Abstract: A cyclonic separation apparatus for a vacuum cleaner, the cyclonic separation apparatus comprising: a first cyclonic separating unit comprising a hollow cylindrical dirt container with a central axis and an air inlet port arranged tangentially to the dirt container; and a second cyclonic separating unit comprising a plurality of cyclones arranged in a circular array about the central axis, wherein each cyclone has an air inlet port and an air outlet port, wherein the second cyclonic separating unit receives air flow downstream from the first cyclonic separating unit and wherein the second cyclonic separating unit has a higher separation efficiency than the first cyclonic separating unit, wherein the second separating unit is located within the dirt container. A vacuum cleaner comprising: a main body, a motor coupled to a fan and the cyclonic separation apparatus.

Abstract: A cyclonic separation apparatus for a vacuum cleaner, the cyclonic separation apparatus comprising: a first cyclonic separating unit comprising a hollow substantially cylindrical dirt container with a central axis, an air inlet port arranged tangentially through a side wall of the dirt container and an air outlet; and a second cyclonic separating unit comprising at least one cyclone with an air inlet port and an air outlet port, wherein the second cyclonic separating unit receives air flow downstream from the first cyclonic separating unit, wherein the second cyclonic separating unit is located within the dirt container and wherein the second cyclonic separating unit is detachably connected to the dirt container for removal through either longitudinal end of the dirt container. A vacuum cleaner comprising a motor coupled to a fan and the cyclonic separation apparatus.

Abstract: A hand-holdable vacuum cleaner comprising: a motor coupled to a fan for generating air flow; a battery pack housing at least one rechargeable cell for powering the motor; a body with a handle; a dirty air duct with a dirty air inlet; and a dirt separating means located in a path of the air flow generated by the fan, wherein the dirt separating means comprises: a hollow substantially cylindrical dirt container with a longitudinal central axis arranged transverse the body; and an air inlet port to the dirt container, wherein the air inlet port is in communication with the dirty air duct, wherein the dirt container is rotatingly connected to the body to pivot, with the battery pack, about the central axis between a folded position and an extended position diametrically opposed to the folded position.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner comprising: a motor coupled to a fan for generating air flow; a dirt separation means located in a path of the air flow generated by the fan; a cleaner head located in the path of the air flow upstream of the dirt separation means; at least one support wheel for supporting the vacuum cleaner upon a floor; and an elongate body with a handle at a longitudinal end, wherein the motor, the fan, the cleaner head, the dirt separation means and the at least one support wheel are arranged about an opposite longitudinal end of the elongate body to the handle, wherein the elongate body is telescopically extendible to alter the length of the vacuum cleaner between a compact position and an extended position and wherein the extended position is at least double the length of the compact position.

Abstract: A cyclonic separation apparatus for a vacuum cleaner, the cyclonic separation apparatus comprising: a first cyclonic separating unit comprising a hollow cylindrical dirt container with a central axis and an air inlet port arranged tangentially through a side of the dirt container; a second cyclonic separating unit comprising at least one cyclone with an axial inlet port, an axial outlet port and a discharge nozzle and a substantially cylindrical intermediate wall surrounding the inlet port of the at least one cyclone, wherein the cyclonic separation apparatus comprises at least one protruding lip arranged to impede return of separated material from said longitudinal end of the dirt container and wherein the at least one lip protrudes radially inwardly from an inner surface of the dirt container or protrudes radially outwardly from the intermediate wall.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner comprising: a motor coupled to a fan for generating air flow; an elongate body with a handle at longitudinal end and a cleaner head arranged at an opposite longitudinal end; a dirt separation means located in a path of the air flow generated by the fan; and at least one support wheel for supporting the vacuum cleaner upon a floor, wherein the dirt separation means comprises: a hollow substantially cylindrical dirt container with a longitudinal central axis arranged transverse to the elongate body; and an air inlet port to the dirt container, wherein the air inlet port is in communication with the cleaner head located in the path of the air flow upstream of the dirt separation means and wherein the at least one support wheel rotates about the dirt container.

Abstract: A cyclonic separation apparatus for a vacuum cleaner comprising: a cyclone with a longitudinal central axis; a discharge nozzle at a longitudinal end of the cyclone; an air inlet port arranged tangentially through a side of the cyclone; an air outlet port through an opposite longitudinal end of the cyclone; and a dirt container in communication with the cyclone, wherein the dirt container comprises: a base wall penetrated by the discharge nozzle; a top wall spaced apart from the base wall; and a perimeter wall interposing the base wall and the top wall, wherein the dirt container is arranged to convey air flow from the cyclone in an elongate circuit defined by the perimeter wall. A vacuum cleaner comprising: a motor coupled to a fan for generating air flow; and the cyclonic separation apparatus.

Abstract: A motor, fan and cyclonic separation apparatus arrangement for a vacuum cleaner, the arrangement comprising: a motor coupled to a fan for generating air flow; a cyclonic separation apparatus located in a path of the air flow generated by the fan; and a pre-fan filter located in the path of the air flow downstream of the cyclonic separation apparatus and upstream of the fan, wherein the cyclonic separation apparatus comprises at least one cyclone comprising: a cyclone body with a longitudinal axis; an air inlet port arranged tangentially through a side of the cyclone body; and an air outlet port through a longitudinal end of the cyclone body, wherein the pre-fan filter is arranged upon the air outlet port of the or each cyclone.

Abstract: An improved laser line generating device is provided for use in construction layout tasks. The laser line generating device is comprised of a first laser light generator operable to emit from a housing a first plane of light having a fan angle greater than 180° and arranged in the housing to project the first plane of light perpendicular to a horizontal plane; and a second laser light generator operable to emit from the housing a second plane of light having a fan angle greater than 180° and arranged in the housing to project the second plane of light perpendicular to the first plane of light and perpendicular to the horizontal plane, such that the first plane of light intersects with the second plane of light at two points.

Abstract: A wrench having a handle and ratchet assembly and a socket wheel. The handle and ratchet assembly has a handle and a first drive member that is rotatable relative to the handle. The socket wheel has a plurality of tool members, a plurality of first lugs and a plurality of second lugs. Each tool member is fixedly coupled to a pair of the first lugs and a pair of the second lugs. An adjacent pair of the tool members share a single one of the second lugs and no adjacent pair of the tool members shares any of the first lugs.

Abstract: An electric motor for a power tool includes a stator and an armature disposed in the stator. The armature includes a lamination stack having slots therein; an armature shaft extending coaxially through the lamination stack; a plurality of magnet wires wound in the slots of the lamination stack; a commutator disposed on the armature shaft to which ends of the magnet wires are electrically coupled; and thermally conductive plastic at least partially encasing the magnet wires, the thermally conductive plastic having a base polymer that is a blend of at least two polymers.

Abstract: A method for forming an armature for an electric motor includes: securing a lamination stack having slots therein on an armature shaft, securing a commutator on one end of the armature shaft, winding magnet wires in the slots in the lamination stack and securing ends of the magnet wires to the commutator, the magnet wires having armature lead wires that extend from the slots to the commutator; and molding plastic over the magnet wires to encase at least the armature lead wires in plastic. Alternatively and/or additionally, plastic is molded over the magnet wires to retain them in the slots and to support the armature lead wires and prevent them from vibrating when the armature rotates during operation.

Abstract: A control scheme is provided for a power tool having a rotary shaft. The control scheme includes: monitoring rotational motion of the tool generally about a longitudinal axis of the shaft; detecting a condition of the tool based on the rotational motion of the tool; and controlling torque imparted to the shaft upon detecting the tool condition, where the torque is inversely related to an angular displacement of the tool about the longitudinal axis of the shaft.