Abstract: A mechanical shut-off and bypass assembly for controlling operation of a wet/dry vacuum cleaner includes a switch movable between on and off positions. A toggle member is pivotably mounted with respect to the switch and is movable to operate the switch between the on and off positions. A user operated actuator mechanism engages and manipulates the toggle member to actuate the switch. An automatic shut-off mechanism engages and manipulates the toggle member, independent of the user operated actuator mechanism, to move the switch to the off position when the liquid level in the vacuum cleaner tank reaches a preset shut-off level. The user operated actuator mechanism is operable in a bypass mode, in which the toggle member is manipulated so that the switch moves to the on position, thereby counteracting the shut-off mechanism.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a motor casing (G), optionally having a connected filter chamber, and an appliance stem (St), it being possible to plug the appliance stem (St) into a plug receptacle (21) close to the motor casing (G), and a power switch (24), which is arranged in the motor casing (G), being actuated on plugging in the appliance stem (St). In order to improve such a vacuum cleaner with regard to the switching-over of the motor-casing-side power switch effected by the appliance stem, the power switch (24), which is formed as a sliding switch, has a remote-actuation extension (48), which is acted on by plugging in the appliance stem (St) with simultaneous actuation of the power switch (24).

Abstract: A rotary floor machine having a base, a pole handle, a pole structure, a handlebar, a trigger bar, and a lock-out device. The pole handle is pivotally secured to the base and is movable between a vertical position and a rear angular position. The pole structure is secured to the pole handle. The handlebar is secured to the pole structure so as to be substantially perpendicular to the pole handle. The trigger bar controls the starting and stopping of the rotary floor machine and is mounted to the handlebar so as to be movable between proximate and distal positions relative to the handlebar. The trigger bar starts the rotary floor machine when in the proximate position and stops the rotary floor machine when in the distal position. The lock-out device has an element that is movable between a blocking position and an un-blocking position in response to movement of the pole handle between the vertical position and the rear angular position.

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: An ergonomically profiled hand grip for a hand-held tool. The hand grip has a contoured top surface and a pommel attached thereto. The centerline of the pommel is offset from the axis of the contoured top surface at an angle of approximately 45.degree.. The pommel is contoured to comfortably fit between the thumb and index finger of the user while the fingers extend over the top surface. Preferably, the pommel is rotatably attached to the top surface making the hand grip equally accessible and comfortable to right and left hand users and for users with large or small hands.

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 switch and connector for selectively creating an electrical circuit between a motor mounted in a power foot and a combination vacuum cleaning/water extraction machine is disclosed. The motor mounted in the power foot drives an agitation member rotatively mounted in the power foot. The power foot is inter-connected to the housing of the machine through a rigid wand, a grip tube and a flexible hose. A pneumatic switch is mounted in the electrical circuit between the source of electricity and the power foot motor. A bladder is mounted to the grip tube and in fluid communication with the pneumatic switch through a conduit. The bladder is constructed such that the pneumatic switch cannot be activated to create a complete electrical circuit between the source of electricity and the power foot motor unless the grip tube and wand are properly assembled.

Abstract: A reversible rotary shampoo machine or floor waxer is provided which consists of a reversible motor and a reversing switch having a safety off position electrically connected in a circuit to the reversible motor, with the reversing switch mechanically interlocked to the on/off switch so that the on/off switch must turn off the motor before the reversing switch is permitted to change the direction of rotation of the reversible motor, in order to prevent damage to the reversible motor, or accidental injury to an operator.

Abstract: A cord winder apparatus for a vacuum cleaner system. The apparatus generally comprises a generally circular spool upon which a power cord is wound, and a generally circular race over which the spool is coaxially disposed to enable the spool to be rotated thereon as the power cord is unwound and rewound on the spool. The race and spool are further positioned coaxially over a portion of a motor of the vacuum cleaner system to maintain a compact profile of the system. A coil spring is further coupled to the spool to provide a constant retracting force to rotate the spool in a retract direction to rewind the power cord once it has been at least partially unwound from the spool. A brake is further included for releasably maintaining the spool in a desired position once the power cord has been unwound from the spool a desired amount.

Abstract: In combination with a bull float, hand trowel, groover, finisher, and the like, an elongated handle, which adjustably mounts through a bracket with the attachment means provided upon the upper portion of such a finishing tool, with the handle means incorporating a housing, spring biasing a detent therein, which is normally held into locking engagement with the tool bracket, as when the handle is threadedly engaged within its housing, or which can be readjusted into various other angular dispositions, for the convenience of the concrete finisher, by partially withdrawing the handle from its threaded engagement within its housing, thereby disengaging its detent from the bracket, to accommodate and faciliate the undertaking of such pivotal movement for the handle, during its readjustment.

Abstract: A floor maintenance machine has a base, an electric motor on the base for moving a floor treating element and a handle connected to the base. Carried by the handle are an electric switch for connecting electric power to the motor, a pair of manually movable hand levers for controlling actuation of the switch, and a safety latch and an interlock mechanism for preventing and enabling movement of the hand levers to actuate the switch. The safety latch normally blocks movement of the hand levers from off to on positions to actuate the switch, but may be manually moved to a release position out of blocking relationship with the hand levers.

Abstract: An electrical appliance including an electric cord, and a cord lock comprising a rotatable body provided with a handle radially extending therefrom and an oppositely extending cam provided with a shoulder. In a first position, the handle extends upwardly and the cord lock functions in a storage capacity for the entire cord. In a second position, the cam portion extends upwardly and the shoulder automatically retains only one loop of the cord. The rest of the loops in this position are released by an inclined surface provided on the cam. In a third position, the body is rotated so that the handle extends horizontally. At this position, all of the loops may be collectively removed from the cord lock by the user.

Abstract: A safety switch for a floor treatment machine, such as a commercial type floor polishing apparatus. The switch is incorporated in an existing control housing of the apparatus and has a trigger mechanism for operating a microswitch to turn the apparatus on or off. The safety switch must be manually moved to permit the trigger to release the negative pressure microswitch. The microswitch reverts to an off position when the spring-loaded mechanism is released.

Abstract: The general object of this invention relates to the use of the inner space of the handle of a vacuum cleaner for storing the electrical cord, switch and plug of said appliance.Another object of this method consists in the use of a coiled electrical appliance cord, which can easily be stored inside the handle of a vacuum cleaner.Another object of this method is a specially designed electrical plug, which is used as a closure cap on top of the upper end of the handle of a vacuum cleaner, after that the coiled electrical cord has been stored inside said handle.Still another object of this method is a specially designed electrical switch, which is used as a closure cap on top of the upper end of the handle of a vacuum cleaner, while the appliance is being used and after that the electrical plug has been removed from the top of the handle and said coiled electrical cord has been pulled out of said handle.

Abstract: A floor care appliance or the like is provided with a hand grip having a switch retaining member that also serves as a portion of the means utilized for retention of a cord strain relief. The hand grip and handle on which it is mounted provide the remaining portions of the means for retention of the strain relief, while the handle also serves as a retaining means for the switch retaining member.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an improved hook for use on an electrical appliance such as an upright vacuum cleaner or floor polisher, around which may be wound or looped the electric cord for storing the latter when the appliance is not in use, but which may be moved so as to quickly release all turns but one of the cord.