Abstract: For a vacuum cleaning unit, a cleaning tool employing a rotatably driven brush and having a split manifold therein which allows a vacuum airflow to be directed to the outermost longitudinal ends of the brush without interference with a drive belt rotatably driving the brush at its approximate longitudinal midpoint. The cleaning tool includes an upper housing having a centrally disposed cut-out portion and a semi-circular portion for partially housing the brush therein. A cut-out is formed in a base portion of the upper housing. A lower housing also has a cut-out shaped identically to that of the cut-out portion of the upper housing. A front sole plate is included which is secured to the lower housing and which includes a pair of openings separated by a central portion, where the openings allow portions of the brush to protrude. Each of the upper and lower housings further have runner portions which form airflow channels through which a vacuum airflow may be generated.

Abstract: A squeegee apparatus for a vacuum cleaner system. The apparatus includes a main body portion having an integrally formed neck portion operable to releasably connect to a wand of the vacuum cleaner system. The main body portion forms a manifold and includes a lower end portion to which a squeegee member is releasably secured. The squeegee member includes a central portion having a pair of longitudinally parallel extending bumper portions, with the bumper portions each including saw tooth-shaped surfaces. The squeegee blade also depends downwardly from the central portion and outwardly of the bumper portions. The central portion also includes first and second pluralities of ports disposed on opposite sides of the squeegee blade, with one or the other of the pluralities of ports being alternately blocked off during use as the squeegee blade flexes into abutting contact with one or the other of the bumper portions while being moved back and forth over a work surface.

Abstract: A cleaning tool for a vacuum cleaner system. The cleaning tool has a manifold disposed therein for more evenly distributing a vacuum-like force produced by the vacuum cleaner system to an undersurface of the cleaning tool, thereby increasing the number of dust and dirt particulates that can be picked up by the vacuum force, and thus increasing the efficiency of the cleaning tool. In a preferred embodiment, the cleaning tool comprises a multi-piece housing within which the manifold resides. The manifold includes a pair of outwardly flaring air passageways and is operable to selectively direct the vacuum force from a vacuum cleaner system more evenly across the undersurface of the cleaning tool to improve the pick-up of dust and dirt particles by the cleaning tool.

Abstract: A separator for use in connection with a liquid bath-type vacuum cleaner system. The separator includes an annular, cup-like housing adapted to rotate axially about its vertical axis for generating a centrifugal force to be applied to intake air therein; and a plurality of intake/exhaust slots particulates entrained in the intake air and liquid particulates from a liquid bath to be drawn into an interior area of the housing and coalesce therein, whereby the coalesced particulates are subjected to centrifugal force and are thereby separated from the intake air. The intake/exhaust slots further enable the coalesced particulates to be forcibly expelled from the interior area of the housing therethrough as they are forced radially outwards by the centrifugal force generated by the rapid, axial rotation of the housing.

Abstract: A separator for use in connection with a liquid bath type vacuum cleaner system. The separator includes an annular, cup-like housing adapted to rotate axially about its vertical axis for generating a centrifugal force to be applied to intake air therein; a plurality of slots on the housing for allowing dust and dirt particulates entrained in the intake air and liquid particulates from a liquid bath to be drawn into an interior area of the housing and coalesce therein, whereby the coalesced particulates will be subjected to centrifugal force and will thereby be separated from the intake air; and a plurality of exhaust slots for allowing the coalesced particulates to be forcibly expelled from the interior area of the housing as they are forced radially outwards by the centrifugal force towards and through the exhaust slots by rapid, axial rotation of the housing.In one preferred embodiment a plurality of elongated slots in the housing provides both an intake and an exhaust function.

Abstract: A separator for use in connection with a liquid bath-type vacuum cleaner system. The separator includes an annular, cup-like housing adapted to rotate axially about its vertical axis for generating a centrifugal force to be applied to intake air therein; and a plurality of intake/exhaust slots formed in the housing for enabling dust and dirt particulates entrained in the intake air and liquid particulates from a liquid bath to be drawn into an interior area of the housing and coalesce therein, whereby the coalesced particulates are subjected to centrifugal force and are thereby separated from the intake air. The intake/exhaust slots further enable the coalesced particulates to be forcibly expelled from the interior area of the housing therethrough as they are forced radially outwards by the centrifugal force generated by the rapid, axial rotation of the housing.

Abstract: A liquid bath vacuum cleaner includes a housing having an assembly for cleaning air. A cap assembly is operably connected to the housing. An inner canister is positioned within the cap assembly. A motor is mounted within the canister for rotating the assembly for cleaning air. The cap assembly includes an inlet for enabling ingress of cooling air into the cap assembly and an outlet for enabling egress of cooling air from the cap assembly. A motor cooling fan is connected to the motor for drawing cooling air through the inlet and for exhausting the cooling air radially from the motor cooling fan to cool the motor and exhaust the cooling air through the outlet.

Abstract: An improved blower assembly particularly useful for liquid bath type vacuum cleaners is disclosed. The improved blower assembly features enhanced noise attenuation achieved by providing a four-stage noise reduction system featureing a serpentine airflow path at the blower assembly air inlet and outlet. The four stages of the noise reduction system are comprised of: a noise reduction stage housing, a lower stage assembly, an upper stage assembly, and a motor base, respectively. Improvements in the production assembly techniques of the blower assembly components are further provided through a modified upper stage assembly which is assembled to a motor base component by a partial turn and lock procedure so that the components become firmly locked together and accurately positioned. This production technique can be accomplished quickly without a requirement of a high degree of operator skill.

Abstract: An improved blower assembly particularly useful for liquid bath type vacuum cleaners is disclosed. The improved blower assembly features enhanced noise attenuation achieved by providing a four-stage noise reduction system featuring a serpentine airflow path at the blower assembly air inlet and outlet. The four stages of the noise reduction system are comprised of; a noise reduction stage housing, a lower stage assembly, an upper stage assembly, and a motor base, respectively. Improvements in the production assembly techniques of the blower assembly components are further provided through a modified upper stage assembly which is assembled to a motor base component by a partial turn and lock procedure so that the components become firmly locked together and accurately positioned. This production technique can be accomplished quickly without a requirement of a high degree of operator skill.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a liquid bath vacuum cleaner having a cooling air stream separated from its cleaning air stream to improve the cooling efficiency of the vacuum cleaner. The separation of the air streams accomplished by a construction comprising a pan assembly, a baffle member detachably connected to the pan assembly, a main housing detachably connected to the baffle member, a cap assembly connected to the housing, a motor assembly mounted within the cap assembly including a drive motor, a separator for drawing cleaning air into the vacuum cleaner, and a sealing mechanism to form a cleaning air cavity or pathway through the vacuum cleaner and a separate cooling air cavity for cooling air for the drive motor.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a liquid bath vacuum cleaner having a cooling air stream separated from its cleaning air stream to improve the cooling efficiency of the vacuum cleaner. The separation of the air streams accomplished by a construction comprising a pan assembly, a main housing detachably connected to the pan assembly, a cap assembly connected to the housing, a motor assembly mounted within the cap assembly including a drive motor, a separator for drawing cleaning air into the vacuum cleaner, and a sealing mechanism to form a cleaning air cavity or pathway through the vacuum cleaner and a separate cooling air cavity for cooling air for the drive motor.

Abstract: A power valve assembly has a pressure responsive diaphragm acting generally in opposition to spring means for controlling the position of a related contoured valving member; when engine manifold decreases due to increasing engine loads, motion transmitting means associated with the pressure responsive diaphragm operatively engages and causes the valving member to be progressively further opened generally in accordance with the decrease in the magnitude of such engine manifold vacuum.