Cleaning tool

• US 6,418,587 B1
• Filed: 05/05/2000
• Issued: 07/16/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Rug Doctor
• Original Assignee: Rug Doctor
• Inventors: Stephan, Frank, Kennedy, William B., Kent, Roger, Maddox, Rodney D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Till, Terrence R.
• Application Number:
  US09/565,221
• Time in Patent Office: 802 Days
• Field of Search: 152/201, 152/441, 152/442, 153/21, 153/22, 154/16, 154/17
• US Class Current: 15/322
• 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 11/4044 Vacuuming or pick-up tools; Squeegees
• 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 9/06 with fixed, e.g. adjustably fixed brushes or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0673 with removable brushes, combs, lips or pads

Abstract

The invention is a cleaning tool housing assembly and a replaceable cleaning assembly. The manifold, in combination with a fluid intake element, also delivers fluid (under pressure through holes in the manifold located in a longitudinal channel) to a sponge. Two spaced apart fluid barriers are longitudinally disposed in the sponge. As fluid is introduced into the center of the sponge, between the fluid barriers, the fluid travels toward the opposite surface of the sponge. The fluid is prevented from traveling laterally due to the fluid barriers. As vacuum pressure, negative pressure, is exerted on the outer portions of the sponge (on each side of the fluid barriers), fluid is pulled back through the sponge, through the manifold and through the nozzles into the hollow housing body.

Claims

1. A cleaning tool comprising:

a cleaning tool housing assembly having a body which is hollow, a first nozzle connected to said body, a second nozzle connected to said body, a manifold body provided with first and second longitudinal openings and holes, a fluid intake element connected to said manifold body in communication with said holes, and a gasket connected to said manifold body, said gasket having fluid intake openings and fluid delivery openings;

wherein said first nozzle is provided with an opening in communication both with said hollow of said body and said first longitudinal opening of said manifold body, said second nozzle is provided with an opening in communication both with said hollow of said body and said second longitudinal opening of said manifold body;

a cleaning tool assembly connected to said cleaning tool housing, said cleaning tool assembly having a backing plate defining at least one fluid delivery opening and defining at least two fluid suction openings, said cleaning tool assembly further having a sponge fixed to said backing plate, and having first and second fluid barriers each disposed longitudinally within said sponge, and each extending from one surface of said sponge towards another surface;

wherein fluid may be delivered through said fluid intake element through said holes of said manifold, through said fluid delivery openings of said gasket, through said fluid delivery openings of said backing plate, and through said sponge between said first and second fluid barriers;

and wherein said fluid may flow around said first and second fluid barriers, through said fluid suction openings of said backing plate, through said fluid suction openings of said gasket, through said longitudinal openings of said manifold, through said openings of said first and second nozzles, and into said hollow of said body.

2. A cleaning tool according to claim 1, wherein each of said fluid barriers comprise a rectangular plastic segment.

3. A cleaning tool according to claim 1 wherein each of said fluid barriers comprise an epoxy material.

4. A cleaning tool element comprising:

a sponge having a rectangular top surface, a rectangular bottom surface, a first side disposed between said rectangular top surface and said rectangular bottom surface, a second side disposed between said rectangular top surface and said rectangular bottom surface, a first end, and a second end;

a first fluid barrier disposed longitudinally in said sponge extending from said top surface towards and spaced from said bottom surface; and

a second fluid barrier disposed longitudinally in said sponge spaced apart from said first fluid barrier, extending from said top surface towards and spaced from said bottom surface;

a first moisture barrier disposed on said first end of said sponge; and

a second moisture barrier disposed on said second end of said sponge.

5. A cleaning element according to claim 4, wherein said first moisture barrier comprises closed cell rubber.

6. A cleaning element according to claim 4, wherein said first moisture barrier comprises a sealing tape.

7. A cleaning element according to claim 4, wherein said first moisture barrier comprises an epoxy.

8. A cleaning element comprising:

a sponge having a trapezoidal cross section, a rectangular top surface, a rectangular bottom surface, a first angled side disposed between said rectangular top surface and said rectangular bottom surface, a second angled side disposed between said rectangular top surface and said rectangular bottom surface, a first end, and a second end;

a first slit disposed longitudinally along said top surface extending from said top surface towards and spaced from said bottom surface;

a second slit disposed longitudinally along said top surface and spaced from said first slit, said second slit extending from said top surface towards and spaced from said bottom surface.

9. A cleaning element according to claim 8, further comprising:

a first fluid barrier disposed in said first slit; and

a second fluid barrier disposed in said second slit.

10. A cleaning element comprising:

a sponge having a trapezoidal cross section, a rectangular top surface, a rectangular bottom surface, a first angled side disposed between said rectangular top surface and said rectangular bottom surface, a second angled side disposed between said rectangular top surface and said rectangular bottom surface, a first end, and a second end;

a first moisture barrier disposed on said first end of said sponge; and

a second moisture barrier disposed on said second end of said sponge.

11. A cleaning element according to claim 10, wherein said first moisture barrier comprises closed cell rubber.

12. A cleaning element according to claim 10, wherein said first moisture barrier comprises a sealing tape.

13. A cleaning element according to claim 10, wherein said first moisture barrier comprises an epoxy.

14. A cleaning tool housing comprising:

a hollow housing body;

a first nozzle having a first end and a second end with an opening extending from said first end to said second end, said second end of said first nozzle being connected to said housing body so that said opening of said first nozzle communicates with the interior of said housing body;

a second nozzle having a first end and a second end with an opening extending from said first end to said second end, said second end of said second nozzle being connected to said housing body so that said opening of said second nozzle communicates with the interior of said housing body; and

a manifold connected to said first end of said first nozzle and connected to said first end of said second nozzle, said manifold having a plurality of longitudinal openings;

wherein the area of said opening at the second end of said first nozzle is smaller than the area of said opening at the first end of said first nozzle;

wherein the area of said opening at the second end of said second nozzle is smaller than the area of said opening at the first end of said second nozzle;

wherein one of said longitudinal openings of said manifold communicates with said opening of said first nozzle; and

wherein one of said longitudinal openings of said manifold communicates with said opening of said second nozzle.

15. A cleaning tool housing according to claim 14, further comprising:

a fluid intake element attached to said manifold;

said manifold having a longitudinal channel, and having at least one hole in said longitudinal channel;

wherein said fluid intake element is disposed above said longitudinal channel of said manifold.