Abstract: A battery pack comprises a first battery cell and a second battery cell; the first and second battery cells each have a size within a manufacturing tolerance. A housing comprises at least one wall defining a first hole and a second hole, each hole for receiving one of the first or second battery cells, each hole having a size corresponding to a minimum size within the manufacturing tolerance. There is a flexibly resilient portion moveable between a rest position and a clamping position whereby the flexibly resilient portion clamps against at least one of the first and second battery cells when one of the first or second battery cells has a size greater than the minimum size within the manufacturing tolerance.

Abstract: A steam cleaning apparatus comprising: a main body having a boiler and a pump; a main power switch; a cleaning head coupled to a main body through a joint; a yoke in the main body or the cleaning head, the yoke having an arm contacting a position sensitive switch so that when the main body is in a non-use position, the position sensitive switch prevents the main switch from supplying power, and when the main body is in an in-use position, the position sensitive switch allows the main switch to provide power.

Abstract: A handheld cleaning device comprising a housing having a handle for gripping the device; a motor-fan assembly for generating an air flow; a cleaning head comprising a suction nozzle in fluid communication with the motor-fan assembly and a cleaning accessory mounted on the cleaning head; and a fluid tank in fluid communication with the suction nozzle and the motor-fan assembly for receiving fluid from the suction nozzle in the air flow; wherein the cleaning head is rotatably mounted on the housing and the cleaning head is rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the housing between a first position in which the suction nozzle is in an operable position and a second position in which the cleaning accessory is in an operable position.

Abstract: A hand-holdable painting apparatus comprising a main body with a handle, wherein the main body is arranged to removably engage with a paint applicator; and a paint reservoir receiving bay coupled to or integral with the main body, wherein the paint reservoir receiving bay is arranged to removably receive at least a portion of a paint reservoir. The main body is arranged to provide a paint flow path between an outlet of a paint reservoir in the paint reservoir receiving bay and an inlet of a paint applicator engaged with the main body. The hand-holdable painting apparatus further comprises an interlock configured to inhibit the paint reservoir receiving bay from receiving a paint reservoir unless a paint applicator is engaged with the main body.

Abstract: The present invention provides a steam cleaning apparatus (100) comprising a water tank (10), a first valve (20) in fluid communication with a water tank (10) to allow air to flow into the water tank and prevent air and/or water from flowing out therefrom, an electrically powered air pump (30) in fluid communication with the first valve (20). A second valve (50) is in fluid communication with the outlet (16) of the water tank (10) and an inlet (42) of an electrically powered boiler (40). The second valve (50) is arranged to allow water above a first predetermined pressure to flow into the inlet (42) of the boiler and to prevent steam from flowing out therefrom, a steam cleaning head (60) in fluid communication with the outlet (44) of the boiler, and an on-off switch (70) having an “on” state for supplying electrical power to the air pump (30) and to the boiler (40) and an “off” state for preventing supply of electrical power to the air pump and to the boiler.

Abstract: A battery pack comprises a first battery cell and a second battery cell; the first and second battery cells each have a size within a manufacturing tolerance. A housing comprises at least one wall defining a first hole and a second hole, each hole for receiving one of the first or second battery cells, each hole having a size corresponding to a minimum size within the manufacturing tolerance. There is a flexibly resilient portion moveable between a rest position and a clamping position whereby the flexibly resilient portion clamps against at least one of the first and second battery cells when one of the first or second battery cells has a size greater than the minimum size within the manufacturing tolerance.

Abstract: A steam cleaning apparatus including a main body having a main switch, a steam cleaning head coupled to the main body, and a position sensitive switch having a first state when the steam apparatus is in a substantially vertical storage position and a second state when the steam cleaning apparatus is in a tilted, cleaning position, the position sensitive switch being connected in electrical series with the main switch such that when the position-sensitive switch is in the first state the position-sensitive switch interrupts the flow of electrical current from the main switch and when the position-sensitive switch is in the second state, electrical power is supplied by the main switch.

Abstract: A hand-holdable painting apparatus comprising a main body with a handle, wherein the main body is arranged to removably engage with a paint applicator; and a paint reservoir receiving bay coupled to or integral with the main body, wherein the paint reservoir receiving bay is arranged to removably receive at least a portion of a paint reservoir. The main body is arranged to provide a paint flow path between an outlet of a paint reservoir in the paint reservoir receiving bay and an inlet of a paint applicator engaged with the main body. The hand-holdable painting apparatus further comprises an interlock configured to inhibit the paint reservoir receiving bay from receiving a paint reservoir unless a paint applicator is engaged with the main body.

Abstract: There is provided a portable cleaning appliance (100) comprising a main body (102), a nozzle (104) and a graspable handle (106), the nozzle (104) and handle (106) each being movable relative to the main body (102) between a first, storage, position adjacent the main body (102) and a second, in-use, position in which the nozzle (104) and handle (106) extend from the main body (102), wherein the nozzle (104) and handle (106) are connected by a linkage member (128) arranged such that, in use, movement of one of the nozzle (104) and the handle (106) between the first and second positions causes a corresponding coupled movement of the other of the nozzle (104) and handle (106) between the first and second positions.

Abstract: There is provided a portable cleaning appliance (100) comprising a main body (102), a nozzle (104) and a graspable handle (106), the nozzle (104) and handle (106) each being movable relative to the main body (102) between a first, storage, position adjacent the main body (102) and a second, in-use, position in which the nozzle (104) and handle (106) extend from the main body (102), wherein the nozzle (104) and handle (106) are connected by a linkage member (128) arranged such that, in use, movement of one of the nozzle (104) and the handle (106) between the first and second positions causes a corresponding coupled movement of the other of the nozzle (104) and handle (106) between the first and second positions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a steam cleaning apparatus (100) comprising a water tank (10), a first valve (20) in fluid communication with a water tank (10) to allow air to flow into the water tank and prevent air and/or water from flowing out therefrom, an electrically powered air pump (30) in fluid communication with the first valve (20). A second valve (50) is in fluid communication with the outlet (16) of the water tank (10) and an inlet (42) of an electrically powered boiler (40). The second valve (50) is arranged to allow water above a first predetermined pressure to flow into the inlet (42) of the boiler and to prevent steam from flowing out therefrom, a steam cleaning head (60) in fluid communication with the outlet (44) of the boiler, and an on-off switch (70) having an “on” state for supplying electrical power to the air pump (30) and to the boiler (40) and an “off” state for preventing supply of electrical power to the air pump and to the boiler.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner 2 having a housing 4 having an inlet 12 and an outlet 54 is disclosed. Actuation of a motor 46 causes a fan to displace air out of outlet 54, and the resulting suction upstream of the fan draws dirty air through inlet 12 and inwardly through walls of filter element 22. In order to clean the filter element 22, the user lifts lid 24 by means of gripping portion 32, and then removes filter element 22 and dirt collection chamber 16. Because the central portion of the dirt collection chamber 16 is raised, dirt trapped on the outer surface of filter element 22 has a tendency to fall into trough regions 40, 42 and avoids falling into outlet 38. If the motor 46 should accidentally be actuated when the filter element 22 is removed, the opening provided by opened lid 24 is nearer to outlet 38 than inlet 12, as a result of which relatively clean air from the atmosphere passes into recess 36 in preference to dirty air from the inlet 12, thus minimizing the risk of the motor 46 being damaged by dirt.

Abstract: A mounting device 202 for mounting accessories 258, 260 of a vacuum cleaner to an elongate tube 94 of the vacuum cleaner for storage is disclosed. The device 202 comprises a collar 244 for mounting to the elongate tube 94 and a body portion 256 has open ends for accommodating accessories 258, 260 for storage. The device 202 also includes a latching portion 204 for releasably mounting the device to a housing of the vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner 2 having a housing 4 having an inlet 12 and an outlet 54 is disclosed. Actuation of a motor 46 causes a fan to displace air out of outlet 54, and the resulting suction upstream of the fan draws dirty air through inlet 12 and inwardly through walls of filter unit 22. Air from filter unit 22 passes along a duct to the motor 46 and fan. The housing 4 is formed from a first housing part defining a recess 36, and the recess is then closed by means of a closure member 56 to define the duct between the filter unit 22 and the motor 46.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods, computer programs, and systems for adjusting time settings according to the invention are disclosed. One embodiment of the invention of the computer system includes a first processor (140) that maintains a first time as well as a communication medium (115) coupled to the first processor (140). The computer system also includes a second processor (125) that maintains a second time and is coupled to the communications medium (115). The first processor (140) is adapted to receive a first message and the second processor (125) is adapted to receive a second message. A first time is recorded when the first processor (140) receives the first message. A second time is recorded when the second processor (125) receives the second message. The first processor (140) is adapted to send a third message to the second processor (125). The second processor (125) is adapted to send a fourth message to the first processor (140) that includes information indicative of the recorded second time.

Abstract: A mounting device 202 for mounting accessories 258, 260 of a vacuum cleaner to an elongate tube 94 of the vacuum cleaner for storage is disclosed. The device 202 comprises a collar 244 for mounting to the elongate tube 94 and a body portion 256 has open ends for accommodating accessories 258, 260 for storage. The device 202 also includes a latching portion 204 for releasably mounting the device to a housing of the vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner 2 having a housing 4 having an inlet 12 and an outlet 54 is disclosed. Actuation of a motor 46 causes a fan to displace air out of outlet 54, and the resulting suction upstream of the fan draws dirty air through inlet 12 and inwardly through walls of filter unit 22. Air from filter unit 22 passes along a duct to the motor 46 and fan. The housing 4 is formed from a first housing part defining a recess 36, and the recess is then closed by means of a closure member 56 to define the duct between the filter unit 22 and the motor 46.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner 2 having a housing 4 having an inlet 12 and an outlet 54 is disclosed. Actuation of a motor 46 causes a fan to displace air out of outlet 54, and the resulting suction upstream of the fan draws dirty air through inlet 12 and inwardly through walls of filter unit 22. In order to clean the filter unit 22, the user lifts lid 24 by means of gripping portion 32, and then removes filter unit 22 and dirt collection chamber 16. Because the central portion of the dirt collection chamber 16 is raised, dirt trapped on the outer surface of filter unit 22 has a tendency to fall into trough regions 40, 42 and avoids falling into outlet 38. If the motor 46 should accidentally be actuated when the filter unit 22 is removed, the opening provided by opened lid 24 is nearer to outlet 38 than inlet 12, as a result of which relatively clean air from the atmosphere passes into recess 36 in preference to dirty air from the inlet 12, thus minimising the risk of the motor 46 being damaged by dirt.