# US 2021/0274991 A1 · Vacuum cleaner > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2021/0274991 A1 - Document ID: US20210274991A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/328,507 - Filed: 2021-05-24 - Published: 2021-09-09 - Earliest claimed: 2018-05-31 - Assignees: Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited - Applicants: Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited - Inventors: David Khalil - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210274991A1 ## CPC - A47L 5/30: with driven dust-loosening tools, e.g. rotating brushes - A47L 9/2884: {Details of arrangements of batteries or their installation} - A47L 5/225: {Convertible suction cleaners, i.e. convertible between different types thereof, e.g. from upright suction cleaners to sledge-type suction cleaners} - A47L 5/24: Hand-supported suction cleaners - A47L 5/28: Suction cleaners with handles and nozzles fixed on the casings, e.g. wheeled suction cleaners with steering handle (A47L5/24 takes precedence) - A47L 9/2873: {Docking units or charging stations (for autonomous or robotic vacuum cleaners A47L2201/02)} - A47L 9/325: {for wheeled suction cleaners with steering handle} - A47L: DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING (brushes A46B; cleaning quantities of bottles or of other hollow articles of one kind B08B9/00; laundry D06F); SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL (cleaning in general B08) ## Abstract A vacuum cleaner comprising a housing, a suction source, a dirt collection chamber in fluid communication with the suction source, a battery to provide power to the suction source, and a plug assembly having a body and an electrical connector in electrical communication with the battery via a cord. The plug assembly is configured to receive power from an AC power source to charge the battery. The plug assembly is moveable between a first position, in which the plug assembly is outside the housing and a second position in which the plug assembly is received in the housing. When the plug assembly is in the second position, the body of the plug assembly forms an outer surface of the housing. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A vacuum cleaner comprising: a housing; a suction source; a dirt collection chamber in fluid communication with the suction source; a battery to provide power to the suction source; and a plug assembly having a body and an electrical connector in electrical communication with the battery via a cord, the plug assembly configured to receive power from an AC power source to charge the battery; wherein the plug assembly is moveable between a first position in which the plug assembly is outside the housing and a second position in which the plug assembly is received in the housing; and wherein when the plug assembly is in the second position, the body of the plug assembly forms an outer surface of the housing. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein the plug assembly includes a power converter in electrical communication with the electrical connector configured to convert AC power from the AC power source to DC power to charge the battery, and wherein the plug assembly is connected to a distal end of the cord. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein the housing includes an access opening to an interior of the housing, and wherein the body of the plug assembly forms a cover over the access opening when the plug assembly is in the second position. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein the housing forms an enclosure having an outer housing surface, and wherein the body of the plug assembly includes an outer body surface, and wherein when the plug assembly is in the second position, the outer body surface forms a portion of the outer housing surface of the enclosure. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The vacuum cleaner of claim 4, wherein the enclosure has a predetermined shape, and wherein the outer body surface and the outer housing surface cooperate to form at least a portion of the predetermined shape when the plug assembly is in the second position. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein the outer body surface is substantially continuous with the outer housing surface when the plug is in the second position. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a first engagement member and the body includes a second engagement member, and wherein the first engagement member and the second engagement member are configured to cooperatively engage to retain the plug assembly in the second position. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein the plug assembly is pivoted with respect to the housing when the plug assembly moves from the first position to the second position. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein the electrical connector is concealed within the housing when the plug assembly is in the second position. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises a longitudinal slot through the housing defining a pathway to an interior of the housing. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The vacuum cleaner of claim 10, wherein one or both sides of the longitudinal slot are formed by a resilient material. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The vacuum cleaner of claim 10, wherein the housing further comprises a door configured to provide access to an interior of the housing; and wherein the longitudinal slot extends along at least a partial length of the door. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The vacuum cleaner of claim 10, wherein the housing includes a first recess for the plug assembly and a second recess for the cord, and wherein when the plug assembly is moved from the first position to the second position, the cord can move through the slot to the second recess without having to pass through the first recess. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The vacuum cleaner of claim 13, wherein one or both sides of the longitudinal slot are formed by resilient material. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The vacuum cleaner of claim 10, wherein the housing further comprises a door configured to provide access to an interior of the housing; and wherein the plug assembly is movable with the door between the first position in which the door is opened and the second position in which the door is closed. ### Claim 16 A battery powered cleaner comprising: a housing including a handle; a suction source; a suction inlet fluidly coupled to the suction source; a dirt collection chamber; a battery to provide power to the suction source; and a plug assembly having a body and an electrical connector in electrical communication with the battery via a cord, the plug assembly configured to receive power from an AC power source to charge the battery; wherein the plug assembly is moveable between a first position in which the plug assembly is outside the handle and a second position in which the plug assembly is received in the handle; and wherein when the plug assembly is in the second position, the body of the plug assembly forms an outer surface of the handle. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The cleaner of claim 16, wherein the plug assembly includes a power converter in the body in electrical communication with the electrical connector configured to convert AC power from the AC power source to DC power to charge the battery; wherein the plug assembly is connected to a distal end of the cord. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The cleaner of claim 16, wherein the housing includes an access opening to an interior of the housing; and wherein the body of the plug assembly forms a cover over the access opening when the plug assembly is in the second position. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The vacuum cleaner of claim 16, wherein the handle forms an enclosure having an outer handle surface, and wherein the body of the plug assembly includes an outer body surface, and wherein when the plug assembly is in the second position, the outer body surface forms a portion of the outer handle surface of the enclosure. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The vacuum cleaner of claim 19, wherein the enclosure has a predetermined shape, and wherein the outer body surface and the outer handle surface cooperate to form at least a portion of the predetermined shape when the plug assembly is in the second position.