Patents by Inventor Michael R. Blase

Michael R. Blase 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: 5867861
    Abstract: A water extraction cleaning machine has a suction nozzle assembly with two suction nozzle openings incorporated. The suction nozzle openings are preferably positioned one on each side of the cleaning solution spray nozzles so that the cleaning machine can be used for simultaneous application and removal of cleaning fluid regardless of whether the user is pushing or pulling the cleaning machine. In another aspect, a plate member is slidably mounted to the bottom of the suction nozzle assembly. The plate member has a pair of suction nozzle openings which are spaced to seal one of the two suction nozzles of the suction nozzle assembly depending upon the direction of travel of the suction nozzle assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Inventors: Timothy E. Kasen, Stephen J. Simpson, Luke E. Kelly, Charles A. Reed, Jr., Michael R. Blase, deceased, by Gloria R. Blase, legal representative
  • Patent number: 5287587
    Abstract: A vacuum extractor has a tank assembly including an outer tank and a coaxial inner tank. The inner tank has an open top which is reversibly closed by a cover assembly which includes a vacuum source and a liquid pump. The cover assembly also includes a hose connection in communication with said inner tank and said vacuum source enabling said inner tank to receive either wet or dry materials. The outer tank is substantially closed having an input port closed by a closure member configured in the form of a measuring cup. The outer tank is used for containing a cleaning material which can be accessed through a hose which passes through an aperture in the outer wall of the tank. The hose has an external connector for supplying cleaning material to the liquid pump in the cover assembly which, in turn, supplies the cleaning material to a cleaning tool. The unit is supported by casters which are recessed into the bottom of the tank assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1994
    Inventors: Robert A. Yonkers, Brenda L. Reath, Michael R. Blase
  • Patent number: 5237720
    Abstract: A liquid extraction surface cleaning apparatus having a cleaning solution tank and a recovery tank held in a floor-supported carriage with the tanks having sidewalls extending above the carriage. A housing which contains a suction fan, a suction chamber, a suction inlet connecting with the chamber and a water and air separator sits on top of the tanks with the suction chamber over the recovery tank. The housing is latched to the carriage capturing the tanks. A cleaning solution dispensing means extracts cleaning solution from the solution tank. Each tank has a pivotally connected handle and the cleaning solution tank has a chemical dispensing tray integral to its handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Assignee: Bissell Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Blase, Giovanni Pino, Kenneth E. Gibbs, Douglas C. Finn
  • Patent number: 5146647
    Abstract: A liquid extraction surface cleaning apparatus having a cleaning solution tank and a recovery tank held in a floor-supported carriage with the tanks having sidewalls extending above the carriage. A housing which contains a suction fan, a suction chamber, a suction inlet connecting with the chamber and a water and air separator sits on top of the tanks with the suction chamber over the recovery tank. The housing is latched to the carriage capturing the tanks. A cleaning solution dispensing means extracts cleaning solution from the solution tank. Each tank has a pivotally connected handle and the cleaning solution tank has a chemical dispensing tray integral to its handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1992
    Assignee: Bissell Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Blase, Giovanni Pino, Kenneth E. Gibbs, Douglas C. Finn
  • Patent number: 5087018
    Abstract: A fluid flow control valve according to the invention includes a base, a valve member, a trigger member and attachment means for attaching the trigger member to the valve member. The base includes a generally horizontal throat and a flange having an upwardly facing surface. The valve member has a stem, a flow level establishing member associated with the stem and biasing means for biasing the stem in a direction opposite to that in which the throat extends. The trigger member includes a pin configured to rotate against an inner end portion of the throat, a flange having a downwardly facing surface and an actuating portion. The biasing means acts in a direction through the attachment means to pull the actuating portion downwardly such that the flanges engage in order to retain the pin in the throat. In this manner, the valve may be assembled without the use of fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1992
    Assignee: Bissell Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Blase, Henry J. Rosendall, Gordon W. Goodrich
  • Patent number: 5079802
    Abstract: The present invention is a suction hose clip for connecting an accessory hose, an accessory cable or the like to the suction hose of a vacuum cleaning device. The clip is generally ring-shaped with an open side defining two opposing ends. The clip has an accessory receiving area positioned generally opposite to the open side. Oppositely facing hook portions are provided at the two opposing ends and engage with each other to provide a hook over hook closure to close the clip around a suction hose. A rib projects from the inner wall of the clip to engage the corrugated surface of a suction hose and keep the clip from sliding along the length of the suction hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1992
    Assignee: Bissell Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Blase, Giovanni Pino
  • Patent number: 4910828
    Abstract: A cleaning apparatus which is of a compact construction to facilitate easy manipulation and portability includes a housing enclosing a fluid pump and a vacuum fan and mounting upon opposite sides a recovery tank and a stowage panel. The stowage panel is adapted to stow the flexible wand having a nozzle when not in use. Also, the high voltage motor driving the vacuum pump is adapted to also act as half of a transformer in order to pick off the lower voltage needed for the low voltage motor driving the fluid pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1990
    Assignee: Bissell Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Blase, Henry J. Rosendall, Daniel L. Koltak, David E. McDowell
  • Patent number: 4864680
    Abstract: A liquid extraction surface cleaning apparatus has an upwardly opening recovery tank and a top for the tank which contains a suction fan having a suction inlet opening into the tank. A wand connects to a source of cleaning liquid and has a dispensing and pickup head that deposits liquid on the surface to be cleaned in response to actuation of a control valve and picks up dirty fluid. A water and air separator has an arcuate surface transverse of the flow path of the air and spent liquid which gently separates them into separate streams by diverting the cleaning liquid laterally away from the air stream. A shutoff valve for preventing recovered liquid in the tank from entering the suction fan is mounted in the recovery tank rather than to the suction inlet to avoid dripping dirty liquid onto the floor when the cover is removed. A handle is mounted internal the tank and additionally serves to strengthen the tank sidewalls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1989
    Assignee: Bissell, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Blase, Henry J. Rosendall, Gordon W. Goodrich
  • Patent number: 4854544
    Abstract: A fluid flow control valve according to the invention includes a base, a valve member, a trigger member and attachment means for attaching the trigger member to the valve member. The base includes a generally horizontal throat and a flange having an upwardly facing surface. The valve member has a stem, a flow level establishing member associated with the stem and biasing means for biasing the stem in a direction opposite to that in which the throat extends. The trigger member includes a pin configured to rotate against an inner end portion of the throat, a flange having a downwardly facing surface and an actuating portion. The biasing means acts in a direction through the attachment means to pull the actuating portion downwardly such that the flanges engage in order to retain the pin in the throat. In this manner, the valve may be assembled without the use of fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1989
    Assignee: Bissell, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Blase, Henry J. Rosendall, Gordon W. Goodrich
  • Patent number: 4847943
    Abstract: A liquid extraction surface cleaning apparatus has an upwardly opening recovery tank and a top for the tank which contains a suction fan having a suction inlet opening into the tank. A wand connects to a source of cleaning liquid and has a dispensing and pickup head that deposits liquid on the surface to be cleaned in response to actuation of a control valve and picks up dirty fluid. A water and air separator has an arcuate surface transverse of the flow path of the air and spent liquid which gently separates them into separate streams by diverting the cleaning liquid laterally away from the air stream. A shutoff valve for preventing recovered liquid in the tank from entering the suction fan is mounted in the recovery tank rather than to the suction inlet to avoid dripping dirty liquid onto the floor when the cover is removed. A handle is mounted internal the tank and additionally serves to strengthen the tank sidewalls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1989
    Assignee: Bissell, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Blase, Henry J. Rosendall, Gordon W. Goodrich
  • Patent number: 4827562
    Abstract: A liquid extraction surface cleaning apparatus has an upwardly opening recovery tank and a top for the tank which contains a suction fan having a suction inlet opening into the tank. A wand connects to a source of cleaning liquid and has a dispensing and pickup head that deposits liquid on the surface to be cleaned in response to actuation of a control valve and picks up dirty fluid. A water and air separator has an arcuate surface transverse of the flow path of the air and spent liquid which gently separates them into separate streams by diverting the cleaning liquid laterally away from the air stream. A shutoff valve for preventing recovered liquid in the tank from entering the suction fan is mounted in the recovery tank rather than to the suction inlet to avoid dripping dirty liquid onto the floor when the cover is removed. A handle is mounted internal the tank and additionally serves to strengthen the tank sidewalls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1989
    Assignee: Bissell Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Blase, Gordon W. Goodrich, Henry J. Rosendall
  • Patent number: 4800613
    Abstract: A liquid extraction surface cleaning apparatus has an upwardly opening recovery tank and a top for the tank which contains a suction fan having a suction inlet opening into the tank. A wand connects to a source of cleaning liquid and has a dispensing and pickup head that deposits liquid on the surface to be cleaned in response to actuation of a control valve and picks up dirty fluid. A water and air separator has an arcuate surface transverse of the flow path of the air and spent liquid which gently separates them into separate streams by diverting the cleaning liquid laterally away from the air stream. A shutoff valve for preventing recovered liquid in the tank from entering the suction fan is mounted in the recovery tank rather than to the suction inlet to avoid dripping dirty liquid onto the floor when the cover is removed. A handle is mounted internal the tank and additionally serves to strengthen the tank sidewalls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1989
    Assignee: Bissell, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Blase, Henry J. Rosendall, Gordon W. Goodrich