With Auxiliary Ambient Air Inlet To Nozzle, E.g., Through Air Tunnel And/or Agitator Patents (Class 15/375)
  • Patent number: 11759074
    Abstract: A suction accessory device is provided, for the connection with a suction apparatus or vacuum cleaner, for the collection of waste in places of difficult access and/or in delicate objects. The suction accessory device comprises a flexible and lightweight hose. At one end, the hose includes a reducing coupling adapter terminal for connecting to a vacuum cleaner or suction device. At the opposite end, the hose includes a nozzle connection terminal that is coupled to a first end of a flexible or rigid, handle or brush tube. At a second end of the brush tube, the brush tube includes a head connection terminal which connects to interchangeable suction heads or nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Inventor: Juan Claudio Droguett Larrain
  • Patent number: 11641844
    Abstract: An apparatus, a system and a method for drying pets include a blower that directs a flow of air through two tubes to two mitts. The two mitts receive the flow of air from the blower and direct the flow of air through perforations to dry the pet. The air may flow through tapered channels within the mitts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Inventor: Paul Tuller
  • Patent number: 11439284
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner system includes an agitator and nozzle assembly having an agitator configured to rotate about a pivot axis and a suction tube. The agitator includes an agitator body having an agitator suction inlet and defining a suction tube chamber. The suction tube chamber extends along at least a portion of the pivot axis and includes a suction tube opening disposed at one end thereof. The suction tube is received through the suction tube opening and partially into the suction tube chamber, and includes a suction tube inlet. The agitator is configured to rotate about the pivot axis relative to suction tube such that the agitator suction inlet and the suction tube inlet partially overlap and an air flow path is established which extends through agitator suction inlet, into suction tube chamber, through suction tube inlet, and into the suction tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: SharkNinja Operating LLC
    Inventor: Charles S. Brunner
  • Patent number: 11284769
    Abstract: A cleaning roller mountable to a cleaning robot includes an elongate shaft extending from a first end portion to a second end portion along an axis of rotation. The first and second end portions are mountable to the cleaning robot for rotating about the axis of rotation. The cleaning roller further includes a core affixed around the shaft and having outer end portions positioned along the elongate shaft and proximate the first and second end portions. The core tapers from proximate the first end portion of the shaft toward a center of the shaft. The cleaning roller further includes a sheath affixed to the core and extending beyond the outer end portions of the core. The sheath includes a first half and a second half each tapering toward the center of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: William Goddard, Matthew Blouin
  • Patent number: 11241134
    Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus includes a housing including an upright handle assembly and a base mounted to the upright handle assembly and adapted for movement across a surface to be cleaned. The surface cleaning apparatus is further provided with a fluid delivery system comprising a fluid dispenser configured to dispense fluid to a brushroll and at least one fluid delivery channel forming a portion of a fluid delivery pathway. The fluid delivery channel can extend adjacent to a portion of the suction nozzle assembly. An interference wiper interfaces with a portion of the brushroll to remove excess liquid from the brushroll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: BISSELL Inc.
    Inventors: Jincheng Xia, Jianjun Ge, Zhenjiang Yin, Xin Chen, Yongsheng Liang, Kam Hoi Ma
  • Patent number: 10667660
    Abstract: A suction nozzle for a vacuum cleaner includes a suction chamber; an outlet duct; an underside for engaging a surface to be cleaned; a main suction opening in the underside, which opens into the suction chamber; an auxiliary suction path which opens into the suction chamber; and a bleed path in fluid communication with the outlet duct. The suction nozzle further includes a valve mechanism arranged to open and close the auxiliary suction path and the bleed path, the valve mechanism being movable between a first configuration in which the auxiliary suction path is closed and the bleed path is open, a second configuration in which the auxiliary suction path is open and the bleed path is closed, and a third configuration in which both the auxiliary suction path and the bleed path are closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Donald James McIntosh, James Robert Carswell, Luke William Stephens
  • Patent number: 9999329
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an suction nozzle for a vacuum cleaner and a vacuum cleaner having same, the suction nozzle of a vacuum cleaner of the present invention comprising: an suction main body having an suction portion for air suction formed thereon; an suction flow channel that is attached to the nozzle main body, and into which the air aspirated through the suction portion flows; an interlocking lever that is coupled in such a manner that enables rotation on both sides of the suction flow channel; an adsorption portion that is connected to one end of the interlocking lever, and provided so as to confront an suction hole formed on the suction flow channel; and a cleaning member provided on one side of the nozzle main body by coupling to the other end of the interlocking lever, wherein the air flowing through the suction hole rotates the interlocking lever by adsorbing or separating the adsorption portion to/from the suction flow channel, and the cleaning member moves in an up-down direction as the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Mantae Hwang, Woonghui Won
  • Patent number: 9962633
    Abstract: A fluid filtering apparatus such as for filtering particulates and other materials from treated water includes a tank and a filtering region configured as a plurality of individual effluent regions, defined in part by channel frames, disposed between a plurality of influent regions interposed between the effluent regions. A double sided backwash shoe is scannable in the influent regions, to simultaneously clean opposed filter media exposed thereto. The backwash shoe is free to move inwardly and outwardly of the opposed filter media. Additionally, the backwash shoe includes an end opening, positioned adjacent to the base of the tank, to remove sludge and particulates which have settled to the area near the base of the tank while backwashing a filter media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventors: Charles G. Danneman, Ross Lee Drescher, Matthew Cody Adams
  • Patent number: 9038237
    Abstract: A squeegee assembly for wiping a surface comprises a front flexible blade having an outer surface, an inner surface and a floor engaging edge, a rear flexible blade having an outer surface, an inner surface and a wiping edge, a support upon which the front and rear flexible blades are mounted, a vacuumized chamber bounded by the front blade, rear blade, support, and the surface, and a suction tube coupled to the support and positioned between the front and rear flexible blades. The rear flexible blade includes at least one aperture extending between the outer surface and the inner surface and spaced from the wiping edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Nilfisk-Advance, Inc.
    Inventor: David W. Wood
  • Patent number: 8966709
    Abstract: A cleaner head that includes a suction inlet for admitting a first airflow, a turbine inlet for admitting a second airflow, an outlet for discharging the first airflow and the second airflow and an agitator and its drive assembly. A first airflow path then carries the first airflow from the suction inlet to the outlet, and a second airflow path carries the second airflow from the turbine inlet to the outlet. The drive assembly includes a turbine that is driven by the second airflow. A baffle is located in the second airflow path and is movable between an open position in which the second airflow path is unrestricted and a closed position in which the second airflow path is restricted. The baffle is biased in the open position and moves to the closed position when the dynamic pressure of the second airflow at the baffle exceeds a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: James Martin Coleman, Simon Peter Cross
  • Patent number: 8959708
    Abstract: A handle for a wand of a vacuum cleaning appliance includes a handgrip portion and a conduit for receiving an air flow. The handle includes an aperture for admitting ambient air into the conduit. A first valve occludes a first portion of the aperture, and a second valve occludes a second portion of the aperture. A control mechanism moves the first and second valves away from the aperture to admit ambient air into the conduit. The second valve is supported at least partially by the first valve to occlude the second portion of the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Sean Ventress, David Andrew McLeod
  • Patent number: 8898858
    Abstract: A cleaner head for a vacuum cleaner has a rotating brush bar driven by an air-cooled motor, which is mounted inside the cleaner head with at least a section of the motor being located inside the brush bar. To cool the motor in use, an external casing of the motor is provided a plurality of air-cooling holes comprising at least one air intake and at least one air exhaust. These cooling holes are connected—intake to exhaust—to form one or more air-cooling paths through the inside of the motor. Each air intake is connected to an upstream clean air inlet by a stationary—not rotating—intake duct, and each air exhaust is similarly connected to a downstream clean air outlet by a stationary—not rotating—exhaust duct. This avoids the problems associated with using the rotating brush bar itself as a duct for carrying cooling air to the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: James Dyson, Christopher Lesniowski, Stephen Benjamin Courtney
  • Patent number: 8776310
    Abstract: A cleaner head for a vacuum cleaner has a dirty-air inlet provided in a main suction chamber of the cleaner head, an outlet duct extending from the main suction chamber for connection to a suction source, and a rotating brush bar housed inside the main suction chamber for agitating a floor surface contacted through the dirty-air inlet. The brush bar is driven by an air-cooled motor housed inside a hollow section of the brush bar, the motor having an air intake and an air exhaust fluidly connected to one another to form an air cooling path through the inside of the motor. The air intake is connected to a clean air inlet on the cleaner head and the air exhaust is fluidly connected to the outlet duct by an exhaust duct which bypasses the main suction chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Stuart Lloyd Genn, Christopher Lesniowski, Stephen Benjamin Courtney
  • Patent number: 8739361
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaning head includes a housing having a suction opening for admitting an air flow to the head, an agitator for agitating a surface to be cleaned, the agitator having an active state and an inactive state, a duct for receiving the air flow from the housing, and a control assembly for controlling the state of the agitator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: David Andrew McLeod, Matthew John Dobson, Spencer James Robert Arthey, Charles Gareth Owen
  • Patent number: 8732902
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaning head includes a pressure chamber having a first chamber section and a second chamber section which is moveable relative to the first chamber section in response to a pressure differential thereacross from a first position to a second position, and a control mechanism located within the pressure chamber. The control mechanism has a first state for inhibiting the movement of the second chamber section in response to said pressure differential beyond a third position intermediate the first and second positions, and a second state for allowing the second chamber section to move in response to said pressure differential to the second position. The control mechanism is arranged to change between the first and second states in response to a movement of the second chamber section from the third position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: David Andrew McLeod, Matthew John Dobson
  • Patent number: 8671517
    Abstract: A handle for a wand of a vacuum cleaning appliance includes a handgrip portion and a conduit for receiving an air flow. The handle includes an aperture for admitting ambient air into the conduit. A first valve occludes a first portion of the aperture, and a second valve occludes a second portion of the aperture. A control mechanism moves the first and second valves away from the aperture to admit ambient air into the conduit. To reduce the force required to move the valves away from the aperture, the control mechanism is configured to move the second valve away from the second portion of the aperture before moving the first valve away from the first portion of the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Sean Ventress, David Andrew McLeod
  • Patent number: 8650709
    Abstract: A handle for a wand of a vacuum cleaning appliance includes a handgrip portion and a conduit for receiving an air flow. The handle includes an aperture for admitting ambient air into the conduit. A first valve occludes a first portion of the aperture, and a second valve occludes a second portion of the aperture. A control mechanism moves the first and second valves away from the aperture to admit ambient air into the conduit. To vary the air flow into the conduit, the control mechanism includes a first manually operable actuator located on the handle for moving both of the first and second valves away from the aperture, and a second manually operable actuator is located on the handle for moving only one of the first and second valves away from its respective portion of the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: David Andrew McLeod, Matthew John Dobson, Sean Ventress
  • Publication number: 20140041152
    Abstract: A cleaner head that includes a suction inlet for admitting a first airflow, a turbine inlet for admitting a second airflow, an outlet for discharging the first airflow and the second airflow and an agitator and its drive assembly. A first airflow path then carries the first airflow from the suction inlet to the outlet, and a second airflow path carries the second airflow from the turbine inlet to the outlet. The drive assembly includes a turbine that is driven by the second airflow. A baffle is located in the second airflow path and is movable between an open position in which the second airflow path is unrestricted and a closed position in which the second airflow path is restricted. The baffle is biased in the open position and moves to the closed position when the dynamic pressure of the second airflow at the baffle exceeds a threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: DYSON TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventors: James Martin COLEMAN, Simon Peter CROSS
  • Patent number: 8601642
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is provided which can remove substances from a surface by a rotary force of a brush and a vacuum pressure operated on a suction head on which the brush is rotatably installed. The vacuum cleaner improves a user's convenience by preventing thin and long substances, such as hair or the fur of a pet dog, from being wound around the brush. The vacuum cleaner may include a suction head installed at a front end of a suction path, that sucks substances by a vacuum pressure generated by a suction motor and having a suction hole for sucking the substances, a brush installed in the suction hole and rotated to contact a surface, and a hair tunnel formed on the suction head so as not to interfere with the brush, that preferentially sucks thin and long substances from the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Youngbok Son, Jinhyouk Shin, Sang-Hun Bae, Sung-Hwa Lee
  • Patent number: 8567003
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaning appliance includes a vacuum cleaning head having a suction opening, the head having a first state and a second state, a fan unit for drawing an air flow through the suction opening, and a control assembly for controlling the state of the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: David Andrew McLeod, Matthew John Dobson, Spencer James Robert Arthey, Charles Gareth Owen
  • Patent number: 8468647
    Abstract: A surface treating head in the form of a floor tool for a vacuum cleaner includes a main body, a suction cavity and an outlet. The suction cavity includes first and second suction channels bounded on both sides by respective working edges. A fluid flow path extends from the first suction channel to the second suction channel and from there to the outlet. The plurality of suction channels permits effective pick-up of dirt, which may be further enhanced by an air duct, in the form of a slot, which draws air over some of the working edges. The invention permits a tool with a lower profile to be manufactured than would be achievable by providing separate flow paths between the respective channels and the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventor: Henry Licming Lambourn
  • Publication number: 20130111695
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner base having a volute air outlet and a beater bar housing that are substantially collinear is described. In some embodiments, the beater bar housing includes an air outlet, the volute includes a volute air inlet disposed parallel to the beater bar housing, and a volute air outlet disposed orthogonal to the beater bar housing, and an air duct connecting the volute air inlet and the air outlet of the beater bar housing; wherein the air outlet of the beater bar housing and the volute air outlet are substantially collinear. Additionally a vacuum cleaner comprising a unibody mount bracket is described. In some embodiments, the unibody mount bracket includes one or more handle receptacles, a dirty air outlet configured to receive a dirty air conduit, and a pivot joint disposed adjacent the dirty air outlet, wherein the pivot joint is configured to receive a bag mounting member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Inventors: Charles Jeff Morgan, Victor Brent McClearen, Ernest Matthew Chavana, JR., Bruce M. Kiern, Charles Andrew Liter, George Virgle Hibbs, Dennis Thomas Lamb, Timothy Kolody, Christopher M. Paterson
  • Publication number: 20130111694
    Abstract: A base plate for a vacuum cleaner is described. In some embodiments, the base plate includes a first portion adapted to support a motor, a second portion including a beater bar housing, wherein the base bottom includes magnesium and is of unitary construction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Inventors: Charles Jeff Morgan, Victor Brent McClearen, Ernest Matthew Chavana, JR., Bruce M. Kiern, Charles Andrew Liter, George Virgle Hibbs, Dennis Thomas Lamb, Timothy Kolody, Christopher M. Paterson
  • Patent number: 8434194
    Abstract: A nozzle for a vacuum cleaner is provided, the nozzle having a structure in which suction performance may be improved. The nozzle may include a nozzle body, and an agitator rotatably installed in the nozzle body. Air may follow a first flow path through the nozzle, and a second flow path which diverges from the second flow path at the agitator, so as to uniformly distribute air flow through the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Kyeong Seon Jeong, Geun Bae Hwang, Kie Tak Hyun, Kyu Chun Choi, Chang Hwa Sun
  • Patent number: 8424156
    Abstract: A double suction type sterilizing vacuum cleaner includes a base seat and an upper cover mounted on an upper side of the base seat. A main suction port is provided in the base seat. A hitting device is mounted on the base seat and adapted to hit a cleaning object under the base seat. A sterilizing lamp is mounted in the base seat for sterilizing purposes. A dust collecting box is detachably mounted to the upper cover and defines an air channel in communication with the main suction port. A secondary suction port is provided in the dust collecting box and in communication with the air channel. When the main suction port is blocked, an ambient air can be supplied to the air channel through the secondary suction port, facilitating the release of the blocking situation in the main suction port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Yejen Appliances (Shenzhen) Limited
    Inventor: Pet-Cheng Hsu
  • Patent number: 8387207
    Abstract: A surface treating head includes a main body, a suction cavity in the main body including first and second suction channels, each of which is bounded on one side by a working edge, an air duct interposed between the first and second suction channels for conveying air towards the working edges, a brush unit and a drive mechanism for moving the brush unit between a stowed position in which the air duct is open to the atmosphere and a deployed position in which the air duct is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Stephen Robert Dimbylow, Alistair William Skuse, Spencer James Robert Arthey, Henry Licming Lambourn, Scott Andrew Maguire
  • Patent number: 8381347
    Abstract: The invention provides a wet vacuum attachment, connecting to a hose of a commercially available vacuum cleaner that separates a liquid from a suction airstream created by the vacuum, so that the liquid does not enter the vacuum cleaner intake hose. The attachment can be manufactured as a single-part, having a suction port where the vacuum hose is attached, a suction passage to communicate with a reservoir in a region of low velocity for the separation and storage of the collected liquid, an inlet nozzle to increase the airstream velocity and to engage the working surface. In an additional embodiment, a filter media is inserted into a filter housing located in the region of low velocity between the suction passage and the reservoir to further prevent liquid from entering the vacuum hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Inventor: John P. Grottodden
  • Patent number: 8261407
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner accessory tool configured for use with a vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner is operable to draw air through a suction hose to clean a surface. The accessory tool includes a housing that defines a chamber, and the housing includes an exterior surface and an interior surface. An outlet conduit is in fluid communication with the chamber, and the outlet conduit is configured to couple the accessory tool to the suction hose. A suction inlet aperture extends through the housing to provide fluid communication into the chamber. The accessory tool further includes a brush assembly extending from the exterior surface of the housing, and the brush assembly includes an auxiliary aperture to provide fluid communication into the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited
    Inventors: Robert F. Bozzelli, Chris Charlton, Andy Chick, Matt Doerfler, Markus Allemann
  • Patent number: 7861368
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaning head includes a rotatable brush bar and an air turbine driving the brush bar. An air inlet admits air to drive the turbine. A button is movable between an open position, in which it admits air to the turbine, and a closed position in which it closes the inlet and prevents air from reaching the turbine. The button is movable in response to the speed of rotation of the turbine or to the flow of air to or through the turbine exceeding a predetermined limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Paul Cedric Campbell Hackwell, Simon Nicholas Langham
  • Patent number: 7779860
    Abstract: The present invention provides an airflow control mechanism comprising a conduit for air having an inlet located at a first end thereof and an outlet located at a second end thereof; a first opening formed in a side of said conduit and able to provide a secondary inlet thereto; a movable collar at least partially surrounding said conduit at a location alignable with said first opening, such that said collar is able to at least partially occlude said first opening; further comprising a second opening beside the first opening as part of the secondary inlet, wherein the collar is also alignable with the second opening, such that the collar is able to at least partially occlude the second opening at the same time as the first opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventor: Barry Pears
  • Patent number: 7743462
    Abstract: A doubled sided suction nozzle having both a brush function and a duster function is disclosed. The doubled sided suction nozzle includes a nozzle body having an air inlet to draw in air, at least one brush unit rotatably disposed on a first surface of the nozzle body to come in surface contact with a surface to be cleaned thus to brush away dirt from the surface to be cleaned, at least one duster unit rotatably disposed on the second surface of the nozzle body to come in surface contact with the surface to be cleaned thus to wipe off the dust or dirt from the surface to be cleaned, and a rotating unit disposed in the nozzle body to rotate the brush unit and the duster unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dong-Hun Yoo
  • Patent number: 7669283
    Abstract: A rug or carpet cleaner includes a housing, a suction generator carried on the housing and agitator carried on the housing. The agitator includes a hollow body, a cleaning projection carried on the hollow body, an air intake aperture provided in the cleaning projection and an outlet in fluid communication with the suction generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventor: Kerry L. Dever
  • Patent number: 7634836
    Abstract: An intake nozzle and vacuum cleaner having the same are disclosed, by which an air intake force can be adjusted. The present invention includes a nozzle case, a first air intake port provided to a bottom of the nozzle case to suck an air including dust by an air intake force generated from driving an air intake device, and an intake force adjusting device varying an intake force of the first intake port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Dong Youl Lee
  • Patent number: 7412750
    Abstract: A suction brush that includes a body in communication with a dust collection apparatus of a vacuum cleaner and having a main suction port formed through a bottom of the body, and a cover for covering the top of the body, the cover having auxiliary suction ports. A pair of floorcloth support plates are rotatably mounted on the bottom of the body, with floorcloths that are detachably attached to the bottom surfaces of the floorcloth support plates, respectively. A floorcloth rotation unit is mounted in the body so as to rotate the pair of floorcloth support plates. The suction brush also includes a first air suction flow path for guiding air, which is introduced through the main suction port, to the rear side of the body, and a second air suction flow path for guiding air, which is introduced through the auxiliary suction ports to the rear side of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jang-keun Oh
  • Patent number: 7334291
    Abstract: A suction brush assembly comprises an assembly body having a suction inlet for drawing in dust on a surface being cleaned, a cover connected to the assembly body and having an opening for drawing in an external air, and a rotation body rotatably mounted to the assembly body and mounting a detachable cleaning member at a lower part thereof for contact with the surface being cleaned. The external air drawn in through the opening flows out to a lower part of the assembly body through a gap formed between the rotation body and the assembly body. Accordingly, the dust can be prevented from flowing into the rotation body, thereby improving an efficiency of a cleaning work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hwa-gyu Song, Hoa-joong Kim
  • Patent number: 7257859
    Abstract: A cleaner having a brush includes a suction motor mounted in a main body, and generating a suction force; a filter for collecting dust or filth sucked by the suction force generated at the suction motor; a suction head connected with the filter by a suction pipe, and having an inlet through which dust and filth on a floor are sucked; and a brush rotatably mounted at an inside of the suction head. The inlet is partitioned off into a first section and a second section by a belt cover for protecting a belt winding around the brush, and a flow passage unit is formed at the brush so that air can flow between the first and second sections. Accordingly, air can flow smoothly at a portion, which is blocked by the belt cover, and thus cleaning performance can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hyeun Sik Nam, Yong Woo Lee, Ho-Seon Rew, Choon Myun Chung
  • Patent number: 6959467
    Abstract: A brush roller assembly for a vacuum cleaner includes a rotatable spindle having a longitudinal axis, a first end, a second end and a central portion. A first airflow enhancing device (“AED”) is positioned, by being molded onto or operationally attached to, the first end of the rotatable spindle. The first AED includes a central portion, which is positioned substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rotatable spindle when the first AED is positioned on the first end of the rotatable spindle. The first AED includes at least one fan blade projection outwardly extending from the periphery of the central portion of the first AED. The fan blade projection facilitates the movement of debris directly or indirectly from the first end of the rotatable spindle toward the central portion of the rotatable spindle. A second AED device may be positioned on the second end of the rotatable spindle, wherein the second AED has similar structure to and attaches in similar fashion as the first AED.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Inventors: William Kimmerle, Carl B. Sauers
  • Publication number: 20030140449
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner nozzle assembly having at least one auxiliary suction opening along an edge thereof for picking up dirt and debris as the nozzle is moved along a wall or other obstruction. The auxiliary suction openings may be on both sides of the nozzle assembly, located proximate the ends of the primary intake opening. Auxiliary suction ducts connect the auxiliary intake openings to an internal plenum that also supplies vacuum to the main intake opening. The primary and secondary airflows merge in the plenum for withdrawal and collection. The nozzle assembly may be a power nozzle having a roller brush and a drive motor, or may be an unpowered carpet nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2003
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventor: James R. Alton
  • Patent number: 6079079
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner with high efficiency in sucking dust includes a main body and a floor nozzle pivotally coupled to the main body. The body includes a body cover, and within the body, a fan motor and a dust-collecting bag mounting portion. The floor nozzle includes a floor nozzle cover having an opening at its surface in contact with a floor and a suction member on its wall against the body, a rotary brush member arranged to face the opening and driven by the fan motor, and a ventilation fan provided at an end of the rotary brush member and rotating according to rotation of the rotary brush member. The body further includes a hose with one end connected to the suction member and the other end connected to the dust-collecting bag mounting portion. The vacuum cleaner further includes a driving member for driving the rotary brush member and the ventilation fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Oka
  • Patent number: 6058561
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner suction apparatus comprising an upper cover connected to a lower cover which has a void for installation of a rotary brush with a plurality of rotary vanes along a rotary shaft, first and second diaphragms with grooves at both sides of the void and a third diaphragm to form a duct over the second diaphragm and a certain shape of an air inlet between the lower cover and the first diaphragm to infuse outside air, thereby improving the suction efficiency of transporting the dust and foreign objects sucked through an air inlet, the void and a connecting pipe and thereby simplifying the number of parts and improvement of productivity as the rotary brush is driven by suction force of outside air and turning effect of the rotary vanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Samsung Kwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeong-Gon Song, Jang-Keun Oh
  • Patent number: 6032327
    Abstract: A rotating brush including a hollow cylindrical rotor having through holes in its peripheral wall and bristles on its peripheral surface is provided in a nozzle of an upright electric vacuum cleaner. A reflux passage connecting a fan chamber in the cleaner body and an end of the rotor is provided so that a slip stream of an electric fan for producing a suction stream jets out into the nozzle from the rotor through the holes. A fan for sucking air outside the nozzle is provided at the other end of the rotor so that the sucked air also jets out into the nozzle through the holes. In another electric vacuum cleaner, the rotor of the rotating brush is not provided with through holes but the slip stream of the electric fan is caused to blow the peripheral surface of the rotating brush from its end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Oka, Katsuhiko Umeda
  • Patent number: 6018845
    Abstract: In order to adjust a degree of tight contact between a floor surface and a suction member of a vacuum cleaner, and to facilitate operation of the vacuum cleaner, an air flow adjusting valve is provided at a left end of an upper plate of the suction member. When a negative pressure in an inner chamber reaches to a certain valve, the air flow adjusting valve is opened and air is introduced through an air inlet. This facilitates movement of the suction member over the floor surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenzo Sueki, Noboru Nishinaka
  • Patent number: 5898970
    Abstract: A grout- and hard-surface cleaner has a water-blast nozzle (5) positioned on a cleaning enclosure (1) to direct a high-pressure and low-volume jet stream of water (36, 37) and optional cleaning material at an attitude onto a surface (4) being cleaned. Resilient and preferably rubberlike surfaces (14) are provided on bottom portions (2) of walls of the cleaning enclosure to facilitate sliding-seal contact with the cleaning enclosure and to provide sliding ease of movement with water and optional cleaning fluid to provide lubricity between the surface being cleaned and the bottom edges of the cleaning enclosure. A wet-vacuum suction tube (12) positioned on a top suction portion (3) of the cleaning enclosure provides low-pressure and high-volume suction pressure that is that provides a level of suction for sliding-seal contact of the cleaning enclosure against the surface being cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Inventor: John H. Straiton
  • Patent number: 5893195
    Abstract: Disclosed is a safety device for a power brush of a vacuum cleaner which has a simple structure and can automatically cut off an electric source supplied to the driving motor of the power brush. A cylindrical air duct is vertically provided on the brush. The air duct is attached to the body of the cleaner. A negative pressure generated by a sucking force generated by the rotation of the driving motor in the body of the cleaner acts on the air duct. An air valve moves inward by the negative pressure in the air duct. At a first end of a rod, the air valve is mounted and at a second end facing the first end, a spring for applying a rotating force to move the air valve to an external direction, is provided. The rod is movably supported by a moving shaft provided near the outer periphery of the air duct. A switch is provided at the second end side of the rod having the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1999
    Assignee: Daewoo Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Young-June Jung
  • Patent number: 5752289
    Abstract: A system for cleaning carpets and other textiles utilizing an applicator wand with which a cleaning liquid is spray-applied to the carpet and with which the cleaning liquid and loosened debris are removed from the carpet under the influence of a vacuum created by a vacuum pump. The applicator wand includes an operator-controlled aerator valve through which air can be introduced into the flow of cleaning liquid routed to the dispensing nozzles of the wand to thereby permit an operator to readily adjust the condition of the liquid being applied to the carpet between an aerated and a non-aerated condition. In addition, the applicator wand utilizes a flow restrictor valve to limit the strength of the vacuum generated at the lower edges of the wand at an amount acceptable to pull a substantial amount of liquid from the carpet while preventing the creation of an undesirable seal between the lower edges of the wand and the carpet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1998
    Inventor: Dale T. Collins
  • Patent number: 5704090
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner attachment for use in a suction line comprises a bleed section having an aperture extending into an interior portion of the attachment and a collar disposed in the bleed section. The collar is positionable in only a finite number of stable orientations wherein the collar covers the aperture in a first orientation and exposes the aperture in a second orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: Shop Vac Corporation
    Inventor: Robert C. Berfield
  • Patent number: 5659921
    Abstract: A sweeping machine has a body, wheels supporting the body for movement over a surface to be swept and a rotatable brush mounted to the body transversely of the direction of movement of the sweeping machine. There is a debris hopper adjacent the rotatable brush and positioned generally forwardly of the direction of rotation of the brush. The body mounts a dust collection chamber and a vacuum fan, with the vacuum fan drawing dust laden air from the area about the brush through the debris hopper and into the dust collection chamber. The improvement is directed to a dust control side skirt assembly mounted on each side of the body generally in alignment with the brush. Each assembly includes an inner skirt and an outer skirt spaced outwardly from the inner skirt throughout at least a substantial portion of its length. There is an ambient air opening between the skirts generally at the rear end thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Assignee: Tennant Company
    Inventor: Nilabh Narayan
  • Patent number: 5557822
    Abstract: An electric vacuum cleaner having a suction nozzle comprising a dust inlet formed in a bottom surface of a nozzle body and a rotary brush rotatably mounted therein along said dust inlet, wherein said electric vacuum cleaner having either or both of configurations that said nozzle body has a flexible member mounted to a front wall thereof to rotate back and forth corresponding to the backward and forward movement of said nozzle body so that the flexible member comes in contact with a floor to cover a lower portion of said front wall, and that said nozzle body has a sliding piece slidably mounted on at least one of side walls thereof to open and close the side face corresponding to the backward and forward movement of said nozzle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mikio Yagi, Hiroshi Mikami, Taichi Tamura
  • Patent number: 5263224
    Abstract: A portable vacuum cleaner attachment, that can be attached to the end of a vacuum hose to remove and separate fluid, so that the fluid does not enter the vacuum unit. The attachment has a housing with an outlet that can be coupled to the vacuum hose, and an inlet that can engage a working surface to remove the fluid with an airstream created by the vacuum unit. Attached to the housing is a tank that stores the fluid as it is removed from the working surface. Within the tank is a first passage that provides communication between the housing inlet and the tank, and a second passage that provides communication from the tank to the housing outlet. Located in front of the first passage is a wall that deflects the fluid down into the tank, while the air flows into the second passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Inventor: Gary Lovelady
  • Patent number: 5249331
    Abstract: A floor nozzle for a vacuum cleaner of the present invention has an auxiliary agitator provided outside the lateral wall of a main body of the nozzle. The auxiliary agitator is covered by a protecting cover, so as to ensure safety during use. Moreover, a stirring member, a dust outlet and confirmation holes allow dust to be discharged out of the main body more easily and smoothly, while preventing burning or breaking of the agitator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1993
    Assignee: Matsushita Elecric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomomi Mitani, Hiroshi Nishimura, Hiroshi Hayakawa, Hiroshi Mori, Tomonori Katoh, Hideo Okubo, Hidenori Kitamura, Haruhisa Miyake, Kiyokazu Uno