Abstract: A rotatable agitator is used in a surface clearing head of a surface cleaning apparatus. The agitator is coupled to the cleaning head at least partially within an agitator chamber and is rotated about a pivot axis. The agitator includes an elongated agitator body and a hair migration portion. The hair migration portion includes a continuous row of bristles and a sidewall. The continuous row of bristles and sidewall are at least partially revolved around and extend along at least a portion of the pivot axis from one of a collection area or a first end region of the agitator and either another collection area or a second end region of the agitator. The sidewall extends substantially parallel to the continuous row of bristles within the hair migration portion. The continuous row of bristles and sidewall are configured to reduce hair from becoming entangled in the bristles and to migrate hair towards the collection area or the first end region of the agitator.

Abstract: A noise suppression wedge for a butterfly valve comprises a wedge-shaped structure having a plurality of fingers and a plurality of slots. The noise suppression wedge is positioned in contact with the butterfly plate and reduces noise by disrupting the flow through the valve.

Abstract: An outflow valve is disclosed for use in a pressure vessel. The outflow valve includes a dual wall valve housing having a central bore, a butterfly plate assembly and an angled drive shaft. The butterfly plate assembly is designed to fit and rotate within the central bore. The angled drive shaft has first and second ends rotateably coupled to the dual wall valve housing, and the angled drive shaft is attached to the butterfly plate. The drive shaft is designed to rotate the butterfly plate assembly between a closed position and an open position within the central bore.

Abstract: A noise suppression wedge for a butterfly valve comprises a wedge-shaped structure having a plurality of fingers and a plurality of slots. The noise suppression wedge is positioned in contact with the butterfly plate and reduces noise by disrupting the flow through the valve.

Abstract: A protective sleeve for a garden hose includes a protective shell section having a generally tubular body with an inner bore shaped for receiving a coupling of the garden hose snugly therein. A flexible strain relief section is releasably attached to the shell section wherein the flexible strain relief section has a generally tubular body. A locking member of the strain relief section releasably attaches the strain relief section to the shell section. The locking member is receivable within an opening formed in the body of the shell section. The locking member is resiliently movable from a relaxed position in which it extends through the opening and engages the body of the shell section for preventing axial movement of the strain relief section away from the shell section, to an inwardly flexed position in which the locking member flexes inwardly out of the opening and disengages the body of the shell section for allowing relative axial movement between the shell and strain relief sections.