Abstract: An improved wand for connecting a vacuum cleaner and power nozzle is disclosed. The wand includes a sheath, an upper wand assembly received in the sheath and detachably connected to the vacuum cleaner hose handle, and a lower wand assembly received in the sheath and releasably connected therein to the upper wand assembly. A resilient plug body is provided for attachment to the hose handle to be connected to the cord of the sheath. The plug body contains at least two electrical connectors separated by a slit to provide a limited degree of flexibility in the plug body to insure a good connection despite any possible minor misaligment with the opposing connectors on the cord. The upper end of the lower wand assembly has a leaf spring with a button on its underside protruding through a hole in the lower wand assembly to engage a similar hole in the upper wand assembly.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaning tool adapter for vacuum cleaning systems having a control device incorporated within the adapter. The control device includes an electrical switch and may also include other circuit control devices. Also incorporated in the adapter is a connect-disconnect connector for mechanically interengaging the adapter with a hose assembly leading to the vacuum cleaner, which also provides electrical continuity from the adapter through current conducting reinforcing members in the hose assembly and into the vacuum cleaner. The adapter provides for electrically connecting the cleaning tool into the system, and the switch is used to turn the power on and off from the vacuum cleaner motor to the cleaning tool. An additional switch may also be located in the adapter for controlling the vacuum cleaner motor itself.

Abstract: A power head device for use with an external source of vacuum, which device includes an outer housing defining therewithin, in one embodiment, a brush chamber, a vacuum chamber and a dry chemical carpet cleaning powder retaining chamber. The powder retaining chamber is situated adjacent the brush chamber and is further fashioned with a device for selectively dispensing the powder onto a carpet. A horizontally oriented brush is provided having bristles offset with respect to a centerline thereof so as to provide improved agitation of the powder into a carpet on rotation of the brush opposite the direction of the offset during a cleaning mode of operation. In a vacuum mode of operating, the brush rotates in the direction of the bristle offset and towards the vacuum chamber of the housing.

Abstract: A cleaning device operated in conjunction with a vacuum cleaner includes a housing which is composed of a motor housing accommodating a drive motor, a removable nozzle plate formed with a first individual nozzle and a second surface nozzle and enclosing a working tool with a brush, and an air-duct housing forming a suction duct connectable to the vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: A power head unit for use with an external source of vacuum, which unit includes an outer housing defining a brush chamber, a vacuum chamber and a dry chemical carpet cleaning powder retaining chamber. The powder retaining chamber is fashioned with at least one slot extending adjacent the brush chamber which slot is closed off by a covering device such as a sliding door. The sliding door is fashioned with apertures the size of the at least one slot so that correspondence thereof will permit the dry chemical carpet cleaning material to escape from the slot. A powder dispensing roll is provided internally of the powder retaining chamber to convey the dry chemical carpet cleaning material to the slot.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner tool is removably mounted on the elongated wand of a conventional vacuum cleaner. The tool includes a head or main housing having a forwardly-disposed brush enclosure portion with a lower planar opening formed therein. A brush is rotatably journaled in the brush enclosure portion of the housing and protrudes below the opening therein. An air turbine is rotatably journaled in the housing and is drivingly connected to the brush. The axis of the housing is coincident with the axis of the wand, and both are arranged at 45 degrees with respect to the planar opening for the brush. In one position, the planar opening is in a horizontal plane. The mounting means between the housing and the wand includes a swivel member. This swivel member enables the housing to be rotated 180 degrees with respect to the wand. When so rotated, the planar opening for the brush is in a vertical plane.

Abstract: An electric motor construction and method particularly adapted for integration in rotating final drive members. The motor includes a hollow armature assembly rotatably supported about a permanent magnet stator. The armature assembly includes a winding preferably fabricated by printed circuit techniques in the form of flat conductors clad on a flexible dielectric sheet rolled into a tube and a soft magnetic tube circumferentially surrounding the winding to provide a structural support and a heat sink for the winding and a flux return path for the poles of the permanent magnet stator. In the preferred embodiment, the motor is integrated in the cleaning brush of a vacuum sweeper unit.

Abstract: A floor cleaner motor mount wherein the motor is resiliently pivoted to provide the desired disposition of the belt in a cog drive belt extending between the motor and a rotatable brush of the cleaner located in a nozzle portion of the cleaner. The pivot axis is disposed so as to permit the axis of the motor shaft to be angularly adjusted relative to the axis of the brush. The pivot may be provided at one end of the motor housing. In the illustrated embodiment, the motor is adjustably positioned by a leaf spring acting against a base portion of the nozzle housing intermediate the pivot and drive connection.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner structure having a control for reducing the total current delivery to the vacuum cleaner as when both a suction motor thereof and a brush motor thereof are being operated concurrently. The control includes an "On-Off" switch mounted on a portion of the suction hose for the vacuum cleaner. The invention comprehends the provision of such a current-reducing control where the full load currents of the suction and brush motors cumulatively total an amount greater than a preselected safe current deliverable to the vacuum cleaner. The control is arranged to be used with a vacuum cleaner having a suction hose connected between a suction unit and a cleaning unit thereof, such as a floor cleaning unit. In one form, the control utilizes a two-conductor wire suction hose, and in another form, the control utilizes a three-conductor wire suction hose.

Abstract: A device is provided to allow the use of a cannister vacuum cleaner in the manner of a highly-maneuverable, height-adjustable upright vacuum cleaner. The device preferably includes a mobile base having a cannister vacuum-receiving recess for releasably supporting a cannister vacuum cleaner. A power head including a beater bar, a motor for operatively driving the beater bar, and a nozzle, is attached to the base in an operational cleaning position. A conduit connects the power head to the cannister cleaner for vacuum removal of dirt or the like from a floor surface. Wheels and height-adjusting structure are provided on the base allowing adjustment of the clearance of the power head with respect to an underlying floor surface to maximize cleaning efficiency.

Abstract: A filter assembly for a vacuum cleaner hose includes a tubular member having opposite open ends and a filter plate between said ends. In one version, the assembly is telescoped into the vacuum cleaner hose and has a reduced opening at one end with the filter plate having a solid central core that is larger than the reduced opening and passages surrounding the central core. In a second version, an enlarged intermediate portion has tubes extending therefrom that respectively telescope over and into adjacent conduit sections of the vacuum cleaner hose and the filter plate is located in the enlarged portion.

Abstract: A cylindrical molded plastic cuff at one end of a double flexible tube electrified vacuum hose for a wet/dry vacuum cleaner includes an integral molded plastic pocket bearing an elongated receptacle body of insulation material. The body includes two laterally spaced bores, counterbored from one end, which counterbores bear enlarged peripheral recesses intermediate of their ends. Cylindrical plungers sized to the counterbores and having a radially enlarged collar intermediate of their ends, in excess of the diameter of the counterbore but less than the peripheral recess, are slidably mounted therein with the collar positioned in the radial recess. A coil spring sized to the peripheral recess is compressed between the collar and one end of the radial recess to spring bias the plunger away from the bore. An O-ring seal whose outside diameter is approximately equal to that of the radial recess is positioned on the plunger to the side of the collar opposite that of the coil spring.

Abstract: The hose, which is particularly adapted for use with an electrically-driven vacuum cleaning apparatus, comprises a substantially air-tight, flexible tube which is pneumatically coupled between the vacuum pump and the suction head. The suction hose comprises one or more elongated strips which is or are helically wound into tubular form. In a pair of parallelly placed strips, the strip margin of the first strip is secured to an adjacent margin of the second strip at adjoining convolutions of the strips. Electrical conductors are carried by the strips within helically extending cavities formed at the edges or margins of each of the strips and are a portion of that means which electrically couples the cleaning brush to the electrical power supply.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner floor tool is provided which comprises a housing and an air-powered turbine motor within the housing. An agitator partially extends from the housing and is coupled to the turbine motor and driven thereby. At least one end of the agitator is supported by a substantially L-shaped spring metal strip having one end supported in a notch in the base plate of the floor tool and the other end supported on a stub on the base plate of the floor tool. The base plate of the floor tool is removably mounted on the housing and forms a wall thereof. The agitator extends from the housing through an opening in the base plate, and air passes through this opening into the turbine motor. The floor tool is coupled to a vacuum cleaner wand or hose by means of an elbow coupling, and the elbow coupling has a latch which comprises a protrusion on the elbow itself and a latch plate having a protrusion thereon, the latch plate being spring-biased towards the elbow coupling.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner floor tool is provided which comprises a housing, an air-powered turbine motor in the housing and an agitator partially extending from the housing. The agitator has spiral grooves therein which hold agitating devices, such as brushes or beater bars, and one end of the agitator is reduced or turned down to form a reduced diameter portion. The diameter of the reduced diameter portion is such that the spiral grooves form substantially flat surfaces and these surfaces are engaged by lugs on a connector fitted over the reduced portion. A transmission belt interconnects the connector with the turbine motor in order to drive the agitator. The floor tool has a removable base plate mounted on the housing which forms one wall thereof, and the agitator extends from the housing through an opening in the base plate.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner floor tool is provided which comprises a housing formed by upper and lower members which mate with one another along a single plane inclined with respect to the base plane or bottom of the lower member. An air-powered turbine motor is positioned in the housing and includes a turbine chamber for the turbine motor, and a rotary floor agitator is provided which partially extends from the housing. The agitator is coupled to the turbine motor and is driven thereby. A base plate is removably mounted on the housing and forms a portion of a wall thereof, with the agitator extending from the housing through an opening in the base plate. Air passes through the opening in the base plate into the turbine chamber. The base plate includes a ramp which extends from the base plate into the housing, where the ramp and a portion of the turbine chamber form a nozzle for the turbine motor.

Abstract: A vacuum hose assembly, method of making same, and vacuum cleaner using same are provided wherein the hose assembly has a chamber in at least one of a pair of hose connectors thereof wherein such chamber is readily opened and closed and a protective device is disposed within the chamber and electrically connected to the electrical circuit of the vacuum hose assembly and the device is sensitive to practically every type of fault capable of causing injury to humans and operates to interrupt the electrical circuit therethrough upon detection of a fault.

Abstract: An electric motor construction and method particularly adapted for integration in rotating final drive members. The motor includes a hollow armature assembly rotatably supported about a permanent magnet stator. The armature assembly includes a winding preferably fabricated by printed circuit techniques in the form of flat conductors clad on a flexible dielectric sheet rolled into a tube and a soft magnetic tube circumferentially surrounding the winding to provide a structural support and a heat sink for the winding and a flux return path for the poles of the permanent magnet stator. In the preferred embodiment, the motor is integrated in the cleaning brush of a vacuum sweeper unit.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner comprising a main body incorporating an electric fan and a dust collector, a nozzle having a motor-driven rotary brush therein, a flexible hose having one end connected to the main body, a bent pipe connected to the other end of the flexible hose, and an extension pipe connecting the bent pipe to the nozzle. An electrical cord extending from the nozzle and connected to the other end of the flexible hose is tensioned to extend along the extension pipe and the bent pipe and partly covered with a cord cover over the portion thereof coextensive with the bent pipe. The cord will not interfere with the movement of the nozzle, assuring an easy cleaning operation.

Abstract: A suction cleaner power nozzle has auxiliary, main and bottom plate members releaseably assembled to form a nozzle housing having separated upper and lower compartments. The lower compartment includes a nozzle mouth in which a rotary brush is located. Support wheels and wheel height adjusting mechanism also are located in the lower compartment. Brush drive motor means are located in the upper compartment, and the auxiliary housing member is replaceable without disassembly of the remainder of the nozzle or its components.

Abstract: A vacuum hose assembly, method of making same, and vacuum cleaner employing same are provided wherein the hose assembly comprises a thermally actuated switch which breaks the electrical circuit through cooperating electrical leads of an electrical system thereof once a predetermined temperature level is reached by the switch to prevent the possibility of fire and electrical shock in the event of fire-exposed leads.

Abstract: A suction cleaner power nozzle adapted to be mounted on the end of a cleaning wand has a rotating cleaning brush driven by an electric motor connected by a belt to the center of the brush to provide uniform forces on the brush end support bearings. A three-section plate forms the nozzle housing closure and base. One section of the plate covers the motor compartment and a second section of the plate covers the brush adjustment means. Each of these plates is held in place by a simple removable screw. A third section of the plate covers the suction duct and brush suction chamber and is removably mounted on the housing by spring biased clips to provide easy access to the suction duct and chamber. A pair of front nozzle wheels are rotatably journaled on the ends of a lever which is pivotally mounted on the housing. A threaded manually operated screw is operatively engaged with the lever to obtain numerous adjustment positions of the brush and suction chamber with respect to a surface being cleaned.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner structure having a motor driven suction unit and a motor driven rotary brush. A control is provided for selectively operating the driven brush independently of the operation of the suction unit. The control may comprise a switch mounted to a handle portion of the vacuum cleaner and may be biased to prevent operation of the driven brush upon release of the handle by the user.

Abstract: The suction hose interconnecting the vacuum pump of a cleaning machine with the vacuum head is constructed from two concentric flexible tubes. The cable interconnecting the drive motor for the vacuum head with the vacuum pump casing, and thence with the supply network, extends through the space between the aforementioned concentric tubes of the suction hose. Suitable connectors are provided at both ends of the cable to engage with mating connector parts at the vacuum pump and vacuum head of the cleaning machine, respectively.

Abstract: A suction cleaner, wherein the interior of a container thereof is divided into two chambers, namely, the first chamber and the second chamber, by a partition, and the first chamber accommodates a suction fan, a filter member and a dust-receiving box installed therein while the second chamber randomly stores a suction hose, the rear end of said hose being rotatably supported within an opening provided in said partition while the front end of said hose projects out of an opening provided on one side of said container; a device for the paying-out and hauling-in of the hose is installed adjacent the inside of said opening provided on the container; lead wires are provided for the hose along the whole length thereof, the front end of said lead wires being connected with a switch mounted on the hose while the rear end of the same being connected with a ring contact provided on the hose; said movable contact is devised to be in touch with a fixed contact provided on the partition; and said fixed contact is connected

Abstract: A self-propelled pipe cleaner uses a body shaped to conform to the inside of a pipe with the axial extent of the body covered with a bristle pile material extending outward from the body to engage the inside of the pipe. The pile has resilient bristles uniformly inclined rearwardly relative to a forward direction of motion of the body. A vibrator is mounted within the body and energized for vibrating the body reciprocally and axially so the bristles engaging the inside of the pipe move the cleaner forward through the pipe for cleaning the pipe.