PORTABLE VACUUM CARPET AND UPHOLSTERY CLEANING APPARATUS

• US 3,774,262 A
• Filed: 01/10/1972
• Issued: 11/27/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: James G. Colt, Peter C. Anthony, Solon Fournarakis
• Original Assignee: James G. Colt, Peter C. Anthony, Solon Fournarakis
• Inventors: Colt, James G., Anthony, Peter C., Fournarakis, Solon
• Primary Examiner(s): Hornsby, Harvey C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Moore, C. K.
• Application Number:
  US05/216,614
• Time in Patent Office: 687 Days
• Field of Search: 15/321,322,345,346,320
• US Class Current: 15/322
• 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 11/4044 Vacuuming or pick-up tools; Squeegees
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4088 Supply pumps; Spraying devices; Supply conduits

Abstract

Apparatus for cleaning carpets, upholstery and the like comprising a separate reservoir system for supplying under pressure to a remote cleaning head a heated cleaning solution and a separate vacuum pick-up system for picking up via the cleaning head and storing cleaning solution applied to a carpet or the like. The reservoir system includes means to continuously heat the cleaning solution in the reservoir and a fluid pump and an air pump driven by an electric motor. The vacuum system includes a vacuum pump which is driven by a second electric motor on an electrical circuit separate and distinct from that of the motor in the reservoir system. Both motors are of a size and design that they may be separately started up and operated at full load on separate residential electrical circuits without blowing the fuses for these circuits. The vacuum system may also include means for directing the heated air exhausted from the vacuum pump onto the material being cleaned to facilitate drying.

Claims

1. In a cleaning head for use with ancillary equipment including a vacuum source, a source of liquid under pressure, and a source of air under pressure, the combination comprising:

a. means defining a suction chamber having a suction port adapted to be coupled to said vacuum source and an elongated narrow suction nozzle adapted to be maintained in contact with a surface of a material to be cleaned;

b. cleaning fluid dispensing means including a plurality of first outlet nozzles disposed in spaced relation to said suction chamber, said first outlet nozzles being adapted to discharge cleaning fluid to impinge on said surface in at least a first elongated narrow region adjacent said suction nozzle, said cleaning fluid dispensing means further including first and second manifolds spaced one from another, each said manifold having a plurality of first outlet nozzles, the outlet nozzles of each said manifold being arranged and adapted to discharge cleaning fluid to impinge on said surface in elongated narrow regions substantially spaced one from another; and

c. air dispensing means including a plurality of second outlet nozzles disposed in spaced relation to said fluid dispensing means, said second outlet nozzles being adapted to discharge air to impinge on said surface adjacent said first region and said air dispensing means includes a third manifold, said second outlet nozzles being carried on said third manifold, and said third manifold being disposed intermediate said first and second manifolds.

2. The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein at least one of said first and second manifolds is adjustably supported whereby the direction of impingement of said cleaning fluid on said surface may be varied.

3. In a cleaning head for use with ancillary equipment including a vacuum source, a source of liquid under pressure, and a source of air under pressure, the combination comprising:

a. means defining a suction chamber having a suction port adapted to be coupled to said vacuum source and an elongated narrow suction nozzle adapted to be maintained in contact with a surface of a material to be cleaned;

b. cleaning fluid dispensing means including a plurality of first outlet nozzles disposed in spaced relation to said suction chamber, sid first outlet nozzles being adapted to discharge cleaning fluid to impinge on said surface in at least a first elongated narrow region adjacent said suction nozzle; and

c. air dispensing means including a plurality of second outlet nozzles disposed in spaced relation to said fluid dispensing means, said second outlet nozzles being adapted to discharge air to impinge on said surface adjacent said first region, at least one of said first and second manifolds being adjustably supported whereby the direction of impingement of said cleaning fluid on said surface may be varied.

4. The combination as defined in claim 3 wherein said air dispensing means is movably supported whereby the direction of impingement of said air on said surface is substantially freely variable as said cleaning head is moved along said surface.