Abstract: A vacuum cleaning apparatus is disclosed in which a wheeled carriage supports a plurality of different size collection tanks on a pivot support rod extending between upward extending portions of a handle frame mounted on the carriage base. The rear of each of the tanks includes a transverse groove dimensioned to slip onto the pivot support rod. The tanks may be pivoted about the support rod to dump the contents contained therein. A carriage anti-tilt support, pivotally mounted on the carriage, prevents tipping of the carriage during tank dumping.

Abstract: A soot blower is provided with a lance which is axially and rotatable displaceable by means of a motor. A driving wheel for effecting the axial displacement is connected with a driving shaft through two free-wheel devices having entrainment members which act in opposite directions and lost motion in the rotational direction of the driving shaft is provided for in one of the free-wheel devices.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner with improved carpet-wall edge cleaning ability achieved by bringing a free brush roll cleaning end and its bristle tufts and beater bars into optimum proximity with the edge to be cleaned. Aligned bearing structures within which the brush roll revolves, conventionally disposed to fetter the brush roll ends, are placed so that at least one is positioned on an inner segment of the brush roll, leaving a brush roll cleaning end free, unfettered. The space vacated by the bearing structure so treated allows extension of the free brush roll cleaning end into loose abutment with the general housing material, the bristle tufts and the beater bars comparably extended. These latter members can now function closer to the edge to be cleaned, thereby performing better. Additionally, a cutout in the general housing and adjacent materials allows of further extension of the free brush roll cleaning end into space thus vacated.

Abstract: A floorcare device has a round brush located in a housing and rotatable about a rigid axle. At least one axial end portion of the axle is supported in the housing by an eccentric, so that by turning the eccentric the height of the axle and thereby of the round brush relative to the housing can be varied. Turning of the eccentric is performed by a ratchet mechanism. Another such eccentric may support the other end of the axle. The ratchet mechanism may include two ratchet wheels each provided on a respective one of the eccentrics, and two rings surrounding the ratchet wheels and having inner ratchets engageable with the latter.

Abstract: An improved lawn sweeper for clearing a lawn of accumulated debris such as leaves, pine straw, and the like is disclosed. The novel sweeper comprises, in the embodiment shown, an open-bottomed housing holding a rotating cylinder having a number of very strong, flexible wire cable sections bolted to the cylinder. The ends of the wire cable sections have formed thereon a section of tubing pressed flat on the outer ends thereof. The wire cables are mounted in pairs on the cylinder with the flat tubing sections being toed in somewhat in relation to each adjacent pair. The rapidly moving blades create a strong updraft to sweep up accumulated debris with the toe in of the pressed flat tubing sections creating a swirling action which tends to enhance the lifting of the moving air. The ends of the wire cable sections are positioned above the ground by an adjustable distance ranging from one (1) inch to three (3) inches.

Abstract: A riding power sweeper with an improved dumping mechanism for emptying a hopper is provided. The hopper is pivotally supported at the front of the machine and a pair of fluid-operated rams raise the hopper and pivot it over the front. The hopper also has a unique air distribution system including a filter through which air is drawn from an opening communicating with a drum brush. Means forming a separate chamber is located in the hopper and holds the filter, and dirt from the filter is caught therein. The chamber-forming means is also pivotally supported so as to swing outwardly to be emptied when the hopper is raised. The drum brush has a unique design for adjusting and positioning the brush with a single linkage mechanism both applying pressure and adjusting the brush for wear.

Abstract: The invention includes a nozzle body for a floor care appliance having a housing. A fill duct is pivotally mounted within the nozzle body for pivotal movement out of the housing to permit declogging and cleaning of it.

Abstract: A brush assembly is fixedly mounted to each side wall of a vacuum cleaner head closely adjacent the axis of a rotary brush. The brush bristles of each assembly are directed so as to brushingly engage the wall-floor corner. The brushes are aligned in the direction of longitudinal movement of the vacuum cleaner. A guide slot is formed in the head adjacent the end of each brush assembly, with each slot providing communication between the outside of the head and the vacuum chamber containing the rotary brush. Dirt and debris loosened by the brush assemblies is sucked through the channels formed by the slots and the floor, and then into the path of the rotary brush and into the vacuum chamber.

Abstract: Suction cleaning apparatus comprising a container adapted for the collection of a liquid is provided with an inlet for connection to a suction head adapted for picking up liquid whereby incoming air flow is directed substantially radially inwardly relative to the container and impinges directly on an inner wall whereby it is spread in substantially equal and opposite streams around the interior of the container. The inner wall surrounds a suction inlet whereby suction is applied to the interior of the container and the arrangement minimises the tendency for a vortex to be generated in air flow towards such suction inlet, thereby reducing the tendency of foam to be produced on the surface of the collected liquid within the container.

Abstract: A device for vacuuming particulate matter from an individual's scalp comprising a housing having a passage therethrough, a detachable implement member mounted to the housing, and a filter mounted transverse the passage for entrapping particulate matter. A motor and rotatable fan disposed within said housing creates a fluid flow capable of transporting the particulate matter. The implement member is detachably affixed by an arrangement of mating flanges to facilitate interchangeability of implement members of different sizes and shapes.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner comprising a main body having a suction opening in the lower surface of its front portion and a handle body connected to a rear portion of the main body and extending upward. The main body is pivotally movable in the form of a seesaw as supported by contact portions on the main body positioned to the rear of the suction opening. The handle body is pivoted to the main body shiftably between an upright position and an inclined position and is provided on its lower end with propelling wheels which are positioned rearwardly away from a line perpendicular to a floor surface and passing through the pivot point. The main body front portion, namely the suction opening, is held raised from the floor surface while the handle body is in its upright position but comes into contact with the floor surface when the handle body is inclined through an angle suitable for use.

Abstract: A base unit having a vacuum hose and vacuum head attachable thereto includes means for developing a source of low pressure. A detachably attachable housing supporting a conventional vacuum bag is mountable upon the base unit in fluid communication with the low pressure source to form, with the base unit, a dry or vacuum carpet cleaner. The housing is readily replaceable with a first container for ejecting a cleaning solution through jets in the vacuum head into the carpet being cleaned and with a second container in fluid communication with the low pressure source to draw and collect the cleaning solution and the debris from the carpet through the vacuum hose to form, in combination with the base unit, a wet carpet cleaner.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved rotary broom assemblage of the type wherein a plurality of bristles are mounted upon a tubular core element and rotated by a shaft passing through the core element. The invention provides two pairs of circular plates, mounted in spaced relationship on the shaft, with each pair of plates defining an outwardly opening V-shaped groove within which a split ring fastening element is mounted. The tubular core is provided with an annular outwardly projecting depression in its wall portions adjacent each end of the core which are respectively engageable by a split ring member when expanded by axial movement of one of each pair of circular plates toward the other by fastening bolts.

Abstract: A windshield wiper assembly is described wherein a separate pivot pin between the wiper arm and the supporting yoke is eliminated. The arm includes a generally "U"-shaped wire end which is lockable into a recess on the back of the main yoke. The end of the "U" serves as a pivot pin.

Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning generally cylindrical articles of irregular configuration and, particularly, for cleaning straps of the type used to hold magnetic tape and supplied by manufacturers for use with magnetic tape. The apparatus comprises exterior and interior nozzles resiliently mounted along the inside and outside of the cylinder, or ring, and form means to blow and suck dirt from the article being cleaned.

Abstract: A portable vacuum cleaner with a bypass fan arrangement: the main fan draws air into the vacuum cleaner housing axially and discharges it radially from the housing; a plenum chamber receives the air from the housing outlet and redirects the outlet air in a direction away from the housing inlet; the motor for the main fan is cooled by a motor cooling fan drawing air over the motor from the end of the motor housing opposite its inlet end; the main air flow and cooling air flows being separate; the housing is shaped internally to assure the separation of air flows just described.

Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning an adhesive applicator roll includes a plurality of air jets for directing an air stream against the roll to clean the same. A driven roller assembly rotates the roll as it is being cleaned by the jets.

Abstract: An improved self-propelled carpet cleaning machine comprises a body movably mounted by a drive wheel. The body is powered by a drive motor which may be selectively connectable either to an AC power source located separately from the body or to a DC power source contained in the body. In addition, the body includes a first storage chamber for receiving fresh cleaning solution therein and a second storage chamber for receiving spent cleaning solution therein. The first and second storage chambers are provided by a flexible membrane which divides an enclosed cavity into two parts. A scrubbing means is also carried by the body in back of the drive wheel on the body. The scrubbing means includes means for applying the fresh cleaning solution to the carpet, a brush roller for agitating the carpet fibers contacted by the cleaning solution to remove foreign material therefrom, and a vacuum shoe for removing the spent cleaning solution from the carpet and placing that solution in the second storage chamber.

Abstract: A hand-held cordless electric vacuum cleaner including separable power and bowl units secured by a releasable latch. The power unit includes a housing formed with a handle and enclosing an electric motor and fan, batteries for the motor, and a switch for turning the motor on and off. The bowl unit includes a hollow bowl provided with an air inlet opening and an integral internal nozzle communicated with the fan when joined to the power unit. A filter assembly including a ring and a filter bag is positioned wholly within the bowl between the air inlet opening and fan and is removable from the bowl after the units are separated, whereby dirt and debris contained in the bowl are not spilled during separation of the units. A flapper covers the nozzle when the unit is off to prevent dirt in the bowl from coming out of the opening.

Abstract: Apparatus and method in which a number of thin, disc-like wafers are moved in an arcuate path while supported in a generally upright position. While so supported, the wafers are indexed between a plurality of cleaning stations which may include a scrub station, a scrub rinse station, a rinse station, and a dry station. In the scrub rinse and/or scrub station, the wafers are rotated while contacted on opposite surfaces thereof by a pair of rotating brushes disposed in a closed position, which brushes may be moved to an open position to accommodate movement of the wafers therebetween. Furthermore, a bracket of unique construction serially moves the wafers into the travel path. Means for introducing the wafers to the path and for removing them therefrom are further included.