A vacuum cleaner is described that includes an elongated vacuum body, an optional battery-pack attached to the bottom end of the elongated vacuum body, and a removable backpack assembly with shoulder and waist straps attachable directly to the elongated vacuum body. The shape of the elongated vacuum body is such that the center of gravity of the body is shifted close to the body of the vacuum appliance user, allowing for greater freedom of movement during use. The vacuum appliance also includes exhaust air vents positioned to reduce the noise output of the vacuum appliance as perceived by the user during use.

An adapter device for suctioning air out of plastic bags of a type typically used for containing fallen leaves and other yard waste for disposal comprises a screen that surrounds a space that is connectable in fluid flow relation with the suction end of the vacuum hose, a shield positioned around the screen that is capable of preventing a plastic bag from being sucked by vacuum to the screen. The mouth of the shield is sized for blocking leaves or other yard waste matted in the bag from being sucked to the screen while allowing air in the bag to flow to the screen.

An assembly includes a handheld work apparatus and a support. The support has a holder worn by an operator and a connector arrangement which is held at a first attachment on the holder and on a second attachment on the work apparatus. The connector arrangement is mounted on the second attachment so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis and supports the work apparatus in a rearward direction in relation to the operator and prevents a rearward movement of the work apparatus. The center of gravity of the work apparatus and the first attachment have a spacing (a) to one another measured in a horizontal and lateral direction in relation to the operator. The holder has, at the first attachment, a bracing device for supporting the tilting moment acting on the first attachment by the weight force (F) of the work apparatus because of the lateral spacing (a).

Knock down yard tools are provided which are made of flexible heavy duty sheet material joined to form a container for handling yard waste. Included are a truck bed carrier container, a skid container, a bagging container and a hand held carrier. In one embodiment, struts are provided which can be readily assembled to and disassembled from the sheet material to help hold the shape of the container. Preferably the struts are collapsible, and most preferably comprise sections held together and biased to assembly by elastic cord. In a preferred embodiment, a collection of such knock down yard tools are provided along with auxiliary tools for manipulating the yard waste and facilitate its placement in the knock down containers. The auxiliary tools include hand scoops a leaf press, and a gripper.

The battery-powered blower includes a housing assembly including a first housing portion having a first inner surface, a second housing portion having a second inner surface, and connected to the first housing portion, and a third housing portion connected to the second portion. The third housing portion has a side outer surface configured to receive a battery. The battery is mountable to the side outer surface of the third housing portion. The second housing portion in connection with to the first housing portion forms an inner chamber therebetween. A fan is provided in the inner chamber to facilitate airflow through the housing assembly and out an outlet, and a motor is provided intermediate to the second housing portion and the third housing portion. The center of gravity with respect to the overall blower is provided proximate to a handle portion.

Apparatus includes a lawn debris collection assembly having a plenum assembly configured to be positioned in close proximate relationship with a lawn surface having lawn debris lodged between lawn blades of a lawn. The plenum assembly is movable along the lawn surface. The plenum assembly is also configured to house a positive air-pressure stream in such a way that the positive air-pressure stream is directed toward the lawn debris, and the positive air-pressure stream, in use, dislodges the lawn debris from between the lawn blades. The plenum assembly is also configured to house a negative air-pressure airstream in such a way that the negative air-pressure airstream, in use, flows from the plenum assembly to a debris-collection bag. The negative air-pressure airstream, in use, urges the lawn debris to move from the plenum assembly to the debris-collection bag.

A debris blower includes an engine mounted to an engine mount and connected to a turbine. The engine mount and housing of the turbine are respectively mounted between a second side of a frame and first and second longitudinal supports connected to and between first and second sides of the frame. A screen guard is secured utilizing bolts extending in a non-rotatable manner from a top plate connected between the second longitudinal support and the second side. Due to the frame and engine mount having a parallelism and flatness tolerance, the engine and turbine can be aligned without shimming. A sensor senses first and second trip devices positioned at circumferential locations on the exit nozzle to rotate the exit nozzle to preset angles. Remote and hard wire controls each include direction and speed switches. A resume switch throttles the engine between idle and operating speeds.

An apparatus for applying a desired amount of mechanical abrasion to plants is provided. The apparatus includes a base, a brush and an elevation device for maintaining the base at desirable height. The base has a first longitudinal axis and a plurality of grooves, the grooves being oriented approximately perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis. The brush has a second longitudinal axis and a plurality of bristles and/or blades extending outwardly from the second longitudinal axis. The brush is attached to the apparatus such that the second longitudinal axis is substantially parallel to the first longitudinal axis and the brush is rotatable about the second longitudinal axis. The brush is spaced from the base such that the plurality of bristles engage the plurality of grooves. The base is adjustable enabling the operator to move the base closer or further from the rotating brush/blades.

Debris-collecting systems and bagging apparatus for debris-collecting systems are provided. One bagging apparatus includes a primary bag and a dust skirt configured to wrap around the primary bag. At least an inner face of the dust skirt has an electrical charge. One debris-collecting apparatus includes an input portion, a bagging portion, and a draft inducer for drawing the air and debris through the input portion and to the bagging portion. The bagging portion has a hood, a primary bag removably positioned lowerly adjacent the hood, a dust skirt configured to wrap around the primary bag, and a bagging passage for directing air and debris to the hood from the input portion. The hood has a helical configuration extending from the bagging passage toward the primary bag. At least an inner face of the dust skirt is electrically charged. A frame having at least one wheel facilitates transportation.

A landscaping blower nozzle assembly includes an inlet section for allowing air into the assembly, an elbow section and a motor. A nozzle is insertable into the elbow section such that the motor moves the elbow section in a moveable motion back and forth though at least 180 degree of motion for aiding the operator in the movement and removal of leaves and other debris. A breakaway coupler prevents damage to the blower nozzle when coming into contact with a rigid surface or structure. A tensioner assembly prevents distortion of the nozzle tip when subjected to high velocity air from the blower motor.