Patent ID: 8287655

Claim:
A method of cleaning dirt and debris from surfaces using a cleaning device, said cleaning device comprising: a body portion comprising: a first end portion comprising a first lockable mating connecting element; a second end portion comprising a second lockable mating connecting element; a filter compartment being disposed between said first end portion and said second end portion; a motor being configured to generate a suction; said second end portion configured to receive a floor cleaning attachment; a steering rod being connected to said first end portion; a handle unit comprising a first handle end, a second handle end, and an elongated handle portion; said first handle end being lockably connected to said first lockable mating connecting element, and said second handle end being lockably connected to said second lockable mating connecting element, to lockably connect said handle unit to said body portion to permit carrying of the entire cleaning device by a user solely by grasping said elongated handle portion of said handle unit; a hose configured and disposed to connect said first end portion of said body portion to said handle unit to permit flow of air from said handle unit to said first end portion of said body portion; said handle ends detachable from said lockable mating connecting elements to permit a user to remove dirt and debris from a surface through said handle unit; said handle ends, upon said handle unit being attached to said body portion, being configured to project away from said end portions of said body portion, such that a space is formed between and defined by said handle ends, said elongated handle portion, and said filter compartment, which space is sufficient to permit insertion of a hand of a user between said elongated handle portion and said filter compartment; and said method comprising: detaching said handle ends from said lockable mating connecting elements and thus from said end portions of said cleaning device; activating said motor and generating a suction; removing dirt or debris from a surface by conducting dirt or debris through an opening in said second handle end, then conducting the air with said dirt and debris through said elongated handle portion, then through said first handle end, then through said first end portion of said body portion, and then into said filter compartment; reattaching said handle ends to said lockable mating connecting elements and thus to said end portions of said cleaning device; and grasping solely said elongated handle portion by inserting a hand of a user through said space between said handle unit and said filter compartment, and then lifting and carrying said cleaning device solely by said handle unit.