# US 9,516,979 B2 · Surface cleaning apparatus configurable in a storage position > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,516,979 B2 - Document ID: US9516979B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/086,475 - Filed: 2013-11-21 - Published: 2015-05-21 - Granted: 2016-12-13 - Earliest claimed: 2013-11-21 - Assignees: SharkNinja Operating LLC - Applicants: SharkNinja Operating LLC - Inventors: Christopher Gidwell - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9516979B2 ## CPC - 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 5/26: with driven dust-loosening tools - A47L 9/009: {Carrying-vehicles; Arrangements of trollies or wheels; Means for avoiding mechanical obstacles} - A47L 9/106: {Dust removal} - A47L 9/1683: {Dust collecting chambers; Dust collecting receptacles} - A47L 9/246: {with electrical connectors} - 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 surface cleaning apparatus may include a surface cleaning head having a dirty air inlet and a support structure moveably mounted to the surface cleaning head. A cleaning unit having an air flow path extending from a cleaning unit air inlet to a clean air outlet, a suction motor and a cyclone chamber provided in the airflow path, and a dirt collection chamber may be configured so that the cleaning unit air inlet is detachably connectable to the support structure to fluidly connect the dirty air inlet. The apparatus can be configured in a use configuration, in which the cleaning unit air inlet is connected to the support structure, and a storage configuration in which the cleaning unit air inlet is disconnected from the dirty air inlet and the cleaning unit is mounted on at least one of the support structure and the surface cleaning head. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A surface cleaning apparatus comprising: a surface cleaning head having a dirty air inlet; a support structure moveably mounted to the surface cleaning head and moveable between an inclined position and an upright position relative to the surface cleaning head; a cleaning unit having an air flow path extending from a cleaning unit air inlet to a clean air outlet, a suction motor and a cyclone chamber provided in the airflow path, and a dirt collection chamber, the cleaning unit air inlet detachably connectable to the support structure to fluidly connect the dirty air inlet and the cleaning unit air inlet; the surface cleaning apparatus is configurable in a use configuration, in which the cleaning unit air inlet is connected to the support structure and is in air flow communication with the dirty air inlet, and a storage configuration in which the cleaning unit air inlet is disconnected from the dirty air inlet and the cleaning unit is mounted on at least one of the support structure and the surface cleaning head. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a storage mount provided on the at least one of the support structure and surface cleaning head and the cleaning unit is mounted to the storage mount when in the storage configuration. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 2, wherein the cleaning unit is spaced from the surface cleaning head when in the storage configuration. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 2, wherein the cleaning unit comprises a bottom face configured to rest upon a surface and a mounting member engageable with the storage mount and the mounting member is provided on the bottom face. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 2, wherein the dirt collection chamber comprises at least one openable wall for emptying the dirt collection chamber, and the cleaning unit comprises a mounting member engageable with the storage mount and the mounting member is provided on and is moveable with the openable wall. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 2, wherein the cleaning unit comprises a mounting member engageable with the support structure when in the storage position and the mounting member at least partially underlies the cyclone chamber and the dirt collection chamber. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 2, wherein the cleaning unit comprises a mounting member engageable with the storage mount and the mounting member and storage mount are configured to retain the cleaning unit on the storage mount solely due to the influence of gravity. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 7, wherein the mounting member is removable from the storage mount in the absence of disengaging a locking mechanism. ### Claim 9 (depends on 2) The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 2, wherein the cleaning unit further comprises a front end, back end and a mounting member engageable with the support structure when in the storage position and the mounting member is positioned forward of the suction motor. ### Claim 10 (depends on 2) The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 2, wherein the storage mount comprises an upwardly opening hook member and the cleaning unit comprises a mounting member comprising a slot to receive the hook. ### Claim 11 (depends on 2) The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 2, wherein the storage mount is positioned on a front surface of the support structure and when surface cleaning apparatus is in the storage configuration the mass of the cleaning unit urges the support structure toward the upright position. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a first alignment member on the surface cleaning head and a corresponding second alignment member on the support structure, wherein when the support structure is in the upright position relative rotation between the surface cleaning head and the support structure is prevented by engagement between the first and second alignment members. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support structure is self-supporting and generally vertically extending when the surface cleaning apparatus is in the storage configuration and the cleaning unit is mounted to the support structure. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support structure comprises an elongate rigid suction conduit having a first end and that is connectable to the cleaning head and a second end that is spaced apart from the first end. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 14, wherein the storage mount is provided toward the first end of the rigid suction conduit. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 14, wherein the cleaning unit air inlet is connectable in air flow communication to the second end of the rigid suction conduit. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 16, wherein the cleaning unit air inlet is directly connectable in air flow communication to the second end of the rigid suction conduit. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cleaning unit comprises a centre of gravity and when the cleaning unit is in the storage configuration the centre of gravity is positioned above the surface cleaning head. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 18, wherein when the cleaning unit is in the storage configuration the suction motor is at a higher elevation than the mounting member.