U.S. patent application number 09/923033 was filed with the patent office on 2003-02-06 for extendible cleaning implement.
Invention is credited to Kennedy, William B..
Application Number | 20030024066 09/923033 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25447999 |
Filed Date | 2003-02-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030024066 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kennedy, William B. |
February 6, 2003 |
Extendible cleaning implement
Abstract
An extendible cleaning implement for a cleaning machine which
includes an adjustable length wand including a lower tube
telescopically received in an upper tube. The length of the tubes
can be adjusted using a latching mechanism for user convenience and
to accommodate space limitations. A solution delivery conduit is
provided with a portion of flexible tubing preformed in helix. The
helix allows the conduit to extend or contract as the wand is
lengthened or shortened, preventing "play" in the conduit and
thereby eliminating both awkward use of the cleaning implement and
potential user safety hazards.
Inventors: |
Kennedy, William B.;
(Webster Groves, MO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Grant D. Kang
Thompson Coburn LLP
Suite 3500
One Firstar Plaza
St. Louis
MO
63101
US
|
Family ID: |
25447999 |
Appl. No.: |
09/923033 |
Filed: |
August 6, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/322 ;
15/414 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 13/42 20130101;
B25G 1/04 20130101; A47L 11/34 20130101; A47L 11/4083 20130101;
A47L 13/22 20130101; A47L 9/244 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/322 ;
15/414 |
International
Class: |
A47L 009/02 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An extendible cleaning implement for use with a cleaning device
comprising: (a) an upper tube having a first diameter, (b) a lower
tube having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter, said
lower tube telescopically received within said upper tube, (c) a
dynamic seal located on said lower tube and maintaining a seal
between said lower tube and said upper tube, (d) a travel limit
located on said lower tube and cooperating with said upper tube to
prevent separation of said upper tube and said lower tube, (e) a
nozzle attached to the lower tube and having, a solution injection
portion for delivering a solution to a surface to be cleaned, a
vacuum portion in fluid communication with said lower tube for
removing the solution from the surface to be cleaned, (f) a
latching mechanism for fixing said upper tube with respect to said
lower tube, (g) a solution delivery conduit attached at a top end
to said upper tube and attached at a bottom end to said nozzle, (h)
a portion of said solution delivery conduit located between said
top end and said bottom end being preformed in a helix, said
portion maintained in the helix as said lower tube is
telescopically received within said upper tube.
2. The extendible cleaning implement of claim 1 wherein the
latching mechanism further comprises: (a) a switch located on said
upper tube and moveable between a locked position and an unlocked
position, (b) a series of locked positions located on said lower
tube and cooperating with said switch.
3. The extendible cleaning implement of claim 1 wherein the
latching mechanism further comprises: (a) a switch located on said
upper tube and moveable between a locked position and an unlocked
position, said switch further comprising: i. a biasing surface
located on one side of said switch, ii. a spring contacting said
biasing surface and urging said switch towards the locked position,
iii. a contacting surface located adjacent said biasing surface,
(b) a ball bearing in contact with said contacting surface, (c) a
series of depressions located on said lower tube and being shaped
to receive said ball bearing in the locked position, movement of
said switch to the unlocked position allowing said ball bearing to
move away from said series of depressions.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to cleaning devices and, more
particularly, to cleaning implements used for wet-cleaning. The
invention is a simple apparatus intended to contact a work surface,
apply a cleaning material, and then remove the cleaning material
and unwanted soil.
[0002] Previously, various types of devices have been employed for
the cleaning of surfaces. One common type device is known as a jet
water extractor. In such a device, a source of cleaning solution
and vacuum are provided in communication with a wand having a
vacuum and a spray in the nozzle. By means of a valve, an operator
can spray out cleaning solution immediately ahead of the vacuum as
the wand is employed in its normal operating movement.
[0003] Typically, the wands employed with previously known carpet
soil extractors have comprised a unitary tubular member with the
vacuum nozzle fixedly and immovably attached to the working end.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,351,359 and 3,083,041 show devices that allow the
length of the wand to be adjusted through a range of positions.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 5,113,547 provides a wand for carpet soil
extractors in which the length of the wand is adjustable and
provides for a delivery of a cleaning solution. This system has
drawbacks associated with the ease of adjustment of the wand
length. This system requires the user to unscrew a threaded nipple,
slide the tubes to the desired length, and finally to screw the
threaded nipple back down to secure the device. This process
requires the user to stop use of the system. This system also fails
to efficiently manage the solution delivery conduit in a compressed
state.
[0005] These systems do not address the unique problems associated
with delivery of a liquid solution to the surface to be cleaned.
Problems occur with the known prior art when the wand is placed in
a fully compressed state. As the wand is compressed the length that
the solution delivery conduit must traverse becomes shorter than
the length of the solution delivery conduit. As a result the
solution delivery conduit begins to loop far out to the side. As
these loops become larger the device becomes unwieldy and hampers
the user's ability to properly use it. In addition, there is a
possibility that the solution delivery conduit can become crimped
reducing the flow of cleaning solution to the work surface and thus
diminishing the effectiveness of the device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The invention is a cleaning implement comprising a wand
which is longitudinally extendible and collapsible, and a cleaning
solution conduit which is configured in a helix. With the helical
configuration, the wand can be easily adjusted lengthwise.
[0007] The helix allows the conduit to extend or contract as the
wand is lengthened or shortened, preventing "play" in the conduit
and thereby eliminating both awkward use of the cleaning implement
and potential user safety hazards.
[0008] The wand can be also adjusted with one hand, during
operation of the system.
[0009] The present invention provides a cleaning implement in which
the solution delivery conduit does not loop to the side when the
wand is compressed.
[0010] Importantly the present invention permits the wand length to
conform to the user's height. This alleviates back fatigue and
allows the cleaning implement to be properly positioned on the
floor.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
form a part of the specification, illustrate the embodiments of the
present invention and together with the description, serve to
explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 shows the prior art in an extended state;
[0014] FIG. 3 shows the prior art in a compressed state;
[0015] FIG. 4 shows the invention in an extended state;
[0016] FIG. 5 shows the invention in a compressed state;
[0017] FIG. 6 shows a cutaway view of the latching mechanism in a
locked state;
[0018] FIG. 7 shows a cutaway view of the latching mechanism in an
open state.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] Referring now to the drawing and more particularly FIGS. 1,
and 4-7, an extendible cleaning implement for a cleaning device
made according to the invention is shown. An adjustable length wand
shown generally at 1 is shown with an upper tube 21 having a
diameter d.sub.1 and a lower tube 20 having a diameter d.sub.2. The
diameter d.sub.2 of the lower tube 20 is smaller than the diameter
d.sub.1 of the upper tubes such that the lower tube is
telescopically received within the upper tube.
[0020] A nozzle 40 is attached to the lower tube 20 and is in fluid
communication with a vacuum portion 42. A solution portion 41 is
located adjacent the vacuum portion 42.
[0021] In FIGS. 4 and 5, it can be seen that solution is delivered
to the nozzle 40 through a solution delivery conduit 30. The
solution delivery conduit 30 is attached to the upper tube 21 at
36. A valve (not shown) controls delivery of the solution to the
nozzle 40. The portion of the tubing between points 36 and the
nozzle 40 assumes a helix 60 shape.
[0022] In FIGS. 6 and 7, the relationship between the upper tube 21
and the lower tube 20 can be seen. A latching mechanism is denoted
generally at 50. Any latching mechanism 50 could be used but
preferably, the latching mechanism 50 comprises a spring 51 which
urges a switch 52 into a locked position (shown best in FIG. 6). In
the locked position, the switch 52 pushes on a ball bearing 53. The
ball bearing 53 cooperates with a series of depressions 54 located
on the lower tube 20 such that when the latching mechanism 50 is in
a locked positioned the tubes 21, 20 are prevented from moving with
respect to one another. When the latching mechanism 50 has engaged
the upper depression the device is in an extended position best
shown in FIG. 4. When the latching mechanism 50 has engaged the
lower depression the device is in a compressed position best shown
in FIG. 5.
[0023] A dynamic seal 23 seals the interface between the lower tube
20 and the upper tube 21. This seal 23 allows the adjustable length
wand 1 to maintain the vacuum applied through the nozzle 40 and
return the solution and unwanted soil to the cleaning device.
[0024] A travel limit 24 is located on the lower tube 20 and
cooperates with stop 25 located on the upper tube 21 to prevent the
separation of the upper and lower tubes 21, 20 in the wand 1.
[0025] Returning to the helix 60, points 61 and 62 are located
360.degree. from each other. The distance between the two points 61
and 62 is denoted generally as X but specifically as X.sub.1 in
FIG. 4 and X.sub.2 in FIG. 5. The helix portion of the solution
delivery conduit 30 is preformed. In a relaxed state, the distance
X of the helix portion is close to zero. The length of the helix
portion of the solution delivery conduit 30 is chosen so that the
helix is maintained from the compressed position through the range
of positions to the extended position.
[0026] With reference to the Figures, the use of the device can be
seen. Prior to cleaning, the operator adjusts the length of the
wand 1 to a preferred length using the latching mechanism 50. Once
comfortable with the length, the operator can begin applying
solution to the work surface by opening the valve (not shown). The
solution is sprayed through the injection portion (not shown) onto
the work surface and then removed along with unwanted soil and
residue through the vacuum portion (not shown) and returned back to
the cleaning device through the tubes 20, 21.
[0027] The height of the operator as well as the nature of the
cleaning will dictate the desired length of the wand 1. For
example, a short operator would desire a length closer to the
compressed position, while a taller operator would desire a length
closer to the extended position. If the work surface being cleaned
is a large open area, such as the area in the middle of a room, the
wand 1 could be lengthened to the extended position to maximize the
area covered with each stroke of the device. When working in
smaller areas such as corners and steps, the wand 1 could be
shortened to the compressed position to allow a more controlled and
precise application.
[0028] The ability of the delivery conduit 30 to accommodate the
various lengths of the wand 1 is an important feature of the
invention. The helix portion of the conduit 30 is preformed and
thus this portion of the conduit 30 will have a tendency to return
to a helix configuration. Throughout the range of positions the
helix is maintained efficiently adjacent the wand 1 and the conduit
30 does not loop out to the side. A constant flow of solution is
delivered and the function of the cleaning device is not
compromised.
[0029] It should now be apparent that the instant invention has
presented an extendible tool attachment for use with a floor
cleaning device which is easily adjustable in length and
incorporates a mechanism to manage the solution delivery conduit at
any chosen length of the wand 1. The instant invention is an
improvement over the existing prior art which fail to address the
above identified problems.
[0030] In the preferred embodiment in the invention the wand 1 is
four and a half feet long in the extended position and three feet
two inches long in the compressed position. The series of
depressions are spaced one inch apart and the helix 60 has six
coils which can stretch the full sixteen inches of travel of the
adjustable length wand 1.
[0031] In accordance with the patent statutes, the best mode and
preferred embodiment of the invention have been presented and
described in detail. It is to be understood that the invention is
not limited to the best mode or preferred embodiment, rather the
true scope and breadth of the invention should be determined from
the following claims.
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