Efficient lightweight vacuum

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner base having a volute air outlet and a beater bar housing that are substantially collinear is described. In some embodiments, the beater bar housing includes an air outlet, the volute includes a volute air inlet disposed parallel to the beater bar housing, and a volute air outlet disposed orthogonal to the beater bar housing, and an air duct connecting the volute air inlet and the air outlet of the beater bar housing; wherein the air outlet of the beater bar housing and the volute air outlet are substantially collinear. Additionally a vacuum cleaner comprising a unibody mount bracket is described. In some embodiments, the unibody mount bracket includes one or more handle receptacles, a dirty air outlet configured to receive a dirty air conduit, and a pivot joint disposed adjacent the dirty air outlet, wherein the pivot joint is configured to receive a bag mounting member.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A vacuum cleaner base comprising:
 a beater bar housing including an air outlet;   a volute including:
 a volute air inlet disposed parallel to the beater bar housing; and 
 a volute air outlet disposed orthogonal to the beater bar housing; and 
   an air duct connecting the volute air inlet and the air outlet of the beater bar housing;   wherein the air outlet of the beater bar housing and the volute air outlet are substantially collinear.   
     
     
         2 . The vacuum cleaner base of  claim 1 , wherein a center of the volute air outlet and a center of the air outlet of the beater bar housing are substantially collinear. 
     
     
         3 . The vacuum cleaner base of  claim 1 , wherein the air duct flairs as the air duct approaches the beater bar housing. 
     
     
         4 . The vacuum cleaner base of  claim 1 , further comprising anti-ingestion bars disposed on an air inlet of the beater bar housing. 
     
     
         5 . The vacuum cleaner base of  claim 1 , further comprising an impeller disposed within the volute and driven by a motor. 
     
     
         6 . A vacuum cleaner comprising:
 a multipurpose bracket comprising
 one or more handle receptacles; 
 a dirty air outlet that is configured to receive a dirty air conduit; and 
 a pivot joint disposed adjacent the dirty air outlet, wherein the pivot joint is configured to receive a bag mounting member. 
   
     
     
         7 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 6 , further comprising a retainer member disposed on the multipurpose bracket for engaging a retainer opening in the collar. 
     
     
         8 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 6 , further comprising at least one protrusion disposed on the multipurpose bracket for engaging a collar. 
     
     
         9 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 6 , further comprising a switch receptacle disposed on the multipurpose bracket for receiving a switch. 
     
     
         10 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 6 , further comprising a baffle over the dirty air outlet disposed on the multipurpose bracket. 
     
     
         11 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 6 , further comprising a bag mounting member releasably connected to the pivot joint and movable between a loading position in which a vacuum bag is inserted into or removed from the mounting member and a fully closed position in which the dirty air nozzle engages a dirty air opening in a collar of the vacuum bag. 
     
     
         12 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 6 , further comprising a hook latch disposed on the multipurpose bracket adjacent to the dirty air nozzle, wherein the hook latch is operable to releasably retain a top edge of a collar. 
     
     
         13 . A vacuum cleaner comprising:
 a multipurpose bracket comprising
 one or more handle receptacles; 
 a dirty air outlet that is configured to receive a dirty air conduit; 
 a pivot joint disposed adjacent the dirty air outlet, wherein the pivot joint is configured to receive a bag mounting member; 
 at least one protrusion for engaging a collar; and 
 a hook latch operable to releasably retain a top edge of the collar. 
   
     
     
         14 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 13 , further comprising a retainer member disposed on the multipurpose bracket for engaging a retainer opening in the collar. 
     
     
         15 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 13 , further comprising a switch receptacle disposed on the multipurpose bracket for receiving a micro-switch. 
     
     
         16 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 13 , further comprising a baffle over the dirty air outlet disposed on the multipurpose bracket. 
     
     
         17 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 13 , wherein the multipurpose bracket includes a fastening point to support a hook to carry a cord. 
     
     
         18 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 13 , wherein the multipurpose bracket transfers force from a handle disposed in the one or more handle receptacles to the dirty air conduit. 
     
     
         19 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 13 , wherein the hook latch is adapted and arranged on the vacuum cleaner in a position to have a top of a vacuum bag mounted to the vacuum cleaner and the remainder of the bag rests below the hook latch.