Wet mop and vacuum assembly

• US 6,101,671 A
• Filed: 01/09/1999
• Issued: 08/15/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Royal Appliance Manufacturing Company (Techtronic Industries Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: Royal Appliance Manufacturing Company (Techtronic Industries Company Limited)
• Inventors: Lazzara, Joseph, Shimko, David J., Dieterich, Gary J., Kalman, Jeffrey M., Cipolla, Mark, Saunders, Craig M., Zahuranec, Terry L., Farone, Richard C., Wright, Michael F., Shumaker, Laurie M., Specht, Glenn E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Moore, Chris K.
• Application Number:
  US09/226,897
• Time in Patent Office: 584 Days
• Field of Search: 15/118, 15/119.2, 15/121, 15/320, 15/365, 15/373
• US Class Current: 15/365
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/03 characterised by having provisions for supplying cleaning or polishing agents A47L11/065, A47L11/085, A47L11/125, A47L11/145, A47L11/161, A47L11/1625, A47L11/185, A47L11/201 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/30 by suction
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4008 Arrangements of switches, indicators or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4044 Vacuuming or pick-up tools; Squeegees
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 13/12 Implements with several different treating devices
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 13/144 having squeezing rollers
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 13/22 with liquid-feeding devices
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 13/26 Other cleaning devices with liquid supply arrangements such arrangements on floor-polishing machines A47L11/00, on scrapers A47L13/03, on mops A47L13/22; cloths, pads, or the like containing cleaning agents A47L13/17, A47L13/19
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/24 Hand-supported suction cleaners
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/009 Carrying-vehicles; Arrangements of trollies or wheels; Means for avoiding mechanical obstacles

Abstract

The present invention relates to a suction cleaning device which provides liquid dispensing, scrubbing, squeegeeing, and suction drying in a single, compact, self contained device. The suction cleaning device includes a cleaning device housing, a handle connected to the housing, an absorbent cleaning member mounted on the housing and movable between an extended and a retracted position, and a pair of squeegee blades. The squeegee blades are mounted in a squeegee tray, and at least one of the squeegee blades is movable between an extended and a retracted position in response to changes in the relative angle between the housing and the surface being cleaned. The movable squeegee blade is spring-biased into the extended position by one or more springs such as leaf springs. The device includes a suction system which draws the water from the floor surface which has been cleaned into a tank mounted on the housing which collects the liquid from the floor surface. A clean water bottle is provided on the housing for delivering cleaning liquid to the floor and an AC power source provides power to the suction motor. The cleaning device is compact and lightweight and leaves the floor in a substantially dry state.

Claims

1. A suction cleaning device for surfaces comprising:

a cleaning device housing;

a handle extending from the housing;

a cleaning member mounted on the housing and movable between an extended position for cleaning a surface and a retracted position, the cleaning member comprising a sponge which absorbs liquid in its extended position and wherein movement of the sponge from the extended position to the retracted position wrings liquid out of the sponge;

a suction system for removing contaminated liquid from the surface;

a tank mounted on the housing for collecting the contaminated liquid removed from the surface; and

,

a power source for supplying electrical power to the suction system.

2. The suction cleaning device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the sponge is supported between two rollers which operate to wring liquid out of the sponge as it is moved to the retracted position.

3. The suction cleaning device as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a lever member mounted on the handle for moving the cleaning member from the extended position to the retracted position.

4. The suction cleaning device as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a switch which turns the suction system on when the cleaning member moves from the extended position to the retracted position and turns the suction system off when the cleaning member moves from the retracted position to the extended position.