Patent Description:
Extractors and other wet cleaners can be adapted to be hand-carried by a user, and in some cases include a hose coupled with a tool carrying the fluid distributor and nozzle.

An examples of extractor is known from <CIT>.

An extraction cleaner is provided herein. The extraction cleaner has a housing supporting a fluid delivery system configured to store cleaning fluid and to deliver the cleaning fluid to a surface to be cleaned, and a fluid recovery system configured to remove the fluid and debris from the surface to be cleaned and to store the recovered fluid and debris. A flexible hose extends from the housing and includes a first conduit in fluid communication with the fluid delivery system and a second conduit in fluid communication with the fluid recovery system. A hand-held cleaning tool including a fluid distributor and a suction inlet is rotatably coupled with a distal end of the hose. The cleaning tool swivels relative to the flexible hose in a limited angle of rotation.

According to one aspect of the disclosure, the cleaning tool comprises a wand and an accessory tool removably connected to the wand. A hose collar is disposed on the end of the flexible hose and a receiver is disposed at a rear end of the wand opposite the accessory tool connected to the wand.

In one of its aspects, the hose collar includes a cylindrical outer surface and at least one projection extending outwardly from the cylindrical outer surface. The receiver includes a circular outer rim, a cylindrical inner surface extending inwardly from the outer rim, and at least one arcuately extending guide groove disposed in the cylindrical inner surface. Each one of the projections is received in a unique one of the guide grooves.

In another of its aspects, each guide groove extends less than <NUM> degrees around the circumference of the cylindrical inner surface.

In yet another of its aspects, each guide groove extends approximately <NUM> degrees around the circumference of the cylindrical inner surface.

In a further aspect, the fluid delivery system comprises a liquid/steam delivery system configured to deliver the cleaning fluid to the surface to be cleaned as liquid, steam, or both.

In yet a further aspect, the extraction cleaner is a portable deep cleaner and the housing comprises a hand-carried body adapted to be hand carried by a user.

In an alternative aspect, the extraction cleaner is an upright deep cleaner and the housing comprises a base adapted to move over a surface to be cleaned and an upright body coupled with the base.

A hose assembly for an extraction cleaner having a fluid delivery system and a fluid recovery system is also provided. The hose assembly includes a flexible hose comprising at least a liquid delivery conduit and a working air conduit. A hand-held cleaning tool is rotatably coupled with an end of the hose. The cleaning tool includes a fluid distributor and a suction inlet. A hose collar is disposed on the end of the hose. A receiver is disposed at a rear end of the cleaning tool. The receiver includes a circular outer rim, a cylindrical inner surface extending inwardly from the outer rim, and at least one arcuately extending guide groove disposed in the cylindrical inner surface. The hose collar includes a cylindrical outer surface and at least one projection extending outwardly from the cylindrical outer surface. The at least one projection is cooperable with the at least one guide groove such that the cleaning tool swivels relative to the flexible hose in a limited angle of rotation.

In one of its aspects, the hose assembly includes two of said guide grooves and a corresponding two of said projections.

In another of its aspects, each guide groove extends approximately <NUM> degrees around the circumference of the cylindrical inner surface.

In yet another of its aspects, each guide groove includes a lip adjacent the outer rim.

In yet another of its aspects, a plurality of anti-tilt ribs extend axially along the cylindrical inner surface of the receiver.

In yet another of its aspects, a raised surface is axially aligned with each of the projections.

In yet another of its aspects, the flexible hose further includes a steam delivery conduit.

The embodiments of an extraction cleaner with the coupling of the wand to the hose collar disclosed herein enable a better cleaning experience. Swiveling of the wand/tool relative to the hose provides easier manipulation of the tool to reach a surface area to be cleaned.

These and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description of particular embodiments, when viewed in accordance with the accompanying drawings and appended claims.

Before the embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the details of operation or to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention may be implemented in various other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in alternative ways not expressly disclosed herein. In addition, 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. The use of "including" and "comprising" and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items and equivalents thereof. Further, enumeration may be used in the description of various embodiments. Unless otherwise expressly stated, the use of enumeration should not be construed as limiting the invention to any specific order or number of components. Nor should the use of enumeration be construed as excluding from the scope of the invention any additional steps or components that might be combined with or into the enumerated steps or components. Any reference to claim elements as "at least one of X, Y and Z" is meant to include any one of X, Y or Z individually, and any combination of X, Y and Z, for example, X, Y, Z; X, Y; X, Z; and Y, Z.

The disclosure generally relates to an extraction cleaner with a rotating tool grip. Aspects of the disclosure described herein relate to an extraction cleaner that delivers cleaning fluid to a surface to be cleaned and that also extracts cleaning fluid and debris from the surface. Aspects of the disclosure described herein are further related to a portable extraction cleaner (e.g., a deep cleaner) that is adapted to be hand carried by a user to carpeted, upholstered, and other areas for cleaning relatively small areas. Other aspects of the disclosure described herein are related to an upright extraction cleaner (e.g., a deep cleaner) that is adapted to be moved over a surface to be cleaned.

<FIG> show a surface cleaning apparatus with steam delivery in the form of a portable extraction cleaner (deep cleaner) <NUM> according to a first embodiment of the invention. The extraction cleaner <NUM> includes a hand-carried body including a main housing <NUM>, a fluid delivery system <NUM> configured to store cleaning fluid and to deliver the cleaning fluid to the surface to be cleaned, and a fluid recovery system <NUM> configured to remove the fluid and debris from the surface to be cleaned and to store the recovered fluid and debris. The fluid delivery system <NUM> can more particularly be a liquid/steam delivery system <NUM> configured to store cleaning fluid and to deliver the cleaning fluid to the surface to be cleaned as liquid, steam, or both.

For purposes of description related to the figures, the terms upper, lower, vertical, horizontal, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the exemplary extraction cleaner <NUM> as oriented in <FIG>, with the extraction cleaner <NUM> resting on a surface or being carried by the carry handle. However, it is to be understood that aspects of the present disclosure may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary.

The main housing <NUM> is adapted to selectively mount components of the fluid delivery system <NUM> and the fluid recovery system <NUM> to form an easy-to-carry unit that can be transported by a user to different locations with surfaces to be cleaned. The extraction cleaner <NUM> is adapted to be hand carried by a user to carpeted areas for cleaning relatively small areas and extract cleaning fluid and debris from the surface. Additional, non-limiting examples of areas that can be cleaned include area rugs, upholstery, vehicle interiors, drapery, and mattresses.

The fluid delivery system <NUM> can include a supply tank <NUM> for storing a supply of cleaning fluid, a fluid (liquid) distributor <NUM> provided on a hand-held cleaning tool <NUM>, and a steam distributor <NUM> provided on a hand-held cleaning tool <NUM>. A heater <NUM> is provided in the flow path between the supply tank <NUM> and the steam distributor <NUM> to heat the cleaning fluid to produce steam.

The cleaning fluid stored by the supply tank <NUM> can comprise one or more of any suitable cleaning liquids, including, but not limited to, water, compositions, concentrated detergent, diluted detergent, etc., and mixtures thereof. For example, the fluid can comprise a mixture of water and concentrated detergent. The cleaning fluid can be stored in liquid form.

The supply tank <NUM> can be refillable, and can be formed of a transparent or tinted translucent material, which permits a user to view the contents thereof. The supply tank <NUM> can be removably mounted on the main housing <NUM>.

The heater <NUM> preferably heats the cleaning fluid to about <NUM>, where "about" includes ±<NUM>. This temperature may be the temperature at the steam distributor <NUM>. Since some heat loss between the outlet of the heater <NUM> and the steam distributor <NUM> is possible, the setpoint of the heater <NUM> may be higher. One non-limiting example of a setpoint for the heater <NUM> is from about <NUM> to about <NUM>. Some non-limiting examples of a suitable heater <NUM> include, but are not limited to, a flash heater, a boiler, an immersion heater, and a flow-through steam generator.

The heater <NUM> may produce steam. As used herein, the term "steam" includes a liquid, such as but not limited to water or solutions containing water (like water mixed with a cleaning chemistry, fragrance, etc.), at least partially converted to a gas or vapor phase. The liquid can be boiled or otherwise converted to the gas or vapor phase by heating or mechanical action like nebulizing. In other embodiments, the heater <NUM> produces heated cleaning fluid in a mixture of vapor phase and liquid phase. It is also understood that, regardless of the phase of cleaning fluid output by the heater <NUM>, the phase composition of the cleaning fluid may change between the heater <NUM> and the steam distributor <NUM>, with heat loss and/or condensation returning a portion of the fluid in the vapor phase to the liquid phase. Likewise, the temperature of the cleaning fluid output by the steam distributor <NUM> may be less than the temperature of cleaning fluid output by the heater <NUM>. For example, the heater <NUM> may have a setpoint in the range of about <NUM> to about <NUM>, however, the fluid dispensed by the steal distributor <NUM> (after traveling along about <NUM> foot of tubing between an outlet of the heater <NUM> and the steam distributor <NUM>) may comprise a mixture of vapor and liquid droplets having a temperature of less than about <NUM>. For example, the mixture of vapor and liquid droplets dispensed by the steam distributor <NUM> can have a temperature in a range of from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, or about <NUM> to about <NUM>. Without being limited by any theory, the difference in temperature of the fluid exiting the heater <NUM> and the fluid dispensed from the steam distributor <NUM> may be due at least in part to loss of heat to the surrounding environment as the fluid travels between heater <NUM> and the steam distributor.

The fluid recovery system <NUM> can include an extraction path in the form of an extraction nozzle <NUM> provided on the cleaning tool <NUM>, which is adapted to be used on the surface to be cleaned, a recovery tank <NUM>, and a flexible hose assembly <NUM> defining a portion of a vacuum or suction conduit <NUM> in fluid communication with the extraction nozzle <NUM> and the recovery tank <NUM>. The recovery tank <NUM> can include an air/liquid separator (not shown) that includes a stack for guiding air and liquid through the recovery tank <NUM> and a float for selectively closing the extraction path through the recovery tank <NUM>. Examples of suitable air/liquid separators are disclosed in <CIT>, and <CIT>. Other air/liquid separators are possible. The recovery tank <NUM> can be formed of a transparent or tinted translucent material, which permits a user to view the contents thereof. The recovery tank <NUM> can be removably mounted on the main housing <NUM>.

The fluid recovery system <NUM> further includes a suction source <NUM>, for example in the form of a motor/fan assembly including a vacuum motor <NUM>, in fluid communication with the extraction nozzle <NUM> for generating a working airflow to draw liquid and entrained debris through the extraction path. The suction source <NUM> can be provided fluidly downstream of the recovery tank <NUM>, although other extraction paths are possible.

Various arrangements for the housing <NUM> and tanks <NUM>, <NUM> are possible. In one arrangement, the main housing <NUM> can include a carry handle <NUM> to form an easy-to-carry unit with the supply and recovery tanks <NUM>, <NUM> that can be transported by a user to different locations with surfaces to be cleaned. The main housing <NUM> can further include a base <NUM> on which the supply and recovery tanks <NUM>, <NUM> are at least partially supported, and a partition <NUM> extending upwardly from the base <NUM>, between the supply and recovery tanks <NUM>, <NUM>. The partition <NUM> can comprise an enclosure housing one or more components of the extraction cleaner <NUM>, such as the heater <NUM> and the suction source <NUM>.

The base <NUM> can comprise a housing with a flat bottom that is adapted to rest directly on a surface, such as a horizontal surface or floor surface. Conveniently, the carry handle <NUM> can be provided opposite the flat bottom so that a user can easily pick up the extraction cleaner <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the hand-held tool <NUM> and hose <NUM> are shown in a use or operational position. The hand-held tool <NUM> and hose <NUM> may be stored on the main housing <NUM>, for example by wrapping the hose <NUM> around the base <NUM> and the tool <NUM> clipped or otherwise attached to the housing <NUM>.

A brush <NUM> can be provided on the tool <NUM> for scrubbing the surface to be cleaned. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the brush <NUM> can comprise a plurality of bristles. The bristles can be bundled together in tufts to provide the desired stiffness and durability for agitation. Other agitators for the tool <NUM> are possible.

A user interface <NUM> through which the user can provide inputs to control the extraction cleaner <NUM>, including the systems or components thereof, is provided on the cleaner <NUM>. The user interface <NUM> accept inputs to control the supply of power from a power source of the extraction cleaner <NUM> to one or more electrical components of the extraction cleaner <NUM>. The user interface <NUM> may include a rotary dial selector that can be rotated by a user between multiple positions to select a cleaning mode and to turn the extraction cleaner off. In other embodiments, the user interface <NUM> may include individual buttons or switches that allow a user to select a particular cleaning mode, optionally with a separate power switch. The power source of the extraction cleaner <NUM> can, for example, comprise a power cord <NUM> or a battery onboard the extraction cleaner <NUM>. The user interface <NUM> is shown herein as provided adjacent the carry handle <NUM>. Other configurations for the user interface <NUM> are possible.

Various other components and combinations of components can be incorporated into the fluid delivery system <NUM>, such as pumps, valves, and/or fluid control features, as well as suitable conduits or tubing fluidly connecting the components of the fluid delivery system <NUM> together to effect the supply of cleaning fluid from the supply tank <NUM> to the distributors <NUM>, <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the fluid delivery system <NUM> includes a flow control system for controlling the flow of fluid from the supply tank <NUM> to the distributors <NUM>, <NUM>. In one configuration, the flow control system can comprise a liquid supply pump <NUM> which pressurizes a liquid dispensing path <NUM> of the system <NUM> and controls the delivery of cleaning fluid to the liquid distributor <NUM>, and a steam supply pump <NUM> which pressurizes a steam dispensing path <NUM> of the system <NUM> and controls the delivery of steam to the steam distributor <NUM>. The pumps <NUM>, <NUM> can be a solenoid pump, a centrifugal pump, or the like. While separate pumps <NUM>, <NUM> are illustrated for supplying fluid to the distributors <NUM>, <NUM>, respectively, it is within the scope of the present disclosure for a single, split, or multi-stage pump to be utilized to supply fluid to the distributors <NUM>, <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the liquid pump <NUM> delivers cleaning fluid at a higher flow rate than the steam pump <NUM>. In one non-limiting example, the liquid pump <NUM> delivers cleaning liquid at a flow rate of about <NUM>/min measured at the liquid distributor <NUM> and the steam pump <NUM> delivers steam at a flow rate of about <NUM>/min measured at the steam distributor <NUM>. In other embodiments, the pumps <NUM>, <NUM> can have multiple speeds and/or flow rates so that a flow rate of cleaning fluid out of the distributors <NUM>, <NUM> can be varied.

The paths <NUM>, <NUM> can include one or more ducts, tubing, hoses, etc. fluidly coupling the components of the fluid delivery system <NUM> together. As shown in <FIG>, portions of the suction conduit <NUM>, the liquid dispensing path <NUM>, and the steam dispensing path <NUM> can be defined by the flexible hose assembly <NUM> and the tool <NUM>. For example, the paths <NUM>, <NUM> can include separate liquid and steam conduits routed through the hose assembly <NUM>, such as inside the suction conduit <NUM> used for extraction. In another embodiment, one or both of the liquid and steam conduits can be routed along an exterior of the suction conduit <NUM>. Suitable air, liquid, and steam connectors (not shown) can be provided at either end of the hose assembly <NUM> for connection with the fluid supply and recovery components of the main housing <NUM> and the tool <NUM>.

The dispensing of cleaning fluid by the tool <NUM> may be controlled by the user. For example, the extraction cleaner <NUM> can include dispensing valves <NUM>, <NUM> that control the flow of cleaning fluid through the distributors, respectively to the distributors <NUM>, <NUM>, with the distributors <NUM>, <NUM> configured to distribute cleaning fluid upon opening of the dispensing valves <NUM>, <NUM>. Aside from this function, the dispensing valves <NUM>, <NUM> are not particularly limited, and may comprise any components and/or configurations suitable for use in/as a dispensing valve. The dispensing valves <NUM>, <NUM> can, for example, be disposed on the hand-held cleaning tool <NUM> or on a wand (hand grip, handle) <NUM> connecting the cleaning tool <NUM> to the hose <NUM> and may be associated with appropriate user controls for operating the valves <NUM>, <NUM>.

The distributors <NUM>, <NUM> can comprise any structure, such as a nozzle, a spray tip, or a manifold, and can comprise one or multiple outlets for cleaning fluid. In one non-limiting example, the liquid distributor <NUM> is a spray tip configured to distribute cleaning fluid upon opening of the valve <NUM> and the steam distributor <NUM> is a spray tip configured to distribute cleaning fluid upon opening of the valve <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, the steam distributor <NUM> is shown located on an underside of the tool <NUM> adjacent the liquid distributor <NUM>. In this location, the steam distributor <NUM> is located behind the extraction nozzle <NUM> and the brush <NUM>, so that steam dispensed from the distributor <NUM> can be viewed by the user and does not get suctioned into the nozzle <NUM> before reaching the surface to be cleaned. In another embodiment, the steam distributor <NUM> can be a manifold located behind the inlet of the extraction nozzle <NUM> and in front of the brush <NUM>.

The tool <NUM> can comprise at least one dispensing control operably connected to one of the valves <NUM>, <NUM> to affect and control opening and closing of the valves <NUM>, <NUM>. Non-limiting examples of a dispensing control include a trigger, button, toggle, key, switch, or the like, or any combination thereof. For example, the release of cleaning fluid can be controlled by a trigger <NUM>. The trigger <NUM> can operate both valves <NUM>, <NUM>, where depressing the trigger <NUM> opens both valves <NUM>, <NUM>. Release of the trigger <NUM> closes the valves <NUM>, <NUM>. The trigger <NUM> and valves <NUM>, <NUM> can be located on the tool <NUM>, or as shown in <FIG>, on the wand <NUM> connecting the tool <NUM> to the hose <NUM>.

Release of liquid and/or steam upon depression of the trigger <NUM> may or may not be mode-dependent. For example, depending on a selected cleaning mode of the extraction cleaner <NUM>, depression of the trigger <NUM> may or may not release liquid to the liquid distributor <NUM> and may or may not release steam to the steam distributor <NUM>. In some aspects, the vacuum motor remains actuated/on in each of the selectable cleaning modes, such that suction remains actuated both when the trigger <NUM> is depressed and also when it is not depressed. In yet another embodiment, a separate steam dispensing control (not shown) selectively operates the steam valve <NUM> to control steam dispensing, while the trigger <NUM> selectively operates the liquid valve <NUM> to control liquid dispensing. A user may operate both controls at the same time for simultaneous liquid and steam dispensing.

The cleaning modes can have associated operating parameters for the heater <NUM>, vacuum motor <NUM>, liquid pump <NUM>, and/or steam pump <NUM> (<FIG>). The power cord <NUM> provides power to the electrical components of the extraction cleaner <NUM> from a source of power, such as a home power supply, upon actuation of a power button (not shown) dependent on the selected cleaning mode. Alternatively, the extraction cleaner <NUM> can be cordless and powered by a portable power supply, such as a battery, upon actuation of the power button dependent on the selected cleaning mode. As noted above, in all cleaning modes, the release of cleaning fluid can be controlled by the trigger <NUM>. Alternatively, release of cleaning liquid can be controlled by the trigger <NUM> and release of steam can be controlled by a separate steam control. In some aspects, the vacuum motor <NUM> is activated in each of the selectable cleaning modes and remains activated in each cleaning mode regardless of whether or not the trigger <NUM> is depressed by the user.

Turning to <FIG>, the cleaning tool <NUM> is rotatably coupled with an end <NUM> of the flexible hose <NUM>. In one aspect, the cleaning tool <NUM> swivels relative to the hose <NUM> in a limited angle of rotation. For example, the cleaning tool may swivel within a range of <NUM> to <NUM> degrees relative to the hose, such as approximately <NUM> degrees relative to the hose, approximately <NUM> degrees relative to the hose, approximately <NUM> degrees relative to the hose, approximately <NUM> degrees relative to the hose, approximately <NUM> degrees relative to the hose, approximately <NUM> degrees relative to the hose, approximately <NUM> degrees relative to the hose, approximately <NUM> degrees relative to the hose, approximately <NUM> degrees relative to the hose, approximately <NUM> degrees relative to the hose, approximately <NUM> degrees relative to the hose, approximately <NUM> degrees relative to the hose, approximately <NUM> degrees relative to the hose, approximately <NUM> degrees relative to the hose, approximately <NUM> degrees relative to the hose, approximately <NUM> degrees relative to the hose, approximately <NUM> degrees relative to the hose, approximately <NUM> degrees relative to the hose, approximately <NUM> degrees relative to the hose, approximately <NUM> degrees relative to the hose, approximately <NUM> degrees relative to the hose, approximately <NUM> degrees relative to the hose, approximately <NUM> degrees relative to the hose, or approximately <NUM> degrees relative to the hose. In certain aspects as shown in <FIG>, the cleaning tool is swivelable approximately <NUM> to <NUM> degrees relative to the hose, preferably approximately <NUM> degrees.

In some aspects, the cleaning tool <NUM> includes the wand <NUM> and an accessory tool <NUM> that is removably connected to the wand and includes the tool components such as the fluid distributor <NUM>, the steam distributor <NUM>, the extraction nozzle <NUM>, and the brush <NUM>. The detachability of the accessory tool from the wand allows for the switching between various accessory tools that have different features, configurations, and uses. However, in other aspects the wand and accessory tool may be permanently connected as a single integral unit.

A hose collar <NUM> is disposed on the end <NUM> of the hose <NUM>. The hose collar <NUM> is generally cylindrical in shape and has a cylindrical outer surface portion <NUM> at a tool coupling end <NUM> of the hose collar. At least one, preferably two, projections <NUM> project and extend outwardly in a radial direction from the outer surface <NUM>. Each projection <NUM> may be a generally rectangular solid or rectangular pyramid with a sloped leading surface <NUM>. However, the projection <NUM> is not limited to a particular polygonal shape and may conform to any of various geometries including cuboid, prismatic, diamond, triangular, or pyramidal. An anti-tilt projection in the form of a raised surface <NUM> is disposed behind (more inward relative to an end of the collar) and axially aligned with each projection. Each raised surface <NUM> may have a generally U-shape and has a smaller height than the projections <NUM> as discussed in more detail below, but the raised surfaces are not limited to a particular shape or cross-section and need only be disposed behind the projections <NUM>. For example, the raised surfaces <NUM> may be in the form of a hemispherical protrusion. A raised annular ring <NUM> is located behind the raised surfaces <NUM> generally intermediate the two ends of the collar <NUM>. A sealing ring such as an O-ring <NUM> or similar is disposed in an annular recess <NUM> at the end <NUM> of the hose collar <NUM> and abuts against a seat defined by the annular recess. The O-ring <NUM> seals the connection between the hose collar <NUM> and the wand <NUM> as described in more detail below.

The wand <NUM> includes a receiver <NUM> disposed at a rear end <NUM> of the wand opposite the accessory tool <NUM> connected to the wand. The receiver <NUM> includes a circular outer rim <NUM>, a cylindrical inner surface <NUM> extending axially inward from the outer rim, and at least one arcuately extending guide groove <NUM> disposed in the cylindrical inner surface and extending along a portion of the circumference of the cylindrical inner surface. In some embodiments, the receiver <NUM> includes the same number of guide grooves <NUM> as the number of projections <NUM>, preferably two guide grooves. In these embodiments, the two guide grooves <NUM> may be directly or nearly directly opposite each other on the cylindrical inner surface <NUM>. Each guide groove <NUM> may extend less than <NUM> degrees around the circumference of the cylindrical inner surface <NUM>, and in some embodiments, each guide groove extends approximately <NUM> degrees (e.g. <NUM> degrees ± <NUM> degrees) around the circumference of the cylindrical inner surface. Each one of the projections <NUM> is received in a unique one of the guide grooves <NUM> to thereby couple the tool <NUM> to the collar <NUM> of the hose <NUM>. The arc length of the guide groove <NUM> in degrees defines the maximum swivel angle of the tool <NUM> relative to the hose <NUM>.

Each guide groove <NUM> further includes a lip <NUM> adjacent the outer rim <NUM>. The lip <NUM> is raised relative to the depth of the guide groove <NUM>, but recessed relative to the inner surface <NUM> of the receiver <NUM>. To insert the hose <NUM> onto the wand <NUM>, the end <NUM> of the hose collar <NUM> is inserted into the receiver <NUM> of the wand. The sloped leading surface <NUM> of each projection <NUM> slides over a respective one of the lips <NUM> and snaps into the adjacent respective guide grooves <NUM>. Once the projections <NUM> are received in the guide grooves <NUM>, the inner edge <NUM> of the lips <NUM> generally prevent the projections from becoming freed from the guide grooves. Hence, a generally permanent coupling is formed between the hose collar <NUM> and the wand <NUM>. In this disposition, the O-ring <NUM> provides a seal between the wand <NUM> and the hose <NUM> such that fluid is generally prevented from escaping from the inside of the wand and hose collar <NUM> to the outside.

As shown best in <FIG>, in some embodiments the receiver <NUM> further includes a plurality of anti-tilt ribs <NUM> extending axially along the cylindrical inner surface <NUM> of the receiver. In some embodiments, one or more of the anti-tilt ribs <NUM> may extend from the guide groove <NUM> inwardly into the wand <NUM>. Other of the anti-tilt ribs <NUM> may extend inwardly from a point inward of the outer rim <NUM> of the receiver <NUM> and not aligned with the guide grooves <NUM>. The receiver <NUM> also includes a connector/coupling <NUM> for the liquid dispensing path <NUM> conduit, and a connector/coupling <NUM> for the steam dispensing path <NUM> conduit. With reference to <FIG>, the anti-tilt ribs <NUM> provide contact points between the end <NUM> of the hose collar <NUM> and the inside of the receiver <NUM> to limit the degree of tilting of the hose <NUM> relative to the wand <NUM>. Similarly, the anti-tilt raised surfaces <NUM> on the hose collar <NUM> contact the lip <NUM> in the receiver <NUM> and further restrict tilting/play between the hose collar and wand. Additionally, in combination with the cooperation of the projections <NUM> and guide grooves <NUM>, the anti-tilt ribs <NUM> limit inward travel of the hose collar <NUM> into the receiver <NUM>. Also, the raised annular ring <NUM> on the collar <NUM> generally abuts against or is adjacent to the wand <NUM> at the interface between the wand and collar, and also may limit inward movement and/or tilt of the collar relative to the wand. The anti-tilt ribs <NUM>, by minimizing the amount of play between the hose collar and wand, are particularly useful to minimize leakage of extracted liquid when the wand is rotated relative to the hose collar.

A user may grip the wand <NUM> to manipulate the accessory tool <NUM> for cleaning of surfaces. During this use, the wand <NUM> may rotate relative to the hose collar <NUM> due to the guide grooves <NUM> sliding along the projections <NUM> or vice versa, thereby allowing the tool to be more easily turned to reach and align with the surface to be cleaned despite the various possible relative positions of the extraction cleaner <NUM>, the hose <NUM>, and the user. The degree of rotation of the wand <NUM> is limited by the arc length of the guide grooves <NUM> and is necessary due to the liquid dispensing path <NUM> and/or steam dispensing path <NUM> (in the form of supply lines) that run through the hose <NUM> and wand <NUM>. More particularly, contact of each projection <NUM> with the ends of the respective guide groove <NUM> prevents further rotation of the wand <NUM> relative to the hose <NUM> in the clockwise and counterclockwise directions. Therefore, by limiting the degree of rotation, the combination of the hose collar <NUM> and receiver <NUM> of the wand <NUM> minimize the likelihood of twisting of the fluid lines (either the liquid/solution path <NUM> and/or the steam path <NUM>) that run through the hose <NUM> and wand <NUM> when the wand is rotated relative to the hose. Further, as discussed above, the anti-tilt ribs <NUM> limit the degree of tilting of the hose collar <NUM> relative to the wand <NUM>, which minimizes the chance of fluid leakage at the connection between the hose collar and wand when a user manipulates the wand. Furthermore, the two-piece design (hose collar <NUM> and receiver <NUM>) of the rotating connection between the hose <NUM> and wand <NUM> is simple to assemble (the projections <NUM> snap into the guide grooves <NUM>) and cost-effective. Additionally, once the hose collar <NUM> is snapped into the receiver <NUM> in the wand <NUM>, the hose collar is not easily removed from the receiver.

While shown on a portable device adapted to be hand carried by a user for cleaning relatively small areas, in other embodiments the functional systems of the surface cleaning apparatus with steam delivery can be arranged into other configurations, such as an upright device having a base and an upright body for directing the base across the surface to be cleaned, a canister device having a cleaning implement connected to a wheeled base by a vacuum hose, or a commercial device. Any of the aforementioned cleaners can be adapted to include a flexible vacuum hose, which can form a portion of the working air conduit between a nozzle and the suction source. As shown by example in <FIG>, in some embodiments the cleaning tool <NUM> is rotatably coupled to the collar <NUM> flexible hose <NUM> of an upright extraction device (deep cleaner) <NUM>.

While the device is illustrated as an extraction cleaner, in other embodiments the surface cleaning apparatus with steam delivery can be may be applicable surface cleaning apparatus which have steam delivery capability but not extraction capabilities.

To the extent not already described, the different features and structures of the various embodiments of the present disclosure may be used in combination with each other as desired. Thus, the various features of the different embodiments may be mixed and matched as desired to form new embodiments, whether or not the new embodiments are expressly described.

The above description relates to general and specific embodiments of the disclosure. As such, this disclosure is presented for illustrative purposes and should not be interpreted as an exhaustive description of all embodiments of the disclosure or to limit the scope of the claims to the specific elements illustrated or described in connection with these embodiments. Any reference to elements in the singular, for example, using the articles "a," "an," "the," or "said," is not to be construed as limiting the element to the singular.

Claim 1:
An extraction cleaner (<NUM>) comprising:
a housing (<NUM>) supporting a fluid delivery system (<NUM>) configured to store cleaning fluid and to deliver the cleaning fluid to a surface to be cleaned, and a fluid recovery system (<NUM>) configured to remove the fluid and debris from the surface to be cleaned and to store the recovered fluid and debris;
a flexible hose (<NUM>) comprising a first conduit in fluid communication with the fluid delivery system and a second conduit in fluid communication with the fluid recovery system (<NUM>);
a hand-held cleaning tool (<NUM>) comprising a fluid distributor (<NUM>) and a suction inlet;
characterized in that
the cleaning tool (<NUM>) being rotatably coupled with an end of the hose(<NUM>);
wherein the cleaning tool swivels relative to the flexible hose in a limited angle of rotation.