Drive Details Patents (Class 15/389)
  • Patent number: 7694385
    Abstract: A brush apparatus capable of controlling a drive of a brush member with a simplified structure and a vacuum cleaner having the same. The vacuum cleaner includes a rotatable brush member, a driving unit to drive the brush member, and a blocking unit disposed between the brush member and the driving unit to selectively block a driving force transmitted between the brush member and the driving unit. The driving unit includes a suction motor to generate a suction force, and a single continuous connecting belt connecting the suction motor and the blocking unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Min-jo Choi, Yun-sup Hwang, Tae-gwang Kim
  • Patent number: 7690079
    Abstract: A head (10) for a suction cleaner is described. The head (10) including: a lower housing portion (12); an upper housing portion (14); and a rotatably mounted brush bar (26) mounted within the housing portions (12, 14). The upper housing portion (14) is pivotable relative to the lower housing portion (12) between a closed position for use and an open position in which the brush bar (26) is exposed from above and the front.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: VAX Limited
    Inventors: Andrew David Boddy, Christopher Thomas Elsworthy, Gavin Burnham, Reuben Proud, Bengt Ivar Anders Ivarsson
  • Publication number: 20100017999
    Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner comprises a floor-engaging head portion 11 having a dirty air inlet 12, an upright body portion 10 pivotably mounted to the floor-engaging head portion 11 for movement between parked and in-use positions, an agitator 13 rotatably mounted across the dirty air inlet 12, a motor for driving the agitator via motor shaft 14, a pulley assembly 15 pivotably mounted for rotation between first and second positions about an axis which extends parallel to the axes of rotation of the agitator 13 and motor shaft 14, the assembly 15 including an idler pulley 16 connected to the motor shaft 14 by a first drive belt 18 and to the agitator 13 by a second drive belt 19, the idler pulley 16 being mounted for rotation about an axis which is offset from the axis of rotation of the assembly 15, and an externally-operable foot pedal 30.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventor: Alexander Anthony Denny Bassett
  • Publication number: 20090265878
    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: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Inventors: Greg Bilek, David Cotsmire, Jeff Louis, Ronald Kintz, Kevin Thomas
  • Patent number: 7562415
    Abstract: A driving control apparatus of a rotary brush, which controls a drive of the rotary brush disposed in a suction body of a vacuum cleaner, is disclosed. The driving control apparatus includes a fixing bracket disposed in a suction body of a vacuum cleaner, a link unit pivotably connected to the fixing bracket, a pedal unit connected to one side of the link unit, and a pulley unit to move in combination with the link unit and to connect or separate a driving belt to or from a driving shaft, and the pulley unit is rotated in the same direction as a rotating direction of the driving belt when coming in contact with the driving belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Joo-Sung Moon
  • Patent number: 7458131
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for determining a frequency of a power brush in a vacuum cleaner. According to the method of the present invention, a mechanical oscillation frequency of a driving unit, which includes a brush body reciprocated within a range of prescribed angles, and a torsion bar for providing a prescribed elastic force to angular rotation of the brush body, is set equally to a driving frequency of a power supply unit, which drives the driving unit, or is set a prescribed percentage higher or lower than the driving frequency of the power supply unit, so that the driving unit can resonate. A large amount of movement is obtained using a small amount of power by means of the resonance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Myung Keun Yoo, Jun Young Lim, Yo Han Lee, Sang Young Kim
  • Publication number: 20080271285
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a floor engaging portion and a handle portion pivotally mounted to the floor engaging portion. The handle portion includes an input device. An agitator is rotatably mounted in the floor engaging portion to agitate a floor surface being cleaned. A first motor has an output shaft and an agitator belt selectively drivingly connecting the motor to the agitator. A tensioning arm pivotally mounts to the floor engaging portion for motion between an agitator-on position in which the tensioning arm engages the agitator belt, to place the agitator belt under tension whereby the agitator belt drives the agitator, and an agitator-off position in which the tensioning arm does not engage the agitator belt, to place the agitator belt in a slack condition whereby the agitator belt does not drive the agitator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventors: Edgar A. Maurer, Jack S. Stayer, Evan A. Gordon
  • Publication number: 20080250600
    Abstract: In a suction device for the intake by suction and/or extraction by suction of chips or dust, comprising a lower part (1) which is preferably provided with rollers (17), a collection container (2) which can be placed on said lower part and an upper part (3) which closes said collection container and has a motor-drivable fan (9) and a filter cartridge (7) which separates said fan from the interior of the collection container (2), an air inlet (4) which opens into the collection container (2) and is provided with a connector (6) and an air outlet (5) which is arranged downstream of the fan (9) being provided, a low transport volume can be achieved in a simple manner as a result of the fact that there is arranged between the lower part (1) and upper part (3) a support means which is configured in the manner of a telescope and with which there is associated a means (14) for receiving the upper end region of the collection container (2), the axial length of which is variable and the base of which can be secured to
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Applicant: Scheppach Fabrikation von Holzbeareitungsmaschinen GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Windrich
  • Patent number: 7426770
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a rotating brush driving control apparatus. The rotating brush driving control apparatus includes a supporting bracket disposed in a suction brush assembly; a moving member slidably and elastically disposed in the supporting bracket; a lever disposed above a driving belt, the lever having an end rotatably disposed at a side of the supporting bracket; a tension spring elastically connecting the moving member and the lever; and a locking member disposed below the moving member, the locking member locking or unlocking the moving member in turn according as the moving member is downwardly pressed; wherein, when the locking member locks the moving member, the other end of the lever press the driving belt by the tension spring so that the driving belt transmits the driving power to the rotating brush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Joo-sung Moon
  • Publication number: 20080209672
    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: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Byoung In Lee, Jae Man Joo, Tae Seok Yoon, Hyung Il Jeon, Sung Cheol Lee
  • Publication number: 20080209671
    Abstract: A cleaning head for a surface cleaning apparatus has a plurality of struts extending from a front chamber having a dirty air inlet to a rear chamber having a transition duct that is in communication with a filtration apparatus of a surface cleaning apparatus by a dirty fluid outlet. One or more of the struts comprises an airflow passage. In one embodiment, no outer casing is provided surrounding the struts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: G.B.D. Corp.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • 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: 20080172825
    Abstract: A rotary brush cleaning device including a wheel configured to rotate in a direction based on a direction the rotary brush cleaning device is propelled, a brush element configured to rotate in an opposite direction of the wheel when the rotary brush cleaning device is propelled, a cover configured to enclose a top part of the wheel and the brush element, and a handle that is configured to provide a location for a user to propel the rotary brush cleaning device. A rotary brush cleaning system is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventor: Scot H. Weiss
  • Publication number: 20080127450
    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: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas W. Hawkins, Gregory W. Luebbering, Richard J. Eisenmenger
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20070283522
    Abstract: A brush apparatus capable of controlling a drive of a brush member with a simplified structure and a vacuum cleaner having the same. The vacuum cleaner includes a rotatable brush member, a driving unit to drive the brush member, and a blocking unit disposed between the brush member and the driving unit to selectively block a driving force transmitted between the brush member and the driving unit. The driving unit includes a suction motor to generate a suction force, and a single continuous connecting belt connecting the suction motor and the blocking unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Inventors: Min-Jo Choi, Yun-sup Hwang, Tae-gwang Kim
  • Patent number: 7293326
    Abstract: A motor and brushroll mounting system for a cleaning device. The mounting system includes a motor, an agitator, a drive system, and a bracket. The motor has a rotary driving component adapted to rotate about a drive axis centerline, and a motor housing. The agitator has a rotary member having a driven component and at least one agitator, and at least one fixed member. The rotary member is rotatably held by the fixed member such that it is rotatable about a driven axis centerline. The drive system operatively connects the driving component and the driven component. The bracket is attached at a first end to the motor housing and at the second end to the at least one fixed member, and extends substantially directly therebetween to substantially prevent relative translation between the drive axis centerline and the driven axis centerline. A cleaning device nozzle and an alignment bracket are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Care Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas W. Hawkins, Gregory W. Luebbering, Richard J. Eisenmenger
  • Patent number: 7251858
    Abstract: A floor care apparatus has a nozzle assembly housing an agitator. A motor couples to the agitator to drive it at two or more speeds and constant suction power. A user indicates their mode-of-operation preference by positioning a switch. An agitator motor control circuit, responsive to the switch, effectuates motor control by supplying either a fixed duty cycle signal or a substantially constant voltage signal. The fixed duty cycle signal includes a waveform with a substantially constant voltage value that is on for a first or first and second of four quarters of the waveform period. Thereafter, it repeats for additional periods. The switch preferably embodies a resistor network and a fixed current source that creates a voltage input to an A/D converter that falls within a specified range. Other apparatus embodiments contemplate multiple agitators with one or more agitator motors. A suction fan motor, separate from the agitator motor(s), may also exist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventors: J. Erik Hitzelberger, George N. Woolcott
  • Patent number: 7246408
    Abstract: A cleaning tool for a vacuum cleaning device has a housing having a bottom plate with a working slot. A rotatingly driven working tool is rotatably supported in the housing and passes through the working slot to act on a surface to be cleaned. A motor is arranged in the housing and has a motor shaft. A gear system is connected between the motor and the working tool, wherein the gear system has a driving wheel driven by the motor shaft and a driven wheel fixedly connected to the working tool. The driving wheel and the driven wheel are V-belt pulleys and have a peripheral groove, respectively. The gear system further has a V-gear positioned between the driving wheel and the driven wheel, wherein the V-gear has an outer periphery that engages the peripheral grooves for establishing a driving connection between the driving wheel and the driven wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Düpro AG
    Inventor: Peter Worwag
  • Patent number: 7228593
    Abstract: An appliance comprises a moving member, a drive motor, and a linkage drivingly connecting the drive motor to the moving member, the linkage including first and second magnetic coupling members The magnetic clutch may have first and second magnetic coupling members. Each magnetic coupling member has a first surface, which includes at least first and second magnets. Each of the first and second magnets have an outer pole and the outer poles of each of the first magnets and the outer poles of each of the second magnets are of reverse polarity, wherein at least one of the first and second magnetic coupling members is moveably mounted with respect to the other of the first and second magnetic coupling members in a direction perpendicular to the first faces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Polar Light Limited
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Patent number: 7197789
    Abstract: A beater bar assembly for use within a vacuum cleaner is disclosed. The beater bar assembly is capable of both axial oscillation (horizontal motion) and axial rotation, thereby providing an efficient cleaning motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Inventor: Emery Emmert
  • Patent number: 7165286
    Abstract: An agitator includes a high strength, continuous metal axle, a pulley held on one end of the metal axle and a sleeve of lightweight plastic material received over the axle. The agitator is manufactured by molding a pulley body onto an underlying metal support or D-nut, fitting an axle into the pulley, molding a sleeve around the axle and securing a cleaning structure on the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Roney, Eric E. Muhlenkamp
  • Patent number: 7100234
    Abstract: A suction nozzle for a floor care appliance such as an upright vacuum cleaner having at least a first channel located above an agitator to carry air and dirt to a suction passageway. The cleaner has several embodiments, one of which has a single channel and a single agitator. Another embodiment has front and rear suction ducts, a channel, and a single agitator. Yet another embodiment has the single channel and dual agitators. Still yet another embodiment has front and rear suction ducts and dual agitators. Further yet still, another embodiment has front and rear suction ducts, a channel, and dual agitators. Several embodiments of an agitator drive assembly are provided using various means to provide rotary power to the agitator(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: The Hoover Company
    Inventors: Vincent L. Weber, Greg A. Bilek
  • Patent number: 7007336
    Abstract: An agitator includes a high strength, continuous metal axle, a pulley held on one end of the metal axle and a sleeve of lightweight plastic material received over the axle. The agitator is manufactured by molding a pulley body onto an underlying metal support or D-nut, fitting an axle into the pulley, molding a sleeve around the axle and securing a cleaning structure on the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Roney, Eric E. Muhlenkamp
  • Patent number: 6964082
    Abstract: Accordingly, the primary object of the present invention is to provide a waste recycle vacuum cleaner for generating power which comprises a flow guide seat, a flow guide tube, at least one blade set and at least one driving device. By above components, exhausted waste gas from the vacuum cleaner is recycled through the flow guide seat to be as a wind power. The wind passes through the outlet to pass through the flow guide tube. The blade set serves to convert the wind power to the dynamic power for driving at least one driving device. Thereby, waste gas from the vacuum cleaner is recycled as a dynamic power to drive a driving device and to dissipate the heat of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Zweita International Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chih-Kao Hsu
  • Patent number: 6918155
    Abstract: A floor cleaning apparatus such as an upright vacuum cleaner, an extractor or a powerhead for a canister vacuum cleaner includes twin agitators that are operatively connected together by means of a worm gear drive assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventor: Michael S. Yacobi
  • Patent number: 6915544
    Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner includes a housing, a nozzle opening in the housing and a dust collector carried on the housing. A suction fan is also carried on the housing. The suction fan draws air, dirt and debris from a surface to be cleaned through the nozzle opening to the dust collector. The upright vacuum cleaner also includes a first rotary agitator and a second rotary agitator, both carried on the housing. A drive motor carried on the housing drives the first rotary agitator through the belt and pulley assembly. A gear drive assembly drivingly connects the first rotary agitator to the second rotary agitator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Roney, Ron E. Davis
  • Patent number: 6848147
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a housing adapted for movement on a subjacent surface and a nozzle defined in the housing, the nozzle having an opening. A brushroll tube, having first and second ends and a longitudinal axis, is rotatably mounted to the housing adjacent the nozzle opening. At least one cleaning element protrudes from the brushroll tube. A shaft is located in the brushroll tube and extends along the longitudinal axis thereof. A stator is rigidly mounted on the shaft. A cylinder surrounds the shaft and the stator and is spaced therefrom. The cylinder is rigidly connected to the brushroll tube. A permanent magnet rotor is fixedly mounted to an interior surface of the cylinder. The permanent magnet rotor overlies and is coaxial with the stator and is spaced therefrom. The rotor and stator form a motor for rotating the brushroll tube wherein the rotor is driven by changes in induced magnetic fields in the stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Royal Appliance Mfg. Co.
    Inventors: Charles D. Syverson, James Vernon Cunningham, I. Michael Gomes, Mark E. Reindle
  • Publication number: 20040221418
    Abstract: A cleaner having a brush includes a suction motor mounted in a main body, and generating a suction force; a filter for collecting dust or filth sucked by the suction force generated at the suction motor; a suction head connected with the filter by a suction pipe, and having an inlet through which dust and filth on a floor are sucked; and a brush rotatably mounted at an inside of the suction head. The inlet is partitioned off into a first section and a second section by a belt cover for protecting a belt winding around the brush, and a flow passage unit is formed at the brush so that air can flow between the first and second sections. Accordingly, air can flow smoothly at a portion, which is blocked by the belt cover, and thus cleaning performance can be improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Hyeun Sik Nam, Yong Woo Lee, Ho-Seon Rew, Choon Myun Chung
  • 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: 6785933
    Abstract: A suction head of a vacuum cleaner with a power brush to dislodge and remove debris from an object to be cleaned is provided. The suction head includes a head case connected to a cleaner body via a connecting tube and having a suction hold on a lower surface thereof, a power brush positioned in the head externally protruding from the head case through the suction hole allowing contact with an object to be cleaned, a supporting unit fixed in the head case for supporting the power brush to allow rotary and linear movements thereof, a rotary operating unit positioned between the supporting unit and the power brush for rotating the power brush, and a linear operating unit installed between the supporting unit and power brush for moving the power brushing linearly. With such structure, the size of the suction head is reduced and cleaning performance is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Tae Heoung Kim, Seung Hee Ryu
  • Patent number: 6779231
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner brushroll including a spindle rotated by a drive belt having grooves in its inner drive surface extending lengthwise around the belt, and a pulley formed in one-piece with the spindle, the pulley having a flat, smooth belt surface parallel to the spindle axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: The Scott Fetzer Company
    Inventors: Alfred H. Stegens, Eric A. Stegens
  • Patent number: 6772476
    Abstract: An improved suction head of a vacuum cleaner with a power brush is provided. A head case of the suction head is connected to a cleaner body with a connecting tube, and a power brush is positioned in the head case so as to allow the power brush to be in both rotary and linear motion. A two degree-of-freedom motor installed on both a moving frame and a fixed frame of the power brush allows the power brush to move in both a rotary and linear fashion. Thus, it is possible to reduce the size of the suction head while also improving cleaning performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Jin Soo Park
  • Publication number: 20040134014
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a vacuum cleaner for cleaning several floor types. The vacuum cleaner includes a rotational brush roll for interfacing with the several floor types, a multi-speed motor for driving the brush roll, a speed control mechanism for controlling the speed of the multi-speed motor, and an input mechanism whereby a user selects a speed of the multi-speed motor. Further, the input mechanism is associated with at least three different speed settings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas W. Hawkins, Christer Kontio, Cennert Steffen, Donald Davidshofer
  • Patent number: 6757934
    Abstract: A suction head of a vacuum cleaner with a power brush is provided. In the suction head of the vacuum cleaner with the power brush, the power brush rotatively contacts objects to be cleaned and separates alien substances from the objects to be cleaned, to thus let the vacuum cleaner suck up the alien substances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Jin Soo Park
  • Publication number: 20040019992
    Abstract: An agitator includes a high strength, continuous metal axle, a pulley held on one end of the metal axle and a sleeve of lightweight plastic material received over the axle. The agitator is manufactured by molding a pulley body onto an underlying metal support or D-nut, fitting an axle into the pulley, molding a sleeve around the axle and securing a cleaning structure on the sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Roney, Eric E. Muhlenkamp
  • Publication number: 20040000023
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a cannister assembly, a nozzle assembly, and a suction generator that draws air, dust, dirt and debris from a surface to be cleaned through the nozzle assembly to a collection vessel. A rotary agitator carried on the nozzle assembly is driven by a motor in a forward or a rearward direction. Depending upon the direction of rotation, the rotary agitator propels the nozzle assembly in the forward or rearward direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Publication date: January 1, 2004
    Inventors: J. Erik Hitzelberger, John A. Cloud, Eric J. Streciwilk, Hiroshi Nishimura, Hiroshi Nakao
  • Publication number: 20030188397
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a housing adapted for movement on a subjacent surface and a nozzle defined in the housing, the nozzle having an opening. A brushroll tube, having first and second ends and a longitudinal axis, is rotatably mounted to the housing adjacent the nozzle opening. At least one cleaning element protrudes from the brushroll tube. A shaft is located in the brushroll tube and extends along the longitudinal axis thereof. A stator is rigidly mounted on the shaft. A cylinder surrounds the shaft and the stator and is spaced therefrom. The cylinder is rigidly connected to the brushroll tube. A permanent magnet rotor is fixedly mounted to an interior surface of the cylinder. The permanent magnet rotor overlies and is coaxial with the stator and is spaced therefrom. The rotor and stator form a motor for rotating the brushroll tube wherein the rotor is driven by changes in induced magnetic fields in the stator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2002
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Applicant: Royal Appliance Mfg. Co.
    Inventors: Charles D. Syverson, James Vernon Cunningham, I. Michael Gomes, Mark E. Reindle
  • Patent number: 6550099
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaning tool for a vacuum cleaning device has a housing having a vacuum connector connected to the vacuum cleaning device. The housing has an underside and an elongate intake opening arranged in the underside. A brush roll is arranged in the housing parallel to the elongate intake opening. A drive is arranged in the housing and drivingly coupled to the brush roll. An exchangeable vacuum shoe is detachably connected to the housing and has two wall portions extending at least approximately parallel to the brush roll. The brush roll is arranged between the two wall portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Düpro AG
    Inventor: Peter Wörwag
  • Publication number: 20020194697
    Abstract: A suction head of a vacuum cleaner with a power brush is provided. In the suction head of the vacuum cleaner with the power brush, the power brush rotatively contacts objects to be cleaned and separates alien substances from the objects to be cleaned, to thus let the vacuum cleaner suck up the alien substances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Jin Soo Park
  • Patent number: 6463623
    Abstract: A power brush assembly for vacuum cleaners is disclosed. In the power brush assembly, a casing is set in the suction part of a vacuum cleaner and defines a suction nozzle used for sucking dust-laden air under pressure into the suction part of the vacuum cleaner. A power brush is set within the casing such that the brush is rotatable and reciprocable to the left and right. This power brush is used for brushing dust and impurities on a target surface. A drive motor generates a rotating force for allowing the power brush to rotate and reciprocate to the left and right within the casing. A power transmission mechanism connects the drive motor to the power brush so as to transmit the rotating force of the drive motor to the power brush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Ho Ahn, Jin Soo Park
  • Patent number: 6449800
    Abstract: A blower head, comprising a frame, a brush rotatably supported by the frame, a sweeper drive adapted for rotating said brush to sweep a surface, and a blower unit adapted for removing swept-up particles away from the surface. The frame includes a mouth portion and a throat portion. The brush is rotatably supported by the frame within the mouth portion. The sweeper drive rotates the brush to sweep particles such as snow or ice on a surface toward the frame. The mouth portion and the throat portion are constructed and arranged to funnel swept-up particles from the mouth portion and into the throat portion and the blower unit positioned therein. The blower head further includes an exit chute. The blower unit creates a pressure differential between the mouth portion and the exit chute sufficient to draw the swept-up particles from the mouth portion and into the throat portion, and to blow the swept-up particles out through the exit chute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Inventor: Brooks M. Gotham
  • Patent number: 6446302
    Abstract: The invention relates to an extraction cleaning machine including condition sensors for generating condition signals representative of a condition of the surface being cleaned, a controller, and variable-control cleaning systems, wherein the controller sends control signals to the variable-control cleaning systems in response to sensor signals received from the condition sensors. The invention further relates to a self-propelled extraction cleaning machine, and to an extraction cleaning machine including condition sensors and audible or visual indicators to notify the operator of the condition of the surface being cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Bissell Homecare, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary A. Kasper, Samuel N. Hansen, Jonathan L. Miner, David E. McDowell
  • Publication number: 20020088080
    Abstract: An ostomy appliance and a mounting disc include an ostomy pouch having a stoma receiving portal. The mounting disc is sealed about the portal and includes a flexible plastic disc having a convex central body portion and a surrounding annular rim. A first foam disc having an outer diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the rim is adhesively adhered to the plastic disc. A second foam disc is adhered to an adhesive face of the first foam disc and has an outer diameter greater than the plastic disc. A hydrocolloid skin shield disc having an outer diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the second foam disc is adhesively adhered to an adhesive face of the second disc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2001
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Inventor: Gary H. Fenton
  • Publication number: 20020088081
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner base assembly includes a housing and a motor having a driveshaft. The motor is mounted in the housing and a brush is rotatably mounted in the housing in a spaced manner from the motor. An endless belt is looped over the driveshaft and the brush, and extends therebetween. A motor holding bracket is mounted to the housing. The motor holding bracket has a finger which resiliently urges the motor away from the brush, increasing a distance between the driveshaft and the brush, thereby tensioning the belt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2001
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Applicant: Royal Appliance Mfg. Co.
    Inventors: Robert A. Vystrcil, Steven J. Paliobeis
  • Publication number: 20020032948
    Abstract: A power brush assembly for vacuum cleaners is disclosed. In the power brush assembly, a casing is set in the suction part of a vacuum cleaner and defines a suction nozzle used for sucking dust-laden air under pressure into the suction part of the vacuum cleaner. A power brush is set within the casing such that the brush is rotatable and reciprocable to the left and right. This power brush is used for brushing dust and impurities on a target surface. A drive motor generates a rotating force for allowing the power brush to rotate and reciprocate to the left and right within the casing. A power transmission mechanism connects the drive motor to the power brush so as to transmit the rotating force of the drive motor to the power brush.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Inventors: Jun Ho Ahn, Jin Soo Park
  • Publication number: 20010054214
    Abstract: A turbo tool includes a housing forming a hollow section. The housing includes at least one air inlet and a nozzle opening spaced from the air inlet, a brushroll rotatably mounted in the housing and within the nozzle opening and a turbine. The turbine is drivingly connected to the brushroll for rotating the brushroll. The turbine is driven by a first airflow through the air inlet. A rotational axis of the brushroll is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the turbine and parallel to a longitudinal axis of the housing. A first conduit is located in the housing and connected to the nozzle opening. A second airflow occurs through the first conduit. A second conduit is fluidly connected to the first conduit and to a third conduit. The first and second airflows merge into the second conduit. A swivel attachment is connected to the third conduit and swivels the housing between two positions approximately 180 degrees apart and is locked into one of the two positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Publication date: December 27, 2001
    Applicant: Royal Appliance Mfg. Co.
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Kalman, Craig M. Saunders, David Di Nunzio, Michael A. Seifried
  • Patent number: 6279197
    Abstract: An accessory system for a ductwork cleaning machine that utilizes a vacuum hose having a rotating cleaning brush the vacuum and the power for the rotating brush being supplied from a remote power unit with a rotating drive cable being located within the vacuum hose. The accessories permit more efficient operation of the ductwork cleaning system. The first accessory is an improved nozzle for mounting the rotating brush which permits large vacuum openings without the risk of an operator becoming entangled with the rotating cable. A second accessory prevents the cable from withdrawing within the vacuum hose when the hose is disconnected from the power unit. The third to accessory is attached to the power unit and guides the guide cable into place as the vacuum hose is attached to the power unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Rotobrush
    Inventors: J. Dudley Crutcher, Pat Hyland, Scott Peterson, Craig Smith
  • Patent number: 6243917
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner head has a casing having a dirty air inlet and a brush mounted above the dirty air inlet and moveable with respect to the dirty air inlet. The brush is pivotally mounted to the casing by a pivot member at a position forward of the brush. The pivot member transmits force generated by the rotation of the brush to the casing thereby reducing the required offsetting upward biasing force and permitting effective floating of brush in the vacuum cleaner head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Fantom Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Patent number: 6226832
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a housing having a nozzle assembly and a handle. An agitator shield is held in the nozzle assembly. An agitator is mounted for rotation relative to the nozzle assembly in an agitator chamber. A fan and motor assembly mounted to the housing drive the agitator and provide suction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Matsushita Home Appliance Corporation of America
    Inventor: Michael J. McCormick