A convertible vacuum cleaner includes a nozzle base (10) and a motor and filter housing (60) rotatably mounted on the nozzle base. The nozzle base (10) is movable along a floor surface and includes a brush chamber (12) for mounting a rotatable brush (14) and a first suction passage (24) communicating with the brush chamber (12) at one end and with an exterior periphery of the nozzle base (10) at the other end. The motor and filter housing (60) includes a second suction passage (88) communicating at a first end with the first suction passage second end (28) and at a second end with an exterior periphery of the motor and filter housing. The motor chamber (66) is formed in the motor and filter housing (60) in spaced relation to the second suction passage (88). A suction chamber (122) is disposed in the motor and filter housing (60) in a spaced manner from the second suction passage (88) and the motor chamber (66). The suction chamber (122) has an inlet port (130) communicating with the exterior periphery (96) of the motor and filter housing (60). A flexible hose (140) is mounted outside the motor and filter housing (60), the hose (140) having a first end (146) communicating with the second suction passage second end (94) and a second end (142) communicating with the suction chamber inlet port (130). The flexible hose first end (146) can be selectively removed from communication with the second suction passage (88) to enable the vacuum cleaner to be used with associated cleaning tools. <IMAGE>
