Abstract: A cleaner according to the present invention includes a cleaner main body, and a suction unit provided with a nozzle portion configured to suck air containing foreign substances on a floor into the cleaner main body, and a brush assembly detachably mounted on the nozzle portion, wherein the brush assembly includes a frame coupled to the nozzle portion and provided with an opening that is open toward the front and positioned adjacent to the floor, a brush rotation bar accommodated in the frame and having at least one end portion rotatably supported on the frame, and a variable shutter rotatably mounted on the frame, and configured to close a part of the opening by being rotated by pressing force upon being brought into contact with the floor, whereby air suction force can be varied to correspond to a state of the floor, thereby improving cleaning performance.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner basically includes a base, a motor, first and second inlets, and first and second flexible members. The motor is configured to create flow through a suction path. The first inlet and the second inlet are disposed in the base in fluid communication with the suction path. The first flexible member and the second flexible member are connected to the base to cover the second inlet. The first and second flexible members are movable between first positions in which the second inlet is substantially covered to substantially prevent fluid from flowing through the second inlet and second positions in which fluid is allowed to flow through the second inlet.

Abstract: A tailpiece for a dental valve device is disclosed which has a body having a valve receiving end, a hose receiving end, and a hose retaining section having a hose insertion section, an inclined section, a first flat section, a first tapered ring section having a central section, a second flat section, a second tapered ring section having a central section, and a third flat section.

Abstract: An ophthalmic irrigator-aspirator has a handpiece with aspiration and irrigation openings through its distal end. A tip component connects to the handpiece and has an aspiration cannula. A flexible sleeve has an annular hub for watertight connection to the handpiece or a base portion of the tip. The sleeve has an intermediate portion that forms a channel for an irrigation fluid along the exterior of the cannula to an irrigation port in the sleeve. The distal end portion of the sleeve is sized for a watertight connection over the distal portion of the cannula. Such distal end portion of the sleeve has an aspiration port in communication with the cannula aspiration port. The sleeve proximate, intermediate, and distal portions are integral with each other and are formed of a resilient material that allows the sleeve to be tightly fitted on the handpiece or tip base portion and the cannula.

Abstract: A pick-up head system for use with a surface cleaning vehicle comprises a housing with a debris receiving main inlet and a debris outlet. A rotatable door assembly is mounted on the housing at the debris receiving main inlet for rotation about a substantially horizontally oriented door pivot axis, for controlling the passage of debris through the debris receiving main inlet. In use, as the rotatable door assembly rotates about the horizontally oriented door pivot axis to thereby permit debris to enter the housing through the debris receiving main inlet. An air flow barrier disposed between the rotatable door assembly and the housing substantially precludes the passage of air and small debris between the rotatable door assembly and the housing.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for vacuum operated sorting. The apparatus may include a plurality of casing members each having a passageway with a filter member across the passageway. The casing members may be removably coupled to one another in a desired order and/or quantity and attached to a vacuum source to provide sorting of objects such as beads into a plurality of size ranges.

Abstract: A vacuum can include a housing having an inlet adapted to receive debris being vacuumed. A mounting bar can be fixedly coupled to the housing. A floor collector assembly can be rotatably disposed about a first axis defined by the mounting bar. The floor collector assembly can include a floor scoop that, in the use mode, can be pivoted to be disposed adjacent to the floor. The front wall of the floor scoop can define a recess that allows debris to pass under the recess so that the floor collector assembly can be used in a debris pickup mode. A visor can be mounted to the floor scoop and can be moved to a closed position to block at least a portion of the recess so that the floor collection assembly can be used in a water pickup mode.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner nozzle is connectable to a vacuum cleaner via a connection hose to form an airflow passage of a vacuum cleaner set. The vacuum cleaner nozzle is composed of multiple pieces. The configuration of the vacuum cleaner nozzle is at least changeable between a large-area sucking mouth and a small-area slit-like sucking mouth according to the actual operation conditions of different environments to be cleaned. Therefore, it is no more necessary to frequently replace the vacuum cleaner nozzles and the vacuum cleaner can be more conveniently used.

Abstract: A self-limiting vacuum (SLV) nozzle is provided for collecting or removing combustible dust. The nozzle comprises a nozzle body comprising a nozzle inlet port, a nozzle unloader port, and a suction port; a suction tube assembly operably connected to the nozzle inlet port; a material deflector for directing vacuumed material from the suction tube assembly into the suction port; and an unloader hood installed in the unloader port. Discs can be installed in the unloader or suction port to control collection of combustible dust by the nozzle so that the concentration of dust collected within the hose stays below the minimum explosive concentration (MEC). The nozzle is operably connected to a vacuum source. Systems and methods for collecting combustible dust using the nozzle and a vacuum system are provided. Operation of the nozzle regulates the MEC of the combustible dust that is collected in the vacuum system.

Abstract: A multiple planar surface baffle provides enhanced water flow and leaf capture benefits for pool/spa vacuum heads. A first planar surface is a support plate for attachment to a vacuum head at open segment locations between adjacent support wheels along both front and back edges of the vacuum head. The second and third planar surfaces are displaced at angles relative to one-another, and relative to the support plate. The second and third planar surfaces cooperate when attached to the vacuum head to provide a larger capture opening, to minimize displacement flow of water over the vacuum head, and to provide a water profile that induces enhanced downward water currents to better entrain leaves and other low density debris.

Abstract: A handheld vacuum cleaner according to the invention comprises a housing, a dirt cup, a latch coupled between the dirt cup and the housing for selectively joining the dirt cup to the housing, a filter positioned in the dirt cup between the inlet and the outlet, and a plurality of different nozzle assemblies, each having at least one nozzle opening and each having an outlet opening at a back end thereof that is removable coupled to the dirt cup front end.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning and extracting water from carpet, comprising a vacuum head including a vacuum chamber configured to be connected to a vacuum source and two downward facing elongate vacuum ports extending downwardly from the vacuum chamber and an elongate solution manifold mounted between the vacuum ports and configured to discharge cleaning liquid in a space between the vacuum ports. The vacuum ports are configured to extract waste liquid from carpet when the vacuum head is moved in both a forward motion and a backward motion of the vacuum head. Further, the vacuum head includes elongate glides sealingly fitted in lower openings of the vacuum ports, the glides having suction openings formed therein through which fluids may be drawing into the vacuum ports, and the glides project below the bottom face of the vacuum head.

Abstract: A convertible vacuum attachment for conveying a particulate material is disclosed. The attachment comprises a housing defining a chamber, with the housing having an inlet in fluid communication with the chamber and that defines an inlet opening. The housing has an outlet in fluid communication with the chamber for connection to a vacuum source. The convertible vacuum attachment also comprises an area changing structure configured to change an area of the inlet opening from a first area to a second area.

Abstract: A powdery material removal and recovery system comprises a distribution apparatus (1), a blower unit (2), a vacuum unit (3), a recovered powder receiving hopper (4), a powder sifter (5) and a conveyor (6). The vacuum unit (3) sucks material particles from the surface of boards passing along conveyor (6) below and transfers the material to receiving hopper (4). Air from the blower unit (2) is expelled through a pressure chamber of the distribution apparatus (1) onto the surface of the boards below so that any remaining remnants of particles are dried and dislodged and can then be removed via the outer duct compartments (108, 110). Recovered material deposited into the receiving hopper (4) may then be transferred to the powder sifter (5) for sifting and reuse.

Abstract: A riding debris mover for moving debris on a surface from a first location to a second location comprises a frame coupled to a riding platform adapted to support a user, and a plurality of wheels coupled to the frame comprising at least two opposing traction wheels for driving the riding blower. A power source is coupled to the frame and is operatively coupled with at least the two traction wheels, whereby the traction wheels are rotated independently and the riding blower is propelled. A blower assembly has an air inlet opening and an air outlet opening, the blower assembly being supported by the frame and operatively coupled with the power source, whereby the blower assembly generates a stream of air from the air outlet opening.

Abstract: A dust-collectable mobile robotic vacuum cleaner includes a base frame, a driving device mounted to the base frame, a control device mounted to the base frame and electrically connected with the driving device, a collision-detectable unit mounted to the base frame electrically connected with the control device, and a dust-collecting device mounted to the base frame. The dust-collecting device has dust-collecting box, a dust guider, a round brush, and a dust entrance formed at one side of the dust-collecting box. The dust guider is located at a lower edge of the dust entrance, having two opposite sides pivotably mounted to the dust-collecting box and lying against the ground at a predetermined angle respectively, for upward and downward pivoting movement. The round brush is rotatably located at a front end of the dust guider for sweeping dust particles.

Abstract: A suction inlet unit comprises a suction inlet main body having a bottom suction inlet, a front suction inlet formed continuously with said bottom suction inlet in the front of said suction inlet main body, and a cover for covering the front suction inlet. The cover, provided at the suction inlet main body to be movable by an adjusting mechanism for adjusting an opening area size of said front suction inlet to a determined area, is configured to decrease the opening area of the front suction inlet when a front portion of the cover is contacted by a wall or furniture.

Abstract: A nozzle for use with a walk-behind blower includes a nozzle restriction due to a sloped upper wall of the nozzle body. The nozzle restriction increases the air velocity in the upper region of the nozzle and forces leaves and debris downward so that airflow through the lower region of the nozzle more effectively laterally displaces them. The configuration of the nozzle body may be adapted to accommodate a variety of engine outputs while utilizing a common design for a blower frame, impeller and shroud.

Abstract: A floor suction tool for electric vacuum cleaners includes a suction opening formed on a bottom face of a main body casing, a cover defining a front wall of the main body casing, and an abutting member projecting from a front face of the cover and functioning as a bumper between a front face of the main body casing and a wall. The cover is rotatably supported on a rotation axis formed horizontally in a direction of width of the front wall of the main body casing, the cover rotates upward to open the front face of the main body casing when a front-to-back force acts on the abutting member, and the cover rotates downward to close the front face of the main body casing when the front-to-back force ceases.

Abstract: A blower having a discharge tube, which can be secured to a housing, for guiding a stream of air is provided. The air stream flows in a main stream direction in the discharge tube and in a discharge stream direction out of the discharge tube. The discharge stream direction forms an angle of greater than 0° with the main stream direction. The discharge stream direction has a transverse component that extends perpendicular to the main stream direction, which produces a force in the discharge tube perpendicular to the main stream direction. To reduce the transverse force produced in the discharge tube, a partial air stream is branched off out of the discharge tube and flows in a partial stream direction that has a compensation component that is directed opposite to the transverse component.

Abstract: Disclosed is a surface finishing pad for fitting to a base plate of a surface-finishing machine. The Surface finishing pad includes a retaining disc for attachment to the base plate. The retaining disc contains engaging means for engaging a mounting pad onto which one or more surface finishing discs may be attached. The mounting pad includes retaining disc engagement means complementary to the mounting pad engagement means, wherein an interference fit between the retaining disc and mounting pad engagement means provides for the mounting pad to be releasably fitted on to the retaining disc. In use, the mounting pad is retained on the retaining disc as a result of the interference fit between the retaining disc and mounting pad engagement means.

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

Abstract: A hand-manipulable surface cleaning tool for suctioning both dust and debris from a surface being cleaned comprises a housing defining a substantially hollow interior, and having a perimeter wall portion that terminates downwardly in a surface facing peripheral bottom edge that defines a suctioning bottom opening in dust transfer relation with a dust and debris outlet, and having a debris passing opening disposed in the perimeter wall portion and in debris transfer relation with the dust and debris outlet. The dust and debris outlet is connectable to a hand wand for delivery of dust and debris to a vacuum source. A selectively movable portion is operatively mounted on the housing for movement between an open configuration whereat debris is admitted through the debris passing opening and a closed configuration whereat debris is precluded from being admitted through the debris passing opening.

Abstract: Suction nozzle (10, 110) for cleaning apparatuses such as vacuum cleaners, electric brushes or similar, comprising a central body (11, 111) provided with a suction chamber (30, 130), and at least two suction arms (12, 112) pivoting on the central body (11, 111) on opposite sides with respect to a median longitudinal axis (10a, 110a) of the central body (11, 111) itself, and each having a corresponding lower suction aperture (16, 116) with a determinate suction surface. Each suction arm (12, 112) can be directed with respect to the central body (11, 111) from an open position, of maximum transverse bulk, to at least a closed position of minimum transverse bulk. The overall suction surface, which comprises the sum of the suction surfaces of the suction arms (12, 112), remains unchanged for any position whatsoever of the suction arms (12, 112) with respect to the central body (11, 111).

Abstract: An apparatus for separating a substrate having a porous layer from the porous layer is provided. A bonded substrate stack having a porous layer is supported by substrate holders while being rotated. A jet nozzle ejects a high-speed, high-pressure liquid or water. The jet thrusts into the bonded substrate through a guide unit. The position in the x-axis direction of this guide unit is adjusted by a motor such that the jet is concentrated into the bonding interface of the bonded substrate stack.

Abstract: A rechargeable industrial broom is provided having a base unit having an overall width of approximately 24 inches. At the base are formed an intake orifice, and stationary bristles. The stationary bristles are attached to the broom by means of a 12 inch suction pipe and a swivel nozzle. The nozzle allows the broom to move at any angle. A bag, similar in design to the conventional vacuum bag, is connected to the back of the unit. The cloth bag snaps onto a discharge orifice, and debris captured by the broom eventually makes its way to this bag. At the bottom of the bag is a zipper for waste removal. The broom is powered by a 12-volt in-line motor. A rechargeable adapter can be incorporated directly into the interior of the broom.

Abstract: A rechargeable industrial broom is provided having a base unit having an overall width of approximately 24 inches. At the base are formed an intake orifice, and stationary bristles. The stationary bristles are attached to the broom by means of a 12 inch suction pipe and a swivel nozzle. The nozzle allows the broom to move at any angle. A bag, similar in design to the conventional vacuum bag, is connected to the back of the unit. The cloth bag snaps onto a discharge orifice, and debris captured by the broom eventually makes its way to this bag. At the bottom of the bag is a zipper for waste removal. The broom is powered by a 12-volt in-line motor. A rechargeable adapter can be incorporated directly into the interior of the broom.

Abstract: An improved skirt for use with an automatic or robotic pool cleaner head comprising at least one or a row of double-hinged flaps, each of the flaps comprising a receiving member affixed to the pool cleaner head, an upper articulating member pivotally coupled to the receiving member, and a lower articulating member pivotally coupled to the upper articulating member. The pivotally connected members form upper and lower hinges which allow free radial movement upward to, but not beyond, the bottom surface of the pool cleaning head, and further allow the cleaning head to navigate uneven surfaces or pieces of debris while maintaining effective suction.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner head having a dirty air inlet has an associated restricting member which is operable to reduce the size of the dirty air inlet thereby increasing the velocity of the air entering the air flow path.

Abstract: A toy cleanup vacuum attachment which can be used easily by attaching to household vacuum hose for the quick and efficient clean up of a plurality of different size and shape plastic building block toys.

Abstract: A wand for cleaning a carpeted stair tread includes a vacuum tube and a plurality of partitions attached thereto. The vacuum tube and the partitions cooperate to define a central channel and a pair of generally enclosed lateral channels. A nozzle bar for dispensing a liquid cleaning material extends through the central channel. The lateral channels extend in side-by-side relationship with the central channel. Each lateral channel is open along the bottom edge thereof to define a vacuum slot. Each of the lateral channels communicates with the vacuum tube through a respective opening formed in the vacuum tube. The wand may also include an elongated operating handle. Preferably the handle is attached to the wand such that the axis of the handle is substantially parallel to the axis of the wand. The wand includes a nose piece having a central channel and a pair of generally enclosed lateral channels that extend side-by-side relationship with the central channel.

Abstract: A hand-held blower and adjustable blower nozzle attachment is disclosed for providing a variable rate air flow discharge from the nozzle attachment. The blower includes a housing having a handle, a discharge portion and a motor with an operatively connected impeller within a chamber connected to the discharge portion. A tubular body is attached to the discharge portion at one end and a blower nozzle attachment at a second end. The blower nozzle attachment includes at least one constrictor flap provided within the nozzle attachment body to change the air flow rate between a low air velocity rate in a first position and a higher air velocity rate in at least one second position. The adjustable blower nozzle attachment is provided with at least one aperture corresponding to the at least one constrictor flap for adjustment of the flap between the first and the at least one second position.

Abstract: A workstation on wheels comprising a housing having a shelf dividing the housing interior into an upper and lower chamber. The shelf supports a vacuum unit that draws air from the lower chamber and exhausts it into the upper chamber. The lower chamber is provided with a vacuum outlet to which is connected an inelastic ductwork. The ductwork includes a nozzle for receiving air and solid materials from a floor surface. The air and solid materials flow through the ductwork and into a bag or bin in the lower chamber where the solid materials are accumulated. The ductwork is rotatable about the vacuum inlet and may be a one-piece L-shaped structure. Alternatively, it may be longitudinally adjustable by multiple interconnecting duct parts or by telescoping segments. The ductwork includes an housing duct to which is connected a valved flexible conduit for providing an auxiliary vacuum source.

Abstract: A street sweeper is provided including a vacuum pick-up head having a relatively low noise level and high sweeping efficiency resulting from the careful control of the velocity and direction of the air flow. In order to control the air flow, the internal contour of the pick-up head is optimized to accommodate the streamline flow pattern to minimize turbulence and boundary layer separation. The cross sectional area of the internal contour of the pick-up head is designed to be substantially constant or slightly converging. A support assembly for supporting a nozzle assembly is provided which minimizes damage to the pick-up head and minimizes infiltration into the pick-up head. A suction tube is also provided which minimizes the noise level and increases the efficiency of the pick-up head and the fan.

Abstract: An adjustable nozzle for use with a chipper-shredder vacuum for vacuuming debris from an outdoor surface is disclosed. The nozzle has an inlet for directing debris into the nozzle. The inlet has a first side, a middle section, a second side, and a non-inlet area. The first side has a first nozzle inlet, the middle section has a middle nozzle inlet, the second side has a second nozzle inlet. The cross-sectional areas of the first and second nozzle inlets are greater than the cross-sectional area of the middle nozzle inlet to equalize vacuum force throughout the nozzle. The nozzle further includes a nozzle extension that extends below the nozzle and an adjustment apparatus for adjusting the height of the nozzle extension from the ground to conform the chipper-shredder vacuum to the terrain. The nozzle extension may be raised for bumpy or thick terrain or lowered for a flat terrain.

Abstract: An asymmetric opening at the bottom of a lawn and garden vacuum device equalizing the suction across the lateral width thereof.

Abstract: A suction nozzle adapted for use in a suction cleaning device, such as an automatic swimming pool cleaner, includes a body having a throat extending from an inlet at one end of the body to an outlet at an opposite end of the body. The body itself is split longitudinally into a plurality of discrete body portions to form the throat of the nozzle. One body portion is movable relative to the other body portion, whereby the throat automatically expands in response to the relative movement of the body portions. The resulting expansion of the nozzle allows substantially unrestricted passage of large foreign objects through the throat during the operation of the suction cleaning device.

Abstract: Systems for containing fluids and for both containing a fluid and then evacuating the contained fluid to a point of treatment or disposal. These systems have a fluid containment boom and a pump for creating a vacuum in the boom and compressing a portion of the lower side of the boom against a surface on which the boom is placed to lock the boom in place and form a barrier against fluid on the surface. The compressible portion may be made of a closed cell material in which case the contained fluid can be evacuated from the surface through the boom.

Abstract: The present invention involves a high power vacuum attachment apparatus with infinite adjustability and includes a housing with side walls, a top and a back, and with an open front and an open bottom. A gate located within the housing divides it into two compartments and is slidably mounted so as to be moved up and down within the housing. The top of the housing has an orifice through which an adjustment mechanism passes and is connected to the gate. Preferably, the side walls have a greater width at the open front than at the rear wall so as to taper rearwardly. Also, this attachment may include a vacuum pipe connected to the housing which functions as a handle, a vacuum line and may include an adjustable air valve. In preferred embodiments, squeegees are included along the bottoms of the housing walls.

Abstract: A street sweeping machine is incorporated in an industrial vacuum machine. Extending transversely of the vehicle is a center casing in which a brush is rotated by a hydraulic motor. A vacuum intake hose is connected to the casing and leads to the vacuum machine. The casing may be raised and lowered between transport and working positions. On one or both sides of the vehicle are side or "curb sweeping" casings, likewise containing a hydraulically driven brush and connected to a vacuum intake hose. The curb sweeping casing is swivel mounted and spring biased outward to follow the curb on the street being swept. In the main centered casing are a hydraulically raised and lowered flap which improves the vacuum which can be drawn in the casing. Also provided is a stick breaker which breaks up large pieces of debris so that they may be drawn into the vacuum duct.

Abstract: A nozzle pipe supporting handle comprises flange portions disposed at both sides of a slit of a mounting portion, wherein the inner sides of the flange portions are press-fitted to the outer sides of a grip portion so that the grip portion can be held in such a manner that the mounting position thereof can be changed relative to a nozzle pipe.

Abstract: An improved carpet cleaning machine includes front and rear counter-revolving brushes for stroking substantially-dry carpet cleaning granules into and across the carpet fibers. A shroud is mounted adjacent the brushes and has a front portion and a rear portion, each of which is spaced from its adjacent brush to define a granule passage through which granules cast by the counter-revolving brushes are re-deposited on the carpet. Each such portion also has an edge spaced above the carpet to define a granule exit opening between the edge and the carpet. Front and rear vacuum nozzles each have an inlet for receiving granules to be removed from the carpet. Each nozzle inlet is substantially positionable at a granule exit opening to substantially block such exit opening. When the passages and exit opening are unobstructed, the machine is used to stroke granules across carpet fibers and re-distribute granules for further cleaning of the carpet.

Abstract: A carpet cleaning machine includes a pair of counter-revolving brushes for stroking the granules into and across the carpet fibers. A shroud is positioned above the brushes, has a bottom surface spaced from the brushes and generally forms a chamber around the brushes. The machine has at least one vacuum nozzle with its inlet opening into the chamber for creating a vacuum therein. The shroud terminates in a lower perimeter having a front edge, a rear edge and two side edges extending between the front edge and the rear edge. The side edges may be essentially in contact with the carpet at all times but at least the front edge and the rear edge are spaced upward from the carpet. Such front and rear edges define a granule exit opening between each edge and the carpet. A skirt is attached at the front edge and at the rear edge and each such skirt is movable with respect to such edge for closing the exit openings when removing granules from the carpet.

Abstract: A swimming pool vacuum cleaning apparatus having a flexible platform, including an apertured central portion adapted for interconnection with a suction line, a pair of outboard roller assemblies for maintaining the end portions of the platform in a spaced relationship with the pad bottom and a pair of inboard roller assemblies which are readily vertically adjustable relative to the platform so that the spacing between the central, suction portion of the platform and the pool bottom can be quickly and easily adjusted during the pool cleaning operation. The inboard roller assemblies as individual units can also readily be attached to certain types of existing cleaning apparatus to provide an improved vertical adjustment feature.

Abstract: A one-piece blade shroud and vacuum duct system for removing a water and swarf slurry from a pavement grooving site includes an adjustable intake nozzle for directly receiving the slurry hurled by the rotating blades of a pavement grooving machine. Only two nozzles are used in order to simplify the vacuum ducting and to improve the efficiency of the system. By disposing a water jet assembly within the blade shroud, efficiency is further increased.

Abstract: A suction cleaning device adapted to be moved over a surface to remove loose debris therefrom and for use in a system including a suction duct leading to a source of high velocity air vacuum. A frame defines a housing having a substantially closed top. A plurality of elongated rollers are journalled on the frame within the housing and extending generally perpendicular to a forward direction of travel of the device for sealing as the device moves over the surface. Upper seals extend lengthwise between adjacent rollers and spaced from the surface. Surface seals extend between adjacent ends of selected pairs of the elongated rollers, whereby the rollers, the upper seals, the surface seals and the surface itself substantially define the bounds of a tortuous air flow path generally parallel to and over the surface in a circuitous route between the rollers. An air inlet is located forwardly of the housing at one end of the tortuous air flow path.

Abstract: A universal nozzle which has a tubular body with a coupling end that fits on the hose of a vacuum cleaner and an inlet end distal from the coupling end. The nozzle has a smooth bore and is made from a resilient material which is manually deformable such that the inlet opening and configuration can be altered by the operator to suit operating conditions. The nuzzle material has sufficient resiliency to regain its original configuration after being manually deformed and to resist collapse because of suction pressures whether in a deformed or undeformed condition. A synthetic organic compound such as plastic resin or a natural material alloyed with fillers or reinforcing agents to produce a formulation having a Shore-A hardness of 60-95, preferably 80.+-.10, is a particularly suitable nozzle material.

Abstract: An arrangement for front suction on a vacuum cleaner, which includes a lever or a spring on a front side of the vacuum cleaner. The lever or the spring lifts the vacuum cleaner from the floor in response to a counter pressure exerted on the lever or the spring by a limiting wall, when the vacuum cleaner abuts against that limiting wall.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner head especially useful for removing loose and partially embedded gravel and similar particulates from roofs and other surfaces, having a nozzle supported slightly out of contact with the surface being cleaned, by a peripheral glide shoe, shielded jets for introducing high velocity fluid into the nozzle, adjustable vents for introducing ambient air into the nozzle, and adjustments for the nozzle height and jet direction and height.

Abstract: A variable diameter aspirating tip adapted to be connected at the end of a suction hose which comprises a conduit section having connected to one end a nozzle formed of a flexible material which defines an orifice capable of expanding between a minimal diameter and a maximal diameter. An expander, slidably disposed within the flexible nozzle, is connected to an actuator. The expander is normally proportioned so as to have a diameter greater than the minimal diameter of the orifice. By effecting relative displacement between the expander and the nozzle, the size or diameter of this orifice is varied accordingly.