Cylindrical Brush Patents (Class 15/50.3)
  • Patent number: 11759082
    Abstract: A cleaning machine may include: a first brush comprising a first brush shaft extending in a left-right direction and a first brush body held by the first brush shaft; a second brush comprising a second brush shaft extending in the left-right direction and a second brush body held on the second brush shaft; a brush supporting member supporting each of the first brush and the second brush such that the first brush and the second brush are rotatable; a body supporting the brush supporting member such that the brush supporting member is pivotable; and a pivot mechanism configured to pivot the brush supporting member with respect to the body. At least the first brush may move with respect to the body in an up-down direction when the brush supporting member pivots with respect to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenta Morimoto, Takuo Arakawa
  • Patent number: 11583157
    Abstract: A vertical surface cleaning device comprising a main body, a cleaning arm, a cleaning head, and leg mechanisms with grippers. The cleaning head applies a cleaning fluid on a surface to carry out a cleaning operation. A waste collector is provided to collect a waste material arising from the cleaning operation. The grippers may remain in a grip or in a release state. The segments of the leg mechanisms are articulatable to configure a first group of the leg mechanisms to stably hold the main body at a first place with the grippers remaining in the grip state. A second group of the leg mechanisms move in a desired direction with their grippers in release state while the first group stably holds the main body. The first group of the leg mechanisms then moves in the same direction while the second group holds the main body at a second place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Inventor: France Vezina
  • Patent number: 11408190
    Abstract: An automated building washing device generally includes one or more rotational brushes having a vertical rotational axis coupled to a window washing swing stage. The brushes are horizontally movable from end-to-end along the longitudinal direction of a window washing swing stage while rotating about their vertical axis so that a relatively large portion of building surface can be quickly cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Inventor: Michael R. Lange
  • Patent number: 11369246
    Abstract: A riding floor cleaning machine having an intelligent system including a main frame sub-assembly, a steering and drive wheel sub-assembly, a solution tank sub-assembly, a recovery tank sub-assembly, a recovery tank cover sub-assembly, a control panel sub-assembly, a main controller sub-assembly, a seat and detergent system sub-assembly, a battery sub-assembly, a scrub head sub-assembly, a scrub head lift sub-assembly, a squeegee sub-assembly, a solution and detergent sub-assembly, and an intelligent system associated with at least one of the above-identified sub-assemblies, wherein the intelligent system selectively gathers, obtains, monitors, stores, records, and/or analyzes data associated with components of the riding floor cleaning machine, and controllably communicates and/or disseminates such data with another system and/or user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: INTELLIGENT CLEANING EQUIPMENT HOLDINGS CO. LTD.
    Inventor: Nai Pong Simon Chen
  • Patent number: 11191411
    Abstract: A vertical surface cleaning device comprising a main body, a cleaning arm, a cleaning head, and leg mechanisms with grippers. The cleaning head applies a cleaning fluid on a surface to carry out a cleaning operation. A waste collector is provided to collect a waste material arising from the cleaning operation. The grippers may remain in a grip or in a release state. The segments of the leg mechanisms are articulatable to configure a first group of the leg mechanisms to stably hold the main body at a first place with the grippers remaining in the grip state. A second group of the leg mechanisms move in a desired direction with their grippers in release state while the first group stably holds the main body. The first group of the leg mechanisms then moves in the same direction while the second group holds the main body at a second place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Inventor: France Vezina
  • Patent number: 11109730
    Abstract: The present application provides an autonomous cleaning robot. The autonomous cleaning robot may include a main body and a cleaning assembly mounted on the main body. The cleaning assembly may include a first cleaning subassembly. The first cleaning subassembly is removable mounted on the main body. The first cleaning subassembly can be loaded into or unloaded from the main body in a forward and backward direction. The first cleaning subassembly of the autonomous cleaning robot is easy to be assembled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: SHENZHEN ROCK TIMES TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xing Li, Song Peng, Youcheng Lu
  • Patent number: 11071432
    Abstract: A floor cleaning machine having an intelligent system including a recovery tank sub-assembly, a vacuum fan sub-assembly, a solution tank sub-assembly, wherein the solution tank sub-assembly preferably includes a secondary electrochemical cell, a solution flow sub-assembly, a control console sub-assembly, a frame and wheel sub-assembly and/or a frame and transaxle sub-assembly, a scrub head sub-assembly, a scrub head lift sub-assembly, a squeegee sub-assembly, a solution flow sub-assembly, and an intelligent system associated with at least one of the above-identified sub-assemblies, wherein the intelligent system at least one of selectively gathers, obtains, monitors, stores, records, and analyzes data associated with components of the floor cleaning machine assembly, and at least one of controllably communicates and disseminates such data with at least one of another system and user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: INTELLIGENT CLEANING EQUIPMENT HOLDINGS CO. LTD.
    Inventor: Nai Pong Simon Chen
  • Patent number: 11065649
    Abstract: An implement for cleaning debris from feed bunks has a frame adapted to be coupled to a vehicle, a transverse shaft rotatably supported by bearing assemblies on the frame and extending laterally beyond one side of the vehicle, a drive motor for rotatably driving the shaft, and a plurality of strips of flexible material connected to an outer end portion of the shaft. The strips of flexible material can be baler belt sections arranged with a tread pattern on a leading surface to help pick up debris and liquid from feed bunks during operation. The strips of flexible material are attached to mounting surfaces on diametrically opposed sides of the shaft and arranged so that free ends of the strips strike and fling debris from the feed bunk during rotation. The drive motor has an adjustable rotation speed to accommodate differing amounts and conditions of debris in the feed bunk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Inventor: Ryan Blackwood
  • Patent number: 10932639
    Abstract: A riding floor cleaning machine having an intelligent system including a main frame sub-assembly, a steering and drive wheel sub-assembly, a solution tank sub-assembly, a recovery tank sub-assembly, a recovery tank cover sub-assembly, a control panel sub-assembly, a main controller sub-assembly, a seat and detergent system sub-assembly, a battery sub-assembly, a scrub head sub-assembly, a scrub head lift sub-assembly, a squeegee sub-assembly, a solution and detergent sub-assembly, and an intelligent system associated with at least one of the above-identified sub-assemblies, wherein the intelligent system selectively gathers, obtains, monitors, stores, records, and/or analyzes data associated with components of the riding floor cleaning machine, and controllably communicates and/or disseminates such data with another system and/or user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: INTELLIGENT CLEANING EQUIPMENT HOLDINGS CO. LTD.
    Inventor: Nai Pong Simon Chen
  • Patent number: 10813514
    Abstract: Disclosed is a cleaner comprising a cleaner body, a front wheel rotatably provided in a front portion of the cleaner body, a rear wheel rotatably provided in a rear portion of the cleaner body, a first member attached to an outer circumferential surface of the front wheel and configured to contact with a cleaning object surface, a second member attached to an outer circumferential surface of the rear wheel and configured to contact with the cleaning object surface, a front motor rotating the front wheel, a rear motor rotating the rear wheel and a controller driving the front motor and the rear motor, wherein the controller controls the front motor and the rear motor to become rotated in the opposite directions while cleaning is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jaewon Jang, Jeongyun Kim, Donghoon Kim
  • Patent number: 10533335
    Abstract: A pool cleaning robot for cleaning a pool, that may include a housing; a first interfacing element is configured to interface between the pool cleaning robot and a bottom of a pool while the pool cleaning robot cleans the bottom of the pool; and one or more second interfacing elements that are configured to reduce a friction between the pool and the pool cleaning robot during at least a portion of an exit process in which the pool cleaning robot exits the pool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Maytronics Ltd.
    Inventors: Yohanan Maggeni, Shay Witelson
  • Patent number: 10470629
    Abstract: An autonomous floor cleaning robot includes a transport drive and control system arranged for autonomous movement of the robot over a floor for performing cleaning operations. The robot chassis carries a first cleaning zone comprising cleaning elements arranged to suction loose particulates up from the cleaning surface and a second cleaning zone comprising cleaning elements arraigned to apply a cleaning fluid onto the surface and to thereafter collect the cleaning fluid up from the surface after it has been used to clean the surface. The robot chassis carries a supply of cleaning fluid and a waste container for storing waste materials collected up from the cleaning surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew Ziegler, Christopher John Morse, Duane L. Gilbert, Jr., Andrew Jones
  • Patent number: 10349796
    Abstract: A device for cleaning a surface (11) comprises at least one rotatable brush (3,4) which is provided with flexible brush elements (18) for contacting the surface (11) and picking up dirt particles (10) and liquid which are present on the surface (11) during a dirt pick-up period of each revolution of the brush (3, 4), and means for driving the brush (3, 4). A linear mass density of the flexible brush elements (18) is chosen such as to be lower than 50 g per 10 km, at least at tip portions, and an acceleration at tips of the brush elements (18) is set such as to be at least 3,000 m/sec2, at least at some time during another period of each revolution of the brush (3, 4) than the dirt pick-up period, namely a period in which the brush elements (18) are free from contact to the surface (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Bastiaan Johannes De Wit, Fokke Roelof Voorhorst, Johannes Tseard Van Der Kooi, Sepas Setayesh
  • Patent number: 9433954
    Abstract: A foam generating system for an automated carwash contains a foam generator for connecting to an air source, a water source and a detergent source. The foam generator has an input and an output outputting a foaming fluid formed from air from the air source, water from the water source, and a detergent from the detergent source. A detergent/water receiving input nozzle is attached to an input side of the foam generator. An agitating nozzle is disposed in the output of the input nozzle. The agitating nozzle spins and accelerates the foaming fluid flowing through the foam generator where it eventual is output by an output nozzle. The agitating nozzle outputs a homogenous full cone pattern of foaming fluid to be turned into foam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Sonny's Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Analetto, Paul Fazio
  • Patent number: 9072415
    Abstract: A housing has a suction inlet thereon and a suction source associated with the housing, in fluid communication with the suction inlet to produce a working airflow therethrough and a dirt container in fluid communication with the suction inlet and suction source. The housing further comprises a body defined by a central portion and a pair of extension arms that extend laterally outwardly from the central portion, wherein each extension comprises a mount, which receives a rotatable agitator thereon. A drive assembly is configured to counter-rotate each agitator with respect to the other agitator, and wherein the suction inlet is positioned on the housing rearward of, and between, each of the axes of rotation of each agitator. The counter-rotating agitators are operable to cooperate with the suction source to direct dust and debris outside the periphery of the housing along a converging debris path, towards the suction inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: BISSELL Homecare, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan J. Krebs
  • Patent number: 9043961
    Abstract: An artificial turf cleaning system and a method for cleaning artificial turf surfaces are disclosed. The artificial turf cleaning system includes (a) at least two wheels, (b) at least one liquid tank, (c) a tap for controlling the dripping rate and covering at least one liquid tank, (d) a cleaning drum having replaceable brushes, and wherein the cleaning drum is coupled mechanically to the wheels by cog-wheels transmission gear, (e) a removable rubbish storage tank, and (f) a handle, wherein the artificial turf cleaning system is designed for manually cleaning artificial turf surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: GREEN TURTLE LTD.
    Inventor: Noam Gil
  • Patent number: 8985127
    Abstract: An autonomous floor cleaning robot includes a transport drive and control system arranged for autonomous movement of the robot over a floor for performing cleaning operations. The robot chassis carries a first cleaning zone comprising cleaning elements arranged to suction loose particulates up from the cleaning surface and a second cleaning zone comprising cleaning elements arraigned to apply a cleaning fluid onto the surface and to thereafter collect the cleaning fluid up from the surface after it has been used to clean the surface. The robot chassis carries a supply of cleaning fluid and a waste container for storing waste materials collected up from the cleaning surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Stefanos Konandreas, Andrew Ziegler, Christopher John Morse
  • Patent number: 8826493
    Abstract: A shaft driven vacuum cleaner brushroll that can be mounted in the nozzle of the vacuum cleaner and directly connected to a shaft of the cleaner's motor drive shaft system. The brushroll features a two-piece drive assembly that simplifies its manufacture and can be engaged on a wood spindle to effectively transmit torque from the vacuum cleaner drive to the brushroll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: The Scott-Fetzer Company
    Inventor: Eric A. Stegens
  • Patent number: 8789229
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning surfaces has a cleaning head which includes a base part and at least two brush elements which are provided at opposite the sides of the base part and which can be set into a cleaning movement relative to the base part. A fluid drive is integrated into the base part and is designed to convert the flow energy of a fluid supplied to the base part under pressure into the cleaning movement of the brush elements. The fluid drive has a drive member, in particular a turbine wheel or a bucket wheel, which is driven by the fluid and by which both brush elements can be driven together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Inventor: Anton Jaeger
  • Patent number: 8790468
    Abstract: A cleaning system for cleaning a surface comprising: a frame for the cleaning system; a liquid supply source; a liquid applicator; and at least one thruster on the frame to provide force against the frame to maintain support with the surface to be cleaned. A surface is cleaned by providing the cleaning device, moving the cleaning device both horizontally and vertically along the surface, and stabilizing the cleaning device with at least one thruster emitting a fluid stream comprising gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Sky Robotics, Inc.
    Inventor: Dallas W. Simonette
  • Publication number: 20140196230
    Abstract: A gravity feed solution distribution system for use with surface maintenance and conditioning machines includes front and rear counter-rotating brush rollers within a shroud, a manifold having delivery ports and disposed within the shroud above the counter-rotating brush rollers, an agitating blade extending from an inner surface of the shroud and underneath the manifold to contact the front counter-rotating brush roller, and a baffle extending downward from an inner surface of the shroud above the front counter-rotating brush roller to contact the front counter-rotating brush roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: Karcher North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Pyne, Pete William Von Vett, Todd Leifheit, Steven Tucker
  • Patent number: 8769766
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for self-cleaning dust removal. The apparatus may be provided with a brush housing 202 having an opening 204, one or more axles 206 disposed around the opening 204, and a plurality of brush fibers 208 emanating from the one or more axles 206 that rotate inward into the opening 204. In addition, the system may include a scraping edge 106, disposed around the opening 204, farther into the brush housing 202 than the one or more axles 206, that scrapes 1408 dust off of the brush fibers 208 as they rotate inward against the scraping edge 106, and a vacuum cleaner intake port 110 inside the brush housing 202 that draws 1410 dust from off and about the brush fibers 208 as they rotate inward 1406. The system may further include a handle 112 connected to the brush housing 202 and a switch 114.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Inventor: Ronald N. Hilton
  • Patent number: 8677543
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning (e.g., scrubbing, washing, treating, waxing, etc.) a surface, such as a recessed crevice or area, includes a fluid-powered scrubber head and a removable brush extending from the scrubber head. The scrubber head includes a housing, an inlet at one end of the housing for receiving a flow of fluid from a fluid supply and a deflecting surface for directing the flow of fluid once received through the inlet. The deflecting surface may be a movable deflecting panel that is selectively moved relative to the housing to cover an opening in the housing. The deflecting surface may also include a partial conical surface that concentrates the flow of fluid deflected out of the housing and onto the brush outside the housing as the brush rotates in response to the fluid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Inventor: Larry C. Wilkins
  • Patent number: 8661598
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning facades including glass surfaces of high rise buildings. The apparatus includes a machine having a frame for attaching components and equipments of a main unit; a thrust provider for generating force to keep the main unit in contact with the facade; a hoist to enable lifting and lowering of the main unit; a laundry unit comprising a fabric sheet to clean the facade; a roller attached to end of extended arms of the main unit; and a control unit installing electrical controls on the main unit. The machine provides a number of novel elements and safety features by applying simple design concept that is practicable to wide range of buildings of glass or flat façades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Inventor: Ahmed Ali Ibrahim Alshehhi
  • Patent number: 8495781
    Abstract: A cleaning device for cleaning a floor includes a base body, a rotatable roller brush disposed on the base body, a dirt container disposed on the base body, a liquid container configured to receive a cleaning liquid disposed on the base body; and a sponge configured to receive a soiled cleaning liquid disposed on the base body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Carl Freudenberg KG
    Inventor: Uwe Dingert
  • Patent number: 8443478
    Abstract: This invention relates to a mechanism for use in a device that comprises a system for collecting dirt and debris from a variety of floor and upholstery surfaces. In particular the mechanism lifts and directs unwanted debris particles to a waste reservoir for the purpose of cleaning and grooming floor surfaces. The debris collection mechanism can be, but is not limited to its use in a handle operated cordless motorized floor sweeper to collect and gather unwanted debris and dust. The device includes a head unit that incorporates two easily removable elongate cylindrical rotating cleaning bars that are driven such that they contra rotate, and are positioned close to one another at the forward region of the head unit. A removable debris reservoir, removable rechargeable power source and handle incorporating a device operation switch are also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Dovia International Limited
    Inventors: James A. West, Mark D. Teucher, Christopher T. Elsworthy
  • Patent number: 8382906
    Abstract: An autonomous floor cleaning robot includes a transport drive and control system arranged for autonomous movement of the robot over a floor for performing cleaning operations. The robot chassis carries a first cleaning zone comprising cleaning elements arranged to suction loose particulates up from the cleaning surface and a second cleaning zone comprising cleaning elements arraigned to apply a cleaning fluid onto the surface and to thereafter collect the cleaning fluid up from the surface after it has been used to clean the surface. The robot chassis carries a supply of cleaning fluid and a waste container for storing waste materials collected up from the cleaning surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Stefanos Konandreas, Andrew Ziegler, Christopher John Morse
  • Patent number: 8347443
    Abstract: A window cleaning assembly includes an elongated pole that has a first end and a second end. An axle is rotatably coupled to the pole adjacent to the first end. A brush head is mounted on the axle and is rotated when the axle rotates. The brush head includes a plurality of bristles that are positionable against a windshield of a vehicle. A motor is mounted on the pole and is mechanically coupled to the axle. The motor rotates the axle when the motor is turned on. A reservoir is in fluid communication with the brush head and is mounted on the pole. A pump is in fluid communication with the reservoir. The pump draws fluid from the reservoir and injects the fluid into the brush head so that the brush head can eject the fluid through apertures in the brush head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Inventor: Fred E. Conrad
  • Patent number: 8347456
    Abstract: A cleaner head for a cleaning appliance includes a rotatable brush bar assembly, a motor for driving the brush bar assembly, and a drive mechanism connecting the motor to the brush bar assembly. The drive mechanism includes a rotatable input drive member connected to the motor, a rotatable output drive member connected to the brush bar assembly and moveable relative to the input drive member in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axes of rotation of the drive members, a belt connecting the input drive member to the output drive member, and a belt tensioning member located between the drive members for tensioning the belt by urging the output drive member away from input drive member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Andrew Paul Sweeby, Nigel Youatt Dymond
  • Patent number: 8201297
    Abstract: A grout cleaning device includes a housing having a front end, a lower region, and a handle; the lower region being separated from the handle. The cleaning device includes a rotatable brush operatively coupled to the housing at the housing front end for scrubbing grout. A motor is located in the housing and operatively coupled to the brush for rotating the brush. An ultraviolet light is operatively coupled to the housing at the housing lower region for sanitizing grout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Inventor: R. Tracey Fulmer
  • Publication number: 20120125363
    Abstract: A robot cleaner includes a main brush to sweep or scatter dust off a floor, a main brush motor to rotate the main brush, a Revolution Per Minute (RPM) detector to detect an RPM of the main brush motor, and a control unit to determine a type of floor according to the RPM of the main brush motor acquired by the RPM detector and control an operation of the robot cleaner based on the determined type of floor. A carpet mode to clean only a carpet area and a hard floor mode to clean a hard floor area excluding the carpet area are given based on detected information relating to the material of a floor, which enables partial cleaning with respect to a cleaning area selected by a user and adjustment in the number of cleaning operations or the intensity of cleaning according to the material of the floor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dong Won Kim, Jun Hwa Lee
  • Patent number: 8156597
    Abstract: A bowling lane maintenance machine has a cleaning assembly in which liquid cleaner is deposited on the lane surface at the front of the machine as the machine moves down the lane. Immediately behind the point of application of the cleaning solution, a wiping web assembly spreads the solution across the entire surface of the lane and presses the solution down into the conditioner for subsequent pickup by a suction pickup head behind the wiper web assembly. The web is looped under a backup roll having an exposed fibrous pile face that engages the inside surface of the web while the outside surface engages the lane. The fibrous pile encourages the web to remain in intimate contact with the lane surface at all times while accommodating surface irregularities such as depressions and other variations in lane contour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Kegel, LLC.
    Inventors: Mark E. Davis, Anthony K. Crews
  • Patent number: 8146194
    Abstract: The present invention is a buffer device that is designed and configured to successfully and adequately buff and polish any desired surface without causing fatigue for the user, as well as without creating any swirl marks. In order to provide for such a product, the present invention comprises a frame having a cylindrical body secured thereto. A motor is coupled to the cylindrical body to provide for the body to rotate about a normally horizontal axis that is parallel to the desired surface to be buffed, polished, and cleaned or the like. Secured to the cylindrical body is a buffing/cleaning pad fabricated from a conventional material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Inventor: James Farrell
  • Patent number: 8141202
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner housing member having a rigid frame, a grate and a flexible cover. The rigid frame has an outer perimeter and an opening therethrough. The grate is mounted in the opening and has an inner surface, an outer surface, one or more air passages extending from the inner surface to the outer surface, and an outer perimeter wall defining the peripheral edge of the grate. The flexible cover extends over at least one of the one or more air passages and is positioned over at least a portion of the outer surface, extends around at least a portion of the outer perimeter wall, and is positioned over at least a portion of the inner surface. A vacuum cleaner including the housing members similar to the foregoing member is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Care Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas W. Hawkins, Gregory W. Luebbering, Richard J. Eisenmenger
  • Patent number: 8122554
    Abstract: An apparatus with a main unit, a dispenser, a clamp and a clamp structure. The main unit includes a housing, a battery in the housing, a motor in the housing and connected to the battery, and an output drive shaft driven by the motor. The dispenser includes a body that defines a body aperture and which has a reservoir for storing a fluid, and a nozzle in fluid communication with the reservoir. The dispenser is configured to permit the stored fluid to be dispensed from the reservoir through the nozzle. The clamp is coupled to either the main unit or the dispenser and includes a pivotable engagement member. The clamp structure is coupled to the other one of the main unit and the dispenser and includes a second engagement member that can be releasably engaged to the engagement member. The housing is received through the body aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan A. Schemmel, Christopher Murray, Mark Stratford, Benjamin J. Strutt, Patrick Marcil
  • Patent number: 8079107
    Abstract: In an overhead throwing sweeping machine, the cylindrical sweeping roller (4) which is rotatable about its longitudinal axis is retained on jointly adjustable pivoted arms, and the dirt container (6) arranged behind the sweeping roller (4) has a receiving opening, the bottom edge (15) of which lies adjacent to the sweeping roller (4). In order to reset the sweeping area of the sweeping roller (4) after wear of the bristles, a cable control (20) is provided which runs over a bearing surface (11) which, at a pivoted arm designed as a double-armed lever and intended for the sweeping roller (4), is formed on that arm (7) of said double-armed lever which is remote from the longitudinal axis (4?) of the sweeping roller (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Hako-Werke GmbH
    Inventors: Heinrich Katenhusen, Frank Thormahlen, Joachim Hartlein
  • Patent number: 7972446
    Abstract: A washing system for an elevated surface has a) a housing having a liquid application cleaning system therein; b) a support element that supports and elevates the washing system; c) a rigid member extending from a surface of the housing that faces away from a surface to be cleaned so that the cable, when supporting the cleaning system against the surface to be cleaned and connected to the housing at a connection point, exerts a rotational force on the cleaning system in relation to the fixed fulcrum at the roof top; and d) weights provided at a distance and direction from the connection point fulcrum to at least in part counterbalance the rotational force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Inventors: Michael R. Lange, Dallas W. Simonette
  • Patent number: 7921497
    Abstract: A floor scrubbing apparatus that is particularly well suited to scrubbing carpet materials is disclosed. The floor scrubbing apparatus is manually operated and includes a drive roller coupled to a scrub roller. In one embodiment, the drive roller is coupled to the scrub roller using a gear arrangement that causes the scrub roller to rotate faster than the drive roller. If desired, the apparatus can include a cleaning fluid dispensing system. For instance, the apparatus can include one or more nozzles that dispense a cleaning fluid onto a carpet material as the material is being cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen B. Cook, Brian James Ludka, Gregory J. Rajala, Carl Gerard Rippl
  • Patent number: 7891036
    Abstract: A power washer is provided with a transport frame, a wash unit and a gun. The wash unit and the gun may be separated from the transport frame to be used in multiple modes. Possible modes include a walk-behind mode, a spray mode and hand wash modes. A quick connection is also provided to make it easier to disconnect and reconnect various components of the power washer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Techtronic Outdoor Products Technology Limited
    Inventors: Klaus Karl Hahn, Charles Keith Long, Thomas R. Ayers
  • Patent number: 7784139
    Abstract: A cartridge is disclosed comprising a reel-to-reel roll of cleaning material, for use in a hand-held or robotic cleaning device. The cartridge provides either an electrostatic dust cloth or wet mop, and includes a fluid reservoir for maintaining the wet mop cloth during use. A dust bin is also provided on the cartridge, and includes a hinged lid for providing selective access to the dust inside of the bin. A motor, optical sensor, and fluid pump inside of a cleaning apparatus control the operation of the reel-to-reel cloth, and control fluid delivery to the wet cloth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael M. Sawalski, Jeffrey L. Harwig, Stephen B. Leonard, Kathleen M. Laru, Mark M. Gipp, Thomas Jaworski
  • Patent number: 7665174
    Abstract: A cleaning head for use with a floor cleaning machine comprises first and second cleaning tools, at least one motor and a cleaning tool support. The at least one motor is configured to respectively drive rotation of the first and second cleaning tools about first and second horizontal axes. The first and second cleaning tools each have an exterior cleaning surface configured to engage the floor during floor cleaning operations. The cleaning tool support is configured to support the first and second cleaning tools for movement of the first and second horizontal axes relative to each other in a plane that is transverse to the first and second horizontal axes. Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a floor cleaning machine that includes embodiments of the cleaning head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Tennant Company
    Inventors: Michael T. Basham, Warren L. Larson, Terence A. Peterson, Barbara J. Peterson, legal representative, Richard W. Wellens, Mark J. Fleigle
  • Patent number: 7665173
    Abstract: A washing system for an elevated surface has a) a housing having a liquid application cleaning system therein; b) a support element that supports and elevates the washing system; c) a rigid member extending from a surface of the housing that faces away from a surface to be cleaned so that the cable, when supporting the cleaning system against the surface to be cleaned and connected to the housing at a connection point, exerts a rotational force on the cleaning system in relation to the fixed fulcrum at the roof top; and d) weights provided at a distance and direction from the connection point fulcrum to at least in part counterbalance the rotational force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Inventors: Dallas W. Simonette, Michael R. Lange
  • Patent number: 7578020
    Abstract: A robotic surface treating device that can perform carpet sweeping, hard-surface dry sweeping/wiping, and hard-surface sweeping/mopping is disclosed. The robotic surface treating device includes a sweeper brush, a dust bin for collecting debris from the brush, a reel-to-reel sheet of cleaning material, and a fluid delivery system for delivering fluid from a fluid reservoir onto the sheet of cleaning material and/or onto the surface to be treated. The dust bin, reel-to-reel sheet of cleaning material, and the fluid reservoir are separately installed from the top of the device, and may be separately removed for replacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Jaworski, Jeffrey L. Harwig, Mark M. Gipp, Kathleen M. Laru, Seakee Chen, Fukyuen Cheng, Kamfong Tam
  • Patent number: 7488391
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved mechanical coupling for rapidly adjusting the elevation of a working edge portion of a tool which working edge portion is subject to wear that decreases the effective length of the working edge portion. In one embodiment, the bristles of a drum-type brush comprise the working edge portion. Once the working edge is properly adjusted with respect to a work surface, the amount of downforce imparted by the working edge and the pattern of the working edge on a work surface are maximized. In use an operator compares the length of the working edge to a first indicia set displayed adjacent the working edge and adjusts the elevation of the working edge with reference to a second indicia set which corresponds to the first indicia set. Surface maintenance vehicles which support an adjustable height tool with a working edge that wears down may utilize the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Tennant Company
    Inventor: Karl R. Hansen
  • Publication number: 20080229530
    Abstract: An improved grout cleaning apparatus has in line cleaning wheels positioned within a housing, at the terminus of a shaft. A grip is coupled at an upper end of the shaft, and may be grasped by a user to move the apparatus for cleaning purposes. In one embodiment, a drive motor supplies power to the in line cleaning wheels, which may be made to turn in opposing directions so as to provide improved cleaning efficiency. A cleaning fluid dispenser may also provided on the shaft, to permit the dispensing of fluid proximate the cleaning wheels during operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventor: Eric Kordick
  • Publication number: 20080078042
    Abstract: A floor scrubbing apparatus that is particularly well suited to scrubbing carpet materials is disclosed. The floor scrubbing apparatus is manually operated and includes a drive roller coupled to a scrub roller. In one embodiment, the drive roller is coupled to the scrub roller using a gear arrangement that causes the scrub roller to rotate faster than the drive roller. If desired, the apparatus can include a cleaning fluid dispensing system. For instance, the apparatus can include one or more nozzles that dispense a cleaning fluid onto a carpet material as the material is being cleaned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Inventors: Stephen B. Cook, Brian James Ludka, Gregory J. Rajala, Carl Gerard Rippl
  • Patent number: 7240396
    Abstract: A floor cleaner is provided for cleaning a floor, where the floor cleaner has a front and a rear and includes: a sweeper for sweeping the floor; a scrubber, connected to the sweeper and located in the rear of the sweeper, for wetting and cleaning the floor; and a burnisher, connected to the scrubber and located in the rear of the scrubber, for burnishing the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: JohnsonDiversey, Inc.
    Inventors: Victor W. Thomas, Sr., Robert K. Kay, Jayant Sharma, Philip R. Mass, Rosario Robert, Colin Angle, Lee F. Sword, Joseph L. Jones, Paul E. Sandin, John P. O'Brien, Benjamin L. Wirz, Mark Chiappetta, Gideon Coltof
  • Patent number: 7117554
    Abstract: A lateral transmission casing (6) for a self-propelled running swimming pool cleaner, comprises a housing, an input shaft provided with elements for removable coupling with a clutch shaft (2) of the apparatus, at least an output shaft provided with elements for removable coupling with a running member (13, 14) of the apparatus, elements for transmitting the powering rotary movement between the input shaft and each output shaft, the housing bearing and guiding the shafts and the transmission elements. Detachable mounting elements enable the casing to be rigidly and removably fixed (6) into a single-piece assembly on the side of the apparatus. The invention also concerns an apparatus equipped with such a casing (6), and its maintenance method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Zodiac Pool Care Europe
    Inventor: Philippe Pichon
  • Patent number: 7082639
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved mechanical coupling for rapidly adjusting the elevation of a working edge portion of a tool which working edge portion is subject to wear that decreases the effective length of the working edge portion. In one embodiment, the bristles of a drum-type brush comprise the working edge portion. Once the working edge is properly adjusted with respect to a work surface, the amount of downforce imparted by the working edge and the pattern of the working edge on a work surface are maximized. In use an operator compares the length of the working edge to a first indicia set displayed adjacent the working edge and adjusts the elevation of the working edge with reference to a second indicia set which corresponds to the first indicia set. Surface maintenance vehicles which support an adjustable height tool with a working edge that wears down may utilize the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Tennant Company
    Inventor: Karl R. Hansen
  • Patent number: 7056384
    Abstract: A bowling lane conditioning machine has dressing application mechanism that includes an elongated, non-rotating strip brush which transfers dressing from a dispensing means to another surface, such as a bristle-type, lane-engaging applicator roll, a metal transfer roll that in turn transfers the dressing to the applicator roll, or the lane surface itself. In a preferred embodiment, dressing is dispensed to an upper one of two strip brushes that extend along the length of an applicator roll and engage its bristles at circumferentially spaced locations around its periphery. Dressing dispensed to the upper strip brush migrates by gravity to the bristles of the applicator roll and becomes applied to the lane surface as the roll rotates down into engagement with the surface. No dressing is dispensed to the second strip brush, which feathers the dressing on the applicator roll and reduces splattering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Kegel, LLC
    Inventors: Mark E. Davis, Anthony Crews