Surface cleaning apparatus

• US 9,591,953 B2
• Filed: 06/06/2014
• Issued: 03/14/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Omachron Intellectual Property Inc.
• Original Assignee: Omachron Intellectual Property Inc.
• Inventors: Conrad, Wayne Ernest, Thorne, Jason Boyd
• Primary Examiner(s): Hail, Joseph J
• Assistant Examiner(s): MCDONALD, SHANTESE L
• Application Number:
  US14/298,254
• Publication Number:
  US 20140283332A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,012 Days
• Field of Search: 153/47, 153/50, 153/52, 153/53
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/225 Convertible suction cleaners, i.e. convertible between different types thereof, e.g. from upright suction cleaners to sledge-type suction cleaners
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/30 with driven dust-loosening tools, e.g. rotating brushes
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0411 driven by electric motor
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0477 Rolls
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2847 Surface treating elements
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2857 User input or output elements for control, e.g. buttons, switches or displays
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/30 Arrangement of illuminating devices
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/325 for wheeled suction cleaners with steering handle

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner is provided with a handle assembly drivingly connected to the surface cleaning head and comprising a multi-position brush control electrically coupled to the brush motor whereby the brush motor is operable in at least two different modes. An upright surface cleaning apparatus with a removable portable surface cleaning unit is also provided. The upright surface cleaning apparatus includes an air flow path extending from the cleaning head air outlet to the air treatment member air inlet and comprising a flexible electrified air flow conduit wherein the brush motor is electrically connected to the surface cleaning unit by a circuit that includes the flexible electrified air flow conduit, a handle assembly drivingly connected to the surface cleaning head and a brush control electrically coupled to the brush motor.

Claims

1. The upright surface cleaning apparatus comprising:

a) a surface cleaning head comprising, a brush driven by a brush motor, a dirty air inlet and a cleaning head air outlet;

b) an upper portion moveably mounted to the surface cleaning head between a storage position and a floor cleaning position;

c) a surface cleaning unit removably mounted to the upper portion, the surface cleaning unit comprising a suction motor operable by a power source and an air treatment member having an air treatment member air inlet;

d) an air flow path extending from the cleaning head air outlet to the air treatment member air inlet and comprising a flexible electrified air flow conduit wherein the brush motor is electrically connected to the surface cleaning unit by a circuit that includes the flexible electrified air flow conduit;

e) a handle assembly drivingly connected to the surface cleaning head; and

,

g) a light source on the handle assembly,

wherein the light source is automatically powered when the handle assembly is electrically disconnected from the surface cleaning head.

2. The upright surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the handle assembly comprises a handle useable by a hand of a user to direct the surface cleaning head and a brush control that is electrically coupled to the brush motor is operable by a hand of a user while the user uses the hand to direct the surface cleaning head.

3. The upright surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the handle assembly comprises a handle and a brush control is positioned proximate the handle.

4. The upright surface cleaning apparatus of claim 3 wherein the brush control is adjustable such that the brush motor is operable in at least three different modes.

5. The upright surface cleaning apparatus of claim 4 wherein the brush control comprises a multi-position switch.

6. The upright surface cleaning apparatus of claim 3 further comprising a main power control that is provided on the handle.

7. The upright surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the upper portion comprises a rigid airflow conduit removably connectable to the cleaning head air outlet, the airflow conduit comprising a conduit air inlet and a conduit air outlet, the conduit air inlet having an associated second multi-conductor connector mateable with a first multi-conductor connector associated with the surface cleaning head, the conduit air outlet having an associated third multi-conductor connector with each conductor electrically coupled to respective conductors of the second multi-conductor connector.

8. The upright surface cleaning apparatus of claim 7, wherein the handle assembly comprises a fourth multi-conductor connector configured to removably mate with the third multi-conductor connector.

9. The upright surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a surface light source provided on the surface cleaning head, wherein the surface light source is automatically powered when the handle assembly is electrically connected to the surface cleaning head and a main power switch is in the on position.

10. An upright surface cleaning apparatus comprising:

a) a surface cleaning head comprising, a brush driven, a dirty air inlet and a cleaning head air outlet;

b) an upper portion moveably mounted to the surface cleaning head between a storage position and a floor cleaning position;

c) an air flow path extending from the cleaning head air outlet to a clean air outlet;

d) an air flow treatment member and a suction motor provided in the air flow path;

e) the air flow path comprising a flexible electrified air flow conduit wherein the brush motor is electrically connected to a power source by a circuit that includes the flexible electrified air flow conduit;

f) a handle assembly drivingly connected to the surface cleaning head; and

,

g) a light source,

wherein the light source is automatically powered when the handle assembly is electrically disconnected from the surface cleaning head.

11. The upright surface cleaning apparatus of claim 10 wherein the handle assembly comprises a handle useable by a hand of a user to direct the surface cleaning head and a brush control is operable by the hand while the user uses the hand to direct the surface cleaning head.

12. The upright surface cleaning apparatus of claim 11 wherein the brush control is adjustable such that the brush motor is operable in at least three different modes.

13. The upright surface cleaning apparatus of claim 10 wherein the handle assembly comprises a handle and a brush control is positioned proximate the handle.

14. The upright surface cleaning apparatus of claim 13 further comprising a main power control that is provided on the handle.

15. The upright surface cleaning apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a light source disposed on the handle assembly.