Abstract: An improved vacuum cleaner nozzle is disclosed which includes a squeegee element disposed along the front wall or front lip. The squeegee element acts to push liquid or slurry materials towards the inlet opening as the nozzle head is drawn towards the user in a pulling or retraction motion. The squeegee elements are preferably integrally molded with the nozzle head structure. In different variations, the squeegee elements comprise either a downwardly extending forward lip or a forwardly extending lip.

Abstract: A pneumatic cleaner that can be worn as a backpack has a reduced unit overall depth. The impeller shaft is mounted at an acute angle. Tangential airflow chambers are disposed around the motor assembly and substantially surround the impeller. Two of the airflow chambers extend substantially the entire overall unit depth, and have lateral lengths that exceed the overall unit depth.

Abstract: A water jet-assisted blowing and vacuum apparatus for cleaning gutters having a curved end attachment member for connection to an elongated air conduit to reach into gutter areas, and a pressurized water nozzle mounted to the air conduit curved end member and oriented to loosen gutter debris adjacent the operating free end of the curved end attachment member. The water nozzle can be mounted internally or externally of the curved end attachment member, as well as positioned so as to be removed from or closely adjacent to the operating end of the curved end attachment member.

Abstract: A manual sander vacuum attachment, providing edge sanding and multiple positioning capabilities, having a lower sanding backer plate member, which carries a soft sanding pad and secures the sandpaper sheet, and an upper housing portion, having a generally horizontal platform with two vertically-extending stanchion supporting a handle therebetween, with a vacuum fitting for connection to a hose for a vacuum air source, and a peripheral skirt surrounding the backer plate member, whereby all vacuum air flow of sanded debris travels about periphery of sander backing plate up into interior of the housing portion.

Abstract: An improved vacuum cleaner nozzle is disclosed which includes a squeegee element disposed along the front wall or front lip. The squeegee element acts to push liquid or slurry materials towards the inlet opening as the nozzle head is drawn towards the user in a pulling or retraction motion. The squeegee elements are preferably integrally molded with the nozzle head structure. In different variations, the squeegee elements comprise either a downwardly extending forward lip or a forwardly extending lip.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a housing having a housing passage with a passage inlet, air entering through the passage inlet flowing in a first direction and the housing passage directing air flowing therethrough in a second direction which is more than 90 degrees different from the first direction. The vacuum cleaner also includes a blower adapted to be used separately from the vacuum cleaner, the blower having a blower housing with a blower inlet, a blower outlet, and defining a blower passage between the blower inlet and the blower outlet, an impeller disposed in the blower passage to move air between the blower inlet and the blower outlet and a motor mounted to the blower housing and coupled to the impeller to move the impeller. The blower is detachably secured to the housing with the blower outlet disposed in communication with the passage inlet.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is provided which includes a housing and a latch assembly disposed on the housing. The latch assembly includes a latch that is movable relative to the housing between a first state and a second state. The vacuum cleaner also includes a blower that is disposable on the housing and has a first state wherein the blower is detached from the housing and a second state wherein the blower is disposed on the housing. The blower includes a latching surface disposed adjacent the latch with the blower in the second state. The blower moves the latch between the first state and the second state as the blower is moved between the first state and the second state, and the latch engages the latching surface with the blower in the second state and the latch in the first state to secure the blower to the housing.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is provided which includes a housing and a latch assembly disposed on the housing. The latch assembly includes a latch that is movable relative to the housing between a first state and a second state. The vacuum cleaner also includes a blower that is disposable on the housing and has a first state wherein the blower is detached from the housing and a second state wherein the blower is disposed on the housing. The blower includes a latching surface disposed adjacent the latch with the blower in the second state. The blower moves the latch between the first state and the second state as the blower is moved between the first state and the second state, and the latch engages the latching surface with the blower in the second state and the latch in the first state to secure the blower to the housing.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner has an electric motor driving an air impeller for creating suction and a pump impeller which is located in the tank and draws liquid material from the bottom of the tank and expels it from the tank. The vacuum cleaner may have an electrical or mechanical shut-off apparatus which turns off the electric motor if the water level in the tank is too high. The shut-off switch may be bypassed by a user to allow the motor to continue driving the pump impeller to remove liquid from the tank.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a housing having a housing passage with a passage inlet, air entering through the passage inlet flowing in a first direction and the housing passage directing air flowing therethrough in a second direction which is more than 90 degrees different from the first direction. The vacuum cleaner also includes a blower adapted to be used separately from the vacuum cleaner, the blower having a blower housing with a blower inlet, a blower outlet, and defining a blower passage between the blower inlet and the blower outlet, an impeller disposed in the blower passage to move air between the blower inlet and the blower outlet and a motor mounted to the blower housing and coupled to the impeller to move the impeller. The blower is detachably secured to the housing with the blower outlet disposed in communication with the passage inlet.

Abstract: A mechanical shut-off and bypass assembly for controlling operation of a wet/dry vacuum cleaner includes a switch movable between on and off positions. A toggle member is pivotably mounted with respect to the switch and is movable to operate the switch between the on and off positions. A user operated actuator mechanism engages and manipulates the toggle member to actuate the switch. An automatic shut-off mechanism engages and manipulates the toggle member, independent of the user operated actuator mechanism, to move the switch to the off position when the liquid level in the vacuum cleaner tank reaches a preset shut-off level. The user operated actuator mechanism is operable in a bypass mode, in which the toggle member is manipulated so that the switch moves to the on position, thereby counteracting the shut-off mechanism.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner has an electric motor driving an air impeller for creating suction and a pump impeller which is located in the tank and draws liquid material from the bottom of the tank and expels it from the tank. The vacuum cleaner may have an electrical or mechanical shut-off apparatus which turns off the electric motor if the water level in the tank is too high. The shut-off switch may be bypassed by a user to allow the motor to continue driving the pump impeller to remove liquid from the tank.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner has an electric motor driving an air impeller that creates low pressure inside the tank of the vacuum cleaner. The motor also drives a pump impeller which is located in the tank and draws liquid material from the bottom of the tank and expels it from the tank. Near an inlet to the pump is a priming mechanism having bellows which are compressed to force liquid material up into the pump. Portions of the pump, including the inlet and the outlet as well as the priming mechanism, are attached to a tank extension which fits over the top of the tank. The lid of the vacuum cleaner, which carries the motor and air impeller, fits over the tank extension when the vacuum cleaner is used for liquid material. The tank extension and its associated pump components are removable from the tank to facilitate use of the vacuum cleaner on dry material.