Robert R Mckee

US Patent:

6579060, Jun 17, 2003

Filed:

Aug 8, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/635091

Inventors:

Robert N. McKee - Aurora OH
Doug S. Zlatic - North Royalton OH

Assignee:

Royal Appliance Mfg. Co. - Glenwillow OH

International Classification:

F04D 2942

US Classification:

415119, 415204, 415206, 4152121, 4152141, 15326

Abstract:

An impeller and housing assembly with reduced noise and improved airflow includes a volute, a shaft, a housing, a central axis, and an inlet port located along the central axis. An outlet port is located on a second axis spaced from the central axis. An exhaust passage extends from the outlet port. The impeller is mounted on the shaft for rotation. The impeller includes a hub, and at least one blade extending from the hub. The blade has a distal surface spaced from the shaft. The impeller housing has a first plane which is approximately perpendicular to the central axis. The first plane contacts the blade distal surface. A second plane is parallel to and spaced apart from the first plane. The second plane contacts a wall of the outlet port at a location closest to the first plane. A spacing wall is positioned between the volute and the outlet port and spaces each blade from the outlet port, thus reducing noise and increasing airflow.

US Patent:

6836701, Dec 28, 2004

Filed:

Apr 16, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/417152

Inventors:

Robert Nolan McKee - Aurora OH

Assignee:

Royal Appliance Mfg. Co. - Glenwillow OH

International Classification:

G06F 1900

US Classification:

700245, 700250, 700253, 700257, 700258, 700259, 700264, 31856811, 31856812, 31856813, 31856816, 31856821, 318587, 701 1, 701 3, 701 23, 701 24, 701 25, 701 26, 701120, 701123, 701200, 701207, 701215, 701300, 701301, 701308

Abstract:

An autonomous multi-platform robot system ( ) for performing at least one functional task in an environment is provided. The system includes at least one navigator platform ( ) providing mapping, localization, planning, and control functions for itself and at least one other platform within the environment and at least one functional robot platform ( ) in communication with one or more navigator platforms for performing one or more functional tasks. In one embodiment, one or more navigator platforms ( ) are stationary and include sensors ( ) for sensing information about the environment. In another embodiment, one or more functional robot platforms ( ) include sensors ( ) for sending information about the environment. In still another embodiment, the system includes one or more stationary platforms ( ) with sensors ( ) for sensing information about the environment.

US Patent:

7054716, May 30, 2006

Filed:

Sep 4, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/655253

Inventors:

Robert N. McKee - Aurora OH, US
Jim Holcomb - Shaker Heights OH, US

Assignee:

Royal Appliance Mfg. Co. - Glenwillow OH

International Classification:

G06F 19/00

US Classification:

700245, 700257, 700258, 700259, 318587, 3185681, 701 1, 701215

Abstract:

A sentry robot system and method for operating the system is provided. In one embodiment, the robot system includes at least one functional robot with one or more environmental sensors and at least one navigator/controller platform. In another embodiment, the robot system includes one or more functional robots, one or more environmental sensors associated with at least one of the functional robots, and one or more navigator/controller platforms. The navigator/controller platform in this embodiment includes a receiver, a controller, a memory, and a transmitter. In one embodiment, the method includes creating an image map of the environment from environment data, periodically moving the functional robot to predetermined locations, collecting new environment data using the optical image sensor at each predetermined location, and comparing the new environment data to corresponding locations in the image map, and periodically determining if intervention is required due to changed conditions within the environment.

US Patent:

7076830, Jul 18, 2006

Filed:

Jan 9, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/339122

Inventors:

Michael P. Conner - Uniontown OH, US
Robert N. McKee - Aurora OH, US

Assignee:

Royal Appliance Mfg. Co. - Glenwillow OH

International Classification:

A47L 9/28

US Classification:

15339, 15319, 153401, 180 193

Abstract:

A self-propelled appliance, such as a vacuum cleaner includes a magnetic field sensor and magnet. A relative position between the magnetic field sensor and the magnet can be changed by a user of the appliance. The magnetic field sensor generates a signal indicating a magnetic field sensed by the sensor. Therefore, the magnetic field sensor signal indicates the relative position of the magnet to the sensor. This relative position signal is interpreted as a speed and direction request for a means for propelling the appliance. The magnetic filed sensor is, for example, a Hall effect sensor. The means for propelling includes, for example, a brushless d. c motor, sensorless motor or switched reluctance motor. Forward and reverse propulsion is provided without the use of a clutch. The appliance includes a reduced number of wearing components.

US Patent:

7113847, Sep 26, 2006

Filed:

Apr 25, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/423588

Inventors:

Bryan Chmura - Parma OH, US
Robert N. McKee - Aurora OH, US
Victor Younger - Parma OH, US
Mark E. Reindle - Parma OH, US

Assignee:

Royal Appliance Mfg. Co. - Glenwillow OH

International Classification:

G06F 19/00

US Classification:

700245, 700246, 700259, 700248, 700249, 700250, 701300, 701301, 3185681

Abstract:

A robotic vacuum cleaner () with a self-propelled controller () with a vacuum source () and a dirt receptacle (), a self-propelled cleaning head () with a suction inlet (), and an interconnecting hose () is provided. The controller and cleaning head cooperatively traverse a surface area in tandem when the interconnecting hose is connected between the cleaning head and the controller. In one embodiment, the controller includes a power source () making the robotic vacuum autonomous. In another embodiment, the controller includes a power cord dispense/retract assembly () to provide access to utility power. In another aspect, the controller includes a portable vacuum () that is removed for manual operations. In still another aspect, a method of semi-automated environment mapping for a self-propelled robotic vacuum is provided. With respect to the method, the robotic vacuum also includes a remote control ().

US Patent:

20040163184, Aug 26, 2004

Filed:

Dec 8, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/730542

Inventors:

Steven Waldron - Courtland OH, US
Robert McKee - Aurora OH, US
Michael Merriman - Chagrin Falls OH, US
Mark Reindle - Sagamore Hills OH, US

Assignee:

Royal Appliance Mfg.

International Classification:

D06B001/02

US Classification:

008/149100, 068/00500R, 008/149300, 068/00500C, 068/00500E, 068/222000

Abstract:

A clothes freshening device includes an enclosure to hold at least one garment to be freshened. A chemical mister is in fluid communication with the enclosure, the chemical mister producing a fog that is circulated around the garment to freshen the garment. If desired, a steam generator can be in fluid communication with the enclosure, the steam generator producing steam that is circulated around the garment to de-wrinkle the garment.

US Patent:

20050055792, Mar 17, 2005

Filed:

Sep 15, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/662247

Inventors:

David Kisela - Cuyahoga Falls OH, US
Robert Vystrcil - Garrettsville OH, US
Robert McKee - Aurora OH, US
Wallace Tiller - Stow OH, US

International Classification:

A47L005/00

US Classification:

015319000

Abstract:

An autonomous vacuum cleaner includes a first module, a hose connected at a first end to the first module and a second module spaced from the first module and connected to a second end of the hose. The first module includes a suction source. The hose is in fluid communication with the suction source. The second module includes a drive housing including a drive system to propel the second module and a nozzle section pivotally mounted to the drive housing. The nozzle section includes a suction opening in fluid communication with the hose.

US Patent:

39839524, Oct 5, 1976

Filed:

May 18, 1972

Appl. No.:

5/254664

Inventors:

Robert S. McKee - Palatine IL

International Classification:

B60L 1118

US Classification:

180 65R

Abstract:

An electric vehicle of adequate performance and range and of low cost uses a long tray of batteries easily rolled into or from a housing which also comprises a structural backbone of the car. The body provides useful space, such as a passenger compartment on both sides of the backbone, extending down to about the level of the bottom of the backbone, thereby keeping a low center of gravity, and compactness for low wind resistance. The steering wheel is on a swing-arm standing out laterally from the backbone, the backbone supporting the steering shaft in a position not "aimed" at the driver. The steering arm swings out of the way to facilitate access, and in one form of the invention the body top swings open and there are no side doors. Separate V belt drives from the motor through automatic speed-changing pulleys for each side minimize current draw on start-up and acceleration, maximize performance, ensure driving both drive wheels in slippery weather, and permit differential wheel speed on turns. Independent suspension of the drive wheels ("knee action") without universal joints is achieved by using the flexibility of the V belts to permit the driven pulley to rock out of alignment with the drive pulley.