Including Brush Patents (Class 15/340.3)
  • Patent number: 11649597
    Abstract: A self-propelled sweeping machine, having a chassis comprising at least one driven drive axle with wheels, for cleaning drivable, preferably solid, ground surfaces such as roads, streets, paths and cycle paths, squares or the like, consists of a refuse collection container which is built onto the chassis for receiving refuse which is lifted from the ground surface by means of generated suction air and/or suction force of a suction air unit comprising a suction air blower, by a suction device provided at the front end of a suction air line, and which is supplied via the connected, preferably rising, suction air line to the interior of the refuse collection container, wherein the refuse collection container has a screening device which is arranged spaced apart from the upper container wall for separating the refuse and, for conducting the suction air, has a downstream air outlet line for the suction air to be discharged, and wherein for the emptying process the refuse collection container is configured at the r
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: BUCHER MUNICIPAL AG
    Inventors: Alexander Zipes, Thomas Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 11641815
    Abstract: A method of removing debris from an area of turf grass can include providing a grass treatment system including a comb having a leading edge comprising a plurality of comb teeth, wherein the comb is mounted transversely to a direction of travel, and a substantially cylindrical brush positioned above the comb and configured to engage at least a portion of a top surface of the comb, wherein the brush rotates relative to the comb. The method can include positioning the grass treatment system closely adjacent to the turf grass such that the comb engages debris on and around the turf grass surface, and moving the grass treatment so that (i) the comb engages the debris, (ii) the rotating brush removes at least a portion of the debris from the surface of the comb, and (iii) the rotating brush does not come into contact with the turf grass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: MTD PRODUCTS INC
    Inventors: John Coleman, Darren Williams
  • Patent number: 11641988
    Abstract: A cleaning system includes a robotic cleaner and an evacuation station. The robotic cleaner can dock with the evacuation station to have debris evacuated by the evacuation station. The robotic cleaner includes a bin to store debris, and the bin includes a port door through which the debris can be evacuated into the evacuation station. The evacuation station includes a vacuum motor to evacuate the bin of the robotic cleaner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Tucker Kuhe, Jennifer Smith, Sam Duffley
  • Patent number: 11517164
    Abstract: Provided is a cleaning system including: a robot cleaner including a dust collecting device having a dirt outlet and an outlet door configured to open and close the dirt outlet; and a station including a collecting device configured to generate a suction force to suction dirt of the duct collecting device and a lever device provided with a lever configured to be fixable to the outlet door as the outlet door is being opened to allow the collecting device and the dust collecting device to communicate with each other, and a lever driving source configured to generate power for driving the lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Woo Jin Na, Hakbong Lee, Bosang Kim, Sin-Ae Kim, Yong-Seok Kim, Yeonkyu Jeong
  • Patent number: 10724193
    Abstract: A vehicular sweeping machine includes a frame and a broom assembly that is mounted to the frame. The broom assembly includes a broom enclosure and a broom that is mounted within the broom enclosure. A plurality of links are pivotally mounted between the frame and the broom assembly. These links are adapted to permit the broom assembly to move upwardly and downwardly with respect to the frame. The vehicular sweeping machine also includes a broom conveyor having a lower end that is disposed within the broom enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Roadtec, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Petty, Brent Michaels
  • Patent number: 10716443
    Abstract: The robotic cleaner includes a cleaner body that is movable and a suction unit that is movable relative to the cleaner body in a vertical direction. The suction unit includes an inlet for sucking impurities from the surface to be cleaned, and at least one support unit for spacing the inlet and the surface to be cleaned. With the configuration, the foreign substance suction efficiency from the surface to be cleaned may be improved, and a constant gap between the suction portion and the surface to be cleaned may be maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seok Man Hong, Dong Wook Kim, Sin Ae Kim, Ki Hwan Kwon, Sung Jin Park, Hyo Won Sin, Jin Wook Yoon, Dong Woo Ha
  • Patent number: 10709104
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for cleaning a floor, and in particular a barn floor having a lower portion and an elevated portion that intersect to form a curb. The apparatus is attached to a vehicle that travels in a longitudinal direction. The apparatus includes a scraper for scraping the lower portion of the floor. The scraper is pivotally attached to the vehicle for adjusting a transverse position of an end of the scraper into abutment with the curb. The apparatus also includes a cleaning head for moving material from the elevated portion of the floor. The cleaning head is attached to an arm. The arm is pivotally attached to the scraper for adjusting a transverse position of the cleaning head into alignment with the elevated portion of the floor. The cleaning head is actuated to sweep material transversely into the path of the scraper as the vehicle moves in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Inventor: Berend Hindrik Ter Borgh
  • Patent number: 10633809
    Abstract: A vehicular sweeping machine that is adapted to rotate a broom about a substantially horizontal axis to sweep material into a broom conveyor of fixed width is provided with a modular broom assembly that can accommodate a broom of a first length and a broom of a second length that is longer than the first length. The modular broom assembly includes a primary broom enclosure that is adapted to accommodate the broom of the first length, and an extension assembly that includes broom extension components which are adapted to be installed on the primary broom enclosure to increase the width of the primary broom enclosure to accommodate the broom of the second length, and to direct material swept by the broom of the second length into the broom conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Roadtec, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Petty, David Moyer
  • Patent number: 10400405
    Abstract: A clearing vehicle comprises a supporting frame (3) and a sweeper-blower arrangement (4), which is adjustably pivotable around a vertical axis (5) which runs through the clearing vehicle with respect to the supporting frame (3) and comprises a blow-air device (8). Furthermore, a blower (6) is arranged at the supporting frame (3), wherein blow-air is conducted from the blower (6) through the hollow body (7) to the blow-air device (8). The hollow body (7) and the blow-air device (8) are brought in blow-air connection by a first pivoting movement from a transport position to a working position. The blow-air connection between the hollow body (7) and the blow-air device (8) is removed by a second pivoting movement from the working position to the transport position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Marcel Boschung AG
    Inventors: Kurt Herzog, Kurt Wuillemin
  • Patent number: 10329724
    Abstract: A vehicular sweeping machine includes a frame and a broom assembly that is mounted to the frame. The broom assembly includes a broom enclosure, a left hub that is mounted on a left hub mount arm, and a right hub that is mounted on a right hub mount arm. A broom is mounted between the left hub and the right hub. An outer tube is attached to the rear of the broom enclosure and to one of the left and right hub mount arms. An inner tube has a fixed end that is attached to the left or right hub mount arm to which the outer tube is not attached. The inner tube also has a free end that is adapted to slide within the outer tube. A linear actuator is attached between the broom enclosure and the left or right hub mount arm to which the fixed end of the inner tube is attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Roadtec, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Petty, Brent Michaels
  • Patent number: 10226158
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner capable of ensuring communication between a suction port and a dust collecting unit even in a state that a body portion of a cleaning unit has pivoted along an up/down direction relative to a main casing. The body portion is provided on the main casing to be pivotable along the up/down direction. A sliding-contact surface portion is provided in the body portion and curved along a pivoting direction of the body portion. A curved surface portion is provided in the communicating section body and curved along the pivoting direction of the body portion to be brought into sliding contact with the sliding-contact surface portion by pivoting motion of the body portion. A communicating opening is opened in the curved surface portion to communicate with the dust collecting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: TOSHIBA LIFESTYLE PRODUCTS & SERVICES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiromitsu Ichikawa, Masatoshi Tanaka, Atsushi Morishita, Yukio Machida, Hiromitsu Murata
  • Patent number: 10154767
    Abstract: An electric vacuum cleaner includes a main body case, driving wheels, and a cleaning portion. The main body case includes an electric blower, and a dust collecting portion communicating with a suction side of the electric blower. The driving wheels allow the main body case to travel on the surface to be cleaned. The cleaning portion includes a main body portion, the suction port, and wheels. The main body portion with a bottom surface portion facing the surface to be cleaned is located in a lower portion of the main body case and can move up and down. The suction port is provided on the bottom surface portion and communicates with the dust collecting portion. The wheels protrude downward from the bottom surface portion to contact the surface to be cleaned, thereby causing the main body portion to move up and down to trace the surface to be cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: TOSHIBA LIFESTYLE PRODUCTS & SERVICES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiromitsu Ichikawa, Masatoshi Tanaka, Atsushi Morishita, Hiromitsu Murata, Yukio Machida
  • Patent number: 10066352
    Abstract: A snow and ice clearing vehicle. The vehicle provides a combination of systems configured to facilitate the clearance and removal of snow and ice from roadways and sidewalks. The vehicle includes a snow clearing device, a heating system, and a suction system in communication with a reservoir. The snow clearing device is positioned on the front of the vehicle, wherein the heating system is positioned posterior to the snow clearing device and configured to apply heat to snow and ice not completely cleared by same. The suction system is positioned posterior to the heating system and configured to vacuum snow melted and loosened by the heating system. The reservoir is configured to retain water and snow captured by the suction system. The vehicle further includes a pump, wherein the pump is configured to remove the water from the reservoir through an outlet to an area remote from the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Inventor: Renardo Rogers
  • Patent number: 10034437
    Abstract: A debris collector and associated systems and methods are disclosed. The debris collector is configured to receive and process debris, such as lawn debris, by way of a variety of intake systems, such as a basket and vacuum tube. After intake, the debris collector is configured to process the debris by way of an auger and agitators, so as to be passed through a blower fan for disposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Professional Lawn Care, LLC
    Inventor: Dennis Lickteig
  • Patent number: 9999335
    Abstract: Embodiments include a mechanism for leveling or providing pad assistance to surface maintenance machines. The surface maintenance machine can include a frame, a plurality of wheels, a head assembly, and a head adjustment mechanism. The head adjustment mechanism can be positioned in line with and operatively coupled to a first portion of the head assembly, such that the first portion of the head assembly can be moved towards or away from the surface by adjusting the position of a fastener in a slot. Such embodiments are useful for leveling the head assembly to maintain an even degree of burnishing or providing pad assistance. Embodiments include methods of using such mechanisms for leveling or providing pad assist to surface maintenance machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Tennant Company
    Inventors: Justin Michael Clark, Nicholas Edwin Boers, Leo Jason Baker
  • Patent number: 9970167
    Abstract: An improved sweeper and frame for a utility task vehicle includes a mounting frame which is attachable/detachable to the rear portion of the vehicle allowing detachment/attachment of the box portion of the vehicle as needed. The utility task vehicle mounting frame may be coupled with a lifting system to allow hydraulic aided dumping of the debris collection box of the sweeper system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Newgen Sweepers, Inc.
    Inventor: Jerry Kerckhove
  • Patent number: 9931013
    Abstract: A manually guided floor cleaning machine is provided, including a chassis with a front end and a rear end in relation to a straight ahead forward travel direction, a wheel arrangement, which is arranged on the chassis in the region of the rear end, and a cleaning head, which is pivotably arranged on the chassis in the region of the front end, wherein there is provided a steering rod device, which is articulated on the cleaning head, which is supported on the chassis and which extends upwardly in a direction away from the chassis toward the rear end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Alfred Kärcher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Frank Nonnenmann, Melanie Ritscher
  • Patent number: 9823169
    Abstract: A dust sampling system including a dust sampler and a vehicle on which the dust sampler is placed. The dust sampler has a suction unit, a cyclone, a dust collection container, and an air intake conduit. The suction unit draws in air containing dust particles. The cyclone centrifugally separates the dust particles from the drawn-in air. The cyclone has an air input port, a particle discharge end, and an air output port connected to the suction unit. A dust collection container is positioned underneath the cyclone to receive the separated dust particles from the cyclone. The air intake conduit has an air inlet and an air outlet connected to the air input port of the cyclone. The suction unit draws in the air containing the dust particles into the air inlet of the air intake conduit while the vehicle moves to collect samples of fugitive dust from a road.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Department of the Interior
    Inventors: Emitt C. Witt, III, David J. Wronkiewicz
  • Patent number: 9661971
    Abstract: A self-propelled vacuum cleaner has a main housing having a bottom wall formed with an aperture, floor-engaging wheels on the main housing, and a drive in the main housing for rotating the wheels and advancing the main housing in a normal horizontal travel direction. A module housing projecting through the aperture forms a brush compartment defining a downward directed suction opening having relative to the direction a leading edge and a trailing edge. The module housing is supported in the main housing for limited vertical movement of the module housing relative to the main housing. A brush in the module housing is engageable through the opening with a floor beneath the opening, and a blower in the module housing having an intake connected via a duct to the brush compartment for aspirating air through the opening and past the brush into the module housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: WESSEL-WERK GMBH
    Inventor: Klaus-Dieter Riehl
  • Patent number: 9303370
    Abstract: A vacuum system for a spreader truck takes up dust generated when the spreader truck's payload is deposited and blows it back into the truck where some fraction of the dust is reclaimed as it settles out of the air. Any dust remaining airborne is removed by a filter apparatus before the cleaned air is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Stoltz Mfg., LLC
    Inventors: Bernard J. Hershberger, Tyler Martikainen-Watcke
  • Patent number: 9271450
    Abstract: A debris collector and associated systems and methods are disclosed. The debris collector is configured to receive and process debris, such as lawn debris, by way of a variety of intake systems, such as a basket and vacuum tube. After intake, the debris collector is configured to process the debris by way of an auger and agitators, so as to be passed through a blower fan for disposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Professional Lawn Care, LLC
    Inventor: Dennis Lickteig
  • Patent number: 9249547
    Abstract: A sweeping vehicle is provided including a disc brush and a holding device for the disc brush, the holding device having a holding part and a holding arm pivotably connected to the holding part, the holding device held on the vehicle by the holding part, and the disc brush held on the holding arm. The vehicle includes an adjusting device having an adjustment member of variable length engaging the holding arm, the holding arm being pivotable relative to the holding part upon change in length of the adjustment member. The holding device includes a brush carrier pivotably mounted on the holding arm and a coupling device coupling the brush carrier to the adjusting device, the brush carrier being pivotable relative to the holding arm upon change in length of the adjustment member for pivoting the disc brush about a pivot axis aligned at a slant to the axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Alfred Kärcher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Bastian Du Maire, Dietmar Kull, Uwe Weller, Martin Sickinger
  • Patent number: 9015887
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Kärcher 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
  • Patent number: 8997905
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Dane Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel T. Johnson, Andrew L. Dvorak
  • Publication number: 20150074938
    Abstract: A hydraulic fluid flow management system and method includes three subsystems. The first subsystem is an engine mounted hydraulic fluid pump electrically operated flow control proportioning valve combination. The second subsystem is a hydraulic fluid flow distribution manifold assembly. The third subsystem is a computer operated controller and display which governs the operation of the electrically operated flow control proportioning valve combination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: ALAMO GROUP, INC.
    Inventors: Tracy Day, John Day
  • Patent number: 8978196
    Abstract: An autonomous coverage robot includes a body having at least one outer wall, a drive system disposed on the body and configured to maneuver the robot over a work surface, and a cleaning assembly carried by the body. The cleaning assembly includes first and second cleaning rollers rotatably coupled to the body, a suction assembly having a channel disposed adjacent at least one of the cleaning rollers, and a container in fluid communication with the channel. The container is configured to collect debris drawn into the channel. The suction assembly is configured to draw debris removed from the work surface by at least one of the cleaning rollers into the channel, and the container has a wall common with the at least one outer wall of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Selma Svendsen, Daniel N. Ozick, Christopher M. Casey, Deepak Ramesh Kapoor, Tony L. Campbell, Chikyung Won, Christopher John Morse, Scott Thomas Burnett
  • Publication number: 20150059120
    Abstract: A self-propelled vacuum cleaner has a main housing having a bottom wall formed with an aperture, floor-engaging wheels on the main housing, and a drive in the main housing for rotating the wheels and advancing the main housing in a normal horizontal travel direction. A module housing projecting through the aperture forms a brush compartment defining a downward directed suction opening having relative to the direction a leading edge and a trailing edge. The module housing is supported in the main housing for limited vertical movement of the module housing relative to the main housing. A brush in the module housing is engageable through the opening with a floor beneath the opening, and a blower in the module housing having an intake connected via a duct to the brush compartment for aspirating air through the opening and past the brush into the module housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventor: Klaus-Dieter RIEHL
  • Publication number: 20150000071
    Abstract: A utility type surface cleaning vehicle comprises a unitary frame utility type tractor defining a longitudinal axis and having front and back ends, left and right driven rear wheels, at least one steerable front wheel and a trailing unit connecting mechanism. A debris hopper is removably connectable in trailing relation to the utility type tractor via the trailing unit connecting mechanism. A pick-up head is operatively mountable on the unitary frame utility type tractor on the unitary frame utility type tractor forwardly of the rear wheels, and has a debris outlet. An air and debris transfer duct has an inlet connected in debris receiving relation to the debris outlet of the pick-up head and an outlet connected in debris depositing relation to the debris hopper. The air and debris transfer duct extends rearwardly from the pick-up head beneath the rear axle of the unitary frame utility type tractor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventor: Roger P. Vandrlinden
  • Patent number: 8887340
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: 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
  • Patent number: 8887351
    Abstract: A sweeping broom apparatus for use with a vehicle comprises a main body with a debris receiving inlet, and a broom shroud with an open bottom. Airflow obstructing flaps are disposed around the bottom edge of the broom shroud. A forwardly facing debris outlet in the broom shroud permits the directed egress of debris therefrom as a forwardly propelled stream of debris. A main sweeping broom is mounted within the broom shroud for propelling debris forwardly, thereby creating a stream of debris propelled forwardly through the forwardly facing debris outlet. An air blast nozzle is connected in fluid communication to a source of compressed air for receiving compressed air therefrom. There is a nozzle mount for mounting the air blast nozzle for movement between a lower position whereat the air blast nozzle is disposed adjacent the surface being cleaned and to emit air in a forward and downward direction to impact on the surface being cleaned, and a raised impact-absorbing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Inventor: Roger P. Vanderlinden
  • Patent number: 8869342
    Abstract: A robot cleaner that automatically removes dust accumulated on a floor while navigating a cleaning area, and a method of controlling the robot cleaner, includes a main body that navigates a floor; a first detector that detects an obstacle getting closer to the main body; an auxiliary cleaner that is mounted on the main body to protrude and retract; a second detector that detects a protrusion state or a retraction state of the auxiliary cleaner; and a controller that determines an abnormal operation of the auxiliary cleaner based on a result of the detection of the second detector and controls a protrusion operation or a retraction operation of the auxiliary cleaner according to a result of the determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang Sik Yoon, Hee Won Jin, Byung Chan Kim, Yeon Kyu Jeong, Sang Hwa Choi
  • Patent number: 8857012
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong Won Kim, Hoon Wee, Jun Pyo Hong, Yong Tae Kim, Woo Ram Chung
  • Patent number: 8844092
    Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a cleaning device for a ceiling transport facility in which a plurality of locations to be cleaned can be cleaned appropriately while avoiding having insufficient suction power for the plurality of cleaning suction portions. A travelling guide portion for a transport carriage is provided on the ceiling side. The cleaning carriage that can travel along the travelling guide portion is provided with a plurality of cleaning suction portions for performing suctioning action on a plurality of locations to be cleaned in the travelling guide portion and a vacuum cleaner which is in communication with the plurality of cleaning suction portions. The plurality of cleaning suction portions are divided to a plurality of functioning units. And an interrupting device is provided for selectively permitting and preventing the communication of each of the plurality of the functioning units with the vacuum cleaner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuichi Morimoto, Tadahiro Yoshimoto, Yuji Baba
  • Patent number: 8806704
    Abstract: The invention relates to an automotive sweeper with wheels for traveling along a ground surface and with at least one sweeping brush rotatingly drivable for sweeping the ground surface and with a dirt container adapted to be acted upon with a vacuum by a suction unit via a suction conduit and connected to a suction port via an intake line for the purpose of receiving sweepings. In order to develop the sweeper further in such a manner that it achieves an improved cleaning result with as little use of energy as possible it is suggested in accordance with the invention that the suction conduit be integrated into the dirt container at least in sections, wherein the outlet of the intake line opening into the dirt container is arranged next to at least one inlet area of the suction conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Alfred Kaercher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Joachim Wahl, Bernd Haberl, Uwe Weller
  • Patent number: 8782848
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew Ziegler, Christopher John Morse, Duane L. Gilbert, Jr., Andrew Jones
  • Publication number: 20140109338
    Abstract: An automatic cleaner includes a casing having a suction port, a suction device disposed in the casing to suction foreign substances through the suction port, a moving device that moves the casing, and a side brush assembly movably installed on the casing. The side brush assembly includes a movable member movably disposed on the casing, a first driving device that generates power for moving the movable member, a brush rotatably mounted on the movable member, and a second driving device that generates power for rotating the brush.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Inventor: Jaewon Jang
  • Patent number: 8689393
    Abstract: A device for cleaning a collector of a solar thermal electric power generation system is provided which does not need to secure any water source or the like and which improves the flexibility of selection of a place for installing the solar thermal electric power generation system. The cleaning device includes an air supply device and an air nozzle configured to blow air supplied from the air supply device, which are mounted on a self-propelled truck. The cleaning device is capable of blowing air blown from the air nozzle against a sunlight reflecting surface of a collector to clean up the sunlight reflecting surface. The air nozzle is configured to be capable of moving up and down. The cleaning device further includes a soiling degree measuring device for measuring soiling degrees of the sunlight reflecting surface before and after air blowing by the air nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideaki Ota
  • Patent number: 8601637
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the detection, treatment or collection of a quantity of solid animal excrement from a surface, particularly a grassy surface. The method includes the steps of autonomously or semi-autonomously detecting the presence of the excrement on the surface, moving a collection/treatment device into position over the detected excrement, and, thereupon, subjecting the detected excrement to one or more of deodorization, disinfection, enhancement of deterioration, dispersal and/or collection of the detected excrement. The apparatus of the present invention operates without the immediate or continued intervention of a human. Preferably, the device is robotic in nature, is readily portable, and preferably includes a rechargeable power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Radio Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher E. Mainini
  • Patent number: 8572799
    Abstract: A cleaning robot system includes a robot and a robot maintenance station. The robot includes a chassis, a drive system configured to maneuver the robot as directed by a controller, and a cleaning assembly including a cleaning assembly housing and a driven cleaning roller. The robot maintenance station includes a station housing and a docking platform configured to support the robot when docked. A mechanical agitator engages the roller of the robot with the robot docked. The agitator includes an agitator comb having multiple teeth configured to remove accumulated debris from the roller as the agitator comb and roller are moved relative to one another. The robot maintenance station includes a collection bin arranged to receive and hold debris removed by the mechanical agitator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Chikyung Won, Stephen A. Hickey, Mark Schnittman, Zivthan A. Dubrovsky, Selma Svendsen, Jed Lowry, David Swett, John Devlin
  • Patent number: 8560119
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: 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
  • Patent number: 8549702
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a floor washing-drying machine, in particular of the drives-on-board kind, provided with at least a front driving and steering wheel (3), a pair of rear wheels (5), a brush-carrying head (4) positioned between the front driving wheel and the supporting axle of the rear wheels, and a wiping and vacuuming device (6) arranged behind the rear wheels. The brush-carrying head (4) is connected with the machine frame through a support and steering system of four-arm linkage type (X,Y,J,W; 17,19) which is driven by a gear steering device (11,12,14,15). The technical solution allows to solve efficiently the problem of collecting washing liquid and to dampen impacts of the machine against obstacles which it may encounter along its path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Nilfisk-Advance A/S
    Inventors: Andrea Chignoli, Andrea Odoli
  • Patent number: 8528142
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: 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
  • Patent number: 8468645
    Abstract: A cleaning robot having an exhaust air feedback function can utilize the vacuum suction force generated by a suction motor as well as spray exhaust air onto the surface to be cleaned by circulating the air using the suction motor, thereby improving foreign material removal efficiency. The cleaning robot includes a suction unit, a suction motor for drawing in foreign materials from the surface to be cleaned, along with air, through the suction unit, a dust collector for capturing the foreign materials, so that the air is exhausted through the suction motor, and an exhaust air feedback unit for feeding the air. The cleaning robot also includes a spray nozzle unit inserted into the suction unit and placed on the leading end of the suction unit, the spray nozzle unit spraying the air fed by the exhaust air feedback unit, to the surface to be cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Hanool Robotics Corp.
    Inventors: Byung-Soo Kim, Jae-Young Choi, Se-Won Lee, Sang-Hee Kim
  • Patent number: 8438685
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: 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
  • Patent number: 8347595
    Abstract: A system for removing particles from an air stream includes a housing having an air stream inlet at a first end thereof and an air steam exhaust at a second end thereof. The housing defines a flow path between the air stream inlet and the air stream exhaust. At least one liquid introduction jet disposed between the air stream inlet and the air stream exhaust injects liquid droplets into the air stream. A scrubber disposed between the at least one liquid introduction jets and the air stream exhaust for removes smaller particles from the air stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Exact Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan J Flora, Douglas W Flora, Adam Benedict
  • Patent number: 8321993
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for cleaning a ground surface of artificial turf with filler, comprising a frame, moving and supporting means arranged on the frame for the purpose of moving the device over the ground surface, and processing means arranged on the frame for processing a flow of material taken up from the ground surface, such as dirt and filler, wherein the processing means comprise: a take-up means, a separating means, a collecting means, a feedback means. The invention is characterized in that the processing means further comprise a dust suction device, wherein the dust suction device comprises at least a pump means for creating an underpressure and a dust inlet which is connected to a suction side of the pump means and which is arranged in the vicinity of the separating means in the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Redexim Handel-en Exploitatie Maatschappij B.V.
    Inventor: Cornelis Hermanus Maria de Bree
  • Patent number: 8245345
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: 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
  • Patent number: 8234749
    Abstract: Vibration dampening elements that are made of rubber and/or an elastomer may fail when subjected to vertical and/or horizontal stresses caused by repeated lifting of the cleaning head assembly and/or unintentional bumping of the cleaning head assembly into door frames, walls or other non-movable objects. The present invention includes, among other things, at least one stabilizer element and preferably two stabilizer elements to reduce damage to certain vibration dampening elements caused by vertical and/or horizontal stress. Alternative embodiments of the stabilizer element are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Nilfisk-Advance, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Blaine Mitchell, James J. Keazer, Emert R. Whitaker
  • Patent number: 8136193
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to debris collection devices. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a debris collection vehicle utilizing a side broom having memory recall functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Federal Signal Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen James Larkowski, Brian Patrick Salapatek
  • Patent number: 8127399
    Abstract: A self-propelled vacuum-cleaning device for cleaning smooth and textile floor coverings, particularly in the private home sector. The device has a housing, a vacuum blower, an electrically driven cleaning roller, an electrical drive mechanism, control electronics, and a power source. The maximal electric power of the self-propelled vacuum-cleaning tool lies between 150 watts and 300 watts during cleaning operation, whereby between 120 watts and 220 watts are allocated to the vacuum blower, between 10 watts and 40 watts are allocated to the electrical roller drive for the cleaning roller, and between 5 watts and 40 watts are allocated to the drive mechanism, and whereby the control electronics have a power demand of less than 5% of the maximal electric power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Wessel-Werk GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Horst Dilger, Dieter Kaffenberger, Klaus-Dieter Riehl