Patents Examined by Robert Scruggs
  • Patent number: 10442043
    Abstract: The invention provides a subsea torque tool (10) for a subsea vehicle system (such as an ROV), a drive head selection mechanism (30), and a method of use. The tool comprises a tool housing and a plurality of torque drive heads (22, 24, 26). The drive mechanism (17, 18, 20, 28) is operable to rotate the plurality of torque drive heads, and the drive head selection mechanism is used to select a drive head to impart a torque to a subsea device. The drive head selection mechanism comprises a rotary actuator (14, 32), and rotation of the rotary actuator effects axial movement of at least one of the plurality of drive heads between an operative position and an inoperative position. In another aspect, the drive head selection mechanism comprises an actuator operable from the exterior of the torque tool. In a preferred embodiment, the drive heads are sockets (22, 24, 26), and the selection mechanism comprises a rotary actuator and a cam mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Forum Energy Technologies (UK) Limited
    Inventor: Stephen Walton
  • Patent number: 10182696
    Abstract: Steam cleaning spray nozzle systems and methods of use are described herein. The spray nozzle includes a substantially rigid conduit a support member in fluid communication with a steam source. A portion of the conduit is angled. During use, sufficient eccentric force is produced by the steam to rotate the support member such that steam is ejected from the substantially rigid conduit at an oblique angle relative to the center to of the substantially rigid conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Dehn's Innovations, LLC
    Inventor: Dennis Dehn
  • Patent number: 10178933
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a cleaner main body and a brush-less direct current (BLDC) motor that generates a suction force. A suction unit is in communication with the cleaner main body and sucks air and dust, and a battery provides power for the motor. An inverter supplies power of the battery to the motor, and a controller controls an operation of the motor. The controller determines a status of a floor and controls an operation of the motor based on the determined status of the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Changhoon Lee, Gunho Ha
  • Patent number: 10165919
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner bag assembly is adapted to be removably disposed within a tank of a vacuum cleaner, and the bag assembly includes a panel assembly made from a first material and forming an enclosure having an interior volume, and an aperture extends through the panel assembly. A shield member may be disposed within the interior volume and secured to one or more portions of the panel assembly, and the shield member may comprise a second material that is different than the first material. The shield member is adapted to protect a portion of the panel assembly when the vacuum cleaner bag assembly is disposed within the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: SHOP VAC CORPORATION
    Inventors: James P. Blackwell, Jr., Robert Lent Crevling, Jr., Jonathan Miller
  • Patent number: 10166659
    Abstract: A ratchet wrench may comprise a main body, a circular ratchet gear, a locating unit, a spring and at least an accessory tool. The main body has an operating rod and a head portion, and an operating hole penetrates through a central portion of the head portion. Also, the ratchet gear is installed inside the operating hole. The locating unit is configured to extend toward an interior of the operating hole through an engaging portion thereof, and a peripheral groove is located at an end of the accessory tool along an outer periphery thereof. By engaging the engaging portion of the locating unit with the peripheral groove of the accessory tool, the accessory tool inserted into the connecting hole is configured to be secured on the main body for operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Powagrip Industrial Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Chin-Ying Chou
  • Patent number: 10166661
    Abstract: An electronic device for checking a fastening state of screws includes a receiving member, a cover, an electric screwdriver, a processor, and a warning unit. The receiving member receives a mountable device. The cover includes a number of screw guiding members, the screw guiding members guides the screws into screw holes on the mountable device. The electric screwdriver fastens the screws into the screw holes on the mountable device. The processor predefines an order of the electric screwdriver fastening the screws in response to operations of an operator; in a process of the electric screwdriver fastening the screws into the screw holes on the mountable device received in the receiving member, checks whether the fastening order is the same as the predefined order; and when the fastening order is not the same as the predefined order, controls the warning unit to output a warning message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignees: HONGFUJIN PRECISION ELECTRONICS (ZHENGZHOU) CO., LTD., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Guo-Liang Huang, Rong-Yun Sun, Bao-Rui Han, Yan-Mei Zhang, Xiao-Kui Xu
  • Patent number: 10154765
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a surface cleaning head, a pivot assembly pivotally coupled to the surface cleaning head, a cleaning wand removably coupled to the pivot assembly, and a canister assembly removably coupled to the pivot assembly. The canister assembly includes a first electrical connector connected to a power source, a dirt separation unit, and a suction motor electrically connected to the power source and in fluid communication with a dirty air inlet of the cleaning head, the cleaning wand, and the dirt separation unit. The vacuum cleaner also includes a second electrical connector on the pivot assembly. The vacuum cleaner is operable in an upright configuration and in a portable configuration. The cleaning wand is removable from the pivot assembly when the vacuum cleaner is in the upright configuration and when the vacuum cleaner is in the portable configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited
    Inventor: David Khalil
  • Patent number: 10145057
    Abstract: A non-marring nozzle attachment that may be used with a vacuum device to clean delicate surfaces such as lint screens. The non-marring nozzle attachment may use a non-marring material with a beveled surface to allow for a vacuum to safely and effectively clean delicate surfaces. The non-marring nozzle attachment may further include spaced slits to allow for more intimate contact between the nozzle tip and a surface to be cleaned. The vacuum device may be mounted near the desired area of use to a variety of rigid surfaces without having to penetrate the rigid surface with nails or screws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Inventors: Gwynn J. Goble, Julia A. Goble
  • Patent number: 10136778
    Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus comprises a surface cleaning head, an upright section moveably mounted to the surface cleaning head between a plurality of reclined floor cleaning positions and an upright storage position and a portable vacuum cleaner unit detachably mounted to the upright section. The portable vacuum cleaner unit has a suction motor and the remainder of the surface cleaning apparatus from which the portable vacuum cleaner unit is detached also has a suction motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Omachron Intellectual Property Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Patent number: 10138646
    Abstract: A suction-powered pool cleaning robot that may include a fluid outlet, adapted for connection to a suction hose; a fluid inlet, with a fluid path between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet; a turbine at least partially disposed within the fluid path so as to extract energy from flow of fluid through the fluid path; an electrical generator for providing power thereto and adapted to be driven by the turbine; a sensor arranged to generate rotation information indicative of a speed of rotation of the turbine; and an electronic controller that is arranged to control an operation of the suction-powered pool cleaning robot in response to at least the rotation information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: MAYTRONICS LTD.
    Inventors: Efraim Garti, Itamar Cohen, Oz Eisner
  • Patent number: 10130225
    Abstract: A cleaner including a case, a brush provided in the case so that the brush rotates to sweep foreign matter, a dust removal unit including a bar-type body and a dusting part directly extending from the bar-type body. The dust removal unit is moveable between a first position where the dusting part contacts the brush and a second position where the dusting part is separated from the brush. The cleaner also includes a first part directly connected to the bar-type body and a second part integrally formed with the first part and extending from an end of the first part. While a force is applied to the second part, the force is transmitted through the first part to the dust removal unit such that the dusting part moves from the second position to the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Min Ro Yun
  • Patent number: 10130224
    Abstract: A vacuum accessory tool comprises a nozzle body defining an interior, with an opening formed in the nozzle body and a working air conduit provided on the nozzle body in fluid communication with the opening via the interior. A hair removal assembly is associated with the nozzle body, and can include nubs from a flexible polymeric material adapted to generate an electrostatic charge when the tool moves over and in contact with a carpet surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: BISSELL Homecare, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin T. Downey, Joseph A. Fester
  • Patent number: 10125509
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, a pool cleaner includes a chassis, a housing supported by the chassis, at least one drive wheel supported by the chassis, and a turbine assembly that rotates in one of a first direction and a second direction to drive the at least one drive wheel. The pool cleaner also includes a timer disc assembly with at least one rotating timer disc. The timer disc assembly controls a flow of pressurized fluid away from the housing in a forward direction for backward propulsion assistance of the pool cleaner during a first time period, a rearward direction for forward propulsion assistance of the pool cleaner during a second time period, and a sideways direction for turning propulsion assistance of the pool cleaner during at least a portion of one of the first time period and the second time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc.
    Inventors: Suresh Gopalan, Nitin Agarwal, Jayamurali Kaladharan, Brian King, Leonard Richiuso
  • Patent number: 10123672
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner may include a suction nozzle; a cleaner body in communication with the suction nozzle; a supporter configured to connect the cleaner body with the suction nozzle and to allow a position of the cleaner body with respect to the suction nozzle to be varied; and a wheel assembly rotatably connected to the supporter. The wheel assembly may include a frame, a wheel shaft installed at the frame, and a wheels installed at the wheel shaft to be independently rotated. A contact area between each of the wheels and a floor may vary according to a varied position of the cleaner body with respect to the suction nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Heonpyeong Ji, Youngho Kim, Hoikil Jeong
  • Patent number: 10117552
    Abstract: A portable suction nozzle for removing layers of fat, oil and grease (FOG), scum, sludge and the like from the surface or bottom of tanks used in water and sewage treatment plants, septic systems and the like. The device can be used by an operator working in such environments, as well as honey wagon operators, oil spill response teams and the like. The device can be held in place by a holster arrangement mounted to a tank to be cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Inventor: Christopher J. Blane
  • Patent number: 10118279
    Abstract: A ratchet wrench includes a driving device. A compartment extends through the driving device. A drive member is received in the compartment. A ledge is formed on an inner periphery of an end of the compartment. A pressing rod extends into the drive member via the end of the compartment. The pressing rod is movable relative to the drive member along a rotating axis between a first position and a second position to control engagement with or detachment from a tool. A dustproof ring is mounted between the ledge and the pressing rod. The dustproof ring includes an outer side pressing against an abutment portion of the ledge and an inner side-pressing against the pressing rod wherever the pressing rod is in the first position and the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Inventor: Bobby Hu
  • Patent number: 10117554
    Abstract: A cleaner head for a vacuum cleaner including a housing, a roller and a wheel assembly arranged to support the cleaner head on a surface such that the roller is held out of pressing engagement with the surface. The roller is arranged to rotate with respect to the housing and the wheel assembly includes a first wheel which is arranged to drive the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Heidi Williamson, Stephen Robert Dimbylow, Donald James McIntosh, Gerard Matthew Shevlin
  • Patent number: 10118280
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tool (15) for installing fasteners, said tool comprising: a sheath containing a cylindrical housing (18) with a polygonal base, a roller cage (19) accommodated within said cylindrical housing, said cage comprising: a cylindrical support (33) with a substantially circular base, capable of pivoting within the cylindrical housing. rollers (34) disposed on the perimeter of the support, each roller being able to rotate with respect to said support, a compressing spring (36) exerting a radial force on the rollers in the direction of the main axis, the tool further comprising a restoring member (37) tending to bring the rollers of the cage to face the edges (27) of the cylindrical housing of the sheath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: LISI AEROSPACE
    Inventor: Frederic Bigot
  • Patent number: 10105022
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner that includes a first cleaner module and a second cleaner module that is removably coupled to the first cleaner module. The first cleaner module includes a first body and a first dust collection unit, and the second cleaner module includes a second body and a second dust collection unit. Thus, when done in an upright mode, cleaning can be done with a sufficiently great suction force. When done in a handy mode after the second cleaner module is separated, cleaning can be easily done using the second cleaner module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tae Woon Lim, Tae Gwang Kim, Jeong Hee Cho, Tak Soo Kim, Dong Hun Yoo, Byung Jo Lee, Yun Won Jung
  • Patent number: 10105023
    Abstract: A hand vacuum cleaner having a main body and an air treatment member provided at a front end of the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Omachron Intellectual Property Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad