Patents by Inventor Mark D. Van Etten

Mark D. Van Etten 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: 6187181
    Abstract: A floating skimmer is provided for use with a pool cleaner of the type powered by a suction or vacuum source, such as by connecting the pool cleaner via a vacuum hose or the like to the suction side of conventional pool water filtration equipment, wherein the floating skimmer is coupled along the vacuum hose and functions to collect debris picked up by the pool cleaner as well as floating debris such as leaves and the like on the pool water surface. The floating skimmer comprises a buoyant housing having a perforated collection basket therein defining a primary debris collection chamber adapted for in-line connection along the vacuum hose to capture debris entrained with water drawn from the suction-powered pool cleaner to the filtration system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Polaris Pool Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerhardus J. Stoltz, Christopher E. Hatch, Mark D. Van Etten
  • Patent number: 6094764
    Abstract: A pool cleaner is provided of the type powered by a suction or vacuum source, such as by connecting the pool cleaner via a vacuum hose or the like to the suction side of a conventional pool water filtration system. The pool cleaner comprises a compact housing carried on wheels for rolling movement along a submerged pool surface. A debris intake nozzle is formed at a lower end of the housing in close proximity with the pool surface, and communicates through a turbine chamber in the housing to the vacuum hose for water-borne vacuuming of debris from the pool surface. Water draw through the turbine chamber rotatably drives a turbine which in turn powers a drive train to rotatably drive the cleaner wheels together with a downforce fan for improved wheel traction. In addition, the drive train operates at least one timer cam for periodically actuating a reverse clutch assembly to drive at least one of the cleaner wheels in reverse for a brief time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Polaris Pool Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Veloskey, Christopher E. Hatch, Kevin J. Braidic, Mark D. Van Etten
  • Patent number: D409341
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Polaris Pool Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark D. Van Etten, Thomas E. Veloskey, Timothy D. Herlehy, Isian S. Monge