Patents by Inventor William R. Tracy

William R. Tracy 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: 6148474
    Abstract: An electric vacuum cleaner includes a canister housing having an internal chamber and a suction inlet and an exhaust outlet both communicating with that chamber. The vacuum cleaner also includes a suction generator and dust collector both held in the internal chamber. Further, the vacuum cleaner includes a nozzle for picking up dirt and debris and a motor driven agitator and drive motor carried on that nozzle. Finally, a hose and wand assembly are provided. The wand assembly provides fluid communication between the outlet of the nozzle and the hose leading to the suction inlet of the canister housing. The wand assembly includes respective first and second telescoping tubes constructed from metal, an electrical conductor and a telescoping insulator assembly including a channel for receiving and holding the electrical conductor in substantially any respective position of the first and second telescoping tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Corporation of America
    Inventors: Naoyuki Ohara, William R. Tracy
  • Patent number: 6122799
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a housing, a nozzle for picking up dirt and debris, and a vacuum generator. The vacuum generator includes a motor and drive shaft, a first fan connected to the drive shaft, a shield including a recess that functions as an air induction chamber for receiving the fan, and an air inlet port formed in the shield. A pathway provides fluid communication between the nozzle and the vacuum generator. A dirt and debris collector in the form of a dust bag is provided in the pathway between the nozzle and the vacuum generator. The vacuum cleaner also includes an infuser that is carried on the shield about the air inlet port. The infuser directs air into the induction chamber in a more efficient manner to improve vacuum cleaner performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Corporation of America
    Inventors: Yuichi Shimizu, William R. Tracy