Abstract: A tool for cleaning the interior of a tube, such as a neck portion of a processing tube of an lpcvd apparatus, or the like, has a pipe that may have at least one hole, and preferably a plurality of holes, spaced from an insulating handle along the length of the pipe in a direction toward a distal end of the pipe to allow cooling atmosphere to be drawn into the pipe. A scraper plate having a shape substantially conforming to an interior shape of the tube and a beveled peripheral edge is attached at the distal end of the pipe. A baffle plate of size smaller than the scraper plate is affixed to the scraper plate by a plurality of standoffs between the scraper plate on an exterior side opposite the interior side and the baffle plate, wherein the baffle plate forms a debris collection region between a peripheral side of the baffle plate and the tube at the exterior side of the scraper plate when the tool is inserted into the tube.

Abstract: An improved paint roller frame having a three section handle, each section of which is longitudinally adjustable in relation to the others, and having means for locking those sections at virtually any longitudinal position in relation to the others, provides for a middle section having a grasping means for facilitating the rotation of either the proximal or distal sections in relation to the middle section.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner apparatus is disclosed, including a housing and a blower disposed in the housing. There is a power source for driving the blower and a substance collection container is detachably engaged with the housing and includes an inlet portion formed therein. A suction section extends generally between the blower and the substance collection container and includes a first port disposed in the container. An intake section is engaged with the inlet portion of the container and includes a second port disposed in the container. An actuator selectively connects the blower with the power source to operate the blower and opens the first and second ports to create a vacuum in the container such that the air and accompanying substances are drawn through the intake section into the container. The actuator also selectively disconnects the blower from the power source and closes the first and second ports to terminate air flow and restrict substance movement into and out of the container.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing heated water, including steam, to be used as a cleaning fluid, includes an internal combustion engine, a water heating assembly, a vacuum generating device, a cleaning assembly and a dirty water collector. The heating assembly includes piping and three heat exchangers. Two of the heat exchangers are located to receive exhaust gas directly from exhaust ports respectively of the engine. The third heat exchanger receives a mixture of gas which includes residual exhaust gases from the first and second heat exchangers and the output of the vacuum generator. Water is preheated in the third heat exchanger and finally heated in the first and second heat exchangers. The heated water is used at the cleaning assembly and partially reclaimed by the vacuum generator. Condensed water and dirt are collected in the collector and water vapor is further heated by and passed through the vacuum generator to the third heat exchanger.

Abstract: An illuminated belt view for a vacuum cleaner wherein light is transmitted, via a light pipe, from a remote light source to an area directly underneath a transparent belt view window. The transparent belt view window is formed in the vacuum cleaner hood to allow the operator to observe the operating condition of the belt therein, the belt being operable to transfer rotational motion from a motor output shaft to a rotary brush. Illumination of the belt in the area of the belt view window allows the belt and the operating condition thereof to be observed during low ambient light conditions. Use of light from the light source, which is primarily a headlight, removes the need for an independent light source for the belt view window without significantly decreasing the amount of light which is transmitted to the area in front of the machine.

Abstract: A wet and dry refuse vacuum apparatus is disclosed. A vacuum canister includes a vacuum motor, and inlet assembly, and exhaust assembly including a liquid pump, an inlet control assembly, and an operating electrical circuit. Upon activation, the vacuum motor sucks air and liquid refuse into the canister from the inlet assembly. As liquid fills the canister, the electrical circuit activates the liquid pump which pumps the liquid from the canister out through the exhaust assembly. In the event that the liquid enters the canister at a higher rate than it leaves the canister, the inlet control assembly raises with the water level in the canister to restrict the amount of liquid that may enter through the inlet assembly. A floatation ball is arranged to block a floatation orifice near the vacuum generating motor in order to prevent the liquid from contacting the vacuum generating motor in the event that the liquid level nears the capacity of the canister.

Abstract: The water extraction machine according to the invention provides a quick connect system for mounting one end of a solution tube and vacuum hose to the water extraction machine housing and a simple and efficient means for conveying solution from the housing to a cleaning tool. One end of the vacuum hose and solution tube are received in a cuff member which is adapted to be received in the machine housing by a simple press fit interconnection. The cuff member provides a single connection for both the vacuum hose and the solution hose to the machine housing. The other end of the vacuum hose and solution tube are received in a clam shell grip tube handle which is in turn mounted to an extruded dual chamber wand. A first longitudinal chamber in the wand conveys vacuum through the wand and the second longitudinal channel conveys cleaning solution from the grip tube to the cleaning tool.

Abstract: A machine optics and paper path cleaner has a relatively stiff backing sheet and a cleaning sheet attached to the backing sheet at a position spaced from the leading edge. The cleaning sheet is folded, flocked or flapped, knitted or engraved with surface variations to aid in the cleaning of paper paths and optics. Wet cleaners are held in absorbent materials and in frangible or openable reservoirs to wet the cleaning material as it is drawn into the machine through the paper path and across the optics. The cleaners are made in single foam sheets of varied thickness and in laminated sheets of stiff backing material and flexible cleaning material.

Abstract: A portable power blower includes a body and a handle mounted on a top of the body. The body includes a prime mover, a fan volute chamber, a fan housed in the fan volute chamber and attached to one end of an output shaft of the prime mover, and an air inlet of the fan volute chamber formed in front of the fan. A main guard member is so mounted as to cover one side surface of the fan volute chamber on which the air inlet is formed, and a gap for radially introducing external air into the air inlet is formed between a rear side of the main guard member and the one side surface. The gap is in open communication with atmosphere at a top portion of the body. A bottom guard member connected to the main guard member and the fan volute chamber covers bottom portions of the fan volute chamber and the prime mover, and a sub-guard member connected to the bottom guard member and the fan volute chamber covers sides of the prime mover which oppose the main guard member and the bottom guard member, respectively.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a utility, wet/dry, tank type, vacuum cleaner suitable for domestic use whereby wet or dry material may be alternately vacuumed. Two storage or receiving chambers are provided, preferably positioned one within the other. Two suction inlets, one communicating with the first chamber and the other communicating with the second chamber are provided such that wet and dry material may be selectively directed, by the user, to the appropriate chamber for collection.

Abstract: In a floor scrubbing machine, side squeegees for control of water on the floor are mounted with linkages that include vertical pivots so the squeegees can swing from side to side. They are interconnected with a tie rod so they swing in unison. A rear squeegee swings to one side or the other when the machine turns due to friction with the floor. A push-pull cable is connected between the rear squeegee mounting linkage and the linkage of a side squeegee to cause the side squeegees to swing or steer during turns. This positions them to effectively control water on the floor during a turn, and reduces squeegee wear. An alternative to steering them with the rear squeegee is to steer them with a hydraulic cylinder plumbed into the machine's power steering system.

Abstract: An integral gimbal housing is trunnion mounted beneath and to the rear of the frame of a floor scrubber. The gimbal housing includes a vertical pivot shaft to which a yoke is mounted. A spring biases the gimbal housing to the use position. The yoke swings laterally and includes a rearwardly extending tubular receptacle which receives a forwardly extending tube of the squeegee so that the squeegee assembly has independent rotation about a horizontal axis and the squeegee adjusts to uneven surfaces. Torsion springs bias a vertical pivot shaft in the gimbal housing to the center position.

Abstract: A non-contacting forced air dryer mechanism for vehicle laundering operations wherein the nozzles move rectilinearly relative to the vehicle surfaces and under the control of a sonar transducer which detects the vehicle surface and measures the distance between the vehicle surface and the outlets of the air nozzles. The control system is applied to both vertical and horizontal nozzles. The position control system is preferably a scissors mechanism which can be activated by means of a hydraulic cylinder. The top nozzle is preferably divided into a series of hollow tubular sections to permit the passage of vehicle antennae and mirrors. The side nozzle can be divided and arranged for progressive actuation to accommodate vehicles of varying height.

Abstract: A vacuum hose assembly comprising an elongate tube member having a first end spaced from a second end, with a rigid blade fixedly mounted to the elongate tube coaxially thereof projecting beyond the first end, with first and second conduits directing pressurized air from the first end towards the rigid blade to effect agitation of debris within an underlying carpet as the blade displaces piling and nap within the carpet for access to the pneumatic air from the conduits, and a suction source mounted to the elongate tube at the second end to direct vacuum throughout the tube and direct that debris through the tube for subsequent collection. A valve assembly is in operative communication with a pressure hose to direct selective pressurized air from the pressure hose to the first and second conduits.

Abstract: A portable vacuum generation device uses a conventional gas stream source such as is commonly available on vehicles. A specially constructed annular venturi-type nozzle pipe is capable of generating substantial vacuum from the gas stream. A removable connector for connecting the vacuum generator to the gas stream source is provided. A vacuum pipe, formed as a portion of the vacuum generator, connects to a flexible hose and conventional vacuum cleaning tools. The vacuum generator requires no moving parts and will operate in the presence of any moving gas stream. In one embodiment, the gas stream is provided by an on-board pneumatic blower. In another embodiment, the gas stream is provided by the exhaust gas stream from a vehicle internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A collection device having a duct for transporting material entrained in a stream of pressurized primary air from a collection mouth at an upstream end of the duct to a downstream region of the duct for collection. The device provides at least one primary air inlet opening into the duct for delivering pressurized air to form a primary air stream directed generally downstream of the duct and at least one secondary air outlet for delivering pressurized air to form a secondary air stream directed onto an area of the surface confronting the collection mouth. The secondary air stream serves to dislodge material on the confronting area for entrainment in the primary air stream and transportation from the collection mouth to the downstream region of the duct for collection.

Abstract: A window cleaning device of the type having a handle, a head attached to the handle and a sponge mounted in a longitudinal channel in the head of the washer is provided. A net-like web envelops the sponge. The cleaning device includes an improved stiffener having an elongate body provided with a pair of shoulders extending along the body on both sides thereof. A plurality of protrusions are integrally formed with and extend outwardly from the shoulders on both sides of the elongate body. The stiffener has a pair of flanges one located at each end of the elongate body for locating the body in the channel and preventing movement of the body in the channel. The protrusions act to compress multiple portions of the sponge between the ends of protrusions and the channel walls which creates a plurality of highly compressed areas at these points adjacent less compressed areas between the highly compressed areas into which excess sponge can flow.

Abstract: An air path for a vacuum cleaner, such as a stick type or broom type vacuum cleaner includes a first fan shell section having a first end at which is located a suction opening and a second end. A second fan shell section has a first end and a second end at which is located an outlet opening. An air outlet tube is located at the outlet opening of, and is of one piece with, the second fan shell section. The two fan shell sections are secured to each other in order to define a chamber between them. A suction fan is located in the chamber for drawing a suction at the suction opening and directing air through the air outlet tube.

Abstract: A cleaning assembly (10) is designed to clean large heavy articles such as pallets (12). The cleaning assembly (10) is mobilized by four wheels (18) attached to base (16). A conveyor system (32) moves the articles (12) through the cleaning tunnel (33) wherein guiding railings (114) maintain the article (12) in the proper orientation throughout the cleaning process. A steam generator (72) produces steam (14) which is forced out of a plurality of sets (56) of spraying nozzles (58) at the article (23) such that the dirt and debris drops off the article (12). A conveyor belt (34) carrying the article (12) collects the fallen debris where it is scraped off by a scraper (118) and collected in a receptacle (120) for disposal.

Abstract: This is an improvement for a powered floor scrubber which in use is moved forward and backward across a floor to be scrubbed. A scrub brush is rotated within a housing which is open at the bottom and water is supplied within the housing. The improvement consists of attaching double lipped suction squeegees at both the front and rear of the housing and connecting them both to a source of vacuum to suck up soiled water from the floor. The flexible squeegee lips are mounted in such a way that as the machine is moved forward the lips of the front squeegee fold together and shut off the airflow to it while the rear squeegee remains functional. When the machine is moved backward a reverse action of the squeegees occurs, so that there is always a functional squeegee sucking up soiled water behind the scrub brush while airflow to the opposite squeegee is shut off whether the machine is moving forward or backward.