Convertible wet/dry cleaning system

• US 6,279,198 B1
• Filed: 02/18/1999
• Issued: 08/28/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Emerson Electric Company
• Original Assignee: Emerson Electric Company
• Inventors: Young, Jeffrey L., Martin, Michael F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Warden, Sr., Robert J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Snider, Theresa T.
• Application Number:
  US09/252,382
• Time in Patent Office: 922 Days
• Field of Search: 154/00, 154/01, 154/14, 154/151, 153/93, 153/65, 153/67
• US Class Current: 15/393
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/06 with fixed, e.g. adjustably fixed brushes or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0613 with means specially adapted for picking up threads, hair or the like, e.g. brushes, combs, lint pickers or bristles pads
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0673 with removable brushes, combs, lips or pads

Abstract

A multi-use floor tool, with which the same nozzle can be used in both dry and wet vacuum operation, and which allows for both wet and dry cleaning attachments to be easily attached and removed is disclosed. One such cleaning attachment for dry operation is a bristle brush which, when attached to the nozzle, is able to rotate, such that debris is collected with both the push and pull cleaning motions and such that for each motion, air flows primarily through the side of the nozzle at which debris is being gathered. The attachment for wet operation is a squeegee, which is rigidly attached to the nozzle having an insert which reduces the area of air flow into the nozzle and thereby increases the effectiveness of wet cleaning. This design increases the effectiveness of both wet and dry operation, and allows the operator to effectively clean in both wet and dry conditions while using the same nozzle.

Claims

1. A cleaning system comprising:

a brush attachment comprising a brush head and a brush body attached to the brush head;

a squeegee attachment comprising a squeegee head and a squeegee body attached to the squeegee head;

a nozzle housing having a first end adapted to be coupled to a vacuum device and a second end, the nozzle housing defining an air flow passage and having a plurality of extensions affixed inside of said housing along the nozzle housing'"'"'s longitudinal center proximate the second end, the extensions interchangeably receiving one of the brush attachment such that at least a portion of the brush body extends from the second end for dry cleaning operations, or the squeegee attachment such that at least a portion of the squeegee body extends from the second end for wet cleaning operations; and

a nozzle insert having an opening extending therethrough, the nozzle insert being removably attached to the second end of the nozzle housing such that the squeegee body extends through the opening.

2. A cleaning system comprising:

a brush attachment;

a squeegee attachment;

a nozzle housing having a first end adapted to be coupled to a vacuum device and a second end having a connector therein to interchangeably receive one of the brush attachment for dry cleaning operations or the squeegee attachment for wet cleaning operations; and

a nozzle insert defining an opening extending therethrough, the nozzle insert being removably attachable to the second end of the nozzle housing and being substantially the same shape as the second end of the nozzle housing to be received thereby, and wherein the opening is shaped such that the squeegee body extends perpendicularly through the opening when the squeegee attachment and the nozzle insert are connected to the second end.

3. The cleaning system of claim 2, wherein the second end of the nozzle insert includes a plurality of tabs therein, and wherein the nozzle housing includes a plurality of corresponding recesses that engage the tabs to attach the nozzle it to the second end of the nozzle housing.