Cleaning device

• US 5,311,638 A
• Filed: 07/02/1993
• Issued: 05/17/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Oreck Holdings LLC (Techtronic Industries Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: The Regina Company
• Inventors: Walch, John W., Furcron, Kent J.
• Primary Examiner(s): MOORE, CHRISTOPHER K
• Application Number:
  US08/086,752
• Time in Patent Office: 319 Days
• Field of Search: 15/321, 15/322, 15/328, 15/320
• US Class Current: 15/321
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/30 by suction
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4011 Regulation of the cleaning machine by electric means; Control systems and remote control systems therefor
• 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 11/4088 Supply pumps; Spraying devices; Supply conduits

Abstract

An improved cleaning system of the type which applies a cleaning fluid to a surface to be cleaned and then vacuums the dirty cleaning fluid from said surface is provided. The system includes a cleaning fluid pump for delivering pressurized cleaning fluid to spray nozzles attached to either a floor nozzle or a hand tool. Both the floor nozzle and the hand tool are connected to the suction and cleaning fluid connectors of the main cleaner unit by a one-step connection which connects both fluid and suction lines in a single motion. The hand tool, which is attached to the main unit by a hose assembly, has its own pinch valve for controlling the application of cleaning fluid to the surface to be cleaned. When the hand tool is being used the trigger which actuates the pump may be locked in the "on" position.

Claims

1. A cleaning system of the type which applies a cleaning fluid to a surface to be cleaned and subsequently vacuums dirty cleaning fluid from the surface, said system comprising:

a main cleaner unit comprising a cleaning fluid pump, cleaning fluid supply means, first fluid conduit means for connecting said cleaning fluid supply means to an inlet of said cleaning fluid pump, switch means for selectively activating said pump, main cleaner unit actuator means for actuating said switch means, and second fluid conduit means for directing cleaning fluid output from a cleaning fluid nipple connector,

said main cleaner unit further comprising an air/liquid separator and a blower attached thereto, a motor for driving said blower, said blower drawing air and dirty fluid from a first end of a suction conduit into said air/liquid separator, said separator separating the air from the dirty cleaning fluid and exhausting said air through an exhaust conduit and funneling said dirty cleaning fluid to a dirty cleaning fluid storage tank, a second end of said suction conduit terminating in a generally cylindrical flange, said cylindrical flange extending parallel to said cleaning fluid nipple connector,

a floor nozzle including a first spray nozzle for spraying said cleaning solution onto the floor, said first spray nozzle having a bore therein for connecting said first spray nozzle to said cleaning fluid nipple connector, said floor nozzle further comprising a suction passageway leading from a suction opening to a coupling collar, spraying means affixed to said coupling collar, whereby said coupling collar detachably connects to said cylindrical flange of said main cleaner unit suction conduit with said cleaning fluid nipple connector detachably fitting in said bore of said first spray nozzle;

a hand tool including a second spray nozzle for applying cleaning fluid to a surface to be cleaned, a third fluid conduit means for supplying said second spray nozzle with cleaning fluid, valve means for controlling the flow of cleaning fluid in said third fluid conduit means, and hand tool actuator means for actuating said valve means, said hand tool further comprising a suction nozzle and attachment means for detachably connecting both said suction nozzle and said third fluid conduit of said hand tool to said cylindrical flange of said main cleaner unit suction conduit and said cleaning fluid nipple connector, respectively, whereby said hand tool may be attached to said main unit suction conduit and main unit cleaning fluid nipple connector when said floor nozzle is detached therefrom; and

means for selectively locking said main cleaner unit actuator means in a position so that said pump remains on, whereby said hand tool actuator means actuates said valve means to control the application of cleaning fluid to the surface to be cleaned when said hand tool is attached to said main cleaner unit.

2. The cleaning system of claim 1, wherein said main cleaner unit actuator means and said means for selectively locking said main cleaner unit actuator means are located on a handle portion of said main cleaner unit.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said switch means comprises an electric contact which is spring biased to a position which removes power form said cleaning fluid pump.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein said main cleaner unit actuator means in said handle comprises a trigger linked to said switch means by a mechanical linkage.

5. The cleaning system of claim 1, wherein said cleaning fluid supply means comprises a container for holding concentrated cleaning fluid, a tank for holding water and fluid conduits connecting said container and said water tank to first and second inputs to mixing manifold means, said mixing manifold means having an output connected to said first fluid conduit means for supplying said cleaning fluid to said pump, whereby said pump draws water from said water tank and concentrated cleaning fluid from said container and mixes said water and said concentrated cleaning fluid in said mixing manifold means to form said cleaning fluid.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein said mixing manifold means comprises a T-shaped fluid connector.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein said tank for holding water and said dirty cleaning fluid storage tank form an integral tank assembly unit which is detachable from said main cleaner unit.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein said main cleaner unit further comprises a pair of wheels mounted to said unit by a pair of struts and a cleaner unit stand which, with said pair of wheels supports said main cleaner unit when said floor nozzle has been removed from said main cleaner unit, said stand being raised off the floor when said floor nozzle is attached to said main cleaner unit.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said system further comprises a spring biased locking pin in said cylindrical flange of said main cleaner unit, said locking pin extending through an opening in said cylindrical flange.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said coupling collar of said floor nozzle further includes an opening for receiving said locking pin to lock said floor nozzle onto said main cleaner unit.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein said hand tool attachment means comprises a hose assembly, said hose assembly comprising an inner cleaning fluid hose within an outer suction hose.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein said suction hose includes reinforcing coils.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein said hose assembly further comprises a connector for connecting said hose assembly to said cylindrical flange and said nipple connector of said main cleaner unit, said connector of said hose assembly including an opening for receiving said locking pin to lock said connector of said hose assembly onto said main cleaner unit.