Racine Industries, Inc.

Ernest W Middleton

Timothy B Strandell

David G Jansson

Mark A Pleshek

Paul E Fiegel

Norman K Harris

Geoffrey R Greeley

Gregory J Botting

Lawrence J LaFontsee

A new platform (sometimes referred to as a 'caddy') for transporting a carpet cleaning machine includes a base for supporting the machine and a machine restraint mechanism for releasably coupling the machine and the platform to one another. The platform also has wheels (or an elongated roller-like wheel) mounted with respect to the base for rolling the base and the machine across a surface. The restraint mechanism has features preventing relative platform-machine movement along a single axis or, when the mechanism includes pairs of two different types of restraining members, along plural axes. A new method is used for transporting a carpet cleaning machine of the type having a carpet brushing apparatus and a brush drive motor. The method includes the steps of providing a transport platform having a base, energizing the brush drive motor and tipping the machine to transfer more weight onto a brush. Such weight transfer causes the apparatus to urge the machine onto the platform. The machine and the platform are then coupled to one another using one or more restraint mechanisms.

Transport platform and related carpet cleaning machine

The method substantially removes a soil spot (resulting from a beverage spill or the like) from a carpet by using a particular type of brush. The brush has (a) a detachable handle, (b) a body with a pair of holes therein for attaching the handle to the body at either hole, and (c) first and second brush portions on first and second brush faces, respectively. The brush portions have differing stiffnesses and either portion may be used to 'de-spot' carpet by inserting the handle in the appropriate attachment hole. The method includes the steps of identifying the tuft and pile characteristics of the spot-soiled area of carpet and selecting one of the brush portions for use in removing the spot on carpet having such characteristics. The handle is attached to the hole related to the selected brush portion, a granular cleaning product is deposited on the spot and such product is 'worked' across and through that portion of the carpet which includes the spot.

Method for removing spots from carpet

A brush has first and second faces and first and second brush portions on the first and second faces, respectively. The tuft bristles used to make the first portion are of a size different from those used to make the second portion, thereby providing brush portions of differing stiffness for removing spots from different types of carpet. The tufts of the brush portions are in a unique pattern particularly well suited for using the brush with a dry granular carpet cleaning product. Each brush portion is defined by rows of bristle tufts disposed along respective row axes oriented in the direction of normal brushing. The tufts are generously spaced from one another (both laterally and longitudinally) so that carpet can be cleaned with a granular cleaning product while yet avoiding brush packing with the product. A new method for removing a spot from a carpet is also disclosed.

Brush for removing spots from carpet

A portable desktop kit for demonstrating principles relating to carpet care includes a carrying case divided into a first compartment and a second compartment by a barrier. At least one tube is slidably secured by the barrier for representing an erect strand of carpet in a demonstration position. The first compartment is divided to at least two carrying cavities, one of the cavities being sized to receive the tube when the kit is arranged for carrying. The first compartment also contains demonstrating means for describing the construction of carpet while the second compartment contains means for soiling a portion of the tube for demonstration purposes. The second compartment also contains means for cleansing the soil from the tube. Methods for using the kit are also disclosed.

Desktop kit and method for demonstrating carpet cleaning principles

A kit for visual demonstration of principles relating to carpets and carpet care. The kit includes a horizontal base member, vertical members removably securable in erect position with respect to the base member at their proximal ends, and means on the base member to hold the vertical members in carrying position when not in their erect positions. A highly preferred base member is a transparent rigid box with spaced upper and lower walls, the vertical members being attacked to the lower wall and extending loosely through openings in the upper wall. The method includes applying dirt onto a shaft near its distal end and, when the shaft is erect on the lower wall of the preferred base member, executing a cleaning step. The cleaning step may involve applying a free liquid, which carries dirt through the opening into the rigid box, or rubbing with a damp wiper and then removing the dirty wiper from a position on top of the rigid box.

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Racine, WI, United States of America

Ernest W Middleton