Abstract: A battery powered, back-pack blower comprising a mounting frame, a horizontally mounted impeller oscillated by an electric motor powered by a battery pack. The impeller and motor are positioned on the mounting frame above the battery back to better distribute the weight. The electric motor reduces the level of noise and smoke emissions from blowers using internal combustion engines. A U-bracket serves to horizontally mount the electric motor which allows for greater heat dissipation from the motor and also aids in dismantling the blower.

Abstract: A remote control vacuum cleaner (10) comprising a mobile unit (12) and a vacuum unit (14). A facility (16) is for attaching the vacuum unit (14) onto the mobile unit (12) in a removable manner. A remote control unit (18) is provided, to operate the mobile unit (12) and the vacuum unit (14), so that the mobile unit (12) will move along a floor (20), while the vacuum unit (14) will clean by suction, the dirt and dust from the floor (20).

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a floor traveling head with wheels and an elongate handle pivotably connected to the head. The head has two motors; one connected to an impeller and one connected to a rotatable brush. The head has rechargeable batteries therein for supplying electricity to the motors and a three position electrical switch. All working components of the vacuum cleaner, including an air filter and dust/dirt collection cup, are in the floor traveling head. The handle has no working components thereon.

Abstract: A storage and maintenance system for a mobile cleaning machine or the like comprises a space (6) which is at least partially enclosed for storing the mobile machine (7), guiding elements (9a, 9b) for accurately positioning the machine in the storage space, a first supply unit to replenish the machine energy source and a second supply unit (10, 11) to fill the machine's containers with consumable materials.

Abstract: A vacuum dustpan, including a vacuum unit with interior ducting terminating in marginal nozzles extending along the bottom periphery of a housing, with multidirectional rollers supporting the vacuum unit, and a separate charging nest for charging operations.

Abstract: A portable vacuum cleaner with removable flashlight is disclosed. The invention is broadly characterized as a vacuum cleaner housing having a front portion and a rear portion with vacuum cleaner components such as an impeller, motor, and filter disposed therein; a stand-alone flashlight housing of conventional design having a contained power source disposed therein; and a connector electrically coupling the contained power source of the flashlight to the vacuum cleaner components so that the vacuum cleaner is operable by utilizing power from the flashlight power source. In an alternative embodiment, the vacuum cleaner has its own dedicated contained power source so that the vacuum cleaner may be operated independently of the flashlight. In preferred form, the flashlight is disposed in the cleaner housing and removably engaged therewith by way of a latch. External contacts on the flashlight beneficially connect with cleaner housing contacts to deliver power to the vacuum cleaner components.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes two blowers connected in series, one upstream of the filter and the other downstream.

Abstract: In an electric toothbrush of the present invention, a head case is detachable from a main case, so that brushes on the head case can be easily washed and kept clean. The orientation of the brushes with respect to the main case can be changed, so that every tooth can be brushed well. A driving force of a motor is transmitted by first and second shafts and gears, so that the force can be positively transmitted to the brush even through the transmitting route is bent. Vibration of the electric toothbrush is less than conventional toothbrushes which alternately rotate brushes because the brushes are rotated by the first and second shafts. Holes of lead-pieces for connecting terminals have inwardly extending claws, and the terminals can be connected only by insertion into the holes, so that assembling steps can be reduced. If the tips of the claws are sharpened, the terminals are held tightly.

Abstract: A portable wet/dry vacuum cleaner is disclosed having a handle base and a combination nozzle/debris container. The vacuum cleaner further includes a charging base for holding or mounting the vacuum cleaner. The charging base has a recess formed therein to receive at least a portion of the handle base. The handle base has a notch or receptacle formed therein and a finger from the recharging base fits into the receptacle such that electrical charging terminals both on the vacuum cleaner and on the recharging base engage one another in sliding frictional electrical engagement while the vacuum cleaner is resiliently held in place on the base so as to permit recharging of the batteries within the vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: Apparatus including an elongate housing containing an intake vacuum nozzle in pneumatic communication with a filtration bag. The filtration bag spaced forwardly of a filtration housing containing a screen grid therewithin. The grid includes a removable plug for directing of fragrance interiorly of the grid. Further, fluid antiseptic and sterilization tubes are receivable within the housing positioned between the filtration housing and the bag and include flexible porous wick bags for directing of the fluid into the exhaust of the vacuum apparatus.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner has a power brush which projects dirt particles directly into a specially formed and located vacuum nozzle in such a manner that low air consumption can be used. The vacuum nozzle has an inlet extending along the full axial length of the power brush. Inclined grooming brushes may be provided to eliminate wheel tracks. The front wall forwardly of the power brush may be modified to provide front edge cleaning. A cordless upright vacuum cleaner may advantageously be provided having a cleaning performance comparable with that of mains powered upright cleaners.

Abstract: A suction nozzle for a vacuum cleaner, including a brush that is disposed in the suction nozzle and is driven by a battery-powered electric motor. The suction nozzle is in flow communication with the vacuum cleaner via a suction hose. The suction nozzle is provided with a shaft for guiding and handling same. At least one bracket is disposed in the vicinity of the guide shaft for accommodating at least one battery for the electric motor.

Abstract: This invention relates to improvements in vacuum cleaners, and is more in particular directed to the provision of a battery powered upright vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: A portable wet/dry vacuum cleaner is disclosed having a handle base and a combination nozzle/debris container. The handle base comprises a housing having a motor, a blower driven by the motor, and a battery pack for energization of the motor located therein. The blower is in communication with the container for forceably drawing air and entrained debris in the air into the container, for depositing the debris in the container, and for exhausting air from the handle base. A channel is provided within the outer end of the container, which channel extends inwardly and upwardly, but terminates short of the housing. The latter has an air duct between the nozzle/debris container and the blower having an inlet spaced from the inner end of the channel. A deflector is disposed between the inner end of the channel and the inlet of the air duct for directing debris entrained into the air exhausted from the channel away from the air duct inlet.

Abstract: The present invention is a vacuum cleaner recharging assembly. The assembly includes a vacuum cleaner having a motor, a housing enclosing the motor, a fan driven by the motor for producing a vacuum, and a canister for at least the reception of foreign matter and air drawn into the canister in response to the vacuum produced by the fan. The vacuum cleaner has a power source for powering the motor and electrical wiring interconnecting the motor and the power source. The assembly also includes a charging unit cooperable with the vacuum cleaner for charging the power source. The assembly further includes circuitry for disconnecting the flow of electrical power from the power source to the motor when the vacuum cleaner and the charging unit are operatively engaged to allow optimum charging of the power source.

Abstract: A portable wet/dry vacuum cleaner is disclosed having a handle base and a combination nozzle/debris container. The handle base comprises a housing having a motor, a blower driven by the motor, and a battery pack for energization of the motor located therein. The blower is in communication with the container for forceably drawing air and entrained debris in the air into the container, for depositing the debris in the container, and for exhausting air from the handle base. A channel is provided within the outer end of the container, which channel extends inwardly and upwardly, but terminates short of the housing. The latter has an air duct between the nozzle/debris container and the blower having an inlet spaced from the inner end of the channel. A deflector is disposed between the inner end of the channel and the inlet of the air duct for directing debris entrained into the air exhausted from the channel away from the air duct inlet.

Abstract: A corded/cordless dual-mode power-operated device, such as a household vacuum cleaner, can be operated in corded mode from a conventional power source and in a cordless mode using energy provided from an internal rechargable battery and which includes an internal battery charger for recharging the battery when the device is in its corded mode. The internal charger includes a voltage converter that converts input source current to a relatively high DC current that is chopped at a comparatively high frequency, e.g., 25 KHz, by switching devices. The high-frequency, high voltage current is presented to a step-down transformer with the stepped-down output rectified to provide a low-voltage DC suitable for recharging the internal battery when the device is in its corded mode. The voltage converter advantageously provides for the high efficiency conversion of the input energy to meet the charging current demands of the internal battery in a physically compact device.

Abstract: A rechargeable cordless vacuum cleaner apparatus includes a hand-held cordless vacuum cleaner containing rechargeable batteries, a motor, a fan driven by the motor and a dust-collection filter, and a charging unit containing a power transformer and rectifier diode, with the charging unit being formed with a pocket to removably retain the vacuum cleaner with charging terminals of the charging unit engaged in an electrical receptacle of the vacuum cleaner. Ribs or grooves are formed on an end of the vacuum cleaner which is inserted in the charging unit pocket, and these slidably engage with corresponding grooves or ribs formed on the charging unit, for accurate engagement. A microswitch on the vacuum cleaner acts to disconnect the batteries from a motor drive circuit and connect them to a charging circuit when the vacuum cleaner is inserted in the charging unit.

Abstract: A multi-station charging system is provided for charging batteries within a plurality of cordless tools, appliances or the like, each of which has at least one rechargeable battery therein. A plurality of modules, which act as charging stations, are arranged substantially adjacent to one another. Normally closed pairs of conductive contacts are provided in each of the modules. The electrical pairs of contacts in the modules are connected in a series circuit arrangement with each other. On one of the modules, electrical connection is provided to a single current regulated solid-state charging device which produces charging current pulses. The device may alternatively be in the one module. Each of the modules removably supports a respective tool or appliance and each tool or appliance has means for electrically connecting the respective battery therein within the series circuit arrangement and in series therewith only one wall outlet or a.c. power connection is required.

Abstract: A storing and recharging base for a cordless electric vacuum cleaner of the type which includes an elongated housing having an electric motor and fan and rechargeable batteries therein. The base has a flat bottom and key slots so that it can rest on a horizontal flat surface or be hung on a wall. The base has an upper surface contoured generally complementary to the lower surface of the vacuum cleaner housing, and has a pocket at one end which receives a nose portion of the vacuum cleaner, and a spring at the other end which releasably engages in a recess in the vacuum cleaner so that the vacuum cleaner can be stored on a horizontal surface, e.g. on a counter top or shelf, or in a drawer, or can conveniently be hung on a wall. The base also has a plug which electrically engages a receptacle in the vacuum cleaner connected to the batteries. A line cord connects the plug to a charger plug which includes a transformer and a plug for insertion into an A.C.

Abstract: A multi-purpose cigarette lighter using rechargeable Ni-Cd batteries which comprises a heated coil cigarette lighter for general smoking purpose and which further incorporates a built-in vacuum cleaner and electric lamp.