Abstract: A floor cleaning apparatus includes a housing and a dirt collection vessel carried on that housing. The dirt collection vessel includes a dirty air inlet, a clean air inlet, a dirt collection chamber and a clean air outlet. A filter is received in the dirt collection vessel. A suction generator is carried on the housing. The floor cleaning apparatus also includes a flow control valve assembly. The flow control valve assembly is selectively displaceable between a first position wherein dirt and debris are captured in the dirt collection vessel and a second position wherein clean air is drawn through at least a portion of the filter to clean the filter. An activator is provided for automatically displacing the flow control valve assembly between the first and second positions.

Abstract: A floor cleaning apparatus such as an upright vacuum cleaner, an extractor or a powerhead for a canister vacuum cleaner includes twin agitators that are operatively connected together by means of a worm gear drive assembly.

Abstract: A tool holder is provided for a floor cleaning apparatus. The tool holder includes a body having both a wand receiver and a cleaning tool receiver.

Abstract: A floor cleaning apparatus such as an upright vacuum cleaner, an extractor or a powerhead for a canister vacuum cleaner includes twin agitators that are operatively connected together by means of a worm gear drive assembly.

Abstract: The invention includes a tool holder for at least one tool having a working end and a handle. The tool holder comprises a gripping device for the handle of the at least one tool, a base for supporting the working end of the at least one tool, and a substantially vertical structural support connected to the gripping device and the base for supporting the gripping device vertically upward from the base. The base includes an irregular surface for contacting an edge of the working end of the at least one tool, thereby restricting movement of the working end of the at least one tool along the base.

Abstract: A reel apparatus for storing a flexible member, such as cable or hose, includes a frame assembly, a drum mounted on the frame assembly, a driving shaft coupled to the drum, and a handle mounted on the driving shaft for manually controlling rotation of the drum. The drum may be aligned vertically or horizontally. The apparatus includes means for maintaining the flexible member in substantially taut coiled form along the drum.

Abstract: A sub-assembly for an electric motor, including a reversing switch comprising a brush bearing plate having a circuit pattern imbedded therein with portions of the pattern exposed as pads on one surface of the plate, an opposed cover defining, together with the plate; a chamber including the exposed pads; an actuator movable within the chamber; a plurality of bridging contacts arranged for selectively coupling pairs of the exposed pads; and springs for biasing the bridging contacts into engagement with the exposed pads. As the actuator is moved within the chamber, actuator cam portions are interposed between various bridging contacts and pads so as to provide three distinct switch positions, namely, FORWARD, NEUTRAL and REVERSE. The brush bearing plate is generally U-shaped and has opposed brushes that are inwardly biased so that the entire switch sub-assembly may be fitted partially over the comutator of the motor, thereby bringing the brushes into an operative position.