INVENTORS: JASON BOYD THORNE AND THOMAS DAVID REID FORD

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of US patent application 13/713,728 which was filed on December 13, 2012, which is still pending and which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/570,573 filed on Dec. 14, 2011 , and from, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

[0002] This application relates to a surface cleaning apparatus, such as a vacuum cleaner with a handle or upright section that is pivotal sideways as well as rearwardly. In some embodiments, the upright section is moveable sideways about a pivot axis wherein the pivot axis is angled forwardly and downwardly. In other embodiments, a surface cleaning head is provided which is moveable sideways and is biased to the centered position. In other embodiments, a surface cleaning head is moveable sideways and is provided with a detent mechanism to inhibit sideways movement when in the storage position. In other embodiments, a surface cleaning apparatus is also provided which alternately uses a cleaning head adapted to receive a cloth or a traditional surface cleaning head.

INTRODUCTION

[0003] Upright vacuum cleaners are known. An upright vacuum cleaner has a surface cleaning head and an upright section moveably mounted thereto. The upright section is moveable between an upright or storage position and a rearward or in use position.

[0004] In order to assist steering the cleaning head, it is known to permit the upright section to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the upright section.

SUMMARY [0005] In accordance with a first aspect of this disclosure, there is provided a surface cleaning apparatus, which may be an upright vacuum cleaner or extractor, wherein the upright section is moveable laterally or sideways and the upright section is angled downwardly (e.g., the upright section may be pivotally mounted about a pivot axis that extends in the direction of travel and is angled downwardly). An advantage of this design is that the handle of the upright section may be useable to steer the surface cleaning head even when the upright section is reclined to a generally horizontal position.

[0006] In accordance with this aspect, there is provided a surface cleaning apparatus comprising:

(a) a main cleaning head having a front, a rear, two opposed sides extending between the front and the rear, a bottom and a dirty air inlet;

(b) an airflow path extending from the dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet;

(c) a suction motor and an air treatment member positioned in the airflow path;

(d) an upright section moveably mounted with respect to the cleaning head between a storage position and a rearward in-use position, and, (e) the upright section is also pivotally mounted for movement sideways with respect to the cleaning head between a centered position and a sideways position about a pivot axis wherein the pivot axis extends in a forward direction of motion of the cleaning head and is angled downwardly towards the front of the cleaning head.

[0007] In some embodiments, the pivot axis may be angled downwardly from a horizontal plane by about 10° to about 35° and preferably from by about 15° to about 25°.

[0008] In some embodiments, the upright section may be moveably mounted with respect to the cleaning head about a first axis of rotation, and the pivot axis is above the first axis of rotation.

[0009] In some embodiments, the first axis of rotation may be generally parallel to the front and is generally horizontally disposed when the cleaning head is positioned on a floor.

[0010] In some embodiments, the first axis of rotation may comprise a second pivot axis. [0011] In some embodiments, the apparatus may further comprise a flexible hose defining at least a portion of the airflow path that conveys dirty air past the second axis of rotation.

[0012] In some embodiments, the apparatus may further comprise a biasing member biasing the upright section towards the centered position.

[0013] In some embodiments, the biasing member may comprise at least one spring. The at least one spring may comprise a torsion spring and/or a compression spring. The at least one spring may be a single spring, two springs or more than two springs.

[0014] In some embodiments, the apparatus may further comprise a pivot limiter delimiting the sideways pivoting of the upright section to a maximum sideways pivot angle from the centered position.

[0015] In some embodiments, the apparatus may further comprise a flexible hose usable in an above floor cleaning mode and an alternate surface cleaning head comprising a base member having a lower surface, a dirty air inlet, and at least one attachment member that removably receives a cleaning sheet, wherein the alternate surface cleaning head is a selectively connectable in air flow communication with the flexible hose.

[0016] In some embodiments, the upright section may be removably mounted to the main cleaning head and is connectable to the alternate surface cleaning head when removed from the main cleaning head.

[0017] In some embodiments, the base member may comprise a front portion having the dirty air inlet and a rear portion having the at least one attachment members.

[0018] In some embodiments, the front portion may have a forward facing end and a rearward facing end, the rear portion may have a forward facing end and a rearward facing end, and the front and rear portions may be connected by a housing having an air flow conduit comprising part of the air flow passage whereby parts of the rearward facing end of the front portion are spaced from the forward facing end of the rear portion.

[0019] In accordance with a second aspect of this disclosure, there is provided a surface cleaning apparatus, which may be an upright vacuum cleaner or extractor, wherein the upright section is moveable, e.g., pivotally moveable, in a sideways or lateral direction and the upright section may be urged or biased to a centered or neutral position. An advantage of this design is that a handle attached to the upright section may be used to steer the surface cleaning head by pivoting the upright section to the left or the right. The biasing member may move, or assist in moving, the upright section to a centered position when a user removes a force urging the upright section sideways.

[0020] In accordance with this aspect, there is provided a surface cleaning head for a vacuum cleaner comprising:

(a) a base member having a lower surface, a dirty air inlet and at least one attachment member that removably receives a cleaning sheet;

(b) a support member comprising an upper support member and a lower support member, the lower support member is pivotally mounted to the base member between an upright storage position and an inclined floor cleaning position, the support member having a dirty air outlet, the upper support member is pivotally mounted for movement sideways with respect to the lower support member between a centered position and a sideways position;

(c) an air flow passage extending from the dirty air inlet to the dirty air outlet; and,

(d) a biasing member biasing the support member to the centered position.

[0021] In some embodiments, the base member may comprise a front portion having the dirty air inlet and a rear portion having the at least one attachment members.

[0022] In some embodiments, the front portion may have a forward facing end and a rearward facing end, the rear portion may have a forward facing end and a rearward facing end, and the front and rear portions may be connected by a housing having an air flow conduit comprising part of the air flow passage whereby parts of the rearward facing end of the front portion are spaced from the forward facing end of the rear portion.

[0023] In some embodiments, the base member may be provided with a first detent member and the support member is provided with a second detent member and, when the support member is in the upright storage position, the first and second detent members engage and inhibit sideways movement of the support member.

[0024] In some embodiments, the first detent member may comprise a recess and the second detent member may comprise a flange removably receivable in the recess. [0025] In some embodiments, the biasing member may comprise at least one spring. The at least one spring may comprise a torsion spring and/or a compression spring. The at least one spring may be a single spring, two springs or more than two springs.

[0026] In some embodiments, the lower support member may have a first engagement member and the upper support member may have a second engagement member, the torsion spring may have first and second arms and the first and second engagement members may be positioned between the first and second arms, the second support member may be positioned to drive one of the arms in a sideways direction when the upper support member is pivoted with respect to the lower support member and the first support member may be positioned to inhibit movement of the other one of the arms in the sideways direction when the upper support member is pivoted with respect to the lower support member.

[0027] In accordance with a third aspect of this disclosure, there is provided a surface cleaning apparatus, which may be an upright vacuum cleaner or extractor, wherein the upright section is moveable, e.g., pivotally moveable, in a sideways or lateral direction and the a limiter is provided to inhibit or prevent sideways movement of the upright section past a particular position. An advantage of this design is that the limiter may prevent excessive lateral movement of the surface cleaning head which may cause some or all of the dirty inlet to lift of the floor and thereby reduce the cleaning efficiency of the surface cleaning apparatus.

[0028] In accordance with this aspect, there is provided a surface cleaning head for a vacuum cleaner comprising:

(a) a base member having a lower surface, a dirty air inlet, at least one attachment member that removably receives a cleaning sheet and a first detent member;

(b) a support member pivotally mounted to the base member between an upright storage position and an inclined floor cleaning position, the support member having a dirty air outlet and a second detent member, the support member is pivotally mounted for movement sideways with respect to the cleaning head between a centered position and a sideways position wherein, when the support member is in the upright storage position, the first and second detent members engage and inhibit sideways movement of the support member; and,

(c) an air flow passage extending from the dirty air inlet to the dirty air outlet.

[0029] In some embodiments, the first detent member may comprise a recess and the second detent member comprises a flange removably receivable in the recess.

[0030] In some embodiments, the base member may comprise a front portion having the dirty air inlet and a rear portion having the at least one attachment members.

[0031] In some embodiments, the front portion may have a forward facing end and a rearward facing end, the rear portion may have a forward facing end and a rearward facing end, and the front and rear portions may be connected by a housing having an air flow conduit comprising part of the air flow passage whereby parts of the rearward facing end of the front portion are spaced from the forward facing end of the rear portion.

[0032] In accordance with a fourth aspect of this disclosure, there is provided a surface cleaning apparatus, which may be an upright vacuum cleaner or extractor, wherein alternate cleaning heads are provided. The surface cleaning apparatus may removably receive a main cleaning head, which may be suitable for cleaning carpet and/or a bare floor. The main cleaning head may be removed and replaced by an alternate cleaning head which removably receives a cleaning sheet. Accordingly, instead of providing a single cleaning head suitable for all uses, alternate cleaning heads may be provided which are designed for specific uses.

[0033] In accordance with this aspect, there is provided a surface cleaning apparatus comprising:

(a) a main cleaning head having a dirty air inlet;

(b) an alternate surface cleaning head comprising a base member having a lower surface, a dirty air inlet, and at least one attachment member that removably receives a cleaning sheet;

(c) an upright section moveably selectively connectable to each of the main cleaning head and the alternate surface cleaning head, the upright section being moveable between a storage position and a rearward in-use position, when mounted to each of the main cleaning head and the alternate surface cleaning head; (d) a flexible hose usable in an above floor cleaning mode and the alternate surface cleaning head is a selectively connectable in air flow communication with the flexible hose; and,

(e) a suction motor and an air treatment member positioned in an airflow path extending through the surface cleaning apparatus.

[0034] In some embodiments, the base member may comprise a front portion having the dirty air inlet and a rear portion having the at least one attachment members.

[0035] In some embodiments, the front portion may have a forward facing end and a rearward facing end, the rear portion may have a forward facing end and a rearward facing end, and the front and rear portions may be connected by a housing having an air flow conduit comprising part of the air flow passage whereby parts of the rearward facing end of the front portion are spaced from the forward facing end of the rear portion.

[0036] In accordance with a fifth aspect of this disclosure, there is provided a surface cleaning head for a surface cleaning apparatus, which may be an upright vacuum cleaner or extractor, wherein the cleaning head is moveable or pivotal sideways and uses a torsion spring to provide a force urging or driving the upright section to a centered position. An advantage of this design is that the hand weight felt by a user moving the upright section to the centered position may be reduced or eliminated thereby improving the steerablility of the surface cleaning head.

[0037] In accordance with this aspect, there is provided a surface cleaning head for a vacuum cleaner comprising:

(a) a base member having a lower surface, a dirty air inlet and at least one attachment member that removably receives a cleaning sheet;

(b) a support member comprising an upper support member and a lower support member, the lower support member is pivotally mounted to the base member between an upright storage position and an inclined floor cleaning position, the support member having a dirty air outlet, the upper support member is pivotally mounted for movement sideways with respect to the lower support member between a centered position and a sideways position; (c) an air flow passage extending from the dirty air inlet to the dirty air outlet; and, (d) a torsion spring biasing the support member to the centered position, wherein the lower support member comprises a first engagement member and the upper support member has a second engagement member, the torsion spring has first and second arms and the first and second engagement members are positioned between the first and second arms, the second support member is positioned to drive one of the arms in a sideways direction when the upper support member is pivoted with respect to the lower support member and the first support member is positioned to inhibit movement of the other one of the arms in the sideways direction when the upper support member is pivoted with respect to the lower support member.

[0038] It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that a surface cleaning apparatus may embody any one or more of the aspects or features contained herein and that the features may be used in any particular combination or sub-combination.

DRAWINGS

[0039] 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. [0040] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner in a storage position;

[0041] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1 in a centered position and a rearward in use position;

[0042] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1 in a sideways pivoted position and a rearward in use position;

[0043] FIG. 4 is a cross section along line 4-4 in FIG. 1 of the vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1 in a centered position wherein the biasing member is a compression spring;

[0044] FIG. 4a is a schematic drawing of an alternate embodiment of Figure 4 in a centered position wherein the biasing member is a torsion spring;

[0045] FIG. 5 is a cross section along line 4-4 in FIG. 1 of the vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1 in a sideways pivoted position; [0046] FIG. 5a is a schematic drawing of an alternate embodiment of Figure 4a in a sideways pivoted position;

[0047] FIG. 6 is a cross section along line 4-4 in FIG. 1 of the vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1 in a centered position showing the flexible hose;

[0048] FIG. 7 is a partially exploded view of area A of FIG. 1 ;

[0049] FIGS. 8A-8D are each a cross section along line 4-4 in FIG. 1 of the vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1 in a centered position and the selector in a different position;

[0050] Figure 9 is a side elevation view of an alternate embodiment of a vacuum cleaner in a storage position;

[0051] Figure 10 is a side elevation view of the alternate embodiment of a vacuum cleaner in an in use position wherein the upright section extends horizontally;

[0052] Figure 11 is a front perspective view of an alternate floor cleaning tool which includes a suction inlet and a hard floor cleaning cloth;

[0053] Figure 12 is a bottom plan view of the alternate floor cleaning tool of Figure 11 ;

[0054] Figure 13 is a front perspective view of the alternate floor cleaning tool of Figure with the hard floor cleaning cloth removed;

[0055] Figure 14 is a bottom perspective view of the alternate floor cleaning tool of Figure 11 with the hard floor cleaning cloth removed;

[0056] Figure 15 is a perspective view of the cleaning surface of the hard floor cleaning cloth

[0057] Figure 16 is a front perspective view of an alternate floor cleaning tool of Figure 11 with the support member pivoted sideways;

[0058] Figure 17 is a rear perspective view of an alternate floor cleaning tool of Figure 11 with the support member pivoted sideways;

[0059] Figure 18 is a front perspective view of the top of a further alternate surface cleaning head having a sideways movement inhibiting detent mechanism wherein the alternate surface cleaning head is in the upright storage position and the detent mechanism is engaged; and,

[0060] Figure 19 is a front perspective view of the alternate surface cleaning head of Figure 18 is an in use position and the detent mechanism is disengaged. DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

[0061] Numerous embodiments are described in this application, and are presented for illustrative purposes only. The described embodiments are not intended to be limiting in any sense. No embodiment described below limits any claimed apparatus or method and any claimed apparatus or method may cover methods or apparatuses that differ from those described herein. Those skilled in the art will recognize that any of the embodiments may be practiced with modification and alteration without departing from the teachings disclosed herein. Although particular features of the present invention may be described with reference to one or more particular embodiments or figures, it should be understood that such features are not limited to usage in the one or more particular embodiments or figures with reference to which they are described. Any embodiment described below that is not claimed in this document may be the subject matter of another protective instrument, for example, a continuing patent application, and the applicants, inventors or owners do not intend to abandon, disclaim or dedicate to the public any such invention by its disclosure in this document

[0062] The terms "an embodiment," "embodiment," "embodiments," "the embodiment," "the embodiments," "one or more embodiments," "some embodiments," and "one embodiment" mean "one or more (but not all) embodiments of the present invention(s)," unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0063] The terms "including," "comprising" and variations thereof mean "including but not limited to," unless expressly specified otherwise. A listing of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms "a," "an" and "the" mean "one or more," unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0064] FIGS. 1-3 exemplify an upright surface cleaning apparatus. In the present example the upright surface cleaning apparatus is an upright vacuum cleaner 100 comprising an upright section 110 movably moveably mounted with respect to the main cleaning head 120 between a storage position and a rearward in-use position. [0065] Upright section 1 10 may be connected to cleaning head 120 via a coupling portion 130. In alternate embodiments the upright surface cleaning apparatus may be a shampooing carpet cleaner, steam cleaner or other apparatus generally comprising an upright section movably connected to a cleaning head via a coupling portion.

[0066] The term coupling portion is used to generally describe elements of the vacuum cleaner 100 that are associated with a region where the upright section 110 is joined to the cleaning head 120 and is not limited to any particular embodiment or assembly of parts. The coupling portion 130 may include multiple structural components or portions of one or both of the upright section 110 and the cleaning head 120 as well as additional elements described in more detail below.

[0067] As exemplified, the main cleaning head 120 comprises a dirty air inlet 140 for sucking in air with entrained dirt from the surface being cleaned. The cleaning head 120 has a front 160, a rear 170, two opposed sides 180, 190 extending between front 16 and rear 170 and a bottom 195. In the example shown, the cleaning head 120 has a generally cuboid shape with parallel opposed sides 180, 190 and parallel opposed front and rear ends 160, 170. It will be appreciated that the cleaning head may take any suitable regular or irregular form such as a wedge shape or the shape of an extruded triangle which may permit the cleaning head 120 to clean in hard to reach places. Dirty air inlet 140 may be provided in bottom 195 proximate front 160.

[0068] In the example shown, the vacuum cleaner 100 includes a pair of rear wheels 150, for rollably engaging the surface being cleaned (e.g., floor 102). In some examples, the vacuum cleaner 100 may include additional support wheels (e.g., a pair of front wheels). In other examples, the vacuum cleaner 100 may include sliding pads instead of or in addition to wheels. In some embodiments, the wheels may be removably attachable which may permit entangled fibers and hair to be cleared from their axles.

[0069] An airflow path extends from the dirty air inlet 140 to the clean air outlet 145. The clean air outlet may be located in the upright section 110, in the cleaning head 120 or elsewhere on the vacuum cleaner 100 as is known in the art. Preferably, the clean air outlet is provided in upright section 110.

[0070] Figures 11 - 15 exemplify an alternate surface cleaning head 1600 and a cleaning cloth that may be removably attached to alternate surface cleaning head 1600. This alternate cleaning head may be useable to clean a hard or bare floor (i.e., a floor or surface which is not covered with carpet or a rug). Alternate surface cleaning head 1600 may be useable in place of main cleaning head 120. For example, upright section 1209 may be removably mounted to main cleaning head 120. Accordingly, upright section 1 19 may be removed from main cleaning head 120 and connected to alternate cleaning head 1600. As such, upright section 110 is selective connectable to main cleaning head 120 and alternate cleaning head 1600. Alternately, or in addition, the vacuum cleaner 100 may have an above floor cleaning mode (e.g., it may be provided with a flexible hose 1 12 and a wand 114 as exemplified in Figure 9). Wand 1 14 may be have a lower or inlet end that is secured, e.g., to the support member and removable therefrom. When removed, the inlet end may have a cleaning tool provided thereon. Accordingly, alternate cleaning head 1600 may be selectively connected to the wand and/or hose for use in the above floor cleaning mode (e.g., the inlet end of wand 1 14).

[0071 ] In the example shown, surface cleaning head 1600 comprises a base member 1602 and a support member 1606 pivotally mounted to base member 1602. Base member 1062 has a lower surface 1604 and a dirty air inlet 1 16 in air flow communication with an up flow conduit 1608. As shown, base member 1062 may include a front portion 1608 and a rear portion 1612. Front portion 1608 may be provided with dirty air inlet 1 16. A cleaning member, that may be a discrete cleaning sheet 1614 may be mounted, and preferably removably mounted, preferably rearward of dirty air inlet 1 16, such as on rear portion 1612. Support member 1606 may be any support member known in the art, such as lower support member 270.

[0072] As exemplified in Figure 13, front portion 1604 may have a forward facing end 1604a and a rearward facing end 1604b. Similarly, rear portion 1612 may have a forward facing end 1612a and a rearward facing end 1612b. Front and rear portions 1604, 1612 are connected by a housing 1610 having an air flow conduit comprising part of the air flow passage from the dirty air inlet of alternate cleaning head 1600 to the dirty air outlet 1626 of the alternate cleaning head 1600. Accordingly parts of the rearward facing end of the front portion are spaced from the forward facing end of the rear portion. [0073] Cleaning sheet 1614 may be any cleaning sheet known in the art, such as an electrostatic cleaning sheet, and may be disposable or reusable (e.g., washable). Cleaning sheet may be useable by itself or with a liquid applied to the floor.

[0074] Cleaning sheet 1614 may be securable to cleaning head 1600 by any means known in the art, such as mechanical engagement members (e.g., hook and loop fasteners) an adhesive and the like. As exemplified, sheet 1614 and cleaning head 1600 may be provided with engagement members such as hook and loop fasteners (e.g., sheet 1614 may be provided with hook fasteners 1620 and the upper surface of sheet mounting portion 1624 of cleaning head 1600 may be provided with loop fasteners 1622 that are engageable with hook fasteners 1624 Alternately or in addition, sheet 1614 may be provided with tabs 1616 and 1618, which may be securable to each other be, e.g., mechanical engagement members (e.g., such as by hook and loop fasteners). For example, tab 1616 may be provided with hook fasteners and tabs 1618 may be provided with loop fasteners engageable with the hook fasteners of tab 1616. Tabs 1616 and 1618 may be wrapped around sheet mounting portion 1624 and secured together so as to secure, or assist in securing cleaning sheet 1614 to cleaning 1600.

[0075] The vacuum cleaner 100 of FIGS. 1 -3 includes a suction motor (not shown) and an air treatment member (not shown) which are positioned in the airflow path between the dirty air inlet 140 and the clean air outlet 145. The suction motor and the air treatment member may be located in one or both of the upright section 1 10, the cleaning head 120 or elsewhere on the vacuum cleaner 100. For example, the suction motor may be located in the cleaning head 120 which may reduce the weight of the upright section 1 10 or it may be located in the upright section 1 10 which may reduce the bulk of the cleaning head 120

[0076] In alternate embodiments, the vacuum cleaner 100 may use an external source of suction. In this alternative, the vacuum cleaner 100 may not include one or more of a suction motor and an air treatment member. This may beneficially reduce the weight and bulk of the vacuum cleaner 100. For example, the vacuum cleaner 100 may be configured to connect to a central vacuum system which provides a source of suction and air treatment. In this example, the upright section 1 10 may generally comprises a handle 198 and a shaft 199 connected to the cleaning head 120 via the coupling portion 130. [0077] The air treatment member may be any suitable air treatment member. For example, the air treatment member may be a HEPA filter, a carbon filter, one or more cyclonic separator stages, each of which may comprise one or more cyclone separators, a foam filter, a bag filter or a combination thereof. The air treatment member may comprise a single unit at one position along the airflow path or it may comprise disparate components at different positions along the airflow path. For example, the air treatment member may include a cyclonic separator in the upright section 1 10 and a filter at clean air outlet 145.

[0078] Upright section 1 10 may be of any design known in the art and preferably houses both the air treatment member or members and the suction motor. As exemplified, upright section extends linearly and has a longitudinal axis 155 (See FIG. 2).

[0079] The upright section 110 is movably connected to the cleaning head 120 such that the upright section 1 10 can be moved between an upright, storage position (as exemplified in FIG. 1 ) and a rearward in-use or declined or floor cleaning position (as exemplified in FIG. 2). The upright section 1 10 may be rotatably mounted to cleaning head 120 by any means known in the art about a first axis of rotation 200. Preferably, the upright section 1 10 is pivotally mounted to the cleaning head 120 in which case the first axis of rotation 200 is a pivot axis defined by, e.g. one or more pivot axles.

[0080] In some embodiments, the vacuum cleaner 100 may include a lock which inhibits rearward tilting of the upright section 1 10 when the upright section 110 is in the storage position. In the example shown, the cleaning head 120 includes a lock release control 204 which may be pressed to disengage the lock and permit the upright section 1 10 to tilt rearwardly into the in-use position. Alternatively, or in addition, the lock may disengage automatically when the upright section 1 10 is pulled towards the in-use position with a sufficient amount of force. For example, the coupling portion 130 may include a detent plate which a support member engages when moved to the storage position. A threshold amount of force may be required to disengage the detent plate to obtain free the rearward tilting of the upright section 1 10.

[0081] The upright section 1 10 is also pivotally mounted for movement sideways with respect to the cleaning head 120 between a centered position (as exemplified in FIGS. 1 and 2) and a sideways position (as exemplified in FIG. 3). Preferably, the upright section 110 pivots sideways with respect to the cleaning head 120 about a second axis of rotation 210, which may also be referred to as a pivot axis. Preferably, the second axis of rotation 210 is generally perpendicular to the first axis of rotation 200. In some embodiments as exemplified in Figure 9, pivot axis 210 extends in a forward direction of motion (see arrow A in Figure 9) of the cleaning head and is angled downwardly towards the front of the cleaning head. Pivot axis 210 may be angled downwardly from a horizontal plane by an angle 212 of from about 10° to about 35°, preferably from about 15° to about 25°, more preferably from about 18° to about 22° and most preferably about 20°. An advantage of this design is that when upright section 1 10 is in an in use position, such as inclined to extend about horizontally behind cleaning head 120 (see for example Figure 10), a user may still pivot the upright section sideways about pivot axis 210 so as to steer cleaning head 120. As exemplified, pivot axis 210 is located above the first axis of rotation 200.

[0082] As exemplified, the centered position is one in which the upright section 1 10 extends linearly upwardly from the cleaning head 120. For example, if the upright section 110 is mounted to the cleaning head along a center line of the cleaning head 120 (i.e. a line extending between the front 160 and rear 170 midway between sides 180, 190), then the upright section 110 preferably extends upwardly such that the upright section 1 10 is centered above that line. For example axis 155 of upright section 1 10 preferably is in a plane defined by the horizontal and vertical axis in a sideways position, the upright section is moved laterally such that axis 155 is no longer in a plane defined by the horizontal and vertical axis, e.g., it is at an angle other than 90 degrees to axis 210.

[0083] In the example shown, the first axis of rotation 200 is spaced apart from the second axis of rotation 210. Preferably, the second axis of rotation 210 is above the first axis of rotation 200. In alternate embodiments, the first axis of rotation 200 may substantially intersect the second axis of rotation 210. For example, the coupling portion 130 may comprise a universal joint or ball joint configured to permit the upright section 1 10 to pivot only in the two axes about a central point. In another alternate embodiment, the first axis of rotation 200 may be above the second axis of rotation 210.

[0084] Preferably, the upright section 1 10 can tilt rearwardly and pivot sideways independently. As exemplified in FIGS. 2 and 3, the upright section 1 10 can pivot sideways without changing the rearward inclination angle 220, without twisting the upright section 110 and without turning or otherwise moving the cleaning head 120.

[0085] Alternately, the rearward tilt and sideways pivot of the upright section 1 10 may be interrelated. For example, the sideways pivoting of the upright section 1 10 may be inhibited when the upright section 1 10 is in the storage position (as exemplified in FIG. 1 ) and uninhibited when the upright section 1 10 is in the in-use position. In the example shown, the lock release control 204 may be configured to both unlock the rearward tilting and the sideways pivoting of the upright section 1 10. Alternatively or in addition, the rearward tilt of the upright section 1 10 may be inhibited when the upright section 1 10 is in a sideways position and uninhibited when the upright section 1 10 is in the centered position.

[0086] The axis of rotation 200 may be movable with respect to the cleaning head 120. In the example shown, the first axis of rotation 200 is fixed with respect to the cleaning head 120 and is preferably generally parallel to the front 160. In contrast, the exemplary second axis of rotation 210 moves rearwardly with respect to the cleaning head 120 as the upright section 1 10 is reclined and the rearward inclination angle 220 (which is the angle between the horizontal plane and axis 155) changes.

[0087] The axis of rotation 210 may be movable with respect to the cleaning head 120. For example, in FIG. 1 the vacuum cleaner 100 is in the storage position and the second axis of rotation 210 is generally horizontal or parallel to a forward direction 230 of movement. In contrast, in FIG. 3 the vacuum cleaner 100 is in the in-use position and the second axis of rotation 210 is tilted upwardly.

[0088] FIGS. 4 and 5 show an example of a coupling portion 130. In the example shown, the coupling portion 130 includes a first pivot 240, a second pivot 250, an upper support member 260 and a lower support member 270. Portions of the coupling portion 130 may form part of the upright section 1 10, the cleaning head 120 or neither. For example, the lower support member 270 may form part of the cleaning head 120 and the upper support member 260 may form part of the upright section 1 10. Preferably, the upper support member 260 is at least connected to the upright member 1 10 for movement therewith and the lower support member 270 is at least connected to the cleaning head 120 for movement therewith. [0089] In the example shown, the first pivot 240 of the coupling portion 130 permits the upright section 110 to rotate about the second axis of rotation 210 (for sideways pivoting of the upright section 110) and the second pivot 250 permits the upright section 110 to rotate about the first axis of rotation 200 (for rearward tilting of the upright section 1 10).

[0090] The lower support member 270 may be pivotally connected with the cleaning head 120 by any suitable means. In the example shown, the lower support member 270 includes the second pivot 250 which includes recesses 280 (e.g. with circular cross sections) that are configured to receive mating protrusions (not shown) from the cleaning head 120. In an alternative example, the lower support member 270 may instead include protrusions which mate with recesses in the cleaning head 120. In some embodiments, the second pivot 250 may comprise an axle (not shown) which extends through both recesses 280 and the rear wheels 150. The axle may facilitate both the rotation of the upright section 1 10 and the wheels 150. [0091] In the example shown, the upper support member 260 is pivotally connected to the lower support member 270 at the first pivot 240. It will be appreciated that the first pivot 240 may be configured in any suitable way. For example, the first pivot 240 may comprise one or more protrusions from the upper support member 260 which mate with corresponding recesses in the lower support member 270. Alternatively, the first pivot 240 may comprise protrusions from the lower support member 270 which mate with corresponding recesses in the upper support member 260 or a rod connecting the support members 260, 270 together.

[0092] The vacuum cleaner 100 may include a biasing member for biasing the sideways tilting of the upright section 1 10 towards the centered position. As exemplified in Figures 4 and 5, the upright section 110 of the coupling portion 130 includes a sleeve 290 with a compression spring 300. When upright section 1 10 is pivoted sideways in one direction, sleeve 290 rotates about upper end 310 of support 270. This rotation drives sleeve 290 into support 260 thereby compressing spring 300. The compression spring 300 generates an axial force urging the sleeve 290 against the upper edge 310 of support 270. This urges upright section towards the centered position. It will be appreciated that by adjusting the strength of spring 300 more or less axial force may be created. This axial force and also offset some or all of the hand weight that is resolved in the sideways direction.

[0093] Alternatively or in addition, the biasing member may comprise a torsion spring at the first pivot 240. The torsion spring would provide a torsional counter-force which resists the sideways pivoting of the upper support member 260 (along with the upright section 1 10). Effectively, the torsion spring would bias the upright section 1 10 to the centered position where the torque produced by the torsion spring is null.

[0094] For example, as schematically illustrated in Figures 4a and 5a a torsion spring 300a is provided. Torsion spring is provided with a pair of arms 302, 304. Upper support 260 is provided with one or more members that engage and are positioned between arms 302, 304, such as one or more ribs 306. Similarly, lower support 270 is provided with one or more members that engage and are positioned between arms 302, 304, such as one or more ribs 308. Ribs 306 and 308 may be positioned one above the other in an aligned manner as exemplified in Figure 4a. Further, torsion spring may be designed to exert an inward force on each of arms 302, 304 when they extend generally upwardly as exemplified in Figure 4a. In such an embodiment, arms 302, 304 may be urged against ribs 306, 308 when the upright section 1 10 is in the centered position so as to maintain upright section 1 10 in the centered position when no external force is applied to upright section 10. It will be appreciated that if arms 302, 304 are slightly spaced from ribs 306, 308 when upright section 1 10 is in the centered position, they may still provide a force to drive or urge upright section 1 10 to the centered position. Accordingly, in some embodiments, arms 302, 304 need not engage ribs 306, 308 when upright section 1 10 is in the centered position. [0095] When upright section 1 10 is pivoted or moved sideways as exemplified in Figure 5a, rib 304 on upper section 260 engages arm 302 and drives arm downwardly. At the same time, rib 308 on lower section 270 remains in position. Therefore, rib 308 inhibits arm 304 from moving with arm 302. Accordingly, the torsional force in spring 300a increases as upright section 1 10 pivots sideways. When the sideways force is withdrawn, the torsional force in spring 300a may be sufficient to move upright section 1 10 to the centered position exemplified in Figure 4a. It will be appreciated that the torsional force in spring 300a may not be sufficient to move upright section 1 10 to the centered position. In such a case, the torsional force in spring 300a will assist a user in moving the upright section to the centered position. [0096] It will be appreciated that the biasing member, such as compression spring 300 or torsion spring 300a, may be a single spring, two springs or any number of springs.

[0097] If the air treatment member is in upright section 1 10, then the dirty air must be conveyed upwardly thereto. The airflow path may be internal or external to the coupling portion 130. For example, a conduit, such as a flexible hose, may extend from cleaning head 120 to the treatment member external to the supports 260, 270. Alternately, the air flow path may extend through one or both of supports 260, 270. In one embodiment, supports 260, 270 may define a portion of the air flow path. Accordingly, pivot 240 should provide an airtight seal. In another embodiment, a separate member may extend though supports 260, 270 and define a portion of the airflow path. For example, as exemplified in FIG. 6, a flexible hose 320 defines at least a portion of the airflow path which conveys dirty air from the dirty air inlet past the second axis of rotation 210 towards the air treatment member.

[0098] Accordingly, one or both of the upper and lower support members 260, 270 may be substantially hollow. Support members may be of any hollow design provided that they have sufficient load strength to support upright section 1 10. Preferably, they comprise a tubular conduit through which the flexible hose 320 may pass. In the example shown, both of the upper and lower support members 260 and 270 are hollow and the flexible hose 320 passes by the second axis of rotation 210 through the interior of both support members 260, 270. [0099] In alternative embodiments, the flexible hose 320 may extend around the exterior of one or more of the upper and lower support members 260, 270. In another alternative, the upper and lower support members 260, 270 may be hollow but only partially enclosed. That is at least a portion of the interior of the support member may be exposed to the outside by an opening in a sidewall of the support member. In this alternative, the flexible hose 320 can pass through the interior of the support members 260, 270 with a portion of the flexible hose 320 being exposed to the exterior.

[00100] Alternatively, the portion of the airflow path which extends past the second axis of rotation 210 may not include a flexible hose. For example, the upper and lower support members 260, 270 may themselves form a substantially air tight conduit for conveying dirty air from the dirty air inlet towards the air treatment member.

[00101] In a further alternative, the portion of the airflow path from the dirty air inlet towards the air treatment member may not pass by the second axis of rotation 210. For example, where the vacuum cleaner 100 is connected to a central vacuum system, a hose may extend from the cleaning head 120 along the floor towards a connection to the central vacuum system.

[00102] The vacuum cleaner 100 may include a pivot limiter 330 delimiting the sideways pivoting of the upright section to a maximum sideways pivot angle from the centered position. Accordingly, when the vacuum cleaner 100 is in use, the user may pivot the upright section 110 sideways. However, the angle to which the upright section may be moved is preferably limited. Optionally, the pivot limiter may be configured to provide a plurality of different maximum sideways pivot angles.

[00103] It will be appreciated that the pivot limiter 330 may take any suitable form. In general, any portion which is configured to be abutted at the maximum pivot angle, preventing further sideways pivoting, can operate as a pivot limiter. For example, as exemplified by FIG. 5, when the upright section 1 10 is pivoted sideways, the side wall 350 of the upper support member 260 approaches the side wall 360 of the lower support member 270 (the pivot limiter in this example) until they abut at the maximum pivot angle 340 inhibiting further sideways pivoting in that direction. Accordingly, any tow interacting members may be utilized.

[00104] In some embodiments, the pivot limiter 330 may be adjustable and comprise a selector 370 for setting the maximum pivot angle. For example, the pivot limiter 330 may comprise a plurality of first interacting members and one of the support members 260, 270 may comprise a second interacting member, and one of the first interacting members and the second interacting member abut when the upright section 1 10 is positioned at a set variable maximum sideways pivot angle. A selector 370 that is adjustable to select one of the plurality of maximum sideways pivot angles may be provided in such an embodiment. The selector 370 may be part of the pivot limiter. For example, the pivot limiter may itself be moveable, e.g., rotatable so as enable a user to selectively align different first interacting members with the second interacting member. Alternately, the selector may comprise the second interacting member and the selector is moveable to selectively align the second interacting member with different first interacting members.

[00105] FIG. 7 and FIGS. 8A to 8D show a partially exploded and cut away view of part of an exemplary coupling portion 130 including a selector 370 for selecting the maximum pivot angle 340 and a pivot limiter 330. Pivot limiter 330 comprises a plurality of different recesses, slots or first interacting members 390. Selector 370 includes a stop, inward protrusion or second interacting member 380.

[00106] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 6, when the upright section 1 10 is in the centered position, sliding sleeve 290 rests on the top of support 270 and stop 380 is spaced from an aligned recess 390. When the upright section 1 10 is pivoted sideways, the sleeve 290 rises inside of the upper support member 260 as sleeve 290 cams over the top of support 270 to the position shown in FIG. 5 in which it abuts the stop 380 at the maximum pivot angle 340, thereby inhibiting further sideways pivoting in that direction.

[00107] In this configuration, when the upright section 1 10 is pivoted sideways, the sliding sleeve 290 is free to slide upwardly until the interacting member 380 abuts the interacting member 390 with which it is aligned. It will be appreciated that when stop 380 engages a recess 390, the sideways movement of upright section 110 will be terminated thereby defining a maximum sideways pivot angle.

[00108] One or both of the selector 370 and pivot limiter 330, and preferably the selector, is movable to selectively align the interacting member 380 with one of the plurality of interacting members 390. It will be appreciated that one of the selector 370 and pivot limiter 330 may be provided on one of supports 260 and 270 and the other of the selector 370 and pivot limiter 330 may be provided on the other support 260, 270. As exemplified, preferably, the selector 370 is rotatably mounted to the upper support member 260 and pivot limiter is provided on lower support 270. [00109] It will be appreciated that the selector 370 and the interacting members 380, 390 may be provided at any suitable location in the vacuum cleaner 100. In the example shown, the interacting members 390 are provided in the sliding sleeve 290 below the selector 370. In alternate examples, however, the selector 370 may be integrated with the sliding sleeve 290 and the upper support member 260, above the sliding sleeve 290, may instead comprise the interacting members 390.

[00110] In any case, a portion of the selector 370 should preferably be directly or indirectly accessible from the outside of the vacuum cleaner 100 such that a user may move it to select a maximum pivot angle 340. [001 1 1] FIGS. 8A to 8D exemplify the use of selector 330 to set different maximum sideways pivot angles. In FIG. 8A, the greatest of the selectable maximum pivot angles 340 is selected. That is, interacting member 380 is aligned with the interacting member 390 that is the furthest away such that the sliding sleeve 290 has the greatest range of motion before the interacting member 380 abuts with an interacting member 390. [00112] FIG. 8D shows the selector 370 configured as a pivot lock. The selector 370 is positioned such that the interacting member 380 abuts an interacting member 390 when the upright section 1 10 is in the centered position. Accordingly, the upright section 1 10 is inhibited from pivoting sideways because any sideways pivoting would require the sliding sleeve 290 to rise and the sliding sleeve 290 is blocked from moving by the abutment of the interacting members 380, 390.

[00113] It will be appreciated that the pivot limiter 330 and selector 370 may take any suitable form. For example, the selector 370 may be configured with a plurality of recesses which may be moved to align with a singular protrusion positioned on the sliding sleeve 290. Alternatively, the selector 370 may be configured with a plurality of protrusions which may be moved to align with a single recess in the sliding sleeve 290. In another alternative, the selector 370 may be configured with a plurality of protrusions which may be moved to align with a protrusion on the sliding sleeve 290. In still another alternative, the selector 370 may be configured with a single protrusion configured to align above a wide continuously sloped recess (instead of the stepped configuration of interacting members 390 as shown) which may provide for a virtually unlimited selection of maximum pivot angles 340 within a range.

[001 14] It will be appreciated that, as exemplified in Figures 16 and 17, alternate cleaning head 1600 may also be pivoted sideways. Alternate cleaning head may utilize any of the features described with respect to main cleaning head 120. Alternately, or in addition, alternate cleaning head 1600 may be provided with first and second detent members that engage and inhibit sideways movement of the support member. It will be appreciated that this feature may be used with main cleaning head 120.

[001 15] As exemplified in Figures 18 and 19, base member 1602 has a support member 1606 moveably mounted thereto (such as by a pivot 240). Support member 1606 may be any support member known in the art, such as lower support member 270. Support member 1606 is provided with a first detent member 1630 and base member 1602 is provided with a second detent member 1632. Detent members 1630, 1632 may be of any shape that will abut or engage when upright section 1 10 is in the upright storage position and a sideways force is applied thereto. This abutment or engagement will inhibit and, preferably, prevent sideways movement of upright section 1 10 with respect to base 1602.

[001 16] When upright section 1 10 is in the storage position as exemplified in Figure 18, first and second detent members 1630, 1632 engage and inhibit sideways movement of the support member. For example, first detent member 1630 may be a flange, protrusion or the like having first and second laterally spaced apart sides 1634, 1636. Second detent member 1632 may be a recess having first and second laterally spaced apart sides 1638, 1640. When side 1636 engages side 1640, sideways movement of the upright section is inhibited. Similarly, when side 1634 engages side 1638, sideways movement of the upright section in the opposite lateral direction is also inhibited. [00117] When upright section 1 10 is moved rearwardly, first detent member 1630 disengages from second detent member 1632 (see Figure 19). Once this occurs, upright section may be moved sideways and used to steer the surface cleaning head.

[00118] It will be appreciated that upright section may be configured to steer surface cleaning head 1600 other than by pivoting. For example, it may be rotationally mounted about an axis extending along the length of the upright section or by any other means known in the art. In any such embodiment, the detent mechanism disclosed herein may be used.

[00119] While the above description provides examples of the embodiments, it will be appreciated that some features and/or functions of the described embodiments are susceptible to modification without departing from the spirit and principles of operation of the described embodiments. Accordingly, what has been described above has been intended to be illustrative of the invention and non-limiting and it will be understood by persons skilled in the art that other variants and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims appended hereto. The scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments and examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.