Device for enhancing removal of liquid from fabric

• US 6,266,892 B1
• Filed: 07/17/2000
• Issued: 07/31/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Harris Research, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Concept Cleaning Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Haynie, Dan
• Primary Examiner(s): WILSON, PAMELA ANNE
• Application Number:
  US09/617,376
• Time in Patent Office: 379 Days
• Field of Search: 344/43, 344/44, 344/48, 34/84, 34/85, 346/18, 346/23, 346/33, 346/35, 346/38, 342/29, 34/92
• US Class Current: 34/84
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 7/0009 with means mounted on the nozzle; nozzles specially adapted for the recovery of liquid
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 7/0042 Gaskets; Sealing means
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/02 Nozzles suction nozzles for fluid transport B65G51/00
• CPC Class Codes: F26B 5/12 by suction

Abstract

A device for enhancing removal of liquid from fabric, such as a vacuum head device for removing liquid from carpet, includes an elongated base plate to be moved across the carpet. The vacuum head has a tapering cross section with a wider upper end and a narrower lower end configured to penetrate into the carpeted surface. In addition, a plurality of apertures are formed in an array in the base plate to withdraw the fluid under a vacuum force. Preferably, the plurality of apertures are sized larger than a width of the lower surface to create a plurality of protrusions extending from the base plate configured to penetrate the carpeted surface.

Claims

1. A vacuum head device configured to withdraw a fluid from a carpeted surface, the device comprising:

a) an elongated base plate configured to be movably disposed on the carpeted surface, and having a tapering cross section with a wider upper end and a narrower lower end configured to penetrate into the carpeted surface; and

b) a plurality of apertures, formed in an array in the base plate, configured to withdraw the fluid under a vacuum force.

2. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the base plate has a lower surface;

and wherein the plurality of apertures are formed at the lower end, and sized larger than a width of the lower surface, creating a plurality of protrusions extending from the base plate configured to penetrate the carpeted surface.

3. A device in accordance with claim 2, wherein the protrusions have a total surface area between the apertures less than a total area of the apertures.

4. A device in accordance with claim 2, wherein each of the protrusions have a width between the apertures less than a width of the apertures.

5. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the cross section of the base plate is V-shaped, and the lower end is rounded.

6. A device in accordance with claim 5, wherein the plurality of apertures are disposed at a bottom of the V-shaped cross section.

7. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the base plate includes a forward surface;

and further comprising;

at least one channel, formed in the lower end of the base plate and extending from the forward surface to the at least one aperture.

8. A vacuum head device configured to withdraw a fluid from a carpeted surface, the device comprising:

a) an elongated base plate configured to be movably disposed on the carpeted surface; and

b) a plurality of apertures, formed in an array in the base plate, configured to withdraw the fluid under a vacuum force.

9. A device in accordance with claim 8, wherein the base plate has a tapering cross section with a wider upper end and a narrower lower end configured to penetrate into the carpeted surface.

10. A device in accordance with claim 9, wherein the cross section of the base plate is V-shaped, and the lower end is rounded.

11. A device in accordance with claim 10, wherein the plurality of apertures are disposed at a bottom of the V-shaped cross section.

12. A device in accordance with claim 9, wherein the base plate has a lower surface;

and wherein the plurality of apertures are formed at the lower end, and sized larger than a width of the lower surface, creating a plurality of protrusions extending from the base plate configured to penetrate the carpeted surface.

13. A device in accordance with claim 12, wherein the protrusions have a total surface area between the apertures less than a total area of the apertures.

14. A device in accordance with claim 12, wherein each of the protrusions have a width between the apertures less than a width of the apertures.

15. A device in accordance with claim 8, wherein the base plate includes a forward surface;

and further comprising;

a plurality of channels, formed in the lower end of the base plate and each extending from the forward surface to one of the plurality of apertures.

16. A vacuum head device configured to withdraw a fluid from a carpeted surface, the device comprising:

a) an elongated base plate configured to be movably disposed on the carpeted surface, and having a tapering cross section with a wider upper end and a narrower lower end configured to penetrate into the carpeted surface; and

b) a plurality of apertures, formed in an array in the base plate, configured to withdraw the fluid under a vacuum force.

17. A device in accordance with claim 16, wherein the plurality of apertures are formed at the lower end.

18. A device in accordance with claim 16, wherein the base plate has a lower surface;

and wherein the plurality of apertures are formed at the lower end, and sized larger than a width of the lower surface, creating a plurality of protrusions extending from the base plate configured to penetrate the carpeted surface.

19. A device in accordance with claim 18, wherein the protrusions have a total surface area between the apertures less than a total area of the apertures.

20. A device in accordance with claim 18, wherein each of the protrusions have a width between the apertures less than a width of the apertures.

21. A device in accordance with claim 16, wherein the cross section of the base plate is V-shaped, and the lower end is rounded.

22. A device in accordance with claim 21, wherein the plurality of apertures are disposed at a bottom of the V-shaped cross section.

23. A device in accordance with claim 16, wherein the base plate includes a forward surface;

and further comprising;

a plurality of channels, formed in the lower end of the base plate and each extending from the forward surface to one of the plurality of apertures.