Patents Examined by David A. Redding
  • Patent number: 9706890
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaning apparatus includes a body; a power cord that extends from the body; a cord reel rotatably installed in the body and around which the power cord is wound; and a blower assembly that generates a suction force, wherein the cord reel is formed in a hollow, cylindrical shape, and the blower assembly is disposed inside the cord reel. The size of the cord reel may be formed to be sufficiently large while the size of the body may be maintained in a compact form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Joo Seok Jeong, Sok Won Paik
  • Patent number: 9706888
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a housing and a suction inlet thereon, the cleaner comprising a suction source in fluid communication with the suction inlet to produce a working airflow therethrough and a dirt container in fluid communication with the suction inlet and suction source. The housing further comprises a body defined by a central portion and a pair of extension arms that extend laterally outwardly from the central portion, wherein each extension comprises a mount, which receives a rotatable agitator thereon. A drive assembly is configured to counter-rotate each agitator with respect to the other agitator, and wherein the suction inlet is positioned on the housing rearward of, and between, each of the axes of rotation of each agitator. The counter-rotating agitators are operable to cooperate with the suction source to direct dust and debris outside the periphery of the housing along a converging debris path, towards the suction inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: BISSELL Homecare, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan J. Krebs
  • Patent number: 9706887
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cleaner-head for a vacuum cleaner. The cleaner-head has a housing, this housing being connected to a hinged soleplate assembly which can be opened and closed to provide access to the inside of the housing. In accordance with the invention, the soleplate assembly is a clip-on assembly which a user can manually un-clip from the housing, as required, to detach the soleplate assembly for separate cleaning or replacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Stuart Lloyd Genn, Matthew John Dobson
  • Patent number: 9700187
    Abstract: A vacuum accessory tool that includes a nozzle body having a first end and a second, spaced apart end and at least one light emitting element that emits light that will illuminate a surface to be cleaned by the accessory tool is described. The light emitting element is protected by a protective housing that protects the element when the tool is inserted into areas during cleaning, yet still allows the light to illuminate surfaces during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: EMERSON ELECTRIC CO.
    Inventors: Douglas C. Schultz, Mark Tomasiak, Jason Hill
  • Patent number: 9700185
    Abstract: A rug cleaning apparatus to rinse, decontaminate and evacuate fluid or undesirable particulates from the rug with enhanced efficiency is provided. The cleaning apparatus includes a tubular member having a first end, a second end and a side wall, the tubular member having a plurality of openings disposed thereto evenly throughout the side wall, a cap coupled to the second end of the tubular member, and a vacuum coupled to the first end of the tubular member. The tubular member permits the rug to be disposed around the side wall. The vacuum activates to generate sufficient airflow and pressure within the tubular member to draw fluid or undesirable particulates in the rug through the openings of the tubular member and out to the vacuum for a disposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Inventor: Joe Ray Roberts
  • Patent number: 9700184
    Abstract: In a vacuum cleaner it is provided that a brush set can be connected via a pivotable connecting element in the form of a connecting piece for an attachable filter housing to a handle in the form of a hand grip. Here the brush set has an electric motor for a suction fan and for the drive of the brush roller. The pivotable connecting element of the brush set has an external connector plug for an electrical connection to an appliance coupling of a power line connection lead for connection to a power supply, for example, for connection to a wall socket and the like. As a result, the brush set with the integrated motor and a switch for operating control forms a functional electrical unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: STEIN & CO. GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Stein
  • Patent number: 9693664
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner has a cyclone separator for separating dirt and other contaminants from a dirt-containing working airstream and a collection chamber collecting the separated dirt. The vacuum cleaner can further include fines catcher defining a second collection chamber, where the bottom end of the fines catcher is spaced from the bottom wall of the first collection chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: BISSELL Homecare, Inc.
    Inventor: Phong H. Tran
  • Patent number: 9689596
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for cleaning objects, such as refrigeration coils and the like, by placing a first end of a bag over one side of the coils, and placing a second end of the bag over a suction hose of a vacuum. When the vacuum is activated and compressed air (or other gas or liquid) is blown into a second, opposite, side of the refrigeration coils, the dirt removed therefrom is directed toward the interior of the bag and into the vacuum and contained therein. Baffles within the bag direct the flow of dirt and debris toward the vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Inventor: Thomas J. Agorichas
  • Patent number: 9687129
    Abstract: A robot cleaner includes: a suction module configured to suck dust-included air; a cyclone module configured to separate dust from the dust-included air sucked through the suction module, and having a dust discharge opening; a first air flow guide and a second air flow guide spaced apart from each other, and connecting the suction unit to the cyclone unit; a dust box detachably coupled to the dust discharge opening of the cyclone module, and provided between the first and second air flow guides; a drive module provided between the first and second air flow guides; and a dust compressor provided in the dust box, and mechanically coupled to the drive module when the dust box is mounted to the cyclone module, and formed to be rotatable bi-directionally based on a driving force from the drive module such that dust collected in the dust box is pressed to have a deceased volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Hwang Kim, Jongsu Kim, Sungil Park
  • Patent number: 9687128
    Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus includes a separating and collection assembly defining a collection chamber which receives debris and has a debris outlet, and a debris ejector reciprocally moveable within the collection chamber for ejecting debris through the debris outlet. A retractable push rod can be used to displace the debris ejector relative to the debris outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: BISSELL Homecare, Inc.
    Inventors: Jian Gang Fan, Jin Yang
  • Patent number: 9681785
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a nozzle (1) for a vacuum cleaner. The nozzle (1) has a base (3) having an edge (4, 5) and a suction aperture (11) in the base (3). At least one flexible flap (24, 26) protrudes from the base (3) between the edge (4, 5) and the suction aperture (11). The flexible flap (24, 26) has first and second sections (32, 33) separable by an opening (35). The first and second sections (32, 33) are urged towards each other when the nozzle (1) is moved in a first direction in which the edge (4, 5) is a leading edge to close the opening (35) or tend the opening (35) towards closure, and the first and second sections (32, 33) are biased away from each other when the nozzle (1) is moved in a second direction in which the edge (4, 5) is a trailing edge to open the opening (35) or to further open the opening. The present invention also relates to a vacuum cleaner comprising a nozzle (1) for a vacuum cleaner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Bastian Cornelis Kleine-Doepke, Bastiaan Johannes De Wit, Arnoldus Cornelis Wessels
  • Patent number: 9681787
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner including a dust collector having a first stage cyclonic separator, a plurality of second stage cyclonic separators, a dirt cup configured to collect dust particles separated by the first stage cyclonic separator, and a perforated tube at least partially within the dust collector. The perforated tube includes a cylindrical wall and a plurality of openings in the cylindrical wall to allow the flow of air to pass through the cylindrical wall in a flow direction from the first stage cyclonic separator toward the plurality of second stage cyclonic separators. A plurality of isolated air conduits within the perforated tube. Each of the plurality of isolated air conduits defined at least partially by walls extending in a direction inwardly from the cylindrical wall of the perforated tube and each of the plurality of second stage cyclonic separators has a corresponding one of the plurality of isolated air conduits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited
    Inventors: Sergey V. Makarov, Raymond P. Kawolics
  • Patent number: 9681788
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner (100) comprises a suction head (120), a suction source operable to generate suction at the suction head (120) for collecting dust or debris from a surface, a liquid filter assembly (190), and a handle portion (140) adapted to enable a user to move the suction head (120) on the surface during normal vacuuming operation. The liquid filter assembly (190) comprises an air inlet (1906) for receiving dusted air coming in from the suction head (120), a filter reservoir (1902) for receiving a cleansing liquid such as an aqueous cleansing liquid to form a cleansing bath for filtering dusted air coming in from the suction head (120), and an air outlet (1908) through which air moving out of the filter reservoir (1902). The liquid filter assembly (190) is mounted on a filter receptacle (186) formed on a rigid housing portion which is intermediate between the handle portion (140) and the section head (120).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Talentone Hong Kong Ltd.
    Inventor: Sai Yiu Fan
  • Patent number: 9675224
    Abstract: An autonomous coverage robot includes a cleaning assembly having forward roller and rearward rollers counter-rotating with respect to each other. The rollers are arranged to substantially maintain a cross sectional area between the two rollers yet permitting collapsing therebetween as large debris is passed. Each roller includes a resilient elastomer outer tube and a partially air-occupied inner resilient core configured to bias the outer tube to rebound. The core includes a hub and resilient spokes extending between the inner surface of the outer tube and the hub. The spokes suspend the outer tube to float about the hub and transfer torque from the hub to the outer tube while allowing the outer tube to momentarily deform or move offset from the hub during impact with debris larger than the cross sectional area between the two rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Duane Leigh Gilbert, Jr., Faruk Halil Bursal, Richard Joseph Therrien, Russell Walter Morin
  • Patent number: 9675221
    Abstract: A recycling cleaning device includes a tub body, a sucking device and a tube. The tub body has a receiving space, an inlet communicating with the receiving space and a communication portion for communicating with the receiving space. The tub body is for arrangement on a barrel body and defines at least one passage with the barrel body. The sucking device is for disposed in the barrel body. The tube is connected with the sucking device and has an outlet. When the sucking device is disposed in the barrel body, the tube extends from an interior of the barrel body outside the barrel body through one of the passages, and the outlet is controllably arranged substantially toward the inlet of the tub body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Inventors: Ying-Chieh Liao, Yu-Kuo Liao
  • Patent number: 9675228
    Abstract: A floor cleaning apparatus is provided, including a dirt collection device for picking up dirty liquid from a floor surface to be cleaned as well as a dirty liquid tank, into which the dirty liquid can be transferred. In order to provide a floor cleaning apparatus of this type, which can be handled in a more user-friendly manner, it is proposed that the floor cleaning apparatus has a tank rinsing mechanism with at least one rinsing line, which includes at least one inlet opening for rinsing liquid, which can be provided for the tank rinsing mechanism, as well as at least one outlet opening for delivering rinsing liquid into an interior of the dirty liquid tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Alfred Kärcher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Gilles Troff, Brunhold Roppelt, Rainer Schaefer
  • Patent number: 9668625
    Abstract: A vacuum appliance comprising a drum and a vacuum head. The drum may include a base and a cylinder sealed to the base. The vacuum head may include a lid and a blower. The lid preferably includes a portion that is detachably mounted to an open upper end of the drum. The blower may be mounted to, atop, or within the lid. In any case, the blower induces a vacuum within the drum and moves through the vacuum. The base or the cylinder may include a drain to drain fluid and debris contained within the drum. The lid may include a lower portion sealed to and defining the open upper end of the drum. The cylinder or the lid may include an air inlet through which the blower draws air and entrained debris.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: EMERSON ELECTRIC CO.
    Inventors: John Wolford, Mark Tomasiak, Jason Hill
  • Patent number: 9668626
    Abstract: A nozzle for a vacuum cleaner and a vacuum cleaner are provided. The nozzle may include a main nozzle; at least one movable nozzle rotatably coupled to the main nozzle; and a rotary cleaner provided inside of the main nozzle and the movable nozzle that cleans a floor surface using a rotary motion. The rotary cleaner may include a main shaft rotatably provided inside of the main nozzle, and at least one auxiliary shaft provided inside of the movable nozzle and connected to the main shaft. The at least one auxiliary shaft may rotate using a rotational force transmitted from the main shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Seongjun Kim, Jinwoo Lee, Seogyong Kim
  • Patent number: 9661967
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure include a vacuum attachment for cleaning sprinkler heads. The vacuum attachment may include a cleaning extension head having a hollow upper head tube tapering to a hollow lower head tube, wherein the upper head tube has a larger diameter than the lower head tube. The upper head tube may have an upper head tube opening configured to accommodate a facility sprinkler, and the lower head tube may be configured to accommodate a vacuum hose, such that the vacuum hose is configured to removably attach to the cleaning extension head. In some embodiments, the attachment may also include a universal extension device to help users reach sprinklers on higher ceilings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Inventor: James Austin Middleton
  • Patent number: 9661966
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a main body including a fan motor to generate suction force, a suction unit connected to the main body to suction foreign matter from a surface to be cleaned in a state of contacting the surface, a dust collector separatably mounted to the main body to separate and collect dust from air suctioned by the suction unit, and a wheel assembly to move the main body, wherein the wheel assembly includes frames provided at a lower part and left and right sides of the main body and wheels rotatably mounted to the frames provided at the left and right sides of the main body, each wheel having a negative camber angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Joung Soo Park, Ki Man Kim, Dong Jun Kim, Hyoun Soo Kim, Seok Bong Baek, Suzuki Naruhiko, Dong Hyun Lee, Jin Ho Lee, Jong Gook Lim, Kyoung Hui Jeon, Jun Hoo Choe