Surface cleaning apparatus

• US 10,542,861 B2
• Filed: 12/22/2017
• Issued: 01/28/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Omachron Intellectual Property Inc.
• Original Assignee: Omachron Intellectual Property Inc.
• Inventors: Conrad, Wayne Ernest
• Primary Examiner(s): Redding, David
• Application Number:
  US15/852,477
• Publication Number:
  US 20190082907A1
• Time in Patent Office: 767 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 59/20 Copper
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/201 with supply of cleaning agents
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/202 having separate drive for the cleaning brushes
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/30 by suction
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/302 having rotary tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/34 Machines for treating carpets in position by liquid, foam, or vapour, e.g. by steam
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4005 Arrangements of batteries or cells; Electric power supply arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4013 Contaminants collecting devices, i.e. hoppers, tanks or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4016 specially adapted for collecting fluids
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4027 Filtering or separating contaminants or debris
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4036 Parts or details of the surface treating tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4041 Roll shaped surface treating tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4044 Vacuuming or pick-up tools; Squeegees
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4083 Liquid supply reservoirs; Preparation of the agents, e.g. mixing devices
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4088 Supply pumps; Spraying devices; Supply conduits
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4091 Storing or parking devices, arrangements therefor; Means allowing transport of the machine when it is not being used
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4094 Accessories to be used in combination with conventional vacuum-cleaning devices
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/225 Convertible suction cleaners, i.e. convertible between different types thereof, e.g. from upright suction cleaners to sledge-type suction cleaners
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/24 Hand-supported suction cleaners
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/30 with driven dust-loosening tools, e.g. rotating brushes
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/32 : with means for connecting a hose hose couplings for suction cleaners A47L9/24
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/36 : Suction cleaners with hose between nozzle and casing; Suction cleaners for fixing on staircases; Suction cleaners for carrying on the back
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/38 : Built-in suction cleaner installations, i.e. with fixed tube system to which, at different stations, hoses can be connected
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 7/0004 : Suction cleaners adapted to take up liquids, e.g. wet or dry vacuum cleaners floor-scrubbing machines taking-up dirty liquid by suction A47L11/30
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 7/0009 : with means mounted on the nozzle; nozzles specially adapted for the recovery of liquid
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 7/0014 : with additional means or devices between nozzle and casing
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 7/0023 : Recovery tanks for cleaning machines A47L11/4013
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 7/0028 : Security means, e.g. float valves or level switches for preventing overflow
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 7/0038 : with means for emptying the tanks
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 7/009 : Details of suction cleaner tools for additional purposes
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 7/02 : with driven tools for special purposes with floor-polishing tools A47L11/20
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0633 : with retractable brushes, combs, lips or pads
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/122 : flat
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/127 : tube- or sleeve-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/1608 : Cyclonic chamber constructions
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/1625 : for series flow
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/1641 : for parallel flow
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/165 : Construction of inlets
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/1666 : with filtering means
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/1683 : Dust collecting chambers; Dust collecting receptacles
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/18 : Liquid filters
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/242 : Hose or pipe couplings
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/248 : Parts, details or accessories of hoses or pipes nozzles A47L9/02
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2826 : the condition of the floor
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2847 : Surface treating elements
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2857 : User input or output elements for control, e.g. buttons, switches or displays
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2279/55 : for cleaning appliances, e.g. suction cleaners suction cleaners comprising filters A47L9/10
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 29/35 : arranged for outward flow filtration
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 36/003 : Filters in combination with devices for the removal of liquids B01D35/185 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 45/08 : by impingement against baffle separators
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 45/12 : by centrifugal forces centrifuges B04B; cyclones B04C
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 45/16 : generated by the winding course of the gas stream , the centrifugal forces being generated solely or partly by mechanical means, e.g. fixed swirl vanes
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 50/20 : Combinations of devices covered by groups B01D45/00 and B01D46/00
• CPC Class Codes: B04C 2003/006 : Construction of elements by which the vortex flow is generated or degenerated
• CPC Class Codes: B04C 2009/002 : with external filters
• CPC Class Codes: B04C 2009/008 : with injection or suction of gas or liquid into the cyclone
• CPC Class Codes: B04C 3/06 : Construction of inlets or outlets to the vortex chamber
• CPC Class Codes: B04C 9/00 : Combinations with other devices, e.g. fans, expansion chambers, diffusors, water lockswith filters B01D50/00
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 65/38 : Packaging materials of special type or form
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/24 : Adaptations for preventing deterioration or decay of contents; Applications to the container or packaging material of food preservatives, fungicides, pesticides or animal repellants with thermal insulation B65D81/38

Abstract

An upright surface cleaning apparatus, such as an extractor, has an upright section moveably mounted to a surface cleaning head and a recline limiter system adapted to inhibit the upright section reclining to a positon at which recovered water enters the separator.

Claims

1. An upright surface cleaning apparatus comprising:

a) a surface cleaning head having a dirty fluid inlet;

b) an upright section moveably mounted to the surface cleaning head, the upright section moveable between an upright storage position and a reclined surface cleaning position;

c) a separator and a liquid collection chamber that receives recovered water, wherein the liquid collection chamber is provided on the upright section;

d) a fluid flow path extending from the dirty fluid inlet to a clean air outlet, the first fluid flow path including the separator and a suction motor; and

,

e) a recline limiter system adapted to inhibit the upright section reclining to a positon at which recovered water enters the separator.

2. The upright surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the recline limiter system comprises a moisture sensor which issues a signal upon detecting water and a blocking member which, upon issuance of the signal, deploys to inhibit rearward inclination of the upright section further than a particular inclination.

3. The upright surface cleaning apparatus of claim 2, wherein the particular rearward inclination of the upright section is an angle of from 15 to 30°

from the floor.

4. The upright surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the recline limiter off control system comprises an inclination sensor which issues a signal upon detecting a particular rearward inclination of the upright section and a blocking member which, upon issuance of the signal, deploys to inhibit rearward inclination of the upright section further than a particular inclination.

5. The upright surface cleaning apparatus of claim 4, wherein the particular rearward inclination of the upright section is an angle of from 15 to 30°

from the floor.

6. The upright surface cleaning apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a cleaning solution delivery system comprising at least one spray nozzle that delivers at least one cleaning solution and the recline limiter system is actuated when the cleaning solution delivery system is actuated.

7. The upright surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the recline limiter system comprises a moisture sensor which issues a water detection signal upon detecting water and an inclination sensor which issues an inclination signal upon detecting a particular rearward inclination of the upright section and the recline limiter system deploys a blocking member that inhibits rearward inclination of the upright section further than a particular inclination upon issuance of the signals.

8. The upright surface cleaning apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a solenoid which is actuated to deploy the blocking member upon issuance of the signals.

9. The upright surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the separator comprises an inverted cyclone comprising, when the surface cleaning apparatus is in a floor cleaning orientation, a lower end and an upper end, the lower end having a cyclone fluid inlet and a cyclone fluid outlet and the upper end has a separated element outlet in communication with the collection chamber.

10. A surface cleaning apparatus comprising:

a) a surface cleaning head having a dirty fluid inlet;

b) an upright section moveably mounted to the surface cleaning head, the upright section moveable between an upright storage position and a reclined surface cleaning position;

c) a separator and a liquid collection chamber that receives recovered water,

wherein the liquid collection chamber is provided on the upright section and

surface cleaning apparatus is in a floor cleaning orientation, a lower end and an upper end, the lower end having a cyclone fluid inlet and a cyclone fluid outlet and the upper end has a separated element outlet in communication with the collection chamber;

d) a fluid flow path extending from the dirty fluid inlet to a clean air outlet, the first fluid flow path including the separator and a suction motor; and

,

e) an auto shut off control system adapted to shut the suction motor off prior to the upright section reclining to a positon at which recovered water enters the separator.

11. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 10, wherein the auto shut off control system comprises a moisture sensor which issues a signal upon detecting water and the auto shut off control system de-actuates the suction motor upon receipt of the signal.

16. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a cleaning solution delivery system comprising at least one spray nozzle that delivers at least one cleaning solution and the auto shut off control system comprises an inclination sensor which issues a first inclination signal that inhibits the actuation of the suction motor until the upright section has been reclined beyond an initial angular degree of rotation of the upright section from the upright storage position.

17. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 16, wherein the auto shut off control system comprises a moisture sensor which issues a water detection signal upon detecting water and the inclination sensor issues a second inclination signal upon detecting a particular rearward inclination of the upright section and the auto shut off control system de-actuates the suction motor when both the water detection signal and the second inclination signals are issued.

18. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 17, wherein the inclination sensor comprises a single inclination sensor which issues both the first and second inclination signals.

19. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 17, wherein the surface cleaning apparatus is a hand held surface cleaning apparatus.

12. A surface cleaning apparatus comprising:

a) a surface cleaning head having a dirty fluid inlet;

b) an upright section moveably mounted to the surface cleaning head, the upright section moveable between an upright storage position and a reclined surface cleaning position;

c) a separator and a liquid collection chamber that receives recovered water, wherein the liquid collection chamber is provided on the upright section;

d) a fluid flow path extending from the dirty fluid inlet to a clean air outlet, the first fluid flow path including the separator and a suction motor; and

,

e) an auto shut off control system adapted to shut the suction motor off prior to the upright section reclining to a positon at which recovered water enters the separator,

wherein the auto shut off control system comprises an inclination sensor which issues a signal upon detecting a particular rearward inclination of the upright section and the auto shut off control system de-actuates the suction motor upon receipt of the signal.

13. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 12, wherein the particular rearward inclination of the upright section is an angle of from 15 to 30°

from the floor.

14. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a cleaning solution delivery system comprising at least one spray nozzle that delivers at least one cleaning solution and the auto shut off control system is actuated when the cleaning solution delivery system is actuated.

15. A surface cleaning apparatus comprising:

a) a surface cleaning head having a dirty fluid inlet;

b) an upright section moveably mounted to the surface cleaning head, the upright section moveable between an upright storage position and a reclined surface cleaning position;

c) a separator and a liquid collection chamber that receives recovered water, wherein the liquid collection chamber is provided on the upright section;

d) a fluid flow path extending from the dirty fluid inlet to a clean air outlet, the first fluid flow path including the separator and a suction motor; and

,

e) an auto shut off control system adapted to shut the suction motor off prior to the upright section reclining to a positon at which recovered water enters the separator,

wherein the auto shut off control system comprises a moisture sensor which issues a water detection signal upon detecting water and an inclination sensor which issues an inclination signal upon detecting a particular rearward inclination of the upright section and the auto shut off control system de-actuates the suction motor when both signals are issued.