Abstract: A portable pneumatic cleaning device for removing particulate material from crevices and channels particularly between component parts of railroad switch mechanisms, is provided which has a heavy duty nozzle including a central port and a pair of outwardly divergent side ports having axes which are coplanar with the axis of the central port for discharging a pressurized stream of air in a generally fan-shaped pattern along a surface to be cleaned when the device is connected to a pressurized air source. The device has an elongated body portion and end portions formed at an angle therewith and parallel to one another, and includes a switch for controlling the flow of air therethrough, a runner to maintain the nozzle at a spaced distance from a surface to be cleaned, and a handle to facilitate manual use of the device.

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

Abstract: A material dispensing brush having a substantially rigid holding chamber and a resiliently, deformable bulb attached to the chamber for the purpose of pressurizing the same. The bulb is positioned proximate to the handle of the brush so that an operator may use his thumb to depress the bulb and thus increase the air pressure within the holding chamber so as to effect an ejectment of treatment material outwardly from the chamber through a plurality of dispensing orifices extending through the bristle retaining portion of the brush. The dispensing orifices have a truncated shaped portion proximate to the holding chamber so as to facilitate the delivery of the treatment material into the orifices during a pressurization of the chamber.

Abstract: A scavenging blower includes a fan driven by an air-cooled, two-cycle engine for blowing air through an air discharging port. The fan is housed in a fan chamber disposed in side-by-side relation to the engine, and an air passageway is formed around a crankcase of the engine and a fuel tank is located beneath the engine. A handle gripped by one hand is attached to the outer periphery of the fan chamber so that the blower can be operated single-handed.

Abstract: Apparatus for steam cleaning subsurface liners in oil well bores and the like, comprising steam head means particularly designed and constructed for radially spreading a steam stream through a substantially constant area or volume from the stream to the proximity of the releasing jet area in order to maintain the steam at maximum heat upon the release thereof into the area being steam treated. The steam head may be initially introduced into the well bore by a tubing string, lowered to a position in the proximity of the liner by the tubing string, released from the tubing string and moved downwardly through the liner by a smaller tubing string, wire line or the like, and reciprocated within the liner by the smaller tubing string or wire line for cleaning of the liner.

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

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

Abstract: A machine for cleaning residual and foreign materials from random cracks and expansion joints in pavement subsequent to the opening of such cracks and joints and preparatory to placement of filler-sealer materials therein. The machine includes an open wheeled carriage which carries a platform between its side rails and an engine is mounted on the platform to drive a rotary brush and to drive a blower mechanism. The engine platform is pivotably connected to the carriage for raising and lowering the rotary brush, and the outlet from the blower mechanism is fixed to the wheeled carriage immediately behind the rotary brush.

Abstract: A paper corrugating machine has features for cleaning the glue from the grooves of the glue roller. The corrugating machine is of a type having upper and lower intermeshing corrugating rollers that receive a first web of paper between them. Fingers located near the lower corrugating roller retain the web in engagement with the lower corrugating roller after it has been corrugated. A glue roller applies glue to the corrugated web at this point. The glue roller has grooves to accommodate the retaining fingers. An air jet nozzle is mounted above each groove for discharging air into the grooves to remove excess glue prior to contacting the retaining fingers. The nozzles are adjustable in their positioning and have cleaning devices for cleaning them while the machine remains in operation.

Abstract: An air gun adapted to deliver a directed stream of high pressure air for cleaning and which is characterized by the ability to transmit the compressed air during normal operation with negligible loss of air pressure between that admitted and that released. The air gun includes a safety nozzle which comprises a flow tube, through which the pressurized air flows during normal operation, and a surrounding sleeve that extends outwardly beyond the outlet end of the flow tube and terminates closely adjacent thereto so as to serve to protect against blockage or stoppage of the outlet end. The sleeve also includes exhaust apertures closely adjacent the outlet end so that in the event the discharge end of the sleeve is blocked or obstructed, the pressurized air will be released through the exhaust apertures and the air pressure at the discharge end significantly reduced.

Abstract: An anvil having a working end away from a mounting shank, has compressed air flowing through the anvil to feed outward to the working end. An insert fastened to a panel is secured to the panel by forming on one end of the insert and by bonding with an adhesive on the other end. The working end of the anvil presses against the insert during forming and the flowing compressed air blows excess adhesive from the contacted surface of the insert.

Abstract: A blower device is disclosed for sweeping light debris and clutter. The device includes a pressurized air supply source in communication with a receptacle. A standing head of pressure is developed in the receptacle and then discharged through a nozzle in a jet of air at a substantially constant pressure.

Abstract: A liquid-pickup apparatus for carpetry, e.g. for the removal of liquid from the shampooing of a carpet, comprises a slot-shaped compressed air outlet adjacent a discharge duct with an entry slot. The flattened cross-section duct rises at an angle to the horizontal and is subdivided internally into a plurality of channels of substantially the same cross section as the slot and having rounded bases.

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

Abstract: A molten metal injecting device for a cold chamber type die casting machine wherein a cavity is provided in which a metal cast body is formed between a movable die and a stationary die. Molten metal in an injection sleeve is injected into the cavity by a piston through a narrow gate. The sleeve has a feeding port for introducing the molten metal. An opening is provided in the sleeve in which the piston on the end of the plunger is exposed partially between the feeding port of the sleeve and the inserting end of the plunger. Lubricant spraying nozzles and compressed air blowing nozzles are arranged towards the opening, and a mechanism is provided for rotating the piston.

Abstract: A shoulder-supported pneumatic sweeping apparatus including a frame having attached to its upper portion a grip having a shoulder strap connected thereto, and formed at one end thereof with an air outlet port connected through a flexible pipe to an air ejecting pipe having an operating handle attached thereto. The frame is supported by the shoulder of the operator through the shoulder strap and prevented from moving unsteadily with one hand while the air ejecting pipe is operated with the other hand.

Abstract: Portable sand blast apparatus for cleaning a surface at a confined location wherein the apparatus attaches to a conventional sand blasting nozzle and includes a flexible filter shroud having an open end terminating in a resilient sealing ring. The shroud confines the sand blast particles and functions as a filter bag to permit the escape of air while the flexible surface seal prevents escape of the particles adjacent the surface being treated. A handle is mounted at the shroud open end, and a transparent window may be incorporated into the shroud for visibility purposes.

Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning an adhesive applicator roll includes a plurality of air jets for directing an air stream against the roll to clean the same. A driven roller assembly rotates the roll as it is being cleaned by the jets.

Abstract: This disclosure shows the supplying of fluid at a pressure greater than the pressure of the surrounding atmosphere to a cleaner in which the cleaning is done by intermittently and consecutively jetting fluid, controlled by a double distributing valve against the surface of the material being cleaned, where the total average pressure of the air or gas is maintained at a few inches of water below the pressure of the surrounding atmosphere. The double distributing valve, having circular outlets evenly spaced around a valve rotor, allows the same number of passages leading from the valve rotor cavity to jet nozzles to be in operation at all times and allows an increase in time for the jetting fluid through the jet nozzles to reach the desired speed.

Abstract: An apparatus for washing and drying phonograph records including a tank to contain a washing solution, and a phonograph record to be cleaned is mounted vertically for rotation within the tank. The washing solution is drawn in the bottom of the tank by a pump and discharged through jets against opposite faces of the rotating record. Mounted adjacent the jets is a pair of brushes which rotate against the opposite faces of the record to clean the same. After cleaning, air is discharged downwardly from an air tube against the opposite faces of the record to prevent the washing solution from dripping onto the record label and to the dry the record.

Abstract: The device includes a blower impeller, a blower housing conformed to fit snugly over the bottom of a standard line trimmer, and stretch traps for maintaining the housing in position on the line trimmer. The device enables one to convert a line trimmer to a blower arrangement by the removal of the spool and head of the line trimmer and the attachment of the impeller, housing and straps in their place.

Abstract: A cleaning system comprises a conveyor and an air knife having a number of side-by-side, closely-adjacent slots which provide communication from an internal chamber to a forward edge. As a result, air charged into the chamber issues from the slots as a sheet in streamline flow, which is effective along sharply-defined margins of a workpiece conveyed therepast. The system is especially suited for cleaning powder from wire leads of an electrical component, without disturbing the deposit on the component body.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine is mounted on a frame supported by a set of wheels and has a shaft connected to drive a blower impeller. An annular plate is mounted on the engine surrounding the engine shaft, and a blower housing has a support ring which is secured to the plate by a releasable band clamp to provide for rotating the blower housing on the axis of the engine shaft. The blower housing has a center inlet and a laterally projecting tangential outlet, and a movable air deflector is mounted on the housing adjacent the outlet. The air deflector is actuated by an elongated control rod which extends from a handle assembly projecting rearwardly and upwardly from the frame, and the control rod permits the operator to actuate the air deflector when the blower outlet and deflector are located at either a high position on one side of the frame or a low position on the opposite side of the frame.

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

Abstract: A mobile ground vehicle is provided intended to move along a path oriented in predetermined position relative to the vehicle and blower structure is mounted on the vehicle and includes an outlet opening outwardly from the vehicle laterally of the aforementioned path. Deflector structure is operatively associated with the outlet for variably deflecting the discharge of air from the outlet through an arch of angular deflection disposed in a plane generally paralleling the aforementioned path and including extremes inclined in opposite directions along the path. Drive structure is operatively associated with the deflector structure for driving the latter between the extremes of angular deflection thereof and object sensor structure is carried by the vehicle for sensing objects past which the vehicle is moved.

Abstract: A portable snow blower which may be employed on the roof of a building or vehicle to remove snow without damage to the roof on which the snow lies. The unit is formed of a shaped housing fitted at its rear with an external handle and enclosing a powered air blower. The discharge opening of the blower is located at a forward tapered end section of the housing, with the opening extending across the top of the end section, and with the bottom portion of the end section of the housing being enclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus operable by actuating a trigger to cause high-pressure air from a compressor to jet out from the front end opening of a nozzle and to simultaneously produce an air curtain in the form of a conical air layer surrounding the air jet and spreading out from an annular fine clearance provided approximately at the base portion of the nozzle.

Abstract: A railroad switch sweeper or snow removal machine including a vehicle having a body member supported at a relatively high elevation above the ground by steerable ground engaging wheels. The underside of the body member has a turret mounting a plurality of barrels for delivery of compressed air or flame to blow or melt accumulated snow and ice. The barrels of the air blower and flame thrower are arranged in pairs so that air and flame may be concentrated on each rail of the pair of rails making up a railroad track.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process and apparatus for dislodging and conveying material from a surface and into a discharge duct with a positive pressure, high velocity stream of fluid from a jet device wherein the fluid stream is controlled by using wall attachment means comprising an unenclosed coanda surface located adjacent to the jet device and disposed on a side of the stream opposite to that of the material to be conveyed, whereby the stream attaches to the coanda surface and the stream and entrained material is directed along the coanda surface and into a discharge duct and then directed into a collection device.

Abstract: A blower to clear obstructions such as leaves from a golf green in preparation to "putting" the ball, comprising a head having a slit to be positioned in proximity to the surface of the green. A tubular shaft extends upwardly from the head and terminates in a housing containing a motor having a fan. Batteries in the housing provide current to operate the motor upon actuation of a switch. The fan causes air to flow through the slit to blow the obstructions from the surface of the green in preparation for "putting" the ball. A brush can be positioned on the head to remove obstructions too heavy to be moved by the air stream.

Abstract: Roll-over car washing equipment is disclosed of the type having an inverted U-shaped frame adapted to travel over a car washing station and having air nozzles for directing drying air against the upwardly presented surfaces and also against the sides of the car in the washing station, the nozzles being supplied with air by one or more blowers mounted on the frame, with controllable means for alternatively delivering the air to the side nozzles and the top nozzle. The top nozzle is provided with mounting linkage providing for maximizing vertical movement of the nozzle while minimizing the dimension of the equipment lengthwise of the washing station.

Abstract: A brake housing cleaner that comprises a rigid curvilinear bonnet adapted to fit snugly over a brake housing, the bonnet which passes over the housing, the rim member being of an elastic material such as rubber, which is of a size and shape as to provide the snug fit over the housing. The bonnet is equipped with an opening connected by means of a hose to an air vacuum means. The wall of the bonnet is equipped with a plurality of apertures, each of which is provided with a rubbery material equipped with a self-closing lip through which an air nozzle can be inserted whereby to effect a resilient snug fit between the outside wall of the nozzle and the sides of the self-closing lip. In a partiularly preferred form of the invention, the said apertures are positioned substantially nearer the opening of the bonnet which passes over the brake housing than to the opening connecting the bonnet to the air vacuum means.

Abstract: A system is provided for handling debris, such as twigs, leaves, grass cuttings, refuse and the like comprising a fan-shredding device including a vacuum nozzle, the nozzle being shut off from the fan suction when various units are mounted thereon, such as a hopper and a flexible extension hose. Also, a blower is provided by similarly mounting a cowl on the nozzle and a blower tube on the discharge chute of the fan-shredding device. Shredded debris is bagged in a bag mounted on the discharge chute. On bagging, the shredded debris is compacted by the fan blowing action on the small shredded particles.

Abstract: The improvement in a rotary vacuum or suction sweeper of the type wherein vacuum of suction is created underneath the carriage body of a wheeled vehicle by the driven rotation of blower impeller means, within a blower housing comprising a part of the carriage body. Thereby as the sweeper is moved over an area to be cleaned by an operator pushing or pulling a handle extending angularly upwardly from the vehicle in the manner in which one pushes a rotary lawn mower, dirt and debris are sucked up below the carriage body and delivered into a catch bag disposed over duct means extending rearwardly from the rotor impeller housing. With the present invention, a plate valve is interposed in such duct means, which valve, when closed, diverts the air flow from its normal path back into the catch bag, to a forwardly facing duct to which is attached a hoselike element having an open discharge end. Articulated control means are provided to extend downwardly and adjacent the machine operating handle.

Abstract: A telescoping cleaning tool adapted to remove debris and the like from a poorly accessible surface. The tool includes telescoping inner and outer tubes wherein one end of one of the tubes is adapted to receive air under pressure, as from an air nozzle, and the opposite end of the other tube is provided with a sharpened edge for scraping debris and the like from a surface. An orifice is provided adjacent the sharpened edge for directing the air under pressure against such debris. The one tube is preferably provided with a handle near its air-receiving end so that an operator may grasp the handle with the fingers and press the air-receiving end into an air nozzle held in the palm of the hand, thereby permitting the tool to be used with one hand only.