Handle assembly for a cleaning apparatus

• US 7,533,439 B2
• Filed: 06/25/2004
• Issued: 05/19/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Healthy Gain Investments Limited
• Original Assignee: Healthy Gain Investments Limited
• Inventors: Boles, David J., Cooper, Kenneth H., Williams, Jason L., Wright, Donald R., Theiss, William H. Jr., Fowler, Frank D., Symensma, Kenneth L., Keiper, Laura J., Hertrick, Timothy T., Steiner, Ryan S., Parr, Richard S., Durbin, Michael A., Lang, Charles A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Redding; David A
• Application Number:
  US10/877,646
• Publication Number:
  US 20050283939A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,789 Days
• Field of Search: 154/10, 153/20, 153/21, 153/31, 153/34
• 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 11/4091 Storing or parking devices, arrangements therefor; Means allowing transport of the machine when it is not being used
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/32 with means for connecting a hose hose couplings for suction cleaners A47L9/24
• 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: A47L 9/325 for wheeled suction cleaners with steering handle

Abstract

A cleaning apparatus for cleaning a surface in which cleaning solution is dispensed to the surface and substantially simultaneously extracted along with the dirt on the surface in a continuous operation is provided. The cleaning apparatus includes a base portion for movement along the surface and a handle pivotally connected to the base portion. The handle includes a lower portion and an upper portion pivotally connected to the lower portion and pivoted between an upper position for use and a lower position for storage. A solution tank for supplying a flow of cleaning solution to the surface is removably mounted to one of the base portion and the handle. A recovery tank removably mounted to one of the base portion and the handle and is in fluid communication with a suction nozzle secured to said base portion. A suction source is in fluid communication with the suction nozzle for generating suction to draw dirt and liquid through the suction nozzle and into the recovery tank, wherein one of the solution tank and the recovery tank is removably mounted to the handle.

Claims

1. A cleaning apparatus for cleaning a surface in which cleaning solution is dispensed to the surface and substantially simultaneously extracted along with the dirt on the surface in a continuous operation comprising:

a) a base portion for movement along the surface;

b) a handle pivotally connected to said base portion, said handle includes a lower portion and an upper portion pivotally connected to said lower portion, said upper portion being pivoted between an upper position for use and a lower position for storage;

c) a solution tank for supplying a flow of cleaning solution to the surface, said solution tank being removably mounted to said to one of said base portion and said handle;

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

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

f) 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;

g) a suction conduit fluidly connected between said recovery tank and said suction nozzle;

h) an accessory hose having a first end adapted to receive a cleaning tool and second end removably connected to said handle in fluid communication with said suction conduit;

i) a first solution conduit connected to said accessory hose; and

j) a second solution conduit fluidly connected to said solution tank, said first solution conduit having a first end connected to a spray nozzle and a second end removably connected to said handle in fluid communication with said second solution conduit, wherein one of said solution tank and said recovery tank is removably mounted to said handle.

2. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein said solution tank is removably mounted to said handle.

3. The cleaning apparatus of claim 2 wherein said recovery tank is removably mounted to said handle.

4. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1 including a hose connector secured to said first solution conduit and said accessory hose, said hose connector being removably mounted to said handle, said hose connector mounting the first end of the accessory hose and the first end of the first solution conduit such that the accessory hose is in fluid communication with said suction conduit and the first solution conduit is in fluid communication with said second solution conduit when the hose connector is mounted to the handle.

5. The cleaning apparatus of claim 4 wherein said hose connector includes a hook member secured thereto, said hook member engaging a portion of said handle to selectively mount said hose connector to said handle.

6. The cleaning apparatus of claim 4 wherein said hose connector includes a portion at least substantially blocking the suction to said suction nozzle when said hose connector is mounted to said handle.

7. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein said suction source is mounted to said base portion.

8. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein said upper handle portion includes a latch assembly for releasably latching said upper portion to said lower portion in said upper position.

9. The cleaning apparatus of claim 8 wherein said latch assembly includes a push button.

10. A cleaning apparatus for cleaning a surface in which cleaning solution is dispensed to the surface and substantially simultaneously extracted along with the dirt on the surface in a continuous operation comprising:

a) a base portion for movement along a surface;

b) a handle pivotally connected to said base portion;

c) a distributor for distributing cleaning solution to the surface;

d) a solution tank for holding cleaning solution removably mounted to one of said base portion and said handle;

e) a conduit fluidly connected between said distributor and said solution tank for transporting the cleaning solution from said solution tank to said distributor;

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

g) a suction nozzle secured to said base portion and in fluid communication with said recovery tank for transporting air and liquid into said recovery tank;

h) a suction source in fluid communication with said recovery tank for providing suction to draw liquid and dirt from the surface through said suction nozzle and into said recovery tank;

i) a valve assembly provided in said conduit, said valve assembly having a valve stem, said valve stem having a first section of a first size and a second section of a second size smaller than said first size, said valve stem being movable within the conduit to a first position in which said first section is spaced from the interior of the conduit such that the cleaning solution flows at a first rate, said valve stem being movable within the conduit to a second position in which said second section is spaced from the interior of the conduit such that the cleaning solution flows at a second rate greater than the first flow rate;

j) a first actuator operatively connected to said valve assembly for selective moving said valve stem to said first position; and

k) a second actuator operatively connected to said valve assembly for selectively moving said valve stem to said second position.

11. The cleaning apparatus of claim 10 wherein said handle includes a hand grip, wherein said first actuator is located adjacent to said hand grip for actuation by a finger of a hand grasping said hand grip.

12. The cleaning apparatus of claim 11 wherein said second actuator is located adjacent to said hand grip for actuation by a thumb of a hand grasping said hand grip.

13. The cleaning apparatus of claim 12 wherein said first actuator comprises a trigger.

14. The cleaning apparatus of claim 13 wherein said second actuator is a slide button.

15. A cleaning apparatus for cleaning a surface in which cleaning solution is dispensed to the surface and substantially simultaneously extracted along with the dirt on the surface in a continuous operation comprising:

a) a base portion for movement along the surface;

b) a handle pivotally connected to said base portion, said handle includes a lower portion and an upper portion pivotally connected to said lower portion, said upper portion being pivoted between an upper position for use and a lower position for storage;

c) a solution tank for supplying a flow of cleaning solution to the surface, said solution tank removably mounted to one of said base portion and said handle;

d) a distributor fluidly connected to said solution tank for distributing the cleaning solution on the surface

e) a solution release valve fluidly connected between said distributor and said solution tank for selectively preventing the flow of cleaning solution to said distributor;

f) an actuating assembly operatively connected to said solution release valve for selectively opening and closing said solution release valve, said actuating assembly including an upper mechanical member extending through said upper portion, a lower mechanical member extending through said lower portion, a trigger switch operatively connected to said upper portion to selectively move said upper and lower mechanical members to close said valve, and an adjustable spacer, wherein said upper and lower mechanical members are spaced from each other and said adjustable spacer is manipulated to vary the distance between said upper and lower mechanical members;

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

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

i) 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; and

j) wherein said upper mechanical member and said lower mechanical member being constructed and arranged with respect to each other to allow said upper handle to pivot between said upper and lower positions.

16. The cleaning apparatus of claim 15 wherein said solution release valve has a conduit for transporting the flow of cleaning solution and a valve stem, said valve stem having a first section of a first size and a second section of a second size smaller than said first size, said actuating assembly moving said valve stem to a first position in which said first section is spaced from the interior of the conduit such that the cleaning solution flows at a first rate, said actuating assembly moving said valve stem to a second position in which said second section is spaced from the interior of the conduit such that the cleaning solution flows at a second rate greater than the first flow rate.