Abstract: The disclosed mulcher has a base unit and a shredding blade in a removable assembly. Two different embodiments are disclosed. In both embodiments, shredded material is removed from air exiting the shredding blade before it reaches an exhaust port. In one embodiment, the material is removed by a filter. In the other embodiment, walls are arranged so that debris must double back against high-speed airflow leaving the shredding blade before exiting the unit. The shredding blade can be mounted in front of and on the same shaft as an air impeller, with the back surface of the shredding blade being supported by the impeller. In another embodiment, the air impeller and the shredding blade are carried in assemblies that are separable from each other and are each separately attachable to a base unit. A detachable power module and a detachable blower are also shown. The power module has a safety switch that disables the power module when it is removed.

Abstract: The disclosed cleaning device has a suction unit that can be used to take in liquid, a tank that can be used to hold the liquid, a mouth that can be used to pour liquid from the tank, and wheels that form a base. It also has a pivot that can be used to rotate the tank between a normal use position and a pouring position. The pivot is arranged so that in the pouring position, the center of gravity of the unit remains within the horizontal range of the base, even as the mouth of the tank falls outside the horizontal range of the base. As shown, the pivot is 12 inches above the floor and within the horizontal range of the base. In this position, it remains laterally between the center of gravity of the tank and the edge of the base when the tank is emptied.

Abstract: A wall-mountable mounting bracket and fluid-dispensing attachment for a vacuum cleaner. The attachment can be used to dispense cleaning fluid to an area to be cleaned. The fluid is sucked up along with dirt by the vacuum. A remotely-activatable valve allows user's to selectively shut off the flow of fluid. Retractable wheels can be moved between a usage position and a storage position. In the storage position, the axis of the wheels is above the lowermost side of the attachment and any overhang of the lowermost edge of the wheels is less than the thickness of a corresponding part of the mounting bracket.

Abstract: A pneumatic cleaner that can be worn as a backpack has a reduced unit overall depth. The impeller shaft is mounted at an acute angle. Tangential airflow chambers are disposed around the motor assembly and substantially surround the impeller. Two of the airflow chambers extend substantially the entire overall unit depth, and have lateral lengths that exceed the overall unit depth.

Abstract: The disclosed vacuum cleaner has a smaller, separable vacuum unit that is releasably attached to a larger, base unit tank assembly. It provides a combination vacuum cleaner that has small- and large-capacity configurations suited for vacuum applications having different volumes, locations, or other features. The vacuum cleaner includes a single vacuum source sized for use with the larger tank structure, yet coupled to and removable integrally with the smaller vacuum unit. The smaller vacuum unit can be quickly and easily attached to and removed from the larger tank assembly to facilitate use of the vacuum cleaner in the desired configuration.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a vacuum cleaner having a housing defining a blower port, an exhaust port, and a flow path between the blower port and the exhaust port. The vacuum cleaner also includes a removable cap assembly for the blower port to direct discharge airflow via the flow path to the exhaust port. The removable cap assembly, in turn, includes a cap head that engages the blower port to close the blower port, a cap body coupled to the cap head and inserted in the flow path, the cap body comprising a frame through which the discharge airflow passes, and a sound-influencing material supported by the frame within the flow path to reduce noise effected by the discharge airflow. The sound-influencing material may include a reticulated foam roll disposed in the frame to diffuse the discharge airflow.

Abstract: A vacuum head assembly is disclosed which includes a vacuum head detachably connected to a secondary head, which is designed to carry an electrostatic cloth. The secondary head assumes a horizontal position behind the vacuum head so that the scoop of the vacuum head moves across the surface to be cleaned first followed by the secondary head, equipped with the electrostatic cloth. The cloth thus engages the floor after the scoop of the vacuum head. The secondary head carrying the electrostatic cloth may be easily connected to and disconnected from the vacuum head thereby rendering the vacuum head suitable for both hard and soft (i.e., carpeted) surfaces.

Abstract: A wet-dry vacuum cleaner with both a tool caddy and a waste receptacle basket is disclosed which has a mechanism by which the basket can be securely and positively connected to the tool caddy. One of the tool caddy and basket may include a deflectable tab while the other of the tool caddy and basket may include a slot adapted to receive the tab. Upon connecting the basket onto the tool caddy the tab may be inserted into the slot to thus positively connect the basket to the tool caddy and thereby provide a secure attachment.

Abstract: An improved vacuum cleaner nozzle is disclosed which includes a squeegee element disposed along the front wall or front lip. The squeegee element acts to push liquid or slurry materials towards the inlet opening as the nozzle head is drawn towards the user in a pulling or retraction motion. The squeegee elements are preferably integrally molded with the nozzle head structure. In different variations, the squeegee elements comprise either a downwardly extending forward lip or a forwardly extending lip.

Abstract: Caster wheel assemblies that may be snap-fitted onto a cylindrical tank or drum are shown and described. Also dolly-wheel assemblies that include an axle supported by two wheels are also disclosed which may be snap-fitted onto a cylindrical tank or drum. The caster wheel assemblies and dolly wheel assemblies disclosed herein may be easily mounted onto a tank or drum without the need for a separate supporting platform. A flexible nature of the caster wheel assemblies and wheel-dolly assemblies enables them to be snap-fitted onto tanks of varying diameters.

Abstract: A wet-dry vacuum cleaner with both a tool caddy and a waste receptacle basket is disclosed which has a mechanism by which the basket can be securely and positively connected to the tool caddy. One of the tool caddy and basket may include a deflectable tab while the other of the tool caddy and basket may include a slot adapted to receive the tab. Upon connecting the basket onto the tool caddy the tab may be inserted into the slot to thus positively connect the basket to the tool caddy and thereby provide a secure attachment.

Abstract: A mounting means secures a floor nozzle to the front of a wheeled dolly base which supports a vacuum cleaner that is connected to the outlet of the nozzle by a flexible hose. The mounting means includes a plate having struts extending therefrom to opposite ends of the nozzle. A rearward extension of the nozzle, disposed midway between the nozzle ends, is connected directly to the plate by a manually operable height adjusting means. An upwardly offset rearward facing ear on the plate is received by a slot that is centered at the front of the dolly base. Two of the swivel-type wheel units that support the base are each provided with a vertical pivot shaft that extends upwardly into and is frictionally held in a wheel well on the base. Before entering the wheel wells, the pivot shafts pass through apertures in the plate thereby fixing the nozzle against all forces in a horizontal plane.