Patents by Inventor Lee Cottrell

Lee Cottrell 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).

  • Publication number: 20240090721
    Abstract: A robotic cleaner includes a housing, a suction conduit with an opening, and a leading roller mounted in front of a brush roll. An inter-roller air passageway may be defined between the leading roller and the brush roll wherein the lower portion of the leading roller is exposed to a flow path to the suction conduit and an upper portion of the leading roller is outside of the flow path. Optionally, a combing unit includes a plurality of combing protrusions extending into the leading roller and having leading edges not aligned with a center of the leading roller. Optionally, a sealing strip is located along a rear side of the opening and along a portion of left and right sides of the opening. The underside may define side edge vacuum passageways extending from the sides of the housing partially between the leading roller and the sealing strip towards the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Steven Paul CARTER, Adam Udy, Catriona A. Sutter, Christopher Pinches, David S. Clare, Andre David Brown, John Freese, Patrick Cleary, Alexander J. Calvino, Lee Cottrell, Daniel Meyer, Daniel John Innes, David Jalbert, Jason B. Thorne, Peter Hutchinson, Gordon Howes, Wenxiu Gao, David Wu, David W. Poirier, Daniel R. Der Marderosian
  • Patent number: 11896184
    Abstract: Vacuum cleaning devices include foldable wands to provide a storage configuration and/or facilitate use. A vacuum cleaning device includes a wand having a first end coupled to a vacuum unit and a second end coupled to a vacuum head or surface cleaning head. The wand defines an air passage allowing air to pass from the surface cleaning head to the vacuum unit and includes a flexible air passage along at least a portion of the wand. The wand also includes a plurality of segments pivotably connected together such that the wand is foldable about 180° in a forward direction until the vacuum unit is positioned proximate a top of the surface cleaning head, thereby providing a storage configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: SharkNinja Operating LLC
    Inventors: Daniel John Innes, Jason Thorne, Andre David Brown, Gary Palladino, Catriona C. A. Sutter, Lee Cottrell, Scott Niedzwecki, Junghwan Chei
  • Patent number: 11864719
    Abstract: An example of a system, consistent with the present disclosure, may include a motor-battery assembly. The motor-battery assembly may include a housing defining one or more cavities, a suction motor configured to be fluidly coupled to a debris compartment of a vacuum cleaner for generating air flow through the vacuum cleaner for entraining debris, one or more batteries at least partially disposed within at least one of the one or more cavities, and a motor/battery controller at least partially disposed within at least one of the one or more cavities, the motor/battery controller configured to control power provided to the suction motor and to regulate charging and/or discharging of the one or more batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: SharkNinja Operating LLC
    Inventors: Andre D. Brown, Jason B. Thorne, Kai Xu, Sam Liu, Lee Cottrell
  • Patent number: 11839346
    Abstract: A robotic cleaner includes a housing, a suction conduit with an opening, and a leading roller mounted in front of a brush roll. An inter-roller air passageway may be defined between the leading roller and the brush roll wherein the lower portion of the leading roller is exposed to a flow path to the suction conduit and an upper portion of the leading roller is outside of the flow path. Optionally, a combing unit includes a plurality of combing protrusions extending into the leading roller and having leading edges not aligned with a center of the leading roller. Optionally, a sealing strip is located along a rear side of the opening and along a portion of left and right sides of the opening. The underside may define side edge vacuum passageways extending from the sides of the housing partially between the leading roller and the sealing strip towards the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: SharkNinja Operating LLC
    Inventors: Steven Paul Carter, Adam Udy, Catriona A Sutter, Christopher Pinches, David S. Clare, Andre David Brown, John Freese, Patrick Cleary, Alexander J. Calvino, Lee Cottrell, Daniel Meyer, Daniel John Innes, David Jalbert, Jason B. Thorne, Peter Hutchinson, Gordon Howes, Wenxiu Gao, David Wu, David W. Poirier, Daniel R. Der Marderosian
  • Publication number: 20230180978
    Abstract: A cleaning device and methods for cleaning are provided. In one embodiment, the cleaning device includes a head assembly, a body assembly, and a handle assembly. The cleaning device also includes components that enable the cleaning device to operate in dry cleaning modes and wet cleaning modes. Dry cleaning modes can employ a vacuum assembly, including a motor, tubing, and a fluid recovery tank in order to draw in debris and waste into a fluid recovery tank. Wet cleaning modes can further employ a fluid supply tank, a pump, and tubing in order to supply fluid to a brushroll to aid in a cleaning process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2022
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventor: Lee Cottrell
  • Publication number: 20230172416
    Abstract: A cleaning device and methods for cleaning are provided. In one embodiment, the cleaning device includes a head assembly, a body assembly, and a handle assembly. The cleaning device also includes components that enable the cleaning device to operate in dry cleaning modes and wet cleaning modes. Dry cleaning modes can employ a vacuum assembly, including a motor, tubing, and a fluid recovery tank in order to draw in debris and waste into a fluid recovery tank. Wet cleaning modes can further employ a fluid supply tank, a pump, and tubing in order to supply fluid to a brushroll to aid in a cleaning process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2022
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: Bartholomew Lampard, Lee Cottrell, Simon Wells, Fred Harrison, Simon Lewis Bilton, Rory Hawkins, Benedict William Flynn Taylor
  • Publication number: 20230090575
    Abstract: A surface cleaning head with dual rotating agitators (e.g., a leading roller and a brush roll) may be used to facilitate capturing of debris in the air flow into a suction conduit on the underside of the surface cleaning head. The leading roller is generally positioned adjacent to and in advance of the opening of the suction conduit. The rotating brush roll may be located in the suction conduit with the leading roller located in front of and spaced from the brush roll, forming an inter-roller air passageway therebetween. The leading roller may provide a softer cleaning element than the brush roll and may also have an outside diameter that is less than the outside diameter of the brush roll. The surface cleaning head may also include debriding protrusions contacting the leading roller and/or a leading bumper that extends in front of the leading roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Inventors: Steven Paul CARTER, Adam UDY, Catriona A. SUTTER, Christopher PINCHES, David S. CLARE, Andre David BROWN, John FREESE, Patrick CLEARY, Alexander CALVINO, Lee COTTRELL, Daniel MEYER, Daniel John INNES, David JALBERT, Jason THORNE, Peter HUTCHINSON, Gordon HOWES, Nancy GAO WENXIU, David WU, David W. POIRER
  • Patent number: 11484172
    Abstract: A cleaning device and methods for cleaning are provided. In one embodiment, the cleaning device includes a head assembly, a body assembly, and a handle assembly. The cleaning device also includes components that enable the cleaning device to operate in dry cleaning modes and wet cleaning modes. Dry cleaning modes can employ a vacuum assembly, including a motor, tubing, and a fluid recovery tank in order to draw in debris and waste into a fluid recovery tank. Wet cleaning modes can further employ a fluid supply tank, a pump, and tubing in order to supply fluid to a brushroll to aid in a cleaning process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: SharkNinja Operating LLC
    Inventors: Bartholomew Lampard, Lee Cottrell, Simon Wells, Fred Harrison, Simon Lewis Bilton, Rory Hawkins, Benedict William Flynn Taylor
  • Publication number: 20220110495
    Abstract: A robotic cleaner includes a housing, a suction conduit with an opening, and a leading roller mounted in front of a brush roll. An inter-roller air passageway may be defined between the leading roller and the brush roll wherein the lower portion of the leading roller is exposed to a flow path to the suction conduit and an upper portion of the leading roller is outside of the flow path. Optionally, a combing unit includes a plurality of combing protrusions extending into the leading roller and having leading edges not aligned with a center of the leading roller. Optionally, a sealing strip is located along a rear side of the opening and along a portion of left and right sides of the opening. The underside may define side edge vacuum passageways extending from the sides of the housing partially between the leading roller and the sealing strip towards the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Publication date: April 14, 2022
    Inventors: Steven Paul CARTER, Adam UDY, Catriona A. SUTTER, Christopher PINCHES, David S. CLARE, Andre David BROWN, John FREESE, Patrick CLEARY, Alexander J. CALVINO, Lee COTTRELL, Daniel MEYER, Daniel John INNES, David JALBERT, Jason B. THORNE, Peter HUTCHINSON, Gordon HOWES, Wenxiu GAO, David WU, David W. POIRIER, Daniel R. DER MARDEROSIAN
  • Patent number: 11278171
    Abstract: A surface cleaning head with dual rotating agitators (e.g., a leading roller and a brush roll) may be used to facilitate capturing of debris in the air flow into a suction conduit on the underside of the surface cleaning head. The leading roller is generally positioned adjacent to and in advance of the opening of the suction conduit. The rotating brush roll may be located in the suction conduit with the leading roller located in front of and spaced from the brush roll, forming an inter-roller air passageway therebetween. The leading roller may provide a softer cleaning element than the brush roll and may also have an outside diameter that is less than the outside diameter of the brush roll. The surface cleaning head may also include debriding protrusions contacting the leading roller and/or a leading bumper that extends in front of the leading roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: SharkNinja Operating LLC
    Inventors: Steven Paul Carter, Adam Udy, Catriona A. Sutter, Christopher Pinches, David S. Clare, Andre David Brown, John Freese, Patrick Cleary, Alexander Calvino, Lee Cottrell, Daniel Meyer, Daniel John Innes, David Jalbert, Jason Thorne, Peter Hutchinson, Gordon Howes, Nancy Gao Wenxiu, David Wu, David W. Poirier
  • Publication number: 20210393103
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for steam cleaning comprise a steam cleaning device/system employed for steam cleaning or treating operations. In an embodiment, a steam cleaning device may comprise agitation features employed for steam cleaning or treating. In another embodiment, the steam cleaning device may be a steam accessory employed for steam cleaning or treating. In yet another embodiment, the steam cleaning device may comprise various features employed for multi-purpose steam cleaning or treating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Inventors: Dan INNES, Lee COTTRELL, Paul GRANDSTRAND
  • Patent number: 11202542
    Abstract: A robotic cleaner includes a housing, a suction conduit with an opening, and a leading roller mounted in front of a brush roll. An inter-roller air passageway may be defined between the leading roller and the brush roll wherein the lower portion of the leading roller is exposed to a flow path to the suction conduit and an upper portion of the leading roller is outside of the flow path. Optionally, a combing unit includes a plurality of combing protrusions extending into the leading roller and having leading edges not aligned with a center of the leading roller. Optionally, a sealing strip is located along a rear side of the opening and along a portion of left and right sides of the opening. The underside may define side edge vacuum passageways extending from the sides of the housing partially between the leading roller and the sealing strip towards the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: SharkNinja Operating LLC
    Inventors: Steven Paul Carter, Adam Udy, Catriona A. Sutter, Christopher Pinches, David S. Clare, Andre David Brown, John Freese, Patrick Cleary, Alexander J. Calvino, Lee Cottrell, Daniel Meyer, Daniel John Innes, David Jalbert, Jason B. Thorne, Peter Hutchinson, Gordon Howes, Wenxiu Gao, David Wu, David W. Poirier, Daniel R. Der Marderosian
  • Publication number: 20210219798
    Abstract: Vacuum cleaning devices include foldable wands to provide a storage configuration and/or facilitate use. A vacuum cleaning device includes a wand having a first end coupled to a vacuum unit and a second end coupled to a vacuum head or surface cleaning head. The wand defines an air passage allowing air to pass from the surface cleaning head to the vacuum unit and includes a flexible air passage along at least a portion of the wand. The wand also includes a plurality of segments pivotably connected together such that the wand is foldable about 180° in a forward direction until the vacuum unit is positioned proximate a top of the surface cleaning head, thereby providing a storage configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Inventors: Daniel John INNES, Jason THORNE, Andre David BROWN, Gary PALLADINO, Catriona C.A. SUTTER, Lee COTTRELL, Scott NIEDZWECKI, Junghwan CHEI
  • Patent number: 11045062
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for steam cleaning comprise a steam cleaning device/system employed for steam cleaning or treating operations. In an embodiment, a steam cleaning device may comprise agitation features employed for steam cleaning or treating. In another embodiment, the steam cleaning device may be a steam accessory employed for steam cleaning or treating. In yet another embodiment, the steam cleaning device may comprise various features employed for multi-purpose steam cleaning or treating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: SharkNinja Operating LLC
    Inventors: Dan Innes, Lee Cottrell, Paul Grandstrand
  • Patent number: 10966581
    Abstract: Vacuum cleaning devices include foldable wands to provide a storage configuration and/or facilitate use. A vacuum cleaning device includes a wand having a first end coupled to a vacuum unit and a second end coupled to a vacuum head or surface cleaning head. The wand defines an air passage allowing air to pass from the surface cleaning head to the vacuum unit and includes a flexible air passage along at least a portion of the wand. The wand also includes a plurality of segments pivotably connected together such that the wand is foldable about 180° in a forward direction until the vacuum unit is positioned proximate a top of the surface cleaning head, thereby providing a storage configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: SharkNinja Operating LLC
    Inventors: Daniel John Innes, Jason Thorne, Andre David Brown, Gary Palladino, Catriona C. A. Sutter, Lee Cottrell, Scott Niedzwecki, Junghwan Chei
  • Publication number: 20200077855
    Abstract: An example of a system, consistent with the present disclosure, may include a motor-battery assembly. The motor-battery assembly may include a housing defining one or more cavities, a suction motor configured to be fluidly coupled to a debris compartment of a vacuum cleaner for generating air flow through the vacuum cleaner for entraining debris, one or more batteries at least partially disposed within at least one of the one or more cavities, and a motor/battery controller at least partially disposed within at least one of the one or more cavities, the motor/battery controller configured to control power provided to the suction motor and to regulate charging and/or discharging of the one or more batteries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: Andre D. BROWN, Jason B. THORNE, Kai XU, Sam LIU, Lee COTTRELL
  • Publication number: 20190150696
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for steam cleaning comprise a steam cleaning device/system employed for steam cleaning or treating operations. In an embodiment, a steam cleaning device may comprise agitation features employed for steam cleaning or treating. In another embodiment, the steam cleaning device may be a steam accessory employed for steam cleaning or treating. In yet another embodiment, the steam cleaning device may comprise various features employed for multi-purpose steam cleaning or treating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: Dan INNES, Lee COTTRELL, Paul GRANDSTRAND
  • Publication number: 20190120013
    Abstract: A valve for limiting differential pressure applied to a downhole tool includes a housing and a movable piston/mandrel assembly therein. In a closed position, drilling mud or other fluid may be communicated through a central bore of the valve to the tool. When the differential pressure between the central bore and the wellbore exceeds a first predetermined value, the piston/mandrel assembly moves from a first position obstructing one or more relief ports to a second position not obstructing them, thereby providing a fluid path from the central bore of the valve to the wellbore bypassing the tool and relieving the differential pressure thereacross. When the differential pressure decreases to less than another preselected value, the piston/mandrel assembly returns to its original position again obstructing the relief ports. A trigger mechanism is provided to allow more precise control and separation of the preselected differential pressure values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: Michael Glenn Gay, Ann Kamel Fitzgerald, Theodore Lee Cottrell, Phillip Graham Knight
  • Patent number: D892420
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: SharkNinja Operating LLC
    Inventors: Scott Niedzwecki, Junghwan Chei, Owen R. Johnson, Catriona C.A. Sutter, Lee Cottrell
  • Patent number: D927808
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: SharkNinja Operating LLC
    Inventors: Scott Niedzwecki, Junghwan Chei, Owen R. Johnson, Catriona C. A. Sutter, Lee Cottrell