Surface cleaning apparatus

Abstract

A surface cleaning apparatus with a removable compartment is provided that allows a dust cup in the removable compartment to be emptied while minimizing handling by the user. The removable compartment is removably secured within the surface cleaning apparatus. The removable compartment can be removed by activating a first trigger device. The dust cup can be emptied by activating a second trigger device.

1 . A surface cleaning apparatus, comprising: 
 a rotatable brush contained within a forward compartment;    a motor for driving the rotatable brush;    an intermediate compartment comprising a dust cup and a dust removal door, the intermediate compartment being removably secured within the body by a securing structure;    a handle coupled to the intermediate compartment;    a first trigger device operably connected to the securing structure for releasing the intermediate compartment to allow removal of the intermediate compartment; and    a second trigger device for opening the dust removal door.    
   
   
       2 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first trigger device is a lever, a pedal, a switch, or a button.  
   
   
       3 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first trigger device is located above a rear compartment.  
   
   
       4 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the securing structure comprises a flange or a tab.  
   
   
       5 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the securing structure is located on the intermediate compartment.  
   
   
       6 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second trigger device is a lever, a pedal, a switch, or a button.  
   
   
       7 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second trigger device is located on the handle.  
   
   
       8 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second trigger device is located on the intermediate compartment.  
   
   
       9 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second trigger device is operably connected to the dust removal door by a cable.  
   
   
       10 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein movement of the second trigger device in a first direction opens the dust removal door and movement of the second trigger device in a second direction closes the dust removal door.  
   
   
       11 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the rotatable brush is an elongate rotatable brush.  
   
   
       12 . A surface cleaning apparatus, comprising: 
 a body;    an elongate rotatable brush contained within the body;    a motor for driving the rotatable brush;    a removable compartment comprising a dust cup and a dust removal door, the removable compartment being removably secured within the body by a securing structure;    a handle coupled to the removable compartment;    a first trigger device operably connected to the securing structure for releasing the removable compartment to allow removal of the removable compartment; and    a second trigger device for opening the dust removal door.    
   
   
       13 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first trigger device is a lever, a pedal, a switch, or a button.  
   
   
       14 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the securing structure comprises a flange or a tab.  
   
   
       15 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the securing structure is located on the removable compartment.  
   
   
       16 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second trigger device is a lever, a pedal, a switch, or a button.  
   
   
       17 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second trigger device is located on the handle.  
   
   
       18 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second trigger device is located on the removable compartment.  
   
   
       19 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second trigger device is operably connected to the dust removal door by a cable.  
   
   
       20 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a plurality of compartments, the removable compartment being an intermediate compartment.  
   
   
       21 . A method for emptying debris from a surface cleaning apparatus having a removably secured compartment, comprising: 
 activating a first trigger device that is operably connected to a securing structure;    removing the removable compartment from within the surface cleaning apparatus;    activating a second trigger device to open a door on the removable compartment.    
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein removing the removable compartment occurs during the activation of the first trigger device.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising deactivating the second trigger device to close the door on the removable compartment.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein activating a first trigger device comprises pushing a button, a lever, a switch, or a pedal, the activation of the first trigger device causing the securing structure to move from a securing position to a second position.