Cleaning Patents (Class 362/91)
  • Patent number: 10928057
    Abstract: A domestic cooling device has a cold chamber delimited by walls, and at least one lighting module fitted into a wall opening of a delimiting wall of the cold chamber. The lighting module includes a light outlet pane, a light source arrangement having at least one light-emitting diode, a reflector body which reflects light in the direction towards the light outlet pane, which light reflection surface is irradiated by each light-emitting diode of the light source arrangement, and a frame part which is produced separately from the reflector body and protrudes from the delimiting wall on the side thereof facing towards the cold chamber, which frame part forms a visible surface which extends all around the light outlet pane and is exposed towards the cold chamber. The frame part is a surface-coated plastics component which is held in place by engaging the underside of the light outlet pane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: emz-Hanauer GmbH & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Martin Brabec, Manfredi Signorino, Georg Wilhelm
  • Patent number: 9429311
    Abstract: To illuminate a structure 5 with informational content on components 3, 20 of a filling opening in a laundry appliance, particularly a washing machine or a washer/dryer, components 3, 20, which are made of a transparent or translucent material, have a pot-shaped laundry deflector 20 and a window cover 3 lying at least approximately flush with the front face 1 of the laundry appliance. Components 3, 20 bear lettering 4, 16 and/or a symbol to be illuminated. Light-emitting elements 6, 17 are arranged opposite lateral edge faces 10, 15 of at least one of the components 3, 20, the light beams 9, 19 emitted by said elements being directed onto the edge faces 10, 15. The lettering 4, 16 or the symbol consists of a three-dimensional structure 5 in the material with an at least microscopically small extension into the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: BSH HAUSGERÄTE GMBH
    Inventors: Florian Metz, Carsten Weber
  • Patent number: 9258870
    Abstract: Method for operating a laundry treatment machine comprising an outer casing (2) provided with a door (8), a drum (3) mounted inside the outer casing, a drum lighting device (9) arranged inside the outer casing and operable to light the drum, and a control unit (11) adapted to control the lighting device; the method comprises: —switching-on drum lighting device if the control unit detects a preset action performed by a user on the laundry treatment machine and/or a preset state of the laundry treatment machine and/or of the drum lighting device; —switching-off drum lighting device if the control unit detects a preset action performed by a user on the laundry treatment machine and/or a preset state of the laundry treatment machine and/or of the drum lighting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V.
    Inventor: Roberto Ragogna
  • Patent number: 8926117
    Abstract: A portable attachable illumination device configured to slidably attach to and partially encompass a brush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Brush Lite Innovations, LLC
    Inventor: David Raymond Blanchette
  • Publication number: 20130320858
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a light module for a pool cleaner. The light module can include a housing, a paddle wheel, a generator, and at least one light emitting diode (LED). The housing can be removably coupled to the pool cleaner and can include a flow directing portion positioned in a fluid path of the pool cleaner. The paddle wheel can be located adjacent to the flow directing portion and can rotate in response to fluid flow through the fluid path. The generator can be coupled to the paddle wheel and can generate power through rotation of the paddle wheel. The LED can be coupled to the generator and can receive the generated power from the generator to illuminate an area adjacent to the pool cleaner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventors: Brian Deery, John Lipski, Leonard Richiuso, Suresh Gopalan
  • Publication number: 20130314897
    Abstract: A laundry machine, in particular dryer, wash dryer or washing machine, includes: a body having a laundry loading opening; a drum, rotatably supported in the body; and a drum illumination device (10) for illuminating the interior of the drum. The drum illumination device (10) comprises a printed circuit board (PCB; 16) and at least one semiconductor or plasma light emitting element (19) arranged on the PCB (16), in particular at least one light emitting diode (LED).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2011
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: ELECTROLUX HOME PRODUCTS CORPORATION N.V.
    Inventors: Diego Dal Ben, Nicola Ius, Luciano Saraceni, Maurizio Saraceni
  • Patent number: 8382304
    Abstract: A dishwasher includes a housing having a washing chamber with an access opening. An access door is operable to close the access opening in a fluid tight manner. A movable loading unit is disposable in the washing chamber and is at least partially removable from the washing chamber through the access opening. The loading unit includes an illumination device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Miele & Cie. KG
    Inventors: Dirk Wegener, Seyfettin Kara
  • Patent number: 8297768
    Abstract: A dishwasher includes a cleaning compartment having a front portion that can be closed by a door. The door is configured to pivot at a bottom section thereof around a horizontally running axis. An illuminating device is configured to illuminate at least one of the cleaning compartment and the front portion of the cleaning compartment. A control device switches the illuminating device on or off based on a opening position of the door. The control device includes a switching element that is actuated by a Bowden cable arranged on the door in order to compensate for the weight of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Miele & Cie . KG
    Inventors: Seyfettin Kara, Markus Thuelig
  • Patent number: 8016444
    Abstract: A washing machine and a method for controlling the same are provided. The washing machine includes a cabinet having a door on a front thereof, a tub in the cabinet that holds washing water, a drum rotatably mounted in the tub, a gasket mounted to connect openings of the door and the tub, and a lamp device having light emitting devices (LEDs) mounted on the gasket providing light an inside the washing machine. The method for controlling the washing machine includes turning on the LEDs providing light to the inside of the washing machine upon receiving an order of turning on a lighting through an LED input device, and turning off the LEDs upon receiving an order of turning off the lighting through the LED input device after the turning on the LEDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Han Ki Cho, Deok Joon Jeong, Chang Woo Son
  • Publication number: 20110215689
    Abstract: A dishwasher includes a housing having a washing chamber with an access opening. An access door is operable to close the access opening in a fluid tight manner. A movable loading unit is disposable in the washing chamber and is at least partially removable from the washing chamber through the access opening. The loading unit includes an illumination device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: MIELE & CIE. KG
    Inventors: Dirk Wegener, Seyfettin Kara
  • Patent number: 7914175
    Abstract: The enclosure assembly includes an enclosure body which is adapted to accommodate a laser scanner therein for use in a sawmill environment. The enclosure body includes a lid portion which is hinged to permit access to the interior of the enclosure for convenient removal and cleaning of the laser scanner. A front end assembly extends from a forward end of the enclosure body and includes an air knife member mounted therein which in operation produces an air curtain which extends from the air knife towards the workpiece, tending to maintain the debris away from the laser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: EB Associates
    Inventors: Earl M. Barker, Kevin J. Barker
  • Patent number: 7878669
    Abstract: A knob deco for a laundry machine is provided. The knob deco may include a knob guard in which a dial knob is inserted, and a lamp window main body mounted at a rear surface of the knob guard. Lamp windows may be formed in the knob guard for transmitting light emitted from a rear side of the knob guard to a front side of the knob guard, and lamp window shielding members may be provided at the lamp windows to partially shield light transmitted through the lamp window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: LG Electrnics Inc.
    Inventors: Ho-Sung Jang, Chang-Woo Son, Gil-Yong Lee, Yong-Min Jeon, Han-Ki Cho
  • Patent number: 7845809
    Abstract: A domestic appliance includes an operation indicator having an illumination element for emitting a light beam by means of which a gap between the domestic appliance and a surface adjacent to the domestic appliance can be illuminated, and a reflection element in the gap for directing or bundling light emitted by the illumination element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Johannes Büsing, Daniel Delle, Gerhard Fetzer, Peter Geissler, Norbert Gerstner, Hubert Groll, Mathias Herrmann, Dieter Hotz, Stefan Kasbauer, Michael Rosenbauer, Bernd Schessl
  • Patent number: 7766525
    Abstract: A household appliance includes a front door having an upper edge, a front cover disposed in front of the front door; and an optical status display device mounted on the household appliance. The one optical status display device is hidden in a built-in state of the household appliance or is hidden when the front door is closed. The optical status display device is located at a spacing from the upper edge of the front door. The household appliance also includes a light guide for transmitting a signal light emitted by the optical status display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Rosenbauer, Bernd Schessl
  • Patent number: 7736008
    Abstract: This invention describes a dust pan comprising a light source that is designed to illuminate a floor or other flat work surface in front of the dustpan for the purpose of locating and collecting small hard to see objects. This can be for the purpose of cleaning or simply locating a small valuable object. The light source is fashioned such that it provides a very low grazing angle of illumination that it skims across a surface. Small objects or particles are visible as being brighter than the surroundings and set off by a long shadow on the side of the particle away from the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Inventor: Richard J Quattrini, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7736009
    Abstract: This invention describes a hinged dust pan comprising a light source that is designed to illuminate a floor or other flat work surface in front of the dustpan for the purpose of locating and collecting small hard to see objects. This can be for the purpose of cleaning or simply locating a small valuable object. The light source is fashioned such that it provides a very low grazing angle of illumination that it skims across a surface. Small objects or particles are visible as being brighter than the surroundings and set off by a long shadow on the side of the particle away from the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Inventor: Richard J. Quattrini
  • Patent number: 7673997
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a control panel assembly in which a light emitted from a single lamp is prevented from being dispersed nearby. A control panel assembly for a laundry machine, the control panel assembly includes a lamp supporter in which a plurality of lamps are installed to display functions selected by a user; a deco formed corresponding to the plurality of the lamps, the deco including a plurality of light-emitting holes through which a light emitted from each of the lamps passes; a light window including a light dispersion preventing part provided between the lamp supporter and the deco to prevent the light emitted from each of the lamps from being emitted through the other light-emitting holes except a single light-emitting hole corresponding each of the lamps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sung Gi Hwang, Ju Han Yoon, Seong Kyu Kim, Seon Il Heo
  • Publication number: 20100033949
    Abstract: A water-bearing household appliance such as a dishwashing machine is provided with a housing having a housing edge which defines a washing compartment opening and with a washing compartment which is enclosed by the housing and which is defined by the housing. A seal is provided onto which a device door can be closed to abut the seal and the dishwashing machine has lighting elements arranged in the area between the housing edge and the seal for illuminating the washing compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Applicant: BSH BOSCH UND SIEMENS HAUSGERÄTE GMBH
    Inventors: Reinhard Hering, Sebastian Wagner
  • Patent number: 7651232
    Abstract: A dishwashing machine is provided having a door pivotable around the horizontal axis thereof and a switch arranged on the door. The switch is operable to generate an electric signal when a predetermined pivoting angle of the door is reached as the door is being opened. The dishwasher also includes a light source that illuminates the interior of the dishwashing machine, the light source being disposed in the interior of the dishwashing machine and being operably connected to the switch such that the light source is activated into an illuminated condition in response to the receipt of the electrical signal from the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Haugeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Baumgartner, Jens Christmann, Wilhelm Sturm, Ingeborg Sturm, legal representative
  • Publication number: 20090153057
    Abstract: The present invention relates to washing machines, and more particularly, to a washing machine having a lamp device with LED (76,78) mounted to a gasket (40) for lighting an inside of the washing machine, and a method for controlling the same. For this the present invention provides a washing machine including a cabinet (2) having a door (8) on a front, a tub (20) in the tub for holding washing water, a drum (30) rotatably mounted in the tub (20), a gasket (40) mounted to connect openings of the door (8) and the tub (20), and a lamp device (50) provided to the gasket (40).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventors: Han Ki Cho, Deok Joon Jeong, Chang Woo Son
  • Publication number: 20090064528
    Abstract: A laundry treatment machine capable of determining whether a lint filter is installed therein is provided. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the infiltration of foreign substance into a heater or a drum, which may be caused when a lint filter is not installed in a laundry treatment machine, and thus to prevent a fire or damage to laundry. In addition, it is possible to easily implement a lint filter detection device for determining whether a lint filter is installed in a laundry treatment machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Kyung Tae Kim
  • Publication number: 20090059561
    Abstract: Provided are a knob deco including a knob guard in which a dial knob is inserted, a lamp window main body mounted at a rear surface of the knob guard, and having lamp windows for transmitting light emitted from a rear side of the knob guard to a front side of the knob guard, and lamp window shielding members mounted at the corresponding lamp windows and configured to shield part of light transmitted through the lamp window, a manufacturing method, and a laundry machine having the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Ho-Sung Jang, Chang-Woo Son, Gil-Yong Lee, Yong-Min Jeon, Han-Ki Cho
  • Publication number: 20090044846
    Abstract: An aquiferous domestic appliance has a treatment compartment and articles to be washed disposed therein are illuminated by means of a light source in such a manner that the user is not blinded by the light source and is able to judge the cleaning result even under bad lighting conditions inside the room.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2005
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Applicant: BSH BOSCH UND SIEMENS HAUSGERAETE GMBH
    Inventors: Michael Rosenbauer, Bernd Schessl
  • Publication number: 20080127447
    Abstract: A floor care apparatus includes a housing carrying a suction generator, a dirt collection vessel and an electroluminescent light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventor: Chad D. Overaag
  • Patent number: 6883927
    Abstract: A frame assembly for covering a wall conduit having a connection to electrical power and a component associated with the wall conduit requiring access through the frame assembly is provided. The frame assembly comprises a light powered by an electrical circuit connected to the connection and a frame for housing the light. The frame has an opening allowing access to the component through the frame, a side and an aperture in the side allowing the light to illuminate a space outside the frame assembly through the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Cube Investments Limited
    Inventors: Vern Cunningham, Michael Gomes
  • Patent number: 6672735
    Abstract: A suction head for a vacuum cleaning devices comprising an electrically operated brush roller and a lighting system for illuminating the working field. The lighting system contains a plurality of ultra-bright light-emitting diodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Wessel-Werk GmbH
    Inventors: Horst Dilger, Dieter Kaffenberger, Klaus-Dieter Riehl
  • Patent number: 6508085
    Abstract: A door for a horizontal axis laundry appliance that includes an inner panel that closes the appliance and an outer panel spaced from the inner panel. The inner and outer panels are connected adjacent their upper edges by an upper panel. The inner panel includes a first window in the form of a wide-angle lens. The upper panel includes a second window. Light-transmissive devices including a negative mirror are disposed between the inner and outer panels so as to direct light received through the lens upwardly and outwardly through the second window. The interior of the appliance is illuminated by low-voltage halogen lights mounted on the inner panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: American Trim, LLC
    Inventor: Robert M. Byrne
  • Patent number: 6490755
    Abstract: A low-profile and highly-maneuverable vacuum cleaner having improved functionality including, alone or in combination, a headlight, a sidelight, anti-ingestion bars, side brushes, a squeegee, and a scent cartridge for use in cleaning floors, floor coverings, carpets, upholstery, and other surfaces. One embodiment includes a tortuous air flow path created by baffles that divert air flow. The tortuous path creates quieter air flow through the vacuum housing. The tortuous air flow arrangement is for cooling the internal parts of a vacuum cleaner. Another embodiment includes an indicator light assembly for the vacuum cleaner visually providing the user with the vacuum's current operation status. In another embodiment, the rear wheels are recessed within the head housing and slightly offset rearwardly of the rear wall of the head housing to provide enhanced maneuverability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Oreck Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Chris M. Paterson, Javier Verdura, Owen T. Bourgeois, Jeffrey A. Millard, Mel Teitzman, Paul A. Moshenrose
  • Publication number: 20020101730
    Abstract: A suction head for a vacuum cleaning devices comprising an electrically operated brush roller and a lighting system for illuminating the working field. The lighting system contains a plurality of ultra-bright light-emitting diodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2001
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Applicant: Wessel-Werk GmbH
    Inventors: Horst Dilger, Dieter Kaffenberger, Klaus-Dieter Riehl
  • Patent number: 6206547
    Abstract: An automatic swimming pool cleaner is equipped with an electrically-powered light source that is securely mounted on, or above the exterior of the housing of the pool cleaner so that the light source illuminates a generally spherical space above and 360° around the pool cleaner. The light source is contained in a transparent hollow receptacle fabricated from an impact-resistant, rigid, light transmitting material. In a pool cleaner with a detachable handle, the handle's horizonal gripping member is constructed from a transparent annular tube in which the light source is axially mounted, the ends of the tube being provided with a waterproof seal where they are joined to the handle brackets. The light source can be one or more lamps or bulbs, preferably of a tubular configuration, such as an array of fluorescent tubes of the folded type that have a socket at one end, the free end being held by a resilient supporting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Aqua Products Inc.
    Inventor: Giora Erlich
  • Patent number: 5987697
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a suction nozzle lamp which can light and observe a forward are of a suction nozzle for collecting dust or alien substances without being overheated. A reflection plate with a predetermined shape is formed inside a lower case forming a suction nozzle with a suction opening for sucking dust or alien substances, and a window is formed at the forward area of the reflection plate and at the lower case to light the forward area after light is reflected by the reflection plate. A suction nozzle lamp is formed between the reflection plate and the window. A strip-type electric bulb is located between the reflection plate and the window by first and second terminals or a socket terminal, thereby emitting enough light to the forward area of the suction nozzle to perform cleaning without being overheated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Kwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung-Gon Song, Ki-Man Kim
  • Patent number: 5896618
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner, which has a cleaning attachment through which dirt and dust are drawn, includes a lighting device that illuminates a surface to be cleaned. The lighting device includes a bulb in a groove that is formed at the cleaning attachment's front, thus horizontally illuminating the surface. Preferably, the bulb is a halogen lamp which is of predetermined length. The groove includes a plurality of air holes so that outside air can flow into the groove. A filter is provided in the air holes to prevent dust and dirt from getting into the groove. The lighting device may be detachably mounted on the cleaning attachment, and includes a case and a bulb installed in the case for illumination. The case includes a plurality of locking pieces that securely fit into a slit formed on the cleaning attachment so that the lighting device is connected to the cleaning attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: Kwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Han-Jin Woo, Jeong-Gon Song, Sung-Lo Cho
  • Patent number: 5836669
    Abstract: A space at least partly enclosed by an appliance housing can be illuminated by utilizing at least one lamp outside that space and coupling a light pipe system to that lamp so that light can be conducted into the space by a light-transmission system. Within the space light is emitted from one or more light extractors optically coupled to the light-transmission system. The light extractors are in the form of wave guides provided along a surface with formations or the like from which light is emitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Troy Investments, Inc.
    Inventor: Aharon Zeev Hed
  • Patent number: 5795052
    Abstract: Disclosed is a lamp driving control apparatus for a washing machine and a control method therefor which control operation of a lamp in accordance with a door opening/closing operation in the washing machine. A lamp driving control apparatus resides within washing machine which washing machine includes a main body, a door mounted to the main body, a door motor for providing power to open and closed the door, and a lamp that is turned on when the door is opened in order to illuminate an interior of the main body. The control apparatus includes: a door open sensor for sensing whether the door is opened by a predetermined angle corresponding to a fully opened door; and a controller for turning on the lamp when the door is opened beyond the predetermined angle corresponding to the fully opened door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ssi Chol Choi
  • Patent number: 5740580
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a stepper vacuum chuck wiper for cleaning a stepper vacuum chuck, which includes a rod frame, a bearing device, a flare type soft shield, a wiping stick and an illuminating device. The rod frame has a through hole at one end and the bearing device is sleeved inside of the through hole. The flare type soft shield with a flare opening on its lower end is sleeved inside the bearing device, and the diameter of the flare opening is larger than the outside diameter of the bearing device. The wiping stick is sleeved inside the flare type soft shield. The illuminating device for illuminating the stepper vacuum chuck includes a light source, a battery set and a switch. The battery set is coupled to the other end of the rod frame to provide electricity to the light source, and the switch is coupled between the battery set and the light source to control the illumination of the light source, wherein the light source and the switch are disposed on the rod frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corporation
    Inventors: Chung-Chien Leu, Hsi-Huang Lee, En-Tien Tan
  • Patent number: 5467501
    Abstract: An illuminated belt view for a vacuum cleaner wherein light is transmitted, via a light pipe, from a remote light source to an area directly underneath a transparent belt view window. The transparent belt view window is formed in the vacuum cleaner hood to allow the operator to observe the operating condition of the belt therein, the belt being operable to transfer rotational motion from a motor output shaft to a rotary brush. Illumination of the belt in the area of the belt view window allows the belt and the operating condition thereof to be observed during low ambient light conditions. Use of light from the light source, which is primarily a headlight, removes the need for an independent light source for the belt view window without significantly decreasing the amount of light which is transmitted to the area in front of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Assignee: White Consolidated Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Arnold L. Sepke
  • Patent number: 5207498
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner headlight system incorporating a light pipe is provided. The light pipe includes reflex optics to control the distribution of light across the width of the output edge of the light pipe, as well as to prevent light from escaping through the sides of the light pipe. A reflex optical reflector is also part of the system, for reflecting light from a light bulb into the light pipe without requiring a metallized mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1993
    Assignee: Electrolux Corporation
    Inventors: Randall K. Lawrence, Timothy W. Jackson, Ronald L. Sitzema, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4896243
    Abstract: An efficient ESD protection circuit is provided having a resistor (18) disposed between an input pin (12) and the functioning circuitry (22) of an integrated circuit package. A primary switching device (28) is electrically connected between the input pin (12) and a reference voltage pin (14). The resistor (18) comprises an N- well (48) formed within the P- substrate (44) and an N+ diffused reion (50) formed within the N- well (48). A silicided layer (52) is formed over the N+ region (50). The primary switching device (28) is constructed to share the same PN junction (54) utilized by the resistor (18). In constructing the primary switching device (28), a P+ region (70) is formed within the N- well (48). Further, an N+ region (68) is formed within the P- substrate (44). Thus, the primary switching device (40) includes three PN junctions (72, 54, 74) which will conduct at a time prior to, or contemporaneous with, the breakdown of resistor (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1990
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Amitava Chatterjee, Charvaka Duvvury
  • Patent number: 4845796
    Abstract: This tooth brush is designed to effectively clean a person's teeth by rotation. Primarily, it consists of an electric motor in a housing that is hand held, and a flexible brush stem is received in the shaft of the motor and includes bristles that are radially disposed on the other end of the flexible brush stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1989
    Inventor: Randy Mosley
  • Patent number: 4791700
    Abstract: An illumination system for a vacuum cleaner including a thermoplastic injection molded lens which, cooperating with a reflector surface, provides a high level of optical efficiency. The lens includes separate prism and diffusion areas which focus light immediately ahead of the cleaner. The lens and reflector allow a low wattage bulb to be utilized and thereby avoid excessive generation of heat and the requirement for a bulb socket for heat dissipation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1988
    Assignee: The Scott Fetzer Company
    Inventors: James E. Bigley, Lee R. Estelle
  • Patent number: 4757574
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner main chassis incorporates a light plate for providing light from a relatively narrow slot extending across the front of the chassis onto a floor surface to be cleaned. The light plate is generally planar and transmits light therethrough within its plane from an input edge of the plate to an opposite output edge thereof. The plate output edge resides in the chassis front slot while the rest of the plate is enclosed within the chassis so that light emerges from the chassis only through its front slot. The slot is relatively close to the floor surface for illuminating an area thereof beginning relatively adjacent the chassis. Lamps located adjacent the relatively rearward input edge of the light plate are thus positioned relatively remote from a suction nozzle and rotatable bar brush located in a forward area of the chassis, which avoids preempting critical space in such area or interfering with operation of such elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1988
    Assignee: The Singer Company
    Inventor: William R. Sumerau