Abstract: A balloon weight for counterbalancing the lift of helium filled balloons and the like. The balloon weight has a molded plastic body of aesthetically pleasing appearance, with a clip or latch assembly at the top thereof. The latch assembly includes a pair of separated lobes which are adapted to be engaged within the aperture of a latch plate which is folded about a hinge and laid thereover. A receptacle is defined between the lobes for receiving a balloon ribbon or string which is then clinched between the side edges of the aperture and a base member upon which the aperture closes.

Abstract: A hand-held corded vacuum cleaner having a housing with a motor compartment containing a motor mounted on partitions defining inlet, cooling and outlet chambers for efficient motor cooling by air which enters inlet and exits outlet vents in the inlet and outlet chambers, respectively. A dirt channel extends from a fan chamber having a fan mounted by being swaged on a motor shaft. A nozzle chamber is disposed at one end of the housing and a bag assembly is removably detached from the rear of the housing by means of a collar having a side hole through which a detent extends and which may be depressed to remove the bag assembly. The nozzle is in communication with the fan chamber and the fan pushes dirt through a dirt channel over the motor compartment into the bag of the bag assembly. The motor shaft has a pulley at the end thereof which is connected to a brush which is releasably retained in the nozzle compartment. A belt extends around the brush and the pulley.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing soap from a container including a flexible, collapsible tube in fluid communication with the container. The dispenser includes a back plate which has a cover pivotally connected to it for movement between open and closed positions. The cover has a recessed front surface with an enlarged sight window for viewing the contents. The back plate receives the container and tube with the tube having fitments at its proximal and distal ends for mating engagement with complemental fitment locators on the back plate. The cover carries ramps which engage the fitments on closing to insure seating thereof. An output restrictor is releasably received on the back plate for limiting the stroke of a pressure applying handle carried by the cover.

Abstract: A hand-held corded vacuum cleaner having a housing with a motor compartment containing a motor mounted on partitions defining inlet, cooling and outlet chambers for efficient motor cooling by air which enters inlet and exits outlet vents in the inlet and outlet chambers, respectively. A dirt channel extends from a fan chamber having a fan mounted by being swaged on a motor shaft. A nozzle chamber is disposed at one end of the housing and a bag assembly is removably detached from the rear of the housing by means of a collar having a side hole through which a detent extends and which may be depressed to remove the bag assembly. The nozzle is in communication with the fan chamber and the fan pushes dirt through a dirt channel over the motor compartment into the bag of the bag assembly. The motor shaft has a pulley at the end thereof which is connected to a brush which is releasably retained in the nozzle compartment. A belt extends around the brush and the pulley.

Abstract: A balloon inflator utilizes a bypass motor such that the inflation or working air is separate from the motor cooling air. The intake for the motor cooling and inflation air is separated from exhaust vents to limit any recirculation of the air, assuring that the inflation air be maintained as cool as possible. An impaler is maintained in an involute to achieve the requisiting inflation pressure. A free floating inflation nozzle is maintained within a collar and is adapted for engagement with an output of the involute when inflation activity is desired; otherwise the nozzle is disengaged from the involute allowing the air from the involute to otherwise be exhausted. The motor driving the impaler is selectively interconnected with a half wave rectifier for speed selectability.

Abstract: A valving mechanism for a balloon inflator is presented. The valving mechanism is attached to an inflator comprising a fan driven by a through-flow motor. A piston, received within a cylinder, has two bores passing therethrough, the first bore communicating with atmosphere, and the second bore communicating with a nozzle adapted for receipt of a balloon neck. When the balloon is placed on the nozzle and the piston is urged against a spring, an airstream passes through the second bore to inflate the balloon. When the balloon is removed, a spring urges the piston to a position in which the airstream passes through the first bore to atmosphere reducing the load on the motor and allowing the motor to run cooler.