Patents Examined by Andrew A Horton
  • Patent number: 11717128
    Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus such as an extractor has a fluid flow path extending from a dirty fluid inlet head to a clean air outlet. The fluid flow path upstream of the separation stage comprises a removable portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Omachron Intellectual Property Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne Ernest Conrad, Daniel Innes, Jason Thorne
  • Patent number: 11712142
    Abstract: A system of robotic cleaning devices and a method of a master robotic cleaning device of controlling at least one slave robotic cleaning device. The method performed by a master robotic cleaning device of controlling at least one slave robotic cleaning device includes detecting obstacles, deriving positional data from the detection of obstacles, positioning the master robotic cleaning device with respect to the detected obstacles from the derived positional data, controlling movement of the master robotic cleaning device based on the positional data, and submitting commands to the at least one slave robotic cleaning device to control a cleaning operation of said at least one slave robotic cleaning device, the commands being based on the derived positional data, wherein the cleaning operation of the slave robotic cleaning device is controlled as indicated by the submitted commands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Inventor: Anders Haegermarck
  • Patent number: 11708055
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner assembly configured to be mounted in a vehicle. The vacuum cleaner assembly including a vacuum unit configured to draw a vacuum, a canister assembly configured to collect debris and coupled to the vacuum unit, a hose junction configured to serve as a pathway for debris, and a chassis connecting the hose junction to the canister assembly. A pathway through the vacuum cleaner assembly may turn 180 degrees in the hose junction. A dirty air port of the canister assembly may be disposed at an angle relative to a surface of the chassis to facilitate placement and removal of the canister assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: SHOP VAC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jason Gottschall
  • Patent number: 11700991
    Abstract: A steam mop comprising a housing having an upright handle assembly and a steam module selectively removably mounted to the upright handle assembly. The steam module comprising a steam generator having an inlet and an outlet configured to be selectively fluidly coupled to at least one of a first fluid distributor or a second fluid distributor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: BISSELL Inc.
    Inventors: Alan J. Krebs, Kurt E. Ashbaugh
  • Patent number: 11702038
    Abstract: A wiper including wiper bracket which couples a wiper arm to blade carrier which carries one or more blades and includes an internal flow path which conducts fluid from a wiper bracket inlet through a hollow passage in a wiper blade carrier cover to plurality of outlets aligned with passthroughs in the blade carrier through which fluid egresses from the wiper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Steam Tech, LLC
    Inventor: Philip Hartman
  • Patent number: 11697397
    Abstract: A wiper blade assembly comprises a blade having upper and lower major surfaces, a wiper element extending from the lower major surface of the blade, a connector mounted on the upper major surface of the blade, and spoilers extending from opposite sides of the connector. The spoilers and the connector ore configured to positively engage each other. The spoiler includes a slice which will form a tear in the spoiler should the spoiler be moved axially relative to the connector to at least discourage reattachment of the spoiler should the spoiler be removed. The connector is a connector assembly comprising a connector base mountable to the blade of the wiper and an adapter which is separate from the connector base. The adapter is removably mountable to the connector base. Several different adapters are disclosed to allow the wiper assembly to be connected to different types of vehicle wiper arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: SM INDUSTRY CO., LTD. AUTOMOTIVE DIVISION
    Inventors: Kyungsu Kim, Kyungjong Nam, Sangwoo Kim
  • Patent number: 11696665
    Abstract: A touchless cleaning assembly for cleaning a room in a touch-less manner includes a cabinet is recessed into a wall of a room. A plurality of hose reels is positioned in the cabinet and each of the hose reels includes a hose that is drawable outwardly from the cabinet for spraying a fluid for cleaning surfaces in the room, for blowing air to dry the surfaces and to vacuum the surfaces. An air compressor is positioned within the cabinet to direct compressed air into a respective hose reel to dry the surfaces. A vacuum is positioned within the cabinet to supply vacuum pressure to the a respective hose reel for suctionally removing the fluid from a floor of the room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Inventors: Johnny Skeens, Donald Stock, Riley Skeens
  • Patent number: 11666191
    Abstract: A rotary brush is easily attachable to and detachable from a body with less separation from the body during cleaning. A rotary brush attachable to a driving shaft rotatable about a rotation axis and including a protrusion includes a brush, a base to which the brush is attached, and a locking member that comes in contact with the base and the driving shaft to lock the base to the driving shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kentaro Koura, Hirotaka Sumiyoshi
  • Patent number: 11612291
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner that includes a suction source configured to generate a suction airflow, a dirt collector in fluid communication with the suction source and configured to separate debris from the suction airflow and the dirt collector is configured to store the debris separated from the suction airflow. The vacuum further includes an infrared sensor operable to output a signal corresponding to a distance to an amount of debris stored in the dirt collector, a controller that receives the signal, and the controller is operable to determine a fill level stored in the dirt collector based on the signal. A visual display displays the fill level stored in the dirt collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited
    Inventors: Steven Marcus, William Jacob Kozlowski, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11612292
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner that includes a suction source configured to generate a suction airflow, a dirt collector in fluid communication with the suction source and configured to separate debris from the suction airflow and the dirt collector is configured to store the debris separated from the suction airflow. The vacuum further includes an infrared sensor operable to output a signal corresponding to a distance to an amount of debris stored in the dirt collector, a controller that receives the signal, and the controller is operable to determine a fill level stored in the dirt collector based on the signal. A visual display displays the fill level stored in the dirt collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited
    Inventors: Steven Marcus, William Jacob Kozlowski, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11607093
    Abstract: A floor cleaner includes a recovery tank including an inflow path allowing liquid-laden air to enter the recovery tank, an outflow path allowing air to exit the recovery tank; and a chamber for storing liquid. The chamber includes an inlet, a separator that separates liquid from the liquid-laden air, an air outlet, and a float. The float includes a base and a valve with an indicator. The float is moveable between a first position and a second position. In the first position the valve is spaced away from the air outlet and air is allowed to exit the chamber. In the second position the valve is adjacent the outlet and impedes air from exiting the chamber. In the second position the indicator is visible when the chamber is full.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited
    Inventor: Douglas M. Rukavina
  • Patent number: 11589720
    Abstract: A floor cleaner including a recovery. The recovery tank is configured to contain a fluid drawn through a suction inlet from a surface to be cleaned by a vacuum source. The recovery tank includes a shutoff float. The shutoff float is movable between a first position and a second position. The shutoff float includes a float body, a float closure, and a first interconnecting member. The first interconnecting member engages a second interconnecting member to retain the float in the first position. In the first position, the shutoff float is spaced a distance from the suction air outlet, allowing air flow through the suction air outlet. The first interconnecting member engages the second interconnecting member to retain the shutoff float in the first position. In the second position, the shutoff float is adjacent the suction air outlet, inhibiting air flow through the suction air outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited
    Inventors: Rafael Davila, Michael Paul Dawson, Robert McRorie
  • Patent number: 11589522
    Abstract: A stand-on debris blower comprising including a main frame, a pair of front wheels, and a pair of rear wheels. The stand-on debris blower also includes an operator standing platform coupled to the main frame, a control pedestal positioned forward of and above the operator standing platform, and a power source, wherein the power source has a vertically-oriented shaft. A blower assembly is also provided, wherein the blower assembly includes a horizontally-oriented impeller configured to rotate about a vertical axis, the horizontally-oriented impeller being coupled to the vertically-oriented shaft of the power source. Additionally, the blower assembly may include a V-shaped deflector assembly configurable to block air flow to at least a first, a second, or both a first and second discharge chute in the blower assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLC
    Inventor: Rick A. Weihl
  • Patent number: 11583155
    Abstract: Provided is a robot cleaner including a main body including a suction portion disposed thereon, main wheels for moving the main body, a side brush assembly disposed on the main body and rotating with a rotation shaft perpendicular to a rotation shaft of the main wheels, wherein the side brush assembly includes a housing for forming an exterior of the side brush assembly, a first force transmitter disposed in the housing and rotating by receiving a driving force, a second force transmitter in contact with the first force transmitter to rotate together when the first force transmitter is rotated, and a side brush coupled to the second force transmitter to rotate at the same rotation angle as the second force transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Seungjin Lee, Hwang Kim, Jongho Park
  • Patent number: 11583156
    Abstract: A stand for a cleaner is capable of holding and charging selectively a cleaner body or a battery. The stand for a cleaner includes a first charging terminal configured to be electrically connected to a cleaner body, a second charging terminal configured to be electrically connected to a battery, and a battery guide configured to guide the battery. The battery guide guides the cleaner body to be connected to the first charging terminal when the battery is mounted to the cleaner body, and is configured to guide the battery to be connected to the second charging terminal when the battery is separated from the cleaner body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Donghyun Lee, Byungjo Lee, Byeongheon Jung
  • Patent number: 11578902
    Abstract: A duct is provided and includes a tubular member having an inlet portion, an outlet portion and a central portion interposed between the inlet and outlet portions and a tributary tubular member fluidly coupled to the tubular member at the central portion. The tributary tubular member includes first and second torus sectors defining first and second apertures, respectively, through which an upstream end of the central portion extends. The second torus sector is disposed within the first torus sector to define a sectioned toroidal annulus about the first and second apertures and between an exterior surface of the second torus sector and an interior surface of the first torus sector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Donald E. Army, Frederick Peacos, III
  • Patent number: 11576549
    Abstract: A floor maintenance machine includes a chassis, a floor-cleaning implement adapted for engagement with the floor, and a service cabinet. The floor-cleaning implement is supported by the chassis. The service cabinet is coupled to the chassis and defines a cavity. The cavity receives a plurality of fluid access points collectively therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: RPS Corporation
    Inventor: Sean K. Goff
  • Patent number: 11565207
    Abstract: A centrifugal-separation type oil separator includes a cylindrical separator body, and an inflow pipe arranged to introduce a fluid including an oil into the separator body. The inflow pipe includes a curved portion. The curved portion includes at least one oil draining hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Inoue, Harunori Miyamura
  • Patent number: 11564541
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a main body and a suction nozzle that suctions up dust on the floor. The suction nozzle includes a housing, a driver, and a rotating brush. The housing includes an entrance through which the dust travels to the main body, a first shaft member, and a first rib disposed along a circumference of the first shaft member. The rotating brush includes a cylindrical body rotated by the first shaft member. The rotating brush also includes a brush member attached to an outer surface of the cylindrical body. The brush member rubs against the floor to direct the dust on the floor towards the entrance. As the brush member rotates, it also comes into contact with the first rib. The brush member includes a plurality of filaments. Some of the filaments are elastically deformed in the direction of the rotation axis upon contacting the first rib.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jung Bae Hwang, Jinrae Cho, Phil Jae Hwang, Chung Jae Ryu
  • Patent number: 11565661
    Abstract: A wiper blade connector releasably secures a wiper blade to a wiper arm, thereby forming a windshield wiper blade assembly. The wiper blade connector comprises an elongate body member having opposite facing side walls, a front end, and a rear end. The opposite facing sidewalls include means for receiving and releasably securing to the mounting base on a wiper blade. At the front end of the elongate body member, a first tongue receiving opening is sized to receive the corresponding front tongue of a wiper arm. At the rear end of the elongate body member, a second tongue receiving opening is sized to receive the corresponding rear tongue of a wiper arm. A locking mechanism, such as a slidable cap provided proximate to the front end of the elongate body member, releasably locks the wiper blade member to the wiper arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: PYLON MANUFACTURING CORP.
    Inventors: Vambi Raymundo Tolentino, Robert Peter Peers