Patents by Inventor Donald R. Bowers

Donald R. Bowers 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: 5943732
    Abstract: A unique valve door mechanism is disclosed for use in a dual chambered utility type vacuum cleaner having two suction inlets whereby the inactive suction inlet may be selectively closed and sealed off from the atmosphere. The valve door is slidingly suspended between guide rails whereby the door may be selectively positioned adjacent the suction inlet to be disabled. Atmospheric pressure is utilized to urge the valve door against the selected inlet opening thereby sealing off the inlet from the atmosphere. The valve may also be in the form of a rotatable, elbow-shaped body having a single plenum. The body may be rotated between at least two positions where the outlet to the plenum is in fluid communication with a wet tank in one position and a dry tank in the other position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: The Hoover Company
    Inventors: Nick M. Bosyj, Donald R. Bowers, Nicholas Koukourakis, Conway Vincent, Richard A. Wareham, Darwin S. Crouser
  • Patent number: 5644815
    Abstract: A unique valve door mechanism is disclosed for use in a dual chambered utility type vacuum cleaner having two suction inlets whereby the inactive suction inlet may be selectively closed and sealed off from the atmosphere. The valve door is slidingly suspended between guide rails whereby the door may be selectively positioned adjacent the suction inlet to be disabled. Atmospheric pressure is utilized to urge the valve door against the selected inlet opening thereby sealing off the inlet from the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: The Hoover Company
    Inventors: Nick M. Bosyj, Donald R. Bowers, Nicholas Koukourakis, Conway Vincent, Richard A. Wareham
  • Patent number: 5608945
    Abstract: The present invention teaches a utility, wet/dry, tank type, vacuum cleaner suitable for domestic use whereby wet or dry material may be alternately vacuumed. Two storage or receiving chambers are provided, preferably positioned one within the other. Two suction inlets, one communicating with the first chamber and the other communicating with the second chamber are provided such that wet and dry material may be selectively directed, by the user, to the appropriate chamber for collection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: The Hoover Company
    Inventors: Darwin S. Crouser, Nick M. Bosyj, Donald R. Bowers, Nicholas Koukourakis, Richard A. Wareham, Conway Vincent
  • Patent number: 5455983
    Abstract: The present invention teaches a utility, wet/dry, tank type, vacuum cleaner suitable for domestic use whereby wet or dry material may be alternately vacuumed. Two storage or receiving chambers are provided, preferably positioned one within the other. Two suction inlets, one communicating with the first chamber and the other communicating with the second chamber are provided such that wet and dry material may be selectively directed, by the user, to the appropriate chamber for collection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1995
    Assignee: The Hoover Company
    Inventors: Darwin S. Crouser, Nick M. Bosyj, Donald R. Bowers, Nicholas Koukourakis, Richard A. Wareham, Conway Vincent
  • Patent number: 5388301
    Abstract: The present invention discloses and teaches means for effecting a vacuum seal between the cover lid, outer tank and inner tank of a dual tank utility type vacuum cleaner wherein the inner tank is telescopingly positioned within the outer tank and suspended therein from the peripheral rim of the outer tank. The peripheral rims of the cover lid, inner tank and outer tank cooperate to fluidly isolate the inner tank from the outer tank and seal both tanks from the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: The Hoover Company
    Inventors: Nick M. Bosyj, Donald R. Bowers, Nicholas Koukourakis, Conway Vincent
  • Patent number: 4133971
    Abstract: A floor care appliance or the like is provided with a hand grip having a switch retaining member that also serves as a portion of the means utilized for retention of a cord strain relief. The hand grip and handle on which it is mounted provide the remaining portions of the means for retention of the strain relief, while the handle also serves as a retaining means for the switch retaining member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1979
    Assignee: The Hoover Company
    Inventors: Wilton E. Boyd, Donald R. Bowers