Patents by Inventor Mark Butts

Mark Butts 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: 20150351601
    Abstract: A cleaning device operable for use with a disposable cleaning towel is provided. A housing extends between a housing top portion and an opposing housing bottom portion. The housing bottom portion and the housing top portion define a first housing cavity. A platform is disposed at least partially within the first housing cavity. A pad is attached to the platform and defines a surface on which a disposable cleaning towel may be mated. The platform, and thus the pad, are selectively moveable relative to the housing, between a first position and a second position. In the first position, a housing mounting surface is at least substantially flush relative to the pad mounting surface. In the second position, the housing mounting surface is positioned within the pad aperture such that a distance extends between a plane defined by the housing mounting surface and a plane defined by the pad mounting surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventors: Mark Butts, Jeff Tadin
  • Publication number: 20150342437
    Abstract: A cleaning device operable for use with a disposable cleaning towel is provided. The cleaning device includes a handle, a head, first and second clamps, and an ejector. The handle extends between a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The head is disposed relative to the distal end portion of the handle. The head defines a head surface over which the disposable cleaning towel is fixed during use of the cleaning device. The head defines a head cavity and a head aperture extending between the head cavity and the head mating surface. The first and second clamps are disposed relative to the head, and each are selectively moveable between a closed position and an open position. In their respective closed positions, at least a portion of each of the first and second clamps is operable to abut the head surface and hold the cleaning towel in place. In their respective open positions, each of the first and second clamps is positioned away from the head surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Inventors: Mark Butts, Jeff Tadin
  • Publication number: 20150188102
    Abstract: A battery pack configured to supply power to a cleaning system and be received by a battery receptacle of the cleaning system. The battery pack includes a housing including an aperture, a user contact moveable between a first position and a second position, a moveable member that moves from a retracted position to a protruded position when the user contact moves from the first position to the second position, and an engagement member that moves from a latched position to an unlatched position when the moveable member moves from the retracted position toward the protruded position. A portion of the moveable member extends through the aperture of the housing when the moveable member is in the protruded position to eject the battery back from the battery receptacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Inventors: Jack W. Gee, II, Mark Butts, Jamie Horvath, Douglas M. Rukavina
  • Patent number: 8756753
    Abstract: A cordless, battery-powered system of cleaning products. The system of cleaning products includes devices such as upright vacuums (e.g., a stick vacuum, a lightweight upright vacuum, etc.), a hand-held vacuum, a carpet-cleaner, a canister vacuum, and the like. Each of the devices is powered by a battery pack which is interchangeable among the devices. The battery pack includes a combination of hardware and software for connecting to, identifying, and communicating with the cleaning products to ensure that each of the products receives the power necessary to ensure optimal performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited
    Inventors: Brett Reed, Markus Allemann, Doug Rukavina, Mark Reindle, Norm Siegel, Jack W. Gee, Jamie Horvath, Mark Butts
  • Publication number: 20140101887
    Abstract: A cordless, battery-powered system of cleaning products. The system of cleaning products includes devices such as upright vacuums (e.g., a stick vacuum, a lightweight upright vacuum, etc.), a hand-held vacuum, a carpet-cleaner, a canister vacuum, and the like. Each of the devices is powered by a battery pack which is interchangeable among the devices. The battery pack includes a combination of hardware and software for connecting to, identifying, and communicating with the cleaning products to ensure that each of the products receives the power necessary to ensure optimal performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited
    Inventors: Brett Reed, Markus Allemann, Doug Rukavina, Mark Reindle, Norm Siegel, Jack W. Gee, Jamie Horvath, Mark Butts
  • Patent number: 8671509
    Abstract: A cordless, battery-powered system of cleaning products. The system of cleaning products includes devices such as upright vacuums (e.g., a stick vacuum, a lightweight upright vacuum, etc.), a hand-held vacuum, a carpet-cleaner, a canister vacuum, and the like. Each of the devices is powered by a battery pack which is interchangeable among the devices. The battery pack includes a combination of hardware and software for connecting to, identifying, and communicating with the cleaning products to ensure that each of the products receives the power necessary to ensure optimal performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited
    Inventors: Brett Reed, Markus Allemann, Doug Rukavina, Mark Reindle, Norm Siegel, Jack W. Gee, II, Jamie Horvath, Mark Butts
  • Patent number: 8607405
    Abstract: A cordless, battery-powered system of cleaning products. The system of cleaning products includes devices such as upright vacuums (e.g., a stick vacuum, a lightweight upright vacuum, etc.), a hand-held vacuum, a carpet-cleaner, a canister vacuum, and the like. Each of the devices is powered by a battery pack which is interchangeable among the devices. The battery pack includes a combination of hardware and software for connecting to, identifying, and communicating with the cleaning products to ensure that each of the products receives the power necessary to ensure optimal performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited
    Inventors: Brett Reed, Markus Allemann, Doug Rukavina, Mark Reindle, Norm Siegel, Jack W. Gee, II, Jamie Horvath, Mark Butts
  • Publication number: 20130205522
    Abstract: A cleaning apparatus configured for removing debris or lint from clothing by agitating lint and then rolling it off. The cleaning apparatus includes a handle with a first end and a second end, a cleaning roll support extending from the handle second end and terminating at a distal end, an agitator arm extending from the handle second end parallel to the cleaning roll support and terminating at a distal end and an end cap rotatably connected to the agitator arm distal end. The end cap is configured to be rotatable between an open position away from the cleaning roll support and a closed position in which the end cap engages with the distal end of the cleaning roll support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Inventor: Mark Butts
  • Publication number: 20120317743
    Abstract: A cordless, battery-powered system of cleaning products. The system of cleaning products includes devices such as upright vacuums (e.g., a stick vacuum, a lightweight upright vacuum, etc.), a hand-held vacuum, a carpet-cleaner, a canister vacuum, and the like. Each of the devices is powered by a battery pack which is interchangeable among the devices. The battery pack includes a combination of hardware and software for connecting to, identifying, and communicating with the cleaning products to ensure that each of the products receives the power necessary to ensure optimal performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Inventors: Brett Reed, Markus Allemann, Doug Rukavina, Mark Reindle, Norm Siegel, Jack W. Gee, II, Jamie Horvath, Mark Butts
  • Patent number: 8037571
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner accessory tool for use with a vacuum cleaner. The accessory tool includes a nozzle body defining a chamber. An agitator having a first end portion and a second end portion is rotatably supported within the chamber of the nozzle body, and the agitator is removably coupled to the nozzle body. A drive member is coupled to the agitator, and a release member is coupled to the nozzle body and slidable with respect to the nozzle body between an engaged position and a disengaged position. In the engaged position, the release member engages the second end portion of the agitator to couple the agitator to the nozzle body within the chamber. In the disengaged position, the release member allows the agitator to be removed from the chamber of the nozzle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited
    Inventors: Mark Butts, Doug Rukavina
  • Publication number: 20110047746
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner accessory tool for use with a vacuum cleaner. The accessory tool includes a nozzle body defining a chamber. An agitator having a first end portion and a second end portion is rotatably supported within the chamber of the nozzle body, and the agitator is removably coupled to the nozzle body. A drive member is coupled to the agitator, and a release member is coupled to the nozzle body and slidable with respect to the nozzle body between an engaged position and a disengaged position. In the engaged position, the release member engages the second end portion of the agitator to couple the agitator to the nozzle body within the chamber. In the disengaged position, the release member allows the agitator to be removed from the chamber of the nozzle body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventors: Mark Butts, Doug Rukavina
  • Publication number: 20110047745
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner accessory tool configured for use with a vacuum cleaner. The accessory tool includes a nozzle body that defines a chamber. The accessory tool further includes a first resilient flexible blade that extends from the nozzle body, a second resilient flexible blade that extends from the nozzle body, and a third resilient flexible blade that extends from the nozzle body. A first elongated inlet aperture extends through the nozzle body directly between the first blade and the second blade and the first inlet aperture allows air to pass therethrough and into the chamber. A second elongated inlet aperture extends through the nozzle body directly between the second blade and the third blade and the second inlet aperture allows air to pass therethrough and into the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventor: Mark Butts
  • Publication number: 20100132151
    Abstract: An electric vacuum cleaner with improved broom-like feel in sweeping includes a head and a handle. Batteries are provided in the handle and a suction motor/fan assembly, as well as a dirt cup, are provided in the head of the broom. There is a side entry of the dirt cup into the head of the unit. Pivotally mounted to the dirt cup is a filter assembly. The head of the dirt cup includes a flexible nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventors: DAVID KHALIL, David Matthew Collins, Suzanne Ponikvar, Greg Pajak, Louis Yip Yuen Cheong, Zhang Jian Hua, Mark Butts
  • Publication number: 20100088843
    Abstract: A cordless, battery-powered system of cleaning products. The system of cleaning products includes devices such as upright vacuums (e.g., a stick vacuum, a lightweight upright vacuum, etc.), a hand-held vacuum, a carpet-cleaner, a canister vacuum, and the like. Each of the devices is powered by a battery pack which is interchangeable among the devices. The battery pack includes a combination of hardware and software for connecting to, identifying, and communicating with the cleaning products to ensure that each of the products receives the power necessary to ensure optimal performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventors: Brett Reed, Markus Allemann, Doug Rukavina, Mark Reindle, Norm Siegel, Jack W. Gee, II, Jamie Horvath, Mark Butts
  • Publication number: 20090255084
    Abstract: A latching assembly for a removable battery package to an electrically powered cleaning device is provided along with the electrically powered cleaning device and the electrical combination with the battery charger. The latching assembly on the battery package comprises at least one moveable first engagement member, in movable cooperation with at least one rod which is in movable cooperation with a user contact. The first engagement member secures the removable battery package with another engagement member associated at least with the cleaning device. The first engagement member is located toward a side of a long end of the battery package opposite the end with the user contact Moving the user contact moves the member through the rod between an engaged position to thereby secure the battery package to the cleaning device and an unengaged position for removal of the battery package from the cleaning device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Inventors: Jack W. Gee, II, Mark Butts, Jamie Horvath, Doug Rukavina
  • Patent number: D615717
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited
    Inventors: Mark Butts, David Chaney, Matthew Joseph Doerfler, Jack W. Gee, II, David Wade Moine
  • Patent number: D620652
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited
    Inventors: Mark Butts, David Chaney, Matthew J. Doerfler, Jack W. Gee, II, David W. Moine
  • Patent number: D635774
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Royal Appliance Mfg. Co.
    Inventors: Mark Butts, Dave Collins, Suzy Ponikvar, Karim Rashid, Greg Pajak, Louis Yip Yuen Cheong, Zhang Jian Hua, David Khalil
  • Patent number: D652377
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited
    Inventors: Mark Butts, Jack W. Gee, II, Jamie Horvath, Doug Rukavina