Oreck Holdings, LLC

Shane P Cohen

Chris M Paterson

Javier Verdura

Nheeda Enriquez

Jirawat Jeamvigite

Shari Moore

Amy Ryan

Dennis T Lamb

Christopher M Paterson

Paul A Moshenrose

Bruce M Kiern

Terrance M Roberts

Owen T Bourgeois

Jeffrey A Millard

Sam Ponjican

J M Sewell, Jr

An air cleaner including touch points is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The air cleaner includes a chassis and one or more visually coded touch points on the chassis. The one or more visually coded touch points include indicia of user-contactable components of the air cleaner.

Air cleaner including touch points

Air purifier

Containment member for floor care apparatus

An agitator for use with cleaning machines, as well as methods for making the same, are shown and described. The agitator is configured to facilitate the removal of elongated fibers therefrom. In one embodiment, the agitator has a rotatable member with opposing first and second ends, an axis of rotation extending between the first and second ends, and an external surface extending at least partially between the first and second ends. A number of projections are attached to the external surface of the agitator. One or both of the ends of the agitator are configured to rotatably engage the cleaning machine, such as at a bearing or other connector. The external surface of the rotatable member has a first portion that is substantially cylindrical about the axis of rotation, and a second portion separate from the first portion that has at least a first depression. The depression is configured to allow a user to insert a cutting tool partially into the depression and cut the fibers wrapped around the rotatable member.

Agitator for a cleaning machine with material cutting channel

Handle assemblies for floor care devices, and methods for using the same, are disclosed. In one embodiment, a handle apparatus includes a main member partially surrounding a cord retaining space that is adapted to receive a plurality of portions of a power cord of the floor care device. A retaining member is moveably attached to the main member, and includes a retaining surface that is positionable proximate the cord retaining space. In a first or &ldquo;retaining&rdquo; position, the retaining surface retains the plurality of power cord portions within the cord retaining space, and in a second or &ldquo;releasing&rdquo; position, the retaining surface releases the plurality of power cord portions from the cord retaining space. In alternate embodiments, the retaining member may be rotatably, pivotably, or slidably attached to the main member, pivotably attached to the main member. In another embodiment, a handle assembly includes a main member having a grip portion adapted to be held by an operator of the floor care device, and a base portion attached to the grip portion. The base portion includes an attachment portion adapted to attach to an attachment end of a handle support, and a receiving portion adapted to attach to a first end of a power cord. A support axis projects axially outwardly from the attachment end of the handle support into the attachment portion, and a first axis projects axially outwardly from the first end of the power cord into the receiving portion such that the first axis is approximately parallel to the support axis.

Handle assemblies for floor care devices and methods of using same

An outer bag assembly for an upright vacuum cleaner is disclosed. The outer bag assembly comprises a flexible, air permeable enclosure having an internal volume adapted to contain a disposable inner bag. The outer bag assembly is further comprised of an upper end adapted to provide access to the internal volume through a closure device, and an opposite end attached to a handle assembly through a bag clip assembly. In one embodiment, the closure device includes a zipper disposed along an upper front peripheral edge of the outer bag assembly that allows a front panel of the bag assembly to be partially released. In another embodiment, the closure device includes a zipper disposed along an upper front peripheral edge, and a zipper disposed along an upper rear peripheral edge of the outer bag assembly that allows a top panel of the outer bag assembly to be partially released. In still another embodiment, the closure device includes a bag cap comprised of resilient thermoplastic sections hingeably connected to allow access to the internal volume of the bag assembly. In another embodiment, a bag clip assembly adapted to retain the opposite end of the bag is disclosed. In still other embodiments, abrasion-resistant outer panels that are affixed to the outer surfaces of the outer bag assembly are disclosed.

Bag assembly for a vacuum cleaner

Floor care devices having an elongated handle or body portion for control thereof are provided with mid-level handles for facilitating manipulation of the devices in certain conditions, for storing power cords, for hanging and storing the floor care device and the like. The mid-level handle may fold from a retracted position adjacent the elongated handle or body portion to an extended position. A retainer is provided to maintain the handle in its retracted and extended positions.

Mid-level handle for floor care device and method of using handle

Apparatus and methods of supporting and shielding flexible outer bags of vacuum cleaners are disclosed. In one embodiment, a support structure includes a backing plate adapted to be disposed within the flexible outer bag, and at least one support member attached to the backing plate and projecting away from the backing plate. The backing and support members are adapted to contact and extend proximate respective portions of the outer bag, providing three-dimensional support to the outer bag. Alternately, a plurality of airflow apertures may be disposed through the support structure. In another embodiment, a shield structure includes a backing member adapted to be positioned proximate to and extend over at least a portion of a rear panel of an outer bag of a vacuum cleaner. First and second sidewall members are attached to and project away from the backing member, the first and second sidewall members being adapted to be positioned proximate to and extend over at least a portion of corresponding lateral side panels of the outer bag. Alternately, the shield structure may include top and front shielding members.

Apparatus and methods for supporting and shielding flexible outer bags of vacuum cleaners

Growing community of inventors

Metairie, LA, United States of America

Shane P Cohen