Auxiliary Or Separate, I.e., Non-fan, Driving Motor Patents (Class 15/377)
  • Patent number: 11819173
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to the technical field of cleaning devices, and discloses a cleaning device. The cleaning device includes a machine body, a front bumper, a cleaning assembly, a collecting assembly and a water tank. The machine body is provided with a recess, and the cleaning assembly includes a roller for cleaning the ground. The roller is mounted between the machine body and the front bumper. The collecting assembly is provided with a wastewater outlet and mounted between the machine body and the roller and abuts against the roller. The water tank is provided with a wastewater inlet and is removably mounted in the recess. The wastewater flows into the water tank through the wastewater outlet and the wastewater inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: SHENZHEN SILVER STAR INTELLIGENT GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shang Feng, Lirong Ye, Ruijun Yan, Changtai Xia, Xiao Hu
  • Patent number: 11685019
    Abstract: A management device simultaneously clamps both the power cord and the vacuum tube of a floor preparation machine to appropriately direct the power cord and vacuum tube and protect from damage the power cord, vacuum tube cord plug and machine socket associated with the power cord and fitting associated with the vacuum tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: National Flooring Equipment Inc.
    Inventor: John A. Kivisto
  • Patent number: 11464374
    Abstract: Disclosed is a robot cleaner which adjusts a suction area of air suctioned into a suction port through a shutter and a shutter driving device configured to operate the shutter, so that a flow rate of air is adjusted, thus more effectively suctioning dust in the air by using a fan motor having a fixed capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyung Han Jeong, Byung Chan Kim, Woo Ram Oh, Kyu Ha Lee, Byoung In Lee
  • Patent number: 11399684
    Abstract: A nozzle for a cleaner has a nozzle main body including an intake channel to suction air. The nozzle includes first and second rotary cleaning units spaced apart from each other in a lateral direction under the nozzle main body. Each of the first and second rotary cleaning units includes a rotary plate coupled to a dust cloth. The nozzle further includes a first driving device to drive the first rotary cleaning unit and a second driving device to drive the second rotary cleaning unit. The nozzle includes a water tank to store water. Further, the nozzle has a water supply channel to supply water in the water tank to the rotary cleaning units. The nozzle has a water pump and a pump motor to drive the water pump to pump the water to the dust cloth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jungwan Ryu, Moohyun Ko, Jinhyouk Shin, Ingyu Yang
  • Patent number: 11253123
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner comprises a cleaner main body configured to generate suction power; a suction unit configured to suck up dust and foreign substances by the suction power; a connection pipe configured to transfer the sucked dust and foreign substances; a connection unit comprising a connection pipe accommodator configured to accommodate an end portion of the connection pipe, a separation controller configured to separate the accommodated end portion of the connection pipe from the connection pipe accommodator, and a space configured to place the separation controller therein; and a power cable configured to supply electric power from the cleaner main body to the suction unit, and disposed to pass through the space in which the separation controller of the connection unit is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Byeongheon Jung, Jonggook Lim, Seokbong Baek
  • Patent number: 11013386
    Abstract: An anti-static vacuum cleaner is provided, which comprises a machine body, in which components on the machine body include a dust collecting component, a main body and a dust collector; the suction portion is communicated with the dust collector arranged on the main body, and a handle is arranged on the main body; the components on the machine body at least form a static electricity generating portion; the handle is at least partially formed by a non-metal conductive material, and is electrically connected with the at least one static electricity generating portion through an electrically conductive assembly. Additionally, the handle may be made by a non-metal conductive material that can increase its contact area with the human body for efficiency of electrostatic conduction without affecting the feel of grasping, appearance and safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: TINECO INTELLIGENT TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wenchao Zhu, Zhenhua Zhang
  • Patent number: 10743734
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a handle having a handle fluid input, a handle fluid output, a first handle electrical contact, a second handle electrical contact, a first handle air passage, and a second handle air passage. The apparatus also includes a shaft having a shaft fluid input, a shaft fluid output, a first shaft electrical contact, a second shaft electrical contact, a first shaft air passage, a second shaft air passage, and a first shaft coupling including the shaft fluid input, the first shaft electrical contact and the first shaft air passage. The first shaft coupling is configured to mate with the handle to connect the shaft fluid input with the handle fluid output, connect the first shaft electrical contact with the second handle electrical contact with the second handle electrical contact, and connect the first shaft air passage with the second handle air passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: RUG DOCTOR, LLC
    Inventors: Ernest Matthew Chavana, Jr., Richard Foster, Stanley Anderson, Christopher Terpstra, Jan Valentic, Xintao Ma
  • Patent number: 10709307
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a handle having a handle fluid input, a handle fluid output, a first handle electrical contact, a second handle electrical contact, a first handle air passage, and a second handle air passage. The apparatus also includes a shaft having a shaft fluid input, a shaft fluid output, a first shaft electrical contact, a second shaft electrical contact, a first shaft air passage, a second shaft air passage, and a first shaft coupling including the shaft fluid input, the first shaft electrical contact and the first shaft air passage. The first shaft coupling is configured to mate with the handle to connect the shaft fluid input with the handle fluid output, connect the first shaft electrical contact with the second handle electrical contact with the second handle electrical contact, and connect the first shaft air passage with the second handle air passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: RUG DOCTOR, LLC
    Inventors: Ernest Matthew Chavana, Jr., Richard Foster, Stanley Anderson, Christopher Terpstra, Jan Valentic, Xintao Ma
  • Patent number: 10307033
    Abstract: A steam mop with an upright handle assembly pivotally mounted to a foot includes a fluid distribution system. The fluid distribution system includes a steam generator, a fluid distributor in the foot that applies steam to a floor surface and an auxiliary hose that applies steam to above-floor surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: BISSELL Homecare, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan J. Krebs, Kurt E. Ashbaugh
  • Patent number: 10080471
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner with a vacuum unit and a wand assembly. The vacuum unit has a vacuum unit inlet. The wand assembly has a rigid portion and a flexible portion. The rigid portion has proximal and distal wand ends, and is reconfigurable between a condition in which the proximal wand end is rigidly connected to the vacuum unit inlet, and a condition in which the proximal wand end is movable relative to the vacuum unit inlet. The flexible portion has a proximal hose end to connect to the vacuum unit inlet, a distal hose end configured to fit inside the rigid portion, and a flexible hose between the hose ends. The hose is movable between a condition in which the hose is entirely inside the rigid portion, and a condition in which at least a portion of the hose adjacent the proximal hose end extends outside the rigid portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Care Products, Inc.
    Inventors: William Reimer, Brad Hoare, Craig Amick
  • Patent number: 9960576
    Abstract: An integral, unitary cover assembly for covering an electrical connection between first and second electrical cables each having a primary conductor and a neutral conductor includes an inner elastomeric sleeve, an outer elastomeric sleeve, and a collapsible duct. The inner elastomeric sleeve defines a cable passage to receive the electrical connection and the primary conductors of the first and second cables. The outer elastomeric sleeve surrounds the inner sleeve. The collapsible duct is interposed radially between the inner and outer sleeves. The duct defines a neutral conductor passage configured to receive at least one of the neutral conductors therethrough. The duct is selectively collapsible from an initial open configuration to a collapsed configuration about the at least one neutral conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: TE CONNECTIVITY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kok Chywn Chuang
  • Patent number: 9949604
    Abstract: A drive mechanism for a vacuum cleaner having a motor and an agitator includes a belt coupled to the motor and the agitator to drive the agitator, and a belt tensioner operable to selectively tension the belt. The belt tensioner includes an arm movable relative to the belt, a shaft coupled to the arm, a pulley rotatably coupled to the shaft, a bearing positioned substantially within the pulley and around a portion of the shaft, and a member fixed to the pulley to retain the bearing within the pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Techtronic Industries Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Patrick Quinn, John Bantum, Michael Wright, Rafael Davila, Yiping Guan
  • Patent number: 9717382
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner with a reduced frictional force between a vacuum base and a cleaning medium is described. The vacuum has a handle, yoke, body, and base. A handle and yoke distinct from, and behind, the base provides a moment arm anterior to the base when a force is applied. The handle and yoke assembly reduce the friction between the cleaning surface and the vacuum, allowing for larger motor and debris capturing capabilities, with easier handling and maneuverability resulting in advanced and superior cleaning capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited
    Inventor: Charles J. Morgan
  • Publication number: 20140366306
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner that includes a suction source, a cleaner head, and a controller. The suction source includes an impeller and a first motor for driving the impeller, and the cleaner head includes an agitator and a second motor for driving the agitator. The controller is configured to generate control signals for controlling simultaneously the excitation of the first motor and the second motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Andrew Charlton CLOTHIER, James Douglas CHISHOLM
  • Patent number: 8898858
    Abstract: A cleaner head for a vacuum cleaner has a rotating brush bar driven by an air-cooled motor, which is mounted inside the cleaner head with at least a section of the motor being located inside the brush bar. To cool the motor in use, an external casing of the motor is provided a plurality of air-cooling holes comprising at least one air intake and at least one air exhaust. These cooling holes are connected—intake to exhaust—to form one or more air-cooling paths through the inside of the motor. Each air intake is connected to an upstream clean air inlet by a stationary—not rotating—intake duct, and each air exhaust is similarly connected to a downstream clean air outlet by a stationary—not rotating—exhaust duct. This avoids the problems associated with using the rotating brush bar itself as a duct for carrying cooling air to the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: James Dyson, Christopher Lesniowski, Stephen Benjamin Courtney
  • Patent number: 8776310
    Abstract: A cleaner head for a vacuum cleaner has a dirty-air inlet provided in a main suction chamber of the cleaner head, an outlet duct extending from the main suction chamber for connection to a suction source, and a rotating brush bar housed inside the main suction chamber for agitating a floor surface contacted through the dirty-air inlet. The brush bar is driven by an air-cooled motor housed inside a hollow section of the brush bar, the motor having an air intake and an air exhaust fluidly connected to one another to form an air cooling path through the inside of the motor. The air intake is connected to a clean air inlet on the cleaner head and the air exhaust is fluidly connected to the outlet duct by an exhaust duct which bypasses the main suction chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Stuart Lloyd Genn, Christopher Lesniowski, Stephen Benjamin Courtney
  • Patent number: 8776311
    Abstract: A cleaner head for a vacuum cleaner houses a hollow brush bar mounted for rotation about an axis. This brush bar is driven by a motor housed inside the hollow brush bar, the motor forming part of a drive assembly supported at one end of the cleaner head. The brush bar is arranged for removal from the cleaner head by sliding the brush bar along the axis and out through an opening at the opposite end of the cleaner head and the brush bar is rotatably supported in clearance around the drive assembly by a first bearing, which bearing engages the brush bar in a corresponding axial-sliding fit to allow said sliding removal of the brush bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Stuart Lloyd Genn, Christopher Lesniowski, Stephen Benjamin Courtney
  • Patent number: 8560119
    Abstract: A robot cleaner that travels straight through alignment of drive wheels to move the robot cleaner and a method of controlling travel of the same. Information related to a movement angle of the robot cleaner is detected from angle information of a caster wheel rotating depending upon a state of a floor, such as a carpet in a state in which texture of the carpet occurs in one direction, and, when the movement angle of the robot cleaner deviates due to slippages of the drive wheels, rates of rotation of the drive wheels are adjusted to correct the slippages of the drive wheels such that the robot cleaner easily travels straight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Hwa Lee, Jae Man Joo, Dong Won Kim, Jun Pyo Hong, Woo Ram Chung, Jae Young Jung, Kyung Hwan Yoo, Hwi Chan Jang, Jang Youn Ko, Jeong Gon Song, Sam Jong Jeung
  • Patent number: 8141202
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner housing member having a rigid frame, a grate and a flexible cover. The rigid frame has an outer perimeter and an opening therethrough. The grate is mounted in the opening and has an inner surface, an outer surface, one or more air passages extending from the inner surface to the outer surface, and an outer perimeter wall defining the peripheral edge of the grate. The flexible cover extends over at least one of the one or more air passages and is positioned over at least a portion of the outer surface, extends around at least a portion of the outer perimeter wall, and is positioned over at least a portion of the inner surface. A vacuum cleaner including the housing members similar to the foregoing member is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Care Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas W. Hawkins, Gregory W. Luebbering, Richard J. Eisenmenger
  • Patent number: 7823250
    Abstract: The invention relates to a bare floor cleaner capable of wet pickup through a first nozzle opening with the aid of a squeegee, wet scrubbing with an agitator, and dry pickup through a second nozzle opening. The bare floor cleaner comprises a dual-path nozzle assembly having a wet suction path in communication with the first nozzle opening and a dry suction path in communication with the second nozzle opening. A diverter valve selectively controls fluid communication between a suction source and one of the first and second nozzle openings for conversion between wet and dry modes. The bare floor cleaner further comprises a single actuator that controls the positions of the agitator and of the diverter valve. As a result, the cleaning mode of the bare floor cleaner can be controlled with a single switch that is preferably located on the handle assembly for convenient access by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: BISSELL Homecare, Inc.
    Inventor: Gabriel S. Vander Baan
  • Publication number: 20100269857
    Abstract: A method for operating an attachment device for a vacuum cleaner includes an electrically rotatable brush roller and a motor for driving the brush roller. The method includes rotating the brush roller in a normal operational direction during operation. The method further includes rotating the brush roller in a reverse direction opposite to the normal operational direction of rotation, when the brush roller is detected to be jammed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: MIELE & CIE. KG
    Inventors: Walter ASSMANN, Martin BEHRENSWERTH, Guenther ENNEN, Volker MARKS, Cornelius WOLF
  • Patent number: 7765638
    Abstract: It is disclosed a vacuum cleaner nozzle comprising a housing, a rotatable brush which is adapted to brush a surface, and a turbine, wherein a suction air flow impacting on said turbine generates a first rotational torque for rotating said rotatable brush, wherein it further comprises an electric power generator for generating electric power by a rotation of said turbine; an accumulator unit for storing said electric power; and an electric motor which is adapted to generate a second rotational torque for rotating said rotatable brush, wherein said electric motor is electrically connected to said accumulator unit. The electric power generator and the electric motor could be either integrated into a single component or they could be separate components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: New Ermes Europe S.p.A.
    Inventors: Massimiliano Pineschi, Riccardo Roschi
  • Patent number: 7743462
    Abstract: A doubled sided suction nozzle having both a brush function and a duster function is disclosed. The doubled sided suction nozzle includes a nozzle body having an air inlet to draw in air, at least one brush unit rotatably disposed on a first surface of the nozzle body to come in surface contact with a surface to be cleaned thus to brush away dirt from the surface to be cleaned, at least one duster unit rotatably disposed on the second surface of the nozzle body to come in surface contact with the surface to be cleaned thus to wipe off the dust or dirt from the surface to be cleaned, and a rotating unit disposed in the nozzle body to rotate the brush unit and the duster unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dong-Hun Yoo
  • Patent number: 7657967
    Abstract: A brush vibrating apparatus for a vacuum cleaner. The brush vibrating apparatus includes a brush provided in a head portion of the vacuum cleaner and reciprocating and rotating for separating foreign substances from an object to be cleaned; support units provided on the head portion for rotatably supporting the brush; an elastic force supply unit installed between the brush and the support units for supplying elastic force from both sides of a center of the reciprocation of the brush to the center; and a driving force supply unit for supplying driving force, thereby minimizing noise and vibration generated from the reciprocation of the brush, thus allowing the vacuum cleaner to be operated in a smooth and calm state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Young Sok Nam, Seong Ho Cho, Myung Keun Yoo
  • Patent number: 7603745
    Abstract: A cleaner head for a cleaning appliance includes a dirt and dust separating apparatus, a motor configured to drive a fan for generating suction air flow and a selectively-operable switch for energizing the motor and cleaner head. The cleaner head has a drivable agitator in the form of a brush bar and a dedicated motor. When the main vacuum motor is switched on, the brush bar motor is energized so that the brush bar is automatically driven on start-up of the cleaner. This enables the superior cleaning performance achievable with a brush bar to be automatically achieved, without the user having to remember to select operation of the brush bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventor: Clive James Frederickson
  • Patent number: 7594298
    Abstract: A hand-held device for dusting a surface is disclosed. The device includes al housing, a drive motor associated with the housing, a rotating dusting element rotated about its axis by the drive motor, and at least one conduit for removing dust from the dusting element. The conduit has a first portion for attachment to a source of vacuum and a side portion extending parallel to the axis of the duster and adjacent to the duster. Optionally, the first portion of the conduit is adapted to couple to a vacuum cleaner hose to draw air and debris into the side portion and out of the first portion of the conduit. The side portion of the conduit has one or more vacuum inlets extending along the duster for drawing dirt from the duster. One or more vacuum inlets are selectively rotatable from a first position generally facing toward the duster to a second position generally facing away from the duster and providing access to the vacuum inlet independent of the duster. The device weighs less than five pounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Euro-Pro Operating, LLC
    Inventor: Mason I. Greene
  • Publication number: 20090113665
    Abstract: A vacuum attachment comprising a housing and a brush rotatably disposed in the housing. A suction chamber is disposed within the housing. The suction chamber comprises an inlet port disposed adjacent to an outer edge of the brush, a venturi and a contacting surface that contacts the outer edge of the brush. The housing is configured to retain a modular drive system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2009
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Inventor: M. Glen Kertz
  • Publication number: 20090044375
    Abstract: A diesel particulate filter of a motor vehicle is cleaned of diesel particulate material like ash and possibly soot, typically using equipment already available in a service shop following the method and diesel particulate filter cleaning apparatus of the invention. The diesel particulate filter cleaning apparatus has an air chamber that is coupled to a vibrator and is attached to the diesel particulate filter. The vibrator vibrates the air chamber and the diesel particulate filter to dislodge the diesel particulate material. Air is introduced into the air chamber and into the diesel particulate filter to further remove the diesel particulate material from the diesel particulate filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2007
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Applicant: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: James A. Thomas, Karl Reith
  • Publication number: 20080235901
    Abstract: In a suctioning state, even if the amount of dust trapped in a dust collecting unit in a main air passage is increased, air suctioned from a hose connection port is branched into a first half passage and reduction in the suction air amount can be suppressed. When the suctioning state is switched to a dust moving state by switch means, the dust trapped in a pleated filter is moved to the dust collecting unit, increase in the air passage resistance at the first half passage side caused by clogging of the pleated filter can be suppressed, and reduction in suction power over time can be suppressed. Since an upper air passage and lower air passage are provided in the lid body, the dust collecting unit is exposed with the lid body opened, whereby maintenance performance of the dust collecting unit is improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA CONSUMER MARKETING CORPORATION, TOSHIBA HA PRODUCTS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masatoshi Tanaka, Atsushi Morishita, Kiyoshi Ebe
  • Patent number: 7424766
    Abstract: A cleaning appliance includes a housing with a brushroll and a wheel mounted thereto. A floor-type sensor is disposed within a mounting tube secured to the housing. The floor-type sensor emits sonic energy toward a surface being traversed by the cleaning appliance and receives corresponding sonic energy reflected by the surface. A comparator, electrically coupled to the floor-type sensor, compares the received reflected sonic energy to one or more associated predetermined values to determine the type of surface being traversed. A processor analyzes the results of the comparison and controls at least one of a suction fan, said wheel and said brushroll, based at least in part on the analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Royal Appliance Mfg. Co.
    Inventors: Mark E. Reindle, Norman Siegel
  • Patent number: 7383607
    Abstract: An agitation apparatus which is suitable for use in a cleaning head of a vacuum cleaner includes first and second flow paths. Each of these flow paths has a resonant cavity and an inlet/outlet port which joins the cavity to a space within the cleaning head. A generator, such as a loudspeaker with a diaphragm, generates an alternating pressure wave between the ports. Pressure waves are emitted from one of the ports in an anti-phase relationship with the pressure waves from the other of the ports, thus reducing operating noise. Due to both sides of the generator or diaphragm being exposed to an equal static pressure, the generator operates more reliably. A plurality of these arrangements can be provided across the cleaning head, and a part of the agitation apparatus, such as the driver, can be mounted on the main body of the vacuum cleaner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventor: Mark Andrew Johnson
  • Publication number: 20080127450
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner housing member having a rigid frame, a grate and a flexible cover. The rigid frame has an outer perimeter and an opening therethrough. The grate is mounted in the opening and has an inner surface, an outer surface, one or more air passages extending from the inner surface to the outer surface, and an outer perimeter wall defining the peripheral edge of the grate. The flexible cover extends over at least one of the one or more air passages and is positioned over at least a portion of the outer surface, extends around at least a portion of the outer perimeter wall, and is positioned over at least a portion of the inner surface. A vacuum cleaner including the housing members similar to the foregoing member is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas W. Hawkins, Gregory W. Luebbering, Richard J. Eisenmenger
  • Patent number: 7363682
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a suction head for a vacuum cleaner, including a casing having a suction port for sucking alien substances from the floor, an agitator rotatably installed inside the suction port, a plurality of brushes being arranged on the agitator in the length direction, an agitator driving unit for driving the agitator to perform reciprocating rotation in a predetermined angle range, and a resonance unit for resonating the reciprocating rotation of the agitator driving unit. The suction head for the vacuum cleaner improves cleaning performance of the vacuum cleaner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jun-Young Lim, Myung-Keun Yoo, Yong-Won Choi
  • Patent number: 7331078
    Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus comprises a body including a rear compartment, a forward compartment and an intermediate compartment arranged between the rear and forward compartments. An elongate rotatable brush arrangement is positioned within and extends across the forward compartment. An electric motor is positioned in the rear compartment, and drive means extends between the rotatable brush arrangement and the electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Grey Technology Limited
    Inventor: Nicholas Gerald Grey
  • Publication number: 20070266520
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner including a brush roll, a motion sensor assembly that detects motion of the vacuum cleaner and that generates signals indicative of the detected motion, and a brush roll control unit that controls operation of the brush roll based on the signals generated by the motion sensor assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2006
    Publication date: November 22, 2007
    Inventor: Mark D. Bosses
  • Patent number: 7293326
    Abstract: A motor and brushroll mounting system for a cleaning device. The mounting system includes a motor, an agitator, a drive system, and a bracket. The motor has a rotary driving component adapted to rotate about a drive axis centerline, and a motor housing. The agitator has a rotary member having a driven component and at least one agitator, and at least one fixed member. The rotary member is rotatably held by the fixed member such that it is rotatable about a driven axis centerline. The drive system operatively connects the driving component and the driven component. The bracket is attached at a first end to the motor housing and at the second end to the at least one fixed member, and extends substantially directly therebetween to substantially prevent relative translation between the drive axis centerline and the driven axis centerline. A cleaning device nozzle and an alignment bracket are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Care Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas W. Hawkins, Gregory W. Luebbering, Richard J. Eisenmenger
  • Patent number: 7290308
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a floor cleaning apparatus including a nozzle assembly having a base section and an agitator section pivotally mounted to the base section, a canister assembly pivotally connected to the nozzle assembly, a suction generator carried on one of the nozzle assembly and the canister assembly and a dirt collector carried by one of the nozzle assembly and canister assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventors: Richard E. Downey, Jason R. Gieske
  • Patent number: 7275279
    Abstract: Vacuum cleaner wand adapter for coupling a vacuum cleaner handle to a wand implement of the vacuum cleaner including a housing defining an inner passage for receiving part of the handle and part of the wand implement, a first locking mechanism arranged on the housing for releasably locking the handle to the housing, and second locking mechanism arranged on the housing for releasably locking the housing to the wand implement. An electrical contact structure is also preferably provided to enable the wand adapter to be electrically connected to existing wand implements and handles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Nationwide Sales & Service, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Genoa, Scott Genoa, Joseph Genoa
  • Patent number: 7275280
    Abstract: A carrier, such as an autonomous cleaning apparatus, has a self-adjusting wheel assembly that can move vertically, thereby enabling the carrier to readily pass over a surface. The wheel assembly may include microswitch, which activates a control mechanism for the carrier when a wheel assembly is in a predetermined position along its path of vertical movement. Rollers can be located at the bottom of the carrier to function in cooperation with the wheel assemblies so as to facilitate the ability of the carrier to pass over obstacles. This ability may be enhanced by constructing the bottom of the front portion of the carrier so that it is slanted or inclined upwardly in a direction outward from the bottom of the carrier. A driving wheel may be rotatably attached to a wheel support, and which may also support a power source and a transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget Electrolux
    Inventors: Anders Haegermarck, Ulrik Danestad, Lars Mennborg
  • Patent number: 7251858
    Abstract: A floor care apparatus has a nozzle assembly housing an agitator. A motor couples to the agitator to drive it at two or more speeds and constant suction power. A user indicates their mode-of-operation preference by positioning a switch. An agitator motor control circuit, responsive to the switch, effectuates motor control by supplying either a fixed duty cycle signal or a substantially constant voltage signal. The fixed duty cycle signal includes a waveform with a substantially constant voltage value that is on for a first or first and second of four quarters of the waveform period. Thereafter, it repeats for additional periods. The switch preferably embodies a resistor network and a fixed current source that creates a voltage input to an A/D converter that falls within a specified range. Other apparatus embodiments contemplate multiple agitators with one or more agitator motors. A suction fan motor, separate from the agitator motor(s), may also exist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventors: J. Erik Hitzelberger, George N. Woolcott
  • Patent number: 7251857
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention concerns novel end effectors that may incorporate hexagonal drive shafting and are particularly well suited to be used as scrubbing/abrasive or wiping elements for the cleaning of surfaces. Another embodiment of the present invention is a tool that can wipe and scrub a surface to be cleaned and dry the same surface. Yet another embodiment of the present invention is a tool or a kit of tools that can be adapted to either wipe or scrub a surface or the tool may be adapted to accomplish other tasks such as acting as a power screw driver, power nut-driver, power hand drill, power sander, etc. And yet another embodiment is a novel powered device that serves as a duster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Inventor: Steven Jerome Caruso
  • Patent number: 7246408
    Abstract: A cleaning tool for a vacuum cleaning device has a housing having a bottom plate with a working slot. A rotatingly driven working tool is rotatably supported in the housing and passes through the working slot to act on a surface to be cleaned. A motor is arranged in the housing and has a motor shaft. A gear system is connected between the motor and the working tool, wherein the gear system has a driving wheel driven by the motor shaft and a driven wheel fixedly connected to the working tool. The driving wheel and the driven wheel are V-belt pulleys and have a peripheral groove, respectively. The gear system further has a V-gear positioned between the driving wheel and the driven wheel, wherein the V-gear has an outer periphery that engages the peripheral grooves for establishing a driving connection between the driving wheel and the driven wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Düpro AG
    Inventor: Peter Worwag
  • Patent number: 7237298
    Abstract: Several methods of controlling a vacuum cleaner (10) using various types of sensors (94, 96, 97, 98) are provided. One method is based on a differential pressure between a suction airflow path and ambient air and includes: detecting the differential pressure, comparing the detected differential pressure to a predetermined threshold, and, when the detected differential pressure is less than the predetermined threshold, initiating a predetermined control procedure. A status indicator (164) is updated based on the detected differential pressure. Another method is based on a level of electrical current flowing through a brush motor (100). Still another method is based on a type or condition of the floor being traversed. Yet another method is based on a distance to a surface of a floor over which the vacuum cleaner is advancing. In another aspect of the invention, a vacuum cleaner is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Royal Appliance Mfg. Co.
    Inventors: Mark E. Reindle, Bruce R. Knox, Norman Siegel
  • Patent number: 7226302
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner current-carrying hose connection system is disclosed having a female connection end on a first vacuum cleaner current-carrying hose adapted for receiving a male connection end on a second vacuum cleaner current-carrying hose. The male connection has at least two male receptor plugs configured for inserting into female receptor holes in the female connection end. A vacuum cleaner hose connection system is further disclosed having a male connection end that has at least two male receptor plugs for transmitting current, a female connection end having at least two female receptor holes for receiving the male receptor plugs, and the male and female connection ends being rotatably movable, about the longitudinal axis of at least one of the female connection end and the male connection end, between an unengaged position and an engaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Scotech Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Walter, Phillip N. Carter, Bradley Ryan Madu
  • Patent number: 7168127
    Abstract: Handle assembly for a vacuum cleaner including a handle portion having a tubular hand-gripping portion, a tubular wand-engaging portion and a metal tube extending from the wand-engaging portion. The handle portion defines a cavity at a rear for receiving an adapter terminating a hose and a slot leading to the cavity. An interconnection housing is attached to the handle portion to cover the slot and includes a pair of contacts extending through the slot into the cavity such that when an adapter with contact rings is positioned in the cavity, the contacts engage with the contact rings. A handle for connecting a vacuum cleaner hose to a wand assembly includes the handle assembly and an adapter arranged in the cavity in the handle portion and a hose having a pair of wires which is terminated by the adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Nationwide Sales & Service, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Genoa, Scott Genoa, Joseph Genoa
  • Patent number: 7159270
    Abstract: Adapter for connecting a vacuum cleaner hose to a canister housing or a handle assembly and hose assemblies including the same. One adapter includes an outer sleeve matable with the canister housing and having electrodes, a hose engagement sleeve arranged at least partially in the outer sleeve and positioning wires of the hose in alignment with the electrodes, and an annealing ring arranged at least partially in the hose engagement sleeve such that a space is provided between the hose engagement sleeve and the annealing ring in which the hose is situated. When the annealing ring is annealed, the wires will be held in contact with the electrodes. Another adapter includes an outer sleeve matable with the canister housing, a hose engagement sleeve arranged at least partially in the outer sleeve and having electrodes, and an annealing ring arranged at least partially in the hose engagement sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Nationwide Sales & Service, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Genoa, Scott Genoa, Joseph Genoa
  • Patent number: 7131164
    Abstract: A suction nozzle for use in a vacuum cleaner includes a floor nozzle and a mini nozzle having a suction head, a rotatable joint, and joint, to be detachably secured in the floor nozzle. Either of the suction head and the rotatable joint or the rotatable joint and the joint is vertically joined and the other rotatably joined. Moreover, the suction head is unrotatably secured onto the floor nozzle, and forms an air communication with the floor nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Uratani, Masakuni Soejima, Koichi Fujita, Masaki Shibuya, Hidetoshi Imai, Masaki Takahashi, Masaichi Fukushima, Hiroyuki Senoo
  • Patent number: 7013521
    Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus comprises a body including a rear compartment, a forward compartment and an intermediate compartment arranged between the rear and forward compartments. An elongate rotatable brush arrangement is positioned within and extends across the forward compartment. An electric motor is positioned in the rear compartment for driving the rotatable brush arrangement and the electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Inventor: Nicholas Gerald Grey
  • Patent number: 6968593
    Abstract: A liquid extraction cleaner comprises a solution dispensing system, a liquid recovery system, and an agitation brush assembly. The solution dispensing system includes a cleaning solution supply tank affixed to the cleaner and fluidly connected to a solution spray nozzle through a trigger-operated manual solution spray pump. The supply conduit interconnecting the cleaning fluid supply tank and the spray nozzle traverses a passage formed integrally with the air-liquid separator housing, spray nozzle being mounted in the passage at a front portion of the cleaner. The liquid recovery system includes a air-liquid separator fluidly connected with a suction nozzle and a suction source for drawing liquid and debris into the air-liquid separator, and a recovery tank releasably mounted to the air-liquid separator for collecting recovered liquid. The agitation brush assembly is mounted in a lower forward portion of the cleaner for contact with a surface being cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Bissell Homecare, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth M. Lenkiewicz, Alan J. Krebs, Phong Hoang Tran, Jonathan Miner, Gary A. Kasper, Eric C. Huffman, Charles A. Reed, Jr., Eric J. Hansen
  • Patent number: 6968587
    Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus comprises a body including a rear compartment, a forward compartment and an intermediate compartment arranged between the rear and forward compartments. An elongate rotatable brush arrangement is positioned within and extends across the forward compartment. An electric motor is positioned in the rear compartment, and drive means extends between the rotatable brush arrangement and the electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Inventor: Nicholas Gerald Grey