Racine Industries, Inc.

Geoffrey B Rench

Frank Jolly

Stephen Jacobs

Mark C Grossmeyer

John Kwasniewicz

Arthur L Dominguez

Jeffrey T Borowski

David R Sheppard

In a platform-carried carpet-cleaning machine for facilitating transport of the machine, the platform including a machine-supporting base having upper surface extending between an open entry-end and a closed back-end, the upper surface having an entry portion sloping at no more than about 5&#xb0; with respect to horizontal such that the machine can be driven on and off the platform with application of about the same amount of user force as during carpet-cleaning operations. Inner surfaces of first and second platform sidewalls both include protrusions frictionally engaging the machine side panels and configured to sandwich the machine therebetween to prevent lateral movement of the machine on the platform. A pair of wheels is mounted with respect to the base for rolling the machine on the platform across a floor, each wheel being secured to its corresponding sidewall by an axle which extends therethrough and is molded in place through the sidewalls to facilitate assembly of the platform. At least one skid-resisting projection extends from the lower surface to hold the platform from unintended backward rolling when the machine is driven onto the platform.

Combination of carpet-cleaning machine and platform for transporting the machine

Disclosed are new features relating to a brush-supported carpet cleaning machine of the type having counter-revolving brushes. Such features include a new handle mounting and latching arrangement which simplifies handle mounting and de-mounting, which helps support the weight of a handle-mounted vacuum pod and which promotes a high degree of machine self-propulsion. The pod is attached to the machine handle by a novel gudgeon-and-pintle mechanism. Such features also include a new support device, preferably brush-mounted, which helps prevent the machine shroud from snagging carpet if the machine should 'wallow' or 'yaw' in operation.

Carpet cleaning machine with enhanced user features

An improved carpet cleaning machine convertible for brush-aided cleaning or vacuuming includes a pair of powered brushes counter-revolving for stroking solvent-dampened carpet cleaning particles through the carpet and along carpet fibers during initial cleaning. A separately-powered pod is detachable from the machine during brush-aided carpet cleaning and attached to a machine-mounted vacuum nozzle for carpet vacuuming to pick up the dirt-laden particles. The pod has first and second media selected to remove particles of differing sizes from air flowing through the pod. During initial carpet cleaning when vacuum is not needed, the pod may be detached and used in another area for hand-vacuuming carpeted stairs and other 'small-area' places.

Carpet cleaning machine with convertible-use feature

The improved carpet cleaning machine, intended for use with 'dry' carpet cleaning systems using dampened granules or particles, can be used in either of two modes. One involves carpet 'brushing' for dirt removal by urging particles into the carpet and along the fibers. The other involves later vacuuming for particle removal. To facilitate the latter, one embodiment of the machine has first and second particle-removing media such as a concentrically-mounted cyclone separator and conical screen filter, respectively. The separator has air flowing through it downwardly along a vortical path and then upward, such air flow often carrying along a few particles. Such high-velocity particles impinge on the outer surface of the screen filter and many particles adhering to such filter are dislodged. The filter is said to thereby be 'purged' or cleaned. There may also be a third medium and even a fourth medium to remove very fine particles before the air is expelled back into the room. Other embodiments use an automotive, resilient foam or flat-element filter medium in place of or in addition to the conical screen filter.

Carpet cleaning machine for particulate removal

An improved machine convertible for brush-aided cleaning or vacuuming includes a pair of powered brushes counter-revolving for stroking solvent-dampened carpet cleaning particles through the carpet and along carpet fibers during initial cleaning. A separately-powered pod is detachable from the machine during brush-aided carpet cleaning and attached to a machine-mounted vacuum nozzle for carpet vacuuming to pick up the dirt-laden particles. The pod has first and second media selected to remove particles of differing sizes from air flowing through the pod. During initial carpet cleaning when vacuum is not needed, the pod may be detached and used in another area for hand-vacuuming carpeted stairs and other 'small-area' places.

In one embodiment, a carpet cleaning machine includes a pair of spaced, long-bristled, counter-revolving brushes for stroking solvent-moistened cleaning granules into and across the carpet fibers. A shroud is disposed above the brushes and has a bottom surface spaced from the brushes. At least one independently-operable vacuum nozzle is provided and has an inlet for receiving the granules to be removed from the carpet. This inlet is located adjacent the bottom surface of the shroud and is positioned generally coincident with the throw pattern defined by the granules as they are cast against the bottom surface of the shroud by the brushes. The machine thereby applies cleaning granules to a carpet and more efficiently removes such granules therefrom by vacuuming following carpet cleaning. In a second embodiment, two inlets are used and similarly positioned coincident with the granule throw pattern.

Carpet cleaning machine with pattern-oriented vacuum nozzle

A machine for treating a surface area within a boundary perimeter includes a self propelled chassis having a surface treating device mounted on it. A computing section is mounted on the chassis and a powered wheel (or each of plural powered wheels) has a motor module for receiving command signals from the computing section. A position sensor is coupled to the computing section for generating a feedback signal representing the actual position of the machine. A data loading device coacts with the computing section for transmitting data to such computing section. A data file stores graphic data developed from a graphic depiction representing the surface area to be treated as well as other data developed in other ways. The data file coacts with the computing section and transmits graphic and other data to it. The computing section is arranged for processing the data and the feedback signal and responsively generating command signals directed to each motor module. Such modules, and the motors controlled thereby, propel the machine over the surface area selected to be treated. A method for treating a surface area is also disclosed.

Machine and method using graphic data for treating a surface

An improved carpet cleaning machine includes front and rear counter-revolving brushes for stroking substantially-dry carpet cleaning granules into and across the carpet fibers. A shroud is mounted adjacent the brushes and has a front portion and a rear portion, each of which is spaced from its adjacent brush to define a granule passage through which granules cast by the counter-revolving brushes are re-deposited on the carpet. Each such portion also has an edge spaced above the carpet to define a granule exit opening between the edge and the carpet. Front and rear vacuum nozzles each have an inlet for receiving granules to be removed from the carpet. Each nozzle inlet is substantially positionable at a granule exit opening to substantially block such exit opening. When the passages and exit opening are unobstructed, the machine is used to stroke granules across carpet fibers and re-distribute granules for further cleaning of the carpet. With the nozzle inlets repositioned to block the exit openings following completion of carpet cleaning, the granules are removed by vacuuming.

Carpet cleaning machine with edge-mounted vacuum nozzle

A carpet cleaning machine includes a pair of counter-revolving brushes for stroking the granules into and across the carpet fibers. A shroud is positioned above the brushes, has a bottom surface spaced from the brushes and generally forms a chamber around the brushes. The machine has at least one vacuum nozzle with its inlet opening into the chamber for creating a vacuum therein. The shroud terminates in a lower perimeter having a front edge, a rear edge and two side edges extending between the front edge and the rear edge. The side edges may be essentially in contact with the carpet at all times but at least the front edge and the rear edge are spaced upward from the carpet. Such front and rear edges define a granule exit opening between each edge and the carpet. A skirt is attached at the front edge and at the rear edge and each such skirt is movable with respect to such edge for closing the exit openings when removing granules from the carpet. The skirts thereby cause high velocity air to be drawn through and across the carpet fibers for more efficient removal of such granules.

Growing community of inventors

Racine, WI, United States of America

Geoffrey B Rench