, preferably, operable when removed from the surface cleaning apparatus. In another embodiment, the specification relates to a cyclone unit that comprises a cyclone and a dirt chamber that is external the cyclone wherein the cyclone and the dirt collection chamber are removable as a closed unit and concurrently openable.

BACKGROUND

The use of a cyclone, or multiple cyclones connected in parallel or series, is known to be advantageous in the separation of particulate matter from a fluid stream. Currently, many vacuum cleaners, which are sold for residential applications, utilize at least one cyclone as part of the air filtration mechanism.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,373,228 (Dyson) and 4,826,515 (Dyson) each discloses a cyclonic vacuum cleaner having two cyclonic stages, namely a first stage for separating larger particulate matter from an air stream and a second stage for separating finer particulate matter from the same air stream. Each cyclonic stage comprises a single cyclone having an associated dirt collection region.

A difficulty experienced with cyclonic separators is the re-entrainment of the separated particulate matter back into the outgoing fluid flow. Deposited particles exposed to a high-speed cyclonic flow have a tendency to be re-entrained. One approach to resolve this issue is to use a plate positioned in a cyclone container to divide the cyclone container into an upper cyclone chamber, which is positioned above the plate, and a lower dirt collection chamber, which is positioned below the plate. See for example Conrad (U.S. Pat. No. 6,221,134). Accordingly, the portion of the cyclone casing below the plate functions as a dirt collection chamber wherein re-entrainment of separated particulate matter is impeded.

SUMMARY

The following introduction is provided to introduce the reader to the more detailed discussion to follow. The introduction is not intended to limit or define the claims.

In accordance with a broad aspect of this invention, a filtration apparatus for a surface cleaning apparatus comprises a cyclone and a dirt collection chamber for the cyclone that is separate from the cyclone, and preferably external to the cyclone chamber. The dirt collection chamber is openable and, when opened, material collected therein may be removed. Similarly, the cyclone is openable. When opened, the cyclone chamber preferably has an absence of any member having a larger diameter than the vortex finder. Therefore, when the cyclone is opened, material collected therein may be also removed. For example, a vortex finder with a large diameter shroud, or a deflector disc positioned around a vortex finder or air outlet, are preferably not located in the cyclone when it is opened and therefore do not create an impediment to dirt falling out of the cyclone when a cyclone is opened and positioned with the opening over a garbage can. Preferably, both the cyclone and the dirt collection chamber are openable at the same time. Preferably, the vortex finder is also removed from the cyclone chamber when the cyclone is opened. Preferably the cyclone and the dirt collection chamber are closed when removed from the surface cleaning apparatus such as for emptying.

An advantage of this design is that, from time to time, material may accumulate in a cyclone. In some embodiments, the cyclone may be configured such that heavier material is collected in the cyclone itself. For example, the cyclone may be inverted and have an upper dirt outlet. Material that is too heavy to be entrained in an air stream and carried upwardly through the cyclone and through the dirt outlet will accumulate in the cyclone. Accordingly, the interior of the cyclone could be used as a dirt collection chamber. By opening the cyclone, material that collects in the cyclone may be removed, e.g., the opened portion of the cyclone may be held over a garbage can and the accumulated material in the cyclone may be poured out.

If the dirt collection chamber associated with the cyclone is not the bottom of the cyclone casing, but a separate exterior chamber, then by opening the cyclone and the dirt collection chamber during the same emptying operation, e.g., concurrently or sequentially and preferably concurrently, material that collects both may be removed, e.g., the opened portion of the cyclone and the dirt collection chamber may be held over a garbage can and the accumulated material in the cyclone and the dirt collection chamber may be poured out

According to another broad aspect, a surface cleaning apparatus is provided that comprises an inverted first stage cyclone mounted to an upright section of an upright surface cleaning apparatus, and preferably of a stick vacuum cleaner. When the surface cleaning apparatus is in use, dirt is entrained in an air stream that is drawn into the cyclone, separated by the cyclonic action of the cyclone and then deposited in a dirt chamber. Preferably the dirt chamber is external cyclone so that the accumulation of dirt within the dirt collection chamber may not affect the performance of the cyclone. In a preferred embodiment, the cyclone may have a cylindrical housing or perimeter wall with an upward facing dirt outlet that is surrounded by, e.g., a generally annular shaped dirt collection chamber. In this embodiment, dirt that is separated from the air stream may be ejected from the dirt outlet of the cyclone and fall into, and collect within, the surrounding dirt collection chamber.

Typically, cyclones have an efficiency to separate particulate matter having a targeted size range. By using the interior of the cyclone as a dirt collection chamber, the cyclone may be designed to separate particulate matter having a smaller targeted size range. The material that is dis-entrained from the airflow by the cyclone and which exits the cyclone dirt outlet may accumulate in a separate dirt collection chamber in flow communication with the cyclone dirt outlet. For example, in a preferred embodiment, the cyclone or the cyclonic cleaning stages combined, may achieve a separation efficiency for IEC dirt as specified as IEC 60312, which is representative of household dirt, of 98% of particles that are from 3 to 5 microns and at least 96.5% of particles that are from 1-2 microns. Such a cyclone, while using a relatively high fluid velocity, may result in heavier or larger material remaining in the cyclone.

Accordingly, for example, a surface cleaning apparatus may include an inverted cyclone having a floor and an upper dirt outlet. A lower air inlet is provided and an air outlet is provided through the floor or a sidewall of the cyclone. In operation, air will enter through the air inlet and cyclone upwardly. Some of the dirt will exit upwardly through the dirt outlet. The air will then travel downwardly and exit the cyclone through the cyclone outlet (e.g., a vortex finder). Some of the dirt will accumulate on the floor of the cyclone. The dirt collection chamber may surround at least a portion of the cyclone and, preferably, all of the cyclone. The dirt collection chamber has a floor on which dirt entering the dirt collection chamber will accumulate. The floor of the cyclone and the floor of the dirt collection chamber, or the top of each, may concurrently or sequentially open so that the dirt collected in the cyclone and the dirt collected in the dirt collection chamber are emptied concurrently. An advantage of this design is that fewer steps are required for a user to empty the dirt collection areas of the vacuum cleaner.

In some embodiments, the cyclone and the dirt collection chamber are removable when closed, e.g., an openable floor is closed. Accordingly, when the dirt collection chamber is to be emptied, the cyclone and the dirt collection chamber may be removed from the surface cleaning apparatus, e.g., an upright surface cleaning apparatus, and then emptied.0

In some embodiments, a vortex finder may be provided on the portion of the cyclone that opens. For example, if the cyclone is inverted, the vortex finder may be positioned on the bottom opening floor of the cyclone. Accordingly, when the cyclone is opened, the vortex finder is removed from the cyclone leaving an open cyclone chamber.

Alternately, or in addition, in some other embodiments, the cyclone may have an interior shroud or screen that may need cleaning from time to time. Accordingly a consumer may use a single step to open the cyclone to access a shroud, filter or screen that requires cleaning or replacement and, at the same time, have access to the dirt collection chamber so as to empty the dirt collection chamber.

In any embodiment, an upright surface cleaning apparatus may comprise:

- (a) a floor cleaning unit comprising a surface cleaning head having a dirty air inlet, a cleaning head air outlet and an upright section comprising a handle drivingly connected to the surface cleaning head;
- (b) a cyclone unit positioned in the air flow passage, the cyclone unit comprising a cyclone having an air inlet located at a lower end of the cyclone and an air outlet and a dirt outlet provided at an upper end of the cyclone, and a dirt collection chamber exterior to the cyclone and surrounding at least a portion of the cyclone;
- (c) a suction motor positioned in the air flow path; and,
- (d) a surface cleaning unit removably mounted to the handle wherein the surface cleaning unit comprises the cyclone unit and the suction motor.

In some embodiments, the cyclone and the dirt collection chamber are concurrently openable.

In some embodiments, the cyclone is positioned interior of the dirt collection chamber.

In some embodiments, the surface cleaning apparatus further comprises a plate facing the dirt outlet. Preferably, the plate is mounted to an upper end of the cyclone unit.

In some embodiments, the cyclone is an inverted cyclone having an air inlet and an air outlet at a lower end of the cyclone.

In some embodiments, the surface cleaning apparatus further comprises a vortex finder that is provided on an openable door of the cyclone.

In some embodiments, the handle comprises a portion of the air flow path.

In any embodiment, an upright surface cleaning apparatus may alternately comprise:

- (a) a floor cleaning unit comprising a surface cleaning head having a dirty air inlet, a cleaning head air outlet and an upright section comprising a handle drivingly connected to the surface cleaning head;
- (b) a cyclone unit mounted on the upright section and positioned in the air flow passage, the cyclone unit comprising a cyclone having an air inlet located at a lower end of the cyclone and an air outlet and a dirt outlet provided at an upper end of the cyclone, and a dirt collection chamber exterior to the cyclone and surrounding at least a portion of the cyclone wherein the cyclone unit is removable in a closed configuration; and,
- (c) a suction motor positioned in the air flow path.

In some embodiments, the surface cleaning apparatus further comprises a surface cleaning unit removably mounted to the handle wherein the surface cleaning unit comprises the cyclone unit and the suction motor.

In some embodiments, the surface cleaning apparatus further comprises a plate facing the dirt outlet. Preferably the plate is mounted to an upper end of the cyclone unit.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any of these alternate embodiments may be used individually or in combination in a single surface cleaning apparatus, as exemplified in a preferred embodiment described herein, or in any particular sub-combination. Accordingly, any two or more alternate embodiments may be used in a single surface cleaning apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other advantages of the instant invention will be more fully and completely understood in conjunction with the following description of the preferred embodiments of the invention in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a preferred embodiment of a vacuum cleaner in accordance with this design wherein the outer casing surrounding the cyclone and forming an outer wall of a dirt collection chamber is optionally transparent;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view from the front and the right side of the vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-section along the line3-3 inFIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic drawing of the vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 1 showing the airflow passage therethrough;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view from the bottom of the vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 1 wherein the bottom of the first and second housings is open;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the bottom of the vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 1 wherein the first and second housings are closed but an access door is open;

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal section through an alternate embodiment of a vacuum cleaner in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective end view of the vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 8 wherein the dirt collection chamber and the cyclone are open;

FIG. 9 is a perspective cross-section view of a further alternate embodiment of a cyclone and dirt collection chamber in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the alternate embodiment shown inFIG. 9; and,

FIG. 11 is a perspective view from the bottom of the cyclone and dirt collection chamber shown inFIG. 9 wherein the bottom panel is open;

FIG. 12 is a cross-section through a further alternate embodiment of a cyclone and dirt collection chamber in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 13 is a cross-section through the alternate embodiment shown inFIG. 12 wherein the cyclone floor and dirt collection chamber floor are open;

FIG. 14 is a front elevation view of an example of a vacuum cleaner;

FIG. 15 is a back perspective view of the vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 14 with a portable surface cleaning apparatus mounted to a support structure;

FIG. 16ais a back perspective view of the vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 14 with the portable surface cleaning apparatus removed from the support structure and in a position in which it may be carried by hand;

FIG. 16bis a side elevation view of the portable surface cleaning apparatus ofFIG. 16awherein the portable surface cleaning apparatus has been removed from the support structure and is in a position in which it may be carried by hand with flexible hose detached from the surface cleaning head;

FIG. 17 is a partially exploded side perspective view of the vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 14 with the portable surface cleaning apparatus removed from air flow communication with the floor cleaning unit;

FIG. 18 is a front isometric view of the vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 14 with the portable surface cleaning apparatus removed;

FIG. 19 is side elevation view of a hand vacuum cleaner;

FIG. 20 is a front elevation view of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a bottom isometric view the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 19;

FIG. 22 is a bottom isometric view of the hand vacuum cleaner and an attachment member;

FIG. 23 is a partially exploded bottom isometric view of the hand vacuum cleaner and an attachment member ofFIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is a side isometric view of the attachment member ofFIG. 22;

FIG. 25 is a front elevation view of the attachment member ofFIG. 24;

FIG. 26 is a side isometric view of the attachment member ofFIG. 24;

FIG. 27 is a partially exploded isometric view of the attachment member ofFIG. 24;

FIG. 28 is a front isometric view of an alternate example of a vacuum cleaner with a portable surface cleaning apparatus mounted thereto;

FIG. 29 is a partial rear isometric view of the vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 28;

FIG. 30 is a rear isometric view of an alternate example of a vacuum cleaner with a portable surface cleaning apparatus mounted thereto;

FIG. 31 is a partial front isometric view of the vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 30 with the portable surface cleaning apparatus removed;

FIG. 32 is a partial top view of the surface cleaning head of the vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 30;

FIG. 33 is a side elevation view of a portable surface cleaning apparatus having a partially transparent dirt chamber;

FIG. 34 is an isometric view of the portable surface cleaning apparatus ofFIG. 33 with the dirt chamber door removed;

FIG. 35 is a section view of the portable surface cleaning apparatus ofFIG. 33;

FIG. 36 is a front isometric view of another embodiment of a surface cleaning apparatus;

FIG. 37 is a front isometric view of the surface cleaning apparatus ofFIG. 36 with the portable surface apparatus removed in a first configuration; and

FIG. 38 is a front isometric view of the surface cleaning apparatus ofFIG. 36 with the portable surface apparatus removed in a second configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As shown inFIGS. 1-6, a surface cleaning apparatus comprises a vacuum cleaner10 having at least one cyclone and a dirt collection chamber in communication with the cyclone dirt outlet. The filtration apparatus may be of any design or configuration. As exemplified, surface cleaning apparatus10 has a first housing12 and a second housing14. First housing12 comprises at least one cyclone16 and a dirt collection chamber18 and second housing14 houses the filtration members and the suction motor. As shown inFIG. 7, a surface cleaning apparatus10 has a first cyclonic cleaning stage comprising asingle cyclone150 having adirt collection chamber152 and a second cyclonic cleaning stage comprising a plurality ofsecond stage cyclones154 in parallel.

As exemplified inFIGS. 1-6, vacuum cleaner10 comprises a hand held vacuum cleaner. Accordingly, vacuum cleaner10 may be provided with handle54, which is affixed to lid32 and lid58 of second housing14. Handle54 may alternately be affixed to any other portion or portions of vacuum cleaner10 as is known in the art. Optionally, as exemplified, on/off switch56 may be provided on handle54. On/off switch56 may alternately be provided on any other portion of vacuum cleaner10. As exemplified inFIG. 3, suction motor26 may be positioned in second housing14, preferably with a suction fan provided below the electric motor. Clean air outlet60 is provided downstream from suction motor26. An optional post-motor filter may be provided downstream from suction motor26, such as in post-motor filter housing62, which may be accessible via post motor filter housing door64, which could be pivotally mounted to second housing14.

It will be appreciated that, surface cleaning apparatus may be a vacuum cleaner, a carpet extractor, a bare floor cleaner or the like. As exemplified, the surface cleaning apparatus is hand held. However the surface cleaning apparatus may be configured as an upright vacuum cleaner, a stick vacuum cleaner, a canister vacuum cleaner, a backpack or shoulder strap vacuum cleaner or other configuration known in the art. The surface cleaning apparatus may have a single cyclonic cleaning stage, which may be of any construction known in the art, or a plurality of cyclonic cleaning stages, each of which may be of any construction known in the art, e.g. they may comprise a single cyclone or a plurality of cyclones in parallel. For example, as exemplified inFIGS. 14-35,vacuum cleaner100 comprises a hand held vacuum cleaner removably mounted on an upright vacuum cleaner.

In accordance with one aspect of this invention, an openable dirt collection chamber18 is provided that is in communication with the dirt outlet28. Dirt collection chamber18 has an openable end portion that comprises a wall that is intersected by the longitudinally extending axis of the cyclone. For example, the openable end portion may be floor44 of cyclone16 as exemplified inFIGS. 1-6, impingement member30 and the floor of dirt collection chamber18 to which impingement member30 may be mounted as exemplified inFIGS. 7-8 or opposed wall164 of dirt collection chamber18 ofFIGS. 12-13 or bottom66 comprising cyclone floor42 and dirt collection chamber floor44 ofFIGS. 9-11. When the end portion is in an open position as exemplified inFIGS. 5,8 and11 and13, the cyclone chamber preferably has an absence of any member having a larger diameter than the vortex finder (i.e., the vortex finder and any shroud or screen surrounding the vortex finder) whereby dirt collection chamber18 and the cyclone16 may be concurrently emptyable with dirt collection chamber18.

A first embodiment of this invention is shown inFIGS. 1-6, which exemplifies the use of an inverted cyclone. However, as shown in other embodiments, it will be appreciated that the cyclone16 may be of any configuration and orientation and need not be inverted (e.g., cyclone16 may be a horizontally mounted cyclone or a vertically mounted upright cyclone with an upper air inlet, an upper air out and a lower dirt outlet). Accordingly, the reference to “upper” and “lower” and “floor” are for convenience in the following discussion and relate to a preferred embodiment.

Referring toFIGS. 1-6, cyclone16 has a dirt outlet28 and an impingement surface30 in dirt collection chamber18 spaced from and facing dirt outlet28. As shown inFIG. 3, optional impingement surface30 is preferably spaced a distance D from outlet28 wherein distance D may be up to 50 mm, preferably from 8 to 30 millimeters and, and more preferably from 12 to 25 millimeters. It will be appreciated that impingement member30 may be mounted to lid32 of dirt collection chamber18 as exemplified. Alternately, impingement member may be mounted to a sidewall of dirt collection chamber18 and/or cyclone16. It will be appreciated that cyclone16 may be in any particular orientation and/or any particular configuration. As exemplified inFIG. 7,cyclone150 may have a longitudinally extending axis A that extends generally horizontally when the surface cleaning apparatus is in use. In such a case, impingement surface30 may be positioned facing dirt outlet28 and accordingly, in use, extends generally vertically, (i.e. transverse to longitudinal axis A). Alternately, as shown inFIGS. 12 to 13, an impingement surface may not be provided.

As exemplified inFIG. 3, cyclone16 is an inverted cyclone. Accordingly, cyclone16 has a lower air inlet34 and a lower air outlet36. Air inlet34 is positioned downstream from dirty air inlet38 of surface cleaning nozzle40. Surface cleaning nozzle40 may be any surface cleaning nozzle known in the art. Air inlet34 of cyclone16 may be in airflow communication with surface cleaning nozzle40 in any manner known in the art. The exact structure of surface cleaning nozzle40 and the communication passage between surface cleaning nozzle40 and air inlet34 will vary depending if the surface cleaning apparatus is an upright vacuum cleaner, canister vacuum cleaner or, as exemplified, a portable hand held vacuum cleaner. In operation, air will enter cyclone16 through inlet34 and travel upwardly, as exemplified inFIG. 4. The air will then travel downwardly to exit cyclone16 via outlet36. As shown inFIG. 4 by the hatched arrows, dirt will exit upwardly through outlet28 and deposit on dirt collection chamber floor42. In addition, some of the heavier particulate matter may not be entrained in the air stream and may be deposited on cyclone floor44.

In this embodiment, cyclone16 has a longitudinally extending axis that extends through the centre of cyclone16. The longitudinal axis is aligned with, and extends through, air outlet36 and accordingly intersects floor44 and door82. In an alternate embodiment, it will be appreciated that cyclone16 need not be inverted but may be of any configuration or orientation. As exemplified inFIGS. 7 and 8,

cyclones

150,154 may be oriented such that longitudinal axis A of the cyclones extends horizontally when the surface cleaning apparatus is in use. As exemplified inFIG. 7,cyclone150 has an impingement member30 that is generally vertical and faces dirt outlet28 and is intersected by longitudinal axis A. Alternately, the cyclone may be an upright cyclone (see for exampleFIGS. 12 to 13) or a cyclone having a single direction of travel of the air. As exemplified inFIGS. 12 and 13, cyclone16 has a longitudinal axis that intersects dirt collection chamber floor42 and cyclone floor44. As exemplified inFIGS. 9-11, cyclone16 has a longitudinal axis that intersects cyclone floor44.

As exemplified, cyclone16 is a frustoconical cyclone having cylindrical portion46 and frustoconical portion48. Alternately, or in addition to the orientation of cyclone16, it will be appreciated that cyclone16 may be cylindrical, entirely frustoconical or any other shape known in the art. As shown inFIGS. 9-13, cyclone16 may be closed, i.e. have a portion that closes the dirt outlet end of the cyclone chamber, and is provided with at least one dirt outlet28. The dirt exit end may be bowl shaped, e.g., rounded.

As exemplified inFIG. 3, outlet36 of cyclone16 comprises a vortex finder that extends inwardly into the cyclone chamber defined by cyclone16. Outlet36 preferably comprises a generally cylindrical passage having an inlet50 and an outlet52. It will be appreciated that, in an alternate embodiment any outlet or vortex finder known in the art for cyclones may be utilized.

In any embodiment, inlet50 may be covered by a screen, shroud or filter as is known in the art. However, it is preferred that vortex finder36 is unobstructed, i.e., no screen, shroud or filter is provided on inlet50. Accordingly, as exemplified inFIG. 3, vortex finder36 is not surrounded by a screen, shroud or filter and no physical separation member is positioned in the cyclone chamber of cyclone16. Accordingly, no filtration or screen member interior of cyclone16 requires cleaning. Elongate material such as hair or fibre can become adhered to a shroud, requiring the shroud to be manually cleaned. Preferably, a screen is positioned downstream from cyclone16 and upstream from the pre-motor filter. For example, a screen78 is preferably provided (see for exampleFIG. 3). The material that would otherwise clog a screen or shroud that surrounds inlet50 may be retained by optional screen78 which may be larger than a screen in a cyclone chamber.

While the use of the impingement member is exemplified in a surface cleaning apparatus having side-by-side housings12,14, it will be appreciated that this design may be used in any vacuum cleaner configuration, such as shown inFIG. 7. In other embodiments, an impingement member may not be provided. For example, in the example ofFIGS. 1-6, an impingement member may not be provided. See alsoFIGS. 9-13 wherein an impingement member is not provided.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of this invention, dirt collection chamber18 surrounds at least a portion of and, as exemplified, preferably all of cyclone16 and is preferably external to the cyclone chamber defined by cyclone16. Accordingly, cyclone16 may be positioned in dirt collection chamber18 and, preferably, generally centrally therein. An advantage of this design is that the bottom of cyclone16 (e.g., floor44) may be continuous with the bottom of dirt collection chamber18 (e.g., floor44) so that a simplified construction is provided that permits both cyclone16 and dirt collection chamber18 to be opened at the same time.

The following description refers to the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-6 wherein the openable end of the dirt collection camber is the dirt collection surface (floor42). However, in an alternate embodiment, it will be appreciated that the openable portion need not be the dirt collection surface. For example, if cyclone16 is mounted horizontally, then the openable portion may be opposed wall164 of dirt collection chamber18 facing dirt outlet28 to which impingement member30 is attached. In such a case, the dirt collection surface will be a sidewall of dirt collection chamber18. Alternately, a lid may be openable.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment ofFIGS. 1-6, vacuum cleaner10 is preferably configured such that floor44 forms an openable end portion of cyclone16 and floor42 forms an openable end portion of dirt collection chamber18. Floor44 is a moveable cyclone dirt collection surface and floor42 is a moveable dirt collection chamber surface. The openable portion of cyclone16 is accordingly opened when the openable portion of dirt collection chamber18 is opened. Accordingly, dirt collected on floor44 of cyclone16 is emptied at the same time as dirt collected on floor42 of dirt collection chamber18. Accordingly, floor42 and floor44 are both moveable and connected to each other whereby both floor42 and44 are concurrently moveable such that dirt collection chamber18 and cyclone16 are concurrently emptied.

As exemplified inFIG. 5, floors42 and44 comprise a wall intersecting the longitudinally extending axis of the dirt collection chamber18 and cyclone16. Floors42 and44 may comprise a pivoting bottom or end portion of first housing12 and, alternately, of the filtration apparatus (e.g. housings12 and14 of this embodiment). It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, floors42 and44 may be otherwise openable and may be removably mounted. For example, they may be slidably, translatably or removably mounted (e.g., by a screw mount, a bayonet mount or a snap fit) to cyclone16 and dirt collection chamber18.

As exemplified inFIG. 5, outlet36 is in some embodiments preferably provided as part of floor42, and is preferably integrally molded therewith. Accordingly, when floors42 and44 are in the open position, vortex finder36, and any shroud or the like mounted thereon, is removed from cyclone16. Accordingly, the cyclone chamber has an absence of any member having a larger diameter than the vortex finder therein. Accordingly, the dirt will fall out of collection chamber16 and cyclone16 and will fall downwardly off of floors42 and44.

Accordingly, as seen inFIG. 5, both cyclone16 and dirt collection chamber18 are openable and may be emptied concurrently when floors42 and44 are in the open position by holding vacuum cleaner10 in the upright position (as shown inFIG. 1).

It will be appreciated that dirt collection chamber18 may be spaced from cyclone16 provided dirt outlet28 is in communication with dirt collection chamber18 so that dirt which is disentrained from the fluid flow in cyclone16 is conveyed to dirt collection chamber18. It will be appreciated that floor42 may open separately from floor44, such that cyclone16 and dirt collection chamber18 may be individually opened.

As shown inFIG. 5, housings12 and14 may have a pivoting bottom66, which is secured to each of housings12 and14 by a pivot68. In the closed position exemplified inFIGS. 1 and 4, pivoting bottom66 is secured in position by latch70. Latch70 may have a button72 which, when pressed, causes arm74 to move outwardly thereby disengaging a flange provided on the bottom end of arm74 from flange76 provided on pivoting bottom66. A gasket or other sealing member may be provided at the interface of housings12 and14 and pivoting bottom66 to provide an air tight or fluid tight seal. It will be appreciated that bottom66 may be moveable in any other direction by any other means known in the art and may optionally be removable from housings12,14. Further, bottom66 may be moveably secured in position by any other means known in the art and need not be connected to surface cleaning apparatus10 for relative motion thereto.

In an alternate embodiment ofFIGS. 1-6, it will be appreciated that only floors42 and44 may be pivotally mounted to housing12. In such an embodiment, foam filter20 may remain sealed when cyclone16 and dirt collection chamber18 are emptied. In an alternate embodiment, a side-by-side housing design as exemplified inFIG. 1 need not be utilized. In such a case, floor42 and floor44 may comprise the entire floor of the filtration assembly, see for example,FIGS. 9-11.

If bottom66 opens both housings12 and14, then it will be appreciated that dirt positioned on the upstream surface of filter20 will be emptied when bottom66 is opened.

In the alternate embodiment ofFIGS. 7 and 8, impingement member30 is removed from the vicinity of dirt outlet28 when opposed wall is opened, e.g., by pivoting about pivot pin66. As exemplified, impingement member30 is mounted to support166 that is preferably mounted to opposed wall164. It will be appreciated that impingement member30 may be otherwise moveably mounted. When opposed wall is opened, the cyclone chamber is opened and bothcyclone150 anddirt collection chamber152 may be concurrently emptied. In this embodiment, vortex finder36 remains in position in the cyclone chamber. While a screen may be positioned to overlie inlet end50 of vortex finder36, it will be appreciated that a member having a diameter larger than vortex finder36 is absent from the interior ofcyclone150 thereby permitting dirt to be unimpeded whencyclone150 is held open over a garbage can.

In the alternate embodiment ofFIGS. 9-11, cyclone16 has a closed end and is opened at the closed dirt outlet end for emptying. As exemplified, inFIGS. 9-11, cyclone16 has tangential passage172 that is in airflow communication with a surface cleaning nozzle (not shown). Tangential passage172 is connected to air inlet34 of cyclone16. Cyclone16 has a clean air outlet36 in floor44, similar to the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-6. Cyclone16 has a closed end wall174 with at least one dirt outlet28 in a side wall thereof. Dirt outlet28 opens to dirt collection chamber18. The outer walls of dirt collection chamber18 are formed from sidewall186 and end wall188. Bottom wall182 comprises floors44 and42. A gasket180 may be provided at the interface of dirt collection chamber18, cyclone16 and bottom panel182 to provide an air tight or fluid tight seal.

In operation, dirty air enters cyclone16 tangentially via air inlet34 and swirls upwardly. Heavier dirt particles fall out of the air stream and are deposited on floor44 of bottom panel182. Some dirt particles will exit cyclone16 via dirt outlet28, fall downwardly in dirt collection chamber18 and deposit on floor42 of bottom panel182.

As exemplified inFIGS. 9-11, bottom panel182 comprises a wall intersecting the longitudinally extending axis A of dirt collection chamber18 and cyclone16. Accordingly, bottom panel182 forms the end portion of dirt collection chamber18 and cyclone16. Bottom panel182 may have a flange184 connected to a flange190 on sidewall186. Accordingly, bottom panel182 is rotatably moveable such that cyclone16 and dirt collection chamber18 may be opened to empty deposited dirt particles. When bottom panel182 is in the open position, the cyclone chamber has an absence of any member having a larger diameter than the vortex finder.

In the alternate embodiment ofFIGS. 12-13, floors42 and44 comprise the openable end portion. Cyclone floor44 is mounted to dirt collection chamber18, such as by support176. Accordingly, when dirt collection chamber18 is opened, such as by rotating about pivot170, cyclone16 is also opened.

In any embodiment as exemplified inFIGS. 1-6, a filtration member may be provided adjacent outlet36 and, preferably, in sealing engagement with outlet52. Referring toFIG. 3, filtration member78 may be positioned on rear surface84 of floor44 and overlies outlet52. Accordingly, air that exits outlet36 travels through filtration member78. The air then travels through filtration chamber80 and travels laterally to outlet86, which is in air flow communication with headspace88 below filter20. An advantage of such an embodiment is that a screen, shroud or filter need not be provided inside cyclone16 overlying inlet52 of vortex finder36. Accordingly, if a vortex finder remains in cyclone16 when it is opened, such as inFIGS. 7-8 and12-13, then a large diameter member that may impede dirt from falling out need not be provided in cyclone16.

Preferably, filtration member78 preferably comprises a screen, such as an open mesh screen, e.g., a wire mesh screen or, alternately, a plastic mesh screen.

An access door82 may be provided to permit access to filtration member78 such that filtration member78 may be cleaned. Access door may be any door that is movably mounted in overlying relationship to filtration chamber80. As exemplified inFIG. 6, access door82 is pivotally mounted by pivot90 to pivoting bottom66, and is secured in position by alatch120.Latch120, for example, may have a button122 which, when pressed, causes arm124 to move outwardly thereby disengaging a flange on the bottom end of arm124 from flange92 provided on the front end of access door82. A sealing gasket or other sealing member known in the art may be utilized to provide an air tight or fluid tight seal for filtration chamber80. Any other securing member known in the art may be used. Further, door82 may be removable and need not be connected to surface cleaning apparatus10 for relative motion thereto.

Preferably, filtration member78 is mounted and, more preferably, movably mounted and, most preferably, removably mounted to access door82. As shown inFIG. 6, filtration member78 is pivotally mounted to the inner surface of access door82. Accordingly, when a user desires to clean filtration member78, it may be pivoted in the direction shown by arrow A inFIG. 6 to an open or cleaning position. It will be noticed that access door82 may be opened independently of pivoting bottom66. In an alternate embodiment, it will be appreciated that a pivoting bottom66 need not be provided.

Preferably, at least a portion of and, more preferably, all of access door82 is transparent. Accordingly, a user may lift the vacuum cleaner, invert the vacuum cleaner or tilt the vacuum cleaner on its side to view filtration member78 and determine whether filtration78 requires cleaning or, alternately, replacement.

In accordance with any embodiment of this invention, a series of screening and filtration members may be used in series downstream from the cyclone chamber of cyclone16. In accordance with this preferred embodiment, the screening and filtration members comprise a screen78, which is preferably positioned adjacent outlet36, a foam filter22 downstream from screen78, a felt filter22 downstream from foam20 and a HEPA filter24 downstream from felt filter22. Preferably, all of these filters are positioned upstream from suction motor26. Alternately, one or more of these filters may be positioned downstream from suction motor26. In particular HEPA filter24 may be downstream from suction motor26. Accordingly, a plurality of screening and filtration members, each of which have a finer filtration capacity (e.g. smaller pores) are provided in series in the downstream direction. Optionally, a shroud (e.g. a perforated or apertured plastic cover) may be provided surrounding or overlying inlet50 of outlet36.

It will be appreciated that the end portion may be openable by any means known in the art. For example, it may be translatable, slidable or removably mounted, such as by a screw or bayonet mount or a snap fit. Preferably, it is not removably mounted, but remains affixed to the filtration housing when opened, such as by being pivotally mounted as exemplified.

It will be appreciated that the end portion may be oriented such that it is the lower portion of the dirt collection chamber18 (e.g.FIGS. 1-6 and9-13) and accordingly comprises a dirt collection surface. However, it need not be, provided that it intersects the longitudinal axis of the cyclone (e.g.FIGS. 7-8).

It will be appreciated that the end portion may be distal to dirt outlet28 (e.g.,FIGS. 1-6 and9-11) or may face dirt outlet28 (e.g.,FIGS. 7-10).

FIGS. 14-18 exemplify an upright vacuum cleaner optionally having a removably mounted portable surface cleaning apparatus, optionally a hand vacuum cleaner, wherein the portable surface cleaning apparatus preferably has a nozzle having an open sided air flow chamber. It will be appreciated that the portable surface cleaning apparatus may be of any construction (e.g., a hand vacuum cleaner) and may use any particular air treatment member (e.g., one or more cyclones comprising one or more cyclonic cleaning stages and one or more filters). It will also be appreciated that the upright structure to which the portable surface cleaning apparatus is removably attached may be of any particular design. Further, the floor cleaning unit may alternately, or in addition, use an open sided nozzle and may selectively receive an auxiliary cleaning tool.

Referring toFIGS. 14 to 18, a first example of asurface cleaning apparatus100 is shown. Thesurface cleaning apparatus100 is a vacuum cleaner that comprises afloor cleaning unit200 comprising asurface cleaning head300 having a support structure210 pivotally mounted thereto and a portablesurface cleaning apparatus400 that is removably mounted to support structure210. Support structure210 may also be referred to as a handle, a backbone or an upright section.

In the example shown, the handle210 has anupper portion214 and alower portion216 that are optionally pivotally connected by ahinge218. The handle210 is attached to thesurface cleaning head300 and a user can move thesurface cleaning head300 along a surface to be cleaned by gripping and maneuvering the handle210. Optionally, thelower portion216 of the handle210 can be hingedly or pivotally attached to thesurface cleaning head300, so that thelower portion216 of the handle210 can move relative to thesurface cleaning head300 during use. This may enable the user to move thesurface cleaning head300 beneath cabinets, furniture or other obstacles.

Theupper portion214 of the handle optionally includes agrip212 that is shaped to be gripped by a user. In the example shown, thegrip212 is at the top, or upper end of theupper portion214 of the handle210 and is formed in a closed loop-type shape having surfaces that are rounded to increase user comfort. In other examples, thegrip212 may be of a different configuration or may be located at a different position on theupper portion214 of the handle210.

In addition to thegrip212, theupper portion214 of the handle210 optionally includes abracket113 that supports an auxiliary, or accessory orsupplemental cleaning tool112. In the example shown, thebracket113 is configured to hold a singleauxiliary cleaning tool112, but in other examples thebracket113 may be configured to hold more than oneauxiliary cleaning tool112. Also, while shown attached to theupper portion214, it is understood that thebracket113 may be attached to other locations on the surface cleaning apparatus, including thelower portion216, thesurface cleaning head300 and/or thehand vacuum400.

In the example shown, the upper and

lower portions

214,216 have a generally cylindrical or tube-like shape. However, in other examples, the upper and

lower portions

214,216 may any other type of thin support members having suitable cross-sectional shape including square, rectangular or polygonal. In addition, the upper and

lower portions

214,216 may be solid or hollow and may be formed from any suitable material, including plastic and metal. In other embodiments, it will be appreciated that handle may be a single unit, e.g., a support rod such that upper and

lower portions

214,216 are part of the same element. Alternately, upright section210 may comprise a frame for removably receiving a portable surface cleaning apparatus.

The upper and

lower portions

214,216 of the handle210 are optionally pivotally joined byhinge218. When thehinge218 is in a first position, as shown inFIGS. 14,15,17 and18 the upper and

lower portions

214,216 of the handle210 are generally aligned with each other. Thehinge218 is retained in this first position by a biasing or locking means so thatfirst portion214 of the handle210 remains in a generally vertical aligned withlower portion216 when not in use and so that movements of thefirst portion214 of the handle210 can be translated to thesecond portion216. In use, thehinge218 can be unlocked, or released from the first position and can move into a second position, wherein thegrip212 is preferably rotated forwardly.

In the example shown, thegrip212 comprises ahinge release213 that can be activated by a user during use ofvacuum cleaner100 to unlock thehinge218. When a user activates thehinge release213, the retaining or locking means used to secure thehinge218 in the first position is disengaged, allowing thehinge218 to rotate or pivot, as shown inFIG. 16a. As thehinge218 rotates, thefirst portion214 of the handle210 can be moved into a plurality of angular positions relative to thesecond portion216 handle210. Optionally, thehinge218 may rotate between, and lock into, a given number of set or indexed angular positions. Alternatively, the rotation of thehinge218 may be continuously variable, after being initially unlocked, allowing for thefirst portion214 to be moved into an indefinite number of angular positions relative to the second portion216 (e.g., freely rotatable).

In the example of thevacuum cleaner100 shown, thelower portion214 of the handle210 extends from thehinge218 to thesurface cleaning head300 and optionally comprises the portable surface cleaningapparatus mount220 for receiving and supporting thehand vacuum400. Thelower portion216 also optionally comprises ahose guide230 for keeping the flexible hose125 in close proximity to thebackbone200. When the portablesurface cleaning apparatus400 is detached or removed from thebackbone200 the flexible hose125 may be removed from thehose guide230, as shown inFIG. 16a.

Thesurface cleaning head300 serves as a base portion of thevacuum cleaner100 and is preferably in rolling contact with the surface to be cleaned. When the vacuum cleaner is100 in an upright position (as exemplified inFIGS. 14,15,17 and18) thesurface cleaning head300 is supported by optional main orrear wheels320 and/or optional front wheels (not shown). However, when thevacuum cleaner100 is moved into an angled position during use (as exemplified inFIG. 16a) additionaloptional support wheel321 that is provided on upright section210 may also roll across the surface to be cleaned. In other examples of thevacuum cleaner100 thesurface cleaning head300 may include a greater or fewer number of wheels.

Thesurface cleaning head300 also comprises adirty air inlet310 that is connected in fluid communication with adirty air outlet312 by one or more dirty air conduits (not shown). Preferably, the dirty air conduit is an air flow chamber wherein at least a portion of the lower side is open.

If the upright section includes a suction motor and/or an air treatment unit, then thedirty air outlet312 may, in turn, be coupled, optionally removably coupled, to the upstream end of the conduit, preferably a flexible hose125, that extends from thedirty air outlet312 of thesurface cleaning head300 to the upright section, such as the attachmentmember air inlet126. The fluid pathway may continue through theattachment member passageway128, which terminates in attachmentportion air outlet127, and through attachmentportion air outlet127 which mates with theopening438 of theportable cleaning apparatus400. The connection between theattachment portion120 and theportable cleaning apparatus400 is discussed in greater detail below.

Mount

220 is preferably configured to removably receive a portion of the portable surface cleaning apparatus and/or an attachment member removably mounted to the portable surface cleaning apparatus. The mount is preferably configured to retain portable surface cleaning apparatus therein under the influence of gravity. Accordingly, a mechanical lock need not be used. In particular, a user may lift the portable surface cleaning apparatus off of upright section210 without having to press a button or otherwise release a mechanical lock.

As exemplified inFIGS. 14-18 themount220 may be generally U-shaped and may be sized to receivecollar140 or other mounting portion of theattachment member120. The inner surface of themount220 comprises aprotrusion222 that extends outward from the inner surface of themount220 and removably seats within the generallyU-shaped channel144 of thecollar140. It will be appreciated thatmount220 may comprise more than one member, as exemplified inFIGS. 27-28.

Themount220 may be located in a variety of locations along the length of thesecond portion216. Preferably, themount220 is positioned at approximately the waist height of the intended user (e.g., 2.5-3.5 feet above the floor) so that the user can attached or detach thehand vacuum400 from thebackbone200 without bending over. This may decrease the stress and strain experienced by the user when the user removes thehand vacuum400 from thebackbone200.

When attached to the portablesurface cleaning apparatus400 and seated in the mount220 (as shown inFIGS. 14 and 15), theattachment member120 transfers all or a portion of the load (i.e. the weight) of thehand vacuum400 to themount220. Another portion of the load of thehand vacuum400 may be supported by an additional mounting bracket, such asmount bracket224, which receives and supports optionalrear wheel480 of the portablesurface cleaning apparatus400. The surface of themount bracket224 may be complimentary to the curved shape of the optionalrear wheel480 so that the optionalrear wheel480 can at least partially nest withinmount bracket224. In addition to supporting the weight of the portablesurface cleaning apparatus400, theattachment portion120 also preferably serves as a fluid conduit establishing a fluid flow connection between thehand vacuum400 and the airflow conduit110, which is preferably a flexible hose125.

Loads placed on the mount220 (via both the U-shaped opening and/or the mount bracket224) are in turn transferred via thelower portion216 of the handle210 to thesurface cleaning head300 and ultimately to the floor or other type of surface being cleaned. Themount220 may be made from any material that can support the weight of thehand vacuum400, including plastic and metal.

In the example of thevacuum cleaner100 shown, the optionalrear wheel480 ofhand vacuum400 and theattachment member121 are each preferably freely received by themount220 and held in place by gravity. Theprotrusion222 that seats within thechannel144 of theattachment member121 also provides a degree of lateral support, restraining the movement of the attachment member121 (and therefore the hand vacuum400) when the handle210 is moved from a vertical position to an angled position when in use.Further protrusion222 may comprise a cam surface to assist in guidingprotrusion222 intochannel144 as the portable surface cleaning apparatus is lowered ontomount220. Accordingly, theattachment member121 and the optionalrear wheel480 are preferably not held in place by clips, straps or any other type of mechanical fastening means.

The absence of mechanical fasters allows for simple, one-handed removal of theattachment member121 and thehand vacuum400 from themount220, without the need to unlock or undo any fasteners. One-handed detachment of thehand vacuum400 may be advantageous as it allows a user to control and maneuver thebackbone200 with one hand while simultaneously removing thehand vacuum400 from themount220 with the other hand. In use, this may allow a user to frequently attach and detach the portablesurface cleaning apparatus400 from themount220 in response to the user's needs, for example navigating around furniture, stairs or other obstacles on the surface to be cleaned.

While in the preferred example described above themount220 is free of fasteners, in another example themount220 may be outfitted with fastening devices for retaining theattachment member121 and theadditional wheel480. Examples of possible fasteners include clips, snaps, and straps. Magnets may alternately or in addition be used. An advantage of using magnets may assist in holding the portable surface cleaning apparatus on the backbone but still permit one handed removal as no lock need be released.

Optionally, instead of removing theattachment portion121 from themount220, thehand vacuum400 may be decoupled from the attachment portion while the attachment portion is positioned inmount220, as shown inFIG. 18. In an embodiment, it will be appreciated thatattachment member121 may not be removable frommount220.

Referring toFIGS. 28-32 and36-38, other examples of thevacuum cleaner100 are shown. These figures exemplify features of a surface cleaning apparatus that may be used with any embodiment disclosed in herein, either individually or in any particular combination or sub-combination. The features exemplified in these figures include a surface cleaning head, a support structure for an upright or stick vacuum cleaner, and a handle mount for a surface cleaning apparatus.

In this description, alternate structures for supporting an air treatment unit and/or a suction motor are provided. In one embodiment, as exemplified inFIGS. 28-32, thesecond portion216 may include a generally upside downU-shaped wishbone portion250. Thewishbone250 is optionally provided with ahinge218 at the centre of an upper portion of thewishbone252, and eachprong254 of the wishbone extends downward, and connects to arib256. Theribs256 are preferably substantially parallel and cooperate to define an optional mount for receiving a removable surface cleaning unit, such as the split saddle configuration that is exemplified. Optionally, theribs256 may be integrally formed with theprongs254 of thewishbone portion250, or they may be separate tubes or rods fastened to theprongs254 of thewishbone250, as shown.

A preferred mount comprises a pair of generally opposing saddle flanges280 (one on each rib) that cooperate to provide a mount or a mounting location for theattachment member121 that is connected to thehand vacuum400. Due to the spacing of theribs256 and the general curvature of thehand vacuum400, thehand vacuum400 is preferably positioned in front ofribs256. Theattachment member121 extends rearward ofhand vacuum400 and may be received onsplit saddle flanges280 in a similar manner to mount220. Alternately, it will be appreciated thathand vacuum400 may be partially nest between, or be received between, theribs256.

As exemplified, to supportingly engage theattachment member121, eachsaddle flange280 preferably includes a projection or protrusion (not shown) that is received within thechannel142 of the collar140 (as described in more detail with reference toFIGS. 24-27 below). The generally curved profile of thecollar140 andchannel142 may enable the attachment member121 (and the associated hand vacuum400) to generally self-level or self-register between theribs256 when the user initially places theattachment member121 on thesaddle flanges280. Like themount220 described above, thesaddle flanges280 may include magnets or other fastening devices to secure or retain theattachment member121. Optionally, themount220 or any other suitable type of mounting hardware may replace thesaddle flanges280 in this example.

The lower ends of theribs256 may be attached to abracket260 having a generally opposite configuration than the wishbone. That is, the bracket may include two, upward facingprojections262, for attaching to theribs256, that are connected by a cross-member264 to provide a single downwardfacing coupling point266. The spaced apart ribs provide two mounting points. Various such structures may be used.

Preferably,lower portion216 is rotatably mounted to the cleaning head. Accordingly, a user may rotategrip212 clockwise or counterclockwise to assist in steering the cleaning head. Accordingly an advantage of providing a single, downward facing coupling point may be the fact that a single coupling point can be pivotally and rotationally connected to thesurface cleaning head300. Another advantage is that a narrower rear end may be utilized for the floor cleaning unit.

Accordingly, as exemplified, thebracket260 preferably also includes ahousing268, which is preferably hollow, having alower opening270 that connects to thesurface cleaning head300. As exemplified,housing268 may be pivotally mounted to surface cleaning head, preferably at about the location ofrear wheels320, such as by having a portion pivotally mounted to the axle ofrear wheels320. Optionally, the connection between thelower opening270 and thesurface cleaning head300 can be a rotatable and pivotal connection. Thehollow housing268 may extend from thelower opening270, through the cross-member264 to define anupper collar272.

Optionally, as in this example, thesurface cleaning head300 includes ahollow conduit member330 and a second air conduit334. As exemplified inFIGS. 30-32, one example of the second air conduit334 is a second flexible hose335. In the preferred arrangement shown, thedirty air outlet312 of thesurface cleaning head300 is connected to the second or upstream flexible hose335 and the second flexible hose335 extends from thedirty air outlet312, through thehollow conduit member330, through thehollow housing268 to theupper collar272. The downstream end of the second flexible hose335 may be fixedly connected to theupper collar272, or it may have a fitting that seats upon a surface of theupper collar272 preventing the second flexible hose335 from retracting within thehollow housing268 while leaving the downstream end of the second flexible hose335 free to extend upward, away from theupper collar272.

The second flexible hose335 forms part of the continuous airflow passageway that connects thedirty air outlet312 of thesurface cleaning head300 to theopening438 on thehand vacuum400. To establish the continuous airflow passageway, the downstream end of the second upstream flexible hose335 may be connected to the upstream end of the downstream flexible hose125. The connection between the flexible hose125 and the downstream end of the second flexible hose335 is preferably a detachable connection so that the flexible hose125 can be detached from thesurface cleaning head300 as described above.

Optionally, the second flexible hose335 is also an extensible, or stretchable, hose that can extend when pulled on by the user. In some examples, the second flexible hose335 is a stretch hose and may have a stretched length to non-stretched length ratio of between 2:1-6:1. In examples where the second flexible hose335 is not stretchable, when a user removes thehand vacuum400 from its mount during use, the maximum distance that thehand vacuum400 can be separated from thebackbone200 and thesurface cleaning head300 is determined by the length of the flexible hose125. However, in some instances, a user may wish to move the hand vacuum400 a greater distance from thebackbone200, for example to pass thesurface cleaning head300 under a bed or other large piece of furniture. When a stretchable second flexible hose335 is used, the downstream end of the second flexible hose335 can unseat from theupper collar272 and extend away from thebracket260, whereby some of hose335 may pass throughhousing268 thereby lengthening the airflow conduit connecting thehand vacuum400 to thesurface cleaning head300 and allowing thehand vacuum400 to be moved further from thebackbone200 in use. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that some or all of the conduit that may be extended to provide additional length for an air flow passage may be stored on thesurface cleaning head300.

It will be appreciated thatlower section216 may be rotatably mounted on cleaninghead300 without hose335 extending through ahousing268. Further, ahousing268 may be used even iflower section216 is not rotatably mounted to cleaninghead300. Such a housing need not be pivotally mounted to surface cleaning head.

Preferably, the second flexible hose335 is also resilient so that it will return to its original, un-stretched length when it is released by the user. The resilience of the second flexible hose335 may tend to retract the second flexible hose335 through thehollow housing268 and thehollow conduit member330 and may serve to re-seat the downstream end of the second flexible hose335 on theupper collar272. In this example, the second flexible hose335 functions as a variable length air conduit and may reduce the need for a user to add extra hoses or conduit members to thevacuum100 during use.

To allow for easy and repeated extension of the second flexible hose335, the second flexible hose335 may be sized to freely pass through both thehollow conduit member330 of thesurface cleaning head300 and thehollow housing268 of thebracket260.

In the example shown inFIG. 28-32, thehollow housing268 is integral thebracket260 and also serves as the coupling means that connects thelower portion216 to thesurface cleaning head300. As shown, the coupling between thelower portion216 and thesurface cleaning head300 may be the telescoping or overlapping engagement of thelower opening270 over thesurface cleaning head300

hollow conduit member

330. In other examples, the coupling or attachment between thelower portion216 and thesurface cleaning head300 may be any type of connection including a threaded connection, clamps or tabs. The connection between thelower portion216 and thesurface cleaning head300 may be fixed or selectively releasable. An advantage of providing a single, downward facingcoupling point266 may be the fact that asingle coupling point266 can be pivotally and rotationally connected to thesurface cleaning head300. Further, thehollow conduit member330 may be pivotally connected to thesurface cleaning head300, as exemplified inFIGS. 28-32, and in other examples, thehollow conduit member330 may be fixedly connected to thesurface cleaning head300, or integrally formed therewith.

As shown, thehollow housing268 may be integral with thebracket260 and provide both a hollow passageway and an attachment point. However, in other examples, thehollow housing268 may be external thebracket260 and may be formed from a separate conduit. Similarly, the air flow conduit110 connecting theattachment member121 to the second flexible hose335 may be the flexible hose125 or any other suitable conduit, including flexible conduits, rigid conduits, conduits integral with the handle and conduits external the handle.

Optionally, the ribs256 (or another portion of the second portion216) may be surrounded by a housing or shell. The housing may provide structural strength to thesecond portion216 or it may merely provide an improved aesthetic appearance of thevacuum100, or both. If a housing is formed around a section of the second portion216 (or any other section of the handle210 or backbone200) the mount for supporting the hand vacuum (for example themount220 or the saddle flanges260) may be within a recess in the housing. Providing a recess in the housing for receiving the hand vacuum may create a more integrated or seamless visual appearance when the hand vacuum is mounted to thebackbone200; it may also improve the rigidity of thebackbone200.

As exemplified,wishbone portion250 preferably extends forwardly and provides a mount for upper portion214 (i.e. the handle) at a forward point of the backbone. Further,passageway268 extends rearwardly. Accordingly, whenhand vacuum400 is mounted to the backbone, the centre of gravity of the backbone andhand vacuum400 combined is below a plane P extending from the axle ofrear wheel320 to the upper end of upper portion214 (as exemplified inFIG. 30), thereby improving maneuverability ofsurface cleaning head300. It will be appreciated that other constructions, such as that exemplified inFIGS. 14-18, may be used to position the centre of gravity behind the plane. In the example shown (best exemplified inFIG. 18), thelower portion216 includes an upper end, that is connected to thehinge218 such that theupper portion214 is drivingly connected to thesurface cleaning head300. In this construction the lower end includes a step-back or kinked-back portion215. The step-back portion215 enables themount220 to be positioned sufficiently behind therear wheels320 such that the centre of gravity of the combination of thebackbone200 and thehand vacuum400 is below the plane P. As a result of this configuration, thevacuum100 may be more stable when rotated and maneuvered by the user, especially whenupper portion214 is rotated abouthinge218. Specifically, locating the centre of gravity of the combination of thehand vacuum400 and thebackbone200 below the plane P may tend to reduce the over rotation of thebackbone200 or over-steer of thevacuum100 in use, and may reduce the strain on a user's arm and wrist.

It will be appreciated that the dual hose construction (i.e. the flexible hose125 and the second flexible hose335 ofFIG. 28-32) may be used in combination with any example disclosed herein or by itself in a surface cleaning apparatus. Similarly, the positioning of a removably mounted portable surface cleaning apparatus with a low centre of gravity may be used in combination with any example disclosed herein or by itself in a surface cleaning apparatus.

Referring now toFIGS. 36-38, another embodiment of avacuum cleaner100 includes a portablesurface cleaning apparatus400 removably mounted to thebackbone200, which in this embodiment includes theupper portion214 and thelower portion216.Backbone200 is pivotally connected to thesurface cleaning head300, which includes thedirty air inlet310 and is rolling supported above the floor byrear wheels320.

The portablesurface cleaning apparatus400 is fluidly connected to thesurface cleaning head300 by the air conduit110 that comprises the substantially rigid upper and

lower portions

214,216 and the flexible hose125. In this configuration, thevacuum cleaner100 can be operated in a floor cleaning mode as an upright vacuum cleaner.

Optionally, as described in detail above, a user can detach the portablesurface cleaning apparatus400 from thebackbone200, as shown inFIGS. 37 and 38, so that the user can hold the portablesurface cleaning apparatus400, or rest it on the ground, separately from thebackbone200 andsurface cleaning head300. To configure thevacuum cleaner100 in this manner, a user can remove the portablesurface cleaning apparatus400 from themount portion220 of thebackbone200.

In this example, as exemplified inFIG. 37, themount portion220 is a generally tubular section216aof thelower portion216 that is received within a corresponding slot or aperture in the portablesurface cleaning apparatus400. In some examples, the corresponding slot is a generally complimentary, tubular or cylindrical opening in a lower portion of the portablesurface cleaning apparatus400 that is sized and configured to removably receive the tubular section216a. Optionally, as exemplified, both the tubular section216aand the corresponding slot can form part of the air flow passage110 that communicably links thedirty air inlet310 to the portablesurface cleaning apparatus100. Accordingly, the connection between the tubular section216aand the slot in the portablesurface cleaning apparatus400 can also include a releasable sealing member, for example a rubber o-ring, to provide a generally air-tight connection between thelower portion216 and the portablesurface cleaning apparatus400.

In some examples the portablesurface cleaning apparatus400 is held on the tubular section216aby gravity, and is free from any locking or latching mechanisms. In other examples, the connection between the tubular section216aand the portablesurface cleaning apparatus400 can include a user operable lock or latching mechanism to securely hold the portablesurface cleaning apparatus400 in place when thevacuum cleaner100 is in use as an upright vacuum cleaning.

As exemplified inFIGS. 36-38, thevacuum cleaner100 can be operated in at least two operating modes when the portablesurface cleaning apparatus400 is removed from thebackbone200. In one configuration, as exemplified inFIG. 37, the portablesurface cleaning apparatus400 can be removed from fluid communication with thesurface cleaning head300 and can be operated as an above floor cleaning apparatus. In this configuration theupper portion214 can be released from portablesurface cleaning apparatus400 and serve as an auxiliary cleaning tool. Optionally, theupper portion214 can include a rigid cleaning wand portion214athat can be used to extend the cleaning reach of a user. The cleaning wand portion214acan also be configured to receive additionalauxiliary cleaning tools112 as described above. In some examples, the cleaning wand portion214acan be detached from thegrip portion212, which can then be used to clean surfaces directly, or to supportauxiliary cleaning tools112.

In another configuration, as exemplified inFIG. 38, when the portablesurface cleaning apparatus400 is detached from thebackbone200 theupper portion214 and be re-connected to the lower portion216 (for example by sliding over the tubular mount section216a), so that the detached portablesurface cleaning apparatus400 can remain in fluid communication with thesurface cleaning head300. In this configuration, thebackbone200 of thevacuum cleaner100 can be maneuvered as an upright vacuum cleaner without the added weight and bulk of the portablesurface cleaning apparatus400, as explained in greater detail with respect to the previous example with reference toFIG. 16a.

In the previous example the portablesurface cleaning apparatus400 could optionally be detached from thebackbone200 without interrupting the air flow connection between the portablesurface cleaning apparatus400 and thesurface cleaning head300. In the present example (exemplified inFIGS. 36-38), detaching the portablesurface cleaning apparatus400 from thebackbone200 temporarily interrupts the air flow passage from thesurface cleaning head300 to the portablesurface cleaning apparatus400, but the air flow passage can be reestablished by re-configuring the upper and

lower portions

214,216 as described above.

Referring now toFIGS. 19-27, examples of theportable cleaning apparatus400 and theattachment member121 of thevacuum100 are shown in more detail. It will be appreciated that any portable surface cleaning apparatus may be used. Preferably, the portable surface cleaning apparatus uses cyclonic separation. More preferably, the portable surface cleaning apparatus is a hand vacuum cleaner.

Thehand vacuum400 can be operated as the vacuum suction supply for thevacuum100 and it can be operated as a stand alone hand vacuum cleaner, that is movable along a surface to be cleaned by gripping and maneuvering handle402, when it is removed from, or detached from thebackbone200. Thehand vacuum400 includes anupper portion404, alower portion406, a front408, and a rear410. In the example shown, maneuveringhandle402 is provided at theupper portion404. In alternate examples, maneuveringhandle402 may be provided elsewhere on thevacuum cleaner400, for example at the rear410.

In the example shown, thehand vacuum400 comprises anozzle412 and acyclone unit414, which together preferably form acleaning head portion416 of thehand vacuum400. In the example shown, the cleaninghead portion416 is provided at thefront408 of thehand vacuum400.

Nozzle

412 comprises adirty air inlet418, through which dirty air is drawn into theportable cleaning apparatus400, and when used as a hand vacuum cleaner thenozzle412 directly engages a surface to be cleaned. An airflow passage extends from thedirty air inlet418 to aclean air outlet420 of thehand vacuum400. In the example shown,clean air outlet420 is at the rear410 of thehand vacuum400. It will be appreciated that clean air outlet may optionally be connected to a fluid conduit provided in the floor cleaning unit.

Cyclone unit

414 is provided in the airflow passage, downstream of thedirty air inlet418. In the example shown, thecyclone unit414 comprises onecyclone422, and one dirt chamber424. In alternate examples, thecyclone unit410 may include more than one cyclone, and more than one dirt chamber. Further, the cyclones chambers may be arranged in stages, and may be provided in parallel or in sequence. Alternately, or in addition, one or more filters or other dirt separation members may be used.

In a preferred embodiment,cyclone unit414 is the first cyclonic cleaning stage of an upright vacuum cleaner and one or more additional cyclonic stages may optionally be provided.Cyclone unit414 preferably comprises an inverted cyclone and/or a dirt collection chamber that partially or completely surrounds a cyclone chamber.

Referring toFIGS. 33 and 34, an example of acyclone unit414 is shown in more detail. Within thecyclone unit414, thecyclone422 may be of any configuration and orientation. Preferably,cyclone422 comprises achamber wall442, which in the example shown, is cylindrical. The cyclone chamber is located insidechamber wall442. Thecyclone422 has an air inlet and an air outlet, which, preferably are at the same end ofcyclone422. Preferably the air inlet and the air outlet are distal to front end of thehand vacuum400. The cyclone air inlet and cyclone air outlet may be of any configuration known in the art and the cyclone air outlet may be covered by a screen or shroud or filter as is known in the art.

The air travels in a cyclonic path in the cyclone, and dirt in the air is separated from the air. The air exits the cyclone via anoutlet passage444. As exemplified inFIG. 34, aplate474 may be providedadjacent outlet passage444, spaced from and facing theoutlet passage444. As exemplified inFIG. 35, thecyclone outlet passage444 may comprise avortex finder482, upstream from and in communication with thedirt outlet446. As exemplified, the vortex finder is a cylindrical conduit, having an inlet facing thedirt outlet446.

In the example shown,plate474,legs478 and a wiremesh surrounding legs478 form ashroud484 that is optionally removably mounted incyclone422.

Preferably, theshroud484 is positioned such that air must pass through the openings in the shroud prior to traveling to a downstream component (e.g., a further cyclonic stage or a suction motor). As exemplified, the shroud surrounds the cyclone air outlet, oroutlet passage444. Theshroud484 may serve to prevent elongate material and larger, lighter dirt from passing throughdirt outlet446. As exemplified, theshroud484 surrounds thevortex finder482.Legs478 extend fromplate474, alongvortex finder482. As exemplified, theshroud484 also comprises aring485 that is integral withlegs478 and surroundsvortex finder482. The ring and legs provide a mount forplate474. Optionally, a screen extends fromplate474, aroundlegs478, to ring485. Accordingly, the screen is positioned in the air flow path of air exiting the cyclone chamber and entering thevortex finder482. It will be appreciated that in alternate embodiments, the shroud may be any other suitable configuration. For example, a plate need not be provided. In another example, the plate may be provided as part of the vortex finder. The shroud screen may be made of a wire mesh. Alternately,shroud484 may be a molded plasticcovering vortex finder482 and may have a plurality of apertures therein.

Optionally, the dirt chamber may be internal or external to the cyclone chamber. Preferably, as exemplified inFIGS. 33-35, the dirt chamber424 is external theouter cyclone housing442, and the dirt that is separated from the air exits theouter cyclone housing442 viadirt outlet446, and enters dirt chamber424. In the example shown, the dirt chamber424 has anouter wall415 that comprises a first portion425 and asecond portion427. Thesecond portion427 may also be referred to as a door or outlet end wall. Together, the first andsecond portions425,427 cooperate to define a sealed dirt chamber424. As exemplified, the first andsecond portions425,427 of the dirt chamberouter wall415 may also form the outer housing, casing or unit wall of thecyclone unit414, and more generally of thecleaning head portion416 of thehand vacuum400. In other examples, the first andsecond portions425,427 of the dirt chamber outer wall, or portions thereof, may be surrounded by a separate housing, casing or wall structure that defines the outer surface of thecyclone unit414 and thecleaning head portion416 of thehand vacuum400. Also, the dirt chamber424 may be in communication with the cyclone chamber by any means known in the art. Accordingly, one or more dirt outlets may be provided. Preferably, the dirt outlet is at the end opposed to the air inlet and, preferably, the dirt outlet is at the front end of thehand vacuum400.

In the example shown, the dirt chamber424 comprises two volumes. Afirst volume448 is provided immediately adjacent thedirt outlet446, and above the top of theouter cyclone housing442, when thehand vacuum400 is mounted on thebackbone200. Asecond volume450 is the generally annular space formed between theouter cyclone housing442 and the first portion425 of the dirt chamberouter wall415.

Aseparation plate454 may be provided in the dirt chamber424, adjacent thedirt outlet446. Theseparation plate454 aids in preventing dirt in dirt chamber424 from re-enteringcyclone422. Preferably,plate454 is spaced fromdirt outlet446 and facesdirt outlet446.Plate454 may be mounted by any means to any component incyclone unit414. As exemplified, the separation plate is mounted on an arm, which extends from an inner surface of the front wall458 of thehand vacuum400.

When thevacuum100 is used to clean a surface the dirt separated from the dirty air is collected in and retained in the dirt chamber424. When thehand vacuum400 is mounted on thebackbone200, gravity will urge the dirt toward the bottom the dirt chamber424 as exemplified inFIG. 33 (that is, toward theair outlet420 and away from thesecond portion427 of the dirt chamber outer wall415). As a result of ongoing or extended use of thevacuum100, the amount of dirt collected within dirt chamber424 will increase. As the amount of dirt contained within the dirt chamber424 increases, the level of dirt within the dirt chamber424 will rise, relative to the bottom of the dirt chamber424 as exemplified inFIG. 33. Over time, the level of dirt within the dirt chamber424 will approach an optional designated fill line F indicated on at least one side of the first portion425 of the dirt chamberouter wall415.

The position of the fill line F may be based on the performance characteristics of thecyclone422 including the height of the cycloneouter surface442 or other suitable factors. As exemplified inFIG. 33, the location of the fill line F may be below the top of the cycloneouter housing442 and the dirt outlet446 (when thehand vacuum400 is vertically mounted on the backbone200). Locating the fill line F below thedirt outlet446 may reduce the likelihood of dirt re-entering theouter cyclone housing442 and fouling thecyclone422 or otherwise interfering with the operation of thehand vacuum400. Optionally, the fill line F may be defined by the edge of thesecond portion427 of thedirt chamber wall415, instead of a line on the first portion425.

In the example shown inFIGS. 33 and 34, the first portion425 of the dirt chamberouter wall415 is transparent (or at least substantially transparent) to allow a user to see the amount of dirt contained within the dirt chamber424 without having to open or otherwise access the dirt chamber424. When the hand vacuum is mounted on thebackbone200, a user looking into the dirt chamber424 may be able to compare the height of the dirt in the dirt chamber424 to the position of the fill line F to determine if the dirt chamber424 is “full”. Being able to see the amount of dirt in the dirt chamber424 may enable a user to determine how much capacity remains within the dirt chamber424, and accordingly anticipate how much additional cleaning can be completed before the dirt chamber424 needs to be emptied. While the first portion425 of the dirt chamberouter wall415 is preferably transparent to allow a user to see inside the dirt chamber424, theouter cyclone housing442 is preferably opaque to conceal thecyclone422 and to provide a contrasting background to allow the user to accurately determine the height of the dirt within the dirt chamber424.

Due to the operation of thecyclone422 and configuration of thedirt outlet446, it may impede the operation of the vacuum100 (and the hand vacuum400) if thedirt outlet446 is substantially blocked or occluded by the accumulated dirt in the dirt chamber424. To reduce the chances of thedirt outlet446 being blocked by dirt the fill line F may be located below thedirt outlet446 as exemplified. The position of the fill line F may also be based on a maximum volume of the dirt chamber below the fill line F so that when thehand vacuum400 is operated on its side, as a hand vacuum, the dirt in the dirt chamber424 will not completely submerge the cycloneouter housing442 and thedirt outlet446. Optionally, the first portion425 of the dirt chamberouter wall415 may include a second fill line that is oriented to be read when thehand vacuum400 is in a sideways orientation. The dirt chamber424 may also include a plurality of additional indicator lines, such as a half-full line and a quarter-full line.

Despite the presence of the fill line F indicating the maximum intended capacity of the dirt chamber424, a user may be tempted to continue to operate thevacuum100 to collect additional dirt, particularly if it appears that there is additional dirt storage capacity within the dirt chamber424 above the fill line F, for exampledirt chamber volume448. As described above, filling the dirt chamber424 above the fill line F can impede the operation of thevacuum100. Therefore, to deter users from over-filling the dirt chamber424 (i.e. filling above the fill line F), thesecond portion427 of thecyclone unit wall415 is preferably opaque (or at least substantially opaque) to visually obscure portions of the dirt chamber424 from the user, as exemplified inFIG. 33. Optionally, the first portion425 may be partially translucent and partially opaque to further conceal the interior of the dirt chamber424.

Thesecond portion427 of the dirt chamberouter wall415 abuts the first portion425 at a joint or juncture. The position of the juncture may be such that the lowest portion of the juncture (when thehand vacuum400 is vertically mounted on the backbone200) is proximate the fill line F. Configuring the dirt chamber424 in this manner may further deter the user from over-filling the dirt chamber424 because the opaquesecond portion427 may create the illusion that the dirt chamber424 does not extend much above the fill line F.

This embodiment is particularly preferred. When a user approaches the vacuum cleaner, they may approach it from the front, as seen inFIG. 14. In this orientation, the shortest portion of first portion425 is visible. Accordingly, if second portion is an openable lip, and is made from a plastic that is less translucent thenfirst portion415, a user may determine to empty the dirt collection chamber prior to using the vacuum cleaner if the dirt collection appears to be full due to dirt extending all the way up to the lowest portion oflid427. It will be appreciated that a fill line need not be marked on the dirt collection chamber itself.

Cyclone unit

414 may be emptied by any means known in the art. For example, one of the ends of thecyclone unit414 may be openable. Thesecond portion427 may be a pivotally mounted door to the first portion425 of thecyclone unit wall415, such thatcyclone unit414 may be opened, and dirt chamber424 may be emptied. Whensecond portion427 is pivoted away from the remainder of thecyclone unit414,separation plate454 also preferably pivots away from the remainder of thecyclone unit414. A securing member such as alatch459, a screw mount or the like may be provided, which securessecond portion427 to the first portion425 of thewall415. In alternate examples,second portion427 may be removable from cyclone unit wall415 (As exemplified inFIG. 34) or the opposed end of thecyclone unit414 may be openable.

In the example shown, thenozzle412 is positioned at thelower portion406 of theportable cleaning apparatus400. More preferably, as in the example shown,nozzle412 is positioned at the bottom of theportable cleaning apparatus400, and is preferably beneath thecyclone unit414 when used as a hand vacuum cleaner and is between thecyclone unit414 and themount220 when attached to thebackbone200. Further, as in the example shown, thenozzle412 is preferably fixedly positioned at thelower portion406 of theportable cleaning apparatus400. That is, thenozzle412 is not movable with respect to the remainder of theportable cleaning apparatus400, and is fixed at the lower portion106 of theportable cleaning apparatus400. As shown inFIGS. 20 and 21,nozzle412 has a width WN and, as shown inFIG. 24,coupling plate123 has a width Wp that is generally the same as width WN.

Nozzle

112 exemplifies a particular design for an open sided nozzle. Open sidednozzle112 has an open side that faces the surface to be cleaned when the nozzle is placed against a surface to be cleaned. Accordingly,nozzle112 defines an air flow chamber that has an open lower side. In operation, air will flow longitudinally through the air flow chamber to an air exit. It will be appreciated that only part of the nozzle may have an open lower side. Alternately, all of the nozzle, from an air inlet end to the air outlet, may have an open lower side. It will be appreciated that various other design may be used.

Referring now toFIGS. 21-27,nozzle412 comprises anupper nozzle wall426. In the example shown, theupper nozzle wall426 comprises aportion419 of awall415 of the cyclone unit.Nozzle412 further preferably comprises a dependingwall428 extending downwardly from theupper nozzle wall426. The dependingwall428 is generally U-shaped. The height of the depending wall may vary. The open end of the U-shape defines anopen side wall430 of thenozzle414, and forms thedirty air inlet418 of theportable cleaning apparatus400. In the example shown, theopen side wall430 is provided at the front of thenozzle414 and forms a portion of a flow passage that is in communication with theopening438. When in use as a hand vacuum,optional wheels435 are in contact with a surface and theopen side wall430 sits above and is adjacent a hard surface to be cleaned. It will be appreciated that dependingwall428 may be positioned only rearward ofopening438. Alternately, or in addition, dependingwall428 may be provided adjacent the lateral sides ofopening438. The depending walls may be discrete walls or they may be joined together as exemplified. The walls may be continuous or discontinuous.

In the example shown, thelower end432 of the dependingwall428 defines an openlower end434 of thenozzle414. The openlower end434 extends to thefront408 of thehand vacuum400, and merges with theopen side430. In use, the openlower end434 faces a surface to be cleaned. In the example shown, a plurality ofwheels435 are mounted to the dependingwall428, and extend below thelower end432 of the dependingwall428. Accordingly, when in use as a hand vacuum, whenwheels435 are in contact with a surface, thelower end432 of the dependingwall428 is spaced from a surface to be cleaned, and the space between the lower end of the dependingwall428 and the surface to be cleaned form a secondary dirty air inlet to theportable cleaning apparatus400 when used as a hand vacuum.

Theupper nozzle wall426, dependingwall428, and openlower end434 of thenozzle412 define anairflow chamber436 of the nozzle. Anopening438 is preferably provided in theupper nozzle wall426, and is in communication with theairflow chamber436. When in use as a hand vacuum, thewheels435 are in contact with a surface, theopening438 faces a surface to be cleaned, air enters thedirty air inlet418, passes horizontally through theairflow chamber436, and passes into theopening438.Opening438 is in communication with acyclone inlet passage439, which is in communication with acyclone air inlet440 ofcyclone422. In some embodiments, opening438 need not be inupper wall426.

Nozzle

412 andattachment member121 are configured such thatattachment member121 may form part of the air flow conduit to opening438 whenattachment member121 is mounted tohand vacuum400. For example, when theportable cleaning apparatus400 is used in combination with thebackbone200 and thesurface cleaning head300, theopening438 in thenozzle412 is in sealed, fluid communication with theair outlet127 of theattachment member121. By way of this connection, a continuous fluid pathway is established between thedirty air input310 of thesurface cleaning head300 and theopening438.

It will be appreciated thatattachment member121 may be removably mounted tonozzle412 by any engagement means known in the connecting arts. Further, attachment member may be of any configuration. Attachment member may be part of, or may be connected to, an accessory cleaning tool by any means, such as a flexible hose. The flexible hose may be hose110 if hose110 is removably mounted to the floor cleaning unit.

As exemplified,attachment member121 is removably engaged withnozzle412 by the engagement of pivoting arms in slots provided onnozzle412. Accordingly, for example,nozzle412 may also include aslot490 defining a recess in the dependingwall428 that is adjacent theupper nozzle wall426. Theslot490 preferably extends continuously along the U-shaped portion of thenozzle depending wall428 and may be bounded at each end bycorners492. Theattachment member121 includes twoarms151 each having ashoulder154 and being pivotally connected to thecoupling plate123 using pins156 (alternatively, thearms151 could be resilient).FIG. 27 is a partially exploded view of theattachment member121, illustrating one example of the rotational connection between thecoupling142 and thecollar140. In the example shown, thecoupling142 comprises a cylindrical body wall that passes through an opening in thecollar140. Once thecoupling142 had been inserted into thecollar140 it is retained usingfastening clip143. The combination of thecoupling plate123 and thearms151 may also be described as connecting portion, mounting portion or nozzle mounting portion of theattachment member121.

In order to assemble the mount onnozzle412,coupling plate123 may be slid into the open end ofairflow chamber436. Accordingly, when thecoupling plate123 of theattachment portion121 is slid into theairflow chamber436, thearms151 are pressed together by thenozzle412 walls until the point whenarms151 are aligned with slot490 (i.e. when theshoulders154 are advanced past the corners492). When thearms151 are aligned with theslot490, theattachment member121 is “clicked-in” or locked in place when thearms151 spread apart and theshoulders154 of thearms151 become lodged behind the corners192 ofslot490. Thearms151 may be manually separated or the attachment member may include a biasing means (not shown) that biases thearms151 apart. With thearms151 in the spread configuration theattachment member121 cannot be slidingly removed from thenozzle412. When a user wishes to detach the attachment means121 from thenozzle412 the user may squeezeupstanding tabs153 together thereby allowing theshoulders154 to slide past the corners192. The mount may alternately be inserted by squeezingupstanding tabs153 together so thatplate123 may be inserted inchamber436.

When thehand vacuum400 is coupled to theattachment member121 theairflow chamber436 may receive, and be partially filled with thecoupling plate123 of theattachment portion121. Thecoupling plate123 is preferably shaped to be slidingly received within theairflow chamber436.

Insertion of thecoupling plate123 into theairflow chamber436 serves to register theair outlet127 with thenozzle opening438. As shown, theair outlet127 has a width Wo and a length Lo that are preferably the same as the width Wo and a length Lo of theopening438. A sealinggasket123 may provided at the juncture of the openings.

Theattachment member121 and thenozzle412 may also include a plurality ofmagnets158 that magnetically couple theattachment member121 to thenozzle412 to improve the connection between them and ensure thatair outlet127 is properly registered withopening438. It will be appreciated that, in an alternate embodiment, only magnets may be used. Other mounting means may be used. For example, a plurality of latches may be used orair outlet127 may extend intoopening438.

Optionally, when theattachment member121 is coupled to theportable cleaning apparatus400, the upstream end of the air conduit110 (for example hose125) can be detached from thesurface cleaning head300 and the combination of theattachment member120 and the flexible hose125 (decoupled from the surface cleaning head300) can serve as an auxiliary or accessory cleaning tool. The free end of the hose125 may be maneuvered by the user to clean objects and surfaces that cannot be cleaned using thesurface cleaning head300. In some examples, the upstream end of the flexible hose125 may be connected to theauxiliary cleaning tool112. Alternatively, the flexible hose125 may be removed from theattachment member120 and theauxiliary cleaning tool112 may be mounted directly to theair inlet126 of theattachment member120. It will be appreciated thattool112 may have aplate123 andarms151 provided at the coupling end thereof.

Optionally, theattachment member120 may be removed from thenozzle412 and theauxiliary cleaning tool112 may be fitted directly to thenozzle412, without the use of a flexible hose125 or other type intermediate air conduit. In addition to the auxiliary oraccessory cleaning tool112, thenozzle412 may be directly connected to any one of a number of cleaning tools that have been provided with the an appropriate attachment member, including wands, brushes, crevasse tools and other hoses.

Clean air outlet

420 is provided downstream of thecyclone unit414, suction motor and optional post-motor filter contained optionally within thecleaner body460.Clean air outlet420 may comprise a plurality of apertures formed inhousing461. Thecleaner body460 may also contain one or more of a separation plate, a dirt chamber a pre-motor filter and a plurality of connecting fluid conduits or passageways.

In the example shown,cleaner body460 is removably mounted tohead portion416. For example,cleaner body460 may be entirely removable fromhead portion416, or pivotably mounted tohead portion416. Accordingly,cleaner body460 andhead portion416 may be separated in order to provide access to the interior ofcleaner body460 orhead portion416. This may allow a pre-motor filter to be cleaned, changed, or serviced, or the motor to be cleaned, changed or serviced. Alternately,head portion416 may be cleaned or serviced. For example, any dirt stuck in the enclosed passagesportable cleaning apparatus400 may be removed. Alternately, a replacementcleaner body460 orhead portion416 may be provided, and may be mounted to an existinghead portion416 orcleaner body460, respectively.

One or more additionalrear wheels480 may be mounted tohousing461 atlower portion406, and may be used in conjunction withwheels435 when theportable cleaning apparatus400 is used as a hand vacuum. When theportable cleaning apparatus400 is attached to thebackbone200 theadditional wheel480 preferably engages with themount bracket224 and partially supports theportable cleaning apparatus400 on the handle210 as described above.

Preferably, as exemplified, the portion of theattachment member120 that is used to mount the attachment member to the backbone may also comprise part of the air flow path fromsurface cleaning head300 tohand vacuum cleaner400. For example, theattachment member120 may include a mounting portion orcollar140 that includes acoupling142 and defines achannel144. Thecollar140 is connected to theairflow passageway128, or alternatively may be connected directly to the air conduit110. Optionally, thecoupling142 is a rotatable coupling that allows theairflow passageway128 to rotate relative to thecollar140. The upstream end of theairflow passageway128 defines theair inlet126. In operation, theair inlet126 is preferably coupled to the airflow conduit110 that extends to the surface cleaning head300 (the flexible air hose125 in the example shown). Theair inlet126 is releasably coupled to the flexible air hose byclips160. Downstream of thecoupling142 an enclosed airflow passage connects theairflow passage128 to theair outlet127. It will be appreciated that theattachment member120 need not comprise part of the air flow passage. For example,coupling142 may be located out of the flow path defined bypassageway128. Alternately,plate123 need not haveopening127. Accordingly, attachment member may have a first part that is secured tohand vacuum400 and a second distinct part that completes that air flow passage fromsurface cleaning head300 toopening438.

Theairflow passageway128 may be flexible or rigid and may be generally straight or may have a curved shape, as shown. Preferably, thecurved airflow passageway128 subtends fewer than45 degrees.

It will be appreciated that a construction that uses a dirt collection chamber that partially or completely surrounds a cyclone in an upright surface cleaning apparatus may be used by itself or with any other feature disclosed herein. It will be appreciated that an inverted first stage cyclone in an upright surface cleaning apparatus may be used by itself or with any other feature disclosed herein. In addition, any of the features disclosed herein may be used by themselves, or with any other feature, and may include the construction of the dirt collection chamber to denote a fill line.

It will also be appreciated that any of the aforementioned embodiments may be used singly or in any particular combination or sub-combination of the remaining features listed above.

Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, if is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims. In addition, citation or identification of any reference in this application shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art to the present invention.