Patents by Inventor Jason B. Thorne

Jason B. Thorne 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: 20200008635
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner attachment generally includes a cleaning element that floats relative to a suction conduit of the vacuum cleaner attachment. The cleaning element is supported on a support structure that is movably coupled to a housing and is biased towards a floor, for example, as a result of the weight of the cleaning element support structure. The cleaning element may be permanently attached to the support structure or may be a removable or disposable pad or sheet attached to the support structure. The floating cleaning element may be supported between the suction conduit and one or more wheels of the vacuum cleaner attachment. The vacuum cleaner attachment may be removably attached to a vacuum cleaner, for example, to be used interchangeably with other surface cleaning heads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Publication date: January 9, 2020
    Inventors: Brian Burke, William Liberis, Jason B. Thorne, Charlie Cai, Peter Hutchinson, Andre D. Brown, Kai Xu, Brian M. Bond
  • Publication number: 20200000298
    Abstract: An example of a vacuum pod may include a handle, a vacuum pod body, a dust cup removably coupled to the vacuum pod body, and a fluid conduit fluidly coupled to the dust cup. The fluid conduit may include a flexible hose configured to transition between an expanded and a retracted position and a coupling configured to be removably coupled to the vacuum pod body. A first end of the flexible hose may be coupled to the vacuum pod body and a second end of the flexible hose may be coupled to the coupling. When the coupling is coupled to the vacuum pod body, the flexible hose may be in the retracted position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventors: Andre D. BROWN, Jason B. THORNE, Kai XU, Lee M. COTTRELL, Alexander Calvino, Gordon Howes, AiMing Xu, Wenxiu Gao, Oliver Chambers
  • Publication number: 20190357740
    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: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventors: Jason B. THORNE, Kai XU, Sam LIU, Adam UDY, Daniel J. INNES, Nikola PETROV, Andre D. BROWN
  • Publication number: 20190335968
    Abstract: A docking station for a robotic vacuum cleaner may include a suction motor, a collection bin, and a filter system fluidly coupled to the suction motor. The suction motor may be configured to suction debris from a dust cup of the robotic vacuum cleaner. The filter system may include a filter medium to collect debris suctioned from the dust cup, a compactor configured to urge a first portion of the filter medium towards a second portion of the filter medium such that a closed bag can be formed, and a conveyor configured to urge the closed bag into the collection bin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2019
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Inventors: David HARTING, Jason B. THORNE
  • Publication number: 20190320865
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Inventors: Andre D. BROWN, David S. CLARE, Nicholas SARDAR, Christopher P. PINCHES, Samuel Emrys JAMES, Michael James DOUGLAS, Hugh J. CROGGON, Jason B. THORNE
  • Publication number: 20190320866
    Abstract: In general, the present disclosure is directed to a hand-held surface cleaning device that 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: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Inventors: Jason B. THORNE, Andre D. BROWN, David S. CLARE, Nicholas SARDAR, Christopher P. PINCHES, Samuel Emrys JAMES, Michael James DOUGLAS, Hugh J. CROGGON
  • Patent number: 10426302
    Abstract: A hand vacuum cleaner can include an air inlet conduit having an inlet conduit axis, a suction motor and fan assembly having a suction motor axis of rotation, and an air treatment member. The handle has a hand grip portion that extends upwardly and forwardly and the suction motor is positioned forward of the hand grip portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Omachron Intellectual Property Inc.
    Inventors: Andre D. Brown, Wayne Conrad, Nina Conrad, Lee M. Cottrell, Dave Petersen, Jason B. Thorne, Adam Udy
  • Patent number: 10413144
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner attachment generally includes a cleaning element that floats relative to a suction conduit of the vacuum cleaner attachment. The cleaning element is supported on a support structure that is movably coupled to a housing and is biased towards a floor, for example, as a result of the weight of the cleaning element support structure. The cleaning element may be permanently attached to the support structure or may be a removable or disposable pad or sheet attached to the support structure. The floating cleaning element may be supported between the suction conduit and one or more wheels of the vacuum cleaner attachment. The vacuum cleaner attachment may be removably attached to a vacuum cleaner, for example, to be used interchangeably with other surface cleaning heads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: SharkNinja Operating LLC
    Inventors: Brian Burke, William Liberis, Jason B. Thorne, Charlie Cai, Peter Hutchinson, Andre David Brown, Kai Xu, Brian M. Bond
  • Publication number: 20190274500
    Abstract: A multi-mode cleaning apparatus with suction may include a wand with a handle, a suction motor for providing suction, a bare floor unit configured to be movable by the wand and fluidly coupled to the suction motor, and a sweeper unit configured to be movable by the wand and fluidly coupled to the suction motor. The bare floor unit is configured for use in a suction only mode. The sweeper unit includes a rotatable brush roll and is configured for use in a brush roll only mode or a suction and brush roll mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Inventors: Jason B. THORNE, Gao WENXIU, Peter HUTCHINSON
  • Patent number: 10327610
    Abstract: A hand vacuum cleaner has a suction motor and fan assembly having a suction motor axis of rotation, an air treatment member having an openable door and a central longitudinal axis extending between the front and rear ends of the air treatment member; and, a handle having a having a hand grip portion wherein the hand grip portion extends upwardly and forwardly when the hand vacuum cleaner is oriented with the upper end of the hand vacuum cleaner above the lower end of the hand vacuum cleaner. The central longitudinal axis intersects the openable door and the hand grip portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Omachron Intellectual Property Inc.
    Inventors: Andre D. Brown, Wayne Conrad, Nina Conrad, Lee M. Cottrell, Dave Petersen, Jason B. Thorne, Adam Udy
  • Patent number: 10244906
    Abstract: A hand vacuum cleaner has an air treatment member, a pre-motor filter housing having an openable door and a pre-motor filter media is provided in the pre-motor housing. The openable door is openable while the air treatment member is provided on the hand vacuum cleaner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Omachron Intellectual Property Inc.
    Inventors: Andre D. Brown, Wayne Conrad, Nina Conrad, Lee M. Cottrell, Dave Petersen, Jason B. Thorne, Adam Udy
  • Publication number: 20190090701
    Abstract: In general, the present disclosure is directed to a hand-held surface cleaning device that includes a relatively compact form-factor to allow users to store the same in a nearby location (e.g., in a drawer, in an associated charging dock, on a table top) for easy access to perform relatively small cleaning tasks that would otherwise require retrieving a full-size vacuum from storage. A hand-held surface cleaning device consistent with aspects of the present disclosure includes a body (or body portion) with a motor, power source and dust cup disposed therein. The body portion also functions as a handgrip to allow the hand-held surface cleaning device to be operated by one hand, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: Daniel TONDERYS, Andre D. BROWN, Daniel INNES, Bastin ANTONISAMI, Jason B. THORNE, Kai XU, Heliang CHEN
  • Publication number: 20190090705
    Abstract: A robotic cleaning apparatus can include a body and at least one antenna extending from a periphery of the body. The at least one antenna can be configured to rotate about an axis that extends substantially parallel to a surface to be cleaned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: Jason B. THORNE, Daniel R. DER MARDEROSIAN, Charles BRUNNER, Dan GUTIERREZ, Isaku Douglas KAMADA, Rain GU, Ming YAO, Heliang CHEN, Frederick K. HOPKE
  • Patent number: 10238249
    Abstract: A hand vacuum cleaner wherein the suction motor axis of rotation is generally parallel to the central longitudinal axis and when the hand vacuum cleaner is oriented with the upper end above the lower end, the suction motor axis of rotation is positioned above the central longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Omachron Intellectual Property Inc.
    Inventors: Andre D. Brown, Wayne Conrad, Nina Conrad, Lee M. Cottrell, Dave Petersen, Jason B. Thorne, Adam Udy
  • Publication number: 20190085852
    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: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    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
  • Publication number: 20190069740
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner tool having a brush head, a rotatable duct, and a hinge. The rotatable duct is configured to receive a hose or wand and rotates about the hinge relative to the brush head, between a use position and storage position. In a storage position, the rotatable duct extends generally parallel, or in-line with the brush head and, in a use position, the rotatable duct extends generally perpendicular to the brush head. The vacuum cleaner tool may removably attach to the vacuum cleaner via a release on one end of the brush head interacting with a fixed catch on the vacuum cleaner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2018
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Inventors: Jason B. THORNE, Alexander CALVINO, Mingshun SU, Robert YANG, Charlie CAI, Gordon HOWES, Brian M. BOND, Leanna CORNELIUS
  • Publication number: 20190059668
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner can include an upright section, a surface cleaning head coupled to the upright section, and at least one wheel coupled to the surface cleaning head. The at least one wheel can include a hub, a rim, and an absorber. The absorber can extend between the hub and the rim. The absorber can be configured to deform before the rim experiences substantial deformation. A deformation limiter can be provided that is configured to limit the deformation in the absorber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2018
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Inventors: Jason B. THORNE, Pu ZHOU, Ming YAO, Gordon HOWES
  • Publication number: 20190038098
    Abstract: A flexible hose for use with surface cleaning devices is disclosed that includes a support structure that allows a user to collapse and lock the same into a storage configuration, and then easily unlock the same using a relatively minor amount of force, e.g., a user-applied pulling force or mechanical force. Thus, in a general sense, a hose consistent with the present disclosure may include two relatively stable/steady-state configurations, namely a storage configuration and an in-use configuration. Thus, the hose allows a user to collapse and lock the hose when not in use, and to transition the hose to an in-use configuration to target various types of surfaces to clean including, for instance, floors, walls and ceilings which may be many feet (e.g., up to 5 feet or more) from the surface cleaning apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventors: Jason B. THORNE, Andre D. BROWN, Daniel INNES, Lee M. COTTRELL, Adam UDY, Daniel TONDERYS, David CLARE, Kai XU
  • Patent number: D849345
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: SharkNinja Operating LLC
    Inventors: Jason B. Thorne, Yao Ming, Daniel R. Der Marderosian, Daniel Meyer, Patrick Clearly, Gordon Howes, David Wu, Nancy Gao Wenxiu
  • Patent number: D872955
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: SharkNinja Operating LLC
    Inventors: Jason B. Thorne, Yao Ming, Daniel R. Der Marderosian, Daniel Meyer, Patrick Cleary, Gordon Howes, David Wu, Nancy Gao Wenxiu