Abstract: The present invention provides a blower-vacuum device having means for collecting garden waste, the garden waste collecting means comprising: an attachment part (42) for receiving a garden waste receptacle; and a garden waste receptacle (30) for removable engagement with the attachment part; wherein the attachment part (42) comprises an arcuate groove (44); and the garden waste receptacle (30) comprises a band (33) defining a mouth (35) of the receptacle for sliding engagement with the groove. Thus the receptacle may be easily removed from the attachment part of the blower-vacuum device merely by sliding the band (33) of the receptacle out of the groove (44), whereupon the receptacle may then be emptied of garden waste by tipping it upside-down.

Abstract: A safety mechanism for a hedge trimmer is disclosed. Thumb catches 1032, 1048, together with corresponding locking members are initially biased downwardly relative to corresponding actuator levers 1010, 1014, as a result of which actuation of a motor of the hedge trimmer is prevented. This prevents inadvertent one-handed actuation of the hedge trimmer. In order to actuate the hedge trimmer, the user holds one of the actuator levers 1010, 1014 the corresponding thumb catch 1032 or 1048 upwardly, which causes movement of the other thumb catch towards its release position to allow pivotable movement of the actuator levers 1010, 1014 relative to a handle of the hedge trimmer. Movement of one of the actuator levers 1010, 1014 relative to the handle brings the lever 1018 into engagement with the electrical switch assembly 1008 to actuate the motor of the hedge trimmer.

Abstract: A latch mechanism for a power tool, such as a hedge trimmer, having a housing accommodating a motor and a handle assembly adapted to pivot relative to the housing in a plurality of positions. The latch mechanism includes a lever carrying a first and second retaining member that moves into and out of engagement with the handle assembly for locking and unlocking the handle assembly relative to the housing. The retaining members are biased towards their engaging conditions by a spring. An interlock member on lever cooperates with an arm member to prevent disengagement of the first and second retaining members from the handle assembly when the motor is actuated, and for preventing actuation of the motor when the first or second retaining member is in a retracted condition.

Abstract: There is provided a hand-holdable vacuum cleaner, comprising: an electric motor; an electrical on-off switch for operating said motor; a fan connected to an output shaft of said motor; an airflow pathway comprising an inlet for dirty air, an outlet for clean air, and a collection chamber located in fluid communication between said inlet and said outlet; means for separating out debris entrained with dirty air entering via said inlet and depositing the debris in said collection chamber; and means for adjusting an angle of said inlet relative to a main axis of said vacuum cleaner; wherein the vacuum cleaner further comprises a rigid, elongate nose having said inlet at one end thereof, said nose being pivotable relative to said main axis through an angle of at least 135 degrees.

Abstract: A latch mechanism for a power tool is disclosed, in which the power tool has a housing (3), a motor provided in the housing, an output shaft adapted to be caused by said motor to actuate a working member, and a handle assembly (2) adapted to pivot relative to the housing between a plurality of positions.