Floor Cleaning Apparatus

Abstract

A floor cleaning apparatus comprising a steam generator 21 for providing a steam cleaning mode, a rotary brush 25 for providing a dry cleaning mode, a switch 17 operable to select the steam and/or dry cleaning mode, an upstanding handle 13, and a switch 15 disposed adjacent the upper end of the handle 13 which can be actuated to operate the cleaner in accordance with the selected mode(s). A user is thus able to operate the cleaner to provide the selected mode(s) of cleaning by actuating the switch 15 which is conveniently located on the handle 13.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A floor cleaning apparatus comprising means for providing a first cleaning mode, means for providing a second cleaning mode, a switch operable to select the first and/or second cleaning mode, an upstanding handle, and a switch disposed adjacent the upper end of the handle which can be actuated to operate the cleaner in accordance with the selected mode(s). 
     
     
         2 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the handle switch is connected in series with the mode switch and a pair of power conductors which feed power to the appliance. 
     
     
         3 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which said first mode comprises a steam-cleaning mode provided by a steam generator. 
     
     
         4 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 3 , in which a main switch is provided in series with the handle switch and the conductors, the main switch being arranged to apply power to the handle switch and to heating element of the steam generator. 
     
     
         5 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the second cleaning mode comprises a dry cleaning mode. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the mode switch comprises first and second configurations for providing the first and second modes respectively. 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 6 , in which the mode switch further comprises a third configuration for providing said first and said second modes simultaneously. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which said mode switch also actuates said main switch when at least one of the modes is selected. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the mode switch is arranged to connect a pump and/or a motor in series with the conductors in order to respectively provide said first and second modes of cleaning.