Vacuum cleaner and accessories

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner including a power head having a power head housing at least partially enclosing a power head volume therein, a blower assembly at least partially positioned within the power head volume, and a docking interface including a plurality of connection elements. Where each connection element of the plurality of connection elements is configured to form a releasable connection with an accessory.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A vacuum cleaner comprising:
 a power head including:
 a power head housing at least partially enclosing a power head volume therein, 
 a blower assembly at least partially positioned within the power head volume, and 
 a docking interface including a plurality of connection elements, wherein each connection element of the plurality of connection elements is configured to form a releasable connection with an accessory. 
   
     
     
         2 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 1 , further comprising a container defining a container volume therein, wherein the power head is removably couplable to the container, and wherein the blower assembly is configured to draw dust and debris into the container volume. 
     
     
         3 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 1 , wherein the docking interface defines a docking plane, and wherein each connection element lies on the docking plane. 
     
     
         4 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 1 , wherein each connection element of the plurality of connection elements has a similar size and shape. 
     
     
         5 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 1 , wherein each connection element of the plurality of connection elements defines a direction of insertion. 
     
     
         6 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 5 , wherein the direction of insertion for each connection element is parallel. 
     
     
         7 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 5 , wherein the docking interface defines a docking plane, and wherein the direction of insertion for at least one connection element is parallel to the docking plane. 
     
     
         8 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of connection elements is positioned so that a single accessory may form a releasable connection with two or more connection elements simultaneously. 
     
     
         9 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 1 , wherein at least one connection element of the plurality of connection elements includes a pocket formed into the docking interface with at least one tab extending into the pocket from the perimeter thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 1 , wherein the docking interface includes a docking plate with a substantially planar exterior surface. 
     
     
         11 . A vacuum cleaner comprising:
 a power head including:
 a power head housing at least partially enclosing a power head volume therein, 
 a blower assembly at least partially positioned within the power head volume, 
 a docking plate defining a docking plane, wherein the docking plate is configured to allow one or more accessories to be releasably attached thereto, and 
 a handle recessed into the docking plate below the docking plane. 
   
     
     
         12 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 11 , wherein the handle includes a recess formed into the docking plate and a grip portion positioned within the recess. 
     
     
         13 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 11 , wherein the docking plate includes a plurality of connection elements, and wherein each connection element is configured to form a releasable connection with an accessory. 
     
     
         14 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of connection elements define a connection region, and wherein the handle is positioned completely within the connection region. 
     
     
         15 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 11 , wherein the handle is positioned on the docking plate so that the handle remains accessible when at least one accessory is attached to the docking plate. 
     
     
         16 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 15 , wherein the handle is positioned on the docking plate so that the handle is inaccessible when at least one accessory is attached to the docking plate. 
     
     
         17 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 11 , wherein the power head defines a midpoint axis, and wherein the handle intersects the midpoint axis. 
     
     
         18 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 11 , wherein the power head defines a center of gravity, and wherein a reference axis oriented normal to the docking plane passes through both the center of gravity and the handle simultaneously. 
     
     
         19 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 18 , wherein the power head defines a stack axis, and wherein the docking plane is oriented normal to the stack axis. 
     
     
         20 . A vacuum cleaner comprising:
 a container defining a container volume therein, wherein the container forms a first connection interface; and   a power head including:
 a power head housing at least partially enclosing a power head volume therein, wherein the power head housing includes a second connection interface configured to be releasably attached to the first connection interface of the container, 
 a blower assembly at least partially positioned within the power head volume and in fluid communication with the container volume when the power head is releasably attached therein, and 
 a docking interface having an exterior surface facing opposite the second connection interface, wherein the docking interface includes a plurality of connection elements formed into the exterior surface, and wherein each of the connection elements is configured to form a releasable connection with an accessory.