Abstract: The claimed invention provides an apparatus for use with a vacuum cleaner nozzle having an intake opening with a flow area that receives a flow of working air. The apparatus comprises a cleaning pad with a structure that permits the working air to pass through the pad. The cleaning pad is configured to be installed over the intake opening in a position extending across the flow area.

Abstract: A method includes steps for modifying tensile stresses in an unpainted canvas that is mounted on a frame under applied tensile stresses. The canvas is formed of material that can undergo heat-shrinking when at or above a thermoplastic shrinking temperature, and can undergo heat-softening when at or above a thermoplastic softening temperature. The method includes heating the canvas to a temperature at or above the thermoplastic shrinking temperature and the thermoplastic softening temperature. The method further includes maintaining the canvas at a temperature at or above the thermoplastic shrinking and softening temperatures. This induces heat-shrinking, and thereby increases the tensile stresses in any portions of the canvas in which the applied tensile stresses are less than the opposing stresses of the heat-shrinking.

Abstract: A connector system is disclosed for providing a connection between a tubular connector having external projections and a mounting collar having a hole with internal notches, for receiving the projections and securing them upon rotation. The connector opening has a non-planar edge and the collar includes an elastic sealing diaphragm with an elongated hole. This configuration of elements cooperate to reduce full contact between the diaphragm and connector during installation, permitting less force to be used in bringing the components into full connection and also providing a spring force which facilitates removal. Also disclosed is a bag for receiving a connector portion. The bag has a continuous perforation, approximately dimensioned to correspond to the connector portion's opening. The perforation is separated by contact with the connector, so as to admit the connector into the filter bag.

Abstract: A transmission for a wheeled appliance responsive to pushing and pulling forces applied to a handle. The transmission includes speed reduction gearing and forward and reverse clutching elements which provide high power capacity, large speed reduction, durability, quiet operation and smooth power engagement. The main power train elements all rotate on parallel axes and the forward and reverse clutching elements are essentially independent of one another and resistant to wear.

Abstract: A walk-behind, self-propelled lawn mower having a variable speed drive transmission responsive to operator-applied forces. The transmission includes an input gear operatively connected to the engine for constant rotation during operation, an intermediate gear meshed with the input gear, and a driving bevel gear meshed with a drive shaft bevel gear. A face of the driving bevel gear is biased away from a face of the intermediate gear. A clutching surface is interposed between the gear faces for coupling the intermediate gear and the driving bevel gear in driving engagement. An actuator lever is controllably connected to the intermediate gear and can be adjusted to vary the sensitivity of the drive transmission to operator-applied forces.

Abstract: An endless elastomeric vacuum sweeper belt for use in a vacuum sweeper having a diamond pattern drive surface. A first set of ribs project inwardly in a substantially diagonal direction along the drive surface of the belt. A second set of ribs project inwardly along the drive surface of the belt in a substantially diagonal direction opposite the direction of the first set of ribs. The first and set second set of ribs together define a diamond-like pattern on the drive surface as well as a number of particle recesses for the temporary collection of matter. Each rib includes knife-like edge portions to increase the traction of the belt on a drive surface by cutting, loosening and expelling foreign matter lodged between the belt drive surface and the rotation member and/or the drive source of the vacuum sweeper.

Abstract: A self-propelled vacuum cleaner having a transmission assembly that selectively drives the vacuum cleaner in both forward and reverse directions. The transmission arrangement includes a first stage of speed reduction in the coupling of a drive motor and a transmission input shaft interconnected by sprockets and a primary drive belt. A pinion on the input shaft drives one of a pair of meshed counter-rotating gears. A clutch/sprocket is associated with each of the counter-rotating gears and a belt couples both of these clutch/sprockets to a common sprocket which through associated elements drives the wheels of the appliance. The input pinion, counter-rotating gears, respective clutch/sprockets and common output sprocket all rotate about axes parallel to the motor shaft. An actuating mechanism selectively energizes one or the other of the clutch/sprockets for forward or reverse propulsion of the appliance.

Abstract: A walk-behind, self-propelled lawn mower having a variable speed drive transmission responsive to operator applied forces. The drive transmission is mounted on a frame and comprises gearing operatively connected to an engine and a drive shaft for transmitting forces from the engine to the shaft. A clutching structure including a frictional coupling is coactable with an element of the gearing selectively to provide force transmission to the drive shaft. An actuator structure is controllably connected to the clutching structure and responsive to operator applied forces for controlling the speed at which the lawn mower traverses along a ground surface and to vary the speed proportionally to operator applied forces. The lawn mower also includes a handle pivotally connected to the frame and operatively connected to the actuator structure. The handle is adapted to pivot in response to the operator applied forces.

Abstract: A self-propelled vacuum cleaner adapted to be used in an upright mode or, alternatively, in a portable mode. The vacuum cleaner includes a power transmission for self-propelling the vacuum cleaner when used in the upright mode. The vacuum includes a first handle usable during operation in the upright mode and control structure arranged to energize the transmission in response to manually applied pulling or pushing forces on the first handle. The vacuum cleaner further includes a second handle usable during operation in the portable mode and arranged to prevent the control structure from energizing the transmission during operation in the portable mode.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is disclosed having an on-board electrostatic filtration device for removing ultra fine particles from the suction air stream which is discharged into the vacuum cleaner's dirt collection receptacle. The electrostatic filtration device includes a finely woven conductive mesh made from two electrically insulated sets of conductive filaments between which a low voltage electrical potential difference is applied. The polarity of the electrical potential difference is periodically reversed at low frequency to assist in maintaining filtering effectiveness notwithstanding the accumulation on the mesh of significant amounts of retained particulate matter. High permitivity material is incorporated between filaments to enhance electric fields in the mesh created by the electrical potential difference.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having an improved transmission. The transmission includes speed reduction gearing and forward and reverse clutching elements which provide high power capacity, large speed reduction, durability, quiet operation and smooth power engagement. The main power train elements all rotate on parallel axes and the forward and reverse clutching elements are essentially independent of one another and resistant to wear. The transmission has an actuating mechanism which is connected to an upright handle on the vacuum cleaner and allows the appliance to respond to moderate pushing or pulling forces applied to the handle by the user. The vacuum cleaner also has improved bearings for rotatably supporting the wheel shaft of the appliance and aligning itself to the housing of the appliance.

Abstract: A disposable dust bag for vacuum cleaners includes a mounting collar removably mounted on a vacuum cleaner connector through which dirt-laden air is delivered to the dust bag. The connector has a generally cylindrical outlet end and peripherally spaced projections extending from the outer surface thereof. The collar provides an opening sized to closely fit the outlet through the majority of its peripheral extent and which provides peripherally spaced enlarged portions adapted to clear the projections on the connector when the bag is installed and removed. The collar also provides an elastomeric diaphragm that tightly fits around the projections and forms a lip seal with the connector to prevent leakage of dirt-laden air back along the connector. An adaptor which fits on and grips the connector permits use of disposable bags with mounting structures not directly couplable with the connector.

Abstract: A convertible vacuum cleaner providing a detachable upright handle permits the vacuum cleaner to be used as an upright cleaner for cleaning rugs, carpets, and the like. A detachable portable hand cleaner handle is also provided which is mounted when the cleaner is to be used as a portable hand cleaner. A resiliently biased, releasable connector is mounted on the filter bag to detachably connect the filter bag to either of the handles. The connector is connected to the upright handle. The connector is resiliently connected to the bag so that the bag remains in proper extended position in all operating positions of the upright handle. A receiver having a socket and a mating blade on the handles permits the two handles to be selectively mounted on the power unit of the cleaner. The portable handle provides a shoulder strap which is retracted into the handle by a reel when not in use and is locked at any selected extended position when the shoulder strap is in use.

Abstract: A disposable dust bag for vacuum cleaners and the like is disclosed which includes a mounting collar adapted to be removably mounted on a vacuum cleaner connector through which dirt-laden air is delivered to the dust bag. The connector has a generally cylindrical outlet end and peripherally spaced projections extending from the outer surface thereof. The collar provides an opening sized to closely fit the outlet through the majority of its peripheral extent and which provides peripherally spaced enlarged portions adapted to clear the projections on the connector when the bag is installed and removed. The collar also provides an inwardly extending elastomeric diaphragm having a centrally located opening substantially smaller than the outlet of the connector. During installation and removal of the bag on the connector, the enlarged portions of the collar opening are aligned with the projections on the connector and the collar is pressed over the connector until it is positioned behind the projections.

Abstract: A permanent mounting assembly for a vacuum cleaner filter bag includes a plastic collar stitched to the porous body of the vacuum cleaner bag around the inlet opening thereof. The bag is mounted on the exterior surface of a projection on the vacuum cleaner housing. The exterior surface of the projection is provided with an annular groove. An interior rib on the collar is positioned within the groove to mechanically lock the bag on the projection of the housing. A nonelastic tie strap is positioned around the rib to permanently secure the rib in place and to provide a permanent fluidtight connection between the collar and the projection on the housing. The collar is provided with a band which is folded back to conceal the stitching, providing an attractive, neat appearance.

Abstract: A convertible vacuum cleaner providing a detachable upright handle permits the vacuum cleaner to be used as an upright cleaner for cleaning rugs, carpets, and the like. A detachable portable hand cleaner handle is also provided which is mounted when the cleaner is to be used as a portable hand cleaner. A resiliently biased, releasable connector is mounted on the filter bag to detachably connect the filter bag to either of the handles. The connector is connected to the upright handle. The connector is resiliently connected to the bag so that the bag remains in proper extended position in all operating positions of the upright handle. A receiver having a socket and a mating blade on the handles permits the two handles to be selectively mounted on the power unit of the cleaner. The portable handle provides a shoulder strap which is retracted into the handle by a reel when not in use and is locked at any selected extended position when the shoulder strap is in use.

Abstract: A convertible vacuum cleaner providing a detachable upright handle permits the vacuum cleaner to be used as an upright cleaner for cleaning rugs, carpets, and the like. A detachable portable hand cleaner handle is also provided which is mounted when the cleaner is to be used as a portable hand cleaner. A resiliently biased, releasable connector is mounted on the filter bag to detachably connect the filter bag to either of the handles. The connector is connected to the upright handle. The connector is resiliently connected to the bag so that the bag remains in proper extended position in all operating positions of the upright handle. A receiver having a socket and a mating blade on the handles permits the two handles to be selectively mounted on the power unit of the cleaner. The portable handle provides a shoulder strap which is retracted into the handle by a reel when not in use and is locked at any selected extended position when the shoulder strap is in use.

Abstract: A disposable dust bag for vacuum cleaners and the like is disclosed which includes a mounting collar adapted to be removably mounted on a vacuum cleaner connector through which dirt-laden air is delivered to the dust bag. The connector has a generally cylindrical outlet end and peripherally spaced projections extending from the outer surface thereof. The collar provides an opening sized to closely fit the outlet through the majority of its peripheral extent and which provides peripherally spaced enlarged portions adapted to clear the projections on the connector when the bag is installed and removed. The collar also provides an inwardly extending elastomeric diaphragm having a centrally located opening substantially smaller than the outlet of the connector. During installation and removal of the bag on the connector, the enlarged portions of the collar opening are aligned with the projections on the connector and the collar is pressed over the connector until it is positioned behind the projections.