Vacuum cleaner with retractable auxiliary suction hose

An upright vacuum cleaner, comprising:

• a main body having arranged therein:
• a suction chamber,
• a fan unit operable to reduce the pressure in the suction chamber to a sub-atmospheric level,
• a first suction duct,
• a second suction duct, and
• a valve arrangement operable to establish communication between each of the first and second suction ducts and the suction chamber;
• a floor nozzle arrangement provided at a first end of the main body and in communication with said first suction duct;
• an auxiliary nozzle for above-floor cleaning;
• an extensible and/or collapsible suction hose connecting the auxiliary nozzle to said second suction duct;
• handle means projecting from the main body substantially opposite to said first end of the main body, wherein the handle means comprises an elongated recess adapted to contain the greater part of the suction hose;
• and
• the handle means further comprises retention means adapted to retain the auxiliary nozzle in a resting position, wherein the retention means comprises an actuating means for sensing a presence of the auxiliary nozzle in its resting position and, responsive thereto, operating the valve arrangement accordingly;
• and
• wherein the retention means comprises a lid arrangement adapted to obstruct the auxiliary nozzle when the latter is in its resting position, thereby preventing communication between the auxiliary nozzle and the suction chamber.

An upright vacuum cleaner, comprising:

• a main body having arranged therein:
• a suction chamber,
• a fan unit operable to reduce the pressure in the suction chamber to a sub-atmospheric level,
• a first suction duct,
• a second suction duct, and
• a valve arrangement operable to establish communication between each of the first and second suction ducts and the suction chamber;
• a floor nozzle arrangement provided at a first end (9) of the main body and in communication with said first suction duct;
• an auxiliary nozzle for above-floor cleaning;
• an extensible and/or collapsible suction hose connecting the auxiliary nozzle to said second suction duct;
• handle means projecting from the main body substantially opposite to said first end of the main body, wherein the handle means comprises an elongated recess adapted to contain the greater part of the suction hose;
• the handle means further comprises retention means adapted to retain the auxiliary nozzle in a resting position, wherein the retention means comprises actuating means for sensing a presence of the auxiliary nozzle in its resting position and, responsive thereto, operating the valve arrangement accordingly;
• and
• at least one viewing aperture into the recess;
• and
• wherein the retention means comprises a lid arrangement adapted to obstruct the auxiliary nozzle when the latter is in its resting position, thereby preventing communication between the auxiliary nozzle and the suction chamber.