Patents by Inventor Eric S. Nortrup

Eric S. Nortrup 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: 10188251
    Abstract: Embodiments include a waste recovery system for a floor surface maintenance machine. The waste recovery system comprises a squeegee assembly having a squeegee frame, a squeegee retainer extending below the squeegee frame and a reservoir integrally defined in the squeegee retainer. The reservoir can have an inlet passage proximal to the floor surface, an outlet passage fluidly coupled to the fluid suction path and leading to the waste recovery tank, and a fluid trap portion positioned between the inlet and outlet passages. The fluid trap portion can retain backflow waste in the fluid suction path. The reservoir is positioned at a clearance distance from the floor surface in a direction normal to the floor surface such that the reservoir forms the lowest portion of the waste recovery system in the direction normal to the floor surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Tennant Company
    Inventors: Eric S. Nortrup, Nicholas E. Boers, Brent Caudill
  • Publication number: 20160120385
    Abstract: Embodiments include a waste recovery system for a floor surface maintenance machine. The waste recovery system comprises a squeegee assembly having a squeegee frame, a squeegee retainer extending below the squeegee frame and a reservoir integrally defined in the squeegee retainer. The reservoir can have an inlet passage proximal to the floor surface, an outlet passage fluidly coupled to the fluid suction path and leading to the waste recovery tank, and a fluid trap portion positioned between the inlet and outlet passages. The fluid trap portion can retain backflow waste in the fluid suction path. The reservoir is positioned at a clearance distance from the floor surface in a direction normal to the floor surface such that the reservoir forms the lowest portion of the waste recovery system in the direction normal to the floor surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventors: Eric S. Nortrup, Nicholas E. Boers, Brent Caudill
  • Patent number: 9125544
    Abstract: A surface maintenance vehicle with a compact cleaning head lift mechanism and suspension. The cleaning head lift mechanism and suspension adjust a scrub head to an operational mode and a transport mode, yet remain compact such that they are confined to specific areas of the surface maintenance vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Tennant Company
    Inventors: Eric S. Nortrup, Matthew R. Hetler, Kevin L. Shinler