Power nozzle and rug scrubber

3,200,433

D. F. DOWNEY

POWER NOZZLE AND RUG SCRUBBER

Aug. 17, 1965

Filed June 26, 1963

Sheets-Sheet 1

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HIS ATTORNEY

Aug. 17, 1965

Filed June 26, 1963

D. F. DOWNEY 3,200,433

POWER NOZZLE AND RUG SCRUBBER

Sheets-Sheet 2

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United States Patent Office

3,200,433

Patented Aug. 17, 1965

3,200,433

POWER NOZZLE AND RUG SCRUBBER David F. Downey, Stamford, Conn., assignor to Electroiux Corporation, Old Greenwich, Conn., a corporation of Delsvysrc

Filed June 26,1963, Ser. No. 290,833 8 Claims, (Cl. 15—328)

My invention relates to a surface treating device which may be used either as a suction nozzle for a vacuum cleaner or as a rug washer and scrubber.

This device includes a hollow body having an elongated slot in the bottom surface thereof which is presented to the surface being treated. A rotary brush is mounted within the body in such a position that the bristles thereof project a short distance through the slot as the brush is rotated. An electric motor serves to drive the brush. Connected to the hollow body so as to communicate with the slot is a tubular handle which, when the device is to be used as a suction nozzle, is connected by means of the usual flexible suction hose to a vacuum cleaner. When used in this manner for cleaning a rug, the rotating brush agitates the rug so as to dislodge dirt therefrom which is picked up by the air stream drawn in through the slot and conveyed through the hollow handle and hose to the vacuum cleaner.

The device also includes a liquid distributing manifold arranged above the rotary brush which may be connected by means of a suitable tube to a reservoir which is adapted to be removably mounted on the above mentioned handle. A manually operable valve is provided which, when opened, permits liquid rug shampoo contained in the reservoir to flow through the tube and to be distributed by the manifold along the length of the rotating brush. The brush agitates the shampoo so as to produce foam which the brush works into the carpet for cleaning the latter.

Thus, in accordance with my invention a single device is capable of performing two entirely different operations, namely that of removing dirt from a rug by agitation and airflow and that of scrubbing a rug with a liquid detergent.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification and of which;

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the device in accordance with my invention when used as a rug washer;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the nozzle portion of the device shown in FIG. 1 with a hood member removed;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 3—3 of FIG. 2 and showing the device connected to a vacuum cleaner hose to be used as a suction nozzle;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 4—4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken through the reservoir portion of the device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 6—6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a top view of an element shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 8—8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 9—9 of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 10 is a top view of the reservoir shown in FIGS. 1 and 5.

Referring to the drawings, reference character 10 designates generally a nozzle member to which is permanently and pivotally connected a hollow handle or wand 12. Member 10 includes a hollow body 14 having a bottom surface 16 which is formed near its forward edge with an elongated suction opening 18. As is shown more particularly in FIG. 3, the handle 12 is pivotally mounted at in the hollow body 14 so as to communicate with the interior thereof and hence with the opening 18.

Rotatably mounted within the body 14 by means of bearings 19 is a brush 22 the bristles 24 of which extend outwardly through the opening 18. As is shown in FIG. 2, the brush 22 is provided with a shaft 26 which extends through one of the bearings 19 and on the outer end of which is mounted a pulley 28 driven through a flexible belt 30 by an electric motor 32. Current for operating the motor is supplied through a conductor 34 which extends from the nozzle body and up through a channel 36 formed on the exterior of the hollow handle 12.

A liquid distributing manifold 38 is disposed along the hollow body 14 above the brush 22 and is provided with a plurality of openings 40 terminating just above the brush. A tube 42 is connected to the manifold 38 and terminates in a coupling 44 at the rear of the nozzle member 10. A decorative and protective hood 46 (which is shown removed in FIG. 2), may be secured over the hollow body 14, so as to enclose the motor and belt drive, the coupling 44 being outside of the hood.

The upper end of handle 12 is provided with a suitable spring locking member 48 which may be of the type shown in Patent No. 2,925,289 issued February 16, 1960.

If it is desired to use the above described device as a suction nozzle, the usual flexible suction hose 49 of a vacuum cleaner is inserted in the upper end of the hollow handle 12, the spring lock 48 serving to removably connect the hose to the handle, as is shown in FIG. 3. When the vacuum cleaner is operated so as to produce suction within the hose, this is communicated through the handle 12 to the interior of the hollow body 14, thus causing air to be drawn in through the suction opening 18. Operation of the motor 32 by current supplied through the conduit 34 causes the brush 22 to rotate and the bristles agitate the rug so as to dislodge dirt therefrom, which is picked up by the air stream entering through the opening 18.

If it is desired to use the device as a rug washer, the vacuum cleaner suction hose is disconnected from the handle 12 and the reservoir designated generally by reference character 50 is secured in place, as is shown in FIGS. 1 and 5. The reservoir includes a hollow tank 52 which is closed at its upper end by a top 54 to which is secured one end of a curved handle member 56, the other end of which may be inserted within the hollow handle 12 and retained in place by the spring lock 48, thus serving to secure the upper end of the reservoir 50 to the handle.

The lower end of the tank 52 has a bottom 58 to which is secured a tray-like member 60 having a clamp 62 adapted to embrace the handle 12 and to be clamped thereto by means of a thumbscrew 64. As shown, the handle is formed with exterior reinforcing ribs 66 while the clamp 62 is formed with corresponding grooves, thus preventing turning of the clamp around the handle and assuring a firm connection between the lower end of the reservoir and the handle.

The bottom 58 of the tank 52 is formed with an outlet connection 68 which extends through an opening in the tray 60 and is connected to a flexible tube 70, the opposite end of which carries a coupling member 72 which may be removably coupled to the coupling 44 on the nozzle 10. A valve 74 mounted on a valve stem 76 controls flow through the outlet connection 68. The stem 76 extends through an opening in the cover 54 and is connected to its upper end to an operating trigger 78 which is pivoted on the curved handle 56. A spring 80 disposed around the stem 76 between the top 54 and a shoulder formed on the stem urges the latter downwardly so as to maintain the valve 74 in closed position. A

3,200,43 filler opening in the cover 54 is normally closed by a suitable cap 82.

With the parts in the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, assuming a suitable liquid shampoo to be contained within the reservoir 50, the operator grasps the handle 56 for the purpose of moving the device back and forth over a rug to be shampooed. The operator’s index finger may conveniently lift the trigger 78 so as to open the valve 74 to permit liquid to flow by gravity through the tubes 70 and 42 to the manifold 38 from where it is distributed through the openings 40 on to the top of the rotating brush 22. The brush whips air into the liquid shampoo, thus causing the generation of foam which is carried around by the brush and is worked into the rug being cleaned. By applying the liquid to the brush, the former is prevented from reaching the rug in liquid form, but only as foam. Even though the rotary brush might tend to throw some of the shampoo up the hollow handle 12, the upper end of the latter is completely closed by a portion of the handle 56 received therein, thus preventing the emission of shampoo from the handle.

Thus it will be seen that the member 10 is capable of serving as a suction nozzle when connected to a vacuum cleaner, and as a rug washer and scrubber when the reservoir 50 is associated therewith.

While I have shown and described one more or less specific embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that this has been done for the purpose of illustration only and that the scope of my invention is not to be limited thereby, but is to be determined from the appended claims.