Patent US4416771A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent EP0185310A2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0185310A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Floor maintenance machine and method
Assignee: Tennant Co
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Filing: 1985-12-11
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2005-12-11
Abstract
Abstract This is a floor maintenance machine in the nature of a carpet extractor and a method of operating it whereby it may be operated either as a single cycle unit or a recycling unit It also includes a method and apparatus for converting a carpet extractor so that the running time between solution changes is greatly extended. There is also a back flushing arrangement of the filter which extends running time. The unit also has a liquid surge control. It also includes or encompasses a convertability cart which may function in several ways.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald S. Trevarthen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 20:45
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47L; A47L11/00; A47L11/40; A47L11/4036; A47L11/29; A47L11/30; A47L11/4013; A47L11/4016; A47L11/4022; A47L11/4025; A47L11/4027; A47L11/4033; A47L11/4075
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 40
Claim 1
Independent Claim
225 words
A method of operating a floor maintenance machine having a solution chamber for holding clean solution to be supplied to a floor to be cleaned, a recovery chamber for receiving dirty solution returned from the floor, two conduits and a cleaning head connected to the chambers for supplying clean solution from the solution chamber to the floor to be cleaned and for returning dirty solution to the recovery chamber, a pump for supplying clean solution from the solution chamber to the cleaning head, and a vacuum fan for creating a vacuum in the recovery chamber so that dirty solution will be drawn from the floor through the cleaning head, including the steps of establishing communication between the chambers, both above and below the normal solution level, so that solution may flow from the recovery chamber through the below communication into the solution chamber and the vacuum in the recovery chamber will be applied through the above communication to the top of the solution in the solution chamber, cleaning the dirty solution flowing through the below communication so that the dirty solution in the recovery chamber will be cleaned before it is returned to the solution chamber to thereby operate the machine on a recycling basis, and closing both the above and below communications so that the machine may also be operated on a non-recycling basis.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
225 words
A method of operating a floor maintenance machine having a solution chamber for holding clean solution to be supplied to a floor to be cleaned, a recovery chamber for receiving dirty solution returned from the floor, two conduits and a cleaning head connected to the chambers for supplying clean solution from the solution chamber to the floor to be cleaned and for returning dirty solution to the recovery chamber, a pump for supplying clean solution from the solution chamber to the cleaning head, and a vacuum fan for creating a vacuum in the recovery chamber so that dirty solution will be drawn from the floor through the cleaning head, including the steps of establishing communication between the chambers, both above and below the normal solution level, so that solution may flow from the recovery chamber through the below communication into the solution chamber and the vacuum in the recovery chamber will be applied through the above communication to the top of the solution in the solution chamber, cleaning the dirty solution flowing through the below communication so that the dirty solution in the recovery chamber will be cleaned before it is returned to the solution chamber to thereby operate the machine on a recycling basis, and closing both the above and below communications so that the machine may also be operated on a non-recycling basis.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 further characterized by and including the step of venting the air space in the top of the solution chamber when the communications are closed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 further characterized by and including the step of movably mounting the recovery chamber relative to the solution chamber so that the recovery chamber may be emptied.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 3 further characterized by and including the step of removably mounting the recovery chamber relative to the solution chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 further characterized in that the surface maintenance machine is a carpet extractor, and the conduit and cleaning head are in the form of a flexible hose and wand.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
232 words
In a floor maintenance unit, a machine, a solution co " - tainer on the machine for holding clean solution to be supplied to a floor to be cleaned, a recovery container on the machine for receiving dirty solution returned from the floor, conduits and a cleaning head connected to the containers for supplying clean solution from the solution container to the floor and for returning dirty solution from the floor to the recovery container, a pump for supplying clean solution from the solution container to the cleaning head, a vacuum fan on the machine for creating a vacuum in the recovery container so that dirty solution will be drawn from the floor through the cleaning head, ports between the containers, one above and the other below the normal solution level, so that solution may flow from the recovery container through the below port into the solution container and the vacuum in the air space in the recovery container will be communicated through the above port to the air space above the solution in the solution container, a cleaner across the below port so that dirty solution in the recovery container will be cleaned before it is returned to the solution container so that the unit may be operated on a recycling basis, and means for closing the ports so that the unit may also be operated on a non recycling basis.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
232 words
In a floor maintenance unit, a machine, a solution co " - tainer on the machine for holding clean solution to be supplied to a floor to be cleaned, a recovery container on the machine for receiving dirty solution returned from the floor, conduits and a cleaning head connected to the containers for supplying clean solution from the solution container to the floor and for returning dirty solution from the floor to the recovery container, a pump for supplying clean solution from the solution container to the cleaning head, a vacuum fan on the machine for creating a vacuum in the recovery container so that dirty solution will be drawn from the floor through the cleaning head, ports between the containers, one above and the other below the normal solution level, so that solution may flow from the recovery container through the below port into the solution container and the vacuum in the air space in the recovery container will be communicated through the above port to the air space above the solution in the solution container, a cleaner across the below port so that dirty solution in the recovery container will be cleaned before it is returned to the solution container so that the unit may be operated on a recycling basis, and means for closing the ports so that the unit may also be operated on a non recycling basis.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The structure of claim 6 further characterized by and including means for venting the air space in the top of the solution container when the ports are closed.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The structure of claim 6 further characterized in that the recovery container is movably mounted on the machine so that it may be emptied.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The structure of claim 8 further characterized in that the solution container includes a well therein, and the recovery container is removably mounted in the well.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
50 words
The structure of claim 9 further characterized in that the port below the normal solution level is in the form of openings in the bottom of the well and recovery container, and further including means for joining the well and recovery container openings in a fluid tight releasable sealing relation.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
The structure of claim 6 further characterized in that the surface maintenance unit is a carpet extractor, and the conduits and cleaning head are in the form of flexible hoses and a wand.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The structure of claim 6 in which the recovery container is removably mounted on the machine.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
186 words
In a floor maintenance unit, a machine, a solution chamber on the machine for holding clean solution to be supplied to a floor to be cleaned, a recovery chamber on the machine for receiving dirty solution returned from the floor, conduits and a cleaning head connected to the chambers for supplying clean solution from the solution chamber to the floor and for returning dirty solution to the recovery chamber, a pump for supplying clean solution from the solution chamber to the cleaning head, a vacuum fan on the machine for creating a vacuum in the recovery chamber so that dirty solution will be drawn from the floor through the cleaning head, a port between the chambers below the normal solution level so that solution may flow from the recovery chamber through the port into the solution chamber, a cleaner across the port so that the dirty solution in the recovery chamber will be cleaned before it returns to the solution chamber, and means for causing a backflow of solution through the cleaner from time to time so that foreign matter will be dislodged from the cleaner.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
186 words
In a floor maintenance unit, a machine, a solution chamber on the machine for holding clean solution to be supplied to a floor to be cleaned, a recovery chamber on the machine for receiving dirty solution returned from the floor, conduits and a cleaning head connected to the chambers for supplying clean solution from the solution chamber to the floor and for returning dirty solution to the recovery chamber, a pump for supplying clean solution from the solution chamber to the cleaning head, a vacuum fan on the machine for creating a vacuum in the recovery chamber so that dirty solution will be drawn from the floor through the cleaning head, a port between the chambers below the normal solution level so that solution may flow from the recovery chamber through the port into the solution chamber, a cleaner across the port so that the dirty solution in the recovery chamber will be cleaned before it returns to the solution chamber, and means for causing a backflow of solution through the cleaner from time to time so that foreign matter will be dislodged from the cleaner.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
59 words
The structure of claim 13 further characterized in that the cleaner is generally in the form of an upstanding filter unit with a vertical filtering surface spaced from the bottom of the recovery chamber so that foreign matter dislodged from the filter by the backflow will tend to fall into the bottom of the recovery chamber below the filter.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
73 words
The structure of claim 13 further characterized in that the means for causing a backflow through the cleaner includes limited communication between the chambers above the normal liquid level communicating the vacuum in the recovery chamber to the solution container so that changes in the resistance to the vacuum at the cleaning head will be communicated to and will cause a temporary imbalance in the air pressure above the liquid in the chambers.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
The structure of claim 13 further characterized in that the surface maintenance machine is a carpet extractor, and the conduits and cleaning head are in the form of flexible hoses and a wand.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
190 words
A method of operating a floor maintenance machine having a solution chamber for holding clean solution to be supplied to a floor to be cleaned, a recovery chamber for receiving dirty solution returned from the floor, two conduits and a cleaning head connected to the chambers for supplying clean solution from the solution chamber to the floor and for returning dirty solution from the floor to the recovery chamber, a pump for supplying clean solution from the solution chamber to the cleaning head, a vacuum fan on the machine for creating a vacuum in the recovery chamber so that dirty solution will be drawn from the floor through the cleaning head, including the steps of establishing communication between the chambers below the normal solution level so that solution may flow from the recovery chamber into the solution chamber, cleaning the dirty solution flowing through the below communication so that the dirty solution in the recovery chamber will be cleaned before it enters the solution chamber, and causing a backflow of solution through the below communication from time to time so that foreign matter will be dislodged from the cleaning step.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
190 words
A method of operating a floor maintenance machine having a solution chamber for holding clean solution to be supplied to a floor to be cleaned, a recovery chamber for receiving dirty solution returned from the floor, two conduits and a cleaning head connected to the chambers for supplying clean solution from the solution chamber to the floor and for returning dirty solution from the floor to the recovery chamber, a pump for supplying clean solution from the solution chamber to the cleaning head, a vacuum fan on the machine for creating a vacuum in the recovery chamber so that dirty solution will be drawn from the floor through the cleaning head, including the steps of establishing communication between the chambers below the normal solution level so that solution may flow from the recovery chamber into the solution chamber, cleaning the dirty solution flowing through the below communication so that the dirty solution in the recovery chamber will be cleaned before it enters the solution chamber, and causing a backflow of solution through the below communication from time to time so that foreign matter will be dislodged from the cleaning step.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
69 words
The method of claim 17 further characterized by and including the steps of establishing communication between the chambers above the normal solution level so that the vacuum in the recovery chamber is applied to the top of the solution in the solution chamber, and dimensioning the above communication and the extent of the cleaning step such that effective backflow takes place without excessive solution surges through the below communication.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
83 words
The method of claim 17 further characterized in that the step of causing a backflow of solution includes establishing communication between the chambers above the normal solution level so that the vacuum in the recovery chamber is applied to the top of the solution in the solution chamber, and dimensioning the above communication so that the changes from the cleaning head in the degree of vacuum applied to the recovery chamber will be momentarily delayed before being fully applied to the solution chamber.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 17 further characterized in that the surface maintenance machine is a carpet extractor, and the conduits and a cleaning head are in the form of flexible hoses and a wand.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
187 words
In a floor maintenance unit, a machine, a solution chamber on the machine for holding clean solution to be supplied to a floor to be cleaned, a recovery chamber on the machine for receiving dirty solution returned from the floor, conduits and a cleaning head connected to the chambers for supplying clean solution from the solution chamber to the floor and for returning dirty solution to the recovery chamber, a pump for supplying clean solution from the solution chamber to the cleaning head, a vacuum fan on the machine for creating a vacuum in the recovery chamber so that dirty solution will be drawn from the floor through the cleaning head, ports between the chambers, one above and the other below the normal solution level so that solution may flow from the recovery chamber through the below port into the solution chamber and the vacuum in the recovery chamber will be applied through the above port to the top of the solution in the solution chamber, and damping means associated with the below port to prevent excessively rapid fluid flow therethrough, thereby avoiding sloshing of the fluid.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
187 words
In a floor maintenance unit, a machine, a solution chamber on the machine for holding clean solution to be supplied to a floor to be cleaned, a recovery chamber on the machine for receiving dirty solution returned from the floor, conduits and a cleaning head connected to the chambers for supplying clean solution from the solution chamber to the floor and for returning dirty solution to the recovery chamber, a pump for supplying clean solution from the solution chamber to the cleaning head, a vacuum fan on the machine for creating a vacuum in the recovery chamber so that dirty solution will be drawn from the floor through the cleaning head, ports between the chambers, one above and the other below the normal solution level so that solution may flow from the recovery chamber through the below port into the solution chamber and the vacuum in the recovery chamber will be applied through the above port to the top of the solution in the solution chamber, and damping means associated with the below port to prevent excessively rapid fluid flow therethrough, thereby avoiding sloshing of the fluid.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
26 words
The structure of claim 21 further characterized in that the damping means includes a cleaner with openings therein dimensioned to cause damping of the solution flow.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
49 words
The structure of claim 22 further characterized in that the openings in the cleaner and the dimensions of the above port are sized so as to cause a momentary backflow of solution through the cleaner in response to changes in the resistance of the vacuum at the cleaning head.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
204 words
A method of operating a floor maintenance unit having a solution chamber for holding clean solution to be supplied to a floor to be cleaned, a recovery chamber for receiving dirty solution returned from the floor, conduits and a cleaning head connected to the chambers for supplying clean solution from the solution chamber to the floor and for returning dirty solution to the recovery chamber, a pump for supplying clean solution from the solution chamber to the cleaning head, and a vacuum fan for creating a vacuum in the recovery chamber so that dirty solution will be drawn from the floor through the cleaning head, including the steps of establishing communication below the chambers, both above and below the normal solution level, so that solution may flow from the recovery chamber through the below communication into the solution chamber and the vacuum in the recovery chamber will be applied through the above communication to the solution in the solution chamber, cleaning the solution as it flows from the recovery chamber into the solution chamber, and damping the fluid flow through the below communication so that sloshing of the fluid in the chambers due to excessively rapid fluid flow through the below communication is avoided.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
204 words
A method of operating a floor maintenance unit having a solution chamber for holding clean solution to be supplied to a floor to be cleaned, a recovery chamber for receiving dirty solution returned from the floor, conduits and a cleaning head connected to the chambers for supplying clean solution from the solution chamber to the floor and for returning dirty solution to the recovery chamber, a pump for supplying clean solution from the solution chamber to the cleaning head, and a vacuum fan for creating a vacuum in the recovery chamber so that dirty solution will be drawn from the floor through the cleaning head, including the steps of establishing communication below the chambers, both above and below the normal solution level, so that solution may flow from the recovery chamber through the below communication into the solution chamber and the vacuum in the recovery chamber will be applied through the above communication to the solution in the solution chamber, cleaning the solution as it flows from the recovery chamber into the solution chamber, and damping the fluid flow through the below communication so that sloshing of the fluid in the chambers due to excessively rapid fluid flow through the below communication is avoided.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 24 further characterized in that the step of damping the fluid flow includes sizing the below and above communications relative to the variations in vacuum caused by operation of the cleaning head such that acceptable fluid flow through the below communication is maintained.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
160 words
In a combination mobility cart and extractor unit for a floor maintenance machine for cleaning a surface, a framework type cart defining an upwardly opening cradle, wheels on at least one end of the cart and an upwardly disposed handle on at least one end, an extractor unit in the framed cradle adapted to be supported thereby, the extractor unit being constructed and arranged to supply cleaning solution to a surface to be cleaned and to receive dirty solution returned from the surface, conduits extending from the extractor unit for supplying clean solution from the unit to a surface to be cleaned and for returning dirty solution from the surface to the extractor unit, an extractor shoe on the end of the conduits, and a mounting between the extractor shoe and the unit supporting the shoe in predetermined relation thereto so that as the cart is manipulated and moved, the shoe stays in contact with the surface to be cleaned.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
160 words
In a combination mobility cart and extractor unit for a floor maintenance machine for cleaning a surface, a framework type cart defining an upwardly opening cradle, wheels on at least one end of the cart and an upwardly disposed handle on at least one end, an extractor unit in the framed cradle adapted to be supported thereby, the extractor unit being constructed and arranged to supply cleaning solution to a surface to be cleaned and to receive dirty solution returned from the surface, conduits extending from the extractor unit for supplying clean solution from the unit to a surface to be cleaned and for returning dirty solution from the surface to the extractor unit, an extractor shoe on the end of the conduits, and a mounting between the extractor shoe and the unit supporting the shoe in predetermined relation thereto so that as the cart is manipulated and moved, the shoe stays in contact with the surface to be cleaned.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
23 words
The structure of claim 26 further characterized by and including means for raising and holding the shoe in a raised position for traveling.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
35 words
The structure of claim 26 further characterized in that the mounting includes a parallelogram type linkage so that the shoe is generally disposed normal to the surface to be cleaned at all times during use.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
25 words
The structure of claim 26 further characterized in that the extractor unit has caster wheels on the end thereof opposite the wheels on the cart.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
147 words
In a mobility cart for use with an extractor unit constructed and arranged for cleaning a surface, such as a floor, a framework type cart defining an upwardly opening cradle, wheels on at least one end of the cart and an upwardly disposed handle on at least one end, the extractor unit to be carried by the cart being constructed to supply cleaning solution to a surface to be cleaned and to raceive dirty solution returned from the floor with an extractor head and surface engaging wheels on the end of the extractor unit opposite the wheels on the cart, the portion of the cart cradle to be disposed opposite the wheels on the extractor unit being constructed and arranged so that the wheels on the extractor unit will engage the surface with the portion of the cart adjacent thereto being out of contact with the surface.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
147 words
In a mobility cart for use with an extractor unit constructed and arranged for cleaning a surface, such as a floor, a framework type cart defining an upwardly opening cradle, wheels on at least one end of the cart and an upwardly disposed handle on at least one end, the extractor unit to be carried by the cart being constructed to supply cleaning solution to a surface to be cleaned and to raceive dirty solution returned from the floor with an extractor head and surface engaging wheels on the end of the extractor unit opposite the wheels on the cart, the portion of the cart cradle to be disposed opposite the wheels on the extractor unit being constructed and arranged so that the wheels on the extractor unit will engage the surface with the portion of the cart adjacent thereto being out of contact with the surface.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
24 words
The structure of claim 30 further characterized in that the handle is removably mounted and may be mounted on either end of the cart.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
74 words
The structure of claim 31 further characterized in that the framework type cart includes longitudinally extending frame elements on each side in spaced relation to each other with upwardly angled inclines at each end cross connected by laterally disposed end elements, the handle being in the general form of a downwardly disposed U with a connection on the extremity of each leg of the U that is releasably joined to the upwardly angled inclines.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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