Rotary Patents (Class 15/141.2)
  • Patent number: 11871888
    Abstract: A cleaning roller mountable to a cleaning robot is featured. The cleaning roller includes an elongate member extending along a longitudinal axis of the cleaning roller, and a vane extending outward from the elongate member. The vane includes a first vane portion attached to the elongate member, and a second vane portion attached to the first vane portion. The first vane portion extends from the elongate member at a location intersecting a radial axis of the cleaning roller. The first vane portion extends along a first axis angled relative to the radial axis and away from the radial axis in a tangential direction. The second vane portion extends along a second axis angled relative to the first axis. A first angle between the first axis and the radial axis is greater than a second angle between the second axis and the radial axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Burbank, Timothy R. Ohm, Erik Amaral
  • Patent number: 11109727
    Abstract: A cleaning roller mountable to a cleaning robot is featured. The cleaning roller includes an elongate member extending along a longitudinal axis of the cleaning roller, and a vane extending outward from the elongate member. The vane includes a first vane portion attached to the elongate member, and a second vane portion attached to the first vane portion. The first vane portion extends from the elongate member at a location intersecting a radial axis of the cleaning roller. The first vane portion extends along a first axis angled relative to the radial axis and away from the radial axis in a tangential direction. The second vane portion extends along a second axis angled relative to the first axis. A first angle between the first axis and the radial axis is greater than a second angle between the second axis and the radial axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Burbank, Timothy R. Ohm, Erik Amaral
  • Patent number: 10820771
    Abstract: A cleaning roller for a cleaning appliance, in particular a wiping roller for a wet cleaning appliance, or a cleaning appliance having such a cleaning roller processes an area to be cleaned. The cleaning roller has a roller core that can rotate about a longitudinal axis and has a bearing for a drive shaft and a roller cover surrounding the roller core in the circumferential direction. The roller core, based on a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, has several spring elements formed beside one another in the circumferential direction of the cleaning roller, each of which extends from the bearing to the roller cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Vorwerk & Co. Interholding GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Blum, Sabine Schweppe
  • Patent number: 10143344
    Abstract: An agitator provided for a surface cleaning apparatus includes a dowel defining an axis of rotation and multiple disks extending radially from the dowel to a peripheral edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: BISSELL Homecare, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan J. Krebs
  • Patent number: 8806710
    Abstract: A cleaner head for a surface treating appliance includes a housing and a rotatable brush bar located within the housing. The brush bar includes a first plurality of bristles and a second plurality of bristles which protrude radially outwardly beyond the first plurality of bristles. The second plurality of bristles has a surface resistivity in the range from 1×10?5 to 1×1012 ?/sq so that static electricity residing on a floor surface to be cleaned is discharged upon contact with the conductive bristles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Thomas James Dunning Follows, Stephen Benjamin Courtney
  • Patent number: 8782851
    Abstract: Agitating apparatus for a surface treating appliance includes a rotatable body having at least one substantially continuous row of bristles extending outwardly therefrom, the bristles having a surface resistivity in the range from 1×10?5 to 1×1012 ?/sq so that static electricity residing on a floor surface to be cleaned is discharged upon contact with the bristles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Thomas James Dunning Follows, Stephen Benjamin Courtney
  • Patent number: 8025436
    Abstract: A whisk comprising: a whisk handle, a bushing fixedly attached to the whisk head end of the whisk handle; at least two generally spiral grooves located on the interior surface; a bushing fixedly attached to whisk head end of the whisk handle; an extension member in rotatable and slideable communication with the whisk handle and the bushing, at least two engagement members extending orthogonally from the extension member and slideably engage with one of the grooves; a spring rod, with a whisk head end and a cap end, located within the extension member; an integral cap located on the cap end of the spring rod; a compression spring, in slideable communication with the spring rod, the whisk head end of the compression head pushing against the whisk head base, the cap end of the compression spring pushing against the integral cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Inventor: Harry Hensler
  • Patent number: 7945984
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cleaning rotor (1) having a longitudinal axis (L), a base part (5), which extends concentric to the longitudinal axis (L), a head part (3) and a strut element (9) that extends between the base part and the head part. Said strut element (9) extends in a helical manner about the longitudinal axis (L). The invention is characterized in that at least one supporting part (7) is placed between the base part (3) and the head part (3) while extending parallel to the longitudinal axis (L). The strut element (9) is supported on the supporting part (7) and is concave over its length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: OASE GmbH
    Inventor: Dieter Hoffmeier
  • Patent number: 7926144
    Abstract: The claimed carpet cleaning apparatus incorporates recesses in a rigid surface of a roller, a hand-operated cleaning device, or a rigid disk. The rigid surface compresses the fibers of the soft surface as the device and the recesses decompress the fibers. The repeated compression and decompression, preferably in combination with a cleaning compound, provide the mechanical action necessary for removal of foreign material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: R.E. Whittaker Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard E. Whittaker
  • Patent number: 7814613
    Abstract: The claimed carpet cleaning apparatus incorporates recesses in a rigid surface of a roller or in a rigid disk. As the roller or disk rotates or is moved across the soft surface to be cleaned, the roller or disk presses downward on the soft surface and compresses it. The soft surface decompresses to the original position when the soft surface is in contact with a surface of a recess and recompresses when the roller or disk presses downward again. The compression, decompression, and recompression, preferably in combination with a cleaning compound, provide the mechanical action necessary for removal of foreign material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: R.E. Whittaker Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard E. Whittaker
  • Publication number: 20080010769
    Abstract: A cleaning band construction for making motor vehicle washing system brushes comprises an elongated plate body made of a comparatively hard or stiff flexible material, which can be coupled to a central support assembly of a rotary brush, and at least a comparatively soft flexible element, which can be coupled to a free end portion of the plate body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Applicant: FAVAGROSSA EDOARDO S.R.L
    Inventor: Francesco Favagrossa
  • Patent number: 7165286
    Abstract: An agitator includes a high strength, continuous metal axle, a pulley held on one end of the metal axle and a sleeve of lightweight plastic material received over the axle. The agitator is manufactured by molding a pulley body onto an underlying metal support or D-nut, fitting an axle into the pulley, molding a sleeve around the axle and securing a cleaning structure on the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Roney, Eric E. Muhlenkamp
  • Patent number: 7159276
    Abstract: Catching grooves (34) extending in the axial direction are formed in the cylindrical outer surface of a brush base (35) that has a slender, substantially cylindrical shape and made of a twistable material. Brush attaching portions (43) of brush members (41) and blade attaching portions (47) of scraping members (42) are respectively secured in the catching grooves (34) so that axially aligned bristles (44) of each brush member (41) and an axially extending blade (46) of each scraping member (42) project from the cylindrical outer surface of the brush base (35). Receiving members (53) are respectively fitted to both ends of a shaft (51) inserted through a shaft insertion hole (39) of the brush base (35). By rotating the receiving members (53) in opposite directions, the brush base (35) is twisted in a spiral and secured. By eliminating the necessity of forming the brush base (35) in a twisted shape beforehand by means of twist extrusion molding, the invention facilitates production of the brush base (35).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shuhei Omoto, Yasuhiro Ohtsu
  • Patent number: 7007336
    Abstract: An agitator includes a high strength, continuous metal axle, a pulley held on one end of the metal axle and a sleeve of lightweight plastic material received over the axle. The agitator is manufactured by molding a pulley body onto an underlying metal support or D-nut, fitting an axle into the pulley, molding a sleeve around the axle and securing a cleaning structure on the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Roney, Eric E. Muhlenkamp
  • Patent number: 6859970
    Abstract: An agitator includes an axle, a pulley having a hub mounted to the axle and a belt receiving face having at least one lengthwise channel and a sleeve of molded material received over the axle and in the at least one lengthwise channel. A method of constructing an agitator from an axle and pulley includes the fitting of the axle into the pulley, the injecting of plastic resin into one end of the agitator forming mold on a first side of the pulley and the directing of plastic through at least one channel in the pulley to a second side of the pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Corporation of America
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Roney, Eric E. Muhlenkamp
  • Publication number: 20040148723
    Abstract: An agitator includes a high strength, continuous metal axle, a pulley held on one end of the metal axle and a sleeve of lightweight plastic material received over the axle. The agitator is manufactured by molding a pulley body onto an underlying metal support or D-nut, fitting an axle into the pulley, molding a sleeve around the axle and securing a cleaning structure on the sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Roney, Eric E. Muhlenkamp
  • Publication number: 20040019992
    Abstract: An agitator includes a high strength, continuous metal axle, a pulley held on one end of the metal axle and a sleeve of lightweight plastic material received over the axle. The agitator is manufactured by molding a pulley body onto an underlying metal support or D-nut, fitting an axle into the pulley, molding a sleeve around the axle and securing a cleaning structure on the sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Roney, Eric E. Muhlenkamp
  • Publication number: 20040010875
    Abstract: An agitator includes an axle, a pulley having a hub mounted to the axle and a belt receiving face having at least one lengthwise channel and a sleeve of molded material received over the axle and in the at least one lengthwise channel. A method of constructing an agitator from an axle and pulley includes the fitting of the axle into the pulley, the injecting of plastic resin into one end of the agitator forming mold on a first side of the pulley and the directing of plastic through at least one channel in the pulley to a second side of the pulley.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2002
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Roney, Eric E. Muhlenkamp
  • Patent number: 6564417
    Abstract: A cleaning brush for a power-driven pool cleaner having a rotatable shaft incorporates a flexible web having first and second opposing edges, the first edge having at least one first element extending in the direction of the first edge, and the second edge having at least one second element extending in the direction of the second edge. The web is deformable about the rotatable shaft to bring the first and second edges into contact, with the first element being in spaced relation to the second element such that the first element is aligned with the second element. Additionally, a positive locking structure is provided to hold the first and second elements together in a secure, locking fit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Aqua Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Porat
  • Publication number: 20020083541
    Abstract: A cleaning brush for a power-driven pool cleaner having a rotatable shaft incorporates a flexible web having first and second opposing edges, the first edge having at least one first element extending in the direction of the first edge, and the second edge having at least one second element extending in the direction of the second edge. The web is deformable about the rotatable shaft to bring the first and second edges into contact, with the first element being in spaced relation to the second element such that the first element is aligned with the second element. Additionally, a positive locking structure is provided to hold the first and second elements together in a secure, locking fit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventor: Joseph Porat
  • Patent number: 6244947
    Abstract: Accessories for an angle grinder include a rotary disk tool having a working zone around the periphery of the disk comprising a plurality of wire bristles and a rest means for supporting the grinder on a surface to be shaped. The rest means may be a non-rotating nose beneath the grinder, a rubbing contact mounted on a flat tool or simply the central part of a convex tool Tilting the grinder about the rest means gives effective control of the tool. Steeper tilts cause the cutting surface to bite more deeply into the work. The grinder is stroked toward the user with the cutting zone 2206 trailing. Most disks are perforated. Work to be shaped can be seen through the spinning disk during use. A tool base onto which a variety of cutting surfaces can be affixed is also provided, and a type of wire brush attachment incorporating a rubbing contact is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Norton Company
    Inventor: Anthony Alfred Van Osenbruggen
  • Patent number: 6234662
    Abstract: A cooking whip for mixing foods is disclosed. The cooking whip includes an elongate tubular handle portion. A whip portion has a head and a plurality of resiliently deformable loops extending from the head. The whip portion is detachably coupled to the lower end of the handle portion. An elongate shaft portion with opposite first and second ends and a longitudinal axis extending between the ends is removably insertable in the handle portion. The first end of the shaft portion is coupled to the head of the whip portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Inventor: Peter Blake