Kevin L Shinler

US Patent:

6398829, Jun 4, 2002

Filed:

Feb 1, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/496095

Inventors:

Kevin L. Shinler - North Branch MN
Michael L. Blehert - Crystal MN

Assignee:

Tennant Company - Golden Valley MN

International Classification:

E01H 108

US Classification:

55317, 55324, 55356, 55401, 55414, 55429, 55472, 55482, 55484, 55521, 96243, 153403

Abstract:

A mobile debris collection machine with an improved filter system includes a chassis, wheels for supporting the chassis, a debris collection device on the chassis, a debris container on the chassis, and a vacuum system on the chassis for moving dust and debris from the debris collector to the container. The vacuum system includes a dust and debris inlet, a vacuum fan, a dust and debris conduit extending from the inlet to a deflector which directs dust and debris from the inlet toward an area adjacent the vacuum chamber which is positioned above the debris container. There is a first filter stage upstream of the vacuum fan and attached thereto for rotation with the fan. There are a plurality of second filter stages, each downstream of the vacuum fan with the air flow from the vacuum fan being generally equally divided between the plurality of second filter stages. There is an air outlet for each second filter stage and a diffuser mounted in connection with each air outlet.

US Patent:

6836919, Jan 4, 2005

Filed:

May 21, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/153408

Inventors:

Kevin L. Shinler - North Branch MN, US

Assignee:

Tennant Company - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

E01H 102
E01H 104
A47L 1100

US Classification:

15 78, 15 501, 15 83, 153404, 451360

Abstract:

A suspension device for coupling a surface maintenance appliance to a surface maintenance machine is disclosed. The suspension device includes a carriage member movably supported upon the maintenance machine through a plurality of linkages coupled to the carriage member. Together the plurality of linkages permit the carriage and surface maintenance appliance to follow undulations in the floor surface during operation of the surface maintenance machine. An actuator engages a lost motion device to lift the carriage member away from the ground surface. A variety of different floor surface maintenance appliances may be coupled to surface maintenance vehicles according to aspects of the present invention.

US Patent:

7287298, Oct 30, 2007

Filed:

Mar 7, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/073786

Inventors:

Kevin Leroy Shinler - North Branch MN, US

Assignee:

Tennant - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

E01H 1/02

US Classification:

15320, 153401, 15401, 15 501, 15 78

Abstract:

A low-profile side squeegee assembly for surface maintenance vehicles, capable of cleaning under so-called “toe kicks”. In contrast with typical suspensions that are mounted directly above the center of the squeegee assembly, and are therefore too tall to fit under toe kicks, a low-profile suspension attaches at the ends of a squeegee assembly, and uses torsion springs to provide a downward force on the squeegee assembly. In order to counteract any potential twisting effects that might result from suspending the squeegee from the ends rather than the center, the squeegee assembly is mounted at an angle.

US Patent:

7313839, Jan 1, 2008

Filed:

May 29, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/159727

Inventors:

Kevin L. Shinler - North Branch MN, US

Assignee:

Tennant Company - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

A47L 11/24

US Classification:

15 491, 15 83, 15 87

Abstract:

A surface maintenance apparatus is described, having a sweeping system positioned near the front or leading edge of the apparatus. The sweeping system includes a plurality of brushes and a removable hopper for collecting debris. The sweeping system is capable of being raised off the surface being maintained when the sweeping system encounters an obstacle or irregularity on the surface. The brushes are pivotally mounted to the surface maintenance apparatus to allow the brushes to be rotated away from each other, providing access to the removable hopper from the front end of the surface maintenance apparatus.

US Patent:

7805802, Oct 5, 2010

Filed:

Oct 20, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/584677

Inventors:

Kevin L. Shinler - North Branch MN, US
Peter A. Loring - Saint Paul MN, US
Laurence A. Jensen - Oakdale MN, US

Assignee:

Tennant Company - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

A47L 5/00
E01H 1/08

US Classification:

15319, 15320, 153401

Abstract:

A debris collection system for a floor cleaning machine includes a motorized cleaning head attached to a frame of the floor cleaning machine, a carriage attached to the frame, a debris tray, and a de-watering system. The debris tray is removably receivable within the carriage and is positioned to receive debris thrown from the motorized cleaning head. The de-watering system includes a liquid extracting component, a tray tubing section, a main tubing section, a waste recovery tank supported on the frame and a vacuum in vacuum communication with the main tubing section. The liquid extracting component is attached to the debris tray and is configured to extract liquid from within the debris tray. The tray tubing section has a first end that is coupled to the liquid extracting component and a second end that is mounted in fixed relation to the debris tray. The a main tubing section has a first end that is connected to the waste collection tank and a second end that is positioned to automatically couple to the second end of the tray tubing section upon installation of the debris tray.

US Patent:

8539635, Sep 24, 2013

Filed:

Nov 9, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/943000

Inventors:

Kevin L. Shinler - North Branch MN, US
John C. Ickes - Rockford MN, US
Matthew Betteker - Phoenix AZ, US
Bruce M. Becker - Bloomington MN, US

Assignee:

Tennant Company - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

A47L 7/00

US Classification:

15321, 15320, 15322, 15328, 15334, 15417

Abstract:

A portable vacuum wand for use with a surface maintenance machine, for collection of debris remote from the machine. The vacuum wand is detachable from a rear squeegee assembly of the surface maintenance machine, and includes a handle and a wand head. A vacuum conduit of the vacuum wand is adapted to be coupled to the rear squeegee assembly when not in use so as to provide vacuum to the rear squeegee assembly. A method of cleaning a floor surface with a surface maintenance machine and a portable vacuum wand is also provided.

US Patent:

8544140, Oct 1, 2013

Filed:

Nov 9, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/942219

Inventors:

Kevin L. Shinler - North Branch MN, US
John C. Ickes - Rockford MN, US
Steven V. Feeny - Plymouth MN, US

Assignee:

Tennant Company - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

A47L 11/00

US Classification:

1525048, 1525046, 1525047, 15 491, 15 971, 15401, 403221, 403223, 403229

Abstract:

A releasable squeegee assembly for coupling to a surface maintenance machine and including a compliant bushing and an over-center lever attached to a pull rod and compliant spring. The compliant bushing is compressed via said over-center lever with said compliant spring providing a spring force. A bushing sleeve is provided to limit the degree of compression of said compliant bushing by the over-center lever. A method of coupling a squeegee assembly to a surface maintenance machine is also provided.

US Patent:

8595896, Dec 3, 2013

Filed:

Nov 9, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/942172

Inventors:

Kevin L. Shinler - North Branch MN, US
Coert Verhoeve - Veghel, NL

Assignee:

Tennant Company - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

A47L 9/06

US Classification:

15401, 15245

Abstract:

A squeegee assembly for a floor surface maintenance machine having a tabbed frame, an apertured front squeegee blade adapted to receive at least portions of the tabs of said frame, a tabbed vacuum core having a surface adapted to receive portions of the tabs of the frame, a rear squeegee blade having apertures adapted to receive at least portions of the tabs of the vacuum core; and a clamp band for securing the frame, front and rear squeegee blades and vacuum core together. A method of quickly and efficiently assembling a squeegee assembly is also provided.