Belt Or Drive Housings Or Other Protective Features Patents (Class 15/391)
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Publication number: 20140196250Abstract: The principles and embodiments of the presently claimed invention relate to steerable, light-weight, low-profile suction bases for upright cleaning apparatuses that utilize a smaller suction base body to reduce weight and bulk, while still providing sufficient room for an internally mounted brush roll motor and controller PCB, plus additional mechanical and electrical components in the suction base.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2013Publication date: July 17, 2014Applicant: Techtronic Floor Care Technology LimitedInventors: Jeff Morgan, Dennis Lamb, Steven Myers, George V. Hibbs
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Patent number: 8776311Abstract: A cleaner head for a vacuum cleaner houses a hollow brush bar mounted for rotation about an axis. This brush bar is driven by a motor housed inside the hollow brush bar, the motor forming part of a drive assembly supported at one end of the cleaner head. The brush bar is arranged for removal from the cleaner head by sliding the brush bar along the axis and out through an opening at the opposite end of the cleaner head and the brush bar is rotatably supported in clearance around the drive assembly by a first bearing, which bearing engages the brush bar in a corresponding axial-sliding fit to allow said sliding removal of the brush bar.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2013Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: Dyson Technology LimitedInventors: Stuart Lloyd Genn, Christopher Lesniowski, Stephen Benjamin Courtney
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Patent number: 8776310Abstract: A cleaner head for a vacuum cleaner has a dirty-air inlet provided in a main suction chamber of the cleaner head, an outlet duct extending from the main suction chamber for connection to a suction source, and a rotating brush bar housed inside the main suction chamber for agitating a floor surface contacted through the dirty-air inlet. The brush bar is driven by an air-cooled motor housed inside a hollow section of the brush bar, the motor having an air intake and an air exhaust fluidly connected to one another to form an air cooling path through the inside of the motor. The air intake is connected to a clean air inlet on the cleaner head and the air exhaust is fluidly connected to the outlet duct by an exhaust duct which bypasses the main suction chamber.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2013Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: Dyson Technology LimitedInventors: Stuart Lloyd Genn, Christopher Lesniowski, Stephen Benjamin Courtney
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Patent number: 8756757Abstract: A belt drive disengaging assembly for a vacuum cleaner includes a pivoting belt tensioner and an actuator assembly, wherein movement of the actuator assembly selectively pivots the belt tensioner to place tension on a belt coupled between an agitator and source of driving power, thereby coupling the agitator with the source of driving power.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2011Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignee: BISSELL Homecare, Inc.Inventor: Phong Hoang Tran
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Patent number: 8607410Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: December 17, 2013Assignee: Miele & Cie. KGInventor: Udo Mersmann
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Patent number: 8533902Abstract: A vacuum assembly having a housing and a motor and motor shaft secured within the housing; a fan coupled to the motor shaft and an air intake port and an air exhaust port located within the housing; a circuit board mounted in a cooling air path in the housing, wherein the cooling air path is located between the air intake port and the air exhaust port such that the fan causes cool air to flow across the circuit board; a pulley assembly coupled to the motor shaft and including a disposable belt, the pulley assembly located in the housing in such position that the circuit board blocks access to the disposable belt; a first connector portion secured to the circuit board; a second connector portion coupled to a plurality of wires coupled to at least the motor; the first and second connector portions configured to mate in a single direction.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2011Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: Shop Vac CorporationInventors: Neil N. Norell, Melvin E. Wolfe, Jr., James M. Robitaille, Doug Adams, Jonathan Miller
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Patent number: 8528158Abstract: A cleaner head for a cleaning appliance including a housing having an air outlet, a rotary brush bar assembly located within a chamber of the housing, the chamber having an air outlet which is in fluid communication with the air outlet of the housing, and a drive mechanism for driving the brush bar assembly, the drive mechanism extending into the chamber between first and second side walls of the chamber, wherein the brush bar assembly comprises a first brush bar section located within a first section of the chamber between the drive mechanism and the first side wall of the chamber, and a second brush bar section located within a second section of the chamber between the drive mechanism and the second side wall of the chamber, and wherein the air outlet of the chamber extends between and into both sections of the chamber.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2010Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: Dyson Technology LimitedInventors: Scott Andrew Maguire, Andrew James Bower
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Patent number: 8516655Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 3, 2007Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: Techtronic Floor Care Technology LimitedInventors: Edgar A. Maurer, Jack S. Stayer, Jr., Evan A. Gordon
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Publication number: 20130167321Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2013Publication date: July 4, 2013Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventor: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
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Patent number: 8458856Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 30, 2008Date of Patent: June 11, 2013Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Byoung In Lee, Jae Man Joo, Tae Seok Yoon, Hyung Il Jeon, Sung Cheol Lee
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Patent number: 8347456Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 6, 2010Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: Dyson Technology LimitedInventors: Andrew Paul Sweeby, Nigel Youatt Dymond
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Publication number: 20120090133Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an installation structure for an agitator installed in a dust suction unit of a robot cleaner to scatter foreign substances distributed in a working area comprises: a holder which is connected to a driving motor for providing a torque to the agitator and has a part exposed to the inside of the dust suction unit; and a fixing shaft for forming a rotation shaft of the agitator and having a shape of a polygonal pillar or a shape of a pillar including at least one projection, wherein a shaft insertion part is formed in the holder, has a dented shape corresponding to the shape of the fixing shaft, and can be engaged and rotated with the fixing shaft while the fixing shaft is inserted into and installed at the holder. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the easy separation and installation of the agitator and the enablement of simultaneous rotation of the agitator and a side brush can improve user satisfaction.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2009Publication date: April 19, 2012Inventors: Sung-Guen Kim, In-Bo Shim, Byung-Doo Yim, Ji-Hoon Sung, Bong-Ju Kim
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Patent number: 8096015Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 21, 2009Date of Patent: January 17, 2012Assignee: H-P Products, Inc.Inventor: James F. Smith
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Publication number: 20110203073Abstract: A vacuum cleaner has a brush roll which has a housing. A motor is disposed within the housing and has a pulley mounted on a shaft of the motor. A roller is disposed within the housing and has a drive wheel. A belt couples the pulley to the drive wheel, so that the motor can drive the roller. The roller has bristles for sweeping a surface to be cleaned.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2011Publication date: August 25, 2011Applicant: JOHNSON ELECTRIC S.A.Inventors: Ching Hang LEUNG, Jian Wen ZHANG, Jian Jun LIU, Xiao Ping LV
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Patent number: 7950105Abstract: A motor-driven endless absorbent belt on an apparatus may be used for scrubbing or polishing surfaces, or removing liquid from surfaces. The belt is located about a cleaning head demountable from a housing for replacement of the belt, a roller mounted to the head and cooperating with a roller mounted to the housing to squeeze liquid and contaminants from the belt into a first reservoir in the housing. A driven roller mounted on the removable cleaning head preferably encloses a rotary motor, the belt being pinched between the driven roller and the housing-mounted roller.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2007Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: C Enterprise (HK) LimitedInventor: Christopher Thomas Elsworthy
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Patent number: 7937804Abstract: A drive belt shifting arrangement for a rotatable brush roller of an upright cleaner where the shifter has an idler pulley for arcuate movement within the loop of the belt between the roller and the motor occasioned by pedal actuation. The same pedal action by the user alternately cams the belt onto the idler pulley to discontinue roller rotation or to permit its movement back to the motor shaft to allow roller rotation.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2009Date of Patent: May 10, 2011Assignee: Royal Appliance Mfg. Co.Inventors: Chris Charlton, Steven Wang Pi Wen, Ng Wing Leung
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Patent number: 7849558Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 10, 2006Date of Patent: December 14, 2010Inventors: Bengt Ivar Anders Ivarsson, Reuben Proud
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Patent number: 7802338Abstract: A rain-gutter cleaning system has an agitator head that is mounted to the top end of a long suction tube and pole and supported aloft by them. A vacuum pump on the ground is connected to bring rain-gutter debris down the suction tube and into a collection bag. The agitator head includes opposite, synchronized rotating paddles that tear and break up tangles and clogs encountered in a rain gutter and that helps direct the loosened debris down the throat of the suction tube. An optional camera mounted atop the agitator head allows an operator on the ground below to see the performance inside of the rain gutter on a small monitor screen.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2009Date of Patent: September 28, 2010Inventor: Ira George Hall
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Patent number: 7743463Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 16, 2005Date of Patent: June 29, 2010Assignee: H-P Products, Inc.Inventor: James F. Smith
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Publication number: 20100095478Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2009Publication date: April 22, 2010Applicant: H-P PRODUCTS, INC.Inventor: James F. Smith
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Patent number: 7694385Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 8, 2007Date of Patent: April 13, 2010Assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Min-jo Choi, Yun-sup Hwang, Tae-gwang Kim
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Patent number: 7526834Abstract: A vacuum cleaning head includes a housing having an agitator in the form of a brush bar rotatably arranged in a chamber having an air inlet and an air outlet and also includes an air turbine for driving the brush bar is provided. The air turbine has its own air inlet for admitting clean air to drive the turbine. A restricting member is arranged in the outlet of the chamber so as to restrict the cross-section of the outlet when the head is pressed against a surface to be cleaned and to restrict the flow of air from the brush bar chamber. The restricting member is designed to distribute incoming air between the main inlet and the turbine inlet in a satisfactory ratio. Thus, more air flows through the turbine, enabling it to drive the brush bar at high rotational speed.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2005Date of Patent: May 5, 2009Assignee: Dyson Technology LimitedInventor: James Martin Coleman
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Patent number: 7475450Abstract: A belt drive system for a mechanical cleaning device that require counter-rotating brushes and/or scrubbers, comprising two belts 42 and 44, a drive shaft 36, a pulley 32, and two rotary brushes 22 and 24. The first belt 44 engages drive shaft 36 and rotary brush 24 by friction contact and transfers rotary power from shaft 36 to rotary brush 24 through the rotation of belt 44. The second belt 42 engages pulley 32 and rotary brush 22 by friction contact so that they turn together. Pulley 32 is positioned relative drive shaft 36 so that the exterior surface of first belt 44 engages the exterior surface of second belt 42 by friction contact. Rotary power is thereby transferred from belt 44 to belt 42 by this friction contact between the two belts. Because the exterior of two belts 42 and 44 are in friction contact they must the must rotate in opposite directions and thereby drive rotary brushes 22 and 24 in opposite directions, respectfully.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2005Date of Patent: January 13, 2009Inventor: Gary Dean Ragner
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Publication number: 20080289142Abstract: A motor-driven endless absorbent belt on an apparatus may be used for scrubbing or polishing surfaces, or removing liquid from surfaces. The belt is located about a cleaning head demountable from a housing for replacement of the belt, a roller mounted to the head and cooperating with a roller mounted to the housing to squeeze liquid and contaminants from the belt into a first reservoir in the housing. A driven roller mounted on the removable cleaning head preferably encloses a rotary motor, the belt being pinched between the driven roller and the housing-mounted roller.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2007Publication date: November 27, 2008Applicant: C ENTERPRISE (HK) LIMITEDInventor: Christopher Thomas Elsworthy
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Patent number: 7426770Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 20, 2006Date of Patent: September 23, 2008Assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Joo-sung Moon
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Publication number: 20080209672Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2008Publication date: September 4, 2008Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Byoung In Lee, Jae Man Joo, Tae Seok Yoon, Hyung Il Jeon, Sung Cheol Lee
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Patent number: 7418764Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner is provided having a suction nozzle height adjustment arrangement controlled by a rotary mode control member located on the upper housing. The rotary mode control member controls a suction nozzle height adjustment motor and a rotary agitator drive disconnect arrangement. A wheel tensioner located on an idler arm is operatively connected to a cam on the suction nozzle height adjustment motor which tensions and de-tensions the agitator drive belt to control the rotary agitator. The rotary mode control member could have discrete settings for the various floor surfaces to be cleaned including bare floors and carpet of varying pile heights. Alternately, the rotary mode control member could be variable so that an infinite number of suction nozzle height settings can be selected.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2006Date of Patent: September 2, 2008Assignee: The Hoover CompanyInventors: Evan A. Gordon, Kenneth H. Cooper, Andrew C. Budd, Jack S. Stayer
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Patent number: 7318250Abstract: A bare floor switch assembly for a power head or an upright vacuum cleaner includes a mounting bracket, an idler and idler arm pivotally mounted to the mounting bracket, a biaser for biasing the idler and idler arm to an agitator drive interrupting position and a switch body for engaging and locking the idler arm into an agitator driving position.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2006Date of Patent: January 15, 2008Assignee: Panasonic Corporation of North AmericaInventor: Jeffrey T. Roney
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Publication number: 20070283522Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2007Publication date: December 13, 2007Inventors: Min-Jo Choi, Yun-sup Hwang, Tae-gwang Kim
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Patent number: 7243393Abstract: The invention is an agitator configuration for a floor care appliance such as an upright vacuum cleaner. The floor care appliance is provided with at least two agitator chambers each having at least one rotary agitator member disposed therein. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a vacuum cleaner suction nozzle is provided with symmetric left and right agitator disposed adjacent one another. A front agitator assembly comprised of a left and right agitator half-section is disposed in the left and right agitator chambers, respectively. A rear agitator is located rearward of the front agitator assembly and is also comprised of a left and right agitator half-section disposed in the left and right agitator chambers, respectively. A plurality of brush members extend from each agitator half-section arranged in a helical pattern around the circumference of each of the agitator-half-sections.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2002Date of Patent: July 17, 2007Assignee: The Hoover CompanyInventors: Glenn J. Matusz, Kurt D. Harsh, Greg A. Bilek
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Patent number: 7219389Abstract: A nozzle assembly housing includes a first wall, a second wall and an access opening in those walls. A locking tab receiver is provided on the first wall adjacent the access opening. A notch is provided on the second wall adjacent the access opening. Finally, a separate, removable panel closes the access opening. That panel includes a locking tab on a first edge that engages the locking tab receiver and a hinge lug on a second edge that is pivotally received in the notch.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2004Date of Patent: May 22, 2007Assignee: Panasonic Corporation of North AmericaInventors: Danielle M. Hafling, Eric E. Muhlenkamp
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Patent number: 7120964Abstract: A bare floor switch assembly for a power head or an upright vacuum cleaner includes a mounting bracket, an idler and idler arm pivotally mounted to the mounting bracket, a biaser for biasing the idler and idler arm to an agitator drive interrupting position and a switch body for engaging and locking the idler arm into an agitator driving position.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2002Date of Patent: October 17, 2006Assignee: Panasonic Corporation of North AmericaInventor: Jeffrey T. Roney
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Patent number: 6915544Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 19, 2002Date of Patent: July 12, 2005Assignee: Panasonic Corporation of North AmericaInventors: Jeffrey T. Roney, Ron E. Davis
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Patent number: 6892420Abstract: A vacuum cleaner that has a rotary floor agitator driven by a motor has a hair cutter blade mounted adjacent a motor shaft that drives the agitator and/or at the ends of the agitator. The agitator is driven by an electric motor through a drive belt. The cutter blade(s) are designed to sever elongate particles, such as hair or threads that would build up on the agitation brush, drive belt and motor output shaft to hinder the operation of the brush and belt or otherwise dislodged the belt from the motor shaft.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2002Date of Patent: May 17, 2005Assignee: Bissell Homecare, Inc.Inventors: David L. Haan, Tom Minh Nguyen
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Patent number: 6859970Abstract: An agitator includes an axle, a pulley having a hub mounted to the axle and a belt receiving face having at least one lengthwise channel and a sleeve of molded material received over the axle and in the at least one lengthwise channel. A method of constructing an agitator from an axle and pulley includes the fitting of the axle into the pulley, the injecting of plastic resin into one end of the agitator forming mold on a first side of the pulley and the directing of plastic through at least one channel in the pulley to a second side of the pulley.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2002Date of Patent: March 1, 2005Assignee: Matsushita Electric Corporation of AmericaInventors: Jeffrey T. Roney, Eric E. Muhlenkamp
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Patent number: 6842941Abstract: A suction port assembly of a vacuum cleaner. The suction port assembly has a pair of suction paths formed at a front and a rear portions of a bottom of a suction port body, respectively, so as to enhance the cleaning efficiency, and due to a presence of an elastic member formed at a front edge of the suction port body as shock-buffer, the reduction of the durability incurred by the collision with an external obstacle is prevented. Meanwhile, in case that a floorcloth is rotatably disposed on a lower surface of the bottom of the suction port body, since the suction port assembly further includes a floorcloth cover protruding from the bottom of the suction port body toward a cleaning surface, the safety of a user is guaranteed.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2001Date of Patent: January 18, 2005Assignee: Samsung Kwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Byung-jo Lee
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Patent number: 6823558Abstract: A vacuum cleaner brush having a case and a rotary element on which a floor cloth is attached. The rotary element is rotatably disposed on a lower portion of the case. A housing is disposed in the case, having a motor disposed therein, the motor rotatably driving the rotary element. A first and second bushing into which the driven shaft of the rotary element is provided with a blocking element protruding from a bottom surface of the case in the shape of a cylinder along a circumference of the first bushing for preventing dust and dirt from flowing into the first bushing. A ring element protrudes from an upper and inner circumference of the first bushing toward an outer circumference of the driven shaft, the ring element prevents dust and dirt from flowing into the housing. Dust and dirt are thereby prevented from flowing into the housing and damaging various components such as the motor and gears in the housing.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2002Date of Patent: November 30, 2004Assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Byung-jo Lee
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Publication number: 20040045125Abstract: A rotary brush for a vacuum cleaner comprises a drum 110 rotatably supported in a housing 21 of a brush assembly 20 and provided with bristles 111 on outer circumference, a bearing 120 including outer 122 and inner races 121 and having the outer race 122 press-fit in a groove 112 formed at an end of the drum 110, and a holder 130 having one side connected with the housing 21 and another side supporting the inner race 121 for the drum 110 to be rotatably supported in the housing 21. According to the present invention having the above-described structure, the number of parts can be reduced, thereby reducing the number of moving parts and also reducing the manufacturing costs.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2002Publication date: March 11, 2004Inventors: Jung-seon Park, Iil-won Yang
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Patent number: 6637067Abstract: A low-profile and highly-maneuverable vacuum cleaner having improved functionality including a belt storage compartment located in the bottom cover of the housing. The belt storage compartment is shaped so as to allow for storage of the belt in its relaxed state.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2002Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Oreck Holdings, LLCInventors: Chris M. Paterson, Javier Verdura, Owen T. Bourgeois, Jeffrey A. Millard, Mel Teitzman, Paul A. Moshenrose
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Publication number: 20030145423Abstract: A suction brush rotatably disposed at a cleaner body to move along a cleaning surface for drawing in contaminants from the surface to be cleaned by a suction force generated from a motor driving chamber disposed at a lower portion of the cleaner body having a suction brush body, a brush bar rotatably disposed inside the suction brush body, for brushing the contaminants off from the surface to be cleaned, a driving force transmission belt disposed inside the suction brush body for transmitting a rotation force to the brush bar from a motor disposed in the motor driving chamber, and a belt checking cover pivotably disposed at a lower portion of the suction brush body to check the condition and contamination of the driving force transmission belt.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2002Publication date: August 7, 2003Inventors: Jung-Seon Park, Il-Won Yang, Hyung-Il Jeon
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Patent number: 6539577Abstract: An upright electric cleaning device includes a floor suction tool formed with a long suction opening on the bottom surface thereof. A rotating brush holding chamber holds a rotating brush that extends to this long suction opening. A suction opening leading to the main cleaning device unit is formed toward one end of the rear wall of the rotating brush holding chamber. A rib, formed on the upper section of the rotating brush holding chamber, extends along the length of the rotating brush, near the rotation path of the rotating brush. An air current path is formed to take dust drawn up by the rotating brush and stopped by the rib and suck it into the suction opening leading to the main cleaning device unit. The air current path is shaped so that its cross section is smaller at an end of the air current path remote from the suction opening than it is near the suction opening to increase flow speed at the remote end.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2000Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Atsushi Okuda, Atuo Hamada, Souji Sakata, Kazuyoshi Yoshimi, Kazumasa Kamatani, Nobuaki Takahashi, Syuzo Ueyama, Naoki Suetugu
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Patent number: 6438793Abstract: A portable surface cleaning apparatus including a liquid dispensing system including a flexible bladder defining a fluid supply chamber for holding a supply of cleaning fluid and a fluid recovery tank having a fluid recovery chamber for holding recovered fluid and housing the flexible bladder. A fluid passageway between the fluid supply chamber and the recovery chamber equalizes the pressure in the flexible bladder as the cleaning fluid is dispensed from the supply chamber and the dirty liquid is collected in the recovery chamber. A lid mounted on the tank defines an expansion chamber having an inlet opening, an outlet passage, and first and second diverters against which the working air flow reverses direction twice between the inlet opening of the expansion chamber and the tank.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2000Date of Patent: August 27, 2002Assignee: Bissell Homecare, Inc.Inventors: Jonathan L. Miner, Timothy E. Kasen, Gary A. Kasper
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Patent number: 6226832Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 5, 1999Date of Patent: May 8, 2001Assignee: Matsushita Home Appliance Corporation of AmericaInventor: Michael J. McCormick
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Patent number: 6158084Abstract: A self-propelled vacuum cleaner is provided having an upper handle portion and a carriage pivotally mounted to a lower end of the handle portion for pivotal motion relative the handle portion about a horizontally extending carriage axis. A transmission drivingly connected to at least one drive wheel mounted on the carriage, whereby the at least one drive wheel propels the vacuum cleaner over a floor surface. A nozzle body pivotally mounted to the carriage for pivotal motion relative the carriage about a generally horizontally extending nozzle axis, the nozzle body having a downward facing suction opening. The nozzle axis being generally horizontally offset from the carriage axis.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 1999Date of Patent: December 12, 2000Assignee: The Hoover CompanyInventors: Vincent L. Weber, Jeffrey A. Morgan, Kenneth L. Symensma, Glenn E. Specht
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Patent number: 6131238Abstract: A self-propelled vacuum cleaner is provided having an upper handle portion and a carriage pivotally mounted to a lower end of the handle portion for pivotal motion relative the handle portion about a horizontally extending carriage axis. A transmission drivingly connected to at least one drive wheel mounted on the carriage, whereby the at least one drive wheel propels the vacuum cleaner over a floor surface. A nozzle body pivotally mounted to the carriage for pivotal motion relative the carriage about a generally horizontally extending nozzle axis, the nozzle body having a downward facing suction opening. The nozzle axis being generally horizontally offset from the carriage axis.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 1998Date of Patent: October 17, 2000Assignee: The Hoover CompanyInventors: Vincent L. Weber, Jeffery A. Morgan, Kenneth L. Symensma, Glenn E. Specht
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Patent number: 6041472Abstract: A portable surface cleaning apparatus has a base for movement along a surface to be cleaned and an upright handle pivotally attached to a rearward portion of the base. A fluid dispensing nozzle for applying fluid to the surface and a suction nozzle for picking up fluid and debris from the surface are associated with the base. A clean water holding tank and a detergent holding tank are removably mounted to the handle while a recovery tank is removably mounted to the base. A mixing valve is fluidly connected between the holding tanks and the spray nozzle for changing the mixing ratio of the detergent with respect to the water. The fluid recovery tank includes an integrally molded conduit that extends from the suction nozzle and a mounting for an accessory hose that interrupts the fluid path from the suction nozzle in the conduit and redirects fluid flow through the hose.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 1998Date of Patent: March 28, 2000Assignee: Bissell Homecare, Inc.Inventors: Timothy E. Kasen, Luke E. Kelly, Charles A. Reed, Jr., Gary L. Smith, Eric R. Metzger
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Patent number: 6029313Abstract: A vacuum cleaner with a handle and a floor traveling head. The head has a housing, a rotatable brush and a drive system. The housing has a bottom member with an aperture directly under a transmission belt of the drive system. A removable door is mounted to the bottom member such that a user can access the transmission belt without removing the bottom member.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 1996Date of Patent: February 29, 2000Assignee: Black & Decker, Inc.Inventors: Kevin J. O'Dea, Maurice Anthony Melito, Michael Kin-Chung Ho
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Patent number: 5802664Abstract: A motorized power head for a machine for cleaning upholstery, carpeting or hard floors includes a spray nozzle for distributing a clean spray solution on a selected area enclosed by the power head. A cylindrical rotating brush is driven by a two-speed motor housed in the power head to work the solution into the carpet to clean the selected area. A suction nozzle picks up the spent solution together with loosened dirt and grime. The power head may be used as a close-up applicator with a handle adjacent the power head, or as a stand-up applicator with an extension inserted between the handle and the power head. The brush is easily removed for replacement or for converting the apparatus for different applications.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 1996Date of Patent: September 8, 1998Assignee: Minuteman International, Inc.Inventors: Jesse V. Mondigo, Gary Edward Palmer, Jerome E. Rau
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Patent number: 5768746Abstract: An electric vacuum cleaner comprising a floor nozzle connected to a lower part of a main body of the electric vacuum cleaner and having a suction opening opened on a lower surface of the floor nozzle, a rotary brush disposed in the suction opening, a driving source, a power transmission system which transmits power from the driving source to the rotary brush, and a changeover unit which connects or disconnects power transmission of the power transmission system, wherein the changeover unit is provided with an operation pedal, which is manipulated to connect or disconnect the power, on a rear portion of the floor nozzle. It is possible for an operator to instantaneously turn on and off the driving of the rotary brush only by stepping down or lifting up the pedal while gripping the handle at rear side of the main body of the cleaner without stopping the movement of the cleaner.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 1997Date of Patent: June 23, 1998Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kazumasa Kamatani, Sadao Fukushima, Kazuyoshi Yoshimi, Shuzo Ueyama, Tomonari Kawaguchi, Isao Yoneda, Kazuhiro Fujii
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Patent number: 5727276Abstract: A concentric roller pin for use in combination with a roller member of a vacuum cleaner wherein the concentric roller pin includes an inner end, an outer end and an intermediate portion. The inner end of the concentric roller pin is tapered and terminates in a transverse face. The transverse face of the concentric roller pin abuts a corresponding face in a tapered bore of the roller member. The intermediate portion of the concentric roller pin includes an outer knurled surface for securing the concentric roller pin to the roller member. The outer end of the concentric roller pin includes a bearing surface, a bearing lip, and an axial bore. The axial bore of the outer end of the concentric roller pin facilitates deformation thereof for securing a bearing against the bearing lip and the bearing surface.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 1997Date of Patent: March 17, 1998Assignee: Bruns Brush, Inc.Inventors: Rudolph F. Brundula, William P. Brundula