Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This patent application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/946,443, which was filed on Feb. 28, 2014. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     APPENDIX 
     Not applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention pertains to liquid extraction cleaning devices of the type that spray cleaning liquid onto surfaces and thereafter suck the liquid back up to clean such surfaces. More specifically, the present invention pertains to liquid extraction cleaning devices that are used to clean carpet or upholstery and that store the cleaning solution and recovered liquid onboard. 
     General Background 
     Some carpet and upholstery extraction cleaners are known in the industry as floor cleaners and some are known as spot cleaners. 
     A typical floor cleaner comprises a wheeled main unit that rests on the floor and comprises one or more liquid spray nozzles, one or more agitators, and one or more vacuum intake nozzles beneath the main unit. As the main unit of such a floor cleaner is dragged over carpet, liquid spray is discharged from the main unit. The agitator of the main unit is then used to work the liquid into the carpet. Following the agitation, the vacuum intake nozzles of the main unit extract as much of the soiled liquid from the carpet as possible. It is common for floor cleaners to be configured to perform all of these actions simultaneously, albeit on different portions of the carpet. Thus, as the main unit is dragged or self-propelled over carpet, the spraying, agitating, and vacuuming occurs sequentially on any given portion of the carpet. 
     Spot cleaners tend to be smaller than floor cleaners and are typically used to pick up spills, remove localized stains, or clean furniture upholstery. Some spot cleaners are merely handheld devices that comprise the same general features of the larger floor cleaners, but without the wheels. Other spot cleaners comprise a hand tool that is attached to a main unit via a flexible hose. With such hand tool spot cleaners, the hand tool performs the spraying and the vacuuming and may or may not perform agitation. The vacuum motor and most other necessary components of such hand tool spot cleaners are contained in the main unit. Many floor cleaners are provided with an accessory hand tool and hose that allow the floor cleaners to also serve as spot cleaners. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed primarily to floor cleaner liquid extraction devices. 
     In one aspect of the invention, a liquid extraction cleaning device comprises a vacuum pump, a liquid pump, a cleaning solution tank, a recovery tank, a spray nozzle, a vacuum inlet port, and an agitator assembly. The cleaning solution tank is configured and adapted to store a cleaning liquid and is operatively connected to the liquid pump in a manner such that the liquid pump can draw cleaning liquid from the cleaning solution tank. The recovery tank is configured and adapted to store soiled cleaning liquid extracted from a floor and is operatively connected to the vacuum pump in a manner such that the vacuum pump can draw air from the recovery tank. The spray nozzle is operatively connected to the liquid pump in a manner such that the liquid pump is capable of forcing cleaning liquid out of the spray nozzle. The vacuum inlet port is operatively connected to the recovery tank and the vacuum pump in a manner such that the vacuum pump is capable of drawing fluid through the vacuum inlet port and into the recovery tank. The agitator assembly comprises first and second agitators and an electric motor. The first agitator is operatively connected to the electric motor in a manner such that operation of the electric motor causes the first agitator to rotate. The second agitator is operatively connected to the electric motor in a manner such that operation of the electric motor causes the second agitator to reciprocate. 
     In another aspect of the invention, a liquid extraction cleaning device comprises a vacuum pump, a liquid pump, a cleaning solution tank, a recovery tank, a vacuum inlet port, an agitator assembly, first and second spray nozzles, and a liquid spray selection switch. The cleaning solution tank is configured and adapted to store a cleaning liquid and is operatively connected to the liquid pump in a manner such that the liquid pump can draw cleaning liquid from the cleaning solution tank. The recovery tank is configured and adapted to store soiled cleaning liquid extracted from a floor and is operatively connected to the vacuum pump in a manner such that the vacuum pump can draw air from the recovery tank. The vacuum inlet port is operatively connected to the recovery tank and the vacuum pump in a manner such that the vacuum pump is capable of drawing fluid through the vacuum inlet port and into the recovery tank. The agitator assembly comprises an agitator that is configured and adapted to move relative to the inlet port. Each of the first and second spray nozzles is operatively connected to the liquid pump in a manner such that the liquid pump is capable of forcing cleaning liquid from the cleaning solution tank out of the spray nozzle. The liquid spray selection switch is adapted and configured to selectively prevent cleaning liquid pumped by the liquid pump from being forced out of the second spray nozzle while permitting cleaning liquid pumped by the liquid pump to be forced out of the first spray nozzle, the liquid spray selection switch is also adapted and configured to selectively permit cleaning liquid pumped by the liquid pump to be forced out of the first and second spray nozzles simultaneously. 
     In yet another aspect of the invention, a liquid extraction cleaning device comprises a main unit, a cleaning solution tank, a recovery tank, a vacuum inlet port, and an adjustable handle. The main unit comprises a vacuum pump, a liquid pump, an agitator assembly, and a spray nozzle. The agitator assembly comprises an agitator. The spray nozzle is operatively connected to the liquid pump in a manner such that the liquid pump is capable of forcing cleaning liquid out of the spray nozzle. The cleaning solution tank is configured and adapted to store a cleaning liquid and is operatively connected to the liquid pump in a manner such that the liquid pump can draw cleaning liquid from the cleaning solution tank. The recovery tank is configured and adapted to store soiled cleaning liquid extracted from a floor and is operatively connected to the vacuum pump in a manner such that the vacuum pump can draw air from the recovery tank. The vacuum inlet port is operatively connected to the recovery tank and the vacuum pump in a manner such that the vacuum pump is capable of drawing fluid through the vacuum inlet port and into the recovery tank. The agitator is configured and adapted to move relative to the inlet port. The handle is pivotally connected to the main unit and comprises a locking mechanism and a release member. The locking mechanism is configured and adapted to lock the handle in each of a plurality of pivotal orientations relative to the main unit. The release member is configured and adapted to release the locking mechanism in a manner allowing the handle to pivot relative to the main unit. 
     Further features and advantages of the present invention, as well as the operation of the invention, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a liquid extraction cleaning device in accordance with the invention and shows the front, top, and right sides thereof. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the extraction cleaning device and shows the rear and top thereof. 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom view of the extraction cleaning device. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the extraction cleaning device in a stowed configuration. 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic of the main unit and tank assemblies of the extraction cleaning device. 
         FIG. 6  is a bottom view of the agitator assembly of the extraction cleaning device. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the agitator assembly of the extraction cleaning device, showing the front, top, and right sides thereof. 
         FIG. 8  is a bottom view of the portions of the agitator assembly of the extraction cleaning device. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of said portions of the agitator assembly, showing the front, top, and right sides thereof. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the agitator assembly with additional components omitted to show detail thereof. 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view showing of the handle with the front half of the handle removed to show the locking mechanism of the handle. 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the recovery tank assembly of the extraction cleaning device. 
         FIG. 13  is a partial view of the accessory tool hose of the extraction cleaning device and shows the downstream end thereof. 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a hand tool accessory and a portion of the accessory tool hose. 
     
    
    
     Reference numerals in the written specification and in the drawing figures indicate corresponding items. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A preferred embodiment of a liquid extraction cleaning device in accordance with the invention is shown in  FIGS. 1-4 . The extraction cleaner  10  comprises a main unit  12 , a cleaning solution tank assembly  14 , a recovery tank assembly  16 , a handle  18 , and accessories  20 . 
     The main unit  12  comprises a vacuum pump  22 , a liquid pump  24 , an agitator assembly  26 , a primary spray nozzle  28 , and preferably a secondary spray nozzle  30 , an accessory tool liquid port  32 , a spray selection switch  34 , and a vacuum inlet port  36 , and a lifting handle  37 . 
     The vacuum pump  22  is operatively connected to the recovery tank assembly  16  in a manner such that the vacuum pump can draw air from the recovery tank. The recovery tank assembly  16  is operatively connected to the vacuum inlet port  36  in a manner such that the vacuum inlet port draws in air and/or liquid when air is drawn from the recovery tank assembly by the vacuum pump  22 . The liquid pump  24  is operatively connected to the solution tank assembly  14  for drawing liquid therefrom, and is operatively connected to the primary spray nozzle  28 , the secondary spray nozzle  30 , and the accessory tool liquid port  32  to supply pressurized liquid thereto. The spray selection switch  34  is operatively connected to the liquid pump  24  and preferably is a hand operated mechanical fluid valve that has three settings for channeling the liquid from the liquid pump. In one setting, the spray selection switch  34  allows liquid to travel from the liquid pump  24  to the primary spray nozzle  28 , while preventing liquid from traveling from the liquid pump to the secondary spray nozzle  30  and/or accessory tool liquid port  32 . In another setting, the spray selection switch  34  allows liquid to travel from the liquid pump  24  to the primary spray nozzle  28  and the secondary spray nozzle  30 , while preventing liquid from traveling from the liquid pump to the accessory tool liquid port  32 . In the third setting, the spray selection switch  34  allows liquid to travel from the liquid pump  24  to the accessory tool liquid port  32 , while preventing liquid from traveling from the liquid pump to the primary spray nozzle  28  and/or the secondary spray nozzle  30 . It should be appreciated however that this functionality could alternatively be carried out via electrical valves or a combination of electrical and mechanical valves. 
     The agitator assembly  26  of the main unit  12  comprises a housing  38 , a rotational agitator  40 , a reciprocating agitator  42 , an electric motor  44 , and a pair of fixed side brushes  46 . The rotational agitator  40  comprises a plurality of bristles  48  (some of which are omitted in the drawing figures) that extend from bristle holes  50  formed in a roller  52 . The reciprocating agitator  42  is preferably configured to pivotally reciprocate and comprises brush bar  54  (also comprising bristles  48 ) that pivotally reciprocates about an axis that is parallel to the rotational axis of the rotational agitator  40 . The axis about which the reciprocating agitator  42  pivots is preferably fixed relative to the housing  38 . In contrast, the axis about which the rotational agitator  40  revolves preferably is able to pivot up or down (parallel to the ground) about an axis defined by the motor housing  56  that surrounds the electric motor  44 . As shown most clearly in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the motor housing  56  comprises an axle portion  58  that is free to pivot within a channel formed partially by the housing  38  and partially by the adjacent portion of the bottom of the main unit  12  of the liquid extraction cleaning device  10 . Rigid arms  60  fixed to the motor housing  56  extend from the motor housing and connect to the opposite ends of the rotational agitator  40 . Thus, motor housing  56  and the rotational agitator  40  pivot together about the axis of the axle portion  58  of the motor housing relative to the housing  38  of the agitator assembly  26 . As such, only the force of gravity acting on the motor housing  56  and the rotational agitator  40  forces the rotational agitator downward against a floor (the weight of the electric motor  44  does not influence that force since the center of mass of the motor is aligned with the axle portion  58  of the motor housing). The electric motor  44  preferably drives the rotation of the rotational agitator  40  via a drive belt (not shown) located in one of the arms  60 . A linking member  62  preferably connects an off-axis portion  64  adjacent to an end of the rotational agitator  40  to a pivot arm  66  of the reciprocating agitator  42 . The linking member  62  thereby transforms rotational movement of the rotational agitator  40  into pivotal reciprocation of the reciprocating agitator  42 . The fixed side brushes  46  of the agitator assembly  26  are mounted to the bottom of the housing  38  on opposite sides of the rotational agitator  40 . Thus, the fixed side brushes  46  move only with the main unit  12  of the liquid extractor  10 . The front of the housing  38  of the agitator assembly  26  also forms a part of the vacuum inlet port  36 , with the other portion being formed by a piece of translucent material  68  in a manner such that liquid drawn into the vacuum inlet port can easily be observed. The housing  38  also supports the primary spray nozzle  28 . 
     As shown below in  FIG. 3 , the vacuum inlet port  36  is preferably located adjacent the front on the bottom of the main unit  12  and the rotational agitator  40  lies behind the vacuum inlet port  36  and between the vacuum inlet port and the reciprocating agitator  42 . The primary spray nozzle  28  is preferably located immediately aft of the reciprocating agitator  42  and is configured to spray liquid downward in a fan-like pattern. In contrast, the secondary spray nozzle  30  is positioned on the rear of the liquid extraction cleaning device  10  and is preferably at least three times as far behind the vacuum inlet port as compared to the primary spray nozzle  28 . It should be appreciate that, in operation, liquid extraction cleaning device  10  is preferably pulled rather than pushed. Thus, carpet is first wetted by the primary spray nozzle  28  or by the primary and secondary spray nozzles  28 ,  30  prior to being agitated, and liquid extraction via the vacuum inlet port  36  occurs after agitation. By positioning the secondary spray nozzle  30  much further behind the vacuum inlet  36  port as compared to the primary spray nozzle  28 , the liquid sprayed from the secondary spray nozzle has a much longer dwell time on/in the carpet than does the liquid sprayed from the primary spray nozzle. Thus, operation of the secondary spray nozzle  30  not only increases the amount of liquid per area sprayed during a given pass of the liquid extraction cleaning device  10 , but also increases the penetration time in which the liquid can penetrate the carpet. It should therefore be appreciated that the secondary spray nozzle  30  is typically only used during an initial cleaning pass or when deep liquid penetration is desired. The lifting handle  37  is preferably positioned above the center of gravity of the liquid extraction cleaning device  10  and is configured to support the weight of the entire liquid extraction cleaning device. 
     A pair of wheels  70  are preferably attached to the main unit  12  on opposite sides thereof and adjacent the rear of the liquid extraction cleaning device  10 . The wheels  70  not only make it easier to pull the liquid extraction cleaning device  10  over carpet during operation, but also allow users to tilt the main unit  12  about the wheels and thereby push the liquid extraction cleaning device. 
     The handle  18  of the liquid extraction cleaning device  10  is preferably pivotally connected to the upper rear edge of the main unit  12 . The handle preferably comprises a locking mechanism  72 , an electrical input port  74 , a main power switch  76 , a liquid pump switch  78 , and power cord wrap posts  80 . As shown in  FIG. 11 , the locking mechanism preferably comprises an internal linking member  82  connecting an external release member  84  to internal locking pins  86 . The locking pins  86  cooperate with notched members  88  that are fixed relative to the main unit  12  of the liquid extraction cleaning device  10  in a manner such that the locking mechanism  72  can fix the pivotal orientation of the handle  18  relative to the main unit in any of a plurality of angles. The linking member  82  is preferably biased toward the notched members  88  via a spring  90  such that the locking mechanism  72  only allows the handle  18  to pivot relative to the main unit  12  when the release member  84  is pulled away from the base of the handle. Preferably, the handle  18  can be pivoted forward relative to the main unit  12  to such a degree that the handle is horizontal or even tilts downward a bit. As shown in  FIG. 4 , with the handle  18  tilted forward, the entire liquid extraction cleaning device  10  can be tilted on its back such that minimal floor space is required to stow the liquid extraction cleaning device. The electrical input port  74  on the handle  18  merely is a port for receiving the power supply cord (not shown) of the liquid extraction cleaning device  10  and the power cord wrap posts  80  are merely conventional posts for wrapping and storing the power cord when the extraction cleaning device is not in use. The main power switch  76  of the handle  18  is preferably an electrical three-way toggle switch that is capable of shutting off all power to the liquid extraction cleaning device  10 . Alternatively, the main power switch  76  can be toggled to activate the vacuum pump  22  or the vacuum pump and, simultaneously, the electric motor  44  of agitator assembly  26 . In either of such later alternatives, the liquid pump  24  can also be activated by depressing the liquid pump switch  78  of the handle  18 . 
     The cleaning solution tank assembly  14  comprises a tank portion  92 , a fill cap  94 , and a handle  96 . Like with typical liquid extraction cleaning devices, the tank portion  92  is operatively connected to the liquid pump  24  when the tank portion is in position on the main unit  12 . To refill the cleaning solution tank assembly  14  with cleaning solution (which should be understood to include water by itself too), a person can lift up on the handle  96 . The handle  96  is preferably pivotally connected to the tank portion  92  such that the handle pivots upward when relative to the tank portion when lifted. This makes it easier to hold and lift the entire cleaning solution tank assembly  14  from the main unit  12 . The fill cap  94  is preferably threadably attached to the tank portion  92  and is threadably removed to refill the tank. The fill cap  94  also preferably serves as a measuring cup for diluting concentrated cleaning solution. 
     The recovery tank assembly  16  comprises a tank portion  98 , a drain cap  100 , a handle  102 , and an intake duct  104 . Like typical recovery tanks, the tank portion  98  is configured to collect liquid extracted through the vacuum inlet port  36  of the main unit  12  as air is drawn out of the tank portion  98  via the vacuum pump  22 . The front wall of the tank portion  98  comprises the opening  106  through which an air and liquid mixture enters the tank. The drain cap  100  is preferably threadably attached to a drain port of the tank portion  98  and can be threadably removed therefrom to drain the tank. The intake duct  104  surrounds an intake passageway. The intake duct  104  comprises a lower catch  108  and an upper discharge tube  110 . The discharge tube  110  surrounds a portion of the intake passageway and comprises a releasable locking tab  112  that cooperates with the lower catch  108  to releasably attach the intake duct  104  to the tank portion  98  of the recovery tank assembly  16 . More specifically, the intake duct  104  is attached to the tank portion  98  by first hooking the lower catch  108  over a lip at the bottom of the front wall of the tank portion  98 , and thereafter pivoting the intake duct upward about the lower catch such that the discharge tube  110  extends through the opening  106  of the tank portion  98  and the locking tab  112  clicks. Once the locking tab  112  clicks, the locking tab prevents the intake duct  104  from separating from the tank portion  98  unless the locking tab is manually deflected by reaching into the tank from the drain port of the tank portion  98 . The front wall of the intake duct  104  preferably comprises an accessory tool vacuum inlet port  114  that is selectively covered by a pliable flap  116 . When the flap  116  is bent down, the accessory tool vacuum inlet port  114  is configured to receive the downstream end of an accessory tool hose as described below. When the flap  116  is up and is covering the accessory tool vacuum inlet port  114 , the intake duct  104  operatively connects the vacuum inlet port  36  to the interior of the tank portion  98  of the recovery tank assembly  16 . Like with the cleaning solution tank assembly  14 , the handle  102  of the recovery tank assembly  16  is pivotally connected to the tank portion  98  of the recovery tank assembly to make it easier to hold and lift the entire recovery tank assembly  16  off of the main unit  12 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , one of the accessories  20  is a hand tool  118  that is attached to a flexible hose  120 . The hand tool  118  comprises a vacuum inlet port  122 , an agitator  124 , and spray nozzle  126 , and a grip portion  128 . The vacuum inlet port  122  and the grip portion  128  are configured such that air and liquid can be drawn in through the inlet port, pass through the grip portion, and then into the hose  120 . The agitator  124  is preferably a brush bar comprising bristles and is adjacent to the vacuum inlet port  122  and is preferably fixed relative to the grip portion. The spray nozzle  126  is adjacent to the agitator  124  opposite the vacuum inlet port  122  and is operatively connectable to the  24  liquid pump of the main unit  12  via flexible liquid tube  130 . The grip portion  128  preferably comprises a spray trigger  132  the operates a liquid valve (not shown) in a manner such that the liquid pump  24  can only force liquid out of the spray nozzle  126  when the spray trigger is depressed. 
     The downstream end of the hose  120  comprises a fitting  134 . The liquid tube  130  passes through the fitting wall upstream of the fitting outlet  136 . The outlet  136  of the fitting  134  preferably comprises a bayonet style connector  138  and is configured to be inserted through the accessory tool vacuum inlet port  114  of the intake duct  104  of the recovery tank assembly  16 . When inserted, the connector  138  of the fitting  134  can be releasably attached to the discharge tube  110  of the intake duct  104  in a manner such that the hose  120  is operatively connected to the vacuum pump  22  of the main unit  12  and such that air cannot be drawn in from the remainder of the intake duct  104  from the vacuum inlet port  36  of the main unit  12  into the tank portion  98  of the recovery tank assembly  16 . The end of the liquid tube  130  comprises a fitting  139  that is connectable to the accessory tool liquid port  32  of the main unit  12  for operatively connecting the spray nozzle  126  of the hand tool  118  to the liquid pump  24  of the main unit. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , another one of the accessories  20  of the liquid extraction cleaning device is a tool caddy  140  that is removably connectable to the rear side of the handle  18 . The tool caddy is configured to releasably hold the hand tool  118  and the hose  120  when the hand tool  118  is not in use. 
     In view of the foregoing, it should be appreciated that the invention has several advantages over the prior art. 
     As various modifications could be made in the constructions and methods herein described and illustrated without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims appended hereto and their equivalents. 
     It should also be understood that when introducing elements of the present invention in the claims or in the above description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, the terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be open-ended and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Additionally, the term “portion” should be construed as meaning some or all of the item or element that it qualifies. Moreover, use of identifiers such as first, second, and third should not be construed in a manner imposing any relative position or time sequence between limitations. Still further, the order in which the steps of any method claim that follows are presented should not be construed in a manner limiting the order in which such steps must be performed, unless such an order is inherent.

Technology Category: 1