Abstract:
A portable surface cleaning apparatus comprises a fluid dispensing system including at least one fluid supply tank, a dispensing nozzle connected to the fluid supply tank through a fluid supply conduit for applying a cleaning fluid to a surface to be cleaned, a fluid recovery tank for holding recovered fluid, a suction nozzle, a working air conduit extending between the recovery tank and the suction nozzle, a vacuum source in fluid communication with the recovery tank for generating a flow of working air from the suction nozzle through the working air conduit and to the recovery tank to thereby recover fluid from the surface to be cleaned through the suction nozzle and working air conduit and into the recovery tank, and a power drive mechanism for selectively propelling the portable cleaning apparatus over the surface to be cleaned

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/346,575, filed Jan. 7, 2002, entitled EXTRACTION CLEANER WITH POWER DRIVE, and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/593,126, filed Jun. 13, 2000, entitled EXTRACTION CLEANING MACHINE WITH CLEANING CONTROL, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/139,127, filed Jun. 14, 1999. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The invention relates to floor cleaning extractors. In one of its aspects, it relates to an upright extraction cleaner with a power drive assembly to move the cleaner across a floor surface to be cleaned. In another of its aspects, the invention relates to an upright extraction cleaner with a reversible power drive assembly for movement backward and forward. In yet another of its aspects, the invention relates to an upright extraction cleaner with a power drive assembly that is operated by a push-pull handle for forward and reverse movement over a floor to be cleaned. In still another of its aspects, the invention relates to an upright extraction cleaner with a reversible power drive assembly that can be locked in a neutral position.  
           [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0005]    Upright extraction cleaners include a handle pivotally mounted to a base housing, a solution dispensing system and a solution recovery system. Such an upright extraction cleaner is disclosed in commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 6,131,237. The disclosed upright extraction cleaner includes a suction nozzle in the base and an agitation brush in the suction nozzle, the suction nozzle being fluidly connected to a suction source and a recovery tank. Soil-bearing solution from a surface being cleaned is transported to the recovery tank.  
           [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,335,740 discloses a power-driven upright vacuum cleaner having a base housing and a pivotally mounted upright handle.  
           [0007]    Upright extraction cleaners generally tend to be larger and heavier than upright vacuum cleaners, particularly when in use and the solution dispensing system is charged with a cleaning solution for application to a surface. Upright extraction cleaners are also known to have an optimal operating speed for dispensing and, particularly, extracting cleaning solution from a surface being cleaned, as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/593,126, filed Jun. 13, 2000, and entitled EXTRACTION CLEANING MACHINE WITH CLEANING CONTROL. A power drive system can be used in conjunction with the disclosed cleaning control system, although upright extraction cleaners having a pivotally mounted upright handle are not known to be equipped with a power drive system.  
           [0008]    It would be advantageous to provide an upright extraction cleaner with a power drive system for assisting the user in transporting the weight of the extraction cleaner over the surface being cleaned at an optimized speed for applying and recovering a cleaning solution from the surface.  
         SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
         [0009]    An upright extraction cleaner includes a base housing, an upright handle pivotally mounted to the base housing, a solution dispensing system for applying a cleaning solution to a surface being cleaned and a recovery system for recovering the solution from the surface, at least one wheel for supporting the extraction cleaner on the surface, and a power drive system for selectively propelling the extraction cleaner in either a forward or reverse direction along the surface.  
           [0010]    According to the invention, an extraction surface cleaning apparatus comprises a housing including a base and an upright handle pivotally mounted to the base for manipulation of the base along a surface to be cleaned, a liquid dispensing system mounted to the housing for applying liquid to the surface to be cleaned, a fluid recovery system mounted to the housing for recovering and holding soiled fluid from the surface to be cleaned, a traction driver mounted to the base for supporting the housing for movement along the surface to be cleaned, and a power drive assembly mounted to the housing and connected to the traction driver for selectively propelling the base over the surface to be cleaned.  
           [0011]    In one embodiment, the power drive assembly includes a drive motor selectively coupled to the traction driver for selectively driving the traction driver in at least one direction and a drive actuator on the handle operably connected to the drive motor for controlling the selective driving of the traction driver by the drive motor. In a one embodiment, the drive motor comprises a reversible electric motor. In another embodiment, the drive motor comprises an electric motor and the power drive assembly further comprises a transmission assembly operably connected between the electric motor and the traction driver to selectively drive the traction driver in two directions.  
           [0012]    In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the upright handle has an upper end portion and the drive actuator comprises a handle grip slidably mounted on the upper end portion of the handle for axial movement along the handle between forward and rearward positions. Further, a cable is connected between a handle grip and the clutch.  
           [0013]    In an alternative embodiment, the transmission assembly comprises a flywheel mounted for rotation about a central axis having a pair of parallel radial surfaces. The traction driver is non-rotatably mounted on a drive axle and the drive axle is mounted for rotation about an axis parallel and adjacent to one of the flywheel radial surfaces. A drive wheel is axially shiftable and non-rotatably mounted on the drive axle for rotation therewith, and the drive wheel has an outer circumferential surface that rolls along one of the radial surfaces of the fly wheel to transfer rotary motion of the fly wheel to rotary motion of the drive axle. Thus, shifting of the drive wheel along the drive axle changes the gear ratio between the flywheel and the drive wheel. A projection of the drive axle onto the one radial surface of the flywheel defines a diametrical line across the flywheel and the drive wheel contact with the flywheel is along the diametrical line, whereby axial shifting of the drive wheel along the drive axle changes the gear ratio and can also change the direction of rotation of the drive axle. A worm gear is driven by the motor and the flywheel has an outer circumferential gear edge that is driven by the worm gear.  
           [0014]    In another embodiment, the power drive assembly includes an air drive turbine motor.  
           [0015]    In a further embodiment, the power drive assembly further includes a belt between the transmission assembly and the traction driver. A belt tensioner assembly mounted to the housing to maintain tension on the belt. The belt tensioner assembly comprises a plate slidably mounted to the housing, a pair of wheels rotatably mounted on the plate and the belt is weaved between the wheels so that proper tension is maintained when the belt is driven in either direction.  
           [0016]    In yet another embodiment of the invention, the power drive assembly comprises a drive motor mounted on the housing and a flexible cable in driving relationship at one end with the motor and in driving relationship at the other end with the traction driver.  
           [0017]    In still another embodiment of the invention, the power drive assembly comprises a wheel sprocket non-rotatably connected to the traction driver for movement therewith, a drive motor mounted on the housing in driving relationship with the wheel sprocket. In this embodiment, the drive motor is mounted to the handle and a belt is operably connected to the drive motor and the wheel sprocket for driving the traction driver.  
           [0018]    In still another embodiment of the invention, the traction driver comprises a drive brush mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis on the base and the power drive assembly comprises a sprocket non-rotatably mounted to the drive brush, a drive motor mounted to the housing, and a belt drive between the motor and the wheel sprocket for driving the drive brush. In this embodiment, rotation of the drive brush results in movement of the base across the surface to be cleaned.  
           [0019]    In still another embodiment of the invention, the traction driver comprises a track assembly including a pair of track sprockets mounted on the base for rotation about parallel, horizontally spaced axes, at least one track belt reeved around the track sprocket and in contact with a surface to be cleaned, and a drive motor mounted on the housing and operably connected to one of the track sprockets for selectively driving the same.  
           [0020]    In still another embodiment of the invention, the power drive assembly comprises a drive actuator on the handle for selectively controlling the movement of the base over the surface to be cleaned. In this embodiment, the drive actuator is adapted to control the forward and reverse movement of the base over the surface to be cleaned. Further, the upright handle has an upper end portion and the drive actuator comprises a handle grip slidably mounted on the upper end portion of the handle for axial movement along the handle between forward and rearward positions. The drive actuator is biased to a neutral position between the forward and rearward positions for disablement of the power drive assembly. Further, the drive actuator has a mounting block slidable on the handle and further comprising a solution valve mechanism in the fluid supply conduit mounted to the sliding block for movement therewith. A solution valve actuator is mounted to the handle grip and connected to the solution valve mechanism to control the flow of cleaning solution through the solution valve mechanism to the liquid dispenser from the solution chamber.  
           [0021]    In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a lock selectively locks the handle grip in the neutral position. The lock comprises an aperture in the handle grip and an aperture in the upper portion of the handle and apertures aligned with each other when the handle grip is in a neutral position, and a pin is selectively moveable between a locked position wherein the pin is positioned within both of the apertures and an unlocked position wherein the pin is retracted from at least one of the two apertures.  
           [0022]    In still another embodiment of the invention, a carry handle affixed to the upright handle.  
           [0023]    In still another embodiment of the invention, at least two wheels are mounted to the base for supporting the housing for movement over the surface to be cleaned and the traction driver comprises at least one of the at least two wheels.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0024]    In the drawings:  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an extraction cleaner with power drive according to the invention.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the upright handle of the extraction cleaner of FIG. 1.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the internal components of the upright handle of the extraction cleaner of FIG. 1.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a sliding block and transmission assembly of the extraction cleaner of FIGS.  1 - 2 .  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 5 is a partial cutaway view of a motor/transmission assembly of the extraction cleaner of FIGS.  1 - 2 .  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 6 is a reverse angle perspective view of a drive assembly including a belt tensioner assembly of the extraction cleaner of FIGS.  1 - 5 .  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 6A is an enlarged perspective view of the belt tensioner shown in FIG. 6.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 6B is a schematic illustration of a power drive assembly according to the invention with an alternative belt tensioning mechanism according to the invention.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of an upper portion of an upright handle of the extraction cleaner of FIGS.  1 - 2 .  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of a neutral transmission lock of the extraction cleaner of FIGS.  1 - 2 .  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 9 is a cutaway perspective view of a handle sleeve actuator according to a second embodiment of the extraction cleaner according to the invention.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 10 is a schematic representation of an extraction cleaner with power drive according to a third embodiment of the invention.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 11 is a schematic representation of an extraction cleaner with power drive according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 12 is a rear perspective view of an extraction cleaner with power drive according to a fifth embodiment of the invention.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 13 is a schematic representation of a power drive for extraction cleaner according to a sixth embodiment of the invention.  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 14 is a schematic representation of an extraction cleaner with power drive according to a seventh embodiment of the invention.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 15 is a schematic representation of a power drive for extraction cleaner according to an eighth embodiment of the invention.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 16 is a schematic representation of a power drive for extraction cleaner according to a ninth embodiment of the invention.  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 17 is a schematic representation of a power drive for extraction cleaner according to a tenth embodiment of the invention.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 18 is a schematic representation of a power drive for extraction cleaner according to an eleventh embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0045]    Referring now to the drawings and to FIG. 1 in particular, an upright extraction cleaning machine has a power drive assembly  114  for selectively propelling the extraction cleaning machine in at least one direction under the control of the user. Referring to FIG. 1A, the power drive assembly  114  in an upright deep cleaning machine comprises the block elements of a drive motor  154 , a transmission assembly  155 , a traction drive  134  and a drive actuator  136 . As more fully described herein, these block elements can be utilized in different combinations to achieve selective motion of the cleaning machine across the surface.  
         [0046]    Referring to FIGS.  1 - 4 , the upright extraction cleaning machine comprises a base housing  102  and an upright handle assembly  104 . The upright handle assembly  104  is pivotally mounted to the base housing  102  and comprises an upper portion  106  and a lower portion  108 . The upper portion  106  is formed of a front shell  900  and a rear shell  950  and includes a handle grip  110  and a solution trigger assembly  112 . The lower handle portion is formed of a front shell  122  and a rear shell  124 . The handle upper portion  106  is slidably connected to the handle lower portion  108  through a telescoping connection and a sliding block assembly  130  located in the handle lower portion  108 . The front shell  122  and rear shell  124  define a side extension  118  cavity for enclosing internal components including the power drive elements. A carrying handle  902  is attached to the lower portion  108  front shell  122  by two screws or other suitable fastening method.  
         [0047]    The base housing  102  is supported on a floor surface by a pair of wheels  116  that are rotationally mounted to the handle lower portion  108  through stub axles  702 . The handle lower portion  108  has bearings that are journaled in sockets in the base housing  102  for pivotal mounting of the handle on the base housing  103 . A rotatable agitation brush  120  is rotationally mounted to the base housing  102  and extends beneath a lower surface thereof for contact with the surface being cleaned. Further details of the upright extraction cleaner, with specific reference to the base housing  102 , are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,167,587 and 6,131,237, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.  
         [0048]    Referring to FIGS.  2 - 6 , a motor/transmission assembly  150  comprising a drive motor  154  and reversible transmission assembly  155  is mounted within lower portion  108  of upright handle  104  and is connected to at least one wheel  116  through a flexible drive belt  160 . Referring to FIGS. 3, 6 and  7 , a belt tensioner assembly  600 , comprising a pair of wheels  602  both rotatably mounted in spaced relationship on a plate  604  by individual axles  606 , maintains tension on the drive belt  160 . Both runs of the flexible drive belt  160  are positioned between the wheels  602 . The wheels  602  are free to rotate about the axles  606 . The plate  604  is slidably mounted in a pair of slots or guide walls formed by ribs within the rear shell of the lower handle portion. As the belt is driven in one direction, one side of the belt  160  will be in tension and will tend to stretch taut. This action will slide the plate  604  in the guide walls toward the tensioned belt until the belt is taut. The other side of the belt will be slack but the movement of the plate toward the taut side of the belt will take up the slack in the other side of the belt. As the belt  160  reverses direction, tension is created on one surface of the belt and slack is created on the other. The belt tensioner assembly  600  automatically slides within its support slots to simultaneously reduce the tension on the high tension belt side and pick up the slack on the slack side, resulting in constant belt pressure, thereby improving the reliability of the belt drive by minimizing the occurrence of the belt from dislodging from the power drive assembly. Alternatively, the belt  160  can be positioned outside the wheels  602  to maintain tension on the belt  160 .  
         [0049]    In an alternate embodiment shown in FIG. 6B, belt tensioner assembly  610  comprises a pair of support arms  612  that are pivotally mounted to the rear shell  124  through a pivot pin  616  and a tension spring  618  that is stretched between mid portions of the arms  612 . Each of the arms  612  rotatably mount a wheel  614  at the free ends thereof. The wheels bear against and roll against the outside of the belt, biased by the compression spring  618  to pull the belt runs toward each other as shown. The arms are arranged generally in a “V” shape as illustrated. The pivot pin  616  is a boss formed in the rear shell  124  of the handle lower portion located on a centerline between the transmission assembly output gear  184  and the wheel sprocket  364 . The flexible belt  160  is positioned between the wheels  614  but can alternatively be positioned on the outside of the wheels  614 . In the latter case, the spring  618  would be a compression spring. Operation of the belt tensioner assembly  610  is essentially the same as that described for the preferred embodiment  600 . When the belt is rotating clockwise as viewed in FIG. 6B in the direction of the arrows, the left side of the belt is taut and the tensioner arms  612  are rotated counterclockwise into the position shown to take up the slack on the other side of the belt. As the belt changes direction, the belt tensioner assembly  610  shifts position clockwise to simultaneously take up slack on the left side and reduce tension on the right side of the belt.  
         [0050]    Referring to FIGS. 3, 4, and  6 , the flexible belt  160  is a timing belt is driven by a belt drive gear  184  and that drives a wheel sprocket  364  on wheel  116 . The wheel sprocket  364  is secured to and rotates with the wheel  116  on axle  702 , which is freely rotatable within a bearing in a lower end of the lower handle portion  108 . Axial motion of the axle  702  is restricted by a snap ring  704  that fits in a groove on an end of the axle. The motor/transmission assembly  150  is linked to the sliding block assembly  130  by a bar  132 , secured at a lower end portion to an end of an actuation lever  152 , which is pivotally mounted to the housing of the motor/transmission assembly  150  through pin  153 . The lever  152  is attached to a clutch mechanism within the motor/transmission  150  through a clutch pin  157  as will be described in more detail hereinafter. As the sliding block assembly  130  reciprocates moves longitudinally relative to the lower portion  108 , the bar  132  moves the end of the actuation lever  152  vertically a corresponding distance, thereby pivoting the lever about pin  153  to move the clutch pin  157  laterally. In so doing, the transmission changes the direction of rotation of belt drive gear  184 , depending on the direction of movement of the bar  132 .  
         [0051]    Referring to FIGS. 4 and 7, the rear shell  124  also houses a block heater  190 . The block heater  190  is fluidly connected to a clean solution tank and to a solution dispensing nozzle, both located in the base  102 , so that as the fluid from the tank passes through the block heater  190 , it is heated for distribution by the dispensing nozzle. A solution valve mechanism  170  is further fluidly connected between the clean solution tank and the solution dispensing nozzle for selectively allowing the passing of fluid from the tank to the nozzle. The solution valve mechanism  170  is operated remotely by depressing trigger assembly  112  while holding handle portion  110 , as more fully disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,167,587, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The connection between the trigger assembly  112  and the solution valve mechanism  170  is simplified by placing the solution valve mechanism  170  in the sliding block assembly  130  within the upper portion  106  so that the relationship between the valve mechanism  170  and the trigger assembly  112  is fixed.  
         [0052]    Referring now to FIG. 5, the motor/transmission assembly  150  comprises a drive motor  154  and a transmission assembly  155 . In the preferred embodiment, the transmission assembly  155  is reversible. The transmission assembly  155  has a housing  151  that mounts the drive motor through conventional means. The electric motor  154  has an output shaft  159  that mounts a pinion gear  156  that meshes with a set of three first planetary gears  171 . Each of the first planetary gears  171  is mounted for rotation on one of three shafts  175  that extend axially from a first gear reduction ring  173 . A reduction pinion gear  177  is formed on the center of the first gear reduction ring  173  on a side opposite the shafts  175  and in axial alignment with the motor pinion gear  156 . The reduction pinion gear  177  meshes with a set of three second planetary gears  179 . The second planetary gears  179  are rotatably mounted on corresponding shafts that extend axially from a first surface of an output ring  181 . An output receiver  183  is formed in the center of the output ring  181  on a side opposite the secondary planetary gears  179  in axial alignment with the reduction pinion gear  177  and is journaled in the transmission housing  151 . The output receiver  183  comprises a hollow shaft configured with parallel flats formed on opposite sides of the inside diameter of the hollow shaft. A first drive shaft  166  is generally cylindrical in shape with a first end configured with parallel flats formed on opposite sides of the outside diameter. The flats on the outside diameter of the drive shaft  166  correspond with the flats on the inside diameter of the output receiver  183  hollow shaft, thus non-rotatably mounting output ring  181  to the drive shaft  166 . The other end of the drive shaft  166  is journaled in the transmission housing  151 .  
         [0053]    The first drive shaft  166  rotatably mounts a first drive gear  172  and a second drive gear  176  in axial alignment on drive shaft  166 . Both drive gears  172 ,  176  are generally circular and comprise outer circumferential gear teeth. A drive spindle assembly  168  is keyed to the drive shaft  166  between the first drive gear  172  and the second drive gear  176  in axial alignment therewith. First drive gear  172  has a first clutch plate  162  mounted on a face adjacent to the drive spindle  168 . Second drive gear  176  has a second clutch plate  164  on a face adjacent to the drive spindle  168 . Drive spindle assembly  168  includes a clutch block  192 , a yoke  1   94  and friction clutch material. The clutch block  192  is keyed to and rotates with the drive shaft  166 , but can slide laterally a predetermined distance along the drive shaft  166  between the clutch plates  162  and  164 . The yoke  194  is U-shaped and the legs thereof span the outside diameter of the clutch block  192 . The legs of the yoke incorporate guides  196  that are received in an annular groove in the clutch block  192 . The bite portion of the yoke  194  is pinned to the actuator lever  152  through pin  157  (FIG. 4) and is pinned to the transmission housing  151  at an end portion of the legs. The mid-portion of the legs are laterally movable with respect to the transmission housing a relatively short distance. Lateral movement of the bite portion of the yoke  194  relative to the drive shaft  166  results in a corresponding movement of the clutch block  192  through the guides  196 . The friction clutch material  167  is mounted on the surfaces of the clutch block  192  facing the secondary drive gears  172 ,  176 .  
         [0054]    Thus, pivotal movement of the actuation lever  152  about pin  153  will displace the spindle  168  axially on drive shaft  166 . As drive spindle  168  is axially displaced on drive shaft  166  toward one of the drive gears  172 , 176 , that drive gear is driven by the first drive shaft  166  through a corresponding clutch plate  162 ,  164  due to the friction generated by the friction clutch material  167  against the corresponding clutch plate.  
         [0055]    Drive gear  172  meshes with a third drive gear  174 , which is fixedly mounted on a second drive shaft  182 . The second drive shaft  182  is journaled in the transmission housing  151 . When drive spindle  168  frictionally grips the first clutch plate  162 , the first clutch plate  162  and second drive gear  172  rotate and in turn rotates the third drive gear  174  and the second drive shaft  182  in a first direction. The second drive shaft  182  further non-rotatably mounts a belt drive gear  184  on one end thereof. A drive belt  160  is mounted on the belt drive gear  184  and on drive wheel sprocket  364  for transferring the drive force to at least one wheel  116  of the extraction cleaner  100 .  
         [0056]    The second drive gear  176  is intermeshed with an idler gear  178  that is mounted for rotation on an idler shaft  186 . Idler shaft  186  is mounted on the transmission housing  151 . Intermediate gear  178  is intermeshed with a third drive gear  180  fixedly mounted on the second drive shaft  182 . When drive spindle  168  presses the clutch block  192  against the second clutch plate  164 , second drive gear  176  drives idler gear  178  which  178  that in turn drives the third gear  180  and the second drive shaft  182  in a second direction. The drive force transferred to the at least one wheel of the extraction cleaner is in a direction opposite to the direction resulting from forcing the clutch block  192  against the second clutch plate  164 . The drive wheel is thus selectively propelled in one of two directions, dependent upon the direction of the force applied on actuation bar  152  and the direction of movement of the drive spindle  168  toward first clutch plate  162  or second clutch plate  164 .  
         [0057]    Referring to FIG. 7, the upper portion  106  of the upright handle  104  comprises a front shell  900  and a rear shell  950 . The front shell  900  further comprises a solution trigger  112  that rotates about an integral pin  904 . The pin rests in a slot  906  that is integrally formed in a rib  908  located on an interior surface of the front shell  900 . A lower end  910  travels in a downward motion when the trigger  112  is depressed. A control rod  912  with a first end  914  and a second end  916  interfaces with the trigger lower end  910  via the first end  914 .  
         [0058]    A vacuum switch  918  is located on a side of the front shell  900  and is electrically connected to a connector  922  located at lower end  924  of the front shell  900 . A heater switch  920  is located on a side opposite the vacuum switch and is likewise electrically connected to the connector  922 .  
         [0059]    The rear shell comprises a handle portion  110  and a cord clip  924  integrally molded on a rearward surface. The cord clip  924  allows the user to route the power cord through the clip providing easy management of the power cord during use. The rear shell  950  serves to enclose the aforementioned components and enhance the aesthetics.  
         [0060]    Referring now to FIGS. 2, 3, and  4 , a drive actuator  136  comprises a sliding connection between the upper portion  106  and the lower portion  108  of the upright handle  104 . The upper portion  106  slides into an opening at a first end  500  of the lower portion  108  to form the upright handle  104 . A bearing sleeve  502  is located at a receiving end of the lower portion  108  rear shell  124  and functions to reduce friction and wear created as the upper portion  106  slides relative to the lower portion  108 . A sliding block assembly  130  is located within positioning ribs formed in the rear shell  124  of the lower portion  108 . The rear shell  950  of the upper portion  106  extends a sufficient distance to overlap a rearward surface of the block assembly  130 . The block assembly  130  is fixedly attached to the upper portion  106  by screws or other suitable fasteners. The block assembly  130  further comprises a block  504  that houses a solution valve  170  and a solution valve spring  506 . A pair of spring posts  510  is integrally formed with the block  504  on opposite sides thereof and each post  510  is slidably mounted on a rib  514  of the rear shell  124 . A coil spring  508  is mounted on each of the spring posts  510 . Central portions of the coil springs  508  are retained by the ribs  514  to return block  504  to a neutral position in the absence of an external force by the user between the upper and lower portions  106 ,  108  of the handle assembly  104 . A top surface  512  of the block  504  registers with the lower end  910  of the upper portion  106 .  
         [0061]    Referring now to FIG. 2 and  8 , a neutral lock assembly  800  is located on an upper portion of the lower portion  108  of the upright handle  104 . The neutral lock assembly comprises a knob  802  that is fixed to a shaft  804 . A cam ramp  806  is formed on a bottom surface of the knob  802  perpendicular to the shaft  804 . Apertures in both the upper portion  106  and lower portion  108  correspond axially with the shaft  804 . A spring  808  is positioned over the shaft  804  and between two locating ribs integrally formed on an interior surface of the rear shell  124 . Rotation of the knob  802  moves the shaft  804  in or out, depending upon the position of the ramp  806  and positions the shaft  804  in register with the corresponding apertures in the upper portion  106  and lower portion  108  when the upper portion  106  and lower portion  108  are in a neutral position. When the shaft  804  is in register with the apertures in the upper portion  106  and lower portion  108 , the upper portion  106  is locked into the neutral position in that the lower portion  108  and the transmission assembly  155  is fixed in the neutral position with respect to the upper portion  106 . When the shaft  804  is disengaged from the apertures, the handle portions  106 ,  108  and slide with respect to each other for selective engagement of the transmission assembly  155  as previously described. The neutral lock assembly  800 , therefore, provides a mechanism for selectively locking the cleaner drive in a neutral position so that the user can move the cleaner from one location to another without engaging the transmission assembly  155  while the wheels  116  freely rotate with minimal friction.  
         [0062]    In operation, the user pushes or pulls the actuation device defined by the upper portion  106  of the upright handle  104 . The upper portion  106  slides within the lower portion  108  over a specified range of travel. The upper portion  106  registers with the sliding block assembly  130  which registers with the transmission assembly  155  actuation lever  152  through the bar  132 . Therefore, motion of the upper portion  106  is directly translated to motion of the actuation lever  152  causing the drive spindle  168  to move laterally in a direction dependent upon the direction in which the upper portion is moved. Clutch plates  164  are selectively engaged within the transmission assembly  155  which impart motion through the previously described gear train to the belt drive gear  184 . A drive mechanism comprising the drive belt  160  translates motion to the traction driver  134  comprising the wheel sprocket  364  via the drive belt  160  that results in selective rotation of the wheel  116 . Friction between the wheel  116  and the surface to be cleaned results in selective movement of the cleaner across the surface.  
         [0063]    With respect to solution delivery to the surface to be cleaned, the solution valve  170  is fixed to the block assembly  130  that in turn is fixed to the upper portion  106  of the upright handle. When the trigger  112  is engaged, the control rod  912  is forced down which, in turn, forces the solution valve  170  open and allows cleaning fluid to flow to the surface to be cleaned. When the trigger  112  is released, the solution valve spring  506  returns the solution valve  170  to the closed position thus shutting off the flow of solution. The solution valve spring  506  correspondingly returns the control rod  912  and trigger  112  to their original positions.  
         [0064]    Referring now to FIG. 9, a second embodiment of a drive actuator  136  comprises a handle actuator sleeve  210  slidably mounted on the handle grip  110  of the upright handle  104  of the extraction cleaner  100 . The handle actuator sleeve  210  includes an internally projecting cable bracket  212  that passes through a slot in the handle portion  110  and retains a first end  224  of a sleeved actuation cable  220 . The sleeve of the actuation cable  220  is retained in the handle portion  110  by a first cable clip  222 , so that as sleeve  210  moves on handle portion  110 , cable  220  slides within sleeve  223 . A second end of sleeve  223  is held by a second cable clip  225  adjacent the transmission assembly  155  so that a second end  226  of cable  220  attached to actuation lever  152  imparts a motive force on lever  152  to actuate transmission assembly  155  as in the first embodiment.  
         [0065]    A third embodiment of a power drive assembly  350  for an extraction cleaner is shown in FIG. 10. In this embodiment, the drive motor  154  comprises a reversible DC motor  352  driving a transmission assembly  155  comprising a pinion gear  354  that is intermeshed with a secondary gear  356 . The secondary gear  356  is fixedly attached to a drive shaft  358  for transferring rotational motion to a traction driver comprising a belt drive sprocket  360  and wheel  116 . A transmission assembly  155  comprising a drive belt  362  then transfers rotational motion to a wheel sprocket  364  for rotating a drive wheel  368  of the extraction cleaner. The reversible DC motor  352  is electrically connected to a DC power source  370  by a power switch  372  and a double pole double throw switch  374 . The double pole double throw switch  374  can take the form of a standard form three-position toggle on the handle portion  110  for thumb actuation by a user, or can be internally mounted in the handle portion  110  and arranged to be controlled by an activation device such as a handle actuator sleeve  210 .  
         [0066]    Referring now to FIG. 11, a fourth embodiment of a power drive assembly  400  for an extraction cleaner comprises a drive motor  154  comprising a reversible DC motor  402  operably connected to a traction driver  134  comprising an agitation/drive brush  410 . The motor  402  drives transmission assembly  155  comprising a belt drive sprocket  404 . A drive mechanism comprising a drive belt  406  mounted on the belt drive sprocket  404  then transfers the force to a brush sprocket  408  for rotating the traction driver  134  comprising an agitation/drive brush  410 . The agitation/drive brush  410  is in contact with the surface being cleaned. As it rotates in one of two directions, the agitation/drive brush  410  imparts a degree of motive force against the surface to drive the extraction cleaner. The reversible DC motor  402  is connected to a DC power source  420  by a power switch  422  and a double pole double throw switch  424  as disclosed in the previous embodiment.  
         [0067]    Referring to FIG. 12, a fifth embodiment of a power drive assembly  250  is mounted to a rear portion of base housing  102 . The power drive assembly  250  comprises a drive motor  154  and transmission assembly  155  according to FIGS. 2 through 6, except that tertiary drive shaft  182  bears a drive wheel  256  for applying a driving force to a floor surface for propelling the extraction cleaner. The tertiary drive shaft  182  of the FIG. 5 embodiment can be further modified so that it extends from both sides of the assembly  250  to carry a pair of drive wheels  256 . The preferred actuation device for this embodiment is the handle actuator sleeve  210  (see FIG. 9) linked by cable  220  to control the transmission device of the power drive assembly  250 .  
         [0068]    Referring to FIG. 13, a sixth embodiment of a power drive assembly  450  for an extraction cleaner is disclosed. The power drive  450  comprises drive motor  154  comprising a motor  452  having a drive shaft  454  mounting to a transmission assembly  155  comprising a worm gear  456 . The worm gear  456  is arranged to engage a geared lower surface  460  of a flywheel  458 . The flywheel  458  includes a smooth upper surface  462  including a depression  464  centrally located on the axis of rotation of the flywheel  458 . A drive wheel  466  is slidably keyed on a drive shaft  472  that is perpendicular to the rotational axis of the flywheel  458  and spaced from the smooth upper surface  462  so that a gripping outer surface of drive wheel  466  can operably engage smooth upper surface  462 . The drive wheel  466  is keyed to drive shaft  472  by a keyed sleeve  470  so that drive wheel  466  is rotationally fixed but axially slidable on drive shaft  472 . A mechanism similar to that utilized to shift the drive spindle of the first embodiment is anticipated for shifting the drive wheel  466  to one side or the other of the central depression  464 . When the drive wheel  466  is centered over the depression  464 , no driving force is transferred from the flywheel  458  to the drive wheel  466 . When the drive wheel  466  is shifted to one side of the depression  464 , rotation is imparted in the drive shaft  472  in a first direction. When the drive wheel  466  is shifted to the other side of the depression  464 , rotation is imparted in the drive shaft  472  in a second direction, thus making the drive mechanism reversible. At least one wheel drive gear  474  is mounted to the drive shaft  472  for transferring rotational motion to at least one of the drive wheels of the extraction cleaner.  
         [0069]    Referring now to FIG. 14, a seventh embodiment of a power drive assembly  550  for an extraction cleaner comprises a suction source  552  of the extraction cleaner  100  fluidly connected to a drive motor  154  comprising a turbine motor  556  via a fluid conduit  554 , as disclosed in commonly owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 60/213,122, filed Aug. 14, 2001. The turbine motor  556  rotates a turbine drive shaft  560  on which is mounted a pinion gear  562 . The pinion gear  562  is intermeshed with a secondary gear or transmission  570  which  570  that drives a belt drive sprocket  572 . The belt drive sprocket  572  is engaged by a drive belt  574  for transferring rotational motion to a drive wheel of the extraction cleaner.  
         [0070]    Referring to FIG. 15, a cable power drive assembly  650  for extraction cleaner  100  is disclosed. The cable power drive assembly  650  comprises a drive motor  154  comprising a motor  652  having a pinion gear  654  intermeshed with a transmission assembly  155  comprising a secondary gear/transmission  656 . Secondary gear/transmission  656  is operably connected to a drive mechanism comprising a flexible cable/rod  658  routed through the lower portion  108  of the upright handle  104  to terminate at a bevel gear  660  positioned adjacent a wheel  670  of the upright extraction cleaner. A traction driver  134  comprising the wheel  670  is formed with a second bevel gear  662  on an inner face thereof for engaging the bevel gear  660 . The wheel  670  is rotationally mounted to the lower portion  108  of the upright handle  104  by wheel axle  664 . As motor  652  rotates pinion  654  and secondary gear/transmission  656 , the rotational force is transmitted through the flexible cable  658  to bevel gear  660  and drive wheel  670  rotates about wheel axle  664 . To provide a reversible drive mechanism, motor  652  can be reversible or secondary gear/transmission  656  can comprise a reversible transmission assembly according to the first embodiment. In a further embodiment, a second flexible cable  658  with bevel gear  660  can be routed to another wheel  670  of the upright extraction cleaner  100 .  
         [0071]    Referring to FIG. 16, a ninth embodiment of a power drive assembly  750  comprises a drive motor  154  comprising a direct drive motor  752  positioned proximate each powered wheel  770 . Power is selectively transferred from the motor  752  by a transmission device comprising a clutch/transmission assembly  754  to a drive mechanism comprising a first bevel gear  756 , which is intermeshed with a second bevel gear  758 . Second bevel gear  758  is affixed to traction driver  134  comprising a wheel  770 , which rotates about wheel axle  760 . In a preferred embodiment, motor  752  is a reversible motor for driving wheel  770  in a forward or rearward direction. In the alternative, clutch/transmission assembly  754  is a reversible transmission assembly according to FIGS.  2 - 6 .  
         [0072]    Referring to FIG. 19, a track power drive assembly  850  is disclosed. The traction drive  134  comprises a track assembly  850  comprising a motor/transmission assembly  852  according to any of the previous embodiments operably connected to a drive belt  854 . Drive belt  854  is reeved around a track sprocket  858 , which is rotationally mounted on an underside of the extraction cleaner. At least one track  868  is mounted on a pair of track sprockets  858 , and rides on a plurality of bearing track spindles  860 .  
         [0073]    Referring to FIG. 18, an eleventh embodiment of a power drive is described in commonly owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/593,126, filed Jun. 13, 2000, and entitled EXTRACTION CLEANING MACHINE WITH CLEANING CONTROL and is incorporated by reference. The base housing  102  houses a drive motor  1002  that is connected to a source of electricity by an electrical cord. A motor compartment (not shown) within the base housing  102  secures mounts the motor in place. While the motor  1002  as shown drives only rear wheels  116 , the motor  1002  can also drive an agitation brush (not shown) for agitating debris from the surface being cleaned, as well as an impeller fan (not shown) to create a vacuum source for drawing dirt, debris, and fluid from the surface being cleaned.  
         [0074]    The motor  1002  includes a motor drive shaft  1004 , which includes a timing belt  1006  thereon for driving the rear wheels  116 . Preferably, on the opposite side of the motor  1002 , the motor drive shaft  1004  supports the impeller (not shown) within an impeller housing, which provides the vacuum source. With this configuration, a single drive motor  1002  is adapted to provide driving force for the impeller and the rear wheels  116 . Alternatively, the motor  1002  can be used to drive only the rear wheels  116 . Alternatively, the motor  1002  can drive the rear wheels, the impeller, and a fluid pump for providing cleaning solution to spray nozzles.  
         [0075]    The timing belt  1006  is reeved around a first pulley  1008  mounted on a wheel axle  1010  for the rear wheels  116  and a second pulley  1012  on the drive shaft  1004  of the motor  1002 . Preferably, the pulleys  1008 ,  1012  have toothed perimeters adapted for registration with the teeth in the timing belt  1006 . The upright handle assembly  104  includes a U-shaped lower portion having opposed arms including cylindrical bearings for mounting the handle assembly  104  to the base housing and supporting the axle  1010  for rotatably mounting the wheels  116  to the extraction cleaner base housing  102 . When the upright handle assembly is secured together, these arms pivot about the bearing integrally formed with the arms. The bearings, in turn, receive axle  1010 , on each side, respectively, for mounting wheels  116 . The axle  1010  is secured by large diameter axle mounting clips, disposed, when installed, adjacent the bearings and within the base module.  
         [0076]    Once the handle assembly is mounted to the base housing  102 , with the axle  1010  secured by the mounting clips, the extraction cleaner upper portion  106  is secured to the lower portion  108 . The upper portion  106  also has an arcuate surface formed in a side thereof for accommodating and securing the integral bearings of the arms. Thus, the bearings of the arms are secured therebetween such that they can only rotate between an upright, stored position and an in-use position and the wheels are mounted to axle  1010  received through apertures in the bearings and secured by mounting clips.  
         [0077]    While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown, it will be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. Reasonable variation and modification are possible within the scope of the foregoing disclosure and drawings, particularly in light of the foregoing teachings, without departing from the spirit of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.