Abstract: A hand-held electrical device having a power cord that provides enhanced retainment of the power cord to a receptacle of the hand-held electrical device during operation of the hand-held electrical device. The power cord includes an enlarged tip portion that provides axial resistance against removal of the power cord from the receptacle of the hand-held electrical device when the power cord is operatively coupled to receptacle of the hand-held electrical device. The axial resistance provided by the enlarged tip portion increases the force necessary to remove the power cord from the receptacle of the hand-held electrical device, and thus decreases the likelihood of the power cord being inadvertently detached from the hand-held electrical device during operation of the hand-held electrical device.

Abstract: A hair trimmer having a clip, a releasable cutting head, and a release button operable to release the cutting head from an operating position to an open position when actuated by an operator of the hair trimmer. The clip selectively retains the cutting head in the operating position and releases the cutting head from the operating position to the open position when the release button is actuated by an operator of the hair trimmer. The clip also biases the release button to a retracted position, the release button being in the retracted position when the cutting head is in the operating position. The clip also holds the top and bottom portions of the hair trimmer body together for operation of the hair trimmer.

Abstract: A hand-held electrical device having a power cord that provides enhanced retainment of the power cord to a receptacle of the hand-held electrical device during operation of the hand-held electrical device. The power cord includes an enlarged tip portion that provides axial resistance against removal of the power cord from the receptacle of the hand-held electrical device when the power cord is operatively coupled to receptacle of the hand-held electrical device. The axial resistance provided by the enlarged tip portion increases the force necessary to remove the power cord from the receptacle of the hand-held electrical device, and thus decreases the likelihood of the power cord being inadvertently detached from the hand-held electrical device during operation of the hand-held electrical device.

Abstract: A hair trimmer having a clip, a releasable cutting head, and a release button operable to release the cutting head from an operating position to an open position when actuated by an operator of the hair trimmer. The clip selectively retains the cutting head in the operating position and releases the cutting head from the operating position to the open position when the release button is actuated by an operator of the hair trimmer. The clip also biases the release button to a retracted position, the release button being in the retracted position when the cutting head is in the operating position. The clip also holds the top and bottom portions of the hair trimmer body together for operation of the hair trimmer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a carpet cleaning machine having a revolving, cylinder-shaped, double-ended carpet cleaning member powered by a gear-driven drive shaft for removing dirty material from a carpet. In the improvement, the drive shaft is coupled to the first end and an idler shaft is coupled to the second end, is spaced from the drive shaft and supports the second end for rotation. Double-ended support of the cleaning member materially reduces problems arising from cantilever shafts used in prior art machines to drive cleaning members. Another embodiment has a centrifugal separator with an air stream exit mouth and two flow guides fixed with respect to such mouth. The flow guides have differing aperture areas and a cavity is between the guides for capturing material otherwise permitted to flow downstream and prematurely clog a mesh filter.

Abstract: A carpet cleaning machine includes a centrifugal separator with an air stream exit mouth having a mouth area. The improvement involves two air flow guides having, respectively, first and second apertures. The area of the second aperture is less than that of the first aperture and the guides define an annular cavity between them. Such cavity "captures" dirty material that would otherwise pass downstream into a mechanical filter and prematurely clog such filter. A new, related machine nozzle and method for removing dirty material from air flowing in a carpet cleaning machine are also disclosed.

Abstract: A new platform (sometimes referred to as a "caddy") for transporting a carpet cleaning machine includes a base for supporting the machine and a machine restraint mechanism for releasably coupling the machine and the platform to one another. The platform also has wheels (or an elongated roller-like wheel) mounted with respect to the base for rolling the base and the machine across a surface. The restraint mechanism has features preventing relative platform-machine movement along a single axis or, when the mechanism includes pairs of two different types of restraining members, along plural axes. A new method is used for transporting a carpet cleaning machine of the type having a carpet brushing apparatus and a brush drive motor. The method includes the steps of providing a transport platform having a base, energizing the brush drive motor and tipping the machine to transfer more weight onto a brush. Such weight transfer causes the apparatus to urge the machine onto the platform.

Abstract: The invention is an improvement in floor-standing machines for cleaning inside surfaces of buildings such as walls and ceilings. The improved machine includes a first support for supporting the apparatus in an upright orientation and a second support for supporting the apparatus in a horizontal orientation. The machine may readily be moved on the floor in the upright orientation and in dolly-like fashion and supported on the floor for use in a "face up" horizontal orientation. The machine has modular dirt-collection, cleaning solution and rinse water tanks, each of which is slidably attached to a mounting member. The tanks are readily removable for filling and/or emptying as needed. Implements such as cleaning wands and the like are conveniently stored at the side of the machine.

Abstract: The invention is an improvement in an extendable elongate liquid-applying device of the type used for cleaning interior walls and ceilings. The improvement includes first and second tubular members telescoped together and slideable relative to one another to extend and retract the device. One of the members has a proximal end; the other has a distal end and an attached angularly-oriented nozzle. A continuous length of coiled flexible hose extends within the members and connects to the nozzle member. That is, the hose extends unbroken along the lengths of the members, from the proximal end to the distal end, to provide discharge from the nozzle member regardless of the relative positions of the members. A separate base member plugs into the proximal end and has a valve for controlling liquid flow. With a nozzle attached thereto, the base member can be used alone for "close in" cleaning.