Urged Away From Contact With Work Patents (Class 15/360)
  • Patent number: 11612295
    Abstract: An autonomous cleaning device, includes: a mobile platform, configured to move autonomously on a cleaning surface; and a cleaning module, disposed on the mobile platform and including: a wet cleaning module, configured to clean at least part of the cleaning surface in a wet cleaning mode; and a lifting structure, connected to the wet cleaning module and configured to enable the wet cleaning module to move upward or downward with respect to the mobile platform; wherein the wet cleaning module includes: a cleaning head configured to clean the cleaning surface; and a driving unit configured to drive the cleaning head to conduct reciprocating movement on a target surface which indicates a part of the cleaning surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: BEIJING ROBOROCK TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xing Li, Pan Cheng, Chuanlin Duan, Zhimin Yang, Jungang Liu, Fan Yang, Erdong Gu, Rongxin Hu, Lei Wang, Lei Zhang
  • Patent number: 10512377
    Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner includes a blower for pulling air and debris through the upright vacuum cleaner, a motor connected to the blower, and a cleaning head for removing the debris from a floor. The cleaning head includes a front wall, a rear wall, a first sidewall, and a second sidewall. The first sidewall and the second sidewall extend between the front wall and rear wall. The vacuum cleaner further includes a debris tube connected to the cleaning head for receiving the debris from the cleaning head. The vacuum cleaner also includes magnet assemblies adapted to prevent metal objects from entering the cleaning head. Each magnet assembly includes a bracket and a magnet. The bracket includes a horizontal plate and a vertical plate. The magnet is connected to the vertical plate. The front wall includes shelves to support the magnet assemblies. Each shelf is arranged to receive one of the magnet assemblies such that the horizontal plate rests on the shelf and the magnet is positioned below the shelf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventor: Matthew A. Williams
  • Patent number: 10051774
    Abstract: A traction unit drawn agricultural implement for treating a field along repeated generally parallel longitudinal swaths has a hydraulic system for lifting and lowering a ground engaging implement portion at the beginning and end respectively of each swath. A system for aligning the beginning of one swath with the termination of the previous swath determines initial lift and lower times and adjusts the hydraulic system to bring the times into closer conformity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: James W. Henry, Mark J. Wileniec
  • Patent number: 9931678
    Abstract: A pneumatic chip collector includes a free-floating head with a connector configured to be coupled to a pneumatic system. The head has a bottom with at least one slot disposed on the bottom of the head, the at least one slot parallel to the longitudinal axis of the head. The head also has at least one spacer disposed beyond the bottom of the head, the at least one spacer having a outermost surface defining a spacing relative to the bottom of the head with the outermost surface disposed on a surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: INTER-SOURCE RECOVERY SYSTEMS
    Inventor: William D. Nemedi
  • Patent number: 9867515
    Abstract: A cleaner head for a cleaning appliance, comprising a brushbar, a housing defining a chamber which at least partially surrounds the brushbar, the chamber having a dirty air inlet and a dirty air outlet, and a scraper having a working edge which extends in the longitudinal direction of the brushbar. The scraper is arranged such that, in use, the working edge scrapes debris entrained by the brushbar from the brushbar. The working edge has a profile which is shaped such that debris which accumulates at the working edge is drawn by the airflow through the cleaner head along the working edge towards the dirty air outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: DYSON TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventors: Sean Ventress, Louis Peter Richard Garner
  • Patent number: 9045071
    Abstract: A mobile infill reclamation system comprising a mobile platform configured to be readily moved from a first location to a second location in relatively close proximity to an existing synthetic turf surface, a support structure mounted on the mobile platform, multiple processing components supported by the support structure and configured and arranged to process used infill material from the existing synthetic turf surface, an infill intake supported by the support structure and configured and arranged to receive the used infill material, and an infill output supported by the support structure and configured and arranged to discharge infill material processed by the processing components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Turf Industry Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Mark H. Nicholls, Michael A. Hartwell
  • Patent number: 8667644
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner attachment is provided for vacuuming without the vacuum cleaner attachment becoming stuck to a surface being cleaned during use. The vacuum cleaner attachment includes a body portion having a top and a perimeter wall extending from the top to define an interior space. A vacuum connection portion extends from the top of the body portion. The vacuum connection portion is in environmental communication with the interior space of the body portion. The vacuum connection portion is designed for coupling to a vacuum cleaner tube to provide suction to the interior space. A first wheel is coupled to the body portion. The first wheel extends downwardly from the body portion such that the first wheel is designed for supporting the body portion in spaced relationship to a supporting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Inventor: Greg Marion
  • Patent number: 8656550
    Abstract: A floor-cleaning robot includes a wheeled housing having a perimeter, a motor drive operably connected to wheels of the housing to move the robot across a floor surface, and a bumper responsive to obstacles encountered by the robot. A controller is in electrical communication with both the bumper and the motor drive and is configured to control the motor drive to maneuver the robot to avoid detected obstacles across the floor surface during a floor-cleaning operation. A driven cleaning brush, rotatable about an axis substantially parallel to an underside of the housing, is disposed substantially across a central region of the underside and is positioned to brush the floor surface as the robot is moved across the floor surface. Additionally, a driven side brush extending beyond the perimeter is positioned to brush floor surface debris from beyond the perimeter toward a projected path of the driven cleaning brush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph L. Jones, Newton E. Mack, David M. Nugent, Paul E. Sandin
  • Patent number: 8474090
    Abstract: A floor cleaning robot comprises a housing, wheels, and a motor driving the wheels to move the robot across a floor, a control module disposed within the housing and directing movement of the robot across the floor, a sensor for detecting and communicating obstacle information to the control module so that the control module can cause the robot to react to the obstacle, a removable bin disposed at least partially within the housing and receiving particulates, a first rotating member directing particulates toward the bin, and a second rotating member cooperating with the first rotating member to direct particulates toward the bin. The removable bin receives particulates directed thereto by the first and second rotating members and the particulates pass from the first rotating member to the removable bin without passing through a filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph L. Jones, Newton E. Mack, David M. Nugent, Paul E. Sandin
  • Patent number: 7962996
    Abstract: A mobile yard vacuum cart that incorporates a leaf blower and trash can into a vertical support assembly that allows an operator to collect leaves into the trash can for disposal simultaneously while moving the mobile yard vacuum cart across a lawn without lugging the leaf blower. The mobile yard vacuum cart has a vertical support assembly, a pickup assembly, a discharge assembly and a strap assembly. The coupling of the leaf blower with the pickup assembly allows the operator to simply push the mobile yard vacuum cart without having to simultaneously manipulate a blower intake tube across the lawn surface. If the leaf blower has a chopping impeller blade, the mobile yard vacuum cart advantageously directs the leaves into the impeller of the leaf blower for chopping. The mobile yard vacuum cart provides adaptors in a variety of configurations to couple the tubes supplied with the leaf blower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Inventor: Jack Mondello
  • Patent number: 7631395
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a suction nozzle for a vacuum cleaner, which includes a nozzle body having a contaminants suction port formed on a bottom surface thereof, and a fur-removing member having a fur-removing body rotatably disposed at a side of the contaminants suction port on the nozzle body, a fur-removing portion formed in a plurality of pins vertically to the fur-removing body, and a plurality of rotation cams, wherein when the nozzle body moves in a first direction, the plurality of rotation cams forces the fur-removing body to rotate so that a leading end of the fur-removing portion is spaced apart from a surface to be cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jang-keun Oh
  • Patent number: 7506403
    Abstract: A debris collection system for use with a portable, hand held blower/vac comprises a wheeled cart. A collection bag is releasably carried on the cart. A connecting hose releasably couples the collection bag to the fan outlet of the blower/vac to fill the collection bag with debris picked up by the blower/vac when the blower/vac operates in the vacuum mode. The cart rolls on the ground and trails behind the blower/vac in the manner of a canister vacuum cleaner as a user operates the blower/vac and walks forwardly with the blower/vac. The collection bag may be a reusable fabric bag or a disposable paper bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Steven J. Svoboda, Daniel R. Shemon, Mark A. Pankratz, James R. Baumann
  • Patent number: 7448113
    Abstract: An autonomous floor-cleaning robot comprising a housing, a powered wheel drive, a command and control subsystem; and a cleaning head including a deck mounted to pivot with respect to the housing, a brush assembly mounted in the deck and powered to sweep, a vacuum assembly mounted in the deck separate from the brush assembly and behind the brush assembly in a cleaning direction of the robot and powered to ingest particulates during cleaning operations, and a deck adjusting assembly mounted in combination with the deck and the housing that provides lift to the deck, the lift balanced to respond to an increase in brush torque to lift the deck with respect to the housing or floor. The robot also includes a side brush assembly mounted with the housing to entrain particulates outside the periphery of the housing and to direct such particulates towards the cleaning head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: IRobert
    Inventors: Joseph L. Jones, Newton E. Mack, David M. Nugent, Paul E. Sandin
  • Patent number: 7266861
    Abstract: A brush roller accessory for a vacuum cleaner includes a main support roller and a power-driven brush roller rotatably arranged in a housing, and a spring-biased adjusting roller that adjustably protrudes from the housing to bear some of the total contact force of the accessory against a floor, to reduce or relieve the contact force exerted by the brush roller against the floor. The adjusting roller is rotatably mounted on a pivot lever, having a first end pivotally connected to the housing and a second end connected to a spring that biases the lever to pivot the adjusting roller outwardly from the housing. A rotary knob with several stop surfaces selects an upper limit on the pivot range of the lever and the adjustment height of the adjusting roller. A coupling link pivots the adjusting roller to a maximally protruding position to lift the brush roller into a parking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Stein & Co. GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Stein, Andreas Laaser
  • Patent number: 7213298
    Abstract: A clutchless, direct drive, self-propelled vacuum cleaner includes a nozzle base having a suction inlet and a housing pivotally mounted on the nozzle base. A suction source is mounted to one of the nozzle base and the housing. A filter chamber is located in one of the nozzle base and the housing. A drive motor is mounted to one of the nozzle base and the housing, the drive motor having an output shaft. A transmission is directly coupled to the output shaft of the motor. A driven wheel is directly coupled to the transmission. Also disclosed is a height adjustment mechanism for the vacuum cleaner, the height adjustment mechanism employing the drive assembly of the vacuum cleaner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Royal Appliance Mfg. Co.
    Inventors: Mark E. Cipolla, Steven J. Paliobeis
  • Publication number: 20010047563
    Abstract: An upright type vacuum cleaner includes a weight counterbalancing section located at a connective portion for connecting a body of the vacuum cleaner with a brush assembly in a manner that the body and the brush assembly are rotated on each other, for counterbalancing a partial weight of the body when the body is inclined. The weight counterbalancing means includes a pair of shafts formed on both sides of the body; a pair of shaft positioning portions formed on the brush assembly corresponding to the pair of shafts of the body; holders connected to the respective shaft positioning portions for rotatably supporting the shafts positioned on the shaft positioning portions; and torsion springs each of which having one end fixed at each shaft, and the other end fixed at the brush assembly, for elastically supporting the body in a perpendicular relation with respect to the brush assembly. Further, a pair of moving rollers are formed on both rear sides of the brush assembly for smooth movement of the vacuum cleaner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2000
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventor: Nae-jung Kim
  • Patent number: 6299437
    Abstract: A freight container in the form of a tractor-trailer or intermodal container which is convertible for selectively carrying solid freight or bulk liquid freight including a housing, a plurality of collapsible tanks in the housing, liquid outlets in the tanks and conduits in communication with the liquid outlets located entirely within the housing and an opening in the housing proximate the outlets of the conduits. A liquid washing assembly is permanently mounted on the tanks both in the expanded and collapsed conditions of the tanks. Guide structure is provided in association with the frame of the collapsible tanks for guiding the frame in a perfectly vertical direction both when the tanks are being expanded and being collapsed. The upper and lower edges of the tank sides are bolted and clamped to their associated frames. Hot air ducts encircle the liquid conduits in the bases of the tanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Converta-Vans, Incorporated
    Inventors: James J. Bonerb, Thomas J. Bonerb, David Bounerba
  • Patent number: 5588176
    Abstract: This invention relates to the automotive appearance industry and more particularly to an environmentally improved vehicle washing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: Thomas G. Sixsmith
    Inventor: Thomas G. Sixsmith
  • Patent number: 5553349
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner nozzle having a first nozzle part (11) which has brush elements (23) or the like facing the floor and a second nozzle part (25) which is movably arranged with respect to the first part (11) and which has at least one suction opening (27) through which air flows to an outlet tube (13) connected to the nozzle. The second nozzle part (25) is supported by the first nozzle part (11) by means of a resilient element (31). The resilient element maintains the second part (25) above the floor when the nozzle is moved on a hard surface and allows the second part (25) to move toward the floor when the nozzle is moved on a soft surface, such as a soft carpet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget Electrolux
    Inventors: Lars G. Kilstrom, Nils T. Lindquist, Rolf G. Sjoberg
  • Patent number: 4955102
    Abstract: A beater brush for a vacuum cleaner includes a cylindrical dowel having at least one groove helically disposed in an outer periphery thereof for receiving a bristle strip. The bristle strip has a bristle support section and a beater bar integrally formed with a hinge disposed therebetween. In the bristle strip's molded position, the beater bar is disposed a distance from the bristle support section to allow bristle tufts to be inserted in apertures formed in the bristle support section. After the bristle tufts are secured to the bristle support section, the beater bar is swung into position abutting the bristle tufts so as to impart kinetic energy thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1990
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Walter K. Cousins
  • Patent number: 4782552
    Abstract: There is disclosed herein an upright vacuum cleaner comprising a main body having a suction opening, and a handle body pivotally attached to the main body. A relatively simple cam, which may be made from sheet metal in the form of a box, is disposed in the main body and pivoted with respect thereto. The cam is engaged by a cam actuator of the handle body when the handle body is moved to its upright vertical position to cause the cam to pivot in a manner to raise the suction opening of the main body from the rug or carpet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1988
    Assignee: Riccar America Company
    Inventors: William L. Bartlett, David A. Weir
  • Patent number: 4754520
    Abstract: A floating cleaner head used with a self-propelled front wheel drive floor cleaning apparatus, such as a vacuum cleaner. Both the forwardly located drive wheels and the drive transmission therefor are pivotably mounted on a bracket beneath the cleaner head. A skid plate attached to the bracket extends rearwardly from the bracket pivot to sense the carpet pile height of a floor to be cleaned. As the pile height increases, the bracket is pivoted so as to force the drive wheels deeper into the carpet pile which increases the propelling force. Additionally, since the drive wheels and transmission are located intermediate freely-rotatable rear wheels and a forwardly located rotary brush and nozzle area, operation of the skid plate also cause the entire cleaner head to float or pivot about the axis of the rear wheels so as to automatically adjust the elevation of the rotary bar and nozzle area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1988
    Assignee: The Singer Company
    Inventors: Stephen W. Steadings, James F. Barnes
  • Patent number: 4648149
    Abstract: An electric vacuum cleaner has a floor engaging unit, a generally vertically extending handle assembly pivotally affixed to the rear of the floor engaging unit, and a porous bag assembly mounted to the front of the handle assembly. The handle assembly is hollow to direct dust-laden air from the floor engaging unit to the bag assembly. A bottom plate, under the brush roll, has notches at its edges to enhance edge cleaning, and front wheels for the cleaner. Ridges are provided in the floor engaging unit to prevent improper assembly of the drive belt. The handle assembly is resiliently biased upwardly, and a release is provided thereon to enable relaxation of forces on the porous bag of the porous bag assembly, to facilitate changing of the bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1987
    Assignee: National Union Electric Corp.
    Inventors: Leonard Hampton, Samuel E. Hohulin
  • Patent number: 4179770
    Abstract: A turf grooming vehicle including a chassis and wheels supporting the chassis in terrain-following movement across a field includes a vacuum head assembly and a bin forming a receiver for loose turf material vacuumed from the surface of a field of turf. By jacking the receiver upwardly to pivot about an elevated axis of rotation the contents thereof can be discharged over the side of and into a vehicle disposed alongside the chassis. In addition, means forming a drive connection for operating both a fan for creating the suction as well as for operating hydraulic means for driving a rotatable grooming unit is coupled to a tractor or other pulling means so that the tractor and trailer can make extremely sharp turns. Further, the vacuum head assembly is arranged whereby it follows the surface of the ground independently of upward movements of the chassis (such as may be derived from the upward movements of the chassis wheels).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1979
    Inventor: John F. Nunes, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4144615
    Abstract: A pan cleaning apparatus for use with bun and roll pans in bakeries which will use a combined air blast and vacuum action to loosen seeds, crumbs or the like as well as other foreign material which may be lodged in a bun pan after use. The device may include brushes arranged to brush all of the corners and recesses of the pan adequately for loosening material with the air blast-vacuum hood which removes debris from the pan used as a final cleaning stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1977
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1979
    Inventor: Douglas R. Hanson
  • Patent number: 4044420
    Abstract: A pan cleaning apparatus for use with bun and roll pans in bakeries which will use a combined air blast and vacuum action to loosen seeds, crumbs or the like as well as other foreign material which may be lodged in a bun pan after use. The device may include brushes arranged to brush all of the corners and recesses of the pan adequately for loosening material with the air blast-vacuum hood which removes debris from the pan used as a final cleaning stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1975
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1977
    Inventor: Douglas R. Hanson
  • Patent number: 4014068
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner nozzle is provided having resilient means, disposed between it and its handle, to prevent displacement of the nozzle from the floor during cleaning and also having a litter collecting brush that is spring biased into floor engaging position and height adjustable so that the nozzle is usable on bare floor and carpeted surfaces. Height adjustment is occasioned by a reciprocal bar having dimpled camming surfaces formed integrally in its top surface, with this bar being lever actuated and including an indicating means to guide the user during cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1975
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1977
    Assignee: The Hoover Company
    Inventors: Rex E. Payne, Henry F. Aegerter, Jr.