SURFACE CLEANING EXTRACTOR

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001]This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/928,689, filed Oct. 31, 2019, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

[0002]The present invention relates to surface cleaning extractors, and more particularly to surface cleaning extractors including removable brush rolls.

SUMMARY

[0003]In one embodiment, an extractor includes a body, a recovery tank coupled to the body, and a liquid tank coupled to the body. The liquid tank is configured to hold a liquid. The extractor also includes a base pivotably coupled to the body and configured to support the body above a cleaning surface. The extractor further includes a fluid distributor coupled to the base. The fluid distributor is in fluid communication with the liquid tank and configured to dispense the liquid from the liquid tank onto the cleaning surface. The extractor further includes a brush roll removably coupled to the base and a nozzle in fluid communication with the recovery tank. The nozzle is coupled to the base to block access to the brush roll. The nozzle is moveable relative to the base and the fluid distributor allowing access to the brush roll and enabling removal of the brush roll from the base.

[0004]In another embodiment, an extractor includes a liquid tank configured to hold a liquid, a fluid distributor configured to dispense the liquid from the liquid tank onto a cleaning surface, a base supporting the fluid distributor, a brush roll coupled to the base, and a cover coupled to the base to block access to the brush roll. The cover is moveable relative to the base and the fluid distributor allowing access to the brush roll.

[0005]Other features and aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a surface cleaning extractor including a body pivotably coupled to a base.

[0007]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the base of FIG. 1 with brush rolls removed from the base.

[0008]FIG. 3 is a top view of the base of FIG. 2.

[0009]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of brush rolls of the surface cleaning extractor of FIG. 1.

[0010]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the base of FIG. 1 illustrating a cover removed from the base allowing access to the brush rolls.

[0011]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the base of FIG. 1 illustrating one brush roll being partially removed or partially inserted relative to the base and another brush roll coupled to the base.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012]Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. Terms of degree, such as “substantially,” “about,” “approximately,” etc. are understood by those of ordinary skill to refer to reasonable ranges outside of the given value, for example, general tolerances associated with manufacturing, assembly, and use of the described embodiments.

[0013]A surface cleaning extractor 10 (e.g., an upright-style carpet extractor) is illustrated in FIG. 1 positioned on a cleaning surface 15 and includes a body 20 having a suction motor 25 pivotably coupled to a base 30 between an upright or storage position (FIG. 1) and an inclined or operable position (not shown). The base 30 includes a fluid distributor 175 (FIG. 2) configured to dispense liquid onto the surface 15 to be cleaned and at least a first brush roll 65a operably disposed in the base 30. The first brush roll 65a is removable from the base 30 through a top 75 of the base 30 adjacent the fluid distributor 175. In other embodiments, the extractor 10 can be a portable handheld extractor or accessory, an upright-style vacuum cleaner with fluid distribution, a canister-style cleaner with fluid distribution, a power sweeper with fluid distribution, a hard floor cleaner, etc. For example, the base 30 can be a handheld auxiliary attachment to the extractor 10. The illustrated body 20 includes a handle 35 operable by a user to push the extractor 10 in a forward direction 40 or pull the extractor 10 in a rearward direction 45. A liquid tank 50 is selectively coupled to the body 20 or the base 30 in communication with the fluid distributor 175 and holds a cleaning liquid (e.g., a mixture of water and cleaning solution). Also, a recovery tank 55 is selectively coupled to the body 20 or the base 30 and holds debris and dirty liquid collected by the extractor 10 from the cleaning surface 15 during operation.

[0014]With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the base 30 includes a head 60 supporting the first brush roll 65a and a second brush roll 65b. The head 60 includes a bottom 70 that faces the cleaning surface 15 and the top 75 opposite the bottom 70. The head 60 also includes a first side wall 80, a second side wall 85 (FIG. 3) opposite the first side wall 80, and a lateral wall 90 extending between the first and second side walls 80, 85. In addition, the walls 80, 85, 90 extend between the bottom 70 and the top 75 of the head 60. Drive protrusions 95a, 95b are located on the first side wall 80 and are driven by an electric motor (not shown) coupled to the base 30. With reference to FIG. 3, supports 100a, 100b are located on the second side wall 85 each positioned opposite a corresponding drive protrusion 95a, 95b. The drive protrusions 95a, 95b and the supports 100a, 100b are operable to support the first and second brush rolls 65a, 65b to the base 30, as discussed in more detail below. The first and second side walls 80, 85 and the lateral wall 90 define a cavity 105 of the base 30. The illustrated base 30 also includes a front opening 110 opposite the lateral wall 90. In other embodiments, the front opening 110 can be replaced by a wall extending between the first and second side walls 80, 85 opposite the lateral wall 90. In addition, the base 30 includes wheels (only one wheel 115 is shown in FIG. 1) that engage the cleaning surface 15 (e.g., carpet, hard wood floor, etc.) and enable movement of the extractor 10 in either the forward direction 40 or the rearward direction 45.

[0015]With continued reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the base 30 also includes a cover 120 (e.g., a transparent cover) selectively coupled to the base 30 to cover the top 75 of the base 30 that defines a portion of the cavity 105 and the front opening 110. The cover 120 includes a nozzle 125 in fluid communication with the recovery tank 55 by a passageway at least defined by an inlet 130 coupled to the top 75 of the head 60 and a flexible conduit 135 extending between the inlet 130 and the body 20. With references to FIG. 5, the nozzle 125 includes a nozzle passageway 136 formed between an upper wall 137 of the nozzle 125 and a lower wall 138 of the nozzle 125. The nozzle passageway 136 extends from a nozzle inlet 139 to a nozzle outlet 141. A latch 140 of the cover 120 engages the inlet 130 to secure the cover 120 to the base 30 with the nozzle outlet 141 in communication with the inlet 130. In the illustrated embodiment, the cover 120 is completely disconnected from the base 30 by releasing the latch 140 from the inlet 130 (FIG. 5). In other embodiments, the cover 120 can remain coupled to the base 30 and moveable (e.g., pivotable) between a closed or secured position and an open position.

[0016]With reference to FIG. 4, each brush roll 65a, 65b includes deformable brush members 145a, 145b (e.g., bristles) coupled to a brush roll body 150a, 150b with each brush roll body 150a, 150b having a recess 155a, 155b at one end operable to drivingly engage the corresponding drive protrusions 95a, 95b, a base mount 160a, 160b at the other end, and a longitudinal axis 165a, 165b extending between the recess 155a, 155b and the base mount 160a, 160b. Each base mount 160a, 160b is configured to releasably couple with corresponding supports 100a, 100b. Each brush roll body 150a, 150b includes a maximum dimension 170 measured perpendicular to its respective longitudinal axis 165a, 165b. A bearing is positioned between each base mount 160a, 160b and the corresponding brush roll body 150a, 150b enabling the brush roll body 150a, 150b to rotate about its longitudinal axis 165a, 165b relative to the corresponding base mount 160a, 160b and supports 100a, 100b. In other embodiments, the drive protrusions 95a, 95b can be coupled to the first and second brush rolls 65a, 65b and the corresponding recesses 155a, 155b can be formed within the first side wall 80 of the base 30. In further embodiments, various base mounts 160a, 160b can be provided to couple the bearings and the supports 100a, 100b to install the brush rolls 65a, 65b.

[0017]As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the fluid distributor 175 is positioned within the cavity 105 and extends between the first and second side walls 80, 85 of the head 60. The fluid distributor 175 is spaced from the lateral wall 90 by a first dimension 180 measured parallel to the forward and rearward directions 40, 45. In the illustrated embodiment, the fluid distributor 175 is fixedly coupled to the head 60 and is in fluid communication with the liquid tank 50 to dispense the liquid within the liquid tank 50 onto the cleaning surface 15. In other embodiments, the fluid distributor 175 is removable from the base 30. In one embodiment, a pressurized liquid delivery system is coupled to the liquid tank 50 and the fluid distributor 175 to dispense liquid through at least one nozzle of the fluid distributor 175 at a determined pressure. In other embodiments, a gravity-feed liquid delivery system is coupled to the liquid tank 50 and the fluid distributor 175 to dispense liquid through the fluid distributor 175 due to gravity. In further embodiments, the fluid distributor 175 can be positioned in the front opening 110 (e.g., in front of the second brush roll 65b) or coupled to the lateral wall 90 (e.g., behind the first brush roll 65a). In further embodiments, the base 30 can include more than one fluid distributor 175.

[0018]With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the brush rolls 65a, 65b are independently removable from the base 30 to facilitate cleaning of the brush rolls 65a, 65b. In particular, the cover 120 is disconnected from the base 30 by actuating the latch 140 from the inlet 130 (FIG. 5). In other words, the cover 120 moves relative to the base 30 and the fluid distributor 175 allowing physical access to the brush rolls 65a, 65b while the base 30 is supported on the cleaning surface 15. For example, once the cover 120 is opened or removed, which also fluidly decouples the nozzle outlet 141 from the conduit 135, the user is able to touch the brush rolls 65a, 65b to inspect the brush rolls 65a, 65b and/or remove the brush rolls 65a, 65b from the base 30. As such, the cover 120 is movable relative to the base 30 to open the top 75 of the base 30 allowing removal of the brush rolls 65a, 65b from the base 30 through the top 75 of the base 30 adjacent the fluid distributor 175. As shown in FIG. 6, the first brush roll 65a is positioned between the fluid distributor 175 and the lateral wall 90 such that the first brush roll 65a moves past the fluid distributor 175 in an upward vertical direction 185 as the first brush roll 65a is removed from the base 30. The vertical direction 185 is perpendicular to the forward and rearward directions 40, 45. In other embodiments, the vertical direction 185 can be obliquely oriented relative to the directions 40, 45. In one embodiment, an intermediate cover is provided between the cover 120 and the brush roll 65a, 65b that is accessible and openable or removable when the cover 120 is disconnected. Also, the fluid distributor 175 is positioned on the base 30 as to not impede removal of the brush rolls 65a, 65b. Accordingly, the cover 120 and the fluid distributor 175 allow for easy access, removal, and cleaning of the brush rolls 65a, 65b while the extractor 10 is in the upright position (FIG. 1).

[0019]Once the brush rolls 65a, 65b are removed and cleaned, the brush rolls 65a, 65b are independently coupled to the base 30. In particular, when the cover 120 is removed from the base 30, the first brush roll 65a is insertable into the cavity 105 between the fluid distributor 175 and the lateral wall 90 in a downward vertical direction 190 from the top 75 to the bottom 70 of the base 30. The downward vertical direction 190 is opposite the upward direction 185. In other embodiments, the downward vertical direction 190 can be obliquely oriented relative to the forward and rearward directions 40, 45. The first dimension 180 of the base 30 is greater than the maximum dimension 170 of the first brush roll 65a allowing the first brush roll 65a to be inserted between the lateral wall 90 and the fluid distributor 175. In some embodiments, the first deformable brush members 145a can include a dimension greater than the first dimension 180 of the base 30 causing the first deformable brush members 145a to contact the lateral wall 90 and/or the fluid distributor 175 and deform while the first brush roll 65a is inserted into the cavity 105. In the illustrated embodiment, the first recess 155a receives the first drive protrusion 95a to provide a pivot point for the first brush roll 65a to then pivot the first base mount 160a into engagement with the first support 100a. The engagement between the first base mount 160a and the first support 100a can be a snap fit engagement, or the like, to hold the first brush roll 65a to the base 30. Accordingly, the first drive protrusion 95a is operable to drive the first brush roll 65a about a first rotational axis concentric with its longitudinal axis 165a while the first support 100a and the first base mount 160a support rotational movement of the first brush roll 65a.

[0020]The second brush roll 65b can be coupled to the base 30 in a similar manner as the first brush roll 65a. When the cover 120 is removed from the base 30, the second brush roll 65b is inserted into the cavity 105 between the fluid distributor 175 and the front opening 110 in the downward direction 190. The second brush roll 65b can also be coupled to the base 30 by inserting the second brush roll 65b through the front opening 110 in a rearward horizontal direction 195 perpendicular to the downward direction 190 (e.g., parallel to the rearward direction 45). In other embodiments, the second brush roll 65b can be inserted into the cavity 105 at any angle between the downward direction 190 and the horizontal direction 195. In the illustrated embodiment, the second recess 155b receives the second drive protrusion 95b to provide a pivot point for the second brush roll 65b to then pivot the second base mount 160b into engagement with the second support 100b. The engagement between the second base mount 160b and the second support 100b can be a snap fit engagement, or the like, to hold the second brush roll 65b to the base 30. Accordingly, the second drive protrusion 95b is operable to drive the second brush roll 65b about a second rotational axis concentric with its longitudinal axis 165b while the second support 100b and the second base mount 160b support rotational movement of the second brush roll 65b. In one embodiment, the steps to couple the first and second brush rolls 65a, 65b to the base 30 are reversed to remove the first and second brush rolls 65a, 65b from the base 30.

[0021]With reference back to FIG. 1, the cover 120 is coupled to the base 30 by actuating the latch 140 on the inlet 130, thus blocking access to the brush rolls 65a, 65b as the base 30 is supported on the surface 15. In the embodiments where the fluid distributor 175 is releasable from the base 30, the fluid distributor 175 is manually coupled to the base 30 by the user before the cover 120 is coupled to the base 30. In other embodiments, the fluid distributor 175 is coupled to the base 30 in response to the cover 120 being coupled to the base 30. Once the cover 120 is coupled to the base 30, the extractor 10 is operable to collect debris from the cleaning surface 15. In particular, the suction motor 25 provides an airflow from the nozzle inlet 139 through the nozzle passageway 136 and the conduit 135 to the recovery tank 55 to draw debris into the recovery tank 55. The brush rolls 65a, 65b are driven about their rotational axes 165a, 165b to agitate the cleaning surface 15 to loosen debris that is attached to or embedded in the cleaning surface 15 allowing the airflow to more easily collect the debris. The cleaning liquid within the liquid tank 50 is selectively applied to the cleaning surface 15 by the fluid distributor 175 to help further loosen the debris and clean the surface 15. The fluid distributor 175 is positioned between the brush rolls 65a, 65b such that the cleaning liquid is dispensed between the brush rolls 65a, 65b. In addition, the fluid distributor 175 is positioned above the rotational axes 165a, 165b of the brush rolls 65a, 65b in the upward direction 185, thus in some embodiments, some of the cleaning liquid is dispensed directly onto the brush rolls 65a, 65b (e.g., to help clean the brush rolls 65a, 65b during operation).

[0022]Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modification exist within the scope and spirit of one or more independent aspects of the invention as described. Various features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.