With Agitator Adjustable Relative To Nozzle Patents (Class 15/355)
  • Patent number: 11097412
    Abstract: A mechanic's creeper assembly includes a panel that can be worn on a user's back. A first belt is slidably coupled to the panel and the first belt can be wrapped around the user to retain the panel on the user's back. A second belt is slidably coupled to the panel and the second belt can be wrapped around the user to retain the panel on the user's back. A pair of wheel mounts is each of the wheel mounts is coupled to opposite sides of the panel and each of the wheel mounts has a plurality of engagement points thereon. A pair of wheel units is provided and each of the wheel units is removably coupled to a respective one of the wheel mounts for rolling along the ground. Each of the wheel units engages a selected one of the engagement points in the respective wheel mount thereby spacing each of wheel units a selectable distance below the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Inventor: Rekeft Dosky
  • Patent number: 10898048
    Abstract: A sponge roller, a cleaning roller assembly, and a floor cleaner. The sponge roller includes an outer layer and an inner layer. The outer layer is sleeved on the inner layer; the inner layer is made of non-absorbent sponge, and the outer layer is made of absorbent sponge. The sponge roller can be made with a large thickness, thus improving the cleaning capacity of the cleaner. The water is mainly stored in the outer layer, so it can be squeezed out without the exertion of much more external force, and thus the resistance against the rotation of the sponge roller is negligible, thus saving the energy consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: HiZero Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yang Li, Yong Zhang
  • Patent number: 10413142
    Abstract: The vacuum cleaner includes: a vacuum cleaner main body including a suction device generating a suction force; a nozzle assembly connected with the main body and configured to suction air by the suction force of the suction device; a connector configured to connect the nozzle assembly with the main body and rotatably coupled to the nozzle assembly; and a locking unit which locks the main body to maintain a state in which the main body is erect and which unlocks the main body in the locked state by a rotation of the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Mantae Hwang, Jungbae Hwang, Philjae Hwang
  • Patent number: 8966699
    Abstract: A floor washing-drying machine including a scraping device that is capable of automatic orientation. The scraping device follows changes of direction of the machine by a simple and effective orienting mechanism so as to wipe all the surface washed by a washing mechanism, without leaving any wet portions on the surface. An idle mode mechanism is achieved by a bushing to which the scraping device is connected. The bushing is mounted in an idle and axially slidable mode on the brush rotation shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Nilfisk-Advance A/S
    Inventor: Leonardo Contardi
  • Patent number: 8516655
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a floor engaging portion and a handle portion pivotally mounted to the floor engaging portion. The handle portion includes an input device. An agitator is rotatably mounted in the floor engaging portion to agitate a floor surface being cleaned. A first motor has an output shaft and an agitator belt selectively drivingly connecting the motor to the agitator. A tensioning arm pivotally mounts to the floor engaging portion for motion between an agitator-on position in which the tensioning arm engages the agitator belt, to place the agitator belt under tension whereby the agitator belt drives the agitator, and an agitator-off position in which the tensioning arm does not engage the agitator belt, to place the agitator belt in a slack condition whereby the agitator belt does not drive the agitator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited
    Inventors: Edgar A. Maurer, Jack S. Stayer, Jr., Evan A. Gordon
  • Patent number: 8365347
    Abstract: A floor cleaning device including a base assembly for movement along a surface, a handle, a nozzle, a nozzle lifting mechanism, a brush, a brush lifting mechanism, a recovery tank, and a liquid distribution system. The nozzle lifting mechanism moving the nozzle relative to the base assembly and the surface and the brush lifting mechanism moving the brush relative to the base assembly and the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited
    Inventors: Jeffery A. Morgan, David A. Bradshaw, Douglas E. Gerber, Charles A. Lang, Adam C. Sclafani, Kevin L. Thomas, Vincent L. Weber, Robert S. Wilson, Siu Wai Hui, Wing Leung Ng
  • Publication number: 20130008469
    Abstract: A cleaning apparatus including a brush to sweep up dust on the floor via rotation thereof, and an elevating device to vertically adjust a height of the brush. The elevating device includes an elevating motor to generate rotation force, a cam configured to be rotated by the elevating motor and serving to vertically move the brush, and a rotation switch configured to rotate in a given direction along with the cam and serving to sense a position of the brush. The cleaning apparatus is structurally simplified as a resulting of using an Alternating Current (AC) motor as the elevating motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Min Ro Yun, Byung Jo Lee
  • Patent number: 8327504
    Abstract: A wand assembly for a cleaning appliance includes a handle portion having a channel formed therethrough; a tubular wand received within the channel and moveable between a first position and a second position; a locking mechanism having a lock position and an unlock position and preventing the wand from moving from the first position when in the lock position; and a release mechanism mounted to the wand and which can be actuated to move the locking mechanism from the lock position to the unlock position. The release mechanism is actuated by relative movement of the release mechanism with respect to the wand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Daniel Francis Helps, Christopher Simon Osborn, Blair Hugh Hutton, Alan Glynn Sanderson, Hadley White
  • Patent number: 8250704
    Abstract: A suction nozzle assembly for a vacuum cleaner is provided. The suction nozzle assembly includes a suction nozzle assembly body, a hair collecting unit that is disposed on the suction nozzle assembly body, and an elevating unit for raising and lowering the hair collecting unit, wherein if the front of the suction nozzle assembly body contacts a wall, the elevating unit raises the hair collecting unit, and if the suction nozzle assembly body is separated from the wall, the elevating unit lowers down the hair collecting unit to a previous position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dong-hun Yoo
  • 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: 8230549
    Abstract: An upright extractor for delivering cleaning fluid to a cleaning member, removing the cleaning fluid and entrained soil from the cleaning member, and damp wiping dirt and debris off of a surface to be cleaned. A roller assembly for wiping dirt and debris off a cleaning surface is reversible. The roller assembly and a centrifugal pump are driven simultaneously and at independent speeds necessary for preferred operation with a common motor. A vented spray tip assembly delivers cleaning fluid to the cleaning member. An improved accessory tool delivers a variety of metered cleaning chemicals while also extracting the soiled fluid and debris from a surface to be cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: BISSELL Homecare, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth M. Lenkiewicz, Phong H. Tran
  • Patent number: 8132288
    Abstract: A surface treating head assembly for an appliance such as a vacuum cleaner includes a head and a drivable agitator in the form of a brush bar, rotatably housed in the head. A cam arrangement is rotatably driven in the head. The cam arrangement includes a pair of cams, each having a plurality of cam faces, each cam face corresponding to respective predetermined vertical positions of the brush bar. Thus, the height of the brush bar is selectively controllable between the predetermined positions, such that the depth of penetration of the bristles of the brush bar may be optimized for different types of carpet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Paul Dawson, Scott Andrew Maguire, Andrew Martin Mitchell, Spencer James Robert Arthey
  • Patent number: 7930797
    Abstract: A suction brush assembly for a vacuum cleaner capable of automatic height adjustment according to the present disclosure includes a suction brush body connected to a cleaner body at a rear side thereof and provided with a rotation brush for striking a surface to be cleaned to separate dirt from the surface to be cleaned at a bottom surface thereof; and an up/down adjusting unit for monitoring continuously a state of the surface to be cleaned and adjusting a height of the rotation brush body to vary a distance between the surface to be cleaned and the rotation brush according to the state of the surface to be cleaned so as to prevent the surface to be cleaned from being damaged by the rotating rotation brush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dong-hun Yoo
  • Patent number: 7895707
    Abstract: A height adjusting apparatus of a suction body for use in an upright vacuum cleaner is disclosed. The apparatus adjusts a distance between a rotary brush and a surface to be cleaned, and includes a lifting unit pivotably disposed to the suction body, and an actuating unit disposed in a modularized state at the rear of the suction body, so that a portion thereof is exposed to the outside from the suction body, and lifting or lowering the lifting unit as the portion thereof is repeatedly pushed by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Joo-sung Moon
  • Patent number: 7877839
    Abstract: A vacuum can include a housing having an inlet adapted to receive debris being vacuumed. A mounting bar can be fixedly coupled to the housing. A floor collector assembly can be rotatably disposed about a first axis defined by the mounting bar. The floor collector assembly can include a first debris-passing member coupled to the mounting bar, a second debris-passing member rotatably coupled to the first debris-passing member and a third debris-passing member removably coupled to the second debris-passing member. The first debris-passing member can define an opening. The floor collector assembly can be operable in a plurality of modes. In a first mode, the opening can be substantially perpendicular relative to a vacuumed surface. In a second mode, the second debris-passing member can be rotated relative to the first debris-passing member about a second axis such that the opening is at an acute angle relative to the vacuumed surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Katherine E. Phelan, Gregg L. Sheddy, Paul S. White, Michael P. Kunz, Stuart J. Wright, Christopher J. Murray, Trevor T. Bludis, Alfred H. Judge
  • Patent number: 7870638
    Abstract: A bare floor cleaner for wet and dry bare floor surfaces comprises a base with wet and dry suction nozzles and a handle pivotally connected to the base. A diverter mounted in the working air conduit between each of the dry suction nozzle and the wet suction nozzle to a recovery tank is movable by movement of the handle between a dry suction position and a wet suction position for selectively at least partially blocking working air flow from the wet suction nozzle and the dry suction nozzle, respectively, to the recovery tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: BISSELL Homecare, Inc.
    Inventor: John L. Jansen
  • Patent number: 7849558
    Abstract: A cleaning head for a suction cleaner, the head including a body; a rotatable tool connected to the body by support means; driving means; and transmission means providing a driving connection between the driving means and the tool; wherein the support means contains the transmission means, and provides for movement of the tool upwardly and downwardly relative to the body in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Inventors: Bengt Ivar Anders Ivarsson, Reuben Proud
  • Patent number: 7841046
    Abstract: The invention discloses a height adjusting apparatus for a vacuum cleaner nozzle, comprising: a barrel with a vertical passage, a groove module is formed on the inner surface of the barrel, said groove module comprises an upper groove, a lower groove, which has at least a first positioning point, a second positioning point differing from first positioning point in height and a intermediate point between the two positioning points; a resilient member, a lifting member, a driven member and a driving member are arranged in the passage of barrel from down to up. The height adjusting apparatus could be adjusted by applying a pressure force downwardly in vertical direction (for example, press by foot) and that takes less labor and time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Care Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Fowler, Zu Gen Ni
  • Patent number: 7797792
    Abstract: A floor cleaning device (10) includes a housing (40) and a container (43) removably received by the housing. A suction nozzle (18, 18?, 18?) is fluidly connected with the container and with a suction source (52) when the container is received by the housing. A filter (114) is selectively fluidly connected with the container and with the suction source. A float (170) selectively closes the fluid connection of the filter with the container. The filter and the float may be removable as a unit (42) from the cleaning device. The nozzle may be removable, allowing an appropriate nozzle to be selected according to the type of floor surface to be cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Royal Appliance Mfg. Co.
    Inventors: Mark E. Cipolla, Michael F. Wright, John S. Murphy, Richard C. Farone
  • Patent number: 7631395
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a suction nozzle for a vacuum cleaner, which includes a nozzle body having a contaminants suction port formed on a bottom surface thereof, and a fur-removing member having a fur-removing body rotatably disposed at a side of the contaminants suction port on the nozzle body, a fur-removing portion formed in a plurality of pins vertically to the fur-removing body, and a plurality of rotation cams, wherein when the nozzle body moves in a first direction, the plurality of rotation cams forces the fur-removing body to rotate so that a leading end of the fur-removing portion is spaced apart from a surface to be cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jang-keun Oh
  • Patent number: 7610651
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an automatic cleaning device. The automatic cleaning device comprises an air injector, and at least one side brush. If air is suctioned into a body in accordance with operation of a suction motor, the air injector operates to inject the air to the outside of the body, to sweep out dust on the wall and corner of a room. The side brush serves to push the dust to a suction head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Oh-hyun Baek
  • Patent number: 7503096
    Abstract: A dust-collectable mobile robotic vacuum cleaner includes a base frame, a driving device mounted to the base frame, a control device mounted to the base frame and electrically connected with the driving device, a collision-detectable unit mounted to the base frame electrically connected with the control device, and a dust-collecting device mounted to the base frame. The dust-collecting device has dust-collecting box, a dust guider, a round brush, and a dust entrance formed at one side of the dust-collecting box. The dust guider is located at a lower edge of the dust entrance, having two opposite sides pivotably mounted to the dust-collecting box and lying against the ground at a predetermined angle respectively, for upward and downward pivoting movement. The round brush is rotatably located at a front end of the dust guider for sweeping dust particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: E-Supply International Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wen-Hsu Lin
  • Patent number: 7467439
    Abstract: A suction attachment has a suction nozzle and is coupled to a suction channel of a vacuum cleaner by a coupling member. The coupling member is pivotable relative to the suction nozzle about a pivot axis which extends perpendicularly to a main displacement direction of the attachment. The suction nozzle has front and rear brushes. The suction nozzle also has an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the two brushes between retracted and protruding positions relative to the bottom surface of the suction nozzle. The suction attachment further has a rolling member is arranged near the pivot axis. The pivot axis is arranged between the front brush and at least a portion of the rear brush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Henk Lijzenga, Alexander Poul Splinter
  • Patent number: 7305736
    Abstract: A height adjustment apparatus for a rotatable component of a vacuum cleaner is provided. The apparatus includes a rotatable wheel and a retainer device. The rotatable wheel includes a central axis, a wheel portion, a hub portion including an offset axle aperture that receives a rotatable component, and one or more detent devices. The retainer device is retained in a chassis of the vacuum cleaner and includes a body, a hub portion aperture formed in the body and of a size to rotatably receive the hub portion of the rotatable wheel, and one or more biasing devices that interact with the one or more detent devices in order to provide a plurality of predetermined detent positions. The rotatable component is moved substantially vertically with respect to the central axis when the rotatable wheel is rotated between the plurality of predetermined detent positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Oreck Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Paul A. Moshenrose
  • Patent number: 6640386
    Abstract: A floor cleaning device includes a base portion for movement along a surface. The base portion further includes a suction nozzle and a brush assembly driven by a brush motor for agitating the surface. The brush assembly includes a lifting mechanism for moving the brush assembly from a first position wherein the brush is off the surface to a second position wherein the brush assembly is on the surface. A switching assembly is responsive to the brush lifting mechanism to energize the brush motor when the brush assembly is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: The Hoover Company
    Inventors: Jeffery A. Morgan, Douglas E. Gerber, Robert W. Hecht, Charles A. Lang, Adam C. Sclafani, Kevin L. Thomas, Vincent L. Weber, Robert S. Wilson, Christopher J. Fawcett, Kam Hoi Ma, Tak On Yip
  • Patent number: 6571424
    Abstract: A device for removing dust and rubbish includes a casing provided with a suction opening, a rotating brush, a turbine operationally connected to the brush, a suction nozzle located between the brush and the turbine, and a suction pipe connected to a suction device; the brush and the turbine are rotatably supported, respectively, in a first and in a second housing; the device also includes at least a bypass duct and a first valve, the bypass duct being designed for bypassing the second housing and the turbine, the first valve being able to engage with the suction nozzle and with the bypass duct for closing the suction nozzle and opening the bypass duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: New Ermes Europe S.p.A.
    Inventors: Ermes Roschi, Riccardo Roschi
  • Patent number: 6286181
    Abstract: A portable surface cleaning apparatus including a base module for movement along a surface, an upright handle pivotally attached to the base module, a liquid dispensing system including a flexible bladder defining a fluid supply chamber for holding a supply of cleaning fluid, a fluid recovery system including a tank on the base module having a fluid recovery chamber for holding recovered fluid and housing the flexible bladder, and a fluid passageway between the fluid supply chamber and the recovery chamber, whereby the recovery chamber is in fluid communication with the fluid supply chamber and the pressure in the flexible bladder is equalized with the pressure in the tank as the cleaning fluid is dispensed from the supply chamber and the dirty liquid is collected in the recovery chamber. In a further embodiment the tank has an outlet opening in a bottom portion thereof and a drain plug is removably mounted in the outlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Bissell Homecare, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary A. Kasper, Jonathan A. Miner, Timothy E. Kasen, Kenneth M. Lenkiewicz, Eric C. Huffman, Luke E. Kelly
  • Patent number: 6272720
    Abstract: A sweeping machine composed of a brush assembly (1) and a suction assembly (5, 7, 9) sucking dirt that has been brushed off a ground surface. The brush assembly (1) has two elongate, cylindrical brushes (1) which are symmetrically arranged on either side of the travelling direction (K) and have radial bristles and a horizontal drive shaft (3) for rotation of the brushes. The drive shafts (3) extend transversely of the travelling direction and make a positive acute angle with the transverse direction, and the ends of the brushes (1) facing each other are arranged at a distance from each other. The brush assembly (1) is enclosed in a downwardly open housing (2) whose lower edge is formed of an elastic skirt (15) arranged to drag its free edge along the ground surface. The suction assembly has a suction nozzle (5) which is connectible to a suction device (7) supported by a vehicle (8). The suction nozzle (5) is elongate and extends transversely of the travelling direction (K) and behind the brushes (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: DISAB Vacuum Technology AB
    Inventors: Gert Axel Lövgren, Karl Thorbjorn Haugen
  • Patent number: 6134745
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaning tool, especially a suction nozzle for the floor, is provided. The tool includes a housing having a suction chamber that is connected to a vacuum cleaning unit by a connector. Disposed in the suction chamber is a brush roller, the bristles of which extend through a suction opening. The brush roller is rotatably disposed in the housing between lateral mounting pieces, which are held by respective pivot arms in such a way on a pivot element provided in the housing that the brush roller can be pivoted out of the suction chamber about a pivot axis that is disposed approximately parallel to the brush roller. One of the pivot arms is detachably connected with the pivot element via a plug connection, which is provided with electrical plug contacts via which the electrical line of an electric drive motor disposed in the brush roller can be connected with an external power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Dupro AG
    Inventor: Peter Worwag
  • Patent number: 6131240
    Abstract: A cleaning machine is disclosed having an adjustment apparatus that allows a selected cleaning depth to be maintained, even where the cleaning apparatus has been raised to facilitate transport of the cleaning machine from one area to be cleaned to another. The adjustment apparatus therefore eliminates the need to reset the cleaning depth where the carpet being cleaned is of the same depth as the last area that was cleaned. The disclosed cleaning machine also features a vacuum housing having an integral seal, which provides for a more reliable seal, and simplifies assembly of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Windsor Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Shark, Gene Bothun, Clay Costanzo
  • Patent number: 6123779
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner head has a rotatably mounted brush and a pressure sensor which is drivingly connected to the brush to move the brush with respect to the dirty air inlet in response to the air pressure in the air flow path to the vacuum cleaner head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: Fantom Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne Ernest Conrad, Helmut Gerhard Conrad
  • Patent number: 6099661
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner head having a dirty air inlet has an associated restricting member which is operable to reduce the size of the dirty air inlet thereby increasing the velocity of the air entering the air flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Fantom Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Patent number: 6041472
    Abstract: A portable surface cleaning apparatus has a base for movement along a surface to be cleaned and an upright handle pivotally attached to a rearward portion of the base. A fluid dispensing nozzle for applying fluid to the surface and a suction nozzle for picking up fluid and debris from the surface are associated with the base. A clean water holding tank and a detergent holding tank are removably mounted to the handle while a recovery tank is removably mounted to the base. A mixing valve is fluidly connected between the holding tanks and the spray nozzle for changing the mixing ratio of the detergent with respect to the water. The fluid recovery tank includes an integrally molded conduit that extends from the suction nozzle and a mounting for an accessory hose that interrupts the fluid path from the suction nozzle in the conduit and redirects fluid flow through the hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Bissell Homecare, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy E. Kasen, Luke E. Kelly, Charles A. Reed, Jr., Gary L. Smith, Eric R. Metzger
  • Patent number: 5951780
    Abstract: Surface treatment apparatus having impact elements for impacting a surface to be treated, a brush element for brushing the surface, a drive device for operating the impact element and the brush elements, and a carriage device enabling the surface treatment apparatus to be moved across the surface to be treated. The brush elements include a composite rotary brush assembly having circumferentially spaced rows of bristles mounted on a rotatable shaft in alternate circumferential sequence with the impact elements and further rotary assembly mounted on a contra-rotation relative to the composite rotary brush assembly and/or the impact elements, each rotatable so their bristles move upwardly intermediate the respective shafts. The impact elements include a plurality of longitudinal spaced hammers each pivotable about an axis substantially parallel to the axis of the rotatable shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Inventor: Rodney Mackenzie Pettigrew
  • Patent number: 5839159
    Abstract: An upright wet extractor includes a base assembly, a manipulative handle pivotally attached to the base assembly, and a motor driven agitator brush. A cleaning solution dispensing tank is removably attached to the handle assembly by a pivotable latch member. In a floor cleaning mode, cleaning solution is selectively supplied by gravity from the dispensing tank to a spray nozzle through a supply tube controlled by a pinch valve. In an attachment hose cleaning mode, cleaning solution is selectively supplied by a motor driven pump from the dispensing tank to an attachment hose spray nozzle controlled by a trigger valve. A suction motor/fan assembly is carried by the base assembly which is selectively in fluid communication with a floor nozzle in the floor mode and a hose nozzle in the attachment mode. Conversion between floor mode and attachment mode is carried out by manual operation of a knob of a multi-functional valve/switch assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: White Consolidated Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Karr, David Erickson, Kevin Genge, William Hanold, Gregory Luebbering, William Phelan
  • Patent number: 5465456
    Abstract: Mobile floor cleaning apparatus of the type having a nozzle assembly for spraying a cleaning solution on carpet or other floor covering, a motor driven brush for scrubbing the wet floor, and a vacuum system for extracting dirty solution from the floor. The nozzle assembly and brush are mounted on a housing which moves in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of the apparatus. The housing extends from one side of the apparatus and deflects in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of the floor cleaning apparatus upon contact with an obstacle. The nozzle assembly includes a spray jet bar mounting a plurality of nozzles. The spray jet bar is releasably mounted on the brush housing to facilitate nozzle maintenance. A vacuum extractor shoe is releasably mounted to swing and swivel from a rear end of the floor cleaning apparatus to automatically adjust to floor irregularities and to maintain maximum floor contact when turning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Assignee: National Super Service Company
    Inventors: Jeffery R. Fellhauer, Michael W. Savidge
  • Patent number: 4951346
    Abstract: An improved integrated cleaning attachment for both dry vacuuming or wet cleaning carpets, uphostery or the like, for use with a powered cleaning unit the cleaning attachment comprising a three dimensional frame having a top and bottom, the cleaning attachment having extending therefrom vacuum carrier devices for conducting a created vacuum from a source of created vacuum to the three dimensional frame, the three dimensional frame having liquid supply mechanisms extending to a source of liquid supply away from the three dimensional frame, the liquid supply mechanisms having liquid distribution mechanisms connected thereto, the cleaning attachment having disposed therein proximate the bottom thereof at least two vacuum nozzles, each having an opening therein, each opening extending substantially horizontally above a surface being cleaned, the at least two vacuum nozzles and the vacuum carrier devices having therebetween established diverting mechanisms to divert the created vacuum conducted by the vacuum carri
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1990
    Assignee: Carl Salmon
    Inventor: Carl Salmon
  • Patent number: 4805256
    Abstract: This invention is concerned with a machine in the nature of a scrubber for removing dirt, grime, etc. from a surface to be cleaned and includes a mobile machine with a scrub brush mounted for rotation about a generally vertical axis with a housing therefor which is pivotally mounted and concentric with the scrub brush drive. The brush, brush drive, brush housing and squeegees which are mounted on the brush housing, also make up a brush head assembly that is raised and lowered as a unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1989
    Assignee: Tennant Company
    Inventors: Richard A. Mason, Philip E. Koenigs
  • Patent number: 4799286
    Abstract: A power driven vacuum sweeper for thoroughly and rapidly removing padding and glued particles which remain attached to a floor after a worn-out carpet has been removed therefrom. The sweeper is characterized by having a cylindrical metal broom mounted on the front end of a frame and arranged for clockwise rotation to bite into and remove the padding and glued particles from the top surface of the floor as a pair of handlebars attached by a lever to the frame of the sweeper is moved forward and in and upward direction about a pair of wheels. The sweeper is further characterized in that the pair of wheels are mounted for a rocking sidewise movement about the frame when either wheel engages irregular high or low floor surfaces thereby allowing the thorough horizontal cleaning position of the entire width of the broom to be maintained under these adverse operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1989
    Inventor: Berl I. Rubin
  • Patent number: 4361929
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner tool is provided which comprises a housing and a motor positioned in the housing, the motor having a driving pulley connected to the output thereof. A rotary agitator brush is mounted in the housing and has a portion thereof extending from the housing for contacting a surface to be vacuumed. The brush has an axle which extends therefrom along the axis thereof. A drive belt couples the pulley to the brush and an end cap is mounted on the axle of the brush for mounting the brush in the housing in two positions. The brush extends a smaller distance from the housing in the first of the two positions. The center of the end cap is positioned with respect to the axis of the brush such that when the cap is rotated 180.degree., the brush is shifted between the two positions while the distance from the center of the pulley to the axis of the brush is maintained constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1982
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventor: Danny R. Jinkins
  • Patent number: 4349935
    Abstract: A rug and carpet cleaning apparatus of the type in which a housing is shifted along the floor and is connected to a suction chamber while having rotary brush, carpet-shampoo, massager, and like rotary units which are selectively to act upon the carpet depending upon the function or operation to be carried out. According to the invention, at least two such units are provided on opposite sides of the fulcrum or pivot of a rocker or teeter which is controlled, e.g. by a lever and cable arrangement, to selectively bring one or the other unit into action depending upon the tilt imparted to the rocker. Both units can be continuously coupled to the drive motor which can also be mounted on the rocker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1982
    Inventor: Leopold Knestele
  • Patent number: 4014068
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner nozzle is provided having resilient means, disposed between it and its handle, to prevent displacement of the nozzle from the floor during cleaning and also having a litter collecting brush that is spring biased into floor engaging position and height adjustable so that the nozzle is usable on bare floor and carpeted surfaces. Height adjustment is occasioned by a reciprocal bar having dimpled camming surfaces formed integrally in its top surface, with this bar being lever actuated and including an indicating means to guide the user during cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1975
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1977
    Assignee: The Hoover Company
    Inventors: Rex E. Payne, Henry F. Aegerter, Jr.
  • Patent number: RE39304
    Abstract: A portable surface cleaning apparatus including a base module for movement along a surface , an upright handle pivotally attached to the base module, a liquid dispensing system including a flexible bladder defining a fluid supply chamber for holding a supply of cleaning fluid , a fluid recovery system including a tank on the base module having a fluid recovery chamber for holding recovered fluid and housing the flexible bladder, and a fluid passageway between the fluid supply chamber and the recovery chamber, whereby the recovery chamber is in fluid communication with the fluid supply chamber and the pressure in the flexible bladder is equalized with the pressure in the tank as the cleaning fluid is dispensed from the supply chamber and the dirty liquid is collected in the recovery chamber. In a further embodiment the tank has an outlet opening in a bottom portion thereof and a drain plug is removably mounted in the outlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Bissell Homecare, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy E. Kasen, Gary A. Kasper