US6324723B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Wet pickup attachment for vacuum cleaners
Assignee: Scott Fetzer Co
•
Filing: 2000-06-14
•
Granted: 2001-12-04
•
Expires: 2020-06-14
Abstract
Abstract A wet pickup attachment for vacuum cleaners has a pair of independent float operated valves to close primary and secondary exhaust openings responsive to different water levels in a collection tank and thereby prevent aspiration of water into a vacuum cleaner that powers the attachment.
Inventors
- 👤 Diane L. Dodson
- 👤 William G. Badley
- 👤 Chris Konstantacos
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 18:55
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47L; A47L7/00; A47L7/0004; A47L7/0009; A47L7/0023; A47L7/0028; A47L7/0038; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S55/00; Y10S55/03
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
84 words
Apparatus comprising: a wet pickup vacuum attachment having an air inlet nozzle and an air outlet, an air/liquid separator between said nozzle and said air outlet, said air liquid separator including a liquid collection tank and an exhaust passage, said exhaust passage including a pair of exhaust openings in series, and a pair of float operated valves responsive to the liquid level in said collection tank to close said exhaust openings and block air flow between said air inlet nozzle and said air outlet.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
84 words
Apparatus comprising: a wet pickup vacuum attachment having an air inlet nozzle and an air outlet, an air/liquid separator between said nozzle and said air outlet, said air liquid separator including a liquid collection tank and an exhaust passage, said exhaust passage including a pair of exhaust openings in series, and a pair of float operated valves responsive to the liquid level in said collection tank to close said exhaust openings and block air flow between said air inlet nozzle and said air outlet.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
89 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pair of exhaust openings include a primary exhaust opening and a secondary exhaust opening, said pair of float operated valves including primary and secondary float operated valves, said primary float operated valve being operable to close said primary exhaust opening responsive to a first liquid level in said collection tank and said secondary float operated valve being operable to close said secondary exhaust opening responsive to a second liquid level in said collection tank that is greater than said first liquid level.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said secondary exhaust opening is annular.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 2 including a guide sleeve on which said primary float operated valve is internally guided and on which said secondary float operated valve is externally guided.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said secondary float operated valve includes a secondary valve member having a plurality of spaced-apart downwardly open float tubes depending therefrom.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said primary float operated valve includes a primary float having a plurality of holes therethrough and through which said float tubes extend.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
55 words
Apparatus comprising: an air/liquid separator that includes a separation chamber having inlet and exhaust passages and a liquid collection tank, said exhaust passage including a pair of valved exhaust openings in series, and a pair of independent float operated valves that close said exhaust openings responsive to predetermined liquid levels in said liquid collection tank.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
55 words
Apparatus comprising: an air/liquid separator that includes a separation chamber having inlet and exhaust passages and a liquid collection tank, said exhaust passage including a pair of valved exhaust openings in series, and a pair of independent float operated valves that close said exhaust openings responsive to predetermined liquid levels in said liquid collection tank.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said exhaust openings include primary and secondary exhaust openings and said float operated valves include primary and secondary float operated valves.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said primary float operated valve includes a primary valve stem and said secondary exhaust opening is annular and surrounds said primary valve stem.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 8 including a hollow guide sleeve, said primary float operated valve including a primary valve stem guided for axial movement internally of said guide sleeve, and said secondary float operated valve being movably guided externally of said guide sleeve.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said primary float operated valve includes a float of low density polyethylene.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said secondary float operated valve includes a valve member having a plurality of spaced-apart downwardly open float tubes depending therefrom.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said primary float operated valve includes a primary float having a plurality of holes therethrough and said float tubes extend through said holes.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein one of said float operated valves includes a valve member having a plurality of spaced-apart downwardly open float tubes depending therefrom.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 7 including a guide sleeve, one of said float operated valves being movably guided internally of said guide sleeve and the other of said float operated valves being movably guided externally of said guide sleeve.
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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) | 2004-12-03 | 2005-06-04 | 2005-12-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-12-03 | 2009-06-04 | 2009-12-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-12-03 | 2013-06-04 | 2013-12-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |