Abstract: A portable vacuum cleaner is disclosed. The portable vacuum cleaner includes a rechargeable battery and a DC motor. The portable vacuum cleaner further includes a DC power input port for receiving DC power from a remote power source. The DC motor is operable in response to power from either the battery or the remote power source.

Abstract: In a method of controlling current in a control circuit of an electric motor, pulse-width modulation (PWM) pulses are applied to a stator of the electric motor, via a plurality of transistors of the control circuit, using a first control mode when a rotational speed of a rotor of the electric motor is within a first range. At least one PWM pulse is applied to the stator, via a subset of the plurality of transistors, using a second control mode when the rotational speed of the rotor is within a second range. When it is determined that the rotational speed of the rotor has changed from being within the second range to being within the first range, additional PWM pulses are applied to the stator such that, for each of the plurality of transistors, a current through the transistor does not exceed a maximum current capacity of the transistor.

Abstract: The disclosed vacuum cleaner system for an automobile fits in a cavity in the vehicle and has a tank that can be removed in a lateral direction without tools and without detaching the vacuum hose. A circuit board that carries an electronic controller is positioned alongside the motor and extends generally parallel to both the axis of the motor and the lateral direction in which the tank is removed. Cooling air is drawn though a cooling air inlet on the cabin wall to the circuit board, and then one side of the motor, through the center of the motor, to the cooling fan. From there, it is blown into a cavity where it joins exhausted working air from the vacuum and is exhausted from the vehicle through an air release opening that leads to the exterior of the vehicle.

Abstract: A new drum vacuum cleaner has a 0.02 to 0.035 inch thick stainless steel wall that that substantially surrounds a molded inner tank that extends downwardly from a tank collar. The lower end of the wall is positioned between an inward-facing edge of a recess on a wheeled base and an outward-facing edge on the molded inner tank, and is supported on a supporting face on the base that also supports the tank. The upper end of the wall is positioned within a downward-opening slot in the tank collar. When the molded inner tank is connected to the base, the metal wall is trapped in place between the tank collar and the base, providing an exposed stainless steel section that is at least three inches in height and can extend to within less than 1? of the vacuum cleaner head.

Abstract: The disclosed bracket can be used to hang vacuum cleaners that have a detachable dolly. A plate on the bracket mounts to a wall. A stem portion fits within a slot on the dolly. Lower wall segments on the stem portion extend from the wall plate and have vertical outer edges. Intermediate wall segments extend between the lower wall segments and upper wall segments that have lower horizontal limits that are closer together than the lower wall segments are, are positioned laterally outwards from the stem portion, and taper toward each other above their lower limits. Side rim portions extend from the upper wall segments and fit within grooves on the vacuum cleaner. The outer edges of the lower wall segments are farther apart than the inner edges of the side rim portions are, and closer together than the outer edges of the side rim portions are.

Abstract: A table includes a table top, a support pedestal having a plenum, the support pedestal arranged to support the table top, and a fan arranged to blow air upwardly toward the table top through the plenum. An air deflector may be arranged to deflect the air radially outwardly under the table top in a 360° pattern. A heating element, cooling element, and/or a volatile active delivery system may be included to heat and/or cool the air and/or deliver a volatile active into the air. An ice bucket may be removably received within a bucket holder arranged in a recess in or through the table top.

Abstract: Mating connectors enable a vacuum cleaner section to be releasably attached to a toolbox section. The connectors include a downward-facing tongue that fits in a corresponding horizontal slot. The tongue has a vertical slot that corresponds with a vertical flange adjacent the slot. An interacting tab and slot prevent the vacuum cleaner section from being removed from the toolbox section when a closeable top on the toolbox section is closed. The two sections attach in a position in which upright side walls on the vacuum cleaner section align with the upright sides on the toolbox section, and an extended horizontal work surface is formed by portions of the hinged top on the toolbox section and the vacuum cleaner section. A handle on the vacuum cleaner section can form part of the horizontal work surface, which has parallel lateral grooves with co-linear segments on opposite sides of a recessed channel.

Abstract: The disclosed vacuum cleaner system for an automobile fits in a cavity in the vehicle and has a tank that can be removed in a lateral direction without tools and without detaching the vacuum hose. A circuit board that carries an electronic controller is positioned alongside the motor and extends generally parallel to both the axis of the motor and the lateral direction in which the tank is removed. Cooling air is drawn though a cooling air inlet on the cabin wall to the circuit board, and then one side of the motor, through the center of the motor, to the cooling fan. From there, it is blown into a cavity where it joins exhausted working air from the vacuum and is exhausted from the vehicle through an air release opening that leads to the exterior of the vehicle.

Abstract: A battery powered vacuum cleaner is disclosed. The vacuum cleaner comprises a motor, a battery pack comprising a plurality of battery cells arranged in a generally horseshoe configuration and wrapped about the motor, and a battery door providing access to the battery pack and adapted to permit removal of the battery pack from the vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: A filter shaker for a filter assembly disposed in a vacuum includes a housing that removably mounts to the filter and/or a support for the filter and a vibrator assembly carried by the housing. When actuated, the vibrator assembly vibrates the filter to clean particulate matter from the filter. The vibrator assembly includes a motor that drives an eccentric and an actuator that periodically impacts against a portion of the housing to cause the vibrations. The housing includes a mounting assembly for mounting the filter shaker to the cage and/or filter in an operative position and a locking assembly for locking and unlocking the filter shaker in the operative position to prevent the filter shaker from vibrating off. In the operative position, the filter shaker covers an open end of a tubular filter and thereby forces air to be directed through filter material of the tubular filter.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner has a screen cage that is permanently attached to a lid that fits on a receptacle. The screen cage has multiple layers of screens with different screen sizes, including an inner support that has greater rigidity and larger apertures that the primary screen, and an outer screen that also has greater rigidity and larger apertures than the primary screen, and is made of a different material than the support. A replaceable filter mounts to a power head that can be removed from the lid while the lid remains attached to the receptacle, and nests in the screen cage. A thermal cutoff shuts the vacuum cleaner off when the temperature of air in a part of the flowpath exceeds a limit.

Abstract: A portable vacuum cleaner is disclosed. The portable vacuum cleaner includes a rechargeable battery and a DC motor. The portable vacuum cleaner further includes a DC power input port for receiving DC power from a remote power source. The DC motor is operable in response to power from either the battery or the remote power source.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner comprising a receptacle having a working air inlet and an associated filter, the filter in communication with and downstream from the working air inlet, is disclosed. The vacuum cleaner further includes a housing containing a motor and having a cooling air outlet from the motor and a working air outlet, the working air outlet in communication with the working air inlet of the receptacle through a working air impeller, wherein the cooling air is directed to the receptacle, and the cooling air passes through the filter before exiting the working air outlet of the housing.

Abstract: A vacuum assembly having a housing and a motor and motor shaft secured within the housing; a fan coupled to the motor shaft and an air intake port and an air exhaust port located within the housing; a circuit board mounted in a cooling air path in the housing, wherein the cooling air path is located between the air intake port and the air exhaust port such that the fan causes cool air to flow across the circuit board; a pulley assembly coupled to the motor shaft and including a disposable belt, the pulley assembly located in the housing in such position that the circuit board blocks access to the disposable belt; a first connector portion secured to the circuit board; a second connector portion coupled to a plurality of wires coupled to at least the motor; the first and second connector portions configured to mate in a single direction.