Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates to a removable hose and tool caddy  
           [0003]    2. Background Information  
           [0004]    In floor cleaning units, it is advantages to use the unit to clean either a floor cleaning mode or an above-the-floor cleaning mode. The above-the-floor-cleaning mode typically requires an accessory hose and tools, such as a crevice tool, and upholstery tool. Further, a bare floor cleaning tool is often installed on the unit to clean bare floors in the floor cleaning mode. For convenience it is usually desirable to store these tools on the unit. However, it may further be desirable in other cases to remove the hose and tool from the unit reduce the weight of the unit.  
           [0005]    Hence it is an object of the present invention to provide a removable hose and tool caddy that may be easily mounted to the floor cleaning unit for convenient access.  
           [0006]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a removable hose and tool caddy that may be removed from the floor cleaning unit and conveniently stored.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    The foregoing and other objects of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following description and the attached drawings. In one embodiment of the present invention, a floor cleaning unit having a housing and a removable caddy which may be mounted on and removed from the housing for storing accessories. The caddy includes a body which removably mounts to the housing. A connector assembly is included on the body for removably mounting the body on the housing. The connector assembly includes a slot for receiving a hook member attached to the housing. An accessory retainer is formed on the body for storing the floor cleaning unit accessories, whereby the caddy and the floor cleaning unit accessories stored thereon may be slidably removed from the floor cleaning unit by merely applying a force to the body. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]    The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the attached drawings, of which:  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a carpet extractor embodying the present invention;  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a carpet extractor embodying the present invention illustrating the principal elements thereof;  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the base assembly illustrating the principal elements thereof;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the extractor with the suction nozzle, wheels, handle assembly, and the brush assembly removed for illustrative purposes;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the brush drive turbine mounted to the distributor;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the combined suction nozzle, hood, and front body illustrating the principal elements thereof;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 7 is a partial, front and top perspective view of the front portion of the suction nozzle of the carpet extractor of the present invention;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the front plate of the suction nozzle assembly of the carpet extractor of the present invention;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 9 is side elevational view of the accessory hose of the carpet extractor of the present invention;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 10 is an elevational view taken along line  10 - 10  of FIG. 9;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 11A is a partial view of FIG. 8 and with the accessory hose of FIG. 9 inserted in the hose opening;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 11B is view similar to FIG. 11A but showing the accessory hose in a position to block suction to the suction nozzle;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 12 is a top view of the recovery tank with the lid assembly removed for illustrative purposes;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the baffle assembly for the recovery tank;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 14 is a bottom and front perspective view of the lid assembly for the recovery tank of FIG. 12;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 15A is a partial front perspective view of the recovery tank and related elements locked upon the base assembly of the carpet extractor of the present invention;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 15B is a view similar to FIG. 15A but with the latch in a position that unlocks the recovery tank;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 16 is a top view of the lid assembly for the recovery tank of FIG. 12;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the handle of the recovery tank;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 18A is a sectional view taken along line  18 A- 18 A;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 18B is a view similar to FIG. 18A but with the handle of the recovery tank in a carry position;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 18C is a view similar to FIG. 18A but with the handle of the recovery tank in a rearward discharge position;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 19A is a partial side sectional view taken vertically through the carpet extractor of FIG. 1;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 19B is a view similar to FIG. 19A but with the handle assembly pivoted down;  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 20 is a partial side sectional view of the carpet extractor without the accessory hose and other tools;  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 21A is a view similar to FIG. 21B but with the nub of the slot of the tool caddy disengaged from the hook of the upper handle portion of the carpet extractor;  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 21B is an enlarged sectional view of the portion of the carpet extractor as indicated in FIG. 20;  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 22 is a front and right perspective view of the accessory tool storage caddy;  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 23 is a rear and left perspective view of the accessory tool storage caddy;  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 24 is a partial rear elevational view of the carpet extractor with the accessory tool caddy mounted thereon and including the related tools on the caddy;  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 25 is a top and rear perspective view of the carrying handle for the supply tank assembly;  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 26A is a view similar to FIG. 26B but with the carrying handle unlatched from the edge of the hood of the upper handle portion of the handle assembly of the carpet extractor;  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 26B is an enlarged sectional view of the portion of the carpet extractor as indicated in FIG. 20;  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 27 is an exploded view of the upper portion of the fluid distribution system of the FIG. 16;  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 27A is an enlarge view of the section of the support shelf circled in FIG. 27;  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 28 is a partial sectional view taken along line  28 - 28  of FIG. 1;  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 29 is a vertical sectional view of the cap and valve provided therein for either the clean water supply tank or detergent tank shown in FIG. 27;  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 30 is a schematic view of the fluid distribution system of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 31 is a vertical front section of the pressure-actuated shut off valve shown in FIG. 30;  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 32 is a fragmentary rear perspective view of an upper portion of the handle of FIG. 1 with portions cut away to show elements of the trigger switch and actuating rods for the cleaning mode switch assembly;  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 33 is a fragmentary front rear perspective view of an upper portion of the handle of FIG. 1 with portions cut away to show the cleaning mode switch assembly and related parts;  
         [0050]    [0050]FIG. 34 is a schematic diagram showing the electrical circuit for the fluid distribution system used in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;  
         [0051]    [0051]FIG. 34A is a schematic diagram showing another electrical circuit for the fluid distribution system used in the embodiment of FIG. 1 that automatically cleans the carpet or floor using one cleaning mode on the forward stroke of a cleaning cycle and another cleaning mode for the reverse stroke of the cleaning cycle;  
         [0052]    [0052]FIG. 35 is an exploded view of the wheel rotation activating assembly and left rear wheel of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, which uses the electrical circuit of FIG. 34A;  
         [0053]    [0053]FIG. 36A is a partial left side view of the base of the carpet extractor of FIG. 1 showing the wheel rotation activating assembly of FIG. 35 operating to wash the carpet or floor during the forward stroke;  
         [0054]    [0054]FIG. 36B is as a view similar to FIG. 36A but with the wheel rotation activating assembly being operated to rinse the carpet or floor during the reverse stroke;  
         [0055]    [0055]FIG. 37 is a side elevational view of another actuator lever and related parts used on the wheel rotation activating assembly of FIG. 35;  
         [0056]    [0056]FIG. 38 is a sectional view taken along line  38 - 38  of FIG. 37;  
         [0057]    [0057]FIG. 39 is an exploded view of another version of a wheel rotation activating assembly used in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;  
         [0058]    [0058]FIG. 40A is a partial left side view of the base of the carpet extractor of FIG. 1 showing the wheel rotation activating assembly of FIG. 39 operating to wash the carpet or floor during the forward stroke;  
         [0059]    [0059]FIG. 40B is a view similar to FIG. 36A but with the wheel rotation activating assembly being operated to rinse the carpet or floor during the reverse stroke;  
         [0060]    [0060]FIG. 41 is a vertical side sectional view through the center of the metering plate shown in FIG. 27;  
         [0061]    [0061]FIG. 42 is an exploded view of another version of a wheel rotation activating assembly and related elements used on the right rear wheel in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;  
         [0062]    [0062]FIG. 43A is a partial left side view of FIG. 42 showing the wheel rotation activating assembly operating to wash the carpet or floor during the forward strike;  
         [0063]    [0063]FIG. 43B is a view similar to FIG. 43A but with the wheel rotation activating assembly being operated to rinse the carpet or floor during the reverse stroke; and  
         [0064]    [0064]FIG. 44 is a partial cross-sectional view of the hose clip assembly secured to the accessory hose, hose end, and solution tube. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0065]    Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of an upright carpet extractor  60  according to one embodiment of the present invention. The upright carpet extractor  60  comprises an upright handle assembly  62  pivotally connected to the rear portion of the floor-engaging portion or base assembly  64  that moves and cleans along a surface  74  such as a carpet  74 . The base assembly  64  includes a brush assembly  70  (FIG. 3) having a plurality of rotating scrub brushes  72  (FIG. 30) for scrubbing the surface. A supply tank assembly  76  is removably mounted to the handle portion  62  of the extractor  60  and includes a combination carrying handle and securement latch  78  pivotally connected thereto. A combined air/water separator and recovery tank  80  removably sets atop base assembly  64  and is surrounded by a hood portion  82 . As depicted in FIG. 2, the base assembly  64  includes a frame assembly  83  which comprises a generally unitary molded rear body  84  having two laterally displaced wheels  66 L,  66 R rotatably attached to the rear of the rear body  84  via axles  67 .  
         [0066]    Referring to FIG. 3, integrally molded into the bottom of the rear body  84  is a circular stepped basin  86  receiving therein the motor/fan assembly  90 . A suitable motor/fan assembly is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,500,977, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference. An air driven turbine  98  providing motive power for the brush assembly  70  is mounted on the front portion of the rear body  84 . The brush assembly  70  is contained in a brush cavity  73  formed in the underside of the front body  92 . A suitable brush assembly  70  is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,867,857, the disclosure which is incorporated herein by reference. Brush assembly  70  is operated by a suitable gear train (or other known means), not shown, contained in transmission housing  100 . A suitable air turbine driven gear train is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,443,362, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.  
         [0067]    Referring now to FIG. 4, the frame assembly  83  also comprises a front body  92 , which is secured to rear body  84 . In particular, lateral T-shaped tabs  94  extending from the rear of the front body  92  slidably engage complementary journals  96  of the rear body  84 . Integrally molded into the underside of rear body  84  of frame assembly  83  (see FIG. 5) is a vacuum manifold  102  having extensions for providing a vacuum source for the turbine  98 . The motor fan assembly  90  generally provides suction to manifold  102 . Atmospheric air, driving a brush turbine rotor enters by way of turbine inlet  110 , passing through a screen (not shown) to filter out the dirt and then passing through the rotor. Positioned within inlet  110  is a throttle valve door  114  (FIG. 5) for energizing or de-energizing brush turbine rotor. Such a suitable brush turbine  98  is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,860,188 which is hereby incorporated by reference.  
         [0068]    Referring now to FIG. 5, a manual override mechanism  112  is provided whereby the operator, operating in the floor-cleaning mode, may selectively close throttle valve  114  thereby de-energizing brush drive turbine  98 . Alternatively, the operator may select an intermediate position whereby throttle valve  114  is partially closed thereby reducing the air flow through throttle valve  114  causing brush drive turbine  98  to rotate at a slower speed resulting in slower rotating brushes.  
         [0069]    Override mechanism  112  comprises a table  113  integrally molded to the body of brush drive turbine  98  and extending rearwardly having slide  116  slidingly attached thereto. Extending upwardly from slide  116  is lever arm  118  having a conveniently shaped finger cap  120  (FIG. 3) atop thereof. Lever arm  118  extends upward through a suitable opening (not shown) in the hood  82  whereby cap  120  is received within recess  121  in hood  82  as seen in FIG. 3. Referring to FIG. 5, movement of the cap  120  (FIG. 3) in turn moves the slide  118  to rotating a bell crank  117 , which in turn rotates the shaft of the valve  114 , attached thereto. In particular, projecting upward from slide  116  is an arcuate rib  119 . As slide  116  is moved rearward by the operator, the rib  119  engages the bell crank  117  rotating the bell crank  117  and throttle valve  114  counterclockwise thereby closing throttle valve  114  and de-energizing brush drive turbine  98 . Upon return of the slide  116  to its original position (as illustrated in FIG. 5), a spring  123 , secured between the bell crank  117  and the slide  116 , causes the bell crank  117  to rotate clockwise, thereby rotating throttle valve  114  to the full open position. Generally as the slide  116  moves from one position to the other, a cantilevered tab releasingly engages concavities in the surface of the table, which corresponds to the open and close position of valve  114 . A similar mechanism is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,860,188, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.  
         [0070]    Further, when the handle assembly  62  is pivoted in the upright storage position, an actuating rod  122 , connected to the handle, links with the lever arm  118  via linking member  125  to turn the brushes off as disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 5,983,442, the disclosure which is hereby incorporated by reference.  
         [0071]    Turning to FIGS. 3 and 6, a floor suction nozzle  124  assembly is removably mounted to the hood portion  82  of the base assembly  64  (FIG. 3). In particular, the floor suction nozzle assembly  124  includes a front plate  126  secured to a rear plate  128  that in combination define dual side ducts  130 ,  132  separated by a tear drop shaped opening  134 . The opening  134  extends down from an accessory hose opening  136  (FIG. 3), formed in the front portion  126 , to a predetermined distance above the suction inlet  138  of the suction nozzle  124 . The front and rear plates or portions  126 ,  128  are secured to one another by ultrasonic welding and screw fasteners, however, other types of ways to secure them such as for example, by adhesive, can be used. The distance above the suction inlet  138  for the opening  134  is about one fourth of an inch, which provides a flow path for liquid and dirt pick up in the center of the suction inlet  138  of the nozzle  124 .  
         [0072]    As best seen in FIG. 6, the opposite side walls  140 ,  142  surrounding the tear drop shaped opening  134  converge downwardly into s-shaped curves  144 ,  146  that terminate into a lower curved front end  148 . This shape helps smooth the airflow thereby reducing any back flow, eddies, or recirculation. The side ducts  130 ,  132  are symmetrical which produces a more uniform distribution of suction across the suction inlet  138 . In particular, a computer simulation shows the velocity variation across the suction inlet  138  to improve from 75 percent (from the left side to the center) for the prior art one duct nozzle design to about 16 percent for this dual side duct nozzle. The side ducts  130 ,  132  converge upstream into a recessed throat portion  149 , which terminates into an upwardly extending rear duct  150 .  
         [0073]    As shown in FIG. 7, a seal  151  is disposed around the outlet  154  of the rear duct  156 . As illustrated in FIGS. 3, 15A and  15 B, the rear duct  150  is positioned in a complementary recess portion  152  formed in the front lower portion of the recovery tank  80 . The outlet  154  of the duct  150  aligns and fluidly connects with the inlet  153  (FIGS. 15A and 15B) of a front vertical duct  156  (FIG. 3) of the recovery tank  80 .  
         [0074]    Referring back to FIG. 6, the suction nozzle  124  includes two projections  160 ,  158  extending rearwardly from the rear side of the rear portion  128 . The projections  160 ,  158  extend into apertures  163 ,  165  formed in the hood  82  and slidably engage complimentary unshaped holders  162 ,  164  integrally formed on the front body  92 . To remove the suction nozzle  124 , the recovery tank  80  (FIG. 2) must first be removed from the rear body of the  84  of the frame  83 . Then, the nozzle is slid or pulled forward disengaging the projections from the holders  162 ,  164 .  
         [0075]    Turning to FIG. 7, as previously stated, the accessory hose opening  136  is formed in a recess  167  of the front portion  126  of the suction nozzle  124 . An elastomeric circular seal  166  is attached upon the top of the edge  204  of the opening  136 . As illustrated in FIG. 3, a door  168  is pivotally connected to the front portion  126  and releasbly fits into the complimentary recess  167  to cover the opening  136  when the carpet extractor  60  is used to clean the floor. In more detail, integrally formed lateral pins  170  (only one shown in FIG. 3) on opposite sides of the door  168  are received in respective journals  174 L,  174 R (FIG. 8) to form the pivotal connection. To releasably lock the door  168 , two lateral tabs  178  (only one shown) extending outwardly from opposite sides of the door  168  deflect and engage lateral notches  184 L,  184 R (FIG. 8) formed in the underside of the side wall  182  (FIG. 8) of the recess  167 , when the door  168  closes with sufficient force to overcome the elasticity of the tabs  178 . To unlock the door  168 , the front of the door  168  is pulled with sufficient force to deflect the tabs  178  and disengage them from the notches  184 .  
         [0076]    An accessory hose  188  (FIG. 9) cooperates with the opening  136  so that the carpet extractor  60  can be used, for example, to clean upholstery and/or stairs. In particular, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the hose end  190  includes a flange portion  192  and a pair of projections  194 ,  196  (FIG. 10) located on opposite sides of the hose end  190  for alignment and insertion into respective complementary slots  198 ,  200  (FIG. 7) formed at the edge  204  (FIG. 7) of the hose opening  136  (FIG. 7). The projection  196  and its respective slot  200  is of a larger size than the projection  194  and its respective slot  198  to ensure that the hose end is inserted in the proper position to block the suction to the suction nozzle  124  which will be explained as follows.  
         [0077]    Referring to FIGS. 11A and 11B, the hose end  190  is inserted into the hose opening  136  until the projections  194 ,  196  are below the edge  204  as seen in FIG. 11A and then rotated clockwise (when viewed from the top) until the projection  196  abuts against a stop member  202 , extending downward from the underside of the edge  204  of the opening  136 , as seen in FIG. 11B. In this position, a front wall  206  extending down from the hose end  190  contacts the recessed top surface  208  (FIG. 3) of the rear portion of the floor suction nozzle  124  at the throat portion  149 . The front wall  206  extends across the throat portion  149  thereby blocking vacuumized air from the suction inlet  138  and side ducts  130 ,  132  of the suction nozzle  124  and thus preventing the floor suction nozzle  124  from picking up liquid and dirt. However, in this mode, working air including entrained liquid is drawn through the hose  188  by a suitable upholstery nozzle attachment  446  (FIG. 24) traveling through the throat portion  149  and upwardly extending duct  156  and into the recovery tank  80 .  
         [0078]    Also as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, during the rotation of the hose end  190 , the projections  194 ,  196  cam against respective ramp portions  212 ,  214  (FIG. 11A) formed on the underside of the edge  204  of the opening  136 , riding over the ramp portions  212 ,  214 , which action is allowed by sufficient force to overcome the elastic force of the elastomeric seal  166  (FIG. 7). The hose end  190  is held in place by the ramp portions  212 ,  214  until the hose end  190  is rotated back with sufficient force again to compress the seal  166  thereby allowing the projections  194 ,  196  to ride over the ramp portions  212 ,  214 . Further, a stop portion  201  located adjacent the left edge of the slot  200  will abut against the projection  196  preventing the hose end  190  from inadvertently rotating counter clockwise after initial insertion of the hose end  190  into the opening  136 .  
         [0079]    As depicted in FIG. 30, the accessory hose  188  (FIG. 9) includes a solution tube  216 , which fluidly connects to a discharge nipple  218  of control valve  877 . The discharge nipple  218  is positioned in an opening formed in the left side of the base assembly  64  as seen in FIG. 1. The control valve  877  allows mixed detergent and clean water to flow through the solution tube  216  and dispense by typical spray means  220  (FIG. 9). A typical on-off trigger operated valve  222  (FIG. 9) is provided to control the amount of solution dispensed. A quick disconnect coupling  224  (FIG. 9) removably attaches to the discharge nipple  218  similar to that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,500,977, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.  
         [0080]    As seen in FIG. 9, a pair of hose clips  195  is clipped on the hose  188  at the corrugated portion  541  for releasably securing the solution tube  216  and/or one of the hose ends  190 ,  193  to the hose  188 . In particular, as depicted in FIG. 44, the clip  195  has an inner C-shaped portion  518  that receives the corrugated portion  541  of the hose  188  and a pair of outer c-shaped clips  526 ,  528  integrally formed on respective opposite legs  520 ,  522  of the inner clip  518 . The outer clips  526 ,  528  are oriented such that the middle or bight portion  524  of each of the outer clips  526 ,  528  are integrally formed on the opposite legs  520 ,  522 . Specifically, the middle portions  524  are oriented at a location along the legs  520 ,  522  such that a line connecting the two middle portions  524  of the clips  526 ,  528  is perpendicular to a line bisecting the inner clip  518  at its middle portion  530 . The outer clip  528  receives the solution tube  216 . The outer clip  526  receives a projection  536  formed at the hose end  193  connected to the accessory tool. A similar projection  536  is also formed at the hose end  190  for connection to the opening  136 . Each projection  536  has a three integrally molded curved ribs  542  (see also FIG. 9) extending around the longitudinal axis of the projection  536  that cooperatively snap fit into the outer clip  526   
         [0081]    Triangularly shaped reinforcement plates  540  are integrally molded to the ends of the projection  536  and hose end  193  or  190 . As should be apparent due to the fact that the clips are of similar shape and size, the solution hose  216  can be received by the outer clip  526  and the projection  536  can be received by the outer clip  528 . Further, the hose clip  195  can be used to secure the hose end  190  or  193  and solution tube  216  with only the outer clips  526 ,  528 , without the hose  188  being attached to the inner clip  518 , or alternatively, only the inner clip  518  and one of the outer clips  526 ,  528  can used to secure the hose  188  and either the solution tube or hose end  193  or  190 . All of the clips have integrally formed rounded nub portions  532  at their free ends for addition securement of their respective objects. Also, the inner clip  518  has a pair of nubs  545  along its middle portion for addition reinforcement. The inner clip  518  can slide along the hose  188  and the outer clips  526 ,  528  can slide along the solution tube  216  at desired positions.  
         [0082]    As depicted in FIG. 3, the recovery tank  80  is configured to include a raised portion  260  defining a generally concave bottom whereby tank  80  sets down over and surrounds a portion of the motor cover  230  of base frame assembly  64 . It is preferred that recovery tank  80  set atop and surround a portion of the motor fan assembly  90  thereby providing sound insulating properties and assisting in noise reduction of the extractor.  
         [0083]    Referring to FIG. 12, the recovery tank has a front arcuate wall  232 , opposite sidewalls  234 L,  234 R and rear wall  238  integrally formed around the bottom  240 . The vertical rectangular duct  156 , formed with the inner surface of the front wall  232 , includes a rear wall  242  and opposite sidewalls  244 L and  244 R. Positioned inside tank  80  is a T-shaped baffle assembly  246  comprising two vertical upstanding baffles  248  and  250  welded to a bottom base portion  252 . As depicted in FIG. 13, the baffle  250  has an opening  254  formed near the intersection of the two baffles  248 ,  250 . The opening  254  is located to the left of the intersection underlying the inlet chamber  304  (FIG. 14). The bottom base portion  252  includes a semicircular cap portion  258  that fits over the front arcuate part  259  of the raised portion  260  of the bottom wall  240  of the recovery tank  80  as seen in FIG. 12. The baffle  250  is slightly curved and has a cut out portion  262  (FIG. 13) formed on its lower edge to conform to fit around the width of the cap portion  258 . A pair of retaining ribs  264 ,  266  is integrally formed on opposite sides of the front part  259  of the raised portion  260 . The upper end of each of the ribs  264 ,  266  is spaced from the raised portion  260  thereby defining a notch for receiving the lower peripheral wall  272  of the cap portion  258 . The rear portion  280  of the base  252  includes an integrally formed unshaped clip  274  that grasps around the width of the rear part  278  of the raised portion  260 . Integrally formed on the upper surface of the clip  274  are two pairs of ribs  282 ,  284 , each pair being located on opposite sides of the baffle  248 . The ribs  282 ,  284  slidably engage respective pairs of locking tabs  286 ,  288 , which extend over the ribs.  
         [0084]    The baffle assembly  246  is removably mounted upon the raised portion  260  by sliding the ribs  282 ,  284  under the tabs  286 ,  288  and then inserting the peripheral wall  272  of the cap portion  258  between the retaining ribs  264 ,  266  and front portion  259  such that the baffle is positioned just behind the retaining ribs  264 ,  266  in abutment with them. In this position, the retaining ribs  264 ,  266  act as stops to prevent the ribs  282 ,  284  on the clip  274  from slidably disengaging from the locking tabs  286 ,  288  and inadvertently disconnecting the baffle assembly  246  from the recovery tank  80 . To remove the baffle assembly  246 , a user simply pulls the baffle assembly  246  upwardly with sufficient force to overcome the frictional force between the retaining ribs  264 ,  266  and baffle  250  and slide the ribs  282 ,  284  out of the locking tabs  286 ,  288 . The baffles  248 ,  250  act to limit the degree of fluid sloshing during the forward and reverse push-pull operation of the extractor in the floor cleaning mode and assists in separation of liquid from the working air as described further below.  
         [0085]    In addition to their function as anti-slosh baffles, baffles  248  and  250  also serve to prevent the establishment of a “short circuited” working airflow from the exit opening  308  (FIG. 14) of inlet chamber  304  directly to inlet opening  310  of exit chamber  306 . Baffles  248  and  250  acts to disburse the incoming working air over that portion of the recovery tank&#39;s volume upstream of baffles  248  and  250  by forcing the working air to pass through openings  254 ,  291  and  293 . Thus, the velocity of the air as it passes through the recovery tank  80  is slowed to a minimum value and the time that the working air spends within tank  80  is at a maximum thereby providing for more complete liquid precipitation.  
         [0086]    It is preferred that baffles  248  and  250  are free standing with the opening  254  there between and open spaces  291  and  293  between the tank side walls  234 L,  234 R and baffle  250  to permit the free flow of recovered fluid there past. As shown in FIG. 2, the recovery tank  80  is releasably affixed to motor cover  230  by two rotatable latches  294 L and  294 R (FIG. 2) having curved tangs  295 L and  295 R. As depicted in FIGS. 15A and 15B, the latches  294  (the left one shown in these figures) are slidingly received within slots  296 , in the left and right side walls  234  of the tank  80 . FIG. 15A illustrates the latch  294 L received in the slot  296  to affix the tank  80  to the motor cover  230  and FIG. 15B shows the latch  294 L disengaged from the slot  296  to unlatch the tank  80  from the motor cover  230 .  
         [0087]    Referring to FIG. 14, the recovery tank lid assembly  301  incorporates therein an air/fluid separator comprising a hollowed lid  298  and bottom plate  300  sealingly welded together forming a plenum therebetween. The plenum is divided into two separate and distinct chambers, an inlet chamber  304  and exit chamber  306 , by separator wall  309  integrally molded into lid  298  and extending between the lid  298  and bottom plate  300 . Inlet chamber  304  fluidly communicates with the front duct  156  (FIG. 3) through inlet opening  303  in the bottom plate  300 . An inlet chamber exit passageway  308  in bottom plate  300  provides fluid communication between tank  80  and inlet chamber  304 . Similarly, exit chamber  306  includes entrance passage  310 , in bottom plate  300  providing fluid communication between tank  80  and exit chamber  306 . An integrally formed arcuate lip or wall  312  extends down from the bottom surface of the bottom plate  300  and surrounds the inner semicircular edge of the passageway  308 . The wall  312  prevents drops of liquid on the upper surface of the bottom plate from traveling through the passageway  308  and across the lower bottom surface of the bottom plate  306  to the entrance passageway  310  of the exit chamber  306 , where the drops can be drawn into the motor fan assembly  90  (FIG. 3). Instead, any drops passing through the passageway  308  will drip off the lower edge of the wall  312  and into the tank  80  (FIG. 12).  
         [0088]    As seen in FIG. 3, it is preferable to provide a float  314  within a suitable float cage  316  to choke the flow of working air through passage  310  when the reclaimed fluid within recovery tank  80  reaches a desired level. A raised portion or nub  318  on the lid  298  is aligned over the float  314  to enhance the viewing of the float  314  when raised to indicate that the recovery tank  80  is full. Exit chamber  306  (FIG. 14) further includes discharge opening  320  for fluid communication with an integrally molded stand pipe  322  of tank  80  when lid assembly  301  is attached to the open top of tank  80 .  
         [0089]    Referring back to FIG. 14, integrally molded into lid  298  so as to be positioned about the periphery of exit opening  308  in bottom plate  300  are two vortex impeding arcuate baffles  324  and  326 . The rear baffle  324  is attached to the bottom surface of the top wall  328  of the lid  298  and extends almost across the exit opening  308  such that it is spaced from the outer edge of the opening  308  near the side wall  330 . The rear baffle  324  is also positioned a small distance in front of the center of the exit opening  308 . Front baffle  326  attached to the bottom surface of the top wall  328  of the lid  298  and extends from the side wall  330  to the edge of opening  308 . A second flat rear baffle  327 , attached to the side wall  330  and bottom surface of top wall  328 , is oriented perpendicular with the side wall  330  and extends a partial distance across the exit opening  308 . As viewed from the front of the opening, the front baffle  326  is oriented convexly and the rear baffle  324  is oriented concavely. The baffles  324 ,  326  are generally oriented perpendicularly with respect to each to other. An s-shaped rib  331 , integrally formed on the bottom surface of the top wall  328 , extends partially down a distance therefrom. The distance is about half of that between the bottom plate  300  and top wall  328  of the lid  301 . The air and soiled liquid is extracted from the carpet and drawn through the suction nozzle  124  and side suction ducts  130 ,  132  to the inlet  303  by the motor/fan assembly  90  (FIG. 3).  
         [0090]    Then, as indicated by the arrows shown in FIG. 16 through the translucent lid  298 , the stream of air and water coming from the inlet  303  impinges on the front baffle  326  where a portion of it is then deflected to the center of the rear baffle  324 . The air and liquid stream circulates around the front portion of the opening  308 , due to concave nature of the baffle  324 , and thus allows more separation of air from the water. In particular, the deflection of the air from the baffles  324 ,  326  and the re-circulation of the stream facilitates separation of the liquid from the air, due to the slowing of the stream, thereby allowing more time for the air to separate from the liquid. Further, when the stream of air is forced to turn, the relatively lighter air is able to negotiate the turn, where as the heavier liquid does not, thereby causing further separation. The rib  331  is located and oriented to deflect the air downward to slow it down and also direct a portion of the stream into the rear corners of the inlet chamber  304 . There, the stream stalls allowing further separation, where it is also deflected by baffle  327 . Also, the position of the baffle  324  near the center of the exit opening  308  causes the air and liquid stream to flow into a smaller portion of the opening  308  thereby minimizing splashing as the liquid collects on the bottom  240  of the tank  80 . This reduces the possibility of liquid entering the motor area. With reference to FIGS. 3 and 14, the liquid enters the inlet chamber exit passageway  308  and travels down into the bottom of the tank  80 . The separated air travels through the float cage  316  and into the stand pipe  322  exiting out the bottom of the rear body  84  of the frame assembly  83  as seen in FIG. 3.  
         [0091]    As seen in FIG. 4, the working air exits along a pair of vents  335  formed on the bottom plate  333  of the extractor  60 . The vents  335  are oriented such that a line extending between them is parallel to the front body  92 . In effect, the exiting working air provides heat to the cleaning path of the carpet created by the extractor  60 .  
         [0092]    A u-shaped carrying handle  332  is pivotally connected to the upper portion of the recovery tank  80  as seen in FIG. 2. In particular, as depicted in FIG. 17, the carrying handle  332  includes a transverse curved portion  334  and a pair of circular end portions  336 L,  336 R, each integrally formed on respective opposite free ends of the curved portion  334 . Each of the end portions  336  has an inwardly extending curved wall  340  that extends circumferentially around the outer edge of the end portion  336 .  
         [0093]    The carry handle  332  is pivotally attached to the tank  80  (FIG. 12) by mounting C-shaped sleeves  342 , that extend inward from inner surfaces of the ends  336  of the leg portions  344 L,  344 R of the handle, over respective pivot posts  346 L,  346 R (FIG. 12) that extend out from opposing sides of the recovery tank  80 . The carry handle  332  is pivotable into a forward, generally horizontal latched position (FIG. 18A), a generally upright carry position (FIG. 18B), and a rearward tank discharge position (FIG. 18C).  
         [0094]    With reference to FIGS. 18A, 18B, and  18 C, the carrying handle  332  locks the recovery tank lid  301  to sealingly close the top of the recovery tank  80 . Lid retaining members  348 L,  348 R (only the left one is illustrated in these figures, but the right one is similar) are preferably located on opposing outer edges of the lid  301  to engage respective lid latching members  350  on inner surfaces of the ends  336  of the carry handle  332  to securely latch the lid  301  onto the recovery tank  80 . The lid latching members  350  are preferably sized and arranged on the carry handle  332  such that the lid latching members  350  engage the lid retaining members  348  and latch the lid  301  on the recovery tank  80  when the handle  332  is in the latched position (FIG. 18A) and when the handle  332  is in the carry position (FIG. 18B), but not when the handle  332  is in the discharge position (FIG. 18C).  
         [0095]    A typical boss  354  and recess  356  detent arrangement is provided on the lid latching members  350  and the lid retaining members  348 , respectively, to releasably retain the carrying handle  332  in the latched position. Such a latching arrangement and carrying handle design is similar to that of U.S. Pat. No. 5,901,408, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.  
         [0096]    Referring to FIG. 2, the handle assembly  62  basically comprises an upper handle portion  358  and lower body portion  360 . The lower body portion  360  has a pair of trunnions  362 L,  362 R that are received in complementary journals  364 L,  364 R formed in the rear body  84  of the frame assembly  83  of the base  64 . Trunnion brackets  366 L,  366 R are mounted over the trunnions to cover them, thereby pivotally securing the handle assembly  62  to the base  64 . A handle release pedal  368  is pivotally connected to the rear center portion of the rear body  84  between the journals  364 . The pedal  368  includes a rear foot engaging portion  370  for depression by a foot or other object. The pedal  368  further includes an elongated pivot rod  370 , which extends longitudinally and is integrally formed with the head portion  370 . Ears  372 L,  372 R, integrally formed with the body and extending rearwardly, are provided on opposite sides of the foot engaging portion  370 . A hook shaped spring arm  374 , integrally formed with the body  370 , extends forwardly and bears against the rear body  84  of the frame  83 .  
         [0097]    As depicted in FIG. 19A, the arcuate end  376  of the arm  374  bears against the rear body  84  and urges the ears  372  (only the right one of which is shown) upwardly such that they are positioned and aligned behind respective rear stops  378  (only one of which is shown), integrally formed on the outer surface of the lower body portion  360  of the handle assembly  62 . Thus, the ears  372  will engage the stops  378 , thereby preventing the handle assembly  62  from pivoting down. However, when the pedal  368  is depressed as seen in FIG. 19B, the elastic spring arm  374  bends to allow the ears  372  to pivoted down and away from the stops  378  and thus, the handle assembly  62  is permitted to pivot down.  
         [0098]    As seen in FIGS. 20, 21A and  21 B, the upper handle portion  358  has an integrally formed hook  380  extending upwardly. As best seen in FIGS.  21 A and  21 B, just below the nose  382  of the hook  380  is a notch  384 . As seen in FIG. 2, a wire cover  386  (a portion of which is shown in FIG. 2) is mounted within the lower body portion  360  and includes an integrally formed rear flange portion  390  having a pair of tubular receptacles  392 L,  392 R formed on opposite ends thereof. As depicted and seen in FIG. 20, an accessory tool storage caddy  388  is removably mounted to the rear of the handle assembly  62 . In particular, as shown in FIG. 22, the caddy  388  comprises a body  394  having a pair of posts  396 L,  396 R extending down from the bottom of the body  394 . The rear side of the caddy  388 , depicted in FIG. 23, includes an inverted u-shaped support wall  398  extending rearwardly upon which the accessory hose  188  (FIG. 24) is wound around. Integrally formed stiffening ribs  406  positioned between the body  394  and inner surface of the support wall  398  provide additional support to the support wall  398 . The hose  188  releasably snap fits into clips  400 ,  402 , and  404  formed on the body  394 .  
         [0099]    In particular, a pair of side clips  400 ,  402  located on opposite sides of the body  394  extend rearwardly from the body  394  over the support wall  398 . A top clip  404  extends rearwardly from the body  394  over the bight portion  408  of the support wall  398 . The clips  400 ,  402 , and  404  include nubs  410  that further secure the hose  188  to the body  394  and support wall  398 . As shown in FIG. 24, the hose  188  also is received by the upper hook  409  of a dual cord and hose hook assembly  411  with the lower hook  413  for receiving the cord (not shown). The hook assembly  411  is snap connected to the lower part of the lower body  360  of the handle assembly  62 .  
         [0100]    Integrally formed to the body  394  are aligned upper and lower enclosed u-shaped holders  412 ,  414  extending outwardly from the rear side of the body  394  for receiving an accessory tool such as a bare floor cleaning tool  444 . The lower holder  414  has a bottom wall  416  (FIG. 23) to support the bare floor cleaning tool  444 . Referring back to FIG. 23, in the center of the caddy  388  is formed a tongue member  418  that extends upwardly and outwardly at a slight angle. An upstanding fin portion  420  is integrally formed with the tongue member at the center of its rear surface and extends perpendicular to the tongue member  418 . The fin portion  420  is also integrally formed with the body  394  to provide reinforcement to the tongue member  418 . The tongue member  418  and fin portion  420  receive the hose end of an upholstery hand tool  446  for storage as seen in FIG. 24. Near the left of the tongue member  418  is a pocket holder  422  that has opposing end members  432 ,  434  that define a channel  436  for slidingly receiving the tapered working end  438  of a crevice tool  440  as seen in FIG. 24. The end member is convexly curved  434 , when viewed from above, to guide the working end  438  of the crevice tool into the channel  436 . A looped piece  442  laterally extends over the crevice tool, which in combination with a front plate  443  (FIG. 22) extending across the front of the working end  438 , provides for additional securement. As best shown in FIG. 22, integrally formed with the top clip  404  and extending forward and down from the front side of the top clip  404  is a pair of hooks  424 L,  424 R for hooking the caddy  388  around a coat hangar or the like for storage.  
         [0101]    A vertical slot  426  is formed in the middle of the body  394 . Just above the top edge of the slot on the rear side is a projection or nub  428  formed on the body as best seen in FIG. 24. The caddy  388  is mounted to the rear of the handle assembly  62  by inserting the hook  380  into the slot  426  as shown in FIG. 21A, until the nub  428  seats securely into the notch  384  under the nose  382  of the hook  380  as seen in FIG. 21B, and slidably inserting the posts  396  into their respective tubular receptacles  392  as seen in FIGS. 20 and 24. As shown in FIG. 22, spacers  430  are integrally formed on the front surface of the body  394  on opposite sides of the slot  422  to provide additional stability to the caddy when mounted to the handle assembly  62 .  
         [0102]    To remove the caddy, a user grasps the caddy  388  and pulls upward, which cause the nub  428  to cam against the nose  382  so that the nub  428  unseats from the notch  384  of the hook  380 , and slides the posts  396  out of the tubular receptacles  392 .  
         [0103]    The supply tank assembly  76  comprises a clean water supply tank  620  and a detergent supply tank  622  adhesively mounted to the clean water supply tank  620  as depicted in FIG. 1. The supply tank assembly  76  includes a combination carrying handle and tank securement latch  78  providing a convenient means for carrying the tank and/or securing the tank to the extractor handle assembly  62 . As seen in FIG. 25, tank handle  78  comprises a generally unshaped plastic handle bar portion  447  having circular camming ends  448  and  450  integrally attached at each leg thereof  452 ,  454 . The two camming ends  448  and  450  are generally parallel with respect to each other and each has an integrally formed pivot pin  456  extending inwardly into respective lateral recesses  460 ,  462  (FIG. 27) formed in the water tank for rotatable attachment of the carry handle  78  to the tank assembly  76 . Each pin  456  includes a lateral webbed offset  464  which cams upon the surface  480  (FIG. 2) of the water tank  620  as the handle  78  rotates counter clockwise about the pins  456 . Further, as the handle  78  rotates counterclockwise, integrally molded cantilever springs  466  (one associated with each end portion) acting upon the surface of the water tank bends, thereby storing energy therein biasing the carrying handle  78  clockwise.  
         [0104]    When tank assembly  76  is placed upon support shelf  743  of handle assembly  62  and rotated clockwise (as viewed in FIG. 26A) into the installed position, camming ribs  468  (provided upon each arm  434  and  436 ) engage and cam upon the edge  472  of hood  470  of the upper handle  358  forcing handle  78  downward until the notch or rear end  474  of the rib  468 , on handle bar  438 , entraps the edge  470  therein thereby securing tank  40  in place as depicted in FIG. 26B. As seen in FIG. 2, the edge  472  jogs or dips thereby defining grooves  476  which receive the ribs  468  to guide the carrying handle  78  during installation. To release tank assembly  76  the operator grasps handle bar  447  pulling it downward against the retarding force of cantilever springs  466 , thereby releasing the notch or rear end  474  from locking engagement with edge  472  of hood  470  and removes the tank assembly  76  from the support shelf  743  of extractor handle assembly  62 . Lateral offsets  478  (FIG. 25) on each of the legs  452 ,  454  of the handle  78  provide rotational stops which engage the tank surface  480  thereby preventing over travel of handle  78  and inadvertent removal of the handle from pins  456 .  
         [0105]    As depicted in FIG. 27, the supply tank assembly  76  is positioned upon a bottom base  624 , which with the tank assembly  76  is removably mounted to a support shelf  743 , which is secured to the lower body  360  (FIG. 2) of handle portion  62  (FIG. 2), and fluidly connected to a unshaped reservoir  721  underneath the support shelf  743  via respective solution release valves  746 . The reservoir  721  is vibrationally welded to the underside of the support shelf  743 . Each of the supply tanks  620 ,  622  includes a solution release valve  746 . The solution release valve  746  is normally in the closed position. However, as the tank assembly  76  is placed upon the reservoir  721 , the solution release valve  746  in each of the supply tanks  620 ,  622  opens permitting clean water from the clean water supply tank  620  and detergent from the detergent supply tank  622  to flow into the reservoir  721 . Upon removal of the tank assembly  76  from the reservoir  721 , the solution release valve  746  closes prohibiting liquid from flowing out of the supply tanks  620 ,  622 .  
         [0106]    As seen in FIG. 28, the solution release valve  740  is incorporated into bottom plate  712  of the detergent tank  622 . The other solution release valve  746  is incorporated into the bottom plate  713  of the clean water tank  620 , which is of similar construction. Thus, only the one for the detergent tank  620  will be described in more detail. The solution release valve  746  comprises a valve body  742  having an elongate plunger  744  extending coaxially upward therethrough. The plunger  744  having an outside diameter less than the inside diameter of the valve body  742  is provided with at least four flutes  745  (FIG. 27) to maintain alignment of the plunger  744  within the valve body  742  as the plunger  744  axially translates therein and permits the passage of fluid therethrough when the plunger  744  is in the open position.  
         [0107]    A valve body  742  having a vertically extending bore  756  (FIG. 27) slidingly receives therein the upper shank portion of the plunger  744 . An elastomeric circumferential seal  748  circumscribes plunger  744  for sealingly engaging valve body  742 . The seal  748  is urged against the valve body  742  by action of the compression spring  752 , circumscribing plunger  744 . The spring  752  is positioned between the body  742  and the seal  748 . The solution release valve  746  is normally in the closed position. However, with reference to FIG. 27, as the supply tank assembly  76  is placed upon the support shelf  743  of the handle  612 , the pin  738  of the reservoir  721  aligns with plunger  744 , thereby forcing plunger  744  upward to separate the seal  748  from the valve body  742 , compressing spring  752 , and opening the valve body  742  permitting detergent from the detergent supply tank  622  to flow through bore  756  of the valve body  742  into the reservoir  721 . Upon removal of supply tank assembly  76  from the support shelf  743 , the energy stored within compression spring  752  urges the seal  748  down against the valve body  742  to close the valve  746 .  
         [0108]    As depicted in FIG. 28, an elastomeric tank seal  500  has an annular groove  501  that receives the edge  503  of the outlet opening of the bottom plate  712  to secure it to the edge  503 . Upper and lower annular ribs  505 ,  507  formed on the outer surface of the valve body  742  secure the elastomeric seal  500  to the valve body  742 . In particular, the lower rib  507  engages the underside of a lip  509  on the seal and the upper rib extends over and engages the top edge  511  of the outlet opening.  
         [0109]    Turning to FIG. 27, the support shelf  743  includes two circular openings  760 ,  762  align with their respective solution release valves  746  associated with the corresponding clean water and detergent tanks  620 ,  622 . The pin  738  associated with the solution release valve  746  of the clean water tank  620  is integrally formed on the reservoir  721  and extends through the opening  760 . The pin  738  associated with the solution release valve  746  of the detergent tank  622  is integrally formed on a metering plate  764 , which covers the opening  762 .  
         [0110]    As seen in FIG. 41, the metering plate  764  is generally circular in shape and includes a channel  766  circumferentially extending around the pin  738 . The bottom of the channel  766  has an orifice  768  which meters the detergent solution at a value for the desired mix with the clean water. A toroid or donut shaped filter  770  (FIG. 27) is inserted into the channel for filtering out particles of the detergent. The metering plate  764  has an outer groove  772  extending around the wall  773  surrounding the channel  766  that receives a seal  771 . A pair of L-shaped grooves  777 ,  779  are also formed on opposite sides of the wall  773 . Referring to FIG. 27A, a pair of lateral projections  781  extending from the inner wall  789  (FIG. 27A) of the opening  762  (FIG. 27A) in the support shelf  743  each slidably engage a respective groove  777  or  779  (FIG. 41) to secure the metering plate  764  (FIG. 41) to the support shelf  743  within the opening  762 , as the metering plate  764  is inserted into the opening  762  and turned. Also, as the metering plate  764  is turned, a pair of protrusions  785  (FIG. 41) extending down from the upper portion of the metering plate  764  ride up respective ramps  791 ,  793  formed in respective recesses  795 ,  797  and seat down behind the ramps to additionally secure the metering plate  764  to the support shelf  743  within the opening  762 .  
         [0111]    As also depicted in FIG. 27, each of the tanks  620 ,  622  has a cap  720  covering a top opening for filling the corresponding clean water tank  620  or detergent tank  622  with liquid. As best seen in FIG. 29, the top of cap  720  comprises a multiplicity of air breathing orifices  724 . An elastomeric umbrella valve  726  is mounted to the underside of the top of the cap  720  under the orifices  724 . As the ambient pressure within the associated tank  620  or  622  drops, by discharge of cleaning solution from therein, atmospheric pressure acting upon the top side of umbrella valve  726  causes the peripheral edge  728  to unseat from the surface  732  of cap  720  thereby permitting the flow of atmospheric air into the associated tank  620  or  622  until the ambient pressure therein equals atmospheric.  
         [0112]    Once the pressure on both sides of the umbrella valve  726  equalize due to the shut off valves  800 ,  820  (FIG. 30) closing, the energy stored by deflection of the umbrella valve causes the peripheral edge  728  to reseat itself against surface  732  thereby preventing leakage of cleaning solution through the outlet of the associated tank  620  or  622 . In effect, this prevents cross flow between the two tanks  620 ,  622 , when the extractor unit  60  is turned off, thereby prohibiting mixing of the solutions in the tanks  620 ,  622 . Referring to back to FIG. 27, cap  720  and flat circular seal  718  sealingly close fill opening  716 . Liquid pressure against umbrella valve  726  further urges peripheral edge  728  against surface  732  thereby providing a leak free container. Such a valve is disclosed in co-owned U.S. Pat. No. 5,500,977, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.  
         [0113]    The reservoir  721  has a pair of dividing plates  733  which separates into a first compartment  780  fluidly connected to the clean water tank  620  and a second compartment  782  fluidly connected to the detergent tank  622 . The first compartment  780  includes inner and outer outlet ports  786 ,  788 . The second compartment  782  includes an outlet port  784 .  
         [0114]    [0114]FIG. 30 illustrates the overall solution distribution system, which will be described below. The inner outlet port  786  (FIG. 27) of the first compartment  780  (FIG. 27) is fluidly connected to a mixing Tee  796  via a flexible hose  790  and the outer outlet port  788  (FIG. 27) is fluidly connected to a distributor  792  via a flexible hose  794 . The outlet port  784  (FIG. 27) of the second compartment  782  (FIG. 27) is fluidly connected to the mixing Tee  796  via a suitable flexible hose  798 . A shut off valve  800  is connected between the outer outlet port  788  of the first compartment  780  and the inlet  105 R (FIG. 5) of the distributor  792  for turning on and off the flow of clean water used for rinsing. This shut off valve  800  is in the form of a solenoid valve, however, other types of valves also could be used.  
         [0115]    A pressure actuated shut off valve  804  is connected between the inner outlet port  786  of the first compartment  780  and the mixing Tee  796  for turning off and on the flow of water. This shut off valve  804  is opened and closed by outside pressure via a conduit  806  connected between it and the outlet  807  of a pump  808  through a Tee  817 . In particular, as shown in FIG. 31, the pressure actuated shut off valve  804  comprises a valve body  810  having a first port  812  fluidly connected to the clean water tank  620  and a second port  814  fluidly connected to the mixing Tee  796  via a flexible hose  815 . A flexible rubber diaphragm  816  extends generally horizontally across the center of the valve body  810 . The diaphragm  816  includes a valve seal  818  integrally formed on the diaphragm  816  at its center. The valve  804  includes a pressure port  822  fluidly connected to the outlet  807  (FIG. 30) of the pump  808 .  
         [0116]    In operation, when the pressure at the pressure port  822  is below a predetermined value such as between 7 to 10 psi, the valve seal  818  is spaced from the pressure port  822  to allow water to flow in both directions. Such a pressure value at the pressure port  822  occurs when the main shut off valve  820  is opened. The pump  808  also pressurizes the water mixed with detergent to draw it to the distributor  792 . In this example, water flows to the inlet  105 R (FIG. 5) of distributor  792  due to gravity and the pressure produced by the pump  808 . However, in this open position, the pressure actuated shut off valve  804  could allow detergent to flow in the opposite direction, if for example, the pump  808  were placed between the valve  804  and the clean water tank  620  to draw the detergent to the clean water tank  620  by pressure.  
         [0117]    When the pressure exerted on the diaphragm  816  exceeds a second predetermined value such as between 20 to 30 psi, it flexes the diaphragm  816  towards the first port  812 , urging the valve seal  818  against the first port  812 , thereby sealing the first port  812  to close the valve  804 . Thus, with the valve  804  closed, clean water or detergent is prevented from flowing through it. When the pressure lowers below the predetermined value, the diaphragm  816  flexes back to unseal the valve seal  818  from the first port  812  thereby opening the valve  804 . Optionally, a spring  821 , inserted around the portion of the first port  812  extending into the valve body  810 , can be positioned between the inner upper wall  811  of the valve body  810  and diaphragm  816  to urge the valve seal  818  to unseal quicker.  
         [0118]    Referring back to FIG. 30, the outlet of the mixing Tee  796  is fluidly connected via flexible hose  823  to the inlet of the pump  808 , which provides pressure to draw the cleaning solution to the distributor  792  via the inlet  105 L (FIG. 5). A relief valve  809  is fluidly connected across the pump  808  to limit the pressure at the outlet  807  of the pump  808  to a predetermine value. The outlet  807  of the pump  808  is fluidly connected to the main shut off valve  820  via flexible hoses  825 ,  874  and  876 . This shut off valve  820  is in the form of a solenoid valve, however, other electrical actuated valves could be also used.  
         [0119]    Referring to FIGS. 32 and 33, a trigger switch  821  is used to dispense either mixed detergent and clean water or only clean water. The trigger switch  821  includes a trigger  822  pivotally connected to the upper handle portion  358  approximately near a closed looped hand grip  824  (FIG. 1) of the upper handle portion  358  at a pivot  834 . Integrally molded onto the trigger  822  are two cantilever springs  826 ,  828  (FIG. 33), one on each lateral side thereof. The cantilever springs  826 ,  828  urge the trigger  822  outwardly or downwardly which places one of the selected shut off valves  800 ,  820  (FIG. 30) in the closed position. In particular as depicted in FIG. 32, an arm  830  having a curved end portion  832  extends downwardly from the pivot  834  of the trigger  822  terminating adjacent a microswitch  836  of the trigger switch  821 . A lever arm  838  is connected to the microswitch  836  and extends over a spring-loaded push button  840  on the microswitch  836 . When the upper portion of the trigger  822  is positioned downwardly, the curved end portion  832  is spaced from the lever arm  838 .  
         [0120]    In this position with reference to FIG. 34, the microswitch  836  opens the circuit between one of the solenoid shut off valves  800 ,  820  and the main power source  842 , thereby denergizing the selected valve  800  or  820  and closing it. When the upper portion of the trigger  822  is squeezed or depressed, the curved end portion  832  cams against the lever arm  838  such that the lever arm  838  depresses the push button  844  on the microswitch  836 . Upon depression of the push button  844 , the microswitch  836  closes the circuit as depicted in FIG. 34 between one of the solenoid shut off valves  800 ,  820  and the main power switch assembly  846  (FIG. 34). If the main power switch assembly  846  is switched on to connect the power source  842  to the selected solenoid shut off valve  800  or  820  and the trigger  822  is squeeze or depressed, the selected solenoid shut off valve energizes and opens.  
         [0121]    A cleaning mode switch assembly  848  is connected between the microswitch  836  and the water and main solenoid shut off valves  800 ,  820  to select the mode of cleaning. As shown in FIG. 33, the cleaning mode switch assembly  848  and main power switch assembly  846  include respective rocker arms  850 ,  852  positioned adjacent each other and mounted in a module  854  which is mounted in the upper handle portion  358 . The rocker arms  850 ,  852  are actuated by corresponding slide switches  856 ,  858  which are received in a recess  860  (FIG. 1) just below the hand grip  824 . The slide switches  856 ,  858  snap connect into corresponding slots  862 ,  864  formed on the upper portions of respective actuating rods  866 ,  868 . Cam portions  870  are formed on lower portions of the actuating rods  866 ,  868  for engaging their corresponding rocker arms  850 ,  852 . When one of the slide switches  856 ,  858  is slid downwardly, the cam portion  870  depresses the lower portion  871  of the rocker arm  850  or  852  to switch it in one position. This action also raises the upper portion  872  of the rocker arm  850  or  852 . Then, when the slide switch  856  or  858  is then slid upwardly back, the cam portion  870  depresses the upper portion of the rocker arm  850  or  852  to switch it in another position and thereby raise the lower portion  871  of the rocker arm  850  or  852 .  
         [0122]    In operation, a user slides the slide switch  856  of the main power switch assembly  846  down to electrically connect the power source  842  to the microswitch  836 , suction motor  90 , and pump  808 , turning them on. Referring to FIG. 30, the pump  808  conducts the pressurized cleaning solution or clean water through a main supply tube  874  to a control valve  877  which selectively allows the liquid to flow to either the inlet  105 L (FIG. 5) of the cleaning distributor  792  via supply tube  876  or the hand-held cleaning attachment  188  (FIG. 9) via a supply tube  216 . The cleaning liquid distributor  792  evenly distributes the cleaning liquid to each of the rotary scrub brushes  72 . The scrub brushes  72  then spread the cleaning liquid onto the carpet (or bare floor), scrub the cleaning liquid into the carpet and dislodge embedded soil. Such a distributor  792  and scrub brushes  72  are substantially disclosed in commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 5,867,857, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein as of reference.  
         [0123]    Referring to FIG. 1, as is commonly known, the carpet extractor  60  distributes cleaning solution to the carpeted surface and substantially simultaneously extracts it along with the dirt on the carpet in a continuous operation. In particular, soiled cleaning liquid is extracted from the carpet by the suction nozzle  124 , which communicates with the recovery tank  80 . A vacuum is created in the recovery tank  80  by the motor fan assembly  90  (FIG. 3) that draws air from the recovery tank  80  and exhausts the air to the carpeted surface as previously described.  
         [0124]    If the wash cleaning mode is desired, the user slides the slide switch  858  of the cleaning mode switch assembly  848  upwardly to the upper end of the recess  860  to electrically connect the microswitch  836  (FIG. 34) to the main solenoid shut off valve  820  (FIG. 34). With reference to FIG. 30, the control valve  877  is positioned to direct the cleaning solution to the distributor  792 . Then, the user squeezes the trigger  822  (FIG. 1), which opens the main solenoid, shut off valve  820  to allow the cleaning solution composed of detergent mixed with clean water to flow to the distributor  792  and brushes  72 , where it is distributed and scrubbed on the carpet. If rinsing is desired, the user slides the slide switch  858  of the cleaning mode switch assembly  848  downwardly to the lower end of the recess  860  to electrically connect the microswitch  836  to the water solenoid shut off valve  800 . Then, the user squeezes the trigger  822 , which opens the water solenoid shut off valve  800  to allow clean water from the clean water tank  620  to flow to the distributor  792  and brushes  72 , where it is distributed and scrubbed into the carpet.  
         [0125]    [0125]FIG. 34A depicts an electrical schematic diagram of the distribution system of the carpet extractor  60  that automatically cleans the carpet or floor using one cleaning mode on the forward stroke of a cleaning cycle and another cleaning mode for the reverse stroke of the cleaning cycle. Components from the circuit shown in FIG. 34, which are identical in structure and have identical functions will be identified by the same reference numbers for this circuit. In this circuit, a second microswitch  886  is connected between the water and main solenoid shut off valves  800 ,  820 .  
         [0126]    As depicted in FIG. 35, the microswitch  886  is part of a wheel rotation activating assembly  888  associated with the right rear wheel  66 R on the right side of the foot portion base assembly  64  (FIG. 2). A lever arm  890  is connected to the microswitch  886  and extends over a spring-loaded push button  892  (FIGS. 36A and 36B) on the microswitch  886 . A microswitch cover  887  covers the microswitch  886  and this assembly is mounted to the rear body  84  (FIGS. 26A and 26B). The wheel rotation activating assembly  888  further includes a magnet  896  secured to an actuation lever  898  positioned spacedly adjacent a steel wheel disc  894  mounted to the rear extractor wheel  66 R by screws  895 . As depicted in FIGS. 36A and 36B, rollers  900 , having axles  901  (FIG. 35) extending therethrough, are rotatably mounted to the actuation lever  898 . The rollers  900  ride on the wheel disc  894  to ensure clearance between the magnet  896  and wheel disc  896 . The axle  67  of the rear extractor wheel  66 R slidably extends through the actuation lever  898  such that the actuation lever  898  is allowed to pivot or rotate around it. The actuation lever  898  is further positioned in a recess of the rear body  84  adjacent the microswitch  886 . The magnets  896  follow the direction of rotation of the wheel  66 R due to the magnetic attraction between them, thereby causing the actuation lever  898  to rotate.  
         [0127]    Alternatively, FIGS. 37 and 38 depict another actuation lever  912  with accompanying magnet  914  and rollers  916 . These rollers  900  include rubber tires  918  secured around them and axles  920  extending through the center. The rollers  916  with the tires  918  are rotatably positioned in recesses  924  formed in the side  926  of the actuator lever  912  opposing the wheel disc  894 . The axles  920  are snap connected into u-shaped holders  922  formed in the side of the actuator lever  912  opposing the wheel disc  894 .  
         [0128]    In particular with reference to FIG. 38, the axles  920  are slidably inserted between elastic legs  926 ,  928  of the holder  922 , engaging a pair of opposing ledges or barbs  930  formed on the legs  926 ,  928  which cause the legs  926 ,  928  to deflect outwardly to allow the holder to pass through. After the holder is inserted beyond the barbs, the legs retract back so that the barbs secure the axles within the holder. The magnet  914  is seated into an opening  929  of the actuation lever  898  and held securely in place by elastic catches  932 ,  934  engaging it against a rib  930  extending across the center of the opening  929 .  
         [0129]    When the carpet extractor unit  60  (FIG. 1) goes forward as indicated by the rotation of the rear wheel  66 R in FIG. 36A, the actuation lever  898  and lever arm  890  are disengaged from the push button  892  of the microswitch  886 . In this position, the microswitch  886  electrically connects the power source  842  to the main solenoid shut off valve  820 , depicted in FIG. 34A. Thus, when the trigger  822  is squeezed, the main solenoid shut off valve  820  energizes and opens, thereby allowing water mixed with detergent to be supplied to the distributor  792  or hand-held cleaning attachment. When the extractor unit  60  moves rearward as indicated by the rotation of the rear wheel  66 R in FIG. 36B, the actuation lever  898  engages the lever arm  890 , which depresses the push button  892 . This causes the microswitch  886  to electrically connect the power source  842  to the water solenoid shut off valve  800  as shown in FIG. 34A, thereby energizing it to open. Also, in this position, the microswitch  886  disconnects the power source  842  to main solenoid shut off valve  820 , thereby deenergizing it. Thus, clean water is automatically distributed on the floor surface.  
         [0130]    Another wheel rotation activating assembly  889  is shown in FIGS. 39, 40A, and  40 B. It comprises a paddle wheel  906  that rotates an actuation lever  908  to activate the microswitch  886 . The paddle wheel  906  and actuation lever  908  are rotatably mounted in a housing  907  and the microswitch is fixedly secured to the housing  907  as best seen in FIGS. 40A and 40B. This assembly is mounted to the rear body  84  (FIG. 3) of the extractor unit  60 . The paddle wheel  906  has grooves  911  (FIG. 39) which frictionally engage ribs  909  (FIG. 35) on the right rear extractor wheel  66 R (FIG. 35), securing it thereto. As shown in FIG. 40A, when the extractor unit  60  (FIG. 1) moves forward, the paddle wheel  906  rotates in the direction of the arrow such that the elastic paddles  910  on the paddle wheel  906  strike the actuation lever  908  causing it to rotate away from the lever arm  890 , disengaging it from the push button  892  of the microswitch  886 . As depicted in FIG. 40B, when the extractor unit  60  is moves rearward, the paddle wheel  906  rotates in the direction of the arrow such that the paddles  910  on the paddle wheel  906  strike the actuation lever  908  causing it to rotate and engage the lever arm  890  which depresses the push button  892  on the microswitch  886 .  
         [0131]    Still another wheel rotation activating assembly  941  is shown in FIGS. 42, 43A and  43 B. The wheel rotation activating assembly  941  comprises an actuator lever  940 , wave washer  942 , and microswitch  946 . In this assembly, the microswitch  946  is designed to electrically connect the power source  842  to the main solenoid shut off valve  820  (FIG. 34A) for washing, when its push button  948  is depressed to electrically connect the power source  842  to the water solenoid shut off valve  800 , when the push button  948  is not depressed. The axle  67  extends through the wave washer  942  and actuator lever  940 . The actuator lever  940  rotates with the left rear wheel  66 L due to friction generated by the wave washer  942 . When the extractor unit  60  moves forward as shown in FIG. 43A by the arrow indicating the direction of the wheel rotation, the actuator lever  940  rotates to engage the lever arm  950  and depress the push button  948  on the microswitch  946 . When the extractor unit  60  (FIG. 1) moves rearward as shown in FIG. 43B by the arrow indicating the direction of the wheel rotation, the actuator lever  940  moves away from the microswitch  946  disengaging the lever arm  950  from the push button  948  and traveling until it strikes a stop  952  attached on the rear  84  (FIG. 42). Upon engaging either the stop  952  or microswitch  946 , the actuator lever  940  slips against the wheel hub, allowing the left rear wheel  66 L to rotate and therefore allowing the unit to continue moving in the forward or rearward direction.  
         [0132]    If rinsing is desirable on both the forward and reverse strokes the user slides the slide switch  858  of the cleaning mode switch assembly  848  downwardly to the lower end of the recess  860  to electrically connect the microswitch  886  to the water solenoid shut off valve  800 . Then, the user squeezes the trigger  822 , which opens the water solenoid shut off valve  800  to allow clean water from the clean water tank  620  to flow to the distributor  792  and brushes  72 , where it is distributed and scrubbed into the carpet. Alternatively, if washing is desired on both the forward and reverse strokes, a three position cleaning mode switch assembly could be used instead of the two position cleaning mode switch assembly with the third position being directly connected to the main solenoid shut off valve  820  bypassing the second microswitch  886  of the wheel rotating activating assembly  888 .  
         [0133]    By incorporating a rinse application as shown in the embodiments, a higher concentration of detergent in the cleaning fluid, generally two or more times as much as the clean water, can be used to wash the carpet during the first forward stroke, since the rinse application will rinse or remove the detergent residue not extracted. In particular, the carpet extractor will distribute the cleaning solution having the high detergent concentration on the forward stroke as it substantially and simultaneously extracts it along with the dirt on the carpet in a continuous operation. Then, the carpet extractor will distribute the cleaning solution having the clean water on the reverse stroke to rinse the detergent residue not extracted as the carpet extractor substantially and simultaneously extracts it along with the dirt on the carpet in a continuous operation. Thus, cleaning performance is improved.  
         [0134]    The present invention has been described by way of example using the illustrated embodiments. Upon reviewing the detailed description and the appended drawings, various modifications and variations of the embodiments will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. All such obvious modifications and variations are intended to be included in the scope of the present invention and of the claims appended hereto. For example, clean water could be applied on the forward stroke and detergent solution on the reverse stroke. Also, a certain liquid might be added to the clean water or be used alone to improve the rinsing operation.  
         [0135]    In view of the above, it is intended that the present invention not be limited by the preceding disclosure of the embodiments, but rather be limited only by the appended claims.

Technology Category: 1