Abstract: The present invention is a mat system, having two embodiments, each of which are capable of removing the dirt from the soles of mat users' shoes. The mats are comprised of a plurality of individual tiles that interlock along complementary edge portions. One embodiment of the mat system is a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) mat that has a plurality of projections that remove dirt. The second embodiment, also having a TPE structure and a lesser number of projections, features several carpet strips that provide additional dirt removal means. Once the individual tiles are connected, the outermost complementary edges may be covered by a plurality of border strips that provide an aesthetically pleasing and functionally necessary finished edge to the mat. The border strips are secured to one another by a mechanical clip that is also described.

Abstract: In order to simplify the construction of the mounting arrangement in a sweeping machine including a rotatably driven brushing roller which is rotatably mounted at each end in a frame and is driven at one end by a gear wheel which forms the mounting for the brushing roller at this end and the teeth of which engage in driver recesses in the brushing roller, it is proposed that the brushing roller be displaceable in an axial direction against the effect of a spring towards the gear wheel to such an extent that the mounting of the brushing roller at the end thereof remote from the gear wheel will disengage, and that the teeth of the gear wheel should engage in the driver recesses with so much play that the thus axially displaced brushing roller can be pivoted out from the region of the mounting by at least the radius of the brushing roller at said end remote from the gear wheel.

Abstract: A motor is incorporated in a cylindrical body which is a rotary brush. Rotation of a rotor of the motor, directly or via a speed reduction mechanism, drives the rotary brush. Cooling air runs through the cylindrical body so that the motor is cooled and protected. The rotary brush and an electric apparatus using the rotary brush can be downsized and easily.

Abstract: A brush roller assembly for a vacuum cleaner sweeper which includes a rotatable spindle having a longitudinal axis, a first end, a second end and a central portion, a first bladed disk positioned on the first end of the rotatable spindle, the first bladed disk including a central portion which is positioned substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rotatable spindle when the first bladed disk is positioned on the first end of the rotatable spindle and at least one fan blade projection outwardly extending from the periphery of the central portion of the first bladed disk, the at least one fan blade projection being oriented to facilitate the movement of outside air from the first end of the rotatable spindle toward the central portion of the rotatable spindle, a first end cap attached to the first end of the rotatable spindle, a second bladed disk positioned on the second end of the rotatable spindle, the second bladed disk including a central portion which is positioned substantially perpend

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 vacuum cleaner head has a casing having a dirty air inlet and a brush mounted above the dirty air inlet and moveable with respect to the dirty air inlet. The brush is pivotally mounted to the casing by a pivot member at a position forward of the brush. The pivot member transmits force generated by the rotation of the brush to the casing thereby reducing the required offsetting upward biasing force and permitting effective floating of brush in the vacuum cleaner head.

Abstract: A brushroll having a pulley driven spindle with an end assembly at each end rotatably mounting the spindle in a vacuum cleaner nozzle. On the pulley end of the spindle, a projecting pin is knurled at one end and inserted into the end of the spindle. An outboard portion of the pin is threaded. The knurling on the pin forms an abutment shoulder outboard of the end of the spindle. The drive pulley is threaded onto the threaded end of the pin until it contacts a bearing and presses it against the abutment shoulder, so as to prevent the pin from being jacked out of the spindle when the pulley is threaded onto the pin.

Abstract: A motorized power head for a machine for cleaning upholstery, carpeting or hard floors includes a spray nozzle for distributing a clean spray solution on a selected area enclosed by the power head. A cylindrical rotating brush is driven by a two-speed motor housed in the power head to work the solution into the carpet to clean the selected area. A suction nozzle picks up the spent solution together with loosened dirt and grime. The power head may be used as a close-up applicator with a handle adjacent the power head, or as a stand-up applicator with an extension inserted between the handle and the power head. The brush is easily removed for replacement or for converting the apparatus for different applications.

Abstract: Disclosed is a power brush for a vacuum cleaner by which dust is easily sucked into the vacuum cleaner with reduced noise and which can be easily manufactured. A brush body sucks dust by making contact with a floor. The brush body is provided at an end of a rigid wand which is connected to a vacuum cleaner body. A bottom portion of the brush body is open so that an air is introduced therein. A rotatable roller is provided at the bottom portion of the brush body. A pair of driving fans for generating a rotational force to rotate the rotatable roller are provided at both sides of the rotatable roller. The driving fans are driven by a dustless air which is introduced into the brush body through the air inlet holes which are formed at the front of the brush body.

Abstract: Disclosed is a carpet cleaning machine having a revolving, cylinder-shaped, double-ended carpet cleaning member powered by a gear-driven drive shaft for removing dirty material from a carpet. In the improvement, the drive shaft is coupled to the first end and an idler shaft is coupled to the second end, is spaced from the drive shaft and supports the second end for rotation. Double-ended support of the cleaning member materially reduces problems arising from cantilever shafts used in prior art machines to drive cleaning members. Another embodiment has a centrifugal separator with an air stream exit mouth and two flow guides fixed with respect to such mouth. The flow guides have differing aperture areas and a cavity is between the guides for capturing material otherwise permitted to flow downstream and prematurely clog a mesh filter.

Abstract: A concentric roller pin for use in combination with a roller member of a vacuum cleaner wherein the concentric roller pin includes an inner end, an outer end and an intermediate portion. The inner end of the concentric roller pin is tapered and terminates in a transverse face. The transverse face of the concentric roller pin abuts a corresponding face in a tapered bore of the roller member. The intermediate portion of the concentric roller pin includes an outer knurled surface for securing the concentric roller pin to the roller member. The outer end of the concentric roller pin includes a bearing surface, a bearing lip, and an axial bore. The axial bore of the outer end of the concentric roller pin facilitates deformation thereof for securing a bearing against the bearing lip and the bearing surface.

Abstract: A nozzle for a vacuum cleaner including a brush-roll and wheels. The nozzle is partly supported above a surface being cleaned by the wheels. The brush-roll and the wheels are concentric with each other.

Abstract: A concentric roller pin for use in combination with a roller member of a vacuum cleaner wherein the concentric roller pin includes an inner end, an outer end and an intermediate portion. The inner end of the concentric roller pin is tapered and terminates in a transverse face. The transverse face of the concentric roller pin abuts a corresponding face in a tapered bore of the roller member. The intermediate portion of the concentric roller pin includes an outer knurled surface for securing the concentric roller pin to the roller member. The outer end of the concentric roller pin includes a bearing surface, a bearing lip, an axial indentation, and a beveled edge surrounding the axial indentation. The axial indentation and beveled edge of the outer end of the concentric roller pin facilitates deformation thereof for securing a bearing against the bearing lip and the bearing surface.

Abstract: An improved vacuum cleaner brushroll including a tufted spindle supported by end assemblies. The end assemblies have bearings that rotatably mount the spindle in a vacuum cleaner nozzle. Rotation of the spindle is effective to pick up debris. The improvement comprises the spindle being a hollow tubular member. Each of the end assemblies includes a plug fitted into a respective axial end of the spindle. The plug or spindle has ribs in a cylindrical surface which engage the material of the other of the plug or spindle to resist rotation between the spindle and the plug. One of the bearings has a first portion operably connectable with the plug. A relatively rotatable second portion of the bearing is operably connectable with a brushroll mounting structure of the vacuum cleaner nozzle.

Abstract: A pick-up head is formed by a housing which defines a broom chamber rearward of an associated air pressure chamber and its associated blast orifice. The broom is rotated in a direction to impel debris from a surface in the same direction as air emitted from the blast orifice toward an associated air suction chamber. Due to the latter arrangement, debris which is "tacky" which is "stuck" onto the surface, or which is too heavy to be moved into the suction air stream by the blast air alone is impelled at a relatively high entrainment velocity toward and into the air suction stream which continues the movement of this debris for eventual discharge into an associated hopper.

Abstract: An improved vacuum cleaner brushroll including a tufted spindle supported by end assemblies. The end assemblies have bearings that rotatably mount the spindle in a vacuum cleaner nozzle. Rotation of the spindle is effective to pick up debris. The improvement comprises the spindle being a hollow tubular member. Each of the end assemblies includes a plug fitted into a respective axial end of the spindle. The plug or spindle has ribs in a cylindrical surface which engage the material of the other of the plug or spindle to resist rotation between the spindle and the plug. One of the bearings has a first portion operably connectable with the plug. A relatively rotatable second portion of the bearing is operably connectable with a brushroll mounting structure of the vacuum cleaner nozzle.

Abstract: A handheld vacuum cleaner is provided that has a motor mounted with the rotational axis of its shaft parallel to the rotational axis of the rotating brush. The vacuum cleaner motor has an end bell, which is attached to the motor stator, and which holds a motor shaft bearing. The end bell is secured to the vacuum housing with an elastomeric mounting ring to dampen motor vibrations. The need for most motor mounting hardware is eliminated, because the housing supports the motor stator directly. The intake orifice of the vacuum is shaped to lie in two distinct planes, so that flat cleaning surfaces do not obstruct the orifice. The shape of the intake also allows one to clean immediately adjacent to a vertical wall.

Abstract: A roller assembly comprises an essentially cylindrical spindle which is rotatably supported at opposite ends by a pair of end assemblies. The spindle has brush elements on a circumferential surface and axial bores extending inwardly from each of the ends. Each end assembly comprises a shoulderless cylindrical stub shaft which is coaxial with and rotatable with the spindle, a bearing frictionally mounted on an outer end of the stub shaft, and a non-rotating end cap which may be mounted in a vacuum cleaner chassis member, such as two opposite side walls of a vacuum cleaner nozzle. The stub shaft comprises along its axial length a smooth inboard portion, a roughened middle portion which frictionally engages a bore wall, and a smooth outboard portion which extends beyond the end of a spindle. The bearing is mounted on this outboard portion. The end assembly may also include a thread guard and a washer which rotate with the spindle.

Abstract: A nozzle head for a vacuum cleaner employing a roller-shaped duster that can be rotated and removed in order to improve efficiency of duster-cleaning. The nozzle head comprises outer and inner casings spaced from each other, a duster supporting shaft detachably and rotatably mounted in the inner casing, a roller-shaped duster member inserted on the duster supporting shaft, a duster holding member which has means for holding the duster supporting shaft and is slidably mounted in the inner casing, means for locking the duster holding member which is fixed to the inner casing, and means for stopping the duster supporting shaft which is disposed between the duster holding member and the opposite ends of the duster supporting shaft.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner brushroll including a tufted spindle supported by end assemblies having bearings that rotatably mount the spindle in the vacuum cleaner nozzle. The brushroll includes a spindle and improved end assemblies for supporting the spindle comprising a first member fixed to an end of the spindle, a relatively rotatable second member having a portion that is adapted to mate with mounting structure in the vacuum cleaner nozzle, a bearing which is supported by the second member and in turn supports the first member and stub shaft structure for coupling the first member with the bearing. Either the first or second member has a pair of annular walls that are radially spaced apart to define an annular channel, while the other member has an annular skirt that extends into the annular channel to form a labyrinth thread seal.

Abstract: A floor cleaning appliance having a pivotally mounted bracket for selectively tensioning an agitation motor drive belt is disclosed. The appliance includes a housing and a bracket pivotally mounted to the housing about a first axis of rotation. The bracket is supported in an operating position and a belt replacement position. An agitation member is selectively mounted to the bracket for rotation about a second axis of rotation. A drive motor is mounted in the housing having a drive shaft which rotates about a third axis of rotation. The drive belt is selectively mounted to the agitation member and the drive shaft when the bracket is mounted in the operating position. In this position the first axis of rotation lies on one side of a plane extending between the second and third axes of rotation whereas in the belt replacement position the first axis of rotation lies on the other side of the plane extending between the second and third axes of rotation.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner brushroll including a tufted spindle supported by end assemblies having bearings that rotatably mount said spindle in the vacuum cleaner nozzle. The brushroll includes a spindle and improved end assemblies for supporting the spindle comprising a first member fixed to an end of said spindle, a relatively rotatable second member having a portion that is adapted to mate with mounting structure in the vacuum cleaner nozzle, a bearing which is supported by the second member and in turn supports the first member and stub shaft structure for coupling the first member with the bearing. Either the first or second member has a pair of annular walls that are radially spaced apart to define an annular channel, while the other member has an annular skirt that extends into the annular channel to form a labyrinth thread seal.

Abstract: In a vacuum cleaner beater brush structure, a beater brush roller is provided with a helical brush strip and a beater strip. A sprocket comprises a support flange and a gear pulley, the gear pulley comprising a carrier having brush tufts and beater bars, a step, a toothed array for engaging with the timing belt, the circular rib for preventing inflow of air containing dirt toward rotating portions of the structure, and an axle for supporting rotation of the structure and integrally formed therewith. A support pulley comprises a circular rib for preventing inflow of air containing dirt toward the rotating portion and an axle adapted for supporting rotation of the structure and integrally formed therewith. A pair of bearing mounts are coupled with the pulleys. The bearing mount comprises a rectangular supporter, a bearing housing portion for receiving an oil-filled sleeve bearing adapted to rotatably support the axle, and openings for allowing air containing dirt to flow therethrough.

Abstract: A self-propelled industrial cleaning machine has a cylindrical horizontally mounted rotatable cleaning brush. There is a torsionally rigid connecting member extending generally parallel to the brush. A rigid arm is attached to each end of the connecting member, with each arm supporting an end of the brush. There is a hand operable latch for releasing one of the arms to permit removal or replacement of the brush, with the hand operable latch being arranged to retain the one arm and attachment to the connecting member, with release thereof permitting removal of the arm from the connecting member and brush.

Abstract: A brushroll having a spindle and a pair of end assemblies each including a thread guard, a shouldered stub shaft, a bearing and an end cap. The thread guards each include a pair of radially spaced annular wall portions which define channels opening outward from the spindle. The end caps have peripheral walls which extend into the channels defined by the thread guards to prevent threads loosened by the brushroll from fouling the brushroll bearings. Spools formed in the end caps cvapture threads flowing outwardly along the brushroll to prevent the threads from working their way back to the bearing. In a preferred construction, the spindle carries tufts which are angled toward the ends of the spindle in order to encourage the flow of threads toward the ends of the spindle.

Abstract: A belt drive train particularly useful for driving the beater bar of a vacuum cleaner. The drive train includes a driven shaft preferably driven by a motor, a drive shaft preferably connected to a beater bar and including a driven pulley, and an inelastic belt coupling the drive shaft to the driven shaft. Both the drive shaft and the driven shaft are supported on bearings. At least one of the bearing is mounted in a deflecting bearing mount so that the shaft supported by the bearing can be moved relative to the housing. As a result of this construction, the drive shaft and the driven shaft can be moved closer to one another to allow the inelastic belt to be passed over the drive shaft and the driven shaft. The elasticity of the deflecting bearing mount then causes a belt tension sufficient to allow the drive shaft to drive the driven shaft through the belt. The drive train can also include one or more self aligning sleeve bearings to compensate for the unbalanced belt tension force.

Abstract: A hand-held corded vacuum cleaner having a housing with a motor compartment containing a motor mounted on partitions defining inlet, cooling and outlet chambers for efficient motor cooling by air which enters inlet and exits outlet vents in the inlet and outlet chambers, respectively. A dirt channel extends from a fan chamber having a fan mounted by being swaged on a motor shaft. A nozzle chamber is disposed at one end of the housing and a bag assembly is removably detached from the rear of the housing by means of a collar having a side hole through which a detent extends and which may be depressed to remove the bag assembly. The nozzle is in communication with the fan chamber and the fan pushes dirt through a dirt channel over the motor compartment into the bag of the bag assembly. The motor shaft has a pulley at the end thereof which is connected to a brush which is releasably retained in the nozzle compartment. A belt extends around the brush and the pulley.

Abstract: A brush roll assembly for an upright vacuum cleaner having mounting blocks at each end to support the brush at different levels, to account for wear, depending on the selected angular orientation of such blocks. The blocks, while of different size to prevent improper installation end-for-end, are relatively large for convenience and performance and are configured to avoid obstruction of edgewise air flow and to avoid improper installation in an angular sense.

Abstract: Disclosed is an upright-type electric vacuum cleaner which comprises a suction port body provided with a rotary brush and a main body case supported tiltably on the suction port body. Improvements are made in details such as the arrangement for supporting the main body case in the suction port body, the arrangements of mounting a handle onto the main body case, the configuration of a main body duct, the arrangement of a rotary brush, the arrangement of a cover of the main body case, and the arrangement of a T-shaped joint for connecting the main body duct and a dust filter means, thereby increasing the strength and rigidity of each of these parts and improving the performance of the vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: In a vacuum cleaning apparatus of the dry, wet and wet/dry types having a cleaning head assembly, a rotatable brush carried within and spanning said head assembly adapted to loosen and agitate dirt on a surface to be cleaned, means for rotatably driving said brush, a dirt collection zone, and vacuum means communicating with the interior of said cleaning head assembly for sucking up dirt and carrying it to said dirt collection zone; the improvement comprising said brush being rotatable about a horizontal shaft, the shaft being carried at each of its ends by a movable shaft block, said shaft block being slidably received in a shaft block retainer case affixed to said cleaning head assembly, each of said shaft blocks being carried within its respective shaft block retainer case by resilient spring means biasing said shaft blocks and brush toward said surface to be cleaned, whereby each of said shaft blocks can independently slidably move upwardly within said shaft block retainer cases in response to variations i

Abstract: A sweeper includes a support structure having parallel arms which may be moved apart to allow a brush held between the arms to be replaced. Each of the arms has a hub mounted thereon by a universal joint which provides automatic alignment of the two hubs to provide a single axis of rotation for the brush. One of the hubs is connected to a hydraulic drive motor and includes a plurality of slots, one of which receives a drive lug on the interior of the brush which is preferably of the type having a core of a thin metal tube. A raising and lowering mechanism comprises a parallelogram having a hydraulic cylinder in the center for controlling the configuration of the parallelogram. As the brush is raised its support mechanism remains parallel to the vehicle and moves closer to it. A unique stop element is mounted to the hydraulic cylinder to provide a minimum height for the sweeper.

Abstract: A hand vacuum cleaner is provided comprising a lightweight motor housing containing a revolving brush. A bag assembly is selectively separable from the housing and is sealable to the housing with an elastomeric retaining ring including a sealing and retaining bead for reception in a recessed slot area of a housing bag attachment collar. A fan is mounted to the motor on a motor shaft locking surface including a wall portion tapering towards the fan. The shaft is in locking cooperation with a mating fan bore locking surface including a wall portion tapered for close reception of the motor shaft locking surface. A shaft extension is threadedly received on the motor shaft and is urged into engagement against the fan by resistance of a revolving brush operated by a belt received on the shaft extension which continually tightens the shaft extension to the motor shaft and fixes the fan to the motor shaft.

Abstract: A self-aligning bearing structure for vacuum cleaner brushes and the like includes a plastic sleeve and a metal bearing element. The sleeve is initially formed with a flared end, allowing the bearing element to be inserted to provide a subassembly. The subassembly is then pressed axially into a cylindrical bore in the vacuum cleaner brush body. During such insertion, the flared end is deflected inwardly to produce a spherical socket which mates with a spherical periphery on the bearing element. Relative rotation between the sleeve and bearing element is prevented by a plurality of peripherally spaced teardrop-shaped projections formed on the sleeve which fit into teardrop-shaped recesses on the bearing element. The recesses are sufficiently closely spaced and are shaped in cooperation with the projections so that the recesses and projections automatically interfit upon assembly, and can therefore be assembled by automated equipment which does not require special orientation means.

Abstract: A cylindrical power brush for a vacuum cleaner includes two types of bristle tufts. One type of bristle tuft is short and stiff for contacting and agitating a carpeted surface. The other type of bristle tuft is longer and softer for contacting a hard surface. In addition to the differences in length and bristle stiffness, the tufts for the hard surface contain substantially fewer bristles, whereby catching and rolling of carpet edges is avoided. One embodiment alternates types of bristle tufts in a row of bristle tufts. Another embodiment employs multiple rows of bristle tufts arranged such that a point on a surface being cleaned is contacted alternately by the two types of bristle tuft. Winding up of thread and hair on the axle of the rotating brush is avoided by overlapping annular extensions on a support wheel and a brush spindle. The brush support wheel is locked in place in the floor tool by a resilient locking tab integrally formed with one of the halves of the floor tool.

Abstract: A suction nozzle device connected to a vacuum cleaner for cleaning beddings such as blankets. The suction nozzle device includes a nozzle which is coupled through a suction passage to an electric blower of the vacuum cleaner and which has a suction opening at its end portion which is arranged so as to face an object to be cleaned. Also included is a pair of rotatable rollers each of which is cylindrically shaped and has on its outer circumferential surface a plurality of tooth-portions which are radially protruded from said outer circumferential surface. The suction opening thereof is positioned to be interposed between the pair of rotatable rollers. Each of the tooth-portions is elongated by a predetermined length in the directions of the axes of the rotatable rollers. Each of the rotatable rollers is divided into a plurality of sections each of which has a predetermined number of the tooth-portions and is formed so as to have at least a flat portion between the tooth-portions.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a powered brush roll with a one-piece thread guard and mounting portion. The thread guard is a molded thermoplastic element which encloses the adjacent end of the brush roll and the bearing mounted in such adjacent end. The thread guard provides a skirt extending around the adjacent end of the brush roll and is held against rotation with the brush roll by a mounting portion. The mounting portion of the thread guard provides a sound-deadening mounting structure for the brush roll. The skirt is initially sized to frictionally fit the adjacent end of the brush roll and, after initial relative rotation between the skirt and the brush roll, provides a zero clearance fit to prevent string, thread and other debris from entering the bearing zone. During initial operation, the heat softens the thermoplastic material of the skirt, causing it to wear away and deform until frictional contact is eliminated and a free running condition occurs.

Abstract: A treating tank which contains a bath of the liquid and a movable support for the tubular members in the bath. An infeeding device having a three-dimensionally sloping chute is disposed on one side of the treating tank above the bath and causes one end of the tubular members to lead as the tubular members enter the bath. A gratelike support is disposed in the treating tank and has a top surface, which slopes down from that side of the treating tank which is provided with the infeeding device to the other side. The gratelike support is provided at either end with a separate, controllable lifting and lowering device. An outfeeding device having a three-dimensionally sloping chute is provided above the bath on the other side of the treating tank.

Abstract: The invention concerns a repair kit for vacuum cleaners, and a method of repairing a vacuum cleaner, in which a vacuum cleaner housing with a worn or damaged keyway for a keying member on a brush roller is reconditioned by removing the portion of the housing with a worn keyway and substituting a U-shaped member which provides a new keyway as well as retaining slots for spring detent members. The cap member of the brush roller is provided with a keying member as well as a spring member with spring detent members.

Abstract: A process for separating ceramic nuclear fuels out of metallic support mers or support member parts in which there adhere the nuclear fuels, especially subsequent to the burning down of the nuclear fuels in nuclear reactors. The ceramic nuclear fuels are washed off from the support member or carrier member part by means of a liquid jet which stands under a high pressure. The liquid jet is directed against the nuclear fuel, and the pressure of the liquid is set so high, that the nuclear fuel which adheres to the support member is completely removed. The liquid jet finds the transition from the ceramic nuclear fuel to the metallic support member material such that, even at a swelling of the fuel rod, and deformation of the support member part, there is achieved an efficient detaching of the nuclear fuel. The metallic support members or support member parts hereby remain intact and are segregated after the washing off of the nuclear fuel. Only the nuclear fuel fragments are introduced into the chemical solvent.

Abstract: The invention concerns a repair kit for vacuum cleaners in which a vacuum cleaner housing with a worn or damaged keyway for a keying member on a brush roller is reconditioned by removing the portion of the housing with a worn keyway and substituting a U-shaped member which provides a new keyway as well as retaining slots for spring detent members. The cap member of the brush roller is provided with a keying member as well as a spring member with spring detent members.

Abstract: Floor-sweeping machine consisting of a housing with a revolving brush which is mounted rotatably therein and which can be driven by means of running wheels projecting from the under side of the housing, and in which, for the purpose of rapid assembly and removal, the revolving brush 14 is mounted rotatably by means of two bearing clasps 19 which engage on its ends and which each have a bearing receptacle 24 for the associated bearing end of the revolving brush 14, and the bearing clasps 19 are themselves retained by securely positioned clamping onto housing parts 23.

Abstract: A furniture guard and bearing pad structure for use with a vacuum cleaner nozzle. The nozzle defines a laterally enlarged front portion. The furniture guard and bearing pad structure is defined by a bumper element which is preformed to closely fit the irregular shape of the nozzle. The bumper is provided with a plurality of T-section connectors retained in outwardly opening slots in the peripheral wall of the nozzle. Bearing pads are formed integrally with the bumper and, in the illustrated embodiment, include projecting portions received in recesses in the nozzle for accurately locating the bearing pads. In the illustrated embodiment, the sidewalls of the nozzle are provided with openings receiving portions of the vacuum cleaner projecting from the base of the nozzle. A rotatable beater brush is rotatably carried by the projecting portions.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner tool is provided which comprises a housing and a motor positioned in the housing, the motor having a driving pulley connected to the output thereof. A rotary agitator brush is mounted in the housing and has a portion thereof extending from the housing for contacting a surface to be vacuumed. The brush has an axle which extends therefrom along the axis thereof. A drive belt couples the pulley to the brush and an end cap is mounted on the axle of the brush for mounting the brush in the housing in two positions. The brush extends a smaller distance from the housing in the first of the two positions. The center of the end cap is positioned with respect to the axis of the brush such that when the cap is rotated 180.degree., the brush is shifted between the two positions while the distance from the center of the pulley to the axis of the brush is maintained constant.

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 cleaner with improved carpet-wall edge cleaning ability achieved by bringing a free brush roll cleaning end and its bristle tufts and beater bars into optimum proximity with the edge to be cleaned. Aligned bearing structures within which the brush roll revolves, conventionally disposed to fetter the brush roll ends, are placed so that at least one is positioned on an inner segment of the brush roll, leaving a brush roll cleaning end free, unfettered. The space vacated by the bearing structure so treated allows extension of the free brush roll cleaning end into loose abutment with the general housing material, the bristle tufts and the beater bars comparably extended. These latter members can now function closer to the edge to be cleaned, thereby performing better. Additionally, a cutout in the general housing and adjacent materials allows of further extension of the free brush roll cleaning end into space thus vacated.

Abstract: A floorcare device has a round brush located in a housing and rotatable about a rigid axle. At least one axial end portion of the axle is supported in the housing by an eccentric, so that by turning the eccentric the height of the axle and thereby of the round brush relative to the housing can be varied. Turning of the eccentric is performed by a ratchet mechanism. Another such eccentric may support the other end of the axle. The ratchet mechanism may include two ratchet wheels each provided on a respective one of the eccentrics, and two rings surrounding the ratchet wheels and having inner ratchets engageable with the latter.

Abstract: A heavy-duty floor-cleaning machine for such work as cleaning encrusted diamond-plate catwalks in ship engine rooms comprises a housing on wheels spacing it from the floor with the housing containing a rotating cylindrical wire brush driven by belts by an electric motor mounted rearward thereof inside the housing. The shaft of the wire brush is mounted in manually adjustable supports that permit the wire brush to be lowered with respect to the housing as brush wear occurs. The electric motor also drives air impellers or fans that expel air and debris from the housing into a collecting bag in the manner of a vacuum cleaner.