Floor cleaning apparatus with cleaning attachment release mechanism

Abstract

A floor cleaning apparatus includes a housing. A dirt collection vessel and a suction generator are both carried on the housing. A cleaning tool receiver is connected to the housing. The cleaning tool receiver includes a spring loaded detent. In addition, the apparatus includes a cleaning tool releasably connected to the cleaning tool receiver. The cleaning tool includes a body having a latching aperture receiving the spring loaded detent when the cleaning tool is connected to the receiver. The cleaning tool also includes a release actuator in the form of a sliding lever. When manipulated, the release actuator engages the spring loaded detent and removes the spring loaded detent from the latching aperture so as to release the cleaning tool from the cleaning tool receiver.

What is claimed:  
     
         1 . A floor cleaning apparatus, comprising:
 a housing;   a dirt collection vessel carried on said housing;   a suction generator carried on said housing;   a cleaning tool receiver connected to said housing, said cleaning tool receiver including a spring-loaded detent;   a cleaning tool releasably connected to said cleaning tool receiver, said cleaning tool including a body having (a) a latching aperture receiving said spring-loaded detent when said cleaning tool is connected to said receiver and (b) a sliding lever release actuator that, when manipulated, engages said spring-loaded detent and removes said spring-loaded detent from said latching aperture so as to release said cleaning tool from said cleaning tool receiver.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said cleaning tool receiver is a cleaning wand. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said cleaning tool receiver is a cleaning wand handle. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said cleaning tool receiver is alternately a cleaning wand and a cleaning wand handle. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said sliding lever release actuator is spring-loaded. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said sliding lever release actuator includes a lug that engages said spring-loaded detent. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said lug includes a cam surface. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein said sliding lever release actuator is received in a cavity in said body. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein said lug and cam surface extend into said latching aperture beside said spring-loaded detent. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said floor cleaning apparatus is a canister vacuum cleaner. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said cleaning tool includes a brush. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said cleaning tool has an elongated nose. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein said body defines an air flow pathway and said cavity and said sliding lever release actuator extend parallel to said airflow pathway. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein a spring extending parallel to said airflow pathway biases said spring-loaded sliding lever. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said spring-loaded detent is biased and moves in a first plane and said release actuator moves in a second plane wherein said second plane is substantially perpendicular to said first plane. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said body defines an air flow pathway and said sliding lever release actuator moves along a path parallel to said airflow pathway.