A vacuum cleaner having a housing and a suction inlet thereon, the cleaner comprising a suction source in fluid communication with the suction inlet to produce a working airflow therethrough and a dirt container in fluid communication with the suction inlet and suction source. The housing further comprises a body defined by a central portion and a pair of extension arms that extend laterally outwardly from the central portion, wherein each extension comprises a mount, which receives a rotatable agitator thereon. A drive assembly is configured to counter-rotate each agitator with respect to the other agitator, and wherein the suction inlet is positioned on the housing rearward of, and between, each of the axes of rotation of each agitator. The counter-rotating agitators are operable to cooperate with the suction source to direct dust and debris outside the periphery of the housing along a converging debris path, towards the suction inlet.

A method and apparatus are provided for coupling a first and second wheeled vehicle. The apparatus includes a first area with a stop to engage an undersurface of the first wheeled vehicle and a second area with spaced apart openings to receive wheels of the second vehicle. The apparatus also includes a hook member positioned between the first and second areas and including surfaces to engage a perimeter of the frame of the first wheeled vehicle. The method includes engaging a perimeter of the frame of the first wheeled vehicle with the hook member. The method further includes rotating the stop about an engagement point between the hook member and the frame of the first wheeled vehicle until the stop engages an undersurface of the frame. The method further includes positioning a pair of wheels of the second vehicle in the spaced apart openings.

A separator for a cleaning device, the separator comprising: a housing that encloses a separating volume, the housing comprising an inlet for receiving a fluid flow containing entrained debris into the separating volume, and an outlet for discharging a filtered fluid flow output from the separating volume; a filter screen disposed on or in the housing to define part of a boundary of the separating volume, the filter screen being configured to retain the debris in the separating volume while allowing air to exit the separating volume to flow to the outlet; and an extractor arrangement providing fluid communication between the separating volume and a low-pressure region of the separator that is at lower pressure than the separating volume, in use, such that fluid is drawn into the extractor arrangement from the separating volume.

A separator for a cleaning device, the separator comprising: a housing that encloses a separating volume, the housing comprising an inlet for receiving a fluid flow containing entrained debris into the separating volume, and an outlet for discharging a filtered fluid flow output from the separating volume; a filter screen disposed on or in the housing to define part of a boundary of the separating volume, the filter screen being configured to retain the debris in the separating volume while allowing air to exit the separating volume to flow to the outlet; and a spout that is connected to the inlet, wherein the spout comprises a spout outlet through which the fluid flow is discharged into the separating volume, and wherein the spout is configured to direct the fluid flow across the filter screen.

A handheld vacuum assembly for the capture and collection of small insects that includes a vacuum body defining a suction chamber, a motor operably configured to generate a vacuum downstream in the suction chamber, a funnel member defining a suction channel located downstream of the suction chamber and a suction channel area therein, a valve disposed within the suction channel that is configured to open and close to inhibit or prevent insects from leaving the funnel member, and a filter assembly disposed upstream of the suction channel, downstream of the motor, having a porous membrane member, having a filter cap selectively removably coupled to the porous membrane member and having a plurality of selectively removable strips disposed thereon and each having an adhesive surface oriented in a direction facing the distal tip of the funnel member.

A vacuum apparatus with a magnetic and coarse material uptake surface primer for separating magnetic materials, non-magnetic coarse materials, and fine materials includes an intake housing having a magnetic element, a coarse material guide, a coarse material uptake portal and a fine material intake. The coarse material uptake portal is positioned between the magnetic element and the fine material intake. A storage chamber for holding the non-magnetic coarse materials is included, along with a release mechanism positioned such that the magnetic element adheres the magnetic materials to the release mechanism, and moving the release mechanism away from the magnetic element permits the magnetic materials to separate from the magnetic element.

To provide a vacuum cleaner capable of effectively preventing damage to a fan and a fan case without significantly decreasing the suction force. The vacuum cleaner includes a suction portion, a centrifugal separation portion, and a first collection portion that are provided on an upstream side of a fan stored in a fan case; and a second collection portion provided on a downstream side of the fan. The vacuum cleaner is configured to, with rotation of the fan, separate a part of air introduced into the centrifugal separation portion via the suction portion to the first collection portion side, thereby collecting sucked objects contained in the air into the first collection portion, and separate another part of the air introduced into the centrifugal separation portion to the fan side, thereby collecting sucked objects contained in the air into the second collection portion.

A fan with airfoil blades is provided for a regenerative air vacuum street sweeper. The blades are formed using cut and pressed upper and lower panels which are welded at a forward edge to a rod to form the airfoil leading edge and welded at the rear edges to form the airfoil trailing edge. Pins extend laterally outwardly from the rod for mounting each blade in corresponding holes in the front and rear plates of the fan housing. The side edges of the blade are welded to the plates at a 9-11 angle of attack. The airfoil blades allow for reduced size, horse power, noise, and manufacturing and shipping costs.

A handheld vacuum assembly for the capture and collection of small insects that includes a vacuum body defining a suction chamber, a motor operably configured to generate a vacuum downstream in the suction chamber, a funnel member defining a suction channel located downstream of the suction chamber and a suction channel area therein, a valve disposed within the suction channel that is configured to open and close to inhibit or prevent insects from leaving the funnel member, and a filter assembly disposed upstream of the suction channel, downstream of the motor, having a porous membrane member, having a filter cap selectively removably coupled to the porous membrane member and having a plurality of selectively removable strips disposed thereon and each having an adhesive surface oriented in a direction facing the distal tip of the funnel member.

A blower unit for a suction device has a blower, which is embodied to effect a suction-air flow along a flow direction running from the suction side to the exhaust-air side of the blower unit during operation. The blower unit furthermore has a blower capsule in which the blower is arranged, and a suction-side bearing and an exhaust-air-side bearing for supporting the blower on the inner side of the blower capsule. In addition, the blower unit contains a protective element arranged on the suction-side bearing, which is embodied to be flowed through by the suction-air flow and to provide contact protection for the blower. The protective element is arranged on the suction-side bearing in such a way that the protective element is at a distance from the inner side of the blower capsule when the blower is in operation.