Abstract:
A vacuum cleaner includes a surface cleaning head, a pivot assembly pivotally coupled to the surface cleaning head such that the pivot assembly is pivotable relative to the surface cleaning head, and a canister assembly coupled to the pivot assembly such that the canister assembly is supported above the surface cleaning head. The pivot assembly pivotally couples to the surface cleaning head such that the pivot assembly is pivotable relative to the surface cleaning head. The canister assembly includes an electrical source connector configured to connect to a power source. The electrical source connector is electrically connected to a plurality of electrical components via a pivot assembly electrical connection. The surface cleaning head further includes an appliance board having an appliance controller, a display board having a display, and a floor-type sensor, each of which being one of the plurality of electrical components.
Abstract:
A vacuum cleaner 10 includes a suction source 42, an air inlet 98, and an airflow path 62 extending from the air inlet 98 to the suction source 42. A valve 110 is movable between an open position in which the suction source 42 and the air inlet 98 are in fluid communication and a closed position in which the valve inhibits fluid communication between the air inlet 98 and the suction source 42. The vacuum cleaner 10 also includes a link 114 coupled to the valve 110 such that movement of the link 114 in a first direction when the valve is in the closed position opens the valve 110, and movement of the link 114 in a second direction when the valve 110 is in the open position closes the valve 110. The link 114 has a deformable portion 150 resiliently deformable to permit additional movement of the link 114 in the second direction when the valve 110 is in the closed position.
Abstract:
A vacuum cleaner (20) includes a surface cleaning head (24), a pivot assembly pivotally coupled to the surface cleaning head (24), a cleaning wand (36) removably coupled to the pivot assembly, and a canister assembly (40) removably coupled to the pivot assembly. The canister assembly (40) includes a first electrical connector (120) connected to a power source, a dirt separation unit (96), and a suction motor (100) electrically connected to the power source and in fluid communication with a dirty air inlet of the cleaning head (24), the cleaning wand (36), and the dirt separation unit (96). The vacuum cleaner (20) also includes a second electrical connector (124) on the pivot assembly. The vacuum cleaner (20) is operable in an upright configuration and in a portable configuration. The cleaning wand (36) is removable from the pivot assembly when the vacuum cleaner (20) is in the upright configuration and when the vacuum cleaner (20) is in the portable configuration.
Abstract:
A surface treating appliance (10) includes a surface treating head (12), a hose (52), and a fan unit (57) for generating a flow of fluid. A flexible duct assembly (122) has a first end (124) and a second end (126) moveable relative to the first end between a first position allowing fluid flow between the hose and the fan unit, and a second position allowing fluid flow between the surface treating head and the fan unit. The duct assembly is connected to a first support (142) which is pivotable about a first axis (PI), and to a second support (144) which is pivotable about a second axis spaced from the first axis. A drive mechanism (180, 184) effects the pivoting movement of the supports about their axes to move the second end of the duct assembly between the first and second positions.
Abstract:
An upright vacuum cleaner (1) comprises a main body (2) having arranged therein a suction chamber (3), a fan unit (4), a first suction duct (5), a second suction duct (6) and a valve arrangement (7) operable to establish communication between each of the first and second suction ducts and the suction chamber. A floor nozzle arrangement (8) is provided at a first end (9) of the main body and in communication with said first suction duct. An auxiliary nozzle (10) for above-floor cleaning is provided, and an extensible and/or collapsible suction hose (12) connects the auxiliary nozzle to said second suction duct. The cleaner (1) has handle means (11) comprising an elongated recess (13) adapted to contain the greater part of the suction hose. The recess (13) may be open at one end or may be shaped as an open groove.
Abstract:
An upright surface treating appliance (10) includes a main body (14) and a stand (180) pivotable relative to the main body (14) between a supporting position and a retracted position. A stand retaining mechanism (210) is provided for releasably retaining the stand (180) in the supporting position, which comprises a locking member (212) pivotably moveable about a first axis to release the stand (180) as it is moved from the supporting position to the retracted position, and about a second axis spaced from the first axis to retain the stand (180) as it is returned to the supporting position. Biasing means (232) apply a relatively large first force to the locking member (212) which resists movement thereof about the first axis. To facilitate the return of the stand (180) to its supporting position, the biasing means (232) is arranged to apply a relatively small second force to reset the locking member (212) following movement thereof about the second axis.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a vertebral column stabilising device comprising at least two pedicle screws and at least one connecting element therebetween. Said invention also relates to pedicle screws which combine advantages of monoaxial and polyaxial screws in such a way that disadvantages thereof are avoided. For this purpose, the screw head is fixedly mounted on the screw shaft in order to ensure an optimal replacement of vertebra, wherein a movable spherical element arranged in the screw head eases the introduction of a connection element through the screw head and is fixedly connectable thereto after a successful introduction.
Abstract:
A power control system for use in providing mechanical or electrical power to a load is used to operate a system to provide a series of pulses to the system wherein the pulses within each series provide differing amounts of power. Preferably, a portion of the series which has a duration of 10 % of the cycle delivers more than 20 % of the total power to the load which the load receives each cycle.
Abstract:
The invention provides a connector for forming a connection between a first part (12) and a second part (52) releasable from the first part (12), the first and second parts (12, 52) having conduits arranged therein, which conduits are arranged to communicate with one another when the first part (12) is connected to the second part (52), a seal (33) arranged between the first and second parts (12, 52), a movable arm (90) mounted on the first part (12) and carrying a portion (32) of the first part (12) defining the respective conduit, and biasing means (95) biasing the said portion (32) of the first part (12) towards the second part (52). The direction in which the second part (52) is releasable from the first part (12) is substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement (99) of the said portion (32) of the first part (12). The advantage of the arrangement is that the second part (52) can be released from the first part (12) without placing undue stress on the seal (33).
Abstract:
The invention provides an apparatus for carrying a fluid flow having at least one fluid inlet, at least one fluid outlet, a plurality of alternative fluid flow paths therebetween and valve for selecting one of the said fluid flow paths to carry a fluid flow from the or a fluid inlet to the or a fluid outlet, wherein the said valve (14) and at least part of the said alternative fluid flow paths (26, 70) are housed within a removable portion (10) of the apparatus to facilitate maintenance. Preferably, seals (32) are provided between the removable portion (10) and the remainder of the apparatus, the seals (32) being either carried by the removable portion (10) or exposed for access by removal of the removable portion (10). This arrangement facilitates removal of blockages and replacement of seals.