Handle Operated Or Handle Associated Control Patents (Class 15/361)
  • Patent number: 11647878
    Abstract: A controller for a vacuum cleaner includes a processor and a memory. The memory includes instructions that program the processor to operate a motor at a first power level, receive a temperature of a drive component associated with the motor from a temperature sensor, and compare the temperature of the drive component associated with the motor to a first threshold temperature. The processor operates the motor at a second power level lower than the first power level for a period of time when the temperature of the drive component associated with the motor is greater than or equal to the first temperature threshold, and continues operating the motor at the first power level when the temperature of the drive component associated with the motor is less than the first temperature threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Fogarty, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11464380
    Abstract: An artificial intelligence cleaner may determine a length of a head from user cleaning information including a height of a user, a pressure sensing value applied to the head and a head angle between the head and the ground using a head length calculation model and control a head motor to have the determined length of the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Taehyun Kim
  • Patent number: 10116255
    Abstract: A solar panel cleaning system includes a brush connected by a hose to a fluid supply. The brush has scrubbing material, such as bristles, attached to a brush body for mechanically cleaning the surface of the solar panel. The width of the contact surface of the scrubbing material may be equal to the width of the solar panel, so that the solar panel may be cleaned with only upward and downward strokes. The brush body may further support a fluid manifold that receives the fluid from the fluid supply. The fluid manifold may include nozzles that emit the fluid under pressure onto the solar panel. The nozzles may project both frontward and rearward of the brush body so that the fluid sprays off the solar panel in front of and behind the brush. Spray patterns of the nozzles may overlap and impinge the entire width of the solar panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: SOLAR MAID OF NORTHERN ARIZONA LLC
    Inventor: James R. Evans
  • Patent number: 9737184
    Abstract: A suction nozzle and a vacuum cleaner are provided. The suction nozzle includes a lower case in which a suction inlet configured to suck dirt on a surface to be cleaned using suction force formed from a suction source and an inclined part including the suction inlet are formed in a bottom of the lower case which faces the surface to be cleaned, and an upper case coupled to an upper side of the lower case, wherein the inclined part is formed to be downwardly inclined towards a left side and a right side of the suction inlet from an arbitrary portion of the inclined part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dong-jun Kim, Kyoung-woung Kim
  • Patent number: 9545182
    Abstract: Described are swivel systems and swivel assemblies for connecting a vacuum appliance to a vacuum accessory. The assemblies can include first and second arcuate members that each includes a tab and a receiving section so the latter can receive the other member's tab. The assembly can be adapted to be coupled to the accessory to permit the appliance to pivot relative to the accessory about two independent axes. The swivel system can include a vacuum adapter and a connector adapted to permit the vacuum adapter to pivot about a vacuum accessory. A plenum chamber can be formed in the adapter that is in fluid communication with one or more vacuum hoses to balance the airflow within the adapter. With the swivel systems and assemblies described herein, the versatility and efficiency of vacuum appliances and other tools can be improved through their multi-axes rotational capabilities and balanced airflow configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventor: Robert Hollis
  • Patent number: 9282864
    Abstract: A floor tool for a vacuum cleaning appliance comprising a support member adapted to support a cleaning element and at least one suction nozzle in communication with a conduit that is attachable to a vacuum cleaning appliance, wherein a neck for controlling the floor tool is coupled to the support member and wherein the at least one suction nozzle is configured to float relative to the neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Christian Guder, Donald James McIntosh, Andrew Martin Mitchell, David Andrew Isley, Stephen Robert Dimbylow
  • Patent number: 9138117
    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: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Min Ro Yun, Byung Jo Lee
  • Patent number: 8869348
    Abstract: An upright surface cleaning apparatus comprises an anti-rotation locking mechanism that is automatically operably engaged when the upper section is moved into the storage position and is automatically operably disengaged when the upper section is moved into the floor cleaning position. In another embodiment, an upright surface cleaning apparatus comprises an anti-rotation locking mechanism that is engaged when the upper section is moved into the storage position and an alignment mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: G.B.D. Corp.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Patent number: 8813297
    Abstract: A floor cleaning device includes a floor cleaning head and a pole directly or indirectly connectable to the floor cleaning head. The pole includes two sections, and a joint for lockably positioning the two pole sections in at least two different angular orientations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Euro-Pro Operating LLC
    Inventors: Mark Rosenzweig, Stephen Gatchell
  • Publication number: 20140157543
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a handle having a handle pivot axis, a carriage pivotally connected to the handle to rotate about the handle pivot axis, and an inlet nozzle assembly pivotally connected to the handle to rotate about the handle pivot axis independently of the carriage. The carriage has a front support and a rear support spaced from the front support in a fore-aft direction, and the handle pivot axis is located between the front support and the rear support with respect to the fore-aft direction. A suction inlet is on a bottom face of the inlet nozzle, a suction source is operatively associated with the handle, a dirt collection device is operatively associated with the handle, and there is an air passage system fluidly connecting the suction inlet, the suction source and the dirt collection device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: ELECTROLUX HOME CARE PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: John Curtis MORPHEY, Alexander Douglas GOARE, Donald Joseph DAVIDSHOFER
  • Patent number: 8667641
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner comprises an elongate upright body 11 pivotally connected to a floor-engaging foot 10 comprising a motor and fan unit 17 for creating an airflow through the cleaner, the airflow extending between respective ducts 32, 18 in the body 11 and the foot 10 along a neck 20, which is rotatably connected at its lower end to the duct 18 in the foot 10 for rotation about an axis A which extends transversely of the foot 10. The neck 20 acts to support the body 11 on the foot 10 and acts as the point about which relative pivotal movement of the body 10 and foot 11 occurs. An arm 40 is coupled to the neck 20 for actuating a mechanism, which lifts the foot 10 away from the floor surface when the body 10 is in the upright position, so as to prevent the rotating agitator brush 16 in the foot 10 from damaging the floor surface while the cleaner is stood in the upright position when performing above-floor cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Hoover Limited
    Inventor: Jian Xue
  • Patent number: 8365351
    Abstract: Water slider for a floor cleaning machine 1, comprising a sliding unit 2 located in front of the brush unit 5 of the machine, characterized by actuating means 3, 6, 13; 3, 6?, 11, 12; 3, 6, 7; 3, 6, 7?; 3, 6, 7?; 3, 6?, 10; 3, 6?, 10?; 3, 6?, 10? for raising and lowering the sliding unit. The actuation of the water slider can be obtained in several ways: automatically via an actuating bar 3 which connects the sliding unit to the driving wheels of the machine mechanically and which raises/lowers the sliding unit on a forward/backward movement of the wheels; intuitively via a mechanical connection of the bar 3 to the steering handle 8 via a negative gear transmission; manually via an actuating lever 7; 7?; 7?; or by a powered mechanism 10; 10?; 10? which is steered by the electronics of the machine and which raises/lowers the water slider when the machine is moved forward/backward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Diversey, Inc.
    Inventor: Dieter Windmeisser
  • Patent number: 8141201
    Abstract: A side plate of an impeller is formed so that the height thereof is lowered gradually from an edge portion of a central opening portion toward a circumferential portion. When the distance from the edge portion of the central opening portion to the circumferential portion, in a direction perpendicular to the output shaft, is taken as L, the distance from the edge portion of the central opening portion to the circumferential portion, in the direction of the output shaft, is taken as H, a point on the side plate away from the edge portion of the central opening portion by 0.1×L in the direction perpendicular to the output shaft is taken as P, and the distance from the edge portion of the central opening portion to the point P in the direction of the output shaft is taken as ?H, ?H/H?0.4 is satisfied. With this configuration, the formation of a vortex flow in the flow channel inside the impeller from the air inlet to the air outlet is reduced, and, thus, air blowing efficiency is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Shizuka Yokote, Keigo Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 8141203
    Abstract: A floor tool for a cleaning appliance includes a head engaging with a floor surface, a connecting arm pivotally connected to the head about a first axis and a supporting body pivotally connected to the head about a second axis. The head includes a suction opening which lies in a suction plane, and the connecting arm includes an outlet in communication with the suction opening and adapted to connect to the cleaning appliance. The first and second axes lie parallel to one another in a plane which is substantially parallel to the suction plane. By providing a pair of parallel axes which lie in a plane parallel to the suction plane, the floor tool can have a reduced depth while still being able to achieve the desired “rocking” motion to improve cleaning performance. The height of the floor tool can thus be minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventor: Giles Ashbee
  • Patent number: 7987552
    Abstract: A floor care appliance is provided for cleaning bare surfaces such as tile, marble, linoleum and wood. The floor care appliance is comprised of a base portion having a suction nozzle and a brush block having a plurality of vertical axis rotary agitators for cleaning bare floors. The rotary agitators are driven by an independent motor for agitating the floor surface. With the addition of an accessory hose and tools, the cleaning utility can be expanded to areas wherein the suction nozzle cannot normally reach such as behind the toilet, shower walls, and the grout between tile. While used in the capacity for cleaning bare floors, the floor care appliance can be moved between three modes by a rotating a member located on the upper housing. The first mode is dry mode, the second mode is wet scrub mode and the third mode is wet pickup mode. The accessory tools are stored in an accessory caddy that is placed freestanding over the suction nozzle and in front of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited
    Inventors: Evan A. Gordon, Jeffery S. Louis, Kevin E. Scheifele, Jeffery A. Morgan, Brent L. Burchfield
  • Patent number: 7971315
    Abstract: A suction brush for a vacuum cleaner includes an upper casing, a lower casing coupled to the upper casing and provided with a suction port through which contaminants are drawn in from a surface to be cleaned, a lift plate disposed between the upper casing and the lower casing to move up and down with respect to the lower casing, a lift plate driving part to allow the lift plate to move up and down, and a lift control unit to control the lift plate driving part so that when the surface to be cleaned changes from a hard floor to a carpet, the lift plate is raised, and when the surface to be cleaned changes from the carpet to the hard floor, the lift plate is lowered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Min-Ha Kim, Jang-Keun Oh
  • Patent number: 7941896
    Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner has a cleaner body; a suction port assembly hinged to the cleaner body with a drum brush mounted on a front lower surface thereof; and a height adjusting apparatus set to an active mode or an inactive mode. In the active mode, the height adjusting apparatus raises the rear portion of the suction port assembly from an initial height, with the drum brush spaced from a surface, to bring the drum brush into contact with the surface when the cleaner body tilts from an upright position towards the rear of the suction port assembly. In the inactive mode, the rear portion of the suction port assembly remains at the initial height when the cleaner body tilts from the upright position towards the rear of the suction port assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chul-Woo Park, Ji-Ho Seo
  • Patent number: 7908705
    Abstract: The invention relates to a bare floor cleaner capable of wet pickup through a first nozzle opening with the aid of a squeegee, wet scrubbing with an agitator, and dry pickup through a second nozzle opening. The bare floor cleaner comprises a dual-path nozzle assembly having a wet suction path in communication with the first nozzle opening and a dry suction path in communication with the second nozzle opening. A diverter valve selectively controls fluid communication between a suction source and one of the first and second nozzle openings for conversion between wet and dry modes. The bare floor cleaner further comprises a single actuator that controls the positions of the agitator and of the diverter valve. As a result, the cleaning mode of the bare floor cleaner can be controlled with a single switch that is preferably located on the handle assembly for convenient access by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: BISSELL Homecare, Inc.
    Inventor: Gabriel S. VanderBaan
  • Publication number: 20110023262
    Abstract: An upright surface cleaning apparatus comprises an anti-rotation locking mechanism that is automatically operably engaged when the upper section is moved into the storage position and is automatically operably disengaged when the upper section is moved into the floor cleaning position. In another embodiment, an upright surface cleaning apparatus comprises an anti-rotation locking mechanism that is engaged when the upper section is moved into the storage position and an alignment mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: G.B.D. CORP.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • 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: 7841044
    Abstract: A riding debris mover for moving debris on a surface from a first location to a second location comprises a frame coupled to a riding platform adapted to support a user, and a plurality of wheels coupled to the frame comprising at least two opposing traction wheels for driving the riding blower. A power source is coupled to the frame and is operatively coupled with at least the two traction wheels, whereby the traction wheels are rotated independently and the riding blower is propelled. A blower assembly has an air inlet opening and an air outlet opening, the blower assembly being supported by the frame and operatively coupled with the power source, whereby the blower assembly generates a stream of air from the air outlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Inventors: Rick A. Weihl, Chris Robbins
  • 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: 7676886
    Abstract: A carpet cleaner with a base, a handle, and a plurality of wheels is provided. The carpet cleaner includes a suction opening provided at a front portion of the base of the carpet cleaner and a detachable pressing bar extended from the front portion of the base above the suction opening, wherein the suction opening is pressed down to the carpet floor by pushing down the detachable pressing bar, wherein the suction opening contacts the carpet floor tight for facilitating suction of the carpet cleaner. The detachable pressing bar includes a built-in spring for regulating the amount of pressure to the detachable pressing bar. The pressing bar includes a handle adapted to grab and push.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Inventor: Sam Kim
  • Patent number: 7676885
    Abstract: A carpet cleaner with a base, a handle, and a plurality of wheels includes a suction opening, a fulcrum, a lever, and a cable line. The suction opening is provided at a front portion of the base of the carpet cleaner. The fulcrum is provided at a rear portion of the base of the carpet cleaner. The lever with an active end and a passive end is for levering the suction opening against the fulcrum. The cable line is extended from the active end of the lever toward the handle. The suction opening is pressed down to the carpet floor by the lever actuated by pulling up the cable line, and the suction opening contacts the carpet floor tight for facilitating suction of the carpet cleaner. The suction opening can be pressed down by a pressing bar attached to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Inventor: Sam Kim
  • Patent number: 7571513
    Abstract: A carpet cleaner with a base, a handle, and a plurality of wheels includes a suction opening, a fulcrum, a lever, and a cable line. The suction opening is provided at a front portion of the base of the carpet cleaner. The fulcrum is provided at a rear portion of the base of the carpet cleaner. The lever with an active end and a passive end is for levering the suction opening against the fulcrum. The cable line is extended from the active end of the lever toward the handle. The suction opening is pressed down to the carpet floor by the lever actuated by pulling up the cable line, and the suction opening makes tight contact with the carpet floor for facilitating suction of the carpet cleaner. The suction opening can be pressed down by a pressing bar attached to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Inventor: Sam Kim
  • Patent number: 7533442
    Abstract: A floor cleaning device comprises a base portion for movement along a surface and a handle portion pivotally connected to the base. The base portion further includes a suction nozzle and a brush assembly for agitating the surface, wherein the brush assembly and the nozzle assembly are in a first position raised off of the surface for vacuuming the surface, and the nozzle assembly is lowered to a second position contacting the surface for collecting and picking up liquid and dirt from the surface. A method of cleaning a surface by first dry vacuuming the surface using a cleaning unit in which the nozzle assembly is raised to pick up particles and then wet vacuuming the floor with the nozzle assembly lowered to collect and pick up dirt from the floor mixed with cleaning solution distributed on the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Healthy Gain Investments 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: 20090049643
    Abstract: A suction brush for a vacuum cleaner includes an upper casing, a lower casing coupled to the upper casing and provided with a suction port through which contaminants are drawn in from a surface to be cleaned, a lift plate disposed between the upper casing and the lower casing to move up and down with respect to the lower casing, a lift plate driving part to allow the lift plate to move up and down, and a lift control unit to control the lift plate driving part so that when the surface to be cleaned changes from a hard floor to a carpet, the lift plate is raised, and when the surface to be cleaned changes from the carpet to the hard floor, the lift plate is lowered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Inventors: Min-Ha Kim, Jang-Keun Oh
  • Patent number: 7419106
    Abstract: A nozzle for use with a walk-behind blower includes a nozzle restriction due to a sloped upper wall of the nozzle body. The nozzle restriction increases the air velocity in the upper region of the nozzle and forces leaves and debris downward so that airflow through the lower region of the nozzle more effectively laterally displaces them. The configuration of the nozzle body may be adapted to accommodate a variety of engine outputs while utilizing a common design for a blower frame, impeller and shroud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Commercial Turf Products, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jimmy N. Eavenson, Sr., William Kocka, Amit Saha
  • Patent number: 7383608
    Abstract: A vacuum-cleaner suction tool includes a sucking portion for sucking up dust on a surface to be cleaned, a joint portion having one end connected to the upper side of the sucking portion and the other end provided with a connection pipe, and an agitator disposed within the sucking portion for scraping dust off the surface. The opening, the joint portion, and the connection pipe each have a channel portion allowing sucked-up dust to pass therethrough. The joint portion is configured to be turnable, relative to the sucking portion, in a horizontal direction substantially parallel to the surface to be cleaned to such an extent that the longitudinal central axis of the sucking portion becomes substantially parallel to the longitudinal central axis of the connection pipe, whereby the forward end of the sucking portion, from left to right, can be brought into close contact with wall surfaces so that dust liable to collect in corners can be fully sucked up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toru Odachi, Hideo Okubo, Saburo Kajikawa, Tetsuo Imai
  • Patent number: 7316051
    Abstract: A floor care appliance is provided with a switch for controlling the height of the suction nozzle. The switch controls the height of the suction nozzle by controlling the operation of an independent motor and a gear and cam arrangement operatively connected to the wheel carriage. Another cam arrangement is operatively connected to the independent motor which engages suction nozzle height adjustment travel limits at both extremes of the suction nozzle height. The suction nozzle height adjustment travel limit switches turn off current to the independent motor at the extremes of the suction nozzle height to prevent overheating of the independent motor and over travel. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, two wires connect the suction nozzle height control switch to the independent motor along with the two travel limit switches and a pair of diodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: The Hoover Company
    Inventor: Andrew C. Budd
  • Publication number: 20070277344
    Abstract: A carpet cleaner with a base, a handle, and a plurality of wheels includes a suction opening, a fulcrum, a lever, and a cable line. The suction opening is provided at a front portion of the base of the carpet cleaner. The fulcrum is provided at a rear portion of the base of the carpet cleaner. The lever with an active end and a passive end is for levering the suction opening against the fulcrum. The cable line is extended from the active end of the lever toward the handle. The suction opening is pressed down to the carpet floor by the lever actuated by pulling up the cable line, and the suction opening contacts the carpet floor tight for facilitating suction of the carpet cleaner. The suction opening can be pressed down by a pressing bar attached to the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2006
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Inventor: Sam Kim
  • Patent number: 6591447
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner of the fixed or floating nozzle type wherein a spring is utilized for urging the suction nozzle into the carpet pile to maintain and improve nozzle suction over a wide range of carpet pile heights and types. Such cleaners often lose nozzle suction as the pile height of the carpet increases and forces the suction nozzle upward away from the carpet. The addition of a spring to force the suction nozzle downward restores and improves nozzle suction and thereby improves overall cleaning efficiency of the vacuum cleaner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: The Hoover Company
    Inventors: Jackson W. Wegelin, Kurt D. Harsh, Ryan S. Steiner
  • Publication number: 20020133902
    Abstract: A large area surface cleaning tool, for suctioning both dust and debris from a surface being cleaned, comprises a housing having a surface facing peripheral bottom edge defining a suctioning bottom opening. An elongate wand has an inlet disposed in suctioning relation with the suctioning bottom opening of the housing and connected in fluid communication via an airflow passageway to an outlet disposed exteriorly to the housing and in fluid communication and in debris transfer relation to a vacuum source. A first debris duct operatively mounted on one of the housing and the elongate wand for movement therewith and having a debris inlet disposed in suctioning relation exteriorly to the housing at least partially above the peripheral bottom edge of the housing to thereby accept debris too large to pass between the peripheral bottom edge and a surface being cleaned during use, and connected in fluid communication to a debris outlet disposed in debris transfer relation to the vacuum source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2001
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Inventor: Roger P. Vanderlinden
  • Publication number: 20020092124
    Abstract: Suction nozzle (10, 110) for cleaning apparatuses such as vacuum cleaners, electric brushes or similar, comprising a central body (11, 111) provided with a suction chamber (30, 130), and at least two suction arms (12, 112) pivoting on the central body (11, 111) on opposite sides with respect to a median longitudinal axis (10a, 110a) of the central body (11, 111) itself, and each having a corresponding lower suction aperture (16, 116) with a determinate suction surface. Each suction arm (12, 112) can be directed with respect to the central body (11, 111) from an open position, of maximum transverse bulk, to at least a closed position of minimum transverse bulk. The overall suction surface, which comprises the sum of the suction surfaces of the suction arms (12, 112), remains unchanged for any position whatsoever of the suction arms (12, 112) with respect to the central body (11, 111).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Inventors: Luciano Scian, Roberto Leone, Nicola Bedeschi
  • Patent number: 6357076
    Abstract: A suction nozzle unit for a vacuum cleaner unit includes a casing formed with a suction inlet, a pair of front wheels located at the front of the casing, and a pair of rear wheels located at the rear of the casing. The suction nozzle unit also includes a shaft pin for rotatably supporting the front wheels and an arrangement, for moving the casing up and down relative to the shaft pin so as to raise and lower the front end of the casing relative to the surface to be vacuumed. As a result the front end of the unit can be moved up and down as necessary depending, for example, on the depth of pile of a carpet being vacuumed, thereby increasing ability of the unit to travel over the carpet during vacuuming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Samsung Kwang-Ju Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Byung-jo Lee
  • Patent number: 6351872
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a housing incorporating a handle assembly and a nozzle assembly, a suction fan and cooperating suction fan drive motor carried on the housing, a rotary agitator held in the nozzle assembly, an agitator drive motor carried on the housing and a motor control and protection circuit. The motor control and protection circuit includes a handle switch to de-energize the agitator motor when the handle is displaced to an upright storage position. The motor control and protection circuit may also include an above-floor switch and cooperating activation to de-energize the agitator drive motor when the nozzle assembly is displaced above the floor for bare floor cleaning. Additionally, the motor control and protection circuit may include a hose switch and activator, a selection switch and activator, a circuit breaker and a temperature sensor switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Corporation of America
    Inventor: Michael J. McCormick
  • Patent number: 6345408
    Abstract: A nozzle unit for an electric vacuum cleaner has a body case 32 with a nozzle 34a open toward a surface to be cleaned, a first pipe 35 coupled to the body case 32 so as to be rotatable in the direction J1, and a second pipe 36 coupled to the first pipe 35 so as to be rotatable in the direction J2. A first and a second air flow passage, formed inside the first and second pipes 35 and 36 respectively, are arranged substantially in a straight line as seen in a side view. The first pipe 35 has a sliding portion 35a that has an arc-shaped cross section and that slides along the inner surface of the body case 32, and this sliding portion 35a is arranged inside the body case 32, which is substantially rectangular, as seen in a plan view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kiyomu Nagai, Genji Kosaka, Nobuharu Hikida, Mikio Yagi, Shigenori Hato, Taichi Tamura, Teruhisa Inoue, Kei Ohta, Masaru Shindou
  • Publication number: 20010037536
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner, performing a cleaning operation using a nozzle casing coupled to a suction pipe or using the suction pipe free from the nozzle casing, is disclosed. This vacuum cleaner does not force a user to change an existing cleaning tool with another tool even when it is desired to clean a limited or narrow area that does not allow use of the nozzle casing during the cleaning operation. In this vacuum cleaner, the suction nozzle unit consists of a nozzle casing provided with a suction nozzle for sucking dust-laden air from a surface into the casing. This casing also has a mounting unit provided with a fitting bore communicating with the suction nozzle. A hollow cylindrical suction pipe is removably fitted into the fitting bore, with a dusting brush part formed along the lower edge thereof. A spring-biased locking bolt removably locks the position of the suction pipe within the mounting unit of the nozzle casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Publication date: November 8, 2001
    Inventor: Se-Hyun Kim
  • Patent number: 6256833
    Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner includes a handle pivotally mounted to a base module, a lower portion of the handle mounts a lamp assembly which is hidden from view by the base module when the handle is in an upright, storage position and is visible above the base module when the handle is rotated to a use position. Between the front and back of the base module, a set of wheels or other projections that support the base module are mounted. The handle likewise has at a lower portion a set of wheels that mobilize the vacuum cleaner. In one embodiment, the pivot axis of the handle with respect to the base is selected so that rotation of the handle assembly from a use position to a storage position pivots a front end of the base module about the base wheels and thereby raises an agitation brush from contact with a surface to be cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Bissell Homecare, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary L. Steinberg
  • Patent number: 6253416
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for use with a mobile air blower which allows the blower air stream to be oscillated vertically or redirected away from the work piece to avoid damage to vehicles and structure that are in the path of the air blower air stream and the apparatus provides for redirection of the air stream in forward and rearward directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Billy Goat Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: G. Kent Lauer, Se Han Kim, Holland A. Mertell
  • Patent number: 6098242
    Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner includes a suction apparatus and a body pivotably mounted to the suction apparatus. The suction apparatus includes a suction opening and a rotatably driven dust agitator. The body includes a suction motor, support wheels, and a manually grippable handle. The body is swingable downwardly relative to the suction apparatus from an upright position to a normal use position, whereupon the height of a gap between the suction opening and a floor surface is minimized to promote effective cleaning. If the body is swung further downwardly past the normal use position, the height of the gap is prevented from changing, so the effective cleaning is maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Kwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kyung-Bae Choi
  • Patent number: 6081963
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is provided with a wheel housing having at least one axle bracket extending therefrom along a transverse axis and at least one axle bracket-receiving socket formed in a foot of the vacuum cleaner whereby the socket slidably receives and pivotally mounts the at least one axle bracket. The wheel housing is thereby pivotally mounted to the foot. A height adjustment mechanism is provided with the wheel housing having an actuator having a bearing shaft and a bearing sleeve with a longitudinal bore. The longitudinal bore of the bearing sleeve receives the bearing shaft to rotatably mount the actuator. A detent mechanism is provided between the bearing shaft and the bearing sleeve to releasably mount the actuator to the foot. The actuator can be adapted to release upon encountering abnormal forces applied against the vacuum cleaner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: BISSELL Homecare, Inc.
    Inventors: John J. Jailor, Brandon L. Mouw, Scott R. Graham, Eric R. Metzger
  • Patent number: 6006401
    Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner is provided which has a handle pivotally mounted to a foot. The foot has a releasable mechanism pivotally mounted thereto. The releasable mechanism and the handle are provided with abutting protrusions and recesses which can abut one another to retain the handle in an upright storage position, in an angularly disposed position for normal use and a generally horizontal position. The releasable mechanism preferably comprises a foot pedal which has an integral arm spring extending angularly therefrom and biased against the foot so that the protrusion and/or recess on the foot pedal is urged within a corresponding recess and/or protrusion on the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: BISSELL Homecare, Inc.
    Inventors: John J. Jailor, Steven K. Meek, Jeffrey A. Hall, Scott R. Graham, William H. Frederick
  • Patent number: 5974625
    Abstract: A height adjustment mechanism for a vacuum cleaner includes forwardly positioned lift off wheels which move downwardly when the handle of the vacuum cleaner is moved to the raised position. Two transfer members convert the rotational movement of the handle to vertical motion of the lift off wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Fantom Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: David P. Garner
  • Patent number: 5906024
    Abstract: The invention disclosed herein relates to an improved vacuum cleaner comprising a foot, a handle pivotally mounted to the foot, and a vacuum motor mounted to one of the handle and the foot. The foot has a suction inlet fluidly connected to the vacuum motor and an agitator brush rotatably mounted to the foot. The improvement relates to a wheel assembly comprising a housing, an axle mounted to the housing and at least one wheel rotatably mounted to the axle. The housing has an integrally-molded flange extending therefrom. The wheel assembly rollably supports the vacuum cleaner on a floor surface. A channel is formed in the foot and is adapted to pivotably mount the housing flange for movement between a first and a second position. In the first position, the wheel assembly supports the suction inlet at a first distance relative to the floor surface. In the second position, the wheel assembly supports the suction inlet at a second distance therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: Bissell Inc.
    Inventors: John J. Jailor, Scott R. Graham, William H. Frederick, Jeffrey A. Hall, Steven K. Meek, Eric R. Metzger
  • Patent number: 5839160
    Abstract: A clutch control mechanical device is disclosed for the brush axle of a vacuum cleaner. The clutch control mechanical device is located at the undercarriage of the machine with a pressure control shaft extending out of the inner sides of the undercarriage. At the corresponding position, the underside of the upper body joining the undercarriage is equipped with a pressure control piece so that when the upper body is in a vertical position to the undercarriage, the pressure control piece shall press down on the pressure control shaft of the clutch control mechanical device which suspends rotation of the brush axle. When the upper body is in a slanted angle to the undercarriage, the removal of external force shall return the pressure control shaft to its original position by a spring bias which rotates the brush axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Kinergy Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chieh-Chun Wang, Chia-Ming Lin
  • Patent number: 5555599
    Abstract: A brush assembly for use with a carpet cleaner of the type comprising a cleaning liquid reservoir, cleaning liquid pump, distributing tubing, control valve, and spray nozzle, for applying a thin coating of cleaning liquid to the fibers of a carpet, and a suction nozzle mounted at the lower end of a stiff wand and including suction lines, a suction pump and a catch reservoir to collect the cleaning liquid and solubilized dirt as the nozzle is moved in a back and forth motion over the carpet, the assembly including a brush including a plurality of stiff bristles fixed at their upper end in a wide support and having free lower ends, a bracket for holding the brush in alignment at the suction nozzle, the bracket including device allowing the brush to move from a first upper position out of contact with the carpet to a second lower position wherein the free ends of the bristles come into contact with the carpet, an elongated cable of terminal length extending from a first terminal end connected to the brush upward
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Inventor: Jim Markley
  • Patent number: 5551120
    Abstract: A suction cleaner adapted for either on the floor cleaning or above the floor cleaning includes a base having a nozzle and a handle pivotally secured to the base so as to be pivotable between a use position and a non-use position. A suction passageway is located in at least one of the base and the handle and communicates with the nozzle. A valve is rotatably mounted in the suction passageway for selectively closing the suction passageway. An elevating mechanism selectively elevates the nozzle away from, and lowers the nozzle towards, a subjacent support surface, the mechanism being secured to the base. An actuating mechanism manually actuates the elevating mechanism. The actuating mechanism is secured to at least one of the base and the handle and engages both the valve and the elevating mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Royal Appliance Mfg. Co.
    Inventors: Mark E. Cipolla, David M. Wert
  • Patent number: 5398567
    Abstract: A handle mounted trigger lever which is utilized as a solution release mechanism in an extractor is provided. The trigger switch as an `off` position and two `on` positions with the second `on` position obtainable by the depression of a release button, the release button being in a normally obstructing relationship with the trigger switch's movement in its first position. The release button includes a deformable obstructing portion which abuts with the trigger lever and limits trigger lever swing at the first `on` position. This obstructing portion may then be moved to a non-interfering relationship be deformation of the obstructing portion of the release button so that the trigger lever may then be moved to the second `on` position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Assignee: The Hoover Company
    Inventor: Glenn E. Specht
  • Patent number: 5351361
    Abstract: An upright cleaner is provided with both above the floor and normal floor operation by the provision of a conversion valve that is driven to converted position by movement of the cleaner handle to storage position. Reconversion also may be obtained by placement of the cleaner handle again in its operative cleaner manipulative range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1994
    Assignee: The Hoover Company
    Inventor: Dean H. Buchtel