GB2334434A - Carpet extractor - Google Patents

Abstract

A floor care apparatus is disclosed wherein a powered brush assembly 20 having a multiplicity of rotary brushes 25, supported by a beam 22, is suspended within the apparatus such that the brush assembly 20 floats freely upon the surface being cleaned without supporting any of the machine's weight. A gravity feed fluid supply drips cleaning solution into open top troughs 71 within the support beam 22, one above each brush 25, which then filters through conduits 74 in the beam 22 to the associated rotary brush 25. The rotary brushes 25 are generally configured as spur gears and function in a gear train wherein one brush drives all the other brushes. A pair of air driven turbines 125 are disclosed, one driving the floor scrubbing brushes 25 and one for driving the cleaning solution supply pump 130. A unique linkage mechanism 150 is taught whereby only one turbine at a time is energised, depending upon whether a floor cleaning mode or an above floor cleaning mode is selected.

Description

CABS ED=OR Baçkground of the Invention The present invention relates to a carpet extractor and more particularly to a floating powered brush assembly and a cleaning solution supply system for use with an upright extractor (of the type taught in co-owned U.S. Patent No. 5,406,673) having air turbine powered floor cleaning brushes.

Heretofore carpet extractors having powered brushes to assist scrubbing of the surface being cleaned have generally affixed the powered brush and/or brushes to the main body of the machine in such a way that, except for the rotary motion of the brush, the brush assembly did not move relative to the main body. Thus the rotary action of the powered brush tends to lift the liquid suction nozzle upward and away from the surface being cleaned resulting in lost efficiency of the system as a whole.

Brief Description of the Invention According to the invention there is provided a carpet extractor having a cleaning solution delivery system in fluid communication with a cleaning solution supply reservoir and powered brush system, the powered brush system being carried by a main body and having at least one brush, said cleaning solution delivery system comprising a cleaning solution supply manifold in selective fluid communication with the cleaning solution supply reservoir; said cleaning solution supply manifold having at least one discharge orifice; and a trough disposed below said discharge orifice; said trough having at least one fluid supply conduit; said fluid supply conduit being disposed above a brush in the power brush system.

The brush assembly generally comprises an elongate brush support beam having integrally molded, spaced apart, vertically aligned cylindrical bearings each receiving therein a vertically directed axle shaft of an associated rotary scrubbing brush. The rotary brushes generally comprise a spur gear configuration having tufts of brush bristles retained within each gear tooth and directed axially downward toward the surface being cleaned. The spur gear configurations, of each rotary brush, intermesh with the adjacent rotary brush thereby creating a gear train such that rotating any one rotary brush causes the entire gear train to rotate thereby powering all brushes with one driving brush. The intermeshing of the brush gear teeth and their associated brush bristles assures that no unbrushed area will be present between adjacent brushes.

The axial thickness of each gear tooth includes an upper and lower profile. The upper profile provides the tooth involute that engages the tooth involute of the adjacent gear brush. The lower profile is inwardly offset from the upper profile to allow circumferential expansion (or bulging) of the profile upon insertion of the brush bristles that otherwise may cause binding or interference between intermeshing gear teeth.

A gear brush guard, affixed to the gear support beam, surrounds the periphery of all brushes and is provided with an internally directed flange at the bottom of the guard sidewall extending inward beyond the outer locus of the gear teeth thereby restricting each gear brush within its associated cylindrical bearing on the support beam.

Preferably four outwardly directed tangs, two on either side of the peripheral brush guard, engage vertically disposed guide slots in the brush assembly cavity of the extractor base module thereby permitting the brush assembly to translate or float vertically while retaining the brush assembly therein. To assist and guide the brush assembly as it floats vertically, a vertically directed flange is integrally molded onto the brush support beam, one at each end, which slidingly engage vertically disposed tracks or slots integrally molded into the end walls of the brush assembly cavity. None of the machine's weight is supported by the floating brush assembly.

Generous tolerances between all moving parts namely: between the brush axles and cylindrical bearings, between the lower gear tooth surface and the brush guard peripheral flange, and the support beam vertical guide flanges and guide slots are provided such that the brush assembly may float in skewed positions and that the gear brush axle shafts may slightly tilt omnidirectionally from the vertical thereby - permitting the scrubbing gear brushes to follow and remain engaged with any unevenness of the surface being scrubbed or to automatically adjust for carpet height The brush assembly further comprises a unique "snap together" structure for ease of assembly on a typical mass production assembly line.

The liquid cleaning solution flows from an elevated supply tank through an on-off control valve (similar to that as taught in U.S. Patent No. 5,406,673) to a horizontally disposed distribution manifold affixed to the base module of a typical upright carpet extractor. The distribution manifold is positioned above a vertically movable, free floating, brush assembly having multiple laterally disposed carpet scrubbing brushes rotatable about a vertical axis. An elongate, trough-like, brush support beam extends the lateral width of the brush assembly having integrally molded, vertically aligned, spaced apart, cylindrical bearings each receiving therein a vertically directed axle shaft of a rotary scrubbing brush. The brush support bearn is partitioned into open top, cleaning solution supply troughs, one generally positioned above each rotary brush. A conduit extends from the bottom floor of each cleaning solution supply trough providing fluid communication from each trough to the center cup of its associated rotatable brush therebelow.

In operation, the operator opens the control valve thereby permitting cleaning solution to flow into and fill the manifold. Fluid cascades from the manifold, through strategically located orifices in the bottom thereof, into the corresponding fluid supply troughs in the brush support beam. The cleaning solution then flows into the center cups of each rotary brush, through the appropriate fluid supply conduit, and is applied to the surface being cleaned through openings in the brush center cup bottom.

A unique mechanical linkage system is disclosed whereby the brush drive turbine and the pump drive turbine are automatically energized or de-energized depending on the use selected by the operator. When in the floor cleaning mode, the brush drive turbine is energized and the pump drive turbine is de-energized and when in the above floor cleaning mode, the pump drive turbine is energized and the brush drive turbine de-energized. Also disclosed is an override mechanism whereby the operator may manually de-energize the brush drive turbine, when in the floor cleaning mode, for use on spills and/or select an intermediate speed for the powered brushes if desired.

Brief Description of the Figures Figure 1 is a perspective view of an upright carpet extractor base module incorporating the present invention.

Figure 2 is a left side elevational view of the base module, as seen in figure 1, having the forward portion thereof cut away to illustrate the general positioning of the brush assembly therein.

Figure 3 illustrates the forward portion of the base module, illustrated in figure 1, having the top cover portion removed.

Figure 4 is an exploded view illustrating the basic subassemblies which form the present invention.

Figure 5 is an exploded view of the brush assembly seen in figure 4.

Figure 6 presents a sectional view taken along line 6-6 in figure 3 showing the brush assembly in its lowest position.

Figure 6A presents a sectional view taken along line 6-6 in figure 3 showing the brush assembly in its uppermost position.

Figure 7 is a bottom view as seen along line 7-7 in figure 4.

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8-8 in figure 6.

Figure 9 is a sectional view as taken along line 9-9 in figure 3 with the brushes removed.

Figure 10 is a sectional view taken along line 10-10 in figure 9.

Figure 11 is a sectional view taken along line 11-11 in figure 9.

Figure 12 is a sectional view taken along line 12-12 in figure 4 with the brushes shown in phantom.

Figure 13 is a perspective view of one gear brush with all but one of the brush bristle bundles removed.

Figure 14 is a bottom view of the gear brush illustrated in figure 13 with all but one of the brush bristle bundles removed.

Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 15-15 in figure 14 with all but one of the brush bristle bundles removed.

Figure 16 is an elevational view taken along line 16-16 in figure 7.

Figure 17 is an elevational view taken along line 17-17 in figure 7.

Figure 18 is a plan view of the forward portion of the extractor base module illustrated in figure 1.

Figure 19 illustrates the base module, illustrated in figure 1, having the top cover portion removed showing the general location of the air turbines and valve operating linkage.

Figure 20 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 20-20 in figure 18.

Figure 21 is a bottom view of the carpet extractor illustrated in figure 1.

Figure 22 is a pictorial view of the brush power turbine showing the turbine inlet throttle valve linkage.

Figure 23 is a plan view of the brush power turbine throttle valve linkage illustrating the operation thereof.

Figure 24 is a view taken along line 24-24 in figure 22 illustrating the operation of the trap door valve associated with the air turbine driven solution supply pump.

Figure 25 is a cross-section taken along line 25-25 in figure 23.

Figure 26 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 26-26 in figure 23.

Figure 27 is an elevational view of the brush drive air turbine throttle valve removed from the air turbine assembly.

Figure 28 is a top view of the throttle valve shown in figure 27.

Figure 29 is a schematic illustration of the throttle valve lip seal engaging the throttle inlet walls.

Figure 30 is a schematic diagram illustrating the turbine air flow.

Detailed Description of the Invention Referring to figure 1, the present invention relates to a base module 10 for an upright carpet extractor. The upper portion of a typical upright carpet extractor suitable for use in combination with the herein described base module 10 may be found in co-owned U.S. Patent No. 5,406,673 issued on April 18, 1995, titled "Tank Carry Handle and Securement Latch", the contents of which are included herein by reference.

Base module 10 comprises a lower housing 12 and an upper housing 14 which generally separate along parting line 13. Suction nozzle 16 and suction inlet 18 are part of the upper housing 14 similar to the suction nozzle structure as taught in the above referenced coowned patent.

As principally illustrated in figures 2, 3, and 4, lower housing 12 has suspended therein a floating carpet scrubbing brush assembly 20. Figures 3 and 4 illustrate the forward portion of lower housing 12 with the upper housing, including the suction nozzle 16, removed for clarity. The brush assembly may be powered by an air driven turbine 15, or any other suitable motive power means typically used in the industry, through a suitable gear drive train or transmission 54. A suitable air turbine driven gear train is taught in co-owned U.S. Patent No. 5,443,362 issued on August 22, 1995 and titled "Air Turbine".

Turning now to figures 5 and 6, brush assembly 20 comprises brush support beam 22 having five spaced apart, integrally molded, cylindrical bearings 24A, 24B, 24C, 24D and 24E. Rotatingly received within bearings 24 are axial shafts 26A, 26B, 26C, 26D and 26E of gear brushes 25A, 25B, 25C, 25D and 25E.

It is to be noted that the axial shafts of brush gears 25C and 25E include extensions 28 and 29, respectfully, for purposes to be described below.

During manufacture of brush assernbly 20, the gear brush axial shafts 26 are first inserted into the appropriate bearing 24 and with gear brushes 25 in their uppermost position, with gear teeth 78 intermeshed, gear guards 32A and 32B are attached to support beam 22, as described below, thereby forming brush assembly 20, as illustrated in figure 4. Once assernbled the peripheral lips 33A and 33B, on each gear guard 32A and 32B respectively, extend inwardly beyond the lower portion 84 (see figure 13) of gear teeth 78 thereby surrounding the row of rotary brushes and retaining each gear brush within the confines of the surrounding gear guards. Thus each brush may float vertically, with respect to support beam 22, limited in its uppermost travel by abutment of brush 25 with the lower portion of bearing 24 and limited in its lowermost travel by abutment of teeth 78 with lips 33 of gear guards 32. Also by providing a loose fit between the gear brush axial shaft 26 and bearing 24 each brush 25 may also tilt slightly with respect to the vertical axis.

Gear guards 32A and 32B are identical in construction so as to be interchangeable on either side of brush support beam 22. To facilitate "snap together" assembly of each gear guard to the brush support beam, each gear guard 32 is provided with three integrally formed, horizontally extending, locking tabs 34, as best seen on gear guard 32B in figure 5, extending parallel to and below the top cover plates 36A and 36B of gear guards 32A and 32B. Further each gear guard (32A and 32B) is provided with guide and alignment openings 38 for receipt therein (upon assembling the brush assembly) of extended tabs 39 of brush support beam 22.

As the gear guards are brought together about brush support beam 22 and its associated gear brushes 25, tangs 34, on both gear guards 32A and 32B, slide under extended tabs 39, of brush support beam 22, engaging slots 41 thereby locking gear guards 32A and 32B to brush support beam 22 as illustrated in figures 11 and 12. It is to be noted that when assembled, extended tangs 39 are sandwiched between the gear guard top cover plate 36A and 36B and its associated tang 34, as seen in figure 12, thereby providing lateral stability to the gear guards.

Integral to and extending upward from the opposite lateral ends of brush support beam 22 are "T" shaped rails 42 and 43. T-rails 42 and 43 are slidably received within vertical guide slots 46 and 47 integrally molded into lower base module housing 12, as best seen in figures 3, 9, and 10, whereby brush assembly 20 may freely move or float in the vertical direction within the brush assembly cavity 48 of housing 12.

During assembly of base module 10, brush assembly 20 is inserted vertically into cavity 48 with T-rails 42 and 43 slidably engaging guide slots 46 and 47 respectfully. As brush assembly 20 is inserted into cavity 48, tabs 51 on gear guards 32A and 32B snap into vertically elongated openings 53 and grooves 57 respectively of housing 12. As illustrated in figures 2, 3, 9, 11, 16, and 17, outwardly projecting tangs 51 from gear guard 32A slidingly engage vertical slots 53 of housing 12 and tangs 51, projecting from gear guard 32B, slidingly engage grooves 57 thereby floatingly retaining brush assembly 20 within cavity 48.

Gear brush 25C and 25E (see figure 5) are provided with axle shaft extensions 28 and 29, respectively, having a square lateral cross-section. Axle shaft 28 is slidably received within drive gear 52 contained within gear box 54 as illustrated in figure 6. Gear 52 is preferably powered by air turbine 15 through an appropriate gear train, such as that disclosed in co-owned U.S. Patent No. 5,443,362 identified above and incorporated herein by reference. As brush assembly 20 moves vertically, with respect to lower housing 12, axle shaft 28 is slidably received within drive gear 52 as illustrated in figure 6A.

Gear brush rotation indicator 44 is fixedly attached to shaft extension 29 of gear brush 25E and extends upward through opening 56 in the top of brush cavity 48 of lower housing 12 so as to be visible to the operator through clear lens 19 of upper housing 14 as seen in figure 1.

Referring to figures 2, 9, 16, and 17, brush assembly 20 floats freely within cavity 48 of lower housing 12. The lower limit of brush assembly 20, as illustrated in figure 9, is controlled by tangs 51 which engage the bottom ledge 49 and 50 of slots 53 and grooves 57. The upper travel of brush assembly 20 is limited by abutment of the brush assembly against the top portion 45 of cavity 48.

Further, as brush assembly 20 floats vertically within cavity 48 T-rails 42 and 43 slidingly engaging slots 46 and 47 respectively of lower housing 12 thereby maintaining alignment of brush assembly 20 within cavity 48 and transferring the forces applied to brush assembly 20, by movement of extractor 10 forward and rearward, to lower housing 12. T-rails 42 and 43 are configured so as to permit brush assembly 20 to assume a laterally skewed or canted (one end higher than the other) relationship with respect to cavity 48 as it moves vertically.

Referring to figures 1 and 2, base module 10 is principally supported upon rear wheels 17 and suction inlet 18 of suction nozzle 16. Thus brush assembly 20, by reason of the above described floating structure, is suspended within cavity 48 of lower housing 12 whereby brush assembly 20 bears none of the extractor weight and permits brushes 25 to "float" atop the surface being cleaned as they rotate. The weight of the extractor is supported by rear wheels 17 and suction inlet 18. With the extractor center of gravity forward of rear wheels 17 and the floating characteristic of brush assembly 20, suction inlet 18 will be in contact with the surface being cleaned thereby assuring maximum recovery of dispensed cleaning solution.

The structure described hereinabove is preferably constructed with generous and loose tolerances that permit brush assembly 20 as a unit and the individual gear brushes 25 to separately move in other than vertical straight lines and thereby operate in skewed positions as may be dictated by the unevenness of the surface being cleaned.

Cleaning solution supply manifold 60 is positioned above brush assembly 20 and affixed to lower housing 12, as illustrated in figures 3, 6, and 7. Liquid cleaning solution is supplied to nipple 62 on manifold 60 by way of a flexible tube such as, for example, illustrated in co-owned U.S. Patent No. 5,406,673. Cleaning solution flows throughout manifold channel 64 to discharge orifices 66A, 66B, 66C, 66D and 66E in the bottom thereof as shown in figures 7 and 8. Brush support beam 22 includes a laterally extending trough-like floor 68, as best seen in figures 9 and 12, separated into five zones or troughs 71A, 71B, 71C, 71D, and 71E by walls 72A, 72B, 72C, 72D, 72E, and 72F as best illustrated in figure 5.

As can be seen in figures 6 and 6A, liquid cleaning solution cascadingly flows, by gravity, from manifold orifice 66A into trough 71A, from orifice 66B into trough 71B, from orifice 66C into trough 71C, from orifice 66D into trough 71D and from orifice 66E into trough 71E. In the configuration as illustrated in figures 6 and 6A, no fluid flows into trough 71C'. The purpose of trough 71C' is to provide symmetry to support beam 22 such that beam 22 requires no specific orientation during assembly. Beam 22 may be positioned as shown in the figures or rotated 1800. When rotated 180 trough 71C' then receives fluid from orifice 66C and supplies brush 25C through conduit 74C' with trough 71C becoming non-functional.

Cleaning solution received in troughs 71A, 71B, 71C, 71D, and 71E flows through fluid supply conduits 74A, 74B, 74C, 74D, and 74E, respectively, and into center cups 77A, 77B, 77C, 77D, and 77E of brushes 25A, 25B, 25C, 25D, and 25E as best seen in figure 6. Once deposited within brush cup 25, the cleaning solution flows outward toward the surface being cleaned through openings 81A, 81B, 81C, 81D, and 81E in the bottom of brush cups 77A, 77B, 77C, 77D, and 77E, respectively.

It is preferred that brush bristles 86 be of a soft texture such that when rotating and in contact with the surface being cleaned the brush bristles bend whereby the bottom of brush cup 77 is in contact with the surface being cleaned.

Thus the cleaning solution being dispensed through openings 81 flows directly onto the surface being cleaned. A circumferential rim or edge is provided about the bottom periphery of cup 77 to prevent the centrifuging of cleaning solution radially outward. The preferred operational speed of brushes 25 has been found to be between 500 to 900 RPM for a brush of approximately two inches in diameter.

For uniform distribution of cleaning solution on carpeted or other surfaces being cleaned, it is desirable that each brush 25A, 25B, 25C, 25D and 25E receive a steady and equal flow rate of cleaning solution. Therefore, the size of orifices 66A, 66B, 66C, 66D, and 66E are preferably determined by empirical testing. It has been found, for the manifold configuration as illustrated herein, that orifice 66B required a slightly larger diameter than that of the other four which are of equal size.

In order to minirnize the lead-time required to stop the flow of cleaning solution to the brushes, conduits 74 A, 74B, 74C, 74D, and 74E are oversized so as to be more than adequate to convey the flow rate being dispensed by orifices 66 into brush cups 77 thereby assuring that dispensed cleaning solution immediately flows through conduits 74 into brush cups 77 and exits through openings 81 onto the surface being cleaned and does not collect or back-up in troughs 71 A, 71B, 71C, 71D, or 71E.

Referring to figures 5, 13, 14, and 15, gear brushes 25C and 25E are identical to brushes 25A, 25B, and 25D in all respects except that brushes 25A, 25B, and 25D do not include key shaft 28 or 29. It is necessary for brush 25C to have extended key shaft 28 as it is the preferred, power driven gear brush which drives the gear brush train. Gear brush 25E includes key shaft 29 so that gear brush rotation indicator 44 may be placed thereon to provide visual verification to the operator that the gear brushes are, in fact, rotating during use.

Each gear brush 25 is basically configured as a spur gear preferably having ten teeth 78 which intermesh, as seen in figures 5, 6, and 6A such that when center gear brush 25C rotates all other gear brushes rotate accordingly. The center hub of gear brushes 25 forms a hollow downwardly projecting cup 77 having a multiplicity of openings 81 circumscribing the bottom thereof.

Each gear tooth 78 has an upper tooth profile 82 and a lower profile 84 which approximates upper profile 82. However, profile 84 is smaller in size and slightly indented from profile 82, as seen in figures 13, 14, and 15, forming an offset 83. Only profile 82 of gear tooth 78 is intended to drivingly engage the corresponding tooth profile of the adjacent gear brush.

Each gear tooth 78 has a blind bore 79, extending to offset 83, into which bristle bundles 86 are compressively inserted. Upon insertion of bristle bundles 86 into blind bores 79 lower profile 84 of tooth 78 may be expected to expand or bulge in the area of bore 79. Thus the offset 83 is sufficiently sized to prevent the bulge, in lower profile 84, from extending beyond the upper profile 82 and thus assuring that the gear teeth of adjacent gear brushes, upon intermeshing, do not bind or otherwise interfere with one another. Alternatively a downwardly extending circular (or any other convenient configuration) boss may be used to receive the bristle bundles and perform the function of alleviating gear binding.

Referring now to figures 18, 19, 20, and 21, the lower housing 12 generally comprises a one-piece molded body (similar to that as taught in the above referenced U.S. Patent) having affixed thereto a motor fan assembly 122 for providing a working vacuum for the extractor, and air driven turbine 125 providing rnotive power for a floor scrubbing brush system 126 contained within base housing brush cavity 124. A suitable brush system is taught in a co-owned and co-pending provisional patent application identified as Hoover Case No. 2442 filed simultaneously with the herein application. Brush system 126 is operated by a suitable gear train (or other known means), not shown, contained in transmission housing 128. A suitable air turbine driven gear train is taught in co-owned U.S.

Patent No. 5,443,362 issued on August 22, 1995 and titled "Air Turbine".

A suitable scrubbing brush system is taught in co-pending U.S. Patent Application titled "Carpet Extractor Brush Assernbly" and presently identified as Hoover Case No. 2442 filed sirnultaneously with the herein application.

Also affixed to lower housing 12 is an air turbine driven fluid pump 130 for providing a pressurized cleaning solution supply for above floor cleaning apparatus. The structure of air turbine driven fluid pump 130 and its general operation and functional use is fully described in co-owned U.S. Patent 5,406,673 referenced above.

Integrally molded into the underside of lower housing 12 (see figure 21) is a vacuum manifold 128 having extensions 131, 132 and 133 for providing a vacuum source for turbines 125 and 130. Manifold 128 is completed by a one piece bottom plate. Motor fan 122 generally provides suction into manifold 128 through the fan inlet or eye 134. As seen in figure 20 atmospheric air, driving the brush turbine rotor 136, enters a plenum, surrounding rotor 136, by way of turbine inlet 138, passes through rotor 136 and into a plenum via exit conduit 139 and plenum extension 132. Positioned within inlet 138 is a throttle valve door 140 for energizing or de-energizing rotor 136.

Figures 27 through 28 illustrate the preferred embodiment of throttle valve door 140 wherein the periphery of the door has extending therefrom a flexible lip seal 159. Lip seal 159 may be integrally molded with the door structure as an intentional "flash" of material around the door periphery having a controlled thickness such that it is flexible with respect to the door main body structure. As illustrated in figure 29, upon closing valve door 140, lip seal 159 sealingly engages the inside walls 141 of the turbine inlet 138.

Similar to air turbine 125, suction is supplied to exit conduit 142 of the air turbine driven fluid supply pump 130 thereby drawing atmospheric air into inlet 144, and through rotor 146 thereby energizing the air driven fluid pump 130.

Similar to the teaching of referenced co-owned U.S. Patent 5,406,673, and as illustrated in figures 1, 18, and 20, air turbine driven fluid pump 130 is positioned beneath upper housing 14 such that the turbine air inlet 144 and the adjacent fluid discharge nipple 148 are aligned with opening 151 in upper housing 14. A trap door valve 120 is hingedly attached to upper housing 14 such that when trap door 120 is closed, as seen in figure 1, turbine air inlet 144 is closed, thereby interrupting the air flow to rotor 146 and de-energizing turbine driven fluid pump 130. When door 120 is open, as illustrated in figure 18, air inlet 144 is open and atmospheric air is drawn through rotor 146 thereby energizing fluid pump 130.

Also, similar to the teaching of co-owned U.S. Patent 5,406,673, fluid discharge nipple 148 is accessible for attachment of a fluid supply line, not shown, extending to a hand held extractor nozzle for above floor cleaning of upholstery or the like.

Figure 30 provides a simplified schematic flow diagram illustrating the air flow paths, described above. Referring now to figure 30, vacuum is applied to manifold 128 by motor fan 122. When in the floor cleaning mode, trap door valve 120 is closed thereby de-energizing turbine driven fluid supply pump 130. However, throttle valve 140 is opened thereby energizing brush drive turbine 125. When in the above floor cleaning mode, throttle valve 140 is closed (thereby de-energizing brush drive turbine 125) and trap door valve 120 is opened energizing turbine driven fluid supply pump 130. Debris entrained air from the floor suction nozzle 16 or from the above floor cleaning apparatus 115 is directed to solution recovery tank 123. A suitable solution recovery tank and means for converting from the floor suction nozzle to above floor cleaning apparatus is taught in co-owned U.S. Patent 5,406,673. Vacuum is supplied to the solution recovery tank frorn vacuum manifold 128 via manifold extension arm 133. Suitable means for supplying vacuum to the solution recovery tank is also taught in the above referenced co-owned U.S. Patent.

Except for link 150, the elements in figure 30 illustrated with broken lines are taught in above referenced U.S. Patent 5,406,673 which the preferred solution recovery tank system and means for converting from the floor cleaning mode to above floor cleaning mode.

In the interest of energy management, it is desirable that only one air turbine be energized at a time dependent upon the operational mode selected by the operator. When in the floor cleaning mode, only the brush drive turbine 125 is required to operate and when in the above floor mode only the turbine driven fluid pump 130 is required to operate. Therefore, a mechanical linkage system is provided whereby throttle valve 140 is caused to close when in the above floor cleaning mode, thereby de-energizing brush drive turbine 125.

Referring to figures 19 and 22 through 24, link 150, pivotally attached to pivot post 152, is caused to rotate clockwise about pivot 152, as illustrated in figure 23, when trap door valve 120 is placed in the open position, by engagement of tang 151, on door 120, and tang 153 on link 150 as illustrated in figure 24. At the opposite end thereof, link 150 is provided with a slot which slidingly receives therein pin 154 projecting upward from bell crank 156 attached to rotatable shaft 158 of throttle valve 140 such that rotation of bell crank 156 likewise rotates shaft 158 thereby opening or closing throttle valve 140. Thus, as illustrated in the figures, opening of trap door 120 (when converting to above floor mode) link 150 rotates clockwise about post 152 thereby rotating bell crank 156 counterclockwise causing throttle valve 140 to close interrupting the air supply to and de-energizing brush turbine 125 while at the same time liquid supply pump 130 is energized by the opening of trap door valve 120. When trap door valve 120 is closed, thereby deenergizing air turbine pump 130, spring 160 returns bell crank 156 to its original, at rest position, thereby opening throttle valve 140 and energizing brush drive turbine 125.

It is preferable, as illustrated in figures 27 through 30, that throttle valve 140 be non-symmetrical about shaft 158 having a larger area on one side thereof. Thus the centroid of the larger area has a greater arm (about the vertical axis) than the smaller area. Thus air flowing through throttle valve 140 to turbine 125 creates a clockwise moment thereon maintaining the valve in the open position and prevents valve flutter.

Referring now to figures 22, 23, 25, and 26, a manual override mechanism 155 is provided whereby the operator, operating in the floor cleaning mode, may selectively close throttle valve 140 thereby de-energizing brush drive turbine 125 or select an intermediate position whereby throttle valve 140 is partially closed thereby reducing the air flow through throttle valve 140 causing brush drive turbine 125 to rotate at a slower speed resulting in slower rotating brushes.

Override mechanism 155 comprises a table 165 integrally molded to the body of brush drive turbine 125 having slide 163 slidingly attached thereto by means of tabs. Projecting upward from slide 163 is post 164. As slide 163 is moved left by the operator, as viewed in figure 22, post 164 engages the flank side 157 of bell crank 156 rotating bell crank 156 and throttle valve 140 counterclockwise thereby closing throttle valve 140 and de-energizing brush drive turbine 125. Upon return of slide 163 to its original position (as illustrated in fig. 23), spring 160 causes bell crank 156 to rotate clockwise, thereby rotating throttle valve 140 to the full open position.

Generally positioned along the lateral center line of slide 163 is a cantilevered tab 166 having a bulbous boss that releasingly engages a first concavity (not shown), a second concavity 172 or a third concavity 173 in the surface of table 165. Tile first concavity corresponds to the full closed position of throttle valve 140, concavity 173 corresponds to the full open position of valve 140, and concavity 172 corresponds to an intermediate, partially open, position of valve 140. Thus when operating in the floor cleaning mode, the operator may select the maximum turbine/brush speed, an intermediate turbine/brush speed or stop the turbine (and brushes) completely. Additional intermediate positions may be added, if desired, by adding additional concavities.

Extending upward from slide 163 is lever arm 175 having a conveniently shaped finger cap 176 atop thereof. Lever arm 175 extends upward through a suitable opening (not shown) in upper housing 14 whereby cap 176 is received within recess 178 in upper housing 14.

The invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment having five rotary brushes. However, obvious modifications and alterations (including increasing or decreasing the number of brushes) will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of the specification. It is also to be understood that although the preferred embodiment disclosed hereinabove teaches rotary brushes having intermeshing spur gear configurations it is not to be considered outside the scope of our invention to use other types of brushes, such as a horizontal roll brush, and alternative drive means such as a belt drive etc. It is our intention to include all such modifications, alterations and equivalents in so far as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

Claims (4)

1. CLAIMS 1. A carpet extractor having a cleaning solution delivery system in fluid communication with a cleaning solution supply reservoir and powered brush system, the powered brush system being carried by a main body and having at least one brush, said cleaning solution delivery system comprising a cleaning solution supply manifold in selective fluid communication with the cleaning solution supply reservoir; said cleaning solution supply manifold having at least one discharge orifice; and a trough disposed below said discharge orifice; said trough having at least one fluid supply conduit; said fluid supply conduit being disposed above a brush in the power brush system.
2. 2. A carpet extractor according to claim 1, further comprising a support beam movably carried by the main body; said support beam having said trough disposed therein; said trough configured for collecting cleaning solution as it falls from said cleaning solution supply manifold; said trough having at least one fluid supply conduit disposed above each of the at least one brush in the powered brush system.
3. 3. A carpet extractor according to claims 1 or 2, wherein each of the at least one brushes in the power brush system has a cup therein, each of said cups being disposed below one of said fluid supply conduits such that fluid falling from each of said fluid supply conduits falls into said cup; each of said cups having at least one opening allowing any fluid in said cup to fall onto the surface being cleaned.
4. 4. A carpet extractor substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.