Horizontally Aligned Motor And Filter Patents (Class 15/327.7)
  • Patent number: 11503970
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes an improved dual-action filter cleaning mechanism using both a rotational flicking action and a vertical shaking action. A debris removal assembly of the vacuum cleaner can include a filter assembly having a first filter and a second filter arranged in a nested configuration, and a filter cleaning mechanism configured to impart a combination of vertical shaking of the first filter and rotational flicking of the second filter. The filter cleaning mechanism can include a camming mechanism configured to simultaneously move the first filter along the axis and rotate the first filter about the axis while the second filter remains stationary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: BISSELL Inc.
    Inventors: Jian Yun Pi, Kan Yuk Yiu
  • Patent number: 11426045
    Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus includes a housing having an elongate axis (H) and supports a suction source, and a dirt separation device having an elongate axis (A). The dirt separation device includes a separator for separating dirt from dirt-laden air, and a dirt collection chamber for receiving separated dirt. The dirt separation device or a part of the dirt separation device is releasably connected to the housing. A passage member that transports dirt-laden air to the dirt separation device has an elongate axis (B). The dirt separation device is pivotally moveable relative to the housing to effect release of the dirt separation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Inventors: Simon Matthew Pougher, Darren Holmes, Richard Waters, Anna Jaanus, Jose Casella
  • Patent number: 11266281
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for cleaning a surface with a cleaning device having a body with a handle, a connector, and one or more cleaning heads that are removably attached to the cleaning device. Each cleaning head include a lower surface arranged to contact a surface to be cleaned and a dirt collection chamber permanently attached to the cleaning head. The cleaning head may include a support structure to support the dirt collection chamber and a cleaning sheet. The cleaning head also may include a suction nozzle. At least a portion of the dirt collection chamber may be made of a filter material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: SharkNinja Operating LLC
    Inventors: Samuel Emrys James, Michael James Douglas, David Stephen Clare, Chris Pinches, Nicholas James Sardar, Hugh James Croggon, Damian Lee
  • Patent number: 10905247
    Abstract: A pumping apparatus includes a pump configured for moving air, a housing supporting and at least partially containing the pump, and an air output that includes a hose having a first end connected to the housing and in communication with the pump, such that the pump is configured to move air through the hose, and a second end configured for allowing air to exit the hose, wherein the hose has a length defined between the first and second ends. A switch is mounted on the hose and located along the length of the hose, and the switch is configured for controlling operation of the pump. The switch is located a distance from the second end of the hose that is less than 50% of the length of the hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Sage Products, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Kennedy, Ryan A. Alvarez, Gregory T. Davis, Brian J. Ecklund, Craig S. Golden, Curtis L. Hollabaugh
  • Patent number: 10575689
    Abstract: A cleaner includes: a suction unit; a suction motor that generates suction force for sucking air through the suction unit and includes an impeller; a dust separation unit that includes one or more cyclone units generating cyclonic flow to separate dust from air flowing inside through the suction unit; a dust container that stores dust separated by the dust separation unit and is disposed under the suction motor; a battery disposed behind the dust container to supply power to the suction motor; and a handle disposed behind the suction motor, wherein a rotational axis of the impeller and an axis of the cyclonic flow vertically extend and an extension line from the rotational axis of the impeller passes through the one or more cyclone units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Bohyun Nam, Namhee Kim, Jinju Kim, Hyeonjeong An, Jungbae Hwang
  • Patent number: 10441121
    Abstract: A hand carryable surface cleaning apparatus comprises a body housing a suction motor and comprising a handle. The handle has a handgrip portion that extends upwardly in an upward direction when the surface cleaning apparatus is disposed on a horizontal surface, wherein the handle and a rear surface of the body define a finger gap in which a user may place the user's fingers while gripping the handle. The suction motor is positioned adjacent the rear surface of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Omachron Intellectual Property Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne Ernest Conrad, Jason Boyd Thorne, Sam Liu, Amy Kwok
  • Patent number: 10016111
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a dirt-separation stage and a vacuum motor for moving air through the dirt-separation stage. The vacuum motor includes an impeller driven by an electric motor. The impeller is then located upstream of the dirt-separation stage, the electric motor is located downstream of the dirt-separation stage, and at least part of the air discharged from the dirt-separation stage is used to cool the electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Charles Geoffrey Box, Mark Andrew Johnson
  • Patent number: 9451855
    Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus wherein a body comprises a scalloped wall that defines a suction motor chamber that houses a suction motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Omachron Intellectual Property Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Patent number: 9420925
    Abstract: A hand carryable surface cleaning apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a main body housing a suction motor, and a cyclone bin assembly. The suction motor is oriented at an angle to a vertical axis and a horizontal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Omachron Intellectual Property Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne Ernest Conrad, Jason Boyd Thorne
  • Patent number: 9009911
    Abstract: A cylinder vacuum cleaner comprising a main body which is fluidly connected to a suction hose used to pull the main body forwards along a floor, and a front swivel castor for supporting the main body on the floor, the front castor comprising a frame mounted for rotation about a swivel axis and one or more wheels mounted on the frame, the hose being connected to the frame for co-rotation with the frame about the swivel axis, wherein the swivel axis is positively raked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Patrick Joseph William Moloney, Robert Mark Brett Coulton, Stuart James Steele, Rodney James Brown, James Martin Coleman
  • Patent number: 8887349
    Abstract: A dust separating device for a vacuum cleaner is provided. The dust separating device includes a dust separating unit including a first main body movably connected to a second main body. The second main body includes a plurality of sub bodies coupled together. A vacuum cleaner is also provided. The vacuum cleaner includes a main vacuum cleaner body and a dust separating device including a dust separating unit and a filter unit. The dust separating device is detachably mounted to the main body and includes a plurality of main bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Chang Hoon Lee, Young Ho Kim, Man Tae Hwang, Hae Seock Yang, Hoi Kil Jeong
  • Patent number: 8869345
    Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus comprises an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet. The surface cleaning apparatus includes a main body having a front end, a rear end, first and second opposed sidewalls. A cavity having an open upper end is positioned between the first and second opposed side walls. A suction motor provided in the air flow path. A cyclone bin assembly provided in the air flow path. The cyclone bin assembly may have opposed end walls and may be removably mounted in the cavity. The first and second opposed sidewalls can be sized to protect the cyclone bin assembly from a side impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: G.B.D. Corp.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Patent number: 8813306
    Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus comprises an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet and including an air treatment member and a suction motor. The surface cleaning apparatus comprises a main body comprising a front end and a rear end, and a plurality of wheels. A compartment may be positioned inwards of one of the wheels. The compartment may be accessible when the one of the wheels is moved to an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: G.B.D. Corp.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Patent number: 8813305
    Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus comprises an air flow passage extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet. A suction motor is positioned in the air flow path. At least one cyclone chamber is positioned in the air flow passage. An associated dirt collection chamber is exterior to the cyclone chamber. The cyclone chamber and the suction motor are positioned side by side and have generally parallel longitudinal axes. The dirt collection chamber may surround part of the suction motor. Alternately, or in addition, a pre-motor filter having an enhanced surface area may be provided by configuring the pre-motor filter to extend outwardly of the pre-motor filter, such as by overlie part of the cyclone chamber or the dirt collection chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: G.B.D. Corp.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Patent number: 8745817
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner has a lid that selectively opens or closes a filter bag compartment. A secondary motor protection filter is removably mounted in the lid by a frame of an elastic material that simultaneously seals the secondary filter element to the lid and seals the lid onto the bag compartment. An air passage flows between the secondary filter and the lid through a duct to the suction motor compartment. A perimeter groove in the lid receives a spline of the elastic frame of the filter element in a removable manner, while the opposite surface of the frame forms the seal surface relative to a housing rim around the bag compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Stein & Co. GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Stein, Bernd Falkenstein
  • Patent number: 8707508
    Abstract: A cleaning appliance of the canister type includes separating apparatus for separating dirt from a dirt-bearing fluid flow, a chassis for supporting the separating apparatus, and a substantially spherical rolling assembly comprising a fluid inlet for receiving a fluid flow from the separating apparatus and a device for acting on the fluid flow received through the inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: James Dyson, Peter David Gammack, Emma Jane Heatley-Adams, Robert Mark Brett Coulton
  • Patent number: 8578555
    Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus comprises an air flow passage extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet. A suction motor is positioned in the air flow path. At least one cyclone is positioned in the air flow passage. An associated dirt collection chamber is exterior to the cyclone. The cyclone and the suction motor are positioned side by side and have generally parallel longitudinal axes. The dirt collection chamber may surround part of the suction motor. Alternately, or in addition, a pre-motor filter having an enhanced surface area may be provided by configuring the pre-motor filter to extend outwardly of the pre-motor filter, such as by overlie part of the cyclone or the dirt collection chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: G.B.D. Corp.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Patent number: 8572802
    Abstract: A cleaning appliance of the canister type includes a substantially spherical floor engaging rolling assembly comprising a fluid inlet for receiving a fluid flow and a device for acting on the fluid flow received through the inlet, and a steering mechanism for steering the cleaning appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: James Dyson, Peter David Gammack, David Robert Sunderland, Stuart Lloyd Genn
  • Patent number: 8539638
    Abstract: A filter includes a filter medium, a filter inlet side, a filter outlet side and an indicator device. The indicator device is configured to be acted upon by air flow through the filter and is disposed adjacent to the filter medium and extends from the filter inlet side to the filter outlet side. The indicator device includes an air path starting from the filter inlet side, a viewing window covering the air path on the filter outlet side, and a flow-through usage indicator configured to receive filtered material and disposed in the air path and visible beneath the viewing window on the filter outlet side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Miele & Cie. KG
    Inventors: Andre Bertram, Seyfettin Kara, Monika Seifert, Stefan Tiekoetter, Cornelius Wolf
  • Patent number: 8528160
    Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus comprises an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet, an air treatment member and a suction motor. The surface cleaning apparatus comprises a main body comprising a front end and a rear end, first and second opposed sidewalls and a suction motor housing. At least one of the first and second opposed sidewalls may have a suction motor access opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: G.B.D. Corp.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Patent number: 8516652
    Abstract: A cleaning appliance of the canister type includes a floor engaging rolling assembly including a fluid inlet for receiving a fluid flow and a device for acting on the fluid flow received through the inlet, and a steering mechanism including a chassis connected to and projecting from the rolling assembly, a plurality of floor engaging steering members connected to the chassis and a control mechanism for changing simultaneously the orientation of the steering members relative to the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: David Robert Sunderland, Stuart Lloyd Genn
  • Patent number: 8510907
    Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus comprises at least one cyclone and at least one dirt collection chamber. The dirt collection chamber has a removeably mounted door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: G.B.D. Corp.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Patent number: 8434193
    Abstract: A cleaning appliance of the canister type includes separating apparatus for separating dirt from a dirt-bearing fluid flow, a floor engaging rolling assembly comprising a device for drawing the fluid flow through the separating apparatus, a chassis connected to the rolling assembly, a duct moveable relative to the chassis for conveying the fluid flow to the separating apparatus, a floor engaging steering member for steering the rolling assembly, and a control mechanism for moving the steering member relative to the rolling assembly in response to movement of the duct relative to the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: David Robert Sunderland, Stuart Lloyd Genn
  • Patent number: 8347455
    Abstract: A hand-held cleaning appliance includes a suction conduit, an airflow generator for generating an airflow along the suction conduit, a separating apparatus in communication with the suction conduit for separating dirt and dust from the airflow, a power source for supplying power to the airflow generator and a handgrip enabling a user to maneuver the hand-held cleaning appliance. The handgrip has a first end and a second end. The airflow generator is arranged directly adjacent the first end of the handgrip and the power source is arranged adjacent the second end of the handgrip. By providing a hand-held vacuum cleaner with such an arrangement, the hand-held vacuum cleaner is easier and more comfortable to manipulate in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: James Dyson, Richard Morgan Hickmott, Peter David Gammack
  • Patent number: 8302250
    Abstract: A hand-held cleaning appliance includes a suction conduit having a longitudinal axis, an airflow generator generating an airflow along the suction conduit, a separating apparatus arranged in communication with the suction conduit for separating dirt and dust from the airflow, a power source supplying power to the airflow generator and an elongate handle disposed between the airflow generator and the power source. The elongate handle is dimensioned and arranged to be gripped by a user's hand and the elongate handle lies transverse to the longitudinal axis of the suction conduit. By providing a hand-held vacuum cleaner with such an arrangement, the hand-held vacuum cleaner is easier and more comfortable to manipulate in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: James Dyson, Richard Morgan Hickmott, Peter David Gammack
  • Patent number: 8151407
    Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus is disclosed. The surface cleaning apparatus comprises a dirt inlet, a clean air outlet and a fluid flow path extending between the dirt inlet and the clean air outlet. The surface cleaning apparatus further comprises first and second side by side housings. The first housing comprises a cyclonic cleaning stage in the fluid flow path. The cyclonic cleaning stage comprises a cyclone having a dirt outlet. An associated dirt collection chamber is positioned below the dirt outlet. The dirt collection chamber extends under at least a portion of the first and second housings. The surface cleaning apparatus further comprises a fluid flow motor in the fluid flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: G.B.D. Corp
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Patent number: 8146201
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner comprises adjacent housings, which contain the filtration and suction fan motor assembly of the vacuum cleaner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: G.B.D. Corp.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Patent number: 8141200
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner 2 having a housing 4 having an inlet 12 and an outlet 54 is disclosed. Actuation of a motor 46 causes a fan to displace air out of outlet 54, and the resulting suction upstream of the fan draws dirty air through inlet 12 and inwardly through walls of filter element 22. In order to clean the filter element 22, the user lifts lid 24 by means of gripping portion 32, and then removes filter element 22 and dirt collection chamber 16. Because the central portion of the dirt collection chamber 16 is raised, dirt trapped on the outer surface of filter element 22 has a tendency to fall into trough regions 40, 42 and avoids falling into outlet 38. If the motor 46 should accidentally be actuated when the filter element 22 is removed, the opening provided by opened lid 24 is nearer to outlet 38 than inlet 12, as a result of which relatively clean air from the atmosphere passes into recess 36 in preference to dirty air from the inlet 12, thus minimizing the risk of the motor 46 being damaged by dirt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: David Barker, Martyn Riley, Barry Pears
  • Patent number: 8024837
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner comprising a housing, in which a dust collection chamber is arranged, which may be sealed by a dust chamber cover, on which an unlocking element for a clip element is provided, which cooperates with a counter-clip element on the housing, in order to hold the dust chamber cover in a closed position. According to the invention, a vacuum cleaner with improved cover lock may be achieved, whereby the unlocking element is integrated flush in the contour of the dust chamber cover and is embodied to be operated by pressing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Joerg Schroeter, Thomas Seith
  • Patent number: 7774898
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner has a discharge flow path and a discharged-air filter optimally positioned to reduce noise. The vacuum cleaner includes a body, a dust collection unit positioned in the body to filter foreign matter, a blower fan unit including a blower fan and a motor to generate suction force, an air vent through which air drawn into the body is discharged, and a discharge flow path to guide the air discharged through a discharge port of the blower fan unit to the air vent. The discharge flow path comprises a space defined between the dust collection unit and the blower fan unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seung Gee Hong, Jae Man Joo, Jun Hwa Lee, Tae Seok Yoon
  • Patent number: 7694384
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vacuum cleaner including a head having an inlet for sucking in air containing impurities from outside; a dust collector including: a dust collecting container having a handle on a side thereof, and sucking in polluted air and collecting impurities separated from the polluted air, and having an opened top surface for discharging air separated from the impurities; and a top lid including a fixing groove and a guiding member, and detachably provided at the dust collecting container for closing the opened top of the dust collecting container, wherein the guiding member is coupled to a predetermined part of the dust collecting container such that the fixing groove is positioned at a predetermined location when the top lid is assembled with the dust collecting container; a main body having a dust collector receiving recess in front part thereof, wherein the dust collector is detachably provided; and a fixing device provided at an upper front portion above the dust collector receiving recess, and havi
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Tae Jin Park, Sang Jun Park, Kang Won Moon, Seog Yong Kim, Suck Hyun Moon
  • Patent number: 7614113
    Abstract: A motor enclosure for a vacuum cleaner includes a body having both a motor receiver for receiving a motor and a filter receiver for receiving a filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Roney, Ronald E. Davis
  • Patent number: 7610654
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a discharge flow path, which reduces noise generated due to resistance of the flow path, and by a motor. The vacuum cleaner includes a body, a blower fan unit including a blower fan and a motor to generate suction force in the body, an inner case surrounding the blower fan unit and having an inner flow path formed therein, an outer case surrounding the inner case, and a discharge flow path formed between the inner case and the outer case to communicate with the inner flow path. The discharge flow path including a circulation flow path branched from the inner flow path to guide air discharged from the blower fan unit, and a bent flow path branched from the inner flow path to guide the air discharged from the blower fan unit, the air is thereby bent a number of times in the bent flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jea Won Lee, Jae Man Joo, Jun Hwa Lee, Tae Seok Yoon, Seung Gee Hong
  • Patent number: 7596829
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is disclosed which comprises a motor chamber for mounting a motor assembly that, generates a suction force at a dust suction port, and a discharge port for guiding an air discharged from the motor chamber to the outside of a cleaner body, wherein the motor chamber comprises an air discharge opening which is in fluid communication with the discharge port; and a path extension member disposed between the motor assembly and the air discharge opening, of which edges are spaced apart from an inner wall of the motor chamber by a predetermined distance, respectively, to thereby form a detour path, and the air discharged from the motor assembly is guided in a circuitous manner by the path extension member so as to be passed through the detour path before reaching the air discharge opening. That assembly effectively reduces noise generated during operation of the motor assembly that is detectable outside of the cleaner body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hwa-gyu Song, Sung-cheol Lee, Hyun-jun Oh
  • Patent number: 7571512
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vacuum cleaner including a head having an inlet for sucking in polluted air with impurities from outside by an operation of an air suction device generating air suction force; a dust collector for collecting impurities contained in the polluted air; a main body having a dust collector receiving recess to which the dust collector is detachably provided; and a fixing device fixing the dust collector on the main body and releasing the dust collector when the dust collector is separated, wherein the fixing device including a switch provided at the main body and controlling the fixing state of the dust collector; and an elastic member incorporated integrally into the switch and restoring the switch to a fixing location of the dust collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Tae Jin Park, Sang Jun Park, Kang Won Moon, Seog Yong Kim, Suck Hyun Moon
  • Patent number: 7555808
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is provided that includes a cleaner body; a cyclone body rotatably mounted in the cleaner body; a dust receptacle detachably mounted in the cleaner body and disposed below the cyclone body; and a locking unit locking and releasing the cyclone body and the dust receptacle with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jang-Keun Oh, Ki-Man Kim, Kyong-Hui Jeon, Jung-Gyun Han
  • Patent number: 7507269
    Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner includes a nozzle base having a main suction opening formed in an underside thereof. A housing is hingedly connected to the nozzle base. The housing includes a dirt separation chamber and a dirt receptacle for receiving dirt and dust separated by the dirt separation chamber. A conduit connects the nozzle base to the housing. A suction source is located in one of the housing and the nozzle base. The suction source is in fluid communication with the dirt separation chamber. A generally conically shaped filter extends into the dirt separation chamber along a longitudinal axis of the dirt separation chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Royal Appliance Mfg. Co.
    Inventors: John S. Murphy, David Khalil, Michael F. Wright, Robert A. Matousek, Yung Leong Hin
  • Patent number: 7496988
    Abstract: A dust separation section is provided at a suction air passage between a suction opening of a vacuum cleaner main body and an intake opening of a motor fan to separate dust sucked from the suction opening with air and a dust collection section provided at the suction air passage for collecting the dust separated from the air from the dust separation section. Moreover, the dust separation section of the electric vacuum cleaner has a dust guiding space adapted to inflow the dust sucked from the suction opening from one end of the dust guiding space and for guiding the dust from an other end of the dust guiding space to the dust collection section, through a dust strike section, by an inertia force, and an air guiding air passage is provided to guide air from a midstream of the dust guiding space to the intake opening of the motor fan without passing through the dust collection section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ritsuo Takemoto, Masatoshi Tanaka, Hiroshi Yokoyama, Hitoshi Suzuki, Kiyoshi Ebe, Yoshihiro Tsuchiya, Ai Tanaka, Yasushi Nakatogawa, Ikuo Oshima, Yutaka Maeda
  • Patent number: 7480959
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner comprising a housing (1), in which a dust compartment (5), which can be closed by a dust compartment cover and is designed to receive a dust interceptor (6), and a fan compartment (7) for receiving a motor-driven fan unit (8) are configured. The vacuum cleaner also comprises a receiving compartment (16) for attachments (17), which extends below the dust compartment (5) and/or the fan compartment (7) and can be accessed by means of an opening (18) in the housing (1). The aim of the invention is to permit users to remove attachments (17) easily from the receiving compartment (16) that is located below the dust compartment (5) and the fan compartment (7). To achieve this, the opening(s) (18) is/are provided in a lateral wall (19) of the housing (1). This permits attachments (17) to be removed, without bringing the vacuum cleaner out of its normal operating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Erich Bott, Roland Illig, Anja Niedergesaess
  • Patent number: 7472453
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes an appliance housing including a first housing section for a motor fan chamber and a second housing section for a dust collection chamber. Actuating elements for a cord winder device and an ON/OFF switch are disposed on an upper side of the motor fan chamber. A control element for the suction power control is disposed on the upper side of the motor fan chamber. A housing cover is pivotally mounted at a rear portion of the appliance housing via a plurality of hinge arms. The hinge arms cover at least a portion of the motor fan chamber and the actuating elements. The housing covering includes a cover section that covers the dust collection chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Miele & Cie. KG
    Inventors: Udo Mersmann, Michael Poetting, Arne Sauerland, Heinz-Guenter Steinkoetter
  • Patent number: 7367084
    Abstract: A device for sucking up particles to be collected, in which at least one collecting compartment for collecting these particles is connected via an inlet opening of a partition to a suction device located inside at least one accommodating compartment. The collecting compartment is connected to the suction device in a manner that enables an airflow to be guided from the collecting compartment to the suction device. The partition contains, as an inlet opening, an air guiding funnel whose inlet surface forms a significant portion of the partition surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Heribert Schwarz, Thomas Seith, Artur Weigand
  • Patent number: 7337492
    Abstract: In an electric vacuum cleaner having an intake air opening 18 disposed in a front portion of a main body case 17, a dust collection case 19 which communicates with the intake air opening 18, and a motor fan 20 provided in a back portion of the main body case, and an intake air passage 23, 24, 25 from the dust collection case 19 to the motor fan 20 being formed, a noise blocking member 14d having a specific gravity larger than a material composing the main body case 17 and an area wider than a project area of an intake vent 20a is disposed in the intake air passage 25 facing to the intake vent 20a of the motor fan 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mai Matsuno, Kiyoshi Ebe, Masatoshi Tanaka, Kenji Harada, Ritsuo Takemoto
  • Patent number: 7331083
    Abstract: A floor cleaning apparatus includes a housing, a dirt collector, a suction generator, a wand, a hose, a light source, a light director and a light transmitter. The light source is provided on the apparatus at a first point while the light director is provided on the apparatus at a second point remote from the first point. The light transmitter extends between the first and second points. The light source, transmitter and director all function together to direct light from the light source past the wand onto a work area to be cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventors: Chad D. Overvaag, Robert M. Mayes
  • Patent number: 7281295
    Abstract: A canister vacuum cleaner has a canister assembly and a stair hugging swivel wheel assembly. The stair hugging swivel wheel assembly pivotally connects to the canister assembly and has both a pendulum and a wheel rotatably mounted to a housing thereof. During use, the pendulum projects from the housing under the influence of gravity to inhibit or otherwise prevent the stair hugging swivel wheel assembly from pivoting whenever the canister assembly becomes oriented in an inclined position, such as when placed on a stairway. Preferably, the pendulum mates with a recess in the canister assembly co-located with a circular track in which the stair hugging swivel wheel assembly pivots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Fanasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventors: Leon A. Mattingly, James T. Crouch
  • Patent number: 7272872
    Abstract: A suction port assembly of a vacuum cleaner is connected with a cleaner body by an extended flow passage and draws in air and dust from a surface being cleaned when the cleaner is in operation. The suction port assembly includes a suction head having a suction hole formed at a bottom surface opposite to the surface being cleaned. A first connection member extends from one side of the suction head. A second connection member rotatably connects at one end to an exit end of the first connection member and rotates about a first axis to move upwardly and downwardly with respect to the suction head, and at the other end is connected with the extended flow passage. A third connection member engages the second connection member with one end rotatable about a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis, and the other end disengageably connected to the extended flow passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Keon-soo Choi
  • Patent number: 7251854
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner for use with a dust bag provided with a flange adapted to be slidably received in a bracket pivotally mounted in a dust collection chamber between a first position in engagement with a suction opening of the dust collection chamber and a second position removed from the first position. The dust collection chamber is provided with a lid selectively pivotable between open and closed positions. Movement of the lid to its closed position is contingent upon the flange of a dust bag having been inserted into the bracket to release the bracket from a blocking mechanism effective in the second position of the bracket and constituted by an upper edge of the bracket and a groove in the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Miele & Cie. KG.
    Inventors: Volker Gerth, Udo Mersmann, Heinz-Guenter Steinkoetter
  • Patent number: 7210192
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner has a suction air inlet disposed in front of an electric blower and a dust chamber detachably installed to the rear of the electric blower. The vacuum cleaner further embodies a swivel caster and wheels for facilitating transportability thereof, wherein the swivel caster is provided in front of the electric blower. By not having the dust chamber above the swivel caster, regardless of the amount of dust accumulated in the dust chamber, the load that is distributed on the swivel caster stays substantially unchanged, thereby enhancing durability of the swivel caster. Furthermore, in such configuration loading and unloading of the dust chamber can be carried out without being interfered with a hose due to the placement of the suction air outlet connected with the hose and the dust chamber on opposite ends of the vacuum cleaner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichi Ito, Hiroshi Nishimura
  • Patent number: 7134694
    Abstract: An adapter for connecting a hose to a hose receptacle of an object in a locking relationship. The adapter includes a first end adapted to be fixedly attached to one of the hose receptacle or the hose and a second end having a first locking element adapted to selectively engage a second locking element to establish a locking relationship. The adapter is suitable for adapting a friction-based vacuum appliance hose connection receptacle such that it can be used with a hose-locking mechanism to selectively, securely lock the hose to the vacuum appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L Young, Stuart V Holsten
  • Patent number: 7086119
    Abstract: A dust collecting unit for a vacuum cleaner is provided. The dust collecting unit includes a dust separating chamber with an air inlet formed on an outer surface thereof and an air outlet formed on one side thereof, a main dust collecting chamber formed in the dust separating chamber for separating dust and dirt in a cyclonic fashion, an auxiliary dust collecting chamber formed at one side of the main dust collecting chamber, and a partition plate for partitioning the main dust collecting chamber. The dust collecting unit allows an amount of air sucked and the efficiency of collecting dust and dirt to be greatly increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Il-Gyeong Go, Young-Gun Min
  • Patent number: 7076831
    Abstract: An exhaust system for a vacuum cleaner where filtered air is directed outside the main body of the vacuum cleaner through exhaust holes formed in at least one of a plurality of supporting wheels rotatably mounted to both sides of the main body. The disclosed exhaust system provides an improved aesthetic appearance in a structurally efficient design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Heon Pyeong Ji, Sang Jun Park