Vacuum cleaner method

• US 5,836,045 A
• Filed: 05/27/1997
• Issued: 11/17/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: American National Bank And Trust Company Of Chicago
• Original Assignee: Breuer Electric Mfg., Co.
• Inventors: Anthony, Philip M., Hand, James C., Pacchini, David
• Primary Examiner(s): MOORE, CHRISTOPHER K
• Application Number:
  US08/863,808
• Time in Patent Office: 539 Days
• Field of Search: 15/320, 15/353
• US Class Current: 15/320
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/30 by suction
• 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 11/4008 Arrangements of switches, indicators or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4016 specially adapted for collecting fluids
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4041 Roll shaped surface treating tools
• 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

Disclosed is a wet/dry carpet cleaner having a large tank assembly for fluids. A bladder containing fresh or cleaning water is positioned in the large tank. Nozzles for dispensing the cleaning water to a brush, a vacuum nozzle for vacuuming and returning soiled fluid to the recovery tank portion of the tank assembly is also provided. The present invention includes the method of securing a brush head assembly pivotably to the chassis assembly and includes the driving motor, rotating brush, and spray mechanism. The pivotal securement results in the weight of the brush head assembly applying a constant force on the brush throughout the entire cleaning cycle, independent of the amount of fluid contained in the recovery tank or the bladder. Also, the method is addressed to configuring and proportioning the bladder to insure a relatively constant load on the nozzle. By balancing the nozzle loading and, therefore, the downward pressure per square inch on the nozzle throughout the cycle compensation results for fluid loss or fluid re-distribution. With the brush loading remaining constant throughout the cycle, consistency is maintained during the entire period while the carpet is being cleaned.

Claims

1. The method of forming a carpet cleaner having a tank assembly, including an outer reservoir tank, and an inner flexible bladder, means for rollingly supporting the carpet cleaner, and a brush assembly secured to the housing for driving an agitator, which agitator is in operative contact with the carpet,

the step of proportioning the tank and the cleaning fluid container and precisely positioning the tank and container with respect to each other so that the combined center of gravity of the fresh solution and soiled solution migrate forwardly toward the nozzle as the solution is depleted from the cleaner,

whereby a relatively constant loading is placed upon the agitator, and a relatively constant loading upon the vacuum nozzle, all to the end that there is a consistency in carpet cleansing throughout the entire cycle form the beginning when the cleaning fluid container has an initial amount of fluid, until the end of the cycle when the cleaning fluid container is substantially exhausted of its cleaning fluid.

2. The method of forming a carpet cleaner having a tank assembly, means for rollingly supporting the carpet cleaner, a tank in the cleaner for receiving recovery fluid, a cleaning fluid container within the tank for holding fresh fluid, and a brush assembly which is pivotally secured to the housing for driving an agitator which agitator is positionable to contact the carpet,

the step of proportioning the tank and the cleaning fluid container and precisely positioning the tank and container with respect to each other so that the combined center of gravity of the fresh solution and soiled solution migrate forwardly toward the nozzle as the solution is depleted from the cleaner,

whereby a relatively constant loading is place upon the vacuum nozzle, all to the end that there is a consistency in carpet cleansing throughout the entire cycle from the beginning when the cleaning fluid container has an initial amount of fluid, until the end of the cycle when the cleaning fluid container is substantially exhausted of its cleaning fluid.