Abstract: A mop has a plurality of strands secured to a head band. The head band comprises a closed loop formed in a first portion having a first width. A second portion of the head band has a second width where the second width is larger than the first width. The second portion is configured to enclose the distal end of a mop frame when the mop is mounted on the mop frame using the closed loop.

Abstract: A torch assembly adapted to be attached to an associated fuel supply, the torch assembly has a housing, a fuel line at least partially contained within the housing, a burn tube extending from the housing and adapted to receive fuel from the fuel line, an attachment member operatively connected to the housing for connecting the torch assembly to the associated fuel supply, the attachment member in fluid communication with the fuel line for delivering fuel from the associated fuel supply to the fuel line; a control apparatus having a trigger for actuating an on/off valve adapted to permit or stop flow through the fuel line, a regulator adapted to at least partially restrict flow in the fuel line, and a controller operatively connected to the regulator to adjust the position of the regulator to vary the flow of fuel through the fuel line.

Abstract: A mop has a plurality of strands secured to a head band. The head band comprises a closed loop formed in a first portion having a first width. A second portion of the head band has a second width where the second width is larger than the first width. The second portion is configured to enclose the distal end of a mop frame when the mop is mounted on the mop frame using the closed loop.

Abstract: A torch assembly adapted to be attached to an associated fuel supply, the torch assembly has a housing, a fuel line at least partially contained within the housing, a burn tube extending from the housing and adapted to receive fuel from the fuel line, an attachment member operatively connected to the housing for connecting the torch assembly to the associated fuel supply, the attachment member in fluid communication with the fuel line for delivering fuel from the associated fuel supply to the fuel line; a control apparatus having a trigger for actuating an on/off valve adapted to permit or stop flow through the fuel line, a regulator adapted to at least partially restrict flow in the fuel line, and a controller operatively connected to the regulator to adjust the position of the regulator to vary the flow of fuel through the fuel line.

Abstract: A torch assembly having features enabling single handed operation. The torch assembly includes a flame control device that can be operated with a user's fingers while the user is holding the torch with the same hand. A controller apparatus of the torch assembly includes a trigger for actuating an on/off valve adapted to permit or stop flow through a fuel line, a regulator adapted to at least partially restrict flow in the fuel line and including a regulator valve, and a controller operatively connected to the regulator to adjust the position of the valve to vary the flow of fuel through the fuel line. The controller is interposed between the trigger and the regulator, and can include a rotatably mounted knob.

Abstract: A coupling for attaching a fuel canister to an appliance such as a torch comprises a first connector on the canister. The first connector comprises a first set of screw threads where the first set of screw threads are interrupted to define a shape. A second connector on the appliance comprises a locking element. The locking element has a matching shape that matches the shape such that the locking element closely receives the first connector when the first connector is in a first orientation relative to the second connector.

Abstract: A torch assembly having features enabling single handed operation. The torch assembly includes a flame control device that can be operated with a user's fingers while the user is holding the torch with the same hand. A controller apparatus of the torch assembly includes a trigger for actuating an on/off valve adapted to permit or stop flow through a fuel line, a regulator adapted to at least partially restrict flow in the fuel line and including a regulator valve, and a controller operatively connected to the regulator to adjust the position of the valve to vary the flow of fuel through the fuel line. The controller is interposed between the trigger and the regulator, and can include a rotatably mounted knob.

Abstract: A coupling for attaching a canister to an appliance comprises a first connector on the canister comprising screw threads and a groove and a second connector on the appliance that comprises a slip ring. The slip ring retains the canister on the appliance. An appliance comprises a canister having screw threads. A coupling connects the canister to the appliance separate from the screw threads where the coupling locks the appliance to the canister without rotating the appliance relative to the canister. The coupling locks the appliance to the canister when the canister is moved axially relative to the appliance. A canister is provided that has a connector comprising a set of screw threads for attaching the canister to a first type of appliance, and a groove for attaching the canister to a second type of appliance. A method of connecting a canister to an appliance is also provided.

Abstract: A device for creating an electrical potential, such as a piezoelectric igniter, is connected to a conductor that conducts current to a burn tube to create a spark that ignites the fuel in the burn tube. In one embodiment a gap is formed in the conductor. An insulator is located in the gap such that is can be selectively moved between an insulating position where the flow of electricity over the gap is prevented such that no spark is created in the burn tube and a non-insulating position where electricity is allowed to flow over the gap such that a spark is created in the burn tube. In another embodiment the piezoelectric igniter forms part of the electrical circuit and is in electrical conductive contact or proximity to an electrical conductor that forms part of the ignition circuit. An insulator may selectively located between the igniter and the conductor.

Abstract: A torch and a burn tube for a torch are provided. The torch comprises a burn tube having a first end and a second end remote from the firsts end secured to a torch body for receiving a fuel. The first end has an orifice through which a flame is discharged. The burn tube is one-piece from the first end to the second end. The burn tube has an expanded portion located adjacent to the first end and a flame guide located entirely inside of the burn tube adjacent the first end. A method of making the burn tube and torch is also provided.

Abstract: A device for creating an electrical potential, such as a piezoelectric igniter, is connected to a conductor that conducts current to a burn tube to create a spark that ignites the fuel in the burn tube. The safety mechanism disables the operative connection between the trigger and the igniter such that the safety mechanism does not lock the trigger (the trigger may move relative to the torch body) but the movement of the trigger does not actuate the igniter. An actuating button is provided such that the user manually controls the position of the disabling mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an extension pole, a hydraulic valve, and a handle containing the valve. The handle has a forward end portion configured to receive the extension pole in an installed position. The handle also has a pistol grip portion inclined from the forward end portion. A valve trigger is supported on the handle. The valve trigger has a pistol grip section that extends along the pistol grip portion of the handle within reach of a user's hand grasping the pistol grip portion from behind. The valve trigger further has an upper grip section that projects forward beneath the installed position of the extension pole within reach of a user's hand grasping the extension pole from above.

Abstract: A coupling for attaching a fuel canister to an appliance such as a torch is provided that comprises a first connector on the canister. The first connector comprises a first set of screw threads where the first set of screw threads are interrupted to define a shape. A second connector is provided on the appliance or torch where the second connector comprises a locking element. The locking element has a matching shape that matches the shape such that the locking element closely receives the first connector when the first connector is in a first orientation relative to the second connector. A method of using the coupling is also provided where the appliance is rotated relative to the canister less than 360 degrees.

Abstract: A coupling for attaching a canister to an appliance comprises a first connector on the canister comprising screw threads and a groove and a second connector on the appliance that comprises a slip ring. The slip ring retains the canister on the appliance. An appliance comprises a canister having screw threads. A coupling connects the canister to the appliance separate from the screw threads where the coupling locks the appliance to the canister without rotating the appliance relative to the canister. The coupling locks the appliance to the canister when the canister is moved axially relative to the appliance. A canister is provided that has a connector comprising a set of screw threads for attaching the canister to a first type of appliance, and a groove for attaching the canister to a second type of appliance. A method of connecting a canister to an appliance is also provided.

Abstract: A socket of a fluid coupling device includes a housing with a cavity centered on an axis. A pawl, attached to the housing, is pivotable about a pivot location relative to the housing, and has a catch section located axially outward from the pivot location. A spring biases the catch section radially inward. A plug is configured to move axially into the cavity while sliding against the catch section to move the catch section radially outward, against bias of the spring, out of the way of the plug. After an axially-outwardly facing catch surface of the plug passes the catch section, the catch section can pivot radially inward and abut the plug catch surface to capture the plug in the socket.

Abstract: A device for creating an electrical potential, such as a piezoelectric igniter, is connected to a conductor that conducts current to a burn tube to create a spark that ignites the fuel in the burn tube. In one embodiment a gap is formed in the conductor. An insulator is located in the gap such that is can be selectively moved between an insulating position where the flow of electricity over the gap is prevented such that no spark is created in the burn tube and a non-insulating position where electricity is allowed to flow over the gap such that a spark is created in the burn tube. In another embodiment the piezoelectric igniter forms part of the electrical circuit and is in electrical conductive contact or proximity to an electrical conductor that forms part of the ignition circuit. An insulator may selectively located between the igniter and the conductor.

Abstract: A device for creating an electrical potential, such as a piezoelectric igniter, is connected to a conductor that conducts current to a burn tube to create a spark that ignites the fuel in the burn tube. The safety mechanism disables the operative connection between the trigger and the igniter such that the safety mechanism does not lock the trigger (the trigger may move relative to the torch body) but the movement of the trigger does not actuate the igniter. An actuating button is provided such that the user manually controls the position of the disabling mechanism.

Abstract: A socket of a fluid coupling device includes a housing with a cavity centered on an axis. A pawl, attached to the housing, is pivotable about a pivot location relative to the housing, and has a catch section located axially outward from the pivot location. A spring biases the catch section radially inward. A plug is configured to move axially into the cavity while sliding against the catch section to move the catch section radially outward, against bias of the spring, out of the way of the plug. After an axially-outwardly facing catch surface of the plug passes the catch section, the catch section can pivot radially inward and abut the plug catch surface to capture the plug in the socket.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an extension pole, a hydraulic valve, and a handle containing the valve. The handle has a forward end portion configured to receive the extension pole in an installed position. The handle also has a pistol grip portion inclined from the forward end portion. A valve trigger is supported on the handle. The valve trigger has a pistol grip section that extends along the pistol grip portion of the handle within reach of a user's hand grasping the pistol grip portion from behind. The valve trigger further has an upper grip section that projects forward beneath the installed position of the extension pole within reach of a user's hand grasping the extension pole from above.