Suction nozzle

A suction nozzle for a vacuum cleaner comprises a suction chamber (26, fig 3), an outlet duct 12, an underside 28 for engaging a surface to be cleaned, a main suction opening (30, fig 3) in the underside 28, which opens into the suction chamber (26, fig 3), an auxiliary suction path (38a, 38b, fig 3) which opens into the suction chamber (26, fig 3) and a bleed path 48a, 48b in fluid communication with the outlet duct 12. The suction nozzle further comprises a valve mechanism 52 arranged to open and close the auxiliary suction path (38a, 38b, fig 3) and the bleed path 48a, 48b, the valve mechanism 52 being movable between a first configuration in which the auxiliary suction path (38a, 38b, fig 3) is closed and the bleed path 48a, 48b is open, a second configuration in which the auxiliary suction path (38a, 38b, fig 3) is open and the bleed path 48a, 48b is closed, and a third configuration in which both the auxiliary suction path (38a, 38b, fig 3) and the bleed path 48a, 48b are closed.