Upright carpet and upholstery extractor

• US 5,493,752 A
• Filed: 01/14/1994
• Issued: 02/27/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 01/14/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Healthy Gain Investments Limited
• Original Assignee: Hoover Company (Whirlpool Corporation)
• Inventors: Morgan, Jeffery A., McAllise, Gregg A., Crouser, Darwin S., Sindlinger, Fred S.
• Primary Examiner(s): MOORE, CHRISTOPHER K
• Application Number:
  US08/182,723
• Time in Patent Office: 774 Days
• Field of Search: 15/320, 15/321, 15/322, 15/331, 15/334, 15/387
• US Class Current: 15/321
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/20 combined with vacuum cleaning devices
• 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 11/4055 for lifting the tools to a non-working position
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4061 Steering means; Means for avoiding obstacles; Details related to the place where the driver is accommodated
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4088 Supply pumps; Spraying devices; Supply conduits
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/32 with means for connecting a hose hose couplings for suction cleaners A47L9/24
• 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

A novel upright carpet cleaning extractor is disclosed which may be conveniently converted from the floor cleaning mode to the upholstery and/or stair cleaning mode. The overall configuration and operation of the extractor is similar to that of a typical upright vacuum cleaner and may be operated in the forward or reverse direction similar to a typical upright vacuum cleaner. When in the floor cleaning mode, cleaning solution is supplied to a solution distributor by gravity flow. However, when converted to the upholstery cleaning mode an auxiliary, air turbine driven cleaning solution pump is automatically energized for supplying pressurized cleaning solution to an upholstery or stair cleaning nozzle.

Claims

1. In an upright carpet extractor having means for applying cleaning solution to a floor surface and vacuuming said solution from said floor surface, the improvement comprising:

means for converting said extractor from the floor cleaning mode to an upholstery cleaning mode, said conversion means including a solution supply pump for supplying cleaning solution to an associated upholstery cleaning accessory, said conversion means including means for activating said pump only when said extractor is operated in the upholstery cleaning mode.

22. The carpet extractor as claimed in claim 1 wherein said solution supply pump comprises an air turbine driven pump.

2. A carpet extractor comprising:

a) a main body, said main body including cleaning solution distribution means for applying cleaning solution to a floor surface, a suction nozzle, suction means fluidly communicating with said suction nozzle for drawing working air with entrained cleaning solution and other debris into said nozzle, fluid recovery means interposed between said suction nozzle and said suction means for separating and storing said cleaning solution and other debris from said working air,

b) conversion means for converting said extractor from the floor cleaning mode to above the floor cleaning mode said conversion means including a combined hand held suction nozzle and cleaning solution distribution means,

c) a cleaning solution pump for supplying, under pressure, cleaning solution to said hand held distribution means, an air turbine drivingly connected to said pump, said air turbine fluidly communicating with said suction means whereby ambient air is drawn through said turbine thereby driving said cleaning solution pump, and

d) means for selectively opening or closing the air inlet port of said air turbine whereby said air turbine and said solution pump may be energized at will.

3. The carpet extractor as claimed in claim 2 wherein the fluid discharge pressure of said solution pump is at least 4 psia.

4. The carpet extractor as claimed in claim 2 wherein said carder extractor includes manipulative handle means pivotally connected to said main body for moving said main body over the floor surface.

5. The carpet extractor as claimed in claim 4 wherein said handle means includes a cleaning solution supply tank means attached thereto for supplying cleaning solution to said cleaning solution distribution means and said cleaning solution pump.

6. The carpet extractor as claimed in claim 5 wherein said cleaning solution supply tank means is removable.

7. The carpet extractor as claimed in claim 2 wherein said conversion means includes insertable duct means for placement between said floor suction nozzle and said fluid recovery means whereby said working air is exclusively drawn through said hand held suction nozzle.

8. The cleaner as claimed in claim 7 wherein said insertable duct means comprises a removable and interchangeable portion of said recovery tank.

9. The carpet extractor as claimed in claim 2 wherein said conversion means includes a quick disconnect fluid coupling fluidly communicating with said cleaning solution pump for conveying pressurized cleaning solution to said hand held suction nozzle.

24. The carpet extractor as claimed in claim 2 wherein said means for activating said pump comprises a valve for selectively interrupting the flow of air into said air turbine.

25. The carpet extractor as claimed in claim 24 wherein said valve comprises a trap door valve for selectively opening or closing the inlet air port of said air turbine.

10. A convertible carpet and upholstery cleaner having a floor cleaning mode and a converted upholstery cleaning mode comprising:

a) a base frame, said base frame including vacuum producing means, cleaning solution distribution means for applying cleaning solution upon a floor surface being cleaned, and a floor vacuuming nozzle means for removing at least a portion of said cleaning solution from said floor surface;

b) a cleaning solution recovery tank removably supported upon said base frame, conduit means between said floor nozzle means and said recovery tank for fluid communication therebetween, conversion means for converting said cleaner from the floor cleaning mode to said upholstery cleaning mode;

c) fluid separation means, associated with said recovery tank whereby liquid and debris carried by said working air is separated from said working air and collected in said recovery tank;

d) upright handle means pivotally connected to said base frame whereby the base frame may be manually manipulated in a forward and reverse directions, said handle means including a cleaning solution supply tank removably supported thereupon;

e) cleaning solution supply means whereby cleaning solution may be selectively conveyed from said supply tank to said floor cleaning solution distribution means;

f) auxiliary pump means for alternatively supplying cleaning solution to said upholstery cleaning apparatus;

g) conduit means fluidly communicating between said supply tank and the inlet port of said pump means whereby cleaning solution may be withdrawn from said supply tank.

11. The cleaner as claimed in claim 10 wherein said auxiliary pump means is affixed to said base frame.

12. The cleaner as claimed in claim 10 wherein said auxiliary pump is selectively powered by an air turbine whereby said air turbine fluidly communicates with the suction inlet of said vacuum producing means thereby causing a flow of air through said air turbine.

13. The cleaner as claimed in claim 12 wherein the inlet port of said air turbine communicates directly with the atmosphere.

14. The cleaner as claimed in claim 12 including valve means for selectively interrupting the flow of air through said air turbine,

15. The cleaner as claimed in claim 14 wherein said valve means comprises a trap door valve.

16. The cleaner as claimed in claim 12 wherein said solution supply pump includes discharge valve means whereby the flow of cleaning solution therefrom may be selectively interrupted.

23. The carpet and upholstery cleaner as claimed in claim 10 wherein said conduit means includes insertable duct means for placement between said suction nozzle and said fluid recovery means for converting from the floor cleaning mode to the upholstery cleaning mode.

17. In a carpet extractor having means for applying cleaning solution to a floor surface and vacuuming said solution from said floor surface, the improvement comprising:

means for converting said extractor from the floor cleaning mode to an upholstery cleaning mode;

said conversion means including solution supply pump means for supplying cleaning solution to an associated upholstery cleaning accessory;

said pump means including means for activating said pump means when said extractor is converted to the upholstery cleaning mode.

18. The carpet extractor ms claimed in claim 17 wherein said solution supply pump means is powered by an air turbine.

19. The carpet extractor as claimed in claim 18 wherein said means for activating said pump means includes valve means whereby the flow of air into said air turbine'"'"'s intake port may be selectively interrupted.

20. The extractor as claimed in claim 19 wherein said valve means comprises a trap door valve.

21. The carpet extractor as claimed in claim 18 wherein the air intake port of said air turbine fluidly communicates directly with the atmosphere whereby clean dirt free air is drawn therein.

26. In a vacuum cleaner usable as an extractor, wherein said vacuum cleaner includes a vacuum producing source, means for separating and recovering liquid from vacuumed air, nozzle means for vacuuming the surface to be cleaned, a flexible hose fluidly connecting said nozzle means with said liquid recovery means, a cleaning solution supply tank, an applicator for applying cleaning solution to the surface being cleaned, an air turbine, a cleaning solution supply pump, drivingly connected to said air turbine, said air turbine having an intake port and a discharge port said discharge port fluidly communicating with said vacuum source whereby air may be drawn into said intake port and through said air turbine, a cleaning solution supply tube fluidly connecting said cleaning solution supply pump and said cleaning solution applicator, the improvement comprising a housing containing therein at least the said air turbine driven solution supply pump, an opening in said housing having a hinged door whereby said opening may be selectively opened or closed, said air turbine intake port aligned with said opening such that air may enter said intake port through said opening, sealing means between said door and said intake port whereby said door, when in the closed position, prevents the flow of air into said turbine intake port thereby de-energizing said air turbine.

27. The apparatus as claimed in claim 26 wherein said cleaning solution supply tube includes a quick disconnect coupling for connecting said supply tube to said solution supply pump.

28. The apparatus as claimed in claim 27 wherein said quick disconnect coupling comprises first and second coupling element, said first element juxtaposed to said air turbine inlet port such that said first element is exposed for coupling to said second element when said door is in the open position.