With Air Flow Control Means, E.g., Work-operated Valve Patents (Class 15/419)
  • Patent number: 12089798
    Abstract: A high-power slurry vacuum cart is well suited to collect and contain any slurry or wet residue produced through concrete and other surface processing operations. A multi-horsepower propane engine and propane tank are mounted on a mobile frame, along with a suction pump powered by the propane engine. A slurry containment vessel mounted on the frame has an input in communication with a squeegee and an output coupled to the suction pump. The squeegee may be adapted for floor contact to collect slurry for transfer to the slurry containment tank. The suction pump is directly coupled to the propane engine through a universal joint, thereby obviating the use of belts, chains or pulleys. The output of the pump may optionally be used as an air blower for surface drying, or the like, as well as use as an air blower to assist in emptying the slurry containment tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Inventor: Donald A. Pope, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11953016
    Abstract: A blower has: a fan generating an air flow in an axial direction of a rotary shaft; a tubular motor holder 30 formed in a tubular shape and holding the motor radially inside thereof; and a fan case part accommodating the motor, the motor holder, and the fan and forming an air flow path. A first rectification parts that is integrally formed is provided on an inside portion of the fan case part. The first rectification part is formed in a rib shape by a first to fourth blade, weakens a rotational component of a flow of air discharged from the fan, and guides the air to smoothly flow in the axial direction. The motor holder is configured so as to have an axial length smaller than the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Koki Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mikihiro Kataoka, Naoto Ichihashi
  • Patent number: 11950543
    Abstract: A concentrator nozzle attachment for a blower device is disclosed that increases the airflow velocity of the blower without sacrificing the field of the jetting air. The concentrator nozzle is formed of an outer ring with a centrally located guide surface and is placed at the exit of an air tube. As the air exits the air tube, it's forced to flow around the guide surface, thus increasing its velocity. The attachment is secured to the end of the air tube and so does not alter the outer diameter through which the air exits. In this way, air velocity is increased without reducing its effectiveness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Black & Decker, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Greene, Khoa Nguyen
  • Patent number: 11889794
    Abstract: A handheld blower including a housing, an air duct defining a duct axis, the air duct including an air inlet and an air outlet opposite the air inlet, and a handle. The handle at least partially defining a battery receiving cavity configured to receive at least a portion of a battery pack therein, where the handle defines a grip axis, and where the grip axis is parallel to the duct axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Beth E. Cholst, Bennett W. Westling, Atul Anand, Gregory A. Mutchler
  • Patent number: 11668311
    Abstract: Blowers with variable nozzles are provided. A blower includes a fan, and a main body housing the fan, the main body defining an airflow path extending between an inlet end and an outlet end. A blower further includes a variable nozzle disposed at the outlet end. The variable nozzle includes an attachment collar, the attachment collar comprising a body defining an exterior surface and an interior surface and extending along a longitudinal axis. The variable nozzle further includes a plurality of air control bodies, each of the plurality of air control bodies movably connected to the attachment collar and comprising an air control surface and an extension rod. The variable nozzle further includes an adjustment collar, the adjustment collar disposed around the attachment collar and defining a plurality of adjustment channels, wherein each of the plurality of extension rods is disposed in one of the plurality of adjustment channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Techtronic Cordless GP
    Inventors: Hang Man Cho, Michael Coltharp, Dong Heon Han, Peter Kaminski, Graham Langford, Peyton Lee
  • Patent number: 9826869
    Abstract: A suction nozzle for a vacuum cleaner, the suction nozzle comprising a suction chamber, an outlet duct extending from the suction chamber for connection to a vacuum source on the vacuum cleaner, a soleplate for supporting the nozzle on a carpeted floor, a suction opening in the soleplate which opens into the suction chamber, and a valve which can be manually operated to open or close a bleed path through the front of the nozzle into the suction chamber, the bleed path being defined by a channel formed on the underside of the soleplate which is fluidly connected to the outlet duct, the channel terminating in an entrance slot on the front of the nozzle for admitting debris as the suction nozzle is pushed in a forward direction, the channel defining a throat downstream of the entrance slot, the throat having a smaller cross-sectional area than the entrance slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Reuben Thomas Daniel Lawrence Kettle Aiers, Matthew John Dobson, Stephen Robert Dimbylow
  • Patent number: 8959708
    Abstract: A handle for a wand of a vacuum cleaning appliance includes a handgrip portion and a conduit for receiving an air flow. The handle includes an aperture for admitting ambient air into the conduit. A first valve occludes a first portion of the aperture, and a second valve occludes a second portion of the aperture. A control mechanism moves the first and second valves away from the aperture to admit ambient air into the conduit. The second valve is supported at least partially by the first valve to occlude the second portion of the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Sean Ventress, David Andrew McLeod
  • Patent number: 8713753
    Abstract: Provided is a nozzle for a vacuum cleaner. The nozzle for the vacuum cleaner includes a nozzle body defining an outer appearance thereof, a vibration member disposed in the nozzle body, the vibration member separating foreign substances from a surface to be cleaned, a driving motor providing a driving force to the vibration member, and a power transmission unit configured to convert a rotation movement of the driving motor into a linear movement of the vibration member. The vibration member repeatedly strikes the surface to be cleaned by the driving force of the driving motor. The nozzle for the vacuum is advantageous in that it can easily suck dusts scattered during cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Seung-Heun Lim
  • Patent number: 8671517
    Abstract: A handle for a wand of a vacuum cleaning appliance includes a handgrip portion and a conduit for receiving an air flow. The handle includes an aperture for admitting ambient air into the conduit. A first valve occludes a first portion of the aperture, and a second valve occludes a second portion of the aperture. A control mechanism moves the first and second valves away from the aperture to admit ambient air into the conduit. To reduce the force required to move the valves away from the aperture, the control mechanism is configured to move the second valve away from the second portion of the aperture before moving the first valve away from the first portion of the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Sean Ventress, David Andrew McLeod
  • Patent number: 8627538
    Abstract: A vacuum can include a housing having an inlet adapted to receive debris being vacuumed. A mounting bar can be fixedly coupled to the housing. A floor collector assembly can be rotatably disposed about a first axis defined by the mounting bar. The floor collector assembly can include a floor scoop that, in the use mode, can be pivoted to be disposed adjacent to the floor. The front wall of the floor scoop can define a recess that allows debris to pass under the recess so that the floor collector assembly can be used in a debris pickup mode. A visor can be mounted to the floor scoop and can be moved to a closed position to block at least a portion of the recess so that the floor collection assembly can be used in a water pickup mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Katherine E. Phelan, Gregg L. Sheddy
  • Patent number: 8567009
    Abstract: A suction nozzle assembly comprises a nozzle body with a slidably supported shuttling plate mounted therebeneath. The shuttling plate selectively directs suction to focused nozzle inlet openings at the front and rear portions of the nozzle body on forward and backward cleaning strokes, respectively. Converging debris paths defined by a plurality of debris guides direct debris towards the focused nozzle inlets. The debris guides further define along the underside of the shuttling plate sheet retention platforms that are isolated from the working air path and have dust cloths to remove dust from the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: BISSELL Homecare, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan J. Krebs
  • Patent number: 8544145
    Abstract: A surface treating head in the form of a floor tool for a vacuum cleaner includes a main body, a suction cavity and an outlet. The suction cavity includes first and second suction channels, bounded on both sides by respective working edges. A fluid flow path extends from the first suction channel to the second suction channel and from there to the outlet. The plurality of suction channels permits effective pick-up of dirt. To enable the surface treating head to be used to treat both carpeted floor surfaces and hard floor surfaces, the surface treating head may be provided with a brush unit and a drive mechanism for moving the brush unit between a stowed position and a deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Spencer James Robert Arthey, Henry Licming Lambourn, Stephen Robert Dimbylow, Alistair William Skuse
  • Publication number: 20130160235
    Abstract: A small debris extractor for removing debris from wet paint. The small debris extractor provides a focused vacuum allowing insects, dust, and other small debris to be removed from wet paint without disrupting the paint finish. The various embodiments of the small debris extractor include an integral pressurized air source or connect to an external pressurized air source. The pressurized air passes through the small debris extractor to create a vacuum in a hose extending from the body. The vacuum has sufficient suction to extract the small debris from the paint and insufficient volume to disrupt the paint finish.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Inventor: James E. Potter
  • Patent number: 8429790
    Abstract: A vacuum grooming tool is disclosed that includes a vacuum nozzle attachable to a vacuum source and has a hollow body with a mouth opening. A grooming device selected from a variety of standard animal grooming hand tools, such as a shedding blade, rake or de-matting tool, may span the mouth opening. The grooming device is positioned such that the airflow created by the vacuum source flows over at least one side of the grooming device. A vacuum cleaning tool for removing any animal hair from a grooming tool is also disclosed. A vacuum plenum of the cleaning tool is attachable to a vacuum source and has an opening for cleaning the grooming tool in one pass. The cleaning tool can be mounted on a stationary support may also include a pivot-action mechanism that connects the vacuum grooming tool or the cleaning tool to the vacuum source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Hair Patrol LLC
    Inventor: James E. Freidell
  • Patent number: 8402600
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner nozzle with a nozzle housing, an outlet opening on the housing, a suction opening on a side of the housing facing a surface to be cleaned, at least one roller connected to the housing to support the vacuum cleaner nozzle, and a sealing member on the nozzle. The suction opening communicates with the outlet opening to draw debris through the suction opening when a suction source is connected to the outlet. The roller has an essentially air tight material and rotates such that the roller surface moves towards the suction opening to sweep debris towards the suction opening. The sealing member has a sealing portion in close apposition to at least part of the roller. The sealing portion partly surrounds and substantially restricts airflow across a sealed portion of the roller located essentially opposite the surface being cleaned. The roller also functions as an air barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: AB Electrolux
    Inventors: Jonas Beskow, Anders Haegermarck
  • Publication number: 20130061419
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a propane fuel source, a sealed vacuum chamber and a total weight of not more than forty pounds. A vacuum cleaner system for a portable vacuum cleaner having a propane fuel source, a sealed vacuum chamber and a total weight of not more than forty pounds, and having and at least one removably attachable harness, at least one removably attachable carrier shoulder strap, at least one removably attachable handle, at least one removably attachable wheel and/or at least one rolling tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventors: Richard B. Patrono, Leonard C. Wagner, Jeff Kiersch, Andrew Lees
  • Publication number: 20130047371
    Abstract: A portable air blower includes: a first pipe having a first outlet opening communicating with a main body, the first pipe discharging wind generated in the main body through the first outlet opening; and a second pipe having a larger diameter than that of the first pipe, the second pipe being attached movably in the axial direction to the outer circumference of the first pipe and having a second outlet opening having a larger diameter than that of the first outlet opening. In the portable air blower, the second pipe is moved relative to the first pipe to dispose the second outlet opening upstream or downstream of the first outlet opening; the second pipe has an inflow window disposed upstream of the first outlet opening, the inflow window enabling air to flow from the outside into the second pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: MARUYAMA MFG. CO., INC.
    Inventors: Shigeki Namekata, Junichi Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 8191202
    Abstract: The apparatus comprises a vacuum tank with a front-mounted collection means thereunder The collection means is a V-shaped scraper with a height adjustable suction inlet at the apex thereof. The collection means has a pair of laterally adjustable pivoting wings for varying its width to correspond to that of an alley or gutter. The suction inlet may be equipped with a snorkel to introduce a small quantity of air as an aid in entraining thick-consistency materials. A blower vac is used to both draw air into and blow air through the vacuum tank. A valve means comprising a pair of oppositely oriented check valves is used to alternate flow paths between a lowered rearward exhaust during collection and an elevated intake during tank discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Nuhn Industries Ltd.
    Inventor: Dennis Nuhn
  • Patent number: 8113543
    Abstract: A hose adapter defines a passageway therethrough and has a first connector portion and a second connector portion with the first connector portion being substantially larger in transverse dimension than the second connector portion. A transition portion is disposed between the first and second connector portions. A vacuum device is operatively associated with one of the first and second connector portions, and a hose is secured to the other connecting portion. In one embodiment, the hose adapter has a vent with an associated closure, which is designed to vary the opening in the vent and thereby alter the amount of suction created by the vacuum device. A plurality of interiorly-mounted, inwardly-projecting ribs are provided in the second connector portion to facilitate retention of a hose therein. A vacuum system employing the adapter is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: M.D.C. Romani, Inc.
    Inventors: Domenic A. Romani, Ruthe M. Romani, Frank D. Romani
  • 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: 8082625
    Abstract: A pick-up head for a mobile sweeping vehicle comprises a housing defining a substantially hollow interior and a suctioning bottom opening for suctioning dust and small debris. A suctioning front opening is disposed in the front of the housing for receiving debris into the substantially hollow interior of the housing. A door is mounted on the pick-up head for selectively opening and closing the suctioning front opening. A dust and debris outlet in the housing permits dust and debris to be suctioned from the substantially hollow interior. A gutter broom is mounted within the housing adjacent one end, for sweeping dust and small debris inwardly from the selected one of the left end and the right end and towards the dust and debris outlet. An opening in the housing at the selected end permits the gutter broom to extend beyond the end of the housing, thus allowing the gutter broom to sweep against a curb, for sweeping dust and small debris towards a central path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Inventor: Roger P. Vanderlinden
  • Patent number: 8028370
    Abstract: A cleaning machine for cleaning a surface is provided. The cleaning machine includes a base assembly that moves along the surface and a liquid distribution system associated with the base assembly for distributing the cleaning solution to the cleaning surface. A suction nozzle assembly is mounted to the base assembly and includes a front nozzle portion and a rear nozzle portion. The front nozzle portion defines a fluid flow path having an inlet opening and an outlet opening and the rear nozzle portion defines a fluid flow path having an inlet opening and an outlet opening. A suction source is in fluid communication with the suction nozzle for applying suction to draw the cleaning solution and dirt from the surface and through the suction nozzle assembly. The fluid flow path of the front nozzle portion is closed in response to the base assembly moving in one of the forward direction and rear direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited
    Inventors: Evan A. Gordon, Sergey V. Makarov, Aaron P. Tondra, Michael A. Durbin, Robert W. Bauman
  • Patent number: 7979952
    Abstract: A cleaning device with an elongated housing having a grip at one end and a cleaning head at another end, a dirt collection device and a vacuum source. The cleaning head has a rotary agitator, a first inlet opening having a first cross-sectional area, and a second inlet opening having a second cross-sectional area. The second cross-sectional area may be substantially less than the first cross-sectional area. The second inlet opening may be above the first inlet opening. There also may be a fluid supply tank and an associated pump, and the pump and agitator may be driven by the same motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: AB Electrolux
    Inventors: Jonas Beskow, Anders Haegermarck, Brian Vines, Arnie Sepke
  • Patent number: 7941894
    Abstract: A golf course green cleaning device configured to remove debris from the predicted putting path of a golf ball. The golf course green cleaning device further includes a housing having three contiguous portions. The first portion is generally cylindrical in shape and has disposed therein a rechargeable power supply. The second portion is spherical in shape and is substantially hollow. The second portion has a fan an motor assembly therein configured to generate an airflow. The third portion is operably coupled to the second portion and is cylindrical in shape having an internal air passage to receive the airflow from the second portion. Removably attached to the third portion distal from the second portion is a nozzle that directs the airflow exiting the third portion so as to remove debris from the predicted putting path of a golf ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Inventor: Tony Skorput
  • Patent number: 7941893
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaning tool has a housing having a connecting socket for effecting flow communication to a vacuum device of a vacuum cleaning device. The housing has a suction opening through which a working air flow enters the housing. The housing has an outlet opening through which the working air flow exits from the housing. A cleaning tool is rotatably supported in the housing. An air turbine is rotatably supported in a turbine chamber of the housing and drives the cleaning tool in rotation. A control device controls the drive power for driving the cleaning tool based on a pressure existing in the vacuum cleaning tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Düpro AG
    Inventor: Peter Wörwag
  • Patent number: 7845048
    Abstract: An air-blower includes a housing formed from non-corrosive material and is sized for being transportable. The housing has a cavity concentrically centered about its axis, and has an open distal end in fluid communication with the cavity and a closed proximal end. A conduit is conjoined to the housing and provided with proximal and distal ends. The conduit is telescopically adjustable. A mechanism is included for discharging a volume of air away from the conduit. A power supply source is coupled to the discharging mechanism and is contained within the housing, and includes a rechargeable battery pack. The power supply source includes first and second power cords connectable to the battery pack for recharging the battery pack from a cigarette lighter or an electrical wall outlet. A quick-release fastener is connected to the proximal end of the housing for attaching the air-blower to a belt region of one's pants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Inventors: Gerald Bailey, Larry D. Bridges
  • Patent number: 7763091
    Abstract: A dust collector has a vacuum coupling for connection to a vacuum source such as a portable vacuum cleaner or other suitable source. A vacuum reservoir is formed from a chamber between nested interlocking receptacles. A variable density pattern of inlet holes through one interlocking container into the vacuum reservoir provides better flow and capture of debris, while multiple inlets within the vacuum reservoir provide even and consistent suction. A variety of inlet geometries are presented that are suitable to a variety of purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Inventor: Edward J. Nunke
  • Patent number: 7716785
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a floor cleaning machine comprising a brush adapted to scrub the floor with a cleaning, i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: CFM Nilfisk-Advance S.P.A.
    Inventors: Sergio Coccapani, Filippo Marchetti
  • Patent number: 7634836
    Abstract: An intake nozzle and vacuum cleaner having the same are disclosed, by which an air intake force can be adjusted. The present invention includes a nozzle case, a first air intake port provided to a bottom of the nozzle case to suck an air including dust by an air intake force generated from driving an air intake device, and an intake force adjusting device varying an intake force of the first intake port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Dong Youl Lee
  • Patent number: 7552507
    Abstract: A cleaning head for a vacuum cleaner comprises a housing for facing a surface being cleaned, a first suction opening, a brush bar operable on the surface being cleaned through the first suction opening, a second suction opening and means for switching suction air flow between the first and second suction openings as required. The second suction opening may be narrower than the first opening, to provide a higher speed of suction airflow and hence improved dust collection when the brush bar is not being operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: VAX Limited
    Inventor: Gavin Burnham
  • Publication number: 20090113660
    Abstract: An improved pickup or intake hood for use in regenerative air flow road and pavement sweeper vehicles includes at least one side auxiliary plenums and/or at least one side-to-side plenum adjacent the primary air flow compartment. The auxiliary plenums are attached by appropriate ducting into the regenerative air flow so that any fugitive air and or dust flows from the primary air flow compartment are captured in the auxiliary plenums to minimize fugitive air and/or dust flows into the ambient atmosphere. Dust conduits from shrouded gutter brooms enter a manifold box to allow dust-entrained air flows from one or both gutter brooms to enter into the regenerative air flow to capture dust generated by the gutter brooms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2008
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Inventor: Edward B. STELL
  • Publication number: 20090083937
    Abstract: The invention relates to a bare floor cleaner capable of wet pickup through a first nozzle opening with the aid of a squeegee, wet scrubbing with an agitator, and dry pickup through a second nozzle opening. The bare floor cleaner comprises a dual-path nozzle assembly having a wet suction path in communication with the first nozzle opening and a dry suction path in communication with the second nozzle opening. A diverter valve selectively controls fluid communication between a suction source and one of the first and second nozzle openings for conversion between wet and dry modes. The bare floor cleaner further comprises a single actuator that controls the positions of the agitator and of the diverter valve. As a result, the cleaning mode of the bare floor cleaner can be controlled with a single switch that is preferably located on the handle assembly for convenient access by a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: BISSELL Homecare, Inc.
    Inventor: Gabriel S. Vander Baan
  • Publication number: 20090038110
    Abstract: A nozzle assembly of a vacuum cleaner is provided that includes a casing, a suction port, a drum brush, a fan, and a blocking plate. The drum brush is rotatably disposed in the casing so drum bristles hit a surface being cleaned. The fan is disposed in the casing to be rotated by air drawn in through the suction port so that the fan rotates the drum brush. The blocking plate is adjacent to the front of the fan to screen most of the fan except for a lower portion of the fan. The fan includes a circular fan body, a shaft member, and a plurality of blades. The inside edge of each of the blades is at a distance from the shaft member so that the drawn-in air passes through a space defined between the inside edge of each of the blades and the shaft member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventors: Sung-cheol Lee, Jang-keun Oh, Hwa-gyu Song, Chae-hoon Sohn, I-sun Park
  • Patent number: 7409742
    Abstract: A suction nozzle of a vacuum cleaner includes jet units for jetting air into positions where air streams collide with each other as air is drawn into a suction port of the nozzle from both side portions thereof, so as to prevent substantially the collision of air streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hwa-gyu Song, Hyun-ju Lee, Dong-houn Yang, Jae-sun You, Jung-hyeon Kim, Jun-young Lee
  • Patent number: 7159274
    Abstract: A vacuum grooming tool is disclosed that includes a vacuum nozzle attachable to a vacuum source and has a hollow body with a mouth opening. A grooming device selected from a variety of standard animal grooming hand tools, such as a shedding blade, rake, or de-matting tool, may span the mouth opening. The grooming device is positioned such that the airflow created by the vacuum source flows over at least one side of the grooming device. A vacuum cleaning tool for removing any animal hair from a grooming tool is also disclosed. A vacuum plenum of the cleaning tool is attachable to a vacuum source and has an opening for cleaning the grooming tool in one pass. The cleaning tool can be mounted on a stationary support and may also include a pivot-action mechanism that connects the vacuum grooming tool or the cleaning tool to the vacuum source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Inventor: James E. Freidell
  • Patent number: 7051401
    Abstract: A suction nozzle for a vacuum cleaner is provided which includes a built in accessory tool. The suction nozzle includes a main body with an inlet which contacts the cleaning surface, and a connection portion which connects the main body of the nozzle to the vacuum cleaner. The nozzle also includes an accessory tool which communicates with the main body of the suction nozzle through a connection hose, and which, when extended, makes use of the suction force flowing through the main body of the suction nozzle. When not in use, the accessory tool is secured to the main body of the suction nozzle. In this manner, smaller, more narrow areas may be cleaned without first having to separate the suction nozzle from the vacuum cleaner in order to use an accessory tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Chang-Do Park
  • Patent number: 6842941
    Abstract: A suction port assembly of a vacuum cleaner. The suction port assembly has a pair of suction paths formed at a front and a rear portions of a bottom of a suction port body, respectively, so as to enhance the cleaning efficiency, and due to a presence of an elastic member formed at a front edge of the suction port body as shock-buffer, the reduction of the durability incurred by the collision with an external obstacle is prevented. Meanwhile, in case that a floorcloth is rotatably disposed on a lower surface of the bottom of the suction port body, since the suction port assembly further includes a floorcloth cover protruding from the bottom of the suction port body toward a cleaning surface, the safety of a user is guaranteed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Samsung Kwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Byung-jo Lee
  • Patent number: 6813809
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaning tool of a vacuum cleaning device has a housing with a turbine chamber and a working chamber. The housing has a suction slot extending transversely in the vacuum cleaning tool. A suction airflow generated by the vacuum cleaning device enters the working chamber via the suction slot. First and second flow connections between the working and turbine chambers allow the suction airflow to enter the turbine chamber. An air turbine in the turbine chamber is rotatably driven by the suction airflow and drives a cleaning tool in the working chamber. The housing has an outlet opening allowing the suction airflow to exit the turbine chamber. The first and second flow connections are located on opposite sides of an imaginary plane defined by the axis of rotation of the air turbine and a center of the outlet opening. The cross-section of one of the flow connections is adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Düpro AG
    Inventor: Peter Wörwag
  • Patent number: 6687952
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner attachment which can be connected to a dry vacuum cleaner to convert the dry vacuum cleaner into a wet vacuum cleaner such that a liquid can be removed from a surface. The vacuum cleaner has a vacuum source for drawing an air stream through an inlet and exhausting the air stream through an outlet. The attachment comprises a housing including a passageway having a first end and a second end in fluid connection with the first end, and a coupler on the first end for coupling the first end with either the inlet or the outlet of the vacuum cleaner so that the air stream produced by the vacuum source passes through the passageway. The housing also includes a reservoir and an intake nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: HMI Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Traian Mohan, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20040005232
    Abstract: A blower having a discharge tube, which can be secured to a housing, for guiding a stream of air is provided. The air stream flows in a main stream direction in the discharge tube and in a discharge stream direction out of the discharge tube. The discharge stream direction forms an angle of greater than 0° with the main stream direction. The discharge stream direction has a transverse component that extends perpendicular to the main stream direction, which produces a force in the discharge tube perpendicular to the main stream direction. To reduce the transverse force produced in the discharge tube, a partial air stream is branched off out of the discharge tube and flows in a partial stream direction that has a compensation component that is directed opposite to the transverse component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Applicant: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Jorg Schutt
  • Patent number: 6588058
    Abstract: A large area surface cleaning tool, for suctioning both dust and debris from a surface being cleaned, has a housing having a surface facing peripheral bottom edge defining a suctioning bottom opening. An elongate wand has an inlet disposed in suctioning relation with the suctioning bottom opening of the housing and connected in fluid communication via an airflow passageway to an outlet disposed exteriorly to the housing and in fluid communication and in debris transfer relation to a vacuum source. A first debris duct operatively mounted on one of the housing and the elongate wand for movement therewith and having a debris inlet disposed in suctioning relation exteriorly to the housing at least partially above the peripheral bottom edge of the housing to thereby accent debris too large to pass between the peripheral bottom edge and a surface being cleaned during use, and connected in fluid communication to a debris outlet disposed in debris transfer relation to the vacuum source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Inventor: Roger P. Vanderlinden
  • Patent number: 6571424
    Abstract: A device for removing dust and rubbish includes a casing provided with a suction opening, a rotating brush, a turbine operationally connected to the brush, a suction nozzle located between the brush and the turbine, and a suction pipe connected to a suction device; the brush and the turbine are rotatably supported, respectively, in a first and in a second housing; the device also includes at least a bypass duct and a first valve, the bypass duct being designed for bypassing the second housing and the turbine, the first valve being able to engage with the suction nozzle and with the bypass duct for closing the suction nozzle and opening the bypass duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: New Ermes Europe S.p.A.
    Inventors: Ermes Roschi, Riccardo Roschi
  • Patent number: 6519805
    Abstract: A vacuum unit used to vacuum lawn debris includes a vacuum unit body having at least first and second inlet openings and at least one flap that can be adjusted to selectively cover and open the second opening. The vacuum unit body includes a flap adjustment member that is located within the second opening and that includes a contact surface that contacts the flap. Preferably, the flap adjustment member has one end that is adapted to receive a vacuum hose. The flap adjustment member can be placed into a first position where it causes the flap to open the second opening and a second position where it permits the flap to cover the second opening. The vacuum hose has a handle that can be attached to the vacuum unit handle permitting the vacuum hose to remain permanently attached to the vacuum unit even when the vacuum hose is not being used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: MTD Products Inc
    Inventors: Usman Firdaus, John Dawson, Philip B. Smith, Jeffery R. Kucera
  • Publication number: 20020133903
    Abstract: A large area surface cleaning tool comprises a housing defining a substantially hollow interior, and having a perimeter portion that terminates downwardly in a surface facing peripheral bottom edge that defines a suctioning bottom opening, and having a selectively movable portion for permitting access by debris to the interior of the housing, when, in use, at least a portion of the surface facing peripheral bottom edge is in contact with a surface. An elongate wand has an inlet end disposed in dust and debris suctioning relation with respect to the substantially hollow interior of the housing and is connected in fluid communication and in debris transfer relation via an internal airflow passageway to an opposite outlet end disposed exteriorly to the housing in fluid communication and in debris transfer relation with a vacuum source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2001
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Inventor: Roger P. Vanderlinden
  • Publication number: 20020133902
    Abstract: A large area surface cleaning tool, for suctioning both dust and debris from a surface being cleaned, comprises a housing having a surface facing peripheral bottom edge defining a suctioning bottom opening. An elongate wand has an inlet disposed in suctioning relation with the suctioning bottom opening of the housing and connected in fluid communication via an airflow passageway to an outlet disposed exteriorly to the housing and in fluid communication and in debris transfer relation to a vacuum source. A first debris duct operatively mounted on one of the housing and the elongate wand for movement therewith and having a debris inlet disposed in suctioning relation exteriorly to the housing at least partially above the peripheral bottom edge of the housing to thereby accept debris too large to pass between the peripheral bottom edge and a surface being cleaned during use, and connected in fluid communication to a debris outlet disposed in debris transfer relation to the vacuum source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2001
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Inventor: Roger P. Vanderlinden
  • Publication number: 20010027587
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaning head for a vacuum cleaner includes structure for inducing vortices in the incoming air travelling between the sole plate and the surface to be cleaned. The vortices assist in entraining dust and dirt particles raised from the surface to be cleaned by a cleaning implement which may be a brush, beater bar or the like. The axis of the vortices is substantially parallel to the surface to be cleaned and the vortices b ring the rotating air substantially adjacent to and preferably in contact with the surface to be cleaned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Publication date: October 11, 2001
    Inventors: Wayne Ernest Conrad, Dave Andrew Petersen
  • Patent number: 6131227
    Abstract: An improved skirt for use with an automatic or robotic pool cleaner head comprising at least one or a row of double-hinged flaps, each of the flaps comprising a receiving member affixed to the pool cleaner head, an upper articulating member pivotally coupled to the receiving member, and a lower articulating member pivotally coupled to the upper articulating member. The pivotally connected members form upper and lower hinges which allow free radial movement upward to, but not beyond, the bottom surface of the pool cleaning head, and further allow the cleaning head to navigate uneven surfaces or pieces of debris while maintaining effective suction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Poolvergnuegen
    Inventors: Dieter J. Rief, Hans Raines Schlitzer
  • Patent number: 5555601
    Abstract: Ergonomic and easily serviceable vacuum probe. The probe for applying a vacuum has a see-through chamber in which a particulate filter is disposed so that the contamination level in the chamber is monitorable for servicing the filter. The probe is vacuum-dependent and sized to be gripped by a person's hand making a fist therearound including around the handle which extends longitudinally of the body. By squeezing the handle toward the body, a valve plunger is pushed radially inwardly to open the valve to apply vacuum. The valve is spring-biased to return to the closed position upon release of the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventor: Perry D. Schultz
  • Patent number: 5535478
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Inventor: Gary A. Thompson
  • Patent number: 5499424
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1996
    Assignee: Senson Investments Limited
    Inventor: Alfred T. Lau