Abstract: A steam cleaning machine has a vacuum pump seated in a recess in a top of a main support housing and a first conduit resiliently sealed in a channel leading under the recess and connecting the first conduit with the air inlet of the pump. The first conduit passes through a vacuum cover which is fitted over the top of main support housing and is attached to a dome which is resiliently sealed to a recovery tank, while a second conduit is connected to the exhaust of the pump. A third conduit is connected to a vacuum nozzle, passes through vacuum cover and is also attached to the dome which is supported by first and third conduits from the vacuum cover. An adjustable handle is pivoted at the back of main support housing.

Abstract: A steam cleaning machine wherein the clean water tank serves as a chassis for the machine. A main support housing and a recovery tank is mounted on top of the clean water tank which has an upwardly bowed bottom forming a cavity within which is mounted a spray nozzle and a vacuum nozzle. The clean water tank is mounted on wheels, an axle of which passes through the clean water tank. The spray nozzle is mounted on a pan saddled in the cavity and the vacuum nozzle is received in a pair of lateral grooves and a notch formed in the cavity for that purpose.

Abstract: A gun pellet comprising a projectile removably retained on a skirt assembly, wherein the skirt assembly provides an arrangement for separating the projectile from the skirt assembly after the initial firing of the gun but before the projectile exits the barrel of the gun. In one version, the skirt assembly has a skirt body, with a shaft affixed to the skirt body; a projectile clutch assembly includes a clutch body, at least two clutch jaws disposed about the projectile; a retainer device is disposed within the clutch body such that the projectile is retained within the clutch jaws; and a conduit is disposed in the clutch body such that the shaft is capable of traversing through the conduit and propelling the projectile from the clutch jaws.

Abstract: A pellet feed system for an air gun, according to which a magazine is provided with a plurality of compartments dimensioned to permit the containment of pellets of various shapes; and including a pellet setting device operable in conjunction with said magazine for advancing the pellets singly from the magazine down into a loading cylinder so that the skirt of the pellet is sized by the force applied within the loading cylinder diameter. The operation just described can be performed in any normal position of the gun (not relying solely on gravity), and can even be operated in a gravity-free environment.

Abstract: An adjustable compound-action spring clamp for enabling the application of an adjustable force to a workpiece, while insuring that in operation only a slight increase of hand gripping force is required for substantially opening the jaw portions compared with the hand gripping force required initially to separate the jaw portions.

Abstract: An apparatus, such as a screw driver, has a working member and a handle attached to the working member. The handle is of a predetermined cross-sectional shape when the tool is at rest. When incremental torque is applied to the handle is changes from the predetermined cross-sectional shape to another cross-sectional shape. As a result, the tool can have a cross-sectional shape, such as round, for low torque uses and a more suitable cross-sectional shape, such as oblong or triangular, for high torque uses. The handle returns to its predetermined shape when the high torque is released.

Abstract: A cleaning fluid cartridge having a collar with defined entry and locking positions rotatably thereon to be received in a docking port of a cleaning device such that a pair of orifices on the container are initially aligned and axially advanced by rotation of the collar towards apertures of the docking port without rotation of the container and locked into the docking port. The collar includes a handle received in indentures on the body to define the initial entry and the locked position. The collar has a camming surface which cooperates with lugs on the docking port to produce the axial motion and locking. The cartridge and the recess in the housing provide container alignment and rotation prohibiting elements.

Abstract: A cam latch is provided to axially move a liquid container on a cleaning device and latch it thereto. The cam latch is received in a recess in the bottom of the cleaning fluid container thereby engaging a camming surface and aligning the container relative to the frame.

Abstract: A suction nozzle for a cleaning device having a viewing area which slows down the speed of the liquid in the nozzle to permit viewing by the operator during operation of the cleaning device. The viewing area has a greater cross-sectional area than the nozzle as well as having eddy currents produced therein by a U-shaped nozzle to produce the slowing down.

Abstract: A suction nozzle having a horizontal trough at its outlet passage for retaining fluid left in a conduit connecting the nozzle to a suction source when the suction source is deactivated.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner for selective conversion between on-the-floor and above-the-floor cleaning. The basic upright vacuum cleaner includes a joint with a through passageway connecting the handle to the floor nozzle and through which the suction air passes. The joint includes a wall with a selectively openable passageway into which an adaptor, coupled to a hose, may be selectively inserted. Insertion of the adaptor cuts off the suction path to the floor nozzle and creates a suction path through the adaptor and associated hose to a wand and cleaning tool.