Attachments Patents (Class 15/246)
  • Patent number: 11873171
    Abstract: A conveyor-rail cleaner for cleansing, scrubbing, and rinsing the rails of a cleanable conveyor system. The cleaner includes cleaning units pivotably connected to allow it to negotiate turns in the track. Position-adjustable scrub brushes accommodate transitions between one-rail conveyor segments and two-rail segments at switch segments between separate adjacent conveyor tracks. The conveyor system includes a filling station for filling the cleaning units with cleansing and rinsing agents and recharging batteries powering scrub-brush motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Bryant G. Ragan
  • Patent number: 11864702
    Abstract: A multifunctional tool is provided with a first functional element connected to the first housing member and extending outwardly therefrom to a first distal end, and a second housing member supported by the first housing member for translation relative to the first housing member between a first position and a second position. A second functional element is supported by the second housing member and extending outwardly therefrom to a second distal end. The second distal end is positioned between the first housing member and the first, distal end with the second housing member in the first position. The first distal end is positioned between the first housing member and the second distal end with the second housing member in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: The Ames Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Barclay Bishop, Thomas Mcmahon
  • Patent number: 11732178
    Abstract: A method of repairing a well is provided. The method includes injecting a brine solution into the well, injecting carbon dioxide into the well, and reacting the brine solution in the reservoir rock with the carbon dioxide to form calcite such that calcite precipitates into the desired flow path between a cold well and a hot well to effectively repair short circuits within the EGS reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Inventor: Thomas B. Smith
  • Patent number: 11489487
    Abstract: A cleaning system for a solar panel is provided. The cleaning system comprises: i) a frame moveable in a transverse direction over the solar panel, the frame having edges oriented in the transverse direction; a brush assembly positioned within the frame and moveable in a longitudinal direction including a plurality brush holders arranged within the frame, with each brush holder being adapted to interchangeably receive a brush for cleaning the solar panel; and a liquid spray arrangement including nozzles arranged one or more rows for spraying at least one of water and a water detergent mix onto the solar panel. The liquid spray arrangement includes nozzles positioned near at least one of the transverse edges of the frame for spraying the water detergent mix onto a longitudinal end of the brush assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Abdullah M. Al-Otaibi
  • Patent number: 11299898
    Abstract: A pole for a swimming pool comprises a tool for swimming pool maintenance located at one end of the pole and a device for preventing the pole from sliding into the swimming pool. The device comprises a face that surrounds the pole generally perpendicular to the pole and a baffle that extends from the outside edge of the face generally parallel to the pole. The device prevents the pole from sliding into the swimming pole by a user placing the baffle on a surface at the edge of the swimming pool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Inventor: Ethan Evans
  • Patent number: 11183966
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a cleaning vehicle for cleaning a surface of an object includes first and second carriages (that define a frame). The vehicle also includes first and second wheels coupled to the first and second carriages to form a drive assembly and at least one motor is operatively coupled to at least one of the first and second wheels. A cleaning element extends between and is supported by the first and second carriages at a location forward of the first and second wheels. The vehicle also includes third and fourth wheels. The third wheel is adjustably mounted relative to the first wheel and the second traveler wheel is adjustably mounted relative to the second wheel. The third and fourth wheels are configured such that the object is received between the third and fourth wheels and the respective first and second carriages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Brian Parrott, Pablo Carrasco Zanini, Ali AlShehri
  • Patent number: 11171598
    Abstract: A solar or photovoltaic system includes a cleaning apparatus for cleaning a surface of the solar or photovoltaic system. The surface to be cleaned is tilted or tiltable respect to the horizontal. The cleaning apparatus is configured to carry out a cleaning process to clean the surface in which at least one cleaning element moves downward over the tilted surface driven by gravity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Inventor: Anton Jäger
  • Patent number: 11044983
    Abstract: A hair grooming device includes a receptacle including a first half hingedly coupled to the second half, a base plate statically seated within the receptacle and including a plurality of bristles attached thereto, a top plate removably stacked on the base plate and seated in the receptacle, the top plate including a plurality of apertures, and a plurality of suction cups coupled to the first half of the receptacle. Advantageously, the bristles are aligned and positioned through the apertures when the top plate is positioned on the base plate. In this manner, the bristles terminate away from the top plate such that the top plate shields the base plate from the hair. Notably, the top plate is freely disengaged from the base plate and capable of both collecting and removing the hair from the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Inventor: Tara O'Connor Windsor
  • Patent number: 11013391
    Abstract: An apparatus for scraping a surface. The apparatus includes an attachment element to attach to a cleaning tool, and a scraper element. The scraper element is coupled to the attachment element and includes a blade member and a guard member. The leading edge of the blade member is used to scrape the surface, while the guard member is disposed along one or more lateral edges of the blade member. A corresponding system and method are also disclosed and claimed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Inventors: David G. Smith, Fred P. Smith
  • Patent number: 10986915
    Abstract: A paint brush accessory for a paint brush having a handle with an axis, a ferrule mounted to the handle, bristles extending from a heel of the ferrule, the bristles comprise a belly and a toe that is distal to the belly. The accessory can include a sleeve configured to be slidably mounted to the paint brush in an axial direction about the ferrule. The sleeve can include a continuous body that is hollow in the axial direction. The hollow can be configured to receive and conform to a shape of the ferrule, frictionally engage the ferrule, and be slidably repositionable on the ferrule along the axial direction. A distal end of the hollow can be configured to engage the belly of the bristles to conform an outer shape of the belly of the bristles to a desired uniform pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: BRUSHMASTERS LLC
    Inventors: Gregory J. Meyer, Matthew Hutcherson
  • Patent number: 10827861
    Abstract: A disposal food handling finger tongs or hand coverings for grasping food or other objects. The pockets or finger stalls are connected by at least one connecting tab. At least one functional finger/thumb accommodation area is presented and at least one finger/thumb stability is optionally provided. The disposable tongs or hand coverings provide protection to the user by providing freely extending, unbonded, soft irregular peripheral edges help prevent paper cuts. If both the front and back of pockets or hand coverings are messy, optionally the tongs or hand coverings can be torn, and folded over the back and/or front of the messy pockets, thereby keeping the hands, fingers and/or thumb of the user clean during disposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Inventor: Kenrick Rampersd
  • Patent number: 10673376
    Abstract: A brush configured to clean, buff, and polish a surface, comprising a core member having a central axis, a periphery and a sheet of material, the sheet of material comprising closed-cell silicone foam rubber and having a first free end portion. The sheet of material is attached to the core member with the free end portion extending away from the periphery substantially parallel to the central axis of the core member. The core member includes a flat surface adjacent the attachment of the sheet of material. The core member and the sheet of material are configured for relative movement with respect to the surface in at least a first direction. The motion in the first direction causes the free end portion of the sheet of material to contact the surface at a non-zero velocity, and produces at least one of the cleaning, buffing and/or polishing action on the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Pablo Carrasco Zanini, Brian Parrott, Ali Shehri
  • Patent number: 10512947
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for a toilet which minimizes water usage and that can handle both urine and fecal matter. An ultrasonic vibration cleaner unit is disposed to clean at least one fecal plate which is rotated into a lower part of a toilet bowl containing water. Occasional and periodic flushing of solid fecal matter results in less water usage than utilizing water flushing for cleaning and carrying away of solid fecal matte each time of use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Inventor: Walter Ho
  • Patent number: 10469026
    Abstract: A method of performing at least one of a cleaning, buffing, and polishing action on a surface, without requiring water, comprises providing a core member having a plurality of C-shaped grooves having respective openings and at least one sheet of material. The at least one sheet of material comprises a closed-cell silicone foam rubber and is attached to the core member using a coil-shaped element and has a first free end portion extending away from the core member. The core member moves by rotation in a first direction such that a portion of the at least one sheet of material is brought into sliding contact with the surface in a repeating pattern. The sliding contact between the at least one sheet of material and the surface occurs under a pressure and relative velocity sufficient to generate a force that results in at least one of a cleaning, buffing, and polishing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Pablo Carrasco Zanini, Brian Parrott, Ali Shehri
  • Patent number: 10441114
    Abstract: A disposal food handling finger tongs have finger pockets for grasping food. The pockets are connected by at least one. connecting tab. At least one functional finger/thumb accommodation area is presented and at least one finger/thumb stability is optionally provided. The disposable tongs provide a triple protection to the user by providing soft irregular peripheral edges help prevent paper cuts. Also the central connecting tab between the two jaw pockets can be torn to separate the tongs into two tongs, so that the two food contact sides of the respective pockets can be folded against each other. Third, if both the front and back of pockets are messy, the clean central tab can be torn, and folded over the back and/or front of the messy pockets, thereby keeping the hands, fingers and/or thumb of the user clean during disposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Inventor: Kenrick Rampersad
  • Patent number: 10426236
    Abstract: A multi-function double-canopy umbrella comprises: a first foot, a second foot, a mounting plate bolted to the first and second feet, a lower post attached to the mounting plate, an upper post, an inner core inserted into the lower and upper posts, a central tube, a spool, a crank rotatably attached to the spool, a rope threaded through the central tube, central ribs, central arms pivotably attached to the central ribs, an adjustable central canopy attached to the central ribs to adjust to different heights, an intersector slidably attached to the central tube, first ribs pivotably connected to the intersector and central arms, second ribs, multi-rib-connecting cores slidably connected to the first and second ribs to adjust the multi-function double-canopy umbrella to multiple different sizes, raising arms foldably attached to the intersector, an adjustable ring canopy attached to the first and second ribs, and adjusting flaps sewn to the adjustable ring canopy to adjust it to multiple different sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Inventor: Derrick Huckvale
  • Patent number: 10406421
    Abstract: A club mountable golfing aid is operable to indicate to a golfer a location at which a training golf ball contacts a striking surface of the club mountable golfing aid when the club mountable golfing aid is mounted on a golf club. The club mountable golfing aid includes an attachment mechanism that is configured to mount the club mountable golfing aid to a head of a golf club. The club mountable golfing aid includes the striking surface. The striking surface covers at least a portion of the face of the golf club when the club mountable golfing aid is mounted on the head of the golf club. The striking surface is operable to attach to and retain a training golf ball at about a point of contact between the striking surface and the training golf ball when a golfer strikes the ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Fighting Golf LLC
    Inventor: Tiffany Faucette
  • Patent number: 10349735
    Abstract: The Scrape and Sweep Broom Handle Attachment is a scraping tool with special features that allow it to be quickly attached to the ends of broom and mop handles, so it doubles the effectiveness of brooms and mops as cleaning tools. Brooms and mops are some of the most commonly used cleaning tools in the world because they are highly effective at removing loose debris from floors; but when wet food and dirt dry and become stuck to floors, it often becomes necessary for people who are sweeping or mopping those floors to stop, then find other tools and get down on their hands and knees to scrape the stuck-on food and dirt loose, and then resume sweeping or mopping. When a person has a Scrape and Sweep Broom Handle Attachment on the end of their broom or mop handle though, it's not necessary for them to find another tool and get down on the floor; that person may simply turn their broom or mop around, remain standing, scrape off whatever is stuck, and then sweep or mop it away.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Inventor: Keith Edward Dvorchak
  • Patent number: 10149996
    Abstract: There is described an apparatus for installation on a hand having a thumb and opposable fingers, both having joints and phalanges. The apparatus comprises biasing devices. Each one of the biasing devices substantially has an inversed V shape formed by a hinge, a distal end and a proximal end. The biasing devices are connected together to form the apparatus. The hinges of the biasing devices are spatially distributed so that each hinge covers a corresponding one of the joints and biases the distal end and proximal end toward each other. The apparatus keeps the hand in a substantially closed position to assist in gripping objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Inventors: Benjamin Ahdoot, Simon Ahdoot, Eliot Ahdoot
  • Patent number: 10105984
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an electronic device for erasing contents on a writing board. The electronic device comprises a motion detecting unit for detecting movement of the electronic device from resting position which then transmits an activation signal to activate a processing unit and a proximity sensor. The proximity sensor identifies proximity of the electronic device with the writing board. The processing unit receives a signal from the proximity sensor when the electronic device is proximal to the writing board. Further, the processing unit receives selection of colours through user interface on the electronic device for identifying erasable or retainable contents on the writing board. The processing unit transmits a control signal to motion control system to control moveable cleaning surface of the electronic device to perform either pulling or pushing the moveable cleaning surface backward or forward respectively based on the selection of colours.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Wipro Limited
    Inventor: Vijay Kumar
  • Patent number: 10092149
    Abstract: A surface treating head comprising a suction cavity having a suction cavity opening bounded by a front working edge and a rear working edge, at least one of the front and rear working edges being moveable between a first position in which the suction cavity opening is at a maximum and a second position in which the suction cavity opening is at a minimum, an actuating mechanism comprising a user-operable actuator for actuating at least one of the front and rear working edges between the first and second positions, and one or more air bleed vents, wherein actuation of the actuating mechanism causes the one or more air bleed vents to open and close.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Charles Geoffrey Box, Luke William Stephens
  • Patent number: 10058223
    Abstract: A crack and crevice cleaning tool has a portion of circular cross section for attachment to a source of vacuum such as a vacuum cleaner, and a flattened nozzle portion for placement next to a crack or crevice and guide means mounted at the end of the nozzle portion and insertable in the crack or crevice being cleaned to guide the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Inventor: Edward A. Zimmer
  • Patent number: 10028883
    Abstract: A sexual attachment device is provided with a sleeve being removably installable over a source of vibration. The sleeve includes a top end, a bottom end, opening located at the bottom end, and a cavity located at least partially within the sleeve accessible via the opening. The source of vibration can be inserted at least partially into the cavity. Vibration generated by the source of vibration is transmittable via the sleeve. The source of vibration may be an electric toothbrush. A ring is includable at the top end with a ring opening. A method is provided for providing stimulation using the sexual attachment device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Inventors: Vincent Yenko, Lauren Kaplus
  • Patent number: 9993065
    Abstract: A multipurpose brush mechanism and particularly a multipurpose art brush mechanism featuring an attachment and retainer mechanism to provide ease of use and effective storage for professional painters and consumers alike. The brush functions as an ordinary art brush, with the addition of magnetically enhanced provisions for storage and location, including upright displacement, and rotationally enhanced positioning, to allow for ease of reaching different angles for application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Inventor: Michael McCarthy
  • Patent number: 9908211
    Abstract: A support accessory is disclosed for a hand tool, such as a grinder or polisher. The support accessory is configured to be detachably fastened to the hand tool. The support accessory includes a frame with a longitudinal beam configured to stabilize the hand tool front-to-back when the hand tool is fastened to the support accessory, as well as a trunnion rotatably coupled to the frame and configured to stabilize the hand tool side-to-side when the hand tool is fastened to the support accessory. The support accessory is also configured to support the hand tool in a position that is substantially parallel to a surface of a workpiece during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Jeffrey H Olberg, Mike M Moodi
  • Patent number: 9883760
    Abstract: There is provided a disposable food grasping device comprising: a first finger portion corresponding to an index finger, wherein the first finger portion extends longitudinally; a second finger portion corresponding to a middle finger, wherein the second finger portion extends longitudinally, wherein the first portion is juxtaposed with the second portion; a connection portion commonly coupled to the first finger portion and the second finger portion at proximal ends thereof; a bending portion coupled to the connection portion at an end of the connection portion away from the first and second finger portions, wherein two first folding lines are defined in the bending portion in a width direction thereof and are spaced from each other longitudinally; and a third finger portion corresponding to a thumb, wherein the third finger portion is coupled to the bending portion at one end thereof away from the connection portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Inventor: Seong deok Jeong
  • Patent number: 9858835
    Abstract: The inventive technology relates to an improved display support system that may be used to support elevated displays, and other promotional/marketing materials. The invention may be used to support, for example, helium-free balloons and/or other displays to one or more display fittings. Such display fittings may further be secured to an adjustable support such that an operator may position one or more fittings in a desired position, such as from a ceiling or other elevated surface. Additional embodiments may include an improved dual display support system that may support a plurality of support adapters each having one or more fitting supports coupled with fitting displays to more efficiently place, support, and/or retrieve elevated displays, and other promotional/marketing materials having multiple anchor positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: BALLOON INNOVATIONS INC.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Wicken, Gregg A. Wicken
  • Patent number: 9578982
    Abstract: A disposal food handling finger tongs have finger pockets for grasping food. The pockets are connected by at least one connecting tab. At least one functional finger/thumb accommodation area is presented and at least one finger/thumb stability is optionally provided. The disposable tongs provide a triple protection to the user by providing soft irregular peripheral edges help prevent paper cuts. Also the central connecting tab between the two jaw pockets can be torn to separate the tongs into two tongs, so that the two food contact sides of the respective pockets can be folded against each other. Third, if both the front and back of pockets are messy, the clean central tab can be torn, and folded over the back and/or front of the messy pockets, thereby keeping the hands, fingers and/or thumb of the user clean during disposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Inventor: Kenrick Rampersad
  • Patent number: 9573265
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an arm holder for a pole-handled tool such as a broom, a mop, a squeegee, etc. that allows effective use of the pole-handled tool with only one hand. The arm holder comprises an arm grip having an arm-holding structure; and an attachment portion capable of attaching the arm grip to the pole-handled tool; wherein the arm-holding structure is capable of receiving an arm positioned within the arm-holding structure while a corresponding hand of the same arm grasps the pole handle, the pole handle acting as a lever where the corresponding hand forms a fulcrum of the lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Inventor: Zhihong Li
  • Patent number: 9462923
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning baseboards includes a cleaning head having a bi-directionally adjustable handle coupled thereto via a pivot assembly. The cleaning head includes a plurality of plates between which a plurality of pads is secured in stacked fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Inventor: Andrew J. Powell
  • Patent number: 9351561
    Abstract: A multipurpose brush mechanism featuring an attachment and retainer mechanism to provide ease of use and effective storage for professional painters and consumers alike. The attachment mechanism includes an embedded hook which may be removably attached and may utilize numerous clip mechanisms and magnetic attraction members. The brush functions as an ordinary paint brush but the magnetic attachments allow it hang inside a paint can, or on any other accessory. The multifunctional hook can also allow for easy storage when the project is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Inventor: Michael McCarthy
  • Patent number: 9321153
    Abstract: A water meter wrench retainer that removably attaches to a water meter lid of a water meter can. The retainer has an elongated bar attached centrally to one end of a flexible member. An opposite end of the flexible member secures to a water meter wrench. When the retainer is attached to the lid, the bar is on top of the lid, the flexible member extends through an opening in the lid and the wrench hangs downward within the can. The bar is sized so that it can be inserted through the can opening as a way of securing the retainer to and removing it from the lid. One end of the bar is flattened to scrape mud and dirt from the meter. The flattened end aids a user in grasping the bar which allows the bar to serve as a handle to remove the lid from the can.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Inventors: Randy Niblett, Natalie Niblett
  • Patent number: 9277731
    Abstract: A manual brushing device has a handle which comprises a battery, as well as a rotatable driving part that is connected to the handle for driving the connected removable brush. This driving part comprises an electric motor for the rotation of the brush, as well as vibration devices, which can cause the brush to tap or vibrate, causing the better removal of the dirt and dust from the skin. The brush has a removable receiving cover locked onto the driving part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Inventor: Ada Noris Serra-Garrido
  • Patent number: 9206548
    Abstract: The amount or extent of expositions as a result of hot smelt from a pulp mill recovery boiler impacting cool liquid in a dissolving tank is reduced more effectively by regulating the smelt flow via a restrictor assembly. The restrictor assembly may be positioned to permit the smelt to flow, unrestricted, from the recovery boiler to the dissolving tank, or the restrictor assembly may be positioned so as to fully or partially block the smelt flow from the boiler to the dissolving tank. In some embodiments, a source of cooling fluid may be coupled to the restrictor assembly so as to assist in cooling parts of the restrictor assembly when hot smelt is in contact with the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Andritz Inc.
    Inventor: Olli Kujanpaa
  • Patent number: 9130502
    Abstract: The photovoltaic panel cleaning machine is installed upon a linear array of photovoltaic (solar) panels, automatically operating periodically to remove any dust, debris, and/or light condensation from the panels to optimize their efficiency. The machine is driven back and forth along tracks extending along opposite edges of the panel array, and receives electrical power from a storage battery charged by the solar panel array. The machine includes an air compressor, a blower and nozzles that blow dust and debris from the solar panels, and two different roller brushes. Air is blown over the panels on the first pass, and the machine then reverses direction to apply a first roller to the panels for further debris removal on a second pass. A third pass is made using the air blower, and the direction reverses once again, the second roller being applied on the fourth pass to statically attract any remaining debris.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: KING FAHD UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM AND MINERALS
    Inventors: Shahzada Pamir Aly, Palanichamy Gandhidasan
  • Publication number: 20150144156
    Abstract: A system includes an elongated rail including support surfaces and a mounting surface disposed between the support surfaces. Photovoltaic modules can be coupled to the mounting surface and raised relative to the support surfaces. A first maintenance vehicle can include a cleaning head, actuator, motor, and support legs. The support legs can suspend the cleaning head over the photovoltaic modules and can be respectively movably coupled to the support surfaces so as to laterally and sequentially move the cleaning head parallel to the elongated rail and across each of the photovoltaic modules responsive to actuation of the motor. At least a portion of the cleaning head can be vertically movable between a disengaged position spaced apart from the photovoltaic modules and an engaged position in contact with at least one of the photovoltaic modules responsive to actuation of the actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Adam FRENCH, Kevin HENNESSY
  • Publication number: 20150135459
    Abstract: Provided is a blade maintenance device for a wind turbine. The blade maintenance device for the wind turbine includes: a body that travels along a leading edge of a blade; support units that extend from the body to both sides of the blade and support the sides of the blade; and a maintenance unit installed at at least one of the body and the support units so as to perform maintenance of an outer side of the blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: SAMSUNG HEAVY IND. CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Byung Kyu Lee, Hong Gyeoum Kim, Jong Hwan Lee, Young Seok Cho, Young Youl Ha, In Chul Ha, Dong Ki Han
  • Patent number: 9032578
    Abstract: A mop device that includes a mop handle connection member. The mop handle connection member has a central body having a first end and an opposed second end with means for engaging a mop handle member associated with the first end of the central body and at least one jaw member associated with the second end of the central body. The mop handle connection member includes a jaw member that is configured to releasably connect with a mop strand bundle. The jaw member has a first end proximate to the central body an opposed second end distal to the first end and a central arm region contiguously located therebetween. The central arm region has a flange projecting outward from the central arm and at least one detent defined in the central arm in spaced relationship to the flange. The mop device also has at least one accessory member connected to the mop handle connection member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: The Tuway American Group, Inc.
    Inventor: John Feeny
  • Publication number: 20150121639
    Abstract: An exemplary wiper assembly for use with a concrete mixer includes a wiper element configured to span a gap between a mixer barrel and a collector, and is configured for suspendedly coupling to a support frame separate from any coupling to the mixer barrel or the collector. One or more arm members are coupled between the concrete mixer and the wiper element. The arm member includes a tensioning portion that adjusts to move an upper edge of the wiper element into contact with the mixer barrel, and an elastic portion that enables the wiper element to adjust relative to each of the collector and the mixer barrel during rotation of the mixer barrel. Thus the wiper element has limited movement independent of rotation of the mixer barrel and of vibrational movement of the collector and mixer barrel due to movement of the concrete mixer over rough terrain, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventor: Robert D. Turner
  • Patent number: 9003592
    Abstract: A pole-cleaning device sleeve having a pole-like member with a proximal end, a distal end, opposite to the proximal end, and a length separating the distal and proximal ends, the pole-like member having a head portion defining a working surface and being coupled to the distal end of the pole-like member, the pole-cleaning device also having a removably couplable sleeve with a distal end substantially adjacent to the head portion, a proximal end terminating at a location along the pole-like member length, and a sleeve length separating the distal and proximal ends, an outer layer being of a substantially deformably-resilient and polymer-based material, an inner layer coupled to the outer layer and contacting an outer surface of the pole-like member, and the outer and inner layers encapsulating at least a portion of the pole-like member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventor: Kaj Zingo Smith
  • Patent number: 8984704
    Abstract: A solar panel cleaning system, comprising: a track, disposed perpendicularly to a plurality of rows of solar panels; a cleaning carriage, comprising a moving mechanism for moving the cleaning carriage along the top and bottom bars of the panels of each of the rows; a conveying carriage, comprising a moving mechanism for conveying thereof along the track, thereby allowing carrying the cleaning carriage from one row to another row; wherein the conveying carriage has a supporting frame on which the cleaning carriage is situated while being moved from one row to another row, and wherein the top bar and the bottom bar of the frame correspond to the top bar and the bottom bar of each of the panels; and a control system, for controlling the movement of the conveying carriage and the movement of the cleaning carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Inventor: Moshe Saraf
  • Patent number: 8980010
    Abstract: In a piezoelectric device, a first electrode and a second electrode are disposed to be opposed to each other on plate surfaces of the piezoelectric device, a first electrode plane of the piezoelectric device is fixedly bonded to a plate surface of a vibrating plate, a piezoelectric material forming the piezoelectric device is polarized in a direction parallel to the first electrode plane, the piezoelectric device is fixed to a base through a second electrode plane of the piezoelectric device, and the piezoelectric device generates a thickness-shear vibration with the fixed second electrode plane being a reference plane. The piezoelectric vibration generated by the piezoelectric device generates a flexural vibration in the vibrating plate, to thereby remove dust adhering to a surface of the vibrating plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshihiro Ifuku, Tatsuo Furuta, Hiroshi Saito, Kenichi Takeda
  • Publication number: 20150059114
    Abstract: A device for removing ice and snow from a power transmission line includes a support member installed on the power transmission line, and a vibrator that is provided for the support member and applies vibrations to the power transmission line so as to remove the ice and the snow attached to the power transmission line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: KOREA ELECTRIC POWER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Young Ki KIM, Seung Hoon LEE, Sang Hee CHOI, Bum Young KANG, Hyun Jong JUNG
  • Patent number: 8966704
    Abstract: In a piezoelectric device, a first electrode and a second electrode are disposed to be opposed to each other on plate surfaces of the piezoelectric device, a first electrode plane of the piezoelectric device is fixedly bonded to a plate surface of a vibrating plate, a piezoelectric material forming the piezoelectric device is polarized in a direction parallel to the first electrode plane, the piezoelectric device is fixed to a base through a second electrode plane of the piezoelectric device, and the piezoelectric device generates a thickness-shear vibration with the fixed second electrode plane being a reference plane. The piezoelectric vibration generated by the piezoelectric device generates a flexural vibration in the vibrating plate, to thereby remove dust adhering to a surface of the vibrating plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshihiro Ifuku, Tatsuo Furuta, Hiroshi Saito, Kenichi Takeda
  • Publication number: 20150054900
    Abstract: A pallet conveyor includes a conveyor track to guide pallets, and a service station deployed on the conveyor track, the service station to perform a service operation in the pallet conveyor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventor: Alex Veis
  • Patent number: 8945382
    Abstract: A scraper device discharges a filter cake on a filter plate of a pressure filter, which includes fixed bracket and movable carriage parts, and hoist rack and scraper parts. The fixed bracket part has transverse and vertical bracket beams. The movable carriage part has a movable carriage base, bottom and upper transverse beams, and an upright column. The hoist rack part, mounted in the movable carriage, includes upper and bottom transverse beams of the hoist rack, which are connected by an upright column of the hoist rack. A hoist slide plate connects with a connection plate of the hoist rack, and the hoist slide plate is movably connected to a chain. Scrapers are placed at both sides of the filter plate, and position limiters are placed in the movable carriage part and the hoist rack part. The position limiters are connected to clamping and unclamping proximity switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Jingjin Environmental Protection Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Baochang Liu, Qianqiu Zhao
  • Publication number: 20150013719
    Abstract: A cleaning device for cleaning a marine element towed in water and related methods are provided. The cleaning device is configured to follow a bypass rail attached to the marine element when an obstacle is encountered along the marine element. Thus, the cleaning device passes the entire marine element, from one end to the other, irrespective of the nature of the obstacle. The cleaning device includes a cleaning unit for cleaning the marine element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Applicant: CGG SERVCES SA
    Inventors: Raphael MACQUIN, Jean-Baptiste HUBERT, Behzad VAHIDA
  • Publication number: 20150001158
    Abstract: A cleaning system that includes a meter operatively connected to a cleaning device, and where the flow of waste water activates the cleaning device, and which device removes contaminates from the meter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Rodolfo E. Valladares, Suyana Villarroel, David B. Montfort
  • Publication number: 20150001201
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an autonomous solar panel for use in winter conditions. The panel includes at least one energy transfer member associated with the solar panel. A sensor is in communication with the energy transfer member. A power supply is connected to the energy transfer member. A network interconnects the energy transfer member, the sensor, and the power supply, and is configured so that when the sensor senses an accumulation of winter precipitation on the solar panel, a portion of stored power in the power supply activates the energy transfer member and the winter precipitation is removed from the solar panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Jeffrey Scott Adler, Harold Russell Baird
  • Patent number: 8905363
    Abstract: A paint brush is attached to the rim of the mouth of a paint can such that the bristles of the brush are vertically above the mouth of the can and are oriented at an angle of between about 0 and about 90 degrees from the vertical. A notch is formed on the side of the mid portion of the brush between the handle and the bristles or in the ferrule of a paint brush where the brush is provided with one. The notch is defined by an upper face oriented toward the handle of the brush, and a lower face oriented toward the set of bristles. The upper face, the lower face as well as the space between the upper and lower faces are all dimensioned such that when the brush is attached to the rim of the paint can, the rim bears against the notch at a point adjacent to its upper face while the lower face of the notch bears against the rim sufficiently to position the brush at an angle from the vertical of less than about 90 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: LDRRS Inc.
    Inventor: Glenn Nelson McCaul