Abstract: A mobile cleaning robot can include a body, a drive wheel, and a plurality of skids. The drive wheel can be connected to the body and can be engageable with a floor surface of an environment. The drive wheel can be operable to move the mobile cleaning robot about an environment. The skids can be separate skids that can be connected to the body and can be engageable with the floor surface to support, together with the drive wheel, the mobile cleaning robot with respect to the floor surface.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a foot assembly having a suction inlet thereon, a suction source in fluid communication with the suction inlet to produce a working airflow there through, and a dirt container in fluid communication with the suction inlet and suction source. The foot assembly further includes a body defined by a central portion and a pair of extension arms, a rotatable agitator on each extension arm, and a drive assembly configured to counter-rotate the agitators. The counter-rotating agitators are operable to cooperate with the suction source to direct dust and debris towards the suction inlet.

Abstract: A remote access duster with a body, a flexible duster cord loop that is configured to be propelled such that part of the loop moves outward from the body while another part moves inward toward the body, and a vacuum source that is configured to draw air over the cord.

Abstract: A vacuum accessory tool has a nozzle body with upper and lower housings, a working air conduit provided on the nozzle body and adapted to be connected to a suction source remote from the nozzle body, a suction nozzle in fluid communication with the working air conduit, and a rotatable retaining ring securing the upper and lower housings together.

Abstract: A vacuum accessory tool comprises a nozzle body defining an interior, with an opening formed in the nozzle body and a working air conduit provided on the nozzle body in fluid communication with the opening via the interior. A hair removal assembly is associated with the nozzle body, and can include nubs from a flexible polymeric material adapted to generate an electrostatic charge when the tool moves over and in contact with a carpet surface.

Abstract: A cleaning device having a handheld housing engageable to one or both of a portable vacuum motor or the distal end of a hose for a conventional vacuum cleaner. The cleaning device employs a dusting head engageable to an extension that may be change to increase or decrease length to allow a user the position the dusting head further or closer to the housing to reach different areas in need of cleaning.

Abstract: A hand-held cleaning device that utilizes a low-power, low-torque motor coupled to an impeller for creating a vacuum. The device includes a contact head having a plurality of protrusions formed on its top surface. The contact head contacts the surface to be cleaned, for example, the coat of a pet. The protrusions are sized and spaced to avoid tangling or clumping of pet hair. The device includes a container for collecting hair and debris. The impeller includes ribs on a disk portion thereof for increasing the efficiency of the vacuum system.

Abstract: A brush for dusting and cleaning includes a handle having a first end and a second end, an outer rail of bristles along an outer portion of the brush having a first row of outer bristles and a second row of outer bristles; an inner rail of bristles along an inner portion of the brush having a first row of inner bristles and a second row of inner bristles; at least one row of suction holes located between the first row of outer bristles and the second row of outer bristles to remove materials trapped within the brush; and a front row of bristles located along the second end of the handle.

Abstract: Handheld dust removal devices that selectively utilize vacuum pressure are disclosed. Preferably, each device includes a small lightweight handle that houses a vacuum assembly having an electric motor and a battery. The device further includes a duster assembly with elongate fiber strands that have elongate voids extending therethrough or thereinto. The vacuum source can be fluidly connected to and draw a vacuum airflow through the duster assembly, for example, through and/or around the fiber strands. In such configuration, the elongate voids of the fiber strands can at least partially direct or influence the travel path of dust, debris, and/or other particulates that are entrained in a vacuum airflow. Some implementations further include an auxiliary vacuum inlet that is adapted and configured for drawing large particles such as crumbs, hair, and others thereinto. The auxiliary vacuum port can be displaced from the duster assembly, e.g., mounted to the handle or elsewhere.

Abstract: A suction-assisted dust mop enables dust to be efficiently attracted to the mop pile surface and held in place during cleaning. An electric motor powered blower or fan connected to a hollow tube generates a suction for cleaning dust at multiple suction holes in the tube walls which in turn generates suction in the fiber pile of the dust mop covering the suction holes. Chemical agents and/or an electrostatically charged fiber pile function along with suction to improve the efficiency of the dust cleaning process.

Abstract: A dusting attachment device is disclosed for use in interaction with a line or connection hose of a suction or blowing type cleaning system. The invention is provided with a core unit with base and apex ends and three lengthwise oriented portions. The core has a cone, truncated cone, pyramid or truncated pyramid shape, in preferred embodiments. The invention's core is provided with a selected functional patterning of air apertures which extend through the core's outboard and inboard surfacing and communicate with the core's central air channel. As patterned, each of the air apertures have an interstitial space portion between each other, which sets forth air apertures and interstitial spaces on the outboard and inboard surfaces of the core's apex end and first two portions. The apertures are also arranged in sequence and position in relation to one another.

Abstract: A device and method is provided for sanitarily removing a spill from a horizontal surface employing a flexible innertube with radial circumferential holes and covered by an absorbent material with outwardly facing strips for securing the device to the horizontal surface.

Abstract: A multi-purpose vacuum cleaner accessory is provided for use in grooming multiple types of animals and for cleaning fabric and flooring substrates. The accessory comprises a body and a brush attachable thereto. The brush is configured for creating an airflow directed to the surface of the animal's coat or substrate so that the brush is effective for use on all types of animal coats and fabrics/flooring. The brush comprises a circumferential, downwardly-extending skirt and a plurality of cross-members extending inwardly from sides of said brush and joining together in the interior thereof. The skirt and cross-members have a plurality of downwardly-projecting, spaced teeth wherein the teeth are comprised of a thermoplastic material having a relatively high co-efficient of friction to adhere to loose hair to be suctioned (preferably, a durometer reading of Shore A65) and sufficient strength for said brush to achieve brushing action.

Abstract: A vacuum nozzle has an elongate, tubular handle with an open end for connection to a vacuum cleaner hose, and has a hollow, generally rectangular head connected to the handle's opposite end. The head defines a transversely extending blade passage of generally rectangular cross-section through which portions of a ceiling fan blade can be inserted for cleaning. Extending perimetrically about the blade passage are head portions that include parallel top and bottom bars that have overlying left and right ends connected by left and right end structures, all of which are hollow and communicate to define a generally rectangular vacuum chamber that communicates with the hollow interior of the tubular handle. The top and bottom bars and the left and right end structures respectively carry top, bottom, left and right bristles that project into the blade passage at spaced locations near opposite ends of the blade passage.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly includes: a glove having a plurality of separate flexible sheaths for putting on a user's hand, the glove being deformable with the movement of the fingers of the user; and a hose having a first end adapted for coupling to the input port of a vacuum cleaner, and a second end terminating in a plurality of flexible nozzle tubes respectively fastened to the sheaths of the glove, each tube having defined therein a longitudinal series of holes through which air is drawn into the vacuum cleaner through the hose when the vacuum cleaner is operated.

Abstract: A vacuum tool for delicate dusting of plants and similar delicate fabrics has an inner and outer shell. The inner shell has a distribution of holes providing even volume of air flow per unit length of inner and outer shells. The outer shell has an even distribution of holes which provide even volume of air flow and air velocity per hole and also even suction over the outer shell. The outer holes are sunk within grooves so that fabric, leaves and petals and the like are not sucked against the holes and torn, ripped or frayed. The grooves also provide even suction over the surface of the outer shell.

Abstract: A scalp scrubber for insertion between the scalp of a human head and an artificial hair piece attached to the scalp along at least a portion of the perimeter of the hair piece. The scrubber includes a handle portion having a free end and a scrubber head portion attached to the opposite end of the handle portion. The head portion, which is wide and flat, also includes a plurality of flexible teeth having rounded exposed tips. The teeth are no longer than approximately 3/16 of an inch, whereby the overall thickness of the scrubber head portion and teeth is no greater than 1/2 of an inch to permit easy insertion of the scrubber head portion between the human head's scalp and the hair piece without disturbing the attachment between the scalp and the hair piece. The handle and scrubber head portions may be provided with ducts to permit the passage of water during the scrubbing and cleansing process to clean the scalp and the hair piece, and warm air during the drying process to dry the scalp and the hair piece.

Abstract: Sanding apparatus in which dust raised by sanding is drawn by reduced pressure through a porous sanding sheet and directly through apertures into a plenum chamber and from there through an air passage into an air space in a closed container partially filled with water. The air and dust are separated in the container by projecting the dust into the water from a small distance above it and, simultaneously, drawing the substantially dust-free air out of the air space by the reduced pressure so that the air does not need to enter the water.

Abstract: The active vacuum cleaner nozzle of the invention exhibits a two-part housing having an attached suction pipe connecting socket. The two housing parts are pivotably hinge-connected to each other at their end opposite to the suction pipe connecting socket, the dividing joint between the two housing parts extending at least into the area of the suction pipe connecting socket. On the suction pipe connecting socket, a locking sleeve is disposed such that it can be displaced between a position enabling the housing to be opened and a locking position and such that it can be locked in place.

Abstract: A cleaning tool for a vacuum cleaner system. The cleaning tool has a manifold disposed therein for more evenly distributing a vacuum-like force produced by the vacuum cleaner system to an undersurface of the cleaning tool, thereby increasing the number of dust and dirt particulates that can be picked up by the vacuum force, and thus increasing the efficiency of the cleaning tool. In a preferred embodiment, the cleaning tool comprises a multi-piece housing within which the manifold resides. The manifold includes a pair of outwardly flaring air passageways and is operable to selectively direct the vacuum force from a vacuum cleaner system more evenly across the undersurface of the cleaning tool to improve the pick-up of dust and dirt particles by the cleaning tool.

Abstract: A cleaner attachment for use with a vacuum source, such as a common vacuum cleaner or a central vacuum system, defined by a plurality of feathers arranged about the end of a tube defining the body of the attachment. The feathered covered end of the tube includes a series of openings along both the side wall and the end wall thereof, creating a vacuum type atmosphere with the feathers. In a typical assembly, the quills of the feathers are wire wrapped into position on the tube, and the wire wrapping overlaid by a heat shrinking material.

Abstract: The cleaning apparatus is formed by a housing member adapted to be inserted into an air duct and which has two spaced apart ports for providing an air flow path through the housing member. A flexible hose has one end coupled to one of the ports and is employed for moving the housing member in the air duct and for providing a passage for the flow of air from or to the housing member. A turbine formed by blades fixedly connected to a shaft is supported within the housing member for rotation about the shaft upon passage of air through the housing member by way of the two ports. An off centered weight is coupled to the shaft for rotation with the turbine for causing the turbine and hence the housing member to vibrate upon rotation of the turbine whereby the housing member may vibrate against the inside wall of the air duct to loosen dust and other matter from in the duct and to facilitate movement of the housing member in the duct.

Abstract: An apparatus for sanding and collecting sanded particles. The particle collecting sander includes a base member having a negative pressure chamber contained within. The base is secured to a cover member which is provided with a multiplicity of grooves extending across the outer surface of the cover member. A plurality of ports are provided in the grooves to create a fluid connection between the grooves and the negative pressure chamber. A pourous abrasive material overlays the cover member. In operation a series of negative pressure zones are created across the surface of the pourous abrasive material.

Abstract: Spots and stains are completely removed from wall-to-wall carpeting, upholstery fabric, and the like, by using a generally flat, hollow tool, which is inserted beneath the carpet or fabric without completely removing the latter from the floor or piece of furniture which it covers. The flat tool has a plurality of spaced perforations in its upper wall; and its interior is releasably connected by a tubular extension member to a vacuum supply which creates a localized vacuum immediately beneath the portion of the carpet that is to be cleaned. A liquid cleaning medium or solvent is then applied to the spot or stain which is located above the tool; and after it passes through the carpet or fabric it is drawn into the tool and through the extension member to the vacuum supply.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is provided with holding devices on the sidewalls of its housing on which brushes can be mounted which enable baseboards in a room to be dusted while the vacuum cleaner is being moved about to clean the carpet.

Abstract: A vacuum grooming brush for dogs comprises a brush head having a set of bristles extending from one side of the head and one or more vacuum inlet passages located between the bristles and the outer edges of the head, and connecting means for connecting the interior of the head to a source of vacuum.

Abstract: A dog brush is provided for attachment to a conventional vacuum cleaner. Semi-flexible plastic bristles are curved in the direction in which the brush is drawn across a dog, whereby to cradle loose hairs transversely of the air flow into the vacuum cleaner, and thus most efficiently to pull the loose hairs into the vacuum cleaner. Restrictive orifices are provided to increase velocity of air flow further to facilitate picking up loose hairs. The handle of the brush is oriented for most efficient brushing of a dog.