Abstract: A coupler is disclosed for coupling floor maintenance pads to a pad driven disc. The coupler has one part which is mounted to or from an integral part of the driver disc and a second part which snaps onto the first part for holding and centering a maintenance pad to a disc. A spring lock arrangement is provided for preventing the coupler from separating and comprises a spring clip carried by the retainer engageable with recesses formed on an axially extending locking post forming part of the base part. The spring clip is held to the retainer by a pair of keepers which define slots having diverging cross-sections. The spring clips include a pair of elongate legs interconnected by a bridging segment on one end and a pair of finger engageable pressure pads on opposite ends by which the spring clip is squeezed to spread apart the legs. Both the retainer and base include fluid supply openings through which floor treating fluids can be dispensed onto the floor.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning and recycling used vinyl billboards and flex faces by attaching the used media to a series of endless belts which transport the used billboard through a chemical bath. A chemical solution is dispensed on the painted surfaces of the billboard using a series of spray nozzles, then brushes remove the remaining paint and simultaneously polish the used surface. The used solvent containing the dissolved paints is cleaned and recycled for reuse.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing dust from an object has a resilient body having a first substantially flat surface and a second surface having a plurality of spaced-apart projections. A flock coating covers at least the first and second surfaces. The flat surface of the apparatus is used for removing dust from a generally flat surface, whereas the surface with spaced-apart projections is used for removing dust from more complex surfaces and from nooks which cannot be reached using the flat surface of the apparatus. The resilient body is preferably made of a foam material. Although the body may be of virtually any shape, polyhedral shapes are preferred in order to provide a plurality of dusting surfaces.

Abstract: A cleaning device for cleaning brooms that include a plurality of bristles mounted at the end of the broom's handle. The cleaning device includes a handle member that has a C-shape embracing member for removably mounting the cleaning device to the broom's handle. One end of the handle member includes a rake assembly with a plurality of rigid teeth mounted thereon. The teeth are sufficiently long to pass through the bristles and permit, when moved downwardly through them, removal of extraneous material entangled on the bristles.

Abstract: A kit containing a washing cleaner liquid and one or more paper towels can be used for cleaning an automotive windshield in situations where cleaning materials may not be readily available. The cleaning liquid is contained within a sealed pocket structure that includes a porous wall. Hand movement of the kit package across the windshield, or other surface to be cleaned, causes the liquid cleaner to flow through the porous wall and distributed over the work surface. The paper towel can be removed from the kit package for removing the emulsified dirt and wiping the surface to a clean dry condition.

Abstract: This invention provides a paint aid and/or a brush in which the brush head is connected to the handle by a pivotal connection allowing pivoting of the brush head with respect to the handle about at least a single axis. preferably, ball and socket type joint is used to allow rotation about at least two axes.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for cleaning floors. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes four wheels, two of which are steerable wheels, and a steering mechanism that permits the two steerable wheels to turn to a degree that allows very tight turns to be made by the sweeper. In another embodiment, the apparatus is a sweeper with a cylindrical side broom. Yet a further embodiment of the sweeper includes flaps or seals that form a skirt about the broom and a mounting mechanism for slidably receiving the flap or seal. In a further embodiment, the apparatus is a sweeper that employs flaps with wear indicators that tell an operator when to adjust or replace the flap. In another embodiment, the apparatus is a sweeper that utilizes a pre-filter to remove debris that remains in the vacuum airstream after having passed through the hopper and that is of a size that can require frequent cleaning of a subsequent filtering device.

Abstract: A rocker toothbrush is disclosed wherein the brushhead includes three bristle tuft bundles, each on a separate, elongated base. The middle bundle is elastically hinged to the two side bundles, which, in turn are hinged to the brushhead. A force applied to the middle bundle, during normal use, causes the two side bundles to turn in the direction toward the middle bundle.

Abstract: An adjustable nozzle for use with a chipper-shredder vacuum for vacuuming debris from an outdoor surface is disclosed. The nozzle has an inlet for directing debris into the nozzle. The inlet has a first side, a middle section, a second side, and a non-inlet area. The first side has a first nozzle inlet, the middle section has a middle nozzle inlet, the second side has a second nozzle inlet. The cross-sectional areas of the first and second nozzle inlets are greater than the cross-sectional area of the middle nozzle inlet to equalize vacuum force throughout the nozzle. The nozzle further includes a nozzle extension that extends below the nozzle and an adjustment apparatus for adjusting the height of the nozzle extension from the ground to conform the chipper-shredder vacuum to the terrain. The nozzle extension may be raised for bumpy or thick terrain or lowered for a flat terrain.

Abstract: A vehicle has a windshield and a hood extending away from the lower edge of the windshield. A modular windshield washing and wiping apparatus, disposed adjacent to the lower edge of the windshield, comprises at least two modules, arranged to be assembled together and to the remainder of the vehicle. One of the modules contains a screen washing liquid so as to act as a reservoir for the latter, while another module carries the screen wiping equipment. One of the modules includes at least one further component which is a component of a ventilating and/or air conditioning apparatus of the vehicle.

Abstract: An extraction machine of this invention comprises a main housing. A vacuum pump in the main housing operates to create a vacuum to extract liquid from the surface. A motor in the main housing drives the vacuum pump, the vacuum pump having an exhaust. An exhaust duct conducts exhaust air from the exhaust of the vacuum pump to an opening in the main housing for exhaust to the environment. A constriction in the exhaust duct reduces the pressure of exhaust air flowing through the exhaust duct from a first pressure upstream from the constriction to a second lower pressure in a low pressure zone adjacent the constriction. A compartment has an inlet for entry of ambient air into the compartment and an outlet for exit of air from the compartment. A second motor is located within the compartment. A cooling duct has an inlet communicating with the outlet of the compartment and an outlet communicating with the low pressure zone in the exhaust duct.

Abstract: An asymmetric opening at the bottom of a lawn and garden vacuum device equalizing the suction across the lateral width thereof.

Abstract: An electric toothbrush is disclosed having a power driven rotary brush in which the direction of rotation of the brush is automatically controlled depending on whether the top or the bottom teeth are being brushed in order to brush any food debris present on the teeth and gums in a direction away from the gums. The toothbrush of the present invention utilizes a direction controller that is placed inside the mouth between the top and bottom teeth. The direction controller controls the direction of brush rotation and serves to stabilize the toothbrush relative to the teeth during the brushing operation. The movement of the direction controller operates a reversing switch to change the direction of rotation of the brush as required to brush in a direction away from the gums and towards the teeth without removing the toothbrush from the mouth.

Abstract: A car washing brush is composed of a head, a holding plate, and a handle. The head is held by the holding plate and is provided with the bristles attached thereto securely for bringing about the brushing effect. The handle is fastened pivotally at one end thereof with the holding plate by a fastening device enabling the handle to be rotated in relation to the holding plate at such time when a press button of the handle is pressed by the finger of a person using the washing brush. The extension of the handle is therefore attained.

Abstract: The sponge incorporates a sponge block and a hand grasp which may either be an integral part of the sponge block or may be a separate member fixed to the sponge block in a predefined manner. The grasp is configured to resemble a butterfly winged element, flexible about a center area thereof which is fixed to a surface of the sponge block opposite a contact surface of the sponge block.

Abstract: A scarifying and deburring tool is disclosed adapted to scarify an outer surface of a tubing, pipe or fitting end and scarify and debur an inner surface of a member having an open cylindrical end such tubing, pipe or fitting end. The tool includes an elongated contoured handle with two inner surface scarifying brushes extending from opposite ends of the handle. The handle includes two outer surface scarifying brushes supported in spaced apart throughbores in the handle. A deburring plate is affixed to one side of the handle and includes an inwardly angled deburring scrapers aligned with and extending into respective throughbores. When a tubing, pipe or fitting end is inserted in a throughbore and seated against the corresponding scraper, the end is deburred when the tubing, pipe or fitting is rotated with respect to the tool. The deburring plate includes an opening that functions as a key for opening and closing "B" type acetylene tanks.

Abstract: A cleaning implement handle system includes a handle member having an implement connecting portion, a shaft portion, and a gripping portion; and an implement connecting fitting assembly having an implement connecting portion including a threaded first end adapted for connection with a conventionally threaded cleaning implement head and a second handle receiving end adapted to receive therein the implement connection portion of the handle member, and a compression ferrule that threadably fits over the second handle receiving end of the implement connecting fitting to compress the second handle receiving end about the implement connection portion of the handle member.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner 20 includes a housing 22 having a handle 208 and a brush compartment 82 for receipt of a brush assembly 104. A channel 210 is formed in the top of handle 208 and supports a hose 160 therein. A crevice tool 194 is coupled to hose 160 and is located in a continuation of channel 210 at a forward portion of housing 22. A forward portion of crevice tool 194 is located in a receptacle 100 formed in housing 22. A dust cup 52 is attachable to housing 22 and forms a dust collection chamber 47. When the vacuum cleaner 20 is operated in a brush mode, dirt-laden air is collected by operation of the brush assembly 104 over a surface being cleaned. In this mode, openings through crevice tool 194 and hose 160 serve as a conduit for the dirt-laden air to the dust collection chamber 47.

Abstract: A vacuum hose assembly includes an air inlet connector, a flexible hose, and rigid tube. Screw threads are provided on one end of the air inlet connector. Screw threads are also provided on one end of the rigid tube. The three components of the hose assembly are coupled by screwing one component to another. Therefore, the air inlet connector is coupled to the flexible hose by screwing the air inlet connector into the flexible hose so that the screw threads of the air inlet connector engage with the ridges of the flexible hose. Furthermore, the rigid tube is coupled to the flexible hose by screwing the rigid tube into the flexible hose so that the screw threads of the rigid tube engage with the ridges of the flexible hose.

Abstract: A portable carpet cleaning machine has a tank for storing a cleaning solution and a hand-actuatable spray nozzle for applying the solution under pressure. A vacuum motor drives a fan which produces a vacuum in a recovery tank for storing spent solution. Air flows through the recovery tank and the vacuum fan to exhaust. A fast-acting, heat-sensitive thermostatic switch is connected in electrical circuit and in heat transfer relation with the vacuum motor winding to interrupt the flow of current in the motor winding immediately upon sensing a temperature rise in the winding above a predetermined temperature and in a very short time after overflow water is passed from the recovery tank to the vacuum fan.