US20050050671A1 - Extraction cleaner exhaust ducting - Google Patents
Extraction cleaner exhaust ducting Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20050050671A1 US20050050671A1 US10/710,791 US71079104A US2005050671A1 US 20050050671 A1 US20050050671 A1 US 20050050671A1 US 71079104 A US71079104 A US 71079104A US 2005050671 A1 US2005050671 A1 US 2005050671A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- base housing
- motor
- tank
- cleaning apparatus
- liquid
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
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- 238000011084 recovery Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 59
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims description 75
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 claims description 48
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 claims description 35
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims description 17
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000007921 spray Substances 0.000 description 13
- 238000003809 water extraction Methods 0.000 description 4
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Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
- A47L11/34—Machines for treating carpets in position by liquid, foam, or vapour, e.g. by steam
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
- A47L11/40—Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups A47L11/02 - A47L11/38, or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers, levers
- A47L11/4002—Installations of electric equipment
- A47L11/4008—Arrangements of switches, indicators or the like
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
- A47L11/40—Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups A47L11/02 - A47L11/38, or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers, levers
- A47L11/4013—Contaminants collecting devices, i.e. hoppers, tanks or the like
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
- A47L11/40—Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups A47L11/02 - A47L11/38, or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers, levers
- A47L11/4036—Parts or details of the surface treating tools
- A47L11/4044—Vacuuming or pick-up tools; Squeegees
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
- A47L11/40—Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups A47L11/02 - A47L11/38, or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers, levers
- A47L11/4075—Handles; levers
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
- A47L11/40—Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups A47L11/02 - A47L11/38, or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers, levers
- A47L11/408—Means for supplying cleaning or surface treating agents
- A47L11/4083—Liquid supply reservoirs; Preparation of the agents, e.g. mixing devices
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
- A47L11/40—Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups A47L11/02 - A47L11/38, or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers, levers
- A47L11/408—Means for supplying cleaning or surface treating agents
- A47L11/4088—Supply pumps; Spraying devices; Supply conduits
Definitions
- This invention relates to a water extraction cleaning machine and, more particularly, an upright water extraction cleaning machine.
- 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., U.S. Pat. No. 4,559,665 to Fitzwater.
- 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 housing; a liquid dispensing system mounted at least in part on one of the base housing and the upright handle and a liquid recovery system.
- the liquid dispensing system comprises a liquid dispenser for applying liquid to a surface to be cleaned; a liquid supply tank for holding a supply of the liquid; and a liquid supply conduit fluidly connected to the liquid supply tank and to the liquid dispenser for supplying the liquid to the liquid dispenser.
- the liquid recovery system comprises a recovery tank 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 suction nozzle and through the recovery chamber; a vacuum source mounted in the base or handle in fluid communication with the recovery chamber for generating a flow of working air from the suction nozzle through the working air conduit and through the recovery chamber to thereby draw dirty liquid from the surface to be cleaned through the suction nozzle and working air conduit, and into the recovery chamber to thereby recover the dirty liquid from the surface to be cleaned; and an exhaust vent in communication with working air conduit for exhausting working air from the surface cleaning apparatus. The exhaust vent directs the working air away from the surface to be cleaned.
- the exhaust vent can be positioned in an upper surface of the recovery tank and can be removably mounted to an upper portion of the recovery tank.
- the vacuum source can be in the working air conduit between the suction nozzle and the recovery tank. Alternatively, the vacuum source can be in the working air conduit downstream of the recovery tank.
- the vacuum source can be mounted in the base housing or, alternatively, in the upright handle.
- the vacuum source can include a motor that is mounted within a portion of the upright handle or the base housing and a cooling air path formed in the portion of the upright handle or the base housing that includes the motor and including an inlet vent at one end and an outlet vent at another end thereof, wherein the motor is between the inlet and outlet vents; and a fan for generating a flow of cooling air through the cooling air path.
- the outlet vent can be positioned in the upright handle or the base housing to direct the cooling air away from the surface to be cleaned.
- the vacuum source motor can be mounted in the base housing or, alternatively, in the upright handle.
- the motor can be mounted in a compartment in the base housing.
- the fan can be mounted to the motor drive shaft.
- the outlet vent can comprise leak joints in the upright handle or the base housing.
- the outlet vent can comprise apertures that direct the cooling air laterally to one or more sides of the upright handle or the base housing.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an upright extractor according to the invention.
- FIG. 1A is a side view of the upright extractor of FIG. 1 with the upright handle in a tilted-back position.
- FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an upright handle of the upright extractor of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a rear face of a liquid supply tank of the upright extractor of FIGS. 1 and 2 .
- FIG. 3A is a side view of the liquid supply tank of FIG. 3 .
- FIG. 3B is a front view of the liquid supply tank of FIGS. 3 and 3 A.
- FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional view taken through line 3 C- 3 C of FIG. 3B .
- FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a floor-traveling head portion of the upright extractor of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 5 is a plan view of a baffle from the upright extractor of FIG. 4 .
- FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken through lines 7 - 7 of FIG. 6 .
- FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken through lines 8 - 8 of FIG. 6 .
- FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a recovery tank from the upright extractor of FIGS. 1-8 .
- FIG. 9A is a plan view of the recovery collection tank of FIG. 9 .
- FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a tank vent of the upright extractor of FIGS. 1-9 .
- FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a bare floor tool for the upright extractor of FIGS. 1-10 .
- FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a brush for the upright extractor of FIGS. 1-11 .
- FIG. 13 is an end view of the brush of FIG. 12 .
- FIG. 14 is a front view of the brush of FIGS. 12-13 .
- FIG. 15 is a bottom view of the brush of FIGS. 12-14 .
- FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an alternative base housing for the upright extractor of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a floor-traveling head portion for the upright extractor of FIG. 1 comprising the alternative base housing of FIG. 16 .
- FIG. 18 is a combination phantom perspective view of the floor-traveling head portion of FIG. 17 and partial cross-sectional view taken through line 18 - 18 of FIG. 17 showing motor cooling air flow and working air flow through the floor-traveling head portion.
- FIG. 19 is a front perspective view an alternative upright extractor according to the invention.
- FIG. 20 is a rear perspective view the upright extractor of FIG. 19 .
- an upright extractor 10 according to the invention comprises an upright handle 100 pivotally connected to a floor-traveling head 200 .
- the upright extractor 10 is supported on a surface by wheels 272 and a nozzle 260 for movement along the surface to be cleaned.
- the floor-traveling head 200 includes a base housing 210 and a recovery tank assembly 240 .
- the recovery tank assembly 240 is secured to the base housing 210 by latches 214 .
- the upright handle 100 comprises a front shell 110 , a rear shell 120 , and a handgrip 130 comprising first and second handgrip pieces 131 , 132 .
- the handgrip 130 is connected to the front and rear shells 110 , 120 by an upper handle tube 134 , with the upper handle tube 134 received between each of the front and rear shells 110 , 120 and the 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 .
- the handgrip 130 further comprises a clean solution feed trigger 170 pivotally mounted to and captured between the first and second handgrip pieces 131 , 132 , and an upper cord wrap 136 pivotally mounted to second handgrip piece 132 .
- a trigger 170 is adapted to operatively contact the upper end of an upper clean solution feed rod 172 slidably carried within the upper handle tube 134 and handgrip 130 .
- the rod 172 includes a number of transverse slot apertures 173 adapted to receive a fastener (not shown) for assembly of the handgrip 130 and the upper handle tube 134 .
- the slot aperture 173 and the fastener cooperate to restrict movement of the rod 172 within the range defined by the length of the slot aperture 173 in response to depression of the trigger 170 .
- the 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 .
- the 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 the lower cord wrap 112 when shells 110 , 120 are assembled.
- a strain relief projection 114 is positioned on a side of the shells 110 , 120 below and in alignment with the lower cord wrap 112 .
- the strain relief projection 114 is adapted to receive an electrical cord strain relief 124 for aligning it with the upper and lower cord wraps 136 , 112 . In assembled form, the electrical cord 178 is thus aligned for storage on the cord wraps 136 , 112 .
- the 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 the upper clean solution feed rod 172 and the flow valve switch 164 .
- the 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.
- the 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 .
- 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.
- 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 .
- the liquid supply tank feed valve 152 includes a projection 159 housing a spring-biased plug 155 .
- a ribbed resilient seal 153 surrounds the projection 159 and 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 the plug 155 against its spring-bias, thereby opening the valve 152 .
- a siphon tube 151 is fluidly connected to the liquid supply tank feed valve 152 .
- the siphon tube 151 is adapted to extend toward a bottom portion of a rear face 158 of the tank 140 for fluidly connecting that portion of the tank 140 through the valve 152 to the projection 159 .
- the front surface 157 of tank 140 further includes a vent hole 141 located between the handle 142 and the tank fill opening 144 .
- a pair of opposed parallel liquid supply tank mounting rails 156 is molded into the front surface 157 of the tank 140 and extend from the area above the solution tank feed opening 150 to the liquid supply tank fill opening 144 .
- 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 a nozzle assembly 260 .
- 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 .
- 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 .
- the nozzle assembly 260 comprises a nozzle 262 , a transparent nozzle lens 264 , a spray bar 266 , a brush 268 , and a nozzle gasket 269 .
- 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 268 B extending axially from either end of the brush body 268 A (see FIG. 12 ).
- a resilient clip 261 is located inboard of the alignment device 268 B on each end of the brush body 268 A.
- a plurality of bristle bundles 268 C extend axially from the brush body 268 A in opposition to the resilient clip 261 and the alignment device 268 B.
- the bristle bundles 268 C are arranged in rows transverse to a longitudinal axis of brush 268 .
- Each row of bristle bundles 268 C 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.
- the rows of bristle bundles 268 C are aligned vertically at the center of the brush body 268 A and are canted outwardly at increasing angles from the center to the lateral sides of the brush.
- the upright extractor 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 .
- 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 .
- 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 are also 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 an 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.
- the liquid supply tank 140 is assembled by placing the fill cap/measure 146 and fill cap O-ring 148 into the fill opening 144 , and placing 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 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 .
- the projection 159 is inserted into upper clean solution receiver 160 , with the 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 .
- the tank 140 is further supported by the shelf 121 .
- 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 upright extractor 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 upright extractor 10 .
- the floor-traveling head 200 is assembled in the following fashion.
- the motor/impeller assembly 230 is assembled by attaching 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 .
- a bushing 312 provides a seal at the motor shaft 233 on the 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 the motor 232 to the molded contours 326 of base housing 210 , and held in place by a motor/impeller assembly cover 222 including a plurality of motor inlet vent apertures 223 .
- the base housing 210 includes a plurality of cooling air inlets 325 for passage of cooling air into base housing 210 , through the motor inlet vent apertures 223 and into the motor/impeller assembly 230 , and a motor exhaust 324 for exhaust of cooling air from the motor/impeller assembly 230 beneath base housing 210 and on to the surface to be cleaned.
- the motor cooling impeller 232 A can thus draw cooling air into the motor/impeller assembly 230 through the cooling air inlets 325 in the base housing 210 and the motor inlet vent apertures 223 , and exhaust cooling air through the motor exhaust 324 to exhaust cooling air from base housing 210 .
- the location of the cooling air inlets 325 and the motor exhaust 324 on a lower portion of the base housing 210 rather than on an upper surface of the floor-traveling head 200 , prevents fluids from being spilled into the motor/impeller assembly 230 to the detriment of the motor 232 .
- a detent lever 216 , a detent spring 217 , and a 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 the 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 to the base housing 210 by placing each bushing 70 and collar 126 arrangement in the semi-circular recesses 212 on the exterior sides of the base housing 210 .
- the clean solution feed tube and electrical cord enter the interior of the base housing 210 through the arcuate apertures 128 , and are run in channels 322 in the molded base housing 210 to their respective destinations; the interconnect harness 179 running to the motor 232 and the clean solution feed tube running 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 .
- the upright handle 100 is maintained in a vertical orientation with respect to floor-traveling head 200 by the action of the detent lever 216 preventing the upright handle 100 from rotating in a rearward direction, and by the abutment of upright handle stops 129 to base housing stops 329 in a frontward direction.
- the upright handle stops 129 and the base housing stops 329 further prevent upright handle 100 from rotating forward and bearing against recovery tank assembly 240 .
- 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 the clean solution feed tube 350 , the 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 .
- 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 to secure 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 .
- Assembly of the recovery tank assembly 240 comprises securing the baffle 254 into the upper shell 242 and inserting the tank vent 290 into the tank vent opening 250 .
- the tank vent 290 normally carries a foam type filter for trapping incidental spray from 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 .
- 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 , the vertical passage 251 aligns with the intake port 238 and the impeller shell 236 .
- the recovery tank assembly 240 is secured to the base housing 210 by latches 214 , which provide a downward force on the recovery tank assembly 240 to create a water-tight seal by virtue of the intake port gasket 300 between the vertical passage 251 and intake port 238 , and further creates a water-tight seal by the output port gasket 306 between the second aperture 252 and output port 239 .
- the intake port gasket 300 includes a flap 304 which reduces the area of the intake port 238 , to control the volume of air flow into the motor/impeller assembly 230 and thereby minimize 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 to 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 an interposed gasket 306 for providing a fluid seal between the output port 239 and second aperture 252 .
- 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 .
- the motor/impeller assembly 230 is activated by applying facility power to the motor 232 through the power switch 180 , thus 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 , the vertical passage 251 , the intake port 238 , the impeller shell 236 , the 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 the tank vent 290 .
- the motor 232 has an impeller 232 A that draws cooling air through the cooling air inlets 325 located on the base housing 210 .
- 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.
- 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.
- the suction force provided at the nozzle 262 extracts the solution from the surface to be cleaned, 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.
- the baffle 254 disperses 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.
- 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 .
- the baffle 254 includes outer edge contours 314 for closely conforming to the interior of upper shell 242 , and recesses 316 for attaching the baffle 254 to the upper shell 242 at lugs 317 .
- the dirty solution in the tank is disposed of by removing the recovery tank assembly 240 from the base 210 , inverting the recovery tank assembly 240 and pouring the dirty solution out of the second aperture 252 .
- 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 .
- FIGS. 6-8 illustrate the relationship of the recovery tank assembly 240 with respect to the base housing 210
- 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 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 .
- 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 .
- the 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 .
- the tank vent 290 shown in detail in FIG. 10 , can be 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 .
- An additional feature of the upright extractor 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.
- the bare floor tool 280 is configured so that, when installed in place of the brush 268 , the suction nozzle 262 is aligned with the slit apertures 287 , and the spray bar 266 directs cleaning solution to the surface to be cleaned through the central opening 286 .
- the leading edge of the floor-traveling head 200 applies 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 .
- FIGS. 16-18 An alternative embodiment of a base housing 210 for the upright extractor 10 is shown in FIGS. 16-18 , where like elements are identified with the same reference numeral.
- This embodiment of the base housing 210 is identical to the first embodiment, except that the cooling air exhaust from the motor 232 of the motor/impeller assembly 230 is directed away from the surface to be cleaned.
- the base housing 210 comprises discharge motor exhaust apertures 324 and a motor compartment 327 that receives the motor 232 .
- the motor exhaust apertures 324 direct the motor cooling air exhaust to one or more sides of the motor compartment 327 and into a housing cavity formed between the housing cover 220 and the base housing 210 rather than towards the surface to be cleaned.
- the motor cooling air path is shown by dash-dot-dot-dash arrows in FIG. 18 .
- the motor cooling impeller 232 A draws the motor cooling air through the cooling air inlets 325 , through the motor inlet vent apertures 223 , and over the motor 232 .
- the motor cooling air exhaust exits into the motor compartment 327 and flows through the motor exhaust apertures 324 .
- the motor cooling air exhaust exits the housing cavity through various leak joints around mating surfaces between the housing cover 220 and the base housing 210 .
- most of the motor cooling air exhaust exits at a space between the detent lever 216 and the housing cover 220 .
- the working air path as shown by solid arrows in FIG. 18 , is identical to the working air path of the first embodiment.
- the working air exhaust leaves the upright extractor 10 through the tank vent slots 292 , which are directed away from the surface to be cleaned.
- the exhausting of the motor cooling air and the working air is described as “away from the surface to be cleaned”.
- the term “away” is intended to describe any direction that is not towards the surface to be cleaned.
- “away from the surface to be cleaned” can be a direction opposite of the surface to be cleaned, a direction parallel with the surface to be cleaned, and any direction in between.
- the exhaust In the case of the motor cooling air, the exhaust is contained within the housing cavity rather than being directed towards the surface to be cleaned. When the exhaust exits through the leak points between the base housing 210 and the housing cover 210 , it diffuses outward in various directions away from the surface to be cleaned.
- the location of the motor exhaust apertures 324 shown in FIGS. 16-18 is exemplary; the motor exhaust apertures 324 can be formed in any suitable location in the base housing 210 for directing the motor cooling air exhaust away from the surface to be cleaned.
- FIG. 19 - 21 An alternative upright extractor 10 according to the invention is illustrated in FIG. 19 - 21 , wherein components similar to those of the previous embodiments are identified with the same reference numerals.
- the upright extractor 10 has a liquid supply system for delivering cleaning fluid to the surface to be cleaned and a liquid recovery system for recovering and storing the cleaning fluid from the surface to be cleaned. Except as described below, the upright extractor 10 of this embodiment is described more fully in the U.S. Pat. No. 6,041,473, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirely.
- the upright extractor 10 comprises an upright handle 100 pivotally mounted to a base assembly 200 .
- the upright handle 100 includes a housing 102 formed by a front shell 110 and a rear shell 120 that join at side walls 108 .
- a motor and fan assembly 230 comprising a motor 232 , an impeller 234 , and a motor cooling impeller (not shown) is housed within a lower portion of the housing 102 .
- a working air vent 290 and motor exhaust apertures 324 formed in opposite side walls 108 exhaust working air and motor cooling air, respectively, in a direction away from the surface to be cleaned.
- Motor cooling air enters the housing 102 through cooling air inlets 325 formed in a rear portion thereof.
- the housing 102 further supports a tank assembly 140 for storing cleaning fluid.
- a liquid supply conduit (not shown) fluidly connects the liquid supply tank to a liquid dispenser (not shown) in the base assembly 200 for distributing the cleaning fluid to the surface to be cleaned.
- the base assembly 200 further comprises a recovery tank 240 having an upper shell 242 and a lower shell 256 that define a tank cavity 258 having an inlet at a baffle 340 and an outlet through a standpipe 380 .
- a flexible conduit hose 370 leads from the standpipe 380 to the motor and fan assembly 230 to fluidly communicate the recovery tank cavity 258 with the motor and fan assembly 230 .
- the base assembly 200 further comprises a suction channel cap 248 spaced from the upper shell 242 of the recovery tank 240 to form a suction channel 246 therebetween.
- a nozzle assembly 260 comprises a nozzle 262 and a nozzle lens 264 mounted to the nozzle 262 to form a nozzle opening therebetween in fluid communication with the suction channel 246 .
- the suction channel 246 fluidly communicates the nozzle opening with the recovery tank inlet at the baffle 340 .
- a float assembly 360 disposed inside the recovery tank 240 to selectively close the standpipe 380 when fluid levels in the tank cavity 58 exceed a predetermined threshold.
- cleaning fluid from the tank assembly 140 is delivered to the surface to be cleaned through the liquid supply conduit and the liquid dispenser.
- the impeller 234 of the motor and fan assembly 230 creates a working air flow through a working air conduit, as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 21 .
- Working air is drawn through nozzle opening and through the suction channel 246 , and as the working air transitions from the suction channel 246 to the recovery tank 240 , the working air impinges on the baffle 340 .
- the liquid and dirt separate from the working air and collect in the tank cavity 258 .
- the working air continues to flow through the recovery tank 240 and exits the recovery tank 240 through the standpipe 380 .
- the working air flows through the flexible conduit hose 370 to the motor and fan assembly 230 , where it is exhausted through apertures of the working air vent 290 .
- the working air vent 290 is formed in the side wall 108 , the exhaust is directed away from the surface to be cleaned, even when the upright handle 100 is inclined relative to the base assembly 200 .
- the motor cooling impeller draws air in from the cooling air inlets 235 .
- the cooling air flows over the motor 232 and exits the housing 102 through the motor exhaust apertures 324 .
- the motor exhaust apertures 324 are formed in the side wall 108 so that the motor cooling air exhaust is directed away from the surface to be cleaned.
Abstract
An upright deep cleaner includes a base housing pivotally connected to an upright handle, wherein the base housing supports a recovery tank. A working air path that flows through the recovery tank is exhausted through a vent that is directed away from the surface to be cleaned. Air drawn into a motor and impeller assembly to cool the motor is also ducted away from the surface to be cleaned.
Description
- This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/605,412, filed Sep. 29, 2003, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/064,604, filed Jul. 30, 2002, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/755,724, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,467,122, which claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 60/176,380, filed Jan. 14, 2000.
- This invention relates to a water extraction cleaning machine and, more particularly, an upright water extraction cleaning machine.
- 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., U.S. Pat. No. 4,559,665 to Fitzwater.
- The conventional design of upright extraction cleaners ducts working air exhaust or motor cooling exhaust air, or both, down toward the surface to be cleaned. Examples of such upright extraction cleaners are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,721,990 to Zahuranec et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 6,275,498 to Symensma et al. It is known in the extraction cleaner art that increased cleaning performance is achieved by using heated cleaning solution. Conventional ducting of working air exhaust and motor cooling air exhaust toward the moist surface being cleaned results in a cooling effect of the cleaning solution at the surface without regard to the temperature of the exhaust air, and thereby negatively effects cleaning performance.
- A portable surface cleaning apparatus according to the invention comprises a base housing adapted for movement along a surface to be cleaned; an upright handle pivotally mounted to the base housing; a liquid dispensing system mounted at least in part on one of the base housing and the upright handle and a liquid recovery system. The liquid dispensing system comprises a liquid dispenser for applying liquid to a surface to be cleaned; a liquid supply tank for holding a supply of the liquid; and a liquid supply conduit fluidly connected to the liquid supply tank and to the liquid dispenser for supplying the liquid to the liquid dispenser. The liquid recovery system comprises a recovery tank 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 suction nozzle and through the recovery chamber; a vacuum source mounted in the base or handle in fluid communication with the recovery chamber for generating a flow of working air from the suction nozzle through the working air conduit and through the recovery chamber to thereby draw dirty liquid from the surface to be cleaned through the suction nozzle and working air conduit, and into the recovery chamber to thereby recover the dirty liquid from the surface to be cleaned; and an exhaust vent in communication with working air conduit for exhausting working air from the surface cleaning apparatus. The exhaust vent directs the working air away from the surface to be cleaned.
- The exhaust vent can be positioned in an upper surface of the recovery tank and can be removably mounted to an upper portion of the recovery tank.
- The vacuum source can be in the working air conduit between the suction nozzle and the recovery tank. Alternatively, the vacuum source can be in the working air conduit downstream of the recovery tank. The vacuum source can be mounted in the base housing or, alternatively, in the upright handle.
- The vacuum source can include a motor that is mounted within a portion of the upright handle or the base housing and a cooling air path formed in the portion of the upright handle or the base housing that includes the motor and including an inlet vent at one end and an outlet vent at another end thereof, wherein the motor is between the inlet and outlet vents; and a fan for generating a flow of cooling air through the cooling air path. The outlet vent can be positioned in the upright handle or the base housing to direct the cooling air away from the surface to be cleaned.
- The vacuum source motor can be mounted in the base housing or, alternatively, in the upright handle. The motor can be mounted in a compartment in the base housing. The fan can be mounted to the motor drive shaft.
- The outlet vent can comprise leak joints in the upright handle or the base housing. Alternatively, the outlet vent can comprise apertures that direct the cooling air laterally to one or more sides of the upright handle or the base housing.
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an upright extractor according to the invention. -
FIG. 1A is a side view of the upright extractor ofFIG. 1 with the upright handle in a tilted-back position. -
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an upright handle of the upright extractor ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a rear face of a liquid supply tank of the upright extractor ofFIGS. 1 and 2 . -
FIG. 3A is a side view of the liquid supply tank ofFIG. 3 . -
FIG. 3B is a front view of the liquid supply tank ofFIGS. 3 and 3 A. -
FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional view taken throughline 3C-3C ofFIG. 3B . -
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a floor-traveling head portion of the upright extractor ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 5 is a plan view of a baffle from the upright extractor ofFIG. 4 . -
FIG. 6 is a plan view of the floor-traveling head of the upright extractor ofFIGS. 1-5 . -
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken through lines 7-7 ofFIG. 6 . -
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken through lines 8-8 ofFIG. 6 . -
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a recovery tank from the upright extractor ofFIGS. 1-8 . -
FIG. 9A is a plan view of the recovery collection tank ofFIG. 9 . -
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a tank vent of the upright extractor ofFIGS. 1-9 . -
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a bare floor tool for the upright extractor ofFIGS. 1-10 . -
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a brush for the upright extractor ofFIGS. 1-11 . -
FIG. 13 is an end view of the brush ofFIG. 12 . -
FIG. 14 is a front view of the brush ofFIGS. 12-13 . -
FIG. 15 is a bottom view of the brush ofFIGS. 12-14 . -
FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an alternative base housing for the upright extractor ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a floor-traveling head portion for the upright extractor ofFIG. 1 comprising the alternative base housing ofFIG. 16 . -
FIG. 18 is a combination phantom perspective view of the floor-traveling head portion ofFIG. 17 and partial cross-sectional view taken through line 18-18 ofFIG. 17 showing motor cooling air flow and working air flow through the floor-traveling head portion. -
FIG. 19 is a front perspective view an alternative upright extractor according to the invention. -
FIG. 20 is a rear perspective view the upright extractor ofFIG. 19 . -
FIG. 21 is a partial sectional view taken along line 21-21 ofFIG. 19 . - Referring to
FIG. 1 , anupright extractor 10 according to the invention comprises anupright handle 100 pivotally connected to a floor-travelinghead 200. Theupright extractor 10 is supported on a surface bywheels 272 and anozzle 260 for movement along the surface to be cleaned. - The
upright handle 100 includes ahandle housing 102 comprising front andrear shells handgrip 130, anupper handle tube 134, and aliquid supply tank 140. Anupper cord wrap 136 generally projects from thehandgrip 130, and alower cord wrap 112 generally projects from thehousing 102. - The floor-traveling
head 200 includes abase housing 210 and arecovery tank assembly 240. Therecovery tank assembly 240 is secured to thebase housing 210 bylatches 214. - Referring now to
FIG. 2 , theupright handle 100 comprises afront shell 110, arear shell 120, and ahandgrip 130 comprising first andsecond handgrip pieces handgrip 130 is connected to the front andrear shells upper handle tube 134, with theupper handle tube 134 received between each of the front andrear shells second handgrip pieces upright handle assembly 100 in combination with theliquid supply tank 140. - The
handgrip 130 further comprises a cleansolution feed trigger 170 pivotally mounted to and captured between the first andsecond handgrip pieces upper cord wrap 136 pivotally mounted tosecond handgrip piece 132. Atrigger 170 is adapted to operatively contact the upper end of an upper cleansolution feed rod 172 slidably carried within theupper handle tube 134 andhandgrip 130. Therod 172 includes a number oftransverse slot apertures 173 adapted to receive a fastener (not shown) for assembly of thehandgrip 130 and theupper handle tube 134. Theslot aperture 173 and the fastener cooperate to restrict movement of therod 172 within the range defined by the length of theslot aperture 173 in response to depression of thetrigger 170. Thetrigger 170 preferably includes a mechanical stop to limit depression of thetrigger 170 and therefore movement ofrod 172. Theupper cord wrap 136 is pivotally mounted to thesecond handgrip piece 132, and includes a detent (not shown) for aligning theupper cord wrap 136 in a vertical orientation (seeFIG. 1 ) for holding a coil ofelectrical cord 178 in cooperation with a fixedlower cord wrap 112 molded into front andrear shells - The
upright handle housing 102 includes front andrear shells lower cord wrap 112 is composed of a portion extending from a side of each of the front andrear shells lower cord wrap 112 whenshells strain relief projection 114 is positioned on a side of theshells lower cord wrap 112. Thestrain relief projection 114 is adapted to receive an electricalcord strain relief 124 for aligning it with the upper and lower cord wraps 136, 112. In assembled form, theelectrical cord 178 is thus aligned for storage on the cord wraps 136, 112. - The
rear shell 120 includes apower switch aperture 116 opening to a rear face thereof, and a pair of parallel liquid supplytank guide rails 118 arranged above a liquid supply tank support shelf 121 (seeFIG. 1A ) on a rear face of therear shell 120. Anopening 122 is provided in the liquid supplytank support shelf 121. - Referring to
FIG. 2 , theupright handle 100 further comprises an upperclean solution receiver 160, a lowerclean solution receiver 162, aflow valve switch 164, a flow valve O-ring 166, aflow valve spring 168, and aflow valve washer 169. Theupright handle 100 further comprises a lower cleansolution feed rod 174 for operatively connecting the upper cleansolution feed rod 172 and theflow valve switch 164. - Referring now to
FIGS. 3 and 3 A-C, theliquid supply tank 140 is generally hollow and of a blow-molded construction. Thetank 140 comprises an integrally formedhandle 142, a liquid supplytank fill opening 144, and a liquid supplytank feed opening 150. The liquid supplytank fill opening 144 is located in a central portion on afront surface 157 of thetank 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 thefill opening 144. Intersecting horizontal and vertical indicia filllines 143 at right angles to each other are printed on a side surface of theliquid supply tank 140 between thehandle 142 and thetank feed opening 150 and provide a visual indication to a user of a predetermined tank volume in either an upright or horizontal orientation. The fill cap/measure 146 has aninternal cavity 147 which has a measured volume for a user to measure a predetermined amount of cleaning solution for addition to theliquid supply tank 140 in a predetermined proportion to the predetermined tank volume ofliquid 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 andtank 140 to provide a fluid tight seal. Thetank feed opening 150 protrudes from the bottom oftank 140 and is externally threaded. - A liquid supply
tank feed valve 152 is sized to be received in thetank feed opening 150 and is held in place by a liquid supply tank feedvalve retainer ring 154. The liquid supplytank feed valve 152 includes aprojection 159 housing a spring-biasedplug 155. A ribbedresilient seal 153 surrounds theprojection 159 andribs 149 forming an annular seal about the circumference ofprojection 159 when inserted in a corresponding well in upperclean solution receiver 160. The well of upperclean solution receiver 160 further includes a centered upstanding pin for pushing theplug 155 against its spring-bias, thereby opening thevalve 152. A siphontube 151 is fluidly connected to the liquid supplytank feed valve 152. The siphontube 151 is adapted to extend toward a bottom portion of arear face 158 of thetank 140 for fluidly connecting that portion of thetank 140 through thevalve 152 to theprojection 159. - The
front surface 157 oftank 140 further includes avent hole 141 located between thehandle 142 and thetank fill opening 144. A pair of opposed parallel liquid supplytank mounting rails 156 is molded into thefront surface 157 of thetank 140 and extend from the area above the solutiontank feed opening 150 to the liquid supplytank fill opening 144. - Referring to
FIG. 4 , the floor-travelinghead 200 comprises abase housing 210, ahousing cover 220, a motor/impeller assembly 230, arecovery tank assembly 240, and anozzle assembly 260. - The motor/
impeller assembly 230 comprises amotor 232 having adrive shaft 233, amotor cooling impeller 232A, motor mounts 308, 309, 310, and animpeller 234 carried within a two-piece impeller shell 236. Theimpeller shell 236 includes anintake port 238 havingribs 302 across its opening, and anoutput port 239. Theintake port 238 is provided with anintake port gasket 300, which includes a resilient restrictingflap 304 for covering a portion of theintake port 238. Theoutput port 239 is provided with anoutput port gasket 306. - Referring particularly to
FIGS. 4-10 , therecovery tank assembly 240 comprises a tankupper shell 242 and a tanklower shell 256, abaffle 254, asuction channel cap 248, and atank vent 290. Theshells tank cavity 258. Theupper shell 242 comprises a generally smooth outer surface, except for alongitudinal suction channel 246 on an upper surface of the upper shell 242 (seeFIG. 4 ). An upper end of thesuction channel 246 terminates in avertical passage 251 passing through an extended portion of the material of theupper shell 242 through anoutlet opening 253 but not into thetank cavity 258. Asecond aperture 252 located on a rear portion of theupper shell 242 passes into the cavity 258 (seeFIG. 8 ). A V-shapeddiverter 249 is integrally formed on an inside surface of the tankupper shell 242 in axial alignment with thesecond aperture 252. Opposite thesecond aperture 252 on an upper face of theupper shell 242, atank vent opening 250 is adapted to receive thetank vent 290 that provides further passage into thetank cavity 258. Thetank vent 290 comprisesmultiple slots 292 to permit the passage of air, and is molded to closely fit within thetank vent opening 250 and conform to the outer curvature of the tankupper shell 242. One edge of thetank vent 290 is resilient and includes a finger tab 294 (seeFIGS. 9-10 ). An opposing edge of thetank vent 290 includes a recessedextension 296 that cooperates with the opposing resilient edge to hold thetank vent 290 within theopening 250. - The
nozzle assembly 260 comprises anozzle 262, atransparent nozzle lens 264, aspray bar 266, abrush 268, and anozzle gasket 269. - The
spray bar 266 includes aspray bar cover 267, thespray bar 266 and cover 267 being secured to an inside surface of the front face of thenozzle 262. Thespray bar 266 comprises a single inlet and a plurality of outlets evenly spaced across its length. The inlet is fluidly connected with the upperclean solution receiver 160 via a conduit (not shown). Thebrush 268 removably clips in place on the underside of thenozzle 262 with sufficient clearance such that thebrush 268 floats freely in thenozzle 262. Thebrush 268 comprises avertical alignment device 268B extending axially from either end of thebrush body 268A (seeFIG. 12 ). Aresilient clip 261 is located inboard of thealignment device 268B on each end of thebrush body 268A. A plurality of bristle bundles 268C extend axially from thebrush body 268A in opposition to theresilient clip 261 and thealignment device 268B. The bristle bundles 268C are arranged in rows transverse to a longitudinal axis ofbrush 268. Each row of bristle bundles 268C describes an angle with the vertical centerline of brush 268 (seeFIG. 13 ), with the transverse rows alternating from one side to the other of the longitudinal centerline. In the longitudinal direction (seeFIGS. 14-15 ), the rows of bristle bundles 268C are aligned vertically at the center of thebrush body 268A and are canted outwardly at increasing angles from the center to the lateral sides of the brush. - The
upright extractor 10 is assembled in the following fashion. The upper cleansolution feed rod 172 is inserted in theupper handle tube 134 so that a portion projects above the upper end of thehandle tube 134. The first and secondhand grip pieces upper handle tube 134 and the upper cleanersolution feed rod 172, enclosing thetube 134 androd 172. Further, the cleansolution feed trigger 170 is inserted between the first and secondhand grip pieces handgrip 130 so that one end of thetrigger 170 is aligned against the upper end of the upper cleansolution feed rod 172. Theupper cord wrap 136 is assembled to thesecond handgrip piece 132. - The assembly comprising the
hand grip 130 andtube 134 is then centrally aligned on therear shell 120 of theupright handle 100. The assembly comprising the upperclean solution receiver 160, lowerclean solution receiver 162, flowvalve switch 164, flow valve O-ring 166, flowvalve spring 168 and flowvalve washer 169 are also assembled on a lower portion of therear shell 120, with the lower cleansolution feed rod 174 aligned between theswitch 164 and theupper rod 172. A cleansolution feed tube 350 is attached to an outlet portion on theclean solution receiver 160 and is threaded through the interior of therear shell 120 toward the bottom of theshell 120 for eventual passage to the floor-travelinghead 200. An electricalcord strain relief 124 is oriented axially in a slot 104 in theshells electrical cord 178 extending from the exterior of theshell 120 through thestrain relief 124 into the interior of therear shell 120, and electrically connected with apower switch 180. Aninterconnect harness 179 is connected to thepower switch 180 at one end and is threaded through to the lower portion of therear shell 120 for eventual passage to the floor-travelinghead 200. Thefront shell 110 is then secured over the front of therear shell 120, thefront shell 110 andrear shell 120 mating so as to hold in place those components installed in therear shell 120. Thefront shell 110 and therear shell 120 are typically injection-molded with an internal configuration adapted to receive and hold the various components in place. - The
liquid supply tank 140 is assembled by placing the fill cap/measure 146 and fill cap O-ring 148 into thefill opening 144, and placing thefeed valve 152 with siphontube 151 into thefeed opening 150, thefeed valve 152 being held in place by theretainer ring 156. Theliquid supply tank 140, as assembled, is then mounted on the rear face of therear shell 120 by lowering thetank 140 against the rear face of therear shell 120 and sliding the liquid supplytank mounting rails 156 within liquid supplytank guide rails 118 provided on the rear face of therear shell 120. As theliquid supply tank 140 is lowered againstrear shell 120, theprojection 159 is inserted into upperclean solution receiver 160, with theribs 149 ofseal 153 resiliently compressing against the wall of a receiving well in thereceiver 160. The interaction between thecompressed ribs 149 and the wall creates a resistance against extraction of thevalve 152 fromreceiver 160 and thus resistance against removal oftank 140 fromrear shell 120. Thetank 140 is further supported by theshelf 121. - The assembled upright handle 100 further comprises, on a lower portion of the
rear shell 120, a pair of inwardly directedrimmed collars 126. The center of each of these collars includes anaperture 127 for receipt of apin axle 274 forwheels 272 for theupright extractor 10. Eachcollar 126 further comprises anarcuate aperture 128 for the passage of the cleansolution feed tube 350 on the one hand, and theinterconnect harness 179 on the other hand, from therear shell 120 into the floor-travelinghead 200 of theupright extractor 10. - The floor-traveling
head 200 is assembled in the following fashion. The motor/impeller assembly 230 is assembled by attaching themotor 232 to the rear half of theimpeller shell 236, allowing themotor shaft 233 to pass through a central opening in the rear half of theimpeller shell 236. Theimpeller 234 is secured to themotor shaft 233 via a threaded insert molded intoimpeller 234. Abushing 312 provides a seal at themotor shaft 233 on the rear half ofimpeller shell 236. The front half of theimpeller shell 236 is then mated with the rear half, enclosing theimpeller 234, and with the appropriate seals/bushings in place creating a water-tight enclosure. The motor/impeller assembly 230 is then secured into thebase housing 210 with interposed motor mounts 308, 309, 310 adapting themotor 232 to the moldedcontours 326 ofbase housing 210, and held in place by a motor/impeller assembly cover 222 including a plurality of motorinlet vent apertures 223. Thebase housing 210 includes a plurality of coolingair inlets 325 for passage of cooling air intobase housing 210, through the motorinlet vent apertures 223 and into the motor/impeller assembly 230, and amotor exhaust 324 for exhaust of cooling air from the motor/impeller assembly 230 beneathbase housing 210 and on to the surface to be cleaned. Themotor cooling impeller 232A can thus draw cooling air into the motor/impeller assembly 230 through the coolingair inlets 325 in thebase housing 210 and the motorinlet vent apertures 223, and exhaust cooling air through themotor exhaust 324 to exhaust cooling air frombase housing 210. The location of the coolingair inlets 325 and themotor exhaust 324 on a lower portion of thebase housing 210, rather than on an upper surface of the floor-travelinghead 200, prevents fluids from being spilled into the motor/impeller assembly 230 to the detriment of themotor 232. Adetent lever 216, adetent spring 217, and adetent lever pin 218 are then assembled to a rear portion of thebase housing 210.Bushings 270 are then installed over thecollars 126 of theupright handle 100 and thewheels 272 are secured to thehandle 100 by apin axle 274 andclip 275 through theapertures 127. The completedupright handle assembly 100 is then mated to thebase housing 210 by placing each bushing 70 andcollar 126 arrangement in thesemi-circular recesses 212 on the exterior sides of thebase housing 210. The clean solution feed tube and electrical cord enter the interior of thebase housing 210 through thearcuate apertures 128, and are run inchannels 322 in the moldedbase housing 210 to their respective destinations; theinterconnect harness 179 running to themotor 232 and the clean solution feed tube running to the front portion of thebase housing 210 for attachment to thenozzle assembly 260. Thehousing cover 220 is then attached to thebase housing 210, thecover 220 comprising among other elementssemi-circular recesses 224 on its exterior sides, aligned with the semi-circular recesses of thebase housing 220, to encompass the upper half of thecollar 126 andbushing 270 of theupright handle 100, thereby pivotally mounting theupright handle 100 to the floor-travelinghead 200. Theupright handle 100 is maintained in a vertical orientation with respect to floor-travelinghead 200 by the action of thedetent lever 216 preventing the upright handle 100 from rotating in a rearward direction, and by the abutment of upright handle stops 129 to base housing stops 329 in a frontward direction. The upright handle stops 129 and the base housing stops 329 further prevent upright handle 100 from rotating forward and bearing againstrecovery tank assembly 240. - The
nozzle assembly 260 is then assembled to the front portion of thebase housing 210, thenozzle 262 carrying on an underside thereof thespray bar 266, fluidly connected to the cleansolution feed tube 350, thespray bar cover 267, and thebrush 268. Thenozzle lens 264 is mounted to the front of thenozzle 262, forming a portion of a suction channel between thenozzle lens 264 and thenozzle 262. A front portion of thebase housing 210 and the rear portion of thenozzle 262 are molded with a channel for the passage of the cleansolution feed tube 350 to thespray bar 266. Thebrush 268 fastens in a removable fashion to the underside of thenozzle 262 by the insertion of integrally moldedresilient clips 261 throughapertures 263 provided in thenozzle 262. Thenozzle gasket 269 nests in a recess formed in an upper portion of the assemblednozzle 262 andnozzle lens 264. - The
base housing 210 further comprises a pair of opposing fold-overlatches 214 withover-center links 215 for aligning withcatches 318 on the sides of thetank assembly 240 to secure thetank assembly 240 to thebase housing 210. The floor-travelinghead 200 is now ready to receive the removablerecovery tank assembly 240. - Assembly of the
recovery tank assembly 240 comprises securing thebaffle 254 into theupper shell 242 and inserting thetank vent 290 into thetank vent opening 250. Thetank vent 290 normally carries a foam type filter for trapping incidental spray from the tank and to reduce noise generated by the unit. Theupper shell 242 is then assembled to the tanklower shell 256 in a sealed fashion to create a water-tight receptacle. The tanklower shell 256 is molded and contoured 320 to nest within thebase housing 210. Theupper shell 242 is further completed by the attachment of thesuction channel cap 248 over thesuction channel 246. When therecovery tank assembly 240 is placed within thebase housing 210, thesuction channel 246 created between theupper shell 242 and thesuction channel cap 248 aligns with the suction channel formed between thenozzle 262 andnozzle lens 264, thenozzle gasket 269 providing for a continuous water-tight channel. Therecovery tank assembly 240 further comprises, in theupper shell 242, avertical passage 251 contiguous with thesuction channel 246. With therecovery tank assembly 240 secured in place on the floor-travelinghead 200, thevertical passage 251 aligns with theintake port 238 and theimpeller shell 236. Therecovery tank assembly 240 is secured to thebase housing 210 bylatches 214, which provide a downward force on therecovery tank assembly 240 to create a water-tight seal by virtue of theintake port gasket 300 between thevertical passage 251 andintake port 238, and further creates a water-tight seal by theoutput port gasket 306 between thesecond aperture 252 andoutput port 239. Theintake port gasket 300 includes aflap 304 which reduces the area of theintake port 238, to control the volume of air flow into the motor/impeller assembly 230 and thereby minimize the amount of air introduced into the solution. Theintake port 238 comprises a conduit with a number ofribs 302 for limiting the debris contained in the flow that passes into theimpeller shell 236. Thesuction channel 246 is therefore fluidly connected to theintake port 238 of theimpeller shell 236. Theupper shell 242 further comprises asecond aperture 252 on a rear portion thereof providing a fluid connection between thetank cavity 258 and theoutput port 239 of theimpeller shell 236 with an interposedgasket 306 for providing a fluid seal between theoutput port 239 andsecond aperture 252. As described above, thevertical passage 251 is fluidly isolated from thetank cavity 258, but, when connected to theintake port 238, is fluidly connected to thetank cavity 258 through theimpeller shell 236 andoutput port 239. - In operation, the motor/
impeller assembly 230 is activated by applying facility power to themotor 232 through thepower switch 180, thus creating a suction force at theintake port 238 of theimpeller shell 236. This suction force is fluidly connected from theintake port 238 through thesuction channel 246 to the portion of thenozzle 262 adjacent to the surface to be cleaned. The circuit of dirty fluid flow runs from the opening of thesuction nozzle 262 to thetank cavity 258 through thesuction channel 246, thevertical passage 251, theintake port 238, theimpeller shell 236, theoutput port 239, and through thesecond aperture 252 on the rear of theupper shell 242. The flow of dirty solution can be observed by the user through the see-throughnozzle lens 264. Dirty water is deposited in thetank cavity 258, with waste air vented from thetank cavity 258 through thetank vent 290. Themotor 232 has animpeller 232A that draws cooling air through the coolingair inlets 325 located on thebase housing 210. - 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 cleansolution feed rods flow valve switch 164. The upperclean solution receiver 160 receives theprojection 159 of the liquid supplytank feed valve 152 through anopening 122 provided in the in therear shell 120 of theupright handle 100. Clean solution contained in theliquid supply tank 150 is gravity-fed into theclean solution receiver flow valve switch 164 is depressed. Upon depression of theflow valve switch 164, the clean solution flows from theclean solution receiver solution feed tube 350 to thespray bar 266 where it continues to flow by gravity to the surface to be cleaned. - The suction force provided at the
nozzle 262 extracts the solution from the surface to be cleaned, now considered a dirty solution, through thesuction channel 246 and into theimpeller shell 236. The dirty solution is then expelled from theimpeller shell 236 through theoutput port 239 and into theupper shell 242 anddiverter 249 of therecovery tank assembly 240. The dirty solution is directed downwardly into thetank cavity 258 by impinging upon the inner face of theupper 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 therecovery tank assembly 240 through thetank vent 290. The foam-type filter carried by thetank vent 290, as stated above, captures incident water spray, preventing it from passing through thetank vent 290 and reducing noise from the motor assembly. - The
baffle 254 disperses the flow of dirty solution into therecovery tank assembly 240. By dispersing the flow, thebaffle 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. - Referring to
FIG. 5 , the openings in thebaffle 254 are graduated, withsmaller slots 255 adjacent thesecond aperture 252 serving to more effectively disperse the force of the solution expelled into the tank, andlarger openings 257, remote from thesecond aperture 252 but adjacent thevent opening 250. Thebaffle 254 includesouter edge contours 314 for closely conforming to the interior ofupper shell 242, and recesses 316 for attaching thebaffle 254 to theupper shell 242 atlugs 317. When therecovery tank assembly 240 reaches its capacity of dirty solution, therecovery tank assembly 240 can be removed from thebase housing 210 by unlocking thelatches 214. The dirty solution in the tank is disposed of by removing therecovery tank assembly 240 from thebase 210, inverting therecovery tank assembly 240 and pouring the dirty solution out of thesecond aperture 252. Alternatively, the dirty solution is disposed of by removing thetank vent 290 and pouring the dirty solution out through thetank vent opening 250. Thelarger baffle openings 257 adjacent the tank vent opening 250 make it easier to empty therecovery tank assembly 240. -
FIGS. 6-8 illustrate the relationship of therecovery tank assembly 240 with respect to thebase housing 210, and the cross-sectional view ofFIG. 7 illustrates thesuction channel 246 passing from thenozzle 262 through thesuction channel 246 of theupper shell 242 and into theintake port 238 of theimpeller shell 236.FIG. 8 illustrates the relationship of theoutput port 239 of theimpeller shell 236 to thesecond aperture 252 in theupper shell 242 above thebaffle 254. The arrows indicate the direction of airflow in bothFIGS. 7-8 . -
FIG. 9 provides another view of thetank assembly 240 showing the relationship of thebaffle 254 andtank vent 290, as well as thesecond aperture 252 in theupper shell 242 which fluidly connects with theoutput port 239 of theimpeller shell 236. Thediverter 249 is also shown in its relationship to thesecond aperture 252 here and inFIG. 9A , a plan view of theupper shell 242. - The
tank vent 290, shown in detail inFIG. 10 , can be removed from the tank vent opening 250 by applying pressure to thefinger tab 294, pulling the edge of thevent 290 away from the edge of thetank opening 250 and relieving the friction between thevent 290 and theopening 250. Thevent 290 can then be removed by grasping thefinger tab 294 and rotating thevent 290 about the opposingextension 296. - An additional feature of the
upright extractor 10 according to the invention is abare floor tool 280 shown in perspective inFIG. 11 . Thebare floor tool 280 is generally rectangular in plan view and removably clips in place on the underside of thenozzle 262, in place of thebrush 268. Thebare floor tool 280 includes a pair of resilient moldedclips 288 for insertion in thesame apertures 263 of thenozzle 262 that receive theclips 261 of thebrush 268. Thebare floor tool 280 comprises a reinforcedsponge 284, parallel to and between asqueegee 282 located along the front edge, and a plurality ofbristles 285 located along a back edge. Between thesqueegee 282 and thesponge 284 lies a line ofslit apertures 287 and an elongatecentral opening 286. Thebare floor tool 280 is configured so that, when installed in place of thebrush 268, thesuction nozzle 262 is aligned with theslit apertures 287, and thespray bar 266 directs cleaning solution to the surface to be cleaned through thecentral opening 286. The leading edge of the floor-travelinghead 200 applies asqueegee 282 against the floor, followed by theslit apertures 287 withnozzle 262 therein,spray bar 266 within thecentral opening 286, thesponge 284 somewhat compressed against the floor, and thebrush 285 in operative contact with the floor. Thebrush 285 provides a scrubbing action on the bare floor, thesponge 284 serving the purpose of even fluid distribution and some degree of scrubbing, and thesqueegee 282 scraping water from the surface to be extracted by thenozzle 262. The extension of thesqueegee 282,sponge 284, andbrush 285 beyond the face of theopening 286 and in contact with the floor, prevent thenozzle 262 from contacting and scratching, or being damaged by, the bare floor. - An alternative embodiment of a
base housing 210 for theupright extractor 10 is shown inFIGS. 16-18 , where like elements are identified with the same reference numeral. This embodiment of thebase housing 210 is identical to the first embodiment, except that the cooling air exhaust from themotor 232 of the motor/impeller assembly 230 is directed away from the surface to be cleaned. Thebase housing 210 comprises dischargemotor exhaust apertures 324 and amotor compartment 327 that receives themotor 232. In contrast to the firstembodiment base housing 210, themotor exhaust apertures 324 direct the motor cooling air exhaust to one or more sides of themotor compartment 327 and into a housing cavity formed between thehousing cover 220 and thebase housing 210 rather than towards the surface to be cleaned. The motor cooling air path is shown by dash-dot-dot-dash arrows inFIG. 18 . During operation of theupright extractor 10, themotor cooling impeller 232A draws the motor cooling air through the coolingair inlets 325, through the motorinlet vent apertures 223, and over themotor 232. The motor cooling air exhaust exits into themotor compartment 327 and flows through themotor exhaust apertures 324. Thereafter, the motor cooling air exhaust exits the housing cavity through various leak joints around mating surfaces between thehousing cover 220 and thebase housing 210. Preferably, most of the motor cooling air exhaust exits at a space between thedetent lever 216 and thehousing cover 220. The working air path, as shown by solid arrows inFIG. 18 , is identical to the working air path of the first embodiment. The working air exhaust leaves theupright extractor 10 through thetank vent slots 292, which are directed away from the surface to be cleaned. - In the previous paragraph, the exhausting of the motor cooling air and the working air is described as “away from the surface to be cleaned”. The term “away” is intended to describe any direction that is not towards the surface to be cleaned. Hence, “away from the surface to be cleaned” can be a direction opposite of the surface to be cleaned, a direction parallel with the surface to be cleaned, and any direction in between. By directing the motor cooling air exhaust and the working air exhaust in a direction other than towards the surface to be cleaned, surface cooling is avoided.
- In the case of the motor cooling air, the exhaust is contained within the housing cavity rather than being directed towards the surface to be cleaned. When the exhaust exits through the leak points between the
base housing 210 and thehousing cover 210, it diffuses outward in various directions away from the surface to be cleaned. The location of themotor exhaust apertures 324 shown inFIGS. 16-18 is exemplary; themotor exhaust apertures 324 can be formed in any suitable location in thebase housing 210 for directing the motor cooling air exhaust away from the surface to be cleaned. - An
alternative upright extractor 10 according to the invention is illustrated in FIG. 19-21, wherein components similar to those of the previous embodiments are identified with the same reference numerals. As in the previous embodiments, theupright extractor 10 has a liquid supply system for delivering cleaning fluid to the surface to be cleaned and a liquid recovery system for recovering and storing the cleaning fluid from the surface to be cleaned. Except as described below, theupright extractor 10 of this embodiment is described more fully in the U.S. Pat. No. 6,041,473, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirely. - The
upright extractor 10 comprises anupright handle 100 pivotally mounted to abase assembly 200. Theupright handle 100 includes ahousing 102 formed by afront shell 110 and arear shell 120 that join atside walls 108. A motor andfan assembly 230 comprising amotor 232, animpeller 234, and a motor cooling impeller (not shown) is housed within a lower portion of thehousing 102. A workingair vent 290 andmotor exhaust apertures 324 formed inopposite side walls 108 exhaust working air and motor cooling air, respectively, in a direction away from the surface to be cleaned. Motor cooling air enters thehousing 102 through coolingair inlets 325 formed in a rear portion thereof. - The
housing 102 further supports atank assembly 140 for storing cleaning fluid. A liquid supply conduit (not shown) fluidly connects the liquid supply tank to a liquid dispenser (not shown) in thebase assembly 200 for distributing the cleaning fluid to the surface to be cleaned. - The
base assembly 200 further comprises arecovery tank 240 having anupper shell 242 and alower shell 256 that define atank cavity 258 having an inlet at abaffle 340 and an outlet through astandpipe 380. Aflexible conduit hose 370 leads from thestandpipe 380 to the motor andfan assembly 230 to fluidly communicate therecovery tank cavity 258 with the motor andfan assembly 230. Thebase assembly 200 further comprises asuction channel cap 248 spaced from theupper shell 242 of therecovery tank 240 to form asuction channel 246 therebetween. Anozzle assembly 260 comprises anozzle 262 and anozzle lens 264 mounted to thenozzle 262 to form a nozzle opening therebetween in fluid communication with thesuction channel 246. Hence, thesuction channel 246 fluidly communicates the nozzle opening with the recovery tank inlet at thebaffle 340. Afloat assembly 360 disposed inside therecovery tank 240 to selectively close thestandpipe 380 when fluid levels in the tank cavity 58 exceed a predetermined threshold. - In operation, cleaning fluid from the
tank assembly 140 is delivered to the surface to be cleaned through the liquid supply conduit and the liquid dispenser. To recovery dirty liquid from the surface to be cleaned, theimpeller 234 of the motor andfan assembly 230 creates a working air flow through a working air conduit, as indicated by the arrows inFIG. 21 . Working air is drawn through nozzle opening and through thesuction channel 246, and as the working air transitions from thesuction channel 246 to therecovery tank 240, the working air impinges on thebaffle 340. Here, the liquid and dirt separate from the working air and collect in thetank cavity 258. The working air continues to flow through therecovery tank 240 and exits therecovery tank 240 through thestandpipe 380. Thereafter, the working air flows through theflexible conduit hose 370 to the motor andfan assembly 230, where it is exhausted through apertures of the workingair vent 290. Because the workingair vent 290 is formed in theside wall 108, the exhaust is directed away from the surface to be cleaned, even when theupright handle 100 is inclined relative to thebase assembly 200. To cool themotor 232, the motor cooling impeller draws air in from the cooling air inlets 235. The cooling air flows over themotor 232 and exits thehousing 102 through themotor exhaust apertures 324. As with the workingair vent 290, themotor exhaust apertures 324 are formed in theside wall 108 so that the motor cooling air exhaust is directed away from the surface to be cleaned. - 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.
Claims (15)
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 housing;
a liquid dispensing system mounted at least in part on one of the base housing and the upright handle and comprising:
a liquid dispenser for applying liquid to a surface to be cleaned;
a liquid supply tank for holding a supply of the liquid; and
a liquid supply conduit fluidly connected to the liquid supply tank and to the liquid dispenser for supplying the liquid to the liquid dispenser; and
a liquid recovery system comprising:
a recovery tank 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 suction nozzle and through the recovery chamber;
a vacuum source mounted in the base or handle in fluid communication with the recovery chamber for generating a flow of working air from the suction nozzle through the working air conduit and through the recovery chamber to thereby draw dirty liquid from the surface to be cleaned through the suction nozzle and working air conduit, and into the recovery chamber to thereby recover the dirty liquid from the surface to be cleaned; and
an exhaust vent in communication with working air conduit for exhausting working air from the surface cleaning apparatus;
wherein the exhaust vent directs the working air away from the surface to be cleaned.
2. The portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the exhaust vent is positioned in an upper surface of the recovery tank.
3. The portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the exhaust vent is removably mounted to an upper portion of the recovery tank.
4. The portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the vacuum source is in the working air conduit between the suction nozzle and the recovery tank.
5. The portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the vacuum source is in the working air conduit between the suction nozzle and the recovery tank.
6. The portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the vacuum source is in the working air conduit downstream of the recovery tank.
7. The portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the vacuum source is mounted in the base housing.
8. The portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the vacuum source is mounted in the upright handle.
9. The portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 1 wherein:
the vacuum source includes a motor that is mounted within a portion of the upright handle or the base housing;
a cooling air path formed in the portion of the upright handle or the base housing that includes the motor and including an inlet vent at one end and an outlet vent at another end thereof, wherein the motor is between the inlet and outlet vents;
a fan for generating a flow of cooling air through the cooling air path;
wherein the outlet vent is positioned in the upright handle or the base housing to direct the cooling air away from the surface to be cleaned.
10. The portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the vacuum source motor is mounted in the base housing.
11. The portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the vacuum source motor is mounted in the upright handle.
12. The portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the outlet vent comprises leak joints in the upright handle or the base housing.
13. The portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the motor is mounted in a compartment in the base housing.
14. The portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the outlet vent comprises apertures that direct the cooling air laterally to one or more sides of the upright handle or the base housing.
15. The portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the fan is mounted to the motor drive shaft.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/710,791 US20050050671A1 (en) | 2000-01-14 | 2004-08-03 | Extraction cleaner exhaust ducting |
Applications Claiming Priority (5)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US17638000P | 2000-01-14 | 2000-01-14 | |
US09/755,724 US6467122B2 (en) | 2000-01-14 | 2001-01-05 | Deep cleaner with tool mount |
US10/064,604 US6658692B2 (en) | 2000-01-14 | 2002-09-12 | Small area deep cleaner |
US10/605,412 US20040111821A1 (en) | 2000-01-14 | 2003-09-29 | Small area deep cleaner |
US10/710,791 US20050050671A1 (en) | 2000-01-14 | 2004-08-03 | Extraction cleaner exhaust ducting |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/605,412 Continuation-In-Part US20040111821A1 (en) | 2000-01-14 | 2003-09-29 | Small area deep cleaner |
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US20050050671A1 true US20050050671A1 (en) | 2005-03-10 |
Family
ID=46302476
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/710,791 Abandoned US20050050671A1 (en) | 2000-01-14 | 2004-08-03 | Extraction cleaner exhaust ducting |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US20050050671A1 (en) |
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CN100376188C (en) * | 2006-02-08 | 2008-03-26 | 泰怡凯电器(苏州)有限公司 | Detachable wet type cleaning device |
CN100382735C (en) * | 2006-05-19 | 2008-04-23 | 泰怡凯电器(苏州)有限公司 | Wet-type cleaner capable of changing power |
CN100384359C (en) * | 2006-01-25 | 2008-04-30 | 泰怡凯电器(苏州)有限公司 | Wet type cleaning device |
CN103654631A (en) * | 2012-08-29 | 2014-03-26 | 碧洁家庭护理有限公司 | Extraction cleaner with heat transfer for cleaning floor surface |
WO2015138053A1 (en) * | 2014-03-12 | 2015-09-17 | Techtronic Industries Co. Ltd. | Extractor cleaning machine |
USD762992S1 (en) | 2014-10-20 | 2016-08-09 | The Kirby Company / Scott Fetzer Company | Textile with pattern |
USD780390S1 (en) | 2014-10-20 | 2017-02-28 | The Kirby Company/Scott Fetzer Company | Handle for a surface-treatment apparatus |
USD789632S1 (en) | 2014-10-20 | 2017-06-13 | The Kirby Company/Scott Fetzer Company | Surface-treatment apparatus |
US9713411B2 (en) | 2014-10-20 | 2017-07-25 | The Kirby Company / Scott Fetzer Company | Surface-treatment apparatus and head unit |
CN114376470A (en) * | 2021-09-01 | 2022-04-22 | 北京顺造科技有限公司 | Surface cleaning apparatus |
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CN100384359C (en) * | 2006-01-25 | 2008-04-30 | 泰怡凯电器(苏州)有限公司 | Wet type cleaning device |
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CN103654631A (en) * | 2012-08-29 | 2014-03-26 | 碧洁家庭护理有限公司 | Extraction cleaner with heat transfer for cleaning floor surface |
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