US20210386258A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20210386258A1
Application number: US17/458,128
Authority: US
Inventors: Wayne Ernest Conrad
Original assignee: Omachron Intellectual Property Inc
Current assignee: Omachron Intellectual Property Inc
Priority date: 2020-03-18
Filing date: 2021-08-26
Publication date: 2021-12-16
Also published as: US20240032754A1

Abstract

A hand vacuum cleaner has a main body housing a suction motor; an air treatment member having a front end and a rear end with a central longitudinal axis extending between the front and rear ends; and a handle. A portion of the suction motor extends downwardly into an interior volume of the handle and/or upwardly into a volume defined by the post-motor filter.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/203,686 filed on Mar. 16, 2021, which is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/822,708 filed on Mar. 18, 2020, a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/823,191 filed on Mar. 18, 2020, a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/823,203 filed on Mar. 18, 2020, and a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/823,216 filed on Mar. 18, 2020, the disclosure of each of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to surface cleaning apparatus such as hand vacuum cleaners, upright vacuum cleansers, stick vacuum cleaners or canister vacuum cleaners, and in particular portable surface cleaning apparatus, such as hand vacuum cleaners.

INTRODUCTION

The following is not an admission that anything discussed below is part of the prior art or part of the common general knowledge of a person skilled in the art.

Various types of surface cleaning apparatus are known, including upright surface cleaning apparatus, canister surface cleaning apparatus, stick surface cleaning apparatus, central vacuum systems, and hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus such as hand vacuum cleaners. Further, various designs for cyclonic surface cleaning apparatus, including battery operated cyclonic hand vacuum cleaners are known in the art.

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 any claimed or as yet unclaimed invention. One or more inventions may reside in any combination or sub-combination of the elements or process steps disclosed in any part of this document including its claims and figures.

In accordance with another aspect of this disclosure, which may be used alone or in combination with any other aspect, the hand vacuum cleaner is configured such that removing the air treatment member allows access the post-motor filter to be accessed. Accordingly, the post-motor filter may be inaccessible when the air treatment member is attached. For example, the filter housing may include a removeable portion (e.g., a removable cover) that is removeable such that the filter in the housing may be removed (e.g., lifted out) of the housing. A latch on another body portion (e.g., the main body of the hand vacuum cleaner) may hold the removable portion in position over the filter and may be accessible once part or all of the air treatment member is removed, such that the latch may be released when the air treatment member is removed. Alternatively, a latch provided on the removeable portion may hold the removeable portion in position over the filter and may be accessible once the air treatment member is removed, such that the latch may be released when the air treatment member is removed.

In accordance with another aspect of this disclosure, which may be used alone or in combination with any other aspect, a hand vacuum cleaner may have a transversely extending bleed valve. The bleed valve may have a longitudinal axis that is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (front to rear) of the surface cleaning apparatus, the cyclone axis of rotation, and/or the motor axis of rotation. The air inlet of the bleed valve may be on one side of the centre line (laterally positioned) of the hand vacuum, and the bleed valve may extend transverse to the air inlet direction of the air inlet to the hand vacuum. The bleed valve inlet may be a laterally directed inlet (i.e., it may face laterally and may be in a plane that is generally parallel to a lateral side of the hand vacuum cleaner). The air inlet of the bleed valve and/or the air inlet of the bleed valve housing may be directed towards a lateral side of the surface cleaning apparatus or may be on a lateral side of the surface cleaning apparatus. A finger gap may be between the pistol grip handle and the bleed valve. A transversely extending bleed valve may allow for a more compact construction, as the bleed valve may have a smaller size along a longitudinal axis of the hand vacuum.

In accordance with another aspect of this disclosure, which may be used alone or in combination with any other aspect, a hand vacuum cleaner may have a control panel on the rear face of the hand vacuum. The control panel may contain one or more toggles (e.g., a button or touchscreen) operable to control the surface cleaning apparatus or a component of the surface cleaning apparatus (e.g., to turn on the motor or adjust a speed setting of the motor). The control panel may be located on a rear external surface of the surface cleaning apparatus and/or on a centre line of the surface cleaning apparatus. A rear-facing control panel may be easily accessible.

In accordance with another aspect of this disclosure, which may be used alone or in combination with any other aspect, a hand vacuum cleaner may have a portion of the motor extend into an adjacent component. For example, a hand vacuum may have a compact overall form, for example so it can be maneuvered around and/or between objects when being carried by a user while cleaning one or more surfaces. A compact form may also improve the ergonomics of the hand vacuum cleaner (e.g., the perceived balance or ‘hand feel’ when carried by a user) and well as permit the hand vacuum cleaner to be stored in a smaller place. A hand vacuum cleaner may include a handle for use in maneuvering the hand vacuum cleaner and/or a post-motor filter for filtering exhaust air (e.g., a post motor filter housed in a post-motor filter housing). One or more components (e.g., the handle and/or the post-motor filter) may have a space or volume inside that is not fully utilized (e.g., particularly if the handle is not filled with, e.g., batteries). Extending a portion of the suction motor (e.g., a portion of a brush of a brushed motor) into the handle, post-motor filter, and/or post-motor filter housing may promote a compact design (e.g., reduce the overall size of the hand vacuum cleaner). This may provide increased maneuverability and accessibility for a user of the hand vacuum cleaner.

In accordance with another aspect of this disclosure, which may be used alone or in combination with any other aspect, a hand vacuum cleaner may be laterally balanced. Lateral balance may contribute to an improved hand-feel. A hand vacuum cleaner may have a motor with brushes, and the brushes may be centered. The brushes may be oriented directly above one another on a vertically and longitudinally extending (i.e., in the direction of the motor axis of rotation) centre plane of the surface cleaning apparatus, or the brushes may be located within a centrally located zone around the vertically and longitudinally extending centre plane (e.g., a zone between parallel vertical planes tangential to the right and left edges of the handle and parallel to the motor axis of rotation). A hand vacuum cleaner may have the vortex finder, the brushes, and the handle aligned such that a vertical plane passes through the vortex finder, the brushes, and the handle, or such that all of the vortex finder, the brushes, and the handle are within the central zone between two planes. This aspect may provide better lateral balance and/or better alignment of the components (e.g., for improved performance or reduced size).

In accordance with another aspect of this disclosure, which may be used alone or in combination with any other aspect, a hand vacuum cleaner may have a centre of gravity centred within the main body of the hand vacuum cleaner. The centre of gravity may be within a vertical and/or horizontal projection of the handle (i.e., between parallel vertical planes tangential to the right and left edges of the handle). In some examples, components inside the main body are not centred, but are arranged to balance one another so that the main body looks and feels balanced. For example, the centre of gravity of the motor and the centre of gravity of the energy storage members (e.g., batteries) may each be off the central plane and/or outside the central zone but balanced such that the centre of gravity of the hand vacuum as a whole is on the central plane and/or inside the central zone. This aspect may provide a better hand feel.

In accordance with another aspect of this disclosure, which may be used alone or in combination with any other aspect, a hand vacuum cleaner may have an air treatment member that includes a uniflow cyclone. The uniflow cyclone may be more compact than a reversing cyclone.

In accordance with another aspect of this disclosure, which may be used alone or in combination with any other aspect, a hand vacuum cleaner may have a handle that is in line with further components of the vacuum. The hand vacuum may have a handle that is in-line with at least one additional component, such as the bleed valve, the air treatment member, the dirt collection chamber, the cyclone, and/or a front openable door. Alternately or in addition, a vortex finder and/or fluff screen of a hand vacuum cleaner may be in-line with other components of the surface cleaning apparatus. The hand vacuum cleaner may include a vortex finder and/or fluff screen arranged such that a longitudinal projection of the vortex finder/fluff screen extends through the suction motor and the accessory electrical connector. Alternately or in addition, a motor of the hand vacuum cleaner may be in-line with other components, such as the accessory electrical connector, the cyclone, the pre-motor filter, and/or the rear-facing control panel. The alignment of components may result in better lateral balance, improved performance, and/or reduced overall size of the hand vacuum.

In accordance with one aspect of this disclosure, which may be used alone or in combination with any other aspect, a hand vacuum cleaner may have a power cord entering a rear of handle and extending to a motor at the top of the handle. An electrical conductor, e.g., wires, may extend through the handle from a lower end of the handle to an upper end of the handle. The power line may enter the handle at a rear of the handle and extend to the motor that is at the top of the handle or that is within the handle (e.g., if the motor extends into the handle). The power cord may be provided in addition to an on board energy storage member, (e.g., batteries), or the hand vacuum cleaner may be provided without an on board energy storage member. An on board energy storage member may allow a greater flexibility of use of the hand vacuum cleaner, but may be heavy and contribute to a larger overall size of the hand vacuum cleaner.

In accordance with another aspect of this disclosure, which may be used alone or in combination with any other aspect, a hand vacuum cleaner may include a base of the handle having a high-friction or an anti-skid surface. If the hand vacuum cleaner is mounted to a wand and a floor cleaning head so as to form a stick vacuum cleaner, this may allow a user to store the stick vacuum cleaner adjacent a wall (i.e., the floor cleaning head is adjacent the wall and the base of the handle contacts the wall) without the hand vacuum falling due to the base of the handle sliding across the wall. This may allow the user to more securely store the hand vacuum cleaner in a stick vacuum cleaner configuration.

In accordance with another aspect of this disclosure, which may be used alone or in combination with any other aspect, a hand vacuum cleaner may operate with a sound damping feature. The air flow path from the motor may extend through apertures designed to reduce sound transmission. The apertures may be smaller than the wavelength of the sound frequencies that are to be blocked (e.g., to reduce sound transmission at those frequencies). The apertures may be downstream of the cyclone and/or downstream of the motor, and may be at or near the air outlet of the air flow path. This may reduce the external experience of undesirable frequencies of sound.

It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that an apparatus or method disclosed herein may embody any one or more of the features contained herein and that the features may be used in any particular combination or sub-combination.

These and other aspects and features of various embodiments will be described in greater detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the described embodiments and to show more clearly how they may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view from the side and the rear of a hand vacuum cleaner, in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a side perspective cross sectional view of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 1 with the air treatment member assembly removed;

FIG. 4 is a side perspective cross sectional view, from the front, of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 1 with the air treatment member assembly removed;

FIG. 5 is an expanded view of a portion of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the air treatment member assembly of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 1 with a rear door in a first open position;

FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the air treatment member assembly of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 1 with a rear door in a further opened position;

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of a main body of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 1 with the air treatment member assembly removed;

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of the main body of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 1 with the pre-motor filter removed;

FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 1 with a removable portion of the post-motor filter housing in a first open position;

FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 1 with the post-motor filter removed;

FIG. 12 is a bottom perspective view of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 1 with a cutout into a bleed valve;

FIG. 13 is a front cross sectional view of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 1 showing a projection of the vortex finder;

FIG. 14 is a front cross sectional view of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 1 showing a projection of the handle;

FIG. 15 is a front perspective cross sectional view of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 1 showing parallel planes tangential to the sides of the handle;

FIG. 16 is a front perspective cross sectional view of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 1 showing angled planes tangential to the sides of the handle;

FIG. 17 is a side cross sectional view of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 1 showing a projection of the motor;

FIG. 18 is a rear perspective view of an alternative hand vacuum cleaner, in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 19 is a side perspective cross sectional view, from the front, of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a side perspective view from the front of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 18 with the air treatment member assembly removed;

FIG. 21 is a side perspective cross sectional view of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 18 with the air treatment member assembly removed;

FIG. 22 is a rear perspective view of the air treatment member assembly of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 18;

FIG. 23 is a side perspective view from the front of the air treatment member assembly of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 18 with a removable portion of the premotor filter housing removed;

FIG. 24 is a side perspective view from the front of the air treatment member assembly of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 18 with the pre-motor filter removed;

FIG. 25 is a rear perspective view of the air treatment member assembly of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 18 with the pre-motor filter removed;

FIG. 26 is a rear perspective view of the air treatment member assembly of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 18 with an openable door in a first open position;

FIG. 27 is a side perspective view from the front of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 18 with a removeable portion of the post-motor filter housing in a first open position;

FIG. 28 is a side perspective view from the front of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 18 with the post-motor filter removed;

FIG. 29 is a rear perspective view of an alternative hand vacuum cleaner, in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 30 is a cross sectional view of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 29;

FIG. 31 is a cross sectional view of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 29 with the air treatment member assembly in a first removed position;

FIG. 32 is a cross sectional view of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 29 with an air treatment member assembly in a further removed position;

FIG. 33 is a side perspective cross sectional view from the front of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 29 with the post-motor filter removed;

FIG. 34 is a front perspective view of an alternative hand vacuum cleaner, in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 35 is a cross sectional view of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 34; and,

FIG. 36 is a cross sectional view of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 34 with the air treatment member assembly in a removed position.

The drawings included herewith are for illustrating various examples of articles, methods, and apparatuses of the teaching of the present specification and are not intended to limit the scope of what is taught in any way.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Various apparatuses, methods and compositions are described below to provide an example of an embodiment of each claimed invention. No embodiment described below limits any claimed invention and any claimed invention may cover apparatuses and methods that differ from those described below. The claimed inventions are not limited to apparatuses, methods and compositions having all of the features of any one apparatus, method or composition described below or to features common to multiple or all of the apparatuses, methods or compositions described below. It is possible that an apparatus, method or composition described below is not an embodiment of any claimed invention. Any invention disclosed in an apparatus, method or composition described below that is not claimed in this document may be the subject matter of another protective instrument, for example, a continuing patent application, and the applicant(s), inventor(s) and/or owner(s) do not intend to abandon, disclaim, or dedicate to the public any such invention by its disclosure in this document.

The terms “an embodiment,” “embodiment,” “embodiments,” “the embodiment,” “the embodiments,” “one or more embodiments,” “some embodiments,” and “one embodiment” mean “one or more (but not all) embodiments of the present invention(s),” unless expressly specified otherwise.

The terms “including,” “comprising” and variations thereof mean “including but not limited to,” unless expressly specified otherwise. A listing of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms “a,” “an” and “the” mean “one or more,” unless expressly specified otherwise.

As used herein and in the claims, two or more parts are said to be “coupled”, “connected”, “attached”, or “fastened” where the parts are joined or operate together either directly or indirectly (i.e., through one or more intermediate parts), so long as a link occurs. As used herein and in the claims, two or more parts are said to be “directly coupled”, “directly connected”, “directly attached”, or “directly fastened” where the parts are connected in physical contact with each other. None of the terms “coupled”, “connected”, “attached”, and “fastened” distinguish the manner in which two or more parts are joined together.

Furthermore, it will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the example embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the example embodiments described herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the example embodiments described herein. Also, the description is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the example embodiments described herein.

General Description of a Surface Cleaning Apparatus

Referring toFIGS. 1, 18, 29, and 34, exemplary embodiments of a surface cleaning apparatus are shown generally as100. The illustrated example surface cleaning apparatus are each hand vacuum cleaners, which may also be referred to as “handvacs” or “hand-held vacuum cleaners”.

As used herein, a hand vacuum cleaner is a vacuum cleaner that can be operated to clean a surface generally one-handedly. That is, the entire weight of the vacuum may be held by the same one hand used to direct a dirty air inlet of the vacuum cleaner with respect to a surface to be cleaned. For example, the handle and a clean air inlet may be rigidly coupled to each other (directly or indirectly) so as to move as one while maintaining a constant orientation relative to each other. This is to be contrasted with canister and upright vacuum cleaners, whose weight is typically supported by a surface (e.g., a floor) during use. It will also be appreciated that the hand vacuum cleaner may be mounted to an outlet end of a wand which is pivotally mounted to a surface cleaning head so as to provide a stick type vacuum cleaner (see for exampleFIG. 1).

It will be appreciated that any one or more of the features of thesurface cleaning apparatus100 set out herein may alternately be used in any type of surface cleaning apparatus, such as an upright surface cleaning apparatus, a stick vac, a canister surface cleaning apparatus, an extractor or the like. It will also be appreciated that a surface cleaning apparatus may use any configuration of the operating components and the airflow paths exemplified herein.

As exemplified, thesurface cleaning apparatus100 includes amain body102 comprising a housing and ahandle104. It will be appreciated that the housing and/or handle104 of thesurface cleaning apparatus100 may be in other configurations, shapes, and/or positions in other examples. Thesurface cleaning apparatus100 also includes an airtreatment member assembly110 connected to themain body102, adirty air inlet116, aclean air outlet118, and an air flow path extending between thedirty air inlet116 and theclean air outlet118.

The airtreatment member assembly110 may be a single cleaning stage (such as a single cyclonic stage, which may comprise one or more cyclones in parallel, or a single non-cyclonic momentum separator chamber) and, as such, the airtreatment member assembly110 may be referred to as anair treatment member110.

As exemplified inFIGS. 2, 19, 30, and 35, theair flow path120 extends through theair treatment member110 such that air flowing through theair flow path120 may be treated by theair treatment member110. Theair flow path120 may be referred to as a primary or first air flow path. It will be appreciated that thesurface cleaning apparatus100 may include one or more additional discrete or branched air flow paths, such as an air flow path through a battery pack to cool the batteries, an additional or alternative air flow path to the air treatment member assembly110 (e.g., an above for cleaning hose for an upright vacuum cleaner), or a separate air path over the motor to cool the motor.

As exemplified inFIGS. 1, 8, 18, 29 and 34, thesurface cleaning apparatus100 has afront end130, arear end132, an upper end or top134, and a lower end orbottom136. Thesurface cleaning apparatus100 also has first and second laterally opposed

sides

140,142 spaced apart in a direction transverse to a centrallongitudinal axis144, which extends in the forward/rearward direction. Preferably, when theupper end134 of thesurface cleaning apparatus100 is positioned above thelower end136, the centrallongitudinal axis144 is oriented generally horizontally.

In the embodiment shown, thedirty air inlet116 is at an upper portion of thefront end130 andclean air outlet118 is at an upper portion of therear end132. Theclean air outlet118 may include a grill located on an upper surface of thesurface cleaning apparatus100. It will be appreciated that thedirty air inlet116 and/or theclean air outlet118 may be provided at different locations and/or be of different configurations.

As exemplified inFIGS. 2, 19, 30, and 35, an air moving member (e.g., a motor and fan assembly150) is a clean air motor and is provided to generate vacuum suction through theair flow path120. The air moving member may include a suction motor andfan assembly150, which may be referred to assuction motor150. Thesuction motor150 is contained within asuction motor housing152. Thesuction motor housing152 may be of any suitable construction, including any of those exemplified herein.

Thesuction motor150 in the illustrated example is positioned downstream from theair treatment member110, although it will be appreciated that thesuction motor150 may be positioned upstream of the air treatment member110 (e.g., a dirty air motor) in alternative embodiments. Thesuction motor150 rotates about a central axis ofrotation154.

Preferably, when theupper end134 of thesurface cleaning apparatus100 is positioned above thelower end136, the axis ofrotation154 is oriented generally horizontally and extends between thefront end130 and therear end132. In other examples, however, the axis ofrotation154 may extend at any angle to the horizontal, or it may extend vertically. Accordingly, thesuction motor150 may be oriented in any direction within thesurface cleaning apparatus100. The suction motor axis of rotation153 may be spaced (e.g., vertically spaced) from the centrallongitudinal axis144 of thesurface cleaning apparatus100 or it may be coaxial therewith.

Theair treatment member110 is configured to remove particles of dirt and other debris from the airflow and/or otherwise treat the airflow. Any air treatment member or members known in the art may be used. For example, the surface cleaning apparatus may use one or more cyclones, bags, screens, physical filter media (e.g., foam, felt, HEPA) or the like. Theair treatment member110 may comprise one or more cyclonic stages, each of which have one or more cyclones in parallel.

As exemplified inFIG. 2, theair treatment member110 is acyclone assembly162 having a singlecyclonic cleaning stage164 with asingle cyclone chamber166, and the centrallongitudinal axis144 is parallel to the cyclone axis ofrotation160, and may be coaxial therewith. Preferably, when theupper end134 of thesurface cleaning apparatus100 is positioned above thelower end136, thecyclone axis160 is oriented generally horizontally. In other examples, however, thecyclone axis160 may extend at any angle to the horizontal, or may extend vertically. Accordingly, thecyclone chamber166 may be oriented in any direction within thesurface cleaning apparatus100.

As exemplified inFIG. 2, the air treatment member axis ofrotation160 may be spaced (e.g., vertically spaced) from the centrallongitudinal axis144 of thesurface cleaning apparatus100, or it may be coaxial therewith. The air treatment member axis ofrotation160 may be parallel to and/or spaced from (e.g., vertically spaced from) the suction motor axis ofrotation154.

Theair treatment member110 may include adirt collection region170. In the illustrated example, thedirt collection region170 is external to thecyclone chamber166, although in alternative examples thedirt collection region170 may be, e.g., a lower portion of thecyclone chamber166 or it may be an end of the cyclone chamber distal to the air outlet end of thecyclone chamber166. The dirt collection region may also be adjacent the cyclone chamber and generally to one side (e.g., on a lower side) of the cyclone chamber. Positioning thedirt collection chamber170 adjacent the cyclone chamber166 (e.g., rather than fully surrounding the cyclone chamber) may help reduce the overall size (e.g., width and/or height) of the surface cleaning apparatus100 (e.g., reducing the width when thedirt collection chamber170 is above or below and not beside the cyclone chamber166). Thecyclone chamber166 anddirt collection region170 may be of any configuration suitable for separating dirt from an air stream and collecting the separated dirt, respectively.

Thecyclone chamber166 and the exteriordirt collection region170 are in communication via a gap ordirt outlet172. Thedirt outlet172 may be one or more openings in a wall separating theair treatment chamber166 and thedirt collection chamber170. The opening has an outer perimeter defined by the wall in which the dirt outlet is provided or the walls which abut the dirt outlet. Any dirt outlet may be used.

Theexemplary dirt outlet172 is arranged such that dirt and debris—entrained in air flow inside of thecyclone chamber166—may be ejected (e.g., “spit-out”) through the gap and into thedirt chamber170. Thedirt outlet172 may be a gap in thesidewall174 of thecyclone chamber166. If all or a majority of the gap is provided in an upper end of the dirt collection chamber, (when the surface cleaning apparatus is in an in use position—e.g., the upper end is above the lower end), as illustrated, then dirt may fall downwardly inside of the dirt chamber to collect (e.g., aggregate) in the lower end of the chamber. In this manner, thedirt outlet172 configuration may help improve the dirt separation efficiency of the air treatment member.

If the airtreatment member assembly110 includes an air treatment chamber and a dirt collection chamber external to the cyclone chamber, then the air treatment chamber and the dirt collection chamber may be concurrently openable, such as by opening a wall or portion of each chamber, which as a front end and/or a rear end of the airtreatment member assembly110, thereby enabling the air treatment chamber and the dirt collection chamber to be concurrently emptyable.

In some examples, during an opening or emptying operation, a wall or walls defining a first part of the perimeter of the dirt outlet may be moved relative to a wall or walls defining a second part of the dirt outlet thereby opening the dirt outlet. Thedirt outlet172 may be a gap between two or more separable plates or panels. For example, thedirt outlet172 may be a gap between thesidewall174 and an end wall of thecyclone chamber166. In some examples, the end wall of thecyclone chamber166 and thesidewall174 may be moved apart (e.g., to open thecyclone chamber166 and/or dirt collection chamber170). Separating plates or panels that form the perimeter of thedirt outlet172, e.g., when the rear end opens as exemplified inFIG. 7, may open up the dirt outlet (e.g., to allow bridging debris to be removed more easily from the dirt outlet172).

As in the illustrated example and as discussed previously, thecyclone assembly162 may include a single cyclone cleaning stage. In alternative embodiments, thecyclone assembly162 may include two or more cyclonic cleaning stages arranged in series with each other. Each cyclonic cleaning stage may include one ormore cyclone chambers166 that may be arranged in parallel with each other and one or moredirt collection chambers170 of any suitable configuration. The dirt collection chamber orchambers170 may be external to thecyclone chambers166, or may be internal thecyclone chambers166 and configured as a dirt collection area or region within thecyclone chambers166.

Thesurface cleaning apparatus100 may include one or more filters, such as apre-motor filter180 in the air flow path upstream of the suction motor150 (e.g., upstream of themotor150 and downstream of the air treatment member110) and/or apost-motor filter182 in the air flow path downstream of thesuction motor150. Thepre-motor filter180 and thepost-motor filter182 may be formed from any suitable physical, porous filter media and may have any suitable shape, including the examples disclosed herein. For example, thepre-motor filter180 and/or thepost-motor filter182 may be one or more of a foam filter, felt filter, HEPA filter, other physical filter media, electrostatic filter, and the like.

Thepre-motor filter180 may be provided in apre-motor filter housing184. Thepost-motor filter182 may be provided in apost-motor filter housing186. Thepre-motor filter housing184 and thepost-motor filter housing186 may be of any suitable construction, including any of those exemplified herein. Thepre-motor filter housing184 and/or thepost-motor filter housing186 may be openable or accessible to allow thepre-motor filter180 and/or thepost-motor filter182 to be cleaned and/or replaced.

Thepre-motor filter180 may be provided as part of the airtreatment member assembly110 and removable therewith (see for exampleFIG. 20) or thepre-motor filter180 may be part of the front end of the main body, see for exampleFIG. 8.

Theaxis154 of thesuction motor150 may extend through a volume defined by theouter perimeter188 of thepre-motor filter180 and/or through thepre-motor filter housing184, and may extend through a portion of thepre-motor filter180. In some examples, thepre-motor filter180 has a vertical length in a vertical plane that is greater than a vertical length of thesuction motor150 in a vertical plane. A greater length may allow for a greater surface area (e.g., to allow for greater air flow/less backpressure).

Theaxis154 of thesuction motor150 may also extend through a volume defined by the outer perimeter of thepost-motor filter182 and/or through the post-motor filter housing, and may optionally extend through a portion of thepost-motor filter182. Thepost-motor filter182 may overlay thesuction motor150.

In the illustrated embodiment, thedirty air inlet116 of thesurface cleaning apparatus100 is theinlet end190 of an inlet conduit orpassage192. In some examples, the inlet conduit orpassage192 has alongitudinally extending axis194. The conduit orpassage192 may be a linear conduit orpassage192 betweendirty air inlet116 and an inlet of an air treatment member.

Optionally, theinlet end190 of theconduit192 can be used as a nozzle to directly clean a surface. Alternatively, or in addition to functioning as a nozzle,inlet conduit192 may be connectable or directly connectable to the downstream end of any suitable accessory tool such as a rigid air flow conduit (e.g., an above floor cleaning wand), a crevice tool, a mini brush, and the like. Accordingly, an assembly200 (FIG. 1) comprising a floor cleaning head, a rigid air flow conduit that is moveably mounted to the floor cleaning head at an inlet end of the rigid air flow conduit, and the hand vacuum cleaner disclosed herein, may be provided.

As exemplified, power may be supplied to the surface cleaning apparatus100 (e.g., to components or elements such as the suction motor150) via apower cord202. Thepower cord202 may be configured for use with standard wall electrical outlets. It will be appreciated that thepower cord202 may be provided at any location on thesurface cleaning apparatus100 and/ormain body102. It will be appreciated that in some examples, thesurface cleaning apparatus100 may alternatively or additionally include one or more energy storage members (e.g., a capacitor or battery) to supply power to powered components (e.g., the motor150), and the energy storage member may be arranged in one or more packs (e.g., a removeable battery pack).

Uniflow Cyclone

The following is a description of a uniflow cyclone, which may be used by itself or in combination with one of more of the open handle, the arcuate post-motor filter, the removable air treatment member, the accessory power connection on a removeable air treatment member, the filters are accessible when air treatment member is moved, the transversely extending bleed valve, the laterally directed inlet to the bleed valve, the rearwardly positioned control panel, the motor and/or motor housing extends into surrounding features, the power line extends through the handle, the brushes are centered, the handle is in-line with additional components, centrally positioned components, off-center components with a centered centre of gravity, the friction surface on a handle base, sound damping and an in-line vortex finder or air treatment member, which are set out herein.

In accordance with this aspect, thecyclone166 of thesurface cleaning apparatus100 comprises or consists of one or more uniflow cyclones. If the cyclone assembly is a single stage cyclone assembly, then the cyclone assembly may include a single cyclone that is a uniflow cyclone or a plurality of cyclones in parallel that are each uniflow cyclones. If the cyclone assembly is a multistage cyclone assembly, each cyclonic cleaning stage may include one or more cyclones, and each cyclone may be a uniflow cyclone. This aspect may be used by itself or in combination with one or more other aspects of this disclosure.

As exemplified inFIGS. 2, 19, 30, and 35, thecyclone166 may have asidewall174, which may extend axially in the direction of thecyclone axis160. Thecyclone chamber166 may be provided within thesidewall174. Thesidewall174 may have any suitable shape or configuration. Optionally, as shown, thesidewall174 may have a cylindrical configuration defined by a constant diameter along the axial length ofcyclone chamber166. Alternatively, thesidewall174 may have, for example, a frusto-conical shape wherein the diameter of thesidewall174 may decrease along the axial length from the cyclone outlet end (e.g.,sidewall174 may have a diameter which tapers from therear end132 to thefront end130, along axis160).

Thecyclone166 may also comprise a cyclone air inlet204 (FIG. 19), and acyclone air outlet206. Thecyclone air inlet204 is defined by an aperture (e.g., a tangential air inlet) on thesidewall174. Theair outlet206 is similarly defined by an aperture, with theair outlet206 aperture in the wall forming therear end208 of thecyclone166. Thesurface cleaning apparatus100 may include avortex finder210, which may be part of ascreen212 forming an outlet of thecyclone chamber166. It will be appreciated, however, that theair inlet204 and theair outlet206 may be of different configurations.

While thecyclone air inlet204 and thecyclone air outlet206 may be any configuration known in the art and at any location known in the art, in some examples thecyclone166 is a uniflow cyclone. Thecyclone air inlet204 may be at one end of the cyclone chamber166 (e.g., the front end214) and thecyclone air outlet206 may be at the other end of the cyclone chamber166 (e.g., the rear end208).

Air received insidecyclone chamber166 may swirl therein, and may swirl cyclonically about thecyclone axis160 such that dirt is dis-entrained from the air flow. Cleaned air may then exit thecyclone166 via theoutlet206. The exemplifiedcyclone166 is arranged as a uniflow cyclone in which air travels in one direction along the cyclone axis ofrotation160.

Auniflow cyclone166 may have shape and/or performance advantages over a reverse flow cyclone. Auniflow cyclone166 may be more compact, which may reduce the size of thesurface cleaning apparatus100.

Open Handle

The following is a description of an open handle, which may be used by itself or in combination with one of more of the uniflow cyclone, the arcuate post-motor filter, the removable air treatment member, the accessory power connection on a removeable air treatment member, the filters are accessible when air treatment member is moved, the transversely extending bleed valve, the laterally directed inlet to the bleed valve, the rearwardly positioned control panel, the motor and/or motor housing extends into surrounding features, the power line extends through the handle, the brushes are centered, the handle is in-line with additional components, centrally positioned components, off-center components with a centered centre of gravity, the friction surface on a handle base, sound damping and an in-line vortex finder or air treatment member, which are set out herein.

In accordance with this aspect, thehandle104 of thesurface cleaning apparatus100 is an open handle. An open handle includes ahand grip portion220 projecting from a body portion (e.g., the main body102) of thesurface cleaning apparatus100, with a first end (e.g., an upper end134) secured to themain body102 and a second end opposite to the first end (e.g., a lower end136) that is free-hanging. This aspect may be used by itself or in combination with one or more other aspects of this disclosure.

Ahandle104 allows a user to control and wield thesurface cleaning apparatus100. Thehandle104 may include ahand grip portion220 that can be grasped by a user's hand when usingsurface cleaning apparatus100. A finger gap or empty space or void222 forward of thehandle104 allows a user's fingers to wrap around thehand grip portion220.

As exemplified inFIGS. 1-2 and 18-19, a first orupper end224 of thehandle104 is provided on a body portion of the surface cleaning apparatus100 (e.g., the main body102). Thehandle104 extends outwardly (e.g., downwardly) from themain body102.

In some examples, thehandle104 extends out from a portion that houses thesuction motor150, such as extending out from a wall of thesuction motor housing152 that forms an exterior surface of themain body102. Thehandle104 may be provided at a rearward portion of thesurface cleaning apparatus100. Optionally, thehandle104 may be the rearward most part of thesurface cleaning apparatus100. In some examples, ahandle axis226 may intersect thesuction motor150.

As exemplified inFIGS. 1-2 and 18-19, thehandle104 may be a pistol grip handle. Ahandle axis226 extends through thehand grip portion220 between the first orupper end224 and an opposite second orlower end228. With a pistol grip handle, theaxis226 extends generally vertically when theupper end134 of thesurface cleaning apparatus100 is above thelower end136 of the surface cleaning apparatus100 (e.g., theaxis226 may extend at an angle of less than 45°, less than 30°, or less than 15° from vertical).

Thefinger gap222 may be provided between thehand grip portion220 and one or more cleaning stage (e.g., the pre-motor filter180). Thepre-motor filter180 may operate more efficiently or have a longer life span between cleaning with a large surface area in a direction transverse to the air flow through the pre-motor filter180 (e.g., the downstream and/or the rear surface area) and positioning thefinger receiving area222 between thepre-motor filter180 and thehand grip portion220 may allow thepre-motor filter180 to have a larger surface area than otherwise.

As exemplified, thehandle104 is an open handle, with theupper end224 secured to the body and thelower end228 free-hanging. In other words, thelower end228 is only joined to a body portion of the surface cleaning apparatus (e.g., the main body102) via the body of thehandle104 itself (e.g., the handle grip portion220). Anopen handle104 may facilitate easier construction and/or use.

Optionally, a finger guard may be provided forward of thefinger receiving area222, such as a member that extends from the bottom of the handle to themain body102, thereby providing a closedfinger receiving area222.

Arcuate Post-Motor Filter

The following is a description of an arcuate post-motor filter, which may be used by itself or in combination with one of more of the uniflow cyclone, the open handle, the removable air treatment member, the accessory power connection on a removeable air treatment member, the filters are accessible when air treatment member is moved, the transversely extending bleed valve, the laterally directed inlet to the bleed valve, the rearwardly positioned control panel, the motor and/or motor housing extends into surrounding features, the power line extends through the handle, the brushes are centered, the handle is in-line with additional components, centrally positioned components, off-center components with a centered centre of gravity, the friction surface on a handle base, sound damping and an in-line vortex finder or air treatment member, which are set out herein.

In accordance with this aspect, thepost-motor filter182 of thesurface cleaning apparatus100 is arcuate. The body of thepost-motor filter182 along a cross section taken through thepost-motor filter182 in, e.g., a plane that is transverse to the cyclone axis, is arcuate. This aspect may be used by itself or in combination with one or more other aspects of this disclosure.

As exemplified inFIGS. 11, 28, and 33, thepost-motor filter182 may be arcuate or semi-circular in cross-section. In other words, a surface (e.g., anupper surface230 or a lower surface232) of thepost-motor filter182 is concave and the opposite surface is convex. Thepost-motor filter182 is arcuate or semi-circular in a plane transverse to the centrallongitudinal axis144.

An arcuate shape to apost-motor filter182 may allow thepost-motor filter182 to fit closely over another component of the surface cleaning apparatus, such as when the other component has a convex surface over which an arcuatepost-motor filter182 may fit closely.

As exemplified, thesuction motor150 and/orsuction motor housing152 has aconvex surface234. Theconvex surface234 is an outer surface, and may be an upper surface. Thepost-motor filter182 may overly the suction motor150 (i.e., be above the suction motor150) and may seat thereon. As exemplified, thepost-motor filter182 and/or the postmotor filter housing186 may fit closely over thesuction motor150 and/orsuction motor housing152, with an arcuate section of thepost motor filter182 and/or filterhousing186 fitting against a convex portion of thesuction motor150 and/orsuction motor housing152. As illustrated, theconvex surface234 of thesuction motor housing152 may be an outer surface of thesuction motor housing152 and an inner surface of the post-motor filter housing186 (i.e., the suction motor housing and post-motor filter housing have a shared wall).

An arcuate shape of thepost-motor filter182 may facilitate a compact shape of thesurface cleaning apparatus100 and/or a more efficient filtering of the post-motor air flow.

Removable Air Treatment Member

The following is a description of a removable air treatment member, which may be used by itself or in combination with one of more of the uniflow cyclone, the open handle, the arcuate post-motor filter, the accessory power connection on a removeable air treatment member, the filters are accessible when air treatment member is moved, the transversely extending bleed valve, the laterally directed inlet to the bleed valve, the rearwardly positioned control panel, the motor and/or motor housing extends into surrounding features, the power line extends through the handle, the brushes are centered, the handle is in-line with additional components, centrally positioned components, off-center components with a centered centre of gravity, the friction surface on a handle base, sound damping and an in-line vortex finder or air treatment member, which are set out herein.

In accordance with this aspect, the airtreatment member assembly110 of thesurface cleaning apparatus100 is removeable from the main body of thesurface cleaning apparatus100, with or without thepre-motor filter180. Theair treatment member110 may remove forwardly, downwardly or upwardly. This aspect may be used by itself or in combination with one or more other aspects of this disclosure.

As exemplified inFIGS. 3, 20, 31, and 36, theair treatment member110 is removably attached to a front end of themain body102. Theair treatment member110 may be abin assembly240 and/or be part of abin assembly240, and thebin assembly240 may be removably secured to themain body102.

As exemplified inFIGS. 3 and 4, in some examples theair treatment member110 is removeable forwardly, in which a removal direction of theair treatment member110 includes a majority component that is in-line with thelongitudinal axis144 of thesurface cleaning apparatus100, the cyclone axis ofrotation160, and/or the motor axis ofrotation154, i.e., the axis continue to pass through theair treatment member100 as the air treatment member is moved forwardly away from themain body102. In some examples, a removal direction of the air treatment member110 (or a majority component of the removal direction) is in-line with an axis of thesurface cleaning apparatus100 which passes through themotor150 and/orinlet116.

Thebin assembly240 may include a rearwardly extendingflange242. Theflange242 may includelateral sides244 spaced apart across the centrallongitudinal axis144. Theflange242 may also include anupper portion246 joining thelateral sides244 at theupper end134 of thesurface cleaning apparatus100. Therearwardly extending flange242 extends out rearwardly beyond a rear orsecond end wall247 of thecyclone chamber166. In some examples, a majority component of the direction in which therearwardly extending flange242 extends is rearward of theair treatment member110 and in-line with thelongitudinal axis144 of thesurface cleaning apparatus100, the cyclone axis ofrotation160, and/or the motor axis ofrotation154.

It will be appreciated that, when thebin assembly240 is mounted to the main body, part or all of the flange may seat over themain body102. As exemplified inFIG. 2, theflange242 seats over thepre-motor filter180. Alternately, as exemplified inFIG. 22, thepre-motor filter180 may seat withinflange242.

One or more releasable fasteners may hold thebin assembly240 to themain body102. If aflange242 is provided, then a portion of the fasteners may be provided on theflange242. As exemplified inFIGS. 3 and 4, thesurface cleaning apparatus100 may include a pair ofclasps260 to hold thebin assembly240 to themain body102. Each clasp includes abin member262 and abody member264. As illustrated, thebody member264 may include a recess or pocket, and thebin member262 may include a moveable projection or hook or latch. As exemplified, thebin members262 are mounted to therearwardly extending flange242, and, when thebin assembly240 is secured to the main body, theflange242 overlays a portion of themain body102 on which thebody members264 are mounted.

Thebin member262 is moveable between a closed position in which a free end of the latch is drawn adjacent (e.g., against) a surface of the bin assembly240 (e.g., the flange242) and an extended position in which the free end of the latch is moved away from the surface of thebin assembly240. The latch may be biased to the closed position (e.g., by a spring). An actuator266 (e.g., a button) may be used to move the latch267 (FIG. 25) to the extended position. For example, theactuator266 may be drivingly connected to the latch and moved (e.g., depressed) to move the latch to the extended position. When the latch is brought into contact with thebody member264 and moved to the closed position, the latch will hold thebin member262 to thebody member264. When the latch is moved to the extended position by theactuator266, thebody member264 is released from thebin member262.

It will be appreciated that any latching mechanism may be used.

Anair treatment member110 that is removable may be easier to clean and/or empty than anair treatment member110 that is not removable from amain body102. Theair treatment member110 may have an openable door to an internal chamber (e.g., thecyclone chamber166 and/or dirt collection chamber170) that is openable when theair treatment member110 is removed and optionally when theair treatment member110 is mounted to themain body102.

Accessory Power Connection on a Removeable Air Treatment Member

The following is a description of an accessory power connection on a removeable air treatment member, which may be used by itself or in combination with one of more of the uniflow cyclone, the open handle, the arcuate post-motor filter, the removable air treatment member, the filters are accessible when air treatment member is moved, the transversely extending bleed valve, the laterally directed inlet to the bleed valve, the rearwardly positioned control panel, the motor and/or motor housing extends into surrounding features, the power line extends through the handle, the brushes are centered, the handle is in-line with additional components, centrally positioned components, off-center components with a centered centre of gravity, the friction surface on a handle base, sound damping and an in-line vortex finder or air treatment member, which are set out herein.

In accordance with this aspect, thesurface cleaning apparatus100 includes apower connector270 for an accessory (e.g., a powered floor cleaner head). Thepower connector270 for the accessory may be on a removeable bin assembly orair treatment member110. Thepower connector270 for the accessory may be on afront130 of thesurface cleaning apparatus100. This aspect may be used by itself or in combination with one or more other aspects of this disclosure.

As illustrated inFIG. 2, thesurface cleaning apparatus100 may include anelectrical connector270 for providing power to an upstream attachment (e.g., a surface cleaning head or another cleaning tool). As shown,connector270 may extend from afront connector end272 along aconnector axis274 to arear connector end276. In some embodiments,connector axis274 may be parallel to one or more ofnozzle axis194,cyclone axis160, andmotor axis154. In the illustrated embodiment,connector axis274 is parallel tonozzle axis194,cyclone axis160, andmotor axis154. Theaccessory connector270 may extend forwardly from thebin assembly240. In some examples, when a cleaning tool is connected to theair treatment member110, the cleaning tool is connected in air flow communication with the air treatment member110 (e.g., via inlet192) and (e.g., concurrently) the cleaning tool is electrically connected to the air treatment member110 (e.g., via connector270).

In some embodiments, thesurface cleaning apparatus100 may include one or more electrical conductors orcables280 which extend fromelectrical connector270 rearwardly to electrically couple accessoryelectrical connector270 with a source of power (e.g., thepower cord202 in the illustrated example). The source of power is in themain body102, and thecables280 extend rearwardly through thebin assembly240 andfurther cables280 extend through the main body to the source of power. It will be appreciated that the power source may be one or more energy storage members provided inmain body102.

Theair treatment member110 and/orbin assembly240 includes an air treatment memberelectrical connector282 to electrically couple theair treatment member110 and/orbin assembly240 and themain body102. Themain body102 includes a main bodyelectrical connector284 to be coupled to the air treatment memberelectrical connector282 of theair treatment member110 and/or bin assembly240 (

connectors

282,284 are shown decoupled inFIG. 4), to electrically join theaccessory connector270 mounted to the removeableair treatment member110 and/orbin assembly240 to the source of power in the main body102 (e.g., to couple thecables280 in the bin to thecables280 in the body102).

The bodyelectrical connector284 may extend from or be adjacent to a surface of the body that abuts a surface of the air treatment member when theair treatment member110 and/orbin assembly240 is mounted to thebody102 in air flow communication with thebody102. Similarly, the binelectrical connector282 may extend from or be adjacent to a surface of thebin110 and/orbin assembly240 that abuts a surface of thebody102 when theair treatment member110 is mounted to thebody102 in air flow communication with thebody102. The binelectrical connector282 may be directed rearwardly from thebin assembly240, and thebody connector284 may be directed forwardly from thebody102. In some examples, theair treatment member110 and/orbin assembly240 is concurrently connectable in air flow communication with themain body102 and electrically connectable to themain body102 when theair treatment member110 and/orbin assembly240 is mounted to themain body102.

Theaccessory connector270 and the main bodyelectrical connector284 may each be a female connector, and the air treatment memberelectrical connector282 may be a male connector. However, it will be appreciated that any other combination of male and female connectors may be used, and, in some examples, there may be multipleaccessory connectors270,main body connectors284, and/or airtreatment member connectors282. Where theaccessory connection270 and/or themain body connector284 is a male connector, thesurface cleaning apparatus100 may include a switch to turn off power to theaccessory connector270 and/or themain body connector284.

Theaccessory power connector270 may be on an openable door of theair treatment member110. As exemplified inFIGS. 34 to 36, abin assembly240 and/orair treatment member110 may have an openable door, such as afront door290. In some examples, theaccessory power connector270 is mounted on an openable door such asdoor290 of the embodiment shown inFIGS. 34 to 36.

As exemplified inFIGS. 2, 19, 30, and 35, Thesurface cleaning apparatus100 may include aninlet conduit192 having thedirty air inlet116, and the accessoryelectrical connector270 may be provided adjacent theinlet conduit192. Theinlet conduit192 may be provided at anupper end134 of thesurface cleaning apparatus100.

As exemplified inFIGS. 2 and 3, the air treatment memberelectrical connector282 may be provided at alower end136 of theair treatment member110 and/or thesurface cleaning apparatus100.

Electrical connectors

270,282 of theair treatment member110 may be on opposite sides (e.g., lateral sides) of the surface cleaning apparatus. For example, the

electrical connectors

270,282 of theair treatment member110 may be on opposite sides of a vertical line through the centre of gravity (e.g., a plane that is transverse to the cyclone axis and extend through the centre of gravity) and/or on opposite sides of a horizontal line through the centre of gravity. Maneuverability may be facilitated by having the

electrical connectors

270,282 on either side of the centre of gravity.

It will be understood that the

connectors

270,282,284 may be any suitable electrical connectors and may be arranged in any suitable way to permit electrically coupling the accessory to the power source of the main body through the bin assembly. As illustrated, the

connectors

270,282,284 may be rigidly mounted, which may facilitate making an electrical connection concurrently when establishing air flow connections. Alternatively, one or

more connector

270,282,284 may be a pig tail connector.

The electrical conductors orcables280 may take any suitable path through or along thebin assembly240 and/ormain body102. As exemplified, theair treatment member110 compriseselectrical conductors280 that extend along a portion of theair treatment member110 from the air treatment memberelectrical connector282 to the cleaning toolelectrical connector270, with at least a portion of theelectrical conductors280 extending along anouter surface292 of the walls of thecyclone chamber166 and/or thedirt collection chamber170.

As illustrated inFIG. 2, theair treatment member110 may compriseelectrical conductors280 that extend along a front end of thebin assembly240. For example, the electrical connectors may extend along an outer surface of afront end130 of theair treatment member110. Theelectrical conductors280 also extend along alower end136 of theair treatment member110. Theelectrical conductors280 may extend along an outer surface of a bottom end of thedirt collector170. Thebin assembly240 may include acover298 mounted to theair treatment member110 to overly thatelectrical conductors280 where the electrical conductors extend over outer surfaces of the air treatment member110 (e.g., outer surfaces of the dirt chamber or cyclone chamber). Alternately, the electrical conductors may be provided in grooves provided in the wall of thebin assembly240.

As illustrated inFIG. 2, theconductors280 extend from thecord202 up through the handle104 (i.e., the hand grip portion220), into themotor housing152 through agrommet294 to themotor150 to supply power to themotor150. As exemplified, theelectrical conductors280 also extend from themotor150 out of themotor housing152 through thegrommet294 then between themotor housing152 and the outer housing ofmain body102, through ableed valve housing296, out of thebleed valve housing296 through an aperture and then between thepremotor filter housing184 and the outer housing of themain body102 to thebody connector284. Thebody connector284 couples to thebin connector282 to supply power to thebin connector282. Electrical conductors extend from thebin connecter282 along an outer surface of the walls of thedirt chamber170 at the bottom end of thedirt chamber170 to the front of thedirt chamber170, and then up an outer surface of thedirt assembly170 at the front of thedirt chamber170 and up an outer surface of the walls of thecyclone chamber166 at a front end of thecyclone chamber166 to theaccessory connector270. Along the outer surfaces of the walls of thedirt chamber170 andcyclone chamber166, theconductors280 are covered by anouter cover298 of thebin assembly240.

Arear end133 of theair treatment member110 is openable and, optionally, no electrical conductors extend across therear end132. Therear end132 of theair treatment member110 may include anopenable door300. The door300 (FIGS. 3 to 7) may be pivotally secured to theair treatment member110, and moveable between an operating position (FIGS. 3 and 4) and an emptying position (FIGS. 6 and 7). As illustrated inFIG. 5, thedoor300 may be secured by alatch302 inside theflange242. Anactuator303 within theflange242 may be accessible when thebin assembly240 and/orair treatment member110 is removed from the main body102 (e.g., and not accessible when thebin assembly240 and/orair treatment member110 is not removed from the main body102).

In the emptying position one or both of thecyclone chamber166 and thedirt collection chamber170 may be opened to remove dirt. In some examples, opening therear door300 also opens the dirt outlet172 (e.g., moves one wall defining a part of a perimeter of thedirt outlet172 away from another wall defining another portion of the perimeter of the dirt outlet172).

The electrical conductors orcables280 may be any electrical connector such as wires. Alternately, they may be flat conductors. Theelectrical conductors280 may comprise flat conductors that have a height and a width perpendicular to the height, wherein the height and the width are dimensioned in a plane that is perpendicular to an extension direction of the conductor, and the width is the longest distance across the conductor in the plane and the height is perpendicular to the width. Theelectrical conductors280 may have a depth (e.g., a height) in a direction that extends in an outward direction to a wall of a portion of theair treatment member110 and a width in a direction parallel to a wall of the portion of theair treatment member110 and the width is greater than the depth or height. For example, if as exemplified inFIG. 2, theelectrical conductors280 extends along the surface to whichreference numeral240 points inFIG. 4, then the height is in the forward direction and the width is in the lateral, side to side, direction). One or more conductor of thesurface cleaning apparatus100 may have a height of 0.01-5 mm, 0.5-5 mm, 0.5-3 mm or 1-3 mm. One or more conductor of thesurface cleaning apparatus100 may have a width of 0.25-15 mm, 1-10 mm, or 2-7 mm. Using a flat conductor may allow for sharper bends in a conduction path.

Filters are Accessible when Air Treatment Member is Moved

The following is a description of filters that are accessible when air treatment member is moved, which may be used by itself or in combination with one of more of the uniflow cyclone, the open handle, the arcuate post-motor filter, the removable air treatment member, the accessory power connection on a removeable air treatment member, the transversely extending bleed valve, the laterally directed inlet to the bleed valve, the rearwardly positioned control panel, the motor and/or motor housing extends into surrounding features, the power line extends through the handle, the brushes are centered, the handle is in-line with additional components, centrally positioned components, off-center components with a centered centre of gravity, the friction surface on a handle base, sound damping and an in-line vortex finder or air treatment member, which are set out herein.

In accordance with this aspect, thesurface cleaning apparatus100 includes apre-motor filter180 and/or apost-motor filter182. Thepre-motor filter180 and/or thepost-motor filter182 may be accessible when theair treatment member110 is moved from an operating position to an emptying position (e.g., when the air treatment member is removed or pivoted to an open position in which, optionally, a dirt chamber may be emptied). Thepre-motor filter180 and/or thepost-motor filter182 may be inaccessible when theair treatment member110 is attached to the main body in an operating position of the hand vacuum cleaner. This aspect may be used by itself or in combination with one or more other aspects of this disclosure.

As illustrated inFIGS. 4, 8-11, 21-28, and 32-33, thepre-motor filter180 and/or thepost-motor filter182 may be removably receivable in a filter housing (e.g.,pre-motor filter housing184 and post-motor filter housing186). For example, thepre-motor filter180 may be removably received (e.g., held) in apre-motor filter housing184 and thepost-motor filter182 may be removably received (e.g., held) in apost-motor filter housing186 when theair treatment member110 is in the operating position.

Moving theair treatment member110 from the operating position to the emptying position may open the filter housing (e.g., such that a filter is accessible if the filter is in the housing). For example, the filter housing may include aremoveable housing portion304 secured to theair treatment member110 such that theremoveable housing portion304 moves with theair treatment member110.

Alternately or in addition, moving theair treatment member110 from the operating position to the emptying position may result in a removeable housing portion of the filter housing being removeable. Theremoveable housing portion304 of the filter housing may not be removable while theair treatment member110 is in the operating position.

As exemplified inFIGS. 21-28, moving theair treatment member110 from the operating position to the emptying position may expose a removable housing portion304 (e.g., a wall or cover) of the filter housing (e.g., housing184) such that the removable housing portion of the housing (e.g., housing184) may be removed (e.g., lifted away) and, if a filter (e.g., filter180) is held in the housing, the filter held in the housing is accessible. Alternately, moving theair treatment member110 from the operating position to the emptying position may expose thepre-motor filer180 enabling the pre-motor filter to be removed.

As exemplified inFIGS. 30-33, moving theair treatment member110 from the operating position to the emptying position may uncover or otherwise make accessible a latch control oractuator306 of a latch or lock308 that holds theremovable housing portion304 of the filter housing (e.g., housing286) in position, and the latch control oractuator306 may be used to release the latch or lock308 and theremoveable housing portion304 such that the removeable housing portion304 (e.g., wall or cover) of the filter housing may be removed (e.g., lifted away) and, if a filter (e.g., filter182) is held in the housing, the filter held in the housing is accessible. The latch control oractuator306 of the latch or lock308 may be inaccessible when theair treatment member110 and/orbin assembly240 is in the operating position. It will be appreciated that the post-motor filter may be secured to or removable with theremovable housing portion304.

As exemplified inFIGS. 4-9, thepre-motor filter180 may remain with the main body when theair treatment member110 is removed and may be accessed when theair treatment member110 is removed. Accordingly, aremoveable housing portion304 of thepre-motor filter180 may be moved as part of theair treatment member110 when theair treatment member110 is removed. In other words, when theair treatment member110 is moved (e.g., removed or pivoted away from the main body) theremoveable housing portion304 may be moved with theair treatment member110; providing access to thepre-motor filter180. Thepre-motor filter180 may be removed from the surface cleaning apparatus100 (e.g., the main body), such as by pulling thepre-motor filter180 out through the opening that is exposed by the removal of theremoveable housing portion304.

As exemplified inFIGS. 20, 21, 27, and 28, theremoveable housing portion304 of thepost-motor filter182 may have a recess for receiving the pre-motor filter (seeFIG. 24). Theremovable housing portion304 may have alatch308 that can be released when theair treatment member110 is removed, thereby enabling theremovable housing portion304 to be removed from theair treatment member100 and providing access to thepost-motor filter182. Theremoveable housing portion304 may be secured in position by the latch or lock308, and moving the latch release oractuator306 releases the latch or opens the lock such that theremoveable housing portion304 may be removed (e.g., pulled or lifted away) from theair treatment member110. Thepost-motor filter182 may then be pulled out through the opening provided by removal of theremoveable housing portion304.

In any embodiment, the filter (e.g., the pre-motor filter) may be removed with the bin (e.g.,FIGS. 20 to 24) or may be left behind when the bin is removed (e.g.,FIGS. 3 and 4), and the removeable portion of the housing may be removed by the action of moving the bin to the open position, may be accessible for removal when the bin is in the open position, or may be released by releasing a latch via an actuator that is accessible when the bin is moved to the open position. For example, theremoveable portion304 of the embodiment ofFIGS. 20 to 24 wherein the filter removes with the bin is shown as an unlatched portion that removes along with thebin240 andfilter180, but may alternatively be secured by a latch in some embodiments or may be left behind on thebody102 when thebin240 is removed in some embodiments. Similarly, while theremoveable portion304 of the embodiment ofFIGS. 3 and 4 is shown removing with thebin240 to expose thepre-motor filter180 which remains on thebody102, in some embodiments theremoveable portion304 may remain on the body when thebin240 is removed and may be unlatched (i.e., can be picked out directly without releasing a latch) or secured by latch that can be released when the bin via an actuator that is accessible when thebin240 is removed.

The removeable housing portion of the filter housing may include a portion of an outer surface of themain body102.

Theremoveable housing portion304 of the filter housing may overly part or all of thesuction motor150. Theremoveable housing portion304 of the filter housing may be removeable in a direction that is transverse to the centrallongitudinal axis144 of thesurface cleaning apparatus100 and/or the axis ofrotation154 of themotor150. Alternately, theremoveable housing portion304 of the filter housing may be removeable in a direction that is parallel to the centrallongitudinal axis144 of thesurface cleaning apparatus100 and/or the axis ofrotation154 of themotor150.

As exemplified inFIGS. 11 and 28, thepost-motor filter182 may have alength310, awidth312, and aheight314. The longest dimension (i.e., of thelength310,width312, and height314) may be in a direction parallel to the centrallongitudinal axis144 of thesurface cleaning apparatus100 and/or the axis ofrotation154 of themotor150.

Transversely Extending Bleed Valve

The following is a description of a transversely extending bleed valve, which may be used by itself or in combination with one of more of the uniflow cyclone, the open handle, the arcuate post-motor filter, the removable air treatment member, the accessory power connection on a removeable air treatment member, the filters are accessible when air treatment member is moved, the laterally directed inlet to the bleed valve, the rearwardly positioned control panel, the motor and/or motor housing extends into surrounding features, the power line extends through the handle, the brushes are centered, the handle is in-line with additional components, centrally positioned components, off-center components with a centered centre of gravity, the friction surface on a handle base, sound damping and an in-line vortex finder or air treatment member, which are set out herein.

In accordance with this aspect, thesurface cleaning apparatus100 includes ableed valve320 which extends transversely toaxis144. Thebleed valve320 includes a longitudinal axis322 that is generally perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis144 of thesurface cleaning apparatus100, the cyclone axis ofrotation160, and/or the motor axis ofrotation154. This aspect may be used by itself or in combination with one or more other aspects of this disclosure.

As exemplified inFIG. 12, thebleed valve320 includes a bleed air flow path that extends from ableed air inlet326 to ableed air outlet328. Thebleed air inlet326 and thebleed air outlet328 may be transversely spaced apart (e.g., by a distance330). Accordingly, part or all of the bleed air flow path from thebleed air inlet326 to thebleed air outlet328 may extend transversely toaxis144.

Thebleed valve320 may have aheight332, awidth334, and alength336, and the longest dimension (e.g., of theheight332, thelength334, and the width336) may extend transversely. For example, an axis that is transverse to the centrallongitudinal axis144 may extend through the longest dimension of the bleed air flow path, and this axis may extend through the first and second laterally opposed

sides

140,142 of the surface cleaning apparatus. The bleed air flow path may have the longest dimension that extends transversely in a plane that is transverse to a vertical plane that is parallel to the centrallongitudinal axis144 and extends through thebleed valve320.

Alternately, or in addition, thebleed valve320 may have a generally linearbleed air passage340 extending from thebleed air inlet326 to thebleed air outlet328, and thebleed air passage340 may extend generally transversely. For example, at least 50%, 75%, or 90% of thebleed air passage340 may extend generally transversely.

Thebleed valve320 may be received (e.g., enclosed and/or held) in ableed valve housing296, and thebleed valve housing296 may also have aninlet342 and anoutlet344.

As exemplified inFIG. 13, part or all of afinger gap222 may be between thehandle104 and thebleed valve320. Thefinger gap222 may be between thehandle104 and themain body102, and thebleed valve320 may be positioned in themain body102 with thefinger gap222 between thebleed valve320 and thehandle104. As illustrated, thebleed valve320 may be part of the front side of thefinger gap222.

Alternately, thebleed valve320 may be positioned in themain body102 between thefinger gap222 and/or thehandle104 and thepre-motor filter180, thepre-motor filter housing184, and/or thedust cup170.

As illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 13, thepre-motor filter180 may be forward of thebleed valve320. Thepre-motor filter180 may be upstream of themotor150, with aduct350 leading from the outlet of thepre-motor filter housing184 to the inlet of themotor housing152. As illustrated, theduct350 may be a closed duct leading directly between the outlet of thepremotor filter housing184 and the inlet of themotor housing152. Alternatively, thebleed valve320 may open into theduct350, as illustrated. Thebleed valve housing296 may have an outlet that opens into theduct350. In some examples, theduct350 is above thebleed valve housing296. Thebleed valve housing296 may open into a lower portion of theduct350.

Thebleed valve320 may be centrally positioned. For example, a line positioned centrally between the

lateral sides

140,142 and parallel to thelongitudinal axis144 may extend through thebleed valve320. A plane that is parallel to the centrallongitudinal axis144 and that extends through the first and second laterally opposed

sides

140,142 may also extend through thebleed valve320. This plane (e.g., a horizontal plane or a plane extending at an angle between horizontal and vertical) may also extend through theair treatment member110, thepre-motor filter180, and/or thehandle104. This plane may be external to thesuction motor150. A vertical plane that is parallel to the centrallongitudinal axis144 and that extends centrally between the first and second laterally opposed

sides

140,142 of thesurface cleaning apparatus100 may extend through thebleed valve320. The vertical plane may bisect thebleed valve320. In some examples, a vertical plane that is transverse to the centrallongitudinal axis144 bisects thebleed valve320.

It will be appreciated that the bleed valve air inlet may face laterally but may not extend to a lateral side of the hand vacuum cleaner.

It will be appreciated that the bleed valve may have two bleed valve inlets, each of which may be on opposite sides of a vertical plane that extends through thecentral axis144 and, optionally, each bleed valve inlet may face laterally as discussed subsequently.

Laterally Directed Inlet to the Bleed Valve

The following is a description of a laterally directed inlet to the bleed valve, which may be used by itself or in combination with one of more of the uniflow cyclone, the open handle, the arcuate post-motor filter, the removable air treatment member, the accessory power connection on a removeable air treatment member, the filters are accessible when air treatment member is moved, the transversely extending bleed valve, the rearwardly positioned control panel, the motor and/or motor housing extends into surrounding features, the power line extends through the handle, the brushes are centered, the handle is in-line with additional components, centrally positioned components, off-center components with a centered centre of gravity, the friction surface on a handle base, sound damping and an in-line vortex finder or air treatment member, which are set out herein.

In accordance with this aspect, thebleed valve inlet326 is a laterally directed or facing inlet. Theair inlet326 of thebleed valve320 and/or theair inlet342 of thebleed valve housing296 may be directed or face towards a

lateral side

140 or142 of thesurface cleaning apparatus100 or may be on a

lateral side

140 or142 of thesurface cleaning apparatus100 or may be in a vertical plane that is generally parallel toaxis144. This aspect may be used by itself or in combination with one or more other aspects of this disclosure.

As exemplified inFIG. 12, theair inlet326 of thebleed valve320 and/or theair inlet342 of thebleed valve housing296 may be on one side of thecentre axis144 of thesurface cleaning apparatus100 extending between thefront end130 and therear end132. Theair inlet326 of thebleed valve320 and/or theair inlet342 of the bleed valve housing may be on one or both lateral sides of a vertical center plane through thecentre line144.

Theair inlet326 of thebleed valve320 and/or theair inlet342 of thebleed valve housing296 may extend in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to a plane in which theair inlet166 of thesurface cleaning apparatus100 extends.

Theair inlet326 of thebleed valve320 and/or theair inlet342 of thebleed valve housing296 is directed towards (e.g., it opens towards) a lateral side of thesurface cleaning apparatus100. In some examples, thesurface cleaning apparatus100 includes a bleedvalve air inlet326 of thebleed valve320 and/or aninlet342 of thebleed valve housing296 on each of the right and left laterally opposed

sides

140,142 of thesurface cleaning apparatus100.

The bleedvalve air inlet326 may comprise a first inlet on the right latterly opposed side and a second inlet on the left latterly opposed side of thebleed valve320 and/or of the housing orbody102.

Rearwardly Positioned Control Panel

The following is a description of a rearwardly positioned control panel, which may be used by itself or in combination with one of more of the uniflow cyclone, the open handle, the arcuate post-motor filter, the removable air treatment member, the accessory power connection on a removeable air treatment member, the filters are accessible when air treatment member is moved, the transversely extending bleed valve, the laterally directed inlet to the bleed valve, the motor and/or motor housing extends into surrounding features, the power line extends through the handle, the brushes are centered, the handle is in-line with additional components, centrally positioned components, off-center components with a centered centre of gravity, the friction surface on a handle base, sound damping and an in-line vortex finder or air treatment member, which are set out herein.

In accordance with this aspect, thesurface cleaning apparatus100 includes acontrol panel360 containing one or more toggle (e.g., a button or touchscreen) operable to control thesurface cleaning apparatus100 or a component of the surface cleaning apparatus100 (e.g., turn on themotor150 or adjust a setting of the motor). Thecontrol panel360 is located on a rear external surface of thesurface cleaning apparatus100 and/or is on a centre line of the surface cleaning apparatus. This aspect may be used by itself or in combination with one or more other aspects of this disclosure.

As illustrated inFIGS. 1, 18, and 29, thecontrol panel360 may be on a rear surface of thesurface cleaning apparatus100, wherein all or at least a portion of thecontrol panel360 is visible when viewing thesurface cleaning apparatus100 directly from therear end132.

Alternately or in addition, thecontrol panel360 may be centered, wherein thecontrol panel360 is on thecentre axis144 of the surface cleaning apparatus. A line or plane through the centre of thevortex finder210 may pass through thecontrol panel360. As illustrated inFIG. 13, aprojection362 of thevortex finder210 may pass through thecontrol panel360. Thecentre axis154 of themotor150 may pass through thecontrol panel360. A projection of the inlet of themotor150 may pass through thecontrol panel360. Aprojection364 of the body of themotor150 may pass through thecontrol panel360 as illustrated inFIG. 17. A vertical centre plane may bisect thecontrol panel360.

As illustrated inFIG. 13, thecontrol panel360 may have a width366 (e.g., a diameter, if thecontrol panel360 is circular) that is about the same as a width368 (e.g., a diameter) of themotor150 in transverse section. For example, thewidth366 of thecontrol panel360 may be within 25%, 20%, 10%, or 5% of thewidth368 of themotor150 in transverse section.

The Motor and/or Motor Housing Extends into Surrounding Features

The following is a description of a motor and/or motor housing extends into surrounding features, which may be used by itself or in combination with one of more of the uniflow cyclone, the open handle, the arcuate post-motor filter, the removable air treatment member, the accessory power connection on a removeable air treatment member, the filters are accessible when air treatment member is moved, the transversely extending bleed valve, the laterally directed inlet to the bleed valve, the rearwardly positioned control panel, the power line extends through the handle, the brushes are centered, the handle is in-line with additional components, centrally positioned components, off-center components with a centered centre of gravity, the friction surface on a handle base, sound damping and an in-line vortex finder or air treatment member, which are set out herein.

In accordance with this aspect, a portion of themotor150 and/ormotor housing152 of thesurface cleaning apparatus100 extends into an adjacent component or element of thesurface cleaning apparatus100. For example, abrush370 or outer shell of themotor150 and/or an enclosing portion of themotor housing152 may extend into thehandle104 and/or into thepost-motor filter182 or post motor filter housing. This aspect may be used by itself or in combination with one or more other aspects of this disclosure.

As illustrated inFIGS. 2, 19, and 30, a portion of themotor150 and/or thehousing152 may be recessed in thehandle104. Thehandle104 may have aninterior volume372, and the portion of thesuction motor150 and/orhousing152 may extend (e.g., downwardly) into theinterior volume372 of thehandle104.

As exemplified inFIG. 15, thehandle104 has first and

second sides

376,378 that are spaced apart. The first and

second sides

376,378 may be laterally opposed sides that are spaced apart in a direction transverse to the centrallongitudinal axis144. A plane (e.g., a generally horizontal plane) that extends through the first and

second sides

376,378 may also extend through the suction motor150 (e.g., one ormore brushes370 of the motor150).

Alternately, or in addition, a portion of themotor150 and/or thehousing152 may extend into the post-motor filter or post-motor filter housing. The portion may be opposite the handle104 (e.g., the top portion of the motor150), and may extend up into the region of thepost-motor filter182. As exemplified inFIG. 15, thepost-motor filter182 may have an interior volume380 (i.e., a volume bounded on at least three sides by the post-motor filter182), and the portion of thesuction motor150 and/orhousing152 may extend (e.g., upwardly) into theinterior volume380 of thepost-motor filter182.

Thepost-motor filter182 has first and

second sides

382,384 that are spaced apart. The first and

second sides

382,384 may be laterally opposed sides that are spaced apart in a direction transverse to the centrallongitudinal axis144. A plane (e.g., a generally horizontal plane) may extend through the two

sides

382,384 of thepost-motor filter182 and through the motor150 (e.g., one ormore brushes370 of the motor150).

As in the illustrated example, abrush370 of thesuction motor150 extends upwardly into theinterior volume380 defined by thepost-motor filter182 and anotherbrush370 of thesuction motor150 extends downwardly into theinterior volume372 of thehandle104.

It will be understood that in some examples, only one of thebrushes370 may extend into the interior volume of an adjacent component or element of thesurface cleaning apparatus100.

It will also be understood that in some examples, more than two portions of themotor150 and/orhousing152 may extend into an interior volume of one or more adjacent components or elements of thesurface cleaning apparatus100.

It will also be understood that in some examples, one component of themotor150 and/orhousing152 may extend into the interior volume of more than one adjacent component or element of thesurface cleaning apparatus100.

It will also be understood that in some examples, more than one component of themotor150 and/orhousing152 extends into the interior volume of a single adjacent component or element of thesurface cleaning apparatus100.

Power Line that Extends Through the Handle

The following is a description of a power line that extends through the handle, which may be used by itself or in combination with one of more of the uniflow cyclone, the open handle, the arcuate post-motor filter, the removable air treatment member, the accessory power connection on a removeable air treatment member, the filters are accessible when air treatment member is moved, the transversely extending bleed valve, the laterally directed inlet to the bleed valve, the rearwardly positioned control panel, the motor and/or motor housing extends into surrounding features, the brushes are centered, the handle is in-line with additional components, centrally positioned components, off-center components with a centered centre of gravity, the friction surface on a handle base, sound damping and an in-line vortex finder or air treatment member, which are set out herein.

In accordance with this aspect, thesurface cleaning apparatus100 includes aconductor280 extending through thehandle104. Thepower line280 may extend generally between alower end228 of thehandle104 and anupper end224 of thehandle104. Thepower line280 may enter thehandle104 at a rear of thehandle104 and extend to themotor150 that is at the top of thehandle104 or that is within the handle104 (e.g., if the motor extends into the handle). This aspect may be used by itself or in combination with one or more other aspects of this disclosure.

An electrical conductor or cable orline280 may extend up through thehandle104 from a lower end of the handle (i.e., a pistol grip handle) to the upper end opposite the lower end. The conductor may extend to the bottom of themotor housing152 at or in the upper end of the handle, and may extend from anelectrical cord202 provided at thelower end136 of thehandle104.

At the motor and/or motor housing theconductor280 may pass through a grommet294 (e.g., a grommet in the portion of themotor150 and/or thehousing152 that extends into the handle104). Theconductor280 is configured to carry power in through thegrommet294 to power the suction motor.

In some examples, as illustrated, aconductor280 also extends from within themotor housing152 and/ormotor150 to thebody connector284 to supply power forward to theaccessory connector270 through the bin.

It will be appreciated that in any embodiment, the electrical circuit in the surface cleaning apparatus may include a power supply. The power supply may be positioned between theline280 and themotor150 and/or theaccessory connector270.

It will also be appreciated thatconductor280 may be an AC conductor or a power supply may be provided external to thesurface cleaning apparatus100 and theconductor280 may be a low voltage DC conductor.

It will also be appreciated that any wiring circuit may be used to useconductor280 to provide power to bothmotor150 andaccessory connector270.

The Brushes are Centered

The following is a description of brushes of asuction motor150 that are centered, which may be used by itself or in combination with one of more of the uniflow cyclone, the open handle, the arcuate post-motor filter, the removable air treatment member, the accessory power connection on a removeable air treatment member, the filters are accessible when air treatment member is moved, the transversely extending bleed valve, the laterally directed inlet to the bleed valve, the rearwardly positioned control panel, the motor and/or motor housing extends into surrounding features, the power line extends through the handle, the handle is in-line with additional components, centrally positioned components, off-center components with a centered centre of gravity, the friction surface on a handle base, sound damping and an in-line vortex finder or air treatment member, which are set out herein.

In accordance with this aspect, thebrushes370 of themotor150 of thesurface cleaning apparatus100 are laterally centered. For example, a vertically and longitudinally extending centre plane of the surface cleaning apparatus100 (e.g.,axis144 may extend through the plane) may intersect one or more, and optionally all of thebrushes370 ofmotor150. Optionally, the plane may bisect the brushes. For example, thebrushes370 may be oriented directly above one another and the plane may extend through thebrushes370. Alternately, some or all of thebrushes370 may be located within a centrally located zone around the vertically and longitudinally extending centre plane. Optionally, at least two or all of thebrushes370 of themotor150 may be centrally located. This aspect may be used by itself or in combination with one or more other aspects of this disclosure.

As discussed previously, a portion or all of each brush on the lower side of themotor150 may extend into thehandle104. Similarly, a portion or all of each brush on the upper side of themotor150 may extend into the volume defined by the post-motor filter.

Arranging thebrushes370 within a centrally located zone or in a central plane may also reduce torque and result in improved hand balance.

As exemplified inFIG. 15, in some examples the brushes370 (e.g., at least two of the brushes) fall between vertical planes tangential to each side of thevortex finder210 and/or thehandle104, even if thebrushes370 are not completely centered. For example, as exemplified, a firstvertical plane390 extends through thesurface cleaning apparatus100 and is tangent to afirst side376 of thehandle104 and a secondvertical plane392 extends through thesurface cleaning apparatus100 and is tangent to asecond side378 of thehandle104 that is laterally opposed to thefirst side376, and thebrushes370 are positioned in a central zone between the first and second

vertical planes

390,392.

Alternately, as exemplified inFIG. 16, the brushes370 (e.g., at least two of the brushes370) are between two planes which extend at an angle as long as each plane extends through thehandle104 and is tangential to a side of thevortex finder210 and/or thesuction motor150. For example, as exemplified, afirst plane394 extends through aright side376 of thehandle104 and is tangent to the first orleft side396 of thevortex finder210 and asecond plane398 extends through aleft side378 of thehandle104 that is laterally opposed to theright side376 and is tangent to the second or right side (not shown) of thevortex finder210, and thebrushes370 are positioned in a central zone between the first and

second planes

394,398. In other words, thebrushes370 are between the upper ends of the

planes

394,398 and/or between the lower ends of the

planes

394,398. In the illustrated example, onebrush370 is between the upper ends of the planes and onebrush370 is between the lower ends of the planes.

Alternately, one generally vertical plane may extend through thehandle104 and at least two of the brushes370 (e.g., brushes on opposite ends of the suction motor150). For example, referring toFIG. 15, a central vertical plane may be positioned between first and second

vertical planes

390,392. The central vertical plane may also extend through thevortex finder210 and/or thebleed valve320.Axis144 may extend in the central vertical plane and the central vertical plane may bisect thevortex finder210 and/or thebleed valve320.

The Handle is In-Line with Additional Components

The following is a description of a handle that is in-line with additional components, which may be used by itself or in combination with one of more of the uniflow cyclone, the open handle, the arcuate post-motor filter, the removable air treatment member, the accessory power connection on a removeable air treatment member, the filters are accessible when air treatment member is moved, the transversely extending bleed valve, the laterally directed inlet to the bleed valve, the rearwardly positioned control panel, the motor and/or motor housing extends into surrounding features, the power line extends through the handle, the brushes are centered, the centrally positioned components, off-center components with a centered centre of gravity, the friction surface on a handle base, sound damping and an in-line vortex finder or air treatment member, which are set out herein.

In accordance with this aspect, thehandle104 of thesurface cleaning apparatus100 is in-line with at least one additional component of thesurface cleaning apparatus100. Thehandle104 may be in-line with (e.g., an axis such asaxis144 may extend through the handle and) one or more of thebleed valve320, theair treatment member110, thedirt collection chamber170, thepre-motor filter180, thecyclone166, the binelectrical connector282 and an openable end of the air treatment member assembly110 (e.g., the front openable door290). It will be appreciated that the axis, e.g.,axis144, may bisect (in the lateral direction) the handle and one or more of thebleed valve320, theair treatment member110, thedirt collection chamber170, thepre-motor filter180, thecyclone166, the binelectrical connector282 and an openable end of the airtreatment member assembly110. The axis may not extend through thepost motor filter182.

As exemplified inFIG. 14, anaxial projection400 of thehandle104 may pass through forward and/or rearward through one or more of thebleed valve320, thepre-motor filter180, theair treatment member110, thedirt collection chamber170, thecyclone166, the binelectrical connector282 and the frontopenable door290.

Aligning thehandle104 with one or more other component of thesurface cleaning apparatus100 may improve the hand feel of thesurface cleaning apparatus100.

Centrally Positioned Components

The following is a description of centrally positioned components, which may be used by itself or in combination with one of more of the uniflow cyclone, the open handle, the arcuate post-motor filter, the removable air treatment member, the accessory power connection on a removeable air treatment member, the filters are accessible when air treatment member is moved, the transversely extending bleed valve, the laterally directed inlet to the bleed valve, the rearwardly positioned control panel, the motor and/or motor housing extends into surrounding features, the power line extends through the handle, the brushes are centered, the handle is in-line with additional components, off-center components with a centered centre of gravity, the friction surface on a handle base, sound damping and an in-line vortex finder or air treatment member, which are set out herein.

In accordance with this aspect, one or more components of thesurface cleaning apparatus100 are centrally positioned. The components may be symmetrically positioned about one or more of a longitudinal and vertically centered (between the lateral sides of the surface cleaning apparatus) plane whereinaxis144 extends in the plane, a longitudinal and horizontally centered plane, and/or a transvers and vertically centered plane whereinaxis144 is perpendicular to the plane. This aspect may be used by itself or in combination with one or more other aspects of this disclosure.

Central and/or symmetrical positioning of one or more components may improve the balance of thesurface cleaning apparatus100 or otherwise improve the hand feel and/or the performance of thesurface cleaning apparatus100.

The longitudinal and horizontally centered plane may extend through one or more of the handle, thebleed valve320, theair treatment member110, thedirt collection chamber170, thepre-motor filter180, the binelectrical connector282, thepower connector270, and an openable end of the airtreatment member assembly110 and may bisect one or more of these components.

The longitudinal and vertically centered plane may extend through one or more of the handle, thebleed valve320, theair treatment member110, thedirt collection chamber170, thepre-motor filter180, the binelectrical connector282, thepower connector270, thepost motor filter182 and an openable end of the airtreatment member assembly110 and may bisect one or more of these components.

A component may be symmetrical about the longitudinal and horizontally centered plane and/or the longitudinal and vertically centered plane. For example, thepre-motor filter180 may be substantially symmetrical about the centre line (e.g., symmetrical about a vertical plane and/or a horizontal plane) extending through thevortex finder210,inlet conduit192, and handle104. As another example, batteries may be included and may be symmetrically positioned about one or both of these planes. As another example, the motor controls360 may be generally symmetrical about one or both of these planes.

Off-Center Components with a Centered Centre of Gravity

The following is a description of off-center components with a centered centre of gravity, which may be used by itself or in combination with one of more of the uniflow cyclone, the open handle, the arcuate post-motor filter, the removable air treatment member, the accessory power connection on a removeable air treatment member, the filters are accessible when air treatment member is moved, the transversely extending bleed valve, the laterally directed inlet to the bleed valve, the rearwardly positioned control panel, the motor and/or motor housing extends into surrounding features, the power line extends through the handle, the brushes are centered, the handle is in-line with additional components, centrally positioned components, the friction surface on a handle base, sound damping and an in-line vortex finder or air treatment member, which are set out herein.

In accordance with this aspect, one or more of the components may be positioned such that a centre of gravity of the components is spaced from a desired location of the centre of gravity of the surface cleaning apparatus. However, the components may be positioned such that, in totality, surface cleaning apparatus has a centre of gravity at the desired location. For example, it may be desired to have a centre of gravity of a hand vacuum cleaner that is located in the centre of a pistol grip handle, or forward of the pistol grip handle but at a mid-point elevation between the top and bottom of the pistol grip handle. The components of the hand vacuum cleaner may be positioned such that the weight of each component, and the moment arm between the centre of gravity of the component and the desired location of the centre of gravity, resolve to produce a hand vacuum cleaner with a centre of gravity at the desired location. Accordingly, the non-centered components are balanced (e.g., weight-balanced) by one or more other components across a horizontal longitudinally extending plane and/or a vertical longitudinally extending plane. This aspect may be used by itself or in combination with one or more other aspects of this disclosure.

For example, the centre of gravity of the surface cleaning apparatus may be on thecentre line226 of the handle104 (seeFIG. 1) and at a mid-point elevation between the top and bottom of the pistol grip handle.

Alternately, the centre of gravity of the surface cleaning apparatus may be between parallel planes that are tangential to the vortex finder outer lateral edges and, optionally at a mid-point elevation between the top and bottom of the pistol grip handle.

Alternately, the centre of gravity of the surface cleaning apparatus may be within parallel planes that are tangential to the lateral sides of the motor150 (i.e., is within the diameter of the motor150) and, optionally at a mid-point elevation between the top and bottom of the pistol grip handle.

Alternately, the centre of gravity of the surface cleaning apparatus may be between the

planes

390,392 and/or the

planes

394,398 and, optionally at a mid-point elevation between the top and bottom of the pistol grip handle.

The centre of gravity of one or more, or each, component of the surface cleaning apparatus may be offset from a horizontal longitudinally extending plane and/or a vertical longitudinally extending plane or offset from a central zone (e.g., a zone betweenplanes390 and392), while the centre of gravity of the surface cleaning apparatus is on the plane or within the central zone. For example, the centre of gravity of themotor150 and/or optional batteries may be offset fromaxis144.

In some examples, thehandle104 is substantially (e.g., more than 50%) to one side of a horizontal plane in whichaxis144 extends while thepost motor filter182 is substantially (e.g., more than 50%) on the other side of the horizontal plane.

An advantage of this configuration is that thehousing102 and/or thesurface cleaning apparatus100 may look and feel symmetrical, while the components are positioned off-center but balanced.

Friction Surface on a Handle Base

The following is a description of a friction surface on a handle base, which may be used by itself or in combination with one of more of the uniflow cyclone, the open handle, the arcuate post-motor filter, the removable air treatment member, the accessory power connection on a removeable air treatment member, the filters are accessible when air treatment member is moved, the transversely extending bleed valve, the laterally directed inlet to the bleed valve, the rearwardly positioned control panel, the motor and/or motor housing extends into surrounding features, the power line extends through the handle, the brushes are centered, the handle is in-line with additional components, centrally positioned components, off-center components with a centered centre of gravity, sound damping and an in-line vortex finder or air treatment member, which are set out herein.

In accordance with this aspect, a lower surface of ahandle410, such as a lower surface ofbase410 of thehandle104 of thesurface cleaning apparatus100, comprises, consists essentially of or consists of a high-friction oranti-skid surface412 on a lower surface of the base410 (see for exampleFIGS. 12 and 17). This aspect may be used by itself or in combination with one or more other aspects of this disclosure.

As exemplified inFIG. 17, thesurface cleaning apparatus100 may be placed down by a user when the user does not need thesurface cleaning apparatus100. The user may place thesurface cleaning apparatus100 on a counter, floor, or other generally horizontal surface in a leaning position, with thelower surface412 of the base of thehandle104 resting on the counter, floor, or other surface and, optionally, a lateral side of thesurface cleaning apparatus100 leaning against a wall. If thelower surface412 at the base of thehandle104 has a high-friction or anti-skid surface, thesurface cleaning apparatus100 may be prevented from falling from the leaning position due to thelower surface412 sliding laterally against the counter, floor, or other generally horizontal surface.

Part or all of the handle (e.g., a lower end of the handle104) or the base of thehandle104 may be formed of a high-friction material (e.g., a rubberized plastic). This material will then also form thelower surface412 of thehandle104. Alternatively, the base of the handle may be covered by a coating or removeable cover. The coating or removeable cover may be formed of and/or include a high-friction material (e.g., a rubberized plastic).

In some examples, the surface cleaning apparatus may include an energy storage pack (e.g., a battery pack) at the bottom of thehandle104. Thelower surface412 may be a lower surface of the energy storage pack. The high-friction material may form a lower surface of the energy storage pack and/or a lower surface of thehandle104 in which the energy storage pack is removably attached (e.g., to form a high-friction lower surface when the energy storage pack is detached).

Sound Damping

The following is a description of sound damping, which may be used by itself or in combination with one of more of the uniflow cyclone, the open handle, the arcuate post-motor filter, the removable air treatment member, the accessory power connection on a removeable air treatment member, the filters are accessible when air treatment member is moved, the transversely extending bleed valve, the laterally directed inlet to the bleed valve, the rearwardly positioned control panel, the motor and/or motor housing extends into surrounding features, the power line extends through the handle, the brushes are centered, the handle is in-line with additional components, centrally positioned components, off-center components with a centered centre of gravity, the friction surface on handle base and an in-line vortex finder or air treatment member, which are set out herein.

In accordance with this aspect, the motor housing or shroud which surrounds a motor has air flow passages orapertures420 therethrough through which air that exits thesuction motor150 travels as the air flows towards the clean air outlet. Theseapertures420 are sized to reduce the transmission of sound therethrough. According to this aspect, theapertures420 may be smaller than the wavelength of some or all of the sound frequencies that are to be blocked (e.g., to reduce sound transmission at those frequencies). Theapertures420 may be at or near theair outlet118. This aspect may be used by itself or in combination with one or more other aspects of this disclosure.

Certain sound frequencies generated by asuction motor150 of asurface cleaning apparatus100 may be aggravating to a user. These sounds may travel through theair flow path120 and exit the surface cleaning apparatus viaclean air outlet118. Theair flow path120 may be constricted to reduce the transmission of these sounds. For example, theair flow path120 may extend through small apertures that serve to inhibit the passage of these sound waves.

As illustrated inFIGS. 11, 28, and 33, theair flow path120 extends to theclean air outlet118. As exemplified, at or adjacent the clean air outlet118 (e.g., within 10%, 5% or 2% of the total length of the air flow path) the air flow path passes throughapertures420. Theapertures420 are shaped to provide acoustic restriction over a range of noise frequencies but with minimal back pressure. Theapertures420 may each have a largest width (e.g., the diameter if the apertures are circular, or the longer width if the apertures are rectangular) that is smaller than the wavelength of the sound frequencies that are to be blocked. The largest width may be, e.g., 20 mm, 15 mm, 10 mm, or 5 mm.

As exemplified, if the clean air outlet is in an upper portion of themain body102, then theapertures420 may be provided in only the upper part of the housing orbody102. The rest of the housing orbody102, e.g., the bottom may be a closed area422 (see for exampleFIGS. 2, 19, and 30) that is free of theoutlet apertures420. The angular extent of the bottom closed area may be 200°, 250°, or 270°.

As exemplified, thepower cord202 may pass through a sealedgrommet294 in the bottom closedarea422, to themotor150 andcontrol board360.

In-Line Vortex Finder or Air Treatment Member

The following is a description of an in-line vortex finder or air treatment member, which may be used by itself or in combination with one of more of the uniflow cyclone, the open handle, the arcuate post-motor filter, the removable air treatment member, the accessory power connection on a removeable air treatment member, the filters are accessible when air treatment member is moved, the transversely extending bleed valve, the laterally directed inlet to the bleed valve, the rearwardly positioned control panel, the motor and/or motor housing extends into surrounding features, the power line extends through the handle, the brushes are centered, the handle is in-line with additional components, centrally positioned components, off-center components with a centered centre of gravity, the friction surface on handle base and sound damping, which are set out herein.

In accordance with this aspect, thevortex finder210 and/orair treatment member110 of thesurface cleaning apparatus100 is axially aligned with components of thesurface cleaning apparatus100. Thevortex finder210 and/orair treatment member110 may be axially aligned with thesuction motor150 and/or accessoryelectrical connector270. This aspect may be used by itself or in combination with one or more other aspects of this disclosure.

As exemplified inFIG. 13, anaxial projection362 of thevortex finder210 and/orfluff screen212 may extend through one or more of thesuction motor150, the accessoryelectrical connector270, a volume defined by the post-motor filter, thepre-motor filter180, thehead space350 downstream of thepre-motor filter180, thecontrol panel360, and abrush370 of themotor150.

One or more of thehandle104, batteries, thepost-motor filter182, thebleed valve320, and the pistol grip handle104 may be exterior to the projection of thevortex finder210 and/or thefluff screen212.

As used herein, the wording “and/or” is intended to represent an inclusive-or. That is, “X and/or Y” is intended to mean X or Y or both, for example. As a further example, “X, Y, and/or Z” is intended to mean X or Y or Z or any combination thereof.

While the above description describes features of example embodiments, it will be appreciated that some features and/or functions of the described embodiments are susceptible to modification without departing from the spirit and principles of operation of the described embodiments. For example, the various characteristics which are described by means of the represented embodiments or examples may be selectively combined with each other. Accordingly, what has been described above is intended to be illustrative of the claimed concept and non-limiting. It will be understood by persons skilled in the art that other variants and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims appended hereto. The scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments and examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.

Clause Set A

1. A hand vacuum cleaner comprising:
- (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet provided at a front end of the hand vacuum cleaner to a clean air outlet;
- (b) a main body housing a suction motor;
- (c) an air treatment member having a front end and a rear end with a central longitudinal axis extending between the front and rear ends;
- (d) a bleed valve having a bleed air flow path that extends from a bleed air inlet to a bleed air outlet; and,
- (e) a handle,
- wherein the hand vacuum cleaner has a front end having the dirty air inlet, a rear end axially spaced from the front end and first and second laterally opposed sides that are spaced apart in a direction transverse to the central longitudinal axis, and
- wherein the bleed air inlet and the bleed air outlet are transversely spaced apart.
2. The hand vacuum cleaner ofclause 1 wherein the bleed valve has a bleed air passage extending from the bleed air inlet to the bleed air outlet and at least 75% of the bleed air passage extends generally transversely.
3. The hand vacuum cleaner ofclause 1 wherein the bleed valve has a bleed air passage extending from the bleed air inlet to the bleed air outlet and the bleed air passage extends generally transversely.
4. The hand vacuum cleaner ofclause 1 wherein the bleed valve has a longest dimension, and the longest dimension extends transversely.
5. The hand vacuum cleaner ofclause 3 wherein the bleed air inlet is a plane that is generally parallel to the first laterally opposed side.
6. The hand vacuum cleaner ofclause 1 wherein a plane that is parallel to the central longitudinal axis and that extends through the first and second laterally opposed sides also extends through the bleed valve and the pre-motor filter.
7. The hand vacuum cleaner ofclause 1 wherein a plane that is parallel to the central longitudinal axis and that extends through the first and second laterally opposed sides also extends through the bleed valve, the pre-motor filter, and the handle.
8. The hand vacuum cleaner ofclause 1 wherein a plane that is parallel to the central longitudinal axis and that extends through the first and second laterally opposed sides also extends through the bleed valve and the air treatment member.
9. The hand vacuum cleaner of clause 8 wherein the plane also extends through the pre-motor filter.
10. The hand vacuum cleaner of clause 8 wherein the plane also extends through the handle.
11. The hand vacuum cleaner of clause 9 wherein the plane also extends through the handle.
12. The hand vacuum cleaner ofclause 1 further comprising a finger gap provided between the handle and the main body and the bleed valve is positioned in the main body between the finger gap and a pre-motor filter.
13. The hand vacuum cleaner ofclause 1 wherein the main body has a portion in which the bleed valve is positioned, a finger gap is provided between the handle and the portion of the main body and the portion of the main body forms part of a forward side of the finger gap.
14. The hand vacuum cleaner ofclause 1 wherein a first vertical plane that is parallel to the central longitudinal axis and that extends centrally between the first and second laterally opposed sides bisects the bleed valve.
15. The hand vacuum cleaner ofclause 1 wherein a first vertical plane that is parallel to the central longitudinal axis extends through the bleed valve, the bleed air flow path has a longest dimension that extends transversely in a second plane that is transverse to the first vertical plane.
16. A hand vacuum cleaner comprising:
- (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet provided at a front end of the hand vacuum cleaner to a clean air outlet;
- (b) a main body housing a suction motor;
- (c) an air treatment member having a front end and a rear end with a central longitudinal axis extending between the front and rear ends;
- (d) a bleed valve having a bleed air flow path that extends from a bleed air inlet to a bleed air outlet; and,
- (e) a handle,
- wherein the hand vacuum cleaner has a front end having the dirty air inlet, a rear end axially spaced from the front end and first and second laterally opposed sides, and
- wherein the central longitudinal axis extends through the bleed valve, and a second axis that is transverse to the central longitudinal axis extends through a longest dimension of the bleed air flow path and first and second laterally opposed sides.
17. The hand vacuum cleaner of clause 16 wherein a plane in which the central longitudinal axis extends bisects the bleed valve.
18. The hand vacuum cleaner of clause 16 wherein the main body has a portion in which the bleed valve is positioned, a finger gap is provided between the handle and the portion of the main body and the portion of the main body forms part of a forward side of the finger gap.
19. The hand vacuum cleaner of clause 16 wherein a first plane that is parallel to the central longitudinal axis and that extends through first and second laterally opposed sides also extends through the bleed valve, the pre-motor filter, and the handle.
20. The hand vacuum cleaner of clause 19 wherein the handle is a pistol grip handle.

Clause Set B

1. A hand vacuum cleaner comprising:
- (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet;
- (b) a cyclone having a vortex finder, a front end, a rear end and a central axis of rotation that extends between the front and rear ends, wherein the vortex finder has right and left laterally opposed sides;
- (c) a main body housing a suction motor, the suction motor has brushes, the main body has right and left laterally opposed sides that are spaced apart in a direction transverse to the central longitudinal axis; and,
- (d) a handle having right and left laterally opposed side,
- wherein a first plane extends through the right laterally opposed side of the handle and is tangent to the left laterally opposed side of the vortex finder, a second plane extends through the left laterally opposed side of the handle and is tangent to the right laterally opposed side of the vortex finder and the brushes are positioned between the first and second planes.
2. The hand vacuum cleaner ofclause 1 wherein a first vertical plane extends through the hand vacuum cleaner and is tangent to the first laterally opposed side of the vortex finder, a second vertical plane extends through the hand vacuum cleaner and is tangent to the second laterally opposed side of the vortex finder and the brushes are positioned between the first and second vertical planes.
3. The hand vacuum cleaner ofclause 1 wherein the handle is a pistol grip handle and a third vertical plane extends through the pistol grip handle and the brushes.
4. The hand vacuum cleaner ofclause 3 wherein the third vertical plane also extends through the vortex finder.
5. The hand vacuum cleaner of clause 4 further comprising a bleed valve and the third vertical plane also extends through the bleed valve.
6. The hand vacuum cleaner ofclause 5 wherein the third vertical plane bisects the bleed valve.
7. The hand vacuum cleaner ofclause 1 further comprising a post-motor filter housing and a portion of the suction motor extends upwardly into an interior volume of the post-motor filter housing.
8. The hand vacuum cleaner ofclause 5 wherein a portion of the brushes extend upwardly into an interior volume of the post-motor filter housing.
9. The hand vacuum cleaner of clause 6 wherein a post-motor filter is receivable in the post-motor filter housing, the post-motor filter has a longest dimension in a direction of the central longitudinal axis and the post-motor filter is arcuate in cross-section in a plane transverse to the central longitudinal axis.
10. The hand vacuum cleaner of clause 8 wherein a portion of the brushes extends downwardly into an interior volume of the handle.
11. The hand vacuum cleaner ofclause 1 wherein a portion of the brushes extends downwardly into an interior volume of the handle.
12. The hand vacuum cleaner of clause 11 further comprising a post-motor filter housing and a portion of the suction motor extends upwardly into an interior volume of the post-motor filter housing.
13. The hand vacuum cleaner ofclause 1 wherein a central vertical plane that is parallel to the central longitudinal axis and that extends centrally between the first and second laterally opposed sides bisects the bleed valve.
14. The hand vacuum cleaner ofclause 1 wherein a central vertical plane that is parallel to the central longitudinal axis extends through the bleed valve, the bleed air flow path has a longest dimension that extends transversely in a second plane that is transverse to the central vertical plane.

Clause Set C

1. A hand vacuum cleaner comprising:
- (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet provided at a front end of the hand vacuum cleaner to a clean air outlet;
- (b) a main body housing a suction motor;
- (c) an air treatment member having a front end and a rear end with a central longitudinal axis extending between the front and rear ends;
- (d) a bleed valve; and,
- (e) a handle having an upper end that is provided on the main body,
- wherein a forward projection of the handle extends through the bleed valve.
2. The hand vacuum cleaner ofclause 1 wherein the handle is a pistol grip handle.
3. The hand vacuum cleaner ofclause 2 wherein the handle extends downwardly from a portion of the main body that houses the suction motor.
4. The hand vacuum cleaner ofclause 1 further comprising a pre-motor filter and the forward projection of the handle passes through the pre-motor filter.
5. The hand vacuum cleaner of clause 4 wherein the forward projection of the handle passes through the air treatment member.
6. The hand vacuum cleaner ofclause 5 wherein the air treatment member comprises a dirt collection chamber external to an air treatment chamber and the forward projection of the handle passes through the dirt collection chamber.
7. The hand vacuum cleaner ofclause 1 wherein the forward projection of the handle passes through the air treatment member.
8. The hand vacuum cleaner ofclause 7 wherein the air treatment member comprises a dirt collection chamber external to an air treatment chamber and the forward projection of the handle passes through the dirt collection chamber.
9. The hand vacuum cleaner ofclause 1 wherein the hand vacuum cleaner has right and left laterally opposed sides that are spaced apart in a direction transverse to the central longitudinal axis, and the bleed valve has a bleed valve air inlet that is in a plane that is generally parallel to one of the right and left laterally opposed sides.
10. The hand vacuum cleaner ofclause 1 wherein the hand vacuum cleaner has right and left laterally opposed sides that are spaced apart in a direction transverse to the central longitudinal axis, and the bleed valve has a bleed valve air flow path that extends between a bleed valve air inlet and a bleed valve air outlet and the bleed valve air flow path has a longest dimension that extends in the transverse direction.

Clause Set D

1. A hand vacuum cleaner comprising:
- (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet provided at a front end of the hand vacuum cleaner to a clean air outlet;
- (b) a main body housing a suction motor;
- (c) an air treatment member having a front end and a rear end with a central longitudinal axis extends between the front and rear ends;
- (d) a bleed valve having a bleed air flow path that extends from a bleed air inlet to a bleed air outlet; and,
- (e) a handle,
- wherein the hand vacuum cleaner has right and left laterally opposed sides that are spaced apart in a direction transverse to the central longitudinal axis, and the bleed valve air inlet that is in a plane that is generally parallel to one of the right and left laterally opposed sides.
2. The hand vacuum cleaner ofclause 1 wherein a vertical plane that is parallel to the central longitudinal axis and that extends centrally between the right and left laterally opposed sides extends through the bleed valve.
3. The hand vacuum cleaner ofclause 2 wherein the vertical plane bisects the bleed valve.
4. The hand vacuum cleaner ofclause 1 wherein a vertical plane that is parallel to the central longitudinal axis extends through the bleed valve, and the bleed air flow path has a longest dimension that extends transversely in a horizontal plane that is transverse to the vertical plane.
5. The hand vacuum cleaner ofclause 1 wherein the bleed valve air inlet comprises a first inlet on the right latterly opposed side and a second inlet on the left latterly opposed side.
6. The hand vacuum cleaner ofclause 1 wherein the air treatment member is positioned forward of the suction motor, the suction motor has an axis of rotation and the suction motor axis of rotation is parallel to the central longitudinal axis.
7. The hand vacuum cleaner of clause 6 wherein the suction motor axis of rotation is vertically spaced from the central longitudinal axis.
8. The hand vacuum cleaner ofclause 2 further comprising a pre-motor filter and the pre-motor filter has a vertical length in the vertical plane that is greater than a vertical length of the suction motor in a second vertical plane that is parallel to the vertical plane.
9. The hand vacuum cleaner ofclause 1 wherein a horizontal plane that extends between the right and left laterally opposed sides extends through the bleed valve and the handle.
10. The hand vacuum cleaner of clause 9 further comprising a finger grip area between the handle and the main body and the horizontal plane extends through the finger gap area.

Clause Set E

1. A hand vacuum cleaner comprising:
- (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet provided at a front end of the hand vacuum cleaner to a clean air outlet;
- (b) a main body housing a suction motor;
- (c) an air treatment member having a front end and a rear end with a central longitudinal axis extending between the front and rear ends;
- (d) a bleed valve having a bleed air flow path that extends from a bleed air inlet to a bleed air outlet; and,
- (e) a handle,
- wherein the hand vacuum cleaner has right and left laterally opposed sides that are spaced apart in a direction transverse to the central longitudinal axis, a first vertical plane that is parallel to the central longitudinal axis and that extends centrally between the right and left laterally opposed sides extends through the bleed valve and the bleed air flow path has a longest dimension that extends generally transversely in a horizontal plane that is transverse to the first vertical plane.
2. The hand vacuum cleaner ofclause 1 wherein the vertical plane bisects the bleed air flow path.
3. The hand vacuum cleaner ofclause 1 wherein the bleed valve air inlet that is in a plane that is generally parallel to one of the right and left laterally opposed sides.
4. The hand vacuum cleaner ofclause 1 wherein a second vertical plane that is transverse to the first vertical plane extends through the right and left laterally opposed sides, the section motor, the handle and a post-motor filter.
5. The hand vacuum cleaner of clause 4 wherein the post-motor filter overlies the suction motor.
6. The hand vacuum cleaner of clause 4 wherein the post-motor filter has a longest dimension in a direction of the central longitudinal axis and the post-motor filter is arcuate in cross-section in the second vertical plane.
7. The hand vacuum cleaner of clause 4 wherein the handle is a pistol grip handle that extends downwardly from a portion of the main body that houses the suction motor.
8. The hand vacuum cleaner ofclause 7 wherein the pistol grip handle has a handle axis that extends through a hand grip portion of the pistol grip handle and intersects the suction motor.
9. The hand vacuum cleaner ofclause 1 wherein the handle is a pistol grip handle that extends downwardly from a portion of the main body that houses the suction motor.
10. The hand vacuum cleaner of clause 9 wherein the pistol grip handle has a handle axis that extends through a hand grip portion of the pistol grip handle and intersects that suction motor.
11. The hand vacuum cleaner ofclause 1 wherein a horizontal plane that extends between the right and left laterally opposed sides extends through the bleed valve, the handle and the air treatment member.
12. The hand vacuum cleaner ofclause 12 wherein the horizontal plane extends through a pre-motor filter.
13. The hand vacuum cleaner ofclause 12 wherein the horizontal plane is external to the suction motor.