Patent ID: 8806702

Claim:
A portable vacuum cleaner comprising: a rechargeable battery having a nominal battery voltage output at a first voltage level; a DC motor operable at a voltage level substantially equal to the first voltage level; a DC power input port for receiving DC power, the DC power input port adapted to electrically couple the vacuum cleaner alternatively to: a first a source of DC power at a first voltage output level substantially equal to the first voltage level; and a second source of DC power at a second voltage output level, the second voltage level substantially greater than the first voltage level; and a switch having four output states switchable to selectively cause four operational states, the operational states comprising: a first operational state wherein the motor will operate as powered by the battery; a second operational state wherein the motor will not operate, and the battery will not charge if coupled to the first source of DC power and the battery will charge if coupled to the second source of DC power; a third operational state wherein the motor will operate if coupled to the first source of DC power but will not operate if coupled to the second source of DC power; and a fourth operational state wherein the motor will not operate and the battery will not recharge.