Abstract: A carpet extractor includes a base assembly 1 including a housing 10 which selectively receives a recovery tank 22 for collecting dirty cleaning fluid. A first supply tank 14 for concentrated cleaning fluid and a second supply tank 15 for clean water are mounted on an inverted Y-shaped handle assembly 12. The handle assembly includes a central member 334 with a hand grip 336 at its upper end and two splayed leg members 338, 342, 340, 344, which define a triangular shaped gap therebetween. The two tanks are removably mounted in the gap. The cleaning fluid tank is supported on a shelf 346, which spans the gap between the leg members. The water tank is pivotally mounted on two projections 374 on the leg members to allow for easy removal and replacement on the handle. The arrangement of tanks in the gap allows for large capacity tanks, a well-balanced handle, ease of removal of the recovery tank without the need for removing either of the two supply tanks, and ease of refill of the supply tanks.

Abstract: A dirt cup latching arrangement includes a cleaner housing portion and a dirt cup mounted on the housing portion to define a mounted position. A latch assembly is pivotally mounted to the housing portion. A catch frame is pivotally mounted to the housing portion in spaced relation to the latch assembly. The latch assembly and the catch frame cooperate to selectively secure the dirt cup to the housing portion. A tool storage arrangement can include a cap pivotally mounted to the housing with the cap having an upper surface and a lower surface. At least one indentation is located on the cap upper surface and is shaped for accommodating an associated cleaning tool of the vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: A conversion valve arrangement for converting a vacuum cleaner from floor use to off-the-floor use. A valve door located in the suction duct leading from the nozzle body shuts off the suction airstream to the nozzle body when the vacuum cleaner is moved into the upright stored position. A projection on the motor housing located beneath the handle engages a resilient member cooperating with a crank arm on the valve door to close the valve door when the handle is moved to the upright position. The resilient member is comprised of a front valve arm and a rear valve arm pivotally linked together. The motion of the rear valve arm is transmitted to the front valve arm in one direction by a stop. The motion of the rear valve arm is transmitted to the front valve arm in the opposite direction by the stiffness of a spring disposed between them.

Abstract: Suction nozzle (10, 110) for cleaning apparatuses such as vacuum cleaners, electric brushes or similar, comprising a central body (11, 111) provided with a suction chamber (30, 130), and at least two suction arms (12, 112) pivoting on the central body (11, 111) on opposite sides with respect to a median longitudinal axis (10a, 110a) of the central body (11, 111) itself, and each having a corresponding lower suction aperture (16, 116) with a determinate suction surface. Each suction arm (12, 112) can be directed with respect to the central body (11, 111) from an open position, of maximum transverse bulk, to at least a closed position of minimum transverse bulk. The overall suction surface, which comprises the sum of the suction surfaces of the suction arms (12, 112), remains unchanged for any position whatsoever of the suction arms (12, 112) with respect to the central body (11, 111).

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a cyclonic airflow chamber that facilitates the separation of contaminants from a suction airstream. The airflow chamber includes a chamber inlet and a chamber outlet, with the chamber inlet being fluidically connected with at least one of a suction nozzle and an above-the-floor cleaning tool. An exhaust filter housing includes a suction duct and an exhaust plenum, with the suction duct communicating with the chamber outlet. A suction source housing includes an open end communicating with the exhaust plenum and a closed end. A suction source is positioned within the suction source housing to define an annular exhaust flow passageway surrounding the suction source from the housing closed end to the housing open end. The suction source includes a suction inlet communicating with the suction duct and an exhaust outlet communicating with the housing closed end.

Abstract: A nozzle for an air blower of a car wash installation is designed to be adjustable to vary the direction of the air flow delivered by the blower. The blower has a tapered frusto-conical nozzle that is oblique and is rotatably mounted at its base about an outlet of the blower. Upon rotation of the nozzle the direction of the delivered air flow moves in a conical path. Automated controls are provided to direct air flows from blowers in predetermined directions in the dryer section of an automated vehicle wash.

Abstract: A positioning frame supports a rotating buff roll within a vacuum plenum at a desired location adjacent a moving web of material. The apparatus has a drive arm with a jackshaft and a support arm each pivoted off bases which may be clamped to a single cross machine direction shaft. The motor drive may also be positioned at a variety of orientations. Three parallel axes of adjustment are defined by the positioning frame granting the installer of the apparatus great latitude in positioning the buff assembly near the web to be cleaned. Two web cleaning apparatuses may be installed on opposite sides of an open span of web, or a first apparatus may be engaged against the web where it turns around a roll, and a second apparatus may be engaged against the web where it turns around a downstream roll.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is reconfigurable between at least two positions. The vacuum cleaner has at least one motor and fan assembly for receiving power and producing airflow during use of the vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner also has at least one sensor adapted to sense a change in the position of the vacuum cleaner and to alter the power provided to the at least one motor and fan assembly in response thereto.

Abstract: A blower tube connected to a blower of an air-jet type cleaner comprises a straight tube part having one end connected to the blower; and a deflecting part, extending from the other end of the straight tube part, for receiving an airflow within the straight tube part and deflecting thus received airflow. A nozzle for jetting out the airflow deflected by the deflecting part is defined in the straight tube part and deflecting part. The deflecting part does not protrude sideways from the straight tube part. In this configuration, the blower tube can be handled as if it is a straight rod-like body, and can be inserted into a narrow space for cleaning.

Abstract: A mobile air cleaner for removing particulate materials from a chamber of a railcar or container is mounted on a motor truck operable to locate the air cleaner adjacent a railcar. The cleaner has an air hose connected to a motor driven fan for moving air through the hose and into the chamber of the railcar to move particulate material into a box located below the railcar. A lift device mounted on the truck has articulated booms and a work person carrier that can be located in the chamber of the railcar allowing the work person to move the hose adjacent the particulate material in the chamber and visually observe the cleaning operation.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a floor nozzle having a brushroll chamber with an outlet aperture. An upper assembly is secured to the floor nozzle and is adapted to pivot relative to the floor nozzle about a generally horizontal pivot axis. A dirt cup is removably secured to the upper assembly. The dirt cup includes a dirt collection chamber, a forward inlet duct, and a rear inlet duct spaced from the first inlet duct. A brushroll shut-off mechanism selectively blocks the outlet aperture. The airflow shut-off mechanism includes a housing with a dirty air passage in communication with the outlet aperture and a dirt passage door that pivots within the dirty air passage to block airflow through the dirty air passage when the upper assembly is moved to a fully upright position.

Abstract: The invention provides a cleaner head assembly for a vacuum cleaner comprising a cleaner head body pivotably attachable to a main body of a vacuum cleaner and a brush housing pivotably mounted on the cleaner head body, the brush housing having a suction opening and a brush bar mounted therein, wherein the brush housing comprises a sealed unit connectable to a vacuum cleaner air inlet via a conduit separate from the cleaner head body. The arrangement allows the brush housing to be doubly articulated with respect to the main body of the vacuum cleaner whilst the suction opening remains in a horizontal plane without requiring the use of seals which must be able to accommodate the articulation of the brush housing.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner that generates an output air stream to agitate dirt and other debris on the surface being cleaned.

Abstract: A suction cleaner nozzle has a nozzle body enclosing an agitator chamber, which has an elongated suction inlet opening. An agitator is disposed in the agitator chamber such that the agitator extends partially through the suction inlet opening for agitating a surface to be cleaned. A duct is connected to the nozzle body and located adjacent the agitator chamber. The duct extends parallel to the rotative axis of the agitator. A turbine rotor is rotatably connected to the nozzle body and operatively connected to the agitator.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner is disclosed, comprising an upright section (12) and a base (14) with primary nozzle (18), and further including an edge cleaner (40). The edge cleaner includes a main body (46) and brushes (50). The edge cleaner is rotatably mounted to the vacuum cleaner base (14) through hole (41) by fastener (42) and receptacle (44), and preferably includes a vacuum inlet (48). The edge cleaner (40) has an operational position in which the edge cleaner extends beyond an edge of base (14) and is engaged with the floor; and a stowed position in which the brushes are lifted off the floor, the vacuum inlet is disconnected from the vacuum suction, and the edge cleaner resides in a recess (57) of the base (14).

Abstract: A carpet extractor includes a solution distributor, such as a spray bar 90, which delivers cleaning solution to a floor surface. A housing 10 selectively receives a recovery tank 22 for collecting dirty cleaning solution from the floor. A first tank 14 for concentrated cleaning fluid and a second tank 15 for clean water supply cleaning fluid and water to a reciprocating pump 420 through first and second fluid lines 412, 410. The pump includes a piston 428, which reciprocates between first and second ends of a cylindrical bore 430. A fluid line 432 interconnects the first and second fluid lines. As the pump reciprocates, a portion of the water is drawn into the interconnecting line during a downward stroke, where it mixes with the entering cleaning solution. As the pump moves on its upward stroke, the mixture is drawn back into the water line and is pushed onward by the pump toward the spray bar with each successive downward stroke.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner, provided with a detachable tool caddy unit, is disclosed. The tool caddy unit also has a pocket used for storing desired spare supplies, such as a spare dust bag or a spare transmission belt, on the cleaner body provided with a suction device for sucking dust-laden air into the cleaner body. The caddy unit consists of a mounting plate detachably mounted to the cleaner body, and a plurality of clamps for detachably holding a variety of accessory tools, such as a crevice nozzle, a brush nozzle and a flexible hose, on the caddy unit. In order to detachably mount the caddy unit on a predetermined portion of the cleaner body, a locking hook and two locking projections are formed on the mounting plate of the caddy unit, while a locking hole and two locking slots are formed on the cleaner body at positions corresponding to the locking hook and locking projections. A belt holding rib projects on the internal surface of the front cover or on the mounting plate of the caddy unit.

Abstract: A turbo tool includes a housing forming a hollow section. The housing includes at least one air inlet and a nozzle opening spaced from the air inlet, a brushroll rotatably mounted in the housing and within the nozzle opening and a turbine. The turbine is drivingly connected to the brushroll for rotating the brushroll. The turbine is driven by a first airflow through the air inlet. A rotational axis of the brushroll is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the turbine and parallel to a longitudinal axis of the housing. A first conduit is located in the housing and connected to the nozzle opening. A second airflow occurs through the first conduit. A second conduit is fluidly connected to the first conduit and to a third conduit. The first and second airflows merge into the second conduit. A swivel attachment is connected to the third conduit and swivels the housing between two positions approximately 180 degrees apart and is locked into one of the two positions.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a floor nozzle having a brushroll chamber with an outlet aperture. An upper assembly is secured to the floor nozzle and is adapted to pivot relative to the floor nozzle about a generally horizontal pivot axis. A dirt cup is removably secured to the upper assembly. The dirt cup includes a dirt collection chamber, a forward inlet duct, and a rear inlet duct spaced from the first inlet duct. A flow cut-off mechanism selectively blocks the outlet aperture. The flow cut-off mechanism includes a dirt passage in communication with the outlet aperture and a dirt passage door that pivots forward about an approximately upright axis within the dirt passage cavity to block the outlet aperture when the upper assembly is moved to a fully upright position. The brushroll shut-off mechanism includes a micro-switch assembly which electrically controls operation of the brushroll motor.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaning wheel and vacuum applicator having a stationary vacuum chamber, a ported wheel that rotates around the stationary vacuum chamber, and a stationary shoe that acts as the vacuum applicator and is positioned between the ported wheel and an article such as a cigarette filter rod to be cleaned. An article or articles having cavities filled with granular particles is passed underneath the stationary shoe and rotating ported wheel, with the movement of the article being synchronized with the rotation of the ported wheel. The stationary shoe provided between the rotating ported wheel and the article having particle filled cavities ensures that vacuum is only applied to remove loose particles in between the particle filled cavities, with vacuum being cut off abruptly to ports that are passing over the particle filled cavities and with the particles that have been cleaned being removed completely.