Abstract: A liquid extraction cleaning device comprises a main unit, a liquid pump, a flexible hose, and a hand tool. The main unit comprises a vacuum pump. The hand tool comprises a vacuum inlet port, an agitator, a spray nozzle, and a grip portion. The vacuum inlet port of the hand tool is operatively connected to the vacuum pump via the hose passageway in a manner such that the vacuum pump is capable of drawing fluid through the vacuum inlet port and into the hose passageway. The spray nozzle is operatively connected to the liquid pump in a manner such that the liquid pump is capable of forcing liquid out of the spray nozzle.

Abstract: A liquid extraction cleaning device comprises a main unit, a liquid pump, a flexible hose, and a hand tool. The main unit comprises a vacuum pump. The hand tool comprises a vacuum inlet port, an agitator, a spray nozzle, and a grip portion. The vacuum inlet port of the hand tool is operatively connected to the vacuum pump via the hose passageway in a manner such that the vacuum pump is capable of drawing fluid through the vacuum inlet port and into the hose passageway. The spray nozzle is operatively connected to the liquid pump in a manner such that the liquid pump is capable of forcing liquid out of the spray nozzle.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner with bag mount and disposable bag is described. In some embodiments, the vacuum bag may include a semi-permeable dirt bag having a top edge, a generally flat collar having a top edge, and a first opening in the collar configured to accept a dirty air nozzle, where the top edge of the vacuum bag does not extend beyond the top edge of the collar. In some embodiments, the vacuum cleaner may include a dirty air nozzle, a vacuum bag having a substantially rigid collar including a dirty air opening, and at least one void used for alignment of the collar; a mounting member releasably connected to the vacuum cleaner and movable between a loading position and a fully closed position, and a latch to releasably retain a top edge of the collar to keep the mounting member in the fully closed position.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner base housing including a motor including a shaft and a wheel mount, wherein the motor is housed within the wheel mount described. In some embodiments, the cleaner base housing includes a first wheel mount including a substantially circular outer surface. In some embodiments, the cleaner base housing includes a second wheel mount including a substantially circular outer surface. In some embodiments, the cleaner base housing the first wheel mount and the second wheel mount are co-axial.

Abstract: Impact protection structures for vehicles are described. An impact protection structure includes a support structure of the vehicle, an interior rail coupled to the support structure, and an exterior rail coupled to the interior rail. The exterior rail has an inboard boundary wall positioned between an upper mounting region and a lower mounting region. The upper and the lower exterior mounting region of the exterior rail are coupled to an upper and a lower mounting region of the interior rail. At least a portion of the inboard boundary wall is spaced apart from an outboard wall of the interior rail such that when the exterior rail is impacted by a blunt-object barrier, the inboard boundary wall of the exterior rail deforms, thereby damping energy of the impact at the exterior rail and arresting crack propagation between the exterior rail and the interior rail.

Abstract: Impact protection structures for vehicles are described. An impact protection structure includes a support structure of the vehicle, an interior rail coupled to the support structure, and an exterior rail coupled to the interior rail. The exterior rail has an inboard boundary wall positioned between an upper mounting region and a lower mounting region. The upper and the lower exterior mounting region of the exterior rail are coupled to an upper and a lower mounting region of the interior rail. At least a portion of the inboard boundary wall is spaced apart from an outboard wall of the interior rail such that when the exterior rail is impacted by a blunt-object barrier, the inboard boundary wall of the exterior rail deforms, thereby damping energy of the impact at the exterior rail and arresting crack propagation between the exterior rail and the interior rail.

Abstract: An impact protection structure for a vehicle impacting a blunt-object barrier includes a support structure of the vehicle, an energy absorbing rail coupled to the support structure, and a localized energy dissipation structure. The energy absorbing rail extends an energy absorbing rail length and includes a plurality of lumens. The localized energy dissipation structure extends a localized energy dissipation structure length less than the energy absorbing rail length.

Abstract: An impact protection structure for a vehicle impacting a blunt-object barrier includes a support structure of the vehicle, an energy absorbing rail coupled to the support structure, and a localized energy dissipation structure. The energy absorbing rail extends an energy absorbing rail length and includes a plurality of lumens. The localized energy dissipation structure extends a localized energy dissipation structure length less than the energy absorbing rail length.

Abstract: Impact protection structures for vehicles are described. An impact protection structure includes a support structure of the vehicle, an interior rail coupled to the support structure, and an exterior rail coupled to the interior rail. The exterior rail has an inboard boundary wall positioned between an upper mounting region and a lower mounting region. The upper and the lower exterior mounting region of the exterior rail are coupled to an upper and a lower mounting region of the interior rail. At least a portion of the inboard boundary wall is spaced apart from an outboard wall of the interior rail such that when the exterior rail is impacted by a blunt-object barrier, the inboard boundary wall of the exterior rail deforms, thereby damping energy of the impact at the exterior rail and arresting crack propagation between the exterior rail and the interior rail.

Abstract: An impact protection structure for a vehicle impacting a blunt-object barrier includes a support structure of the vehicle, an energy absorbing rail coupled to the support structure, and a localized energy dissipation structure. The energy absorbing rail extends an energy absorbing rail length and includes a plurality of lumens. The localized energy dissipation structure extends a localized energy dissipation structure length less than the energy absorbing rail length.

Abstract: A portable handheld canister vacuum including an upper, central, and lower housing is disclosed. First and second grills can separate the housing sections. An air intake opening can direct air and dirt in a first axial direction to a dirt capturing device in the lower housing. An air propulsion device directs air in a second axial direction opposite to the first axial direction into the central housing and from there into the upper housing. An exhaust opening disposed through the upper housing and leading to the interior region of the upper housing allows air to exit the interior region of the upper housing. The exhaust can exit the upper housing in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first and second axial directions.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner with bag mount and disposable bag is described. In some embodiments, the vacuum bag may include a semi-permeable dirt bag having a top edge, a generally flat collar having a top edge, and a first opening in the collar configured to accept a dirty air nozzle, where the top edge of the vacuum bag does not extend beyond the top edge of the collar. In some embodiments, the vacuum cleaner may include a dirty air nozzle, a vacuum bag having a substantially rigid collar including a dirty air opening, and at least one void used for alignment of the collar; a mounting member releasably connected to the vacuum cleaner and movable between a loading position and a fully closed position, and a latch to releasably retain a top edge of the collar to keep the mounting member in the fully closed position.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner base having a volute air outlet and a beater bar housing that are substantially collinear is described. In some embodiments, the beater bar housing includes an air outlet, the volute includes a volute air inlet disposed parallel to the beater bar housing, and a volute air outlet disposed orthogonal to the beater bar housing, and an air duct connecting the volute air inlet and the air outlet of the beater bar housing; wherein the air outlet of the beater bar housing and the volute air outlet are substantially collinear. Additionally a vacuum cleaner comprising a unibody mount bracket is described. In some embodiments, the unibody mount bracket includes one or more handle receptacles, a dirty air outlet configured to receive a dirty air conduit, and a pivot joint disposed adjacent the dirty air outlet, wherein the pivot joint is configured to receive a bag mounting member.

Abstract: A base plate for a vacuum cleaner is described. In some embodiments, the base plate includes a first portion adapted to support a motor, a second portion including a beater bar housing, wherein the base bottom includes magnesium and is of unitary construction.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner base housing including a motor including a shaft and a wheel mount, wherein the motor is housed within the wheel mount described. In some embodiments, the cleaner base housing includes a first wheel mount including a substantially circular outer surface. In some embodiments, the cleaner base housing includes a second wheel mount including a substantially circular outer surface. In some embodiments, the cleaner base housing the first wheel mount and the second wheel mount are co-axial.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for simplifying battery pack assembly that allows inspection of the cell-to-housing bonding region is provided. In particular, a battery pack housing member is provided that includes an interior surface that partially defines the interior region of the battery pack and that includes a plurality of cell mounting wells and an exterior surface that includes a plurality of bonding wells. Adhesive introduced into the bonding wells forms a mechanical bond between an exterior surface of a cell introduced into an adjacent cell mounting well and the housing member.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner attachment and a method of control of the vacuum cleaner attachment are described. The vacuum cleaner attachment comprises an ultraviolet light source to irradiate and disinfect various cleaning surfaces. Various embodiments of the attachment include one or more safety features concerning activation, enabling, and disabling of the ultraviolet light source based on various parameters such as distance between the attachment and a cleaning surface, time that such a distance is greater than a predetermined time period, and temperature of the ultraviolet light source in order to enable safe and effective operation of the attachment.

Abstract: An apparatus for simplifying battery pack encapsulation is provided. The battery pack includes a pair of complementary housing members with each housing member including a plurality of cell constraints into which the ends of corresponding battery cells are inserted during assembly. One or both housing members also include at least one, and preferably a plurality, of raised encapsulant injection ports. The raised encapsulant injection ports are designed to extend above the surface of the respective housing members and beyond the injected encapsulation material, thus ensuring that the ports remain open after encapsulation material injection.

Abstract: An apparatus for simplifying battery pack encapsulation is provided. The battery pack includes a pair of complementary housing members with each housing member including a plurality of cell constraints into which the ends of corresponding battery cells are inserted during assembly. One or both housing members also include at least one, and preferably a plurality, of raised encapsulant injection ports. The raised encapsulant injection ports are designed to extend above the surface of the respective housing members and beyond the injected encapsulation material, thus ensuring that the ports remain open after encapsulation material injection.