Patent Description:
<CIT> discloses a ground cleaning machine including: a base with a suction opening, a recovery tank, a suction motor, and a roller brush at the suction opening; a handle body supporting a cleaning liquid tank and a battery pack; and an infusion conduit between the cleaning liquid tank and the roller brush comprising a first solution tube mounted on the handle body and a second solution tube mounted on the base.

In one embodiment, an extractor includes a body, a recovery tank coupled to the body, and a liquid tank coupled to the body. The liquid tank is configured to hold a liquid. The extractor also includes a base pivotably coupled to the body and configured to support the body above a cleaning surface. The extractor further includes a fluid distributor coupled to the base. The fluid distributor is in fluid communication with the liquid tank and configured to dispense the liquid from the liquid tank onto the cleaning surface. The extractor further includes a brush roll removably coupled to the base and a nozzle in fluid communication with the recovery tank. The nozzle is coupled to the base to block access to the brush roll. The nozzle is moveable relative to the base and the fluid distributor allowing access to the brush roll and enabling removal of the brush roll from the base.

In another embodiment, an extractor includes a liquid tank configured to hold a liquid, a fluid distributor configured to dispense the liquid from the liquid tank onto a cleaning surface, a base supporting the fluid distributor, a brush roll coupled to the base, and a cover coupled to the base to block access to the brush roll. The cover is moveable relative to the base and the fluid distributor allowing access to the brush roll.

The invention is capable of other embodiments and being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Terms of degree, such as "substantially," "about," "approximately," etc. are understood by those of ordinary skill to refer to reasonable ranges outside of the given value, for example, general tolerances associated with manufacturing, assembly, and use of the described embodiments.

A surface cleaning extractor <NUM> (e.g., an upright-style carpet extractor) is illustrated in <FIG> positioned on a cleaning surface <NUM> and includes a body <NUM> having a suction motor <NUM> pivotably coupled to a base <NUM> between an upright or storage position (<FIG>) and an inclined or operable position (not shown). The base <NUM> includes a fluid distributor <NUM> (<FIG>) configured to dispense liquid onto the surface <NUM> to be cleaned and at least a first brush roll 65a operably disposed in the base <NUM>. The first brush roll 65a is removable from the base <NUM> through a top <NUM> of the base <NUM> adjacent the fluid distributor <NUM>. In other embodiments, the extractor <NUM> can be a portable handheld extractor or accessory, an upright-style vacuum cleaner with fluid distribution, a canister-style cleaner with fluid distribution, a power sweeper with fluid distribution, a hard floor cleaner, etc. For example, the base <NUM> can be a handheld auxiliary attachment to the extractor <NUM>. The illustrated body <NUM> includes a handle <NUM> operable by a user to push the extractor <NUM> in a forward direction <NUM> or pull the extractor <NUM> in a rearward direction <NUM>. A liquid tank <NUM> is selectively coupled to the body <NUM> or the base <NUM> in communication with the fluid distributor <NUM> and holds a cleaning liquid (e.g., a mixture of water and cleaning solution). Also, a recovery tank <NUM> is selectively coupled to the body <NUM> or the base <NUM> and holds debris and dirty liquid collected by the extractor <NUM> from the cleaning surface <NUM> during operation.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the base <NUM> includes a head <NUM> supporting the first brush roll 65a and a second brush roll 65b. The head <NUM> includes a bottom <NUM> that faces the cleaning surface <NUM> and the top <NUM> opposite the bottom <NUM>. The head <NUM> also includes a first side wall <NUM>, a second side wall <NUM> (<FIG>) opposite the first side wall <NUM>, and a lateral wall <NUM> extending between the first and second side walls <NUM>, <NUM>. In addition, the walls <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> extend between the bottom <NUM> and the top <NUM> of the head <NUM>. Drive protrusions 95a, 95b are located on the first side wall <NUM> and are driven by an electric motor (not shown) coupled to the base <NUM>. With reference to <FIG>, supports 100a, 100b are located on the second side wall <NUM> each positioned opposite a corresponding drive protrusion 95a, 95b. The drive protrusions 95a, 95b and the supports 100a, 100b are operable to support the first and second brush rolls 65a, 65b to the base <NUM>, as discussed in more detail below. The first and second side walls <NUM>, <NUM> and the lateral wall <NUM> define a cavity <NUM> of the base <NUM>. The illustrated base <NUM> also includes a front opening <NUM> opposite the lateral wall <NUM>. In other embodiments, the front opening <NUM> can be replaced by a wall extending between the first and second side walls <NUM>, <NUM> opposite the lateral wall <NUM>. In addition, the base <NUM> includes wheels (only one wheel <NUM> is shown in <FIG>) that engage the cleaning surface <NUM> (e.g., carpet, hard wood floor, etc.) and enable movement of the extractor <NUM> in either the forward direction <NUM> or the rearward direction <NUM>.

With continued reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the base <NUM> also includes a cover <NUM> (e.g., a transparent cover) selectively coupled to the base <NUM> to cover the top <NUM> of the base <NUM> that defines a portion of the cavity <NUM> and the front opening <NUM>. The cover <NUM> includes a nozzle <NUM> in fluid communication with the recovery tank <NUM> by a passageway at least defined by an inlet <NUM> coupled to the top <NUM> of the head <NUM> and a flexible conduit <NUM> extending between the inlet <NUM> and the body <NUM>. With references to <FIG>, the nozzle <NUM> includes a nozzle passageway <NUM> formed between an upper wall <NUM> of the nozzle <NUM> and a lower wall <NUM> of the nozzle <NUM>. The nozzle passageway <NUM> extends from a nozzle inlet <NUM> to a nozzle outlet <NUM>. A latch <NUM> of the cover <NUM> engages the inlet <NUM> to secure the cover <NUM> to the base <NUM> with the nozzle outlet <NUM> in communication with the inlet <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the cover <NUM> is completely disconnected from the base <NUM> by releasing the latch <NUM> from the inlet <NUM> (<FIG>). In other embodiments, the cover <NUM> can remain coupled to the base <NUM> and moveable (e.g., pivotable) between a closed or secured position and an open position.

With reference to <FIG>, each brush roll 65a, 65b includes deformable brush members 145a, 145b (e.g., bristles) coupled to a brush roll body 150a, 150b with each brush roll body 150a, 150b having a recess 155a, 155b at one end operable to drivingly engage the corresponding drive protrusions 95a, 95b, a base mount 160a, 160b at the other end, and a longitudinal axis 165a, 165b extending between the recess 155a, 155b and the base mount 160a, 160b. Each base mount 160a, 160b is configured to releasably couple with corresponding supports 100a, 100b. Each brush roll body 150a, 150b includes a maximum dimension <NUM> measured perpendicular to its respective longitudinal axis 165a, 165b. A bearing is positioned between each base mount 160a, 160b and the corresponding brush roll body 150a, 150b enabling the brush roll body 150a, 150b to rotate about its longitudinal axis 165a, 165b relative to the corresponding base mount 160a, 160b and supports 100a, 100b. In other embodiments, the drive protrusions 95a, 95b can be coupled to the first and second brush rolls 65a, 65b and the corresponding recesses 155a, 155b can be formed within the first side wall <NUM> of the base <NUM>. In further embodiments, various base mounts 160a, 160b can be provided to couple the bearings and the supports 100a, 100b to install the brush rolls 65a, 65b.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the fluid distributor <NUM> is positioned within the cavity <NUM> and extends between the first and second side walls <NUM>, <NUM> of the head <NUM>. The fluid distributor <NUM> is spaced from the lateral wall <NUM> by a first dimension <NUM> measured parallel to the forward and rearward directions <NUM>, <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the fluid distributor <NUM> is fixedly coupled to the head <NUM> and is in fluid communication with the liquid tank <NUM> to dispense the liquid within the liquid tank <NUM> onto the cleaning surface <NUM>. In other embodiments, the fluid distributor <NUM> is removable from the base <NUM>. In one embodiment, a pressurized liquid delivery system is coupled to the liquid tank <NUM> and the fluid distributor <NUM> to dispense liquid through at least one nozzle of the fluid distributor <NUM> at a determined pressure. In other embodiments, a gravity-feed liquid delivery system is coupled to the liquid tank <NUM> and the fluid distributor <NUM> to dispense liquid through the fluid distributor <NUM> due to gravity. In further embodiments, the fluid distributor <NUM> can be positioned in the front opening <NUM> (e.g., in front of the second brush roll 65b) or coupled to the lateral wall <NUM> (e.g., behind the first brush roll 65a). In further embodiments, the base <NUM> can include more than one fluid distributor <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the brush rolls 65a, 65b are independently removable from the base <NUM> to facilitate cleaning of the brush rolls 65a, 65b. In particular, the cover <NUM> is disconnected from the base <NUM> by actuating the latch <NUM> from the inlet <NUM> (<FIG>). In other words, the cover <NUM> moves relative to the base <NUM> and the fluid distributor <NUM> allowing physical access to the brush rolls 65a, 65b while the base <NUM> is supported on the cleaning surface <NUM>. For example, once the cover <NUM> is opened or removed, which also fluidly decouples the nozzle outlet <NUM> from the conduit <NUM>, the user is able to touch the brush rolls 65a, 65b to inspect the brush rolls 65a, 65b and/or remove the brush rolls 65a, 65b from the base <NUM>. As such, the cover <NUM> is movable relative to the base <NUM> to open the top <NUM> of the base <NUM> allowing removal of the brush rolls 65a, 65b from the base <NUM> through the top <NUM> of the base <NUM> adjacent the fluid distributor <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the first brush roll 65a is positioned between the fluid distributor <NUM> and the lateral wall <NUM> such that the first brush roll 65a moves past the fluid distributor <NUM> in an upward vertical direction <NUM> as the first brush roll 65a is removed from the base <NUM>. The vertical direction <NUM> is perpendicular to the forward and rearward directions <NUM>, <NUM>. In other embodiments, the vertical direction <NUM> can be obliquely oriented relative to the directions <NUM>, <NUM>. In one embodiment, an intermediate cover is provided between the cover <NUM> and the brush roll 65a, 65b that is accessible and openable or removable when the cover <NUM> is disconnected. Also, the fluid distributor <NUM> is positioned on the base <NUM> as to not impede removal of the brush rolls 65a, 65b. Accordingly, the cover <NUM> and the fluid distributor <NUM> allow for easy access, removal, and cleaning of the brush rolls 65a, 65b while the extractor <NUM> is in the upright position (<FIG>).

Once the brush rolls 65a, 65b are removed and cleaned, the brush rolls 65a, 65b are independently coupled to the base <NUM>. In particular, when the cover <NUM> is removed from the base <NUM>, the first brush roll 65a is insertable into the cavity <NUM> between the fluid distributor <NUM> and the lateral wall <NUM> in a downward vertical direction <NUM> from the top <NUM> to the bottom <NUM> of the base <NUM>. The downward vertical direction <NUM> is opposite the upward direction <NUM>. In other embodiments, the downward vertical direction <NUM> can be obliquely oriented relative to the forward and rearward directions <NUM>, <NUM>. The first dimension <NUM> of the base <NUM> is greater than the maximum dimension <NUM> of the first brush roll 65a allowing the first brush roll 65a to be inserted between the lateral wall <NUM> and the fluid distributor <NUM>. In some embodiments, the first deformable brush members 145a can include a dimension greater than the first dimension <NUM> of the base <NUM> causing the first deformable brush members 145a to contact the lateral wall <NUM> and/or the fluid distributor <NUM> and deform while the first brush roll 65a is inserted into the cavity <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the first recess 155a receives the first drive protrusion 95a to provide a pivot point for the first brush roll 65a to then pivot the first base mount 160a into engagement with the first support 100a. The engagement between the first base mount 160a and the first support 100a can be a snap fit engagement, or the like, to hold the first brush roll 65a to the base <NUM>. Accordingly, the first drive protrusion 95a is operable to drive the first brush roll 65a about a first rotational axis concentric with its longitudinal axis 165a while the first support 100a and the first base mount 160a support rotational movement of the first brush roll 65a.

The second brush roll 65b can be coupled to the base <NUM> in a similar manner as the first brush roll 65a. When the cover <NUM> is removed from the base <NUM>, the second brush roll 65b is inserted into the cavity <NUM> between the fluid distributor <NUM> and the front opening <NUM> in the downward direction <NUM>. The second brush roll 65b can also be coupled to the base <NUM> by inserting the second brush roll 65b through the front opening <NUM> in a rearward horizontal direction <NUM> perpendicular to the downward direction <NUM> (e.g., parallel to the rearward direction <NUM>). In other embodiments, the second brush roll 65b can be inserted into the cavity <NUM> at any angle between the downward direction <NUM> and the horizontal direction <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the second recess 155b receives the second drive protrusion 95b to provide a pivot point for the second brush roll 65b to then pivot the second base mount 160b into engagement with the second support 100b. The engagement between the second base mount 160b and the second support 100b can be a snap fit engagement, or the like, to hold the second brush roll 65b to the base <NUM>. Accordingly, the second drive protrusion 95b is operable to drive the second brush roll 65b about a second rotational axis concentric with its longitudinal axis 165b while the second support 100b and the second base mount 160b support rotational movement of the second brush roll 65b. In one embodiment, the steps to couple the first and second brush rolls 65a, 65b to the base <NUM> are reversed to remove the first and second brush rolls 65a, 65b from the base <NUM>.

Claim 1:
An extractor (<NUM>) comprising:
a body (<NUM>);
a recovery tank (<NUM>) coupled to the body (<NUM>);
a liquid tank (<NUM>) coupled to the body (<NUM>), the liquid tank (<NUM>) configured to hold a liquid;
a base (<NUM>) pivotably coupled to the body (<NUM>) and configured to support the body (<NUM>) above a cleaning surface, the base (<NUM>) configured to be moved in a forward direction and a rearward direction along the cleaning surface, the base (<NUM>) including:
a first side wall (<NUM>) extending along the forward direction,
a second side wall (<NUM>) opposite the first side wall (<NUM>), the second side wall (<NUM>) extending along the forward direction, and
a lateral wall (<NUM>) extending between the first side wall (<NUM>) and the second side wall (<NUM>);
a fluid distributor (<NUM>) coupled to the base (<NUM>) and spaced from the lateral wall (<NUM>) in the forward direction, the fluid distributor (<NUM>) in fluid communication with the liquid tank (<NUM>) and configured to dispense the liquid from the liquid tank (<NUM>) onto the cleaning surface;
a brush roll (65a, 65b) removably coupled to the base (<NUM>) and insertable into a cavity (<NUM>) between the fluid distributor (<NUM>), the first side wall (<NUM>), the second side wall (<NUM>), and the lateral wall (<NUM>) in a downward vertical direction (<NUM>); and
a nozzle (<NUM>) in fluid communication with the recovery tank (<NUM>), the nozzle (<NUM>) coupled to the base (<NUM>) to block access to the brush roll (65a, 65b), the nozzle (<NUM>) moveable relative to the base (<NUM>) and the fluid distributor (<NUM>) allowing access to the brush roll (65a, 65b) and enabling removal of the brush roll (65a, 65b) from the base (<NUM>) while the fluid distributor (<NUM>) is coupled to the base (<NUM>).