Compact extractor

Claim 2

A surface cleaning liquid extractor for vacuum extraction of liquid and debris from a surface comprising: a recovery tank including an upwardly extending sidewall for receiving debris and liquid which are vacuumed from a surface; a housing removably positioned upon said tank; a vacuum hose connection means in fluid communication with said tank so that debris and liquid which are drawn in through said connection means are deposited into said tank; suction means positioned in said housing for drawing debris and liquid through said vacuum hose connection means and into said tank; an opening in the bottom of said housing whereby said suction means is in fluid communication with said tank; and a floating splash damper positioned within said recovery tank, said splash damper being free to float upon liquid collected in said tank as the liquid level rises in said tank, said splash damper defining a generally continuous surface over the majority of the upper surface of liquid collected in said tank whereby said splash damper minimizes the tendency for liquid in said tank to splash into said suction means in said housing, yet said splash damper having a perimeter spaced inwardly from said upwardly extending sidewall of said tank whereby liquid being drawn into said recovery tank can flow around said splash damper and collect below said splash damper.

Claim 3

The extractor defined in claim 1 wherein: said splash damper has a top side and an opposing bottom side; and said splash damper is hydrodynamically stable so that when said splash damper is placed in said recovery tank with said top side facing upwardly, said splash damper will float upon said surface of said liquid with said top side remaining facing upwardly and said splash damper will not turn over.

Claim 4

The extractor defined in claim 2 wherein: said splash damper has a generally dome-shaped portion on said top side; and said dome-shaped portion generally aligns with said opening in said bottom of said housing for sealing engagement with said opening to close the fluid communication between said suction means and said tank when said tank has filled with liquid to a predetermined level.

Claim 5

The extractor defined in claim 3 wherein said dome-shaped portion has steeply sloping sidewalls which extend downwardly to said top side of said splash damper.

Claim 6

The extractor defined in claim 4 wherein said top side and said bottom side define a closed flotation cell.

Claim 7

The extractor defined in claim 5 further including a handle for latching said housing to said tank, for carrying said extractor and for carrying said tank without said housing.

Claim 8

The extractor defined in claim 6 wherein said handle is a generally U-shaped member having a bite portion with a leg extending to one side of said bite portion from each of two ends of said bite portion, each said leg having an end away from said bite portion which is pivotally connected to said sidewall of said recovery tank and said ends being positioned opposite to each other, across said recovery tank, so that said handle pivots over the top of said housing and pivots down to the side of said recovery tank.

Claim 9

The extractor defined in claim 7 wherein: a latching member is provided on each of said legs of said handle; two catch members are provided on said housing, said catch members being positioned opposite to each other across said housing; and said catch members and said latch members cooperate with each other to latch said housing and said recovery tank together when said handle is pivoted to a generally vertical position, over the top of said housing.

Claim 10

The extractor defined in claim 4 wherein said splash damper further includes an annular trough which is formed in said top side and circumscribes said dome portion.

Claim 11

The extractor defined in claim 9 wherein said trough includes drainage openings for draining liquid from said trough, through said splash damper and into said tank.

Claim 12

The extractor defined in claim 10 wherein said splash damper further includes a wall portion which projects upwardly from said top side, near said trough and which generally circumscribes said trough.

Claim 13

The extractor defined in claim 11 wherein said splash damper further includes an annular flotation chamber.

Claim 14

The extractor defined in claim 12 wherein said flotation chamber comprises a downwardly open channel circumscribing said bottom side of said splash damper.

Claim 15

The extractor defined in claim 13 wherein said splash damper further includes a flotation material in said channel.

Claim 16

The extractor defined in claim 14 wherein a plurality of feet project downwardly from said bottom side of said splash damper to keep said bottom side from coming into sealing contact with the bottom of said recovery tank.

Claim 17

The extractor defined in claim 15 further including a handle for latching said housing to said tank, for carrying said extractor and for carrying said tank without said housing.

Claim 18

The extractor defined in claim 16 wherein said handle is a generally U-shaped member having a bite portion with a leg extending to one side of said bite portion from each of two ends of said bite portion, each said leg having an end away from said bite portion which is pivotally connected to said sidewall of said recovery tank, and said ends being positioned opposite to each other, across said recovery tank so that said handle pivots over the top of said housing and pivots down to the side of said recovery tank.

Claim 19

The extractor defined in claim 17 wherein: a latching member is provided on each of said legs of said handle; two catch members are provided on said housing, said catch members being positioned opposite to each other across said housing; and said catch members and said latch members cooperate with each other to latch s id housing and said recovery tank together when said handle is pivoted to a generally vertical position, over the top of said housing.

Claim 20

A surface cleaning liquid extractor for vacuum extraction of liquid and debris from a surface comprising: a recovery tank including an upwardly extending sidewall for receiving debris and liquid which are vacuumed from a surface; a housing removably positioned upon said tank; a vacuum hose connection means in fluid communication with said tank so that debris and liquid which are drawn in through said connection means are deposited into said tank; suction means positioned in said housing for drawing debris and liquid through said vacuum hose connection means and into said tank; an opening in the bottom of said housing whereby said suction means is in fluid communication with said tank; and a floating splash damper positioned within said recovery tank, said splash damper having a perimeter spaced inwardly from said upwardly extending sidewall of said recovery tank, said splash damper having a top side and an opposing bottom side and said splash damper being hydrodynamically stable so that when said splash damper is placed in said recovery tank with said top side facing upwardly, said splash damper will flat upon said surface of said liquid with said top side remaining facing upwardly and said splash damper will not turn over.

Claim 21

A surface cleaning liquid extractor for vacuum extraction of liquid and debris from a surface comprising: a recovery tank including an upwardly extending sidewall for receiving debris and liquid which are vacuumed from a surface; a housing removably positioned upon said tank; a vacuum hose connection means in fluid communication with said tank so that debris and liquid which are drawn in through said connection means are deposited into said tank; suction means positioned in said housing for drawing debris and liquid through said vacuum hose connection means and into said tank; an opening in the bottom of said housing whereby said suction means is in fluid communication with said tank; and a floating splash damper positioned within said recovery tank, said splash damper having a perimeter spaced inwardly from said upwardly extending sidewall of said recovery tank, said splash damper having a top side and an opposing bottom side and said splash damper being hydrodynamically stable so that when said splash damper is placed in said recovery tank with said top side facing upwardly, said splash damper will flat upon said surface of said liquid with said top side remaining facing upwardly and said splash damper will not turn over.

Claim 22

The extractor defined in claim 19 wherein said splash damper has a generally dome-shaped portion on said top side for sealing engagement with said opening in said bottom of said housing to close the fluid communication between said section means and said tank when said tank is filled with liquid to a predetermined level.

Claim 23

The extractor defined in claim 20 wherein said dome-shaped portion has steeply sloping sidewalls which extend downwardly to said top side of said splash damper.

Claim 24

The extractor defined in claim 21 wherein said top side and said bottom side define a closed flotation cell.

Claim 25

The extractor defined in claim 21 wherein said splash damper further includes an annular trough which is formed in said top side and circumscribes said dome portion.

Claim 26

The extractor defined in claim 23 wherein said trough includes drainage openings for draining liquid from said trough, through said splash damper and into said tank.

Claim 27

The extractor defined in claim 24 wherein said splash damper further includes a wall portion which projects upwardly from said top side, near said trough and which generally circumscribes said trough.

Claim 28

The extractor defined in claim 25 wherein said splash damper further includes an annular flotation chamber.

Claim 29

The extractor defined in claim 26 wherein said flotation chamber comprises a downwardly open channel circumscribing said bottom side of said splash damper.

Claim 30

The extractor defined in claim 27 wherein said splash damper further includes a flotation material in said channel.

Claim 31

The extractor defined in claim 28 wherein a plurality of feet project downwardly from said bottom side of said splash damper to keep said bottom side from coming into sealing contact with the bottom of said recovery tank.

Claim 32

The extractor defined in claim 29 further including a handle for latching said housing to said tank, for carrying said extractor and for carrying said tank without said housing.

Claim 33

A surface cleaning liquid extractor for vacuum extraction of liquid from a surface comprising: a recovery tank for receiving debris and liquid which are vacuumed from a surface; a housing removably positioned upon said tank; suction means in said housing; vacuum hose connection means in fluid communication with said tank so that debris and liquid which are drawn in through said connection means are deposited into said tank; a handle for latching said housing to said tank, for carrying said extractor and for carrying said tank without said housing, said handle having a generally U-shaped member having a bite portion with a leg extending to one side of said bite portion from each of two ends of said bite portion, each said leg having an end away from said bite portion which is pivotally connected to the side of said recovery tank and said ends being positioned opposite to each other, across said recovery tank, so that said handle pivots over the top of said housing and pivots down to the side of said recovery tank; a latching member on each of said legs of said handle; two catch members on said housing, said catch members being positioned opposite to each other across said housing; and said catch members and said latch members cooperating with each other to latch said housing and said recovery tank together when said handle is pivoted to a generally vertical position, over the top of said housing.

Claim 34

A surface cleaning liquid extractor for vacuum extraction of liquid from a surface comprising: a recovery tank for receiving debris and liquid which are vacuumed from a surface; a housing removably positioned upon said tank; suction means in said housing; vacuum hose connection means in fluid communication with said tank so that debris and liquid which are drawn in through said connection means are deposited into said tank; a handle for latching said housing to said tank, for carrying said extractor and for carrying said tank without said housing, said handle having a generally U-shaped member having a bite portion with a leg extending to one side of said bite portion from each of two ends of said bite portion, each said leg having an end away from said bite portion which is pivotally connected to the side of said recovery tank and said ends being positioned opposite to each other, across said recovery tank, so that said handle pivots over the top of said housing and pivots down to the side of said recovery tank; a latching member on each of said legs of said handle; two catch members on said housing, said catch members being positioned opposite to each other across said housing; and said catch members and said latch members cooperating with each other to latch said housing and said recovery tank together when said handle is pivoted to a generally vertical position, over the top of said housing.

Claim 35

A surface cleaning liquid extractor for vacuum extraction of liquid and debris from a surface comprising: a recovery tank including an upwardly extending sidewall for receiving debris and liquid which are vacuumed from a surface; a housing removably positioned upon said tank; a vacuum hose connection means in fluid communication with said tank so that debris and liquid which are drawn in through said connection means are deposited into said tank; suction means positioned in said housing for drawing debris and liquid through said vacuum hose connection means and into said tank; an opening in the bottom of said housing whereby said suction means is in fluid communication with said tank; and a floating cutoff having an upwardly projecting dome and being positioned within said recovery tank, said cutoff being free to float upon liquid collected in said tank as the liquid level rises in said tank and having a perimeter spaced inwardly slightly from said upwardly extending sidewall of said tank whereby said cutoff is free of frictional engagement with said sidewall but is maintained in alignment by said sidewall such that said dome is kept approximately in alignment with said opening and engages said opening when said cutoff is floated upwardly on the surface of rising water in said recovery tank.

Claim 36

A surface cleaning liquid extractor for vacuum extraction of liquid and debris from a surface comprising: a recovery tank including an upwardly extending sidewall for receiving debris and liquid which are vacuumed from a surface; a housing removably positioned upon said tank; a vacuum hose connection means in fluid communication with said tank so that debris and liquid which are drawn in through said connection means are deposited into said tank; suction means positioned in said housing for drawing debris and liquid through said vacuum hose connection means and into said tank; an opening in the bottom of said housing whereby said suction means is in fluid communication with said tank; and a floating cutoff having an upwardly projecting dome and being positioned within said recovery tank, said cutoff being free to float upon liquid collected in said tank as the liquid level rises in said tank and having a perimeter spaced inwardly slightly from said upwardly extending sidewall of said tank whereby said cutoff is free of frictional engagement with said sidewall but is maintained in alignment by said sidewall such that said dome is kept approximately in alignment with said opening and engages said opening when said cutoff is floated upwardly on the surface of rising water in said recovery tank.