Moisture indicator for wet pick-up suction cleaner
First Claim
1. A moisture indicator system for a suction cleaner, comprising:
- a moisture sensor mounted to the cleaner and positioned to detect the moisture level of a floor surface;
a circuit electrically connected to the moisture sensor for generating a control signal in response to the detected moisture level of the floor surface; and
a device responsive to the control signal for indicating the moisture level of the floor surface to a user of the cleaner.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The moisture sensor and indicator for a wet pickup vacuum cleaner, more particularly a wet extraction type carpet cleaner, is positioned in the suction duct to sense when water droplets or moisture is traveling through the suction duct. An indicator is activated to indicate to the operator that water is being extracted from the carpet. The sensor may alternatively be located in the bottom of the floor-engaging portion where it contracts the floor. When the degree of moisture in the carpet exceeds a predetermined threshold an indicator is activated to indicate to the operator that the floor is still wet and to continue extracting moisture from the floor. Alternatively, the moisture sensor can be used as a safety device on a dry pickup vacuum cleaner. When moisture is detected within the suction duct, the motor-fan assembly of the dry pickup vacuum cleaner is disabled to prevent a potentially hazardous condition. Also, another moisture sensor is positioned in the cleaner to detect when the moisture level of the solution or recovery tank is reaches a predetermined level. An indicator is activated to indicate to the operator when the moisture level reaches the predetermined level.
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Citations
58 Claims
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1. A moisture indicator system for a suction cleaner, comprising:
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a moisture sensor mounted to the cleaner and positioned to detect the moisture level of a floor surface;
a circuit electrically connected to the moisture sensor for generating a control signal in response to the detected moisture level of the floor surface; and
a device responsive to the control signal for indicating the moisture level of the floor surface to a user of the cleaner. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 38, 52, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58)
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21. A cleaner comprising:
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a duct through which moisture extracted from a floor surface travels;
a moisture sensor mounted closely adjacent to the duct for detecting the level of moisture passing through said duct;
a circuit electrically connected to said moisture sensor for generating a control signal in response to the moisture level detected within said duct; and
a device responsive to the control signal for discernibly indicating the level of moisture within the duct to a user of the cleaner. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 53)
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46. A moisture indicator system for a suction cleaner comprising:
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a floor engaging portion for moving the suction cleaner over a floor;
a handle portion pivotally mounted to the floor engaging portion;
a tank removably mounted to said suction cleaner;
a sensor mounted to the cleaner to detect when the liquid of said tank reaches a predetermine level;
a circuit electrically connected to said sensor for generating a control signal in response to the detected liquid level of said tank;
a first pair of contacts connected to said sensor;
a second pair of contacts connected to said circuit;
wherein said first pair of contacts and said second pair of contacts are in electrical contact with each other when said tank is mounted to said suction cleaner; and
said first pair of contacts and said second pair of contacts are not in electrical contact with each other when said tank is removed from said suction cleaner.
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Specification