Abstract: A vacuum cleaner that includes a stationary blade that acts also as a bearing in a suction pipe connected with a fan in the axial line of rotation shaft of the fan. A transmission shaft supported by the bearing extends from the fan rotation shaft of the fan and through the bearing. A rotary blade is mounted at the end of the transmission shaft that extends through the bearing and cooperates with the stationary blade to chop the sucked material finely.

Abstract: An improved convertible electric blower/vac. The blower/vac includes an improved air inlet cover with an adjustable choke member. The air inlet cover also includes a pressure ring for increasing the efficiency of the blower/vac impeller when the unit is operated in the blower mode. The blower/vac also includes a blower tube and a vacuum bag collar, each with resilient tabs that engage receptacles on the blower/vac to retain the blower tube and vacuum bag collar on the unit. The housing outlet of the blower/vac includes guides that interact with longitudinal ribs on the blower tube and the vacuum bag collar to reduce unwanted rotational deflection of the blower tube and vacuum bag collar when either is engaged on the housing outlet. The blower/vac includes an improved vacuum tube for use of the blower/vac in the vacuum mode.

Abstract: A portable hand-held convertible blower and vacuum unit having a primary handle on the housing and a secondary handle located on the vacuum tube attachment. The secondary handle comprises a generally compliant gripping surface and enables the operator to connect or disconnect the vacuum tube from the housing in order to convert the unit from blower to vacuum mode or vice versa. The connection between the vacuum tube and the unit housing comprises a bayonet fitting. The handle also affords a second gripping surface for use of the unit during vacuum operation. Since the handle is attached to the vacuum tube, the handle does not hinder use of the unit during blower operation during which the vacuum tube is removed from the housing. When the vacuum tube is attached to the unit housing, the longitudinal axis of the gripping surface of the secondary handle is approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the primary handle that is connected to the housing.

Abstract: A blower vacuum unit for selective operation in a blower mode and in a suction mode, comprises: a housing having means forming an air inlet and means forming an air outlet; a motor carried within the housing, an impeller rotatably driven by the motor and positioned for drawing air into the housing through the air inlet and discharging the air from the housing through the air outlet; a debris collection conduit one end of which conduit is an operating end and the other end of which conduit is adapted for attachment to a debris collection container and means for generating an entrained air flow, using the air discharged through the air outlet, at the operating end of the debris collection conduit into the debris conduit. The housing and the debris collection conduit comprise separate components and the conduit is adapted to be releasably mounted on the housing so that the operating end of the conduit is located for co-operation with the air outlet of the housing.

Abstract: An electronic control system for a vacuum cleaner is provided that supports two-way communications between a microcontroller in the handle of the vacuum cleaner and a suction motor and various sensors in the canister of the vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner may be placed in one of two user-selectable bag change modes. In a maximum suction bag change mode, the electronic control system of vacuum cleaner will shut off the vacuum cleaner when the vacuum cleaner bag has filled and the suction power of the unit has been degraded as a result. If the maximum fill bag change mode is selected, the electronic control system will shut off the vacuum cleaner only after the bag has filled to the maximum extent allowable. The control system has indicator lights to display to the user whether the maximum suction or the maximum fill mode has been selected.

Abstract: A debris collecting apparatus (2) includes a debris conduit (4), one end of which debris conduit is an operating end (8) and the other end of which debris conduit (4) is adapted for attachment to a debris collecting container (30); the apparatus further generates an entrained air flow at the operating end (8) of the debris conduit (4) into the debris conduit (4) and comminutes the debris. Also, the entrained air flow is generated external to the debris conduit (4), but the comminution of the debris occurs within the debris conduit (4).

Abstract: A suction and blowing device exhibits three air conduits connected to a source of pressurized air and partially terminating in a common transport conduit and has a selectable control body located between the air conduit entrance openings and the pressurized air source for regulating the entrance of the pressurized air into the air conduits. The device allows for the selective direction of pressurized air to one or more of the three air conduits to perform completely different functions such as: suction with an injector nozzle, vacuum cleaning using an injector nozzle and an additional cleaning pressure jet, blowing using a nozzle with large dynamic pressure and air velocity, and blowing using an injector nozzle and high air through-put.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for cleaning and rejuvenating septic tank sewage systems. Where the septic tank has a drainfield associated therewith, the method comprises penetrating the ground near a drainfield lateral, and agitating the area near the drainfield lateral while simultaneously applying suction to the drainfield lateral. Accumulated scum and waste is thereby removed from the drainfield lateral. Where the septic tank system has a dry well associated therewith, the method comprises penetrating the bottom of the dry well and agitating the area underneath the dry well to form accumulated scum and waste into a froth or malt at the bottom of the dry well, and removing the froth or malt by suction. The apparatus of the present invention comprises a penetrating nozzle attached to an articulated boom assembly for penetrating the ground near a drainfield lateral or underneath a dry well to apply forced air or fluid or suction to agitate the area near the drainfield lateral or underneath the dry well.

Abstract: A collection device having a duct for transporting material entrained in a stream of pressurized primary air from a collection mouth at an upstream end of the duct to a downstream region of the duct for collection. The device provides at least one primary air inlet opening into the duct for delivering pressurized air to form a primary air stream directed generally downstream of the duct and at least one secondary air outlet for delivering pressurized air to form a secondary air stream directed onto an area of the surface confronting the collection mouth. The secondary air stream serves to dislodge material on the confronting area for entrainment in the primary air stream and transportation from the collection mouth to the downstream region of the duct for collection.

Abstract: A disengageable, portable, self-contained fluid conduit cleaning device for unclogging fuel lines, plumbing lines or similar fluid conduits has a pneumatic pump, and a pressure delivery tank chamber. Controls alternatively connect the pump to supply either a pressure charge or a partial vacuum to the chamber. A delivery valve connects the chamber to the fluid conduit, to provide sudden pneumatic or hydraulic shocks to impact and break loose clogging material from the fluid conduit.

Abstract: A variable high/low vacuum/blower device is disclosed as including an interchangeable vacuum or blower device with high pressure/low air flow or low pressure/high air flow operation. The device includes a housing having air flow channels. Air inlet and air outlet ports or openings extend through the housing and are connected to the air flow channels. Motor driven blower wheels create air flow through the air flow channels. A first valve, operable between first and second position, can selectively change the air flow in the air flow channels from high pressure/low air flow to low pressure/high air flow, while a second valve, also operable between first and second positions, can selectively change the air flow through the air inlet and air outlet ports or openings, enabling the device to operate either as a vacuum or blower device. The first valve is adjustable to variable positions from high pressure/low air flow through zero to low pressure/high air flow.

Abstract: A device for capturing and exterminating fire ants includes a container, a primary vacuum unit, and an inlet hose. The primary vacuum unit reduces the air pressure within the container such that air is drawn in through the inlet hose. During a collection operation, a user operates the digging attachment to loosen a fire ant mound and collects the mound contents with the inlet hose. Once the collection operation is completed, the user seals all openings to the container against the atmosphere and connects a secondary vacuum source to a vacuum receiving nipple formed in the container. The secondary vacuum source removes air from the container and asphyxiates the fire ants within the container. The present invention also includes a digging attachment attachable to the inlet hose that allows a user to loosen the contents of a fire ant mound for more effective collection.

Abstract: A device for cleaning rows of machines, such as textile machines, which can travel along the machines and has a blower guided above the machines, whose pressure side is connected to a distributor station. At least two hoses are attached via connecting pieces to the distributor station which have different openings directed to the machines. A slider is located on the distributor station which distributes the air supplied to the distributor station in accordance with its position on the connecting pieces. A number of hoses can be attached to the device, and the hose to be charged with air can be easily selected by a slider which can travel along the row of connecting pieces. The slider has a through-hole which, when the slider is moved, successively coincides with the connecting pieces. A flexible hose which leads to the pressure side of the blower and surrounds the through-hole, is attached to the side of the slider facing away from the connecting pieces.

Abstract: A fan apparatus capable of preventing problems which can be caused during the rotation of a fan rotor, and also capable of facilitating the mounting and dismounting of a suction port cover. The suction port cover removably provided on the same side of the apparatus as an air suction port includes a bell-mouth shaped member for guiding air being sucked into the air suction port in such a manner that air is introduced from the side of the cover, the inner surface of the bell-mouth shaped member defining a first suction passage. A blind patch member is disposed in the space defined by the outer surface of the bell-mouth shaped member with a gap between the blind patch member and an outer surface of the bell-mouth shaped member so that a second suction passage is defined therebetween.

Abstract: A variable high/low vacuum/blower device is disclosed as including an interchangeable vacuum or blower device with high pressure/low air flow or low pressure/high air flow operation. The device includes a housing having air flow channels. Air inlet and air outlet ports or openings extend through the housing and are connected to the air flow channels. Motor driven blower wheels create air flow through the air flow channels. A first valve, operable between first and second position, can selectively change the air flow in the air flow channels from high pressure/low air flow to low pressure/high air flow, while a second valve, also operable between first and second positions, can selectively change the air flow through the air inlet and air outlet ports or openings, enabling the device to operate either as a vacuum or blower device. The first valve, when operable in a first position, directs exhausted air from the lower blower wheel to the upper blower wheel for high pressure/low air flow operation.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method and apparatus for opening drains and the like, and includes a suitable vacuum/pressure source such as a household or industrial wet/dry vacuum cleaner with a control mechanism fitted to the vacuum cleaner or an intermediate receptacle for sequentially applying vacuum/pressure pulses to a clogged drain for loosening and purging the blockage occurring in the drain. The disclosure includes several fittings for applying the method and apparatus to a variety of drains.

Abstract: A pump-out control valve for use in connection with a wet/dry vacuum cleaner that includes a collection tank, a top cover and a vacuum blower with an air inlet and air outlet. The control valve is mounted over a pair of openings formed through the cover. The valve includes a manifold plate located over the pair of openings and spaced above the cover, and a valve rotor located between the manifold plate and the cover. The plate is provided with an air inlet fitting and an air outlet fitting that are connected through flexible hoses to the centrifugal blower. The fittings are in general alignment with the openings in the cover. The rotor has one through passage for connecting the manifold plate inlet with one of the openings through the cover and one lateral passage which is adapted to divert flow laterally and at the same time, block the other opening in the cover. The rotor is turned approximately 180.degree.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an apparatus for opening drains and the like, and includes a suitable vacuum/pressure source such as a household or industrial wet/dry vacuum cleaner with a control mechanism fitted to the vacuum cleaner or an intermediate receptacle for sequentially applying vacuum/pressure pulses to a clogged drain for loosening and purging the blockage occurring in the drain.

Abstract: A blower attachment for a vacuum cleaner including an attached member disposed over the exhaust air discharge openings that extend around the vacuum cleaner casing. The attached member includes a strap section that extends over and blocks air flow from some of the discharge openings, and a plenum section that extends over and receives the flow of air from the remaining unblocked discharge openings. The plenum section tapers from the inlet port to an air output orifice that may be connected by conventional methods to inflate any of a number of devices that require a high volume of low pressure air. Tabs extending inward from the attached member are received in corresponding discharge openings to secure the attached member to the casing in an aligned position over the discharge openings.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner adaptor for micro tools consisting of an adaptor body of tubular form having a large diameter section for fitting to a conventional vacuum cleaner vacuum intake port or positive air pressure discharge port, an integral conical transition section and a small diameter section for fitting to a small diameter hose or tube or to the micro tool per se. In one form, longitudinal slots of arcuate configuration are formed within the conical transition section of the adaptor body at circumferentially spaced positions and are selectively closed off by a rotatable conical form shield having similar sized longitudinal slots therein. Radially projecting members on the shield and adaptor body limit rotation of the shield relative to the body between a full slot open position and a slot partially open position by circumferentially offsetting the slots of the adaptor body and shield.

Abstract: A shredder attachment for use with lawn machines having vacuum or fan movement of shreddable material. The attachment comprises a frame suitably sized and shaped to be substantially mounted inside a conduit of a lawn machine. The attachment further comprises a cutter for cutting material passing through the conduit and a motor for driving the cutter. The attachment can be used in such lawn machines as a discharge conduit for a riding mower bagging system, an auxiliary cutter for a walk behind mower or a hand-held leaf vacuum.

Abstract: A connector is provided for releaseably fastening a vacuum pipe to the body of an implement which is convertible between a blower and vacuum mode. The vacuum pipe is adapted to attach to an intake port formed in the body of the implement. The vacuum pipe is provided with a collar having a series of angularly spaced apart receptacles each having a passage therethrough provided with a locking surface extending part way along the passage and an abutment aligned with the locking surface defining a space therebetween. The body is provided with a plurality of stakes angularly spaced about the intake port aligned with the passages on the collar. Each stake is provided with a locking face disposed and arranged to overhang the locking surface in the collar and has a thickness substantially equal to the spacing between the locking surface and abutment. The collar is adapted to be angularly positioned relative to the body with the passages aligned with the stakes.

Abstract: A suction cleaner for use in sucking relatively large refuse, the cleaner including a suction chamber, a dust chamber communicating with the suction chamber, the dust chamber including a plurality of edged agitators having first blades, to which a second blade is faced so as to shred the refuse to small pieces, the second blade being retainable either at an operative position or at an inoperative position at which the second blade is kept away from the first blades.

Abstract: A hand-held implement selectively usuable as a blower or a vacuum. A power-driven impeller moves an airstream through an impeller chamber from an intake port to an outlet port. A pair of coaxial rims surrounds the intake port to form a peripheral groove that can receive the end of a pipe and restrain it from lateral movement. An axial pull device can draw the pipe to hold it in the groove.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for opening drains and the like, and includes a suitable vacuum/pressure source such as a household or industrial wet/dry vacuum cleaner with a control mechanism fitted to the vacuum cleaner or an intermediate receptacle for sequentially applying vacuum/pressure pulses to a clogged drain for loosening and purging the blockage occurring in the drain.

Abstract: A pest collection-disposal device includes a means for establishing an air stream in an air duct forming at least a segment of a housing for the device. Positioned in the duct is a disposable pest collection cartridge. The cartridge comprises an elongated body having a flexible closure means and a filter means. The closure means deflects under the influence of an air stream from a closed position to provide an entrance thereto for insects entrained in the air stream. The filter means separates insects from the air stream. Upon termination of air flow, the flexible closure member is restored to an initial position to entrap the pest between the flap and filter means. The duct in one embodiment includes an expandable and retractable array of elongated telescoping members. In a further embodiment, the cartridge is positioned in one of the elongated duct members.

Abstract: A motor assembly including a motor, a shaft, a gear assembly and an air compressor, encompassed by a vacuum casing and an impeller housing encompassing a number of evenly spaced impellers and impeller casings, the impellers being driven by the shaft of the motor assembly and the air compressor being driven indirectly by the motor through the gear assembly. The motor assembly and the impeller housing and related parts fit in a cylindrical cavity of a body so as to provide suction; high volume, low pressure air compression; and low volume, high pressure air compression. The body has a handle with a light on its front end.

Abstract: A dust collector having a selector valve which enables a cleaning pipe to be connected with either a suction circuit communicating with a dust collecting portion, or a discharge circuit communicating with the discharge opening of a fan. By carrying out the shifting operation of said selector valve, the dust collector can be changed to suck and collect dust, or to blow and gather dust without rearranging the cleaning pipe.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner with panel portion structure which includes an improved panel main body and a blower facility valve body. The panel main body has an exhaust air port and an opening for a blower facility. The blower facility valve body is provided at a lower side of the panel main body and is rotatably supported so as to normally shut the blower facility opening. A first exhaust air passage is formed between the intermediate exhaust air port to the main body exhaust air port. A second exhaust air passage is formed between the intermediate exhaust air port to the blower facility opening. The first exhaust air passage and the second exhaust air passage are changed over by the blower facility valve body. The improved blower facility structure permits the development of a series of vacuum cleaners with and without a blower facility.

Abstract: A disposable bag filters dirt particles and the like from exhaust air of a hand-held vacuum cleaner. The motor housing of the vacuum cleaner receives a conventional reusable bag thereon and an adaptor facilitates changeover of existing vacuum cleaners to accommodate the disposable bag. A reinforcing member is provided on the disposable bag and is dimensioned for a friction fit with the adaptor. Another preferred embodiment incorporates a seal member into the assembly to enhance the sealing integrity between the adaptor and disposable bag.

Abstract: A blower comprises a unit blower housing of molded plastic material having a circular outer wall and laterally spaced front and rear walls, defining an impeller chamber and a tangential outlet upon a first axis adapted to receive a flexible hose. The outlet defines with an end portion of the outer wall a reverse curved cut off edge extending between the side walls. An opening in the front wall is arranged upon a second axis at right angles to the first axis and receives an air inlet cone secured to the housing by a plurality of threaded inserts molded into the housing. An electric motor upon a support has a drive shaft extending through the rear wall. The rear wall is mounted upon and secured to the motor and an impeller is positioned within the housing and axially mounted upon the motor shaft and has an air intake receiving the air inlet cone.

Abstract: A combination vacuum cleaner and blower is described which is particularly adapted for use as an accessory to a fireplace. The apparatus of this invention is a portable hand-held vacuum/blower which is controlled by a reversible fan motor. When operating in a first direction, air is sucked into the vacuum preferably to clean up ashes around the fireplace. A valve is provided to prevent air from being sucked in the blower. When operated in a second direction air is blown out the blower exhaust and can be used to blow air on a fire. A second valve is provided to prevent air from being blown out of the vacuum inlet.

Abstract: A dual mode hair vacuum and dryer unit includes a cabinet with separate upper and lower compartments. An air pump in the cabinet has its suction inlet in the lower compartment and pressure outlet in the upper compartment for creating airflow through the air pump from the lower to the upper compartment. An air filter is disposed across the suction inlet of the air pump. A vacuum attachment connects to an air inlet nozzle on the cabinet for communicating vacuum airflow from a vacuum nozzle to the suction inlet of the air pump, via the lower compartment, which entrains hair cuttings in the vacuum airflow. A dryer attachment connects to an air outlet nozzle on the cabinet for communicating positive pressure airflow from the pressure outlet of the air pump to a drying nozzle, via the upper compartment, to dry hair.

Abstract: A convertible vacuum-blower which includes a housing having an air inlet and an air outlet is disclosed. A motor and an impeller are supported in the housing. The impeller is supported for rotary motion and is driven by the motor. The impeller is in fluid communication with both the air inlet and the air outlet. The air inlet is selectively covered by an apertured, removable air inlet cover. A mechanism removably secures the air inlet cover to the housing. A switch mechanism is carried by the housing and allows the motor to operate when the air inlet is covered, but not when the air inlet is uncovered. A first switch actuator is carried by the air inlet cover for actuating the switch mechanism when the cover is secured to the housing covering the air inlet. A removable vacuum nozzle also includes a second switch actuator for actuating the switch means when the vacuum nozzle is secured to the housing covering the air inlet.

Abstract: A hand held portable blower/vacuum assembly includes a gasoline engine mounted on a blower housing that is interchangeably operable as a blower or vacuum unit and is symmetrically arranged for right or left hand use. A U-shaped carrying handle is secured to an upper housing enclosing the engine by means of a mounting structure that includes anti vibration elements. For eliminating the effect of both gyroscopic and centrifugal forces, the engine is arranged with the piston and crankshaft in horizontal and vertical orientations respectively, while both exhaust and cooling air are discharged from the front of the unit away from an operator so as to provide a balanced unit operable with either the right or left hand. A multi-position throttle located on the backside of the unit removed from the handle is incrementally settable for operating the unit at preselected fixed speeds.

Abstract: Dust collection apparatus is disclosed adapted for both vacuuming and blowing/sweeping functions. The apparatus consists of a single, self-contained unit comprising a blower, a cleaning hose, an engine, a collecting area, inlet and outlet passages, and a switching valve which can switch the internal airflow so as to convert the cleaning hose from a vacuuming function to a blowing/sweeping function.

Abstract: This invention concerns a car cleaner and air pump shaped like an elephant. It can be used as a vacuum cleaner, e.g. sucking in dirt, and at the same time as an air pump, e.g. pumping pressurized air into a tire. This elephant-shaped car cleaner and air pump consists of an elephant-shaped cover, a dirt sucking device, an air pumping device, a lighting signaling device and an electric power system. The characteristic of the dirt sucking device is that dirt is sucked through the trunk and collected in the dirt bag set in the body by means of a blowing wheel turned by a motor. The characteristic of the air pumping device lies in pumping air by means of a cylinder and a piston that is moved by a set of worm-gear wheel and rod turned by the same motor that is used in the dirt sucking device.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an internal combustion engine-powered, blower/vacuum device. The device has an air chamber with an axial air inlet and a tangential air outlet. The engine rotatably drives the impeller, and is controlled by a throttle. A handle is located above the air chamber and the motor, and includes a first section having an axis generally parallel to the axis of the air outlet, and an adjoining section having an axis which extends at an angle of about 15.degree. to 60.degree. to the first section. When the first section of the handle is gripped by an operator the device will be in the vacuum position with the air outlet in a generally horizontal position. When the second section of the handle is gripped, the device will be in the blower position with the air outlet facing ahead of the operator at a downward angle. The impeller and housing of the device is designed to minimize debris hangup within the housing.

Abstract: A hand held vacuum cleaner is provided with a frictionally held soft plastic nozzle that constitutes a snout for the vacuum cleaner casing. The fan for creating a flow of working air and the motor for driving the fan are parts of a subassembly that is selectively positionable within the casing. In one position of the subassembly, working air is drawn into the casing through the nozzle at the front thereof and is expelled at the rear of the housing. In the other position of the subassembly, working air is drawn in at the rear of the casing and is blown out the front thereof.

Abstract: A debris collecting apparatus includes a debris conduit (2) one end of which is an operating end (4) and the other end of which is a collecting end with a collecting bag (6) attached thereto. An impeller (8) discharges air into a straight part of the conduit. A switch arrangement is provided to switch the air flow between first "vacuum" flow in which air discharged from the impeller induces an air flow in the debris conduit (2) from the operating end (4) to the collecting end and a second "blowing" flow in which air is discharged from the impeller through the operating end.

Abstract: An engine driven blower/dust collector in which the suction opening and the discharge opening are arranged in the same plane in a side-by-side relation, and an air-switching slide pipe is provided to slide on the plane of these openings so as to permit the blower/dust collector to operate selectively as desired as a blower for blowing off and drifting together dust or the like and as a vacuum dust collector for collecting the dust or the like.

Abstract: A portable blower-vacuum unit has an impeller for drawing air axially through a housing air inlet, and for discharging the air centrifugally through a tangential housing air outlet. In a blower mode, a perforate cover plate prevents ingestion of solid material by the impeller. In a vacuum mode, a vacuum conduit connects to the housing in lieu of the cover plate, and a vacuum bag attaches to the air outlet. A mulching blade rotates with the impeller to chop any solid material passing through the housing when the unit is operated in the vacuum mode.

Abstract: A collecting apparatus having a nozzle through which air is released to form a jet flow, a restriction provided at a position spaced from the nozzle in the direction of the jet flow and a vacuum sleeve defining a large vacuum space between the nozzle and the restriction. A collecting tube is connected to the vacuum sleeve to open to the vacuum space. A high vacuum is established in the vacuum space so that large dusts are sucked through the collecting tube and collected in a collecting bag attached to the restriction or scattered through the restriction.

Abstract: An air broom for suspension from the hand of the user while standing wherein a power unit and an air impeller connected to and driven thereby support an outwardly extending hollow wand whose weight and leverage are coordinated with that of the power unit and air impeller so that the wand is cantilevered at an outward and downward angle with its remote end adjacent the ground. The apparatus is designed for flowing with a sweeping action and for gathering with a suction action.

Abstract: An attachment for converting a conventional filament trimmer into a vacuum or blower for removal of grass clippings. The attachment includes a fan housing removably mounted to the trimmer in either a vacuum or blower mode of operation and a fan removably mounted to the rotatably driven shaft of the trimmer. The fan housing has an air inlet scoop and air discharge chute.

Abstract: A multi-motor suction cleaner of the upright type having a power-driven rotary brush operated in the usual manner with a low-suction, high-volume airflow produced by a typical first motor-fan unit in the cleaner suction nozzle housing to carry out a usual floor, rug or carpet cleaning operation. The cleaner is converted to efficient off-the-floor cleaning merely by selectively uncovering an opening in a closed suction chamber carried by the cleaner containing a second motor-fan unit producing high-suction, low-volume airflow. A converter member mounted on one end of a typical flexible attachment hose is inserted in the uncovered opening. This automatically energizes the second motor-fan unit. The selective and alternate operation of the two motor-fan units provides a single cleaner that can carry out most efficiently every cleaning operation heretofore requiring both a canister and an upright cleaner to perform.

Abstract: A portable, hand held, air suction and blower unit comprising an air inlet assembly with sequentially arranged nozzle, flexible inlet tube, and diffuser, all detachably connected to the front end of the unit body. The diffuser cooperates with the front end of the body to form a bayonet type joint therebetween. An air inlet passage extends rearwardly from the front end of the body to the tangential fan which is journaled at the rear of the body. The fan is powered by a manually wound flat spiral spring, which spring drives the fan through a gear train. An air outlet passage extends forwardly from the fan to an outlet opening also located at the front of the unit body. A removable, pervious receptacle, with an open forward end, is located in the front portion of the air inlet passage and serves to collect particles or objects which are drawn into the body by the flowing air.

Abstract: A nozzle attachment for use in combination with a vacuum cleaner to inflate or deflate air expandable articles, a portion of the nozzle having a relatively large diameter for coupling with the free end of a flexible hose, a relatively small extended tip portion insertable into bodies of inflation valves to mechanically open recessed check valve elements, and an intermediate cross sectional transition portion having at least one conical zone for sealing against the mouths of the inflation valve bodies. For inflation, the opposite end of the hose is connected to the fan outlet of the vacuum cleaner while for evacuation it is connected to the fan inlet.

Abstract: Dust removing apparatus includes an air valve operable by a trigger-type push button to permit or interrupt the flow of compressed air from a compressor into an air discharge passage. When the valve is opened, the compressed air flows through an annular slit into the air discharge passage at an increased pressure, producing suction at the inlet of an intake member by an ejecting action. The dust removing apparatus further includes another valve which, when in open position, changes the path of flow of air to force out the compressed air from a nozzle.

Abstract: A hand held portable blower/vacuum assembly includes a gasoline engine mounted on a blower housing that is interchangeably operable as a blower or vacuum unit and is symmetrically arranged for right or left hand use. A U-shaped carrying handle is secured to an upper housing enclosing the engine by means of a mounting structure that includes anti vibration elements. For eliminating the effect of both gyroscopic and centrifugal forces, the engine is arranged with the piston and crankshaft in horizontal and vertical orientations respectively, while both exhaust and cooling air are discharged from the front of the unit away from an operator so as to provide a balanced unit operable with either the right or left hand. A multi-position throttle located on the backside of the unit removed from the handle is incrementally settable for operating the unit at preselected fixed speeds.