Abstract: A vacuum-assisted nut cracker having a main chamber with a hard target that cracks nuts is described. A motor driven vacuum pump draws a vacuum through the main chamber and through a suction pipe. The air sucked into the suction pipe draws shelled nuts up the suction pipe. The nuts pick up momentum and fly out the suction pipe onto the hard target, causing the nuts to crack. Shell and cracked nuts drop down and are subsequently collected. Various methods can be used to regulate the air flow, and thus the induced nut momentum. Shelled nuts can be fed into the vacuum-assisted nut cracker either by hand or by locating the nozzle adjacent a pile of nuts.

Abstract: A dual handle attachment for a floor appliance, e.g., vacuum cleaner, large push broom, mop, squeegee, etc., allows a user of the appliance to manipulate or maneuver the appliance using generally symmetrical upper body, arm, wrist, and hand forces and movements, thereby obviating the need for asymmetrical twisting and the greater strength required to manipulate such a device using only a single arm and hand. The present attachment comprises a single central bracket which attaches to the conventional single handlebar of such an appliance, with a left and a right handgrip adjustably extending from the central bracket. The two handgrips may be pivotally adjusted by the user as desired, and may be interchanged for handgrips having different shapes or configurations as desired. One embodiment may be removably secured to the appliance, with another embodiment providing for permanent attachment as an integral part of the appliance at the time of manufacture.