Patents Assigned to Hoover Company
  • Turbine powered vacuum cleaner nozzle
    Patent number: 6711777
    Abstract: A suction cleaner nozzle has a nozzle body enclosing an agitator chamber, which has an elongated suction inlet opening. An agitator is disposed in the agitator chamber such that the agitator extends partially through the suction inlet opening for agitating a surface to be cleaned. A duct is connected to the nozzle body and located adjacent the agitator chamber. The duct extends parallel to the rotative axis of the agitator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: The Hoover Company
    Inventors: Lynn A. Frederick, Christopher J. Fawcett
  • Apparatus and method for cleaning a surface
    Patent number: 6681442
    Abstract: A cleaner for cleaning a surface comprises a floor-engaging portion for moving along the surface. A source supplies a liquid to a distributor, which distributes the liquid from the source on the surface wherein an activating device is operatively connected to the source to activate the source to supply liquid to the distributor to distribute liquid on the surface in response to a force moving the floor engaging portion in a first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: The Hoover Company
    Inventors: Donald A. Coates, Robert W. Bauman, Michael A. Durbin, Evan A. Gordon, Adam C. Sclafani, Aaron P. Tondra, William H. Theiss, Jr.
  • Brush assembly removal device for a floor cleaner
    Patent number: 6668420
    Abstract: A cleaner for cleaning a surface is provided comprising a main body and a brush assembly for engaging the surface being cleaned. An engaging member on the main body or brush assembly and a retaining portion on the other main body or brush assembly. The engaging member and retaining portion are releasably connected to each other such that the engaging member or retaining portion is accessible for engagement by a user to disengage the engaging member from the retaining portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: The Hoover Company
    Inventors: Larry W. Hannan, Ryan S. Steiner, Leron R. Thomas
  • Motor-fan assembly for a floor cleaning machine
    Patent number: 6666660
    Abstract: A motor-fan assembly for a floor care appliance having an improved working air fan for increased performance and noise reduction, a working air fan housing cover having a plurality of spiral shaped grooves, and a motor cooling air fan housing cover with slot shaped vent openings for increased cooling performance. The working air fan has a larger number of blades as compared to conventional fans wherein the blades are of two different lengths arranged in an alternating pattern circumferentially on an annular shaped disc. The blades are spaced closer together to prevent the passage of debris between adjacent blades and also to reduce flow noise. The passage between the edges of the fan blades and the working air fan cover has been widened and made uniform to aid in the passage of debris over the top of the working air fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: The Hoover Company
    Inventors: Steven W. Kegg, James R. Nero
  • Recovery tank assembly
    Publication number: 20030226228
    Abstract: A combination cleaning solution recovery tank and air-liquid separator for use in a carpet extractor comprises a tank and a lid engaging the tank. The lid includes a top wall and a bottom wall connected by a circumferential outer wall to form a chamber therebetween. An interior wall extends between the top wall and the bottom wall dividing the chamber into a first plenum and a second plenum. The first plenum has an inlet for receiving liquid-laden working air and an exit in fluid communication with the tank. The second plenum has an inlet in fluid communication with the tank and an exit for discharging working air from the second plenum. A baffle assembly is removably mounted in said tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Applicant: The Hoover Company
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Symensma, Sleiman A. Abdallah, Douglass A. King, Robert S. Wilson
  • Removable hose and tool caddy
    Publication number: 20030226231
    Abstract: A floor cleaning unit having a housing and a removable caddy which may be mounted on and removed from the housing for storing accessories. The caddy includes a body which removably mounts to the housing. A connector assembly is included on the body for removably mounting the body on the housing. The connector assembly includes a slot for receiving a hook member attached to the housing. An accessory retainer is formed on the body for storing the floor cleaning unit accessories, whereby the caddy and the floor cleaning unit accessories stored thereon may be slidably removed from the floor cleaning unit by merely applying a force to the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Applicant: The Hoover Company
    Inventors: Timothy B. Hisrich, Douglas C. Baker, Glenn J. Matusz
  • Liquid distribution system for a cleaning machine
    Publication number: 20030226230
    Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for cleaning a surface in which cleaning solution is dispensed to the surface and substantially simultaneously extracted along with the dirt on the surface in a continuous operation. The cleaning apparatus comprises a first source for distributing a first liquid onto said surface. An activating device operatively connected to the first source to activate the first source to distribute the first liquid onto the surface. A pump operatively connected to the first source to draw under pressure the first liquid to the surface. A second source for distributing a second liquid onto the surface, wherein the second liquid from the second source is drawn to the cleaning surface by gravity alone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Applicant: The Hoover Company
    Inventors: Timothy T. Hertrick, Charles A. Lang, Edgar A. Maurer, Vincent L. Weber
  • Brush assembly removal device
    Patent number: 6647578
    Abstract: A floor cleaning device includes a main body and a brush assembly for engaging the surface of the floor being cleaned. An actuating member is movably connected to the main body. A latch member is rotatably connected to the main body. An engaging member is attached to the brush assembly. The engaging member is releasably connected to the latch member such that pushing the actuating member rotates the latch member to disengage from the engaging member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: The Hoover Company
    Inventors: Jeffery A. Morgan, Adam C. Sclafani, Jeffrey S. Louis, David L. O'Neal, Siu Wai Hui
  • Floor cleaning unit with a brush assembly
    Patent number: 6640386
    Abstract: A floor cleaning device includes a base portion for movement along a surface. The base portion further includes a suction nozzle and a brush assembly driven by a brush motor for agitating the surface. The brush assembly includes a lifting mechanism for moving the brush assembly from a first position wherein the brush is off the surface to a second position wherein the brush assembly is on the surface. A switching assembly is responsive to the brush lifting mechanism to energize the brush motor when the brush assembly is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: The Hoover Company
    Inventors: Jeffery A. Morgan, Douglas E. Gerber, Robert W. Hecht, Charles A. Lang, Adam C. Sclafani, Kevin L. Thomas, Vincent L. Weber, Robert S. Wilson, Christopher J. Fawcett, Kam Hoi Ma, Tak On Yip
  • Floor cleaning device with a recovery tank
    Patent number: 6629332
    Abstract: A recovery tank is provided for a floor cleaning unit. The recovery tank includes an inlet opening and a duct fluidly connected to the inlet. The duct extends horizontally within the tank adjacent a side wall the recovery tank for directing air and liquid from the inlet opening in two opposing directions. A lid covers the tank and has an outlet opening for directing air out of the recovery tank. A pair of shields depends downwardly from the lid and extends from the duct to the side wall of the recovery tank. The outlet opening of the lid is located between the shields such that the shields prevent liquid from coming out of the duct and entering the outlet opening of the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: The Hoover Company
    Inventors: Jeffery A. Morgan, Charles A. Lang, David G. Mueller, Kenneth H. Cooper, Richard F. Spinelli, Hung-kit Kwong, Kam Hoi Ma
  • Dirt collection system for a vacuum cleaner
    Patent number: 6615444
    Abstract: A dirt collecting system for a vacuum cleaner includes a dirt cup having a dirt collecting chamber. The dirt cup is removably inserted into the housing of a vacuum cleaner. When the dirt cup is inserted into the housing, the dirt cup is fluidly connected to the suction nozzle and a suction source. The dirt cup is provided with a pivotally connected lid and a thumb tab located on the lid. The thumb tab is used to move the lid into the open position when the dirt cup is emptied. A handle is provided on the front of the dirt cup for grasping the dirt cup during removal from the vacuum cleaner housing and during emptying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: The Hoover Company
    Inventors: James A. McGilll, David M. J. Allgeier
  • Scrubbing brush for a floor cleaner
    Patent number: D480185
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: The Hoover Company
    Inventors: Jeffery A. Morgan, David G. Mueller, Adam C. Sclafani, Kevin L. Thomas
  • Scrubbing brush for a floor cleaner
    Patent number: D480186
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: The Hoover Company
    Inventors: Jeffery A. Morgan, David G. Mueller, Adam C. Sclafani, Kevin L. Thomas
  • Vacuum cleaner dirt receptacle lid
    Patent number: D481182
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: The Hoover Company
    Inventors: James A. McGill, David M. J. Allgeier
  • Handle for an upright extractor
    Patent number: D484653
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: The Hoover Company
    Inventors: Richard S. Parr, Jonathan E. Fawcett
  • Upper portion of an upright vacuum cleaner
    Patent number: D485028
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: The Hoover Company
    Inventors: Richard S. Parr, William G. Alford, Darwin T. McKnight
  • Handle for an upright extractor
    Patent number: D485655
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: The Hoover Company
    Inventors: Richard S. Parr, Jonathan E. Fawcett
  • Hood portion for a floor cleaner
    Patent number: D486281
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: The Hoover Company
    Inventor: David W. Moine
  • Base for an upright extractor
    Patent number: D486282
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: The Hoover Company
    Inventors: Richard S. Parr, Jonathan E. Fawcett, Andrew C. Budd
  • Vacuum cleaner
    Patent number: D488893
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: The Hoover Company
    Inventors: David W. Moine, Douglas C. Barker, Christopher J. Fawcett