Carpet pile sensor and indicator for carpet cleaner

Abstract

Means is associated with a carpet cleaner, or the like, having an adjustable nozzle height providing a multiple number of nozzle height positions, for automatically sensing the pile of the floor covering being cleaned and automatically indicating the appropriate nozzle height position for any specific floor covering upon which the cleaner is positioned by automatically measuring and indicating the pile height and density of such floor covering using a pile height and density sensor which is independent of the nozzle height position, that is, which gives a uniform reading for a specific floor covering pile height and density regardless of the nozzle height setting at the time of sensing. Comprising a pile height and density sensor foot or plate pivoted to the rear wheel axle extending rearwardly therefrom past the rear wheels for sensing the height and density of the pile of the floor covering on which the cleaner rests together with a flexible connector between such sensor foot or plate and an indicator providing visual indication to an operator of the position of such sensor foot relative such rear wheel and, therefore, of the pile height and density.