Upright carpet extractor

• US 5,761,763 A
• Filed: 03/11/1996
• Issued: 06/09/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 01/14/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Healthy Gain Investments Limited
• Original Assignee: Hoover Company (Whirlpool Corporation)
• Inventors: Frederick, Lynn A., Morgan, Jeffery A., McAllise, Gregg A., Crouser, Darwin S., Bradd, Sidney H., Sindlinger, Fred S.
• Primary Examiner(s): MOORE, CHRISTOPHER K
• Application Number:
  US08/613,354
• Time in Patent Office: 820 Days
• Field of Search: 15/320, 15/353
• US Class Current: 15/320
• 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 11/4061 Steering means; Means for avoiding obstacles; Details related to the place where the driver is accommodated
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4091 Storing or parking devices, arrangements therefor; Means allowing transport of the machine when it is not being used
• 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, hot water carpet cleaning extractor is disclosed. The overall configuration and operation of the extractor is similar to that of a typical upright vacuum cleaner and may be similarly operated in both the forward and reverse direction. The herein taught extractor comprises a base frame including the floor suction nozzle, suction fan, cleaning solution distributor, and a removable combination air/liquid separator and recovery tank. A manipulative push-pull handle is pivotly attached to the base frame having a removable cleaning solution supply tank supported thereon. The herein taught upright extractor is easily stored, self contained, easy to operate and requiring minimal effort by the operator.

Claims

1. A carpet extractor, comprising:

a base having a suction inlet opening;

a handle pivotally connected to said base;

a motor/fan assembly carried by said base operable to create an exhaust air flow;

first and second tanks mutually exclusively carried by said handle and said base, said first tank being a supply tank maintaining a cleaning solution to be applied to a surface to be cleaned, and said second tank being a recovery tank for receiving cleaning solution extracted from said surface through said suction inlet opening; and

a discharge nozzle positioned in a discharge opening in said base for distributing said cleaning solution onto said surface to be cleaned, said discharge opening in fluid communication with said exhaust air flow such that said exhaust air flow at least partially mixes with said cleaning solution as said cleaning solution is being distributed.

2. A carpet extractor according to claim 1, wherein said motor/fan assembly is operable to create a working air flow, said working air flow being in fluid communication with said suction inlet opening such that discharged cleaning solution may be extracted from said surface to be cleaned into said suction inlet opening by said working air flow, said working air flow being in communication with said second tank.

3. A carpet extractor according to claim 2, wherein said second tank comprises separation means for separating said discharged cleaning solution from said working air flow.

4. A carpet extractor according to claim 2, wherein said suction inlet opening and said discharge nozzle are disposed such that the extractor both dispenses and extracts cleaning solution while moving in a forward and a reverse direction.

5. A carpet extractor according to claim 4, wherein said suction inlet opening extends substantially across a front edge portion of said base, said discharge nozzle being disposed rearwardly of said suction inlet opening.

6. A carpet extractor according to claim 2, wherein said working air flow passes through said second tank from said suction inlet opening to said motor/fan assembly.

7. A carpet extractor according to claim 6, wherein said base has a forward portion and a rear portion, said suction inlet opening disposed at said forward portion of said base, at least a portion of said second tank being disposed upon said rear portion;

said second tank being removable from said base.

8. A carpet extractor according to claim 7, further comprising an above-floor cleaning attachment and an insert selectively, removably attached to said second tank for directing said working air flow to said above-floor cleaning attachment.

9. A carpet extractor according to claim 1, wherein said discharge nozzle is in selective fluid communication with said first tank.

10. A carpet extractor according to claim 9, wherein said cleaning solution is conveyed to said discharge nozzle in part by the force of gravity.

11. A carpet extractor according to claim 1, wherein said handle is pivotally connected to said base for movement between a storage position and a movable working position.

12. A carpet extractor according to claim 11, wherein said first and second tanks and said motor/fan assembly are substantially vertically aligned when said handle is in said storage position.

34. A carpet extractor according to claim 1, wherein said first tank is removably attached to said handle and said second tank is removably attached to said base.

13. A carpet extractor, comprising:

a base;

a handle pivotally connected to said base;

a motor/fan assembly carried by said base; and

a first tank carried by and selectively removable from said handle, said first tank having a carrying handle and a latch, said latch operable to selectively hold said first tank on said handle; and

a second tank removably carried by said base.

14. A carpet extractor according to claim 13, wherein said carrying handle is movable between a carrying position and a locking position, said first tank being restrained when said carrying handle is in said locking position.

15. A carpet extractor according to claim 13, further comprising a fluid discharge nozzle in fluid communication with said first tank, said fluid discharge nozzle also being in fluid communication with said motor/fan assembly.

16. A carpet extractor according to claim 15, further comprising a suction nozzle in fluid communication with said second tank and said motor/fan assembly.

17. A carpet extractor according to claim 16, wherein said motor/fan assembly is operable to create a working air flow, said working air flow entering the extractor through said suction nozzle and passing through said second tank before entering said motor/fan assembly.

18. A carpet extractor according to claim 17, wherein said handle is pivotally movable between an operating position and a vertical storage position and wherein said first tank is at least partially overlying said second tank when said handle is in said vertical position.

19. A carpet extractor according to claim 18, wherein at least a portion of said second tank is disposed upon a rear portion of said base.

20. A carpet extractor according to claim 19, further comprising an above-floor cleaning attachment and an insert selectively, removably attached to said second tank for directing said working air flow to said above-floor cleaning attachment.

21. A carpet extractor according to claim 19, wherein said base has a forward portion and a rear portion;

said suction nozzle being disposed at said forward portion of said base.

22. A carpet extractor according to claim 15, wherein said first tank holds cleaning solution, said discharge nozzle is operable to distribute said cleaning solution, said motor fan assembly creates an exhaust air flow, and said exhaust air flow is at least partially mixed with said cleaning solution as said cleaning solution is distributed from said discharge nozzle.

23. A carpet extractor that dispenses cleaning solution onto a surface to be cleaned and simultaneously extracts debris and dispensed solution from the surface to be cleaned, the extractor comprising:

a base having a suction inlet opening;

a handle connected to said base;

a motor/fan assembly carried by said base and operable to create a working air flow, said working air flow in fluid communication with said suction inlet opening;

a supply tank carried by said handle, said supply tank being adapted to hold a supply of cleaning solution; and

a recovery tank carried by said base, said recovery tank being in fluid communication with said working air flow, said working air flow passing through said recovery tank from said suction inlet opening to said motor/fan assembly;

said handle pivotally connected to said base for movement between a storage position and a working position, said supply tank, recovery tank, and motor/fan assembly in substantially vertical alignment when said handle is in said storage position.

24. A carpet extractor according to claim 23, further comprising:

a discharge nozzle in selective fluid communication with said supply tank; and

a suction nozzle in fluid communication with said working air flow.

25. A carpet extractor according to claim 24, wherein said suction nozzle extends substantially across a front edge portion of said base.

26. A carpet extractor according to claim 23, further comprising means in said recovery tank for slowing the velocity of said working air flow through said recovery tank such that fluid separates from said working air flow.

27. A carpet extractor according to claim 23, further comprising a housing receiving said motor/fan assembly, said housing being configured to receive at least a portion of one of said first and second tanks.

35. A carpet extractor according to claim 23, wherein said supply tank is removably attached to said handle and said recovery tank is removably attached to said base.

36. A carpet extractor according to claim 35, wherein said base has a forward portion and a rear portion, at least a portion of said recovery tank being disposed upon said rear portion.

37. A carpet extractor according to claim 35, further comprising an above-floor cleaning attachment and conversion means for directing said working air flow to said above-floor cleaning attachment.

38. A carpet extractor according to claim 37, wherein said conversion means includes an insert removably attached to said recovery tank.

28. A carpet extractor that dispenses cleaning solution onto a surface to be cleaned and simultaneously extracts debris and dispensed solution from the surface to be cleaned, the extractor comprising:

a base having a suction nozzle having a suction inlet opening;

a handle pivotally connected to said base for movement between a substantially vertical storage position and a moveable working position;

a motor/fan assembly operable to create a working air flow and an exhaust air flow, said working air flow being in fluid communication with said suction inlet opening;

a supply tank removably carried by said handle, said supply tank being adapted to hold a supply of cleaning solution;

a recovery tank removably carried by said base, said recovery tank being in fluid communication with said working air flow, said working air flow passing through said recovery tank from said suction inlet opening to said motor/fan assembly;

said supply tank at least partially overlying said recovery tank when said handle is in said storage position;

a discharge nozzle in selective fluid communication with said supply tank;

said suction nozzle in fluid communication with said working air flow;

said suction nozzle and said discharge nozzle disposed such that the extractor selectively dispenses solution and extracts dispensed solution and debris while moving in both forward and reverse directions.

29. A carpet extractor according to claim 28, wherein said discharge nozzle is in fluid communication with said exhaust air flow, and said exhaust air flow at least partially mixes with said cleaning solution from said supply tank as said cleaning solution is distributed.

30. A carpet extractor according to claim 28, further comprising an above-floor cleaning attachment and conversion means for directing said working air flow to said above-floor cleaning attachment.

31. A carpet extractor according to claim 30, wherein said conversion means includes an insert removably attached to said recovery tank.

32. A carpet extractor according to claim 31, wherein said base has a forward portion and a rear portion, said suction inlet opening disposed at said forward portion of said base.

33. A carpet extractor according to claim 32, wherein said recovery tank is disposed between said forward portion and said rear portion.

39. A carpet extractor, comprising:

a base;

a handle pivotally connected to said base;

a motor/fan assembly carried by said base and operable to create a working air flow;

a supply tank carried by said handle, said supply tank being adapted to hold a supply of cleaning solution;

a recovery tank carried by said base, said recovery tank being in fluid communication with said working air flow;

a discharge nozzle in selective fluid communication with said supply tank;

said discharge nozzle being in fluid communication with said motor/fan assembly; and

a suction nozzle in fluid communication with said working air flow.

40. A carpet extractor according to claim 39, wherein said supply tank is removably attached to said handle and said recovery tank is removably attached to said base.

41. A carpet extractor according to claim 40, wherein said base has a forward portion and a rear portion, at least a portion of said recovery tank being disposed upon said rear portion.

42. A carpet extractor according to claim 39, further comprising an above-floor cleaning attachment and a converter which directs said working air flow to said above-floor cleaning attachment.

43. A carpet extractor according to claim 42, wherein said converter includes an insert removably attached to said recovery tank.

44. A carpet extractor according to claim 39, wherein said suction nozzle is carried by said base, said working air flow enters the extractor through said suction nozzle and passes through said recovery tank before entering said motor/fan assembly.

45. A carpet extractor according to claim 44, wherein said base has a forward portion and a rear portion;

said suction nozzle being disposed at said forward portion of said base, at least a portion of said recovery tank being disposed upon said rear portion.