Surface cleaning apparatus

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016135656-A1
Application number	US-201414901338-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Feb 7, 2014
Priority date	Jul 1, 2013
Publication date	May 19, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A surface cleaning apparatus that includes a cleaning head having a body that defines a footprint to sit adjacent a surface to be cleaned. The apparatus further includes a fluid storage container and the cleaning head includes a nozzle configured for directing fluid from the storage container to a surface outside of the footprint of the body.

First claim

1 . A surface cleaning apparatus including:
a cleaning head having a body that defines a footprint to sit adjacent a surface to be cleaned; and a fluid storage container; wherein the cleaning head includes a nozzle configured for directing fluid from the storage container to a surface outside of the footprint of the body.

2 . An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the apparatus includes at least two of said nozzles, each of the at least two nozzles configured for directing fluid from the storage container to a surface outside of the footprint of the body.

3 . An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the nozzle is connected to the body.

4 . An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the nozzle is connected to a forwardly facing part of the body.

5 . An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the nozzle is moveable relative to the body.

6 . An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the nozzle is rotationally moveable relative to the body.

7 . An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the nozzle is angularly moveable relative to the body.

8 . An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the nozzle is laterally moveable relative to the body.

9 . An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the nozzle includes a portion which is telescopically moveable so as to effect a displacement between an outlet of the nozzle and the body.

10 . An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the nozzle is moveable towards and away from the surface to be cleaned.

11 . An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the nozzle is resiliently moveable.

12 . An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the nozzle is detachably connected to the body.

13 . An apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the detachable connection is provided by one of suitable screw or bayonet connection formations provided on the body and nozzle.

14 . An apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the apparatus includes a plurality of said nozzles, each of which is connectable to the body as selected by a user.

15 . An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the apparatus includes a valve for controlling the flow of fluid from the storage container to the nozzle.

16 . An apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the valve is actuated by a user operable switch.

17 . An apparatus according to claim 16 wherein the switch is configured for controlling the amount of fluid which passes to the nozzle.

18 . An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the fluid storage container is a water storage container and wherein the apparatus further includes:
a steam generator including a heating element;
a pump for feeding water from the water storage container to the steam generator; and
a fluid passage for directing steam from the steam generator to a cleaning head of the apparatus,
wherein the apparatus includes a further fluid passage for directing steam from the steam generator to the nozzle.

19 . An apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the apparatus includes a valve for controlling the flow of fluid from the storage container to the nozzle, wherein the valve is actuated by a user operable switch, and wherein the switch is configured for controlling the amount of steam which passes from the steam generator to the nozzle.

20 . An apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the fluid storage container is configured for holding a fluid containing a detergent.

21 . An apparatus according to claim 20 , wherein the apparatus includes a valve for controlling the flow of fluid from the storage container to the nozzle, wherein the valve is actuated by a user operable switch, and wherein the switch is configured for controlling the amount of detergent which passes from the detergent storage container to the nozzle.

22 . An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the fluid storage container is a water storage container and wherein the apparatus includes:
a steam generator in fluid communication with the water storage container, the steam generator including a heating element;
a pump for feeding water from the water storage container to the steam generator;
a steam passage for directing steam from the steam generator to a cleaning head of the apparatus;
a further steam passage for directing steam from the steam generator to the nozzle;
a detergent storage container; and
a detergent passage for directing detergent from the detergent storage container to the nozzle.

23 . An apparatus according to claim 22 wherein the detergent passage and the further steam passage are connected to a common passage which connects to the nozzle.

24 . An apparatus according to claim 22 wherein the nozzle includes respective outlets from the further steam passage and from the detergent passage.

25 . An apparatus according to claim 22 wherein the apparatus includes a device for controlling the amount of steam and/or detergent which is directed to the nozzle.

26 . An apparatus according to claim 25 wherein the device includes a valve.

27 . An apparatus according to claim 26 wherein the valve is controlled by a user operable switch.

28 . An apparatus according to claim 27 wherein user operable switch is hand or foot operable and is positioned on the body of the cleaning head.

29 . An apparatus according to claim 27 wherein the apparatus includes a wand and wherein the user operable switch is positioned thereon.

30 . An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the apparatus includes a tool for cleaning, the tool having a conduit which is connectable to the nozzle.

31 . An apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the apparatus includes a tool for cleaning, each tool having a conduit which is connectable to a respective part of the body to which the nozzle connects.

32 . An apparatus according to claim 1 including a source of suction for removing water from the surface being cleaned.

33 .- 34 . (canceled)

Assignees

• Techtronic Floor Care Tech Ltd

Inventors

• Grove Phil

Classifications

• A47L11/40

  Parts or details of machines not {provided for in} groups A47L11/02 - A47L11/38, {or not restricted to one of these groups}, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers, levers · CPC title

• A47L11/4088

  Supply pumps; Spraying devices; Supply conduits · CPC title

• A47L11/4036

  Parts or details of the surface treating tools · CPC title

• A47L11/4083

  Liquid supply reservoirs; Preparation of the agents, e.g. mixing devices · CPC title

• A47L11/4086 Primary

  Arrangements for steam generation · CPC title