Abstract: A robotic vacuum cleaner (10) with a self-propelled controller (12) with a vacuum source (36, 38) and a dirt receptacle (32), a self-propelled cleaning head (14) with a suction inlet (24), and an interconnecting hose (16) is provided. The controller and cleaning head cooperatively traverse a surface area in tandem when the interconnecting hose is connected between the cleaning head and the controller. In one embodiment, the controller includes a power source (56) making the robotic vacuum autonomous. In another embodiment, the controller includes a power cord dispense/retract assembly (168) to provide access to utility power. In another aspect, the controller includes a portable vacuum (20) that is removed for manual operations. In still another aspect, a method of semi-automated environment mapping for a self-propelled robotic vacuum is provided. With respect to the method, the robotic vacuum also includes a remote control (18).

Abstract: A self-propelled appliance, such as a vacuum cleaner includes a magnetic field sensor and magnet. A relative position between the magnetic field sensor and the magnet can be changed by a user of the appliance. The magnetic field sensor generates a signal indicating a magnetic field sensed by the sensor. Therefore, the magnetic field sensor signal indicates the relative position of the magnet to the sensor. This relative position signal is interpreted as a speed and direction request for a means for propelling the appliance. The magnetic filed sensor is, for example, a Hall effect sensor. The means for propelling includes, for example, a brushless d.c motor, sensorless motor or switched reluctance motor. Forward and reverse propulsion is provided without the use of a clutch. The appliance includes a reduced number of wearing components.

Abstract: A sentry robot system and method for operating the system is provided. In one embodiment, the robot system includes at least one functional robot with one or more environmental sensors and at least one navigator/controller platform. In another embodiment, the robot system includes one or more functional robots, one or more environmental sensors associated with at least one of the functional robots, and one or more navigator/controller platforms. The navigator/controller platform in this embodiment includes a receiver, a controller, a memory, and a transmitter. In one embodiment, the method includes creating an image map of the environment from environment data, periodically moving the functional robot to predetermined locations, collecting new environment data using the optical image sensor at each predetermined location, and comparing the new environment data to corresponding locations in the image map, and periodically determining if intervention is required due to changed conditions within the environment.

Abstract: A clothes freshening device includes an enclosure to hold at least one garment to be freshened. A chemical mister is in fluid communication with the enclosure, the chemical mister producing a fog that is circulated around the garment to freshen the garment. If desired, a steam generator can be in fluid communication with the enclosure, the steam generator producing steam that is circulated around the garment to de-wrinkle the garment.

Abstract: A self-propelled appliance, such as a vacuum cleaner includes a magnetic field sensor and magnet. A relative position between the magnetic field sensor and the magnet can be changed by a user of the appliance. The magnetic field sensor generates a signal indicating a magnetic field sensed by the sensor. Therefore, the magnetic field sensor signal indicates the relative position of the magnet to the sensor. This relative position signal is interpreted as a speed and direction request for a means for propelling the appliance. The magnetic filed sensor is, for example, a Hall effect sensor. The means for propelling includes, for example, a brushless d.c motor, sensorless motor or switched reluctance motor. Forward and reverse propulsion is provided without the use of a clutch. The appliance includes a reduced number of wearing components.

Abstract: A sentry robot system and method for operating the system is provided. In one embodiment, the robot system includes at least one functional robot with one or more environmental sensors and at least one navigator/controller platform. In another embodiment, the robot system includes one or more functional robots, one or more environmental sensors associated with at least one of the functional robots, and one or more navigator/controller platforms. The navigator/controller platform in this embodiment includes a receiver, a controller, a memory, and a transmitter. In one embodiment, the method includes creating an image map of the environment from environment data, periodically moving the functional robot to predetermined locations, collecting new environment data using the optical image sensor at each predetermined location, and comparing the new environment data to corresponding locations in the image map, and periodically determining if intervention is required due to changed conditions within the environment.

Abstract: A robotic vacuum cleaner (10) with a self-propelled controller (12) with a vacuum source (36, 38) and a dirt receptacle (32), a self-propelled cleaning head (14) with a suction inlet (24), and an interconnecting hose (16) is provided. The controller and cleaning head cooperatively traverse a surface area in tandem when the interconnecting hose is connected between the cleaning head and the controller. In one embodiment, the controller includes a power source (56) making the robotic vacuum autonomous. In another embodiment, the controller includes a power cord dispense/retract assembly (168) to provide access to utility power. In another aspect, the controller includes a portable vacuum (20) that is removed for manual operations. In still another aspect, a method of semi-automated environment mapping for a self-propelled robotic vacuum is provided. With respect to the method, the robotic vacuum also includes a remote control (18).

Abstract: An impeller and housing assembly with reduced noise and improved airflow includes a volute, a shaft, a housing, a central axis, and an inlet port located along the central axis. An outlet port is located on a second axis spaced from the central axis. An exhaust passage extends from the outlet port. The impeller is mounted on the shaft for rotation. The impeller includes a hub, and at least one blade extending from the hub. The blade has a distal surface spaced from the shaft. The impeller housing has a first plane which is approximately perpendicular to the central axis. The first plane contacts the blade distal surface. A second plane is parallel to and spaced apart from the first plane. The second plane contacts a wall of the outlet port at a location closest to the first plane. A spacing wall is positioned between the volute and the outlet port and spaces each blade from the outlet port, thus reducing noise and increasing airflow.

Abstract: A nozzle base for a vacuum cleaner includes an upright front wall, an upright rear wall spaced from the front wall and having a suction air aperture, first and second upright side walls extending transversely between mutual end edges of the front and rear walls, respectively, and an upper wall joined to the front wall, rear wall, first side wall, and second side wall to define a downwardly opening chamber adapted to rotatably support an associated agitator therein. The upper wall has an intermediate section above the suction air aperture, a first wall section tapering downward from the intermediate section in a direction toward the first upright sidewall, and a second wall section tapering downward from the intermediate section in a direction toward the second upright sidewall. The second wall section terminates at a height below an uppermost extent of the agitator, and the second wall section including a recess adapted to conform generally to the agitator.

Abstract: An impeller housing for a suction device with reduced noise and improved airflow. The impeller assembly comprises a shaft and a housing. The housing comprises a volute, a central axis, and an inlet port located along the central axis. An outlet port is located on a second axis spaced from the central axis. An exhaust passage extends from the outlet port. An impeller is mounted on the shaft for rotation. The impeller comprises a hub, and at least one blade extending from the hub. The blade has a distal surface spaced from the shaft. The impeller housing has a first plane which is approximately perpendicular to the central axis. The first plane contacts the blade distal surface. A second plane is parallel to and spaced apart from the first plane. The second plane contacts a wall of the outlet port at a location closest to the first plane. The exhaust passage can increase in diameter along its length. The outlet port can be of a circular cross-section.

Abstract: A table assembly for a multipurpose tool is used in combination with a tool of the type having a frame, a pair of parallel way tubes mounted on the frame, a headstock mounted on the frame having a motor driven spindle, and releasable pivots which allow the way tubes to be pivoted about their ends to a substantially vertical positions. The table assembly includes a table top, a pivot mounted beneath the table top, a pair of support legs having racks on opposite sides thereof and attached to the pivot, and a carriage, mounted on the way tubes, having channels to receive the support legs. A pair of pinion gears are positioned within the channels to mesh with the racks and are driven by a crank having a locking mechanism so that the table can be displaced relative to the carriage.