Abstract: A floor cleaner including a recovery. The recovery tank is configured to contain a fluid drawn through a suction inlet from a surface to be cleaned by a vacuum source. The recovery tank includes a shutoff float. The shutoff float is movable between a first position and a second position. The shutoff float includes a float body, a float closure, and a first interconnecting member. The first interconnecting member engages a second interconnecting member to retain the float in the first position. In the first position, the shutoff float is spaced a distance from the suction air outlet, allowing air flow through the suction air outlet. The first interconnecting member engages the second interconnecting member to retain the shutoff float in the first position. In the second position, the shutoff float is adjacent the suction air outlet, inhibiting air flow through the suction air outlet.

Abstract: A pumping system includes a first chamber and a second chamber to receive filtered medium. The pumping system includes a first motor assembly and a second motor assembly operably coupled to the first chamber and the second chamber, respectively. The first motor assembly and the second motor assembly each includes a pair of vacuum motors arranged back-to-back so that one of the vacuum motors operates to generate a negative pressure force on the chamber and the other vacuum motor operates to generate a positive pressure force on the chamber. The first motor assembly and the second motor assembly work together to alternate between siphoning material having one or both a fluid and a solid into one of the chambers and ejecting siphoned debris from another chamber.

Abstract: A refuse vehicle has a mechanism to prohibit operation of a snow plow attached to the refuse vehicle. A sensor associated with the storage bin of the refuse vehicle. The sensor sends a signal to a controller to prohibit operation of the snow plow in response to the storage bin payload. The mechanism prohibits lowering of the snow plow in a condition when the payload in the storage bin is such that the load on the front axle of the refuse vehicle would exceed legal limits.

Abstract: A water tank is mounted in a household appliance and has a shell, a container, a float and a magnetic reed switch. The container is mounted slidably in the shell. The float is mounted pivotally in the container and has an actuating rod. The magnetic reed switch is mounted securely on the outside wall of the shell and corresponds to and separates from the actuating rod. Since the actuating rod utilizes magnetic force to switch the magnetic reed switch on and off, the actuating rod and the magnetic reed switch need no abutting structures. Therefore, when the actuating rod is pivoted by an accidental force, the actuating rod self-pivots back to the original position once the accidental force is removed. Then the magnetic reed switch is switched on again so that the household appliance is restarted without extra acts by a user.

Abstract: A float switch apparatus for controlling the energization of multiple electric circuits in response to the level of a liquid in a vessel, and a pump system incorporating same, are provided. The apparatus has a guide structure adapted to be mounted in a fixed position relative to the vessel. A first micro-switch with a normal and an engaged position is mounted to the guide structure and is adapted to be connected into a first electric circuit to control the energization thereof. A second micro-switch with a normal and an engaged position is mounted to the guide structure at a location above the first micro-switch and is adapted to be connected into a second electric circuit to control the energization thereof. A float rod is slideably mounted to the guide structure for reciprocating movement in a generally vertical direction in a zone above a resting position.

Abstract: A vessel for accumulating water removed from a hydrocarbon fuel supply is disclosed. The vessel may include a base member and a cover cooperating with the base member to define a reservoir for receiving a liquid. The cover defines a pocket that may be integrally formed with the cover, the pocket generally preventing intrusion of the liquid in the reservoir. The vessel further includes a liquid level sensor, including a switch received in the pocket, and an actuator configured to activate the switch when the fluid within the reservoir reaches a predetermined level.

Abstract: A device for indicating a level of a bulk material in a bin. A motor imparts a swinging motion to a paddle located inside the bin. When the paddle engages the material, drag on the paddle causes a counteracting force on the motor, indicating a presence of material at the location of the device. In various embodiments, a paddle shaft, having very little exposure inside the bin, extends from a protective enclosure. The shaft is capped with a flexible section having the paddle attached to it. The paddle is at a downward angle relative to the paddle shaft and extends into the bin so as to engage the material. The paddle may move at an urging of the material so as to avoid damage to the paddle, flexible section, and shaft.

Abstract: A reservoir assembly is disclosed including a one-piece integrally formed fluid level switch housing and outlet wherein the switch housing can be rotated 360 degrees about its longitudinal axis to locate the outlet at any desired position. A conventional fitting may be integrally formed at the outlet. The orientation of the outlet may be changed at any time after the manufacturing process.

Abstract: A stored material detecting switch includes: a hollow case; stored material detecting device, accommodated in the case, for outputting a detection signal when the case is inclined at an angle equal to or more than a predetermined angle; and a suspension member for suspending the case in a storage chamber. The detection signal, which is outputted from the stored material detecting device at a time when the case is inclined at the angle equal to or greater than the predetermined angle through contact with a stored material in the storage chamber, is used to detect a storage level in the storage chamber.

Abstract: An electrical field activated switch system includes a fluid container 14 having an aperture formed in a sidewall thereof. The floor of the primary tray 22 is positioned entirely beneath the fluid container and a secondary tray is positioned entirely within the primary tray and in proximity to and at an elevation beneath the aperture. A tube 30 is coupled between the aperture and the secondary tray. A housing 36 has an open bottom secured to the secondary tray with a cylinder 38 vertically oriented therein. A base 40 is supported upon the secondary tray floor. An electrical induction switch assembly includes two wires with stripped lower ends positioned within the cylinder with their lower ends being separated and in proximity to the base. A float is slidably received upon the cylinder with a magnetic plate secured to the float.

Abstract: An oil tank sight glass monitor comprising a housing having an opening therein sized to receive the sight glass of an oil tank; an emitter for emitting a beam of light, the emitter being mounted to the housing on one side of the opening so that the beam of light is directed across the opening; a detector for detecting the beam of light generated by the emitter, the detector being mounted to the housing on the other side of the opening, in optical alignment with the emitter, so as to detect the beam of light emitted by the emitter; and an alarm for producing an audible sound when the detector fails to detect the beam of light generated by the emitter.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a fluid level float switch and protective boot therefore. The boot is adapted to engage a detent portion of the float switch in a secure watertight fashion. The boot is adapted to flexibly accommodate movement of the float within the boot in response to changes in the liquid level in the reservoir in one embodiment or to engage contacts in another. The boot has a wall engaging portion for providing watertight engagement with an interior wall of the reservoir. The boot has an accordion shaped stem portion to facilitate insertion of the float switch into the boot and to flexibly accommodate movement of the float within the boot in one embodiment, or a rigid portion attached to the flexible portion in another embodiment.

Abstract: The present invention provides an automatic monitor for use in a tank with a water soluble softening agent. The monitor includes a signal emitter that produces a signal capable of being detected by an array of signal-detecting sensors. The sensors are displaced generally vertically in the brine tank from the minimum depth of the softening agent to the maximum depth of the softening agent. An output is produced in response to said signal. The monitor also includes an electronic device for receiving and interpreting the output and determining if a low softening agent condition is present as the supply of the softening agent is depleted. An indicator warns when a low softening agent condition is present. Preferably, the sensors are linearly spaced within the tank.

Abstract: A switch assembly for a wet/dry vacuum cleaner is disclosed. The switch assembly includes a switch having a movable arm to connect first and second conductive terminals with a rocker arm pivotally attached to the switch. The rocker arm is operable by an actuator button and a de-actuator button which are user engageable. Depending upon which of the de-actuator and actuator buttons are depressed, the rocker arm assumes a given position relative to the switch, which in turn results in an on or off position for the switch. An automatic shut-off assembly is operable in conjunction with the switch assembly to turn the switch to an off position in the event that the level of liquid within the tank rises beyond an acceptable level. The switch assembly enables the operator to manually override the automatic shut-off assembly.

Abstract: An alarm system comprising a housing, a float, a battery compartment, a speaker and an alarm where the housing can be connected to the side wall of any container by a suction device fixedly engaged to the housing. The float rises with the water and creates a connection by completing a circuit when making contact with two separate conductors. The float compartment may be sealed with a threaded cap which can engage threads on the bottom of the housing.

Abstract: A pedestal sump pump includes a motor with a housing and a water-level-response system attached to the motor. The water-level-response system includes a connecting rod with upper and lower limit stops, a float, and a switch assembly mounted partially within the motor housing. The assembly includes a switch housing and a lever pivotably mounted to the switch housing such that the lever can be toggled between on and off positions. The lever includes an aperture in the first end of the lever and a cam surface on the second end of the lever. The assembly also includes a retainer clip removably attached to the housing to retaining the lever in place, the clip including a spring tab to force the lever into one of the on and off positions, and a microswitch removably mounted in the switch housing.

Abstract: A safety float device for air conditioning units for providing easy and convenient installation of a switch to air conditioning systems. The safety float device for air conditioning units includes a switch assembly having a housing, a switch disposed in the housing, and wires extending from the switch; and also includes a float assembly having an arm member movably connected to the switch, and further having a float support member securely attached to an end of the arm member, and also having a float member securely and removably attached to the float support member; and further includes a fastening assembly being securely attached to the housing of the switch assembly for removably fastening to an air conditioning unit.

Abstract: A waterproof switch device is for use with an elongated actuator in a water containing chamber, and includes a top cover wall spaced apart from the chamber and having a bore for movement of the actuator in response to a reach of a predetermined water level. A rear wall and two engaging walls are integrally formed with the top cover wall to form an inner major surface. A groove forming wall is integrally formed with and extends from the inner major surface, and is spaced apart from the top cover wall so as to define an inserting groove therebetween. A switch body is mounted on and is spaced apart from the inner major surface, and has an actuated stud to make a switching action when depressed. A lever includes an actuating end disposed between the groove forming wall and the actuated stud, and a force transmitting end disposed under and moved downward by the elongated actuator to cause the actuating end to depress the actuated stud.