Abstract: A strain relief for protection of electrical and other cords extending from a component. The strain relief is made from a hard plug piece which attaches to the case or housing of the component. The cord extends through this plug piece via a passageway. This plug piece has a plurality of holes therethrough which connect the passageway with its outer surface. An molded jacket is molded onto the plug piece, wherein the injected material extends through the holes, into the passageway, and surrounding the cord. The injected material is preferably softer than the material used for the plug piece. The result is a one piece strain relief which is bonded to the cord.

Abstract: An improved vacuum motor air intake for use on vacuum motor device with a funnel shaped shroud enclosing a portion of the vacuum motor housing adjacent a fan assembly. Combined with the funnel shaped shroud, a conical air deflection body directs air entering the motor in a laminar flow pattern.

Abstract: A control unit for improving the use, simplifying the maintenance, and organizing the management of floor maintenance equipment. The control unit can include a processing unit, a mechanical input channel, a memory system, other input means, communication means, data output means, and sensors. The control unit is electrically interconnected with the floor maintenance equipment so that operations can be controlled and data can be stored regarding the use of the equipment. This data is also able to be exported from the memory system to a computer, such as one connected to the Internet.

Abstract: A strain relief for protection of electrical and other cords extending from a component. The strain relief is made from a hard plug piece which attaches to the case or housing of the component. The cord extends through this plug piece via a passageway. This plug piece has a plurality of holes therethrough which connect the passageway with its outer surface. An molded jacket is molded onto the plug piece, wherein the injected material extends through the holes, into the passageway, and surrounding the cord. The injected material is preferably softer than the material used for the plug piece. The result is a one piece strain relief which is bonded to the cord.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner floor tool in which offset air intake openings create multiple organized vortices in the vacuum chamber of the floor tool. Air intake openings on the side of the tool produce horizontally oriented vortices and allow the cleaning to be effective along the edge of the tool. A curved or broadened tool edge prevents the tool from being drawn into carpet by vacuum, and allows it to be pushed with little resistance across carpet even though the vacuum within the vacuum chamber is strong enough to produce high air flow through the air intake slots.

Abstract: A strain relief for protection of electrical and other cords extending from a component. The strain relief is made from a hard plug piece which attaches to the case or housing of the component. The cord extends through this plug piece via a passageway. This plug piece has a plurality of holes therethrough which connect the passageway with its outer surface. An molded jacket is molded onto the plug piece, wherein the injected material extends through the holes, into the passageway, and surrounding the cord. The injected material is preferably softer than the material used for the plug piece. The result is a one piece strain relief which is bonded to the cord.

Abstract: The present invention is a vacuuming apparatus convertible between a backpack mode, a canister mode and an upright mode. Additionally, the present invention is convertible into a handheld mode and a blower mode. Each of these modes are accomplished through attachments which are able to be easily attached and detached together. The apparatus has a power unit having an electric motor and impeller; a base unit containing a filter; a backpack unit for use in the backpack mode; a canister unit for use in the canister mode; a blower unit for use in the blower mode; a handheld unit for use as a handheld vacuum cleaner in a hand held mode; and a work bench waste collection mode.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner floor tool is provided with a vacuum chamber housing top cover, and parallel front and rear floor engagement bars. Floor engagement bars are provided with a plurality of air bypass slots extending up from a floor engaging bottom surface of the front and rear bars. Said bypass slots together have a total cumulative cross-sectional area within the range of 85% to 115% of the cross-sectional area of a top cover orifice. The top cover orifice is interconnected to a wand-receiving socket. A brush is provided attached to the rear beater bar.