Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner includes an upright housing section and a nozzle section. A cyclonic airflow dirt and dust separating chamber is defined in said upright housing section. A suction source pulls air and entrained dirt, dust, and other contaminants through a main suction opening formed in the underside of the nozzle and into the cyclonic airflow chamber. The cyclonic airflow chamber causes the suction airstream to travel in a cyclonic path such that the entrained contaminants are separated therefrom and deposited into a dirt container that defines the chamber. A main filter element filters residual contaminants from the suction airstream between the chamber and the suction source. The main filter element is preferably made from high-density polyethylene porous filter media.

Abstract: Belt-mounted vacuum apparatus and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a belt-mounted vacuum apparatus includes a belt member adapted to engage about an operator's waist, a dirt receptacle attached to the belt member, and a vacuum unit attached to the belt member and spaced apart from the dirt receptacle. The vacuum unit is operatively coupled with the dirt receptacle such that an airflow created by the vacuum unit propels particulates through the intake port and into the dirt receptacle. In alternate embodiments, the vacuum unit may be spaced apart from the dirt receptacle by a small distance, or may be positioned on opposite sides of the operator. In another embodiment, an apparatus includes a belt member having a stiffened portion. The stiffened portion may, for example, comprise an outer shell. Alternately, the belt member may also include a flexible, padded layer that engages with the operator's waist.

Abstract: A dirt cup latching mechanism that secures a lid onto a dirt receptacle of vacuum cleaner and simultaneously secures the dirt cup in place on the vacuum cleaner. The latching mechanism presses the lid down onto an open top of the dirt receptacle and presses the dirt receptacle down into a dirt cup retaining recess provided in a generally horizontal wall of the vacuum cleaner housing. The latching mechanism may press down on the top of an open topped dirt receptacle, with or without a lid, while simultaneously pulling the dirt cup horizontally against a generally vertical wall of the vacuum cleaner housing. Thus, the latching mechanism simultaneously presses the dirt receptacle down against one of an inlet and outlet seal located on the horizontal wall of the housing and horizontally against the other one of inlet and outlet seal on the vertical wall of the housing, thereby sealing both the receptacle inlet and outlet.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner capable of drawing different current levels in vacuum and blower modes is disclosed. The vacuum cleaner comprises at least one electric motor and an impeller disposed in an impeller housing, the impeller driven by the at least one electric motor. A receptacle has an inlet and an orifice in fluid communication with the impeller housing, wherein the impeller creates a low pressure area in the receptacle thereby drawing air into the inlet. An outlet is in air flow communication with the impeller housing, wherein air from the impeller is expelled through the outlet. A switch is associated with the outlet, wherein the switch has a first position in which a first current may be drawn by the at least one motor and a second position in which a second current, less than the first current, may be drawn by the at least one motor. A device is removably attached to the outlet for directing air.

Abstract: A self-propelled brushless surface cleaner with reclamation is provided as a self-contained vehicle. A cleaning head mounted to the vehicle extends forward therefrom. The cleaning head has a deck and a skirt extending from the deck such that when the skirt is placed in contact with the surface to be cleaned, a cleaning volume is defined. The cleaning head has at least one vent port formed in a forward portion thereof and at least one vacuum port formed in a rear portion thereof. Nozzles are mounted in the cleaning volume for movement therein when liquid under pressure is supplied thereto and sprayed therefrom. A liquid supply system supplies the liquid under pressure to the nozzles so that the surface to be cleaned is effectively scrubbed by the liquid to produce a mixture of the liquid and contaminants loosened from the surface to be cleaned.

Abstract: Contoured exhaust ducts for transmitting a particulate-laden airstream from a conduit into a vacuum cleaner bag of an upright vacuum cleaner are disclosed. In one embodiment, the airstream is turned by a transitional section of the exhaust duct by about 90 degrees. The interior of the exhaust duct is smoothly contoured through such transition for avoiding the generation of excessive noise and turbulence. The contoured surface of the transitional section prevents heavy objects entrained in the airstream from rebounding back in a direction against the airflow. The cross-sectional area of the exhaust duct may be maintained constant despite a change in cross-sectional shape from the inlet to the outlet thereof.

Abstract: A carpet extractor includes a base assembly (A) with a two part base housing (10). Upper (22) and lower portions (24,528) of the base housing define a socket (100), for receiving a cleaning fluid recovery tank (120,552), and a chamber (50), rearward of the socket, for receiving a suction fan (82,540) and associated motor (80,542). The chamber includes front (78,544) and rear compartments (546,76) for receiving the suction fan and motor, respectively. The lower portion (22,528) of the base housing defines a first pocket or indentation (70,550) for receiving a motor (68,548) for driving a rotating brushroll (60) and a second pocket (532) for receiving a solution supply pump (520) which selectively supplies pressurized cleaning fluid to a spray bar (526) and a remote distributor (614). The pocket and indentation are positioned rearward of the socket, and generally beneath a forward end of the chamber.

Abstract: The present invention is a handle used for pulling a wet/dry vacuum appliance and a mechanism for securely mounting such a handle to the lid of the vacuum. The mounting mechanism is designed for ease of assembly and reduced fastener cost. The handle is attached at two of its four attachment points by inserting journals molded into the sides of the handle into open bearing pockets molded in handle receiving recesses on the lid of the vacuum. The handle is then rotated into place and secured at the remaining two attachment points with suitable fasteners, such as screws. In certain embodiments of this invention, when the handle is rotated into position for attachment a locking slot in the bottom surface of the handle engages a rib provided in the handle receiving recess of the lid. This rib guides the handle as it rotates, prevents the journals from sliding back out of the bearing pockets, and locks the handle into the proper position for insertion of the fasteners.

Abstract: A surface cleaning and material removal system allows for the cleaning of applied or built-up coatings, debris, and any other matter from a surface. The surface cleaning and removal system includes a housing having a base with a wall extending obliquely therefrom. The base and wall define a cavity which covers the specific portion of the surface to be cleaned at that very moment, although the system is typically on wheels or portably movable so as to clean a very large surface in incremental portions. The system also includes a high-pressure-fluid mechanism for providing a high or ultra high pressure fluid flow against the surface to be cleaned where the mechanism includes either brushes or high pressure jets from which ultra high pressure water flows. In addition, the system includes a vacuum for moving all of the cleaning fluid and coatings, debris and any other matter from the cavity.

Abstract: A tool storage door for a floor care appliance encloses a tool storage compartment formed on the floor care appliance for storing various floor care accessory tools. The tool storage door receives and supports at least one of the accessory tools. A cutout area is formed in the tool storage door for providing direct and unobstructed visibility to the accessory tool and for allowing a portion of the accessory tool to extend therethrough. A recess which is substantially complementary to the shape of the accessory tool is formed in an underside of the tool storage door for receiving the accessory tool on the tool storage door. A pair of latching tabs extends downwardly from the underside of the tool storage door for releasably retaining the accessory tool within the recess.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner of the type which includes a canister which when upright the vacuum cleaner is operated as an upright vacuum cleaner, or, when tilted down, the vacuum cleaner is operated as a canister-type vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: A hard surface cleaning appliance includes a hood separating an interior space within the hood from an exterior space outside the hood. The hood includes a top wall as well as a solid outer side wall and an inner side wall depending from the top wall. The outer side wall includes a lower edge that is adapted to contact a surface to be cleaned, while the inner side wall includes a lower edge spaced inwardly of the outer wall that is elevated above the surface to be cleaned. A vacuum passage is formed between the inner side wall and the outer side wall, and a vacuum source is fluidly connected to the vacuum passage. A spout within the interior space is fluidly connected to a cleaning liquid source. The appliance may include a vacuum relief passage extending through the hood and thereby fluidly connecting the interior space with the exterior space.

Abstract: A portable power working machine has an L-shaped frame, a centrifugal blower fixed on a frame in a state that an intake port is opposed to a upright portion of the frame, and a cover having an upper portion spanned between an upper portion of the upright portion of the frame and the centrifugal blower and side portions extending from respective ends of the upper portion to a horizontal portion of the frame and spanned between a side portion of the upright portion and the centrifugal blower. A plurality of through-holes are formed in the upper portion of the cover, the through-holes communicating an interior space defined by the frame, the centrifugal blower and the cover with an exterior space on an outside of the interior space and having a size to block foreign matter in size greater than a predetermined value from passing through.

Abstract: A device for connecting a hose to an article, such as a wet/dry vacuum, includes a first member having first and second ends, with the first end adapted to be coupled to the hose. A receptacle has first and second ends. The first end of the receptacle is adapted to be mounted to the article, and the second end is adapted to be connected to the second end of the first member. A locking member is mounted on one of the first member or the receptacle for securing the first member to the receptacle, and at least one sealing member is situated about one of the second end of the first member or the second end of the receptacle. This sealing member can be integrally mounted to one of the ends. In one embodiment, the sealing member seals against an external surface of the receptacle, and in an alternative embodiment, the sealing member seals against an internal surface of the receptacle.

Abstract: A dual-duty blowing and exhausting apparatus is provided. The apparatus may be quickly and conveniently converted between blowing and exhausting configurations without exposing its parts to undue wear or damage, and without causing the escape of the collected dust or other scrap material. The apparatus comprises a body member formed with an intermediate cylinder section having a conically contoured internal surface portion coaxially disposed about an axial bore. The apparatus also includes an exhaust valve coupled to a first end section of the body member in substantially sealed manner. This exhaust valve serves to guide compressed air introduced into the body member to the conically contoured internal surface portion for expulsion through the tapered throat portion during the exhausting operation. The apparatus further includes a blow valve detachably coupled to the exhaust valve for effecting the blowing operation.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner hose clip is disclosed. The vacuum cleaner hose clip includes a first curvilinear arm adapted to wrap partially around a portion of a vacuum cleaner hose, and a second curvilinear arm adapted to wrap completely around a second portion of a vacuum cleaner hose to hold the vacuum cleaner hose portions together. The clip further includes a locking mechanism to secure the second curvilinear arm in position around the vacuum hose.

Abstract: A portable surface cleaning apparatus having a floor-traveling base module and an upright handle pivotally mounted to the base module, a liquid dispensing system including a dispensing nozzle associated with the base module and fluidly connected to a fluid supply chamber, a fluid recovery system including a suction nozzle associated with the base module and fluidly connected to a vacuum source and a recovery chamber, a window in the base module, and an illumination source behind the window for illuminating an area underneath and in front of the base module.

Abstract: A height adjustment mechanism for a vacuum cleaner includes a wheel carriage pivotally mounted to a foot of the vacuum cleaner, a height adjustment cam which engages the wheel carriage, and a cam actuator which attaches to the height adjustment cam for camming the height adjustment cam against the wheel carriage. The height adjustment cam is formed with a stepped bottom camming surface. The camming surface is formed with a plurality of spaced parallel ribs having a rounded outer surface which minimizes the surface-to-surface contact between the height adjustment cam and the wheel carriage. This reduced surface-to-surface contact reduces the frictional resistance between the height adjustment cam and the wheel carriage allowing the cam actuator to be easily slid for height adjustment of the vacuum cleaner foot.

Abstract: An interchangeable control panel module removably mountable to the housing of the powered unit of a hand-held vacuum cleaner may be configured to provide the feature mix of a given product model without requiring redesign of the housing of the powered unit to accommodate the feature mixes of different product models. The feature face of the interchangeable control panel module is aesthetically continuous with the housing of the powered unit and may be configured to include at least one of an on/off power switch, a headlight and a battery charge indicating bar graph.

Abstract: A suction nozzle unit for a vacuum cleaner unit includes a casing formed with a suction inlet, a pair of front wheels located at the front of the casing, and a pair of rear wheels located at the rear of the casing. The suction nozzle unit also includes a shaft pin for rotatably supporting the front wheels and an arrangement, for moving the casing up and down relative to the shaft pin so as to raise and lower the front end of the casing relative to the surface to be vacuumed. As a result the front end of the unit can be moved up and down as necessary depending, for example, on the depth of pile of a carpet being vacuumed, thereby increasing ability of the unit to travel over the carpet during vacuuming.