Abstract: A nozzle attachment for use in combination with a vacuum cleaner to inflate or deflate air expandable articles, a portion of the nozzle having a relatively large diameter for coupling with the free end of a flexible hose, a relatively small extended tip portion insertable into bodies of inflation valves to mechanically open recessed check valve elements, and an intermediate cross sectional transition portion having at least one conical zone for sealing against the mouths of the inflation valve bodies. For inflation, the opposite end of the hose is connected to the fan outlet of the vacuum cleaner while for evacuation it is connected to the fan inlet.

Abstract: A filter bag assembly for a vacuum cleaner is disclosed. The assembly includes an elongated, relatively rigid, hollow tube coupled at one end to the exhaust of a vacuum cleaner. The tube runs upwardly along the handle of the vacuum cleaner and is attached at its other end to a porous filter bag. The filter bag runs downwardly along the rigid tube and has an open end closed by a nonporous dirt-collecting bag. The tube, the porous bag, and the nonporous bag are encased in an envelope so that the nonporous bag is held in a collapsed or stored condition at the end of the filter bag during normal use of the cleaner. To empty the filter bag of its collected dirt, the envelope is opened to expose the nonporous bag and to permit the dirt in the filter bag to drop downwardly into the nonporous bag. The vacuum cleaner may be turned on and off a number of times to distend the bag and dislodge dirt from the filter bag during the emptying operation.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner is disclosed providing a belt lifter operable to connect and disconnect the floor brush belt from the motor drive shaft. The belt lifter combines a viewing window allowing the user to easily observe the position of the belt and/or its operation. The belt lifter is provided with a tubular shaft portion pivotally mounted in the forward wall of the floor nozzle housing and a transparent plastic cup shaped member positioned within the tubular shaft section in which the end wall provides the viewing window. A face plate is keyed to the tubular shaft section to rotate the belt lifter for connecting and disconnecting the belt. A pair of triangular shaped snap rings secure the belt lifter assembly in its assembled position.