Axis Non-parallel To Work Surface Patents (Class 15/385)
  • Patent number: 11401670
    Abstract: Disclosed is self-propelled equipment for street sweeping and/or weeding, where modifications were made to the cleaning system of the filters, the battery for driving the motors with electric start, front fairing assembly over the turbine, combustion or electric motor, debris suction pipe, hydraulic components, headlights, motor protection and brooms and motors for each front wheel and telescopic brooms that will act at a 180° angle by sweeping away debris from the sidewalk or even from the street ahead of the main brooms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Inventor: Enilton Teixeira Goethel
  • Patent number: 10357868
    Abstract: A grinder includes a motor, a housing, a spindle and a cover. The spindle protrudes downward from the housing, is driven by the motor, and thereby rotates. The cover is provided on the spindle in the circumferential direction and at least partially covers a tool accessory, which is mounted on the spindle. The cover is configured such that at least one part deforms and/or is composed of an elastic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takahiro Kawakami, Satoshi Ninagawa, Kenji Shibata, Ryosuke Otani, Ryo Imuta
  • Patent number: 10130233
    Abstract: A robot cleaner that sweeps dust on the floor toward its center and absorbs the dust through a small-area inlet with a strong suction force, by a cleaning tool that integrates functions of side brushes and a main brush into one. The present disclosure also provides a robot cleaner that enables a large-diameter foreign material to be guided to and effectively absorbed through the inlet without interference by a cleaning tool. The robot cleaner includes a main unit including a fan motor and a dust collector and having an inlet arranged on a base to absorb foreign materials, and a cleaning tool arranged in the bottom of the base, extending to a front side of the base from the inlet and guiding a foreign material on a floor to a side of the inlet, wherein the cleaning tool is arranged to be movable by an external force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jae Hwi Jang, Jin Sung Kim, Sin Ae Kim, Won kuk Kim, Young Jae Park, Hyo Won Sin
  • Patent number: 10126741
    Abstract: A remotely controlled power equipment system which allows various types of power equipment to be remotely controlled by a transmitter. The remotely controlled power equipment system generally includes a base which is adapted to removably connect to one of a plurality of attachments. The base includes a pair of wheels which are each individually powered by one of a pair of drive motors. A battery, which is charged by the primary motor via an alternator, is adapted to power the drive motors. The base includes a control unit which has a receiver adapted to receive commands from a transmitter and a controller adapted to individually control each of the drive motors in response to a signal received from the transmitter. In this manner, power equipment may be remotely controlled via a transmitter without the operator needing to manually operate the power equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Inventor: Reuben B. Gates
  • Patent number: 10053879
    Abstract: A method of remediating a water-damaged masonry building without removing any masonry from the building, and simultaneously providing water proofing to the structure. The method involves installing a parging coat of a reliner to the pest control wire over cleaned weep holes in masonry and to a water damaged interior portions of an installed masonry exterior wall. The reliner is cured. The method involves caulking a sill plate with gasket to a foundation of the water damaged masonry building with a silicon sealant after installing the reliner. Next each wag panel is connected to the water damaged studs forming a continuous seamless structure in the remediated building that prevents water incursion into the building after remediation of at least 95% and without removing the masonry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Inventor: James Eric Wagoner
  • Patent number: 9102036
    Abstract: Disclosed are improvements to a high speed power buffer assembly provided with a dust evacuation system. The assembly includes a hood depending from the chassis to encircle the high speed rotating buffer pad, a peripheral skirt depended from the chassis, a dust collection aperture adjacent the buffer penetrating the hood for the outlet of dust to the exterior of the hood, a curved dust collector chute, aligned and in communication with the dust collection aperture, and a dust collection bag, communicated with the dust collector output. The skirt has inclined grooves to co-act with the buffer pad to entrain air from the outside of the skirt to the inside. Given the arrangement of the foregoing features, the dust evacuation system can operate without the use of a vacuum pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Surtec, Inc.
    Inventor: William A. Fields
  • Patent number: 9084520
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner turbo-brush includes an axial-inflow impulse turbine. The turbine includes a turbine shaft non-rotatably combined with an impeller that includes aerodynamically shaped, stud-like projections uniformly distributed along a circumferential line of the impeller. The aerodynamic shape has a cross-sectional area that is parabolically bound on both sides. The turbine also includes a guide stage having guide surfaces, each of which has a cross section including, in a direction of incident flow, a circular arc followed by a straight section. A bearing housing surrounds the turbine shaft and forms at least one of a transition and the guide stage in a region of the impeller, and the bearing housing, in a region of the turbine shaft, forming a casing for the turbine shaft and including bearing elements that support the turbine shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: MIELE & CIE, KG
    Inventors: Walter Assmann, Volker Marks, Cornelius Wolf
  • Patent number: 8938850
    Abstract: A stair vacuum device for automatically vacuuming stairs includes a pair of vacuum units coupled together by a connector. Each vacuum unit comprises a vacuum housing having a slot extending through a bottom surface of the vacuum housing. A plurality of side rollers is coupled to the vacuum housing for moving the vacuum housing in a first direction. A plurality of forward rollers is coupled to the vacuum housing for moving the vacuum housing in a second direction transverse to the first direction. A suction device is coupled to and positioned in the vacuum housing such that the suction device provides suction through the slot in the vacuum housing. The connector couples the vacuum units together in spaced relationship wherein the vacuum units move in tandem to vacuum the adjacent stair surfaces simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Inventor: Arelis C. Velez
  • Patent number: 8925143
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fluid system (50) for cleaning machine (1), which comprises a floor treating brush and/or disc (7) rotatably driven by a motor (4) and exhibiting surrounding ring-shaped rim (8) and conduit for washing liquid and vacuum suction duct for the supply (11) of washing liquid (12) and suction (13) of washing liquid (14), respectively. A disc-shaped bottom part (25) provided with substantially radially extending vacuum suction ducts (24) is located above said rotatable brush and/or disc (7). A bottom cover (51) is connected to said bottom part (25), and nozzles (27) are connected to said vacuum ducts (24) along the periphery of said bottom part (25) and bottom cover (51) in order to suck up dirty washing liquid (14). Said bottom cover (51) and said bottom part (25) can be released from one another in order to reach said substantially radial vacuum suction ducts (24) located between them (25, 51).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Qleeno AB
    Inventors: Ludvig Brunnström, Patrik Andreasson
  • Patent number: 8857011
    Abstract: A hand-held cleaning device that utilizes a low-power, low-torque motor coupled to an impeller for creating a vacuum. The device includes a contact head having a plurality of protrusions formed on its top surface. The contact head contacts the surface to be cleaned, for example, the coat of a pet. The protrusions are sized and spaced to avoid tangling or clumping of pet hair. The device includes a container for collecting hair and debris. The impeller includes ribs on a disk portion thereof for increasing the efficiency of the vacuum system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Inventor: Robert W. Casper
  • Patent number: 8806711
    Abstract: An automatic cleaner includes a casing including a suction port, a suction device disposed in the casing to suction a foreign substance through the suction port, a moving device that moves the casing, and a side brush assembly movably installed on the casing. The side brush assembly includes a brush housing rotatable about a first rotation shaft, and a brush rotatably mounted on the brush housing by a second rotation shaft. The second rotation shaft is moved according to a rotation of the brush housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Jaewon Jang
  • Patent number: 8800106
    Abstract: An agitator arrangement for a floor cleaning machine is disclosed including various multi-agitator configurations or one agitator configuration with a plurality of brushes with bristle bundles for rotation of the brushes about an approximate vertical axis with a plurality of stationary downwardly projecting, bristle bundles arranged in at least one row approximately side by side with or without an offset. In particular, agitator assemblies having multiple brushes that rotate in approximately a horizontal and approximately a vertical axis or that rotate at different speeds and torque. Other configurations may include multi-row multiple vertical axis agitators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited
    Inventors: Greg Bilek, David Cotsmire, Jeff Louis, Ronald Kintz, Kevin Thomas
  • Patent number: 8774970
    Abstract: A floor cleaning device that is manually trainable for subsequent automatic operation. Prior to automatic operation, a user trains the cleaning device by manually manipulating the device through one or more desired cleaning paths. After training of the device, the device is configured to automatically initiate subsequent cleaning operations in accordance with the trained routine(s). Preferably, the training routine includes user specification of one of a number of cleaning modalities that are supported by the flooring cleaning device. In addition to automatic navigation, the floor cleaning device is configured to initiate a desired cleaning modality as a function of the device's position with respect to one or more of the trained routine(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy F. Knopow, David Curtis, Everett F. Carter, Jr., Ted Larson, Bob Allen
  • Patent number: 8764520
    Abstract: Disclosed are improvements to a high speed power buffer assembly provided with a dust evacuation system. The assembly includes a hood depending from the chassis to encircle the high speed rotating buffer pad, a peripheral skirt depended from the chassis, a dust collection aperture adjacent the buffer penetrating the hood for the outlet of dust to the exterior of the hood, a curved dust collector chute, aligned and in communication with the dust collection aperture, and a dust collection bag, communicated with the dust collector output. The skirt has inclined grooves to co-act with the buffer pad to entrain air from the outside of the skirt to the inside. Given the arrangement of the foregoing features, the dust evacuation system can operate without the use of a vacuum pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Surtec, Inc.
    Inventor: William A. Fields
  • Patent number: 8631541
    Abstract: A modular auxiliary brush assembly for a vacuum cleaner includes a mounting bracket coupled to the vacuum cleaner, a spring-biased brush head, and a shaft which mounts the brush head to the mounting bracket. The spring-biased brush head is vertically adjustable to accommodate cleaning surfaces of varied heights and textures. The spring-biased brush head includes a tread which contacts a surface to be cleaned and rolls the brush head relative to the vacuum cleaner when the vacuum cleaner moves over the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: BISSELL Homecare, Inc.
    Inventor: Phong Hoang Tran
  • Patent number: 8495790
    Abstract: A cleaner head for a cleaning appliance includes a rotatable agitator and an agitator chamber housing the agitator. The agitator includes a flexible body and surface engaging members mounted on the body. The agitator chamber includes a downwardly-directed opening through which debris energized by the surface engaging members enters the cleaner head. The opening is located in a plane. The cleaner head includes a drive mechanism for rotating the agitator about a rotational axis which is inclined both relative to the plane of the opening and towards the rear of the opening so that, with rotation of the agitator, the surface engaging members protrude through the opening towards the front of the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Steven John Forbes, Spencer James Robert Arthey, Jean-Paul Mark Iles
  • Patent number: 8484800
    Abstract: A cleaner head for a vacuum cleaning appliance includes a first rotatable agitator and a second rotatable agitator for sweeping debris from a surface, each agitator comprising a disc-shaped body and a plurality of resilient members, preferably in the form of bristles, mounted on the body for engaging the surface. The agitators are housed within an agitator chamber which includes a downwardly-directed opening through which debris energized by the bristles enters the cleaner head. The opening is located in a plane, and each body is inclined relative to the plane of the opening so that, with rotation of the agitator, the bristles protrude through the opening. The bristles of the first agitator are angularly offset from the bristles of the second agitator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Steven John Forbes, Spencer James Robert Arthey, Jean-Paul Mark Iles
  • Patent number: 8479354
    Abstract: The drill brush and vacuum attachment apparatus provides for attachment to a vacuum cleaner and to a drill. The diameter reduction of the shaft first end is removably chucked into a drill of choice. The drill thereby turns the shaft as the free-wheel sleeve is free to be held stationary by a user via the angled reaction bar. The bar with associated collar may adjustably positioned along the sleeve, then tightened in the desired position by the thumb screw. Various shapes and sizes of removable brushes and other tools may be threadably attached to the shaft second end and used to clean various work pieces, and especially to clean out pre-drilled holes. As a work piece is cleaned by brushes and tools, the vacuum connected to the free-wheel sleeve vacuum tube draws debris and potentially airborne materials in, thereby negating potential mess, material clouds, and ensures a healthy work place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Inventor: Peter T. Doyle
  • Patent number: 8453293
    Abstract: A vacuum head for a rotary cleaning head is disclosed that has a vacuum port arm defining a vacuum port, and a vacuum slot arm defining a vacuum slot. The vacuum head may be L-shaped, its vacuum port may extend along a radius of the rotary cleaning head, and its vacuum slot may extend in the direction of rotation of the rotary cleaning head. The vacuum slot receives vacuum from the vacuum port, and is operable to vacuum up at least most of any cleaning fluid that collects on the leading side of the vacuum head, to prevent that cleaning fluid from being slung outwardly from the rotary cleaning head. The leading side of the vacuum port arm and the leading end of the vacuum slot arm may be tapered to help the vacuum head ski up and over any fixed obstacles it encounters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Inventor: Clifford L. Monson
  • Patent number: 8448294
    Abstract: A cleaner head for a cleaning appliance includes a rotatable agitator and an agitator chamber housing the agitator. The agitator includes a drive shaft, a flexible body connected to the drive shaft and surface engaging members mounted on the flexible body. The agitator chamber includes a downwardly-directed opening through which debris energized by the surface engaging members enters the cleaner head. The opening is located in a plane relative to which the flexible body is inclined so that, with rotation of the agitator, the surface engaging members protrude through the opening, preferably towards the front of the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Steven John Forbes, Spencer James Robert Arthey, Jean-Paul Mark Iles
  • Patent number: 8151410
    Abstract: A debris herding method and apparatus is described comprising a low power air blower and a tilted rotary rake. The air blower acts together with a tilted rotary rake to dislodge and impel the debris. A motor driven chassis transports the blower and the rotary rake across the lawn. The blower and rotary rake can be energetically powered, such as by a solar cell array mounted to the chassis. The present invention is directed to an energetically efficient device for moving debris on a surface, such as leaves on a lawn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Inventors: Rachael Anne Batchelder, John Samuel Batchelder
  • Patent number: 8082625
    Abstract: A pick-up head for a mobile sweeping vehicle comprises a housing defining a substantially hollow interior and a suctioning bottom opening for suctioning dust and small debris. A suctioning front opening is disposed in the front of the housing for receiving debris into the substantially hollow interior of the housing. A door is mounted on the pick-up head for selectively opening and closing the suctioning front opening. A dust and debris outlet in the housing permits dust and debris to be suctioned from the substantially hollow interior. A gutter broom is mounted within the housing adjacent one end, for sweeping dust and small debris inwardly from the selected one of the left end and the right end and towards the dust and debris outlet. An opening in the housing at the selected end permits the gutter broom to extend beyond the end of the housing, thus allowing the gutter broom to sweep against a curb, for sweeping dust and small debris towards a central path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Inventor: Roger P. Vanderlinden
  • Patent number: 8046870
    Abstract: A nozzle intended to be connected to a suction source, such as a vacuum cleaner/wet vacuum cleaner, whereby the nozzle includes at least one suction aperture which communicates with the suction source, and a gathering unit disposed close to each suction aperture, each gathering unit including a surface treatment element. Distinguishing features of the nozzle are that each gathering unit has a peripheral surface and a front surface which faces towards the running surface, the transition between the peripheral surface and the front surface is rounded, each gathering unit is provided with a scraper unit which is U-shaped in cross-section and constitutes a surface treatment element, and that the open side of the scraper unit is oriented along the front surface of the gathering unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Inventor: Ovidiu C. Tanasescu
  • Patent number: 7827654
    Abstract: In a self-traveling cleaner of the present invention, a cleaning mechanism includes a brush mechanism rotatable along a floor surface and a driving mechanism for rotatingly driving the brush mechanism. The brush mechanism includes a rotation axis extending perpendicular to the floor surface, one arm projecting laterally from a lower end of the rotation axis, and a brush planted on the arm. The rotation axis is provided within a reverse side of the main body, and the arm has a rotation angle range in which the arm projects outwardly from an outer periphery of the main body and a rotation angle range in which the arm is contained within the outer periphery of the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masato Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 7770254
    Abstract: A floor scrubber for cleaning floor surfaces that includes a cleaning head which defines a downwardly opening cleaning zone having a plurality of spray nozzles connected to a power washer pump for directing pressurized liquid flow streams onto the floor surface during a cleaning operation. The cleaning head further defines a separate downwardly opening vacuum zone connected to a wet/dry vacuum device operable for creating a vacuum pressure within the vacuum zone for removing liquid that has been directed onto the floor surface. The wet/dry vacuum device preferably further is operable for selectively directing a positive air flow into the vacuum zone to facilitate drying of the floor surface after cleaning and vacuum removal of the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: FNA IP Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Gus Alexander
  • 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: 7707682
    Abstract: A portable cleaning apparatus for cleaning a surface is provided and includes a housing for movement along the surface. A solution container is mounted to the housing and contains a solution. A dispensing nozzle is provided on the housing and is fluidly connected to the solution container. The dispensing nozzle dispenses solution beyond the edge of the housing. In one aspect, an edge cleaner is provided at an edge of the housing and includes a plurality of pliable elements for agitating the surface, wherein the pliable elements contact the surface beyond the edge of said housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited
    Inventor: Richard S. Parr
  • Patent number: 7640622
    Abstract: Floor surface scrubbing and resurfacing equipment including a hydraulic system and adjustable linkages to allow a user to adjust particular features to suit the equipment for different applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Inventor: Raymond E. Vankouwenberg
  • Patent number: 7640626
    Abstract: A suction brush of a vacuum cleaner for both vacuum cleaning and steam cleaning is provided. The suction brush includes a brush main body connected to a cleaner main body; a steam generating unit for heating water being supplied from a water storage tank mounted on the brush main body and spraying steam generated by heating the water on the surface to be cleaned; a turbine fan, installed in the brush main body, for generating a rotating force by the drawn-in air that flows into the brush main body; a power transfer unit for being driven by the rotating force of the turbine fan; and at least one pair of duster rotating plates, arranged on a lower part of the suction brush, for being rotated by power being transferred through the power transfer unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jang-Keun Oh
  • Patent number: 7610651
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an automatic cleaning device. The automatic cleaning device comprises an air injector, and at least one side brush. If air is suctioned into a body in accordance with operation of a suction motor, the air injector operates to inject the air to the outside of the body, to sweep out dust on the wall and corner of a room. The side brush serves to push the dust to a suction head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Oh-hyun Baek
  • Patent number: 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
  • Publication number: 20080141483
    Abstract: A rotary cleaning device having a plurality of flush pad extractors can provide improved debris removal and reduced residual material. More specifically, a rotary cleaning device can include a plurality of flush pad extractors which are oriented generally circumferentially about a common rotation axis. These unique flush pad extractors can include a fluid applicator and a vacuum member oriented behind the fluid applicator such that during operation of the device the fluid applicator contacts a surface to be cleaned prior to contact by the vacuum member. In accordance with the present invention, the fluid applicator provides passive delivery of fluid to the surface to be cleaned. Passive delivery of fluid allows for reduced fluid usage and more controlled and even distribution of fluid across a surface without overwetting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventor: Dennis L. Pearlstein
  • Patent number: 7331078
    Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus comprises a body including a rear compartment, a forward compartment and an intermediate compartment arranged between the rear and forward compartments. An elongate rotatable brush arrangement is positioned within and extends across the forward compartment. An electric motor is positioned in the rear compartment, and drive means extends between the rotatable brush arrangement and the electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Grey Technology Limited
    Inventor: Nicholas Gerald Grey
  • Patent number: 7302733
    Abstract: A cleaning machine for floors and carpets includes a vacuum pick-up in front of the machine for suctioning loose material and debris off the floor. A microfiber cleaning assembly is mounted beneath the machine for cleaning the floor following the vacuum pick-up. The microfiber cleaning element may be motor driven. A source of solution delivers a controlled amount of solution or water to moisten the microfiber cloth. A vacuum motor provides suction to the forward vacuum pick-up, routes the suctioned air through a filter, and the filtered air is then delivered to an air diffuser to dry any residual moisture behind the microfiber cleaning assembly. The microfiber cleaning assembly may have two offset pads driven by a reciprocating or oscillating drive, or one or two cylindrical rollers for receiving and securing the microfiber fabric in the form of a sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Minuteman International, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Rau, Jesse V. Mondigo, David R. Holly, Jeffrey W. Pollack
  • Publication number: 20070251047
    Abstract: A rotary cleaning head that may have a main disc, a cover, and vacuum heads. The cover may define an axially aligned central vacuum opening; and the main disc and cover may define therebetween a vacuum distribution hub and vacuum channels for distributing vacuum from the cover's central vacuum opening to the vacuum slots in the vacuum heads. A dual purpose seal may provide a seal between the cover and the main disc, and may also define at least part of the vacuum hub and vacuum channels. The vacuum heads may have vacuum notches or ridges that may help to collect and direct the cleaning fluid on at least part of the vacuum heads' outer surfaces into vacuum heads' vacuum slots. The rotary cleaning head may be modified to clean either hard surfaces or soft surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Publication date: November 1, 2007
    Inventor: Charles B. Monson
  • Patent number: 7228589
    Abstract: A spot cleaning apparatus comprises a housing, a fluid distribution system, a fluid recovery system, an agitation system, and a controller system to automatically monitor and control inputs and outputs to said systems for removal of spots and stains from a surface without attendance by a user. A suction nozzle and agitation device are mounted to the housing for movement over the surface to be cleaned relative to a stationary housing. Optionally, the spot cleaning apparatus can be operated in a manual mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Bissell Homecare, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan L. Miner, Eric C. Huffman, Eric C. Sugalski, Kevin J. Ehrenreich, Mark P. Slaven, Tomas A. Matusaitis, Randall S. Koplin, Jeff R. Condon, Phong Hoang Tran, David Seal, Jeremy Moog
  • Patent number: 7225501
    Abstract: A cleaning device for cleaning a surface is provided including a base for movement along a surface, a suction nozzle associated with the base, and a suction source for drawing liquid and dirt from the surface through the suction nozzle. The cleaning device further includes a brush assembly operatively connected to the base, wherein the brush assembly has at least one brush, which includes a first set of pliable elements extending downwardly from the brush and contacting the surface. The pliable elements slope downwardly and outwardly with the first set of pliable elements having at least a first group of pliable elements and a second group of pliable elements, wherein each of the pliable elements of the second group of the first set extend downwardly from the brush at a length less than the first group of the first set and the second group of pliable elements of the first set being positioned inwardly from the first group of the pliable elements of the first set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: The Hoover Company
    Inventors: Evan A. Gordon, Kevin L. Thomas, Adam C. Sclafani
  • Patent number: 7162771
    Abstract: A floor cleaning machine with dust control apparatus can assist in capturing dust created as a by-product during normal operations. The dust control apparatus is particularly applicable to propane-powered burnishers that use rotating pads to remove built up wax from hard surface floors. A floating scoop is attached to a floating hoop assembly to direct dust away from the rotating pad. The scoop is located tangentially to the housing that surrounds the rotating pad. An inlet to the housing facilitates airflow through the housing to pick up dust, which exits through the scoop. A containment canister with removable filter is in communication with the scoop. The air and entrained particulate (dust) swirls around the filter in a circular flow path to help separate the particulate from the air. The filtered air exits the canister and returns to the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Alto U.S. Inc.
    Inventors: Scott F. Grosze, John Stephen Petty, John L. Obenshain
  • Patent number: 7146682
    Abstract: A floor care appliance such as a vacuum cleaner is provided having a traction wheel powered edge cleaner comprised of a vertical axis rotary agitator which is affixed to either the right or left side of the suction nozzle. The agitator is rotated by the traction wheel when the vacuum cleaner is disposed along a wall surface and moved relative to the wall surface. The rotating action of the agitator sweeps dirt particles off of the wall surface and along the edge of the wall surface into the path of the suction nozzle for pickup. When not in use the edge cleaner is stored in the accessory storage rack like other accessory tools. The agitator can have differing agitator elements such as bristles or a fluff wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: The Hoover Company
    Inventors: Charles H. Damman, Mark A. Stransky, Jackson W. Wegelin
  • Patent number: 7070662
    Abstract: A bar jet assembly formed of a base plate having a cleaning fluid discharge chamber communicating with a cleaning fluid input surface and a discharge slot in a cleaning fluid output surface; and a pair of cover plates coupled to the fluid output surface of the base plate and forming therebetween an inclined cleaning fluid discharge orifice communicating with the base plate discharge slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Inventor: Roy Studebaker
  • Patent number: 6842941
    Abstract: A suction port assembly of a vacuum cleaner. The suction port assembly has a pair of suction paths formed at a front and a rear portions of a bottom of a suction port body, respectively, so as to enhance the cleaning efficiency, and due to a presence of an elastic member formed at a front edge of the suction port body as shock-buffer, the reduction of the durability incurred by the collision with an external obstacle is prevented. Meanwhile, in case that a floorcloth is rotatably disposed on a lower surface of the bottom of the suction port body, since the suction port assembly further includes a floorcloth cover protruding from the bottom of the suction port body toward a cleaning surface, the safety of a user is guaranteed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Samsung Kwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Byung-jo Lee
  • Publication number: 20040238004
    Abstract: A carpet cleaning machine for uniformly spreading a dry carpet cleaning powder onto a surface and working the dry carpet cleaning powder into the surface. The cleaning machine includes base having a hopper integrally formed therein, distribution slots on the bottom of the hopper, a rotary powder agitator inside the hopper, wheels for supporting the base over a floor surface and for rotating the powder agitator, a metering gate for controlling the dispensing of the dry carpet cleaning powder, a trigger located on the cleaner handle for controlling the metering gate, and a plurality of motor driven vertical axis rotary brushes for working the dry carpet cleaning powder into the carpet. The dry carpet cleaning powder is dispensed onto the carpet and allowed to sit for a short period of time to allow the dry carpet cleaning powder to absorb the dirt contained in the carpet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventors: Sergey V. Makarov, Kenneth H. Cooper, Mark A. Stransky, Donald A. Coates, Mark T. Smith, Adrian M. West, Patrick McDermott, John A. MacNeill, Jo Frances Wollschlaeger
  • Patent number: 6823558
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner brush having a case and a rotary element on which a floor cloth is attached. The rotary element is rotatably disposed on a lower portion of the case. A housing is disposed in the case, having a motor disposed therein, the motor rotatably driving the rotary element. A first and second bushing into which the driven shaft of the rotary element is provided with a blocking element protruding from a bottom surface of the case in the shape of a cylinder along a circumference of the first bushing for preventing dust and dirt from flowing into the first bushing. A ring element protrudes from an upper and inner circumference of the first bushing toward an outer circumference of the driven shaft, the ring element prevents dust and dirt from flowing into the housing. Dust and dirt are thereby prevented from flowing into the housing and damaging various components such as the motor and gears in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Byung-jo Lee
  • Publication number: 20040221417
    Abstract: A floor cleaning machine with dust control apparatus can assist in capturing dust created as a by-product during normal operations. The dust control apparatus is particularly applicable to propane-powered burnishers that use rotating pads to remove built up wax from hard surface floors. A floating scoop is attached to a floating hoop assembly to direct dust away from the rotating pad. The scoop is located tangentially to the housing that surrounds the rotating pad. An inlet to the housing facilitates airflow through the housing to pick up dust, which exits through the scoop. A containment canister with removable filter is in communication with the scoop. The air and entrained particulate (dust) swirls around the filter in a circular flow path to help separate the particulate from the air. The filtered air exits the canister and returns to the atmosphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2003
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Applicant: ALTO U.S. INC.
    Inventors: Scott F. Grosze, John Stephen Petty, John L. Obenshain
  • Patent number: 6792648
    Abstract: A floor cloth employed in a suction assembly of a vacuum cleaner for cleaning impurities on a cleaning surface, and an apparatus of the vacuum cleaner for rotatably driving the floor cloth. The rotatable floor cloth driving apparatus includes a rotary member rotatably disposed on a lower end of the suction assembly for supporting the floor cloth, and a rotational driving portion on-off controlled by a manipulation of a driving switch for providing a rotational driving force for rotating the rotary member on on-state. Accordingly, while drawing in air and impurities, the vacuum cleaner can also remove impurities stuck on the cleaning surface with the floor cloth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Samsung Kwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Byung-jo Lee
  • Patent number: 6668420
    Abstract: A cleaner for cleaning a surface is provided comprising a main body and a brush assembly for engaging the surface being cleaned. An engaging member on the main body or brush assembly and a retaining portion on the other main body or brush assembly. The engaging member and retaining portion are releasably connected to each other such that the engaging member or retaining portion is accessible for engagement by a user to disengage the engaging member from the retaining portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: The Hoover Company
    Inventors: Larry W. Hannan, Ryan S. Steiner, Leron R. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20030221281
    Abstract: A brush for a vacuum cleaner having floor cloth capable of rotating the rotating body to which the floor cloth is attached using a turbine driven by the air sucked in without using any additional power source. The brush for the vacuum cleaner of the present invention comprises a brush case, a driving means disposed inside the brush case and driven by kinetic energy of the external air being sucked inside, a power transferring gear disposed at both sides of the driving means and orthogonally transferring rotary power received from the driving means, and a rotating body connected with the power transferring gear having rotating floor cloth attached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Inventor: Jang-Keun Oh
  • Patent number: 6643894
    Abstract: A high efficiency vacuum cleaner includes a debris transport passage and a plurality of debris inlets maintained in generally parallel spaced relationship with the floor. The total area of the debris inlets is less than or equal to the minimum cross-sectional area of the debris transport passage. Debris is removed from the floor in an air stream flowing into the debris inlets, the air stream generated by a vacuum source. The debris inlets may be mounted on one or more rotating heads, and the height of the debris inlets over the floor may be adjustable. The rotating heads may be driven by a motor and a belt drive. The belt drive system may be isolated from the airflow carrying the debris.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Inventor: William C. Dell
  • Patent number: 6640386
    Abstract: A floor cleaning device includes a base portion for movement along a surface. The base portion further includes a suction nozzle and a brush assembly driven by a brush motor for agitating the surface. The brush assembly includes a lifting mechanism for moving the brush assembly from a first position wherein the brush is off the surface to a second position wherein the brush assembly is on the surface. A switching assembly is responsive to the brush lifting mechanism to energize the brush motor when the brush assembly is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: The Hoover Company
    Inventors: Jeffery A. Morgan, Douglas E. Gerber, Robert W. Hecht, Charles A. Lang, Adam C. Sclafani, Kevin L. Thomas, Vincent L. Weber, Robert S. Wilson, Christopher J. Fawcett, Kam Hoi Ma, Tak On Yip
  • Patent number: 6571423
    Abstract: The invention relates to a surface-cleaning device (61, 63) which has a base part (69) and a cleaning part (67) having a substantially flat contact surface (71) for contact with a surface (41) to be cleaned and which is rotatable relative to the base part about an axis of rotation (77) extending substantially perpendicularly to the contact surface. According to the invention, the cleaning part is pivotable relative to the base part about a pivot axis (105) which extends transversely to the axis of rotation, and the base part is so constructed that a component (93) is present and exerts a pre-tension force, preferably a pre-tension torque (Mp) on the cleaning part about said pivot axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics, N.V.
    Inventors: Henk Lijzenga, Benjamin Luurt Oudman