Patent Abstract:
A vacuum cleaner includes a dirt separation system that has a dirt cup retaining a filter assembly having a screen element, an exit, and a filter element disposed between the screen element and the exit. A nozzle disposed in the dirt cup directs an airstream generally parallel to the surface of the screen element so that particles in the airstream are primarily separated by the screen element and, as the airstream ultimately travels towards the exit in the dirt cup, are secondarily separated by the filter element.

Full Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0001]     Generally, this invention relates to vacuum cleaners. In particular, the invention relates to a removable dirt separation system for a vacuum cleaner. Moreover, the invention relates to a removable dirt separation system for use in a bagless vacuum cleaner.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Upright vacuum cleaners are well known in the art. Typically, these vacuum cleaners include an upper housing pivotally mounted to a vacuum cleaner foot. The foot is formed with a nozzle opening defined in an underside thereof and may include an agitator mounted therein for loosening dirt and debris from a floor surface. A motor and fan may be mounted to either the foot or the housing for producing suction at the nozzle opening. The suction at the nozzle opening picks up the loosened dirt and debris and produces a flow of dirt-laden air which is ducted to the vacuum cleaner housing.  
         [0003]     In conventional vacuum cleaners, the dirt laden air is ducted into a filter bag supported on or within the vacuum cleaner housing. Alternatively, bagless vacuum cleaners duct the flow of dirt-laden air into a dirt separation system having a dirt cup which filters the dirt particles from the airflow before exhausting the filtered airflow into the atmosphere. Various dirt separation systems have been used on bagless vacuum cleaners to separate the dirt particles from the airflow. For example, some vacuum cleaners have dirt cups with outer walls comprising a filter material. Locating the filter material along the outer walls has the distinct advantage of permitting the use of a large amount of filter material similar to the amount of material in a filter bag. However, such vacuum cleaners have a disadvantage of not permitting the operator to view the accumulated material within the dirt cup. Other vacuums, place the filter element in an interior portion of the dirt cup. Such dirt cups do not take advantage of the larger surface available on the outer wall of the dirt cup.  
         [0004]     What is needed therefore, is a dirt separation system that overcomes the above-mentioned drawbacks.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a removable dirt separation system for a vacuum cleaner. The dirt separation system includes a dirt cup having a bottom wall and at least one vertically extending side wall and a filter assembly removably mounted in an upper portion of the dirt cup and having a generally horizontal screen element, an exit above the screen, and a filter covering the exit. The dirt separation system further includes a flow directing nozzle disposed in the dirt cup to direct an air stream generally parallel to a surface of the screen element. Particles in the air stream are primarily separated by the screen element. Particles in the air stream are secondarily separated by the filter element.  
         [0006]     In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an upright vacuum cleaner. The upright vacuum cleaner includes a carpet engaging nozzle base and an upper housing pivotally connected to the nozzle base. The upright vacuum cleaner further includes a duct opening in said upper housing and a dirt cup removably secured to the upper housing and having a bottom wall and a number of vertically extending sided walls. The upright vacuum cleaner yet further includes a filter assembly removably mounted in an upper portion of the dirt cup and having a generally horizontal screen element, an exit above the screen element, and a filter covering the exit. The upright vacuum cleaner still further includes a flow directing nozzle fluidly connected to the duct and disposed to direct an air stream generally parallel to a surface of the screen element. Particles in the air stream are primarily separated by the screen element. Particles in the air stream are secondarily separated by the filter element.  
         [0007]     In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of operating a removable dirt separation system for a vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner includes a dirt cup and a filter assembly removably mounted in an upper portion of the dirt cup and having a generally horizontal screen element, an exit above the screen element, and a filter covering the exit. The method includes the step of directing an air stream generally parallel to a surface of the screen element via a flow directing nozzle. The method further including the steps of primarily separating particles from the air stream with the screen element and secondarily separating particles from the air stream with the filter element. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an upright vacuum cleaner which incorporates the features of the present invention therein;  
         [0009]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view similar to  FIG. 1 , but showing a dirt separation system removed from the vacuum cleaner;  
         [0010]      FIG. 3 . is a perspective view of the dirt separation system of  FIG. 2  with a filter assembly removed;  
         [0011]      FIG. 4 . is an exploded perspective view of the filter assembly of the dirt separation system of  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0012]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the dirt separation system of  FIG. 2 , taken along the line  5 - 5 ;  
         [0013]      FIG. 6  is a side view of an upper portion of the vacuum cleaner shown in  FIG. 1 , showing a bucket handle in a first position;  
         [0014]      FIG. 6A  is an enlarged cutaway view of a portion of the vacuum cleaner of  FIG. 6 ;  
         [0015]      FIG. 7  is a view similar to  FIG. 6 , but showing the bucket handle in a second position;  
         [0016]      FIG. 7A  is an enlarged cutaway view of a portion of the vacuum cleaner of  FIG. 7 ;  
         [0017]      FIG. 8  is a side view of the removable dirt separation system of  FIG. 2  in a carry position;  
         [0018]      FIG. 9  is a view similar to  FIG. 8 , but showing the filter assembly removed and a dirt cup in an empty position;  
         [0019]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of the upper housing of the vacuum cleaner of  FIG. 6 , taken along the line  10 - 10  showing the air flow within the upper housing;  
         [0020]      FIG. 11  is a cross sectional view of the upper housing and dirt cup of the vacuum cleaner of  FIG. 6 , taken along the line  11 - 11  showing the air flow around the dirt cup;  
         [0021]      FIG. 12  is a front view of the upper housing of the vacuum cleaner of  FIG. 2 , as viewed along the line  12 - 12  showing the air flow around the exterior of the upper housing;  
         [0022]      FIG. 12A  is an enlarged view of a portion of upper housing shown in  FIG. 12 ;  
         [0023]      FIG. 13  is a partial cut away perspective view of an upper portion of the vacuum cleaner showing the handle locking mechanism;  
         [0024]      FIG. 14  is a partial cross sectional view of the upper housing of  FIG. 13 , taken along the line  14 - 14  and showing the latch in a latched position;  
         [0025]      FIG. 15  is a view similar to  FIG. 13 , but showing the latch in a release position;  
         [0026]      FIG. 16A  is a view similar to  FIG. 14 , but showing the latch in a release position and the handle in an operational position;  
         [0027]      FIG. 16B  is a view similar to  FIG. 16A , but showing the handle in a storage position;  
         [0028]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the base of the vacuum cleaner shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0029]      FIG. 18  is a cross sectional view of the base of the vacuum cleaner of  FIG. 17 , taken along the line  18 - 18  showing the blocker door in a closed position; and  
         [0030]      FIG. 19  is a cross sectional view similar to  FIG. 18  but showing the blocker door in an open position. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0031]     While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, a specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.  
         [0032]     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there is shown an upright vacuum cleaner  10  which incorporates the features of the present invention therein. The vacuum cleaner  10  includes a vacuum cleaner base  12  and a vacuum cleaner upper housing  20  pivotally connected to the base  12 . The base  12  is adapted to engage a carpeted floor surface. The base  12  includes a nozzle opening  14  formed in an underside thereof for suctioning of dirt particles from a carpeted floor surface. In addition, an agitator  154  (see  FIG. 18 ) is positioned within the nozzle opening  14  to assist in removing dirt particles from the carpeted floor surface.  
         [0033]     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , there is shown the vacuum cleaner of  FIG. 1 , with a dirt separation system  30  removed from the upper housing  20 . The upper housing  20  includes an inlet interface  22  in fluid communication with the nozzle opening  14 . The upper housing  20  further includes an outlet interface  24  for exhausting filtered air from the removable dirt separation system  30 . A motor-fan unit  26  (See  FIG. 10 ) is positioned in a lower portion of the upper housing  20  and is adapted to generate an airflow from the nozzle opening  14  to the outlet interface  24 . In this type of vacuum cleaner, the motor-fan unit  26  is positioned downstream from the outlet interface  24  such that the low pressure at a fan inlet  127  creates an airflow that draws low pressure air from the nozzle opening  14  to the outlet interface  24  via the inlet interface  22  and dirt separation system  30 . The air which reaches the motor-fan unit  26  has been filtered by the dirt separation system  30  prior to reaching the motor/fan unit  26 , hence these vacuums are generally referred to as “clean air” units. The air which exits the motor-fan unit  26  is then exhausted from the vacuum cleaner  10 .  
         [0034]     In another type of vacuum cleaner, the motor-fan unit  26  is positioned between the nozzle opening  14  and the inlet interface  22  such that the low pressure at the fan inlet creates a suction in the nozzle opening  14 . This suction draws the loosened dirt from the floor surface into nozzle opening  14  and creates a flow of dirt-laden air which travels through the motor-fan unit  26 . The flow of dirt-laden air is blown upwardly through the inlet interface  22  through the dirt separation system  30 , through the outlet interface  24  and exhausted from the vacuum cleaner  10 . The air which reaches the motor-fan unit  26  has not been filtered either by the dirt separation system  30  or a bag prior to reaching the motor/fan unit  26 , hence these vacuum cleaners are generally referred to as “dirty air” units. It should be appreciated that the inventions described herein may be used in either a dirty air unit or a clean air unit without deviating from the scope of the invention.  
         [0035]     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is shown an exploded view of the dirt separation system  30  with a filter assembly  40  removed to show the interior of a bucket, or dirt cup  50 . The dirt cup or bucket  50  has a distinctive bucket handle  52  rotatably attached thereto. The dirt cup  50  also includes a number of sidewalls  54  which define the exterior of the dirt cup  50 . The bucket handle  52  is movable between a generally vertical first position, shown in  FIG. 1 , a generally vertical carry position, shown in  FIG. 2 , an emptying position shown in  FIG. 9 , and a generally horizontal second position, shown in  FIG. 3 . The filter assembly  40  includes a lid member  41  having an exit opening  42  defined therethrough. A compressible seal  46  around the periphery of the exit opening  42  is adapted to seal against the exit interface  24  (See  FIG. 2 ) of the upper housing  20 . The lid member  41  further includes a sealing arrangement  44  around the periphery of the lid member  41 . The sealing arrangement  44  is bonded to the lid member  41  and is adapted to engage and seal against one or more of the side walls  54  of the dirt cup  50  to prevent dirt laden particles from bypassing the exit opening.  
         [0036]     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , there is shown an exploded view of the filter assembly  40 . The filter assembly  40  further includes a removable filter  60 . The removable filter  60  includes a base plate  64 , a sealing plate  62  with a filter exit  66  (See  FIG. 5 ) defined therethrough, and a vertically extending filter element  68 . The filter element  68  includes a first inner layer formed of a melt-blown polypropylene, a second middle layer formed of a spun-bond polyester and an outer third layer formed of an expanded polytetrafluoro-ethylene (ePTFE) membrane. The ePTFE outer layer provides non-stick properties to the filter element  68  and allows any dirt or dust accumulated on the filter element  68  to be easily displaced therefrom. Although the filter element  68  is shown and described as having three layers, it is understood that the filter material may include any number of layers or be formed of any number of materials such as a micro-glass or a melt-blown polyester without affecting the concept of the invention.  
         [0037]     The filter exit  66  is adapted to seal to an extension  48  of the lid member  41  to place the exit opening  42  of the lid  41  in fluid communication with the filter exit  66 . A upper edge of the filter element  68  is bonded to the sealing plate  62  and a lower edge of the filter element  68  is bonded to the base plate  64 . The base plate  64  and sealing plate  62  form a generally oval shape around the exit opening  42  of the lid member  41 . This oval shape provides a significant amount of filter material to be placed within small volume.  
         [0038]     The filter member  68  is pleated around the oval track formed by the base plate  64  and sealing plate  62  to further increase the effective filter area of the filter member  68 . It should be appreciated that once the removable filter  68  is assembled to the lid member  41  and the lid member  42  is placed in the dirt cup  50 , the airflow from the dirt cup  50  may only exit through the exit opening  42  via the filter element  68 , as the sealing arrangement  44  prevents air flow from by-passing the filter element  68   
         [0039]     The filter assembly  40  further includes a screen support  70  which surrounds the removable filter  60 . The screen support  70  includes a number of horizontal openings  74  defined therethrough which place the interior of the screen support  70  in fluid communication with the exterior of the screen support  70 . In addition, a screen element  76  covers each of the screen openings  74 . The screen elements  76  may be formed of a number of different materials such as metal or synthetic mesh or screens, cloth, foam, a high-density polyethylene material, apertured molded plastic or metal, or any other woven, non-woven, natural or synthetic coarse filtration materials without affecting the scope of the invention. It should be appreciated that the screen element  76  separate dirt particles from an air stream prior to those particles reaching the filter element  68  of the filter  60 .  
         [0040]     The screen support  70  further includes a catch  78  defined thereon which is adapted to be engaged by a latch  49  of the lid member  41 . The screen support  70  is attached to the lid member  41  when the latch  49  engages the catch  78 . Alternatively, the screen support  70  may be removed from the lid member  41  when the latch  49  is disengaged from the catch  78 .  
         [0041]     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , there is shown a cross sectional view of the dirt separation system  30 . When the dirt cup separation system  30  is secured to the upper housing  20 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , the vacuum cleaner is placed in an operational mode. As shown, the dirt cup  50  further includes a bottom wall  55  having an inlet  56  defined therethrough. The inlet  56  seals against the inlet interface  22  of the upper housing  20  to place the dirt cup  50  in fluid communication with the agitator chamber  14 . The dirt cup  50  further includes a conduit  57  which directs a dirt laden air stream from the inlet  56  to a flow directing nozzle  58 , as indicated by arrow  80 . The flow-directing nozzle  58  creates a sheet-like airflow, indicated by arrow  81 , which is generally parallel to the screen elements  76  of the filter assembly  40 . It should be appreciated that the air flow created by the flow directing nozzle  58  prevents dirt particles from accumulating on the screen elements  76  of the filter assembly  40 . From the flow-directing nozzle  58 , the air stream generally settles in an expansion chamber  59  wherein inertial and gravitational forces separate large particles from the air stream, as the air stream is generally directed as indicated by arrows  82 .  
         [0042]     The air stream exits the expansion chamber  59  via the screen elements  76 . The screen elements  76  act as a primary separation means to separate coarse particles from the air stream which exits the expansion chamber  59 . The air stream then generally passes (i) vertically through the screen elements  76 , (ii) horizontally outwardly through a gap created between the screen elements  76  and the base plate  64  by tabs  78 , vertically along an exterior of the filter  60 , and horizontally toward the filter element  68 , as generally indicated by the arrows  83 . The filter element  68  act as a secondary separation means to separate fine particles from the air stream which exits the expansion chamber  59 . The filter assembly  40  has the advantage of horizontal screen elements  76  which are cleaned by the nozzle  58  combined with the vertical filter element  68  which provides a relatively large filter area. The filtered air stream then exits the dirt separations system  30  via the exit opening  42  in the general direction of arrows  84 . It should be appreciated that the exit opening  42  seals against the exit interface  24  (see.  FIG. 2 ) of the housing when the dirt separation system  30  is secured to the upper housing (as shown in  FIG. 1 ).  
         [0043]     Referring now to  FIGS. 6 and 6 A, there is shown a side view of the upper housing  20  showing the bucket handle  52  in the first position. In the first position, the handle  52  is substantially vertical. Furthermore, the bucket handle  52  is substantially flush with a surface  13  of the upper housing  20 . The bucket handle  52  is rotatably mounted to the dirt cup or bucket  50  about a hub  53  such that the bucket handle  52  may rotate relative to the bucket  52  about the hub  53  in the general direction of arrows  99  and  100 .  FIG. 6A  shows an enlarged portion of a latch portion  90  of the bucket handle  52 . The latch portion  90  engages a catch  15  defined in the upper housing  20  as the bucket handle  52  is rotated in the general direction of arrow  100 . In particular, an extension  92  of the latch portion  90  engages a detent defined in the catch  15 . Thus, the latch portion  90  of the bucket handle  52  secures the bucket or dirt cup  50  to the upper housing  20  when the bucket handle  52  is positioned in the first position. When the bucket or dirt cup  52  is secured to the upper housing  20 , the vacuum cleaner is placed in an operational mode whereby an air stream may be advanced from the nozzle  14  to the dirt separation system  30  where particles are separated from the air stream by the filter assembly  40 .  
         [0044]     Referring now to  FIGS. 7 and 7 A, there is shown the bucket handle  52  in second position. In the second position, the handle  52  is moved toward a horizontal plane from the first position shown in  FIG. 6 .  FIG. 7A  shows an enlarged partially cut-away of the latch portion  90  of the upper handle  52  in the second position. The latch portion  90  releases the catch  15  defined in the upper housing  20  as the bucket handle  52  is rotated in the general direction of arrow  99 . In particular, an extension  92  of the latch portion  90  disengages the detent defined in the catch  15 . Thus, the latch portion  90  of the bucket handle  52  releases the bucket or dirt cup  50  from the upper portion  20  when the handle  52  is positioned in the second position.  
         [0045]     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , there is shown the dirt separation system  30  in a carry position. Once the dirt cup or bucket  52  is released from the upper housing  20 , as described above, an operator may grasp the bucket handle  52  and carry the dirt separation system  30  to a dirt receptacle (not shown).  
         [0046]     Referring now to  FIG. 9 , there is shown the dirt separation system  30  in an emptying position. To move the dirt separation system  30  from the carry position to the emptying position, the filter assembly  40  is removed from the dirt cup  50 , and the dirt cup  50  is rotated in the general direction of arrow  99  relative to the handle  52  to allow the contents of the dirt cup  50  to be emptied in the dirt receptacle. The filter assembly  40  may be further cleaned by detaching the screen support  70  and the filter  60  from the lid member  41 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . Once detached, the screen elements  76  and filter element  68  may be cleaned by the operator. The filter assembly  40  may be reassembled and repositioned within the dirt cup or bucket  50  and the dirt separation system  30  returned to the carry position (shown in  FIG. 8 ). Once in the carry position, the dirt cup  50  may be moved from the dirt receptacle to the vacuum cleaner  10 . The dirt separation system  30  may then be repositioned in the upper housing  20  as shown in  FIG. 7 . The dirt cup or bucket  50  may then be secured to the upper housing  20  by moving the bucket handle  52  from the second position of  FIG. 7  to the first position of  FIG. 6 , as described above. Securing the dirt cup to the upper housing places the vacuum cleaner in an operational mode.  
         [0047]     Referring now to  FIG. 10 , there is shown a cut-away view of the internal airflow path within the upper housing  20 , as taken along the line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 6 . Airflow from the nozzle  14  is directed to the inlet interface  22  via a hose  170 , shown in  FIGS. 18 and 19 . From the inlet interface  22 , dirt enters the dirt separation system  30  via the inlet  56  and exits the dirt separation system  30  via the exit opening  42  as described above in connection with  FIG. 5  above. The exit opening  42  is sealed against the exit interface  24 . From the exit interface  24 , filtered air is directed to an inlet  27  of the motor-fan unit  26  via a fan duct  110 . The fan duct  110  within the housing  20  extends substantially the entire length of the dirt cup  50  as the exit interface  24  is positioned above of the dirt cup  50 . It should be appreciated that the length of the fan duct  110  muffles noises created by the motor-fan unit  26 . After exiting the motor fan unit  26  via the exit  28 , the air flow is directed upwardly by a fan exhaust duct  112 . The fan exhaust duct  112  directs the air flow to a final filter  116  comprising a filter element  117  and a filter retainer  118  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). The fan exhaust duct  112  also extends substantially the entire length of the dirt cup  50 . It should further be appreciated that the length of the fan exhaust duct  112  helps muffle noises created by the motor-fan unit  26 .  
         [0048]     Referring now to  FIG. 11 , there is shown a cross sectional view of a portion of the upper housing  20  with the dirt cup  50  placed in the operational mode. The airflow which passes through the filter  116  exits the upper housing  20  into an expansion chamber  120  and travels generally laterally in the vacuum cleaner  10  in the general direction of arrows  101 . The expansion chamber  120  is an expanding area defined between a portion of the upper housing  20  and a number of side walls  54  of the dirt cup  50  which allows the airflow to diffuse prior to exiting the vacuum cleaner  10 . The expansion chamber  120  provides a significant reduction in the sound created by the motor/fan unit  26 . The dirt cup  50  further includes a number of lateral extensions  55  which cooperate with surfaces  114  of the upper housing  20  to define an expansion chamber exit  122 . After passing through the expansion chamber  120 , the muffled air flow is allowed to exit the vacuum cleaner  10  along the length of the expansion chamber exit  122 , in the general direction arrow  102 , at a reduced velocity and sound level. The length of the expansion chamber exit  122  can best be seen in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0049]     Referring now to  FIGS. 12 and 12 A, there is shown the air flow within the expansion chamber  120  having the dirt separation system  30  removed for clarity of description. In particular, it can be seen that the airflow indicated by the arrows  101  and  102  is vertically distributed along the height of the expansion chamber  120 . In addition, it should be noted that a number of vanes  124  are attached to the upper housing  20 . These vanes  124  direct the airflow away from the base  12 . As the upwardly directed airflow passes through the expansion chamber exit  122 , it does not disturb the surface being cleaned by the vacuum cleaner  10 . In addition, it should be appreciated that the vanes  124  could alternately be placed on the lateral extensions  55  of the dirt cup  50  to direct the airflow away from the base  12 .  
         [0050]     Referring now to  FIG. 13 , there is shown a handle  130  positioned in an operational position. The handle  130  is rotatably mounted to the upper housing  20 . The handle  130  rotates about a round axle extension  132  attached to a lower portion of the handle  130 . This arrangement allows the handle  130  to rotate about the axel extension  132  in the direction of arrows  99  and  100 . A latch  140  is provided to secure the handle  130  in the operational position. The latch  140  rotates about an axel  142  in the general direction of arrows  99  and  100 . The axis of rotation of the latch  140  about the axel  142  is offset from the axis of rotation of the handle  130  about the axle extension  132  such that the latch  140  may engage exterior portions of the handle  130 . A spring  143  interposed between the housing  20  and the latch  140  biases the latch  140  in the general direction of arrow  99 . A lever  144  is secured to the axel  142 . An extension of the lever  144  is the actuator  145  which extends through the housing  20  and allows and operator to rotate the latch  140  in the general direction of arrow  100  by depressing the actuator  145 . The textured surface  146  of the actuator assists the operator in moving the actuator  145 .  
         [0051]     Referring now to  FIG. 14 , there is shown a partial schematic view of the engagement of the latch  140  with the handle  130 . In particular, as the spring  143  biases the latch  140  in the general direction of arrow  99 , the latch  140  engages a notched engagement surface  134  of the handle  130 . Biasing the latch  140  against the engagement surface  134  places the latch  140  in the locked position which holds the handle  130  in an operational position. It should be appreciated that the latch  140  engages the handle  130  over substantially the entire width of the handle  130  to provide a substantial latching force between the handle  130  and the latch  140 .  
         [0052]     Referring now to  FIG. 15 , there is shown the latch  140  in the release position, which allows the handle  130  to be placed in a storage position. To place the latch in the release position, the operator moves the actuator  145  in the general direction of arrow  100  by overcoming the biasing force of the spring  143  and rotating the latch  140  in the general direction of arrow  100 . Placing the latch  140  in the release position, moves the latch  140  out of contact with the notched engagement surface  134  of the handle  130  thereby allowing the handle  130  to be rotated in the general direction of arrow  100  (see.  FIG. 16A ). The handle  130  may then be freely rotated in the general direction of arrow  100  as the latch  140  slides along an arcuate surface  136  of the handle  130  when the latch is in the release position (see  FIG. 16B ). Thus, the handle  130  may be placed in the storage position shown in  FIGS. 15 and 16 B. To move the handle to the operational position from the storage position, the operator rotates the handle  130  in the general direction of arrow  99  until the biasing force of the spring  143  causes the latch  140  to engage the notched engagement surface  134  of the handle  130 , as shown in  FIG. 14 .  
         [0053]     Referring to  FIGS. 17-19 , there is show the base  12  of the vacuum cleaner  10 . The base  12  further includes a duct  150  placed in fluid communication with an agitator chamber  152  having a rotating agitator  154  positioned within. The base  12  further includes a blocker door  160  movable between a closed position (shown in  FIGS. 17 and 18 ) and an open position (shown in  FIG. 19 ). When the blocker door  160  is placed in the open position, a flexible hose  170  may be placed on the outer surface of the duct  150 . The flexible hose  170  is in fluid communication with the inlet interface  22  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). The flexible hose  170  is in further fluid communication with the dirt separation system  30  and motor/fan unit  26  when the vacuum cleaner  10  is in the operational position. Thus, when the motor/fan unit  26  is operating, suction from the motor fan unit  26 , is transmitted to an end  172  of the hose  170 . For carpet cleaning, the hose  170  is attached to the duct  160  to further place the hose  170  in fluid communication with the nozzle opening  14 . For above the floor cleaning, which typically involves placing tools (not shown) on the end  172  of the hose  170 , the hose  170  is disconnected from the duct  160 . When the hose  170  is disconnected from the duct  160 , it is desirable to prevent access to the agitator chamber  152  via the duct  150 . Thus, it is desirable for the blocker door  160  to move into the closed position shown in  FIGS. 17 and 18  when the hose  170  is disconnected from the duct  160 .  
         [0054]     Referring now to  FIGS. 18 and 19 , the base  12  further includes an arcuate track  156  defined therein. The arcuate track  156  is adapted to engage an arcuate surface  162  of the blocker door  160  such that the blocker door  160  may slide and rotate relative to the base  12  in the general direction of arrows  199  and  200 . The blocker door  160  further includes a tab  164  which passes through a slot  158  defined in the track  156 . A spring  180  is interposed between the tab  164  and the base  12  to bias the tab  164  in the general direction of arrow  182 . It should be appreciated that biasing the tab  164  in the general direction of arrow  182  also biases the blocker door  160  in the general direction of arrow  200  to place the blocker door in the closed position shown in  FIGS. 17 and 18 .  
         [0055]     In operation, when the flexible hose  170  is disconnected from the duct  160 , the biasing force of the spring  180  causes the blocker door  160  to slide in the general direction of arrow  200  and place the blocker door  160  in a closed position. Placing the blocker door  160  in the closed position blocks access to the agitator chamber  152  via the duct  160  (see  FIGS. 17 and 18 ). To return the vacuum cleaner  10  to a floor cleaning mode, the flexible hose  170  is connected to the duct  150 . To accomplish this, an operator may press on an upper surface of the blocker door  160  to cause the blocker door to slide along the track  156  and rotate in the general direction of arrow  199 . As the biasing force of the spring  180  is overcome, the blocker door  160  is placed in the open position shown in  FIG. 19  and the flexible hose  170  may be connected to the duct  160 . It should be appreciated, that the end  172  of the flexible hose  170  may also be used to slide the blocker door  160  along the track  156  the closed position to the open position, thus allowing an operator of the vacuum cleaner  10  to connect the flexible hose  170  to the duct  150  using a single hand.  
         [0056]     While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description is to be considered as exemplary and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8