Patent Description:
The present invention relates to surface cleaners, and more particularly, a wet surface cleaner with more than one cleaning mode.

<CIT> disclosed an electric vacuum cleaner comprising a vacuum cleaner body, a hose connected to the vacuum cleaner body, a support pipe connected to the hose and a suction device connected to the support pipe. <CIT> discloses a surface cleaning apparatus including a removably mounted portable surface cleaning apparatus and is re-configurable to two or more different cleaning configurations. <CIT> discloses a vacuum cleaner including a base having a foot suction nozzle and a hand assembly removably coupled to the foot. <CIT> discloses a vacuum cleaner which includes an air treatment or debris removal assembly with a multi-layer filtration stage.

In one embodiment a surface cleaner is disclosed including a body, a base pivotally coupled to the body and configured to move across a cleaning surface, a nozzle, a handle, and a canister assembly coupled to the body. The body has a lower portion and an upper portion opposite the lower portion, the upper portion including the handle. The base is coupled to the lower portion of the body. The nozzle is positioned on the base adjacent the cleaning surface. The canister assembly is removably coupled to the body. The canister assembly includes a housing, a supply tank, and a recovery tank. The surface cleaner further includes a hose having a first end coupled to the canister assembly fluidly connected to the recovery tank and a second end coupled to the base fluidly connected to the nozzle. A suction source is in fluid communication with the recovery tank and is operable to draw fluid and debris through the hose into the recovery tank. The surface cleaner is operable in an upright cleaning mode when the canister assembly is coupled to the body. The surface cleaner is operable in an auxiliary cleaning mode when the canister assembly is uncoupled from the body. In the upright cleaning mode and in the auxiliary cleaning mode, the nozzle is movable over the cleaning surface by a user grasping the handle such that in operation debris and fluid are drawn through the nozzle, through the hose and into the recovery tank.

The present disclosure relates to a surface cleaner, specifically a surface cleaner configured to recover and/or distribute cleaning liquid, with multiple different cleaning positions or modes. The surface cleaner includes an upright cleaning mode, an auxiliary cleaning mode, and a lift-off cleaning mode. It is beneficial for the user to be able to have one machine that is able to serve multiple purposes. The surface cleaner includes a canister assembly removably coupled to a body, the canister assembly having a housing, a recovery tank, and a supply tank. The surface cleaner operates in the upright cleaning mode when the canister assembly is coupled to the body. The surface cleaner operates in the auxiliary cleaning mode when the canister assembly is removed from the body.

<FIG> illustrates a perspective view of a surface cleaner <NUM> according to an embodiment of the invention. The surface cleaner <NUM> is a surface cleaner that delivers a liquid, such as an extractor, a hard floor cleaner, or the like. The surface cleaner <NUM> has a body <NUM> with a base <NUM> that supports the surface cleaner <NUM> on a cleaning surface. The body <NUM> includes a lower portion <NUM> and an upper portion <NUM> opposite the lower portion <NUM>. The base <NUM> is pivotably coupled to the lower portion <NUM> and is configured to move across the cleaning surface. The upper portion <NUM> includes a handle <NUM>, opposite the base <NUM>. The base <NUM> is movable across the cleaning surface in an upright cleaning mode and an auxiliary cleaning mode by a user grasping the handle <NUM>.

The surface cleaner <NUM> includes a canister assembly <NUM> that is removably coupled to the body <NUM>. The canister assembly <NUM> includes a housing <NUM>, a suction source or motor <NUM>, a supply tank <NUM>, and a recovery tank <NUM>. The canister assembly <NUM> is movable between a coupled position, illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, and an uncoupled position, illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>. In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG> <FIG>, a carrying handle <NUM> is positioned on the housing <NUM>. The carrying handle <NUM> provides a user graspable portion to move the canister assembly <NUM> between the coupled position and the removed position.

As shown in <FIG>, the canister assembly <NUM> may have different internal layouts of the motor <NUM>, supply tank <NUM>, and recovery tank <NUM>. In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the supply tank <NUM> and the recovery tank <NUM> are in a side by side orientation. Side by side includes orientations where the supply tank <NUM> and the recovery tank <NUM> are adjacent and touching, as well as orientations where the supply tank <NUM> and the recovery tank <NUM> are separated by a frame portion <NUM>, such as the housing <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. In one embodiment, the top end of the supply tank and the top end of the recovery tank are substantially the same level. In the side by side embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the motor <NUM> is located at an elevation below the supply tank <NUM> and the recovery tank <NUM>. In the embodiments illustrated in <FIG>, the supply tank <NUM> is positioned above the recovery tank <NUM>. In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, when the canister assembly <NUM> is coupled to the body <NUM> and the body upper portion <NUM> is positioned above the lower portion <NUM>, the motor <NUM> is positioned at an elevation above the recovery tank <NUM> and adjacent the supply tank <NUM>. In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, when the canister assembly <NUM> is coupled to the body <NUM> and the body upper portion <NUM> is positioned above the lower portion <NUM>, the motor <NUM> is positioned at an elevation below both the recovery tank <NUM> and the supply tank <NUM>. The different orientations help optimize tank size, weight distribution, and user experience, among other factors, based on cleaning needs for the surface cleaner.

The surface cleaner <NUM> includes a nozzle <NUM> positioned on the base <NUM>. The nozzle <NUM> is in fluid communication with the suction motor <NUM> and the recovery tank <NUM>. The suction motor <NUM> generates a working airflow along an airpath extending from a suction inlet <NUM> on the nozzle <NUM> to an exhaust outlet <NUM>, operable to draw debris and fluid from the cleaning surface through the suction inlet <NUM>. The working airflow extends through the hose <NUM> and into the recovery tank <NUM>. In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the hose <NUM> is coupled directly to the base <NUM> and is in fluid communication with the nozzle <NUM>, allowing the suction motor <NUM> to draw fluid and debris from the nozzle <NUM> through the hose <NUM> into the recovery tank <NUM>. In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the hose <NUM> is configured to be uncoupled from the base <NUM>.

In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the surface cleaner <NUM> includes a fluid distributor <NUM> positioned on the base <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the fluid distributor <NUM> is in fluid communication with the supply tank <NUM> through a fluid line <NUM>, and the fluid distributor <NUM> is configured to provide a cleaning fluid to the cleaning surface. The fluid line <NUM> extends along the hose <NUM>. Fluid flows from the supply tank <NUM>, through the fluid line <NUM>, and out the fluid distributor <NUM> to the cleaning surface. In the illustrated embodiment, the fluid distributor <NUM> delivers fluid forward of the nozzle <NUM>. In one embodiment, the fluid distributor is disposed to deliver fluid beneath the base <NUM> rearward of the nozzle <NUM>.

The surface cleaner <NUM> includes the hose <NUM> with a first end <NUM> coupled to the recovery tank <NUM> and a second end <NUM> for drawing debris and fluid from the cleaning surface to the recovery tank <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the surface cleaner <NUM> is operable in the upright cleaning mode when the canister assembly <NUM> is coupled to the body <NUM> and the second end of the hose <NUM> is coupled directly to the base <NUM> in fluid communication with the nozzle <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the surface cleaner <NUM> is operable in the auxiliary cleaning mode when the canister assembly <NUM> is removed from the body <NUM>, and the second end of the hose <NUM> is coupled directly to the base <NUM>. In both the upright cleaning mode and the auxiliary cleaning mode, debris and fluid are vacuumed into the nozzle <NUM>, through the hose <NUM>, and into the recovery tank <NUM>. The recovery tank <NUM> is configured to contain the debris and/or fluid collected from the cleaning surface.

The upright cleaning mode enables the user to use the surface cleaner <NUM> in a familiar manner, similar to a traditional upright hard floor cleaner or upright extractor. The canister assembly <NUM> is coupled to the body <NUM> and the base <NUM> is moved across the surface by the handle <NUM>. The auxiliary cleaning mode illustrated in <FIG> provides a different cleaning experience than in the upright cleaning mode. In the auxiliary cleaning mode, the canister assembly <NUM> is removed and the second end <NUM> of the hose is still coupled to the base <NUM>. This allows the user to use the handle <NUM> to guide the base <NUM> along the cleaning surface in the same manner as the upright cleaning mode. However, because the canister assembly <NUM> is removed, the body <NUM> has a lower profile as well as a lighter weight. This lower profile operates similar to a traditional canister cleaner allowing the surface cleaner <NUM> to reach hard-to-reach areas, such as under a couch or a coffee table.

As illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the surface cleaner <NUM> is operable in the lift-off cleaning mode when the canister assembly <NUM> is removed from the body <NUM> and the hose <NUM> is uncoupled from the base <NUM>. In one embodiment, the nozzle <NUM> is configured to be removed from the base <NUM> and the second end <NUM> of the hose is coupled directly to the nozzle <NUM>. The lift-off cleaning mode allows the user to operate the surface cleaner <NUM> for spot-cleaning or above-floor cleaning.

The surface cleaner <NUM> may include an accessory cleaning tool <NUM> connectable to the second end <NUM> of the hose <NUM> in the lift-off cleaning mode. In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the cleaning tool <NUM> includes a fluid distributor <NUM>'. The fluid distributor <NUM>' is in fluid communication with the supply tank <NUM> through the fluid line <NUM>', and the fluid distributor <NUM>' is configured to provide a cleaning fluid to the cleaning surface. The fluid line <NUM>' extends along the hose <NUM>. Fluid flows from the supply tank <NUM>, through the fluid line <NUM>', to the cleaning tool <NUM> and out the fluid distributor <NUM>' to the cleaning surface. In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the cleaning tool <NUM> includes an actuator <NUM> in fluid communication with the supply tank <NUM>, fluid line <NUM>', and the fluid distributor <NUM>'. The fluid distributor <NUM>' is activated by the actuator <NUM>, such as a user-graspable trigger. The cleaning tool <NUM> is connectable to the second end of the hose <NUM> to fluidly connect the cleaning tool nozzle <NUM>', <NUM>" to the hose <NUM> and the cleaning tool fluid distributor <NUM>' to the fluid line <NUM>'. In one embodiment, the hose <NUM> is configured to be uncoupled from the base <NUM> while the canister assembly <NUM> is coupled to the body <NUM>, and the second end <NUM> of the hose <NUM> connectable to the cleaning tool <NUM> for above-floor cleaning.

One advantage to the hose <NUM> connecting directly to the base <NUM> or the cleaning tool <NUM> is that the hose <NUM> creates a shorter and more direct airpath to recover debris and fluid from the cleaning surface. Secondly, it allows different constructions of the body <NUM> that allow a more compact and space efficient surface cleaner <NUM>.

In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the body <NUM> is a collapsible such that the lower portion <NUM> and the upper portion <NUM> are adjacent in a collapsed position. This may be accomplished by having the upper portion <NUM> and lower portion <NUM> of the body <NUM> telescope together. Because there is no airflow to consider in the body <NUM>, the construction of the telescopic body is simplified. In one embodiment, not shown, the body <NUM> is collapsible by folding, such that the upper portion <NUM> and handle <NUM> are folded to be adjacent to the lower portion <NUM> at a joint. The collapsibility of the body <NUM> reduces the size of the surface cleaner <NUM> for storage.

The surface cleaner <NUM> may also include an agitator <NUM> operatively positioned to engage the cleaning surface. In one embodiment, the agitator <NUM> is driven by an agitator motor <NUM>. The agitator <NUM> is configured to agitate the cleaning surface in both the upright cleaning mode and the auxiliary cleaning mode. In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the agitator <NUM> is operatively positioned in the base <NUM>. In this embodiment, the agitator <NUM> is operable in the upright cleaning mode and the auxiliary cleaning mode. In the lift-off cleaning mode, the cleaning tool <NUM> of <FIG> includes suction through the nozzle <NUM> to draw debris and fluid, but does not include a rotatable agitation feature. In one embodiment, the cleaning tool <NUM> includes bristles to enable manual agitation of the surface.

In the embodiment of <FIG>, the surface cleaner <NUM> is powered by household electricity connected by a power cord <NUM> to the canister assembly <NUM>. Alternating current (AC) is supplied to the suction motor <NUM> by the cord <NUM> to power the suction motor <NUM> and controls of the surface cleaner <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the cord <NUM> powers the suction motor <NUM> when the canister assembly <NUM> is both coupled to (<FIG>) and uncoupled from (<FIG>) the body <NUM>. A power cord runs along or in the hose <NUM> to supply power from the canister assembly <NUM> via the power cord <NUM> to the agitator motor <NUM>.

In an alternative embodiment illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the base <NUM>' includes a battery <NUM> that powers the agitator motor <NUM> when the canister assembly <NUM> is uncoupled (<FIG>) from the body <NUM>'. The battery <NUM> is rechargeable. The body <NUM>' includes electrical contacts <NUM> and the canister assembly <NUM> includes corresponding electrical contacts that mate with the electrical contacts <NUM> of the body <NUM>' when the canister assembly <NUM> is coupled to the body <NUM>'. When the canister assembly <NUM> is coupled to the body <NUM>' power is supplied from the cord <NUM> to the canister assembly <NUM> and to the battery <NUM> via the contacts <NUM> to recharge the battery. Also, when the canister assembly <NUM> is coupled to the body <NUM>' power is supplied from the cord <NUM> to the canister assembly <NUM> and to the agitator motor <NUM> via the contact <NUM> to power the agitator motor <NUM>. In one embodiment, the agitator motor <NUM> is a direct current (DC) motor and the surface cleaner <NUM>' includes an AC to DC converter. In another embodiment, the agitator motor <NUM> is powered by the battery <NUM> when the canister assembly <NUM> is both uncoupled from and coupled to the body <NUM>'. In such an embodiment, the battery <NUM> is charged when the canister assembly <NUM> is coupled to the body <NUM>'.

In the embodiment of <FIG> and <FIG> that includes the battery <NUM>, (described above) powering the agitator motor <NUM> with the battery <NUM> allows the power cord that runs along or in the hose <NUM> to be omitted. Omitting the power cord from the hose <NUM> provides a hose that is more flexible and less expensive to manufacture.

In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the surface cleaner <NUM>" includes a first or primary battery <NUM> and the battery <NUM> of the base <NUM> is a secondary battery. The first battery <NUM> powers the suction motor <NUM> and the secondary battery <NUM> powers agitator motor <NUM>. When the canister assembly <NUM> is attached to the body <NUM>', contacts on the canister assembly <NUM> connect to contacts <NUM> on the body <NUM>' to deliver power to the agitator motor <NUM> and to recharge the secondary battery <NUM>. In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, instead of operating on household electricity, the surface cleaner <NUM>" includes the primary battery <NUM> coupled to the canister assembly <NUM> to operate the suction motor <NUM>.

In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the surface cleaner <NUM> includes the nozzle <NUM>" positioned on the base <NUM>, forward of the agitator <NUM>". The nozzle <NUM>" includes the suction inlet <NUM>" in fluid communication with the suction motor <NUM> to vacuum up debris and fluid. In this arrangement, the surface cleaner <NUM> is configured to operate in the upright cleaning mode or the auxiliary cleaning mode. In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the cleaning tool <NUM>' is connectable to the second end <NUM> of the hose <NUM> in the lift-off cleaning mode. The cleaning tool <NUM>' includes a suction inlet <NUM>‴ to vacuum debris and liquid from a surface. The cleaning tool <NUM>' further includes an agitator <NUM>‴ to agitate the surface in the lift-off cleaning mode.

Claim 1:
A surface cleaner (<NUM>) comprising:
a body (<NUM>) having a lower portion (<NUM>) and an upper portion (<NUM>) opposite the lower portion (<NUM>), the upper portion (<NUM>) including a handle (<NUM>);
a base (<NUM>) pivotably coupled to the lower portion (<NUM>) of the body (<NUM>) and configured to move across a cleaning surface;
a nozzle (<NUM>) positioned on the base (<NUM>) adjacent the cleaning surface;
a canister assembly (<NUM>) removably coupled to the body (<NUM>), the canister assembly (<NUM>) includes a housing (<NUM>), a supply tank (<NUM>) and a recovery tank (<NUM>);
a hose (<NUM>) having a first end (<NUM>) coupled to the canister assembly (<NUM>) and fluidly connected to the recovery tank (<NUM>) and a second end (<NUM>) coupled to the base (<NUM>) and fluidly connected to the nozzle (<NUM>); and
a suction source in fluid communication with the recovery tank (<NUM>), the suction source operable to draw fluid and debris through the hose (<NUM>) into the recovery tank (<NUM>);
wherein the surface cleaner (<NUM>) is operable in an upright cleaning mode when the canister assembly (<NUM>) is coupled to the body (<NUM>) and the surface cleaner (<NUM>) is operable in an auxiliary cleaning mode when the canister assembly (<NUM>) is uncoupled from the body (<NUM>); and
wherein in the upright cleaning mode and in the auxiliary cleaning mode the nozzle (<NUM>) is movable over the cleaning surface by a user grasping the handle (<NUM>) such that in operation debris and fluid are drawn through the nozzle (<NUM>), through the hose (<NUM>) and into the recovery tank (<NUM>).