Patents by Inventor Richard E. Downey

Richard E. Downey 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).

  • Nozzle assembly with one piece body
    Patent number: 8938851
    Abstract: A nozzle assembly for a floor care appliance includes a one-piece body. The one-piece body has a first face and a second face that is opposed to the first face. The first face forms a first cavity while the second face forms a second cavity. A rotary agitator is received in the first cavity. A drive motor is received in the second cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventors: Ryan T. Dant, Eric J. Streciwilk, Richard E. Downey, Shannon D. Phegley
  • NOZZLE ASSEMBLY WITH ONE PIECE BODY
    Publication number: 20120324674
    Abstract: A nozzle assembly for a floor care appliance includes a one-piece body. The one-piece body has a first face and a second face that is opposed to the first face. The first face forms a first cavity while the second face forms a second cavity. A rotary agitator is received in the first cavity. A drive motor is received in the second cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventors: Ryan T. Dant, Eric J. Streciwilk, Richard E. Downey, Shannon D. Phegley
  • Swivel assembly for connecting a wand to a nozzle assembly of a vacuum cleaner
    Patent number: 7356876
    Abstract: In one aspect, a swivel assembly connects a wand to a nozzle assembly of a vacuum cleaner. The assembly includes a connector for pivotally connecting to the nozzle assembly and having an oversized opening formed in an outer sidewall thereof. A receiver is provided for receiving the wand at a first end and for connecting with the connector at the second end. A locking clip includes a lug movably received in the opening formed in the sidewall of the connector. Consequently, movement of the lug within the opening permits limited rotation of the receiver relative to the connector while restraining separation of the receiver from the connector. A related method of connecting a wand to a nozzle assembly is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventors: Ryan T. Dant, Richard E. Downey
  • SWIVEL ASSEMBLY FOR CONNECTING A WAND TO A NOZZLE ASSEMBLY OF A VACUUM CLEANER
    Publication number: 20080022488
    Abstract: In one aspect, a swivel assembly connects a wand to a nozzle assembly of a vacuum cleaner. The assembly includes a connector for pivotally connecting to the nozzle assembly and having an oversized opening formed in an outer sidewall thereof. A receiver is provided for receiving the wand at a first end and for connecting with the connector at the second end. A locking clip includes a lug movably received in the opening formed in the sidewall of the connector. Consequently, movement of the lug within the opening permits limited rotation of the receiver relative to the connector while restraining separation of the receiver from the connector. A related method of connecting a wand to a nozzle assembly is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventors: Ryan T. Dant, Richard E. Downey
  • Vacuum cleaner equipped with pivotally mounted agitator section
    Patent number: 7290308
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a floor cleaning apparatus including a nozzle assembly having a base section and an agitator section pivotally mounted to the base section, a canister assembly pivotally connected to the nozzle assembly, a suction generator carried on one of the nozzle assembly and the canister assembly and a dirt collector carried by one of the nozzle assembly and canister assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventors: Richard E. Downey, Jason R. Gieske
  • Vacuum cleaner equipped with pivotally mounted agitator section
    Publication number: 20040172784
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a floor cleaning apparatus including a nozzle assembly having a base section and an agitator section pivotally mounted to the base section, a canister assembly pivotally connected to the nozzle assembly, a suction generator carried on one of the nozzle assembly and the canister assembly and a dirt collector carried by one of the nozzle assembly and canister assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Inventors: Richard E. Downey, Jason R. Gieske
  • Upright vacuum cleaner nozzle with pivoting agitator
    Patent number: D498029
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Corporation of America
    Inventors: Richard E. Downey, Morgan S. Brown