Tubular Handle, E.g., "air-way" Type Patents (Class 15/335)
  • Patent number: 11547254
    Abstract: Hand held vacuum cleaning apparatus (100) includes an elongate housing (122) which is cylindrical in shape. The housing (122) defines an inlet opening (108), an interior (124) and an exhaust opening (118). The housing (122) further defines, within the interior (124), a receptacle receiving chamber (112) in which, in use, a removable dust retaining receptacle (115) is located. The receptacle receiving chamber (112) is substantially circular in cross section and comprises substantially the whole of the diameter of the interior (124) in cross section. The apparatus (100) includes a flow inducer (117) located in the interior (124). In use, the flow inducer (117) induces air flow from the inlet opening (108), through the receptacle (115) in the chamber (112), through the flow inducer (117) to the exhaust opening (118).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Inventor: Martin Paul Bagwell
  • Patent number: 11304580
    Abstract: A purge port system for clearing a clogged vacuum cleaner hose including a housing that is connected to, or part of, the vacuum cleaner. The housing includes housing openings. An insert engages with the housing. Openings are included on the insert. The housing and insert openings can receive an output and an input of a hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Inventor: Nabil Robert Boury
  • Patent number: 10791898
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a dust collector for a vacuum cleaner, including a first cyclone disposed within an outer case to filter out dust from air introduced from an outside thereof and introduce the air from which dust has been filtered out to an inside thereof, a second cyclone accommodated in the inside of the first cyclone to separate fine dust from the air introduced to the inside of the first cyclone, a first guide vane spirally extended from an annular shaped first space between the first and the second cyclone to induce rotational flow so as to introduce air introduced into the first space to an inlet of the second cyclone, and a second guide vane spirally extended along an inner circumference of the inlet to enhance the rotational flow of air introduced to an inside of the second cyclone through the inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Kietak Hyun, Seungyeop Lee, Hyukjin Ahn
  • Patent number: 10758099
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a dust collector for a vacuum cleaner, including a first cyclone disposed within an outer case to filter out dust from air introduced from an outside thereof and introduce the air from which dust has been filtered out to an inside thereof, a second cyclone accommodated in the inside of the first cyclone to separate fine dust from the air introduced to the inside of the first cyclone, a first guide vane spirally extended from an annular shaped first space between the first and the second cyclone to induce rotational flow so as to introduce air introduced into the first space to an inlet of the second cyclone, and a second guide vane spirally extended along an inner circumference of the inlet to enhance the rotational flow of air introduced to an inside of the second cyclone through the inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Kietak Hyun, Seungyeop Lee, Hyukjin Ahn
  • Patent number: 10292550
    Abstract: A low profile upright surface cleaning apparatus comprises an air flow duct which has a length in a lateral direction that is transverse to the central longitudinal axis (front to back) of the surface cleaning head that is greater than a depth of the air flow duct in a direction of the central longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Omachron Intellectual Property Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne Ernest Conrad, Nina Conrad, Dave Petersen
  • Patent number: 10182692
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a cyclone separator, a collection chamber below the cyclone separator, a pre-motor filter downstream from the cyclone separator, and an openable cover above the pre-motor filter. The cover provides access to an upstream surface of the pre-motor filter when open, and forms an outer surface of the vacuum cleaner that is angled forwardly at an incline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: BISSELL Homecare, Inc.
    Inventor: Phong H. Tran
  • Patent number: 10178930
    Abstract: A portable lightweight cordless vacuum cleaner that easily maneuverable includes a dirt bin that may be easily emptied and a pivoting handle apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: TVP Developments Limited Company (Ltd.)
    Inventor: Kishore Kunal Samtani
  • Patent number: 10039428
    Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner comprising a vac-motor for drawing dirty air in through a floor-engaging cleaner head on the vacuum cleaner, a separating apparatus for separating dirt from the dirty air, an elongate air duct for carrying air to or from the separating apparatus, and a suction wand which is stored on the vacuum cleaner and which can be connected to the separating apparatus via a hose as required to clean above the floor. The external surface of the air duct defines an elongate recess for receiving the stored suction wand such that the air duct partly surrounds the stored wand. This provides a compact configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: David Christopher James Newton, Stephen Robert Dimbylow, Peter David Gammack, Ian John Brough, Adam David Lambert, Simon Brian McNamee
  • Patent number: 10022027
    Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus comprises having a primary dirty air inlet and a drive handle drivingly connected to the surface cleaning head and comprising an above floor cleaning wand, a flexible hose and an auxiliary dirty air inlet, wherein the all in the head surface cleaning apparatus is useable in a floor cleaning mode in which the drive handle is drivingly connected to the surface cleaning head and air enters the all in the head surface cleaning apparatus via the primary dirty air inlet of the surface cleaning head and an above floor cleaning mode wherein the above floor cleaning wand is extended from a stored position and air enters the all in the head surface cleaning apparatus via the auxiliary dirty air inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Omachron Intellectual Property Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Patent number: 9668630
    Abstract: An all in the head surface cleaning apparatus may include a surface cleaning head having a dirty air inlet and first and second laterally opposed sidewalls. The surface cleaning head may include a brush motor drivingly connected to a moveable brushing member, the brush motor having a brush motor axis. The surface cleaning head may include a cyclone assembly having a cyclone chamber and a dirt collection chamber exterior to the cyclone chamber and positioned forward or rearward of the cyclone chamber. The cyclone may have a longitudinal cyclone axis. The surface cleaning head may include a suction motor having a first end, a second end and a suction motor axis extending between the first and second ends. An upper portion may be mounted to the surface cleaning head between a storage position and a floor cleaning position, and may include drive handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Omachron Intellectual Property Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Patent number: 9545180
    Abstract: An all in the head surface cleaning apparatus may include a surface cleaning head and a drive handle. The surface cleaning head may include a front end, a rear end, first and second laterally opposed sidewalls and a drive handle mounting hub positioned rearward of the rear end. The drive handle may be moveably mounted to the mounting hub between a storage position and an inclined floor cleaning position. The surface cleaning head may include a brush motor drivingly connected to a moveable brushing member. The brush motor may have a brush motor axis. The surface cleaning head may include a cyclone assembly having a cyclone chamber and a dirt collection chamber. The cyclone may have a longitudinal cyclone axis. The surface cleaning head may include a suction motor having a first end, a second end and a suction motor axis extending between the first and second ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Omachron Intellectual Property Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Patent number: 9427126
    Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus, wherein the pre-motor filter dirt chamber is openable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Omachron Intellectual Property Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Patent number: 9295363
    Abstract: An all in the head surface cleaning apparatus may include a surface cleaning head having an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet. The surface cleaning head may have a brush motor drivingly connected to a moveable brushing member. The brush motor may have a brush motor axis. The surface cleaning head may have a cyclone having a cyclone chamber and a longitudinal cyclone axis. The surface cleaning head may have a suction motor having a first end, a second end and a suction motor axis extending between the first and second ends. The cyclone and brush motor axes may be generally parallel and the brush motor may have a lateral inner end that may be opposed to and at least partially faces a lateral inner end of the cyclone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Omachron Intellectual Property Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Patent number: 9215960
    Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus comprises a first flexible electrified air flow conduit having an air inlet end that is electrified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Omachron Intellectual Property Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Patent number: 9066642
    Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus comprises a floor cleaning unit having a surface cleaning head, an upright section having a handle, a cleaning unit removably mounted to the handle and an air flow conduit forming part of an air flow path from the surface cleaning head to the cleaning unit, wherein the flexible air flow conduit comprises a portable portion removably mounted to the surface cleaning apparatus and a rigid extension wand. Reconfiguring the surface cleaning apparatus components permits the use of the surface cleaning apparatus in various operating modes such as a first upright operating mode wherein the surface cleaning apparatus is operable with the cleaning unit mounted to the handle, and a second operating mode wherein the cleaning unit is carried by a user and is operable when removed from the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: G.B.D. Corp.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Patent number: 9015899
    Abstract: An upright surface cleaning apparatus comprises a surface cleaning head having a dirty air inlet. A support structure is moveably mounted to the surface cleaning head and a portable cleaning unit is removably mounted to the support structure. An above floor cleaning wand is provided. Each of the wand and the portable cleaning unit is separately removable from the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: G.B.D. Corp.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Patent number: 8978207
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a based and a handle. The handle has first and second valves to selectively receive suction airflow from a main suction inlet, a first edge cleaning inlet, and an accessory hose. The first valve is operable to connect a dirt separator to either a main floor cleaning inlet or an auxiliary cleaning inlet. The second valve is operable to selectively connect the auxiliary cleaning inlet to the edge cleaning inlet. The accessory hose is mountable to an accessory hose mount on the handle. When mounted, the accessory hose contacts a second actuator for the second valve to hold the second valve in an edge cleaning position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Care Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Sutrina
  • Patent number: 8959706
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is provided. The vacuum cleaner includes a first suction unit, a main body, a second suction unit, a connection flow-tube, and a flow-passage switching device. The main body communicates with the first suction unit and includes a suction motor to generate a suction force. The second suction unit is configured to be selectively attached to the main body. The connection flow-tube is configured to selectively connect the first suction unit or the second suction unit to the suction motor. The flow-passage switching device is configured to connect the connection flow-tube to the first section unit or the second suction unit according to a disposition state of the second suction unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Seong-Ho Park, Hae-Seock Yang, Young-Min Hyun, Hyuk-Joo Kwon, Hyo-Churl Shin, Sang-Jun Park, Jin-Wook Seo
  • Patent number: 8943646
    Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner comprising a wand fluidly connected to a separating apparatus on the cleaner via a hose and which is used, as required, to clean above the level of the floor. The wand is at least partly retractable inside the hose for storage, and a hose catch is provided at the end of the hose, this hose catch being biased towards a locking position in which the hose catch locks the wand in an extended position. According to the invention, the hose is a stretch hose arranged, in its coil-bound state, to act as a reaction member against which a user may readily force the biased hose catch out of said locking position using the extended wand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Andrew James Wills, Paul Andrew McLuckie, Charles Edward Park, James Dyson, Peter David Gammack
  • Patent number: 8916002
    Abstract: A portable vacuum includes a container having a sidewall, an open bottom portion, an opposing, open top portion and an attachment opening in the sidewall. A bucket is detachably coupled to the container. A vacuum unit is detachably coupled to and closes off the top portion of the container, the vacuum unit having at least one air inlet and at least one air exhaust port. The vacuum unit is operable to selectably generate an air stream entering the air inlet and exiting the air exhaust port. The portable vacuum also includes an elongate, generally hollow suction tube having a first end and an opposing second end, the first end being detachably coupled to the attachment opening of the container. The air stream generates a vacuum at the second end of the suction tube operable to draw waste material into the suction tube, the waste material being deposited in the bucket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Inventor: James Landolt
  • Publication number: 20140331445
    Abstract: An upright surface cleaning apparatus, such as an upright vacuum cleaner, is provided wherein the upright section is moveable sideways about a pivot axis wherein the pivot axis is angled forwardly and downwardly. In other embodiments, a surface cleaning head is provided which is moveable sideways and is biased to the centered position. In other embodiments, a surface cleaning head is moveable sideways and is provided with a detent mechanism to inhibit sideways movement when in the storage position. In other embodiments, a surface cleaning apparatus is also provided which alternately uses a cleaning head adapted to receive a cloth or a traditional surface cleaning head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventors: Jason Boyd THORNE, Thomas David Reid FORD
  • Patent number: 8875340
    Abstract: An upright surface cleaning apparatus comprises a floor cleaning head having a dirty air inlet and an upright section moveably mounted to the surface cleaning head. The surface cleaning apparatus also includes an air flow passage extending from the dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet. The air flow passage includes a conduit section. The surface cleaning apparatus also includes a suction motor and an air treatment member positioned in the air flow passage, provided in one of the floor cleaning head and the upright section. The conduit section has an inlet end and an outlet end. The inlet end is rotatably connected to the air flow passage about an axis parallel to air flow through the inlet end, and the outlet end is rotatably connected to the air flow passage about an axis parallel to air flow through the outlet end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: G.B.D. Corp.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Patent number: 8769765
    Abstract: A surface treating appliance, such as a vacuum cleaner, includes a device generating a flow of fluid in the form of a motor and fan, housed in a main body. A hose and wand assembly, a surface treating head and a rotary change over valve are also provided. The valve is selectively rotatable so as to allow fluid flow from either the surface-treating head or the hose. A support assembly is moveable between a supporting position, in which it supports the main body, and a retracted position. The change over valve and support assembly are arranged so that motion of the support assembly between the supporting and retracted positions induces rotary motion of the change over valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: David Colin Worker, Nicholas Timothy Spence
  • Patent number: 8720002
    Abstract: A handle assembly for a cleaning appliance such as a vacuum cleaner includes a flexible hose having a first end that is connectable to a main body of the cleaning appliance and a second end, a handle portion for maneuvering the handle assembly during use and a tubular wand. The second end of the flexible hose is connected to the handle portion, and the tubular wand is slidably mounted in the handle portion so as to be movable between a first position in which the tubular wand extends beyond the handle portion inside the flexible hose and a second position in which the tubular wand extends beyond the handle portion away from the flexible hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Peter David Gammack, Andrew McCulloch, Benjamin John Strutt, Sarah Helen Liddell, William Robert James White
  • Patent number: 8578550
    Abstract: A domestic air treatment apparatus such as a vacuum cleaner comprises a fluid flow path including a dirt inlet and a clean air outlet. A suction motor and a treatment member are provided in the flow path. The fluid flow path comprises a portion that has a bend, such as an elbow, wherein all portions of the fluid flow path through the bend have a cross sectional area that is at least about the same as a cross sectional area of the inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: G.B.D. Corp.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Patent number: 8567005
    Abstract: A domestic appliance, such as a surface cleaning apparatus, comprises a fluid flow path including a dirt inlet and a clean air outlet with a suction motor and a treatment member provided in the fluid flow path. A first part of the surface cleaning apparatus has an opening and a second part of the surface cleaning apparatus has a key receiving portion. A key is insertable into the opening and the key receiving portion. The first part and the second part are secured together when the key is inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: G.B.D. Corp.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Patent number: 8468646
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner for using both in an upright form and a canister form, which can stably support and store a cleaner body and at the same time, reduce a suction nozzle assembly in size, is disclosed. The vacuum cleaner includes a pivot unit formed to pivot a connection pipe disposed between an extended tube and a nozzle body of a suction nozzle assembly, on at least two points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dong-Hun Yoo
  • Patent number: 8453294
    Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner having a path switching apparatus are provided. The upright vacuum cleaner may include: a cleaner body, a hose which introduces air including dust into a dust collection unit, an extension pipe which is connected to the hose and is attached to/detached from the cleaner body, a suction port assembly connected to a bottom of the cleaner body, and a path switching apparatus installed in the cleaner body. The path switching apparatus includes an actuator, a rotary valve which pivotally rotates when the actuator operates, and a valve housing in which the rotary valve is built, wherein the rotary valve is curvedly formed so that the rotary valve forms a duct along with an inner circumferential surface of the valve housing to select a first path or a second path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Byung-jo Lee
  • Patent number: 8438697
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is provided. A vacuum cleaner includes a main body with a suction motor, a dust collecting unit, a main body frame, a locking member, a detaching button, and a pushing member. A suction port assembly is connected to the main body and an extension pipe assembly is detachably attached to the main body; each fluidly connects selectively with the dust collecting unit. The locking member selectively locks the extension pipe assembly to the main body frame, the detaching button selectively detaches the locking member from the extension pipe assembly, and the pushing member moves the extension pipe assembly according to the locking member being detached from the extension pipe assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: See-hyun Kim, Byung-jo Lee, Tae-gwang Kim
  • Patent number: 8327503
    Abstract: A surface treating appliance, such as a vacuum cleaner, includes a device generating a flow of fluid in the form of a motor and fan, housed in a main body. A hose and wand assembly, a surface treating head and a rotary change over valve are also provided. The valve is selectively rotatable so as to allow fluid flow from either the surface-treating head or the hose. A support assembly is moveable between a supporting position, in which it supports the main body, and a retracted position. The change over valve and support assembly are arranged so that motion of the support assembly between the supporting and retracted positions induces rotary motion of the change over valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: David Colin Worker, Nicholas Timothy Spence
  • Patent number: 8287655
    Abstract: A method of cleaning dirt and debris from surfaces using a cleaning device, such as a vacuum cleaner. The cleaning device has a handle unit which is attached to the body of the cleaning device adjacent a filter compartment. The handle unit has a handle portion that is spaced from the filter compartment to allow a user to place his or her hand through the space and grasp the handle portion and thereby carry the cleaning device using only the handle unit. The handle unit can also be detached from the body of the cleaning device, and then later re-attached, via lockable mating connecting elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Stein & Co. GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Stein, Achim Liffers
  • Patent number: 8286302
    Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner for cleaning a surface includes a base unit, a carriage configured to move the base unit on the surface, and an upper body having a dust collection container disposed therein. The upper body is supported so as to be tiltable relative to the base unit and is lockable in a parked position in which the vacuum cleaner has a substantially upright position when standing on the surface. A motor-fan unit is configured to provide a partial vacuum at the surface. An air conduit connecting the base unit and the dust collection container includes an interface and a section formed by a hose or an assembly of the hose and a wand. The section is connected downstream of the interface and is disposed at least partially externally on the upper body. The section is configured to enable a vacuuming mode of operation that is independent of the base unit. A tubular member forming at least part of a transition between the hose and the upper body. The tubular member is swivelably disposed on the upper body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Miele & Cie. KG
    Inventors: Klemens Andrup, Udo Mersmann
  • Patent number: 8240003
    Abstract: A handle assembly for a cleaning appliance such as a vacuum cleaner includes a flexible hose having a first end that is connectable to a main body of the cleaning appliance and a second end, a handle portion for maneuvering the handle assembly during use and a tubular wand. The second end of the flexible hose is connected to the handle portion, and the tubular wand is slidably mounted in the handle portion so as to be movable between a first position in which the tubular wand extends beyond the handle portion inside the flexible hose and a second position in which the tubular wand extends beyond the handle portion away from the flexible hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Peter David Gammack, Andrew McCulloch, Benjamin John Strutt, Sarah Helen Liddell, William Robert James White
  • Patent number: 8225457
    Abstract: A handle assembly for a cleaning appliance includes a handle portion for maneuvering the handle assembly during use, a flexible hose having a first end connectable to a main body of the cleaning appliance and a second end connectable to the handle portion, and a tubular wand. The tubular wand is slidably mounted in the handle portion so as to be moveable between a first position in which the tubular wand extends along the handle portion inside the flexible hose and a second position in which the tubular wand extends beyond the handle portion away from the flexible hose. The handle is releasably attachable to the main body by a catch mechanism arranged so as to release the handle portion from the main body when the tubular wand is moved from the first position to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Alan Glynn Sanderson, Hadley White
  • Patent number: 8196257
    Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner for cleaning a surface includes a base unit with a brush motor and a brush roller drivable by the brush motor. An air conduit leads from the base unit to a dust collection container and includes an interface and a first section downstream of the interface. The first section includes a hose or a hose-and-wand assembly and is arranged externally on an upper body of the vacuum and is also securable to the upper body. A receiving structure on the upper body is configured to receive the first section and is removable from the receiving structure in a region of the interface so as to enable a vacuuming mode of operation that is independent of the base unit. A turning-off device is operable to turn off the brush motor when the first section is removed from the receiving structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Miele & Cie. KG
    Inventors: Mark Hanschur, Udo Mersmann
  • Patent number: 8127398
    Abstract: An upright surface cleaning apparatus is disclosed. Embodiments of the apparatus comprise a surface cleaning head having a dirty fluid inlet. A fluid flow path extends from the dirty fluid inlet to a clean air outlet, and includes a suction motor and at least one cleaning stage. An upright section is mounted to the surface cleaning head and comprises at least one cleaning stage having an inlet. An above floor cleaning wand is connectable to the fluid flow path and has an inlet end. A valve is operable between a first position in which the surface cleaning head is in fluid flow communication with the at least one cleaning stage and a second position in which the above floor cleaning wand is in fluid flow communication with the at least one cleaning stage. In some embodiments, the valve is positioned adjacent the inlet of the at least one cleaning stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: G.B.D. Corp.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Patent number: 8108967
    Abstract: A handle assembly for a cleaning appliance includes a slidably extendible wand and a connecting portion that includes a first locking arrangement releasably securing the handle assembly to the main body of the cleaning appliance, a second locking arrangement releasably locking the wand in a pre-determined position with respect to the connecting portion and an actuator. The actuator is adapted and arranged to move the first and second locking arrangements between locked and unlocked positions. The first locking arrangement is movable independently of the actuator. This arrangement allows a single actuator to be operated by a user to unlock both the first and second locking arrangements simultaneously. However, because the first locking arrangement can move independently of the second locking arrangement, it is possible to secure the handle assembly to the main body of the cleaning appliance while keeping the wand in a locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventor: Ralph Michael Wood
  • 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: 8060977
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner and accessory tool. The vacuum cleaner has a first magnet feature and a first mounting feature. The accessory tool has a second magnet feature and a second mounting feature. One of the first and second mounting features is shaped to wrap partially around the other of the first and second mounting features to mount the accessory tool to the vacuum cleaner. When the accessory tool is mounted, the first magnet feature is adjacent the second magnet feature. The accessory tool and vacuum cleaner may be devoid of snap fitment features that frictionally engage to mount the accessory tool to the vacuum cleaner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Care Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Benjamin Stephens
  • Patent number: 8042224
    Abstract: A cleaning appliance includes a main body, a handle assembly and a hose. The handle assembly includes a tube and a gripping portion fixedly attached thereto. The hose has one end attached to the main body. The tube is movable relative to the main body between a stored position in which at least a part of the tube lies within the hose and an extended position in which the gripping portion can be used to manipulate the cleaning appliance in use. By providing such an arrangement, the handle assembly and the hose can be stored compactly. When the user wishes to store the cleaning appliance, the tube can be retracted inside the hose for storage. When the tube is extended, the gripping portion is at a convenient height to be manipulated by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: William Robert James White, Tom Vallance Hamilton Crawford
  • 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: 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: 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: 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: 7891050
    Abstract: A handle assembly for a cleaning appliance includes a handle portion and a tubular wand having an open end configured to receive tools or other accessories when the cleaning appliance is in use. The handle assembly also includes a wand cap which is movable between a first position in which the wand cap covers the open end of the tubular wand and a second position in which the open end of the tubular wand is not covered by the wand cap. The wand cap is releasably connected to the handle portion or the tubular wand in a snap-fit manner. This provides an advantageous construction which reduces the risk of damage and the cost of repair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventor: Sarah Helen Liddell
  • Patent number: 7810210
    Abstract: A cleaner is provided in which a handle for a dust receptacle can also be used as a handle for a cleaner body. The cleaner includes a cleaner body which includes a dust receptacle receiving unit, a dust receptacle which is detachably mounted on the dust receptacle receiving unit and includes a handle, a moving unit which moves the dust receptacle on the dust receptacle receiving unit to be fixed to the cleaner body, and a connection unit which fixes the dust receptacle to the cleaner body at two or more places according to the movement of the dust receptacle. Since the dust receptacle is firmly connected to the cleaner body by the connection unit, the handle can be used to carry the cleaner body as well as the dust receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong-hun Yoo, Ji-won Seo
  • Patent number: 7676883
    Abstract: A changeover valve, for an upright vacuum cleaner, comprises a movable valve member (31) connected via a flexible duct to a dirt separator of the cleaner, and a valve body (30) having inlet ports (32, 33) connected, respectively, to an air inlet in the underside of a floor-engaging unit of the cleaner and, via a flexible hose, a suction nozzle of the cleaner. The valve member (31) is movable relative to the valve body (30) for selective alignment with either of the inlet ports (32, 33).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Hoover Limited
    Inventors: Euan Skinner Macleod, John Taylor, Ross Richardson, William Edwards
  • 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: 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: 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