The Hoover Comapny

International Automotive Components Group North America, Inc.

William G Alford

Ronald J Stephens

Richard S Parr

David W Moine

Ivan Brousseau

Douglas C Barker

Gad Shaanan

Sana S K Mok

Kevin L Thomas

Jeffery A Morgan

Greg A Bilek

John D Essex

Erik D Lesco

Darwin T McKnight

Adam C Sclafani

Matthew J Archer

Richard R Tucker

Lynn A Frederick

Christopher J Fawcett

Jackson William Wegelin

Edgar A Maurer

David M Allgeier

Kevin S Waltz

Jerry L Balzer

David P Parks

David C Kumpf

Joseph A Garisto

A floor mat having a first surface, a second surface disposed opposite the first surface; and a V-shaped retention feature. The V-shaped retention feature extends from the second surface and has first and second ramp surfaces disposed at an angle relative to the second surface.

Floor mat having a retention feature

Foot of an upright vacuum cleaner

This invention relates to a multi-purpose position sensitive floor cleaning device having two separate and distinct selective modes of operation whereby 180&#xb0; longitudinal rotation of the floor cleaning device selectively activates one of the two separate and distinct selective modes of operation. The two separate and distinct selective modes of operation are, for example, a scrubbing mode for scrubbing an associated floor and a suctioning mode for suctioning associated liquid from the associated floor.

Multi-purpose position sensitive floor cleaning device

Portion of a portable cleaning machine

An upright vacuum cleaner is disclosed. The upright vacuum cleaner includes a carpet engaging nozzle base and an upper housing pivotally attached to the nozzle base. The upright vacuum cleaner further includes a removable bucket releasably secured to the upper housing and a bucket handle rotatably attached to the bucket and movable between a first position and a second position. The upright vacuum cleaner yet further includes a latch adapted to secure the bucket to the upper housing when the handle is in the first position and release the bucket from the upper portion when the handle is in a second position. The bucket may be removed from the upper housing when the latch is released from the upper housing. The bucket is re-secured to the upper housing by returning the bucket handle to the first position. A method of operating a upright vacuum cleaner is also disclosed.

Handle and latch for a removable dirt separation system

Portable cleaning machine

Handle for a portable cleaning machine

Tank for a portable cleaning machine

Upper housing portion of a floor care appliance

Suction nozzle hood for a floor care appliance

A removable dirt separation system for a vacuum cleaner is disclosed. The dirt separation system includes a dirt cup having a number of outer walls having a first portion defined by a filter assembly and a second portion with a first translucent panel to allow viewing material which accumulates within the dirt cup. The dirt cup further includes a top opening allow emptying of the dirt cup and an inlet in fluid communication with a suction nozzle of the vacuum cleaner. The dirt separation system further includes a lid for sealing the upper opening of the dirt cup. The dirt separation system yet further include a dirt duct for routing air which exits the filter assembly to an exit opening of the dirt separation system. A method of operating a removable dirt separation system for a vacuum cleaner is also disclosed.

Removable dirt separation system for a vacuum cleaner

Upper handle of a floor care appliance

Growing community of inventors

Canton, OH, United States of America

William G Alford