CN114641230A

CN114641230A - Surface cleaning extractor

Info

Publication number: CN114641230A
Application number: CN202080074890.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: J·A·金特罗; T·克拉斯
Original assignee: Techtronic Cordless GP
Current assignee: Techtronic Cordless GP
Priority date: 2019-10-31
Filing date: 2020-10-29
Publication date: 2022-06-17
Also published as: AU2020375829A1; WO2021087102A1; US20210127935A1; KR20220071969A; EP4051076A1; JP2023500478A

Abstract

An extractor comprising: a body; a recovery tank coupled to the body; and a liquid tank coupled to the body. The liquid tank is configured to contain a liquid. The extractor includes a base pivotably coupled to the body and configured to support the body above the cleaning surface. The extractor includes a fluid dispenser coupled to the base. The fluid dispenser is in fluid communication with the liquid tank and is configured to dispense liquid from the liquid tank onto the cleaning surface. The extractor 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 movable relative to the base and relative to the fluid dispenser to allow access to the brushroll and to enable removal of the brushroll from the base.

Description

Surface cleaning extractor

Cross Reference to Related Applications

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/928,689, filed on 31/10/2019, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Background

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

Disclosure of Invention

In one embodiment, a decimator includes: a body; a recovery tank coupled to the body; and a liquid tank coupled to the body. The liquid tank is configured to contain a liquid. The extractor also includes a base pivotably coupled to the body and configured to support the body above the cleaning surface. The extractor further includes a fluid dispenser coupled to the base. The fluid dispenser is in fluid communication with the liquid tank and is configured to dispense 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 movable relative to the base and relative to the fluid dispenser to allow access to the brushroll and to enable removal of the brushroll from the base.

In another embodiment, an extractor comprises: a liquid tank configured to contain a liquid; a fluid dispenser configured to dispense liquid from the liquid tank onto the cleaning surface; a base supporting a fluid dispenser; a brush roll coupled to the base; and a cover coupled to the base to block access to the brush roll. The cover is movable relative to the base and the fluid dispenser to allow access to the brushroll.

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

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a surface cleaning extractor including a body pivotably coupled to a base.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the base of FIG. 1 with the brush roll removed from the base.

Fig. 3 is a top view of the base of fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a brush roll of the surface cleaning extractor of fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the base of fig. 1, showing the cover removed from the base, thereby allowing access to the brush roll.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the base of fig. 1, showing one brush roll partially removed or partially inserted relative to the base and another brush roll coupled to the base.

Detailed Description

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 of being practiced or of 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", and the like are understood by those of ordinary skill to refer to reasonable ranges outside of the given value, e.g., the general tolerances associated with manufacturing, assembly, and use of the described embodiments.

A surface cleaning extractor 10 (e.g., an upright carpet extractor) is illustrated in fig. 1 as being positioned on a cleaning surface 15 and includes a body 20 having a suction motor 25 pivotally coupled to a base 30 between an upright or storage position (fig. 1) and a tilted or operable position (not shown). The base 30 includes: a fluid dispenser 175 (fig. 2) configured to dispense liquid onto the surface 15 to be cleaned; and at least a first brush roll 65a operatively disposed in the base 30. The first brushroll 65a may be removed from the base 30 through the top 75 of the base 30 adjacent the fluid dispenser 175. In other embodiments, the extractor 10 may be a portable hand-held extractor or attachment, an upright vacuum cleaner with fluid distribution, a canister cleaner with fluid distribution, a power sweeper with fluid distribution, a hard floor cleaner, or the like. For example, the base 30 may be a hand-held auxiliary attachment to the extractor 10. The illustrated body 20 includes a handle 35 that can be manipulated by a user to push the extractor 10 in a forward direction 40 or pull the extractor 10 in a rearward direction 45. The liquid tank 50 is selectively coupled to the body 20 or the base 30, communicates with the fluid distributor 175, and contains a cleaning liquid (e.g., a mixture of water and a cleaning solution). The recovery tank 55 is also selectively coupled to the body 20 or base 30 and contains debris and dirty liquid collected by the extractor 10 from the cleaning surface 15 during operation.

Referring to fig. 1 and 2, the base 30 includes a head 60 that supports a first brushroll 65a and a second brushroll 65 b. The head 60 includes a bottom portion 70 facing the cleaning surface 15 and a top portion 75 opposite the bottom portion 70. The head 60 also includes a first sidewall 80, a second sidewall 85 (fig. 3) opposite the first sidewall 80, and a transverse wall 90 extending between the first and

second sidewalls

80, 85. In addition,

walls

80, 85, 90 extend between the bottom 70 and the top 75 of the head 60. The

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. Referring to fig. 3, supports 100a, 100b are located on the second sidewall 85, each positioned opposite a

corresponding drive protrusion

95a, 95 b. The

drive protrusions

95a, 95b and the

supports

100a, 100b are operable to support the first and

second brushrolls

65a, 65b to the base 30, as discussed in more detail below. The first side wall 80, the second side wall 85, and the transverse wall 90 define a cavity 105 of the base 30. The illustrated base 30 also includes a front opening 110 opposite the transverse wall 90. In other embodiments, the front opening 110 may be replaced by a wall extending between the first and

second sidewalls

80, 85 opposite the transverse 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, hardwood floor, etc.) and enable the extractor 10 to move in either the forward direction 40 or the rearward direction 45.

With continued reference to fig. 1 and 2, the base 30 further includes a cover 120 (e.g., a transparent cover) selectively coupled to the base 30 to cover the top 75 of the base 30, the cover defining a portion of the cavity 105 and the front opening 110. The lid 120 includes a nozzle 125 in fluid communication with the recovery tank 55 through a passage defined by at least 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. Referring to fig. 5, the nozzle 125 includes a nozzle channel 136 formed between an upper wall 137 of the nozzle 125 and a lower wall 138 of the nozzle 125. The nozzle passage 136 extends from a nozzle inlet 139 to a nozzle outlet 141. The latch 140 of the lid 120 engages the inlet 130 to secure the nozzle outlet 141 to the base 30 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 may remain coupled to the base 30 and may be movable (e.g., pivotable) between a closed or secured position and an open position.

Referring to fig. 4, each

brushroll

65a, 65b includes a

deformable brush member

145a, 145b (e.g., bristles) coupled to a

brushroll body

150a, 150b, wherein each

brushroll body

150a, 150b has a

recess

155a, 155b at one end operable to drivingly engage a

corresponding drive protrusion

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, 160 b. Each

base mount

160a, 160b is configured to releasably couple with a

corresponding support

100a, 100 b. Each

brushroll body

150a, 150b includes a maximum dimension 170 measured perpendicular to its respective

longitudinal axis

165a, 165 b. A bearing is positioned between each

base mount

160a, 160b and the

corresponding brushroll body

150a, 150b, thereby enabling the

brushroll body

150a, 150b to rotate about its

longitudinal axis

165a, 165b relative to the

corresponding base mount

160a, 160b and relative to the

supports

100a, 100 b. In other embodiments, the

drive protrusions

95a, 95b may be coupled to the first and

second brushrolls

65a, 65b, and

corresponding recesses

155a, 155b may be formed in the first sidewall 80 of the base 30. In further embodiments, each

base mount

160a, 160b may be provided to couple a bearing and support 100a, 100b to mount the

brushrolls

65a, 65 b.

As shown in fig. 2 and 3, the fluid distributor 175 is positioned within the cavity 105 and extends between the first and

second sidewalls

80, 85 of the head 60. Fluid distributor 175 is spaced from transverse wall 90 by a first dimension 180 measured parallel to forward direction 40 and rearward direction 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 distribute liquid within the liquid tank 50 onto the cleaning surface 15. In other embodiments, the fluid distributor 175 may be removable from the base 30. In one embodiment, a pressurized liquid delivery system is coupled to liquid tank 50 and fluid distributor 175 such that liquid is dispensed at a determined pressure through at least one nozzle of fluid distributor 175. In other embodiments, a gravity-fed liquid delivery system is coupled to liquid tank 50 and fluid distributor 175 to distribute liquid by gravity through fluid distributor 175. In further embodiments, the fluid dispenser 175 may be positioned in the front opening 110 (e.g., before the second brushroll 65b) or coupled to the transverse wall 90 (e.g., after the first brushroll 65 a). In further embodiments, the base 30 may include more than one fluid distributor 175.

Referring to fig. 5 and 6, the brush rolls 65a, 65b may be independently removable from the base 30 to facilitate cleaning of the brush rolls 65a, 65 b. 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, when the base 30 is supported on the cleaning surface 15, the cover 120 moves relative to the base 30 and relative to the fluid dispenser 175, thereby allowing physical access to the

brushrolls

65a, 65 b. For example, once the cover 120 is opened or removed (which also fluidly decouples the nozzle outlet 141 from the conduit 135), the user may be able to touch the

brushrolls

65a, 65b to inspect the

brushrolls

65a, 65b and/or remove the

brushrolls

65a, 65b from the base 30. As such, the cover 120 may be moved relative to the base 30 to open the top 75 of the base 30 to allow the

brushrolls

65a, 65b to be removed from the base 30 through the top 75 of the base 30 adjacent the fluid dispenser 175. As shown in fig. 6, the first brushroll 65a is positioned between the fluid dispenser 175 and the transverse wall 90 such that when the first brushroll 65a is removed from the base 30, the first brushroll 65a moves in an upward vertical direction 185 through the fluid dispenser 175. The vertical direction 185 is perpendicular to the forward direction 40 and the rearward direction 45. In other embodiments, vertical direction 185 may be oriented obliquely with respect to

directions

40, 45. In one embodiment, an intermediate cover is provided between the cover 120 and the

brushrolls

65a, 65b, which is accessible and openable or removable when the cover 120 is disconnected. The fluid dispenser 175 is also positioned on the base 30 so as not to interfere with the removal of the

brushrolls

65a, 65 b. Accordingly, when the extractor 10 is in the upright position, the cover 120 and the fluid dispenser 175 allow for easy access, removal, and cleaning of the

brushrolls

65a, 65b (fig. 1).

Once the

brushrolls

65a, 65b are removed and cleaned, the

brushrolls

65a, 65b are independently coupled to the base 30. In particular, when the cover 120 is removed from the base 30, the first brushroll 65a may be inserted into the cavity 105 between the fluid dispenser 175 and the transverse 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 may be oriented obliquely with respect to the forward direction 40 and with respect to the rearward direction 45. The first dimension 180 of the base 30 is greater than the maximum dimension 170 of the first brushroll 65a, thereby allowing the first brushroll 65a to be inserted between the transverse wall 90 and the fluid dispenser 175. In some embodiments, the first deformable brush member 145a may include a dimension greater than the first dimension 180 of the base 30 such that the first deformable brush member 145a contacts the lateral wall 90 and/or the fluid distributor 175 and deforms when the first brushroll 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 brushroll 65a to then pivot the first base mount 160a into engagement with the first support 100 a. The engagement between the first base mount 160a and the first support 100a may be a snap-fit engagement or the like to retain the first brushroll 65a to the base 30. Accordingly, the first drive protrusion 95a is operable to drive the first brushroll 65a about a first rotational axis concentric with its longitudinal axis 165a when the first support 100a and the first base mount 160a support the rotational movement of the first brushroll 65 a.

The second brush roll 65b may be coupled to the base 30 in a similar manner as the first brush roll 65 a. When the cover 120 is removed from the base 30, the second brush roll 65b is inserted into the cavity 105 between the fluid dispenser 175 and the front opening 110 in the downward direction 190. The second brush roll 65b may 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 brushroll 65b may 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 brushroll 65b to then pivot the second base mount 160b into engagement with the second support 100 b. The engagement between the second base mounting portion 160b and the second support 100b may be a snap-fit engagement or the like to retain the second brushroll 65b to the base 30. Accordingly, the second drive protrusion 95b is operable to drive the second brushroll 65b about a second rotational axis concentric with its longitudinal axis 165b when the second support 100b and the second base mount 160b support the rotational movement of the second brushroll 65 b. In one embodiment, the step of coupling the first and

second brushrolls

65a, 65b to the base 30 is reversed to remove the first and

second brushrolls

65a, 65b from the base 30.

Referring 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

brushrolls

65a, 65b when the base 30 is supported on the surface 15. In embodiments where the fluid dispenser 175 is releasable from the base 30, the fluid dispenser 175 is manually coupled to the base 30 by a user prior to the cap 120 being coupled to the base 30. In other embodiments, the fluid dispenser 175 is coupled to the base 30 in response to the cap 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, suction motor 25 provides an airflow from nozzle inlet 139 through nozzle passage 136 and conduit 135 to recovery tank 55 to draw debris into 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 adhered to or embedded in the cleaning surface 15, thereby allowing airflow to more easily collect the debris. Cleaning liquid within liquid tank 50 is selectively applied to cleaning surface 15 by fluid distributor 175 to help further loosen debris and clean surface 15. The fluid distributor 175 is positioned between the brushrolls 65a, 65b such that the cleaning liquid is distributed between the brushrolls 65a, 65 b. Further, the fluid dispenser 175 is positioned above the

rotational axis

165a, 165b of the

brushrolls

65a, 65b in the upward direction 185, and thus in some embodiments, some of the cleaning liquid is dispensed directly onto the

brushrolls

65a, 65b (e.g., to help clean the

brushrolls

65a, 65b during operation).

Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications 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.

Claims

1. An extractor, comprising:

a body;

a recovery tank coupled to the body;

a liquid tank coupled to the body, the liquid tank configured to contain a liquid;

a base pivotably coupled to the body and configured to support the body above a cleaning surface;

a fluid dispenser coupled to the base, the fluid dispenser being in fluid communication with the liquid tank and configured to dispense the liquid from the liquid tank onto the cleaning surface;

a brush roll removably coupled to the base; and

a nozzle in fluid communication with the recovery tank, the nozzle coupled to the base to block access to the brushroll, the nozzle movable relative to the base and relative to the fluid dispenser to allow access to the brushroll and to enable removal of the brushroll from the base.

2. The extractor of claim 1, wherein the fluid distributor is secured to the base.

3. The extractor of claim 1, wherein the fluid dispenser is releasably coupled to the base.

4. The extractor of claim 3, wherein the fluid dispenser is releasable from the base when the nozzle is moved relative to the base.

5. The extractor of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the nozzle is disconnected from the base, allowing access to the brush roll.

6. The extractor of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the nozzle is movable relative to the base to open a top of the base, and wherein the brush roll is removable from the base through the top of the base.

7. The extractor of claim 6, wherein the brush roll is positioned between the fluid dispenser and a portion of the base such that the brush roll moves past the fluid dispenser when the brush roll is removed from the base.

8. The extractor of any of the preceding claims, wherein the base includes a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and a transverse wall extending between the first sidewall and the second sidewall, wherein the first sidewall, the second sidewall, and the transverse wall define a cavity in which the brush roll is received when coupled to the base, and wherein the brush roll is interposed between the fluid dispenser and the transverse wall to couple to the base.

9. The extractor of claim 8, wherein the base includes a top portion opposite a bottom portion, wherein the bottom portion is configured to face the cleaning surface, and wherein the brush roll is coupled to the base by inserting the brush roll into the cavity in a direction from the top portion toward the bottom portion.

10. The extractor of claim 9, wherein the brushroll is driven about an axis of rotation and includes a plurality of deformable brush members coupled to a brushroll body, wherein a first dimension is measured between the transverse wall and the fluid dispenser in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation, and wherein the first dimension is greater than a maximum dimension of the brushroll body measured parallel to the first dimension.

11. The extractor of any of the preceding claims, wherein the brush roll is driven about an axis of rotation, and wherein the brush roll is coupled to the base such that the axis of rotation is positioned behind the fluid dispenser in a forward direction of travel of the extractor.

12. The extractor of claim 11, wherein the brush roll is a first brush roll and the axis of rotation is a first axis of rotation, wherein the extractor includes a second brush roll removably coupled to the base, wherein the second brush roll is driven about a second axis of rotation, and wherein the second brush roll is coupled to the base such that the second axis of rotation is positioned before the fluid dispenser in a forward direction of travel of the extractor.

13. The extractor of claim 12, wherein the base includes a top portion opposite a bottom portion, wherein the bottom portion is configured to face the cleaning surface, wherein the first brush roll is coupled to the base by inserting the first brush roll in a vertical direction from the top portion toward the bottom portion, wherein the base includes a front opening, and wherein the second brush roll is coupled to the base by inserting the second brush roll through the front opening in the vertical direction or a horizontal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction.

14. An extractor, comprising:

a liquid tank configured to contain a liquid;

a fluid dispenser configured to dispense the liquid from the liquid tank onto a cleaning surface;

a base supporting the fluid dispenser;

a brush roll coupled to the base; and

a cover coupled to the base to block access to the brush roll, the cover movable relative to the base and relative to the fluid dispenser to allow access to the brush roll.

15. The extractor of claim 14, wherein the fluid distributor is secured to the base.

16. The extractor of claim 14, wherein the fluid dispenser is releasably coupled to the base.

17. The extractor of claim 16, wherein the fluid dispenser is releasable from the base when the cover is moved relative to the base.

18. The extractor of any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein the lid is a nozzle configured to direct the liquid from the cleaning surface to a recovery tank of the extractor.

19. The extractor of any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein the cover is disconnected from the base to allow access to the brush roll.

20. The extractor of any one of claims 14 to 19, wherein the cover is movable relative to the base to open a top of the base, and wherein the brush roll is removable from the base through the top of the base.

21. The extractor of claim 20, wherein the brush roll is positioned between the fluid dispenser and a portion of the base such that the brush roll moves past the fluid dispenser when the brush roll is removed from the base.

22. The extractor of any one of claims 14 to 20, wherein the brush roll is removably coupled to the base, and wherein the cover is movable relative to the base to allow access to the brush roll and to enable removal of the brush roll from the base.

23. The extractor of claim 22, wherein the base includes a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and a transverse wall extending between the first sidewall and the second sidewall, wherein the first sidewall, the second sidewall, and the transverse wall define a cavity in which the brush roll is received when coupled to the base, and wherein the brush roll is interposed between the fluid dispenser and the transverse wall to couple to the base.

24. The extractor of claim 23, wherein the base includes a top portion opposite a bottom portion, wherein the bottom portion is configured to face the cleaning surface, and wherein the brush roll is coupled to the base by inserting the brush roll into the cavity in a direction from the top portion toward the bottom portion.

25. The extractor of claim 24, wherein a first dimension is measured between the transverse wall and the fluid dispenser in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the brushroll, wherein the brushroll includes a plurality of deformable brush members coupled to a brushroll body, and wherein the first dimension is greater than a maximum dimension of the brushroll body measured parallel to the first dimension.

26. The extractor of any one of claims 14 to 25, wherein the brush roll is coupled to the base such that a longitudinal axis of the brush roll is positioned behind the fluid dispenser in a forward direction of travel of the extractor.

27. The extractor of claim 26, wherein the brush roll is a first brush roll and the longitudinal axis is a first longitudinal axis, wherein the extractor includes a second brush roll coupled to the base, and wherein the second brush roll is coupled to the base such that a second longitudinal axis of the second brush roll is positioned before the fluid dispenser in a forward direction of travel of the extractor.

28. The extractor of claim 27, wherein the base includes a top portion opposite a bottom portion, wherein the bottom portion is configured to face the cleaning surface, and wherein the first brush roll is selectively coupled to the base by inserting the first brush roll in a vertical direction from the top portion toward the bottom portion, wherein the base includes a front opening, and wherein the second brush roll is selectively coupled to the base by inserting the second brush roll through the front opening in the vertical direction or a horizontal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction.