Abstract:
A steam appliance having a water pump controlled by a motion switch response to movement of the appliance is provided. In one embodiment, a micro-switch is turned ON and OFF by movement of a micro-switch actuator in operative engagement with the towel frame at the base if the appliance. In another embodiment, the actuator is operatively connected to a mechanical pump to activate the pump. The motor switch or actuator will be displaced whenever the unit is moved by a user, thus causing the pump to pump water to the boiler. Steam is then fed to a steam pad that may have a replaceable fabric pad fit snugly on the frame to distribute clean steam to a surface to be steamed.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is based on and claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 61/114,269 filed on Nov. 13, 2008, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates generally to a steam appliance, and more particularly to a steam appliance including a water pump and motion switch that is user actuated by movement of the appliance to pump water from a reservoir to a boiler for generating steam. 
         [0003]    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 various objects and surfaces. 
         [0004]    In general, nozzles used with the steam appliances do not have large surface areas and a cloth or fabric pad is placed over a steam frame to provide a steaming or cleaning surface. The fabric pad may have Velcro strips to secure to cleats on the nozzle. Alternatively, a fabric steam pocket may be placed around a flat frame with baffles in order to increase the cleaning surface area. 
         [0005]    Recently steam appliances have been developed where water is pumped from a reservoir to a boiler by the push-pull movement of the appliance handle. This actuates a bellows pump or piston pump operatively connected directly to the handle. These features are shown and described in parent applications Ser. No. 11/496,143 and No. 11/769,525, the contents of which are incorporated here by reference in their entirety. 
         [0006]    Notwithstanding the wide variety of steam appliances available remains desirable to provide additional steam products having improved ease of use and ways to pump water from the reservoir to the steam boiler. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    Generally speaking, in accordance with the invention, a steam appliance having a water pump for selectively pumping water from a reservoir to a boiler for generation of steam in response to a user action is provided. The user actuates the pump by movement of the appliance to activate a motion switch or micro-switch, in response to either a forward movement, a downward pressure or a backward movement. The steam appliance includes a housing with a user handle and a towel frame or cleaning pad where the generated steam is distributed for steaming. Water is pumped by an electric pump, a mechanical or systolic pump closing a motion switch timer or circuit, or by mechanical movement of a pump piston or wheel. A steam frame for distributing steam generated in the boiler may be connected to the base of the appliance, such as a steam mop, steam brush, or steam iron. A fabric steam pad is mounted on the steam frame to distribute steam to the fabric to provide an improved steaming surface. 
         [0008]    Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved steam appliance. 
         [0009]    Another object of the invention is to provide a steam appliance that pumps water to a steam generator in response to movement of the appliance. 
         [0010]    A further object of the invention is to provide an improved steam appliance wherein movement of the appliance actuates a motion switch to cause water to be pumped from a reservoir to a boiler. 
         [0011]    Yet another object of the invention is to provide a steam appliance with an electrical pump that is actuated by a motion switch when the appliance is moved during use. 
         [0012]    Yet another Still another object of the invention is to provide a steam appliance with a mechanical pump activated by a motor to pump water to a steam generator in response to movement of a pump actuator. 
         [0013]    Still other objects and advantages of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part be apparent from the specification. 
         [0014]    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 
         [0015]    For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference is made to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing(s), in which: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a steam mop with motion switch constructed and arranged in accordance with the invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a front elevational view of the elements in the mop housing of  FIG. 1  showing a reservoir, an electric pump with motion switch and a boiler; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a front elevational view of the mop housing of  FIG. 2  in section showing connections for the reservoir, pump and boiler and steam mop frame in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a schematic view of a steam appliance with an electrical pump and motion switch actuator positioned behind a handle lever in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a schematic view of a steam appliance with an electrical pump in section with a handle having a pump button and a steam cleaning pad attached to two steam frame supports with one support operatively connected to a motion switch in accordance with another embodiment of the invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a schematic view of a steam appliance with an electrical pump in section with a handle and a steam cleaning pad attached to two steam frame supports with one support operatively connected to a motion switch in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is a timer circuit for use with motion switches for steam appliances in accordance with the invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 8A  is a plan view of a rectangular etching pattern for a motion detector switch for use in a steam appliance and  FIG. 8B  is an elevational view of the motion switch; and 
           [0024]      FIG. 9A  is a plan view of a circular etching pattern for a motion switch for a steam appliance, and  FIG. 9B  is an elevation view of the motion switch. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0025]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a steam mop  10  constructed and arranged in accordance with the invention. Mop  10  includes an elongated housing  11  with a water reservoir  21  and a boiler  23  and an upper tube  12   a  and a lower tube  12   b  connected to one end of housing  11 . A handle  13  is attached to the end of upper tube  12   a.  A steam frame  14  with an installed steam pocket  15  is operatively connected to the other end of housing  11  by a connector  16 . In this embodiment, connector  16  and frame  14  may be removed from housing  11  by pressing a release button  17  at the base of housing  11 . Water is introduced into a reservoir  21  at a water inlet or opening  18   a.  The level of water present in a reservoir  21  in housing  11  shown in  FIG. 3  can be viewed through a sighting window  19 . The specifics of fabric steam pocket  15  will be described below. 
         [0026]      FIG. 3  is a front plan view in section showing the location of elements in housing  11 . Water container  21  is positioned adjacent and surrounds a boiler  23 . A one-way pump  25  pumps water from reservoir  21  to boiler  23  in response to the push-pull movement of mop  10 . 
         [0027]    Movement of mop  10  causes operation of one way pump  25  as will be described in detail below. Water is drawn from reservoir  21  into a water supply hose  21  a that feeds into pump water inlet  27  through a one-way inlet valve  37  to a pump outlet hose  28 . This water is then introduced into a boiler inlet  23   a  in boiler  23 . Water in boiler  23  is heated by a heating element  39  in a boiler cavity  41 . Heating element  39  is connected to electrical connectors  39   a  and  39   b.  Steam generated in boiler cavity  41  is fed through a steam valve  42  into a steam chamber  43 . Steam is then expelled through a steam outlet  44  to a steam hose  46  and to a steam outlet fitting  47 . 
         [0028]    A steam brush  111  in  FIG. 4  has a housing  112  with a stationary handle portion  113  and a pivoting handle portion  114  and a steam frame  116  at the base of housing  112 . A motion switch actuator  117  and a motion switch  120  is positioned at the top of housing  111  with an actuator post  118  operatively engaged with pivoting handle portion  113  mounted on housing  112  by a hinge  119 . Steam brush  111  includes a water reservoir  124  connected to a steam generator  126  by a pump  125 . Steam appliance  111  may be a hand steamer or a steam iron with a heated sole plate in place of frame  116 . 
         [0029]    A fabric steam towel or pad  121  may be mounted on steam frame  116  Here, when a user moves brush  111  in forward direction shown by an arrow A, handle extension  114  pivots about hinge  119  and presses on actuator post  118  overcoming the force of a spring  133  and post  118  contacts motion switch  120 . This causes pump  125  to be actuated and water to be pumped from a water tank  124  to a steam generator  126  for feeding steam to steam frame or sole plate  116  trough steam outlet  127 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 5  is a schematic view of the elements of a steam brush  211  that include an electrical pump  225  with a steam frame  216 . All elements in  FIG. 4  appearing in  FIG. 5  are identical and identified by element numbers with the addition of  100  to the element numbers. Towel frame or sole plate  216  is attached to housing  212  by a pair of frame supports  231  and  232  with springs  233  that keep motion switch  220  in an OFF position when appliance  211  is at rest. 
         [0031]    Here, frame support  232  has motion switch actuator post  218 . Once brush  211  is moved in any direction by a user to start the cleaning process, the weight of the user&#39;s hand and the force of pressure that user applies to brush  211  is great enough to overcome the force of spring  233  and to force steam frame  216  inward. This in turn forces frame support  232  inward with post  218  contacting a motion switch actuator  220   a  and placing switch  220  in the ON position. Turning motion switch  220  ON starts the water delivery to steam generator  226  by activating pump  225  causing water to be pumped to steam generator  226  and the steam generation process starts. Steam generator  226  is maintained hot from the moment when appliance  211  is plugged into a wall outlet to reduce delay time for generation of steam. 
         [0032]    Once the steaming or cleaning process is stopped and appliance  211  is left without any excessive weight, motion switch turns pump  225  OFF. This interrupts water delivery into steam generator  226  and the steam generation process is stopped. 
         [0033]    Steam brush  211  also includes a trigger  241  on handle  214  to activate pump  225  by turning on a secondary micro-switch  220 ′. Thus, electrical pump  225  is activated (1) when pressure is applied downward and frame support  232  is displaced to activate motion switch  220 , or (2) when a user activates trigger  241  by moving appliance  111  to activate micro-switch  220 ′. 
         [0034]      FIG. 6  is a schematic view of a steam brush or appliance  311  that includes a pump  325  and a motion switch  320 . All elements in  FIG. 6  are identical to appliance  211  in  FIG. 5  except for the addition of  100  to the reference numerals. Towel frame or sole plate  316  is attached to housing  312  by a pair of frame supports  331  and  332  with springs  333  and  332  as in appliance  211  of  FIG. 5 . 
         [0035]    Once appliance  311  is taken by a user to start the cleaning or steaming process, the weight of the user&#39;s hand and the force of pressure that user applies to appliance  311  is great enough to overcome the force of spring  333  and to force towel frame  316  inward which in turn forces actuator post  318  inward to actuate motion switch  320  connected to pump  325  causing water to be pumped to steam generator  326  and the steam generation process starts. Steam generator  326  is maintained hot from the moment when appliance  311  is plugged into a wall outlet to reduce delay time between uses. 
         [0036]    When the cleaning process is stopped and device  311  is left without any excessive weight, springs  333  maintain appliance housing  312  at rest to maintain pump  325  in the OFF condition and no water is pumped to steam generator  326 . This interrupts water delivery into steam generator  326  and the steam generation process is stopped. Mechanical pumps of the type shown in U.S. applications Ser. No. 11/496,143 and No. 11/769,521 are suitable to use in appliances  11 ,  211  and if coupled to an electrical pump actuator. The contents of these applications are incorporated wherein by reference in their entirety. 
         [0037]      FIG. 7  illustrates a circuit and appliance timer  401  suitable for use with pump  25  that is responsive to movement of an appliance by a user. Appliance time r 401  includes a motion switch  401  with a motion sensor  402  and a restartable timer IC  403  which is actuated when motion of the appliance is sensed by movement of a conductive element, such as a steel ball  405  in sensor  402 . Steel ball  405  moving over a conductive etching pattern  404  or  406  on a base  407  in sensor  402  turns motor M on for a predetermined period of time. When the appliance is at rest and movement of ball  405  stops, the timer remains activated only for a preset time and then the pumping stops. One such restart timer that is suitable is a restart timer circuit available from Cana Kit Corporation in North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. 
         [0038]    Motion sensor  402  in motion switch  20  in appliance  10  is positioned adjacent to pump  25  and is responsive to movement of mop  10 , or an appliance, such as steam brush  111 ,  211 , or  311 . Motion sensor  402  is shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9  and may have a sensor housing cover  408  that is substantially rectangular or circular in shape on a base  407 . Conductive etching pattern  404  or  406  is disposed on base  408  and includes a first conductive pattern A or AA and a second cooperating conductive pattern B or BB with conductive ball  405  resting on and traveling across base  407  when mop  10  is moved. Ball  405  contacts a portion of pattern A or AA and B or BB at all times due the intertwined etched patterns A and AA and B and BB as shown. 
         [0039]    Etchings  404  and  406  are connected to terminals A and B or AA and BB, respectively and are electrically connected to timer circuit  403 . When ball  405  is displaced by movement of mop  511  and comes to rest contacting a portion of pattern A or AA and B or BB, power is supplied to the timer circuit of  FIG. 7 . When timer circuit  403  is powered, water is pumped by from a reservoir to a steam generator for a preset period of time to supply steam to a steam frame through a steam outlet. So long as ball  405  moves across the conductive patterns, power continues to be supplied and water is pumped. When at rest timer circuit shuts the pump off and the steaming process ceases. 
         [0040]    While motion sensor  402  is shown in connection with steam mop  10  and brush or iron  111 ,  311  and  311 , it is within the scope of the invention to use motion a motion switch in any variety of steam appliance in place of micro-switches and the like. This provides a simplified mechanical structure for actuating of pumping and avoids the need for multiple micro-switches in many devices The timer circuit also insures that when the appliance is at rest in any orientation, pumping will cease at the selected time interval and steam generation will cease. 
         [0041]    The steam appliances described provide many advantages for ease of use because they utilize either an electrical or a mechanical water pump with an automatic on/off switch to activate the water pump. In all the appliances, displacement of the appliance allows the user control over when water is to be discharged into the steam generator. Since the amount of water routed to the boiler is controlled, the boiler can create steam in a short amount of time. In each case, a fabric steam pad frame is typically placed over towel frame for effective steaming and cleaning. 
         [0042]    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. 
         [0043]    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 as well as the foregoing specification, as indicating the scope of the invention.