Patents by Inventor David S. CLARE
David S. CLARE 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).
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Publication number: 20240341549Abstract: A surface cleaning head with dual rotating agitators (e.g., a leading roller and a brush roll) may be used to facilitate capturing of debris in the air flow into a suction conduit on the underside of the surface cleaning head. The leading roller is generally positioned adjacent to and in advance of the opening of the suction conduit. The rotating brush roll may be located in the suction conduit with the leading roller located in front of and spaced from the brush roll, forming an inter-roller air passageway therebetween. The leading roller may provide a softer cleaning element than the brush roll and may also have an outside diameter that is less than the outside diameter of the brush roll. The surface cleaning head may also include debriding protrusions contacting the leading roller and/or a leading bumper that extends in front of the leading roller.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2024Publication date: October 17, 2024Inventors: Steven Paul CARTER, Adam UDY, Catriona A. SUTTER, Christopher PINCHES, David S. CLARE, Andre David BROWN, John FREESE, Patrick CLEARY, Alexander CALVINO, Lee COTTRELL, Daniel MEYER, Daniel John INNES, David JALBERT, Jason THORNE, Peter HUTCHINSON, Gordon HOWES, Nancy GAO WENXIU, David WU, David W. POIRER
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Patent number: 12053140Abstract: An example of a surface cleaning head may include a main body, a neck pivotally coupled to the main body, a stabilizer, and a linkage pivotally coupled to the main body and the stabilizer. The linkage may be configured to cause the stabilizer to transition between an extended position and a retracted position in response to a pivotal movement of the neck.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2019Date of Patent: August 6, 2024Assignee: SharkNinja Operating LLCInventors: Jason B. Thorne, Kai Xu, Zongnan Cheng, Ian Liu, AiMing Xu, Wenxiu Gao, Andre D. Brown, Samuel Emrys James, Jordan Ridgley, Nicholas Sardar, Christopher P. Pinches, David S. Clare, Lee M. Cottrell
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Patent number: 12048410Abstract: A surface cleaning head with dual rotating agitators (e.g., a leading roller and a brush roll) may be used to facilitate capturing of debris in the air flow into a suction conduit on the underside of the surface cleaning head. The leading roller is generally positioned adjacent to and in advance of the opening of the suction conduit. The rotating brush roll may be located in the suction conduit with the leading roller located in front of and spaced from the brush roll, forming an inter-roller air passageway therebetween. The leading roller may provide a softer cleaning element than the brush roll and may also have an outside diameter that is less than the outside diameter of the brush roll. The surface cleaning head may also include debriding protrusions contacting the leading roller and/or a leading bumper that extends in front of the leading roller.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2022Date of Patent: July 30, 2024Assignee: SharkNinja Operating LLCInventors: Steven Paul Carter, Adam Udy, Catriona A. Sutter, Christopher Pinches, David S. Clare, Andre David Brown, John Freese, Patrick Cleary, Alexander Calvino, Lee Cottrell, Daniel Meyer, Daniel John Innes, David Jalbert, Jason Thorne, Peter Hutchinson, Gordon Howes, Nancy Gao Wenxiu, David Wu, David W. Poirer
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Publication number: 20240215778Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus including a body defining an agitation chamber, an agitator partially disposed within the agitation chamber and configured to rotate about a pivot axis, and a debrider at least partially disposed within the agitation chamber. The agitator includes an elongated body having a first and a second end, a sidewall extending radially outward from the elongated body extending between the first and the second ends, and a plurality of bristles extending radially outward from the elongated body. The plurality of bristles are arranged in at least one row adjacent to the sidewall. The debrider includes a plurality of teeth configured to contact a portion of the sidewall as the agitator rotates about the pivot axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2024Publication date: July 4, 2024Inventors: Daniel R. DER MARDEROSIAN, John FREESE, Gordon HOWES, Wenxiu GAO, David S. CLARE, Nathan HERRMANN, Hugh Jamie CROGGON, Nicholas SARDAR, Tyler SMITH, Ian LIU, Jiancheng WANG
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Publication number: 20240090721Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2023Publication date: March 21, 2024Inventors: 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
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Patent number: 11925303Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus including a body defining an agitation chamber, an agitator partially disposed within the agitation chamber and configured to rotate about a pivot axis, and a debrider at least partially disposed within the agitation chamber. The agitator includes an elongated body having a first and a second end, a sidewall extending radially outward from the elongated body extending between the first and the second ends, and a plurality of bristles extending radially outward from the elongated body. The plurality of bristles are arranged in at least one row adjacent to the sidewall. The debrider includes a plurality of teeth configured to contact a portion of the sidewall as the agitator rotates about the pivot axis.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2021Date of Patent: March 12, 2024Assignee: SharkNinja Operating LLCInventors: Daniel R. Der Marderosian, John Freese, Gordon Howes, Wenxiu Gao, David S. Clare, Nathan Herrmann, Hugh Jamie Croggon, Nicholas Sardar, Tyler Smith, Ian Liu, Jiancheng Wang
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Patent number: 11839346Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 20, 2021Date of Patent: December 12, 2023Assignee: SharkNinja Operating LLCInventors: 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
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Patent number: 11687092Abstract: A hand-held surface cleaning device includes circuitry to communicate with a robotic surface cleaning device to cause the same to target an area/region of interest for cleaning. Thus, a user may utilize the hand-held surface cleaning device to perform targeted cleaning and conveniently direct a robotic surface cleaning device to focus on a region of interest. Moreover, the hand-held surface cleaning device may include sensory such as a camera device for extracting three-dimensional information from a field of view. This information may be utilized to map locations of walls, stairs, obstacles, changes in surface types, and other features in a given location. Thus, a robotic surface cleaning device may utilize the mapping information from the hand-held surface cleaning device as an input in a real-time control loop, e.g., as an input to a Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) routine.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2019Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: SharkNinja Operating LLCInventors: Jason B. Thorne, Andre D. Brown, David S. Clare, Nicholas Sardar, Christopher P Pinches, Samuel Emrys James, Michael James Douglas
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Patent number: 11617482Abstract: A surface treatment apparatus may include a coupling, a handle, an accessory coupled to the coupling, and a toggle proximate the handle. The accessory may have at least two operational states. An actuation of the toggle may cause the accessory to transition between operational states.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2019Date of Patent: April 4, 2023Assignee: SharkNinja Operating LLCInventors: Nicholas Sardar, Christopher P. Pinches, Lee M. Cottrell, Samuel Emrys James, Michael James Douglas, David S. Clare
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Publication number: 20230090575Abstract: A surface cleaning head with dual rotating agitators (e.g., a leading roller and a brush roll) may be used to facilitate capturing of debris in the air flow into a suction conduit on the underside of the surface cleaning head. The leading roller is generally positioned adjacent to and in advance of the opening of the suction conduit. The rotating brush roll may be located in the suction conduit with the leading roller located in front of and spaced from the brush roll, forming an inter-roller air passageway therebetween. The leading roller may provide a softer cleaning element than the brush roll and may also have an outside diameter that is less than the outside diameter of the brush roll. The surface cleaning head may also include debriding protrusions contacting the leading roller and/or a leading bumper that extends in front of the leading roller.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2022Publication date: March 23, 2023Inventors: Steven Paul CARTER, Adam UDY, Catriona A. SUTTER, Christopher PINCHES, David S. CLARE, Andre David BROWN, John FREESE, Patrick CLEARY, Alexander CALVINO, Lee COTTRELL, Daniel MEYER, Daniel John INNES, David JALBERT, Jason THORNE, Peter HUTCHINSON, Gordon HOWES, Nancy GAO WENXIU, David WU, David W. POIRER
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Publication number: 20220110495Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2021Publication date: April 14, 2022Inventors: 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
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Patent number: 11278171Abstract: A surface cleaning head with dual rotating agitators (e.g., a leading roller and a brush roll) may be used to facilitate capturing of debris in the air flow into a suction conduit on the underside of the surface cleaning head. The leading roller is generally positioned adjacent to and in advance of the opening of the suction conduit. The rotating brush roll may be located in the suction conduit with the leading roller located in front of and spaced from the brush roll, forming an inter-roller air passageway therebetween. The leading roller may provide a softer cleaning element than the brush roll and may also have an outside diameter that is less than the outside diameter of the brush roll. The surface cleaning head may also include debriding protrusions contacting the leading roller and/or a leading bumper that extends in front of the leading roller.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2016Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Assignee: SharkNinja Operating LLCInventors: Steven Paul Carter, Adam Udy, Catriona A. Sutter, Christopher Pinches, David S. Clare, Andre David Brown, John Freese, Patrick Cleary, Alexander Calvino, Lee Cottrell, Daniel Meyer, Daniel John Innes, David Jalbert, Jason Thorne, Peter Hutchinson, Gordon Howes, Nancy Gao Wenxiu, David Wu, David W. Poirier
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Patent number: 11202542Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 23, 2018Date of Patent: December 21, 2021Assignee: SharkNinja Operating LLCInventors: 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
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Patent number: 11064853Abstract: A vacuum cleaner may include a surface cleaning head, a wand pivotally coupled to the surface cleaning head, and a rotatable canister mount. The rotatable canister mount may include a support through which at least a portion of the wand extends such that the canister mount rotates relative to the wand in response to the wand pivoting.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2019Date of Patent: July 20, 2021Assignee: SharkNinja Operating LLCInventors: David S. Clare, Mingshun Su, Ming Yao
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Patent number: 11039722Abstract: In general, the present disclosure is directed to a force-sensing arrangement for use in surface cleaning devices, such as a vacuum device, that allows a user-supplied force to be translated into a command signal to cause the surface cleaning device to accelerate forward, reverse or to veer/turn in a desired direction. In an embodiment, the surface cleaning device includes a nozzle, wheels, motor(s) to drive the wheels, and an upright handle portion. The surface cleaning device includes a force-sensing arrangement with load cells coupled at a position where user force is transferred from the upright portion to the nozzle. The force-sensing arrangement detects the user supplying a relatively small amount of force and translates the same into measurement signals. A controller coupled to the load cells utilizes the measurement signals to determine or “infer” a desired direction of travel.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2019Date of Patent: June 22, 2021Assignee: SharkNinja Operating LLCInventors: Andre D. Brown, David S. Clare, Nicholas Sardar, Christopher P. Pinches, Samuel Emrys James, Michael James Douglas, Jason B. Thorne
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Publication number: 20210169287Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus including a body defining an agitation chamber, an agitator partially disposed within the agitation chamber and configured to rotate about a pivot axis, and a debrider at least partially disposed within the agitation chamber. The agitator includes an elongated body having a first and a second end, a sidewall extending radially outward from the elongated body extending between the first and the second ends, and a plurality of bristles extending radially outward from the elongated body. The plurality of bristles are arranged in at least one row adjacent to the sidewall. The debrider includes a plurality of teeth configured to contact a portion of the sidewall as the agitator rotates about the pivot axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2021Publication date: June 10, 2021Inventors: Daniel R. DER MARDEROSIAN, John FREESE, Gordon HOWES, Wenxiu GAO, David S. CLARE, Nathan HERRMANN, Hugh Jamie CROGGON, Nicholas SARDAR, Tyler SMITH, Ian LIU, Jiancheng WANG
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Patent number: 10925447Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus including a body defining an agitation chamber, an agitator partially disposed within the agitation chamber and configured to rotate about a pivot axis, and a debrider at least partially disposed within the agitation chamber. The agitator includes an elongated body having a first and a second end, a sidewall extending radially outward from the elongated body extending between the first and the second ends, and a plurality of bristles extending radially outward from the elongated body. The plurality of bristles are arranged in at least one row adjacent to the sidewall. The debrider includes a plurality of teeth configured to contact a portion of the sidewall as the agitator rotates about the pivot axis.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2018Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: SharkNinja Operating LLCInventors: Daniel R. Der Marderosian, John Freese, Gordon Howes, Wenxiu Gao, David S. Clare, Nathan Herrmann, Hugh Jamie Croggon, Nicholas Sardar, Tyler Smith, Ian Liu, Jiancheng Wang
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Publication number: 20200138258Abstract: A debris compactor may include an inlet configured to receive debris, an auger chamber having an auger extending therein, and a dust cup disposed at a distal end of the auger chamber. The auger may be configured to urge the debris into the dust cup.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2019Publication date: May 7, 2020Inventors: David S. CLARE, Christopher P. PINCHES
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Publication number: 20200085267Abstract: An example of a surface cleaning head may include a main body, a neck pivotally coupled to the main body, a stabilizer, and a linkage pivotally coupled to the main body and the stabilizer. The linkage may be configured to cause the stabilizer to transition between an extended position and a retracted position in response to a pivotal movement of the neck.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2019Publication date: March 19, 2020Inventors: Jason B. THORNE, Kai XU, Bruce CHENG, Ian LIU, AiMing XU, Wenxiu GAO, Andre D. BROWN, Samuel Emrys JAMES, Jordan RIDGLEY, Nicholas SARDAR, Christopher P. PINCHES, David S. CLARE, Lee M. COTTRELL
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Publication number: 20190343349Abstract: A vacuum cleaner may include a surface cleaning head, a wand pivotally coupled to the surface cleaning head, and a rotatable canister mount. The rotatable canister mount may include a support through which at least a portion of the wand extends such that the canister mount rotates relative to the wand in response to the wand pivoting.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2019Publication date: November 14, 2019Inventors: David S. CLARE, Mingshun SU, Ming YAO