U.S. patent application number 10/605412 was filed with the patent office on 2004-06-17 for small area deep cleaner.
This patent application is currently assigned to BISSELL HOMECARE, INC.. Invention is credited to Kasen, Timothy E., Krebs, Alan J., Lenkiewicz, Kenneth M..
Application Number | 20040111821 10/605412 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26872174 |
Filed Date | 2004-06-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040111821 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lenkiewicz, Kenneth M. ; et
al. |
June 17, 2004 |
SMALL AREA DEEP CLEANER
Abstract
An upright deep cleaner including a base housing pivotally
connected to an upright handle, the upright handle carrying a
liquid supply tank and the base housing including a recovery tank.
The liquid supply tank includes an internal siphon tube for
ensuring liquid flow to a feed valve when the upright handle is in
the inclined position. The base housing includes a suction nozzle
adjacent a spray bar, and removable floating brush for contacting a
surface being cleaned, the brush being interchangeable with a bare
floor tool including a sponge, brush, and squeegee. The recovery
tank includes an internal baffle for preventing foaming of solution
and a tank vent housing including a sponge-type filter to prevent
spray from exiting the recovery tank.
Inventors: |
Lenkiewicz, Kenneth M.;
(Grand Rapids, MI) ; Krebs, Alan J.; (Pierson,
MI) ; Kasen, Timothy E.; (Jenison, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCGARRY BAIR PC
171 MONROE AVENUE, N.W.
SUITE 600
GRAND RAPIDS
MI
49503
US
|
Assignee: |
BISSELL HOMECARE, INC.
2345 Walker N.W.
Grand Rapids
MI
49544
|
Family ID: |
26872174 |
Appl. No.: |
10/605412 |
Filed: |
September 29, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10605412 |
Sep 29, 2003 |
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10064604 |
Sep 12, 2002 |
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6658692 |
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10605412 |
Sep 29, 2003 |
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09755724 |
Jan 5, 2001 |
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6467122 |
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60176380 |
Jan 14, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
15/320 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 11/4075 20130101;
A47L 11/4088 20130101; A47L 11/34 20130101; A47L 11/4044 20130101;
A47L 11/4013 20130101; A47L 11/4008 20130101; A47L 11/4083
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
015/320 |
International
Class: |
A47L 011/30 |
Claims
1. a portable surface cleaning apparatus, comprising: a base
housing adapted for movement along a surface to be cleaned; an
upright handle pivotally mounted to the base module; a liquid
dispensing system comprising: a liquid dispenser associated with
the base module for applying liquid to a surface to be cleaned; a
liquid supply tank removably mounted to the handle for holding a
supply of cleaning liquid; a liquid supply conduit fluidly
connected to the liquid supply tank and to the dispenser for
supplying liquid to the dispenser; a liquid recovery system
comprising: a recovery tank removably mounted on the base housing
having a liquid recovery chamber for holding recovered liquid; a
suction nozzle associated with the base housing and adapted to draw
dirty liquid from the surface to be cleaned; a working air conduit
extending between the recovery chamber and the suction nozzle; a
vacuum source in fluid communication with the recovery chamber for
generating a flow of working air from the nozzle through the
working air conduit and through the recovery chamber to thereby
draw dirty liquid from the surface to be cleaned through the nozzle
and working air conduit, and into the recovery chamber to thereby
recover the dirty liquid from the surface to be cleaned; the
improvement comprising: the recovery tank has an outlet opening and
a filter mounted in the outlet opening.
2. A portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, and
further comprising a tank vent mounted in the recovery tank outlet
opening and the filter is mounted in the tank vent.
3. A portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 2,
wherein the tank vent is snap-fit into the outlet opening.
4. A portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the recovery tank includes an inlet opening and the working
air conduit is fluidly connected to the inlet opening, further
comprising a diverter in the recovery tank in alignment with the
inlet opening for breaking up the flow of dirty liquid entering the
liquid recovery chamber.
5. A portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 4,
wherein the inlet opening is at an upper portion of the recovery
tank and a top wall of the recovery tank is shaped to direct the
flow of dirty liquid downwardly in the liquid recovery chamber.
6. A portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 5,
further comprising a baffle.
7. A portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 6,
wherein the baffle is positioned below the inlet opening and
diverter.
8. A portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 7,
wherein the baffle includes a plurality of openings for passage of
dirty liquid and air therethrough.
9. A portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the working air conduit is formed at least in part
integrally with the recovery tank.
10. A portable surface cleaning apparatus, comprising: a base
housing adapted for movement along a surface to be cleaned; an
upright handle pivotally mounted to the base module; a liquid
dispensing system comprising: a liquid dispenser associated with
the base module for applying liquid to a surface to be cleaned; a
liquid supply tank removably mounted to the handle for holding a
supply of cleaning liquid; a liquid supply conduit fluidly
connected to the liquid supply tank and to the dispenser for
supplying liquid to the dispenser; a liquid recovery system
comprising: a recovery tank removably mounted on the base housing
having a liquid recovery chamber for holding recovered liquid; a
suction nozzle associated with the base housing and adapted to draw
dirty liquid from the surface to be cleaned; a working air conduit
extending between the recovery chamber and the suction nozzle and
formed at least in part integrally with the recovery tank; a vacuum
source in fluid communication with the recovery chamber for
generating a flow of working air from the nozzle through the
working air conduit and through the recovery chamber to thereby
draw dirty liquid from the surface to be cleaned through the nozzle
and working air conduit, and into the recovery chamber to thereby
recover the dirty liquid from the surface to be cleaned; the
improvement comprising: the recovery tank has an outlet opening for
passage of air therethrough directly to the atmosphere.
11. A portable surface cleaning apparatus, comprising: a base
housing adapted for movement along a surface to be cleaned; an
upright handle pivotally mounted to the base module; a liquid
dispensing system comprising: a liquid dispenser associated with
the base module for applying liquid to a surface to be cleaned; a
liquid supply tank removably mounted to the handle for holding a
supply of cleaning liquid; a liquid supply conduit fluidly
connected to the liquid supply tank and to the dispenser for
supplying liquid to the dispenser; a liquid recovery system
comprising: a recovery tank removably mounted on the base housing
having a liquid recovery chamber for holding recovered liquid; a
suction nozzle associated with the base housing and adapted to draw
dirty liquid from the surface to be cleaned; a working air conduit
extending between the recovery chamber and the suction nozzle; a
vacuum source in fluid communication with the recovery chamber for
generating a flow of working air from the nozzle through the
working air conduit and through the recovery chamber to thereby
draw dirty liquid from the surface to be cleaned through the nozzle
and working air conduit, and into the recovery chamber to thereby
recover the dirty liquid from the surface to be cleaned; the
improvement comprising: a cord wrap on the handle assembly for
wrapping the cord in a loop, an electrical cord mounted to the
handle adjacent the cord wrap and connected to the vacuum source,
and a strain relief collar mounted on the electrical cord at the
handle and aligned with the cord wrap so that the electrical cord
is relatively straight between the handle and the cord wrap.
12. A portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 11,
wherein the strain relief is formed of an elastomeric material.
13. A portable surface cleaning apparatus, comprising: a base
housing adapted for movement along a surface to be cleaned; an
upright handle pivotally mounted to the base module; a liquid
dispensing system comprising: a liquid dispenser associated with
the base module for applying liquid to a surface to be cleaned; a
liquid supply tank removably mounted to the handle for holding a
supply of cleaning liquid; a liquid supply conduit fluidly
connected to the liquid supply tank and to the dispenser for
supplying liquid to the dispenser; a liquid recovery system
comprising: a recovery tank removably mounted on the base housing
having a liquid recovery chamber for holding recovered liquid; a
suction nozzle associated with the base housing and adapted to draw
dirty liquid from the surface to be cleaned; a working air conduit
extending between the recovery chamber and the suction nozzle; a
vacuum source in fluid communication with the recovery chamber for
generating a flow of working air from the nozzle through the
working air conduit and through the recovery chamber to thereby
draw dirty liquid from the surface to be cleaned through the nozzle
and working air conduit, and into the recovery chamber to thereby
recover the dirty liquid from the surface to be cleaned; the
improvement comprising: the vacuum source includes an inlet conduit
connected to the working air conduit and a grill in the inlet
conduit to prevent debris from entering the vacuum source.
14. A portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 13,
and further including a flow restricting baffle upstream from the
grill in the inlet conduit.
15. A portable surface cleaning apparatus, comprising: a base
housing adapted for movement along a surface to be cleaned; an
upright handle pivotally mounted to the base module; a liquid
dispensing system comprising: a liquid dispenser associated with
the base module for applying liquid to a surface to be cleaned; a
liquid supply tank removably mounted to the handle for holding a
supply of cleaning liquid; a liquid supply conduit fluidly
connected to the liquid supply tank and to the dispenser for
supplying liquid to the dispenser; a liquid recovery system
comprising: a recovery tank removably mounted on the base housing
having a liquid recovery chamber for holding recovered liquid; a
suction nozzle associated with the base housing and adapted to draw
dirty liquid from the surface to be cleaned; a working air conduit
extending between the recovery chamber and the suction nozzle; a
vacuum source including a vacuum motor in fluid communication with
the recovery chamber for generating a flow of working air from the
nozzle through the working air conduit and through the recovery
chamber to thereby draw dirty liquid from the surface to be cleaned
through the nozzle and working air conduit, and into the recovery
chamber to thereby recover the dirty liquid from the surface to be
cleaned; the improvement comprising: the base housing including a
cooling air inlet on an underside thereof in communication with the
vacuum motor.
16. A portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 15,
the base housing further comprising a cooling air outlet on a lower
portion thereof.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 10/064,604, filed Sep. 12, 2002, which is a divisional of
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/755,724, filed Jan. 5, 2001,
which claims the benefit of provisional patent application Serial
No. 60/176,380, filed Jan. 14, 2000.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates to a water extraction cleaning
machine and, more particularly, an upright water extraction
cleaning machine.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Water extraction cleaning machines have been used for
removing dirt from surfaces such as carpeting, upholstery, drapes
and the like. The known water extraction cleaning machines can be
in the form of a canister-type unit as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
5,237,720 to Blase et al. or an upright unit as disclosed in U.S.
Pat. No. 5,500,977 to McAllise et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 4,559,665
to Fitzwater.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0006] According to the invention, a portable surface cleaning
apparatus comprises a base housing adapted for movement along a
surface to be cleaned, an upright handle pivotally mounted to the
base module, a liquid dispensing system and a dirty liquid recovery
system. The liquid dispensing system comprises a liquid dispenser
associated with the base module for applying liquid to a surface to
be cleaned, a liquid supply tank removably mounted to the handle
for holding a supply of cleaning liquid and a liquid supply conduit
fluidly connected to the liquid supply tank and to the dispenser
for supplying liquid to the dispenser. The liquid recovery system
comprises a recovery tank removably mounted on the base housing and
having a liquid recovery chamber for holding recovered liquid, a
suction nozzle associated with the base housing and adapted to draw
dirty liquid from the surface to be cleaned, a working air conduit
extending between the recovery chamber and the suction nozzle and a
vacuum source in fluid communication with the recovery chamber for
generating a flow of working air from the nozzle through the
working air conduit and through the recovery chamber to thereby
draw dirty liquid from the surface to be cleaned through the nozzle
and working air conduit, and into the recovery chamber to thereby
recover the dirty liquid from the surface to be cleaned.
[0007] In one embodiment, the recovery tank has an outlet opening
for passage of air directly to the atmosphere and a filter mounted
in the outlet opening. A tank vent is mounted in the recovery tank
outlet opening and the filter is mounted in the tank vent. The tank
vent is preferably snap-fit into the outlet opening. The recovery
tank further includes an inlet opening and the working air conduit
is fluidly connected to the inlet opening. The recovery tank
further has a diverter in alignment with the inlet opening for
breaking up the flow of dirty liquid entering the liquid recovery
chamber. The inlet opening is at an upper portion of the recovery
tank and a top wall of the recovery tank is shaped to direct the
flow of dirty liquid downwardly in the liquid recovery chamber. The
recovery tank further has a baffle that is positioned below the
inlet opening and diverter. The baffle includes a plurality of
openings for passage of dirty liquid and air therethrough. Further,
the working air conduit is formed at least in part integrally with
the recovery tank.
[0008] Further according to the invention, a cord wrap is mounted
on the handle assembly for wrapping the cord in a loop, an
electrical cord is mounted to the handle adjacent the cord wrap and
connected to the vacuum source, and a strain relief collar is
mounted on the electrical cord at the handle and aligned with the
cord wrap so that the electrical cord is relatively straight and
unstressed between the handle and the cord wrap. The strain relief
is formed of an elastomeric material.
[0009] Further according to the invention, the vacuum source
includes an inlet conduit connected to the working air conduit and
a grill in the inlet conduit to prevent debris from entering the
vacuum source. Further, a flow-restricting baffle upstream from the
grill is in the inlet conduit.
[0010] Further, according to the invention, the base housing
including a cooling air inlet on a lower surface thereof in
communication with the vacuum motor. The base housing further
comprises a cooling air outlet on a lower portion thereof.
[0011] Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention
will be apparent from the ensuing description in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0012] In the drawings:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a small area deep cleaner
according to the invention.
[0014] FIG. 1A is a side view of the small area deep cleaner of
FIG. 1 with the upright handle in a tilted-back position.
[0015] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an upright handle
of the small area deep cleaner of FIG. 1.
[0016] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a rear face of a
liquid supply tank of the small area deep cleaner of FIGS. 1 and
2.
[0017] FIG. 3A is a side view of the liquid supply tank of FIG.
3.
[0018] FIG. 3B is a front view of the liquid supply tank of FIGS. 3
and 3A.
[0019] FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional view taken through line 3C-3C
of FIG. 3B.
[0020] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a floor-traveling
head portion of the small area deep cleaner of FIG. 1.
[0021] FIG. 5 is a plan view of a baffle from the small area deep
cleaner of FIG. 4.
[0022] FIG. 6 is a plan view of the floor-traveling head of the
small area deep cleaner of FIGS. 1-5.
[0023] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken through lines 7-7 of
FIG. 6.
[0024] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken through lines 8-8 of
FIG. 6.
[0025] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a recovery tank from the
small area deep cleaner of FIGS. 1-8.
[0026] FIG. 9A is a plan view of the recovery collection tank of
FIG. 9.
[0027] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a tank vent of the small
area deep cleaner of FIGS. 1-9.
[0028] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a bare floor tool for the
small area deep cleaner of FIGS. 1-10.
[0029] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a brush for the small area
deep cleaner of FIGS. 1-11.
[0030] FIG. 13 is an end view of the brush of FIG. 12.
[0031] FIG. 14 is a front view of the brush of FIGS. 12-13.
[0032] FIG. 15 is a bottom view of the brush of FIGS. 12-14.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0033] Referring to FIG. 1, a small area deep cleaner 10 according
to the invention comprises an upright handle 100 pivotally
connected to a floor-traveling head 200. Small area deep cleaner 10
is rollingly supported on a surface by wheels 272 and nozzle
260.
[0034] Upright handle 100 includes an upright handle housing 102
comprising front and rear shells 110, 120, a handgrip 130, an upper
handle tube 134, and a liquid supply tank 140. Upper cord wrap 136
generally projects from handgrip 130, and lower cord wrap 112
generally projects from housing 102.
[0035] Floor-traveling head 200 includes a base housing 210 and a
recovery tank assembly 240. Recovery tank assembly 240 is secured
to base housing 210 by latches 214.
[0036] Referring now to FIG. 2, the upright handle 100 comprises
front shell 110, rear shell 120, and handgrip 130 comprising first
and second handgrip pieces 131, 132. Handgrip 130 is connected to
the front and rear shells 110, 120 by upper handle tube 134, with
upper handle tube 134 received between each of front and rear
shells 110, 120 and first and second handgrip pieces 131, 132, and
secured thereto to form the upright handle assembly 100 in
combination with the liquid supply tank 140.
[0037] Handgrip 130 further comprises a clean solution feed trigger
170 pivotally mounted to and captured between first and second
handgrip pieces 131, 132, and upper cord wrap 136 pivotally mounted
to second handgrip piece 132. Trigger 170 is adapted to operatively
contact the upper end of an upper clean solution feed rod 172
slidably carried within upper handle tube 134 and handgrip 130. Rod
172 includes a number of transverse slot apertures 173 adapted to
receive a fastener (not shown) during assembly of the handgrip 130
and upper handle tube 134. Slot aperture 173 and the fastener
cooperate to restrict movement of the rod 172 to the range defined
by the length of the slot aperture 173 in response to depression of
trigger 170; trigger 170 preferably includes a mechanical stop to
limit depression of trigger 170 and therefore movement of rod 172.
Upper cord wrap 136 is pivotally mounted to second handgrip piece
132, and includes a detent (not shown) for aligning upper cord wrap
136 in a vertical orientation (see FIG. 1) for holding a coil of
electrical cord 178 in cooperation with fixed lower cord wrap 112
molded into front and rear shells 110, 120.
[0038] Upright handle housing 102 includes front and rear shells
110, 120, each molded to include internal structural features
adapted to hold and/or guide working elements of the cleaner 10.
Lower cord wrap 112 is composed of a portion extending from a side
of each of the front and rear shells 110, 120 that together form
lower cord wrap 112 when shells 110, 120 are assembled. A strain
relief projection 114 is positioned on a side of shells 110, 120
below and in alignment with lower cord wrap 112. Strain relief
projection 114 is adapted to receive an electrical cord strain
relief 124 for aligning it with upper and lower cord wraps 136,
112. In assembled form, electrical cord 178 is thus aligned for
storage on cord wraps 136, 112.
[0039] Rear shell 120 includes a power switch aperture 116 opening
to a rear face thereof, and a pair of parallel liquid supply tank
guide rails 118 arranged above a liquid supply tank support shelf
121 (see FIG. 1A) on a rear face of rear shell 120. An opening 122
is provided in the liquid supply tank support shelf 121.
[0040] Referring to FIG. 2, upright handle 100 further comprises an
upper clean solution receiver 160, a lower clean solution receiver
162, a flow valve switch 164, a flow valve O-ring 166, a flow valve
spring 168, and a flow valve washer 169. The upright handle 100
further comprises a lower clean solution feed rod 174 for
operatively connecting upper clean solution feed rod 172 and flow
valve switch 164.
[0041] Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 3A-C, liquid supply tank 140 is
generally hollow and of a blow-molded construction. The tank 140
comprises an integrally formed handle 142, a liquid supply tank
fill opening 144, and a liquid supply tank feed opening 150. The
liquid supply tank fill opening 144 is located in a central portion
on a front surface 157 of the tank 150 and is internally threaded
for threaded receipt and retention of a liquid supply tank fill
cap/measure 146 with conventional external threads that match the
internal threads on the fill opening 144. Intersecting horizontal
and vertical indicia fill lines 143 at right angles to each other
are printed on a side surface of the liquid supply tank 140 between
the handle 142 and the tank feed opening 150 and provide a visual
indication to a user of a predetermined tank volume in either an
upright or horizontal orientation. Fill cap/measure 146 has an
internal cavity 147 which has a measured volume for a user to
measure a predetermined amount of cleaning solution for addition to
the liquid supply tank 140 in a predetermined proportion to the
predetermined tank volume of liquid supply tank 140 as represented
by the fill lines 143. To this end the liquid supply tank is molded
from a thermoplastic that is at least partially transparent or
translucent so that a user can tell when the liquid volume in the
tank reaches the fill lines 143. A liquid supply tank fill cap
O-ring 148 resides between the fill cap/measure 146 and tank 140 to
provide a fluid tight seal. The tank feed opening 150 protrudes
from the bottom of tank 140 and is externally threaded.
[0042] A liquid supply tank feed valve 152 is sized to be received
in the tank feed opening 150 and is held in place by a liquid
supply tank feed valve retainer ring 154. Liquid supply tank feed
valve 152 includes a projection 159 housing a spring-biased plug
155. A ribbed resilient seal 153 surrounds projection 159, ribs 149
forming an annular seal about the circumference of projection 159
when inserted in a corresponding well in upper clean solution
receiver 160. The well of upper clean solution receiver 160 further
includes a centered upstanding pin for pushing plug 155 against its
spring-bias, thereby opening valve 152. A siphon tube 151 is
fluidly connected to liquid supply tank feed valve 152. Siphon tube
151 is adapted to extend toward a bottom portion of a rear face 158
of tank 140 for fluidly connecting that portion of tank 140 through
valve 152 to projection 159.
[0043] Front surface 157 of tank 140 further includes a vent hole
141 located between the handle 142 and tank fill opening 144. A
pair of opposed parallel liquid supply tank mounting rails 156 are
molded into the front surface 157 of tank 140 and extend from the
area above solution tank feed opening 150 to the liquid supply tank
fill opening 144.
[0044] Referring to FIG. 4, the floor-traveling head 200 comprises
a base housing 210, a housing cover 220, a motor/impeller assembly
230, a recovery tank assembly 240, and nozzle assembly 260.
[0045] The motor/impeller assembly 230 comprises a motor 232 having
a drive shaft 233, motor cooling impeller 232A, motor mounts 308,
309, 310, and an impeller 234 carried within a two-piece impeller
shell 236. Impeller shell 236 includes an intake port 238 having
ribs 302 across its opening, and an output port 239. Intake port
238 is provided with an intake port gasket 300, which includes a
resilient restricting flap 304 for covering a portion of intake
port 238. Output port 239 is provided with an output port gasket
306.
[0046] Referring particularly to FIGS. 4-10, the recovery tank
assembly 240 comprises a tank upper shell 242 and a tank lower
shell 256, a baffle 254, a suction channel cap 248, and a tank vent
290. The shells 242, 256 define a tank cavity 258. The upper shell
242 comprises a generally smooth outer surface, except for a
longitudinal suction channel 246 on an upper surface of the upper
shell 242 (see FIG. 4). An upper end of the suction channel 246
terminates in a vertical passage 251 passing through an extended
portion of the material of the upper shell 242 through an outlet
opening 253 but not into the tank cavity 258. A second aperture 252
located on a rear portion of the upper shell 242 passes into the
cavity 258 (see FIG. 8). A V-shaped diverter 249 is integrally
formed on an inside surface of the tank upper shell 242 in axial
alignment with the second aperture 252. Opposite the second
aperture 252 on an upper face of the upper shell 242, a tank vent
opening 250 is adapted to receive the tank vent 290 that provides
further passage into the tank cavity 258. The tank vent 290
comprises multiple slots 292 to permit the passage of air, and is
molded to closely fit within the tank vent opening 250 and conform
to the outer curvature of the tank upper shell 242. One edge of the
tank vent 290 is resilient and includes a finger tab 294 (see FIGS.
9-10). An opposing edge of the tank vent 290 includes a recessed
extension 296 that cooperates with the opposing resilient edge to
hold the tank vent 290 within the opening 250.
[0047] The nozzle assembly 260 comprises a nozzle 262, a
see-through nozzle lens 264, a spray bar 266, a brush 268, and a
nozzle gasket 269.
[0048] The spray bar 266 includes a spray bar cover 267, the spray
bar 266 and cover 267 being secured to an inside surface of the
front face of the nozzle 262. The spray bar 266 comprises a single
inlet and a plurality of outlets evenly spaced across its length.
The inlet is fluidly connected with the upper clean solution
receiver 160 via a conduit (not shown). The brush 268 removably
clips in place on the underside of the nozzle 262 with sufficient
clearance such that the brush 268 floats freely in the nozzle 262.
The brush 268 comprises a vertical alignment device 268B extending
axially from either end of the brush body 268A (see FIG. 12). A
resilient clip 261 is located inboard of the alignment device 268B
on each end of the brush body 268A. A plurality of bristle bundles
268C extend axially from the brush body 268A in opposition to the
resilient clip 261 and alignment device 268B. The bristle bundles
268C are arranged in rows transverse to a longitudinal axis of
brush 268. Each row of bristle bundles 268C describes an angle with
the vertical centerline of brush 268 (see FIG. 13), with the
transverse rows alternating from one side to the other of the
longitudinal centerline. In the longitudinal direction (see FIGS.
14-15), the rows of bristle bundles 268C are aligned vertically at
the center of the brush body 268A and are canted outwardly at
increasing angles from the center to the lateral sides of the
brush.
[0049] The small area deep cleaner 10 is assembled in the following
fashion. The upper clean solution feed rod 172 is inserted in the
upper handle tube 134 so that a portion projects above the upper
end of the handle tube 134. The first and second hand grip pieces
131, 132 are then assembled over the upper end of the upper handle
tube 134 and the upper cleaner solution feed rod 172, enclosing the
tube 134 and rod 172. Further, the clean solution feed trigger 170
is inserted between the first and second hand grip pieces 131, 132
and pivotally carried on the interior of the handgrip 130 so that
one end of the trigger 170 is aligned against the upper end of the
upper clean solution feed rod 172. The upper cord wrap 136 is
assembled to the second handgrip piece 132.
[0050] The assembly comprising the hand grip 130 and tube 134 is
then centrally aligned on the rear shell 120 of the upright handle
100. The assembly comprising the upper clean solution receiver 160,
lower clean solution receiver 162, flow valve switch 164, flow
valve O-ring 166, flow valve spring 168 and flow valve washer 169
have also been assembled on a lower portion of the rear shell 120,
with the lower clean solution feed rod 174 aligned between the
switch 164 and the upper rod 172. A clean solution feed tube 350 is
attached to an outlet portion on the clean solution receiver 160
and is threaded through the interior of the rear shell 120 toward
the bottom of the shell 120 for eventual passage to the
floor-traveling head 200. An electrical cord strain relief 124 is
oriented axially in a slot 104 in the shells 110, 120 with a
electrical cord 178 extending from the exterior of the shell 120
through the strain relief 124 into the interior of the rear shell
120, and electrically connected with a power switch 180. An
interconnect harness 179 is connected to the power switch 180 at
one end and is threaded through to the lower portion of the rear
shell 120 for eventual passage to the floor-traveling head 200. The
front shell 110 is then secured over the front of the rear shell
120, the front shell 110 and rear shell 120 mating so as to hold in
place those components installed in the rear shell 120. The front
shell 110 and the rear shell 120 are typically injection-molded
with an internal configuration adapted to receive and hold the
various components in place.
[0051] The liquid supply tank 140 is assembled by the placement of
the fill cap/measure 146 and fill cap O-ring 148 into the fill
opening 144, and the placement of the feed valve 152 with siphon
tube 151 into the feed opening 150, the feed valve 152 being held
in place by the retainer ring 156. The liquid supply tank 140, as
assembled, is then ready to be mounted on the rear face of the rear
shell 120 by lowering the tank 140 against the rear face of the
rear shell 120 and sliding the liquid supply tank mounting rails
156 within liquid supply tank guide rails 118 provided on the rear
face of the rear shell 120. As liquid supply tank 140 is lowered
against rear shell 120, projection 159 is inserted into upper clean
solution receiver 160, with ribs 149 of seal 153 resiliently
compressing against the wall of a receiving well in the receiver
160. The interaction between the compressed ribs 149 and the wall
creates a resistance against extraction of the valve 152 from
receiver 160 and thus resistance against removal of tank 140 from
rear shell 120. Tank 140 is further supported by shelf 121.
[0052] The assembled upright handle 100 further comprises, on a
lower portion of the rear shell 120, a pair of inwardly directed
rimmed collars 126. The center of each of these collars includes an
aperture 127 for receipt of a pin axle 274 for wheels 272 for the
small area deep cleaner 10. Each collar 126 further comprises an
arcuate aperture 128 for the passage of the clean solution feed
tube 350 on the one hand, and the interconnect harness 179 on the
other hand, from the rear shell 120 into the floor-traveling head
200 of the small area deep cleaner 10.
[0053] The floor-traveling head 200 is assembled in the following
fashion. The motor/impeller assembly 230 is assembled by the
attachment of the motor 232 to the rear half of the impeller shell
236, allowing the motor shaft 233 to pass through a central opening
in the rear half of the impeller shell 236. The impeller 234 is
secured to the motor shaft 233 via a threaded insert molded into
impeller 234. Bushing 312 provides a seal at motor shaft 233 on
rear half of impeller shell 236. The front half of the impeller
shell 236 is then mated with the rear half, enclosing the impeller
234, and with the appropriate seals/bushings in place creating a
water-tight enclosure. The motor/impeller assembly 230 is then
secured into the base housing 210 with interposed motor mounts 308,
309, 310 adapting motor 232 to molded contours 326 of base housing
210, and held in place by a motor/impeller assembly cover 222
including motor vent apertures 223. Base housing 210 includes a
cooling air inlet 325 for passage of cooling air into base housing
210, through motor vent apertures 223 and into the motor/impeller
assembly 230, and a motor exhaust 324 for exhaust of cooling air
from motor/impeller assembly 230 beneath base housing 210. Motor
cooling impeller 232A can thus draw cooling air into motor/impeller
assembly 230 through cooling air inlet 325 of base housing 210 and
motor vent apertures 223, and exhaust cooling air through motor
exhaust 324 to exhaust cooling air from base housing 210. Location
of cooling air inlet 325 and exhaust 324 on a lower portion of base
housing 210, rather than on an upper surface of floor-traveling
head 200, prevents fluids from being spilled into motor/impeller
assembly 230 to the detriment of motor 232. A detent lever 216,
detent spring 217, and detent lever pin 218 are then assembled to a
rear portion of the base housing 210. Bushings 270 are then
installed over the collars 126 of the upright handle 100 and wheels
272 are secured to the handle 100 by a pin axle 274 and clip 275
through the apertures 127, the completed upright handle assembly
100 is then mated with the base housing 210 by the placement of
each bushing 70 and collar 126 arrangement in semi-circular
recesses 212 on the exterior sides of the base housing 210. The
clean solution feed tube and electrical cord are now available to
the interior of the base housing 210 through the arcuate apertures
128, and are run in channels 322 provided in the molded base
housing 210 to their respective destinations, the interconnect
harness 179 being run to the motor 232 and the clean solution feed
tube being run to the front portion of the base housing 210 for
attachment to the nozzle assembly 260. The housing cover 220 is
then attached to the base housing 210, the cover 220 comprising
among other elements semi-circular recesses 224 on its exterior
sides, aligned with the semi-circular recesses of the base housing
220, to encompass the upper half of the collar 126 and bushing 270
of the upright handle 100, thereby pivotally mounting the upright
handle 100 to the floor-traveling head 200. Upright handle 100 is
maintained in a vertical orientation with respect to
floor-traveling head 200 by the action of detent lever 216
preventing upright handle 100 rotating in a rearward direction, and
by the abutment of upright handle stops 129 to base housing stops
329 in a frontward direction. Upright handle stops 129 and base
housing stops 329 further prevent upright handle 100 from rotating
forward and bearing against recovery tank assembly 240.
[0054] The nozzle assembly 260 is then assembled to the front
portion of the base housing 210, the nozzle 262 carrying on an
underside thereof the spray bar 266, fluidly connected to clean
solution feed tube 350, spray bar cover 267, and the brush 268. The
nozzle lens 264 is mounted to the front of the nozzle 262, forming
a portion of a suction channel between the nozzle lens 264 and the
nozzle 262. A front portion of the base housing 210 and the rear
portion of the nozzle 262 are molded with a channel for the passage
of the clean solution feed tube 350 to the spray bar 266. The brush
268 fastens in a removable fashion to the underside of the nozzle
262 by the insertion of integrally molded resilient clips 261
through apertures 263 provided in the nozzle 262. The nozzle gasket
269 nests in a recess formed in an upper portion of the assembled
nozzle 262 and nozzle lens 264.
[0055] The base housing 210 further comprises a pair of opposing
fold-over latches 214 with over-center links 215 for aligning with
catches 318 on the sides of the tank assembly 240 for securing the
tank assembly 240 to the base housing 210. The floor-traveling head
200 is now ready to receive the removable recovery tank assembly
240.
[0056] Assembly of the recovery tank assembly 240 comprises
securing the baffle 254 into the upper shell 242 and the insertion
of the tank vent 290 into the tank vent opening 250. The tank vent
290 normally carries a foam type filter for the trapping of
incidental spray introduced into the tank and to reduce noise
generated by the unit. The upper shell 242 is then assembled to the
tank lower shell 256 in a sealed fashion to create a water-tight
receptacle. The tank lower shell 256 is molded and contoured 320 to
nest within the base housing 210. The upper shell 242 is further
completed by the attachment of the suction channel cap 248 over the
suction channel 246. When the recovery tank assembly 240 is placed
within the base housing 210, the suction channel 246 created
between the upper shell 242 and the suction channel cap 248 aligns
with the suction channel formed between the nozzle 262 and nozzle
lens 264, the nozzle gasket 269 providing for a continuous
water-tight channel. The recovery tank assembly 240 further
comprises, in the upper shell 242, a vertical passage 251
contiguous with the suction channel 246. With the recovery tank
assembly 240 secured in place on the floor-traveling head 200,
vertical passage 251 aligns with the intake port 238 and the
impeller shell 236. Recovery tank assembly 240 is secured to base
housing 210 by latches 214, which provide a downward force on
recovery tank assembly 240 to create a water-tight seal by intake
port gasket 300 between vertical passage 251 and intake port 238,
and further create a water-tight seal by output port gasket 306
between second aperture 252 and output port 239. Intake port gasket
300 includes flap 304 which reduces the area of intake port 238,
which controls the volume of air flow into the motor/impeller
assembly 230 and thereby minimizes the amount of air introduced
into the solution. The intake port 238 comprises a conduit with a
number of ribs 302 for limiting the debris contained in the flow
that passes into the impeller shell 236. The suction channel 246 is
therefore fluidly connected with the intake port 238 of the
impeller shell 236. The upper shell 242 further comprises a second
aperture 252 on a rear portion thereof providing a fluid connection
between the tank cavity 258 and the output port 239 of the impeller
shell 236 with interposed gasket 306 for providing a fluid seal
between output port 239 and second aperture 252. As described
above, the vertical passage 251 is fluidly isolated from the tank
cavity 258, but, when connected to the intake port 238, is fluidly
connected to the tank cavity 258 through the impeller shell 236 and
output port 239.
[0057] In operation, the motor/impeller assembly 230 is activated
by the provision of power to the motor 232 through the power switch
180, creating a suction force at the intake port 238 of the
impeller shell 236. This suction force is fluidly connected from
the intake port 238 through the suction channel 246 to the portion
of the nozzle 262 adjacent to the surface to be cleaned. The
circuit of dirty fluid flow runs from the opening of the suction
nozzle 262 to the tank cavity 258 through the suction channel 246,
vertical passage 251, intake port 238, impeller shell 236, output
port 239, and through the second aperture 252 on the rear of the
upper shell 242. The flow of dirty solution can be observed by the
user through the see-through nozzle lens 264. Dirty water is
deposited in the tank cavity 258, with waste air vented from the
tank cavity 258 through tank vent 290. The motor 232 has an
impeller 232A that draws cooling air through the cooling air inlet
325 located on the bottom of the base housing 210.
[0058] Cleaning solution is provided to the surface to be cleaned
by depressing the cleaning solution feed trigger 170, which, by
action of the upper and lower clean solution feed rods 172, 174
activates the clean solution flow valve switch 164. The upper clean
solution receiver 160 receives the projection 159 of the liquid
supply tank feed valve 152 through an opening 122 provided in the
in the rear shell 120 of the upright handle 100. Clean solution
contained in the liquid supply tank 150 is gravity-fed into the
clean solution receiver 160, 162, where it is held until the flow
valve switch 164 is depressed. Upon depression of the flow valve
switch 164, the clean solution flows from the clean solution
receiver 160, 162 through a clean solution feed tube 350 to the
spray bar 266 where it continues to flow by gravity to the surface
to be cleaned.
[0059] The suction force provided at the nozzle 262 then extracts
the solution, now considered a dirty solution, through the suction
channel 246 and into the impeller shell 236. The dirty solution is
then expelled from the impeller shell 236 through the output port
239 and into the upper shell 242 and diverter 249 of the recovery
tank assembly 240. The dirty solution is directed downwardly into
the tank cavity 258 by impinging upon the inner face of the upper
shell 242. The dirty solution drops out of the fluid stream as it
slows, while the remaining, clean air in the fluid stream is vented
from the recovery tank assembly 240 through the tank vent 290. The
foam-type filter carried by the tank vent 290, as stated above,
captures incident water spray, preventing it from passing through
the tank vent 290 and reducing noise from the motor assembly.
[0060] The baffle 254 serves the function of dispersing the flow of
dirty solution into the recovery tank assembly 240. By dispersing
the flow, the baffle 254 prevents the force of the expelled dirty
solution from splashing the solution already collected in the tank,
reducing the likelihood of excess splatter beyond the capacity of
the foam filter, and reducing the formation of foam in the dirty
solution.
[0061] Referring to FIG. 5, the openings in the baffle 254 are
graduated, with smaller slots 255 adjacent the second aperture 252
serving to more effectively disperse the force of the solution
expelled into the tank, and larger openings 257, remote from the
second aperture 252 but adjacent the vent opening 250. Baffle 254
includes outer edge contours 314 for closely conforming to the
interior of upper shell 242, and recesses 316 for attaching baffle
254 to upper shell 242 at lugs 317. Upon the recovery tank assembly
240 reaching its capacity of dirty solution, the recovery tank
assembly 240 can be removed from the base housing 210 by unlocking
the latches 214. The dirty solution in the tank is disposed of by
inverting the recovery tank assembly 240 and pouring the dirty
solution out of the second aperture 252. Alternatively, the dirty
solution is disposed of by removing the tank vent 290 and pouring
the dirty solution out through the tank vent opening 250. The
larger baffle openings 257 adjacent the tank vent opening 250 make
it easier to empty the recovery tank assembly 240.
[0062] FIGS. 6-8 illustrate the relationship of the recovery tank
assembly 240 with respect to the base housing 210, and in the
cross-sectional view of FIG. 7 illustrates the suction channel 246
passing from the nozzle 262 through the suction channel 246 of the
upper shell 242 and into the intake port 238 of the impeller shell
236. FIG. 8 then illustrates the relationship of the output port
239 of the impeller shell 236 to the second aperture 252 in the
upper shell 242 above the baffle 254. The arrows indicate the
direction of airflow in both FIGS. 7-8.
[0063] FIG. 9 provides another view of the tank assembly 240
showing the relationship of the baffle 254 and tank vent 290, as
well as the second aperture 252 in the upper shell 242 which
fluidly connects with the output port 239 of the impeller shell
236. Diverter 249 is also shown in its relationship to the second
aperture 252 here and in FIG. 9A, a plan view of the upper shell
242.
[0064] The tank vent 290, shown in detail in FIG. 10, is removed
from the tank vent opening 250 by applying pressure to the finger
tab 294, pulling the edge of the vent 290 away from the edge of the
tank opening 250 and relieving the friction between the vent 290
and the opening 250. The vent 290 can then be removed by grasping
the finger tab 294 and rotating the vent 290 about the opposing
extension 296.
[0065] An additional feature of the small area deep cleaner 10
according to the invention is a bare floor tool 280 shown in
perspective in FIG. 11. The bare floor tool 280 is generally
rectangular in plan view and removably clips in place on the
underside of the nozzle 262, in place of the brush 268. The bare
floor tool 280 includes a pair of resilient molded clips 288 for
insertion in the same apertures 263 of the nozzle 262 that receive
the clips 261 of the brush 268. The bare floor tool 280 comprises a
reinforced sponge 284, parallel to and between a squeegee 282
located along the front edge, and a plurality of bristles 285
located along a back edge. Between the squeegee 282 and the sponge
284 lies a line of slit apertures 287 and an elongate central
opening 286. The bare floor tool 280 is configured so that, when
installed in place of the brush 268, the suction nozzle 262 will be
aligned with the slit apertures 287, and the spray bar 266 will
direct cleaning solution to the surface to be cleaned through the
central opening 286. The leading edge of the floor-traveling head
200 will therefore have a squeegee 282 against the floor, followed
by the slit apertures 287 with nozzle 262 therein, spray bar 266
within the central opening 286, the sponge 284 somewhat compressed
against the floor, and the brush 285 in operative contact with the
floor. The brush 285 provides a scrubbing action on the bare floor,
the sponge 284 serving the purpose of even fluid distribution and
some degree of scrubbing, and the squeegee 282 scraping water from
the surface to be extracted by the nozzle 262. The extension of the
squeegee 282, sponge 284, and brush 285 beyond the face of the
opening 286 and in contact with the floor, prevent the nozzle 262
from contacting and scratching, or being damaged by, the bare
floor.
[0066] While the invention has been specifically described in
connection with certain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be
understood that this is by way of illustration and not of
limitation. Reasonable variation and modification are possible
within the scope of the forgoing description and drawings without
departing from the spirit of the invention which is defined in the
appended claims.
* * * * *