Surface cleaning device

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] The present disclosure generally relates to surface cleaning devices, and more specifically to vacuum cleaners. '

Background Art

[0003] Surface cleaning devices may include vacuum cleaners. A 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 mixed therein. At least a portion of the mixed debris may fall out of entrainment when passing through the dust cup.

[0004] An example of a vacuum cleaner may be a upright vacuum cleaner. The upright vacuum cleaner may include a surface cleaning head and an upright section, and the upright section is pivotally connected to the surface cleaning head. The upright section is configured to pivot between a storage position and an in - use position. Another example of a vacuum cleaner may be a hand - held vacuum cleaner configured to be supported by a user's hand independently of the surface being cleaned. Thus, the hand - held vacuum cleaner may be more maneuverable compared to an upright vacuum cleaner.

Summary of the Invention

[0005] This disclosure relates in general to a surface cleaning device. The surface cleaning device may include a cleaner body, a suction motor, and a dust cup. The cleaner body defines an air inlet fluidly coupled 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 channel extending through the suction motor. Debris may be present in the air flowing along the air channel. At least a portion of the present debris may fall out of the entrainment as it passes through the dust cup. The dust cup is attached to the cleaner body so as to pivot between at least three index positions. For example, the dust cup may be configured to pivot from a closed position to an empty position and from an empty position to a detached position. When in the empty position, debris in the dust cup may be removed therefrom. When in the detached position, access to one or more components of the surface cleaning device may be improved compared to the empty position (for example, for cleaning and / or maintenance purposes).

[0006] These and other features and benefits will be better understood by reading the detailed description below, along with the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a surface cleaning device consistent with the embodiments of this disclosure. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the surface cleaning device of Figure 1, which has a dust cup in an emptying position, consistent with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the surface cleaning device of Figure 1, which has a dust cup in a removable position, consistent with the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner consistent with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the vacuum cleaner of Figure 4 along line VV, consistent with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6]Figure 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the vacuum cleaner in Figure 4, corresponding to area VI in Figure 5, which is consistent with the embodiments of this disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] Figure 1 shows a schematic embodiment of the surface cleaning device 100. As shown, the surface cleaning device 100 includes a cleaner body 102, a suction motor 104 (shown as a hidden line), and a dust cup 106. The cleaner body 102 includes a handle 108 and an inlet 110. The inlet 110 is located opposite the handle 108 along the 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 passage 114. As shown, the air passage 114 extends from the inlet 110 into the dust cup 106 and through the suction motor 104, and is then discharged into the surrounding environment. Debris may be present in the air flowing along the air passage 114. In this way, as air passes through the dust cup 106, at least a portion of the mixed-in debris may accumulate in the dust cup 106 for later disposal.

[0009] The dust cup 106 is pivotably and / or detachably connected to the cleaner body 102 (e.g., directly or indirectly). In some examples, 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 pivotably connected to the cleaner body 102 so that the dust cup 106 can pivotally move between at least three index positions (e.g., closed position, first open position, and second open position). The dust cup 106 may be configured to be selectively held in each index position (e.g., by a user-operable release).

[0010] The first position may generally be described as the closed position. When in the closed position, the dust cup 106 is fluid-connected to the inlet 110. An example of the closed position is shown in Figure 1. The second position may generally be described as the first open position (e.g., the emptying position). When the dust cup 106 moves from the closed position to the emptying position, the dust cup 106 pivots at an emptying angle θ. The emptying angle θ may be measured in the range of, for example, 30° to 70°. As a further example, the emptying angle θ may be measured at 50° substantially (e.g., within 1°, 2°, 3°, 4°, or 5°). An example of the emptying position is shown in Figure 2. When in the emptying position, the dust cup 106 is fluidly separated 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 generally be described as a second open position (e.g., a removal position). When the dust cup 106 moves 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 be measured in the range of 30° to 50°. As a further example, the removal angle μ may be measured at 40° (e.g., within 1°, 2°, 3°, 4°, or 5°). When measured from the longitudinal axis 112, the total removal angle ε is measured at a greater value than the emptying angle θ. For example, the total removal angle ε may be measured in the range of 70° to 110°. As a further example, the total removal angle ε may be measured at 90° (e.g., within 1°, 2°, 3°, 4°, or 5°). An example of the removal position is shown in Figure 3.

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

[0013] If the dust cup 106 has a closed position, an empty position, and a removable position, cleaning the dust cup 106 may be easier (compared to, for example, a dust cup having only a closed position and only one of the empty or removable positions). For example, such a configuration may reduce the dust fumes when the dust cup 106 is emptied, while still allowing easy access to clean at least a portion of the dust cup 106. The dust fumes may generally be described as the debris scattered into the environment as a result of emptying the dust cup 106.

[0014] Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner 400, which may be an embodiment of the surface cleaning device 100 of Figure 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 located in a suction motor cavity defined within the cleaner body 402, and the dust cup 406 may be pivotably and / or detachably connected to the cleaner body 402. As shown, the suction motor 404 and the dust cup 406 may be located between the handle 403 and the inlet 408 of the cleaner body 402. For example, the dust cup 406 may be located between the inlet 408 and the suction motor 404, and the suction motor 404 may be located 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 (for example, the longitudinal axis 405 of the cleaner body 402 intersects with the suction motor 404, as well as at least a portion of the dust cup 406 and / or at least a portion of the handle 403).

[0015] The suction motor 404 is configured to draw air into the dust cup 406 through the inlet 408 before it passes through the suction motor 404. In this way, the suction motor 404 can generally be described as being fluidly coupled to the dust cup 406 and the inlet 408. The air flowing through the inlet 408 may contain debris mixed in with it. At least a portion of the mixed debris may accumulate in the dust cup 406.

[0016] The dust cup 406 may be configured, for example, to cause the air flowing through it to flow in a cyclonic motion, thereby generating one or more cyclones. The cyclonic motion of the air may, as a result of the cyclonic motion, bias to expel at least some of the entrained debris from the entrainment. In some examples, the dust cup 406 may be configured to generate multiple cyclones, 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 when in the open position, the dust cup 406 can be removed from the cleaner body 402. For example, the dust cup 406 may be configured to pivot from the closed position to the empty position, and in some examples, from the empty position to the removal position. The dust cup 406 may be configured to be selectively held at each position using, for example, one or more of an actuated latch, a sliding stopper, a return stopper, and / or any other retaining mechanism. Thus, the dust cup 406 can generally be described as pivotable between two or more (e.g., at least three) index positions (e.g., the closed position and at least one open position).

[0018] In some examples, the operation of an empty release 409 may move the dust cup 406 from the closed position (first index position) to the empty position (second index position), and the operation of a removal release 411 may move the dust cup 406 from the empty position to the removal position (third index position). For example, the dust cup 406 may be pivotably connected to a removable component 412 (e.g., a removable pre-motor filter chamber) which is removablely connected to the cleaner body 402, and the operation of the removal release 411 separates the removable component 412 from the cleaner body 402. The removable component 412 may be separated from the cleaner body 402 together with the dust cup 406 in either the empty position or the removal position. Thus, in some examples, the dust cup 406 may pivot to the removal position after the dust cup 406 and the removable component 412 have been separated from the cleaner body 402.

[0019] A premotor filter 410 (indicated schematically by hidden lines) may be fluidly coupled to the dust cup 406 and the suction motor 404 so that air passes through the premotor filter 410 after leaving the dust cup 406 and before passing through the suction motor 404. The premotor filter 410 may capture at least a portion of any debris mixed into the air after passing through the dust cup 406. For example, the premotor filter 410 may be located within a premotor filter chamber 412, which is located between the dust cup 406 and the suction motor 404. In some examples, the dust cup 406 may define at least a portion of the premotor filter chamber 412.

[0020] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the vacuum cleaner 400 of Figure 4, cut along line VV. As shown, the dust cup 406 has a first stage 500 and a second stage 502. The second stage 502 is positioned between the first stage 500 and the chamber 412 of the pre-motor filter. The first stage 500 may be configured to generate a first cyclone within it, and the second stage 502 may be configured to generate a second cyclone within it. The first stage 500 and the second stage 502 may be fluid-coupled in series (for example, 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 around a pivot point 504. The pivot point 504 is located between the second stage 502 and the suction motor 404. For example, the dust cup 406 may be pivotably connected to the chamber 412 of the premotor filter such that the pivot point 504 corresponds to a point on the chamber 412 of the premotor filter. When the dust cup 406 moves from the closed position to the empty position, the inlet end 506 of the dust cup 406 pivots away from the cleaner body 402. Such a configuration can reduce the amount of debris smoke when emptying the dust cup 406. When the dust cup 406 moves from the empty position to the removal position, the second stage 502 may be more easily accessible (for example, to clean 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 facilitate the cyclonic motion of air flowing through them) that are easier to remove when the dust cup 406 is in the removal position compared to the empty position. In some examples, the dust cup 406 may be pivoted to the removal position after the pre-motor filter chamber 412 and the dust cup 406 have been removed from the cleaner body 402. Additionally, or by other means, the dust cup 406 may be pivoted to the removal position while the pre-motor filter chamber 412 is connected to the cleaner body 402.

[0022] FIG. 6 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of the cleaner 400 generally corresponding to region VI of FIG. 5. As shown, the dust cup 406 is pivotally coupled to the pre-motor filter chamber 412, and the pre-motor filter chamber 412 is removably coupled to the cleaner body 402. In this way, the dust cup 406 can generally be described as being pivotally and removably coupled to the cleaner body 402.

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

[0024] When in the emptying position, the dust cup 406 engages with a stop 602 configured to hold the dust cup 406 in the emptying position. The stop 602 can be slidably coupled to the pre-motor filter chamber 412 such that, in response to pivotal movement of the dust cup 406 between the emptying position and the removal position, the stop 602 slides between a stop position and a retracted position. For example, the stop 602 can be slidably received within a track 601 defined in the pre-motor filter chamber 412. The track 601 can be at least partially enclosed and includes openings 603 at each of the opposing ends of the track 601, and the openings 603 are configured to receive at least a portion of the stop 602. The plurality of openings 603 can 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 stop position). For example, the stop biasing mechanism 604 can bias the stop 602 along the track 601 in the direction of 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 with the stop 602, and the stop 602 resists further pivotal movement of the dust cup 406. The stop 602 can 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 the engagement between the arcuate region 605 and the dust cup 406 biases the stop 602 in a direction away from the pivot point 504, and 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 connects the chamber 412 of the premotor filter to the cleaner body 402. As shown, the removal release 411 is pivotally connected to the cleaner body 402 so that the removal release 411 is movable between a latched position and a released position. The removal release 411 includes an operating end 608 and a latched end 610, the operating end 608 being opposite the latched end 610. The latched end 610 defines a latch 612 configured to engage with a catch 614 defined within the chamber 412 of the premotor filter. The removal release 411 may be biased toward the latched position so that the latch 612 engages with 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 with 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 (for example, sliding movement of the stop 602 is insufficient to allow the dust cup 406 to move to the removal position). When the removal release 411 moves to the release position, the latch 612 disengages from the catch 614, and 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), the pivotal movement of the dust cup 406 from the emptying position to the removal position causes the stop 602 to slide away from the pivot point 504 to 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 moving to the latched position and returning if the pre-motor filter chamber 412 is connected to the cleaner body 402. For this reason, when the dust cup 406 is in the removal position, the dust cup 406 may generally be described as being removable from the cleaner body 402.

[0027] When the dust cup 406 moves to the removal position, the dust cup 406 may be configured to be held in the removal position until the user applies force to the dust cup 406 and moves it to the emptying position. For example, the dust cup 406 may include a dust cup stop surface 618 configured to engage (e.g., contact) with the stop surface 620 of the stop 602, and the engagement between the stop surfaces 618 and 620 resists the 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 can 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 substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 405 of the cleaner body 402. Once removed, the pre-motor filter 410 may be removed (for example, for cleaning or replacement).

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

[0030] In some examples, the surface cleaning device may further include a filter chamber detachably connected to the cleaner body. In some examples, a dust cup may be pivotably connected to the filter chamber. In some examples, at least three index positions may include a closed position, an empty position, and a removable position, and the dust cup is configured to move from the closed position to the empty position and from the empty position to the removable position. In some examples, when the dust cup is in the removable position, the dust cup may be removable from the cleaner body. In some examples, the surface cleaning device may further include a sliding stop configured to hold the dust cup in the empty position. In some examples, the sliding stop may be configured to slide in response to the pivotal movement of the dust cup from the empty position to the removable position. In some examples, the surface cleaning device may further include a removable release pivotably connected to the cleaner body, the removable release configured to move between a latched position and a released position, and when the removable release is in the latched position, the sliding movement of the sliding stop is substantially prevented.

[0031] An example of a vacuum cleaner consistent with the present disclosure may include a cleaner body having a handle and an inlet, a suction motor fluid-coupled to the inlet, a pre-motor filter chamber detachably coupled to the cleaner body and fluid-coupled to the suction motor, and a dust cup fluid-coupled to the suction motor and pivotably coupled to the pre-motor filter chamber.

[0032] In some examples, the dust cup may be configured to pivot between at least three index positions. In some examples, the at least three index positions may include a closed position, an empty position, and a removal position, and the dust cup is configured to move from the closed position to the empty position and from the empty position to the removal position. In some examples, when the dust cup is in the removal position, the premotor filter chamber may be removable from the cleaner body. In some examples, the vacuum cleaner may further include a sliding stop slidably connected to the premotor filter chamber and configured to hold the dust cup in the empty position. In some examples, the sliding stop may be configured to slide in response to the pivotal movement of the dust cup from the empty position to the removal position. In some examples, the vacuum cleaner may further include a removal release pivotably connected to the cleaner body, the removal release configured to move between a latched position and a released position, and when the removal release is in the latched position, the sliding movement of the sliding stop is substantially prevented.

[0033] Another example of a vacuum cleaner consistent with the present disclosure may include: a cleaner body having a handle and an inlet, wherein the inlet is located opposite the handle along the longitudinal axis of the cleaner body; a suction motor fluidly coupled to the inlet; a pre-motor filter chamber detachably coupled to the cleaner body and fluidly coupled to the suction motor; and a dust cup fluidly coupled to the suction motor and pivotably coupled to the pre-motor filter chamber, wherein the dust cup is configured to pivot between at least a closed position, an empty position and a detachable position, and further configured to move from the closed position to the empty position and from the empty position to the detachable position.

[0034] In some examples, the pre-motor filter chamber may be removable from the cleaner body when the dust cup is in the removal position. In some examples, the vacuum cleaner may further include a sliding stop slidably connected to the pre-motor filter chamber and configured to hold the dust cup in the empty position. In some examples, the sliding stop may be configured to slide in response to the pivotal movement of the dust cup from the empty position to the removal position. In some examples, the vacuum cleaner may further include a removal release pivotably connected to the cleaner body, the removal release configured to move between a latched position and a released position, and when the removal release is in the latched position, the sliding movement of the sliding stop is substantially prevented.

[0035] While the principles of the present invention are described herein, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that this description is merely illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of the invention. In addition to the exemplary embodiments shown and described herein, other embodiments are intended within the scope of the invention. Modifications and substitutions by those skilled in the art are considered to be within the scope of the invention and should not be limited except by the following claims.

Claims

1. A surface cleaning device, A cleaner body having an inlet, A dust cup connected to the cleaner body, configured to pivot selectively between at least three index positions, Each index position is a position in which the dust cup is selectively held. The aforementioned three index positions are, The dust cup is in a first position where it is fluidly connected to the inlet, The dust cup is fluidly separated from the inlet at a second position, A third position, including a dust cup, A dust cup biasing mechanism that biases the dust cup to the second position, A stop part biasing mechanism comprising: a stop part biasing mechanism wherein the force exerted by the dust cup biasing mechanism is insufficient to overcome the force applied by the stop part biasing mechanism, and selectively holds the dust cup in the second position, A surface cleaning device in which the dust cup is removable from the cleaner body when the dust cup is in the third position.

2. The surface cleaning device according to claim 1, further comprising a filter chamber detachably connected to the cleaner body.

3. The surface cleaning device according to claim 2, wherein the dust cup is pivotably connected to the filter chamber.

4. A surface cleaning device, A cleaner body having an inlet, A dust cup connected to the cleaner body, configured to pivot selectively between at least three index positions, Each index position is a position in which the dust cup is selectively held. The aforementioned three index positions are, The dust cup is in a first position where it is fluidly connected to the inlet, The dust cup is fluidly separated from the inlet at a second position, A third position, including a dust cup, A dust cup biasing mechanism that biases the dust cup to the second position, A stop part biasing mechanism, wherein the force exerted by the dust cup biasing mechanism is insufficient to overcome the force applied by the stop part biasing mechanism, and selectively holds the dust cup in the second position, A sliding stopper is configured to cooperate with the stopper biasing mechanism to hold the dust cup in the second position, A surface cleaning device in which the sliding stop portion is configured to slide in response to the pivotal movement of the dust cup from the second position to the third position.

5. The surface cleaning device according to claim 4, further comprising a removable release pivotably connected to the cleaner body, wherein the removable release is configured to move between a latched position and a released position, and when the removable release is in the latched position, the sliding movement of the sliding stop is substantially prevented.

6. The surface cleaning device according to claim 4, further comprising a filter chamber detachably connected to the cleaner body.

7. The surface cleaning device according to claim 6, wherein the dust cup is pivotably connected to the filter chamber.

8. A cleaner body having a handle and an opening, A suction motor is fluid-connected to the aforementioned inlet, A chamber of a pre-motor filter, which is detachably connected to the cleaner body and fluidly connected to the suction motor, A dust cup connected to the cleaner body, configured to pivot selectively between at least three index positions, Each index position is a position in which the dust cup is selectively held. The aforementioned three index positions are, The dust cup is in a first position where it is fluidly connected to the inlet, The dust cup is fluidly separated from the inlet at a second position, A third position, including a dust cup, A dust cup biasing mechanism that biases the dust cup to the second position, A stop part biasing mechanism comprising: a stop part biasing mechanism wherein the force exerted by the dust cup biasing mechanism is insufficient to overcome the force applied by the stop part biasing mechanism, and selectively holds the dust cup in the second position, A vacuum cleaner in which the chamber of the pre-motor filter is removable from the cleaner body when the dust cup is in the third position.

9. A cleaner body having a handle and an opening, A suction motor is fluid-connected to the aforementioned inlet, A pre-motor filter chamber, which is detachably connected to the cleaner body and fluidly connected to the suction motor, A dust cup connected to the cleaner body, configured to pivot selectively between at least three index positions, Each index position is a position in which the dust cup is selectively held. The aforementioned three index positions are, The dust cup is in a first position where it is fluidly connected to the inlet, The dust cup is fluidly separated from the inlet at a second position, A third position, including a dust cup, A dust cup biasing mechanism that biases the dust cup to the second position, A stop part biasing mechanism, wherein the force exerted by the dust cup biasing mechanism is insufficient to overcome the force applied by the stop part biasing mechanism, and selectively holds the dust cup in the second position, The premotor filter chamber is slidably connected to a sliding stopper, which is configured to cooperate with the stopper biasing mechanism to hold the dust cup in the second position, A vacuum cleaner in which the sliding stop is configured to slide in response to the pivotal movement of the dust cup from the second position to the third position.

10. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 9, further comprising a removable release pivotably connected to the cleaner body, wherein the removable release is configured to move between a latched position and a released position, and when the removable release is in the latched position, the sliding movement of the sliding stop is substantially prevented.

11. A cleaner body having a handle and an inlet, wherein the inlet is located on the opposite side of the handle along the longitudinal axis of the cleaner body, A suction motor is fluid-connected to the aforementioned inlet, A pre-motor filter chamber, which is detachably connected to the cleaner body and fluidly connected to the suction motor, A dust cup that is fluidly connected to the suction motor and pivotably connected to the chamber of the pre-motor filter, The dust cup is configured to pivot selectively between at least three index positions. Each index position is a position in which the dust cup is selectively held. The aforementioned three index positions are, The dust cup is in a first position where it is fluidly connected to the inlet, The dust cup is fluidly separated from the inlet at a second position, A third position, including a dust cup, A dust cup biasing mechanism that biases the dust cup to the second position, A stop part biasing mechanism comprising: a stop part biasing mechanism wherein the force exerted by the dust cup biasing mechanism is insufficient to overcome the force applied by the stop part biasing mechanism, and selectively holds the dust cup in the second position, A vacuum cleaner in which the pre-motor filter chamber is removable from the cleaner body when the dust cup is in the third position.

12. A cleaner body having a handle and an inlet, wherein the inlet is located on the opposite side of the handle along the longitudinal axis of the cleaner body, A suction motor is fluid-connected to the aforementioned inlet, A pre-motor filter chamber, which is detachably connected to the cleaner body and fluidly connected to the suction motor, A dust cup that is fluidly connected to the suction motor and pivotably connected to the chamber of the pre-motor filter, The dust cup is configured to pivot selectively between at least three index positions. Each index position is a position in which the dust cup is selectively held. The aforementioned three index positions are, The dust cup is in a first position where it is fluidly connected to the inlet, The dust cup is fluidly separated from the inlet at a second position, A third position, including a dust cup, A dust cup biasing mechanism that biases the dust cup to the second position, A stop part biasing mechanism, wherein the force exerted by the dust cup biasing mechanism is insufficient to overcome the force applied by the stop part biasing mechanism, and selectively holds the dust cup in the second position, A sliding stop is slidably connected to the chamber of the premotor filter and configured to cooperate with the stop biasing mechanism to hold the dust cup in the second position, A vacuum cleaner in which the sliding stop is configured to slide in response to the pivotal movement of the dust cup from the second position to the third position.

13. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 12, further comprising a removable release pivotably connected to the cleaner body, wherein the removable release is configured to move between a latched position and a released position, and when the removable release is in the latched position, the sliding movement of the sliding stop is substantially prevented.

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