Surface cleaning apparatus

Abstract

A surface cleaning apparatus including a cleaning head and a housing member supporting a water storage container, a steam generator including a heating element, and a steam outlet. The surface cleaning apparatus further includes an elongate member connecting the cleaning head to the housing member. The elongate member includes a fluid passage communicating with the steam outlet for directing steam towards the cleaning head. The elongate member is releasably connectable to the cleaning head.

1 . A surface cleaning apparatus comprising:
 a cleaning head;   a housing member supporting:
 a water storage container; 
 a steam generator including a heating element; and 
 a steam outlet, and 
   an elongate member connecting the cleaning head to the housing member, said elongate member including a fluid passage communicating with the steam outlet for directing steam towards the cleaning head,   wherein the elongate member is releasably connectable to the cleaning head.   
     
     
         2 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the housing member includes a user-graspable handle formation and a control for operation of the apparatus. 
     
     
         3 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the apparatus includes a first holding device for holding the elongate member relative to the cleaning head. 
     
     
         4 . An apparatus according to  claim 3  wherein the first holding device includes a first locking member supported on or by one of the elongate member or cleaning head which is moveable between locking and unlocking positions, and which is engageable with a first formation on or in the other of the elongate member or cleaning head. 
     
     
         5 . An apparatus according to  claim 4  wherein the first formation is a recess or a projection. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus according to  claim 4  wherein the first locking member is moveable to its unlocking position by a foot of a user. 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the elongate member is releasably connectable to the housing member. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus according to  claim 7  wherein the apparatus includes a second holding device for holding the elongate member relative to the housing member. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus according to  claim 8  wherein the second holding device includes a second locking member supported on or by one of the elongate member or housing member which is moveable between locking and unlocking positions, and which is engageable with a second formation on or in the other of the elongate member or housing member. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus according to  claim 9  wherein the second formation is a recess or a projection. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus according to  claim 4  wherein the first locking member is biased to the locking position by a spring. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus according to  claim 4  wherein the first locking member is pivotally movable between the locking and unlocking positions. 
     
     
         13 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the elongate member includes a steam outlet which is releasably connectable to a steam inlet of the cleaning member. 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the steam outlet of the housing member is releasably connectable to a steam inlet of the elongate member. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the housing member is useable as a handheld surface cleaning apparatus once disconnected from the elongate member. 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the housing member supports a detergent storage container. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus according to  claim 16  wherein the housing member includes a detergent outlet which communicates with a detergent passage in the elongate member for directing detergent towards the cleaning head. 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus according to  claim 17  wherein the detergent passage and fluid passage in the elongate member are positioned side-by-side. 
     
     
         19 . An apparatus according to  claim 17  wherein a cross-sectional area of the fluid passage is greater than a cross-sectional area of the detergent passage. 
     
     
         20 . An apparatus according to  claim 16  wherein detergent is mixed with steam at or before the mixture exits the elongate member via its steam outlet to the cleaning head. 
     
     
         21 . An apparatus according to  claim 16  wherein detergent is mixed with steam at or before the mixture exits the housing member via its steam outlet to the fluid passage of the elongate member. 
     
     
         22 . An apparatus according to  claim 21  wherein the fluid passage of the elongate member is for directing the detergent/steam mixture towards the cleaning head. 
     
     
         23 . An apparatus according to  claim 16  wherein the cleaning head supports a detergent storage container and includes a detergent outlet. 
     
     
         24 . An apparatus according to  claim 23  wherein detergent is mixed with steam at or before the detergent/steam mixture exits the cleaning head. 
     
     
         25 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the elongate member is substantially circular or oval in cross-section. 
     
     
         26 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the steam outlet of the housing member is releasably connectable to a steam inlet of the cleaning member. 
     
     
         27 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the elongate member includes at least two members connected in end-to-end configuration with the members being releasably connectable to each other. 
     
     
         28 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the cleaning head, elongate member and housing member are connected to each other in that sequence, with the housing member being positioned farthest from a floor surface to be cleaned. 
     
     
         29 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  including a tool for cleaning, the tool having a conduit which is connectable to the steam outlet of the housing. 
     
     
         30 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  including a pump for feeding water from the water storage container to the steam generator. 
     
     
         31 .- 32 .(canceled)