Patent Description:
A traditional vacuum cleaner is an electro-pneumatic device that generates a gaseous pressure vacuum for cleaning hard surfaces, such as tile and wood flooring, and soft surfaces, such as carpet and upholstery. While conventionally built as a "dry" type cleaning apparatus limited to dirt, dust, and solid debris, some surface-cleaning vacuums are adapted as "wet" type fluid recovery systems that also extract stains and other liquids from a surface. Many modern wet extraction cleaners - also known as a "deep cleaner" or "DC" - also come equipped with a liquid delivery system and, optionally, a liquid recovery and stowage system. The delivery system expels a cleaning solution onto the surface being cleaned, while the liquid recovery system extracts spent cleaning liquid and debris from the surface and may stow the extracted liquid/debris in a recovery tank. <CIT> provides an example of such a cleaner.

As part of a deep cleaner's liquid delivery system, a fluid-tight supply tank or a disposable solution container is included for storing and dispensing a cleaning solution having an application-suitable composition (e.g., water, surfactants, stabilizers, fragrances, foaming agents, and/or detergents). In use, a cleaning solution can be dispensed from the supply tank/container through a fluid supply conduit that extends to fluid dispensers associated with a foot of the cleaner (upright deep cleaner), through a hose to fluid dispensers associated with a wand or tool (portable and upright deep cleaners), or to fluid dispensers carried by a body of the cleaner (handheld). The solution may be expelled onto each surface being cleaned through one or more spray orifices associated with an accessory tool, a cleaner foot, a nozzle head, or an external spray nozzle attached to a wand extending between the accessory tool and the hose. A pneumatic pressure source located aboard the deep cleaner generates sufficient suction forces to extract spent solution, staining liquid, and entrained debris from the surface.

Presented herein are self-cleaning hose ("cleanout") features for vacuum-based cleaning systems, methods for making and methods for using disclosed vacuum systems and cleanout features, and wet-type extraction cleaners equipped with hose cleanout devices. In a non-limiting example, there are presented self-cleaning features for accessory hoses that fluidly couple accessory tools with extraction cleaners. Over time, wet-type extraction cleaning processes may engender a gradual buildup of extracted debris within sections of the hose. In some designs, debris build-up may also occur along portions of interior surfaces of a wand component that couples an accessory tool with an accessory hose. Accumulated debris - depending on its volume and composition - may emit undesirable odors. To mitigate any such buildup, an extraction cleaner according to aspects of the present disclosure employs a hose cleanout system with a manually operated actuator lever that, when activated, unseats a valve plug and concomitantly slides a spring-biased spool valve body to redirect cleaning solution from the liquid delivery system directly into the fluid recovery path.

According to the present invention there is provided, a wand assembly for an extraction cleaner as claimed in claim <NUM>, which has a fluid delivery system and a fluid recovery system. The wand body includes a fluid delivery pathway configured to receive a cleaning liquid via a delivery line and dispense the cleaning liquid through a distributor outlet. The wand body also includes a fluid recovery pathway configured to evacuate debris received via a working airflow pathway, and a fluid port fluidly connecting the fluid delivery and recovery pathways. A valve assembly is actuable between an inactive state, in which the valve assembly seals the fluid port and blocks a supply of fluid from the delivery line, to a delivery state, in which the valve assembly seals the fluid port and unblocks the supply of fluid from the delivery line, and a cleanout state, in which the valve assembly unseals the fluid port and blocks the supply of fluid toward the distributor outlet.

According to another unclaimed aspect of the present disclosure, a self-cleaning hose system for an extraction cleaner has a fluid delivery system and a fluid recovery system. The self-cleaning hose system includes a wand having a wand body which contains a fluid delivery pathway and a fluid recover pathway fluidly connected via a fluid port. The fluid delivery pathway is configured to receive a cleaning liquid, and the fluid recovery pathway is configured to transfer debris received via the wand. A valve assembly is actuable from an inactive state, in which the valve assembly seals the fluid port and blocks a fluid connection between the fluid delivery pathway and the fluid delivery system, to a first active state, in which the valve assembly seals the fluid port and fluidly connects the fluid delivery pathway to the fluid delivery system, and to a second active state, in which the valve assembly unseals the fluid port and blocks the fluid connection between the fluid delivery pathway and the fluid delivery system. An actuator lever is movable between a deactivated position, in which the actuator lever is disengaged from the valve assembly, and an activated position, in which the actuator lever pushes the valve assembly to the second active state.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, an extraction cleaner includes a cleaner body, a fluid recovery system which includes a suction source configured to create a fluid pressure vacuum, a fluid delivery system including a liquid source configured to contain and dispense therefrom a cleaning liquid. A hose is fluidly connected to both the fluid recovery system and the fluid delivery system. A wand assembly is fluidly connected to the hose and includes a wand body containing a fluid delivery pathway, a fluid recovery pathway, and a fluid port fluidly connecting the fluid delivery and recovery pathways. The fluid delivery pathway is fluidly connected via a delivery line to the fluid delivery system to receive therefrom a supply of cleaning liquid. The fluid recovery pathway is fluidly connected via a working airflow pathway to the fluid recover system to transfer thereto debris received via the wand body. A valve assembly is actuatable from an inactive state, in which the valve assembly seals the fluid port and blocks the supply of cleaning liquid from the delivery line, to a delivery state, in which the valve assembly seals the fluid port and unblocks the supply of cleaning liquid from the delivery line, and a cleanout state, in which the valve assembly unseals the fluid port and blocks the supply of cleaning liquid toward the fluid delivery system. An actuator lever is movable between a deactivated position, in which the actuator lever is disengaged from the valve assembly, and an activated position, in which the actuator lever is engaged with the valve assembly, thereby transitioning the valve assembly from the inactive state to the cleanout state.

Aspects of this invention are directed to self-cleaning features for vacuum-based cleaning systems. Aspects of this disclosure are also directed to manufacturing systems, methods, and control logic for making/using any of the disclosed cleaner systems, devices, features, etc. As used herein, the terms "extraction cleaner" and "deep cleaner" - including variations and permutations thereof - may be used interchangeably and synonymously to include any relevant vacuum-based cleaner system, including upright, canister, handheld, and pod architectures of the wet extraction type in both corded and cordless configurations, as some non-limiting examples. In an example, there is presented a wand assembly for an extraction cleaner, which has both a fluid delivery system for dispensing cleaning fluid and a fluid recovery system for extricating debris. Disclosed wand assemblies may be integrally formed as a one-piece structure permanently coupled to, or selectively detachable from an accessory tool and/or a cleaner hose.

In one implementation, the wand assembly includes a wand body that contains a fluid delivery pathway, a fluid recovery pathway, and a fluid port that selectively connects the fluid delivery and recovery pathways. The wand's fluid delivery pathway fluidly connects via a first fluid coupling to the extraction cleaner's fluid delivery system to receive therefrom a cleaning liquid. Likewise, the wand's fluid recovery pathway fluidly connects via a second fluid coupling to the extraction cleaner's fluid recovery system to transfer thereto debris received via the wand, e.g., from an accessory tool. A valve assembly is carried by or otherwise attached to the wand body to regulate the flow of cleaning fluid therethrough. The valve assembly is actuable between: (<NUM>) an inactive state, in which the valve assembly seals the fluid port and blocks the first fluid coupling; (<NUM>) a delivery state, in which the valve assembly seals the fluid port and unblocks the first fluid coupling; and (<NUM>) a cleanout state, in which the valve assembly unseals the fluid port and blocks the first fluid coupling. The wand assembly also includes an actuator lever that is carried by or otherwise attached to the wand body to selectively actuate the valve assembly. The actuator lever is rotatable between a deactivated position, in which the actuator lever is disengaged from the valve assembly, and an activated position, in which the actuator lever engages and transitions the valve assembly to the cleanout state. In this context, an "integral" cleanout system may be defined to mean that the functional cleanout features are carried by the wand assembly.

In another example, there is presented a self-cleaning hose system for a wand of an extraction cleaner. The extraction cleaner is equipped with a fluid delivery system for dispensing cleaning fluid, and a fluid recovery system for collecting dirt, dust, liquids, and other debris. The wand has a wand body that contains fluid delivery and recovery pathways that are fluidly connected to each other via a fluid port. The fluid delivery pathway is fluidly connectable to the fluid delivery system, e.g., via a flexible fluid delivery conduit, to receive therefrom a cleaning liquid. Likewise, the fluid recovery pathway is fluidly connectable, e.g., via a flexible cleaner hose, to the fluid recovery system to transfer thereto debris received via the wand.

In some aspects, the cleanout system includes a valve assembly that is operatively connected to the wand and is operable in at least three operating states: (a) an inactive state, in which the valve assembly seals the fluid port and blocks the fluid connection between the fluid delivery pathway and the fluid delivery system; (b) a first active state, in which the valve assembly seals the fluid port and fluidly connects the fluid delivery pathway to the fluid delivery system; and (c) a second active state, in which the valve assembly unseals the fluid port and blocks the fluid connection between the fluid delivery pathway and the fluid delivery system. An actuator lever is operatively connected to the wand and is rotatable back-and-forth between a deactivated position and an activated position. When in the deactivated position, the actuator lever is disengaged from the valve assembly, e.g., such that the valve assembly is actuable in the first active state. When in the activated position, the actuator lever engages and pushes the valve assembly to the second active state, i.e., to initiate a cleanout process.

In another example, an extraction cleaner system includes a cleaner body, a fluid recovery system housed in the cleaner body and including a suction source that creates a fluid pressure vacuum, and a fluid delivery system housed in the cleaner body and including a liquid source that contains and dispenses therefrom a cleaning liquid. A hose is fluidly connected to both the fluid recovery system and the fluid delivery system. A wand assembly, which is fluidly connected to the hose, includes a wand body that contains a fluid delivery pathway, a fluid recovery pathway, and a fluid port that fluidly connects the fluid delivery and recovery pathways. The fluid delivery pathway fluidly connects via a first fluid coupling to the fluid delivery system to receive therefrom a cleaning liquid. The fluid recovery pathway fluidly connects via a second fluid coupling to the fluid recovery system to transfer thereto debris received via the wand body. A valve assembly is mounted to the wand and is actuable from an inactive state, in which the valve assembly seals the fluid port and blocks the first fluid coupling, to a delivery state, in which the valve assembly seals the fluid port and unblocks the first fluid coupling, and a cleanout state, in which the valve assembly unseals the fluid port and blocks the first fluid coupling. An actuator lever is mounted to the wand and is rotatable between a deactivated position, in which the actuator lever is disengaged from the valve assembly, and an activated position, in which the actuator lever presses against and thereby transitions the valve assembly from the inactive state to the cleanout state.

For any of the disclosed systems, methods, and devices, the actuator lever may include a finger-actuated lever arm that is located outside of and pivotably mounted to the wand body, e.g., via transversely projecting pivot pins. In this instance, the actuator lever may also include a lever hammer that is located inside of the wand body and fixedly coupled to the lever arm to rotate in unison therewith. The lever arm may be fabricated with an arched (first) cuff that has a semicircular cross-section and a finger tab that projects at an oblique angle from the first cuff. Likewise, the lever hammer may be fabricated with an arched (second) cuff that is circumscribed by the first cuff and has a semicircular cross-section, e.g., that is smaller than the first cuff's semicircular cross-section. A hammer head projects axially from the second cuff, e.g., to selectively engage and transition the valve assembly to the cleanout state.

For any of the disclosed systems, methods, and devices, the wand assembly may also include a lever-regulating (first) biasing member that is operatively attached to the wand body and biases the actuator lever to the deactivated position. This biasing member may take on innumerable forms, including a torsion or leaf spring that is interposed between and presses against the actuator lever and wand body. As another option, a detent nub may project from the actuator lever (or the wand body), and a detent pocket may be recessed into the wand body (or the actuator lever). When properly mated, the detent nub seats inside the detent pocket to thereby retain the actuator lever in the deactivated position, e.g., to help prevent inadvertent activation of the wand's cleanout feature.

For any of the disclosed systems, methods, and devices, the valve assembly may include a valve housing that mounts to the wand body and defines therein an elongated valve chamber, which fluidly connects to the fluid delivery pathway and the fluid recovery pathway. A valve body, which may be in the nature of a spring-biased, multi-landing spool valve body, is movably mounted to the valve housing and slidable back-and-forth between at least an inactive position and a valve body (first) active position. When the valve assembly is in the inactive state, the valve body is located in the inactive position and blocks the first fluid coupling, e.g., to prevent dispensing of cleaning liquid through the wand's fluid delivery pathway. When the valve assembly is in the delivery state, the valve body is located in the first active position and unblocks the first fluid coupling, e.g., to enable dispensing of cleaning liquid through the wand's fluid delivery pathway. In this instance, a valve body-regulating (second) biasing member, such as a helical compression spring, may be interposed between the valve housing and valve body to bias the valve body to the inactive position. The valve housing may take on a multi-ported design with a first valve port that fluidly connects to the first fluid coupling, a second valve port that fluidly connects to the wand's fluid delivery pathway, and a third valve port that fluidly connects to the wand's fluid recovery pathway via the fluid port.

For any of the disclosed systems, methods, and devices, the valve assembly may include a valve plug that is movably mounted to the valve housing and slidable back-and-for the between a sealing position and a valve plug (second) active position. When the valve assembly is in the inactive state, the valve plug is located in the sealing position and seals the fluid port, e.g., to deactivate the cleanout feature. When the valve assembly is in the cleanout state, the valve plug is located in the second active position and unseals the fluid port, e.g., to thereby directly fluidly connect the wand's fluid delivery and recovery pathways and activate the cleanout feature. The valve assembly may include a plug-regulating (third) biasing member interposed between the valve plug and the valve body; this biasing member biases the valve plug to the sealing position to help ensure the valve plug seals the fluid port.

For any of the disclosed systems, methods, and devices, a first end of the wand body includes a first opening and a first mechanical coupler that mates with a tool accessory. A second end of the wand body may include a second opening and a second mechanical coupler that mates with a cleaner hose of the extraction cleaner. Alternatively, the wand body may be fixedly attached to or integrally formed with a tool accessory. In this instance, an opposing end of the wand body may include a coupler that mates with the cleaner hose to thereby mount the wand body to the hose. As yet another option, the wand body may be fixedly attached to or integrally formed with the cleaner hose. In this instance, an opposing end of the wand body may include a coupler that mates with one or more tool accessories to thereby mount each accessory tool to the wand body.

The above Summary does not represent every embodiment or every aspect of the present invention. Rather, the Summary merely provides exemplification of some of the novel concepts and features set forth herein. The above features and advantages, and other features and attendant advantages, will be apparent from the following Detailed Description of illustrated examples and representative modes for carrying out the present invention when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and appended claims.

The present disclosure is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, and some representative configurations are shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail below. It should be understood, however, that the novel aspects of this invention are not limited to the particular forms illustrated in the above-enumerated Figures. Rather, this invention covers all modifications, equivalents, combinations, permutations, and alternatives falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Representative examples of the invention are shown in the appended drawings and described in detail below, with the understanding that the descriptions are exemplifications of disclosed principles and not limitations of the broad aspects of the invention. To that end, elements and limitations described herein, but not explicitly set forth in the claims, should not be incorporated into the claims, singly or collectively, by implication, inference, or otherwise. Moreover, the drawings discussed herein may not be to scale, and are provided purely for instructional purposes. Thus, the specific and relative dimensions shown in the Figures are not to be construed as limiting.

Additionally, unless specifically disclaimed: the singular includes the plural and vice versa; the words "and" and "or" shall be both conjunctive and disjunctive; the words "any" and "all" shall both mean "any and all"; and the words "including," "containing," "comprising," "having," along with permutations thereof and similar terms, shall each mean "including without limitation. " Moreover, words of approximation, such as "about," "almost," "substantially," "generally," "approximately," and the like, may each be used herein in the sense of "at, near, or nearly at," or "within <NUM>-<NUM>% of," or "within acceptable manufacturing tolerances," or any logical combination thereof, for example. Lastly, directional adjectives and adverbs, such as front, back, left, right, fore, aft, vertical, horizontal, forward, backward, upward, downward, etc., may be with respect to an extraction cleaner device that is operatively oriented for cleaning a horizontal surface.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numbers refer to like features throughout the several views, there is shown in <FIG> a schematic diagram of a representative extraction cleaning system, which is designated generally at <NUM> and portrayed herein for purposes of discussion as a wet-type extraction cleaner. The illustrated cleaning system <NUM> - also referred to herein as "extraction cleaner" or "deep cleaner" - is merely an exemplary application with which aspects of the invention may be practiced. As such, it will be understood that aspects and features of the invention may be used for other wet-type extraction cleaner configurations and employed for any logically relevant type of deep cleaning system. Moreover, only select components of the extraction cleaner systems and cleanout assemblies are shown and described in additional detail below. Nevertheless, the systems assemblies discussed herein may include numerous additional and alternative features, and other available peripheral components, for carrying out the various methods and functions of this invention.

<FIG> illustrates various functional subsystems of a surface cleaning tool in the form of an extraction cleaner <NUM> system. These functional subsystems may be arranged into any desired configuration, including upright-type extraction devices, canister-type extraction devices, pod-type extraction devices, handheld extraction devices, autonomous and robotic cleaning devices, and commercial cleaners. For instance, any of the herein-described accessory wands and cleanout systems, such as those described with respect to <FIG>, may be incorporated into or adapted to include any of the related features of the extraction cleaner <NUM> illustrated in and described with respect to <FIG>, and vice versa. By way of example, an accessory wand may be adapted to detachably couple from, permanently affix to, or integrally form with one or more attachments, such as an accessory tool and/or a flexible vacuum cleaner hose, which can form a portion of the working air conduit between a suction nozzle and a suction source in a wheeled or carried base of an upright, cannister, handheld, or pod-type extraction device.

The extraction cleaner <NUM> of <FIG> may be a bipartite architecture with a fluid delivery system <NUM>, which stores and selectively dispenses a cleaning fluid to a surface being cleaned, and a fluid recovery system <NUM>, which removes spent cleaning fluid and debris from the surface being cleaned and stores the recovered cleaning fluid and debris. In this instance, the illustrated recovery system <NUM> may be composed of an upstream-end suction nozzle <NUM>, a downstream-end vacuum-generating suction source <NUM>, and an optional waste-storing recovery container <NUM>. The suction source <NUM>, which may be in the form of a motor-fan, positive-displacement, or centrifugal-rotodynamic assembly, is fluidly connected to the suction nozzle <NUM> and, when desired, generates a working air stream (e.g., configured to create a fluid pressure vacuum) for drawing liquid and debris into the recovery system <NUM>. The recovery container <NUM>, which is interposed between the suction nozzle <NUM> and suction source <NUM>, separates and collects liquid and debris from the working airstream for later disposal. A separator <NUM> can be packaged inside a portion of the recovery container <NUM> for separating liquid and entrained debris from the working airstream.

Continuing with the discussion of the representative extraction cleaner <NUM> system of <FIG>, the suction source <NUM> may be any suitable vacuum-generating, electromechanical device that is electrically coupled or couplable to a power source <NUM>, such as a rechargeable battery or an electrical outlet. A power switch <NUM>, which may be located between the suction source <NUM> and the power source <NUM>, is selectively actuable by a user to activate the suction source <NUM>. The suction nozzle <NUM> - through which is drawn dirt, debris, spent cleaning solution, etc. - may be integrated into a base, a tool, or a cleaning head and may be adapted to move over the surface being cleaned. An optional agitator <NUM> may be located adjacent to the suction nozzle <NUM> to disturb the surface being cleaned so that debris is broken up and more easily ingested into the suction nozzle <NUM>. Some non-limiting examples of agitators include a horizontally oriented rotating brushroll, a vertically oriented rotating brushroll, a stationary brush, an array of flexible protuberances, etc..

The extraction cleaner <NUM> may operatively interface with any of an assortment of interchangeable attachments and tools to facilitate different cleaning tasks. In <FIG>, for example, an accessory hose <NUM> may selectively fluidly couple the suction source <NUM> to an accessory tool or cleaning attachment <NUM>, such as an extension wand, an upholstery tool, a dusting brush, etc., with a separate suction inlet. In some embodiments, a diverter valve assembly <NUM> or other diverting mechanism can be provided to selectively redirect fluid communication from the suction source <NUM> to either the suction nozzle <NUM> or the accessory hose <NUM>. The accessory hose <NUM> may also employ a fluid distributor that fluidly connects the fluid delivery system <NUM> with the tool/attachment <NUM> to selectively discharge therefrom the cleaning fluid.

The extraction cleaner's fluid delivery system <NUM> may be composed of a liquid source (e.g., a refillable or interchangeable fluid container <NUM>) at an upstream-end of the system <NUM>, a liquid-dispensing fluid distributor <NUM> at a downstream-end of the system <NUM>, and a liquid flow-regulating flow control system <NUM> interposed between the container <NUM> and distributor <NUM>. The fluid container <NUM> stores or contains and selectively dispenses therefrom a supply of cleaning fluid. The cleaning fluid may include one or more of any suitable cleaning liquids, such as water, compositions, concentrated detergents, diluted detergents, etc., and mixtures thereof. The flow control system <NUM> governs the transfer of cleaning fluid from the container <NUM> to the distributor <NUM>. In the illustrated configuration, the flow control system <NUM> employs a unidirectional liquid pump <NUM> to pressurize the system <NUM>, and a flow control valve or valves <NUM> to control the delivery of cleaning fluid to the distributor <NUM>.

Still referring to <FIG>, an actuator <NUM>, which may be in the form of a manually operated trigger or lever, can be provided to activate the flow control system <NUM> and dispense fluid to and through the distributor <NUM>. For a normally closed valve assembly, the actuator <NUM> may be operatively coupled to the valve <NUM> such that pressing the actuator <NUM> will open the valve <NUM>. The valve <NUM> may be an electrically actuated valve device such that an electrical switch <NUM> located between the valve <NUM> and power source <NUM> is selectively closed when the actuator <NUM> is pressed, thereby powering the valve <NUM> to move to an open position. While any of an assortment of different flow-controlling devices may be employed, it may be desirable that the valve <NUM> of <FIG> be an electromagnetic solenoid valve or a manual spool valve. The liquid pump <NUM> can also be electrically connected to and powered by the power source <NUM>. In accordance with the illustrated architecture, the pump <NUM> may be a centrifugal pump or a solenoid pump. It is also envisioned that the pump <NUM> may be eliminated from the system <NUM> and, if desired, the flow control system <NUM> may be a gravity-fed system. For instance, one or more mechanically actuated or electrically actuated valves may be fluidly coupled with outlet ports of the container(s) <NUM>, <NUM>; when opened, the valve(s) may allow fluid to flow under the force of gravity to the distributor <NUM>.

With continuing reference to <FIG>, the fluid distributor <NUM> may include one or more distributor outlets <NUM> for ejecting cleaning fluid onto a surface being cleaned. The distributor outlet(s) <NUM> may be packaged within the extraction cleaner <NUM> system to deliver fluid directly onto the surface or indirectly by delivering fluid onto or through the agitator <NUM>. The distributor outlet(s) <NUM> may take on any suitable structure, such as a nozzle or spray tip or a distributed arrangement of distributor outlets <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, for example, the distributor outlet <NUM> includes multiple spray tips that dispense cleaning fluid to a surface. If desired, the cleaning tool <NUM> may optionally include an auxiliary distributor outlet (not shown) that is coupled with the fluid delivery system <NUM>. While <FIG> may be considered a schematic illustration of an upright deep cleaner (UDC), select features from this Figure may be adapted for incorporation into other extraction cleaner configurations, including portable deep cleaners (PDC) of the handheld and pod style.

An optional fluid heater device <NUM> may be fluidly interposed between the fluid container <NUM> and the fluid distributor <NUM> to selectively heat the cleaning fluid prior to the liquid pump <NUM> delivering the cleaning fluid through the distributor outlets <NUM> to the surface. According to the example illustrated in <FIG>, an in-line electronic heater <NUM> is located downstream from the fluid container <NUM> and upstream of the pump <NUM>. In yet another example, the cleaning fluid can be heated using exhaust air from a motor-cooling exhaust pathway for the suction source <NUM>.

Fluid delivery system <NUM> of <FIG> may employ a single or multiple vessels for storing and dispensing a cleaning fluid or the pre-mixed components of a cleaning fluid mixture. For example, a first fluid container <NUM> may store water and a second fluid container <NUM> may store a cleaning detergent or additive. By way of example, and not limitation, the two containers <NUM>, <NUM> may be defined by a supply tank and a collapsible bladder. In one configuration, the fluid container <NUM> may be a bladder that is stored within the recovery container <NUM>. Alternatively, a single fluid container may be fabricated with multiple internal chambers for storing a variety of different liquids. The cleaning fluid in either container <NUM>, <NUM> can include, but is not limited to, water or a mixture including water and one or more treating agents. These treating agents may include, but are not limited to, detergents, odor eliminators, sanitizers, stain removers, odor removers, deodorizers, fragrances, or any combination thereof.

For fluid delivery system architectures employing multiple containers <NUM>, <NUM>, the flow control system <NUM> may be equipped with a mixing system <NUM> operable to control a composition of the cleaning fluid that is delivered to the surface through the distributor <NUM>. The cleaning fluid composition may be determined by a controlled ratio of cleaning fluids mixed together by the mixing system. As shown in <FIG>, the mixing system <NUM> is typified by a mixing manifold <NUM> that selectively receives fluid from one or both of the fluid containers <NUM>, <NUM>. A mixing valve <NUM> is fluidly coupled with an outlet port of the second container <NUM>; when the mixing valve <NUM> is opened, the cleaning fluid component from the second container <NUM> will flow to the mixing manifold <NUM>. The composition of the cleaning fluid that is delivered to the surface can be selected by controlling the valve flow characteristics - timing, frequency, and length - of the mixing valve <NUM>.

In operation, the extraction cleaner <NUM> of <FIG> may be prepared for use by filling one or both fluid containers <NUM>, <NUM> with a cleaning fluid or cleaning fluid components and then electrically connecting the extraction cleaner <NUM> to the power source <NUM>. Metered amounts of cleaning fluid may be selectively delivered to a chosen surface being cleaned via the fluid delivery system <NUM> by user-activation of the actuator <NUM>. If desired, the extraction cleaner <NUM> may be concurrently moved back and forth over the chosen surface. The agitator <NUM> can simultaneously agitate the cleaning fluid into the chosen surface. During operation of the fluid recovery system <NUM>, the extraction cleaner <NUM> draws in fluid and debris-laden working air through the suction nozzle <NUM> or cleaning tool <NUM>, depending on the position of the diverter assembly <NUM>. The working air is pulled into the downstream recovery container <NUM> where the liquid and debris are substantially separated from the working air. The airstream then passes through the suction source <NUM> prior to being exhausted from the extraction cleaner <NUM>. The recovery container <NUM> can be periodically emptied of collected fluid, dirt, and other debris. Additional details of extraction cleaners, including their constituent parts, architectures, and uses, are disclosed in <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, and<CIT>.

Turning next to <FIG>, there is shown a representative example of a system-integrated, self-cleaning feature for an extraction cleaning system. <FIG> illustrates an exemplary accessory wand <NUM> assembly with an integrated hose cleanout system <NUM>, which may be utilized with a wet-type upright extraction cleaner, such as the extraction cleaner <NUM> of <FIG>. As noted above, it is envisioned that the accessory wand <NUM> and cleanout system <NUM> of <FIG> may incorporate any of the options and alternatives described herein with respect to the accessory wands and related features of <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, and vice versa. As a non-limiting point of similarly, all of the accessory wands <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> of <FIG> may be fabricated as handheld devices that are manufactured with a wand body <NUM>. The wand body <NUM> is shown in <FIG> and <FIG> as having a distal (first) wand end <NUM> with a distal (first) wand opening <NUM>, and a proximal (second) wand end <NUM> with a proximal (second) wand opening <NUM>. Defined within the accessory wand <NUM> is an internal working airflow pathway <NUM> (<FIG>) that extends the length of the wand body <NUM> and fluidly interconnects the wand openings <NUM>, <NUM> with each other and with an accessory hose (shown hidden at <NUM> in <FIG>). In this context, an "integral" cleanout system may be defined to mean that the functional cleanout features are carried by the wand assembly.

Located at the distal end <NUM> of the wand body <NUM> is a proximal (first) coupler mechanism <NUM>, which is represented in <FIG> as a snap-lock detent arm that mates with a complementary coupler mechanism of one or more interchangeable accessory tools to removably mount a tool, one at a time, to the accessory wand <NUM>. Alternatively, the distal end <NUM> of the wand body <NUM> may be permanently affixed to or integrally formed with an accessory tool. Located at the proximal end <NUM> of the wand body <NUM> is a proximal (second) coupler mechanism <NUM>, which is represented in <FIG> as a snap-lock detent cuff that mates with a complementary coupler mechanism of the accessory hose <NUM> to removably connect the wand <NUM> to the hose <NUM>. Alternatively, the proximal end <NUM> of the wand body <NUM> may be permanently affixed to or integrally formed with an accessory hose or other fluid conduit. With this arrangement, a user of the accessory wand <NUM> assembly of <FIG> is able to selectively connect an accessory tool (e.g., accessory tool <NUM>) to a cleaning system, such as the fluid delivery and extraction systems <NUM>, <NUM> of <FIG>, via the accessory hose <NUM> using the wand body <NUM> as an intervening fluid coupling piece, which may be utilized as a grip.

With reference to the cross-sectional views of <FIG> and <FIG>, the wand body <NUM> houses therein, carries, or defines (collectively "contains") a fluid delivery pathway <NUM> for receiving a liquid cleaning fluid (fluid flow arrows FCL) from an extraction cleaner's fluid delivery system, and transmitting the cleaning liquid FCL through the accessory wand <NUM> to the mated, or otherwise coupled, accessory tool <NUM> (<FIG>). In <FIG>, the fluid delivery pathway <NUM> may be represented, at least in part, by an S-shaped barb fitting <NUM> with an integral barbed outlet tip <NUM> that fluidly connects to a mating adapter of a spray nozzle (e.g., distributor outlet(s) <NUM>) of the accessory tool <NUM>. Projecting from an opposing side of the barb fitting <NUM> is an integral barbed inlet tip <NUM> that press-fits into and fluidly connects via flexible transfer line <NUM> to a manually operated valve assembly <NUM>. The valve assembly <NUM>, in turn, connects via a flexible delivery line <NUM> inside the accessory hose <NUM> to the extraction cleaner's fluid delivery system (e.g., fluid delivery system <NUM> of <FIG>).

The wand body <NUM> also contains a fluid recovery pathway <NUM> for receiving a working airflow (fluid flow arrows FWA) with spent cleaning liquid, dirt, and other entrained debris from the accessory tool <NUM>, and transferring the working airflow FWA through the accessory wand <NUM> to the extraction cleaner's fluid recovery system (e.g., fluid recovery system <NUM> of <FIG>). In <FIG>, the fluid recovery pathway <NUM> may be represented, at least in part, by the working airflow pathway <NUM> that fluidly connects the distal wand opening <NUM> to the accessory hose <NUM> via the proximal wand opening <NUM>. Defined through an exterior wall of the wand body <NUM> is a fluid port <NUM> <FIG>) that allows the fluid delivery pathway <NUM> to directly fluidly connect to the fluid recovery pathway <NUM> through manual activation of the valve assembly <NUM> to enable a "hose <NUM> cleanout" feature, as will be described in further detail below.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, a three-port diverter T-valve assembly <NUM> is mounted to or otherwise carried by the wand body <NUM>, which may be manually operated to selectively direct liquid cleaning solution FCL through the fluid delivery pathway <NUM> and, when desired, to selectively divert cleaning solution FCL to the fluid recovery pathway <NUM>. By way of non-limiting example, the valve assembly <NUM> of <FIG> may be actuable between at least three distinct operating states: (<NUM>) an inactive state (an example of which is illustrated in <FIG>), in which the valve assembly <NUM> concurrently blocks/seals the fluid port <NUM> and blocks/seals the fluid connection between the barb fitting <NUM> and the flexible delivery line <NUM>, thereby blocking a supply of fluid from the delivery line <NUM>; (<NUM>) a delivery state (<FIG>), in which the valve assembly <NUM> blocks/seals the fluid port <NUM> and concurrently unblocks/unseals the fluid connection between the barb fitting <NUM> and the flexible delivery line <NUM>, and, therefore, permits the supply of fluid from the delivery line <NUM> toward the barb fitting <NUM>; and (<NUM>) a cleanout state (<FIG>), in which the valve assembly <NUM> unblocks/unseals the fluid port <NUM> and blocks/seals the fluid connection between the barb fitting <NUM> and the flexible delivery line <NUM>. For at least some applications, the accessory wand <NUM> may be characterized by a single valve assembly <NUM> that is operable to regulate the dispensation of cleaning solution through the fluid delivery pathway <NUM> and onto a select surface during a surface cleaning operation, and to redirect cleaning solution from the extraction cleaner's fluid delivery system directly into the working airflow pathway <NUM> during a hose cleanout operation.

Fluid flow control of the cleaning liquid FCL through the accessory wand <NUM> assembly may be achieved by any suitable valve architecture, including mechanical, electromechanical, magnetomechanical, pneumatic, and hydraulic designs. In accordance with the illustrated architecture, the valve assembly <NUM> of <FIG> is a manually activated mechanical design that includes a multi-ported valve housing <NUM> with an internal valve chamber <NUM> that fluidly connects to both the fluid delivery pathway <NUM> and the fluid recovery pathway <NUM>. Valve housing <NUM> is shown formed with at least three valve ports for fluidly connecting the valve assembly <NUM> to the working airflow pathway <NUM>, barb fitting <NUM>, and cleaning liquid delivery line <NUM>. Integrally formed with and projecting from a proximal side of the valve housing <NUM> is a barbed valve inlet tip <NUM> (representative of a "first valve port") that press-fits into and fluidly connects with the flexible delivery line <NUM> and, thus, the extraction cleaner's fluid delivery system. A barbed valve outlet tip <NUM> (representative of a "second valve port") is integrally formed with and projects from a distal side of the valve housing <NUM>, opposite that of the valve inlet tip <NUM>. The valve outlet tip <NUM> press-fits into and fluidly connects to the flexible transfer line <NUM> and, thus, the barb fitting <NUM>. Extending through the top of the valve housing <NUM> is a cleanout gate <NUM> (representative of a "third valve port") that fluidly connects via a toroidal cap <NUM> to the fluid port <NUM> and, thus, the fluid recovery pathway <NUM>. A first polymeric O-ring <NUM> (<FIG>) nests within an annular seal seat in the toroidal cap <NUM> and fluidly seals the valve housing <NUM> and cap <NUM> to the wand body <NUM> and port <NUM>.

Fluid movement through the valve assembly <NUM> may be achieved by any suitable flow control hardware, including poppet, ball, needle, diaphragm, and plug designs. In accordance with the illustrated architecture, the valve assembly <NUM> of <FIG> is a combination lift and spool valve that utilizes a spring-biased, multi-landing spool valve body <NUM> and a spring-biased, hat-shaped valve plug <NUM> that are both movably mounted to the valve housing <NUM>. The spool valve body <NUM> may be a one-piece construction with an elongated plinth-like structure having a pair of longitudinally spaced landings <NUM> and <NUM> that are disposed inside the internal valve chamber <NUM> and connected by a reduced-diameter stem <NUM> (<FIG>). A second polymeric O-ring <NUM> (<FIG>) nests within an annular seal seat of the first landing <NUM> and fluidly seals the spool valve body <NUM> to the valve housing <NUM>.

Valve assembly <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG> may be a normally-closed valve design that blocks fluid flow through the assembly <NUM> until activated by a user. When the valve assembly <NUM> is deactivated and, thus, in a liquid blocking inactive state (<FIG>), the second landing <NUM> of the spool valve body <NUM> sealingly presses against a valve seat <NUM> within the valve housing <NUM>. In so doing, the valve body <NUM> blocks fluid flow from the fluid delivery system via flexible delivery line <NUM>, through the valve assembly <NUM>, and to the barb fitting <NUM> via flexible transfer line <NUM>. When a user of the accessory wand <NUM> manually depresses a finger-activated spray trigger <NUM>, the user concomitantly pushes the spool valve body <NUM> (e.g., vertically upwards in <FIG>) from an inactive, closed position to a fluid dispensing (first) active position (<FIG>). This places the valve assembly <NUM> in a cleaning liquid delivery state. By sliding the spool valve body <NUM> to its active position, the second landing <NUM> displaces away from the valve seat <NUM> (e.g., vertically upwards in <FIG>) and unblocks the fluid coupling between the fluid delivery system and the fluid delivery pathway <NUM>. In effect, unseating the landing <NUM> from the valve seat <NUM> causes the valve assembly <NUM> to fluidly connect the delivery line <NUM> to the transfer line <NUM>. A spool biasing member, such as helical compression spring <NUM>, is interposed between an exterior flange of the valve housing <NUM> and the first landing <NUM> of the spool valve body <NUM>; the spring <NUM> biases the valve body <NUM> (e.g., vertically downwards in <FIG>) to the inactive position.

When the valve assembly <NUM> is deactivated and, thus, in a liquid blocking inactive state (an example of which is illustrated in <FIG>), a disc-shaped contact head <NUM> of the valve plug <NUM> engages, or sealingly presses against, a plug seat <NUM> (<FIG>) of the toroidal cap <NUM>. By placing the valve plug <NUM> in this sealing position, the contact head <NUM> seals the fluid port <NUM> and thereby blocks direct fluid flow from the fluid delivery system via flexible delivery line <NUM>, through the valve assembly <NUM>, and to the fluid recovery system via recovery pathway <NUM>. When a user of the accessory wand <NUM> manually moves (e.g., rotates) or actuates a cleanout actuator lever <NUM>, the user thereby presses the valve plug <NUM> (e.g., vertically downwards in <FIG>) from the sealing position to a cleanout actuating (second) active position (an example of which is illustrated in <FIG>). This places the valve assembly <NUM> in a hose and wand-cleaning cleanout state. By sliding the valve plug <NUM> to its active position, the contact head <NUM> displaces away from the plug seat <NUM> (e.g., vertically downwards in <FIG>) and unblocks the fluid port <NUM>. In effect, unseating the contact head <NUM> from the plug seat <NUM> causes the valve assembly <NUM> to directly fluidly connect the delivery line <NUM> to the working airflow pathway <NUM>. A plug biasing member, such as helical compression spring <NUM>, is interposed between the second landing <NUM> of the spool valve body <NUM> and a bottom face of the contact head <NUM> of the valve plug <NUM>; this spring <NUM> biases the valve plug <NUM> to the sealing position.

In the description above, a user-activated spray trigger <NUM>, which may be located on a bottom side of the wand body <NUM>, can be depressed to activate the accessory wand's cleaning liquid delivery state, whereas the user-activated actuator lever <NUM> located on a top side of the wand body <NUM> may be moved, e.g., rotated, to activate the accessory wand's self-cleaning cleanout state. An attendant benefit of having two discrete actuators that are activated in two physically distinct manners is that spray trigger <NUM> may be finger-actuated by a squeezing or pressing force, whereas the clean-out actuator lever <NUM> may be actuated by a different rotating or pulling force. Compared to systems in which both the solution spray and clean-out features are actuated by squeezing/pressing a button or a trigger (e.g., the actuators are activated in a same physical manner), the use of two distinct actuating devices using two different activating forces may decrease user confusion and minimize accidental actuation of the one feature when the other feature is desired. Furthermore, by locating each actuator at a distinct location (e.g., the actuator lever <NUM> is located on a top side of the wand body <NUM> and the spray trigger <NUM> is located on a bottom side of the body <NUM>) may allow for one handed use whereby a user's fingers can be used to actuate the spray trigger <NUM> and a user's thumb can be used to actuate the clean-out feature (e.g., via lever <NUM>).

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the cleanout actuator lever <NUM> is movably mounted to the wand body <NUM>, e.g., via a pair of pivot pins <NUM> that project radially inward from the actuator lever <NUM> and extend through complementary through holes <NUM> (<FIG>) in the wand body <NUM>. Once properly mounted, the cleanout actuator lever <NUM> may be manually rotatable (e.g., in a clockwise direction in <FIG>) from a deactivated position (<FIG>) to an activated position (<FIG>). When in the deactivated position, the actuator lever <NUM> can be disengaged from the valve assembly <NUM> thus allowing the valve plug <NUM> to be pushed to the sealing position via the plug-biasing compression spring <NUM>. By rotating the actuator lever <NUM> to the activated position, the valve plug <NUM> is pushed to its active position and thereby transitions the valve assembly <NUM> to the cleanout state as previously described.

The cleanout actuator lever <NUM> may be a bipartite construction that includes a user-actuated lever arm <NUM>, which may be located outside of the wand body <NUM> and pivotably mounted to the wand body's exterior surface, and a plug-pressing lever hammer <NUM>, which is located inside of the wand body <NUM> and rotatable within the working airflow pathway <NUM>. The radially projecting pivot pins <NUM> of the lever arm <NUM> are received in complementary pin slots <NUM> in the lever hammer <NUM> to thereby fixedly couple the lever hammer <NUM> to the lever arm <NUM> to rotate in unison with each other. It may be desirable that the exterior mounted lever arm <NUM> portion of the actuator lever <NUM> sits generally flush against an exterior surface of the wand body <NUM> when the actuator lever <NUM> is deactivated, e.g., so as to not haphazardly snag on random objects. At the same time, the interior mounted lever hammer <NUM> may sit generally flush against an interior surface of the wand body <NUM> when the actuator lever <NUM> is deactivated, e.g., so as to not impeded movement of the working airflow FWA through the working airflow pathway <NUM>.

As seen in the partially exploded view of <FIG>, another exemplary accessory wand <NUM> assembly according to aspects of the present invention is illustrated. The accessory wand <NUM> assembly is similar to the accessory wand <NUM> assembly. Accordingly, parts identified with like numerals represent like parts, unless specifically stated otherwise. In the accessory wand <NUM> assembly, a lever arm <NUM> - which is substantially structurally similar to the lever arm <NUM> of <FIG> - may be fabricated as a one-piece structure with an arcuate (first) cuff <NUM> that has a semicircular cross-section. As illustrated, a finger tab <NUM> is integrally formed with the arcuate cuff <NUM> and projects at an oblique angle (e.g., approximately <NUM> to <NUM> degrees) from a central region of the cuff <NUM>. Likewise, the lever hammer <NUM> may be fabricated as a one-piece structure with an arcuate (second) cuff <NUM> that is nested within and circumscribed by the arcuate cuff <NUM> of the lever arm <NUM>, <NUM>/<NUM>. In some aspects, the lever hammer's cuff <NUM> has a respective semicircular cross-section that is smaller than the lever arm's semicircular cross-section. A hammer head <NUM> may be integrally formed with the arcuate cuff <NUM> and can project axially from a central region of cuff <NUM>.

The accessory wand <NUM> assembly may incorporate one or more biasing members that individually or collectively bias a cleanout actuator lever to the deactivated position, e.g., to help ensure a self-cleaning cleanout operation is not accidentally triggered. In <FIG>, for example, a pair of elastic leaf springs <NUM> project radially inward and axially rearward from an interior surface of the lever arm's cuff <NUM> portion. These leaf springs <NUM> may be integrally formed with the lever arm <NUM>/<NUM>, interposed between the actuator lever <NUM> and the wand body <NUM>. Each leaf spring <NUM> presses against a respective fixed rib <NUM> (<FIG>) that projects radially outward from an exterior surface of the wand body <NUM>; doing so biases the actuator lever <NUM> towards the deactivated position. Alternative configurations may attach or integrally form the leaf spring(s) <NUM> with the wand body <NUM>, and attach or integrally form the fixed rib(s) <NUM> with the actuator lever <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a pair of hemispherical detent nubs <NUM> may project inwards from opposing sides of the actuator lever's cuff <NUM> (or radially outward from opposing sides of the wand body <NUM>). Mating with the detent nubs <NUM> is a pair of complementary detent pockets <NUM>, which are recessed into opposing sides of the wand body <NUM> (or into opposing sides of the actuator lever's cuff <NUM>). Each detent pocket <NUM> aligns with and seats therein a respective detent nub <NUM> when the lever arm <NUM> is pressed up against the wand body <NUM>. Mating the detent nubs <NUM> with the detent pocket <NUM> helps to retain the actuator lever <NUM> in the deactivated position.

<FIG> illustrates another exemplary accessory wand <NUM> assembly according to aspects of the present invention. The accessory wand <NUM> assembly is similar to the accessory wand <NUM>, <NUM> assemblies. Accordingly, parts identified with like numerals represent like parts, unless specifically stated otherwise. The main difference in the accessory wand <NUM> assembly is that a biasing member of a cleanout system <NUM> includes one or more torsion springs <NUM> that is/are interposed between and press against the actuator lever arm <NUM> and the wand body <NUM> to bias the actuator lever <NUM> to the deactivated position.

Claim 1:
A wand assembly for an extraction cleaner (<NUM>) having a fluid delivery system (<NUM>) and a fluid recovery system (<NUM>), the wand assembly comprising:
a wand body (<NUM>), the wand body (<NUM>) including:
a fluid delivery pathway (<NUM>) configured to receive a cleaning liquid via a delivery line (<NUM>) and dispense the cleaning liquid through a distributor outlet (<NUM>);
a fluid recovery pathway (<NUM>) configured to evacuate debris received via a working airflow pathway (<NUM>);
a fluid port (<NUM>) fluidly connecting the fluid delivery and recovery pathways (<NUM>,<NUM>); and characterized by:
a valve assembly (<NUM>) actuable between an inactive state, in which the valve assembly (<NUM>) seals the fluid port (<NUM>) and blocks a supply of fluid from the delivery line (<NUM>), to a delivery state, in which the valve assembly (<NUM>) seals the fluid port (<NUM>) and unblocks the supply of fluid from the delivery line (<NUM>), and a cleanout state, in which the valve assembly (<NUM>) unseals the fluid port (<NUM>) and blocks the supply of fluid toward the distributor outlet (<NUM>).