Patents by Inventor Vern Cunningham

Vern Cunningham 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: 7765641
    Abstract: A central vacuum cleaning system hose handle uses a battery, and has a battery compartment and a battery housing. Battery housing is interchangeable with power plug housing. When housing is drawer then drawer and handle have slide mechanism on which drawer extends in and out. First stop limits depth drawer can slide in. Second stop limits depth drawer can extend out. External access prevented when drawer extended to first stop, permitted when drawer extended to second stop. Releasable locking mechanism inhibits drawer from extending out when handle in use. Crib releasably retains battery. Spring electrical contacts at opposing ends of crib. Crib generally formed to profile of battery. Drawer oriented generally parallel to longitudinal wand adapter axis of handle, crib opening away from axis. Alternatively, housing has body with internal chamber to receive battery and an opening to provide access through an aperture in the handle to the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Cube Investments Limited
    Inventor: J. Vern Cunningham
  • Publication number: 20100162513
    Abstract: A central vacuum cleaning system 3 has a central vacuum unit 17 with a motor 10, a motor compartment 19, and a vacuum chamber 25. The system 3 also has a control circuit 1 for controlling power to the motor 10, and one or more airborne contaminant sensors 15 for sensing contaminants within the system 3. The sensors 15 may be located in pipes 31 motor compartment 19, vacuum chamber 25 and hose handle 34. Vacuum air may be drawn through aperture 37 in wall valve 38.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: CUBE INVESTMENTS LIMITED
    Inventors: J. Vern Cunningham, Allen D. Muirhead
  • Patent number: 7716781
    Abstract: A cleaner (1) has a DC brushless motor (15) with stator (203) and rotor (212). Stator is mounted on a shaft and rotor is mounted inside and to a tubular body (207) about stator (203). Impeller (17) is mounted to and outside tubular body (207). The motor (15) and impeller (17) are mounted in a housing having an intake (17) and an exhaust (9). Operation of the motor and rotation of the impeller causes a partial vacuum at the intake (7) to draw air. The air is exhausted through the exhaust (9). A filter (61) prevents particles from entering the motor (15). Particles are collected in a receptacle (5) prior to the filter (61). The impeller (17) may be a squirrel cage fan, bladed fan, or centrifugal fan. A secondary exhaust (11) expels particles from the filter (61) and/or receptacle (5) by rotation of the impeller (17) in an opposite direction or by the use of a secondary DC motor and impeller. The housing (2) can fit in a cavity between conventional wall studs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Cube Investments Limited
    Inventors: J. Vern Cunningham, Timothy Poupore, Charles D. Syverson
  • Patent number: 7690075
    Abstract: A central vacuum cleaning system 3 has a central vacuum unit 17 with a motor 10, a motor compartment 19, and a vacuum chamber 25. The system 3 also has a control circuit 1 for controlling power to the motor 10, and one or more airborne contaminant sensors 15 for sensing contaminants within the system 3. The sensors 15 may be located in pipes 31 motor compartment 19, vacuum chamber 25 and hose handle 34. Vacuum air may be drawn through aperture 37 in wall valve 38.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Cube Investments Limited
    Inventors: J. Vern Cunningham, Allen D. Muirhead
  • Publication number: 20100000118
    Abstract: While a dryer is running, continuously automatically monitor operation of a dryer venting system, and continuously automatically determining if the dryer venting system is operating improperly, and if it is determined that the dryer venting system is operating improperly then automatically disabling the dryer. If the dryer starts running then automatically turning on a booster fan. Operation of booster fan is monitored by sensing the current drawn. Monitoring operation of the venting system through a first controller and automatically disabling the dryer through a second controller. Automatically turn off the booster fan if the dryer is not running. Automatically adjust operating parameters of the dryer venting system in an attempt to operate the venting system properly, and disabling the dryer if the venting system continues to operate improperly after adjustment. Check to determine if the dryer is drawing current to indicate the dryer is running.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Inventor: J. Vern Cunningham
  • Publication number: 20090139325
    Abstract: Sensor includes electrodes on internal layer of multilayer printed circuit board, and sensing circuitry drives electrodes and reads signal having characteristic based upon capacitance between electrodes. Board may have first layer second layer, with electrodes between layers. One layer may be thicker than other layer such that capacitance external to board is primarily contributed from adjacent other layer. Electrodes may be on internal surface and sensing circuitry may be on opposing external surface. Components for sensing circuitry may be assembled to board such that board and components are multilayer printed circuit board assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: CUBE INVESTMENTS LIMITED
    Inventors: J. Vern Cunningham, Mircea Dan Paul, Daniel Budurea
  • Publication number: 20080301903
    Abstract: Handle has status indicators viewable by operator while viewing location being cleaned and using handle in ordinary cleaning position, and light illuminating location being cleaned. Indicators are LED lamps. Light is an LED lamp. Microphone senses particles and illuminates an indicator. Indicators and light are provided in a housing section that forms part of a housing for handle. Housing section may be integrated with the remainder of the housing, or may be unit that fits into remainder of housing. Light has central axis generally parallel, within approximately five degrees from parallel, with cleaning axis of handle. Indicators each have a central axis generally parallel, within approximately 5 degrees from parallel, with cleaning axis of handle. The indicators have limited beam angle. Indicator viewable over grasping section of handle from towards distal end of handle. The cleaner may be a vacuum cleaner, which may be a central vacuum cleaner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Applicant: Cube Investments Limited
    Inventors: James Vern Cunningham, Paul Charlebois, Tasneem Babul Rayani, Paul Arato
  • Publication number: 20080222836
    Abstract: A central vacuum cleaning system control subsystem for use in a central vacuum cleaning system having a motor includes a central vacuum unit control module with a receiver for wirelessly receiving command signals, and a power stage for controlling the motor in accordance with command signals received through the receiver. The control module is stable in high ambient temperature. Current flowing to the motor is sensed, and motor overcurrent and undercurrent conditions are determined. The control module determines when the motor is in an overcurrent condition. Power stage has a triac for controlling power to the motor. The control module also has a microprocessor that compares the current sensed against a normal operating current to determine overcurrent condition. Power to motor ceases when overcurrent condition exists. A generator is powered by air flow in a cleaning system for production of electrical energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: CUBE INVESTMENTS LIMITED
    Inventor: J. Vern Cunningham
  • Publication number: 20080184519
    Abstract: A central vacuum cleaning system control subsystem for use in a central vacuum cleaning system having a motor includes a central vacuum unit control module with a receiver for wirelessly receiving command signals, and a power stage for controlling the motor in accordance with command signals received through the receiver. The control module is stable in high ambient temperature. Current flowing to the motor is sensed, and motor overcurrent and undercurrent conditions are determined. The control module determines when the motor is in an overcurrent condition. Power stage has a triac for controlling power to the motor. The control module also has a microprocessor that compares the current sensed against a normal operating current to determine overcurrent condition. Power to motor ceases when overcurrent condition exists. A generator is powered by air flow in a cleaning system for production of electrical energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: CUBE INVESTMENTS LIMITED
    Inventor: J. Vern Cunningham
  • Patent number: 7403360
    Abstract: A central vacuum cleaning system control subsystem for use in a central vacuum cleaning system having a motor includes a central vacuum unit control module with a receiver for wirelessly receiving command signals, and a power stage for controlling the motor in accordance with command signals received through the receiver. The control module is stable in high ambient temperature. Current flowing to the motor is sensed, and motor overcurrent and undercurrent conditions are determined. The control module determines when the motor is in an overcurrent condition. Power stage has a triac for controlling power to the motor. The control module also has a microprocessor that compares the current sensed against a normal operating current to determine overcurrent condition. Power to motor ceases when overcurrent condition exists. A generator is powered by air flow in a cleaning system for production of electrical energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Cube Investments Limited
    Inventor: J. Vern Cunningham
  • Publication number: 20080067955
    Abstract: A lighting control for use with a lighting appliance includes a light sensor and a controller connected to the light sensor. Controller activates appliance when ambient light is greater than threshold. Threshold may be indicative of an interior of a closet of a room with a door of the closet open to the room and light available in the room. Controller may deactivate appliance once time has passed after appliance powered on. Lighting combination for use with power supply includes appliance including lighting source and control. Lighting control controls activation of lighting source. Controller has integrated memory for program to control controller. Controller may check to determine if light samples are increasing before activating lighting source. Start timer after light turned on. Turn off light when time out. Threshold learn mode based on sensed light before light on.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Inventors: J. Vern Cunningham, Kevin Campbell
  • Publication number: 20080068834
    Abstract: A lighting mount for use with battery and lighting source. Lighting mount having cavity to retain lighting source, battery holder to receive battery; mounting surface; and opening from cavity through which light from lighting source projects. Opening opens away from mounting surface and battery holder, and battery and cavity are on one side of lighting mount away from mounting surface. Cavity retains lighting source such that illumination axis can be directed at oblique angle away from mounting surface. Cavity comprises track for retaining lighting source. Battery holder comprises U-shaped channel. Lighting fixture has lighting mount and lighting source and electrical connections from battery holder to lighting source. Elongate body having lighting source holder section and battery holder section can be pivotally connected to a mounting base to allow for insertion of batteries and selection of angle between mounting surface and lighting source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Applicant: Cube Investments Limited
    Inventors: J. Vern Cunningham, Kevin Campbell
  • Patent number: 6883927
    Abstract: A frame assembly for covering a wall conduit having a connection to electrical power and a component associated with the wall conduit requiring access through the frame assembly is provided. The frame assembly comprises a light powered by an electrical circuit connected to the connection and a frame for housing the light. The frame has an opening allowing access to the component through the frame, a side and an aperture in the side allowing the light to illuminate a space outside the frame assembly through the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Cube Investments Limited
    Inventors: Vern Cunningham, Michael Gomes
  • Publication number: 20010046130
    Abstract: A frame assembly for covering a wall conduit having a connection to electrical power and a component associated with the wall conduit requiring access through the frame assembly is provided. The frame assembly comprises a light powered by an electrical circuit connected to the connection and a frame for housing the light. The frame has an opening allowing access to the component through the frame, a side and an aperture in the side allowing the light to illuminate a space outside the frame assembly through the aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2001
    Publication date: November 29, 2001
    Inventors: Vern Cunningham, Michael Gomes
  • Patent number: 6218798
    Abstract: A central vacuum cleaner system having a motor driven vacuum source which is selectively turned on or off. The central vacuum cleaner has an interface connector for establishing a connection between the central vacuum and an air exchanger. The interface connector is connected to be activated by the central vacuum when the motor is turned on so as to activate the air exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: White Consolidated Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Tamara Price, Douglas E. Johnson, Mitch Koestner, Vern Cunningham
  • Patent number: D522199
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Cube Investments Limited
    Inventors: J. Vern Cunningham, Paul Arato, Tasneem R. Babul Rayani, Paul Charlebois