Patents by Inventor Katherine E. Phelan

Katherine E. Phelan has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8627538
    Abstract: A vacuum can include a housing having an inlet adapted to receive debris being vacuumed. A mounting bar can be fixedly coupled to the housing. A floor collector assembly can be rotatably disposed about a first axis defined by the mounting bar. The floor collector assembly can include a floor scoop that, in the use mode, can be pivoted to be disposed adjacent to the floor. The front wall of the floor scoop can define a recess that allows debris to pass under the recess so that the floor collector assembly can be used in a debris pickup mode. A visor can be mounted to the floor scoop and can be moved to a closed position to block at least a portion of the recess so that the floor collection assembly can be used in a water pickup mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Katherine E. Phelan, Gregg L. Sheddy
  • Patent number: 8327487
    Abstract: A vacuum may include a housing defining a suction inlet opening and a debris chamber in communication with the suction inlet opening, a suction device disposed in the housing for providing a vacuum pressure to the inlet opening, a filter disposed in an airflow path between the suction inlet opening and the suction device, and a motor driving a device for disengaging debris from the filter. The device for disengaging debris from the filter may include at least one finger disposed on a belt or a rake. The device for disengaging debris from the filter may include a vibration device that induces a vibration in the filter. A controller can allow electric current to actuate the device for disengaging debris from the filter. The controller can have a plurality of operational modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Michael P. Kunz, Gregg L. Sheddy, Katherine E. Phelan
  • Patent number: 8037572
    Abstract: A vacuum having a container and a cover coupled to the container. The coupled cover and container define an interior space communicating with an inlet and an outlet. A fan is fluidly disposed between the inlet and the outlet and a motor is operable to rotationally drive the fan, wherein rotation of the fan creates a fluid flow from the inlet, through the interior space, and out the outlet. A frame supports the container and a handle coupled to the frame is moveable between a use position and a stowed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Katherine E. Phelan, Kathy E. DiPasquale, Stuart J. Wright, Brian Horigan
  • Publication number: 20110094053
    Abstract: A vacuum can include a housing having an inlet adapted to receive debris being vacuumed. A mounting bar can be fixedly coupled to the housing. A floor collector assembly can be rotatably disposed about a first axis defined by the mounting bar. The floor collector assembly can include a first debris-passing member coupled to the mounting bar, a second debris-passing member rotatably coupled to the first debris-passing member and a third debris-passing member removably coupled to the second debris-passing member. The first debris-passing member can define an opening. The floor collector assembly can be operable in a plurality of modes. In a first mode, the opening can be substantially perpendicular relative to a vacuumed surface. In a second mode, the second debris-passing member can be rotated relative to the first debris-passing member about a second axis such that the opening is at an acute angle relative to the vacuumed surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: BLACK & DECKER INC.
    Inventors: Katherine E. Phelan, Gregg L. Sheddy, Paul S. White, Michael P. Kunz, Stuart J. Wright, Christopher J. Murray, Trevor T. Bludis, Alfred H. Judge
  • Patent number: 7877839
    Abstract: A vacuum can include a housing having an inlet adapted to receive debris being vacuumed. A mounting bar can be fixedly coupled to the housing. A floor collector assembly can be rotatably disposed about a first axis defined by the mounting bar. The floor collector assembly can include a first debris-passing member coupled to the mounting bar, a second debris-passing member rotatably coupled to the first debris-passing member and a third debris-passing member removably coupled to the second debris-passing member. The first debris-passing member can define an opening. The floor collector assembly can be operable in a plurality of modes. In a first mode, the opening can be substantially perpendicular relative to a vacuumed surface. In a second mode, the second debris-passing member can be rotated relative to the first debris-passing member about a second axis such that the opening is at an acute angle relative to the vacuumed surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Katherine E. Phelan, Gregg L. Sheddy, Paul S. White, Michael P. Kunz, Stuart J. Wright, Christopher J. Murray, Trevor T. Bludis, Alfred H. Judge
  • Publication number: 20100011530
    Abstract: A vacuum may include a housing defining a suction inlet opening and a debris chamber in communication with the suction inlet opening, a suction device disposed in the housing for providing a vacuum pressure to the inlet opening, a filter disposed in an airflow path between the suction inlet opening and the suction device, and a motor driving a device for disengaging debris from the filter. The device for disengaging debris from the filter may include at least one finger disposed on a belt or a rake. The device for disengaging debris from the filter may include a vibration device that induces a vibration in the filter. A controller can allow electric current to actuate the device for disengaging debris from the filter. The controller can have a plurality of operational modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Michael P. Kunz, Gregg L. Sheddy, Katherine E. Phelan
  • Publication number: 20080184517
    Abstract: A vacuum appliance having a housing with an attached intake port. A plurality of attachment nodes are axially located about the intake port. An accessory with a plurality of axially located grooves selectively engage the plurality of attachment nodes to establish a locking relationship with the intake port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Inventors: Katherine E. Phelan, Stuart J. Wright
  • Publication number: 20080115307
    Abstract: A vacuum can include a housing having an inlet adapted to receive debris being vacuumed. A mounting bar can be fixedly coupled to the housing. A floor collector assembly can be rotatably disposed about a first axis defined by the mounting bar. The floor collector assembly can include a floor scoop that, in the use mode, can be pivoted to be disposed adjacent to the floor. The front wall of the floor scoop can define a recess that allows debris to pass under the recess so that the floor collector assembly can be used in a debris pickup mode. A visor can be mounted to the floor scoop and can be moved to a closed position to block at least a portion of the recess so that the floor collection assembly can be used in a water pickup mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventors: Katherine E. Phelan, Gregg L. Sheddy
  • Publication number: 20080115318
    Abstract: A vacuum having a container and a cover coupled to the container. The coupled cover and container define an interior space communicating with an inlet and an outlet. A fan is fluidly disposed between the inlet and the outlet and a motor is operable to rotationally drive the fan, wherein rotation of the fan creates a fluid flow from the inlet, through the interior space, and out the outlet. A frame supports the container and a handle coupled to the frame is moveable between a use position and a stowed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventors: Katherine E. Phelan, Kathy E. DiPasquale, Stuart J. Wright, Brian Horigan
  • Publication number: 20080115317
    Abstract: A vacuum can include a housing having an inlet adapted to receive debris being vacuumed. A mounting bar can be fixedly coupled to the housing. A floor collector assembly can be rotatably disposed about a first axis defined by the mounting bar. The floor collector assembly can include a first debris-passing member coupled to the mounting bar, a second debris-passing member rotatably coupled to the first debris-passing member and a third debris-passing member removably coupled to the second debris-passing member. The first debris-passing member can define an opening. The floor collector assembly can be operable in a plurality of modes. In a first mode, the opening can be substantially perpendicular relative to a vacuumed surface. In a second mode, the second debris-passing member can be rotated relative to the first debris-passing member about a second axis such that the opening is at an acute angle relative to the vacuumed surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventors: Katherine E. Phelan, Gregg L. Sheddy, Paul S. White, Michael P. Kunz, Stuart J. Wright, Christopher J. Murray, Trevor T. Bludis, Alfred H. Judge