US4584736A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Surface cleaning apparatus
Assignee: GREGO AG A Co OF SWITZERLAND
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Filing: 1984-01-25
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Granted: 1986-04-29
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Expires: 2004-01-25
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for cleaning surfaces has a cleaning head which is designed to bear against a surface being cleaned. The cleaning head includes a discharge nozzle which is connected with a source of flowable cleaning material and is arranged to discharge such material against the surface being cleaned. A pair of shields is disposed about the discharge nozzle. The cleaning head further includes a suction nozzle which is connected with a source of suction and serves to remove contaminated cleaning material from the surface being cleaned. A brush is disposed between the discharge nozzle and the suction nozzle and functions to scrub the surface after the cleaning material has been applied thereto. The discharge nozzle, suction nozzle and brush are surrounded by a tubular sleeve which inhibits the escape of contaminated cleaning material so that virtually all such material is recovered via the suction nozzle.
Inventors
- 👤 Gottfried Gremminger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 19:45
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47L; A47L11/00; A47L11/40; A47L11/4036; A47L11/4044; A47L11/29; A47L11/30; A47L11/4075; A47L11/4077; A47L11/408; A47L11/4088
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
An apparatus for cleaning a grooved surface, said apparatus comprising: (a) a first source of flowable cleaning material; (b) a first device connected with said first source and arranged to direct the cleaning material against the surface being cleaned; (c) a second source of suction; (d) a second device connected with said second source and arranged to suction used cleaning material from the surface being cleaned; (e) an enclosure surrounding both said first device and said second device, said enclosure having one end which is arranged to confront the surface being cleaned, and said one end having an opening arranged to expose said first and second devices to the surface being cleaned; and (f) means for stiffening the walls of said enclosure, said stiffening means including teeth designed to be received in the grooves of the surface being cleaned to thereby enhance the suction force of said second device in the grooves.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
152 words
An apparatus for cleaning a grooved surface, said apparatus comprising: (a) a first source of flowable cleaning material; (b) a first device connected with said first source and arranged to direct the cleaning material against the surface being cleaned; (c) a second source of suction; (d) a second device connected with said second source and arranged to suction used cleaning material from the surface being cleaned; (e) an enclosure surrounding both said first device and said second device, said enclosure having one end which is arranged to confront the surface being cleaned, and said one end having an opening arranged to expose said first and second devices to the surface being cleaned; and (f) means for stiffening the walls of said enclosure, said stiffening means including teeth designed to be received in the grooves of the surface being cleaned to thereby enhance the suction force of said second device in the grooves.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
133 words
An apparatus for cleaning walls, ceilings and stairs, said apparatus including a handheld unit which comprises: (a) a discharge nozzle designed to be connected with a first source of pressurized cleaning material and arranged to direct the cleaning material against a surface being cleaned; (b) a suction nozzle designed to be connected with a second source of suction and arranged to suction used cleaning material from the surface being cleaned; (c) a stationary brush fixedly mounted between said nozzles and arranged to contact the surface being cleaned; and (d) an enclosure entirely circumscribing said nozzles and said brush, said enclosure having a circumferentially complete, resilient end arranged to engage the surface being cleaned, and said resilient end having an opening arranged to expose said nozzles and said brush to the surface being cleaned.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
133 words
An apparatus for cleaning walls, ceilings and stairs, said apparatus including a handheld unit which comprises: (a) a discharge nozzle designed to be connected with a first source of pressurized cleaning material and arranged to direct the cleaning material against a surface being cleaned; (b) a suction nozzle designed to be connected with a second source of suction and arranged to suction used cleaning material from the surface being cleaned; (c) a stationary brush fixedly mounted between said nozzles and arranged to contact the surface being cleaned; and (d) an enclosure entirely circumscribing said nozzles and said brush, said enclosure having a circumferentially complete, resilient end arranged to engage the surface being cleaned, and said resilient end having an opening arranged to expose said nozzles and said brush to the surface being cleaned.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said resilient end is entirely open.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 2, said enclosure having another end opposite said resilient end; and wherein said other end is open.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
10 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said enclosure is tubular.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said resilient end comprises natural rubber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said first source comprises a pressurized supply of the cleaning material, and a pressure line on said unit for conveying the pressurized cleaning material to said discharge nozzle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said second source comprises a suction line on said unit for conveying used cleaning material away from said suction nozzle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 2, said section nozzle being designed to be displaced along a predetermined direction during cleaning of the surface; and wherein said suction nozzle is provided with an elongated aperture extending transversely of said predetermined direction.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
10 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said brush is removable.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 10, said brush being designed to be displaced along a predetermined direction during cleaning of the surface; and wherein said brush is elongated transversely of said predetermined direction.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said unit comprises means for stiffening the walls of said enclosure.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said stiffening means comprises a stiffening sheet disposed between said suction nozzle and said enclosure.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said stiffening means has a comb-like configuration.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said unit comprises shielding means disposed about said discharge nozzle.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said shielding means comprises a pair of shielding plates disposed at different sides of said discharge nozzle.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said shielding plates are inclined relative to one another so that said shielding means has an approximately V-shaped configuration.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 16, said brush having opposite end portions; and wherein each of said shielding plates has a free end remote from said discharge nozzle and facing a respective end portion of said brush.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said shielding means is spaced from said discharge nozzle.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-04-28 | 1989-10-28 | 1990-04-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-04-28 | 1993-10-28 | 1994-04-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-04-28 | 1997-10-28 | 1998-04-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |