Upright extraction cleaning machine with unitary accessory hose duct

• US 20020166193A1
• Filed: 05/03/2002
• Published: 11/14/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bissell Homecare, Inc. (Bissell Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bissell Homecare, Inc. (Bissell Inc.)
• Inventors: Kasper, Gary A.
• Granted Patent: US 6,609,269 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/320
• 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 11/4016 specially adapted for collecting fluids
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4044 Vacuuming or pick-up tools; Squeegees
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4061 Steering means; Means for avoiding obstacles; Details related to the place where the driver is accommodated
• 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 5/30 with driven dust-loosening tools, e.g. rotating brushes
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/32 with means for connecting a hose hose couplings for suction cleaners A47L9/24
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 7/0009 with means mounted on the nozzle; nozzles specially adapted for the recovery of liquid
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 7/0028 Security means, e.g. float valves or level switches for preventing overflow
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 7/0038 with means for emptying the tanks
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 7/0042 Gaskets; Sealing means
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0036 specially adapted for holding the suction hose
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 23/49 Mixing systems, i.e. flow charts or diagrams
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 2111/46 applying energy, e.g. irradiation
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/0031 Carpet, upholstery, fur or leather cleansers
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/39 Organic or inorganic per-compounds
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/3905 Bleach activators or bleach catalysts
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/3917 Nitrogen-containing compounds
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/3947 : Liquid compositions
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 7/3254 : Esters or carbonates thereof
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/54 : with pinion and rack
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/00 : Ohmic-resistance heating

Abstract

An extraction cleaning apparatus including a base housing, a fluid recovery system including a tank having a fluid recovery chamber for holding recovered fluid, a working air conduit, an above floor accessory hose mounted at one end to the housing for optional above floor cleaning, and a unitary duct mounted to the housing and connected at a first end to the accessory hose one end and, at another end, connected to the working air conduit at an accessory hose inlet a conversion valve in the working air conduit between the suction nozzle and the accessory hose inlet to selectively connect the vacuum source to either the suction nozzle or to the accessory hose. Portions of the unitary duct are flat and an intermediate portion of the unitary duct extends beneath the recovery tank

Claims

1. A portable suace cleaning apparatus, comprising:

a base module for movement along a surface;

an upright handle pivotally attached to the base module;

a liquid dispensing nozzle associated with the base module for applying liquid to a surface to be cleaned;

a flexible bladder defining a fluid supply chamber for holding a supply of cleaning fluid;

a fluid supply conduit fluidly connected to the fluid supply chamber and to the dispensing nozzle for supplying liquid to the dispensing nozzle;

a fluid recovery system comprising;

a tank on the base module having a fluid recovery chamber for holding recovered fluid and housing the flexible bladder;

a suction nozzle associated with the base module;

a working air conduit extending between the recovery chamber and the suction nozzle; and

a vacuum source in fluid communication with the recovery chamber for generating a flow of working air from the nozzle through the working air conduit and through the recovery chamber to thereby draw dirty liquid from the surface to be cleaned through the nozzle and working air conduit and into the recovery chamber;

the improvement comprising;

a fluid passageway between the fluid supply chamber and the recovery chamber, whereby the recovery chamber is in fluid communication with the fluid supply chamber and the pressure in the flexible bladder from the supply chamber and the dirty liquid is collected in the recover chamber.

2. A portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 1 and further comprising an outlet opening in a bottom portion of the flexible bladder fluidly connected to the fluid supply conduit.

3. A portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the flexible bladder extends between a bottom surface of the tank and an upper portion of the tank.

4. A portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the fluid passageway between the fluid supply chamber and the recovery chamber comprises a filling spout disposed in an upper portion of the flexible bladder.

5. A portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 4 and further comprising:

a baffle plate mounted within the upper portion of the tank and including an opening; and

wherein

the filling spout of the flexible bladder extends through the opening in the baffle plate and is supported thereby.

6. A portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the tank further includes a removable lid on the top portion thereof, and the filling spout is disposed between the baffle plate and the lid.

7. A portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 1 and further comprising:

a baffle plate mounted within the upper portion of the tank and including an opening; and

wherein

the fluid passageway comprising a filling spout in an upper portion of the flexible bladder and;

the filling spout extends through the opening in the baffle plate and is supported thereby.

8. A portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the tank includes an outlet opening in a bottom portion thereof, and further comprising a drain plug removably mounted in the outlet opening.

9. A portable surface cleaning apparatus, comprising:

a base module for movement along a surface;

an upright handle pivotally attached to the base module;

a liquid dispensing system comprising;

a liquid dispensing nozzle associated with the base module for applying liquid to a surface to be cleaned;

a flexible bladder defining a fluid supply chamber for holding a supply of cleaning fluid;

a fluid supply conduit fluidly connected to the fluid supply chamber and to the dispensing nozzle for supplying cleaning fluid to the dispensing nozzle;

a fluid recovery system comprising;

a tank on the base module having a fluid recovery chamber for holding recovered fluid and housing the flexible bladder;

a suction nozzle associated with the base module;

a working air conduit extending between the recovery chamber and the suction nozzle; and

a vacuum source in fluid communication with the recovery chamber for generating a flow of working air from the nozzle through the working air conduit and through the recovery chamber to thereby draw dirty liquid from the surface to be cleaned through the nozzle and working air conduit and into the recovery chamber;

the improvement comprising;

an outlet opening in a bottom portion of the tank; and

a drain plug removably mounted in the outlet opening.

10. A portable surface cleaning apparatus, comprising:

a base module for movement along a surface;

an upright handle pivotally attached to the base module;

a liquid dispensing system comprising;

a liquid dispensing nozzle associated with the base module for applying liquid to a surface to be cleaned;

a fluid supply chamber for holding a predetermined amount of supply fluid;

a fluid supply conduit fluidly connected to the fluid supply chamber and to the dispensing nozzle for supplying liquid to the dispensing nozzle;

a fluid recovery system comprising;

a tank on the base module having a fluid recovery chamber for holding recovered fluid;

a lid mounted to the tank and defining an expansion chamber having an inlet opening and further having an outlet passage between the expansion chamber and the recovery chamber;

a suction nozzle associated with the base module;

a working air conduit extending between the lid inlet opening and the suction nozzle;

a vacuum source in fluid communication with the recovery chamber for generating a flow of working air from the nozzle through the working air conduit, through the lid expansion chamber and through the recovery chamber to thereby draw dirty liquid from the surface to be cleaned through the nozzle, working air conduit and the lid expansion chamber, and into the tank;

a first diverter baffle in the expansion chamber for reversing the direction of flow of the working air between the inlet opening and the outlet passage;

the improvement comprising a second diverter baffle in the outlet passage for reversing the direction of flow of the working air between the expansion chamber and the tank.

11. A portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the lid is removably mounted to the tank.

12. A portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the fluid supply chamber is defined by a flexible bladder mounted within the tank.

13. A portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 12 and further comprising:

a baffle plate mounted within the upper portion of the tank and including an opening;

a filling spout disposed in an upper portion of the flexible bladder, extending through the opening in the baffle plate, and supported by the baffle plate.

14. A portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 13 wherein

the outlet passage extends beneath the expansion chamber and includes an outlet opening;

the filling spout includes an opening beneath the lid and substantially above the outlet opening in the outlet passage.

15. A portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the filling spout is disposed between the baffle plate and the lid.

16. A portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the lid includes a shroud extending downwardly from a bottom surface thereof surrounding the filling spout to a point below the opening in the filling spout.

17. A portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 16 wherein the shroud extends beneath the outlet opening in the outlet passage.

18. A portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the fluid supply chamber is defined by a flexible bladder mounted within the tank.

19. A portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 18 and further comprising:

a baffle plate mounted within the upper portion of the tank and including an opening;

a filling spout disposed in an upper portion of the flexible bladder, extending through the opening in the baffle plate, and supported by the baffle plate.

20. A portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 19 wherein:

the outlet passage extends beneath the expansion chamber and includes an outlet opening;

the filling spout includes an opening beneath the lid and substantially above the outlet opening in the outlet passage.

21. A portable surface cleaning apparatus, comprising:

a base module for movement along a surface;

an upright handle pivotally attached to the base module;

a liquid dispensing system comprising;

a liquid dispensing nozzle associated with the base module for applying liquid to a surface to be cleaned;

a fluid supply chamber for holding a supply of cleaning fluid;

a fluid supply conduit fluidly connected to the fluid supply chamber and to the dispensing nozzle for supplying liquid to the dispensing nozzle;

a fluid recovery system comprising;

a tank on the base module having a fluid recovery chamber for holding recovered fluid;

a suction nozzle associated with the base module;

a working air conduit extending between the recovery chamber and the suction nozzle;

a vacuum source in fluid communication with the recovery chamber for generating a flow of working air from the nozzle through the working air conduit and through the recovery chamber to thereby draw dirty liquid from the surface to be cleaned through the nozzle and working air conduit and into the recovery chamber;

a conversion valve in the working air conduit for selectively opening and closing fluid communication between the recovery chamber and the suction nozzle;

an manual actuator knob connected to the conversion valve for movement between first and second positions and thereby selectively moving the conversion valve between open and closed positions;

the improvement comprising;

an over-center linkage mechanism connected to the manual actuator knob to bias the conversion valve to the open and closed positions.

22. A portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 21 wherein the over-center linkage mechanism comprises a spring-biased plunger assembly mounted to the actuator knob for movement therewith.

23. A portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 22 wherein the actuator knob is mounted to the base module for rotational movement between the first and second positions and the spring-biased plunger assembly is mounted to the actuator knob for rotational movement therewith.

24. A portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 23 wherein the conversion valve is pivotably mounted to the base module for rotational movement between the open and closed positions and further comprises an arm having a distal end extending to the plunger assembly and rotatably connected thereto, whereby rotational motion of the actuator knob is translated to rotational movement of the conversion valve through the arm.

26. A portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 25 wherein the flow indicator further includes:

a housing; and

an impeller rotatably mounted in the housing and drivable by the fluid flowing through the flow indicator.

27. A portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 25 wherein the flow indicator further includes:

a filter disposed in the fluid supply conduit, adapted to filter debris in the fluid, and visible to the user through the visibility window.

29. A portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 28 wherein the valved opening is in an upper portion of the priming chamber.

30. A portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 29 wherein the pump primer further includes a valve chamber and a plunger chamber, the valve chamber has an inlet opening defined by the valved opening in the primer chamber and an outlet opening defining an inlet opening to the plunger chamber, the plunger chamber has an outlet opening in fluid communication with the vacuum source, and further comprising:

a buoyant plunger reciprocally mounted in the plunger chamber for generally vertical movement therein;

a valve mounted in the valve chamber and reciprocally moveable between the inlet opening and the outlet opening thereof and connected to the plunger for movement therewith;

whereby the valve closes the outlet opening to the valve chamber when fluid in the plunger chamber raises the plunger and the valve closes the inlet opening when fluid in the plunger chamber falls to a predetermined level.

31. A portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 30 wherein the valve is an umbrella valve.

25. A portable surface cleaning apparatus, comprising:

a base module for movement along a surface;

an upright handle pivotally attached to the base module;

a liquid dispensing system comprising;

a liquid dispensing nozzle associated with the base module for applying liquid to a surface to be cleaned;

a fluid supply chamber for holding a supply of cleaning fluid;

a fluid supply conduit fluidly connected to the fluid supply chamber and to the dispensing nozzle for supplying liquid to the dispensing nozzle;

a fluid recovery system comprising;

a tank on the base module having a fluid recovery chamber for holding recovered fluid;

a suction nozzle associated with the base module;

a working air conduit extending between the recovery chamber and the suction nozzle;

a vacuum source in fluid communication with the recovery chamber for generating a flow of working air from the nozzle through the working air conduit and through the recovery chamber to thereby draw dirty liquid from the surface to be cleaned through the nozzle and working air conduit, and into the recovery chamber;

the improvement comprising;

a flow indicator mounted on at least one of the base module and the handle assembly and having a visibility window observable by a user;

the flow indicator disposed in the fluid supply conduit and responsive to the flow of fluid through the fluid supply conduit to visually indicate the flow of fluid through the supply conduit to the user.

28. A portable surface cleaning apparatus, comprising:

a base module for movement along a surface;

an upright handle pivotally attached to the base module;

a fluid recovery system comprising;

a tank on the base module having a fluid recovery chamber for holding recovered fluid;

a suction nozzle associated with the base module;

a working air conduit extending between the recovery chamber and the suction nozzle;

a vacuum source in fluid communication with the recovery chamber for generating a flow of working air from the nozzle through the working air conduit and through the recovery chamber to thereby draw dirty liquid from the surface to be cleaned through the nozzle and working air conduit, and into the recovery chamber;

a liquid dispensing system comprising;

a liquid dispensing nozzle associated with the base module for applying a cleaning fluid to a surface to be cleaned;

a fluid supply chamber for holding a supply of cleaning fluid;

a fluid supply conduit including a pump fluidly connected to the fluid supply chamber and to the dispensing nozzle for supplying cleaning fluid to the dispensing nozzle;

a pump primer connected to the pump for priming the pump and including a valved opening connected to the vacuum source;

The improvement comprising;

the pump primer includes a housing defining a priming chamber with an inlet opening connected to the fluid supply chamber and an outlet connected to an inlet for the pump.

32. A portable surface cleaning apparatus, comprising:

a base module for movement along a surface and having a forward portion;

an upright handle pivotally attached to the base module;

a fluid recovery system comprising;

a tank on the base module having a fluid recovery chamber for holding recovered fluid;

a suction nozzle associated with the base module;

a working air conduit extending between the tank and the suction nozzle;

a vacuum source in fluid communication with the recovery chamber for generating a flow of working air from the nozzle through the working air conduit and through the recovery chamber to thereby draw dirty liquid from the surface to be cleaned through the nozzle and working air conduit and into the recovery chamber;

a liquid dispensing system comprising;

a liquid dispensing nozzle associated with the base module for applying liquid to a surface to be cleaned;

a fluid supply chamber for holding a supply cleaning fluid;

a fluid supply conduit including a pump fluidly connected to the fluid supply chamber and to the dispensing nozzle for supplying cleaning fluid to the dispensing nozzle;

a pump drive shaft for driving the pump;

an agitator brush mounted in the forward portion of the base module;

a motor mounted in the base housing and having a motor drive shaft connected to the agitator brush for rotatably driving the agitator brush;

The improvement comprising a first mechanical connector between the motor drive shaft and the pump drive shaft, whereby the motor drives both the agitator brush and the pump.

33. A portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 32 wherein the motor drive shaft is connected to the agitator brush through a second mechanical connector between the pump drive shaft and the agitator brush.

34. A portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 33 wherein the pump drive shaft has a mechanical step down device connecting the drive shaft to the first mechanical connector to step down the speed of rotation of the motor drive shaft.

35. A portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 34 wherein the first and second mechanical connectors are belts.

36. A portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 35 wherein the second connector is a timing belt and the first connector is a stretch belt.

37. A portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 36 wherein the stretch belt rides directly on the motor drive shaft.

38. A portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 37 and further comprising inner and outer pulleys mounted in axially spaced relationship on the pump shaft, wherein the timing belt is reeved through the outer pulley and the stretch belt is reeved through the inner pulley.

39. A portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 38 wherein there is a baffle between the inner and outer pulleys to minimize liquid transfer between the inner and outer pulleys.

40. A portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 38 wherein the inner and outer pulleys are of a size to step down the speed of rotation of the motor drive shaft.

41. A portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 38 wherein the housing includes a removable door adjacent to the timing belt.

42. A portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 37 wherein the housing includes a removable door between the stretch belt and the timing belt.

43. A portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 42 wherein the removable door is generally coplanar with the baffle to minimize liquid transfer between the inner and outer pulley.

44. A portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 33 and further comprising inner and outer pulleys mounted on the pump shaft, wherein the second mechanical connector is reeved through the outer pulley and the first mechanical connector is reeved through the inner pulley.

45. A portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 44 wherein there is a baffle between the inner and outer pulleys to minimize liquid transfer between the inner and outer pulley.

46. A portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 45 wherein the base module includes an outer housing with an opening adjacent to the second mechanical connector and a removable door selectively mounted to the housing to cover the opening, the removable door having at least a portion of the baffle mounted thereto.

47. A portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 46 wherein slots are formed in a portion of the housing adjacent the opening and the removable door includes flexible tabs which register with the openings when the door is mounted to the housing for releasably retaining the door in the housing.

48. A portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 47 wherein the removable door further includes an edge and the housing includes a recess, and the edge is slidably received in the recess to at least partially support the door in the opening.

49. A portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 46 wherein the housing further includes a second opening adjacent the pump drive shaft and a second removable door removably mounted in the second opening and forming a portion of the baffle between the inner and outer pulleys.

50. A portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 49 wherein the second removable door includes a second flange and the housing includes a groove, and the second flange is slidably received in the groove to at least partially support the door in the opening.

51. A portable surface cleaning apparatus, comprising:

a base module for movement along a surface and comprising a housing having a rear portion;

the housing including an upper housing portion and a lower housing portion;

an upright handle pivotally attached to the rear portion of the base module and including a lower portion having a bearing for rotatable reception in the housing;

a fluid recovery system comprising;

a tank on the base module having a fluid recovery chamber for holding recovered fluid;

a suction nozzle associated with the base module;

a working air conduit extending between the recovery chamber and the suction nozzle;

a vacuum source in fluid communication with the recovery chamber for generating a flow of working air from the nozzle through the working air conduit and through the recovery chamber to thereby draw dirty liquid from the surface to be cleaned through the nozzle and working air conduit, and into the recovery chamber;

a liquid dispensing system comprising;

a liquid dispensing nozzle associated with the base module for applying liquid to a surface to be cleaned;

a fluid supply chamber for holding a predetermined amount of supply fluid;

a fluid supply conduit fluidly connected to the fluid supply chamber and to the dispensing nozzle for supplying liquid to the dispensing nozzle;

the improvement comprising a socket formed between the upper and lower housing portions for rotatably receiving the bearing.

52. A portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 51 wherein the bearing is formed integral with the lower portion of the upright handle.

53. A portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 51 wherein the socket is formed by arcuate surfaces formed in mated edges of the upper and lower housing portions.

54. A portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 53 wherein the lower portion of the upright handle includes diverging arms, each including a bearing.

55. A portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 54 wherein each bearing is formed integral with the lower portion of the upright handle.

56. A portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 54 and further comprising:

wheels mounted at the rear portion of the base module for supporting the base module

an axle having first and second ends and coaxially mounted to each bearing at the first end and rotationally mounting the wheels at the second end.

57. A portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 51 wherein the lower portion of the upright handle includes diverging arms, each including a bearing.

58. A portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 57 and further comprising:

wheels for supporting the base module;

an axle having first and second ends and coaxially mounted to each bearing at the first end and rotationally mounting the wheels at the second end.

60. A portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 59 wherein the lifting surface is a ramp that slides along a bottom surface of the pivot arm.

61. A portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 60 and further comprising a spring that biases the arm toward the handle.

62. A portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 61 wherein the second end of the arm extends outwardly from the base module to abut the outer surface of the lower portion of the handle in the upright position.

59. A portable surface cleaning apparatus, comprising:

a base module for movement along a surface and having a front portion and a rear portion;

a brush assembly having an agitation brush generally disposed in the front portion of the base module and a pivot arm for pivotally supporting the agitation brush relative to the base module;

a first end of the pivot arm mounted to the agitation brush for rotation of the agitation brush with respect to the pivot arm and a second end of the pivot arm pivotally mounted to the base module, whereby the brush assembly is free floating to adjust to different surface heights;

a handle pivotally attached to the rear portion of the base module for movement between an upright position and an operative position, and including a lower portion having an outer surface;

a fluid recovery system comprising;

a tank on the base module having a fluid recovery chamber for holding recovered fluid;

a suction nozzle associated with the base module;

a working air conduit extending between the recovery chamber and the suction nozzle;

a vacuum source in fluid communication with the recovery chamber for generating a flow of working air from the nozzle through the working air conduit and through the recovery chamber to thereby draw dirty liquid from the surface to be cleaned through the nozzle and working air conduit and into the recovery chamber;

a liquid dispensing system comprising;

a liquid dispensing nozzle associated with the base module for applying liquid to a surface to be cleaned;

a fluid supply chamber for holding a predetermined amount of supply fluid;

fluid supply conduit fluidly connected to the fluid supply chamber and to the dispensing nozzle for supplying liquid to the dispensing nozzle;

the improvement comprising;

an elevator assembly including an arm reciprocally mounted to the base module and movable in response to movement of the upright handle from the operative position to the upright position

a first end of the arm disposed adjacent the pivot arm and having a lifting surface for upwardly pivoting the pivot arm and a second end of the arm extending toward the handle and having a contacting surface for sliding along the outer surface of the lower portion of the handle;

whereby movement of the arm toward the front portion of the base module by pivoting the upright handle to the storage position is translated into movement of the agitation brush away from the surface to be cleaned.