Abstract: A hand held steam vacuum is provided that is operated by way of a single switch device. The vacuum is generally comprised of a vacuum fan, a water pump, a heating element, and a fluid supply tank in fluid communication with a fluid discharge outlet. In operation, the vacuum fan is operable to suck debris into a collection bowl residing in the vacuum. In addition, the water pump is operable to drive fluid from the fluid supply tank via fluid transport tubes to the fluid discharge outlet, and the heating element is operable to heat the fluid prior to it being discharged from the fluid discharge outlet. A single switch device is configured to control operation of the vacuum fan, water pump and heating element.

Abstract: A housing assembly for a power edger that includes a housing, a door and a latching system. The door is coupled to the housing and movable between an open position and a closed position. The latching system includes a latch member that is coupled to one of the housing and the door and a ramp that is coupled to the other one of the housing and the door. Contact between the ramp and the latch member when the door is being closed against the housing causes the latch member to move to an unlatched condition so as to automatically align the latch member to a latch aperture. This permits the door to be fully closed without the need to manually operate the latch member.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner system having an electric powerhead with a first switch actuator component which can be actuated with a user's thumb, to turn on and off the powerhead, and a second switch actuator component which can be actuated with the user's foot, to also turn on and off the powerhead. The first switch actuator component is used when the powerhead is being used in a handheld cleaning mode. The second switch actuator component is used when the powerhead is being used in a floor cleaning mode along with an upright handle attached to the powerhead. An anti-tip over lockout system is incorporated for preventing the powerhead from being accidentally turned on when it is being held in an upside down orientation, such as during cleaning of a beater brush thereof.

Abstract: A housing assembly for a power edger that includes a housing and a door that is coupled to the housing and movable between an open position and a closed position. When positioned in the closed position, labyrinth seal members that are formed onto the housing and the door engage one another to form a labyrinth seal that inhibits dirt and debris from being expelled from the housing assembly. The housing assembly also includes a guard for shrouding a rotating blade. The guard includes a confronting portion having a leading end and a trailing end. The confronting portion is defined by an increasing radius relative to the rotary axis of the blade.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner system incorporating a closed loop airflow recirculation path for cooling a beater brush motor. A portion of clean, exhaust airflow created by a fan is diverted away from an exhaust port of the housing and directed into a flow path running alongside a portion of the housing. The airflow is used to pressurize a compartment within which a beater brush motor is disposed. A low pressure area created by the fan is used to assist in drawing the cooling exhaust airflow through the compartment, to thus form a closed loop cooling air recirculation system using only clean, filtered exhaust airflow to maintain the beater brush motor cool during use.

Abstract: A latching mechanism for an upright vacuum cleaner which allows an upright handle to be quickly and easily detached and reattached to an independently usable powerhead of the vacuum cleaner. The latching mechanism includes a pair of attachment portions formed at a lower end portion of the upright handle which cooperate with a pair of recesses formed in a housing of the powerhead. A foot actuated release lever allows the user to detach the upright handle only when the handle is in an upright orientation. The design of the attachment portions and the recess, in connection with the release lever, prevent the handle from inadvertently being installed backwards on the powerhead, as well as from being inadvertently detached from the powerhead without first depressing the release lever.

Abstract: A housing assembly for a power edger that includes a housing and a door that is coupled to the housing and movable between an open position and a closed position. When positioned in the closed position, labyrinth seal members that are formed onto the housing and the door engage one another to form a labyrinth seal that inhibits dirt and debris from being expelled from the housing assembly. The housing assembly also includes a guard for shrouding a rotating blade. The guard includes a confronting portion having a leading end and a trailing end. The confronting portion is defined by an increasing radius relative to the rotary axis of the blade.

Abstract: A latching mechanism for an upright vacuum cleaner which allows an upright handle to be quickly and easily detached and reattached to an independently usable powerhead of the vacuum cleaner. The latching mechanism includes a pair of attachment portions formed at a lower end portion of the upright handle which cooperate with a pair of recesses formed in a housing of the powerhead. A foot actuated release lever allows the user to detach the upright handle only when the handle is in an upright orientation. The design of the attachment portions and the recess, in connection with the release lever, prevent the handle from inadvertently being installed backwards on the powerhead, as well as from being inadvertently detached from the powerhead without first depressing the release lever.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner system having an electric powerhead with a first switch actuator component which can be actuated with a user's thumb, to turn on and off the powerhead, and a second switch actuator component which can be actuated with the user's foot, to also turn on and off the powerhead. The first switch actuator component is used when the powerhead is being used in a handheld cleaning mode. The second switch actuator component is used when the powerhead is being used in a floor cleaning mode along with an upright handle attached to the powerhead. An anti-tip over lockout system is incorporated for preventing the powerhead from being accidentally turned on when it is being held in an upside down orientation, such as during cleaning of a beater brush thereof.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner system incorporating a closed loop airflow recirculation path for cooling a beater brush motor. A portion of clean, exhaust airflow created by a fan is diverted away from an exhaust port of the housing and directed into a flow path running alongside a portion of the housing. The airflow is used to pressurize a compartment within which a beater brush motor is disposed. A low pressure area created by the fan is used to assist in drawing the cooling exhaust airflow through the compartment, to thus form a closed loop cooling air recirculation system using only clean, filtered exhaust airflow to maintain the beater brush motor cool during use.

Abstract: A battery charging system enables rapid recharging of a working battery without immediate access to ac power and without the need for current limit and/or overvoltage protection. The battery charging system makes use of a charging battery having a number of cells that is greater than the number of cells in the working battery. The charging battery produces a charging current that is proportional to the difference in the number of cells in each battery. In this manner, the battery recharging system is capable of rapidly recharging the working battery. The number of cells in the charging battery is selected, however, such that the series voltage of the charging battery cells is less than or equal to the maximum rated voltage of the working battery. Thus, the voltage of the charging battery is greater than the operating voltage of the working battery but less than or equal to the maximum voltage rating of the working battery.

Abstract: A battery charging system enables rapid recharging of a working battery without immediate access to ac power and without the need for current limit and/or overvoltage protection. The battery charging system makes use of a charging battery having a number of cells that is greater than the number of cells in the working battery. The charging battery produces a charging current that is proportional to the difference in the number of cells in each battery. In this manner, the battery recharging system is capable of rapidly recharging the working battery. The number of cells in the charging battery is selected, however, such that the series voltage of the charging battery cells is less than or equal to the maximum rated voltage of the working battery. Thus, the voltage of the charging battery is greater than the operating voltage of the working battery but less than or equal to the maximum voltage rating of the working battery.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical interlock and module system for an electrically powered device such as a cordless, electric lawn mower that includes a normally open interlock switch for controlling the enabling of the power circuit for the lawn mower. A key member is adapted for insertion into a specially configured opening in the mower housing to actuate and close the interlock switch. With the interlock switch closed, energization of the motor is controlled by a separate handle-mounted ON/OFF switch in a conventional manner. In addition, a modular assembly technique is disclosed which facilitates ease of manufacturing while assuring proper alignment between the various components of the interlock system.

Abstract: A telephone ringing signal generator which sequentially produces a plurality of ringing signals each of a different frequency. Each of a plurality of tone ringers connected to the generator will ring only in response to it's particular frequency. A programmable oscillator generates the required frequencies under control of a time slot generator which defines the time slot during which each frequency is to be generated.

Abstract: A telephone ringing signal generator which produces a signal that can ring a plurality of connected ringers tuned to different frequencies. The ringing signal comprises sequentially varying frequencies and each ringer will ring in response to its particular frequency. A counter is used to define the duration of the ringing signal and enable each frequency sequentially. A variable sweep frequency oscillator is connected to the counter and generates a signal having a different frequency for each counter increment. A programmable filter shapes the signal into a sine wave which is amplified to ringing voltage levels by a ringing signal amplifier.

Abstract: A sense amplifier having three transistor stages. A balanced differential input stage with high noise immunity to capacitively coupled noise. A second threshold stage is provided with protection against an output being caused by a permanent potential on the input, false trigger protection circuitry, and protection against supply voltage and other minor variations. A differential output stage increases noise immunity of the amplifier output and protects against a short circuit in the output.

Abstract: A side of line detector with a single operational amplifier with adjustable output. The amplifier input is protected from positive and negative voltage spikes by diodes. Two transistors are coupled to the amplifier to set a comparator voltage reference which allows the rejection of leakage and noise. Test points are provided in the circuit to facilitate testing particular subcircuits and to allow the initial adjustment of the detector.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical interlock and module system for an electrically powered device such as a cordless, electric lawn mower that includes a normally open interlock switch for controlling the enabling of the power circuit for the lawn mower. A key member is adapted for insertion into a specially configured opening in the mower housing to actuate and close the interlock switch. With the interlock switch closed, energization of the motor is controlled by a separate handle-mounted ON/OFF switch in a conventional manner. In addition, a modular assembly technique is disclosed which facilitates ease of manufacturing while assuring proper alignment between the various components of the interlock system.