Abstract:
A vacuum cleaner attachment which can be connected to a dry vacuum cleaner to convert the dry vacuum cleaner into a wet vacuum cleaner such that a liquid can be removed from a surface. The vacuum cleaner has a vacuum source for drawing an air stream through an inlet and exhausting the air stream through an outlet. The attachment comprises a housing including a passageway having a first end and a second end in fluid connection with the first end, and a coupler on the first end for coupling the first end with either the inlet or the outlet of the vacuum cleaner so that the air stream produced by the vacuum source passes through the passageway. The housing also includes a reservoir and an intake nozzle. The passageway has a restricted passage portion between the first and second ends including an opening in fluid connection with the reservoir such that when the air stream passes through the passageway, the restricted passage portion produces a vacuum in the reservoir thereby drawing the liquid from the surface through the intake nozzle and into the reservoir.

Description:
This invention relates to the art of vacuum cleaners, and more particularly to a vacuum cleaner attachment for converting a dry vacuum cleaner into a wet vacuum cleaner for picking up liquid off a surface. 
     INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 
     The present invention relates to converting a traditional dry vacuum cleaner into a wet vacuum cleaner. Dry vacuum cleaners are known in the art and are generally shown in Nakai 6,243,915; and Wright 6,003,196. Nakai discloses a dry vacuum cleaner which utilizes a bag type retention area and is incorporated by reference herein as background information. Wright teaches the use of cyclonic action to separate the particles from the air in a fluid stream. Wright is also incorporated by reference as background information. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     It is, of course, well known that a vacuum source can be used to remove either particles or liquids from a surface and deposit the same in a designated location. In this respect, an electric motor typically drives an impeller which creates a vacuum that is then directed to the surface, wherein the liquid and/or particles are drawn away from the surface in a fluid stream toward the vacuum source. Eventually, the fluid stream is directed into a designated retention area that is designed to separate the particles and/or liquids from any air in the fluid stream. The air is then allowed to escape through a designated exhaust opening. In order to retain the particles, some form of filter arrangement is utilized which is positioned in the fluid stream either before or after the vacuum source. No matter whether the vacuum source is before or after the filter arrangement of the retention area, the motor must be protected from the particles and/or liquids traveling in the fluid stream to prevent damage. Further, the air in the fluid stream is typically utilized to cool the motor. The way in which the motor and the impeller of the vacuum source are protected from damage is dependent on whether the vacuum system is designed to remove particles or liquid from a surface and the position of the vacuum source in the fluid stream. 
     Not all vacuum systems are suitable for removing both particles and liquids from a surface due to the differences in separating liquids from air and separating particles form air. With respect to removing particles from a surface, the fluid stream consist mostly of air and the particles to be removed. The retention area is often a fiber based system which separates the particles from the air in the fluid stream by preventing the particles from passing through the fibers while allowing the air to freely pass through to an exhaust opening. In many cases, the fiber material is a porous bag which allows the air to escape while retaining a majority of the particles in a conveniently disposable retention area. Another type of particle retention area utilizes cyclonic airflow to separate the particles from the air in the fluid stream. Wright discloses the use of cyclonic separation. While these methods are effective in removing particles from an air stream, moisture in the air stream can have adverse effects on all portions of the vacuum system. In this respect, entry of moisture into the bag can cause mold to form, which can then be released into the surrounding air during subsequent uses. Further, the moisture can cause clumping or clogging of the pores in the bag, reducing the effectiveness of the particle removal and putting undue strain on the motor of the vacuum source. Further, moisture in the bag can eventually leak into the housing of the vacuum cleaner since the bag is not designed to retain moisture. With respect to cyclonic separation, moisture can reduce the cyclonic action and can produce mold and/or clog the exhaust opening. Another problem relates to the housing and motor of the vacuum cleaner. As stated above, the air from the fluid stream is typically used to cool the motor and therefore moisture in the fluid stream should be minimized. With respect to the housing and other structural components, metal is often used for many components within the vacuum cleaner which can rust if liquids are introduced into the fluid stream. 
     As a result, most vacuum cleaners are either designed for removing liquids from a surface or removing particles from a surface. Even if a vacuum is designed to remove both particles and liquids, the retention area must be cleaned immediately after the vacuum cleaner is used to prevent the particles and liquids from comingling and forming a hard solid residue which is difficult to remove or which can produce molds or other bacteria Further, the vacuum source must be designed to handle both moisture and particles in the fluid stream. This usually involves moisture protection for the motor and at least some form of particle filter to protect the motor and impellers from the particles in the fluid stream. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the present invention, an attachment for a vacuum cleaner is provided which advantageously enables a vacuum cleaner designed to pick up dry particles to be converted into a wet vacuum cleaner which can pick up liquids and retain the same without interfering with the retention of the dry particles or adversely affecting the vacuum source. More particularly, the vacuum cleaner attachment according to the present invention can be easily connected to a vacuum source of a dry vacuum cleaner and utilize the vacuum source of the vacuum cleaner to remove liquid from a surface with out introducing the liquid into the primary air stream within of the dry vacuum cleaner. 
     The foregoing is achieved by utilizing the air stream of the vacuum cleaner to produce a second, independent vacuum source. Preferably, the exhaust of the primary air stream, which has already passed the motor and the particle retention area, is used to produce the secondary, independent vacuum source which draws the liquid from the surface into a reservoir separate from the particle retention area of the vacuum cleaner. If the attachment is connected to the exhaust opening, moisture cannot enter the primary air stream within the vacuum cleaner and therefore cannot affect the motor or the particle retention area of the vacuum cleaner. If the attachment is connected to the intake, the amount of moisture entering the primary air stream is significantly reduced. In addition, by utilizing a separate reservoir for the liquid picked up from the surface, the liquid can be maintained in a reservoir designed for liquid retention which can be easily drained after use. 
     It is accordingly an outstanding object of the present invention to provide a vacuum cleaner attachment for converting a dry vacuum cleaner into a wet vacuum cleaner which utilizes the air stream of a vacuum source of a dry vacuum cleaner to produce a secondary vacuum source which removes the liquids from the surface without moisture entering into the primary air stream within the vacuum cleaner. 
     Another object is the provision of a vacuum cleaner attachment according to the present invention that can be easily and quickly attached to a dry vacuum cleaner. 
     A further object of the present invention is the provision of a vacuum cleaner attachment of the foregoing character which retains the liquid in a retention area separate from the retention area for the dry particles. 
     Still another object of the present invention is the provision of a vacuum cleaner attachment of the foregoing character which requires only a minimal number of moving parts. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of a vacuum cleaner attachment of the foregoing character which is compact and light weight for easy use thereof. 
     Still a further object of the present invention is the provision of a vacuum cleaner attachment of the foregoing character which is cost effective to manufacture. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The foregoing objects, and others, will in part be obvious and in part be pointed out more fully hereinafter in connection with the written description of a preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner attachment in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a sectional side elevation view of the attachment shown in FIG.  1  and showing a ball valve compartment thereof open; 
     FIG. 3 is a sectional top plan view taken along line  3 — 3  in FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial sectional bottom plan view taken along line  4 — 4  in FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial sectional view of the ball valve component in FIG.  2  and showing the vacuum cleaner attachment is on its side; 
     FIG. 6 is a sectional side elevation view similar to FIG. 2 wherein the air flow has been reversed; 
     FIG. 7 is a sectional elevation view of the ball valve taken along line  7 — 7  in FIG. 6; 
     FIG. 8 is a sectional side elevation view of other embodiments of the attachment shown in FIG. 1; and 
     FIG. 9 is a partial pictorial view of the intake nozzle shown in FIG.  8 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now in greater detail to the drawings wherein the showings are for the purpose of illustrating the preferred embodiments of the invention only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention, FIGS. 1-7 illustrate a first embodiment of a vacuum cleaner attachment  10  comprising a housing H having a tubular portion  12  providing an elongated passageway P, a receptacle portion  14  providing a reservoir R and a nozzle portion  16  providing an intake passageway N. 
     Tubular portion  12  is essentially an elongated tubular member having a first end  20  and a second end  22  with an outer peripheral wall  24  extending between the first and second ends  20  and  22  respectively. Preferably, first end  20  is adapted to receive the exhaust air flow  30  of vacuum cleaner  28  having a vacuum intake  26 , and second end  22  is adapted to discharge the exhaust exiting elongated passageway P. First end  20  includes a cross-sectional configuration which allows it to be connected, for example, in a fluid connection with the attachment hose of vacuum cleaner  28 . It should be noted that vacuum clearer attachment  10  can be used in connection with virtually any vacuum cleaner which has or can be provided with an exhaust attachment feature. Further, vacuum cleaner attachment  10  could be connected to the intake of the vacuum cleaner. Nonetheless, vacuum cleaner attachment  10  will be described according to its use in connection with a traditional hose assembly with a cylindrical cross-sectional configuration attached to the exhaust of the vacuum cleaner. First end  20  is in fluid connection with second end  22  such that air flow  30  produced by vacuum cleaner  28  flows through passageway P from first end  20  to second end  22 , and end  22  includes an air deflector  32  to direct the exhausted air  30  upwardly away from an underlying surface  34  on which the attachment is to be used. 
     Between first end  20  and second end  22 , passageway P includes a venturior restricted passage portion  36  wherein the cross-sectional area of the passageway P is less than cross-sectional area of first end  20  which is the inlet for the passageway. Shown are longitudinally extending arcuate top and bottom walls  38  and  40  which are curved toward one another to form restricted passage portion  36 ; however, other portions of peripheral wall  24  could be utilized to produce a restricted passage portion. The restricted passage portion  36  in passageway P causes air flow  30  to increase in velocity on the downstream side of the restriction resulting in a drop in pressure in the restricted passage portion  36 . The pressure drop produces a vacuum in reservoir R which, as shown by arrows  42 , is drawn into passageway P through an opening  44  in wall  40  which connects reservoir R to passageway P. Housing portion  12  can provide a handle portion  46  at its first end  20  extending rearwardly beyond housing portion  14  to provide a gripping point for the user. Handle portion  46  can include on its outer surface  48  a comfort grip configuration, which is not shown, shaped to receive the user&#39;s hand. 
     Referring to FIGS. 5-7, passageway P can further include a one way valve in the form of a flap  50  to prevent moisture from entering vacuum cleaner  28 . In this respect, air flow  30  in vacuum cleaner attachment  10  is generated by the exhaust of the vacuum cleaner  28  and, therefore, any moisture entering air flow  30  from reservoir R is not able to enter the air stream within vacuum cleaner  28 . Instead, any such moisture entering the air flow  30  is exhausted out second end  22 . 
     However, as shown in FIG. 6, if first end  20  is inadvertently connected to the vacuum inlet of K i vacuum cleaner  28 , air flow in passageway P is reversed and would could enter vacuum  28  and, possibly, would include moisture from liquid reservoir R. Flap  50  prevents this by inhibiting the formation of a vacuum in reservoir R if air flow is reversed so as to flow through passageway P from second end  22  toward first end  20 . More particularly, flap  50  is pivotally supported on top wall  38  of passageway P at its top edge  52  and therefore pivots downwardly to a closed position about its top edge  52  by its own weight. Referring to FIG. 5, air flow  30  moving from first end  20  toward second end  22  forces flap  50  to pivot upwardly about top edge  52  to an open position. Conversely, air flow from second end  22  toward first end  20  will not open flap  50  thereby stopping the air flow ahead of opening  44  and preventing a vacuum in the reservoir. 
     Reservoir R is configured to retain a liquid  60  removed from floor surface  34  through intake passageway N of nozzle  16  and which liquid enters reservoir R through nozzle exit opening  62  which will be discussed in greater detail below. Reservoir R includes a bottom wall  64 , a front wall  66 , a rear wall  68 , a top wall  70  which is defined in part by arcuate wall  40  of restricted passageway  36 , reservoir R further includes a drain  80  to allow the collected liquid  82  to be discarded. Drain  80  is selectively sealable by a drain plug  84 . 
     A ball valve  90  is incorporated into the reservoir top wall  70  to seal off opening  44  under an overfilled condition or an inverted condition of the attachment. Such closing of opening  44  helps prevent the collected liquid  82  from entering passageway P and being transported out second end  22  by air flow  30  if the attachment is in operation, or by gravity if it is not. In this respect, ball valve  90  includes a ball float  92 , a ball seat  94  and ball float retainers  96 . Ball seat  94  surrounds opening  44  and includes a skirt  86  and a connecting tube  88  extending between skirt  86  and wall  40 . Skirt  86  is shaped to receive ball float  92  such that when ball float  92  is urged against inner surface  86   a  of skirt  86 , opening  44  is sealed thereby precluding a vacuum being created in reservoir R and inhibiting the collected liquid  82  from passing through opening  44  into passageway P. Ball float  92  is retained in an operating position adjacent to ball seat  94  by ball retainers  96  having curved lower ends  98  to maintain ball support in the open position and essentially straight upper portions  99  which guide ball float  92  into a closed position wherein it sealingly engages surface  86   a . With respect to the over filled condition, when the collected liquid  82  becomes too high within reservoir R, ball float  92  is urged upwardly by collected liquid  82  and engages surface  86   a  of ball seat  94  which seals opening  44  and prevents the vacuum from being formed in reservoir R. With respect to an inverted condition, FIG. 5 shows vacuum cleaner attachment  10  on its side with ball valve  90  in the closed position by gravity and/or suction through opening  44  if the attachment is in operation. If vacuum cleaner attachment  10  is totally inverted, the weight of ball float  92  urges ball float  92  against surface  86   a  of ball seat  94 . However, if vacuum cleaner attachment  10  is on its side, as shown in FIG. 5, the float&#39;s weight alone may not propel the ball toward ball seat  94 . In this case, curved edges  98  help propel ball float  92  from a retained position against lower ends  98  toward ball seat  94  to facilitate the closing of opening  44 . 
     In order to minimize the amount of liquid entering air stream  30  and therefore exiting second opening  22 , reservoir R includes first and second deflectors  100  and  102  respectively and deflector plate  104 , all three of which work in connection with intake nozzle  16  to control the fluid stream  106  as it enters reservoir R. Further, deflectors  100 ,  102  and  104  help to separate the liquid  60  from the air in the fluid stream  106  and maintain the contained liquid  82  at the bottom of reservoir R. More particularly, fluid stream  106  enters reservoir R through nozzle exit opening  62  which has a top edge  110 , and a bottom edge  112 . First deflector  100  is arcuate and defines top edge  110  and is downwardly curved toward reservoir bottom wall  64 . First deflector  1   00  diverts the fluid stream  106  entering through the nozzle exit opening  62  downwardly away from opening  44 . Second deflector  102  has an upper end adjacent nozzle opening bottom edge  112  and extends downwardly in the reservoir so as to work in connection with first deflector  100  to direct the fluid stream  106  downwardly toward reservoir bottom wall  64 . Deflector plate  104  is spaced below the lower ends of first and second deflectors  100  and  102  is spaced above reservoir bottom wall  64  and extends forwardly and rearwardly of the lower ends of deflectors  100  and  102 . Accordingly the fluid stream  106  is directed by deflectors  100  and  102  downwardly against deflector plate  104 . Deflector plate  104  further directs the fluid stream away from opening  44  by being tilted downwardly toward reservoir front wall  66 . In this respect, deflector plate  104  has a front edge  118  and a rear edge  120  and front edge  118  is lower than rear edge  120 . 
     Intake nozzle  16  is a part of front wall  66  of reservoir R and includes a rear or inner wall  130  having an upper end blending with deflector  102  to provide bottom edge  112  of the nozzle opening. Nozzle  16  further includes a front wall  132  opposite rear wall  130  and nozzle side walls  134  and  136  which join rear wall  130  to front wall  132 . Intake nozzle  16  further includes an extension  138  below bottom wall  64  of the reservoir and having a nozzle inlet opening  140  at its lower end. By extending below reservoir bottom wall  64 , nozzle extension  138  allows nozzle opening  140  to contact liquid  60  without bottom wall  64  coming in contact with the liquid. Nozzle inlet opening  140  provides entry for liquid  60  into nozzle  16  as a fluid stream  106 , and inlet opening  140  includes a plurality of scallops  142  about a portion of its perimeter to facilitate the removal of liquid  60  from a variety of floor surfaces  34 . In this respect, scallops  142  are positioned on the front edge  143  of inlet opening  140  and provide peaks  146  that are separated from adjacent peaks by valleys  148  such that when nozzle opening is positioned on a smooth floor surface liquid  60  can pass through valleys  148 . In addition, scallops  142  also act as: agitators when liquid  60  is being removed from a carpeted surface. It is preferred that the scallops are approximately {fraction (3/16)}″ in height from valley  148  to peak  146 . 
     While intake nozzle  16  could be any one of many cross-sectional configurations, intake passageway N is generally rectangular cross-sectionally and preferably narrows laterally in the direction from inlet opening  140  to outlet opening  62  to promote the flow of liquid therethrough under the influence of the vacuum in reservoir R. 
     In the following discussions concerning other embodiments, the components of the vacuum cleaner attachment  10  which remain the same, as discussed above, will include the same reference numbers as above. 
     Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, modifications of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-7 are shown. While the modifications of the vacuum cleaner attachment  10  are shown together in FIGS. 8 and 9, it should be noted that any one or any combination of the modifications shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 could be utilized in vacuum cleaner attachment  10 . 
     Housing H 2  is essentially the same as housing H shown in FIGS. 1-7 with a tubular portion  12  providing an elongated passageway P, a receptacle portion  14  providing a reservoir R and a nozzle portion  16  providing an intake passageway N. However, housing H 2  includes air deflector  200  to direct the exhausted air  30  upwardly away from the underlying surface  34 . Air deflector  200  is positioned on the lower side of second end  22  of tubular portion  12  and includes an upwardly facing surface  202  which is molded into housing H 2  and which directs the exhausted air  30  upwardly as it exits passageway P. 
     Housing H 2  further includes ball valve  210  which is similar to ball valve  90  described above. Ball valve  210  includes ball float  92 , a ball seat  214  and ball float retainers  96 . The difference relates to ball seat  214  which surrounds opening  44  and includes skirt  86  providing inner sealing surface  86   a . In this respect, ball seat  214  includes extended connecting tube  212  which lowers the shut off point of ball valve  210  in reservoir R thereby allowing less liquid to be retained within reservoir R. Lowering the shut off point further reduces the possibility of the fluid exiting opening  44  and entering into airflow  30 . In general, ball valve  210  illustrates that the amount of fluid that is allowed to be retained in reservoir R can be controlled by the length of the connecting tube. 
     Intake nozzle  16  includes a modified nozzle extension  222  having an inlet opening  224  with a front edge  226  and a rear edge  228  which are both essentially flat. In addition, one or both of edges  226  and  228  could be made from a soft elastic type material, not shown, different from that of the housing to further help direct the fluid into nozzle inlet opening  224 . 
     Referring to passageway P, flap  50  shown in FIGS. 5-7, has been removed. By removing flap  50 , vacuum cleaner attachment  10  can be used on both the inlet and the exhaust of the vacuum cleaner  28 . 
     While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the specific structure and structural relationships between the component parts of the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be appreciated that other embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiment without departing from the principals of the invention. Accordingly, it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the present invention and not as a limitation.