Surface cleaning apparatus

Abstract

A surface cleaning apparatus having a main body, a first wheel positioned at or near a first end of the main body, a second wheel positioned at or near a second end of the main body, and the main body is generally cylindrical and a portion of the main body positioned in between a central region of the main body and each wheel has a radius which increases as it extends towards each wheel.

1 . A surface cleaning apparatus ( 10 ) comprising:
 a main body ( 12 );   a first wheel ( 14 ) positioned at or near a first end of the main body; and   a second wheel ( 16 ) positioned at or near a second end of the main body,   wherein the main body is generally cylindrical and wherein a portion of the main body positioned in between a central region of the main body and each wheel has a radius which increases as it extends towards each wheel,   and wherein the primary air inlet extends through a generally upwardly facing exterior surface of the main body.   
     
     
         2 . A surface cleaning apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said portion is provided on a floor facing portion of the exterior surface of the main body. 
     
     
         3 . A surface cleaning apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said portion extends circumferentially around the exterior surface of the main body. 
     
     
         4 .- 8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . A surface cleaning apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein a radius of a ground engaging surface of the first and second wheels is greater than a largest width of the main body when measured transversely thereof. 
     
     
         10 . A surface cleaning apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein a radius of a ground engaging surface of the first and second wheels is greater than a largest radius of the main body. 
     
     
         11 . A surface cleaning apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the main body houses a suction motor ( 140 ). 
     
     
         12 . A surface cleaning apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the main body houses a chamber ( 100 ,  100 ′,  100 ″) for receiving dirt. 
     
     
         13 . A surface cleaning apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the main body houses a first cyclonic separator device ( 10 ). 
     
     
         14 . A surface cleaning apparatus according to claim  8  wherein the main body houses a second cyclonic separator device ( 210 ) which is in fluid communication with the first cyclonic separator device. 
     
     
         15 . A surface cleaning apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the first and second wheels are rotatable about axes (A) which are coaxial with each other. 
     
     
         16 .- 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A surface cleaning apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein an axis of the main body passes through at least two of, and preferably all three of:
 a suction motor ( 140 ); 
 a chamber for receiving dirt ( 100 ,  100 ′,  100 ″); and 
 a first cyclonic separator device ( 110 ). 
 
     
     
         20 . A surface cleaning apparatus according to claim  7  wherein the chamber for collecting is removably connected to the main body. 
     
     
         21 . A surface cleaning apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein each wheel includes an annular member which is supported for rotation by an exterior surface of a part ( 15 ,  17 ) of the main body. 
     
     
         22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A surface cleaning apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the main body is generally symmetrical about a plane which extends midway between the first and second wheels perpendicularly to their rotational axis. 
     
     
         24 . A surface cleaning apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the apparatus includes a handle ( 18 ) connected to one end of the main body. 
     
     
         25 . A surface cleaning apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the apparatus includes a primary air inlet ( 70 ), wherein said air inlet is positioned substantially midway between the first and second wheels. 
     
     
         26 . A surface cleaning apparatus according to  claim 25  wherein the primary air inlet extends through a generally upwardly facing exterior surface of the main body. 
     
     
         27 . A surface cleaning apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the apparatus includes a device ( 80 ) for biasing the main body to a first position relative to the surface (F) being cleaned. 
     
     
         28 . A surface cleaning apparatus according to  claim 27  wherein the biasing device is connected to a lower part of the main body and engages with a surface (F) being cleaned. 
     
     
         29 . A surface cleaning apparatus according to  claim 27  wherein the biasing device is positioned in a space (S) defined by a concave portion or surface of the main body. 
     
     
         30 .- 274 . (canceled)