Bissell Inc.

Amway Corporation

Oreck Corporation

Gordon W Goodrich

Henry J Rosendall

Michael R Blase

Michael S Joss

Paul J Kudirka

Susan G Bledsoe

Roy Chung

Liquid extraction surface cleaner

A fluid flow control valve according to the invention includes a base, a valve member, a trigger member and attachment means for attaching the trigger member to the valve member. The base includes a generally horizontal throat and a flange having an upwardly facing surface. The valve member has a stem, a flow level establishing member associated with the stem and biasing means for biasing the stem in a direction opposite to that in which the throat extends. The trigger member includes a pin configured to rotate against an inner end portion of the throat, a flange having a downwardly facing surface and an actuating portion. The biasing means acts in a direction through the attachment means to pull the actuating portion downwardly such that the flanges engage in order to retain the pin in the throat. In this manner, the valve may be assembled without the use of fasteners.

Fluid flow control valve

Liquid applying cleaning machine

A carpet sweeper, vacuum cleaner or other upright floor cleaning device includes a base unit (2) and a handle (6) freely pivoted on the base unit for translation over a floor (3). The handle pivots in a vertical plane (9) extending transverse to the base unit support wheel axles (5). A handle grip (10) includes a first grip portion (12) which is coaxial with the handle and forms an extension thereof. The outer end of the first grip portion connects with a second grip portion (14) which comprises an arm (15) graspable by the operator, with the arm extending forwardly (upwardly when in use) of the handle. The arm is disposed in the vertical plane (9) and is bowed or curved from its point of anchorage with the first grip portion (12) to its opposite end, which is disposed in a plane (19) transverse to the first grip portion and passing between the latter's ends. The curvature of the outer arm surface is adapted to nest in a cup formed by the operator's closed hand. The said opposite end of the arm merges into a third grip portion which forms a brace (20) extending diagonally rearwardly (downwardly when in use) back to and connecting with the first grip portion. Instead of the operator's fingers being arrayed along the handle at an acute angle to a horizontal plane containing the wheel axles (5), as in prior upright cleaning devices, the fingers are arrayed normal to the pivotable handle and at an obtuse angle to the axles, thus creating a stronger wrist position. Also, since the handle is effectively below the grip during use, the handle itself is pivotally positioned at a smaller angle to the floor than previously.

Floor cleaning device with improved handle grip

Carpet cleaner handle

Vacuum cleaner

A liquid extraction surface cleaning apparatus has an upwardly opening recovery tank and a top for the tank which contains a suction fan having a suction inlet opening into the tank. A wand connects to a source of cleaning liquid and has a dispensing and pickup head that deposits liquid on the surface to be cleaned in response to actuation of a control valve and picks up dirty fluid. A water and air separator has an arcuate surface transverse of the flow path of the air and spent liquid which gently separates them into separate streams by diverting the cleaning liquid laterally away from the air stream. A shutoff valve for preventing recovered liquid in the tank from entering the suction fan is mounted in the recovery tank rather than to the suction inlet to avoid dripping dirty liquid onto the floor when the cover is removed. A handle is mounted internal the tank and additionally serves to strengthen the tank sidewalls.

Liquid extraction surface cleaning apparatus

Canister for liquid extraction surface cleaner

An electrical appliance including an electric cord, and a cord lock comprising a rotatable body provided with a handle radially extending therefrom and an oppositely extending cam provided with a shoulder. In a first position, the handle extends upwardly and the cord lock functions in a storage capacity for the entire cord. In a second position, the cam portion extends upwardly and the shoulder automatically retains only one loop of the cord. The rest of the loops in this position are released by an inclined surface provided on the cam. In a third position, the body is rotated so that the handle extends horizontally. At this position, all of the loops may be collectively removed from the cord lock by the user.

Electrical appliances including a cord lock

Air treatment unit

Growing community of inventors

Grand Rapids, MI, United States of America

Gordon W Goodrich