Vacuum cleaner with cleaning pad

A vacuum cleaner has a suction nozzle, a housing connected to the suction nozzle and a suction fan and motor assembly mounted to the housing. A dirt collecting receptacle is mounted to the housing and is in communication with the suction nozzle and suction fan and motor assembly. A support plate is pivotally mounted to the housing and selectively holds a cleaning sheet for collecting dust and debris from a surface to be cleaned.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to vacuum cleaners. More particularly, the present invention relates to a stick-type or hand-held vacuum cleaner which is combined with a cleaning pad having a removable cleaning sheet.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Stick vacuum cleaners are well known in the art. These vacuum cleaners are typically more lightweight than traditional upright cleaners and lack the driven brushrolls of traditional cleaners. The lighter weight and lack of a brushroll allows these cleaners to be more easily manipulated by a user. They can also be employed on a wider variety of surfaces than traditional upright cleaners.

For example, stick vacuum cleaners are often used on non-carpeted floor surfaces where a brushroll may damage the floor surface. The stick vacuum cleaner is also often used for surfaces with hard-to-reach areas or elevated surfaces. The lighter weight and more compact design of a stick vacuum compared to a traditional upright vacuum leads to greater maneuverability and ease of lifting.

As with any other vacuum cleaner, dirt-laden air is drawn into a stick vacuum cleaner through a nozzle by a suction that is created by a suction motor driving a suction fan or impeller. The dirt-laden air passes into a dirt collection receptacle such as a dirt cup or filter bag. The dirt is held in the receptacle and the air is exhausted.

An alternative to stick vacuum is the hand-held vacuum cleaner. Some hand held vacuum cleaners employ a powered rotary brush while others merely use a nozzle for suctioning dirt and debris from carpets, floors, and above floor surfaces.

Hand-held vacuum cleaners have become extremely popular for cleaning a variety of surfaces in homes, offices, cars or the like. They are utilized particularly for small pick up jobs or for cleaning in hard to reach places. By their nature, hand-held vacuum cleaner units are lightweight in order to enable a user to readily utilize them in places where canister, upright, stick or shop-type vacuum cleaners cannot be used or are inconvenient to use.

Of course, non-powered cleaning implements are also widely known. They are used for removing dust, dirt and/or liquids from hard surfaces. Brooms are one example. More recently, a cleaning implement which comprises a handle and a cleaning pad with a removable cleaning sheet has become popular for cleaning dry surfaces. The cleaning sheets exhibit the ability to pick up dust and debris from the surface to be cleaned. Once dirty, the sheet is discarded and replaced with a clean one. One such product is sold by Procter & Gamble under the trademark SWIFFER™.

This product uses non-woven sheets for dry dust-type cleaning. Such sheets typically utilize a composite of fibers where the fibers are bonded by adhesive, or are entangled in other ways. See for example U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,629,047 and 5,144,729. To provide durable wiping sheets, reinforcement means are combined with staple fibers in the form of continuous filament or network structure. Such cleaning sheets maximize the surface of the sheet and have electrostatic properties for collecting and/or attracting particulate dirt.

However, cleaning implements that comprise a removable cleaning sheet are not able to successfully remove larger debris or particles from the surface to be cleaned. Such debris may include animal hair or fur, dirt, sand or small pebbles brought in from outdoors, food crumbs or other larger particles of debris.

Thus, it would be advantageous to provide a cleaning product which combines the features of a vacuum cleaner such as a stick-type vacuum cleaner or a hand-held vacuum cleaner with a cleaning pad that comprises a removable cleaning sheet. Accordingly, it is desirable to develop a new and improved cleaning product which would overcome the foregoing difficulties and others and provide a cleaning pad in combination with a vacuum cleaner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner. In particular, the present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner having a cleaning pad with a sheet attached thereto. In a first embodiment of the present invention, the vacuum cleaner comprises a suction nozzle, a housing connected to the suction nozzle, a suction fan and motor assembly mounted to the housing, and a dirt collecting receptacle mounted to the housing and in communication with the suction nozzle and the suction fan and motor assembly. A support plate is pivotally mounted to the housing for selectively holding a cleaning sheet for collecting dust and debris from a surface to be cleaned.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the vacuum cleaner comprises a support plate selectively holding a cleaning sheet, a handle pivotally connected to the support plate, a housing mounted to one of the handle and support plate, and a suction fan and motor assembly mounted to the housing. A dirt collecting receptacle is mounted to the housing and a suction nozzle is connected to the housing.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a vacuum cleaner comprises a suction nozzle, a housing connected to the suction nozzle, a suction fan and motor assembly mounted to the housing and a dirt collecting receptacle mounted to the housing and in communication with the suction nozzle and the suction fan and motor assembly. A handle extends from the housing for grasping to move the vacuum along a surface to be cleaned. A switch provides at least momentary operation of the suction fan and motor assembly. A support plate is pivotally mounted to the housing for selectively holding a cleaning sheet for collecting dust and debris from the surface to be cleaned.

In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, a cleaning device having two separate and distinct selected modes of operation is provided. A first mode of operation comprises suctioning debris from a surface to be cleaned, and a second mode of operation comprises use of a cleaning sheet to collect dust and debris from the surface to be cleaned. The cleaning device comprises a housing, a suction fan and motor assembly mounted to the housing, a dirt collecting receptacle mounted to the housing, a suction nozzle communicating with the suction fan and motor assembly and the dirt receptacle for performing the first mode of operation. A support plate is pivotably mounted to the housing and selectively holds a cleaning sheet for performing the second mode of operation.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, a vacuum cleaner comprises a housing, a suction fan and motor mounted within the housing, a handle connected to the housing and first and second cleaning implements each pivotally connected to the housing. A dirt collecting receptacle is mounted to the housing and is in communication with the suction fan and motor assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating several preferred embodiments of this invention only and not for purposes of limiting same,FIG. 1shows a vacuum cleaner A according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

The vacuum cleaner A is illustrated to be of the stick-type and includes a suction nozzle10, a housing12connected to the suction nozzle, a suction fan and motor assembly16(FIG. 7) which is mounted to the housing, and a dirt collecting receptable18which is also mounted to the housing and is in communication with the suction nozzle and suction fan and motor assembly. Referring toFIG. 1A, the dirt collecting recentacle18can include a conventional filter bag19mounted therein, which is well known in the art and will not be described in detail herein. A support plate20is also connected to the housing and selectively holds a disposable cleaning sheet30(FIG. 10) for collecting dust and debris from a surface to be cleaned.

The vacuum cleaner further includes a handle40which extends from a first end42of the housing. A grip38extends from a distal end of the handle. The support plate or cleaning pad member20can be mounted to the housing at a housing second end43by a pivotable joint, such as a conventional universal joint44, which interconnects the housing with the support plate. As is well known, the universal joint allows the housing and the handle to pivot along two rotational axes “b” and “c”.

With reference now toFIGS. 2 and 3, the housing12is mounted to a first fork41of the universal joint via spaced apart and generally parallel flanges45,46of the housing. Pins39extend through aligned holes in the flanges45,46and the fork41for pivotably mounting the housing to the universal joint.

Referring toFIG. 10, the universal joint has a second fork47which is interconnected with the support plate at spaced apart flanges48,49of the support plate for pivotably securing the support plate to the housing. The second fork47has a rotational axis perpendicular to the axis of the first fork41. Flanges48,49are interconnected with fork47via dowel pins or plugs50which extend through holes51,53of the connecting members and holes57,59of the second rotational joint. Caps or seals54secure the pins50within the holes of the connecting members and joint47. The two forks41and47can be secured to each other along a base plate67thereof by conventional means, such as gluing, welding or the like, depending on the material from which the forks are made. Alternatively, the entire joint member can be of one piece.

With continued reference toFIG. 10, the support plate20comprises a plurality of attachment structures or slitted attachment clips52which are configured to receive and retain the cleaning sheet30about the support plate during use. The clips are described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 6,305,046, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The clips52are disposed adjacent the corners of the support plate, although these locations can be varied depending upon the size and shape of the support plate. The disposable cleaning sheet30is thus releasably attached to the support plate using the clips52.

As best seen inFIG. 4, the attachment structures each comprise a base triangle60which is defined along two sides thereof by slits61which extend through the flexible material which forms the attachment structures. An apex62of the base triangle is formed by the intersection of the slits61. The attachment structures further include a plurality of pie wedge-shaped sections63having apexes64which meet at a substantially common point65. This arrangement permits the pie wedge-shaped sections to individually deflect relative to each other under finger pressure so that a portion of the sheet can be pushed through the top surface of the attachment structures and into a cavity (not shown) formed within the attachment structures.

As the sheet is pushed past the top surface of an attachment structure or clip52, the apexes of the pie wedge-shaped sections and the apex of the base triangle can pierce and engage the sheet30such that the sheet is retained about the support plate during use. As is known, the attachment structures can be formed from polyethylene by injection molding and can be retained within the support plate by a ridge (not shown) disposed on the support plate which engages a slot disposed on the attachment structure. While clips52are shown for selectively attaching the cleaning sheet30to the support plate20, it should be appreciated that a variety of other structures can be used for the same purpose. For example, cooperating hook and loop fasteners may be provided on the support plate and the sheet. Also, an elastic band could be secured around the periphery of the sheet. The band can be smaller in its normal state than the diameter of the support plate, thus allowing the sheet to be selectively secured to and detached from the support plate simply by enlarging the band to fit it, and the periphery of the cleaning sheet, over the support plate.

The support plate includes a top surface21to which the clips52are attached and a bottom surface22(FIG. 6) around which extends the cleaning sheet30. The bottom surface of the support plate engages at least a portion of the cleaning sheet during use. As shown inFIG. 6, the support plate20has a convex shape as is described in detail in published U.S. Patent Application No. US2002/0050016 A1, dated May 2, 2002, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Referring toFIGS. 4 and 10, a bumper24surrounds the outside edge of the support plate. The bumper can be made of foam, rubber, or another elastic or flexible material.

With reference again toFIG. 10, the removable cleaning sheet30comprises a scrubbing layer31. The scrubbing layer31is the portion of the cleaning sheet that contacts the soiled surface during cleaning. As such, materials useful as a scrubbing layer must be sufficiently durable that the layer will retain its integrity during the cleaning process. For example, an electrostatic cloth or pad may be used. The sheets can be made of polyester or polypropylene and build a negative charge as they are rubbed over a surface. This is known in the art. Close contact transfers electrons from the dirt to the cleaning sheet, increasing its negative charge. Hair and dust particles are positively charged and are thus attracted to the sheet.

It should be appreciated that when a cleaning sheet is used in combination with a cleaning solution, an absorbent layer (not illustrated) may also be employed with the scrubbing layer in order to absorb liquids. Of course, thicker liquid absorbing sheets could also be used if desired. For example, a microfiber sheet with an internal sponge layer could be employed. Alternatively, a cleaning sheet having an absorbent layer can be wetted with a cleaning solution prior to installation on the support plate. This will ensure that the cleaning solution is deposited on the surface being cleaned and the scrubbing layer can remove additional material from the surface being cleaned. Whether the cleaning sheet is used with a cleaning solution (i.e., in a wet state) or without cleaning solution (i.e., in a dry state) the cleaning sheet will, in addition to removing particulate matter, facilitate other functions, such as polishing, dusting, and buffing the surface being cleaned. It is also conceivable that packets of pre-wetted cleaning sheets could be sold by a merchant to the customer for use with the cleaning device of the present invention. When each sheet becomes dirty, it is simply discarded and replaced by a new, clean one.

As previously discussed, a problem that exists with cleaning implements employing cleaning sheets is that the cleaning sheets cannot effectively pick up or retain larger debris, such as granular material, larger dirt particles, food crumbs, or pebbles or debris brought in from outdoors, etc. Thus, it would be convenient to have a vacuum source attached to the cleaning implement to vacuum the larger particles that the cleaning sheet cannot effectively pick up.

Thus, in a first embodiment of the present invention, a stick-type vacuum cleaner is used in combination with the support plate and cleaning sheet. In this embodiment, the dirt collecting receptacle18is in the form of a dirt cup. As shown inFIG. 9, the dirt cup is positioned within an opening or cavity55of the housing. The dirt cup is secured into place via a latch56or other fastening mechanism. The dirt cup can be at least partially transparent and can be fabricated from a thermoplastic material. The latch56releases a spring biased tab58from a slot70formed in an open first end72of the dirt cup.

With continued reference toFIG. 9, the dirt cup has open first end72and a closed second end76. A second tab74extends from second end76of the dirt cup and engages in a corresponding cavity78in the housing. The latch assembly56facilitates the removable connection of the dirt cup to the housing. When the dirt cup is removed for cleaning, the user depresses the latch causing the tab58to release from the slot70(best shown inFIG. 7) in the dirt cup. Cleaning of the dirt cup entails removal of dirt from the dirt cup by lifting filter assembly90(FIG. 8) out of the dirt cup. This also allows cleaning of the filter medium or cloth or replacement of the filter assembly or the filter medium.

Referring toFIG. 7, an inlet80is formed in the second end of the dirt cup and communicates with an outlet82of the suction nozzle. An outlet81is formed in the first end of the dirt cup which communicates with an inlet83to the suction fan and motor assembly. A flapper valve86prevents the dirt in the dirt cup from falling back into the suction nozzle outlet82. The flapper valve can be made of rubber or another known flexible material.

Referring now toFIG. 8, a filter assembly90is removably attached to the dirt cup first end72. The filter assembly includes a filter cage92upon which a filter medium94is mounted. In this embodiment, the filter medium can be made of a porous cloth or similar conventional material which can be glued or otherwise secured to the cage. The filter cage includes an end wall96on a first end thereof and an open frame98at a second end thereof. A filter gasket (not illustrated) can be disposed about a periphery of the upper surface of end96. A gasket would function to seal the dirt cup cavity. Alternatively, the material of the filter cage92can be flexible enough to serve a gasket function for sealing the filter cage against an inner wall91of the dirt cup. The end wall96of the filter cage is keyed, as at93, to insure that the cage can be mounted to the dirt cup18only in one orientation. The recess forming the key93accommodates the slot70of the dirt cup as shown inFIG. 7. The end wall96also includes a centrally positioned opening97(see alsoFIG. 7) through which air cleaned by the filter can flow out of the open end81of the dirt cup.

Referring now toFIG. 6, a conduit100, in the form of a flexible hose in the preferred embodiment, extends between and connects the outlet of the suction nozzle10to the inlet80of the dirt cup. A first end102of the hose connects to the suction nozzle, a central portion101extends through an aperture103in the base plate67of the universal joint and a second end104connects to the dirt cup inlet via housing inlet118(FIG. 9).

Referring again toFIG. 10, the suction nozzle10is pivotably connected to the support plate via a pair of spaced apart arms106,108which extend from a rear end110of the nozzle. The arms106,108each have a hole112,114respectively through which pins50extend to rotatably secure the suction nozzle to the support plate. With reference now toFIG. 5, each of the arms has a pair of adjacent concave sections116,117defined in a lower surface thereof. The sections can each engage or ride upon a resilient detent119,120provided on respective sides of the support plate top surface21. The detents can snap into respective slots121,122located on the top surface21of the support plate. The suction nozzle is manually pivoted or rotated to one of two positions, a “down” or operating position, shown inFIG. 3and an “up” or non-operating position, shown inFIG. 5. The sections ride along the detents until the suction nozzle is locked into one of the two positions. In the operating position, the suction nozzle is substantially parallel to the surface to be cleaned for vacuuming. The non-operating position enables the support plate and cleaning sheet to clean a surface without the nozzle interfering with or blocking access to the surface to be cleaned. Also, the sheet30can, if dirty, be removed and replaced when the nozzle is in the up position.

With reference again toFIG. 6, the hose100is positioned adjacent, and can be seated within, a curved portion124of the support plate20. The hose is also bent or curved to extend from an approximately horizontal orientation adjacent the outlet of the suction nozzle to an approximately vertical orientation adjacent inlet118(FIG. 9) of the housing. As shown inFIG. 7, inlet118is positioned adjacent inlet80of the dirt cup. The hose extends through the universal joint assembly as best seen inFIGS. 6 and 10.

When the vacuum cleaner is in use, the air follows a short and efficient flow path. Referring again toFIG. 7, dirt laden air is drawn in through a suction inlet126of the suction nozzle and moves up through the suction nozzle, and out the suction nozzle outlet102(FIG. 6) into the conduit or flexible hose100. The dirt laden air is then drawn through the hose and into the inlet118of the housing to the inlet duct80of the dirt cup. A seal (not illustrated) can provide an effective seal between the conduit and the inlet duct of the dirt cup. The air is then drawn up into the dirt cup through the valve86and enters the dirt cup cavity. Heavier dirt particles fall by gravity down towards a base wall127of the dirt cup. Lighter particles are drawn up towards the filter cloth94as the air is pulled into the interior via the filter assembly. The filter medium or cloth traps smaller dirt particles that have not fallen to the base of the dirt cup. These, then either fall towards the base wall127or are held in or on the filter medium.

Substantially clean air is then drawn into the interior of the filter assembly and passes through the dirt cup outlet81via opening97in the first end wall96of the filter cage. Once air passes through the outlet and enters the suction fan16through fan inlet83, clean air is then blown into the motor chamber, across the motor assembly and out through vents130(FIGS. 3 and 11) defined in the housing. The filter assembly, the exhaust duct of the dirt cup, the fan inlet, and the suction fan and motor assembly can all be aligned along a longitudinal axis to promote efficient air flow. The entire housing12can be made from a suitable conventional thermoplastic material if desired.

With continued reference toFIG. 7, to operate the suction fan and motor assembly16, an assembly switch140is provided on one of the handle and the motor housing. In one embodiment, the switch is located on the handle. The switch assembly includes a button142located on the grip38of the handle40. The button142is manually depressed to activate a micro switch144in the housing. A linkage connects the button142to the microswitch144. The linkage can include a first elongated rod146and a second elongated rod147which extend in an end to end relationship through handle40. By using a pair of elongated rods, along with spring assemblies148,149, no electrical power is lost between the microswitch144and the motor assembly. Button142is depressed which in turn moves rod146and rod147thus depressing microswitch144. The microswitch completes a circuit which in turn powers the suction fan and motor assembly. The switch assembly thus operably connects the manually accessible button142to the microswitch144within the housing for powering the suction fan and motor assembly. The switch140can be spring biased to an “off” position by springs148and149. Thus, when the user manually depresses the switch to an “on” position, the circuit is completed and power is provided to the suction fan and motor causing them to operate. The switch however only provides momentary operation of the suction fan and motor and as soon as the user stops depressing the switch button it is biased back to the “off” position and the suction fan and motor are shut off.

If desired, a battery pack152(FIG. 7) can be used to provide power to the suction fan and motor. The suction fan and motor16produce a suction air flow when the button142is depressed.

Alternatively, the switch140can be of a conventional “rocker” type, in which the switch is clicked to either an “on” position or an “off” position. In this embodiment, to operate the suction fan and motor, switch140is depressed or moved to the “on” position and then clicks or locks into place, thus providing continuous operation of the suction fan and motor assembly. To shut off the suction fan and motor assembly, the switch would be depressed to an “off” position and clicks or locks into place. This prevents any further operation of the suction fan motor until the switch is again depressed.

Referring now toFIG. 12, according to another embodiment of the present invention, a pocket160can be provided on a rear portion of a housing12′ for accommodating extra cleaning sheets30′. Also, alternating current (AC) can be provided via a power cord154to a suction fan and motor and switch assembly of the vacuum cleaner.

Referring now toFIGS. 19 and 19A, a suction nozzle10′ can include a wiper blade165, which extends along a length of the suction nozzle behind a suction opening thereof, for wiping the surface to be cleaned of liquids or solid particles disposed on the surface. The blade165also protects a cleaning sheet (not shown) which is attached to a support plate20′, by blocking larger particles of debris from contacting the cleaning sheet, thus preventing abrasions or tearing of the cleaning sheet.

In another embodiment, referring toFIG. 13, a caddy162can be clipped or otherwise secured onto a handle40″ mounted on a housing12″ via a clip164. The caddy can accommodate extra cleaning sheets. Referring to FIGS.20and20A, in this embodiment, a suction nozzle10″ can include a bristle tuft assembly166having a series of tufts167extending along a length of the suction nozzle. The tufts help sweep particles of debris from the surface to be cleaned and prevent debris from contacting a cleaning sheet (not shown) attached to a support plate20″ which could cause damage to the cleaning sheet, such as abrasions or tearing.

Referring now toFIG. 14, a cleaning solution distribution system170can be selectively mounted on a vacuum cleaner of the type shown inFIGS. 1–11. The cleaning solution distribution system can include a cleaning solution bottle172containing a cleaning solution174, and a removable cap176. The cap176can be threadably secured to the bottle and is used to add cleaning solution to the bottle. If desired, the cap can also include a control for a conventional valve system (not shown) that selectively allows a flow of the cleaning solution174out of the bottle172. To this end, a tube178has a first end179connected to an end180of the bottle. A second end181of the tube is connected to a sprayer head182which sprays or discharges the cleaning solution onto a surface to be cleaned. The bottle can be selectively snapped onto a handle190of the vacuum cleaner, directly above a housing192thereof. To this end, a longitudinally extending groove194can be located on a rear side of the bottle172. The sprayer head182can be adhesively or otherwise secured to a nozzle196of the vacuum cleaner. A dirt cup198of the vacuum cleaner can be removed from the housing192by pushing the hose178out of the way or by simply unsnapping the bottle172from the handle190.

Alternatively, a siphoning pump or a valve (not shown) can be connected to a trigger (not shown) on grip38to control the flow of cleaning solution from the bottle to the sprayer head. The cleaning solution is sprayed in front of the suction nozzle196. A suitable cleaning sheet (not shown) having an absorbent layer attached to an outer layer, as is known in the art, can absorb most of the cleaning solution. In addition, it is possible that some of the solution can be suctioned by the suction nozzle and deposited within the dirt cup198.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a portable hand held vacuum cleaner can be selectively mounted to a conventional cleaning implement. Referring toFIG. 15, a hand held vacuum cleaner C includes a housing210having a first end212and a second end214. A suction nozzle or head216is selectively connected to the housing first end212via a conduit such as a flexible hose218. A dirt cup or container220is detachably mounted on the housing. The conduit extends from an outlet of the suction nozzle216to an inlet of the dirt cup. The suction nozzle further comprises a suction inlet222. The internal configuration of a hand-held vacuum cleaner of this type is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,347,428 which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

As is known, a suction motor and fan are mounted within the housing. A filter assembly is mounted adjacent the dirt cup to filter air before it exits the dirt cup and flows into the motor/fan assembly. Outlet slots224are provided on the housing for allowing air to be exhausted from the housing and providing ventilation and pulling of air for the suction motor. A switch226is provided on a handle228of the hand-held cleaner for selectively powering the motor/fan assembly. The dirt cup can be fabricated from a transparent thermoplastic material to enable the user to see the dirt and debris being collected in the dirt container.

The hand-held cleaner C can be attached to a handle230of a conventional cleaning implement such as the SWIFFER™ product, sold by Procter & Gamble, via a strap232or other fastening means such as a hook and loop fasteners or a clip. As mentioned, the SWIFFER™ implement is described in detail in U.S. Patent Application Publication US2002/0050016 A1. The suction nozzle216can be clipped onto a support plate237of the cleaning implement by two clips234which have an upwardly turned gripping tab236and have projecting members (such as at238inFIG. 16A). The projecting members can be used in two of attachment structures239on the support plate. A cleaning sheet (not shown) is wrapped around the support plate237and then the suction nozzle is clipped onto the support plate.

With reference now toFIG. 16, in still yet another embodiment of the present invention, a conventional vacuum cleaner D can be selectively mounted on a handle230′ of a conventional cleaning product. To this end, a housing250of the vacuum cleaner can include a longitudinally extending groove252on a rear side thereof for selectively accommodating a portion of the handle230′. The housing would be clipped above a universal joint254that connects a support plate237′ to the handle230′. Connected to the housing250, via a conduit258, is a suction nozzle260. The suction nozzle260can be clipped onto the support plate232′ with clips262. These can have two projecting members238per clip (SeeFIG. 16A). In this embodiment, a cleaning sheet (not shown) is mounted to the support plate237′ via clips239′ and then the projecting members238are pushed through the clips239′, trapping the sheet in place and securing the suction nozzle to the support plate. When the sheet needs to be replaced because it is dirty, the clips262are first removed. Then, the sheet can be detached from the clips239′ of the support plate. In this embodiment, a removable battery pack270(FIG. 16B), such as the VERSAPAK™ product sold by Black & Decker, can be inserted into a slot272in housing250and provides power to the suction fan and motor assembly within housing250. Two such battery packs270are shown. These can be removed from slots272and recharged as necessary.

With reference now toFIG. 17, a further embodiment of the present invention comprises a vacuum cleaner including a housing300having a dirt cup302mounted thereon. A conduit304extends between the housing300and a suction nozzle306. The housing has a longitudinally extending groove312on a rear side thereof for selectively accommodating a portion of the handle318. The housing is clipped above a universal joint319that connects a cleaning pad310to the handle318.

The suction nozzle can be clipped onto the cleaning pad310with clips308. These can have two projecting members (of the type shown inFIG. 16A) per clip. A cleaning sheet (not shown) is mounted to the cleaning pad via clips309and their projecting members are pushed through clips309, securing the cleaning sheet in place and securing the suction nozzle to the cleaning pad.

In this embodiment, for recharging, the housing300is selectively detached from the handle318and mounted onto a wall-mounted charger320which has electrical contacts (not shown) which recharge a battery pack or other power source (not shown) located within the housing300.

Referring now toFIG. 18, a still further embodiment of a vacuum cleaner according to the present invention is shown. A portable hand-held cleaner E includes a housing400, having a first end402and a second end404. The first end402can have a slot (not shown) for selectively receiving a detachable suction head406having a suction opening408. Alternatively, the head406can be permanently mounted to the housing400. A conduit410such as a flexible hose, connects the suction head to the housing. A suction fan and motor assembly (not shown) are mounted within housing400. A dirt cup412is removably attached to a rear portion of the housing.

At least one stem420extends from an underside of the housing for connecting a support plate422to the housing via a joint424. The joint can be a universal joint or another suitable joint for this purpose. Stem420has a flange426which is mounted to a fork428of the joint. The fork428is interconnected with the support plate and pivotally secures the support plate to the housing. Clips430secure a cleaning sheet (not shown) to the support plate422.