Angular Or Lateral Adjustment Of Cleaner By Axial Rotation Of Handle Patents (Class 15/411)
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Publication number: 20090165242Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner is disclosed, the upright vacuum cleaner including a cleaner body that houses a suction motor and a dust separating unit, and includes a manipulation handle at the top thereof, a suction port assembly that is connected to a lower portion of the cleaner body; and a steering unit that is disposed between the cleaner body and the suction port assembly, and elastically supports the cleaner body to shift the center of gravity of the cleaner body to the left or right, so that the direction of the cleaner body is changed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2008Publication date: July 2, 2009Inventors: Byung-jo Lee, See-hyun Kim, Joung-soo Park, Jung-gyun Han, Tae-gwang Kim
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Publication number: 20090089969Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner having a steering unit is provided. The upright vacuum cleaner includes a cleaner body having a suction motor and a dust separating and collecting unit, a suction port assembly rotatably connected to a lower portion of the cleaner body, a handle mounted to the cleaner body, and a steering unit to elastically support the cleaner body so that the center of gravity of the cleaner body shifts to the direction where the cleaner body is rotated, according to the rotation of the cleaner body to the left or right.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2008Publication date: April 9, 2009Inventors: Byung-jo Lee, Joung-soo Park, Tae-gwang Kim, See-hyun Kim
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Publication number: 20080115313Abstract: A surface-treating appliance in the form of a vacuum cleaner has a main body, a surface-treating head and a support assembly. The support assembly is moveable between a supporting position, in which it supports the main body, and a stored position, in which it lies substantially against the main body. The provision of a support assembly that lies substantially against the main body of the appliance when not needed improves the maneuverability and range of motion achievable by the appliance in use. The support assembly may be brought out of its supporting position by a user-depressible pedal, which makes the appliance user-friendly.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2006Publication date: May 22, 2008Applicant: DYSON TECHNOLOGY LIMITEDInventors: James Dyson, Stephen Benjamin Courtney, Peter David Gammack, William Robert James White
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Patent number: 6532622Abstract: A brush head of a vacuum cleaner can pivot in a horizontal direction as well as a vertical direction with respect to a suction pipe, so as to easily clean an area narrower than the width of the brush head. The brush head of a vacuum cleaner includes a body which is detachably coupled to a suction pipe and is formed with a suction hole for sucking dust. A hollow cylindrical pivoting part is integrally formed with the body at a rear central portion of the body and is formed with a roller receiving cut along a periphery of the lower surface of the pivoting part. A cylindrical pivot supporting member is inserted into the pivoting part to support a horizontal pivoting movement of the pivoting part. The pivot supporting member is formed with a communicating space at its peripheral wall which communicates with the suction hole and the suction pipe, and is provided with a roller at its rear bottom surface.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2001Date of Patent: March 18, 2003Assignee: Daewoo Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Chang-Woo Seon, Sang-Bo Kang
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Patent number: 6519810Abstract: A vacuum cleaner, performing a cleaning operation using a nozzle casing coupled to a suction pipe or using the suction pipe free from the nozzle casing, is disclosed. This vacuum cleaner does not force a user to change an existing cleaning tool with another tool even when it is desired to clean a limited or narrow area that does not allow use of the nozzle casing during the cleaning operation. In this vacuum cleaner, the suction nozzle unit consists of a nozzle casing provided with a suction nozzle for sucking dust-laden air from a surface into the casing. This casing also has a mounting unit provided with a fitting bore communicating with the suction nozzle. A hollow cylindrical suction pipe is removably fitted into the fitting bore, with a dusting brush part formed along the lower edge thereof. A spring-biased locking bolt removably locks the position of the suction pipe within the mounting unit of the nozzle casing.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2001Date of Patent: February 18, 2003Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventor: Se-Hyun Kim
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Patent number: 6473934Abstract: A suction attachment for a vacuum cleaner. The suction attachment comprises a foot, a suction opening extending in an imaginary plane, and a connection member for connecting the foot to a suction channel of the vacuum cleaner. The foot is provided with a brush, which is displaceable by means of an adjusting device from a first position, in which the brush is recessed in the suction opening, to a second position, in which the brush protrudes from the suction opening. The foot is rotatable with respect to the connection member about an axis of rotation, which extends substantially perpendicularly to the imaginary plane, from a first position to at least a second position, and the adjusting device includes a coupling member by means of which the brush is coupled to the connection member, the coupling member holding the brush in its first position, in the first position of the foot, and the coupling member holding the brush in its second position, in the second position of the foot.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2001Date of Patent: November 5, 2002Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventor: Henk Lijzenga
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Patent number: 6345408Abstract: A nozzle unit for an electric vacuum cleaner has a body case 32 with a nozzle 34a open toward a surface to be cleaned, a first pipe 35 coupled to the body case 32 so as to be rotatable in the direction J1, and a second pipe 36 coupled to the first pipe 35 so as to be rotatable in the direction J2. A first and a second air flow passage, formed inside the first and second pipes 35 and 36 respectively, are arranged substantially in a straight line as seen in a side view. The first pipe 35 has a sliding portion 35a that has an arc-shaped cross section and that slides along the inner surface of the body case 32, and this sliding portion 35a is arranged inside the body case 32, which is substantially rectangular, as seen in a plan view.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 1999Date of Patent: February 12, 2002Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kiyomu Nagai, Genji Kosaka, Nobuharu Hikida, Mikio Yagi, Shigenori Hato, Taichi Tamura, Teruhisa Inoue, Kei Ohta, Masaru Shindou
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Patent number: 6209925Abstract: A tube shaft for a vacuum cleaner the shaft (10) having an upper tube part (15) and a lower tube part turnably connected to one another and each including at least two tube sections (15c,15e,16b,16c). The tube sections of each tube part are inclined with respect to one another. The lower tube part (16) includes an end section (16b) supporting a nozzle (14), the nozzle having a nozzle part (14a) and a connecting part (14b). The connecting part is connected to the end section of the lower tube part whereas an upper end (15f) of the upper tube part (15) is connected to a hose, a tube handle (11) or the like. The lower tube part (16) is arranged to be turned about 180° with respect to the upper tube part (15) as well as to the nozzle part (14a) from a first turning position, wherein said end section (16b) is inclined a first angle (&agr;) with respect to the floor, to a second turning position, wherein the end section (16b) is inclined a second, relatively smaller angle (&bgr;) with respect to the floor.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 1999Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Assignee: Aktiebolaget ElectroluxInventor: Anders Edin
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Patent number: 6125502Abstract: A suction pipe for a suction cleaner comprising an elongated pipe having at its lower end, in the in-use position, a coupling stud for a suction mouthpiece, and opposite this end, a flexible suction hose facing to one side relative to the elongated pipe, and wherein the suction pipe further has an upper operating handle arranged above the flexible suction hose in the in-use position. The upper operating handle in the in-use position of the suction pipe is arranged at a distance above the flexible suction hose that exceeds the length of the forearm of the operator, and the upper operating handle is so arranged that it allows it to be seized from that side of the suction pipe on which the flexible suction hose is arranged.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 1998Date of Patent: October 3, 2000Assignee: Nilfisk A/SInventors: Nils Preben Hammeken, Benny Matthiassen
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Patent number: 6065183Abstract: A connecting element for coupling of the suction pipe (3) of a suction cleaner to a mouthpiece (2) having a suction sole (9) with an abutment surface (10) and an elongated suction slot which debouches on the abutment surface (10) of the suction sole (9), and wherein the connecting element comprises flexible joints (4, 5, 7, 8) which may transmit an angle change of the suction pipe (3) of the vacuum cleaner about the longitudinal axis of the suction pipe to a rotation of the vacuum cleaner mouthpiece in the plane of the abutment surface (10), and also allows a freedom of movement between the vacuum cleaner mouthpiece (2) and the vacuum cleaner suction pipe (3) whereby the abutment surface may freely assume different orientations relative to the longitudinal axis of the suction pipe. According to the invention the flexible joint has a freedom of movement which allows the suction pipe to be freely movable about an axis (8a) which is parallel with the suction slot in an angle (.alpha.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 1998Date of Patent: May 23, 2000Assignee: Nilfisk A/SInventors: Nils Preben Hammeken, Benny Matthiassen
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Patent number: 6055703Abstract: An upright steerable vacuum cleaner comprised of a handle, body, nozzle base and air duct therein further having a swivel joint at the junction of the nozzle base and body. The swivel joint or steering mechanism comprises a trunnion pivotably connected to the main air duct of the vacuum. The pivotable connection causes the nozzle base of the vacuum to turn right with a clockwise twist of the vacuum handle and turn left with a counter-clockwise twist of the vacuum handle. A locking mechanism is provided for preventing rotation of the trunnion with respect to the air duct.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 1997Date of Patent: May 2, 2000Assignee: Oreck Holdings LLCInventors: Glenn K. Redding, Kevin Nason
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Patent number: 6006401Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner is provided which has a handle pivotally mounted to a foot. The foot has a releasable mechanism pivotally mounted thereto. The releasable mechanism and the handle are provided with abutting protrusions and recesses which can abut one another to retain the handle in an upright storage position, in an angularly disposed position for normal use and a generally horizontal position. The releasable mechanism preferably comprises a foot pedal which has an integral arm spring extending angularly therefrom and biased against the foot so that the protrusion and/or recess on the foot pedal is urged within a corresponding recess and/or protrusion on the handle.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 1998Date of Patent: December 28, 1999Assignee: BISSELL Homecare, Inc.Inventors: John J. Jailor, Steven K. Meek, Jeffrey A. Hall, Scott R. Graham, William H. Frederick
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Patent number: 5970558Abstract: A sweeper comprising a housing, at least one drawer, and at least one brush rotatably mounted to the housing for sweeping debris into the drawer. The housing forms an opening for removably mounting the drawer for movement between an open and a closed position. The sweeper is rollably supported on wheels which drive the brush. The sweeper incorporates modular features which allow the sweeper to be assembled without the use of tools.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 1997Date of Patent: October 26, 1999Assignee: Bissell Inc.Inventors: Eugene M. Canavan, Oliver St. C. Hood
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Patent number: 5960514Abstract: A wheel driven suction nozzle having an upper body attached to an under body. An opening is formed at a front of the upper body which provides access to a suction cavity. An agitator covered with a fluff material is removably rotatably mounted within the cavity and extends partially out a bottom of the under body to clean and shine bare floors. A cover is hingedly mounted to the upper body and movable between an open position which provides access to the cavity and allows for removal of the agitator, and a closed position which covers the cavity and prevents removal of the agitator. A cogged front pulley is attached to one end of the agitator. A cogged belt is driven by a rear cogged pulley and engages the front pulley whereby rotation of the rear pulley rotates the agitator. A front gear is rigidly connected to the rear pulley and engages a rear gear which is rigidly connected to an axle shaft.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 1997Date of Patent: October 5, 1999Assignee: The Hoover CompanyInventors: Daniel R. Miller, Vincent L. Weber, Douglas C. Barker
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Patent number: 5951780Abstract: Surface treatment apparatus having impact elements for impacting a surface to be treated, a brush element for brushing the surface, a drive device for operating the impact element and the brush elements, and a carriage device enabling the surface treatment apparatus to be moved across the surface to be treated. The brush elements include a composite rotary brush assembly having circumferentially spaced rows of bristles mounted on a rotatable shaft in alternate circumferential sequence with the impact elements and further rotary assembly mounted on a contra-rotation relative to the composite rotary brush assembly and/or the impact elements, each rotatable so their bristles move upwardly intermediate the respective shafts. The impact elements include a plurality of longitudinal spaced hammers each pivotable about an axis substantially parallel to the axis of the rotatable shaft.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 1997Date of Patent: September 14, 1999Inventor: Rodney Mackenzie Pettigrew
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Patent number: 5920939Abstract: A floor cleaning apparatus having a brush chamber formed in a main housing is provided. The brush chamber has a dirt inlet slot that faces the floor that is to be cleaned and extends over the width of the brush chamber transverse to the direction of work. Rotatably mounted in the brush chamber is a brush roller that is driven by a motor. The bristles of the brush roller extend outwardly through the dirt inlet slot. The brush chamber communicates via a connecting channel with a dirt collecting chamber. To ensure a reliable sweeping-up of dirt and a simple emptying of the apparatus, the dirt collecting chamber directly adjoins the main housing and is formed in an independent chamber housing that is separable from the main housing. The chamber housing has a sweeping ramp that leads to the dirt collecting chamber and a front edge that is remote from the dirt collecting chamber, extends transverse to the direction of work, and is disposed at approximately the path of the bristles of the brush roller.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 1997Date of Patent: July 13, 1999Assignee: Firma FedagInventor: Peter Worwag
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Patent number: 5794305Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having an articulation mechanism which includes hemispherically shaped rearward wheels and spaced forward wheels, and a base member which pivotably couples the front and rear wheels so that the rearward wheels may be pivoted in a plane substantially vertical to the surface to be vacuumed such that only one of the rearward wheels in disposed on the surface when the rearward axis is pivoted from a horizontal. As the vacuum is pushed forward or pulled backward, the vacuum cleaner turns toward the side in which the rearward wheel is disposed on the surface to be vacuumed.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 1996Date of Patent: August 18, 1998Inventor: Kenneth J. Weger
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Patent number: 5794297Abstract: A cleaning member having reduced manufacturing cost is provided for effectively sweeping out fine dust, pieces of thread, pieces of cotton waste and the like, and otherwise improving dust collecting performance. The cleaning members for cleaning areas nearby walls are fitted to a floor cleaner that stirs up dust on the surface of a floor by means of a rotary member mounted on its main body casing. The floor cleaner receives and contains the stirred-up dust in dust collecting chambers. The cleaning member includes a mounting section which is molded integrally from a soft and flexible material and which is for mounting the cleaning member onto the main body casing, and at least one downwardly extending plate.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 1995Date of Patent: August 18, 1998Assignee: Hoky Contico, L.L.C.Inventor: Kouichi Muta
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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
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Patent number: 5664276Abstract: A brush-type sweeper unit includes a prism-like body that has a base with an open front part, an open front face, and an upper face provided by a removable cap from which a handle for moving the sweeper unit extends. The body also includes parallel sidewalls between which first, second and third shafts extend, with the second shaft being between the first and third shafts. Front and rear cylindrical brushes are mounted on the respective first and second shafts, and a set of front wheels are also mounted on the first shaft at opposite ends thereof. Mounted on the third shaft are a set of rear wheels that are in edge-to-edge frictional engagement with a set of driven wheels on the second shaft. In this way the rear brush is driven by rotation of the rear wheels transmitted through the driven wheels, with rotation of the rear brush being in a direction opposite to the rotational direction of the front brush.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 1996Date of Patent: September 9, 1997Inventor: Saturnino Nunez Arias
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Patent number: 5619768Abstract: 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, an axial indentation, and a beveled edge surrounding the axial indentation. The axial indentation and beveled edge 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: June 28, 1995Date of Patent: April 15, 1997Assignee: Bruns Brush, Inc.Inventors: Rudolph F. Brundula, William P. Brundula
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Patent number: 5598600Abstract: An improved vacuum cleaner brushroll including a tufted spindle supported by end assemblies. The end assemblies have bearings that rotatably mount the spindle in a vacuum cleaner nozzle. Rotation of the spindle is effective to pick up debris. The improvement comprises the spindle being a hollow tubular member. Each of the end assemblies includes a plug fitted into a respective axial end of the spindle. The plug or spindle has ribs in a cylindrical surface which engage the material of the other of the plug or spindle to resist rotation between the spindle and the plug. One of the bearings has a first portion operably connectable with the plug. A relatively rotatable second portion of the bearing is operably connectable with a brushroll mounting structure of the vacuum cleaner nozzle.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: February 4, 1997Assignee: The Scott Fetzer CompanyInventor: Alfred H. Stegens
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Patent number: 5584095Abstract: An upright steerable vacuum cleaner is provided, which includes the use of a pivotable cylindrical motor housing, as well as a universal joint which is attached to the motor housing, such that twisting at the upper body of the vacuum cleaner clockwise causes the base of the unit to turn right, and twisting in the opposite direction causes it to turn left.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 1994Date of Patent: December 17, 1996Assignee: Philips Electronics North America CorporationInventors: Glenn K. Redding, Kristen G. Sprow-Byrd, Michael D. Collins, James R. Hunter, Jr., Gary A. Miller, Christopher A. Robinette, Walter L. Webb, Barry W. Chaffin, Charles W. Reynolds
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Patent number: 5465451Abstract: An improved vacuum cleaner brushroll including a tufted spindle supported by end assemblies. The end assemblies have bearings that rotatably mount the spindle in a vacuum cleaner nozzle. Rotation of the spindle is effective to pick up debris. The improvement comprises the spindle being a hollow tubular member. Each of the end assemblies includes a plug fitted into a respective axial end of the spindle. The plug or spindle has ribs in a cylindrical surface which engage the material of the other of the plug or spindle to resist rotation between the spindle and the plug. One of the bearings has a first portion operably connectable with the plug. A relatively rotatable second portion of the bearing is operably connectable with a brushroll mounting structure of the vacuum cleaner nozzle.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 1993Date of Patent: November 14, 1995Assignee: The Scott Fetzer CompanyInventor: Alfred H. Stegens
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Patent number: 5435038Abstract: A roller assembly comprises an essentially cylindrical spindle which is rotatably supported at opposite ends by a pair of end assemblies. The spindle has brush elements on a circumferential surface and axial bores extending inwardly from each of the ends. Each end assembly comprises a shoulderless cylindrical stub shaft which is coaxial with and rotatable with the spindle, a bearing frictionally mounted on an outer end of the stub shaft, and a non-rotating end cap which may be mounted in a vacuum cleaner chassis member, such as two opposite side walls of a vacuum cleaner nozzle. The stub shaft comprises along its axial length a smooth inboard portion, a roughened middle portion which frictionally engages a bore wall, and a smooth outboard portion which extends beyond the end of a spindle. The bearing is mounted on this outboard portion. The end assembly may also include a thread guard and a washer which rotate with the spindle.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 1994Date of Patent: July 25, 1995Inventor: Carl B. Sauers
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Patent number: 5375284Abstract: In a sweeper having a housing 1, in which a sweeping roller 6 driven by impeller wheels 4, 5 is rotatably supported, the sweeping roller comprising a shaft 15 with longitudinally extending sweeping strips 17, the sweeping strips 17 being comprised of a flexible leatherlike plastic material. The sweeping strips 17 are integral with a tube 16 that is slid over onto the shaft 15. Alternatively, the shaft and sweeping strips can be integrally molded as a single part by a two component extrusion process such that the sweeping strips are flexible and the shaft is rigid.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 1992Date of Patent: December 27, 1994Assignee: Leifheit A.G.Inventors: Helmut Deimel, Rolf G. Schulein
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Patent number: 5373603Abstract: A vacuum cleaner brushroll including a tufted spindle supported by end assemblies having bearings that rotatably mount the spindle in the vacuum cleaner nozzle. The brushroll includes a spindle and improved end assemblies for supporting the spindle comprising a first member fixed to an end of the spindle, a relatively rotatable second member having a portion that is adapted to mate with mounting structure in the vacuum cleaner nozzle, a bearing which is supported by the second member and in turn supports the first member and stub shaft structure for coupling the first member with the bearing. Either the first or second member has a pair of annular walls that are radially spaced apart to define an annular channel, while the other member has an annular skirt that extends into the annular channel to form a labyrinth thread seal.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 1993Date of Patent: December 20, 1994Assignee: The Scott Fetzer CompanyInventor: Alfred H. Stegens
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Patent number: 5323510Abstract: An upright steerable vacuum cleaner is provided, which includes the use of a pivotable cylindrical motor housing, as well as a universal joint which is attached to the motor housing, such that twisting at the upper body of the vacuum cleaner clockwise causes the base of the unit to turn right, twisting in the opposite direction causes if to turn left.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 1993Date of Patent: June 28, 1994Inventors: Glenn K. Redding, Kristen G. Sprow-Byrd, Michael D. Collins, James R. Hunter, Jr., Gary A. Miller, Christopher A. Robinette, Walter L. Webb
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Patent number: 5319819Abstract: A desk top cleaner for cleaning dust from the top of a table includes a crankshaft rotatably supported in a frame. A broom is formed with an elongated slot to engage with the crankshaft and has its upper end portion fitted in a supporting portion formed in the frame and its lower end portion equipped with a brush. A drive mechanism is provided for transmitting a rotating force from a drive source to the crankshaft. A dust case for accommodating the dust swept by the broom is included in the frame.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 1990Date of Patent: June 14, 1994Assignee: Seikosha Co., Ltd.Inventor: Keiichi Yoshizawa
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Patent number: 5285549Abstract: A desk top cleaner for cleaning dust from the top of a table includes a crankshaft rotatably supported in a frame. A broom is formed with an elongated slot to engage with the crankshaft and has its upper end portion fitted in a supporting portion formed in the frame and its lower end portion equipped with a brush. A drive mechanism is provided for transmitting a rotating force from a drive source to the crankshaft. A dust case for accommodating the dust swept by the broom is included in the frame.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 1992Date of Patent: February 15, 1994Assignee: Seikosha Co., Ltd.Inventor: Keiichi Yoshizawa
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Patent number: 5272785Abstract: A vacuum cleaner brushroll including a tufted spindle supported by end assemblies having bearings that rotatably mount said spindle in the vacuum cleaner nozzle. The brushroll includes a spindle and improved end assemblies for supporting the spindle comprising a first member fixed to an end of said spindle, a relatively rotatable second member having a portion that is adapted to mate with mounting structure in the vacuum cleaner nozzle, a bearing which is supported by the second member and in turn supports the first member and stub shaft structure for coupling the first member with the bearing. Either the first or second member has a pair of annular walls that are radially spaced apart to define an annular channel, while the other member has an annular skirt that extends into the annular channel to form a labyrinth thread seal.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 1992Date of Patent: December 28, 1993Assignee: The Scott Fetzer CompanyInventor: Alfred H. Stegens
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Patent number: 5242588Abstract: Filter unit assembly located at an operator-designated position is provided for enabling fluid flow through a removable mesh filter and ready disconnectibility from a vacuum line with the avoidance of liquid spillage from the filter unit assembly. The filter unit has a chamber which is open at one end and closed at its other end except for an outlet conduit displaced from the longitudinal axis of the chamber, first and second outwardly extending grip means which are displaced from each other about the longitudinal axis of the chamber, first and second supports for permitting the unit to rest in different stable positions, and a cap member for which engages and closes the front end of the chamber and has an axial inlet.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 1991Date of Patent: September 7, 1993Inventor: Ronald K. Reese
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Patent number: 5239721Abstract: A floor sweeper includes a housing and wheels rotatably mounted on the housing for supporting the housing on a subjacent surface. A brush roll is rotatably mounted on the housing. A pair of gear cartridge members are located on opposite sides of the housing. Each of the gear cartridge members includes a first planetary gear train including a sun gear coupled to a respective end of the brush roll, a gear ring encircling the sun gear and a plurality of planet gears engaging both the sun gear and gear ring. A first drive wheel is coupled to the gear ring and a casing encloses the first planetary gear train.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 1992Date of Patent: August 31, 1993Assignee: Royal Appliance Mfg. Co.Inventor: Terry L. Zahuranec
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Patent number: 5231724Abstract: A manually operated sweeping machine is disclosed having two circular brooms which are laterally arranged in the front area of a housing, rotate toward the inside and sweep over a sweeping lip. These circular brooms are each supported by means of a roller, the shaft holders of which are vertically adjustably held in the housing by means of supporting devices, for the adjustment of the distance between the sweeping lip and the floor. In the case of the state of the art, each supporting device is separately vertically adjustably. In addition, the shaft holders project through the housing into the supporting devices arranged on the exterior side of the housing. In the case of high axial loads on the shaft holders, these can therefore push through the supporting devices in the upward direction. According to the invention, a joint vertical-adjustment device is provided for the supporting devices.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 1992Date of Patent: August 3, 1993Assignee: Ing. Haaga Kunststofftechnik GmbHInventor: Hermann Haaga
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Patent number: 5224232Abstract: A carpet sweeper comprises a housing, brushes, wheels fixed to the housing, and a pivotable handle attached to the housing. The housing contains a plurality of sides, one of which is a flip-down door. The door has hinges along a bottom edge. The top edge comprises a tab which cooperates with the top of the housing to selectively secure the door in a closed position. The tab is selectively manually deformable outwardly and downwardly from the top of the housing to swing the door into an open position. The housing includes flanges to secure the trays within the housing.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 1991Date of Patent: July 6, 1993Assignee: Royal Appliance Mfg. Co.Inventors: Terry L. Zahuranec, Craig M. Saunders
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Patent number: 5208935Abstract: A manually operated carpet sweeper which can be assembled and disassembled without the need of tools. The sweeper has a frame which supports front and rear wheels, a cleaning brush and a dirtpan, all of which are fastened to the frame by finger operable latching surfaces. The sweeper is operated with a handle which is fastened to a bail which is releasably supported on the frame. The front, side and top forward surfaces, all potentially marring surfaces, are covered with an elastomeric material which has finger actuable gripping surfaces for fixing the cover in place on the frame of the sweeper. The height of the sweeper, and in turn the height of the cleaning brush, can be adjusted using a wheel or a sliding member on the top surface of the sweeper. Also, the rear wheels for the sweeper are held by configured stub shafts which are held by the sweeper frame thereby avoiding the use of an axle extending across the width of the sweeper. A large dirtpan is thereby made possible.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 1991Date of Patent: May 11, 1993Assignee: Bissell Inc.Inventors: John J. Jailor, Henry J. Rosendall
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Patent number: 5193243Abstract: A brushroll having a spindle and a pair of end assemblies each including a thread guard, a shouldered stub shaft, a bearing and an end cap. The thread guards each include a pair of radially spaced annular wall portions which define channels opening outward from the spindle. The end caps have peripheral walls which extend into the channels defined by the thread guards to prevent threads loosened by the brushroll from fouling the brushroll bearings. Spools formed in the end caps cvapture threads flowing outwardly along the brushroll to prevent the threads from working their way back to the bearing. In a preferred construction, the spindle carries tufts which are angled toward the ends of the spindle in order to encourage the flow of threads toward the ends of the spindle.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 1992Date of Patent: March 16, 1993Assignee: The Scott Fetzer CompanyInventor: Alfred H. Stegens
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Patent number: 5184367Abstract: A sweeping machine having a housing which comprises two housing parts that can be separated from one another. One housing part is used for the bearing of two circular brooms. The other housing part is constructed as a receptacle for sweepings. An arrangement is provided for detachably connecting the two housing parts which has devices for the centering and devices for the locking of the two housing parts. The connecting of the two housing parts requires relatively high expenditures in the state of the art. The two housing parts are lifted manually, are hung into one another and are pressed together. They are then locked in this pressed-together position by means of a locking lever.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 1992Date of Patent: February 9, 1993Assignee: Ing. Haaga Kunststofftechnik GmbHInventor: Hermann Haaga
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Patent number: 5148569Abstract: The specification discloses an impeller for cleaning devices. A plurality of impeller segments are slipped over a twisted flat wire to provide the impeller. Each of the impeller segments preferably includes a plurality of paddles, and a central section with a non-cylindrical opening for receiving said twisted flat wire.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 1990Date of Patent: September 22, 1992Assignee: Bissell Inc.Inventors: John J. Jailor, Henry J. Rosendall
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Patent number: 5060342Abstract: A cleaning head adapted for use on hard surfaces comprises a body (10) formed as two back-to-back housings (20) and (30) which are swivellably mounted on a suction tube (40). Housing (20) contains a liquid applicator assembly (21) which comprises a body (22) of porous material with a facing layer of pile fabric (23). A cleaning liquid is delivered through ducts (46) and (48) to the body 22 so as to spread uniformly across the pile fabric (23). A suction slot (29) adjacent to the applicator assembly (21) may be provided to pick up dry dirt. The housing (30) includes a liquid pick-up assembly (31) comprising a slot (32) between a pair of flexible blades (33a,33b).Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 1989Date of Patent: October 29, 1991Assignee: Vax Appliances LimitedInventor: Alan J. Brazier
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Patent number: 5056181Abstract: In a rotary brush wherein the surface of a rotating basic shaft has mounted thereto at least one flexible blade, the surface of the blade made of rubber or a thermoplastic elastomer as its base material and which stands face to face with a surface to be cleaned is covered with a plastic material having wear resistance and slipperiness.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 1989Date of Patent: October 15, 1991Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha HokyInventors: Toshihiro Tsuchiya, Tomoharu Mitsunari, Mitsuaki Noguchi
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Patent number: 5029361Abstract: A floor nozzle for use with a vacuum cleaner has an agitator rotatably disposed in a housing and includes a rotor and at least one elongate web mounted on a circumferential surface of the rotor. The elongate web is made of a flexible material and has a plurality of teeth on at least one of opposite surfaces thereof. The elongate web has a T-shaped helical anchor foot inserted in a complementary T-shaped helical groove defined in the circumferential surface of the rotor. The floor nozzle also has a turbine rotatable under a vacuum developed by the vacuum cleaner and operatively coupled to the agitator for rotating the agitator.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 1988Date of Patent: July 9, 1991Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoshitaka Murata, Hiroshi Kawakami, Tsuyoshi Tokuda
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Patent number: 5013367Abstract: A rug cleaning apparatus comprises a housing having a front wall, a back wall, a top, and a pair of opposite end walls. An opening is formed in the top for allowing insertion of a rug into the apparatus, and a driven roller brush is mounted in the apparatus and extends from one to another of the pair of end walls. The roller brush has bristles extending therefrom for brushing against a rug inserted into the apparatus with at least a portion of the bristles being removed from the roller brush such that during a predetermined portion of rotation of the roller brush a portion of the rug is not in contact with brush bristles. Means attached to the apparatus and positioned adjacent the driven roller urge a rug into contact with the roller brush for brushing debris from the rug and for effecting vibration of the rug by repeated contact and lost of contact between the rug and bristles on the rug.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 1990Date of Patent: May 7, 1991Inventor: James N. Butts
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Patent number: 4266317Abstract: A sanitizing hand-manipulated vacuum cleaning apparatus embodying a floor-engaging suction head including a front squeegee and a rear abrasive pad establishing a suction chamber therebetween which is adapted to be connected to a source of sub-atmospheric pressure. The suction head is rigidly connected by a horizontal beam to a rear caster supported carriage, while an elongated handle has its lower end connected by a universal joint to the beam adjacent the rear end of the latter. The suction head, beam and carriage, by reason of their position relative to one another, and by reason of the universal joint connection to the beam, are capable of traversing the floor so that they will follow the guiding movements of the handle in a manner similar to that which obtains when the trailing absorbent strings of a conventional mop follow and are guided by manipulation of the mop handle.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 1979Date of Patent: May 12, 1981Inventor: John Duda