Power Propelled Vehicle Or Carrier Patents (Class 15/340.1)
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Patent number: 8881341Abstract: A debris collecting system comprises a debris collecting assembly including an air-flow generating device and a debris body. The system further comprises an intermediate debris collecting container connected to the debris collecting assembly such that the collected debris is by-passing the debris body of the assembly.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2011Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: Federal SignalInventor: Ronald L. Schmidt, Jr.
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Patent number: 8871030Abstract: A cleaning path guidance method combined with a dirt detection mechanism is performed in an automatic cleaning device to generate a cleaning path, so as to guide the automatic cleaning device to clean an area to be cleaned, in which plural grids are defined in the area. The method includes: moving the automatic cleaning device in the area to clear dirt away, and continuously detecting a flow of the dirt cleared away to obtain a dirt level of a current gird; if the dirt level of the current gird exceeds a threshold, marking the grid as a dirty grid; performing an algorithm and finding a shortest path passing through all dirty grids as a cleaning path according to the marked dirty grids; and moving the automatic cleaning device to pass through each dirty grid according to the clean path, so as to clean each dirty gird sequentially.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2011Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: MSI Computer(Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shui-Shih Chen, You-Wei Teng
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Patent number: 8874268Abstract: Provided is a robot cleaner, and more particularly to a robot cleaner which detest whether a foreign material storage unit is separated. The robot cleaner includes a main body including a suction motor, a foreign material storage unit separably disposed within the main body, the foreign material storage unit storing foreign materials contained in sucked air, a foreign material cover for selectively shielding one side of the foreign material storage unit, and a detection unit for detecting whether the foreign material cover is opened.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2009Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Bong-Ju Kim, In-Bo Shim, Ji-Hoon Sung, Byung-Doo Yim, Sung-Guen Kim
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Patent number: 8863351Abstract: A floor cleaning machine includes a cleaning system, a drive mechanism, and at least one steerable front wheel driven by the drive mechanism. The floor cleaning machine also includes two independently suspended rear wheels. A platform is located along a geometrical center axis between the two rear wheels. The platform is configured to support an operator of the floor cleaning machine in a standing position. A maximum vertical distance between the platform and the floor is 200 millimeters.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2013Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: Diversey, Inc.Inventor: Heinrich-Tito Mayer
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Publication number: 20140289998Abstract: A self-propelled vacuum cleaner has a moving device and a vacuuming device. The moving device has a casing and a control module. The casing has at least one wheel, a vacuuming hole, a clapboard, a mounting chamber, an assembling chamber and a communicating hole. The communicating hole is formed through the clapboard and communicates with the mounting chamber and the assembling chamber. The control module is mounted in the mounting chamber to control the rotation of the at least one wheel. The vacuuming device is detachably connected to the moving device and has a vacuuming module and a filtering module. The vacuuming module is mounted in the assembling chamber and has a front shell, a power supply, a fan and a communicating cover. The filtering module is mounted in the mounting chamber, is connected to the vacuuming module and has a rear shell, a filter holder and a filter.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2013Publication date: October 2, 2014Inventor: Liang-Hsiung WANG
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Patent number: 8844463Abstract: A pipe conditioning tool comprising a drive unit to move the tool along a pipe and a work head rotatable about an axis of the pipe to condition a surface of the pipe, the drive unit includes a frame extending to opposite sides of the pipe, the frame having legs extending radially beyond the work head to provide support for the tool upon removal from said pipe.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2012Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Automatic Coating LimitedInventor: Brad Bamford
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Patent number: 8793891Abstract: A novel collapsible aeration system is retrofitted into a grain bin with a discharge opening in the bottom. This grain bin may have a sloped or conical hopper or a flat bottom. The aeration system is formed from a set of connected (e.g. hinged) duct sections that define a round or multi-sided duct having a minimum of three sides or faces. The sides may be flat, curved or corrugated. The collapsible aeration system is folded (collapsed), inserted into the bin via a hole, and then unfolded inside the bin. An air duct is connected to the aeration system to enable the aeration system to dry the grain in the grain bin. This technology enables existing grain bins to be retrofitted with a dryer in an easy and efficient manner.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2010Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: AG Growth International, Inc.Inventor: Imre Varro
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Publication number: 20140201941Abstract: A cleaning robot that comprises: a main case (2) having a suction port (6) opened in the lower surface thereof and an exhaust port (7) opened in the upper surface thereof, that is self-propelled on a floor surface (F); an electric fan (22) arranged inside the main case (2); a dust collection unit (30) arranged in the center of the main case (2), in a planar view, that collects dust in airflow sucked in from the suction port (6) by the driving force of the electric fan (22); and a battery (14) that supplies power to each section. The electric fan (22) is arranged on one side relative to the dust collection unit (30) and the battery (14) is arranged on the other side.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2012Publication date: July 24, 2014Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yasuhiro Oka, Jitsuo Sakamoto, Kenichiro Inoue
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Publication number: 20140196246Abstract: A vacuum truck for dispensing water into a sewer or similar location and receiving recovered water from the sewer that includes debris to be removed therefrom. The vacuum truck includes a debris tank that receives the recovered water and retains debris removed from the recovered water. A primary and a secondary filter are positioned in the debris tank for separating debris from the recovered water. A water pump draws the recovered water through the secondary filter and provides the water to a tertiary filter that removes smaller debris from the recovered water. The recovered water from the tertiary filter is provided directly to a jetting water pump without being accumulated in a water holding tank. The vacuum truck includes a water storage tank that includes potable water for cleaning the truck or when recovered water is not available from the debris tank.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2014Publication date: July 17, 2014Applicant: SUPER PRODUCTS LLCInventors: Jason David Hetcher, Daniel J. Koziczkowski, Curtis J. Ladish, Michael James Jacobson, Steven Iding
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Patent number: 8776303Abstract: A debris collection system is disclosed comprising a vehicle and an articulating vacuum hose. The articulating vacuum hose includes a vacuum hose assembly and an articulating arm. The articulating arm is configured to support the vacuum hose assembly which is comprised of a vacuum hose, support bands and support cables. The articulating arm includes a first arm extension and a second arm extension. The first arm extension is mounted to the vehicle and rotatable with respect to the vehicle about two perpendicular pivot axes. The second arm extension is pivotally connected to the first arm extension and is rotatable with respect to the first arm extension about a third pivot axis. The first and second arm extensions can be moved to a folded position wherein both extensions are parallel to each other and to an exterior surface of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2013Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: Federal Signal CorporationInventor: James Crockett
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Patent number: 8763200Abstract: A robot cleaner to perform cleaning without interruption of travel when passing over an obstacle. The robot cleaner includes a main body, and drive devices at left and right sides of the main body. Each drive device includes a main wheel to drive the main body, a drive motor to rotate the main wheel, a gear assembly to transmit power from the drive motor to the main wheel, a drive shaft to assist the main wheel in rotating by rotation power, and an auxiliary wheel connected to a distal end of the drive shaft so as to be located closer to the center of the main body than the main wheel. If the main wheel is lifted from a floor when passing over an obstacle during traveling, the auxiliary wheel protrudes downward to reach the floor, assisting the main body in traveling to escape from the obstacle.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2012Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Dong Won Kim, Jun Hwa Lee
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Publication number: 20140165326Abstract: A particulate collection system comprises a chassis, supported by a plurality of rotatable actuators operable to provide mobility to the chassis and a blower motor, carried by the chassis. A cyclonic separation chamber is in fluid communication with an inlet head, the cyclonic separation chamber having: an inlet port in fluid communication with the inlet head, the inlet port passing through an upper portion of an outer wall of the cyclonic separation chamber to allow entry of gas into the cyclonic separation chamber; and a conical baffle, contained within the cyclonic separation chamber, the conical baffle having a lower diameter and an upper diameter, the upper diameter being smaller than the lower diameter, wherein gas enters an interior portion of the conical baffle through the lower diameter of the conical baffle and exits the cyclonic separation chamber through the upper diameter of the conical baffle.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2014Publication date: June 19, 2014Applicant: Independence Enterprises, IncInventor: Michael D. Tacke
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Patent number: 8755591Abstract: A method of classifying and collecting feature information of an area according to a robot's moving path, a robot controlled by area features, and a method and apparatus for composing a user interface using the area features are disclosed. The robot includes a plurality of sensor modules to collect feature information of a predetermined area along a moving path of the robot, and an analyzer to analyze the collected feature information of the predetermined area according to a predetermined reference range and to classify the collected feature information into a plurality of groups.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2013Date of Patent: June 17, 2014Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Seung-Nyung Chung, Hyun-jeong Lee, Hyun-jin Kim, Hyeon Myeong
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Patent number: 8739355Abstract: An autonomous floor cleaning robot includes a transport drive and control system arranged for autonomous movement of the robot over a floor for performing cleaning operations. The robot chassis carries a first cleaning zone comprising cleaning elements arranged to suction loose particulates up from the cleaning surface and a second cleaning zone comprising cleaning elements arraigned to apply a cleaning fluid onto the surface and to thereafter collect the cleaning fluid up from the surface after it has been used to clean the surface. The robot chassis carries a supply of cleaning fluid and a waste container for storing waste materials collected up from the cleaning surface.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2007Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventors: Christopher J. Morse, Andrew Ziegler, Duane Gilbert, Andrew Jones
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Patent number: 8741013Abstract: A dust bin for a robotic vacuum comprises a dust bin frame having a cavity defined therein to receive debris, a filter frame disposed within the dust bin frame and defining two filter openings at opposite sides thereof, and a central impeller disposed adjacent to or under the filter frame to draw air from outside of the dust bin into the dust bin. The dust bin also comprises two air filters, one air filter being located on each side of the central impeller, each air filter being inserted into one of the filter openings, each filter having an overhang around a perimeter thereof that includes a sealing face to form a vacuum-assisted seal with the filter frame when air is drawn into the dust bin.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2011Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventors: David Orrin Swett, Mark Steven Schnittman
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Patent number: 8739354Abstract: The present invention relates to a compact user friendly multi tool mobile sewer jetting and in ground utility servicing vehicle with one or more reels mounted on an articulated boom which is pivotably mounted to a service vehicle via a slewing ring gear. A vacuum excavation system with a vacuum hose and vacuum hose reel may also be mounted on the mobile vehicle. The articulated boom having a first end pivotably mounted to a mobile vehicle via a slewing ring gear. The articulated boom may have sufficient strength to support a jetter hose reel mounted near a second end of the boom and the boom may have sufficient move ability to position and stabilize the reel near a man hole or service work area for user friendly use by an operator. Sensors, monitors and controllers are included to gather data related to the operation of the service vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2010Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Inventor: Lynn A. Buckner
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Patent number: 8732901Abstract: Provided is a robot cleaner, and more particularly to a robot cleaner for shielding particularly an air inlet of a foreign material storage unit. The robot cleaner includes a main body including a drive unit for providing a suction force, a main cover for shielding a side of the main body, a foreign material storage unit separably disposed on the main cover, the foreign material storage unit having an air inlet for introducing air containing foreign materials, a foreign material cover disposed on the main cover, the foreign material cover selectively shielding a side of the foreign material storage unit, and a shield member disposed on the foreign material storage unit, the shield member selectively shielding the air inlet.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2009Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: In-Bo Shim, Sung-Guen Kim, Byung-Doo Yim, Bong-Ju Kim, Ji-Hoon Sung
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Patent number: 8726458Abstract: Methods and systems for cleaning a plurality of solar collectors by a cleaning device that may traverse the gap between a current solar collector and a proximate solar collector by controlling the interaction between the cleaning device and the plurality of solar collectors.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2012Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Inventors: Scott Reinhold Mahr, Marc Alexander Grossman
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Publication number: 20140130292Abstract: A floor treatment apparatus is provided that includes a chassis that supports at least one cleaning element. The chassis is supported by a plurality of wheels, one which is steerable via a steering wheel interconnected to a housing also associated with the chassis. The chassis provided includes a plurality of movable housing members, one of which is associated with the steering wheel. To access the internal components of the floor treatment apparatus, the front housing is rotated or moved away from the other housings wherein the steering wheel does not require disconnection to allow this movement.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2013Publication date: May 15, 2014Applicant: Kärcher North America, Inc.Inventors: Roger PEDLAR, Daniel PEARSON, Eric L. SHARK, Daniel C. VENARD, Brian J. DOLL, Rusty SIMMONS, Nevin GREEN, Loi X. TRAN, Robert S. GORSKY, Steven W. TUCKER, Todd LEIFHEIT
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Publication number: 20140124000Abstract: A manure-removal vehicle and an assembly thereof having a manure-discharging location. The vehicle comprises a pump and a tank having an air discharge. The vehicle collects manure by means of a scraper and this is subsequently suctioned up via a manure extraction opening in the tank. The pump works at low power and in particular at low pressure, due to the fact that a constant stream of manure is collected in front of the opening, in particular if a sealing plate is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2014Publication date: May 8, 2014Applicant: LELY PATENT N.V.Inventors: Mikael HILLFORTH, Huibrecht Johannes Arjen VAN DEN BEUKEL, Peter Henry CLEMENTS
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Patent number: 8713748Abstract: Disclosed are an autonomous mobile cleaner, and a method for moving the same. A user's intention may be estimated based on a size and a direction of a tensile strength applied to the air pipe, and a cleaner body may move according to the user's intention. This can allow the cleaner to autonomously move. Besides, the autonomous mobile cleaner can always and precisely detect a user's operation without having interference with obstacles, using a displacement of the air pipe. Further, the fabrication costs can be reduced and displacements in all directions can be calculated, by using a hall sensor and a magnet member. Further, a user's efforts to operate the cleaner can be minimized, and can be prevented damages of the air pipe, a connection part between the air pipe and the cleaner body, etc. due to an excessive force.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2013Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Sangho Yoon, Jaehark Park
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Patent number: 8677555Abstract: A mobile cleaning system to be used for cleaning organic liquids from a hard surface includes tanks for storing water, and for storing used, dirty water after cleanup. A water-based cleaner is sprayed onto the spill, which can be, but need not be, done in connection with the cleanup system. The system then sprays heated fresh water under high pressure onto the spill. A high throughput vacuum system removes the hot water and the spill materials concurrently as the hot water is applied to the treated area. The vacuumed liquids are stored in an on-board tank for later disposal.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2009Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Annihilator Cleaning Equipment, LLCInventor: Erick McCallum
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Patent number: 8676378Abstract: A robot, a station, system and method therefor is described. The docking system includes, among other items, a robot and a docking station. The robot may have a power storage unit configured to supply power for the robot, a docking terminal group having a first docking terminal and a second docking terminal, and a robot control unit configured to control working state of the robot. The docking station includes a conductive terminal group comprising at least a first conductive terminal and a second conductive terminal. The conductive terminal group is configured to be electrically connected to the docking terminal group respectively. The robot control unit comprises a signal transmission module configured to be electrically connected to the first docking terminal and send a predetermined detection signal, a signal receiving module configured to be electrically connected to the second docking terminal.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2012Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: Positec Power Tools (Suzhou) Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jiaofeng Tian, Chang Zhou, Fangshi Liu
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Patent number: 8667638Abstract: A robot cleaner comprises a main body having a suction port at a bottom surface thereof, a pair of wheel assemblies disposed at both sides of the main body, and configured to move the main body, a dust box mounted to contact the bottom surface of the main body, and configured to collect dust sucked through the suction port, a filter unit configured to filter air discharged from the dust box, a suction fan configured to form a suction pressure on a suction channel defined by the suction port, the dust box and the filter unit, and a battery disposed at a side of the dust box.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2010Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Bongju Kim, Sangyun Kim, Jongil Park, Woojin Choi, Dongmyung Shin, Hoseon Rew, Sangjo Kim, Younggyu Jung
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Patent number: 8656550Abstract: A floor-cleaning robot includes a wheeled housing having a perimeter, a motor drive operably connected to wheels of the housing to move the robot across a floor surface, and a bumper responsive to obstacles encountered by the robot. A controller is in electrical communication with both the bumper and the motor drive and is configured to control the motor drive to maneuver the robot to avoid detected obstacles across the floor surface during a floor-cleaning operation. A driven cleaning brush, rotatable about an axis substantially parallel to an underside of the housing, is disposed substantially across a central region of the underside and is positioned to brush the floor surface as the robot is moved across the floor surface. Additionally, a driven side brush extending beyond the perimeter is positioned to brush floor surface debris from beyond the perimeter toward a projected path of the driven cleaning brush.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2010Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventors: Joseph L. Jones, Newton E. Mack, David M. Nugent, Paul E. Sandin
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Patent number: 8640300Abstract: Disclosed herein are Apparatus for the collection of recyclable or waste material. The apparatus comprises a movable element for drawing ambient air into the apparatus through an inlet, in use, thereby creating a suction force that draws the recyclable or waste material into the apparatus through the inlet. The apparatus is arranged such that material drawn into the apparatus impacts the movable element, and the apparatus further comprises a compactor for reducing the volume occupied by the recyclable or waste material.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2010Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: Recresco LimitedInventor: Steven Gent
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Patent number: 8627542Abstract: A robot cleaner having a configuration capable of improving an ability to collect dust, etc. is disclosed. The robot cleaner includes a suction hole to suction dust, a dust collector to receive the dust suctioned through the suction hole, and a rotating brush provided at a side of the suction hole. The robot cleaner is configured to sweep up and collect the dust into the dust collector by a drive force of the rotating brush.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2008Date of Patent: January 14, 2014Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Dong Won Kim, Hoon Wee, Jun Pyo Hong, Yong Tae Kim, Woo Ram Chung
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Publication number: 20130305482Abstract: A debris collection system is disclosed comprising a vehicle and an articulating vacuum hose. The articulating vacuum hose includes a vacuum hose assembly and an articulating arm. The articulating arm is configured to support the vacuum hose assembly which is comprised of a vacuum hose, support bands and support cables. The articulating arm includes a first arm extension and a second arm extension. The first arm extension is mounted to the vehicle and rotatable with respect to the vehicle about two perpendicular pivot axes. The second arm extension is pivotally connected to the first arm extension and is rotatable with respect to the first arm extension about a third pivot axis. The first and second arm extensions can be moved to a folded position wherein both extensions are parallel to each other and to an exterior surface of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2013Publication date: November 21, 2013Applicant: Federal Signal CorporationInventor: James Crockett
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Patent number: 8584307Abstract: A coverage robot including a chassis, multiple drive wheel assemblies disposed on the chassis, and a cleaning assembly carried by the chassis. Each drive wheel assembly including a drive wheel assembly housing, a wheel rotatably coupled to the housing, and a wheel drive motor carried by the drive wheel assembly housing and operable to drive the wheel. The cleaning assembly including a cleaning assembly housing, a cleaning head rotatably coupled to the cleaning assembly housing, and a cleaning drive motor carried by cleaning assembly housing and operable to drive the cleaning head. The wheel assemblies and the cleaning assembly are each separately and independently removable from respective receptacles of the chassis as complete units.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2011Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventors: Chikyung Won, Selma Svendsen, Paul E. Sandin, Scott Thomas Burnett, Deepak Ramesh Kapoor, Stephen A. Hickey, Robert Rizzari, Zivthan A. C. Dubrovsky
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Publication number: 20130276838Abstract: A device for cleaning wall surfaces, ground surfaces, track superstructures or tunnel walls is configured to be arranged on a rail vehicle that moves along a direction of travel. The device includes an aspirator opening and at least two air nozzles arranged in rows of air nozzles disposed on either side of the aspirator opening such that the aspirator opening is disposed between the rows of air nozzles. The rows of air nozzles are supplied with compressed air such that the pressure of the row of air nozzles disposed in front of the aspiration opening in the direction of travel of the rail vehicle is lower than the pressure of the other row of air nozzles.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2013Publication date: October 24, 2013Applicant: Rodinia Technologies Ltd.Inventor: Albert Brock
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Patent number: 8561256Abstract: A floor cleaning machine includes a cleaning system, a front wheel, two rear wheels, and a drive mechanism. Each of the two rear wheels is independently driven by the drive mechanism. The operator is placed on the machine such that the operator is standing on a platform located along and above the geometrical center axis between the two rear wheels. The maximum vertical distance between the platform and the floor is 200 mm.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2012Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: Diversey, Inc.Inventor: Heinrich-Tito Mayer
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Patent number: 8560119Abstract: A robot cleaner that travels straight through alignment of drive wheels to move the robot cleaner and a method of controlling travel of the same. Information related to a movement angle of the robot cleaner is detected from angle information of a caster wheel rotating depending upon a state of a floor, such as a carpet in a state in which texture of the carpet occurs in one direction, and, when the movement angle of the robot cleaner deviates due to slippages of the drive wheels, rates of rotation of the drive wheels are adjusted to correct the slippages of the drive wheels such that the robot cleaner easily travels straight.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2010Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jun Hwa Lee, Jae Man Joo, Dong Won Kim, Jun Pyo Hong, Woo Ram Chung, Jae Young Jung, Kyung Hwan Yoo, Hwi Chan Jang, Jang Youn Ko, Jeong Gon Song, Sam Jong Jeung
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Publication number: 20130239359Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for cleaning or otherwise treating a floored surface that includes a platform adapted to support the weight of an operator. In addition, one embodiment of the present invention is capable of generally performing 360° turns to facilitate the treatment of difficult to access portions of the floored surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2013Publication date: September 19, 2013Inventors: Roger Pedlar, Daniel Pearson, Eric L. Shark, Daniel C. Venard, Brian J. Doll, Rusty Simmon, Nevin Green, Loi X. Tran, Robert S. Gorsky
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Publication number: 20130232720Abstract: Provided is a robot cleaner. The robot cleaner includes a main body having a plurality of fixing slots that are spaced apart from each other, a moving device providing a driving force for moving the main body, and a bracket on which a cleaning member is mounted, the bracket including a plurality of fixing ribs that horizontally move and are respectively coupled to the plurality of fixing slots.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2013Publication date: September 12, 2013Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Ohhyun Baek, Inbo Shim
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Patent number: 8528142Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for cleaning or otherwise treating a floored surface that includes a platform adapted to support the weight of an operator. In addition, one embodiment of the present invention is capable of generally performing 360° turns to facilitate the treatment of difficult to access portions of the floored surface.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2013Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: Karcher North America, Inc.Inventors: Roger Pedlar, Daniel Pearson, Eric L. Shark, Daniel C. Venard, Brian J. Doll, Rusty Simmon, Nevin Green, Loi X. Tran, Robert S. Gorsky
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Patent number: 8528157Abstract: An autonomous coverage robot includes a chassis, a drive system configured to maneuver the robot, and a cleaning assembly. The cleaning assembly includes a cleaning assembly housing and at least one driven sweeper brush. The robot includes a controller and a removable sweeper bin configured to receive debris agitated by the driven sweeper brush. The sweeper bin includes an emitter disposed on an interior surface of the bin and a receiver disposed remotely from the emitter on the interior surface of the bin and configured to receive an emitter signal. The emitter and the receiver are disposed such that a threshold level of accumulation of debris in the sweeper bin blocks the receiver from receiving emitter emissions. The robot includes a bin controller disposed in the sweeper bin and monitoring a detector signal and initiating a bin full routine upon determining a bin debris accumulation level requiring service.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2007Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventors: Mark Schnittman, Daniel N. Ozick, Gregg W. Landry
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Patent number: 8516649Abstract: A debris collection system is disclosed comprising a vehicle and an articulating vacuum hose. The articulating vacuum hose includes a vacuum hose assembly and an articulating arm. The articulating arm is configured to support the vacuum hose assembly which is comprised of a vacuum hose, support bands and support cables. The articulating arm includes a first arm extension and a second arm extension. The first arm extension is mounted to the vehicle and rotatable with respect to the vehicle about two perpendicular pivot axes. The second arm extension is pivotally connected to the first arm extension and is rotatable with respect to the first arm extension about a third pivot axis. The first and second arm extensions can be moved to a folded position wherein both extensions are parallel to each other and to an exterior surface of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2009Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: Federal Signal CorporationInventor: James Crockett
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Patent number: 8510905Abstract: A vacuum box in fluid communication with a tractor that removes coatings from surfaces. The vacuum box includes a vacuum inlet in fluid communication with a source of negative pressure and a debris inlet in fluid communication with the tractor so that debris is drawn into and collected within a hollow interior of the vacuum box. A water outlet provides a drain for water that collects within the vacuum box. A sloped false bottom wall is disposed within the hollow interior so that debris collects atop it. The vacuum box is emptied by draining water from it, followed by opening a door formed in the vacuum box at the lower end of the sloped false bottom wall so that the collected debris slides down the false bottom wall and out the door into a debris receptacle.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2010Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: Blasters Technologies, LLCInventors: Scott F. Boos, Ian Ellman Brown
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Patent number: 8505156Abstract: A floor cleaning apparatus includes a chassis having a forward end and a rearward end. A plurality of floor engaging wheels support the chassis above a floor. A first tank is supported by the chassis for holding a cleaning solution that is dispensed onto the floor. A second tank is supported by the chassis for holding cleaning solution recovered from the floor. A squeegee assembly is supported by the chassis rearwardly of the forward end and in fluid communication with the second tank, wherein recovered cleaning solution drawn into the squeegee assembly is deposited into the second tank. A gas is directed toward the floor rearwardly of the squeegee assembly along substantially the entire length of the squeegee assembly to evaporate cleaning solution dispensed from the first tank and not recovered by the squeegee assembly.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2007Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: RPS CorporationInventor: Sean K. Goff
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Patent number: 8505161Abstract: A road sweeper is provided with a rotatingly drivable sweeping brush, a sweepings container, a suction blower in flow communication with the sweeping brush for taking in dust-containing air, and at least one filter for separating dust from the air drawn in, wherein the filter can be acted upon on the clean side with external air stored in a pressure container and subject to pressure, via at least one external air valve for cleaning. In order for the filter to be cleaned off with as small an amount of external air as possible, the pressure container can have a pressure container wall located opposite the clean side of the at least one filter, the at least one external air valve being arranged on the wall, wherein a section of a suction conduit extends between the pressure container wall and the clean side of the filter.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2012Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: Alfred Kärcher GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Roland Schick, Andreas Kral, Peter Knebel, Uwe Weller, Nikolaus Kocher, Marcus Haug
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Publication number: 20130145573Abstract: The vortex pneumatic conveyance apparatus of the present application creates a vortex from blown and/or pressurized air rotating along the inner wall of an outlet tube to convey particles through a vacuum created within the center of the outlet tube at a relatively high flow rate and pressure. Without the blown and/or pressurized air molecules taking up space and colliding with the particles in the center of the outlet tube and because of the strong suction created by the vortex of air rotating along the inner wall of the outlet tube, the efficiency of the vortex pneumatic conveyance apparatus of this application is improved relative to well-known pneumatic conveyors in which air merely pushes the particles within an outlet tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2011Publication date: June 13, 2013Inventor: SAEED BIZHANZADEH
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Patent number: 8463018Abstract: A method of classifying and collecting feature information of an area according to a robot's moving path, a robot controlled by area features, and a method and apparatus for composing a user interface using the area features are disclosed. The robot includes a plurality of sensor modules to collect feature information of a predetermined area along a moving path of the robot, and an analyzer to analyze the collected feature information of the predetermined area according to a predetermined reference range and to classify the collected feature information into a plurality of groups.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2007Date of Patent: June 11, 2013Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Seung-Nyung Chung, Hyun-jeong Lee, Hyun-jin Kim, Hyeon Myeong
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Patent number: 8438698Abstract: A robot cleaner including a suction hole to suction dust, a blower to generate a suction force to suction the dust, a dust collector to receive the dust suctioned by said suction force through the suction hole, and a rotating brush to sweep up and collect the dust into the dust collector through the suction hole by a drive force of the rotating brush. The dust collector includes a backflow preventing member movable between an open position and a closed position. The backflow preventing member is pivotably rotatable in an air suction direction by the suction force of the blower to the open position and is adapted to return to the closed position to prevent the dust in the dust collector from being discharged through the suction hole upon stoppage of the blower.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2011Date of Patent: May 14, 2013Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Dong Won Kim, Hoon Wee, Jun Pyo Hong, Yong Tae Kim, Woo Ram Chung
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Patent number: 8438685Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for cleaning or otherwise treating a floored surface that includes a platform adapted to support the weight of an operator. In addition, one embodiment of the present invention is capable of generally performing 360° turns to facilitate the treatment of difficult to access portions of the floored surface.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2012Date of Patent: May 14, 2013Assignee: Karcher North America, Inc.Inventors: Roger Pedlar, Brian J. Doll, Rusty Simmon, Nevin Green, Daniel Pearson, Loi X. Tran, Robert S. Gorsky, Eric L. Shark, Daniel C. Venard
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Publication number: 20130098698Abstract: A utility vehicle can comprise a wheeled platform, a motor coupled to the platform and configured to propel the platform, at least one cleaning element coupled to the platform, wherein the at least one cleaning element is movable between a collapsed position and an expanded position, and one or more controls configured to move the at least one cleaning element between the collapsed position and the expanded position. The at least one cleaning element can also be movable between a raised position and a lowered position relative to the wheeled platform, and the one or more controls can further be configured to move the at least one cleaning element between the raised position and the lowered position.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2012Publication date: April 25, 2013Inventors: Daniel T. Johnson, Andrew L. Dvorak
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Patent number: 8387193Abstract: An autonomous floor cleaning robot includes a transport drive and control system arranged for autonomous movement of the robot over a floor for performing cleaning operations. The robot chassis carries a first cleaning zone comprising cleaning elements arranged to suction loose particulates up from the cleaning surface and a second cleaning zone comprising cleaning elements arraigned to apply a cleaning fluid onto the surface and to thereafter collect the cleaning fluid up from the surface after it has been used to clean the surface. The robot chassis carries a supply of cleaning fluid and a waste container for storing waste materials collected up from the cleaning surface.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2007Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventors: Andrew Ziegler, Duane Gilbert, Christopher J. Morse, Scott Pratt, Paul Sandin, Nancy Dussault, Andrew Jones
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Patent number: 8381353Abstract: A surface maintenance vehicle having a low profile recessed cavity in the side of the vehicle beneath the driver's seat which can be used for transporting items. The vehicle includes a vehicle shroud containing operational components of the vehicle, a driver's seat, and a seat shroud. A recessed cavity is formed in the side surface of the seat shroud and includes a vertically oriented anterior surface, a vertically oriented posterior surface opposing the anterior surface, a horizontally oriented bottom surface, wherein the bottom surface is generally perpendicular to the anterior and posterior surfaces, and a vertically oriented inner surface, wherein the inner surface is generally perpendicular to the anterior surface, posterior surface and bottom surface. The recessed cavity is open on the side and the top and can be used for transporting items while not increasing the overall size or footprint of the surface maintenance machine.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2010Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Tennant CompanyInventors: John C. Ickes, III, Margaret L. Bogren
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Patent number: 8370990Abstract: The present invention is an improved structure for robotic cleaner primarily comprising of a chassis with plurality of spherical casters fixed to the periphery of bottom deck, a dust collector mounted on the chassis, a lifting actuation mechanism mounted on the chassis that includes a lifting power supply at least to drive two parallel and extendable first swing arms and two parallel and extending second swing arms through a relevant linking device, a first gear train and a second gear train that can pivotally rotate in reverse direction, a drive wheel mounted at the moveable end of the two parallel and extending first swing arms each, a driven wheel mounted at the moveable end of the two parallel and extending second swing arms each, plural advancing power supplies mounted at the middle section of the first swing arms.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2010Date of Patent: February 12, 2013Assignee: National Kaohsiung First University of ScienceInventors: Jyh-Cheng Yu, Shu-Jung Chang
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Patent number: 8341802Abstract: A robot cleaner that is capable of preventing dust collected in a dust tank from flowing backward outside when a situation in which the dust may be discharged outside occurs includes a cleaner body, a dust tank mounted in the cleaner body to collect dust, and a backward-flow preventing device to prevent dust from flowing backward outside through a suction port of the dust tank. The backward-flow preventing device includes a shutter unit to open and close the suction port and a stopper unit to drive the shutter unit.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2011Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Dong Won Kim, Jae Man Joo, Jun Pyo Hong, Chang Woo Kim
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Patent number: 8332991Abstract: A robotic vacuum cleaner having a main module and a cleaning head being connected with the main module by means of a suction hose. The main module comprises a debris compartment (8) for accommodating a disposable debris bag (9), which compartment (8) is covered by a hinging cover (18). A hinging part (20) of a suction tube (12) is attached to the hinging cover (18) and a stationary part (21) of the suction tube (12) is connected with an opening (13) to be connected with the suction hose.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2009Date of Patent: December 18, 2012Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventors: Hans J. Blaak, Harrie W. J. Baltussen, Pritesh R. Patel, Auke-Jan Veenstra