Abstract: A powered tool controlled by an actuating lever is provided with a simplified structure combining lock-off and lock-on functions. A trigger is mounted on the actuating lever and is pivoted about an axis parallel to a pivot axis for the actuating lever. The trigger is displaceable in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of displacement of the actuating lever, reducing the dexterity required of an operator to permit operation of the actuating lever. A hooked lever element extends from the trigger and a blocking device, which may be a post or a ribbed structure, projects from the tool housing. The hooked lever and blocking device cooperate to (1) abut, to prevent actuation of the motor unless the trigger is first operated, and (2) lock the actuating lever in an operated state upon subsequent release of the trigger.

Abstract: A battery powered motor driven screwdriver having an arrangement for both locking the tool-holding collet and disengaging it from the drive train. The collet is supported in a bushing having internal U-shaped ribs forming pockets, and the collet is formed with radial fins. To disengage and lock the collet, it is grasped by the operator and pulled outwardly out of engagement with the drive train. The fins are dropped into the pockets which prevent rotation by interfering contact between the fins and the ribs.

Abstract: An arrangement for mounting a motor blower assembly in a canister vacuum cleaner uses a pair of resilient rubber rings, one each on the front and rear of the assembly, to isolate the motor from the vacuum cleaner housing. The front ring goes over the front of the fan casing and is trapped within the housing, while the rear of the motor has attached thereto an adaptor which fits within the complementarily shaped rear rubber ring. This rear rubber ring in turn fits within a complementarily shaped motor support, which is attached to a support abutment within the housing. In order to accommodate different size motors within the same housing and utilize the same mounting components, the support abutment is pre-drilled at various locations to accommodate the different size motors. Thus, the only fixed attachment to the housing is the rear support, which is isolated from the motor blower assembly by the rear rubber ring.

Abstract: An upper hose assembly for an upright vacuum cleaner is arranged with external threads at one end for connection into the dirt collecting portion intake duct while the other end of the hose has mounted thereon a connector which allows for a snap-fit connection/disconnection from the fan discharge port of the vacuum cleaner. The connector is designed to provide a retrofit adaptation to an existing vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: A power driven reciprocating blade hedge trimmer includes a speed-reducing gear train with a sun gear, a plurality of planet gears, and a surrounding hollow drum-like orbiting gear element that seals in gear train lubricant and is formed to have an outer peripheral sinuous groove serving as a cam. A pin-engaging, guided, reciprocating cutting blade element of the hedge trimmer is driven by engagement of the pin and the groove shaped cam to produce reciprocating cutting motion aligned with the axis of the rotating power source. Resilient damping elements are affixed to an end of a blade supporting element where it is held by the hand-held portion of the device, to attenuate and isolate undesirable vibrational feedback generated during reciprocation of the cutting blade element.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner main cleaning chassis has a pair of suction air channels leading from a principal suction area thereof. Suction force is provided in common in the air channels with a single suction motor. One of the suction air channels is adapted to receive an auxiliary cleaning hose which diverts the suction force in such air channel into the auxiliary hose. During such auxiliary cleaning, increased suction force may be created in the auxiliary hose by closing off air flow in the other suction air channel, which relieves part of the load on the common suction motor. Such relief results in increased rotational speed of the motor, which in turn correspondingly increases the suction air flow in the air channel associated with the auxiliary hose.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is provided for use with an improved adaptor for associating auxiliary cleaning attachments with the cleaner. Insertion of the improved adaptor into an auxiliary suction port of the vacuum cleaner may be used to actuate various mechanisms internal to the vacuum cleaner. Such mechanisms include a pivoting lift bar situated on a lower side of the vacuum cleaner chassis, for lifting a main vacuum nozzle and rotating beater bar brush from a floor on which the vacuum cleaner is supported. Such lifting disengages the rotating beater bar brush from the floor while the vacuum cleaner performs auxiliary attachment cleaning. A pivoting diverter door may also, or in the alternative, be actuated upon insertion of the improved adaptor into the vacuum cleaner auxiliary suction port, for diverting suction power from a main suction nozzle through the adaptor and into an auxiliary cleaning attachment such as a hose associated with the adaptor.