IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,723,503
Granted Patent B2
US 11,723,503 · App. 16/941,635 · Granted Aug 15, 2023

Robotic cleaner

Inventors: Margaret Mathieu (East Greenwich, RI); Charles S. Brunner (Stockton, NJ)
Assignee: SharkNinja Operating LLC
A47L9/2847A47L9/0411A47L9/0455A47L9/0477A47L9/0494A47L9/2826A47L9/2852A47L11/282A47L11/4011A47L11/4041A47L11/4058A47L11/4061A47L2201/04A47L2201/06
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,723,503
App. No.
16/941,635
Granted
Aug 15, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

A robotic cleaner may include a chassis, an agitator assembly configured to engage a surface to be cleaned, and a lift mechanism moveably coupling the agitator assembly to the chassis. The lift mechanism may include a biasing mechanism. The biasing mechanism may be configured to generate a biasing force that urges the agitator assembly in a direction away from the surface to be cleaned. The biasing force may be insufficient to lift the agitator assembly from the surface to be cleaned.

Claims (39)

1. A robotic cleaner comprising:

a chassis;

an agitator assembly configured to engage a surface to be cleaned; and

a lift moveably coupling the agitator assembly to the chassis, the lift including:

a spring configured to generate a biasing force that urges the agitator assembly in a direction away from the surface to be cleaned, the biasing force being insufficient to lift the agitator assembly from the surface to be cleaned;

a top plate;

a bottom plate; and

a plurality of linkages, a first end of each linkage being pivotally coupled to the top plate and a second end of each linkage being slidably coupled to the bottom plate.

2. The robotic cleaner of claim 1 , wherein the top plate is coupled to the chassis and the bottom plate is coupled to the agitator assembly.

3. The robotic cleaner of claim 2 , wherein the spring is configured to urge the linkages to pivot towards each other.

4. The robotic cleaner of claim 1 , wherein the spring is a tension spring.

5. The robotic cleaner of claim 1 , wherein the spring is a leaf spring.

6. The robotic cleaner of claim 1 , wherein the agitator assembly includes at least one motor.

7. The robotic cleaner of claim 6 , wherein the lift includes a plurality of springs configured to cooperate to encourage an even weight distribution across the agitator assembly.

8. The robotic cleaner of claim 6 , wherein the agitator assembly includes at least one agitator, the at least one agitator being configured to be rotated by the at least one motor.

9. The robotic cleaner of claim 6 , wherein the agitator assembly includes at least one counterweight, the at least one counterweight and the at least one motor being positioned on opposing sides of the agitator assembly.

10. A robotic cleaner comprising:

a chassis;

a suction motor;

a dust cup fluidly coupled to the suction motor;

an agitator assembly configured to engage a surface to be cleaned, the agitator assembly including:

a suction conduit that is fluidly coupled to the dust cup and the suction motor, wherein the suction motor is configured to cause air to pass through the suction conduit, into the dust cup, and through the suction motor; and

an agitator at least partially disposed within the suction conduit, wherein the agitator rotates about a rotation axis that extends substantially parallel to the surface to be cleaned; and

a lift moveably coupling the agitator assembly to the chassis, the lift including a spring configured to generate a biasing force that urges the agitator assembly in a direction away from the surface to be cleaned, the biasing force being insufficient to lift the agitator assembly from the surface to be cleaned.

11. The robotic cleaner of claim 10 , wherein a bellow fluidly couples the agitator assembly to the dust cup.

12. The robotic cleaner of claim 10 , wherein the lift includes a top plate, a bottom plate, and a plurality of linkages, a first end of each linkage being pivotally coupled to the top plate and a second end of each linkage being slidably coupled to the bottom plate.

13. The robotic cleaner of claim 12 , wherein the top plate is coupled to the chassis and the bottom plate is coupled to the agitator assembly.

14. The robotic cleaner of claim 13 , wherein the spring is configured to urge the linkages to pivot towards each other.

15. The robotic cleaner of claim 10 , wherein the spring is a tension spring.

16. The robotic cleaner of claim 10 , wherein the spring is a leaf spring.

17. The robotic cleaner of claim 10 , wherein the agitator assembly includes at least one motor.

18. The robotic cleaner of claim 17 , wherein the lift includes a plurality of springs configured to cooperate to encourage an even weight distribution across the agitator assembly.

19. The robotic cleaner of claim 17 , wherein the agitator assembly includes at least one counterweight, the at least one counterweight and the at least one motor being positioned on opposing sides of the agitator assembly.

20. A robotic cleaner comprising:

a chassis;

an agitator assembly configured to engage a surface to be cleaned, wherein the agitator assembly includes at least one motor; and

a lift moveably coupling the agitator assembly to the chassis, the lift including a plurality of springs configured to:

generate a biasing force that urges the agitator assembly in a direction away from the surface to be cleaned, the biasing force being insufficient to lift the agitator assembly from the surface to be cleaned; and

cooperate to encourage an even weight distribution across the agitator assembly.

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 Jul 29, 2020
From: MATHIEU, MARGARET; BRUNNER, CHARLES S.
To: SHARKNINJA OPERATING LLC
Reel/Frame 053338/0783 →
Continuity (3)
Provisional Application 62886600 · Aug 14, 2019
Provisional Application 62879822 · Jul 29, 2019
Related Publication 20210030227A1 · Feb 4, 2021
Cited By (1)
US 12,303,095