Abstract: A product on demand nozzle assembly includes a chamber at least partially defined by an external wall and an array of vertically spaced nozzles. Each nozzle has an air inlet, an air and entrained product outlet extending from the external wall, and an entrainment zone between the air inlet and the air and entrained product outlet to receive a product therein to be distributed.

Abstract: A fusion implant apparatus for facilitating fusion of bone structures includes an implant member for positioning between opposed bone structures having a first ring-like segment and a second ring-like segment which engage one another in an end-to-end manner. Each ring-like segment includes an outer wall which defines an internal cavity for the reception of bone growth inducing substances. Each ring-like segment also includes a plurality of apertures which extend through the outer wall of the ring-like segments in communication with the internal cavity to permit fusion of vertebral bone tissue. The first ring-like segment includes first and second mechanical interfaces. The first mechanical interface is dimensioned to engage a corresponding mechanical interface disposed on the second ring-like segment and the second mechanical interface is dimensioned to mechanically engage an end cap.

Abstract: Motor speed, motor amps, float position and elapsed run time are monitored to determine whether a sump pump is in a normal condition, a jammed condition, an inadequate pumping rate condition, a dry running condition or a stuck float condition. A processor is configured to increase the motor speed in response to an inadequate pumping rate condition, and to rapidly energize the motor clockwise and counterclockwise in response to a jammed condition or a stuck float condition. The processor provides signals to a display for displaying information about the condition that the pump is in. The pump is set up to receive power from either an AC power source or a battery power source. Availability of the AC power source is monitored and the pump is switched to operate from the battery power source when AC power is unavailable.

Abstract: A sump pump has a float operated alarm switch mounted on the top end of the pump housing for activating an alarm when water rises above a normal operating level. The alarm is in a remote enclosure with the pump power plug so that plugging in the unit automatically positions the alarm in a desirable location to be heard. The power cord and alarm switch wire extend through a flexible corrugated tube that is attached to the pump housing and the alarm enclosure by strain relief connections that do not compressively crush the tube.

Abstract: Motor speed, motor amps, float position and elapsed run time are monitored to determine whether a sump pump is in a normal condition, a jammed condition, an inadequate pumping rate condition, a dry running condition or a stuck float condition. A processor is configured to increase the motor speed in response to an inadequate pumping rate condition, and to rapidly energize the motor clockwise and counterclockwise in response to a jammed condition or a stuck float condition. The processor provides signals to a display for displaying information about the condition that the pump is in. The pump is set up to receive power from either an AC power source or a battery power source. Availability of the AC power source is monitored and the pump is switched to operate from the battery power source when AC power is unavailable.

Abstract: A sump pump has a float operated alarm switch mounted on the top end of the pump housing for activating an alarm when water rises above a normal operating level. The alarm is in a remote enclosure with the pump power plug so that plugging in the unit automatically positions the alarm in a desirable location to be heard. The power cord and alarm switch wire extend through a flexible corrugated tube that is attached to the pump housing and the alarm enclosure by strain relief connections that do not compressively crush the tube.

Abstract: A pump impeller having a central hub and circumferentially-spaced bottom vanes extending in a direction outwardly of the hub. An annular shroud surrounds the hub in outwardly-spaced relationship thereto and provides an impeller liquid inlet passage around the hub leading to the vanes. A permanent magnet motor rotor is mounted on the annular shroud. The rotor is used in a sump pump having an upper cylindrical filter that encloses a float switch for operating the pump motor.

Abstract: A sump pump has a float operated alarm switch mounted on the top end of the pump housing for activating an alarm when water rises above a normal operating level. The alarm is in a remote enclosure with the pump power plug so that plugging in the unit automatically positions the alarm in a desirable location to be heard. The power cord and alarm switch wire extend through a flexible corrugated tube that is attached to the pump housing and the alarm enclosure by strain relief connections that do not compressively crush the tube.

Abstract: A sump pump has a float operated alarm switch mounted on the top end of the pump housing for activating an alarm when water rises above a normal operating level. The alarm is in a remote enclosure with the pump power plug so that plugging in the unit automatically positions the alarm in a desirable location to be heard. The power cord and alarm switch wire extend through a flexible corrugated tube that is attached to the pump housing and the alarm enclosure by strain relief connections that do not compressively crush the tube.

Abstract: A sump pump has a float operated alarm switch mounted on the top end of the pump housing for activating an alarm when water rises above a normal operating level. The alarm is in a remote enclosure with the pump power plug so that plugging in the unit automatically positions the alarm in a desirable location to be heard. The power cord and alarm switch wire extend through a flexible corrugated tube that is attached to the pump housing and the alarm enclosure by strain relief connections that do not compressively crush the tube.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is provided with a wheel housing having at least one axle bracket extending therefrom along a transverse axis and at least one axle bracket-receiving socket formed in a foot of the vacuum cleaner whereby the socket slidably receives and pivotally mounts the at least one axle bracket. The wheel housing is thereby pivotally mounted to the foot. A height adjustment mechanism is provided with the wheel housing having an actuator having a bearing shaft and a bearing sleeve with a longitudinal bore. The longitudinal bore of the bearing sleeve receives the bearing shaft to rotatably mount the actuator. A detent mechanism is provided between the bearing shaft and the bearing sleeve to releasably mount the actuator to the foot. The actuator can be adapted to release upon encountering abnormal forces applied against the vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner is provided which has a handle pivotally mounted to a foot. The foot has a releasable mechanism pivotally mounted thereto. The releasable mechanism and the handle are provided with abutting protrusions and recesses which can abut one another to retain the handle in an upright storage position, in an angularly disposed position for normal use and a generally horizontal position. The releasable mechanism preferably comprises a foot pedal which has an integral arm spring extending angularly therefrom and biased against the foot so that the protrusion and/or recess on the foot pedal is urged within a corresponding recess and/or protrusion on the handle.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner comprises a housing, a motor mounted in the housing, and a switch coupled the motor for actuating the motor to an operative and an inoperative condition. The switch includes an actuator button for moving the switch between an opened and a closed position. A foot pedal is pivotally mounted to the housing and has a bottom surface in an abutting relationship with respect to the actuator button. The foot pedal can include an axle having a pair of flat surfaces which pivotally mount to a slotted circular retainer in the housing. The bottom surface of the foot pedal can include a depending flange which is in abutting relationship with the actuator button. Further, a spring can be disposed between the bottom surface of the foot pedal and the housing to bias the foot pedal away from the switch wherein the spring at least partially surrounds a portion of the foot pedal and at least partially surrounds the actuator button.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein relates to an improved vacuum cleaner comprising a foot, a handle pivotally mounted to the foot, and a vacuum motor mounted to one of the handle and the foot. The foot has a suction inlet fluidly connected to the vacuum motor and an agitator brush rotatably mounted to the foot. The improvement relates to a wheel assembly comprising a housing, an axle mounted to the housing and at least one wheel rotatably mounted to the axle. The housing has an integrally-molded flange extending therefrom. The wheel assembly rollably supports the vacuum cleaner on a floor surface. A channel is formed in the foot and is adapted to pivotably mount the housing flange for movement between a first and a second position. In the first position, the wheel assembly supports the suction inlet at a first distance relative to the floor surface. In the second position, the wheel assembly supports the suction inlet at a second distance therefrom.

Abstract: A convertible vacuum cleaner operable in both on-the-floor and above-the-floor cleaning operations is shown. Depending upon the location of the handle which is pivotally supported by the vacuum foot, a conversion valve interconnected to the handle automatically converts the vacuum between on-the-floor and above-the-floor cleaning operations. The conversion valve includes a flapper valve member which is actuated between a first position blocking fluid communication between the vacuum motor and the brush roll chamber and a second position blocking fluid communication between the vacuum motor and the accessory hose. The valve member is actuated between these two positions by a pin and actuator arm provided on the pivotally mounted valve member. The pin is received in a contoured groove formed on the motor housing and the motor housing is securely mounted to the handle and pivotally mounted with respect to the foot and valve member.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner filter bag mounting assembly comprises a bag mounting member having a fixed plate which is secured to a housing of a vacuum cleaner and a hinge plate which is pivotally mounted to the fixed plate through a living hinge. A channel is formed on the outside surface of the hinge plate for a receipt of the vacuum bag collar and an air deflector extends outwardly from the fixed plate for insertion into the filter bag. The bag mounting member is preferably integrally molded from a single injection-molding operation. An outlet tube is integrally molded to the fixed plate and has bag-retaining projections on an outer surface and a deflector at the end to deflect particles downwardly into the filter bag. The filter bag is retained in the operating condition by the bag-retaining projections on the outlet tube.

Abstract: A floor cleaning appliance having a pivotally mounted bracket for selectively tensioning an agitation motor drive belt is disclosed. The appliance includes a housing and a bracket pivotally mounted to the housing about a first axis of rotation. The bracket is supported in an operating position and a belt replacement position. An agitation member is selectively mounted to the bracket for rotation about a second axis of rotation. A drive motor is mounted in the housing having a drive shaft which rotates about a third axis of rotation. The drive belt is selectively mounted to the agitation member and the drive shaft when the bracket is mounted in the operating position. In this position the first axis of rotation lies on one side of a plane extending between the second and third axes of rotation whereas in the belt replacement position the first axis of rotation lies on the other side of the plane extending between the second and third axes of rotation.