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Patent 2524595 Summary

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(12) Patent Application: (11) CA 2524595
(54) English Title: PORTABLE CLEANING MACHINE
(54) French Title: MACHINE DE NETTOYAGE PORTATIVE
Status: Dead
Bibliographic Data
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):
  • A47L 11/30 (2006.01)
  • A47L 11/34 (2006.01)
  • A47L 11/40 (2006.01)
(72) Inventors :
  • ALFORD, WILLIAM G. (United States of America)
  • DIAMOND, THOMAS G. (United States of America)
  • GERBER, DOUGLAS E. (United States of America)
  • HAIDET, LON J. (United States of America)
  • HERTRICK, TIMOTHY T. (United States of America)
  • LEONATTI, JOHN A. (United States of America)
  • SCLAFANI, ADAM C. (United States of America)
  • WEGELIN, JACKSON W. (United States of America)
(73) Owners :
  • HEALTHY GAIN INVESTMENTS LIMITED (British Virgin Islands)
(71) Applicants :
  • THE HOOVER COMPANY (United States of America)
(74) Agent: SMART & BIGGAR
(74) Associate agent:
(45) Issued:
(22) Filed Date: 2005-10-27
(41) Open to Public Inspection: 2006-05-04
Examination requested: 2005-10-27
Availability of licence: N/A
(25) Language of filing: English

Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT): No

(30) Application Priority Data:
Application No. Country/Territory Date
10/981,420 United States of America 2004-11-04

Abstracts

English Abstract





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 with the
upper
portion being pivoted between an upper position and a lower position. A
recovery
container is removably mounted to one of the base portion and the handle. A
suction
nozzle is secured to the base portion and in fluid communication with the
recovery
container. A suction source is in fluid communication with the suction nozzle
for
generating suction to draw dirt from the surface through the suction nozzle
and into the
recovery container. An adjustment mechanism is operatively associated with the
handle. The adjustment mechanism adjusts the length of the handle at selected
lengths when the handle is at the upper position.


Claims

Note: Claims are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.




What is claimed is:

1. A cleaning apparatus for cleaning a surface 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 and a lower position;
c) a recovery container removably mounted to one of said base portion and
said handle;
d) a suction nozzle secured to said base portion and in fluid communication
with said recovery container;
e) a suction source in fluid communication with said suction nozzle for
generating suction to draw dirt from the surface through said suction nozzle
and into
said recovery container; and
f) an adjustment mechanism operatively associated with said handle, said
adjustment mechanism adjusting the length of said handle at selected lengths
when
said handle is at said upper position.

2. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein said adjustment mechanism
includes
at least a first portion telescopically connected to a second portion, wherein
said first
portion is slid with respective to said second portion at selected positions
corresponding to various lengths of said handle.

26



3. The cleaning apparatus of claim 2 wherein said second portion includes a
series
of longitudinally spaced adjustment detents corresponding to the selected
positions.

4. The cleaning apparatus of claim 3 wherein said adjustment mechanism
includes
a locking member selectively engaging any one of the longitudinally spaced
adjustment detents to releasably lock said first portion to said second
portion.

5. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1 including a liquid distribution system
mounted
at least in part to said base portion for dispensing cleaning solution to the
surface,
said liquid distribution system including a solution tank removably mounted to
one of
said base portion and said handle for holding the cleaning solution.

6. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein said suction nozzle includes an
outlet,
a suction hose assembly fluidly communicating said suction nozzle with said
recovery container, said suction hose assembly having an upstream end
detachably
connected to said outlet, said upstream end being detached from said suction
nozzle for above the floor use.

7. The cleaning apparatus of claim 6 wherein said base portion includes a
channel
formed therein for removably receiving at least a portion of said suction hose
assembly.

27


8. The cleaning apparatus wherein said suction hose assembly is designed and
constructed such that its length can be adjusted.
9. The cleaning apparatus of claim 6 wherein said suction hose assembly
includes a
corrugated elastic suction hose.
10. The cleaning apparatus of claim 6 wherein said suction hose assembly
includes
a suction hose composed of a helically coiled support member and a flexible
outer
jacket.
11. The cleaning apparatus of claim 10 including a liquid distribution system
mounted at least in part to said base portion for dispensing cleaning solution
to the
surface, wherein said suction hose assembly includes a coiled solution tube
positioned inside said suction hose and fluidly connected to said liquid
distribution
system.
12. The cleaning apparatus of claim 11 wherein said support member is wound in
a
first direction, said solution tube being wound in a second direction opposite
said first
direction.
13. The cleaning apparatus of claim 11 wherein said solution tube enters said
suction hose at a tangential direction with respect to said suction hose.

28



14. The cleaning apparatus of claim 11 wherein said support member is composed
of
steel wire and said outer jacket is composed of vinyl.
15. The cleaning apparatus of claim 6 wherein said handle includes a cut out
portion to
allow said suction hose assembly sufficient room to maneuver when said suction
hose
assembly is detached from said suction nozzle for above the floor use.
16. A cleaning apparatus for cleaning a surface 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 movably connected to said lower portion,
said
upper portion being moved between an upper position and a lower position;
c) a recovery container removably mounted to one of said base portion and
said handle;
d) a suction nozzle secured to said base portion and in fluid communication
with said recovery container, said suction nozzle includes an outlet;
e) a suction source in fluid communication with said suction nozzle for
generating
suction to draw dirt from the surface through said suction nozzle and into
said recovery
container; and
f) a suction hose assembly fluidly communicating said suction nozzle with said
recovery container, said suction hose assembly having an upstream end
detachably

29




connected to said outlet of said suction nozzle, said upstream end being
detached from
said suction nozzle for above the floor use.
17. The cleaning apparatus of claim 16 wherein said upper portion is pivotally
connected to said lower portion, said upper portion being pivoted between said
upper
position and lower positions.
18. The cleaning apparatus of claim 16 including a liquid distribution system
mounted at least in part to said base portion for dispensing cleaning solution
to the
surface, wherein said suction hose assembly includes a suction hose and a
coiled
solution tube positioned inside said suction hose and fluidly connected to
said liquid
distribution system.
19. The cleaning apparatus of claim 18 wherein said suction hose is composed
of a
helically coiled support member and a flexible outer jacket.
20. The cleaning apparatus of claim 19 wherein said support member is wound in
a first
direction, said solution tube being wound in a second direction opposite said
first
direction.6. The cleaning apparatus of claim 5 wherein said second handle
includes at
least a first portion telescopically connected to a second portion, said first
portion
telescoping substantially into said second portion to place said handle in
said second
position.

30



21. The cleaning apparatus of claim 6 wherein said handle includes a cut out
portion to
allow said suction hose assembly sufficient room to maneuver when said suction
hose
assembly is detached from said suction nozzle for above the floor use.
22. A cleaning apparatus for cleaning a surface comprising:
a) housing;
b) a liquid distribution system mounted at least in part to said housing for
dispensing liquid to the surface, said liquid distribution system including a
solution
tank removably mounted to said housing for holding the cleaning solution.
c) a recovery tank removably mounted to said housing;
d) a suction nozzle secured to said housing and in fluid communication with
said recovery tank, said suction nozzle includes an outlet;
e) a suction source in fluid communication with said suction nozzle for
generating
suction to draw dirt and liquid from the surface through said suction nozzle
and into said
recovery tank;
f) a suction hose assembly fluidly communicating said suction nozzle with said
recovery tank, said suction hose assembly having an upstream end detachably
connected to said outlet of said suction nozzle, said upstream end being
detached from
said suction nozzle for above the floor use;
g) wherein said suction hose assembly is designed and constructed such that
its
length can be adjusted.

31



23. The cleaning apparatus of claim 22 wherein said suction hose assembly
includes a
corrugated elastic suction hose.
24. The cleaning apparatus of claim 22 wherein said suction hose assembly
includes
a suction hose composed of a helically coiled support member and a flexible
outer
jacket.
25. The cleaning apparatus of claim 24 wherein said suction hose assembly
includes
a coiled solution tube positioned inside said suction hose and fluidly
connected to
said liquid distribution system.
26. The cleaning apparatus of claim 25 wherein said support member is wound in
a
first direction, said solution tube being wound in a second direction opposite
said first
direction.
27. The cleaning apparatus of claim 25 wherein said solution tube enters said
suction hose at a tangential direction with respect to said suction hose.
28. The cleaning apparatus of claim 25 wherein said support member is composed
of
steel wire and said outer jacket is composed of vinyl.

32


Description

Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.


CA 02524595 2005-10-27
Hoover Case 2759 Patent Application
PORTABLE CLEANING MACHINE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a cleaning machine, and more specifically, to
a
portable carpet extractor.
to Background Information
It is known in the prior art to provide a portable cleaning machine for
cleaning
surface. It would be desirable to provide such a cleaning machine that can be
used for
both floor cleaning and above the floor cleaning surfaces such as upholsteries
and
stairs. Further, it would be convenient to have the cleaning machine be
converted from
an upright type to a canister type for use in a variety of cleaning
applications, such as
vehicles, closets or other areas of limited maneuvering space. However, in
many of
theses cleaning machines, it requires some time and effort to convert the
machine from
one such cleaning mode or application to another. Often, additional parts such
as an
accessory hose with a suction nozzle and a conversion valve has to be
incorporate in
2 o the cleaning machine so that it can be used to clean both the floor and
above the floor
cleaning surfaces. Also, it would be desirable to adjust the length of the
handle to
accommodate users of different heights.
Hence, it is an object of the present invention to provide a versatile
cleaning
machine that can be easily used by various users to clean various surfaces in
a variety
of cleaning areas.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The foregoing and other objects of the present invention will be readily
apparent
from the following description and the attached drawings. fn one aspect of the
present


CA 02524595 2005-10-27
invention, a cleaning apparatus for cleaning a surface 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 with the upper portion
being
pivoted between an upper position and a lower position. A recovery container
is
removably mounted to one of the base portion and the handle. A suction nozzle
is
secured to the base portion and in fluid communication with the recovery
container. A
suction source is in fluid communication with the suction nozzle for
generating suction
to draw dirt from the surface through the suction nozzle and into the recovery
container.
to An adjustment mechanism is operatively associated with the handle. The
adjustment
mechanism adjusts the length of the handle at selected lengths when the handle
is at
the upper position.
In another aspect of the present invention, a cleaning apparatus for cleaning
a
surface is provided. The cleaning apparatus includes a base portion for
movement
is along the surface and a handle pivotally connected to the base portion. The
handle
includes a lower portion and an upper portion movably connected to the lower
portion
with the upper portion being moved between an upper position and a lower
position. A
recovery.container is removably mounted to one of the base portion and the
handle. A
suction nozzle is secured to the base portion and in fluid communication with
the
2 o recovery container and includes an outlet. A suction source is in fluid
communication
with the suction nozzle for generating suction to draw dirt from the surface
through the
suction nozzle and into the recovery container. A suction hose assembly
fluidly
communicates the suction nozzle with the recovery container. The suction hose
assembly has an upstream end detachably connected to the outlet of the suction
2 ~ nozzle. The upstream end is detached from the suction nozzle for above the
floor use.
2


CA 02524595 2005-10-27
In still another aspect of the present invention, a cleaning apparatus for
cleaning a
surface is provided. The cleaning apparatus includes a housing and a liquid
distribution
system mounted at least in part to the housing for dispensing liquid to the
surface. The
liquid distribution system includes a solution tank removably mounted to the
housing for
holding the cleaning solution. A recovery tank is removably mounted to the
housing. A
suction nozzle is secured to the housing and in fluid communication with the
recovery
tank and includes an outlet. A suction source is in fluid communication with
the suction
nozzle for generating suction to draw dirt and liquid from the surface through
the suction
nozzle and into the recovery tank. A suction hose assembly fluidly
communicates the
1 o suction nozzle with the recovery tank. The suction hose assembly has an
upstream end
detachably connected to the outlet of the suction nozzle with the upstream end
being
detached from the suction nozzle for above the floor use. The suction hose
assembly is
designed and constructed such that its length can be adjusted.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the
attached drawings, of which:
Figure 1 is a front perspective view of the carpet extractor in the upright
position
according to the present invention;
Figure 2 is an exploded view of the carpet extractor of FIG.1 illustrating the
2 o principal elements thereof;
Figure 3 is an exploded view of the spine of the base assembly and related
parts
for the carpet extractor of FIG. 1;
Figure 4 is a side sectional view of the of the suction hose assembly
vertically
taken through the center for the carpet extractor of FIG. 1;
2 s Figure 5 is an exploded view of the brush assembly and nozzle assembly for
the
3


CA 02524595 2005-10-27
carpet extractor of F1G. 1;
Figure 6 is a bottom view of the carpet extractor of FIG. 1;
Figure 7 is an exploded view of the recovery tank for the carpet extractor of
FIG.
1;
Figure 8 is a right side view of the carpet extractor of FIG. 1 with the upper
handle assembly folded down;
Figure 9 is an exploded view of the lower handle body and related parts for
the
carpet extractor of FIG. 1;
Figure 10 is an exploded view of the solution tank for the carpet extractor of
FIG.
1;
Figure 11 is a left side view of the carpet extractor of FIG. 1 with the
handle
inclined working position for use in the floor cleaning mode;
Figure 12 is an exploded view of the handle switch assembly of the carpet
extractor of FIG. 1;
Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of the electrical circuit for the carpet
extractor
of FIG. 1;
Figure 14 is an exploded view of the upper handle assembly for the carpet
extractor of FIG. 1;
Figure 15 is a side sectional view of the of the upper handle assembly
vertically
2 o taken through the center for the carpet extractor of FIG. 1
Figure 16 is an enlarge portion of the carpet extractor indicated in FIG. 15;
Figure 17 is top perspective view a portion of the carpet extractor of FIG. 1
with
portions cut away illustrating the latching mechanism for the recovery tank
and related
parts;
2s Figure 18 is a rear perspective of a cutaway portion of the handle assembly
for
4


CA 02524595 2005-10-27
the carpet extractor of FIG. 1 illustrating the release lever and related
parts for folding
down the upper handle assembly;
Figure 19 is a partial sectional view showing the handle release lever;
Figure 20 is a partial section view taken along line 20-20 of FIG. 1; and
s Figure 21 is a perspective view of a portion of the accessory hose assembly
in an
alternative embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring FIG. 1, an upright carpet extractor 60 is shown, according to the
preferred embodiment of the present invention. The extractor 60 includes a
base
1 o assembly 62 that moves along a surface such as a carpet 74. The base
assembly 62
includes a frame or housing 66 that houses in part a suction motor/fan
assembly 68 with
motor cover 70 as depicted in FIG. 2. The lower right portion of the motor
cover defines
an exhaust manifold cover 72 for exhaust manifold 77 of the working air from
the
suction motor/fan assembly 68. Further details of the motor/fan assembly 68
are
15 disclosed in U.S. patent 5,500,977, the disclosure of which is incorporated
by reference.
A recovery tank 76 removably mounts upon the right rear portion of the housing
66 and
is in fluid communication with the suction motor assembly 68. A handle
assembly 64 is
pivotally connected to the base assembly 62. A supply tank assembly 52 is
removably
mounted to the left portion of the handle assembly 64.
2 o A spine 85 is mounted to the housing and partially covers the motor cover
70 of
the suction motor assembly. As seen in FIG. 3, the spine is form by left and
right half
shells 78, 80 mounted to each other by hot welding. The spine half shells 78,
80 also
form a recovery duct 82 and an exhaust duct 84 when mounted to each other to
form
the spine 85. A u-shaped channel 86 is formed on the upper surface of the
spine 85 for
25 receiving a suction hose assembly 88. The channel 86 extends from the front
portion


CA 02524595 2005-10-27
90 to the rear portion 92 of the spine 85 and has a generally semicircular
shaped cross
section.
A solenoid pump 94 is mounted within a pocket of the housing 66 adjacent the
left half shelf 78 and fluidly connected to the supply tank assembly 52 for
drawing the
s cleaning solution through a floor solution hose 96 to floor spray nozzles 98
of a spray
nozzle assembly 114 provided on the base assembly 62 or through a solution
hose 100
to a spray mechanism 102 (FIG. 4) for a suction hose assembly 88. In
particular, a Tee
connector 104 is inserted into the tubular outlet port 106 of the pump 94 and
retained
therein by elastic retaining tabs 108. The Tee 104 includes an outlet 110
fluidly connect
to to the floor solution hose 96 for the floor spray nozzles 98 and an outlet
112 fluidly
connected to the solution hose 100 (FIG. 2) for the spray mechanism of the
suction
hose assembly 88. The floor solution hose 96 is fluidly connected to inlet 116
of a
spray nozzle assembly 114. The spray nozzle assembly 114 includes
rectangularly
shaped duct 118, which comprises a front cover portion 120 mounted to a rear
plate
15 portion 122. The inlet 116 is integrally formed on the rear plate portion
122 and
extends rearwardly. The spray nozzles 98 are attached to the front cover
portion 120
and extend forwardly. A solenoid valve 124 is mounted in the housing 66 of the
base
assembly 62 and fluidly connected between the spray nozzle assembly 114 and
floor
solution hose 96. The pump 94 can be other suitable types, such as an air
turbine
2 o driven type disclosed in the above-mentioned U.S. patent 5,500,977.
A vent cover 133 for the suction motor cooling air is mounted to the left
spine half
80 and covers the spine half 80 and pump 94. The vent cover 133 is also
positioned
just below the solution tank 52 and mates with solution tank 52 when the
handle
assembly 64 is in the upright position to form with a sleek appearance with
the solution
2 s tank 52. The vent cover 133 in combination with the solution tank also
forms
6


CA 02524595 2005-10-27
symmetrical side-by side appearance with the recovery tank 76, when the handle
assembly 64 is in the upright position. The spray mechanism 102 is mounted to
the
underside of distal hose end 126 and operated by a trigger 132 as seen in FIG.
4. The
hose end 126 defines a hose connector that comprises a plastic cover 128
sonically
s welded to a plastic body 130. The hose connector 126 and trigger 132 are
generally
formed of a rigid material. The spray mechanism 58 can be any suitable device
such as
that disclosed in U.S. patent 5,870,798; the disclosure of which is
incorporated by
reference.
A triangular shaped floor suction nozzle 134 is mounted to the front portion
90 of
1 o the spine 85 of the base assembly 62 by any suitable means such as an
ultraviolet
cured adhesive. As seen in FIG. 5, the floor suction nozzle 134 has a
translucent front
plate 136 mounted to a translucent rear plate 138. The floor suction nozzle
134 has an
inlet 140 formed at its bottom extending across the width of the base assembly
62 as
seen in FIG. 6. A brush housing 142 is integrally molded to the rear plate 138
and
15 positioned rearwardly adjacent the suction nozzle 134. The brush housing
142 covers a
brush assembly 144, which is also positioned rearwardly adjacent the floor
suction
nozzle 134. The brush housing 142 can be composed of a translucent material
for
viewing the brush assembly. As depicted in FIG. 5, the brush assembly 144
includes a
horizontal brush roll 146 having a dowel 148 laced with rows of bristle
bundles 150
2 o formed in a chevron shaped pattern. Opposite end shafts 152 are molded to
the ends
of the dowel 148 and extend through thrust bearings 154 and bearings 156,
which are
rotatably connected to bearing supports 158. The bearing supports 158 are
mounted to
the brush housing 142. A brush gear pulley 160 is overmolded around the dowel
148
and receives a drive belt 162 extending therearound, which is guided on the
gear pulley
25 160 by the belt guide 164. A felt washer 166 is positioned adjacent the
belt guide 164


CA 02524595 2005-10-27
to seal the belt guide 164 and gear pulley 160. A laterally extending .belt
guard 168
covers the bushing support 158 and belt 162 to protect the belt 162 and
prevent the belt
162 from touching the carpet 74. The belt guard 168 includes a row of bristle
bundles
170 extending downwardly for scrubbing the surface 74. The belt 162 also
extends
around a pinion gear 174 connected to a shaft 176 of a brush motor 172. The
brush
motor 172 is mounted in a front pocket 178 of the housing 66 and covered by a
brush
motor cover 180 as seen in FIG. 2. Energizing the brush motor 172 rotates the
pinion
gear 174, which rotates the drive belt 162 and, in turn, the brush roll 146
for scrubbing
the cleaning surface. Alternatively, a vertical axis brush assembly with
rotating gear
1 o brushes or any other type of agitator can be used instead of the brush
roll.
The floor suction nozzle 134 includes an upper sleeve portion 182 (FIG. 5)
defining an outlet that selectively receives the distal hose end 126 of the
suction hose
assembly 88. In orderto releasably retain the hose end 126 to the upper sleeve
portion
182 of the floor suction nozzle 134, a retaining nub 184 (FIG. 5) formed on
the hose
end 126 resiliently engages a through hole 186 of a resilient thumb tab 188
integrally
formed on the upper sleeve portion 182. The hose end 126 is released from the
sleeve
portion 182 by pushing upwardly on the raised end portion 190 of the tab 180 a
sufficient distance to disengage the hole 190 from the nub 184. The proximal
hose end
192 defines an outlet 194 and is fluidly connected to a recovery duct 82 (FIG.
2) formed
2 o in the spine housing. The recovery duct 82 is in fluid communication with
the recovery
Referring to FIG. 20, the suction hose assembly 88 has a suction hose 196 that
is formed from a helically coiled support member 198 such as a steel wire, and
an
extruded or helically wound outer jacket 200 formed from a suitable flexible
material,
such as vinyl. This arrangement allows the outer jacket 200 to move as the
support
2s member 198 is extended and contracted, forming a stretch hose in which the
length of
s


CA 02524595 2005-10-27
the hose can be adjusted. One example of this type of stretch hose is shown in
U.S.
patent 3,486,532, which is hereby incorporated by reference. Although a steel
wire and
vinyl type stretch hose is preferred, a one-piece corrugated hose member could
be
used as shown in U.S. patents 3,572,393 and 5,395,278, which are hereby
incorporated
by reference. The solution tube 100 is placed inside the suction hose 196 in a
helical
coifed arrangement in order to allow it to extend and retract in response to
the suction
hose 196 extending and refracting to the desired length. It is preferred to
use an
outward convoluting suction hose 196, in which the support member 198 defines
the
inner diameter of the suction hose 196, while the excess outer jacket material
is
to displaced outwardly in the form a ring 197 from the support member 198 when
the
suction hose 196 is retracted. It is also preferred to orient the helical
coils of the
solution tube 100 opposite the orientation of the helically coiled support
member 198.
Additionally, it is preferred that the solution tube 100 is not bonded to the
outer
jacket 200 of the suction hose 196 and is significantly shorter in
straightened length
than the straightened length of the helically coiled support member 198, to
facilitate
priming with cleaning solution. The solution tube 100 enters and leaves the
suction
hose 196 parallel to the longitudinal axis of the suction hose 196.
Alternatively, the
solution tube 100 enters and leaves the suction hose 196 at a cuff member 199
tangentially to reduce clogging in the suction hose 196 as depicted in FIG.
21. The
2 o solution tube 100 may or may not be bonded to the suction hose 196. As
depicted in
FIG. 2, a hose grip collar 202 for gripping is mounted around the suction hose
196 just
above the hose end 126. The collar 202 includes indentations 204 to aid in
gripping the
collar 202 and to minimize slippage of the hand of a user off the collar 202.
Referring to FIG. 7, the recovery tank 76 comprises right and left side halves
206, 208 welded together to define a bottom wall 210, an upstanding convexly
curved
9


CA 02524595 2005-10-27
right sidewall 220, and a left sidewall 222 opposite the right sidewall 220.
The recovery
tank 80 includes lid assembly 256 covering its open top. An inverted cup
shaped
handle 224 is attached to the upper end of a recessed area 226 formed in the
right
sidewall 220 for grasping the recovery tank 76. Formed in lower portion of the
left
sidewali 222 of the recovery tank 76 is a recess 228, which covers a
complimentary
portion of the suction motor assembly 68 when the recovery tank 76 is mounted
upon
the housing 66. A pair of vertical flexible support plates or feet 230 depends
downwardly from the bottom wall 210 of the recovery tank 76 and rest upon the
manifold cover 72, which also functions to support the recovery tank 76, when
it is
1 o mounted thereon. The feet 230 flex to absorb much of the impact force from
the
recovery tank 76 striking the manifold cover 72 or other object, thereby
minimizing
breakage of the recovery tank 76. Locating ribs 232 are integrally molded on
the
manifold cover 72 and cooperate with the feet 230 to substantially minimize
front and
rear movement of the recovery tank 76. The housing 66 includes an upstanding
right
is wall 234 that has an upper lip portion 236 extending above the manifold
cover 72 that
retains the lower portion of the recovery tank 76.
Referring to FIG. 15, the recovery tank lid assembly 256 has a generally
inverted
u-shaped body 258. The body 258 includes a right wall 260 that includes a
downwardly
extending tang 262 integrally molded to the bottom end 264 of the right waf I
260. The
2 o body 258 further includes a left wall 266 having a bottom end 268. A
rectangular
shaped cut out portion 270 is formed in the center of the bottom end 268. An
upper
manifold 272 is mounted within the body 258 and comprises an inlet chamber 274
and
outlet chamber 276, which is located forwardly adjacent the inlet chamber 274
at the
front end 278 of the recovery tank 76. The inlet chamber 274 has an inlet port
280
2s (FIG. 2) that is in fluid communication with the outlet 284 (FIG. 3) of the
recovery duct


CA 02524595 2005-10-27
304, when the recovery tank 80 is mounted to the handle assembly 62. The
outlet
chamber 276 has a side exit opening 282 from the recovery tank 76 in fluid
communication with inlet 286 (FIG. 2) of the exhaust duct 84. A separator 288
is
mounted to the underside of the manifold 272 and has an open top portion in
fluid
communication with the inlet chamber 274. A pair of rope seals 290, 292 is
sandwiched
between the separator 288 and manifold 272. Another rope seal 294 is secured
to the
lid assembly 256 to seal it with the top of the recovery tank 76, when the lid
assembly
256 covers the recovery tank 76. The separator 288 includes a bottom wall 296
and an
upstanding sidewall 298. An inner raised baffle portion 283, integrally formed
with the
1 o bottom wall 374 and sidewall 298, extends to the center of the separator
288. A cut out
portion in the right side of the sidewall 298 defines an outlet 300 of the
separator 288.
A vertical groove 302 is formed on the right sidewall 220 for receiving a
vertical baffle
plate 304 attached to the inferior of the right sidewall 220 of the recovery
tank 76 to
guide the lid 256 to its proper mounting position on the top of the recovery
tank 76;
In operation, when the extractor 60 is operated in the floor cleaning mode,
working air, including entrained fluid and dirt, is drawn into the floor
suction nozzle
assembly 134, through the suction hose 196, recovery duct 82 and to the lid
assembly
256 of the recovery tank 76. The recovered soiled liquid laden air enters the
inlet port
280 of the inlet chamber 274 and is directed down to a channel 306 of the
separator
2 0 368. The channel 306 is formed by the baffle portion 283, the bottom wall
296, and
sidewall 298 of the separator 288. Side 308 of the baffle portion 283 opposite
the rear
portion of the sidewall 298 slopes upwardly and away therefrom to provide more
area
for the liquid to flow down to the channel 306 thereby slowing it down and
aiding
air/water separation. The liquid collects and flows through the channel 306
around the
2 s baffle portion 283 until it exits out the outlet 300 of the separator 288
and down to the
11


CA 02524595 2005-10-27
bottom wall 210 of the recovery tank 76.
Near the forward end of the outlet is a barrier wall 310 formed between the
baffle
portion 283 and sidewall 298 of the separator 288. The barrier wall 310 and
the vertical
baffle plate 304 deflect any liquid away from the outlet chamber 276 and
prevent the
s liquid from entering the outlet chamber 276 and into the motor area. This
serves to
prevent the establishment of a "short circuited" working airflow from the
outlet 300 of the
separator 288 directly to outlet chamber 276. The deflection of the air from
the baffles
and walls and the re-circulation of the stream facilitate separation of the
liquid from the
air, due to the slowing of the stream, thereby allowing more time for the air
to separate
1 o from the liquid. Further, when the stream of air is forced to turn, the
relatively lighter air
is able to negotiate the turn, where as the heavier liquid does not, thereby
causing
further separation. The working air separated from the liquid flows through
the outlet
chamber through inlet 286 of the exhaust duct 84 in fluid communication with
the exit
opening 282 of the outlet chamber 276. A seal or gasket 312 (FIG. 3) is
provided
1s between the ducts 82, 84 and manifold 272. A plastic screen 314, attached
to the seal
406, covers the inlet 286 of the exhaust duct 84 to filter out small particles
in the air
stream.
After traveling through the exhaust duct 84, the working air then travels
through
standpipe 316, and conduit 318 of vacuum manifold 320 (FlG. 6) to the eye of
the fan
20 322 (FIG. 2) of the suction motor 324 of the suction motor assembly 66,
which
generates the suction to draw the air to the fan 322. As indicated by the
arrows
depicted in FIG. 2, the working air flows out of the eye of the motor fan 408
into exhaust
manifold 77. The exhaust manifold 77 is formed by the housing or frame 83 and
motor
cover 70, and an upstanding side wall 326, which extends forwardly,
terminating
2 5 adjacent the brush assembly 144. The working airflow is directed by the
sidewall 326 to
12


CA 02524595 2005-10-27
exhaust vent openings 328 (FIG.6) formed in the bottom of the housing 66 at
the front
end of the exhaust manifold 77. The exhaust manifold 77 and exhaust vent
openings
constrict the flow of air thereby increasing its temperature by transforming
kinetic energy
produced by the working fan into internal energy or heat, which is transferred
to the
warm, moist, separated exhaust air. Thus, additional heat is provided to the
cleaning
path. A gasket 329 is sandwiched between the manifold cover 70 and sidewall
326 to
seal the exhaust manifold 77.
As depicted in FIG. 7, a float assembly 330 is mounted to the separator 288 to
choke the flow of working air when the recovery tank 76 is full. The float
assembly 330
1 o comprises a bottom float portion 332 connected to an elongated arm 334,
which has a
circular seal 336. The seal 336 is positioned in a cage 338, which is snap
mounted to
the top mounting flange 340 of the separator, and depends downwardly from
entrance
opening 342 of the outlet chamber 276.
When the Liquid level in the recovery tank 80 is not contacting the float
portion
332, the air flows through the entrance opening 342 and to the motor air. As
the liquid
level in the recovery tank 76 rises after contacting the float portion 332,
the float portion
332 and seal 336 move upward until the seal 336 closes the entrance opening
342,
when the liquid rises to a predetermine level indicative of a full tank. In
this position, the
seal 336 chokes off the flow of working air through the recovery tank 76 and
prevents
2 o the liquid from entering the motor area. The spaced apart distance between
the float
portion 332 and seal 336 prevents liquid from traveling to the seal 336 and
entering the
motor area due to, for example, sloshing of the liquid in the recovery tank 76
caused by
moving the extractor 60 back and forth over the cleaning surface 74.
The lid assembly 256 is secured to the recovery tank 53 by lid locking tabs
344
2 s and the integrally molded locking tang 262. In particular, the lid locking
tabs 344 are
13


CA 02524595 2005-10-27
hingedly snap connected to the left side of the lid 256 and have two smaller
slots 346
for securely receiving locking projections 348 (FIG. 2) projecting from the
recovery tank
53 by a snap connection. The locking tang 262 engages a groove 350 formed on
the
inner side of the right wall 220 of the recovery tank 76. To unlock and remove
the lid
s assembly 256 from the recovery tank 76 to, for example, empty the recovered
liquid
from the recovery tank 76, a user first lifts the lid locking tabs 344 outward
to disengage
the slots 346 from the locking tabs 344 and thus unlock the lid assembly 256
from the
recovery tank 53. The lid assembly 256 is then manipulated to disengage the
tang 262
from the groove 350 and then lifted and removed from the recovery tank 76.
to As depicted in FIG. 3, a latching mechanism 238 mounted to the right spine
half
80 latches the recovery tank 76 to the right spine half 80, yet allows the
recovery tank
76 to be lifted off the base assembly 62 and removed therefrom. In particular,
the latch
mechanism 238 includes a laterally extending latch body 240 having a shaft 248
pivotally mounted in a channel formed in a retainer 244, which mounts the
latch
15 mechanism 238 to the upper portion of the right spine half 80 as depicted
in FIG. 17.
Torsions springs 246 are inserted around the opposite ends of the shaft 248.
Each of
the torsion springs 246 has an upper horizontal leg 243 that bears against the
underside of the latch body 240 and a lower vertical leg 245 that bears
against a lateral
support plate 249, attached to the right spine half 80, to bias the latch body
240
2 o upwardly as depicted in FIG. 17. The latch body 240 includes a nose 250
having an
upwardly sloped beveled top side 252. A notch 254 is formed between the nose
250
and shaft 248.
To removably mount the recovery tank 76 to the right portion of the base
assembly 62, the recovery tank 76 is positioned upon the exhaust manifold
cover 72
2 s and inside the upper lip 236 with the feet 230 placed outside the locating
ribs 232 as
14


CA 02524595 2005-10-27
seen in FIG. 8. The recovery tank 76 is then pivoted towards the spine until
the portion
352 of the bottom end 268 at the cut out portion 270 of the left wall 266 cams
against
the top side 252 of the nose 250 of the latch body 240 urging the latch body
240
downwardly until the portion 352 of the bottom end 268 of the left wall
engages the
notch 254 as seen in FIG. 17. The notch 254 and upper lip 236 prevent the
recovery
tank 76 from being removed from the lateral right and left side direction, and
the cutout
portion 270 fits over the front and rear ends of the latch body 240 to prevent
the
recovery tank 7c~ from being removed from the lateral forward and rearward
direction.
To remove the recovery tank 76, a user grasp the handle 224 and lifts it
upwardly until
1 o the portion 352 of the bottom end 268 disengages from the notch 254.
As seen in FIG. 1, the handle assembly 64 includes an upper handle assembly
354 pivotally connected to a lower handle body 356. Referring to FIG. 9, the
lower
handle body 356 comprises a front shell 358 mounted to a rear shell 360. The
rear
shell 360 includes lower extensions 3628, 362L on opposite sides of the rear
shell 360
z5 that each has an inwardly extending projection 364. The projection 364 for
the right
lower extension 3628 is only shown and will only be described, since the
projection 364
for the left lower extension 362L is similar in structure and function. A stop
member 366
with a front notch 368 is integrally molded to the projection 364 and extends
inwardly.
The projections 364 are rotatably received in their respective arcuate cutout
portions
2 0 3708, 370L on the housing 66 to allow pivotal movement of the handle
assembly 64.
Brackets 3728, 372L are mounted on the housing 66 over the projections 364 to
secure
the handle assembly 64 to the base assembly 62. Two laterally displaced wheels
3748, 374L are rotatably connected via axles 376 to the lower extensions and
rear of
the housing 64 to support the base assembly 62 for movement along the cleaning
25 surface 74. The wheel axles 376 extend through the projections 364 at
approximately


CA 02524595 2005-10-27
1 /8 of an inch rearward of the axis of the axle 376. E-clips 378 are secured
around the
axles 376 to prevent their removal. Upper and lower cord holders 379, 381 are
mounted to the rear of the rear shell for storage of the electrical cord of
the extractor 60.
The front shell 358 includes a curved carry handle 380 mounted to the top
s portion for carrying the extractor unit 60. A reservoir assembly 382 is
connected to
lower support member 359 of the front shell 358. The reservoir assembly 382
comprises a top cover 498 with an upstanding peripheral wall 500 surrounding
an
opening 502. The cover 498 is mounted on a bottom plate 494 having a pin 496
extending through the opening 502. A retaining wall assembly 384, which
retains the
1 o solution tank 52 thereon, surrounds the reservoir assembly 382. Captured
between the
front and rear shells 358, 360 is a power switch assembly 386. The power
switch
assembly 386 is electrically connected to the suction motor assembly 68 and
power
supply 388 (FIG. 13) and thus, is used to turn on and off the suction motor
324 of the
suction motor assembly 68. The switch assembly 386 includes a mounting plate
400
15 and a circuit breaker 402 secured to the mounting plate 400. The circuit
breaker
includes a reset button 404 extending up through an opening in the top of the
mounting
plate 400. Guide channel 406 formed on the mounting plate 400 slidably
receives a
switch lever 408. The lever 408 has a flap 410 extending over the reset button
404 of
the circuit breaker 402. A switch button 412 from a switch body 414 extends
through an
2 o aperture 416700 in the lever 408 and aperture 418 in the mounting plate
400. A slide
button 420 located on the exterior side of the lower handle body 356 snap fits
into a
second aperture 422 formed in the lever 408.
Thus, movement of the slide button 420 longitudinally with respect to the
handle
assembly 64 will correspondingly move the switch button 412 longitudinally
turning it on
2s and off, and also reset the circuit breaker 402 for the agitator motor 172
when slid
16


CA 02524595 2005-10-27
down. Thus, when the slide button 420 is slid up to the on position, the
suction motor
324 in the motor/fan assembly 68 is energized, and when the slide button 420
is slid
down to the off position, the suction motor 324 is denergized and the flap 410
engages
the reset button 404, resetting the circuit breaker 402 when tripped.
s As seen in FIG. 8, an accessory tool holder 422 is mounted to the right side
of
the lower handle body 356 and receives an accessory tool 424 for storage. The
accessory tool 424 comprises a suction nozzle 426 and brush 428 (FIG. 6) with
a
similar mounting arrangement as that of the floor suction nozzle 134. In
particular as
seen in FIG. 9, a resilient thumb tab 430 with through hole 432 is integrally
formed on
outlet 434 of the tool 424 and engages the nub 184 of the hose end 126 when
mounted. The hose end 126 is released from the outlet 434 by pushing upwardly
on
the raised end portion 436 of the tab 430 a sufficient distance to disengage
the hole 432
from the nub 184. As depicted in FIGS. 8 and 9, the lower handle body 356 has
a
middle leg portion 357 that is offset from the spine 85 at the left portion of
the base
assembly 62 to allow the suction hose assembly 88 to be easily accessed,
removed,
and mounted on the spine 85 by the user. Such a cutout portion 359 further
provides
sufficient room for the suction hose assembly 88 to maneuver.
The solution tank 52 is removably mounted on the reservoir assembly 382 with
its rear side forwardly adjacent the leg portion 357 of the lower handle body
356 and
2 o retained thereon by the retaining wall assembly 384. As seen in FIG. 10,
the solution
tank 52 comprises right and left side halves 4388, 438L mounted together and
bonded
with ultraviolet cured adhesive to define a bottom wall 440, an upstanding
convexly
curved left sidewall 442, and a right sidewall 444 opposite the left sidewall
442. An
inverted cup shaped handle 490 is attached to the upper end of a recessed area
492
2 5 formed in the left sidewall 442 for grasping the solution tank 52. Pin 496
(FIG. 9) acts to
17


CA 02524595 2005-10-27
open solution tank valve 506 of the solution tank 52 as tank 52 is placed upon
the
reservoir assembly 382 and secured in place. The solution tank valve 506 is
removably
mounted into bottom wall 508 of the solution tank 52. The solution tank valve
506
comprising valve seat 510 having an elongate plunger 512 extending coaxiafiy
upward
therethrough. The plunger 512 has an outside diameter less than the inside
diameter of
valve seat 510. The plunger 512 is provided with at least four flutes 514 to
maintain
alignment of plunger 512 within valve seat 510 as plunger 512 axially
translates therein
and permits the passage of fluid therethrough when plunger 512 is in the open
position.
An open frame housing 518 is located atop valve seat 510 having a vertically
2o extending bore 516 slidingly receiving therein the upper shank portion of
plunger 512.
An elastomeric circumferential upper seal 520 circumscribes plunger 512 for
sealingly
engaging valve seat 510. Seal 520 is urged against valve seat 510 by action of
compression spring 522. Spring 522 circumscribes plunger 512 and is positioned
between housing 518 and seal 520. A lower seal 521 is position around the
outlet of
the housing 518. Solution tank valve 506 is normally in the closed position.
However,
as solution tank 52 is placed upon reservoir assembly 382 of handle assembly
64, pin
496 aligns with plunger 512 and with the weight of the solution tank 52 forces
plunger
576 upward, compressing spring 522 and opening valve seat 510 permitting
cleaning
solution to flow from solution tank 52 into reservoir assembly 382. Upon
removal of
2 o solution tank 52 from reservoir assembly 382, the energy stored within
compression
spring 522 closes valve seat 510. A threaded cap 524 is threadily secured on a
boss
526 (FIG. 9), integrally molded on the bottom wall 504, to removably mount the
solution
tank valve 506 to the bottom wall 504 of the solution tank 52. A check valve
528 in the
form of an elastomeric umbrella valve is provided in the solution tank 52 near
the top
portion to assure that the ambient pressure within tank 52 remains equal to
18


CA 02524595 2005-10-27
atmospheric, as cleaning solution is drawn from tank 52.
As seen in FIG. 2, a handle release pedal mechanism 530 allows the handle to
pivot down to the working position (shown in FIG. 11 ). The pedal mechanism
includes a
rear pedal portion 532 integrally molded to a u-shaped pivot member 534. A
front
s spring leg 536 is integrally molded to the pivot member 534 and bears
against the
housing 66 to bias the pivot member 534 upwardly. When the handle assembly 64
is in
the upright position, the pivot member 534 engages the notches 368 in the stop
members 366, which prevents the handle assembly 64 from pivoting. To place the
handle assembly 64 in the working position, a user depresses the pedal portion
532 a
1 o sufficient distance to disengage the pivot member 534 from the notches 368
and then
pivots the handle assembly 64 down to the working position. Also, in the
upright
position a forwardly extending projection 538 (FIG. 9) on the front shell 358
of the
handle assembly 64 extends into a notch 540 (FIG. 7) formed on the rear side
of the
recovery tank 76, thereby preventing its removal. Pivoting the handle assembly
64 back
is about twenty degrees disengages the projection 538 from the notch 540 to
allow the
removal of the recovery tank 76 as seen in FIG. 8.
A handle switch assembly 542 (FIG. 2) is mounted to the base assembly 62 for
turning off the brush assembly 144, when the handle assembly 62 pivots in the
upright
position, and for turning back on the brush assembly 144 when the handle
assembly 64
2 o pivots in the inclined working position. In particular, as depicted in
FIG. 12, the handle
switch assembly 542 includes a base portion 544 having clips 546 that retain a
microswitch 548 mounted thereon. The microswitch 548 includes a lever 550 that
extends over a spring-loaded pushbutton 552. A spring-loaded actuator rod 554
is
received in a recess 556 formed in the base portion 544 and biased upwardly by
a
2 s coiled spring 558 provided between the base portion 544 and rod 554. A
projection 560
19


CA 02524595 2005-10-27
is attached to the outer surface of the rod 554 and includes an outwardly and
upwardly
beveled bottom side 562. A switch cover 564 is mounted to the base portion 544
and
includes a through hole 566 in which the rod 554 extends therethrough. When
the
handle assembly 64 is moved to the upright position, the underside of the
bottom plate
s 494 of the reservoir assembly 382 engages the rod 554 and pushes it downward
so that
the beveled bottom side 562 of the projection 560 cams against the lever arm
554,
causing it to depress the push button 552 of the microswitch 548. With the
push button
552 depressed, the electrical circuit (FIG. 13) between the brush motor 172
and power
source 388 is broken, which deenergizes the brush motor 172, thereby stopping
any
1 o rotation of the brush assembly 144.
When the handle assembly 64 pivots down about twenty degrees from vertical,
the underside of the bottom plate 494 of the reservoir assembly 382 disengages
from
the rod 554, thereby allowing the rod 554 to move upwardly from the biasing
force of
the spring 558 as seen in FIG. 11. This causes the projection 560 to disengage
from
15 the lever arm 550 and thus allows the push button 552 to extend. With the
push button
552 extended, the electrical circuit between the brush motor 172 and power
source 388
is closed as seen in FIG. 13, which engergizes the brush motor 172, thereby
causing
rotation of the brush assembly 144, if the power switch 388 is also turned on.
Alternatively, the handle switch assembly 542 can be mounted to the handle
assembly
20 64. As seen in FIG. 13, the circuit breaker 402 is electrically coupled to
the agitator
motor 172 for turning off the agitator motor 172 when the current exceeds a
certain
value as in the case of a jammed agitator. A bridge rectifier 568 is
electrically coupled
between the handle switch assembly 542 and agitator motor 172 to convert the
alternating current info a direct current for operating the agitator motor
172.
25 Referring to FIG. 14, the upper handle assembly 354 includes a telescoping


CA 02524595 2005-10-27
arrangement that comprises an inner upper tube 570 inserted into an outer
lower tube
572. The upper tube 570 has a series of longitudinally spaced detents 574 that
correspond to various lengths of the upper handle assembly 354 at which the
upper and
lower tubes are locked together. In particular, an elastic grip collar 576
with grip
s recesses 578 is wrapped around the intersection ofthe upper and lower tubes
570, 572.
As depicted in FIG. 16, the collar 576 includes a pin 580 that extends through
a slot
582 (FIG. 14) in the lower tube 572. The pin 580 has one end integrally molded
to the
inner side of the collar 576 and the other end engaging a pocket 584 of a slid
block or
clutch 586. The slide block 586 is slidably mounted to the upper tube 570 and
is biased
to downwardly by a coiled spring 588. A roller pin 590 is located between the
tubes. In
the rest position in which no upward force is applied to the collar 576, the
slide block
586 includes a lower end 592 portion that the covers the pin 590, which is
seated in one
of the detents 574, and prevents the pin 590 from disengaging from the decent
574,
thereby locking the upper tube 570 to the lower tube 572.
15 To adjust the length of the upper handle assembly 354, a user grasps the
collar
576 and slides it upwardly (using sufficient force to overcome the biasing
force of the
spring 588) which in turn slides the slide block 586 upwardly. The user slides
the collar
576 upwardly a distance in which the slide block 586 no longer covers the
roller pin 588
so that the roller pin 588 is now free to move out of the detent 574, thereby
unlocking
2 o the upper tube 570 from the lower tube 572. With the slide block 586 in
this position,
the user then slides the upper tube 570 at a desired position corresponding to
one of
the selected detents 574. The user then releases the upward force on the
collar 476,
which causes the spring 588 to urge the slide block 586 down such that the
lower end
portion 592 of the slide block 586 engages the roller pin 590 and seats it
into the
25 selected detent, thereby locking the upper tube 570 to the lower tube 572.
Another
21


CA 02524595 2005-10-27
coiled spring 588 is attached between the collar 476 and the lower tube 572 on
the
other side of the lower tube 572 to balance the biasing force on the collar
576. Each of
the tubes has bushings 594, 596 to allow them to slide with ease.
The upper handle assembly 354 pivots or folds down behind the lower handle
body 356 for storage or if desired, when the extractor unit is used for above
the floor
cleaning as seen in FIG. 8. Specifically as seen in FIG. 18, a release lever
598 is used
to releasably lock the upper handle assembly 354 in the upright position. The
release
lever 598 includes a shaft 600 pivotally mounted to the lower handle body 356
within a
u-shaped cut out portion 602 (FIG. 9) and a locking plate 604 integrally
molded to the
to shaft 600 and extending rearwardly. The right end 606 (FIG. 9) of the shaft
600 is
square shaped and is fixedly received in a complimentary pocket portion 608
(F1G. 9) of
a rotating knob 510. The knob 610 includes a central rib 612 for grasping and
rotating
the knob 610. The lever 598 is biased upwardly to a generally horizontal
position by a
torsion spring 618 (FIG. 9). As depicted in FIG. 2, the upper handle assembly
354 has
1~ trunnions 6228, 622L at its lower proximal end 626 that are rotatably
engage arcuate
surfaces 624 in the lower handle body 356.
When the upper handle assembly 354 is in the upright position, the locking
plate
604 engages a notch 620 (best seen in FIG. 15) formed on the under side of the
lower
proximal end 626 of the upper handle assembly 354, thereby locking the upper
handle
2 o assembly 354 to the lower handle body 356 and thus, preventing the upper
handle
assembly 354 from pivoting or folding down. Rotation of the knob 610 in the
clock wise
direction, causes the lever 598 to pivot down and away from the notch 620,
thereby
unlocking the upper handle assembly 354 from the lower handle body 356 and
allowing
the upper handle assembly 354 to pivot down behind the lower handle body 356
as
2 5 shown in FIG 8. Pivoting the upper handle assembly 354 back to the upright
position
22


CA 02524595 2005-10-27
allows the spring 618 (FIG. 9) to urge the locking plate into the notch 620 to
lock the
upper handle assembly 354 to the lower handle body 356.
The upper handle assembly 354 includes a handgrip 628 that is formed by front
and rear portions 630, 632 mounted to each other as seen in FIG. 14. A trigger
switch
s assembly 630 is mounted within the handgrip 628 for selectively operating
the solenoid
valve 124 (FIGS. 2 and 13) to deliver cleaning solution to the spray nozzles
98. In
particular, the trigger switch assembly 630 includes a trigger 640 pivotally
attached
within the handgrip 628 at pivot members 634. The pivot members 634 are
integrally
molded to a trigger support mount 636 and extend rearwardly therefrom. In
particular
to as depicted in FIG. 15, the pivot members 634 snappingly receive lateral
pins 638,
integrally molded on opposite sides of the trigger 640.
Integrally molded onto trigger 640 and extending upwardly are two elastic arms
642, one on each lateral side thereof, that bear against the inner side of the
front
portion 630 of the handgrip 628. Elastic arms 642 produce a biasing force and
urge
15 trigger 640 outwardly or downwardly, which places the solenoid shut off
valve 124 in the
closed position. In particular as depicted in FIG. 16, an arm 644 having an
angled end
portion 646 extends forwardly and downwardly from the pivot pins 638 of the
trigger 640
terminating adjacent a microswitch 648 of the trigger switch 821. The trigger
support
mount 636, trigger 640, and microswitch 648 are captured within the handgrip
628 of
2 o the upper handle assembly upon the front and rear portions being mounted
to each
other. A lever arm 650 is connected to the microswitch 648 and extends over a
spring-
loaded push button on the microswitch 648. When the upper portion of the
trigger 640
is positioned downwardly, the angled end portion 646 is spaced from the lever
arm 650.
In this position with reference to FIG. 13, the microswitch 648 opens the
circuit
2 s between the solenoid shut off valve 124 and the main power source 388,
thereby
23


CA 02524595 2005-10-27
denergizing the solenoid valve 124 and closing it. Upon the operator squeezing
the
trigger 640, elastic arms 642 yield thereby permitting counterclockwise
rotation of trigger
640 about the pivot members 634 as viewed from the left side of the trigger
640. When
the upper portion of the trigger 640 is squeezed or depressed, the angled end
portion
646 cams against the lever arm 650 such that the lever arm 650 depresses the
push
button on the microswitch 648. Upon depression of the push button, the
microswitch
648 closes the circuit as depicted in FIG. 13 between the solenoid shut off
valve 124
and the main power switch assembly 386. If the main power switch assembly 386
is
switched on to connect the power source 388 to the solenoid shut off valve 124
and the
1 o trigger 640 is squeeze or depressed, the selected solenoid shut off valve
124 energizes
and opens to allow cleaning solution to flow to the spray nozzles 98.
When the carpet extractor 60 is operated in the floor cleaning position as
shown
in FIG. 11, the suction hose assembly 88 sits in the channel 86 of the spine
85 and the
hose end 126 is attached to the outlet of the suction nozzle assembly 134. The
upper
ZS handle assembly 354 is pivoted up and locked to the lower handle body 356
at one of
the detents 574. The handle assembly 64 is pivoted down in the incline working
position. A user grasps the handgrip 628 and squeezes the trigger 640 to
selectively
distribute the cleaning solution on the surface 74. As the user moves the
carpet
extractor 60 over the cleaning surface 74, the brush assembly 146 scrubs the
cleaning
2 o solution into the surface and the soiled cleaning liquid is extracted from
the carpet by
the floor suction nozzle 134. The liquid and dirt travels through the suction
hose
assembly 88 into the recovery tank 76 where the liquid is separated by the air
and
collects on the bottom of the tank 76. A vacuum is created in the recovery
tank 76 by
the suction motor fan assembly 68 that draws air from the recovery tank 76 and
2 s exhausts the air to the carpeted surface 74.
24


CA 02524595 2005-10-27
W hen the carpet extractor 60 is operated in the above the floor cleaning
position
as seen in FIG. 8, the upper tube 570 is retracted or slidably inserted fully
into the lower
tube 572 such that the handle is adjusted at its shortest length. The upper
handle
assembly 354 is then folded or pivoted down behind the lower handle body 572.
The
hose end 126 is detached from the outlet of the floor suction nozzle 134 and
the
accessory cleaning ool 424 is attached to the hose end 126 as seen by the
phantom
lines. Alternatively, for convenience of use, the hose end 126 could define a
suction
nozzle that is detachably connected to the floor suction nozzle hose to
eliminate the
step of attaching a separate accessory too(. Also, other nozzles or accessory
tools
1 o such as a crevice toot or a suction nozzle with an attached rotating brush
could be
attached to the hose 60 instead of the accessory tool 424. The user grasps the
hose
end 126 and squeezes the hose trigger 132 to selectively distribute the
cleaning
solution on the surface 74. As the user moves the accessory tool 424 over the
cleaning
surface, soiled cleaning liquid is scrub into the surface by the brush
assembly 428 and
extracted from the carpet by the suction nozzle 426 of the accessory cleaning
tool 424
and travels through the suction hose assembly 88 into the recovery tank 76
where the
liquid is separated by the air and collects on the bottom of the tank 76.
The present invention has been described by way of example using the
illustrated embodiment. Upon reviewing the detailed description and the
appended
2 o drawings, various modifications and variations of the preferred
embodiments will
become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. All such obvious
modifications and
variations are intended to be included in the scope of the present invention
and of the
claims appended hereto.
25

Representative Drawing
A single figure which represents the drawing illustrating the invention.
Administrative Status

For a clearer understanding of the status of the application/patent presented on this page, the site Disclaimer , as well as the definitions for Patent , Administrative Status , Maintenance Fee  and Payment History  should be consulted.

Administrative Status

Title Date
Forecasted Issue Date Unavailable
(22) Filed 2005-10-27
Examination Requested 2005-10-27
(41) Open to Public Inspection 2006-05-04
Dead Application 2011-02-17

Abandonment History

Abandonment Date Reason Reinstatement Date
2009-02-26 R30(2) - Failure to Respond 2009-04-14
2009-02-26 R29 - Failure to Respond 2009-04-14
2010-02-17 R30(2) - Failure to Respond
2010-10-27 FAILURE TO PAY APPLICATION MAINTENANCE FEE

Payment History

Fee Type Anniversary Year Due Date Amount Paid Paid Date
Request for Examination $800.00 2005-10-27
Registration of a document - section 124 $100.00 2005-10-27
Application Fee $400.00 2005-10-27
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 2 2007-10-29 $100.00 2007-09-28
Registration of a document - section 124 $100.00 2008-05-20
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 3 2008-10-27 $100.00 2008-08-11
Reinstatement for Section 85 (Foreign Application and Prior Art) $200.00 2009-04-14
Reinstatement - failure to respond to examiners report $200.00 2009-04-14
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 4 2009-10-27 $100.00 2009-08-12
Owners on Record

Note: Records showing the ownership history in alphabetical order.

Current Owners on Record
HEALTHY GAIN INVESTMENTS LIMITED
Past Owners on Record
ALFORD, WILLIAM G.
DIAMOND, THOMAS G.
GERBER, DOUGLAS E.
HAIDET, LON J.
HERTRICK, TIMOTHY T.
LEONATTI, JOHN A.
SCLAFANI, ADAM C.
THE HOOVER COMPANY
WEGELIN, JACKSON W.
Past Owners that do not appear in the "Owners on Record" listing will appear in other documentation within the application.
Documents

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Document
Description 
Date
(yyyy-mm-dd) 
Number of pages   Size of Image (KB) 
Abstract 2005-10-27 1 23
Description 2005-10-27 25 1,240
Claims 2005-10-27 7 217
Drawings 2005-10-27 20 513
Representative Drawing 2006-04-06 1 8
Cover Page 2006-05-01 2 46
Description 2009-04-14 26 1,261
Claims 2009-04-14 4 103
Assignment 2005-10-27 6 280
Fees 2007-09-28 1 44
Assignment 2008-05-20 79 3,165
Prosecution-Amendment 2008-08-26 3 91
Prosecution-Amendment 2009-04-14 5 141
Prosecution-Amendment 2009-08-17 4 167