Patents by Inventor Alan T. Pullins

Alan T. Pullins has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9927763
    Abstract: An imaging device with a two door interlock system for detecting a positional state of orthogonally mounted first and second access doors of the imaging device. The two door interlock system includes a mounting assembly rotatably mounted to a frame of the imaging device and movable by the first access door between a first position and a second position, and an actuator projecting from an inner surface of the second access door, and a sensor positioned on the mounting assembly and providing an output signal that changes between a first state and a second state. The output signal being in the first state when both of the first and second access doors are in their respective closed positions and in the second state when at least one of the first and second access doors are in their respective open positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Edwin Domhoff, Paul Douglas Horrall, Alan T. Pullins
  • Patent number: 9851654
    Abstract: An electrophotographic imaging device, including at least one photoconductive member, a printhead unit, at least one shutter-wiper member, and at least one shutter actuator. The at least one shutter-wiper member is moveable in a first direction between a first position in which the shutter-wiper covers the at least one exit lens of the printhead unit and a second position in which the at least one shutter-wiper does not cover the at least one exit lens so as to allow the at least one light beam generated by the printhead unit to pass therethrough. The at least one actuator is coupled to the at least one shutter-wiper member such that movement of the at least one shutter actuator in a second direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction causes the corresponding shutter-wiper member to move in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Donn Duane Bryant, Geoffrey Kirk Carlson, Paul Douglas Horrall, Gary Scott Overall, Alan T. Pullins
  • Publication number: 20170315467
    Abstract: An electrophotographic imaging device, including at least one photoconductive member, a printhead unit, at least one shutter-wiper member, and at least one shutter actuator. The at least one shutter-wiper member is moveable in a first direction between a first position in which the shutter-wiper covers the at least one exit lens of the printhead unit and a second position in which the at least one shutter-wiper does not cover the at least one exit lens so as to allow the at least one light beam generated by the printhead unit to pass therethrough. The at least one actuator is coupled to the at least one shutter-wiper member such that movement of the at least one shutter actuator in a second direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction causes the corresponding shutter-wiper member to move in the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Donn Duane Bryant, Geoffrey Kirk Carlson, Paul Douglas Horrall, Gary Scott Overall, Alan T. Pullins
  • Publication number: 20170308028
    Abstract: An imaging device with a two door interlock system for detecting a positional state of orthogonally mounted first and second access doors of the imaging device. The two door interlock system includes a mounting assembly rotatably mounted to a frame of the imaging device and movable by the first access door between a first position and a second position, and an actuator projecting from an inner surface of the second access door, and a sensor positioned on the mounting assembly and providing an output signal that changes between a first state and a second state. The output signal being in the first state when both of the first and second access doors are in their respective closed positions and in the second state when at least one of the first and second access doors are in their respective open positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventors: JOSEPH EDWIN DOMHOFF, PAUL DOUGLAS HORRALL, ALAN T PULLINS
  • Patent number: 7832050
    Abstract: A floor care apparatus includes a housing having a nozzle assembly and a canister assembly. A suction inlet is provided on the nozzle assembly. A dirt collection vessel, a suction generator and a wand receiver are carried on the housing. The cleaning wand assembly includes a telescoping subassembly, including two telescoping wand sections, and a handle subassembly including a third wand section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventors: Alan T. Pullins, James Todd Crouch, Michael L. Fry, Eric J. Streciwilk
  • Patent number: 7752708
    Abstract: A floor cleaning apparatus includes a housing and a dirt collection vessel carried on that housing. The dirt collection vessel includes a first air inlet, a second air inlet, a dirt collection chamber, a filter chamber and a clean air outlet. A filter is received in the filter chamber. A suction generator is carried on the housing. The floor cleaning apparatus also includes a flow control valve assembly. The flow control valve assembly is selectively displaceable between a first or home position wherein dirt and debris are captured in the dirt collection vessel and a second or filter cleaning position wherein clean air is drawn through at least a portion of the filter to clean the filter. An activator is provided for automatically displacing the flow control valve assembly between the first and second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventors: Nathan A. Gogel, Donald E. Proffitt, II, Alan T. Pullins, James Todd Crouch, Michael L. Fry, Eric J. Streciwilk, Michael S. Yacobi, Gary P. Charbonneau
  • Patent number: 7555810
    Abstract: A floor care apparatus includes a housing having a nozzle assembly and a canister assembly. A suction inlet is provided on the nozzle assembly. A dirt collection vessel, a suction generator and a wand receiver are carried on the housing. A first air flow pathway connects the suction inlet to the dirt collection vessel and the suction generator. An air flow control valve includes a valve body received in the first air flow pathway and an actuator having at least a portion thereof extending into the wand receiver. A cleaning wand assembly is displaceable between a first storage position wherein a first end of the cleaning wand assembly is held in the wand receiver engaging the actuator and opening the valve and a second position wherein the cleaning wand assembly is withdrawn from the wand receiver for cleaning with the cleaning wand assembly thereby disengaging the actuator and closing the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventors: Alan T. Pullins, Shannon D. Phegley, Donald E. Proffitt, II, Eric J. Streciwilk
  • Patent number: 7509707
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a housing that carries a suction inlet, a dirt collection vessel, a main filter compartment and a suction generator. The main filter is received in the main filter compartment. An airflow pathway connects the suction inlet, the dirt collection vessel, the main filter compartment and the suction generator. A dirt detection sensor is provided in the airflow pathway between the dirt collection vessel and the main filter compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventor: Alan T. Pullins
  • Publication number: 20090049641
    Abstract: A floor care apparatus includes a housing having a nozzle assembly and a canister assembly. A suction inlet is provided on the nozzle assembly. A dirt collection vessel, a suction generator and a wand receiver are carried on the housing. A first air flow pathway connects the suction inlet to the dirt collection vessel and the suction generator. An air flow control valve includes a valve body received in the first air flow pathway and an actuator having at least a portion thereof extending into the wand receiver. A cleaning wand assembly is displaceable between a first storage position wherein a first end of the cleaning wand assembly is held in the wand receiver engaging the actuator and opening the valve and a second position wherein the cleaning wand assembly is withdrawn from the wand receiver for cleaning with the cleaning wand assembly thereby disengaging the actuator and closing the valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Inventors: Alan T. Pullins, Shannon D. Phegley, Donald E. Proffitt, II, Eric J. Strecrwilk
  • Publication number: 20070209150
    Abstract: A floor cleaning apparatus includes a housing and a dirt collection vessel carried on that housing. The dirt collection vessel includes a first air inlet, a second air inlet, a dirt collection chamber, a filter chamber and a clean air outlet. A filter is received in the filter chamber. A suction generator is carried on the housing. The floor cleaning apparatus also includes a flow control valve assembly. The flow control valve assembly is selectively displaceable between a first or home position wherein dirt and debris are captured in the dirt collection vessel and a second or filter cleaning position wherein clean air is drawn through at least a portion of the filter to clean the filter. An activator is provided for automatically displacing the flow control valve assembly between the first and second positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Inventors: Nathan A. Gogel, Donald E. Proffitt, Alan T. Pullins, James Todd Crouch, Michael L. Fry, Eric J. Streciwilk, Michael S. Yacobi, Gary P. Charbonneau
  • Publication number: 20070209151
    Abstract: A floor cleaning apparatus includes a housing and a dirt collection vessel carried on that housing. The dirt collection vessel includes a first air inlet, a second air inlet, a dirt collection chamber, a filter chamber and a clean air outlet. A filter is received in the filter chamber. A suction generator is carried on the housing. The floor cleaning apparatus also includes a flow control valve assembly. The flow control valve assembly is selectively displaceable between a first or home position wherein dirt and debris are captured in the dirt collection vessel and a second or filter cleaning position wherein clean air is drawn through at least a portion of the filter to clean the filter. An activator is provided for automatically displacing the flow control valve assembly between the first and second positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2007
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Inventors: Nathan A. Gogel, Donald E. Proffitt, Alan T. Pullins, James Todd Crouch, Michael L. Fry, Eric J. Streciwilk, Michael S. Yacobi, Gary P. Charbonneau
  • Publication number: 20070209152
    Abstract: A floor care apparatus includes a housing having a nozzle assembly and a canister assembly. A suction inlet is provided on the nozzle assembly. A dirt collection vessel, a suction generator and a wand receiver are carried on the housing. The cleaning wand assembly includes a telescoping subassembly, including two telescoping wand sections, and a handle subassembly including a third wand section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Inventors: Alan T. Pullins, James Todd Crouch, Michael L. Fry, Eric J. Streciwilk
  • Publication number: 20070209142
    Abstract: A floor care apparatus includes a housing having a nozzle assembly and a canister assembly. A suction inlet is provided on the nozzle assembly. A dirt collection vessel, a suction generator and a wand receiver are carried on the housing. A first air flow pathway connects the suction inlet to the dirt collection vessel and the suction generator. An air flow control valve includes a valve body received in the first air flow pathway and an actuator having at least a portion thereof extending into the wand receiver. A cleaning wand assembly is displaceable between a first storage position wherein a first end of the cleaning wand assembly is held in the wand receiver engaging the actuator and opening the valve and a second position wherein the cleaning wand assembly is withdrawn from the wand receiver for cleaning with the cleaning wand assembly thereby disengaging the actuator and closing the valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Inventors: Alan T. Pullins, Shannon D. Phegley, Donald E. Proffitt, Eric J. Streciwilk
  • Patent number: 7210196
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a housing, a suction generator and a dirt collection assembly. The dirt collection assembly includes an inlet, an outlet and a concave air deflector. Air is delivered into a dirt collection chamber formed in the dirt collection assembly along a substantially parabolic trajectory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventors: Michael J. Shanor, Alan T. Pullins
  • Patent number: 7185394
    Abstract: A dirt cup for a vacuum cleaner includes a housing defining a dirt collection chamber, an inlet and an outlet in the housing in fluid communication with the dirt collection chamber and a selectively attachable and detachable filter holder on the housing external to the dirt collection chamber and downstream from the outlet. A vacuum cleaner incorporating the dirt cup is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventors: Danielle M. Hafling, Joel E. Hitzelberger, Alan T. Pullins
  • Patent number: 7185395
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is provided including a housing, a nozzle inlet, a suction generator carried on the housing and a dirt vessel carried on the housing. The dirt vessel includes a sidewall, a bottom wall and an air inlet and an air outlet. A filter shield is aligned with the air inlet to deflect an airstream entering the dirt vessel through the air inlet. A filter element is also provided to clean fine dirt and debris from the airstream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventor: Alan T. Pullins
  • Patent number: 7181804
    Abstract: A dirt cup for a vacuum cleaner includes a housing defining a dirt collection chamber, an inlet and an outlet in the housing in fluid communication with the dirt collection chamber and a filter holder on the housing external to the dirt collection chamber and downstream from the outlet. A vacuum cleaner incorporating the dirt cup is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventors: Danielle M. Hafling, Joel E. Hitzelberger, Mark J. Medley, Nathan A. Gogel, Alan T. Pullins
  • Patent number: 7134165
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a housing as well as a suction generator and bagless dirt system carried on the housing. The bagless dirt system includes a dirt cup, a prefilter, a filter chamber remote from the dirt cup, a filter in the filter chamber and a first conduit providing fluid communication between the dirt cup and the filter chamber. A second conduit provides fluid communication between the filter chamber and the suction generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventor: Alan T. Pullins
  • Publication number: 20040088818
    Abstract: A floor cleaning apparatus includes a nozzle assembly with an intake opening, a canister assembly with a dirt cup receiver and a filter receiver, a suction generator carried on either the nozzle assembly or the canister assembly and a dirt cup held in the dirt cup receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventors: Danielle M. Hafling, Joel E. Hitzelberger, Alan T. Pullins
  • Publication number: 20040088819
    Abstract: A dirt cup for a vacuum cleaner includes a housing defining a dirt collection chamber, an inlet and an outlet in the housing in fluid communication with the dirt collection chamber and a selectively attachable and detachable filter holder on the housing external to the dirt collection chamber and downstream from the outlet. A vacuum cleaner incorporating the dirt cup is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventors: Danielle M. Hafling, Joel E. Hitzelberger, Alan T. Pullins