Abstract: A counter top water filter unit intended for domestic use to be placed adjacent to a sink and having an inlet at its lower end which is coupled to the sink faucet through a swivelly mounted 90 degree elbow capable of 360 degree rotation so as to facilitate the coupling of the filter to the faucet from either side. The filter unit includes a cylindrical-shaped carbon particle filter cartridge which has a longitudinal passage extending from one end to the other, and a removable pre-filter screen coaxial with the cartridge and surrounding the cartridge, both elements being removably mounted within a cylindrical filter housing, the housing being closed at its upper end and open at its lower end.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically controlling the flow of fluid in an inlet conduit that provides the water supply for a home or building so as to prevent water damage due to a failure in the water system when unattended. The apparatus comprises a power circuit for supplying a low voltage DC power output which is connectable to a standard AC power source and includes an internal battery which operates in case of AC power failure. A flow sensor and a shutoff valve are connected in the inlet conduit. A control circuit which can be preset for different operational modes, receives and processes flow status signals from the flow sensor and provides output signals that control the shutoff valve, so that if continuous flow is detected in the conduit for a time period exceeding a preselected time, the shutoff valve will automatically close.

Abstract: An elongated hollow plastic body mounts a first plastic exhaust pipe of L-shaped configuration which passes completely through the body. Its inlet end is connected to the positive air pressure discharge of one vacuum pump connected to a closed dirty water vacuum dump tank for the hot water vacuum extraction machine. A second plastic L-shaped exhaust pipe is reversely oriented within the hollow body and has a plugged end abutting the side of first pipe near its inlet to the body. Both pipes are perforated within portions internal of the body and the hollow body is filled with glass wool to muffle the sound. The second pipe at its inlet end, is connected to the positive pressure air discharging from a second vacuum pump also connected to the vacuum dump tank.

Abstract: A unitary tubular exhaust duct directs exhaust air from a scroll type outlet for a vacuum pump mounted within a hot water vacuum extraction machine into a baffled exhaust expansion chamber. Noise reduction is accomplished by mixing the exhaust air with the motor cooling air aspirated into the expansion chamber by an exhaust duct branch terminating at its end remote from the exhaust expansion chamber in a cylindrical shroud which surrounds the vacuum pump electrical drive motor casing and the area of the cooling air exhaust holes within that motor casing.

Abstract: A fast acting on/off valve formed of molded plastic components includes a molded plastic body bearing offset inlet and outlet passages which extend from opposite ends through integral nipples to a common area, with communication effected by way of a bore and counterbore for respective outlet and inlet passage portions. The end of the bore, at a shoulder formed between the bore and counterbore, is chamfered. A spool type plunger having lands at opposite ends is mounted within the counterbore and bore with one land sized to the bore and the other being sized to the counterbore, that land having a conical inside face at an angle corresponding to the chamfer. A coil spring is compressed between the larger diameter land end of the plunger and a cap which is welded to the valve body and closes off the counterbore, the spring biasing the spool type plunger to valve closed position.

Abstract: A cylindrical molded plastic cuff at one end of a double flexible tube electrified vacuum hose for a wet/dry vacuum cleaner includes an integral molded plastic pocket bearing an elongated receptacle body of insulation material. The body includes two laterally spaced bores, counterbored from one end, which counterbores bear enlarged peripheral recesses intermediate of their ends. Cylindrical plungers sized to the counterbores and having a radially enlarged collar intermediate of their ends, in excess of the diameter of the counterbore but less than the peripheral recess, are slidably mounted therein with the collar positioned in the radial recess. A coil spring sized to the peripheral recess is compressed between the collar and one end of the radial recess to spring bias the plunger away from the bore. An O-ring seal whose outside diameter is approximately equal to that of the radial recess is positioned on the plunger to the side of the collar opposite that of the coil spring.