Surface cleaning apparatus

Abstract

To provide an improved surface cleaning apparatus.SOLUTION: A surface cleaning apparatus may include a cleaner body and a dust cup coupled to the cleaner body. The dust cup may be configured to pivot between at least three indexed positions.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 058,395, filed July 29, 2020, entitled SURFACE CLEANING DEVICE, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0002] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates generally to surface cleaning devices, and more particularly to vacuum cleaners. [Background technology]

[0003] The surface cleaning apparatus may include a vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner may include a suction motor, a dust cup, and an inlet. The suction motor is fluidly connected to the dust cup and the inlet such that air can flow from the inlet into the dust cup and through the suction motor. The air flowing into the dust cup may have debris entrained therein. At least a portion of the entrained debris may fall off from the entrainment as it passes through the dust cup.

[0004] An example of a vacuum cleaner may be an upright vacuum cleaner. The upright vacuum cleaner may include a surface cleaning head and an upright section, where the upright section is pivotally connected to the surface cleaning head. The upright section is configured to pivot between a stored position and an in-use position. Another example of a vacuum cleaner may be a handheld vacuum cleaner configured to be supported on a user's hand independent of the surface to be cleaned. As such, the handheld vacuum cleaner may be more maneuverable compared to the upright vacuum cleaner. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present disclosure generally relates to a surface cleaning apparatus. The surface cleaning apparatus may include a cleaner body, a suction motor, and a dust cup. The cleaner body defines an air inlet fluidly connected to the dust cup and the suction motor. The suction motor is configured to draw air from the air inlet into the dust cup and along an air flow path extending through the suction motor. Debris may be entrained in the air flowing along the air flow path. At least a portion of the entrained debris may fall off from entrainment as it passes through the dust cup. The dust cup is removably and / or pivotally coupled to the cleaner body such that the dust cup pivots between at least three index positions. For example, the dust cup may be configured to pivot from a closed position to an emptying position and from the emptying position to a removal position. When in the emptying position, debris within the dust cup may be removed therefrom. When in the removal position, accessibility to one or more components of the surface cleaning apparatus may be improved (e.g., for cleaning and / or maintenance purposes) compared to the emptying position.

[0006] These and other features and advantages will be better understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of one example of a surface cleaning device consistent with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] 2 is a schematic diagram of the surface cleaning device of FIG. 1 with the dust cup in an emptying position, consistent with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] 3 is a schematic diagram of the surface cleaning device of FIG. 1 with the dust cup in a detached position, consistent with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner consistent with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 5] 5 is a cross-sectional view of the vacuum cleaner of FIG. 4 taken along line VV, consistent with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6]6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the vacuum cleaner of FIG. 4 corresponding to area VI of FIG. 5, consistent with an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic embodiment of a surface cleaning apparatus 100. As shown, the surface cleaning apparatus 100 includes a cleaner body 102, a suction motor 104 (shown in hidden lines), and a dust cup 106. The cleaner body 102 includes a handle 108 and an inlet 110. The inlet 110 is opposite the handle 108 along a longitudinal axis 112 of the cleaner body 102. The suction motor 104 is fluidly coupled to the inlet 110 and the dust cup 106. The suction motor 104 is configured to draw air into the inlet 110 along an air flow path 114. As shown, the air flow path 114 extends from the inlet 110 into the dust cup 106 and through the suction motor 104, before being exhausted to the surrounding environment. Debris may be entrained in the air flowing along the air flow path 114. In this manner, as the air passes through the dust cup 106, at least a portion of the entrained debris may be deposited within the dust cup 106 for later disposal.

[0009] The dust cup 106 is pivotably and / or removably coupled (e.g., directly or indirectly) to the cleaner body 102. In some instances, the dust cup 106 may be configured to pivot between a closed position and at least one open position. For example, the dust cup 106 may be pivotally coupled to the cleaner body 102 such that the dust cup 106 can be pivotally transitioned between at least three index positions (e.g., a closed position, a first open position, and a second open position). The dust cup 106 may be configured to be selectively retained (e.g., by a user-actuable release) in each index position.

[0010] The first position may generally be described as a closed position. When in the closed position, the dirt cup 106 is fluidly connected to the inlet 110. An example of the closed position is shown in FIG. The second position may be generally described as a first open position (e.g., an emptying position). As the dust cup 106 transitions from the closed position to the emptying position, the dust cup 106 pivots at an emptying angle θ. The emptying angle θ may, for example, measure in the range of 30° to 70°. As a further example, the emptying angle θ may measure substantially (e.g., within 1°, 2°, 3°, 4°, or 5°) 50°. An example of an emptying position is shown in FIG. 2. When in the emptying position, the dust cup 106 is fluidly isolated from the inlet 110, and the emptying angle θ may be measured between the longitudinal axis 112 of the cleaner body 102 and the dust cup 106.

[0011] The third position may be generally described as a second open position (e.g., removal position). As the dust cup 106 transitions from the emptying position to the removal position, the dust cup 106 pivots at a removal angle μ. For example, the removal angle μ may measure in the range of 30° to 50°. As a further example, the removal angle μ may measure substantially (e.g., within 1°, 2°, 3°, 4°, or 5°) 40°. When measured from the longitudinal axis 112, the total removal angle ε measures greater than the emptying angle θ. For example, the total removal angle ε may measure in the range of 70° to 110°. As a further example, the total removal angle ε may measure substantially (e.g., within 1°, 2°, 3°, 4°, or 5°) 90°. An example removal position is shown in FIG. 3.

[0012] In some instances, the removable part 116 is removably coupled to the cleaner body 102. The dust cup 106 may be pivotally coupled to the removable part 116. As such, the dust cup 106 and the removable part 116 may be removed together from the cleaner body 102. For example, the dust cup 106 and the removable part 116 may be removed from the cleaner body 102 when the dust cup 106 moves to an emptying position or a removal position. As such, the dust cup 106 may be configured to move to the removal position after the dust cup 106 and the removable part 116 are separated from the cleaner body 102. The removable part 116 may define a filter chamber for receiving a filter and may be fluidly coupled to the suction motor 104. Examples of filters include, but are not limited to, a cyclone filter, a mesh filter, a pleated filter, and / or any other type of filter.

[0013] When the dust cup 106 has a closed position, an emptying position, and a removal position, cleaning the dust cup 106 may be easier (e.g., as compared to a dust cup having only a closed position and only one of an emptying position or a removal position). For example, such a configuration may reduce a plume of debris when emptying the dust cup 106, while still allowing easy access to clean at least a portion of the dust cup 106. A plume of debris may generally be described as debris that is scattered into the environment as a result of emptying the dust cup 106.

[0014] 4 shows a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner 400, which may be an embodiment of the surface cleaning apparatus 100 of FIG. 1. The vacuum cleaner 400 includes a cleaner body 402, a suction motor 404, and a dust cup 406. The cleaner body 402 may include a handle 403 and an inlet 408. The suction motor 404 may be disposed within a suction motor cavity defined in the cleaner body 402, and the dust cup 406 may be pivotally and / or removably coupled to the cleaner body 402. As shown, the suction motor 404 and the dust cup 406 may be disposed between the handle 403 and the inlet 408 of the cleaner body 402. For example, the dust cup 406 may be disposed between the inlet 408 and the suction motor 404, and the suction motor 404 may be disposed between the dust cup 406 and the handle 403. In this example, at least a portion of the suction motor 404 may overlap with at least a portion of the dust cup 406 and / or at least a portion of the handle 403 (e.g., the longitudinal axis 405 of the cleaner body 402 intersects with the suction motor 404 as well as with at least a portion of the dust cup 406 and / or at least a portion of the handle 403).

[0015] Suction motor 404 is configured to draw air through inlet 408 and into dust cup 406 before passing through suction motor 404. In this manner, suction motor 404 may generally be described as being fluidly coupled to dust cup 406 and inlet 408. The air flowing through inlet 408 may have debris entrained therein. At least a portion of the entrained debris may be deposited in dust cup 406.

[0016] The dust cup 406 may be configured, for example, to cause air flowing therethrough to follow a cyclonic motion to generate one or more cyclones. The cyclonic motion of the air may urge at least a portion of the entrained debris out of the entrainment as a result of the cyclonic motion. In some instances, the dust cup 406 may be configured such that multiple cyclones are generated, with a first cyclone configured to separate larger debris from the air and a second cyclone configured to separate smaller debris from the air. In this case, the dust cup 406 may generally be described as a multi-stage cyclonic dust cup.

[0017] The dust cup 406 may be pivotable between a closed position and at least one open position, and the dust cup 406 is removable from the cleaner body 402 when in the open position. For example, the dust cup 406 may be configured to pivot from a closed position to an emptying position, and in some instances, from the emptying position to a removal position. The dust cup 406 may be configured to be selectively retained in each position using, for example, one or more of an actuatable latch, a slidable stop, a detent, and / or any other retention mechanism. In this manner, the dust cup 406 may generally be described as being pivotable between two or more (e.g., at least three) index positions (e.g., a closed position and at least one open position).

[0018] In some instances, actuation of the emptying release 409 may transition the dust cup 406 from a closed position (first index position) to an emptying position (second index position), and actuation of the removal release 411 may transition the dust cup 406 from the emptying position to a removal position (third index position). For example, the dust cup 406 may be pivotally coupled to a removable part 412 (e.g., a removable pre-motor filter chamber) that is removably coupled to the cleaner body 402, and actuation of the removal release 411 separates the removable part 412 from the cleaner body 402. The removable part 412 may be separated from the cleaner body 402 along with the dust cup 406 in either the emptying position or the removal position. Thus, in some instances, the dust cup 406 may be pivoted to the removal position after the dust cup 406 and the removable part 412 are separated from the cleaner body 402.

[0019] A pre-motor filter 410 (schematically represented by hidden lines) may be fluidly coupled to the dust cup 406 and the suction motor 404 such that air passes through the pre-motor filter 410 after exiting the dust cup 406 and before passing through the suction motor 404. The pre-motor filter 410 may capture at least a portion of any debris entrained in the air after passing through the dust cup 406. For example, the pre-motor filter 410 may be disposed within a pre-motor filter chamber 412, which is disposed between the dust cup 406 and the suction motor 404. In some instances, the dust cup 406 may define at least a portion of the pre-motor filter chamber 412.

[0020] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the vacuum cleaner 400 of Figure 4 taken along line VV. As shown, the dust cup 406 has a first stage 500 and a second stage 502. The second stage 502 is disposed between the first stage 500 and the pre-motor filter chamber 412. The first stage 500 may be configured to generate a first cyclone therein, and the second stage 502 may be configured to generate a second cyclone therein. The first stage 500 and the second stage 502 may be fluidly coupled in series (e.g., air flows through the first stage 500 before flowing through the second stage 502).

[0021] As shown, the dust cup 406 is configured to pivot about a pivot point 504. The pivot point 504 is positioned between the second stage 502 and the suction motor 404. For example, the dust cup 406 may be pivotally coupled to the pre-motor filter chamber 412 such that the pivot point 504 corresponds to a point on the pre-motor filter chamber 412. When the dust cup 406 transitions from the closed position to the emptying position, the inlet end 506 of the dust cup 406 pivots away from the cleaner body 402. Such a configuration may reduce debris fumes when emptying the dust cup 406. When the dust cup 406 transitions from the emptying position to the removal position, the second stage 502 may be more easily accessible (e.g., for cleaning one or more components of the second stage 502). For example, the second stage 502 may include one or more removable components (e.g., one or more removable components configured to promote cyclonic motion of air flowing therethrough) that are more easily removed when the dust cup 406 is in the removal position compared to the emptying position. In some instances, the dust cup 406 may be pivoted to the removal position after the pre-motor filter chamber 412 and the dust cup 406 are removed from the cleaner body 402. Additionally or alternatively, the dust cup 406 may be pivoted to the removal position while the pre-motor filter chamber 412 is coupled to the cleaner body 402.

[0022] Figure 6 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vacuum cleaner 400, corresponding generally to area VI of Figure 5. As shown, the dust cup 406 is pivotally connected to the pre-motor filter chamber 412, which is removably connected to the cleaner body 402. In this manner, the dust cup 406 may generally be described as being pivotally and removably connected to the cleaner body 402.

[0023] A dust cup biasing mechanism 600 (e.g., a spring, such as a torsion spring) is positioned at pivot point 504. The dust cup biasing mechanism 600 is configured to bias the dust cup 406 towards the emptying position. In this manner, when the emptying release 409 is actuated, the dust cup 406 is moved towards the emptying position by the dust cup biasing mechanism 600.

[0024] When in the emptying position, the dust cup 406 engages a stop 602 configured to hold the dust cup 406 in the emptying position. The stop 602 may be slidably coupled to the pre-motor filter chamber 412 such that the stop 602 slides between a stopped position and a retracted position in response to pivotal movement of the dust cup 406 between the emptying position and the removal position. For example, the stop 602 may be slidably received within a track 601 defined in the pre-motor filter chamber 412. The track 601 may be at least partially enclosed and include an opening 603 at each of opposing ends of the track 601, the opening 603 configured to receive at least a portion of the stop 602. The multiple openings 603 may have the same or different sizes and / or shapes. A stop biasing mechanism 604 (e.g., a spring such as a compression spring) biases the stop 602 toward the pivot point 504 (or the stopped position). For example, the stop biasing mechanism 604 may bias the stop 602 along the track 601 toward the pivot point 504. When the stop 602 is in the stop position and the dust cup 406 is in the emptying position, the dust cup 406 engages the stop 602, and the stop 602 resists further pivotal movement of the dust cup 406. The stop 602 may define an arcuate region 605 configured to engage the dust cup 406 when the dust cup 406 is in the emptying position. The arcuate region 605 is configured such that engagement between the arcuate region 605 and the dust cup 406 biases the stop 602 in a direction away from the pivot point 504, such that the force exerted by the dust cup biasing mechanism 600 is insufficient to overcome the force exerted by the stop biasing mechanism 604.

[0025] The removal release 411 removably couples the pre-motor filter chamber 412 to the cleaner body 402. As shown, the removal release 411 is pivotally coupled to the cleaner body 402 such that the removal release 411 is transitionable between a latched position and a released position. The removal release 411 includes an actuation end 608 and a latch end 610, the actuation end 608 being opposite the latch end 610. The latch end 610 defines a latch 612 configured to engage a catch 614 defined in the pre-motor filter chamber 412. The removal release 411 may be biased towards the latched position such that the latch 612 engages the catch 614.

[0026] As also shown, when the removal release 411 is in the latched position, the removal release 411 is configured to engage the stop 602, preventing the stop 602 from sliding away from the pivot point 504. In other words, when the removal release 411 is in the latched position, sliding movement of the stop 602 is substantially prevented (e.g., sliding movement of the stop 602 is insufficient to allow the dirt cup 406 to be transitioned to the removal position). When the removal release 411 is transitioned to the release position, the latch 612 disengages the catch 614, the pre-motor filter chamber 412 may be separated from the cleaner body 402, and the stop 602 may slide away from the pivot point 504. For example, when the removal release 411 is in the release position (or when the pre-motor filter chamber 412 is separated from the cleaner body 402), pivotal movement of the dust cup 406 from the emptying position to the removal position slides the stop 602 away from the pivot point 504 and into the retracted position of the stop 602. When the stop 602 is in the retracted position, the stop 602 may prevent the removal release 411 from transitioning back to the latched position when the pre-motor filter chamber 412 is coupled to the cleaner body 402. As such, when the dust cup 406 is in the removal position, the dust cup 406 may be generally described as being removable from the cleaner body 402.

[0027] When the dust cup 406 is transitioned to the removal position, the dust cup 406 may be configured to be held in the removal position until a user applies a force to the dust cup 406 to transition the dust cup 406 to the emptying position. For example, the dust cup 406 may include a dust cup stop surface 618 configured to engage (e.g., contact) a stop stop surface 620 of the stop 602, such that the engagement between the stop surfaces 618 and 620 resists rotational movement of the dust cup 406 from the removal position to the emptying position.

[0028] When the removal release 411 is in the release position and / or the dust cup 406 is in the removal position, the pre-motor filter chamber 412 and dust cup 406 may be removed from the cleaner body 402. For example, the pre-motor filter chamber 412 and dust cup 406 may be removed from the cleaner body 402 in response to a force applied in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis 405 of the cleaner body 402. Once removed, the pre-motor filter 410 may be removed (e.g., for cleaning or replacement).

[0029] One example of a surface cleaning device consistent with this disclosure may include a cleaner body and a dust cup coupled to the cleaner body, the dust cup configured to pivot between at least three index positions.

[0030] In some instances, the surface cleaning apparatus may further include a filter chamber removably coupled to the cleaner body. In some instances, the dust cup may be pivotally coupled to the filter chamber. In some instances, the at least three index positions may include a closed position, an emptying position, and a removal position, and the dust cup is configured to transition from the closed position to the emptying position and from the emptying position to the removal position. In some instances, when the dust cup is in the removal position, the dust cup may be removable from the cleaner body. In some instances, the surface cleaning apparatus may further include a slidable stop configured to hold the dust cup in the emptying position. In some instances, the slidable stop may be configured to slide in response to pivotal movement of the dust cup from the emptying position to the removal position. In some instances, the surface cleaning apparatus may further include a removal release pivotally coupled to the cleaner body, and the removal release is configured to transition between a latched position and a release position, and when the removal release is in the latched position, sliding movement of the slidable stop is substantially prevented.

[0031] One example of a vacuum cleaner consistent with the present disclosure may include a cleaner body having a handle and an inlet, a suction motor fluidly connected to the inlet, a pre-motor filter chamber removably connected to the cleaner body and fluidly connected to the suction motor, and a dust cup fluidly connected to the suction motor and pivotally connected to the pre-motor filter chamber.

[0032] In some instances, the dust cup may be configured to pivot between at least three index positions. In some instances, the at least three index positions may include a closed position, an emptying position, and a removal position, and the dust cup is configured to transition from the closed position to the emptying position and from the emptying position to the removal position. In some instances, when the dust cup is in the removal position, the chamber of the pre-motor filter may be removable from the cleaner body. In some instances, the vacuum cleaner may further include a slidable stop slidably coupled to the chamber of the pre-motor filter and configured to hold the dust cup in the emptying position. In some instances, the slidable stop may be configured to slide in response to pivotal movement of the dust cup from the emptying position to the removal position. In some instances, the vacuum cleaner may further include a removal release pivotally coupled to the cleaner body, the removal release configured to transition between a latched position and a release position, and sliding movement of the slidable stop is substantially prevented when the removal release is in the latched position.

[0033] Another example of a vacuum cleaner consistent with the present disclosure may include a cleaner body having a handle and an inlet, the inlet being on an opposite side of the handle along a longitudinal axis of the cleaner body; a suction motor fluidly connected to the inlet; a pre-motor filter chamber removably connected to the cleaner body and fluidly connected to the suction motor; and a dust cup fluidly connected to the suction motor and pivotally connected to the pre-motor filter chamber, the dust cup configured to pivot between at least a closed position, an emptying position, and a removal position, the dust cup further configured such that the dust cup transitions from the closed position to the emptying position and from the emptying position to the removal position.

[0034] In some instances, when the dust cup is in the removal position, the pre-motor filter chamber may be removable from the cleaner body. In some instances, the vacuum cleaner may further include a slidable stop slidably coupled to the pre-motor filter chamber and configured to hold the dust cup in the emptying position. In some instances, the slidable stop may be configured to slide in response to pivotal movement of the dust cup from the emptying position to the removal position. In some instances, the vacuum cleaner may further include a removal release pivotally coupled to the cleaner body, the removal release configured to transition between a latched position and a release position, and sliding movement of the slidable stop is substantially prevented when the removal release is in the latched position.

[0035] While the principles of the present invention have been described herein, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that this description is made by way of example only and not as a limitation on the scope of the invention. In addition to the exemplary embodiments shown and described herein, other embodiments are contemplated within the scope of the present invention. Modifications and substitutions made by those skilled in the art are considered to be within the scope of the present invention, which should not be limited except as by the following claims.

Claims

1. 1. A surface cleaning device comprising: a cleaner body having an inlet; a dirt cup coupled to the cleaner body and configured to selectively pivot between at least three index positions; Each index position is a position at which the dirt cup is selectively retained; The at least three index positions are: a first position in which the dirt cup is fluidly connected to the inlet; a second position in which the dirt cup is fluidly isolated from the inlet; and a dust cup including a third position; and a dust cup biasing mechanism for biasing the dust cup towards the second position; and a stop biasing mechanism, wherein a force exerted by the dust cup biasing mechanism is insufficient to overcome a force exerted by the stop biasing mechanism, selectively retaining the dust cup in the second position.

2. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a filter chamber removably coupled to the cleaner body.

3. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the dust cup is pivotally connected to the filter chamber.

4. 2. The surface cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the dust cup is removable from the cleaner body when the dust cup is in the third position.

5. The surface cleaning device of claim 1 , further comprising a slidable stop configured to cooperate with the stop biasing mechanism to retain the dirt cup in the second position.

6. The surface cleaning device of claim 5 , wherein the slidable stop is configured to slide in response to pivotal movement of the dust cup from the second position to the third position.

7. 7. The surface cleaning device of claim 6, further comprising a release pivotally coupled to the cleaner body, the release configured to transition between a latched position and a released position, and wherein sliding movement of the slidable stop is substantially prevented when the release is in the latched position.

8. a cleaner body having a handle and an inlet; a suction motor fluidly connected to the inlet; a pre-motor filter chamber removably coupled to the cleaner body and fluidly connected to the suction motor; a dirt cup coupled to the cleaner body and configured to selectively pivot between at least three index positions; Each index position is a position at which the dirt cup is selectively retained; The at least three index positions are: a first position in which the dirt cup is fluidly connected to the inlet; a second position in which the dirt cup is fluidly isolated from the inlet; and a dust cup including a third position; and a dust cup biasing mechanism for biasing the dust cup towards the second position; a stop biasing mechanism, wherein the force exerted by the dust cup biasing mechanism is insufficient to overcome the force exerted by the stop biasing mechanism, selectively retaining the dust cup in the second position.

9. 9. The vacuum cleaner of claim 8, wherein the pre-motor filter chamber is removable from the cleaner body when the dirt cup is in the third position.

10. 9. The vacuum cleaner of claim 8, further comprising a slidable stop slidably coupled to the pre-motor filter chamber and configured to cooperate with the stop biasing mechanism to retain the dirt cup in the second position.

11. The vacuum cleaner of claim 10, wherein the slidable stop is configured to slide in response to pivotal movement of the dust cup from the second position to the third position.

12. 12. The vacuum cleaner of claim 11, further comprising a release pivotally coupled to the cleaner body, the release configured to transition between a latched position and a released position, and wherein sliding movement of the slidable stop is substantially prevented when the release is in the latched position.

13. a cleaner body having a handle and an inlet, the inlet being opposite the handle along a longitudinal axis of the cleaner body; a suction motor fluidly connected to the inlet; a pre-motor filter chamber removably coupled to the cleaner body and fluidly connected to the suction motor; a dust cup fluidly connected to the suction motor and pivotally connected to a chamber of the pre-motor filter, the dirt cup is configured to selectively pivot between at least three index positions; Each index position is a position at which the dirt cup is selectively retained; The at least three index positions are: a first position in which the dirt cup is fluidly connected to the inlet; a second position in which the dirt cup is fluidly isolated from the inlet; and a dust cup including a third position; and a dust cup biasing mechanism for biasing the dust cup towards the second position; a stop biasing mechanism, wherein the force exerted by the dust cup biasing mechanism is insufficient to overcome the force exerted by the stop biasing mechanism, selectively retaining the dust cup in the second position.

14. 14. The vacuum cleaner of claim 13, wherein the pre-motor filter chamber is removable from the cleaner body when the dirt cup is in the third position.

15. 14. The vacuum cleaner of claim 13, further comprising a slidable stop slidably coupled to the pre-motor filter chamber and configured to cooperate with the stop biasing mechanism to retain the dirt cup in the second position.

16. 16. The vacuum cleaner of claim 15, wherein the slidable stop is configured to slide in response to pivotal movement of the dust cup from the second position to the third position.

17. 17. The vacuum cleaner of claim 16, further comprising a release pivotally coupled to the cleaner body, the release configured to transition between a latched position and a released position, and wherein sliding movement of the slidable stop is substantially prevented when the release is in the latched position.

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