A wand for a vacuum cleaning device comprising: a first end configured to be coupled to a vacuum unit and a second end configured to be coupled to a surface cleaning head, said wand defining an air passage extending from said first end to said second end, said wand comprising: a first and a second rigid wand segment having a first and a second longitudinal axis, respectively, and defining a first and a second portion of said air passage, respectively; a bendable wand joint comprising a hinge and a first and a second hinge member configured to pivotally connect said first and said second rigid wand segments together; and a flexible tube between said first and said second rigid segments defining a flexible air portion of said air passage and configured to flex when said first and said second hinge members pivot about a first pivot axis; a locking mechanism to hold said first and said second rigid segments together to lock said bendable wand joint in an extended position, said locking mechanism comprising: a locking cavity formed in said first hinge member; a release button and a locking arm pivotally coupled to said second hinge member, said locking arm including a locking pawl or hook configured to latch with said locking cavity, wherein said release button is configured to be urged inwardly against a biasing device to pivot said locking arm and release said locking pawl or hook from said locking cavity; a locking arm guard extending from the second hinge member generally along the second longitudinal axis and around a distal end of the locking arm; and a locking arm sidewall extending generally away from the first longitudinal axis and at least partially around the locking cavity, wherein the locking arm sidewall is configured to receive at least a portion of the locking arm guard when in the extended position. a first end configured to be coupled to a vacuum unit and a second end configured to be coupled to a surface cleaning head, said wand defining an air passage extending from said first end to said second end, said wand comprising: a first and a second rigid wand segment having a first and a second longitudinal axis, respectively, and defining a first and a second portion of said air passage, respectively; a bendable wand joint comprising a hinge and a first and a second hinge member configured to pivotally connect said first and said second rigid wand segments together; and a flexible tube between said first and said second rigid segments defining a flexible air portion of said air passage and configured to flex when said first and said second hinge members pivot about a first pivot axis; a first and a second rigid wand segment having a first and a second longitudinal axis, respectively, and defining a first and a second portion of said air passage, respectively; a bendable wand joint comprising a hinge and a first and a second hinge member configured to pivotally connect said first and said second rigid wand segments together; and a flexible tube between said first and said second rigid segments defining a flexible air portion of said air passage and configured to flex when said first and said second hinge members pivot about a first pivot axis; a locking mechanism to hold said first and said second rigid segments together to lock said bendable wand joint in an extended position, said locking mechanism comprising: a locking cavity formed in said first hinge member; a release button and a locking arm pivotally coupled to said second hinge member, said locking arm including a locking pawl or hook configured to latch with said locking cavity, wherein said release button is configured to be urged inwardly against a biasing device to pivot said locking arm and release said locking pawl or hook from said locking cavity; a locking arm guard extending from the second hinge member generally along the second longitudinal axis and around a distal end of the locking arm; and a locking arm sidewall extending generally away from the first longitudinal axis and at least partially around the locking cavity, wherein the locking arm sidewall is configured to receive at least a portion of the locking arm guard when in the extended position. a locking cavity formed in said first hinge member; a release button and a locking arm pivotally coupled to said second hinge member, said locking arm including a locking pawl or hook configured to latch with said locking cavity, wherein said release button is configured to be urged inwardly against a biasing device to pivot said locking arm and release said locking pawl or hook from said locking cavity; a locking arm guard extending from the second hinge member generally along the second longitudinal axis and around a distal end of the locking arm; and a locking arm sidewall extending generally away from the first longitudinal axis and at least partially around the locking cavity, wherein the locking arm sidewall is configured to receive at least a portion of the locking arm guard when in the extended position.