Cylindrical Brush Moves Past Work Patents (Class 15/88.4)
  • Patent number: 11866887
    Abstract: A track-wheel based device is disclosed. The track-wheel based device may include a longitudinal member substantially perpendicular to an axis of motion of the track-wheel based device. The track-wheel based device may further include a first lateral member and a second lateral member, each being substantially parallel to the axis of motion of the track-wheel based device. The longitudinal member may be coupled to the first lateral member at a first location of the first lateral member and to the second lateral member at a first location of the second lateral member. The first lateral member and the second lateral member may be configured to undergo a relative angular rotation, in response to a planar misalignment of four or more points of contact between two or more guide tracks for the track-wheel based device and the track-wheel based device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Inventors: Georg Robert Eitelhuber, Abdul Rahim Abdul Jaleel
  • Patent number: 11728157
    Abstract: A method includes performing a first post Chemical Mechanical Polish (CMP) cleaning on a wafer using a first brush. The first brush rotates to clean the wafer. The method further includes performing a second post-CMP cleaning on the wafer using a second brush. The second brush rotates to clean the wafer. The first post-CMP cleaning and the second post-CMP cleaning are performed simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Fu-Ming Huang, Liang-Guang Chen, Ting-Kui Chang, Chun-Chieh Lin
  • Patent number: 11602255
    Abstract: A system for refilling, emptying and/or recharging of an autonomous floor cleaner includes a docking station adapted to be coupled with a household plumbing infrastructure. The docking station can be provided on a household appliance, which may be a toilet, a dishwasher, or another appliance coupled with the plumbing infrastructure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: BISSELL Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Daniel Buehler, Jeffrey A. Scholten, Adam Brown
  • Patent number: 11484454
    Abstract: Disclosed is a movable bath seat device employing a linear actuator to assist an individual with decreased mobility in and out of a bathtub. The linear actuator employs a direct current motor with limit switches to move the seat between positions. The device permits an individual to take a position on the seat outside the bathtub and, by use of the actuator, move their torso to a position inside the bath tub side walls. The seat can then rotate, allowing an individual to lift their legs into the bathtub at their convenience. In a preferred embodiment, the cushion on the rotating seat assembly is constructed of a slip resistant padding comprised of medical grade, closed cell molded polyurethane padding that does not absorb water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Platinum Health, LLC
    Inventor: Randall L. Smith
  • Patent number: 11399671
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a stimulation device (1) configured for interacting with an external body portion of a user, in particular the user's back. The interaction consists of exerting a mechanic action upon the user's body, 5 such as massage stimulation and/or skin scrubbing stimulation. For this purpose, the stimulation device (1) comprises a frame (50) provided with at least one upright element (2) extending along a longitudinal direction (L) preferably corresponding, in use, to a body height of the user, and stimulation means (4), slidably coupled with the upright element (2) according to the 10 longitudinal direction (L). Further, the stimulation device (1) is apt to be installed, in use, in a wall unit (100) for a shower cabin assembly (1000).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: HSIGN S.R.L.
    Inventor: Anna Luisa Cimadamore
  • Patent number: 11179752
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a roller-type wheel flange surface powder removing device, that includes a corresponding roller brush that is replaced according to the size of a wheel to be processed. A manipulator places the wheel at corresponding positions of limit discs, output ends of cylinders extend to drive pressure blocks to press the wheel, and a sliding seat and a mechanism thereon reciprocate along with a rack within the travel range of guide pillars. While a second motor starts working, a first motor drives a second gear to rotate, and a first gear transmits the rotation speed to the roller brush through a support shaft according to a certain transmission ratio. The roller brush is driven by a third gear 23 and a rack 24 while rotating with the support shaft. The roller brush reciprocates to clean the surface of the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: CITIC DICASTAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xiao Liu, Jiandong Guo
  • Patent number: 10549224
    Abstract: A device for filtering a stream of water in a channel (2), includes: a wall (6) adapted to be mounted in the channel and including a through-opening, a filter member (10) mounted on the wall opposite the through-opening and including a filter surface projecting relative to the wall, the filter surface having a larger area than would have a flat filter surface fitted in the through-opening, the filter member including retaining members face to face with the filter surface for retaining the bodies that do not pass through the surface, a suction device disposed facing the retaining members, and elements for driving the filter member and/or the suction device in a relative movement of one in relation to the other such that the suction device is successively brought face to face with each retaining member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: E. BEAUDREY ET CIE
    Inventor: Laurent Carayon
  • Patent number: 10391429
    Abstract: A device for filtering a stream of water in a channel (2), includes: a wall (6) adapted to be mounted in the channel and including a through-opening, a filter member (10) mounted on the wall opposite the through-opening and including a filter surface projecting relative to the wall, the filter surface having a larger area than would have a flat filter surface fitted in the through-opening, the filter member including retaining members face to face with the filter surface for retaining the bodies that do not pass through the surface, a suction device disposed facing the retaining members, and elements for driving the filter member and/or the suction device in a relative movement of one in relation to the other such that the suction device is successively brought face to face with each retaining member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: E. BEAUDREY ET CIE
    Inventor: Laurent Carayon
  • Patent number: 9968872
    Abstract: A device for filtering a stream of water in a channel (2), includes: a wall (6) adapted to be mounted in the channel and including a through-opening, a filter member (10) mounted on the wall opposite the through-opening and including a filter surface projecting relative to the wall, the filter surface having a larger area than would have a flat filter surface fitted in the through-opening, the filter member including retaining members face to face with the filter surface for retaining the bodies that do not pass through the surface, a suction device disposed facing the retaining members, and elements for driving the filter member and/or the suction device in a relative movement of one in relation to the other such that the suction device is successively brought face to face with each retaining member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: E. BEAUDREY ET CIE
    Inventor: Laurent Carayon
  • Patent number: 9062410
    Abstract: The embodiment proposes a foreign material removing apparatus for a dryer. The foreign material removing apparatus for a dryer according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a case including an air introduction hole into which air discharged from a drum is introduced, an air discharge hole, and a foreign material discharge hole; a filtering unit that is provided in the case and includes a filter; and a cleaning unit that moves relatively to the filter and has one or more cleaning devices for removing the foreign materials accumulated in the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Seung-Phyo Ahn, Jeong-Yun Kim, Sang-Ik Lee
  • Patent number: 8992692
    Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for cleaning a semiconductor wafer includes a rotary brush to be positioned to clean the semiconductor wafer, and an optical sensing device associated with the rotary brush to sense a separation distance between a reference position thereon and the semiconductor wafer. An actuator is coupled to the optical sensing device to position the rotary brush based upon the sensed separation distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventor: John H. Zhang
  • Publication number: 20140366913
    Abstract: Provided are a substrate cleaning apparatus and method and a brush assembly used therein. The substrate cleaning apparatus for contact-cleaning a substrate includes a cleaning brush rotatably disposed in a cylindrical shape and having an outer circumferential surface contacting the substrate to clean the substrate. Here, the cleaning brush includes a plurality of pressure chambers expanding by a fluid pressure and disposed along a longitudinal direction of a rotation axis rotating at a central portion of the cleaning brush, and the plurality of pressure chambers are individually expandable to allow a portion of the outer circumferential surface to protrude in a radial direction and thus contact-clean a portion of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Applicant: K.C. TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Moon Gi CHO, Jun Ho SON
  • Publication number: 20140359954
    Abstract: A sweeping machine for working ground surfaces, in particular lawns comprises a machine frame adapted to be moved in the traveling direction, at least one wheel axle with at least one wheel, said wheel axle being supported in the machine frame transversely to the traveling direction, said wheel axle supporting the machine frame parallel to the ground surface, a least one sweeping element adapted to be driven for rotation about a sweeping element axis, said sweeping element axis extending substantially parallel to the ground surface, and said sweeping element is in contact with the ground surface when in an operating position. The sweeping machine of the invention provides that the sweeping element axis of the at least one sweeping element is adapted to be moved from a first operating position, assumed when travelling straight, to a second operating position, assumed when driving a curve, in which second position the sweeping element axis is in a position pivoted towards the inner side of the curve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: Redexim Handel-En Exploitatie Maatschap pij B.V.
    Inventor: Cornelius Hermanus Maria DE BREE
  • Patent number: 8893735
    Abstract: A jewelry cleaning device may include the following components: a basin having a base portion and for holding a cleaning solution, a support post extending upwards from the base portion inside the basin and shaped to securely hold a piece of jewelry in place, and a sleeve sized to fit within the basin and having a plurality of bristles disposed therein with a handle portion on the top end thereof. A plastic dome may likewise be provided on a top end of the sleeve. All components may be modular and may be readily fitted together to form a unitary jewelry cleaning device. By rotating the sleeve using the handle portion while a piece of jewelry is supported within the cleaning solution of the basin on the support post, a user may cause the bristles to clean a piece of jewelry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Inventor: Adam Shatz
  • Publication number: 20140325771
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a toothbrush apparatus having multiple rotatable brushing systems, including a body onto which a head (1) is attached, wherein said head is provided with adjacent counter-rotating brushes (2, 2?) having an overall cylindrical outer shape and longitudinal axes that parallel to one another, each brush (2, 2?) being rotated by a shaft (4, 4?) and supported at each of the ends thereof by a bearing (3, 3?, 5, 5?) forming part of a holder (6) which defines the distance between the longitudinal axes of said brushes, said holder (6) including at least two flexible arms (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) oriented substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axes, such that the respective ends thereof form said bearings, said flexible arms being connected to a base (6e) capable of ensuring the attachment of said holder (6) onto the head (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventors: Patrick Arnoux, Jean-Christophe Ferrer
  • Publication number: 20140230170
    Abstract: A brush for cleaning of substrates such as for post chemical mechanical polishing (post-CMP) of the substrates, utilizes asymmetrical nodules or nodules with varying spacing, size, features, densities to provide an improved cleaning of substrates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Inventor: Chintan Patel
  • Patent number: 8806701
    Abstract: A roller cleaning device, in particular for roller kilns specifically destined for performing heat treatments of glass sheets in which the glass sheets rest directly on the rollers, characterized in that it comprises: a cleaning element (2), predisposed to enter into contact with a surface of at least a roller (100) and to clean the surface; motor means (30,31), predisposed to activate the cleaning element (2) to slide at least along a longitudinal direction (x) of the roller (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Keraglass Engineering S.R.L.
    Inventor: Stefano Spezzani
  • Patent number: 8800575
    Abstract: A remotely operated device for inspecting and/or cleaning a subsea flexible pipe joint comprises a support assembly. In addition, the device comprises a tool positioning assembly coupled to the support assembly. The tool positioning assembly includes a rotating member disposed about a central axis. The tool positioning assembly is rotatable relative to the support assembly about the central axis. Further, the device comprises a cleaning assembly including a cleaning device adapted to clean the flexible pipe joint. The cleaning device is axially moveable relative to the rotating member. Still further, the device comprises a clamping assembly coupled to the support assembly. The clamping assembly has an open position disengaged with the section of the flexible pipe joint and a closed position engaging the section of the flexible pipe joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Eric Angel, Eric Lee Harden, Stuart Douglas Partridge, Andrew J. Guinn
  • Publication number: 20140130275
    Abstract: A rotary brush turf sweeper includes a frame with a first and second brush carriage supporting a first and second rotary brush. The brush carriages include a first and second carriage bar extending lengthwise along the first and second rotary brush. The brush carriages pivotably attach to the frame by a mounting point on opposing ends of the first brush carriage, allowing the brush carriages to rotate about the attachment point. A brush height adjustment mechanism joins the carriage bars with an electronic actuator. The electronic actuator may be remotely operated to adjust the height of the rotary brushes from a work surface and elevate them so as not to touch the work surface. A first and second drive mechanism transfers rotational force from a pair of drive wheels, so that the rotary brushes always rotate as the device is towed by a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: SGM Industries LLC
    Inventors: Michael D. Peters, Robert S. Fuller, John F. Foyse, JR., Jeffrey L. Scott, Deno J. Minas
  • Patent number: 8719993
    Abstract: Semiconductor equipment is provided to include a reaction chamber, a movable frame, and at least one cleaning brush head. The cleaning brush head is configured to operate on at least one dirty portion to be cleaned within the reaction chamber. The movable frame is disposed within the reaction chamber. The movable frame is capable of carrying a susceptor. The cleaning brush head is capable of touching the dirty portion. The cleaning brush head is capable of moving relative to the dirty portion for removing the residue which is attached to the portion to be cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Hermes-Epitek Corporation
    Inventors: Chien-Ping Huang, Tsan-Hua Huang, Tsung-Hsun Han
  • Publication number: 20130306104
    Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for cleaning an associated object includes a motor and an output drive shaft powered by the motor. A cleaning attachment is coupled for rotational movement with the output drive shaft and has an axis of rotation. The cleaning attachment includes a housing having an outer surface and an inner surface. A plurality of elongated cleaning members is mounted to the inner surface of the housing. The apparatus can be employed as a cleaning implement for fire hydrants or other stationary objects. A mechanized method for cleaning stationary objects is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Inventor: Terrence K. Byrne
  • Patent number: 8551254
    Abstract: In embodiments of the present invention, a gutter-cleaning device comprises a housing containing an impeller drive facility, the housing configured to fit into a gutter, an impeller, disposed at an end of the housing and driven by the impeller drive facility, and a transport facility for transporting the housing along the gutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas C. Dayton, Sung K. Park, Karl Eaton Abele, Jason Robinson
  • Publication number: 20130232702
    Abstract: There is provided a cleaner including an agitator, and a mounting portion on which the agitator is rotatably mounted. The agitator includes a brush assembly having brushes, a frame that includes a first opening into which the brush assembly is inserted, an installation space for receiving therein the brush assembly, and a second opening through which the brushes protrude, and first and second side caps that are connected to the frame and support the brush assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Ohhyun Baek, Mingyu Kang
  • Patent number: 8448288
    Abstract: Semiconductor equipment is provided to include a reaction chamber, a movable frame, and at least one cleaning brush head. The cleaning brush head is configured to operate on at least one dirty portion to be cleaned within the reaction chamber. The movable frame is disposed within the reaction chamber. The movable frame is capable of carrying a susceptor. The cleaning brush head is capable of touching the dirty portion. The cleaning brush head is capable of moving relative to the dirty portion for removing the residue which is attached to the portion to be cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Hermes-Epitek Corporation
    Inventors: Chien-Ping Huang, Tsan-Hua Huang, Tsung-Hsun Han
  • Publication number: 20130097790
    Abstract: An automatic cleaning machine for wall plates is disclosed. Multiple long axial tracks with the same direction are fixed in a parallel and array pivoted way on the circumference or the plate face of the object to be cleaned. Water-guiding pipes are formed on the long axial tracks which are provided with electric rails, and multiple magnetic valves are provided on the pipe walls of the water-guiding pipes in a spaced way. The long axial tracks are provided with sliding frames. The sliding frames are provided with conducting brackets corresponding to the electric rails, and provided with long axial magnetic-attracted bodies opposed to the magnetic valves to turn on or off the cleaning water with a magnetic force. Brush drive mechanisms are provided on the sliding frames, and the shaft levers of the brush drive mechanisms are arranged in a direction normal to the long axial tracks and combined with long axial brushes to scrub wall plates. Cover plates are provided outside the long axial brushes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Inventor: Fu-Chang Liao
  • Publication number: 20130086761
    Abstract: A solar panel 100 comprising a cleaning assembly 102, the solar panel 100 being mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis along a semi-circular path and the cleaning assembly 102 comprises an oblong brush 120 held across the front face 116 of the solar panel 100 and slidable back and forth along the front face 116 of the solar panel 100 (FIG. 2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, BOMBAY
    Inventors: Solanki Chetan Singh, Tejwani Ravi
  • Publication number: 20130048018
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a CMP brush that has a combination of central nodules at an inner region of the brush and one or more edge nodules at an end region of the brush where the central nodules and edge nodules are in a staggered or matched arrangement with each other and an upper surface of each edge nodule on the brush has the same or a greater contact area than an upper surface of a central nodule. The area of contact of the upper surface of each edge nodule with the substrate edge region is the same or greater than the area of contact of the upper surface of a central nodule with the substrate center region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: ENTEGRIS, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Wargo, Rakesh Kumar Singh, David Trio, Eric McNamara
  • Patent number: 8375596
    Abstract: A domestic appliance for drying laundry having a component around which process air flows. The component has a substrate made of metal and the substrate has a surface facing the process air. The surface carries a coating that prevents adhesion of foreign particles and the coating has a surface energy of no more than 40 mN/m. The surface has a section that is directly impinged by the process air and that is essentially completely covered by the coating. The component has edges in the section covered by the coating and each of the edges is essentially completely covered by the coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Grunert, Werner Nühse, Günter Steffens, Andreas Ziemann
  • Publication number: 20120311799
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for cleaning surfaces, having a cleaning head which includes at least one base part and at least one brush arrangement, in particular a cylindrical brush roller, attached to the base part; and a fluid drive for the brush arrangement which is at least partly integrated into the base part and which is designed to convert the flow energy of a fluid supplied to the base part under pressure into a cleaning movement of the brush arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Inventor: Anton Jaeger
  • Patent number: 8266815
    Abstract: A cleaning device for a component, especially a heat exchanger, operatively disposed within a process air circuit of a household tumble dryer, the cleaning device comprising a rotatable brush device for removal of lint deposits from the component; a linear drive mechanism for driving the brush device along the component; and a rotary drive mechanism for driving the brush device about an axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Roman Goldberg, Klaus Grunert
  • Patent number: 8245376
    Abstract: A device for cleaning supporting strips of workpiece supports includes a motor feed drive assembly having a feed drive motor and a feed member. The feed member is configured to engage the supporting strip and to be driven by the feed drive motor to provide relative motion between the feed member and the supporting strip along a longitudinal direction of the supporting strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: TRUMPF Gruesch AG
    Inventors: Patrik Graf, Andreas Janutin, Peter Dubler, Joos Luck
  • Patent number: 8245344
    Abstract: Cleaning apparatus has a matrix of brush assemblies (10) mounted on a support member (11) such that they are movable both in rotation (x) and in an axial direction (y). The brush assemblies comprise a cleaning brush (15) axially moveable within a gear wheel (22) and rotatable therewith during normal use. Each gear wheel meshes with an adjacent gear wheel to ensure that rotation of one brush causes rotation of the rest of the brushes in the matrix. When any given brush is retracted fully in an axial direction it is disconnected from its respective gear wheel such that it does not rotate therewith and is effectively removed from the drive chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Milikraft Limited
    Inventor: Tim F. Kilpatrick
  • Patent number: 8245347
    Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for a component operatively disposed within a process air-circuit of a household tumble dryer, in particular a heat exchanger of a household tumble dryer, the cleaning apparatus including a cleaning brush configured for operational movement along the component and a drive mechanism having a cleaning brush drive rod operatively connected to the cleaning brush for moving the cleaning brush along the component. The cleaning apparatus further includes a cleaning fluid feed line and means operatively associated with the cleaning fluid feed line for supplying cleaning fluid to the cleaning brush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Roman Goldberg, Klaus Grunert
  • Publication number: 20120204367
    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: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: THE SCOTT-FETZER COMPANY
    Inventor: Eric A. Stegens
  • Patent number: 8225447
    Abstract: An apparatus for treating a dovetail in a dynamoelectric machine is provided. The apparatus includes a housing, at least two pads for treating, cleaning or polishing a dovetail surface, at least a pair of guide wheels for aligning the apparatus within the dovetail, and at least one motor connected to the pads. The motor is operatively configured to rotate the pads. The dovetail surface is treated, cleaned or polished by sliding the apparatus along the dovetail and activating the motor to rotate the pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Dwight F. Calkins, Jr., Steven S. Mounnarat
  • Patent number: 8156596
    Abstract: A manually propelled, wheeled rotary brush having a handle and two wheels. The brush may have a generally cylindrical configuration which contacts the environmental surface on which the wheels ride, and may rotate about a horizontal axis disposed perpendicularly to the direction of travel as the wheels turn. The brush may be geared to the wheels, and may rotate faster than the wheels. The wheeled rotary brush may have a frame in which the gears are journaled. The handle may be propped in an elevated position by stabilizing legs disposed to engage the environmental surface at a point spaced apart from the brush. The brush may have replaceable brush elements which may be inserted into slots formed in a cylindrical core of the brush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Inventor: Brian Rose
  • Publication number: 20110302898
    Abstract: A bristle assembly for performing a working operation, the bristle assembly comprising a central support defining an axis of rotation of the bristle assembly, an elongate bristle attachment member secured relative to the central support, and a plurality of bristles secured relative to the attachment member such that the bristles project outwardly from the central support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Inventor: Glenn Robert Craig
  • Patent number: 8020236
    Abstract: A light weight floor sweeper having a very low profile sweeper head that uses a sweeping brush and cleaning pad to slide across the surface to be cleaned. The floor sweeper head is mounted to an elongated handle by means of a universal pivot or universal joint which allows the floor sweeper head to easily pivot about the handle in any direction to pick up debris under over hanging cabinets or under furniture. A sweeping brush is mounted on the bottom of the sweeper head to provide sweeping action as the floor sweeper is moved in any direction. Furthermore there is a soft cleaning pad releasably mounted adjacent to the brush to entrap dust and particles that the brush does not pick up. The brush is powered by a small electric motor. A removable dust-receiving tray is mounted in the sweeper head to receive debris swept by the brush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Inventors: Bryan Kaleta, Mark Kaleta
  • Publication number: 20110203062
    Abstract: A rotary broom mounts upon a slotted plate that pivots upon a double gearbox. The broom has bristles upon an axle within a shield that receives power from a chain drive that receives its power from a driveline from a top gear box. The top gearbox orients in the direction of the chain driveline and delivers its power through an output shaft. The top gearbox joins to a slotted plate that turns in the same direction as the broom. The top gear box receives its power through an input shaft perpendicular to the output shaft. The top gearbox input shaft extends downwardly and becomes the output shaft of the bottom gearbox. The bottom gearbox has an input shaft that connects to a power take off. This rotary broom receives rotational power, rotates it 90° upwardly, then rotates it 90° downwardly and at an angle laterally to drive the broom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventor: Thomas I. Burenga
  • Patent number: 7979945
    Abstract: In embodiments of the present invention, a gutter-cleaning device comprises a housing containing an impeller drive facility, the housing configured to fit into a gutter, an impeller, disposed at an end of the housing and driven by the impeller drive facility, and a transport facility for transporting the housing along the gutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Umagination Labs, L.P.
    Inventors: Douglas C. Dayton, Sung Park
  • Publication number: 20110126368
    Abstract: The invention concerns a machine characterized in that it uses the combination of at least one club support (13), at least two wheels (5) arranged on either side of the head (6) of the club to be cleaned, and of its support (13), each bearing at their periphery (8) a brush (10) consisting of bristles (11) the height H of which varies on the periphery from a minimum height A to a maximum height B before decreasing to the initial minimum value A; each of the two brushes being motorized and rotatably mounted on an arm (12) itself oscillating. The geometry of the assembly being adapted so that said two wheels are angularly offset by 180° opposite each of their respective brushes (10), and so that the oscillating movement of the arms (12), combined with the rotation of the wheels (5), and the helical geometry of the bristles (11), is such as to apply said bristles of both brushes on all the shapes, surfaces, angles, projections of the head (6) and to perform an efficient wavelike cleaning operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Inventor: Thomas Issler
  • Patent number: 7941888
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for cleaning a woodwind instrument including a housing and a motor mounted within the housing, the motor having a rotatable drive shaft extending outwardly from the housing. An elongated cleaning tool is coupled to the drive shaft and insertable into the tube portion of a woodwind instrument for cleaning the inner wall of the tube. The apparatus further includes an instrument support attached to the housing adjacent the cleaning tool. The instrument support defines a length aligned substantially parallel with the length of the cleaning tool for supporting the instrument during a cleaning process. The cleaning tool being rotatable via the drive shaft for cleaning the interior of an instrument positioned over the cleaning tool and supported by the instrument support. A strap is provided to secure the instrument to the instrument support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Inventor: Bridget Bertoldi
  • Patent number: 7926141
    Abstract: In embodiments of the present invention, a method of a gutter cleaning system comprises providing a housing configured to fit into a gutter, disposing at least one impeller at an end of the housing, driving the impeller with an impeller drive facility, the impeller drive facility being disposed within the housing, and attaching the housing to a placement facility for guiding the housing along the gutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Umagination Labs, L.P.
    Inventors: Douglas C. Dayton, Sung Park, Mark R Florence
  • Patent number: 7886399
    Abstract: In embodiments of the present invention, a gutter-cleaning device comprises a housing containing an impeller drive facility, the housing configured to fit into a gutter, an impeller, disposed at an end of the housing and driven by the impeller drive facility, and a transport facility for transporting the housing along the gutter. The impeller may have an axis of rotation, the axis of rotation oriented toward an inside corner of the gutter and the impeller drive facility may be adapted to rotate the impeller on the axis of rotation. Transport of the housing through the gutter may cause the impeller to travel along an axis of motion, the axis of motion differing from the axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Umagination Labs, L.P.
    Inventors: Douglas C. Dayton, Sung Park, Karl Eaton Abele, Jason Robinson
  • Patent number: 7861347
    Abstract: A vehicle for removing an accumulation of particles comprises a vehicle body, a system configured to remove the particles in bulk, and an arm coupled to and extending from the vehicle body. The arm comprises a first sweeping element and a second sweeping element. Each sweeping element includes a shaft member rotatable about a longitudinal axis, and a set of bristles projecting away from the axis along the shaft member. The first and second longitudinal axes are a distance apart, and the sweeping elements define a concerted sweeping area. The arm may be movably coupled to the vehicle body and may be configured to move the sweeping element around the vehicle body by rotating the arm about a horizontal axis. When a sweeping element rotates in proximity to the ground, the longitudinal axis is substantially vertical. The vehicle may further include a computer system for tracking the location of an object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: 3rd Millennium Solutions Ltd.
    Inventors: Stephen Lyle McKeown, Daniel Andrew Faux
  • Publication number: 20100306959
    Abstract: Agitating apparatus for a surface treating appliance includes a rotatable body having at least one substantially continuous row of bristles extending outwardly therefrom, the bristles having a surface resistivity in the range from 1×10?5 to 1×1012 ?/sq so that static electricity residing on a floor surface to be cleaned is discharged upon contact with the bristles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Thomas James Dunning FOLLOWS, Stephen Benjamin COURTNEY
  • Patent number: 7841034
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vehicle drawn device for cleaning a fence line. The fence cleaner includes a movable main frame with an attached rotating vertical tube broom which tube broom bristles come into contact with the fence line to remove dead and dried out vegetation which has become affixed to the fence line. The tube broom is capable of being tilted for better access to a fence line. Once the vegetation is removed from the fence line by the tube broom, the tube broom rotates the dead and dried out vegetation to a rotating clean off assembly. The clean off assembly extends parallel to the tube broom and contains a plurality of protruding teeth. The protruding teeth remove the dead and dried out vegetation from the rotating tube broom and force the vegetation into a chopper drum. A rotating horizontal feed accelerator continuously pushes the vegetation into the drum to avoid a buildup of vegetation. Upon entering the drum, a plurality of chopping blades cut the dead and dried out vegetation into small sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Inventor: Mark Stelter
  • Publication number: 20100288305
    Abstract: A brush core for engaging and rotating a generally cylindrical brush having a hollow bore is provided. The brush core includes, but is not limited to, a body section forming an outer surface for engaging the hollow bore of the cylindrical brush. The outer surface of the body section includes three or more sides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Robert G. Kobetsky, Daniel P. McDonald, Alan Varacins, David F. Hakala, Weijin Li
  • Patent number: 7797781
    Abstract: A robot mechanism adopts a dry cleaning method to clean the surface of live-line insulators without using water and can perform cleaning and inspection of the surface of the live-line insulators while automatically moving along an insulator string. The robot mechanism includes a main unit having upper and lower wing frames connected with each other by a connecting bracket to surround the insulator string, a cleaning unit disposed between the upper and lower wing frames and including a base frame to perform dry cleaning with a rotational brush and a CM guide, a lift unit including a clamp and a ball-bearing screw to move the main unit up or down, and an inspection unit to electrically inspect the insulators; and a coupling unit to couple a pair of the main units to allow the pair of main units to move along a tension insulator string or a suspension insulator string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Korea Electric Power Corporation
    Inventors: Joon Young Park, Sung Il Song, Byung Hak Cho, Seung Hyun Byun, Jin Bong Kim
  • Patent number: 7788762
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for shaping a roll cleaning brush (1), particularly for working rolls, for use in metal and, in particular, aluminum hot strip mills, comprising a brush lining (2). The inventive brush also comprises a supporting base body (3), which is mounted at one end and which is provided with the brush covering (2) attached thereto, said brush covering being pressed against the roll (4) with a settable force or defined insertion depth in order to have a cleaning effect. In order to achieve a uniform contact pressure, the shape of the cleaning brush (1) or of the brush covering (2) is matched according to the shape of the roll (4) whereby setting, between the roll and the brush covering or cleaning brush, a contact pressure that is as uniform as possible over the entire surface length of the roll. The invention also relates to a correspondingly contoured cleaning brush (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: SMS Siemag Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hartmut Hof, Jürgen Seidel