Washer attachment for a suction cleaner

Abstract

An attachment for the intake hose of a suction cleaner for dispensing liquid to the surface to be suctioned, near the intake to the suction nozzle. A liquid supply tank is supported near the suction nozzle. A valve dispenses the liquid. In one embodiment, a surface engaging brush or roller communicates with the valve. When the surface engaging element engages the surface, it opens the valve to dispense liquid from the tank to a liquid dispensing bar. A second embodiment uses a float valve which normally closes the communication between the inlet to the valve and the outlet from the valve to the dispenser bar. An additional conduit communicates with the nozzle to supply suction to the float valve, and when the suction inlet to the suction nozzle is partially obstructed, e.g. against the surface being suctioned, this increases the vacuum above the suction nozzle. The suction communicates through the additional conduit to the float valve to open the communication from the valve inlet to the dispenser bar. A third embodiment uses a pinch valve. When the valve is open, liquid flows downward over shelves in a progressively wider pattern until the liquid reaches the surface to be cleaned. The valve is normally opened when the irrigator rests on the surface to be cleaned. However, the pinch valve can be locked in a closed position by a slide switch.