Surface cleaning apparatus with a sideways pivoting handle

Abstract

An upright surface cleaning apparatus, such as an upright vacuum cleaner, is provided wherein the upright section is moveable sideways about a pivot axis wherein the pivot axis is angled forwardly and downwardly. In other embodiments, a surface cleaning head is provided which is moveable sideways and is biased to the centered position. In other embodiments, a surface cleaning head is moveable sideways and is provided with a detent mechanism to inhibit sideways movement when in the storage position. In other embodiments, a surface cleaning apparatus is also provided which alternately uses a cleaning head adapted to receive a cloth or a traditional surface cleaning head.

1 - 34 . (canceled) 
     
     
         35 . A surface cleaning head comprising:
 a forward portion having a dirty air inlet;   a rearward portion, the rearward portion spaced apart from the forward portion by a separation distance;   a housing connecting the forward portion to the rearward portion, the housing defining a fluid conduit that is fluidly coupled to the dirty air inlet; and   a support movably coupled to the rearward portion, the support including first and second detents configured to inhibit movement of the support.   
     
     
         36 . The surface cleaning head of  claim 35 , wherein the support is movable about a first axis and a second axis. 
     
     
         37 . The surface cleaning head of  claim 36 , wherein the support pivots about the first axis between an upright position and an in-use position. 
     
     
         38 . The surface cleaning head of  claim 37 , wherein the support pivots about the second axis between a centered position and a sideways position. 
     
     
         39 . The surface cleaning head of  claim 38 , wherein the first and second detents inhibit movement of the support about the second axis second when the support is in the upright position. 
     
     
         40 . The surface cleaning head of  claim 35  further comprising a cleaning sheet removably coupled to the rearward portion. 
     
     
         41 . The surface cleaning head of  claim 40 , wherein the cleaning sheet includes at least a first tab and a second tab. 
     
     
         42 . The surface cleaning head of  claim 41 , wherein the first tab is configured to couple to the second tab. 
     
     
         43 . The surface cleaning head of  claim 42 , wherein the first tab and the second tab are configured to extend along at least a portion of an upper surface of the rearward portion. 
     
     
         44 . The surface cleaning head of  claim 35 , wherein an upper surface of the rearward portion includes one or more engagement members configured to releasably couple to a cleaning sheet. 
     
     
         45 . The surface cleaning head of  claim 44 , wherein the one or more engagement members form a portion of a hook and loop fastener. 
     
     
         46 . The surface cleaning head of  claim 35 , wherein the forward portion defines a nozzle having a tapering region that tapers towards the dirty air inlet. 
     
     
         47 . The surface cleaning head of  claim 46 , wherein the tapering region includes a protrusion extending from a forward facing end of the forward portion towards a rearward facing end of the forward portion. 
     
     
         48 . The surface cleaning head of  claim 46 , wherein the nozzle includes a first inlet extending along a forward facing end of the forward portion. 
     
     
         49 . The surface cleaning head of  claim 48 , wherein the nozzle includes a second inlet, the second inlet extending between the forward facing end of the forward portion and a rearward facing portion of the forward portion. 
     
     
         50 . The surface cleaning head of  claim 49 , wherein the nozzle includes a third inlet, the third inlet extending between the forward facing end of the forward portion and the rearward facing portion of the forward portion. 
     
     
         51 . The surface cleaning head of  claim 50 , wherein the third inlet and the second inlet are disposed on opposite sides of the dirty air inlet. 
     
     
         52 . The surface cleaning head of  claim 35  further comprising a plurality of wheels. 
     
     
         53 . The surface cleaning head of  claim 52 , wherein the plurality of wheels are coupled to the forward portion. 
     
     
         54 . The surface cleaning head of  claim 53 , wherein the plurality of wheels are disposed on opposing sides of the dirty air inlet.