Attachments Patents (Class 15/246)
  • Publication number: 20130212824
    Abstract: A cleaning device for golf equipment that is attachable to a wheel is disclosed. The device generally comprises a cleaning support surface for attachment of one or more cleaning accessories. The cleaning support surface is formed in a substantially bowl shape, having a front surface and an opening in place of a rear surface. A perimeter edge is formed along the bottom edge of the cleaning support surface. The perimeter edge includes one or more attachment members for attaching the device to a wheel, such as a golf cart wheel or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Inventors: Craig J. Arledge, Simon J. Key
  • Publication number: 20130206173
    Abstract: The invention concerns a mobile cleaning device suitable for displacing along and cleaning a series of adjacent tilted solar panels aligned in a row and requiring therefor no superstructure fixed to the row of solar panels. The device includes a supporting frame defining a cleaning plane, on which are mounted a cleaning device suitable for cleaning a surface parallel to the cleaning plane, a support device for maintaining the supporting frame substantially parallel to the surface to be cleaned during the displacement of the cleaning device along a row of solar panels; and a guiding device for guiding the displacement of the cleaning device along a row of solar panels. The guiding device includes at least two, preferably at least three, separate guiding wheels, which are aligned along a straight line parallel to the cleaning plane and adjacent to a first edge of the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Inventor: Jelle Zijlstra
  • Publication number: 20130198991
    Abstract: A household cleaning tool enabled with UV light unit. A conventional cleaning tool head is attached with a UV light unit through an industrial strength sticky tape or other means of attachment. The UV light unit has a safety cover. The UV light unit is detachable after using.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Inventor: Lloyd Cadigan
  • Patent number: 8499397
    Abstract: An oral care implement with an oral care region having cleaning elements for engaging oral tissue and a body for gripping the implement including a handle with a front and a removable faceplate is described. The removable faceplate may be transparent or translucent and may also include design features. The faceplate may provide protection to a user inscription surface on one of the surfaces of the handle which is may be configured to receive user indicia that may later be removed and further indicia provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: John Gatzemeyer, Eduardo Jimenez
  • Patent number: 8499405
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for cleaning algae and other debris from a water treatment tank including a mechanically driven component. The apparatus includes a breakaway scrubber assembly and a mounting bracket securing the breakaway scrubber assembly to the mechanically driven component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Ford W. Hall Company
    Inventors: Jerold W. Ristau, Ford W. Hall
  • Patent number: 8479339
    Abstract: Detailed are swimming pool cleaners and components including discs and bumpers. Discs may include upwardly-extending hooks or similar features connecting directly with the bumpers. The direct connections additionally may be configured to allow substantial (i.e. non-trivial) upward movement of the discs from their normal locations while preventing substantial downward movement of the discs that might cause the discs undesirably to fold in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Zodiac Pool Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerhardus Johannes Stoltz
  • Patent number: 8454751
    Abstract: Exemplary surface debris removal systems and methods are operable to remove debris from a signal transmitting/receiving surface. An embodiment provides power to, and then removes power from, a conductive memory wire that is secured to a moveable portion of a two-position snap spring. In response to providing the power to the conductive memory wire, a length of the conductive memory wire decreases so that the moveable portion of the two-position snap spring is pulled from an extended position to a retracted position. When power is removed from the conductive memory wire, the moveable portion of the two-position snap spring moves from the retracted position to the extended position. In response to the moving of the moveable portion of the two-position snap spring from the retracted position to the extended position, an energy is generated and transferred to the surface that dislodges the debris from the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Eldon Technology Limited
    Inventor: Mark Gohl
  • Publication number: 20130115863
    Abstract: A dust collecting attachment that is mounted on a sander includes a suction portion mounted on a portion of a front housing where an output shaft projects, a flexible hose having a front end of the flexible hose connected to the suction portion, a discharge portion connected to a rear end of the flexible hose and a changeable member placed on both a motor housing and the discharge portion. The changeable member allows the discharge portion to be mounted at any position around an axis of the motor housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Inventors: Akira MIZUTANI, Hideharu MUTO
  • Patent number: 8434192
    Abstract: The shield for a paint roller protects both the user and the environment from accidental spills or splashes of paint when using a paint roller. The shield includes a frame member having a pair of opposed side edges, a front edge and a rear edge. A front wall is mounted to the front edge of the frame member and extends substantially orthogonal to the frame member. A rear wall is mounted to the rear edge of the frame member, the rear wall being substantially parallel to the front wall so that an open region is defined between the front and rear walls for releasably receiving the roller brush of the paint roller therebetween. An upper portion and a lower portion of the roller brush remain exposed when the shield is mounted on the paint roller. The frame member is releasably secured to an axle of the paint roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
    Inventors: Mehmet Dondurur, Ahmet Z. Sahin
  • Publication number: 20130104332
    Abstract: A method of forming a vehicle wash component includes the step of providing a mold for forming at least one media element for the vehicle wash component. The at least one media element includes a first segment to facilitate attachment to a vehicle wash component, and a second segment for contacting a vehicle to provide a cleaning function. A polymer compound is injected into the mold to form the at least one media element. The molded media element is removed from the mold and then attached to a hub portion of the vehicle wash component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Inventors: Michael J. Belanger, Barry S. Turner, Thomas E. Weyandt
  • Publication number: 20130097788
    Abstract: Detailed are components of cleaners of fluid-containing vessels such as pools and spas. The components may incorporate combined discs and footpads and attach to other components of a cleaner other than by receipt of a boundary of a central aperture into a groove. The components nevertheless may continue to include central apertures as appropriate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Inventors: Mark Bauckman, Hendrikus Johannes van der Meijden, Michael Edward Moore
  • Patent number: 8424150
    Abstract: An improved apparatus for cleaning linearly translating rods is described. Embodiments of the invention are suitable for use where a rod, such as a cleaning rod, is moved linearly through a stationary support, generally a cylindrical tube, such as a pneumatic cylinder, with bushings fixed inside the tube through which the rod slides. Preferred embodiments of the present invention allow the rod scraper to be attached or removed without disassembling the complete hydraulic cylinder rod apparatus. Preferred embodiments of the present invention also allow the rod scraper to float radially while its motion is constrained axially. This allows the invention to compensate for lateral displacement of a translating cylindrical cleaning rod due to normal working clearances between the cleaning rod and bushings or by bushing wear over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Inventors: Daniel Richard Higgins, Michael J. Kranda
  • Patent number: 8413290
    Abstract: One embodiment of a thin, flat texture skin for attachment to the blade of a trowel and of the type having at one edge a slot (3) which communicates with a gripping aperture (4). The opening has a notch (5) to allow handle support attached to inserted blade to pass beyond the edge of the tool. The corners (6) of the bottom (8) and edges (9) are rounded and tapered toward the top (7). The bottom (8) and edges (9) are imparted a texture transferable to surfaces. Other embodiments are described as shown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Inventor: Thomas Taverne
  • Patent number: 8413287
    Abstract: A method and device for cleaning golf equipment while on the golf course, the device being mounted to, and rotating in conjunction with, a golf cart wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Inventor: Craig Arledge
  • Publication number: 20130048017
    Abstract: An abrasive or cleaning pad includes a composite resin as a wear layer. A cleaning pad system for motorized floor cleaning or polishing applications includes a pad having a combination of two grades of melamine resin-based foam. A method of cleaning a floor surface is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: CHARLOTT PRODUKTE DR. RAUWALD GMBH
    Inventor: WOLFGANG RAUWALD
  • Publication number: 20130031736
    Abstract: The present invention is a device that combines the attributes of a standard push broom used to sweep up various residue in a garage, store, sidewalk, or industrial setting with the attributes of a specialized push broom designed to attract and pick up ferrous metals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Inventor: Brian M. Martin
  • Publication number: 20130031740
    Abstract: A leaves collection system for use with a portable blower/vacuum in the vacuum mode with a lid allowing the rejection of debris in a plastic or paper bag. The lid (of round shape with a lateral groove) has three main openings, one for the entrance of debris and two for the outlet of air as well as holes to attach the various elements to the lid with cable ties. The lid is inserted into the opening of the bag and the bag is held in place on the lateral edge of the lid by a bungee cord in the groove. Ribbed pipe connects the fan outlet of the blower/vacuum to the lid and sends debris towards the lid and the bag. A membrane under the bag protects the bag from the roughness of the ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Inventors: William Laliberté, Denis Laliberté
  • Publication number: 20130019429
    Abstract: A pick-up head system for use with a surface cleaning vehicle comprises a housing, forward debris passage having a bottom opening, and a rearward debris passage having a bottom opening. A divider separates the forward debris passage and the rearward debris passage. A debris outlet supplies a flow of high speed air a selected one of the forward debris passage and the rearward debris passage. An air supply inlet is in the other one of the forward debris passage and the rearward debris passage. A debris passing opening between the forward debris passage and the rearward debris passage permits the flow of air and debris from one to the other. High speed air flows through the air supply inlet into the forward debris passage and the rearward debris passage, as connected by the debris passing opening, to thereby clean the surface, and egresses through the debris outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Inventor: Roger P. Vanderlinden
  • Patent number: 8356382
    Abstract: A removably attachable, multifunctional Knife Swiper (10) for a utensil such as a kitchen knife is provided comprising a handle (20), an arm (30), and a wiper (40). The device is shaped in such a fashion as to have minimal effect on normal cutting behavior, and provides several benefits to the user, such as providing means to quickly and more safely remove food remnants stuck to the blade of the knife, and providing means for the user to place a knife with a Knife Swiper attached to it down on a surface so that the knife rests with its blade elevated off the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Inventor: Eric S. Zeitlin
  • Patent number: 8356385
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a backpack leaf blower with a sheppard's hook device mounted on the back pack for the purpose of holding the flexible air hose by rotational force against the hose. The device can be added to an existing backpack or designed into a new device as needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Inventor: Terry K. Webb
  • Publication number: 20130014339
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are wiper drive assembly cover members and wiper drive assemblies having wiper drive assembly cover members. One embodiment of a cover member for a wiper drive assembly disclosed herein comprises a body portion configured to extend across and obscure the wiper drive assembly from a plan view with the body portion defining first and second pivot apertures. First and second grommets are each positioned within a respective one of the first and second pivot apertures and configured to receive and sealingly engage a pivot holder of the wiper drive assembly. A mounting structure is configured to attach the body portion to a structural member of the wiper drive assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Kathryn Templeton, Marvin Younger, Vinod Desai
  • Patent number: 8347442
    Abstract: A barbeque grill cleaning device including a soaking container, in which the grill may be submerged in a cleaning liquid, and a rotary scrubbing head for scrubbing the grill while positioned in the soaking container. The barbeque grill cleaning device includes: a container defining a cavity shaped and sized for receiving a barbeque grill therein; and a scrubbing head for scrubbing the barbeque grill, the scrubbing head is rotatable relative to the container; such that the cleaning of the barbeque grill is aided by a scrubbing action as a result of contact between the barbeque grill and the rotating scrubbing head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Inventor: Bernard Micael Peacocke
  • Publication number: 20120311806
    Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid wiper device formed of a circular obstacle and intended for a floor cleaning machine that operates with liquid and has a scrubbing-brush that is rotatably driven around a vertical shaft by a motor and arranged and intended for the scrubbing of floors and similar surfaces. According to the invention, the devfice is formed of ring pieces that are inter-connectable into a ring shape and have wiper strips carried thereby. The wiper strips have a thickened upper fastening end portion while the remaining part of the wiper strips has essentially a plate shape. The wiper strips have essentially a T-shaped cross-sectional profile, said ring pieces having a number of recesses distributed along the length extension thereof, and the wiper strips are received in and retained by the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: QLEENO AB
    Inventors: Ludvig Brunnström, Patrik Andreasson
  • Publication number: 20120311805
    Abstract: A cleaning sheet and a cleaning tool which have improved usability. The cleaning sheet is attachable to a cleaning-sheet mounting member. The cleaning sheet has a center section made up of a cleaning surface and at least one end section disposed at one or more sides with respect to the center section in a predetermined direction. The end section has a first portion having a first elongation percentage and a second portion having a second elongation percentage which is higher than that of the first portion. The second portion is disposed in said direction between the first portion and the center section and is constructed so as to be supported by the cleaning-sheet mounting member at the boundary between the first and second portions. The cleaning tool is provided with the cleaning sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Inventors: Satoshi Hasegawa, Tomokazu Suda
  • Patent number: 8327494
    Abstract: A brush mitt includes a brush cover and a handle cover. A loop on the brush cover receives a handle of a brush of the type such as commonly used for washing vehicles. The handle cover wraps around the end of the handle and a brush cover attachment strap passes through the loop on the brush cover to secure the handle cover to the brush cover. The brush mitt prevents damage to delicate surfaces, such as the painted surface of vehicles, that might be caused by either the brush bristles or impact with the handle of the brush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Inventors: Bernice McWhorter, Robert Reyna
  • Patent number: 8324853
    Abstract: A vehicle wiper controller includes a wiper drive circuit which drives a wiper. An operation switch is manipulated in a plurality of manipulation directions or to a plurality of operation mode positions when a manipulation force is applied thereto. A wiper operation control unit electronically controls the operation of the wiper and sets the wiper to an operation mode corresponding to the manipulation of the operation switch. A control signal hold circuit, discrete from the wiper operation control unit, transmits a control signal to the wiper drive circuit when the operation switch is manipulated in a predetermined first manipulation direction or when the operation switch is manipulated to a predetermined first operation mode position. The control signal hold circuit sets a hold state for holding the transmission state of the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Seiji Ishigaki, Hitoshi Muraki, Masaki Yoshino, Yoshihisa Hirano, Kenji Iwasaki, Kunihiko Ikekame
  • Publication number: 20120291212
    Abstract: A cleaning attachment for an ultrasonic powered handle includes a shaft mounting a cleaning implement (brush or scraper) at a tip end and either two parallel transverse channels in a front surface near the cleaning implement, or two parallel transverse channels in opposite side surfaces, so as to increase the resonant vibrational frequency of the cleaning implement beyond that expected from vibration generated by the ultrasonic powered handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Inventor: James G. Montagnino
  • Patent number: 8312583
    Abstract: Discs having recessed areas, or pockets, in their undersides are detailed. The pockets allow provision of increased suction in localized regions, especially useful when the body of an associated cleaner pivots from side to side. Downwardly-extending wear surfaces may be present as well within the pockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Zodiac Pool Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Hendrikus Johannes van der Meijden, Michael Edward Moore
  • Publication number: 20120260445
    Abstract: A paint brush is attached to the rim of the mouth of a paint can such that the bristles of the brush are vertically above the mouth of the can and are oriented at an angle of between about 0 and about 90 degrees from the vertical. A notch is formed on the side of the mid portion of the brush between the handle and the bristles or in the ferrule of a paint brush where the brush is provided with one. The notch is defined by an upper face oriented toward the handle of the brush, and a lower face oriented toward the set of bristles. The upper face, the lower face as well as the space between the upper and lower faces are all dimensioned such that when the brush is attached to the rim of the paint can, the rim bears against the notch at a point adjacent to its upper face while the lower face of the notch bears against the rim sufficiently to position the brush at an angle from the vertical of less than about 90 degrees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Inventor: Glenn Nelson McCaul
  • Patent number: 8282740
    Abstract: Exemplary surface debris removal systems and methods are operable to remove debris from a signal transmitting/receiving surface. An embodiment provides power to, and then removes power from, a conductive memory wire that is secured to a moveable portion of a two-position snap spring. In response to providing the power to the conductive memory wire, a length of the conductive memory wire decreases so that the moveable portion of the two-position snap spring is pulled from an extended position to a retracted position. When power is removed from the conductive memory wire, the moveable portion of the two-position snap spring moves from the retracted position to the extended position. In response to the moving of the moveable portion of the two-position snap spring from the retracted position to the extended position, an energy is generated and transferred to the surface that dislodges the debris from the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Eldon Technology Limited
    Inventor: Mark Gohl
  • Patent number: 8266815
    Abstract: A cleaning device for a component, especially a heat exchanger, operatively disposed within a process air circuit of a household tumble dryer, the cleaning device comprising a rotatable brush device for removal of lint deposits from the component; a linear drive mechanism for driving the brush device along the component; and a rotary drive mechanism for driving the brush device about an axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Roman Goldberg, Klaus Grunert
  • Patent number: 8250701
    Abstract: Novel appliances for the application, distribution, manipulation and/or removal of different types of media, including art and craft media, may be removably attached to conventional and commonly-available tools, such as palette/painting knives, brushes with hair/filament tips, and other media manipulators such as those having a polymeric contacting surface on their working end. The appliances are adapted for superimposition over the media-engaging working-head formations of the tools, and have media-engaging characteristics which differ from the native media-engaging characteristics of the working-head formations of the tools. Tools to which such appliances are attached in accordance with the invention are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Ladd Forsline
    Inventors: Ladd B. Forsline, Susanna R. Starr
  • Publication number: 20120210535
    Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide a technique for adapting to the length of a tool bit mounted to a power tool when tool bits of different lengths are selectively used by replacement to perform an operation, in a dust collecting device for collecting dust generated by operation of the power tool. A dust collecting device 210 is attached to a power tool 101 and collects dust generated by operation. The dust collecting device 210 includes a dust collecting part that covers a tool bit 119 over a predetermined range in the axial direction and collects dust generated by operation. The dust collecting part is formed in one of a first form and a second form which is arbitrarily selected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masao Miwa, Masanori Furusawa
  • Patent number: 8225450
    Abstract: A multifunctional nozzle attachment for a portable hand-held lawn blower. The multifunctional nozzle attachment includes a coupler which can be attached to the nozzle of the lawn blower. Various attachments including scrapers, rakes, and brushes are provided for use with the coupler. When attached to the coupler, the attachments may be used to break up debris that does not release from the ground using the air stream alone. Once the debris is broken up, the air stream carries the debris away.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Inventor: Kenneth W. Petersen
  • Publication number: 20120137461
    Abstract: An abrasion protection sleeve is provided for floor cleaning devices. This abrasion protection sleeve can be retroactively applied to different cleaning systems, used and later removed due to its being made of an elastic material. Resilient protrusions or material accumulations on the surface of the abrasion protection sleeve softens blows, thereby eliminating damage to furniture, base boards, moldings, furniture or room dividers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Inventor: Larissa Rossi-Ihle
  • Patent number: 8191197
    Abstract: The non-permanent marker board eraser apparatus provides a basic design and construction that exposes minimal moving parts to erasure debris. The two-spaced apart horizontal guide rails are u-shaped and open outwardly. The vertical traveling eraser sections are motor powered and provide for drive from either upper first guide rail or the lower second guide rail via a rubberized wheel that fits within either of the two guide rails. The control buttons provide for selective eraser marker board contact. Each board travel is accompanied by automatic eraser return to a rest position outside of or to the edge of the board's marking surface. Cleaning fluid is also dispensed through the erasers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Inventor: Michael J. Hunsucker
  • Patent number: 8185990
    Abstract: A swimming pool brush includes a brush head having a pair of apertures formed in the brush head and a plurality of bristles secured in depending relation to the brush head in surrounding relation to each aperture. A first plurality of clips is formed in a top wall of the brush head on a first side of the apertures. A hydrofoil plate has a first edge adapted to be hingedly engaged by the first plurality of clips, an extended position when the brush head is immersed and pushed downwardly against a swimming pool sidewall and a retracted position when the brush head is pulled upwardly against the sidewall. A venturi effect is created by the plate when in its extended position but the apertures minimize the venturi effect. The plate may be mounted to a second plurality of clips so that the brush head can be reversed and re-used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Inventor: Duane H. Newville
  • Publication number: 20120124760
    Abstract: An exchangeable sweeping brush device for a carrier vehicle is provided. The device has at least one sweeping brush which is rotationally drivable about an almost vertically oriented axis of rotation of the brush and is held on a supporting frame, the supporting frame being detachably connectable to a supporting fork of the carrier vehicle, which is pivotable about a first horizontal pivot axis oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The supporting frame comprises a first supporting assembly on which the at least one sweeping brush is rotatably mounted, and a second supporting assembly which is detachably connectable to the supporting fork, the first supporting assembly being connected to the second supporting assembly for pivotal movement about a second horizontal pivot axis and being detachably connectable to the carrier vehicle by at least one tension member. A sweeper having such a sweeping brush device is also proposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: Alfred Kaercher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Joachim Wahl, Bernd Haberl, Uwe Weller
  • Patent number: 8161591
    Abstract: An oral care implement with an oral care region having cleaning elements for engaging oral tissue and a body for gripping the implement including a handle with a front and a removable faceplate is described. The removable faceplate may be transparent or translucent and may also include design features. The faceplate may provide protection to a user inscription surface on one of the surfaces of the handle which is may be configured to receive user indicia that may later be removed and further indicia provided. A method for marketing the oral care implement and various features of the oral care implement including one or more thematic faceplates is also contemplated and described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: John Gatzemeyer, Eduardo Jimenez
  • Patent number: 8141197
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a splash guard that partially encircles a rotary floor cleaning apparatus allowing for support wheels to maneuver the apparatus when the rotary brushes are not in operation. The splash guard prevents cleansing material or debris from being splattered onto walls and other surfaces adjacent to the surface being cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Inventor: Michael Allard
  • Patent number: 8082617
    Abstract: Automatic swimming pool cleaners are detailed. The cleaners may employ filter bags with novel stiffeners to help retain their optimal debris-collection shapes in use. They additionally may include bags made of material having sanitizing properties or additives, allowing water sanitization to occur as water flows through the bags themselves. Cleaners described herein further may include discs having generally radial but non-linear slits to facilitate navigation in particular conditions and fix buoyant material within a collar by which a bag is attached to a body of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Zodiac Pool Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Wichmann, Richard A. Varga
  • Patent number: 8082622
    Abstract: An accessory for a blower having a first end with a connector assembly for connecting the accessory to the blower, a second end for directing air under pressure from the blower, a lower blade portion extending at least partly between the first end and the second end for facilitating a pneumatic shoveling operation, and an upper funnel portion extending at least partly between the first end and the second end for facilitating a pneumatic sweeping operation. The accessory can be selectively connected to the blower via the connector assembly so that the air under pressure from the blower cooperates with the lower blade portion and the upper funnel portion to perform a combined pneumatic shoveling/sweeping operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Inventor: Gus Labrasciano
  • Publication number: 20110277262
    Abstract: A hand-held, collapsible, self-adjusting mechanism, which is an improvement to the Spatula, for removing the remaining contents inside a plurality of containers. The device consists of three attached arms, two lower arms geared around their pivot ends to each other to keep their rotation symmetrical in relation to a drive arm, and pressurized with a double torsion spring to rotate towards said drive arm to apply pressure to a swiveling attachment receiver at the opposite end which makes contact with the inside walls of a container. The drive arm has a foldable crank arm assembly which allows you to quickly rotate and slide the mechanism in and out within a container with one hand while the other hand supports said container thus removing the contents from the walls of the container without difficulty or a mess.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventor: Matthew J. Smetana
  • Publication number: 20110258790
    Abstract: A fabric care device comprising a body having first and second ends for attaching respective first and second fabric care attachments, wherein at least one of the first and second ends is adapted to detachably attach one of the first and second fabric care attachments. An attachment for a fabric care device selected from the group consisting of a depiller, a delinter, a fabric pile restorer, and a brush.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventor: Kim Cole
  • Publication number: 20110232020
    Abstract: A cleaning device for a medical implement is disclosed. The cleaning device includes a cap having an opening to an inner cavity, the opening being adapted to receive a site of the medical implement. The cleaning device further includes a cleaning material that contains a cleaning agent prior to receipt of the site of the medical implement, i.e. the cleaning material is pre-loaded with the cleaning agent. The cleaning material is at least partially secured in the inner cavity and adapted to swab and clean the site with the cleaning agent. The cap further includes a friction-forming member for creating a friction-based fitting of the cap onto the site of the medical implement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: Ivera Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Bobby E. Rogers, Paul DiPerna
  • Publication number: 20110225747
    Abstract: Detailed are swimming pool cleaners and components including discs and bumpers. Discs may include upwardly-extending hooks or similar features connecting directly with the bumpers. The direct connections additionally may be configured to allow substantial (i.e. non-trivial) upward movement of the discs from their normal locations while preventing substantial downward movement of the discs that might cause the discs undesirably to fold in use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Inventor: Gerhardus Johannes Stoltz
  • Patent number: 8015654
    Abstract: An apparatus for washing hands and/or fingernails includes a brush assembly attached to a water faucet. The brush assembly includes a backplane with two opposed brushes attached to the backplane such that the bristles on each brush face outward from the backplane. A clamping mechanism removable attaches the brush assembly to the faucet. The clamping mechanism is pivotable on the faucet so the user can move the brush assembly into the water stream to use the brushes and out of the water stream for rinsing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Syracuse University
    Inventor: Norman Faiola
  • Patent number: 8011051
    Abstract: A toilet bowl cleaning assembly includes an elongated housing that has a first end and a second end. A cleaning brush apparatus is rotatably coupled to the housing and extends downwardly from the second end of the housing. A drive apparatus is mounted in the housing and is mechanically coupled to the cleaning brush apparatus and turns the cleaning brush apparatus when the drive apparatus is turned on. A shroud is coupled to the housing between the first end of the housing and the cleaning brush apparatus. The shroud has a bottom edge is engageable with an upper edge of a toilet bowl. The cleaning brush apparatus is placed in the toilet bowl and the drive apparatus turned on to clean the toilet bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Inventors: Omar A. Ba-Akeel, Shahrzad Ghaemi
  • Patent number: 7975340
    Abstract: Separate covers for protruding portions of discs of automatic swimming pool cleaners are addressed. The covers may be placed onto protrusions, such as fins, and removed from the fins as needed. Version of the covers are made of material more rigid and having lower coefficient of friction than the fins to discourage lateral bending of the fins and decrease frictional contact of the fins with pool surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Zodiac Pool Care Europe
    Inventors: Hendrikus Johannes Van Der Meijden, Michael Edward Moore
  • Patent number: 7971310
    Abstract: An implement mounted on a shaft has a device that either collects or has on it during or after use unwanted matter. The implement has a portion that is easily removable from the shaft and has a section creating at least a partial interference fit with the device to remove the unwanted matter therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Cobra Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Metaxatos, Eric Perlman, Ryan Scribner, Kurt Maclaurin