Patents by Inventor Kevin L. Thomas

Kevin L. Thomas 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: 20020066149
    Abstract: A self-propelled bare floor cleaner is provided having a random motion generator which enhances the maneuverability of the bare floor cleaner. The random motion generator is rotatably attached to the frame of the cleaner and propels the cleaner across the floor in a random motion. This random motion facilitates cleaning of the floor by making the cleaner easier to manipulate. The random motion generator includes a hollow spherical shell. In the preferred embodiment, the hollow spherical shell houses a weighted motor assembly which is rotatably mounted on a center fixed axle which extends diametrically between the first and second hemispherical halves and is attached thereto. The weighted motor assembly is comprised of a motor housing and a power source, such as batteries or cells. A motor is housed within the motor housing and rotates the motor housing about the center fixed axle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Inventors: Douglas E. Gerber, Kevin L. Thomas
  • Patent number: 6282747
    Abstract: A self-propelled upright vacuum cleaner is provided having a lower portion and an upright handle portion pivotally attached to the floor engaging portion for a pivotal motion between an upright storage position and a pivotal operating position including a transmission operatively connected to a drive wheel and a motor drivingly connected to the transmission for driving the drive wheel in forward and reverse. A clutch engaging member is pivotally mounted to the floor engaging portion adjacent to the transmission for pivotal motion about a pivot axis located generally at a forward portion of the clutch engaging member. Operably associated with the clutch engaging member is a transverse linking member that reciprocates from a neutral position in first and second directions in response to pivotal motion of a bottom link. The reciprocation of the transverse link selectively moves said clutch engaging member from a neutral position to a forward drive position and a reverse drive position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: The Hoover Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Morgan, Jeffrey S. Louis, Kevin L. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20010014987
    Abstract: A novel carpet extractor is disclosed having a first cleaning liquid conduit that communicates a supply reservoir with a cleaning liquid distributor via a first valve and a second cleaning liquid conduit that communicates the supply reservoir with the liquid distributor via a second valve. The first valve is actuated by a main trigger and the second valve is actuated by a surge button, both of which are conveniently located in the hand grip on the handle of the machine for propelling the machine over a floor surface. A first normal flow of cleaning liquid is obtained for normal cleaning by depressing the trigger and a second greater flow of cleaning liquid is obtained by depressing the button and the trigger simultaneously. A mechanism is preferably included that will open the first valve in the event an operator depresses only the surge button.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Publication date: August 23, 2001
    Inventors: Erik D. Lesco, David G. Mueller, Kevin L. Thomas
  • Patent number: 6247202
    Abstract: A novel carpet extractor is disclosed having a first cleaning liquid conduit that communicates a supply reservoir with a cleaning liquid distributor via a first valve and a second cleaning liquid conduit that communicates the supply reservoir with the liquid distributor via a second valve. The first valve is actuated by a main trigger and the second valve is actuated by a surge button, both of which are conveniently located in the hand grip on the handle of the machine for propelling the machine over a floor surface. A first normal flow of cleaning liquid is obtained for normal cleaning by depressing the trigger and a second greater flow of cleaning liquid is obtained by depressing the button and the trigger simultaneously. A mechanism is preferably included that will open the first valve in the event an operator depresses only the surge button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: The Hoover Company
    Inventors: Erik D. Lesco, David G. Mueller, Kevin L. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5983449
    Abstract: A dirt conveying duct arrangement is formed between a nozzle and motor-fan of a vacuum cleaner and includes front and rear duct sections. The front duct section is open at the bottom thereof and covered by a removable bottom plate. The rear duct section is open at the top thereof and is covered by a removable top duct cover. The two-section dirt conveying duct arrangement allows clogs to be removed along the entire length thereof. The corner formed between the rear duct section and the motor-fan inlet may be molded with a radius to improve airflow into the motor-fan and limit losses in suction pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: The Hoover Company
    Inventors: Kevin L. Thomas, Edgar A. Maurer
  • Patent number: D457278
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: The Hoover Company
    Inventors: William G. Alford, John D. Essex, Jeffery A. Morgan, Kevin L. Thomas, Gad Shaanan, Ivan Brousseau, Sana S. K. Mok