Upright-type cleaning appliances

Abstract

A cleaning appliance of the upright type having a cleaning head movable over a floor surface and a body connected to the head, wherein there is provided a means for detecting the attitude of the head and a switch means operable to prevent operation of at least an agitating means, if present, of the appliance if the head assumes an attitude different from a normal operational attitude thereof by more than a predetermined amount.

1 - 13 . (canceled) 
   
   
       14 . An upright cleaning appliance comprising:
 a cleaning head movable over a floor surface comprising an agitator, a detector that detects the attitude of the head, and a switch operable to prevent operation of the agitator when the head assumes a predetermined different attitude than a normal operational attitude by at least a predetermined amount; and   a body connected to the head.   
   
   
       15 . The cleaning appliance of  claim 14 , wherein the switch prevents operation of a source of suction of the appliance when the head assumes the predetermined different attitude. 
   
   
       16 . The cleaning appliance of  claim 14 , wherein the predetermined different attitude of the head from its normal operational attitude is substantially the same in a forward inclination, a rearward inclination, and a lateral inclination with respect to an axis perpendicular to the head. 
   
   
       17 . The cleaning appliance of  claim 14 , wherein the predetermined different attitude in a forward inclination and a rearward inclination with respect to an axis perpendicular to the head is different than the predetermined attitude in a lateral inclination with respect to the axis perpendicular to the head. 
   
   
       18 . The cleaning appliance of  claim 14 , wherein the switch is operable at an inclination of the head of about 30° from its normal operational attitude. 
   
   
       19 . The cleaning appliance of  claim 14 , wherein the detector means comprises at least one tilt-sensitive switch. 
   
   
       20 . The cleaning appliance of  claim 19 , wherein the at least one tilt-sensitive switch is disposed in the head. 
   
   
       21 . The cleaning appliance of  claim 19 , wherein the at least one tilt-sensitive switch is disposed in the body. 
   
   
       22 . The cleaning appliance of  claim 14 , wherein the switch is operable to prevent operation of the appliance when the body is set in an upright orientation relative to the head of the appliance. 
   
   
       23 . The cleaning appliance of  claim 22 , wherein the switch is not operable to prevent operation of the appliance when the body is in an inclined position. 
   
   
       24 . The cleaning appliance of  claim 14 , wherein the cleaning appliance is a vacuum cleaner. 
   
   
       25 . The cleaning appliance of  claim 14 , wherein the cleaning appliance is an extractor-type carpet cleaner. 
   
   
       26 . A cleaning apparatus comprising:
 a head movable over a horizontal surface comprising a brush rotatably mounted to a body and a sensor operatively engaged with the head, and capable of detecting the orientation of the cleaning head with respect to the horizontal surface; and   a motor electrically connected with the sensor and mechanically operable with the brush, wherein the sensor selectively prevents rotation of the brush when the sensor detects a predetermined angle of the head with respect to the horizontal surface.   
   
   
       27 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein the sensor comprises a first sensor that detects the orientation of the head in a forward direction from the head. 
   
   
       28 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein the sensor comprises a second sensor that detects the orientation of the head in a first lateral direction from the head. 
   
   
       29 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein the predetermined angle is greater than about 30 degrees from the horizontal surface. 
   
   
       30 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 26 , further comprising a body pivotably mounted to the head between an upright position substantially perpendicular to the head and an inclined position at an oblique angle to the head. 
   
   
       31 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein the sensor only selectively prevents rotation of the brush when the body is in the upright position. 
   
   
       32 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein the sensor prevents operation of the motor when the sensor detects a predetermined angle of the head with respect to the horizontal surface. 
   
   
       33 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein the sensor is mounted within the body. 
   
   
       34 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein the first sensor detects the orientation of the head in a direction opposite the forward direction. 
   
   
       35 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 28 , wherein the second sensor detects the orientation of the head in a second lateral direction from the head opposite the first lateral direction.