Scraper Or Squeegee Type Patents (Class 15/401)
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Patent number: 5819366Abstract: A wet cleaning suction nozzle having a suction opening (22) facing the floor and communicating with a nozzle outlet tube (12), scraper blades (24), one located in front of, and one behind, the suction opening as seen in the direction of movement of the nozzle, wherein the lower ends of the scraper blade abut the floor when the nozzle is used. The suction opening (22) is located closer to the floor than fastening points (23) of the scraper blades in the nozzle. The nozzle is used on hard, as well as soft floors, without being converted, and the nozzle includes spacers (31), which prevent the nozzle opening (22) from touching the floor when the nozzle is used on a hard floor, but which permits the suction opening to abut the floor when the nozzle is used on a soft floor.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 1996Date of Patent: October 13, 1998Assignee: Aktiebolaget ElectroluxInventor: Anders Edin
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Patent number: 5819365Abstract: A window washing accessory cleaning tool adapted for use with a water extraction cleaning machine has a solution spray nozzle integrated therewith and a combination suction and scrubbing head rotatably mounted with respect to the solution spray nozzle. The cleaning solution spray nozzle is provided on one side of a dual conduit support member and a head is rotatably mounted to the dual conduit support member. A foam applicator/scrub pad is provided along one end of the head and a suction nozzle opening defined by a squeegee blade and a rigid flange are provided one the other side of the head. With this structure, the applicator/scrub pad and suction nozzle can be rotated with respect to the cleaning solution spray nozzles, thereby making the accessory cleaning tool adaptable for a wide variety of cleaning operations. Preferably, the window washing accessory cleaning tool is removably mounted to the end of the flexible hose.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 1996Date of Patent: October 13, 1998Assignee: Bissell Inc.Inventors: Eric C. Huffman, Kevin Ma Kam Hoi, Ng Tat Shing, Hok Yin Timmy Sin
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Patent number: 5794303Abstract: A hand-held, pocket size vacuum with scraper combination is disclosed which is primarily for use when rubbing off and cleaning up the scrapings left behind from a "scratch-off" lottery ticket. Activated by a power switch and battery, the DC Motor and centrifugal blower are located directly above a removable residue cartridge with filter. The centrifugal blower creates a flow of air between an intake port and discharge ports which flows past the storage container which collects the scrapings for subsequent disposal. The device becomes a scraping device through use of the scraper blade or abrasive wheel mechanism which is affixed to one end of the unit near the vacuum intake port.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 1996Date of Patent: August 18, 1998Inventors: Jakie Sanfilippo, Donna Sanfilippo
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Patent number: 5735952Abstract: A coating machine comprising a tank for holding a quantity of coating material, a conduit connected to the tank for conveying coating material from the tank and dispensing coating material onto a surface and a coating material spreading arrangement extending from the tank and the conduit for spreading coating material, the arrangement including a first blade, a brush, a middle blade, a pair of end blades forming a box with the first and middle blades and a finish blade of sufficient width to remove the tracks of the end blades.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 1996Date of Patent: April 7, 1998Inventor: Jack H. Wilson, Sr.
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Patent number: 5715569Abstract: An accessory for a vacuum cleaner for cleaning sediment from the floor of the inside of an electrical hot water tank is received within the electrical heating element mounting port of the tank and is configured such that it may be manipulated in a 360 degree traverse for cleaning the convex dome shaped floor including the floor adjacent the wall. The accessory has a first tubular member having one end adapted to be connected to the vacuum cleaner and includes four sections which have respective axes of elongation inclined relative to those of the adjacent sections. A second tubular member is received within the end of the first tubular member remote from the end which is attached to the vacuum cleaner and has a nozzle at its free end. The second tubular member may swivel about its axis relative to the first tubular member and may be extendible along its axis relative to the first tubular member.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 1996Date of Patent: February 10, 1998Inventor: Roy E. Dickey
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Patent number: 5706549Abstract: A rotary disc floor apparatus (A) is disclosed for cleaning surfaces of floors or the like. The apparatus (A) includes a rotary block (30) having bristles (40) for scrubbing a floor surface with cleaning solution. The apparatus (A) further includes a wiper and vacuum nozzle assembly (20) having a ring (88) with squeegees (128) and nozzles (154) forming vacuum nozzle openings (163). The squeegees (128) and nozzles (154) include respective wiping portions (148, 166) having portions disposed outwardly of and located at a greater distance from the axis (B) than the nozzle openings (163). The squeegees (128) and nozzles (154) are readily removable and readily attachable to the ring (88) via shafts (140, 142, 158, 160). The apparatus (A) further includes flat springs (186) for biasing the ring (88) downward toward the floor surface and relative to the rotary block (30).Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 1996Date of Patent: January 13, 1998Assignee: Advance Machine CompanyInventors: Donald J. Legatt, David Wood
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Patent number: 5634239Abstract: A vacuum cleaner nozzle having a nozzle body (10) having a nozzle opening (13) facing a surface to be cleaned and one or more scraper blades. The scraper blades have a single, strip-shaped piece (16), made from rubber, plastic or some other elastic material. The blade has a first edge part (18) resting on the surface (19) to be cleaned and a second, opposite edge part which is secured in a holder (17) in the nozzle body. The distance (A) of the holder from the surface being cleaned is mainly constant when the scraper blade is moved forwards or rearwards on a hard surface. The length of the blade (16) extending toward the surface from the holder under free conditions is larger than the distance (A) from the holder to the surface so that the first edge part (18) during forward and rearward movement will trail behind the holder, as seen in the direction of movement of the nozzle.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 1996Date of Patent: June 3, 1997Assignee: Aktiebolaget ElectroluxInventors: Lars Tuvin, Holmer Ristau
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Patent number: 5628086Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for cleaning floors. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes four wheels, two of which are steerable wheels, and a steering mechanism that permits the two steerable wheels to turn to a degree that allows very tight turns to be made by the sweeper. In another embodiment, the apparatus is a sweeper with a cylindrical side broom. Yet a further embodiment of the sweeper includes flaps or seals that form a skirt about the broom and a mounting mechanism for slidably receiving the flap or seal. In a further embodiment, the apparatus is a sweeper that employs flaps with wear indicators that tell an operator when to adjust or replace the flap. In another embodiment, the apparatus is a sweeper that utilizes a pre-filter to remove debris that remains in the vacuum airstream after having passed through the hopper and that is of a size that can require frequent cleaning of a subsequent filtering device.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 1995Date of Patent: May 13, 1997Assignee: Windsor Industries, Inc.Inventors: Christopher M. Knowlton, Robert J. O'Hara
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Patent number: 5623743Abstract: A mobile surface scrubber for scrubbing a surface wetted with cleaning solution. The scrubber comprises a frame, a plurality of wheels rotatably mounted on the frame, scrub brush means attached to the frame and positioned to scrub the wetted surface as the scrubber is transported over the surface, and a recovery system for recovering cleaning solution from the surface. The recovery system includes a return tank for retaining recovered cleaning solution, a rear squeegee pivotally connected to the frame, and left and right side squeegees mounted on the frame. The rear squeegee is positionable to contact the surface behind the scrub brush means when the scrubber is transported in the forward direction. The side squeegees are unvaryingly oriented with respect to the frame and positionable to contact the surface on opposite sides of the scrub brush means.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 1996Date of Patent: April 29, 1997Assignee: Clarke Industries, Inc.Inventors: Jack L. Burgoon, Donald E. Line
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Patent number: 5615449Abstract: A cleaning attachment for a vacuum cleaner including a cleaning solution reservoir, a manually operated cleaning solution dispenser mounted to the reservoir, a suction tube secured at one end to the reservoir, and a nozzle assembly. The nozzle assembly is secured to the suction tube at a location remote from the reservoir, and includes a nozzle body, a wiper assembly secured to the nozzle body, and a support arm extending from the nozzle body and beyond the reservoir. The support arm defines an opening through which the reservoir extends, and has a sponge assembly or a brush assembly interchangeably and removably secured to a distal end thereof. The dispenser engages the support arm adjacent the opening and retains the support arm in position relative to the reservoir.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 1996Date of Patent: April 1, 1997Assignee: White Consolidated Industries, Inc.Inventor: Arnold L. Sepke
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Patent number: 5611108Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for cleaning floors. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes four wheels, two of which are steerable wheels, and a steering mechanism that permits the two steerable wheels to turn to a degree that allows very tight turns to be made by the sweeper. In another embodiment, the apparatus is a sweeper with a cylindrical side broom. Yet a further embodiment of the sweeper includes flaps or seals that form a skirt about the broom and a mounting mechanism for slidably receiving the flap or seal. In a further embodiment, the apparatus is a sweeper that employs flaps with wear indicators that tell an operator when to adjust or replace the flap. In another embodiment, the apparatus is a sweeper that utilizes a pre-filter to remove debris that remains in the vacuum airstream after having passed through the hopper and that is of a size that can require frequent cleaning of a subsequent filtering device.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 1995Date of Patent: March 18, 1997Assignee: Windsor Industries, Inc.Inventors: Christopher M. Knowlton, Timothy A. Strickland, Robert J. O'Hara
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Patent number: 5611109Abstract: A cleaning roller for a suction head has a substantially cylindrical base body with a cylindrical mantle surface. The base body is driven in rotation about an axis of rotation. Support members are connected to the base body and project radially past the cylindrical mantle surface. At least one elongate wiper blade with a shaft is fastened to the support members so as to extend parallel to the axis of rotation. The at least one wiper blade in its working position projects from the base body in the radial direction. The wiper blade is pivotable out of the working position about a pivot axis defined by the shaft. The wiper blade is made of elastic material.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 1996Date of Patent: March 18, 1997Assignee: Firma FedagInventor: Peter Worwag
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Patent number: 5608947Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for cleaning floors. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes four wheels, two of which are steerable wheels, and a steering mechanism that permits the two steerable wheels to turn to a degree that allows very tight turns to be made by the sweeper. In another embodiment, the apparatus is a sweeper with a cylindrical side broom. Yet a further embodiment of the sweeper includes flaps or seals that form a skirt about the broom and a mounting mechanism for slidably receiving the flap or seal. In a further embodiment, the apparatus is a sweeper that employs flaps with wear indicators that tell an operator when to adjust or replace the flap. In another embodiment, the apparatus is a sweeper that utilizes a pre-filter to remove debris that remains in the vacuum airstream after having passed through the hopper and that is of a size that can require frequent cleaning of a subsequent filtering device.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 1995Date of Patent: March 11, 1997Assignee: Windsor Industries, Inc.Inventors: Christopher M. Knowlton, Timothy A. Strickland, Robert J. O'Hara
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Patent number: 5590439Abstract: A hand-held apparatus for cleaning by spraying cleaning liquid and by suction of the used liquid has a spray pump (20) for cleaning liquid associated with a brush (23) for spreading of the liquid on the surface to be cleaned. A flexible rubber wiper (14) has a suction opening for the used liquid. A used liquid reservoir (1) communicates with the suction orifice of the wiper (14) by a channel (13). A partitioning device (5) maintains under vacuum the used liquid reservoir (1). A control trigger (21) is provided for the spraying of the cleaning liquid and for the sucking up of the used liquid. A handle (3) functions as a grip and a manipulator.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 1994Date of Patent: January 7, 1997Assignee: FamulusInventor: Jean Alazet
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Patent number: 5579555Abstract: A squeegee assembly for use in a floor cleaning machine includes a housing which includes a forward plate and a rearward plate. The opposed ends of the forward plate and the rearward plate converge toward one another to form an interior wedge. One or more squeegee blades are disposed within the housing of the squeegee assembly adjacent to the forward and rearward plates thereof. A pair of wedge bars are provided within the housing of the squeegee assembly for releasably securing the squeegee blades thereto. The wedge bars are preferably identical, each having an outer shape which corresponds to the shape of the interior wedge defined by the forward and rearward plates. A wedge member is provided for moving the wedge bars between an engaged position, wherein the squeegee blades are frictionally engaged between the wedge bars and the forward and rearward plates, and a disengaged position, wherein the squeegee blades are not frictionally engaged between the wedge bars and the forward and rearward plates.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 1996Date of Patent: December 3, 1996Assignee: The National Super Service CompanyInventor: Stephen C. Pearse
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Patent number: 5575035Abstract: The present invention is a hand held tool for removing coatings from a substrate. The hand held tool includes a housing having a front section with an outlet, a mid section with an inlet, and a rear section, a heat source disposed within the front section of the housing for emitting heat through the outlet, and a vacuum source disposed within the mid section of the housing for providing suction through the inlet. The hand held coating remover further includes a power source disposed within the rear section for supplying power to the heat source and the vacuum source, a control panel having a heat controller for adjusting and controlling the heat emitted from the heat source through the outlet and a vacuum controller for adjusting and controlling the suction provided by the vacuum through the inlet, and a blade located adjacent to the inlet and resiliently coupled to the housing.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 1996Date of Patent: November 19, 1996Assignee: Northrop Grumman CorporationInventors: Carl A. Reis, Nicholas T. Castellucci, Richard A. Osterman
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Patent number: 5564161Abstract: The vacuum cleaner nozzle of the present invention has a nozzle body with a suction pipe connecting piece and a bottom plate which closes off the nozzle body towards the bottom, whereby the bottom plate is provided with at least one flow channel open towards the bottom to allow air to flow into a suction channel centrally connected to the suction pipe connecting piece, said nozzle body being provided with sealing or closing elements which surrounds the flow channel at least in part. The nozzle body and the bottom plate are made in the form of a one-piece supporting base into which the flow channel or the flow channels and the suction channel are directly molded. The sealing or closing elements in the form of bristle strips and/or sealing lips are molded directly into the bottom plate and/or are pressed, injected or glued into it. This design reduces the number of components of the vacuum cleaner nozzle considerably so that a significant simplification is achieved with respect to manufacture and assembly.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 1994Date of Patent: October 15, 1996Assignee: Wessel-Werk GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Dietmar Glatz
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Patent number: 5555596Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for cleaning floors. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes four wheels, two of which are steerable wheels, and a steering mechanism that permits the two steerable wheels to turn to a degree that allows very tight turns to be made by the sweeper. In another embodiment, the apparatus is a sweeper with a cylindrical side broom. Yet a further embodiment of the sweeper includes flaps or seals that form a skirt about the broom and a mounting mechanism for slidably receiving the flap or seal. In a further embodiment, the apparatus is a sweeper that employs flaps with wear indicators that tell an operator when to adjust or replace the flap. In another embodiment, the apparatus is a sweeper that utilizes a pre-filter to remove debris that remains in the vacuum airstream after having passed through the hopper and that is of a size that can require frequent cleaning of a subsequent filtering device.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 1995Date of Patent: September 17, 1996Assignee: Windsor Industries, Inc.Inventors: Christopher M. Knowlton, Robert J. O'Hara
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Patent number: 5551121Abstract: A squeegee-type mopping device including an elongated tubular rigid container having an open upper end and an open lower end; a head having a hollow interior, an upper open extent coupled to the lower end of the container to allow communication therebetween, a lower extent having a peripheral lower edge bounding an opening that allows access to the interior, and a flexible blade removably coupled to the lower edge and extended downwards therefrom; and an elongated plunger having an upper end and a lower end and with the lower end slidably disposed within the container to form a moveable seal, the opening of the head positionable upon a surface covered with liquid and with extension of the plunger creating a suctioning force for pulling the liquid through the head and into the container and with retraction of the plunger ejecting water from the container and through the opening.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 1995Date of Patent: September 3, 1996Inventor: Rafael Vazquez, Jr.
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Patent number: 5535477Abstract: A unique vacuum cleaner attachment specifically configured for dust removal from the interior of any 31/2 inch (88.9 mm) disk drive unit, commonly found in conjunction with electronic computer and word processor equipment. The attachment comprises a vacuum cleaner hose fitting at one end running parallel to a hollow body member which allows for grasp along its length and terminates at opposite end after gradually being reduced in diameter and increased in width from the grasp portion so as to provide a hollowed disk for insertion. On the exterior of the attachment's top and bottom sides, which are symmetrical and thus reversable, find positive stops located at the points where the diskette shaped configuration begins and centered along that plane.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 1993Date of Patent: July 16, 1996Inventor: Anthony J. Witkowski
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Patent number: 5535478Abstract: The present invention features a suction wand for use in cleaning lint from the lint-screen cavity of clothes dryers. This lint-catching tool is uniquely designed to provide a lint-loosening action in combination with a vacuum action. This dual action eliminates most of the drudgery associated with this particular task. The tool itself has four snap-together portions. The first portion of the tool consists of a collar that attaches to the corrugated conduit or hose of a vacuuming device. The collar has a flared, rounded end that receives a substantially flat, rounded, hollow, flexible, elongated cleaning tube. The peripheral edges of the cleaning tube are designed to be rounded so as to provide for ease of bending, which is a necessary flexibility for accessing hard-to-reach areas within the clothes-dryer cabinet. The third portion of the wand has an intermediate collar that links the elongated cleaning tube with its unique scraping-and-suction nozzle.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 1995Date of Patent: July 16, 1996Inventor: Gary A. Thompson
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Patent number: 5535471Abstract: A tool for cleaning the interior of a tube, such as a neck portion of a processing tube of an lpcvd apparatus, or the like, has a pipe that may have at least one hole, and preferably a plurality of holes, spaced from an insulating handle along the length of the pipe in a direction toward a distal end of the pipe to allow cooling atmosphere to be drawn into the pipe. A scraper plate having a shape substantially conforming to an interior shape of the tube and a beveled peripheral edge is attached at the distal end of the pipe. A baffle plate of size smaller than the scraper plate is affixed to the scraper plate by a plurality of standoffs between the scraper plate on an exterior side opposite the interior side and the baffle plate, wherein the baffle plate forms a debris collection region between a peripheral side of the baffle plate and the tube at the exterior side of the scraper plate when the tool is inserted into the tube.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 1993Date of Patent: July 16, 1996Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventor: Richard L. Guldi
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Patent number: 5524320Abstract: A floor scrubbing machine has a floor scrubbing device with at least two floor scrubbing elements, of which at least one is mounted to a chassis to be adjustable in such a manner that the operating width of the floor scrubbing device can be changed. An adjustable vacuum element or an adjustable strip-like member can be connected to at least one adjustable floor scrubbing element. The strip-like member follows the movements of the adjustable scrubbing element. The adjustable vacuum element and/or the adjustable strip-like member is connected to a vacuum device whose working width will be adapted automatically to the working width of the floor scrubbing device.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 1994Date of Patent: June 11, 1996Inventor: Kurt Zachhuber
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Patent number: 5517717Abstract: There is provided a suction head for a floor cleaning machine, comprising a housing (7) and a package (1) consisting of a squeegee (2) and at least one clip element (3), whereby the size and shape of said clip element and the housing are such that this package can be removably fixed into the housing and that the squeegee (2) can be removably fixed into the clip element (3). When applying this suction head, optimal use can be made of said squeegee.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 1994Date of Patent: May 21, 1996Assignee: Lever Industrial CompanyInventor: Peter Haberli
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Patent number: 5499424Abstract: A cleaning head for use with suction means particularly suitable for cleaning hard, flat and smooth surfaces, such as glass or marble walls. The cleaning head is equipped with attachments for cleansing liquid application, scrubbing, wiping and waste liquid removal in one piece and is normally closed so that no waste liquid inside the head will leak out during quiescent operating condition.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 1994Date of Patent: March 19, 1996Assignee: Senson Investments LimitedInventor: Alfred T. Lau
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Patent number: 5497530Abstract: In order to reduce the energy consumption of the suction unit, on the one hand, and to improve the cleaning effect, on the other hand, of a wiper device for hard surfaces, in particular a window wiper, comprising a slit-shaped suction nozzle, on which a flexible wiper lip is arranged, which protrudes forwardly beyond the suction nozzle, it is suggested that the wiper lip be held on a wall of the suction nozzle and drawn against the opposite wall of the suction nozzle under the influence of a suction stream in the suction nozzle and thereby close the suction nozzle.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 1994Date of Patent: March 12, 1996Assignee: Alfred Karcher GmbH & Co.Inventors: Roland Kamm, Eberbard Veit, Josef Schneider, Antonio De Filippo, Donald W. Murray, Michael C. Story, Carl S. Lammons
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Patent number: 5497532Abstract: The vacuum cleaner nozzle of the invention is provided with a nozzle body equipped with a suction pipe connecting piece and with a bottom plate which closes off the nozzle body towards the bottom, whereby at least one flow channel which is open towards the bottom and lets out into a central suction channel connected to the pipe connecting piece is located in the bottom plate. The flow channel is here double-parabolic in profile, meaning that it is parabolic in its cross section as well as in its longitudinal section extending perpendicularly to the bottom plate in relation to the longitudinal axis of the flow channel. The cross-section increases in this case from the bottom of the flow channel in the direction of the floor and from the end of the flow channel away from the suction channel in the direction of said suction channel. Thanks to this configuration of the suction channel, even distribution of the suction capacity is achieved over the entire width of the vacuum cleaner nozzle.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 1994Date of Patent: March 12, 1996Assignee: Wessel-Werk GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Dietmar Glatz
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Patent number: 5455985Abstract: In a floor scrubbing machine, side squeegees for control of water on the floor are mounted with linkages that include vertical pivots so the squeegees can swing from side to side. They are interconnected with a tie rod so they swing in unison. A rear squeegee swings to one side or the other when the machine turns due to friction with the floor. A push-pull cable is connected between the rear squeegee mounting linkage and the linkage of a side squeegee to cause the side squeegees to swing or steer during turns. This positions them to effectively control water on the floor during a turn, and reduces squeegee wear. An alternative to steering them with the rear squeegee is to steer them with a hydraulic cylinder plumbed into the machine's power steering system.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 1994Date of Patent: October 10, 1995Assignee: Tennant CompanyInventors: Anthony J. Hamline, Steven L. Boomgaarden, Gregory J. Engel, Bryan L. Christensen
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Patent number: 5454137Abstract: A vacuum hose assembly comprising an elongate tube member having a first end spaced from a second end, with a rigid blade fixedly mounted to the elongate tube coaxially thereof projecting beyond the first end, with first and second conduits directing pressurized air from the first end towards the rigid blade to effect agitation of debris within an underlying carpet as the blade displaces piling and nap within the carpet for access to the pneumatic air from the conduits, and a suction source mounted to the elongate tube at the second end to direct vacuum throughout the tube and direct that debris through the tube for subsequent collection. A valve assembly is in operative communication with a pressure hose to direct selective pressurized air from the pressure hose to the first and second conduits.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 1994Date of Patent: October 3, 1995Inventor: James A. Reeves
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Patent number: 5454138Abstract: An integral gimbal housing is trunnion mounted beneath and to the rear of the frame of a floor scrubber. The gimbal housing includes a vertical pivot shaft to which a yoke is mounted. A spring biases the gimbal housing to the use position. The yoke swings laterally and includes a rearwardly extending tubular receptacle which receives a forwardly extending tube of the squeegee so that the squeegee assembly has independent rotation about a horizontal axis and the squeegee adjusts to uneven surfaces. Torsion springs bias a vertical pivot shaft in the gimbal housing to the center position.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 1994Date of Patent: October 3, 1995Assignee: Minuteman International, Inc.Inventors: Jesse V. Mondigo, Gary E. Palmer
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Patent number: 5419007Abstract: A snap together wet nozzle for use with a vacuum cleaner is disclosed. The snap together wet nozzle includes an elongated U-shaped nozzle housing with closed ends including a connecting tube passageway for association with the vacuum cleaner. An elongated squeegee is mounted within the elongated U-shaped housing and is held in releasable locking engagement between a locking squeegee bar and the elongated U-shaped housing. The locking squeegee bar has a plurality of spaced squeegee prongs for reception within spaced complementary configuring openings in the elongated squeegee element, the spaced squeegee prongs being cooperatively engaged by a plurality of spaced prong receptacles formed in the elongated U-shaped nozzle housing. Complementary releasable locking means are associated with the elongated U-shaped nozzle housing and the locking squeegee bar for releasably holding the locking squeegee bar and associated elongated squeegee element relative to the elongated U-shaped nozzle housing.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 1993Date of Patent: May 30, 1995Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.Inventors: David R. Hult, Stuart V. Holsten, George P. Tyree
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Patent number: 5400467Abstract: A suction head for a vacuum cleaner includes a rag roll device which is wetted to perform a wet wiping action across the floor. The rag roll device is mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis. A rotation regulating mechanism, comprised of a pawl device and ratchet teeth, is provided which prevents the rag roll device from rotating when the suction head is moved forwardly, while permitting the rag roll device to rotate by a predetermined angle when the suction head is moved rearwardly. This enables different portions of the rag roll device to assume a floor-contacting position.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 1993Date of Patent: March 28, 1995Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Jin-Sung Hwang
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Patent number: 5386612Abstract: A vacuum cleaning apparatus is provided which includes a housing having a handle portion and a nozzle portion. A reservoir is defined in the housing for retaining cleaning solution or water, and a heating unit is associated with the reservoir for heating the liquid so as to generate steam for delivery to a flat surface such as a window to be cleaned. A squeegee assembly is mounted to the housing adjacent the nozzle portion for wiping the window after liquid has been deposited thereon. A motor driven fan assembly is disposed within the housing in communication with the nozzle portion for drawing excess liquid and debris into the nozzle portion. The nozzle portion defines structure for separating and containing the liquid which is drawn into the apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 1993Date of Patent: February 7, 1995Inventor: John C. K. Sham
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Patent number: 5377382Abstract: A cleaning machine for cleaning floor surfaces is disclosed characterized by a squeegee blade assembly that utilizes a number of connectors for dual functions. The squeegee blade assembly includes a holding subassembly for maintaining the squeegee blades in place. A plurality of connectors are used to connect the squeegee blades to the squeegee holding subassembly. A first set of these connectors also connects the squeegee holding subassembly to a squeegee mounting assembly, which is attached to the body of the cleaning machine. A second set of these connectors is also used to connect rollers to the holding subassembly. A third set of these connectors also attaches a caster assembly to the holding subassembly. Each squeegee blade is an integral, one-piece member but with an upper section having a greater hardness than the lower section.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 1993Date of Patent: January 3, 1995Assignee: Windsor Industries, Inc.Inventors: Frederick M. Bores, Thomas G. Plaven
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Patent number: 5357650Abstract: A deflooding tool for vacuum removal of liquid such as water or the like from carpets, rugs or other floor coverings. Preferably the tool comprises a rigid, hollow generally cubicle vacuum chamber disposed substantially vertically with respect to the flooded carpet. The vacuum chamber includes a lower, open suction inlet for intaking liquids to be removed, and vacuum is supplied to the chamber by an elongated, rigid, tubular handle angularly coupled at one end to the top rear of the vacuum chamber. The remote end of the handle terminates in a connection to a conventional vacuum source. Wheels are rigidly mounted at the bottom rear of the vacuum chamber for facilitating the tool. A generally cylindrical, rigid heavy roller is mounted at the bottom front of the vacuum chamber for compressing the carpet, rug or other floor covering to liberate liquids to be captured through the vacuum inlet. Preferably the ratio of the wheel diameter to the roller diameter is 10:7.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 1993Date of Patent: October 25, 1994Inventor: Bill G. Finley
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Patent number: 5349722Abstract: Systems for containing fluids and for both containing a fluid and then evacuating the contained fluid to a point of treatment or disposal. These systems have a fluid containment boom and a pump for creating a vacuum in the boom and compressing a portion of the lower side of the boom against a surface on which the boom is placed to lock the boom in place and form a barrier against fluid on the surface. The compressible portion may be made of a closed cell material in which case the contained fluid can be evacuated from the surface through the boom.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 1992Date of Patent: September 27, 1994Inventor: Steven Chayer
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Patent number: 5301387Abstract: A cleaning head for flat surfaces comprises a device (1) for distribution of cleaning liquid which comprises an injection pipe (2) connected to a washing device (3) located in a cleaning region (4) of the head, and a suction chamber (10) which is connected to a suction passageway (12) and which is disposed adjacent the cleaning region (4) between a scraper (13) and the washing device (3), so as to suck up the liquid and the dirt. The washing device (3) comprises a permeable body (5) onto which discharges the pipe (2) and which is flanked by two scrubbers (6, 7) comprising brushes disposed on opposite sides of the permeable body (5) and disposed substantially transversely to the surface to be cleaned. A second suction chamber (11) is disposed symmetrically relative to the permeable body (5) between one (7) of the brushes and a second scraper (14).Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 1992Date of Patent: April 12, 1994Assignee: Moulinex (Societe Anonyme)Inventors: Gilbert P. Thomas, Jacky Y. L. Leguay
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Patent number: 5287593Abstract: A snow and ice remover having a scraper, and a device for passing a heated fluid along the scraper onto the ice.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 1993Date of Patent: February 22, 1994Inventor: Tamae Sprunger
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Patent number: 5280666Abstract: A squeegee apparatus for a vacuum cleaner system. The apparatus includes a main body portion having an integrally formed neck portion operable to releasably connect to a wand of the vacuum cleaner system. The main body portion forms a manifold and includes a lower end portion to which a squeegee member is releasably secured. The squeegee member includes a central portion having a pair of longitudinally parallel extending bumper portions, with the bumper portions each including saw tooth-shaped surfaces. The squeegee blade also depends downwardly from the central portion and outwardly of the bumper portions. The central portion also includes first and second pluralities of ports disposed on opposite sides of the squeegee blade, with one or the other of the pluralities of ports being alternately blocked off during use as the squeegee blade flexes into abutting contact with one or the other of the bumper portions while being moved back and forth over a work surface.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 1992Date of Patent: January 25, 1994Assignee: Rexair, Inc.Inventors: Stephen J. Wood, Steven R. Selewski, Roy O. Erickson, Jr.
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Patent number: 5239720Abstract: A surface cleaning machine (10) is disclosed in the preferred form as a combination sweeping-scrubbing apparatus including a sweeping brush (18) for sweeping debris into a hopper (20) and a one piece squeegee (112) for picking up solution after four staggered, disc brushes (122). The squeegee (112) is U-shaped having a longitudinal extent greater than that of the disc brushes (122) located intermediate the legs (124) of the squeegee (112). The drive wheel (16) is located in front of the disc brushes (122), the squeegee (112) and the solution applying means (128). The squeegee (12) is raised and lowered relative to the frame (12) by an actuator (104) which pivots an L-shaped member (94), the leg (96) of which abuts against and pivots a lever (84) interconnected to the mount (62) for the squeegee (112) by a turnbuckle (88). The hopper (20) is raised and simultaneously tilted by a single cylinder (30 ) which pivots the upper arm (24) of a parallelogram including a lower arm (36).Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 1991Date of Patent: August 31, 1993Assignee: Advance Machine CompanyInventors: David Wood, Randy Brunn
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Patent number: 5212848Abstract: An improved flexible wiping blade for the vacuum pickup squeegee of a floor scrubbing machine. A series of small protuberances with spaces between them are provided at the lower edge of the blade on its surface that leads when the machine moves backward. At that time the reverse flexing of the blade moves the protuberances under the blade and they hold it off the floor, thus allowing any standing water on the floor to move under the squeegee. They do not interfere with normal flexing of the blade under normal down pressure, and they permit its wiping action to be free of streaks when the scrubbing machine moves forward.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 1992Date of Patent: May 25, 1993Assignee: Tennant CompanyInventor: Robert A. Geyer
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Patent number: 5208941Abstract: The present invention involves a high power vacuum attachment apparatus with infinite adjustability and includes a housing with side walls, a top and a back, and with an open front and an open bottom. A gate located within the housing divides it into two compartments and is slidably mounted so as to be moved up and down within the housing. The top of the housing has an orifice through which an adjustment mechanism passes and is connected to the gate. Preferably, the side walls have a greater width at the open front than at the rear wall so as to taper rearwardly. Also, this attachment may include a vacuum pipe connected to the housing which functions as a handle, a vacuum line and may include an adjustable air valve. In preferred embodiments, squeegees are included along the bottoms of the housing walls.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 1992Date of Patent: May 11, 1993Inventor: Mark Ettere
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Patent number: 5189756Abstract: A snow and ice remover having a scraper, and a device for passing a heated fluid along the scraper onto the ice.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 1990Date of Patent: March 2, 1993Inventor: Tamae Sprunger
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Patent number: 5184372Abstract: A squeegee attachment tool for use with a wet/dry vacuum cleaner incorporating an oblong but narrow in profile suction head fitted with a very short squeegee blade providing both high suction and superior aspiration and yet reaches to the extreme edges of a cleaned surface at both the beginning and end of a cleaning stroke. Internal angled ribs coupled with an efficient vacuum chamber a narrow but deep intake port throat with side channel creates improved pressure distribution at the intake port mouth and provides significant side suction to remove liquid and debris from along and beneath adjacent surfaces and other obstructions. Specifically dimensioned and angled handle improves operator comfort and effectiveness.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 1991Date of Patent: February 9, 1993Inventor: Gerhard R. Mache
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Patent number: 5101534Abstract: A front side flexible member is provided along the vicinity of an opening front edge of a suction opening of a suction nozzle main body and has a plurality of opening grooves. The flexible member is positioned at a dent wall of the suction nozzle main body. A suction guide wall is formed between the flexible member and the suction opening of the suction nozzle main body. The suction guide wall is positioned at a dent portion more than a bottom face of the suction nozzle main body. The large size solid dust at the corner portion is moved smoothly into the suction opening and the cleaning operation with the large size solid dust at the corner portion is carried out thoroughly.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 1991Date of Patent: April 7, 1992Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Syuji Watanabe, Susumu Satoh, Koichi Sagawa
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Patent number: 5099545Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a motor, a housing enclosing the motor, a fan driven by the motor for producing a vacuum, a canister removably attached to the front end of the housing and having an intake nozzle for reception of foreign matter, liquid and air drawn into the canister in response to the vacuum developed by the fan. The intake nozzle includes a converging section extending from the front of the nozzle towards the center thereof and a diverging section extending from the terminus of the converging section towards the terminus of the nozzle. A squeegee is disposed in said nozzle and has a main body portion including at least one flow passage defined by a forward converging section terminating in a generally constant diameter section. The end of said constant diameter section is generally aligned with the terminus of the converging section of the nozzle. A flapper valve overlies the end of said constant diameter section of said squeegee and is integrally molded with said main body portion.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 1990Date of Patent: March 31, 1992Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.Inventors: Charles Z. Krasznai, John B. Mallow
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Patent number: 5072486Abstract: The subject invention provides a gas assisted scraper which provides a wet or dry spray for dispersing debris from the scraper and surface being scraped. The gas assisted scraper comprises a handle, a scraping portion, gas outlet, and means for supplying a gas to the gas outlet. The scraping portion is connected to the handle and has a scraping edge configured in such a manner so as to permit the scraping of a surface by the scraping edge by pushing the handle with a force in a generally forward direction over the surface. The scraping portion, scraping edge and handle are generally aligned in a direction parallel with the force applied to the handle during scraping of a surface. The gas outlet is proximate to the scraping edge and is configured so as to direct gas in a forward direction toward the scraping edge generally parallel to the force applied to the handle. This invention has a multitude of uses and is practical for home and commercial applications involving removal of grease, dirt, paint, etc.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 1990Date of Patent: December 17, 1991Inventor: Steve Guarascio
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Patent number: 5067199Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 2, 1990Date of Patent: November 26, 1991Inventor: Jean Alazet
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Patent number: RE33926Abstract: This is an improvement for a powered floor scrubber which in use is moved forward and backward across a floor to be scrubbed. A scrub brush is rotated within a housing which is open at the bottom and water is supplied within the housing. The improvement consists of attaching double lipped suction squeegees at both the front and rear of the housing and connecting them both to a source of vacuum to suck up soiled water from the floor. The flexible squeegee lips are mounted in such a way that as the machine is moved forward the lips of the front squeegee fold together and shut off the airflow to it while the rear squeegee remains functional. When the machine is moved backward a reverse action of the squeegees occurs, so that there is always a functional squeegee sucking up soiled water behind the scrub brush while airflow to the opposite squeegee is shut off whether the machine is moving forward or backward.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 1991Date of Patent: May 19, 1992Assignee: Tennant CompanyInventor: Steven J. A. Waldhauser
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Patent number: RE35033Abstract: This is an improvement for a powered floor scrubber which in use is moved forward and backward across a floor to be scrubbed. A scrub brush is rotated within a housing which is open at the bottom and water is supplied within the housing. The improvement consists of attaching double lipped suction squeegees at both the front and rear of the housing and connecting them both to a source of vacuum to suck up soiled water from the floor. The flexible squeegee lips are mounted in such a way that as the machine is moved forward the lips of the front squeegee fold together and shut off the airflow to it while the rear squeegee remains functional. When the machine is moved backward a reverse action of the squeegees occurs, so that there is always a functional squeegee sucking up soiled water behind the scrub brush while airflow to the opposite squeegee is shut off whether the machine is moving forward or backward.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 1993Date of Patent: September 12, 1995Assignee: Tennant CompanyInventor: Steven J. A. Waldhauser