Abstract: A battery pack 13 (FIG. 2) comprises an elongated cylindrical, metal casing 35, a plurality of cells 41, 43 in casing 35 and three coaxial pack terminals 46, 54, 61. For enhanced convenience, pack terminals 46, 54, 61 are electrically connectable in a cordless device 11 regardless of the angular orientation of the pack 13 about casing axis 33. To reduce cost and increase durability, pack 13 has no welded connections and will permit high current discharge rates. Cells 41, 43 are electrically connected but are mechanically disconnected. A spring 73 engages cell 41 and biases cells 41, 43 tightly together in compression to form good, low resistance electrical contact between cells 41, 43, casing base cap 45 and top 53. To provide a pack with two output voltages, the third pack terminal 61 has a polarity (relative to first pack terminal 46) the same as second pack terminal 54 and is electrically connected to the cell can terminal 43b of forward cell 43, thereby electrically by-passing cell 43.

Abstract: A steam generator having a block of heat conductive material in one face of which is formed a water chamber for the reception of water to be turned into steam by heat from an electric heater located in the block. The one face has also formed in it, first and second elongate passages each leading from the water chamber to an intermediate transfer area. From each intermediate transfer area extends a transfer path that connects the area to a different one of the steam exits. The steam generator may be used in a hand-held wallpaper steamer used for stripping wallpaper or in a hand-held steamer for removing creases from fabrics.

Abstract: A hand-held wallpaper steamer for use in wallpaper stripping having a housing of two-part clam shell construction, a base portion with a floor and a peripheral wall to form a chamber open at one face. The clam shells are contoured to receive the base portion at the open end of the housing to close that end. The clam shells are shaped to form a handle spaced from the base portion and extending in a direction generally parallel to the base portion. The clam shells are also shaped to accommodate a removable water tank.

Abstract: A hand-held, wallpaper steamer for use in stripping wallpaper has a housing accommodating a water tank and a steam generator supplied with water from the tank by an electrically powered water pump. Steam from the generator passes into an open faced steam chamber formed in a base portion of the steamer. The chamber has a peripheral wall which is held against wallpaper to be stripped and the base portion has a groove for collecting moisture.

Abstract: A hand-held wallpaper steamer for use in stripping wallpaper including a housing with a handle by which a user manipulates the steamer. The housing accommodates a water tank from which water is pumped by an electrically powered pump in the housing to a water chamber in a steam generator heated electrically. The steam generator has elongate passages joining the water chamber to steam exits in the generator. From the steam exits steam emerges to pass into a steam chamber with a peripheral wall forming part of the housing and having an open face which is held against wallpaper to be stripped.

Abstract: A hand-held wallpaper steamer for use in wallpaper stripping having a housing with a base portion having a peripheral floor and forming an open faced steam chamber. Water is pumped by an electric pump in the housing to an electrically-heated, steam generator also in the housing which generates steam. The steam is supplied to the steam chamber via a first set of apertures located adjacent one end of the steam chamber and via a second set of apertures adjacent the other end of the steam chamber but spaced from that end by a greater distance than that separating the first set of apertures from the one end of the steam chamber. That arrangement improves the distribution of steam in the steam chamber when the steamer is used on a wall with the one end of the chamber lowermost.

Abstract: A hand-held wallpaper steamer for use in stripping wallpaper which includes a housing accommodating a water tank, an electrically heated steam generator and an electric pump for pumping water from the tank to the steam generator. The steamer also has a base portion with a peripheral wall and forming a steam chamber to which steam is supplied by the steam generator. The water tank has a water capacity of substantially 400 cc. The electric heating element has an electrical rating of 1.2 Kw. The pumping rate of the pump is about 25 cc/minute. These values allow a user to use the steamer for about 20 minutes before the water tank needs refilling.

Abstract: A combined on/off and reversing switch, particularly for an electric screwdriver having a reversible motor, has a switch plate which can be rotatably mounted on an end of the motor. Terminals of the motor extend through the switch plate and are selectively contacted by ends of two resiliently flexible contact strips carried by the switch plate. An actuating member is moved along a selected path to rotate the switch plate to select "forward" and "reverse", and then depressed inwardly to flex an end of the appropriate contact strip to complete energization of the motor. The contact strips resiliently bias the actuating member outwardly to switch the motor "off" when the actuating member is released. Switching the motor "on" from a neutral "off" position of the switch involves a two part movement of the actuating member. The switch is of simple and compact construction.

Abstract: In a portable motorized screwdriver, in order to provide for manual use of the screwdriver, to finish screwing in a screw, for example, or to start unscrewing a screw, a mechanism is provided for locking the spindle. This mechanism is coupled to the switch used to start and stop rotation of the spindle. This coupling is arranged so that operation of the switch to start rotation of the spindle is accompanied by unlocking of the spindle and so that returning the switch to the position to stop rotation of the spindle locks the spindle. The locking mechanism is arranged so that when the spindle is locked the screwdriver may be used as a ratchet type manual screwdriver.