Air Current Operated Patents (Class 15/387)
  • Patent number: 12185898
    Abstract: A nozzle for a cleaner has a nozzle housing, which has a nozzle base and a drain hole for discharging water from the nozzle housing. The nozzle also has a rotary cleaning unit disposed below the nozzle housing. The rotary cleaning unit has a rotation plate that can be attached to a mop. The nozzle has a driving unit that includes a driving motor for driving the rotary cleaning unit. The nozzle also has a control board for controlling the drive motor. In addition, the nozzle has a water tank detachably mounted on an upper side of the nozzle housing. The water tank stores water and supplies the water to the rotary cleaning unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2024
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jinwoo Lee, Chungjae Ryu, Jonghyun Seo
  • Patent number: 12070847
    Abstract: A system for collaboration between a first robot and a second robot, including: an application of a communication device configured to receive at least one input designating an instruction for the first robot to execute a first task and an instruction for the second robot to execute a second task after the first robot completes the first task; the first robot, including a medium storing instructions that when executed by a processor of the first robot effectuates operations including: actuating the first robot to execute the first task; and actuating the first robot to dock at a charging station upon completion of the first task; and the second robot including a medium storing instructions that when executed by a processor of the second robot effectuates operations including actuating the second robot to execute the second task upon receiving a signal indicating the first task is complete by the first robot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: AI Incorporated
    Inventors: Ali Ebrahimi Afrouzi, Lukas Robinson, Chen Zhang, Brian Highfill
  • Patent number: 11944257
    Abstract: A nozzle for a cleaner has a nozzle housing, which has a nozzle base and a drain hole for discharging water from the nozzle housing. The nozzle also has a rotary cleaning unit disposed below the nozzle housing. The rotary cleaning unit has a rotation plate that can be attached to a mop. The nozzle has a driving unit that includes a driving motor for driving the rotary cleaning unit. The nozzle also has a control board for controlling the drive motor. In addition, the nozzle has a water tank detachably mounted on an upper side of the nozzle housing. The water tank stores water and supplies the water to the rotary cleaning unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jinwoo Lee, Chungjae Ryu, Jonghyun Seo
  • Patent number: 11925747
    Abstract: A dressing interface includes a base that has an aperture and a plurality of microneedles that are attached to the base and disposed over the aperture. The interface also includes a port that is configured to receive a fluid conductor and a conduit that couples the port and the aperture. Each of the microneedles contains a passageway that is fluidly coupled to the aperture. The interface may be used with a drape that is placed over a tissue site. The interface may provide communication between the tissue site and a reduced-pressure source through the microneedles piercing the drape rather than by cutting a hole in the drape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Prathamesh Madhav Kharkar
  • Patent number: 11884498
    Abstract: A pool cleaning robot that may include a filtering unit for filtering fluid; a housing that at least partially surrounds the filtering unit; an impeller configured to induce fluid to pass through the filtering unit when rotated at a first direction; a pump motor for rotating the impeller; a drive system; first interfacing elements that are configured to interface with the pool during at least a part of a cleaning process of the pool; and at least one second interfacing element that extends outside a bottom of the housing without reaching a virtual plane defined by bottoms of at least two of the first interfacing elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: MAYTRONICS LTD.
    Inventor: Shay Witelson
  • Patent number: 11879263
    Abstract: A spray diffuser for a pool cleaner is coupled to the end of the tail sweep hose which expels pressurized water out of the end of the hose. The diffuser includes a flow shaping nozzle configured to form a diverging pressurized water stream. The shaping nozzle can be attached directly to the end of the hose with a flow obstruction of the shaping nozzle immediately adjacent the flow discharge. A dissipating portion dissipates the pressurized water stream when the spray diffuser is positioned above the surface of the water to prevent water spraying out of the pool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: ERUPTECH LLC
    Inventor: John Irvine
  • Patent number: 11844483
    Abstract: An extraction cleaner includes a supply tank, a recovery tank, a pump, a suction source, a base configured to support the suction source and the pump, an external hose, and a hose attachment assembly. The hose attachment assembly has a suction conduit extending from a suction inlet connected to the proximal end of the hose to a suction outlet in fluid communication with the recovery tank. The suction conduit is removable from the base with the hose. The hose attachment assembly also has a fluid coupling which is removable with the suction conduit. The fluid coupling extends from a coupling inlet in fluid communication with the pump to a coupling outlet coupled to a supply tube having one or more portions carried within the suction conduit. The proximal end of the hose is at least partially nested adjacent the base when the suction conduit is coupled to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited
    Inventors: Douglas M. Rukavina, Donovan Bode, Juan Aviles Quintero
  • Patent number: 11759828
    Abstract: A method of cleaning a surface includes steps of: urging brushes of a cleaning device against the surface; providing solvent to the surface via a solvent supply that passes through a housing of the cleaning device; rotating a drive gear about a drive-gear rotational axis to drive driven gears about corresponding driven-gear rotational axes inside the housing to rotate the brushes; and evacuating material from the surface via a vacuum tube, passing through the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: John Walter Pringle, IV, Nicholas Ryan Farrell, Raul Tomuta
  • Patent number: 11751741
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a cleaner body, a connection pipe including a first catching groove, and a suction nozzle. The suction nozzle includes a connection neck, a nozzle housing rotatably coupled to the connection neck, a first catching body rotatably coupled to the connection neck, and a first elastic body. The first catching body includes a first catching protrusion portion which is caught by the first catching groove. The suction nozzle includes a pressing portion and a first lever. The first lever includes a first end portion in contact with the pressing portion, and a second end portion configured to press the first catching body. According to the disclosed vacuum cleaner, the fastening between the suction nozzle and the connection pipe may be maintained or released according to the relative angle between the suction nozzle and the connection pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Kookhaeng Lee, Jungwan Ryu, Moo Hyun Ko, Youngsoo Kim
  • Patent number: 11540693
    Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus is provided with a primary fluid distributor and an auxiliary fluid distributor. Each distributor can have a separate and independent flow control actuator. The flow control actuator for the auxiliary fluid distributor is operably coupled with a push-push flow control mechanism, where push-push flow control mechanism has a push on/push off configuration such that pushing the auxiliary flow control actuator once starts fluid flow from the auxiliary fluid distributor and subsequently pushing the auxiliary flow control actuator again stops fluid flow from the auxiliary fluid distributor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: BISSELL INC.
    Inventors: Steven M. Johnson, James Michael Preston, Alan Finnie, Mitchell J. DeJonge, Jason W. Pruiett
  • Patent number: 11534046
    Abstract: A cleaner includes a body including an insertion slot facing a floor and an installation space inside the body. The cleaner includes a dust housing detachably connected to the body. The dust housing includes a collection opening surface and a storage space that stores foreign substances collected through the collection opening surface. The cleaner has an agitator rotatably connected to the dust housing and exposed through the collection opening surface. The cleaner also includes a driving apparatus that rotates a driving coupler, which drives a driven coupler coupled to the agitator. The cleaner includes a lever located on either the driving coupler or the driven coupler. The lever selectively attaches or separates the driving coupler and the driven coupler. Manipulating the lever separates the driving coupler and the driven coupler and allows the sweep module including the agitator to be removed through the insertion slot in the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jaewon Jang, Minwoo Lee, Jinho Chung
  • Patent number: 11503975
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a dry-wet separation cleaning floor brush. The dry-wet separation cleaning floor brush includes a housing, a stiff roller brush and a soft roller brush, wherein the housing is provided with a partition plate dividing the inner part of the housing into a first storage chamber and a second storage chamber which are disconnected to each other, wherein the stiff roller brush is partially contained in the first storage chamber and is movably connected to the housing, and the stiff roller brush partially protrudes the housing; and the soft roller brush is partially contained in the second storage chamber and movably connected to the housing, and the soft roller brush partially protrudes the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: SHENZHEN SHERMON TECHNOLOGY CO., LIMITED
    Inventors: Xiaofeng Wang, Shangliu Liu, Chaoliang Ma
  • Patent number: 11445652
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for combing and conditioning artificial turf, which comprises a handle (1), a pole (2), a head (3) which houses an electric motor (4), and a pair of brushes (5) driven by the electric motor (4), the brushes (5) being configured for combing and conditioning the artificial turf, and such that the brushes (5) have a helical shape. The device comprises a transmission that comprises a motor output shaft (9) that is associated with a transmission belt (10), which transmits the rotation to a toothed wheel (11), the wheel (11) transmits the rotation to a transmission shaft (12) which ends in a worm screw (13) that transmits the rotation to a transverse shaft (14) via a toothed wheel (15) attached to the transverse shaft (14) that houses the pair of brushes (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Comercial Carma, S.A.
    Inventor: Lisardo Carballal Camacho
  • Patent number: 11363924
    Abstract: The ceiling fan blade cleaning vacuum attachment may comprise a housing, an upper brush, a lower brush, and a pneumatic brush motor. The ceiling fan blade cleaning vacuum attachment may clean an individual blade selected from a plurality of blades of a ceiling fan. A vacuum hose coupled to a vacuum cleaner may be separably couple to a neck of the housing. The individual blade may be inserted into a blade slot of the housing. Suction generated by the vacuum cleaner may draw air through the blade slot and through the neck of the housing. The air may turn a turbine rotor of the pneumatic brush motor, which may drive the upper brush and the lower brush 256 to sweep the individual blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Inventors: Richard Campo, Joseph Nicholson
  • Patent number: 11019968
    Abstract: In a vacuum cleaner nozzle (N) comprising one or more rear wheels (RW), a hinge (H3) is arranged to lift all one or more rear wheels (RW) from a floor (F) when a suction tube (ST) connected to the nozzle (N) is rotated around a longitudinal axis of the suction tube (ST), e.g. after the nozzle (N) has been rotated by more than 45° by means of a further hinge (H2) in order to position a relatively short side of the nozzle at the front of the nozzle in the nozzle's motion direction so that the nozzle is able to clean relatively small spaces that could not be entered if a relatively long side of the nozzle is at the front of the nozzle in the nozzle's motion direction. If the one or more rear wheels (RW) comprise at least two rear wheels, the hinge (H3) is arranged for simultaneously lifting the rear wheels (RW) from the floor (F).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Matthijs Hendrikus Lubbers, Jonne Steeman, Klaas Hilverda, Bastiaan Johannes De Wit
  • Patent number: 10980381
    Abstract: A nozzle assembly for use with a vacuum source includes a base member, a top cover member, a diaphragm, a valve flap and a plurality of springs. The base member has a suction opening extending therethrough. The top cover member enclosing an interior of the nozzle assembly. The diaphragm is rotationally coupled to the base member and includes an opening extending therethrough. The valve flap is rotationally coupled to the diaphragm and covers the opening in the diaphragm. One or more diaphragm springs are positioned between the base member and the diaphragm. One or more valve springs are positioned between the base member and the valve flap. An internal cavity is defined below the diaphragm and above the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Inventor: Matthew Zusy
  • Patent number: 10136781
    Abstract: A cleaning mechanism for clearing a cleaning roller of a cleaner. The cleaning mechanism includes: a cleaning roller for cleaning ground, a clearing component operating to clearing the cleaning roller, and a power unit. The clearing component includes a rotation body and a plurality of clearing elements disposed on the rotation body for clearing a surface of the cleaning roller. The power unit operates to drive the rotation body and the clearing elements to rotate along with the cleaning roller in the same direction. During the rotation of the cleaning roller, the trash is cleared by the clearing elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: HiZero Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yang Li, Yong Zhang
  • Patent number: 10085605
    Abstract: A vacuum attachment comprises a base having an upper face and a lower face, and an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface defines a first flow passage between the upper face and the lower face. The lower face provides a smooth contact surface. A single orifice extends through the base from the outer surface to the inner surface. The orifice is spaced apart from the lower face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Ryan C. Lucas, Daniel J. Perron, Alan G. Burg, Jeffrey H. Olberg
  • Patent number: 9907445
    Abstract: A ground brush for a vacuum cleaner includes a ground brush body, brushroll cover, and brushroll. The ground brush body has a first locking member. The brushroll cover has a lower end rotatingly connected with the ground brush body through a rotating shaft, and an upper end provided with a snapping cooperating part. When the brushroll cover is rotated to be opened at a certain angle, the first locking member cooperates with a second locking member to lock the brushroll cover to the ground brush body. The brushroll is rotatably disposed on the brushroll cover, and has a lower end connected with the lower end of the brushroll cover and an upper end provided with a snapping part, in which the snapping part is configured to cooperate with the snapping cooperating part, such that the brushroll cover can drive the brushroll to rotate relative to the ground brush body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: JIANGSU MIDEA CLEANING APPLIANCES CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Bingxian Song
  • 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: 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: 8695160
    Abstract: Provided is a nozzle of a vacuum cleaner. The nozzle of the vacuum cleaner includes a main body having a foreign material suction hole, a plurality of rotation members rotatably disposed on the main body, a connection member supported linearly movably by the plurality of rotation members, and a swinging member coupled to the connection member, the swinging member being vertically swung according to the movement of the connection member. The plurality of rotation members includes a plurality of sidewalls spaced from each other and a blade fixed to each of the plurality of sidewalls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Geun-Bae Hwang, Kyeong-Seon Jeong
  • Patent number: 8683638
    Abstract: The subject of the present invention is a rotary tool (1) for surface treatment. This is equipped with a brush holder (3) which can be driven in rotation for an annular brush (4) with a brush strip (5) and bristles (6) protruding outwardly from the brush strip (5). According to the invention, coolant for the cooling thereof is supplied to the brush holder (3) and/or the annular brush (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: MONTI-Werkzeuge GmbH
    Inventor: Werner Montabaur
  • 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: 8635741
    Abstract: An auxiliary apparatus for better vacuum cleaning effect, comprising: a first frame, formed with a first entrance and a first exit connected to the first entrance by a channel; a second frame, formed with a second entrance and a second exit, both arranged at positions between the first entrance and the first exit while being connected to the channel; and an energy harvester, wherein an airflow entering the first frame through the first entrance is split into a first airflow and a second airflow while enabling the first airflow to flow toward the first exit and the second airflow to flow into the second frame through the second entrance where it is guided toward the energy harvester for driving the same, and then the second airflow is guided to flow out of the second exit and enters the first frame for merging with the first airflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Wen-Yang Peng, Ya-Hui Tsai, Chun-Hsien Liu
  • 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: 8533904
    Abstract: A surface cleaning head, such as an auxiliary cleaning head for a vacuum cleaner, has a rotary brush associated with a dirty air inlet and driven by an air turbine. A dirt tray is positioned in the airflow path downstream of the rotary brush. In one embodiment, the air turbine is in an air turbine chamber that is not downstream from the dirty air inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: G.B.D. Corp.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Patent number: 8533905
    Abstract: A vacuum accessory tool comprises a housing that defines a suction nozzle and an agitator assembly located in the suction nozzle and driven by an air turbine. The agitator assembly comprises an agitating element having a plurality of resilient blades configured to reduce hair wrap around the agitator assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: BISSELL Homecare, Inc.
    Inventor: Phong H. Tran
  • Patent number: 8510902
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning surfaces, particularly solid surfaces, includes an outer housing and an inner housing configured to substantially encapsulate a surface being cleaned, a vacuum source traversing the outer housing, a rotating coupler, an impeller, at least one fluid jet coupled to the impeller, and at least one air induction port. The vacuum source is configured to induce air through the air induction ports past the impeller blades causing the impeller to rotate, which causes the rotating coupler and the fluid jets to rotate. Because the rotation of the fluid jets is due to induced air, the fluid jets can be positioned at any angle desired, including a negative angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Dri-Eaz Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Kappos
  • Publication number: 20130139350
    Abstract: A turbo brush for cleaning a surface comprises a housing having an upper surface, a lower surface, a front end and a rear end, the lower end having a dirty air inlet. A primary air flow path extends from the dirty air inlet to a dirty air outlet. A rotary brush is associated with the dirty air inlet and extends transverse to a forward direction of movement of the turbo brush. A drive mechanism comprises an air driven turbine, a drive gear drivingly connected to the rotary brush and a worm gear directly drivingly connecting the air driven turbine and the drive gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: G.B.D. Corp.
    Inventor: G.B.D. Corp.
  • Patent number: 8424151
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a safety apparatus of an auxiliary brush assembly is provided. The vacuum cleaner includes a main body having an extension pipe mounting portion, a main brush assembly connected to the main body, an extension pipe attached and detached to the main body, and an auxiliary brush assembly connected to an end of the extension pipe. The auxiliary brush assembly may have a brush and a driving means for rotating the brush, wherein the rotation of the brush may be automatically stopped when the extension pipe is mounted in the extension pipe mounting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Byung-Jo Lee
  • Patent number: 8359706
    Abstract: The invention is drawn to methods and apparatus comprising the use of attachment components comprising fluid-driven turbines to dusting, trimming, polishing, and claiming a locus, such as a surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Inventor: David J. Watzke
  • Patent number: 8341803
    Abstract: A floor cleaning attachment is configured to attach to a pressure washer lance to receive a flow of fluid. The floor cleaning attachment includes a housing that defines a suction space and includes an attachment point configured to attach to the pressure washer lance to receive the flow of fluid. A rotatable brush is coupled to the housing, a vacuum producing member is coupled to the housing, and a valve is coupled to the housing and movable between a first position in which the flow of fluid is directed onto a floor, a second position in which the flow of fluid is directed to the vacuum producing member to produce a partial vacuum, and a third position in which the flow of fluid is directed to the rotatable brush to rotate the brush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Techtronic Outdoor Products Technology Limited
    Inventors: Michael R. Gardner, Klaus K. Hahn
  • Publication number: 20120260457
    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: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: MIELE & CIE. KG
    Inventors: Walter Assmann, Volker Marks, Cornelius Wolf
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20120222223
    Abstract: Described is an auxiliary cleaning tool assembly of a cleaning apparatus, the auxiliary cleaning tool assembly including a body part connected to a house and having at least one passage, a brush unit rotatably provided on the body part, a nozzle part configured to remove dust attached on the brush unit, and a power transferring part configured to convert an air flow of air passing through the at least one passage of the body part to a rotary force of the brush unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Dong Hun YOO
  • Patent number: 8240002
    Abstract: Disclosed is a base assembly for a vacuum cleaner, which directly injects exhaust wind to the turbine wing one end of which is rotatably supported on the exhaust port of an intake motor in order to rotate the rotating brush to avoid the loss in the exhaust wind and to therefore obtain a high level of suction force with a small-size motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: HAAN Corporation
    Inventor: Gyung-Hee Haan
  • Publication number: 20120110779
    Abstract: A rotary turbine cleaning device for cleaning semiconductor fabrication equipment works in conjunction with a clean room vacuum or other vacuum or other air pump. The fluid flow created by the vacuum action causes the rotors of the turbine assembly to rotate, thereby rotating the cleaning head. Attached to the cleaning head are bristles or other cleaning media which may dislodge particles from surfaces. The dislodged particles are drawn into the tube through an opening at the end of the tube and the vacuum action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: WAFERTECH, LLC
    Inventor: Guy Jacobson
  • Patent number: 8117704
    Abstract: The invention relates to a swimming pool cleaner with wheels driven by a turbine. The pool cleaner is intermittently turned from its path of travel along an underwater surface. A turning cam is provided inwardly of and adjacent to each of a pair of the side wheels. The cams are rotatably mounted on the turbine driven wheel axle which extends between said wheels. Each cam intermittently extends a gripping formation beyond the operatively supporting surface of the adjacent wheel. The cams will preferably comprise a disc with an integral annular internal ring gear formed. An inner gear is fixed for rotation with the axle and an outer gear is supported between the inner gear and the ring gear to rotate the cam. The inner gear is an interrupted gear member to cause intermittent stepwise rotation of the ring gear and the outer gear is a sprocket supported for unidirectional rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Integrated Pool Products (PTY) Ltd
    Inventors: Helge J. Schneider, Carl Frederick Wilhelm Supra
  • Patent number: 8096015
    Abstract: An air-powered vacuum cleaning nozzle has an agitator brush rotated by an air turbine powered by a source of suction air. A plurality of air inlet openings are formed adjacent the agitator brush. A generally flat friction drive belt extends from a bearing shaft of the air turbine to the midpoint of the agitator brush for rotating the brush. The bearing shaft is mounted in a pair of spaced rubber bushings to absorb vibration and reduce noise. The nozzle includes a housing formed by one-piece top and bottom housing members removably joined together securing the air turbine therebetween. A cover plate removably secured to the outside surface of the bottom housing member forms a protective passage for the drive belt and a suction passage between an air inlet adjacent the agitator brush and the air turbine chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: H-P Products, Inc.
    Inventor: James F. Smith
  • Publication number: 20110173772
    Abstract: A portable air duct cleaning system comprises a cleaning assembly, including a hose, motor and brush; portable power and control box; and remote control. The cleaning assembly may include a vacuum system connected to the hose, having an opening, with a motor driven brush unit positioned near the opening for vacuuming particulate matter dislodged by the brush unit while the brush unit traverses the air duct. The vacuum system may be part of a carpet cleaning system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Inventors: Richard F. Papaleo, Michael A. Stanovich
  • Publication number: 20110099751
    Abstract: A surface cleaning head, such as an auxiliary cleaning head for a vacuum cleaner, has a rotary brush associated with a dirty air inlet and driven by an air turbine. A dirt tray is positioned in the airflow path downstream of the rotary brush. In one embodiment, the air turbine is in an air turbine chamber that is not downstream from the dirty air inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: G.B.D. CORP.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Patent number: 7908697
    Abstract: A motorised pool-cleaning device (1) includes: a suction element (30); a rotary element (4) for moving the device, which define first (2) and second (3) bearing axles; a support (18) consisting of (i) a first central part (24) and (ii) first (25) and second (26) side covers which are connected to either side of the first central part, such as to form the chassis of the motorised device, and which support the rotary movement element (4); and a drive element (16, 17) for rotating the rotary movement element (4), which are disposed on the first and second side covers in a cantilevered manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: PMPS Technologies
    Inventors: Vincent Lavabre, Maxime Puech
  • Publication number: 20110010887
    Abstract: A turbine brush unit and a vacuum cleaner having the same are provided. The turbine brush unit may include a turbine brush case, a brush member mounted in the turbine brush case, and a turbine fan unit having a plurality of wings and rotating the brush member. Each of the plurality of the wings may have a curvature point, a primary collision surface with which a primary inlet wind drawn through the inlet portion of the turbine fan unit collides and a secondary collision surface with which a secondary inlet wind collides. The primary and secondary inlet winds apply a force in the rotation direction of the turbine fan unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: SAMSUNG GWANGJU ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jang-keun OH
  • 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: 7856694
    Abstract: A nozzle assembly of a vacuum cleaner is provided that includes a casing, a suction port, a drum brush, a fan, and a blocking plate. The drum brush is rotatably disposed in the casing so drum bristles hit a surface being cleaned. The fan is disposed in the casing to be rotated by air drawn in through the suction port so that the fan rotates the drum brush. The blocking plate is adjacent to the front of the fan to screen most of the fan except for a lower portion of the fan. The fan includes a circular fan body, a shaft member, and a plurality of blades. The inside edge of each of the blades is at a distance from the shaft member so that the drawn-in air passes through a space defined between the inside edge of each of the blades and the shaft member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung-cheol Lee, Jang-keun Oh, Hwa-gyu Song, Chae-hoon Sohn, I-sun Park
  • Patent number: 7849558
    Abstract: A cleaning head for a suction cleaner, the head including a body; a rotatable tool connected to the body by support means; driving means; and transmission means providing a driving connection between the driving means and the tool; wherein the support means contains the transmission means, and provides for movement of the tool upwardly and downwardly relative to the body in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Inventors: Bengt Ivar Anders Ivarsson, Reuben Proud
  • Patent number: 7814614
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a suction brush for a vacuum cleaner, which is connected to a suction extension pipe connected to a main body of the vacuum cleaner and draws in foreign materials using a suction force generated in the main body. The suction brush includes a bottom housing with a dust entering port; a top housing connected to the bottom housing so as to cover the bottom housing; a connector disposed between the top housing and the bottom housing, the connector connected to the suction extension pipe; and a flow rate controller disposed at the connector, the flow rate controller controlling a volume of the air entering through the dust entering port so as to control a suction force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeong-hee Cho, Tae-gwang Kim