IP Library Granted Patent US 11,116,371
Granted Patent B2
US 11,116,371 · App. 17/067,521 · Granted Sep 14, 2021

Cleaning device system and method for use

Inventors: Richard Mathias (Needham, MA); Michael James Douglas (London, GB); Yu Ri Young Kim (Brighton, MA)
Assignee: SharkNinja Operating LLC
A47L9/0673A47L13/16A47L13/24
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,116,371
App. No.
17/067,521
Granted
Sep 14, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

A cleaning device is removably attachable to a replacement head. The replacement head includes pad that is attached to the lower side of an attachment member and is in contact with the floor during cleaning. The cleaning device is removably attached to the attachment member of the replacement head by lowering the cleaning device body downward vertically onto the replacement head until a mechanical connection is achieved.

Claims (25)

1. A replacement head for use with a cleaning device, comprising:

a housing having a chamber for receiving and retaining debris, a suction inlet opening for allow debris to flow into the chamber, and a cleaning sheet coupled to the housing and configured to contact a surface to be cleaned, the housing being configured to couple to a cleaning device for allowing a suction force to be applied to the chamber for drawing debris through the suction inlet opening into the chamber, and the housing having a housing connection feature that is configured such that it mates with a head connection feature on a cleaning device head by positioning the head connection feature into contact with the housing connection feature and rotating the head of the cleaning device.

2. The replacement head of claim 1 , wherein the housing connection feature is configured to mate with the head connection feature when the housing is oriented horizontally and the replacement head connection feature is rotated from a generally vertical position to a generally horizontal position.

3. The replacement head of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the housing connection feature is configured to extend into a cavity in the cleaning device head.

4. The replacement head of claim 1 , wherein the housing connection feature includes at least one connector lip that is configured to be engaged by the cleaning device head for removably mating the replacement head to the cleaning device.

5. The replacement head of claim 1 , wherein the housing is directly attached to the cleaning sheet.

6. The replacement head of claim 1 , wherein the housing is permanently attached to the cleaning sheet.

7. The replacement head of claim 1 , wherein an upper surface of the cleaning sheet is directly attached to the chamber.

8. The replacement head of claim 1 , further comprising an air filter arranged to allow a vacuum force to be applied to the chamber while retaining debris within the chamber.

9. The replacement head of claim 1 , wherein the suction inlet opening is in a front portion of the housing adjacent to an edge of the cleaning sheet.

10. The replacement head of claim 1 , further comprising an opening cover arranged to allow debris to flow through the suction inlet opening into the chamber, while retaining debris within the chamber.

11. The replacement head of claim 1 , wherein the cleaning sheet is planar.

12. A replacement head for use with a cleaning device, comprising:

a housing having a dirt collection chamber and a suction inlet for allowing debris to flow into the dirt collection chamber, the housing having a configuration such that it mates with a cleaning device by positioning the housing in a generally horizontal configuration and in contact with the cleaning device, and moving the cleaning device from an angled position to a generally horizontal position to cause the cleaning device to engage the housing; and

a cleaning sheet coupled to the housing and having a surface configured to contact a surface to be cleaned.

13. The replacement head of claim 12 , wherein moving the cleaning device from an angled position to a generally horizontal position to engage the housing comprises lowering the cleaning device vertically to cause a head of the cleaning device to rotate into engagement with the housing.

14. The replacement head of claim 12 , wherein the housing includes at least one mating features that engages with at least one corresponding mating feature on the cleaning device.

15. The replacement head of claim 12 , wherein at least a portion of the housing extends into a cavity in the cleaning device head when mated thereto.

16. The replacement head of claim 12 , wherein a perimeter of the housing is configured to engage with the cleaning device.

17. The replacement head of claim 12 , wherein the housing is directly attached to the cleaning sheet.

18. The replacement head of claim 12 , wherein the housing is permanently attached to the cleaning sheet.

19. The replacement head of claim 12 , further comprising an air filter arranged to allow a vacuum force to be applied to the chamber while retaining debris within the chamber.

20. The replacement head of claim 12 , wherein the suction inlet is in a front portion of the housing adjacent to an edge of the cleaning sheet.

21. The replacement head of claim 12 , further comprising a valve arranged to allow debris to flow through the suction inlet into the chamber while retaining debris within the chamber.

22. The replacement head of claim 12 , wherein the cleaning sheet is planar.

Assignments (2)
NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Jul 20, 2023
From: SHARKNINJA OPERATING LLC
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 064600/0098 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 21, 2021
From: MATHIAS, RICHARD; DOUGLAS, MICHAEL JAMES; KIM, YU RI YOUNG
To: SHARKNINJA OPERATING LLC
Reel/Frame 055346/0780 →
Continuity (2)
Continuation 16795012 · Feb 19, 2020
Related Publication 20210251446A1 · Aug 19, 2021