Patents Examined by Terrence R. Till
  • Patent number: 6990708
    Abstract: Steam cleaning apparatus, comprising an upper handle, an intermediate pole and a bottom head for production and supplying of steam, provided with an instantaneous steam generator, a water reservoir housed on the top of said pole in the region of the handle, a duct for transferring the water from said reservoir to said head and a water loading device housed on an associated loading mouth formed above said reservoir, further comprising a steam regulating device provided with a fixed bushing having a hollow bottom end sealingly engaged on the top end of a sectional pole and a valve body fixed inside said bushing, the top part of said valve body being sealingly engaged on a discharge mouth of said reservoir and provided with a through-hole able to be opened and closed in an adjustable manner by a valve which can be actuated on the outside of the device by means of suitable means movable with respect to said bushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Ariete S.p.A.
    Inventors: Carlo Rosa, Roberto Bargagna
  • Patent number: 6988293
    Abstract: A leaf collection system for lawn blower/vacuums is disclosed. The collection system includes a port coupling fitted to the exhaust port of a blower/vacuum, a dust cover, and a unique disposable collection bag. The disposable collection bag is constructed of an environmentally friendly, bio-degradeable plastic that will quickly decompose along with the organic leaves and lawn debris collected therein. Both sides of the collection bag has several rows of T-shaped slits and two rows of straight or I-shaped slits that allow air to escape from the bag but retain the leaves and lawn debris deposited therein. The collection bag is shaped to fit inside the dust cover that is fixed to the port coupling. The port coupling includes an elastic lock ring that secures the collection bag to the coupling. The dust cover envelops of the collection bag and shields the operator from the dust that passes through the collection bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Inventor: Joseph K. Ritter
  • Patent number: 6979373
    Abstract: A wheel frame for supporting at least two wheels along the bottom surface of a vacuum inlet nozzle of the type commonly used for vacuuming concrete floors of shops and other areas which have cement or wooden floors. The wheel frame is rectangular and has preferably two wheels held by the frame. The frame fits over the conventional vacuum nozzle and snaps over the flange at the bottom of the vacuum nozzle. The wheels are positioned so that they are near the back of the nozzle so that the front edge of the nozzle can be lifted by tilting the nozzle toward the back. This greatly facilitates the vacuuming up of leaves and other larger objects which do not fit under the front edge of the conventional vacuum nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Inventor: John S. Rogers
  • Patent number: 6976287
    Abstract: A cart for use in moving a large vacuum nozzle such as that of a grain vacuum within a grain bin has a frame mounted on two pairs of ground wheels. The pipe of the nozzle extends along a center of the cart with a foot pad on each side for the operator to ride and a nozzle of the pipe projecting from the front of the cart. The cart is driven by a pair of motors extending across the cart each driving a respective pair of wheels the motors being mounted underneath the pipe with one in front of the other. A manually operable control in the form of an upstanding support bar is carried on front of the frame and operable by the operator with two switches operable to control the motors separately for forward and rearward movement of the cart and steering movements of the cart to each side for guiding the cart and the nozzle over the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Inventor: Gordon E. Muth
  • Patent number: 6971140
    Abstract: In a brush assembly of a cleaner including plural brushes arranged at the bottom surface of a cleaner body radially at regular intervals; plural supporting shafts for rotatively supporting the brushes; and a driving unit connected to the brushes in order to rotate the brushes, by arranging the plural brushes radially, dust and filth can be collected in a wider region, and accordingly a cleaning performance can be improved. In addition, by forming the brushes as a curved shape, it is possible to compact a size of the cleaner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Se Wan Kim
  • Patent number: 6968594
    Abstract: An extraction machine for cleaning a floor surface has a front and a rear and is movable by an operator relative to the floor surface in a forward direction of travel to clean the floor surface. The extraction machine also has a cleaning solution dispenser capable of dispensing a cleaning solution onto the floor surface and a recovery system for extracting a dirty solution from the floor surface. A towline is connected at one end to the extraction machine and is configured for being supported by the operator at an opposite end thereof such that movement of the operator in the forward direction of travel causes tensioning of the towline. The tension in the towline applies a pulling force to the extraction machine to move the extraction machine in the forward direction of travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Alto U.S. Inc.
    Inventors: Sean A. Cheatham, Trent A. Fulghum
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6968596
    Abstract: A cyclone-type dust-collecting apparatus for a vacuum cleaner comprises a conically shaped grill assembly disposed at the air outflow port of a cyclone body. The grill assembly includes a grill portion and prevents reverse flow of dust and dirt from the cyclone body. The grill assembly members are easily separable to allow a user to easily remove the dirt collected in the grill portion by simply separating the second grill member from the connection member and washing the second grill member with water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jang-keun Oh, Hyun-ju Lee, Hyoung-jong Jin
  • Patent number: 6966098
    Abstract: A cleaner is provided which includes an electric dirt collection mechanism with an electrically powered dirt collection action and a wiping cleaning mechanism with a wiping cleaning action utilizing a cleaning sheet provided on the bottom surface of the main body of the cleaner which moves across the floor, wherein the electric dirt collection mechanism is switched on and off using a switch, and the wiping cleaning mechanism can be attached to, or detached from, the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukinobu Sako, Masuo Ota, Akihiko Kotani
  • Patent number: 6964082
    Abstract: Accordingly, the primary object of the present invention is to provide a waste recycle vacuum cleaner for generating power which comprises a flow guide seat, a flow guide tube, at least one blade set and at least one driving device. By above components, exhausted waste gas from the vacuum cleaner is recycled through the flow guide seat to be as a wind power. The wind passes through the outlet to pass through the flow guide tube. The blade set serves to convert the wind power to the dynamic power for driving at least one driving device. Thereby, waste gas from the vacuum cleaner is recycled as a dynamic power to drive a driving device and to dissipate the heat of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Zweita International Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chih-Kao Hsu
  • Patent number: 6957473
    Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner includes a nozzle assembly, a canister assembly pivotally mounted to said nozzle assembly, a suction fan and motor and a biaser. The biaser has a first end that engages the nozzle assembly and a second end that engages the canister assembly. The biaser provides a positive downforce urging the forward end of the nozzle assembly toward the surface being cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventors: Tamaki Nishikori, Ron Davis
  • Patent number: 6952858
    Abstract: A water extraction device aids in extracting water or other liquids from a floor covering such as a carpet and an associated pad. A housing has a generally cylindrical cavity defined within its interior, and a rotor assembly housed in the cavity. The bottom of the housing has a downwardly facing opening defined therethrough which extends laterally across the bottom of the device, and the rotor assembly protrudes through the opening to provide a means for easy movement of the device by an operator. The housing has a passageway defined through one portion thereof to provide a fluid connection between the cavity within the housing and a vacuum source which is externally applied to the device. The rotor assembly is preferably assembled from a plurality of spoked wheels mounted on a rotor shaft fashioned to be held in eccentric bearings mounted in the aides of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Inventor: Christopher T. Merck
  • Patent number: 6948211
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a cyclonic airflow chamber that facilitates the separation of contaminants from a suction airstream. The airflow chamber includes a chamber inlet and a chamber outlet, with the chamber inlet being fluidically connected with at least one of a suction nozzle and an above-the-floor cleaning tool. An exhaust filter housing includes a suction duct and an exhaust plenum, with the suction duct communicating with the chamber outlet. A suction source housing includes an open end communicating with the exhaust plenum and a closed end. A suction source is positioned within the suction source housing to define an annular exhaust flow passageway surrounding the suction source from the housing closed end to the housing open end. The suction source includes a suction inlet communicating with the suction duct and an exhaust outlet communicating with the housing closed end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Royal Appliance Mfg. Co.
    Inventors: Paul D. Stephens, Jeffrey M. Kalman, Steven J. Paliobeis, Charles J. Thur
  • Patent number: 6944902
    Abstract: A pipe conduit vehicle having a substantially cylindrical housing and with at least one ring-shaped sealing element disposed between the outer side of the housing and the inner wall of the pipe conduit can be moved in the pipe conduit via the transport fluid flow. The pipe conduit vehicle thereby comprises at least one inlet opening and at least one outlet opening which form a bypass through the inner portion of the housing to reduce the pressure differential before and after the pipe conduit vehicle, wherein the at least one inlet opening is disposed on the outer surface of the cylindrical housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: PII Pipetronix GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Richter, Frank Gunter, George Franklyn Bremner, Corry Comello
  • Patent number: 6944909
    Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner (A) includes an upright housing section (B) and a nozzle section (C). A cyclonic airflow dirt and dust separating chamber (54) is defined in the upright housing section. A suction source (E) pulls air and entrained dirt; and dust through a main suction opening (26) in the underside (24) of the nozzle and into the cyclonic airflow chamber (54). The cyclonic airflow chamber causes the suction airstream to travel in a cyclonic path such that the entrained contaminants are separated therefrom and deposited into a dirt container (52) that defines the chamber (54). A main filter element (K) filters residual contaminants from the suction airstream between the chamber and the suction source. A final filter assembly (F) filters the suction airstream discharge by the suction source to ensure that the air discharge into the atmosphere is contaminant free.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Royal Appliance Mfg. Co.
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Bair, Richard C. Gibbs, Mark E. Reindle, Michael F. Wright
  • Patent number: 6944903
    Abstract: An applicator with squeegee configurations is disclosed. The applicator has a removable cover. In accordance with the embodiments of the invention, the removable cover is sealed through a squeegee edge using a suitable adhesive. The removable cover can be formed from foil, plastic or any combination of suitable materials. In use, the removable cover is removed and the squeegee configuration is used to treat, clean and/or wipe a surface. In further embodiments of the invention, a medication, a cleaning agent or other surface treating substance is seal between the removable cover and the squeegee configuration. Preferably, the device is an oral-care device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Inventor: James A. Gavney, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6941606
    Abstract: A sheet and web cleaner has a pair of substantially identical units in facing relation, providing a path for transporting a sheet or web therebetween. Each unit includes a suction hood with an inlet slot. A pair of channels adjacent and parallel thereto have a pressurized air ionizing bar which discharges ionized air at high velocity onto a moving sheet or web. A faceplate covers the channels and the inlet slot and has a tapered central elongate inlet opening which overlies the inlet slot. Elongate air discharge openings overly each of the channels adjacent the inlet opening. A plurality of spaced ridges are disposed on a side of the faceplate proximate the sheet or web oriented relative to a direction of travel of the sheet or web from a travel direction towards respective edges of the sheet or web. Spaces between the ridges communicate with the inlet and discharge openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: ElectroStatics, Incorporated
    Inventors: Peter Mariani, Robert Myers
  • Patent number: 6938299
    Abstract: A wet-dry vacuum cleaner with both a tool caddy and a waste receptacle basket is disclosed which has a mechanism by which the basket can be securely and positively connected to the tool caddy. One of the tool caddy and basket may include a deflectable tab while the other of the tool caddy and basket may include a slot adapted to receive the tab. Upon connecting the basket onto the tool caddy the tab may be inserted into the slot to thus positively connect the basket to the tool caddy and thereby provide a secure attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Shop Vac Corporation
    Inventors: David Martinez, Robert Crevling
  • Patent number: 6934995
    Abstract: A hand held steam vacuum is provided that is operated by way of a single switch device. The vacuum is generally comprised of a vacuum fan, a water pump, a heating element, and a fluid supply tank in fluid communication with a fluid discharge outlet. In operation, the vacuum fan is operable to suck debris into a collection bowl residing in the vacuum. In addition, the water pump is operable to drive fluid from the fluid supply tank via fluid transport tubes to the fluid discharge outlet, and the heating element is operable to heat the fluid prior to it being discharged from the fluid discharge outlet. A single switch device is configured to control operation of the vacuum fan, water pump and heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: David K. Wheeler, David M. Shaver
  • Patent number: RE38949
    Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner (A) includes an upright housing section (B) and a nozzle section (C). A cyclonic airflow dirt and dust separating chamber (54) is defined in said upright housing section. A suction source (E) pulls air and entrained dirt, dust, and other contaminants through a main suction opening (26) formed in the underside (24) of the nozzle and into the cyclonic airflow chamber (54). The cyclonic airflow chamber causes the suction airstream to travel in a cyclonic path such that the entrained contaminants are separated therefrom and deposited into a dirt container (52) that defines the lower portion of the chamber (54). A main filter element (11) filters residual contaminants from the suction airstream between the chamber and the suction source. The main filter element is preferably made from high-density polyethylene porous filter media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Royal Appliance Mfg. Co.
    Inventors: Michael F. Wright, Charles J. Thur, Mark E. Cipolla, Brett A. Latimer, Paul D. Stephens