Abstract: Disclosed is a soil collection receptacle attaching/detaching apparatus for a cyclone vacuum cleaner, which allows only a soil collection receptacle to be attached to or detached from a cyclone unit that includes a cyclone body as well as the soil collection receptacle, in which the cyclone unit is installed in an accommodation recess provided in a cleaner body, so that the soils in the soil collection receptacle can be conveniently dumped. Also disclosed is a cyclone vacuum cleaner provided with the soil collection receptacle attaching/detaching apparatus.

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: An upright vacuum cleaner is disclosed. The upright vacuum cleaner includes a carpet engaging nozzle base and an upper housing pivotally attached to the nozzle base. The upright vacuum cleaner further includes a removable bucket releasably secured to the upper housing and a bucket handle rotatably attached to the bucket and movable between a first position and a second position. The upright vacuum cleaner yet further includes a latch adapted to secure the bucket to the upper housing when the handle is in the first position and release the bucket from the upper portion when the handle is in a second position. The bucket may be removed from the upper housing when the latch is released from the upper housing. The bucket is re-secured to the upper housing by returning the bucket handle to the first position. A method of operating a upright vacuum cleaner is also disclosed.

Abstract: A mounting bracket for use in association with a vacuum canister for a central vacuum system is disclosed. The mounting bracket is received within the housing of the vacuum canister and thereby divides the canister into clean and dirt collection chambers. Dirt collection chamber is adapted to receive dirt-laden air from the central vacuum system while clean chamber is adapted to re-circulate cleaned air back into the building. Mounting bracket is preferably a molded structure having a central bore. A plurality of stepped grooves are provided for receiving one of a variety of sizes of motor therein. A plurality of circuit board brackets are formed on mounting bracket, said circuit board brackets range in size so as to accommodate a range of sizes of circuit boards therein. Mounting bracket further includes a filter support formed therein. The filter support includes a quick attachment/release mechanism for installing filters thereon.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a vacuum cleaner appliance having a box-like body (1) made up of a top part (2) and a bottom part (3). The top part (2) includes a vacuum cleaning unit (16) provided with filter (20) and the bottom part (3) includes a space (25) for the housing of an extractable filter container (15) and an opening (11) for the intake of dusty air (13) provided in one of its side walls. The bottom part is provided with a side door (8) that is openable for the extraction of the filter container (15).

Abstract: A dust collection conversion device for facilitating removal of dust from the area of work piece when a user is working on the work piece. The dust collection conversion device includes a frame assembly being designed for being coupled to a top of the shop vacuum. The frame assembly has a base member and a stanchion member. The base member is designed for coupling to the shop vacuum. The stanchion member is coupled to the base member. An arm member is coupled to the stanchion member of the frame assembly. The arm member is designed for coupling to a hose of the shop vacuum for directing the hose towards a work piece for vacuuming dust when the shop vacuum is turned on.

Abstract: A mobile air duct vacuum provides an efficient method for cleaning HVAC ductwork in nearly any location. Upper and lower sections of circular cross-section are removably connected defining an air passageway. Said upper section houses 1st, 2nd and 3rd stage filters for insuring that “dirty” air passing through the system is thoroughly cleaned. Said lower section houses an air directional unit, blower wheel and motor. The motor causes the blower wheel, having spaced blades, to rotate and draw air from within the subject ductwork and through the filters thereby effectuating the cleaning. Thereafter, the clean air passes through the air directional unit into the blower wheel where it is re-directed to the surrounding environment through vents in the lower section. Wheels and a handle provide for a mobile air duct vacuum. To facilitate transportation of the vacuum the upper section and lower section can be readily disjoined.

Abstract: A cooling system for providing cooling air for a motor having a shaft extending through an opening within the motor, the motor being contained within a vacuum cleaner housing having a top and a bottom, the cooling system including a cooling-air inlet located in a side of the vacuum cleaner housing, a motor housing integral with the vacuum cleaner housing, the motor housing having a top portion defining a hole passing therethrough, the hole having a first dimension and being in flow communication with the cooling-air inlet, a side wall surrounding the hole and extending from the top portion of the motor housing, thereby enabling the cooling air to flow from the motor housing through an interior of the side wall, a baffle circumscribing the motor, the baffle having a second dimension that is greater than the first dimension enabling cooling air to pass through the opening in the motor adjacent the shaft with at least a portion of the motor positioned within the side wall and a cooling-air exhaust outlet located

Abstract: A locking system for a vacuum cleaner having a top portion and a bottom portion where the bottom portion has an opening. The locking system includes a shoulder extending from an inside surface of the bottom portion, a boss protruding from an outside surface of the bottom portion, a first locking latch secured to the top portion, the first locking latch adapted to extend in to the bottom portion of the vacuum and abut a bottom section of the shoulder and a second locking latch secured to the top portion, the second locking latch adapted to engage the boss. A method for locking the top portion of the vacuum to the bottom portion is also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved vacuum cleaner has an acoustic dampening mechanism to substantially reduce the noise level generated from a suction unit of the vacuum cleaner while it is sufficiently cooled. Noise that radiates from the motor is continually sucked back into the motor and in effect, the noise is bent by using suction so that the noise is muffled by being pulled back into the motor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a central vacuum power unit comprising in combination a canister, a chamber for collecting debris, a first plate, a second plate, a third plate, a duct, a motor-fan assembly, a filter, and a first baffle. The duct extends between the first and second plates and is in fluid flow communication with respective openings defined in the first and second plates. The sidewall of the canister, the first and the second plates and the duct defines an acoustic damping chamber covered with a lining of sound absorbing material.

Abstract: The subject invention provides a portable cleaning assembly. The assembly includes a vacuum body and a vacuum unit. The vacuum body has a receiving channel extending from the top of the vacuum body. The assembly further includes a waste container supported on top of the vacuum body, wherein the bottom of the waste container is supported. The bottom of the waste container also separates the vacuum body from the waste container, such that waste container is separate and distinct from the vacuum body and removable from the vacuum body. A transport mechanism supports the vacuum body and the waste container thereof for moving the vacuum body and the waste container across the area while applying the vacuum and for independently filling the waste container with waste.

Abstract: A device for protecting a motor in a vacuum cleaner is provided which includes a lower casing for forming a lower portion of a main body of the cleaner; a motor housing which is installed in the lower casing and includes the driving motor therein, and of which an upper portion is opened upwardly; a filtering means installed onto the lower casing for filtering out foreign materials from introduced air; and an intermediate cover integrally formed with a first cover portion positioned onto an upper portion of the filtering means and a second cover portion for covering the upper portion of the motor housing. Further, a pressure switch for sensing pressure within the motor housing and a damper for introducing external air into the motor housing when the pressure within the motor housing is lowered below a predetermined pressure value are directly installed onto the second cover portion of the intermediate cover.

Abstract: A mobile air duct vacuum provides an efficient method for cleaning HVAC ductwork in nearly any location. Upper and lower sections of circular cross-section are removably connected defining an air passageway. Said upper section houses 1st, 2nd and 3rd stage filters for insuring that “dirty” air passing through the system is thoroughly cleaned. Said lower section houses an air directional unit, blower wheel and motor. The motor causes the blower wheel, having spaced blades, to rotate and draw air from within the subject ductwork and through the filters thereby effectuating the cleaning. Thereafter, the clean air passes through the air directional unit into the blower wheel where it is re-directed to the surrounding environment through vents in the lower section. Wheels and a handle provide for a mobile air duct vacuum. To facilitate transportation of the vacuum the upper section and lower section can be readily disjoined.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is provided having a tank with an inlet for receiving liquid material and defining an interior. An air impeller housing has an opening in air flow communication with the tank interior, and an air impeller is disposed inside the air impeller housing. A motor is disposed inside a motor housing and operatively coupled to the air impeller, and a switch is provided having a first position in which power is provided to the motor and a second position in which power to the motor is interrupted. A float is disposed in the tank and a float rod extends between the tank and the switch, the float rod being capable of moving the switch from the first position to the second position. A seal is positioned intermediately along the float rod to create a water-tight barrier between opposite ends of the float rod.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a housing having a housing passage with a passage inlet, air entering through the passage inlet flowing in a first direction and the housing passage directing air flowing therethrough in a second direction which is more than 90 degrees different from the first direction. The vacuum cleaner also includes a blower adapted to be used separately from the vacuum cleaner, the blower having a blower housing with a blower inlet, a blower outlet, and defining a blower passage between the blower inlet and the blower outlet, an impeller disposed in the blower passage to move air between the blower inlet and the blower outlet and a motor mounted to the blower housing and coupled to the impeller to move the impeller. The blower is detachably secured to the housing with the blower outlet disposed in communication with the passage inlet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a central vacuum power unit comprising in combination a canister, a chamber for collecting debris, a first plate, a second plate, a third plate, a duct means, a motor-fan assembly, a filtering means, a first baffle means, means for generating a flow of cooling air for an electric motor, and means for reducing the emission of noise outside the canister. This central vacuum power unit is characterized in that a portion of said piping passes across a further opening is provided in the plate which is provided with the seat of resilient vibration dampening material and is receiving the motor-fan assembly, in that said portion of piping has a vertical axis substantially parallel to the axis of the intake of the vacuum fan, so that any deformation of the seat due to the vacuum existing underneath the motor-fan assembly will allow the piping to slide freely in said further opening without solid contact with said plate.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a housing having a housing passage with a passage inlet, air entering through the passage inlet flowing in a first direction and the housing passage directing air flowing therethrough in a second direction which is more than 90 degrees different from the first direction. The vacuum cleaner also includes a blower adapted to be used separately from the vacuum cleaner, the blower having a blower housing with a blower inlet, a blower outlet, and defining a blower passage between the blower inlet and the blower outlet, an impeller disposed in the blower passage to move air between the blower inlet and the blower outlet and a motor mounted to the blower housing and coupled to the impeller to move the impeller. The blower is detachably secured to the housing with the blower outlet disposed in communication with the passage inlet.

Abstract: The vacuum includes a body having a main air passageway, and first and second air passageways diverging from the main passageway. The first air passageway defines a blower port. A closable door having an open and a closed position directs air flow from the main air passageway to either the first or second diverging air passageways to switch between vacuum and blowing modes. In one embodiment the wet/dry vacuum assembly is arranged such that each of the component parts may be placed in an assembly fixture and attached to a unit without reorienting the assembly.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a tank assembly having an open end, a cap assembly removably connected to and generally closing off the open end, an inlet assembly disposed on one of the tank and cap assemblies, an exit opening disposed on one of the tank and cap assemblies, a vacuum source connected to one of the tank and cap assemblies for drawing process air through the inlet assembly, a filter assembly disposed between the inlet assembly and the exit opening, the filter assembly comprising a filter, and a filter bag assembly covering at least part of the filter, wherein the filter bag assembly comprises a filter bag and a drain tube connected to the filter bag. Preferably, the drain tube is integrally built into the filter bag.

Abstract: A wet/dry vacuum appliance having a lid and a collection canister is disclosed. A latching mechanism is provided for detachably affixing the lid atop the collection canister. In one embodiment, the latching mechanism comprises a pair of opposing latch members rotatably coupled to the lid. The latching members each have an upper, end adapted to engage journals formed on the lid. Each upper end is provided with retaining means for preventing the latch member from becoming disengaged from the journals. A lower end of each latching member is adapted to engage a latching element such as a rib formed on said collection canister.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a tank assembly having an open end, a cap assembly removably connected to and generally closing off the open end, an inlet assembly disposed on one of the tank and cap assemblies, an exit opening disposed on one of the tank and cap assemblies, a vacuum source connected to one of the tank and cap assemblies for drawing process air through the inlet assembly, a filter assembly disposed between the inlet assembly and the exit opening, the filter assembly comprising a filter, and a filter bag assembly covering at least part of the filter, wherein the filter bag assembly comprises a filter bag and a drain tube connected to the filter bag. Preferably, the drain tube is integrally built into the filter bag.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a tank assembly having an open end, a cap assembly removably connected to and generally closing off the open end, an inlet assembly disposed on one of the tank and cap assemblies, an exit opening disposed on one of the tank and cap assemblies, a vacuum source connected to one of the tank and cap assemblies for drawing process air through the inlet assembly, a filter assembly disposed between the inlet assembly and the exit opening, the filter assembly comprising a filter, and a filter bag assembly covering at least part of the filter, wherein the filter bag assembly comprises a filter bag and a drain tube connected to the filter bag. Preferably, the drain tube is integrally built into the filter bag.

Abstract: An electric motor driven bypass type vacuum cleaner apparatus, particularly adapted for wet/dry debris collection includes an open top debris collection tank having opposed integrally formed cup-shaped feet for supporting said apparatus in a stable position on a support surface. The tank includes a recess in a sidewall and a bottom wall for receiving a conduit member which may be interchangeably used as a connector for connecting a flexible vacuum hose to the tank and as a blower discharge nozzle. A flexible vacuum pickup hose is connected to the conduit member generally at the bottom side of the debris collection tank and, in a stored position on the apparatus, is trained through a recess in the bottom wall of the tank and over the top of a motor housing and shroud assembly to a connection point in one of the support feet adjacent the conduit member. The vacuum hose, when stored, is retained in a recess in the shroud which also serves as a carrying handle for the apparatus.

Abstract: A mobile, lightweight, universal collection apparatus for use with blower/vacuum units for quickly and easily collecting and storing large amounts of bulky debris or materials which is readily disassembled for conveniently storing and shipping the apparatus. The collection apparatus includes a large container, a removable lid, a disposable or reusable liner, an intake hose attachment and a base with rollers for movably supporting the container. The preferred container is comprised of one or more transparent, flat panels adapted to be readily secured together to form a cylindrical-shaped container for holding large amounts of debris or materials. The removable lid is transparent and is mounted on the container and includes a power unit connection for attaching the blower/vacuum unit, an inlet connection for attaching various intake hose attachments and an integral filter.