Surface cleaning apparatus

Abstract

A surface cleaning apparatus is described including a floor head, a housing supporting a suction source and a dirt collection container having an elongate axis (A). The device further includes an elongate member having an elongate axis (B), said elongate member connecting the floor head to the housing, said elongate member including a passage for carrying dirt-laden air from the floor head to the dirt collection container. The elongate axis (B) of the elongate member intersects or substantially intersects the elongate axis (A) of the dirt collection container.

1 . A surface cleaning apparatus comprising:
 a floor head;   a housing supporting
 a suction source; and 
 a dirt collection container having an elongate axis (A); 
   an elongate member having an elongate axis (B), said elongate member connecting the floor head to the housing, said elongate member including a passage for carrying dirt-laden air from the floor head to the dirt collection container; and   a user graspable handle coupled to the housing, the user graspable handle having a user-graspable portion extending substantially perpendicular to the elongate axis (A) of the dirt collection chamber,   wherein the elongate axis (B) of the elongate member intersects the elongate axis (A) of the dirt collection container.   
     
     
         2 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the elongate axis of the dirt collection container is substantially horizontal in normal use. 
     
     
         3 . A surface cleaning apparatus comprising:
 a floor head;   a housing supporting
 a suction source; 
 a dirt collection container; and 
 a cyclonic separation device for separating dirt from the airflow passing through the apparatus, said device having an elongate axis (A), 
   an elongate member having an elongate axis (B), said elongate member connecting the floor head to the housing, said elongate member including a passage for carrying dirt-laden air from the floor head to the dirt collection container, and   a user graspable handle coupled to the housing, the user graspable handle having a user-graspable portion extending substantially perpendicular to the elongate axis (A) of the cyclonic separation device,   wherein the elongate axis (B) of the elongate member intersects he elongate axis (A) of the cyclonic separation device.   
     
     
         4 . An apparatus according to  claim 3  wherein the elongate axis (A) of the cyclonic separation device is an axis substantially about which dirt-laden air is caused to rotate as it passes through the apparatus. 
     
     
         5 . An apparatus according to  claim 3  wherein the elongate axis of the cyclonic separation device is substantially horizontal in normal use. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus according to  claim 3  wherein the elongate axis of the dirt collection container is substantially horizontal in normal use. 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus according to  claim 3  wherein elongate axes of the dirt collection container and the cyclonic separation device are parallel with each other. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus according to  claim 3  wherein the housing includes or is connected to a handle for holding the apparatus. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus according to  claim 3  wherein the elongate member is disconnectable from the floor head. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus according to  claim 3  wherein the elongate member is disconnectable from the housing. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus according to  claim 3  wherein the housing is operable as a handheld surface cleaning apparatus when the elongate member and floor head are disconnected therefrom. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus according to  claim 11  wherein a tool may be connected to the housing in place of the elongate member. 
     
     
         13 . An apparatus according to  claim 3  wherein the axes A and B are perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to each other. 
     
     
         14 .- 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus according to  claim 3  wherein elongate axes of the dirt collection container and the cyclonic separation device are substantially coaxial. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus according to  claim 3  wherein elongate axes of the dirt collection container and the cyclonic separation device are coaxial.