Recovery tank arrangement for a cleaning apparatus

• US 20060123585A1
• Filed: 12/10/2004
• Published: 06/15/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited (Techtronic Industries Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited (Techtronic Industries Company Limited)
• Inventors: O'Neal, David L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,725,983 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/320
• 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 11/4083 Liquid supply reservoirs; Preparation of the agents, e.g. mixing devices

Abstract

A cleaning apparatus for cleaning a surface in which cleaning solution is dispensed to the surface and substantially simultaneously extracted along with the dirt on the surface in a continuous operation is provided. The cleaning apparatus includes a base portion for movement along the surface and a handle pivotally connected to the base portion. A solution tank for supplying a flow of cleaning solution to the surface is removably mounted to the handle. A recovery tank is removably mounted to the handle. A suction nozzle is secured to the base portion and in fluid communication with the recovery tank. A suction source is in fluid communication with the suction nozzle for generating suction to draw dirt and liquid through the suction nozzle and into the recovery tank. A cost effective, easy to operate, and convenient mounting arrangement is provided for mounting the recovery tank to the handle.

Claims

1. A cleaning apparatus for cleaning a surface in which cleaning solution is dispensed to the surface and substantially simultaneously extracted along with the dirt on the surface in a continuous operation comprising:

a) a base portion for movement along the surface;

b) a handle pivotally connected to said base portion;

c) a solution tank for supplying a flow of cleaning solution to the surface, said solution tank removably mounted to one of said handle and said base portion;

d) a recovery tank removably mounted to said handle, said recovery tank having an upper portion;

e) a suction nozzle secured to said base portion and in fluid communication with said recovery tank;

f) a suction source in fluid communication with said suction nozzle for generating suction to draw dirt and liquid through said suction nozzle and into said recovery tank; and

g) a pair of latches located on opposite sides of said upper portion of said recovery tank for releasably latching said recovery tank to said handle.

2. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of said latches includes a front portion, said upper portion of said recovery tank including a notch, said front portion engaging said notch to latch said recovery tank to said handle, said front portion disengaging said notch to unlatch said recovery tank from said handle.

3. The cleaning apparatus of claim 2 wherein said one latch is pivotally connected to said handle and includes a rear portion, wherein depressing said rear portion of said latch disengages said front portion from said notch to unlatch said recovery tank from said handle, and depressing said front portion engages said front portion to said notch to latch said recovery tank to said handle.

4. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein said handle includes a laterally extending support member, said recovery tank includes a lower portion, said lower portion including a recess, said recess slidably receiving said support member for supporting said recovery tank upon said recovery tank being mounted to said handle.

5. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein said suction source is mounted to said base portion.

6. A cleaning apparatus for cleaning a surface in which cleaning solution is dispensed to the surface and substantially simultaneously extracted along with the dirt on the surface in a continuous operation comprising:

a) a base portion for movement along the surface;

b) a handle pivotally connected to said base portion;

c) a solution tank for supplying a flow of cleaning solution to the surface, said solution tank removably mounted to one of said handle and said base portion;

d) a recovery tank removably mounted to said handle;

e) a suction nozzle secured to said base portion and in fluid communication with said recovery tank;

f) a suction source in fluid communication with said suction nozzle for generating suction to draw dirt and liquid through said suction nozzle and into said recovery tank; and

g) said handle includes a laterally extending support member, said recovery tank includes a lower portion, said lower portion including a recess, said recess slidably receiving said support member for supporting said recovery tank upon said recovery tank being mounted to said handle.

7. The cleaning apparatus of claim 6 wherein said recess is formed in the underside of said lower portion.

8. The cleaning apparatus of claim 6 wherein said recovery tank includes a pair of opposite side recess portions for grasping by a user for ease of removal of said recovery tank from said handle.

9. A cleaning apparatus for cleaning a surface in which cleaning solution is dispensed to the surface and substantially simultaneously extracted along with the dirt on the surface in a continuous operation comprising:

a) a base portion for movement along the surface;

b) a handle pivotally connected to said base portion;

c) a solution tank for supplying a flow of cleaning solution to the surface, said solution tank removably mounted to one of said handle and said base portion;

d) a recovery tank removably mounted to said handle;

e) a suction nozzle secured to said base portion and in fluid communication with said recovery tank;

f) a suction source in fluid communication with said suction nozzle for generating suction to draw dirt and liquid through said suction nozzle and into said recovery tank; and

g) a latch pivotally connected to said handle for releasably latching one of said solution tank and said recovery tank to said handle, said latch including a first portion and a second portion, wherein depressing said first portion latches said one of said solution tank and said recovery tank to said handle, and depressing said second portion of said latch unlatches said one of said solution tank and said recovery tank from said handle.

10. The cleaning apparatus of claim 9 wherein said first portion is a front portion of said latch and said second portion is a rear portion of said latch.

11. The cleaning apparatus of claim 9 wherein said handle includes a laterally extending support member, said recovery tank includes a lower portion, said lower portion including a recess, said recess slidably receiving said support member for supporting said recovery tank upon said recovery tank being mounted to said handle.

12. The cleaning apparatus of claim 11 wherein said recess is formed in the underside of said lower portion.

13. The cleaning apparatus of claim 9 wherein said suction source is mounted to said base portion.

14. The cleaning apparatus of claim 9 wherein said one of said solution tank and said recovery tank is said recovery tank.

15. The cleaning apparatus of claim 9 wherein said recovery tank includes a pair of opposite side recess portions for grasping by a user for ease of removal of said recovery tank from said handle.

16. The cleaning apparatus of claim 9 wherein said recovery tank is slidably but not pivotally mounted to said handle.