Plural Selective Air Draft Means, E.g., On-floor To Off-floor Patents (Class 15/331)
  • Patent number: 8122566
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a base with a first air inlet, a rear housing, a removable handle and a socket on the housing to receive the handle. The handle has a grip, a second air inlet, and a hose connected to the second air inlet. The vacuum has a valve with a first inlet connected to the first air inlet, a second inlet connected to the flexible hose, a valve outlet connected to a vacuum fan, and a valve member that moves to connect the valve outlet to either inlet. The vacuum has a handle latch having one position in which it engages the removable handle to hold it in the socket and places the valve in one position, and a second position in which it releases the handle and places the valve member the other position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Care Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Arnold Sepke, Benjamin Stephens
  • Patent number: 8108964
    Abstract: A sealed pick-up head for a mobile sweeper comprises a housing defining a substantially hollow interior and a suctioning bottom opening. A suctioning front opening is for receiving debris into the substantially hollow interior of the housing. A door frame surrounds the suctioning front opening. A rotatable door has at least a first door portion and a second door portion joined together at a central pivot axis, and is operatively mounted at the central pivot axis in rotatable relation on the pick-up head at the suctioning front opening. A seal is operatively disposed between the rotatable door and the door frame for sealing the rotatable door with respect to the door frame, to thereby substantially preclude air from ingressing into the substantially hollow interior of the housing through the suctioning front opening, as the rotatable door rotates to permit debris to enter the substantially hollow interior of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Inventor: Roger P. Vanderlinden
  • Patent number: 8091174
    Abstract: The present invention provides an upright vacuum cleaner (10) having an elongate body (12) and comprising a floorhead (14) on which the elongate body is mounted, the floorhead (14) having a first inlet (140) for dirty air, a wand having a second inlet for dirty air, a changeover valve (22) for selecting between a flow of dirty air from the first or second inlet, a dust collection chamber (18) also having a dirty air inlet (180), a duct (28) for conveying said flow of dirty air from the changeover valve (22) to the dust collection chamber inlet (180), and a source of suction power for drawing the dirty air from the first or second inlet through said changeover valve (22) and said duct (28) to the dust collection chamber inlet (180).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Coburn, Barry Pears, Derek Muir, Stephen Houghton
  • Patent number: 8037570
    Abstract: A vacuum can include a housing having an inlet adapted to receive debris being vacuumed. A mounting bar can be fixedly coupled to the housing. A floor collector assembly can be rotatably disposed about a first axis defined by the mounting bar. The floor collector assembly can include a first debris-passing member coupled to the mounting bar, a second debris-passing member rotatably coupled to the first debris-passing member and a third debris-passing member removably coupled to the second debris-passing member. The first debris-passing member can define an opening. The floor collector assembly can be operable in a plurality of modes. In a first mode, the opening can be substantially perpendicular relative to a vacuumed surface. In a second mode, the second debris-passing member can be rotated relative to the first debris-passing member about a second axis such that the opening is at an acute angle relative to the vacuumed surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Katherine Phelan, Gregg L. Sheddy, Paul S. White, Michael P. Kunz, Stuart J. Wright, Christopher J. Murray, Trevor T. Bludis, Alfred H. Judge
  • Patent number: 8032982
    Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner having a suction path switching unit is provided that includes a cleaner body having and a body frame; a suction inlet body hinged to the body frame; a hose in fluid communication with the body frame and an extension pipe; and a suction path switching unit disposed on the body frame. The suction path has an operating duct elastically arranged on a suction path to be able to slide up and down. As the extension pipe is inserted into or withdrawn from a socket disposed on the body frame, the operating duct selectively diverts the suction path to a first suction path flowing from the suction inlet body to the dust collecting unit or a second suction path flowing from the extension pipe to the dust collecting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Byung-jo Lee, Joung-soo Park, Tae-gwang Kim
  • Patent number: 8032981
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a brush assembly that travels along a cleaning surface and draws in dirt-entrained air therethrough, a cleaner body that is connected to the brush assembly and has a dust collector, a fixing unit that detachably mounts the cleaner body onto the brush assembly such that the vacuum cleaner is used as an upright type vacuum cleaner and dismounts the cleaner body from the brush assembly such that the vacuum cleaner is used as a canister type vacuum cleaner, and a regulation unit that restricts a horizontal rotation of the brush assembly if the cleaner body is mounted onto the brush assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dong-hun Yoo
  • Patent number: 8028372
    Abstract: A blower/vacuum device includes a base supported on wheels. The device (10) has a reservoir (bag) that receives material collected by the device. Mounted on the base is a motor and impeller assembly that draws air inward and delivers the air (with collected material) to the bag. The assembly can also be operated to provide a forward delivery directed air stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Victa Lawncare Pty Ltd.
    Inventors: Finlay Llewyn Watson, Julia Prudhoe, Marc Frederick Lachere Francis
  • Patent number: 8020252
    Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner having dual cleaning motor and fan units is provided having a cleaning head engagable with a floor and a suction nozzle and a brush roller rotatably mounted therein. A first motor and fan unit is mounted in the vacuum cleaner for producing suction in the suction nozzle and is operatively connected to the brush roller for rotating it. An upright housing is connected to the cleaning head, the housing having a handle for moving the vacuum cleaner along the floor during floor cleaning use. Contained in the housing are a dirt storage container, a passageway leading from the suction nozzle in the cleaning head to the storage container and a second motor and fan unit operatively associated with the storage container for drawing dirt laden air from the cleaning head through the passageway and into the storage container simultaneously with operation of the first motor and fan unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Tacony Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas L. Blocker, John F. Kaido
  • Publication number: 20110219568
    Abstract: An upright surface cleaning apparatus is operable in a floor cleaning mode and an above floor cleaning mode. The surface cleaning apparatus includes a first upstream air flow path extending from the dirty air inlet of the floor cleaning head to a downstream air flow path, and an above floor cleaning member removably mounted to the surface cleaning apparatus. The above floor cleaning member includes an alternate dirty air inlet. The surface cleaning apparatus also includes a second upstream air flow path extending from the dirty air inlet of the above floor cleaning member to the downstream air flow path. The surface cleaning apparatus also includes a valve selectively connecting the first upstream air flow path in flow communication with the downstream air flow path when the dirty air inlet of the above floor cleaning member is placed in a storage position on the upright surface cleaning apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: G.B.D. CORP.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Patent number: 7979953
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner that is convertible between an upright mode and a canister mode by use of a hose is provided. The vacuum cleaner includes a hose clamping unit capable of protruding outside the cleaner body or retreating back to the cleaner body according to a mode change of the vacuum cleaner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dong-hun Yoo
  • Patent number: 7979952
    Abstract: A cleaning device with an elongated housing having a grip at one end and a cleaning head at another end, a dirt collection device and a vacuum source. The cleaning head has a rotary agitator, a first inlet opening having a first cross-sectional area, and a second inlet opening having a second cross-sectional area. The second cross-sectional area may be substantially less than the first cross-sectional area. The second inlet opening may be above the first inlet opening. There also may be a fluid supply tank and an associated pump, and the pump and agitator may be driven by the same motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: AB Electrolux
    Inventors: Jonas Beskow, Anders Haegermarck, Brian Vines, Arnie Sepke
  • Patent number: 7937802
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner for use in both an upright form and a canister form, which can mount and dismount a cleaner body to and from a suction nozzle assembly is disclosed. The vacuum cleaner includes a suction nozzle assembly to draw in dust or dirt along with air while moving along a surface to be cleaned; a cleaner body having a dust separating unit to separate and collect the dust or dirt from the air drawn in from the surface to be cleaned; a supporting unit hingedly joined to the suction nozzle assembly to support a lower part of the cleaner body to communicate with the suction nozzle assembly; and a locking unit to detachably lock the lower part of the cleaner body to the supporting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong-hun Yoo, Jeong-hee Cho, Myoung-sun Choung, Yun-hee Park, Il-du Jung
  • Patent number: 7934286
    Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner that includes a suction assembly, a cleaner body, a supporting member, and mounting parts. The cleaner body has a dust collecting unit which is in communication with the suction assembly. The supporting member is formed as a single frame with a lower end hinged to the suction assembly. The cleaner body is detachable from a front surface of the supporting member. A width of the supporting member is narrower than the cleaner body. The mounting parts are formed on a rear surface of the supporting member and are provided in a longitudinal direction with respect to the supporting member. The mounting parts are also shaped to mount accessories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong-hun Yoo, Ji-ho Seo
  • Patent number: 7861368
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaning head includes a rotatable brush bar and an air turbine driving the brush bar. An air inlet admits air to drive the turbine. A button is movable between an open position, in which it admits air to the turbine, and a closed position in which it closes the inlet and prevents air from reaching the turbine. The button is movable in response to the speed of rotation of the turbine or to the flow of air to or through the turbine exceeding a predetermined limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Paul Cedric Campbell Hackwell, Simon Nicholas Langham
  • Patent number: 7836544
    Abstract: A bare floor cleaner for wet and dry bare floor surfaces comprises a base with wet and dry suction nozzles and a handle pivotally connected to the base. A diverter mounted in the working air conduit between each of the dry suction nozzle and the wet suction nozzle to a recovery tank is movable by movement of the handle between a dry suction position and a wet suction position for selectively at least partially blocking working air flow from the wet suction nozzle and the dry suction nozzle, respectively, to the recovery tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: BISSELL Homecare, Inc.
    Inventor: John L. Jansen
  • Patent number: 7805807
    Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner having dual cleaning motor and fan units is provided having a cleaning head engagable with a floor and a suction nozzle and a brush roller rotatably mounted therein. A first motor and fan unit is mounted in the vacuum cleaner for producing suction in the suction nozzle and is operatively connected to the brush roller for rotating it. An upright housing is connected to the cleaning head, the housing having a handle for moving the vacuum cleaner along the floor during floor cleaning use. Contained in the housing are a dirt storage container, a passageway leading from the suction nozzle in the cleaning head to the storage container and a second motor and fan unit operatively associate with the storage container for drawing dirt laden air from the cleaning head through the passageway and into the storage container simultaneously with operation of the first motor and fan unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Tacony Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas L. Blocker, John F. Kaido
  • Publication number: 20100175218
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a base with a: nozzle opening, rear housing attached to the base, dirt separator with inlet and outlet passages, vacuum fan, accessory hose, and valve system to connect the separator alternately to the nozzle opening and hose. The valve system has a valve body having a first inlet connected to the nozzle opening and a second inlet connected to the hose, a hose connector that pivots with respect to the valve body, a connector passage through the hose connector, and a flexible outlet hose having a first end connected to the connector passage and a second end connected to the separator inlet passage. The valve inlets are generally equidistant from the connector pivot and the hose connector is pivotable to rotate the first hose end relative to the second hose end to selectively place the connector passage in communication with the first and second valve inlets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Inventors: Thomas W. Hawkins, Gregory W. Luebbering, Donald J. Davidshofer, Bradley E. Chenoweth
  • Publication number: 20100175217
    Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus comprises a floor cleaning unit and an upright section comprising a handle drivingly connected to the surface cleaning head. The surface cleaning apparatus also comprises a cyclone mounted on the upright section and positioned in the air flow passage. The cyclone is inverted and/or has an external dirt collection chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: G.B.D. CORP.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Patent number: 7725985
    Abstract: A surface cleaning implement has a suction nozzle, a fan in fluid communication with the suction nozzle, a suction-driven turbine motor for driving the fan and a magnetic coupling between the fan and the motor. The surface cleaning implement can be in the form of an accessory tool that has a housing with a suction opening adapted to be connected to a vacuum hose and mounting the suction nozzle, the fan and the motor and the housing mounts a recovery tank that is in fluid communication with the suction nozzle. The accessory tool can further comprise a fluid dispensing assembly for storing and distributing fluid to the surface to the cleaned. The fluid dispensing assembly can comprise a turbine-driven fluid pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Bissell Homecare, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan J. Krebs
  • Patent number: 7694383
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaning apparatus includes a vacuum cleaner base and a handle configured to be attached to the base. A nozzle is configured for the base to draw air through the nozzle to clean the floor as the nozzle is moved along the floor by a user pushing the base by the handle. A power head assembly includes a power head having a brushroll and an electric motor that drives the brushroll. The assembly further includes a tube structure configured to connect the power head to the base for the base to draw air through the power head and the tube structure to clean the floor as the power head is moved along the floor by a user pushing the tube structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: The Scott Fetzer Company
    Inventors: Terry L. Zahuranec, David Scott Smith, Daniel L. Steele, Diane L. Dodson
  • Patent number: 7657966
    Abstract: An upright bypass type vacuum base section pulls from a suction chamber surrounding the bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Inventor: Barry R. Schwartz
  • Patent number: 7631393
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaning apparatus includes a vacuum cleaner base and a handle configured to be attached to the base. A nozzle is configured for the base to draw air through the nozzle to clean the floor as the nozzle is moved along the floor by a user pushing the base by the handle. A power head assembly includes a power head having a brushroll and an electric motor that drives the brushroll. The assembly further includes a tube structure configured to connect the power head to the base for the base to draw air through the power head and the tube structure to clean the floor as the power head is moved along the floor by a user pushing the tube structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: The Scott Fetzer Company
    Inventors: Terry L. Zahuranec, David Scott Smith, Daniel L. Steele, Diane L. Dodson
  • Patent number: 7624475
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an upright type vacuum cleaner capable of being converted to a canister type. The vacuum cleaner comprises a main body having a suction port and a discharge port, a suction unit having a dust collecting port and a discharge opening, and on which the main body is rotatably installed, a handle installed to the main body, an extension pipe disposed between the handle and the main body and having a hollow inner space to define a flow passage for foreign substances, a securing mechanism between the extension pipe and the main body to restrict a circumference of the extension pipe, a cover installed at a portion of the main body where the securing mechanism and a lower end of the extension pipe are disposed, and an attaching mechanism between the securing mechanism and the cover to allow the extension pipe to be detached from the securing mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Ace Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Im Suk Choi
  • Patent number: 7594296
    Abstract: A convertible vacuum cleaner is provided. The vacuum cleaner includes a support base extending in a vertical direction, a main body selectively installed on the support base, a power generating unit disposed in the main body to generate a suction force, a suction nozzle unit that uses the suction force to draw in external air, a dust collection unit disposed in the main body to filter and collect dust and dirt contained in the external air, a flexible connection hose transmitting the suction force to the suction nozzle unit, a hose coupling portion formed on the main body to receive a first end of the connection hose, and a hook unit for supporting the main body on the support base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Sang Jun Park
  • Patent number: 7594297
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an angle control apparatus for an upright type vacuum cleaner. The angle control apparatus comprises a main body having a suction port and a discharge port formed thereon and including a suctioning device inside the suction port, a suction unit having a dust collecting port and a discharge opening and on which the main body is rotatably installed, a suction hose made of an elastic material and positioned between the suction port and the discharge opening, and a locking assembly installed to the suction unit to restrict rotation of the main body. With the angle control apparatus, the main body of the vacuum cleaner is rotatably coupled to the suction unit such that the main body is rotated at a suitable angle with respect to the suction unit sliding on a floor according to a location of a user during the cleaning operation, thereby enabling a convenient cleaning operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Daewoo Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Im Suk Choi
  • Patent number: 7591042
    Abstract: Provided is an upright vacuum cleaner including a carrying handle formed at an upper surface of the vacuum cleaner and conveniently gripped by a user while being transferred, the carrying handle having a hose seat surface on which a hose is seated such that a user conveniently uses the vacuum cleaner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Kyung Chul Kim
  • Patent number: 7587786
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaning apparatus includes a cleaning attachment. A base has an outlet port configured to be attached to the cleaning attachment and draw air from a household surface through the attachment and exhaust the air through the outlet port. A handle is configured to have an installed position removably attached to the base for manually moving the base by the handle. The handle has an inlet port configured to be connected to a dirt receptacle and to move toward and into connection with the outlet port by movement of the handle toward and into the installed position, for the air exhausted through the outlet port to flow through the inlet port into the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: The Scott Fetzer Company
    Inventors: Terry L. Zahuranec, David Scott Smith, Daniel L. Steele, Diane L. Dodson
  • Patent number: 7559112
    Abstract: Disclosed is a passage-conversion valve assembly for a vacuum cleaner, having a valve member having a socket for a hose nozzle and mounted in an air passage in a cleaner body, a resilient member mounted in the air passage to resiliently bias the valve member in one direction, and an actuator mounted to one sidewall of the air passage to push the valve member in an opposite direction to the resilience by the resilient member when the hose nozzle is mounted to the socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Byung-Jo Lee, Yun-Hee Park
  • Patent number: 7555810
    Abstract: A floor care apparatus includes a housing having a nozzle assembly and a canister assembly. A suction inlet is provided on the nozzle assembly. A dirt collection vessel, a suction generator and a wand receiver are carried on the housing. A first air flow pathway connects the suction inlet to the dirt collection vessel and the suction generator. An air flow control valve includes a valve body received in the first air flow pathway and an actuator having at least a portion thereof extending into the wand receiver. A cleaning wand assembly is displaceable between a first storage position wherein a first end of the cleaning wand assembly is held in the wand receiver engaging the actuator and opening the valve and a second position wherein the cleaning wand assembly is withdrawn from the wand receiver for cleaning with the cleaning wand assembly thereby disengaging the actuator and closing the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventors: Alan T. Pullins, Shannon D. Phegley, Donald E. Proffitt, II, Eric J. Streciwilk
  • Publication number: 20090151112
    Abstract: A bare floor cleaner for wet and dry bare floor surfaces comprises a base with wet and dry suction nozzles and a handle pivotally connected to the base. A diverter mounted in the working air conduit between each of the dry suction nozzle and the wet suction nozzle to a recovery tank is movable by movement of the handle between a dry suction position and a wet suction position for selectively at least partially blocking working air flow from the wet suction nozzle and the dry suction nozzle, respectively, to the recovery tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: BISSELL Homecare, Inc.
    Inventor: John L. Jansen
  • Patent number: 7533441
    Abstract: An air path conversion valve assembly of an upright vacuum cleaner, having a duct member mounted to the body of the vacuum cleaner, including a first air path connected with the brush assembly, a second air path connected with a hose, a third air path connected with a suction source of the vacuum cleaner, and a crossing air path in which the first, the second, and the third air paths meet; a valve member pivotably mounted to the crossing air path; a cam unit pivoting the valve member to connect the first air path and the third air path when the body is inclined, and connect the second air path and the third air path when the body is upright; and at least one link member connecting the cam unit and the valve member to transfer a driving force of the cam unit to the valve member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Guangju Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dong-hun Yoo
  • Publication number: 20090089961
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a suction path switching unit is provided that includes a cleaner body having a body frame; a suction inlet body hinged to the body frame; an extension pipe assembly having a hose and an extension pipe connected in fluid communication with the hose; and a suction path switching unit disposed on the body frame. The suction path switching unit has a switching duct, at least a portion of which is elastically arranged on a suction path to be displaceable on the suction path. As the extension pipe is fixed on or separated from the body frame, the switching duct is selectively displaced to a first position of opening a first suction path flowing from the suction inlet body to the dust collecting unit or a second position of opening a second suction path flowing from the extension pipe to the dust collecting unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Inventors: See-hyun Kim, Joung-soo Park, Byung-jo Lee, Jung-gyun Han, Tae-gwang Kim
  • Publication number: 20080295278
    Abstract: A mop cleaner usable in combination with a vacuum cleaner unit for cleaning a mop head, the mop cleaner being also usable with a vacuum cleaner hose, the mop cleaner comprising: a frame, the frame defining a vacuum cleaner support for supporting the vacuum cleaner unit; a substantially elongated mop head guide for guiding the mop head therealong, the mop head guide being mounted to the frame, the mop head guide defining an opening and a mop cleaning suction nozzle, the opening leading into the mop cleaning suction nozzle; a valve, the valve defining a mop cleaning inlet, a vacuuming inlet and an outlet, the outlet being connectable to the vacuum cleaner for allowing the vacuum cleaner unit to apply a vacuum to the outlet; a mop cleaner tube extending between the mop cleaning suction nozzle and the mop cleaning inlet for fluidly coupling the mop cleaning suction nozzle and the mop cleaning inlet to each other; wherein the valve is configurable between a mop cleaning configuration in which the suction nozzle is
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventor: Yves Pelletier
  • Patent number: 7441307
    Abstract: A restricting device is positioned in the flow duct leading from the main inlet to the cleaning head of a vacuum cleaner and is movable between a restrictive position, in which it serves to restrict the cross-section of the discharge outlet, and an open position, in which it restricts the cross-section of the discharge outlet to a lesser extent. The restricting device is movable by the passage of debris along the flow duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventor: David Benjamin Smith
  • Patent number: 7424767
    Abstract: Provided is a street sweeper for collecting debris from a street surface. The street sweeper includes a chassis mounted on wheels, a rotating broom for removing debris from a street surface, and a hopper for collecting the removed debris. A passageway extends between the broom and the hopper to transfer the debris removed from the street surface. To remove debris from areas difficult to access with the rotating broom, the street sweeper also includes a litter hose connected to an air flow generating device that communicates with the hopper. The airflow generating device provides a suction force within the litter hose for removing debris and discharges that debris into the hopper. The airflow generating device and suction force work independently of the internal conditions of the hopper. In an embodiment, the airflow discharged into the hopper can exhaust through the passageway extending between the broom and the hopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Elgin Sweeper Co.
    Inventors: Brian David Giles, Peter J. McDonough
  • Publication number: 20080189901
    Abstract: A bare floor cleaner for wet and dry bare floor surfaces comprises a base with wet and dry suction nozzles and a handle pivotally connected to the base. A diverter mounted in the working air conduit between each of the dry suction nozzle and the wet suction nozzle to a recovery tank is movable by movement of the handle between a dry suction position and a wet suction position for selectively at least partially blocking working air flow from the wet suction nozzle and the dry suction nozzle, respectively, to the recovery tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Applicant: BISSELL HOMECARE, INC.
    Inventor: John L. Jansen
  • Patent number: 7386915
    Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner having dual cleaning motor and fan units is provided having a cleaning head engagable with a floor and a suction nozzle and a brush roller rotatably mounted therein. A first motor and fan unit is mounted in the vacuum cleaner for producing suction in the suction nozzle and is operatively connected to the brush roller for rotating it. An upright housing is connected to the cleaning head, the housing having a handle for moving the vacuum cleaner along the floor during floor cleaning use. Contained in the housing are a dirt storage container, a passageway leading from the suction nozzle in the cleaning head to the storage container and a second motor and fan unit operatively associated with the storage container for drawing dirt laden air from the cleaning head through the passageway and into the storage container simultaneously with operation of the first motor and fan unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Tacony Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas L. Blocker, John F. Kaido
  • Patent number: 7377008
    Abstract: A multifunction vacuum cleaner, in which a main body is removably connected to a frame portion, comprises a nozzle assembly for suctioning in an air including dusts or dirt on a cleaning area, a main body having a cyclone dust collector for centrifugally separating the dusts or dirt from the sucked air, a dust receptacle for collecting the separated dusts or dirt, a main body frame having an upper casing and a lower casing, a button operation portion formed on an upper part of the main body frame, and a connecting projection integrally formed with the button operation portion and moving elastically, and a frame portion which is pivotably connected with the nozzle assembly, and having a connecting groove to correspond to the connecting projection. The main body of the vacuum cleaner is removably mounted in the frame portion. As a result, the main body can be conveniently connected with or separate from the frame portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung-seon Park, Il-Won Yang
  • Patent number: 7377009
    Abstract: A complex type cleaner includes: a cleaner body having at least one of a dust collecting container for storing dust or foreign materials and a water collecting container for storing contaminated water; and a suction head having a dust suction opening disposed at a lower portion of the cleaner body and sucking dust when the cleaner performs a vacuum cleaning and a suction head having a suction nozzle for sucking contaminated water when the cleaner performs a water cleaning. By implementing both vacuum cleaning function for sucking dust and water cleaning function in one cleaner, a cost can be reduced, users' convenience can be improved, and the cleaner can be conveniently kept in storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Yong Woo Lee, Choon Myun Chung, Ho Seon Rew, Hyeun Sik Nam
  • Patent number: 7367082
    Abstract: A floor care appliance is provided for cleaning bare surfaces such as tile, marble, linoleum and wood. The floor care appliance includes a port for the connection of an accessory hose and wand for off the floor cleaning. A variety of cleaning implements can be attached to the wand for cleaning hard to reach bare surfaces such as tile and grout. The port includes a suction inlet, cleaning solution outlet, and an air turbine inlet for an air turbine pump which pressurizes the cleaning solution. A pivoting door seals the suction inlet, cleaning solution outlet, and air turbine inlet when the accessory hose and wand are not in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Inventors: Evan A. Gordon, Jeffery S. Louis, Kevin E. Scheifele, Jeffery A. Morgan, Brent L. Burchfield
  • Patent number: 7360274
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having an integral frame assembly and a detachable main body connected to the frame assembly comprises a nozzle assembly for drawing in an air from a surface to be cleaned, the air containing dust and dirt, a main body, and a frame assembly including a frame body and a connecting portion integrally formed with a lower part of the frame body. The main body includes a body frame, a dust collector connected to the body frame for separating the dust and dirt from the air drawn into the dust collector, and a drive motor for generating a suction force. According to the present invention, the main body of the vacuum cleaner is easily attached to and detached from the frame assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung-seon Park, Hyung-il Jeon
  • Patent number: 7356874
    Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner comprises a body including a dust separator, a floor engaging head having a first dirty air inlet on its underside, a handle detachably mounted in a socket on the body and having a second dirty air inlet at its lower end, a flexible hose extending between the center of the handle and the body, a valve, and a valve actuator disposed in the socket for configuring the valve to connect the dust separator to the first or second inlets respectively when the handle is engaged and disengaged from the body. When engaged to the body, the upper end of handle is used to propel and guide the cleaner while suction is applied to the first dirty air inlet in the floor engaging head. Once detached, the handle is immediately ready for use as a tool for above-floor cleaning without the user having to manually divert the suction or fit cleaning tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Hoover Limited
    Inventors: Euan Skinner Macleod, Ross Richardson, Christopher Richard Henderson
  • Patent number: 7350263
    Abstract: An electric vacuum cleaner including a vacuum cleaner main body, a suction tool main body connected to the vacuum cleaner main body and having an suction inlet which is open at a lower surface thereof, a dust box connected to the vacuum cleaner main body, and a grip portion for operating the vacuum cleaner main body. The suction tool main body, an interior of the vacuum cleaner main body, the grip portion and the dust box are directly connected in this order such that circulation of air is permitted. The interior of the vacuum cleaner main body and the grip portion are connected in a freely attachable and detachable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Yoshimi, Kazumasa Kamatani, Shuzo Ueyama, Hiroyuki Takami, Kouichi Nakai
  • Patent number: 7296322
    Abstract: A hose connection assembly for a vacuum cleaner comprises a flexible hose having one end connected to the dust-collecting chamber, a hose holder connected to the other end of the flexible hose and removably connected to a connection part of the suction brush, and a handle mounted on the hose holder to assist in connecting and disconnecting the hose holder with respect to the connection part. A mounting portion having a circumferential bead is preferably formed on an outer circumference of the hose holder to mount the handle therein, and the handle is rotatably mounted on the mounting portion. The handle comprises a fixing portion shaped as a cylinder and is mounted on the mounting portion, and a holding portion protruding from one side of the fixing portion in a perpendicular direction, and the fixing portion has a larger diameter than the mounting portion, thereby providing rotatability about the mounting portion through 360°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronisc Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jung-seon Park
  • Patent number: 7257852
    Abstract: A suction unit for use in an electric vacuum cleaner and an electric vacuum cleaner includes a floor nozzle and a mini nozzle detachably secured to the floor nozzle. When a suction head of the mini nozzle is secured to the floor nozzle, an air communication is provided therebetween. Further, the mini nozzle is provided with an ion generating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaki Shibuya, Koichi Fujita, Masakuni Soejima
  • Patent number: 7231687
    Abstract: In a vacuum cleaner, by including a casing having a certain internal space; a suction force generating unit installed in the casing to generate a suction force and discharge sucked air; a head unit combined with the casing to suck impurities on the bottom with air by a suction force of the suction force generating unit or discharge air sucked from the outside; a filter unit for filtering off impurities in air sucked through the head unit or ambient air received from the outside; a flow channel switch connected with the head unit, the filter unit and the suction force generating unit so as to selectively switch a flow channel in order to guide air including impurities sucked through the head unit by the suction force of the suction force generating unit or make ambient air introduced in the flow channel switch flow to the head unit; and plural pipes for providing passages of air flowing in the head unit, the filter unit, the suction force generating unit and the flow channel switch, it is possible to perform n
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Ho-Seon Rew, Yong-Woo Lee, Hyeon-Sik Nam, Choon-Myun Chung
  • Patent number: 7213297
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a body having a suction motor for generating a suction force, a filter for filtering dust sucked in by the suction motor, and an outlet for exhausting air which has been filtered by the filter. A suction head is provided at one side of the body for sucking dust and a suction/exhaustion switch is installed between the body and the suction head. The suction head includes a channel switching valve assembly installed at a lateral surface of the body, a head side suction hose connected between the channel switching valve assembly and the suction head and a body side suction hose connecting the body and the channel switching valve assembly. A suction/exhaustion hose is connected to the channel switching valve assembly for exhausting a part of the exhaustion air exhausted through the outlet to the outside of the body or for sucking dust through the channel switching valve assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hyeun-Sik Nam, Young-Woo Lee
  • Patent number: 7134164
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner nozzle assembly having at least one auxiliary suction opening along an edge thereof for picking up dirt and debris as the nozzle is moved along a wall or other obstruction. The auxiliary suction openings may be on both sides of the nozzle assembly, located proximate the ends of the primary intake opening. Auxiliary suction ducts connect the auxiliary intake openings to an internal plenum that also supplies vacuum to the main intake opening. The primary and secondary airflows merge in the plenum for withdrawal and collection. The nozzle assembly may be a power nozzle having a roller brush and a drive motor, or may be an unpowered carpet nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Inventor: James R. Alton
  • Patent number: 7131164
    Abstract: A suction nozzle for use in a vacuum cleaner includes a floor nozzle and a mini nozzle having a suction head, a rotatable joint, and joint, to be detachably secured in the floor nozzle. Either of the suction head and the rotatable joint or the rotatable joint and the joint is vertically joined and the other rotatably joined. Moreover, the suction head is unrotatably secured onto the floor nozzle, and forms an air communication with the floor nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Uratani, Masakuni Soejima, Koichi Fujita, Masaki Shibuya, Hidetoshi Imai, Masaki Takahashi, Masaichi Fukushima, Hiroyuki Senoo
  • Patent number: 7124467
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is provided with a canister assembly and a nozzle assembly. The nozzle assembly includes both a main inlet and an edge cleaning inlet. A dirt container and a fan and motor assembly/suction generator are carried on either the nozzle assembly or the canister assembly. An airflow system conveys a vacuum airstream from the nozzle assembly to the dirt container. The airflow system includes a control valve, a first conduit between the main inlet and the control valve, a second conduit between the edge cleaning inlet and the control valve and a third conduit between the control valve and the dirt container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventors: J. Erik Hitzelberger, Eric J. Streciwilk