Liquid extraction cleaning device and method

• US 9,788,699 B2
• Filed: 01/29/2015
• Issued: 10/17/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rug Doctor
• Original Assignee: Rug Doctor
• Inventors: Wall, Timothy, Morrow, Ann Marie, Haug, Walter, Le, Phuong, Ostendorf, Charles Michael, Pereira, Schubert, Chavana, Jr., Ernest Matthew, Lau, Vincent, Hill, Jason Edward, Tilk, Jason, Spirk, Evan, Tufts, Lindsey, Saunders, Craig, Stephens, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, DUNG V
• Application Number:
  US14/608,612
• Publication Number:
  US 20150245756A1
• Time in Patent Office: 992 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/201 with supply of cleaning agents
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/202 having separate drive for the cleaning brushes
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/307 having reciprocating tools
• 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 11/4002 Installations of electric equipment
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4008 Arrangements of switches, indicators or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4036 Parts or details of the surface treating tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4044 Vacuuming or pick-up tools; Squeegees
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4072 Arrangement of castors or wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4075 Handles; levers
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4088 Supply pumps; Spraying devices; Supply conduits

Abstract

A liquid extraction cleaning device comprises a main unit, a liquid pump, a flexible hose, and a hand tool. The main unit comprises a vacuum pump. The hand tool comprises a vacuum inlet port, an agitator, a spray nozzle, and a grip portion. The vacuum inlet port of the hand tool is operatively connected to the vacuum pump via the hose passageway in a manner such that the vacuum pump is capable of drawing fluid through the vacuum inlet port and into the hose passageway. The spray nozzle is operatively connected to the liquid pump in a manner such that the liquid pump is capable of forcing liquid out of the spray nozzle.

Claims

1. A liquid extraction cleaning device comprising:

a main unit comprising a vacuum pump and a base, the base having a bottom surface, the bottom surface being configured to contact a floor and at least partially support the liquid extraction device from the floor when the liquid extraction cleaning device is in an upright position;

a liquid pump;

a flexible hose surrounding a hose passageway, the flexible hose being operatively connected to the vacuum pump in a manner such that the vacuum pump is capable of drawing fluid through the hose passageway;

a hand tool, the hand tool comprising a vacuum inlet port and a spray nozzle, the hand tool being connected to the main unit by the flexible hose such that the hand tool is movable relative to the main unit, the vacuum inlet port being operatively connected to the vacuum pump via the hose passageway in a manner such that the vacuum pump is capable of drawing fluid through the vacuum inlet port and into the hose passageway, the spray nozzle being operatively connected to the liquid pump in a manner such that the liquid pump is capable of forcing liquid out of the spray nozzle;

a telescoping tow handle attached to the main unit, the telescoping tow handle being selectively adjustable between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration, the telescoping tow handle being configured and adapted to allow a person to tilt and tow the liquid extraction cleaning device when the telescoping tow handle is in the extended configuration;

a pair of wheels, the pair of wheels being mounted to the base of the main unit and being configured to support the main unit above a floor when the liquid extraction cleaning device is tilted and towed, the wheels being mounted to the base of the main unit in a manner such that the bottom surface of the base will contact and at least partially support the liquid extraction device from the floor when the liquid extraction cleaning device is upright;

wherein the telescoping tow handle comprises a pair of telescoping leg members and a cross member grip, the cross member grip spanning from one of the telescoping leg members to the other of the telescoping leg members, and each of the telescoping leg members comprises at least three leg segments that telescope.

2. A liquid extraction cleaning device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the liquid extraction cleaning device comprises a retractable lifting handle, the main unit comprises an upper shell mounted to and above the base, and the retractable lifting handle is retractable at least partially into the upper shell and is configured and adapted in a manner such that a person can carry the liquid extraction cleaning device via the retractable lifting handle.

3. A liquid extraction cleaning device comprising:

a main unit comprising a vacuum pump and a base, the base having a bottom surface, the bottom surface being configured to contact a floor and at least partially support the liquid extraction device from the floor when the liquid extraction cleaning device is in an upright position;

a liquid pump;

a flexible hose surrounding a hose passageway, the flexible hose being operatively connected to the vacuum pump in a manner such that the vacuum pump is capable of drawing fluid through the hose passageway;

a hand tool, the hand tool comprising a vacuum inlet port and a spray nozzle, the hand tool being connected to the main unit by the flexible hose such that the hand tool is movable relative to the main unit, the vacuum inlet port being operatively connected to the vacuum pump via the hose passageway in a manner such that the vacuum pump is capable of drawing fluid through the vacuum inlet port and into the hose passageway, the spray nozzle being operatively connected to the liquid pump in a manner such that the liquid pump is capable of forcing liquid out of the spray nozzle;

a telescoping tow handle attached to the main unit, the telescoping tow handle being selectively adjustable between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration, the telescoping tow handle being configured and adapted to allow a person to tilt and tow the liquid extraction cleaning device when the telescoping tow handle is in the extended configuration;

a pair of wheels, the pair of wheels being mounted to the base of the main unit and being configured to support the main unit above a floor when the liquid extraction cleaning device is tilted and towed, the wheels being mounted to the base of the main unit in a manner such that the bottom surface of the base will contact and at least partially support the liquid extraction device from the floor when the liquid extraction cleaning device is upright;

wherein the liquid extraction cleaning device comprises a tow handle shroud, the tow handle shroud attaches the telescoping tow handle exteriorly to the main unit; and

wherein the tow handle shroud comprises an opening therethrough, the liquid extraction cleaning device comprises a pair of hooks that are configured and adapted to wrap an electric cord therearound and are exteriorly mounted to the main unit, and the hooks extend at least partially through the opening of the tow handle shroud.