Patents by Inventor Dean R. Toensing

Dean R. Toensing 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: 5711048
    Abstract: An improved convertible electric blower/vac. The blower/vac includes an improved air inlet cover with an adjustable choke member. The air inlet cover also includes a pressure ring for increasing the efficiency of the blower/vac impeller when the unit is operated in the blower mode. The blower/vac also includes a blower tube and a vacuum bag collar, each with resilient tabs that engage receptacles on the blower/vac to retain the blower tube and vacuum bag collar on the unit. The housing outlet of the blower/vac includes guides that interact with longitudinal ribs on the blower tube and the vacuum bag collar to reduce unwanted rotational deflection of the blower tube and vacuum bag collar when either is engaged on the housing outlet. The blower/vac includes an improved vacuum tube for use of the blower/vac in the vacuum mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Anthony N. Pink, Dean R. Toensing
  • Patent number: 5689852
    Abstract: An improved convertible electric blower/vac. The blower/vac includes an improved air inlet cover with an adjustable choke member. The air inlet cover also includes a pressure ring for increasing the efficiency of the blower/vac impeller when the unit is operated in the blower mode. The blower/vac also includes a blower tube and a vacuum bag collar, each with resilient tabs that engage receptacles on the blower/vac to retain the blower tube and vacuum bag collar on the unit. The housing outlet of the blower/vac includes guides that interact with longitudinal ribs on the blower tube and the vacuum bag collar to reduce unwanted rotational deflection of the blower tube and vacuum bag collar when either is engaged on the housing outlet. The blower/vac includes an improved vacuum tube for use of the blower/vac in the vacuum mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Steven J. Svoboda, Dean R. Toensing
  • Patent number: 5560078
    Abstract: An improved convertible electric blower/vac. The blower/vac includes an improved air inlet cover with an adjustable choke member. The air inlet cover also includes a pressure ring for increasing the efficiency of the blower/vac impeller when the unit is operated in the blower mode. The blower/vac also includes a blower tube and a vacuum bag collar, each with resilient tabs that engage receptacles on the blower/vac to retain the blower tube and vacuum bag collar on the unit. The housing outlet of the blower/vac includes guides that interact with longitudinal ribs on the blower tube and the vacuum bag collar to reduce unwanted rotational deflection of the blower tube and vacuum bag collar when either is engaged on the housing outlet. The blower/vac includes an improved vacuum tube for use of the blower/vac in the vacuum mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Dean R. Toensing, Steven J. Svoboda, Anthony N. Pink
  • Patent number: 5535479
    Abstract: A portable hand-held convertible blower and vacuum unit having a primary handle on the housing and a secondary handle located on the vacuum tube attachment. The secondary handle comprises a generally compliant gripping surface and enables the operator to connect or disconnect the vacuum tube from the housing in order to convert the unit from blower to vacuum mode or vice versa. The connection between the vacuum tube and the unit housing comprises a bayonet fitting. The handle also affords a second gripping surface for use of the unit during vacuum operation. Since the handle is attached to the vacuum tube, the handle does not hinder use of the unit during blower operation during which the vacuum tube is removed from the housing. When the vacuum tube is attached to the unit housing, the longitudinal axis of the gripping surface of the secondary handle is approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the primary handle that is connected to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Anthony N. Pink, Steven J. Svoboda, Dean R. Toensing
  • Patent number: 5177888
    Abstract: A discharge chute assembly (30) includes a chute (32) and a pivotal deflector (34), the overlapping end portions of which define a partial spherical or ball joint (40) which maintains a tight seal against backflow and leakage over the entire range of rotation and deflection of the assembly. The assembly (30) is preferably secured to a rotatable base (54) by means of lower pivots (70) and a releasable fastener (72) for collapsibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1993
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Richard A. Thorud, Thomas K. Bricko, John R. Hacker, David E. Larsen, Dean R. Toensing, Donald M. White, III
  • Patent number: RE36627
    Abstract: An improved convertible electric blower/vac. The blower/vac includes an improved air inlet cover with an adjustable choke member. The air inlet cover also includes a pressure ring for increasing the efficiency of the blower/vac impeller when the unit is operated in the blower mode. The blower/vac also includes a blower tube and a vacuum bag collar, each with resilient tabs that engage receptacles on the blower/vac to retain the blower tube and vacuum bag collar on the unit. The housing outlet of the blower/vac includes guides that interact with longitudinal ribs on the blower tube and the vacuum bag collar to reduce unwanted rotational deflection of the blower tube and vacuum bag collar when either is engaged on the housing outlet. The blower/vac includes an improved vacuum tube for use of the blower/vac in the vacuum mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Anthony N. Pink, Dean R. Toensing