Abstract: The control apparatus and vehicle of the invention for controlling a broom and blower system attached to the vehicle typically includes several modules (which may be software, hardware, or a combination of these) which interact to process command inputs. Thus, broom state, broom height, and broom direction command modules are all logically connected to a command input module. Similarly, blower state (blower on/off) and direction (blower left/right) modules are also logically connected to the command input module. The method of the invention for operating a broom and a blower includes the steps of receiving a command input, measuring the duration of the command input, and determining whether the command input is a broom state command, a broom height command, a broom direction command, a blower state command, or a blower direction command. If the command is one which requires selection of an intermediate position, then the command is followed as long as the command is entered.

Abstract: A brushroll for a vacuum cleaner includes a roll body with a first end, a second end and a rotational axis. A first bore extends from the first end to the second end along the rotational axis. The roll body further includes a first connecting element located at the roll body second end. The brushroll further has a pulley including a first end, a second end and a rotational axis. A second centrally positioned bore extends from the pulley first end to the pulley second end along the pulley rotational axis. The pulley further includes a second connecting element located at the pulley first end for engaging the first connecting element. A shaft extends through the first and second bores. At least one bearing is mounted on the shaft and rotatably mounts at least one of the roll body and the pulley to the shaft.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner brushroll having skirted, one piece plastic ferrules inserted into the ends of a tufted, wood spindle so that the ferrule skirts embrace the spindle end portions to prevent the ferrules from loosening upon expansion of the spindle due to moisture. The skirts are drilled to permit angled tufting to be inserted very near the spindle ends with the tufting extending axially and radially outwardly beyond the spindle ends to provide improved edge cleaning and create a wider cleaning path compared to conventional brushroll designs.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner brushroll including a spindle, bristle tufts carried by the spindle, and sleeves fitted on the ends of the spindle, the bristle tufts including angled end tufts that extend through the sleeve outwardly beyond the ends of the spindle to provide a wide cleaning path and improved edge cleaning capability upon rotation of the brushroll. The sleeve on one end of the brushroll has a pulley.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner brushroll having angled tuft patterns effective to increase cleanability performance of the vacuum. The brushroll comprises a spindle and at least two patterns of bristled tufts. The patterns may be helical shaped rows. The rows may define tuft pairs, wherein each tuft in a pair is equidistant from a spindle each and shares a common sweeping path. A majority of the pairs are formed by tufts that are alternatively positioned at acute and obtuse angles to the spindle axis of the brushroll. Two tufts within a pair may be positioned at supplementary angles.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner brushroll including a spindle, bristle tufts carried by the spindle, and sleeves fitted on the ends of the spindle, the bristle tufts including angled end tufts that extend through the sleeve outwardly beyond the ends of the spindle to provide a wide cleaning path and improved edge cleaning capability upon rotation of the brushroll. The sleeve on one end of the brushroll has a pulley.

Abstract: An agitator for use with cleaning machines, as well as methods for making the same, are shown and described. The agitator is configured to facilitate the removal of elongated fibers therefrom. In one embodiment, the agitator has a rotatable member with opposing first and second ends, an axis of rotation extending between the first and second ends, and an external surface extending at least partially between the first and second ends. A number of projections are attached to the external surface of the agitator. One or both of the ends of the agitator are configured to rotatably engage the cleaning machine, such as at a bearing or other connector. The external surface of the rotatable member has a first portion that is substantially cylindrical about the axis of rotation, and a second portion separate from the first portion that has at least a first depression.

Abstract: An upright electric cleaning device includes a floor suction tool formed with a long suction opening on the bottom surface thereof. A rotating brush holding chamber holds a rotating brush that extends to this long suction opening. A suction opening leading to the main cleaning device unit is formed toward one end of the rear wall of the rotating brush holding chamber. A rib, formed on the upper section of the rotating brush holding chamber, extends along the length of the rotating brush, near the rotation path of the rotating brush. An air current path is formed to take dust drawn up by the rotating brush and stopped by the rib and suck it into the suction opening leading to the main cleaning device unit. The air current path is shaped so that its cross section is smaller at an end of the air current path remote from the suction opening than it is near the suction opening to increase flow speed at the remote end.

Abstract: A water extraction device aids in extracting water or other liquids from a floor covering such as a carpet and an associated pad. The device has a housing which has a generally cylindrical cavity defined within its interior, and a rotor assembly housed in the cavity. The bottom of the housing has a downwardly facing opening defined therethrough which extends laterally across the bottom of the device, and the rotor assembly protrudes through the opening to provide a means for easy movement of the device by an operator. The housing has a passageway defined through one portion thereof to provide a fluid connection between the cavity within the housing and a vacuum source which is externally applied to the device. The rotor assembly is preferably assembled from a plurality of spoked wheels mounted on a rotor shaft fashioned to be held in eccentric bearings mounted in the sides of the device. There is no significant compression of the carpet or pad since the device does not “wring-out” the carpet.

Abstract: According to the invention, a portable surface cleaning apparatus includes a fluid recovery system, a liquid dispensing system, and a rotatable agitation brush comprising a brush body and having a plurality of pliable agitation elements mounted along the brush body for contacting a surface to be cleaned. The agitation elements include a face extending along a length which is sufficient to draw the face across the surface to be cleaned as the brush body is rotated. The agitation elements are formed of elongated straps of fabric having a roughened or textured face and that can be formed of nylon knit strapping, synthetic felt, polyester velour, the loop portion of a hook-and-loop fastener system, pressed fiber material, microfiber polishing cloth, or reinforced synthetic fabric, or, in the alternative, formed of elongated fabric threads or string having a roughened or textured surface and formed of cotton roping or braided polyester threads.

Abstract: A vacuum sweeper roller brush having tuft segments arranged in straight lines is employed to slap the carpet and dislodge particulate dirt and dust lodged therein. The tuft segments are made up of groups of tufts and each tuft segment has a corresponding tuft segment spaced apart from the first tuft segment. The tuft segments are arranged in a double helix or partially in a first double helix and partially in a second double helix. Alternatively, a single helix may be used. Other embodiments employ tufts which link one tuft segment to another in a stepped pattern or employ tuft segments which link tuft segments together in a helical pattern.

Abstract: A suction head of a vacuum cleaner with a power brush is provided. In the suction head of the vacuum cleaner with the power brush, the power brush rotatively contacts objects to be cleaned and separates alien substances from the objects to be cleaned, to thus let the vacuum cleaner suck up the alien substances.

Abstract: A suction cleaner nozzle has a nozzle body enclosing an agitator chamber, which has an elongated suction inlet opening. An agitator is disposed in the agitator chamber such that the agitator extends partially through the suction inlet opening for agitating a surface to be cleaned. A duct is connected to the nozzle body and located adjacent the agitator chamber. The duct extends parallel to the rotative axis of the agitator. A turbine rotor is rotatably connected to the nozzle body and operatively connected to the agitator.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner includes a nozzle assembly having a nozzle cavity and a canister assembly pivotally connected to the nozzle assembly. A dust bag is carried by the canister assembly. A dirty air pathway provides fluid communication between the nozzle cavity and dust bag. A suction generator generates a vacuum for drawing dirt and debris from the nozzle cavity, through the dirty air pathway to the dust bag. The dirty air pathway includes dual suction ports carried on the nozzle assembly in fluid communication with the nozzle cavity, a splitter carried on the canister assembly, dual suction hoses in fluid communication between the dual suction ports and the splitter, a removable bag mount carried on the canister assembly and a feed conduit on the canister assembly which provides fluid communication between the splitter and the removable bag mount.

Abstract: A suction nozzle for a floor care appliance such as an upright vacuum cleaner having at least a first channel located above an agitator to carry air and dirt to a suction passageway. The cleaner has several embodiments, one of which has a single channel and a single agitator. Another embodiment has front and rear suction ducts, a channel, and a single agitator. Yet another embodiment has the single channel and dual agitators. Still yet another embodiment has front and rear suction ducts and dual agitators. Further yet still, another embodiment has front and rear suction ducts, a channel, and dual agitators. Several embodiments of an agitator drive assembly are provided using various means to provide rotary power to the agitator(s).

Abstract: A carpet cleaning apparatus is disclosed with a loop agitator. The loop agitator comprises a spindle with a plurality of flexible loops attached to the spindle. A blade is provided in close relative proximity to the agitator for severing hair and other fibers that become entangled on the agitator.

Abstract: A nozzle unit for an electric vacuum cleaner has a body case 32 with a nozzle 34a open toward a surface to be cleaned, a first pipe 35 coupled to the body case 32 so as to be rotatable in the direction J1, and a second pipe 36 coupled to the first pipe 35 so as to be rotatable in the direction J2. A first and a second air flow passage, formed inside the first and second pipes 35 and 36 respectively, are arranged substantially in a straight line as seen in a side view. The first pipe 35 has a sliding portion 35a that has an arc-shaped cross section and that slides along the inner surface of the body case 32, and this sliding portion 35a is arranged inside the body case 32, which is substantially rectangular, as seen in a plan view.

Abstract: A carpet cleaning apparatus is disclosed with a loop agitator. The loop agitator comprises a spindle with a plurality of flexible loops attached to the spindle. A blade is provided in close relative proximity to the agitator for severing hair and other fibers that become entangled on the agitator. A de-foaming device is included that automatically dispenses a de-foaming chemical. The de-foaming device comprises at least two electrodes that allow foam to complete a circuit to open a solenoid valve. Negative vacuum pressure is allowed to disburse the de-foaming chemical. The device also comprises a basket with a mesh bag for straining wastewater and removing debris. Wastewater drains into a wastewater tank where an electrode switch is provided for activating a wastewater pump.

Abstract: A multipurpose tool for cleaning machines, comprising a box-like body which is interchangeably associable with a cleaning machine adequately provided with a power outlet and is movable on wheels; a front advancement part of the body is arranged transversely to a main direction of movement, so as to form a housing which accommodates a roller which is provided with bristles and is moved, by way of transmission means, by an electric motor which is accommodated within the body. The body is articulated to a connecting element adapted to provide a detachable connection to the machine with a dirt suction duct. The bristle-fitted roller is replaceable, and an inlet of the suction duct can be opened and closed by way of the presence of a passage flow control flap.

Abstract: A nozzle base for a vacuum cleaner includes an upright front wall, an upright rear wall spaced from the front wall and having a suction air aperture, first and second upright side walls extending transversely between mutual end edges of the front and rear walls, respectively, and an upper wall joined to the front wall, rear wall, first side wall, and second side wall to define a downwardly opening chamber adapted to rotatably support an associated agitator therein. The upper wall has an intermediate section above the suction air aperture, a first wall section tapering downward from the intermediate section in a direction toward the first upright sidewall, and a second wall section tapering downward from the intermediate section in a direction toward the second upright sidewall. The second wall section terminates at a height below an uppermost extent of the agitator, and the second wall section including a recess adapted to conform generally to the agitator.

Abstract: An accessory system for a ductwork cleaning machine that utilizes a vacuum hose having a rotating cleaning brush the vacuum and the power for the rotating brush being supplied from a remote power unit with a rotating drive cable being located within the vacuum hose. The accessories permit more efficient operation of the ductwork cleaning system. The first accessory is an improved nozzle for mounting the rotating brush which permits large vacuum openings without the risk of an operator becoming entangled with the rotating cable. A second accessory prevents the cable from withdrawing within the vacuum hose when the hose is disconnected from the power unit. The third to accessory is attached to the power unit and guides the guide cable into place as the vacuum hose is attached to the power unit.

Abstract: A duct cleaning device including a flexible conduit having a first end and a second end with inlets at first end and outlets at second end to allow air to circulate within the conduit. A whipper located at first end is rotated by a drive shaft, housed within the conduit, and powered by an air-activated drive system located near to the whipper at first end of the conduit. A stationary circular brush is also located around the conduit near its first end. In operation, the air-activated drive system is activated by air passing though the conduit preferably when a vacuum is applied. The vacuum is created a pressure reducing air pump To which the second end of the conduit is attached. The device may be mounted with a dolly, and displaced within a duct using rods attached to the dolly. The loosened debris generated by the action of The whipper and brush on the internal surfaces of the duct are aspirated through the inlets and into the conduit by the vacuum.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner suction nozzle is provided with inner front and rear ducts and a duct cover piece disposed within the agitator chamber. This chamber is formed by a tunnel piece that is at least partly user observable from above the nozzle. The nozzle includes a hood piece which melds with its underbody at, at least, a portion of their juncture. This is occasioned by an offset in their underbody.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner for cleaning floors or carpets, having a suction mouth (6), a base plate (5), which encloses the suction mouth (6), and a suction line, electrostatic charging of parts of the vacuum cleaner being provided in order to assist the dust uptake. In order advantageously to provide the vacuum cleaner with the dust uptake being assisted by electrostatic charging, the base plate (5) is electrostatically charged, and the electrostatic charging is carried out by a separate generator (8) provided in the vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: A rain-gutter cleaning system has an agitator head that is mounted to the top end of a long suction tube and pole and supported aloft by them. A vacuum pump on the ground is connected to bring rain-gutter debris down the suction tube and into a collection bag. The agitator head includes rotating paddles that tear and break up tangles and clogs encountered in a rain gutter and has a rotating auger screw inside that helps direct the loosened debris down the throat of the suction tube. A camera mounted atop the agitator head allows an operator on the ground below to see the inside of the rain gutter on a small monitor screen.

Abstract: The flooding device is disclosed coupled to a suction pump truck by flexible conduit. The deflooding device includes a suction chamber having a downward facing opening therein and a compression element, namely a roller, protruding therefrom. The roller has openings or other structure to allow water to exist beneath the roller while the roller is compressing the carpet nap. A propulsion system including a motor drive system attached to the roller allows the unit to be self-propelled across the carpet.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaning tool, especially a suction nozzle for the floor, is provided. The tool includes a housing having a suction chamber that is connected to a vacuum cleaning unit by a connector. Disposed in the suction chamber is a brush roller, the bristles of which extend through a suction opening. The brush roller is rotatably disposed in the housing between lateral mounting pieces, which are held by respective pivot arms in such a way on a pivot element provided in the housing that the brush roller can be pivoted out of the suction chamber about a pivot axis that is disposed approximately parallel to the brush roller. One of the pivot arms is detachably connected with the pivot element via a plug connection, which is provided with electrical plug contacts via which the electrical line of an electric drive motor disposed in the brush roller can be connected with an external power source.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner beater brush for lifting dirt from carpeted surfaces without damaging the carpet's fibers. The vacuum cleaner beater brush includes an elongate roller with a pair of opposite ends, and an outer side surface. Each of the ends of the roller has a mounting stud outwardly extending from the respective end of the roller. The outer side surface of the roller is divided into a pair of generally equal sized regions. The roller has a plurality of resiliently deflectable elongate prongs outwardly extending from a first of the regions of the outer side surface of the roller. The roller has a plurality of resilient bristles outwardly extending from a second of the regions of the outer side surface of the roller.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner comprising a housing having an elongated transverse brush cavity with an elongated cylindrical brush therein, a duct having an air flow nozzle adjacent the brush cavity for receiving dirt-entrained air from the brush cavity, a vacuum motor operably associated with the duct and nozzle to draw dirt-entrained air through the nozzle and duct, and the brush cavity having a wrap configuration geometry over the brush including an elongated reflective ledge angled laterally upwardly toward the nozzle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner suction apparatus comprising an upper cover connected to a lower cover which has a void for installation of a rotary brush with a plurality of rotary vanes along a rotary shaft, first and second diaphragms with grooves at both sides of the void and a third diaphragm to form a duct over the second diaphragm and a certain shape of an air inlet between the lower cover and the first diaphragm to infuse outside air, thereby improving the suction efficiency of transporting the dust and foreign objects sucked through an air inlet, the void and a connecting pipe and thereby simplifying the number of parts and improvement of productivity as the rotary brush is driven by suction force of outside air and turning effect of the rotary vanes.

Abstract: This invention is a portable device for cleaning air ducts, other parts of ventilation systems, and similar spaces. The device prevents motor burn-out by providing an adjustable slipping means in the transmission connecting the motor's shaft to a cleaning tool.

Abstract: In order to adjust a degree of tight contact between a floor surface and a suction member of a vacuum cleaner, and to facilitate operation of the vacuum cleaner, an air flow adjusting valve is provided at a left end of an upper plate of the suction member. When a negative pressure in an inner chamber reaches to a certain valve, the air flow adjusting valve is opened and air is introduced through an air inlet. This facilitates movement of the suction member over the floor surface.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner suction nozzle is provided with inner front and rear ducts and a duct cover piece disposed within the agitator chamber. This chamber is formed by a tunnel piece that is at least partly user observable from above the nozzle. The nozzle includes a hood piece which melds with its underbody at, at least, a portion of their juncture. This is occasioned by an offset or undercut formed in one of the hood piece or underbody, whereby the hood piece and underbody join with coplaner outer surfaces.

Abstract: A dirt conveying duct arrangement is formed between a nozzle and motor-fan of a vacuum cleaner and includes front and rear duct sections. The front duct section is open at the bottom thereof and covered by a removable bottom plate. The rear duct section is open at the top thereof and is covered by a removable top duct cover. The two-section dirt conveying duct arrangement allows clogs to be removed along the entire length thereof. The corner formed between the rear duct section and the motor-fan inlet may be molded with a radius to improve airflow into the motor-fan and limit losses in suction pressure.

Abstract: A self-propelled upright vacuum cleaner is provided having a lower portion and an upright handle portion pivotally attached to the floor engaging portion for a pivotal motion between an upright storage position and a pivotal operating position. A drive wheel mounted to the floor engaging portion. A transmission operatively connected to the drive wheel and a motor drivingly connected to the transmission for driving the drive wheel in forward and reverse. A transmission actuator arm pivotally mounted to the floor engaging portion adjacent to the transmission for pivotal motion about a pivot axis located at a central portion of the actuator arm. A manual actuator mounted to the handle portion.

Abstract: An apparatus, for brushing particulate material and the like from a surface, has a rotating brush, for example a cylindrical brush driven by hydraulic motor. The brush can be applied lightly to a surface and rotated relatively slowly, so as to brush material from the surface and project it forwardly. A strong air jet is provided in front of the brush and across the front of it, so as to pick up and entrain debris, snow, etc. brushed from the surface and blow or carry it laterally to one side. To dislodge material adhering to the bristles of the brush and prevent this from being carried behind it, a secondary, stripper nozzle is provided across the front of the brush for removing such material and causing it to drop in front of the brush. The apparatus enables the complete cleaning of a surface, for example an airport runway, in a single pass, and enables low brush pressure and speed to be provided, giving increased brush life.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner includes a main body, a floor nozzle unit, and a float plate or float unit. The main body has a motor fan for generating a suction force and a dust-collection chamber for collecting dust. The motor fan provides the suction force to the dust collection chamber. The floor nozzle unit is disposed under the main body. The floor nozzle unit has an inlet port connected to the dust-collection chamber for attracting dust on a floor into the dust-collection chamber by the suction force of said motor fan. The float plate or float unit is disposed on a lower face of the floor nozzle unit. The float plate or float unit includes a floor opposing face where an outlet port is formed for spouting discharge air to the floor from the motor fan. The float face is located around the outlet port to receive a lifting force produced by pressure of the discharge air between the float face and the floor to be cleaned.

Abstract: An improved power-driven brush assembly is disclosed, useful for cleaning the interior surfaces of ducts, pipes, and other similar structures. The apparatus comprises a cable having a brush at one end, and a motor at the other end for spinning the cable and the brush. A casing surrounds the cable, allowing a fluid to be injected through the casing to the brush. A fluid directing assembly at the end of the casing near the brush allows fluid to the be injected into the duct in a desired direction, to flush particulate matter from the vicinity of the brush.

Abstract: A hand-held, pocket size vacuum with scraper combination is disclosed which is primarily for use when rubbing off and cleaning up the scrapings left behind from a "scratch-off" lottery ticket. Activated by a power switch and battery, the DC Motor and centrifugal blower are located directly above a removable residue cartridge with filter. The centrifugal blower creates a flow of air between an intake port and discharge ports which flows past the storage container which collects the scrapings for subsequent disposal. The device becomes a scraping device through use of the scraper blade or abrasive wheel mechanism which is affixed to one end of the unit near the vacuum intake port.

Abstract: A vacuum hose assembly includes an air inlet connector, a flexible hose, and rigid tube. Screw threads are provided on one end of the air inlet connector. Screw threads are also provided on one end of the rigid tube. The three components of the hose assembly are coupled by screwing one component to another. Therefore, the air inlet connector is coupled to the flexible hose by screwing the air inlet connector into the flexible hose so that the screw threads of the air inlet connector engage with the ridges of the flexible hose. Furthermore, the rigid tube is coupled to the flexible hose by screwing the rigid tube into the flexible hose so that the screw threads of the rigid tube engage with the ridges of the flexible hose.

Abstract: A debris cleaning device is equipped with a compound auger which has a rigid inner auger portion with auger fighting and a plurality of compliant combing attachments connected to the edge of the fighting. Instead of the compound auger, a helical rotary brush with a dense inner region of shorter stiffer bristles and a less populous outer region of longer bristles may be used. The cleaning device also has a suction mechanism with a nozzle located about at the midway point of the length of the auger (or rotary brush). The auger (or rotary brush) is positioned horizontally with its rotational axis co-linear with, or parallel to, an axle of supporting wheels so that the auger (or rotary brush) follows the contour of the surface being cleaned as do the wheels, thereby preventing the auger (or rotary brush) from digging into uneven terrain.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner is provided which includes a sound muffler which, according to one aspect of the invention, may be combined with an accessory selector valve. The vacuum cleaner includes a height adjustment mechanism which eliminates positioning detents along the cam adjustment surface. The vacuum cleaner also includes a vacuum bag mounting arrangement which insures that the bag will not project above a handle parting plane, thus reducing the size of the shipping carton.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaning device has a suction nozzle with a housing and an air guide chamber. The housing has an inflow opening. The suction nozzle further has a brush roller rotatably mounted adjacent to the inflow opening inside the housing. A bearing shaft is mounted within the housing. An air turbine is rotatably supported on the bearing shaft and driven in rotation by the suction air stream generated with the vacuum cleaning device. The bearing shaft has a longitudinal axis and the axis of rotation of the air turbine coincides with the longitudinal axis. The air turbine rotates at a different rpm than the bearing shaft. A planetary gear system is operatively connected between the air turbine and the bearing shaft. The planetary gear system is positioned at least partially within the air guide chamber within the vicinity of a first axial end face of the air turbine such that the air turbine at least partially axially overlaps the planetary gear system.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner with a floor traveling head having a housing, a rotatable brush, and two motors. The housing has a suction inlet with an entrance at its bottom and a separate pocket in the bottom of the housing for the rotatable brush. A wall of the housing separates the pocket from the suction inlet such that the entrance to the suction inlet has a relatively small area to maximize vacuum pull at the entrance. The suction inlet has a lower section with straight wall sections that are angled to form smaller areas at the lateral ends of the suction inlet. The suction inlet has an exit aperture directly into a collection assembly such that air velocity increases from the lower section to the upper section and then decreases from the upper section into the collection assembly.

Abstract: A cleaning device for connecting to a wet vacuum cleaner is disclosed. The device includes a mouth piece with a rotably mounted cleaning roller and a liquid reservoir coupled to a manifold nozzle for wetting the roller. In operation, the liquid wets the roller, the roller rotates to scrub a surface and the mouth piece is connected to an operating wet vacuum cleaner so that air is drawn through the mouth piece along with debris directly from the surface and from the roller.

Abstract: A rotary brush is especially useful in vacuum cleaning of duct interiors. The brush has a hub with a center hole for receiving a drive shaft of a power tool, an annular collar positioned over the hub, and a low density strand set of polymeric flexible strands extending from the annular collar. The collar has a set of substantially uniformly spaced radial holes to receive the strands. The strand set of polymeric flexible strands is capable of being bent axially of the annular collar so as to access the duct's interior through a small opening. The strand set is also capable of bending radially during a cleaning process. The low density of strands ensures that efficient vacuuming of debris loosened by the rotary brush is accomplished.

Abstract: In a method for cleaning and/or care or floors and/or floor coverings of all types such as carpets, plastics, linoleum, parquet, ceramic, ceramic tiles or marble, etc., with a single-disk or multi-disk rotary machine having at least one drive dish, whereby the floor covering is treated with a cleaning and/or care substrate upon application of heat on a case-by-case basis, an especially good and economical operation succeeds in that a stream of hot air and/or heated auxiliary medium is employed as heat carrier and activation medium, and the hot air stream and/or heated auxiliary medium proceeds onto the floor surface through the drive dish. An apparatus suitable for this purpose comprises a drive dish provided with clearances and comprises a hot air generator. The drive dish can be fashioned as a brush at its underside and/or can have an interactive connection to a co-rotating pad.

Abstract: An in-duct cleaning apparatus characterized by comprising a traveling truck, an ejection nozzle body for ejecting compressed air, a cleaning brush body, and a remote-control portion; the ejection nozzle body being attached to the front part of the traveling truck and made to rotate, the cleaning brush body being attached to the circumferential part of the ejection nozzle body, and the remote-control portion being able to control remotely the traveling of the traveling truck and the rotation of the ejection nozzle body.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner has a floating function for lifting the upright vacuum cleaner in a cleaning operation by spouting discharge air flow to a floor to be cleaned, and at least a suction-air inlet port for sucking air with dusts is arranged at an outer portion of a bottom face of a floor nozzle unit of the upright vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner suction nozzle having a rotating agitator is provided with at least a rearward suction duct extending transversely along the nozzle and having a bottom side serving as the rear lip of the nozzle. A forward suction duct may also be included in a similar configuration and have a bottom side formed by a front lip of the nozzle. The rear and/or forward suction ducts may also include a constant velocity attribute by increasing in size from their entrant ends to their discharge ends.