With Tubular Air Nozzles Interspersed Throughout Work Contacting Surface Patents (Class 15/397)
  • Patent number: 11793373
    Abstract: An example of a robotic cleaner, consistent with the present disclosure, may include a body, an agitator chamber defined in the body, a suction motor fluidly coupled to the agitator chamber and configured to cause air to flow into the agitator chamber, and at least one air jet assembly coupled to the body, the air jet assembly being configured to generate an air jet, the air jet being configured to urge debris toward the agitator chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: SharkNinja Operating LLC
    Inventor: Andre D. Brown
  • Patent number: 11653803
    Abstract: A vacuum attachment apparatus for use on conventional service station or car wash vacuums is described. The apparatus is equipped with a rubberized female portion disposed on a wide end of the apparatus, which is configured to mate onto the default vacuum hose end. The apparatus facilitates the cleaning of small crevices with a commercial or industrial vacuum, which conventionally has too large of an intake to reach crevices such as those found between the seats of vehicles, under the seats, within the dash, and in other common locations standard on most contemporary vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Inventor: Dennis Carter
  • Patent number: 10791899
    Abstract: A vacuum attachment apparatus for use on conventional service station or car wash vacuums is described. The apparatus is equipped with a rubberized female portion disposed on a wide end of the apparatus, which is configured to mate onto the default vacuum hose end. The apparatus facilitates the cleaning of small crevices with a commercial or industrial vacuum, which conventionally has too large of an intake to reach crevices such as those found between the seats of vehicles, under the seats, within the dash, and in other common locations standard on most contemporary vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Inventor: Dennis Carter
  • Patent number: 10768089
    Abstract: A particle collecting apparatus includes a cylindrical housing, a gap forming unit, a supply port and an intake port. The cylindrical housing has a closed top and an open bottom facing a target object. The gap forming unit is configured to form a gap having a predetermined distance between the bottom and the target object. The supply port is formed at the opening of the bottom in an annular shape along an inner wall of the housing and configured to supply a gas to the target object. The intake port is provided closer to a central axis of the supply port than the supply port and configured to suck particles on the target object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Toshihiko Kikuchi, Nobuyuki Nagayama, Hikaru Kikuchi, Katsushi Abe
  • Patent number: 10689867
    Abstract: Dust free tile removal apparatus comprising a hollow base member, a hollow rake member, a plurality of rake tines, struts, and a handle. The hollow base member includes an opening that is configured to couple to a vacuum source at one end and is in fluid communication with the hollow rake member at another end. The connection of the hollow rake member with the hollow base member forms an obtuse angle. The hollow rake member has a top surface and a first end each having at least two openings. Rake tines extend outward from the first end of the hollow rake member. Struts extend from a bottom surface of the apparatus. The handle spans between the struts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Skitter & Squirt Adventures, LLC
    Inventor: Jack M. King, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8087125
    Abstract: A suction head structure (10) and a vacuum cleaner (20) using the same for adsorbing grains is provided. The suction head structure includes an accommodating room (14), a plurality of suction tubes (11), an eject tube (12), and an air inlet (13). The accommodating room is configured for accommodating grains therein. The suction tubes connect with the accommodating room. Each of the plurality of suction tubes is configured for adsorbing grain into the accommodating room. The eject tube connects with the accommodating room. The eject tube is configured for ejecting grains accommodated in the accommodating room. The air inlet connects with the eject tube. The air inlet is configured for injecting cool air into the eject tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignees: Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co., Ltd., FIH (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventors: Sheng Wu, Jin-Shan Cui, San-Yan Zhang
  • Patent number: 7617566
    Abstract: A system for enabling the collection of dust and particle samples from a surface or sampling environment using an air suction device such as a vacuum cleaner. The system includes a nozzle incorporating a filter trap for collecting the particles as well as a reversible adapter enabling the connection of any one of a plurality of vacuum hoses having different diameters to the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Indoor Biotechnologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin D. Chapman, Matthew James Lombard, Amy Tsay
  • Patent number: 7194783
    Abstract: A cleaning head for cleaning the slats in a window blind includes a manifold for receiving cleaning fluid, a plurality of spaced apart fingers arranged in a row on the manifold and at least one orifice defined in each finger for spraying the cleaning fluid onto the slats. Cleaning pads may be disposed on the fingers to contact the slats. The manifold may be divided to provide a source of vacuum to a second plurality of fingers with apertures defined therein for removal of excess cleaning fluid. Another embodiment of the cleaning head has couplings extending laterally from the fingers, and spacing elements may be interposed between the couplings to vary the spacing between adjacent fingers. Yet another embodiment of the cleaning head utilizes an enclosed compartment with slots defined in upper and lower surfaces for receiving a slat through the compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Inventor: Gene C. Hunt
  • Patent number: 7036184
    Abstract: An accessory tool for a vacuum cleaner is provided which allows a small crevice to be easily cleaned, and for accessory tools to be easily changed based on places to be cleaned. The accessory tool includes a crevice tool detachably coupled to a brush tool. The crevice tool includes a plurality of suction tubes made of a flexible material extending from a front portion of an inlet, and a brush provided along a periphery of each of the suction tubes. A coupling portion is formed to the rear of the inlet, and is detachably coupled with an inlet formed at a front portion of the brush tool. A brush is provided along a periphery of the inlet, and connecting portion formed to the rear of the inlet connects to an end of an extension tube of the vacuum cleaner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Sung-Guen Kim
  • Patent number: 6484357
    Abstract: A nozzle attachment for a vacuum cleaner. In one embodiment, the nozzle attachment includes a plurality of open-ended tubes, where the tubes are parallel to one another axially and each of the tubes is in contact with at least one other tube side by side so as to form an array of the tubes. The nozzle attachment also has a plurality of bristle members forming a brush, and an adapter having a first end and a second end, an interior chamber extending between the first end and the second end, and a mouth at the second end, the first end connectable to a vacuum source of the vacuum cleaner so as to provide suction and the second end being adapted to receive therein the array of the tubes and the brush through the mouth. The array of the tubes and the brush are positioned in a fixed side by side relationship and the tubes are in flow communication with the vacuum source of the vacuum cleaner through the interior chamber of the adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Inventor: Shengjie Dong
  • Publication number: 20020170139
    Abstract: A nozzle attachment for a vacuum cleaner. In one embodiment, the nozzle attachment includes a plurality of open-ended tubes, where the tubes are parallel to one another axially and each of the tubes is in contact with at least one other tube side by side so as to form an array of the tubes. The nozzle attachment also has a plurality of bristle members forming a brush, and an adapter having a first end and a second end, an interior chamber extending between the first end and the second end, and a mouth at the second end, the first end connectable to a vacuum source of the vacuum cleaner so as to provide suction and the second end being adapted to receive therein the array of the tubes and the brush through the mouth. The array of the tubes and the brush are positioned in a fixed side by side relationship and the tubes are in flow communication with the vacuum source of the vacuum cleaner through the interior chamber of the adapter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2001
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Inventor: Shengjie Dong
  • Patent number: 6173473
    Abstract: An electric cleaner head including a first bank of a plurality of spaced apart nozzles each including an interior passage having a narrower width than length slit. Sources of air flow including at least one suction source are connected to spaces between the subnozzles to generate air flow around a lowest edge of the subnozzles between the subnozzles and spaces between the subnozzles wherein the interior passages of the subnozzles are isolated from the suction source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Miwa Science Laboratory Inc.
    Inventor: Hirohide Miwa
  • Patent number: 6049942
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for cleaning and rejuvenating septic tank sewage systems. Where the septic tank has a drainfield associated therewith, the method comprises penetrating the ground near a drainfield lateral, and agitating the area near the drainfield lateral while simultaneously applying suction to the drainfield lateral. Accumulated scum and waste is thereby removed from the drainfield lateral. Where the septic tank system has a dry well associated therewith, the method comprises penetrating the bottom of the dry well and agitating the area underneath the dry well to form accumulated scum and waste into a froth or malt at the bottom of the dry well, and removing the froth or malt by suction. The apparatus of the present invention comprises a penetrating nozzle attached to an articulated boom assembly for penetrating the ground near a drainfield lateral or underneath a dry well to apply forced air or fluid or suction to agitate the area near the drainfield lateral or underneath the dry well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Inventor: Edward P. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5802667
    Abstract: A duct cleaning device, including a flexible conduit with a first, inlet end and a second, outlet end. An end cap with a central hole is attached to the first end; a connector adapted for coupling the device to a vacuum hose (or the inlet of a vacuum cleaner) is attached to the second end. A flexible, radially-projecting brush is attached to the exterior of the conduit, extending helically about the conduit; a plurality of throughholes (some of which carry flexible, radially-projecting tubes) are positioned near the brush. In operation, the device is connected to a source of vacuum. The first end is rotated while being moved into (or removed from) a duct, while the brush sweeps the interior surface of the duct to dislodge particulates of house dust and other contaminants from the surface. The particulates are swept into the conduit through the hole in the end cap and the throughholes in the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Paula Steates
    Inventor: Mark A. Williams
  • Patent number: 5725045
    Abstract: This invention provides an apparatus which can remove sand on a demolded cast product with only an upper cast frame being removed. The apparatus consists of an elevator frame 6 having a ceiling plate 4, a bottom plate 5, and vertical plates 5A, which are movably mounted in the vertical direction on elevator 2, and cylindrical air-ejecting nozzles 9 fitted movably up and down in holes passing through the bottom plate 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: Sintokogio, Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Fukihara, Toshiki Takamura
  • Patent number: 5647092
    Abstract: In a recirculating type cleaner a dust collecting head having a dust collecting port in the bottom thereof is provided, and a nozzle is provided in the dust collecting head. At least a fraction of the after-flow air of a fan is passed through a recirculating tube to the nozzle from which air jet is issued. A contact member is provided in the dust collecting head for contacting carpet piles being cleaned within a portion of the region of the dust collecting port to bend the piles down in the sweeping direction when the cleaner is moved in its sweeping stroke, whereby a gorge is opened in the piles. The nozzle is oriented such that the air jet issued through the nozzle is directed to the bottom of the gorge. Pile bend inverting member is also provided to create the gorge positively by mechanical pushing of the piles just behind the gorge to the reverse direction of the cleaning stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: Miwa Science Laboratory Inc.
    Inventor: Hirohide Miwa
  • Patent number: 5473793
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for cleaning and rejuvenating septic tank sewage systems. Where the septic tank has a drainfield associated therewith, the method comprises penetrating the ground near a drainfield lateral, and agitating the area near the drainfield lateral while simultaneously applying suction to the drainfield lateral. Accumulated scum and waste is thereby removed from the drainfield lateral. Where the septic tank system has a dry well associated therewith, the method comprises penetrating the bottom of the dry well and agitating the area underneath the dry well to form accumulated scum and waste into a froth or malt at the bottom of the dry well, and removing the froth or malt by suction. The apparatus of the present invention comprises a penetrating nozzle attached to an articulated boom assembly for penetrating the ground near a drainfield lateral or underneath a dry well to apply forced air or fluid or suction to agitate the area near the drainfield lateral or underneath the dry well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1995
    Inventor: Edward P. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5345651
    Abstract: A nozzle assembly for a vacuum cleaner having a brush (10) of uniform cross section about which the nozzle assembly is constructed around. A plurality of flexible tubes (12) are inserted within brush (10). The bristles of brush (10) extend beyond the ends of tubes (12), communicating with tubes (12) during a cleaning process. A clamp (14) secures tubes (12) within the bristles at evenly spaced locations. Tubes (12) create suction within brush (10) and provide airflow back to the vacuum cleaner. An attachment adapter (16) is formed around the perimeter of clamp (14) and enables the nozzle assembly to be connected to the vacuum cleaner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1994
    Inventor: Jeffrey J. Roberts
  • Patent number: 5067199
    Abstract: The cleaning device comprises a squeegee (1) formed of a blade of elastic material, inside which are formed suction ducts (5) which open in at least one face of the blade through orifices (7) aligned in parallel with the lowermost edge (8) of the squeegee, close to that edge. The suction ducts (5) are connected with flexible tubes (10) passing through a roller-type pump (11) towards a collector tank (15) in which the dirtied cleaning liquid to be eliminated is collected. This device may be used for removing a cleaning liquid having previously been spread over a surface which is to be cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1991
    Inventor: Jean Alazet
  • Patent number: 4333205
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaning machine using a floor-mounted vacuum hood forming a travelling vacuum chamber with an optimum combination of suction nozzle intake means, jet stream manifold means and a mechanical soil agitator means in the form of a carpet rake, where the rake is interposed between the suction nozzle intake means and a plurality of jet streams. The jet streams are generally directed toward the tips of the teeth of the carpet rake and from there toward the intake opening of the suction nozzle means to increase the effectiveness of the suction nozzle means. A second modification of the invention shows the carpet rake replaced by a power-driven brush, and the jet stream means is a combined carpet rake and source of a plurality of jet streams directed toward the working area of the brush. An optimum design is where the compressed air that divides into a plurality of jet streams is made to pulsate so as to create a hammering action on the soil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1982
    Assignee: Robert E. Robbins
    Inventors: James C. Woodward, Marion D. Holland
  • Patent number: 4300261
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaning apparatus using a hood forming a travelling vacuum chamber with an optimum combination of jet stream means and suction nozzle means. The jet stream means includes a plurality of orifices that are generally directed toward the intake of a suction nozzle means so as to cause the soil on the surface to be cleaned to become airborne before being acted upon by the suction nozzle means. A combined motor and air compressor is mounted in the hood means for furnishing compressed air to the jet stream means. The motor may also drive a rotating brush which may be interposed between the jet stream means and the suction nozzle means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1981
    Assignee: Robert E. Robbins
    Inventors: James C. Woodward, Marion D. Holland
  • Patent number: 4279095
    Abstract: An attachment is provided for a vacuum cleaner hose and is equipped with a canister having a handle and a nozzle having a pointed suction head. Within the nozzle a vacuum plenum is bounded by a partition having an array of firm pliable fingers about its perimeter and a plurality of flexible annular tubes within the perimeter thereof and in communication with the plenum. An exhaust pipe extends rearwardly from the attachment and is connected to a household vacuum cleaner hose. The nozzle is worked across the coat of a house pet, such as a dog or cat, to rid the animal of fleas. Within the canister there is a disposable tubular bag which contains a chemical substance that kills fleas and flea eggs as they are dislodged and carried by suction from the animals coat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1981
    Inventor: Helen C. Aasen
  • Patent number: 4100644
    Abstract: A nozzle for a vacuum cleaner which has an elongated comb-shaped part that can be rotated from a retracted position within the nozzle housing to another position in which it is extended out of the housing for use with a deep pile rug. The comb-shaped part has a cylindrical surface which moves adjacent to the suction channel and has an opening therein for communication between the comb-shaped part and the suction channel when said part is in its fully extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1977
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1978
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget Electrolux
    Inventor: Erik Karl Gustav Johansson
  • Patent number: 4045840
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner nozzle tool that is connected to a source of negative pressure and which functions to clean deep pile carpet or shag rugs in an efficient manner and which at the same time raises the pile of the rug or carpet in order to improve the appearance thereof. To achieve this objective the nozzle is provided with slide means of a particular configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1975
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1977
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget Electrolux
    Inventor: Erik Karl Gustav Johansson
  • Patent number: 3992748
    Abstract: A carpeting tool for a broom-type vacuum cleaner comprising a hollow rake. The hollow rake includes a plurality of spaced hollow open-ended teeth and a plurality of spaced air passage openings interposed respectively between certain of the teeth. The hollow rake further has a pair of oppositely extending lateral hollow flange portions and a nozzle integral with and intermediary of the flange portions. The flange portions have a lowermost lateral surface from which extend the hollow teeth, and in which are formed the air passage openings. A pair of spaced apart rollers are mounted between the teeth, and extend below the open ends of the teeth to support the combined weight of the tool and vacuum cleaner when the tool is attached to the vacuum cleaner for use thereof. The rollers permit the tool to ride smoothly along the carpeting without abruptly snagging the carpeting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1975
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1976
    Assignee: Air Filters, Inc.
    Inventors: Sol Howard, Robert Schaaf