Abstract: An applicance housing includes a box-like front part having a front panel and an open rear end, and a pair of symmetrical, box-like side parts, each having an open front end and an open medial side. The open medial sides of the two side parts snap together in coplanar abutment along a sagittal plane, and the open rear end of the front part then snaps onto the front ends of the two engaged side parts to form a closed housing. In an air cleaner embodiment, each of the two side parts is provided with a ventilated lateral side panel which is recessed to create a space for holding a sheet of filtering media, and a flush grill which snaps onto the side panels over the filters to hold them in place.

Abstract: A rotary switch assembly for use with a stand-mounted appliance includes a conventional rotary switch which is installed through the side of the stand and mounted therein on a plate such that the stem of the switch is coaxially aligned with the long, central axis of the stand. A control knob in the form of a split, annular sleeve is snapped circumferentially around the stand to cover the opening and has an arm which extends radially inward through the opening to grasp the switch's stem such that rotation of the knob about the stand in the circumferential direction produces a corresponding rotation of the stem.

Abstract: An ultrasonic cleaning apparatus for household use is small and compact, easy to use, and inexpensive to buy and to operate. It includes a base, an electric circuit supported upon the base, a circumferential housing extending upward from the base, a liquid tank within the upper portion of the housing, and an electro-mechanical transducer secured to the bottom side of the liquid tank and coupled to the eletric circuit to be driven thereby. The periphery of the liquid tank is supported from the housing in secure liquid-sealing relationship so as to protect the electric circuit from any liquid spillage. A removable cover fits over the top of the housing and covers the liquid tank and contents.A separate feature of the invention is a removable jewelry basket which may be positioned within the liquid tank for holding jewelry that is being cleaned, but can then be rested above the tank while the liquid drains out and the jewelry dries.

Abstract: An electric fan has a universally adjustable mounting which includes a vertical stem rotatable in a pedestal, and a pair of support joints extending above the stem and pivotal in mutually perpendicular planes. It is therefore possible to position the fan in lateral displacement from the stem, such that its back thrust creates a torque force tending to rotate the stem. The stem at its lower end has a base plate parallel to the pedestal. A pair of ball-and-spring mechanisms located between the base plate and pedestal permit the stem to be manually rotated to a selected position of adjustment where the balls engage a corresponding pair of holes. Yet the spring strength is sufficient to resist the torque produced by operation of the fan.

Abstract: A fan assembly, adapted for easy disassembly for storage and transportation and for easy assembly, includes a housing having a protruding tab-like portion and which is adapted to house a motor and blade assembly. A vertical tapered supporting arm having a narrowed fork-shaped end and an opposite enlarged base end is attached to the housing by having the tangs of the fork-shaped end of the tapered supporting arm adapted to receive therebetween the protruding tab-like portion of the housing. The protruding tab-like portion of the housing and the tangs of the fork-shaped end of the tapered supporting arm, each has a passageway aligned to receive a threaded bolt therethrough. A nut is threadably mated with the bolt to retain the protruding tab-like portion of the housing and the fork-shaped end of the tapered supporting arm in a releasable, selectively positionable compressive relationship.