G. E. Swivel Top with Power Nozzle

[electrolux137]

I'm copying/pasting the following discussion from the Facebook group "Classic Vacuum Cleaners" because I thought it might be of interest here.

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I posted the following:

Was there ever a G.E. swivel-top canister with a power nozzle? I've never seen one as far as I can recall.

It wouldn't be all that hard to devise one -- you could cut out a tiny rectangular opening into the top of the bag chamber lid and install a power nozzle port with the wires running down inside behind the cloth bag and connected to the motor.

Then use either a pigtail hose or a hose with a wrap-around cord to provide electricity to the power nozzle.

One big issue might be the swivel-top function -- it might be necessary to lock the swivel feature when the PN lead from the hose is connected, to keep the PN lead from getting wrapped around and around the top of the machine.

I think this would be something fun to try if someone had a spare machine to experiment with!

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Doug Smith responded to my query with the following two photos:

The chrome model is gorgeous!!! I wonder who made the power nozzle. Now, of course, having seen this, I just have to have one!!! It's truly a machine to add to my wish list!! hahaha

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I commented further:

Interestingly, the concept was just how I envisioned it except I had thought to provide the PN port on top of the machine. I guess that could get complicated when removing the top to change the bag; having it on the side makes more sense.

I am wondering though about the issue of the hose -- y'all may know that even as early as the Model G, Electrolux provided a plastic collar for the machine-end hose coupler to prevent it from turning, to this prevent the PN lead from getting wrapped around the hose and pulling it out of the port. Was there something similar on the swivel top to keep it from swiveling around?

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Doug replied that the swivel tops had a stop on them so they only had about a 90 degree total swivel.

 

[kenkart]

First Picture...

Was the early 60s model, Mike Hays has one , it is a really well built quality pn, the second one was also a GE product...look closely, Filter Queen bought the rights to it and their cordwinder from GE!!!It is the same as the FQ nozzle, Singer also used it in the early 70s.

 

[electrolux137]

Hey Hans, thx for the info. btw did you get my phone message?

 

[vac-o-matic]

Premier version...

Probably 25 years or so ago I had the Premier version that was like the one above in the catalog, the C model, same colors. I bought it from a vac shop in my home town, it was lightly used if I remember correctly, pristine condition. I was not impressed with the power nozzle. A girlfriend of mine lived in a rental with all commercial type carpet and needed a vacuum and sold it to her. She loved it.

 

[suckolux]

That first model, the C 100, gorgeous machine!

 

[collector2]

That really makes me curious though - if GE made the second style of powerhead why did they make it with the Filter Queen elbow on it then have to use an adapter for their own machines instead of making an elbow that fit directly?

Doug

 

[chan55]

GE

How long did GE make these models? I have never seen one in real life. I wonder why they were not popular? the swivel tops were around forever it seems.

 

[kenmore81]

Premier version...

I have a store demo in chrome and blue with the white FQ PN. it works pretty good but the PN isnt to impressive. I will dig it out when I can and take some pics.

 

[kirbylux77]

Kenny

Interesting you find the PN isn't too impressive. I actually found a blue Canadian GE canister from the mid-80's when I was helping a friend move apartments....she said it had been left behind by the previous tenant, & I was welcome to take it if I wanted to. I elected to save the PN, tools & electric hose, but was unimpressed with the canister. I still have that PN in use today with my Electrolux AP280, to save it's PN from damage & paint scrapes, & I find it actually works much better too since it has the beater bars.

Rob