Patents Assigned to Windsor Industries, Inc.
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Patent number: 6421868Abstract: A floor care machine with an adjustable handle assembly that allows an operator to quickly and conveniently adjust the angular position of the handle relative to the floor working unit is provided. The handle adjustment assembly allows the operator to select the handle position by hand without bending or otherwise placing the operator in a non-preferred ergonomic position. The handle adjustment assembly features a clamping mechanism with an adjustment lever for securement and release of a frictional grip of the main handle member to maintain the position of the handle relative to the floor working unit.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2000Date of Patent: July 23, 2002Assignee: Windsor Industries, Inc.Inventor: Loi Xuong Tran
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Patent number: 6357070Abstract: A cleaning machine that can simultaneously perform the cleaning operations of sweeping, scrubbing and burnishing is provided. The cleaning machine is battery-operated and is driven by a riding operator. A pivotal door is located at the rear of the cleaning machine. The burnishing assembly is pivotal with the door. Upon opening the door, access to a battery pack and a cart that supports the battery pack is available. The battery pack can be removed from the cleaning machine at its rear using the cart. A charged battery pack with cart is then positioned in the battery storage assembly of the cleaning machine to replace the removed battery pack and cart. A pair of ramp members facilitate desired placement of the cart and battery pack within the cleaning machine.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2000Date of Patent: March 19, 2002Assignee: Windsor Industries, Inc.Inventors: Daniel C. Venard, Christopher M. Knowlton, Robert J. O'Hara
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Patent number: 6131240Abstract: A cleaning machine is disclosed having an adjustment apparatus that allows a selected cleaning depth to be maintained, even where the cleaning apparatus has been raised to facilitate transport of the cleaning machine from one area to be cleaned to another. The adjustment apparatus therefore eliminates the need to reset the cleaning depth where the carpet being cleaned is of the same depth as the last area that was cleaned. The disclosed cleaning machine also features a vacuum housing having an integral seal, which provides for a more reliable seal, and simplifies assembly of the housing.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 1999Date of Patent: October 17, 2000Assignee: Windsor Industries, Inc.Inventors: Eric Shark, Gene Bothun, Clay Costanzo
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Patent number: 6073304Abstract: Squeegee adjustment in connection with a floor maintenance mechanism is provided. A single adjustment such as a laterally movable camming bar, permits rapid and reproducible squeegee height adjustment without the need for tools. A spring-urged squeegee pitch coupling is adjustable by a manually operable knob. Indicators or gauges provide an operator with information regarding the current height and/or pitch value of the squeegee.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 1998Date of Patent: June 13, 2000Assignee: Windsor Industries, Inc.Inventors: Christopher M. Knowlton, Robert J. O'Hara
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Patent number: 5993563Abstract: A larger scrubbing machine and a smaller scrubbing machine are provided in combination. The larger scrubbing machine scrubs larger floor areas and the smaller scrubbing machine scrubs smaller floor areas that are typically inaccessible by the larger machine. When the larger machine is being used, the smaller scrubbing machine is attached thereto. When a smaller floor area is to be cleaned, the smaller scrubbing machine is removed from the larger scrubbing machine. The smaller scrubbing machine includes a scrubber assembly and a motor that is powered using an electrical power source located on the larger machine. A spring is operatively connected to this scrubber assembly for ensuring desired contact between the brush bristles and the floor area being cleaned. Two spaced pairs of wheels provide a uniform plane of contact during scrubbing by the scrubber assembly.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 1998Date of Patent: November 30, 1999Assignee: Windsor Industries, Inc.Inventors: Timothy A. Strickland, Richard C. Brigman, Robert J. O'Hara
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Patent number: 5920953Abstract: A cleaning and extracting unit which includes a housing comprising upper and lower housing sections removably attached to each other. When attached to each other, the lower and upper housing sections collectively define a pair of vacuum pump chambers and a fluid pump chamber. The unit may be provided with one vacuum pump which is received into one of the vacuum pump chambers, or a pair of vacuum pumps which are connected to each other in series and received into respective ones of the vacuum pump chambers. The unit is also provided with a fluid pump which is received into the fluid pump chamber, as well as a heater which is received into a heater chamber defined by the lower housing section.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 1997Date of Patent: July 13, 1999Assignee: Windsor Industries, Inc.Inventor: William K. Shero, deceased
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Patent number: 5911938Abstract: A molded unit is made using a rotational molding process. In making the molded unit, a tool assembly houses the mold material. A fixture assembly is also contained within the tool assembly. The fixture assembly holds an insert member in place. The insert member becomes an integral part of the molded unit during the rotomolding process. Preferably, the insert member is spaced from the inner walls of the tool assembly in order to permit mold material to flow and solidify in this space. The fixture assembly is removable from the interior of the molded unit through one or more access openings that are formed in the molded unit.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 1997Date of Patent: June 15, 1999Assignee: Windsor Industries, Inc.Inventors: Hilogi Jesse El, Arlen Huff, Grant Oakes
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Patent number: 5881417Abstract: A contouring broom assembly is provided for following contours of a surface. The assembly includes an angling contour mechanism (600) for allowing a cylindrical side broom (140) to angle relative to horizontal and an elevating contour mechanism (610) for allowing the cylindrical side broom to rise and fall in a substantially linear fashion. The mechanisms (600 and 610) operate separately to allow for independent elevating and angling and each of the mechanisms can be operated without active user involvement, for example, responsive to pressure exerted on the cylindrical side broom by the surface due to traversing a contour. A scrubber squeegee assembly (620) formed from discrete units (622, 624 and 626) is also disclosed. The assembly (620) allows for independent selection of the materials or characteristics of each unit (622, 624 or 626).Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 1995Date of Patent: March 16, 1999Assignee: Windsor Industries, Inc.Inventor: Christopher M. Knowlton
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Patent number: 5742975Abstract: The present invention provides an articulated vehicle for scrubbing floors that provides an operator station for riding on the vehicle and is particularly useful in cleaning relatively large floor surfaces that are defined by intersecting aisles of relatively narrow width. In this regard, the dimensional characteristics of the vehicle body facilitate tight turns in such aisles. Further, the location and/or shape of components of the vehicle and/or the positional relationship of one component to another component facilitate turns in narrow aisles. The vehicle also incorporates shock absorbing systems for the scrub head and vacuum squeegee that benefit the noted application.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 1996Date of Patent: April 28, 1998Assignee: Windsor Industries, Inc.Inventors: Christopher M. Knowlton, Robert J. O'Hara
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Patent number: 5662426Abstract: A drive hub spindle assembly for use in connection with a cylindrical broom (12) is provided which enhances power transmission and facilitates drive hub/spindle engagement. The drive hub (10) includes three radially projecting lugs (24) for engaging mating recesses (72) of the spindle (60). A novel reinforcing structure (52) associated with each of the lugs (24) is also disclosed. The hub (10) is self-centering and requires minimal manipulation during engagement.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 1995Date of Patent: September 2, 1997Assignee: Windsor Industries, Inc.Inventor: Timothy A. Strickland
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Patent number: 5655254Abstract: A cleaning machine is provided with a recovery tank for containing recovered liquid from a floor or other surface that is being cleaned. The recovery tank has a chamber that houses the recovered liquid and within the chamber are a recovery inlet and a vacuum conduit. The recovery inlet carries the recovered fluid for discharge into the chamber and the vacuum conduit is used in creating a desired vacuum to cause the recovered liquid to be drawn into the chamber. The recovery tank is disposed on a cleaning tank for containing a liquid cleaning solution that is applied to the surface for cleaning purposes. The recovery tank covers an access opening in the cleaning tank for receipt of the liquid cleaning solution. A vacuum motor produces the vacuum and is located next to the cleaning tank below the recovery tank. Sealing members insure a proper seal at the junctions for the recovered liquid and the vacuum when the removable tank is joined to the cleaning tank.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 1995Date of Patent: August 12, 1997Assignee: Windsor Industries, Inc.Inventors: Frederick M. Bores, Eugene L. Bothun
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Patent number: 5630246Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for cleaning floors. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes four wheels, two of which are steerable wheels, and a steering mechanism that permits the two steerable wheels to turn to a degree that allows very tight turns to be made by the sweeper. In another embodiment, the apparatus is a sweeper with a cylindrical side broom. Yet a further embodiment of the sweeper includes flaps or seals that form a skirt about the broom and a mounting mechanism for slidably receiving the flap or seal. In a further embodiment, the apparatus is a sweeper that employs flaps with wear indicators that tell an operator when to adjust or replace the flap. In another embodiment, the apparatus is a sweeper that utilizes a pre-filter to remove debris that remains in the vacuum airstream after having passed through the hopper and that is of a size that can require frequent cleaning of a subsequent filtering device.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 1995Date of Patent: May 20, 1997Assignee: Windsor Industries, Inc.Inventors: Christopher M. Knowlton, Robert J. O'Hara, Timothy A. Strickland
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Patent number: 5628086Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for cleaning floors. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes four wheels, two of which are steerable wheels, and a steering mechanism that permits the two steerable wheels to turn to a degree that allows very tight turns to be made by the sweeper. In another embodiment, the apparatus is a sweeper with a cylindrical side broom. Yet a further embodiment of the sweeper includes flaps or seals that form a skirt about the broom and a mounting mechanism for slidably receiving the flap or seal. In a further embodiment, the apparatus is a sweeper that employs flaps with wear indicators that tell an operator when to adjust or replace the flap. In another embodiment, the apparatus is a sweeper that utilizes a pre-filter to remove debris that remains in the vacuum airstream after having passed through the hopper and that is of a size that can require frequent cleaning of a subsequent filtering device.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 1995Date of Patent: May 13, 1997Assignee: Windsor Industries, Inc.Inventors: Christopher M. Knowlton, Robert J. O'Hara
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Patent number: 5625920Abstract: A cleaning tool is disclosed that includes a brush unit having bristles that is positionable in each of a selected one of a cleaning position and a storage position. In the cleaning position, the brush bristles contact the surface being cleaned using the tool. In the storage position, the brush bristles face in a different direction from the cleaning position and do not contact any surface being cleaned. The tool includes an attachment member for receiving the brush unit. In order to change the position of the brush unit, it is removed from remaining parts of the tool and rotated or otherwise changed in position before re-joining it to the attachment member. In changing between cleaning and storage positions, the ends of the brush unit are disposed at opposite ends of the attachment member. Preferably, the cleaning tool includes a spray control assembly for controlling the spraying of a liquid cleaner during use of the cleaning tool.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 1995Date of Patent: May 6, 1997Assignee: Windsor Industries, Inc.Inventors: Frederick M. Bores, Dan Venard, Michael Guest
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Patent number: 5611108Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for cleaning floors. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes four wheels, two of which are steerable wheels, and a steering mechanism that permits the two steerable wheels to turn to a degree that allows very tight turns to be made by the sweeper. In another embodiment, the apparatus is a sweeper with a cylindrical side broom. Yet a further embodiment of the sweeper includes flaps or seals that form a skirt about the broom and a mounting mechanism for slidably receiving the flap or seal. In a further embodiment, the apparatus is a sweeper that employs flaps with wear indicators that tell an operator when to adjust or replace the flap. In another embodiment, the apparatus is a sweeper that utilizes a pre-filter to remove debris that remains in the vacuum airstream after having passed through the hopper and that is of a size that can require frequent cleaning of a subsequent filtering device.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 1995Date of Patent: March 18, 1997Assignee: Windsor Industries, Inc.Inventors: Christopher M. Knowlton, Timothy A. Strickland, Robert J. O'Hara
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Patent number: 5608947Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for cleaning floors. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes four wheels, two of which are steerable wheels, and a steering mechanism that permits the two steerable wheels to turn to a degree that allows very tight turns to be made by the sweeper. In another embodiment, the apparatus is a sweeper with a cylindrical side broom. Yet a further embodiment of the sweeper includes flaps or seals that form a skirt about the broom and a mounting mechanism for slidably receiving the flap or seal. In a further embodiment, the apparatus is a sweeper that employs flaps with wear indicators that tell an operator when to adjust or replace the flap. In another embodiment, the apparatus is a sweeper that utilizes a pre-filter to remove debris that remains in the vacuum airstream after having passed through the hopper and that is of a size that can require frequent cleaning of a subsequent filtering device.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 1995Date of Patent: March 11, 1997Assignee: Windsor Industries, Inc.Inventors: Christopher M. Knowlton, Timothy A. Strickland, Robert J. O'Hara
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Patent number: D381100Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 1996Date of Patent: July 15, 1997Assignee: Windsor Industries, Inc.Inventor: David Fink
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Patent number: D382383Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 1994Date of Patent: August 12, 1997Assignee: Windsor Industries, Inc.Inventors: Christopher M. Knowlton, Robert J. O'Hara
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Patent number: D391697Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 1996Date of Patent: March 3, 1998Assignee: Windsor Industries, Inc.Inventors: Christopher M. Knowlton, Robert J. O'Hara
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Patent number: D394061Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 1997Date of Patent: May 5, 1998Assignee: Windsor Industries, Inc.Inventor: David Fink