Abstract: The present invention is directed to an internal combustion engine-powered, blower/vacuum device. The device has an air chamber with an axial air inlet and a tangential air outlet. The engine rotatably drives the impeller, and is controlled by a throttle. A handle is located above the air chamber and the motor, and includes a first section having an axis generally parallel to the axis of the air outlet, and an adjoining section having an axis which extends at an angle of about 15.degree. to 60.degree. to the first section. When the first section of the handle is gripped by an operator the device will be in the vacuum position with the air outlet in a generally horizontal position. When the second section of the handle is gripped, the device will be in the blower position with the air outlet facing ahead of the operator at a downward angle. The impeller and housing of the device is designed to minimize debris hangup within the housing.

Abstract: An upright converter for a portable hand-held vacuum having nozzle and handle portions. The upright converter includes an adapter cooperating with the nozzle portion of the vacuum in a position for operation thereof and an adapter cooperating with the handle portion of the vacuum at a location remote from the nozzle adapter where the nozzle adapter and the handle adapter are interconnected such that the vacuum is retained therebetween. In addition, the upright converter includes a handle extending to a position to be gripped by a user in upright vacuum fashion.

Abstract: An improved movable control for a self-propelled upright vacuum cleaner. The control includes a sleeve longitudinally movably mounted on the distal end of the upright handle of the vacuum cleaner and includes locking structure for retaining the sleeve in a center neutral position, wherein the drive of the nozzle wheels is maintained in a neutral condition. The locking structure is readily manipulatible to release the sleeve from the neutral position when desired and permit it to be moved in opposite directions so as to effect corresponding forward or rearward operation of the drive. The sleeve is maintained relatively short while yet providing a long travel in providing facilitated user control of the drive operation. The sleeve is provided in two halves which are secured together by an improved securing arrangement. In one form, the locking structure is pivotable about an axis parallel to the handle end portion, and in another form, the locking means is pivotable about an axis transversely thereto.

Abstract: An electric vacuum cleaner has a floor engaging unit, a generally vertically extending handle assembly pivotally affixed to the rear of the floor engaging unit, and a porous bag assembly mounted to the front of the handle assembly. The handle assembly is hollow to direct dust-laden air from the floor engaging unit to the bag assembly. A bottom plate, under the brush roll, has notches at its edges to enhance edge cleaning, and front wheels for the cleaner. Ridges are provided in the floor engaging unit to prevent improper assembly of the drive belt. The handle assembly is resiliently biased upwardly, and a release is provided thereon to enable relaxation of forces on the porous bag of the porous bag assembly, to facilitate changing of the bag.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an electric buffing machine which is equipped with an X-shaped buffing pad that is mounted to a similarly X-shaped pad holder. The arms of the pad holder have a wedge-shaped cross section that acts as an air foil to create air currents that flow up between the arms of the X-pad. The casing surrounding the pad has a specially designed tunnel-like spiral diffuser that guides the air currents entered into a collection box. The casing also has a flexible skirt mounted to the lower side thereof, extending around three-quarters of the casing periphery, which closes the gap between the casing and the floor. The chassis has two pairs of wheels and is designed so that when the buffing machine is turned off, the machine rests entirely on the wheels with the buffing pad raised off the ground. When the machine is turned on, the air currents pull the pad to the floor with a predetermined pressure.

Abstract: The invention includes a floor care appliance with a rigid housing having a pocket for nesting an accessory appliance. A latch means maintains the accessory appliance within the pocket and is releasable to permit removal of the accessory appliance.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner having a tubular push-pull handle of one or more separable sections, this push-pull handle is detachable at its base end from the upright vacuum cleaner and the opposite end of the push-pull handle is connected to the vacuum cleaner's suction power system by means of a flexible hose. When the vacuum cleaner's suction power is supplied to the hose and the push-pull handle is detached at its base end, the push-pull handle now becomes an immediate suction cleaning wand. This invention eliminates the need for a separate flexible hose kit. The housing on this vacuum cleaner is slightly larger than on previous machines. The housing opens up to receive the dust filter which formerly was external.

Abstract: A handle construction is provided in which a handle tube is affixed to a main housing by providing for a D shaped configuration on one end of the handle tube having holes therethrough normal to the flatted portion of the tube; a handle mounting plate supported on the flatted portion of the tube having tapped holes therethrough aligned with the holes in the D shaped configuration on the end of the handle tube; reinforcement tubes extending internally of the D shaped configuration of the handle tube from the internal flatted surface thereof through the opposite side of the tube to the main housing; and screws extending through the main housing, the internal bore of the reinforcement tubes and holes in the flatted portion of the D shaped configuration of the handle tube into the tapped holes of the handle mounting plate to firmly retain the entire assembly affixed to the main housing.

Abstract: A carpet cleaning apparatus is disclosed which includes a new and improved auxiliary cleaning device arrangement incorporated in a conventional vacuum cleaner. The auxiliary cleaning device is movable into a carpet engaging position for frictionally engaging a carpet surface and simultaneously distributing cleaning material thereon which emulsify, rub, and thereby cause release of dirt, dust and other foreign particles from carpet fibers and allow their removal and collection by agitator and suction cleaning elements of the apparatus. A retraction means is provided for automatically retracting the auxiliary cleaning device in response to handle assembly movement to a storage position, and a retaining means is provided to lock the device in the retracted position. The retaining means selectively either permits movement of the device to a carpet engaging position or maintains the device in a retracted position independently of subsequent handle assembly movement.

Abstract: The invention is provided in a floor care appliance with a rigid housing having a pocket for nesting an accessory appliance. A latch means maintains the accessory appliance within the pocket and is releasable to permit removal of the accessory appliance. The latch means includes a catch, with the floor care appliance, movable into and out of engagement with an opposite locking portion of the accessory appliance.

Abstract: The electric vacuum cleaner here disclosed includes a main motor housing supporting a bypass type motor within it. The motor housing is separably connected to and swingable about the materials collecting tank beneath it. A tube projecting above the cover of the tank and extending laterally over the cover defines the air flow communication between the tank and depending side sections of the motor housing which meet and are releasably attached to the ends of the tube. The tube also defines the swing axis of the motor housing. Detents control this swinging. A resilient cuff over the motor in the housing separates the fan motor bypass cooling air inlet and outlet from each other and from the main suction fan outlet and also separates all of these from the main suction fan inlet, while also defining respective flow paths communicating with inlets and outlets from the motor housing.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner handle lock for releasably retaining the handle in a storage or transport position. The handle is connected to the vacuum cleaner nozzle by a connector defining a latch shoulder. The handle lock includes a mounting portion pivotally mounted to the nozzle, a shoulder portion defining a stop shoulder releasably engaging the latch shoulder of the handle connector, a spring portion biasing the handle lock into engagement with the latch shoulder, and a pedal portion for manipulation by the user to disengage the stop shoulder from the latch shoulder to release the handle when desired. The handle lock is formed as a onepiece element.

Abstract: An elongated tubular member including inlet and outlet end sections is provided and each section includes inlet and outlet ends. The inlet end of the outlet section and the outlet end of the inlet section include coacting structure universally coupling those ends together for limited universal relative angular displacement about infinite axes extending substantially normal to the center axes thereof and for rotational angular displacement of the inlet section about its center axis relative to the outlet section while maintaining a good fluid seal between the universally connected ends of the sections. Handgrip structure is carried by the inlet section and projects laterally outwardly therefrom. The universally connected ends of the sections are coupled together through the utilization of a hollow partial spherical bell terminal end on one of the ends and a hollow partial spherical bulbous terminal end on the other end universally received within the bell terminal end.

Abstract: A centrifugal air blower unit includes a casing comprising two separable sections which enclose a centrifugal impeller. The impeller has a hub including a threaded bore for attaching the impeller to the distal end of a drive shaft extending from a support of a portable power unit. The casing is adapted to mount on a support housing for the drive shaft. The hub of the impeller includes a portion extending in a direction opposite to the threaded portion and through an opening in the bottom wall of the casing whereby the impeller may be threaded onto and off of the drive shaft for connecting and disconnecting the blower unit to the bearing housing without disassembly of the casing. The casing includes a mounting pad formed integral with one of the casing parts and supported by a plurality of spaced apart radially projecting webs forming an air inlet opening and also forming combination inlet guide vanes and a trash guard for the impeller.

Abstract: A tubular attachment for portable air blowers to allow the cleaning of rain gutters and the like, wherein flowing air is conducted from the blower upwardly to approximately the height of the gutter, turned horizontally to pass over the gutter lip and then turned downwardly into the gutter trough to blow out leaves, twigs and other debris. The blown air is directed into the gutter through an adjustable elbow arrangement in which a terminal section of the elbow is rotatable with respect to an inner section of the elbow to allow the angle of air flow to be varied, so that cleaning may be accomplished from left-to-right or right-to-left along the gutter.

Abstract: A unique vacuum cleaner attachment is disclosed which is particularly suitable for cleaning steps. The vacuum cleaner attachment comprises an elongated cylindrical body having a longitudinally chamber formed in it which is open to one end of the body. The open end of the body is adapted for connection with the hose from a vacuum cleaner. An elongated handle extends laterally outwardly from the body adjacent the open end of the body while an elongated slot extends from the handle and to the other end of the body. In use, the attachment is grasped by the handle and moved across a step whereupon dirt and debris on the step is inducted through the slot and to the vacuum cleaner.

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

Abstract: Flammable fluid or other incendiary matter (204) contained aboard an aircraft may be removed from the aircraft's interior by means of a special purpose disposal device that utilizes the differential in pressure between the pressurized interior of a modern aircraft and the external airstream. The device itself comprises a main intake nozzle, an intermediate wand portion which is connected to the intake nozzle and in fluid communication therewith and a flexible hose provided with a quick connect fitting for connecting the device to a suitable outlet fitting in the skin of the aircraft. Preferably, several such outlet fittings are provided so that the device can be utilized at different locations within the aircraft's interior without requiring an excessively long hose. Each of the outlets is normally closed by means of a disk-shaped plug held in a flush position with respect to the aircraft's outer surface by means of a removable retainer ring.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns a compact wet-dry vacuum cleaner adapted for collecting both wet and dry materials. The vacuum cleaner is powered by a by-pass type blow motor which is supported in a housing. The housing includes a baffle for separating the inflowing cooling air to the motor from the outflowing air which has cooled the motor. The placement of inlets and outlets to the motor housing prevents debris and liquid from splashing on the motor. A materials collection tank is separably attached to the motor housing to enable the tank to be removed for cleaning. The tank includes a nozzle at its front wall, which nozzle has an exit near the top of the tank. A curved air flow redirector at the top of the tank separates collected material from the air. The outlet from the tank is laterally spaced from the flow redirector. The motor housing is attached to a swivelable cover that extends over the motor. The cover extends over a duct that communicates between the materials collection tank and the blow motor.

Abstract: A guiding device for a household apparatus has a first tubular member fixedly mounted on a housing of the apparatus, a second tubular member which is telescopable relative to the first tubular member and has a handle and a switch, and an electric conductor which extends inside the tubular members and is helical inside the fixedly mounted tubular member and rectilinear in the telescopable tubular member so as to extend from the housing of the apparatus to the switch and to be clamped in the telescopable tubular member in the region of an initial end portion of the latter.

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 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: 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 pocket is formed on the lower exterior portion of a vacuum cleaner bag, with the pocket having a lip at its upper end which extends substantially across the entire bag width. The pocket functions to receive and store debris manually removed from the floor for later disposal. A removable caddy is provided for holding other desired equipment. The caddy includes a pair of expandable pockets and a rear flap which extends downwardly over the aforementioned lip and into the bag pocket. The caddy hangs freely from the lip and is held in position by the vertically extending vacuum cleaner handle.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner has a single motor on the body thereof, for rotating the vacuum producing fan blade, for rotating the rotary brush, as well as for driving the wheels by way of a clutch. The clutch is driven from the motor shaft by way of Evoloid gearing and a continuously driven bevel pinion, to drive oppositely rotating bevel gears. The handle grip of the cleaner is slidable along the end of the shaft or rod between the handle and the body, and controls a Bowden cable to effect the movement of a pair of clutch plates with respect to corresponding bevel gears, thereby to drive wheels on the body in a reversible manner.

Abstract: An improved carpet cleaning machine which incorporates controls to allow it to be employed as either a carpet scrubber or a vacuum cleaner. The carpet cleaning machine incorporates a novel handle arrangement which can be collapsed for storage and handling.

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: A machine is provided for cleaning surfaces, including hard floors and carpeting. The machine has a frame with a disc brush rotatably carried thereby and driven by a motor which is mounted on a plate that is resiliently carried by the frame. A first vacuum nozzle and a squeegee are located at the back of the machine behind the disc brush for picking up cleaning solution when hard floors are being cleaned. The machine has a second nozzle located at the front thereof, in front of the disc brush, for picking up cleaning solution when carpeting is being cleaned and the machine is moved in a rearward direction. A cleaning solution supply tank is located on the frame and a recovery solution tank is located in the supply tank. A vacuum motor is mounted on a lid above the recovery tank and means are provided for connecting the recovery solution tank with each of the exhaust hoses for the two vacuum nozzles.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a rimmed base having support wheels. A pair of supports extend upwardly from the base; and a handle is pivotally connected to the uprights for movement between a use position in which the handle may be used for pushing the apparatus, and a dumping position in which the handle is rotated approximately 180.degree. about a horizontal axis to lift the container and disengage it from the base to a raised position in which it is free to be rotated for dumping the contents of the container. The handle includes a pair of depending extension members pivotally connected to the container at approximately the vertical and horizontal midpoints of the container to facilitate emptying the contents.

Abstract: A handle which may be used with a power drive cleaner is disclosed, the handle being separable for knockdown shipment and thereby also having utility with non power driven cleaners. To this end, a clamping means, fixed to the cleaner, maintains a telescopic engagement of the handle to the cleaner proper, after assembly, while ribs on a rigid bag housing of the cleaner align the handle with the housing during insertion. A split sleeve serves as the clamp and expands the handle into engagement with the cleaner. A much more compact disassembled shipping arrangement, occupying considerably less volume, is achieved by this structure.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an arrangement for attaching a suction hose to an enclosed bag type of upright vacuum cleaner for the purpose of above-the-floor cleaning.

Abstract: An air controlled overhead gutter cleaner is disclosed having a head portion and a hollow supporting arm portion. The head is adapted for movement along the gutter under control of a person walking along the ground. The head is shaped such that as air, which is forced through the hollow support arm, exits from the head, leaves and other debris in the gutter are blown out of the gutter. A rear baffle is provided to deflect the expelled material forward and off the roof.

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

Abstract: The invention is concerned with a carpet cleaning implement useful for continuously washing and rinsing a floor fastened carpet in a single operation. The implement includes a head adapted to be rolled along on a carpet upon wheels. The head includes adjacent its bottom a first row of jets for delivering a flow of a solution of a washing composition such as rug shampoo, under pressure, into the carpet. An oscillatory brush is provided near to the first row of jets for vigorously agitating the solution into the carpet. A second row of jets are located near the brush on its other side. The second row of jets serves to deliver a flow of rinse water under pressure into the carpet.

Abstract: Apparatus for reducing tipping forces applied to an upright cannister-type vacuum cleaner when pulled by an elongate flexible intake hose connected thereto including an elongate strap, means for releasably connecting one end of the strap to a point on the appliance body to beneath the intake hose connector and means for adjustably attaching the other end of the strap to a portion of the hose spaced from the hose connector. When pulling forces from the user are applied to the vacuum cleaner body through the intake hose while vacuuming is being performed, the strap redirects at least a portion of the pulling forces away from the hose connecting means and to the vacuum cleaner body at the strap connection point.

Abstract: In abstract, a preferred embodiment of this invention is a device for cleaning gutters without having to use stepladders or other elevating means. This invention is in the form of a novel nozzle used in conjunction with wet/dry vacuum systems.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a selectively positionable stop for retaining the handle structure in an intermediate position between an upright storage position and a lowered, operating position. The positionable stop may be carried on a pivoted casing associated with the handle structure and a cooperating shoulder element may be movably carried on the floor cleaning unit for engaging the intermediate stop. The shoulder element may be movably carried on the cleaning unit so as to pass the intermediate stop when desired.