SELF-PROPELLED EXTRACTION SYSTEMS AND METHODS
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system for applying a vacuum to a floor structure, comprising:
- a vacuum system for creating at least a partial vacuum;
a vacuum hose operatively connected to the vacuum system; and
a vacuum accessory comprisinga platform assembly comprisingat least one inlet opening directed to a portion of the floor structure, andan outlet opening operatively connected to the vacuum hose; and
a drive system comprising a control member and first and second drive wheels;
wherebydisplacement of the control member causes movement of the first and second drive wheels which in turn causes the platform assembly to move in at least one of a forward direction, a reverse direction, a first pivot direction, and a second pivot direction; and
as the platform assembly moves in at least one of a forward direction, a reverse direction, a first pivot direction, and a second pivot direction, the inlet opening moves along a path relative to the floor structure.
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Abstract
A system for applying a vacuum to a floor structure, a platform assembly for allowing a user to extract fluids from a floor structure, a system for extracting invasive liquids from a floor structure, a drive system for allowing a user standing on a platform assembly to displace the platform assembly along a floor surface, and/or A method of applying a vacuum to a floor structure.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A system for applying a vacuum to a floor structure, comprising:
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a vacuum system for creating at least a partial vacuum; a vacuum hose operatively connected to the vacuum system; and a vacuum accessory comprising a platform assembly comprising at least one inlet opening directed to a portion of the floor structure, and an outlet opening operatively connected to the vacuum hose; and a drive system comprising a control member and first and second drive wheels;
wherebydisplacement of the control member causes movement of the first and second drive wheels which in turn causes the platform assembly to move in at least one of a forward direction, a reverse direction, a first pivot direction, and a second pivot direction; and as the platform assembly moves in at least one of a forward direction, a reverse direction, a first pivot direction, and a second pivot direction, the inlet opening moves along a path relative to the floor structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A platform assembly for allowing a user to extract fluids from a floor structure, comprising:
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a deck structure defining a surface on which the user stands; a frame structure supporting the deck structure and at least one drive wheel for propelling the platform assembly; an inlet assembly comprising an inlet housing defining a housing chamber, where the inlet housing is supported by the deck structure, an inlet pipe defining a pipe chamber, where the inlet pipe is supported in a fixed position relative to the inlet housing, and an inlet member defining a plurality of inlet openings, where the inlet member is supported in a fixed position relative to the inlet housing;
wherebyan inlet passageway extends through the inlet openings, the housing chamber, and the pipe chamber; and in a use mode, the at least one drive wheel and the inlet member are in contact with the floor structure. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system for extracting invasive liquids from a floor structure, comprising:
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a platform assembly; a handle assembly extending from the platform assembly; a drive system comprising first and second drive wheels supported by the platform assembly, and a control member supported by the handle assembly;
wherebydisplacement of the control member causes the first and second drive wheels to rotate to cause the platform assembly to move in at least one of a forward direction, a reverse direction, a first pivot direction, and a second pivot direction. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A drive system for allowing a user standing on a platform assembly to displace the platform assembly along a floor surface, comprising:
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at least first and second drive wheels supported by the platform assembly such that the first and second drive wheels engage the floor surface; and a joystick arranged such that the user standing on the platform assembly can displace the joystick in one or more of a forward direction, a reverse direction, a first side direction, and a second side direction;
wherebydisplacement of the joystick in the forward direction causes the platform assembly to move in the forward direction; the reverse direction causes the platform assembly to move in the reverse direction; the first side direction causes the platform assembly to move in the first pivot direction; and the second side direction causes the platform assembly to move in the second pivot direction. - View Dependent Claims (17, 20)
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- 18. A system as recited in claim 18, in which the drive system further comprises first and second drive motors, where the control electronics operate first and second drive motors.
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21. A method of applying a vacuum to a floor structure, comprising the steps of:
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providing a vacuum system for creating at least a partial vacuum; providing a platform assembly defining at least one inlet opening directed to a portion of the floor structure, and an outlet opening; and operatively connecting the vacuum hose to the vacuum system and the outlet opening; providing a drive system comprising a control member and first and second drive wheels; operatively connecting the control member and the first and second drive wheels such that displacing the control member causes rotation of the first and second drive wheels; supporting the first and second wheels on the platform assembly and engaging the first and second wheels with the floor structure such that rotation of the first and second drive wheels causes the platform assembly to move in at least one of a forward direction, a reverse direction, a first pivot direction, and a second pivot direction; and displacing the control member such that the platform assembly moves in at least one of a forward direction, a reverse direction, a first pivot direction, and a second pivot direction relative to the floor structure to cause the inlet opening to move along a path relative to the floor structure. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification