Patent Description:
Various types of surface cleaning apparatus are known, including upright surface cleaning apparatus, canister surface cleaning apparatus, stick surface cleaning apparatus, central vacuum systems, and hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus such as hand vacuums. Further, various designs for cyclonic hand vacuum cleaners, including battery operated cyclonic hand vacuum cleaners, are known in the art.

<CIT>discloses a cleaning apparatus including a housing supporting a motor which rotates a fan about an axis of the motor, a dirt collection chamber having an elongate axis, and a battery for providing power to operate the motor. The battery has an elongate axis that extends transverse to the axis of the motor and the elongate axis of the dirt collection chamber.

<CIT>) discloses a cleaning appliance including a main body and a separating apparatus including a dirt collector having a base that is openable that allows the dirt collector to be emptied. The cleaning appliance further includes an actuator that is operable sequentially such that, during a first operation, the actuator causes the base to be opened and, during a second operation, the actuator causes the dirt collector to disengage from the separating apparatus.

<CIT>) discloses a surface cleaning apparatus including a hand vacuum cleaner, a surface cleaning head and a rigid air flow conduit extending between the surface cleaning head and the hand vacuum cleaner. The hand vacuum cleaner includes a main body and a removably mounted air treatment member.

In accordance with one aspect of this invention a hand vacuum cleaner includes an energy storage unit at its lower end. The hand vacuum cleaner has a pistol grip handle located above the rear end of the energy storage unit and a suction motor located above the front end of the energy storage unit. This configuration of the heavier components of the hand vacuum cleaner and the handle allows a user to easily wield the hand vacuum cleaner with one hand and provides a comfortable hand feel.

The energy storage unit may include multiple energy storage members arranged in a row extending in a forward/rearward direction. This may further enhance the weight distribution of the hand vacuum cleaner by spreading out the weight of the energy storage unit.

In accordance with this broad aspect, there is provided a hand vacuum cleaner having an upper end, a lower end, a front end having a dirty air inlet and a rear end, the hand vacuum cleaner comprising:.

wherein when the hand vacuum cleaner is oriented with the upper end above the lower end, the pistol grip handle is located at the rear end of the hand vacuum cleaner, the energy storage unit is located at the lower end of the hand vacuum cleaner with the suction motor located above the front end of the energy storage unit and the pistol grip handle located above the rear end of the energy storage unit.

In some embodiments, the hand vacuum cleaner may include a finger grip area where, when the hand vacuum cleaner is oriented with the upper end above the lower end, the finger grip area is positioned forward of the pistol grip handle and above the energy storage unit.

In some embodiments, the finger grip area may be positioned between the front end and the rear end of the energy storage unit.

In some embodiments, the energy storage unit may include a plurality of energy storage members and a line that extends through at least some of the energy storage members may be substantially parallel to the air treatment member axis.

In some embodiments, the energy storage unit may include a plurality of energy storage members, the energy storage members may have a longitudinal axis and the energy storage members may be oriented with the longitudinal energy storage member axis extending transverse to the air treatment member axis.

In some embodiments, the energy storage members may be arranged in a single extending row extending in a forward/rearward direction.

In some embodiments, the energy storage unit may include a plurality of energy storage members and when the hand vacuum cleaner is oriented with the upper end above the lower end, at least one of the energy storage members may underlie the suction motor and at least another of the energy storage members may underlie the pistol grip handle.

In some embodiments, the air treatment member may include a cyclone and the air treatment member axis may be a cyclone axis of rotation.

In some embodiments, the suction motor may have an axis of rotation and the suction motor axis of rotation may be substantially parallel to the air treatment member axis.

In some embodiments, the suction motor may be positioned rearward of a pre-motor filter and forward of the pistol grip handle.

In some embodiments, the hand vacuum cleaner may include a finger grip area where, the finger grip area is positioned between the suction motor and the pistol grip handle.

In some embodiments, the hand vacuum cleaner may include a second stage cyclone downstream from the air treatment member where the second stage cyclone is located between the air treatment member and the suction motor.

In some embodiments, the hand vacuum cleaner may include a pre-motor filter where the pre-motor filter is located forward of the energy storage unit.

In some embodiments, a forward projection of the energy storage unit may intersect the pre-motor filter.

In some embodiments, the air treatment member and a pre-motor filter may include a removable air treatment unit that is located forward of the energy storage unit.

In some embodiments, the air treatment member may have a front openable door.

In some embodiments, the air treatment member may be removably mounted at a location forward of the energy storage unit.

In accordance with another aspect of this invention, a hand vacuum cleaner may have a cyclone chamber and a dirt collection chamber external to the cyclone chamber. A rearward projection of the dirt collection chamber sidewall may enclose or substantially enclose the pre-motor filter, suction motor, energy storage unit, and handle of the hand vacuum cleaner, and optionally a post motor filter. The generally linear arrangement of components within the hand vacuum cleaner may allow the height of the hand vacuum cleaner to be reduced while reducing backpressure through the hand vacuum cleaner, which may improve maneuverability and cleanability and make it easier to clean hard-to-reach areas.

In some embodiments, when the hand vacuum cleaner is oriented with the upper end above the lower end, the energy storage members may be located below the pistol grip handle.

In some embodiments, the energy storage unit may include a plurality of energy storage members and when the hand vacuum cleaner is oriented with the upper end above the lower end, the energy storage members may be located below the suction motor.

In accordance with this broad aspect, there is also provided a hand vacuum cleaner having an upper end, a lower end, a front end having a dirty air inlet and a rear end, the hand vacuum cleaner comprising:.

In some embodiments, the energy storage unit may be provided at the lower end of the hand vacuum cleaner.

In some embodiments, when the hand vacuum cleaner is oriented with the upper end above the lower end, the energy storage unit may be located below the pistol grip handle.

In some embodiments, the energy storage unit may include a plurality of energy storage members and a line that extends through at least some of the energy storage members may be substantially parallel to the cyclone axis of rotation.

In some embodiments, the energy storage unit may include a plurality of energy storage members and when the hand vacuum cleaner is oriented with the upper end above the lower end, the suction motor may be located above at least some of the energy storage members.

In some embodiments, the pistol grip handle may be located at the rear end of the hand vacuum cleaner.

In some embodiments, the hand vacuum cleaner may include an air inlet conduit extending downstream from the dirt air inlet, the air inlet conduit having an inlet conduit axis where a projection of the inlet conduit intersects the upper end of the handle.

In some embodiments, the hand vacuum cleaner may include a second cyclonic stage downstream from the cyclone where the second cyclonic stage is located within the volume defined by a projection of the dirt collection chamber sidewall.

In some embodiments, the hand vacuum cleaner may include an air inlet conduit extending downstream from the dirt air inlet, the air inlet conduit having an inlet conduit axis wherein a projection of the inlet conduit may intersect the upper end of the handle.

In some embodiments, the hand vacuum cleaner may include a second cyclonic stage downstream from the cyclone wherein the second cyclonic stage may be located within the volume defined by a projection of the cyclone chamber and dirt collection chamber sidewalls.

In some embodiments, at least <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>% or <NUM>% of the pre-motor filter, the suction motor, the energy storage unit and the pistol grip handle may be located within the volume defined by a projection of the cyclone chamber and dirt collection chamber sidewalls.

In some embodiments, the energy storage unit may include a plurality of energy storage members and when the hand vacuum cleaner is oriented with the upper end above the lower end, at least some of the energy storage members may be located below the suction motor.

These and other aspects and features of various embodiments will be described in greater detail below.

For a better understanding of the described embodiments and to show more clearly how they may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which:.

The drawings included herewith are for illustrating various examples of articles, methods, and apparatuses of the teaching of the present specification and are not intended to limit the scope of what is taught in any way.

As used herein and in the claims, two or more parts are said to be "coupled", "connected", "attached", or "fastened" where the parts are joined or operate together either directly or indirectly (i.e., through one or more intermediate parts), so long as a link occurs. As used herein and in the claims, two or more parts are said to be "directly coupled", "directly connected", "directly attached", or "directly fastened" where the parts are connected in physical contact with each other. None of the terms "coupled", "connected", "attached", and "fastened" distinguish the manner in which two or more parts are joined together.

Furthermore, it will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the example embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the example embodiments described herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the example embodiments described herein. Also, the description is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the example embodiments described herein.

Referring to <FIG>, exemplary embodiments of a surface cleaning apparatus is shown generally as <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the surface cleaning apparatus is a hand vacuum cleaner, which may also be referred to as a "handvac" or "hand-held vacuum cleaner". As used herein, a hand vacuum cleaner is a vacuum cleaner that can be operated to clean a surface generally one-handedly. That is, the entire weight of the vacuum may be held by the same one hand used to direct a dirty air inlet of the vacuum cleaner with respect to a surface to be cleaned. For example, the handle and a clean air inlet may be rigidly coupled to each other (directly or indirectly) so as to move as one while maintaining a constant orientation relative to each other. This is to be contrasted with canister and upright vacuum cleaners, whose weight is typically supported by a surface (e.g. a floor) during use.

Optionally, surface cleaning apparatus <NUM> may be removably mountable on a base so as to form, for example, an upright vacuum cleaner, a canister vacuum cleaner, a stick vacuum cleaner or stick vac, a wet-dry vacuum cleaner and the like. For example, the base of the surface cleaning apparatus may include a surface cleaning head and an elongate wand that can be connected to the hand vacuum <NUM>. In this configuration, the surface cleaning apparatus may be used to clean a floor or other surface in a manner analogous to a conventional upright-style vacuum cleaner.

As exemplified in <FIG>, surface cleaning apparatus <NUM> includes a main body <NUM> having a housing <NUM> and a handle <NUM>, an air treatment member <NUM> connected to the main body <NUM>, a dirty air inlet <NUM>, a clean air outlet <NUM>, and an air flow path extending between the dirty air inlet <NUM> and the clean air outlet <NUM>. The air treatment member <NUM> is positioned in the air flow path.

Surface cleaning apparatus <NUM> has a front end <NUM>, a rear end <NUM>, an upper end or top <NUM>, and a lower end or bottom <NUM>. In the embodiment shown, dirty air inlet <NUM> is at an upper portion of the front end <NUM> and clean air outlet <NUM> is at rearward portion of the main body <NUM>, between the upper and lower ends <NUM> and <NUM>. It will be appreciated that the dirty air inlet <NUM> and the clean air outlet <NUM> may be provided in different locations.

A suction motor <NUM> (see e.g. <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>) is positioned in the air flow path to generate vacuum suction through the air flow path. The suction motor <NUM> is positioned within a motor housing <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the suction motor <NUM> is positioned downstream from the air treatment member <NUM>. In alternative embodiments, the suction motor <NUM> may be positioned upstream of the air treatment member <NUM> (e.g., a dirty air motor). The suction motor <NUM> defines a motor axis <NUM> (about which the rotor rotates).

Air treatment member <NUM> is configured to remove particles of dirt and other debris from the air flow and/or otherwise treat the air flow. As exemplified herein, the air treatment member may comprise one or more cyclonic stages, each of which may comprise a single cyclone or a plurality of cyclones in parallel. Each cyclonic stage may have a single dirt collection chamber or a plurality of dirt collection chambers. The dirt collection chamber(s) may be external to the cyclone chamber or may be internal the cyclone chamber and configured as a dirt collection area or region within the cyclone chamber. Alternatively, the air treatment member <NUM> need not include a cyclonic cleaning stage, and can incorporate a bag, a porous physical filter media (such as foam or felt), or other air treating means.

In <FIG>, the air treatment member is exemplified as a cyclone assembly having two cyclonic cleaning stages arranged in series with each other. The first stage cyclone is exemplified as having a single cyclone and the second cyclonic stage is exemplified as having a plurality of cyclones (e.g., four cyclones) in parallel. The dirt collection chambers are exemplified as being external to the cyclone chambers.

As exemplified in the embodiments shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the air treatment member <NUM> may comprise a two-stage cyclone assembly having a first stage cyclone <NUM> and a second stage cyclone unit <NUM> that is arranged in series, downstream from the first stage cyclone <NUM>. The cyclone assembly also includes, in this embodiment, a first stage dirt collection chamber <NUM> to receive dirt separated by the first stage cyclone <NUM>, and a second stage dirt collection chamber <NUM> to receive dirt separated by the second stage cyclone unit <NUM>.

The first stage cyclone chamber <NUM> has a cyclone air inlet <NUM> in fluid communication with the inlet conduit <NUM>, a cyclone air outlet <NUM>, and a dirt outlet <NUM> that is in communication with the dirt collection chamber <NUM>.

The second stage cyclone unit <NUM> may include a plurality of cyclone chambers <NUM> arranged in parallel. In the example illustrated, there are four second stage cyclone chambers <NUM> (see e.g. <FIG>), although greater or fewer numbers of second stage cyclone chambers <NUM> may be provided. Each cyclone chamber <NUM> has a cyclone air inlet <NUM> in fluid communication with the cyclone air outlet <NUM>, a cyclone air outlet <NUM>, and a dirt outlet <NUM> that is in communication with the dirt collection chamber <NUM>.

Optionally, as exemplified in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, one or more of the second stage cyclone chambers <NUM> may be arranged as multi-inlet cyclones. The cyclone air inlet <NUM> of each multi-inlet cyclone <NUM> may include a plurality of air inlet ports <NUM> and, which may share a common airflow passage leading upstream from the first stage cyclone air outlet <NUM>. Air entering each second stage cyclone air inlet <NUM> passes through the common airflow passage, then to the air inlet ports <NUM> before entering the cyclone chamber <NUM>.

One or both of the first stage cyclone <NUM> and the second stage cyclone <NUM> may optionally be a 'uniflow' cyclone chamber (i.e. wherein the cyclone air inlet and cyclone air outlet are at opposite ends of the cyclone chamber). Alternatively or in addition, one or both of the first stage cyclone <NUM> and the second stage cyclone <NUM> may provide bidirectional air flow (i.e. where the cyclone air inlet and cyclone air outlet are at the same end of the cyclone chamber). In the examples illustrated by <FIG>, the first stage cyclone <NUM> and the second stage cyclone <NUM> use bidirectional air flow. Optionally, the first stage cyclone <NUM> and/or the second stage cyclone <NUM> may be an inverted cyclone.

The first stage cyclone <NUM> defines a first cyclone axis <NUM>, about which air circulates when in the first stage cyclone <NUM>. Each cyclone chamber <NUM> in the second stage cyclone unit <NUM> may also define a corresponding second cyclone axis (not shown), about which air circulates when in the second stage cyclone chamber <NUM>. The cyclone axes of the first and second stage cyclones <NUM> and <NUM> may be generally parallel as in the illustrated examples. Optionally, the cyclone axes may be both parallel and co-axial with each other (e.g. where the second stage cyclone unit <NUM> includes a single cyclone chamber). In other arrangements, the cyclone axes need not be parallel or co-axial with each other.

The cyclone chambers <NUM> and <NUM> and dirt collection chambers <NUM> and <NUM> may be of any configuration suitable for separating dirt from an air stream and collecting the separated dirt, respectively. The cyclone chambers <NUM> and <NUM> may be oriented in any direction, including those described in more detail herein. For example, when surface cleaning apparatus <NUM> is oriented with the upper end <NUM> above the lower end <NUM>, the cyclone axes may be oriented generally horizontally or horizontally as exemplified, or alternatively may be oriented vertically, or at any angle between horizontal and vertical.

Alternatively, as shown in the examples of <FIG>, air treatment member <NUM> may include a cyclone assembly having a single cyclonic cleaning stage with a single cyclone chamber <NUM> and a dirt collection region <NUM> external to the cyclone chamber. The cyclone chamber <NUM> and dirt collection region <NUM> may be of any configuration suitable for separating dirt from an air stream and collecting the separated dirt, respectively.

The cyclone chamber <NUM> may be oriented in any direction. For example, when surface cleaning apparatus <NUM> is oriented with the upper end <NUM> above the lower end <NUM>, e.g. positioned generally parallel to a horizontal surface, a central axis or axis of rotation <NUM> of the cyclone chamber <NUM> may be oriented horizontally, as exemplified in <FIG>. In alternative embodiments, the cyclone chamber may be oriented vertically, or at any angle between horizontal and vertical.

The first stage dirt collection chamber <NUM> may surround part of all of the first stage cyclone <NUM>. For example, as exemplified in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the first stage dirt collection chamber <NUM> may surround only part of the first stage cyclone <NUM> (e.g., the upper portion thereof). Alternately, as exemplified in <FIG> and <FIG>, the first stage dirt collection chamber <NUM> may surround all of the first stage cyclone <NUM>.

Preferably, at least a portion of the air treatment member may be openable for emptying. For example, at least one end (e.g., the front end in the exemplified orientation), and optionally both ends (e.g., the front and rear ends in the exemplified orientation) of the dirt collection chamber <NUM> may be openable for emptying. Optionally, at least one end, and optionally both ends of the cyclone chamber <NUM> may also be openable for emptying.

In the examples illustrated, the front end wall <NUM> of the cyclone chamber <NUM> and the front end wall <NUM> of the dirt collection chamber <NUM> are both provided by portions of an openable front door <NUM> that covers the front end of the cyclone assembly <NUM>. In this arrangement, opening the front door <NUM> will concurrently open the front end walls <NUM> and <NUM> of the cyclone and dirt collection chambers <NUM>, <NUM>.

The second stage dirt collection chamber <NUM> may extend forwardly through or adjacent the first stage dirt collection chamber <NUM> and/or the first stage cyclone <NUM> to terminate at the front end of the air treatment member <NUM>. Accordingly, opening the front door also opens the second stage dirt collection chamber <NUM>.

For example, one or more dirt collection chamber passages <NUM> may extend forwardly through or adjacent the first stage dirt collection chamber <NUM> and/or the first stage cyclone <NUM> such that the second stage dirt collection chamber <NUM> may be emptied when the first stage dirt collection chamber <NUM> is opened for emptying. As exemplified in <FIG>, a single dirt collection passage <NUM> extends underneath the first stage cyclone <NUM>. Accordingly, when front door <NUM> is opened, both the first and second dirt collection chambers <NUM> and <NUM> may be emptied. Similarly, as exemplified in <FIG>, two dirt collection passages 1123a and 1123b extend underneath the first stage cyclone <NUM>. As exemplified in <FIG>, two dirt collection passages 1123a and 1123b extend adjacent the outer side of the sidewall <NUM> of the first stage dirt collection chamber <NUM>.

Accordingly, for example, in the embodiments of <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, opening the front door also opens the second stage dirt collection chamber <NUM>. In the illustrated example, a user may hold the hand vacuum <NUM> via the handle <NUM> with one hand and open the front door <NUM> with the other hand. The front end wall <NUM> of the cyclone chamber <NUM> and the front end wall <NUM> of the dirt collection chamber <NUM> (and the dirt collection chamber <NUM> in the embodiment of <FIG>) may be concurrently openable and may cover all of a substantial portion of the front end of the cyclone chamber and the dirt collection chamber(s). For example, the front end wall <NUM> of the cyclone chamber <NUM> and the front end wall <NUM> of the dirt collection chamber <NUM> (and optionally the front end wall of the second stage dirt collection chamber(s)) may be a one piece assembly (i.e. they may be integrally formed).

Alternately, the front end wall <NUM> of the dirt collection chamber <NUM> (and optionally also the dirt collection chamber <NUM>) may be separate from the front end wall <NUM>. For example, as exemplified in <FIG>, the front end wall <NUM> of the dirt collection chambers <NUM>, <NUM> may be defined by the openable door <NUM> while the front end wall of the cyclone chamber <NUM> is defined by an arrester plate <NUM> connected to door <NUM>. Alternately, as exemplified in <FIG>, the front end wall <NUM> of the dirt collection chamber <NUM> may be defined by the openable door <NUM> while the front end wall of the cyclone chamber <NUM> is defined by an arrester plate <NUM> connected to door <NUM>.

The front door <NUM> may be openably connected (e.g., pivotally openable or removably mounted) to the rest of the cyclone assembly using any suitable mechanism, including a hinge or other suitable device. Optionally, the front door <NUM> may be secured in the closed position using any suitable type of locking mechanism, including a latch mechanism that may be released by a user.

Alternately or in addition, the air treatment member <NUM> may be removably mounted to main body <NUM>. For example, the air treatment member <NUM> may be removably mounted to main body <NUM> at a location forward of the energy storage unit <NUM>. Removing the air treatment member <NUM> may facilitate emptying and/or cleaning. This may provide greater access to the rear portion of the air treatment member <NUM>, e.g. as the rear portion may be spaced apart from the front openable door <NUM>. This may also facilitate access to a second stage cyclone unit <NUM> in the embodiment of <FIG> and/or the pre-motor filter chamber.

Optionally, one or more pre-motor filters may be placed in the air flow path between the air treatment member <NUM> and the suction motor <NUM>. As shown in the examples of <FIG>, hand vacuum cleaner <NUM> may include a pre-motor filter housing <NUM> provided in the air flow path downstream of the air treatment member <NUM> and upstream of the suction motor <NUM>. Pre-motor filter housing <NUM> may be of any suitable construction, including any of those exemplified herein. One or more pre-motor filters <NUM> may be positioned within the pre-motor filter housing <NUM>. Pre-motor filter(s) <NUM> may be formed from any suitable physical, porous filter media and having any suitable shape, including the examples disclosed herein with respect to a removable pre-motor filter assembly. For example, the pre-motor filter may be one or more of a foam filter, felt filter, HEPA filter, other physical filter media, electrostatic filter, and the like.

Optionally, a secondary pre-motor filter <NUM> may also be provided. The pre-motor filter housing <NUM> may house both an upstream filter <NUM> and a downstream filter <NUM> (see e.g. <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>). For example, upstream filter <NUM> may include a foam filter medium while the downstream filter <NUM> includes a felt filter medium.

Optionally, the pre-motor filter <NUM> (and optional filter <NUM>) may be removable. For example, filter housing <NUM> may include a removable or otherwise openable door to provide access to the interior of the pre-motor filter housing <NUM>.

Optionally, the pre-motor filter <NUM> may be removable from the main body <NUM> with the air treatment member <NUM>. For example, the pre-motor filter housing <NUM> and air treatment member <NUM> may be detachably mounted to the main body.

Optionally, the pre-motor filter <NUM> may remain in place with the main body <NUM> when the air treatment member <NUM> is removed. For example, the air treatment member <NUM> may be detachably mounted by itself to the main body.

The air treatment member <NUM> and, optionally, also the pre-motor filter <NUM> may together define a removable air treatment unit. As illustrated, the removable air treatment unit may be located forward of the energy storage unit. Removing the air treatment member <NUM> and pre-motor filter <NUM> may facilitate cleaning and maintenance of the hand vacuum cleaner <NUM>, as these components are often most likely to collect dirt and debris.

In the illustrated embodiment, the dirty air inlet <NUM> of the hand vacuum cleaner <NUM> is the inlet end <NUM> of an inlet conduit <NUM>. Optionally, inlet end <NUM> of the conduit <NUM> can be used as a nozzle to directly clean a surface. The air inlet conduit <NUM> is, in this example, a generally linear hollow member that extends along an inlet conduit axis <NUM> that is oriented in a longitudinal forward/backward direction and is generally horizontal when hand vacuum cleaner <NUM> is oriented with the upper end <NUM> above the lower end <NUM>. Alternatively, or in addition to functioning as a nozzle, inlet conduit <NUM> may be connected or directly connected to the downstream end of any suitable accessory tool such as a rigid air flow conduit (e.g., an above floor cleaning wand), a crevice tool, a mini brush, and the like. Optionally, dirty air inlet <NUM> may be positioned forward of the air treatment member <NUM>, although this need not be the case. As exemplified, the dirty air inlet <NUM> is positioned above the cyclone chamber <NUM>. Optionally, the dirty air inlet <NUM> may be provided at an alternative location, such as in the front end wall <NUM>.

In the illustrated embodiment, the air inlet conduit <NUM> is located above (e.g., closer to the upper end <NUM> than) the cyclone axis <NUM>. The air inlet conduit <NUM> may be spaced from the axis <NUM> by a distance selected to be large enough that the air inlet conduit <NUM> is above the air treatment member <NUM>, and is therefore above the first stage cyclone <NUM>, the second stage cyclone <NUM> and their respective axes and other features. This may help facilitate using a generally linear air flow conduit <NUM>, which may help facilitate air flow through the apparatus <NUM>. Alternatively, the distance may be selected so that the inlet conduit <NUM> is above the cyclone axes, but at least partially overlaps (i.e., an projection of part or all of the conduit may pass through one or both of the first and second stage cyclone) the first stage cyclone <NUM> and/or the second stage cyclone <NUM> in the up/down direction. This may help reduce the overall height of the apparatus <NUM>.

In the illustrated example, the clean air outlet <NUM> is provided as part of the main body <NUM>, and includes a grill. As illustrated in <FIG>, the clean air outlet <NUM> may be provided on both lateral sides of the main body <NUM>. In this example, the grill is oriented such that air exiting the clean air outlet <NUM> travels laterally outward from the main body <NUM> (e.g., in a direction perpendicular to the cyclone <NUM>). This may ensure that the exhausted air is directed away from a user's hand when they are holding the handle <NUM> rearward of the clean air outlet <NUM>. Alternately, the clean air outlet may be oriented such that the exhausted air travels generally rearwardly from the rear end <NUM> of the hand vacuum <NUM> (in a direction parallel to the cyclone axis <NUM>).

Optionally, one or more post-motor filters may be positioned in the air flow path between the suction motor <NUM> and the clean air outlet <NUM> to help further treat the air passing through the hand vacuum <NUM>. The post-motor filter may be formed from any suitable physical, porous filter media and having any suitable shape for filtering air in the airflow path downstream of the suction motor <NUM>. The post-motor filter may be any suitable type of filter such as one or more of a foam filter, felt filter, HEPA filter, other physical filter media, electrostatic filter, and the like. The clean air outlet <NUM> may form part of an optional post-motor filter housing.

In the example illustrated, the suction motor axis <NUM> is generally parallel to the cyclone axes and to the inlet conduit axis <NUM>. As exemplified, the motor axis <NUM> may be also positioned so that the axis <NUM> intersects one or more of the pre-motor filter housing <NUM>, the first stage cyclone <NUM>, second stage cyclone <NUM>, and front end walls <NUM> and <NUM>.

Optionally, motor axis <NUM> may be generally co-axialwith one or both of the cyclone axes. This may help provide a desirable hand feel to a user.

As exemplified, the main body <NUM> may be configured such that the suction motor housing <NUM> is located rearward of the pre-motor filter housing <NUM> and, preferably, axially aligned with the pre-motor filter housing <NUM> such that air exiting the pre-motor filter may travel generally linearly to the suction motor. It will be appreciated that suction motor housing <NUM> and pre-motor filter housing <NUM> may be of any configuration. The diameter of the front portion of the suction motor housing <NUM> may be about the same as the rear side of the pre-motor filter housing <NUM> such that the pre-motor filter may have an upstream header that is about the diameter of the pre-motor filter and a downstream header that is about the diameter of the pre-motor filter.

The hand vacuum cleaner <NUM> can include a handle <NUM>. As shown in the examples illustrated, the handle <NUM> may be located at the rear end <NUM> of the hand vacuum cleaner <NUM>. Alternately, the handle <NUM> may be located at other suitable positions on the hand vacuum cleaner, such as the upper end <NUM>.

In the examples illustrated, the handle <NUM> is a pistol grip type handle with an elongate pistol-grip style hand grip portion <NUM> that extends upwardly and forwardly along a hand grip axis <NUM> (<FIG>) between upper and lower ends <NUM> and <NUM>, when the hand vacuum <NUM> is oriented so that the upper end <NUM> is disposed above the lower end <NUM>. As exemplified in <FIG>, a rearwardly extending bridge portion <NUM> extends from the rear end of the inlet nozzle to the upper end <NUM> of the handle <NUM> and a rearwardly extending bridge portion <NUM> extends rearwardly of the motor housing <NUM> to the lower end <NUM> of the handle <NUM>.

In this configuration, a finger gap or finger grip area <NUM> for receiving the fingers of a user is formed between the hand grip <NUM> and the main body <NUM>. As shown in <FIG> for example, the finger grip area <NUM> may be positioned between the rear of the suction motor <NUM> and the front of the handle <NUM>.

In the example illustrated, the finger grip area <NUM> is partially bounded by the hand grip <NUM>, the upper end <NUM> of the handle, the lower end <NUM> of the handle, the upper and lower bridge portions <NUM>, <NUM> and the suction motor housing <NUM>. In this configuration, a rearward projection of the cyclone chamber axis <NUM> intersects the hand grip <NUM> and the finger gap <NUM>, as well as passing through the suction motor housing <NUM>, pre-motor filter housing <NUM> (in the embodiments of <FIG>), and second stage cyclone <NUM> (in the embodiments of <FIG>).

Optionally, power can be supplied to the surface cleaning apparatus <NUM> by an electrical cord connected to the hand vacuum that may be connected to a standard wall electrical outlet. The cord may optionally be detachable from the hand vacuum <NUM>.

Alternatively, or in addition, the power source for the surface cleaning apparatus <NUM> may be or comprise an onboard energy storage device which may include, for example, one or more batteries. In the example illustrated, the hand vacuum <NUM> includes an onboard energy storage unit <NUM>. The energy storage unit <NUM> can include one or more energy storage members <NUM>, such as one or more batteries or other energy storage device.

The hand vacuum cleaner may include a power switch that is provided to selectively control the operation of the suction motor (e.g. either on/off or variable power levels or both), for example by establishing a power connection between the energy storage members <NUM> and the suction motor <NUM>. The power switch may be provided in any suitable configuration and location, including a button, rotary switch, sliding switch, trigger-type actuator and the like.

Optionally, the inlet conduit <NUM>, or other portion of the apparatus <NUM>, may be provided with any suitable electrical connector that can establish an electrical connection between the apparatus <NUM> and any accessory tool, cleaning head and the like that is connected to the inlet conduit <NUM>. In such a configuration, the hand vacuum <NUM> may be used to power a surface cleaning head having a rotating brush, or other tools of that nature, using either power supplied by the wall outlet and/or the onboard battery pack <NUM>.

As shown in the example of <FIG>, the energy storage unit <NUM> extends between a front end <NUM> and a rear end <NUM>. The energy storage unit <NUM> may have a housing <NUM> that is attached to the main body <NUM>. Optionally, energy storage unit <NUM> may be removably mounted to the main body <NUM> (e.g., removable from a position below the motor housing <NUM> and the lower bridge portion <NUM>). For example, the housing <NUM> may be detached from the main body <NUM> to allow the energy storage members <NUM> to be charged and/or replaced. Alternatively or in addition, the energy storage members <NUM> may be charged while attached to main body <NUM>, e.g. using an electrical cord attached to the hand vacuum cleaner <NUM>. If the energy storage unit is not removably mounted, it may provide lower bride portion <NUM>.

The housing <NUM> can enclose a plurality of energy storage members <NUM>. Each energy storage member may be, for example, a battery or a capacitor, such as a super capacitor. Alternately, the housing <NUM> may enclose only a single energy storage member <NUM>.

In some examples, the energy storage members <NUM> can be distributed between the front end <NUM> and rear end <NUM> of the energy storage unit <NUM>. In the examples illustrated, the energy storage members <NUM> are arranged in a single row that extends in a forward/rearward direction. Alternately, energy storage members <NUM> may be vertically and/or transversely oriented within the energy storage unit <NUM> and/or two or more rows of energy storage members <NUM> may be provided.

As shown in the illustrated examples (e.g., <FIG>), a line <NUM> that extends through at least some of the energy storage members <NUM> may be substantially parallel to the cyclone axis <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, line <NUM> may extend substantially in a forward/rearward direction, e.g., through a centre of the vertical height of the energy storage members <NUM>. This may help distribute the weight of the energy storage members <NUM> in the forward/rearward direction.

Each of the energy storage members <NUM> may have a longitudinal energy storage member axis <NUM> (see e.g. <FIG>). As shown in <FIG>, the energy storage members <NUM> can be oriented within the energy storage unit <NUM> with the longitudinal energy storage member axis <NUM> extending transverse to the air treatment member axis <NUM>. The weight of the individual energy storage members <NUM> may thus be distributed laterally across the hand vacuum cleaner <NUM>.

In the example illustrated, the energy storage unit <NUM> is provided at the lower end <NUM> of the hand vacuum cleaner <NUM>. In other embodiments, one or more battery packs <NUM> may be provided in other portions of the main body <NUM> to provide power to the suction motor <NUM>, such as, for example, a battery pack that is provided within a hand grip portion <NUM> of the handle <NUM> or a compartment positioned on a front side of the handle <NUM>.

The energy storage unit <NUM> (and the energy storage members <NUM> enclosed therein) may be positioned below the suction motor <NUM>. This may help distribute the weight of the heavier components of the hand vacuum cleaner <NUM> in the vertical direction. As shown in <FIG> for example, the suction motor <NUM> is located on top of (i.e. overlying) a subset of the energy storage members <NUM>.

Alternately, all of the energy storage members <NUM> may be positioned to underlie the suction motor <NUM>.

Alternately, the energy storage members <NUM> may be spaced apart from the suction motor <NUM> in the forward/rearward direction. For example, the energy storage members <NUM> may underlie the finger grip area <NUM> and/or handle <NUM>.

In the examples illustrated, the energy storage unit <NUM> is positioned below the handle <NUM>. As shown in <FIG> for example, the handle <NUM> is located on top of (i.e. overlying) a subset of the energy storage members <NUM>. This may provide a good hand feel for a user wielding the handle <NUM>, with the weight of the energy storage members <NUM> below the handle <NUM>.

Alternately, all of the energy storage members <NUM> may be positioned to underlie the handle <NUM>.

Alternately, the energy storage members <NUM> may be spaced apart from the handle <NUM> in the forward/rearward direction. For example, the energy storage members <NUM> may underlie the finger grip area <NUM> and/or suction motor <NUM>.

Optionally, the energy storage members <NUM> may be positioned so that at least one of the energy storage members <NUM> underlies the suction motor <NUM> and at least another of the energy storage members <NUM> underlies the pistol grip handle <NUM>.

As shown in the examples illustrated, the handle <NUM> may be located at the rear end <NUM> of the vacuum cleaner <NUM> with the energy storage unit <NUM> positioned under all (or some) of the lower end <NUM>. The suction motor <NUM> can be located above (e.g. on top of or overlying) the front end <NUM> of the energy storage unit <NUM> and the pistol grip handle <NUM> can be located above the rear end <NUM> of the energy storage unit <NUM>. This distribution of the weight of the heavier components of the hand vacuum cleaner <NUM>, relative to the handle <NUM>, may help provide a desirable hand feel to a user.

Additionally or alternately, the finger grip area <NUM> may be positioned above (e.g. on top of or overlying) the energy storage unit <NUM>. As shown in the illustrated examples, the finger grip area <NUM> may be positioned between the front and rear ends <NUM> and <NUM> of the energy storage unit <NUM>.

As shown, the suction motor <NUM>, energy storage unit <NUM>, and handle <NUM> may be provided with a generally u-shaped distribution around the finger grip area <NUM>. This may provide a good weight distribution that can be easily supported by a user holding the handle <NUM>. In such a configuration, it will be appreciated that the suction motor may be oriented such that the suction motor axis need not be forward/rearward but may be vertical or angled upwardly and forwardly (e.g., line the piston grip portion of the handle).

In some examples, the pre-motor filter <NUM> may be located forward of the energy storage unit <NUM>. For example, a forward projection of the energy storage unit <NUM> may intersect the pre-motor filter <NUM> (see e.g. <FIG>). This may help provide a compact configuration for the hand vacuum cleaner.

In the example illustrated, cyclone chamber <NUM> extends between a front end <NUM> and a rear end <NUM> (see e.g. <FIG>). In the examples illustrated, the cyclone chamber <NUM> has a front end wall <NUM> and an opposing rear end wall <NUM> that is spaced apart from the front end wall <NUM>. The cyclone axis <NUM>, about which air circulates within the cyclone chamber <NUM> during operation of the hand vacuum cleaner, extends between the front end <NUM> (and front end wall <NUM>) and the rear end <NUM> (and rear end wall <NUM>) of the cyclone chamber <NUM>. A cyclone chamber sidewall <NUM> extends between the front and rear end walls <NUM>, <NUM>.

Optionally, as exemplified, when the hand vacuum is oriented with the upper end above the lower end, the cyclone axis <NUM> is generally horizontal, and is closer to horizontal than vertical, e.g., ±<NUM>°, ±<NUM>°, ±<NUM>°, or ±<NUM>° from the horizontal. Optionally, as exemplified, the cyclone axis <NUM> is substantially parallel to, e.g. within ±<NUM>°, ±<NUM>°, ±<NUM>°, or ±<NUM>°, and vertically offset below the conduit axis <NUM> of the air inlet conduit <NUM>, and the cyclone chamber <NUM> and dirt collection chamber <NUM> are both below the inlet conduit axis <NUM>. As illustrated, a rearward extension of the conduit axis <NUM> may intersect the upper end <NUM> of the handle <NUM>.

In the example illustrated, the cyclone air inlet <NUM> is a tangential air inlet that, as exemplified, terminates at an aperture or port that is formed in cyclone sidewall <NUM>, optionally an upper portion of the cyclone sidewall <NUM>, adjacent the rear end wall <NUM>. Optionally, the cyclone air inlet <NUM> may be provided at an alternative location, such as in the front end wall <NUM> or adjacent the front end wall <NUM>.

The cyclone air inlet <NUM> is fluidly connected with the outlet end of the conduit <NUM> via a corresponding air outlet aperture or port <NUM> that may be provided in a lower portion of the air inlet conduit <NUM>. The cyclone air inlet <NUM> may have any suitable arrangement and/or configuration, and in the illustrated example is configured as a tangential air inlet that is directly connected to the air outlet aperture <NUM>. Connecting the air inlet <NUM> to the air outlet aperture <NUM> in this manner may help reduce the need for additional conduits to fluidly connect the dirty air inlet <NUM> to the cyclone chamber <NUM>, and may reduce or eliminate the need for additional bends or air flow direction changes between the dirty air inlet <NUM> and the cyclone chamber <NUM>. Reducing the conduit length and number of bends may help reduce the backpressure and air flow losses within the 1100air flow path.

Optionally, as exemplified in <FIG>, the cyclone air outlet <NUM> is provided in the rear end wall <NUM> of the cyclone chamber <NUM>, and an axially extending vortex finder conduit <NUM> extends from the rear end wall <NUM> and is aligned with the cyclone air outlet <NUM>. Optionally, a mesh screen (not shown) may provide some or all of the inlet apertures <NUM> of the vortex finder conduit <NUM> to help inhibit lint, hair, and other such debris from entering the vortex finder conduit <NUM>. Positioning the air outlet <NUM> comprising a porous section (e.g., a mesh screen or a shroud) toward the rear end (and optionally in the rear end wall <NUM>) may help facilitate the desired air flow through the cyclone chamber <NUM>, such that air, while swirling, travels generally axially though the cyclone chamber <NUM> from the front end wall <NUM> toward the rear end wall <NUM>.

Positioning the air outlet <NUM> in the rear end wall <NUM> of the cyclone chamber <NUM> may also help facilitate a low back pressure air flow connection between the cyclone chamber <NUM> and a downstream component in the hand vacuum <NUM>, such as a second stage cyclone unit <NUM> or a pre-motor filter.

In this arrangement, air travelling through the hand vacuum <NUM> will travel generally rearwardly along the air inlet conduit <NUM> (i.e. parallel to the conduit axis <NUM> and then enter a tangential air inlet which essentially changes the direction of the air to travel generally downwardly through the cyclone air inlet <NUM> (i.e. generally orthogonal to the cyclone axis <NUM>). The air can then circulate within the cyclone chamber <NUM>, and ultimately exit the cyclone chamber <NUM> via the cyclone air outlet <NUM> while travelling through the vortex finder conduit <NUM> in a rearward direction (i.e. generally parallel to the cyclone axis <NUM>).

From the cyclone air outlet <NUM> air travels rearwardly towards the suction motor <NUM>. After passing through the second stage cyclone unit <NUM> and/or pre-motor filter <NUM>, air may travel generally rearwardly to an inlet end of the suction motor <NUM>. An advantage of this arrangement is that, by promoting air to travel in this manner, the need for air flow direction changes between an air outlet of the air treatment member <NUM> and the suction motor may be reduced or eliminated, thereby reducing backpressure and/or air flow losses through this portion of the hand vacuum cleaner <NUM>.

The cyclone dirt outlet <NUM> may be of any suitable configuration, for example as shown in the example of <FIG> the dirt outlet is a slot <NUM> that is provided in the cyclone chamber side wall <NUM>, toward the front end wall <NUM>. The slot <NUM> may extend around at least a portion of the perimeter of the cyclone side wall <NUM>. While shown directly adjacent the front end wall <NUM>, such that the slot <NUM> is partially bounded by the cyclone side wall <NUM> and the front end wall <NUM>, the slot <NUM> may be located at another location along the length of the cyclone side wall <NUM>, and need not be directly adjacent the front end wall <NUM>. Alternatively, the dirt outlet <NUM> may be provided toward the mid-point of the cyclone chamber sidewall <NUM>, or may be provided toward the rear end wall <NUM>.

In the example illustrated by <FIG>, the cyclone chamber <NUM> has a single dirt outlet <NUM>. Alternately, the cyclone chamber <NUM> may include two or more dirt outlets that are in communication with the same dirt collection chamber, or optionally with different dirt collection chambers. For example, <FIG> illustrate examples of the cyclone chamber <NUM> that includes multiple dirt outlets <NUM>. As shown in the examples of <FIG> and <FIG>, the cyclone chamber <NUM> may include an upper dirt outlet and a separate lower dirt outlet.

In the examples illustrated by <FIG>, the dirt outlets are in communication with a single dirt collection chamber <NUM> that surrounds the cyclone chamber <NUM>. Alternately, the cyclone chamber <NUM> may include multiple dirt outlets to different dirt collection chambers <NUM>. This may facilitate collection of different sizes of dirt and debris.

In the illustrated examples, the dirt collection chamber <NUM> is external to the cyclone chamber <NUM> and may at least partially surround the cyclone chamber <NUM>. It will be appreciated that if the second stage dirt collection chamber includes dirt collection chamber passages <NUM>, then the dirt collection chamber <NUM> and the dirt collection chamber passages <NUM> may at least partially surround the cyclone chamber <NUM>. In some examples, the dirt collection chamber <NUM> (and the passages <NUM> if any) may surround a majority or all of the cyclone chamber <NUM>. For example, the dirt collection chamber <NUM> (and the passages <NUM> if any) may surround at least <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>% or all of the cyclone chamber <NUM>.

The perimeter of the air treatment member <NUM> may define the majority (<NUM>% or <NUM>% or <NUM>% or <NUM>% or more) or all of the height and width of hand vacuum cleaner <NUM>. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the air treatment member <NUM>, and in particular the dirt collection chamber sidewall <NUM> may occupy a substantial majority (at least <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%) or all of the height and width of the hand vacuum cleaner <NUM>.

In this configuration, a rearward projection of the outer sidewall of the air treatment member, which may be sidewall <NUM> of the dirt collection chamber <NUM> (if the dirt collection chamber <NUM> surrounds the cyclone chamber <NUM>) may encompass the majority (at least <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%) or all of each of the components of the hand vacuum cleaner <NUM>.

As shown for instance by <FIG>, the rearward projection of the sidewall <NUM> of the dirt collection chamber <NUM> may substantially encompass the suction motor <NUM>, second stage cyclone unit <NUM>, pre-motor filter <NUM>, energy storage unit <NUM>, and handle <NUM>.

Alternately, as shown for instance by <FIG>, the rearward projection of the outer sidewall of the air treatment member (which comprises the outer wall of the passages <NUM> and the dirt collection chamber sidewall <NUM> of the dirt collection chamber <NUM>) may substantially encompass the suction motor <NUM>, second stage cyclone unit <NUM>, pre-motor filter <NUM> (in the example of <FIG>), energy storage unit <NUM>, and handle <NUM>.

For example, as exemplified, the only components that may extend laterally outward from the rearward projection of the outer wall (e.g., sidewall <NUM>) may be the inlet conduit <NUM>, the upper end <NUM> of handle <NUM>, and in some embodiments a lower section of the energy storage unit <NUM>. For example, the rearward projection of the outer wall (e.g., sidewall <NUM>) may encompass the suction motor <NUM>, second stage cyclone unit <NUM>, pre-motor filter <NUM>, the pistol grip portion of the handle <NUM> and at least an upper portion of the energy storage unit <NUM> (e.g., the projection of the sidewall <NUM> may pass above line <NUM>, essentially along line <NUM> or below line <NUM>).

In some embodiments, at least <NUM>% or <NUM>% or <NUM>% or <NUM>% of one or more of (or each of) the suction motor <NUM>, second stage cyclone unit <NUM> (in the examples of <FIG>), pre-motor filter <NUM> (in the examples of <FIG>), energy storage unit <NUM>, and handle <NUM> may be located within the volume defined by a projection of the outer wall (e.g., sidewall <NUM>). This may help reduce the height of the vacuum cleaner <NUM>.

The air treatment member <NUM> (including the optional second stage cyclone unit <NUM>), pre-motor filter <NUM> (in the examples of <FIG>), and suction motor <NUM> may be positioned with a substantially linear arrangement moving from the front end <NUM> of the vacuum cleaner <NUM> towards the rear end <NUM>. This may help reduce the number of turns in the airflow path through the hand vacuum cleaner <NUM>. This may also help provide a reduced profile to the hand vacuum cleaner <NUM>, with each of these components (as well as others such as the handle <NUM> and energy storage unit <NUM> for example) contained within the volume defined by a rearward projection of the perimeter of the air treatment member <NUM> (which may in some cases be defined at least in part by sidewall <NUM>).

Claim 1:
A hand vacuum cleaner (<NUM>) having an upper end (<NUM>), a lower end (<NUM>), a front end (<NUM>) having a dirty air inlet (<NUM>) and a rear end (<NUM>), the hand vacuum cleaner (<NUM>) comprising:
(a) an air flow path extending from the dirty air inlet (<NUM>) to a clean air outlet (<NUM>);
(b) an air treatment member (<NUM>) positioned in the air flow path, the air treatment member (<NUM>) comprising a chamber (<NUM>) defining an open volume which has an air treatment member air inlet (<NUM>), an air treatment member air outlet (<NUM>), a front end and a rear end and an axis (<NUM>) that extends between the front and rear ends of the air treatment member (<NUM>) and extends through the air treatment member air outlet (<NUM>);
(c) an energy storage unit (<NUM>) having a front end (<NUM>) and a rear end (<NUM>);
(d) a suction motor (<NUM>) positioned in the air flow path;
(e) a pistol grip handle (<NUM>) having a hand grip portion (<NUM>) wherein the axis (<NUM>) intersects the hand grip portion (<NUM>); and,
(f) a finger grip area (<NUM>) positioned between the suction motor (<NUM>) and the pistol grip handle (<NUM>),
wherein when the hand vacuum cleaner (<NUM>) is oriented with the upper end (<NUM>) above the lower end (<NUM>), the pistol grip handle (<NUM>) is located at the rear end (<NUM>) of the hand vacuum cleaner (<NUM>), the energy storage unit (<NUM>) is located at the lower end (<NUM>) of the hand vacuum cleaner (<NUM>) with the suction motor (<NUM>) located above the front end (<NUM>) of the energy storage unit (<NUM>) and the pistol grip handle (<NUM>) located above the rear end (<NUM>) of the energy storage unit (<NUM>).