Abstract:
A fabric steam pocket attachment for a steam cleaner having a replaceable fabric pocket that fits snugly over a flat frame having an interior steam nozzle is provided. The frame includes two arms extending outwardly from a base with inwardly projecting fingers to form a rectangular shape. The arms are biased outwardly and may be pressed towards each other to allow for easy placement of the steam pocket on the frame.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention relates generally to a fabric steam pocket, and more particularly to a fabric steam pocket attachment for use with a steam cleaner. 
   Steaming devices used to apply steam to household objects are well known. The uses of the devices vary widely, and may include the application of steam to drapes or other fabrics to ease wrinkles, and the application of steam to objects to assist in cleaning the objects. 
   Typical steam devices have a reservoir for storing water with a heating element to heat the water. The heated water generates steam, which may be directed towards its intended destination through a nozzle which controls the application of the steam. Variation of the shape and size of the nozzle allows for preferred distribution of generated steam to an object to be cleaned. The nozzles may be disconnectable from the steam generator to allow different nozzles to be utilized, based on the object to be steamed. The nozzle may be either closely coupled to the steam generator, or located at a distance from the steam generator, requiring tubing or other steam transfer structures to be interconnected between the steam generator and the discharge nozzle. Typically, it is beneficial to provide suitable connectors between the steam generator and the nozzle to allow either the nozzle to be connected to the steam generator, or to allow the interpositioning of transfer tubes or hoses between the steam generator and the nozzle. 
   In general, the nozzles used with the steam cleaners do not have large surface areas and a cloth to absorb the liquid condensate of the steam. In order to increase the cleaning surface area, a flat fabric piece is folded around a flat brush or nozzle. The folded fabric on top of the brush or nozzle is secured by a clip on top of the piece. Often steam injected behind the cloth passes through the cloth at the points the bristles contact on the cloth. This tends to wet the cloth and reduce the cleaning effectiveness of the steam. In addition, the cloth covers must be carefully attached not to cover the front or back of the brush attachment. 
   Notwithstanding the wide variety of steam generating appliances available, there exists the need to provide an easy to install attachment for use with a steam cleaner. That will effectively improve the effective steaming surface area of the steam cleaners. It is desirable to provide this device with the ability for a user to clean a larger surface area easily without worrying about wiping up the liquid condensate of the steam when cleaning flooring, furniture and other household items. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Generally speaking, in accordance with the invention, a fabric steam pocket attachment suitable for cleaning large surface areas for use with steam cleaner is provided. A steam generating device includes a water reservoir with a heating element for generating steam that is transferred through a hose to a hand grip with a valve for regulating the amount of steam fed to a rigid pipe or nozzle. The fabric steam pocket attachment includes a back frame or base pivotally connected to the steamer pipe. A pair of opposed side arms extended outwardly from the base on opposed end with inwardly projecting fingers facing each other, but not meeting. The arms are mounted at right angles to the base and may be flexed inwardly to install the fabric steam pocket over the extending arms. The pocket is two layers of fabric joined at three edges with fasteners at the open edge for fastening the pocket over the base of the frame. 
   A steam nozzle is mounted to the base of the attachment and is operatively connected to the steam cleaner outlet pipe. When steam is injected into the pocket, the entire surface area of the fabric may be used to steam clean a surface. 
   Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a fabric steam pocket attachment to provide increased steam cleaning surface area. 
   Another object of the invention is to provide a fabric steam pocket that is easily mounted on an attachment for a steam cleaner. 
   A further object of the invention is to provide a steam cleaning attachment with a fabric cover that does not allow steam to escape at points of contact with brush bristles. 
   Yet another object of the invention is a fabric steam pocket that can be used for dual side cleaning. 
   Still other objects and advantages of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part be apparent from the specification. 
   The invention accordingly comprises a product possessing the features, properties, and the relation of components which will be exemplified in the product hereinafter described, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference is made to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing(s), in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a user cleaning a floor with a portable steam cleaning device including a fabric steam pocket attachment constructed and arranged in accordance with the invention; 
       FIG. 2   a  is a perspective view of the fabric steam pocket attachment for use with a steam cleaner of the type shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 2   b  is a perspective view of a steam pocket fabric cover for use with the steam pocket attachment of  FIG. 2   a;    
       FIG. 2   c  is a perspective view of a rigid pipe suitable for us with the steam cleaner of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view showing how a fabric steam pocket is mounted onto the attachment of  FIG. 2   a;    
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a steam pocket being attached to the steam pocket attachment constructed and arranged in accordance with the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a user  10  using a steam cleaning device  11  including a main body  12  and a steam release hand grip  13  coupled to main body  12  by a flexible hose  14  and a steam outlet  15 . A rigid pipe  16  is mounted on the distal nozzle end of hand grip  13 . A fabric steam pocket attachment  17  constructed and arranged in accordance with the invention is mounted on the distal end of the rigid pipe  16 . Fabric steam pocket attachment  17  is rectangular in shape and includes a pivotable hole steam inlet coupling  18  at the back edge or proximal end. A steam outlet  19  shown in  FIG. 2   a  dispenses a steam into a steam pocket fabric  22  which covers a steam pocket frame  31  on the front or distal side of fabric steam pocket attachment  17 . 
   Steam inlet  18  has the same configuration as outlet  15  to rigid pipe  16 . This allows for installation of the different attachments to steam release hand grip  13  of steam cleaner  11 , such as brushes and nozzles. 
   Main body  12  of steam cleaning device  11  includes a water inlet  23  and an internal water reservoir with heating elements connected to a power source by a power cord  20 . Steam generated in reservoir  24  exits by steam outlet  15  through flexible hose  14  coupled thereto. Main body  12  is outfitted with a handle  25  and a strap  26  to allow user t 10  to lift and carry main body  12 . Conveniently, main body  12  also includes an on/off switch  27  and an indicator light  28  to indicate when steam temperature is appropriate for use. 
   Once water has been heated sufficiently to generate steam within main body  12 , user  10  may selectively release steam by operation of hand grip  13 . Hand grip  13  has a distal outlet end  30  for securing rigid pipe, or additional attachments, such as brushes or nozzles. 
     FIG. 2   a  is a perspective view of a rectangular frame  31  of fabric steam pocket attachment  17 . Frame  31  has a back or proximal elongated base  32  with steam inlet  18  connected thereto. A pair of opposed a biased arms  33  and  34 , each having an inwardly facing finger  33   a  and  34   a , respectively, to the rectangular frame  31 . Each arm  33  and  34  pivots inwardly by springs to allow steam pocket fabric  22  to be slipped onto frame  31 . Referring now to  FIG. 4 , the construction of steam pocket  22  is shown in detail. In the illustrated embodiment, steam pocket  22  is a cloth or towel. It may be formed of any suitable fabric such as cotton or a synthetic fabric, such as polyester or polyolefin fiber. Preferably, the fabric of pocket  22  is a microfiber. Most preferably, the microfiber is a synthetic polyester microfiber. 
   Steam pocket  22  is configured to slip over frame  31 . In this respect, it is formed of a first layer  22   a  and an opposed second layer  22   b , each having a rectangular shape with two opposed long edges  22   c  and  22   d  and two opposed short sides  22   e  and  22   f  as shown in  FIG. 2   b . Short edges  22   e  and  22   f  and one long side  22   c  are stitched to form pocket  22 . 
   A pair of straps  36  and  37  are mounted on open side of the steam pocket  22 . In the preferred embodiment, fasteners  36  and  37  are Velcro-type fasteners. Alternatively, straps  36  and  37  may include buttons or snaps. In each case, straps  36  and  37  are placed over base  32  and secured to hold pocket  22  in place when used to clean a floor or other surface. 
   Inlet coupling  18  attached to fabric steam pocket attachment  17  may be rotated so user  10  may use both sides of steam pocket fabric  22  without having to reinstall steam pocket  22 . This extends the time steam pocket  22  may be used without having to rinse and reinstall it. 
   A fabric steam pocket attachment  17  with a steamed pocket fabric cover  22  in accordance with the invention provides a vast improvement over placing a towel onto a bristle attachment for a steam cleaner. It avoids puncture of the cloth by the bristles and provides twice the cleaning surface. Moreover, the fabric cover is easily installed and replaced. 
   It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above product without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. 
   It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween. 
   The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes of the invention. Accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than the foregoing specification, as indicating the scope of the invention. A fabric steam pocket attachment with a fabric pocket cover in accordance with the invention provides a vast improvement over placing a towel onto a bristle attachment for a steam cleaned. It avoids puncture of the cloth by the bristles and provide twice the cleaning surface. Moreover, the fabric cover is easily installed and replaced.