Surface cleaning apparatus

Abstract

A surface cleaning apparatus having a body ( 12 ), a primary air inlet ( 70 ), a first wheel ( 14 ), preferably the first wheel being positioned at or near a first end of the body, and a second wheel ( 16 ), preferably the second wheel being positioned at or near a second end of the body, a source of suction, and a chamber ( 100 ) for receiving dirt, which chamber is in fluid communication with the primary air inlet ( 70 ). The primary air inlet ( 70 ) is moveable relative to the body ( 12 ).

1 . A surface cleaning apparatus having:
 a body;   a primary air inlet;   a first wheel, preferably the first wheel being positioned at or near a first end of the body; and   a second wheel, preferably the second wheel being positioned at or near a second end of the body,   a source of suction; and   a chamber for receiving dirt, which chamber is in fluid communication with the primary air inlet;   wherein the primary air inlet is pivotally moveable relative to the body and at least a portion of the primary air inlet is received in a recess in the body.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the primary air inlet is laterally moveable relative to the body. 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the primary air inlet is moveable between a first position in which an axis of the inlet is angled towards the first wheel, and a second position in which an axis of the inlet is angled towards the second wheel. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein when the primary air inlet is in a third position, between the first and second positions, an axis of the inlet is substantially perpendicular to an axis of the body. 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein when the primary air inlet is in a third position, between the first and second positions, an axis of the inlet is substantially perpendicular to an axis of one or both wheels. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the primary air inlet is biased to a third position which is substantially midway between its first and second positions. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein at least a portion of the fluid communication between the primary air inlet and the chamber for receiving dirt is provided by way of a flexible conduit. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus according to  claim 9  wherein the flexible conduit is of the corrugated type. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus according to  claim 9  wherein the conduit extends in a direction towards one of the wheels. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the primary air inlet is connected to or is connectable to a floor tool via a conduit/hose/wand or the like. 
     
     
         13 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the primary air inlet includes a formation for the releasable connection of a conduit/hose/wand or the like for connection to a floor tool. 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus according to  claim 13  wherein the formation includes an electrical connection for providing power to a floor tool. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the body has an elongate axis. 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus according to  claim 15  wherein the primary air inlet is moveable in a plane which intersects the elongate axis of the body. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus according to  claim 15  wherein the primary air inlet is moveable in a plane which lies close to the elongate axis of the body. 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus according to  claim 15  wherein the primary air inlet is moveable in a plane which intersects an axis of one or both wheels. 
     
     
         19 . An apparatus according to  claim 15  wherein the primary air inlet is moveable in a plane which lies close to an axis of one or both wheels. 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the body has first and second end, which are substantially opposite each other, and wherein the primary air inlet is positioned substantially midway between the first and second ends. 
     
     
         22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the primary air inlet extends through a generally upwardly facing exterior surface of the body. 
     
     
         24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the body is generally cylindrical and wherein a portion of the body positioned in between a central region of the body and each end and/or wheel of the body has a radius which increases as it extends towards each end and/or wheel. 
     
     
         26 .- 42 . (canceled)