Patents by Inventor Stephen Klopp

Stephen Klopp 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).

  • Publication number: 20220313046
    Abstract: A method of controlling a robotic floor cleaning machine includes driving, by an operator, the robotic floor cleaning machine along a transport path and a cleaning path. The transport path defines a path for transport of the robotic floor cleaning machine without active cleaning and the cleaning path defines a path for a cleaning operation. The method further includes recording the transport path and the cleaning path driven by the operator; defining, in a controller of the robotic floor cleaning machine, a route comprising the recorded transport path and the recorded cleaning path, and defining the cleaning operation. The robotic floor cleaning machine executes the defined route and the cleaning operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2022
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: Stephen Klopp, Stuart McDonald, Kipp Knutson, David Wood, Andrew Graham, Christian Kraft, Donald Joseph Legatt
  • Patent number: 11432698
    Abstract: A control system for a robotic floor cleaning machine configured to perform a cleaning operation along a cleaning path can comprise a controller, and a plurality of sensors. The controller can be configured to control autonomous movement of the robotic floor cleaning machine along the cleaning path and autonomous performance of the cleaning operation. The plurality of sensors can be configured to sense a location of the robotic floor cleaning machine relative to surroundings of the robotic floor cleaning machine. At least two sensors from the plurality of sensors are configured to locate the robotic floor cleaning machine in overlapping areas of the surroundings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Nilfisk A/S
    Inventors: Kipp Knutson, Stuart McDonald, Stephen Klopp, John Black, Dave Wood, Donald Joseph Legatt
  • Patent number: 11399686
    Abstract: A control system for a robotic floor cleaning machine configured to perform a cleaning operation along a cleaning path can comprise a controller, and a plurality of sensors. The controller can be configured to control autonomous movement of the robotic floor cleaning machine along the cleaning path and autonomous performance of the cleaning operation. The plurality of sensors can be configured to sense a location of the robotic floor cleaning machine relative to surroundings of the robotic floor cleaning machine. At least two sensors from the plurality of sensors are configured to locate the robotic floor cleaning machine in overlapping areas of the surroundings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Nilfisk A/S
    Inventors: Kipp Knutson, Stuart McDonald, Stephen Klopp, John Black, Dave Wood, Donald Joseph Legatt
  • Patent number: 11083357
    Abstract: A floor cleaning machine can comprise a chassis, a cleaning mechanism, a control system, and a cleaning operation sensing system connected to the chassis. The chassis can be configured for movement along a cleaning path. The cleaning mechanism can perform a cleaning operation. The liquid system can provide liquid to the cleaning mechanism. The recovery system can recover liquid from the cleaning operation. The control system can control performance of the cleaning operation. The cleaning operation sensing system can detect a condition of the cleaning operation. The cleaning operation sensing system can comprise a water trailing detection system comprising: a frame connected to the chassis aft of the recovery system; an absorbent medium connected to the frame; and a moisture sensor in communication with the control system to alter a signal in response to moisture in the absorbent medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Nilfisk A/S
    Inventors: Kipp Knutson, Stuart McDonald, Stephen Klopp, John Black, Dave Wood, Donald Joseph Legatt
  • Publication number: 20200288936
    Abstract: A control system for a robotic floor cleaning machine configured to perform a cleaning operation along a cleaning path can comprise a controller, and a plurality of sensors. The controller can be configured to control autonomous movement of the robotic floor cleaning machine along the cleaning path and autonomous performance of the cleaning operation. The plurality of sensors can be configured to sense a location of the robotic floor cleaning machine relative to surroundings of the robotic floor cleaning machine. At least two sensors from the plurality of sensors are configured to locate the robotic floor cleaning machine in overlapping areas of the surroundings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Inventors: Kipp Knutson, Stuart McDonald, Stephen Klopp, John Black, Dave Wood, Donald Joseph Legatt
  • Publication number: 20190014965
    Abstract: A floor cleaning machine can comprise a chassis, a cleaning mechanism, a control system, and a cleaning operation sensing system connected to the chassis. The chassis can be configured for movement along a cleaning path. The cleaning mechanism can perform a cleaning operation. The liquid system can provide liquid to the cleaning mechanism. The recovery system can recover liquid from the cleaning operation. The control system can control performance of the cleaning operation. The cleaning operation sensing system can detect a condition of the cleaning operation. The cleaning operation sensing system can comprise a water trailing detection system comprising: a frame connected to the chassis aft of the recovery system; an absorbent medium connected to the frame; and a moisture sensor in communication with the control system to alter a signal in response to moisture in the absorbent medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2018
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: Kipp Knutson, Stuart McDonald, Stephen Klopp, John Black, David Wood, Donald Joseph Legatt
  • Patent number: 10010231
    Abstract: A floor cleaning machine can comprise a chassis, a cleaning mechanism, a control system, and a cleaning operation sensing system connected to the chassis. The chassis can be configured for movement along a cleaning path. The cleaning mechanism can perform a cleaning operation. The liquid system can provide liquid to the cleaning mechanism. The recovery system can recover liquid from the cleaning operation. The control system can control performance of the cleaning operation. The cleaning operation sensing system can detect a condition of the cleaning operation. The cleaning operation sensing system can comprise a water trailing detection system comprising: a frame connected to the chassis aft of the recovery system, an absorbent medium connected to the frame; and a moisture sensor in communication with the control system to alter a signal in response to moisture in the absorbent medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: NILFISK A/S
    Inventors: Kipp Knutson, Stuart McDonald, Stephen Klopp, John Black, Dave Wood, Donald Joseph Legatt
  • Publication number: 20170049288
    Abstract: A control system for a robotic floor cleaning machine configured to perform a cleaning operation along a cleaning path can comprise a controller, and a plurality of sensors. The controller can be configured to control autonomous movement of the robotic floor cleaning machine along the cleaning path and autonomous performance of the cleaning operation. The plurality of sensors can be configured to sense a location of the robotic floor cleaning machine relative to surroundings of the robotic floor cleaning machine. At least two sensors from the plurality of sensors are configured to locate the robotic floor cleaning machine in overlapping areas of the surroundings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventors: Kipp Knutson, Stuart McDonald, Stephen Klopp, John Black, Dave Wood, Donald Joseph Legatt
  • Publication number: 20170049287
    Abstract: A floor cleaning machine can comprise a chassis, a cleaning mechanism, a control system, and a cleaning operation sensing system connected to the chassis. The chassis can be configured for movement along a cleaning path. The cleaning mechanism can perform a cleaning operation. The liquid system can provide liquid to the cleaning mechanism. The recovery system can recover liquid from the cleaning operation. The control system can control performance of the cleaning operation. The cleaning operation sensing system can detect a condition of the cleaning operation. The cleaning operation sensing system can comprise a water trailing detection system comprising: a frame connected to the chassis aft of the recovery system, an absorbent medium connected to the frame; and a moisture sensor in communication with the control system to alter a signal in response to moisture in the absorbent medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventors: Kipp Knutson, Stuart McDonald, Stephen Klopp, John Black, Dave Wood, Donald Joseph Legatt
  • Publication number: 20160353958
    Abstract: A floor scrubber machine can comprise a chassis, a scrub deck and a propulsion system. The scrub deck can include a hands-free, double-scrub side skirt mechanism, and a dual mode side blade assembly. The chassis can include a rear squeegee assembly having a self-aligning hanger system with balanced handles. The propulsion system can include a throttle pedal having a button for forward/reverse control, and a control panel having a setting for rescaling the acceleration profile. A disc brush scrub deck can include a brush centering mechanism. A cylindrical brush scrub deck can include an idler end brush cover with self-aligning tabs, and a self-contained drive mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventors: Kurt Morris Vetse, Kale R. Johnson, Michael Kanitz, Stuart McDonald, Hanafi Habbas, Jerome A. Gunn, Patrick Enzler, Stephen Klopp