Wet vacuum

• US 20020108209A1
• Filed: 02/12/2001
• Published: 08/15/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert A. Peterson
• Original Assignee: Robert A. Peterson
• Inventors: Peterson, Robert A.
• Granted Patent: US 6,530,117 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/353
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/30 by suction
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4011 Regulation of the cleaning machine by electric means; Control systems and remote control systems therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4016 specially adapted for collecting fluids
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4019 Fill level sensors; Security means to prevent overflow, e.g. float valves
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4044 Vacuuming or pick-up tools; Squeegees
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4052 Movement of the tools or the like perpendicular to the cleaning surface
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 7/0009 with means mounted on the nozzle; nozzles specially adapted for the recovery of liquid
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 7/0028 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 7/0042 Gaskets; Sealing means

Abstract

An improved wet vacuum is described which removes floor stripping chemicals and residual water left behind from a floor stripping machine. The vacuum system is portable, battery operated and houses a storage reservoir constrained via elastic straps on a rollable base. A vacuum box is operatively mounted to a motor and include moisture reduction features which reduce moisture accumulation in and around the motor via an adapted flow path and drain channel. A single lever and rear activated squeegee mechanism which is in fluid communication with the vacuum system is selectively lowered an raised for removing floor cleaning chemicals and/or other liquids from the surface of a floor. An interior mechanical brace assembly is also featured to prevent reservoir buckling from operative vacuum pressure. A simple control module is provided for operating and monitoring power for the system.

Claims

1. A wet vacuum system for removing stripping chemicals from wet floors comprising:

a support base structure having a plurality of wheels for rolling contact with a floor;

a housing mounted on said base structure;

a vacuum head assembly attached to said based structure;

means for raising and lowering said vacuum head assembly;

a reservoir mounted on said base structure for receiving stripping chemicals removed from a wet floor, the reservoir having a drain for draining the stripping chemicals from said reservoir; and

vacuum means for producing a vacuum by drawing air from said reservoir, the vacuum means including a vacuum box defining at least one flow channel for separating liquid from the air drawn from said reservoir, so that the liquid flows in a path substantially opposite to a flow path of air through the vacuum box to prevent liquid spillage to and contact with an electrical component of said system.

2. The wet vacuum system according to claim 1, wherein said vacuum means comprises at least a control circuit module, a power source electrically connected to said control circuit module, and a vacuum motor electrically connected to said control circuit module, said vacuum motor being attached to said vacuum box in fluid communication with said at least one flow channel.

3. The wet vacuum system according to claim 1, wherein said support base structure is a substantially U-shaped base having at least one support plate for mounting at least one direct current power source thereon.

4. The wet vacuum system according to claim 3, wherein said U-shaped base further comprises a substantially U-shaped cylindrical handle detachably mounted to said base.

5. The wet vacuum system according to claim 4, wherein said base provides a first and second support surface for supporting and retaining said reservoir, each of said surfaces having a plurality of circular rings mounted thereto at equally spaced intervals for retaining said reservoir therebetween and for receiving at least one hook connected to at least one strap for securing said reservoir to said base.

6. The wet vacuum system according to claim 5, wherein said at least one strap is an elastic strap for releasably securing said reservoir to said base.

7. The wet vacuum system according to claim 5, wherein said at least one strap is a metallic strap for securing said reservoir to said base.

8. The wet vacuum system according to claim 1, wherein said reservoir has a first, second, third and fourth fluid flow orifice, said first fluid orifice being connected to said vacuum box in fluid communication with the fluid flow channel, said second fluid flow orifice being connected to said vacuum head assembly, said third fluid flow orifice being disposed in a top portion of the reservoir and being a threaded orifice with mating cap for fluidly sealing the third orifice, and said fourth fluid flow orifice defining the drain in said reservoir.

9. The wet vacuum system according to claim 1, further comprising a reinforcement mechanism disposed inside said reservoir for preventing buckling of said reservoir from vacuum pressure.

10. The wet vacuum system according to claim 1, wherein said reinforcement mechanism comprises:

a first threadedly adjustable rod with first and second planar ends for mating and frictionally attaching to a first and second interior wall portion of said reservoir, said first rod having a turnbuckle for adjusting the length of the rod;

a second threadedly adjustable rod with first and second planar ends for mating and frictionally attaching to a third and fourth interior wall portion of said reservoir, said second rod having a turnbuckle for adjusting the length of the rod; and

a bracket coupling said first and second rods perpendicular to each other.

11. The wet vacuum system according to claim 1, wherein said means for raising and lowering said vacuum head assembly comprises a six-bar-linkage mechanism wherein one bar of said mechanism is a hand manipulable lever, and wherein at least one portion of said lever is mounted on said vacuum box, the lever being interconnected to said vacuum head assembly for raising and lowering said vacuum head assembly.

12. The wet vacuum system according to claim 1, wherein said housing further comprises:

a first circular aperture defined therein for insertably receiving the cap of the third orifice; and

at least one recessed aperture for storage.

13. The wet vacuum system according to claim 1, wherein said housing further comprises a control panel having a control module therein for controlling operation of said vacuum means.

14. The wet vacuum system according to claim 1, wherein said housing further comprises an aperture defined therein, the system further comprising a vacuum head hose for connecting said reservoir with said vacuum head assembly.

15. The wet vacuum system according to claim 1, further comprising a bracket and bucket assembly mounted on said housing for storing removed floor deposits therein.

16. The wet vacuum system according to claim 1, further comprising a retaining means for retaining a drain house connected to said drain in a stored configuration.

17. The wet vacuum system according to claim 1, wherein said housing is metallic and includes an outer coating to prevent rust and corrosion.

18. The wet vacuum system according to claim 1, wherein said vacuum box of the vacuum means comprises an internal baffle having a substantially inverted J-shaped structure, said structure being centrally disposed therein and has at least one edge fixedly and continuously attached to an interior wall portion of the vacuum box;

the baffle further being substantially circumferentially disposed about a central aperture disposed in said interior wall portion.

19. The wet vacuum system according to claim 18, wherein said central aperture is a fluid flow exit aperture for directing fluid flow from said at least one flow channel in the form separated air drawn therefrom.

20. The wet vacuum system according to claim 18, wherein said inverted J-shaped baffle is made of a material impervious to rust and corrosion.