Patent Publication Number: US-2017367551-A1

Title: Vacuum cleaner

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/613,846, filed Feb. 4, 2015, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/937,826, filed Feb. 10, 2014, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Surface cleaning apparatuses, such as vacuum cleaners, are provided with a vacuum collection system for creating a partial vacuum to suck up debris (which may include dirt, dust, soil, hair, and other debris) from a surface to be cleaned and collecting the removed debris in a space provided on the vacuum cleaner for later disposal. Vacuum cleaners are usable on a wide variety of common household surfaces such as soft flooring including carpets and rugs, and hard or bare flooring, including tile, hardwood, laminate, vinyl, and linoleum. 
     Vacuum cleaners for typical household use can be configured as an upright unit having a base for movement across a surface to be cleaned and an upright body pivotally mounted to a rearward portion of the base for directing the base across the surface to be cleaned, a canister unit having a cleaning implement connected to a wheeled base by a suction hose, or a portable unit adapted to be hand carried by a user for cleaning relatively small areas. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     The invention relates to a vacuum cleaner convertible between an upright mode and a canister mode. 
     According to one aspect of the invention, the vacuum cleaner includes a canister unit adapted to be moved across a surface to be cleaned, a suction inlet, a separating and collection assembly, a suction source in fluid communication with the suction inlet and the separating and collection assembly, a conduit defining a working air path and comprising a hose and a wand, wherein the wand is attached to, and forms at least a portion of a handle for, the canister unit in the upright mode and wherein the wand is detached from the canister unit in the canister mode, and a diverter assembly operably coupled with the conduit and movable between an upright configuration in which the working air path of the conduit is closed and a canister configuration in which the working air path of the conduit is open, wherein the suction inlet is defined by a suction nozzle configured as a removable unit which can be selectively attached to the canister unit in the upright mode or to the conduit in the canister mode. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, the vacuum cleaner includes a canister unit adapted to be moved across a surface to be cleaned and comprising a first suction inlet, a conduit comprising a second suction inlet and a wand detachably mounted to the canister, a suction source carried by the canister unit, a diverter assembly operable between a first position, where the first suction inlet is in fluid communication with the suction source in the upright mode, and a second position, where the second suction inlet is in fluid communication with the suction source in the canister mode, and a removable suction nozzle configured to be selectively attached to the first suction inlet of the canister unit in the upright mode or to the second suction inlet of the conduit in the canister mode, wherein in the upright mode the wand is mounted to and forms a handle for the canister and the diverter assembly is in the first position, and in the canister mode the wand is detached from the canister unit and the diverter assembly is in the second position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S) 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a vacuum cleaner according to a first embodiment of the invention, with the vacuum cleaner in a canister configuration; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic view of the vacuum cleaner from  FIG. 1  in an upright configuration; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner according to a second embodiment of the invention, with the vacuum cleaner in an upright configuration; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the vacuum cleaner from  FIG. 3  in a canister configuration; 
         FIG. 5  is a close-up view of the vacuum cleaner from  FIG. 4  in the canister configuration, with the hose partially removed for clarity; 
         FIG. 6  is a partially exploded view of a diverter assembly for the vacuum cleaner from  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the diverter assembly in the canister configuration, taken through line VII-VII of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the diverter assembly in the upright configuration, taken through line VIII-VIII of  FIG. 3 ; and 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner according to a third embodiment of the invention, with the vacuum cleaner shown in a canister configuration and having a removable suction nozzle. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic view of various functional systems of a surface cleaning apparatus in the form of a vacuum cleaner  10 . The vacuum cleaner  10  may be substantially similar to a conventional canister vacuum cleaner in that it includes a canister unit  12  coupled to a wand  14  by a vacuum hose  16 . The canister unit  12  can include a vacuum collection system for creating a partial vacuum to suck up debris (which may include dirt, dust, soil, hair, and other debris) from a surface to be cleaned using the wand and collecting the removed debris in a space provided on the vacuum cleaner  10  for later disposal. However, the vacuum cleaner  10  differs from conventional canister vacuum cleaners in that the vacuum cleaner  10  is convertible from the canister configuration shown in  FIG. 1  to an upright configuration shown in  FIG. 2 , and vice versa. 
     Referring to the canister configuration shown in  FIG. 1 , the canister unit  12  can have a suction source  18  in fluid communication with the vacuum hose  16  for generating a working air stream, and a separating and collection assembly  20  for separating and collecting liquid and debris from the working airstream for later disposal. The canister unit  12  can be provided with wheels, casters, or other features for maneuvering the canister unit  12  over a floor surface. 
     In one configuration illustrated herein, the collection assembly  20  can include a cyclone separator  22  for separating contaminants from a working airstream and a removable debris cup  24  for receiving and collecting the separated contaminants from the cyclone separator  22 . The cyclone separator  22  can have a single cyclonic separation stage, or multiple stages. In another configuration, the collection assembly  20  can include an integrally formed cyclone separator and debris cup, with the debris cup being provided with a structure, such as a bottom-opening debris door, for contaminant disposal. It is understood that other types of collection assemblies  20  can be used, such as a centrifugal separator, a bulk separator, a filter bag, or a water-bath separator. The canister unit  12  can also be provided with one or more additional filters  26  upstream or downstream of the separating and collection assembly  20  or the suction source  18 . 
     The suction source  18 , such as a motor/fan assembly, is provided in fluid communication with the separating and collection assembly  20 , and can be positioned downstream or upstream of the separating and collection assembly  20 . The suction source  18  can be electrically coupled to a power source  28 , such as a battery or by a power cord plugged into a household electrical outlet. A suction power switch  30  between the suction source  18  and the power source  28  can be selectively closed by the user upon pressing a vacuum power button (not shown), thereby activating the suction source  18 . As shown herein, the suction source  18  is downstream of the separating and collection assembly  20  for a ‘clean air’ system; alternatively, the suction source  18  can be upstream of the separation and collection assembly  20  for a ‘dirty air’ system. 
     The wand  14  includes an elongated hollow tube  32  having a distal end and proximal end that is coupled with the vacuum hose  16 , which can be a flexible and/or corrugated conduit. A suction tool  34  can be provided on the distal end of the wand for engaging and cleaning a surface, such as, but not limited to a floor surface, furniture, curtains, etc. Multiple different suction tools  34  adapted for different cleaning operations can be provided, and can be interchangeably mounted to the wand  14 . Some non-limiting examples include a floor cleaning tool, an upholstery cleaning tool, and a crevice tool. The suction tool  34  shown herein includes a suction inlet  36  in fluid communication with the separating and collection assembly  20  via the hollow tube  32  of the wand  14  and the hose  16 . Optionally, an agitator  38  can be provided adjacent to the suction inlet  36  for agitating debris on the surface to be cleaned so that the debris is more easily ingested into the suction inlet  36 . Some examples of agitators  38  include, but are not limited to, a rotatable brushroll, dual rotating brushrolls, or a stationary brush. A hand grip  40  can be provided near the proximal end of the wand  14  to facilitate moving the wand  14  over the surface to be cleaned. 
     A floor suction nozzle  42  can be provided on the canister unit  12  for use in the upright configuration and is in fluid communication with the suction source  18  in the upright configuration for engaging and cleaning a floor surface. The floor suction nozzle  42  includes a suction inlet  44  in fluid communication with the separating and collection assembly  20 . Optionally, an agitator  46  can be provided adjacent to the suction inlet  44  for agitating debris on the surface to be cleaned so that the debris is more easily ingested into the suction inlet  44 . Some examples of agitators  46  include, but are not limited to, a rotatable brushroll, dual rotating brushrolls, or a stationary brush. 
     A diverter assembly  48  is provided in the working air flow path through the vacuum cleaner  10  for selectively diverting the working air flow between the vacuum hose  16  in the canister configuration ( FIG. 1 ) and the floor suction nozzle  42  in the upright configuration ( FIG. 2 ). The diverter assembly  48  can be provided in an air pathway leading to an inlet of the separating and collection assembly  20 , and can be moved by the user between a first position, shown in  FIG. 1 , in which the vacuum hose  16  is in fluid communication with the suction source  18  to deliver debris to the separating and collection assembly  20 , and a second position shown in  FIG. 2 , in which the floor suction nozzle  42  is in fluid communication with the suction source  18  to deliver debris to the separating and collection assembly  20 . 
     Optionally, instead of providing both a suction tool  34  for the wand  14  and the floor suction nozzle  42  on the canister unit  12 , the floor suction nozzle  42  can be eliminated and the suction tool  34  can be selectively mounted to the canister unit  12  for upright cleaning when the vacuum cleaner  10  is converted to the upright configuration shown in  FIG. 2 . Alternatively, the suction tool  34  can be eliminated and the suction nozzle  42  can be configured for interchangeable mounting to either of the wand  14  for use in the canister configuration ( FIG. 1 ) and the canister unit  12  for use in the upright configuration ( FIG. 2 ). 
     A wand coupler  50  is provided on the canister unit  12  for attachment of the wand  14  to the canister unit  12  in the upright configuration, shown in  FIG. 2 . In the upright configuration, the canister unit  12  acts as the base and the wand  14  acts as a handle for the base. The wand coupler  50  receives the distal end of the wand  14 , after it has been separated from the suction tool  34 . The wand coupler  50  may be fixed with respect to the canister unit  12 , or may pivot to allow the wand  14  to rotate relative to the canister unit  12  in the upright configuration. 
     In the upright configuration, the vacuum cleaner  10  can more specifically have a “stick” configuration in which the majority of the components of the vacuum system are provided on the base or canister unit  12 , and the upright body is primarily made up of the handle or wand  14 . As shown, the base includes the suction source  18 , the separating and collection assembly  20 , the optional filter  26 , and the floor suction nozzle  42 , while the upright body includes only the wand  14 , with the vacuum hose  16  remaining connected between the wand  14  and the canister unit  12 . The vacuum hose  16  may be removed from the vacuum cleaner  10 , or may remain physically connected between the canister unit  12  and the wand  14 ; however, no air flows through the wand  14  or vacuum hose  16 . 
     The vacuum cleaner  10  shown in  FIG. 1-2  can be used to effectively clean a surface by removing debris (which may include dirt, dust, soil, hair, and other debris) from the surface in accordance with the following method. The sequence of steps discussed is for illustrative purposes only and is not meant to limit the method in any way as it is understood that the steps may proceed in a different logical order, additional or intervening steps may be included, or described steps may be divided into multiple steps, without detracting from the invention. 
     To perform vacuum cleaning in the canister configuration shown in  FIG. 1 , the suction source  18  is coupled to the power source  28  and the diverter assembly  48  is moved to the first position. In the canister configuration, the wand  14  is fluidly and physically coupled to the canister unit  12  by the vacuum hose  16 , such that fluid enters the wand  14  first and passes through the vacuum hose  16  prior to entering the canister unit  12 . Specifically, the suction source  18  draws in debris-laden air sequentially through the suction tool  34 , wand  14  and vacuum hose  16 , and into the separating and collection assembly  20  where the debris is substantially separated from the working air. The air flow then passes the suction source  18 , and through any optional filters  26  positioned upstream and/or downstream from the suction source  18 , prior to being exhausted from the vacuum cleaner  10 . During canister vacuum cleaning, the agitator  38  can agitate debris on the surface to be cleaned so that the debris is more easily ingested into the suction inlet  36 . The separating and collection assembly  20  can be periodically emptied of collected debris. Likewise, the optional filters  26  can periodically be cleaned or replaced. 
     To perform vacuum cleaning in the upright configuration shown in  FIG. 2 , the vacuum cleaner  10  is converted from the canister configuration to the upright configuration. The distal end of the wand  14  is removed from the suction tool  34  and attached to the wand coupler  50  on the canister unit  12 , and the diverter assembly  48  is moved to the second position. The suction source  18  draws in debris-laden air through the floor suction nozzle  42  and into the separating and collection assembly  20  where the debris is substantially separated from the working air. The air flow then passes the suction source  18 , and through any optional filters  26  positioned upstream and/or downstream from the suction source  18 , prior to being exhausted from the vacuum cleaner  10 . During upright vacuum cleaning, the agitator  46  can agitate debris on the surface to be cleaned so that the debris is more easily ingested into the suction inlet  44 . The separating and collection assembly  20  can be periodically emptied of debris. Likewise, the optional filters  26  can periodically be cleaned or replaced. 
       FIGS. 3-4  show one example of the vacuum cleaner  10  schematically illustrated in  FIGS. 1-2 , according to a second embodiment of the invention. In the second embodiment, like elements are identified with the same reference numerals. Like the first embodiment, the second embodiment of the vacuum cleaner  10  is convertible between an upright configuration shown in  FIG. 3  and a canister configuration shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     For purposes of description related to the figures, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “inner,” “outer,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in  FIG. 3  from the perspective of a user behind the vacuum cleaner  10  in the upright configuration, which defines the rear of the vacuum cleaner  10 . However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. 
       FIG. 5  is a close-up view of the canister unit  12  from  FIG. 4 , with the vacuum hose  16  partially removed for clarity. The canister unit  12  of the vacuum cleaner  10  includes a housing  52  which is adapted to be moved across a surface to be cleaned. The housing  52  may support one or more components of the vacuum system discussed with respect to  FIGS. 1-2 . The housing  52  can be provided with wheels, casters, or other features for maneuvering the canister unit  12  over a floor surface. As shown herein, a pair of front wheels  54  are provided on a front portion of the housing  52 , a pair of rear wheels  56  are provided on a rear portion of the housing  52 , and a caster  58  is provided on the underside of the housing  52 , in between the front and rear wheels  54 ,  56 . 
     A coupling joint  60  is formed at a rear side of the housing  52  and moveably mounts the canister unit  12  to the wand  14 . In the embodiment shown herein, the coupling joint  60  can include a lower bracket  62  attached to the housing  52  and an upper wand coupler  64  pivotally attached to the lower bracket  62  by an axle  66 , which defines a rotational axis X of the coupling joint  60 . The wand coupler  64  can receive the distal end of the wand  14  in the upright configuration. In another configuration, the coupling joint  60  can be a universal joint, such that the wand  14  can pivot about at least two axes relative to the canister unit  12 . 
     The floor suction nozzle  42  of the second embodiment includes a nozzle cover  68  defining an agitator chamber  70 . The front wheels  54  can be provided at opposite ends of the nozzle cover  68 . The agitator  46 , illustrated in the form of a rotatable brushroll  72 , is positioned within the agitator chamber  70 , adjacent the suction inlet  44 , for agitating the surface to be cleaned. The brushroll  72  can be coupled to and driven by a dedicated brush motor (not shown) provided in the canister unit  12  via a commonly known arrangement. Alternatively, the brushroll  72  can be coupled to a motor/fan assembly defining the suction source  18  ( FIG. 1 ) The agitator  46  is illustrated as a single rotatable brushroll  72  having multiple bristles  74  for agitating the surface the cleaned; however, it is within the scope of the invention for other types of agitators  46  to be used, such as dual rotating brushrolls, vertical axis brushes, or brushrolls having agitating elements other than bristles, for example. 
     The suction inlet  44  is formed at the underside of the nozzle cover  68 , and is in fluid communication with the agitator chamber  70 . A nozzle coupler  76  is coupled at one end to the agitator chamber  70  and fluidly communicates the suction inlet  44  with the diverter assembly  48  to form a portion of the working air path between the floor suction nozzle  42  and the collection assembly  20  when the vacuum cleaner  10  is in the upright configuration. 
       FIG. 6  is a partially exploded view of the diverter assembly  48  from  FIG. 3 . The diverter assembly  48  of the second embodiment includes a three-port valve assembly including a valve housing  78  which receives a valve  80 . The valve housing  78  defines a floor inlet port  82  in fluid communication with the floor suction nozzle  42 , a hose inlet port  84  in fluid communication with the vacuum hose  16 , and an outlet port  86  in fluid communication with the separating and collection assembly  20 . Movement of the valve  80  within the valve housing  78  selectively places the floor inlet port  82  or the hose inlet port  84  in fluid communication with the outlet port  86 . 
     The valve housing  78  includes a cylindrical peripheral wall  88  and two end walls  90 . The peripheral wall  88  can define open ends of the valve housing  78 , with the end walls  90  provided as covers for closing the open ends. An elongated slot  92  is formed in the peripheral wall  88 . A shield  94  blocks a portion of the slot  92 , with the open or unblocked portion of the slot  92  defining the hose inlet port  84 . The floor inlet port  82  and the outlet port  86  can be defined by ducts  96 ,  98 , respectively, which are fixed on the peripheral wall  88 . 
     The shield  94  is radially spaced inwardly from the peripheral wall  88  to define a guide track  100  which receives a portion of the valve  80 . At least one of the end walls  90  can carry the shield  94 . As illustrated, each end wall  90  can include a semi-cylindrical wall  102 , which extend toward each other and meet to define the shield  94 . The shield  94  can alternatively be provided on another portion of the valve housing  78 . 
     The valve  80  comprises a rotary valve body  104  that is rotatably supported by the valve housing  78  for rotational movement to connect either of the inlet ports  82 ,  84  as desired to the outlet port  86 . As shown the rotary valve body  104  can be provided in the form of a curved plate  106  that is retained between the peripheral wall  88  and the shield  94 , and slides in the guide track  100 . A hose duct  108  is provided on the valve body  104  and projects through the slot  92  in the peripheral wall  88  of the valve housing  78 . Due to the cylindrical shape of the valve body  104  and the guide track  100  in the embodiment shown herein, the sliding movement of the valve body  104  within the guide track  100  translates to pivoting movement of the hose duct  108 . 
       FIGS. 7 and 8  are cross-sectional views of the diverter assembly  48  taken through line VII-VII of  FIG. 4  and line VIII-VIII of  FIG. 3 , respectively, showing the diverter assembly  48  in the canister configuration and the upright configuration, respectively. The hose duct  108  is coupled with the end of the vacuum hose  16  opposite the wand  14  and fluidly communicates the wand  14  with the diverter assembly  48  to form a portion of the working air path between the wand  14  (and optionally any suction tool  34  coupled to the wand  14 ) and the collection assembly  20  when the vacuum cleaner  10  is in the canister configuration. One advantage of the design is that the rotary valve body  104  carries the hose duct  108 , such that that hose  16  itself may be used to actuate the diverter assembly  48  and smoothly transition between the canister and upright air flow configurations. 
     The floor inlet duct  96  is coupled with the nozzle coupler  76  on the floor suction nozzle  42  and fluidly communicates the suction inlet  44  with the diverter assembly  48  to form a portion of the working air path between the floor suction nozzle  42  and the collection assembly  20  when the vacuum cleaner  10  is in the upright configuration. 
     The outlet duct  98  is coupled with an inlet conduit  110  in fluid communication with an inlet of the separating and collection assembly  20  and fluidly communicates the diverter assembly  48  with the separating and collection assembly  20  to form a portion of the working air path between the diverter assembly  48  and the separating and collection assembly  20  when the vacuum cleaner  10  is in either of the upright configuration or the canister configuration. 
     When the hose duct  108  is rotated forward for the canister mode, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the working air path is open to the hose inlet port  84  and closed to the floor inlet port  82 . The hose duct  108  is positioned on the valve body  104  such that it is in a low, forward position relative to the canister unit  12  in the canister configuration, which provides a low hose pull-point, which is the point at which the vacuum hose  16  exerts a pulling force on the canister unit  12  (see  FIG. 4 ). The low hose pull-point improves the stability of the vacuum cleaner  10  in the canister configuration during operation as the user pulls the canister unit  12  around the surface to be cleaned via the vacuum hose  16 . 
     When the hose duct  108  is rotated rearwardly for the upright mode, as shown in  FIG. 8 , the working air path is open to the floor inlet port  82  and closed to the hose inlet port  84 . The position of the shield  94  coincides with the upright air flow configuration, such that the shield  94  closes the hose inlet port  84  in the upright mode. In the upright configuration, the wand  14  is attached to the wand coupler  64  of the coupling joint  60  (see  FIG. 3 ). In this position, the wand  14  acts as an elongated handle projecting from the housing  52 , with the hand grip  40  provided on the proximal end of the wand  14  to facilitate movement of the vacuum cleaner  10  by a user. 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner  10  according to a third embodiment of the invention, with the vacuum cleaner  10  shown in a canister configuration. Like the other embodiments, the vacuum cleaner  10  is convertible between a canister configuration shown in  FIG. 9  and an upright configuration. In this embodiment however, the floor suction nozzle  42  is configured as a removable unit which can be selectively detached from the canister unit  12  and attached to the distal end of the wand  14  for use as a tool in the canister configuration. In one example, the suction nozzle  42  can be removable at the nozzle coupler  76 , which can be friction fit with either of the wand  14  or the floor inlet duct  96  of the diverter assembly  48 . Optionally, as previously described, a movable agitator  46  can be provided within the suction nozzle  42  for agitating debris on the surface to be cleaned so that debris is more easily ingested into the suction inlet  44 . A drive system (not shown) for rotating the agitator  46  can be associated with the suction nozzle  42 . Some non-limiting examples of agitator drive systems can include a mechanical friction wheel drive system, an air turbine drive system and an electric motor drive system, which are known in the art. 
     In one example, the wheels  54  can be operably connected to the agitator  46  via a gear train (not shown) and can function as friction drive wheels so that as the wheels roll across the surface to be cleaned, the wheels  54  rotate the agitator  46  via the gear train. Suitable examples of friction wheel drive systems for rotating an agitator assembly are more fully described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,949,624 to Lampe and U.S. Pat. No. 1,268,988 to Mason, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     In another example, an air-driven turbine fan (not shown) can be coupled to the agitator  46  by a drive belt (not shown). A working air stream can rotate the turbine fan, which, in turn, rotates the agitator  46  via the drive belt operably connected therebetween. A suitable turbine drive system is more fully described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0248680 to Heidenga et al., which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     In yet another example, an electric motor (not shown) can be mounted on the suction nozzle  42  and coupled to the agitator  46  by a drive belt (not shown). Because the suction nozzle  42  can be interchangeably mounted to the canister unit  12  and the end of the wand  14 , the electric motor can be configured to draw power from a power source (not shown) provided in either of the suction nozzle  42 , the canister  12  and the wand  14 , or combinations thereof. For example, a power source (not shown) such as a rechargeable battery can be mounted on the suction nozzle  42  and configured to provide power to the electric motor (not shown). A suitable example of an electric motor drive system powered by a rechargeable battery for driving an agitator mounted in an interchangeable accessory tool is more fully disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,578,025 to Kostreba et al., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. It is further contemplated that the battery can be recharged when the suction nozzle  42  is mounted on the canister  12  via a charging circuit (not shown) and electrical connectors (not shown) that are electrically connected to power source  28  and provided at the junction between the canister  12  and the suction nozzle  42 . 
     During operation, the suction nozzle  42  can be detached from the wand  14  and coupled with the canister unit  12  in the upright configuration, as indicated in phantom line in  FIG. 9 . Also in the upright configuration, the wand  14  can be attached to the coupling joint  60  as described for the second embodiment, and acts as an elongated handle projecting from the canister unit  12  to facilitate movement of the vacuum cleaner  10  by a user. 
     The vacuum cleaner disclosed herein includes an improved vacuum cleaner for cleaning a surface. Typically, vacuum cleaners have a single configuration, such as upright or canister. However, the vacuum cleaner disclosed herein is convertible between an upright configuration and a canister configuration, which allows greater useability and flexibility during operation. For example, a user can select the upright configuration when performing certain operations when suited to upright vacuum cleaners, such as cleaning a floor surface, or can easily covert the vacuum cleaner to the canister configuration for other cleaning operations better suited for canister vacuum cleaners, such as cleaning stairs or furniture. 
     Using the present invention, the user can easily and conveniently convert the air flow path of the vacuum cleaner between the upright and canister configurations. One advantage of the design is that the hose  16  itself may be used to actuate the diverter assembly  48  and smoothly transition between the canister and upright air flow configurations. A user can use their hand to grip the hose  16  or hose duct  108  to move the diverter assembly  48 , or may optionally use their foot to nudge the hose  16  or hose duct  108  to the desired orientation. Furthermore, components such as the wand  14  and suction tool can be used in both configurations, thereby doubling the utility of these components. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is that the length of the working air path of the vacuum cleaner  10  in the upright configuration is relatively short in comparison to conventional upright vacuum cleaners, since the suction nozzle  42 , collection assembly  20  and suction source  18  are all provided on the base or canister unit  12 , whereas those components are separated by greater distances on a conventional upright vacuum cleaner since they are typically split up, with some components provided on the base and other component provided on the handle assembly. Thus the working air path on a conventional upright vacuum cleaner is generally longer than the working air path of the present invention. The shorter length of the working air path results in less leaks and suction losses, which can contribute to improved cleaning performance and less power consumption. Because the disclosed configuration exhibits less suction losses, a lower power suction source can be utilized while achieving comparable or improved cleaning performance compared to conventional upright or stick vacuum cleaners with longer working air paths and higher power suction sources. The shorter air path and corresponding lower power consumption are advantageous for use in cordless, battery powered applications. 
     While the invention has been specifically described in connection with certain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that this is by way of illustration and not of limitation. Reasonable variation and modification are possible with the scope of the foregoing disclosure and drawings without departing from the spirit of the invention which, is defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. To the extent not already described, the different features and structures of the various embodiments may be used in combination with each other as desired. That one feature may not be illustrated in all of the embodiments is not meant to be construed that it may not be, but is done for brevity of description. Thus, the various features of the different embodiments may be mixed and matched as desired to form new embodiments, whether or not the new embodiments are expressly described.