Patent Publication Number: US-8118241-B2

Title: Surface cleaner system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/047,655, filed Apr. 24, 2008, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. This application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/376,610, filed Mar. 14, 2006, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/664,665, filed Mar. 18, 2005, the entire contents of both of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates to surface cleaner systems. 
     Surface cleaners are often used to provide a continuous flow of relatively high pressure water onto a large, substantially flat surface. Conventional surface cleaners include one or more nozzles to direct high pressure fluid onto surfaces that are disposed directly below the cleaners. Typically, such a surface cleaner is fluidly connected to an independent pressure washer or other source of high pressure fluid through a hose. In such arrangements, both the pressure washer and the surface cleaner must often be repeatedly and independently moved by an operator when cleaning a large surface. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one embodiment, the invention provides a surface cleaner system including a base assembly having a housing movable along a surface, a pump supported by the housing and operable to pressurize a fluid, and a prime mover supported by the housing. The prime mover is coupled to the pump to drive the pump. The surface cleaner system also includes a spray assembly coupled to the housing. The spray assembly is operable to discharge fluid from the pump toward the surface. The surface cleaner system further includes a spray gun in fluid communication with the pump to receive pressurized fluid from the pump. The spray gun includes an outlet portion that is connectable to the base assembly to direct the pressurized fluid from the pump into the spray assembly. When the outlet portion is disconnected from the base assembly, the spray gun discharges the pressurized fluid from the pump toward the surface without directing the pressurized fluid into the spray assembly. 
     In another embodiment, the invention provides a surface cleaner system including a pump operable to pressurize a fluid and a housing having a skirt that defines an opening. The housing is movable along a surface. The surface cleaner system also includes at least one wheel coupled to the housing to facilitate movement of the housing along the surface and a spray assembly rotatably coupled to the housing substantially within the opening. The spray assembly includes a hub coupled to the housing and defining an axis. The hub is operable to rotate about the axis. The spray assembly also includes an elongated tube coupled to and extending radially from the hub. The elongated tube is operable to receive pressurized fluid from the pump. The spray assembly further includes a nozzle coupled to the elongated tube. The nozzle is operable to discharge the pressurized fluid from the elongated tube toward the surface. The surface cleaner system further includes a spray gun in fluid communication with the pump to receive pressurized fluid from the pump. The spray gun includes an outlet portion that is connectable to the housing to direct the pressurized fluid from the pump into the elongated tube of the spray assembly. When the outlet portion is disconnected from the housing, the spray gun discharges the pressurized fluid toward the surface without directing the pressurized fluid into the spray assembly. 
     Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of a surface cleaner system embodying the invention, the surface cleaner system including a base assembly and a spray gun. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the surface cleaner system shown in  FIG. 1  with the spray gun in a storage position. 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the surface cleaner system shown in  FIG. 1  with the spray gun in an operative position. 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the surface cleaner system shown in  FIG. 1  with the spray gun disconnected from the base assembly. 
         FIG. 5  is a rear perspective view of the surface cleaner system shown in  FIG. 1  with the spray gun disconnected from the base assembly. 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of the surface cleaner system shown in  FIG. 1  with an upper housing portion of the base assembly removed. 
         FIG. 7  is a bottom view of the surface cleaner system shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 8A  is a partial cross-sectional view of a portion of the surface cleaner system shown in  FIG. 1  with the spray gun disconnected from the base assembly. 
         FIG. 8B  is a partial cross-sectional view of a portion of the surface cleaner system illustrating another embodiment of a coupling between the spray gun and the base assembly. 
         FIG. 9  is a partial cross-sectional view of the portion of the surface cleaner system shown in  FIG. 8A  with the spray gun in the operative position. 
         FIG. 10  is an enlarged side view of another portion of the surface cleaner system shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of a spray assembly of the surface cleaner system taken along section line  11 - 11  of  FIG. 10 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
       FIGS. 1-4  illustrate a surface cleaner system  20  embodying the invention. The illustrated surface cleaner system  20  includes a base assembly  24 , a spray gun  28 , and a spray assembly  32  ( FIG. 7 ). The base assembly  24  is movable over a ground surface (e.g., a floor, a deck, a porch, a driveway, etc.) to spray water and/or other fluid from the spray assembly  32  onto the surface and thereby clean the surface. As discussed further below, the spray gun  28  is connected to the base assembly  24  in a first mode ( FIGS. 1-3 ) to function as a handle for the surface cleaner system  20  and is disconnected from the base assembly  24  in a second mode ( FIG. 4 ) to function as a conventional spray gun. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the base assembly  24 , or cleaning deck, includes a housing  36 , a plurality of wheels  40 ,  42 ,  44  coupled to the housing  36 , a motor  48  positioned substantially within the housing  36 , a drive mechanism  52  positioned substantially within the housing  36  and coupled to the motor  48 , and a pump  56  positioned substantially within the housing  36  and coupled to the drive mechanism  52 . In other embodiments, the motor  48  and the pump  56  may be located remotely from the base assembly  24 . In the illustrated embodiment, the housing  36  includes a lower housing portion  60  and an upper housing portion  64 . The lower housing portion  60  supports the motor  48 , the drive mechanism  52 , the pump  56 , and the other components of the base assembly  24 . The upper housing portion  64  is coupled (e.g., bolted, glued, snap-fit, etc.) to the lower housing portion  60  and extends over the components of the base assembly  24  to substantially cover and enclose the components. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2-4  and  7 , the lower housing portion  60  includes a skirt  68  extending from a lower surface  72  of the housing  36  toward the ground surface. The skirt  68  defines a generally circular opening  76  ( FIG. 7 ) and helps inhibit fluid being discharged from the spray assembly  32  from spraying beyond a periphery of the base assembly  24 . A plurality of brush-like bristles  80  is coupled to a lower edge  84  of the skirt  68  around the perimeter of the opening  76 . The bristles  80  provide contact points to gently scrub the surface during cleaning and further help maintain fluid being discharged from the spray assembly  32  within the periphery of the base assembly  24 . 
     The wheels  40 ,  42 ,  44  are coupled to the lower housing portion  60  to facilitate moving the base assembly  24  along the ground surface. In the illustrated embodiment, the base assembly  24  includes two relatively larger wheels  40  mounted to a rear of the housing  36 , two relatively smaller wheels  42  ( FIG. 7 ) mounted adjacent to and inward of the larger wheels  40 , and a relatively smaller wheel  44  ( FIG. 7 ) mounted to a front of the housing  36 . In other embodiments, the base assembly  24  may include fewer or more wheels  40 ,  42 ,  44 . The smaller rear wheels  42  are positioned inwardly of the periphery of the base assembly  24  to support the base assembly  24  if the larger rear wheels  40  lose contact with the ground surface. For example, when cleaning a curb, step, or other structure that has a drop-off, the surface cleaner system  20  may be positioned such that at least one of the larger wheels  40  extends beyond the edge of the curb/step to ensure the spray assembly  32  completely cleans the curb/step. In such a position, the smaller rear wheels  42  contact the curb/step to support the system  20  and facilitate movement of the base assembly  32  along the curb/step. The illustrated wheels  40 ,  42 ,  44  are idle wheels that are independently coupled to the lower housing portion  60 . In other embodiments, the wheels  40 ,  42 ,  44  may be coupled to a common axle, may be casters to increase the maneuverability of the base assembly  24 , and/or may be driven wheels. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the motor  48 , or prime mover, is positioned within the housing  36  and includes an output shaft mechanically coupled to the drive mechanism  52 . The output shaft drives the drive mechanism  52  which, in turn, drives the pump  56 . The illustrated motor  48  is an electric motor that is powered by an external AC power source through a power cord  88  ( FIGS. 2-4 ). In other embodiments, the electric motor  48  may be powered by a DC power source such as, for example, a rechargeable battery supported on the base assembly  24 . A power switch  92  is mounted to the base assembly  24  and electrically coupled to the motor  48  to turn the motor  48  on and off. In some embodiments, the motor  48  may be replaced with a different type of prime mover. For example, the base assembly  24  may include an engine that uses gasoline or diesel fuel to drive the pump  56  and power the components of the surface cleaner system  20 . 
     The pump  56  is positioned within the housing  36  and mechanically coupled to the drive mechanism  52  such that the motor  48  drives the pump  56 . In the illustrated embodiment, the pump  56  is a positive displacement fluid pump such as, for example, a reciprocating pump, a diaphragm pump, a peristaltic pump, or the like. In other embodiments, other suitable fluid pumps may also or alternatively be employed. Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the pump  56  receives fluid at a relatively low pressure from a remote source (e.g., a municipal or local water source) through an inlet connector  96  mounted to the base assembly  24  and outputs fluid at a relatively high pressure through an outlet connector  100  mounted to the base assembly  24 . The inlet connector  96  is in communication with the pump  56  through an input line  104 , or conduit, and the outlet connector  100  is in communication with the pump  56  through an output line  108 , or conduit. In the illustrated embodiment, the connectors  96 ,  100  are threaded connectors for detachably coupling to, for example, flexible hoses (e.g., a garden hose, a high pressure hose, etc.). In other embodiments, other suitable connectors may also or alternatively be employed. 
     In some embodiments, the pump  56  is capable of outputting fluid at a rate between about 0.5 and about 5 gallons per minute (gpm). In the illustrated embodiment, the pump  56  outputs fluid at a rate between about 0.75 and about 2.5 gpm and, more particularly, between about 1.0 and about 1.6 gpm. The pump  56  is also capable of outputting fluid at a pressure between about 300 and about 2000 pounds per square inch (psi). In the illustrated embodiment, the pump  56  outputs fluid at a pressure between about 700 and about 1600 psi and, more particularly, between about 1300 and about 1600 psi. The actual flow rate and output pressure of the pump  56  are affected and adjusted by altering geometrical and/or hydrodynamic features of the fluid lines  104 ,  108  or conduits within the surface cleaner system  20 , such as, for example, the inlet flow rate and pressure from the remote fluid source, the diameter of the fluid lines  104 ,  108 , or the like. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the motor  48 , the drive mechanism  52 , and the pump  56  are positioned above the rear wheels  40  and at a higher elevation than the spray assembly  32 . Positioning the motor  48  and the pump  56  directly above the rear wheels  40  imparts the weight of the motor  48  and the pump  56  onto the wheels  40  to increase stability and handling of the surface cleaner system  20 . In addition, the motor  48  is orientated such that the output shaft is generally parallel to the ground surface to maintain a low profile of the base assembly  24 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the base assembly  24  also includes a liquid storage container  112 , or tank, mounted to and supported by the lower housing portion  60 . The container  112  is configured to retain, for example, a supply of cleaning solution (e.g., soap, disinfectant, etc.) that is selectively mixed with fluid being discharged through the outlet connector  100 . A cleaning solution supply line  116 , or conduit, extends between the container  112  and the output line  108  to direct the cleaning solution from the container  112  to the output line  108 . In some embodiments, a metering valve may be positioned within the supply line  116  or the container  112  to selectively restrict the flow of cleaning solution from the container  112  to the output line  108 . The metering valve may be actuated by a dial or lever to adjust the ratio of cleaning solution to fluid (e.g., water) or to completely inhibit cleaning solution from leaving the container  112 . Additionally or alternatively, a venturi may be positioned within the cleaning solution supply line  116  to allow fluid flow from the container  112  to the output line  108  when the differential pressure exceeds a predetermined threshold. The illustrated container  112  includes a cap  120  extending through the upper housing portion  64  to facilitate refilling the container  112 . In some embodiments, the cap  120  may include an indicator to notify an operator of the fluid level within the container  112 . In other embodiments, the indicator may be located elsewhere on the base assembly  24 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , the spray gun  28  includes a handle portion  124  and a rigid wand  128  or lance coupled to the handle portion  124 . The handle portion  124  includes a hand grip  132 , a trigger  136 , and an inlet connector  140  to fluidly couple the spray gun  28  to the pump  56 . The hand grip  132  is shaped and sized to be comfortably gripped by a user during operation of the surface cleaner system  20 . The trigger  136  is coupled to an isolation valve within the spray gun  28  to selectively allow pressurized fluid from the pump  56  to flow through the wand  128 . The illustrated trigger  136  is mechanically coupled to the isolation valve via a linkage or lever such that actuation of the trigger  136  causes the valve to open. The trigger  136  and the isolation valve are normally biased toward a closed, or shut, position to block fluid from flowing through the wand  128 . Actuating (e.g., depressing) the trigger  136  against the biasing force opens the valve by varying degrees to adjust the amount of fluid flow through the spray gun  28 . 
     The wand  128  extends from the handle portion  124  and defines a conduit for fluid flow. In the illustrated embodiment, the wand  128  is removably coupled to the handle portion  124  to extend the length of the spray gun  28 . In other embodiments, the wand  128  may be integrally formed as a single piece with the handle portion  124 . The wand  128  includes an outlet portion  144  for discharging the fluid from the spray gun  28 . The outlet portion  144  includes a quick-connect coupling  148  for engaging an inlet coupling  152  ( FIGS. 5 ,  6 , and  8 A) on the base assembly  24  when the surface cleaner system  20  is in the first mode ( FIGS. 1-3 ). As shown in  FIG. 8A , the illustrated quick-connect coupling  148  receives a portion  156  of the inlet coupling  152  to securely mount the spray gun  28  to the base assembly  24  without the use of tools. In some embodiments, the quick-connect coupling  148  and the inlet coupling  152  may include corresponding flats, keying features, splines, or other non-circular elements to inhibit the spray gun  28  from rotating when connected to the base assembly  24 . The inlet coupling  152  is in communication with the spray assembly  32  via a spray line  160 , or conduit, to direct pressurized fluid from the spray gun  28  to the spray assembly  32 . 
       FIG. 8B  illustrates the surface cleaner system  20  including another embodiment of a quick-connect coupling  148 ′. The illustrated quick-connect coupling  148 ′ includes a collar  162 , or sleeve, that is axially movable along the outlet portion  144  of the wand  128 . The collar  162  is rotatable relative to the wand  128  to threadably engage the inlet coupling  152  and thereby secure the spray gun  28  to the base assembly  24 . In other embodiments, other suitable quick-connect couplings may alternatively be employed. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 8A , when the surface cleaner system  20  is in the second mode ( FIG. 4 ), the quick-connect coupling  148  is disconnected from the inlet coupling  152 , and a nozzle  164 ,  166  is coupled to the quick-connect coupling  148 . The nozzle  164 ,  166  discharges fluid from the spray gun  28  directly onto a surface in the surrounding environment without first directing the fluid through the spray assembly  32 . In the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of nozzles with different spray patterns may be interchangeably coupled to the spray gun  28 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 4 , a rotary nozzle  164  may be removably coupled to the spray gun  28  via the quick-connect coupling  148 . Additionally, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 6 , two alternative nozzles  166  are mounted to the housing  36  and may be interchangeably coupled to the spray gun  28 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 8A and 9 , the inlet coupling  152  is supported by a cylinder  168  to pivotally couple the spray gun  28  to the base assembly  24 . The cylinder  168  is rotatably coupled to the housing  36  of the base assembly  24  about a pivot axis  172  such that the cylinder  168  may rotate relative to the housing  36 . The inlet coupling  152  extends radially from the cylinder  168  and is in communication with the spray line  160  through a passageway formed in the cylinder  168 . The cylinder  168  includes high pressure water seals suitable to prevent leakage between the passageway and the spray line  160 . When the spray gun  28  is connected to the inlet coupling  152 , the cylinder  168  may rotate about the pivot axis  172  to adjust the orientation of the spray gun  28  relative to the base assembly  24 . In the illustrated embodiment, the spray gun  28  is pivotable from a storage position ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ), in which the spray gun  28  is generally upright, to an operative position ( FIGS. 3 and 9 ), in which the spray gun  28  extends rearwardly from the base assembly  24  to facilitate pushing or pulling the base assembly  24  along the ground surface. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, a pedal  180  is coupled to the housing  36  adjacent to the cylinder  168  to releasably secure the spray gun  28  in the storage position. The illustrated pedal  180  includes a rib  184  extending toward the cylinder  168 , and the cylinder  168  defines a recess  188  ( FIG. 9 ) configured to receive the rib  184 . In the storage position ( FIG. 8A ), the rib  184  is biased into the recess  188  to inhibit rotation of the cylinder  168  about the pivot axis  172 . Actuating (e.g., depressing) the pedal  180  moves the rib  184  out of the recess  188 , allowing the cylinder  168  to freely rotate about the pivot axis  172 . The spray gun  28  may then be pivoted by a user to an operative position within a continuous range of positions. In some embodiments, the cylinder  168  may define a plurality of recesses to releasably secure the spray gun  28  in a discrete number of operative positions. In other embodiments, other suitable locking mechanisms may alternatively be employed to secure the spray gun  28  in the storage position and/or the operative position. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , a high pressure flexible hose  192  extends between the outlet connector  100  on the base assembly  24  and the inlet connector  140  on the spray gun  28  to fluidly couple the pump  56  to the spray gun  28 . The illustrated hose  192  is formed from a plurality of layers to provide adequate strength and flexibility for high pressure applications. In some embodiments, the hose  192  may include an internal layer of rubber, a polymer, or the like that defines a conduit for fluid flow. The internal layer may be surrounded by a network of woven or braided fibers to provide adequate hoop strength for the hose  192 . This woven layer may be formed of, for example, high strength polyester fibers, steel fibers, or the like. The hose  192  may also include an outer layer disposed around the woven layer to provide a relatively smooth outer coating. The outer layer may be composed of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyurethane, santoprene, or another suitable material. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the hose  192  is removably connected to the outlet connector  100  of the base assembly  24  and the inlet connector  140  of the spray gun  28  with threaded connectors  196 . In other embodiments, the hose  192  may be permanently connected to one or both of the outlet and inlet connectors  100 ,  140 . In still other embodiments, the hose  192  may be semi-permanently connected to the outlet and inlet connectors  100 ,  140  with, for example, compression fittings that require external tools to assemble and disassemble the hose  192 . In some embodiments, the spray gun  28  may include hooks, straps, or other elements that serve as a hose or cord wrap to retain an excess length of the hose  192  or the power cord  88 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , a second low pressure hose  198  is connected to the inlet connector  96  on the base assembly  24 . The lower pressure hose  198  directs fluid from a remote source into the inlet line  104  and toward the pump  56  ( FIG. 5 ). Similar to the high pressure hose  192 , the low pressure hose  198  includes threaded connectors  199  to connect to the inlet connector  96  and, for example, a garden hose. The illustrated low pressure hose  198  is a self-coiling hose configured to relieve tension on the inlet connector  96  when connected to the garden hose. For example, when the garden hose is extended to a maximum length, the low pressure hose  198  may stretch (e.g., uncoil) such that the garden hose does not pull on the inlet connector  96 . In addition, the self-coiling feature of the hose  198  inhibits a large length of hose from collecting near the base assembly  24  and interfering with a user walking behind the base assembly  24 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 7 and 10 , the spray assembly  32  is coupled to the lower surface  72  of the lower housing portion  60  substantially within the opening  76 . In some embodiments, the spray assembly  32  may be a separate unit that is removably coupled to the base assembly  24 . In the illustrated embodiment, the spray assembly  32  includes a hub  200  rotatably coupled to the lower housing portion  60 , a pair of elongated tubes  204  extending from the hub  200 , and a nozzle  208  coupled to each tube  204 . In other embodiments, other suitable spray assemblies may be coupled to the base assembly  24 . The hub  200  is in fluid communication with the spray line  160  and defines an axis  212  that the spray assembly  32  rotates about. The illustrated axis  212  extends longitudinally through the hub  200  and generally perpendicularly through the lower surface  72  of the housing  36 . The elongated tubes  204  are generally hollow and extend radially from the hub  200  to direct the pressurized fluid from the spray line  160  to the nozzles  208 . In the illustrated embodiment, the spray assembly  32  includes two tubes  204  extending in opposite directions from the hub  200 . In other embodiments, the spray assembly  32  may include fewer or more elongated tubes  204  extending from the hub  200 . 
     Each nozzle  208  is coupled to an end portion  216  of the corresponding tube  204  to discharge the pressurized fluid from the tubes  204  toward the ground surface. The illustrated nozzles  208  are staggered to impart a torque on the hub  200  as fluid is discharged from the nozzles  208 . The torque rotates the hub  200 , and thereby the elongated tubes  204  and the nozzles  208 , about the axis  212  to distribute pressurized fluid evenly over the ground surface. In other embodiments, the hub  200  may be driven by the motor  48  to rotate the spray assembly  32 , or the spray assembly  32  may remain generally stationary relative to the base assembly  24  during operation of the surface cleaner system  20 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , the end portion  216  of each elongated tube  204  is bent at approximately 90° relative to the length of the tube  204 . In addition, the end portions  216  are turned away from the ground surface such that the nozzles  208  discharge fluid at an acute angle α relative to the axis  212  of rotation. In some embodiments, the angle α is between approximately 5° and approximately 30°. In the illustrated embodiment, the angle α is between approximately 10° and approximately 20°. 
     As shown in  FIG. 11 , the illustrated nozzles  208  are threadably coupled to the tubes  204  to facilitate removing and interchanging the nozzles  208  on the spray assembly  32 . In other embodiments, the nozzles  208  may be connected to the tubes  204  using other suitable coupling means, or the nozzles  208  may be permanently attached to or integrally formed with the tubes  204 . Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, multiple nozzles  208  may be coupled to each tube  204  and/or the nozzles  208  may be located elsewhere on the tubes  204 . 
     The surface cleaner system  20  may additionally include one or more sensors that monitor one or more parameters of the system  20 . For example, the system  20  may include a pressure sensor in communication with the output line  108  to monitor the pressure of fluid leaving the pump  56 . In some embodiments, the pressure sensor may be configured to measure the rate of change of pressure of fluid leaving the pump  56 . The system  20  may also include a flow sensor in communication with the output line  108  to monitor the flow rate, or rate of change of the flow rate, of fluid leaving the pump  56 . The sensors may be electrically coupled to a controller which receives signals from the sensors, processes the signals, and directs necessary directions to various components of the surface cleaner system  20 . For example, if the pressure sensor outputs a signal indicative of a pressure below a predetermined set point, the controller may allow current to flow to the motor  48  to drive the pump  56  and increase the flow pressure. Alternatively, if the measured pressure is equal to or exceeds the predetermined set point (e.g., when the spray gun  28  and the spray assembly  32  are not discharging fluid), the controller may temporarily interrupt current to the motor  48  such that the pump  56  stops pressurizing fluid. 
     In operation, the base assembly  24  is connected to a remote fluid source through the inlet connector  96 . The power cord  88  is plugged into a wall outlet, and a user actuates the power switch  92  to provide AC power to the motor  48 . When powered, the motor  48  drives the drive mechanism  52  and the pump  56 . The pump  56  receives fluid (e.g., water) from the remote fluid source at a relatively low pressure and discharges the fluid at a relatively high pressure. If desired, the metering valve in the cleaning solution supply line  116  may be opened to allow cleaning solution to mix with pressurized fluid exiting the pump  56 . The pressurized fluid (and cleaning solution) exits the base assembly  24  through the outlet connector  100  and flows toward the spray gun  28  through the flexible hose  192 . 
     As mentioned above, the surface cleaner system  20  is operable in the first mode ( FIGS. 1-3 ), in which the outlet portion  144  of the spray gun  28  is connected to the base assembly  24 , and in the second mode ( FIG. 4 ), in which the outlet portion  144  of the spray gun  28  is disconnected from the base assembly  24 . When in the first mode, the quick-connect coupling  148  of the spray gun  28  is coupled to the inlet coupling  152  of the base assembly  24  to direct pressurized fluid from the spray gun  28  to the spray assembly  32 . Actuating the trigger  136  of the spray gun  28  allows pressurized fluid from the pump  56  to flow through the spray gun  28  and into the spray line  160  in the base assembly  24 . The spray line  160  directs the pressurized fluid into the spray assembly  32  to discharge the fluid through the nozzles  208 . As the fluid exits the nozzles  208 , the spray assembly  32  rotates about the axis  212  such that fluid is sprayed evenly over the ground surface within the periphery of the skirt  68 . The trigger  136  may be actuated by varying degrees to adjust the amount of pressurized fluid flowing through the spray gun  28  and into the spray assembly  32 . 
     To move the spray gun  28  from the storage position ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) to the operative position ( FIG. 3 ), the pedal  180  is actuated by a user to move the rib  184  out of the recess  188  in the cylinder  168 . The cylinder  168  may then rotate about the pivot axis  172  to pivot the spray gun  28  relative to the base assembly  24 . Pivoting the spray gun  28  to the operative position allows the user to push or pull the base assembly  24  along the ground surface. Actuating the trigger  136  of the spray gun  28  while in the operative position directs pressurized fluid into the spray assembly  32  to discharge fluid onto the ground surface as the base assembly  24  moves along the surface. 
     When in the second mode, the quick-connect coupling  148  of the spray gun  28  is disconnected and separated from the inlet coupling  152  of the base assembly  24 . One of the nozzles  164 ,  166  is connected to the outlet portion  144  of the spray gun  28  to discharge fluid from the spray gun  28  in a controlled pattern. Actuating the trigger  136  of the spray gun  28  allows pressurized fluid from the pump  56  to flow through the spray gun  28  and be discharged directly onto a surface (e.g., the ground surface, a wall or siding, windows, furniture, steps, etc.). That is, the fluid is discharged from the spray gun  28  onto a surface without first passing through the spray assembly  32 . The spray gun  28  may thereby be used as a conventional spray gun to clean surfaces over which it is difficult or impossible to move the base assembly  24 . 
     Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of one or more independent aspects of the invention as described. Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.