Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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~ W~ET/DRY rLOOR CLEANING UNIT AND METHOD OF CLEANING
This is a divisional of Canadian Application Serial
No. 2,403,272 filed on September 16, 2002.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a cleaner such as a hard floor
cleaning unit for use in wet or dry cleaning modes. In particular, the present
application pertains to such a hard floor cleaning unit having a nozzle
assembly that
is raised off the floor for use in the dry cleaning mode and fowered on the
floor for
use in the wet cleaning mode.
Background Information
It is known in the prior art to provide a hard or bare floor cleaning unit.
Such floors are of a relatively unyieiding and nonabsorbent nature. Some
examples
of these floors include ceramic tile, sealed hardwood, concrete, and vinyl.
For these
floors, it is often desirable to have a multipurpose cleaning unit which can
be
selected and used to dry vacuum the floor to pick up dirt and dust, or wet
vacuum
the floor by scrubbing the floor with cleaning solution and then collecting
and picking
it up. Also, it is desirable to first dry vacuum the floor with the nozzle
assembly
raised and then lower it to wet vacuum the floor. Dry vacuuming with the
nozzle
assembly raised picks up the large particles in order to provide a cleaner
surface for
wet vacuuming, thereby avoiding spreading or scrubbing the loose dirt on the
floor
by the squeegee or brushes. Moreover, this method minimizes the amount of dirt
or
hair that collects on the brushes.
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Hence, it is an object of the present invention to provide a hard floor
cleaning unit that can be conveniently selected to dry vacuum the floor with
the
nozzle assembly raised or wet vacuum the floor with the nozzle assembly
lowered to
collect and pick up dirt from the floor mixed with cleaning solution
distributed on the
floor by the cleaning unit.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a method of
cleaning a hard floor surface by first dry vacuuming the floor using a
cleaning unit in
which the nozzle assembly is raised to pick up large particles and then wet
vacuuming the floor with the nozzle assembly lowered to collect and pick up
dirt
lo from the floor mixed with cleaning solution distributed on the floor by the
cleaning
unit.
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. In one embodiment of
the
present invention, an improved floor cleaning device comprises a base portion
for
movement along a surface and a handle portion pivotally connected to the base.
The base portion further includes a suction nozzle and a brush assembly for
agitating the surface, wherein the brush assembly and the nozzle assembly are
in a
first position raised off of the surface for vacuuming said surface, and the
nozzle
assembly is lowered to a second position contacting the surface for collecting
and
picking up liquid and dirt from the surface.
A method for cleaning a surface with a cleaning unit having a suction
nozzle assembly for picking up particles on said surface is also disclosed.
The
method comprises the steps of raising the nozzle assembly off the surface and
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moving the cleaning unit along the surface to pick up loose particles on the
surface.
Then, the nozzle is lowered to contact the surface and cleaning solution is
applied
to the surface. The cleaning unit is then moved along the surface to collect
and pick
up particles and cieaning solution on the surface.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
fioor cleaning device comprising: a base portion for movement along a surface;
a
handle portion pivotally connected to said base portion; a nozzle assembly
associated with said base portion, said nozzle assembly including a nozzle
body,
said nozzle assembly including a squeegee attached to said nozzle body; a
brush
1 o assembly associated with said base portion; and said brush assembly and
said
nozzle assembly being in a first position raised off of said surface for
vacuuming
said surface, said nozzle assembly being lowered to a second position
contacting
said surface for collecting and picking up liquid and dirt from said surface,
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided
a floor cleaning device comprising: a base portion for movement along a
surface;.
a handie portion pivotally connected to said base portion; a nozzle assembly
associated with said base portion; a brush assembly associated with said base
portion; said brush assembly and said nozzle assembly being in a first
position
raised off of said surface for vacuuming said surface, said nozzle assembly
being
lowered to a second position contacting said surface for collecting and
picking up
liquid and dirt from said surface; and a pedal operatively connected to said
base
portion such that depressing said pedal either raises said brush assembly and
said
nozzle assembly off of said surface or lowers said nozzle assembly to said
second
position contacting said surface.
According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is
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provided a method for cleaning a surface with a cleaning unit, said cleaning
unit
having a suction nozzle assembly for picking up particles on said surface,
said
method comprising the steps of: a) raising said nozzle assembly off said
surface; b)
moving said cleaning unit along said surface to pick up loose particles on
said
surface; c) lowering said nozzle assembly to contact said surface; d) applying
cleaning solution to said surface; and e) moving said cleaning unit along said
surface to coilect and pick up particles and cleaning solution on said
surface.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a floor cleaning device comprising: a base portion for movement along
a
lo surface, said base portion having a distributor for distributing cleaning
liquid onto
said surface; front and rear support members connected to said base portion
and
engaging said surface; a handle portion pivotally connected to said base
portion; a
nozzle assembly associated with said base portion, said nozzle assembly
including
a nozzle body composed of a rigid material, said noale assembly including a
squeegee
attached to said nozzle body; a brush assembly associated with said base
portion;
and wherein 'said brush assembly and said nozzle assembly are movable between
a first position raised off of said surface to vacuum said surface with said
front and
rear support members maintaining engagement with said surface, and a second
position in which said squeegee engages said surface to collect and pick up
liquid
2 o and dirt from said surface, wherein said front and rear support members
maintain
engagement with said surface when said nozzle assembly and brush assembly are
in said first position.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided
a floor cleaning device comprising: a base portion for movement along a
surface,
said base portion having a suction nozzle, a nozzle lifting mechanism
operatively
connected to said base portion, said nozzle lifting mechanism comprising: a
wheel
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carriage pivotally connected to said base portion; a cam member movably
mounted
to said wheel carriage between said base portion and said wheel carriage, said
cam
member having at least one camming portion; said base portion including an
actuator associated with said cam member, wherein actuation of s aid a ctuator
translationally moves said cam member with respect to said wheel carriage such
that the camming portion engages the base portion to lift said suction nozzle
in a
first position away from said surface, and actuation of said actuator again
translationally moves said cam member with respect to said wheel carriage such
that said camming portion disengages from the base portion thereby moving said
1 o suction nozzie in a second position closer to said surface than said first
position.
According to yet a-further aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a floor cleaning device comprising: a base portion for movement along
a
surface, said base portion having a suction nozzle, a nozzle lifting mechanism
operatively connected to said base portion, said nozzle lifting mechanism
comprising: a wheel carriage pivotally connected to said base portion; a cam
member movably mounted to said wheel carriage between said base portion and
said wheel carriage, said cam member having at ieast one camming portion; and
said base portion includes an actuator associated with said cam member,
wherein
said actuator engages said cam member to translationally move said cam member
with respect to said wheel carriage upon being actutated such that the camming
portion engages the base portion to lift said suction nozzle in a first
position away
from said surface.
According to still a further aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a floor cleaning device comprising: a base portion for movement along
a
surface, said base portion having a suction nozzle, a nozzle lifting mechanism
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operatively connected to said base portion, said nozzle
lifting mechanism comprising: a wheel carriage pivotally
connected to said base portion; a cam member movably mounted
to said wheel carriage between said base portion and said
wheel carriage, said cam member having at least one camming
portion; and wherein said base portion includes a pedal
associated with said cam member, wherein depression of said
pedal translationally moves said cam member with respect to
said wheel carriage such that the camming portion engages
the base portion to lift said suction nozzle in a first
position away from said surface.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the
present invention, there is provided a method for cleaning a
surface with a cleaning unit, said cleaning unit having an
agitator assembly for loosening particles from said surface
and a suction nozzle assembly for picking up particles on
said surface, said method comprising the steps of: a)
raising said suction nozzle assembly off said surface; b)
moving said cleaning unit along said surface to pick up
loose particles on said surface; c) lowering said suction
nozzle assembly to contact said surface; d) applying
cleaning solution to said surface and energizing said
agitator assembly; and e) moving said cleaning unit along
said surface to collect and pick up particles and cleaning
solution on said surface.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the
present invention, there is provided a method for cleaning a
surface with a cleaning unit, said cleaning unit having a
base assembly for movement along a surface and a brush
assembly for agitating the surface, the method comprising
the steps of: a) placing said base assembly in a first
position; b) causing said base assembly to apply suction to
the surface; c) moving said cleaning unit along the surface
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to pick up loose particles on the surface when in said first
position; d) placing said base assembly in a second position
and energizing said brush assembly; and e) moving said
cleaning unit along the surface in one direction to apply
and scrub cleaning solution to the surface and collect and
pick up particles and cleaning solution on the surface.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the
present invention, there is provided a floor cleaning device
comprising: a base portion for movement along a surface; a
suction nozzle operatively connected to said base portion; a
nozzle lifting mechanism operatively connected to said base
portion, said nozzle lifting mechanism comprising: a wheel
carriage pivotally connected to said base portion; a cam
member movably mounted to one of said base portion and said
wheel carriage, said cam member positioned between said base
portion and said wheel carriage, said cam member having at
least one cam portion; a cam follower provided on one of
said base portion and said wheel carriage; and said base
portion including a pedal operatively associated with said
cam member, wherein depression of said pedal translationally
moves said cam member with respect to said wheel carriage
such that the cam portion engages said cam follower to list
said suction nozzle in a first position away from the
surface, and depression of said pedal again translationally
moves said cam member with respect to said wheel carriage
such that said cam portion disengages from said cam follower
thereby moving said suction nozzle to a second position
closer to the surface than said first position.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the
present invention, there is provided a floor cleaning device
comprising: a base portion for movement along a surface; a
handle pivotally connected to said base portion; a suction
nozzle operatively connected to said base portion and
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movable between a first position away from said surface and
a second position in which said suction nozzle is closer to
the surface than said first position; a pair of arms
attached to said suction nozzle and extending rearwardly
from said suction nozzle, each of said arms being pivotally
connected to said base portion to allow said suction nozzle
to move between said first and second positions; and a
recovery container removably mounted to said handle and in
fluid communication with said suction nozzle for holding
dirt transported by said suction nozzle into said recovery
container.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the
present invention, there is provided a floor cleaning device
comprising: a base portion for movement along a surface; a
handle pivotally connected to said base portion; a suction
nozzle operatively connected to said base portion and
moveable with respect to said base portion between a first
position away from said surface and a second position in
which said suction nozzle is closer to the surface than said
first position; a recovery tank removably mounted to said
handle and in fluid communication with said suction nozzle
for holding dirt transported by said suction nozzle into
said recovery tank; a liquid distribution system operatively
associated with said base portion, said liquid distribution
system including a solution tank for providing a supply of
cleaning solution, said liquid distribution system further
including a distributor fluidly connected to said solution
tank for distributing the cleaning solution to the surface,
said solution tank being removably mounted to said handle
and located rearwardly of said recovery tank.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the
present invention, there is provided a floor cleaning device
comprising: a base portion for movement along a surface; a
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handle pivotally connected to said base portion; a suction
nozzle operatively connected to said base portion and
movable with respect to said base portion between a first
position away from said surface and a second position
between a first position away from said surface and a second
position in which said suction nozzle is closer to the
surface than said first position; a recovery tank removably
mounted to said handle and in fluid communication with said
suction nozzle; a suction source in fluid communication with
said suction nozzle for applying suction to draw the
cleaning solution and dirt from the surface through the
suction nozzle and into said recovery tank; a liquid
distribution system operatively associated with said base
portion, said liquid distribution system including a
solution source operatively associated with said base
portion for providing a supply of cleaning solution, said
liquid distribution system further including a distributor
fluidly connected to said solution source for distributing
the cleaning solution to the surface; and wherein said
suction nozzle is translucent.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the
present invention, there is provided a floor cleaning device
comprising: a base portion for movement along a surface,
said base portion having a distributor for distributing
cleaning liquid onto the surface; front and rear support
members connected to said base portion and engaging the
surface; a handle pivotally connected to said base portion;
a suction nozzle assembly operatively associated with said
base portion, said suction nozzle assembly including a
nozzle body composed of a rigid material, said suction
nozzle assembly including a squeegee attached to said nozzle
body; a retainer mounted to said nozzle body, said squeegee
being attached around said retainer; a recovery tank
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removably mounted to said handle and in fluid communication
with said suction nozzle assembly; a suction source in fluid
communication with said suction nozzle assembly for applying
suction to draw the cleaning solution and dirt from the
surface through the suction nozzle assembly and into said
recovery tank; and a liquid distribution system operatively
associated with said base portion, said liquid distribution
system including a solution source operatively associated
with said base portion for providing a supply of cleaning
solution, said liquid distribution system further including
a distributor fluidly connected to said fluid source for
distributing the cleaning solution to the surface.
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 perspective view of the hard floor
cleaning unit of one embodiment according to the present
invention;
Figure 2A is an exploded view of the bottom
portion of the base assembly of the hard floor cleaning unit
of FIG. 1;
Figure 2B is an exploded view of the front upper
portion of the base assembly of the hard floor cleaning unit
of FIG. 1;
Figure 2C is an exploded view of the rear upper
portion of the base assembly of the hard floor cleaning unit
of FIG. 1 with the carriage assembly included for
illustrative purposes;
Figure 3A is an exploded view of the handle
assembly of the hard floor cleaning unit of FIG. 1;
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Figure 3B is an exploded view of the upper handle
portion of the handle assembly of the hard floor cleaning
unit of FIG. 1;
Figure 3C is an elevational view taken along line
3C-3C of FIG. 3A;
Figure 4 is a side elevational cross sectional
view taken vertically through the lower portion of the hard
floor cleaning unit of FIG. 1;
Figure 5 is a side elevational cross sectional
view taken vertically
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through the upper portion of the hard floor cleaning unit of FIG. 1;
Figure 6 is an exploded view of the nozzle assembly for the hard floor
cleaning unit of FIG. 1;
Figure 7 is a sectional view of the nozzle assembly taken along line 7-7
of FIG. 2B;
Figure 8A is a partial sectional view of the base assembly of the hard
floor cleaning unit taken aiong line 8C-8C of FIG. 1, but with the slide
latches slid
outwardly away from the channel of the frame;
Figure 8B is a partial sectional view similar to FIG. 8A, except that the
Zo slide latches are slide inwardly into the channel of the frame;
Figure 8C is a partial sectional view taken of the base assembiy of the
hard floor cleaning unit taken along line 8C-8C of FIG. 1;
Figure 9A is a sectional view of the base assembly taken along line
9A-9A of FIG. 8B.
Figure 9B is a sectional view similar to FIG. 9A except that the slide
latch is slid inwardly to the position shown in FIG. 8C;
Figure 10A is a bottom front perspective view of the base assembly of
the floor cleaning unit of FIG. 1 with the nozzle assembly and brush block
assembly
removed for illustrated purposes;
Figure 1 oB is a view similar to FIG. I OA but with the wheel carriage
pivoted in a position further away from the frame of the base assembly.
Figure 11 A is a partial sectional view taken along line 11 A-11 A of FIG.
I OB, illustrating the principle elements used to raise and lowerthe nozzle
assembly
and brush block assembly of the hard floor cleaning unit of FIG.1 and to -
indicate
such positions;
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Figure 11B is a view similar to FIG. 11 A but with the left pedal
depressed to move the slide block outwardly to raise the nozzle assembly and
brush
block assembly;
Figure 110 is a view similar to FIG. 11 B but with the left pedal
s released to allow the spring to move the slide block slightly outward;
Figure 12 is a partial sectional view of the left pedal taken along 12-12
of Figure 11 A.
Figure 13A is a partial sectional top view of the nozzle lifting assembly
and left pedal taken horizontally through a portion of the slide block ahd
illustrating
1 o the left pedal being depressed to move the slide block inwardly to raise
the nozzle
assembly;
Figure 13B is a view similar to FIG.13A but with the left pedal released
and the slide block, rotor, and spring in different positions illustrating the
results from
such action;
is Figure 13C is a view similar to FIG. 13A but with the slide block, rotor,
and spring in different positions, indicative of the nozzle assembly being
lowered;
Figure 14A is a partial front elevational view of the right handle release
pedal, lock plate, lower portion of the handle assembly, and other elements of
the
hard floor cleaning unit of FIG.1 used to releasably lock the handle assembly
in the
20 upright position;
Figure 14B is a view similar to 14A but with the right handle release
pedal depressed to pivot the lock plate away from the right ear of the handle
assembly;
Figure 15A is an elevational view taken along line 15A-15A of FIG.
25 14B;
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Figure 15B is a view similar to 15A but with the handle assembly
locked in the upright position;
Figure 16 is a an elevational view taken along line16-16 of FIG. 148;
Figure 17 is a fragmentary bottom view of the forward portion of the
hard floor cleaning unit of FIG. 1 illustrating the nozzle assembly and brush
block
assembly;
Figure 17A is a sectional view taken along line 17A-17A of FIG. 17;
Figure 18 is a side diagrammatic side view of the hard floor cleaning
unit of FIG.1;
Figure 19 is an exploded view of the brush block assembly of the hard
floor cleaning unit of FIG. 1;
Figure 20A is a front top perspective view of the brush block assembly
with the latches and push buttons assembled for removing the brush block
assembly;
Figure 20B is a view similar to FIG. 20A but with the push button
depressed and the latches disengaged from the brush block assembly;
Figure 20C is a view similar to FIG. 20B but with the brush block
assembly separated from the latches;
Figure 21 is an exploded view of the distributorwith latches of the hard
floor cleaning unit of FIG. 1;
Figure 22 is an elevational view taken along line 22-22 of FIG. 21;
Figure 23 is a an exploded view of the nozzle lifting assembly of the
hard floor cleaning unit of FIG. 1;
Figure 24 is an exploded view of the brush motor assembly of the hard
floor cleaning unit of FIG. 1;
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Figure 24A is an exploded view taken along line 24A-24A of FIG. 24;
Figure 25 is an exploded of the recovery tank of the hard floor
cleaning unit of FIG. 1;
Figure 25A is a side elevational view of the lid of the recovery tank of
the hard floor cleaning unit of FIG. 1;
Figure 25B is a partial sectional view taken along line 25B-25B of
FIG. 25A;
Figure 25C is front elevational view of the lid of the recovery tank;
Figure 26 is an enlarged sectional view of the latch of the recovery
1 o tank identified in FIG. 4;
Figure 27 is an exploded view of the suction motor assembly of the
hard floor cleaning unit of FIG. 1;
Figure 28 is an exploded view of the power switch assembly of the
hard floor-cleaning unit of FIG. 1;
Figure 29 is an exploded view of the supply tank of the of the hard
floor cleaning unit of FIG. 1;
Figure 29A is a sectional view taken along line 29A-29A of FIG.1;
Figure 30A is a perspective view of the base assembly of the hard
floor cleaning unit of FIG. 1 with the nozzle assembly and cover removed and
portions cutaway for illustrative purposes;
Figure 30B is a view similar to FIG. 30A but with the brush block
assembly lowered;
Figure 30C is an enlarged view of the cut away portion of FIG. 30A,
but with the brush block assembly locked in the raised position;
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Figure 30D is a view similar to FIG, 30A but with a compression spring
being used to bias the indicator plate instead of a torsion spring;
Figure 31 is an elevational view taken along line 31-31 of FIG. 30C;
Figure 31 A is a sectional view taken along line 31 A-31 A of FIG. 31;
Figure 31 B is a view similar to FIG. 31A but with the brush lifting lever,
pocket portion, cable and other related elements in a position that lowers the
brush
block assembly;
Figure 32 is a partial front sectional view of the upper portion of the
lower body shell of the hard floor cleaning unit of FIG I with portions
removed for
lo illustrative purposes;
Figure 32A is a view similar to FIG. 32 but with the cap in a position to
causes depression of the push button microswitch to energize the brush motor;
Figure 33 is a partial sectional view taken along line 33-33 of FIG. 1;
Figure 33A is view similar to FIG. 33 but showing different means to
is secure the spring to the slide button;
Figure 34 is fragmentary perspective view of a hard fioor cleaning unit
according to another embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 34A is an exploded view of the hard floor cleaning unit of FIG.
34;
20 Figure 35 is perspective view taken along line 35-35 of FIG. 34 with
the frame, nozzle assembly, and cover removed for illustrative purposes;
Figure 36 is a partial elevational view taken along line 36-36 of FIG. 34
with the nozzle assembly removed and portions of the frame cut away for
illustrative
purposes;
25 Figure 37A is a sectional view taken along line 37A-37A of FIG. 35;
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Figure 37B is a view similar to FIG. 37A but with the pedal depressed;
Figure 38 is a perspective view of still another embodiment of the hard
floor cleaning unit according to the present invention;
Figure 39A is a right perspective view of the base assembly of the
hard floor cleaning unit of FIG. 38 with the cover and central duct removed
for
illustrative purposes; and
Figure 39B is a left perspective view of the base assembly of the hard
floor cleaning unit of FIG. 38 with the cover and central duct removed for
illustrative
purposes.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to the drawings, FIG. I depicts a perspective view of an
upright hard floor-cleaning unit 40 of one embodiment of the present
invention. The
hard floor cleaning unit 40 comprises an upright handle assembly 42 pivotally
connected to the rear portion of a base assembly 44 that moves and cleans
along
a surface. In particular, as shown in FIG. 2C, a pair of trunnions 46,
laterally
extending from respective right and left ears 48, 49 integrally formed on the
lower
end on the handle assembly 42, joumal into caps 50 mounted on the rear of the
frame 52 of the base assembly 44 to form the pivotal connection. Referring
back
to FIG. 1, the base assembly 44 includes a nozzle assembly 62 for recovering
particles and/or fluid from the floor and a brush block assembly 216 (FIG. 2A)
for
scrubbing t he f loor. T he h andle a ssembly 4 2 includes a recovery tank 53
for
collecting the particles and/or fluid picked up by the nozzle assembly 62 and
a
solution tank 43 containing cleaning solution for distribution on the floor.
Generally, the hard floor cleaning unit 40 can be used for two modes
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of cleaning, the dry and wet mode as best illustrated in FIG. 18. In the dry
mode,
the nozzle assembly 62 and brush block assembly 216 are raised to allow pick
up
of large loose particles. In the wet mode as shown by the phantom lines, the
nozzle
assembly 62 is lowered to collect the fluid and pick it up. Also, in the wet
mode, the
brush block assembly 216 can be lowered, if desired, to scrub the floor. Both
the
nozzle assembly 62 and brush block assembly 216 are removable from the base
assembly 44. Further details of the cleaning unit 40 are discussed below.
Turning to the lower portion of the base assembly 44 as shown in FIG.
2A, the frame 52 is generally unitary molded and includes two laterally
displaced
1 o rear wheels 54. Each wheel 54 is rotatably connected to a cantilevered
axle 56 that
is journaled into the frame 52 and retained therein by an e-ring 58 secured
around
the axle 56. Soft elastomeric tires 60 are molded over the wheels 54 to
prevent the
scratching on various- floor surfaces. Elastomeric, bumper strips 51 are
overmolded
on the lower edges of frame 52 surrounding the brush block assembly 216.
As depicted in FIGS. 6 and 7, the nozzle assembly 62 includes an
elastomeric squeegee 66 attached around a retainer 76 that is mounted to the
bottom
of the translucent nozzle body 68. The nozzle body 68 is composed of a rigid
material such as, for example, plastic. The squeegee 66 includes front and
rear
integrally molded blades or lips 70, 72 (FIG. 7) that have bumps 74 along the
outer
surface of the bottom edges. The bumps 74 raise the leading squeegee lip to
allow
air and liquid to flow beneath the lip between the bumps. Yet, the trailing
lip bends
out and cleanly wipes the floor with its inside straight edge to keep liquid
in the high
suction area between the lips 70, 72. The bumps are formed only adjacent the
bottom edges of the lips 70, 72, so that there is a relatively thin cross
section of
2 s each of the lips 70, 72 between the bumps 74 and bottom edge of the nozzle
body
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68. This provides a highly flexible thin section in the bending area for good
wiping
action for the trailing lip and to insure the leading lip bends sufficiently
to raise it on
the bumps 74. Such a design is shown in patent 3,520, 012; the disclosure of
which
is incorporated herein by reference. Integrally molded with the squeegee 66 is
a
bumper or furniture guard 64.
With continued reference to FIG. 6, the squeegee 66 is attached
around the frame 80 of the elongated retainer 76 by over molding it there
around.
Integrally formed retaining tabs 81 are seated in slots formed in the frame 80
to
provide added reinforcement. The retainer 76 includes a plurality of separator
l o plates 78 integrally molded between the front and rear portions of the
frame 80 of
the retainer 76. A pair of mounting members 82 is integrally molded on
opposite
sides of the frame 80 at its upper side and have apertures 84 for receiving
screws
88. A cylindrically shaped spacer 86 is integrally molded on the center
separator, =
plate 78 of the retainer 76. The nozzle body 68 has a pair of bosses 90 with
inner
longitudinal bores 94 extending downwardly from the underside of the nozzie
body
68 on opposite sides. The retainer 76 and squeegee 66 are inserted into the
underside of the nozzle body 68 such that the apertures 84 of the mounting
members 82 register with the bores 94 in the bosses 90 and a rear central
aperture
92 of the nozzie body 68 registers with a lateral aperture 96 of the spacer
86.
Screws 88 are then inserted through the apertures 84 of the mounting members
82
and through the bores 94 in the bosses 90. A screw 89 is also inserted through
the
rear central aperture 92 of the nozzle body 68 and the lateral aperture 96 in
the
spacer 86 of the retainer 76. The spacer 86 and separator plates 78 maintain
alignment and sealing of the squeegee 66 with the nozzle body 68 to insure
proper
airflow through them.
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As shown in FIG. 17, a channel 98 is formed on the underside of each
mounting member 82 and is flushed or slightly below the nozzle channel 100,
when
the nozzie assembly 62 is placed on the floor, to direct the air and water
flow
through the nozzle channel 100. The nozzle channel 100 converges into a rear
centrally located outlet 102 (FIG. 6). The spacer 86 is attached to the outlet
102 as
seen in FIG. 6, and is fluidly connected to a rectangularly shaped translucent
base
duct or channel 106 as depicted in FIG. 4. The spacer 86 has a pocket portion
87
for engagement by a tongue 85 (also depicted in FIG. 2B) extending forwardly
from
the frame 52 for added support of the nozzfe assembly 62.
As best illustrated in FIGS. 2B and 4, the floor suction nozzle .
assembly 62 is removably attached to the frame 52 and fluidly connected to
base
duct 106. The base duct 106 comprises upper and lower portions that are welded
together. An elastic flexible grommet 108 for sealing is fitted around the
front inlet
of the base duct 106 to seal the passageway between a spacer 104 and base duct
106 when they are fluidly connected together.
Referring back to FIG. 6, the nozzle assembly 62 includes a* pair of
slide latches 110. on opposite sides of the nozzie assembly 62 for removably
securing the nozzle assembly 62 to the frame 52 (FIG. 2B). Specifically, each
slide
latch 110 includes a lateral tongue member 112 that is slidingly inserted into
a
2 o holder 114 attached to the rear side of the nozzle body 68. The upper
button
portion 122 of the latch 110 includes a hook 116 depending downwardly
therefrom
that engages a stop member 118, projecting on the upper surface of the holder
114,
to prevent the latch 110 from disengaging from the holder 114. An oval shaped
recess 120 is formed in the top surface of the upper button portion 122 for
engagement by a user. With reference to FIGS. 9A and 9B, the tongue member
12
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112 includes a slot 128 formed therein for slidingly receiving a u-shaped
protrusion
124 formed on the upper surface of a front step 123 of the frame 52. The
tongue
member 112 includes an L-shaped guide rib 126 integrally formed on its
underside
and extending inwardly from the outer end of the tongue member 112.
When connecting the nozzie assembly 62 (FIG. 2B) to the frame 52,
each slide latch 110 is first slid outwardly until the hook 116 engages the
stop
member 118 as best illustrated in FIG. 8A. The nozzle assembly 62 is then
positioned so that the spacer 104 is aligned with the grommet 108 as
previously
mentioned. As seen in FIG. 8B, each latch 110 is then slid inwardly so that
the
1 o tongue member 112 extends partially through a lateral channel 130 formed
in the
frame 52. As the slide latch 110 is slid further, the hook 116. cams against a
beveled
channel rib 132 on top wall 133 of the channel 130, deflecting upwardiy over
the
channel rib 132 and catching it as shown in FIG. 8C. Also, as depicted in
FiGS. -9A and 9B, when each latch 110 is slid inwardly to lock the nozzle
assembly 62 to the
base 94, the rib 126 cams against the beveled protrusion 124 to guide or move
the
nozzle assembly 62 rearward, as depicted by the.arrows in FIG. 9B, such that
it
forms a close fit to the frame 52, thereby sealingly engaging the spacer 104
to the
grommet 108 as seen in FIG. 4.
Referring to FIGS. 10A, 10B, 11 A-C, 13A-C and 23, a lifting
mechanism 134 raises a nd I owers t he n ozzle a ssembly 6 2 (FIG. 6) f or u
se i n
respective dry and wet modes. As depicted in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the lifting
mechanism 134 includes a wheel carriage assembly 136 positioned in a
complimentary recessed area formed in the bottom side of the frame 52 and
pivotally connected at the rearward end of the recessed area by trunnions 137
(FIG,23).
13
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Referring to FIG. 23, the wheel carriage assembly 136 also includes
two pairs of wheels 138 in contact with the floor with each pair riding on
stainless
steel axles 131 that are snapped into the bottom of the base 140 of the wheel
carriage assembly 136 about a horizontal axis. The wheels 138 have soft over
molded treads to prevent scratching on various floor surfaces. Further,
adjacent
front and rear wheels 138 are spaced from each other to keep the nozzle level
when
traveling over uneven portions of the floor such as grout lines. The top side
142 of
the base 140 of the wheel carriage assembly 136 has a raised u-shaped frame
144
for securely receiving a coiled compression spring 146. An arm 141 is
integrally
1 o formed with the top side 142 of the base 140 and extends upwardly. A rotor
148 is
rotatably connected to the top side 142 of the base 140 through a boss or
bearing
150.
A slide block 152 is slidably mounted to the top side 142 of the base 140
by screws 143 extending through a pair of elongated longitudinal slots 147 and
threading
into a pair of bosses 145. The screws 143 extend through washers 133, which
are
posifioned between the slide block 152 and heads 151 of the screws 143. The
washers
133 are secured to the screws 143 by suitable means such as, for example,
welding. The
washers 133 radially extend beyond the front and rear ends 127, 129 of the
slots 147 to
secure the slide block 152 to the top side 142 of the base 140. Thus, the
slide block slides
along the longitudinal axis of the slots 147, yet is secured to the base 140
of the wheel
caniage 136. The slide block 152 is fitted over the rotor 148, spnng 146 and
frame 144
securing them thereto. A pair of ramp portions 154 is formed on the top side
142 of the
slide block 152 for camming against a corresponding pair of cam followers 156
(FIGS. 10A
and 10B), extending downwardly from the frame 144 of the base assembly 44,
depending
on the longitudinal position of the slide block 152.
14
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As illustrated in FIGS. 2C, a foot pedal 158 is hinged to the frame 52 of
the base assembly 44 at its inner end and has a leg 160 depending downwardly
from the bottom of the pedal 158. A torsion spring 162, secured between the
inner
end of the foot pedal 158 and frame 52, upwardly biases the foot pedal 158. In
s particular, as best illustrated in FIG, 12, the torsion spring 162 is
inserted around a
pin 161 integrally molded to the inner side of the pedal 158. Alternatively,
the spring
162 could be seated into a recessed portion of the frame 52 as seen in FIG.
30D.
The leg 160 terminates outwardly adjacent a strike member 153 depending
upwardly on the left end of the slide block 152 as best illustrated in FIGS
10A and
11 A. Depressing the pedal 158 downwardly rotates the leg 160 to engage the
strike
member 153 and laterally push the sliding block 152 such that the ramp
portions
154 engage the cam followers 156, which ride up the ramp portions 154 as best
depicted in FIG. 11 B. This action moves the frame 52 upwardly with respect to
the
wheel carriage assembly 136, pivoting at the rear end of the wheel carriage
assembly 136 as depicted in FIG. 10B. Hence, the nozzle assembly 62 is raised
off
the floor as shown in FIG. 18. As depicted in FIG. 11 C, the frame 52 remains
in the
raised position due to the rotor 148 position, after the pedal.158 is released
and
urged upwardly back by the torsion spring 162 (FIG. 12). Depressing the pedal
158
again permits the spring 146 (F1G, 23) to move the sliding block 152 back
outwardly
in the lateral direction so that the cam followers 156 ride down the ramp
portions
154 and lower the frame 52 as seen in FIG. 11A and 10B. Thus, the nozzle
assembly 62 lowers on the floor as shown by the phantom lines of FIG. 18.
In particular, as illustrated in FIGS. 13A, 13B, and 13C, the rotor 148
engages respective front and rear rib cages 164, 166 formed on the underside
of
the sliding block 152 to perform these actions. Specifically, as depicted in
FIG.13A,
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when the leg 160 of the pedal 158, upon being depressed, pushes the sliding
block
152 laterally inward to raise the nozzle assembly 62 (FIG. 18), the front rib
cage 164
will engage a first notch 168 on the rotor 148 to rotate the rotor 148. The
rotor 148
is rotated until a second notch 170 of the rotor 148 engages the rear rib cage
166
as depicted in FIG. 13B. When the pedal 158 is released, which disengages the
leg
160 from the strike member 153, the coiled compression spring 146 moves the
slide
block 152 back slightly so that the rear rib cage 166 rotates the rotor 148 so
that the
front rib cage 164 is aligned with the outer side 171 of the rotor 148 between
the
notches, 168, 170. In this position the engagement of the rear rib cage 166
with the
io second notch 170 prevents further rotation of rotor 148.
Depressing the pedal 158 again, moves the slide block 152 inwardly
such that the rear rib cage 166 moves out of the way of the second notch 170-
and
the front rib cage 164 engages the outer side 171 of the rotor 148 rotating it
such
that the second notch 170 rotates past the rear rib cage 166. At this.position
as
shown in FIG. 13C, there is no interference to prevent the slide -block 152
from
moving back to its .original position. Thus, upon releasing the pedal .158,
the coiled
compression spring 146 moves the slide block 152 outward. This action lowers
the
nozzle assembly 62 as depicted by the phantom lines in FIG. 18. It should be
apparent that upon depressing the pedal 158 again to raise the nozzle assembly
62,
the front rib cage 164 now engages the second notch 170 and the first notch
168
engages the rear rib cage 166 but in all other aspects the raising and
lowering
operation will be similar, since the notches are similarly shaped.
Alternatively, a pin
index mechanism could be substituted for the rotor 148.
As depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2C, a hood or cover 172 snap fits onto the
frame 52 and includes dry mode and wet mode openings or windows 174 and 176,
16
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respectively, for viewing a colored area on the top surface of an indicator
plate 178
(FIG. 2B) to inform the user that the hard floor cleaner is in either the dry
mode or
wet mode. In particular as shown in FIGS. 2B, the indicator plate. 178 is
spring
loaded and rotatably connected on the frame via an integrally formed pin 180
(FIGS.
11A-C) extending downwardly through an aperture in the frame 52 near the left
side
of the frame 52 rearwardly adjacent the nozzle assembly 62. The indicator
plate
178 further includes a downwardly depending leg 179 extending through a curved
guide slot 184 formed in the frame 52. A torsion spring 182 is inserted around
a
raised hub portion 181 integrally molded on the top of the indicator plate
178.
zo Referring to FIGS. 11A-C, the spring has its front end 186 extending
into a protrusion 187 formed on top of the frama 52 and its rear end 185
extending
into a rear aperture in the indicator plate 178 of the spring. With this
arrangement,
the spring 182 urges the leg 179 of the indicator plate 178 inwardly against
an upper
inner offset portion 183 of the striking portion 153 on the left end of the
slide block
152. in operation, when the slide block 152 moves laterally inward to raise
the
nozzle assembly 62 (FIG. 18), the leg 179, urged by the spring 1-82, slides
inwardly
along the curved guide slot 1-84 to the position shown in FIG. 11 C. Hence,
the
indicator plate 178 rotates to the position shown in FIG. 30A such that the
coiored
area of the indicator plate 178 is positioned under the dry mode opening 174
(FIG.
1). When the slide block 152 is moved laterally outward to lower the nozzle
assembly 62 (FIG. 18), the leg 179, urged by the spring 182, slides outwardly
along
the curved guide slot 184 to the position shown in FIG. 11A thereby rotating
the
indicator plate 178 to the position shown in FIG. 30B such that the colored
area of
the indicator plate 178 is positioned under the wet mode opening 176.
Alternatively,
as depicted in FIG. 30D, a compression spring 182' with one end inserted round
the
17
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hub portion 181 of indicator plate 178 and the other end inserted around the
protrusion 187 could be used instead of the torsion spring 182.
Also, the nozzle assembly 62 is raised when the handle assembly 42
is pivoted in the upright position to prevent deformation of the squeegee 66
during
s storage as depicted by the phantom lines in FIG. 4. Specifically as depicted
in FIG.
2C, the left ear 49 extending from the bottom of the handle assembly 42
interfaces
with a raised left cam member 188 on the top of the wheel carriage assembly
136.
In operation, as depicted in FIG. 16, when the handle assembly 42 is pivoted
in the
upright position, the ear 49 cams against the cam member 188 to raise the
frame
lo 52 (FIG.2C) from the-wheel carriage 136.
As depicted in FIG.2C, a lock plate 190 is pivotally connected to the
.frame 52 via a central lever 192 and includes.an inwardly extending stop
member
194 to prevent the handle assembly 42 from inadvertently pivoting back down.
In
particular, with reference to FIGS. 15A and 15B, a torsion spring 196,
inserted
15 around the lever 192, is secured between the frame 52 and lock plate 190
and
biases the stop member 194 to extend inwardly and abut the right ear 48. As
the
handle assembly 42 is raised as shown in FIG. 15A, the curved portion 208 of
the
right ear 48 cams against the stop member 194 deflecting it downwardly until
the
stop member 194 catches the flat front side 204 of the right ear 48. At this
position
2 o as shown in FIG. 15B, the stop member 194 is flexed back from the biasing
force
of the spring 196 and iateraliy abuts the straight front side 204 of the right
ear 48,
preventing the handle assembly 42 from moving back down. The front side of the
lock plate 190 interfaces with the frame 52 providing a limft for twisting or
deflection
of the handle assembly 42. This places the lock plate 190 in compression.
25 As shown in FIG. 2C, a handle release pedal 206, hinged to the frame
18
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52 at its inner end, is provided to move the stop member 194 out of the way of
the
right ear 48 to allow the handle assembly 42 to pivot downwardly. In
particular, as
best illustrated in FIGS. 14A and 14B, upon depressing the pedal 206, a
downwardly depending leg 210 of the pedal 206 cams upwardly against an
s outwardly extending tongue member 212 of the lock plate 190, thereby
pivoting the
stop member 194 downwardly and outwardly away from the right ear 48. Thus, the
handle assembly 42 is free to pivot downward and lower. A torsion spring 214,
secured between the inner end of the foot pedal 206 and frame 52 (FIG. 2C),
urges
the handle release pedal 206 back up to its original position. In particular,
as best
1.o illustrated in FIG. 15B, the torsion spring 214 is inserted around a pin
215 integrally
molded to the inner side of the pedal 206. Alternatively, the spring 214 could
be
seated into a recessed portion of the frame 52.
As depicted in FIG. 2A, brush block assembly 216 is removably
secured to the base assembly 44 for agitating the surface to be clean. In
particular,
15 as depicted in FIG. 19, the brush block assembly 216 comprises a brush
support
plate 218 having six spaced apart openings 220A, 220B, 220C, 220D, 220E, and
220F. Fixedly received within the openings 220 are bushings 222A, 222B, 222C,
222D, 222E, and 222F which in turn rotatingly receive axial shafts 224A, 224B,
224C, 224D, 224E, and 224F of gear brushes 226A, 226B, 226C, 226D, 226E, and
2 o 226F. The gear brushes 226A-F rotate on a vertical axis. A drive shaft
225.having
a square cross section is welded to the axial shaft 224B of the gear brush
226B
adjacent the right outer brush 226A. Each of the gear brushes 226 is basically
configured as a spur gear having ten teeth 228 that intermesh such that when
one
gear brush 226 rotates, all other gear brushes 226 rotate accordingly. The
center
2 s hub of gear brushes 226 forms a hollow downwardly projecting cup 230
having a
19
CA 02597895 2007-09-05
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multiplicity of openings 232 circumscribing the bottom thereof.
During manufacturing of the brush assembly 216, the gear brush axial
shafts 224 are first inserted into the appropriate bushing 222 and with gear
brushes
226 in their uppermost position and, with gear teeth 228 intermeshed between
the
gears brushes 226. Each gear tooth 228 has a blind bore, extending to offset
233
into which bristle bundles 234 are compressively inserted. Bristle bundles 235
are
also compressively inserted into the front corners of the brush support plate
218 for
edge cleaning.
Further, as seen in FIG. 17, closely packed bristle bundles 237 are
Z o also compressively inserted into blind bores located in the center of each
of the gear
brushes 226 for added agitation and cleaning in the middle of the gear brush
226.
Specifically, an outer ring of nine bristle bundles 237 concentrically
surrounds an
inner ring of five bristle bundles 237. The spacing of adjacent bristle
bundles 237
located in the center of the gear is shorter than the bristle bundles 234 in
the offset
is portion 233. The center bristle bundles 237 provide several features. They
support
the brush block assembly 216, preventing it from tilting, thereby promoting
the
application of even pressure on the floor from all of the bristle bundles 234,
235, and
237. Such support also significantly reduces the deflection or bending of the
outer
bristle bundles, thereby significant minimizing the spraying or splattering of
the
20 cleaning solution from them. They further add to the brush or bristle
density of the
brush block assembly 216, thereby providing more scrubbing on the floor. Each
bristle 239 is crimped instead of straight so that when the bundles are
formed, more
scrubbing coverage is provided. Such crimping on the bristles in the bundles
also
reduces deflection of the bristles as they scrub, thereby minimizing the
spraying or
25 splattering of cleaning solution from the bristles.
CA 02597895 2007-09-05
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Referring back to FIG. 19, a gear guard 236 snap fits into brush
support plate 218. Specifically, upwardly extending locking tabs 238 on the
gear
guard 236 catch onto steps 240 integrally molded to the lower surface of the
brush
support plate 218. During assembly of the gear guard 236 to the brush support
plate 218, the locking tabs 238 defiect laterally extending cantilevered tangs
242
integrally formed in the brush support plate 218 to allow the lockingtabs 238
to
extend therethrough. The tangs 242 will then flex back to their initial
position,
closely adjacent the locking tabs 238, to prevent the locking tabs 238 from
disengaging off of the steps 240.
With continue referenceto FIG. 19, the brush support plate 218
includes a plurality of troughs 244A, 244B, 244C, 244D for receiving the
cleaning
solution that flows from a distributor 246 (FIG. 2A) positioned thereon.
Cleaning
solution received in the troughs 244 flows through openings 248 in them and
into the
center cups 230 of the brushes 226. Once deposited within the center cup 230,
the
cleaning solution flows outward toward the surface being cleaned through
openings
232 in the bottom of the brush cups.. The cups 230 contain the cleaning
solution as
the gear brushes 226 rotate and thus prevent solution from being sprayed
outward
over the top of the gear brush. The gear guard 236 is designed to withstand
impact
and prohibit cleaning solution from resting on its inner lip 231. In
particular, the
2 o bottom surface 241 of the inner lip 231 inclines downwardly to the edge of
the inner
lip 231 to direct the flow of cleaning solution off the inner lip 231.
Further, as depicted in FIG. 17A, the bottom side 259 of each of the
two inner troughs 244B, 244C is gabled or convexly curved from left to right
to direct
the flow of cleaning solution to the openings 248. The bottom side 261 of each
of
the outer troughs 244A, 244D is inclined downwardly to the opening 248 to also
21
CA 02597895 2007-09-05
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direct the flow of cleaning solution to the opening 248. As depicted in FIG.
2A, the
distributor 246 is positioned on the brush support plate 218 and includes
respective
upper and lower plates 250, 252 sealingly secured to each other by, for
example,
hot plate welding them together. The brush support plate 218 includes
respective
front and rear stop members 254, 255 positioned closely adjacent the front and
rear
ends of the distributor 246 to limit the front and rear lateral movement of
the brush
block assembly 216 with respect to the distributor 246. Additionally, front
and rear
lateral extensions 256 (FIG. 22) of the lower plate 252 are seated between
adjacent
right and left center stop members 257, 258, respectively to aid in minimizing
lateral
lo movement of the brush block assembly 216 along its longitudinal axis with
respect
to the distributor 246.
Referring to FIG. 21, the lower plate '252 of the distributor 246 has a
channel 260 with orifices 262 formed therein. The orifices are aligned ovei-
the
troughs 244 of the brush support plate 218. The upper plate 250 includes a
tubular
elbow connector 245 welded onto the upper surface of the upper plate 250. The
elbow connector 245 is fluidly connected to the distributor supply hose 328.
The
outlet of the elbow connector 245 is aligned over a front branch 261 of the
channel
of the lower plate 252. Cleaning solution flows from the supply hose 328
through
the elbow connector 245 to a front branch 261 of the channel 260 and then
through
the orifices 262 to the troughs 244 (FIG 19). A pair of hooks 710 integrally
molded
with the upper plate 250 of the distributor 246 extends from its upper
surface.
As depicted in FIG. 2A, the brush block assembly 216 is removably
connected to the distributor 246 and both are received in a complementary
cavity
265 formed on the underside of the frame 52 rearwardly adjacent the nozzle
assembly 62. The hooks 710 of the distributor 246 hang onto forwardly
extending
22
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arms 714 of a brush lifting lever 718 which is positioned on the frame 52,
thereby
floatingly supporting the distributor 246 and brush block assembly 216 to the
frame
52. The mechanism to remove the brush block assembly 216 is described as
follows. A pair of latch members 266, 267 are rotatably connected to the lower
plate
252. The latches are mirror images with respect to each other, but are similar
in all
other respects. Thus, similar reference numbers in them will be used to
describe
similar parts. Referring to FIG. 21, for ease of assembly, each latch member
266
comprises a center circular key portion 268 with opposite extensions 270 that
are
received in a complimentary slot 272 formed in the lower plate 252. As
depicted in
1 o FIG. 22, the bottom surface 251 of the lower plate 252 has diagonaliy
opposite front
and rear ramps 274, 276 and diagonally opposite protrusions 282, 284 formed
thereon.
As best illustrated in FIG. 21, when installed, the key portion 268 is
aligned and inserted into slot 272, and the latch member 266 or 267 is turned
flexing
slightly outward from the lower plate 252 as its upper surface rides up on
respective
diagonally opposite front and rear ramps 274, 276 (FIG. 22). As depicted in
FIGS.
10A and 10i3, the latch member 266 or 267 is turned until radially extending
opposite front and rear legs 278, 280, respectively, are seated between the
vertical
walls of their corresponding ramps 274, 276 and front and rear protrusions
282, 284
formed on the lower plate 252. As best illustrated in FIG. 21, the extensions
270 will
extend over the lower surface of the lower plate 252 interlocking the latch
member
266 or 267 to the lower plate 252 thereby preventing it from vertically
separating
from the lower plate 252 and riding up over the ramps274, 276 (FlG.22). Each
of
the front legs 278 has a nub 293 integrally molded on its upper surface. The
front
and rear legs 278, 280 also have respective front and rear elastic L- shaped
fingers
23
CA 02597895 2007-09-05
61935-181E
286, 288 extending inwardly from the distal ends of the legs and located on
diagonally opposite ends of the latch member 266 or 267. As seen in FIGS. 10A
and 10B, the fingers 286, 288 abut the respective protrusions 282, 284 thereby
providing a biasing force. Thus, the elasticity of the fingers 286, 288 will
allow the
latch member 266 or 267 to rotate when sufficient lateral force is applied to
overcome the biasing force of the fingers 286, 288.
As depicted in FIG. 19, the brush support plate 218 includes two pairs
of integrally molded front and rear hook members 290, 292 extending upwardly
from
its upper surface. The nose 294 of the front hook member 290 is oriented
inwardly
lo and the nose of the rear member 292 is oriented outwardly, opposite to that
of the
front hook member 290. As best illustrated in FIGS. 20A, 20B, and 20C, each
pair
is associated with a{atch member 266 or 267. The front and rear hook members
290, 292 slidingly engage the upper surface of front and rear legs 278, 280,
respectively. The front and rear hook members 290, 292 associated with each
latch
member 266 or 267are also located diagonally across from each other.
Referring to FIG. 2B, a pair of push buttons 296 is used to disengage
the hook members 290, 292 from the latch members 266, 267. In particular, each
button 296 is hinged to the frame 52 by a pin 297 integrally molded on the
inner end
of the button 296 with respect to the frame 52. Each button 296 further
includes an
integrally molded cantilevered finger 298 extending laterally inward from the
inner
end. A cap 295 snap fits on the frame 52 over the finger 298 and pin 297
thereby
securing the button 296 to the frame 52. The finger 298 biases the button 296
upwardly. The button 296 has a leg 299 depending downwardly with respect to
the
frame 52 from the underside of the button 296. As best depicted in FIGS. 20A
and
20B, the leg 299 terminates adjacent the outer side of the nub 293 of the
front leg
24
CA 02597895 2007-09-05
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278 of the latch m ember.2 66 o r 267. T he nub 293 ensures that the leg 299
engages the latch member 266 or 267 when the button 296 is depressed. Thus, as
shown in FIG. 20B, when each button 296 is depressed with sufficient force to
overcome the biasing force of the finger 298 of the button 296, it pivots
about the
pin 297 and moves the leg 299 of the button 296 inwardly. The movement of leg
299 inwardly moves the latch member 266 or 267 to laterally rotate in a
direction
such that its front and rear legs 278, 280, respectively, siidingly disengage
from their
respective hooks, when sufficient lateral force is imparted to the front leg
278 of the
latch member 266 or 267 to overcome the biasing force of the fingers 286, 288
(FIG.
lo 21) of the latch member 266 or 267.
Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 20C, upon such disengagement, the brush
block assembly 216 freelyfalls out of the cavity 265 (FIG.2A) by gravity. When
the
buttons 296 are no longer depressed, the biasing force from the fingers 286,
288 of
the latch members 266, 267 and fingers 298 of the buttons 296 cause the
buttons
'15 296 and latch members 266, 267 to return to their initial positions. As
best
illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 20A, the brush block assembly 216 is reinstalled
to the
latch members 266, 267 by simply positioning the brush block assembly 216 in
the
cavity, aligning the drive shaft 225 with the gear opening of a brush motor
assembly
500, and pushing the brush block assembly 216 upwardly until the hook members
2o 290, 292 catch or engage the legs 278, 280 of the latch members 266, 267.
In
particular, 'each of the hook members 290, 292 includes an incline portion 291
(FIG.
19) on each of their noses 294 (FIG. 19) that rides along its corresponding
leg 278
or 280, thereby rotating each of the legs 278, 280 away from the nose 294
allowing
the nose 294 to pass through. After the nose 294 passes through, the biasing
force
25 of the fingers 286, 288 will rotate the latch so that the legs slidingly
engage the hook
CA 02597895 2007-09-05
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members 290, 292 underneath the nose 294.
As shown in FIG. 2A, the brush motor assembly 500 is mounted on
the underside of the frame 52 directly above the wheel carriage assembly 136.
Turning to FIG. 24, the brush motor assembly 500 comprises a generally L-
shaped
motor housing 502 that includes an upper cover 504 that is snap connected to
the
lower cover 506. ' In particular, u-shaped locking tabs 503 integrally formed
on the
upper cover 504 engage catches 505 formed on the lower cover 506. Screws (not
shown) secure the brush motor assembly 500 to the frame 52. Seated within the
housing 502 is a grounded, internally rectified DC motor 508 and a gear train
510.
A-worm 512 is press fitted onto the shaft 514 of the motor 508. A worm gear
516
having thirty teeth 518 is mounted on an axial shaft 519 and engages.the worm
512:
A spur gear 522 is also mounted on the axial shaft 519 above the worm gear
516.
Referring to FIG. 24A, the central hub 524 of the worm gear 516
defines an upwardly extending hollow cylindrical portion that has three
notches 526
15. formed at its distal end. The spur gear 522 has a hub portion 523
formed.on its
underside in which three integrally molded -ribs 528 extend radially
therefrom. The
ribs 528 engage the notches 526 so that the worm gear 516 can rotate the spur
gear
522. Turning back to FIG. 24, the axial shaft 520 is pressed into pockets 530.
formed in the lower cover 506 and received in pockets 530 formed in the upper
cover 504 to balance and minimize wobbling of the worm gear 516, thereby
maintaining engagement of the teeth 517 with the worm 512 as the worm gear 516
rotates. The worm gear 516 generally has the largest diameter and the most
teeth
of the gears in the gear train 510 so as to provide speed reduction. Although
the
present worm gear 516 has thirty teeth 518, the diameter and number of teeth
can
2s be altered to provide the desired speed reduction.
26
CA 02597895 2007-09-05
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The teeth 518 of the spur gear 522 intermesh with teeth 518 of an
adjacent spur gear 522 which in turn intermeshes with teeth 518 of an adjacent
spur
gear 522 which finally intermeshes with teeth 518 of the remaining spur gear
532.
The middle spur gears 522 have axial shafts 520 which are also pressed into
pockets 530 formed in the lower cover 506 and received in pockets 530 formed
in
the upper cover 504 to minimize wobbling and maintain engagement with their
respective adjacent spur gears 522, 532. The last spur gear 532 in the gear
train
510 has a square opening for receiving the drive shaft 225 of the gear brush
224 in
the brush block assembly 216. A power cord 552 electrically connects the motor
1o 508 through a microswitch 534 (FIG. 32) to a power source (not shown).
Thus,
when the motor 508 is energized, the worm 512 rotates the worm gear 516 and
hence spur gears 522, 532 which in turn rotates the drive shaft 225. Rotation
of the
drive shaft 225 then rotates the gear brushes 226 iri the brush biock assembly
216
as seen in FIGS. 17A and 19.
1s Referring to FIG. 3A, handle assembly 42 basically comprises an
upper handle portion 312, lower body shell 314. The upper handle portion 312
tapers upwardly into a narrow closed looped handgrip 372 at its upper end. A
carrying handgrip 308 is also snap connected into the rear wall of the upper
handle
portion 312 to aid in carrying the hard fioor cleaning unit 40. A front cover
311 is
20 secured to the lower body shell 314. An upper cord holder 310 is snap
connected
into the rear wall of the upper handle portion 312 as also illustrated in FIG.
5. A
lower cord holder 303 is screwed to the rear wall of the lower body shell 314.
A combined air/water separator and recovery tank 53 is removably
seated within a cavity 306 of the lower body shell 314 upon the bottom side of
the
25 lower body shell 314. A bottom cover 535 of the recovery tank 53 screws
into the
27
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lower body shell 314. As depicted in FIG. 4, positioned rearwardly of the
recovery
tank 53 is a corrugated translucent plastic hose 536 and recovery duct 538.
The
hose 536 is fluidly connected downstream to the translucent recovery duct 538
by
a connector 540 and is sealed thereto by an 0-ring 542 (FIG. 3A). A mounting
bracket 539 (also shown in FIG. 3A) fits over the connector 540 and mounts the
recovery duct 538 and hose 536 to the lower body shell 314. The hose536 is
fluidly
connected upstream to the base duct 106 by a hose mounting bracket 544 mounted
to the base duct 106. The hose 536 is flexible, yielding to permit pivoting of
the
handle assembly 42.
Referring to FIG. 3A, the recovery duct 538 has grooves 546 that snap
connect onto locking tabs 548 (FIG. 3C) extending from the center of the rear
inner
side of the lower body shell 31.4. The recovery duct 538 is generally
rectangular .
shaped and slightly flattened yet laterally elongated to provide additional
room to
accommodate the recovery tank 53 while allowing adequate flow of liquid and
air .
therethrough. As depicted in FIG. 3C, raised channel portions 549, 550, 551 -
extend
from the center of the rear inner side. of the lower body shell 314 for
securely
receiving the supply tube 328, brush cable 730, and power cord 552,
respectively.
The translucent recovery duct 538 covers these elements for protection, yet
provides visibility of these components for service.
Referring to FIG. 25, the recovery tank 53 includes an inverted cup
shaped handle 628 integrally molded to its front wall 602. The recovery tank
53
further includes a lid 554 located above the handle 628. The lid 554 includes
an
upper portion 555 mounted to a lower portion 556 with a rope seal 578 there
between as also seen in FIG. 25A. A rectangular shaped retainer 558 is
integrally
formed on the top surface of the upper portion 555 of the lid 554 and
surrounds the
28
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center tank exhaust opening 560. An integrally molded screen 582 covers the
exhaust opening 560. A pleated filter 562 integrally molded to a seal 564 is
seated
in the retainer 558. A cover 566 with an outlet opening 568 formed therein
covers
the seal 564 and filter 562. The lid 554 is secured to the recovery tank 53 by
a lid
locking plate 570 and an integrally molded locking tang 571 (FIGS. 4 and 25A).
The
lid locking plate 570 is hingedly snap connected to the lid 554 and has two
smaller
slots 580 for securely receiving locking tabs 572 projecting from the recovery
tank
53 by a snap connection. As best illustrated in FIG. 4, the locking tang 517
engages
a groove 573 (FIG. 25) formed on the inner side of the front wall recovery
tank 53.
1 o Referring to FIG. 25C, a rear recovery channel 574 having right and left
outlets 576,
577 is formed in the lower portion 556 of the lid 554. The channel 574 is in
fluid
communication with the recovery tube inlet 584 that is formed at the top side
of the
lid 554. The inlet 584 is fluidly connected through a seal 598 (FIG.25A) to
the
recovery duct 538 as depicted in FIG. 4.
As best illustrated in FIG. 25B, when the hard floor cleaner unit 40 is
used in the wet mode, the extracted soiled cleaning liquid enters the inlet
584 and
travels downward impinging upon the bottom 590 and inner sides of the channel
574
as it moves along the right and left branches 586, 588 of the channel 574 to
slow
down its velocity for air/water separation. The bottom 590 of the channel 574
is
slightly gabled to aid in directing the liquid to the right and left outlets
576, 577 (FIG.
25C). The cross sectional areas of the branches, 586, 588 increase downstream
to
further slow down the liquid and help separation. Referring to FIG. 25C, a
pair of
downwardly depending shields 592R, 592L extends forwardly from the front wall
of
the channel 574. As depicted in FIG. 25C, each shield 592 is slightly angled
outward and also includes more pronounced outwardly angled drip edges 594R,
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594L on the bottom ends. An additional drip edge 596 runs along the rear
bottom
side of the channel 574. The shields 592R, 592L and drip edges 594R, 594L, and
596 aid in separation of the liquid and minimize the amount of liquid entering
the
exhaust opening 560. Adjacent the outlets 576, 577 of the channel 574 are
upper
deflectors 600R, 600L extending forwardly therefrom.
As best illustrated in FIG. 4, these deflectors 600R, 600L (FIG.25C) in
combination with the shields 592R, 592L direct a porfion of the liquid to
impinge onto
the inner surface of the front wall 602 of the recovery tank 53 and collect
down on
the bottom 601 of the recovery tank 53, thereby separating the fiquidfxorn the
air
1 o and thus, minimizing the amount of water near the exhaust opening 560. The
remaining portion of the liquid exits the duct through the outlets 576, 577
(FIG. 25C)
and is impinged onto their associated inner sidewalls 604R, 604L (FIG. 25) of
the
recovery tank 53 and also collects down on the bottom 601 of the recovery tank
53.
Air separated from the liquid flows through the exhaust opening 560, is
filtered by
the screen 582 and pleated filter 562, and exits through the outlet opening
568 (FIG.
25) in the cover 566.
Referring to FIGS. 4 and 25C, a float assembly 606 comprises a
bottom float 608 connected by a stem 610 to an upper portion defining a seal
612.
The seal 612 is pivotally connected to the underside of the lid 554 (FIG. 25C)
and
drops down to open the exhaust opening 560. This design prevents water from
traveling from the float 608 to the seal 612. When the liquid level in the
recovery
tank 53 reaches a full level, the float 608 will move upward thereby pivotally
moving
the seal 612 upward to cover the neck 614 of the exhaust opening 560 as shown
in
the phantom lines of FIG. 4. In this position, the seal 612 closes the exhaust
opening 560 to prevent the liquid from entering the motor area. When the hard
fioor
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cleaning unit 40 is used in the dry mode, the large objects drawn into the
recovery
tank 53 by the suction motor assembly 632 collect on the bottom 601 and small
objects or particles such as dust are filtered out by the screen 583 and
pleated filter
562 and prevented from entering the motor area.
As previously mentioned, the recovery tank 53 removably securely
seats into the cavity 306 of the lower body shell 314 as depicted in FIG. 4.
In
particular, this is accomplished as follows. Referring to FIG. 25, a U-shaped
verticaiiy extending shield 616 is integrally molded on the top surface of the
upper
portion 555 of the lid 554. A retaining housing or slot 618 is integrally
molded to the
1 o rear inner side .of the shield 616 for receiving a spring-loaded latch
620. A coiled
spring 622 is positioned between the top side of the lid 554 and latch 620 to
bias the
latch 620 upwardly. A lateral opening 624 in the shield 616 allows access to
an
arcuate lateral ledge 626 formed on the front of the latch 620. As depicted in
FIG.
25C, the ledge 626 is positioned near the center of the opening for placement
of a
1.5 thumb or finger of a user. As best illustrated in FIG. 26, the upper end
630 of the
latch 620 is beveled and cams against the lower edge 304 of the front cover
311 of
the lower body shell to urge the latch downward as Illustrated by the phantom
lines,
upon placing the recovery tank (FIG. 4) into the cavity 306. Once past the
lower
edge 304, the biasing force in the coiled spring 622 will urge the latch 620
upwardly
20 behind the lower edge 304. This allows the recovery tank 53 to seat into
the cavity
306 as shown in FIG. 4. Alternatively, instead of the coiierd spring 622, an
integrally
molded elastic member extending downwardly from the bottom end of the latch
620
could also bias the latch 620 upwardly.
Referring to FIG. 4, to remove the recovery tank 53 from the cavity 306
25 in the lower body shell 314, a user grasps the handle 628 with his fingers
and
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pushes down on the lateral ledge 626 of the latch 620 with his thumb until the
upper
end of the latch 620 moves below the lower edge 304 (FIG. 26) of the front
cover
311 to unlock the recovery tank 53 therefrom. Using the handle 628, the user
then
pulls the recovery tank 53 out of the cavity 306. Referring to FIG. 25, to
empty the
recovered liquid from the recovery tank 53, a user lifts the lid locking plate
570
outward to unsnap it from the locking tabs 572 thereby unlocking the lid 554
from
the recovery tank 53, and then simply removes the lid 554 and empties the
recovered liquid from the recovery tank 53.
As shown in FIG. 3A suction source in the form of a bypass suction
1 o motor assembly 632 is received within the lower body shell 314 and covered
by the
front cover 311. In particular with reference to FIGS. 4 and 27, the suction
motor
assembly 632 generally comprises a motor/fan mechanism 634 that is positioned
in a fan housing 636. An elastomeric vibration mounting 0-ring 638 fits around
a
flange 640 of the fan housing 636. An impeller 642 is rotatably connected to
the
ls bottom of the fan housing 636 and extends into an impeller housing 644. The
0-
ring 638 of the fan housing 636 rests upon a support step 637 (FIG. 27) of the
lower
impeller housing 644. A gasket 650 is secured around the impeller housing 644
just
below a flange portion 647. As depicted in FIG. 4, the gasket 650 has an
annular
groove 652 (FIG. 27) that cooperates with a support ledge 648 integrally
formed on
20 the inner side of the front cover 311 and lower housing 314 to support the
motor/fan
mechanism 634.
As depicted in FIG. 4, a motor cover 654 surrounds the motor/fan
mechanism 634 and is mounted to the mounting flange 647 (FIG. 27) of the
impeller
housing 644 thereby defining motor cooling exhaust manifoids 656 around the
bottom
25 of the fan housing 636. Motor cooling air is drawn through a rear vent 658
in the lower
32
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body shell 314 to air inlets 661 (FIG. 27) of the motor cover and air inlets
662 (FIG.
27) in the fan housing 636 by a cooling fan 649 of the motor/fan mechanism
634.
The air cools the motor/fan mechanism 634 and exhausts into the exhaust
manifolds 656. Referring to FIG. 3A, the heated air then exits upwardly
through
exhaust air outlets 664 (FIG. 27) in the motor cover 654 and then through
exhaust
vents 666 mounted on the front cover 311 of the lower body shell 314. The
exhaust
vents 666 are oriented to direct the air upwardly away from the floor and
thereby
prohibit any moisture from entering the motor/fan mechanism 634. Turning to
FIG.
27, the motor cover 654 includes vertical sealing plates 668 positioned
adjacent the
lo ends of the manifolds 656 that prevent the exhaust air from entering back
up into
the inlets 662 of the fan housing 636.
With continued reference to FIG. 27, the impeller housing 644
includes a bottom portion 670 mounted thereto and which includes an opening
678
and an air inlet port 672 aligned over the eye of the impeller 642. A molded
in grilled
guard 674 on the bottom of the opening 678 (shown separated for illustrative
purposes) restricts large objects from entering the eye of the impeller 642.
Referring
to FIG. 4, the air inlet port 672 extends downwardly to the opening 568 (FIG.
25) in
the lid cover 566 of the pleated filter 562. The bottom of the inlet port 672
is beveled
to register with the cover 566 of the filter 562. A gasket 673 is fitted
around the inlet
port 672 to seal it to the cover 566. The impeller 642 draws clean air
filtered by the
pleated filter 562 into the inlet port 672, where it then exhausts through the
side of
the impeller 642 and bottom slit in the impeiier housing 644, where it is then
directed
downward exiting between the recovery tank 53 and the lower body shell 314.
As depicted in FIG. 3A main power switch assembly 682 is electrically
connected to the suction motor assembly 632 and power supply (not shown) and
33
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thus, i s u sed to t urn o n a nd off the suction motor assembly 632. The
switch
assembly 682 includes a mounting plate 684 (FIG. 28) mounted to the lower body
shell 314 adjacent the motor assembly 632. Referring to FIG. 28, a circuit
breaker
686 secured to the mounting plate 684 includes a reset button 688 extending up
s through an opening in the top of the mounting plate 684. Receptacles 685 are
attached to prongs 687 extending downward from the bottom of the circuit
breaker
686. Guide channels 690A, 690B formed on the mounting plate 684 slidably
receives a switch lever 692. The lever 692 has a flap 694 extending over the
reset
button 688 of the circuit breaker 686. A switch button 696 from a switch body
698
1 o extends through an aperture 700 in the lever 692 and aperture 702 in the
mounting
plate 684. A slide button 704 located on the exterior side of the lower body
shell
314 snap fits into a second aperture 706 formed in the lever 692.
Thus, movement of the slide button 704 longitudinally with respect to
the handle assembly 42 will correspondingly move the switch button 696
15 longitudinally turning it on and off, and also reset the circuit breaker
686 when slid
down._ Thus, when the slide button 704 is slid up -to the on position, the
motor 635
in the motor/fan assembly 634 is energized, and when the slide button 704 is
slid
down to the off position, the motor 635 is denergized and the flap 694 engages
the
reset button 688, resetting the circuit breaker 686 when tripped.
20 As generally illustrated in FIG. 3A, the lower body shell 314 has
integrally molded therein a top support shelf 318 that has mounted thereto a
cleaning solution reservoir assembly 320. Reservoir 320 receives and holds a
quantity of cleaning solution from a supply tank 43 for distribution to the
supply tube
328 as further described below. The handie assembly 42 is completed by fixedly
25 attaching the upper handle 312 to the lower body shell 314 by telescopingly
sliding
34
CA 02597895 2007-09-05
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upper handle 312 downward such that its lower lip 307 fits into a recess area
309
of the front cover 311.
Referring now to FIG. 29A, cleaning solution reservoir assembly
320 includes a bottom concave lower basin 324 having the supply tube 328
exiting therefrom. Supply tube 328 provides a valved release of cleaning
solution
from the reservoir. volume 334 and the supply tank 43 to the cleaning solution
distributor 246. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 29A, the supply tube 328 is covered
with a jacket 553 wit.hin 'the area of the motor assembly 632 (FIG. 3A) to
ensure
that no leakage from a possible rupture of the tube will enter the area.
As depicted in FIG. 29A, a cover plate 332 is sealingly mounted to
lower basin 324 thereby forming reservoir voiume 334 which supply=tank 43
floods with cleaning solution through inlet port 336. Extending axially upward
through inlet port 336 is pin 338 which acts to open the supply valve 440 of
the
supply tank 43 as the tank 43 is placed upon the support shelf 318 and secured
in place. The structure and operation of the supply valve 440 is described
furthe'r
below.
Cleaning solution is released, upon operator demand, into tube 328
through solution release valve 340 which comprises valve seat 342 positioned
in
basin 324 of bowl 344 integrally formed with top cover 332. The basin 324 of
bowl
2 o 344 extends across discharge port 346 such that valve seat 342 is aligned
to open
thereinto. An opening 348, within the wall of bowl 344, permits the free flow
of
cleaning solution from reservoir 334 into bowl 344. An elastomeric valve
member
350 comprises an elongate piston 352 extending through valve seat 342 having a
bulbous nose 354 at the distal end thereof within discharge port 346. The
valve
member 350 is preferably made of an elastomeric material. The opposite end of
CA 02597895 2007-09-05
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piston 352 includes a downwardly sloped circular flange 356,1the peripheral
end of
which frictionally and sealingly engages the upper circular rim 358 of bowl
344
thereby preventing leakage of cleaning soiution. The flange 356 acts to bias
piston
352 upward thereby urging nose 3'54 into sealing engagement with valve seat
342
preventing the flow of cleaning solution from bowl 344 into discharge port 346
and
tube 328.
The solution release valve 340 is operated by pressing downward
upon the elastomeric release valve member 350 by a push rod 360 thereby
deflecting the center of flange 356 downward urging nose 354 downward and away
lo from valve seat 342 permitting the passage of cleaning solution
therethrough into
discharge port 346 and tube 328: Energy stored within flange 356, as a result
of
being deflected downward will, upon release of the force applied to push rod
360,
return the valve to its normally closed position as illustrated in FIG. 29A.
Such an
arrangement is similar to that disclosed in U.S. Patent Number 5,500,977=
-Referring now to FIGS. 3B and 5, extending upward through handle
assembiy 42 is the articulated push rod 360. Push rod 360 is positioned within
the
handle assembly 42 by means of integrally moided spacers 364 dimensioned and
located as necessary. Integrally formed lateral hook-arms 367 on the.push rod
360
siidingly engage a guide channel 365 integrally formed in the inner side of
the upper
handle 312 and extending longitudinally with respect to the upper handle 312.
This
arrangement aids in guiding the push rod 360 directly over the valve member
350
(FIG. 29A) as it moves longitudinally. The upper end 366 of push rod 360 is
pivotally attached to trigger 368. Specifically, a lateral pin 371 integrally
molded on
the trigger pivotally snaps into a detent 363 (FIG. 3B) formed in the upper
end 366.
36
CA 02597895 2007-09-05
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The trigger 368 is pivotally attached to the handgrip 372 at a pivot 370. In
particular
as depicted in FIG. 3B, the pivot 370 of handgrip 372 snappingly receives
lateral
integrally molded pins 370A of trigger 368.
Integrally molded onto trigger 368 and extending upwardly are two
elastic arms 369, one on each lateral side thereof. Elastic arms 369 produce a
biasing force and urge trigger 368 and the attached articulated push rod 360
towards the valve closed mode as illustrated in FIG. 29A. Elastic arms 369 are
engineered to support the weight of the push rod 360 such that no force is
applied
to elastomeric valve member 350 (FIG. 29A). Upon the operator squeezing the
1 o trigger 368, elastic arms 369 yield thereby permitting counterclockwise
rotation of
trigger 368 about the pivot 370 with a resulting downward movement of the push
rod
360. Turning to FIG.-29A, this action opens the solution release valve 340.
causing
gravitational flow of cleaning solution from the reservoir 334 to the tube
328. Upon
release of the trigger 368 (FIG. 5), energy stored in the system retums the
valve 340
to the closed mode.
As best illustrated in FIG. 3A, removably positioned over t he top
support shelf 318 of the lower body shell 314 and top side of the front cover
311 is
cieaning solution supply tank 43. As seen in FIG. 29, supply tank 43 basically
comprises a deeply hollowed upper body 410 and a relatively planer bottom
plate
412 which is adhesively secured, about its periphery, to the upper body 410.
The
bottom plate 412 is provided with suitable recessed areas 413 and 415. As seen
in FIG. 3A, these recessed areas 413, 415 (FIG. 29) index upon and receive
therein
corresponding raised portions 313 and 315 on the top side of the front cover
311 of
handle assembly 42, when supply tank 43 is placed thereon. In effect, the
raised
portions 313, 315 and reservoir 320 support the supply tank 43. A pair of
recessed
37
CA 02597895 2007-09-05
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grip areas 476 formed on opposite sides of the outer wall of the upper body
410
have raised projections or bumps 478 formed thereon to aid in gripping the
supply
tank 43.
Referring to FIG. 29A, incorporated into bottom plate 412 of tank 43 is
s the supply valve 440 comprising valve seat 442 having an elongate plunger
444
extending coaxially upward therethrough. Plunger 444 having an outside
diameter
less than the inside diameter of valve seat 442 is provided with at least two
flutes
446 (FIG. 29) to maintain alignment of plunger 444 within valve seat 442 as
plunger
444 axially translates therein and permits the passage of fluid therethrough
when
lo plunger 444 is in the open position.
An open frame housing 454 is located atop valve seat 442 having a
vertically extending bore 456 slidingly receiving therein the upper shank
portion of
plunger 444. An elastomeric circumferential sea! 448 circumscribes plunger 444
for
sealingly engaging valve seat 442. Seal 448 is urged against valve seat 442 by
15 action of compression spring 452, circumscribing plunger 444, and
positioned
between frame 454 and seal 448. The supply valve 440 is normally in the closed
position. However, as supply tank 43 is placed upon the support shelf 318 of
handle
42, pin 338 of the cleaning solution supply reservoir 320 aligns with plunger
444 and
is received within flutes 446, as best illustrated in FIG. 29A, thereby
forcing plunger
20 444, upward compressing spring 452, and opening valve seat 442 permitting
cleaning solution to flow from the supply tank 43 into reservoir 320. Upon
removal
of the supply tank 43 from support shelf 318 the energy stored within
compression
spring 452 closes valve seat 442. A supply tank sea1480 (FIG. 32) seals the
supply
valve 440 upon removal and placement of the supply tank 43 from the support
shelf
25 318.
38
CA 02597895 2007-09-05
61935-181E
Referring now to FIG. 29, located at the top of the supply tank 43 is a
fill opening 416 through which the supply tank 43 may be conveniently filled
with
cleaning solution. To assure that the ambient pressure within the supply tarik
43
remains equal to atmospheric, as cleaning solution is drawn from the supply
tank
43, an elastomeric umbrella valve 426 is provided in the top of cap 420
comprising a
multiplicity of air breathing orifices. Referring to FIG. 5, as the ambient
pressure
within the supply tank 43 drops, by discharge of cleaning solution from
therein,
atmospheric pressure acting upon the top side of umbrella valve 426 causes the
peripheral edge 428 to unseat from surface 432 of cap 420 thereby permitting
the
z o flow of atmospheric air into the supply tank 43 until the ambient pressure
therein
equals atmospheric. Once the pressure on both sides of the umbrelia valve
equalize, the energy stored by deflection of the umbrella valve causes the
periphera(
edge 428 (FIG. 29) to reseat itself against surface 432 thereby preventing
leakage
of cleaning solution through orifices during operation of the extractor.
Referring to FIG. 29, cap 420.and flat circular seal 418 sealingly close
fill opening 416. Cap 420 incorporates an inverted cup portion 422 which
serves as
a convenient measuring cup for mixing an appropriate amount of concentrated
cleaning solution with water in tank 43. When cap 420 -s inverted and used as
a
measuring cup, liquid pressure against umbrella valve 426 further urges
peripheral
edge 428 against surface 432 (FIG. 5) thereby providing a leak free container.
Such
an arrangement is similar to that disclosed in U.S. Patent Number 5,500,977.
The solution supply tank 40 includes a tank securement latch 462 of
approximately similar construction and function as that of the recovery tank
to
provide a convenient means for removably securing the supply tank from the
cavity
39
CA 02597895 2007-09-05
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468 (FIG. 3A) of the upper handle portion 312 (FIG. 3A). Specifically, a
retaining
housing or slot 458 is mounted to the inner side of the front wall 460 of the
supply
tank 43 for slidably receiving and retaining spring-loaded latch 462. A coiled
spring
464, positioned between the bottom of the retaining housing 458 and latch 462,
biases the latch 462 upwardly. Additionally, a u-shaped plastic spring 465,
integrally
formed with latch 462 and extending downwardly from the bottom end of the
latch
462, aids in biasing the latch 462 upwardly. The upper end 466 of the latch
462 is
beveled.
Thus with reference to FIG: 3A, upon insertion of the supply tank 43
io assembly into the cavity 468, a downward extending rib 470 of the upper-
handle 312
just above the cavity 468 cams against the upper end 466 urging the latch 462
downward and thereby allowing the supply tank 43 to seat into the cavity 468.
Once
past the rib 470, the biasing force in the coiled spring -464 (FIG. 29) will
urge the
latch 462 upwardly behind the edge 470 thereby locking the supply tank 43
within
Z5 the cavity 468. A lateral opening 472 formed in the inner side of the front
wall 460
allows access to an arcuate laterally extending ledge 474 (also shown in FIG.
29)
integrally formed on the front of the latch 462 and positioned near the center
of the
opening 472 for placement of a thumb or finger of a user. To remove the supply
tank 43 from the cavity 468 in the upper handle 321, a user grasps the grip
areas
2 o 476 with his fingers and pushes down on the ledge 474 of the latch 462
with his
index finger until the upper end 466 of the latch 462 moves below the edge 470
to
unlock the supply tank 43 from the cavity 468. Using the grip areas 476, the
user
then pulls the supply tank 43 out of the cavity 468. Alternatively, the u-
shaped
plastic spring 465 could be designed to alone bias the latch 462 upwardly.
25 Figures 2A, 30A, 30B, 30C, 31, 31 A, 31 B, and 32 illustrate the brush
CA 02597895 2007-09-05
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lifting mechanism, which will be herein described. Referring to FIGS. 2A, 30A,
30B,
a pair of hooks 710 integrally molded with the upper plate 250 of the
distributor 246
extends from its upper surface 247, as previously mentioned. The hooks 710
hang
onto forwardly extending arms 714 integrally molded on a rod portion 716 of a
brush
iifting iever 718. A ring member 719 is integrally molded on the rod portion
716 and
extends rearwardly. The rod portion 716 is rotatingly positioned in a
complimentary
recess in the top portion of the frame 52 such that rotating the lever 718
clockwise
when viewed from the left side raises the arms 714 and hence brush block
assembly
216, as seen in FIG. 30A, and rotating the lever 718 counter clockwise lowers
the
1o arms 714 and brush block assembly 216 as seen in FIG. 30B.
As best depicted in FIG. 2A, integrally molded or attached to the upper
surface 247 of the upper plate 250 are upwardly extending guide members 718
which, along with the_arms 714, slidingly interface with the frame 52 to guide
and
minimize lateral movement of the distributor 246 as it is raised and lowered,
thereby
preventing the hooks 710 from unhooking off the arms 714. Inner upstanding
walls
708 (FIG. 17A) of the frame 52 positioned outwardly adjacent the hooks 710
also
aid in performing this function. A pocket portion 720 having an arcuateiy
shaped
bottom defining opposite front and rear gripping members 722, 724 slidably
engages
around to the rod portion 716.
As depicted in FIG. 31, a transverse groove 726 is formed across the
lower end of the rod portion 716. The groove 726 slidably receives a tongue
728
integrally molded and extending rearwardly from the front gripping member 722
of
the pocket portion 720. When the brush block assembly 216 (FIG. 30B) is
raised,
the pocket portion 720 moves rearwardty so that the tongue 728 engages the
front
2 s edge of the groove 726 to rotate the rod portion 716 clockwise (when
viewed from
41
CA 02597895 2007-09-05
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the left side). This action moves the arms 714, hooks 710, and brush block
assembly 216 upward as depicted in FIG. 30B. To lower the brush biock assembly
216, the pocket portion 720 is moved forward, which allows the weight of the
brush
block assembly 216 to rotate the rod portion 720 counterclockwise and hence
lower
the brush block assembly 216 for scrubbing as depicted in FIG. 30A. Hence, the
rod portion 716 and tongue 726 are rotated in the position shown in FIG. 31 B.
When the nozzle assembly 62 is raised off the floor as depicted in
FIG. 18, the brush assembly 216 is locked in its raised position, thereby
prevented
from being lowered. To accomplish this action as depicted in FIG. 30C, a snap
pin
1 o 149 extends through the ring member 719 and an aperture of the upwardly
extending arm 141 of the wheel carriage (FIG. 23) pivotally securing them
together.
Thus, when the lifting lever 718 is raised with respect to the wheel carriage
136, the
arm 141 lowers the ring member 719 of the lifting lever 718, thereby rotating
the rod
portion 716 clockwise and lifting the brush block assembly 216. At this
position as
depicted in FIG. 30C, the pin 149 holds down the ring member 719 preventing it
from pivoting upwardly, and thereby preventing the brush block assembly 216
from
lowering. At this position as depicted in FIG. 31A, the pocket portion 720 is
free to
pivot forwardly, since the tongue 728 can slide along the length of the groove
726.
In effect, the cooperation of the tongue 728 and groove 726 acts as a lost
motion
mechanism to keep the brush block assembly raised and also to avoid stressing
the
wire portion 376 of the cable 730 in the event the pocket portion 720 is moved
forward from, for example, a user sliding a brush slide button 762 (FIG. 30B)
down
to the wet scrub position as will be explained in further detail below.
As shown in FIG. 2A, the cable 730 and related elements are used to
move the pocket portion 720 forward and rearward to lower and raise the brush
42
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block assembly .216, and in combination with a microswitch 534 (FIG. 3A) to
energize and denergize the brush motor 508 (FIG. 24) when the brush biock
assembly 216 is lowered and raised, respectively. In particular, a ball 732 at
the
lower end of the cable 730 is securely seated in the pocket portion 720 by a
projection 734 (FIG. 2C) formed on the underside of the hood 172 (FIG. 2C)
bearing
against it. The cable 730 inciudes a Bowden-type wire portion 736 slidably
received
in a shell 738. As depicted in FIGS. 30A and 30B, the cable 730 is seated in a
raised channel 740 formed in the upper surface of the upper portion of the
frame 52
rearwardly adjacent the pocket portion 720 to minimize lateral movement of the
lo cable 730.
As depicted in FIG. 32, the cable 730 is routed to the lower body shell
314, such that the wire portion 736 of the cable 730 extends into a
cylindrical cap
742 and attaches to an upper enclosed end portion of the cap 742 by, for
example,
molding or die casting it to the cap 742. The cylindrical cap 742 slidingly
extends
through an opening in the top support shelf 318 of the lower body shell 314
and
through a coiled spring 746. A washer 748 is inserted around the cap 742 and
covers the spring 746. An elastic e-shaped ring 749 is inserted into an
annular
groove formed circumferentially around the cap 742 just above the washer 748,
to
keep the spring 746 from urging the washer 748 out of the cap 742. A rubber
boot
2 o 752 mounted to the top support shelf 318 of the lower body shell 314 via
mounting
piece 754, covers the cap 742, spring 746, washer 748 and ring member 719,
thereby sealing them from moisture. An articulated push rod 756 has a lower
end
758 abutting the top 751 of the boot 752.
The microswitch 534 is mounted in the lower body shell 314 inwardly
adjacent the cap 742 below the top support shelf 318 via a switch cover 766
(FIG.
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3A), capturing it in place. The microswitch 534 is electricafly connected
through the
power switch assembly 682 (FIG. 3A) to the power supply (not shown) and to the
power cord 552 (FIG. 24) of the brush motor 508 (FIG. 24) to energize and
deenergize the motor 508. An elastic lever arm 786 is snap connected to the
microswitch 534 and abuts a spring-loaded push button 772 on the microswitch
534.
A roller 770 is rotatably connected at the distal end of the lever arm 768.
Referring to FIGS. 33, the slide button 762 slides up and down along
an elongated groove 776 formed near the lower end of the handgrip 372 (FIG.
3B)
to move the push rod 756. In particular, the slide button 762 includes a pair
of
1o rearward depending outwardly flared legs 781 that slidingly receive
opposite side
edges of an inner frame 786 surrounding the groove and integrally formed with
the
upper handle 312. A u-shaped spring 778 is fitted around and under rearward
depending tabs 780 of the slide button 762. The middle portion 782 of the u-
shaped
spring 778 bears against a lateral reaT rib 788 of the slide button 762. Upper
and
is lower pairs of notches or detents 790, 792 are formed on opposite sides of
the inner
frame 786 for receiving complimentary outer offset portions 794 formed on
opposite
legs 796 of the u-shaped spring 778.
Thus, pushing the slide button 762 down to its lower position with
respect to the handle urges the offset portions 794 to seat into the lower
pair of
20 detents 792 and pushing the slide button 762 upwardly to its upper position
urges
the offset portions 794 to seat into the upper pair detents 790. A nose member
784
is attached to the rear surface of the slide button 762 below the rib 788. A
laterally
extending arm member 798 is integrally formed with=the nose member 784 and
pivotally snaps into a detent 774 (FIG. 313) formed in the upper end 760 of
the push
25 rod 756. Alternatively, as depicted in FIG. 33A, the spring is supported
and
44
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mounted to the slide button via a screw 783 inserted through a tab 787,
attached on
the middle portion 782 of the spring 778, and screwed to the rear side of the
slide
button 762.
Thus, pushing down on the slide button 762 will move the push rod
s 756 downward which in turn pushes on the cap 752 moving it and the wire 736
of
the cable 730 downwardly. This causes two actions. One being that the ball
portion
732 moves the pocket portion 724 forward rotating the brush lifting lever 718
about a
quarter turn counterclockwise thereby lowering the brush block assembly 216 as
depicted in FIG. 30B. The other being that the cap 742, as seen in FIG 32A
cams
lo against the roller 770 of the lever arm 768 of the microswitch 534, moving
the lever
arm 768 such that it presses down on the push button 772 of a microswitch 534
to
energize the brush motor 508 (FIG 24) and rotate the brushes 226 (FIG. 19) for
scrubbing. When the slide button 762 is slid back upwardly, the ball portion
732
moves rearward rotating the brush lifting lever 718 clockwise back a quarter
turn
is thereby lifting the brush block assembly 716. Also, as seen in FIG. 32, the
cap 742
moves up away from the roller 770, thereby releasing the lever arm 768 from
pressing down on the push button 772 of the microswitch 534. Thus, the brush
motor 508 (FIG. 24) is deenergized and the brushes 226 are not rotated when
lifted.
Alternatively, the unit could be designed to operate the brushes 226 when
suction is
2 o not appiied to the floor.
With reference to FIG. 1, to operate the hard floor cleaner unit 40 in
the dry mode to vacuum dust, dirt and other particulates on the floor, the
user
depresses the right pedal 206 to lower the handle assembly 42. In the event
that
the handle is already lowered, but the nozzle assembly 62 is lowered, the user
25 depresses the left pedal to raise the nozzle assembly 62 off the floor.
Then, the
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slide button 704 on the power switch assembly 682 is slid down to activate the
suction motor assembly 632 (FIG. 27) to provide suction. The user grasps the
handgrip 372 and moves the hard floor cleaner unit 40 over the floor to clean
it.
After vacuuming the floor in the dry mode (or whenever vacuuming in the wet
mode
is desired), the user then depresses the left pedal 158 to lower the nozzle
assembly
62 on the floor in contact with it in the wet mode to collect and pick up
particles on
the hard floor.
Referring to FIG. 30B, if scrubbing of the floor is desired, the user
slides the slide button 762 on the hand grip 372 downward to the on position
which
1 o lowers the brush block assembly 216 on the floor and energizes the brush
motor
508 (FIG. 24) to rotate the brushes 226 (FIG.19) to scrub the floor. Squeezing
the
trigger 368 on the handgrip 372 distributes cleaning solution through the
brushes
226 (FIG. 19) and to the floor for cleaning. For hardwood floors, a cleaning
solution
specifically design to protect the wood can be used. It should be noted that
the
nozzle assembly 62 could be removed, as previously mentioned, if scrubbing of
the
floor is desired with no suction applied to it. Referring back to FIG. 1,
after cleaning
the hard floor, the user slides the slide button 704 of the power switch
assembly 682
up to turn off the unit 40. To store the unit 40, the handle assembly 42 is
pivoted in
the upright position, which in turn raises the nozzie assembly 62 off the
fioor as
depicted in the_ phantom lines of FIG. 4.
Figures 34, 35, 36A, 36B, and 37 illustrates another embodiment of
the nozzle lifting mechanism and brush lifting mechanism for a hard floor
cleaning
unit 810. Referring to FIG. 34, the cleaning unit 810 comprises an upright
handle
assembly 812 pivotally connected to the rear portion of a base assembly 814
that
moves and cleans along a surface. The handle assembly 812 is generally
similarto
46
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that of the previous embodiment except that the brush block assembly 816 (FIG.
35)
is activated and lifted by a foot pedal 818L on the base assembly 814, which
will be
further explained. As depicted in FIG, 34A, the base assembly 810 includes a
nozzle assembly 820 removably connected to the frame 814, which is covered by
s a hood 827. Rear wheels 824 are rotatably connected to axles 826 journaled
into
the frame 822. Left and right pedals 818L, 818R include downward depending leg
portions 860 that slideably engage vertical channels 858 formed in the side of
the
frame 822. The brush block assembly 816 fits into a complimentary cavity 828
of
the frame 822 rearwardly adjacent the nozzle assembly 820. A distributor plate
830
1 o is removably secured on the brush block assembly 816. Attached to the
front end
of the distributor plate 830 is a lateral pin 832 extending forwardly. A pin
834 is also
attached to the inside of the front wall 836 of the frame 822 and laterally
extends
rearward. -
Referring to FIG. 35, a lever 838 is pivotally connected to the pin 834.
ls In particular, the pin 834 extends into a sleeve 840 formed.in the lever
838. The
right end of the lever 838 defines a hook portion 842 that is positioned just
under the
pin 832 of the distributor plate 830. A brush motor 846 with cover 847 is
mounted
to the underside of the frame 822 and includes a drive slot (not shown), which
receives a drive shaft 883 (FIG. 34A) of the brush block 816 for driving the
brushes
2 o 817 for rotation. A microswitch 844 is mounted to the inside of the front
wall 836 of
the frame 822 above the lever 838 and is electrically connected between a
power
source (not shown) and the brush motor 846. In this position, the lever 838 is
spaced from the spring-loaded push button 855 of a microswitch 844, which is
in a
normally close circuit condition.
25 A shaft member 848 oriented perpendicular with respect to the lever
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838 is rotatably connected to the cleaning unit 810. A pair of front and rear
ears
850, 852 are integrally formed on opposite ends of the shaft member 848 and
extend inwardly. The front ear 850 bears upon the left end of the lever 838
and the
rear ear 852 is positioned just under a forwardly extending projection 854
formed on
left pedal 818L. The shaft member 848 extends through a torsion spring 856,
secured to the frame 822 that biases the ears 850, 852 upwardly. Depressing
the
left pedal 818L downwardly will cause the projection 854 to cam on the rear
ear 852
rotating it downwardly, thereby also causing the front ear 850 to rotate
downwardly
and cam down on the left portion 864 of the lever 838. This action pivots the
lever
1 o 838 clockwise thereby moving the hook portion 842 and brush block assembly
816
upwardly. In addition, the lever 838 presses the push button 855 on the
microswitch
844, which opens the circuit in the microswitch 844, thereby breaking the
electrical
connectiori between the brush motor 846 and power supply. Hence, the brush
motor 846 deenergizes and turns off the brush block assembly 816.
Pushing the pedal 818L again and then removing- the pushing force
moves the pedal 818L upward such that the projection 854 moves away from the
rear ear 852 of the shaft member 848, thereby allowing the shaft member 848 to
rotate the front ear 850 upwardly from the biasing force of the spring 856.
The
upward rotation of the front ear 850 away from the left end of the lever 838
allows
the right end of the lever 838 to pivot downward from the weight of the brush
block
assembly 816, thereby lowering the brush block assembly 816. The lever 838
then
moves away from the push button 855 of the microswitch 844, thereby closing
the
circuit in the microswitch 844, which in turn energizes the brush motor 846 to
rotate
the brushes 817 on the brush block assembly 816 for scrubbing. Additionally
with
reference to FIG. 34A, as a backup to the microswitch 844, a second
microswitch
48
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843, electrically connected between the power source and brush motor 846,
could
be mounted on the cover 847 of brush motor 846 and positioned over the
distributor
830 such that a raised portion 841 on the distributor plate presses the switch
button
845 to open circuit and deenergize the brush motor 846 upon the brush block
assembiy 816 being raised.
Referring to FIG. 36, a mechanism for lifting the nozzle assembly 820
is disclosed. A wheel carriage 865 is pivotally connected to the underside of
the
frame 822. In particular, a rear pair of trunnions 868 (Fig.34A) located on
opposite
sides of the wheel carriage 865 journals through the frame 822. A pair of
wheels
l.o 870 is rotatably connected on opposite ends of a stationary axle 872
located on the
front end of the wheel carriage 822 for supporting the frame 822. An inverted
u-
shaped raised cam follower 890 is formed on the upper side of the axle 872 and
rides along the bottom side of a slide block 866. The slide block 866 is
slidably
mounted to the brush motor cover 847 by screws 874 extending through
respective
washers 876 and then into a pair of elongated longitudinal slots 878. The
washers
876 are secured to the screws, by for example, welding -them thereto. The
washers
876 radially extend beyond opposite longitudinal ends of the slots 878 to
secure the
siide block 866 to the motor cover 847. Thus, the slide block 866 slides along
the
longitudinal axis of the slots 878, yet is secured to the base assembly 814.
A compression spring 880 is connected between the screw 874 closer
to the right pedal 818R and portion of the slide block 866 underneath the slot
878
further away from the right pedal 818R. A ramp portion 867 is integrally
formed on
the bottom side of the slide block 866 and extends downwardly. An upwardly
extending arm 882 is integrally molded on the left end of the slide block. The
arm
2 5 882 is angled outwardly and is positioned under an inwardly extending
projection
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886 of the right pedal 81 8R. The arm 882 includes a roller 884 rotatably
connected
to it at the upper end of the arm 882. The projection 886 has a beveled edge
888
(FIG. 34A) formed on its bottom right corner.
When the nozzle assembly 820 is in the raised position, the ramp
portion 867 abuts against the cam follower 890, thereby raising the frame 822
(Fig.
34A) and hence nozzle assembly 820 (FIG. 34A) with respect to the wheel
carriage
866 and floor. Upon depression of the right pedal 818R, the beveled edge 888
(FIG. 34A) of the projection 886 cams against the roller 884 which causes the
slide
block 866 to move inwardly until the cam follower 890 moves away from the ramp
1 o portion 867, thereby lowering the frame 822 (FIG. 34A) and nozzle assembly
820.
Upon depression of the pedal 818R again, the projection 886 moves upwardly
away
from the arm 884. This action allows the spring 880 to urge the slide block
866 to
slide outwardly such that the cam follower 890 cams against the ramp portion
867,
thereby raising the frame 822 (FIG. 34A) and nozzle assembly 820 from the
floor.
Additionally, a raised stop member 885 (FIG. 34A) of the slide block 866 abuts
against the distributor thereby raising the brush assembly 816 and preventing
it from
lowering.
Turning to FIGS. 37A and 37B, the pedals 818R, 818L contain a
push-push mechanism, which allows the right pedal 818R to raise or lower the
2 o nozzle assembly (FIG. 34A) upon depression, and allows the left pedal 818L
to raise
or lower the brush block assembly 816 (FIG.34A) upon depression. Both the
pedals
and their push-push mechanisms are generally similar in design and function so
only
the left pedal 818L and its push-push mechanism will be herein described.
Thus,
the elements described below for the left pedal 818L and its push-push
mechanism
are also used for the right pedal 818R and its push-push mechanism. The push-
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push type mechanism acts upon each of the pedals 818R, 818L to lock and unlock
it when it is pushed.
In particular, a coiled spring 862 attached to the underside of the
pedal 818L depends downwardly and abuts a bottom ledge 898 of the frame 822.
A rotor 892 having first and second notches 894, 896 is rotatably connected to
the
portion of the side of the frame 822 between the channels 858. When the pedal
818L is depressed, an upper rib 900 on the pedal 818L engages the first notch
894
to rotate the rotor 892. The rotor 892 is rotated until second notch 896
engages a
bottom rib 902. When the pedal 818L is released, the coiled compression spring
1 o 862 moves the pedal 818L up slightiy so that the bottom rib 902 rotates
the rotor
892 so that the upper rib 900 is aligned with the outer side of the rotor 892
between
the notches 894, 896. In this position as depicted.in 37B, the engagement of
the
bottom rib 902 with the second notch 894 prevents further rotation of the
rotor 892
-and thus locks the pedal 818L. Depressing the pedal 818L again moves the
bottom
is rib 902 out of the way of the second notch 170 and causes the upper rib 900
to
engage the outer side 904 of the rotor 892 rotating it such that the second
notch 896
rotates past the bottom rib 902. At this position, there is no interference to
prevent
the pedal 818L from moving back to its original position.
Thus, upon releasing the pedal 818L, the coiled compression spring
2 o 862 moves the pedal 818L upwardly. It should be apparent that upon
depressing
the pedal 818L again to raise either the nozzle assembly 820 or brush block
assembly 816, the upper rib 900 now engages the second notch 896 and the first
notch 894 engages the upper rib 900 but in all other aspects the raising and
lowering operation will be similar, since the notches 894, 896 are similarly
shaped.
25 Figures 38, 39A and 39B illustrate still another embodiment of a
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nozzle lifting mechanism and a brush lifting mechanism on a hard floor
cleaning unit
906. Turning to FIG. 38, the cleaning unit 906 comprises an upright handle
assembly 908 pivotally connected to the rear portion of a base assembly 916
that
moves and cleans along a surface. Wheels 922 are rotatably connected to the
base
assembly 916. The handle assembly 908 includes a recovery tank 910 removably
mounted in a complementary cavity. A latch 912 releasably locks the recovery
tank
910 to the handle assembly 908. A supply tank 914 is removably mounted to the
handle assembly 908 and located rearwardly adjacent the recovery tank 910. The
base assembly 916 includes a nozzle assembly 918 connected to the frame 920
lo and fluidly connected to the recovery tank 910 via a central duct-924
attached
thereto. A brush assembly, 926 is secured to the base assembJy 916 rearwardly
adjacent the nozzle assembly 918. The base assembly 916 further includes a
hood
or covers 917 covering it. As is commonly known, cleaning liquid from the
supply
tank 914 is distributed onto the floor and scrubbed thereon by the brush
assembly
926. A suitable suction source (not shown) draws the dirt and/or cleaning
liquid from
the floor through the nozzle assembly 918 and into the recovery tank 910.
As depicted in FIG. 39A and 39B, a pair of right and left lever arms
928, 930 are attached to the nozzle assembly 918 and extend rearward. The
right
lever arm 928 is located outwardly adjacent the right side of a frame 920 and
pivotally connected to the frame 920. The left lever arm 930 is located
inwardiy
adjacent the left side of the frame 920 and pivotally connected to frame 920.
The
pivotal connections allow the nozzle assembly 918 to raise and lower. A right
pedal
932R is pivotally connected to an axle 934 journaled into the frame 920. The
right
pedal 932R has a top portion 936 that extends rearward and a bottom portion
938
that bears against the top surface of the rear portion 940 of the right lever
arm 928.
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Thus, when the top portion 936 of the pedal 932R is depressed, the bottom
portion
938 rotates and cams against the rear portion 940 of the right lever arm 928
causing
it to pivot downwardly, thereby raising the nozzle assembly 918: Referring to
FIG.
39B, a brush assembly 926 is secured to the frame 920 and is located
rearwardly
s adjacent the nozzle assembly 918. A pair of right and left lever arms 942,
944 is
attached to the brush assembly 926 and extends rearward.
The right lever arm 942 is located inwardly adjacent the right side of
the frame 920 and pivotally connected to the frame 920. The left lever arm 944
is
located outwardly adjacent the left side of the frame 920 and pivotally
connected to
1 o it. The pivotal connections allow the brush assembly 926 to raise and
lower. A left
pedal 932L is pivotally connected to the axle 934. The left pedal 932L has a
top
portion 946 that extends rearward and a bottom portion 948 that bears against
the
top surface of the rear portion 954 of the left lever arm 944. Thus, when the
top
portion 946 of the left pedal 932L is depressed, the bottom portion 948
rotates and
15 cams against the rear portion 954 of the left lever arm 944 causing it to
pivot
downwardly, thereby raising the brush assembly 926. The right side of the
frame
920 includes an inwardly extending stop projection 950 that overlies the right
lever
arm 928 of the brush assembly 926 that limits the upward movement of the brush
assembly 926.
20 The present invention has been described by way of example using
the illustrated embodiment. Upon reviewing the detailed description and the
appended drawings, various modifications and variations of the preferred
embodiment 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
25 present invention and of the claims appended hereto.
53
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In view of the above, it is intended that the present invention not be
limited by the preceding disclosure of a preferred embodiment, but rather be
limited
only by the appended claims.
54
