Handle Movable Relative To Floor Tool Air Exhaust Conduit Patents (Class 15/351)
  • Patent number: 5873143
    Abstract: An exhaust filtration system that captures dust particles in water is provided. The filtration system removes a substantial part of the dust that is normally discharged into the environment with the air. The system includes: (a) device for filtering contaminated air to substantially remove debris therefrom and to thereby generate an initially filtered air with dust entrained therein; (b) an exhaust filtration system comprising a chamber having an air inlet to admit the initially filtered air into the chamber wherein the chamber contains water; (c) device for causing the initially filtered air to come into contact with the water to trap at least a portion of the dust from the initially filtered air to produce substantially dust-free air; and (d) device for discharging the dust-free air into the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: Terry Huey
    Inventor: Terry Huey
  • Patent number: 5867863
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is provided including a nozzle assembly and a handle pivotally connected to the nozzle assembly. The handle includes a cavity for holding a fan and motor assembly and a dust bag. A main door on the handle is operable to gain access to the dust bag in the cavity. A final filtration compartment is carried on the main door. The final filtration compartment includes a separate access door that is received in the front face of the main door and fits flush therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Matsushita Home Appliance Corporation of America
    Inventor: Michael J. McCormick
  • Patent number: 5862567
    Abstract: A windshield wiper for a car which can wipe wetness or dust stuck on the windshield surface almost completely with a firm pressing pressure. The windshield wiper presses plurality of pressing spots on a curved windshield to wipe efficiently the curved windshield surface. With the windshield wiper, it is possible to replace only the wiper blade when the performance of the wiper blade lowers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Inventor: Duck Soo Kim
  • Patent number: 5850666
    Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner is provided and includes an upper section with a handle (15) and a lower cleaning nozzle section (14, 14') having a main suction opening (18) formed in the underside (16) thereof. A suction source (M) is provided and an edge cleaning tool (60) having a suction bore (64) formed therethrough is releasably connected to the cleaning nozzle section (14'). A suction hose (20) selectively connects one of the main suction opening (18) of the nozzle (14') and the suction bore (64) of the edge cleaning tool (60) with the suction source (M). First and second laterally spaced casters (30a, 30b) extend from the underside (16) of the nozzle (14, 14') and each caster (30a, 30b) is pivotable respectively about a vertical axis (D,E). First and second laterally spaced fixed wheels (32a, 32b), each rotatable about a single rolling axis (C), are also provided and positioned forward of the first and second casters (30a, 30b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Assignee: Royal Appliance Mfg. Co.
    Inventors: Richard C. Farone, Craig M. Saunders, Jeffrey M. Kalman, Paul D. Stephens, Robert A. Salo, Charles J. Thur, Michael F. Wright
  • Patent number: 5836047
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner has a cleaner body section having a first recess, and a second recess. The vacuum cleaner further has a first connector section, a second connector section, a suction pipe section and a brush section. First and second arc-shaped slots are provided in order for first and second protrusions of the first connector section to be slidably inserted in the slots and to be placed on the first recess. The second connector section is fixedly inserted in the second recess. The first connector section is connected to the second connector section. When the vacuum cleaner is used in the upright mode, the brush section is detachably connected to the first connector section and the suction pipe section is detachably connected to the second connector section, to thereby provide an air passageway from the brush section, the first connector section, the second connector section, and the suction pipe section, up to the cleaner body section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Daewoo Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Jin Bang Lee, Byung Cheol Choi, Seon Kyu Kim, Yeong Je Jeon, Seon Young Hong, Nam Ho Lee
  • Patent number: 5792224
    Abstract: A connector system is disclosed for providing a connection between a tubular connector having external projections and a mounting collar having a hole with internal notches, for receiving the projections and securing them upon rotation. The connector opening has a non-planar edge and the collar includes an elastic sealing diaphragm with an elongated hole. This configuration of elements cooperate to reduce full contact between the diaphragm and connector during installation, permitting less force to be used in bringing the components into full connection and also providing a spring force which facilitates removal. Also disclosed is a bag for receiving a connector portion. The bag has a continuous perforation, approximately dimensioned to correspond to the connector portion's opening. The perforation is separated by contact with the connector, so as to admit the connector into the filter bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: The Scott Fetzer Company
    Inventors: Shuzhen Fu, John J. Andrisin, Jr., John R. Lackner
  • Patent number: 5784757
    Abstract: A vacuum hose assembly includes an air inlet connector, a flexible hose, and rigid tube. Screw threads are provided on one end of the air inlet connector. Screw threads are also provided on one end of the rigid tube. The three components of the hose assembly are coupled by screwing one component to another. Therefore, the air inlet connector is coupled to the flexible hose by screwing the air inlet connector into the flexible hose so that the screw threads of the air inlet connector engage with the ridges of the flexible hose. Furthermore, the rigid tube is coupled to the flexible hose by screwing the rigid tube into the flexible hose so that the screw threads of the rigid tube engage with the ridges of the flexible hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Royal Appliance Mfg. Co.
    Inventor: Mark E. Cipolla
  • Patent number: 5732439
    Abstract: A suction cleaner includes a nozzle body having a suction inlet and a handle pivotally connected to the nozzle body. A suction creating device is located in one of the handle and the body. An air passageway leads from the suction inlet to the suction creating device. A valve member is located in the air passageway. The valve member includes a shaft pivotally mounted in the nozzle body and a valve element fixedly mounted on the shaft. The valve member is selectively pivoted in a first direction by a lever pivotally mounted on the nozzle body and actuated by a movement of the handle of the suction cleaner. A link member, having a first end secured to the lever and a second end secured to the shaft, connects the lever to the valve member. A biasing member, preferably mounted on the shaft, urges the valve member in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: Royal Appliance Mfg. Co.
    Inventor: Mark E. Cipolla
  • Patent number: 5680665
    Abstract: An apparatus for selectively recirculating, conditioning, sorting and collecting the balls and discharging the bails from a pipe cleaning system utilizing recirculating foam rubber balls includes a housing having a dividing wall defining an inlet chamber on one side thereof and a collection chamber on the other side thereof, the inlet chamber having an inlet and the collection chamber having an outlet. A movable plate further divides the collection chamber into a acceptable ball chamber and a rejected ball chamber. A roller arrangement is operably connected with the housing and cooperates with the movable plate to condition and sort the balls in the system into the rejected ball chamber and the acceptable ball chamber. The collection chamber has a movable screen which selectively controls the flow of balls from the acceptable ball chamber to the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Water Services of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean Anson, Dennis P. Tronca, James E. Biersach
  • Patent number: 5659919
    Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner includes a suction port body and a handle body which incorporates a fan motor and a dust collecting case and which is mounted to the suction port body to be tiltable about the rotating shaft of the fan motor as the tilting fulcrum. The suction port body is constituted by a suction port base, having a substantially rectangular suction port at a front lower surface thereof through which a rotary brush is exposed, for rotatably axially supporting the rotary brush, and a suction port hood detachably mounted to the suction port base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shinichiro Kajihara
  • Patent number: 5647428
    Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for removing hard-body cleaners from cooling water downstream of a heat exchanger. The bodies are removed from the cooling water by a screen placed such that water flowing in and out of a container which is open to the atmosphere flows through the screen. Bar rake screens, traveling screens or other stationary forms of screens may be used. The cleaning bodies are removed from the screen by mechanical, gravity or fluid flow forces, and then may be recirculated to a heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: BetzDearborn Inc.
    Inventor: James F. Echols
  • Patent number: 5630471
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for transferring cleaning bodies for a heat exchanger through which can flow a cooling fluid. The apparatus requires in the case of discontinuous operation a minimum number of drives operated with external power and has a casing which has an inlet connectable by means of a line to an outlet of the heat exchanger, as well as an outlet; a sink space, which is connected by means of a controllable closable and openable opening with the interior of the casing and an outlet connectable by means of a line to the heat exchanger inlet and a screening means located in the casing and which is positioned between the outlet of the casing on the one hand and the casing inlet on the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Assignee: Taprogge GmbH
    Inventor: Detlef Taprogge
  • Patent number: 5598889
    Abstract: A recovery device comprising a sleeve (21) arranged in the outlet (15S) of a heat exchanger (10) and containing a filter assembly (24) capable of retaining solid cleaning materials (18) circulating through the heat exchanger. The filter assembly (24) comprises a rotary member (25) with a filter panel (26) and two interconnected pipes (27S, 27E) arranged on either side of the rotary member (25) in connection with the relative rotation thereof, as well as a circulation assembly for locally generating a counter-flow through the filter panel (26) of the rotary member (25) opposite the pipes (27S, 27E). The device is particularly useful in tubular heat exchangers used in condensers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: E. Beaudrey & Cie
    Inventor: Philip Jackson
  • Patent number: 5592990
    Abstract: A cleaning system for cleaning tubing by balls circulated with the fluid through tubing, includes a ball collector housing having an apertured partition permitting the fluid, but not the balls, to pass therethrough, so that the balls accumulate in the upper compartment and are recirculated into the tubing by controlling various valves. The upper compartment is closed by a removable cover to permit adding balls to the upper compartment or removing balls therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: Ball-Tech Energy Ltd.
    Inventor: Chaim Ben-Dosa
  • Patent number: 5581842
    Abstract: A cylindrical adapter is fitted to the end of a standard vacuum hose having a sliding collar disposed thereon to selectively engage the adapter with a disposable vacuum bag in crimping engagement between the adapter on the collar so as to secure the disposable bag on the adapter and thereafter permit a durable vacuum slidingly engaged on the vacuum hose to be deployed about the disposable bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventor: Warren A. Seith
  • Patent number: 5564160
    Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner having a handle pivotally connected to a rear portion of a surface cleaning brush housing. A lower portion of the handle is relatively straight and an upper portion of the handle curves forwardly therefrom so that the cleaner may be operated with greater ease and the housing may be operated under articles of furniture without undue stooping by the user. With the handle in an upright position, the cleaner occupies a smaller floor area as compared to conventional cleaners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: White Consolidated Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory W. Luebbering
  • Patent number: 5544385
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner filter bag mounting assembly comprises a bag mounting member having a fixed plate which is secured to a housing of a vacuum cleaner and a hinge plate which is pivotally mounted to the fixed plate through a living hinge. A channel is formed on the outside surface of the hinge plate for a receipt of the vacuum bag collar and an air deflector extends outwardly from the fixed plate for insertion into the filter bag. The bag mounting member is preferably integrally molded from a single injection-molding operation. An outlet tube is integrally molded to the fixed plate and has bag-retaining projections on an outer surface and a deflector at the end to deflect particles downwardly into the filter bag. The filter bag is retained in the operating condition by the bag-retaining projections on the outlet tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: Bissell Inc.
    Inventors: John Jailor, William H. Frederick, Steven R. Umbach, Scott R. Graham, Kenneth L. Roberts, Eric R. Metzger
  • Patent number: 5518068
    Abstract: The invention relates to an installation for cleaning tubes in a tube assembly (1) such as a heat exchanger or a condenser, which assembly comprises n sections in parallel where n is an integer greater than 1, the tubes being cleaned by circulating balls in a flow of water inside the tubes. For each of its sections, the installation comprises a branch length of pipework (6) fitted with its own drive pump (8) and extending between an upstream device (7) for recovering balls that is mounted on the outlet from the section under consideration and a downstream device (10) for reinjecting balls that is mounted at the inlet (2) to said section. The installation has a single device (11) for injecting new balls which is connected to all n lengths (6) by a corresponding number of small diameter pipes (12), thereby enabling the n sections to be served in turn by means of said device and also enabling it to be located at a distance from the tubes to be cleaned, in a location that is easy to access.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Assignee: Technos Et Compagnie
    Inventor: Roger Ricard
  • Patent number: 5511282
    Abstract: An arrangement for mounting a motor and fan unit to a support chassis within a vacuum cleaner housing includes a support structure defining an opening for receiving a first mounting portion on a back end of the motor and fan unit, a support member having a recessed portion for receiving a second mounting portion on a front end of the motor and fan unit and a flexible locking tab having an opening and being movable between engaging and disengaging positions relative to the motor and fan unit for receiving in the opening of the locking tab the second mounting portion on the front end of the motor and fan unit when the locking tab is in the engaging position. The mounting arrangement also includes a retaining structure which is movable between assembled and disassembled condition relative to the locking tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Assignee: Bissell Inc.
    Inventors: Eric R. Metzger, Gary L. Smith
  • Patent number: 5500979
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner has a housing having a bottom portion with wheels. A handle rod with a handle for guiding and pushing the vacuum cleaner across a floor is connected to the housing. A suction blower with a drive motor is positioned in the housing. The housing comprises a brush roller chamber with a rotatably driven brush roller with brush elements positioned therein. The housing has a suction slot through which the brush elements of the brush roller extend. The housing further comprises a receiving chamber positioned between the brush roller chamber and the suction blower with a removable dirt collecting container received therein. The dirt collecting container has sidewalls wherein a first one of the sidewalls faces the brush roller chamber and has an inlet slot extending substantially over the length of the brush roller chamber for allowing passage of a suction air stream entering the suction slot into the dirt collecting container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: Firma Fedag
    Inventor: Peter Wo/ rwag
  • Patent number: 5450895
    Abstract: A cleaning system using balls for cleaning fluid-conducting tubing including separation apparatus for separating the balls before recirculation by ball recirculation apparatus. The separation apparatus includes a conduit having an inlet in flow communication with the downstream side of the tubing, a ball outlet connected to the inlet of the ball recirculation apparatus and a fluid outlet connected to an outlet fluid line, and a generally cylindrical sieve substantially extending between the inlet and the ball outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Assignee: C.Q.M. Ltd.
    Inventor: Moshe Peery
  • Patent number: 5448795
    Abstract: A condenser cleaner, for cleaning a condenser tube having a condenser tube opening using high pressure medium supplied from a high pressure source, comprising a high pressure gun, a penetrator tube, and a sealing mechanism. The penetrator tube has a penetrator tube opening on one end and a threaded socket on another end. The penetrator tube opening is in communication with the threaded socket. The high pressure gun has a central conduit connected to the high pressure source at a primary conduit through a central conduit valve. The high pressure gun has a nozzle head in communication with the central conduit. The nozzle head is attached to the threaded socket, bringing it into communication with the central conduit. The sealing mechanism includes an expandable seal which is in communication with the primary conduit to expand the expandable seal against the condenser tube wall, creating a tight seal therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1995
    Inventor: Sean Boughal
  • Patent number: 5447193
    Abstract: A cleaning system for cleaning liquid-conducting tubing including a plurality of balls, ball recirculation apparatus for recirculating balls and liquid recirculation apparatus for recirculating the liquid used for entraining the balls to the ball recirculation apparatus. The ball recirculation apparatus has an inlet at the downstream side of the tubing and an outlet at the upstream side of the tubing. The liquid recirculation apparatus has an inlet in flow communication with the ball recirculation apparatus and an outlet at the upstream side of the tubing. Also, an apparatus for injecting a volume of liquid from a source of liquid into a liquid conducting system including a compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1995
    Assignee: C.Q.M. Ltd.
    Inventor: Moshe Peery
  • Patent number: 5444886
    Abstract: An apparatus designed to efficiently and positively clean a main piping not only totally, but also partially by the reciprocation of a pig. The cleaning apparatus is provided with a launcher (4) for projecting a pig (1) and a catcher (36) for receiving the pig (1) at both ends of a main piping (37). A compressed gas is supplied from a feed nozzle of the launcher to thereby send the pig to the catcher (36). In consequence to the arrival of the pig, the compressed gas is discharged through a discharge nozzle (29) of the catcher (36), when the pressure is decreased and the pig is accordingly stopped. The decrease of the pressure is detected by a pressure sensor (33) of the launcher (4). When the pig arrives at the catcher (36), it is detected by a pressure sensor (33) of the catcher (36). The compressed gas is supplied from a feed nozzle (22) of the catcher (36) based on the detecting signal of the pressure sensor (33 ) of the launcher (4), to thereby send the pig towards the launcher (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Assignee: Fuji Oil Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoichi Takashina, Koichi Ishihara
  • Patent number: 5442826
    Abstract: The invention disclosed a method for cleaning a pipe in the inside comprising steps of inserting a pig into a pipe, and reciprocally moving the pig thereafter by aerial vibration to clean the inside of pipe. An apparatus for cleaning a pipe in the inside comprises a pig removably inserted into a pipe from an end side thereof and a vibration generating source for transferring the pig in reciprocal motion by means of aerial motion to clean the inside of pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Assignees: Matsui Manufacturing Co., Ltd., Kyowa Hakko Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazue Murata, Hiroshi Tada, Yoshitaka Koishi, Osamu Matsui, Kiyoshi Morimoto, Yoshika Sanada, Teiichi Miwa
  • Patent number: 5437073
    Abstract: A tube cleaner (42) for removing deposits from the inner wall of condenser and other types of tubes has scrapers (20) for contacting the inner wall of the tube. The scrapers (20) are adapted to contact the wall so as to form an angle of 90 degrees or less rearwards of the scrapers (20) when the cleaner travels through the tube, so as to achieve more effective cleaning. The scrapers (20) may consist of one or more split rings mounted in incomplete transverse channels (44) on a central core (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1995
    Inventor: Graham H. Smith
  • Patent number: 5433229
    Abstract: A system for recovering and washing tube cleaning plugs includes a tube cleaning plug recovery sump disposed in a flowing stream of water and a tube washing subsystem located on-shore. The tube cleaning plugs are recovered from the water and conveyed to the tube washing subsystem where they are washed. After washing, the tube cleaning plugs can be recycled for further use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Assignee: Slickbar Products Corp.
    Inventor: Russell M. Blair
  • Patent number: 5414893
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an upright vacuum cleaner having an improved assembly to optimize the assembly and operational characteristics of the vacuum cleaner. The floor engaging unit of the vacuum cleaner has a two-piece body including a base and a hood which are snap-fit together. A motor is rotatably mounted within the body at the end of a handle assembly. The handle assembly, which also functions as a conduit for dirty air to travel to a disposable filter bag, carries an electrical connector which connects the motor to power. The handle further provides a stop which engages a hose hook that slidably fits over the top of the handle, the stop being located such that the hose hook is properly positioned to support a hose during storage thereof. A filter bag, which is mounted to the handle at a location downwardly spaced from the top of the filter bag, is provided with a wire frame to help support the weight of the disposable filter bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Inventors: Leonard D. Hampton, Vincent L. Bobrosky, Paul J. Burress, Hollis Spence
  • Patent number: 5390392
    Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a vacuum cleaner bag cover which provides an enlarged access opening into the interior thereof. The vacuum cleaner bag, which is designed to enclose a removable dirt filtering and collecting bag, includes a main section and a front panel section. In a first embodiment, the front panel section is connected to the main section by a pair of parallel, vertically oriented zippers and a top member which snap-fits over the top of the main section. In a second embodiment, the front panel section is permanently attached to the main section along one edge, and releasably attached at an opposite edge by a vertically-oriented zipper. An interior frame is provided to vertically support the vacuum cleaner bag cover. In the first embodiment, access to the interior of the vacuum cleaner bag cover is gained by sliding the zippers downwardly, pulling the bag cover top member off the vacuum cleaner bag cover and folding the front panel section downwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Assignee: White Consolidated Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Joyce K. Thomas, Michael R. Oetting, Joseph L. Mulcahy
  • Patent number: 5388636
    Abstract: A system for cleaning the inside of tubing, as of a heat exchanger, which is made up of a number of balls entrained by a liquid flowing through the system, a separator for separating the balls from the liquid downstream of the tubing, an accumulator for accumulating the balls downstream of the separator, a storage tank for storing a volume of injection liquid, and a mechanism for injecting the balls upstream of the tubing by displacement of the injection liquid from the storage to upstream of the tubing through the accumulator to entrain the balls therewith. The accumulator and the storage tank can be combined in a single housing or configured as separate airtight housings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: C.Q.M. Ltd.
    Inventor: Moshe Peery
  • Patent number: 5289612
    Abstract: A noise reduction system is provided for use with an upright vacuum cleaner. The noise reduction system is intended to be used with a rigid filter bag body-type vacuum cleaner wherein a fixed housing and a removable cover cooperate to enclose a cavity. The cavity houses a dirty air inlet which is in communication with a head assembly of a vacuum cleaner. A filter bag is contained within the cavity and cooperates with the dirty air inlet so as to filter exhaust air and retain debris contained therein. A muffler is contained within the cavity and spaced from the dirty air inlet. The muffler cooperates with the housing to form a baffle chamber The muffler defines a plurality of air entrance apertures which allow air to flow from the cavity into the baffle chamber. Both the muffler and the housing have a series of baffles formed generally parallel aligned which are interleaved and juxtaposed when the housing and the muffler cooperate to form the baffle chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Assignee: Ryobi Motor Products Corporation
    Inventor: William K. Glenn, III
  • Patent number: 5289947
    Abstract: A system is provided for the productive utilization of paint in a paint supply line, changing paint colors and cleaning paint lines by inserting and propelling a termination piston or slug having an outer diameter which forms a sliding fit within the supply line to wipe paint off the interior walls of the supply line. Preferably, the supply line is elastic and the termination piston squeegees the paint off the interior walls. A manifold is fitted with various valves to selectively supply pressurized air, solvent and two or more paint colors to the supply line. A process controller controls the timing of the valves of the manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Assignee: FANUC Robotics North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Hadi A. Akeel, Alexander H. Joyce
  • Patent number: 5283939
    Abstract: A snap-together vacuum cleaner housing comprises at least three discrete pieces which can be assembled and disassembled without the use of adhesive, fasteners, or tools. A lock ring comprises two semicircles of different radii. The lock ring encircles discrete portions of the housing and joins them together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1994
    Assignee: Royal Appliance Mfg. Co.
    Inventors: Craig M. Saunders, James J. Kopco, Robert O. Wraight, Paul D. Stephens, Michael F. Wright
  • Patent number: 5279018
    Abstract: A rotary bearing is disclosed for pivotably connecting a journal to a similar cylindrical saddle formed in a chassis member. The rotary bearing is provided with an annular sleeve having inner surface sides to freely rotatably cooperate with the journal. The annular sleeve outer surface has affixed to it an arcuate flange extending radially outward and about a limited portion of the sleeve periphery. The flange includes a relatively thin web section and a thicker head portion spaced radially outward therefrom to enable the flange to interconnect with the arcuate slot formed in a semi-cylindrical saddle surface. The rotary bearing can be quickly installed and removed without the use of fasteners or installation tools and is particularly suitably adapted for use in mounting an upright vacuum motor/fan assembly to the cleaner head chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: Ryobi Motor Products Corp.
    Inventor: William K. Glenn, III
  • Patent number: 5266169
    Abstract: A center transfer unit positioned between a solids collection chamber and a cleaning particle vessel contains vibrating inclined screens to separate chunks of waste solids from cleaning particles recycled to the cleaning particle vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Cathy J. Geary, Joseph L. Greene, Jr., Larry F. Knight, Ronald W. DeLorme
  • Patent number: 5255410
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner generally has a working head which is positioned on the floor surface when the machine is in use. The working head of a vacuum cleaner essentially includes a rotating brush, a suction blower and a motor for operating both the brush and the blower. In addition, this working head also generally requires a spacing device, such as a wheel for guiding the brush head or suction brush head and controlling its proper spacing in relation to the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1993
    Assignee: Stein & Co. GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Stein, Heinz Kaulig
  • Patent number: 5251690
    Abstract: An apparatus for collecting cleaning bodies in a tubular heat exchanger capable of collecting the cleaning bodies with a high collection efficiency against the temporary introduction of a large amount foreign matter such as falling tools in a cooling water system and against the deflected flow of the cooling water from the upstream side. A rectifying member rectifies or regulates the deflected flow of the cooling water from the upstream side whereby it is possible to collect the cleaning bodies without any adhesion and stagnation of the cleaning bodies in the cooling water on V-shaped collection lattices. It is also possible to trap a large article such as a falling tool between a guide member disposed downstream of the collection lattices and the collection lattices, and to introduce only the cleaning bodies into the guide member. Furthermore, the downstream port of a cleaning body discharge pipe opens toward the downstream side to thereby prevent the clogging of the port with the foreign matter or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Machinery and Engineering, Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsumoto Otake, Yoshio Sumiya, Yasuo Fujitani, Shigeo Oda, Tokunori Matsushima, Takuya Sasaki, Keizo Ishida, Hideki Kon, Hiroshi Satoh, Toshihiko Kaneko, Makoto Yanagihara
  • Patent number: 5247719
    Abstract: A tool storage arrangement is provided for a hard bag upright cleaner by forming a covered compartment in the hard bag portion and tool mounting means in the compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1993
    Assignee: The Hoover Company
    Inventors: Richard A. Wareham, Robert C. Shorthill, Edgar A. Maurer
  • Patent number: 5242827
    Abstract: An apparatus for the automatic, continuous cleaning of the pipe of a solar receptor of a photobioreactor also having a carbonator associated with the solar receptor. The solar receptor and the carbonator both being traversed in series in a closed loop by a nutrient medium solution. A branch duct being provided between an outlet and an inlet of the solar receptor to permit a circulation of cleaning balls therebetween. The apparatus including a motorized valve on a vertical portion of the branch duct for bringing about the automatic passage of the balls with the exclusion of the solution, as well as a pivoting sleeve placed in the inlet of the solar receptor, downstream of the junction with the branch duct. The sleeve serving as a support for a controllable manual valve and permitting the introduction or removal of cleaning balls with respect to the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1993
    Assignees: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique, Ussi-Ingenierie
    Inventors: Daniel Chaumont, Patrick Ferreira Dos Santos, Leopold Sauze
  • Patent number: 5233722
    Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner having an upper, hardened housing portion includes a tool containing tool storage well. A tool door is hinged to the housing to cover the well and includes a "breakaway" or hingedly detachable feature to limit damage to it or its associated structure from improper operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1993
    Assignee: The Hoover Company
    Inventors: Darwin T. McKnight, Gerald L. Melegari
  • Patent number: 5230121
    Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner having a nozzle assembly including a blower motor and agitator brush and a handle assembly rotatably mounted thereto. The handle rotates relative to the nozzle assembly while the blower motor remains fixed thereto. The vacuum cleaner includes height adjusting means for changing the height of the agitator brush relative to the floor surface which, although manually adjustable, once adjusted retains its adjustment. Improved, self-locking latches are provided on the bottom of the nozzle assembly for maintaining a cover affixed to the nozzle assembly. In order to release the self-locking latches, a release member must be actuated at the same time the latch is opened. The vacuum cleaner includes top and bottom bag retaining assemblies which are simple in construction and can be assembled without the use of tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1993
    Assignee: Matsushita Floor Care Company
    Inventor: Gordon R. Blackman
  • Patent number: 5228169
    Abstract: A brush type vacuum cleaner having a filter housing and a suction, or brush-suction, head. The filter housing is pivotally connected to the brush-suction head by a rigid guide element or rigid connector that includes two air channels for channelling air between the filter housing and the brush-suction head. The air channels include openings for connection to the suction blower of the vacuum cleaner and the vacuum mouthpiece of the brush-suction head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1993
    Assignee: Stein & Co. GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Stein, Heinz Kaulig
  • Patent number: 5223010
    Abstract: A bag securing and tensioning system for a vacuum cleaner includes a duct for directing a flow of dirt-laden air from an inlet thereof to an outlet thereof, a porous outer bag and a connection member for releasably mounting the outer bag to the outlet end of the duct. The connection member includes a longitudinally extending slot located in a handle of the vacuum cleaner and a bag guide member including an extension slidably mounted in the slot. A bag clip is secured to the bag guide member. The bag clip holds an end of the porous outer bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Assignee: Royal Appliance Mfg. Co.
    Inventors: Craig M. Saunders, Terry L. Zahuranec, Dennis A. Rogers
  • Patent number: 5221047
    Abstract: Method and system are provided for cleaning a paint supply line and changing paint colors by inserting and propelling a termination piston or slug having an outer diameter which forms a sliding fit within the supply line to wipe paint off the interior walls of the supply line. Preferably, the supply line is elastic and the termination piston squeegees the paint off the interior walls. In order to more fully clean the supply line prior to changing paint colors, a predetermined amount of cleaning fluid such as a solvent is injected into the supply line behind the termination piston from a common passage of a manifold. A leading piston or slug is then inserted immediately ahead of a new paint color in the supply line. The pistons may be disposable or may be reused by recirculating them by means of shuttle assemblies and a return line. The manifold is fitted with various valves to selectively supply pressurized air, solvent and two or more paint colors to the supply line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1993
    Assignee: GMFANUC Robotics Corporation
    Inventor: Hadi A. Akeel
  • Patent number: 5216779
    Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner having a filter bag housing assembly comprised of a fabric or otherwise flexible and air permeable bag housing resiliently supported at its bottom end relative to the operator handle such that the bag housing is always in tension and is prevented from twisting about the axis of the operator handle. The bag housing assembly includes rigid upper and lower frame members thereby maintaining the assembly in a prescribed geometric shape. The lower frame member which defines the bottom of the bag housing includes a pair of laterally disposed elongated track members telescopically disposed within respective guide track members fixed to the handle and resiliently biased relative to the respective guide track member to thereby maintain the bag housing in tension and provide lateral stability to the bag housing at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1993
    Assignee: Ryobi Motor Products Corp.
    Inventor: William K. Glenn, III
  • Patent number: 5192595
    Abstract: Method and system are provided for the productive utilization of paint in a paint supply line, changing paint colors and cleaning paint lines by inserting and propelling a termination piston or slug having an outer diameter which forms a sliding fit within the supply line to wipe pair off the interior walls of the supply line. Preferably, the supply line is elastic and the termination piston squeegees the paint off the interior walls. A manifold is fitted with various valves to selectively supply pressurized air, solvent and two or more paint colors to the supply line. A process controller controls the timing of the valves of the manifold. The method and system can also be used to retrofit existing color changers in an economical yet environmentally sound fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1993
    Assignee: GMFanuc Robotics Corporation
    Inventors: Hadi A. Akeel, Alexander H. Joyce
  • Patent number: 5176204
    Abstract: A cleaning system for cleaning tubing by circulating balls through the tubing includes a system for separating and recirculating the balls back to the upstream side of the tubing. The separator includes a hollow separator tube having perforations through its wall such that the balls accumulate in a chamber on the outer side of the hollow separator tube while the fluid flows through the interior of the hollow separator tube through a passageway to the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1993
    Assignee: Balls-Technics Ltd.
    Inventor: Chaim Ben-Dosa
  • Patent number: 5170524
    Abstract: A projectile launcher is disclosed and claimed adapted for use in apparatus for cleaning tubes arranged in apparatus being of the type whereby a projectile is placed in a tube to be cleaned and then subjected to a sudden cleaning medium pressure impact to force the projectile through the tube at high speed, the launcher with the tube to be cleaned, a magazine for feeding serially projectiles into the tube to be cleaned, and means for supplying a pulse of cleaning medium along the aforesaid duct once a projectile is positioned in the tube to be cleaned, the barrel and the cleaning medium duct being selectably removable from the launcher to be replaced with similar barrels and cleaning medium ducts to accommodate projectiles of differing diameters without loss of any operating fluids from the launcher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1992
    Assignee: Barry Bros. Specialised Services Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: Robert W. Vowles
  • Patent number: 5168598
    Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner which includes a floor nozzle portion having a rotary brush incorporated in it, a dust collecting portion incorporated with an electric blower tiltably provided on the floor nozzle portion, a cord winding device mounted at a rear face side of the dust collecting portion, moving rollers rotatably mounted at opposite ends of one main shaft, and a cover member for covering the cord winding device from the rear face side, with the main shaft of the rollers being held between the dust collecting portion and the cover member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1992
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Hashizume, Hiroshi Nishimura
  • Patent number: 5153963
    Abstract: A tube cleaning tool for removal of hard deposits from the interior wall of a tube has a cylindrical body portion with an outer diameter, less than the inner diameter of the tube, a nose portion at one end and a tail portion at the other end, with a plurality of spaced freewheeling cutting wheels provided on the body portion which extend outwardly therefrom, the cutting wheels at least partially contained within the confines of the cylindrical body portion and rotatable about an axis transverse the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1992
    Assignee: Conco Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory J. Saxon, Daniel C. Lyle