Modular vacuum cleaner

A vacuum cleaner comprising:

• a vacuum module configured to draw a vacuum;
• a collector module configured to collect debris;
• an interconnecting duct that operatively couples the vacuum module to the collector module such that the vacuum module pulls air into, through, and out of the collector module when drawing a vacuum;
• a first bracket that rigidly couples the vacuum module to the collector module;
• and
• a second bracket that extends from the collector module, wherein the collector module is disposed at an elevated level compared to the vacuum module in a stepped configuration.

A vacuum cleaner mounted in a vehicle, comprising:

• a vacuum module configured to draw a vacuum, wherein the vacuum module includes a motor/impeller unit disposed within a motor housing and a longitudinal axis;
• and
• a collector module configured to collect debris, wherein the collector module includes a collector housing, a debris canister removably disposed in the collector housing and a longitudinal axis;
• wherein each of the motor housing and the collector housing is fixedly attached to the vehicle;
• and
• wherein the collector module is operatively coupled to the vacuum module in each one of a plurality of arrangements, the plurality of arrangements including a perpendicular configuration, an in-line configuration, and a side-by-side configuration, and
• wherein the perpendicular configuration is a configuration in which the longitudinal axis of the vacuum module is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the collector module,
• wherein the in-line configuration is a configuration in which the longitudinal axis of the vacuum module is substantially coaxial to the longitudinal axis of the collector module
• wherein the side-by-side configuration is a configuration in which the longitudinal axis of the vacuum module is substantially parallel to but offset from the longitudinal axis of the collector module.