The Hoover Comapny

Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited

Other

Royal Appliance Mfg., Co.

David L O'Neal

Richard S Parr

Jeffrey S Louis

Jeffery A Morgan

Adam C Sclafani

Siu Wai Hui

Kevin L Thomas

Charles A Lang

Michael A Durbin

Craig M Saunders

Richard E Corney

Lindsey Tufts, Jr

Douglas C Barker

Stephen P Rukavina

Dennis Jenkins

Robert J Herzog

John Schiffer

A cleaning apparatus is disclosed. The cleaning apparatus includes a base portion for movement along the surface and a handle pivotally connected to the base portion. The cleaning apparatus further includes a solution tank for supplying a flow of cleaning solution to the surface. The solution tank removably mounted to one of the handle and the base portion. The cleaning apparatus still further includes a recovery tank removably mounted to one of the handle and the base portion and a floor suction nozzle secured to the base portion and in fluid communication with the recovery tank. The cleaning apparatus yet further includes a suction source in fluid communication with the floor suction nozzle for generating suction to draw dirt and liquid through the floor suction nozzle and into the recovery tank. The cleaning apparatus still further includes an accessory hose secured to one of the handle and base portion in fluid communication the recovery tank and a holder mounted to one of the handle or base and adapted to receive an end of the accessory hose. The cleaning apparatus further includes a sensor for sensing the position of the accessory hose within the holder. A function of the cleaning apparatus is controlled in response to the position of the accessory hose within the holder.

Extractor control apparatus

A cleaning apparatus for cleaning a surface in which cleaning solution is dispensed to the surface and substantially simultaneously extracted along with the dirt on the surface in a continuous operation is provided. The cleaning apparatus includes a base portion for movement along the surface and a handle pivotally connected to the base portion. A solution tank for supplying a flow of cleaning solution to the surface is removably mounted to the handle. A recovery tank is removably mounted to the handle. A suction nozzle is secured to the base portion and in fluid communication with the recovery tank. A suction source is in fluid communication with the suction nozzle for generating suction to draw dirt and liquid through the suction nozzle and into the recovery tank. The recovery tank and solution tank are in an aligned stack arrangement when the handle is in both the upright and working positions.

Stacked tank arrangement for a cleaning apparatus

A cleaning apparatus for cleaning a surface in which cleaning solution is dispensed to the surface and substantially simultaneously extracted along with the dirt on the surface in a continuous operation is provided. The cleaning apparatus includes a base portion for movement along the surface and a handle pivotally connected to the base portion. A solution tank for supplying a flow of cleaning solution to the surface is removably mounted to the handle. A recovery tank is removably mounted to the handle. A suction nozzle is secured to the base portion and in fluid communication with the recovery tank. A suction source is in fluid communication with the suction nozzle for generating suction to draw dirt and liquid through the suction nozzle and into the recovery tank. A cost effective, easy to operate, and convenient mounting arrangement is provided for mounting the recovery tank to the handle.

Recovery tank arrangement for a cleaning apparatus

A cleaning apparatus for cleaning a surface includes a base portion for movement along a surface and a handle pivotally connected to the base portion. Additionally the apparatus includes a solution tank, a recovery tank, both removable mounted to a handle, and a suction source. The solution tank supplies a flow of cleaning solution and the recovery tank receives dirt and liquid thorough fluid communication with the base portion and a suction nozzle secured to the base portion and in fluid communication with the suction source to generate the suction. The solution tank has a fixedly secured carrying handle and the apparatus further includes a latch pivotally connected to the tank carrying handle and releasably connected to the handle for releasably latching the solution tank to the handle. Simultaneously grasping the latch and the tank carrying handle unlatches the solution tank from the handle.

Lift off tank handle latch

A cleaning apparatus for cleaning a surface is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing, a floor suction nozzle operatively attached to the housing, and a suction source operatively attached to the housing and placed in fluid communication with the floor suction nozzle. The assembly further includes a valve assembly operatively associated with the floor suction nozzle. The valve assembly is selectively movable between a first position which at least partially blocks suction to the floor suction nozzle and a second position which substantially allows suction to flow through the floor suction nozzle. The apparatus further includes an accessory hose assembly having a proximal end in fluid communication with the valve assembly and a distal end. The apparatus still further including a holder mounted to the housing and adapted to receive the distal end of the accessory hose. The apparatus yet further including a blocking member which prevents the distal end from being received in the holder when the valve is in the first position and allows the distal end to be received in the holder when the valve is in the second position.

Valve assembly with blocking member

Base for an upright extractor

A floor care appliance is provided. The floor care appliance includes a base for movement along the surface attached to a housing. The floor care appliance has two liquid storage tanks located in the housing wherein one of the liquid storage tanks generally overlies the other liquid storage tank. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the liquid storage tank located above the other liquid storage tank is a cleaning solution storage tank and the other liquid storage tank is a liquid recovery tank.

Tank arrangement for a floor care appliance

A vacuum cleaning system for a vehicle includes a console (), which may be centrally positioned between the front seats () of the vehicle. A canister (), in the form of a drawer to the console, is selectively removed, when vacuuming is to be commenced, and a flexible hose () unclamped from a side compartment () of the canister. The canister, with the hose attached, is carried by a handle strap () to a part of the car to be cleaned. A motor fan assembly () within the canister is powered from the vehicle's battery by means of a power cord () to draw dirt into a dirt cup () in the canister. Entrained air passes from the dirt cup through a filter () and is directed by the fan to an exhaust outlet () in the canister.

On-board vehicle vacuum cleaner

A floor cleaning unit is provided. The floor cleaning unit includes a base for movement along the surface. A nozzle assembly is removably attached to the base for pick up and removal of liquid and dirt. Such attachment is accomplished by providing the nozzle assembly with a slide latch that slidably engages a channel formed in the base.

Nozzle assembly removal arrangement

A floor cleaning device includes a main body and a brush assembly for engaging the surface of the floor being cleaned. An actuating member is movably connected to the main body. A latch member is rotatably connected to the main body. An engaging member is attached to the brush assembly. The engaging member is releasably connected to the latch member such that pushing the actuating member rotates the latch member to disengage from the engaging member.

Growing community of inventors

Louisville, OH, United States of America

David L O'Neal