Patent ID: 7219390

Claim:
A portable surface cleaning apparatus comprising: a base module for movement along a surface; a segmented handle assembly comprising an upper handle portion removably attached to a lower handle portion, said lower handle portion pivotally attached to the base module; a debris recovery system comprising; a recovery container associated with one of the base module and segmented handle assembly; a suction nozzle associated with the base module; a working air conduit extending between the recovery container and the suction nozzle; and a vacuum source in fluid communication with the recovery container for generating a flow of working air from the suction nozzle through the working air conduit and through the recovery container to thereby draw debris from the surface to be cleaned through the suction nozzle and working air conduit and into the recovery container; the improvement comprising; said lower handle portion comprises a base section, a pivot section, and a pivot mounting, the pivot section being pivotally attached to the base section by the pivot mounting for rotation of the pivot section about the pivot mounting so that the pivot section can be pivoted to a first position toward the base section to place the portable surface cleaning apparatus into a compact configuration, and unfolded to a second, upright position to form the handle assembly for maneuvering the portable surface cleaning apparatus.