Abstract: An electrical connector has a housing with a front surface, a rear surface, and side surfaces. A first wall extends between the front surface, the rear surface and the side surfaces. A second wall extends between the front surface, the rear surface and the side surfaces, the second wall having a radiused reference surface. An alignment projection extends from the radiused reference surface in a direction away from the first wall. Compression clips extend from the side surfaces. The compression clips have bases, beams and a latching projections, with the beams extending at angles relative to the side surfaces.

Abstract: Harness adjustment assemblies for user-worn electrical appliances and connection systems for the same are disclosed. In one aspect, a system includes an electrical appliance including a housing defining a recess, a track removably connected to the housing within the recess, a harness adjustment assembly connected to the housing by the track, and a harness assembly configured to be worn by a user of the electrical appliance to facilitate carrying the electrical appliance. The harness adjustment assembly includes an actuator assembly movable and selectively repositionable along the track. The harness assembly is connected to the actuator assembly such that the harness assembly is selectively repositionable relative to the electrical appliance housing upon actuation of the actuator assembly.

Abstract: A harness assembly for an electrical appliance includes an upper support assembly and a lower support assembly. The upper support assembly includes an upper back pad and at least one shoulder strap emanating from the upper back pad. The upper back pad includes an upper pocket that receives an upper mounting plate of the electrical appliance therein, and an upper flap selectively connectable to the upper pocket to close the upper pocket and retain the upper mounting plate within the upper pocket. The lower support assembly includes a lower back pad and a waist belt emanating from the lower back pad. The lower back pad includes a lower pocket that receives a lower mounting plate of the electrical appliance therein, and a lower flap selectively connectable to the lower pocket to close the lower pocket and retain the lower mounting plate within the lower pocket.

Abstract: Applicant has created vacuum apparatuses with improved stability and methods for improving the stability of a wet/dry vacuum. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a motor, a removable drum adapted to store debris collected by the apparatus, and a base that can be adapted to receive the removable drum. The motor can be adapted to be interposed between the removable drum and the base. The methods can include the step of providing a base, the step of providing a removable drum adapted to be coupled to the base, and the step of coupling a vacuum motor to the base such that the vacuum motor is adapted to be disposed beneath the removable drum when the drum is coupled to the base. By relocating the motor of vacuum apparatus beneath the drum, the vacuum's center of gravity can be lowered significantly and, thus, its propensity to tip over is minimized.

Abstract: A battery pack connection system includes a first battery pack, a second battery pack, and a battery receptacle. Each of the first and second battery packs includes a first guide slot, a second guide slot, and an electrical connector slot. The second battery pack has a power capacity and a width greater than the first battery pack. The battery receptacle defines an elongate passage sized and shaped to separately receive each of the first and second battery packs therein. The battery receptacle includes an electrical connector rail, a first guide rail sized and shaped to cooperatively engage the first guide slot of each of the first and second battery packs, and a second guide rail sized and shaped to cooperatively engage the second guide slot of each of the first and second battery packs.

Abstract: A battery pack includes a housing, at least one battery cell enclosed within the housing, a printed circuit board (PCBA) enclosed within the housing, a gauge electrically connected to the PCBA and including at least one light, and an actuator that, when actuated, activates the gauge to illuminate the at least one light to indicate a charge level of the at least one battery cell. The housing has a main body and a handle extending from the main body, and the handle defines an aperture sized and shaped to receive one or more of a user's fingers therein. The gauge is located on an outer surface of the handle.

Abstract: A vacuum attachment tool includes a hollow body extending from a first end to a second end and defining a flow path, and a conduit connector disposed at the second end of the hollow body. The conduit connector includes an inner collar having an inner diameter sized to receive a first vacuum conduit having a first diameter, and an outer collar having an inner diameter sized to receive a second vacuum conduit having a second diameter greater than the first diameter. The outer collar is formed separately from the inner collar and is coupled to the inner collar.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery for powering a vacuum cleaner includes a casing, a latch for securing the rechargeable battery in the vacuum cleaner, an electrical connection interface, and a battery core disposed within the casing. The casing includes a cover plate, a sidewall extending from the cover plate, and first and second rails that extend longitudinally along the cover plate. Each rail is L-shaped and includes ribs for support. The latch is selectively releasable, and the electrical connection interface is disposed between the first and second rails.

Abstract: Applicant has created vacuum apparatuses with improved stability and methods for improving the stability of a wet/dry vacuum. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a motor, a removable drum adapted to store debris collected by the apparatus, and a base that can be adapted to receive the removable drum. The motor can be adapted to be interposed between the removable drum and the base. The methods can include the step of providing a base, the step of providing a removable drum adapted to be coupled to the base, and the step of coupling a vacuum motor to the base such that the vacuum motor is adapted to be disposed beneath the removable drum when the drum is coupled to the base. By relocating the motor of vacuum apparatus beneath the drum, the vacuum's center of gravity can be lowered significantly and, thus, its propensity to tip over is minimized.