Patent Publication Number: US-8122562-B2

Title: Surface cleaning implement with independent suction nozzle and agitator

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 12/041,007, filed Mar. 3, 2008, which is related to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/893,033, filed Mar. 5, 2007, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to surface cleaning implement for a vacuum cleaner. In one of its aspects, the invention relates to a surface cleaning implement that has a suction nozzle and an agitator that are configured to function independently of each other. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Vacuum cleaning appliances are known for removing dry or wet debris from surfaces, including fabric-covered surfaces like carpets and upholstery, and bare surfaces like hardwood, linoleum and tile. Conventional dry vacuum cleaners are not capable of distributing or recovering fluids from surfaces because moisture can damage the motor and filtration system of the vacuum cleaner. As a result, liquid extraction vacuum cleaning appliances such as vacuum mops, extractors and carpet cleaners must be used to distribute and/or remove liquids from surfaces requiring a consumer to keep several large pieces of equipment available to complete different floor cleaning needs. 
     Various attachments have been developed to adapt conventional dry vacuum cleaners to distribute and recover liquids. Many of these attachments only allow for fluid recovery, and are not provided with means for fluid distribution. Some attachments include replacement filter systems that can collect recovered fluid. Other attachments include hand-held accessory tools, often referred to as wet or wet pick-up tools, that are coupled to the conventional dry vacuum cleaner using a vacuum hose. 
     A noted problem with using a wet pick-up tool to convert a conventional dry vacuum cleaner into one capable of fluid distribution and/or recovery is preventing fluid from entering the filtration system and suction source of the vacuum cleaner. Accordingly, wet pick-up tools often include means for separating working air from recovered fluid and a container for collecting the recoverd fluid so that fluid is prevented from passing, along with the working air, to the conventional dry vacuum cleaner through the vacuum hose. However, if the container is overfilled or turned to an unusual angle, known wet pick-up tools can allow fluid to remain in the working air and enter the conventional dry vacuum cleaner, causing damage to the filtration system and suction source. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the invention, a surface cleaning implement comprises a housing having a suction nozzle adapted to be connected to a source of suction, an agitator assembly mounted to the housing and configured so that the agitator is in contact with a surface to be cleaned and the suction nozzle is spaced from the surface to be cleaned in a first position, and the suction nozzle is in contact with the surface to be cleaned and the agitator is spaced from the surface to be cleaned in a second position. 
     In one embodiment, at least one of the suction nozzle and agitator is rotatably mounted to the housing for movement between the first and second positions. 
     In one embodiment, the agitator assembly is movably mounted in a pair of agitator retainers formed on opposite sides of the housing for movement between the first and second positions. The agitator assembly can be an elongated agitator body that has at least one row of bristles extending along the body for scrubbing or otherwise agitating the surface to be cleaned. 
     In one embodiment, a locking projection or detent is formed on one of the agitator body and the agitator retainers and a pair of spaced locking slots is formed in the other of the agitator body and agitator retainers for alternately receiving the projection or detent to releasably retain the agitator assembly in the first and second positions. The spaced locking slots can be spaced about 90° apart. 
     In one embodiment, a recovery tank is mounted on the housing and in fluid communication with the suction nozzle. A turbine can be rotatably mounted within a turbine chamber having an inlet opening in fluid communication with the atmosphere and an outlet opening connected to a suction opening in the housing for rotatably driving the turbine with suction from a suction source. Further, a suction fan can be rotatably mounted within a suction fan chamber having an inlet opening in fluid communication with the suction nozzle through the recovery tank for depositing fluid that is drawn in through the suction nozzle into the recovery tank and an outlet opening in fluid communication with the atmosphere. Still further, a coupling can be provided between the turbine and the suction fan so that the turbine drives the suction fan when suction is applied at the suction opening. In addition, a fluid dispensing assembly can be mounted to the housing for distributing cleaning fluid onto the surface to be cleaned. The recovery tank can include an air/liquid separator for separating air from liquid drawn into the recovery tank through the suction nozzle. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an accessory tool according to the present invention connected to a vacuum hose that is coupled with a conventional dry vacuum cleaning appliance. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the accessory tool, showing a tool body supporting a recovery tank assembly and a fan/turbine assembly at a lower portion thereof and a fluid dispensing system at an upper portion thereof. 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the accessory tool from  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a sectional view taken through line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 5A  is a top perspective view of the tool body from  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 5B  is a bottom perspective view of the tool body from  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the fluid dispensing assembly from  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 7A  is a top perspective view of a suction fan cover of the fan/turbine assembly from  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 7B  is a bottom perspective view of the suction fan cover from  FIG. 7A . 
         FIG. 8A  is a top perspective view of a turbine cover of the fan/turbine assembly from  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 8B  is a bottom perspective view of the turbine cover from  FIG. 8A . 
         FIG. 9A  is a top perspective view of a separation plate of the fan/turbine assembly from  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 9B  is a bottom perspective view of the separation plate from  FIG. 9A . 
         FIG. 10A  is a top perspective view of a suction fan of the fan/turbine assembly from  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 10B  is a bottom perspective view of the suction fan from  FIG. 10A . 
         FIG. 11A  is a top perspective view of a turbine of the fan/turbine assembly from  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 11B  is a bottom perspective view of the turbine from  FIG. 11A . 
         FIG. 12  is a sectional view similar to  FIG. 4 , illustrating the airflow pathways through the accessory tool. 
         FIG. 13  is a top perspective view of a second embodiment of a nozzle assembly for the accessory tool according to the present invention, where the nozzle assembly comprises a suction nozzle and a movable agitator assembly. 
         FIG. 14  is a bottom perspective view of the nozzle assembly from  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 15  is a sectional view taken through line  15 - 15  of  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 16  is an exploded view of the nozzle assembly of  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 17  is a side view of the nozzle assembly of  FIG. 13 , showing the nozzle assembly in a first use orientation where the suction nozzle is positioned adjacent the surface to be cleaned and the agitator assembly is rotated away from the suction to be cleaned. 
         FIG. 18  is a side view of the nozzle assembly of  FIG. 13 , showing the nozzle assembly in a second use orientation where the suction nozzle is moved away from the surface to be cleaned and the agitator assembly is rotated to a position adjacent the surface to be cleaned. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to the drawings, and in particular to  FIG. 1 , a first embodiment of an accessory tool  10  according to the present invention is illustrated that comprises a fluid delivery system for storing cleaning fluid and delivering the cleaning fluid to a surface to the cleaned, and a fluid recovery system for removing the spent cleaning fluid and dirt from the surface to the cleaned and storing the spent cleaning fluid and dirt. The accessory tool  10  is configured for removable mounting to a vacuum hose  12 , which is in turn coupled with a source of suction. Preferably, the source of suction is a conventional dry vacuum cleaner  14 ; however any commonly known vacuum cleaning appliance comprising a suction source and vacuum hose is acceptable. As used herein, the term “dry vacuum cleaner” is used to denote a floor surface cleaner that is not capable of fluid distribution or fluid recovery without the accessory tool  10 , unless it is specifically stated otherwise. Furthermore, the accessory tool  10  can be utilized with other vacuum cleaning appliances, such as a wet carpet cleaner or liquid extractor. 
     The vacuum cleaner  14  can comprise any type of vacuum cleaner utilizing a vacuum hose, such as an upright, canister, stick-type, or hand-held vacuum cleaner, or with a built-in central vacuum cleaning system. Further, the vacuum cleaner  14  can be used to clean fabric-covered surfaces, such as carpets and upholstery, or bare surfaces, such as hardwood, linoleum, and tile. The vacuum cleaner  14  draws in dirt-laden air through the hose  12  and into a filtration system where the dirt is trapped for later disposal. Exemplary filtration systems can include a filter bag or a bagless cyclonic filter. As illustrated, the vacuum cleaner  14  comprises an upright vacuum cleaner using at least a cyclone separator as the filtration system. Details of a suitable vacuum cleaner for use with the accessory tool  10  are disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,810,557 to Hansen et al. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2-4 , the accessory tool  10  comprises a tool body  16  that removably supports a recovery tank assembly  18  and a fan/turbine assembly  20  at a lower portion thereof, lower being defined as relative to the typical use position of the accessory tool  10 , and a fluid dispensing assembly  22  at an upper portion thereof. The recovery tank assembly  18  stores recovered cleaning fluid and dirt, while the fluid dispensing assembly  22  stores cleaning fluid before it is distributed to the surface to be cleaned. The recovery tank assembly  18  can further comprise an air/liquid separator from separating air from recovered cleaning fluid and dirt. The cleaning fluid can comprise any suitable cleaning fluid, including, but not limited to, water, concentrated detergent, diluted detergent, and the like. The fan/turbine assembly  20  is generally positioned between the tool body  16  and the recovery tank assembly  18  and is used generate fluid and air flow through the accessory tool  10 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 ,  5 A, and  5 B, the tool body  16  comprises a fluid dispensing assembly receiver  24  that removably mounts the fluid dispensing assembly  22  positioned on an upper portion of the tool body  16 , a nozzle receiver  26  having an arcuate lower surface  28  positioned at a forward end of the tool body  16 , and a hollow hose connector  30  positioned at a rear end of the tool body  16 , opposite the nozzle receiver  26 . The fluid dispensing assembly receiver  24  at least partially receives the fluid dispensing assembly  22  and can comprise a retaining feature, such as a ridge  31  that retains a portion of the fluid dispensing assembly  22  within the fluid dispensing assembly receiver  24 . The hose connector  30  is configured to fluidly couple with the vacuum hose  12 , or another accessory tool (not shown), such as an extension pipe coupled with the vacuum hose  12 . Furthermore, the hose connector  30  provides a convenient place for the user to grip the accessory tool  10 . A working air conduit inlet opening  32  is formed on a lower surface of the tool body  16 , opposite the fluid dispensing assembly receiver  24  and is in fluid communication with the fan/turbine assembly  20 . A working air conduit  34  is formed through the tool body  16  and extends between the working air conduit inlet opening  32  and the hose connector  30 . Thus, the working air conduit  34  fluidly communicates with a source of suction, such as the vacuum cleaner  14 , via the vacuum hose  12 , or another accessory tool. A turbine cover tab receiver  35  is formed on a lower surface of the tool body  16 , between the working air conduit inlet opening  32  and the hose connector  30  and is configured to receive a portion of the fan/turbine assembly  20 , as will be presently described. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the recovery tank assembly  18  comprises a recovery tank  36  and a suction nozzle  38  in communication with the recovery tank  36  via a recovery tank inlet  40 . The recovery tank  36  comprises a generally cylindrical peripheral wall  42  having a closed bottom  44  and forms a recovery chamber  46  in which recovered cleaning fluid and dirt passing through the suction nozzle  38  is received via the recovery tank inlet  40 . Multiple recesses  48  are formed in the upper edge of the peripheral wall  42  and form exhaust outlets  50  when the recovery tank  34  is mounted to the fan/turbine assembly  20 . Preferably, one or both of the recovery tank  36  and the suction nozzle  38  are translucent or transparent to allow the contents to be at least partially visible to the user. The recovery tank  36  is removably mounted to the fan/turbine assembly  20  and can be removed therefrom to empty the contents of the recovery chamber  46  after a cleaning operation is complete. 
     The suction nozzle  38  comprises a rear nozzle body  52 , which, as illustrated, is integrally formed with the recovery tank  36  and a front nozzle body  54  removably mounted to the rear nozzle body  52  to form a fluid flow path  56  therebetween. In another embodiment (not illustrated), the front nozzle body  54  is not removable from the rear nozzle body  52 . In yet another embodiment (not illustrated), the recovery tank  36  is removable from the suction nozzle  38 . The fluid flow path  56  extends between a suction nozzle opening  58 , which, in operation, is positioned adjacent the surface to be cleaned, and the recovery tank inlet  40 . 
     The rear nozzle body  52  comprises a generally planar upper wall  60  and two spaced side walls  62  joined to a rear wall  64 . The front nozzle body  54  comprises a front wall  66  having two spaced side walls  68  configured to snap-fit to the side walls  62  of the rear nozzle body  52  to releasably secure the front nozzle body  54  to the rear nozzle body  52 . The front wall  66  further comprises an upper portion  70  that extends above the side walls  68  and comprises an arcuate upper surface  72 . When the front nozzle body  54  is mounted to the rear nozzle body  52 , the upper portion  70  extends above the upper wall  60  of the rear nozzle body  54  and the arcuate upper surface  72  conforms to the arcuate lower surface  28  of the nozzle receiver  26 . The upper portion  70  further forms an area where the user can grip the front nozzle body  54  to remove it from the rear nozzle body  52 . The front wall  66  further has a generally flat glide surface  74  at a lower portion thereof, adjacent the suction nozzle opening  58 , which rests on the surface to be cleaned during operation and helps distribute the weight of the accessory tool  10  over a relatively large surface area so that the user may glide the accessory tool  10  over the surface to be cleaned with less exertion. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , the fluid dispensing assembly  22  can comprise any vessel that can store and distribute the cleaning fluid. As illustrated, the fluid dispensing assembly  22  comprises a cleaning fluid container  76  for storing the cleaning fluid and a manually actuable dispensing cap  78  mounted to the cleaning fluid container  76 . The cleaning fluid container  76  is preferably shaped to complement the shape of the fluid dispensing assembly receiver  24 , and can comprise a recessed portion  79  that can be press-fit over the ridge  31  of the fluid dispensing assembly receiver  24  to mount the fluid dispensing assembly  22  to the tool body  16 . The dispensing cap  78  comprises a spray nozzle  80  for distributing cleaning fluid onto the surface of the cleaned and a conventional pump (not shown) used in non-aerosol dispensers that is operated by a movable discharge button  82 . In operation, the user depresses the discharge button  82  to distribute a dose of cleaning fluid from the spray nozzle  80  onto the surface to be cleaned. The user may repeatedly depress the discharge button  82  to distribute multiple doses until a desired amount of cleaning fluid has been applied to onto the surface to be cleaned. When empty, the fluid dispensing assembly  22  can be removed, discarded and replaced with a new fluid dispensing assembly, or the fluid dispensing assembly  22  can be refilled with cleaning fluid and reused. It is understood that in some cleaning operations, the user may desire to only recover fluid from the surface to be cleaned, and in this case, cleaning fluid is not dispensed from the fluid dispensing assembly  22 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the fan/turbine assembly  20  comprises a suction fan  84  in fluid communication with the suction nozzle  38  to create suction force to draw cleaning fluid and dirt from the surface to be cleaned into the recovery tank  36 , and a turbine  86  coupled to the suction fan  86  to drive the suction fan  86  using working air drawn over and through the turbine by the vacuum cleaner  14 . The fan/turbine assembly  20  further comprises a suction fan cover  88 , a turbine cover  90 , and a separation plate  92 . Together, the suction fan cover  88  and the separation plate  92  define a suction fan chamber  89  in which the suction fan  84  is received. Similarly, the turbine cover  90  and the separation plate  92  define a turbine chamber  91 , which is separate from the suction fan chamber  89 , in which the turbine  86  is received. The suction fan cover  88  is in turn at least partially received by the recovery tank  36  and the turbine cover  90  is mounted to the lower surface of the tool body  16  and rests upon the recovery tank  36 . The suction fan  84  and the turbine  86  are rotatably mounted to the separation plate  92  by a coupling, which is illustrated herein as an axle  94  retained within a bearing  96  mounted to the separation plate  92 . The axle  94  comprises two ends that pass through the bearing  96 , each of which respectively mounts one of the suction fan  84  and the turbine  86 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7A and 7B , the suction fan cover  88  comprises a generally flat circular body  98  having an upper surface  100 , a lower surface  102 , and a peripheral edge  104 . At least one fan inlet opening  106  is formed in the body  98 , which fluidly communicates the recovery tank  36  with the suction fan  84 . As illustrated, four fan inlet openings  106  are provided. A U-shaped baffle  108  centered around the fan inlet openings  106  extends from the lower surface  102  and into the recovery chamber  46  and forms the air/liquid separator of the recovery tank  36 . The baffle  108  forces air passing through the recovery tank  36  from the suction nozzle  38  to take a more circuitous path to the suction fan  84  and aids in the separation of air from recovered cleaning fluid drawn into the recovery tank  36 . A plurality of spaced upstanding partitions  110  is formed on the upper surface  100  and is arranged in an arc along the periphery of one half of the body  98 . The partitions  110  form fan outlets  112  therebetween that are in fluid communication with the exhaust outlets  50  when the recovery tank  34  is mounted to the fan/turbine assembly  20 . Formed on the periphery of the other half of the body  98  is an upstanding arcuate wall  1   14 . The wall  114  comprises an outer surface  116 , which is continuous with the peripheral edge  104 , an inner surface  118 , and an upper surface  120 . A step  122  is formed between the outer and upper surfaces  116 ,  120 . An arcuate groove  124  is formed on the lower surface  102  and is generally aligned with the arcuate wall  114 . 
     When the accessory tool  10  is assembled, the suction fan  84  is received within the area bounded by the partitions  110  and the arcuate wall  114  of the suction fan cover  88 , and the suction fan cover  88  is received within the recovery tank  36 . While not illustrated, the suction fan cover  88  can be provided with a float valve assembly for sealing the fan inlet openings  106  when the amount of fluid in the recovery chamber  46  rises above a certain level to insure that fluid does not enter the fan/turbine assembly  20 . For example, the baffle  108  could be modified to include a float valve assembly. Alternately, the float valve assembly can be formed with the recovery tank assembly  18 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8A and 8B , the turbine cover  90  comprises a dish-shaped circular body  126  having an upper wall  128  and a peripheral wall  130  depending from the upper wall  128  at an outward angle. A plurality of spaced turbine inlet openings  132  are formed in the turbine cover  90  and are preferably formed in the peripheral wall  130 . At least one turbine outlet opening  134  is formed in the upper wall  128 , which is generally aligned with the working air conduit inlet opening  32  of the tool body  16  and fluidly communicates the turbine  86  with the working air conduit  34 . A tab  136  extends from the body  126 , near the junction between the upper wall  128  and the peripheral wall  130 , and is received by the tab receiver  35  on the tool body  16  to mount the turbine cover  90 , which can optionally be pre-assembled with the fan/turbine assembly  20  and the recovery tank assembly  18 , to the tool body  16 . The peripheral wall  130  further comprises a generally planar lower surface  138  and a generally planar inner step  140 , which is spaced from the lower surface  138  and formed below the turbine inlet openings  132 . When the accessory tool  10  is assembled, the lower surface  138  rests atop the peripheral wall  42  of the recovery tank  36  and the inner step  140  rests atop the separation plate  92 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 ,  9 A and  9 B, the separation plate  92  comprises a generally flat circular body  142  having an upper surface  144 , a lower surface  146 , and a peripheral edge  148  that angles outwardly from the upper surface  144  to the lower surface  146 . A central hub  150  protrudes from the upper and lower surfaces  144 ,  146  and comprises a bearing opening  152  passing therethrough. The bearing  96  is received within the bearing opening  152  and in turn mounts the axel  94 . A depending rim  154  is formed around the periphery of the lower surface  146  and is continuous with the peripheral edge  148 . When the accessory tool  10  is assembled, the rim  154  abuts the partitions  110  and the step  122  in the arcuate wall  114  of the suction fan cover  88 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 10A and 10B , the suction fan  84  comprises a generally circular body  156  having an upper surface  158 , a lower surface  160 , and a peripheral edge  162 . The upper surface  158  is generally flat near the peripheral edge  162  and tapers to a central depression  164  in which a hub  166  is provided. The lower surface  160  is also generally flat near the peripheral edge  162  and tapers to a central protrusion  168  which continues the hub  166 . An axle opening  170  passes through the hub  166  and receives the axle  94  to rotatably couple the suction fan  84  with the turbine  86 . A plurality of arcuate fan blades  172  extend radially outwardly from the hub  166  to the peripheral edge  162  and are generally equally spaced from one another. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 11A and 11B , the turbine  86  comprises a generally circular body  174  having an upper surface  176 , a lower surface  178 , and a peripheral edge  180 . The upper surface  176  is generally flat near the peripheral edge  180  and tapers to a central protrusion  182  on which a hub  184  is located. The lower surface  178  is also generally flat near the peripheral edge  180  and tapers to a central depression  186  in which the hub  184  is located. An axle opening  188  passes through the hub  184  and receives the axle  94  to rotatably couple the turbine  86  with the suction fan  84 . A plurality of turbine blades  190  are provided on the upper surface  176  and are generally positioned a ring orientation near the peripheral edge  180 . Each turbine blade  190  is generally triangular in shape when view from above, and comprises an outer straight segment  192  joined to a similar inner straight segment  194  by a rounded tip segment  196 , with an arced segment  198  positioned opposite the rounded tip segment  194  joining the outer and inner straight segments  192 ,  194 . As illustrated, the turbine blades  190  are hollow, which reduces the weight of the turbine  86  and saves material; however, the turbine  86  can alternately be formed with solid blades, which would increase the weight of the turbine  86  near the peripheral edge  180 , thereby increasing the angular momentum of the turbine  86 . 
     In operation, when the turbine blades  190  are exposed to a moving air stream, such as that created by the vacuum cleaner  14 , the axle  94  rotates with the turbine blades  190 . Specifically, the exposure of the arced segment  198  of the turbine blades  190  to a moving air stream causes the turbine body  174 , and consequently the axle  94 , to rotate. The rotation of the axle  94  cases the suction fan  86  to rotate. As the suction fan  84  rotates, the fan blades  172  pull air from the recovery chamber  46  through the fan openings  106 , thereby creating a partial vacuum within the recovery tank  36  and suction nozzle  38  and suction at the suction nozzle opening  58 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 12 , the airflow pathway though the accessory tool  10  is illustrated. Arrow A indicates the “dry” portion of the pathway, where air enters the turbine chamber  91  through the turbine inlet openings  132  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) and passes through and over the turbine  86 , thereby providing motive force thereto. The air then passes out of the fan/turbine assembly  20  through the turbine outlet opening  134  and into the working air conduit  34  via the working air conduit inlet opening  32 . From the working air conduit  34 , the air passes sequentially through the vacuum hose  12  and the vacuum cleaner  14 . 
     Arrow B indicates the “wet” portion of the pathway, where recovered cleaning fluid and dirt enters the suction nozzle  38  and is collected in the recovery tank  36 . Some air also enters the suction nozzle  38 , and passes around the baffle  108  and into the suction fan chamber  89  via the fan inlet openings  106  (shown in  FIG. 7A ). The air then passes through and over the suction fan  84 , passes out of the fan/turbine assembly  20  via the fan outlets  112 , and is exhausted from the accessory tool  10  through the recovery tank air outlets  50 . 
     Because the suction fan  84  and the turbine  86  are contained within separate chambers  89 ,  91 , fluid from the wet portion of the pathway B is prevented from entering the vacuum cleaner  14  through the dry portion of the airflow pathway A. Furthermore, a seal (not shown) can be use at the bearing to prevent fluid from getting into the bearing  96 , and potentially into the dry portion of the pathway A. 
     In a variation of the embodiment of the accessory tool of  FIGS. 1-12 , at least some of the main operating components of the accessory tool can be arranged along a generally non-vertical axis relative to the tool body, rather than a generally vertical axis. For example, at least some of the main operating components, such as the fan/turbine assembly  20 , can be arranged along a generally horizontal axis. Benefits of arranging the operating components of the accessory tool along a non-vertical axis can include increased fluid capacity in the fluid dispensing assembly  22  and/or the recovery tank  36 , and flexibility with regard to the overall aesthetic shape. Furthermore, the airflow pathway through the accessory tool can be reshaped to eliminate one or more  90  degree bends in either the “dry” or “wet” portion of the pathway, which can offer improved performance. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 13-16 , an alternative nozzle assembly  200  for the accessory tool according to the invention is illustration. While not specifically shown, the nozzle assembly  200  can be substituted for the suction nozzle  38  on the recovery tank assembly  18 . Furthermore, the nozzle assembly  200  can be employed on other cleaning tools and apparatus. The nozzle assembly  200  comprises a rear nozzle body  202 , which may or may not be integrally formed with a recovery container, such as recovery tank  36 , and a front nozzle body  204  removably mounted to the rear nozzle body  202  to form a fluid flow path  206  therebetween. In another embodiment (not illustrated), the front nozzle body  204  is not removable from the rear nozzle body  202 . The fluid flow path  206  extends between a suction nozzle opening  208 , which, in operation, is positioned adjacent the surface to be cleaned, and an inlet  210  that fluid communicates with a recovery container, such as recovery tank  36 . 
     A pair of agitator retainers  212 ,  214  is formed on either side of the rear nozzle body  202  and moveably mounts an agitator assembly  216 . The first agitator retainer  212  comprises a closed end wall  218 , while the second agitator retainer  214  comprises an end wall  220  having an opening  222  formed through which the agitator assembly  216  can be inserted during assembly of the nozzle assembly  200 . 
     The agitator assembly  216  comprises a generally cylindrical agitator body  224  having a first end  226  that is mounted within the first agitator retainer  212  and a second end  228  that is mounted within the second agitator retainer  214 . An agitator surface, such as bristles  230 , is provided on the agitator body  224  between the first and second ends  226 ,  228  for scrubbing or otherwise agitating the surface to be cleaned. The bristles  230  can be sufficiently resilient so that they deform to allow the agitator assembly  216  to be inserted through the opening  222 . A locking projection or detent  232  is formed on the agitator body  224  and is received in one of two spaced locking slots  234 ,  236  formed adjacent the opening  222  on the second agitator retainer  214 . As illustrated, the first locking slot  234  is generally formed at the nine o&#39;clock position with respect to the opening  222 , and the second locking slot  236  is generally formed at the twelve o&#39;clock position with respect to the opening  222 , such that the locking slots  234 ,  236  are spaced roughly 90° apart. However, the locking slots  234 ,  236  can be positioned at many different orientations with respect to each other. 
     Referring to  FIG. 17 , when the locking projection  232  is received within the first locking slot  234 , the nozzle assembly  200  is in a first use orientation in which the suction nozzle opening  208  is positioned adjacent the surface to be cleaned S and the agitator assembly  216  is positioned with the bristles  230  spaced from the surface to be cleaned S. The first use orientation corresponds to an extraction mode of the accessory tool, in which the accessory tool can recover fluid and dirt from the surface to be cleaned S. Referring to  FIG. 18 , when the locking projection  232  is received within the second locking slot  236 , the nozzle assembly  200  is in a second use orientation in which the suction nozzle opening  208  is moved away from the surface to be cleaned S and the agitator assembly  216  is positioned with the bristles  230  adjacent the surface to be cleaned S. The second use orientation corresponds to a scrubbing mode of the accessory tool, where the accessory tool can agitate the surface to be cleaned S after the application of cleaning solution. A knob  238  for moving the agitator assembly  216  between the first and second use orientations is provided on the second end  228  of the agitator body  224  and projects exteriorly of the second agitator retainer  214  to be easily accessible to the user for manual actuation. 
     To move the agitator assembly  216  from the first to the second use orientation, the agitator body  224  is rotated, preferably using the knob  238 , in a clockwise direction with respect to the orientation of  FIGS. 17 and 18  so that the locking projection  232  emerges from the first locking slot  234  and is recaptured in the second locking slot  236 . This requires a roughly 90° rotation as illustrated. A similar method is used to move the agitator assembly  216  back to the first use orientation. 
     The rotatable agitator assembly  215  separates the extraction mode from the scrubbing mode. The position of the bristles  230  in scrubbing mode ( FIG. 18 ) spaces the suction nozzle opening  208  from the surface to be cleaned to keep fluid from being extracted before it is agitated. 
     The accessory tool according to any of the above embodiments expands the cleaning capability of a conventional dry floor surface cleaning appliance to distribute cleaning fluid as well as recover fluid. The accessory tool can also be used with a wet extraction cleaning appliance for both distributing and recovering fluid. The accessory tool is designed such that the water recovery path is separated and isolated from the conventional working air path of the vacuum cleaning appliance to prevent water laden working air from entering the vacuum cleaning appliance. Other embodiments of the accessory tool not specifically shown herein are possible. For example, the accessory tool can include an agitating surface, such as a scrubbing pad or a brush. The agitating surface can further be configured for movement, and can be coupled with the turbine to provide motive power thereto. 
     While the invention has been specifically described in connection with certain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that this is by way of illustration and not of limitation, and the scope of the appended claims should be construed as broadly as the prior art will permit. For example, while the figures describe a device with the main operating components arranged along a generally vertical axis relative to the tool body, it is understood that the components can be arranged along a generally horizontal axis or at any angle therebetween.