The Hoover Comapny

John A Leonatti

Nick M Bosyj

Daniel R Miller

Jeffery A Morgan

Douglas C Barker

Lynn A Frederick

Vincent L Weber

Kenneth L Symensma

Dean H Buchtel

Gerald L Melegari

Christel R Richard

Gregory P Wagner

A cleaning apparatus for cleaning a surface in which cleaning solution is dispensed to the surface is provided. The cleaning apparatus includes a distributor for dispensing solution to the surface and a solution tank fluidly connected to the distributor for supplying a flow of solution to the distributor. The solution tank has a bottom portion and an upper portion. A constant head device is fluidly connected to the solution tank such that the flow of solution from the solution tank to the distributor is substantially constant independent of the level of solution in the solution tank.

Constant head device for a cleaning machine

A compact, hand held carpet and upholstery extractor nozzle is provided having a pair of air turbine powered vertical axis rotary scrub brushes located adjacent the extractor nozzle. The turbine has at least one ambient air inlet and an outlet that communicates with a suction tube extending from the extractor nozzle. A compact gear reduction operatively connects the air turbine to the scrub brushes. A turbine outlet baffle is preferably provided that extends from an upstream edge of the turbine outlet, into the suction tube and over and beyond the turbine outlet to direct air, liquid and debris flowing through the suction tube over and beyond the turbine outlet opening. A downstream end of the baffle is open and suction openings pass through the baffle, for providing fluid communication between the suction tube and the turbine outlet opening. A raised floor is preferably located in the suction tube upstream of the baffle that directs the flow of air, liquid and debris in the suction tube substantially past the suction openings. A shoulder is preferably provided on each side of the baffle that extends generally longitudinally in the suction tube below the suction openings. The upstream ends of these shoulders curve upward until the shoulders are substantially flush with raised floor. With this construction, any drops of liquid adhering to the raised floor and traveling toward the baffle, will adhere to the shoulders and be directed below the suction openings.

Hand held turbine powered extractor nozzle

A self propelled upright vacuum cleaner is provided that has at least one drive wheel, a transmission for selectively driving the drive wheel in forward and reverse and propelling the cleaner in forward and reverse over a floor. A bag housing pivotally connected to the floor engaging portion. An electric power switch located adjacent to a top of the bag housing. A control link extending from the transmission and up the bag housing, with a top end of the control link being located adjacent to the top of the bag housing. An upper handle assembly having a hand grip reciprocally mounted thereon and a power switch button mounted thereon. The lower end of the upper handle assembly is adapted for connection to the top of the bag housing, such that the upper end of the control link and the hand grip are automatically interconnected when the upper handle assembly is attached to the bag housing. Furthermore, the power switch the power button are operatively interconnected when the upper handle assembly is attached to the bag housing.

Hand grip and upper handle assembly for a self-propelled upright vacuum

A combined solution dispensing and pressurizing valve is provided so that the dispensed fluid is pressure driven to exhaust through the valve.

Pressure activated dispensing valve

A filter, separator and seal arrangement is disclosed for a wet and dry hand held vacuum cleaner. A cup-shaped filter is provided which is elongated to provide a large area for enhancing sustained air performance of the cleaner with the filter being disposed within a liquid separator so as to be generally coextensive therewith. A connection arrangement is also provided between the filter and separator so as to provide an air tight and liquid tight connection therebetween but which is also easily separable to facilitate cleaning of the two devices.

Wet and dry vacuum cleaner

An air filter bag is disclosed for use in vacuum cleaners. The filter bag includes a plastic collar having an annular rim for retaining the collar on a flanged inlet air duct and for establishing an air seal with the duct. The collar also includes an annular sealing lip spaced radially inward of the rim which engages a peripheral surface of the air duct thereby providing a dual sealing arrangement. In order to facilitate removal of the filter bag from the duct, the collar is provided with a tab portion integrally attached to the rim.

Growing community of inventors

Uniontown, OH, United States of America

John A Leonatti