Patents by Inventor Paul D. Stephens
Paul D. Stephens 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).
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Patent number: 7131165Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a first housing defining a cyclonic airflow chamber and a second housing defining a main suction opening that is in communication with an inlet of the cyclonic chamber. A suction source has a suction airstream inlet in communication with an outlet of the cyclonic chamber, and establishes a suction airstream that enters said main suction opening, passes through said cyclonic chamber, and passes to an outlet of said suction source. A substantial portion of particulates entrained in the suction airstream are separated therefrom when said suction airstream moves in a cyclonic fashion through the cyclonic chamber.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2004Date of Patent: November 7, 2006Assignee: Royal Appliance Mfg. Co.Inventors: Michael F. Wright, Charles J. Thur, Brett Latimer, Paul D. Stephens, Mark E. Cipolla, Craig J. Barbeck
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Patent number: 7114216Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a cyclonic airflow chamber that facilitates the separation of contaminants from a suction airstream. The airflow chamber includes a chamber inlet and a chamber outlet, with the chamber inlet being fluidically connected with at least one of a suction nozzle and an above-the-floor cleaning tool. An exhaust filter housing includes a suction duct and an exhaust plenum, with the suction duct communicating with the chamber outlet. A suction source housing includes an open end communicating with the exhaust plenum and a closed end. A suction source is positioned within the suction source housing to define an annular exhaust flow passageway surrounding the suction source from the housing closed end to the housing open end. The suction source includes a suction inlet communicating with the suction duct and an exhaust outlet communicating with the housing closed end.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2003Date of Patent: October 3, 2006Assignee: Royal Appliance Mfg. Co.Inventors: Paul D. Stephens, Jeffrey M. Kalman, Steven J. Paliobeis, Charles J. Thur
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Patent number: 7052523Abstract: A bagless canister vacuum cleaner includes a selectively removable dirt cup, and an airstream flows rotationally through the dirt cup between an interior wall of the dirt cup and a filter assembly selectively mounted in the dirt cup so that entrained contaminants are separated from the airstream flowing through the dirt cup and collected by the dirt cup. The filter lies substantially parallel to the support surface on which the vacuum cleaner is supported. A cover member is connected to the main housing, and the cover member is selectively movable to and held in an operative position in covering relation with an open first end of a dirt cup. The main housing defines a base conformed to self-support the main housing on a support surface with the dirt cup arranged with its open first end at a higher elevation than its closed second end. The removable dirt cup includes a handle adapted for being held by a user, and the dirt cup defines or includes a spout to facilitate emptying dirt therefrom.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2004Date of Patent: May 30, 2006Assignee: Royal Appliance Mfg. Co.Inventors: John S. Murphy, Robert A. Matousek, Jeffrey M. Kalman, Craig M. Saunders, Richard C. Farone, David DiNunzio, Mark E. Cipolla, Paul D. Stephens, Michael F. Wright, Robert A. Salo
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Patent number: 6948211Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a cyclonic airflow chamber that facilitates the separation of contaminants from a suction airstream. The airflow chamber includes a chamber inlet and a chamber outlet, with the chamber inlet being fluidically connected with at least one of a suction nozzle and an above-the-floor cleaning tool. An exhaust filter housing includes a suction duct and an exhaust plenum, with the suction duct communicating with the chamber outlet. A suction source housing includes an open end communicating with the exhaust plenum and a closed end. A suction source is positioned within the suction source housing to define an annular exhaust flow passageway surrounding the suction source from the housing closed end to the housing open end. The suction source includes a suction inlet communicating with the suction duct and an exhaust outlet communicating with the housing closed end.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2002Date of Patent: September 27, 2005Assignee: Royal Appliance Mfg. Co.Inventors: Paul D. Stephens, Jeffrey M. Kalman, Steven J. Paliobeis, Charles J. Thur
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Patent number: 6848146Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a first housing defining a cyclonic airflow chamber and a second housing defining a main suction opening that is in communication with an inlet of the cyclonic chamber. A suction source has a suction airstream inlet in communication with an outlet of the cyclonic chamber, and establishes a suction airstream that enters said main suction opening, passes through said cyclonic chamber, and passes to an outlet of said suction source. A substantial portion of particulates entrained in the suction airstream are separated therefrom when said suction airstream moves in a cyclonic fashion through the cyclonic chamber.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2003Date of Patent: February 1, 2005Assignee: Royal Appliance Mfg. Co.Inventors: Michael F. Wright, Charles J. Thur, Brett Latimer, Paul D. Stephens, Mark E. Cipolla, Craig J. Barbeck
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Publication number: 20040163201Abstract: A bagless canister vacuum cleaner includes a selectively removable dirt cup, and an airstream flows rotationally through the dirt cup between an interior wall of the dirt cup and a filter assembly selectively mounted in the dirt cup so that entrained contaminants are separated from the airstream flowing through the dirt cup and collected by the dirt cup. The filter lies substantially parallel to the support surface on which the vacuum cleaner is supported. A cover member is connected to the main housing, and the cover member is selectively movable to and held in an operative position in covering relation with an open first end of a dirt cup. The main housing defines a base conformed to self-support the main housing on a support surface with the dirt cup arranged with its open first end at a higher elevation than its closed second end. The removable dirt cup includes a handle adapted for being held by a user, and the dirt cup defines or includes a spout to facilitate emptying dirt therefrom.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2004Publication date: August 26, 2004Applicant: Royal Appliance Mfg. Co.Inventors: John S. Murphy, Robert A. Matousek, Jeffrey M. Kalman, Craig M. Saunders, Richard C. Farone, David DiNunzio, Mark E. Cipolla, Paul D. Stephens, Michael F. Wright, Robert A. Salo
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Publication number: 20040139573Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a cyclonic airflow chamber that facilitates the separation of contaminants from a suction airstream. The airflow chamber includes a chamber inlet and a chamber outlet, with the chamber inlet being fluidically connected with at least one of a suction nozzle and an above-the-floor cleaning tool. An exhaust filter housing includes a suction duct and an exhaust plenum, with the suction duct communicating with the chamber outlet. A suction source housing includes an open end communicating with the exhaust plenum and a closed end. A suction source is positioned within the suction source housing to define an annular exhaust flow passageway surrounding the suction source from the housing closed end to the housing open end. The suction source includes a suction inlet communicating with the suction duct and an exhaust outlet communicating with the housing closed end.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 2, 2004Publication date: July 22, 2004Inventors: Paul D. Stephens, Jeffrey M. Kalman, Steven J. Paliobeis, Charles J. Thur
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Patent number: 6745432Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a first housing defining a cyclonic airflow chamber and a second housing defining a main suction opening that is in communication with an inlet of the cyclonic chamber. A suction source has a suction airstream inlet in communication with an outlet of the cyclonic chamber, and establishes a suction airstream that enters said main suction opening, passes through said cyclonic chamber, and passes to an outlet of said suction source. A substantial portion of particulates entrained in the suction airstream are separated therefrom when said suction airstream moves in a cyclonic fashion through the cyclonic chamber.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2002Date of Patent: June 8, 2004Assignee: Royal Appliance Mfg. Co.Inventors: Michael F. Wright, Charles J. Thur, Brett Latimer, Paul D. Stephens, Mark E. Cipolla, Craig J. Barbeck
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Patent number: 6725499Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a first housing member with at least one housing wall defining a first housing passage. The first housing passage having an intake end adjacent a subjacent surface and a discharge end opposite the intake end. A second housing member mounted on the first housing member with the second housing member including a filter chamber. The filter chamber has at least one filter chamber wall defining a collection cavity therein. The at least one filter chamber wall has a port communicating with the collection cavity. A vacuum source supported on either the first or second housing member and in fluid communication with the first housing passage and the port. A conduit extends between the discharge end of the first housing passage and the port of the filter chamber. The conduit has a conduit wall defining a conduit passage in fluid communication between the first housing passage and the port.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2002Date of Patent: April 27, 2004Assignee: Royal Appliance Mfg. Co.Inventors: Steven J. Palobeis, Paul D. Stephens
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Patent number: 6712868Abstract: A bagless canister vacuum cleaner includes a selectively removable dirt cup, and an airstream flows rotationally through the dirt cup between an interior wall of the dirt cup and a filter assembly selectively mounted in the dirt cup so that entrained contaminants are separated from the airstream flowing through the dirt cup and collected by the dirt cup. The filter lies substantially parallel to the support surface on which the vacuum cleaner is supported. A cover member is connected to the main housing, and the cover member is selectively movable to and held in an operative position in covering relation with an open first end of a dirt cup. The main housing defines a base conformed to self-support the main housing on a support surface with the dirt cup arranged with its open first end at a higher elevation than its closed second end. The removable dirt cup includes a handle adapted for being held by a user, and the dirt cup defines or includes a spout to facilitate emptying dirt therefrom.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2001Date of Patent: March 30, 2004Assignee: Royal Appliance Mfg. Co.Inventors: John S. Murphy, Robert A. Matousek, Jeffrey M. Kalman, Craig M. Saunders, Richard C. Farone, David DiNunzio, Mark E. Cipolla, Paul D. Stephens, Michael F. Wright, Robert A. Salo
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Publication number: 20040016078Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a first housing defining a cyclonic airflow chamber and a second housing defining a main suction opening that is in communication with an inlet of the cyclonic chamber. A suction source has a suction airstream inlet in communication with an outlet of the cyclonic chamber, and establishes a suction airstream that enters said main suction opening, passes through said cyclonic chamber, and passes to an outlet of said suction source. A substantial portion of particulates entrained in the suction airstream are separated therefrom when said suction airstream moves in a cyclonic fashion through the cyclonic chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2003Publication date: January 29, 2004Applicant: Royal Appliance Mfg. Co.Inventors: Michael F. Wright, Charles J. Thur, Brett Latimer, Paul D. Stephens, Mark E. Cipolla, Craig J. Barbeck
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Publication number: 20030145424Abstract: A brushroll for a vacuum cleaner includes a roll body with a first end, a second end and a rotational axis. A first bore extends from the first end to the second end along the rotational axis. The roll body further includes a first connecting element located at the roll body second end. The brushroll further has a pulley including a first end, a second end and a rotational axis. A second centrally positioned bore extends from the pulley first end to the pulley second end along the pulley rotational axis. The pulley further includes a second connecting element located at the pulley first end for engaging the first connecting element. A shaft extends through the first and second bores. At least one bearing is mounted on the shaft and rotatably mounts at least one of the roll body and the pulley to the shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2002Publication date: August 7, 2003Applicant: Royal Appliance Mfg. Co.Inventors: Paul D. Stephens, Mark E. Cipolla
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Publication number: 20030131442Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a first housing member with at least one housing wall defining a first housing passage. The first housing passage having an intake end adjacent a subjacent surface and a discharge end opposite the intake end. A second housing member mounted on the first housing member with the second housing member including a filter chamber. The filter chamber has at least one filter chamber wall defining a collection cavity therein. The at least one filter chamber wall has a port communicating with the collection cavity. A vacuum source supported on either the first or second housing member and in fluid communication with the first housing passage and the port. A conduit extends between the discharge end of the first housing passage and the port of the filter chamber. The conduit has a conduit wall defining a conduit passage in fluid communication between the first housing passage and the port.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2002Publication date: July 17, 2003Applicant: Royal Appliance Mfg. Co.Inventors: Steven J. Palobeis, Paul D. Stephens
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Patent number: 6536072Abstract: A dirt cup latching arrangement includes a cleaner housing portion and a dirt cup mounted on the housing portion to define a mounted position. A latch assembly is pivotally mounted to the housing portion. A catch frame is pivotally mounted to the housing portion in spaced relation to the latch assembly. The latch assembly and the catch frame cooperate to selectively secure the dirt cup to the housing portion. A tool storage arrangement can include a cap pivotally mounted to the housing with the cap having an upper surface and a lower surface. At least one indentation is located on the cap upper surface and is shaped for accommodating an associated cleaning tool of the vacuum cleaner.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2001Date of Patent: March 25, 2003Assignee: Royal Appliance Mfg. Co.Inventors: Charles J. Thur, Michael A. Seifried, Paul D. Stephens, Steven J. Paliobeis, Jeffrey M. Kalman
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Patent number: 6532621Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a cyclonic airflow chamber that facilitates the separation of contaminants from a suction airstream. The airflow chamber includes a chamber inlet and a chamber outlet, with the chamber inlet being fluidically connected with at least one of a suction nozzle and an above-the-floor cleaning tool. An exhaust filter housing includes a suction duct and an exhaust plenum, with the suction duct communicating with the chamber outlet. A suction source housing includes an open end communicating with the exhaust plenum and a closed end. A suction source is positioned within the suction source housing to define an annular exhaust flow passageway surrounding the suction source from the housing closed end to the housing open end. The suction source includes a suction inlet communicating with the suction duct and an exhaust outlet communicating with the housing closed end.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2001Date of Patent: March 18, 2003Assignee: Royal Appliance Mfg. Co.Inventors: Paul D. Stephens, Jeffrey M. Kalman, Steven J. Paliobeis, Charles J. Thur
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Publication number: 20030037406Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a first housing defining a cyclonic airflow chamber and a second housing defining a main suction opening that is in communication with an inlet of the cyclonic chamber. A suction source has a suction airstream inlet in communication with an outlet of the cyclonic chamber, and establishes a suction airstream that enters said main suction opening, passes through said cyclonic chamber, and passes to an outlet of said suction source. A substantial portion of particulates entrained in the suction airstream are separated therefrom when said suction airstream moves in a cyclonic fashion through the cyclonic chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2002Publication date: February 27, 2003Applicant: Royal Appliance Mfg. Co.Inventors: Michael F. Wright, Charles J. Thur, Brett Latimer, Paul D. Stephens, Mark E. Cipolla, Craig J. Barbeck
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Publication number: 20020194695Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a cyclonic airflow chamber that facilitates the separation of contaminants from a suction airstream. The airflow chamber includes a chamber inlet and a chamber outlet, with the chamber inlet being fluidically connected with at least one of a suction nozzle and an above-the-floor cleaning tool. An exhaust filter housing includes a suction duct and an exhaust plenum, with the suction duct communicating with the chamber outlet. A suction source housing includes an open end communicating with the exhaust plenum and a closed end. A suction source is positioned within the suction source housing to define an annular exhaust flow passageway surrounding the suction source from the housing closed end to the housing open end. The suction source includes a suction inlet communicating with the suction duct and an exhaust outlet communicating with the housing closed end.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2002Publication date: December 26, 2002Applicant: Royal Appliance Mfg. Co.Inventors: Paul D. Stephens, Jeffrey M. Kalman, Steven J. Paliobeis, Charles J. Thur
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Patent number: RE38949Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner (A) includes an upright housing section (B) and a nozzle section (C). A cyclonic airflow dirt and dust separating chamber (54) is defined in said upright housing section. A suction source (E) pulls air and entrained dirt, dust, and other contaminants through a main suction opening (26) formed in the underside (24) of the nozzle and into the cyclonic airflow chamber (54). The cyclonic airflow chamber causes the suction airstream to travel in a cyclonic path such that the entrained contaminants are separated therefrom and deposited into a dirt container (52) that defines the lower portion of the chamber (54). A main filter element (11) filters residual contaminants from the suction airstream between the chamber and the suction source. The main filter element is preferably made from high-density polyethylene porous filter media.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2002Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Royal Appliance Mfg. Co.Inventors: Michael F. Wright, Charles J. Thur, Mark E. Cipolla, Brett A. Latimer, Paul D. Stephens
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Patent number: D480849Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2002Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: Royal Appliance Mfg. Co.Inventors: Paul D. Stephens, Robert A. Salo, Mark E. Cipolla, Craig J. Barbeck, Jeffrey M. Kalman, Craig M. Saunders, David J. Boll
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Patent number: D480851Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2002Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: Royal Appliance Mfg. Co.Inventors: Paul D. Stephens, Robert A. Salo, Mark E. Cipolla, Craig J. Barbeck, Jeffrey M. Kalman, Craig M. Saunders, David J. Boll