Lift off tank handle latch

• US 7,657,964 B2
• Filed: 12/10/2004
• Issued: 02/09/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited (Techtronic Industries Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited (Techtronic Industries Company Limited)
• Inventors: Parr, Richard S., O'Neal, David L., Durbin, Michael A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Thomas; David B
• Application Number:
  US11/009,311
• Publication Number:
  US 20060123583A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,887 Days
• Field of Search: 153/20, 153/22, 153/28, 153/38, 154/14, 153/53
• US Class Current: 15/320
• 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 11/4083 Liquid supply reservoirs; Preparation of the agents, e.g. mixing devices

Abstract

A cleaning apparatus for cleaning a surface includes a base portion for movement along a surface and a handle pivotally connected to the base portion. Additionally the apparatus includes a solution tank, a recovery tank, both removable mounted to a handle, and a suction source. The solution tank supplies a flow of cleaning solution and the recovery tank receives dirt and liquid thorough fluid communication with the base portion and a suction nozzle secured to the base portion and in fluid communication with the suction source to generate the suction. The solution tank has a fixedly secured carrying handle and the apparatus further includes a latch pivotally connected to the tank carrying handle and releasably connected to the handle for releasably latching the solution tank to the handle. Simultaneously grasping the latch and the tank carrying handle unlatches the solution tank from the handle.

Claims

1. An upright cleaning apparatus, comprising:

a base portion for movement along a surface;

a handle pivotally connected to said base portion;

a solution tank for supplying a flow of cleaning solution to the surface, said solution tank removably mounted to said handle;

a recovery tank removably mounted one of said handle and said base portion;

a suction nozzle secured to said base portion and in fluid communication with said recovery tank;

a suction source in fluid communication with said suction nozzle for generating suction to draw dirt and liquid through said suction nozzle and into said recovery tank;

a tank carrying handle fixedly secured to said solution tank; and

a latch pivotally connected to said tank carrying handle and releasably connected to said handle pivotally connected to said base for releasably latching said solution tank to said pivotally connected handle, wherein simultaneously grasping said latch and said tank carrying handle unlatches said solution tank from said pivotally connected handle; and

a cup removably mounted in a recess defined in said handle.

2. An upright cleaning apparatus, comprising:

a housing having a recess defined therein;

a cup removably mounted in the recess;

a suction nozzle operatively secured to said housing;

a suction source in fluid communication with said suction nozzle for generating suction to draw dirt and liquid through said suction nozzle;

a solution tank operatively attached to the housing to provide cleaning solution to a floor surface and having a handle portion defined thereon;

a tank carrying handle fixedly secured to said tank; and

a latch pivotal relative to said handle portion, wherein simultaneously grasping said latch and said handle portion unlatches said tank for vertical displacement from said housing.

3. An upright cleaning apparatus, comprising:

a base portion for movement along a surface;

a handle pivotally connected to said base portion;

a solution tank for supplying a flow of cleaning solution to the surface, said solution tank removable mounted to said handle;

a recovery tank removably mounted one of said handle and said base portion;

a suction nozzle secured to said base portion and in fluid communication with said recovery tank;

a suction source in fluid communication with said suction nozzle for generating suction to draw dirt and liquid through said suction nozzle and into said recovery tank;

a tank carrying handle fixedly secured to said solution tank; and

a latch, which includes a rear portion, pivotally connected to said tank carrying handle and releasably connected to said handle pivotally connected to said base for releasably latching said solution tank to said pivotally connected handle, wherein simultaneously grasping said latch and said tank carrying handle by moving said rear portion of the latch upwardly unlatches said solution tank from said pivotally connected handle.

4. An upright cleaning apparatus, comprising:

a housing;

a suction nozzle operatively secured to said housing;

a suction source in fluid communication with said suction nozzle for generating suction to draw dirt and liquid through said suction nozzle;

a solution tank operatively attached to the housing to provide a cleaning solution to a floor surface and having a handle portion defined thereon;

a tank carrying handle fixedly secured to said solution tank; and

a latch, which includes a rear portion, pivotal relative to said handle portion, wherein simultaneously grasping said latch and said handle portion by moving said rear portion of the latch upwardly unlatches said tank for vertical displacement from said housing.

5. An upright cleaning apparatus, comprising:

a housing;

a suction nozzle operatively secured to said housing;

a suction source in fluid communication with said suction nozzle for generating suction to draw dirt and liquid through said suction nozzle;

a recovery tank operatively attached to the housing to collect liquid and dirt transported from said suction nozzle by said suction source and having a handle portion defined thereon;

a tank carrying handle fixedly secured to said recovery tank; and

a latch, which includes a rear portion, pivotal relative to said handle portion, wherein simultaneously grasping said latch and said handle portion by moving said rear portion of the latch upwardly unlatches said tank for vertical displacement from said housing.

6. An upright cleaning apparatus, comprising:

a housing having a recess therein;

a cup removably mounted in the recess;

a suction nozzle operatively secured to said housing;

a suction source in fluid communication with said suction nozzle for generating suction to draw dirt and liquid through said suction nozzle;

a recovery tank operatively attached to the housing to collect liquid and dirt transported from said suction nozzle by said suction source and having a handle portion defined thereon;

a tank carrying handle fixedly secured to said tank; and

a latch pivotal relative to said handle portion, wherein simultaneously grasping said latch and said handle portion unlatches said tank for vertical displacement from said housing.