Extractor cleaning machine

• US 9,737,187 B2
• Filed: 02/04/2014
• Issued: 08/22/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Techtronic Industries Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited (Techtronic Industries Company Limited)
• Inventors: Bantum, John
• Primary Examiner(s): JENNINGS, MICHAEL DEANGILO
• Application Number:
  US14/172,063
• Publication Number:
  US 20150216385A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,295 Days
• Field of Search: 15320, 15321, 15319
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/30 by suction
• 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 11/4069 Driving or transmission means for the cleaning tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4083 Liquid supply reservoirs; Preparation of the agents, e.g. mixing devices
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4088 Supply pumps; Spraying devices; Supply conduits
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 7/0009 with means mounted on the nozzle; nozzles specially adapted for the recovery of liquid
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 7/0023 Recovery tanks for cleaning machines A47L11/4013
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2863 Control elements activated by pivoting movement of the upright vacuum cleaner handle

Abstract

An extractor includes a base movable along a surface having an agitator. The extractor also includes a distribution nozzle, a suction nozzle, and a suction source in fluid communication with the suction nozzle and operable to draw fluid and dirt from the surface, a recovery tank in fluid communication with the suction source to receive and store the fluid and dirt drawn, a supply tank supported by the base and in fluid communication with the distribution nozzle to supply cleaning fluid, a pump in fluid communication with the supply tank and the distribution nozzle to deliver fluid from the supply tank to the distribution nozzle, a motor operable to drive the agitator and the pump, and a drive mechanism coupled to the motor, the agitator, and the pump and operable to selectively connect the agitator and the pump to the motor to alternately drive the agitator and the pump.

Claims

1. An extractor cleaning machine comprising:

a base movable along a surface to be cleaned, the base including an agitator;

a distribution nozzle;

a suction nozzle;

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 recovery tank supported by the base, the recovery tank in fluid communication with the suction source to receive and store the fluid and dirt drawn through the suction nozzle;

a supply tank supported by the base, the supply tank in fluid communication with the distribution nozzle to supply cleaning fluid to the distribution nozzle;

a pump in fluid communication with the supply tank and the distribution nozzle to deliver fluid from the supply tank to the distribution nozzle;

a motor operable to drive the agitator and the pump, the motor including an output shaft; and

a drive mechanism coupled to the output shaft of the motor, the agitator, and the pump, the drive mechanism operable to selectively connect the agitator and the pump to the motor to alternately drive the agitator and the pump.

2. The extractor cleaning machine of claim 1, further comprising an accessory tool coupled to the base for above-the-floor cleaning, wherein the accessory tool includes the distribution nozzle.

3. The extractor cleaning machine of claim 2, wherein the distribution nozzle is a first distribution nozzle, and wherein the base includes a second distribution nozzle in fluid communication with the supply tank.

4. The extractor cleaning machine of claim 2, wherein the accessory tool also includes the suction nozzle.

5. The extractor cleaning machine of claim 1, wherein the drive mechanism includes a first belt extending between the pump and the output shaft of the motor, and a second belt extending between the agitator and the output shaft of the motor.

6. The extractor cleaning machine of claim 5, wherein the drive mechanism also includes a belt tensioner, and wherein the belt tensioner is movable relative to the first belt and the second belt to selectively tension the first and second belts.

7. The extractor cleaning machine of claim 6, wherein the belt tensioner is pivotable between a first position, in which the belt tensioner tensions the first belt to drive the pump, and a second position, in which the belt tensioner tensions the second belt to drive the agitator.

8. The extractor cleaning machine of claim 7, further comprising a handle pivotally coupled to the base, wherein the handle is pivotable relative to the base between a substantially upright position and an inclined operating position.

9. The extractor cleaning machine of claim 8, wherein the belt tensioner is in the first position when the handle is in the substantially upright position, and wherein the belt tensioner is in the second position when the handle is in the inclined operating position.

10. The extractor cleaning machine of claim 9, wherein a portion of the handle engages the belt tensioner when the handle is in the substantially upright position to pivot the belt tensioner to the first position.

11. The extractor cleaning machine of claim 10, wherein the drive mechanism further includes a forcing member coupled to the belt tensioner, and wherein the forcing member urges the belt tensioner toward the second position.

12. The extractor cleaning machine of claim 1, wherein the pump, the motor, and the drive mechanism are positioned within the base.

13. The extractor cleaning machine of claim 1, wherein the motor is also coupled to the suction source to drive the suction source.

14. An extractor cleaning machine comprising:

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

an accessory tool coupled to the base for above-the-floor cleaning, the accessory tool including a distribution nozzle;

a handle pivotally coupled to the base for movement between a substantially upright 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 recovery tank supported by the base, the recovery tank in fluid communication with the suction source to receive and store the fluid and dirt drawn through the suction nozzle;

a supply tank supported by the base, the supply tank in fluid communication with the distribution nozzle to supply cleaning fluid to the distribution nozzle;

a pump in fluid communication with the supply tank and the distribution nozzle to deliver fluid from the supply tank to the distribution nozzle;

a motor operable to drive the pump, the motor including an output shaft;

a belt coupled to the output shaft of the motor and the pump to selectively drive the pump; and

a belt tensioner movable relative to the belt, the belt tensioner engaging the belt to tension the belt when the handle is in the substantially upright position, and the belt tensioner disengaging the belt to untension the belt when the handle is in the inclined operating position.

15. The extractor cleaning machine of claim 14, wherein the suction nozzle is a first suction nozzle, and wherein the accessory tool includes a second suction nozzle in fluid communication with the suction source.

16. The extractor cleaning machine of claim 14, wherein the distribution nozzle is a first distribution nozzle, and wherein the base includes a second distribution nozzle in fluid communication with the supply tank.

17. The extractor cleaning machine of claim 16, wherein the base further includes an agitator.

18. The extractor cleaning machine of claim 14, wherein the belt tensioner is pivotable between a first position, in which the belt tensioner engages the belt, and a second position, in which the belt tensioner disengages the belt.

19. The extractor cleaning machine of claim 18, wherein a portion of the handle engages the belt tensioner when the handle is in the substantially upright position to pivot the belt tensioner to the first position.

20. The extractor cleaning machine of claim 19, further comprising a forcing member coupled to the belt tensioner, wherein the forcing member urges the belt tensioner toward the second position.

21. The extractor cleaning machine of claim 20, wherein the portion of the handle is spaced apart from the belt tensioner when the handle is in the inclined operating position to allow movement of the belt tensioner to the second position.