A wand for a vacuum cleaning device comprising: a first end couplable to a vacuum unit and a second end couplable to a surface cleaning head, the wand defining an air passage extending from the first end to the second end and including a flexible air passage along at least a portion of the wand, wherein the wand includes a plurality of segments comprising a first and second rigid wand segment, and a bendable wand joint comprising a hinge and a first and a second hinge member configured to be positioned in multiple configurations, wherein the configurations include: a storage configuration in which the segments are bent relative to each other such that the vacuum unit is positioned proximate the surface cleaning head; an upright configuration wherein the segments are substantially aligned to extend straight from the surface cleaning head to the vacuum unit; and a back saver configuration wherein the segments bend relative to each other during use; a flexible tube providing the flexible air passage, the flexible tube configured to flex as said wand pivots about said hinge ; and a locking mechanism for locking the first and second rigid segments in both said upright position and said storage configuration, said locking mechanism including: a locking cavity formed in said first hinge member , and 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 to lock said bendable wand joint in said extended position, 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 and allow said bendable wand joint to move to said back saver configuration. a storage configuration in which the segments are bent relative to each other such that the vacuum unit is positioned proximate the surface cleaning head; an upright configuration wherein the segments are substantially aligned to extend straight from the surface cleaning head to the vacuum unit; and a back saver configuration wherein the segments bend relative to each other during use; a flexible tube providing the flexible air passage, the flexible tube configured to flex as said wand pivots about said hinge ; and a locking mechanism for locking the first and second rigid segments in both said upright position and said storage configuration, said locking mechanism including: a locking cavity formed in said first hinge member , and 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 to lock said bendable wand joint in said extended position, 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 and allow said bendable wand joint to move to said back saver configuration. a locking cavity formed in said first hinge member , and 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 to lock said bendable wand joint in said extended position, 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 and allow said bendable wand joint to move to said back saver configuration. <EOS>