Dual Cleaning Mode Carpet Extractor

• US 20080201896A1
• Filed: 05/13/2008
• Published: 08/28/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Nilfisk-Advance Incorporated (Nilfisk Holding A/S)
• Original Assignee: Nilfisk-Advance Incorporated (Nilfisk Holding A/S)
• Inventors: Lehman, Dexter, Graupe, Nick, Friese, Agnes
• Application Number:
  US12/119,940
• Publication Number:
  US 20080201896A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/320
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/03 characterised by having provisions for supplying cleaning or polishing agents A47L11/065, A47L11/085, A47L11/125, A47L11/145, A47L11/161, A47L11/1625, A47L11/185, A47L11/201 take precedence
• 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 11/4011 Regulation of the cleaning machine by electric means; Control systems and remote control systems therefor
• 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

Abstract

A carpet extractor (10) operable in either a restorative cleaning mode or a maintenance cleaning mode includes a constant rate pump (96) which dispenses clean solution through a manually operated valve (98) to one of two lines (100, 102) having nozzles which restrict dispensing to high and low solution flow rates. In the preferred form, clean solution is dispensed at the high flow rate directly upon the carpeted surface and at the low rate upon the agitating brush (88). When restorative cleaning is desired, the valve (98) is manually moved to dispense at the high flow rate and a switch (110) is also manually moved resulting in the chassis (18) being propelled at a slow working speed. When maintenance cleaning is desired, the valve (98) is manually moved to dispense at the low flow rate and the switch (110) is also manually moved resulting in the chassis (18) being propelled at a fast working speed.

Claims

1-11. -11. (canceled)

12. Method for cleaning carpeted surfaces comprising:

selecting dispensing of clean solution to the carpeted surface at either high and low solution flow rates, with the high solution flow rate being greater than the low solution flow rate;

agitating the carpeted surface including the dispensed clean solution;

picking up the solution off the carpeted surface after the carpeted surface has been agitated; and

selecting the propelling of the dispensing of clean solution, the agitating the carpeted surface, and pick up of the solution off the carpeted surface at either first and second working speeds along the carpeted surface, with the first working speed being slower than the second working speed, with the carpeted surface being restorative or maintenance cleaned depending upon the selection of the high and low solution flow rates and the first and second working speeds.

13. The method of claim 12 with agitating the carpeted surfaces comprising agitating the carpeted surface with an agitator;

and with selecting the dispensing of clean solution comprising selecting the dispensing of clean solution either at the high solution flow rate upon the carpeted surface before the carpeted surface is agitated and at the low solution flow rate upon the agitator for introduction to the carpeted surface by the agitator.

14. The method of claim 13 with agitating the carpeted surface comprising rotating a cylindrical brush about an axis parallel to and spaced from the carpeted surface.

15. The method of claim 14 with selecting the dispensing of clean solution comprising:

pumping the clean solution at a constant rate;

providing a first dispensing line having at least one restorative nozzle allowing the high solution flow rate and a second dispensing line having at least one maintenance nozzle restricting dispensing of the clean solution to the low solution flow rate; and

valving the pumped clean solution to only one of the first and second dispensing lines.

18. The method of claim 12 with selecting the dispensing of clean solution comprising:

pumping the clean solution at a constant rate;

providing a first dispensing line having at least one restorative nozzle allowing the high solution flow rate and a second dispensing line having at least one maintenance nozzle restricting dispensing of the clean solution to the low solution flow rate; and

valving the pumped clean solution to only one of the first and second dispensing lines.

16. The method of claim 16 with selecting the propelling of the dispensing, agitating, and pick up comprising:

providing a chassis having at least one driven wheel; and

driving the driven wheel at one of the first and second working speeds.

17. The method of claim 17 with providing the chassis comprising providing the chassis with a handle;

and manipulating the handle while an operator walks adjacent to the chassis.

19. The method of claim 19 with valving the pumped clean solution comprising valving the pumped clean solution through a manually operated valve.

20. Method for cleaning carpeted surfaces comprising:

agitating the carpeted surface with an agitator;

selecting dispensing of clean solution either upon the carpeted surface before the carpeted surface is agitated in a first cleaning mode and upon the agitator for introduction to the carpeted surface by the agitator in a second cleaning mode; and

picking up the solution off the carpeted surface after the carpeted surface has been agitated.

21. The method of claim 21 further comprising:

selecting the dispensing of clean solution to the carpeted surface at either high and low solution flow rates, with the high solution flow rate being greater than the low solution flow rate, with the clean solution being dispensed upon the carpeted surface before the agitator at the high solution flow rate and being dispensed upon the agitator at the low solution flow rate.

22. The method of claim 22 with selecting the dispensing of clean solution comprising:

pumping the clean solution at a constant rate;

providing a first dispensing line having at least one restorative nozzle allowing high solution flow rate and a second dispensing line having at least one maintenance nozzle restricting dispensing of the clean solution to the low solution flow rate; and

valving the pumped clean solution to only one of the first and second dispensing lines.