U.S. patent application number 10/977459 was filed with the patent office on 2005-07-28 for carpet cleaning apparatus and method of construction.
Invention is credited to Gregory, David B..
Application Number | 20050160553 10/977459 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34549421 |
Filed Date | 2005-07-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050160553 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gregory, David B. |
July 28, 2005 |
Carpet cleaning apparatus and method of construction
Abstract
A carpet cleaning apparatus and method of retrofitting a vacuum
cleaner provides a vacuum cleaner with a sweeper housing carrying a
rotating brush assembly for contacting a surface of a carpet. A
collection device is carried in the sweeper housing along with a
fan assembly. A suction hose is connected in circuit with the fan
assembly and the collection device. A pump driven vessel is carried
externally to the sweeper housing for fluid communication with a
spray nozzle. The spray nozzle is arranged externally to the
housing to dispense fluid under pressure a spaced distance from the
housing.
Inventors: |
Gregory, David B.; (Bay
City, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
REISING, ETHINGTON, BARNES,
KISSELLE & LEARMAN, P.C.
5291 COLONY DRIVE NORTH
SAGINAW
MI
48603
US
|
Family ID: |
34549421 |
Appl. No.: |
10/977459 |
Filed: |
October 29, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60515518 |
Oct 29, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
15/320 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 7/0009 20130101;
A47L 11/4088 20130101; A47L 11/34 20130101; A47L 11/4083 20130101;
A47L 11/03 20130101; A47L 11/4094 20130101; A47L 11/4041 20130101;
A47L 9/00 20130101; A47L 9/0009 20130101; A47L 11/30 20130101; A47L
7/0038 20130101; A47L 11/4027 20130101; A47L 11/4075 20130101; A47L
7/0019 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
015/320 |
International
Class: |
A47L 011/30 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A method of retrofitting an upright vacuum cleaner, the vacuum
cleaner comprising: a sweeper head incorporating a rotating brush
assembly for contacting a surface of a carpet, an upright housing
attached to the sweeper head, the upright housing incorporating a
collection device and an upstanding handle, a suction hose
connected in circuit with a fan and fan motor and the collection
device, comprising: providing a pump driven liquid containing
vessel; attaching the vessel exteriorly on the housing; providing a
spray nozzle; and attaching the spray nozzle externally to one of
the housing and sweeper head for fluid communication with the
vessel, the nozzle being arranged to dispense fluid under pressure
in the form of a mist a spaced distance from the sweeper head.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising incorporating a
flexible hose which can be bent into and holds a designated
position between the spray nozzle and the vessel, and bending the
hose to position the spray nozzle in its best spraying
position.
3. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing a mechanism
interrupting the flow path of dirt to the collection device and
providing visualization of any trapped moisture collected in the
mechanism.
4. The method of claim 3 further comprising providing a filter in
the mechanism to provide filtration of the flow path and separation
of liquid upstream of the collection device.
5. The method of claim 1 further comprising attaching an actuator
on the upright handle, the actuator being in operable communication
with the vessel and actuatable to spray the fluid from the spray
nozzle independently from the operation of the vacuum cleaner.
6. The method of claim 1 including providing a battery for driving
the pump carried on the vacuum cleaner and arranging the vessel for
gravitational feed of the liquid within the vessel to the pump.
7. The method of claim 1 including arranging the vessel for suction
feed of the liquid within the vessel to the pump.
8. The method of claim 1 including providing a plurality of spray
nozzles and attaching the spray nozzles for fluid communication
with the pump driven vessel, and arranging each of the nozzles to
dispense fluid under pressure a spaced distance from the sweeper
head.
9. The method of claim 8 further comprising utilizing a separate
flexible hose to attach each spray nozzle for fluid communication
with the pump driven vessel and bending the hose to position the
spray nozzle in its desired spraying position.
10. The method of claim 1 including dispensing about 0.0256 ounces
of fluid through the spray nozzle per square foot of carpet.
11. The method of claim 1 including spraying liquid about 6-12
inches in front of the sweeper head.
12. A carpet cleaning apparatus, comprising: a sweeper housing; a
rotating brush assembly for contacting a surface of a carpet
carried in said sweeper housing; a collection device carried in the
sweeper housing; a fan assembly carried in the sweeper housing; a
suction hose connected in circuit with the fan assembly and the
collection device; a pump driven vessel carried external to said
sweeper housing; and a spray nozzle carried externally to the
housing for fluid communication with the vessel, the nozzle being
arranged to dispense fluid under pressure a spaced distance from
the housing.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 further comprising a flexible hose
attached to the spray nozzle, the flexible hose being bendable to
retain a selected position for spraying the fluid on the desired
area of the carpet outwardly from the housing.
14. The apparatus of claim 12 further comprising an actuator
operable independently from the apparatus to energize the pump
driven vessel at selected times to dispense fluid through the spray
nozzle.
15. The apparatus of claim 12 further comprising a bracket arranged
to be releasably attached to said housing, said bracket being
arranged to carry said pump driven vessel externally from said
housing.
16. The apparatus of claim 12 further comprising a spray wand in
fluid communication with said pump driven vessel and being
actuatable independently from said nozzles to spray fluid under
pressure onto a selected area of the carpet.
17. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said spray nozzle is arranged
to dispense about 0.0256 ounces of fluid per square foot of
carpet.
18. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said spray nozzle is arranged
to dispense liquid about 6-12 inches in front of the housing.
19. The apparatus of claim 12 further comprising a liquid trapping
filtration mechanism interrupting the flow path of dirt to the
collection device and providing visualization of any moisture
trapped in the mechanism.
20. A method of operating a vacuum cleaner, the vacuum cleaner
comprising: a sweeper head incorporated a rotating brush assembly
for contacting a surface of a carpet, an upright housing attached
to the sweeper head, the upright housing incorporating a collection
device and an upstanding handle, a suction hose connected in
circuit with a fan and fan motor, and the collection devise, a pump
driven liquid containing vessel and a spray nozzle, comprising: a.
attaching the spray nozzle externally to one of the housing and
sweeper head for fluid communication with the vessel; and b. moving
the vacuum cleaner over the carpet and spraying a light mist of
liquid on said carpet in the form of droplets in the range of 80
microns to 250 microns in maximum size on said carpet a spaced
distance from said sweeper head in a path to be vacuumed over.
21. The method of claim 20 further comprising providing a mechanism
interrupting the flow path of dirt to the collection device and
providing visualization of any trapped moisture collected in the
mechanism.
Description
REFERENCE TO CO-PENDING APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/515,518, filed Oct. 29, 2003.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates generally to vacuum apparatuses for
cleaning carpet, and more particularly to vacuum apparatuses having
mechanism for spraying a treatment liquid onto carpet.
[0004] 2. Related Art
[0005] Typically, over time, carpet requires an application of an
odor eliminator, a protectant and/or a vacuum enhancement product.
Commonly, odor eliminators, carpet protectants and vacuum
enhancement products come in a liquid state, and are applied by a
user through the use of aerosol cans, spray bottles and the like.
As such, the user typically carries a hand held container with the
desired liquid treatment therein, and applies the liquid treatment
by bending at the waist to dispense a spray pattern of the liquid
onto the area of the carpet requiring treatment. Accordingly, the
application of a liquid carpet treatment product generally proves
to be laborious and tiresome, let alone time consuming. In
addition, applying a uniform spray of the liquid carpet treatment
product can prove difficult.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] A carpet cleaning apparatus provide an easy and efficient
manner in which to apply liquid carpet treatment products on carpet
to facilitate cleaning the carpet without saturating the carpet.
The apparatus has a sweeper housing carrying a rotating brush
assembly for contacting a surface of a carpet. A collection device
is carried in the sweeper housing along with a fan assembly. A
suction hose is connected in circuit with the fan assembly and the
collection device. A pump driven vessel is carried externally to
the sweeper housing for fluid communication with a spray nozzle.
The spray nozzle is arranged externally to the housing to dispense
fluid under pressure a spaced distance from the housing.
[0007] Another aspect of the invention provides a method of
retrofitting an upright vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner
comprises a sweeper head incorporating a rotating brush assembly
for contacting a surface of a carpet and an upright housing
attached to the sweeper head. The housing incorporates a collection
device and an upstanding handle, with a suction hose connected in
circuit with a fan assembly and the collection device. The
retrofitting comprises providing a pump driven vessel and attaching
the vessel externally to the housing and further, providing a spray
nozzle and attaching the spray nozzle externally to one of the
sweeper head and the housing for fluid communication with the
vessel. The nozzle is positioned to dispense the fluid under
pressure in a mist form a spaced distance from the sweeper
head.
[0008] Some of the objects, features and advantages of the
invention include an apparatus that increases the usefulness and
efficiency of a standard upright vacuum cleaner, applies a liquid
treatment uniformly to a carpet while vacuuming the carpet, is
readily attachable to a vacuum cleaner, is of relatively compact
size, is readily removable from the vacuum cleaner, enables the
application of liquid cleaner to difficult to reach areas of a
carpet, regulates the amount of liquid cleaner being applied to the
carpet, dispenses liquid cleaner in a controlled pattern, and is
economical in design, manufacture and use.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] These and other objects, features and advantages of this
invention will become more readily apparent in view of the
following detailed description of the preferred embodiments,
appended claims and accompanying drawings, in which:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an upright vacuum cleaner
having a liquid applicator system constructed according to one
embodiment of the invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of the
vacuum cleaner and liquid applicator system of FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an upright vacuum cleaner
having a liquid applicator system constructed according to a second
embodiment of the invention;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a schematic front view of the vacuum cleaner of
FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a schematic front view of the vacuum cleaner of
FIG. 3;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a walk-behind vacuum cleaner
having a liquid applicator system constructed according to a third
embodiment of the invention;
[0016] FIG. 7 is a partial rear perspective view of the applicator
system of FIG. 6;
[0017] FIG. 8 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 6 showing the
liquid applicator system of FIG. 6 attached to a front portion of
the vacuum cleaner;
[0018] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an upright vacuum cleaner
having a liquid applicator system constructed according to a fourth
embodiment of the invention attached thereto;
[0019] FIG. 9A is a partial perspective view of the applicator
system of FIG. 9;
[0020] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a walk-behind vacuum
cleaner having a liquid applicator system constructed according to
a fifth embodiment of the invention; and
[0021] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing generally the
operation sequence of the various embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0022] As illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, one construction of a liquid
applicator system for vacuums is shown generally at 10 attached to
an upright vacuum cleaner 12. The liquid applicator system 10
provides an operator of the vacuum cleaner 12 with the ability to
apply a liquid carpet treatment 14, for example and without
limitation, an odor eliminator, a carpet protectant or vacuum
enhancement solution, each of which may be obtained from ReNew
Systems Inc., located in Bay City, Mich., to carpet under
controlled conditions while the operator is vacuuming the carpet.
The liquid applicator system 10 improves the cleaning efficiency
and usefulness of the vacuum cleaner, and is readily adaptable for
quick attachment and removal from the vacuum cleaner 12.
Accordingly, the liquid applicator system 10 may be retrofitted or
interchanged from one vacuum cleaner to another, as desired.
[0023] The vacuum cleaner 12 in FIGS. 1-3 is generally constructed
having an upright configuration, such as that shown in U.S. Pat.
No. 6,591,446 to Bair et al, incorporated herein by reference in
its entirety. The vacuum cleaner 12 has a sweeper head, referred to
hereafter as a base 18 pivotally attached to an upright housing 20.
The housing 20 is typically constructed having a polymeric outer
shell 22. The vacuum cleaner 12 has an upstanding handle 24
attached to and extending generally upwardly from the housing and
terminating in an ergonomically constructed hand grip 26. As shown
in FIGS. 4 and 5, the base 18 has a rotating brush assembly 28
driven by a fan motor 30, as is known, wherein the brush assembly
28 contacts a surface of the carpet 16 to loosen embedded dirt and
debris from the surface being vacuumed. Typically, upright
household vacuum cleaners are constructed having single-stage
motors, wherein the motor operates to drive the brush assembly and
also create the suction or vacuum, such as through a turbine fan
assembly located generally at 32, to lift the loosened dirt and
debris from the carpet and direct it through a suction hose or tube
34 connected in circuit with the fan assembly 32 to a collection
device, generally referred to hereafter as a storage container or
bag 35 within the upright housing 20.
[0024] Unlike extractor type cleaner machines, commonly referred to
as steam cleaners, vacuum cleaners in use today, and particularly
household use vacuum cleaners, such as that shown generally at 10,
typically are not powerful enough to generate the vacuum or suction
necessary to lift liquid from the surface of the carpet 16.
Accordingly, vacuum cleaners are generally classified as dry
removal systems for carpet, rather than liquid removal systems.
Generally, the amount of suction created by a dry removal vacuum
cleaner or extractor is a function of how much current or amperage
the motor can effectively and safely draw, and the cubic feet per
minute (CFM) of air the turbine fan needs to draw. Typically, dry
removal vacuum cleaners employ an amperage between about 6-14 amps,
and draw about 40-60 CFM of air, which is generally not enough CFM,
typically 100 CFM or more, to lift liquid from carpet. Upon
applying the liquid carpet treatment 14 to the surface of the
carpet 16 utilizing the present invention, the operator may use the
vacuum cleaner 12 without impacting the ability of the liquid
carpet treatment 14 to act on the carpet 16, or have concern about
vacuuming the liquid into the storage container 35 of the vacuum
cleaner 12.
[0025] Some liquid carpet treatments 14 require several minutes,
and in some cases up to 20 minutes or more to act on the carpet 16,
and to dry. Thus, the operator can later vacuum over the liquid
treated area of carpet 16 with the vacuum cleaner 12 of the present
invention without jeopardizing the ability of the liquid carpet
treatment 14 to act on the carpet 16. After the specified amount of
time for the given liquid carpet treatment 14 to act has elapsed,
depending on the liquid treatment 14 used, the operator may use the
vacuum cleaner 12 in a second pass to lift the remaining dirt and
debris from the carpet 16, along with the dried carpet treatment
product. It should be recognized that some carpet treatment
products are intended to remain on the carpet 16, and thus do not
require a second pass with the vacuum cleaner 12 after applying the
liquid treatment 14 to the carpet 16. In these instances, applying
the liquid carpet treatment 14 during a single pass of the vacuum
cleaner 12 is all that would be necessary.
[0026] It should also be understood that although the vacuum
cleaner 12 may not have the suction power necessary to lift all the
liquid carpet treatment 14 from the surface of the carpet 16, the
rotating brush 28 can facilitate working the liquid 14, prior to
its having had enough time to dry, into the carpet fibers 16 while
vacuuming over the newly applied liquid carpet treatment 14.
[0027] As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the liquid applicator system 10 of
the present invention has a container or pump driven vessel,
including by way of example and without limitations, aerosol type
dispensers, and referred to hereafter more generally as vessel 36,
for holding a suitable amount of the liquid carpet treatment 14 for
use in residential or commercial applications, for example, 1 pint
up to 1 gallon. The vessel 36 is in fluid communication with at
least one spray nozzle 38. The spray nozzle 38 dispenses the liquid
14 under pressure from within the vessel 36 onto the carpet 16 in a
controlled spray pattern at a predetermined distance in advance of
the base 18 and brush 28, at a selected uniform flow rate, and over
a period of time selected by the operator, as discussed in more
detail hereafter.
[0028] It should be recognized that the vessel 36 may be arranged
in any suitable manner and relation relative to a pump 40 for
pumping the liquid 14 from the vessel 36, and that the pump 40 may
include an aerosol type pump within the vessel 36 or housed
external to the vessel 36. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and
4, the vessel 36 may be arranged to dispense the liquid carpet
treatment from the vessel 36 with the assistance of gravity. Upon
actuating the pump 40, such as by depressing an actuator or button
switch 42 positioned adjacent the hand grip 26 of the vacuum
cleaner handle 24, the pump 40 is actuated via the aerosol
pressure, or is electrically energized to draw fluid from the
vessel 36, with the assistance of gravity, to pump the liquid
carpet treatment 14 through a hose or tube 44 connected to the
spray nozzle 38. Otherwise, as shown in an alternate embodiment in
FIGS. 3 and 5, where like reference numerals are used to describe
like components from the embodiment above, the vessel 36 may be
arranged so that the liquid is drawn under pressure through a top
46 of the vessel 36, and without the assistance of gravity.
Otherwise, the function of the liquid applicator system 10 is the
same as described above.
[0029] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the vessel 36 is preferably
carried by an aerosol or pump housing 48 externally from the
upright housing 20, with the pump housing 48 enclosing the pump 40.
The housing 48 has a pocket 50 (FIG. 4) sized to receive the bottom
portion 52 of the vessel 36. When the vessel 36 is received in the
pocket 50, the liquid tends to flow out of the vessel toward the
pump 40. It should be recognized that the pump 40 acts to prevent a
pressurized flow of the liquid 14 from the vessel 36 to the nozzle
38 when the pump 40 is de-energized. Otherwise, when the pump 40 is
energized, the liquid 14 is pumped from the vessel 36, through the
fluid lines or tubes 44 and dispensed out the nozzle 38 under
pressure in a predetermined spray pattern spaced outwardly from the
housing 20.
[0030] The housing 48 in FIGS. 1-5 may be attached to the shell 22
of the vacuum cleaner 12 through a variety of mechanisms. As best
shown in FIG. 2, the housing 48 is attached by a pair of screws 54
having a thread pitch and diameter suitable for secure fastening to
polymeric material. The screws 54 extend through a pair of flanges
56 extending laterally from the housing 48, and are then screwed
into the shell 22 of the vacuum cleaner 12. It should be recognized
that the screws 54 may be self tapping, or holes may be preformed
in the shell 22 of the vacuum cleaner 12, as desired. Otherwise,
any suitable mechanism, for example and without limitation, self
adhesive Velcro.RTM. pads, adhesives such as cyanoacrylate or super
glues, Velcro.RTM. straps, or any other desired method for
attachment may be used to attach the housing 48 for the pump 40 to
the shell 22 of the vacuum cleaner 12.
[0031] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the housing 48 containing the
aerosol can or pump 40 is attached to the shell 22 as in FIGS. 1, 2
and 4, however, the vessel 36 is attached to the shell 22
separately from the pump housing 48. Generally, a bracket 58,
typically fabricated from formed wire or plastic, is attached to
the shell 22 through the use of screws, adhesives or Velcro.RTM.
(not shown), as described above. The bracket 58 may be preformed to
receive the specific shape of the vessel 36, or the bracket 58 may
be transformable in shape to accommodate a variety of vessel
shapes. In either case, the vessel 36 may be set into the pocket 50
of bracket 58 for use, and lifted therefrom for storage or
refilling. Regardless of how the vessel 36 is carried by the vacuum
cleaner 12, the vessel 36 is generally attached to the vacuum
cleaner 12 so that it can be readily removed, when desired.
[0032] A battery pack 60 is preferably enclosed within or attached
to the housing 48 containing the pump 40. The battery pack 60
generally has a plurality of batteries, such as AA size batteries,
for example and without limitation. Preferably, the batteries are
rechargeable, so that an AC adaptor 62 (FIG. 9), preferably having
standard plug terminals 64 for receipt in a standard wall 110 v
outlet (not shown), may be used to recharge the batteries. The
housing 48 has an access door 66 allowing the operator to easily
access the battery pack 60 and the pump 40 for servicing
purposes.
[0033] As shown in the embodiments in FIGS. 1-5, the spray nozzle
38 may be attached to the base 18 of the vacuum cleaner 12. The
same methods discussed above for attaching the housing 48 for the
vessel 36 to the shell 22 of the vacuum cleaner 12, such as screws,
adhesives or Velcro.RTM. pads may be used, as desired, to attach
the spray nozzle 38 to the base 18. The spray nozzle 38 is
generally positioned so that the spray pattern of the liquid carpet
treatment 14 is dispensed to span the width of the brush assembly
28, or more. As such, depending on the width of the vacuum cleaner
12, more than one spray nozzle 38 may be used to cover the width
desired with the liquid treatment 14. Additionally, as mentioned
above, the spray nozzles 38 are desirably positioned to dispense a
spray pattern outwardly and in front of the base 18 of the vacuum
cleaner 12 so that the liquid carpet treatment 14 contacts the
carpet 16 approximately 6-12 inches in front of the base 18 of the
vacuum cleaner 12. This provides the dwell time necessary for
certain treatments to work into the fibers prior to brush contact.
The spray nozzle 38 is selected to dispense a predetermined volume
of the liquid carpet treatment 14 per square foot (ft.sup.2) of
carpet 16 area as a mist, such that the carpet 16 does not become
saturated with the liquid 14, as normally occurs during a wet
extraction or steam cleaning operation. Generally, the spray
nozzles 38 are selected to dispense about 0.0256 ounces of liquid
carpet treatment 14 per ft.sup.2 of carpet 16, which is much less,
on the order of about 100 times less, than would be applied during
a steam or extraction cleaning procedure. A suitable range would be
between 0.01 ounces and 0.05 ounces per square foot of carpet. The
spray nozzle 38 desirably has a dripless dispensing tip 68 so that
the liquid carpet treatment 14 is only dispensed through the tip 68
when the pump 40 is actuated and the liquid 14 is under a positive
pressure. Suitable spray nozzles are available from Spray Systems
Co., located in Wheaton, IL., for example. This assures that the
liquid 14 does not accidentally drip from the nozzle 38 onto the
carpet 16. Additionally, the spray nozzle 38 is generally
adjustable by rotating the tip of the nozzle 38 to adjust the spray
pattern of the liquid carpet treatment 14, so that it is dispensed
as a light mist rather than a carpet saturating flow. By light mist
is meant droplets of liquid in the range of 80 microns in diameter
to 250 microns in maximum diameter.
[0034] The spray nozzle 38 is in fluid communication with the pump
40, and thus the vessel 36, though a series of generally flexible
fluid lines or tubes 44. The tubes 44 are connected to the
respective components though standard hose connections. It should
be recognized that though a single spray nozzle 38 is represented
in FIGS. 1-5, that any number of spray nozzles 38 may be used. If
more than a one spray nozzle 38 is used, desirably a manifold (see
reference numeral 292 of FIG. 9) is incorporated between the pump
40 and the spray nozzles 38. Generally, the manifold 292 has a
single inlet for the liquid coming from the vessel 36, and a number
of outlets corresponding to the number of spray nozzles 38.
[0035] The liquid applicator system 10 has an actuator switch
housing 70 with the actuator switch or button 42 thereon. The
housing 70 is attached adjacent the hand grip 26 of the vacuum
cleaner 12 in an ergonomically accessible position for the
operator, preferably using the same methods of attachment described
above, such as Velcro straps or pads, adhesives, screws and the
like, thereby allowing for quick attachment and removal of the
actuator housing 70 to and from the hand grip 26 of the vacuum
cleaner 12. Accordingly, the operator can use the vacuum cleaner 12
as desired, while having ready access to the button 42 to active
and deactivate the liquid applicator system 10. The button 42 is
preferably in electrical communication with the pump 40 through a
wire connection 72, or otherwise in communication with the pump 40
or aerosol can to actuate the pump 40 on command. When an operator
depresses the button 42 in the actuator housing 70, an electrical
signal is sent to the pump 40 to actuate the pump 40, and thus, to
pump carpet treatment 14 to the spray nozzle or nozzles 38.
[0036] As mentioned above, generally vacuum cleaners do not have
the suction or vacuum necessary to draw liquid up from the carpet
being vacuumed. However, to provide the operator with the visual
reassurance that no liquid is entering the vacuum cleaner 12 and
display what is entrained in the air flow, and specifically the
storage container 35, a filtration mechanism, referred to hereafter
as a capture cup 74 is incorporated within the vacuum tube 34
upstream of the storage container 35. The capture cup 74 is
generally constructed having a transparent top 76, desirably formed
from plastic, sized for receipt on a bottom member 78. A filter
paper disc 80 having a lower limit of particulate filtration of
about 0.3 .mu.m is in place in the capture cup 74 generally between
the top 76 and the bottom 78 to interrupt the air flow to the
storage container 35 and trap debris and liquid as it flows into
the capture cup 74. The top 76, being generally transparent,
enables the operator to see into the capture cup 74, thereby
allowing the operator to readily see when the cup 74 is full of
debris or liquid saturated and in need of emptying and a change of
filter paper 80. Importantly, the operator can readily see into the
capture cup 74 while vacuuming to see if fluid is being drawn
toward the storage container 35 and likely to enter the housing 20
of the vacuum cleaner 12, as evidenced by the filter paper 80
becoming wetted.
[0037] As shown in FIGS. 6-7, another embodiment incorporates a
liquid applicator system 110 adapted for use with a walk-behind
industrial type vacuum cleaner 112. The applicator system 110 has
similar components as in the previous embodiments, only more suited
to industrial use. Accordingly, similar reference numerals are used
to refer to like components, but are offset by a factor of 100.
[0038] The vacuum cleaner 112 has a pair of rear wheels 82
supported for rotation about an axle 83 and a pair of front wheels
(not shown) supported for rotation about another axle (not shown).
The front and rear wheels support a housing 84 for movement on the
axles. The housing 84 has a front portion 86 and a rear portion 88
with a top 89 and laterally spaced sides 90, 91 extending between
the front portion 86 and the rear portion 88. The housing 84
contains a motor, a storage container for receiving the waste and
debris vacuumed up by the vacuum, and rotary brushes for cleaning
the carpet surface, among other components (not shown) typically
housed in walk-behind style vacuum cleaners.
[0039] As shown in FIG. 6, the liquid applicator system 110 has at
least one, and shown here as a pair spray nozzles 138, by way of
example and without limitation, similar to those describe above,
attached generally externally to the front portion 86 of the
housing 84. The spray nozzles 138 are preferably dripless, as
described above in the previous embodiments, and are attached to
the housing 84 in laterally spaced relation from one another using
similar methods of attachment as described in the previous upright
vacuum cleaner embodiments. The spray nozzles 138 are in fluid
communication by way of a pair of flexible or bendable fluid lines
or hoses 144 with a pump 140 located in a housing 148 (FIG. 7)
fastened to the rear portion 88 of the vacuum 112. It should be
recognized that more spray nozzles may be attached to the front
portion 86 or sides 90, 91 of the vacuum 112, as desired, and that
additional hoses will be incorporated to supply the additional
spray nozzles.
[0040] The housing 148 is generally sized to receive the pump 140,
a battery 160, a vessel 136 and a manifold 92. The manifold 92 is
in fluid communication with the hoses 144 coming from the spray
nozzles 138, and at least one fluid line or hose 144 coming from
the pump 140. Accordingly, the manifold 92 has an inlet for
receiving liquid carpet treatment through the hose 144 extending
between the pump 140 and the manifold 92, and a plurality of
outlets for distributing the liquid carpet treatment in generally
equal volumes to the spray nozzles 138. Desirably, the manifold 92
has an accessory outlet for directing liquid carpet treatment 114
to a spray wand 94 through another hose 95.
[0041] The wand 94 is generally used to treat remote areas of the
carpet 16 being vacuumed, or otherwise difficult areas to access
with the spray nozzles 138 attached to the vacuum 112, such as
tight corners and locations under desks, for example. The wand 94
has a handle 96 with an actuator trigger 97 at one end, and a spray
tip or nozzle 98 at the other end. The spray nozzle 98 generally
distributes a spray of liquid carpet treatment in the same spray
pattern as the spray nozzles 138 on the front portion 86 of the
vacuum cleaner 112. The spray wand 94 is in fluid communication
with the vessel 136 via the manifold 92, and is actuatable
independently from the nozzles 138.
[0042] The housing 148 may be an enclosed housing, or an at least
partially open housing, as desired. The housing 148 has a back
panel 99 with a pair of key slots 101 each having an enlarged
opening and a narrowed slot extending from the opening to
facilitate attachment of the housing 148 to the vacuum 112. As
shown in FIG. 7, the housing 148 is attached to the rear portion 88
of the vacuum 112 by attaching a pair of fasteners 105 having
enlarged heads 107 to the rear portion 88 of the vacuum 112, and
thereafter, placing the enlarged openings of the key slots 101 over
the enlarged heads 107 of the fasteners 105, and once in position,
allowing the housing 148 to move downwardly to slidably engage the
enlarged heads 107 of the fasteners 105 against the rear panel 99
adjacent the narrowed slots. It should be recognized that other
attachment mechanisms may be used to attach the housing 148 to the
vacuum 112, such as for example, straps, direct mounting by
fasteners and the like. In addition, it should be recognized that
the housing 148 may be attached to other locations of the vacuum
112, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, the housing 148 is shown
attached externally to the front of the vacuum 112. Otherwise, the
function of the liquid application system 110 remains the same as
described above.
[0043] The housing 148 is shown here as being generally open, and
has a base 109 extending generally perpendicularly from the rear
panel 99 and a shelf 111 extending from the rear panel 99 in a
spaced and generally parallel relation to the base 109. A space
between the base 109 and the shelf 111 is sized to receive the pump
140, the battery 160 and the manifold 92. The shelf 111 is sized to
carry the vessel 136 thereon. Additional support may be provided
for the shelf 111 by incorporating a support member, shown here as
a plate 113 extending laterally between the base 109 and the shelf
111.
[0044] The battery 160 is positioned within the space between the
base 109 and the shelf 111 and operably connected to the pump 140
by a wire connection, so that when a button or switch 142 is
triggered, the pump 140 is actuated. The battery 160 is preferably
rechargeable, such as through a plug in adaptor (not shown)
suitable for plugging into a standard 110 v wall outlet, as
discussed above in the previous embodiments.
[0045] The vessel 136 is placed on the shelf 111 and secured
thereon by a strap 115 extending around the vessel 136 and the rear
panel 99 of the housing 148. The vessel 136 is generally sized to
hold a volume of liquid treatment up to 3 gallons, or more, as
desired. The hose 144 is shown here entering an opening 117 in the
top of the vessel 136 so that liquid may be drawn upwardly and
outwardly from the vessel 136 by the pump 140. It should be
recognized that the opening 117 may be located toward a bottom
portion of the vessel 136, so that the liquid could flow outwardly
from the vessel 136 with the assistance of gravity. It should also
be recognized that the vessel 136 may be secured to the housing 148
in any variety a ways, such as by having at least partially
enclosed side walls (not shown) extending at least partially around
the vessel, for example.
[0046] To actuate the pump 140, the actuator switch 142 is attached
to the pump through a wire connection 119. The actuator switch 142
is desirably attached to a handle 121 on the vacuum 112, and placed
ergonomically for ready access by an operator of the vacuum 112.
When the operator triggers the switch 142, a switch (not shown)
within the pump 140 is triggered, thereby actuating the pump 140
independently from the operation of the vacuum 112 to pump the
liquid carpet treatment at selected times to the spray nozzles
138.
[0047] A fourth alternate embodiment for a liquid applicator system
210 attachable to an upright vacuum cleaner is shown in FIGS. 9 and
9A. The applicator system 210 functions similarly to the embodiment
in FIG. 1, however, instead of having spray nozzles attached to a
base 218 of the vacuum 212, at least one spray nozzle 238, or more,
as shown in phantom lines, is supported out beyond a front 123 of
the base 218 by a flex-hose or hoses 125, depending on how many
spray nozzles 238 are used.
[0048] The liquid applicator system 210 has a housing 248, a pump
240 having an inlet and an outlet received in the housing 248, and
a vessel 236 containing liquid carpet treatment 214 in fluid
communication with the inlet of the pump 240. The outlet of the
pump 240 is constructed for attachment to the bendable flex-hose
125, preferably using a quick-connector, such as that disclosed in
U.S. Pat. No. 4,527,745 for example, incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety, or as shown generally at 127 in FIG. 9A.
The quick connector 127 has a key 129 sized and shaped for receipt
in a keyway 131 within the housing 248. The key 129 is preferably
secured within the keyway 131 through a cammed engagement (not
shown) by rotating the quick connector 127 in the direction of the
arrows, and relative to the housing 248. It should be understood
that more that one flex-hose may be used, as is shown in phantom
lines in FIG. 9, to ensure adequate spray coverage of the liquid
carpet treatment 214 on carpet 216. Where more than one flex-hose
125 is incorporated in the system 210, desirably a manifold 292
having the desired number of outputs is incorporated as discussed
in the previous embodiment.
[0049] The flex-hose 125 is generally constructed from a material
compatible with the types of liquid carpet treatment mentioned
above, and others that could be anticipated for use in treating
carpet. Desirably, the flex-hose 125 is formed of a plastic or
polymeric material, for example and without limitation, high
density polyethylene (HDPE), or a polypropylene tube encased in a
resilient outer jacket fabricated from either HDPE or a metallic
material, such as 304 stainless steel, for example. The flex-hose
125 may be shaped by bending the hose 125, as desired, to retain
the spray nozzles 238 in a selected position outwardly from the
front 123 of the base 218 of the vacuum 212. The spray nozzles 238
are positioned to spray the desired area of the carpet 216 about
6-12 inches outwardly in front of the base 218. This gives the
liquid carpet treatment 214 a delayed time to act and wick on the
carpet 216 prior to the agitator brush contacting the sprayed
fibers of carpet 216. It should be recognized that upon bending the
flex-hose 125 to the desired shape, the flex-hose 125 retains the
formed shape in use, therefore, generally not requiring a secondary
support between the attachment to the manifold 292 and the spray
nozzles 238. It should also be understood that the flex-hose 125
may be reshaped to a desired configuration in which it will remain,
and that the flex-hose 125 can be arranged to spray to the side of
the vacuum 212, if desired.
[0050] A fifth alternate embodiment for a liquid applicator system
310 attachable to a walk-behind vacuum cleaner 312 is shown in FIG.
10. The applicator system 310 functions similarly as the embodiment
in FIG. 8, however, instead of having spray nozzles attached
directly to a front portion 323 of the vacuum 312, at least one
spray nozzle 338, or more as shown in phantom lines, is supported
out beyond the front portion 323 of the vacuum 312 by a flex-hose
or hoses 325, depending on how many spray nozzles 338 are used. The
spray nozzles 328 and flex hoses 325 are generally the same as in
the previously described embodiment, and therefore, are not
discussed in detail any further.
[0051] It should be understood that the liquid applicator systems
discussed in the presently preferred embodiments above are readily
retrofitted or attachable and removable from the vacuum cleaners,
regardless of the type of liquid applicator system and vacuum
cleaner. Accordingly, the operator may easily retrofit the liquid
applicator system to one vacuum cleaner, and thereafter remove it
for attachment to another vacuum cleaner. As shown schematically in
FIG. 11, it should be recognized that the operator may utilize the
vacuum cleaner with the liquid applicator system in place, though
the liquid applicator system need not be in use. It should also be
recognized that the operator could utilize the liquid applicator
system on the vacuum cleaner with the vacuum cleaner in an off
mode. FIG. 11 is intended to shown generally the inter-relation of
the components of the liquid applicator systems discussed with the
components of the selected vacuum cleaner as the two operate
conjunctively.
[0052] It is to be understood that the embodiments discussed above
are exemplary embodiments of the presently preferred constructions,
and thus are intended to be illustrative and not limiting. The
scope of the invention is defined by the following claims.
* * * * *