Patents by Inventor Daniel J. INNES

Daniel J. INNES 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).

  • Publication number: 20240099527
    Abstract: A surface cleaning head includes a housing having a front side and back side, a brush roll rotatably mounted to the housing within a suction conduit and having at least a portion proximate the opening of the suction conduit, a leading roller mounted to the housing in front of the brush roll, and a drive mechanism operatively coupled to the brush roll and the leading roller for driving the brush roll and the leading roller at same time. The brush roll includes an agitator body and a first bristle/flap arrangement comprising a first deformable flap extending from the agitator body and a first bristle strip and/or row of tufts extending from the agitator body and disposed adjacent to the first deformable flap. The first deformable flap is disposed at an aggressive angle and the first bristle strip and/or row of tufts is arranged at a passive angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2021
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: Steven GACIN, Jason B. THORNE, Adam UDY, Charles S. BRUNNER, Xavier F. CULLERE, Nicholas Sardar, Ognjen VRDOLJAK, Daniel R. DER MARDEROSIAN, Andre D. BROWN, Daniel J. INNES
  • Publication number: 20240090721
    Abstract: A robotic cleaner includes a housing, a suction conduit with an opening, and a leading roller mounted in front of a brush roll. An inter-roller air passageway may be defined between the leading roller and the brush roll wherein the lower portion of the leading roller is exposed to a flow path to the suction conduit and an upper portion of the leading roller is outside of the flow path. Optionally, a combing unit includes a plurality of combing protrusions extending into the leading roller and having leading edges not aligned with a center of the leading roller. Optionally, a sealing strip is located along a rear side of the opening and along a portion of left and right sides of the opening. The underside may define side edge vacuum passageways extending from the sides of the housing partially between the leading roller and the sealing strip towards the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Steven Paul CARTER, Adam Udy, Catriona A. Sutter, Christopher Pinches, David S. Clare, Andre David Brown, John Freese, Patrick Cleary, Alexander J. Calvino, Lee Cottrell, Daniel Meyer, Daniel John Innes, David Jalbert, Jason B. Thorne, Peter Hutchinson, Gordon Howes, Wenxiu Gao, David Wu, David W. Poirier, Daniel R. Der Marderosian
  • Publication number: 20240008699
    Abstract: A cleaning system may include a vacuum cleaner having a body and a cleaner dust cup coupled to the body and a docking station, the vacuum cleaner configured to dock with the docking station. The cleaner dust cup may include an open end that is configured to be selectively received within the body and a dust cup outlet that is configured to be selectively opened and closed, the dust cup outlet and the open end being on different sides of the cleaner dust cup. The docking station may include a base having a suction motor and a station dust cup, an up-duct extending from the base, and a receptacle having a station inlet, the receptacle being configured to receive at least a portion of the vacuum cleaner, the up-duct fluidly couples the station inlet to the suction motor and the station dust cup.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2022
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Inventors: Daniel J. Innes, Nikola Petrov, Steven Gacin
  • Patent number: 11859857
    Abstract: An air treatment system is disclosed that includes a modular configuration whereby a fan module, filter module, and humidifier module may couple together to provide a plurality of air treatment solutions. In more detail, the modules can stack end-to-end in a vertical configuration. The modules may electrically couple to each other via a common electrical bus and enable a controller disposed in the fan module (or other module) to control fan flow rates, direction, and humidity. The fan module can include an articulating nozzle capable of directing airflow in virtually any direction and angle about an environment. The fan module can further include an inlet arrangement that can selectively restrict external air from entering the fan module housing when the fan module is fluidly coupled to the filter module. Thus, the fan module may generate air flow from exclusively filtered air to minimize or otherwise reduce bacterial/mold growth within the fan module housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: SharkNinja Operating LLC
    Inventors: Andre D. Brown, Jason B. Thorne, Peter Hutchinson, Gary Palladino, Alden Kelsey, Daniel J. Innes, Zach Hellman
  • Patent number: 11832701
    Abstract: An attachment for a hair dryer that is movable between a first position and a second position in order to alter one or more characteristics of the airflow therethrough. In one embodiment, an attachment having multiple facets and types of projections with varying stiffness are provided on an outer housing that can be rotated relative to a base by the user. In a second embodiment, an attachment having a concave surface with prongs extending therethrough that can be moved such that the exposed portion of the prongs are lengthened or shortened, as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: SharkNinja Operating LLC
    Inventors: Joshua Thomas Richards, Thomas Edward Kingsborough Cody, Shannon Marie Mcsweeney, Daniel J. Innes, Steven Luke Bailey
  • Publication number: 20230363598
    Abstract: An example of an agitator for a vacuum cleaner may include a body and at least one deformable flap extending from the body. The deformable flap may include at least one taper. The at least one taper causes a cleaning edge of the deformable flap to approach the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Steven GACIN, Jason B. THORNE, Adam UDY, Charles S. BRUNNER, Xavier F. CULLERE, Nicholas Sardar, Ognjen VRDOLJAK, Daniel R. DER MARDEROSIAN, Andre D. BROWN, Daniel J. INNES
  • Patent number: 11759069
    Abstract: An example of an agitator for a vacuum cleaner may include a body and at least one deformable flap extending from the body. The deformable flap may include at least one taper. The at least one taper causes a cleaning edge of the deformable flap to approach the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: SharkNinja Operating LLC
    Inventors: Steven Gacin, Jason B. Thorne, Adam Udy, Charles S. Brunner, Xavier F. Cullere, Nicholas Sardar, Ognjen Vrdoljak, Daniel R. Der Marderosian, Andre D. Brown, Daniel J. Innes
  • Publication number: 20230200601
    Abstract: A nozzle for use with a surface cleaning device is disclosed that includes a nozzle housing defining a dirty air inlet, at least a first caster coupled to the nozzle housing to allow for movement of the nozzle housing over a surface to be cleaned, and a caster locking arrangement coupled to the nozzle housing. The caster locking arrangement preferably includes at least a first locking member to transition the first caster between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration, with the locked configuration limiting movement of the nozzle housing along a single axis during cleaning operations, and the unlocked configuration allowing for movement of the nozzle housing along a plurality of axes/directions during cleaning operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2023
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Adam UDY, Nikola PETROV, Daniel J. INNES
  • Publication number: 20230172335
    Abstract: An attachment for a hair dryer that is movable between a first position and a second position in order to alter one or more characteristics of the airflow therethrough. In one embodiment, an attachment having multiple facets and types of projections with varying stiffness are provided on an outer housing that can be rotated relative to a base by the user. In a second embodiment, an attachment having a concave surface with prongs extending therethrough that can be moved such that the exposed portion of the prongs are lengthened or shortened, as desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2023
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: Joshua Thomas Richards, Thomas Edward Kingsborough Cody, Shannon Marie Mcsweeney, Daniel J. Innes, Steven Luke Bailey
  • Patent number: 11583150
    Abstract: A nozzle for use with a surface cleaning device is disclosed that includes a nozzle housing defining a dirty air inlet, at least a first caster coupled to the nozzle housing to allow for movement of the nozzle housing over a surface to be cleaned, and a caster locking arrangement coupled to the nozzle housing. The caster locking arrangement preferably includes at least a first locking member to transition the first caster between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration, with the locked configuration limiting movement of the nozzle housing along a single axis during cleaning operations, and the unlocked configuration allowing for movement of the nozzle housing along a plurality of axes/directions during cleaning operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: SharkNinja Operating LLC
    Inventors: Adam Udy, Nikola Petrov, Daniel J. Innes
  • Publication number: 20220316752
    Abstract: An air treatment system is disclosed that includes a modular configuration whereby a fan module, filter module, and humidifier module may couple together to provide a plurality of air treatment solutions. In more detail, the modules can stack end-to-end in a vertical configuration. The modules may electrically couple to each other via a common electrical bus and enable a controller disposed in the fan module (or other module) to control fan flow rates, direction, and humidity. The fan module can include an articulating nozzle capable of directing airflow in virtually any direction and angle about an environment. The fan module can further include an inlet arrangement that can selectively restrict external air from entering the fan module housing when the fan module is fluidly coupled to the filter module. Thus, the fan module may generate air flow from exclusively filtered air to minimize or otherwise reduce bacterial/mold growth within the fan module housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2022
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: Andre D. Brown, Jason B. Thorne, Peter Hutchinson, Gary Palladino, Alden Kelsey, Daniel J. Innes, Zach Hellman
  • Patent number: 11408430
    Abstract: In accordance with the present disclosure a modular air treatment system is disclosed. The modular air treatment system includes a fan apparatus having a base to removably couple to at least one of an air filter and/or a humidifier, wherein the fan apparatus includes a fan body with at least one convex surface and a nozzle to output air along the at least one convex surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: SharkNinja Operating LLC
    Inventors: Andre D. Brown, Jason B. Thorne, Peter Hutchinson, Gary Palladino, Alden Kelsey, Daniel J. Innes, Zach Hellman, Josh Anthony, Sunil Moda, Lloyd Olson, Ramiro Henriquez Porras, Da Deng
  • Patent number: 11384956
    Abstract: An air treatment system is disclosed that includes a modular configuration whereby a fan module, filter module, and humidifier module may couple together to provide a plurality of air treatment solutions. In more detail, the modules can stack end-to-end in a vertical configuration. The modules may electrically couple to each other via a common electrical bus and enable a controller disposed in the fan module (or other module) to control fan flow rates, direction, and humidity. The fan module can include an articulating nozzle capable of directing airflow in virtually any direction and angle about an environment. The fan module can further include an inlet arrangement that can selectively restrict external air from entering the fan module housing when the fan module is fluidly coupled to the filter module. Thus, the fan module may generate air flow from exclusively filtered air to minimize or otherwise reduce bacterial/mold growth within the fan module housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: SharkNinja Operating LLC
    Inventors: Andre D. Brown, Jason B. Thorne, Peter Hutchinson, Gary Palladino, Alden Kelsey, Daniel J. Innes, Zach Hellman
  • Patent number: 11330949
    Abstract: A cordless surface cleaning apparatus is disclosed that includes a compact storage configuration to allow the surface cleaning apparatus to have a small, compact footprint relative to an in-use configuration. The storage configuration therefore allows for storage in locations otherwise unsuitable for other surface cleaning apparatuses, e.g., upright vacuum cleaners, and so on. For instance, a surface cleaning apparatus configured in accordance with aspects disclosed herein may have a footprint with an overall width that allows the same to be hidden between an open door and an adjacent wall or other similarly narrow space such as a small closet. Moreover, the surface cleaning apparatus may include an aesthetically pleasing, minimalist design in addition to a small footprint, which allows the surface cleaning apparatus to be placed at a conspicuous location, such as against a wall, without becoming obtrusive or otherwise disruptive to the surrounding environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: SharkNinja Operating LLC
    Inventors: Andre D. Brown, Daniel J. Innes
  • Publication number: 20220071459
    Abstract: A surface cleaning head includes a housing having a front side and back side, a brush roll rotatably mounted to the housing within a suction conduit and having at least a portion proximate the opening of the suction conduit, a leading roller mounted to the housing in front of the brush roll, and a drive mechanism operatively coupled to the brush roll and the leading roller for driving the brush roll and the leading roller at same time. The brush roll includes an agitator body and a first bristle/flap arrangement comprising a first deformable flap extending from the agitator body and a first bristle strip and/or row of tufts extending from the agitator body and disposed adjacent to the first deformable flap. The first deformable flap is disposed at an aggressive angle and the first bristle strip and/or row of tufts is arranged at a passive angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Inventors: Steven GACIN, Jason B. THORNE, Adam UDY, Charles S. BRUNNER, Xavier F. CULLERE, Nicholas Sardar, Ognjen VRDOLJAK, Daniel R. DER MARDEROSIAN, Andre D. BROWN, Daniel J. INNES
  • Publication number: 20220031131
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner may include a body having a handle end and an attachment end, the attachment end being opposite the handle end along a longitudinal axis of the body, a dust cup disposed between the handle end and the attachment end, a suction motor disposed between the handle end and the attachment end, a body latch configured to releasably engage an accessory, and a body toggle configured to cause the body latch to transition between a releasing position and a retaining position, the body toggle being positioned closer to the handle end than the attachment end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2021
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventors: Casey MCCLAY, Kevin KELEMEN, Peter HUTCHINSON, Matt WINDT, Steven GACIN, Mingshun SU, Robert YANG, Jesse YANG, David T. BARKER, Patrick CLEARY, Daniel J. INNES
  • Publication number: 20210315428
    Abstract: A nozzle for use with a surface cleaning device is disclosed that includes a nozzle housing defining a dirty air inlet, at least a first caster coupled to the nozzle housing to allow for movement of the nozzle housing over a surface to be cleaned, and a caster locking arrangement coupled to the nozzle housing. The caster locking arrangement preferably includes at least a first locking member to transition the first caster between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration, with the locked configuration limiting movement of the nozzle housing along a single axis during cleaning operations, and the unlocked configuration allowing for movement of the nozzle housing along a plurality of axes/directions during cleaning operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2021
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Inventors: Adam UDY, Nikola PETROV, Daniel J. INNES
  • Patent number: 11051668
    Abstract: A vacuum assembly having a hand vacuum configuration and a wand vacuum configuration may include a dust cup, a suction motor fluidly coupled to the dust cup, and a power source. The suction motor and the power source may be transitionable between a wand vacuum position and a hand vacuum position. When the suction motor and the power source are in the wand vacuum position, the dust cup, the suction motor, and the power source may be arranged serially. When the suction motor and the power source are in the hand vacuum position, the suction motor and the power source may be arranged in parallel with the dust cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: SharkNinja Operating LLC
    Inventors: Jason B. Thorne, Kai Xu, Sam Liu, Adam Udy, Daniel J. Innes, Nikola Petrov, Andre D. Brown
  • Publication number: 20200345196
    Abstract: A docking station for a vacuum cleaner may include a receptacle configured to engage at least a portion of the vacuum cleaner such that, in response to engaging the receptacle, a vacuum cleaner flow path extending within the vacuum cleaner is transitioned from a cleaning flow path to an evacuation flow path, a suction motor of the vacuum cleaner being configured to urge air along the vacuum cleaner flow path and a docking station dust cup configured to receive debris from a vacuum cleaner dust cup of the vacuum cleaner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2020
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventors: Daniel J. INNES, Andre D. BROWN, Jason B. THORNE, Kai XU, Sam LIU
  • Patent number: D1015660
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: SharkNinja Operating LLC
    Inventors: Gary Palladino, Colby Higgins, Daniel J. Innes