Brushing – scrubbing – and general cleaning – Machines – With air blast or suction
Reexamination Certificate
2001-01-02
2001-08-28
Moore, Chris K. (Department: 1744)
Brushing, scrubbing, and general cleaning
Machines
With air blast or suction
C015S353000, C015S412000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06279196
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to cleaning machines and, more particularly, to an upright water extraction cleaning machine.
2. Description of the Related Art
Water extraction cleaning machines have long been used for removing dirt from surfaces such as carpeting, upholstery, drapes, and the like. The known water extraction cleaning machines can be in the form of a canister-type unit as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,237,720 to Blase et al. or an upright unit as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,500,977 to McAllise et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 4,559,665 to Fitzwater.
The current water extraction cleaners can be difficult to use and often have limited adaptability for a variety of cleaning conditions. For example, none of the known water extraction cleaners can quickly and efficiently vary the mixture ratio of detergent and water. In addition, none of the known upright water extraction cleaners can automatically adjust the height of the roller-type agitation brush in response to changes on the surface being cleaned. Another problem inherent with the known water extraction cleaners is ease of use in filling and emptying the clean water tank and recovery tank. Finally, none of the known prior art water extraction cleaners can quickly and easily convert between on-the-floor cleaning and off-the-floor cleaning with an accessory hose and cleaning tool.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one embodiment of the invention, a portable surface cleaning apparatus has a base for movement along a surface to be cleaned; an upright handle pivotally attached to a rearward portion of the base; a liquid dispensing nozzle associated with the base for applying liquid to the surface; first and second liquid holding tanks fluidly connected to the dispensing nozzle for supplying first and second liquids, respectively, and mixtures thereof to the dispensing nozzle; a fluid recovery tank; a suction nozzle mounted to the base; a working air conduit extending between the recovery tank and the suction nozzle; and a vacuum source in fluid communication with the recovery tank for generating a suction in the recovery tank, conduit and nozzle to thereby draw liquid from the surface and deposit the liquid in the recovery tank.
The base housing includes a socket for selectively receivinig a recovery tank and a cavity located rearwardly of the socket and receiving the vacuum source. Preferably, the socket is formed by a pair of opposed walls and a transverse rear wall. The rear wall separates the socket from the cavity.
Preferably, the portable surface cleaning apparatus further includes a brush roll mounted in the housing and the housing further comprises a pocket for receiving a motor for rotatably driving the brush roll. A motor is mounted in the pocket and is drivingly connected to the brush roll. The pocket is preferably located longitudinally of the socket, preferably forwardly of the socket. The housing further comprises a first locking member for selectively engaging a second locking member on the recovery tank to selectively lock the recovery tank to the housing.
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Kasen Timothy E.
Kelly Luke E.
Metzger Eric R.
Reed, Jr. Charles A.
Smith Gary L.
Bissell Homecare Inc.
Moore Chris K.
Rader, Fishman, Grauer & Mc Garry, an Office of Rader, Fishman &
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