Recovery tank assembly for an extractor cleaning machine

• US 8,458,851 B2
• Filed: 09/01/2011
• Issued: 06/11/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/2010
• 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: Louis, Jeffrey S., Chaney, David, Krondorfer, Harald
• Primary Examiner(s): REDDING, DAVID A
• Application Number:
  US13/224,205
• Publication Number:
  US 20120066859A1
• Time in Patent Office: 649 Days
• Field of Search: 153/20, 153/272, 153/53, 154/10
• 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 11/4016 specially adapted for collecting fluids
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4075 Handles; levers
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4091 Storing or parking devices, arrangements therefor; Means allowing transport of the machine when it is not being used

Abstract

An extractor cleaning machine including a base or foot moveable along a surface to be cleaned, and a handle pivotally coupled to the foot and moveable between an upright storage position and an inclined operating position. The cleaning machine also includes a recovery tank insertable into a space between the foot and the handle. The handle is positioned directly over at least a portion of the recovery tank when the handle is in the upright storage position, and the recovery tank is removable from the space while the handle is in the upright storage position.

Claims

1. An extractor cleaning machine comprising:

a base moveable along a surface to be cleaned;

a handle pivotally coupled to the base and moveable between an upright storage position and an inclined operating position;

a recovery tank insertable into a space between the base and the handle wherein the handle is positioned directly over at least a portion of the recovery tank when the handle is in the upright storage position and wherein the recovery tank is removable from the space while the handle is in the upright storage position

wherein when the handle is in the upright storage position, the base and the handle include substantially parallel surfaces that together define an insertion axis, and wherein the recovery tank is moved along the insertion axis during insertion into and removal from the space.

2. The extractor cleaning machine of claim 1, wherein the recovery tank includes substantially parallel upper and lower surfaces, and wherein when the recovery tank is inserted into the space, the upper surface faces the parallel surface of the handle, the lower surface faces the parallel surface of the base, and the upper and lower surfaces are substantially parallel to the insertion axis.

3. The extractor cleaning machine of claim 1, wherein the base includes a projection and the recovery tank includes a notch, and wherein the projection engages the notch to secure the recovery tank to the base.

4. The extractor cleaning machine of claim 1, wherein the recovery tank includes a non-moveable handle for inserting and withdrawing the recovery tank into and out of the space.

5. The extractor cleaning machine of claim 4, further comprising a supply tank coupled to the handle for movement therewith and positioned directly over at least the portion of the recovery tank when the handle is in the upright storage position, wherein the base includes a distribution nozzle in fluid communication with the supply tank.

6. The extractor cleaning machine of claim 1, wherein the recovery tank is latchlessly connected to the base.

7. The extractor cleaning machine of claim 6, wherein the latchless connection between the recovery tank and the base includes a detent coupling having a portion formed on the recovery tank and a portion formed on the base.

8. An extractor cleaning machine comprising:

a base moveable along a surface to be cleaned, the base including a suction nozzle and a distribution nozzle;

a handle pivotally coupled to the base and moveable between an upright storage position and an inclined operating position;

a recovery tank removably coupled to the base and in fluid communication with the suction nozzle; and

a storage tank removably coupled to the handle for movement therewith, wherein at least a portion of the storage tank is positioned directly over at least a portion of the recovery tank when the handle is in the upright storage position;

wherein the recovery tank is latchlessly connected to the base.

9. The extractor cleaning machine of claim 8, wherein the base defines a space that receives the storage tank and includes a first guide surface for guiding the recovery tank into the space, and wherein the handle includes a second guide surface for guiding the recovery tank into the space, and wherein the second guide surface is substantially parallel to the first guide surface when the handle is in the upright storage position.

10. The extractor cleaning machine of claim 9, wherein the recovery tank defines an upper surface and a lower surface, and wherein when the recovery tank is inserted into the space, the upper surface is substantially parallel to the second guide surface when the handle is in the upright storage position, and the lower surface is substantially parallel to the first guide surface.

11. The extractor cleaning machine of claim 8, wherein the recovery tank is insertable into and removable from the space by movement along an insertion axis.

12. The extractor cleaning machine of claim 11, wherein the base defines a space that receives the storage tank and includes a first guide surface for guiding the recovery tank into the space, and wherein the handle includes a second guide surface for guiding the recovery tank into the space, and wherein the second guide surface is substantially parallel to the first guide surface when the handle is in the upright storage position, wherein the first and second guide surfaces cooperate to guide and limit the recovery tank for the movement along the insertion axis.

13. The extractor cleaning machine of claim 8, further comprising a detent coupling having a portion formed on the base and a portion formed on the storage tank, the detent coupling detently securing the recovery tank to the base when recovery tank is coupled to the base.

14. An extractor cleaning machine comprising:

a base movable along a surface to be cleaned, the base including a distribution nozzle and a suction nozzle;

a handle pivotally coupled to the base for movement between an upright storage position and an inclined operating position;

a suction source in fluid communication with the suction nozzle, the suction source operable to draw fluid and dirt from the surface through the suction nozzle;

a distributor in fluid communication with the distribution nozzle, the distributor operable to distribute a cleaning fluid to the surface through the distribution nozzle;

a supply tank configured to store the cleaning fluid, the supply tank coupled to the handle such that the supply tank pivots with the handle with respect to the base, and

a recovery tank in fluid communication with the suction source to receive and store the fluid and dirt drawn through the suction nozzle, the recovery tank coupled to the base and removable from the base when the handle is in the upright storage position, wherein the supply tank is positioned directly above at least a portion of the recovery tank when the handle is in the upright storage position.

15. The extractor cleaning machine of claim 14, wherein the base defines a cavity that receives the recovery tank, the base including at least one guide surface for guiding the recovery tank into and out of the cavity when the recovery tank is coupled to and removed from the base.

16. The extractor cleaning machine of claim 15, wherein the handle defines a second guide surface positioned over the cavity when the handle is in the upright storage position, the second guide surface cooperating with the first guide surface to guide the recovery tank.

17. The extractor cleaning machine of claim 16, wherein the first and second guide surfaces are substantially parallel to one another when the handle is in the upright storage position and cooperate to define an insertion axis, and wherein the first and second guide surfaces cooperate to guide and limit movement of the recovery tank solely along the insertion axis when the recovery tank is removed from the cavity when the handle is in the upright storage position.

18. The extractor cleaning machine of claim 17, wherein the insertion axis extends at an angle between a substantially vertical axis defined by the handle and a substantially horizontal axis defined by the base.

19. The extractor cleaning machine of claim 18, wherein the angle is between about 20 degrees and about 60 degrees above the horizontal axis.

20. The extractor cleaning machine of claim 14, wherein the recovery tank is latchlessly connected to the base.