Patent ID: 8516655
Filing Date: 2013-08-27
Classification: A47L

Abstract:
1. A vacuum cleaner comprising: a floor engaging portion; a handle portion pivotally mounted to said floor engaging portion and configured for pivotal motion relative to said floor engaging portion between a generally upright storage position and an inclined pivotal operating position; an agitator rotatably mounted in said floor engaging portion and configured for agitating a floor surface being cleaned; a first motor having an output shaft and an agitator belt selectively drivingly connecting said motor to said agitator; a tensioning arm pivotally mounted to said floor engaging portion and configured for pivotal motion between an agitator-on position in which said tensioning arm engages said agitator belt, to place said agitator belt under tension whereby said agitator belt drives said agitator, and an agitator-off position in which said tensioning arm does not engage said agitator belt, to place said agitator belt in a slack condition whereby said agitator belt does not drive said agitator; a spring mounted between said floor engaging portion and said tensioning arm and configured for biasing said tensioning arm into said agitator-on position; a lifting assembly mounted in said floor engaging portion, said lifting assembly including a second motor and an engaging member driven by said second motor, said engaging member being configured to contact said tensioning arm to selectively place said tensioning arm in said agitator-off position; and an input device provided on said handle portion, said input device including a power button configured to selectively provide power to said vacuum cleaner, a first mode selection button, and a second mode selection button; wherein said first mode selection button is interconnected to said tensioning arm such that when said first mode selection button is depressed, said tensioning arm is moved toward said agitator-on position; and wherein said second mode selection button is interconnected to said tensioning arm such that when said second mode selection button is depressed, said tensioning arm is moved toward said agitator-off position.