Drive Details Patents (Class 15/389)
  • Patent number: 11759068
    Abstract: A removable rotatable driven agitator is used in a surface cleaning head and is driven by a drive mechanism that axially engages a driven end of the agitator. The removable rotatable driven agitator may be located in an openable agitator chamber for purposes of removing debris and/or removing the agitator. The openable agitator chamber may be covered by an external cover that is movable between an open position and a closed position. The removable agitator may be secured in the agitator chamber by the external cover. The removable rotatable agitator may have an end cap mounted on a rotatable bushing at a non-driven end and may have a splined driven member at the driven end to engage a splined drive member on the drive mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: SharkNinja Operating LLC
    Inventors: Kai Xu, AiMing Xu, Michael D'Amico, Peter Hutchinson
  • Patent number: 11707170
    Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus is provided. The surface cleaning apparatus includes a dirt inlet, a rotatable brushing member, and a brush motor drivingly connected to the rotatable brushing member. The brush motor includes a plurality of field coils, a first motor sub-unit, a second motor sub-unit, and a motor controller. The first motor sub-unit includes a first rotor portion, a first stator portion, and a first field coil. The second motor sub-unit includes a second rotor portion, a second stator portion, and a second field coil. The first and second rotor portions are rotatable about a motor axis and are drivingly connected to the brushing member. The second motor sub-unit is axially spaced along the motor axis from the first motor sub-unit. The motor controller is operable to direct electric current through the plurality of field coils generating magnetic fields and driving rotation of the rotor portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Omachron Intellectual Property Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Patent number: 11672393
    Abstract: A cleaning apparatus comprising a housing, at least one agitator configured to be rotatably coupled to the housing, a combing unit comprising a plurality of spaced teeth configured to contact the agitator for preventing build up and removing debris, and a switch configured to cause the combing unit to move between an active mode in which the plurality of spaced teeth are configured to contact the agitator for preventing build up and removing debris, and an inactive mode in which the plurality of spaced teeth are configured to not contact the agitator. The switch may be configured to cause the combing unit to rotate about a pivot axis between the active mode and the inactive mode. The switch may be configured to convert linear motion of the switch into the rotational motion of the combing unit about the pivot axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: SharkNinja Operating LLC
    Inventors: John B. Freese, Nicholas Sardar, Tyler S. Smith
  • Patent number: 11160431
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a surface cleaning apparatus that includes a housing adapted for movement over a surface to be cleaned and a headlight having at least one light emitting element internal to the housing. A light pipe is integrated with a cover for a brushroll, and conveys light emitted from the light emitting element to an exterior of the housing. Methods for operating the headlight are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: BISSELL Inc.
    Inventors: Tom Minh Nguyen, Nim Chung Ku, Roger Hoskens, Mike Luyckx
  • Patent number: 9999537
    Abstract: A base plate comprising an adhesive wafer and a convex supporting device. An ostomy appliance comprising a base plate with an adhesive wafer and a convex supporting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Coloplast A/S
    Inventors: Bent Ekfeldt, Birthe Vestbo Andersen, Esben Strøbech, Michael Hansen, Kristoffer Hansen, Steffen Kongensbjerg Larsen, Matthew Laws, Liam O'Brien
  • Patent number: 9339159
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is described, the vacuum cleaner having a vacuum head with a housing, a suction port, a motor, and a brush. The brush is connected to a drive pulley, the motor has a motor pinion, and a belt extends from the motor pinion to the drive pulley the belt having teeth with a rounded profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: AERUS LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Eide
  • Patent number: 9097313
    Abstract: A cleaner head includes a drive mechanism connecting a drive means to a rotatable brush member. The drive mechanism comprises an input drive member connected to the drive means, an output drive member connected to the rotatable brush member, and a flexible drive element extending therebetween. The drive mechanism is provided with an adjustment mechanism operable to vary the distance between the input and output drive members in order to vary the tension of the flexible drive element. The adjustment mechanism is movable in a first direction from a first position in which the flexible drive element has a relatively low tension through a plurality of further positions which increases the tension in the flexible drive element. The adjustment mechanism is lockable in a selected one of the plurality of further positions against movement in a direction opposite to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Craig Thomas Wilkinson, Martin Szymon Gutkowski
  • Patent number: 8938851
    Abstract: A nozzle assembly for a floor care appliance includes a one-piece body. The one-piece body has a first face and a second face that is opposed to the first face. The first face forms a first cavity while the second face forms a second cavity. A rotary agitator is received in the first cavity. A drive motor is received in the second cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventors: Ryan T. Dant, Eric J. Streciwilk, Richard E. Downey, Shannon D. Phegley
  • Patent number: 8914942
    Abstract: An attachment for a vacuum cleaning appliance, the attachment including a head divided into a first rotatable member and a second rotatable member, each rotatable member comprising means for sweeping dirt from a surface, a conduit connectable to a vacuum cleaning appliance for conveying an air flow from the head towards the appliance, a drive mechanism for rotating the head about a first axis while simultaneously rotating the first rotatable member about a second axis and the second rotatable member about a third axis, each of the second axis and the third axis being angled to the first axis, and means for dislodging dirt from the sweeping means with rotation of the head about the first axis so that dislodged dirt may become entrained within the air flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Stephen Benjamin Courtney, Leigh Michael Ryan
  • Publication number: 20140352104
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner head with a housing having a front end, a back end, a lower surface extending from the front end to the back end, and a suction opening through the lower surface. An agitator chamber is the suction opening, and a suction passage extends from the agitator chamber towards the back end. An agitator having a spindle and agitating devices is rotatably mounted to the housing. A cleaning member is movably mounted to the housing to move between a first position in which it does not engage the agitator, and a second position in which it engages the agitator to remove debris from the agitator during rotation of the agitator. A pedal extends from the back end of the housing and moves between a first pedal and a second pedal position to place the cleaning member in the second cleaning member position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventor: Henrik Eriksson
  • Publication number: 20140283332
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is provided with a handle assembly drivingly connected to the surface cleaning head and comprising a multi-position brush control electrically coupled to the brush motor whereby the brush motor is operable in at least two different modes. An upright surface cleaning apparatus with a removable portable surface cleaning unit is also provided. The upright surface cleaning apparatus includes an air flow path extending from the cleaning head air outlet to the air treatment member air inlet and comprising a flexible electrified air flow conduit wherein the brush motor is electrically connected to the surface cleaning unit by a circuit that includes the flexible electrified air flow conduit, a handle assembly drivingly connected to the surface cleaning head and a brush control electrically coupled to the brush motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventors: Wayne Ernest Conrad, Jason Boyd Thorne
  • Patent number: 8839484
    Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner comprises a base assembly pivotally connected to an upright assembly. The base assembly comprises an agitator and an agitator drive assembly for selectively driving the agitator. The agitator drive assembly includes a drive disk coupled to a motor shaft, a driven disk which engages the drive disk, and a drive coupling between the driven disk to the agitator. The agitator drive assembly can further include a drive disengager for selectively interrupting the transmission of drive force to the agitator. The agitator drive assembly can further include a speed selector for adjusting the relative speed of rotation of the agitator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: BISSELL Homecare, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan J. Krebs
  • 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: 8800107
    Abstract: A rotating cleaning element configured to be inserted in a cleaning head compartment of a robotic vacuum, the rotating cleaning element including: a drive end including a drive protrusion configured to engage a drive mechanism of the cleaning head compartment; a bearing end and a shroud configured to surround at least a portion of the bearing end to lessen an amount of hair and similar matter that reaches the bearing; and a central member extending between the bearing end and the drive end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventor: Matthew Blouin
  • Patent number: 8720001
    Abstract: A tool for a surface treating appliance, such as a vacuum cleaner, includes a housing having a suction opening. An agitator, such as a brush bar, is rotatably located in the suction opening of the housing. The interior of such a tool can get blocked due to large objects being drawn in through the suction opening, or else by threads and fibers becoming tangled in the brush bar. The brush bar may be removed through the suction opening for replacement or repair. A portion of the housing may also be removable to clear the way for the user to access a narrow opening in the neck of the tool which may be prone to blockage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Stephen Benjamin Courtney, Nicholas George Byatt, James Elliot Cameron
  • Publication number: 20140101887
    Abstract: A cordless, battery-powered system of cleaning products. The system of cleaning products includes devices such as upright vacuums (e.g., a stick vacuum, a lightweight upright vacuum, etc.), a hand-held vacuum, a carpet-cleaner, a canister vacuum, and the like. Each of the devices is powered by a battery pack which is interchangeable among the devices. The battery pack includes a combination of hardware and software for connecting to, identifying, and communicating with the cleaning products to ensure that each of the products receives the power necessary to ensure optimal performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited
    Inventors: Brett Reed, Markus Allemann, Doug Rukavina, Mark Reindle, Norm Siegel, Jack W. Gee, Jamie Horvath, Mark Butts
  • Patent number: 8656544
    Abstract: The present invention is a sweeper incorporating multiple rotation elements mounted adjacently in an rotationally offset sequence on a common driven axle. Each rotation element comprises a central shaft support from which extends lightweight extension arms that have laterally elongated spatulate paddles at their ends. The extension arms may be curved so that in operation a terminal edge of each paddle lags the rest of the paddle surface in approaching and sweeping across the floor surface and is quite easily deflected upward from a floor surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Inventor: Kenneth Anderson
  • Patent number: 8607410
    Abstract: An attachment device for a vacuum cleaner includes a rotatable roller having at least one of bristles or flap-type agitating members. The rotatable roller has an axis of rotation extending transversely to a direction of advancement of the attachment device or vacuum cleaner. A motor is configured to rotate a motor shaft for driving the roller. The motor shaft extends transversely to the axis of rotation of the roller. A gear housing receives at least a portion of the roller and has an opening into which the motor shaft or a drive shaft coupled to the motor shaft extends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Miele & Cie. KG
    Inventor: Udo Mersmann
  • 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: 20130205539
    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: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: DYSON TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventor: Dyson Technology Limited
  • Publication number: 20130192024
    Abstract: A cleaning device agitator system having an agitator and one or more cleaning members. The agitator has first and second ends, a longitudinal axis and one or more agitating devices. One or more friction surfaces may project from the spindle. The cleaning members are adjacent the agitator and adapted to move between a first position and a second position. In at least the second position, the cleaning members engage the agitator, such as by engaging the friction surfaces, to remove debris. Agitator and cleaning members may be incorporated into a cleaning head having an inlet nozzle and a chamber in which the agitator rotates, and there may be an activation mechanism using, for example, a resilient member to move the cleaning members. An overload protection device may be provided, and may adjust its sensitivity depending on whether the cleaning devices are in the first or second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: AKTIEBOLAGET ELECTROLUX
    Inventor: AKTIEBOLAGET ELECTROLUX
  • 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: 8468648
    Abstract: An air conditioning coil cleaning system including a portable vacuum blower equipped with a plurality of fluid supply reservoirs and a fluid pump, a suction hose with an electric power cord and fluid supply lines attached to a remote hand held brush head containing an elongated oscillating wiper brush. Fluids may be selectively sprayed onto coils being cleaned while vacuuming to reduce airborne debris and debris accumulation in the coil catch pan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Inventors: Ricky D. Smith, Randy Wilkerson
  • Patent number: 8458856
    Abstract: An upright type cleaner that uniformly provides a suction force through the whole area of a suction port. The upright type cleaner includes a body having a fan motor that generates suction force, a suction brush provided at a lower portion of the body and having a suction port to perform a cleaning operation relative to a floor using the suction force, a rotating drum installed in the suction brush, a belt connected between the rotating drum and the fan motor, a belt cover that guides the belt and divides the suction port into two suction areas, and a connection path through which the two suction areas are communicated to each other about the belt cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Byoung In Lee, Jae Man Joo, Tae Seok Yoon, Hyung Il Jeon, Sung Cheol Lee
  • Publication number: 20130091663
    Abstract: An attachment device for a vacuum cleaner includes a rotatable roller having at least one of bristles or flap-type agitating members. The rotatable roller has an axis of rotation extending transversely to a direction of advancement of the attachment device or vacuum cleaner, A motor is configured to rotate a motor shaft for driving the roller. The motor shaft extends transversely to the axis of rotation of the roller, A gear housing receives at least a portion of the roller and has an opening into which the motor shaft or a drive shaft coupled to the motor shaft extends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: MIELE & CIE. KG
    Inventor: Udo Mersmann
  • Patent number: 8402601
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vacuum cleaner nozzle for cleaning of surfaces such as floors, comprising a rotatable, elongated brush (5), which is provided with brush means and located close to an air inlet opening to the vacuum cleaner. The brush is rotatably driven and adapted to rotate during cleaning to brush off debris and dust from the surface or to accomplish agitation of the surface. A first end of the brush is adapted to be mounted in the vacuum cleaner nozzle by moving the brush in an axial direction, while a second end of the brush is adapted to be mounted in the vacuum cleaner nozzle by moving the brush in a lateral direction, wherein the second end of the brush is maintained in a recess (13) by means of a releasable blocking element (7). The blocking element (7) is quick releasable without any need for a tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: AB Electronlux
    Inventor: Johan Fahlström
  • Patent number: 8347456
    Abstract: A cleaner head for a cleaning appliance includes a rotatable brush bar assembly, a motor for driving the brush bar assembly, and a drive mechanism connecting the motor to the brush bar assembly. The drive mechanism includes a rotatable input drive member connected to the motor, a rotatable output drive member connected to the brush bar assembly and moveable relative to the input drive member in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axes of rotation of the drive members, a belt connecting the input drive member to the output drive member, and a belt tensioning member located between the drive members for tensioning the belt by urging the output drive member away from input drive member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Andrew Paul Sweeby, Nigel Youatt Dymond
  • Publication number: 20120324674
    Abstract: A nozzle assembly for a floor care appliance includes a one-piece body. The one-piece body has a first face and a second face that is opposed to the first face. The first face forms a first cavity while the second face forms a second cavity. A rotary agitator is received in the first cavity. A drive motor is received in the second cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventors: Ryan T. Dant, Eric J. Streciwilk, Richard E. Downey, Shannon D. Phegley
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20120144621
    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: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Steven John FORBES, Spencer James Robert Arthey, Jean-Paul Mark Iles
  • Publication number: 20120144620
    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: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Steven John Forbes, Spencer James Robert Arthey, Jean-Paul Mark Iles
  • Patent number: 8141202
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner housing member having a rigid frame, a grate and a flexible cover. The rigid frame has an outer perimeter and an opening therethrough. The grate is mounted in the opening and has an inner surface, an outer surface, one or more air passages extending from the inner surface to the outer surface, and an outer perimeter wall defining the peripheral edge of the grate. The flexible cover extends over at least one of the one or more air passages and is positioned over at least a portion of the outer surface, extends around at least a portion of the outer perimeter wall, and is positioned over at least a portion of the inner surface. A vacuum cleaner including the housing members similar to the foregoing member is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Care Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas W. Hawkins, Gregory W. Luebbering, Richard J. Eisenmenger
  • Publication number: 20110303239
    Abstract: A floor care apparatus includes a housing having a nozzle assembly and a canister assembly. Both a suction generator and a dirt collection vessel are carried on the housing. An agitator cavity is provided on the nozzle assembly. A rotary agitator is provided in the agitator cavity. The rotary agitator includes an internal space. An agitator drive system is provided in the internal space of the rotary agitator. The agitator drive system includes first and second drive motors that simultaneously drive the agitator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Inventors: Gerald M. Harrison, Michael L. Fry, Toru Odachi, Tatsuo Kikkawa
  • Patent number: 8069530
    Abstract: A spinning bristled roller assembly for the nozzle of a vacuum cleaner or other carpet cleaning apparatus. The roller assembly includes three bearings protected by a comprehensive thread guard system. The three bearing system, in combination with the structure of the tubular roller body and bearing housing provides an assembly having inherently improved balance characteristics that eliminate the prior need for dynamic balancing to ensure vibration-free operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Inventor: James R. Alton
  • Patent number: 8037571
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner accessory tool for use with a vacuum cleaner. The accessory tool includes a nozzle body defining a chamber. An agitator having a first end portion and a second end portion is rotatably supported within the chamber of the nozzle body, and the agitator is removably coupled to the nozzle body. A drive member is coupled to the agitator, and a release member is coupled to the nozzle body and slidable with respect to the nozzle body between an engaged position and a disengaged position. In the engaged position, the release member engages the second end portion of the agitator to couple the agitator to the nozzle body within the chamber. In the disengaged position, the release member allows the agitator to be removed from the chamber of the nozzle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited
    Inventors: Mark Butts, Doug Rukavina
  • Publication number: 20110179596
    Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner comprises a base assembly pivotally connected to an upright assembly. The base assembly comprises an agitator and an agitator drive assembly for selectively driving the agitator. The agitator drive assembly includes a drive disk coupled to a motor shaft, a driven disk which engages the drive disk, and a drive coupling between the driven disk to the agitator. The agitator drive assembly can further include a drive disengager for selectively interrupting the transmission of drive force to the agitator. The agitator drive assembly can further include a speed selector for adjusting the relative speed of rotation of the agitator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2011
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: BISSELL HOMECARE, INC.
    Inventor: Alan J. Krebs
  • 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: 7845045
    Abstract: An upright deep cleaner including a base housing pivotally connected to an upright handle, the upright handle carrying a liquid supply tank and the base housing including a recovery tank. The liquid supply tank includes an internal siphon tube for ensuring liquid flow to a feed valve when the upright handle is in the inclined position. The base housing includes a suction nozzle adjacent a spray bar, and removable floating brush for contacting a surface being cleaned, the brush being interchangeable with a bare floor tool including a sponge, brush, and squeegee. The recovery tank includes an internal baffle for preventing foaming of solution and a tank vent housing including a sponge-type filter to prevent spray from exiting the recovery tank. A vacuum motor cooling outlet is positioned on underside of the base housing to distribute air heated by the motor onto the surface to be cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Bissell Homecare, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth M. Lenkiewicz, Alan J. Krebs
  • Publication number: 20100269857
    Abstract: A method for operating an attachment device for a vacuum cleaner includes an electrically rotatable brush roller and a motor for driving the brush roller. The method includes rotating the brush roller in a normal operational direction during operation. The method further includes rotating the brush roller in a reverse direction opposite to the normal operational direction of rotation, when the brush roller is detected to be jammed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: MIELE & CIE. KG
    Inventors: Walter ASSMANN, Martin BEHRENSWERTH, Guenther ENNEN, Volker MARKS, Cornelius WOLF
  • Publication number: 20100257693
    Abstract: A cleaner head for a cleaning appliance includes a rotatable brush bar assembly, a motor for driving the brush bar assembly, and a drive mechanism connecting the motor to the brush bar assembly. The drive mechanism includes a rotatable input drive member connected to the motor, a rotatable output drive member connected to the brush bar assembly and moveable relative to the input drive member in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axes of rotation of the drive members, a belt connecting the input drive member to the output drive member, and a belt tensioning member located between the drive members for tensioning the belt by urging the output drive member away from input drive member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Applicant: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Andrew Paul SWEEBY, Nigel Youatt Dymond
  • Publication number: 20100242223
    Abstract: A clutch assembly for a surface treatment appliance includes an input clutch member, an output clutch member driven by the input clutch member, a motorized mechanism for effecting relative movement between the input clutch member and the output clutch member from an engaged position, in which torque is transmitted by the output clutch member to an output, to a disengaged position, in which torque is not transmitted to the output, and a control system for actuating the motorized mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: DYSON TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventors: Scott Andrew MAGUIRE, Matthew Charles Edward Wilson
  • Publication number: 20100242224
    Abstract: A clutch assembly for a surface treatment appliance includes an input clutch member, an output clutch member driven by the input clutch member, a control system for determining the difference between the rotational speeds of the input clutch member and the output clutch member, and a drive system for effecting relative movement between the input clutch member and the output clutch member from an engaged position, in which torque is transmitted by the output clutch member to an output, to a disengaged position, in which torque is not transmitted to the output, depending on said difference between the rotational speeds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: DYSON TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventors: Scott Andrew MAGUIRE, Matthew Charles Edward Wilson
  • Publication number: 20100205769
    Abstract: A surface treating head assembly for an appliance such as a vacuum cleaner includes a head and a drivable agitator in the form of a brush bar, rotatably housed in a housing. A motor is arranged to drive a mechanism, such as cams arranged to adjust the position of the brush bar with respect to the housing. An electro-mechanical feedback arrangement, which may include an actuator, is arranged to bear against microswitches to control operation of the motor. Different faces of the actuator are arranged to act against different ones of the microswitches in accordance with different positions of the brush bar. The height of the brush bar is selectively controllable between the predetermined positions, such that the depth of penetration of the bristles of the brush bar may be optimized for different types of carpet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: DYSON TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventors: Andrew Martin Mitchell, Clive James Frederickson
  • Patent number: 7770255
    Abstract: A base has wheels, including a drive wheel, for wheeling the base over a floor. A nozzle is fixed to the base for a fan in the base to draw air from the floor through the nozzle. A handle is connected to the base for propelling the base by manually applying a force to the handle. A drive assist motor, which is not configured to drive the fan, has an output shaft coupled to the drive wheel. The controller is operative in a driving mode to power the motor to rotate the drive wheel in a direction corresponding to a direction of the force applied to the handle. The controller is operative in a non-driving mode to refrain from powering the motor to rotate the drive wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: The Scott Fetzer Company
    Inventors: Terry L. Zahuranec, David Scott Smith
  • Patent number: 7765639
    Abstract: A turbine brush for a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprises a turbine brush body connected to a cleaner body in which a suction force is generated and having a suction path therein, a brush member rotatably mounted to the turbine brush body, a driving unit rotatably mounted in the turbine brush body to drive the brush member, and an inertia member for adding inertia to a driving force of the driving unit. Accordingly, a rotative force is not deteriorated even by small particles such as fine dust and hair, owing to the inertia added to the turbine, thereby improving a cleaning efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Byung-jo Lee, Yun-hee Park, Dong-hun Yoo, Myoung-sun Choung
  • Patent number: 7743463
    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: September 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: H-P Products, Inc.
    Inventor: James F. Smith
  • Publication number: 20100107357
    Abstract: Provided are rotary brush unit which is disposed inside suction port portion and in which two rotary shaft bodies each having brush are disposed in series and driving motor which separately rotates each of the rotary shaft bodies. With such a configuration, since it is possible to change a self-propelling direction of the suction port portion to the left and right direction in addition to the forward direction, it is possible to remarkably reduce the effort involved in an operation of changing the direction of the suction port portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventors: Toru Odachi, Tatsuo Kikkawa
  • Publication number: 20100088843
    Abstract: A cordless, battery-powered system of cleaning products. The system of cleaning products includes devices such as upright vacuums (e.g., a stick vacuum, a lightweight upright vacuum, etc.), a hand-held vacuum, a carpet-cleaner, a canister vacuum, and the like. Each of the devices is powered by a battery pack which is interchangeable among the devices. The battery pack includes a combination of hardware and software for connecting to, identifying, and communicating with the cleaning products to ensure that each of the products receives the power necessary to ensure optimal performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventors: Brett Reed, Markus Allemann, Doug Rukavina, Mark Reindle, Norm Siegel, Jack W. Gee, II, Jamie Horvath, Mark Butts